>Gal'Kelor pushed the beaten Xelloss to his knees. Xelloss struggled to fight off the dizziness threatening to send him into unconsiousness. He hung his head, trying to gain some balance. Gal'Kelor stood behind him, holding Xelloss' arms against his back. Xelloss grunted as Gal'Kelor took a tuft of deep violet hair and pulled Xelloss' head up. When Xelloss opened his eyes, he saw a sight he hoped to never see again. He bared his teeth and growled. Gal'Kelor dug Xelloss' own arms into his back, sending another wave of dizziness through him. Xelloss moaned and closed his eyes.
>Zeras Metallium, the Beast Master, laughed. "You've gotten weak Xelloss, crying over a woman." Zeras laughed again, stepping down from her pedastal. She waved her hand through the air and Gal'Kelor released Xelloss. Xelloss fell forward, landing on his face, too weak to stop his fall. Zeras stood before him. "It must be so humiliating to be you right now. Look at all the others, laughing at you."
>Xelloss groaned into the ground, too weak to move, too old to care. He could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest. "Jaynis..." he thought, "I'm so sorry, my precious love." Tears formed in his eyes as Xelloss thought about his family. As he cried, the tears streamed out from under him. Zeras saw this and look down at him with a disgusted look.
>"Pathetic human!" she cried in contempt, kicking his limp form. Xelloss yelped as her foot made contact with his already tender ribs. He lay still for a moment after that, groaning in pain and breathing in the dirt settling around his face. Then, slowly, he moved his arms. Placing his palms on the ground, he lifted himself slightly and glared up at Zeras.
>"I am NOT human," he growled, baring his teeth again.
>Zeras grinned evilly. "You are mazoku then?"
>"No." Xelloss said plainly.
>Zeras' smile dimmed. She frowned down at him and said, "Then what ARE you?" She already suspected the answer.
>Xelloss stood slowly, wabbling a bit. He stood before Zeras, looking her in the eyes. "I am...one of the Fallen," he said weakly, yet with much pride.
>In that same moment, Zeras slapped him in the face. "Fool! The Fallen are a dead race! They wiped themselves out long ago! And you were sealed by the deities as punishment for your imputence!" At the last statement, Zeras held her hand out to him, palm down. "Now, show me the proper respect!"
>Xelloss grinned, took her hand and then spit at her feet. "Proper enough for you?" he said, almost chuckling.
>The Greater Beast's eyes turned red with rage. "You will grovel before me, Priest!" she screamed at him. Xelloss felt the unusually powerful Mono Volt rip through his body. The strong current paralized him and all he could do was scream. When the punishment was finished, Xelloss stumbled, but refused to bow. Zeras sneered, "Bow to me and swear your alligance, Priest."
>Xelloss glared at her and growled. "I will never serve you again," he said. "You'll have to kill me."
>Zeras stood tall and proud, smiling confidently. "Perhaps you DON'T care about your own worthless life," she said in a mocking tone, "but what about you're family?" Xelloss' eyes shot wide open and he stood up straight and still. Zeras laughed victoriously. "Yes, Xelloss, if you refuse to serve me, I will kill your family. Your beautiful children AND your charming female." Xelloss' body began to shake, either from fear or rage, or even both. Zeras grinned in amuzement, then continued, "However," she paused to glance at Xelloss, "if you agree to become my Priest and General once again, I will agree to keep them safe."
>"A...a contract...?" Xelloss whispered. Zeras nodded. "How can I be sure you'll keep your word?"
>"A mazoku never breaks a contract, let alone a mazoku lord." Zeras answered, "If you agree to this contract, your family will be safe."
>"These are the terms," Xelloss said, standing straight and confident, "I will be your general and priest, just as before, as if nothing had changed. In return, you promise that my family is safe from you and all of your minions."
>Zeras blinked in surprise. That he should make demands of her was perposterous! Still, she let it slid and nodded. " I think that you will be wanting this," she said. She waved her hand and Gal'Kelor brought Xelloss his staff. Xelloss took it in one hand, his wounds already healed. Zeras smiled evilly and said, "Welcome home, Mazoku Priest."
................................
>Zelgadiss stood at the back door, looking over the damage done by the battle. His gaze soon drifted down the hill as he looked toward the dark forest. Even from here, the forest looked forbodding and hostile. He wondered if Xelloss' children could have survived the three days past. He glanced to his right and saw that Jaynis was also looking toward the forest. He wondered if she was thinking the same thing, but tactfully did not ask.
>He looked at Jaynis for many long, silent moments, looking her over very carefully. He found himself wondering how a woman like her ended up with Xelloss. She was so...unlike him. Zelgadiss soon realized that he was staring, and for much to long. He quickly turned his gaze back to the forest.
>"So," he said to break the silence, "they're somewhere in there huh?" Jaynis only nodded. Zelgadiss took a deep breath, held it in for a few seconds, then let it all out at once. "Doesn't look so bad." Jaynis looked at him, saddeness weighing in her eyes.
>"Please, you must find them." She pleaded. Zelgadiss smiled at her warmly and nodded. She forced a smile, somewhat releaved by his agreement.
>Zelgadiss turned to her, placing his hands on her shoulers. "Don't worry Jaynis, I'll find them, and we'll be back before you know it." Jaynis' smile grew. Zelgadiss stayed a few moments, just looking at her, then he turned and ran off toward the forest. Jaynis watched him go, a look of odd puzzlement on her face. Then she went back into the house. A tall man with long silver hair watched from a nearby tree branch as she closed the door, then looked toward the forest where Zelgadiss disappeared.
End Part II...
On to part three...
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