Back-Up Copy Chapter 6
Aug. 7th, 2011 11:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eastofthemoonOkay guys, here' the second to last chapter of my story.
I want to give a big thank you to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dqbunny and eveshka for beta reading this. You guys were a big help! ^_^
Title: Back-up Copy
Series: Slayers
Rating: PG
Summary: Zelgadis searches one of Rezo's labs and makes an unimaginable discovery.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
“Eris?!” Amelia exclaimed. “You’re the soul that was in the jar?!”
“I don’t remember any jar.” Eris tighten her grip on Zelgadis’s throat, making him gasp for air. “All that I can recall is that I died before I can extract my revenge on the traitor, Zelgadis.” She draw a claw down his cheek, drawing blood as he tried to flinch away. Zelgadis winced as a thin trail of blood broke free. “My memory is foggy, but you murdered someone I loved! You shall pay!”
Gourry screamed a battle cry as he charged and leaped. With both of his hands clutching the hilt of the sword, he sliced at Eris’s arm. It made no cut. But, the sudden force and surprise broke Eris’s grip on Zelgadis’s throat.
He collapsed and tumbled backwards coughing madly. Gourry pointed the tip of his rusted sword at Eris’s chest. “You okay, Zel?”
“Yes, thanks, Gourry,” As he stared in amazement at the old sword. I’m surprise that old sword hasn’t snapped in half yet.
“You’re not escaping that easily,” Eris cried, her eyes filled with rage. “Fire Ball!”
“Mister Gourry, look out!”
The girls jumped forward as Amelia began chanting a barrier. Zelgadis raised his hand to cast his own barrier. Neither proved necessary. The ball of fire flew too fast. Gourry held his sword ready to repel it. The fire ball hit the rusted sword. Everyone, even Eris, stared befuddled. The sword held back the fire ball. Truth be told, the ball of fire was shrinking, as if the sword was drinking the life out of the flames.
The ball of fire vanished, and the blade rattled and violently shook. There were a series of clanks and rattles. The rusted coating of the sword broke off, freeing a glimmering blade from underneath. Lina stared in awe. Don’t tell me that rusted piece of trash WAS a magical sword?!
Gourry flicked the sword back and forth, examining the clean blade. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Eris cursed. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll die here.” She cast another fire ball. Gourry rushed forward and batted the ball of flame as if it was an ordinary toy ball. He continued to charge at Eris. In defense, she raised her arm to block the blade, and the blade sliced her forearm.
To her horror, she hissed in pain and stumbled backwards. She turned her arm and stared wide eyed. There was a large cut with blood trailing down her arm. She clutched it to her chest. “I’ll be back! Just you wait! Dark Mist!”
The thick mist engulfed the entire area. Zelgadis quickly cast a wind spell to blow it aside, but it proved too late as the mist cleared and there was no trace of Eris. Zelgadis massaged his throat as he stepped forward. “That was a stroke of luck.”
Gourry grinned. “And you guys said this sword was trash.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Lina muttered, refusing to take her eyes off the sword. “Brag later, but right now I want to know what the heck is this thing?”
“Miss Lina, I think we should get out of here first.”
Zelgadis replied with a curt nod in agreement. “Let’s go to the cabin. It will be nightfall by the time we get back to town and we need the time to figure out what our next move is.”
“Fine,” Lina replied, still refusing to take her eyes off the sword. There seemed something familiar about it. It would bug her until she memory kicked in.
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“Is there anything to eat in here, Zel?” Gourry asked as he picked up another jar off the shelf.
Zelgadis folded his arms from his seat in the chair. “Don’t you think we have more pressing matters to discuss?”
“But I think better on a full stomach.”
“In that case, you must always be starving,” Zelgadis remarked, stretching out on the floor. “First of all, I want to know why Amelia’s spell didn’t work.”
Amelia nodded. “I made sure not to hold back, so I don’t understand why Eris didn’t leave Mister Zelgadis’s body.”
“Of course it didn’t work.” The group jumped. Xellos grinned in his usual cocky manner by the window. “I’m rather shock you thought it would.”
Zelgadis sighed. “What are you talking about?”
Xellos shook a finger. “Technically, she is not possessing Mister Zelgadis’s old body. True ‘possession’ is when a spirit is taking over a body that always contains a soul.”
“Except, Mister Zelgadis’s chimera body didn’t have a soul in it.”
Xellos nodded. “Exactly. So, Miss Eris merely took the body for herself and made it into her own in the same manner that Zelgadis did.” He perched against the windowsill. “In other words, using a spell to exorcise Miss Eris would have no more an effect than it would on, say, Miss Lina. It would be the same as trying to ripe a soul out of its original body.”
Lina blinked and slapped her forehead. She could feel a headache coming on. “Wow, I can’t believe we missed that.”
“In our defense, “ Amelia added, “we were still thinking of it as Mister Zelgadis’s body. So, that probably distracted us.”
Gourry raised a hand. “I get all that, but why did Zel’s chimera body changed so much when Eris took over? Nothing happened when Zel took his human body.”
“I believe it’s the anger Miss Eris has,” Xellos added with a grin. “From what I heard, she spent a few years in that jar while craving revenge.” He tapped his fingers against the tip of his staff and raised his head up to the ceiling. “An angry spirit can be quite powerful when it takes on a new body.”
“Okay, fine, we’re idiots,” Lina replied. “But how the hell did Eris’s soul end up in that jar?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Eris volunteered,” said Zelgadis as he stood up and walked to the shelf. He knew he had placed a teapot and a box of tea in the cabin from when he’d been exploring the cabin months before. He was in desperate need for a cup of tea.“She was willing to do anything for Rezo, although I never thought it was to this extent.”
“She probably thought it would ensure her being reunited with Rezo in the case they both died.”
“That’s so romantic,” Amelia said with a dreamy expression. “In a weird, warped way. Although, why didn’t she get the Hellmaster jar that contained Rezo?”
“She probably didn’t know were to find it,” Lina said. “Or, maybe Rezo didn’t tell her that the jar that would contain his soul was finished.” She closed her eyes, rubbing at her temples. “Remember, that jar with Eris’s soul was the first one. For all we know, the jar Rezo’s soul went into could have been number twenty-five. So, she could have thought Rezo was still experimenting with it.”
“But why is she only after Zel?” Gourry asked. “We were there too, Lina”
Zelgadis found the teapot and the box of tea leaves from behind a large text on the biology of trolls. “Her memory is probably scrambled. Remember how bad Nama’s memory was?”
Lina nodded and shuddered a bit. “So, what do we know?” She counted on her fingers. “Eris was the soul in the jar. Her memory is bad, and she wants to kill Zel and anyone that tries to stop her from doing so.”
“And that Mister Gourry’s sword seemed to be able to cut her” Amelia added.
“I was going to comment on that,” Xellos remarked, eyeing the sword with a smirk that made Gourry hold it closer to his chest. “That is an intriguing sword you found Mister Gourry.”
The swordsman grinned with pride. “I can spot a good sword when I see it.” He held up his new weapon and admired it as if it were a diamond. “But hey, if it can cut through Zel’s stone skin, I wonder if it can cut through anything.”
His words rattled through Lina’s brain. Cut through anything? “That’s it!” Lina bolted upward and nearly tripped as she rushed to the sword. “Now I remember! Gourry, let me see that sword.”
“Sure, but I’m not selling it to you Lina.”
Lina studied the blade closely. “I read about this sword. This is the Blast Sword.”
Zelgadis dropped the box of tea. “The Blast Sword?” He stared at the sword intently. “Wait, I think you’re right.”
“Um…what is the Blast Sword?” Amelia asked.
“I read about it when I was researching magic swords,” Lina explained. “It’s suppose to absorb magic which lets it become sharper and cut through anything.” She grinned evilly, rubbing her hands together. “Including into the astral plane.” She turned to Xellos with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. “Mind if we use you for a test subject, Xellos?”
“Er, no thank you,” Xellos replied, sweat dripping down his cheek. “I believe no proof will be needed. However, correct me if I’m wrong, but I had heard the Blast Sword had become so sharp it would slice through any hilt it was attached to.”
Lina stared at the blade, folding her arms over her chest. “Yeah, I read that too.”
“I bet Rezo found a way to dull the blade,” Zelgadis interjected. “He was probably planning to use it in one of his experiments, but he left it in his lab for safekeeping.” He rummaged for some teacups. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he purposely covered it in rust so an intruder wouldn’t bother to steal it.”
“Yeah, the only person who would take a rusted sword is Gourry,” Lina added.
“Which proved to be a good call,” Gourry retorted.
“You’re not going to let that fact go for a long time aren’t you?”
“So, we have a plan!” Amelia exclaimed. “We’ll power the sword with a few spells and Mister Gourry can use it to defeat Miss Eris!”
“But what spell do we use?” Gourry asked. “A fireball was just able to make a small cut. We would need a strong spell, right? Like a Dragon Slave?”
Lina grasped her chin. “I wouldn’t want to risk that without some testing first. We don’t know how quick the sword can absorb stronger spells.” She handed the sword back to Gourry. “If I cast a Dragon Slave, we might get blown up as we wait for the sword to absorb it.”
“What about a Ra Tilt?” Amelia suggested. “It’s as strong as a Dragon Slave, but it won’t harm us if it takes a few minutes for it to be absorb by the sword.”
Lina pondered. “That could work, although the sword is more effective against demons and mazoku. Eris is still human, even if she’s gone insane.”
“We don’t need the Ra Tilt to kill her,” Zelgadis replied. “We just need the spell to sharpen Gourry’s sword enough so blade can kill her.”
Lina nodded. “That’s true, and if you hit her with the sword and your Astral Vine at the same time while I cast some strong spells, it might be enough to kill Eris once and for all.”
“It’s worth a try,” Amelia said.
“Although, it’s weird to be fighting Zel’s old body,” Gourry replied. “It’s a good thing you’re a friend. We would have had a hard time fighting you if you became our enemy.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” Lina added. “I remember when you were our enemy at first. It would have been a tough fight if it had stayed that way.”
Zelgadis said nothing as he headed to the door carrying the teapot.
“Mister Zelgadis, where are you going?”
He kept his back to them. “To the well, I’m getting some water.” He shut the door, slumped against the cabin wall and rubbed his neck. He had already cast a healing spell on himself, yet the image of himself dangling made it throb. I bet this was how Lina felt when Zumma tried to choke her. Still, he couldn’t believe he let himself get cornered again. It was becoming an obnoxious habit.
He sighed and headed to the well. He dumped the pail into the water and the droplets of water splash onto his fingers. He blocked out the memories of the fight and concentrated on pulling on the rope.
“Mister Zelgadis?”
He jumped and nearly lost his hold on the rope. He breathed in and turned. “Did you need something Amelia? I’ll have the water in a second.”
Amelia chewed her bottom lip. “Actually, I was worried about you. You became awfully quiet.”
Zelgadis grabbed the side of the bucket and pulled it to the top of the brick of the well wall. “It’s nothing. It’s quite childish actually.” He hopped Amelia would just drop the subject. However, he knew the chances of Amelia doing that weren’t likely. She could be quite stubborn in that aspect.
To prove his point, she continued. “I know it must be very weird to having to fight against your own body.”
Zelgadis sighed. “It’s not that. It’s bizarre, but that’s not what is bothering me.”
“Then what is it?”
Zelgadis sat on the well edge. “In the past two nights I have carelessly almost gotten myself killed.” He ran his hand through his soft hair. “I keep forgetting how fragile a human is compared to a chimera.” He rubbed his throat. “When a mazoku choked me before, it didn’t hurt nearly as much as it did today.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “So, what are you saying?”
“I’m missing my old body. Doesn’t that sound stupid?” He scoffed at himself. “Of course, I would never want to actually go back to being a chimera, but I can’t help but think I wouldn’t be so useless in my old body.”
“It’s not stupid.” Amelia patted his shoulder. “It’s natural for you to miss it. You’ve lived as a chimera for a few years now. I think there’s always going to be parts of it that you miss. It’s was a part of your life.” She moved forward and leaned in. “And you’re not useless. You’re just out of practice fighting while fully human.”
“Gourry said the same thing.” He picked up the pail of water. “The whole situation is just frustrating. I hate it. I knew it would be like this while I searched for a cure, but knowing it and actually going it through it are two different things.”
The pair began to walk back to the cabin. “Let’s just focus on defeating Eris,” Amelia suggested. “Once this is over, you’ll have plenty of time to improve your skills.”
Zelgadis nodded. “Thanks to listening to my whining.”
“You’re not whining,” Amelia corrected. “You’re just…” She thought for a moment. “Expressing thoughts out loud.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s the same thing,” Zelgadis added. “But that sounds less annoying.”
Amelia touched his arm. “It will work out. You’ll see.”
Zelgadis nodded as he picked up the bucket. He really needed that cup of tea.
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Before the sun fully set, Gourry and Lina had gone out and caught some fish to cook for dinner while Amelia had located some herbs in the cabin to add seasoning to the meal.
Gourry watched their dinner roast on the spit in the fire and drummed his fingers in thought. “Guys, how do we plan on locating Eroes?”
“It’s Eris, Gourry,” Lina replied, pouring herself another cup of tea. “But you have a point. We were lucky to get a tip from that hunter, but I doubt finding Eris again will be easy.”
“Especially considering she seems to be more mentally stable now,” Zelagadis added. “She didn’t seem as ‘wild’ as when she first attacked me.”
“And this forest is so huge. We could spend weeks looking for her,” Amelia added. “That is, if she doesn’t sneak up on us and attack us.”
“We did have surprise as our advantage this morning,” Zelgadis replied, twitching. “Until someone got hay fever all of a sudden.”
“Hey, blame Gourry! He started it!”
“I’m not sure sneezing works like that, Miss Lina.”
Lina sighed. “In any case, if we could find a way to lure Eris out, we could try to give another sneak attack and give us the upper hand.”
Zelgadis scoffed. “Too bad she still isn’t thinking like a wild animal. We could have lured her out with food.”
Lina laughed and added some sugar. “We could, but Eris would probably figure out it’s a trap real quick. She might be starving enough to take the food, but she would have her guard up for any attack we make. Only an idiot wouldn’t think free food isn’t a trap.”
Gourry snapped his fingers. “Hey! What if we got Rezo!”
Lina blinked and paused in her stirring. “What?”
“She was crazy about him, right? I bet if we got Rezo hanging out in the open, she’d come running and not even think it was a trick.”
Lina gripped her slipper, ready to whack him hard. “Half of your brain must have melted! Hello, Rezo is dead! Unless, he happened to put his soul into a jar again, we’re not going to get Rezo out here.”
"What if it was a fake Rezo?" Amelia thought out loud. "Like the copy that was made a few years back?"
"Oh, no," Lina pointed her slipper at her. "We're not trying that."
"Zel could do it," Gourry suggested.
Zelgadis spat out his tea. "W-what? I'm not Rezo!"
"But, you do look like him, except for the hairstyle."
"How is it you can’t remember names, but you can remember stupid things like that?" Lina asked, narrowing her eyes at Gourry.
Gourry shrugged as Lina shook her head and turned her gaze to Zelgadis.
"Still ..." Lina began to circle Zelgadis, her eyes calculating. "Yeah ... he does look a lot like Rezo."
“Exactly,” Gourry added, nodding. He didn’t get why the concept had been so hard to understand.
“I never thought I say this, but that’s brilliant Gourry,” Lina replied, grinning slyly. “We’ll just have to-”
“Forget it!” Zelgadis snarled and pulled his shoulder away. “There is no way I’m doing this!”
“But, Mister Zelgadis,” Amelia replied, in a calm tone. “This would lure out Eris.”
“Be serious, do you honestly think she would believe I’m Rezo! Need I remind you that Eris wants to kill me because the real Rezo is dead? She won’t fall for this.”
“Yes, but she can only recall pieces of her memory.” Lina waved a finger. “I don’t think she remembers that it’s Rezo that’s dead. She just said you killed someone she loved, but she didn’t say it was Rezo.”
Amelia stroked her chin. “You’re right, and if that’s the case, she really might believe Mister Zelgadis is the real Red Priest.”
Lina nodded. “Right, and with her incomplete memory, we should be able to pull off a fake Rezo easily.” Lina winked. “And, hey, besides, with the right makeup and costume, Zel could look like anybody. Even Naga,” Lina replied.
“Who?” Amelia asked.
“Oh, never mind.” Lina moved to the fire to double check the meat hadn’t burned. “Anyway, relax Zel. This will work.”
“Are you even listening?” Zelgadis asked, slamming a fist onto the table. “I’m not doing this!”
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“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Zelgadis muttered darkly.
“Hold still, Mister Zelgadis,” Amelia replied. She had her tongue sticking out as she applied oil to his hair. “I need to get your bangs to stay out of your face.”
“Just make sure not to get any on the robes,” Lina replied. “We need to make everything count.” Without turning around, Lina yelled over her shoulder. “How is the boar meat coming along, Gourry?”
Gourry wiped the sweat off his brow. “Just about ready to set up the fire, then we can roast the boar.”
“Good, but don’t start the fire until we’re ready.”
“She’s not going to fall for this,” Zelgadis grumbled as Amelia cleaned the oil off his neck. “Besides, the chances of her coming exactly to this spot are unlikely.”
“And that’s what the meat is for!” Lina snapped. “We’ll roast the meat, then Amelia and I will create a breeze so the smell goes through the forest. Eris will pick up the scent and come to investigate. Then volia!” She patted Zelgadis’s shoulder. “She’ll see you, assume you’re Rezo, and we got her.”
Zelgadis rolled his eyes. It might have sound solid, but the plan was going to fail at some point. He could feel it in his gut.
“I’m finished, Mister Zelgadis.”
He rose, desperately trying not to trip on the long robes. How did Rezo walk in these things?
“Now, we just need the final touch!” Amelia cheered, reaching for the fake staff they had the blacksmith made. “Here you go, Mister Zelgadis.”
He held the staff and then closely examined himself. The robe was twice his size, the staff held far too many rings and his hair felt stiff from the barrel-worth of oil. He twitched. This was almost as bad as dressing up as a woman. “I look like a cheap knockoff.”
“Never mind,” Lina replied. “You look great, Zel. Not exactly like Rezo, but good enough for what we could do at the last minute.”
Zelgadis sighed. “I suppose I should go and sit on the log in the clearing.”
“Yeah, it won’t take long to start the fire.” Lina frowned. “But remember to shut your eyes and pretend you’re blind when Eris shows up.”
Amelia nodded. “That’s right. Eris probably won’t believe you’re Rezo if you’re not blind.”
“I know that!” Zelgadis snapped, even though it only just occurred to him to make sure his eyes were shut. “Let’s just get this over with!” Zelgadis cursed and grumbled as he made his way to the log and sat. Shortly after, he began to smell the roasting boar as a light breeze blew through.
Zelgadis continued to sit, passing the time by picturing how he would burn this costume when it was all over. As the sun passed in the sky, it grew warmer. Zelgadis tugged at his collar. He was boiling. It baffled him that Rezo could willing wear these robes without appearing be bothered. He recalled a memory from his childhood. It was the hottest day of the summer and Zelgadis remembered desperately finding the nearest lake or pond to soak himself in. Yet, the whole time Rezo wore the robes. He may not have been a man of miracles that everyone believed him to be, but the fact the man could wear thick long robes on a burning summer day was a marvel in itself.
Then again, Zelgadis thought, He probably found a way to cheat and cooled himself without taking off his robes. Yes, that’s more believable.
His stomach growled. The smell of the roasting boar was becoming painful. He found himself in an internal debate if Lina would yell at him for asking for a piece to eat. That was when he sensed it. Something bloodthirsty staring at him deep in the woods.
He stiffened. Bushes rustled. He could sense movement from behind him. The footsteps were quiet. The crunching of a twig was the only signal to how close Eris was. Zelgadis held his breath as he could feel hot breath on the back of his neck. Shutting his eyes, Zelgadis steadily turned around, praying the sudden movement wouldn’t alarm Eris.
There was a gasp. “Lord…Rezo?”
It drove Zelgadis mad not to see Eris’s expression to foretell if she believed it. He judged by the tone of her voice that his legs would not be torn off if he spoke. “It’s me, Eris.” He spoke in a deep voice, doing his best to echo Rezo.
Stone fingers caressed his cheek. “My, Lord Rezo,” Yes! It was working. Arms slipped around his neck. “I’ve missed you, my love.” Zelgadis shivered. Why was he happy this was working again? It was awkward enough for Eris to be holding him tenderly, but doing it in his old body, made the experience just wrong. I know what my next goal is, Zelgadis thought. To locate a spell to block this memory! I’ll bet Lina is enjoying this!
Nearby, Lina cackled. “Oh man, this is priceless!”
“Miss Lina, this isn’t funny!” Amelia scolded. “This is serious.”
“I agree with Amelia,” added Gourry.
“See, even Mister Gourry sees how serious this is.”
“Actually, I just know from personal experience how weird it feels to have another guy hit on you.” He shivered. It would take years to block his memories of Volun.
Amelia paused and she stared puzzled. “Mister Gourry, Eris is a girl.”
“But she’s in a guy’s body, so doesn’t that actually make her a guy? It’s been bugging me for a while.”
Amelia grasped her chin in thought. “Well, no, but, well-”
“Stop, we’re not discussing that topic,” Lina snapped. “Gourry, get your sword ready, and Amelia you start chanting. We’re not sure how long the distraction will last.”
Amelia nodded. She silently chanted the full incantation and the ball of blue light grew in her hands. Quietly, Amelia said “Ra Tilt!” at the sword.
Gourry gripped it tightly as the spell collided with the blade. The blade rattle but instantly absorbed the spell. Gourry inspected the sword. “Looks like it worked to me.”
“Good,” Lina replied. “We just got to sneak up on Eris and attack. Let’s just hope Zel can last a little longer.”
Hurry up, Lina! Zelgadis thought. Eris laying her head in his lap was crossing the border from strange to potential nightmare. His was thankful for the thick robes, otherwise Eris’s wired hair would be poking his skin.
“Lord Rezo? Why are you so tense?”
Zelgadis jumped and composed himself. “I am…” Think, think. “Just happy to see you.” Oh, that was smooth. What cheap romance story hasn’t used that line.
Miraculously, Eris laughed without question the reply. “Oh, Lord Rezo.” She lifted her head, leaning her hands on his kneecaps. “Please, give me a kiss.”
Zelgadis choked. “I…err…that’s not a good idea right now.”
Eris pouted, which would have been odd to see even if she was still in her real body. “Why?”
His brain went frazzled. “Because I have bad breath.” It was a weak excuse, but if she believed the cheesy romance line, why not.
“I don’t care.” Her face was inches from his nose. “Please, your kisses have all I’ve been dreaming about since you left.”
Zelgadis twitched. Just how involved were his great grandfather and Eris? Why wouldn’t it surprise him if Rezo had also been a womanizer. Then again, that would explain how a priest had children in the first place … On second thought, perhaps it was better if that bit of information remained vague.
“Lord Rezo,” Eris’s passionate voice broke his thoughts.
Zelgadis pulled his head back. His hand reached back to place it on the log to support his weight and he moved his body backward. However, his hand only met air. With a loud yelp, Zelgadis toppled. His back landed on the grass with his legs hanging over the log.
“My Lord?! Are you all right.”
He winced in pain. Then, Zelgadis made his vital mistake, for a brief moment, his eyes opened. Immediately, his shut them again. It was too late. In the small glimpse he got, Eris was hovering above him. There was a long silence.
Zelgadis remained frozen, until Eris yanked his upper body forehead by grabbing onto his robe. She grasped his arms tightly, breaking off the flow of blood in his arms. “Open your eyes or I’ll rip your arms off!” Her voice was desperate, wanting to deny that what she witness was a lie.
Cursing in his head, Zelgadis opened his eyes.
Eris stared, her eyes wide with fear. “You can see? But how you’re-” Her fear changed to anger. “Blind! My Lord Rezo is blind!” Her grip tighten. “You’re not my Lord Rezo! No! I remember, he’s dead!”
Just when Zelgadis was certain he would be searching for a new pair of arms, he spotted a red flash.
“Flare Arrow!” Lina’s voice cried out. It slammed against Eris’s back. Crying in more shock than pain, Eris released her grip and Zelgadis rolled out of her path. He stood and tore the robes from his body, relieved from shedding the added weight.
Eris howled with rage. “How dare you defile my love! I’ll tear you to pieces!” She pounced. Zelgadis used his staff to block her claws. The rings chimed madly as they swayed back and forth. Eris reached for his throat. Zelgadis smirked. Not this time!
“Digger Volt!” He jabbed the bolt of lightening into her stomach. Sparks flew. Eris screamed and stumbled.
Zelgadis readied himself for a second attack, but he was beaten to it. “Dark Mist!” yelled Amelia. The black mist engulfed the area, blocking both his view and Eris’s. A small hand seized his wrist and dragged him away.
“Hurry, Mister Zelgadis!”
Zelgadis didn’t argue as he let Amelia lead the path out.
Meanwhile, Eris slashed at the mist. How dare it block her view. She strained her ears for the slightest noise, even it was merely a take of breath. Feet moved behind her. Eris whirled around, casting wind to drive away the mist. It proved too late. Lina bolted forward as the mist cleared.
“Dill Brando!”
The ground erupted under Eris. Rocks and dirt filled her vision as she was blasted into the air. She landed flat on her back, momentarily stunned. Her mind cleared as she heard Lina finished chanting. “Freeze Arrow!”
Eris bolted, just before the arrow of ice hit. She lunged forward at Lina. “You’re mine!”
“Astral Vine!” Zelgadis shielded Lina. He smirked and muttered, “My turn.” Zelgadis slashed Eris’s arms. Drips of blood flew off from the sword as he swung it back. Eris yelped in pain and grasped her arm.
“Why?” she muttered darkly. “Why won’t you just die, Zelgadis?”
Zelgadis’s eyes narrowed and he held his sword high. “You know what’s different between you and me, Eris?” He gripped his hilt. “You cling to the past, while I look forward.”
“Ow!” Lina replied, wincing in mental pain. “Zel, that was beyond cheesy. Just, ow.”
“… Shut up Lina.”
Eris dropped her arms. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll kill you right now!” She raced forward at top speed.
Zelgadis smirked, almost gleeful. “We’ll see about that! Shadow Snap!” He threw a dagger at her shadow. Her legs froze as the spell paralyzed her.
“You honestly think this will stop me?” Eris replied, baffled as she stared back at her shadow.
“No, not me. Go, Gourry!”
The swordsman dove out of the bushes where he’d been hiding. He yelled as he held his sword in the air and stabbed Eris’s back. It cut through her stone skin and the tip poked through her stomach.
Eris screamed in agony. She desperately reached behind her to gripped at the sword to pull it out, but Gourry held his ground. Zelgadis stepped forward.
Solemnly, he gripped his sword. “I am sorry, Eris.” He raised it, the spell glowing brightly on it’s blade.
“No!” Eris screamed.
“Astral Vine!” Zelgadis’s sword pierced her heart.
Eris screamed until there was no life in her voice. As she died, her head slumped along with her limbs. The men pulled out their swords. Eris dropped to the ground like a ragdoll. Her chest barely moved as she turned her head up to the sky.
The group circled around her and silently stared at her. Eris chuckled softly while spitting out some blood. “So, in the end, I still lose.”
Zelgadis kneeled. “Do you have any last requests?”
She scoffed. “None, that I would want to ask of you.” She hissed in pain. “At least I’ll be with Lord Rezo at last.” Her eyes closed as the life left her body. The group went silent.
Amelia sat next to Zelgadis and held his hand. “Are you alright?”
He nodded. “Yes, and now it’s truly over.”
“Still doesn’t excuse the cheesy line, Zel.”
“Lina, just be quiet.”
I want to give a big thank you to
dqbunny and eveshka for beta reading this. You guys were a big help! ^_^Title: Back-up Copy
Series: Slayers
Rating: PG
Summary: Zelgadis searches one of Rezo's labs and makes an unimaginable discovery.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
“Eris?!” Amelia exclaimed. “You’re the soul that was in the jar?!”
“I don’t remember any jar.” Eris tighten her grip on Zelgadis’s throat, making him gasp for air. “All that I can recall is that I died before I can extract my revenge on the traitor, Zelgadis.” She draw a claw down his cheek, drawing blood as he tried to flinch away. Zelgadis winced as a thin trail of blood broke free. “My memory is foggy, but you murdered someone I loved! You shall pay!”
Gourry screamed a battle cry as he charged and leaped. With both of his hands clutching the hilt of the sword, he sliced at Eris’s arm. It made no cut. But, the sudden force and surprise broke Eris’s grip on Zelgadis’s throat.
He collapsed and tumbled backwards coughing madly. Gourry pointed the tip of his rusted sword at Eris’s chest. “You okay, Zel?”
“Yes, thanks, Gourry,” As he stared in amazement at the old sword. I’m surprise that old sword hasn’t snapped in half yet.
“You’re not escaping that easily,” Eris cried, her eyes filled with rage. “Fire Ball!”
“Mister Gourry, look out!”
The girls jumped forward as Amelia began chanting a barrier. Zelgadis raised his hand to cast his own barrier. Neither proved necessary. The ball of fire flew too fast. Gourry held his sword ready to repel it. The fire ball hit the rusted sword. Everyone, even Eris, stared befuddled. The sword held back the fire ball. Truth be told, the ball of fire was shrinking, as if the sword was drinking the life out of the flames.
The ball of fire vanished, and the blade rattled and violently shook. There were a series of clanks and rattles. The rusted coating of the sword broke off, freeing a glimmering blade from underneath. Lina stared in awe. Don’t tell me that rusted piece of trash WAS a magical sword?!
Gourry flicked the sword back and forth, examining the clean blade. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Eris cursed. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll die here.” She cast another fire ball. Gourry rushed forward and batted the ball of flame as if it was an ordinary toy ball. He continued to charge at Eris. In defense, she raised her arm to block the blade, and the blade sliced her forearm.
To her horror, she hissed in pain and stumbled backwards. She turned her arm and stared wide eyed. There was a large cut with blood trailing down her arm. She clutched it to her chest. “I’ll be back! Just you wait! Dark Mist!”
The thick mist engulfed the entire area. Zelgadis quickly cast a wind spell to blow it aside, but it proved too late as the mist cleared and there was no trace of Eris. Zelgadis massaged his throat as he stepped forward. “That was a stroke of luck.”
Gourry grinned. “And you guys said this sword was trash.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Lina muttered, refusing to take her eyes off the sword. “Brag later, but right now I want to know what the heck is this thing?”
“Miss Lina, I think we should get out of here first.”
Zelgadis replied with a curt nod in agreement. “Let’s go to the cabin. It will be nightfall by the time we get back to town and we need the time to figure out what our next move is.”
“Fine,” Lina replied, still refusing to take her eyes off the sword. There seemed something familiar about it. It would bug her until she memory kicked in.
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“Is there anything to eat in here, Zel?” Gourry asked as he picked up another jar off the shelf.
Zelgadis folded his arms from his seat in the chair. “Don’t you think we have more pressing matters to discuss?”
“But I think better on a full stomach.”
“In that case, you must always be starving,” Zelgadis remarked, stretching out on the floor. “First of all, I want to know why Amelia’s spell didn’t work.”
Amelia nodded. “I made sure not to hold back, so I don’t understand why Eris didn’t leave Mister Zelgadis’s body.”
“Of course it didn’t work.” The group jumped. Xellos grinned in his usual cocky manner by the window. “I’m rather shock you thought it would.”
Zelgadis sighed. “What are you talking about?”
Xellos shook a finger. “Technically, she is not possessing Mister Zelgadis’s old body. True ‘possession’ is when a spirit is taking over a body that always contains a soul.”
“Except, Mister Zelgadis’s chimera body didn’t have a soul in it.”
Xellos nodded. “Exactly. So, Miss Eris merely took the body for herself and made it into her own in the same manner that Zelgadis did.” He perched against the windowsill. “In other words, using a spell to exorcise Miss Eris would have no more an effect than it would on, say, Miss Lina. It would be the same as trying to ripe a soul out of its original body.”
Lina blinked and slapped her forehead. She could feel a headache coming on. “Wow, I can’t believe we missed that.”
“In our defense, “ Amelia added, “we were still thinking of it as Mister Zelgadis’s body. So, that probably distracted us.”
Gourry raised a hand. “I get all that, but why did Zel’s chimera body changed so much when Eris took over? Nothing happened when Zel took his human body.”
“I believe it’s the anger Miss Eris has,” Xellos added with a grin. “From what I heard, she spent a few years in that jar while craving revenge.” He tapped his fingers against the tip of his staff and raised his head up to the ceiling. “An angry spirit can be quite powerful when it takes on a new body.”
“Okay, fine, we’re idiots,” Lina replied. “But how the hell did Eris’s soul end up in that jar?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Eris volunteered,” said Zelgadis as he stood up and walked to the shelf. He knew he had placed a teapot and a box of tea in the cabin from when he’d been exploring the cabin months before. He was in desperate need for a cup of tea.“She was willing to do anything for Rezo, although I never thought it was to this extent.”
“She probably thought it would ensure her being reunited with Rezo in the case they both died.”
“That’s so romantic,” Amelia said with a dreamy expression. “In a weird, warped way. Although, why didn’t she get the Hellmaster jar that contained Rezo?”
“She probably didn’t know were to find it,” Lina said. “Or, maybe Rezo didn’t tell her that the jar that would contain his soul was finished.” She closed her eyes, rubbing at her temples. “Remember, that jar with Eris’s soul was the first one. For all we know, the jar Rezo’s soul went into could have been number twenty-five. So, she could have thought Rezo was still experimenting with it.”
“But why is she only after Zel?” Gourry asked. “We were there too, Lina”
Zelgadis found the teapot and the box of tea leaves from behind a large text on the biology of trolls. “Her memory is probably scrambled. Remember how bad Nama’s memory was?”
Lina nodded and shuddered a bit. “So, what do we know?” She counted on her fingers. “Eris was the soul in the jar. Her memory is bad, and she wants to kill Zel and anyone that tries to stop her from doing so.”
“And that Mister Gourry’s sword seemed to be able to cut her” Amelia added.
“I was going to comment on that,” Xellos remarked, eyeing the sword with a smirk that made Gourry hold it closer to his chest. “That is an intriguing sword you found Mister Gourry.”
The swordsman grinned with pride. “I can spot a good sword when I see it.” He held up his new weapon and admired it as if it were a diamond. “But hey, if it can cut through Zel’s stone skin, I wonder if it can cut through anything.”
His words rattled through Lina’s brain. Cut through anything? “That’s it!” Lina bolted upward and nearly tripped as she rushed to the sword. “Now I remember! Gourry, let me see that sword.”
“Sure, but I’m not selling it to you Lina.”
Lina studied the blade closely. “I read about this sword. This is the Blast Sword.”
Zelgadis dropped the box of tea. “The Blast Sword?” He stared at the sword intently. “Wait, I think you’re right.”
“Um…what is the Blast Sword?” Amelia asked.
“I read about it when I was researching magic swords,” Lina explained. “It’s suppose to absorb magic which lets it become sharper and cut through anything.” She grinned evilly, rubbing her hands together. “Including into the astral plane.” She turned to Xellos with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. “Mind if we use you for a test subject, Xellos?”
“Er, no thank you,” Xellos replied, sweat dripping down his cheek. “I believe no proof will be needed. However, correct me if I’m wrong, but I had heard the Blast Sword had become so sharp it would slice through any hilt it was attached to.”
Lina stared at the blade, folding her arms over her chest. “Yeah, I read that too.”
“I bet Rezo found a way to dull the blade,” Zelgadis interjected. “He was probably planning to use it in one of his experiments, but he left it in his lab for safekeeping.” He rummaged for some teacups. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he purposely covered it in rust so an intruder wouldn’t bother to steal it.”
“Yeah, the only person who would take a rusted sword is Gourry,” Lina added.
“Which proved to be a good call,” Gourry retorted.
“You’re not going to let that fact go for a long time aren’t you?”
“So, we have a plan!” Amelia exclaimed. “We’ll power the sword with a few spells and Mister Gourry can use it to defeat Miss Eris!”
“But what spell do we use?” Gourry asked. “A fireball was just able to make a small cut. We would need a strong spell, right? Like a Dragon Slave?”
Lina grasped her chin. “I wouldn’t want to risk that without some testing first. We don’t know how quick the sword can absorb stronger spells.” She handed the sword back to Gourry. “If I cast a Dragon Slave, we might get blown up as we wait for the sword to absorb it.”
“What about a Ra Tilt?” Amelia suggested. “It’s as strong as a Dragon Slave, but it won’t harm us if it takes a few minutes for it to be absorb by the sword.”
Lina pondered. “That could work, although the sword is more effective against demons and mazoku. Eris is still human, even if she’s gone insane.”
“We don’t need the Ra Tilt to kill her,” Zelgadis replied. “We just need the spell to sharpen Gourry’s sword enough so blade can kill her.”
Lina nodded. “That’s true, and if you hit her with the sword and your Astral Vine at the same time while I cast some strong spells, it might be enough to kill Eris once and for all.”
“It’s worth a try,” Amelia said.
“Although, it’s weird to be fighting Zel’s old body,” Gourry replied. “It’s a good thing you’re a friend. We would have had a hard time fighting you if you became our enemy.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” Lina added. “I remember when you were our enemy at first. It would have been a tough fight if it had stayed that way.”
Zelgadis said nothing as he headed to the door carrying the teapot.
“Mister Zelgadis, where are you going?”
He kept his back to them. “To the well, I’m getting some water.” He shut the door, slumped against the cabin wall and rubbed his neck. He had already cast a healing spell on himself, yet the image of himself dangling made it throb. I bet this was how Lina felt when Zumma tried to choke her. Still, he couldn’t believe he let himself get cornered again. It was becoming an obnoxious habit.
He sighed and headed to the well. He dumped the pail into the water and the droplets of water splash onto his fingers. He blocked out the memories of the fight and concentrated on pulling on the rope.
“Mister Zelgadis?”
He jumped and nearly lost his hold on the rope. He breathed in and turned. “Did you need something Amelia? I’ll have the water in a second.”
Amelia chewed her bottom lip. “Actually, I was worried about you. You became awfully quiet.”
Zelgadis grabbed the side of the bucket and pulled it to the top of the brick of the well wall. “It’s nothing. It’s quite childish actually.” He hopped Amelia would just drop the subject. However, he knew the chances of Amelia doing that weren’t likely. She could be quite stubborn in that aspect.
To prove his point, she continued. “I know it must be very weird to having to fight against your own body.”
Zelgadis sighed. “It’s not that. It’s bizarre, but that’s not what is bothering me.”
“Then what is it?”
Zelgadis sat on the well edge. “In the past two nights I have carelessly almost gotten myself killed.” He ran his hand through his soft hair. “I keep forgetting how fragile a human is compared to a chimera.” He rubbed his throat. “When a mazoku choked me before, it didn’t hurt nearly as much as it did today.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “So, what are you saying?”
“I’m missing my old body. Doesn’t that sound stupid?” He scoffed at himself. “Of course, I would never want to actually go back to being a chimera, but I can’t help but think I wouldn’t be so useless in my old body.”
“It’s not stupid.” Amelia patted his shoulder. “It’s natural for you to miss it. You’ve lived as a chimera for a few years now. I think there’s always going to be parts of it that you miss. It’s was a part of your life.” She moved forward and leaned in. “And you’re not useless. You’re just out of practice fighting while fully human.”
“Gourry said the same thing.” He picked up the pail of water. “The whole situation is just frustrating. I hate it. I knew it would be like this while I searched for a cure, but knowing it and actually going it through it are two different things.”
The pair began to walk back to the cabin. “Let’s just focus on defeating Eris,” Amelia suggested. “Once this is over, you’ll have plenty of time to improve your skills.”
Zelgadis nodded. “Thanks to listening to my whining.”
“You’re not whining,” Amelia corrected. “You’re just…” She thought for a moment. “Expressing thoughts out loud.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s the same thing,” Zelgadis added. “But that sounds less annoying.”
Amelia touched his arm. “It will work out. You’ll see.”
Zelgadis nodded as he picked up the bucket. He really needed that cup of tea.
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Before the sun fully set, Gourry and Lina had gone out and caught some fish to cook for dinner while Amelia had located some herbs in the cabin to add seasoning to the meal.
Gourry watched their dinner roast on the spit in the fire and drummed his fingers in thought. “Guys, how do we plan on locating Eroes?”
“It’s Eris, Gourry,” Lina replied, pouring herself another cup of tea. “But you have a point. We were lucky to get a tip from that hunter, but I doubt finding Eris again will be easy.”
“Especially considering she seems to be more mentally stable now,” Zelagadis added. “She didn’t seem as ‘wild’ as when she first attacked me.”
“And this forest is so huge. We could spend weeks looking for her,” Amelia added. “That is, if she doesn’t sneak up on us and attack us.”
“We did have surprise as our advantage this morning,” Zelgadis replied, twitching. “Until someone got hay fever all of a sudden.”
“Hey, blame Gourry! He started it!”
“I’m not sure sneezing works like that, Miss Lina.”
Lina sighed. “In any case, if we could find a way to lure Eris out, we could try to give another sneak attack and give us the upper hand.”
Zelgadis scoffed. “Too bad she still isn’t thinking like a wild animal. We could have lured her out with food.”
Lina laughed and added some sugar. “We could, but Eris would probably figure out it’s a trap real quick. She might be starving enough to take the food, but she would have her guard up for any attack we make. Only an idiot wouldn’t think free food isn’t a trap.”
Gourry snapped his fingers. “Hey! What if we got Rezo!”
Lina blinked and paused in her stirring. “What?”
“She was crazy about him, right? I bet if we got Rezo hanging out in the open, she’d come running and not even think it was a trick.”
Lina gripped her slipper, ready to whack him hard. “Half of your brain must have melted! Hello, Rezo is dead! Unless, he happened to put his soul into a jar again, we’re not going to get Rezo out here.”
"What if it was a fake Rezo?" Amelia thought out loud. "Like the copy that was made a few years back?"
"Oh, no," Lina pointed her slipper at her. "We're not trying that."
"Zel could do it," Gourry suggested.
Zelgadis spat out his tea. "W-what? I'm not Rezo!"
"But, you do look like him, except for the hairstyle."
"How is it you can’t remember names, but you can remember stupid things like that?" Lina asked, narrowing her eyes at Gourry.
Gourry shrugged as Lina shook her head and turned her gaze to Zelgadis.
"Still ..." Lina began to circle Zelgadis, her eyes calculating. "Yeah ... he does look a lot like Rezo."
“Exactly,” Gourry added, nodding. He didn’t get why the concept had been so hard to understand.
“I never thought I say this, but that’s brilliant Gourry,” Lina replied, grinning slyly. “We’ll just have to-”
“Forget it!” Zelgadis snarled and pulled his shoulder away. “There is no way I’m doing this!”
“But, Mister Zelgadis,” Amelia replied, in a calm tone. “This would lure out Eris.”
“Be serious, do you honestly think she would believe I’m Rezo! Need I remind you that Eris wants to kill me because the real Rezo is dead? She won’t fall for this.”
“Yes, but she can only recall pieces of her memory.” Lina waved a finger. “I don’t think she remembers that it’s Rezo that’s dead. She just said you killed someone she loved, but she didn’t say it was Rezo.”
Amelia stroked her chin. “You’re right, and if that’s the case, she really might believe Mister Zelgadis is the real Red Priest.”
Lina nodded. “Right, and with her incomplete memory, we should be able to pull off a fake Rezo easily.” Lina winked. “And, hey, besides, with the right makeup and costume, Zel could look like anybody. Even Naga,” Lina replied.
“Who?” Amelia asked.
“Oh, never mind.” Lina moved to the fire to double check the meat hadn’t burned. “Anyway, relax Zel. This will work.”
“Are you even listening?” Zelgadis asked, slamming a fist onto the table. “I’m not doing this!”
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“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Zelgadis muttered darkly.
“Hold still, Mister Zelgadis,” Amelia replied. She had her tongue sticking out as she applied oil to his hair. “I need to get your bangs to stay out of your face.”
“Just make sure not to get any on the robes,” Lina replied. “We need to make everything count.” Without turning around, Lina yelled over her shoulder. “How is the boar meat coming along, Gourry?”
Gourry wiped the sweat off his brow. “Just about ready to set up the fire, then we can roast the boar.”
“Good, but don’t start the fire until we’re ready.”
“She’s not going to fall for this,” Zelgadis grumbled as Amelia cleaned the oil off his neck. “Besides, the chances of her coming exactly to this spot are unlikely.”
“And that’s what the meat is for!” Lina snapped. “We’ll roast the meat, then Amelia and I will create a breeze so the smell goes through the forest. Eris will pick up the scent and come to investigate. Then volia!” She patted Zelgadis’s shoulder. “She’ll see you, assume you’re Rezo, and we got her.”
Zelgadis rolled his eyes. It might have sound solid, but the plan was going to fail at some point. He could feel it in his gut.
“I’m finished, Mister Zelgadis.”
He rose, desperately trying not to trip on the long robes. How did Rezo walk in these things?
“Now, we just need the final touch!” Amelia cheered, reaching for the fake staff they had the blacksmith made. “Here you go, Mister Zelgadis.”
He held the staff and then closely examined himself. The robe was twice his size, the staff held far too many rings and his hair felt stiff from the barrel-worth of oil. He twitched. This was almost as bad as dressing up as a woman. “I look like a cheap knockoff.”
“Never mind,” Lina replied. “You look great, Zel. Not exactly like Rezo, but good enough for what we could do at the last minute.”
Zelgadis sighed. “I suppose I should go and sit on the log in the clearing.”
“Yeah, it won’t take long to start the fire.” Lina frowned. “But remember to shut your eyes and pretend you’re blind when Eris shows up.”
Amelia nodded. “That’s right. Eris probably won’t believe you’re Rezo if you’re not blind.”
“I know that!” Zelgadis snapped, even though it only just occurred to him to make sure his eyes were shut. “Let’s just get this over with!” Zelgadis cursed and grumbled as he made his way to the log and sat. Shortly after, he began to smell the roasting boar as a light breeze blew through.
Zelgadis continued to sit, passing the time by picturing how he would burn this costume when it was all over. As the sun passed in the sky, it grew warmer. Zelgadis tugged at his collar. He was boiling. It baffled him that Rezo could willing wear these robes without appearing be bothered. He recalled a memory from his childhood. It was the hottest day of the summer and Zelgadis remembered desperately finding the nearest lake or pond to soak himself in. Yet, the whole time Rezo wore the robes. He may not have been a man of miracles that everyone believed him to be, but the fact the man could wear thick long robes on a burning summer day was a marvel in itself.
Then again, Zelgadis thought, He probably found a way to cheat and cooled himself without taking off his robes. Yes, that’s more believable.
His stomach growled. The smell of the roasting boar was becoming painful. He found himself in an internal debate if Lina would yell at him for asking for a piece to eat. That was when he sensed it. Something bloodthirsty staring at him deep in the woods.
He stiffened. Bushes rustled. He could sense movement from behind him. The footsteps were quiet. The crunching of a twig was the only signal to how close Eris was. Zelgadis held his breath as he could feel hot breath on the back of his neck. Shutting his eyes, Zelgadis steadily turned around, praying the sudden movement wouldn’t alarm Eris.
There was a gasp. “Lord…Rezo?”
It drove Zelgadis mad not to see Eris’s expression to foretell if she believed it. He judged by the tone of her voice that his legs would not be torn off if he spoke. “It’s me, Eris.” He spoke in a deep voice, doing his best to echo Rezo.
Stone fingers caressed his cheek. “My, Lord Rezo,” Yes! It was working. Arms slipped around his neck. “I’ve missed you, my love.” Zelgadis shivered. Why was he happy this was working again? It was awkward enough for Eris to be holding him tenderly, but doing it in his old body, made the experience just wrong. I know what my next goal is, Zelgadis thought. To locate a spell to block this memory! I’ll bet Lina is enjoying this!
Nearby, Lina cackled. “Oh man, this is priceless!”
“Miss Lina, this isn’t funny!” Amelia scolded. “This is serious.”
“I agree with Amelia,” added Gourry.
“See, even Mister Gourry sees how serious this is.”
“Actually, I just know from personal experience how weird it feels to have another guy hit on you.” He shivered. It would take years to block his memories of Volun.
Amelia paused and she stared puzzled. “Mister Gourry, Eris is a girl.”
“But she’s in a guy’s body, so doesn’t that actually make her a guy? It’s been bugging me for a while.”
Amelia grasped her chin in thought. “Well, no, but, well-”
“Stop, we’re not discussing that topic,” Lina snapped. “Gourry, get your sword ready, and Amelia you start chanting. We’re not sure how long the distraction will last.”
Amelia nodded. She silently chanted the full incantation and the ball of blue light grew in her hands. Quietly, Amelia said “Ra Tilt!” at the sword.
Gourry gripped it tightly as the spell collided with the blade. The blade rattle but instantly absorbed the spell. Gourry inspected the sword. “Looks like it worked to me.”
“Good,” Lina replied. “We just got to sneak up on Eris and attack. Let’s just hope Zel can last a little longer.”
Hurry up, Lina! Zelgadis thought. Eris laying her head in his lap was crossing the border from strange to potential nightmare. His was thankful for the thick robes, otherwise Eris’s wired hair would be poking his skin.
“Lord Rezo? Why are you so tense?”
Zelgadis jumped and composed himself. “I am…” Think, think. “Just happy to see you.” Oh, that was smooth. What cheap romance story hasn’t used that line.
Miraculously, Eris laughed without question the reply. “Oh, Lord Rezo.” She lifted her head, leaning her hands on his kneecaps. “Please, give me a kiss.”
Zelgadis choked. “I…err…that’s not a good idea right now.”
Eris pouted, which would have been odd to see even if she was still in her real body. “Why?”
His brain went frazzled. “Because I have bad breath.” It was a weak excuse, but if she believed the cheesy romance line, why not.
“I don’t care.” Her face was inches from his nose. “Please, your kisses have all I’ve been dreaming about since you left.”
Zelgadis twitched. Just how involved were his great grandfather and Eris? Why wouldn’t it surprise him if Rezo had also been a womanizer. Then again, that would explain how a priest had children in the first place … On second thought, perhaps it was better if that bit of information remained vague.
“Lord Rezo,” Eris’s passionate voice broke his thoughts.
Zelgadis pulled his head back. His hand reached back to place it on the log to support his weight and he moved his body backward. However, his hand only met air. With a loud yelp, Zelgadis toppled. His back landed on the grass with his legs hanging over the log.
“My Lord?! Are you all right.”
He winced in pain. Then, Zelgadis made his vital mistake, for a brief moment, his eyes opened. Immediately, his shut them again. It was too late. In the small glimpse he got, Eris was hovering above him. There was a long silence.
Zelgadis remained frozen, until Eris yanked his upper body forehead by grabbing onto his robe. She grasped his arms tightly, breaking off the flow of blood in his arms. “Open your eyes or I’ll rip your arms off!” Her voice was desperate, wanting to deny that what she witness was a lie.
Cursing in his head, Zelgadis opened his eyes.
Eris stared, her eyes wide with fear. “You can see? But how you’re-” Her fear changed to anger. “Blind! My Lord Rezo is blind!” Her grip tighten. “You’re not my Lord Rezo! No! I remember, he’s dead!”
Just when Zelgadis was certain he would be searching for a new pair of arms, he spotted a red flash.
“Flare Arrow!” Lina’s voice cried out. It slammed against Eris’s back. Crying in more shock than pain, Eris released her grip and Zelgadis rolled out of her path. He stood and tore the robes from his body, relieved from shedding the added weight.
Eris howled with rage. “How dare you defile my love! I’ll tear you to pieces!” She pounced. Zelgadis used his staff to block her claws. The rings chimed madly as they swayed back and forth. Eris reached for his throat. Zelgadis smirked. Not this time!
“Digger Volt!” He jabbed the bolt of lightening into her stomach. Sparks flew. Eris screamed and stumbled.
Zelgadis readied himself for a second attack, but he was beaten to it. “Dark Mist!” yelled Amelia. The black mist engulfed the area, blocking both his view and Eris’s. A small hand seized his wrist and dragged him away.
“Hurry, Mister Zelgadis!”
Zelgadis didn’t argue as he let Amelia lead the path out.
Meanwhile, Eris slashed at the mist. How dare it block her view. She strained her ears for the slightest noise, even it was merely a take of breath. Feet moved behind her. Eris whirled around, casting wind to drive away the mist. It proved too late. Lina bolted forward as the mist cleared.
“Dill Brando!”
The ground erupted under Eris. Rocks and dirt filled her vision as she was blasted into the air. She landed flat on her back, momentarily stunned. Her mind cleared as she heard Lina finished chanting. “Freeze Arrow!”
Eris bolted, just before the arrow of ice hit. She lunged forward at Lina. “You’re mine!”
“Astral Vine!” Zelgadis shielded Lina. He smirked and muttered, “My turn.” Zelgadis slashed Eris’s arms. Drips of blood flew off from the sword as he swung it back. Eris yelped in pain and grasped her arm.
“Why?” she muttered darkly. “Why won’t you just die, Zelgadis?”
Zelgadis’s eyes narrowed and he held his sword high. “You know what’s different between you and me, Eris?” He gripped his hilt. “You cling to the past, while I look forward.”
“Ow!” Lina replied, wincing in mental pain. “Zel, that was beyond cheesy. Just, ow.”
“… Shut up Lina.”
Eris dropped her arms. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll kill you right now!” She raced forward at top speed.
Zelgadis smirked, almost gleeful. “We’ll see about that! Shadow Snap!” He threw a dagger at her shadow. Her legs froze as the spell paralyzed her.
“You honestly think this will stop me?” Eris replied, baffled as she stared back at her shadow.
“No, not me. Go, Gourry!”
The swordsman dove out of the bushes where he’d been hiding. He yelled as he held his sword in the air and stabbed Eris’s back. It cut through her stone skin and the tip poked through her stomach.
Eris screamed in agony. She desperately reached behind her to gripped at the sword to pull it out, but Gourry held his ground. Zelgadis stepped forward.
Solemnly, he gripped his sword. “I am sorry, Eris.” He raised it, the spell glowing brightly on it’s blade.
“No!” Eris screamed.
“Astral Vine!” Zelgadis’s sword pierced her heart.
Eris screamed until there was no life in her voice. As she died, her head slumped along with her limbs. The men pulled out their swords. Eris dropped to the ground like a ragdoll. Her chest barely moved as she turned her head up to the sky.
The group circled around her and silently stared at her. Eris chuckled softly while spitting out some blood. “So, in the end, I still lose.”
Zelgadis kneeled. “Do you have any last requests?”
She scoffed. “None, that I would want to ask of you.” She hissed in pain. “At least I’ll be with Lord Rezo at last.” Her eyes closed as the life left her body. The group went silent.
Amelia sat next to Zelgadis and held his hand. “Are you alright?”
He nodded. “Yes, and now it’s truly over.”
“Still doesn’t excuse the cheesy line, Zel.”
“Lina, just be quiet.”
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2011-08-08 05:42 pm (UTC)(And hopefully LJ lets me post this comment already...)
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Date: 2011-08-09 03:36 pm (UTC)Dang. I was sure that that line would go "you're not whining you're.....complaining". ~_^
I loved the way you wrapped it up. My favorite part was when Zel had to dress up as Rezo and fend off Eris' advances.
And I wasn't expecting you to bring in the Blast Blade. That was a pleasant surprise!
This is a bit off-topic, but I was wondering if you got a chance to see this in the midst of the DDOS nonsense. I'd love to get your opinion on it. :)
<http://brendala.livejournal.com/112571.html>
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Date: 2011-08-09 05:00 pm (UTC)I did see that and I could have sworn I replied to it. I shall correct this now. ^_~
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Date: 2011-08-09 06:41 pm (UTC)The next chapter isn't as long as this, so hopefully it won't take too long to post it. ^_~
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Date: 2011-08-10 01:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-10 10:54 pm (UTC)Awesome! I'm looking forward to it!