Hey, thanks for showing up again! I apologize for the EXTENDED time it took for me to finish this chapter. Life wasn't easy. But here we go!
And now, on with the reviews!
Velf: Thanks for reviewing! Missed writing. I hope that you find the rest of the chapters and this new one just as interesting. Yes, isn't the batty cute? I love bats.Mwafwa: Sorry it took so long. I'm glad you liked the grenade! I love Stedman, he's one of the most awesome old guys ever.
Kaeru Shisho: Lol, I find the idea of giving birth to another story interesting. Well, this one will not be put on a back burner if I can help it. As to Filia having good sense, I think she's still suffering a bit from her long repeated self-fulfilling prophecy: that she and Xellos are "only friends". Thus they have remained.
Stedman and Rykker are the best! I wish my grandpa was like them. I've yet to see anyone who recognizes them though . . . I'm still waiting. I will admit that they are NOT my original characters.
I have to grin when you spoke of Val's inherent gentleness. I do think that he has that inside him. I think in the series it was there as well, but harder to find – more hidden behind his psychoses.
Xellos' power is fun. I like that part of the scene, though, not just for that, but also for the strength that Val exhibits and his refusal to (most of the time) let Xellos scare him. He can't control his fear sometimes though. Xellos is pretty intimidating when he wants to be.
I'm glad you found his character still together even after his brush with inebriation. As to ending, it's not even close! Now that, with this chapter they will finally be leaving China, I think I will be fresh for my new ideas. I've been longing for the chance to change the setting.
Grace7: Thank you for your praise! I do hate "side characters". Though I feel sad for the characters that will be disappearing. Perhaps they will show up again sometime . . . And I do agree with your word choice. If I could trust to not mess up anything I do, I would replace it. Perhaps after I revamp the whole chapter!
I think Xellos will always have some difficulty separating his lust from his love. He's better than most human men already, though! And I will take into consideration Xellos' relationship with Iyzeka and give it more attention. Thanks for the "request!" It's a good one. And I would totally agree with Iyzeka's hero worship. She's also starting to get that for Val, which is bad. She needs friends and companions her own "age" also. Perhaps soon there will be a remedy for that . . .
As for how Zelas created them . . . remember how Kendar refers to their matrixes? Well, that is it in a nutshell. They have the same matrix. She can be equal to Xellos, if she were to try. We'll see if she does. But that very thing is important, because Xellos' matrix is unique among the monsters . . . we'll get into that more as the story progresses.
And I LOVE your review! Especially the long, tedious part! As to Zel, you'll see. Maybe not soon. But it will arise! And, now I'm in PA! So you can track me down here! Love ya! – PS – send me fanart links!
Shahrezad1: Yea, glad you liked Stedman, he rocks! I hope this satisfies on the battlefront area. I think the climax definitely comes here. Let me know!
Mystical-Maiden: Well, there were a lot of unexpected allies in this battle. I think you'll see them all come together in this chapter. Glad you like it!
Catwho: No 10 episodes here! The battle ends with this chapter, I'll let you know now. Glad to see another person who likes Iyzeka. She really is like a younger, more innocent female version of Xellos, no?
Neko-Metallium: Well . . .let's just say that as to Xellos getting owies – it's a secret! Gee, I have to have him say that line more! I love your reviews, thanks so much! And I'll give you as many radioactive rubber pants as I can . . . as soon as I find them!
Aisha C: Good! Here you go, hon!
Velf: LOLOLOL – Val . . . would DIE if he scored.
Mistress DragonFlame: Keep reading, but read this one in the morning! Tee hee! I think I got the link, but I've been sooo busy. And I moved. But things are looking better every day.
SithKnight-Galen: Oh, you will see more in this chapter. Xellos has all of those things, but without them, he is mere steps away from his own unending madness. I'm glad that I am among your top 5 – ironically, Carla Fox is a good friend of mine. I haven't heard from her in years though. At least 2. If you ever see her around, send her my way! She and I seem to have the same brain in two different bodies. :-) And what did you find in your Hebrew dictionary?
Velf: Naughty! Bad girl! And yes, life is getting better, thanks for all the support. :-) Kendar, you don't trust? Lol. I'm sorry my chars are too complex, they just sprout out of my head that way. Lol
Reiko5: What do you take me for? Someone dying? Please! As to the other stuff, so, basically, you ARE Iyzeka. She's definitely a warped and demented pacifist. You are great, thanks for the reviews and support!
Nicci Rockdad: Thanks! I'm dark? Wow:-D
Shavaineth: I wish I did too. I love the idea of Xellos as anything! I'm glad you liked it and I hope you keep reading (and reviewing!)
legona: I hope for a professional career! For now I settle for graphic design. Thanks for the review!
Velf: Aw, you're so mean to Xian! But now I have an image of Filia throwing her underware at Xellos and it sticking in his hair . . . And yes, Iyzeka is a char of my own creation. Do you like her? Val is also, technically, since his personality here is completely different than what it was in the show (he was reincarnated). Thanks for everything!
Amber: I can't believe you don't like Stedman and Rykker! LOL, well, anyhow, I'm glad you're still reading and it's great to see your reviews too!
legona: Aw, you are really sweet. Thanks for saying that I have Xellos right. He's a very important character to me.
Razia: lol, thanks for the review. Glad I'm a fav! Add me to author alert too, I'm hoping to be posting up a lot more soon.
XyoushaX: I think that if you read other slayers fanfics with Xellos and Filia, they do mar Xellos' character by changing him. I dislike that. I also am so happy that you approve of his drunkenness! Xellos' emotions certainly did come out, but not just the good ones! He has much darkness still within him and I was determined to show that.
Tanwen Whitefire: I wonder why every ending of my chapters is a cliffhanger? I never mean for them to be! LOL. Thanks for the review, but your agony is not quick to end. Xellos and Filia will not be coupling soon. But the fanfic does go on!
Chapter 43
Hong
Kong, China
June
9th, 2002
"Master
Xellos fights a lot."
"Yes. Yes,
he certainly does. Don't you think that someday you might have to
fight?"
"I don't
want to fight! I just want to stay here and help you, Mommy."
"I know. But sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in. Even if you're afraid and don't feel brave enough to do battle, there may come a time when something more important than your comfort is at stake. Tell me, Iyzeka . . . what will you do, then?"
Deep within the fury of undulating creatures around her, enveloped by blackness and malaise in every direction, the ebony shadow of energy wondered at that question, even now . . . while she fought.
Between the strikes and the spinning escapes and the diving attacks, she pondered how different her life had been . . . and drove off her sudden fear that existence would surely never return to that simpler time.
So much is at stake, she told herself as she struck back at her enemies, tearing astral essence and absorbing their suffering, even as her mind threatened to collapse from the thought of what she now did. Death . . . everywhere . . . The whirling typhoon that was her form shuddered within itself. I have become entropy.
She began to ache from the terrible sensation of their destruction, yet continued on, slicing through them, a piece of her dying with every cut and tear. Anguish poured from the demoness in the darkness she oozed, the vortex of pain and suffering wrecking havoc all around her.
I . . . am . . . death. The thought stilled in her mind. Crystal. Ice. Bitter. Frozen.
She closed her mind's eye, feeling the weight of every death she caused like a shroud of the thick darkness she encompassed, and, one with the violence, Iyzeka stretched herself out . . . out . . .
In the brilliance that followed, she brought herself into realty, appearing in mid-air, hanging in sudden silence warbling like the vague, faint whispers of an echo ricocheting through a tomb . . .
Her companions were gazing up at her, illuminated by the hazy city lights in every direction, yet still cast in the ink of night.
"Iyzeka?" came Val's uncertain voice, and the girl bobbed her sanguine head, eyes unblinking as the dragon took a few halting steps out from the shadowed overhang of the roof stairwell.
The air was empty – all her foes were vanquished. Lowering herself languidly towards the roof, the tiny demoness alighted upon the blacktop, wide emerald eyes gazing up at the young man's concerned face. "I killed them all," she told him quietly, and liquid shimmered in her eyes beyond her control.
Lips parting as his features contorted painfully, Valgaav reached out a hand to her shoulder and pulled her close. "Iyzeka." His comforting arms wrapped around her as she let herself be tugged into an embrace, hiding in the cave of his arms and ducking her head against his chest.
Iyzeka let herself wish, for a sliver of a moment, that she could just be held by Val forever . . . her Val.
It sounded nice . . . "her Val" . . . and wherever Val was . . . she knew there would be life. Not death.
The net of dark energy Xellos had spun around Telgaln ripped into a million glittering pieces and fell away from the decayed figure, the blood-red glowing caverns that were the vermin's eyes narrowing as he hissed his contempt.
"You cretinous worm," the vile creature growled in his thick bass, a soot-black darkness beginning to billow around him in a sickly haze, and the Greater Beastmaster brought his fragment close to his chest, wary of his adversary. "Your games end now!" With a howling roar, Telgaln's arms raised up as the demonic power around him exploded with electrical currents, awash in brilliance.
Hanging in the multitude of color that was the astral plane, Xellos winced at the power he could sense Telgaln amassing. Skill may just miss me, this time, he commented dryly to himself, tossing his head slowly back and forth with bitter amusement. Well, if I die, I die . . .
Deep within him, beyond the insanity of battle and the thirst for destruction, an image of Filia flashed, her gold-spun hair dancing in a breeze and sorrow engulfing her empty blue gaze . . .
Jerking back from the sight, the demon blinked, violet cat-eyes wide. Filia . . . Growling suddenly, pale features contorting into a mask of rage, he unfurled his arms from his chest and held the stone aloft. "I will not break my promise, Filia," he murmured, the sound a tightly held vow.
Even if it means risking everything . . .
He knew if he died, the woman in his dreams would endure a suffering unending, at the hands of the monster before him.
Dying for Filia would be pointless, Xellos decided, amethyst eyes flashing gory sanguine before he snarled low in his throat, fangs glittering in the sparking lightening. Better that both of us die, here and now . . . better to send Filia to a better place.
His features contorted painfully as his eyes crushed closed, shutting out only one of many senses he wished he could abandon. Even if the result is my everlasting damnation.
Opening those haunted orbs once more, he glared at the creature still gathering astonishing quantities of power before him, and pulled himself up straight.
"Alright, Telgaln," he spoke, tenor voice firm and even. "Let us end this. Now."
And with his challenge . . . Xellos vanished from the plane of emptiness, returning to solidity, substance, and the universe he knew.
Filia . . . If we die, I hope that you knew my feelings.
You give me my
reason to exist.
Deep within the shadows of twilight, the ancient crone's shoulders hunched, the sorrow of this night coursing through her body as a thick, shuddering wave. We will not allow tragedy to befall anyone just yet, Lon mused bitterly, coal eyes narrowing at the gossamer darkness enveloping her.
Behind her, in the deep misty gloom of their magic, Shan and Mu Tsu hung, suspended in the veil of night, their eyes upon her back piercing like the gaze of worn statues, solid and unblinking. Their cousins, Ling Ling and Lung Lung, were as doppelgangers, quietly standing further within the ebony void.
"Can you feel the suffering here, Children?" she heard her own voice speak, echoing through time and space in the place they dwelled, a land without ending and without beginning.
Her violet-haired child nodded, eyes tight with control and righteous indignation. "Yes, Great-Grandmother. I can feel it." Beside her, her mate bobbed his dark head as well, silent as a monolith.
With a raspy sigh, the wrinkled woman shook her head, silvery hair dancing lightly as if through water. "This future holds no joy. Feel this moment," she commanded, aged voice rough and cracking upon the emotions, "and hold your feelings dear to your heart."
Just a few more moments, the Lóngmòlù told herself, her pogo-staff clenched tightly in fingers already frail and turning a brittle ivory from strain. The moment . . .
. . . is now.
Thrusting her staff through the billowing shadows, she whipped it through the air as if it were a thick, black cream. "Come, my children. It is the hour of their greatest need."
Give us strength, Lon intoned within her mind to the unending shadows. We have nothing without you, Syi Wang Mu, Queen Mother of the Western Skies.
Together, the Green Dragons stepped into the frothing, seething darkness, vanishing one by one . . . exiting the land of shadowy harmony to face the chaos that awaited them.
The quiet seemed to teem with a strange foreboding. Filia turned her head many times, seeking out that mental tick that echoed in her mind, a feeling that all was not as it seemed.
Silently, the creatures standing upon the roof kept watch over the city lights, averting their eyes from the thick, nauseatingly unending blackness above them.
The dragoness found that the absence of stars or variation grated against her nerves, and she still chafed to discover the cause, to know what had caused such a drastic change. She yearned to break the eerie noiselessness and question her son, or perhaps Iyzeka, on what had occurred while they were gone . . . but something stilled her.
Perhaps it was that ticking . . . that rather alien sensation that tickled the hairs on her neck . . . a feeling that the shadows were watching her . . .
The elderly American, Rykker, coughed softly next to her, and she glanced over to watch him scan the dark horizon a moment. She supposed that everyone was on edge, hackles raised to this eye of the storm.
Ever since Iyzeka had returned upon vanquishing the numerous demons sent to destroy them, the frightening quiet had descended upon them. Even now, her son and the demoness simply held each other softly, soundlessly.
It's as if we're waiting for something, the blonde mused, tucking a strand of her golden hair behind an ear with a quaking finger. Flicking her eyes away from the city – the lights had begun to shimmer in a way that almost nauseated her, as if there were waves of heat flowing over the cityscape, though the air remained brisk and cool around them – the ex-priestess bit her lip and craned her neck to glance nervously behind her again, eyes scanning the stairwell wall.
Nothing there, she told herself, stare fluttering from one inch of the shadows cast along the concrete wall to another. Nothing . . .
"Mom?" a voice spoke almost in her ear, and Filia screeched, jumping and twisting around, hands rising-
"Val," she seethed, glaring at the surprised teenager standing before her, one arm around his petite friend, "don't DO that!" The blonde clenched her fists and panted a few times, growling low in her throat and making the demoness wither with her glower.
Raising one brow as his mouth twisted in fear, the teal-headed boy took a step back, guiding the redhead away, though her wide eyes still peered at Filia with wonderment. "Mom, calm down. Are you okay?"
With a shaky sigh, the woman shook her head, eyes casting to either side once more. The two aged human men were now looking at them with concern, and she felt her cheeks warming uncontrollably. "Not really . . . I feel . . . wrong, somehow."
"You seem really anxious," her son pointed out, golden eyes gazing unblinkingly at her, his long lashes almost brushing his eyebrows.
Nodding, the Golden Dragon frowned, fists unclenching only so she could wrap her arms tightly around herself, foot beginning to tap with a jittery beat against the blacktop. "I . . . Yeah. I don't know why."
Valgaav's somber features saddened, and he released Iyzeka to slide forward, steps quiet on the roof as he took his mother into a firm embrace. "Mom. Xellos will be fine. You'll see."
Shaking in his arms, the blood left Filia's face, and she stared blankly at the oscillating city lights below them. No . . . I'm not afraid. Xellos will be fine. Of course he will.
Her legs shuddered and buckled, but Val held her up easily, arms tight yet gentle around her. "Shhh," his deep voice murmured into her hair, and she felt his warm breath upon her head, "everything will be okay. I know it will."
Suddenly, another hand was on her shoulder, firm and large, with strong fingers that gripped comfortingly. "Dear lady," came Rykker's smooth voice, a faint smile in his tone, "your son is right. Don't let yourself doubt. Without hope, none of us can accomplish a damn bit."
Filia raised her head and blinked sorrowfully at her elderly friend, then nodded her head, taking some emotional sustenance in the sure, steadfast crystal blue eyes that gazed firmly into her own. "Are you sure?" she heard herself simper, and she winced in shame.
"Of course," the southern gentleman beamed, patting her shoulder kindly. "He wouldn't leave such a gem of a woman behind." Flashing her an even broader smile, he promised, "Any lady who can break through the barriers around that man's heart isn't one he's likely to ever forget."
Flushing deeply, the pale-haired dragoness ducked her head away, hiding deeper within the shelter of her son's arms. However, her shoulders relaxed, and beyond the shuddering fear and desperate hope warring within her thoughts, she could hear Val calmly murmur, "Thank you. Things are hard for her."
Filia closed her eyes tightly . . . and for the first time in a long while, began to pray. God . . . Lady Nightmare . . . whoever you are. Help me, please. Bring Xellos back to me. Save us. Give us just a little more time. Give me just one more chance. Even if it's only a moment, let me see him again.
Please.
A lone tear trailed down her cheeks in the darkness of her hiding place, to fall against the bare skin of Val's arm, and his hold tightened.
. . . Please . . .
. . . . . Please . . . . .
In an explosion of brilliance, he appeared – slender black silhouette, with arms outstretched and wicked staff extending into the blinding white – and then vanished, another figure flashing behind him angrily.
"XELLOOOOOSS!" Telgaln's voice boomed, bass reverberating throughout the bodies of those watching and shaking the weakened structures they stood upon.
Instantly, five green lights flashed in a pentagon around the glowing ball of ivory light, and those huddled on the roof of one towering skyscraper blinked in shock to see the Chinese dragon-kin glittering verdant magic, carefully placed at key points around the battle-ground.
The putrid form of the self-proclaimed Mazoku leader became visible, as he blinked his cold, black eyes at those surrounding him, surprised –
- and Val released his mother, taking a step back to look into her tear-filled face, and kissed her cheek. "Stay here, Mom." With a flash of light, he disappeared, the tiny redhead following right after -
- the jade dragon attacked the mad demon in his moment of weakness, her children jumping from rooftop to rooftop in a dizzying flight of colors, peppering Telgaln with a fervor of damage like a swarm of locusts –
And Xellos slipped, skidded and careened between and betwixt them all, sending ripples of black energy through the husk of death that hung in the air, his violet locks barely visible, his form precariously vanishing and reappearing almost too fast for even a Golden Dragon's eyes to see . . .
Stunned as she watched the debacle of Armageddon above her, a flaxen blonde figure stood upon a torn and twisted tower, rising into the crackling sea of chaos that was her night sky.
Azure eyes unblinking, she watched, almost detached in her horror.
It's happening again. All over again.
She barely registered the explosions, even when Telgaln returned their blows with a devastating BOOSH, a blossoming ball of fire that threatened to engulf them all – and yet Filia stood still, watching, even as her threads of hair were thrown to the gale of wind in the shockwave.
Still they fought, and she could hear the two humans working on their contraptions behind her, could see her son in his human form still, casting spells and battling on – I never did teach him how to transform – perhaps I should have . . . Sudden tears pricked her eyes as she watched, inept.
Once again, I'm unable to do anything. Worthless. Just like when we fought Darkstar, I'm just doing NOTHING!
Fists clenching, the blonde closed her eyes, the multi-hued explosions dancing across her eyelids as tears poured from them down her cheeks.NOTHING! And without even the Darkstar weapons, how could we hope to beat Telgaln, when we cannot even beat him now . . .
Darkstar weapons.
She opened her eyes to see the world bathed in thunderous detonations of light.
We beat Darkstar . . .
She could feel him, his essence, still within the fray, and it buoyed her up, chin rising in defiance.
. . . with spells, she turned smartly to face the two aging humans, locks thrashing in the squall, cast through magical weapons!
"Hey!" she yelled over the unceasing cacophony, and the old men turned, blinkingly, to stare at her as she began to run over to them. "You hurt him before with that grenade! How about we try again!"
Snatching the fifty-pound RPG launcher up in one hand easily, she held it aloft, turquoise gaze burning into her companions. "Give me the grenades," she told them. "I'm going to cast some spells on them."
The man who had appeared later, the shorter, slightly squatter of the two, shook his head but lifted up a magazine of grenades anyhow. "They've already got spells cast on them, my dear!" his clipped English accent snapped bitterly. "It won't do any good!"
Filia took the magazine anyhow, and held it in her free hand. "Not the kind of spells I have," she informed them grimly, then held one of the grenades in her hand, concentrating on the head before holding it out from her.
"CHAOTIC DISINTEGRATE!"
His world was a haze . . . of blood.
If Filia has to die . . . if Val cannot live . . . then you WILL SUFFER!
Xellos knew he was losing his mind, as he fought and battled furiously, tactic after tactic and spell after spell flowing from his cruel and beautiful form . . . but he really didn't care anymore.
He couldn't see himself, but even so, he knew what the others would see if they could – if he slowed long enough for someone to spot his physical shape being contorted by his anguished rage, if he gave them that chance –
They would see shock white skin, lips parting painfully to expose fanged teeth, burning scarlet eyes within sunken sockets.
I'm becoming HIM.
It was almost enough to make Xellos draw upon the Lady's unending power in order to envelop and destroy his own darkness forever –
- but that was the entire issue. He wouldn't even feel that suicidal impulse if he could fight without the knowledge that he would have to take Filia's life. He couldn't battle with lust and joy when he knew that her death at his own hands was inevitable. The thought itself of killing her made him fervently wish he had never been created at all.
He remained silent when he longed to scream, I can't hurt her with my weakness, quiet when he wanted to cackle and howl, They shall rely on my strength to the very end, bereft when he wished to cry and sob and rage upon Telgaln with every torrent of emotion that overwhelmed him when he thought about his loss – his curse . . . the chance he never knew he wanted . . .
Lost . . . to never see her smile again . . .
He was truly lost . . .
. . . and incredibly surprised when a multi-tiered explosion of holy magic larger than anything he had ever witnessed flung him, blinded him, cut and mangled and practically knocked him into the astral plane –
- ripping Telgaln's physical form to shreds before his startled once-more-violet eyes as he was tossed back by the triple shockwave and the shrapnel, the remaining scraps of his demented opponent mere burning embers.
The battle halted as all floated in mid-air, staring at where their opponent had just been, and the brilliance faded along with the dreadful unending noise, to leave nothing but silence –
Into which the stunned Ancient Dragon boy said, "Mom!"
Xellos blinked and turned to stare at the roof where the two humans stood. In front of them, the blonde woman waved, the RPG launcher on one shoulder and a grin breaking out on her face as he squeaked incredulously, "Filia!"
"HIII-EEE!" she called out to them. "I didn't hurt any of you, did I?"
On a darkened roof, many blocks away, Kendar lifted his head from where he splayed across the blacktop.
The little one healed me. A chuckle clattered from his throat and he closed his burning eyes. "Little one". She could crush me in an instant. They are stronger than I expected, Zelas' offspring.
Climbing up until his human body was in a standing position, the dung-colored figure scanned the soot-black skyline, and far off, he sensed power. And . . .
Pain shot through him as a connection into his mind was made. —Kendar. Are you . . . alive?— The weakened voice of his King sounded very quiet indeed.
—Yes,—Kendar replied carefully. —What has happened?—
—They believe they have killed me. But we will get them yet, Kendar! As soon as I regenerate, we will have them.—
As the ravings began, the Mazoku sighed and hung his head, rubbing his eyes with a hand. I suppose that means I must go after them. If only that child had let me die . . . but no. I still have some worth.
His sheen-less eyes gazed up into the emptiness of the night, and one weak fist rose up, to clench tightly. General Xellos. I still fight. I won't abandon you.
The regroup was practically silent, most-likely due to a sense of shock falling over the humans and half-humans.
Val was the first to alight upon the roof a few yards from his mother, Iyzeka close behind him. The petite redhead clutched at the gauzy blue of her dress and watched the scene around them unfold.
The night sky still held a darkness, wet-ink rich without stars, the only illumination being five glowing figures of emerald . . . and one small flame of silver, and one of red.
The green of the dragon-kin faded quickly as they approached Filia and the two humans on the roof, until only one creature remained. Deep in that blackness, shadow upon shadow, the silver and scarlet brilliance flared once.
Then the lights vanished, extinguished in an instant.
Over the sound of the shimmering breeze that wound its way through their ranks, a soft tenor voice spoke through the air, though they could not see him hanging there. "Thank you. Filia, children . . . we have to leave now. It won't be long before his body regenerates and he comes after us."
The Ancient Dragon nodded and glanced around at the suddenly chattering group. His mother was thanking the newly transformed Lon, who in her human state still appeared quite tiny and frail, but her beady black eyes just as bright. An aging Xian and MuTsu spoke with the elderly humans, while Iyzeka began hopping around and grabbing anyone nearby to hug tightly, only to disappear and re-appear to glomp onto another.
Val simply turned and waited, his eyes and senses out upon the darkness. The miasma he had come to recognize distinctly grew closer, and the teenager glanced down and away nervously as Xellos took his first step onto the rooftop.
As the boy took a hesitant peek, a part of him felt slightly surprised at how presentable the General-Priest appeared. Feeling that dark violet gaze upon him, Valgaav glanced over his Godfather, across the mended and straightened black dress-shirt and slacks, along his empty hands hanging easily at his sides, and up to his perfect locks of amethyst hair. But those eyes . . .
Shivering a bit at the intense look he was receiving, Valgaav shoved his hands into his pockets and began to leisurely walk forward, much more calmly than how he felt. "Hey. Xel. Good to see you guys made it."
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose on that pale face, and Xellos smiled at him warmly before covering the distance between them and lifting up his hands to grasp Val's shoulders and gaze up at the taller young man. "Thanks to you. You and your pranks," the demon grumbled, pulling Valgaav into an embrace. "Who taught you such bad behavior, anyhow?"
The turquoise-haired boy chuckled almost brokenly and firmly returned the hug. "I donno'. Some crazy guy." Embarrassment flushed over his features but he ignored it. No one's looking anyway.
"Definitely. Come on," Xellos continued, pulling back to grin up unabashedly at the boy. "Let's go get your mother and Iyzeka. It's hardly over," he added, nasal voice concerned as he glanced across the crowd to gaze at the blonde woman, "this is just a quick respite before his forces regroup."
Xellos went through the crowd himself, but in the end, the only people he really needed to speak to were Rykker and Lon.
The dragon-kin feared him and stepped back, unwilling to speak to him. But as he strode past them, MuTsu and Xian gave him nods of respect, the former with an appraising look in his eyes. Xellos simply beamed at them, eyes closing, and gave a little wave. Interesting times.
"Sonny," came the croaking of the old hag, and Xellos turned to raise a brow down at the silver-haired woman, hands on his slender hips.
"Yes, Ku Lon? Are you finished sticking your nose into my affairs?" he smirked at her, feeling quite jolly for all that had occurred.
A sad smile crossed her aging face and she said, "Get that pretty head of yours down here and give an old woman a hug. I doubt I'll live long enough to see all of you again," she bemoaned. Oh, I highly doubt that, you old beast.
Grumbling but doing as he was told, the priest knelt and embraced the tiny old woman, who whispered to him, "Don't forget us, Yêxìng. You'll have a lot of trouble ahead of you, I'm sure."
The violet-locked man released her and straightened, giving her a suspicious frown before saying, "You too, old woman. Don't forget that I know you. Teach your children well," his icy tone hushed all other conversation around them, "and teach them to remember me."
Lon nodded slowly in the sudden silence, and even more slowly began to smile a broad, knowing grin. "I see the wolf still has his fangs," her raspy voice tittered as she pulled out a long, slender cigarette holder.
Battle-induced adrenaline still trilling through his veins, the Mazoku grinned, baring sudden fangs as the fear of those around him flooded him with a rush of euphoria. "Never forget that I do, old woman," he smirked lazily at her, languidly allowing the scintillating terror wash over him for a moment more before turning away and stalking leisurely towards the two humans.
Behind him, Lon's cigarette flared to life, and she smiled again and took a long drag. "Thank you, Yêxìng."
Rykker watched Xellos approach him calmly, an odd security settling into himself. This beast, this monster respects strength.
A brow rose on the pale face of his new associate, and the violet-headed man held out his hand to him. "Rykker. James. I'm afraid we might not meet again."
A sardonic grin spread across the gentleman's face as he took the slender hand and shook it, grip firm but not unkind. "It was a pleasure knowing you, and speaking with you. I wish I had more time . . . but I'm not in the flower of my youth any longer."
He almost believed that Xellos' smile softened, and that a kind light bloomed within his gaze. "Age brings wisdom, James. I think that there is a kinship between you and I. We are both very old."
"Old," Rykker nodded and smiled, "and perhaps wise. Before you must leave, this is my associate and friend, Steadman." Turning, he introduced the other elderly man in the fedora, who beamed quiet cheerily back and gave a more gleeful handshake.
"Right-o, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Should we ever meet again," he continued in a rich, high-class British accent, "I should hope a chance to know you better, Mister Metallium."
Xellos smiled and chuckled a bit as he released the hand, then shrugged at the charming humans. "If we're all lucky, Mister Steadman."
He then raised his head to gaze at the dozen people around him . . . and memories of the past flickered and flowed through his mind. They deserve so much more than this for what they've done . . .
So he gave them all that he had to give.
Amethyst eyes firm, he addressed them. "I hold the rank of General among my people," he began - slowly, but with growing vigor. "But this is the first time in centuries that I've had to fight a battle of this magnitude. I'm proud and honored by all of you. You all risked a great deal of danger for something you barely understood. I wish I could make things clearer, but I don't have that luxury. And if all goes well . . . you'll never have need of knowing the truth."
His eyes scanned the crowd, the silence all-encompassing. "Ignorance is bliss. But no satisfaction is greater than knowing that you have a place in the universe. If you ever feel you have lost your way . . . know that we will remember you. You will always have a place within us."
With that, he raised his hand and called his people to him, glancing away from the shining eyes and the sniffling dragon-kin as Filia, Val and Iyzeka cloistered around him. "Now, we leave. Farewell."
The cheering and shouts of goodbye and calls of good luck began to spin around them as he gathered his magic, until the darkness of the sky faded and they were filled with light . . .
And the brightness took them toward their future and their haven.
Watching them vanish, Lon smiled sadly, then turned her eyes to the two aging men within her ranks. "So, gentleman. I hear you're after a Chinese agent who has been killing men undercover in the MI6." She took another drag and watched with amusement at the surprise that flickered quickly over their wrinkled faces before they absorbed it and appeared to move on.
"Quite right, my dear," Steadman spoke up, looking uncertain. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about our man, would you?"
The old woman's smile broadened, and she exhaled a billow of white smoke that danced into the liquid night sky. "Oh yes. Yes I would."
