Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Slayers Inheritance ❯ You Must Meet My Daughter! The Fury of Anya Inverse! ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

SLAYERS INHERITANCE

"You Must Meet My Daughter! The Fury of Anya Inverse!" by Michael Hopcroft

The Ogre Claws were having a feast. True, it had been at the expense of the

nearby farming village, from whom they had taken a good portion of the
harvest and all the cash from the banks and treasury. But when bandits
had a party, they partied hard! Wine flowed freely, the food was
plentiful, and every virgin in the village was chained off to the side
of the camp to provide the evening's "entertainment". Life was good for
the bandits.

So none of them noticed when a petite young woman walked into their
camp. They had not thought to post guards. The girl thought it was
stupid of them, but typical of bandits. This was her graduation
exercise, and if she couldn't handle this she'd get a severe scolding.

The direct plan seemed best, but then she saw the girls, cowering in
terror. The sight of it made the girl's blood boil. Filthy bandits! No
way was she going to let them have their way now! Abandoning her
original plan, she muttered an incantation under her breath and pointed
towards the captives. In an instant their chains fell to pieces, no
longer connected, every link shattered. With a motion of her hands, she
let one of the village girls know to run. The girls all took one look at
her and ran as fast as they could. As soon as they were out of sight,
she was ready.

"Hey, you! Having a party and not inviting me! How rude!"

The bandit leader, deep in his cups, looked up at her and noticed she
was wearing red and gold traveling clothes and a black cape. Her hair
was long sand blonde, her frame petite but her figure full. Were it not
for the air of menace she exuded, she would have been quite tasty. Then
he turned his head and saw that his captives were gone.

"Hey! What happened to our girls? And who the hell are you?"

"I'm going to be your entertainment for the evening." The girl said
firmly. "But you won't survive the performance..."

"You're pretty full of yourself, aren't you, little bitch? You really
don't want to die in your innocence, do you?"

The girl smiled. "I have only one thing to say to that - FIREBALL!"

With a gesture, a ball of flame formed in her hand. She hurled it at the
core of the bandit group and it exploded with a titanic boom, sending
flames and charred bodies everywhere.

The rest of the bandits were coming out of their stupor and several of them

charged towards her. Fine, she though, time to show them my other
talents. In an instant a gleaming sword was out of her scabbard, and
every bandit that approached was cut down before they could even react.
After twelve bandits fell at her feet without a scratch being laid on
her, the rest of the bandits began to back away. Seeing no opportunity
to attack they waited as their leader approached her.

The man smelled of unwashed socks and other things too grotesque to
mention. "Not bad. I'd think you were the legendary bandit-killer Lina
Inverse if you didn't have such a nice pair. If this is your audition,
I'm impressed."

"The performance has only started." She replied.

"But you're not Lina Inverse. You know you can't take on an entire
bandit gang by yourself and win. What say you give up? Join our gang!
Have some fun! Put your talents to profitable use."

"As a bandit's whore? I don't think so."

"Then we'll just have to kill you after all, won't we?"

"You first."

The bandit leader backed away. 'TEAR HER TO PIECES!" he commanded, only
to be met by a flurry of flaming bolts decimating what was left of his band.

Now he was terrified. The strange sorceress had not said a word, and she
had let loose a flurry of flare arrows? He was about to command a
retreat, then he realized there was nobody left to command, only he and
the girl were left standing.

The girl smiled. "And now I have MY fun. Any last words?"

The leader gulped. "I must admit, this was a performance worthy of the
legendary Lina Inverse. If you're going to kill me, will you at least
tell me who you are?"

"My name's Anya. And my mother would appreciate the compliment. Just for
that I'm going to let you live. Run. Run as fast as you can, and tell
everyone you know about me. Tell them there's a new Inverse in this
world, and that they should find another way to earn a living if they
want to keep on living. Banditry just became an unprofitable profession."

The bandit leader backed away long enough to make sure he wouldn't get
the sword in the back, and then he turned tail and ran.

Anya sheathed her sword and took out a whistle. Blowing into it, she
waited for the answering whistle from over the hill. It came, and soon
enough a covered horse-drawn wagon came over the hills.

A red-haired woman leapt out of the driver's seat and smiled. "This is
incredible, Anya!" she said. "Definitely up to the Inverse standards."

'Thanks, Mom! Want to help me load the gold into the wagon?"

"Your father can do that. He's still big and strong."

A man with long blond hair leapt out of the wagon and went to where Anya
pointed out the bandits' gold. "Did you use the sword technique I showed
you?"

"I think I may have even improved on it. If any of them survived they'll
have something to remember."

"That's my daughter!" cried Lina Inverse. "A chip off the old block of
both sides of the family!"

"Yeah, I'm impressed too!" said Gourry Gabriev.

Anya frowned. "These bandits were scum. Did you realize they were going
to rape all the girls from the village? I can't stand anyone who'd do
something like that. The world is definitely better off without this gang."

Lina kicked aside a corpse that was in her way. "Compared to what you'll
have to face in the future, these guys were saints. You haven't seen
Mazoku yet. They're the real problem."

"I know, as the daughter of history's greatest monster-hunters, Lina
Inverse and Gourry Gabriev, I am to carry on the fight, and so on. But I
barely worked up a sweat against these bandits. And I'm starving."

"We'll all have a big breakfast when we get into Derlis in the morning.
Now help your father with the treasure."

An hour later they were on the road. Anya was driving the wagon, wishing
she could have spent the night in a nice soft bed. True, it had been a
good night's work, and she'd actually done something good by rescuing
those girls, but surely there was more to being the daughter of a pair
of legends than this?

Familiar yet disturbing noises came form the inside of the wagon. "Pipe
down back there! Mom1 Dad! Can't you wait for a bed?"

Of course they didn't hear her. Anya shook her head. At the rate they
went at it, it was a continued source of amazement to her that she was
an only child. Of course, she knew it was her mother's fearsome
reputation that stopped her from having to fight off the boys with a
stick; not that they ever stuck around in one place long enough for her
to get to know any boys her age.

The life of the road, of sleeping in inns and eating at restaurants, was
the only life Anya Inverse had ever known. Her parents always had money,
always

could afford their massive meals and decent accommodations, but they had
never settled down. It was better this way, of course; with all the
powerful and cosmic enemies they had made over the years, the only way
to keep the family together was to keep moving. And she was grateful
they hadn't foisted her on that awful aunt of hers.

Fact was that, in spite of everything, Lina and Gourry had turned out to be

great parents. They were always there for her when she needed them, they
had each taught her their trades, and she never lacked for anything she
really needed. Every so often they would visit the court of Seyruun and
she would have a grand time with the Royal Family; having connections
was always handy. True, the children were all chimeras like their
father, but they were good people and good friends. The second son was
actually kind of cute...

The activity in the back died down, to be replaced by quiet. At least
they didn't make much noise when they were asleep. In her mind, Anya ran
through a series of incantations for new spells she was trying to learn.

Hours later Lina crawled into the driver's seat. "OK, Anya. I've had
enough rest. You should get some sleep yourself."

"I'm OK, Mom. And must you make that much noise every night? I mean, I
know you love Dad and all, but really. People would think you were
teenagers!"

"When you find your man, Anya dear, you'll find out there's no time or
place that's wrong to express your feelings."

"From the noise, you'd think you were butchering cattle back there."

"It's not a silent activity - at least not if you're doing it right -
and believe me, your father does it right." Lina took the reins. "Get
some sleep, Anya. We'll be in Derlis in a few hours. I have a feeling
something special is going to happen in that town."

Anya shrugged. "Good night, Mom. I'll try not to wake Daddy with my
snoring."

"You don't snore. Believe me, I'd know." Anya climbed up into the back
of the wagon, found her bedroll, and settled down to sleep.

A few moments later Gourry climbed into the driver's seat beside his
wife. He planted a kiss on her forehead and turned to face the road
ahead. "You haven't told her yet?" he asked.

"Why we're going to Derlis? No. I don't want to frighten her."

"Did you have the dream again?"

"Worse. I think he's trying to scare me."

Gourry chuckled. "Little chance of that. Lina Inverse doesn't scare that
easy."

"No, but Anya might. It may be up to her after all. We've both taught
her well, but will she be ready? I'm worried about her. She didn't
choose this life, she didn't choose her parents, and she sure as hell
didn't choose my enemies as her own."

"She's a strong girl. What she needs to do when the time comes, she'll
find a way. And it's not like she won't have friends along the way."

"I know. I just have the feeling that what she's walking into - by all
rights, it shouldn't be her fight."

Gourry smiled. "She'll be OK. She may have your name, but she has the
Gabriev bloodline as well. You know how hard it is to keep me down."

Lina smiled back and kissed him. "You're wonderful Gourry. Always there
to pick me up when I get too serious. I hope she finds someone like you
someday."

"Only smarter."

"Oh, I think big, dumb and gorgeous will do just fine. What other kind
of man would fall in love with an Inverse?"

Derlis was a medium-sized town of about a thousand people, a thriving
merchant community with trade in goods both magical and mundane. Nobody
met them at the town gates, so Lina just pulled up the wagon to an inn
they'd stayed at before.

The stable boy took the reins of their horses, unhitched them, and led
them to the stables to rest. Lina prodded Gourry awake - naturally he'd
fallen asleep in the seat - and called out "Oi! Sleepyhead! We're here!
Wake up and have some breakfast!"

There was a groggy murmur from the back of the wagon.

"DECLEARY!" cried Lina and a stream of energy flowed from her hands into
the back of the van. A moment later Anya climbed out. She was awake, and
she was none too happy about it.

"Mom! Did you have to wake me up with magic? I would have gotten up
eventually."

"We have to check into the inn, and then we need to get you your
graduation breakfast," said Lina, "and then we have some shopping to do."

Suddenly Lina stopped and looked around, as if she had sniffed something
unpleasant in the air. "Anya, Gourry, inside." She looked around and saw
that Anya looked uneasy. Gourry, of course, hadn't noticed anything.
"What are you waiting for? Go!"

Anya took a step towards her mother, but Gourry pulled her into the inn.

Lina turned and was suddenly face to face with a familiar man with
purple hair and priestly robes. "So you are here." She said to him.
"Can't say I'm surprised."

The man looked down trying to look innocent, which Lina knew meant his
intentions were anything but. "Now, Lina, is that any way to greet an
old friend?"

"Just tell me what you're doing here. Oh wait, I remember, it's a secret."

"Children are such a hassle, aren't they?" the man said. "Never do what
you want them to. And you've never introduced me to the charming Anya.
You have nothing to fear from me, Lina. Just -"he then paused and looked
her straight in the eye. "Just don't get in my way today. You wouldn't
like the consequences."

"I was wondering when you'd get around to threatening me directly,
Xellos. You know I've taken down bigger Mazoku than you over the years."

"Yes, and I have a healthy respect for your power. But even your formidable

powers are not going to be capable of handling what's about to happen.
I'd really hate to see anything happen to you or your family. Do you
really think you can protect them, if it comes right down to it?"

Lina smiled. "As you are so fond of saying, Xellos, that is a secret."

Anya looked back out the closed door of the inn, wishing there was a
spell to turn wood into glass. "What's going on, Daddy?" she asked.
"Will Mom be alright?"

"Knowing your mother, she'll be joining us for breakfast soon. She's
just paying the proper respects to an old friend."

Anya and Gourry were shown to a table. Soon a girl walked up to their
table carrying menus. The first thing Anya noticed about her was her
bright purple hair; the second thing she noticed was that the waitress
would not look her in the eye.

Anya took the menu and looked over the selections. "The griddle cakes
any good at this place?" she asked.

The girl did not answer. Anya and Gourry looked across the table at each
other and Gourry nodded.

Anya looked at the girl. "You're not all right, are you? If you're
having a problem, you can tell us."

The girl stood silently, now looking a little bit frightened.

Anya smiled at her. "Come on, girl to girl. I can tell something's
wrong. Are you afraid of sorcerers? Is that it?"

The girl stammered. "You -- you're a sorcerer?" she finally said.

"That's right. And that's my daddy over there. He's the greatest
swordsman in the world."

The waitress swallowed hard, bent over and whispered in Anya's ear. "I
don't want the boss to hear this, but, if you can - could you please
kill me before it's too late?"

Anya grew wide-eyed in shock. Gourry hadn't heard what the girl had
whispered into her ear, but he could tell Anya was stunned.

Anya spoke in a low tone, so that only the girl could hear. "I don't
want to kill anybody, and from what I'm reading you don't really want to
die. What are you afraid of?"

"He wants me. I know it. The man your mother is talking to outside. He's
come for me, and I'm sure he'll make me do terrible things. Things worse
than dying."

"You'd better take our order before they get suspicious in the inn. I'll
talk to you soon. Nothing's going to happen to you. Trust me?"

The girl looked at Anya wide-eyed, then slowly nodded.

"Good." Said Anya. "Now take our order. And what's your name? I like to
know who I'm lending a hand to."

"Titania." the girl said. "My name is Titania."

"Well, Titania, I'll have a triple portion of the breakfast special and
a full pot of coffee."

By the time Lina walked into the inn Anya and Gourry were already eating
Titania was standing by the side of their table, as she had already been
asked to bring several extra portions and nobody else was in the
restaurant, everyone else

being done with breakfast. Lina sat down, and looked over to Gourry, who
nodded to her. She looked at Anya, who was dividing her attention
between her meal and the waitress.

Anya finally got up. "I'm finished." She said. "Titania, could you show
me to my room please?" Titania nodded and went over to the desk for a
key. Any followed close behind.

"I held back, just like you told me to" said Gourry.

"Good. You noticed that girl's presence?"

'Even I noticed that. Think Anya could tell?"

"She wouldn't be our daughter if she couldn't. It'll be very interesting
to see what she'll do now."

Titania walked Anya over to the room, and handed her the key.

"Come inside for a moment?" Anya said. "We can finally talk in private."

"I'm sorry -- I shouldn't involve you in this after all. It's not your
problem that I am the victim of wrongful life." Titania turned to go,
but Anya caught her arm.

"My mother had a friend who hated himself just as much as you say you
hate yourself now, more in fact. Know what happened to him?"

"He died?"

"No, silly! He married a Queen who loved him no matter how monstrous he
thought he was."

"You can tell then? Things happen around me, horrible things. My very
presence seems to cause pain and misery to others. I step out into the
street; someone steps out in front of me and gets hit by a carriage or
trampled by a horse. I've had hostels I've been staying in catch fire,
killing everyone inside but me. Too many horrible things have happened
that I can't dismiss them as accidents anymore. And now he appears."

"He? Who is he?"

"The devil priest. You must have seen him. He confronted my mother last
night and demanded I come with him. She refused, and he left her in
tears. She seemed to know him, and there's something horrible yet
familiar about him that I can feel."

"He won't get you, Titania. I won't let him. And I don't think any of those

horrible things that happen around you are your fault. We are only
responsible for what we choose to do, Titania. That's what makes us human."

"But you feel it? The presence around me? Everyone I've ever met who's been

sensitive to magic has sensed something about me. Surely you sense it too."

"I sense some power, but that doesn't make you a monster."

"But what if that's EXACTLY what I am? What if I really am monster?"

Anya smiled. "Then you'll just have to be one of the GOOD monsters."
Anya looked at her. "Come on, Titania, surely you know how to smile."

Titania responded with a wan smile.

"You can do better than that," chided Anya. "Before we're through I'll
even get you to laugh. And not a laugh of megalomania either, a real laugh."

Outside the inn, the priest looked up as if he could see everything that
was going on.

"So that's the daughter of Lina Inverse," he said to himself. "Well, I
guess this is where it begins. I hope Lina can forgive me for what I'm
going to have to do to that girl..."

TO BE CONTINUED