"This can't be right! I thought this was the cavern that houses the famous Book of Ovalon!" a young irate voice yelled, her voice seemingly slicing through the eerie darkness.
"Ne Lina-chan this is the place, I never said that it would be easy to find once you arrived" a seemingly amused voice chirped.
"Why you! What was the point in coming here then?" the first voiced asked in irritation.
"Sore wa himitsu desu!" the amused voice answered back.
Zelgadis Greywards walked around the bend in the tunnel in time to see a fireball shoot by. Must be on the right track...I knew I shouldn't have let Lina go alone with that damn Mazakou! Walking closer he noticed the furious look on Lina's face. "Lina are you alright Xellos didn't hurt you did he?"
Lina looked up in surprise as she noticed Zelgadis standing in front of her concern written on his face. Blushing she nervously looked at Zel, "Zel what are you doing here I didn't tell anyone where I was going"
Zelgadis blushed slightly, "I overheard your talk last night with Xellos"
Flashback...
"Ne Lina-chan I know where you can find the chimera's cure" Xellos intoned softly as he played with a lock of fiery red hair.
"Get off me! And what do you know about Zelgadis's cure! And don't give me any of that Sore wa himitsu desu crap!" Lina yelled as she snatched back her lock of hair from his hand.
"Have you heard of the Book of Ovalon?" Xellos asked mildly as he yet again latched onto one of her fiery red locks.
Lina gritted her teeth as she again attempted to snatch her hair back from his grasp. "No...ummph...never heard of it" she gritted her teeth as she gave one last tug only to fall on her butt to the floor.
"Well it's said to contain some of the strongest spells in the world only no one has ever been able to find it. But I know where it is..."
"Touching reunion really but now that you're here Zelgadis we can start the party!" Xellos's cheerful voice cut through the long silence that had fell between Zel and Lina.
"What are you talking about you bastard!" Zel tightened his grip on his sword as he unconsciously unsheathed it from his scabbard.
"Well since you asked nicely...Sore wa himitsu desu!" Xellos winked as he disappeared from sight.
"Why that filthy..." Lina dint get to finish her tirade as a sudden rumbling sound alerted her to danger.
"Lina the cave is collapsing!" sheathing his sword Zelgadis grabbed Lina's hand and began to run swerving this way and that to avoid the sudden onslaught of boulders.
"Look I think I see something up ahead, pulling out of Zel's grasp Lina ran forward only to hear the panicked shout of Zelgadis.
"LINA!" using his swift speed he tackled her to the ground and shielded her body with his own as the boulders fell on top of them.
Zelgadis lifted his head groggily as he noticed that he was trapped inside a tiny cavern. Using a light spell he cast a glance around the room noting that there were no exits and the tunnel they had been in was blocked. Stiffening he turned his attention to the motionless body underneath his own. Scrambling backwards he uttered apologies and just plane utter nonsense. "Lina...Lina...wake up!" he noticed that while he was backing up Lina was lying deathly still. Crawling back over to her he gently touched her cheek "C'mon Lina wake up..." gently he let his fingers trail down her cheek to her neck. Breathing a sigh of relief he gently touched the faint pulse at her slender neck.
Almost reverently he brushed a stray lock of hair from Lina's brow, gently he dabbed at the wound on her forehead. "Lina you have to be ok..."
Zelgadis cradled Lina's body close to his chest, his back supported by the boulders blocking the entrance. He had been silently keeping a vigil over Lina, every once in awhile she would moan or her eyes would move underneath her eyelids. He glared through the darkness, having long ago dismissed his light spell.
If I ever...If I ever see that damned Mazokou... Zelgadis couldn't even finish the thought he was so upset. Zelgadis jumped slightly as he felt the shift in movement in his arms. He wasn't worried at first because the movements were slight but then as the minutes ticked by they became more and more insistent. Unlike the time before when Zelgadis had gently stroked her brow Lina did not calm down if anything she began to jerk around more. A low hiss made it's way between her soft lips, and she murmured two words that made his heart clench painfully.
"Help me..."
Zelgadis held her tighter he couldn't understand why she was...and then it hit him the occasional shift in movement...the eyes moving under closed eyelids. "Dreamscape...could it be" Zelgadis wasn't sure if he was right, only the most powerful of mages or sorceresses could accomplish such a feat ...or Mazakou. Settling himself comfortably against the boulders he reached for Lina's hand holding it in a gentle yet firm grasp. Closing his eyes he pushed aside everything only feeling the blankness, when he accomplished this he sent a gentle mental probe towards Lina's mind. He frowned when he realized something was blocking him from seeing. Trying a few more times he realized that it was futile and that if he wanted to see what was going on he would have to go in himself. Closing his eyes again he placed his forehead alongside of Lina's cheeks brushing lightly. Concentrating he murmured softly an incantation, when he was finished he opened his eyes. Or to be precise his spirits eyes, he had in a fact slipped from his own body to Lina's mind to see what was going on, and what he saw made his jaw drop. Standing before him was a girl around the same age as himself 18 or so, she was currently leaning against a tree staring defiantly at whatever it was that only her eyes could see. She was tall and slender a truly beautiful creature to behold, her long and flowing red hair blew gently in the breeze. Suddenly as if she could sense someone staring at her she turned.
Zelgadis blinked his eyes not quite believing what they were seeing. The girl fixed him with a ruby-eyed stare, her eyes looking at him in despair. "Lina..." he choked out.
Zelgadis stood transfixed at the sight of Lina standing there staring at him. But why was there a look of despair filling those twin ruby red orbs. Hesitantly he took a step forward only to have Lina hold up a halting hand.
Lina stood her determination never wavering as she glared at the fiendish sight in front of her. Xellos stood in front of her several feet away grinning at her through his half slitted eyes. She was mentally and physically tired her body and mind ready to give up. But she hadn't counted on Zelgadis showing up, she couldn't let him be destroyed she would destroy that damn Mazakou before he could try anything.
Moments before...
Lina sat up and gently rubbed her eyes stretching she looked around for her companion. "Zel! Where are you?!" turning she blinked, this couldn't be right when did she arrive in the woods. Standing she looked out over the horizon, only to stiffen, why did she seem to be looking down so far. Quickly jogging she dropped down to her knees by a nearby lake, "What in the world..." hesitantly she brought her fingers to her cheeks. Suddenly tears began to softly trickle down her cheeks, the reflection reflected back her through the lake was of her...but her as she would look now if she had not been kept from aging. Suddenly as if the dam had been lifted the floodgates opened and the tears came. Tear after tear as if it were the cleansing of her soul, she cried. She cried for the loss of her childhood and she cried for her future.
"No one can love a child. I love you Lina-Chan and only I will"
Lina whipped her head around and stared in dawning horror at Xellos. Not in horror at the Mazakou but of what he said, was it true could no one ever lover her...could he ever love her...
As if to answer her question Xellos merely grinned and cocked his head to the side.
"Only I can love you, the chimera and the princess are in love. Cant you see it?" he smiled at his easy manipulation as he stroked a gloved finger along her jawbone.
Lina felt the salty tears trickle gently down her cheeks as she digested this news...to childlike...immature...Zel and Amelia in love...Zel...
Back to the present...
Xellos grinned as he saw the chimera enter the scene, now he would crush the chimera and then Lina-chan would see he was the only one for her. He would finish what he started later but for now the chimera needed to be dealt with...it would be easy since Zelgadis could not see him.
Lina noticed Xellos's look turn towards another figure, turning she could only give a look of despair as her gaze landed on Zelgadis. No he wouldn't...he would! "ZELGADIS LOOK OUT!"
"ZEL LOOK OUT!" Zel heard Lina's scream of horror but he couldn't see a thing, all he could see was Lina's stricken face as she ran towards him. Suddenly as if from nowhere he could sense a powerful spell, "What the...!" Zel felt the force of the blast it was strong and lifted him up off of his feet and threw him into a nearby tree.
Lina ran but as if to mock her further the blast itself seemed to speed up, she could feel her heart stop as she witnessed the full capabilities of the spell Xellos had reaped. "Oh my god Zelgadis!" running she dropped to her knees beside his inert form. She placed her palms on his chest and began muttering a white magic healing spell, because where the blast had impacted the rock skin had been burned away.
"Lina ...what happened..." Zel coughed weakly, as he felt the blood trickle between his lips. He could see the pain and sorrow etched into her pale features as she tried to heal him. Even a novice could see that the spell wasn't working, he knew it wouldn't for the simple fact that he was too far-gone. He could see her starting to slump, he began to panic she was using too much of her life force. "Lina stop...you cant...you cant save me" it was hard to speak he couldn't seem to speak or see past all the blood.
Lina ignored Zel as she focused all her energy on his wounds, she could feel herself become weaker but she couldn't allow Zel to die. "It's not for you to say Zel" she growled in frustration. It wasn't working...only one choice left.
Shining Light
From Brightest Hour
Darkest Pitch
From Darkest Hour
Help me save this innocent Soul!
Lina closed her eyes as she let her hands settle just above his chest. A white ball of light settled at her fingertips, she could feel Zel's hands weakly tried to push hers away.
"Lina...no stop" his weak hands were becoming more persistent "Lina don't do this!" Zel would have protested more but he could feel the darkness enveloping him, beckoning him to their inky depths.
"Goodbye Zel..."
The darkness was never-ending for Zel, he was swimming in the inky darkness. Light...warmth...he was so close...
As if he had been kept from the air he so needed, he awoke gasping great gulps of air. His eyes flew open; he breathed evenly in out trying to slow down his overly erratic heart. Was it a dream...no it couldn't be he remembered detaching his spirit from his body to enter Lina's mind. "Lina!" He quickly uttered a light spell and shifted the limp form in his arms. Her face if anything was pale, her lively fiery red locks lying limp against her forehead. The most important thing he noticed was that she was not breathing. "Lina! No...no...NO!" Zelgadis could not stop the torrent of tears that suddenly overwhelmed his body. His body shook with the heaving sobs, his heart-stricken moans becoming louder each time he rocked her limp body. "Lina come back to me..."
Meanwhile...
Xellos grinned ferally the pain emitting from the chimera was delicious, he really needed to torture these humans more often. Now back to more important things... "Ne Lina-chan don't you think that it would be wonderful to take a nice walk in the woods" he grinned as he stood over her limp form huddled under a tall tree. Settling down next to her he picked up her limp lifeless form and began stroking her cheek. "Now now Lina-chan I'm sorry it had to end up this way, if you would have just listened to me in the first place none of this would have ever happened" he said all of this in a calm manner as if he were patronizing her. He laughed cruelly as he turned to look at her lifeless face...
Lina was aware of the fingertips sliding along her jawbone, that damn mazakou thought she was dead huh...she would give him something to be scared about. Not only had he dared kill the one she loved but he would dare try to take possession of her dead body...wait he wouldn't...he would that damn mazakou was probably planning on taking her body to turn her into a mazakou!
"BURST RONDO!"
"DARE BRANDO!'
"MEGA BRANDO!"
Lina weakly got to her feet to watch Xellos slam into a nearby tree, "You sick twisted bastard, how dare you try to take advantage of me...and how dare you try to kill the one I LOVE!" She noted that a sick grin had come to his lips even as he licked at the blood trickling from the corner of his lips. Stepping forward she weakly lifted her arms...
DARKNESS BEYOND TWIGHLIGHT
CRIMSON BEYOND BLOOD THAT FLOWS
BURIED IN THE FLOW OF TIME
IN THY GREAT NAME
ALL SHALL BE DESTROYED
BY THE POWER THAT YOU AND I POSSESS
DRAGON SLAVE!
Lina could feel the last of her energy leave her body as she let loose the dragon slave. The last thought she had before the dreamscape was destroyed was that she hoped she would see Zelgadis soon. EPILOUGE Lina opened her eyes groggily, turning her head she noted that she was lying in some soft grass. SO this is death huh? Not bad, it was a nice sunny day the birds were chirping, Zelgadis was sitting a few feet away a deadly looking dagger pointed at his chest, squirrels chasing their...Zel... knife... "ZEL NO DON'T." jumping up she ran and tackled the chimera. Landing heavily atop him she looked him in the eye and "ZEL YOU BAKA WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO! THIS IS HEAVEN WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL..." Lina looked closer and noted that his eyes looked dull as they stared up at her. "Zel snap out of it..." Lina frowned here she was just being reunited with the man she loved and he was ignoring her!
"FIREBALL!"
Zelgadis definitely felt that. Blinking he wondered if he had actually succeeded in killing himself. "L...Lina!" it had worked he had killed himself and now he was reunited with Lina. Quickly in the blink of an eye Zel sat up and wrapped the surprised sorceress in his arms. "I love you Akai-chan" his body shook with silent sobs as his cheeks became stained with his own tears.
Lina blushed hard did he just call her Akai-chan...(Akai-Red Chan-Little) "You love me Zel..."
"With all my heart" he whispered into her red locks. His strong fingers urgently stroked fingers through her hair. "Lina..." he chanted her name as if it were a mantra and gently cupped her cheeks in the palm of his hands. Raising her face to his he kissed her deeply with a suppressed passion, his lips roamed of there on free will kissing here and there, eliciting small moans of pleasure from Lina.
Lina really didn't want Zelgadis to stop but something was seriously wrong. Opening her eyes she peered over Zel's shoulder and her gaze landed on a town off into the distance. The same town here and the others were staying at...which meant...THEY WERENT DEAD! "Zel! Zel! Look!" she pointed excitedly to the town. Her eyebrow twitched slightly when Zelgadis didn't pause in his ministrations. Balling up her gloved fist she smashed it on the top of Zelgadis's head, "Zel are you listening to me!"
Zel blushed hotly at his behavior babbling excuses he hopped out from underneath Lina. "What were you saying Lina?"
Lina rolled her eyes and pointed to the town in the distance "Look it's the town we were staying at! That means we aren't dead!" lina bounced to her feet and threw up a victory sign as she yelled out to the world that she was alive.
Zelgadis stared in disbelief as lina jumped up and down, she was no longer the small childlike sorceress he knew but the tall beautiful one he had met in the dreamscape. Not to mention the extra bounce factor she seemed to have in the chest department.
Lina stopped jumping when she noticed Zel staring at her, "What is it Zel?" looking down she again noticed the extra height she seemed to have gained. Running she dropped to her knees beside the nearby lake. "ZEL! LOOK!" she knew she was grinning like a madwoman but she didn't care. Turning she ran and jumped into Zelgadis's arms throwing kisses all over his cheeks.
Zel waved his arms madly as he felt the blood flow get cut off by her tight embrace.
"I love you Zel"
Maybe feinting with Lina in his arms wasn't so bad after all.