Dramata Kurage! Chapter - 12

Author: Omoni , Kawaii Gourry Title: Dramata Kurage! - Chapter 12

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.

12.0
I blinked a little when Lina poked me, at first wondering if I had missed something again but instead it was Lina making sure I heard what the plan was. The plan was to go back and see Veryna, and it seemed that Amelia was going to be coming along too. Now my mind was on Veryna. She hadn't been bothering me with those dreams for a few days now but I was still annoyed about them and I really wanted to have a few words with her about it once we'd sorted out some of the other things.
My ears though perked up at the mention of food, I looked to Lina as my eyes lightened up and I patted my stomach, doing so made it known that I really was hungry and that my stomach was completly empty. Amelia seemed a little frustrated but decided to go out and sort it out anyway. I felt kind of bad considering she was a princess and there she was going off to sort out food for us, but then I thought about the food again and kind of forgot about feeling bad.
Lina sat back down and laughed about the whole thing, but my mood changed quickly as I was reminded by the events of Xellos. I looked over to Lina and decided the best thing to do would be to get my feelings on the situation known. "Promise me, Lina. Promise me that you won't turn into a mazoku, no matter what. I wish you would have told me about what that stuff in your leg was doing to you earlier instead of letting me find out infront of Xellos. But all that really matters is that you promise me."
I looked at her sternly, I really meant this and I wanted her to take this seriously. But before she could respond to me, Amelia returned with a dozen or so servants all carrying trays full of delicious looking food. I guess we boh forgot about the promise at that point and felt it more important to fill our stomachs. Lina and I just don't seem to be able to function without a good hearty meal, so we relish every single chance we get to have one because we don't always know how long it will be till we get the next one and instead have to live off those ration bars and catch the occasional rabbit.
Once finished the servants all came back and took away the masses of empty plates and trays and filed out of the room. I relaxed back into my seat and patted my stomach, now confirming it was indeed truly full. I sighed in content and looked over at Lina who seemed to be in a similar state to me. Amelia seemed a little bemused at the sight of Lina and myself and just continued sipping her drink.
I looked out one of the windows, and could tell from some of the shadows being cast that it was just past midday. I stood up slowly and stretched out a little. "So, shall we get going? We've got a bit of ground to cover so might as well make use of what light we have left. We should make it to one of the small villages by nightfall." At which point I headed back to the room to gather my things together, and ignoring the suggestion by the healers to rest my arm. It was feeling better anyway and I'm sure they were only saying that just to be on the safe side.
Once I had my things gathered I headed to the entrance of the castle and waited to be met by the others. First Amelia came bouncing along happily, having just got the ok from her father to join us. I was a little worried about bringing her along with us, but I think she knew what she was letting herself in for. Finally Lina came and with that we began heading off back north to where Veryna was.
Kurage

12.1
The trip through Seyruun took longer than it would have if Gourry and I had been alone. Amelia's appearance within her kingdom, dressed as an adventurer, seemed to stir quite an uproar amongst the townspeople. They flocked around her, curious about where she was going now, and what she would be doing, and whether or not Justice would be involved.
I was starting to get irritated, and the only person that seemed to notice was Gourry. Amelia was having too much fun to notice. And inevitably, before I knew it, she was high up on a pole starting a speech.
“Worry, not, good people of Seyruun! For I, your crown princess, will bring Justice across the lands and beyond! I will bring Justice to the ends of the earth! Starting today!”
Her speech brought on a huge round of cheers. I buried my face into my hands, and I felt Gourry pat me on the back sympathetically.
Now, don't get me wrong. I like Amelia is great. Really. When she keeps us punctual, that is. I really wanted to get started on this already. But I knew, that if I gave it maybe one more minute, she'd be ready on her own.
Yes. And have I mentioned how impatient I am?
“AMELIA!” I shouted, glaring up at her. She sweatdropped and looked over. “We have to get MOVING!”
“Eh?” she answered. “But I can't just leave without telling everyone why!”
“You have, it's done, let's GO.”
Thankfully, she complied, and soon, finally, we made it out of Seyruun unscathed. Amelia even seemed to be fine with it, that her little speech was cut short. She was humming under her breath, walking ahead of both Gourry and I, even though she didn't know the way.
After a few hours, it was time to take a break. We were all starving and tired, and my feet hurt a little. I decided to get some fix, while both Gourry and Amelia prepared some rations up to make it a more palatable meal.
When I came back with an armload of fish, I saw that they had prepared some soup. I cooked the fish, and together, we ate our nice little fish stew thing. It wasn't so bad. Certainly not the worst I've ever had on the road.
By the time we were done, it was already starting to get dark, but we agreed to keep walking until it got dark. It was just better to make the trip as short as possible. However, once it got dark, we decided to stop and start up camp.
We had another meal, and then Amelia left to find some sleep. I doubt she was used to traveling again after two years of being idle, and the sudden length of the journey tired her. However, she was a good sport about it, which was all I really could ask for.
I parked myself at the fire and stretched out, then got comfortable. Gourry came over shortly after, sitting down right beside me. I blinked. “Gourry, I'll take the first watch if you want to sleep. I don't mind.” I smiled at him. “I actually don't really feel too tired. I feel like we're finally getting down to the bottom of this, finally. You know?”
Dramata

12.2
With Amelia giving her justice speeches slowing us right down, it meant that night had come before we had the chance to get to the village. So instead we set up camp. After a pretty nice dinner, better than what we normally have, Amelia left to get some sleep which left Lina and myself alone. I looked over at Lina for a moment and then walked over, sitting down right beside her, sitting much closer than I normally would. Lina said I could get some sleep, since she wasn't tired and she would take the first watch.
I thought about it for a moment but then I was reminded of what might happen if I did fall asleep, and quickly decided against it. "No, I'll stay up with you. I don't really feel that tired." I looked at the fire for a moment and remembered asking Lina for something, but never got a response. "Lina? You never answered me before." I could see she looked confused for a moment and had obviously forgotten about it. "I asked you to promise me not to turn into a mazoku. I don't care what Xellos threatens us with, just don't become a mazoku."
Looking back to Lina I could see her giving me a strange look. Ok I guess it sounded stupid, but with all the talk from Xellos, I just wanted to make sure. She nodded a little and so I took that as a yes. I looked back to the fire and felt a little comforted, but something still niggled at my mind. I started poking at the fire with a stick, moving some of the ashes about to get some of the unburnt wood to the air to keep the fire going.
It was strange because after awhile I suddenly started growing tired. My eyelids grew heavy, and for some reason I could keep them open despite really fighting to keep them open. My head tilted forward and I dropped off to sleep, only to open them a few moments later. Or did I? I looked around me and I wasn't at the campsite. Immediately I knew what this meant and straight away I got annoyed.
"Veryna! Get me out of here now! You nearly had Lina killed last time you did this!" I clenched my fists by my sides. I waited there, slowly getting more annoyed. I quickly took a look at the surroundings, and knew that it wasn't the campsite but it was similar to it. At which point a man came out from behind a tree and ran towards me.
"Gourry-san! I have an urgent message from Veryna." He said with a panicked look on his face.
I blinked a little in confusion, suprised that someone else than Veryna was able to contact me like this. "Ummm, where's Veryna? And how come you're speaking to me." I replied.
"Because you're the one who could read the book and is the holder of the sword. It allows our race to contact you in your dreams. That's part of the problem, it also allows powerful mazoku to enter your dreams aswell, apart from the lords themselves. Veryna is not here because she's holding off the only one capable of entering your dreams."
"Xellos..." I said quickly in response.
"Yes, if he can enter your dreams like we do, he could mislead you. This is why Veryna has not contacted you for some time now, incase Xellos invaded your dreams."
"How do I know you're not Xellos now?"
Suddenly the man smirked, a smirked I recognised, and then in no time at all, the man changed form into the priest I knew. "You're not as dumb as you make yourself out to be Gourry-san." Then he swung his staff up sharply, cracking me across the chin.
I jolted awake and noticed that it was morning. I looked around and was glad Amelia hadn't woken up yet. I blinked in confusion and looked down to see Lina leaning right up against me and fast asleep, her arm wrapped around my waist. I blushed deeply and shook Lina lightly to make her wake up, just incase Amelia did decide to wake up
Kurage

12.3
I have to tell the truth here. I didn't really promise anything. When I nodded, it was to get him off my back, and it had no basis for making a promise. The truth is, I couldn't promise him that. I knew, deep down, long ago, that when it came to Gourry or the world, I would pick Gourry. So if faced with something like me becoming a Mazoku or Gourry dying, I would pick becoming a Mazoku. I just couldn't tell him this, because I knew he wouldn't be satisfied with such an answer.
It was a hard thing for me to do, to keep my feelings quiet and inside like that, especially with this new intimacy between us, but I knew that if I didn't, things would become more complicated than I would ever want them to be, so I kept my mouth shut, and Gourry was satisfied with that.
After a while, I noticed Gourry slipping off to sleep. I didn't mind too much. Company is still company, even if it's passive. I leaned over and pressed my side against his, stealing some of his warmth.
I kept alert, making sure I was focused on everything around me, prepared for the slightest move or sound, but nothing came. After a while I grew bored, and I needed the sleep, so I snuggled closer to Gourry, looked around to make sure Amelia wasn't spying on us, then slid my arms around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder. I sighed deeply, and I fell asleep within minutes.
I awoke to Gourry shaking me. I groaned and slapped at his hands, but soon I was fully awake, anyways. I noticed he looked embarrassed, but I didn't care. I hated being woken up. I gave him a light shove, wished him good morning, and got up slowly, walking towards Amelia's tent and trying to hide a huge yawn.
“Amelia,” I called, tapping at the tent poles. “Get your royal ass out of bed. We need to get on the road again.”
I heard a not-so-royal groan, followed by a lot of not-so-royal cursing. Momentarily, Amelia stuck her head out of the tent's front flap, her hair sticking up in all directions. She stared at me with sleepy eyes. “Lina-san, it's still early yet. Can't we sleep in?”
I frowned at her. “NO. Get up. And hurry up.” I stalked away from the tent, but not in enough time to miss the exasperated groan from Amelia as she turned back into the tent to get dressed.
I stretched and sat next to Gourry again. “Man, that girl needs to get her travel legs back,' I joked. Gourry just smiled, and I noticed that he had already started breakfast for us. I complimented him on this, but he just went pink and lamely explained that someone had to do it. Still, it was a very nice thing to do.
Amelia emerged from the tent moments later looking her usual prim self, minus the perky demeanor. I handed her a cup of coffee wordlessly, and instead of usually wrinkling her nose at it, she grabbed it and gulped deeply.
Both Gourry and I gaped at her in surprise.
Amelia blinked and glanced back at us. “What? What's wrong with you two?”
“When did you start drinking coffee, Amelia!” I demanded.
She wrinkled her nose at me now. “You offered it to me. What was I supposed to do, ignore it?”
“But you usually ignore the coffee each time we offer it,” I answered, still staring at her.
She rolled her eyes and took another generous gulp. “Yeah, well, I like it now, okay?” she answered crabbily afterwards. I guess the caffeine hadn't kicked in yet.
“But you never, ever, EVER drank coffee before!” I couldn't let this go. First the bracelet and now this. What the hell was going on with her?
Amelia looked affronted and bothered. “Can't we drop it, PLEASE?” she pleaded. “I used to hate it but now I like it, so please shut up about the coffee.” She turned away and sipped at her mug sulkily, and I puffed out my cheeks. I opened my mouth to start it up again, but Gourry silently handed me a bowl of food, and I, of course, forgot all about it.
Once we were done eating, we packed up and were off again. Now that we were actually within the boundaries, I was starting to feel much more optimistic about our little journey. I was concerned about Gourry, though. He was a little more withdrawn and quiet than usual, but when I tried to talk to him about it, he just shrugged it off and said it was bad dreams. I dropped it. If he didn't want to talk about it, I wasn't going to force him. What would be the point?
In any case, details now are too boring to get into. Amelia and I had a spat about who would lead the way, because for some reason she felt that it would be better for her to lead, her being the vessel of Justice, DESPITE NOT KNOWING THE WAY THERE. That was really the highlight of the morning. (I won, by the way.)
When we stopped again for lunch, Amelia wasn't speaking to me, so I decided to talk to Gourry, instead. I nudged him lightly. “What's up with you?” I wondered, offering him a kebob of salty fish. “You're miles away. Not even a tiff between Princess Puff and me over there could bring you out of it.”
Amelia shot me a sour look, but Gourry said nothing. I frowned. “Gourry, come on,” I snapped. “Spill it. Now.”
Dramata

12.4
Once Lina had woken up after a bit of work, given Lina didn't like me shaking her awake, I'm sure she would have stayed like that against me alot longer if I let her. I smiled I she shoved on me and then got up, I took to getting breakfast sorted out, for a start I was hungry and I knew Lina was gonna talk about it too. I glanced over to Lina occasionally as it seemed she had a little trouble waking Amelia up. I was suprised to see the way she looked when she poked her head out. I just carried on with the breakfast, cooking a few things together and put some water on to heat up, I knew Lina was going to want her coffee.
Lina sat back down beside me and joked with me about Amelia. I guess she was used to life in the castle and hadn't travelled since last time with Dark Star. Lina then noticed I'd started breakfast and complimented me. Immediately I started blushing. "Well you know how it is Lina, someone had to do it and I wasn't doing anything." She just gave me a funny little look and starting to get herself some coffee.
Amelia came out from the tent and looked like her usual self apart from the fact she wasn't skipping along merrily like she used to do. Lina handed Amelia some coffee to which I was about to tell Lina she didn't like it. But I was wrong as I watched Amelia gulp the stuff down like it was water. I still didn't like coffee after all this time, I just dislike bitter tasting things and coffee was one of the worst for that.
I just watched in complete shock as Amelia drank the coffee and Lina jumped onto it immediately. I was suprised by how much the two were bickering with each other. I know Lina got a little annoyed with Amelia sometimes for her justice speeches, but now things seemed a little more heated between the two of them. It seemed strange just to get so worked up over liking coffee. The whole bracelet thing was also a little weird.
I looked to Lina who looked like she was ready to vent so I did the one thing I knew that would take Lina's mind of it all. I handed her a bowl of food and she completly forgot about the little spat and began devouring it. I handed a bowl to Amelia too, to which she thanked me poliely, I guess the coffee helped to perk her up a little. I then sorted the rest out for myself and ate in silence, my mind drifting back to my bad dream.
We headed off again once we were ready and again the two began arguing, this time about which way to go to Veryna, which suprised me considering Amelia to my knowledge had never been before. Before that Lina was asking me what was wrong. I guess I was being a little more quiet than usual, and my mind was on things, and so I told her the truth which it was. I had a bad dream. I just didn't tell her all of the details. Lina seemed pretty satisfied with my answer because she didn't ask me about it again.
After we had walked for awhile, it was about midday and so it was time to take a break and have some lunch. We sat down and I could see Amelia sitting away and purposefully not talking to Lina. I felt that a little strange, since I still remember Amelia looking up to Lina with so much respect. I guess Amelia had grown to the point that she wasn't the kid we all remembered, she'd matured into a woman. Just a sign that things do change, although the thought of justice speeches being a phase was wrong, that was for sure.
Lina nudged me and asked me what was wrong. I turned to her a little confused for the moment. I didn't think I said anything wrong but then when she said to me that I was miles away I realised what she was on about. She offered me some fish, almost like a bribe to get me to talk and I could see Amelia giving me a concerned look after giving a little glare to Lina for the little joke she made.
I still didn't feel like talking about it and Lina just grew more insistant, she even sounded a little annoyed with me. I sighed a little and looked up to Amelia who seemed a little more concerned than before. "Well first of all, stop giving Amelia such a hard time." I said to Lina softly. "You know she's older now, she's probably grown out of looking up to you with respect and probably turned into that awkward stage. And anyway I told you before, just some bad dreams." But I guess that wasn't good enough when she hit me on the back of the head.
I grumbled a little and rubbed the back of my head, looking to Lina she gave me a stern look but there was also something in her eyes I wasn't used to seeing...concern. "You know I've not had Veryna in my dreams for a few days now?" I sighed a little, not liking to talk about it but I knew I couldn't just hide it from her or Amelia. "It seems someone else can get into them. Xellos was in my dream."
I could have guessed the reaction before I said it, as both Lina and Amelia suddenly sat up in suprise. "Veryna hasn't spoken to me because she realised that Xellos could get into my dreams and then pretend to be Veryna. That way I guess he could try and mislead me. He must only be able to enter them when Veryna tries to contact me, maybe she tried to last night to warn me but Xellos decided to tell me himself."
I kept quiet then and allowed the others to think it over. I just wondered what it was Veryna might have wanted to tell me to risk Xellos intervening, and if Xellos was now able to contact me when Veryna tried to, what was he capable of doing? I knew he hit me but it didn't affect me when I woke up, but maybe he could do something else instead. What if he could trap me in my dreams and stop me from protecting Lina. It just gave me another reason why I didn't want to fall asleep, but I wasn't sure I even had control of that anymore. Since the way I fell asleep the night before, was almost like I was being forced to sleep.
Kurage

12.5
I thought about it for a while. It was entirely plausible that Xellos had picked up something from Veryna and decided to interfere, especially if he was hanging around in Gourry's brain. However, it could also be plausible that Xellos was merely trying to fool us into thinking that something important was going on so that we would be sloppy with our journey.
Either way, I didn't want to give Xellos the satisfaction. “It just means that we need to quit dallying around,” I decided. “It means we pack up and camp out only when necessary. I'm sick of being playthings for demented Ryuzoku and Mazoku.”
Amelia jumped up. “You know what we could do, Lina-san!” she said excitedly, all signs of the tiff gone. “We could Ray Wing our way towards the place, and once we get there, only THEN we should camp out.”
I thought about it. “It's a good idea, but I'm worried about getting caught. Still, if Xellos knows where we are and he hasn't bothered to catch us yet, why should I be worried about a little flying?” I nodded. “We'll Ray Wing until we're close by, then we'll stop for a break before going in. I want this done quick and painless.”
With that worked out, we packed up camp and were on our way. Amelia and I both decided it would be less strain if we both took Gourry between us.
Ray Winging it is boring. You're moving so fast you can hardly see the scenery around you, and there isn't room for discussion because you're moving too fast to even form coherent speech. You can imagine how stimulating the start of our flight was.
However, you know the drill. Something like this, when we plan it to be smooth, always ends up somehow becoming hell and a handbasket. So of course, when I saw the blast of black coming towards us, I wasn't surprised. I mean, I was pissed off, but surprised? Nah.
Both Amelia and I tried to veer off in opposite directions, and the result was dropping Gourry, who landed in a thicket with a reluctant thud. Amelia and I shortly followed, flanking him, as he got to his feet. He seemed to be okay, but man, a fall like that must have smarted.
I sighed, stepping forward slowly. “We know you're there, Xellos.” I called. “Hurry up and get it over with, so we can get to where we want to be!”
There was a moment of brief silence, but I wasn't disappointed. Soon, Xellos phased in, standing atop the nearest tree. He looked simply clap-happy. “Ah, it's so perfect. You always know when it's me. We'll definitely have use for that kind of radar on our side, Lina-san.”
Instead of answering, I chanted a quick incantation, and flung an Elmekia Lance at him. He jumped down from the tree just before it hit him, but I also knew that he would do that too.
“I'm not joining you, Xellos,” I said calmly.
Xellos walked over, then stopped a few feet in front of us. I felt both Amelia and Gourry tense from that, but I stayed aloof.
Xellos looked affronted, but I couldn't tell if it was actually genuine. Most likely not. “You didn't even give me a chance to ask you, but since you brought it up, are you sure you won't reconsider? Despite what refusing may cost you?”
I felt a little chill at that, for when he said that last sentence, his eyes opened and settled their unrelenting gaze right onto my own. He was dead serious about this, and I knew it, and he knew that I knew it.
I swallowed slowly, shooting a sidelong glance to Gourry. He seemed to notice my subtle question, because he looked back at me and nodded, drawing the Blast Sword. I looked back to Xellos.
I smiled, the gesture entirely fake. I had no idea what I thought I was doing. There was no way in hell we could fight Xellos and win. I had really, really hoped it wouldn't come to this, but now that it had, I didn't have a choice, did I?
“Yes, Xellos,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. “I'm sure I won't reconsider.”
Dramata

12.6
Lina didn't really take the news in the way I expected, instead she just seemed annoyed with the way Xellos was bothering us and so she wanted to get things over with now. Amelia then suggested we use Raywing to get there quicker. I had a little objection to that considering the last time we tried that, I broke my arm, and just when I was getting used to being hoisted in the air by a small woman, my fear had slightly returned. So I threw out a few objections as Lina and Amelia grabbed me and lifted me into the air.
I closed my eyes tightly for the first few moments, but as the rustling of wind went by my ears, I opened them carefully and watched the world pass beneath us at an amazing speed, we certainly didn't travel like this when Lina was poisoned. However that did last too long as I saw something black heading towards us. I figured we should get moving but the problem was that Amelia went one way and Lina went the other, leaving me in the middle with noone holding onto me. I plummeted to the ground and headed straight for some bushes, smashing into them and then hitting the ground.
I was breathing quickly and felt a bit of deja-vu. I pushed myself off the ground slowly still breathing quick and I felt a little unnerved. At least nothing was broken this time, I guess the bushes slowed my fall so when I hit the ground, it wasn't as hard as it should be. I stood up and noticed then I had lots of small scratches on my exposed skin and a few tears in my clothing. I reached up and pulled a few branches out of my hair and got myself together just as Lina and Amelia joined me. "Thanks for dropping by, although you didn't actually drop down did you!" I shouted a little sarcastically. Lina seemed preoccupied with something else whilst Amelia appeared very guilty.
Lina realised that something else was more important than my wellbeing and that was Xellos was around, who just appeared on cue. I didn't wait this time and readied myself to draw the Blast Sword just as Lina fired off an Elmekia Lance. It missed Xellos who leapt out of the way and landed right infront of us. I tensed up, almost grabbing the sword and attacking but I held my nerve and waited.
Xellos continued questioning Lina about becoming a mazoku to which I wanted to say something but I held off, and remembered Lina already refusing and I knew she promised me so it calmed me down slightly. However he was being adamant about it to which I noticed Lina giving me a look. I nodded in response and unsheathed the Blast Sword. Lina said that she wouldn't reconsider which was my cue as I darted forward and slashed at Xellos, only to strike air but I swore I hit something. He reappeared behind me and sent a sharp kick to the small of my back, bending me painfully and sending me forward.
I hit the ground but turned quickly, and rolled out the fall, jumping up to my feet. I looked at Xellos quickly I noticed the small gash across his arm. I guess I hit him in the astral plane but he was quick enough to evade it. At which point Amelia fired an Elmekia Lance at Xellos who again avoided it. I ran straight to Amelia guessing Xellos' next move and he reappeared just behind Amelia who was unaware. I leapt over her and struck out at Xellos before he could do anything and again he phased out, but I knew I caught him again.
This time he reappeared a bigger distance away and stumbled a little, I noticed I caught his leg well. "That sword truly is amazing. I must congratulate you Gourry-san, you're the first human swordsman to cause me some harm. Although if you really wish to defeat me, you must do much better than that, since these are merely scratches to me."
At which point it looked like he was powering something pretty big. At which point I reacted. "Run for it!" I yelled and headed off to the right along with Amelia whilst Lina headed the opposite way. I jumped along with Lina as Xellos' spell exploded. I hit the ground and covered my head until I was sure it was gone. Then I jumped to my feet only to see Amelia get struck by Xellos's staff across the head, knocking her out. I yelled her name but of course was useless as she dropped to the floor. I froze for a moment thinking the worst but I could see her breathing.
I glared towards Xellos and then glanced to Lina who nodded back. Lina began chanting to which Xellos appeared amused. "I'm disappointed Lina-san, you know quite clearly that that won't work." Lina continued anyway and when she finished she yelled the infamous words. "Dragon Slave!" The powerful energy headed straight for Xellos and me behind him. Xellos just phased out which took my cue to run forward at full speed. I held the blade infront of me and I gritted my teeth as I could start to feel the heat from the spell.
Suddenly the blade began to vibrate with power, and started to absorb the Dragon Slave. I kept running quickly and the blade continue to absorb the spell, and it grew stronger and stronger in my hands. I never felt this kind of power in my hands before but I kept control of it with all of my will. Then Xellos reappeared facing towards Lina who faked a look of shock. I leapt and swung the sword with all I had, Xellos only sensing me to late. He turned to watch me slice the sword through his body, the power of the spell helping me tear through his body with ease. I watched as his body ripped apart and black vapour escape from his body.
Xellos screamed in agony as I finished slicing through his body, and then he slumped to the ground dead. I sheathed my sword and looked to Lina with a feeling of relief. Lina smiled and gave me the victory sign, but then her face suddenly froze solid. I blinked unsure of what was wrong, but then I felt a sudden pain in my gut after hearing a small shot like from Jilas' gun. I looked down touching my stomach only to feel something wet and sticky, and then I saw my hand covered in blood.
I fell to my knees and heard a small chuckle from behind me, then he placed the staff infront of me and placed it by my neck and pulled it in, causing me to choke a little.
"My my Lina-san. Do you really think I would have been fooled by that?" I knew that voice, Xellos. "I admit I am suprised by what you actually did, that was something very special. But you should have realised that I know you're smarter than that, just trying to cast a Dragon Slave at me, when you know fully well it won't kill me. I decided to play along and see what happened, and picked up a little trick from Phibrizzo, and sent back a small part of myself to let you think you destroyed me."
I realised where we had gone wrong and now we were in trouble. But not as much trouble as I was about to realise.
Xellos continued. "Oh Lina-san, I'd like you to meet someone. Lina...this is Beastmaster Zelas." At which point a woman suddenly appeared, very tall, almost as tall as me, maybe even the same height, with short blonde hair. She just wore normal traveller's clothes and for some reason her body language reminded me of Xellos'. I didn't know what to do anymore, the pain from my gut was agony and I could barely breathe from the staff against my neck. I couldn't do anything.
Kurage

12.7
Playing hardball is something I can do if I'm forced to do it. And this time I was forced to do it. But I knew I would be sloppy, because my emotions were getting in the way, and I couldn't keep them at bay.
Especially in the presence of a Dark Lord
I stared at this seemingly normal woman who was actually Zelas Metallium, the Greater Beast herself. I looked closer, and noticed that despite the regular looks, she gave off an irregular amount of power.
I looked from her to Gourry. He wasn't looking too well. I had no idea what the hell hit him, but whatever it was had been serious enough to fell him and make him an easy target for Xellos to grab. I felt sick, in the pit of my stomach. I wanted Xellos to die for this. I didn't care anymore. I didn't care how powerful he was. I wanted him dead.
I started forward, but Xellos stopped me by simply pushing his staff closer to Gourry's throat. I stopped, and he relaxed his hold. I was shaking by then, shaking with unspent rage.
“Let him go,” I growled.
Xellos grinned, and Zelas slowly crossed her arms over her chest. “No, Lina-san, that's not going to happen. Because, you see, we have a stand-off here, and Juuo-sama has decided to offer you one more chance, here.” Xellos replied.
I clenched my fists at my sides. “Another chance for what?”
Zelas held up her hand, and Xellos lowered his head a little. Her eyes flicked to mine, and I felt a chill go up my spine. I knew exactly what she was going to say before she said it, and I knew she meant it, too.
“Become a Mazoku, Lina,” she said slowly, her voice rich with power. “Or this man dies.”
I crossed my arms. “And what makes you think I would fall for that? Even if I did say yes, there's no saying what you could do behind my back. You would kill him anyways!”
Zelas stepped away from both Gourry and Xellos. By then, Gourry was too woozy to even notice. My heart skipped a little at the expression on his face. It was pained and angry. It wasn't fair. It wasn't FAIR...
My eyes were called back to Zelas, when I saw she was closer to me. I tensed, and she just smiled. She was too good, too quick, too subtle. I could understand instantly where Xellos got his mannerisms from.
“We won't kill him if you join us, Lina,” she said slowly. “Even Mazoku are bound by contracts. Even Mazoku are bound by principles of honour and the like. If you swear to us that you will become a Mazoku, the moment you become one the contract is sealed, and the man's life will no longer be mine to take.”
“Why does it matter?” I demanded. “You were the one that wanted the Blast Sword. Why do you suddenly not care about it if I join you!”
“Don't you understand? You're a greater weapon!”
I blinked a little. “What do you mean?”
“It was Xellos who brought it to my attention first,” Zelas replied, smiling proudly at her priest. “The Blast Sword is most certainly a wonderful, powerful sword, and it would be a valuable asset to have in my possession. However, Xellos called to my attention your unique prowess for Nightmare magic. And I decided that I would rather have you as my personal weapon than the Blast Sword.”
I glared up at her, but she merely smiled calmly. “Join us, Lina Inverse. Or this man will die. You were given this chance before. I give it to you one last time. What is your decision?”
I shut my eyes tight for a moment before opening them again. This was not happening...this couldn't be happening. Last time a Mazoku wanted to recruit me was for more or less the right reasons. But now it was just for greed and for destruction. I couldn't let myself become a pawn for one of the most powerful Dark Lords in existence...
I opened my eyes and glanced at Gourry. Slowly, he raised his head and met his eyes with my own. His eyes were still alert, and they pleaded with me to refuse.
But...how could I allow them to kill Gourry? Gourry, who was always there for me? Gourry, who risked everything just because of me? Gourry, who in my place, would do anything to save me?
I stared at him, and the longer I looked at him, the quicker I realized what my answer would be. He must have sensed it too, and his eyes flashed in some emotion I couldn't fathom. Something deep, something I didn't want to acknowledge. It would be too hard. I lowered my head, pulling my gaze from him, unable to look at him anymore.
My eyes stung, and before I knew it, I could feel the tears in my eyes. I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists, and slowly looked back up, right into Zelas's unwavering and unfeeling eyes.
“Yes,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, my throat choked up. “Yes, I'll do it, alright!”
Xellos pulled his staff away from Gourry and phased out quickly. Zelas grinned in triumph, and Xellos phased back in behind me and grabbed my arms. I didn't fight it. I didn't have the heart to. He yanked them behind my back to restrain me, but didn't he understand that it was futile? I wasn't going to fight. Zelas slowly walked over to meet us.
“You made the right choice, Lina,” she said reassuringly.
I ignored her and looked back to Gourry. He was trying to get up, trying to move, but he couldn't; the wound was too severe. He stopped at my look. When his eyes met mine again, I could feel the tears let loose and streak down my face. He shook his head, but I bit my lip and nodded.
I wanted him to understand. I didn't have a choice. The option, the other option, was not an option. It would never be an option, ever. And I wished I could have told him that. I wished I could have said a proper goodbye.
“I'm sorry, Gourry,” I murmured. I could see his face contort with the pain from his wounds or my words, I'm not sure which. But it was too much to bear. I shut my eyes and lowered my head, and the three of us phased out.
Dramata

12.8
I felt completely helpless and it scared the hell out of me because I didn't know what they were going to do to Lina. I wanted to try and pull away, I wanted to run and attack Zelas and get Lina out of there. Instead, I had a staff pressed against my neck, choking me and for all I knew I was bleeding to death. I could see Lina, and she looked angry and determined, but then something didn't seem right when I looked into her eyes the moment the choice came up about becoming mazoku in exchange for my life.
At that point I wanted to yell out for her to not do it, and to let me die, but the staff choked off any words I could have wanted to say, and it infuriated me. By then though I started to feel the effects of blood loss, but I was still angry with this all, I was angry that I couldn't do anything. I could barely catch the conversation but I could tell Lina was slowly being lured into believing becoming a mazoku was the right thing. I clenched my fists and then with everything I had I began trying to reach out for the Blast Sword on the ground. However Xellos pulled me back with the staff, just keeping me out of reach. I swear he did it just to make me angry and furious, and I'm sure he got a good meal out of it.
The effort had worn me out more and I slumped my head down a bit, breathing was becoming harder, not just because of the staff choking me but I was growing weaker. I was struggling to think straight, but the only thing that kept me going was wanting to get Lina out of there. I wanted to stop Lina from having to make the choice, whether that was me getting Lina away from them all, stopping Xellos and Zelas, or by sacrificing myself, but the position I was in wouldn't let me do anything.
Slowly I raised my head and looked to Lina, and I could see her looking straight back at me. I looked at her sternly and I knew she got what I meant just from the look in my eyes. I pleaded with her not to accept, I couldn't let her do this, I couldn't let her become a mazoku. But the longer I looked, the more doubt I could see in her eyes, and the more I realized that she would become a mazoku just to safe my life. My eyes darkened and I wanted to yell out at her, I wanted to grab on to her and shake her, and put some sense into her.
At that point she looked away and my heart sank because I knew at that point I lost her. My eyes began to burn and I could see just from the side, tears began to form in her eyes. And then she accepted. She told Zelas that she would become a mazoku. It was then that I felt the tears starting to fall from my eyes and down my cheeks. I fought like a wild animal to get away from Xellos, but the second the staff left my neck, I just fell to the floor, completly weak.
I tried yelling, but I was choked so hard and distraught that no words escaped my lips. I then began scrambling to get to my feet but I couldn't find the energy to lift my seemingly heavy body up. At one point I looked up and saw Lina's eyes meet mine, and she was crying. I shook my head desperately and tried to yell but again nothing. But she just nodded. I didn't want to take it, I couldn't believe she would just give up like that, and now I got intensely angry.
She looked away just as I started to get to my feet, the intense anger fuelled me and I began running. I took in a deep breath and I yelled. "LLIIIIIIINNNNAAAAAAAA!" But by the time I said it, she was gone. My feet gave way and I hit the ground hard, sending dust flying up. I drove my fingers into the ground where Lina was, and took a handful of the dirt in my hand. I then squeezed it as I let every single emotion I had within me and screamed it out in some godawful primeval roar. I screamed and yelled and let the tears stain my cheeks and drop to the ground. And then I blacked out.
I only woke up to see Amelia with a worried look on her face and I felt a warm sensation on my stomach. She was healing me I guessed. "Gourry-san, thank Ceipheid you're alive...Where's Lina?"
Those words were like another stab through the chest. I turned my head to the side immediately because I didn't want Amelia to see me so weak. I could feel the tears begin to form again in my eyes. "They've taken her. Xellos and Beastmaster Zelas took Lina away. They threatened to kill me unless she became a mazoku...and...and she..." I couldn't finish it off but I don't think Amelia needed me to because she knew what I meant. She just stayed silent as she continued to heal me.
Once finished she helped me up and without saying a word I began walking. I just walked because I didn't know what else I was supposed to do. Amelia just followed me and also stayed quiet, I don't think she knew what to do with me.
Within a few hours we got to a village and we headed straight for the inn. Amelia paid for the rooms and I took my key and headed to the room without looking or saying anything to Amelia. I entered the room, locked the door behind me, dropped my things to the floor and then sat in a corner. At which point I just began sobbing. Hugging my knees I buried my head in my arms and sobbed till I didn't think I could sob anymore. When that happened I just sat there in silence, my head still buried in my arms.
I didn't eat and I barely slept. I couldn't eat because I couldn't bare sitting at that table and not having Lina there to fight with. I couldn't sleep because I didn't want to have to face the nightmares or the dreams of her that I knew would occur. Occasionally Amelia would come by and knock at the door, and asked to be let in, but I said nothing and after awhile she would leave me alone.
Things went like that for a couple of days, at least I think it was a couple of days. The thing that broke it was when Amelia had grown tired of knocking and not getting any answer, and I admit I could hear a worry in her voice increase when each time I didn't respond. Anyway she got so tired that she smashed the door down with that old spell which allowed her to punch with magic. I didn't even respond to anything, and just stayed in the corner. Amelia was adamant though.
"Gourry-san, you can't do this to yourself! We have to get Lina back somehow!" She grabbed onto me with desperation in her voice. She dragged me up to my feet and tried to get me to leave.
I lashed out, and got her to let go of me, causing her to step back in suprise. I stood looking down at the ground, my hair was all sticking about and covered my face. "I failed her. I couldn't protect her." I said softly.
Amelia stepped forward with a hand out, a little wary of my actions. "You can't let yourself think this way Gourry-san. You have to be positive!"
I suddenly looked up at her and grew angry. "Positive? Positive! How do you expect me to be positive when I lost the one person I care about! The one person who makes me feel worthwhile! And I just let her go!"
"Gourry-san..."
"No! Just leave me alone! Justice doesn't cut it this time Amelia!" I headed back to the corner and sat there until night fell.
In the darkness I saw the sword I dropped on the way in, the one thing that was supposed to protect her, was lying there, like it was mocking me. I stared at it for awhile until the thought came in my head. Maybe if I was gone they would bring her back. Maybe if I was dead they would be forced to turn her back. Then I snapped. What the hell was I thinking? First of all killing myself was going to do no good at all. And if I did, they would probably still not turn her back. I knew that I had to get myself together and do something. If I truly cared about Lina, I would do something about it.
Morning came and I had sorted myself out, cleaned myself up and gathered my things. I headed down to the restaurant, where I noticed Amelia sitting alone not looking her usual self. I couldn't blame her after the way I treated her. She blinked in suprise though when she saw me heading over and then I sat down with her.
"I'm sorry for the way I treated you Amelia, but I had to sort things out on my own. I now realise that I still have a job to do, I'm still Lina's protector, and that means I have to do whatever it takes to get her back. But first of all I have to get something to eat..." I gave Amelia a little wink to which she responded with a happy squeal, leaping out of her chair and hugging me tightly.
"Oh, Gourry-san! You're back! And it's about time too!"
I frowned a little with the way she was hugging me, as it was drawing the attention of the others. I slowly managed to bat her off. I ordered the usual and when it finally came, I couldn't wait to get started. "Excellent! Now Lina! No stealing my..." I knew this was a bad idea, having food without Lina. I clenched my fist as I hung my head. I then felt a hand on my own, and as I looked up I saw Amelia looking at me with concern.
"It's ok. Lina-san did exactly the same when you were taken. Just eat up, you need your strength." I nodded slowly and began eating, not like I normally do, but I still got through it all slowly.
Once finished I sat there for a few moments as I began to think, trying to work out what we were going to do. I felt lost because I was so used to Lina working these things out, she was the one who had the knowledge, the know-how. She told me what to do and I did it, she explained everything to me, and now I had to work it out myself. I took my time trying to work it out but got slightly distracted by Amelia.
"We need to work out what to do, we need a plan."
"I know Amelia, I'm trying to work it out, but I don't even know where to start...Start..." I looked up to Amelia as it suddenly hit me. "Go back to where it all began. Veryna..."
Kurage

12.9
When we phased back in again, I pulled out of Xellos's grasp and gave him as hard a shove as I could. I wanted to beat the crap out of him, to make him bleed and suffer. He had just ruined my life, and all he could do was just stand there and grin at me happily as if he had just been given a lollie for free.
I hated him. I hated him and Zelas and I hated the fate I led myself into. I hated the fact that I was forced to do this and I was forced to leave Gourry and the world and lifestyle I had grown accustomed to because Zelas decided she wanted a pretty sword and wouldn't take no for an answer.
I stepped away from Xellos and stopped, looking around me. It was dark, and grey, and your typical stereotyped bad-guy lair; cold, dim, and sterile. I looked around and noticed that Zelas was gone. That just made it all worse.
I turned back to Xellos.
“Well?” I snapped, clenching my fists. “Get it over with.”
Xellos nodded slowly, still smiling. “Oh yes, momentarily. We just have to wait for Juuo-sama to return.”
I sighed. “You're kidding me, right? You make me do this, make me leave Gourry and my life, and now you make me wait to do it?”
Xellos shrugged. “Call it a little political setback.”
That was it. I was sick of him. I walked right over to him, brought forward my fist, and cracked him right smack on his nose. The contact made a nice pleasant breaking noise, and when he wheeled back from the force of the blow, I felt much better. I mean, I still felt dread, but it was nice to share that with someone who deserved it more than I did.
Xellos cowered and clutched his hands to his nose, the smile completely gone now. “You're lucky that you're on our side now, Lina-san,” he said, his voice muffled. “I would usually kill someone for that.”
“I don't care. You can go to hell.” I answered. He looked up at me, and I responded to this look by giving him the finger.
This was answered by low, feminine chuckling. I jumped and turned quickly, and sitting in the stone throne that was void just five seconds ago was a woman. Zelas had returned, and this time, she looked in a much better mood than before.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Xellos bow, but I absolutely refused to do that, no matter how intimidated I was. “Well?” I said to her, crossing my arms over my chest. “Are you going to get it all over with?”
Zelas raised an arched eyebrow, slowly taking a long drag from the cigarette she held. “You're a little eager, aren't you?” she observed.
“Like hell I am,” I snapped back. “I just don't want to think about this anymore. I'm in too much pain and too much anger to actually face it all. I would rather forget about it all. You drove me to this. Now get it over with. I'm sick of your kind.”
Zelas smiled slowly. It was a calm, deliberate, and very creepy smile. She slowly rose from her throne and set the cigarette aside. Before I knew it, Xellos had my arms behind my back again. I swore at him, but he just held fast.
Zelas reached into one of her front pockets and produced a long silver needle, about the length of my forearm. I frowned at it, but before I could ask, Zelas moved forward quicker than I could follow and buried the needle into my stomach, just below my sternum.
The sudden pain was so intense that I gasped sharply before I could control myself. At the sound, Xellos tightened his grip on me, but I couldn't squirm away anyways. Zelas kept me impaled on that needled for about a minute, which was a VERY painful experience, but not as painful as what was to come.
When she pulled it out, I bite my lip to strangle off a cry of pain, but it still could be heard in my throat. Xellos let me go, and I put a hand over the wound, feeling the blood soak through my glove. I hunched over, the pain getting to me.
“So...is that it?” I demanded between gasps, trying to stay composed. “You just…stab me and I'm….a Mazoku…?”
“I'm afraid it's not that simple, Lina-san,” Xellos answered mildly. I turned sharply to him, starting to demand what he meant by that, but the words died on my tongue before they could reach my lips. I got my answer.
It was like fire. I could feel it spreading from that one small pinprick, spreading up and down, from head to toe. Except it wouldn't stop burning. It wouldn't stop hurting. I gasped and collapsed to my hands and knees, gritting my teeth against it. I could already feel the sweat springing to my brow, the tears rimming my eyes, and indeed, I certainly cried out from it all, but the worst part was the fact that I could FEEL myself changing into something I was not. I could FEEL my body rebel, FEEL the changes in my blood and body, and I could FEEL the pain taking over and killing all that I was inside.
I don't know how many times I screamed from it. I'm glad that I don't. It's one of those times I wish I could forget, that I wish I could erase from my memory and the memories of everyone else. All I know is, at one point, I fell, and I couldn't move, and I could taste blood and feel it pouring out of me, and I couldn't do anything to stop it, because I had asked for this and I had brought it on myself.
“Gourry...” I remember whispering, my last coherent thought, before the pain sapped me dry and I fell into that darkness that is oblivion.
Dramata

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