Black mountain

By: Spike

The mountain loomed, above the two adventurers, daring all to approach.

It penetrated the skyline of the landscape, as a colossal black

silhouette - creating a sight that would make anyone shrink back in

terror. The sides of the mountain looked like it had been ravaged by a

enormous monster. The entire face was black and desolate. Dead trees

were dotted around the mountains base. And in the side of the mountain

was a cave - an entrance leading into the depths of the mountain. Next

to the cave was a sign bearing the legend: "Abandon all hope of

entering". Accompanying the sign was a skull and ribcage - the remains

of a predecessor who was stupid enough to enter the cave. Only now the

adventurer was doomed to warn other foolishly minded warriors.

Sylphiel blinked in wonder and in horror. She had never seen anything

like this before. She had no idea that mountains could be so foreboding.

She made a quick glance at Xelloss but he didn’t seem too worried. His

familiar grin showed no signs of vanishing.

"Well Sylphiel." Xelloss beamed. "We have arrived. Beyond, that entrance

lies a wondrous treasure guarded by a ferocious dragon. However he won’t

…."

Xelloss stopped mid-sentence. He could feel two soft hands clutching his

arm. Xelloss opened his eyes to see Sylphiel looking tense and nervous.

She had become frightened at the mention of a "ferocious dragon" and

reached out for the nearest thing for comfort - which happened to be

Xelloss’ arm. Needless to say, Xelloss was surprised. Her arm felt warm,

soft, intimate…..

Xelloss caught himself yet again. Why do these thoughts keep recurring?!

He had experienced these type of emotions before and he rejected them.

Now they showed no signs of going - no matter how hard he may try to

fight or hide them. The presence of Sylphiel must be doing something to

him…

Xelloss’ surprised expression then rapidly evaporated into one of

contempt. How dare she? How dare she touch him? Him, the Trickster

priest?! The only one answerable to Zelas Metallium?! The general of

many a lesser mazoku?! She was indeed doing something to him. But

Xelloss wasn’t liking it all. If he hung around Sylphiel any longer, he

might change even more - maybe for worse. Something must be done and

quick…

Xelloss, caught Sylphiel’s eyes. They were staring up at the mountain in

awe and fear.

Xelloss understood easily what was on her mind. He knew fear when he saw

it, Hey he was a mazoku after all. If something had to be done it should

be done now……

Xelloss closed his eyes. No, if he abandoned Sylphiel, Zelas would chew

him up and spit him out. Besides, he invested a lot of time in teaching

Sylphiel some new magic tricks - so why let that hard work go to waste?

"Sylphiel?" he asked. "Are you coming?"

Sylphiel didn’t answer. She was too paralysed with fear from the

mountain.

Xelloss sighed. Well, it looks like he will have to do this the hard

way…..

Just then, without warning, Xelloss teleported himself out of Sylphiel’s

grasp. Sylphiel, now with nothing to support her, fell flat on her face.

Sylphiel blinked in pure terror. Not only was she intimidated by the

horrific sight of the mountain but she was all alone in a place that she

was so unfamiliar with……

Once again, the emptiness of feeling lonely ate away at her soul. It had

returned. It was there when her father died, it was there when Gourry

and Lina were married, and it was here again now…

It had been several days since the wedding. Since then Xelloss and

Sylphiel had been journeying to this mountain. Along the way he showed

her some new ways for casting spells and she somehow grew accustomed to

his presence - so much to the fact that she formed a reliance upon the

mazoku. Indeed, with no home, parents or Gourry, Xelloss was the last

thing that Sylphiel had left. However Sylphiel was bewildered by Xelloss

behaviour - She had never seen him like this before towards Lina or

anyone else. But whenever she followed up on this subject, he replied

with his usual response of  "That’s a secret!"

Suddenly the reappearance of Xelloss broke her out of her reverie. He

stood before the cave entrance with his eyes opened and looking with

contempt at Sylphiel.

"Are you coming Sylphiel?"

Still unsure about the mountain’s appearance, Sylphiel’s hand trembled.

But she did not make any effort to pick herself up from the ground.

Xelloss closed his eyes.

"Suit yourself!" he said.

And with that, he disappeared into the mountain. Suddenly, Sylphiel’s

fear of the mountain disappeared completely. All that matter was that

she didn’t want to be alone. She didn’t want to face the horrors of this

world alone - Even if it meant going along with the Trickster Priest. In

a sudden burst of courage, Sylphiel launched herself onto her feet and

sped off into the cave after Xelloss.

The Trickster Priest strode with clam into the depths of the cave, his

way illuminated by a light spell. The tunnel that led to the dragon’s

lair was carved out of the rock. Xelloss frowned. How could something as

large as a dragon inhabit a small space such as these tunnels? Perhaps

it leads to a much larger cavern…..

Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of running feet

behind him. Then, before he knew what was happening, a Sylphiel-like

shape charged into him and bowled him over. Both Xelloss and Sylphiel

came crashing down to the floor of the tunnel. When the dust had settled

Xelloss opened his eyes - only to have them widen in shock. There was

Sylphiel lying on top of him! Her eyes were as frightened as ever, her

hands were shaking and her face was a mess of panic. Her voice had also

degenerated into a mass of whimpers. Xelloss blinked in at this

incredibly awkward situation before disappearing out from beneath

Sylphiel. Sylphiel, now with nothing between her and the floor, then

fell flat on her face.

Sylphiel paused before her eyes welled up with tears. He had gone. He

had truly gone. Now she was indeed left by herself. It’s always like

that isn’t it? You constantly rely on people to an extent and then they

just disappear.

Sylphiel reached out and touched the wall of the tunnel. It felt cold.

Cold. Just like the wind, just like the night, just like the feeling of

loneliness.

Softly weeping, Sylphiel crouched up into a ball. Why won’t these

feelings of misery, coldness and loneliness go away? Why do they persist

so? Sylphiel closed her eyes. After so long she finally gave up. Now her

battle has been lost. There was little to do except wait for her pain to

consume her and wait for death….

A few feet away, Xelloss reappeared. He immediately caught sight of

Sylphiel’s prostate form and gasped. She looked so pathetic, so pitiful

and yet so weak, so helpless, so eerily beautiful……

Xelloss sighed. He constantly tried to keep this disturbing emotions

down but they always came sneaking up on him. Should he resist? Or

should he swallow his pride and succumb?

Suddenly Xelloss’ musing was interrupted by a familiar smell. A smell of

fire and brimstone.

"Zelas" he murmured.

The greater mazoku herself strode in, looking quite bemused.

"My, my Xelloss" she noted. "I am surprised."

Xelloss said nothing.

"I must congratulate you." Zelas continued. "I see you have been

following my orders to the letter and you have been treating Sylphiel

well."

Xelloss sighed. "Why me? Look at her! She is everything I’m not. Thus

she is becoming quite a burden to travel with. I mean it was fun with

Lina because she was easily annoyed but with Sylphiel…."

"Oh come on." Zelas interrupted. "If everyone was the same wouldn’t life

be very dull?"

Xelloss paused before nodding. Indeed, he enjoyed living an interesting

life.

Zelas’ face moulded into a wolfish grin. "Besides, if she is your

opposite wouldn’t travelling together be an interesting experience?"

Xelloss’ face turned into an expression of horror. But he faltered for

words.

"Look Xelloss, I know of those feelings you are trying to deny. However

I don’t mind you having a bit of fun. Just as long as it doesn’t

interfere with our plans."

Xelloss was stunned by this revelation. But he still managed to nod his

consent.

Zelas grinned in satisfaction. "Good. Now treat her good. Or else…."

And with that Zelas was gone, leaving Xelloss alone with the recumbent

Sylphiel. Silently Xelloss made his way over to Sylphiel and knelt

beside her. Gently he placed her hand on her shoulder.

He frowned. "This is ridiculous." he muttered under his breath. But

eventually Sylphiel’s sobbing stopped. Xelloss breathed a sigh of relief

- the presence of his hand on her shoulder had stopped her crying.

Xelloss got his feet as Sylphiel raised her head.

"Come on." He smiled as he extended his hand.

Sylphiel blinked in surprise before taking his hand and allowing Xelloss

to help her to her feet.

"W-Why Xelloss" Sylphiel stammered in her surprise. "T-Thank you."

Xelloss closed his eyes and began heading down the tunnel. Mentally, he

felt relieved. He felt so awkward in that situation and he certainly was

glad to get out of it. But one thing’s for sure, he must continue his

fight to deny this emotions - He was a mazoku right?

Sylphiel took up the pace behind him. She was surprised by his moment of

affection but disillusioned by his somewhat coldness afterwards. Why was

he like that? Why he must be totally devoid of any emotion whatsoever?

It is almost as if he was denying it…

But no matter, he helped her up. This must be sign that he isn’t

intending on leaving her. He really must care for her! This could

develop into something….

After walking for some time, Xelloss halted. Sylphiel stopped. Xelloss

put a finger to his lips and pointed around the corner. Sylphiel craned

her neck to see what made Xelloss stop.

And then there was the dragon. Sleeping in a colossal cavern underneath

a mountain of gold. Sylphiel had seen big dragons but this was enormous.

A horrific monstrosity of red scales, wicked claws, nasty-looking teeth

and huge wings. Fear crept back into Sylphiel’s soul making her reach

out to Xelloss again. But Xelloss wasn’t interested in the size of the

beast.

"Look Sylphiel." He grinned. "Look at that treasure! Mountains of gold!

And all for…."

Xelloss paused. He felt Sylphiel’s hand around his arm again.

"She’s petrified." Xelloss murmured. "But I’ll fix that!"

Suddenly, without warning, Xelloss charged out of cover and into the

cavern - with Sylphiel still attached! Needless to say, Sylphiel was

shocked - but not for long!

"Xelloss!" she whispered, half in horror, half in frustration. "What are

you doing?!"

"Come on Sylphiel!" Xelloss grinned. "Remember those spells I taught

you? Then let’s take this dragon down - together!"

Sylphiel stopped dead in her tracks. Together? As in the pair of them?

Suddenly she noticed a faint slit of yellow in the dragon’s eyes.

What?!? The dragon wasn’t really sleeping! It was a trap!

Sylphiel turned to Xelloss. But he began shouting epithets at the

dragon.

"Come on! Wake up! Are you going to fight me or are you going to laze

around?!"

"Xelloss!" Sylphiel whispered urgently. "Please stop! He’s not really

a…."

Too late. The dragon’s eyes shot opened. Two yellow eyes reeking of

malevolence glared at the two intruders. Sylphiel’s fear grew while

Xelloss fell silent and opened his eyes. Then the dragon’s nostrils

flared and a huge jet of flame came hurtling towards Xelloss and

Sylphiel. Sylphiel quaked in terror but Xelloss didn’t look too worried.

"Xelloss! Lets get out of here!" shrieked Sylphiel.

"You know? That doesn’t sound like a bad idea" said Xelloss.

In a flash, he placed his arm around her shoulders. Sylphiel blinked in

astonishment as she was overwhelmed by the terror of the incoming flame.

Next thing she knew, she and Xelloss were being teleported out of the

flame’s flight path. They later reappeared at the cavern entrance.

Sylphiel’s heart was beating in overtime as she recovered from that

terrible experience, but Xelloss closed his eyes and retained his usual

happy expression. Suddenly Sylphiel’s hand shot out and slapped him

across the face. Xelloss opened his eyes again.

"Sylphiel?"

"Don’t EVER" Sylphiel snapped over her panting "Do that again!"

"Oh come on" Xelloss grinned as he closed his eyes. "I got you out of

there didn’t I?"

Sylphiel grew angry. But a roar drew their attention back to the dragon.

It had risen on its fore-legs and it was looking around for the two

intruders.

Xelloss opened his eyes. Now is the time to get down to business. He

turned to Sylphiel. "Remember what I taught you? Then lets kill this

beast - together!"

Sylphiel nodded. Then she joined Xelloss in charged out into the cavern.

The dragon caught sight of the pair and let out a terrible roar. Not

that it stop Xelloss or Sylphiel!

"FIREBALL!" Xelloss bellowed. A huge ball of flame shot from his hands

and hurtled towards the dragon. It struck the dragon on the neck,

causing him to reel back. But this did little to halt the dragon’s fury.

Murder gleaming in his eye, the dragon advanced on the pair.

"Sylphiel!" Xelloss shouted. "Your turn!"

But Sylphiel was frozen in fear of the dragon. So much, she forgot all

about the spells Xelloss had taught her and followed her instincts…

"FLARE CARROT!!!" she managed to blurt out.

"I don’t believe this…." Xelloss cursed under his breath. How could she

cast such a futile spell such as that? She must really be in a panic.

Sylphiel’s flare carrot struck the dragon but, naturally, had little

effect. Still, it did nothing to stop the dragon from hurtling another

fireball. …..

Xelloss turned away from the dragon as he began to berate Sylphiel: "HOW

COULD YOU CAST SOMETHING USELESS LIKE……"

But whereas Xelloss was unaware of the second fireball, Sylphiel wasn’t!

"Xelloss!" she screamed. "Look out!"

Xelloss turned around and finally saw the fireball. His angry expression

changed into one of horror. The fireball struck Xelloss and coated his

body in flames. He screamed in spite of the heat and the flames. But

eventually the screams ceased abruptly. Then the flames slowly died down

and Xelloss’ body collapsed to the floor of the cavern.

Sylphiel blinked at Xelloss. He….. he ……he had been immolated by the

fireball. Her one last pillar of support. Now she truly had nothing

left. Now she was truly alone. And it was all her fault……

Vengeance must be met. Sylphiel clenched her fist and recalled the one

time she did something incredible - even if it was to get Gourry’s

attention. It came from watching Lina for far too long. But now it’s

worth a shot - even if it means her death….

Sylphiel began chanting the spell. As she did so the dragon slowly

turned its head to face the priestess.

As Sylphiel chanted, her mind went into overdrive - What if she killed

herself in the process? No matter! At least she will join her dearly

departed father in the afterlife!

Sylphiel’s chanting was coming to an end. Raw power danced on her

fingertips. The dragon loomed above Sylphiel but her fear was forgotten.

Now all that mattered was to kill this loathsome beast who had caused

her so much pain…..

Sylphiel glared at the dragon as she uttered two words of doom.

"DRAGON SLAVE!!!!!"

A tremendous bolt of energy shot from Sylphiel’s hands and struck the

dragon with immense force. The dragon let out a death scream as he was

enveloped in Sylphiel’s spell.

However the spell was so powerful it had no chance of being contained

the cavern. Consequently the entire mountain exploded.

Xelloss’ eyes fluttered open. He moaned as he rubbed his head. Then he

sat up with a start. What happened?

The devastated landscape answered his question. The mountain had been

completely obliterated. Great piles of rock lay scattered all over the

place. Xelloss’ mind whirled. What happened? Where was the dragon,

Sylphiel and the mountain? And where was that treasure?

Xelloss looked around and soon found some unexpected answers. Right in

the centre of the charred rubble, was the charred skeleton of the

dragon. The skeleton (or what was left of it) lay over the dragon’s

immense treasure hoard - It had protected it until the very end. Xelloss

marvelled at the skeleton. Then his turned to gaze at the treasure. To

his delight, most of it remained intact - the Dragon’s immense bulk had

shielded it from that devastating explosion.

Xelloss paused. So the explosion killed the dragon, destroyed the

mountain and must’ve thrown him clear from the rubble. It must’ve been a

gigantic explosion.

Did Sylphiel do this?

Hang on.

Sylphiel! Where is she?

Xelloss opened his eyes. His grin faded into an expression of

desperation. Where was Sylphiel?! If Zelas thinks that he had let her

die she would make him pay……!

Xelloss made his way hurriedly through the rubble, searching for

Sylphiel. Then he stopped.

"Oh no." he murmured.

There was Sylphiel. Lying in a pile of ash. Her eyes shut, Her head

down, Her legs tucked in, Her hair flowing downward to shield her limp

form.

Xelloss rushed down to her limp form and knelt by her side.

"Sylphiel!" he shouted.

He brushed her hair away from her face. She was out cold. In his

desperation, Xelloss cast a healing spell. Then he blinked. Why did he

do that? Why did he heal a mere human? A human who was dumb, whined and

couldn’t look out for herself? How long will those emotions continue to

torment him?

"Xelloss" a familiar voice said.

Xelloss didn’t turn his head. He knew who it was. "Zelas. Did Sylphiel

do all this devastation?"

Zelas strolled up beside Xelloss and nodded. "Yes. She killed the dragon

with the Dragon Slave spell."

Xelloss turned his head in disbelief. "Really? I didn’t know she knew

how to cast it."

"That’s what you get from hanging around Lina Inverse for too long."

Zelas said with a smile. "However one can easily assume she did it to

impress Gourry."

Xelloss nodded. That sounds familiar……

Zelas continued. "You know, she only cast it because you were knocked

out by that fireball."

Xelloss blinked.

Zelas nodded. "Yeah, it broke her heart to see you go down and so she

cast that spell."

Xelloss couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He opened his mouth to

protest but just then, Sylphiel softly moaned. Zelas took that as a cue

to disappear and so she did. Xelloss then turned to face Sylphiel. She

slowly opened her eyes and turned to see Xelloss.

She couldn’t believe it. he was alive. He didn’t die as she first

assumed. Overwhelmed with joy she leapt onto her heel and dived right

into Xelloss. She forgot her pain completely - All that mattered was he

was still alive. Xelloss was surprised by this action that he lost his

balance and fell to the ground, taking Sylphiel with him.

And so that’s how Xelloss came to be lying on the ground with Sylphiel

lying on top of him with  her arms around him. Xelloss didn’t look to

happy but then he saw Sylphiel’s eyes fill with tears.

"I’m so glad you didn’t die" she whispered.

And much to Xelloss’ infuriation, she leaned over and kissed him on the

cheek.

Xelloss said nothing. He was astonished by this at of affection and

certainly felt like murdering Sylphiel. But…..

Instead he reached and gently stroked her hair in a tender manner. It

felt so soft, so good.....