Lagon sat down on the mat, fidgeting impatiently as he looked up through the canopy of trees to the star filled night sky. Spending the night here in the Bayou was not something he would say that he liked to do, but circumstances had brought him here. A bubbling cauldron seated upon a burning fire was bubbling noisily as a foul stench rose up from it. Situated on the opposite side of the cauldron was a wrinkled, purple skinned hag dressed in rags chanting and gesturing her hands in front of the horrid concoction.
The legendary Baba Yaga was an ancient orgress with powers in the arcane that few could ever hope to grasp. Children have been reprimanded by their parents for doing bad things by reminding them that Baba Yaga would come in their sleep and spirit them away. Her actual age was unknown, though some have attested that she was nearly as old as the stone of the world. Those that sought her out could request a service from her, though the price was always hers to decide.
"How much longer is this going to last?" Lagon muttered irritably as he swatted another mosquito. "You've been going at this for a good part of the night!" he growled.
Looking up from the cauldron, her red eyes glowed brilliantly in the night. "Patience, it was you that sought me out. Baba Yaga's power was what you seek. It is you that should have patience, for my time is nigh eternal."
Lagon grumbled to himself as Baba Yaga cackled before returning to her work.
This legend is a crackpot, I should never have wasted my time tracking her down. All those years wasted, not to mention all these blasted mosquito bite. If it wasn't for that blasted girl all those years ago, I would never be stuck in this situation.
"What is it you seek?" Baba Yaga asked as she stopped her chanting. "What desire of yours has brought you here to pay the yet untold price?"
"For a being that is powerful as yourself, surely you must already know my desire," Lagon remarked as Baba Yaga chuckled at his comment. Frowning, he continued, "I desire your skills to help me attain the ultimate power."
"Ultimate power?" Baba Yaga muttered letting the words slip off the edge of her tongue.
"Yes, I desire the power."
"Power in one man's eye is meaningless in another's."
"What?"
"One man's treasure is another man's trash."
"What are these riddles for?"
"What is the power that you seek, that you deem to be the ultimate power?" Baba Yaga answered as she tapped her fingers together.
"This," Lagon remarked reaching into his cape and holding out a bag. Taking the bag from him and looking inside, Baba Yaga inquired, "Your ultimate power is a bunch of broken glass pieces?"
Lagon facefaulted.
"And you mock me being mad," she shrugged as she examined a large piece.
"That is not what I want old crone!" Lagon roared as he snatched the bag out her grip.
"Have I not warned you of the danger with trifling with me?" Baba Yaga inquired as she wagged her finger at him reprimanding him. "Do you seek to incur my ire?" she asked, an aurora of absolute cold and darkness suddenly seeming to emanate from her.
Awestruck, Lagon apologized. "I meant no disrespect."
"Good," Baba Yaga smiled revealing her sharp crooked teeth. "So now tell me what you desire?"
"This bag holds the remains of the potent artifact known as the Shadow Reflector - " Lagon was saying before Baba Yaga's laughter interrupted him.
"Mirror that reflects only the most useless of opposite characteristics of a being. Yes, I remember that mirror very well," she cackled. "What would fill your foolish mind to play with such foolish power?"
"I want you to repair it and improve upon it," Lagon stated as Baba Yaga paused for a moment. "With your power, I am sure you can shape this mirror into the ultimate weapon against my enemies!" he said as he bowed to her. "I humbly ask for your assistance."
Scratching her chin, Baba Yaga smile, "Your request, though foolhardy, I will grant you. The mirror that reflects the shadows shall now call forth a dark version of whomever you use it on."
"Thank you," Lagon smiled before he muttered, "but what of the price that I must pay?"
"No price for this service," Baba Yaga stated as she gestured for the bag. "This service I will do for you without cost, though tread lightly with the power that I will grant you," she said as she dumped the contents of the bag into the cauldron.
Baba Yaga's vile laughter echoed throughout the Bayou as Lagon merely shuddered.
"A long time ago, there was a mage by the name of Shazaard Lugandi who was called 'the Great'. This title he earned from the many magical items of his devising. One such item was the Shadow Reflector. It was to be the perfect weapon, able to create an exact copy of whoever was reflected in the mirror's surface except for one difference. When used against the wielder's enemies, the reflection created copy, or Shadow, would be completely loyal to the mirror's wielder. However, for reasons unknown Shazaard sealed away and hid the mirror, leaving it lost in time and old musty records."
Lina looked at the flickering candlelight, as she continued, "A few years ago, I took a job from the magic guild involving this legendary mirror. But what I found out in the end was more horrifying then anything I could have ever thought."
Gourry, snoring pleasantly, broke the serious mood.
"Baka!" Lina declared whacking Gourry on the backside of the head with an iron fan.
"Huh?" Gourry muttered as he groggily shook his head.
"What is the point of me explaining things to you if you keep falling asleep?" Lina cried digging her hand into her head.
"Maybe you like to hear yourself talk?" Gourry offered.
"Forget it," Lina sighed dropping her face into the table. "I don't get why I even keep trying," she muttered tearfully.
"So what is this job we've been offered?" he asked.
Sitting back up, Lina said, "A Magic Guild that contracted me once before has a proposal for me dealing with an old case I took."
"And that was?"
"I'm not telling you because I know it's going to put you to sleep. Let's just say that I'll have to track down an old friend of mine name Lagon," Lina said as Gourry thought about it for a minute.
"Does he owe you money or something?" Gourry inquired as Lina hit the floor. "Because recently, we've been really short on cash since all of those bandits always hightail out of the region at the slightest hint of your coming."
"It's not my fault that they're afraid to confront me," Lina muttered as she pulled herself back up onto the chair.
"Well I guess we're going to have to turn in for the night until we can search for this Lagon guy tomorrow," Gourry sighed as he got up to leave.
The door to the room was kicked up as burst of wind came roaring through putting out the fire in the candle. Gourry quickly reached for his currently normal sword at his side as Lina casted a lighting spell to dispel the darkness around them.
Standing in the frame of the doorway was a specter draped in the tattered remains of hooded robes. The icy wind seemed to emanate from it as the thing turned the hood toward Gourry, studying him for a moment. Shifting its gaze toward Lina, the thing floated into the room toward her before Gourry blocked its way.
"Lina Inverse," the specter's icy voice spoke as it leaned around Gourry to her.
"That's my name," Lina smiled crossing her arms.
"I've come bring a message from my lord Lagon," it spoke as Lina and Gourry gasped.
"The plot must had been fast forward," Gourry muttered as Lina elbowed him to shut up.
"He awaits for you in the very place that was to be and will be his triumph," it spoke.
"Tell him, I'll be there and he's not going to be disappointed." Lina smiled as Gourry rubbed where she whacked him.
The specter merely nodded before it collapsed onto the ground in a heap. Lina probed the fallen cloak a bit before she ascertained there was no danger from it.
"Looks like we have an appointment to keep," Lina said as she picked up the cloak and handed it to Gourry. "Throw this away as you go to your room," she ordered.
"Thanks," Gourry muttered with a sweatdrop as Lina pushed him out of the room. Walking down the hallway, he sighed, "I wonder who is that Lagon fellow they are talking about - uf!"
Lina slammed her door as Gourry rubbed his head where Lina's boot had found its mark.
The next trip was rather uneventful as the duo trudge through the hazardous landscapes, braving many obstacles that could have just as easily been avoided. As dusk slowly crept up, Lina decided to make camp for the night. Gourry quickly fell asleep as Lina decided to take the first watch.
"This would be the perfect time to eat some sweet potatoes," Lina muttered as she poked at the fire with a branch. "What a waste this is, Lagon hasn't thrown a single thing against me."
There was a snap as a foot stepped on a branch.
Looks like Lagon isn't going to disappoint me.
"Are you Lina Inverse?" a tough looking thug demanded as he sauntered up behind her.
"How can you tell I'm her?" Lina inquired as she got up and faced him.
Standing behind the thug, not so stealthily hidden in the oh concealing shadows were at least fifty-five thugs. Most of them looked like they hadn't seen a real fight in their life; it made a body wonder where all those scars they had came from.
"I heard you were looking for someone called Lagon. Only Lina Inverse is suppose to be looking for him," the thug declared pointing an accusing finger at Lina.
"It's not nice to point," Lina reprimanded before she smiled. "And what would you do if I told you I was that very Lina Inverse?"
"That's simple," the thug chuckled as his teeth gleamed in the light. "Run away!" he roared.
Fling their weapons into the air, the thugs all turned tail and ran like a horde of lemmings.
Feeling the breeze from their sudden departure, Lina cried, "Hey! You're supposed to stay here and fight me!"
"Are you crazy? I'm not going to lose my life to a psychotic flat-chested girl!"
That blew a fuse.
Laughing maniacally, Lina yelled, "Don't think you're going to be getting away after saying that about me!"
"AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!! She's giving chase!"
Gourry stirred from his sleep by the noise and muttered, "What's with all the noise?"
Taking a look at his surrounding, he was surprised when a sudden sector of the wood in the distance was engulfed in a massive explosion.
"Looks like Lina is taking care of it," he sighed as Gourry went back to sleep.
"So you've finally come," Lagon laughed as he stood on the dais with two beastmen flanking his sides. "I must say, you took a lot longer then I'd expected, but that is no matter to me." He smiled.
"What are you up to this time? Stealing the pieces of the Shadow Reflector from the Magic Guild. Your pals back at the guild are paying me a lot to stop whatever you're doing," Lina said.
"So who is that guy?" Gourry asked pointing at Lagon.
Everyone sweatdropped as Lina facefaulted onto the ground.
"That's Lagon," Lina muttered twitching on the ground.
Looking surprised at the swordsman, Lagon cleared his throat and muttered, "I see that you've found an even more ridiculous companion to travel with. Too bad. I was hoping on getting revenge on the other person as well."
"You mean Naga?" Lina asked leaping back up.
"Yes," Lagon smiled as he held his arm up. "Anyway it is time for you to see me triumph!"
Remembering what happened last time, Lina gasped, "Impossible!"
"Huh?" Gourry stuttered.
The mural of a sun in the ceiling shifted into a black hole as the Shadow Reflector came floating down from the ceiling. It finally came to a gentle rest in Lagon's hands as he started to laugh holding the mirror before him.
Lina couldn't believe her eyes. The Shadow Reflector was destroyed, there was no way Lagon could have found another one and especially not here.
"I see that you're dumbfounded by the recent events," Lagon sneered as he walked down the stair clutching the mirror. "History will find this time to be my moment of triumph, and not the disastrous failure that it was last time."
"So what did happen last time?" Gourry questioned. Lagon was shocked.
"She didn't tell you?"
"Oh no, you see I always fall asleep during her long winded speeches."
"The last time I was here, was when Lagon used the Shadow Reflector to make a copy of me and Naga that were so utterly embarrassing I vowed never to talk about it," Lina whimpered as tears strolled down her eyes.
"I will assure you that this time around things will be different." Lagon grinned as he held the mirror at them.
"Wait a moment," Lina called as everyone freeze. "There is no way that can be the original Shadow Reflector. I personally saw it destroyed."
"You did destroy the original," Lagon answered. "But I managed to find someone powerful enough to repair and improve it for me. Now let us test the power!" he cried as the covering over the mirror opened.
"I'll leave it to you, Gourry," Lina said ducking behind him and pushing him into the view of the Shadow Reflector.
The reflection of Gourry graced the mirror as it shot a blast of light blinding everyone, before a cloud of dark mist came pouring out. Amidst all of the black mist, a form slowly took appearance as it opened its eyes. As the last of the mist dissolved away, there stood a being the looked exactly as Gourry did, down to the most minute detail.
"It worked! Ultimate power is now in my grasp!" Lagon laughed as he stared at the duplicate.
"Wow, he looks just like me," Gourry announced as Lina facefaulted behind him.
"That's because he is your shadow!" Lina replied kicking Gourry in the shin.
"I'm not his shadow."
"What?" Lina and Gourry gasped turning their head to whom talked.
It was the duplicate of Gourry.
"I would prefer to be considered his spiritual duplicate or doppelganger. You can simply call me Kas," the duplicate announced.
Lina's and Gourry's jaw dropped.
Lagon was obviously shocked by Kas's manners as well, stuttering, "Impressive..."
"What more do you expect?" Kas inquired as he gazed back at Lagon. "I trust that you will want me to dispatch of these two menaces."
Completely caught off guard by this event, Lagon merely nodded meekly as Kas smiled and turned to face the two.
"So which one of you two wants to take me on first?" Kas smiled as he drew his sword.
Knocking Gourry aside, Lina said, "Well, I don't care what your name is. If you want a fight then you take it with me."
"Very well then," Kas smiled as he leaned down a bit.
"Flare - " Lina started before she blinked as he had vanished from her sight.
Where the heck did he go? Lina looked around before Kas appeared in front of her and drove his fist into her stomach. Her teeth gritted in pain as the force of the blow sent Lina flying backward into the cavern wall.
"Lina," Gourry cried as Lina slid down to the floor.
"How trivial," Kas frowned as he shook the hand the he hit her with a bit. "That was fun for about three seconds. A record low, I believe."
"If you want a fight, then I'll give you one," Gourry said pulling out his sword and facing Kas.
Smirking at Gourry, Kas said, "As always the loyal bodyguard comes to his lady's side. Such wasted talents, to be stuck serving her."
"I protect the people I care about," Gourry commented as Kas laughed.
"You mean to tell me there are actually people worth caring about?" Kas gasped before he continued to laugh. "Such idiocy is so foolish it's laughable."
"Be quiet!" Gourry yelled swinging his sword at him.
Kas merely smiled as he parried it with his own blade. Lagon stood on the sidelines dumbfounded at the spectacle. Gourry and Kas were giving it all they got, the looks of determination was marked on their face each time the blades struck. Currently it looked as if the two were evenly matched and that would mean Lagon would have to interfere.
"Guess it's time to make another shadow of Lina," Lagon sighed, hoping this one wouldn't come out like the last one did.
Turning to where he last saw Lina, Lagon's eyes bulged as he saw the space currently vacant of all except for an outline of where Lina had been. Sounds of screaming and bone breaking could be heard behind him as he hesitantly turned around to see Lina standing there. Behind her was the mangled and fried body of his two beastmen guards. Stumbling back as he held the mirror out as a shield, Lagon yelled, "Fool, I'll now make a shadow of you and - "
"Mega Brando," Lina snapped.
The ground below Lagon came exploding upward as it sent him on a very painful meeting with the ceiling above. As the last of the spell faded, gravity asserted its control and Lagon made his returning trip back to the floor. Lina winced at the sickening crunching noise he made as he hit the cavern floor leaving a visible mark there. The Shadow Reflector had been flung across the chamber when Lagon lost his grip on it, which was when he was sent spiraling up toward the ceiling.
Gourry and Kas both ceased fighting as they stared at what happen.
"Well that takes care of one perp," Lina smiled stamping her foot onto Lagon's head. "Now all we have to do is take care of you," she pointed as Kas growled.
Suddenly there was violent rumbling as the entire place started to shake with pieces of rock falling from the ceiling. Cracks lined the floors and walls as fissures began to spray out of these opening ,only furthering the rumbling even more.
"Must have damaged the foundation too much with that last one," Lina muttered sheepishly.
"What?" Gourry cried.
They all lost their balance as a massive crack split through the room, right across where the Shadow Reflector laid.
"No!" Kas cried as he ran toward it.
As he neared it, another violent shake caused it to fall into the crack and Kas without hesitation leapt in after it.
"Now that's crazy," Gourry muttered.
"Just as crazy as it is staying here," Lina said as pieces of rock fell everywhere. "Grab Lagon and let's go," Lina said as they made a run for it. They managed to just barely leap out of the cave as the entrance collapsed, sealing the place for all time.
"Do you think what's his name is alive?" Gourry asked looking at the ruined entrance.
"Does it matter?" Lina said as she turned away. "Let's turn Lagon in and get our reward."
"Okay," Gourry smiled as he followed Lina down the road dragging Lagon. "So were you faking that Kas's hit actually hurt you?" he wondered as Lina snickered.
"Would you expect anything less from the great Lina Inverse?" Lina flashed a smile.
"Wow, because I thought you were in real pain there," Gourry smiled patting Lina on the shoulder.
Lina stiffened at the touch, falling to her knees cradling her stomach.
Sweatdropping, Gourry muttered, "I guess you weren't faking it."
Lina replied to that comment by whacking Gourry with a fan.
Watching Lina whack Gourry, Kas smiled as he held the Shadow Reflector in his hands. Things had gone better than if he had planned it. Now he was free to go about his plan without Lagon or Lina Inverse to interfere. For all they cared, he died trying to retrieve the Shadow Reflector.
"Soon it will be my time," Kas smiled gazing at the Shadow Reflector.
Now all he had to do was gain some allies to help him. And it would all be thanks to the knowledge he inherited from Gourry, which was actually quite a lot. Unknown to Lina was the fact that Gourry actually heard all that she said. It was just the matter of whether he understood the whole meaning behind it.
"It's time to pay a short visit to Saillune," he chuckled as he turned and walked off.
The setting sun behind him casted his long shadows far ahead of him as he journeyed off to his destination.