Zelgadiss wondered the corridors of Beastmaster's palace. He was completely bored. Being a lower mazuku was no fun. He wasn't sent out on any missions, because he wasn't as strong. Well, at least that's what Xelloss and Xellas said. He wasn't as strong as some of her higher minions, however, he still had enough power to do some of the less strenuous chores. He had a feeling it was Xelloss being overly protective and Xellas going along to protect her favorite minion. He was going to have to talk with Xelloss and come up with some kind of compromise, because he was growing incredibly bored.
Zelgadiss walked into Xellas' main chamber, where his master was pacing the floor, taking long nervous drags off her cigarettes. The long drags caused her to go through cigarettes in a very fast pace, as she reverted to chain smoking.
"Master, are you O.K.?" Zelgadiss asked, as he cocked his head, and slowly walked up to her.
"Oh, I'm fine." she answered. However, it wasn't fine. She'd heard from Dynast that Shabrinigdo had visited him and was probably going to come to visit her as well. She wasn't nervous for her own sake, however, she was nervous for Zelgadiss' sake. Every time anyone mentioned Shabrinigdo, Zelgadiss would get nervous and find a way to leave the room. Xellas took this as a precognitive sense, that told Zelgadiss, that Shabrinigdo was somehow going to harm him.
She looked at Zel. Damn, why did Zel let Xelloss help him pick his wardrobe. Zel was wearing practically nothing, shirtless with a long skirt/loin-cloth that slitted up to the hip. She sighed. She hoped Zel's feelings were just nerves.
She suddenly sensed what she'd been dreading and suddenly frowned. "Zel?"
"Yes, master?"
"Leave!"
"Wha...?"
"Shabrinigdo's coming..."
She watched as Zel got a panicked look on his face, and backed out towards the door. However, before he could get to it, the door slammed shut from the force of the entity that appeared in the center of the room. Zel eyes widened and he backed into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
"Hello, Xellas, how have you been doing?"
Xellas was already on the ground, bowing to her master. "I have been fine. May I ask why I have the pleasure of your visit? I would think you would be already trying to conquer the world, like you tried last time."
The dark lord smiled, "Did you see that work, last time?"
"LAST TIME, I was there last time and you can't be Shabrinigdo!!" Zelgadiss stepped out of the shadows, not being able to believe this was the same Shabrinigdo, Lina, Gourry, and him had fought. He suddenly stopped, as the tall man turned to him, resting his glowing red eyes on him.
"Or maybe I could be wrong." He grimaced, and pulled away. Why had he done something so stupid? He had felt nothing but bad vibes ever since Shabrinigdo had been reborn, and here he was stepping right out into the open, bringing the attention he had dreaded.
The mazukun king stepped towards Zelgadiss and Zel's eyes widened. He was actually quite handsome. He was very tall and muscular, not a fake buffed up muscular, but the lean, strong muscles of someone who had built up his muscle through everyday activities. His face was smooth and dark, with long black hair cascading down his back.
"Do I know you?" he asked, his eyes wondering up and down Zel.
Zelgadiss slowly backed away. He didn't like the way he was looking at him.
"Ah, I remember. You were with that Lina Inverse brat. The one who defeated me last time." He smiled lewdly, and stroked a cheek. "You've changed."
"Yes..." Zel muttered trying to get away from the hands that were wondering down his cheeks and now down his neck towards his chest, "...I...I became human again, then...." batting a hand away, "I became a mazuku."
Shabrinigdo chuckled, as his hands wondered back up to touch his soft face. "Who do you belong to?"
"What?!"
"Well, a pretty thing, like you, would belong to someone. Someone would have to be blind not to snatch you up."
Zel just stared at the dark king. He'd been having bad feeling about Ruby Eye, but he never expected him to flirt with him. He looked over at Xellas, whose jaw had dropped to floor and whose eyes were as large as saucers. He figured she hadn't expected this either.
Zel looked back to the handsome face. "Why? Why do you want to know who I belong to?"
"I want to know who I'm taking you from."
Xelloss phased back to his home. He ran down the hallway to his master's main chamber. Over the years, he'd formed a bond with Zel. It had started the first day he'd been with Zel, and had been dormant during the time he had been separated from him. Then, when he'd found him again, it had started to rebuild, becoming stronger. He'd been able to get some of Zel's feelings and some wisps of thought. That had existed the two years they'd been with Lina's group and into the time Zel had left the group and Xelloss had followed him. However, since he had at last won Zelgadiss' heart, the bond was stronger. He could get his thoughts, when he concentrated. He could also know what he was doing.
He had sensed Zel's boredom, while he was out on the mission. He had started to plan on how to minimize that boredom, once he returned. Then, through Zelgadiss, he had felt the presence of his master, Shabrinigdo. He sensed Zel's discomfort and his masters overtures to him. Xelloss had immediately panicked and ran home.
He charged into Xellas' chamber. She turned around and ran to him.
"Where is he? Where is Zelgadiss?"
"Well, he...he...", stammering, for the first time that he'd known her, her fingers twiddling together in nervousness.
"WHERE IS HE?"
"Shabrinigdo took him!"
"And you didn't stop him."
"What?! Fight against my own master! Are you crazy?!"
"I'm going after him!"
"Xelloss, you can't fight him, he'll kill you without a second thought."
"Without Zel, I'm dead anyway." He concentrated on where Zelgadiss was and phased there.
Shabrinigdo turned around to face Xellas' priest.
"Xelloss, it's good to see you. May I ask why you have visited?" as he lifted a mocking eyebrow.
Xelloss stared at Zelgadiss, being held by Shabrinigdo. Zel only came to his chest, and Shabrinigdo had a arm wrapped possessively around Zel's shoulder pinning him to his side.
Xelloss stalked forward, "You know why I'm here. You had no right to take him, he's mine!"
Shabrinigdo's eyes glowed a darker red, "And your Xellas', and she's mine, and I can take whatever I want."
"NO, LET HIM GO!" Xelloss screamed and fired at Shabrinigdo, who easily caught it and fired back, hitting Xelloss in the chest, knocking him down.
"XELLOSS, STOP IT. HE'LL KILL YOU." Zelgadiss screamed, tears forming in his eyes.
"No, you're mine. He can't take you." Xelloss stood up shaking, preparing to attack again.
Shabrinigdo growled, "I can understand why you would come for this one. But, you are wearing my patience." He fired a spell, intent on killing Xelloss.
"NOOOOO," Zelgadiss screamed, trying to pull away.
Suddenly, a force field formed around Xelloss deflecting the spell.
"XELLAS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"I'm protecting my servant." stated the dark lord, standing between Shabrinigdo and Xelloss, her head bowed in respect, "Please, forgive him, he did a very foolish thing and fell in love with this individual and you know what that can do to a mazuku."
Shabrinigdo thought for a moment, looking down at Zel, who looked at him pleading, then sighed, "If you can make him behave, I'll let him go this time."
"NO, I WON'T "BEHAVE" ," his voice dripping with sarcasm," HE'S MINE, YOU...."
Xelloss hit the floor as he was back handed by Xellas.
"You shut up, before you get us both killed." She turned to her master, picking up a dazed Xelloss, "Thank you, master." She bowed and phased out with both of them.
Zelgadiss watched them phase away, the tears he was holding back, coming unrestrained.
"Now, now, my pretty, don't cry." Shabrinigdo pulled up Zel's chin to wipe the tears away. "I promise I won't hurt you."
"LET GO OF ME!" he screamed, pushing away, and running down the hallway.
Shabrinigdo watched him go and sighed. There was no place to go and he wasn't strong enough to phase through the wards he'd set up. He had time to make this pretty one his.
Zelgadiss wondered the hallways. He couldn't find a way out no matter what he did. He was becoming very frustrated. He needed to get back to Xelloss. He needed to find out how he was.
"Hello, my pretty!"
Zel spun around to see a set of red eyes staring at him. Shabrinigdo leaned causal against a wall, smiling at him. He got up and walked towards Zel, who nervously backed away. He found himself quickly pinned to a wall and could only stare into those red eyes. He felt his breathing quicken as Shabrinigdo moved a few inches from him.
"Don't be nervous, my sweet!" he purred, "as I said before, I won't hurt you." He looked down at his lovely mazuku, who just stared at him. "Does my eyes make you nervous. I guess I should tone them down." He chuckled, "I'm not in battle, no one to intimidate, huh."
His eyes lightened down, and the red faded to white and rested in the irises surrounding slitted pupils. He reached out his hands to grab Zel's, pulling his hands together and to his chest. He leaned forward to kiss Zel. Zel just stood there, fear and shock keeping him from moving. Shabrinigdo's lips were mere inches from Zel's, when he felt a sudden guilt. "Xelloss!" He quickly turned his head.
Xelloss sighed. He hadn't been able to think of anything else, his mind concentrating on the link he had with Zel. He knew Zel had not loved him as long, so his link with Xelloss was weaker and therefore he could not sense Xelloss' fear.
But, he had gotten enough of a connection, that he could still feel Xelloss on a more subconscious level and it had been enough to get him to turn his head. Xelloss sighed, "Fight him, my love."
Shabrinigdo was not going to give in that easily. He pulled Zelgadiss back and smiled at the delicate face. "Don't turn from me. Give me a chance to prove myself to you." He leaned forward and kissed Zel, passionately.
Zel struggled, but found the close quarters and the passion of the kiss very compelling. This was the Mazukun King, powerful and handsome. He was also a great kisser.
Shabrinigdo pulled back to looked into the flushed and dazed face of his soon-to-be lover. He smiled at the stunned face that looked back up at him. He then leaned forward and kissed him again. This time there was less of a struggle. He pulled away again to look at Zel, running a hand up one of Zel's bare thighs.
"No, don't...", but was interrupted by another kiss. Zel felt his mind going to mush. He definitely could not think this way. He felt himself being lifted and carried, he tried to struggle some more, but all Shabrinigdo did was kiss him with more intensity. He then felt himself being placed on something soft. Shabrinigdo stopped kissing him to let him go. Zel looked around, his breathe ragged. "A bed, oh no, he put me on a bed. He's serious."
He looked around and watched as the mazukun king took off his clothes. Zel blushed and turned his head. "This is not happening. This is not happening. I'm not being seduced by the Ruby Eyed Lord, Shabrinigdo. I'm having a nightmare. That's it, I'm having a nightmare." He turned his head to see a now naked Shabrinigdo, walking to him. He felt his breathe catch. "Oh my, nightmares aren't suppose to look that good."
Shabrinigdo climbed onto the bed, straddling Zel. He very gently untied the side of Zel's skirt/loin cloth, opening it up, and pulling it off. Zelgadiss felt his breathing quicken as he felt the weight on his chest increase as Shabrinigdo leaned forward to kiss him again. Zel couldn't concentrate. All he could think about was the naked body on top of him. The next thing he could only concentrate on, was his legs being parted as Shabrinigdo place himself between them.
Shabrinigdo pulled away again, smiling at he noted his lovers quickened breathing. He would be his soon. He leaned down and kissed his neck, moving slowly down his collar bone till he down the middle of his chest. He then kissed and nibbled to the side till he came to a nipple, where he slowly sucked on it, flitting the tip of his tongue across it. He was please by the moan that escaped his lovers lips and he slowly worked over to the other nipple to make sure it got it's fair treatment.
Zelgadiss moaned. Almost all his inhibitions where gone. The part that screamed to make this stop was steadily losing. Shabrinigdo kissed his way back up to his lips, while running his hands up and down Zel's thighs and buttock. He claimed Zel's lips again, and Zel put up barely a struggle at all.
Shabrinigdo grabbed Zel's thighs, pulling him into position.
"Do you want me?" he asked hungrily.
"No, I don't," came the feeble response, which was interrupted by another long kiss.
Shabrinigdo stared at him again, feeling Zel's hunger. "Do you want me?"
"No." He was kissed again. This time Shabrinigdo put every ounce of passion he had into it, slipping his tongue into his mouth, savoring the taste and the moans that the kiss elicited from his lover. He pulled away again.
"Do. You. Want. Me?" his own breathe ragged and hungry.
"YES," Zel gasped, unable to control the desire.
Shabrinigdo smiled. Zelgadiss was his.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
Xelloss' scream could be heard through the Beastmaster's palace. She came running, finding her minion collapse on the floor. He lay there as if unconscious, curled into a fetal position. She pulled him into her arms, looking at his face. His eyes were open, staring out at nothing. He appeared to be in a vegetative state. His mind had retreated.
Xellas placed her hand on his forehead, gently probing his mind, trying to find what he was hiding from. She found it. The link with Zelgadiss. She touched the link, and quickly sensed what had driven Xelloss' mind into hiding. Shabrinigdo was making love to Zelgadiss. And Xelloss was sensing all of it, every touch, every kiss, every moan that Zelgadiss made. Feeling someone making love to his mate was too much and he had pulled away. Xellas considered cutting the link, but that would just kill Xelloss.
She shook her head. That's why mazuku's didn't fall in love often, if ever. The connection became too strong, cutting it was like cutting out a vital part.
She pulled Xelloss close, stroking the cheek of the one who, after all these years had become like a son to her. She sighed, tears running down her cheek. Xelloss couldn't cut the link, and he couldn't consciously deal with what it told him. So, he had gone to an unconscious state, although he still could sense everything from Zelgadiss.
She picked up Xelloss' limp body and lovingly carried him to his room. Another lower minion followed, carrying his staff. She laid him on his bed removing his cloak and shoes. Then removed his shirt, the way he preferred to sleep. Then covered him up. She turned to the lower minion, taking the staff.
"Mistress?"
"Yes."
"Why are you doing this? He's no use to you this way, and most likely he won't be changing. Why don't you end it and...?"
"WHAT?! KILL HIM. IS THAT WHAT YOUR ASKING?!"
"But master, the link is going to cause him a lot of pain. He's got to be in hell. Shouldn't you release him and find a new priest?"
"No," glaring at the minion, who cowered away. "He's been loyal so long, I can't bring myself to kill him. Besides, as long as Zelgadiss is alive, there's a chance for Xelloss to get him back. " Xellas leaned the staff on the headboard of the bed. "He deserves to have the chance."
Zelgadiss laid there, crying. "How could he have done this? How could he betray Xelloss like this?" He sobbed, "I still love him. Why did I do this?"
Shabrinigdo sat looking down at his lover. He could feel the guilt and pain that filled Zel. He pulled Zel's limp, sobbing body into his arms. He held him for a long time, running his fingers through the soft brown hair.
He'd been such a fool. He'd planned to take this one, seduce him, have his fun, and then return him, a little used. However, he sighed, he could already feel the link forming, sending waves of feelings and thoughts from Zelgadiss. He sighed, nuzzling his face into the head of brown hair. He felt tears run down his face. He was a fool. He'd fallen in love. He chuckled to himself, they say every good thing has some evil, and every evil thing has some good. Guess he'd found his good.
"Now, I can't return him." he said to himself.