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A gentle wind blew through the northern continent, starting at the southern tip of the former Great Barrier near the shores of the Demon Sea. North and westward it flew, passing over tall mountains and mingling with the cold air. Down the mountain it came, warming up, and yet there was still a deathly chill in the air.
The landscape was barren, even for this time of year. Where there should have been farms and fertile soil, there was nothing but charred, rocky dirt. The wind blew through the empty lands below the mountains. It blew past a signpost, rocking it so it made soft creaking noises. The signpost read "Atlas City" and the wind followed along that path.
The deep valley leading up to Atlas City was bathed in the glow of moonlight. The wind swirled around that valley before coming up over the hills to where the outlying villages were. Instead, it found burnt ruins. Buildings and houses had been torched years ago, the village was now abandoned and silent. The wind blew through the village with a mournful sigh before coming to the vast plains before Atlas City.
Picking up speed, the wind raced through the city. Like the village, it too was abandoned. Scattered buildings once stood proudly in testament to one of the great cities in the world. Now, what was left was either rotting in crumbled piles or still standing but uninhabitable.
A rat scampered out from its hiding place. Its lean body stopped on a pile of rubble, nose twitching, desperately searching for scarce food to survive on. The wind shrieked past the rodent, wailing grievously. The rat scampered away from the shifting wind. Some rocks nestled on the rubble, tumbled down the slope, revealing to the night air for the first time in years a young girl's doll, smiling unassumingly.
The wind blew through the city and out the nearly-toppled northern gate. Over a crumbled stone bridge and across the plains, it continued to gust quickly. Ahead, a grisly sight awaited. The bones of warriors lay scattered in the grave of their final battle. Scores of skeletons were strewn across the battlefield, many still clutching their weapons with bony hands. In a few spots rested the skeletons of strange beasts. All had large, menacing skulls and lumbering bodies. Some had sharp horns curled around their head while others had the skinless frame of wings bent unnaturally around their bodies. It was clear to the wind that these were the remains of demons and other hell-beasts, Mazoku. But it was also clear that the human skeletons outnumbered the Mazoku.
Continuing northward, the wind roared through the desolate land, devoid of life or activity. On its way, it battled against other winds from the east but held steady. It entered a grove of trees. What should have been a great forest had been reduced to a small grouping of foliage. Fire had swept through and devoured the forest and only the rotting black stumps remained.
Losing speed, the wind came across another plain. In the horizon, the faint hue of red and yellow light peaked above the hills. The wind raced up the slopes, eager to see what new sights it might encounter having passed so vast an emptiness. In the foreground, it found more burnt villages; but, rising up quickly were great walls that still stood tall despite all that had happened across the land. The wind rose in the air, avoiding the walls, and blew over the streets of the city. Like the other cities, it seemed empty, but most of the buildings were still intact. The rigs and frames of construction work could be seen on some of the other buildings, indications of activity.
At the centre of the city, a great castle loomed. Its tall spires reached high up into the sky. At each level, walkways were filled with men staring out in all different directions. They were keeping watch over the city and beyond.
The wind sank until it found a young man on one such walkway. He was young, compared to the others patrolling the castle walls, but his eyes were filled with the experience of much tragedy. The wind, too, had seen so much on its journey, and it imparted some of the coldness against his skin.
The young man clutched his shirt tighter to his neck as the wind blew past him, rustling his wild hair. After it passed, he rubbed his hands together and breathed into them, giving momentary warmth before turning cold again. He wished he had brought a cloak out with him. He wondered how much longer until his shift would be over.
Walking slowly, the young man watched over the city. He couldn't see past the shining walls; that was what the outer city guards were for, but below, he could make out a lot of detail in the streets. They were empty because the Princess had imposed a curfew. It was for the citizens' safety, but it also served as a way to spot intruders at night.
The tapping of footsteps caught the man's immediate attention. His eyes, now well adjusted to the darkness, scanned along the base of the castle walls. The footsteps continued and his ears began to direct him to the stairs leading up to the walkway. The flicker of candle light illuminated the face of a young woman who appeared. She had large eyes and hair of fiery red with strange locks of blonde. Her body was slender and she was dressed in finely cut clothing. A dark cape hung close to her body. In her hand she held out a small candle holder and draped over her arm was another cloak.
"Lyta!" the young man whispered, eyes carefully averting the bright flame. "What are you doing up here? First, please blow out the candles. You know we're not allowed to have them up here."
The young woman complied and the walkway was covered in darkness once more. She set the candle holder down by the steps of the spiralling staircase and handed the cloak to the young man. "I'm sorry, Ahlen. Here, I thought you might want this."
Ahlen, the young man, took the cloak gratefully and wrapped it around his body. He looked back to Lyta and smiled. "Thanks." She smiled back and that was almost enough to warm him.
"So, what are you doing up here?" he asked her.
Lyta cast a downwards glance. She turned towards the city and looked outwards. "How long has it been since they left?"
Ahlen knew she was talking about her parents, Lina Inverse and Gourry Gabriev. Gourry was the master-of-arms for the garrison. His skill with a sword was unmatched and he happily dispatched his knowledge to the soldiers stationed in the city. Lina Inverse was almost a household name even before she became Princess Amelia's chief tactician. The renowned sorceress was nicknamed "enemy of all living things" because of her immense power and short temper.
If one didn't know, Lyta and her mother, Lina, could almost pass for sisters. It was unsure if the agelessness of her mother was due to being a magic-user or if it was just something about the blood of Inverses.
"At least a week, I think," Ahlen answered. "Don't worry, I'm sure nothing's wrong. Maybe they found a large group and it's taking longer to bring them back."
The resurgence of the Mazoku gave way to the second Mazoku war. Cities and villages became immediate targets and most were destroyed in the fighting. Sailoon was the only major city left standing, though not for being ignored. There were many occasions the Mazoku tried taking down the shining walls of Sailoon, but failed.
In the wake of disaster to the world, Lina and Gourry often departed from the city in search for refugees hiding in the ruins of their homes. No one really understood how they knew where to look, but they assumed a lot of magic was involved. Aside from their excursions, thousands of refugees fleeing from the hell-bent Mazoku crammed into Sailoon. It was the only safe place to go. But Ahlen also felt it was like putting all the eggs into a basket.
"I can't help but worry!" Lyta protested.
Ahlen tried to smile again, hoping to make her feel better. "They've been on longer trips."
Lyta almost pouted. "I know, but I just can't help this feeling of dread."
"Times are bad for everyone. I've got that feeling almost every day. How long can we hold out in this place? Will there come a time we have to make a last stand?"
Lyta glowered. "You're not helping. I'm just getting more depressed."
"I'm sorry," apologized Ahlen. He should be trying to make her feel better, not worse.
"I don't know why they didn't let me go along," continued Lyta, a bit angrier, "I'm old enough and I can handle a lot of magic on my own. Plus, father's been teaching me a lot about using a sword."
"They're just trying to protect you," Ahlen answered back.
"I know, but I could be so much help!" Lyta shivered as another gust of cold wind blew through the city.
"Maybe you should go back down," noted Ahlen.
Lyta shook her head. "No, I want to wait--"
A cry from the outer walls drowned their discussion. "There's people at the gates!!""
Lyta's eyes widened. The outer city gates were being opened as soldiers stationed at the garrison were rushing out to greet the visitors, just in case. Lyta glanced back at Ahlen who urged her to go. She nodded and bolted down the stairs.
The hallways of the Sailoon castle were dimly lit. Soldiers stood at their posts but glanced as Lyta raced by. Quickly rounding a corner without stopping, she slammed straight into someone. Lyta fell back and shook herself before realizing she had collided with the Princess.
"Aunt Amelia!" she cried apologetically. Lyta never addressed Amelia by any other title, at the princess' request. "I'm terribly sorry!"
Amelia rubbed her head. The woman was older now, but her beauty had never faded since the day she had met Lyta's mother. "I take it you've heard the news of more refugees coming in." She smiled. "I'm sure your mother is with them. C'mon, let's go greet them together."
Lyta nodded and got up. She followed alongside the Princess, who had her contingent of personal guards behind her. Although Princess Amelia Wil Tesla Sailoon was old enough to be queen and the fact that she handled most of the daily affairs, her father, Prince Philionel still held the figurehead of being the city's ruler.
The group exited the castle, whereupon the lead soldier barked, "Honour guard! Form up!" and the soldiers quickly encircled both Lyta and the Princess. They rested their hands upon the pommels of the swords, ready to draw steel in case their Princess was threatened, even though Amelia was already an accomplished magic-user and White magic shrine priestess.
It took about fifteen minutes before they reached the outer gates of the city. As they passed by, citizens stood at their doorways, watching to see what the bustle was about. Frightened children stood by their parents' feet, but the smile on Amelia's face assured them that nothing was wrong.
A large group of ragtag refugees huddled at the outer gate. They were loosely surrounded by a group of guards and cavalry soldiers who were keeping a watchful eye. As they approached, Amelia noticed many of them suffering wounds and injuries. She glanced at the captain of the guards.
"Have you sent for healers?"
"Yes, Your Highness," he responded with a polite nod. "They're on their way."
Amelia nodded and stepped forward. "Welcome to Sailoon, everyone. You're safe here." And then she added, "for the time being."
"Thank you!"
"Praise Sailoon's Princess!"
Murmurs of thanks and cheers went out from the weak band of refugees. Amelia nodded, clearly happy to have helped more people escape the vicious terror of the Mazoku.
Lyta stood on her toes and glanced over the large crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her parents. Her father was a tall man and would easily tower over most people. And yet, she did not see him. Lyta cast a worried glance to Amelia.
"Please," Lyta asked one of the refugees, a middle-aged man with dirty hair and his arm bandaged in a make-shift sling, "have you seen my mother? Lina Inverse?"
The man peered at her with a bit of familiarity. "My, you look just like her." He shook his head gravely. "She and the tall blond found us several days out from the city. We were under attack by some of those demons. Luckily, she happened to find us or we would have all bought it! She started leading us back, but the next day, she had to leave us. The blond guy too. She said we'd make it safely if we didn't stop. We haven't since."
"How far away were you? Which direction?"
"It's about a day's travel south and then turn eastward. I don't know, we're a big group so we might travel a little slower." He shook his head again. "I'm sorry, I can't help you that much."
Lyta looked away. It was clear to Amelia from the look in her eyes that she wanted to go out and search for her parents. "If we wait 'til dawn--"
"--then they could already be dead!" finished Lyta sharply.
Amelia blinked. "Your parents are strong. They can handle anything! Heck, I've seen them take down Mazoku lords! I'm sure everything is all right and they just got sidetracked."
Lyta clutched a hand over her breast. "I can't help but feel this pain here. It's as if I know something's wrong. I have to go find them!" She was almost near tears.
Amelia was really at a lost for words. Finally, she offered, "Why don't I let you take some men with you..?"
"No," Lyta thanked her with a shake of her head, "they'd just slow me done. I'm probably going to raywing it."
"I'd join you..." Amelia looked uneasy.
"I know, the honor guard won't have it," responded Lyta.
Amelia smiled, a little of her boisterous youth showing. "Being tied down with all this royalty stuff can really suck sometimes! Your mother and I went through a lot in those days! I really should be going with you!" She seethed for a moment at her dilemma. "All right, I made up my mind. I will personally accompany a search party in the morning. It's the best I can do. If you want to leave now, I can't stop you. But it's dark right now and chances are you won't be able to find them if they've camped for the night. Your best luck is with the morning sun."
"I know, but I have to get a head start getting out there."
The two gave a quick hug. "Then, good luck, Lyta. May Ceipheed guide you to your parents."
"Thanks," returned Lyta to the Princess. Stepping away from the people, she closed her eyes. "Raywing!" The bubble of magic, streamlined to her body, quickly enveloped her and she floated into the sky. With grave urgency, she raced out of the city, south, in search of her parents.
Lyta wondered where Xelloss, the trickster priest and one of her mother's longtime -- but odd -- friend had vanished to. She knew what Xelloss really was. Lyta thought maybe the Mazoku had dealt with him for his collaboration with her mother. She wished it weren't true. Lyta had only vague memories of the trickster when she was a little girl. Xelloss would often tell stories or do a little magic so she would laugh and smile. Xelloss always had a flair for story-telling.
There was another factor missing in the second Mazoku war. Where had the elves gone? Lyta remembered the old stories about how the elves of the ancient days had stood alongside the humans. With the strength of the humans and the magic of the elves, they were able to hold their own against the Mazoku then. But where were they now? Lyta was sure the elves would reappear when the Mazoku began swarming the land.
If only there was time to searching for them, Lyta thought. Between fending off Mazoku attacks and searching for survivors across the land, there wasn't much thought put towards locating the elves. Maybe the Mazoku had sealed them away, somehow. Maybe they wanted to help but couldn't.
Maybe her parents had found something.
The thought brought Lyta back to her original goal; finding her parents. She manouvered herself over the sky with grace under the magic bubble of raywing. Estimating the time and distance of her travel, she judged she was close to where the man had said her parents split from the main group. Spotting a dirt road on the ground, she descended and dispelled the raywing just as her feet touched earth.
Lyta studied the ground carefully. The road was heavily travelled and recently, too. She decided she was on the right track. But where would they have gone? Lyta looked about frantically. She was lost.
A snapping twig brought a fireball into her hand. Lyta tensed, her heartbeat rapidly increasing. She spun around to the source of the noise, ready to face any Mazoku that might be lurking by.
Instead, Lyta found an old, bearded man with a gnarled, wooden cane. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"Who are you?" the man countered, "walking around here in the dead of night, all by yourself with no protection? It's a dangerous place."
Lyta waved her hand with the fireball in it. "I can take care of myself."
"Oh, I see," the man simply said. He turned around slowly and began hobbling back.
Lyta blinked. Dropping her fireball, she chased after him. "Wait! Where are you going?"
"Home, of course. You seem to be capable of taking care of yourself. Good night."
"What? Home? You have a house near here?" Lyta was stunned. Every building in the land had been destroyed or razed by the Mazoku. The soldiers in Sailoon had done constant sweeps over the surrounding areas and usually found nothing.
"Of course!" rebuked the old man. "Do you think I'd be wandering around like you if I didn't live nearby?"
"Wait up, Jii-san!" Lyta cried to the old man and trailed after her. "Wait, have you seen two people? A young woman, looks like me, and a tall, blond haired man?"
The old man scratched his white beard. "Hmmm... have I seen anyone like that? Nope! Can't say that I have."
The man continued walking away. Lyta was at a loss for words. Somehow she felt the man knew something. "Well, how about a group of people? Ragtag bunch, tired and injured, desperate?"
The man turned around and gave her a raised-eyebrow look. "That describes almost anybody who walks on the road these days. Now, do you want to come in or are you going to continue searching for your parents in the cold night air?"
Lyta blinked. A small stone cottage nestled in the trees appeared before her. Funny, she didn't remember seeing it. A stream of smoke rose steadily from the crooked chimney. She would have surely seen that on her way over the forests.
And then, something else tugged at her mind.
"How did you know I was looking for my parents?" The old man ignored her and walked into the cottage. Infuriated, Lyta raced in and blocked his path. "Are you listening to me, Jii-san?"
"This is very rude behaviour, young lady, as you are my guest and I am the host." Lyta blinked. "Sit down and I'll make you a nice cup of tea."
Lyta's father, Gourry, had always instilled in his daughter a sense of courtesy and decency. She was being rude, especially in the old man's home. Despite her mother's instinct to throttle him, Lyta took a seat and waited with forced patience.
The old man hummed a nameless tune as he watched over a pot of water over the fireplace. Every time Lyta opened her mouth, the old man would give her a sharp but warm look, and so she remained silent. After a few minute, he poured the kettle of boiling water into two cups of leaves and handed her one.
"Careful, dear, it's hot," he warned.
Lyta thanked him and carefully took a sip. The tea tasted sweet, despite being tea. Its warmth filled her body and she found herself quickly downing the entire cup.
"Liked it, did you?" the old man smiled.
"Hai, thank you," Lyta said, "now about--"
The old man raised a finger. "Yes, yes. I know. I never lied when I said I never saw your parents. For I haven't seen them. But I know someone we can ask."
"Who?" Lyta cried almost jumping out of her seat.
"The forest."
"The forest?"
"Yes," the old man nodded, "the trees all around you have eyes and ears, we just don't realize it. It is only a small matter to ask the spirit of the forest. Watch."
Clearing the table, the old man grabbed a little pouch. He spilled the contents of dirt and spread it across the table. With his finger, he drew an intricate pattern, one that Lyta did not fully recognize, but realized it had something to do with shamanism.
After the old man was done, he closed his eyes and began to chant. "Spirits of the earth, spirits of the trees, I call upon thine aid. Show us, from your watchful gaze, the fate that has befallen Lina Inverse and Gourry Gabriev."
Lyta gasped. "You know who I am!" she accused with a pointing finger.
The old man smiled. "What kind of person would I be if I didn't know my own great-great-great-granddaughter?"
Lyta felt her bottom thump back into the chair. The old man sitting across from her smiled mischievously as if he had played a great trick. She whispered, "Who are you?"
Before he could answer, a cloud of haze appeared over the table. It formed a shimmering screen through which two figures began to focus. It was Lyta's parents.
Lina Inverse continued walking amoung the small grove of trees. Despite their age, she looked almost the same as she did many many years ago. "There's something odd here, Gourry. I can barely feel it. It smells like magic."
"Smells?" asked Gourry, "you're starting to sound like a wolf or something."
"I can't explain it any other way!" Lina hushed him. They continued walking through the sparse forest until they came to a clearing. "Wait, it stopped."
"I don't like this," Gourry repeated, holding up his sword and began maneuvering behind Lina's back.
Suddenly, Lina screamed something inaudible. It sounded like a warning for Gourry to move but it was too late. A spherical dome erected itself around the two and on the ground, a faint pentagram appeared, glowing red. Bolts of electricity crackled inside the dome, striking both Lina and Gourry. The two fell to the ground, clearly in great pain.
A deep laughter bellowed from beyond the trees. Figures began to slide out from the dark shadows to reveal themselves. All were different, but it was clear they were all Mazoku. And not just the ordinary ones. Each had a distinct and unique bearing to their power.
The one laughing was a faceless man covered in a hooded cloak. Only the deep red glow of his eyes showed. His bony hands were almost skeletal and raised in Lina's direction. "What a fool you are, Lina Inverse, to fall into my trap."
"Mazoku?" Lina grimaced in pain. "How?"
"How did you become so careless? How were we able to lure you here without detecting us? We've learned, over the years, how to mask our energy." His voice turned a little crueler. "Now that we've perfected it, we can begin our final assault on the last city of Sailoon. Soon, its walls will fall and its people slaughtered."
"Damn you!" Lina cursed and tried to fire off a spell. Only nothing happened.
"What's wrong, Lina Inverse?" the Mazoku mocked. "Don't you recognize the binding pentagram you walked into? Your powers are sealed!"
"No!" Gourry shouted. Getting up, he grabbed the sword and clicked the little button on the hilt. The blade, dropping away, he shouted, "Light, come forth!" A brilliant light shimmered into the form of a new swordblade, the legendary Sword of Light ready for its wielder's bidding.
Gourry slashed the dome and shattered it immediately. He launched himself quickly at the Mazoku speaking with a mighty overhand strike. He brought the blade right down the middle.
Gourry's body halted abruptly in the air. The Mazoku had grabbed his blade with his own hands. "Densetsu no Hikari no Ken?" he laughed, "we've also discovered how to deal with this annoying thing." His hand squeezed against the light and like glass, it shattered.
"Gourry!" Lina gasped.
The Mazoku looked at Gourry, who stared with disbelief at his broken sword. "Die!" He whipped his outstretched hand at Gourry and fine needles shot forth, piercing the blond swordsman.
"GOURRY!" Lina screamed, tears flowing forth.
Gourry sank to his knees, blood splurting out from his mouth. He turned his head slowly towards Lina and mouthed something. Then, his eyes rolled upwards and he fell to the ground.
"GOURRY!!" Lina scrambled to his body and tried shaking him but Gourry did not respond. He was already dead. "No... Gourry..."
"You've become more than a pest," the Mazoku towered over a sobbing Lina. "You've caused more harm to the Mazoku than one could ever imagine. For that, you should be given a slow and painful death. But I won't make the mistake of keeping you alive much longer. You die, now."
Lina stared up, tears streaming down her cheeks. With no magic to aid her, she watched helplessly as the blast of searing Black magic tore into her body and engulfed her.
The old man closed his eyes. "I wish it were so, child. But this is what the forest has seen. It cannot be false. It knows nothing about feelings or about truths and lies." He put his wrinkled hand on hers. "I'm sorry."
Lyta snatched it away. Anger flashed in her eyes. "No! This is a trick! You're trying to trick me! You're a Mazoku!" She called for a fireball and launched it right at the old man.
The fireball flew right through him and hit the ground.
Lyta gasped. "What the hell are you?"
The old man cast a guilty look. "I'm not alive, that is why your magic can't hurt me. I've been dead for many, many years. As I said, I am your great-great-great-grandfather, the sage and keeper of the sands of time, Raudy Gabriev."
"You're my ancestor?" Lyta whispered.
"Yes," Raudy acknowledge. He reached out his hand. "Please, I know what you say is painful. It pains me too, to see my descendant die so terribly."
Lyta sank to her knees and began crying again. "I wasn't there... couldn't help... why... why?"
Raudy said nothing but instead walked over to her shaking body and embraced her. He patted her head gently as she cried some more. "Shh.. child."
After a few minutes of racking sobs, Lyta sniffed and wiped her face. Her eyes were no longer filled with tears but with rage and anger. "I want to destroy the Mazoku! I have to avenge my parents!" She looked at Raudy. "If you're really dead, then you must know of something to help me! Some powerful secret beyond this mortal plane! Tell me!"
Raudy closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. "I know of no such thing, but I do know what I can do. Ever since your mother came to help me when she was young, I have been keeping the sands of time. I have watched them carefully and the time is right for a portal to open."
"Yes!" Lyta cried, "take me back to my parents so I can save them!"
The old man shook his head. "I have no control over this power. I can merely open the gate but the rest is up to the entire universe itself. But, your thoughts are open to me. I know what you might wish to seek."
Lyta gave him a puzzled look. "What?"
"The elves."
"Elves?" Lyta repeated. "How?"
Raudy paced a little in his cottage. "Everyone knows that the elves have been missing for quite a while, now. In fact, they have been gone even before you were born, or before your mother. Once, when I was a young man, I came upon a small community of elves. They were the last community left before setting out on a journey."
"Where did they go?" Lyta asked impatiently.
"The elves decided to seal themselves away from the world. For what reason, I am not entirely sure. But they did so in a crystal, to be awakened in a time of need."
Lyta shook her head. "I don't understand, this is a time of need! Where are they, then?!"
"I don't know," Raudy admitted. "But, if you can go back to the past.. find the elves..."
"I could bring them back here!" Lyta finished. "I could waken them and bring them back, help us fight the Mazoku! Help me avenge my parents!"
Raudy shrugged. "That is your choice." Then, his tone became more serious as he imparted a warning to her. "Listen carefully, Lyta. The road through time is perilous, not just for you but for the entire world. A single action in the past could prove fatal in the future. You could cause a great downfall if you do not think carefully."
Lyta took the words in but did not ponder them too greatly. Her mind and heart were already filled with what she would do. If she had the help of the elves with her, surely the people could stand up against the Mazoku as they did in the first war. She had to do this.
"I understand," Lyta said plainly. "Please, what do I have to do to prepare."
"Nothing," Raudy said. "You have made your decision and that was all that I needed." He raised his arms and the cottage around them disappeared. In fact, all the trees around them had disappeared, leaving the two on a large hill overlooking the land. Dark clouds began to gather overhead, blocking out the moonlight.
"Lyta Inverse Gabriev," shouted Raudy, "On thine behalf, I call upon the sands of time to open up the gates of time! Shores of the great universe, waters that form the ripple of time! I draw upon the power of the great Lord of Nightmares, manifest and open the doors!"
The wind began to swirl violently and the clouds in the sky began to flash with coloured lightning. Lyta's cape flapped with the gusts of wind. She watched as Raudy continued the spell. His body began to grow translucent until he appeared as a ghost. Leaves and grass began to swirl with the wind and with it, the outline of a large archway formed before her. It was a giant mirror of purple. Lyta could clearly see her reflection in it, mimicking her own fear and curiosity.
"Lyta," Raudy called to her, "step through the gate and begin your quest in the past."
"How will I know what to do?" shouted Lyta over the howling winds. "And where to go?"
"The sands of time will fill you with the knowledge you need. Go! Do what you must and be safe, my child!" With those words, Raudy's faint form disappeared.
Lyta stared at the gates of time before her. Taking a deep breath, she stepped towards it, merging herself with her own reflection, until she disappeared completely.
"Lyta, your actions caused the Mazoku war!" Lina had shouted to her. Lyta didn't want to believe it. It couldn't be possible. How could her actions have caused a war? Yet, the tiniest possibility seeped into her mind and planted itself there. Was Lina right? Was she the cause for the Mazoku war in the future? She gasped. Was she the reason her parents died?
Did her actions kill her parents?
Tears welled up in her eyes again. A sharp pain pierced her chest and once again she felt like breaking down. Why did the world have to play such a cruel song to her fate? Why did she have to suffer so much?
"Don't worry, Lyta, the trip will be very fast," a familiar voice said to her.
Lyta looked up. It was Pixie-chan. How was it she was here in the void with her?
And then there was a horrible screaming. Lyta cringed at the shriek. What in the world was going on? Where was she?
Lyta found herself in a large room with a table in the centre. The screaming drew her immediate attention. It was coming from a woman. Bolts of electricity were jumping from her body, through several men and to a fourth person who looked to be the recepient. All around them, young men with weapons were standing silently.
Then, Lyta noticed the long, pointed ears on everyone in the room. Elves!
The flash of light that surrounded Lyta's entrance caught the attention of the three elves in the centre. They lowered their arms and looked to Lyta, eyes widening. The woman slumped to the ground. Lyta didn't know if she was dead. An old man rushed to her side and tried to help her up. But then his head turned to Lyta and was surprised too.
"Why did you stop?!" the fourth man who was receiving the energy shouted. He turned to see what everyone was looking at. "No! This can't be! No, it's too early!"
Then, the elf did something Lyta did not entirely expect. He launched a ball of fire at her. The attack caught her off guard. She tried to leap out of the way but the explosion caught her in mid-jump, slamming her against thet table.
"Calundo!" screamed one of the elves. "What are you doing? She's the Destined One!"
"I want Mayarenna's power!" Calundo roared back. "I don't give a damn about the Destined One. I will become the Destined One and rule the elves!" He concentrated on another spell and yelled, "RA TILT!"
Lyta froze. An astral plane attack would be devestating on her. She never did master that part of the shamanism circle and didn't know how to defend against it. In addition, all that she had suffered through when she confronted Lina about her true parentage had left her magical reserve blocked.
"No!" screamed the old man. Immediately, he closed his eyes and cast a spell. It surrounded him, the unconscious woman, another young elf and Lyta included. Lyta flinched as the Ra-Tilt blast was mere fractions of a second away from her when suddenly everything disappeared.
The scenary changed once more. Lyta found herself in another room. It had stone walls and the lack of light made it dark. Under her feet was a large stone circle engraved with a pentagram. At each of the pentagram's points sat a candle, providing the only source of light in the room.
Then, Lyta noticed she was not alone. The old man that had cast the spell and the others he had taken with him were standing beside her, except the woman.
The old man wasted no time. "Quickly," he told Lyta and beckoned her to take the woman to the bed in the corner. "She has been greatly injured from the ritual and I hope she's still alive."
"Who are you?" Lyta asked as she helped carry the woman. She studied her face. There was supposed to be an ageless quality to the elf-woman but it seemed years of suffering had weathered away some of her beauty, marring it with age. Lyta knew the woman was not very old but only her appearance made her look older than she should be.
"Put this cloth on her forehead," the old man told her as they lay the woman on the bed.
Lyta did so but become impatient. "You didn't answer my question. And with that, where are we?"
The old man frowned. Clearly his attention was on the wounded woman and he was not pleased with Lyta's untimely questions. But he answered anyway. "My name is Tempero. I am the queen's advisor and her most trusted mentor." He looked around the room. "This is a secret den below the castle. It is protected with magic so that no one knows about it. I feared that one day I would need to take the queen here, to protect her from usurpers. I only regret that I was right."
"Queen?" Lyta asked. She looked back at the woman. "You mean, she is the Elf-Queen?"
Tempero's eyes closed in silent disappointment. "You wouldn't think it, but the Queen is not much older than you are. Her body and spirit have gone through much hardships to protect us."
"Protect?" Lyta repeated. She wanted to say more but the young elf that was also teleported with them rushed by her and knelt beside the Queen's slumbering body.
"Mayarenna!" he sobbed, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!"
"Get away from her, Ilario!" rebuked Tempero. "You traitor! How could you side with Calundo to overthrow your own queen?!"
"I didn't know!" sobbed the young elf. "I thought he was doing what was best for Mayarenna and all the elves. I swear I didn't know!"
"And to think you two were to wed!" Tempero barked again. "How naive I was!"
"What's with all the shouting?" a familiar voice chirped. It was Pixie-chan.
"Pixie-chan! So you're here too?" Lyta was genuinely astonished.
"Of course I am. I go wherever you go!" She hovered to Mayarenna. "Is this our Queen?"
Ilario looked curiously at the fairy. "You're a fairy? We haven't seen one in decades."
"What happened to the fairies that came with the elves?" Pixie-chan asked.
Tempero shook his head gravely. "The few that did come passed on in a matter of years. They shouldn't have come, they were too far from their natural forests. But their devotion to the elves led them to their deaths."
Pixie-chan's hands went to her mouth. "They're dead?"
Tempero nodded.
A tear welled up in Pixie-chan's eyes and raced down her small cheeks. "Was I too late..?"
Lyta cupped her hands and the fairy dropped into her palms, wiping tears from her face. "I'm sorry, Pixie-chan."
Tempero let a moment of silence pass before speaking. "The fairy race is not gone, I'm happy to say. They slumber in the forests of Mipross and the other lands. They wait for the day for elves to return."
Pixie-chan sniffed. She stood up, fists clenched. "Well, the sooner we can get our queen healthy, the sooner we can leave the crystal and return, right?"
Ilario's face brightend as well. "That's right! Now that the Destined One is here, we can make things right!"
Lyta shot Pixie-chan an annoyed look. "I thought you said Lina Inverse was the Destined One. How come everyone is calling me the Destined One, now?"
"To be honest," answered the fairy, "Lina Inverse was only destined to find the elves. The prophecies said that the coming of the outsider would mark the day the elves could return to the world."
"I'm afraid there's some bad news," interrupted Tempero. "The queen has been gravely injured from Calundo's evil ritual. Even if she awakens, she won't have her old strength."
"What are you saying?" Lyta asked.
"I'm saying we're stuck in this crystal." Tempero looked away, trying to hide his own tears. "The elves will die and never return."
"What now?" one of the council members asked. His name was Rendar, a long time supporter of Calundo's plans. Of the three elves needed to perform the X'Thar'End, Rendar was the one Calundo trusted the most.
"The old man has teleported to his sanctuary," Calundo noted. "He's placed a magical barrier of immense power around it. Even I cannot break through. But the old fool made the mistake of hiding where I knew he would. We will place our own barrier around his, so that he cannot get out. Eventually, he must come crawling out."
"But how long would that take?" Rendar asked. "He could have stockpiled weeks of food, maybe even a month. The elves may not last that long. The bleakness will take us all."
"I know that!" snapped Calundo. "And so does the old man! He'll do everything in his power to save the elven people and that will mean making a move. We will be ready for him when he does."
Calundo walked over to the other two elves. Sentendil and Riveren were supporters to Calundo and part of the ritual. Calundo trusted them warily but felt they were sincerely on his side. "Begin concentrating your efforts on erecting a magical barrier. The old man's gone into his hole."
The taller elf, Sentendil, stepped forward. He had a more youthful look to his face, making him slightly younger than most of the council members. But he was neither young nor inexperienced. "It should be no problem. However, what about the elven people? We can't let them know what has happened. At least, not while our plans are up in the air."
"Yes," agreed Calundo. His mind raced with thoughts as to how to contain the elves. Calundo turned to one of the young elves Ilario had naively recruited for him. "You! Take the others to the armory. Outfit yourselves with royal attire. I want you several of you to secure the other council member's quarters. None are to leave. If they attempt to do so, kill them. The rest I want out in the city. All civilians are to remain indoors. If they ask, tell them that plans are being made to leave the crystal and everyone needs to stay inside."
The young elf nodded wordlessly. The others left silently with him and closed the council doors behind. Calundo turned back to the two elven councillors. "That should keep everyone out of our way."
Sentendil and Riveren nodded with satisfaction. They turned to leave the council room in order to prepare the barrier.
Calundo watched them go, leaving only Rendar by his side. Calundo walked to the chair that Mayarenna normally sat in. The wood was finely cut and oiled, giving it a smooth finish. The back was high and ornately carved. However, it was no more elegant than the others. Even though she was the queen, she wanted her peers to think of her as a sort of equal. Calundo scoffed silently. A queen or a king was meant to rule, not to entertain the good-natured feelings of others. That was why Mayarenna was weak and why he should be king.
The elves were a powerful race. They were long-lived and skilled in magic. Compared to the humans, elves were vastly superior. Yet the humans ruled much of the lands. They built their castles and drew their borders. The elves had no place in such a society. They needed their trees and abhorred the stone buildings. Calundo wanted to change all of that. Why should the elves have such a small part of the known land. Was it not the elves who helped defeat the Mazoku in the great war centuries ago? The world owed nothing to the humans. They only got in the way. What was more, their petty strifes and wars amoung nations only fragmented their unity. A Mazoku strike would easily tear them apart. No, they were not fit to live so freely on the land that was meant for the elves. Calundo vowed he would change all of that.
The silent voice in Calundo's mind told him all these things. Calundo listened to that voice because he agreed with everything it told him. Calundo didn't think he was mad. That voice was his own. But sometimes it had a darker edge than he wanted to admit.
A dull throbbing pain flashed through Calundo's head. He instinctively rubbed his temples, soothing the hurt. Rendar looked concerned. "Are you feeling alright?"
Calundo raised a hand to calm Rendar's worries. "I'm fine," he spoke softly. "The ritual has taken its toll on me, too," he lied. The headaches were not something new to Calundo. He had lived with them all his life. It usually went away after a minute.
It did, and Calundo regained his composure. "I'm fine, now", he repeated. "Go and help Sentendil and Riveren with the barrier. I will join you shortly."
Riveren nodded and left the room.
Calundo stared into empty space. Would he never be rid of these accursed headaches? He knew the answer to that. Ridding them was like ridding his body of blood. The headaches were a part of him. They were a gift of his dark legacy.
The strained look on the queen's face disappeared to a more restful one. Pixie-chan shrugged her shoulders, the spell having drained her a little. She flew over to Lyta's shoulder to rest.
Only a few hours had passed since Tempero had brought them to his protected sanctuary. Until Queen Mayarenna was awake, they dared not leave. But the wizened old elf's plan was flawed, Lyta noted. They were staying in one place for far too long. She had no idea who they were up against. This Calundo and the other corrupted elves were not stupid.
Lyta's fears were realized.
"Oh dear," Tempero moaned. "Oh dear."
"What?" Lyta perked up. "What's wrong?"
"They've placed a barrier around my barrier. It is just as powerful, one that I cannot break."
"So now they've trapped us in here," Lyta concluded.
"I should have given Calundo more credit." Tempero berated himself. "It was foolish of me to assume Calundo wouldn't know about this place."
"Now what are we going to do? Can anyone break the barriers?"
"She can," Ilario said from the corner of the room. He had gone to sit silently by himself after Tempero's anger. "The queen has the power."
"But not the strength, thanks to your meddling with Calundo," retorted Tempero.
"Would you lay off him?" Lyta defended the young elf. "He's already hurt enough from what he's done and I think he knows how sorry he is." She walked over to Ilario and sat down beside him. "You said she has the power. Can you tell me more?"
Ilario sighed and kept his gaze on Mayarenna. "The Queen of the Elves has tremendous power. Her strength in magic is unmatched. It is a gift that is passed on from one Queen to the next, usually from mother to daughter. Under any other circumstances, Mayarenna could have stood up to Calundo's ritual and defeated him."
"What do you mean by 'under other cirumstances'?" Lyta asked.
"The Elves once lived in the world with everyone else," Ilario explained. "We were an integral part of life. We helped the Dragons defeat the Mazoku because of our magical power. But it was this power that created an imbalance against the lesser-skilled humans. So, a compromise was forged. The Elves would leave the land for a little while so that humans could prosper and find their own way. Learn magic from what little guidance we left behind through scrolls and books. And then, the elves would return when humanity was in a great hour of need."
The last sentence echoed in Lyta's mind. Humanity's hour of need was the next Mazoku War. The Mazoku struck hard and fast. The Dragons did their best to repel the attacks but more and more battles were being lost. The humans were once against caught in the middle. They were more skilled in magic and did their best to defend their cities. But it wasn't enough. They needed the elves to help them, but their help never came.
And it's all because of me, Lyta silently remorsed.
"To sustain the crystal," Ilario continued, "the Queen had the ability to enter and leave the crysal whenever she needed to. Outside, in the real world, she used her spirit to keep the Elves protected and safe. But the ordeal depletes her powers greatly. Mayarenna is the third Elf-Queen to take on the mantle of sustaining the crystal in decades. That is absolutely unheard of for elves. A queen's reign should last a lifetime of nearly a hundred years and then some."
"So Calundo wants Mayarenna's powers?" Lyta asked, trying to put everything together, which was not that complicated. Ilario nodded sorrowfully. "Would her powers be transferrable to a man?"
Tempero answered that question, having listened to Ilario's explanation. "The regal powers are not gender-specific but the recepient would need to be of the same bloodline. However, there has never been an incident of a queen having only a male-heir."
"How are the powers passed on, then? I assume Calundo isn't the son of Mayarenna."
"It's like a ceremony," Tempero explained. "Everything is done voluntarily. Unfortunately, the old queen doesn't live too long after her powers are transferred. Having them for a hundred years means they've become part of her spirit and it is like ripping a piece away to give to another. But she knows her time as queen is over and the responsibilities must be passed to a new generation, to carry on the line." He paused. "And then there's the forbidden rituals, such as the X'Thar'End Calundo was attempting. Such rituals are banned because the person losing their powers is almost certain to die immediately and painfully. The ritual has its roots in the ancient elven civilization, when we were are more savage, nomadic race. That was nearly an eon ago. In any case, the X'Thar'End violates the restriction of bloodlines."
"I'm also assuming she doesn't have an heir at the moment?"
Tempero looked to Ilario whose eyes were downcast with sorrow. The young elf answered hoarsely. "The Queen is barren. We don't know what caused the fertility. Maybe it was the draining of the crystal to sustain it." He swallowed. "She and I were to be married and have children. Produce a daughter to become queen."
Lyta placed a comforting hand on Ilario's slender shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"Unfortunately, the Queen has no other living relatives to transfer her powers to," Tempero answered Lyta's next question.
Lyta got up, stretching her cramped legs. "Well, it seems we are definitely in a pickle."
"Excuse me?" Tempero's eyebrows arched with slight confusion.
Lyta smiled. "It's a human expression. I don't know where it came from, but it means we have a serious problem."
"Indeed we do," Tempero sighed, returning to Mayrenna's side.
Lyta walked over to one of the dusty shelves lying against the walls. Most of the shelves were lined with books. Spells were probably written in them. She imagined the poor apprentices who toiled for months carefully copying the original to the books. Each stroke had to be copied almost exactly. A single drop of ink in the wrong place could mean the whole spell was wasted.
Amoung the books were trinkets and other unknown objects. There was a box with two metal balls in them. Beside that was bowl with green powder inside. A funny looking bar caught Lyta's curiosity. The shaft was about the length of her forearm and made of a bronze-like metal. The ends were connected to two perfectly round crystal spheres. The spheres were colourless but when Lyta picked up the object, they began to glow. One end glowed green, the other glowed blue.
The light from the spheres must have caught Tempero's eyes for the old elf had walked briskly over to Lyta. He stared down at the object in Lyta's hands, his eyes filled with shock. He stared at Lyta.
"I'm sorry!" Lyta apologized and quickly put the object back in its place. "I didn't mean to be nosy!"
"No, that's not it!" Tempero gasped. "It just cannot be possible!" He picked up the object. However, both spheres glowed green when he did so. He handed it to Lyta and when she placed it in her hand, one sphere turned blue.
"What's wrong? What do the colours mean?"
"This object is attuned to the different races. It's more of a toy really, but when an elf handles it, it glows green. For a human, it should glow blue."
Lyta looked back down at the object. It was glowing both green and blue. "What does this mean?"
Tempero looked at her with astonishment. "Part of your blood is elven. You're an elf!"
"Partially," Lyta corrected. "Apparently my father's ancestor married an elf-girl many generations ago." She had just learned this recently from Gourry on their trip to Mipross Island. Lyta was genuinely surprised but she couldn't show it then or Lina would learn her true parentage. However, that was before her plans to return with the crystal to the future were disrupted. Now, Lyta wasn't sure to make of her mixed blood.
Tempero peered closer to Lyta's face, examining her carefully. Lyta felt embarassed and backed away. "You don't look like an elf, but I can see some of the features. You have high cheekbones and your body is rather slender for a human."
"And I thought it was just my girlish figure," Lyta mumbled sheepishly.
Tempero stroked his beard, his mind hard at work trying to think. "What could this mean?" he said to himself. "Could it be a sign? A way to fulfill the prophecy of the Destined One? But what? And how?"
"Ungh..." Mayarenna groaned, her head turning to one side as she began to wake up. Everyone quickly rushed to her side and watched. The Elf-Queen's eyes opened slowly, blinking a little before opening some more. Her eyes were red with strain and her face very tired. She tried lifting her head up but dropped back to the pillow.
"Don't, dear child," Tempero whispered with a soothing voice. He placed his hand on her forehead and stroked it gently.
Mayarenna smiled weakly. She lifted her hand and took his, squeezing it with what little strength she had. "Where are we?"
"We're safe, don't worry," the old elf answered. He placed a hand on Lyta's back and pushed her closer. "Look, the Destined One has come just as it was prophesised."
Mayarenna shifted her eyes to Lyta. "You're just as I saw in my sleep."
"If there's anything I can do to help you, Majesty, please tell me," Lyta said.
"Please, call me Mayarenna." She attempted to sit up and to their surprise, she did without too much trouble. She unclasped the top two buttons of her blouse and opened it to reveal a fire-red gem hanging on a thin chain. The chain was finely crafted and sparkled with brilliant lustre. The gem was octagonal in shape and set on a brass pendant base. Reaching behind her neck, she undid the clasp and handed it to Lyta.
"Take it," she said.
Lyta was bedazzled with the gem's beauty. "I can't possibly!"
"You said if there was something you could do to help me. This is it." She took Lyta's wrist gingerly and dropped the necklace in her palm. "There," Mayarenna said and closed her eyes briefly, "it's done."
Lyta's fingers moved to the pendant. The gem looked so smooth and shiny, she had to touch it. As she did, the gem began to glow brilliantly. The light surrounded the necklace, then her hand. It moved up her arm until her whole body was surrounded by the light. Lyta did not feel frightened. Instead the light relaxed her body. Her eyelids became heavy and she found it hard to keep awake. What was going on? She felt so light. Lyta looked down. She wasn't feeling lighter, she was floating in the air! When her body was hovering over the ground, her eyes gave in and closed all the way.
Gourry Gabriev was probably not Lina's first choice for a husband. She admitted he was pretty good looking and there was no doubt about the bravery, almost to the point of stupidity, but rich he was not. That should have automatically disqualified him from the list. Yet there was an endearing quality about the man Lina could not fully understand. Time and time again Gourry would stand by her side, fight with her and protect her, even when the odds were stacked against them. Lina didn't mind him being around except the constant having to explain everything at least twice and the competition for dinner. And he did have that handy Sword of Light with him. Lina would do anything to have that sword.
Would she even marry Gourry?
Lina's first reaction was to shiver with shock and berate herself for thinking such stupid things. Her and Gourry in love? That was impossible. But when she gave it a second thought, Lina wondered if the initial objections were all automatic.
Then, there was the biggest, most glaring, 'smack you in the side of the head, pour ice cold water down your shirt, wake-up to reality' piece of evidence presented. It was in the form a tall, slender girl by the name of Lyta Fireheart, also known as Lyta Gabriev. The name itself didn't alarm Lina. So she was Gourry's supposed daughter from the future. But how could anyone explain Lyta and Lina's uncanny resemblance to eachother? No one could. At least not without concluding Lina was the mother. And that could only mean one thing -- Lina and Gourry got married, settled down and had a kid.
Lina mentally scoffed at it all. The famous genius sorceress Lina Inverse settle down and married? What ever happened to adventuring, looking for riches and fame? Settling down wasn't the kind of life for her. Yet Lyta was all the proof needed to the contrary along with Lina's unresolved feelings about her protector.
All these doubts and concerns flew through Lina's mind in a matter of seconds as she watched the crystal ball drop to the floor and roll to her feet. Lina picked it up. It was barely larger than her hands. The surface was incredibly smooth and felt warm, which she didn't expect. The ball was no longer pulsing and when she looked down at the compass she noticed it too had stopped.
"Lina!" Gourry called her name to get her attention.
Lina looked up sharply. Gourry was pointing to the gaping hole Bertine had created just moments earlier. The magical barrier Lyta had erected was gone. That meant they were vulnerable.
Bertine didn't take long to come into view. Her dark cloak flapped in the wind despite being wrapped up in a raywing bubble. Her long, hazel braid hung over her shoulder and the end-knot nestled in her hand. She gave her braid a little tug. Lina wondered if that little bit of pain made her senses more alert. Leave it to mazoku to thrive off pain, Lina thought.
"You're not leaving here alive with that!" Bertine gave the ultimatum. "Give it to me now and I'll consider a quick death."
"You should be pulling that braid tighter if you think I'm going to surrender to you," replied Lina.
"You know you won't beat me, Lina Inverse."
Lina winced slightly at the remark. Bertine was half correct in a sense. Where were Zelgadis or Amelia or even Sylphiel? None of them were on this little excursion of hers. The only other magic user was Lyta but she was inside the crystal. That left her and Gourry alone against a mazoku underling. But, Lina thought, hadn't she defeated Ruby-Eye Shaburanigdo, the lord of the mazoku all by herself? She latched onto the little spark of confidence and fueled the fire.
Lina flashed her mischevious smile, the one that said, 'I know something you don't'. She answered back, "Oh, but you know I will."
Bertine didn't waste anymore words. She let go of her braid and gathered energy into her hands. Stretching back, she let the ball go. Lina watched as it extended into a whip of pure magical energy -- it was a Balus Rod spell, only longer. The extended range only proved the magical potential Bertine had. How much was she holding in reserve, Lina wondered.
Lina and Gourry jumped out of the way as the magical whip tore through the entire stone wall. It ripped the paintings on the wall neatly in half, too. Lina grabbed Keil, who had been watching by the stairs and forced him down the steps. "Get back downstairs!" she shouted.
Half running, half tumbling, the three raced down the winding tower stairway. Bertine was only steps behind them from the outside, smashing through stone walls with the whip.
They were no longer running but falling down the steps from the frantic flight. When they reached the bottom, they scrambled to their feet in anticipation of Bertine's attack. Fortunately, the main entrance was directly in front of them. However, their path was blocked.
Lina's mouth hung open. There were at least twenty animated skeletons in the way. Dull red light illuminated their empty eye sockets. Most of the skeletons brandished clubs, warhammers and small bucklers. Lina cursed herself. A simple Megido Flare would take care of most undead as the white magic spell was lethal to them. Even a restoration spell would do irreparable damage instead of healing. How she wished Sylphiel was around now. There was no way she could take care of all the skeletons without Bertine catching up to them.
"Gourry!" Lina shouted as an idea popped into her head. She took out the crystal from the protection of her cape and held it. "Go long!"
"Huh?" Gourry asked as he was unsure of Lina's intentions.
Lina waved him down toward the entrance past the skeletons. "Go long, Gourry!"
Remarkably, Gourry understood, or at least, he seemed to. He nodded curtly and pulled out his sword. "LIGHT COME FORTH!" The brilliant Sword of Light came to life instantly.
Roaring, Gourry rushed right into the group of skeletons. The few that got in his way, he slashed through with his sword. However, most were focused on getting to Lina who was not showing any signs of running.
Just as Gourry was two-thirds through the pack of skeletons, Lina palmed the crystal in one hand, stretched back and threw it with all her strength. She tried to keep the trajectory low so that it would travel fast but not so low to get intercepted.
Gourry batted another skeleton out of his and stretched out his arms. The crystal flew over his shoulder and was inches from landing into his outstretched hands. But something caught his foot and he lost balance. He took his eye off the crystal ball and saw two of the skeletons latched to his boots.
The crystal ball fell neatly through his fingers and onto the floor. It bounced a few times before settling on the carpet near the doorway.
Bertine made a convenient and explosive entrance through one of the stone walls near the stairway. "Get that crystal!" she ordered her mindless minions.
The skeletons slowly turned their heads and fixed their eyeless gaze on the crystal ball. Lifting their bleached legbones, they began walking towards the crystal. Gourry was struggling to get up but without luck as several more skeletons were hanging off him.
"Gourry!" Lina shouted hoping he would get to the crystal but it seemed unlikely.
One of the skeletons stopped over the crystal and bent down to pick it up. But before he could, a figure dashed out from nowhere, snatched up the crystal and ran off.
"KEIL!" Lina cheered the young man. She had completely forgotten about him after landing on the main floor. She had assumed he was off hiding. Now that the whole room's attention was off her, Lina decided to finish the play.
Raising her arms, she cast, "RAYWING!" and the streamlined magic enveloped her body. She zipped right into the group of skeletons, knocking them back with her speed. At the same time, she grabbed Gourry from underneath the small pile of undead with one hand. Keil jumped toward her and she snared him with the other free hand. The raywing bubble immediately encased both of them, making them much lighter than they actually were.
Breaking through the front door, the three flew out of the castle and onto a small clearing. Wasting no time, Lina let the two men go and turned around. She closed her eyes and chanted the familiar mantra. "Darkness from twilight, crimson from blood that flows; buried in the flow of time; in Thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness! Those who oppose us shall be destroyed by the power you and I possess! DRAGU SLAVE!!"
Twirls of red magic encircled the focus point where a much larger concentration of energy gathered. It fired like a cannon, violently and quickly, towards the castle. Upon impact, it exploded. The stone walls burst outwards and the small towers started to collapse inwards. Dust and debris rushed out the various cracks and holes. In mere seconds, the entire castle was a large pile of stone.
"Did you get her?" Keil asked enthusiastically, still cupping the crystal ball in his hands.
Lina stared back. Mazoku were not so easy to die but every little victory would count. "I hope so," she responded, "I hope so."
"Hello?" Lyta called out. A slight reverberating echo faded away indicating the depth of the large chamber. However, beyond the hexagon, all was dark.
Lyta turned and stepped outside the circle. A hooded figure stepped in from the shadows before the candle. Lyta gasped and stepped back, turning and finding five more figures emerging. They were dressed in long cloaks that covered their bodies and the hoods hid their faces.
"I, uh.." Lyta started. The figures removed their hoods. They were all women with light or pale coloured hair, slender hands and most notably pointed ears; they were elves.
"Lyta Fireheart," a voice behind her called. Lyta spun around and her mouth hung open. Mayarenna stood behind her just outside the edge of the little circle. If she looked frail and weak before, she did not appear so now. Instead, her cheeks was warm and full of life, her honey-brown hair curled in an eleborate array of tresses.
"Mayarenna?" Lyta asked with disbelief. "You look so ... healthy! Tell me what's going on here? Where are we?"
"Lyta, when you touched my pendant, your mind and body seperated, entering into my own so that you may be judged worthy by our ancestors."
"Judged for what?" Lyta asked. She was already too afraid to hear the answer.
"To become the next Queen of the Elves."
Lyta's eyes went wide and her mouth refused to work. She pointed at herself. "M-me?? Queen? That's absurd!"
"Yes," echoed one of the elven women, a pale blonde with unusually sharp eyes. "That is absurd, Mayarenna. How can you propose this to one who is not even elven?"
Mayarenna turned to that women. "But she is elven, mother! Can't you feel the aura of her spirit?"
The woman who Mayarenna referred as her mouth frowned. "Even if she is, her blood is tainted with the blood of humans. She's not purebred." If the other women agreed, they did not show it. They merely watched.
"Mother," Mayarenna pleaded, "I have no heir to continue our royal bloodline. She is the only choice."
Another woman spoke up, her hair was short and strawberry blonde and her eyes were a stunning blue. "As the spirits of the royal ancestors of the Elven people, we require proof of her worthiness to inherit the title as Queen." She turned to Lyta. "What proof do you bring to us?"
Lyta's mouth failed to work again as she was still trying to absorb everything that was being said. They wanted to make her the next Elf-Queen! She was standing with the spirits of the previous Queens who were now asking her to prove she was ready for the title. All she wanted to do when she started this adventure was to save her parents, somehow. She never imagined it would take her down this road. Yet, even if she knew taking the title as Queen of the Elves would somehow save her parents, what proof did she have to lay claim to it?
"I-I don't know how I can prove myself," Lyta stammered. "I mean, I didn't even know I would find the elves or that I would be asked of this! I just want the elves to awaken from their sleep and be ready to face the Mazoku!"
"Mazoku!" the strawberry-blonde elf repeated. "That does bode darkly indeed."
"But I cannot awaken the elves," explained Mayarenna, "because my powers have faded and I fear they will be usurped by one who has betrayed us. That is why Lyta Fireheart needs to do this!"
"The tradition has always been that only one of the royal bloodline may participate in the Rite of Transference," asserted Mayarenna's mother.
Suddenly, Lyta's body began to feel very warm. Her muscles tugged at different directions, contorting her limbs. A light emerged from her chest and hovered above the floor before her. It shimmered and took a familiar form. It was an old man with a gnarled staff.
"Jii-san!" Lyta shouted, regaining control of her body. "What are you doing here?"
"I apologize, my child," Raudy said with a bow of his head. "Actually I am only an essence of the old man who guided you. I have been travelling inside your body hoping to reach this destination."
"You've been inside me!" cried Lyta with disbelief. A gear clicked inside her mind. "You've known all along this was going to happen!"
Raudy's essence smiled, "I'm not the Sage of Time for nothing, after all." He turned to the elven women surrounding Lyta. "I have the proof you need." He waved his hand and an image of a comely young elven girl appeared.
"Mellyroon!" one of the women shouted. Of all the elven women gathered, she looked the oldest. Although age did not show on her smooth face, her beauty had transformed into what could only be called a handsome look.
"Behold my beloved," Raudy's essence declared, "and Lyta's great, great, great, er, a few great's, grandmother."
The eldest elven Queen walked up to the image of Mellyroon and then to Lyta. She placed a hand on her forehead, which surprised Lyta because her touch was real and warm. She had expected her hand to pass right through her. The elf closed her eyes and after a moment, took her hand away.
"Mellyroon was my sister," she revealed to Lyta. "And indeed, the aura that fills your spirit is the same as mine, albeit generations removed through time and breeding with the humans, but the trace is there. I am your Great Aunt, so to speak." She turned to the other spirit Elf-Queens. "It is the proof that we seek!"
The other Elf-Queens nodded and said, "Then it is done," one by one, the last being Mayarenna's mother.
Mayarenna walked up to Lyta and surprised her with a quick hug. "Shall I call you cousin?" she whispered in Lyta's ear. Lyta blushed with embarassment.
Mayarenna let go and looked at her sadly. She spoke no words but simply turned back to her mother and hugged her. "I am ready to join this council of ancestors. Let the eldest's soul rest for all eternity, I shall take up her burden, until it is time for me to sleep as well."
What did she mean? Then she knew. Lyta screamed. "What?! No! You're not--!"
"I'm sorry, Lyta, but after my powers have transferred, I will not have much energy left to sustain my body. Had I not been so weak, I would have been able to guide you in life. I know you will make a good and just Queen for our people. Remember, I, like our ancestors, will watch over you and our people. We shall meet again when it is time for your transference to your daughter." A tear slid down her face. "Goodbye, Lyta Fireheart, Queen of the Elves."
"No!!" Lyta screamed again and the world went incredibly bright.
Tempero was standing in the corner, facing away. One hand steadied himself against a chair while the other wiped tears from his old eyes. Ilario was weeping at the foot of Mayarenna's bed. Lyta wiped her own tears and bent down beside the young man to console him.
After the two men had wept for Mayarenna, they explained that Lyta had been unconscious for about an hour. Then, suddenly without warning, a red stream of light had appeared from Mayarenna and connected itself with Lyta. There, a transference made real by magic, Mayarenna had given up her power as Queen and passed on.
Time passed in the little room as the three occupants tried to deal with the death of Queen Mayarenna. Lyta and Ilario sat on the floor, Ilario huddled with his knees to his chest and head bent low. Tempero sat on the edge of the bed and stroked the elf woman's hair gently.
Lyta stared ahead blankly and tried not to think of anything. But thoughts of becoming the new Elf-Queen constantly crept into her mind. She had many questions such as what she would do and how the elf people would react to learn their new queen was not even of pure blood. Would they reject her?
But most importantly, she thought of her parents, Lina Inverse and Gourry Gabriev. In her time, the future, they were dead. But here, in the past, their present, they were very much alive and facing one of the Mazoku, Bertine. She had to help them. But she was hopelessly trapped inside a crystal, facing a madman determined to take the royal throne and rule the Elves.
They had to escape. Lyta had to face Calundo and set the elven people free. It was no longer a matter of saving her parents lives. The lives of an entire race were depending on her. They may not accept her as their Queen. They did not even know she was their Queen, now. But it was her responsiblity, her duty, no matter what. Why Lyta felt this way, she was not sure. Was it her own new understanding, or was it the transference of Mayarenna's power that had instilled a royal duty inside her? Did it really matter, now?
Lyta stood up with renewed confidence and determination. Tempero and Ilario took notice as well. "What are you going to do?" Ilario asked.
"It's time I started acting like a Queen and help our people," Lyta responded. "Tempero, can you remove your barrier? I want to leave this place."
The old elf looked back with strangely curious eyes. "I can, but what about Calundo's own barrier?"
"I'll deal with it."
Tempero nodded and with a simple closing of his eyes, he said, "It's done."
Lyta probed out with her mind and found Calundo's barrier. She did not understand exactly how she was doing this but it seemed like second-nature. She tested it at various points to see what kind of magic had been used to create it. Oddly enough, it was somewhat alien to her. She had never seen anything like it in her life. But the Elf-Queens knew what it was. Their knowledge was now her knowledge.
Lyta took Ilario's arm and brought Tempero close to her as well. "It's time to leave." She gave Mayarenna's body a sad, departing glance. They would be back to collect her body for a proper burial. "Transport us back to the council chambers, Tempero," Lyta asked.
"Just like that?" he asked back.
"Just like that." Tempero nodded and created a bubble between the three of them. Lyta closed her eyes and called forth the power now inside her. The bubble's color changed from blue to purple. And then they disappeared.
The Elven Council Chamber was more or less the same as Lyta remembered it even though she had only seen it for a few seconds. However, she did notice that all the chairs had been removed except for the head chair which was placed at the end of the room and occupied by none other than Calundo.
The elf was tall like the others but what stood out the most was his dark black hair. Lyta had never known an elf to have dark hair. Calundo looked just as surprised to see Lyta and the others.
"How did you escape?" he asked with genuine shock. "Where is Mayarenna? Surrender her to me and I'll make sure your deaths are quick!"
"How dare you speak to your Queen in such a tone!" retorted Lyta allowing a little smile.
"Queen?" Calundo asked. Then he realized. "She's dead? Mayarenna is dead?" He smiled devilishly. "And somehow she's given you her powers, made you Queen of the Elves, is that it? Oh, this is rich! With her death, I could have been freed from this cursed crystal prison, but now that you have her powers, I shall take it from you!"
Calundo fired a spell of dark energy that Lyta barely dodged. The spell exploded against the large council table, reducing it to splinters. Lyta ran and launched a fireball spell of her own. Calundo had a energy shield around his body that absorbed it easily.
"Give up, human," sneered Calundo, "you know nothing about the elves. You don't understand the pain and misery being trapped in her for all these decades. I only want my people to live freely in the world!"
"Fat chance," Lyta answered back. "I sense some dark motives behind your ambitions, Calundo. What is it that drives you to this?"
"What drives me is seeing the world being overrun by filthy humans while our noble people must defer to your subservient species. Well, I shall see an end to that once I break from this crystal and make a pact with the Mazoku."
Lyta stopped and stared. "You are truly mad," she whispered. "Why would you choose to side with the Mazoku, who only want to destroy our world?"
Calundo stared back. "Because the Mazoku are my people as well."
"What?!"
"I am part Mazoku. My mother, an elf, was forcibly taken by a Mazoku underling and I was the result. I've hidden my true heritage for all this time, but I cannot deny what I truly am!" Calundo was ready to launch another attack when Tempero and Ilario stepped in.
"You demon!" Tempero yelled and fired an elememkia lance spell at the dark elf. Ilario tried to rush him with a sword at the same time.
"The old man and the foolish boy," Calundo said, brushing aside Tempero's spell and dodging Ilario's sword. He fired a blast that hit Tempero square on, knocking him against the stone wall. He slumped to the ground, unconscious. At the same time, Calundo grabbed Ilario by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "I haven't forgotten about you two." His grip started to tighten around Ilario's throat, who could only gasp and claw at Calundo's arm helplessly.
Lyta was still caught up in her disbelief. Calundo was half Mazoku and wanted to make an alliance with the monster race! Could that be the reason why the elves were not present when the Mazoku attacked the Dragons? Somehow, Calundo must have succeeded. Then, Lyta was not responsible for killing her parents by stealing the crystal. Had she done it properly, the elves would have been there for the humans. Lyta shook her head trying to clear away the thoughts of what could have been.
Snapping back to the present, Lyta cast two spells, flare bit to create a dense fog around Calundo, and megabrand, just under his feet. The ground erupted and slammed the dark elf into the ceiling. Ilario was knocked free and scrambled back, trying to catch his breath. He made his way around to Tempero and checked on him. Lyta was relieved when the young elf let her know he was still alive.
Calundo emerged from the rubble of rocks and stone, slightly shaken and a cut above his forehead. He touched his temples. "That actually hurt, you human bitch!"
"As Queen of the Elves, I will not allow you to destroy them by allying with the Mazoku," Lyta shot back.
"It's time I ended this," Calundo declared and started muttering. His eyes were closed in deep concentration. Lyta knew he was readying to cast a very nasty spell. Before she could react, his eyes snapped open and a very large burst of energy came hurtling at her.
"Lyta!" Ilario screamed and threw something at her. Lyta caught it in mid-air. It was Mayarenna's fire-pendant. A fire-bright nimbus surrounded her and deflected Calundo's spell right back at him. The elf screamed as he was hit full on. The shield around his body disappeared and he could barely stand. Lyta knew she had her one and only chance.
Closing her eyes, Lyta called forth a single spell which came to mind immediately. She had never cast this spell before, nor had she ever heard of it. She knew it was the spell of the Elf-Queen's magic.
"Light shone from brilliance, spirit from the aura of all living things; buried in the flow of Time, in Thy great name, I pledge myself to the light; Let those who stand against you be swallowed in your glory! DRAGON REDEMPTION!"
A blast of pure white energy sprung from Lyta's hands, so bright she had to look away. It engulfed Calundo's body and he screamed horribly until he was consumed totally, swallowed up by the light just as promised in the spell's incantation.
Lyta collapsed to the floor and breathed heavily. She felt drained but strangely very alive and aware of herself. The spell she had cast, it sounded a lot like Dragu-Slave but the words different. It was the complement spell, a voice inside her mind told her, one that drew from Ceipheed's power. Set against eachother, both spells could cancel eachother out. But combined, the power was enough to rival even gods. The voice was both ominous and reassuring. It also sounded like Mayarenna. Are you still there, Lyta wondered. The voice said nothing.
The door burst open and several young elves spilled in. Ilario stood up immediately and called to the first, "Blindo!"
"Ilario, what happened?" the other elf asked. "We found ourselves outside the council chambers, the others too, none of us knew what had happened or why we had been roused from our homes."
"Oh, Calundo's spell is broken," Ilario said with a relief. Then he bent his head in shame. "This is all my fault."
"Ilario?" asked Blindo with a confused look. And then he saw Lyta. "Who is this human that stands inside our council chamber, inside the crystal that protects the elves from the outside world?"
Ilario looked back up and answered very proudly, "She is our Queen."
Bertine shot her extended Balus Rod whip and this time Lina was caught too much off-guard to jump out of the way. Her feet were frozen in place and she could only watch in horror. Suddenly, she was knocked out of the way at the last second. Lina looked back. "Gourry!" The blond swordsman was lying on the ground, clutching his left arm. "Gourry!"
"It's okay, Lina!" he grimaced. "Just get her!"
Lina's anger rose. "GAAV FLARE!" she cried, firing off the powerful black magic spell. Bertine dodged it and flew back warily. Then, she spotted something from the corner of her eye. It was Keil, clutching the crystal and trying to find cover.
"The crystal!" she yelled. "Come here!" Bertine flew right towards Keil who tripped over a rock and was sprawled on the ground. "I have you -- oomph!"
Lina Inverse did something very unexpected for a pair of duelling magic users. She launched herself at Bertine and hauled her to the ground in an ungraceful body slam.
Bertine snarled viciously and conjured a reverse-shield around her body. What she created was a static electric field that threw Lina right off her and against some trees. With little time to rub the back of her head, Lina's eyes widened and she threw herself out of the way. Bertine's magical whip sliced through those same trees, felling them. That could have been her head!
"Give me that crystal or die!" the Mazoku sorceress snapped at Keil, who was now shaking with fear.
But the crystal, clutched against his body, began to glow. Keil cried as the ball became hot to the touch and he tossed it aside quickly. The light grew extremely bright and then expanded outwards in the form of a person. It was Lyta Fireheart.
Lyta's cape flapped softly in the wind, held back by the familiar flame-style shoulder guards. The girl looked tired but Lina was happy to see she was alive and, more importantly, here on the scene. That put the good guys in a decidedly favourable two-to-one advantage.
Lyta bent down, picked up the cyrstal and made it disappear. Then, she spotted Lina Inverse. "Mother!" Lyta shouted and rushed to Lina's side.
Lina looked around and then remembered Lyta was calling to her. "Can you just call me 'Lina' for now, I'm still trying to sort everything out."
Lyta blushed and nodded. Around her neck, Lina noticed she was wearing a brilliant fire-gemmed pendant. She had never seen it before. Lina secretly wondered at its cost. But, turning her attention back to much more important issues, she steadied herself and got up.
"It's over, Bertine," Lina declared with an edge.
"It will only be over when you give me the crystal," Bertine shot back in response.
"I will never give up the crystal!" came Lyta's defiant reply, "I safeguard the lives of the elven people with my own; it is a Queen's duty."
Lina did a double-take. "Did you just say 'Queen'?" she whispered between her teeth.
"Uh-huh!" Lyta grinned back. "Aren't you proud? You have a daughter who is royalty!"
Lina rolled her eyes upwards. "This just gets weirder and weirder."
"Two of you, four of you, it doesn't make a difference because I will kill you all!" Bertine shouted and closed her eyes. Her body began to shimmer and two versions of herself slid out to the left and right. The copies also began to shimmer, each producing another copy. Those, in turn, produced two more copies until there were seven exact versions of Bertine. They began circling Lina and Lyta until they lost track of which was the real Bertine.
"They're all illusions except for one," Lina warned.
"So we just have to find the right one?" asked Lyta.
Before Lina could answer, the Bertines began to attack. They came in waves, firing spells in rapid succession. Lina and Lyta split up to avoid being caught in the crossfires. "They don't seem like illusions!" Lyta shouted back.
Lina dodged another attack. Pulling out her short sword, she flung it in a javelin-like fashion. It went right through one of the attacking Bertines, causing her to dispel and disappear. At the same time, she readied to fire a flare arrow, destroying another copy. Lina quickly glanced over to Lyta, who had taken care of one copy on her own. That left four down.
However, their attacks became more powerful and fierce. Lina had barely time to attack with all the dodging and shields she had to cast in order to protect herself.
"Lina!" Gourry yelled off at one side. He pointed at one of the Bertines hovering away from the rest. "That's her!"
"How do you know?!" Lina yelled back, finally casting an offensive spell but missing.
"She's the only one not actively attacking both of you!" Gourry got up, despite his cut left arm and launched himself in the air at her, sword raised.
The copy of Bertine he was attacking was no copy at all. Bertine was taken by surprise and magically blocked the quick swings and thrusts of Gourry's sword. The other copies faded away, no longer being maintained. Lina was thoroughly impressed.
Lyta ran up beside her. "This is our chance, Lina!" she cried. "While Gourry distracts her, cast Dragu-Slave!"
"What are you going to do?" Lina asked back. She did not know what the girl had in mind.
"Just do it!" Lyta ordered her. "I'll be right behind you! Just don't fire it right away!"
"I can't hold onto it for that long!" Lina protested but the girl gave her no answer. Lina had to trust her. Mentally, she readied to cast her ultimate spell. Whether it would work on the Mazoku Bertine, she did not know.
The familiar red glow began to surround her body. "Darkness from twilight, crimson from blood that flows."
Behind Lina, she could the words of another spell being cast at the same time. "Light shone from brilliance, spirit from the aura of all living things."
The pattern sounded familiar. Lina continued to cast. "Buried in the flow of time; in Thy great name, I pledge myself to the darkness!"
"Buried in the flow of time; in Thy great name, I pledge myself to the light!"
"Those who oppose us shall be destroyed by the power you and I possess! DRAGU SLAVE!" Lina brought her hands upwards so the great fiery ball of magical destruction sat atop her outstretched palms. There was a tremendous urge for her to deliver it. She resisted.
"What?!" Bertine yelled, throwing Gourry off with a spell that knocked him back to the ground in time to see what the two sorceresses were doing.
"Let those who stand against you be swallowed in your glory! DRAGON REDEMPTION!"
Lina chanced a look back. Behind her, Lyta was bathed in bright yellow light and a large ball of bright magic was forming between her hands. The magic shot outwards and into Lina's Dragu-Slave. The two spells combined, mixing into a bright orange flame of magic that was aimed directly at Bertine.
Bertine's shield did not even withstand the blast. She screamed and her body erupted in dark flames. The magic consumed her until nothing was left but that flame and two holes that were her probably her eyes, casting itself in a demonic manner. The flame dissipated until nothing remained after that. Bertine was no more.
"We did it!" Lina cried triumphantly to Lyta. But Lyta's eyes were looking past her with shock.
"Look out!" she screamed.
Lina turned around, "Wha-?" Something dark slid into her chest and all the breath escaped her lungs. She looked down, and felt the blood trickle down her front over a midnight black blade. She looked up with disbelief into the face of Terwindis. And then she collapsed.
"You!" he growled. Lyta stepped back with fear. She noticed the long unhealed scar across one of Terwindis' eyes. What could have caused such a wound in the golem-chimera's face? But Terwindis seemed to have picked up her on thoughts. "I will make you pay for this!"
Lyta was speechless. When had she done that to him? Terwindis advanced on her. His tremendous height easily overshadowed her and he brought the sword up for the finishing strike. The sword whistled down but struck another sword.
"Gourry!" Lyta cried. He was blocking Terwindis' strike.
"Go to Lina!" he yelled, his muscles straining to hold Terwindis' powerful sword back. "I'll handle him!"
Lyta nodded with a gulp and scurried off to where her mother lay on the ground. There was blood everywhere, soaked into her clothes and into the grass. Her eyes were closed and her chest was not moving. She was dying, possibly already dead.
"No!!" Lyta screamed desperately. She needed Pixie-chan, where was that fairy? She had not seen her at all since the Rite of Transference. Of all the times the fairy went into hiding, she needed her the most now.
"Please don't die on me, mother!" Lyta cried, clutching Lina in her arms. She had not been there for her parents in the future when they perished at the hands of the Mazoku. Now, she had a chance to save her but she did not know how.
Restoration, a voice said.
"What?" Lyta whispered.
Cast the restoration spell, the voice urged. You know how.
But Lyta had never cast that spell. Aunt Sylphiel had once taught it to her but she had no practical use in it. This was the first time Lyta had encountered someone mortally wounded. And the power it required, she did not know if she had it in her, especially having cast the Dragon Redemption so many times already.
We will help, the voice said.
We? Then Lyta recognized the voice again. It was Mayarenna! Lyta sniffled back a tear and closed her eyes. Her body would be the vessel for the Elf-Queen's spirits to work through.
Without opening her eyes, Lyta felt that her hands began to glow with healing warmth. She moved her hands over Lina's bloody body, beginning first at her chest where the sword had gone through. Lyta felt the magic beginning to seep through into Lina's, slowly repairing and mending the body while replenishing the spirit.
Soon, the magic ebbed away until the warmth was gone. Lyta opened her eyes. Lina's body was healed but her eyes were still closed. Did it work? The voice did not answer her. Maybe that was all they could do. Maybe there was nothing that could be done.
Suddenly, Lina's eyes flickered open and she blinked, extremely tired and exhausted. Lyta felt immediately joy and relief wash through her and she hugged Lina tightly. "Thank heavens, you're alive! I thought I lost you again, Mother!"
"Eh," groaned Lina uncomfortably from being back from the dead, "I thought we agreed no 'Mother' business."
Lyta hugged back her response. The tears flowed freely down her cheeks now. Inside, she silently sent a prayer of thanks to the Elf-Queens that watched over her.
The big golem Mazoku lunged furious at Gourry, swingly wildly but dangerously. Gourry dodged each strike with quickness but he could already feel the speed advantage against him. He did not expect someone so big as Terwindis to move so fast.
Gourry backed off, letting Terwindis come at him. At the last second, he peeled off to the side and attempted to get around back of his opponent. Terwindis knew he was coming. He raised his sword and spun around to parry Gourry's blade of light. The two clashed and sparks flew.
Literally.
The explosion caught both of them by surprise, flinging eachother away simultaneously like a log of wood being split in half. Gourry found the sword still in his hands, his heart beating rapidly. It was very strange, this did not occur in their previous encounter. Terwindis merely shook off the concussion and got back up, ready to fight.
Gourry took a quick glance to Lyta. She was huddled over Lina and performing some magic spell. He hoped with everything he could that Lina was going to pull through.
Terwindis came at him again and Gourry blocked with the sword. Once more, there was a large explosion and the two were knocked aside. Gourry felt blood on his lip and wiped it away. Terwindis just got back up again.
There seemed little chance in either winning this fight, Gourry realized. Both swords were so in conflict with eachother, the slightest touch with the other caused a violent reaction.
"There's no way we can win," Gourry said cautiously, circling with Terwindis. "Your sword is an even match for mine. We'll probably get blown to bits before either of us has a chance to strike."
Terwindis said nothing. His cold, steely eyes stared down at Gourry with intense hatred and loathing. There was nothing on Terwindis' mind but killing him, Gourry thought. Even if it meant taking himself down too. That was the most dangerous kind of opponent.
The Mazoku came in again with renewed fury, bringing swing after swing against Gourry. The blond swordsman did the best he could to avoid blocking but his opponent was too fast. Caught off balance, he immediately saw the overhand swing that he could not avoid. He winced and brought the Sword of Light to bear against it.
Suddenly, a flash of red light collided with Terwindis. The black blade was knocked from his hand and flew to the ground. Gourry, already in his motion to block, swung through, cleaving the golem's arm right off.
Gourry reeled back in shock over what had happened. Terwindis looked no less surprised at first, but then sunk to the ground and howled in agony. He tried to grab his sword with his left hand but Gourry blocked the way. He began closing in on Terwindis.
Seeing defeat, Terwindis got up, clutching at the stump of his right arm and disappeared. The severed limb began to smoke and molt until there was nothing left on the ground but a blackened mark. The Sword of Shadows disappeared as well.
Gourry looked back. It was Lyta who had cast the spell, her arms still arched in the form of casting one of those magical arrows. Gourry ran over to her and Lina. "Are you two okay?"
"Yes, she's fine now," Lyta answered wearily.
"I thought I lost you for a second, Lina," Gourry said.
Lina blushed slightly and tried to ignore Gourry's words. She blinked. "Is it over?"
Gourry scratched his head and shrugged. "I guess I won. And you two defeated Bertine. So it's over, right Lyta?"
Lyta smiled back. "I think it's over."
Within minutes, the spell of the crystal began to fade. People began reappearing on the island, elves to be exact. Within a few hours, their numbers grew to several hundred.
"I thought there were more elves than this," Lina asked. Most of the elves were gathering together, forming crude shelters. The old one, named Tempero, and the younger elf-male Ilario were standing with Lyta.
"There were at first," Tempero explained, "but many died over time being isolated in the crystal, away from real nature. It was a mistake to seal ourselves away from the world. We thought that it was best for humans to try and live in a world on their own. But now I realize that maybe we should have tried to live together."
A young elf warrior approached them and stood before Tempero. "We've captured the traitors on the council, Riveren, Sentendil, the others. They've been placed in the constraining bonds to prevent them from using magic, and put under a deep sleep. We can awaken them when we can perform a proper trial." Tempero nodded and the young elf turned to walk away, but not before acknowledging Lyta's presence. "Majesty," he said uneasily. He stalked off.
"I'm going to have to get used to that," Lyta said sheepishly, her cheeks turning slightly red.
"They'll have to get used to seeing a human as their Queen," Tempero added dryly.
"What will you do now?" asked Gourry, who was still amazed at all the elves that were suddenly on the once deserted island. "I guess you're going to stay here with everyone?"
Lyta cast a look downwards. "I have to. I'm responsible for their safety now, especially since there is no crystal to protect us anymore. We'll have to rebuild, increase our numbers slowly. Which reminds me... Keil!"
The young man who had accompanied Lyta and the others from Marinaul looked up. Although he had contributed little to their trip, Lina was glad he came along. He pulled through several times for them.
"Yes, Lyta? Or should I call you Majesty as well?" He asked this earnestly.
"Don't you dare!" scolded Lyta. "I can handle the elves, but we're friends! There's something I want to ask you. Would you like to stay with us for a while? We need someone who knows what's been going around in the world. And later we'll need to send emmissaries out to the various kingdoms, try to establish a relationship with the human world again. You could be our ambassador, of sorts."
Keil's eyes went wide. "Me, an ambassador for the elves??" He spun around in disbelief. "Wow, this would be great! I wouldn't have to run from town to town anymore!"
"That's right, no more of that 'illegal' stuff, okay?" urged Lyta with a grin.
"Don't worry, if you need supplies from the mainland, I'm your man. I know this guy in Albersport who can get stuff from anywhere, as long as you don't make too many inquiries."
"Keil!" exclaimed Lyta, "what did I just say?!"
Before Keil could respond with anything, a small figure fluttered in from the sky and landed on Lyta's shoulders. "So, did I miss much?" Pixie-chan asked nonchalantly.
Lyta was taken aback. "Where have you been all this time?!" she asked incredulously. "I could have really used your help!"
"You know how it is with the fighting," Pixie-chan covered for herself, "I'm not big on that. Besides, I found out there's some other fairies around, not many, but at least some of my people are still alive!"
"That's great!" exclaimed Lyta.
"And I'm sure I'll be very popular when they find out I'm the Queen's personal fairy and assistant." She smiled proudly at herself and flew into the air.
"Lina, I'm sorry deceived you like that," apologized Pixie-chan, "but I honestly believed you were the Destined One."
Lina grinned back, "Well I did help find the elves, so I guess it squares things up."
The next morning, only Lyta accompanied Lina and Gourry to the shores where Captain Tiggy and a crewman were waiting in a small rowboat pulled up along the beach.
Lyta made her goodbye to Gourry first. She insisted on doing this alone with the swordsman. Lina watched as the two spoke for several minutes before Lyta gave him a fierce hug and a kiss on the cheek. Lina could still not imagine that the girl she was watching could possibly be her daughter from the future.
When Lyta made her over to her, Lina realized it was time to say goodbye. Gourry walked off to the rowboat and stood there waiting for Lina to be done.
Lyta looked back at Lina. It was almost like a mirror staring back. "Thanks for everything," Lyta said. She excluded the 'Mother' title, which relieved Lina.
"Well, I didn't find any riches or uncover any new spells but I guess it was fun," answered Lina. Her tone changed to a little more serious. "What's going to happen now that you've gone into the past and changed history? I mean, everything you've done here could affect the future, especially interacting with us."
"Perhaps I can answer that question," a rough voice said in the air.
Lina recognized it but could not put a face to that voice. Then, she saw the faded visage of the old man she had met a few years back on Mipross Island. "Jii-san! What are you doing here?"
Raudy turned to Lyta and said, "I could swear you said the same thing to me! You Inverses, so alike." He faced Lina again. "I came to repay a favour," Raudy answered. "You saved me and Mellyroon. In return, I've helped Lyta fulfill her wishes. In a way, I'm paying you back."
"What about the future?" Lina inquired.
"Time, like sand, can be molded and shaped if you know how. The future Lyta knew may never occur, or it may still occur. Who's to say? Not even I!"
Lina looked at him darkly. "A lot help you are."
Raudy just smiled mysteriously and disappeared. Lina wondered if he deliberately chose not to say.
Lyta turned to Lina and smiled warmly. "I guess this is it, Mother."
Lina winced. "Do you have to call me that?"
"It may be the last time I'll ever see you!" Lyta cried with a tear streaking down her cheek. "I think it's best if I don't meddle with your life anymore," she explained.
"I suppose."
"I won't let you down, you'll see. The elves and I will strive to rebuild ourselves and reintegrate with the rest of the world. It may take a very long time, perhaps maybe not even in my lifetime. But should the future ever require our presence, we will be there alongside the humans."
"I guess this is goodbye?" Lina said with some finality.
"How about, until next time?"
"Okay, until next time."
Lyta embraced Lina just as fiercely as Gourry. She whispered into Lina's ear, "I love you, Mother."
"I-" Lina started but just could not say it, no matter how much it meant to Lyta. "I will miss you," was all she could manage, trying to hold back her own tears.
With one final glance, Lyta turned around and began walking back to the elf settlement. It was the last time Lina Inverse ever saw Lyta Fireheart.
Lina waited until Lyta disappeared beyond the rocky outcroppings. When she was gone, Lina strolled back along the sandy beach to the rowboat where Gourry was waiting. "What did she say to you?" she asked Gourry.
Gourry just grinned back stupidly. "Can't say, I promised her. But she gave me some useful advice."
Lina felt her chest lurch. She knew where this could possibly be going and she wanted to avoid thinking about it for a long time. Well, at least for now. "Okay, then! Captain Tiggy, let's go!"
After a long day's travel through a mysterious desert, guided by an equally mysterious old woman, Lina and the others set up camp by a small oasis. She was trying to catch some sleep when Amelia's suddenly screamed.
Lina woke with a jolt, seeing her tentmate in throws of another bad dream. "What the heck is she yelling about?" Deciding sleep would not come so easily now, she got up and left the tent for some fresh air.
Outside, the camp fire was still burning. "Gourry?" she asked.
The blond swordsman turned back. "Are you up, too?"
"You decided to stand guard, huh?" Lina probed.
"Yeah, I switched off with Zel. Why don't you come over, the nights are pretty cold."
"Okay," Lina agreed and sat down beside Gourry. The camp fire was still roaring brightly and the added warmth took care of the night chills.
Gourry handed her a sweet potato on a stick but Lina was not feeling hungry. Instead, something else was troubling her, something that the old woman had asked her about earlier in the day. What was her relationship with Gourry? She decided to probe to see where it could go but was extremely reluctant to do so.
Steeling her courage together, she asked in her most innocent and casual tone, "By the way.. we've been travelling together for a while, haven't we?"
"Has it really been that long?" Gourry said, checking on his sweet potato.
Lina glanced back and it seemed she had not really caught his attention. Did she have to be so blunt and direct? "It's just.. it seems so natural to think of you being with me."
"Well, I am your protector after all."
"And how long were you planning to protect me?"
"I dunno," Gourry responded with a short pause that felt like forever, "the rest of my life?"
Lina's face went red instantly. "The rest of--?" She stared away so Gourry could not see how embarassed she was. Why was she letting that old woman make a fool of herself like this. But suddenly, she remembered Lyta Fireheart, the girl who travelled from the future and said she was the daughter of her and Gourry. Lina could not deny it, no matter how often she had forgotten about Lyta, that in one possible future, she and Gourry had spent the rest of their lives together and had a daughter.
"Gourry, don't you have someone waiting for you? Somebody you really like?" Why did she ask that for? Lina let it slip out and decided to see what Gourry said. She had never asked this to him before. Was she tempting fate, now that she had seen a glimpse of her possible future with him?
Lina turned back for his response. Instead, she found him sleeping. Lina supressed that natural urge to whack him on the head hard. Instead, she decided to let the matter drop. This was Gourry after all and she could not expect any less of him. It was true they had spent a lot of time together and she could not imagine being without him. As a protector, she corrected herself mentally. Lina watched him snoring, his head drooped over his chest. Still, there was something admirable about a man who would do anything to protect a girl. Lina slid closer and felt his body was warm. It warmed her more than the fire did.
Tilting her head, she leaned against his shoulder and found it very comfortable. She had not thought about Lyta Fireheart in many weeks, what was the girl up to? She wondered if the young Elf-Queen was faring well in her new role.
Lyta, like Lina Inverse, would have to let the future take care of itself.
- THE END -
DEAR GOD IT'S DONE!! What started two and a half years ago in 1999 was an idea for a Slayers story. Slayers has been one of my favourite anime series. Fantasy with a great story and hilarious comedy packed all in one. It screamed to me to be fanfic'd. Actually, I had done an OAV style fanfic before called "A Day at the Races" which featured Lina's adventures with Naga. However, it wasn't until I read Stefan Gagne's amazing Slayers Trilogy (Slayers Reflect, Slayers Chaos, Slayers Rebirth) that I felt inspired to try a little epic of my own.
I had the story all mapped out, more or less. You see, Lyta is actually a character I use in CAPOW (Creative Anime Prose Original Writing) where we create anime-style characters and take turns writing stuff in a sort of Improfanfic (TM) style. Lyta Fireheart was actually as she is in this story -- the fictional daughter of Lina and Gourry. Then, other parts of the story started to surface; what if Lyta travelled back in time to save her parents from some horrible tragedy? And of course I needed a good time paradox to mess things all up, courtesy of watching too many Star Trek episodes.
Things were going well, I had a story planned out, I was getting each chapter done one by one. That was until things started slowing down. By part four, I seemed to be running into walls. I started finding holes in my plot that I had to figure out. Episode Four was getting delayed a little but I was finally able to get it before school started.
And then the biggest wall of all -- school. Christmas came and exams were done and I still had not thought much about Episode Five, which was to be the big finale, the one to tie everything together and explain it all. I still had some doubts about my plot at this point. Would it make sense? Would I get horribly criticized for making things seem too implausible or far-fetched?
April 2000 came along, still no Episode Five in sight. My writing motivation had slowed down tremendously, I didn't even feel like writing much for my CAPOW writing group either. What was worse, I was facing my final set of exams before I graduated and securing a job was still an unknown. There was too much of real life the way. Between here and there I found time to start Episode Five. Actually, the first scene of Episode Five had been written a long time ago. It was actually the crux of the story, the whole point of doing it. July came around and I had two parts posted. Things started slowing down again.
I was working now, living in a new city, and finding my life changing. I was becoming more active out of the Internet, playing more sports, being more social and it was great. A year passed with still no writing done to close off Episode Five. Slowly the urge to write started to come back. I did an Improfanfic (TM) -style post with Indie Madnesse and I felt good about it. I was slowing getting back into writing with CAPOW. Maybe it was time to finish off Slayers Triumph.
It wasn't until the other day I got an email from someone asking me about the site and why he could not access the stories. It turns out to be an AOL problem. But it got me thinking about finishing the story and the next day at work I decided to plan out the last few scenes. And then there was the mad rush to get it done. I spent one whole day writing the last remaining scenes. You can see the writing degrades a lot especially near the end where I'm just trying to tie up loose ends. But my original goal was accomplished. I could be proud of that.
Slayers Triumph has been a project that took longer than expected. It opened my eyes to things such as my writing style and how much work it still needs. Would I attempt another Slayers epic? Maybe. But maybe not Slayers, maybe something more original with a Slayers-esque feel to it. I'm still a great fan of the fantasy genre. Harry Potter's a great series if you ask me, and I'm still enthralled by the Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth series.
Watchers of Slayers may recognize the very last scene from Slayers Next. I think this is one of the single most "romantic" moments you can get between Lina and Gourry. My purpose in Slayers Triumph was not really to explore the relationship between Lina and Gourry. It was more of having a grand adventure. However, that scene in Slayers Next was what I felt a perfect way to end Slayers Triumph, a sort of tie into the real series. Even though the internal monologue by Lina is all fictionalized, the dialogue is taken from the real Slayers Next script. (I hope I don't get in trouble for that!!)
That's all for now! Until next time.
Dare Cheung
Sept. 9, 2001
Special thanks to Dot Warner, Lyn Daniel, and Mistral Coldwind for pre-reading and providing ideas.
You are free to distribute this text as long as it remains UNMODIFIED.
You can reach me, Dare Cheung, at: cheungda@yahoo.com
Comments and suggestions are welcome. The events stated in this story are not exactly 100% accurate to the anime, so please forgive any mistakes.