Elkin ran his hands along the top of the door, seeming to be looking for something.
"Ah-ha!" He crowed, lifting down a key from it's hiding place. The door was quickly unlocked, and with a sarcastic bow, they were all welcomed inside. To an entirely unexpected sight of Usagi looking more than a little worried. "Umm ... Firia?"
"What's happened to Val?!" Firia hissed, a look of concern on her face.
"Y-you'd better see for yourself." Usagi beckoned for Firia to follow before dashing down the corridor, heading for cave complex within the mountain where the family lived. Panic and fear tightened Firia's throat, making each breath harsh and echoing in the stoney corridors. Usagi turned, darting into a room. Firia followed, her eyes only briefly taking in the cheerful and bright decor before focusing upon her foster son, Valtiera. And froze in shock. Little Val was cheerfully stacking blocks while maintaning a grip upon the skirt of the very pregnant woman sitting next to him. The baby almost a year old that had left her was now a little boy of about four. Feeling tears burn at the backs of her eyes, Firia slumped, kneeling on the floor, her arms reaching out for him.
"Val ..." The little boy looked up upon hearing his name. He chortled happily and ran a little clumsily over to Firia, flinging his arms about her neck.
"M'ama!" Val cooed, giving Firia a sticky kiss on the cheek. Her arms tightened around him, rocking him back and forth as her tears flowed.
"Oh ... gods ... " Xeros slid down the tunnel wall, barely able to comprehend the conflicting emotions washing over him, knowing they all came from Firia. And being utterly unable to help her. He could feel her fear, her grief, her elation ... and many emotions more, many less defined than those. Vaguely, he could feel hands upon his shoulders, arms, trying to support him ... but nothing could really get through the emotional backlash, nothing. Darkness wrapped around him, lessening the feelings, setting him adrift ....
"Is he still alive?" Amelia asked, concerned, as the tall healer flipped back an eyelid to check Xeros's eyes. Nahga snorted, standing off to the side. The healer sent her a warning glance, then turned his attention back to his patient. Gourry blinked, watching.
"Who is this guy again?" Gourry asked. The healer sighed, glancing at Gourry before directing a question at Amelia. "Is he normally like this?"
Amelia nodded.
"I am Muroc, Zel's second older brother." Muroc stood, brushed his red hair away from his face, then bent over to pick up Xeros's shoulders. "Hey, hooters, give me a hand here."
"My name is Nahga!" Nahga hissed even as she bent down to carry Xeros's legs.
"Whatever. You remember where the spare rooms are? We're heading over there."