Author:  LN Tora
Title:  Hibernal Heart

Hibernal Heart

For all disclaimers/warnings, please see the first chapter.

part 6: severance

[Despair]  [Misunderstood]  [Reflections]  [Dreamscape]  [Violence]  [Severance]  [Discovery]  [Destiny]

It was the smell that entered Zelgadis' consciousness first. A familiar, strong, and utterly nauseating odour. He didn't know why, exactly, nor did he know where he might be for such a smell to exist. Had they camped outside again?

The second thing Zel noticed was that he was moving. Or more precisely, someone was carrying him. A deep sense of dread washed over him; his subconscious refused to let his eyes open. Whatever was out there was just too awful to want to look at.

Zel tried shifting, only to find himself tied by some strange, magical bonds. Great, no chance of just breaking myself out of this. Worse, his movements alerted his captor that he had come to.

"Ah, you're awake." The shaman felt himself placed on the ground. A warm breath washed over his face, carrying the smell of death and pain. "Open your eyes, beautiful one."

The voice wasn't anyone he knew, yet no one he could forget. Cold fear ravaged his heart and mind. Zel opened his eyes and found himself staring into his worse nightmare.

Red slit eyes set in a dark, wolfish face stared back at him. His captor was as huge as Zelgadis remembered. His mane of reddish-brown hair was a messy, wavy mass that fell over his shoulders. Pointed ears stuck out at the top, completing the whole wolf/man look. His body was pressed close to the chimera, who barely fought back the urge to scream. Zel's gaze locked with that of the Mazoku above him.

"I was afraid you were going to sleep the entire trip." Ahriman ran a clawed finger through Zelgadis' hair, chuckling as it bounced right back. "I wanted to see your eyes at least once this evening."

Zel was frozen. Even though he'd known this was suppose to happen, it did little to help the terror that trapped his soul. He didn't, couldn't struggle, no matter how his mind screamed for the shaman to do so. A choked noise emerged from his lips, sounding quite small and fearful. The attack from earlier replayed with horrific clarity in his mind, and Zel knew that painful nightmare was going to happen all over again.

His body tensed as he waited for the other Mazoku to begin their terrible assault on his unprotected shell.

"What's wrong, little one?" Ahriman frowned before guessing one cause to Zel's terrified state. "Oh, are you thinking my men will come? You don't have to worry, they won't be joining us. I refuse to share you anymore. It's just you and me, no one else." A harsh laugh rumbled in the Mazoku's chest, causing Zel to flinch away. "I bet Mo`re thinks I'm going back to his place, but he has another thing coming. I'm not letting him take you either. You're mine, dear chimera. You are all mine."

Oh gods... A hard tremor ran down the shaman's spine. Ahriman wasn't going where Mo`re said. Mo`re wouldn't be able to help him. He was trapped with an insane Mazoku that developed some unfathomable obsession with Zel himself.

It was too much to bear. A scream ripped through the night air.

Ahriman shoved a piece of Zel's cape into the chimera's mouth, muffling the sound. "No, no. Not yet. You may tell someone where we are if you scream like that now. Save that for later. Then you can scream just for me, my beautiful enchanter. You realise that is what you've done, don't you? You have me enchanted. Me, a Mazoku. You must be very strong to accomplish such a feat, but it doesn't matter. I have you.

"You are all I need."

Zelgadis felt himself lifted and held with a strange and surprising tenderness, his bound form tucked close to Ahriman's chest no matter how he tried to shift away. Ahriman howled as he ran, warning animals and lessor demons away. His demonic speed carried them swiftly through the forest, though the gods only knew where.

"All I need, for eternity."

Zel closed his eyes. His life held no meaning; only hell awaited him. Sentenced to be a plaything for some sadistic demon. Never see his friends again--

Crystal drops trailed down his face as his thoughts turned to the motley group he considered his surrogate family.

I never thought I'd actually miss Lina bossing me around. Most times she acted only for herself, but I know she felt responsible for us sometimes. Amelia, I was hoping to see her grow up, maybe get out of that whole fixation with justice. Or maybe not. The world could use someone like that, if she learned how to temper it with common sense. Xelloss. I never trusted him, but I guess I got used to him, slightly. Wonder what he'd say if he heard that? Probably use it against me. I sometimes wondered about him. Maybe if--no, too dangerous. Who knows what type of trouble he'd get me into. Still, I'll miss him too.

Zel sobbed openly against the makeshift gag as he remembered the blond swordsman he held close in his heart.

Oh gods, I'm never going to see him again. Will he be okay? Will he find someone who cares for him like--this hurts. I can't imagine not seeing him. He's always been there, through all of it. I never told him, I was too scared. I didn't want to lose him as a friend. Now I'll never know. I should have--but it's too late.

Gourry, I'm sorry.

Ahriman let loose another howl, running quickly through the night as the chimera wept in his arms.

Mo`re frowned. Something was wrong. The energy of Ahriman and Zelgadis changed directions. Using his link, he found the cause, his scowl deepening.

Ahriman, you fool. Are you that far gone? You really think you can keep the chimera from me? And here I was going to end your service to me quickly. Now I'll have to make it long and painful, and you know I hate dragging things out unnecessarily.

Mo`re stood up, snapping his fingers. A small, insect-like creature handed him his cape and staff, then scurried back to the shadows. Mo`re glanced at the staff, admiring it's intricate beauty for a moment.

First you, and soon, the Ra Lagora. Everything is working out nicely. After this, we have to see an elf about a triangle.

Mo`re tapped the ground three times, forming a triangle of three marks on the ground that glowed briefly. A moment later, the only sign of Mo`re's presence came from a teal coloured tri-mark left on the floor.

Gourry, Lina, and Xelloss were also after Ahriman, thought they didn't exactly know it. They knew a Mazoku had kidnapped Zelgadis, and that was enough.

Lina huffed. It felt like they had been running for a few miles now. Yet the tracks they were following gave no hint of stopping any time soon. Don't these Mazoku ever quit? She managed to catch up to Xelloss, getting the trickster's attention.

"So is this guy one of the creeps that attacked Zel before?"

"Probably. I sensed his power over the group Gourry destroyed, but he wasn't there at the time." Xelloss pondered the events for a moment. "Though I find it a bit strange. I'm almost certain the one we're after was the leader of the Mazoku we destroyed. Yet for rogue groups like that, it's rare for the leader to go on a hunt alone. This one is acting quite peculiar."

"L-leader? Hunt?!" The sorceress panicked as her imagination acted up worse than Amelia's tended to. "You mean he's going to try and eat Zel?!"

The smile was back. Lina promised herself one day to just sew his lips so Xelloss couldn't grin anymore.

"Oh no," he replied with a casual wave, "nothing so crass as that. More than likely, he'll just want to continue what he started before."

"But that means--" Lina didn't need her imagination for that, knowing clearly what Zelgadis had been through. "--that's sick! How could anyone be that perverted?!"

"He's Mazoku. Sick and perverted are requisites."

That brought a frown to Lina's face. It made absolutely too much sense when put that way. "Then why are you--wait, nevermind. Some things I just don't want to know."

"Why Lina, you don't want to know how I became a Mazoku?"

"Would you tell me if I asked?"

Another smile. "Probably not," the priest said.

Lina clenched her fist, but decided not to fireball him for now. "If this guy was their leader, why did he go off alone?"

Xelloss became serious with that question, his expression growing dark. "I don't know. As I said, hunting alone is not usually done. I seriously doubt if he thought of this himself." This last part was murmured so that Lina had to strain to hear it.

"Thought of what?"

"Of leaving his followers behind to distract us. That's the only explanation I can think of." He nodded in an offhanded gesture of admiration, though of what Lina had no idea. "A clever plan, actually. We're so busy killing what we believed to be the entire group, while he goes back for Zelgadis."

Lina almost tripped herself up hearing that one. "But that would mean he knew we were coming!"

"Indeed. Which leads me to believe one of two things." Xelloss trailed off, lost in thought. Lina waited for him to continue, gritting her teeth when he didn't answer fast enough.

"What two things?"

"Hmm?" Xelloss looked surprised by the question, almost forgetting he was talking to the redhead. Lina counted backwards from ten, needing the information before she toasted the annoying Mazoku. "Oh. Well, either this Mazoku is more powerful than I originally sensed, or--" His words faded once more, with Lina three seconds away from hauling out a Dragu Slave on him.

"... Or?" she growled.

"--or there's someone controlling him. Someone very powerful. Perhaps more so than any of us."

Well that was an unexpected splash of reality. Lina didn't like the sounds of that. "A Dark Lord?"

The priest shook his head. "You would have been able to feel it if it were. No, whoever this person is, they are not one of Shabranigdo's lords. I don't even know if this creature is real. I can't sense anything. I'm only guessing here."

"Great." Lina pulled at her hair, beyond frustrated. "So not only are we dealing with a big Mazoku who's got a thing for Zel, but somebody who may or may not even exist! Why do these things always happen to me?"

"Extreme luck?"

"Yeah, all bad."

Gourry wasn't listening. He was busy focusing on trying to get to the Mazoku. In his mind, he was already planning a slow, painful death for the demon.

Xelloss would say I was thinking like a Mazoku if he could hear my thoughts. Not that I care. The only thing I'm worried about is getting Zel back. Then--then I'm just going to tell him how I feel. Waiting around for the chance isn't working. Even he doesn't want anything to do with me, at least I'll now where I stand. Damn, I should have been there. What was I thinking, leaving him with Amelia? I should have protected him!

The swordsman stopped, causing Lina to run right into the back of him and subsequently fall on her rear.

"Hey! What gives?"

Gourry knelt down. The Mazoku's tracks had changed direction, and were spaced even further apart. He turned as Xelloss moved down next to him.

"What does it mean?"

The trickster frowned. "He's using his powers to gain more speed. No telling how far ahead of us he is."

Lina glared. "So you're saying this monster is gonna get away with Zel? No way!" She grabs Gourry and pulled him close. With a cry of "Raywing!" she and Gourry immediately took to the air, still following the tracks. Xelloss floated up beside them, keeping pace with ease. He spied a series of caves in a cliff further out and waved his staff in that direction.

"No doubt his other hiding place. His followers probably didn't know about it. It's common for rogues to have a place no one else knows about, in case you have to 'disappear' for awhile."

That suited Lina just fine. "We'll be there in no time," she yelled, urging the wind spell to move faster.

Gourry looked up in earnest. "Will we get to Zelgadis in time? Will he be okay?" The blond bit back a sob as he saw Lina's expression falter. She covered it quickly, but the damage to Gourry's hope was already done.

"We'll get there, no problem! We'll grab Zel and be back in time for breakfast."

Sure, you say that, but you don't believe it. Gourry watched the landscape whiz by, his heart sinking. Why Zel? He never really hurt anyone. Why are the gods punishing him?

Xelloss floated over to Gourry's side, his smile still present, but something else was there as well. It almost looked like--

compassion.

"Don't worry, Gourry. I don't think anything will happen to Zel before we get to him."

Whether Xelloss was saying it for himself, or to just try and cheer him up, Gourry was grateful just the same. He gave Xelloss a thumbs up before turning to stare over at the fast approaching cliffs.

You'll be okay soon, Zel.

Ahriman dropped his speed as they neared his place. He moved at a casual walk by the time they arrived. It appeared to be a regular cave, but Zelgadis sensed a powerful spell in the area.

"We're home. Don't worry, this is just to keep the curious away. It's much nicer in the back."

Back? Zel saw Ahriman approach the far wall of the cave, and walk through it. On the other side was a bedroom that would put most royal halls to shame. Layered in various shades of red and black, the decor was straight out of a harem's nightmare. A large, oversized bed sat in the middle, the centrepiece of the room. It was here that Ahriman laid the chimera down carefully. He played with a strand of Zelgadis' hair, smiling when he flinched away.

"You don't have to be afraid. I'll be gentle this time. I'll teach you slowly. There's great pleasure to be had in pain. Perhaps one day you'll find yourself wishing to give such as well." Ahriman laughed. "Well, at least give on the pretence of pleasure." Ahriman leaned close, his lips hovering less than an inch above Zel's. "I think we should start your lessons now, don't you?" He chuckled when Zel turned his face away. He's just shy, Ahriman thought as he laid on top of the chimera, nuzzling his neck.

Zelgadis felt the tears gather once more. Is this my life now? Fine. He just wants a body anyway. So let him have a body. No one said I had to be conscious for this. Zel closed his eyes, his mind going into deep shock. The outside world no longer registered on his awareness.

Ahriman didn't seem to notice the shaman's forced state, focusing instead on divesting Zel of his shirt. It was halfway gone when his fur stood on end. Ahriman leapt away from the bed as a tenebrous fall of energy nearly stopped his maligned blood from flowing.

He felt it, a spear of dark power hitting his senses. He turned, frantically looking for the source of the disturbance.

"Who are you? Show yourself!"

Ahriman saw a flash of light in one of the corners. His heart trembled as Mo`re stepped out into view. The Indrani glanced at the bed, his eyes skimming over Zel's inert form, then frowned at Ahriman.

"I'm disappointed in you, Ahriman. I made it clear that the chimera was to be brought to me. Why have you not done as ordered?"

Ahriman stood in stark terror before the Indrani. He could do nothing as Mo`re stared at him with those cold teal eyes. The fear overwhelmed his mind until something inside caved in from the pressure. Ahriman's fragile hold on sanity was destroyed. His eyes grew dark, his expression one of indescribable hatred.

Mo`re felt all of this; he was not surprised. After realising that Zelgadis was the living embodiment of the Ra Lagora, Mo`re knew it was only a matter of time before the power bleed would cause Ahriman to lose it completely. He had seen the signs with the Mazoku's growing obsession towards the shaman. Now Ahriman was beyond reason. Mo`re shrugged, unconcerned despite the danger a sane Mazoku posed, let alone one devoid of a sound mind. Instead he walked over to the bed to check on Zel.

Ahriman attacked, claws and fangs bared, preparing to rip the Indrani apart for touching his property. The previous caution and fear were gone, replaced by savage bloodlust.

Mo`re saw the attack, and swung his staff at the last possible moment. The naked eye the motion seemed to lack power, yet the tap knocked Ahriman across the room and embedded him into the opposite wall. Idly Mo`re wondered if he would feel any remorse for his actions, perhaps even hoping he would. He looked on with dispassionate eyes as Ahriman struggled to his feet, and felt a twinge of guilt. Not for what he was about to do, but because Mo`re really didn't care one way or another.

Once again, he'd fail to find someone who could rediscover the remnants of a conscience within himself.

Sighing at the dismal inability to feel for his minion, Mo`re decided it was time to sever the contract. A beam of light shot forth from the Indrani's staff to hit the Mazoku dead centre. Ahriman's body began to grotesquely twist in on itself. The demon watched in horror as his limbs snapped and turned. His skin pulled away, exposing the dark powers coursing inside. The energy began to escape, consuming the Mazoku from the inside out. Ahriman screamed as pain beyond pain bombarding his senses as his life essence collapsed in on itself. After several agonising moments, the misshapen body fell to the floor, eternally still.

Now that one obstacle was removed, Mo`re went back to looking over Zelgadis. He found the chimera still in a deep state of shock. This wasn't good; Mo`re knew he could attempt to get Zel to release the Ra Lagora in this condition, but it would be too hard to control. No, he needed Zel awake, and hopefully co-operative.

Mo`re scooped the chimera in his arms. He gazed down at the unconscious form, his eyes softening for a moment.

Well, I can see why Ahriman wanted you so badly. But you'll serve a much higher purpose than a sex object.

Mo`re tapped his staff three times, creating the tri-mark that signalled his unique transport. They both disappear a scant breath before Lina and the others came tumbling through. Xelloss stood up, violet eyes scanning the room. He saw the husk near the wall and walked over to inspect it.

It took longer for Lina to disentangle herself from Gourry before she glared about the room. "So where's this leader?"

Gourry glanced at the bed and cringed. He didn't want to think of might have happened on it.

"I think we're too late." The priest gestured at the body. "This was Ahriman; I'd know him anywhere." Xelloss poked at the corpse with his staff. "Looks like he met with someone stronger than him."

The bloody and mangled pile on the floor draw a sharp gag from Lina. "Ugh! Wh-who is--was--Ahriman?"

"Ahriman use to work for the Hellmaster. I guess he went rogue after Phibrizo's death. Ahriman wasn't a great strategist, so Zel's kidnapping was planned by someone else. From the looks of things, I'd say Ahriman was going to double-cross his new boss, and paid the price." Xelloss looked around, but found no other clue to the chimera's whereabouts. "Whoever he is, it's safe to assume he has Zelgadis."

Gourry slumped against a wall. "Great. We don't know who has him now or where to even start looking." Defeat coloured his aura. Oh, Zel...

Something about the entire scene still struck Xelloss as odd. He continued looking around the room until he came upon a strange mark in the floor. He knelt down to run his fingers over it, but an angry, teal-coloured energy forced him to snap his hand back quickly. Yet even that brief contact was enough. "I know who took Zelgadis."

Lina and Gourry looked up. "What?" "Who?"

The priest stared at the mark as the energy died down. He hadn't thought--yet the proof lay at his feet. He stood up, and in a rare display of frustration, pinched the area between his eyes.

"A being thought to be more myth than real. Its name is Mo`re Xiuh. He's rumoured to be from another world altogether. Folklore say he's the one responsible for the fight between Shabranigdo and Ceiphied. No one knows where he came from, what he is, or what he wants. He was more superstition than anything, something to scare the lesser Mazoku with."

"I don't care if he's the Lord of Nightmares, he's not taking Zel!" Lina hissed.

Gourry nodded. "We've fought so many, what's one more?"

"You don't understand," Xelloss explained. "Mo`re isn't a dark lord or a god. He's beyond description. No one knows what his power is. Think about it, he made two of the most powerful gods fight each other. Doesn't that say something about his abilities?"

That did nothing to sway Gourry. "Lina's right, it doesn't matter who he is. Zelgadis is our friend. He'd do the same for us."

Lina looked over at Xelloss. "If you don't want to get involved, fine. But can you tell us where we can find this Mo`re?"

The smile fixed itself firmly on Xelloss' face. "Now, I never said I wouldn't help. I'm just making sure you know what we're getting into."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You've seen one omnipotent being, you've seen them all." Lina ran a hand through her red tresses. "We'd better go back and grab Amelia. If this guy is really as bad as you say, we'll need all the help we can get." Lina stalked out of the room, leaving the other two behind. Gourry looked at Xelloss, not sure what to say. He was saved when Xelloss spoke first.

"Well, Gourry. Shall we go save our chimera?"

The tone was odd. Gourry didn't know what to make of it. Save it, concentrate on Zel. He nodded to Xelloss and followed after Lina. Xelloss watched him go, then turned back to the room and incinerated it before joining them.

In his mind, a child-like Zelgadis was hiding someplace dark. He knew the monsters were waiting for him if he came out. It was too dangerous. Best to stay in his dark space.

As long as he was there, they couldn't hurt him.

A light shined on his space and on him. He shrieked; they had found him! Little Zelgadis whimpered, waiting for the pain.

"Zelgadis."

That voice sounded familiar. Cautiously, Zel peered out from his space, calling out in a soft, timid voice.

"Who's there?"

An angel came into view, or that's what it looked like to Zel, anyway. He blinked before covering his eyes, letting the light filter in through his lids.

"Don't you remember me, Zelgadis?"

"M-Mo`re?"

The angel knelt down to Zel's level, waiting until those eyes opened and looking at him once more. "Yes, it's me. It's safe now. You don't have to hide here anymore."

Zel sniffled. "But Ahriman..."

"Ahriman won't hurt you ever again." The angel held out a hand. "Won't you come out now?"

The child shook his head. "I'm scared, Mo`re!"

"I know. Just come out. You don't have to wake up yet. But I have a nice dream for you. Don't you want to have a nice dream for a change?"

"A--a nice dream?" It had been so long, all his dreams too dark to speak of. Zelgadis worried he might not ever have a nice dream again, but here was one being offered to him, if he could be brave enough...

The angel nodded. "It has all your friends in it. I made it just for you, Zel. Don't you want to see it?"

Zel peeked out a little more. "Even Gourry and Xelloss?"

Mo`re chuckled. "Yes, even them. Come out and I'll play it for you."

Zel shyly took Mo`re's hand, letting himself be pulled him free. Soon Zel was enveloped in a dream from his memories. Everyone was there, travelling, joking, teasing, and just enjoying themselves and each others company. Zel sighed, letting the dream wrap around his weary mind.

Mo`re slipped from the dreamscape. In the real world, he stroke the chimera's hair almost lovingly.

"Sleep now. When you awaken, I will help you become a god."

tbc

AN: Apologies on the time between this post and last. For some reason this proved difficult to edit. I found how much I rushed it when I originally wrote it, and some things seemed too convenient plotwise, so hopefully that's been fixed.


reviewer appreciation: To Metranome. Yes, the one on Darkness Rising is probably mine, (least if my name's attached). Plotwise, there's no difference. This is essentially a re-edit, though I fixed certain issues, (like using the "L" word way too soon, explaining just how Xelloss might have figured who they're dealing with, etc). Plus hopefully more of my tense problems are corrected. So consider the version on DR a rough first draft. Though feel free to compare just to see if you feel there's been any improvement.

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