"Just why am I going to this?"
"Because, mother," Val explained. "You agreed it would be a kick to watch Xelloss be chased by eligible and not-so-eligible ladies of all ages and degrees of appearance all night long."
"Yes, it would. But I could do that from an alcove overlooking the hall. Why do I have to dress up like this?"
She was referring to the deep violet off shoulder evening gown that was, as much as she hated to admit, on loan to her from Xelloss. Who was the last woman he seduced in this gown? That thought alone was enough to make her want to rip it off and stomp it to shreds but that would probably be what he wanted.
"You can hardly go down in your normal clothes," Val reasoned calmly. "Plus, it's a big event. Don't you want to dress up and have fun?"
"Under the same roof as the Namagomi? Fun isn't the word I'd used." But her words lacked their usual venom as she slipped on the matching gloves. When was the last time she had enjoyed herself?
Filia hesitated as she picked up the amethyst and silver earrings that matched the necklace around her neck. Perhaps she should have tried for a more human form. Her pointed ears could make anyone easily mistake her for an elf.
"Don't worry, mother. The nobles always have a few eccentrics. Trust me, they wouldn't notice if you changed into a dragon in the middle of the party."
"As if I would even consider such a thing."
Filia took one last look at the mirror, patting the smooth golden strands that were pulled back and partially coiled before falling in a long ribbon entwined braid down her back. Vanity wasn't allowed in the church but that had been over five hundred years ago. She had to admit that she was going to knock some people right off of their feet.
Just not the one she wanted.
Oh, Val knew that look. Maybe tonight, she and Xelloss would finally stop dancing around each other. And if he could only get that overhanging sense of obscuring mists and the vision he saw earlier today out of his mind.
"How is Lina-san?"
"Perhaps you should check on her. If I went, I'd be toasted."
Filia shook her head. "Then, why don't you give that Namagomi and Jedah-kun a hand with Zelgadiss-san. Somehow, I get the idea he isn't going to be very cooperative about all of this."
"Between a rock and an inferno," Val muttered.
"Shoo. I'm going to see Lina-san now. And stop slouching. You'll wrinkle the suit."
Val resisted the urge to loosen his collar as he left the room and went down the hall to where three people were arguing quite vehemently. One was yelling he wouldn't and the other two were very insistently saying he would plus the additional sounds of scuffling and tripping over furniture and curses. Now that he thought about it, perhaps checking on Lina was relatively safer than disturbing three Mazoku Lords.
As Val was contemplating his current direction in life, Filia knocked on the guest room Xelloss had set aside for Lina. Like herself, Lina had needed to borrow a gown from the Namagomi because such finery was not something either were accustomed to. Hopefully, the Mazoku didn't give Lina something horribly indecent or revealing that would result in the leveling of the mansion.
"Lina-san?"
Filia looked around the empty room. Or maybe Lina decided this was all a big waste of time and left.
"Filia?"
The voice came from behind a dressing screen.
"Lina-san, aren't you dressed yet?"
"Almost...damn it...Filia could you help me with this?"
The Ryuzoku cautiously peeked around the screen. The evening gown Lina was wearing was surprisingly plain for one chosen by Xelloss in Filia's opinion. It was light blue scooped neck dress with a black lace overrobe which both left Lina's arms bare except for the elbow gloves laying on the dresser.
"What was it you needed help with?"
"Never mind, I got it. But...I'm not really sure what to do with my hair..."
"Leave that to me, Lina-san," Filia smiled warmly.
Seating the young girl down before the dresser, Filia combed smooth the long vibrant red strands. Taking a black lace ribbon, she tied back some of Lina's hair like when she found Lina-san and Zelgadiss-san at the amusement park.
"This will certainly jog his memory," the dragon murmured.
"Jog whose memory?"
"Don't worry about it. Now put on these earrings while I put on this black velvet choker."
"Why must you be so difficult?"
"I'm the one being difficult? You are the ones making the fuss."
"Come on, Zel," Jedah wheedled. "It can't kill you to dress up and be yourself, literally, for a night."
"I don't want to be using that form."
Xelloss and Jedah exchanged looks.
"Still on a guilt trip?"
"Still on a guilt trip."
"How are things going?" Val asked hesitantly, poking his head into the room, wary of stray energy blasts. However, the room looked relatively free of damage.
"We're having a hard time getting him to change."
"What's the point in changing. I hate social functions."
"You hate standing out, unlike me," Jedah corrected. "So just use your normal form. No one will know."
"I will."
"Get over it already. You used it in New Saillune."
"It was a necessary precaution."
"Why is he being such a stubborn stone-skinned freak?"
"Because he is?" Xelloss suggested.
Zelgadiss's glare sent the room temperature plummeting.
"Are you two supposed to be helpful and supportive or insulting and provoking?" Val asked.
"Helpful of course. If I wanted to be insulting, I would have hit lower," Jedah answered.
"And I'm supposed to be greeting guests soon," Xelloss murmured. "Jedah?"
"Jedah do this, Jedah do that," sighed the Chaos Dragon as his form changed to resemble Xelloss.
"Very good," Xelloss nodded his approval. "It shouldn't take long. I just need to knock some sense into Zelgadiss-san here."
"Don't take too long. There's no way I can fool Filia with this and there's something you need to do with her."
"Do you really think I would leave you to masquerade as myself while I indulged in private pleasures?"
"Do so, and you'll find yourself irrevocably engaged to the fattest, oldest matron in the city," Jedah warned cheerfully as he left. "Come on, Val. I think Xelloss wants a private talk with Zel-kun here."
Xelloss's stupidly smiling face held until the door closed. Then it fell and revealed an exasperation that Xelloss rarely felt, much less expressed.
"Jedah is right. Why are you being so blindly stubborn about this?"
"I'm not the one being stubborn. There is no reason for me to dress up to attend the party."
"You're going as is?"
"No one needs to see me."
"How are you going to ask Lina-chan to dance when you're watching from the shadows?"
"I...wasn't going to."
"Have you ever seen anyone who tries so hard to ignore his feelings?" Xelloss asked the wall.
"If you're trying to set up me and Lina..."
"Set up? What is there to set up? Everything is already there."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"It's obvious to anyone with eyes that she likes you. And we all already know how you feel toward her so - "
"Lina."
"Lina?"
"Lina...not her."
Xelloss scratched his head. "Didn't you tell me sometime back that you were confusing the two? And now you're thoroughly convinced that they're two different people?"
"It wouldn't be fair. This Lina...isn't a substitute, she's her own person. I can't...betray her again."
"Is that it? You're still hung up over that? It was over 500 years ago for Lei's sake! Besides which, Lina-chan, and no one else for that matter, even knew it happened. We're the only two who do."
"Three living people. And one dead."
"You can't live in the past all of the time. Lina-chan is only mortal and reincarnation is chancy best. You can't let this second chance pass you by."
"I don't deserve a second chance. And you should be the last to talk about not living in the past. You don't exactly have a stellar love life."
"Which is hopefully going to change tonight," Xelloss said sternly. "Now will you get changed and dressed? I'm sure Lina-chan is waiting for you."
"Why would she?" Zelgadiss muttered.
"Okay, I didn't want to do this, well, actually I did but that's besides the point. If you don't come down, human and dressed, I'll have Jedah take your place and loudly proclaim 'your' love to Lina-chan."
"You..."
"Are coming down for the party tonight, Zelgadiss-san. When you're old, there are few people to which you can actually relate. I'm doing you a favor, whether you think of it like that or not."
Lina tried to look around without being obvious. After all, how hard could it be to find a blue skinned, silver haired chimera?
"Looking for someone, Lina-san?"
"N-No! I was just looking at everyone who came!" Lina laughed nervously.
"It's alright. That Namagomi is probably convincing Zelgadiss-san to attend in something other than his usual attire."
Lina blinked and looked over at Xelloss cheerfully greeting guests. "But..."
"That isn't Xelloss. It's Jedah-kun."
"Eh? You must really know him well to figure that out," Lina teased.
"Jedah-kun can't imitate Xelloss's reek, that's all."
Yeah right.
"Yo, Lina!" Gourry waved from the food table. "There's some great roasted lamb over here!"
"That idiot..."
"But it is like Gourry-san..."
"Good evening, Lina."
"Hey, Val. Looking good. But I thought you were grounded."
"Oh, you know mother. She doesn't mean half of things she yells when she's angry."
"Xelloss included?"
"Xelloss included."
"Enough with that, children," Filia said primly. "Why don't you go enjoy yourselves?"
"May I have this dance, my lady?" Val asked jokingly, bowing to Lina.
Why did she have to be depressed and not enjoy herself because of him? Lina Inverse enjoyed herself no matter what.
"I would be honored," Lina curtsied, giving her hand to Val as they joined the dancing couples on the floor.
Filia was also asked to dance and swirled across the dance floor with different partners. It was a gleeful whirl of gaiety, her smile bestowed to others under the secretly jealous eyes of one other. Soon she lost track of exactly who she was dancing with until that smooth, arrogant voice broke through her dreamstate.
"You certainly dance very well, Filia-san."
"Xelloss?!"
"And you have many admirers I might add."
Quite a few envious eyes watched the host of the party dance with the mysterious elven blond woman garbed in purple. Whispers ran behind fans and over wine cups as to whether this party was somehow in tribute to her. Xelloss was vaguely amused that everyone, even these trifling humans, were picking up on his design for this party. Everyone but the one he held carefully as they danced.
One dance ended and Filia began to pull away but Xelloss simply followed her lead, smiled at the hopeful gentleman who hoped to claim the next dance, and pulled her into slow melodies of a waltz.
"Namagomi, what are you doing?"
"Why, just relieving you the company of such short-lived boors."
"I don't see much a difference with my present company."
"Do I really repulse you so much?" Xelloss's devil-may-care smile was floating on his face but a touch of sincerity tinged his question.
"Wh-What are you up to?" Filia demanded.
"What makes you think I am up to something."
He was always after something.
"You always are. There's always a self-serving reason behind everything you do. Like loaning me this gown and jewels. You want to bring me into your debt."
"They aren't on loan, Filia-san."
Knew it. He was probably going to do something utterly demeaning and humiliating to her like demand it all back in the middle of the party. Or spread rumors that she had accepted them for other favors. Damn, why had she even accepted his offer?
"They are gifts."
Filia blinked. "Gifts? From a Mazoku?"
"Yes," Xelloss replied testily. What was with the disbelief in her voice? "Is there something wrong with that?"
"Wrong? Of course, there's something wrong. A gift is something given freely, without expectations of anything in return. You're a Mazoku. The concepts clash."
"Well, I suppose there is a selfish reason behind them."
She knew it.
"What is it?"
"Sore wa..."
"Himitsu desu," Filia finished tiredly. "Then why even bring it up?"
"Don't worry. You'll learn what it is soon."
Val didn't miss the oddly tender expression that crossed Xelloss's face. But his mother did. Which was better since she would probably think she was seeing things and want to go home to rest. That wouldn't go very well with Xelloss's plan at all.
That was one star-crossed couple. And the other couple still hadn't gotten their act together. Like his mother, Lina had a number of willing dance partners but Zelgadiss was still nowhere in sight. Val assumed he must look something like Jedah when not a chimera but there wasn't anyone like that.
"Don't tell me a charming, handsome young man like yourself can't get a dance partner?" Jedah grinned. "Drink?"
"No thanks. I just about danced my feet off already."
"So soon? But the party isn't even in full swing yet!"
"Where is Zelgadiss? There's someone waiting for him."
Jedah sighed. "Xelloss said he was going to convince him but Xelloss came down alone. I'm not sure if I should go up and try to get him down here."
"Excuse me."
Jedah and Val looked at the interruption, a young woman with long purplish-black hair dressed in a white and gold ballgown. She looked familiar but they couldn't place from where.
"Begging your pardon, but are you the Ancient Dragon Val?"
"What??"
"Please don't be alarmed. I suppose you don't remember me. I am Lynis."
Jedah and Val looked at each other. Lynis? Light bulb.
"Crown Princess Lynis of New Saillune?!" They all but shouted. However, the room was loud enough so that no one heard them.
"Um, greetings, your majesty," Val hastily bowed.
"There isn't any need for that. I'm not here as the ruler of New Saillune but as a guest. Amelia and Alfred appeared well."
Val nodded. Jedah was slowly inching away.
"But I haven't met this person yet," Lynis smiled at Jedah and looked expectantly toward Val for an introduction.
Jedah was feeling oddly discomforted. There was no way she could know that he was masquerading as Vez at the time.
"This? Oh, Jedah, this is the Princess, I mean Lynis Saillune. And Lynis, this is Jedah."
"Nice to meet you Jedah-san," Lynis smiled warmly.
"...a pleasure." Jedah was increasingly feeling like a trapped animal.
"But...it isn't the first time we've met is it."
Val and Jedah blanched.
"Though I do prefer how you look now to before."
"H-H-H-How did you..."
"A diviner told me when I inquired as to your whereabouts."
A diviner? Val wondered why the crown princess of New Saillune would want to know Jedah's whereabouts. She didn't even know it was Jedah, he had everyone fooled that he was Vez.
"My acting was flawless!"
"Yes, your acting as Vez was flawless," Lynis agreed, slowly approaching him. "But that kiss at the end wasn't."
Val raised an eyebrow.
"And what kind of diviner can pierce my identity?"
"I'm not sure. She was a traveler but had this unusual violet streak in her blond hair."
Jedah paled. Terisa. "Undone by my own..."
"So, how about a dance? Jedah-san."
Lynis pulled the reluctant young man and Mazoku Lord despite his protests. Yes, it did appear like Lynis was chasing after Jedah. The leader of the country of goodness and justice has fallen for a Mazoku Lord. Val wondered what would happen when she found out.
"They did say love was blind," Val shrugged turning away from the dancing. There wasn't much you could do when you were alone.
His golden eyes caught sight of an enchanting blond in pink who was trying to refuse the drunken advances of a gentleman who thought way too much of himself. The girl was visibly trying to keep a rein on her temper. And she looked familiar.
"Why there you are!"
Yllia blinked as someone caught her arm. Barely smothering a snarl, she turned to give this other drunkard a piece of her mind. Her jaw almost dropped. Just what the hell was he doing?
"I go to get some drinks for us and you wander away. Really dear, what were you thinking?" Val smiled blandly. "This fine gentleman wasn't bothering you was he?"
Yllia almost snorted at the thought. If she didn't have to pretend to be human, she would have sliced the insolent drunk into ribbons. She most definitely did not need his help.
"Why don't we join this set?"
Val pulled her away from the confused inebriated man and into the music. Reminding herself that she couldn't break her cover, Yllia didn't run him through right there, as tempting as the thought was. It would be so easy. He didn't suspect a thing.
"You aren't used to dancing."
"So?" Yllia bristled.
"It's alright. I'm not used to it either. Just try to flow with the music. You're resisting it too much."
It wasn't just the music she was resisting but Yllia didn't want to raise his suspicions. It wasn't time yet. Hellmaster hadn't even made his appearance yet though everyone else was here.
"You know, I don't recall ever seeing you before..." That was a lie.
"Well, I'm not exactly on the guest list," she smiled nervously. All of this niceness was going to kill her. At least he hadn't recognized her.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Lord Tallium doesn't mind party crashers." Just who did she think she was fooling? Well, neither Xelloss or Jedah had sensed her and she's probably staying out of everyone else's sight. Was it just luck than that he happened to notice her? What kind of trouble was she planning?
"Thank you so very much." Yllia barely kept the sarcasm out. Like she needed this Ancient Dragon's help! Not then, not now, not ever.
Lina gratefully took a rest from dancing. How many people was it now? And he still hadn't shown his pointed ears down here! After he told her, he would too!
"After I got into all of this trouble to dress up," Lina grumbled.
And there wasn't anyone to talk too. Xelloss was still monopolizing Filia to the Gold Dragon's increasing frustration. Val had found some pretty blond young woman. Gourry was still eating at the food table. "I suppose I should get something to eat."
Lina wove through the outer ring of dancing couples and the huddled groups of gossip and clandestine planning. Xelloss probably loved the secret pacts of power and betrayal going on. Now when was he going to spring the surprise on Filia? Lina wanted a good view of it.
A big buxomy matron who would a a toad prince the run for his money in ugliness shoved her way by Lina, causing the smaller girl to stumble over the hem of her dress. Damn, she wasn't used to this!
Lina ignored the snickers from some of the spoiled rich daughters of nobility. They were so self-assured, they had everything, even if it was only superficial. Lina tried to keep up a mask of indifference. Why was she always alone?
"...Lina?"
She immediately turned toward the voice, ready to let the chimera have it. Who did he think he was, making her wait like this?!
"Ze...el..." Lina's voice died, completely shocked by Zel's transformation. Part of her mind reminded her that he shared the same violet hair, blue eyes, and fair skin as his younger brother. But Jedah didn't strike her dumb.
Zelgadiss nervously ran a hand through his soft hair. He didn't care about all of the admiring glances from around the room. The only opinion he cared about, for reasons he still didn't understand, was that of the lovely girl in the light blue and black lace dress.
Now where did that come from?
"Umm, Lina?"
Lina still seemed shell-shocked. Did he look odd? Maybe he didn't like how he looked? Or maybe Xelloss or Jedah were behind him making silly faces.
Lina swallowed and smiled. "Not too shabby, Zel."
He shook his head and sighed. Well, what else could he expect from her?
"But what took you so long!! It isn't nice to keep a lady waiting!"
He couldn't resist.
"Lady? What lady?"
"What?!?"
Lina glared at him, getting even more angry as an amused smile tugged on his face. He was making fun of her?! ...but he did smile. So who cares? How dare he tease her like that? He's never done that before.
"Shall we dance?"
Lina blinked at the proffered hand. If he thought that he could tease her and then expect her to dance with then...
"Alright."
...he was absolutely right.
A new set was about to begin. Zelgadiss held Lina out at arm's length, distant memories stirring in the depths of his mind.
"Zelgadiss-san!"
"Yo, Zelgadiss!"
"Ah. It's been a long time, Amelia, Gourry."
Even ten years later, the princess was still full of youthful optimism though her eyes were touched with sadness. She had been Crown Princess after her father ascended to the throne four years ago only to die in the city's last stand. Now, only she and her consort, the second son of the Duke of Elmekia, remained of the Saillune's Royal Family. Her consort gave Zelgadiss a curt nod. Zel figured he must be wary of meeting with his wife's old love.
The passing of time touched Gourry more obviously, or perhaps it was because he had finally come to terms with his past. Vaguely, Zel remembered Lina mentioning it when? Was it four years ago? But it must have been something. Gourry's hair was cut short and most of the cheerful spark in those blue eyes were replaced with a peace that Zel never felt.
"We were afraid you wouldn't get the message."
Zel nodded toward Sylphiel. There was a tangible aura of serenity surrounding her. Was she still secretly pining for Gourry? Possibly. But she was steadfast in her loyalty, not letting her own personal feelings get in the way of what needed to be done. Even he couldn't divorce himself from his emotions in that way.
"Who are they?" Zel's eyes pierced the darkness spotted with campfires. There really wasn't any precautions to hide it. People sat grouped around the warmth, singing, drinking, laughing, enjoying what might be the last day of their lives.
"Oh them? They're part of a merc group where I was a lieutenant, the Roundabout Mercenaries. Gambling tables included."
Zel sweatdropped. Roundabout Mercenaries? Wasn't that the name of the mercenary group he joined a long time ago? Couldn't be.
"Is this everyone?"
"Not everyone. Filia-san and Val-kun are with the Ryuzoku contingent."
Odd that the human's fighting strength lay behind the leadership of the Princess of Saillune and a mercenary. For all of their faults, they knew how to rise to the occasion in times of need. Amelia inspired loyalty and command, as did Gourry but the swordsman also had the experience of several wars.
But this was like no other war fought by humans in recent memory.
The Second Kouma War...would it come to pass? Or could they end it here and now, before the Ryuzoku and Shinzoku spilled into the lands against the Mazoku?
Of course that Mazoku wouldn't be here. He must be overjoyed that his master has returned. Whose to say he didn't have a hand in its rebirth and Saillune's subsequent destruction? He was the Mysterious Priests, his motives were his own.
"Is..." He didn't know how to ask this.
"Lina-san is up over there," Amelia pointed to a small rolling hill that sheltered the encampment below. "She hasn't seemed herself. Zelgadiss-san, maybe you could talk to her?"
He couldn't have asked for a better excuse.
There was only a slight breeze, just enough to give the starry night a bit of chill. Lina however wasn't wearing her cape as she sat there gazing off into the darkness that covered the land. Somewhere in that darkness, laying in wait, were eyes of crimson-black.
"You haven't changed..."
Lina looked up. "Zel? You came?"
"I can hardly search for a cure when the Second Kouma War is raging around me. I thought I would get rid of this distraction quickly and get going again."
"Yeah. Quickly would be nice."
Zelgadiss sat down next to her on the grassy hillock. "That doesn't sound like the Lina I know."
"First you say I haven't changed, then you say I'm not the person you know. Which is it?" Lina asked, a tired smile pulling on her lips.
"On the outside...you haven't changed at all. But Amelia is right. You don't seem like yourself."
"Ne, Zel?"
"What?"
"Will you answer me truthfully?"
Zel debated that answer. "Depends on the likelihood of whether the answer I give will make you want to blast me."
"And if you didn't need to be afraid of me blasting you?"
"Yes, I'll answer truthfully."
Lina looked up at the moon. "Do you really think we can win this?"
"What are you talking about? You're Lina Inverse, the beautiful genius sorceress by your own words."
"I don't think the Destroyer is going to be very impressed with only that." Lina sighed. "Everyone down there, well mostly everyone, thinks I can stop him the same way I stopped Rezo. But the Sword of Light is gone now. And furthermore..."
And furthermore, to cast the Giga Slave could bring about the end of the world. Either the Destroyer or the Giga Slave, the world and everyone on it would lose.
"But the Laguna Blade..."
Lina laughed bitterly. "The Laguna Blade? It couldn't even kill Gaav and he wasn't even a full Mazoku Lord. How could it kill the Destroyer?"
He had never seen Lina like this.
"The only way I can surely kill it, is if I condemn the entire world with it." Lina drew her knees up to herself and wrapped arms around them. "This whole thing is just a joke. I don't even know whose stupid idea it is. It took the Water Dragon King's sacrifice to just lock the Demon King of the North in the Kataart. He isn't even dead. What can we do?"
Why? Lina must be nearly 28 but she still looked like a lost child. Where had her optimism gone? The one that could even outshine Amelia's? Her stubborn, never-say-die confidence that made all of them feel like they could do anything. Where was that Lina?
"I can't forget it. What I saw of that world where the Giga Slave went out of control. Everyone died. Everything was destroyed. I can't live with that. I'm...scared. A lot of people are going to die. And I'm afraid it's going to be one of you."
Damn it, why was she telling him all this? She never told anyone. The closest had been that slip before the Valgaav-controlled half of Dark Star arrived at the Fire Dragon King's Citadel. Always before, she had a plan, even if that plan meant casting the Giga Slave. It was a last ditch attempt, the final gambit, when nothing else worked. Could she use it as the opening challenge?
"You...are Lina, right? Lina Inverse."
"What are you talking about, Zel?"
"You can do anything. And you make others feel the same. You meet everything with a smile and you never give up. Nothing gets in the way of what you want."
"Zel..."
"Especially if it's food."
Lina's head dropped into her arms, hiding her face as her shoulders shook. She didn't expect this from Zel. Silence, perhaps, or even ridicule. But support? He was always there when you needed him though. So, what was with these tears?
"Lina?"
"I..." Lina tried to control her wavering voice. "I'm just cold."
Liar.
"That's why you should have worn your cape."
Lina felt something wrap around her. This was Zelgadiss's cloak? She could still remember its texture and that odd scent that was uniquely his. The strangest things stuck in your mind during times of stress. His cape wasn't the only thing around her.
"No one is watching..."
His whisper sounded muffled.
"No one is watching...so you can cry all you want."
"Who...is crying..."
Quietly, under the stars, she cried out her fears.
Lina could almost pretend she was in heaven. After all, she was dancing in a prominent ball with all sorts of nobility and had the most handsomest man as her partner. The 'almost' part came in when a little part of her would pipe up and remind her of a simple truth. She may be dancing with him, but he wasn't dancing with her.
She knew the signs by now. In his mind, he was with the Lina Inverse. She was only a copy, not even a substitute. She probably didn't even merit an existence in his mind. It was hopeless.
But he was always watching her.
So? Xelloss always watched the Lina Inverse as well but he certainly didn't have any romantic inclinations toward her. It was simply business. She looked for trouble and it always came. That was convenient for a Mazoku.
She was only a shade. She had no past, no connections. She tried to build her own life but it was only a pale imitation of the Lina Inverse. When was there something she had done without wondering if the Lina Inverse would do the same?
That had never bothered her before.
Before what?
Before she met him.
Before she met Zelgadiss and realized how empty she really was.
And it was too late to change. He saw in her only his memories. If she changed, would he even notice? Or would he fight it, keeping her in the image of a ghost? And would she let him?
His blue eyes, the ones that she wanted to light up when they looked at her, were distant along with the memories he was seeing again. Why couldn't he forget? Why couldn't he be here now?
"Zel," Lina called.
"Zel," she called again a bit louder. "Answer me."
"I'm here. I'm the person you're dancing with. Not a ghost."
Why were her eyes stinging?
"Zel. Look at me."
No, she couldn't let her voice tremble. But it hurt so much.
"Look at me."
"Zel..."
"What is it?"
"Aren't you cold?" Lina asked guiltily. The night had gotten even colder but she didn't feel it as badly than if she didn't have Zel, Zel's cloak! That's it, Zel's cloak.
He shrugged. "Cold doesn't affect me that much."
"Oh."
Well, he did have stone skin. But he was warm.
"Lina."
"Hm?"
"I..." He couldn't her about it. Not now. "Ur, how are things between you and Gourry?"
"Gourry? Fine I guess."
Zelgadiss closed his eyes.
"He isn't like he was before but I think Sylphiel is getting to him."
Say what?
"Sylphiel?"
"Oh come on. Even you should have noticed how much she cares for him. And now he finally feels free to live his own life. Why did that stupid Destroyer have to come up when everything seemed nice and happy?"
"You're sounding more like yourself."
"I'm always myself!"
"Of course."
She liked his smile. He did it so rarely. But she had seen so little of him over the last ten years, except that one time four years ago.
"Ne, Zel?"
"Yes?"
"...are you alright? From that time."
Lina could see it clearly even now, the entire rock formation crumbling into the cave Zel had led Lez into. She had nearly killed herself using the Zel's broken blade to cut through the ropes. The only reason she didn't blast the rocks out of the way was because she was afraid she'd hit him. Though she'd never admit it, she had never been so scared her entire life. Thank Ceiphied he hadn't been conscious to see her crying.
"Ah. I've healed from a long time ago."
"That's good."
Lina pulled the cloak tighter around her. Eh? There was something sticking into her side. Her fingers found a pocket there. Of course, Zel would keep things in his cape like her. There wasn't much place to keep it on himself.
Trying not to attract his attention, Lina quietly pulled out whatever was in that pocket. It could be something silly, like a rock. Or it could be something important and her curiosity would never be satisfied if it was something Zel didn't want her to know about. Her fingers traced the small box. Then something popped open.
The familiar melody danced through the night air.
"What?" How could - He left the music box in his cloak! Stupid!
Lina laughed nervously. "Oops."
Zel hoped she wouldn't ask where he got the song from.
"Um, Zel? Where did you get this song?" She thought it was unknown outside of home. It should have been, her mother never sang it outside of Zefilia after all!
Zel was thankful that the moonlight wasn't bright enough to reveal his embarrassed face. He couldn't tell her that he had actually been listening to her sing during those months of convalescence. She always thought he was asleep.
"It couldn't have been..." But she had sung it when they stayed at that small village to let him recover from Lez's duel. And if he heard that, then he heard a lot of other things too.
"No, it's just a song that wouldn't leave my mind," Zel said truthfully. He just didn't need to say the other half of the truth. "I don't know where I heard it from. But, I couldn't forget it, so I had it placed in that music box."
The soft light shone on the music box before reclaimed it.
"Didn't think you were the sentimental type. You could put something in here if you wanted. Like a ring."
Zel stiffened.
"But that would be something a girl would do."
He relaxed. She almost guessed it. And he wasn't ready to ask.
"But I thought a lot during that time."
"Were you feeling alright?"
Lina ignored his teasing. "I was thinking about what would happen if one of us died. Amelia isn't that much safer in Saillune. The rest of us travel all over the world. What if we were to die somewhere far away, all alone."
Was she affected that much by his fight with Lez? Or were those thoughts she's harbored for a very long time now?
"I was thinking, that if Zel, if everyone was alright, then I'd be fine. But is something happened..."
"Then let's make a promise."
Lina looked up at Zel. "A promise?"
"Yes. That we'll all get through this, alive. We'll survive and - "
"Have a huge twenty course dinner!"
"...Lina, do you know what the word 'mood' means?"
"What? It was getting too serious for me. And I was getting too depressed."
"You are..."
"Cute? A genius? Invincible?"
"...Lina."
"Of course."
"Lina."
"What?"
"I have something that...I want to give you."
"Really? Where?!"
"But you'll have to wait until after the war. Whether it ends tomorrow, or ten years from now."
"No fair! What if something happens to you? ...or me?"
"That's what the promise is for. That we'll see each other again, alive, after the war."
Lina pouted. "Why can't I have it now?"
"Extra incentive?"
"Meanie."
"Lina?"
"Okay, I promise. You too."
"I promise. We'd better get back down and get some rest." Zel stood up and held out a hand for Lina. She didn't look at him as she put her hand in his.
"Um, your cloak."
"It's alright. I doubt I'm going to need it tonight."
Lina held it close. At least until morning.
"It's about time," Xelloss murmured.
"Time for what?" Filia asked crossly. What was the big idea of keeping her by his side all night? A new form of torture?
"I told you I had a selfish reason behind giving you the gift didn't I?" A dark purple rosebud appeared in his gloved hand and he presented it to her.
Filia hesitated. What was this Namagomi up to?
"Filia-san, accept this last gift from me. Please."
Slowly, Filia wrapped her fingers around the rosebud's stem. Only too late did she sense the tingling in it.
"Xelloss, you!" Filia gasped as the dark rosebud suddenly blossomed white in her hand, the tingling passing through it and up her arm. "What?"
Her gloves and gown sparkled white but it didn't end there. All around, the guests exclaimed in surprise and delight as the effect ran up the walls. The bouquets of dark purple roses also burst into white, sending a flurry of white petals into the air. The bundles of flowers and ribbons on the walls brightened into brilliant blue and white as the dim glows blazed with gold, scenting the room with the smell of jasmine.
Filia stared at Xelloss. He stepped forward, cupping his hands around hers and raising the white rose so she could see what had been hidden inside.
"Happy birthday, Filia-san," he whispered.
"Lina? What's wrong?"
His warm hand touched her cheek. Was it her or Lina he saw? Why did things have to be like this?
He could sense her emotional pain. What was wrong? She seemed happy earlier. Lina wouldn't...Which Lina was he thinking about? One Lina died a long time ago. Another stood before him. Was he being fair to her?
He couldn't love them both.
Could he?
Amidst the summer snow flurry, Zelgadiss tipped Lina's face up and gently kissed her.