Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Dramata Kurage! ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

Disclaimer: Slayers and their characters are not owned by me. They belong to Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi and any other companies which own them. I'm just borrowing them for a little bit and I promise to give them back all in perfect working order.

13.0
We travelled together, Amelia and myself, as we headed straight for the place where Veryna stayed. This was the hardest thing though because I was travelling without Lina, I was travelling with Lina gone and in a way I was lost. The worst came when we started walking past places we had been before. We came across the camp Lina and I had set up. I knelt down where the fire was and my memories flashed back to some memories of the coupld of nights we spent there, before we went up and after. I had started to realise some of the feelings I was having for Lina. I picked up some of the ashes and let them pour through my fingers as I began a new resolve. I was getting Lina back, even if it meant sacrificing myself to get her back, Lina was not supposed to be a mazoku, it trapped her, she was supposed to be free, travelling, adventuring, having fun.

I stood up slowly and glanced to Amelia who just stayed back and allowed me some time alone. "Let's get going, I don't want Lina to have to stay that way for long." She nodded and smiled a little and then caught up with me before we headed off to that small mountain when this whole cursed thing began.

We headed up the mountain, taking the correct route this time as I knew which way the cave was, and the plateau I knew we were going to meet Veryna on. We reached it after a couple of hours of climbing and then I looked up, seeing the black dragons flying around and I could see them looking down at me very clearly. I was no longer afraid, I was no longer scared unlike last time, because now I was not letting anything get in my way. "VERYNA!" I roared. At which point one of the dragons started to come down and land infront of us. I didn't keep my eyes off the dragon as it changed form and turned into that person I recognised. The first thing I did was walk up to her, grab her by the neck and slam her hard against the wall, I took the Blast Sword and placed the blade right by her neck, and I glared right into her eyes. Amelia gasped in shock

"Gourry-san! What are you doing?"

But I just gripped her neck tighter, making her feel what I had to go through when I watched them take Lina. "How do I get her back? How do I undo this? You better tell me or to L-sama, I will kill you right here! This was your doing. This damned sword was the cause of all this, you ruined her life!" I then felt some hands grab onto my shoulder and pull me away, when I turned I saw Amelia was trying to make me stop. I looked back to Veryna who was staring at me with those same cold eyes. I let get and dropped the sword to the ground as I stepped back a few paces. "I don't want the damned thing, you can have it back, just as long as you tell me how I get Lina back..."

Amelia let go of me now but she was still close by me, I glanced to her and she was looking at Veryna with sad eyes. I turned back to see her rubbing her neck but she seemed slightly confused. Amelia then stepped forward. "Lina was taken by Xellos and Beastmaster Zelas, so they can turn her into a mazoku." Veryna's eyes widened immediately, and I was suprised she hadn't known, since she seemed to know everything else.

She looked down as she started thinking, during which I looked up at the sky seeing the dragons all starting to come down and change form around us. Whether they did it because they heard the news, or because I was threatening Veryna, either way I didn't care. I was getting what information I needed and then leaving with it.

I looked back to Veryna who turned her gaze to me and nodded slowly. "There was once a story of a mazoku being turned back into a human, when once it was human before. But I don't understand it very well. Only one person can really tell you about it. Taloto who lives on the continent to the west is the one you will have to speak to, he will tell you all that he knows about the story, and I am sure he will lead you in the right direction for a way to bring Lina back.

I took the information in because this time unlike other times, I knew it was important. I had to step up know, I couldn't just let my thoughts drift like they normally do when I don't think this sort of information matters. If I let that happen, then I could mess up getting Lina back and I wouldn't allow myself that to happen. So I had to take the more important role, and I had to do what Lina would do in this situation.

I looked back to Veryna after taking the information in. "Can you take us there, or at least to the continent. I'm not leaving Lina in the state she is, I'm turning her back as soon as possible." Veryna nodded and glanced to one of the men to my right, I turned quickly and saw the man nodding. At which point he began changing back into the dragon. I looked to Amelia who nodded and began heading over to the dragon, and I helped her up onto it's back. I was about to do the same until I felt a tap on my back. I turned to see Veryna holding the Blast Sword, ready to hand it back to me.

"You need this sword Gourry, more than ever if you are to get her back, this sword was meant for you and no one else. I understand how you might be feeling about it now, but without it you will definitely fail. You have to take this sword and use it to it's full potential."

I nodded and took the sword relunctantly, sheathing the blade and then jumping onto the back of the dragon. I looked back down to Veryna who still looked with those cold eyes. "Now stay out of my dreams otherwise I'm coming back and using this sword to run you through with..." I returned cold eyes of my own, before looking away, at which point the dragon begun flapping it's wings and took flight, heading west to the continent we had last been to in the fight with Dark Star, but to me the reasons for going were much more important than that. To get Lina back, so I could see her get angry at me again for not listening, annoyed for stealing some of her food, and safe when I hold her tight in my arms.

Kurage

13.1
I woke up starving.

I was empty. I was hungry. I opened my eyes slowly and licked my lips, already eager to get out there and get something to eat. I rubbed my stomach slowly, then sat up gingerly, feeling a little worn out for some reason.

I looked around and noticed I was lying the middle of the floor. I frowned, reaching up and rubbing my eyes, making sure I wasn't deluding myself.

I sat up slowly, noticing that I was naked. I wasn't really alarmed about that. What did I care? This was merely a form chosen to mask my own greater astral form. Still, I was going to go out and find something to eat, I had to be somewhat presentable, right?

Frowning, I thought about it for a moment, then smiled, snapping my fingers. I shut my eyes, and in the next moment, my body changed from nakedness to the simulation of wearing clothes. I looked down and ran my palms over the length of my body. The dark red shirt and the black pants and boots were satisfactory, and if later I discovered I hated it, well, I could easily change again. I tossed my hair over my shoulders, raking my hands through the long tresses. Not bad. Whoever picked this form for me had good taste.

I reached up to comb my long bangs when I felt a headband covering by forehead. I yanked it off and examined it. It was made of real cloth, but it had magical properties. I decided that keeping it would be more beneficial than otherwise. Besides, it couldn't hurt. I also decided to gussy up the look a little, and threw in a pair of black gloves and a short black cape. Very nice.

I grinned, then turned on my heel to set out. When I turned, High Priest Xellos appeared out of nowhere and stood right in front of me, blocking my way.

I don't know how I knew exactly who he was, but the information was just there, in my brain. I looked at him and instantly the name came to mind. It took me a few moments to understand. It was because his astral form was so close to mine, I could sense his being and the name that went with it. That would come in handy.

“Hello, Lina-san,” he trilled, grinning ear-to-ear. “How are you feeling now?”

I frowned. Something wasn't right. Wasn't I always this way? Didn't I always feel the way I felt? Except for the hunger, wasn't I always the same Mazoku I always had been?

He must have noticed my hesitation, for his eyes opened slowly, the purple irises gleaming a little. “Lina-san,” he said carefully, coming closer to me, barely an inch away. “Do you remember anything that happened before you woke up?”

My frown deepened as I thought about it. I couldn't think that far ahead. All I could remember was waking up and finding myself naked and lying on the floor. Before that was blank.

“No,” I said, confused. It didn't feel right. I felt as if there should have been something there, something I should have remembered.

Xellos moved a little closer to me. I didn't like it. I could sense his astral form moving closer to my own, and it was crowding. I edged back slowly, but he closed the gap again, so I relented and put up with it for the moment, knowing he wouldn't back down.

“Lina-san,” he said again, in that same deliberate voice, his eyes glinting with something restrained. “Who are you?”

I stared at him. “I'm Lina Inverse, servant to Zelas Metallium, Juuo-sama. Who else would I be?”

Xellos's smile changed. It went from blank, to something else. Something filled with an emotion I couldn't place. “You're newborn here, Lina-san,” he explained. “You have no memories because Juuo-sama just created you from her own flesh. You're not Lina Inverse, you're Lina Metallium. Where did you get that Inverse part?”

I was confused. The name had just popped into my head. It was wrong? If I had just been created, why would the knowledge in my head already be wrong? It was confusing.

“I'm sorry,” I said, “I don't know where that came from, Priest Xellos.” It felt strange, saying those words. I felt a twinge, like it was unnatural to show obedience to Xellos. But how could that be? Xellos outranked me. He was priest, and I wasn't even his equal. Maybe it was natural for me to be rebellious. I certainly felt rebellious, like I had a right to be where I was and do what I wanted to do.

“Please, drop the formalities,” Xellos insisted. “Just Xellos is fine.”

I hesitated again, placing a hand to my head. “I feel strange, Xellos-san,” I admitted. “I feel disoriented and weird. Like something is amiss.”

“Like I explained, you are newborn, Lina-san,” he replied, placing a hand on my shoulder lightly. My head shot up, looking sharply at his hand. I didn't like him touching me. “You will learn with time, and soon, you will advance, to perhaps...”

I glared up at him.

“...general?” he finished, leaning in close to me, his face mere millimeters away from mine.

I jerked back, moving out of his grasp. I moved far enough so that I wouldn't feel his astral form near mine anymore. Something felt strange about this all, but I had to believe him. It was just that the whole situation made me angry. I didn't want to follow anyone. I wanted to be independent. I didn't like the idea that I owed my life to someone who didn't even bother to greet her own creation herself.

Plus, I didn't like the way Xellos was looking at me. If he was serious about my advance to general, it would mean we would be equals. Maybe if that happened, it wouldn't be so strange to be around him as much.

Maybe I wouldn't be so angry once I had something to eat.

Maybe.

“I'm hungry,” I answered, my eyes narrowed. Xellos's eyes slowly shut into slits, but the smile was cold, as if I had denied him of something.

“If you are hungry, Lina-san, than we shall go eat.” He walked over to me and offered me his arm.

I felt a little queasy, already prepared for the invasion of his astral form, but he made no advance. Gratefully, I placed my hand on his arm, and together, we phased out.

Dramata

13.2
We flew at high speed across the ocean, the wind billowing through my hair. I had my arms held across my chest, my last thought of wanting Lina safe in my arms turned into a holding gesture physically. I stared into nothingness, looking into the dark blue of the ocean, seeing the occasional white from some of the rougher waves crashing about in the sea. I heard a muffled voice from behind me, which I realised was from Amelia. I only heard it muffled because of a mixture of the wind and not really using my ears to listen. I guessed what she was talking about as I slowly looked up and could see the continent in the distance.

Within a few minutes we had finally reached the continent where the dragon then descended, landing a few miles from the cost. I jumped off first and then helped Amelia down and turned to the dragon.

"So where are we supposed to find this Taloto, it's a pretty big continent and we can't search everywhere." The dragon stayed in it's form, not turning into a human and turned it's head to me.

"You need to keep heading west, but keep along the coast to the north. Taloto lives in a small village on the coast, it's about three days travel from here. If that is all, I shall return to the others." I nodded and the dragon began flapping it's wings again, kicking up a load of dust which I had to shield my eyes from. Then after a few moments, the wind hand died down and the dragon was flying back of to the east. I looked over to Amelia.

"C'mon, let's get going." Amelia nodded but I could see from the look in her eyes that she was uncertain of me. I guess I wasn't much myself ever since Lina left, but I didn't feel like I could be myself until Lina returned. So I just turned away from Amelia and looked up at the sky to get my bearings. Saftest thing I thought to do was to just go north first and then head along the coast to the west. The sun was already heading down to the west, a few hours from setting so I knew we had to set camp up soon.

We travelled on the road keeping the sun to my left until I could start smelling the salt in the air. We walked another mile till a little clearing opened up, giving us a view of the ocean. Amelia headed past me and admired the few for a minute. I was about to snap at her but then I held myself back, remembering that she was travelling with me after all. It wasn't fair on her if I kept lashing out on her because it wasn't her fault. If anything I should be thanking her that I was still alive after the injury I got from Xellos.

I headed over to Amelia after she enjoyed the view and I placed a hand on her shoulder gently, just to get her attention.

"We have to get going Amelia, remember what we're here for." I spoke to her gently. She nodded gently and gave me a warm smile, and then we headed in the direction of the setting sun. I tried to get as far as I possibly could before it came to dark, I just wanted to make up as much ground as possible, but the sun soon beat me and I knew we had to set up camp. I set up the tent and then a fire and got cooking after catching some food in the nearby bushes. Once finished, Amelia headed off to sleep after I said I would take watch. The honest truth was that I couldn't bare going to sleep, but I also wasn't tired. I think the desperation of wanting to get Lina back was what kept me going.

The night was quiet so I decided to occupy myself. I took out the Blast Sword, looking at the think as though I hated it, because I felt like this was the object which caused everything to go wrong. But Veryna's words stuck in my mind, and I knew honestly that if I was to get Lina back and I really was going to help her, I needed everything that would give me an advantage, and the Blast Sword was one advantage. I knew if I could catch him with the right spell, I could truly harm Xellos have destroying a part of him that he left as a decoy. It was easy too, which made me realise I had more of a chance.

I took the sword in my hand, and felt the weight. It was light in my hand and so easy to swing it, it felt well balanced to, so I knew I had full control of it. The sword was something of a masterpiece, in itself, never mind the capabilities the blade had. I stood up and held it before me, and began training. I hadn't trained alot, because I didn't have much time, but when I did, I trained. But now I knew I would have more time, because I would be travelling and then stopping for breaks, and I was going to be training through those breaks because I wanted to be at my best.

I went through the routines I had learnt as a child, following each step exactly and swinging the sword in the precise way. I started off slowly, learning the entire routine, but over time I sped up, going quicker and quicker until I was sure I was moving as quickly as I possibly could. The sweat dripped over my brow as I worked hard throughout the night, learning to attack with as much power but being able to turn quickly to suprise the enemies, I had to be quick if I was going to fight Xellos if that's what had to be done, and I knew we would have to face him again when I got Lina back. There was no doubt in my mind, I was going to find a way to turn Lina back into the person she should be, I just dreaded the thought of her appearing as a mazoku. And something inside me told me she would turn up, as Xellos knew it would stop me in my tracks.

I stopped training when the sun started to rise back up in the east, the part of the ocean we could see started turning a lighter blue as the sun rose and began turning pink to red. I sheathed the sword and wiped the sweat away with a towel and used some water to clean myself as best as possible. I began cooking some breakfast together and heated some water up for the coffee. I wouldn't have done so normally on my own but only just learning Amelia began drinking coffee, and thought it best to get some prepared.

I had the breakfast cooked as the sun rose higher in the sky and knew we needed to get travelling soon. I headed over to the tent and ruffled it slightly.

"Hey Amelia, time to wake up. Got soom food ready and we need to go soon." I could hear her grumble a little, but not as much as the other time, I guess she was trying to be a bit nicer to me, but I didn't mind. I sat back down and began eating away and a few minutes later Amelia appeared looking a little groggy, I handed her the mug of coffee and she began drinking and then thought a moment.

"Hey Gourry-san. You make good coffee, but I didn't think you liked it."

"Oh..um well. I used to always make Lina's. I got it wrong the first few times and I paid for it with a bit of a scolding, from Lina and the coffee." I smiled a little, but reminding myself of times with Lina had me back down again.

"Oh, well, I'm sure she'll get to drink more you've made for her soon." She responded, seeing the way I suddenly look down, trying to cheer me up.

Once we finished I put out the fire and covered up the ashes and we headed back off to the west, keeping the sun behind us as it slowly caught up with us throughout the day. We took a break when the sun was high in the sky where I began training again and then followed the sun for the rest of the day where I started to think of setting up camp again for the night when we saw a village appearing in the distance. I realised that it couldn't be the village that Taloto lived in but at least we could stay at an inn for a night. Amelia seemed happy about having an comfortable bed to sleep on that night so doubled the speed of her walk, which I barely caught up with.

We got the rooms and had some dinner and then I went back outside when Amelia went to the room. I stepped outside and looked up at the pitch black sky, with stars spread out throughout the sky. I looked up and wondered if Lina was out there somewhere and I wondered what she could be up to, I felt a shiver though when I thought of what she would be doing as a mazoku and it hurt me a little. I looked up again and wondered if L-sama could see all of this happening, and why she wasn't doing anything about it. I just wish there was a way to contact her somehow, I wasn't afraid of her the last time, and I would do anything to make her know what had to be done.

Kurage

13.3
The town was bright. A little too bright for my new eyes and body. I leaned in close to Xellos, making sure I stayed close out of fear that the brightness was contagious. Everything about the down was strange and unusual.

Closing in around me, I could feel the smothering emotions, of both joy and happiness, enthusiasm, fun...it was taking a toll on someone who was new to it all, someone like me, especially since I hadn't had anything to eat yet.

“Xellos-san,” I groaned as we walked. “When are we going to get to the actually eating? I can't take much more of this crap.”

“Patience, Lina-san, patience,” he replied, grinning annoyingly from ear to ear. “The reason I brought you to such a large town is that there are sure to be conflicts and drama, even from the slightest movement or word. Usually people here are high-strung and easy to irritate and agitate. We should have no problem here finding something suitable to eat.”

“You better be right,” I grumbled. “I'm getting tired of starving.”

He just smiled as we walked. I was starting to get more and more irritated as time went by. I looked around, checking to see if the smallest, slightest person was viable for my attention, but no. Everyone was so damn HAPPY.

Suddenly, Xellos stopped. I stopped and blinked, looking forward. “What?” I asked.

Xellos pointed forward to a group of people talking intensely in a corner. They were gesturing angrily, and their voices were rising by the second. It appeared to be two women and a man, and it looked like the man was the center of the assault.

“Infidelity amongst humans is a commonplace factor,” Xellos replied, lowering his arm. “The energy that the anger and hurt gives off is a delicacy. Such a meal is one I wanted you to savor as your first, Lina-san.”

I looked closer. Indeed, the two women were the angriest of the three, and the man looked more ashamed than angry. I started forward, but Xellos clamped down a hand on my shoulder, and I could feel his presence looming close to me, even though his actual form was a foot or two away.

“You needn't get close, Lina-san,” he replied. I looked over my shoulder and glanced at him, only half-listening. From the corner of my eye, I noticed that one of the girls had noticed Xellos and I, and she was glaring at us. “You only need to be a few feet away to get your fill.” He finished, giving my shoulder a pat.

I turned back and saw that the girl who glared at me was coming towards me. I noticed she had mousy, flat brown hair, and pale skin. Her cheeks, however, were bright red with indignation. She stalked right over to me and stared right at me, her mouth drawn back in a hurt snarl.

I cannot tell you what I felt at that moment precisely. I can only grasp at the words. It was like the sweetest, most delicious thing you have eaten after years of going without proper food and drink. It was like ambrosia, only it felt much better than that. It filled my insides and calmed my hunger and still I wanted more. And it all calm from that one girl.

“And you,” she snarled at me. “I know you enjoyed seeing that, didn't you, Lina, after you embarrassed me before. You just love humiliating me and making me feel smaller, don't you, Lina!”

I blinked, coming back to myself. I glanced at her, confused. “What do you mean? How do you know my name? I don't know you.”

She put an indignant hand on her chest. “I'm Drianne, the girl who admired you. Drianne, she girl who was following you!” she spat out these words. “Only while doing so, it allowed my stupid boyfriend to tramp around with that slut over there!” she pointed furiously to the people behind her, and I once again felt another satisfying surge course through me and wash the hunger away.

However, I tilted my head, still confused. “I don't understand you,” I admitted. “I've never met you before. I don't recognize you. I don't even know what you're talking about. I'm sorry.”

Inside, I was very disconcerted. Despite the hunger ebbing away, replaced by a new energy I never knew I had, the confusion settled in underneath. This girl said she knew me? I've only been alive for a few hours. How could she know me? And I could tell she wasn't lying. She looked confused, and hurt, and bewildered, and lying people don't look like that.

But there was nothing in my memory that supported her story. All I could remember was waking up and then there was Xellos, and there here we were. But before that was a big blank.

I frowned, putting a hand to my chin. Something was amiss. Something wasn't right. I wasn't sure if I was being lied to, but it felt like it. It felt like people knew me when they shouldn't have. It felt like people knew me despite the fact that until a few hours ago I was a mere image in Juuo-sama's head.

I turned away from the girl and glanced at Xellos, my eyes narrowed. He wasn't smiling, but he didn't look ruffled either. “How does she know me?” I demanded.

He shrugged. “She must think you're someone else,” he answered.

“NO!” Drianne grabbed my shoulder and wheeled me around, and I felt a stab of anger at the gesture. “I know who you are! Lina Inverse, bandit killer! Lina Inverse, Dramata!”

I felt Xellos stiffen beside me. “Lina Inverse?” I echoed. “I'm not Lina Inverse. I'm Lina Metallium.”

Drianne opened her mouth in shock, but Xellos pushed her away lightly. He turned to me, his eyes open and glinting. He looked dead serious. “Have you had enough to eat?” he asked.

I nodded slowly. “Then we will return home.” He replied. He placed a hand on my shoulder, and together we phased out of the town, leaving Drianne behind.

Something nagged me, however, when we phased back into the place I was born. She had called me Lina Inverse. That was the original name that had popped into my head. The one Xellos said was wrong, and that it wasn't my real name. But if I had thought it was, and so did that girl, who said the exact same name, then wasn't there something to it? Wasn't there something behind it all?

I frowned. Something wasn't right. Something was very off. And I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers. I was going to find out, whether Xellos liked it or not.

Dramata

13.4
I sighed and rubbed the back of my head after standing there for a few moments and nothing happened. So instead to keep myself occupied, I started training again as I had done for the past couple of days, going through each routine over and over, the movements becoming stuck in my mind, like I was writing it in a book, but the pages were my mind. As time passed I didn't even have to think about what I was doing, the movements were just automatic.

I lost track of time with all the training, and only stopped when I felt the sword become really heavy in my arms. I breathed heavilly, gasping for air and sweating buckets, feeling it drip down the side of my face. I looked back up to the sky in some sort of half hope, but brought it down when I knew nothing was happening.

"I didn't take you for the praying kind, Gourry-san."

I swung my head immediately to see the priest standing there, his eyes closed with a smug look on my face. I gritted my teeth as I felt the anger boil over inside and I charged straight for him with an animal like yell, and swung hard. But the sword just sliced through air as he had phased out already.

"You always give the best meals, Gourry-san. Such anger and hatred is a very rare thing, which can only be produced by a heavy loss." The entire time he spoke, he was smiling at me with such an irritating smile, as he stood there upon a roof. "Now I know you're wondering why I am here, and first of all, it's not to fight. I'm here to make a deal."

I stood up straight immediately as I felt all the anger drain away into pure desperation. "I'd give anything to get Lina back, absolutely anything." Xellos' grin grew wider with my response.

"I return Lina if you give me the Blast Sword."

I didn't even have to think about it. I threw the Blast Sword up to him and looked up to him expectedly. He caught the sword and began to examine it closely.

"Yes, this is a very fine sword, already I feel the power from it." He then looked back down to me. "But you're indeed gullible if you think this sword will get Lina back." At which point he took the sword, and threw it blade first straight at me. I managed to jump out the way but it nicked a part of my shirt just by my kidney, then hit the ground, slicing through it easily and only being stopped by the handle of the sword. I rolled out onto the ground and jumped back up to my feet, glaring at Xellos who gave a slight shrug.

"Hmm, my aim must be a little rusty. Thanks for the meal, Gourry-san." Straight after he phased out, leaving me alone. I turned around and knelt down taking the sword and sheathing it. I started to get to my feet only for my legs to give way, forcing me to fall to my knees. I leaned against the wall as I felt the mixture of anger and depression rise up inside me. The mixture became volatile and I gritted my teeth and punched the wall, smashing through the wooden boards of the disused house. My breath quickened again as I fought back against the thoughts of wanting to break down, lie down and die.

I then got back to my feet and headed back to the inn. I realised it was way past midnight and knew it would be morning in a few hours, so I thought a bit of sleep couldn't do me any harm. I'd get a bit of rest and it probably wouldn't give me long enough to dream. I went into my room and took my clothes out, and then left them out the rooms to be washed. I then ran a bath, pouring the warm water into the tub and got in to wash myself of all the dirt and sweat from training. I leaned back relaxing my muscles, not realising how tired I was, I soon drifted to sleep.

I woke up with a start and a splash, ending up with half of the water from the bath on the floor. I lay there for a few moments and looked up at the ceiling. I got out after and dried myself, realising that it was morning. Then found my clothes ready outside, I quickly patched them up before heading on down to get some breakfast, where Amelia was already eating. She smiled and waved at me happily to which I figured she must have had her coffee already.

"Morning lazy!" She chirped. I just frowned a little and waved it off.

"Sorry I just slept in. Hey Miss? Could I get a double order of the second and third page please?"

"Well it's about time you slept. I've noticed you've not been sleeping and you've been working yourself ragged. You need to slow down."

"I don't know Amelia, I can't help it. I just don't feel like I can really relax until I get her back. If I do then I feel like I'm wasting time, forcing Lina to be something she's not, and doesn't even want to be for longer than she should."

Amelia just nodded quietly and my order came, to which I started devouring and finishing within a few minutes. Once finished we headed back out on the road, continuing west. The rest of the time was uneventful. I went through my training every break and we spent another night under the stars. It was around midday that we came across another village, when I looked to Amelia.

"This must be it, this has to be the village Taloto lives in." Amelia nodded with a smile on her face in response and together we headed to the village.

This village was bigger than the other one, and looked more like it could be a town, but it wasn't quite busy enough or loud to be one. It was only when we started walking through the streets that Amelia and I realised we had no idea where he lived. I stopped a passer-by and asked her if she knew of a Taloto. We seemed to luck out because she knew of him and pointed us in the right direction. We followed the directions and got to the house that the stranger described, and we knocked on the door. We waited a few moments and didn't hear a reply so knocked again a little louder.

"Maybe he's not home." Amelia spoke up. But I just felt a bit of anger rising, since this person was supposed to be able to tell us how to turn Lina back, and he was stopping us from doing so by not being home. Ok maybe I wasn't being fair, but I was frustrated with things getting in the way of what I wanted. I knocked again louder and shouted out.

"Veryna sent us!" I yelled. Suddenly the door opened and an arm reached out grabbing Amelia and dragged her in, causing Amelia to yelp. I stormed in and grabbed a hold of the guy by the scruff of the neck, forcing him to let go of Amelia and I pressed him against the back of the door closing it and sending a blade close to his neck.

"Don't know about you but I was told to treat women with respect, and you don't go dragging them about like that." I glared at the man who appeared only about Amelia's age which immediately told me something was wrong considering this guy was supposed to know about how a mazoku was turned human.

"Pp..please, don't kill me. You just can't say Veryna's name out loud like that. You have no idea who could be listening in! I apologise for dragging you in like that young miss, but it's dangerous, to just shout out like that."

Immediately I let the guy go and stood backwards a couple of steps. "You're a dragon, aren't you?"

He nodded slowly and composed himself a little. "I know my looks can be a little deceiving but I have to so people don't realise who I really am. The people in the village don't suspect a thing, and it should stay like that."

Amelia stepped forward. "Does that mean people are after you? That must be terrible."

"Mazoku to be correct. They don't like the idea of someone who can tell others how to turn them into humans." Taloto added on.

I rubbed my chin as I thought a little. "Why are you willing to let us know about this information so easily? I mean it's not every day a mazoku turns into a human."

"That's the whole point, it's not easy to do, if it was then everyone would be doing it, and there would barely be any mazoku around. Anyway, I'll tell you more when you get comfortable, you must be tired."

Amelia thanked Taloto happily as she headed off to sit down at the table, I just nodded a little and sat down beside Amelia whilst Taloto sat down opposite me.

"So why us, how did you even know we wanted to know how to change a mazoku into a human." I got to the point, I was a little concerned that he knew what we wanted before we even asked.

"Because Veryna told me what happened, and well, with what you guys have done in the past, and what you need to do in the future, it's something that has to be done, but only you can do it Gourry." He replied, looking straight at me. It felt a little weird the way he looked at me, and I wanted to squirm out of his look but he just kept staring.

"So how is he supposed to do it?" Amelia jumped in, party to get the conversation moving, and probably to make him stop looking at me a little weirdly.

"He has to let the only one who can do it, why it should be done. The Lord of Nightmares." Amelia gasped in response and my eyes narrowed.

"L-sama..."

Kurage

13.5
Xellos turned to me and smiled brightly. “Lina-san, you'll be staying with us for quite some time, now. Why don't you take a tour of Wolf Pack Island and see where you would like to stay?”

I frowned. “Why? Where are you going?”

He placed a finger to the side of his face. “I have some annoying business to attend to. Official duties and such. Things that you will also be doing eventually, and with the same people involved no less.”

That sounded weird.

“Either way, I will be back. Try not to cause trouble while you're here!” He wagged his finger at me and phased out.

I kicked at the air that he had occupied just a few seconds ago stubbornly. He was treating me like a child. I may be new to this world, but I was still Mazoku, just like him, and I demanded just as much respect as he did.

Either way, it gave me some time to be alone. I shut my eyes and concentrated my focus on the Astral Plane. I scouted the area, checking for anyone near me. I wanted to be alone for this.

I could find a few lesser Mazoku lurking around near the lower levels, but other than that the Island was void of life, even of Juuo-sama. I found that odd, but I didn't really care. After all, it made my exploration all the more simpler and easier, didn't it?

I pulled back and opened my eyes. I looked around the place I was born in, and I sighed a little. It was dull. I shook my head and walked out of it, towards the only exit: a dank, boring hold in the wall.

From there, I noticed that Wolf Pack Island, this place of Supreme Beast Zelas, was not as simple as I had believed. From the room I just exited, I walked into a much larger and airy room. This one was still stone, but it was smooth, and the walls were adorned with long tapestries. However, the tapestries were so worn and faded it was hard to differentiate pattern from dust. There were some random odds-and-ends, things like old chairs and dilapidated wardrobes, but other than that, the room was empty.

The next room was pretty much the same.

I crept up the stairs that led up to the next level. I was really enjoying myself with this. Something inside of me loved to explore. The more I learned about myself, the more I liked, and I really liked this adventurous aspect. It kept me going.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I found a mere shabby door. I opened it, and all I found behind it was a singular room. Now, I say “all I found” because I want it to sound insignificant, but I tell you, it most certainly was not.

The room was spacious. It was bright and spacious and filled which riches. Carpets and gold things and silver things and things I couldn't imagine or even begin to name were scattered everywhere.

I shut the door very quickly and dived right in. I touched everything, examined everything, checked the value of everything. It made me so happy and so satisfied and so full of glee—

I dropped the scepter I was holding abruptly.

Happy? Satisfied? Glee? What the hell? I was a Mazoku; how could such things make me feel these things? How could they make me feel elated?

I felt confused. Strange. Something was off. Something wasn't right. Why was I having these feelings? Mazoku don't have feelings like this. That much I knew; that much I could tell. It was innate. We took pleasure from pain, not material objects. They may amuse us, but give us pleasure? No.

Something was wrong. Something wasn't right with my mind. I place my hands to my head gently, as if I could feel something amiss. Either something was wrong with me, or I was being lied to, and I didn't understand.

It was almost as if I had human feelings.

The moment I felt that, I felt a sharp pain course through my head. It affected both my body and my astral form, and I reeled, unable to take control over it. All I could see was red, and it felt like something was being ripped out of my head.

I could see a flash of blond hair, and blue eyes. A smile, a bracelet with a red jewel. I could see a cup of something hot, and I could feel something on my lips...another person's lips...and touch...I could feel someone touching me, the slightest gestures...on my hair...on my face...

These things coursed through my head and I staggered. I could feel them being ripped out of my mind the moment they came into contact with it. I could feel that something was wrong. I needed those feelings. I needed those memories. They were linked to me, linked to my confusion, linked to why things weren't right...

But I lost them all. They fell from my grasp like something covered in oil. I knelt to the ground, trembling, hugging myself. My head still ached from it all, but I couldn't remember what I had seen to begin with. But I KNEW that there was something there, something in the recesses of my mind, and I knew it was connected to the name Inverse.

I stood up slowly and stalked out of the room. I was going to get answers, no matter what. I would find Xellos and demand them from him! I would find Zelas and rip the answers out of her!

I froze, one foot hovering over the next step. Was I crazy? Confronting two Mazoku much stronger than myself for the answers? If they didn't kill me outright for even daring to question, they would deny it all. No, I couldn't go to them. I had no one to trust, no one at all.

I felt alone. It was a strange feeling. Usually it wouldn't bother me, but oddly, I felt like I was the only one of my kind in the whole world. And as far as I knew, I was right. Who else was a strange Mazoku freak with human feeling? Even then, I still felt the urge to play with the treasure and sell it for as much money as I could. And then, I would use the money on food. Human food. As much as I could consume without popping.

I suddenly felt smothered, like someone was trying to suffocate me. I had to get out. I had to leave. I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't take the confusion. I wasn't supposed to feel this way…

Instead of doing anything, I just sat on the stairs, my head cradled in my hands. I tried to stop thinking, but couldn't.

It was all wrong, and there was nothing I could do. Except sit and wait.

Dramata

13.6
After being quiet for a few moments to take the information in, I started to gather my thoughts and I looked back up to Taloto.

"So how am I supposed to contact her? It's not like I can cast that thing Lina can cast and summon her in my body. And from what I remember that has a few dangers and stuff." I rubbed my chin thinking things over.

"You have to go back to the gateway, the one where Dark Star entered our world. Not only does it allow travel from one world to another, but to the Sea of Chaos itself. The only way to be able to open the gateway is to have pure thoughts, to have no ulterior motives. You can't wish to gain power, you can't wish for wealth, you have to think of what you want, and believe in it whole heartedly. Only then will you be transported to the Sea of Chaos."

I nodded as I took the information in, and I knew I had no problems with my thoughts, I was only doing it to get Lina back, I didn't need power or money, I just needed a way of getting Lina back, and the only reason I was doing it was because I wanted to save her, just as her pure thoughts helped get me back.

"The problem is surviving in the Sea of Chaos. The chaos will try to consume you, it will cloud your mind. Many have left to the Sea of Chaos and never returned, presumably lost in it and suffered the most terrible fate of being lost for eternity, wondering mindlessly." Taloto looked at me again, and I realised that the look was to make sure I knew what I was doing, knew what I was risking. I just nodded and replied.

"I'm willing to risk it all, I'd give up everything if it meant getting Lina back, so I don't care what happens to me, just as long as she does it, as long as she gets Lina back." I looked to Amelia beside me who looked up at me with worried look in her eyes. I just smiled and patted her head like everything was ok. "Don't worry Amelia, I won't get lost, I'll make sure of it, ok?" But it didn't seem to comfort her.

"But Gourry-san, you can be so forgetful!"

All I could do was sweatdrop, and was almost tempted to fall flat on my face, but I just scratched the back of my head. "Ano...I'm not really that bad!" I then turned back to Taloto. "Thank you for the information, I think it's best that we get moving then."

"Very well then, please take care of yourself. Even with everything I have told you, no one knows how to contact the Lord of Nightmares. I can't promise that you'll be able to contact her. All I know is that one person returned and soon after was able to turn a mazoku back into a human, his son. Nothing was written of what she said, or how he did it."

"It's ok, I'll just have to go with my instincts." I looked back to Amelia and smiled again to try and comfort her. We then left Taloto's house and started walking down the street. I looked over at Amelia as I thought a little more. "Wow, who would think we'd have to go back to the Pillar of Light huh?"

"I know Gourry-san, it doesn't even feel that l.."

Amelia was cut off with the sound of a sudden explosion, I turned sharply to the direction from which it came and saw Taloto's house ablaze and smoking. My eyes widened and I suddenly started running back towards the house. I charged through the door with my shoulder, only to be met by a plume of smoke with filled my lungs, causing me to choke and cough. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to filter out the smoke, and I walked through trying to find Taloto.

I got to the room we had only just been in, speaking with Taloto, and I saw him held unceremoniously by Xellos. My eyes widened as I watched Xellos lift Taloto up and fire of a spell through his chest, killing him instantly. Xellos then turned and gave my an evil smile, his eyes opening just slightly to add to the menace, before dropping him and phasing out. I was about to go for Taloto when the roof started caving in and I knew it was too late.

I just jumped out in time as the entire house collapsed in a mass of smoke and fire. I coughed harshly, and gasped for air, my lungs felt as though they were burning. I felt Amelia near by and check me over to see if I was ok, but I just waved her off as I got back to my feet. I turned back to the house and saw it burning away and I felt a little disheartened. I looked back to Amelia and I knew what she was wondering, and I just shook my head. Her head hung down a little and we stayed there for a few moments.

The locals had come running by and were all muttering amongst themselves. I looked around and I could see they were looking at us a little suspiciously. I just patted on Amelia's shoulder.

"I think it's time we get going, I think the locals are starting to suspect that we did this, we were the ones to last speak with him after all." Amelia nodded at which point, the muttering rose to angered talk and soon shouting. I looked about quickly realising that now we were surrounded, and we were about to be the scapegoats for what just happened. I glanced to Amelia who knew what she had to do.

"Bomb Di Wind!" She yelled, holding her hands out infront of her. Suddenly a gust of wind shot forward and knocked the villagers out of the way, leaving us a clear path. We headed straight for it, but already they began clearing the gap. I grabbed Amelia's hand and kept charging, and used my shoulder to knock a few of them out the way, leaving us clear to run. A few started following us and I looked to Amelia again, we needed to keep them off our tails but I didn't want them to come to harm.

She jumped up into my arms which allowed her time to concentrate on a spell but we could keep moving. She then threw her arms behind me and pointed it down at the ground.

"Fireball!" She yelled once more, and within seconds there was the sound of an explosion and a few shouts of fear. I realised that Amelia just created a distraction, knowing the villagers were not used to seeing magic, and scared them off. We stopped at that point and I let Amelia down and I breathed a little heavilly getting my breath back. After a few moments, I felt good enough to carry on and we started heading off. We didn't really need a map to find our way to the gateway, a good high vantage point let us see the Pillar of Light far off in the distance.

Kurage

13.7
I must have been waiting an hour when Xellos came back. He just neatly phased right in front of me, smiling still. I stood up quickly, and he moved close and placed a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off, but he did it again.

He reeked. “Xellos-san, why do you smell like smoke?” I demanded.

He shrugged. “Oh, this and that,” he replied.

I shoved him away from me and walked past him, going back down the stairs. He seemed to linger a little, before he whistled lowly. “Ah, I see you found the treasure room. I bet you had a fun time in there, didn't you?”

I froze, a tremor or anger going through me. I heard Xellos tsk tsk behind me. “You need to control that anger of yours, Lina-san. Us Mazoku cannot allow our emotions to get the best of us.”

I turned and got right into his face, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You see, that's the thing,” I snapped, glaring at him. “How did you know I would be attracted to the treasure? How did you know where to find me? And why do you keep giving me tips on how to be a better Mazoku?”

His eyes opened into a slit of violet colour. “Because you are new, Lina-san, and you don't know the rules and wraps yet.”

“Mazoku don't have rules!” I shouted, stomping my foot on the ground. “We take, we devour, we do what the hell we want, and to hell with anyone else! So why would I care about material things!”

“Juuo-sama cares about them,” he answered.

“Only because they give her power. When I went into that room, I was happy because everything was sparkly and shiny. It had nothing to do with power. I wanted money and food. FOOD, Xellos-san!” I shook my head. “You aren't telling me the truth and it's making me crazy! Where did I really come from!”

Xellos shook his head slowly. “Lina-san, you need to stop asking questions so much.”

I opened my mouth to reply to that, to say something, but he cut me off. He brought a hand forward between us and clenched a fist, hitting me in the stomach. But he didn't stop there. His hand didn't stop at my stomach, but went through it, and I felt something latch onto my very being. He wasn't touching my corporal body, he was making contact with my astral, and the pain was strange and new, but none the less unpleasant.

I leaned forward, winded, and landed on him, gasping. He grabbed onto me and opened his eyes wider, glaring at me. “The thing is, Lina-san, you are new. Anything else before it doesn't matter.”

All I could think about was the invasion of his astral form on mine. I gritted my teeth and glared up at him, wishing I could stop leaning on him, but it was the only way to stay on my feet. “So then there was a before,” I growled, my hands gripping onto his arms so tightly I felt him wince.

“There is always a before. Be you a thought in the mind of a Dark Lord or a magic user prancing around cities, it doesn't matter.” I felt him grab hold of something, and with all of my will I resisted, but his was stronger than mine. “Either way, we messed up. You're not as complete as we thought you were. Clearly, something went wrong, and I just found out why.”

I dug my nails into his arms hard, feeling the black blood oozing between my fingers, but still he wouldn't stop. He kept his slow, continual tug on my insides, and I could feel whatever it was being taken away from me, the true me. “And what is it?” I demanded.

He chuckled, the sound grating my very nerves. “That is a secret.”

With one fluid move he pulled away and I felt what he had hold of come loose. He stepped back and I felt, my hands clutched to my middle. My own black blood covered my hands, but it wasn't enough to be fatal. I looked up at him, but whatever he had been holding in his hands was gone.

For a moment, I felt exactly how I had been. But gradually, slowly, I began to change. I began to wonder why I was thinking such things, and I began to wonder why I was so worried. I may not have to trust anyone, but I doubted there was a conspiracy against me, least of all one from Zelas and Xellos.

I just...forgot.

I shook my head slowly. The doubt was gone, and so was the anger. I couldn't figure out what had made me so mad to begin with. Slowly, I blinked, and looked down at my hands. Then I looked back up at Xellos, who was watching me calmly.

“Better?” He asked.

I nodded slowly, putting a hand to my head. “What was wrong?” I wondered, getting to my feet slowly and keeping a hand to my stomach. The damage to my corporal body was a sign that my astral body was damaged, so there was little I could do but put up with the bleeding for now. Besides, it wasn't that painful. It was more like a small sting.

“You seemed to have overwhelmed yourself, Lina-san,” he replied. “Next time we go to town, I'll make sure we pick a less crowded and intense one. I think you may have overfed.”

I nodded slowly. That made sense. “Next time?” I echoed.

“Why yes,” he replied. “Now that you're much better, Juuo-sama would like us to finally get started on our real mission.” He held out his arm and I took it, and together we began to descend down the stairs.

“Real mission?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yes. You see, we have special plans for you. We want you to use the power you have and attack a few specific targets. They have been a nuisance to us, and one of them has a bauble that Juuo-sama wants to play with. No one else has the potential to fulfill such a mission. It has to be you.” He shot me a sly smile.

I was flattered. Here I was, very new, and already I was elevated to a special status. We reached the bottom of the stairs, and stopped. I glanced at him curiously. “Why are my powers so unique?”

Xellos smiled. “Juuo-sama herself is impressed by you. Of all of her creations, you have become one of the most powerful and deadly of us all.”

I tilted my head to the side. “But I've never used my powers before. How can she know?”

He wagged his finger at me. “Someone as great and powerful as Juuo-sama always knows these kinds of things, Lina-san. You should know that by now.”

I nodded slowly. “Oh,” was all I could manage.

Xellos scratched the back of his head. “I must admit that I made it a little easier for you. You see, I was ridding us of a little irritation that could come up later. I'm sure you would have been able to handle it, but I like things to be easy for you.”

“Hah!” I snorted, waving a hand at him. “If I'm as great as you say I am, I didn't need the help.”

“Mm, maybe,” he replied mysteriously. “Also, while I was gone, I managed to locate someone that might be of interest to you. Now, I don't know for sure, but I bet he would be a great warm up for you before you face your actual challenge. What do you say, Lina-san? Are you up for some adventure?”

I grinned, the sound of it sending tingles of excitement down my spine. “Definitely,” I replied.

“Alright then. You get that nasty wound looked after, and I'll meet you back in a half-hour. Then, we're off to the desert to surprise an old friend of yours.” His eyes glinted when he said that, and a smile spread to his lips, one that I couldn't read. I think that by then I realized I was a little afraid of him.

Dramata

13.8
We'd been walking for four days through the new continent, heading for the Pillar of Light. It was a shame we didn't have Filia with us who could have just transported us there on a whim, but I didn't want to have to bother more people than we needed to, I was worried enough with having Amelia coming along. I felt this was more dangerous than what she had to go through ever before, and I already lost Lina, I didn't want to lose Amelia too. I started to wonder if Zel would have something to say if I lost Amelia. I blinked and looked over to Amelia as we walked.

"So what has Zel been up to? I've not seen him since the last time we were here, and I remember you asking him to go back to Seyruun with you." Amelia blinked in suprise.

"Gourry-san? How did you even remember that?" She gasped.

"I remember some things Amelia, I'm not that bad. I some times wonder if you guys think I really have a memory like a goldfish, or a mind of yoghurt!" I returned, giving her a slightly hurt expression but I was faking it mostly.

"Oh no no no. I don't mean it like that Gourry-san. Umm, well Zel came back with me for a little while. He used the library most of the time to try and find clues on a cure, so I didn't get to see him alot. After while he left to go looking."

"And you gave him your bracelet right?"

"Yes..I MEAN! No! Well...maybe..." Amelia turned bright red with embarrassment.

"You like Zel don't you." I looked down at her, I wasn't trying to make fun, I was kind of serious about it all. I'm sure if Lina was here she would be making jokes and make Amelia feel terriblly embarrassed. Amelia just nodded slowly in response, her head looking down at the ground now.

"I think Zel likes you too." Amelia looked up at me excitedly.

"Oh you really think so Gourry-san?" Then suddenly she realised what she was doing and then suddenly pretended it didn't matter. "But if he really liked me, then he wouldn't leave me for a cure." I looked back at her and I felt a little bad for her, but I thought she would have realised what Zel was like now.

"I think he's only gone to find a cure because he wants to be human again, so he can be with you so you'll really like him. I think he wants to be perfect for you."

"But Zelgadis-san is perfect the way he is!"

"Have you told him that Amelia?"

"...no." I stopped now and placed a hand gently on her shoulder and looked down at her. Amelia stopped and looked up at me, her eyes seemed sad.

"We'll see Zel sometime soon. You know what he is like, he's never gone for too long, so we'll see him again. And when we do, you have to tell him what you think." Amelia smiled a little now and nodded. She then suddenly hugged me, for which I wasn't prepared for. I stumbled a little, but regained mine balance and smiled a little.

"Thank you, Gourry-san." We then carried on walking towards the Pillar of Light, Amelia seemingly having a little more skip in her step, and I realised that it must have been bothering her for awhile, and now she had it cleared from her mind, she was a little more like her old self.

The next day after my usual training session in the afternoon, I felt like I couldn't go any further with my sword skills, I felt as though I had honed each muscle into doing what I wanted with the sword. But it still didn't feel like enough. I needed something more, something to help me, and I knew the sword was the key to what I needed.

I walked over to Amelia who was sat down beneath a tree enjoying the scenery and I sat down opposite her on a log. I felt a little shy asking, and I knew what her reaction was going to be. I didn't really want to go through it, but I knew I would have to if I was serious about getting better.

"Hey Amelia?" I caught her attention then. "Can you teach me?" She looked puzzled at first and I knew what her response was going to be so I told her before she had the chance to ask what I wanted teaching in.

"I need you to teach me how to use magic." I blinked as I watched Amelia fall backwards off the log.

"Oh come on, is that really so hard to believe?" I asked her. She jumped up to her feet with a confused look on her face.

"Yes! Yes it is very hard to believe, because you've never had an interest in it in the whole time that I have known you. Now what has happened to the real Gourry?" She pointed a finger at me and I knew that pose, she was treating me like one of those villains who opposed justice.

"Ano...C'mon Amelia. I'm serious, if I'm going to help Lina I need something more, because just my sword isn't enough anymore. This sword absorbs magic, it makes it stronger. So I know that to become stronger, I need to learn magic." I looked at her with determination in my eyes, I was being sincere about it. Amelia was right though, never before had I been interested in magic. I couldn't even remember any of the words Lina spoke when she would cast magic. I only reacted to the Dragon Slave the way I did because I could tell by the tone in her voice.

From then on, instead of training with the sword, I began training with Amelia. We continued travelling and each break I'd learn the basics, learn the hand gestures and the words. Then I would practice alone at night. I started learning the most simplest, a lighting spell at first. My first attempts were just the slightest flickers of light. I admit it was frustrating, especially after working on it for a few days. Amelia even tried to get me to stop, saying that some people just weren't capable of magic, but I was determined.

Kurage

13.9
There was a small, desolate and dilapidated town located somewhere in the heart of the desert. I would hardly call it a town, it was so small. Just three houses, an inn, and a restaurant within the inn. Pure simplicity.

Xellos and I phased in a few meters away, just on the outskirts of the town. I wrinkled my nose. “This place sucks,” I replied bluntly. “There are hardly any people in here. What makes you think an adversary worth fighting is here?"

Xellos tsked at me. “You need to rein in that patience, Lina-san,” he replied cheerfully. “I already told you this man is very much so worthy, but a warm-up as well. Definitely not as strong as the person I want you to defeat.”

“Okay,” I said, crossing my arms. “What do you want me to do?”

“Mazoku have the innate ability to find their power and channel it,” he replied. “You know how to use your power, even if you have never used it before. When you need to, you'll know.”

“Uh huh,” I waved my hand.

“In any case, I want you to strike up a conversation with him. Try to be friendly, as much as you can manage. Then when he least expects it, attack him. I don't want you to kill him. I want him to be an example, a message for his friends. He'll find a way to get back to them, no matter how injured he is. I can guarantee that.”

I frowned. “Xellos-san, when am I actually going to have fun? Sounds to me like all I'm doing is poking and prodding.”

Xellos opened one eye, then winked it. “Trust me, Lina-san. This will be fun. Now, he will claim he knows you, but he doesn't. Have as much fun as you want, but don't kill him. If you need me, shout, but I doubt you will. He may be a challenge, but you'll do fine.”

I shrugged. “Alright, but what if I injure him and then later he dies?”

“He won't,” was Xellos's reply. He gave me a light shove, and I bared my teeth at him in a growl, but started forward.

“Oh, and one more thing, Lina-san,” Xellos called after me. “He's a chimera, and a shaman. Just so you know!”

I wanted to throw something at him, but instead I just shrugged. Sometimes I wondered how smart Xellos actually was. Maybe it was all just an act.

I sighed and looked around me. The place was a pit. The only movement I could see was coming out of the inn. I looked over, and saw a man come out, looking well-fed and lost in thought. This man was not normal though. On a closer inspection, I noticed that he must be the chimera that Xellos was referring to.

He looked far away. Not distance, but emotionally. I reached out, and noticed he was feeling all sorts of things; longing, sadness, anger, frustration. Many delicious things, but all at once. What a confusing existence he must lead!

I started towards him, and he looked up sharply. He must have heard me coming. His eyes locked on mine and he looked shocked and surprised. His mouth opened, then he ran over, closing the distance between us.

“Hi,” I said carefully, giving him a small wave.

“Lina!” He replied, his eyes wide with shock. “What are you doing here? Where's Gourry? Has something happened?”

Ah, worry. Add that to the nice platter I was feeding off of him. I shook my head. “Nothing has happened,” I replied. I had no idea who that was anyways, and the name didn't sound too important to begin with. “I'm here to see you, to see how you're doing.”

He shot me a wry and sad smile. “As you can see,” he gestured to himself. “Nothing has change. I'm almost out of ideas and I'm almost done scouring the whole continent. It makes me think there is no hope for me finding a cure.” He blinked suddenly, looking me over. “Lina, what are you wearing?”

I shrugged. “I wanted to try something different,” I answered, still trying very hard to mask my confusion. Xellos was right; he sure acted like he knew me pretty well. But I had never met him before in my life. I surely would have remembered someone who looked like him, that's for sure.

He smiled. “So then, if nothing is wrong, how is Gourry? It's rare for you to be separated. Did you two have a fight or something?”

I frowned. “Gourry?” I repeated, my voice quiet. The name was something important, I knew, but I couldn't figure it out.

He nodded, looking at me like I was crazy. “Are you feeling okay, Lina? You're acting like you don't know who Gourry is!”

I shrugged. Inside, I could feel the stirrings of my own power. I concentrated on it, eager to finally use the power lying inside of me. The man blinked, obviously sensing something. He frowned. “Lina?” he said, sounding confused.

I looked at him, feeling the power gathering up inside me. I drew power from his emotions, the sad and angry ones, and I drew power from my own darkness inside. He blinked, then stepped back a little. He must have seen something in my eyes. “Lina...what the hell is going on...?” He wondered.

I smiled widely, holding out my hands. Black energy cracked from my fingertips and soon careened out to be held between my palms.

The man stepped back further. He reached to his side and drew out his sword, holding it out in front of him. “Lina, what are you doing?” he shouted. “What the hell has gotten into you!”

Xellos phased in right beside me, careful not to disrupt my flow of power. He grinned at the man before us, who suddenly paled a great deal. “Xellos...” he hissed, tightening his hold on the hilt of the sword.

“Indeed, Zelgadis-san,” he trilled. “What has gotten into her, indeed?” He grinned, and I grinned back at him, already feeling a rush from the power I was summoning.

Together, we faced the chimera, and I began my attack.

Dramata