“For what?” Gourry asked

“It’s been confirmed thanks to Xellos,”

“Actually, I just—“

“New Xoana has been attacked AND reduced to rubble, the royal family are nowhere to be seen.”

“However, we’ve gotten a letter from said royal family.”

“Could be a trap,” Zelgadis commented, sipping his coffee.

“No one knows Martina well enough to write ‘AAAAAAAAAh!’ in the beginning of the letter. Besides, if it were a trap, why Martina? Why not Sylphiel? And what’s going on with Mazoku?”

No answer.

“Anyway, we all split up. Martina may not be the smartest person but she knows danger when she sees it. Her plan to just hightail it out of here sounds pretty good to me, considering all the trouble I’ve had before with Mazoku, present company included.”

“What’d I do?” Xellos asked, ‘innocently.’

“But, if we are going to get the hell out of here and leave everyone to fight their own war, we’re are not abandoning anybody. Xellos, you’re going to Seyruun.”

“...Seyruun?” Xellos asked, as if his stomach turned.

“You’re going to get to Amelia as soon as possible. There have been three other attacks since New Xoana fell and they’ve all been around Seyruun. You get there as fast as possible have everyone evacuate, and have Amelia and her father meet us at Marine’s View.

“Zel...”

“Me?”

“Don’t worry, your job’s easy. You’re going to find Martina and Zangulus. Knowing those two, and the fact that they’re being chased, that’s at least one disaster waiting to happen, probably more. They shouldn’t be too hard to find, they’re going in a straight line to Marine’s View, knowing them. Just follow the screams.

“Gourry, You’re going to get Serrin and Sylphiel. You know where they are.”

“Right! Where’s Marine’s View?”

“WHAT?”

“I’m joking!”

“What do you mean, joking?”

“I just thought of one.”

“Let’s start over. Do you know where Marine’s View is?”

“Yeah, just a few miles from where they live.”

“WHAT?”

“Didn’t Zel tell you?”

“I didn’t know,” Zelgadis said. “By the way, what are you going to do, Lina.”

She sighed. “I’m going to get Filia.”

Gourry was so stunned he didn’t notice when Zelgadis did a spit take at him, spraying coffee all over his hair, and Xellos fell onto the floor from where he was sitting. Considering Xellos was floating before Lina made her comment, Xellos was definitely surprised.

“Look, I’m sorry, but she’s still out friend, and we can’t abandon Valgaav or say ‘Hey, your mom sucks but you can come with us.’ I’m going to get her to try and fix things. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll threaten her until she gets the message. I’m still not happy with what she did. Now everybody get going!”

“Lina—“ Gourry started.

“Pack up the lunch and take it with you. I’m paying. Xellos teleport RIGHT NOW!”

Xellos patted Zelgadis on the shoulder and disappeared.

“Good luck...” Gourry said.

“Thanks. Knowing Filia I’ll need it.”
 
 

* * * * *
 
 

“No, Val, this book is for reading, not coloring in, put the crayons down,” Filia said.

“I read it already. It’s boring. I’m going to make it better.”

“No, leave the boring book alo—“

“What was that mommy?”

“Get under the couch!”

“But you said—“

“Get under it right now!” she screamed, trying to squeeze herself under it.

Valgaav did as he was told and wondered why the house was shaking.

“Earthquake, honey. It’s fine.”

* * * * *
 
 

“Damnit! I missed. Don’t DO that!”

“Sorry, I’m allergic.”

“Go be allergic on someone else! Now, let’s get those damned dragons!”

“Direct hit! Achoo!”

“Can you make yourself useful?”

“Sorry. It’s not my fault—achoo!--all these flowers are in bloom!”

“Of all the Mazoku I get stuck with he one with hayfever! Alright, next Dragon house.”

* * * * *
 
 

“Stupid idiot kept sneezing on me.” The dragon muttered, wiping his arm off.

The singed Gold dragon stirred in her sleep.

“Damn!”

“Filia! Are you alright? Answer me! Valgaav?” someone yelled, they were getting closer.

The boy started waking up.

“I’m out of here,” the dragon muttered.

“Where—Lina? Huh?” Filia mumbled, waking up. There.

“Filia!” Lina said, blasting through the bushes. “How’d you get here?”

“I have no idea miss Lina.”

“Mommy?” Val said, waking up. “I’m hungry. Hi, Lina!”

“We’re getting out of here,” Lina said.

“But what’s going on?”

“I thought you knew!”

“I thought you did.”

“I do! House went BOOM!” Val said.

“Let’s just get going.”

“Where are we going, Lina?” Filia asked, grabbing Val.

“I’ll explain on the way.”