And now...the stirring conclusion to "What Secrets We Bring." Please hold
your applause until the end. You might want to hold it after the end, too.
O.o
**********************************************************
"Wha...what?" Zelgadis's vision was blurred, his mind was hazy. Had the mazokou just said they were...in hell?
"Not really, of course," the demon cooed, continuing to pet the chimera as though he were some kind of exotic cat. "Drama, I see, is quite lost on you. We're actually in my home, where you shall be spending the rest of your life. With me."
Clearing himself somewhat, the shaman's eyes narrowed. "I won't stay with you."
"Oh?"
"..."
"I see. You truly do not love me, then?"
"..."
"I...see." There was silence for what seemed like an eternity, then the gloved hands reached up to cup the chimera's face tenderly. "Why can't you love me, as I love you?"
Shuddering under the trickster's touch, Zelgadis tried to pull away. "Because I cannot love something without a soul. Because you don't love me; you're just playing with me."
"Do you think you know me so well?"
Zelgadis couldn't help but look shocked; he was crying! The damnable demon was crying! Blackish-red blood, but tears nonetheless. "Xelloss..."
"Shut up! You're like all of them!" The slap was hard enough to send the chimera's head spinning, dancing on the verge of unconsciousness. "'You're a monster! You can't love anything!' That's what they all say. They don't know me and neither do you!" That last bit had been screamed into the shocked chimera's face and now Zelgadis remained quiet, stunned by the emotional outburst. Xelloss wasn't finished yet, though. "It's not as though I haven't tried; I've attempted to be mysterious, mischievous, funny, cruel, caring...nothing works. They never love me, and neither do you. But you...I can make you love me. I can make you love me..."
Something in the way the demon's voice wavered worried Zelgadis, who feared he had to regain some semblance of control before something very bad happened. "Maybe they were afraid of you, that's all. Kidnapping isn't the best way to start a relationsh-"
"And are you afraid of me?" Xelloss hissed, amethyst eyes narrowing. "Is that it? I haven't given you anything to be afraid of yet. I can."
"Xelloss...."
"You want to fear me, don't you? That's it, isn't it?" Tapping on his chin thoughtfully, the demon peered at the bound creature before him, a slightly disjointed grin seeping across his face. "If you fear me, you will love me...."
"X-Xelloss...." The chimera was cut off by a stinging slap, and when he looked back up the demon was leaning in close, his voice a twisted hiss full of cruel intentions.
"You....will...love me...."
**********************
Lina had lost her patience. She hadn't had much to begin with, and every second was eating away just a bit more. Statue-still, she stared into the camp's fire lost in thought, ignoring the polite/worried/confused conversation of her traveling companions. Suddenly, she looked up.
"He's taken him home."
The others looked up from their conversation; it was the first words the sorceress had spoken since the kidnapping. Amelia ventured hesitantly, "Home?"
"Home. That's the only place he could take him, isn't it?" Her ruby eyes had never left the fire, and the flames' reflection danced sedately in them. "He obvious has an obsession with him; he wouldn't kill him. He'd have taken him home."
"But there's no way for us to get there, is there? Not without him taking us, that is," the dragon whispered, the cold chill of resignation running through her veins. "But he can't be lost...we'll get him back..."
"Cheerful words, but your heart's not in it," Lina mumbled, sparing her a split-second glance before returning to her silent reverie.
***********************
It seemed as though he had been trapped here for an eternity. But he hadn't been, of course.
Eternity couldn't last this long.
He'd started counting the days by the hours he managed to stay conscious. So far he'd rung up forty-six waking hours which meant...what, exactly? It meant he'd been conscious for near on to two days now, but he had no way of tracking the time he'd been out cold. Footsteps to the right. He stilled.
"Feeling well today, my angel?" The word seemed sick coming from the mazokou's lips.
"Feeling wonderful," came the wearily croaked reply. Was that his voice? Gods, it sounded awful.
"Glad to hear it, angel." Kneeling next to the battered chimera, Xelloss reached out a hand, long claws lightly scraping across the stone cheek. "Do you love me?"
"..."
The demon growled, and his hand flashed out with a jarring slap. "Answer me!"
"....if I...say 'yes'...will you let...me go?"
The scowl deepened, then dissolved into a grin as the laughter rose up. "If you say 'yes,' my love, then I'll keep you here with me forever."
"...and if I...say 'no'?"
In a flash, the frown returned and Xelloss leaned forward close enough so that their lips nearly touched. "If you say 'no,' then I shall keep you here until you finally do love me."
Zelgadis sighed exhaustedly, shifting a little in his cumbersome bondage of chains. Dulled blue eyes met the amethyst ones for a moment, then closed as he looked away in resolute silence.
Xelloss didn't react at first, then he leaned forward to nuzzle against the fatigued boy's neck in a rare display of affection, lips lightly kissing up the sweat-slicked stone jaw. A smile crossed his lips as he felt the shudder run through the weary frame and he pressed on, moving up to bite gently at the pointed tip of his ear. "Tell me you love me, my beautiful one," his voice whispered coaxingly. By now he was merely fighting for a reaction from the despondent creature, and when none was forthcoming he raised a hand to grip the slender throat, nails digging in cruelly as he squeezed. "Tell me you love me!" The soft voice was now a hiss as he jerked Zelgadis's head around so that their eyes met. "Tell me! You're afraid of me...you love me...tell me!"
Cracked blue lips parted somewhat, and the demon's eyes lit up in hope...hope which was quickly depressed as he realized it was only a gasp for air. The chimera's eyes were glassy, hopeless; his face was a porcelain mask - so delicious to look at, so easy to break. The demon stood once more, smoothing out his cloak with the palms of his hands.
"I see," was all he said before he turned on a heel and disappeared in mid- step.
*************************
"This is getting us nowhere!" Amelia wasn't sure what frustrated her more; the fact that Lina was taking so long or the fact that Lina was taking this course of action. Pacing back and forth, she was finally stopped by Filia's hand on her shoulder.
"I don't like this any more than you do, but there's nothing else that can be done. It's the only course of action that makes sense....er...even if it doesn't truly make sense."
"Both of you help, or shut up," Lina growled as she concentrated on the lines of the magic circle she was constructing. Finally finished, she stood and tossed the chalk aside as she removed the magic-enhancing jewel from her belt. "This will work, okay? If not, then we'll think of something else."
"But... Miss Lina... I mean...isn't demon summoning really dangerous? We don't even have anything to bind him with, even if we do manage to get him here," Amelia wailed plaintively, trying to talk sense into the determined sorceress.
"We have this," Lina pointed out, holding up the red jewel.
"And that is...?" Filia began politely.
"This is," the firey girl grinned, "A jewel to enhance magical ability, given to me by Xelloss himself."
"You threatened him, actually, Lina."
"Shut up, Gourry. It's made from demon's blood - and I'm willing to bet it's made from Xelloss's own blood." Lina shrugged. "Either way, it's something to start with, unless any of you have better ideas."
They all shook their heads.
"Thought so." She placed the jewel in the center of the magic circle, then stepped clear of it, clearing her throat. "So....uh...let's get started then. Everyone ready?"
"I'm ready, Miss Lina."
"Me too."
"Uh...."
"Oh, my! This looks interesting!"
Everyone turned, jaws agape, to stare at Xelloss who stood just behind them. All smiles, he stood leaning unperturbedly against his staff as though all was right with the world. "Goodness...what are we all doing here looking so-" He was cut off as a fireball hit him quite squarely in the face. Slightly singed, he shifted a little and changed staff hands. "Okay. I supposed I deserved that."
"You're damn right you deserved that, you backstabbing kidnapper!" Lina advanced upon him in a fury, eyes blazing as she grabbed onto his collar. "What the hell are you doing outside the circle?! Get in there!" She shoved him roughly in the direction of the circle, and the mazokou complied without protest.
Stepping into the circle, he picked up the jewel and examined it offhandedly. "Really, Miss Lina...is this how you deal with priceless gems?"
"It's supposed to bind you to do whatever we say," she started smugly, before realizing how extremely unaffected the demon was by the circle.
"Ah. Interesting. However, I do believe I gave it to you - after many hostile words, I might add - so it is indeed yours; mine no longer." He tossed the stone back to her, and she caught it reflexively.
"But...and...it's....I thought..."
"No, it's not my blood, Miss Lina. I'm afraid the previous owner of that blood is currently resting in relative peace wherever it is that we go to....rest."
"Oh. Er." She looked back to the others for help, then her fury seemed to make its way to the surface once again. "Where's Zelgadis, you bastard!? What have you done with him?!"
"He's right here, actually," the mazokou smiled. Extending an arm, his cloak opened a swish to reveal the battered shaman lying in a crumpled heap on the floor. He stepped passively to the side as the others rushed in, Filia and Amelia muttering healing spells under their breath as Gourry stood guard, just in case Xelloss decided to make a move. He didn't.
"Why did you do this?" Lina demanded, teeth clenched with fury.
"I made a mistake, is all," Xelloss commented, almost sadly, as he watched the two girls working tiny miracles with the assaulted chimera.
"Mistake? Oh, I'll say you made a mistake alright. Now get out of my sight before I have to attack you and get myself killed."
Tired purple eyes settled back on the sorceress for a moment, and Lina thought he was going to remonstrate, but he simply nodded and disappeared without another word.
********************
Nearly two months had passed since Zelgadis was returned, and not a sign of the mazokou had been seen. Zelgadis himself was startlingly quiet, but the others figured that to be normal, what with all he had been through and all. He fought amazingly, spoke little, and showed about as much emotion has a tree.
The others knew he'd been through a lot. He would heal in time.
********************
Xelloss smiled in disjointed amusement through the eyes of the doll he'd made. It was almost too perfect; the others saw it as nothing more than their slightly-more-traumatized-than-usual chimera. He had to wonder how long it would take them to figure it out.
********************
And in the blackness of Xelloss's domain, in the darkness of the perpetual void, a shadow of a soul shivered in its cumbersome bondage of chains. Dry, cracked lips moved soundlessly in a silent, broken, hopeless plea.
********************************************************
God, I am a twisted bitch. XD But you love me, right? I mean...when I said it would be a happy ending, I didn't mean... "happy," just technically so. Er. For some involved. Well, for one involved, at least. I really need mental help. So anyway, thanks a million to all who commented and let me know this crap was being read - you're the jiggle in my wiggle, sweeties. Next Slayers fic; the final chapter to CyberSin (god only knows when I'll get that one finished...). Thanks, all youse guys!
**********************************************************
"Wha...what?" Zelgadis's vision was blurred, his mind was hazy. Had the mazokou just said they were...in hell?
"Not really, of course," the demon cooed, continuing to pet the chimera as though he were some kind of exotic cat. "Drama, I see, is quite lost on you. We're actually in my home, where you shall be spending the rest of your life. With me."
Clearing himself somewhat, the shaman's eyes narrowed. "I won't stay with you."
"Oh?"
"..."
"I see. You truly do not love me, then?"
"..."
"I...see." There was silence for what seemed like an eternity, then the gloved hands reached up to cup the chimera's face tenderly. "Why can't you love me, as I love you?"
Shuddering under the trickster's touch, Zelgadis tried to pull away. "Because I cannot love something without a soul. Because you don't love me; you're just playing with me."
"Do you think you know me so well?"
Zelgadis couldn't help but look shocked; he was crying! The damnable demon was crying! Blackish-red blood, but tears nonetheless. "Xelloss..."
"Shut up! You're like all of them!" The slap was hard enough to send the chimera's head spinning, dancing on the verge of unconsciousness. "'You're a monster! You can't love anything!' That's what they all say. They don't know me and neither do you!" That last bit had been screamed into the shocked chimera's face and now Zelgadis remained quiet, stunned by the emotional outburst. Xelloss wasn't finished yet, though. "It's not as though I haven't tried; I've attempted to be mysterious, mischievous, funny, cruel, caring...nothing works. They never love me, and neither do you. But you...I can make you love me. I can make you love me..."
Something in the way the demon's voice wavered worried Zelgadis, who feared he had to regain some semblance of control before something very bad happened. "Maybe they were afraid of you, that's all. Kidnapping isn't the best way to start a relationsh-"
"And are you afraid of me?" Xelloss hissed, amethyst eyes narrowing. "Is that it? I haven't given you anything to be afraid of yet. I can."
"Xelloss...."
"You want to fear me, don't you? That's it, isn't it?" Tapping on his chin thoughtfully, the demon peered at the bound creature before him, a slightly disjointed grin seeping across his face. "If you fear me, you will love me...."
"X-Xelloss...." The chimera was cut off by a stinging slap, and when he looked back up the demon was leaning in close, his voice a twisted hiss full of cruel intentions.
"You....will...love me...."
**********************
Lina had lost her patience. She hadn't had much to begin with, and every second was eating away just a bit more. Statue-still, she stared into the camp's fire lost in thought, ignoring the polite/worried/confused conversation of her traveling companions. Suddenly, she looked up.
"He's taken him home."
The others looked up from their conversation; it was the first words the sorceress had spoken since the kidnapping. Amelia ventured hesitantly, "Home?"
"Home. That's the only place he could take him, isn't it?" Her ruby eyes had never left the fire, and the flames' reflection danced sedately in them. "He obvious has an obsession with him; he wouldn't kill him. He'd have taken him home."
"But there's no way for us to get there, is there? Not without him taking us, that is," the dragon whispered, the cold chill of resignation running through her veins. "But he can't be lost...we'll get him back..."
"Cheerful words, but your heart's not in it," Lina mumbled, sparing her a split-second glance before returning to her silent reverie.
***********************
It seemed as though he had been trapped here for an eternity. But he hadn't been, of course.
Eternity couldn't last this long.
He'd started counting the days by the hours he managed to stay conscious. So far he'd rung up forty-six waking hours which meant...what, exactly? It meant he'd been conscious for near on to two days now, but he had no way of tracking the time he'd been out cold. Footsteps to the right. He stilled.
"Feeling well today, my angel?" The word seemed sick coming from the mazokou's lips.
"Feeling wonderful," came the wearily croaked reply. Was that his voice? Gods, it sounded awful.
"Glad to hear it, angel." Kneeling next to the battered chimera, Xelloss reached out a hand, long claws lightly scraping across the stone cheek. "Do you love me?"
"..."
The demon growled, and his hand flashed out with a jarring slap. "Answer me!"
"....if I...say 'yes'...will you let...me go?"
The scowl deepened, then dissolved into a grin as the laughter rose up. "If you say 'yes,' my love, then I'll keep you here with me forever."
"...and if I...say 'no'?"
In a flash, the frown returned and Xelloss leaned forward close enough so that their lips nearly touched. "If you say 'no,' then I shall keep you here until you finally do love me."
Zelgadis sighed exhaustedly, shifting a little in his cumbersome bondage of chains. Dulled blue eyes met the amethyst ones for a moment, then closed as he looked away in resolute silence.
Xelloss didn't react at first, then he leaned forward to nuzzle against the fatigued boy's neck in a rare display of affection, lips lightly kissing up the sweat-slicked stone jaw. A smile crossed his lips as he felt the shudder run through the weary frame and he pressed on, moving up to bite gently at the pointed tip of his ear. "Tell me you love me, my beautiful one," his voice whispered coaxingly. By now he was merely fighting for a reaction from the despondent creature, and when none was forthcoming he raised a hand to grip the slender throat, nails digging in cruelly as he squeezed. "Tell me you love me!" The soft voice was now a hiss as he jerked Zelgadis's head around so that their eyes met. "Tell me! You're afraid of me...you love me...tell me!"
Cracked blue lips parted somewhat, and the demon's eyes lit up in hope...hope which was quickly depressed as he realized it was only a gasp for air. The chimera's eyes were glassy, hopeless; his face was a porcelain mask - so delicious to look at, so easy to break. The demon stood once more, smoothing out his cloak with the palms of his hands.
"I see," was all he said before he turned on a heel and disappeared in mid- step.
*************************
"This is getting us nowhere!" Amelia wasn't sure what frustrated her more; the fact that Lina was taking so long or the fact that Lina was taking this course of action. Pacing back and forth, she was finally stopped by Filia's hand on her shoulder.
"I don't like this any more than you do, but there's nothing else that can be done. It's the only course of action that makes sense....er...even if it doesn't truly make sense."
"Both of you help, or shut up," Lina growled as she concentrated on the lines of the magic circle she was constructing. Finally finished, she stood and tossed the chalk aside as she removed the magic-enhancing jewel from her belt. "This will work, okay? If not, then we'll think of something else."
"But... Miss Lina... I mean...isn't demon summoning really dangerous? We don't even have anything to bind him with, even if we do manage to get him here," Amelia wailed plaintively, trying to talk sense into the determined sorceress.
"We have this," Lina pointed out, holding up the red jewel.
"And that is...?" Filia began politely.
"This is," the firey girl grinned, "A jewel to enhance magical ability, given to me by Xelloss himself."
"You threatened him, actually, Lina."
"Shut up, Gourry. It's made from demon's blood - and I'm willing to bet it's made from Xelloss's own blood." Lina shrugged. "Either way, it's something to start with, unless any of you have better ideas."
They all shook their heads.
"Thought so." She placed the jewel in the center of the magic circle, then stepped clear of it, clearing her throat. "So....uh...let's get started then. Everyone ready?"
"I'm ready, Miss Lina."
"Me too."
"Uh...."
"Oh, my! This looks interesting!"
Everyone turned, jaws agape, to stare at Xelloss who stood just behind them. All smiles, he stood leaning unperturbedly against his staff as though all was right with the world. "Goodness...what are we all doing here looking so-" He was cut off as a fireball hit him quite squarely in the face. Slightly singed, he shifted a little and changed staff hands. "Okay. I supposed I deserved that."
"You're damn right you deserved that, you backstabbing kidnapper!" Lina advanced upon him in a fury, eyes blazing as she grabbed onto his collar. "What the hell are you doing outside the circle?! Get in there!" She shoved him roughly in the direction of the circle, and the mazokou complied without protest.
Stepping into the circle, he picked up the jewel and examined it offhandedly. "Really, Miss Lina...is this how you deal with priceless gems?"
"It's supposed to bind you to do whatever we say," she started smugly, before realizing how extremely unaffected the demon was by the circle.
"Ah. Interesting. However, I do believe I gave it to you - after many hostile words, I might add - so it is indeed yours; mine no longer." He tossed the stone back to her, and she caught it reflexively.
"But...and...it's....I thought..."
"No, it's not my blood, Miss Lina. I'm afraid the previous owner of that blood is currently resting in relative peace wherever it is that we go to....rest."
"Oh. Er." She looked back to the others for help, then her fury seemed to make its way to the surface once again. "Where's Zelgadis, you bastard!? What have you done with him?!"
"He's right here, actually," the mazokou smiled. Extending an arm, his cloak opened a swish to reveal the battered shaman lying in a crumpled heap on the floor. He stepped passively to the side as the others rushed in, Filia and Amelia muttering healing spells under their breath as Gourry stood guard, just in case Xelloss decided to make a move. He didn't.
"Why did you do this?" Lina demanded, teeth clenched with fury.
"I made a mistake, is all," Xelloss commented, almost sadly, as he watched the two girls working tiny miracles with the assaulted chimera.
"Mistake? Oh, I'll say you made a mistake alright. Now get out of my sight before I have to attack you and get myself killed."
Tired purple eyes settled back on the sorceress for a moment, and Lina thought he was going to remonstrate, but he simply nodded and disappeared without another word.
********************
Nearly two months had passed since Zelgadis was returned, and not a sign of the mazokou had been seen. Zelgadis himself was startlingly quiet, but the others figured that to be normal, what with all he had been through and all. He fought amazingly, spoke little, and showed about as much emotion has a tree.
The others knew he'd been through a lot. He would heal in time.
********************
Xelloss smiled in disjointed amusement through the eyes of the doll he'd made. It was almost too perfect; the others saw it as nothing more than their slightly-more-traumatized-than-usual chimera. He had to wonder how long it would take them to figure it out.
********************
And in the blackness of Xelloss's domain, in the darkness of the perpetual void, a shadow of a soul shivered in its cumbersome bondage of chains. Dry, cracked lips moved soundlessly in a silent, broken, hopeless plea.
********************************************************
God, I am a twisted bitch. XD But you love me, right? I mean...when I said it would be a happy ending, I didn't mean... "happy," just technically so. Er. For some involved. Well, for one involved, at least. I really need mental help. So anyway, thanks a million to all who commented and let me know this crap was being read - you're the jiggle in my wiggle, sweeties. Next Slayers fic; the final chapter to CyberSin (god only knows when I'll get that one finished...). Thanks, all youse guys!