A Zel x Xel story. None of the Slayer’s characters are mine.

And there they lay, Zel kissing his demon lover, smoothing his fine dark hair, and waiting for him to heal again. What have I done? How did I get into all this? Oh, yes, he was bored. He was bored and came to annoy me…to have an intelligent conversation. Then what? Ah…my image problems…which lead to my sexual dysfunction…which lead to his new interest in me…which lead to…bonding with me. Gods, why would a greater Mazouku let himself be emotionally bonded to a human, and a cursed one at that? Oh yes, he’s in love with me. How can that be? Well it has got to hurt. He certainly has problems saying the words. So…we’re bonded together somehow. I wonder what that will do to us? Can I call him? How does that work? Do I simply think…’Xelloss?’…

Xelloss’ eyes popped open. He stared up into the rock-encrusted face with astonishment. Without moving his lips, I heard his voice in my head ask, "Zelgadiss? Did you call me?"

Zel nodded his head furiously, "Is this how a bond works?" he thought to his friend.

"Some do," Xelloss closed his purple eyes and sighed. "Strong ones. This isn’t supposed to work this way. You shouldn’t be able to communicate with me. Why are you so…strong? The shaman training? Human soul? The Rezo connection? Yes! How stupid of me to not think of that at once! He was strong enough to house the Great Lord Shabrinigdo! Oh, ho…this just keeps getting better." He shook his head in disbelief.

Zelgadiss ran his fingers through the silky hair, still marveling at how it was he who was doing so. Someone allows me to touch him like this…someone so powerful that he could blow me away in the blink of an eye… "What? Oh yeah, you heard that? I felt something…yes, you like the touches too…something else…kill me? If you killed me, would it hurt you? Would it kill you? Not that bad, but it would…"

"It would devastate me! I won’t be killing you, not even if ordered…it’s that strong. I don’t know why Zelas let this happen! Surely it must weaken her bond with me," Xelloss looked a bit lost.

"Maybe she really didn’t know…maybe she thinks it will keep you busy for awhile and out of her hair…maybe she wants to release you? Aren’t there some openings in the hierarchy without Phibrizzo and Gaav?" Zel asked innocently.

Xelloss stared at the chimera resting at his side, "You better hope that’s not her plan! If we are bonded and I’m elevated to demon lord then, you are going with me, kicking and screaming if need be!"

The two friends lay and stared at each other. "Oh, shit!" It didn’t matter who thought it, they both shared the feeling. After a few more minutes, Zel asked, "I wonder how Lina’s doing? Shouldn’t they be getting back soon?"

"Just a minute and I’ll check!" smiled Xelloss, then he disappeared.

"Ahh, well…looks like I might as well take a nap. Gods! I’m exhausted. Keeping up with a demon, this way is taking a lot out of me. Course I haven’t eaten since breakfast and I did walk miles to get here and then we… Oh, has my life gotten complicated…What he does expect of me, I wonder?" Zel moaned. He rested his head on his folded arms, stretched out and instantly fell asleep.

He awoke sometime later to the sounds of voices, his comrades laughing and eating some distance away. He hastily dressed <<snap>> and jogged down to the fire where everyone was sitting, including Xelloss.

"Sleeping Beauty!" Lina shouted. "Hey, look at the loot we got!"

"Mr. Zelgadiss, we’ve saved you some food," Amelia cried. "And I’ve got to tell you about the Black Dragon’s plans!"

"If you insist…" Zel mumbled. He was hungry. He ate infrequently to feed the human part, he didn’t want to think about what ‘fed’ his demon parts.

"Black Dragons want to claim all the Dragon’s territories for their realm. They’ve been waiting for their chance… for thousands of years!" Lina said filling in while Amelia stuffed her mouth.

"That includes land where humans now live… like Seyruun!" Amelia cried. "I couldn’t understand all that they said, but it didn’t sound like a friendly take-over. The injustice of it! Such unrighteous people they are! Imagine, driving honest people from their homes and destroying lives just so they can reclaim some old land dispute!" Amelia was roused to anger and appeared ready to fight every black dragon right then and there.

Xelloss chuckled, "I knew it! I told Zelas that this was next. Ancients gone, well Val-dear doesn’t count, and the Golden’s have diminished to Milgasia’s clan and a few malingerers. Naturally, that leaves the field wide open for the last remaining sentient dragons… and the Mazouku diminished as well… " He walked away deep in thought.

"We haven’t much time. These guys move faster than most dragons, it seems, and can get plans together and forces engaged in no time. And the numbers of them!" Lina counted on her fingers. "There were maybe… a couple thousand at this meeting alone! Amelia, we’ve gotta get back to Seyruun pronto and talk to your Dad! Zel? What are your plans?"

That was a good question. "I’ll do what I can, of course. I have some… limitations … that I am not discussing tonight. I’ll take the first watch and you all get some rest, sounds like a long march tomorrow." He stood and moved to sit on an outcropping out of the light.

"What do you suppose that was all about?" Amelia asked.

"I dunno, but I bet Xelloss does. Hey! Xelloss! I wanna little chat…" Lina smiled.

He smiled and, surprisingly, joined the group around the fire. "Yes, Lina?"

"Zel’s a little…uncommunicative tonight. His abilities to make plans with us seem to have a catch. I figured you would be part of that, right?" Lina winked.

"For tonight, it seems… that’s a secret!" Xelloss smiled a winked back. He teleported out of reach as an angry Lina lunged for him. "Ha, ha! Lina, you know I can’t speak for our chimera friend. You’d be smarter asking me about dragons!"

"FIREBALL!"

<< duck >> << shimmer >>

"GET BACK HERE YOU CRAVEN DEMON YOU!" Lina screamed at the spot he’d last vacated.

"Black Dragons have strengths and weakness," Xelloss said from his resting position on a comfortable tree branch. "And I’ve been studying them for hundreds of years…Course, if you’re not interested…"

<< shimmer >>

He reappeared behind Lina, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered into her right ear, "ARE you… interested?"

Lina blushed. This was too close for her comfort, but she was caught so far off guard that she merely gasped for air. Xelloss grinned and moved around her quickly, still holding her sorceress arms to her sides and kissed her full on the lips.

Gourry jumped up and launched himself at the Mazouku, hell-bent on saving Lina anymore embarrassment or abuse at his hands. Xelloss hadn’t been paying attention to the big sword slinger, figuring he was asleep. But Gourry had only been nodding off… His body collided with the demon’s, freeing Lina and sending the two men rolling on the ground.

Xelloss shook his head and chuckled, "You TOO?"

Gourry scooted out of the way in a blue blur, "AHHHHHH!"

Lina was loosing it now, "What is with you! Isn’t one boyfriend enough for you? Keep you hands off me… and everyone else!"

Xelloss chuckled again and shook his head, "I think I’m a bit emotionally unbalanced right now, heh, heh…" Then he disappeared.

<< Shimmer >>

Gourry looked at Lina who looked at Gourry. Amelia looked at them both, then Zelgadiss, as he strode up.

"What’s going on?" he demanded, arms crossed.

He had not kept up the mind link with Xelloss while on watch. It took a lot of concentration and he liked the privacy of his own thoughts, unmonitored, and believed Xelloss felt the same way. Someone else’s thoughts directed into his brain were extremely invasive. Besides, Zelgadiss didn’t really want to know what thoughts resided in the Mazouku mind. The emotional bond was impossible to deactivate. He had been thinking about his friends… a lot of positive attraction, imprisoned in his heart, hidden and unexpressed… Something Xelloss was unprepared to handle.

Amelia explained, "Mr. Xelloss was acting weirder than usual. He kissed Miss Lina and… well, he said that he was having ‘emotional problems’ and then disappeared."

Zel glared at everyone then spun on his heel and returned to his post. "Great," he thought to himself. "My innermost emotional feelings being acted out by Xelloss. I didn’t think I felt that way about Lina… Shit. I’m screwed."

He sat up until a couple hours before dawn. Xelloss never returned. "Ah, Gourry? I’m going to get some rest now… sun’ll be up in a few hours."

"<< yawn >> Sure, Zel. You shoulda gotten me up earlier," the handsome blond said shaking the sleep off and taking his turn on the rocky lookout post.

"Couldn’t sleep…" Zel muttered as he took at step toward his tent.

"He’ll be back, ya know," Gourry said gently.

Zelgadiss looked his comrade in the eyes, "When he finds out what’s wrong. In the meantime, the distance is… good, I guess."

Gourry stared at his friend hard, "Zel, what’s the matter."

Zelgadiss sighed, "Something odd has happened to us. Some kind of demon ‘bonding’ thing… only it links our emotions. It’s very intense and includes a mind link. It’s… scary Gourry. I didn’t want this…nor did he! It’s not good for either of us!" Zel sank beside Gourry on the rocks and groaned, "He was bored and visited me for some… lively conversation and now… this! No wonder he left…Gods! My life just keeps getting worse."

Gourry smiled and shook his head, "Ya don’t believe that really. You’ve been happy with…him. This’ll work out. You’ll see."

Zel returned his smile and sighed again, "I hope you’re right. Goodnight, and… thanks for listening…"

"Anytime… and don’t worry, I won’t tell Lina either…" Gourry said softly and turned to stare out into the darkness beyond.

Gourry shook Zel awake, "Ahhh, sorry ‘bout this, but sun’s up an’ Lina’s rarin’ to go…"

"Ohhhhhh… fine. I’m up…" groaned the chimera.

Lina offered Zel a plate of the remaining food and asked, "What should we do about the tents and bedding? Leave ‘em? Where did they come from?"

"Xelloss. He hasn’t returned. Take what we can carry and leave the rest," Zel muttered. He ate the food and sipped his hot drink moodily.

They packed and left the camp quietly, each deep in thought. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the travelers began their journey back to the inn where Filia was recovering from her cold.

"Miss Lina, what should we tell Miss Filia… about the dragon business. Whose side do you think she’d be on?" Amelia asked.

"Not on the side of the Mazouku, that’s a given, but would she oppose us? I don’t know, but it’s bugging the hell outta me!" Lina growled.

"Ah yes… the black dragons… benchwarmers of the dragon race! Forgotten by the Ancients, used and abused by the Golden’s, and left on the backburner of life and forgotten!" a familiar singsong voice declared from the back.

"Xelloss!" the four companions said simultaneously.

Zel, visibly relieved, turned to face him. Xelloss stopped walking, staff in hand, cloak snapping in the breeze, and said, "In the near-flesh!"

His smile dropped and he looked seriously at the others. "The dragons are amassing faster than you thought. We must go directly to Seyruun…immediately! So…"

He instructed them to stand touching one another, placed his free hand on Zel’s shoulder, then…

<< SHIMMER >>

…Instantly the group reappeared at the palace gates of Seyruun. The city was teaming with activity. Normal activity. But not for long…

Overhead Black Dragons surveyed the land, recording every land formation, river, and town, preparing for their assault.

"A well-timed strike might be just the ticket to stave off a long and pointless battle," suggested the smiling Mazouku, eyes opening a crack.

"Oh! Miss Lina those tiny specks… in the sky… do you think…" Amelia began.

Gourry squinted, hand raised to block the sun. "Gotta be… fifty dragons, at least… over that way…"

Zelgadiss stood in silence and watched the ‘specks’. They reminded him of flecks of ash drifting on air following one of Lina’s impassioned ‘Fireball’ attacks. Which reminded him, in turn, to watch her… "LINA! DON’T DO THAT! STOP!"

Lina had been murmuring a powerful incantation as a prelude to blasting all the tiny specks out of the sky, when Zel’s rare outburst distracted her. "…Darkness Beyond Twilight… ah… what? WHAT is it Zel? And it had better be pretty good to interrupt me like that!"

"Before you do something we can’t un-do, watch them… What do you see? Anything about their attack look odd to you?" Zel asked, frowning down at the sorceress.

Lina gave the swirling specks another glance. "Okay…I’m look’n… but I’m not see’n anything…"

"My point exactly," he smiled smugly. "They are flying patterns like gridlines, and…"

"They aren’t flam’n any towns, that I can see," Gourry observed.

"Maybe they’re… swarming… collecting more dragons before attacking!" cried Amelia.

"I don’t see amassing dragons. I see them…searching, perhaps…" Zel corrected. "A few are coming closer…"

"They’re carrying… no, holding books… no, notepads and pens… At least that’s what it looks like to me," Amelia added cautiously.

"Curious behavior… I agree. Scouts? Recognizance to determine Seyruun’s weaknesses… military buildup…" Xelloss suggested.

"Look they’re retreating! Or…REGROUPING FOR AN ATTACK!" Amelia cried out. "I’ve got to warn daddy!"

"Hold on!" shouted Zelgadiss. "Before we start a panic, think! What did you actually overhear at the counsel meeting that could explain this activity?" He was regretting every minute of this trip. He didn’t trust Xelloss. Xelloss was feeling…what was it exactly? Excitement and a kind of Mazouku jubilation.

But Amelia was already calling the guards.

"Gourry! Stop her, I have an idea!" Zel shouted.

Lina crossed her arms and sidled up to him, "If they attack before Seyruun has had a chance to prepare any defenses, it’s on your head, mister!"

"Why do you think, after all these years, that the Black Dragon race is going to take out Seyruun—the most peaceful and just city-state in the land-- without at least attempting to negotiate first? Did YOU hear them say that at that meeting, Lina?" Zel pressed.

"Weeeel, no. I was collecting treasure, and I did get lots, right? I left Gourry and Amelia to do most of the snooping. Now that you mention it…"

"What?" said Zel coldly.

"Gourry and Amelia were pretty busy helping me carry out that treasure. I mean, someone had to help ME! We caught quite a bit of what was being said though," Lina added defensively.

"Lina, look!" Amelia shouted as Gourry dragged her back. She had managed to alert the guards at the gate.

An envoy from the black dragons was heading their way. Zel felt a little ‘tingle’ << Time for me to go…>> followed by an astral <<SHIMMER >> and he knew Xelloss, his lover, had taken a fast retreat.

"This is it!" growled Lina, standing her ground. Zel could hear her mumbling an incantation under her breath.

"Just hold off on the spell until we know for sure, Lina. Let them make the first move," Zel advised.

Lina nodded, "Okay, but one Flare Breath, and I’m lett’n loose with a Dragon Slave."

Gourry drew his sword and watched the swirling black specks grow larger, until five bronze-winged, black-bodied dragons carrying satchels were clearly visible.

One landed and transformed simultaneously into a young man Zelgadiss’ size, with brown skin and matching shaggy, brown hair. His eyes, slitted and golden like Valgaav’s, shone with excitement. "Howdy! I’m the ambassador to Seyruun from the Black Mountains, famous for our fine fish’n, hunt’n, and recreational sports! My name’s Cheyanno. Which of you represents this fine city?"

Amelia sprang to action. This was a situation for which her particular skills were suited. She smiled, held out a hand, and said, "Welcome to Seyruun, Mr. Ambassador Cheyanno. I am Princess Amelia."

After waiting for the other four dragons to land and transform, Amelia led them proudly past the guards standing at attention.

"See," smiled the young Cheyanno. "I told you they were civilized people who required no formalities. Do you know who that one is? That’s THE Lina Inverse. You bet! And…"

"Zelgadiss Greywords, " Zel introduced himself as they continued past the guard, through the gates, and into the palace courtyard. "The tall man is Gourry Gabriev. We’re all friends of Amelia’s here…visiting."

There was a mumbling amongst the dragons, then an older-looking man asked, "I believe you are the famous sorcerers that destroyed Dark Star? Am I right?"

Zel nodded, "We had some help."

"From a Golden and a Demon, I understand?" asked a third member of the travelers.

"Yes. Filia is a Golden Dragon, who is currently not well and waiting for us back at our inn. Xelloss…" Zel began.

The hiss from the sharp intake of several breaths silenced him.

"Not HIM?" Cheyanno squeaked out.

"I’m sorry to say, yes. Him. Although, he did inform us (in a roundabout way) of your arrival today… Which was nice of him (although he didn’t intend it to be), or we might have missed this most auspicious meeting," Zelgadiss explained carefully. He was about to ask the ambassador the reason for his visit, when Prince Phil put in an appearance.

Phil greeted first his beautiful daughter, then each of her friends with his giant bear-hug of justice. Zel was NOT a hug-type guy, but his being covered with a hard-rock surface was not a deterrent for big-hearted Phil.

"Daddy! This is the ambassador from the Black Dragons, Cheyanno, and his entourage. Cheyanno, this is Prince Phil of Seyruun, my father. The leader of all that is Right and Just! The symbol of the Law and Honesty!" Amelia cried from atop the nearest flagpole.

"Ah…nice to meet you, Sir," smiled the young dragon. "I’m glad to hear that your reputation abroad matches that at home. It is in fact why I am here."

"Wonderful!" Price Phil shouted to the crowd. "Let’s talk inside where I know a great feast won’t be neglected." He chuckled as Lina and Gourry sent up small cheers from the side.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Once his guests were properly re-freshed or astonished by the appetites of Lina, Gourry, and the princess combined, the prince returned the conversation to business. "So, Cheyanno, what brings the Black Dragons out of the mountains and into our valley?"

The young dragon man cleared his throat and said, "We are in Seyruun to go to court. We have a petition here…" One of his assistants passed him a stack of papers, which he handed to Prince Phil. "We believe that we are covered by the Endangered species act and want our hunting/breeding lands returned. You see, those greedy Golden Dragons ran us all out! You’ll see Milgasia sited on numerous pages and…"
 
 

Zelgadiss glared at Lina and whispered to her, "How could you have missed THIS part of the discussion at the dragon conference?"

"Heh, heh… Well, we were very busy collecting treasure…" she said sheepishly. Besides, YOU certainly weren’t any help to me! What were you and Xelloss doing while WE were skulking around?"

"The barrier prevented my joining you. Now…do you realize that Xelloss manipulated YOU into a near WAR? A war, which would have made US the killers of the entire Black Dragon race? Making US the evil murders instead of HIM?" Zelgadiss continued.

The ambassador was still speaking to the prince, "And so we checked our coordinates with a quick survey just hours ago, and found that although Seyruun lies outside our territory, certain disputed areas under your influence are likely to be involved…"

Amelia overheard Zelgadiss and nearly cried out, "How unjust of him!"

"And…" Zel continued pointedly to Lina. "… it almost worked because he knew how to exploit your weakness for treasure, Lina, and Amelia’s outrage at a possible attack on Seyruun- imagined or real- and Gourry’s loyalty to you Lina. It failed because I was alert to…"

"Yeah, yeah, you’re the man, Zel. You saved us from another war and dragon annihilation. Hey, Cheyanno! You looking for someone to lead your ‘Save the Dragons’ campaign? I nominate Mr. Greywords here. He’s such a fan and concerned individual," Lina grinned.

"Mr. Zelgadiss?" cried Amelia, as her chimera friend turned a sickly shade of green-blue. "I’d love to be part of that team with you! You can stay here in the palace, can’t he daddy? Yes! See, it will be a wonderful experience working together for justice!"

Zelgadiss was staring down at his plate muttering, "I will personally find and dismember that Mazouku in a way that will be truly memorable. Then I will RAW TILT his spirit from one end of the Astral plane to the other so many times that…"

<< SHIMMER >>

"Hmmm, sounds exciting, Zelgadiss. Just how in touch with your Mazouku part are you?" Xelloss chuckled as he settled into a comfortable floating position over the table.

While the dragon assemblage, gasped in understandable astonishment and dismay at the sudden appearance of their mortal enemy, Lina and friends merely waited to hear the demon out.

"My, my, so much anger. All right, I tried, but I failed… too! How do you think I feel? I rarely fail. Just think how near we were to taking this part of the world that much closer to chaos."

"Well, at least you weren’t bored," Zel said with a sigh.

"That’s right, my friend. You are all so entertaining! I’ll just have to keep you around a little longer," Xelloss smiled.

"Was that what this was all about? Your personal entertainment?" Lina sputtered in anger.

"Well, Lina… I’m afraid that that… is a secret!" he grinned, wagged his index finger at her, and then

<<SHIMMER>>

he disappeared.
 
 
 
 

Some time later, after Zel had excused himself from ambassador duties, claiming problems his ‘Mazouku portion’ was having with dragon barriers and spells, he found a quiet spot in the garden to sit and think.

<< Had ALL this really just been for Xelloss’ amusement? Himself included? Of course. That’s sad to admit, but I may as well get used to the idea. What about the bonding? That certainly was not imaginary; nor was the mind link. I felt emotions like I’d never felt before! That was real! Xelloss had to really care for me… whether he liked the bonding part or not. I sure am an inconvenience for him. Like right now, I wonder what he’s doing? X E L L O S S ! >>

<< SHIMMER!>>

"Gasp!" Xelloss fell at the chimera’s feet, his face plainly revealing both shock and annoyment. "What are you calling me NOW for? You called me away from the Beastmaster. My boss is going to be veeeeery angry with us!"

"Sorry. There’s no way for me to know what you are doing. Go back then and apologize. But don’t stay away too long. I have a bone to pick with you," Zel snapped equally miffed.

Xelloss nodded and << SHIMMER! >> disappeared.

Zelgadiss slumped over, head in hands, << Great! More Mazouku trouble ahead, I can tell. And I’m not sure the sex was worth it… but for a day there I thought my heart had filled with… NO…I can’t even think about Love now… but the feel of someone close… of being held…kissed…making love to him… We never even had a chance for him to… how would that feel? How would it feel to have him come inside me? Would I let him now? Only if I felt…in control… >>

Zelgadiss, tired of waiting for Xelloss to choose to visit him, engaged the mind-link and called, "Xelloss?"

<< SHIMMER >>

The Demon appeared instantly by his side looking startled, "That works fast! My, dear Zelgadiss, be careful with that linkage! I need to show you how to adjust the strength. Here, let me…"

"Don’t touch me!" Zel snarled and hopped backward out of the demon's grasp. "How COULD you do that? You used us… used ME to attack those innocent dragons!"

The emotional bonding enabled Zel to crush Xelloss’ senses with feelings of betrayal and faithlessness.

"Gahhhhhh!" Xelloss gasped and sank to his knees.

"I want this bonding ended now, Xelloss. I want my freedom. I cannot… WILL not love someone who has no respect for the lives of others, mine included. See, with love comes trust, honor, and respect, not just lust. The only thing you seem to want to share with me is sex, while you take my friendship for granted. In fact, you use my friendship with Lina to get to her too!"

Then Xelloss felt a new emotion, remorse —one of his own making. He let it lap gently at Zelgadiss feet, where he remained, head bowed in submission.

"Zelgadiss, I…I…I am sorry. That is my nature as Mazouku. We were created out of chaos to create chaos. But, I tried to keep you out of it. And I do love you. I respect you and your power…your power over me is terrible…and astonishing me as it grows. The bonds…I can’t break them… they are a part of me."

Zelgadiss could feel the genuineness of the raw emotions Xelloss apparently was feeling, as he was learning to deal with the human side of guilt mixed with the Mazouku need to stir things up. There was something else there too, it made him want to…

<<SMACK! >>

Zel kicked the kneeling man in the face, sending him rolling backward. He leaped onto the demon and pounded his face and chest with fists of rock, bruising and bloodying his former lover’s beautiful features. He didn’t let up until Xelloss stopped moaning and lap limp on the pebble walkway.

Zel shouted, "I HATE you and what you’ve done to me, what you’ve made me into! I can’t kill a creature like you as long as this damned bond lasts, but I’ll not love you. I won’t give you a taste of that…"

Zelgadiss reeled as a flood of love, hurt, pain, despair and desperation washed over him. He nearly lost consciousness and didn’t hear the faint pleading in his ear, "Please, Master… no, please…please…Master…"

Xelloss was bowed at his feet and rapidly healing from the plummeting Zelgadiss had given him.

"What?" Zel croaked out at last. "What did you call me? Did you call me Master?"

"Yes," Xelloss gasped, unable to rise and meet Zel’s eyes with his own. "Yes, Master."

Zelgadiss’ anger evaporated like rain on a hot road, "Xelloss? Why did you call me that?"

"I must…I’m Mazouku…your emotional power is greater and has strengthened the bonding." Before he could say any more, his eyes went wide and he gasped out a warning, "Zelas… she comes…"
 
 

<(((~))>

"Miss Lina? If he went anywhere to be alone, it would be the gardens. That where he always has gone before," advised the princess.

"Right. Then I’ll go there, though to be alone was probably not his plan. If I’m right, I’ll get a piece of Mazouku too!" Lina shouted and tore out of the palace door to the pebbled path.

"Oh, Gourry," Amelia grabbed her tall friend. "We’d better follow her. Daddy will kill me if they damage the gardens!"
 
 

<(((~))>
 
 

Lina Inverse rounded a tall Yew hedge, to find Zelgadiss standing with Xelloss crouching at his feet. She felt a dull ache in the back of her head and caught the glimmer of a powerful aura out of the corner of her eye. The Great Beast Master Zelas Metallium materialized on the path in front of Zelgadiss.

"Enough, spawn of Rezo! This has gone on long enough! Release him now!" the luminous Mazouku demanded authoritatively.

Zelgadiss drew courage from the fact that he was still living and that she seemed to think that he had some kind control over the bonding process. Okay… "No. He’s mine now. He went to you for help and you brushed him off. Go find yourself another slave." << Gulp! >>

Xelloss moaned and shook his head, whispering, "Oh…no…"

<< Xelloss, shut up! >> the chimera chastised him mentally.

Zelas was angered, but laughed humorlessly, "What? Ho…ho… You think you can control him by yourself? You? Half-breed garbage-demon / human? HE is full Mazouku, my general who out-ranks you in every way!"

Zelgadiss shrugged, "Really? Then he should be able to leave with you then, if he wants to…"

Xelloss did not move or even look up.

"Rezo did harbor Shabrinigdo within his eyes for a very long time, that must have taken some strength, don’t you think?" Zelgadiss figured, if I die today, he might as well give it a shot. He couldn’t fight her with spells, of that, he was sure.

Zelas fired up her aura. "Why you insolent child! You know that he’s incapable of independent choice! You must release him! Or…"

Lina decided that she’d seen enough. Time for some action. "OR what? You’re not think’n of blasting away my friends here now that they’ve finally found some kind of happiness together? I’ve taken out Shabrinigdo (with some help from Rezo), Dragon Demon Gaav (alright, with some help from Phibrizzo), Hellmaster Phibrizzo himself (again, with some help from the Lord of Nightmares), and Dark Star (Yeah, yeah, with some help from my friends…)… so… I’m not about to back down from a fight with you (unless I have to make a run for it…)."

Lina began an incantation, while Gourry and Amelia jumped into the fray.

"Lina?! Gourry, Amelia?" shouted Zelgadiss. This was encouraging. He wouldn’t have to die alone, anyway. From Xelloss, he felt courage and something warm and fuzzy…nice… Zelas startled him back into reality.

"Lina Inverse," she hissed. Her aura flickered uncertainly. "Stay out of this. It is a private matter between Mazouku."

"Not so private, Mistress Zelas," Amelia cried out. "This is my property and I’m here to protect the Seyruun Palace."

Zelas smirked and turned to Zelgadiss again, "So, you think you want to be his sole master, do you? Very well, think about what has happened to his past ones… he might even tell you about them. I’ll collect him again when you’re…gone." She turned her wolfish eyes onto Xelloss. "You have served me well, Xelloss-dear. I release your bonds for now… Until we meet again… << Sizzle, hiss! >>

<< SHIMMER >> Zelas was gone.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Xelloss screamed as dark aura fingers stretched out from his body into the astral plane, growing tauter and thinner, then

<< SNAP! >>

"Errrrr ahhhhhh," Xelloss fell on his face.

Zelgadiss had felt the Mazouku pain and fear and… emptiness as the bond with Zelas disintegrated. He felt a bit sorry for him too. "Um, Xelloss? You okay? You can stand up now, all right?"

Xelloss perked right up. He rose to his feet and dusted off his pants. "Whoa, that went better than expected. I didn’t think she’d back down. I thought she’d put up a bigger fight than that! After all, I have served her well since Phibrizzo kicked the bucket. Ah, well…"

"Disappointed?" Zel smirked. He felt the other man’s relief and a warm glow replace the near-panic of before.
 
 

"Yes, a little. But also refreshed! I can feel that you’re not nearly so…demanding or strong. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine," Xelloss smiled. "Although, I would like to tune up that mind-link just a tad…"

Amelia, Gourry, and Lina had been comparing notes in the meantime. "Ah, guys?" Lina piped up. "What in the seven hells is going on here?"

Zel sighed. Xelloss smiled.

"Lina, it’s a long story…" Zel began.

"Most of which… is a secret!" Xelloss grinned. "But, now I’m his, all his! And he can’t get rid of me… ever!"

Before Zelgadiss could protest, Xelloss drew him close for a kiss, one the others could tell meant private business. Gourry pulled the embarrassed girls away, "I’m sure we can find someone to make us a picnic lunch, doncha think?"
 
 

End Part 5.