navy
=
flashback
blue
=
Astral/telepathic speech
It
took Zelgadis a moment to remember the basic laws of nature. Wait
a minute, my mother is dead!
"Who
are you?" He growled. "What do you want?"
Zelgadis,
child of Isafale. While
the first addressor had most definitely been female, the second was male. We
bare you no malice.
"Who.
Are. You?" He repeated, muscles tensing in preparation.
Zelgadis...
don't you remember? A
vague form manifested out of the moonlight. Clad in a gown of purest white, a
woman with long braided hair held her hands to her breast. Her blank eyes were
emphasized by her haunted expression.
Behind
her, a masculine figure wearing a loose shirt and pants placed a hand on her
slender shoulder.
"Mother?"
Zelgadis' voice cracked; as did all his defenses.
Oh,
my baby, you've grown up so much! A
smile blossomed on her face. How
I've missed you! I wish I could have come sooner!
"How...
how... mother... how did you..." He gaped, lips trembling.
Isafale,
there is no time to waste. The
man spoke sharply, but in a concerned tone.
I
know, Gabriel, I know. She
crept closer to her still living son. Listen carefully, Zelgadis. Your life, and the lives of all you care
about, are at risk.
"What?"
Zelgadis blinked. "Why?"
The
Mazoku, the Exicutor, Xellos Metallium, is a grave danger to you all.
"The
Fruitcake?" the chimera blinked, expression darkening. "Xellos..."
No!
Zelgadis, listen! To save the lives of your friends, you must learn to trust,
and to have faith in those you fear.
"What
are you talking about?" He tried to grasp his mother's hands, but passed
through her. "I don't understand, Mother."
Do
you want to save their lives? Gabriel
asked. What lengths are you
willing to go through to save their souls?
Lina...
Zelgadis
thought, resting his head against his chest as he bit his lip. "I'll do
whatever it takes."
Are
you sure, honey? His
mother whispered. I promise
I'll explain it when it's safe to talk. I love you baby. She kissed him
on the forehead as he closed his eyes, remembering a time so long ago...
"'Kaa-san...
I miss you." It was Zelgadis' sixth birthday, only a year since the death
of his mother. "Grandfather, he doesn't love me. Zolf-san and Rodimus-san
are nice to me, but they're my only friends. I don't want Grandfather to hate
me.... but he does. What can I do?"
Zelgadis.
My little boy. Can you hear me?
"M-M-Mother?!"
His eyes lit up as he sat up on the bed, tearing his gaze from the vast
multitudes of stars outside the window. "Where are you?"
Shhh.
I'm here with you, in spirit. The
full moon's light concentrated together in the ghostly form of his maternal
gaurdian. I
don't have long.
"Mother....
how'd you do that? Are you a ghost now?"
...
Something like that. Now, pay attention love. I'm going to have to go again, and
soon, and I don't know when I'll be back. But remember this, dearling. Don't you
ever turn your back on a man or woman with eyes like a cat. They are Mazoku;
they'll kill you on sight. When your older, stronger, I'll explain everything. I
love you, baby. Don't forget! She
pressed her lips to his forehead.
"Mother..."
ELSEWHERE,
same time
"Have
you found the renegade yet?" A female voice demanded.
"The
renegade has been... eliminated, Master." A male voice answered.
"And
the mate?"
"No
longer a threat."
"Offspring?"
"None,
Master. The child was slaughtered in the mother's womb." A snicker could be
heard in the background, but was rapidly silenced.
"Then
the Israfael are no longer an obstacle. Good work, Xellos."
"...
Thank you, Master."
BEYOND
ELSEWHERE, minutes later
Rezo,
Priest of Red, I have come with a favor to ask of you.
"An
Israfael? They are extinct.... ghost, perhaps?"
I
have no time for this! The
mother's spirit wailed. You
must protect my baby! Your son and I gave our lives so that the child would life
on. He carries the blood of the Israfael, and the power to destroy the Mazoku.
Do not let the Dark Lord or his Knights take my little boy.
"..."
Please
hide my child!