Firia glared over at Val from across the table. "Are you going to eat or not?" Val asked annoyed. "I refuse to be fed like some caged pet!" Firia snarled Val grinned and leaned across the table and grabbed her wrist.
"Ah but thta's what you are my dear Gold. You are now my pet." Firia snarled and slapped him as hard as she could. Her sharp nails racked across his cheeks and Val smiled. Perhaps Xellos was right, there was a certain pleasure within pain.
"Never." Firia snarled, and then she noticed the blood trickleing down Val's face, and she felt guilty. She grabbed the edge of her robes and ripped the hem off. She wiped the blood off of Val's face and the Mazuko looked at her in shock.
"Why?" Val asked confused.
"I had no right to harm you. But I just can't stand being trapped like this. Not able to transform." Firia scowled. She couldn't believe she was telling this Mazuko her problems.
"What do you mean you are not able to transform."
"Garv, he placed a restraining spell on me. I will be stuck in this form for the rest of my life." Firia said softly, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Val felt horro rush through him. How could Garv do that to a Dragon, that was like ripping half of their soul away. Val scowled, so what! She was just a slave, she had no use for her other form. Still, he felt guilt numb his senses.
"I'll see what I can do." Valgarv murmured as he stood up. Firia looke dup at him in shock.
"Why?" it was her turn. Val fingered the already healed wound on his cheek.
"Because, I can't stand to see any Dragon hurt like that, even a cursed Gold. And becuase you tried to help me." Val spread his wings and suddenly flew into the air with a strangled cry that echoed long after he was gone. Firia stared after the half-Dragon, half-Mazuko, and felt pity for Val. She could sense the vast turrent of emotions that churned on the edges of him mind.
"Poor thing." Firia murmured as she cleaned up the mess that has been created by breakfeast. Not because she was Val's slave, but just because she couldn't stand to live in a dirty lair. At least Val knew how to live properly. Firia admitted as she set a pot of water onto boil, and made herself some tea.
Lina stared at Zel in shock
"Are you crazy, or just plain stupid?" she asked increadulous. Zel's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?" Zel growled. Standing behind the two, Rezo smiled a rare smile. If the two would just stop fighting long enough..... Rezo sighed at the fooolishness of youth.
"Children." his deep voice broke through the tension in the air. "No Inverse-san, neighter Zel or I are crazy, but we are serious. We have already formed a small band of fighters, and we would like you to join us."
"And what is I don't want to?"
"Like you have had any better offers." Zel growled.
"I'm starting to think those Mazuko would hve been better comapany then Mr. Personality over there." Lina muttered.
"Never say that!" Rezo barked, and Lina glanced up at him. Zel laid a hand on his grandfather's forearn. "PLease don't joke like that Lina-san. I assure you, you would not have enjoyed the MAzuko's company." Zel's voice could have frozen the raging fires of the Abyss. Rezo turned.
"I have to meet Eris." Rezo sighed, yet his violet eyes seemed to light up somewhat. "I will see you Zel, please consider our offer Inverse-san." Rezo murmured as he grabbed his staff and walked out of the door. "What's his problem?" Lina asked. Zel sighed and massaged his temples trying to dispell the headache gathering between his temples.
"It's a long story." Zel said shortly. "Look Lina, we need your help. Our fighters are skilled and disiplined but we don't have many people with magic abilities. There are only two of us to be exact. My grandfather and I. We have a small band right now. But I have received word from Queen Amelia of Seyrunne. She is going to join us, so ours is not a hopeless cause. Please, the entire world need you. All of our dissagreements aside, please, help us to defeat the Mazuko." Zel's sapphire eyes bored into Lina's. He was deathly serious. Zel held out his hand in a gesture of peace. "You have unimaginable power within you. Between my grandfather and I, we can train you to become the strongest sorceress in the world." Lina nodded.
"Alright, I'll help you, but not for the power, but because the world needs me." Lina held out her hand and Zel took it with a grin that slightly sped up Lina's heart rate.