Garv was laughing at how Xelas Metallium tried to break free from the magical chains and ropes tied on her. "Stop squirming, prisoner! Your clone is out there to perform your job!" he told her.

"Bastard! Let her go! Tell Xelloss to stop! Let her go!!!" she yelled angrily. "Enjoy watching…" Garv made a bubble appear before her, giving her a view of what Xelloss is to doing to Amelia. "No! Stop that!" Xelas screamed, trying to avoid seeing those things. Yet, she could hear Amelia’s screams of agony. Xelas began to cry. Sure, she knew she loved torturing the ones who went against her, but she is wondering why she hated seeing it afterwards…

She has lost her powers, which was drained by Garv. Sure, he was aiming for revenge on all of them, so he was her first target.

Garv enjoyed seeing her weep and he laughed. "Boy, this show is making me wanna do it too…" he glared at the Juu-ou whose eyes were wide shut and her lips trembling. "No!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face.

Just as he was going to approach her, Graushaila, appearing before him interrupted him. "Damn you, Graushaila! Don’t you touch her!" he screamed.

"Get lost, Dynast." Garv said, ignoring him. "Graushaila…" Xelas muttered.

"Not until you fight with me, you bastard." Graushaila answered, challenging him. Then, Garv teleported and appeared near Xelas, releasing her from the chains and taking her with him. "Come and take this dame from me, let’s see if you can!" and he disappeared. Before Graushaila could make a move, he disappeared with her. Graushaila clenched his fists. "Damn! If only she hadn’t lost her powers…she could’ve at least slapped his face! She’s looking so weak…the LON won’t like this…" he said to himself. Then, Deep Sea Dolphin appeared beside him. "Where is she?"

"Damn you, you came too late! He got away with her! He’s gonna take her with him somewhere not in his hideout and I don’t know where it is!" Graushaila yelled at him angrily. "Then let’s go look for it….for goodness sake, don’t yell at my face…" Dolphin answered calmly, but in his eyes, there was a look of worry and panic.

***

Zelgadiss was walking down the road leading to Saillune. His eyes were weary, tired from searching. "Amelia…where did that bastard Xelloss take you?" he muttered angrily. It had been 5 days since Xelloss took her. He searched everywhere but found no trace of the Princess. The sun was already setting.

Then, he stopped walking when he spotted a girl lying on the ground, tattered and dirty clothes on her body. Her face was blank but terror was marked on it.

Zel wanted to cry when he learned that it was Amelia. He ran to her, screaming her name. He knelt down and scooped her up in his arms, his whole body shaking because of that pitiful sight of Amelia. Amelia opened her eyes, they were looking so scared and hurt and she was crying. "Zelgadiss…my Zel-kun… don’t let me go…keep me away from him…Zelgadiss, hide me!" she pleaded as she trembled.

Zelgadiss embraced her. "Amelia, who did this to you!?" he asked. "Zelgadiss…I’m scared…hold me, please…" she replied, more tears falling from her eyes and she trembled more. Zelgadiss tightened his embrace, uncertain what to do.

Then, the trickster appeared. Amelia’s eyes grew wide in shock and she screamed hysterically. "No!!! Zel! Keep him away from me!!! Don’t let him near me! I don’t like him!" she screamed.

Xelloss smiled at them as Zel glared at him angrily. "What have you done to Amelia!?" Zel screamed at his face angrily.

"Well, I just gave her something which she won’t forget…believe me, she’s so perfect. You should try it sometime, Zelgadiss-sama!" Xelloss answered. Zel’s eyes grew wide in shock. "How dare you…you maniac!" he yelled angrily. "I’m gonna kill you! I’ll crush your neck and burn you alive! You deserve to die!" Zel shouted.

Xelloss smiled at them. "See if you can…" and he teleported.

***

They arrived at Saillune by nightfall, surprising everyone at the palace, careful that it won’t reach the citizens outside.

"Your highness…" Zel began to Filionel as soon as Amelia fell asleep in her bedroom. "What is it?" Fil asked, his eyes sad and very disappointed. "I’ll stay here beside her if I must…I don’t want her to get hurt." Zelgadiss said directly.

"Thank you, Zelgadiss…" Fil answered, patting Zel’s shoulder. "You really love her, huh?" he asked. Zel blushed slightly, "Amelia loves me too… and I love her.. I’m going to kill Xelloss for her. It’s his fault…" he said anyway, but trailing off. Amelia was crying in her sleep. "Zelgadiss…" she whispered as she began to move.

Zel held her hand and she stopped moving. "What I am afraid of is…what if she’s now bearing his child?" he asked. Filionel sighed. "I am afraid of that too…" he told Zelgadiss. "I’m killing the child and the father…" Zel swore. "Kill the helpless child!? Zelgadiss, that’d be so cruel!" Filionel said. "If Amelia’s bearing Xelloss’ child, I won’t rest! I won’t let that happen! If she would bear a child, it should have been from me and not from a dirty demon like Xelloss!" Zel reasoned, a bit embarrassed, but his angry emotions making him bolder to say what he feels.

Filionel looked outside the window. "It’d be hard to keep the news from the people outside…"he said. Zel bit his lip and kissed Amelia’s hand. Filionel turned to Zelgadiss. "Please, if you’d like to, you could marry her so that the people would think that the child is yours." He told him.

Zel looked at Fil. Fil smiled at him. "I’ve always wanted you to become my son-in-law." He told him with a convincing look. "We’ll arrange your wedding day right now so you can get married by Sunday." Filionel continued. Zelgadiss smiled happily and looked at Amelia. "Thank you, sir…don’t worry, I promise to take care of you daughter…" he told Filionel.

***

Naga was sitting inside a restaurant, having her dinner. It surprised her when she heard that latest news about the Saillunes. 2 women were talking about it.

"What a disgrace! The young crown princess is pregnant!" one said.

Naga almost choked. "My sister!?" she thought, worry in her eyes. Then, she stood up and went to the ladies. "Ohohoho! Excuse me, but is it true!?" she asked, trying to act normal.

"Why yes! And a boy named Zelgadiss will marry the princess so that the people of Saillune would think that he’s the father…even though he’s not!" the woman answered. Naga smiled weakly. "My, what a disgrace for the Saillunes!" she remarked, crossing her fingers. She laughed and then left. When she got outside, she was running away from the crowd, to the road and to the path leading to her homeland. She knew she needed to see her sister.

Then, to her surprise, a man with purple hair appeared before her. She halted, annoyed. "Outta the way!" she yelled angrily.

"Nah-uh, Gracia-san!" he answered. It was Xelloss. "My name is Xelloss, Princess Gracia." He told her.

"It’s not my name, for your information. Now get lost." Naga told him.

"So, you’ve admitted to yourself again that you are a Saillune?" he asked. "What do you know?" she demanded, ready to slap his face in case he made a wrong move.

Xelloss smiled at her. "I was the one who did that to you dear sister…" he told her happily.

Naga’s reaction was very violent. She grabbed his neck and dragged him to her. She strangled him, planning to kill him. "BASTARD!" she yelled. "I killed your mother too…" he answered, ignoring her.

She stopped and let him go. She felt weak all of a sudden. "You…" she muttered. He laughed at her. "Bitch." He told her. He turned away. "Get lost, Princess. Your dear sister is bearing my child now." And he teleported after saying so. Naga fell on her knees and grabbed a handful of soil and threw it. "No! Why is this happening!?" she screamed, trying to control hysteria.

***

Lina was eating her dinner with Gourry, Filia and Valgarv. "How is Zel?" Valgarv asked. "He left before we ran into you. He said that he should return to Saillune and see Amelia. But the problem is, it’s been 8 weeks. He told me that he’ll come back after 2 weeks now he’s not yet here." Lina answered.

Then, a man with blue hair and sea green eyes entered the restaurant. Lina jumped from her seat as she saw him approaching.

The man came to their table. "What now!?" Filia asked, moving away. Dolphin sat down. "I didn’t come here to fight. I came here to tell you something." He answered, making sure that no one else was listening. "Well…what is it?" Lina asked.

Valgarv frowned. Gourry stopped eating.

"If Xelas Metallium attacks, kill her." Dolphin told them. "Kill her? Why?" Gourry asked. "The real Xelas is imprisoned by Garv and is powerless right now. The Xelas I was talking about is the clone. Lately, Garv has been learning how to make powerful clones, draining the power of the original and transferring it to the clone. It was that clone that gave orders to Xelloss to…"Dolphin trailed off when Valgarv began to speak. "He did something to the Princess…" he muttered. Dolphin nodded. "Now Amelia is pregnant with Xelloss’ child. On Sunday, she’s going to get married to Zelgadiss so that the people would think that it was all a rumor and believe that Zel is the father of the child." Dolphin explained thoroughly.

The 4 were surprised to hear the news and were unable to speak.

Then, Lina shook her head and turned to Dolphin. "Why are you telling us that!?" she asked. "Because…I want to save Xelas from Garv…Me, Graushaila and Fibrizo, we want to get her outta there. She is suffering very badly since she is powerless right now." He told them.

***

"Xelloss killed my mother…" Naga kept repeating in her mind as she neared the gates of Saillune. She was feeling dizzy and very weak. "Xelloss…" she said as she stared up at the dawning sky. The skies were blue and violet with a bit of orange-yellow on the east where the sun rises.

She entered the city and met some early-risers on the way. They were whispering, "Who is she?" "She looks like our queen!" "Is she a Saillune!? She looks like our Princess Amelia and our Queen!" "She could be our Princess Gracia!"

Naga ignored them, took one more step and fell forward in a faint. No one saw her fall. Luckily, at that hour, Zel was roaming around. He was unable to sleep due to being worried about his dear Amelia. He spotted the unconscious young lady and approached her. When her featured reminded him of Amelia when she was the one in that condition. He felt her pulse and it was weak. Then, he took her and carried her to the nearest inn where she could rest.

***

Naga opened her eyes and found herself in a room. She saw Zel and was surprised. "Who…" she said.

"Don’t scream! I don’t mean any harm!" Zel told her immediately. Naga stood up from bed. "Hey, hold on, miss." Zel told her. "I have to get going. My sister needs me." she told him. "Who’s your sister?" Zel asked, going after her. When they got out of the inn and reached the road going to the palace, Naga rolled her eyes and said, "You wouldn’t understand." She told him sternly. Zel noticed the road where they are in. "What’s your name?" he asked.

"Naga…and stop following me, mister…what’s yours?" she asked.

"Zelgadiss Graywords."

She halted and faced him. "You’re the one marrying may sister?" she asked.

Zelgadiss was struck. "Okay, figures why you reminded me of Amelia. You are Gracia, huh?" he asked.

Naga laughed. "Please, call me Naga. It’s my name now…" she said. Then she turned serious. "I decided to come back here because of what happened. At first I didn’t believe it but then I encountered a mazoku named Xelloss…who…also happened to kill my mother…" she explained, controlling her anger. "You met that bastard?" Zel asked. Naga laughed. "Ohohoho! I never knew you also called him by that adjective!" she said. Then, she looked up. "Are you going to kill the child?" she asked. Zelgadiss couldn’t take her laugh, but then he said anyway, "No. I’m not gonna abort the child out of her, but when it is born, I’m killing it." He answered, making sure that she is the only one who hears him.

***

Amelia was in her room. Then, Zelgadiss entered. She smiled. "Zelgadiss.." she said, happy. She stood up and ran to him. They embraced each other. "Amelia…good morning." He told her. Then he let go. "Someone’s here to see you." He said.

"Who?" she asked. Then, Naga entered. "Amelia," she began. Amelia, upon seeing her dear sister, burst into tears and ran to Naga. Naga embraced her younger sister and smiled. "It’s okay, Amelia…I’m here…don’t worry…" she told her.

***

When Sunday came, the wedding was held at the cathedral, then the reception at the ballroom of the palace. During the wedding, Gourry was the bestman of Zelgdiss and Lina was the maid of honor. Everyone was invited. No one cared if Xelloss was there, but Dolphin and Fibrizo were there to witness the events, dressed as humans.

At the reception, there were guards all over the place.

Zelgadiss was expecting Xelloss and so he came in a disguise. Zelgadiss and Naga noticed Xelloss, wearing a coat and tie and slacks. When he walked up to them at the VIP table, no one from the citizens and other guests noticed him.

Amelia recognized him and she began to tremble. Filia frowned. Valgarv clenched his teeth and eyed Xelloss suspiciously. Lina ran to Amelia and held her hand. Amelia embraced Lina and turned away from Xelloss. "Shh…don’t worry, Amelia, I’m here…he won’t hurt you…" Lina told her gently, trying to calm her. Amelia was trembling very hard and was near to tears.

"Why are you hear?" Zelgadiss asked angrily.

"I came here to congratulate you…Hail King Zelgadiss and Queen Amelia Graywords!" he teased.

Gourry stood up and went to assist Lina. Amelia began to cry. "Keep him away…" she begged.

"Xelloss, get outta here, you’re not wanted here." Valgarv told him. "Ne, Valgarv-chan?" Xelloss asked, turning to him. Val gave him an evil glare. "Fuck you, bullshit." He cursed. "Arigato gozaimazu, Val-kun!" Xelloss said in a teasing manner.

Naga held up her hand and slapped Xelloss’ face.

"Oh my gosh…" Lina said.

"The people won’t see us having a commotion here, Xelloss has placed an invisible barrier around us and froze up the people outside." Dolphin told them, scanning the place. "Fibrizo, why can’t you kill him!?" Lina asked. "The clone of Xelas will tell on mom and mom might believe the clone!" Fibrizo reasoned.

Amelia screamed. "No!" she held on tight to Lina. Lina’s grip on Amelia tightened. Amelia let go and stood up, pointing a trembling finger at him. Xelloss gave him a sweet smile. And she spoke with trembling lips and a trembling voice. "You! Damn you! You dirtied me! Goddamn you! Son of a bitch!" she screamed angrily. Zel gritted his teeth and charged at Xelloss, strangling him. "Damn you!" Zel screamed. Shilfiell rushed to them and pushed Zelgadiss away from Xelloss. "Don’t you hurt him!" She screamed at Zel. Lina was shocked. "Shilfiell! What are you doing!?" she yelled angrily, walking towards her.

Xelloss smiled at Shilfiell.

"Shilfiell, are you nuts!?" Filia screamed. Lina slapped Shilfiell’s face and she fell to the ground. "Lina!"Gourry said in alarm. Xelloss frowned and grabbed Lina in his arms. "You look so beautiful today, Miss Inverse…" he whispered. Gourry pushed him away from Lina. "Don’t you touch her, you bastard!" he told him. Shilfiell stood up, blood coming out from her mouth. Must be Lina’s doing.

"Please stop!" Amelia screamed hysterically. Zelgadiss looked at her, then turned to Xelloss again. "Get out of her, you demon." He muttered. Xelloss grinned. He opened his eyes and glanced at all of them angrily. Then, Zel grabbed Shilfiell and strangled her. "Don’t you move or I’ll kill her." Zel told him. Xelloss wasn’t able to move. "You are not serious, Zel?" he asked.

"I am serious, mazoku!" Zel yelled. Xelloss, stubborn enough, took a step forward. Zel got his sword and stabbed Shilfiell’s heart. "No!!!" Xelloss screamed. "Zel, no!" Amelia cried.

All of them were not able to react. Xelloss screamed angrily at Zelgadiss. "You killed her! You killed her!" he screamed. He charged at Zelgadiss but Valgarv stopped him.

Amelia ran to Zelgadiss and embraced him. "Don’ you hurt my Zelgadiss!" she screamed at Xelloss…

***

Xelas bit her lip and began to cry. She clenched her fists. "Please…stop…" she begged helplessly. She pounded on the walls of the cell. "Please…" she sobbed. She knew no one could hear her but she didn’t care. "Who cared anyway?" she thought bitterly. She smiled at herself and looked at her bruised hands. "I was meant to be ignored…I was meant to suffer!…I am not meant to love… I don’t wanna love! I wanna die! DIE!" she began to laugh dryly as more tears streamed from her eyes. "I am damned! Damned to death!!!" she yelled, nearing insanity…

***

Yet Xelloss did not react further. "Remember this, Zelgadiss… and all of you!" he yelled, then pointing to Amelia. "She bears my child…and I’ll have my will be done through our child!" he swore.

"You’re not doing anything to my child, damn you!" Amelia yelled.

"Nah-uh, Amelia. It’s also my child." Xelloss reminded her sternly. He got Shilfiell’s dead body "Goodbye for now." He told them, then he disappeared.

Amelia began to cry again. "I didn’t pray for this to happen, why is this happening to me!?" she screamed. Zel embraced her. She didn’t know what to do. All she wanted was to cry.

***

After months of waiting, a daughter was born to Amelia. The child was beautiful: purple hair and blue eyes.

Amelia had a hard time delivering the baby, she was tired afterwards and fell asleep. That’s when Zel and Naga got the newborn child and decided to throw it away as soon as evening came.

But, Lina was there to stop them. "Hey" she said as the baby began to cry.

"Don’t try to stop us, Lina." Zelgadiss warned.

"You didn’t abort that girl, now you’re throwing her away?" Lina asked.

"This baby is cursed. I wouldn’t allow any mazoku in my family." Naga told her.

Amelia would hate this. Do you want her to loathe the 2 of you?" Lina asked. "Better than having a mazoku as a foster daughter!" Zel said.

"Zel, it’s just an innocent child! Raise her in your own ways and she’ll live with it! She would be the perfect daughter for you if you raise her the right way, lest you teach her bad things the way a mazoku taught its child, she would turn evil. It would all depend on the love you will give her and the things you teach her!" Lina answered.

"No." Naga replied. "Look, just give it a chance." Lina said. Zel sighed. Naga rolled her eyes. Zelgadiss turned away and walked away. "Where’s the maid? She’ll prepare the nursery." He said.

***

Zelgadiss named the baby, Maria Octavina. He thought it was an unpleasant name and appropriate for a mazoku. In the birth certificate, it was written as Maria Octavina Graywords, but in other private documents and in the family, they considered her as a Metallium, but careful that they won’t let her know.

Octavina was a very lovely girl at age 8, but she was noticing that her mother was the only one who is very loving to her, and her grandpa and so-called father and her aunt were cold towards her. But she didn’t mind consciously. Subconsciously, she is very disappointed and hurt. Sometimes, she awakens every morning, crying and feeling so tired, she doesn’t know. Why…

***

Xelloss had his eyes opened. No one has seen him for several years since after Shilfiell died. He had been spending all those years guarding her body which is rested in his bed. Her dead body, still whole and complete and not decaying.

It satisfied Xelloss, yet he wished that it were alive. So, he’s planning to bring it back to life. He stroked Shilfiell’s cheek, smiling as he did. "A little bit more, Shilfiell…" he whispered.

Shilfiell is wearing a black gown with red and purple gems embedded on the skirts. Her hands were at her sides, her wrists had a purple bracelet on each; and on her right ring finger was a black diamond ring.

He frowned as he held her hand. "We will have our revenge on them don’t you worry…" he thought bitterly.

***

Octavina was in the garden. The wind blew through her long, purple hair and she didn’t mind its coolness. The spring air didn’t make her shiver. She gazed down at the grass beneath her, then she looked at her clothes. "How come they don’t buy me new clothes and they wouldn’t even give me any good education…and they won’t buy me any new toys…" she thought sadly.

Worse is, they gave her a small room. The tutor they hired her is third rate and didn’t know many things. No one is teaching her magic and she is not allowed to play and roam around the kingdom. The truth is, she is like a prisoner in the palace, she doesn’t know what it is like outside the palace.

"I just know that they hate me…except my mom…but why? I didn’t do anything!?" she thought. Then, Zelgadiss came. "Hey, get inside." He told her.

Octavina stood up and nodded, obeying her "father". Zel watched her enter the palace again, with Octavina looking back at him with sad eyes. Something in her blue eyes made him feel some sympathy, yet he ignored it. He knows he hated that child since the time when it wasn’t born yet. Zel turned away.

***

Octavina was in her room, the door can be locked from outside and it’s always locked whenever she’s inside to keep her there. Her windows were also locked.

***

Years passed and she had a younger sister, whom her parents named Alliyah Tiffany Marie. When Tiffany was born, she was the center of attention, yet Amelia remained fair and equal to Octavina. But, the more Zelgadiss hated Octavina when Tiffany came. He suspended her education sometimes, not calling her for dinner, leaving her starving. Amelia was the only one taking care of Octavina. Octavina’s birthdays weren’t so grand unlike Tiffany. They only served her a small cake and just one gift…and it only came from her loving mother. Tiffany had more and received more and Zel didn’t want Octavina playing with her, so he kept Tiffany away from Octavina.

***

On her 17^th b-day, she only received a necklace from her mother. It was a pearl necklace and she loved it, so she wore it immediately. There wasn’t any party for her…there never was any party for her. It was just an ordinary day for others.

Octavina went to the garden and sat alone there with no one to talk to. She shuddered, wanting to cry, but she promise herself not to.

Then, to her surprise, she heard a voice from behind her. "All alone, Octavina?"

She spun around and saw a man. It was Xelloss.

"Who are you?" she asked.

Xelloss smiled. "Happy birthday." He told her. She smiled weakly. "Thank you, sir." She answered.

"Why are you unhappy?" he asked. "I don’t know…" Octavina answered, feeling the urge to cry. Xelloss frowned. "This is bad…she’s feeling some human emotions…" he thought. "I know your problem." He began. "I don’t care." Octavina answered, her voice trembling a little.

"You are wondering why no one loves you. They hate you, Octavina…" he told her. She looked down and closed her eyes. "I know…" she whispered and opened her eyes again. "The truth hurts, I know…"he answered. "…but you know what, Octavina, I know why they loathe you so much." He said.

"Why?" she asked. Xelloss grinned. "You are not a human. You a mazoku. The family you are with are enemies with a mazoku that is why they hate you." He explained. She turned to him, surprised. "Mazoku…but…" she stammered.

"Zelgadiss is not your real father." He answered.

Octavina looked away. "So what, I don’t care…" she answered.

"They hate you. They won’t be at peace till you die." He said.

She bit her lip and tears fell from her eyes. Did they hate her that much? "Die?" she asked.

Xelloss smiled. "Did you know that Zelgadiss and your Aunt Naga plotted to throw you away and kill you right after you were born?" he asked.

He eyed her. "If only Lina Inverse didn’t stop them, you would’ve been in the heavens now." He told her.

Octavina wiped her tears away and stood up. "Go away…" she said as she walked away. Xelloss smiled. "You won’t survive them, Octavina. Zel gave you that unpleasant-sounding name because he hates you. Your mother planned of naming you Cheryl Lynn but Zel won’t allow it. They hate you because your real father is a mazoku." He told her. She didn’t want to listen to him anymore. She ran inside. Xelloss smiled. "it won’t be long…" he said.

***

Octavina was crying helplessly in her room. "Is that the reason why they hate me!? Because I am very much different!?" she thought bitterly. But she knows she couldn’t do anything. They would just scream at her face. No…not all of them…except her mother. She looked up and then there was a pretty lady standing beside her, she had purple hair and blue eyes and was wearing a black gown. Octavina was startled. The mirror was by her side. It was just her reflection. She was afraid when she saw her reflection staring back at her, it had a wicked smile. Octavina couldn’t scream, she almost never screamed since childhood, for she knew that if she made any unpleasant noise, Zel would come and punish her. So, she just closed her eyes and looked away, hoping that it would disappear.

***

Xelloss was pleased with the scene. "Scaring my own daughter…hahahaha…" he laughed smugly.

Then, the clone appeared. "What are you doing, keeping a dead girl in your room?" she asked. "I don’t care about you anymore so get lost." Xelloss said. Xelas frowned. "How dare you disrespect me." she told him.

Xelloss ignored her. "She is mine and mine alone. She’ll stay here with me forever…and then I will get my daughter from those sick parents and make her live here with me and my Shilfiell, you understand?" he asked. "How would you bring that dead girl back to life?" she asked. Xelloss smiled. "Easy, as simple as ABC, I’m getting the life energy of Amelia and Zel’s daughter…" he answered. He eyed Shilfiell and frowned, and began the process.

***

Zelgadiss almost dropped his glass when Amelia screamed. He ran upstairs and going to Tiffany’s bedroom, he found Amelia crying by Tiffany’s bed. "What happened?" Zel asked.

"Zelgadiss, she’s dead! She’s dead!" Amelia answered. Zel was surprised. "How can she be dead?" he asked, holding Tiffany’s wrist and feeling her pulse. "Shit…" he muttered. "Who…how…" he said.

Then, Octavina entered a worried look on her face. "Mom, dad…what’s wrong?" she began.

Zelgadiss glared at her angrily and stood up, charging at her and slapping her face. "Zel no!" Amelia yelled.

Octavina held her face and she looked at Zel. "Dad…" she began.

"Don’t you call my dad! You are not my daughter! You demon-child!" he yelled at her face. Octavina opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. She wanted to cry but no more tears were coming out.

"You killed my daughter you bastard!" Zel blamed. Octavina couldn’t believe that Zel hated her that much. Now she was a bit enraged. "I didn’t do anything to Tiffany, believe me!" she said in a high tone. "Stop denying you demon! All these years you were a burden to me!" Zel yelled.

"Then why didn’t you just continued your plan of throwing my away or killing me when I was still a baby!?" she yelled.

Zel was surprised. "How did…" he stammered.

"A man told me all about it one day!" she answered. "Then I’ll kill you now!" Zel got his sword.

Amelia stood up. "Zel, no!" she cried, stopping him and pulling him back. Amelia ran to Octavina. "Don’t you dare touch her! Even if she is Xelloss’ daughter, I won’t allow you to kill or hurt her because she is also my daughter!" Amelia yelled angrily.

"Amelia, you know very well that that girl is a demon! Didn’t your sister ever tell you that Xelloss was the one who killed your mother!?" Zel asked.

Amelia was shocked to hear it. "She…never told me anything…" she said.

Zelgadiss frowned. "Now step aside and let me kill that demon." He told her. "No, I won’t let you!" Amelia answered angrily.

Zel had had it. He got Amelia’s hand and pulled her away. Octavina took a step back, fear in her eyes. Amelia was unable to move. "Octavina, run away! Run away!" Amelia screamed. Even thought confused, Octavina obeyed her mother and ran off. Zel glared angrily at Amelia, then he ran off to chase Octavina. "Come back here you demon-child!" he yelled.

Octavina rounded the hall and saw the stairs. She looked back, thinking that she had lost Zel, but she saw him still coming. She continued her way down the stairs, running as fast as she can. But she stumbled upon stepping on her skirt. She landed with a thud on the ground below and Zel just watched her. Then, when she wasn’t moving and struggling to get up, Zelgadiss walked calmly down to her. "Damn you…Guards!" he called.

Octavina was able to stand up again before he could reach her and ran off again.

The guards came as Zel went running after her again. "Get her! I’ll give a reward for the one who can get her!" he told them.

Octavina reached the gate and got out, then she went running down the streets of Saillune. She was too unfamiliar with the place because it was the first time she got out of the palace, so she just ran at her own risk.

The people were surprised to see her. She was tired but she kept running. "I must get outta here… he’ll kill me! He’ll kill me!" she thought in fear. She knew that the guards were already after her. She didn’t bother to look back but she could sense it. If only she had some powers, then she could fight back. She kept on running until she reached the forest. Then, very tired and weary, she collapsed on the grass and lost consciousness.

***

Xelloss watched as Shilfiell got up, staring blankly into empty space. He smiled victoriously and embraced her. "My Shilfiell…" he whispered. Shilfiell didn’t move. The clone of Xelas appeared and eyed them. "You are hugging a puppet." She told him.

Xelloss let go. "Get outta here. I don’t need a master." He told her. "You speak like that to me?" she demanded. "You are not the real Xelas, yet I am happy that you are here, clone. But since you possess my real master’s powers but you don’t know how to use it, I won’t kill you." He told her.

***

Graushaila and Dolphin finally arrived at the hiding place of Garv for Xelas Metallium. Garv wasn’t there but they made it inside anyway, searching for the prison cell where Xelas is. When they arrived at the cell, they saw a girl with blonde hair, her clothes tattered and dirty with blood stains all over. Her arms and legs were wounded and bruised. Her clothes had bloodstains all over and she was slumped on the floor, almost lifeless.

Graushaila used his power to unlock the cell door and they got in. Dolphin ran to Xelas and got her. He studied her face and held her wrist, feeling her pulse. It was very weak.

He almost cried. "Xelas…am I late?" he asked. Xelas opened her eyes but they only looked at one direction. She looked tired and hurt. Then, tears fell from her eyes. She did not speak. Graushaila approached them and stood by Dolphin. Dolphin embraced her. Graushaila frowned, thinking of killing Garv. "Let’s get her out of this place…" he told Dolphin. "She’ll stay in my place…I will take care of her." Dolphin told him. Then, Graushaila teleported themselves to the Sea of Darkness…

***

When Octavina had opened her eyes again, she found herself in a hotel room. She sat up and looked around, and she saw a redhead woman dressed in a formal attire. Octavina knew this woman was rich. The woman turned to her. "Glad you’re awake, young lady. You were in that dark forest. What happened to you?" she asked.

Octavina looked down. "The king of Saillune…is planning to kill me." she answered. "Zel wants to kill you…are you Octavina?" the woman asked.

Octavina nodded. The woman smiled at her and looked at her straight into the eye. "I’m your mom and dad’s friend. My name is Lina Gabriev." She answered.

"You were Lina Inverse?" Octavina asked. Lina chuckled. "You looked so hurt back there. Good thing my son Anthony and my husband Gourry found you there. They were hunting and that’s when they found you." Lina answered.

Octavina smiled. "Thank you so much…but you won’t tell my dad…I mean…Zelgadiss-sama that I am here?" she asked. "So you already found out…" Lina said, turning serious. Octavina looked down, looking sad all of a sudden. "I was really scared…and…" Octavina felt that certain fear again.

Lina approached her and held her hand. "Don’t you worry. I will protect you from Zelgadiss or anyone who would try to harm you…" she told her. Octavina began to tremble, just thinking about it. Lina embraced her. "Poor child…she is so afraid…stupid Zel…he’s wasting his time hating her. She isn’t bad after all…she is afraid and tired…" Lina thought with mixed emotions.

***

Xelloss watched from a distance. "So, my dear daughter is with Lina-chan…" he thought. He looked out far and smiled. "Zel should learn not to hurt a Metallium’s feelings…" he said softly, then he teleported.

***

Graushaila watched as Dolphin treated Xelas’ wounds. Fibrizo was also there and watched silently, swearing in his mind to make Garv pay for hurting Xelas. "Is she going to be okay?" Fibrizo asked. "I hope so…she is not reacting." Dolphin told him. Xelas was still the same, staring into empty space and not moving at all. Her eyes were filled with tears but they never fell. "Graushaila," Dolphin began. Graushaila turned to him and approached him. "You need help?" he asked. Dolphin nodded. Fibrizo looked away. "She looks so disappointed…I can’t stand her looking so much sad like that!" he said angrily. Graushaila frowned and looked at Xelas. "The poor girl…" he said. Dolphin closed his eyes. "I don’t want to lose her…" he thought.

Then, Xelas bit her lip and shuddered. They all turned to her upon making this reaction. Then, she pounded her fists on the bed. She began to cry but did not make any sound. "Xelas," Fibrizo said, approaching her and holding her hand. "Sis!" he said. Xelas didn’t seem to hear him. "Don’t worry, I’ll tell on mother about this! She will punish that Garv!" he told her. Xelas continued to cry. Dolphin stroked her hair and stared at her eyes. They were filled with hate and suffering.

***

Amelia entered their bedroom. "I can’t believe you, trying to kill Octavina!?" she yelled at Zel who’s seated on their bed. "She killed our daughter, she should die! Her evil as a mazoku is oozing out of her damned system!" Zel reasoned. "Zelgadiss, Tiffany died because of a life-sucking spell and not because of Octavina! Besides, how could she kill Tiffany?" Amelia asked. "Because she is evil!" Zel answered. Amelia’s face turned sad. "Her father may be Xelloss…but I still love her as my daughter and you did not show her any love! The poor child must be very disappointed with us. I was the only one who loved her." Amelia said. "Get a live, Amelia… Octavina is gonna be used by Xelloss. I chose not to teach her magic, swords and even continue her studies because she is not worthy of learning. Besides, she is Xelloss’ daughter." He told her. "Well for my sake you should’ve taught her something! She is also my daughter!" Amelia argued. "Well she should’ve been your responsibility!" he yelled. Amelia stomped her foot "How could I act if you didn’t even support me! You even tried to stop me from helping her with her lessons and her magic lessons!" she told him. Zel was silent and stood up. He walked out. Amelia began to cry. Then, Naga entered. "Amelia," she began. Amelia glared angrily at her sister. "Get outta here! Damn you!" she screamed. Naga was shocked. "Amelia…" she began. "OUT! I don’t wanna ever see all of your faces here again! All of you who hated my dear Octavina! You deserve to die more than her! You showed her injustice and it’s not right! She wasn’t doing anything to you, why do you hate her that much!? She didn’t deserve this! All of you should die instead of her!!! GET OUTTA HERE!" Amelia screamed angrily.

***

Zelgadiss was in the garden, thinking about things. But then, he was interrupted when Naga approached him. "Hey, Zelgadiss…" she began. He looked at her. Naga looked down. "She is mad…I think it was unjust hating Octavina just because she is Xelloss’ daughter…while she is not doing any harm to us." She said. Zel ignored her. "My sister is right… maybe we deserve to die more than Octavina. She was just an innocent girl…and Lina was right in the first place. If we taught her our own ways, then she would be different from a real mazoku." Naga continued.

"Oh, so you are planning to change my dear daughter’s ways, huh? Better not do it because she is mine alone to train to be like me."

The 2 spun around and there was Xelloss, smiling at them. "You!" Zelgadiss said. Xelloss glared at the 2. "So, Naga-chan, are you feeling guilty now? Hurting my dear daughter?" he asked. Xelloss waited for them to be off-guard for a while, then he made his move, quickly going to Zel and stabbing him. Naga was unable to move, watching Xelloss hurt Zelgadiss. "No!" she screamed. Zel pushed Xelloss away from him…

***

Octavina’s eyes grew wide in fear again and she got out of bed. She sensed something evil and she feared it so much. Lina came to her. "Octavina, are you alright?" she asked. Octavina ran out of the room. "Octavina!" Lina called, running after her. Gourry saw Lina running. "Hey, Lina! Where are you going!?" he called. "Gourry, let’s go after her!" Lina said.

Octavina was running down the streets, then finding her way to the forest again and found the trail leading to Saillune. "It isn’t too far from here…I should be there sooner…" she thought. Lina and Gourry followed her and ran as fast as they could. "She is too fast!" Lina said. "Too fast like Xelloss!" Gourry said.

***

…Zelgadiss struggled to get his sword and was able to hurt Xelloss with it. Xelloss got a bit away from Zelgadiss. "You…"Zelgadiss began. "Nice move, Zelgadiss-san…but will you be able to survive?" he asked. Then, Amelia came. "Zelgadiss!" she yelled. "Amelia, stay away! Xelloss might hurt you!" Naga warned. Amelia stopped in her tracks when she saw Xelloss. She began to feel that kind of fear again when she saw his face. Amelia took a step back. Xelloss smiled at her, ignoring his wound. "Amelia-san! Don’t try to move or scream or I’ll kill you beloved Zelgadiss with a snap of my fingers." He warned. Amelia just stood there in fear, careful not to move or scream as Xelloss had told her…

***

Xelas Metallium sat up on the bed and but her eyes were only staring straight ahead. "Xelloss…Xelloss…where are you?…Where are you? Don’t hurt her…Don’t…" she said in a hoarse voice. "Xelas," Dolphin held her. "What’s happening?" Fibrizo asked. "Don’t do anything stupid…" she continued. Fibrizo got her hand and squeezed it. "Sis…" he said.

Xelas began to cry again. "No…no…no…stop…no…Keep him away! Stay away!" she said. "Her mind’s been tortured…" Graushaila realized. "You mean she’s gone insane?" Fibrizo asked. "I don’t want to say it…but I think she is…" Graushaila said, looking away. "No!" Dolphin said.

Xelas squirmed away from Dolphin and Fibrizo and she ran off, teleporting. "How did she…" Graushaila said. He turned to look at Fibrizo. Fibrizo has bits of crushed marbles in his left hand. "I killed the clone…" he told them.

***

Xelloss approached Amelia. "Don’t move, Naga-Chan…or do you want to see your sister get hurt again by me?" he asked. Naga frowned. "Do anything to her and I’ll make sure you’re damned to the bones till you die." She said. "Ooh…I’m scared!" Xelloss said sarcastically. Amelia began to cry. She was so much afraid of Xelloss. Then, Zel fell on his knees, but he was able to throw his sword at Xelloss. It would have hit him if only Xelloss did not sense it easily and stopped it. Zel clenched his fists "Damn!" he said.

Xelloss got Zelgadiss’ sword. "Looks like your golem skin is not match for my powers." He said. "Xelloss, please don’t hurt him!" Amelia pleaded. "Shut up, Amelia dear." Xelloss answered. Then, he turned to Zel and slowly approached him. But before he could hit Zel with the sword’s blade, Octavina arrived and stood in between them and she was the one who got hit. She clenched her teeth and closed her eyes upon feeling the pain. Xelloss was shocked. Amelia, Zel and Naga were surprised. "Oc…Octavina…" Amelia said. Octavina fell onto Zelgadiss and he caught her. "What the…" Zel said. Octavina looked up at him and she smiled weakly. "Are you okay, daddy?…even if you are not my real father, I grew up to know you as my father… I am sorry if I was the reason why you were very disappointed…" she said. Zel looked at tear-stained blue eyes. Now he knew…those blue eyes were from Amelia. "O…Octavina…" he stammered. Xelloss let go of the sword, hardly believing that he had hurt his daughter. "No! Octavina, how could you!? I am your real father! How can you betray me!?" he screamed angrily. Lina and Gourry stopped in their tracks and stared in horror as Xelas Metallium appeared behind Xelloss with a dagger in her hands. They watched as she stabbed her minion 12 times to death, aiming at the heart. Graushaila, Dolphin and Fibrizo appeared afterwards, surprised at Xelas and at the scene. Octavina closed her eyes and lost consciousness. Zelgadiss held her still and moved away from Xelloss before he fell forward, dead. Zelgadiss had forgotten about his wound because of what happened. Then, he turned to the girl in his arms, bleeding hard and unconscious. "Oh my God…Octavina!" he said. He laid her down on the grass. Xelas fell on her knees and stared blankly at her dead minion’s body. Dolphin approached her and knelt down beside her, pulling her closer to him and embracing her. Fibrizo went to them and stared at Xelloss’ dead body. Graushaila just stood there, watching the events.

Then, Zel was surprised when he noticed Octavina’s blood. It was red. "You mean…she is human…" Naga said. Zel felt some panic rushing up his veins. "Quick, Amelia, give her a cure spell!" Zel called to Amelia. Amelia ran to them and began to cast a powerful cure spell upon her daughter. Lina approached them and helped Amelia with the spell. Zelgadiss held Octavina’s hand and squeezed it.

But it was no use curing her. She took her one last breath and she turned pale. Amelia began to tremble as she and Lina stopped casting the spell. "No…Octavina…" she said hoarsely. Amelia scooped up her dead daughter’s body, took it in her arms and embraced it, never caring about the blood staining her. "Octavina!!! Octavina!!!" she screamed in despair. Zelgadiss stared at Amelia and Octavina. He began to tremble, memories of him hating Octavina made him angry at himself. Reached out to Octavina and got her from Amelia and embraced her. "I’m sorry…I’m sorry…" he whispered. Naga closed her eyes and covered her face. Lina let her tears fall from her eyes as Gourry came to her to comfort her.

Zelgadiss was so much guilty. He let his tears fall. "I’m sorry, Octavina…I’m so sorry! I love you…Octavina…my daughter…" he whispered in between his faint sobs. Amelia looked down and cried more….

***

That night, Zelgadiss was already asleep. He began to dream. He was in the garden of Saillune. The sun was shining high in the skies. Then, he saw a little girl about the age of 8, with purple hair and blue eyes. It was Octavina. She was standing apart from him. Zelgadiss ran to her. She looked up at him and then he knelt down and embraced her. "Octavina…I am so sorry…" he told her sadly, crying again. Octavina was surprised at first, then she smiled and embraced her foster father. "Daddy…" she said. Zelgadiss felt happy upon hearing her call her daddy. He found it sweet now…and he loved the way it sounded. Then, they let go of each other. The little girl kissed him on the cheek. Then, she ran off. "Octavina! Don’t go!" Zelgadiss told her. Octavina stopped running and turned back. "Goodbye, daddy! I love you!" and she disappeared as a white light appeared before her and it engulfed her in.

***

On the date of Octavina’s burial, all were there. But the others have left right after the gravediggers began to bury her coffin underneath. Zelgadiss, Amelia, Lina, Gourry, Naga, Filionel, Filia, Martina, Valgarv and Zanglus were the only ones remaining there. They waited until the gravediggers have finished and put the grave stone on the soil. Filia got some flowers and placed it on the grave. The studied the gravestone. Lina, Gourry, Naga, Filionel, Filia, Martina, Valgarv and Zanglus expected the wrong writing on the gravestone. What was written was Maria Octavina Saillune Graywords…and not Metallium.

The End