Disclaimer: I stated my intentions. But I do have some ownership over the ones I crafted just for this saga!
Enjoy amigos!
Chapter Twelve: Leave it for the birds if it's too close to Lei Magnus!
The following day we all set out to our trail that lead us around a dukedom instead of cutting though town, Zel wanted to scale the outside boarder of its territory, which brought us somewhere that look like it was passing through Vezendi. I could tell, because the air around us grew chillier, and it was near noon. The higher we scale in altitude, the colder it got. Eventually it got to a point where we all stopped dead in our tracks and put on some warmer gear. The three of us were donning in thick furs, while Proserpina put on multiple layers followed by her signature fur trimmed trench coat. After she strapped on her hostler, we continue our trip to the mountains. The wind blew against us, and snow was making itself known as flakes gathered. Soon we had waltz ourselves into a wintery wonderland.
"I need to come back here one day, with a snowboard." I overheard Proserpina mutter to herself as she observed the hilly terrain. "I'd have a blast here; look at all of those jumps." I'm assuming that she is referring to a sport in her world. She continued off in whatever daydream that was passing though, which then my attention reverted to Zelgadis, whom was rather more sprightly than usual. He hummed a tune to himself as he guided us. There was an air about him all morning, so I decide that now was the best time to dig around and see what the deal was.
"Well you seem all rather high in spirits today." I walked in front of him, which caused him to slow his pace. "What's gotten you all on cloud nine, Zelly?" He gazed at me and shrugs. "What are you talking about, Lina?"
"I mean you're all perky, and that normally not you." He cocked his head to one side, and gave me a look that would have said 'what the hell you are talking about?' "Come on. Spill the beans. Do share what's got you such in a chipper!" There was a minute or two where he seems hesitate about speaking of whatever it was. "I suppose my more uplifted mood may be of what I found out earlier this morning…"
"And what was that?" I'm wondering what the hell he found out, I doubt it has to do anything with the mission, so what was mention that got his so jubilant in his stride. Unless something was brought up and the Reversals where mentioned…
"I found out, that there is a way-"He was interrupted by the dimwitted blond. "Hey guys!" Gourry jumped as he waved us down to the side of the pathway. "I think I found something!" The three of us trotted to where Gourry stood, and witness the same marvel he had pointed out to us. Before us, stood a massive birdlike head that was engraved into the mountain side. It was an impressive piece of art, even though there were layers of snow piled on it, there where parts that where expose, revealing the detail in the soft feeling stone that was oddly smooth to the touch. "What do you think it is?" Gourry stood in awe as he cleared off the several clumps of build up, showing more of the bird's head. Its beak was about the size of me, and its head was about the size of a dragon's.
"It could be a sculpture of some sort." Zelgadis suggested and he observes the edge of the rock where the head was connected to the rock's surface. "But it appears to not be of the same material that the mountain consists of."
"You think it may be an artifact?" It does feel like it has some age to it, like it wasn't anything recent of the current times, but rather something that may have remain unseen until now. I've never took noticed of something like this before. Proserpina joins my side and tapped her finger onto her lip. Her pale hand went to reach for the orbs of the bird's eyes, her finger tracing the outside of the iris. The pupil was jet black and started to glow red after her hand brush across it.
"Whoops!" We hurried away as the bird's head began to moved; its beak open wide, exposing a narrow walk way.
"Would you look at that?" Proserpina sounded amused. "I seem to have the magic touch, hm?" She went with the intention of going first, until Gourry stopped her. "Men should go first in settings like these." Such Chivalry! Proserpina held up her hands as Gourry and Zelgadis enter the passage way first, then I, Proserpina followed behind us as we all venture into the tunnel. We were at least a few decent feet behind when the beak began to shut close! Great! Now we are stuck in the dark! Wait a Minute! Why am I complaining? I am a sorceress here, so let's get some lighting in here. I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who thought of that idea, Zel ahead of us beamed up a glowing ball of light as well. The antechamber seems to wind around, which was making me feel like we were going in circles. I was starting to think that, until Gourry stumbled across a series of steps, which lead downwards. "Careful!" He yelled as he steady himself onto his feet. Zelgadis proceed as Gourry continue on his side. Eventually the two guys started to have a small conversation, as Gourry was the first to speak. Though, between the clicking noises I kept hearing, the muffled drips of water, and the sound of our boots the echoed made it difficult to make out what they were saying. I could at least make out this bit I overheard.
"Do you think it will work?" He asked as the blue chimera heavily sighed. "From what she claims it should." Did she tell him without me knowing? I turn my attention to Proserpina, who was lagging behind me. She was already taking puffs out of her rolled cigarette. I need to know what the deal is, without coming off as nosey.
"Hey!" I called out to her. She glances in my direction, exhaling smoke as I waited for her. "I just noticed something…"
"And what's that?" I nodded my head in Zel's direction. "Is it me, or does he seems to be in a chipper mood then usual?"
She arched her eyebrow at me. "What are you talking about, Willis?" I could feel a muscle in my forehead twitch as I did my best to hide my irritation. First off, that is not my name, and secondly, you can tell the difference in how he is acting? "I mean look at him!" I even gesture at the pep in his step. "He even has a little bounce when he walks." Proserpina gave me a sideway glance. "I think you're on something Lina…"
"No. Watch this." I spun back around to the guys, cupping my hand around my mouth. "Hey Zel!" I heard him groan lowly as both Gourry and he turn back in response.
"Yes Lina?" He asked. I quickly thought of something witty to say without making it even more suspicious. "How is it looking ahead of us?" Seems reasonable to ask, right?
"There are more stairs…" He went back around and proceeds forward with Gourry tagging behind him. They continue to discuss something softy among each other. Proserpina arch her eye brow, with a look that hope for an explanation.
"He even looks like he was somewhat smiling…" She rolls her eyes. "He looks the same to me, and that was more of a RBF then a smile."
What the hell is a RBF? Proserpina snickers as she told me what it stand for: Resting Bitch face. I laughed loudly as she went on to how it was a look where someone appear to be scolding all the time, or annoyed but blank at the same time. I have to agree, that is how Zelgadis looks majority of the time, just not as much today. Gourry peep over his shoulder as I giggle loudly once more as I did my best to remember that. His constant sourpuss expression just may be how his default look is due to his part golem DNA. I guess I can say that his face is set in stone! Our laugher echo as we maintain our steady strides, until we came into a narrower walkway. It closed in till the point each one of us was walking behind the other. With Zel in the front and Proserpina in the back, we twist and turn our way though what felt like the longest maze ever. We reach a huge circular room with four bird-like statues in the center. Odd looking giant fans set diagonally from each other. These climbed up the cylinder wall, which gave the impression that we were in some sort of tower. We moved with caution as we gain closer to the stone figures, each one had a color to them; the one I was checking out as a reddish tone, with its beak pointing left. Gourry stood in front of one with the same tone as his hair. Proserpina was admiring one with green, which looked downwards at her. While Zelgadis walk about one with a shade of blue, its head twisted gracefully to the right.
"What is this?" Gourry, that is my question as well. Zelgadis remain silent in observation. "They are all looking in different directions. Proserpina extends her arm as she pointed out to what appeared to be ruins…
"What does that say?" She asked as Zelgadis traced his figure along the graphics, while Gourry stood clueless scratching at his head. "I dunno." The blond mumbled and I let out a long groan as I waited for the next possible thing that would come spurting out. "It just look like a bunch of shapes to me. Like here are some triangles that are connected together, and some squares with-"I slammed him as hard as I could with the heel of my boot, which caused him to hit the stone floor with a loud thunk. He moans loudly as he stands back up and Zelgadis snapped his fingers as if he was on to something.
"I think I may know what this one says." The three of us grouped around him as he mutters what sounded to me like one of the lost languages. "Ah!" He exclaimed which cause Proserpina to flinch. "I figured this one out; so this one says "Spawn of the gentle Zephyrus, a bringer of warmer weather. I stare out to the sea, pilfering the sun along with me."
"What is that suppose to mean?!" The three us of sincerely agreed with him, Zel had the idea to translate and make out what the rest say as he scramble around the room, statue to statue. "As a child of Boreas, my wings carry me high and above. I leave the ground below me white, and as silent as death." He worded off the yellow one, and raced to the red. "The son of Notus." His index digit traced the embedding text as he hummed while he figured out what it was saying. "I raise the Dog Star in the sky. My breath is fire and my wing brings heat. The living beings scorch as I gaze below." The final one was next to Proserpina as Zel read off of it with her watching him in a form of amazement. "As the offspring of Eurus; I glide with the thunder, and carry the clouds at my feet. I gaze in the direction of home, which appears every day." After that, the room fell quite as the three of us thought about what each one has to do with anything pertaining to this room (I think Gourry just stood there, acting like he was thinking to just fit in). There was no door, but rather some odd stones that matched the shape and size of the base of each statue. I left the gang as I venture out to get a closer look at the platforms. I wasn't the only one with the same idea; Proserpina had gone to the opposite side, stepping on one.
"I think these things are suppose to go on it." She said as one clicked as she stood on it. "And it has a shape on it."
"Hey! Here's another triangle!" At least Gourry can be of help at times, even with his dubious nature.
'Do you think we can even move them?' Zelgadis asked as he gave the red one a shove. The stone material screech as he moved it as inch until he stopped. "It's possible, but it's going to take some teamwork."
"But where do we need to move them to?" That's simple, Gourry! We need to put them in the place where they corresponded with! First we need to figure out where they go. "Is this some kind of symbol for a direction?" Proserpina seemed to be onto to something, because shortly after she threw that question out, Zelgadis clapped his hands together. "Oh! I think you are on to something!" He briskly strolls to each platform, surveying each one until snapped his fingers. "She is right, they are directions. They're ancient cardinal symbols for the points of a direction probably associated with either statue. But the question is which one is associated with which symbol." He tapped on the first one with his foot. "This one is look like it's the ancient symbol for west." He did mention that the birds where meant to go on a square, but I'm not familiar with any of the names mentioned. None of them are ringing any bells...
"Hold up." Proserpina pouted her lips as she carefully waited before she made her say. "The names do sound very familiar to me…"
"Is that so?" Both Zelgadis and I said together without skipping a beat. We kinda glance at each other briefly before looking back at her. She eagerly nodded her head. "They are names for the four winds that my world used a long time ago." Okay. That would make sense of that, but here's the next thing, who are they then? "Simple." She claims as she whips out a note book and a pen. She doodles something within the confinements of the pages, and holds it in front of her. She had neatly drawn a compass, somewhat tilted and not completely align with the poles. It would have been accurate if she had matched them up. I wanted to say something, but she jolted down what look to be names. I couldn't tell you, the writing was odd.
"So each bird represents a wind, and the cardinal points they are connected with." She tapped at the first written one."Boreas was connected with the cold winds that brought on winter and snow." She pointed to the following "Zephyrus was the winds that stirred up spring and the sea." Then the next, " Notus was responsible for the hotter winds." and with the final. "Eurus was the winds that brought rain and storms."
"Now to figure out the direction they go with." I rubbed my chin as the rest of us got to the brain storming. "I stare out into the sea… Pilfering the sun with me…" I overheard Zelgadis mutter to himself. He rubbed his hands together as his eyes raced about in thought. "Into the sea…the sun. Sunset? Ah!" He tapped on the statue of Zephyrus. "This one is west. The sea is located in the west! Also warmer air does come from that direction as well." He gathered himself with his back against the status and began to push. Of course he is capable of budging that blasted thing! He's a chimera as well! Speaking of which, the other and Gourry join Zel and helped. With the three of them combined, it made the base skidded rapidly across the platform, and I could hear Zel fussing at Gourry to stop doing something. Of course he doesn't listen, and he trips at some point. I watched as he lands square on his face, causing Proserpina to giggle madly. "Dumbass! I told him not to do that." Zel hissed as both he and Proserpina continue to shove the statue. It slid across the surface of the square, and with a click it sat in place.
"Okay that's one." At least we were on to something instead of sitting like ducks here. I went over to where Gourry was, and assist with the wound that was on his forehead. Gods! He would have gotten himself killed if I wasn't around. Lucky it was just a scrape and nothing more. Light glowed from my palm as he wrapped his arm around me.
"Hey love birds!' Proserpina jeered and I stare angrily at her. "When you done being all lovey dovey over there." Zel flinched a bit and look at us, turning a bit pink in the face as he maintains a poker face expression. "How about helping us move these?" We got back to our feet, and he and I went up to the red one. 'Notus.'My mind raced as I remember both the translation and what Proserpina mentioned about. 'I raise the Dog Star'. The Dog Star is known as the brightest star in the night's sky. It begins in the southern part of the sky, before rising high to its glorious position north and high. I'll take a gander that this one going south. I motion Gourry to follow as we both made our attempt to move it, there was a bit of work, but we got it as we scooted our backsides.
"Easy Gourry." I purred as we pushed the based in place, which clicked as well. Proserpina and Zelgadis already tackled the green one for Eurus, which left the yellowed Boreas to us. The chimera dragged theirs to the left, which meant that the last spot remaining was the North. As the same as was done to the previous; Gourry and I used our hip power to move that statue into it final place. The based both snapped in place as both where all set and done. We all moved back to the center of the room.
"What's next?" I don't know Proserpina, We wait? Not for long apparently, the room began to tremble as magical energy build up from the beaks of the statue. Matching the color of each figure, the blight burst above, collecting as it grew, then to explode! It caused a great wind that whirled around the room. As the wind climbed upwards, the great fans swirled and gain in momentum.
"Wow!" Gourry exclaim as the fan lifted the whole room up, and there was a deep groan as the wall moved against the earth. The wind slowed, and we soon came to a halt. The room shifted and jerked, and a grand archway to another area was before us. Our legs wobbled slightly as we tipped toe out passing the entrance way, moseying our way into yet another, series of steps. The vast difference in these was, they rather wide, with pillars and torches set in rows that rolled on in layers. This looks fun. I'm not a real big fan of stairs, but climbing down is a lot less work then going up. The neat part was, when the torch enlisted themselves the moment we gotten close to them.
"This place is magically enchanted." Zelgadis breathe as more rows of torches burst into flames. The more light that was provided; the more detail of the artwork that was exposed on the towering walls, showing more depictions of avian beings. I could feel whatever hung about prickling at my senses as I admire the construction of the place. 'Do you think this has any relation with Letidius?" I whispered to Zel as peeped around for any signs of danger. Letidius, for those who don't know, was one of the great kingdoms that reached its peak until it's ruler got a bit too greedy and challenge any sorcerers in the land to come up with a way to obtain immortality. You know, that never works out the way you would want it to. It took its toll, and the king perished, leaving the country is disarray to both civil wars and raiders. I've have been lucky enough to seen a few of its ruins, but this was something else new to me.
"I don't think it is Lina." He responded, racing his hand across the details that were etched on the stone. "This is too different to be anything that would resemble the similar ruin structure that was discovered in multiple places." He stopped as he waited for the remaining torches to light up. "This also leads underground. Unless there were societies of Letidius that remain hidden, then I guess we are about to be the first to discovered."
The suit of stairs never seem ending, and the lower we go, the more and more the tall walls began to drop as the ceiling got lower and lower. We gotten to the point where poor Gourry had to hunch over for the most part, and here I was thinking that tall people have the advantage. Down we go another stair case, until there was yet another narrow entryway with two huge torches that lit when we approached. There was a huge door; it looked old and crafted from a wood that wasn't often used. Maybe it was a type of cypress, or could be yew. There was something etched on the doors surface; the same language as before. Zelgadis squeezed his way between all of us to read it.
"It says." He licked his lips. "The egg sits high, and waits for his mother to the nest." That's all? He nodded and we all stare at the door as Proserpina reached for its brassy knob. It was locked! What the hell, we came here this far and there is no way we are turning heel at this point. Zel bit the corner of his lip as he tugged at a bunch of his hair. He twirled out the ones that manage to come out, forming it into a somewhat stiffen rod. I guess having hair like steel wool pays off when it comes to crafting this, like a rod to pick a lock. He knelt closed to the door, placing an ear next to the lock as he carefully inserted the handcrafted wire about. There was a faint tapping knock, and with a shift motion, the lock unlatched. "What?" Proserpina mouthed towards Zelgadis as he tugged at the knob. "Wait! You can read ruins and pick locks? What are you? Some kind of tomb raider?" He somewhat grin as the door creek loudly as it slowly swung open and the four of us stuck our heads though, peeping the surroundings. Before us was an even more towering room; small yet circular with a ceiling that extend as far beyond what my eyes could see. What now? The four of us rake our eyes upwards as we all search for something, anything.
"I think I see something!' Gourry had pointed out a small item, at this distance it was. Its surface gleam a bright gold as the light from the flame bounced off of it. "Is that an egg?" I squinted my eyes to get a better focus on the object, it look like it was one, but gold instead of white or whatever other nature color for the egg shells. It just looks more like oval shaped treasure then an actual egg to me. "You think you guys could fly to it?-"Someone already had beaten Gourry before he was able to complete his statement. In a flash, Proserpina soared above the egg, flipping around to grab it in one swift moment, before kicking off of a wall. She landed hard enough to crack the ground a few feet away from us. The egg, which was bigger than her hand, glimmer in her grasp as she careful tuck it in the confinements of her jacket. At some point, I realize that I've been clapping my hands this whole time. I shift my gaze from Gourry and Zel, who eyed me from the corners of their eyes, and I nervously slowed my pace. Proserpina just stared at us and blinked, shaking of the slight confusion she might've had from the clapping. What?! I was impressed! I love it when people get shit done and actually do something instead of waiting on someone (which is usually me) to get it done. For once, I may just be the one who is mostly enjoying the show as the other's fight. Am I kidding myself, sadly yes I am. There is no way I would just stand and watch a battle go on and do nothing! Proserpina rejoins us, and we went back though the door we came though.
A low light flickers on a surface of a lone table, as Roane sat to himself in solitude. His hand bounced as he jolted fine script onto a scrap of parchment. The yellow light danced in his dark blue orbs as he dipped the pen into the ink well. The door behind the man burst open, which both Reaver, and a woman with snake like teal hair enter. Roane face scrunch in disgust when he gazed at the man in crimson.
"What is it? He spat as Reaver pursed his lips together, pushing the young woman forward. "I brought you a gift your master was so kind to make you." Roane observe the female carefully, before making another fowl facial expression. "Ugh." He scoffed loudly enough to cause the girl to flinch. What is going with Mistress Dolphin? Has she lost it?" He closed in on the woman's face. "And she looks like a cross between Huraker and Riksfalto! I suppose she did out of the absence of the others." Both were originally Deep Sea Dolphin's priest and general, who met their demise shortly after they encounter the fragment of Aqualord Ragrdia. It was rumored that Lina Inverse, along with her companion Gourry Gabriev. Though them both being utterly destroy by the ones awaken power, the other Roane found it hard to believe, for he didn't spot that blasted red headed fiend if she was ever to be sea bound.
"I don't think so." Reaver had spun the poor girl around to now where he was peering closely to her face. 'She's actually pretty hot, ya know. I'd bang her."
"Oh you would do anything if it walks upright…" Roane muttered as he made the attempt to return to his notes. Reaver glared at the guy, before changing his expression as he look at the girl again. "So that's Roane." He softly spoke as he strokes one of the girl's vivid green locks. She looks at his gestures then turning to where the cold man sat. "He's always a bit of a cranky ass, so pay him no mind." The man in turquoise spun back around again, seething at Reaver. "To be honest," He began. "I'm only this way because I have to put up with you antics on the daily! And it's him-"his finger angrily thrusts forward to the other man, who caused the girls' hair to wiggle nervously. "That you don't need to pay any mind with." One of the girl's treadles wrapped itself around Reaver's finger, and bit him hard.
"Ow!" He snatch his hand way and held on to the digit." That bloody hurt. You need to keep those things in control!" The one that bit him hissed before returning back to its place. The poor woman's sighed heavily as she held her own hands.
"Reaver." Roane reclined back in his chair, folding his arms. 'Are you done bothering me?"
"Sadly no." He gesture towards the girl, who look at Roane uneasily. "We still haven't introduced her yet-"
"Well get in to it!" The other man fussed. "I don't have all day to deal with this!"
"M-m-my name," The girl stammered as Roane gaze at her. "-Is Ceto."
"Good to know." Roane spun back around to his desk. "Now take you're leave-"
"Seriously Roane!" The other man angry stomped his foot as he turn heel. "You're such an asshole!"
"Reaver I'd said LEAVE!" with that, he sped out of the door, and disappeared to the left as his boots banged again the floor. "Such a childish man…" He mumbled as he fumbles around his papers. It took him a moment to realize that Ceto was still present in his quarters. He turn to her, which she felt his gaze, and shifted on her footing. "I suppose now that you are left in my supervision?" She silently nodded and he gesture her to him. He lifts up a thick tome and passes though it's aged pages. "I'm under the impression that the Mistress left it to me to ensure that you are properly educated?" She quietly bobbed her head in response. Roane's fingers raced across the pages as he searches for the information that he wanted. He turns a couple more pages until stopping. He handed the book over to Ceto, tapping finger on the bit he wanted her to research.
The echo of our steps filled the corridors as we ascendant the levels to the main platform where all the pillars, arches and torches where. I can't recall the way out. Nor did Zelgadis seem to remember, it was like this place shifted its design after Proserpina snatched the egg. I could feel my heart rate go off the more we wonder though the ruins. After what felt like forever rushing around in a panic, we encounter a strange set of double doors. I felt a sense of dread when we approach the towering portals. These things were so large that it hurt to crane my neck up that high. My mouth dropped when I recognize the swirling of red and blue were that of a great red demon, being chained by blue ice. That can't mean anything good. I could my gut telling me to turn around, but it's the only way out of this!
"Looks like a warning then a masterpiece." Zel commented in a somewhat assumed tone. "The person who did this wanted to advise someone of the Demon king that is sealed here." That is what I gotten when I noticed it, but instead of an actually demonic being, it was a man sealed away in ice for over a thousand years to this day. I doubt the artist responsible for the art cover on the doorway may not get a glimpse of the guy's appearance, but rather sensed the energy or an evil god, bound for all eternally to one spot… I shook for once in fear as my eyes darted to the demonic head that was used a knob. The cold silver metal gleam as its ruby eyes twinkled from the torches. "I think this may be the only way out…" Are we feeling suicidal Zelgadis? I could tell he was afraid as well, his breath battered as he reached out for the knob.
"Wait!" Gourry cried out. "Are we even ready for this?" I narrow my gaze at him, until my brain made the connection. He was referring to engaging combat with the Demon King, which would not be the greatest of all ideas.
"I don't think we would stand a chance, as of this moment." In his usual business tone, Zelgadis continued as he held on to the knob. "But I had a passing idea that may work. We may be able to get around him depending on the ice formations. "See? This is why having Zelgadis around is often a good thing, though I would have thought the same. I'm not insane enough to walk up in the guys places, looking for a fight, knowing he would just chew me up and spit me back out, just to repeat the process. "But what if he attacks?" I picked up on the layers of doubt in Gourry's shaky voice. "Then I guess we have to do what we can to defend ourselves and get the hell out of here." The blond went to open his mouth, but it was too late. The blue chimera already twisted the knob, causing a clanking noise, making the walls around us rattle.
"Eh. That's one hell of a doorbell." Proserpina muttered as she took stride to my right, while Gourry hung close to my left. We followed Zel as he slowly proceeds around the spikes of icy. That's all what I could see, were the rows and rows of glowing, enchanted ice. It resonate a bluish hue as the Aqualord's energy still coarse with power till this day. I admit, it was a spectacular sight, but knowing of the danger lying ahead of us took away whatever appreciate I had for this place's beauty. I heed with the gang as we tip toed though the columns of ice. Fog formed from our rattling breathes as our eyes stayed wide in keep out for the major threat that is here. I saw him from the corner of my eyes, and did a double take as I peep out a man's shadowy silhouette suspended in a tomb of ice. I try to get more of a look out of him, but Proserpina snatched me away in time before his conscience picked up on my presence. "Lina!" Zel scolded my name in a hushed manner. "We have to keep moving. The last thing we need is him to take note of us being here!" I hung my head in shame for a moment, I couldn't help it. That strike of curiosity I have is why we are here. I just wanted to see what Lei Magnus looked like in real life, verses why they depict him to be. I saw some of him, and despite of what has happened to Rezo when that fragment was awaken. Whilst Lei still appeared human, almost like he was…
"Possessed..." I heard Proserpina mutter after Zelgadis told her that the dark lord took over that man's body and soul. "Just like the thief." Yeah I saw the connection she was making. In comparison to the lord of her world (Which I'm still unsure, but I want to go with it being Death Fog. I just have a hunch okay!) And ours, known as the ruby eyed Shabranigdo, experience a similar outcome while the gods had opposing fates.
"I think personally that may be a bit different then someone being possess." He flatly stated his opinion, while keeping mind to main a soft voice, like the one you would used to a library. "These people are born with a piece attach to their souls. It's not like a spirit finding a host and seizing control."
"But eventually it does if the person witnesses a traumatic event and wakes up the bit." She countered in a matter of fact expression. "So that does consider a form of possession."
"Uh. Yes and No." Zelgadis was disagreeing but agreeing at the same time. "The scenarios are not the same. One has to lose their humanity while the other looses it depending on that state of the beings power."
"I've seen different cases back home. It's still a form of possession, but in a different way then what I've experience. Not many people are born with demonic attachments to their souls in my world, but rather these unclean spirits wonder about until they sought after a host worthy of their desires."
"Then what keeps them separated from being reborn with humans?" There was a moment where she went quiet, only the sound of snow crunching was made.
"Supposedly there is a barrier that prevents the demonic souls from entering that part of the spirit realm. I guess it only affects our world. That would make sense being that we have a connection with the Amina Mundi, while this world lacks them." Whatever this spirit or god she speaks of, I reckon this is some kind of higher power that was long lost to us, or never expose of. I've never heard of these types of boundaries, other than that of the different worlds and realms. That just shows that Proserpina's realm may have a different, yet vaster knowledge of the beyond then we do here. That could be also why she is hunted by not one, but two Demon lords as we tread lightly in this cave. "Because the boundaries aren't set in this world, that why there have been cases, like both of this man and the one named Rezo are already influence by demonic energy before they even enter the womb." That could be it, but again that's not part of my expertise.
Speaking of demon lords, my mind nearly slipped as a voice as I and the other three jumped as we heard a violent man's voice boomed behind us like thunder.
"OHO! What a clever little observation!" The amount of malice laced with this guy's tone was enough to even make both Gourry and Zelgadis tremble. Proserpina froze in her spot, her legs stretch out as if she was about to take off in flight. "So tell me more about the inner workings of your world, outsider."
"Is he talking to me?" Proserpina golden eyes went wide as the three of us bobbed our head rapidly at her. "Oh shit." She murmured. "I guess he heard us."
"Not hear. I sensed you." Lei Maguns eerie voice echoed though the icy chamber. "Your delectable energy filled up this space the moment you walked in." Proserpina began to take small steps backwards as the voice continues to speak. "Why leave? Stay! I want you to tell me how I can achieve that level of divinity you are on."
"We got to go!" Zelgadis shoved both Gourry and I forward as Proserpina took off speeding behind us. Dark energy form where we once stood, withering across the ground as I searched for the one he wanted the most. "It saddens me that you choose to flee." The voice taunted as we wind our way though the multitudes of spiraling icicles and menacing tentacles of evil. "In fact, I'm feeling rather generous today. I'll spare your lives if you leave the girl behind."
Authors Note: And I'm done with this chapter. I love cliff hangers by the way, but not as much as I love the views and the review left! Thank you all. My birthday was a few days ago, so seeing that jump made my heart melt on my special day. 3 Much love to you all!
And thank you to those who have been following with the story. There is more to come. Just wait. Every Sunday. I find time to do these things. It is a form of self love to embrace the creative energy in you. SO GET MAKING!