The ashes of the rampaging mazoku scattered as the winds blew and a low, heavy silence fell over the battle-ravaged area.
"Xellos," Lina asked hesitantly. "Did you have to do THAT to it?"
Yes Lina-san, I did."
"Why?"
The mazoku smiled. "Sore wa himitsu desu." The others cast him wary looks and began to walk away from the now empty, scorched area.
"Do you ever get tired of it?" A low voice asked him. Xellos turned to find Zelgadiss watching him from behind his hood and mask.
"Tired of what Zelgadiss-san?"
"Keeping so many secrets."
Xellos blinked. "Why would I get tired of that?"
"It must be lonely, never being able to share anything of yourself with your friends."
He was beginning to feel a little uneasy about this conversation, there was something in the chimera's eyes. "Really Zelgadiss-san, if anyone in our little group is lonely, it would be you."
"Maybe I am."
That was not the response he had been expecting. "Oh really? Are you going to share yourself now Zelgadiss-san?"
The chimera walked forward until there was barely any space between them, his eyes capturing the mazoku in their sapphire depths. "Maybe." He whispered softly, one stone hand raising to gently caress the priest's cheek. Xellos did something he rarely ever did: he panicked and teleported away immediately.
Those eyes, Xellos found himself trembling. Something about those eyes frightened him.
Zelgadiss stared at the space Xellos had recently occupied and frowned. That had not been the response he had expected. Not that it really mattered, he had made his move, now it was Xellos' turn, he'd just have to wait and see what the mazoku would do. He smiled underneath his mask as he turned to follow the others. If Xellos made him wait too long for a response, he'd just have to chase the mazoku a little more.
The wind ruffled his cape as he stepped carefully through the charcoal remains of what had once been a cornfield. His gaze drifted to the burnt out husk of a farmhouse and he wondered briefly if anyone other than ha and Xellos had seen her, the little girl who had appeared in the window shortly before the mazoku they had been fighting had destroyed it. He didn't think so, at the very least the action would have drawn a justice speech from Amelia, but the princess had been silent.
He kept walking until signs of green began to show through the smouldering black, and then kept going until the area was completely undamaged. He could see the others walking in front of him, but he made no move to catch up. Sometimes he felt more a lone with them than without them and this was one of those times. With luck however, he would not be alone for much longer.
Chapter 1 | Fanfiction