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by the crazed individuals of Gigaworks* *We can take credit for none of the characters or elements presented below. All of them are copyright H. Kanzaka / R. Araizumi. And I know perfectly well that this disclaimer isn’t cute or humorous. What am I, a joke machine? Get off my back!!!! Lina woke up with a jolt. Her eyes quickly scanned the room... nightstand, boots, pile of clothes, red-robed stranger- He was sitting rigidly on a chair by the foot of her bed, his face hidden by his hood. Lina posed her hands, prepping the Flame Arrow spell. But with her eyes not adjusted to the darkness, she had a sinking feeling that she’d lose in a shoot-out. “Hold,” the stranger said, pulling back the hood. It was Zelgadis. But as her vision improved, the dark blobs gaining form and depth, she realized it wasn’t the Zelgadis she thought it was. “You’re that HUMAN Zelgadis,” she said with daggers, “the one following Proxii Rezo around.” “I’m the REAL Zelgadis,” he replied bluntly, “your friend is the kopii.” “Say whatever you want, I’m not going to believe you.” “I can convince you later. That’s not why I came here.” Lina exhaled slowly. The visitor was forceful, but not fearsome. She couldn’t trust him, but at least she knew she couldn’t trust him. Firm ground is comforting in any form. She pulled the blanket over her yellow pajama top. “Well, genuine or not, it’s going to be confusing calling you ‘Zelgadis’. And ‘Human Zel’ seems too much of a hassel.” “What then?” “How about... Hzel?” she said coyly. “ ‘Hu-Zel’?” he replied awkwardly. “No, the ‘H’ is silent.” Chibi Lina: Good thing this is a written fanfic. ^_^;; “oh.” The human Zel smiled, enjoying this game enough to play along. “Hzel it is.” The human Zelgadis opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. His mouth clamped shut, and he seemed to be contemplating his next move. Lina could read him like a pop-up book; he was on the defensive, trying find out information from Lina without giving any info away. “You’re after the Cockatrice blood,” Lina stated flatly. “And you don’t have it.” “For all you know, I do have it.” “No, if you did have it, you’d either be miles away from here, trying to outrun me, or you’d literally break into my room and pretend to be looking for it... slipping me a red herring. You haven’t done either.” Lina smiled at Hzel’s dumbfounded expression. She knew how her Zelgadis operated, and it didn’t look like this Graywords was much different. Coincidentally, this meeting was very much like the first time she met Zel. A rebel fresh from Rezo’s hand, Zelgadis had appeared at her door. The mysterious rogue in white. He had demended a magical item from Lina with little to offer in return, but he’d acted like he held every card in the deck. Though one thing was different; the first time she laid eyes on Zel’s face, Lina had been startled. Hzel, on the other hand, was actually kind of .... cute. “Lina,” Hzel said firmly. “You are right that I don't have the Blood, but that doesn't rule you out. Where is it?" “Damned if I know,” she said, slightly ticked off. “It disappeared into thin air, right in front of the Temple of Restoration. You should know, you were holding it at the time.” “I know a bottle disappearred in my hands, but how do I know that you or one of your friends didn’t switch it with a dud? A disappearing act like that would be a snap for a self-proclaimed ‘sorcery genius.’ “ “I don’t like being called a ‘liar,’” she said through a clenched mouth. “I’m the type of person who likes proof. Till then, I’m never convinced.” “Well, I could care less how convinced you are, Hzel. You can tag me like a shadow, search my room while I sleep, or even try to duke-it-out with me right now. But if you do, I will NOT be responsible for my actions, and I will ship you back to Rezo in a hat box. Do I make myself clear?” “Crystal,” he said, getting up from the chair. He opened the window, and a Levatation spell wrapped around his body, causing his red robes to flutter above the ground. As weightless as a kite, he hovered over the window sill. He turned to look Lina in the eye before departing into the shadowy night. “You’re in over your head.” Lina closed the window, a cold gust biting her as she struggled with the window fasteners. She pressed a Lighting spell close to her skin, hoping to warm herself up a little. Curse that Hzel, she thought, feeling a tingling on on the back of her neck. Her heart was beating faster, and her body parts were starting to wake up. Now I’ll never get back to sleep. I’m in over my head? Is that a threat or a warning? CHAPTER 7, Part A: TAXI! A New Driver and a New Destination Filia yawned as she drank her tea. Despite waking up a few times during the night, she had had a relatively good sleep, compared to the others. Lina and Zelgadis (the non-canine one) looked like they were still half asleep. However, Lina's tiredness did not prevent her from eating as much as usual. Filia looked up brightly at Lina. "So, Lina, where will we be going today?" Lina sat at the table, eating away and motioning for the waitress to bring more. Every five mintues or so she's pummel Gourry for going near her food. The book she had taken from the libary was tucked away for the time being. "So, Guy," Filia said, "Give a quick recap of just what you're after and why you need our help..." She paused from eating to take a drink of her tea, glancing over at Guy half curiously. Upstairs they could hear the dummy Zelgadis, Blue-y, singing very out-of-tune Christmas carols¹. "HEY ZEL, SHUT UP!!" Zelgadis yelled to the ceiling. People are often embarrassed by the sound of their own voice, especially when it's not them singing. Guy had just finished off nine orders on the "Egg Bacon Spam Sausage and Spam"....a horde of Vikings in the back were serenading the glories of SPAM, while the shrewish serving Lady was Shrieking at them to stop "BLOODY VIKINGS! SHUT-UP!" Guy was now sipping a cup of Earl Grey (hot) and took a moment to review his situation to Lina.......yet again. "(sigh)...okay. I'm am searching for the legendary Cockatrice Blood. As you know the Monster Race² is also looking for the blood. So really mine is a double objective... for I am also attempting to keep Xellos and the rest of the Mazoku² from getting a hold of it, while using it for myself. However, my reasons are of a personal nature and therefore NOT for discussion. "I will pay whatever you like plus expenses, and I have arranged for transportation as well. So now it is up to you miss Lina... will you join the Brother Rimmour, Bluey and myself, or will I have to find another sorceress?" Guy's amber eyes flickered with anticipation, as he instinctively held his breath,,, before shoveling a bowl of scrambled eggs down his throat. He smiled to himself. 'Damn I'm good' he thought. The raven-haired youth threw on his green cloak and picked up his one, small bag of possesions. Always cautious and meticuous, he opened the sack and rumaged through the contents, looking for one crucial item; There it was, the Cockatrice blood. The glass bottle, holding its unique wine-colored liquid, was cushioned in the bag by his spare green cloak. Good. He forced open the door or the stone temple and felt the sandy wind scrape his face. He didn't seem to care. "Let's move!" he cried to the girl behind him. She was only slightly younger than him, had blood-red hair in a single, long ponytail, and various types of dark armor on. "But aren't we meeting them here-" she started, cut off as usual by the young man. "No, we'll meet up with Lina and her friends further up North. I have the location chosen already. Someplace holy, someplace... special." She picked up her scythe, which felt older than time but looked forged the day before. “Whatever.” The young man's name is Galien. He is a sorcerer. The young lady's name is Shin-no Tenshi. She is an angel of death. Elmax Solkuzo wandered around the lobby of the L Crouton D'Or with a rather puzzled and frustrated expression. He had been there about three hours. He stared down at the scrap of parchment in his hand, and adjusted his thick glasses. Sure enough, in a very untidy scrawl were printed the words; Le Crouton D'Or 487 Riche Boulevard 8:00 am SHARP! Mr. Guy Dualte The word "sharp" had been underlined, circled and arrowed to death, which made Elmax even more upset... it was now 11:00... and there was no SIGHT of his client. The front desk clerk was starting to glare at him with disgust. Indeed Elmax didn't really fit in with the other people in the lobby, most bedecked in jewels, brocades, furs, and lots of jingly things. Elmax stood out like a sore thumb in his cut-finger gloves, red leggings, and a mustard yellow tunic, which clashed horribly with his aqua-colored hair. Getting irritated, he started poking his nose into adjoining rooms, to see if he could spot the man who hired him last night. One would think that the odd gentleman would be easy to spot... what, with his bright red hair and loud vest. Finally, peering into the dining room, Elmax caught sight of him! Mr. Dualte was at a large table that was loaded with empty dishes. He was surrounded by a throng of other people and was smiling and talking loudly. "C'mon, Miss Lina! Whaddaya say? Will you help me or not!?" Elmax saw his oppourtunity and made for his table, when he heard a voice shout behind him. "There he is, officer! That’s the man!!" “...uh oh” Elmax cursed; his ragged appearance and double-parked vehicle had gotten him in trouble again!! He whirled around and saw a pair of constables advance on him. Sliding nimbly through their legs, he scooted down the newly waxed tile floor and barreled through a door marked ‘Staff Only.’ When the constables and the desk clerk chased after him, they failed to notice an aqua-haired waiter slip out and walk casually to the diningroom. Now he would have a chance to talk to Mr. Dualte, about his commisioned job. Lina glanced sideways at Guy over her giant omlette and sighed to herself. Well, he was PERSISTANT, she'd give him that... and it WAS pretty good money. She shrugged. "Sure, what the hell? I'm in, as for the other guys..." "Wherever Lina goes, I go!" said Gourry firmly. He then caught an amused look from Guy and blushed bright red. "Not that she means anything to me, CAUSE SHE DOESN'T AND-" Lina shut him up, before he hurt himself. "How about you, Zel?" she asked her silent companion. Zel sipped his coffee methodicly. He didn't like the idea of traveling with Blue-y... he was getting weirder and WEIRDER. But unknown far-off places were his destinations at the moment... and the PAY... "I'll play along..." he replied "... for now." "Miss Fillia?" Guy turned his head expectantly towards her. Fillia had no qualms at all. She would be helping a fellow dragon, and foiling that stupid Xellos. "Sure, I'm coming," she said, trying not to sound too eager. "Wonderful!!" cried Guy, slapping the table. “Waiter!!! More Hotcakes!" "Yes sir," said Elmax, trying to keep inconspicuous. "Now, Guy..." began Lina. "Getting this Bottle of Cockatrice blood is gonna be no walk in the park. We did see it kinda vanish into thin air!" Filia joined in. "Yes, that kind of teleportation is very 'high magic,' and there's no telling where it could be now." Guy looked concerned, but not daunted. "Isn't there some kind of way to trace the spell?" asked Zelgadis. Fillia shook her head. "Its possible, but its very difficult, even for a very skilled sorcerer." "Especially since the spell was cast HOURS ago," added Lina. "Unless...." Guy who had been staring at the embroidery patterns on the table cloth suddenly came back to reality. "Unless, we get a Diviner!" The others looked at him in surprise. Rimmour nearly choked on his porridge. "You CAN'T be serious!!" he spluttered. Gourry blinked and tapped Lina on the shoulder. "Uh... Lina, what's a-" Lina sighed, not even waiting for him to finish. "A Diviner is someone with a 'second sight.' They can sense more things than we can... y'know, kind of a Psychic." “I’m a psychic,” said someone. "Ohhh....." said Gourry stupidly. "But don't they charge 80 cents a minute?" “I’m a psychic.” "Not until after the first half hour." replied Zel. "Ah." “I’m a psychic.” Rimmour couldn't believe the turn the conversation was taking. "ARE WE REALLY REDUCED TO THIS??!!! A Psychic? Why stop there? There are thousands of OTHER archaic methods we could attempt!!! Let’s consult a sheep's stomach, or ask the birds, or see if the cows are laying down, or if my Aunt Grizelda has Ruematism!!?? Or BETTER YET!!! Let’s just pray to the elements, paint our bodies blue and DANCE AROUND A BLOODY BONFIRE SINGING 'CLATOO VERATA NICTO!!!" At this point Rimmour was on his feet and flailing his arms wildly. He failed to see Elmax, who just popped up with a plate of hotcakes in one hand... or he would have heard Elmax say, "I'm really a psychic!!" Instead, Rimmour managed to land a fist right between Elmax's spectacled eyes, sending the poor chap to the floor. The world spun for a moment and then all was black. "Well, now he's DEAD. Way to go Rimmour," said Guy gruffly. "It’s his fault for getting in my way," said Rimmour without an ounce of penitence. He then went away for a moment. "Pity too, he looked like such a YOUNG fellow." said Zelgadis, in his usual, melancholy. “Can I have the hotcakes?” Gourry mumbled. Blue-y came up real close and sniffed at Elmax. "Hey Guys!" Gourry was poking him with a stick. "I don't think he's quite dead yet!" "Immm....getting ..betterrrrrrr." said Elmax weakly, through a haze. Filia, feeling slightly sorry for the poor man, knelt beside him and performed a quick healing spell. The world came rushing back to Elmax as quickly as it had left him. As he came to, he found himself staring into a pair of bright blue eyes smiling cheerfully at him. He blushed crimson. At that moment, Rimmour had returned sulkily with a glass of ice water which he dumped unceremoniously over Elmax's head. He needed it. Bluey got up into Elmax's face and growled, his wirey hair standing up. "Blue-y!" said Guy, threateningly. "Heel!" "Thankyou," said Elmax as Lina helped him up. "What was that you had said earlier?" she asked with arched eyebrows. Elmax tried hard to remember. "um....'ouch?' " "No before that." "hmm....(before that)....hmmm...OH! I said that I was a Psychic!" "WHAT??" the gang stared at him. "You're a psychic?" asked Guy incredulously. "I just said that, Mr. Dualte." said Elmax irritatedly. "HE IS PSYCHIC!!! HE KNOWS MY NAME!!" cried Guy in Genuine surprise!! "No, I met you yesterday. You had hired me to be a driver for you and your companions... AT 8:00 am!! Remember?" "Oh... yah... I thought you looked a little familiar," said Guy as the others facefaulted. "Hired him yesterday, hmm?" said Zel, glancing at Guy with skeptiscism. "SOMEONE seemed pretty confident in his negotiating skills," he accused. Guy shrugged. "I was RIGHT, wasn't I? You ARE on my team now, and as such, I hired us a driver. It'd be a lot quicker than walking, mes pa?" Elmax's jaw dropped. "You mean I'm driving ALL these people!!!" "Is there a problem, Mr...." "Solkuzo. And YES." "I specificly requested transportation for me and my companions." "You said 'me and a FEW friends.' This is NOT a few!! This is a PLETHORA!! A THRONG!! A GAGGLE!!! A-" "I'll double your pay." "Okay." The plethora/throng/gaggle raised their eyebrows... Guy sure had money to burn. "Now about the psychic thing.." began Lina. "Oh yes! THAT little service will be 24 gold."said Elmax, cooly. "WHAT?!?!?!?" cried Lina, Rimmour together. Guy only blinked. "Is that a LOT Miss Lina?" he asked, unsure. Lina didn't answer as she had Elmax's skull in a severe headlock, while Rimmour was wrenching poor chap's arm behind his back. "OKAYYYY! OKAY!...How 'bout 22?" Elmax whined. "OWWW!! OKAY!! 20!!! ...ACK!!!...18? EYAHHHHHHH!! 15! 15 IS A BARGAIN! OWOWOWOW!!! AW C'MO-O-O-ON!! You CAN'T expect me to do better than fifteEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" After they got him down to 10, they released him. "Right. Now that price is settled, let’s go back to the scene of the crime!" cried Lina with vigour. "Where to?" sighed Elmax. "THE TEMPLE OF RESTORATION!!" They followed the limping cabby (back in his mustard-colored tunic), to the large yellow caravan in front, led by a shaggy grey horse. Elmax hopped onto the driver's seat and ripped up a parking violation. (He reflected that the best thing about being a nomad was no permanent address ^.^) "There's not much room in there. " He said, pointing to the back door of the van. "But you'll manage to squeeze. I'll clear it out later today, if we get a chance. Someone can sit shotgun with me. "OOH! OOH!!" cried Gourry jumping up and down in excitement. Lina wondered if the money was worth it, as she sat squished between Filia and a stuffed crocodile. There were lots of "fun" goodies like that in Elmax's caravan. Dried herbs and roots hung from the ceiling, threatening to suffocate them with their heady scents. Boxes and barrels of dried and roasted and ground things were knocking against each other, making a terrible racket. But the worst part was the JARS. Rows and piles, and stacks, and cases, and shelves of JARS. Some were filled with dark opaque pasty substances that looked like vomit, or puss, or (eep) blood, but then there were the jars full of .... ITs. Tiny creatures shrunken beyond recognition, bits and parts all floating in the weird green pickling liquid. Rimmour had accidently knocked over one when they got in and it had shattered the jar....and whatever it had been containing scuttled out of the back and skittered into an alleyway. When they informed Elmax... "Drat!!... ah well... I never liked this town much anyway." Lina was trying hard to stare into space right now, when she thought she saw a floating head wink at her. At that she stood up, and climbed on Rimmour's shoulders so she could poke her head out the hatch at the top. The fresh air was wonderful. "So, Elmax. Whats all the creepy stuff down there for. You a sorcerer or somethin’?" "Not Exactly," he replied. "I'm a dabbler in the OLD arts." "The old arts?" "Uh... Lina? What are the OLD arts?" asked Gourry, as usual. Lina paused for a moment. "Hmm... well, I'm really not sure. I think it’s magic that the world used to use before we discovered White Magic, and Shamanism, and the other forms we use today. But I thought there was no record left of that." "Not everything exists in the WRITTEN word, Miss Lina," said Elmax with a trace of a smile. It was hard to see his eyes behind those coke-bottle lenses. Though Elmax couldn’t see it, Lina was smiling too. This city, Armadillas, was a gateway city between the Inner and Outer Kingdoms... a melting pot, since the fall of the God Seal Barrier. As an advantage, Lina had whole new people to meet, like Elmax (and swindle, if need be.) The disadvantage, however, is that Lina had lots of new people to meet, like Rimmour. Currently Rimmour was ‘accidentally’ spilling formaldihyde onto her boot. Lina ‘accidentally’ kicked his nose. He started muttering a number of words that would make his mother cry. "Welp, here we are,” Elmax said, as they approached Temple Row, “The Temple of-GOOD GRIEF!! WHAT HAPPENED TO IT!!????" "Lina happened to it," sighed Gourry, before Lina bonked him on the head. END OF PART A Join Us Soon For Part B of Chapter 7 FOOTNOTES: 1. Even though the Christmas holiday does not exist in the Slayers universe, Christmas carols are a universal constant. Anoher constant is that Christmas carols, once sung, will be stuck in your brain for many torturous days. back. 2. Reminder: Depending on the translation, the race of demons known as Mazoku are also referred to as 'Monsters'. They are synonymous. back Eyecatch  GIGAWORKS This chapter was written almost exclusively by Jia Re Meng, but was based upon the writings of:
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