Chapter Selection

{{Fireball!}}

The loud boom of the spell echoed over the hills, shaking the inn and the wall between the two baths.

"Are they all right?" Danlineus asked, brushing his wet brown hair away from his eyes.

"Sure." Gourry said, leaning back in the bath unconcerned. "This happens all the time. Every time actually."

Danlineus looked skeptical, but since Gourry considered it normal, and Zelgadiss wasn't paying any attention to anything, he sat back in the water and tried to ignore the sounds of fighting that were coming from the ladies bath. He really didn't think that Amelia and Lina would do any serious harm to each other, but still, if an accident happened then his King would kill him. And he didn't want anything to happen to Amelia, she was... he began to blush. If his King found out about those thoughts he would probably have Danlineus killed for that too. Still, he turned to look at the brooding Zelgadiss, if the Mazoku Guardian could become involved with one of the Keys, then why couldn't he? At least he wouldn't be stupid enough to hurt Amelia the way the mazoku was hurting the chimera. What was he doing anyway? Danlineus had been travelling with these four for the past two months. From what he had been able to put together, the Mazoku Guardian had abandoned them at least a month before that.

They were running out of time, where the hell was he?

"Hey Danlineus, is something wrong?" Gourry asked, startling the smaller man out of his reverie. Danlineus looked up to find not only the blond warrior looking at him, but Zelgadiss as well.

"No, why?" he asked, as innocently as he could, which was pretty innocent. The answer made Gourry smile and Zelgadiss scowl. The chimera didn't seem to trust him, but Danlineus didn't mind. Assuming the mazoku returned and repaired the damage he had done, then it would be up to him to get the chimera to do what they needed.

"You just looked really serious for a second." Gourry answered, "Don't worry, Amelia will be fine." He added with a wink, causing Danlineus to blush again. Gourry laughed at his expression, Zelgadiss just turned away from both of them, folding his arms on the edge of the bath and resting his head on them.

Dammit, the mazoku had better come back soon, if he didn't, they would loose everything.

Zelgadiss heard the door to the bath open but he didn't turn around. Gourry and Danlineus had left for bed hours ago, and he didn't feel like dealing with any of the inn's other patrons.

He should get out, he knew that. Even though the water wouldn't damage his stoney skin, the heat was making him light-headed. It was actually kind of pleasant, at least it was improving his mood a little. They were all still worried about him, more so as each day passed, and he thought that they had even figured out why he was so depressed. Amelia had actually tried to talk to him about it once, and though he never answered her, he could see that she knew the truth. It was nice to have her give up on him, even nicer that she was now interested in Danlineus, just as the young man was interested in her. Zelgadiss was fairly certain their new companion wasn't telling them the entire truth about himself, but he didn't think that the brunette would hurt Amelia.

Small waves brushed against his back as the other person finally entered the bath. Zelgadiss could hear the sound of splashing and tuned it out, he really just wanted to be left alone.

No, that wasn't true. He wanted Xellos to come back, even if it was only to say good-bye.

He wanted to know what had happened to him, why he had left, and why he had stayed away.

Water splashed on his back, he ignored it. It happened again, he ignored it again. What was this guy's problem anyway? He could hear the sound of the water as the man moved through it and frowned, was he coming closer? That suspicion was confirmed when a pair of arms slipped around his waist, pressing his back tightly against a man's chest. Before he could respond, a long-missed voice whispered in his ear,

"Whew! How long have you been in here? You are aware that stone absorbs heat, aren't you?"

Zelgadiss turned around slowly, looking at the figure in front of him with surprise, "Xellos?"

"It sure took a long time to get you to turn around." The mazoku scolded with a smile, "Did you miss me?"

With a barely repressed shout of joy, Zelgadiss pulled the mazoku against him and crushed his lover's mouth in a kiss. Had he missed him? Zelgadiss was determined to leave him with absolutely no doubt about just how much he had missed him.

"Where did you go?" he whispered hoarsely, holding Xellos against his chest. "You've been gone for three months."

"I was looking for something." Xellos answered, "I didn't think I'd be gone for so long."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Not exactly." There was a sad tone in his voice.

"Are you leaving again?"

"No!" Xellos held him tighter, "I don't need to look anymore."

"Good."

"Zel-chan?"

"Yes."

"Do you forgive me."

"There's no need." He chuckled, "But I do think that I should get to tie you up next time."

Xellos began to laugh then too, "It's a deal." He stopped laughing, "I shouldn't have left."

Zelgadiss frowned at the serious tone of his voice, "Why did you leave?"

"Sore wa himitsu desu."

Zelgadiss groaned, "Even with that, I'm still glad you're back."

They were silent for a few moments before Xellos asked, "So, are you planning to stay in this bath all night?"

"Well," Zelgadiss answered slowly, "I was considering it, but suddenly a number of interesting alternatives have presented themselves."

"Oh really? And what would those be?"

"Why don't we go to my room and I'll show you?"

"Sounds good."

Water splashed against the side of the bath as they both moved quickly out of the water, making it to Zelgadiss' room in record time.

"Zelgadiss-san sure is late for breakfast." Amelia said, looking up towards the stairs, but there was still no sign of the chimera.

"He was worse than usual last night." Danlineus replied, "Even I'm getting worried about him now."

Amelia smiled at the dark-haired young man. Danlineus seemed so concerned about all of them, and he was very nice to her. She thought that he might just feel the same way about her as she felt about him.

That would be a nice change.

Still, maybe everything had worked out for the best.

"I wish Xellos would come back." She said sadly. She knew it was the mazoku's absence that had sent Zelgadiss into this particular depression.

"Did I hear someone mention me?"

Amelia almost dropped her fork as a figure appeared out of nowhere beside her. "Xellos-san!?"

"Hello Amelia-san," Xellos said pleasantly, "How are y-" his greeting was cut off when Lina walked up behind him and smacked him over the back of the head.

"You jerk!" she yelled, "Where the hell have you been?"

"Itai," Xellos said, sitting up and rubbing his head. "I missed you too Lina-san."

"Don't give me that you insensitive bastard, do you have any idea what your leaving did to Zel?"

"Yes, I have an idea." He replied sulkily.

"Then why did you stay away for so long?" Amelia said, joining in, "How could you be so heartless, remaining apart when you knew that he was suffering?"

"Excuse me justice-freak," he replied, downright grumpy now, "I'm a mazoku, remember? I'm supposed to be heartless."

"Don't give me that," she said, grabbing Xellos by one arm while Lina grabbed the other one, "Now go upstairs and tell Zelgadiss-san that you're ba-oh!" They turned to send Xellos flying up the stairs, only to find Zelgadiss leaning against the lower banister, watching them with an amused expression.

"He came back last night," Zelgadiss informed them, "And he's already said hello."

Amelia could feel herself blushing, and saw that Lina was doing the same. They dropped Xellos as the chimera walked over to the table.

"So much for them begin 'our' friends." Xellos muttered as he dusted himself off.

"Shut up, you deserved it and you know it."

"True," the mazoku replied cheerfully, pulling Zelgadiss' chair out for him, earning a scowl in return. "So, what do you all have planned for-oh."

Amelia looked up to find Xellos staring at Danlineus in surprise.

"Xellos-sama." Danlineus said with a nod.

"Danlineus-sama," the mazoku returned, "Are they really that close?"

"We are running out of time, yes. Your recent absence was particularly worrisome."

Amelia and Zelgadiss looked at one another, then back to the pair, asking at the same time,

"Xellos-SAMA?"

"Danlineus-SAMA?"

Both men turned bright red before yelling, "I didn't mean it like THAT!"

"I do have some standards after all." Xellos said arrogantly.

"Why you hateful son of a she-wolf."

"Weak-willed little joy-toy."

"Sadist!"

"Coward!"

"Enough!" Lina yelled, bringing silence over the table and most of the restaurant. "Geeze, you'd think you guys were brothers or something."

"That's pretty close actually." Danlineus said, smiling again.

"You actually look proud of that," Xellos replied, "Personally, I'm ashamed."

"What!?" Amelia said, leaping to his defense, "Danlineus-san is one of the nicest, most just people I've ever met! How could you possibly be ashamed of him?"

To her surprise, Xellos just smiled, then looked over at the now blushing Danlineus, "Well, well, good choice Danlineus-sama, you're absolutely perfect for each other." Amelia felt herself blushing now too, but she frowned as Xellos continued, "One question though, does she know?"

Danlineus didn't answer, and he didn't look impressed with the question either.

"I see that she doesn't. How does that sit with your 'just' heart?"

"It won't matter," Danlineus replied, Xellos only continued to smile at him.

"What are you two talking about?" Lina asked. It was a question Amelia also wanted an answer to, but Xellos replied,

"Sore wa himitsu desu."

They all collapsed on the table.

"Xellos--" Lina muttered.

"It's no use," Zelgadiss said, picking up a cup of coffee. "We'll just have to wait and see, like always."

For some reason that prospect didn't sit well with Amelia.

Xellos grabbed Zelgadiss arm, hanging onto it as they walked, knowing that the show of affection embarrassed the chimera. He loved how easy it was to make Zelgadiss blush, and now that the others had figured out their relationship he had so many more opportunities to tease him.

He was very happy. Things were good, perfect actually. Too perfect.

Something was going to happen soon.

He tried to tell himself that he was being paranoid, but there were too many things that could go wrong right now. Xellos had been back with them for a week, he had learned from Danlineus that the armies of the others were closing in on them. Talis had discovered who the Keys were, and was very close to finding them. It was hard keeping their small group moving without letting them know that they were in danger. It was even harder to keep them from noticing the Fuge spell that concealed them from Talis' trackers.

If Talis managed to get his army here, one of them might be killed.

If they got them to the temple, the strain of the ritual might also kill them.

If they discovered what plans were laid for them, they might just choose to leave.

Things were at such a crucial time right now, so many things could go wrong. But if they were successful...

"You look pretty serious," Zelgadiss said to him, "Is something wrong?"

"No," he said, smiling, "Too many things are right, I'm worried."

"That's a bit pessimistic isn't it?"

"Are you kidding, with this group it's incredibly realistic."

"Xellos--"

"When was the last time we were seriously attacked anyway?" To his surprise, Zelgadiss blushed at that question. "What's wrong?"

"It was when we... ah... the first time."

Xellos frowned, then began to laugh, "Oh, right, I'd forgotten what we were doing in that cave in the first place. So that puts us at just over four months without being attacked." Well, without THEM being attacked, but it was his own fault for running off alone away from the Fuge. "Don't you think we're about due?"

"It has seemed incredibly peaceful lately."

The sound of fighting from up ahead broke into their conversation. They looked at each other for a second, then began to run forward towards the sound, which was also the direction the others had gone in. They arrived just in time to see Danlineus and Amelia get thrown through the air, smashing into the trees by the side of the path.

"Who is it?" Xellos asked, helping the dark-haired man to his feet as Zelgadiss assisted Amelia.

"Talis." He answered in a strained voice and Xellos paled. He had to face Talis again, so soon?

"How did he find us?"

"The Fuge is gone, they must have killed our magi."

"Dammit, now what?"

"Now you die." A mocking voice said, stepping forward from a cloud of dust. Xellos looked up into a pair of coal black eyes in the face of a two-legged gray lion. The wind stirred the large mazoku's mane as he walked towards where the four figures sat crouching. "Nice to see you again Xellos."

"And you Talis." He replied politely, ignoring the looks he received from his three companions. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm solving my problem in the most expedient way possible."

"And what is that?"

"I'm going to kill the mazoku they chose as the Guardian, or I'm going to kill one of the Keys. The choice is yours Xellos."

"You are delightfully arrogant as always Talis," Xellos replied, standing up and raising his staff, "You don't actually think it will be that easy do you?"

"Actually, I think it will be even easier, you see, you aren't going to fight back."

"I'm not? And why won't I?"

"Because if you do, I will tell the chimera the information you discovered the last time we met. That will not go over well I think. Like I said, the choice is yours."

Xellos froze, Talis was not making an idle threat. If Zelgadiss found out that his cure-No! "It would seem I have no choice." He said, lowering his staff.

"Xellos, what are you doing?" Zelgadiss asked, but he had no answer to give. With a chuckle, Talis raised his paw and the pain began in the center of his body, radiating out to all limbs. It was not an enjoyable pain either, Talis would never be that kind.

He could hear Zelgadiss screaming, then he heard Lina say something, and then, he felt himself collapse.

"Xellos? Xellos!?"

...stop yelling zel-chan...

"Xellos, say something!"

...i am...

"Dammit, we have to get away from here."

...oops, guess i'm not...i hurt...

"Get him on the bed." Zelgadiss directed as they reached the inn room.

"His clothes are still smoldering." Amelia said.

"Take them off him." Danlineus told them.

"Easier said than done," Lina muttered as Zelgadiss ran over quickly to remove Xellos' clothes with well-practiced motions.

A low silence filled the room as they looked down at the bare mazoku. His skin had turned translucent in places, allowing them to see that Xellos' body was quickly consuming itself.

"How do we stop it?" Zelgadiss whispered.

"I don't know," Lina replied. "None of our healing spells can help this."

"I can fix it." Danlineus said, "But I do not think he will appreciate the experience."

"Do it." Zelgadiss demanded, and Danlineus nodded, standing beside Xellos, hands raised.

{{Force of ultimate creation
Stream from which order flows
Still now these winds of chaos
And return this body
To the form which it owns.
SOLAR WIND!}}

As the spell finished a golden light appeared around Danlineus, almost consuming him, then it spread to Xellos, who began to scream as it covered him. When the light faded, so did his cry of agony.

"What did you do?" Lina asked, turning towards Danlineus, who was now exhausted.

"I repaired the damage that was done to him, but we are antithesis to each other, his magic, his being, based on chaos, whereas mine is based on order. The touch of the spell was painful to him, but it was successful, he will be fine."

"You're not human, are you?" Lina asked. With a look towards Amelia, Danlineus responded,

"No. I'm a yousei."

"That would explain the brothers reference." Amelia said uncertainly.

"We are two sides of the same magic, polar opposites."

"What else aren't you telling us?" Lina demanded.

"You are--" Danlineus collapsed, and was caught by Amelia just before he hit the floor. "I'm sorry," he said as she helped him stand. "Please, I need to rest, may I answer these questions tomorrow?"

"All right, come on Gourry, let's go."

"Lina," Gourry asked as they left the room, "What's a yousei?"

Lina sighed, "I'll explain it to you tomorrow."

"Zelgadiss-san," Danlineus said before he and Amelia also left, "He will need you close by when he wakes. The spell will have side effects beyond the physical ones he has already experienced."

Zelgadiss stared at the door for a moment after they left, then walked over to the bed again; what the hell had he meant by that? He shrugged as he began to undress, it really didn't matter, he fully intended to be here when Xellos woke up regardless. Maybe then he could get the mazoku to tell him just why he had let Talis do that to him, and to find out what information was so important that he would die to keep it a secret. With a confused sigh, he slipped into the bed beside Xellos and fell asleep almost immediately.

He woke later to the sensation of hands brushing gently over his skin and could feel a body pressed tightly against him.

"Xellos?" he whispered, feeling the mazoku's mouth gently kissing his shoulder, "Are you all right?"

"No." the mazoku whispered back, finding Zelgadiss' mouth and cutting off his next question with a kiss. It was so gentle, not the least bit provocative or demanding, Xellos had never kissed him like this.

No, that wasn't true. Before leaving the cave, when he had thought Zelgadiss was asleep, that was the only kiss that was even remotely comparable. Was this what Danlineus had been talking about?

"Zel-chan?" his voice was quiet, unsure, as if he needed something but wasn't sure what to ask for.

"It's all right Xellos," he said, rolling the mazoku slowly onto his back and caressing his bare chest, "Let me."

Xellos sighed as Zelgadiss kissed him again, and the chimera carefully began to make love to him, treating the mazoku as if he were made of glass. It seemed as if he was, gentle as he had been, Xellos was crying softly when Zelgadiss held him afterwards.

"I'm sorry," Zelgadiss said, "I didn't want to hurt you."

"You didn't," Xellos replied, his voice still far too soft. Zelgadiss decided not to ask about the tears and instead held the mazoku against him, lightly rubbing his back. Xellos' breathing began to slow and Zelgadiss was just beginning to think he was asleep again when he heard him whisper,

"I love you Zel-chan."

The quiet words left Zelgadiss stunned, he lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling until morning.

It was the yousei's fault.

Xellos fumed as he dressed slowly, looking outside to see that the sun was setting, he'd slept all day. He remembered being attacked by Talis, suffering through some spell that had managed to restore his body, and then, then...

It was the yousei's fault.

He was going to kill him.

He stood, picked up his staff and walked towards the door just as it opened and Zelgadiss entered. Xellos froze. Had the chimera heard? Had he been awake for Xellos' confession? There was no change in his expression, maybe he hadn't.

The yousei was still going to die though; the plans could go to hell.

"You're looking a lot better," Zelgadiss said.

"I'm feeling much better," Xellos replied with a smile. "Please excuse me."

"Where are you going?"

"To kill Danlineus-sama."

"Xellos," Zelgadiss caught him and held him close, looking very amused. "Come on, it couldn't possibly have been that bad."

There was absolutely no way he was going to answer that. "It will make me feel better," he replied instead.

"Yeah well, we need him alive since he's willing to answer our questions, unless you want to?"

"Hn. Can I kill him when you're done interrogating him?"

"You'll have to ask Amelia," Zelgadiss answered as they both began to head downstairs.

"In other words, no, I'm not allowed too."

"Exactly."

They were met with smiles as they walked towards the table where the others were sitting. Just before they arrived, Zelgadiss whispered,

"See, they're 'our' friends."

They arrived before Xellos could reply, so he just sat down and glared at Danlineus instead. The yousei caught his look and shrugged, entirely unapologetic.

"All right Danlineus," Lina said, "You've stalled long enough, now spill it. What's going on?"

Danlineus looked up towards Xellos, but he gave no response. If the yousei wanted to tell them then he could do it on his own.

"I suppose I should start at the beginning." Danlineus said taking a deep breath, "When both the yousei and mazoku races were created, there was an accident."

"What? You were a mistake?" Lina said, earning a glare from both Danlineus and Xellos. "Sorry, sorry, go on."

"You all ready know that The Lord of Nightmares is the High God of chaos, higher than Shabernigdo, but there is also a High God of order, higher than Cephreed, who is often forgotten."

"The High God of order?" Lina asked, confused.

"The Lord of Dreams."

"Stupid name." Xellos muttered ignoring the look Danlineus gave him.

"After creating Cephreed and Shabernigdo, the two High Gods joined their powers together in an attempt to make a new race, it was to have been the balance between the two powers, stronger than either could have created alone. The creation required incredible focus however, even for the High Gods, and Shabernigdo used the opportunity to attack the Lord of Dreams and seal him away forever. Or at least, he tried to. Cephreed interfered. While they were fighting, the forces released by the High Gods shattered. Those forces called by the Lord of Nightmares became the first mazoku, those called by the Lord of Dreams became the first yousei, and the forces that were to have bound the two became humans, the race trapped in the middle."

"How does this involve us?" Lina interrupted and Danlineus sighed,

"I'm getting to that. The forces of the creation spell also affected the battle between Cephreed and Shabernigdo. In the end, the Lord of Dreams was sealed away, but not forever. A very complex system of Keys is required to release him. You four are those Keys."

"What!?"

"Each of you represents one of the four basic elements, when placed together in the Temple where the Lord of Dreams is held, the seal will be broken."

"So where do you two come in?"

"We have been selected by our people to be the Guardians. We shall see you to the Temple, and we are both required to open the door to the inner chamber."

"So if any of us die before we reach the chamber, the entire thing is ruined?"

"Exactly."

"All right. I understand why the yousei would want to free the Lord of Dreams, but why are the mazoku helping?"

Everyone at the table turned to look at Xellos.

He smiled, "Sore wa himitsu desu."

Lina was about to yell at him when a voice from behind them said, "Now, now, Xellos, that's not very helpful, is it?"

Xellos turned around in shock to see a beautiful, dark skinned woman with light hair standing behind him, her golden bracelets making a soft noise as they moved on her wrists. "The answer is 'power' of course."

He jumped out of his chair and knelt before the woman, "Zellas-sama."

"The Beastmaster?" Lina said. "What are you doing here?"

"I have business with my General. Xellos,"

"Hai, Zellas-sama."

"You will eliminate whatever power Talis holds over you and you will do so now."

Xellos looked up in shock, surely she knew what would happen if he did that.

"Tell him." She ordered.

Xellos stood slowly, eyes closed. 'He didn't see it,' he thought sadly, 'I tried to show him, I tried to...' He turned to face Zelgadiss and opened his eyes, seeing the chimera flinch at the expression he knew was there.

"The cure you're looking for," he said coldly. "Does not exist."

He heard the others gasp and felt Zelgadiss' pain, nourishing, but so bitter, he carried on with his explanation regardless.

"Your demon third cannot be removed from you without exorcism, and that would kill you. Whatever changes you make, that part will remain, and its regenerative qualities will restore you to the form you have now. All the spells or charms you may find are useless, the effects will be temporary. Ultimately, this is how you will stay."

It felt as if he had ripped him open, though Zelgadiss' expression didn't change. He should have, that would have been kinder to him.

"Xellos, you bastard." Lina hissed.

Zelgadiss stood, walked towards the stairs and went up, disappearing from view.

"There," Zellas said, "Problem solved." Then she vanished. The second she was gone, Xellos collapsed.

"I didn't want him to know," he whispered.

"Dammit," he vaguely heard Danlineus say, "What the hell did she think she was doing?"

"What do I do?" Xellos asked, looking up in time to see Danlineus vanish in a cloud of fairy dust. The others looked at him sadly, but without an answer. Xellos hung his head again in despair.