Midnight Rose: A Xelloss and Sylphiel fanfic

Part 1:

Night had descended on Saillune. A black cape of night had enveloped the

night, casting out the sun. Following the black descent, the stars came

out in force to wrap themselves in the embrace of the night. They were

the children of the night and now they spawned to decorate the night -

as if to dispel it’s aura of menace.

The populace of Saillune were too preoccupied to notice the nightscape.

For the entire city was engaged in a huge celebration by order of Crown

Prince Phil. He commissioned a huge banquet in honour of Lina Inverse

and Gourry Gabriev. Thus the people of Saillune were feasting and

drinking like there was no tomorrow - Lina and Gourry in particular.

They were demolishing their food at their usual pace. But the townsfolk

didn’t seem to mind. They cheered and smiled in admiration at the pair.

Normally, the townsfolk would be very cautious of the infamously

destructive Lina Inverse, but now all past misgivings were forgiven.

In amongst the celebrations,  even Zelgadis was enjoying himself. He sat

at his table, sipping his coffee, chuckling to himself as he watched

Lina and Gourry. Just then Amelia came up and sat down next to him.

Zelgadis looked up at her and smiled.

Martina and Zangulus were also present. They both sat alongside the two

devourers. But they didn’t seem too interested in the feast. Martina was

bragging about her royal status to anyone who was stupid enough to

listen and Zangulus was casting a look of vengeance to Gourry  - Some

unfinished business remained.

Xelloss was hiding near the punch bowl. When no one was looking he

slipped something into it.

Yes everyone who had ever befriended Lina and Gourry was here at the

celebration.

All except one….

Sylphiel silently made her way across the fields outside Saillune. But

no matter how far she walked, she could still hear the sounds of the

celebration in Saillune. Happy sounds….

She tried to walk faster but she couldn’t run away. Tears welled up in

her eyes. She broke off into a run. Sylphiel fled sobbing, trying to

escape the feast, trying escape her infatuation, trying to escape

reality.

Eventually she collapsed - a few feet away from a cliff face,

overlooking a beach. And there she remained, bawling her eyes out, she

grasped a fistful of grass. Life was so unfair. Tomorrow, Lina and

Gourry will be married - after spending so long squabbling and arguing

their way into romance. Sylphiel cast her mind back to their expressions

at the pre-wedding banquet. Lina’s eyes shone and her face never

faltered from a smile. She looked relieved, and not so concerned about

the Sword Of Light. Gourry never looked happier. Yeah, he looked so

happy. So Happy…..

Happy was because he was with Lina? Sylphiel wondered. Happy that he was

with her and not me? Now that they are going to spend the rest of their

lives together, where does this leave me? After Father had gone I’ve

always looked to Gourry. But now, I really am alone… So alone……

Unbeknownst to Sylphiel, Xelloss had teleported in, chuckling to

himself. His spiking of the punch had worked a treat. Xelloss laughed as

he recalled the mayhem he had caused. Just then he caught sight of

Sylphiel and his laughter stopped. Quietly he snuck behind a tree and

watched her prostate figure.

What’s the matter Sylphiel? He thought mockingly. Have you lost Gourry

forever?

Eventually Sylphiel picked herself up and sat down on the cliff’s edge.

She wiped her eyes before closing them.

Xelloss remained where he was. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Suddenly he caught himself. What the hell was he thinking?! He was a

mazoku! And therefore totally devoid of any emotions whatsoever!! But

why was he fascinated by Sylphiel? What was it about her that compelled

him to remain and watch her?

Sylphiel suddenly raised her head, still keeping her eyes shut. She

could see Gourry. He came floating over to her, across the horizon.

Sylphiel stood up. Gourry came floating over to her, to ensnare her into

an embrace. Sylphiel closed her arms around Gourry and began dancing

upon the cliff edge. Yes, this is how it should be….

Xelloss blinked. What was going on? Sylphiel suddenly got to her feet

and began waltzing. But she was waltzing an invisible waltz - she was

grasping thin air! As Xelloss watched, his fascination for Sylphiel

grew. He never really noticed her much before but now……

As Sylphiel waltzed, she looked happy. Her eyes were closed, her

expression revealed one of happiness, her movements were slow and

graceful,  her feet trode the earth with care and her slender body

swayed as if in a seductive manner. She was enlightened by the light of

the stars and the moon behind her. Xelloss gasped. He had never noticed

her much before. But he had never even viewed Sylphiel like THIS! He

mentally cursed himself. What on earth was he thinking?! He wasn’t used

to emotions like this. And he certainly didn’t want to used to emotions

like this! Why was he remaining here? Why did he stay and gaze upon her?

What was this fascination he had for her?

Suddenly Sylphiel, totally enamored of her illusion, moved closer and

closer to the edge of the cliff. She was so wrapped up in her waltzing

that she didn’t see the edge of the cliff. Nor could she feel her feet

falter or her loss of balance…..

Xelloss’ eyes widened. Thinking quickly, he raced to the edge, only to

see Sylphiel’s body plunge to the rocks below. Xelloss stared in

desperation, helpless, as Sylphiel fell to her death…..

As Sylphiel fell, she opened her eyes. Her illusion was shattered.

Gourry wasn’t there any more. Neither was she waltzing on top of the

cliff. Instead, she was plummeting to her death. Sylphiel’s eyes widened

in terror but then she closed them again.

"Father….." she whispered "I’ll be with you soon……"

But Sylphiel did not die. Her fall was broken. Xelloss had teleported in

the way of her flight path and caught her. Cradling her body, Xelloss

floated down to the shoreline below. Gently he laid Sylphiel down on a

rock. He took a step back and blinked. Only then had he noticed that she

had passed out. Xelloss strode over to the shoreline and scooped up some

water in his hands, He returned to Sylphiel and splashed it over her

face. Then Xelloss caught himself. What did he just do? He saved

Sylphiel’s life. But - That wasn’t a mazoku thing to do. Xelloss stared

at his hands. What was happening to him? Why was he so fascinated with

Sylphiel? Why….

Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by Sylphiel softly moaning.

Xelloss took this as a cue to disappear and did so. Seconds later,

Sylphiel woke up. She softly rubbed her head and blinked. How did she

get down here? The last she knew she was falling off the cliff. How did

she get survive that huge fall? Someone must have rescued her. But who?

Someone must really like her to do something like that…..

Elsewhere, in Xelas’ domain, Xelas was waiting. Waiting for Xelloss to

show up. She had witnessed Xelloss noble act and was intrigued. She had

brought up Xelloss to treat ladies with respect. And now, her hard work

has paid off. He had just saved Sylphiel from death. Although this

wasn’t a mazoku thing to do, it was proof enough that Xelloss is good

with the ladies. Xelas mentally praised herself for bringing up Xelloss

so successfully.

But Xelloss never showed. Xelas frowned. He was never around when you

needed him….

Part 2:

The wedding was a huge success. Lina handled the role of the bride with

grace and clarity - which was extremely unusual for her. Gourry looked

incredibly handsome as the groom. Amelia was very excited about the

whole occasion - obviously she had always wanted to be a bridesmaid.

Zelgadis looked uncomfortable as the best man but he couldn’t help but

smile at the proceedings. Even Martina and Zangulus were present as a

bridesmaid and a best man, respectively (She only agreed to do it

because Lina attended her wedding. Or more likely Lina would fireball

Martina if she refused.).

But Sylphiel was nowhere near the podium. She was sitting in the crowd

watching the ceremony. She was lost in a sea of faces. Maybe it was true

- maybe she has been forgotten. Just another face in the crowd…….

She didn’t bother attending the banquet afterwards. She could picture at

all now. Lina and Gourry, together forever. And Martina and Zangulus,

both happily married. Even Zelgadis and Amelia - According to Lina, Zel

finally understood that Amelia had feelings for him and consequently he

actually cheered up some more. But where did this leave Sylphiel?

When her father had gone, Sylphiel had no one to look up to. After being

under his guiding care for so long, she felt so empty , so lost, so

alone. And when she worked out that Gourry had once killed a monster

that was destroying her home city, she idolised him to an extent - an

extent that was getting her nowhere fast. But now that Gourry had gone,

where was Sylphiel to do now?

She left the chapel and headed off into a nearby public garden. She

wandered through the garden and eventually sat down on a bench, the same

question buzzing through her head, a thousand times: What was she to do

now?

Suddenly, she heard a noise. She flicked her head around to see the

Trickster Priest himself, standing nearby.

"Xelloss" she whispered.

Xelloss grinned. "Sylphiel. What are you doing here?"

Sylphiel blinked. "I could ask you the same question."

Xelloss chuckled as he sat down on the bench. "Oh, I just to be as far

away from the wedding reception as possible."

"Whys that?"

"Oh, Nothing. Only I seem to have a bad habit of spiking punches!"

Sylphiel frowned. "That wasn’t very nice."

"Yes." Said Xelloss "But it was extremely funny!"

As Xelloss burst into a fit of laughter, Sylphiel stared at him aghast.

She couldn’t believe he could be like that. How could he laugh at his

own cruel joke?! She’ll make him pay…

The next thing, Xelloss knew, Sylphiel’s hand came across and slapped

him in the face. Xel stopped laughing and opened his eyes. He couldn’t

believe it. He never guessed that Sylphiel could do something like

that.  But one thing’s for sure, he’ll make her pay for that…..

Suddenly, Xelloss felt a chill. He turned to see Xelas teleporting in.

She looked sternly at him and waggled her finger. Xelloss stared in

disbelief. He opened his mouth to protest. But Xelas glared back -

telling him a clear NO. Xelas disappeared as Xelloss nodded his consent.

Xelloss then turned to Sylphiel.

"Sylphiel? Why aren’t you at the reception?"

Sylphiel turned. Xelloss raised an eyebrow as he could see her eyes

welling up with tears. Sylphiel didn’t answer. She buried her face into

her lap as waterfalls of tears trickled down her face. Xelloss’

expression changed into one of contempt. He didn’t like to see her cry

but for the entirely wrong reason.

"Stop crying" he murmured.

Sylphiel didn’t stop.

"Stop crying dammit." He growled.

Sylphiel still didn’t stop.

Xelloss was about the lose it. "I SAID…….."

Suddenly he was stopped in mid sentence. Xelas appeared before him. She

wore a black expression. Xelloss fell silent, as if dreading what was

coming next.

"It seems I brought you up rather poorly Xelloss." Xelas said.

Xelloss said nothing.

Xelas continued: "I thought I had taught you to treat ladies with

respect. Well the same goes for her."

Xelas gestured to Sylphiel. She kept her head down, still bawling her

eyes out, oblivious to the newcomer onto the scene.

Xelloss began protesting: "But look at her! She’s crying! She’s

obviously weak!"

"Well" Xelas went on. "Maybe you should take her out somewhere. She’s a

woman in dispair. She needs cheering up."

"But…."

"THAT"S AN ORDER! DO IT XELLOSS!" snapped Xelas. And with that, she

disappeared.

Xelloss nodded. He turned to Sylphiel. "Sylphiel?"

Sylphiel raised her head, her eyes still moist.

Xelloss continued. "I’m hungry. Do you want to get something to eat?"

Xelloss took Sylphiel to a restaurant. He even showed her to her seat.

By now Sylphiel had calmed down from her bawling. Now she was blinking

in confusion. She had never seen Xelloss do something like this before.

"Order anything you like!" Xelloss grinned, handing her a menu. "Its my

treat!"

Sylphiel frowned. This wasn’t like Xelloss at all.

"Xelloss?" she asked. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"That’s a secret!" he grinned, waggling his index finger.

Sylphiel sighed. She should’ve known. Still, she gave her order out

anyhow.

When their meal arrived, they, at first, ate in silence. Xelloss didn’t

like the silence however. It was too deafening.

"So" he asked. "What are you going to do tomorrow?"

Sylphiel sighed again. "I wish I knew. I don’t have any place or anyone

to call home."

"So that’s why you hung around Lina then, hmm?"

"Yes. Plus that and Gourry……."

Xelloss’ grin fell. He could see where this was heading. Quickly he

changed the subject. "Say, I heard of a treasure, up in the hills,

guarded by a ferocious dragon. You are welcome to join me if you wish."

Sylphiel looked up. Did he just give her an invitation? Has her

existence been acknowledged? Hey, maybe her presence is doing some good

for him.

"I would love to join you." she smiled.

Xelloss smiled. And with that they both headed for the door. As they

both walked out into the street, Xelloss cleared his throat.

"You know, We may need to work on your magic a bit….."

Sylphiel smiled. This looked like the beginning of a beautiful

friendship…..