Chapter 4

Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean
June 2nd, 2002

The remainder of the long flight passed slowly.

Nervous glances and odd feelings bounced back and forth between Filia and Xellos, until night came and the lights dimmed in the cabin.

The fair-haired dragoness sat quietly, trying to read her book but failing. What should I do now? What can I say? Everything that he told me must be the truth, but how should I react to this?

She clasped her hands together and decided to try one more thing. Dear Gods, dear universe, please help me and guide my way. Xellos isn't evil anymore, and perhaps he never has been truly evil. But this has tumbled the view of the world that I was taught since I was born. Please help me to understand the true reality.

Xellos glanced over at Filia again, and sighed. She was so quiet, hands clasped and eyes closed, but he could sense the worry and compassion she felt towards him. The emotions were like a balm to the demon, though he could only absorb the former. I don't want her to start thinking that perhaps it was all a lie, but how can I tell her more today without going insane?

Filia opened her eyes after a few moments, and he took the opportunity to tentatively take her hands in his. "Filia, I really enjoyed talking with you today," he began hesitantly.

With a smile, the blonde squeezed his hands. "Me too." Her blue eyes were kind. "But you look very tired."

"I am," he admitted with a sigh, relieved that she wouldn't be upset if he rested. "Telling so many secrets that I buried for so long . . . hidden even from myself . . . took a lot out of me."

"So . . ." she touched his forehead gently, casting a sleeping spell. "Get some sleep, all right?"


Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean
June 3rd, 2002

The plane soared out across the blue sky of morning, sunlight glinting off the metal and shimmering across the desert. The golden sand seemed to stretch out forever in every direction, glistening in the hot sun.

Valgaav was the first to wake. Pleasantly surprised to discover them over the desert, he turned to his mother, but found her still asleep. "Mom," he smiled, then looked around the cabin.

Certain that no one was awake to see, he leaned against her shoulder and curled up like a child in the large seat to wait for her to rise.


It was the same dream as always . . . Zelas was his queen, Filia his princess, and he, the head of the guards to protect the royal family. There was a grand ball being held, and hundreds of socialites had gathered . . . but he was a guard, only there to protect Their Majesties.

Each time the dream had differed slightly in the players present and the way the attack transpired. This time, Lina was back as his second in command and good friend, and he had to watch across the ballroom as she was struck down dead while he fought to protect the princess Filia.

But after the fighting was over, instead of sending him to bury the remains of his comrades, the princess clung to him with frightened cerulean eyes. "Don't leave me," her voice begged, and she pulled his helmet off and kissed him, right there in front of all the other Mazoku Lords.

And it continued to change, now they were in a bedroom and she was tearing at his clothes, kissing him and crying. "I want you, don't leave me!" And she was so demanding, he couldn't stop himself from giving in to the feel of her, but it was hazy, like mist filled the room . . .

Her desperation flooded into him and mixed with his own. They made love hopelessly, driven by need and fear and lust.

He tried to pull himself out of the dream, he didn't like it, he liked it too much, but it was cloying . . .

"Xellos"

The princess Filia was dying because he had been with Filia.

"Xellos"

Filia was crying because he was leaving to save her.

"Xellos!"

Pain jerked him awake and he sat up with a jolt. "Itai."

Filia smiled at him and stopped pinching his arm. "You were having a nightmare . . . I think."

He glared at her crankily, I bet she's wondering if Mazoku nightmares are the same as everyone else's, then let out a relieved sigh. "Yes, that was a nightmare."

Her sapphire eyes widened with concern, but she seemed willing to let it drop. "That's too bad. Would you like to see the desert? It's very beautiful."

Xellos' tenor voice chuckled and he stood up to stretch. "From inside the plane? I expected more creativity from you, my dragoness."

"Wha! You want to go traveling again?" she sputtered, rising quickly, fists at her sides. "And I'm not uncreative!" she glared at him.

"Ha ha ha!" Xellos laughed and clapped appreciatively. "Oh, Filia."

She relaxed at the sweetness of his voice and chuckled with him. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" she accused.

"And you made yourself get more angry than you really were." His amethyst eyes gazed down at her and she flushed.

"Maybe."

The dream chose that moment to reassert itself, and Xellos looked away quickly. Damn that dream. It makes me almost forget that she's a dragon.

A deep voice smacked them both in the head. "Yooo-hoo! Hey, lovebirds, are you gonna go take another trip E.V. or what?"

Xellos tried not to laugh when the blushing blonde turned to glare at her son.

"Valgaav! For the last time, we are NOT lovers, nor likely to be anytime soon!"

"Ah," the young man said studiously, "now it's 'nor LIKELY to be', not 'nor will EVER be'. Interesting!" He smiled at her with satisfaction.

"Grrr . . . I'm leaving!" Filia announced suddenly, and flounced away.

"Filia!" Xellos followed close on her heels. "Filia, hahaha, ow! What? It's funny!"

The golden dragon walked the plane until she found herself alone and unseen by human eyes, then disappeared.

She made herself invisible and floated herself outside of the craft. Below her, a thousand feet away, the desert flowed out like molasses or molten gold.

With a sigh, she yawned and stretched in the sun. "It's so beautiful!"

"Not as beautiful as you," his voice replied smugly.

Filia turned to watch Xellos rid himself of his suit coat and toss it into the air, where it floated aimlessly. "What do you mean, Mazoku?" she blushed and tried to sound tough.

"Humph," he frowned with a pained expression, then switched gears and outright leered at her as he looked her up and down. "Nothing, Ryuuzoku, nothing at all. Don't you think that skirt's a little long? You'd look much better with less fabric!"

Gaping at him, she sputtered, "X-Xellos!" and flushed scarlet while he smiled, eyes closed.

"Oh, not angry?" He floated towards her and shook his head, opening his violet eyes again. "I'm sorry, darling, I wanted to make you mad."

Filia gazed across the horizon at the clear aqua sky. "Does that mean what you said was a lie?"

"Oh, no!" he chuckled and moved to stand beside her. "You would definitely look much better with less clothes! OW!"

She elbowed him in the stomach without turning and smiled angrily at the desert. "I meant about the beautiful part, idiot."

"If you don't believe me," he said, eyeing her with a grin that she caught from the corner of her eye, "Maybe I should just start calling you 'Gorgeous' instead of 'Filia'."

Fuming, Filia looked to him and found him shyly holding one hand to the back of his neck. "Hahaha," she burst out laughing at his cutely nervous expression, and he joined her. "Xellos, you're crazy."

He sure has pretty eyes.

Filia blinked and looked away quickly. Where'd THAT come from? "So, how do you intend on getting me angry without making me doubt that you care about me, Xellos?" she asked, hoping to distract him.

The priest-turned-politician reclined in mid-air and sighed. "I was just wondering that myself." He rolled on his side and rested the side of his head on his palm. "Flirting seems to work all right, but I don't want to get you too excited!" the demon exclaimed, other hand gesturing to the side as he grinned.

"What!" she glared daggers. "You're pretty egotistical if you think it's that easy to, to . . ." She really didn't want to say it.

"To what? Excite you?"

"Anyway," the dragoness flushed brilliantly and crossed her arms across her chest, "Why don't we continue our conversation from yesterday? I have a few questions."

"Hmph," he squeaked, "ask away, gorgeous!"

"Grrr . . ." she pulled up her legs and sat in the blinding sunlight. "First of all, why won't Zelas help you, after those two monsters were killed? And does she even know about how you feel about Val and I?"

Xellos returned to floating on his back, then took off his tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt as he answered. "Hellmaster Zelas can't look too favorably upon me in public, or her position will be compromised. In private, she agrees with me and wishes me luck. She researched in the private libraries of the Hellmasters to find the remaining stones for us," he continued, voice commanding, "and she saved us immeasurable time."

Filia looked down. "I'm . . . sorry. I never realized that being our friend might-"

"Hush." The monster flipped around to stand before her and tossed his head to straighten his amethyst hair. With a smirk, he looked her in the eyes darkly. "I don't care what they think, Filia."

Filia unfolded her legs and rose as well. "But what if they decide you've . . . turned against the monster race?" she forced out the words, then crushed her eyes shut tightly, arms stiff at her side. What will he say? I have to know his answer, but I wish I'd never asked.

There was a long pause, then the sound of shifting clothing. "Open your eyes, Filia," his annoyed and stalwart voice demanded.

Before her, he stood, red shirt unbuttoned half-way and calm face displayed. "Filia." He took her hand. "That's a dangerous question to ask." He smiled, amethyst eyes kind. "I'm afraid, that's a secret."

Devastated, Filia opened her mouth to curse him, when he suddenly pulled her to him and held her close. "Whaaah! Xellos!"

Sorry, Filia, Xellos thought, and wrapped his arms tight around her back and waist.

She struggled, growling, "Xellos, let go! What do you think you're DOING!"

Shaking his purple head, Xellos smiled, "Just this," and pulled her closer, feeling her firm body against his own.

Then, he released a small amount of his power.

She felt the evil grow moments before a voice appeared in her head.

Now do you understand?—

XELLOS! WHY ARE YOU IN MY BRAIN!—

You don't have to shout. This is the only way I can truly tell you the answer to your question.—

Filia blushed and looked him in the eye, but his gaze was hooded.—Are you that afraid of anyone else knowing the truth? If they are watching, wouldn't you be able to sense them?—

Not if it were Zelas or another Hellmaster.—

Incredulous, she snorted. —But they'll probably think our silence is odd, you know.—

True.— He smiled darkly and looked her straight in the eye.

And then he kissed her.

The passion that flowed through Xellos threatened to go out of control, though the kiss was fairly simple. What's wrong with me? he mused, finding it hard to pull his thoughts away from her soft lips, her curving body, her— Get it together! She IS very beautiful, and it's been so long since I kissed a woman . . . but I HAVE to get my emotions under control!

Stop it, Xellos!— her distracted voice finally came, emotions boiling around her own stirred lust, yet one feeling slowly burning away all others. -I thought we were friends, this is unacceptable! I feel—

Violated.— His own passion drained, but he continued to kiss her. —I'm sorry. I couldn't think of any other way.— He paused, fear dancing on the edges of his mind. —Is it that horrible to kiss me? Am I that revolting?—

Her sapphire eyes opened wide, and she tried to move her arms. —Loose up a little, moron.—

Dejectedly, Xellos did so. To his surprise, she snuck her hands under his arms and held him to her, then closed her eyes.

Xellos, you are very attractive!— her thoughts yelled at him, and he sighed with relief, feeling her affection for him. —But can't we share thoughts WITHOUT KISSING!—

After how angry you acted at me hugging you, do you really think us touching in any way without words would be believable? Anyway, this needs body contact.—

Convenient,— she thought dryly.

Do you still feel . . . violated?— he asked worriedly.

She smiled under his mouth. —no, you can relax. It was mostly the feelings I was . . . sensing from you.—

Damn,— the demon blushed, —I forgot this makes the empathy two way.—

Explain yourself later, Mazoku,— she grumbled. —Tell me the truth. What would you do if they said you were betraying the others?—

Isn't it obvious, you crazy dragon?— he clutched her closer, suppressing the wave of desire it brought.

Tell me anyway!—

There was a long pause, and Xellos broke the kiss to hug her tightly.

I would stay with you.—

X . . . Xellos!—

Filia pulled away and dropped to her knees, tears coming to her eyes. "You . . . you'd really—"

A strange swishing noise interrupted her, and she turned around.

Phitt.

"Yuck!" Xellos stuck out his tongue and closed the cap on the mouthwash. "Dragon morning breath! No wonder adventurers wait 'til night!"

"WHAT!" the blonde gasped and jumped back up. "How dare you! Your breath wasn't that great either, I'll have you know!"

"But I'm a monster," he said as if explaining to a small child, "I'm supposed to have bad breath!"

She steamed visibly and cut into her own palms with her fingernails as she glared at him. "XELLOS, you, you bastard!"

He mock-frowned and shook his finger at her. "I'll have you know that I was quite well acquainted with my father, thank you! Though, technically, she was also my mother . . ."

"XELLOS!"

"Try to stay in the astral plane, please!" he asked sweetly.

She swung at him, but he caught her arm, then the other fist that went for his head. "Hey!"

"Tisk, tisk, my dear!" He winked and said, "You're being violent again, remember?"

Before she could roar in rage, the faintest sliver of thought pierced into her mind. —I just didn't want you to cry, Filia.— the voice spoke gently. —I hate it when you're in pain, even if my body gains strength from it.—

She stared at him, then kneed him in the stomach.

"Omph, Filia!" he whined, "If it weren't for your long hair and dresses, I'd think you'd become a tomboy!"

She chuckled suddenly and popped out and in again, returning with his jacket and tie. "That's not very nice, I guess you won't be needing these anymore!"

"Hey!" he cried when she disappeared only to appear again a few hundred yards away. "Come back here!"

After a long chase, Filia stopped in hyperspace and gasped for breath. "This is fun!"

"Gotcha!" Xellos grabbed her from behind, his arms crossing her chest and hands on her shoulders.

"AHH!"

She struggled, but that just made him laugh. "I won!" he cried, and hugged her.

"Leggo, pervert!" the blonde chortled, trying to twist away.

Xellos merely held her more firmly and grinned, "Why should I, if I'm such a pervert . . ."

Giggling, Filia relaxed against him and sighed, "I think the plane will be landing soon. We should go back."

"It'll be all work from there on in," the demon murmured into her ear. "Investigating ancient ruins, dealing with fortune hunters, saving the world from utter destruction . . ."

"Sounds fun!" she announced, but felt him shake his head.

"Fun, but dirty and tiring," he chuckled. "Come, you're right."

She smiled slightly as he released her, then held out his clothes.

"Hang on," the violet-haired demon grinned, "I've yet to button up my shirt again."

Filia blushed and looked away.

"Should I comment on the emotions you KNOW I can feel from you, Filia dear?" he asked with a quiet chuckle as he started on his shirt, amethyst eyes studying her.

Reddening deeper, she looked down. "Please, can't we just forget about them."

Finished, he held out a hand. "Deal."

They shook on it, and he continued dressing.


The plane was beginning its descent when Filia returned to her son's side. "Hey, Mom," he smiled a little too sweetly, on purpose.

"Yes Valgaav? Why are you smiling that way?"

Val leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I saw that little display, Mother."

The blood drained from her face. "W-what?" she hissed.

"You two were very cute, kissing that way." The youngster snickered, golden eyes highly amused.

"You eavesdropped . . . AGAIN?" she cried softly, glancing to her right where Xellos was sitting.

"Filia, is something wrong?" Xellos asked with concern.

The teal-haired boy chuckled softly as his mother plastered a smile on and said, "No, everything's fine!"

"Okay!" he responded cheerfully.

With a grin, Valgaav poked his mom. "So, when's the marriage?"

"Shut up!" she growled low, turning to him. "It's not really how it looks."

"It looked pretty mushy to me. Sounded that way too."

Filia turned scarlet and covered her face in her hands. "Val, please!"

Poor Mom. "Okay, I'll stop teasing you," he smiled, "but you know, I'm surprised you forgave him for that flight attendant stunt."

"What do you mean?" she whispered back.

"C'mon, Mom. He flirted with that girl like there was no tomorrow, right in front of you. And you're gonna kiss him, and hug him and act like that never happened?"

The fair-haired woman narrowed her eyes at him. "I thought you wanted us to be together."

Val knew his eyes were hooded, and he tried to control his anger, but it was hard. "Not if he's going to humiliate you like that. Don't let him get away with that type of thing, Mom. If you do, he'll think it's all right."

"It IS all right, Val," she muttered. "He can do whatever he likes with women, it's not my business."

With a sigh, Val leaned back. "I guess that's true."

Now Mom's in a bad mood again. Damn. Wish she'd just smack him and tell him how she feels. But does she even KNOW how she feels?

The young dragon was convinced he knew more than his mother . . . sharing that with a billion other children across the planet.

Of course, he could be correct.

Unfortunately, they both forgot about Xellos' excellent sense of hearing.