It was finally the evening of the longest day of her life. Well, if she didn't count the "incident" (the scene that resulted in her taking off). Her lashes fanned waxen cheeks, and for a moment, she enjoyed the solitude. Then with a tiny sigh and a resigned chuckle she exclaimed:
"Do you need anything Willow?"
"(Tee-hee) Nothing, gets by you huh?" She glided out from behind a tree her silvery gaze glowing with a hint of mirth. The mysterious woman took a seat next to Ameria (who was sprawled out on the grass), and playfully ruffled her younger friend's hair. "I wish I could have arrived earlier. Nyoko and I were taking care of a few details..."
"Oh you mean the lesser demons are still trailing after me?" Willow shook her head, even as she was amazed by her friend's intuition. "Was the reunion too painful?"
"Surprisingly enough...no. It was almost as if nothing had ever happened..." Almost. After being hugged, coddled and generally pampered by her long ago companions (even Xellos got a mite emotional ^^;;) they found a cozy inn. Over a large and sumptuous dinner fare, Lina regaled the group with some of her newest exploits. Phiria continued the entertainment with amusing little stories about the rapidly growing Valgaarv and Zelgadiss brought Ameria up to date with all the latest developments in their group (for example: Sylfiel's marriage; Naga's return...etc.). Ameria then explained the experiences she went through over the course of her 6-year absence. "I got to explain how I met you and Nyoko." She confessed with a giggle. After managing to catch the interest of a Cefied temple (and eventually take the title as "Head Priestess of Cefied"), she had been ambushed in a clearing not too far from the town. Although, she had gotten rid of the attackers, she had been wounded herself...and on the way back to the village she stumbled into Nyoko and Willow (not a coincidence but let's let her think so).
"A part of you aches does it not?" Willow queried gently.
"Of course it does..." Ameria didn't even pretend to misunderstand or give some bullshit answer. "They apologized and I know that they meant it..."
"Though it bothers you that Lina and Zelgadiss could say such things in the first place." It was a statement of fact, not a question.
"Yes, I'll admit...I really did miss them."
"You love him still." Ameria nodded, a shuddering sigh passing her lips. She brushed at her wet cheek in irritation. "It matters not...my destiny is closing in." The enigmatic phrase was intoned dully, her expression hollow and accepting of fate's hand.
"A new vision?" Willow whispered, respectful of a fellow prophet's power.
"Yes, but this is one I must carry within my heart 'till the end." Ameria did not mention that the "end" was fast approaching. She shivered and prepared herself for the worst.
Zelgadiss felt lower than an unwanted insect. He watched Ameria cry in silence, wishing he could do something, to make up for the damage. However, he wondered...what precisely was wrong with her...the curse that was "killing her". In essence she seemed fine! Then as if to prove him wrong she curled into a ball wracking coughs shaking through her dimunitive form. Willow crooned softly and held the youth until the fit had passed a faint hint of sadness in the earth-real features. This had to be the worst sensation he had ever known...all because he was the center of her pain. He straightened and staunchly pushed his depression away. Even if it killed him, he would atone for his misdeeds!
Xellos sat quietly with his daughter her head resting on his shoulder in an echo of the past. He remembered the time he had spent in her world, a truly pleasant memory. It had been a nice respite from his chaotic existence, and it was an experience he, quite possibly, would never forget. As he studied his child's sleeping countenance under the moonlight, he tried to push away the nagging unease that clawed at the back of his brain. Like Willow, he had been "blessed" with the ability to see, with some clarity, into the future. He knew as Ameria's powers grew, and further developed she too was gaining the foresight of a prophet, which pained him...for he also realized she was fully aware of her destiny. Nyoko...his little one was almost as secretive as he himself was! Luckily though he shared with her a deep, long lasting bond...so he was able to tell what she was feeling, even thinking at times.
Was his Mistress fully aware of everything that was to happen? Knowing her as well as he did...probably, meaning she also must have anticipated the course of action he will soon take. Xellos hoped she would not be insulted or take this next decision as an act of betrayal. She was in essence his mother...and his loyalty usually lay with her. Either way, he had to protect his own. He had such few true friends as it was, and he was not about to sit idle whilst one threw her life away! The Trickster Priest wrinkled his nose as a certain Dragon Maid popped into his thoughts. Now more than ever, he had to keep his distance...The Greater Beast would only use Phiria as a means of punishment. Nyoko could handle her own, and besides that, she had in Willow a powerful ally.
What was it about that violent, prissy, and thoroughly frustrating woman that caught his interest so much? Maybe, it was the fact that she...she resembled her so much. The one woman he ever truly cared for (besides Juuou-sama his mother ^^)...the proud, fierce leader of a band of Ancient Wood Elves whose power equaled that of the Dark Lord L-Sama. Zelas-sama would retaliate...he was certain of that fact...
"Father?" Nyoko mumbled, blinking at him in a cute fashion. "Mother's death wasn't your fault you know." He smiled gently, not at all surprised by his daughter's perception. "...And father?"
"Yes?"
"Holding the one you care for away from you...it will not protect her from the wrath of your Mistress." She patted back a yawn and hugged him lightly.
"I know...I wish I could have figured out another way to solve this situation."
"Don't worry, everything will work out!" The imp exclaimed, drifting off once more into the land of Nod. Xellos settled against the tree trunk supporting him upright, deciding to take a short nap. Even his dreams held doubt and warnings of a coming horror. All he ever cherished would be taken away if he was not wary or if he was too blase then he would be taken by surprise. He had to make sure that nothing happened to them! For though he was in flesh a Mazoku, he still carried within his breast a human heart (another note: The age old argument is that Zelas created Xellos from scratch...I'm making use of another "rumor" that he was at one time human.).
Looking into the night sky, if one stares long enough the flux and ebbing of time itself becomes apparent. Well at least that is what legends say! Then again, Lina Inverse was not one to believe totally in the words of ancient text. Better learn first hand (which happens a lot) and suffer through whatever consequences may result. Well, that was until she finally grasped that her own thoughtlessness caused such a mess...and now one of her best friends would pay for it! It should be her! Not Ameria! What could she possibly do now? How...how in the world does one stop a force as powerful as the ones' orchestrating this perverted play? Gourry was in the next room...and she was half tempted to knock on the door.
Lately he had been such a comfort to her, and seemed to be able to calm her down when she needed to be rational. When he had come to mean so much to her, that she could not understand, but that was just something she would have to figure out later. Meaning, when all the danger had passed and this current problem was solved. A soft knock on her door caught the frazzled sorcerer's notice. As she opened the creaking slab of wood, she discovered, much to her surprise, a disgruntled looking blonde swordsman.
"What is it Gourry?" She questioned warily.
"Couldn't sleep...and I heard you moving about so I figured you were up too."
"Hey I have a great idea! One of the maids should still be up, so why don't we get something to eat? We can try to come up with some sort of solution over tea!" Lina reasoned getting excited over the prospect of more food. Even Gourry seemed cheered by her suggestion, and with bright smiles they set off to find a cook or employee who could make their desire for a midnight snack a reality.
Tea, precisely the thing they discovered when the pair rushed into the dinning room. Phiria sat alone, eyeing a mug brim full of fragrant herbal water with brooding intensity. She glanced up as they entered, managing to greet them with some semblance of politeness...but then she returned to staring into her homemade brew as if it was a philosopher's cauldron that would give her all the answers to her alien emotions. Precisely why she seemed to be thinking of Xellos so much of late...oh well Gourry and Lina were demanding her attention now.
What was going to happen on the morrow that puzzled her so? She sighed and allowed herself to shake those morbid quandaries away...yet when her gaze refocused she noticed the sudden appearance of Xellos and Nyoko. Tonight was surely an odd one to be sure!
"Ah it seems none of you were able to sleep all to well either." Xellos exclaimed, watching Lina and Gourry wolf down plates of spaghetti with apparent interest. Soon Willow (who swooped down on the food with a ravenous hunger, which rivaled the two already eating,) joined them all. After a bit of encouragement from her blue-haired friend, Nyoko also began devouring countless bowls of miso soup. Xellos shook his head and took a seat next to Phiria (much to her annoyance-and at the same time...pleasure).
"Most amazing don't you think?"
Phiria nodded dazedly stunned by the appetites of such...tiny people! "Yeah, all we're missing now are Ameria and Zelgadiss to round out the group."
"Hmm now that you mention it...I wonder where those two are." He replied thoughtfully, then with a shrug he leaned over and poured a piping hot cup of tea for himself. Xellos sipped the pleasant liquid with a smile bordering on bliss and murmured softly. "You do make the best Tea I've ever had." Phiria blushed over the complement, while chiding herself to remember he was a Mazoku after all.
Ameria and Zelgadiss, where were they indeed! The young priestess still sat curled up on the inn's lawn, unaware of the gathering-taking place in the area adjoining the kitchen. She also was oblivious to the continued presence of a moody chimera in fact...right now she was about to fall asleep! Tiny shivers shook her form, as the chilled wind finally got the best of her. After all, she was only wearing a fine, extremely thin night rail and that did next to nothing to keep the girl warm. Ameria would have gotten up to get a sweater or a blanket but suddenly a woolen cloak was wrapped snuggly about her delicate shoulders. She started as strong arms encircled her waist and she was drawn backwards against the hard wall of a man's chest. Even before she turned, she was aware of his identity. For a moment she snuggled against him, pleasantly surprised when his hold on her tightened and she was pulled even closer.
Finally she gathered her courage, and tilted her head to the side. Bright sapphire collided with glacial ice, and then Zelgadiss whispered softly in a voice laden with regret.
"I'm so sorry..."
"Stop torturing yourself...I'm just as much to blame."
"Wh-what?"
"I deluded myself into believing that you...well..." She trailed off brokenly, so humiliated by her previous stupidity she wished she could crawl into a hole and disappear. A wry, self-depreciating smirk passed over the chimera's stone lips and he muttered,
"All those things I said...I didn't mean them at all. I was...trying to turn you off...someone like you...doesn't deserve a monster." He stated simply, unaware of his own self-worth.
"A monster? Never!" She exclaimed fiercely.
"Innocent and sweet to the very end...that's what I have always liked best about you. You don't pretend to be what you aren't, and when you believe in something, you never give up. Even though I'm a chimera you still treat me as an equal and that means more to me than you will ever know." I love you. The words hovered in the air...not yet spoken...but never the less they both acknowledged what he was trying to say...
"Zelgadiss...if only I hadn't been so...stupid..." Ameria cursed inwardly, because she had wasted a good 6 years! Well might as well enjoy, whatever time she had left. In a rush of boldness uncommon to her nature, she leaned upwards and lightly kissed his cheek, the action caused an adorable flush to darken Zelgadiss's cheeks (and his ears!). A genuine smile, filled with tenderness was directed to Ameria and as a reaction her pulse began to race. He stood still having her gathered in his embrace and when she patted back a delicate yawn, he chuckled.
"Seems you need to be tucked into bed hmm?"
"Not yet! I'm not tired! Really!" She protested, but he ignored her exclamations and carried her inside. Contrary to her earlier arguments, the instant her head hit the pillow she started to drift off. She struggled against the insistent voice that urged her to close her eyes and surrender to the sandman. Zelgadiss gently caressed her brow and began to sing, the baritone lulling her to a state of half-sleep.
I used to love it...looking up at the sky alone in the middle of the night,
reminiscing.
I was young...more stubborn than anyone and iced over with pride.
Something about me was strange.
When I close my eyes, I can see
That person I used to be who kept his heart so closed
Fading away into the distance...
The more she attempted to fight it, the further she slipped away...
I was so lonely, but now,
I have so many friends here that never make fun of me
On the other hand, even have to force a smile.
Ah, dear friends forever.
I would laugh at things like friendship,
Dreams and beauty...and when we would meet
In a casual encounter, I'd keep refusing to come with you.
That's just the way I used to be.
Zelgadiss smiled down at her continuing to croon, moving a tad to where he sat at the edge of the bed. He placed his other hand over her palm, and still cradling it, he brought it up to his lips. His breath warmed her skin, and as his lips formed the words, she could feel the song vibrate against her flesh.
In this cold unmoving body, I feel my heart becoming warmer.
Does this feeling mean
Some one's becoming precious to me?
I believe your everything, from now on.
Since you can live so carefree with me, who can't even
Say a simple thing like "thank you"...
Friends like that are not bad at all.
Aha, dear friends forever.
She simply gave up, certain that tonight at least would provide good dreams instead of nightmares. As she started to snore the last verses taunted her...and she was able to again, feel cherished.
I'll never say goodbye to my friends
Because I'll make our dreams come true.
This is the real me, dear friends forever.
You who snapped me out of it, my dear friends forever.
[More Than Words - from the Slayers Try Treasury Vox]
Zelgadiss let his voice trail off and he sat quietly until the sun's rays washed over the mountains, watching over her as she slept.