I am SOO sorry for it being so long – over two months I think – since I updated. Things have just been really busy and life has been bad . . . had a lot of writer's block! But thanks for not yelling at me, everyone. It's been hard, but I managed to eck out another chapter.

Now for review replies:

Triloga: I certainly hope that Xian doesn't get with Val. She's married, and doesn't have an extended life-span because she's only part dragon, not even a forth. Thus why she's middle-aged, you see. Ku Lon is her great-great grandmother, so she's an eighth. Not enough to do much, I'm afraid! But fear not, more is to come!

JoyCrux: Filia is scared witless, of course. I would be, too, if I were her! I don't know how 13 pages could be too short, but I don't think I'd have much of an update if I wrote longer ones! Lol. Xel will sober up shortly, I promise!

NatsuRuby: Thanks! There's still more interaction to come, and hopefully soon they'll get out of China, for Pete's sakes!

Mystical-Maiden: Wow, thanks! Yeah, I hadn't planned on bringing Xian back, but I thought it would be an interesting twist, so I decided to reintegrate her! I'm glad you liked it. Iyzeka IS confusing; she's not the average Mazoku. And there may be something between her and Val, (many people seem to think there is) or their may not. Thanks for reviewing and hope you like the next chapter!

Mwafwa: Thanks, I'm glad that you liked it so much! I really wanted Iyzeka to be seen for what she was capable of instead of just the dorky little girl she usually acts like. It's always good to show the character's deeper sides. I'm also really pleased that you could see that Xellos is confused and wondering what is going on. Yeah, he does like scaring her; then he can comfort her, which is twisted, but pure Mazoku IMO, though tame for them. Of course, we must remember, Xellos is no tame Mazoku! LOL. Hope this chapter suits you too!

Inverse-chan: Many thanks for the review, and hopefully you'll like this chap too!

Catwho: Aw, how sweet! Not sure if Xellos getting more odd is good or bad, but things do change in this chapter. Sorry it's been so long!

Grace: No probs about reviewing the last chapter. Sometimes stuff just happens. I understand now that you disliked how out of control he was. But he didn't choose to drink to that point – he was so upset that he forgot that his magic was turned off, thus not helping his absorption of alcohol. Things have just been too stressful for our favorite Mazoku lately. And the magic he was using was used after he was drunk. That's like saying that after you're totally drunk, that eating will cure you. It doesn't – though it helps. And he DID get a high from the negative emotions earlier. Don't you read, lol? This was different. Finally, while he has been in covert ops for so long, he never was with two of the three people in the world he cares for the most – two people who have no idea how to do it and who might be in harm's way.

I'm glad you liked Kendar and the dragon revelation! You helped a lot in keeping things fresh in the word choices, and I'm glad that I'm living up to your high expectations, lol. And, yes, Filia needs to see that Xellos is, in reality, very dangerous and insane, for all that he may care for her and she for him. Hope you like this chapter, too, things change! (finally)

Kaeru Shisho: (prologue) Hey, my new fav reviewer! You give great reviews. First off, I have to be honest, it was originally pg-13. then I realized, "Gee, writing a story where Filia and Xellos are adults really does fall under R for violence, sexuality and swearing."

Lina dying was one of my saddest parts to write. The fanfic originally started off at the part where Filia and Xel were talking in the present day, but a lot of people thought it was an AU or that they hadn't changed enough over the years. So I decided "I have to write something so that people can see how they were in the beginning and that they have changed". I cried a lot when I wrote that part, feeling very connected to the characters.

Thanks for noting my "wuxia" influence – angst and dourness with comedy, drama and action. How do you put that kind of work into a category? No idea. I usually switch out categories every once in a while, lol. As to our favorite couple, I figured they would settle into a certain routine before long; thus the bickering continued, but more tame.

(chapt 1) Well, as to Filia realizing the truth, after so many years living with a "prankster" it's hard to believe something so odd! Glad you liked Xellos and Val's interactions; what I love is that Val always shows Xel up, lol. Tons of fun! Thanks again!

(Chapt 2) Filia was being rather mean, wasn't she? Men are such sensitive creatures. But Xellos is far more vindictive than most men! He's such a girl . . . Anyway, conflict is so fun, isn't it?

(Chapt 3) Xellos may be good at lust, but love is a problem. And Xellos did seem rather petulant when Lina stole Galvera from him, didn't he? LOL, that was one of my favorite parts. He's very touchy. And I have always held that those who act human must have similarities, so of course, he would!

(Chapt 4) Well, he really did mean it. It wasn't to get to kiss her, not really . .. though it IS a good excuse.

(Chapt 6) Val is probably the person I feel most sorry for because he's a teenager, an immortal, and his "parents" are immature morons (to him, anyhow – or perhaps not just to him . . .) He tries to be the mature one, but sometimes he just needs to be a kid.

(Chapt 42) What happened to the other chapters?!! No one knows . . . anyhow, lol, I am quite pleased that you were filled with dread – that's my whole point of this chapter. Xellos has always been a bit off his rocker, but the past few things I've been throwing at him have totally tipped the scales. Kendar is sad, but hopefully reformable, and Filia's pure obsession is fun. After all, what else is total and absolute love of someone but crazy?

Mistress DragonFlame: Well, good luck with that. But I doubt I could ever write 30 page chapters! No way . .. most people write 4 page chapters! Why do I have to write 10 times that! And Filia not casting: she's AFRAID. Terrified, really. Thanks for everything!

SithKnight-Galen: Thanks so much for your words! And I'm glad you're rooting for Filia. She's a great character to expand upon. As to the curses, I figure that this is an AU for that where they haven't been cursed. As to Rykker . . .lol. He's not an original character, let's just say that!

Yeah, we have the slayer's D20 system ourselves. And, as I'm sure you've noticed, I have a penchant for darkness within people – too bad the dark side makes people ugly, ne? There goes the sex-appeal. As to your last words, it's not "Lady" it's "Master". Yeshua is Hebrew for something. What, I'm not going to tell you! Go look it up, lol, you lazy Sith, you!

Monkeys: I'm sorry, touchy subject, your Mistress, I suppose. -- And who said Kendar was dead? LOL. Thanks for the review!

YueMichiruNaragisawaMiko: Yeah, I kinda like Xellos' sexiness too. Stupid sexy men making us like them . . .anyhow! Yep, he made his move! But things will be different soon.

Velf: Wow, you don't know the story! That's amazing. Thanks so much for your words, I really appreciate them. Yes, I love intelligent romance, and slow; glad we both like the same. I'm enjoying your fanfic a great deal, as well! And don't be silly, yours is very good. Writers always need other writer's works to read. The scary thing is, when I first saw Haku I thought "THEY STOLE XELLOS!" because they look exactly alike – but Haku is younger and green-tinged, instead of purple, lol. Thanks for the review, hope you still like it.

Yet again! Xellos, kinky? Um . . he's a demon! Besides that, lots of humans are kinky and they don't even have his good excuse! Lol. Glad to see someone else pointing out that Xellos really doesn't know much about emotions. So many people seem to think that just because he HAS them that means he's an expert.

(chapt 17) Filia has been through Hell, but Xellos lives there! Just kidding . . . or maybe not, metaphorically speaking. Thanks, sorry you stayed up to read! Go to bed, you silly goose!

(chapt 18) Val is tired of babysitting. And, yes, they both have alternate forms, as does Xellos, but his has not been fully gotten into as of yet. Hope you don't think Xellos is tame after the last chapter and this one!

Amber: Glad you like Filia! Thanks for reviewing again, btw. I hope you're doing well. And glad you liked the interlude. Keep reading! And let me know what's up!

Ishy-chan: Thanks! The evil is pretty tasty, isn't it?! Here's another chapter, sorry so long a time since the last one….

The Chaotic Ones: I can see your name fits. I'll put in more Val if I can manage it! But what's not good? LOL. (probably Xellos being out of his mind)

Shahrezad1: Boy does Xellos ever need a psychologist. LOL. I think Filia would actually do quite well, since she's compassionate and in comparison is rather sane. And why does everyone think Kendar is dead? LOL. Thanks for the review!

Neko-Metallium: Four jobs? Ich. That sucks. I'm glad you liked the Omake! As for Luna and Zelas, well, some things people just can't stomach, but I don't intend on having too much lemon with them since they already know they're in love, so what's the point? Lights go out, and we all know what happens. It's when the relationship is a bit more vague that the bedroom scenes need to be expressed. I'm sorry you dislike the fact that I like the English voices better, but I really hate Akira Ishida's voice. I think it's the same voice for Golden Boy, and sorry, but that's the least sexy man I can imagine. If you can even call him a man . . . Thanks for the admiration, though! I am pleased! As to the Slayers D20, yes, we already have that. That's actually where we got those stats from, lol. And, I agree, Xellos is a sex god. Though IMO he has to contend with Duo Maxwell, who is also very sexy and has longer hair . . . . Not that this has anything to do with anything, mind you . . .

ON TO THE FANFIC!!!!!

Chapter 42

Hong Kong, China
June 9th, 2002

The overcast night sky gave the city a decisively sinister quality, Stedman decided as he gazed up, far into the depths of the inky blackness overhead, and beyond the pinpoints of light from the towering skyscrapers.

He had chosen - not long after Rykker's discovery of the telekinetic - that rather than waiting, a wiser course of action would be to start setting up his equipment.

Now, leaning back in the driver's side of the large, silvery-gray van, the elderly man adjusted his fedora and narrowed ice-blue eyes at the empty vastness above that seemed to spread across the city.

Stedman had decided to leave Rykker to his thoughts, for it seemed the man would be battling some rather difficult concepts when interacting with this 'Xellos' character, and he no doubt needed some time to digest all that he'd seen and heard.

He hadn't told Stedman what he'd seen.

But then again, Stedman wasn't sure he wanted to know at this point. Some things are better left unsaid for the moment, he told himself, nodding.

"Stedman?" Rykker's voice suddenly spoke from the cel'phone, and the gentleman raised it from his lap to hold to his ear.

"Welcome back, old chap," he gave a lopsided smile to the ebony skies and straightened in the car seat. "You . . . had an interesting little time there, I imagine," he continued, voice mild and reserved.

"He's talking to the girl, now. Stedman, I'm not sure what's going on, but I think something's coming to a head. Remember Caine?"

"Of course I do," Stedman frowned. "Hard to forget."

A long sigh sounded, and Rykker muttered, "I'm not ashamed to admit that I wish he were here right now."

Stedman found his eyes narrowing, and he shook his head slowly, almost regretfully. Something really did happen . . . sometimes I hate it when I'm right. "This Xellos did something, didn't he." More of a statement than a question, his voice took on a frigid, dour tone.

"Never seen anything like it," came the reply, and Rykker's Southern drawl could not be mistaken for anything else. "No magical irradiation, no necessary verbalization; he seems to have empathic, telekinetic and pyrokinetic abilities, accelerated healing on mental command, superhuman strength . . ."

A nervous chuckle came across the line, and Stedman shook his head, listening to his partner worriedly. "I'm not even sure that it is strength. Stedman, this gentleman lifted a man taller and most likely far heavier than himself by the neck, with one hand. I didn't even see strain in his muscles. I'd almost have said he was just raising his hand and lifting thin air for the lack of work he put into it."

"Could be more telekinesis. But that self-healing worries me . . ." Stedman let out a long breath and leaned back into the seat again. "What's the situation?" After all, no matter how disturbing this young man may be, we've got to pay attention.

"No sign of the target. But Xellos could put another variable into this equation that we have absolutely no control over."

Stunned, the old mercenary sat up straight and exclaimed in irritation, "You don't think he's likely to become our adversary, do you?! Bloody hell, tell me you didn't upset him, Rykker! The last thing we need is some bloody upstart getting in our way."

With a chuckle, Rykker returned, "I don't think you've got quite the hold on this situation that someone in my position has. You make it sound as if he's merely a possible annoyance . . . I think we've got a larger problem than that."

I know that tone of voice, Stedman scowled at his reflection in the rear-view mirror. "You think he's that dangerous."

"I think that if we walk away from this man at this moment, he could become quite the liability. What we've got here is either a superhuman prodigy with practically unlimited, untapped potentiality to decimate or recreate his surroundings, or," and with this, his weighty sigh seemed practically tangible through the 'phone, "a veritable god." The following silence filled him with dread. "Stedman . . ."

Expression hardening, he removed his hat and turned to look at the door separating the back of the van from the cab, cold turquoise eyes stern. "Right-o. In that case, old man," he rose and walked to the door, opening it to stand within the archway and gaze down at the equipment filling the back, "I'm at your disposal."

"We're under communication blackout. Which is preferred, really. I'd rather not have to explain all of this to H. Q.," Rykker's detached voice mused. "In that case, we have a choice. Either get Mister Metallium to assist us . . . or eliminate him."

Stedman noted the finality to his tone, yet also a resonance of uncertainly. "If we CAN, you mean. IF."

Rubbing his eyes as he looked over the veritable armory in the back of the van, the elderly Britain could only give a bitter smile to himself . . . for silence appeared to be Rykker's only reply.

((()))

Telgaln hung within the shadows, alone. Before him, in the corporeal dimension, his enemies stood holding each other upon their balcony, unaware of the dangerous ground they tread.

The sunken man laughed jaggedly, a touch of mania in his parted lips, and his hollow ebony eyes locked upon the two solidly.

Oh, how sweet to simply kill them right now, he told himself, hands wrapping into bony fists as he stared at the traitor, sickened by the emotions rolling from both the Greater Beastmaster and the Beast he consorted with. Hah, it's no wonder that people began abbreviating Greater Beastmaster to Greater Beast when they spoke of Zelas and her minions. Both Zelas and Xellos are soft to the corporeals. Especially those animals that call themselves dragons. Giant, foul lizards, leftovers from the dinosaurs. They think themselves cultured and above us when their own histories and pasts are soiled with the blood of their own peoples and, he laughed fuller now, enraptured by his thoughts, the blood of their innocent followers! They forget their own twisted origins, the deeds they performed in the twilight of their race's life . . . The slaughter and sacrifices those insects that call themselves humans gave to them.

Cracking the knuckles of his human body, Telgaln smirked painfully at the couple. Though the Beast had become afraid, her terror suddenly gained a tinge of caring and it soiled the emotions, almost enough to sicken the human form he inhabited. But if I kill them all now, that stubborn child, he growled, recalling Xellos' subordinate, will leave the stone trapped in her pocket dimension.

For some indescribable reason, the young demoness possessed an uncanny knack for manipulating dimension, able to twist space into an area impossible not only to locate, but to penetrate.

He needed that fragment . . . it remained imperative that not one fragment disappeared into any void, anywhere.

So instead of attacking from the astral plane and swiftly dispatching them, he would have to make them aware of his presence, and goad them into using the stone to ensure their survival. Then, I can snatch up the fragment and slaughter them all.

The dark-locked Mazoku cackled again at the ingenious of his plan, his laughter filling the swirling colors of subspace around him, and a twisted sneer bent his lips. "Xellos, traitor to our race . . . your death will be nether swift, nor painless. I intend," his black eyes glittered, "to crush and twist and wring every last drop of torment through you."

Filia gasped as Xellos pulled her flush with his body, every inch of her shocked by the sensation of him against her and his enflamed violet gaze still locked upon her eyes. "Xellos!" Weakened by the feeling of every muscle and every curve and angle of his form, the dragoness found herself flushing brilliantly and returning his impassioned stare.

"Stay with me, Filia," he murmured into her hair, running his hands through the long, gossamer strands of gold. "I need the certainty of your feelings." His hands fell to her shoulders and firmly held her, amethyst cat-eyes peering into her own almost manically. "What do you feel?"

Xellos? Confused, the blonde stared at him in shock. What on earth is he talking about? "I don't understand . . ."

"What do you feel," he practically demanded, violet orbs widening and sending a piercing gaze right through her. "For me," he continued faintly, and the whispered plea shattered all the terror and uncertainty existing within her, in one liquid moment of her sapphire eyes caught within his.

Blinking, the moment past, Filia's lips parted, her saffron eyebrows peaking in empathy as waves of compassion drenched her. "Oh, Xellos," she tightened their embrace and rested her head upon his shoulder, wallowing in the overwhelming feeling of his touch. "You're my best friend . . . You're so important to me."

The Mazoku almost seemed to slump into her at that, his arms enveloping her. "Filia . . ." his nasal voice slipped across her skin like velvet, "I don't want to lose you."

Shock jolted through her like an electric current of emotion as the slurred words struck her. "You won't," she held him tightly to her, "I promise you wont . . . But, Xellos, you need to get rid of the poison in you, you're hurting because of it."

"I am?" his bleary words tripped along her spine and sent shivers through her body as his fingers casually began playing down her back and sides. "Just . . . don't go," the priest sighed, leaning further against her as his muscles laxed. Oh, Xellos . . .

"I won't," she smiled sorrowfully, azure eyes misting from the raw depth of her emotions, "I promise I'll—"

FOOSH. With a jerk of his head, Xellos suddenly thrust the both of them away, rolling them on the concrete as a blast of ebony energy burned a gigantic hole into the side of the building where they had stood – screaming filled the air and the sound of the party-goers crying as they ran from the room inside – Rykker pulled out two guns and the demon laying upon her phased to stand in front, facing into the darkness —

A chuckling darted over the shrieking of the humans, and a man appeared above them, hanging in the air outside the balcony. "Xellos," his smooth bass voice rolled over them, jet eyes twinkling. "Or should I call you, 'Judas'?"

The violet-locked man glared up at him, fists clenched at his sides and ebony shirt undulating in the sudden wind that began to grow around them. "Your betrayal is far greater than mine."

Wincing, Filia moved her foot very slightly, just enough to brush up against Xellos' ankle . . .

Telgaln tossed back his head and began to laugh as lesser demon upon demon began to shimmer into existence from the darkness surrounding. "But I will be the one to survive," he cackled, spreading his arms, "and the winner writes the history books. Or at least, that's what these insects of yours say."

"Purify," Filia whispered, cerulean gaze pained . . . and a tiny sliver of argent light glittered where she pressed her foot against his leg . . .

Xellos took a sudden, gasping breath, and his back straightened, head cocking up with a confident smile spreading across his mouth. "The time for talking is past," the priest bowed slightly, eyes fixed upon the man floating above.

"Yes," Telgaln smirked as Rykker and Filia gathered themselves to stand behind the violet-hued demon, all three glaring up at him. "It is."

((()))

A deep, quiet-plunged silence had fallen over the group of Chinese as they stood upon the rooftop, surrounding the broken and beaten form of the new Mazoku.

Valgaav gazed down at the little girl who held this odd demon so tenderly as she healed him. Shaking his head, the teal-haired dragon stood within the almost surreal realm he now inhabited, a strange ache settling over his heart.

Finally, he looked over to the now-transformed Lon who stood meters away, her long silver hair once again dancing upon the breeze and those coal-black eyes staring firmly into his own. Gifting him a nod of understanding that he felt firmly unable to comprehend, the old woman slowly walked forward towards them all. The Asian part-dragons stepped aside, a path cleaved quite clearly through their ranks.

Raising his turquoise head slightly, Val found himself fighting against the draw to gaze around him, wanting to catch upon the amber light of his old love. But his control held his gaze upon the ancient woman before him as she approached. "Lon. What are all of you doing here? You . . . have kept a great many secrets, haven't you."

"Well," the matron chuckled, swinging her staff nonchalantly, "Yêxìng is not the only one who can keep secrets, you know."

Jerking back as if struck, Valgaav shuddered slightly, his mind filled with remembrance of that name . . . "Xellos spent much of his time within the Orient, didn't he," he breathed, deep golden eyes hollow.

"Yes, he did," Ku Lon nodded, her sharp gaze heavy along his spine. "Before the War of the Demons' Failure. But . . ." she smiled eerily, and the sight sent a clammy shiver along his back, "you shouldn't have been able to know about that. Should you have."

Glaring suddenly, the tall young man folded his arms across his chest and snorted. "Why do you call him that?"

She raised a brow and shook her head, voice rasping slightly as she chuckled. "It has no easy translation . . . savage, untamed, wild and uncontrollable . . . all can be ascribed to the word Yêxìng, and yet none can truly give a correct distinction."

Valgaav's eyes tightened, arms unfolding and hands clenching into fists at his side as he spat, "I know what the word means, old woman." Glaring down at her, the young man growled, "I don't have time for this. I need to know who this demon is and why you're here," he told her, gesturing to the collapsed man-like figure resting in Iyzeka's lap. "If you're here to help us defend against the enemies that are after the fragment, then that's great. But Xellos and my mom could be fighting for their lives right now," the Ancient Dragon stressed, teeth bared in growing rage, "and I'm gonna go help them whether you come along or not!"

The others standing around them appeared surprised, but he ignored them, his eyes concentrating on the old woman. I'm sorry, Xian . . . this severity was something I had hoped to spare you.

Lon merely chuckled and nodded, waving her staff towards the strange Mazoku. "This demon was the one who created the shield around you, and is most likely working for your enemy. However, he seems to despise his position and his superior. While it is a blessing to have an ally within your opponent's ranks," one white brow rose mockingly, "if you want him to live, you'd better leave him here and pretend you never knew his intentions."

Val nodded, tossing his glare back to Iyzeka. "Get up, leave him," he commanded. "If he is who Lon says he is, then Telgaln is probably already attacking Mom and Xel. This was a distraction for us, to keep us from helping Xellos and from giving him the stone to use."

With a quick bounce of her head, the little demoness slipped out from under the tattered man and rushed over to Valgaav's side. "Right." Her viridian eyes flickered to the old woman and back to Val.

"Are you coming to help?" he asked Lon. "Because we're leaving now."

A loud chortle erupted from the squat matriarch, and she retorted, "We will aid you. But," a smirk twisted her wrinkled mouth, "we shall do it in our own way."

Growling, Val glared at her and spat, "Iyzeka, let's go." Turning to the Mazoku girl, he surveyed her astral injuries quickly, a hard line pursing his lips. With a shake of his head, he elicited a squeal from her as he grabbed her up into his arms, nodding his head to the group of dragon-kin standing around him. "Thanks; see you in the battle," he spoke gruffly, then disappeared into the multi-hued vortex of the astral plane.

((()))

As Xellos watched, legions of demons phased into being around Telgaln's position, and the violet-locked Mazoku growled low under his breath. Wearing me down, just so you can finish me off? he wondered, tisking the tyrant in his mind. Foolish, Telgaln. Very foolish. Now that I'm not inebriated any longer, my thinking is unaffected – a fact you'll learn to rue.

With a slight chuckle at the sensation of Rykker's surprise behind him, the priest spread his arms and began gathering his aura, tossing behind him, "James, you wouldn't happen to have enchanted artillery or explosives, would you?" Oh, Val, where are you? Clenching his teeth, Xellos' palatable rage rolled from him in terrifying waves, an undulating black mist of energy.

Around them, Telgaln's army of Mazoku, mostly those not strong enough to create their own physical form, closed in on the balcony, hundreds of ethereal phantoms tossing astral attacks that frothed with power just as they phased and struck again –

Filia's shield around herself and Rykker barely held, but Xellos' boiling energy absorbed the assaults aimed at him, his glittering purple eyes raised almost manically to the demons as they continued to circle and hurl ebony volts at them, the edges of the balcony shuddering and pieces breaking away, —Valgaav!— his mind-voice cried out in anguish, —If you're dead, I won't forgive you!— though somehow he had thought he would have known, inside, if Val died – and the patio began to crumble into bits –

- then behind him, phasing – familiar – and the Greater Beast felt a rush of strength return to him as some giddying emotion rushed along his nerves -

- Suddenly, an arm wrapped around his shoulder, shaking in agony at the painfully sable vortex of power writhing along his form, and Xellos jerked in shock, turning –

"Val!"

The boy's face pained, he still held on through the torment of Xellos' aura, other arm clutching Iyzeka to him. Swiftly, the Mazoku directed the power away and around them both, but the angry pallor of the dragon's features remained. "Xel, she has the stone," he grated through clenched teeth, shoving the stunned demoness into his arms. "She's hurt, too. Maybe you can heal her –"

Another volley of blasts shook the building, and he could hear Rykker calling out, "Bullets can't hit them, they move too quickly!"

Xellos took the girl, glancing down at her, then glowered at Valgaav. "Get back with your mother, try to keep the balcony from collapsing further – and don't get yourself killed!" he hissed, volatile rage boiling up again now that the fears had proven unnecessary.

Nodding, the teen stumbled back, grinning, "Sure thing, pops," and running to join Filia behind the shield.

Finding Iyzeka looking up at him, Xellos found a spatter of guilt touching him for a moment, but he shook it away. "Stone, please," he ordered, and she retrieved it, holding it out -

BOOOSH! The explosion shook them and the fragment vanished into her palm again.

Finding the balcony destroyed, the General Priest hissed as they floated into the sky, noting absently that Filia and Val were flying the human up to the roof of the Hylton. "You alright, Iyzeka?" he asked, purple glare softening at her sorrowful emerald expression.

With a bob of her head, she burst into tears, to Xellos' dismay. "I . . . I tried . . . I tried so hard, Master Xellos," she sobbed as he forced his way through the maze of lower Mazoku, killing those that brushed against them with just the strength of his blossoming aura.

"Iyzeka, calm down!" he commanded, but her cries against his chest did not abate. "You did fine," Xellos sighed, finding his way to the roof and alighting yards from the dragons and human.

Swallowing her tears, the red-haired girl recalled the fragment and pressed it into Xellos' palm, her wide green eyes catching him with something he couldn't describe –

"You remind me of Mommy," she told the priest sadly, just as another explosion tossed the child away from him, her body clattering across the faded ruby shingles and her screeching of pain slicing down his spine.

Violet gaze stunned and empty, Xellos spun back to the attackers, a sudden fiery wrath blazing scarlet within his glowing eyes –

- he could see Telgaln's realization that the General Priest had the stone, and the tyrant's intent to shield his people -

- but too late -

In a thought, with the barest of drawing from the stone - for Xellos knew his power to be beyond even Telgaln's imagination - the lesser monsters wailed into nothingness, their essences shredded by the priest's rage. The low snarl in his throat rose to a howl as he raised his arms, a torrent of obsidian force spinning in a whirlpool around him, his sanguine-lit eyes glittering in the blackness surrounding.

"Take care of Iyzeka for me," the memory of Zelas' telepathic request echoed within his mind, and the jolt of sudden understanding gave the words new meaning. I see. My jealousy is useless . . . worthless.

Senses drawn to the sobbing, frightened girl behind him, Xellos realized, stunned, just how different the two of them were. Just as I am our Mistress' son, she is her daughter. Though I know little of who she really is, I can't disown her or disobey Mistress Zelas' request.

ThenTelgaln appeared before him, but before the swiftness of battle could rejoin, a cheery male voice spoke above the din behind Xellos, "I do hope I'm not too late for the party, my friends!"

With that, a blazing burst of something shot forth from behind him - what Xellos could only surmise as a grenade shot from an R. P. G. - heading towards the unimpressed, smirking Telgaln and exploding against him –

Surprise flickered over the floating usurper's features as the enchanted detonation cut a thick hole right through his chest, and sudden wrath snarled upon his sunken features. "Vile human filth," he spat, and Xellos tossed back his head to look at the attacker –

Another aging human male stood next to Rykker holding a rocket-powered grenade launcher over his shoulder and chuckling as a grin crossed his jolly round face. He saluted Xellos by straightening his short-brimmed fedora, and smirked, "Tally-ho."

Running up to Iyzeka, Val picked the girl up swiftly in one arm and returned to his mother, gathering his energy into his hands. "You okay, Iyzeka?" he asked the demoness as he laid her down on the concrete and rose again to reinforce the shield around them and the two humans.

The redhead nodded, sniffling, then stood up to glare at Telgaln from where he floated above them, the wound in his torso closing swiftly. "Fine," she answered.

Valgaav watched as Xellos and Telgaln parried and darted around each other faster than a human eye could see, and he shook his head angrily as their blasts quaked the foundations of the buildings, shattering windows and sending intense waves of thundering sound in every direction. "They've got to go to the astral plane!" he yelled over the roaring wind, eyes finding his mother's.

Nodding swiftly, the blonde woman's mouth opened, shocked at the fighting demons circling each other above their heads. "Xellos has to know that this much collateral damage is unacceptable!"

Just then, the Ancient Dragon bared his teeth, a sensation of understanding rolling over him—

—And the violet-haired General Priest stopped in mid-air - stunning the usurper into pausing – and held out his hands. Suddenly, his scarlet-blazing staff appeared in one palm, and a glittering jewel of glowing snow-ivory light in the other.

The Philosopher stone fragment?! Val wondered, golden eyes wide.

The priest began to cackle arrogantly, and in an instant, disappeared – and a roaring ebony-locked Mazoku followed him, leaving amazingly empty silence surrounding.

Filia blinked in the sudden quiet, then began to lower her arms from the barrier, but her son swiftly stopped her with a touch on her shoulder and a firm saffron glare. "No, mom. It's not over yet."

"However," the elderly human with the fedora smiled, "we don't have anyone to fight any longer."

The lanky teenager turned to peer into the empty blackness above him, head tossing slowly from side to side. "I . . . don't think so . . ."

At that moment, Iyzeka hopped into the air, bouncing, and began to keen, "Something's coming, I can feel it!" Growling, the pixie thrust out her hands, and soot-black electricity began writhing around her. "He's just trying to get Master Xellos away from us!" she exclaimed –

And suddenly, they were enveloped by howling demons, more powerful than those Xellos' magic had decimated, for these had physical forms; smirking elf-like females with clawed fingers – dark-skinned males baring fangs and bat-like wings – even macabre, twisted versions of animals formed into sickening mockeries of life. Dozens of said beings spun and danced around them, throwing energy blasts at the shield, and vanishing and reappearing in a dizzying array of patterns and attacks.

"Dammit!" Val growled, stepping closer to his mother and pouring his energy into their defense. "I should have known."

Behind him, he heard a low chuckle over the roaring blur of attackers, and one of the humans muttered, "Well, we aren't lacking in firepower, young man. You've certainly gotten us into a fine stew, haven't you, Rykker?" the man snorted.

Narrowing her emerald eyes, the tiny demoness behind their shield began gathering her energy into her hands, glare focusing on the whirling maelstrom around them. "You'd better not hurt us!" she screamed, green gaze suddenly engulfed by bloody red fire.

"Aw, hell," the Ancient Dragon next to her swore, stepping away. "Go get 'em, Iyzeka!" he cheered weakly, then gaped as she ran head-long into the shield. "Iyzeka! STOP!" She'll kill herself! he realized, imagining the holy magic tearing through her form.

Bursting through the ivory glowing disc, the magenta-haired girl suddenly reappeared, unscathed. "I'll be fine!" she growled, then spun once more into a turquoise pillar of ebony fire, releasing a blinding inferno at their enemies that shot out with a THOOSH, the powerful wave of force practically dropping the corporeals to their feet.

"I have to fight," the deep boom of her berserker double-voice reverberated, shaking the building slightly. "Sometimes we learn hard lessons."

With that, the burning sanguine eyes shut, and her form disappeared within a raging storm of blackness centered upon her being. "AND I WILL FIGHT."

((()))

Just at the edge, watching the flashes of light in the lipid darkness of the sky, Mu Tsu and Xian stood together, holding each other. Any other night, if a passerby were to see them like this, it might appear as if two lovers stood watching a fireworks display. But no two lovers would be standing atop a tier of a skyscraper, and the flames of energy they gazed upon held lethal intent.

"Mu Tsu," the aging woman murmured, holding her husband close to her as she looked to the sky, glitter reflecting in her amber gaze, "this will be . . . a most difficult fight."

He nodded to her, new glasses sparkling faintly in the dim illumination from the streets below. "That never stopped us before," he smiled, yet the sober cast to his eyes solidified her expression.

Feeling his arms tighten around her, the violet-haired woman sighed and turned to face Mu Tsu completely, taking him into a firm embrace. "I know. I love you, Mu Tsu," she told him firmly, determination fueling a fire within her eyes.

With a slight nod, the taller, sable-haired man swallowed, then tugged her closer, dropping his head to brush her upturned lips with his. "I love you," he murmured, fingers rubbing tiny circles at the small of her back and dark eyes moist with affection.

Kissing him again, Xian raised her hands to clasp his jaw between her palms, holding his mouth to her own as they embraced.

The fading moment slipped by too quickly, and they jerkily broke apart, hesitant with their separateness and eyes locked upon each other ; and Lon standing paces away, silent, watchful and inexplicably waiting for them with her beady raven eyes.

"We're ready, Great-Grandmother," Xian's soprano voice lilted, soft yet strong as she spun to return her elder's stare.

"Good," came the reply, gravelly as sand on stone as the slight witch stepped forward. "The battle has reached a point where our involvement may prove crucial."

The twins appeared behind her, hoisting their weapons, and Xian nodded to them as well. "Alright." Still standing next to her husband, the periwinkle-haired woman raised her hands, palm edges sharp and firm as she held them before her. "We're ready."

In the swirling kaleidoscope of the astral plane, Xellos and Telgaln clashed, appearing as mere blurs of crackling energy distorting the space around them when they met in furious explosions of light.

Cackling as they paused to gaze at each other hotly, the violet-haired priest raised his hand, crystal-white glowing stone in his palm. "I see that even with just this one fragment," his nasal voice rose to a cacophony of merciless merriment, "I am able to not only match you, but exceed you! I see that the stones do not give someone ability, only raw power," he jeered, amethyst eyes glittering in wild exhilaration at the sudden rage licking up and across Telgaln's sickly emaciated features, a dull sanguine glow beginning in the two hollows sunken below his brow.

The two ebony-clad men appeared for a moment as a study in life and death; for all that the Greater Beastmaster had slaughtered and bathed in blood, life sprung from him in a mad gleeful vortex of chaos and jaunty confusion, his svelte form displaying a strong lust for life and existence.

In contrast, the vista of the sickly candle of entropy that hung in mid-plane before him, sallow skin stretched tautly across mere bone, only portrayed the depths of the obsessive and cruel personality held within the husk of animated flesh.

In the split-second the priest had before he was set upon by his enemy, he concluded that for all of the twisted sickness he himself had displayed, he had at least enjoyed himself in a cheerful manner when carrying them out.

Frowning at Telgaln as the usurper roared in rage, then attacked, Xellos swiftly beamed at the comedy of his situation. Well, if I die, he mused, raising the sparkling fragment to counter his opponent, at least it will have been a merry, merciless, magnificent battle.

That had to be the most amusing thought of all.