"Mmm!" Lina flopped onto her bed. Having a princess along meant that they could get reimbursed for any expenses on yet aother quest to save the world. Four Darknesses down, eight to go. She sighed.
From Xelos's descriptions, it would take them another day's travel to get to where the roads parted. The group had not as yet decided who would go with who, but Lina thought it was fairly obvious. Zel would go down the road that would take him to the Wishing Amulet's owners, and Amelia would accompany him because she had a crush on him. Lina would go the other way, undoubtedly with Gourry and Xelos in tow. Very obvious.
At least she wouldn't be alone with Xelos.
Satisfied, she rolled over and went to sleep.
Xelos materialized in her room shortly. Softly, so as not to wake Lina up, he inquired to Lina in her dreamstate, "Crysanth, can you hear me?"
The woman shimmered slightly as her translucent body came into existence. Her expression told Xelos she was somewhat annoyed, but also curious about his reasons for coming.
Xelos was relieved. He'd supposed that while Lina was in a light sleep mode he'd be able to communicate with her Angel, because humans who were not sleeping heavily were able to hear things around them and interpret them as dreams. "I have a few questions I'd like to ask you. Answer with a nod meaning 'yes' or a shake of the head meaning 'no'. Understand?"
She nodded, an amused smile on her face. The amusement faded when Xelos posed his question.
She obviously was startled and started to ask a question of her own, forgetting that she could not speak.
"Just answer the question, Crysanth."
She stared at him, then nodded in shock.
Xelos mused over that carefully.
Crysanth tried to get his attention, obviously concerned about his question.
He glanced at her."I'm aware of the catch in that, Crysanth. But if I can pull it off, no tricks whatsoever, will you feel anger or regret?"
Crysanth shook her head.
Xelos smiled. "Well then. Good night." He glanced at Lina, then at her Angel. Shrugging, he leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek. Coming up to meet Crysanth's accusing gaze he laughed quietly. "Trust me, I'm more interested in awake partners."
She crossed her arms and stared stonily at him.
He waved her good bye."Do me a final favor: Don't tell Lina what happened just now, okay? All of it." He faded away.
Crysanth wished, at times like these, that she could sit down on something and feel it beneath her. She could use it.
Lina awoke the next morning feeling like she'd had a really weird dream, but chalked it up to recent events and left it at that.
"Onwards, towards glory and justice for all!" Amelia cried, gesturing madly. "This road shall lead us to dreaded enemies and such we shall destroy in the name of love and justice! Yadda yadda yadda..."
The group collectively tuned her out. Amelia's speeches got to the point where they were almost formed from formulas. Ex.: 'Some form of Evil' is 'some type of bad' plus 'powers of love and justice' times twenty or so equals 'glory and justice' point 'good heroes'.
Zel had stayed up half the night making a last ditch effort to explain to Gourry everything that was happening. Finally Gourry understood this much: "Lina's not going to be Lina for much longer. We're going to fight bad guys who want to kill all of us."
Zel sighed. That Gourry had understood that much was already a lot to expect from him. GLOMP Zel glanced down and saw Amelia hugging him.
"Ne, Zelgadis, after we get your cure can we get married can we can we huh huh?"
Zel stared at the princess."Is that an order?"
"Do you want it to be?"
"No."
"Okay then: no, it's not."
"Then no, we're not getting married."
Amelia pouted."ZEL~~!"
Zel pulled her off his body and ignored her.
Gourry asked Lina,"So where are we going?"
Lina shrugged."Hey Xelos! Where're we going?"
Xelos popped up beside her."Why, Lina-chan! You're asking me?" He sounded delighted.
Donk
"Please don't scare me like that. I might just have to kill you."
Xelos rubbed his head, grinning. "Yes'm. Well, the path you want takes you through Winshorl Village and the other takes you through Dintirc Town."
Gourry perked up. "Dintric Town? I know people there!"
Lina looked at him curiously. "Oh yeah? Like who?"
"My mom and dad!"
Lina fell over, and Xelos looked as though he were tempted to do the same. Zel, having overheard the conversation, put a hand to his hand and muttered several uncomplimentary comments.
Amelia was undaunted. "Really? So you'll be coming with Zel and me to visit them?"
"Sure!" Gourry grinned. "I haven't been home in a long time anyways."
Lina's heart skipped a beat. If Gourry was taking the other path, then...
Xelos beamed. "Well, Lina-chan, looks like it'll just be the two of us!"
Great. Just great.
They walked on, or, in Lina's case, trudged on. She trailed behind the rest of them, muttering to herself.
Zel and Xelos walked a bit away from the group. Gourry was telling Amelia all about his family life.
Zel said out the corner of his mouth in a low voice, "You try anything and I'll kill you."
Xelos smiled serenely back, which scared Zel more than an evil grin would have. "But what if it's with her permission?"
Zel sighed."Then by all means, do whatever you want to. But only by her permission."
Xelos smiled and nodded."But, are you really going to use that Wishing Amulet to turn back into a human?"
"Of course!"
Xelos shrugged. "I dunno. Being a chimera has made your more powerful. As a human you were extremely limited. If I were you I would just wish for happiness or love or something you think you can't get unless you're human and be done with it." He moved ahead of Zel, leaving him to think.
To wish for happiness...and retain my strengths? Zel thought about it. The idea had never really occured to him, since he'd always figured that a chimera wouldn't be accepted by human society and therefore would never be happy. Happiness...that would be an option worth considering. He suddenly glanced at Xelos, startled. Why would he bother to tell me that? There must be a trick, a catch somewhere. He contemplated it, trying to figure out Xelos's trick.
Xelos glanced backwards over his shoulder and saw the chimera deep in thought. Not about what he'd said; oh no, the chimera would have to take it as a another trick of Xelos's.
However, this time it wasn't a trick.
Xelos was genuinely curious as to why Zel wanted to be human so badly. Humans were weak. Zel had become aware of the fact that he was fast approaching the point that he could no longer become more powerful. At least, as a human. Being a chimera had offered him powers, retained his skill with a sword, added speed and invincibility to ordinary swords - all he wanted was happiness, right? How come he was so sure being human would give him that? He was bound to miss his former skills and added abilities. And more likely than not he'd forget he wasn't made of stone or he wasn't as fast as he used to be and he'd get killed as a result.
Xelos shrugged. He'd offered advice and that same advice had been refused. If Zel regretted it later in life that was his problem.
Xelos's mind switched tracks and he thought about the upcoming time alone with Lina. Finally, after going through several theories of seduction he settled on a simple but effective mode. Gentle, constant, and helpful. But then, that's what I usually am, so no more secrets, - which I know I'm going to hate, oh well- and no displays of evil towards her. While that seems to turn on a great many people who hope to convert me to good it just scares her silly. And no references to the fact that I basically own her. That's just stir the pot. He glanced back at Lina, who by now had stopped muttering and looked as if she was having a conversation with her Angel.
You can always tell when they talk to their Angels. They have this odd look on their faces. Xelos mused.
Lina indeed was having a conversation with Crysanth. She was learning a couple more spells, one utilising a mixture of lightning and wind, the other an odd mixture of ice and fire.
She was also complaining about the travel plans, much to Crysanth's amusement.
:Lina, love, it can't be that bad...:
To which Lina responded by providing at least a dozen reasons why he was that bad.
Crysanth, despite knowing Mazoku were generally evil and deserving whatever they got, couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Xelos.
A bit.
She viewed the situation with more amusement than sorrow. She was indeed apologetic for Lina's apparent untimely demise, as she was a rather intriguing girl and fun if dangerous to be around if you had a physical body. But if the Mazoku succeeded in his plan, Crysanth would be very happy.
But first he had to get Lina to agree to...
Crysanth shook her head. If she even mentioned the idea to Lina it wouldn't work. The whole thing would be nullified, because...
The group continued on, finally reaching the fork in the road. There were good byes all around, and a few last minute details Xelos had to fill the other group in.
"Gourry, have fun at your family reunion, okay? Are you going to try to wish for anything?"
"Me? I'll have fun. And I don't need to wish for anything!" He grinned.
"That's good. Amelia, are you going to wish for anything?"
"Well, I'd try to wish for peace and justice all over the world, but that seems a little much for an amulet to grant, so maybe I'll just wish for Zel to fall in love with me!" She giggled.
Lina frowned."That wouldn't be very nice. Isn't love supposed to be given freely? Or am I mistaken?"
Amelia stopped giggling. She stared at Lina, then smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. You're right. Maybe I'll just wish for a new pony for some poor kid or something."
Lina nodded. She turned to Zel. "I don't need to wish you luck. I know you're going to be happy."
He cocked his head at her. Was turning back into a chimera true happiness? He was having second thoughts. Instead of voicing his concerns he said, "Lina, I wish you the best of luck on your part of the journey. And kill him if he gets fresh." He eyed Xelos, who smiled back.
"Ne, everybody, see you at the frozen River Shayil!" Lina waved.
So thus they parted, but only for a fairly short time.
In the shadows watched several figures."Do we merely go for Lina or do we go for both?"
"The others pose no threat."
"But to kill them would be chaotic."
"No it wouldn't, because if you killed them to be chaotic then you wouldn't be doing something chaotic. Chaos needs no reasons. We can leave them alone for no reason at all. Besides, we should kill Lina, as she's the only one who can stop our chaos. The others will die shortly after she does."
Dark laughter filled the air.
4 words: I love twisted logic.