Lina:(voice over) Last time, we met Zel's...err Zaine's sister. She was running away from Dilgear, who is still working for Rezo. Why is Rezo keeping Zel and Aurilia apart? Well, anyway, things are bound to get interesting since Amelia was trying to kill her, and well, Zel...Zaine just doesn't seem to care.
The next morning Lina arrives in the downstairs tavern to find Aurilia completely absorbed in a mug of coffee, with a half-eaten plate of food.
Lina:(thinking) Hmmmm, how odd, it seems as though she was crying. Well one thing's for sure, her and Zel definitely have the same appetite.
Lina sits down across from Aurilia. Then the waitress makes the mistake of coming to take Lina's order.
Waitress: What can I get for you , Miss?
Lina:(looking at the menu) I'll have everything from here to here.
She hands the menu back to the face-faulted waitress, then turns to face Aurilia.
Lina: So how are you feeling?
Aurilia: A lot better. I'm still getting my magic back, though.
Lina: You mean that wasn't all your power?!
Aurilia: Yes. I was running for so long that I sort of wore myself out. That's what Dilgear was waiting for and why he kept sending the trolls after me.
Lina: Oh! Why can't these villains come up with something more original!? That's exactly what he was trying for when he faced me.
Aurilia: Well, it does work. It was going to work again but, thankfully I ran in to you.
Lina: How long were you on the run for?
Aurilia: About 3 weeks, this time. This has been my longest time out so far.
Lina does some quick calculations and decides that she is at most as powerful as Zel, and at least as powerful as herself.
Lina: Wow! That's...That's impressive!
Aurilia: Thanks. I'll never be as good as my grandfather, though.
Lina: I don't think anyone can be that powerful.
By now Gourry has been awaken by the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen and has come downstairs with only one thing on his rather small mind: FOOD!!
Lina: Morning, Gourry!
Gourry: Oh! Hi, Lina, Auryn.
Aurilia: My name is Aurilia.
Gourry: Oh, sorry, Alura.
Aurilia: That's...
Lina: Give it up, Aurilia. That jellyfish brain will never get it right.
Aurilia: Gourry, just call me Aura.
Gourry: Ok, Aura.
The waitress returns with a part of Lina's order and much to her dismay finds another person at the table.
Waitress: Sir?
Gourry: I'll have this, this, this, and oh yeah, this...
The waitress looks relieved at the small order, until Gourry finishes his sentence.
Gourry: ...Quadruple portions! You know, Lina, I'm really hungry today.
Lina: You're always really hungry.
Gourry: I guess meeting a pretty girl works up my appe...(sees Lina glaring at him and powering up for a fireball) or maybe it was running after the fake chicken.
Gourry breathes a sigh of relief as Lina turns her attention from his stupid remark back to the young woman searching for her brother.
Lina:(thinking) She is so strange. Yesterday she was so confidant during her fight with Dilgear, but now she's so quiet and sad. She reminds me of her brother. In a way they are a lot alike, they're both searching for something that could be or is, right in front of them. I can't believe how stubborn Zel is being. I know she will accept him for who he is, if he'd give her a chance. Maybe I can convince him.
Zel and Amelia finally emerge from their rooms and join the rest of the group at the table.
Lina: Zaine, Amelia, morning!
Zel sits across from Aurilia and tries not to look directly at her.
Zel: Lina, Gourry, Aurilia.(nods at each of them)
Aurilia: Good morning, Zaine.
Amelia: Good morning, Miss Lina, Mr. Gourry.
She glares at Aurilia but she turns her head, avoiding Amelia's piercing stares. As Aurilia and Zel drink their coffe and Lina, Gourry, and Amelia stuff themselves silly, the door to the tavern swings open, revealing a man in a dark robe. He walks over to the group.
Man: I am Darlan. I have come to offer a deal to you, Lina Inverse.
Lina: (thinking) Hmmmm. He gives me the willies. (outloud) Well, why don't you tell me all about this "deal"?
Darlan: Very well. Hand over the girl now and I will leave in peace.
At that Lina, Gourry, Aurilia, and Amelia stand up.
Lina, Gourry, Amelia: No Way!
Aurilia: I'll go. Just don't hurt them.
Darlan smiles.
Darlan: I knew you were a smart girl.
Lina: NO! You're not going with him!
Aurilia: Lina, I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. I'll just escape again. You don't have to worry about me.
Gourry: And they call me dumb. We're not going to let you go without a fight. We're not going to be the ones who get hurt.
Darlan: I will take her back to Lord Rezo!
Gourry moves in between the advancing sorcerer and Aurilia, placing his hand on his sword.
Gourry: You'll have to go through me , first.
Darlan: So be it. I will retreat for now, but , I will bring her back to her Grandfather.
He leaves and Gourry turns toward Aurilia.
Gourry: You, okay.
Aurilia: Yes, thank you, Gourry.
She looks up at him with a new emotion in her eyes: hope. Then sadness clouds her eyes once more.
Aurilia: You shouldn't have done that. You all are now his enemies and Darlan will stoop to levels yet unknown to mankind to get me back.
Gourry: Well, then we'll just have to be ready for him. We will help you find your brother, Aura.
Zel: Aura!?
Aurilia: Yeah, it was a childhood nickname Eris used to call me. It's easier for Gourry to remember.
Lina: You really miss her don't you?
Aurilia: Yes, she was like a mother to me. I know she's done some bad things but it's hard to think of her as the woman you described.
Zel: (harshly) Anyway, where are we headed, Lina?
Lina: Sairaag.
Zel: Why Sairaag?
Lina: We are going to see Slyphiel. She can use her abilities to help Aurilia. (thinking) I'm giving you time to tell her. (outloud) You guys coming?
Gourry: I'm ready, Lina.
Amelia: Yes. (she glares at Aurilia but she pretends not to notice)
Zel: Might as well. (thinking) Maybe she'll get tired and go home.
Lina: Well then let's be on our way.
Lina: (voice over) So our heroes begin a new journey and a new mission. But what traps await them remain to be seen. And when is Zelgadis going to tell Aurilia the truth?
Lina: AAAAAGGHHH! I'm getting sick of TREES! I'm tired, hungry, and I need to take a bath!
Amelia: Well, Miss Lina, we can make camp over by that spring. I'm sure we could reach the next town by noon tomorrow.
Aurilia: That's a good idea, Amelia. We're all tired and hungry. We could even catch some fish for dinner.
Amelia looks over at Aurilia, shocked that she would give her a compliment. Considering that not more than a day ago she was trying to kill Aurilia.
Amelia: (thinking) Maybe she's not as bad as I thought.
Lina: So it's agreed, we'll stay here for tonight and move on tomorrow.
The group swiftly sets up camp. And Lina does her amazing "Here, fishy, fishy, fishy." spell and soon catches enough fish to feed a medium-sized army. Which is just enough to feed everyone.
Aurilia: If you don't mind I'll take the first watch.
Lina: Sure, that's fine. Just be sure to wake someone up if you start falling asleep.
Aurilia: No problem.
A few hours later Zel...Zaine is awaken by his usual nightmare and hears crying. He follows the sound to its source and sees Aurilia.
Aurilia: (senses someone and proceeds to wipe her eyes and regain her composure) Za...Zaine, did I wake you?
Zel: No. Are you okay?
Aurilia: Yes...No, I'm scared.
Zel: Why are you scared?
Aurilia: For my brother.
Zel: I don't understand.
Aurilia: So many things can go wrong. Is he alive, was he taken care of, was he hurt, will he like me? (sobs) Wha...What if he blames me for our parents' death, or does he think I abandoned him?
Aurilia has worked herself up into crying, again. Zel sits down beside her and puts his arm around her.
Zel: (soothingly) Shhhhhhh. It's alright. I'm sure he's fine. (thinks) Look at what I've become. I'm lying to my own sister, the only family I have left in this world and the last person I would ever want to hurt. (outloud) I don't think he'll blame you for anything. He'll probably blame himself. (thinks) At least that's true.
Aurilia: I just wish I could find him.
Zel: (sadly) I'm sure you will. (thinks) I should tell her, but I know she won't accept me. I'm sorry, Aurilia, but I must keep my secret a little while longer. At least until I get my cure. then we can be together, Sister. (outloud) Look, it's late why don't you go to bed and get some sleep. I'll stand watch.
Aurilia: Thank you, Zaine. It's strange but I feel a little better now, maybe we could talk some more later. (yawns)
Zel: Sure, no problem. See you tomorrow.
Aurilia: Good night, Zaine.
She goes to her bedroll, lays down, and falls asleep. Zel watches her for a while.
Zel: I made the right decision. Then why do I feel like such a jerk?
Lina: That's because you are one.
Zel whirls around and sees Lina leaning against a tree.
Zel: How long have you been there?
Lina: Long enough. I can't believe how heartless you are. There she was crying and pouring her heart out to you, and you still said nothing.
Zel: (angry) Don't you think this is hard on me, too? I want to tell her.
Lina: Then why don't you?
Zel: I know what she'll do.
Lina: And just what is that?
Zel: She disown me.
Lina: (angrily) I think you're wrong. I don't think she's like that. I think that you're scared that she'll see past what you look like and love you anyway.
Zel: (furious) We are through here, Lina. Either go to bed or take watch, but leave me alone. I'll do as I please.
Lina: I know you will, but when you're ready to tell her will you have a sister?
At that Lina goes to her bed and falls asleep, leaving Zel to contemplate his decision.
Gourry: Everyone wake up, NOW!!!! We're under attack!
At that about thirty beserkers break into the clearing. Gourry holds them off while the group gathers for a counter-attack.
Zel: Lina! Aurilia! Keep it small! Conserve your energy!
Lina & Aurilia: Right!
Lina: Deliver oh wind, at my command, the power of Lightning into my hand...Digger Volt!
Lina's Digger Volt tears through the enemy ranks, forcing them to spread out. That was their mistake as Zel and Gourry rip into them with their swords.
Aurilia: Source of all Power, light which burns beyond crimson, let thy power gather in my hand! Fireball!
That spell really does thin out the ranks. Zel turns toward Aurilia.
Zel: I told you to keep it small!
Aurilia: DUCK, ZEL!!! Flare Arrow!!
Zel ducks just as the Flare Arrow passes over his head, spearing the beserker who was just about to behead him.
Zel: You could have hit me!
Aurilia: (running forward pulling her sword and attacking the remaining beserkers) Complain later!
The group easily vanquishes the remainder of the beserkers.
Gourry: Hey, Lina!
Lina: What, Gourry?!
Gourry: I don't know, maybe it's just me but wasn't there five of us last night?
Lina: Huh?
Zel: For once the numbskull is right. Amelia is missing.
Lina: Oh no! When did she leave? Who saw her last?
Zel: I did, when I woke her up so she could take watch.
Lina: (pointing at Gourry) Then how...never mind I don't want to know.
Aurilia: The important question is how do we get her back.
Lina: How about who took her?
Aurilia: One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that...
Gourry: Darlan kidnapped her!
Lina, Zel, and Aurilia: How did you figure that out?!
Gourry: Well, I found this note on her pillow and that's what it said.
Lina, Zel, and Aurilia all face-fault.
Lina: out of the mouths of idiots.
Gourry: Wow! You guys must be really dumb. None of you even thought of...
<Pummel>
Gourry: OWWWWW!
Lina: Now give me that letter!
The Letter:
I have the Princess, turn over Aurilia Greywers to me and Amelia will be returned unharmed.
Darlan
Lina: That jerk! I can't believe he would sink that low!
Aurilia: I can.
Zel: Don't worry. In three days Darlan will be begging us to take her back.
Lina: How can you be so cruel, Zaine?
Gourry: Ummmmm, Lina, can I ask a question?
Lina: Sure, go ahead.
Gourry: Who's Darlan?
Lina: Why you...you JELLYFISH BRAIN!
<pummel> (need I say more)
Lina: Darlan's the guy who's trying to take Aurilia back to Rezo!
Gourry: Ohhhhh. So...Rezo...Who is he?
Lina: AAAAHHHHHHH!
Zel: (softly) Lina, get out of my way.
Lina: Huh?
Zel: I'm going to kill him!
Lina and Aurilia wrestle the furious chimera to the ground and proceed to sit on him until he calms down.
Zel: Get off of me!
Lina & Aurilia: Not until you calm down.
Zel: (taking a few deep breaths) Get off. I'm okay now. Really.
Aurilia: Okay, we're getting off now.
They get off very slowly.
Zel: (sitting up) Okay.
Gourry: (oblivious to his immediate peril) You never answered my question. Who's Rezo?
Lina beats Zelgadis to, well, a beating. She grabs Gourry by the collar and begins shaking him in time to her words.
Lina: Rezo's that nutty red priest who resurrected both Shabranigdo and Zanaffar! He tried to kill us on more than one occasion and he turned Zaine into a chimera! Yes, we killed him both times and no, I don't know how he's alive again! Got it!
Gourry: But wasn't Zel...
Gourry is silenced by Zelgadis' fist being forcefully placed in his mouth.
Gourry: (whimpered) Owwww.
Aurilia: Now that that's over, what are we going to do?
Lina: Well, one thing's for sure, we're not handing you over.
Gourry: Agreed.
Lina: How about we ambush them?
Zel: Amelia may get hurt.
Lina: Well...let's just try to track them down, then see what happens.
They walk all day.
Lina: Let's make camp here. We should catch up to Darlan tomorrow.
Gourry: Why are we looking for Darlan anyway?
Lina freezes, turns around, and looks at Gourry. Then she begins beating Gourry in time to her words. Zel pulls his sister away from the carnage.
Lina: Because he kidnapped Amelia! What part of that didn't you understand!?
Gourry: Ohhhh! So that's why Amelia's missing!
Lina: Why you...(suddenly sounding tired)Never mind. I need some sleep.
Aurilia: Look you guys get some sleep. I'm not tired so I'll keep watch.
Lina: Sounds good to me.
A few hours later...
Aurilia: (thinking) Good, they're finally asleep. I'm sorry, Lina, but I can't let Amelia pay the price for my search. I'll get away again and start my search once more. I'm going to find my brother, even if it takes the rest of my life. I won't break anymore promises, Mother.