"Tell us another story, tell us another story, Grandma!"
"Yeah, tell us again about the Kouma War!"
"Alright children gather around," said the old worn woman, wrapped in a shawl by the fire place. Though she was called Grandma, truth was she wasn't related to any of the children crowding the room decorated with momentos from a more active youth. "I will tell you again about what happened. But remember that this is not just a story but an epic that began long before."
"Our world, as you all know, is flat. It rests upon the Staff of the World which in turn stands in the Sea of Chaos. We were all created by her."
"Grandma, when you say 'we' do you mean everyone? Like the animals and plants?"
The old woman nodded. "Yes. But I also meant the Mazoku and Ryuzoku as well."
Gasps of fear rippled through the children.
"What are those?" asked one of the younger boys.
"It is your first time hearing this isn't it? Well then, I will explain as I tell the story. Though she created the world, she left the fate of the world in the hands of others. There were the humans, the animals, and the plants that lived on each world. And there were also the Mazoku and the Ryuzoku. Because she had left two gods on each world, a Dragon God and a Demon King. The Ryuzoku served the Dragon God, who in this world is called Flare Dragon Ceiphied. These people had the power to change freely between dragon and human form. The Demon King Ruby-Eyed Shaburadingo ruled over the Mazoku. About 5500 years ago, Ceiphied and the Ruby-Eyed Demon King battled along the edges of our world. At great personal cost, Ceiphied defeated the Ruby-Eyed Shaburadingo, breaking him into seven pieces and scattering them across the world."
"So the Dragon God won right?"
"No," the old woman shook her head sadly. "He had only delayed the end of their battle. Ceiphied himself was so badly injured that he had to retreat into the Sea of Chaos. But before leaving, he divided his power into four of the dragon gods we know now. Fire, Water, Earth, and Sky."
"But the Ruby-Eyed One was not without subordinates of his own. He was served by five Demon Lords. Hellmaster Fibrizo, the leader, who often took the form of a child. He had the power to steal a person's spirit and the power to bend dead spirits to his will. Chaos Dragon Gaav who could transform into the form of a multi-headed dragon. Dynast Grauscherra whose young handsome exterior hid the chilling ruthlessness underneath. Deep Sea Dolphin of which little is known other than her insanity. And the youngest Zelas Metallium, otherwise known as the Greater Beast."
"With both sides continuing their battle through their servants, the world would not see peace. 1500 years ago, Fibrizo ordered numerous attacks on the Dragon's Peak. The reason was unclear but may have been related to reviving his master. A piece of Ruby Eye was found to be buried within the body of a respected mage. That mage's name was Lei Magnus. The Hellmaster caused the piece to be free and the Ruby-Eyed Lord looked again upon the world through Lei Magnus. He crowned himself the Demon King of the North and began the First Kouma War. Using the power of the Chaos Dragon, Shaburadingo was able to fight equally against Aqua, one of the four parts of Ceiphied. It was also then, that the Mazoku Barrier was raised. The other four Demon Lords, Dynast, Fibrizo, Zelas, and Dolphin placed themselves at points north, east, south, and west of the Kataart Mountains, home of Aqua. This barrier cut off that part of the world from the rest, weakening Aqua's link to the other three pieces of Ceiphied. Chaos Dragon Gaav died in battle against Aqua but he was resurrected. Something must have happened though because even before the war ended, he deserted his side."
"Sages have wondered if the departure of Gaav was the key to the fall of the Demon King. Though the Ruby Eye did defeat Aqua, it was not without cost. The Demon King was sealed within a prison of ice and buried deep within the Kataart Mountains. This was accomplished at the cost of most of Aqua's remaining power, the priests of Saillune, and numerous elves, dragons, and humans. Many of those who fell were great mages and priests, taking with them the power of the Dragon God."
"So is the Demon King still stuck in the mountains?"
"Patience children. Yes, the Demon King was trapped in the Kataart Mountains until about 1000 years later, or about 500 years ago for us. It seems that that period was one of great unrest. In truth, the Ruby Eye appeared three times. This is important now children. The first time, he appeared in the Red Priest Rezo, one of the Great Five Sages of the time. He was defeated by a small group of people, Gourry Gabriev, Zelgadiss Graywords, and one more. That one is Lina Inverse."
The children gasped. Lina Inverse was a folktale all of them had heard. A powerful sorceress said to wield the power of the Golden Eye Lord. She could eat enough for twelve men in one sitting and had a temper as fiery as her hair and eyes. Bandits feared her and only said her name to ward off bad luck. In fact, she had many nicknames including Bandit Killer, Dra-mata, and Enemy of All who Live.
"Yes, it was the Lina Inverse. She who also defeated Hellmaster Fibrizo and prevented Dark Star, a Demon King of another world, from coming into our own. The second time Ruby Eye appeared, no one knew from where it came. But this piece was much more powerful than the one that appeared in Rezo. It seemed that this one had found another piece of itself and joined with it. Calling itself the Destroyer, it began first in Saillune, the city of white magic. The city fell within the day and the Second Kouma War began."
"But why didn't Lina kill him?"
The old woman shook her head. "Slowly child. The spell that Lina had used to defeat the possessed Rezo had been sealed away by herself and the Sword of Light that she had used to amplify the spell had vanished from the world. Even bearing the Demonblood talismans, her strongest spells could only just scratch the Destroyer who by the time she confronted him had also absorbed the remaining power of the Demonbeast Zanaffar. Aqua called on the other pieces of Ceiphied and the Knight of Ceiphied as she rallied the Ryuzoku to war. But then a third faction entered when the Demon King of the North was freed."
"What?"
"How?"
"No one knows how he was freed. However, it became apparent once he was free that it was not the same Demon King that had been imprisoned a millenia and a half ago. Over the long period of time, Lei Magnus had gained control of the power of the piece of Shaburadingo residing within him. The Mazoku split, some supporting the Destroyer, others supporting Lei, and others simply taking advantage of the chaos and destruction to further their own agendas."
"There are few records of the war. We only know the results of it. In the end, Lei Magnus defeated the Destroyer, adding the power of Zanaffar and the other two pieces to his own and claimed the mantle of Demon King as his own. Dynast and his followers died in a bloody massacre near the Ancient Dragon's temple. Deep Sea Dolphin was sealed away in the depths of the Demon Sea. Zelas Metallium and the Knight of Ceiphied vanished shortly after the war as did the four dragon gods. Over the past 500 years, humans have been able to build back what was lost during the Second Kouma War. I wonder if even the Golden-Eye Lord could have imagined this change."
"So that's why Lei is the Demon King?"
"Does he have Demon Lords too?"
"Yes, child he does. However only two are known to me. One lives in the cities, spinning intrigue and deceit. Another wanders, much like the Chaos Dragon once did, but this one is surrounded by a thick cloud of despair and guilt. But that's quite enough for all of you. It is getting late and your parents will be worried."
The children complained and whined as the old woman hushed them out the door into the early twilight. She did not fear their becoming lost with the bright lamps lighting the streets.
"But what happened to Lina? And those other people she traveled with?"
The old woman turned back into her home, closing the door. She looked at the only person remaining, a young girl of about fifteen.
"Very little is known. There are many different stories of her fighting for this side or that side. That she was in one place at the same time as another. Some stories say she died, some say she lived. Gourry Gabriev was one of the heroes of the war. Near the end, Lei Magnus created another Sword of Light and gave to him."
"Isn't he the one they said had the brains of a jellyfish?"
"Yes, he was rather on the dim side but no one could deny his skill in swordmanship. The sole survivor of the Saillune royal family was the Princess Amelia - "
"Justice freak."
"Ahem. During the war, she aided the ryuzoku, dropping her other skills to become a full priestess of Ceiphied. After the war, she and a group of ryuzoku set about to establish New Saillune. Filia, the former priestess of the Fire Dragon God, did not fight much in the war, but helped in the medical relief. Her foster son Val, an Ancient Dragon, served as a scout. And then Xelloss - "
"The Fruitcake Priest whose trademark is 'Sore wa himitsu desu'."
" - he and his master Zelas fought alongside Lei Magnus against the Destroyer. There had been some rumors though, that Zelas and the Knight of Ceiphied worked together to manipulate both of their forces toward attacking the Destroyer and not each other. Of course, as I said earlier, with their disappearance, nothing can be confirmed. After the war, Xelloss was promoted to become one of Lei's Demon Lords."
"The intrigue and deceit right? But wasn't there another? Zedaliges?"
"That's Zelgadiss. There were accounts of his being present when Lina first failed against the Destroyer and more than a few saw him during the final battle against Destroyer. But other than that, he just dropped from sight. Much as Lina did."
"Could he still be alive?"
"With his chimeran body, that is a very strong possibility. However, he is most likely dead."
"Why do you say that?"
"Do you remember the Demon Lord who wanders?"
The girl nodded. "The one used to scare children. Sort of a bogeyman character."
"He calls himself Zelgadiss and the few who have seen him and lived have said that he matches the description. There were some tales shortly after the Second Kouma War when rogue Mazoku were being hunted down that Zelgadiss was killed by one of the Mazoku loyal to Lei Magnus who later took the name and form of the slain chimera as his own."
"You certainly know a lot."
"Well, I've done a bit of adventuring myself during my time. Even lobbed several fireballs into bandit holes. But now it seems the only thing I can do is entertain young children with the past. For them, it is only a story." The old woman picked up a candle and lead the way upstairs. "But it is late and you need your rest. I don't suppose you remember anything."
The younger girl scowled at the mention of bed but obediently followed the woman up the stairs. She really was tired. "No, nothing before waking up here in your house. Are you sure you don't know where I'm from?"
"No, as I've told you before, you were found by the river that feeds this town early in the morning nearly a month ago. You were barely alive, covered with blood and gashes. Many of the people here have never left the town. As a retired adventurer, I'm often called in for counsel about the world outside or just plain strange things. I took you under my care, being the best equipped to handle anything that may happen. Then when you woke up several days ago, as you told me, you couldn't remember anything."
The old woman tucked the girl into bed.
"Hey," the girl asked, suddenly realizing something. "Could you...I mean... are you Lina Inverse?"
"Oh no," the woman smiled. "I'm nowhere near that old nor was I ever that powerful of a spellcaster."
"Do you think... that she is still alive?"
The old woman brushed back the girl's hair. "Whatever else Lina Inverse was, she was human and mortal. Even if she lived through the war, even if her magic extended her life, I doubt she'd still be alive. But she did carry the favor of the Golden-Eye Lord so perhaps her legacy lives on somewhere."
The girl chewed on her lip. "I've decided on a name."
"Oh?" asked the old woman as she closed the window shutters. "And what is it?"
"Call me Lina Inverse," smiled the young red-haired girl.
The old woman wasn't very surprised. This girl reminded her very much of how the tales described Lina Inverse. "Are you sure? There's certainly going to be trouble associated with taking that name."
"I don't care. I'm going to be just like her," the girl said adamantly.
"Well my dear, if only based on the stories you certainly do resemble her. We can start tomorrow on your magic lessons if that's what you want."
The newly christened Lina Inverse gave a wide smile and spontaneously hugged the old woman. Though no one noticed, two marks glowed lightly on her brow.