Part Four Isn't Sirus A-maze-ing?

Gourry yawned and stretched as they walked down the road, always keeping his hand near his sword. Earlier that day, while he was fighting Lina for breakfast, Xellos was talking about someone called Rezo who was back. Gourry didn't know what they were talking about, so he didn't listen. The only important part he paid attention to (aside from those deliciously sugary cinnamon buns) was the fact that Kotowa didn't have any Mazoku allies, only Lesser Demons. That made his job easier. The next time Kotowa showed up, all he had to do was slice him and then they were done.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. Drawing his sword, the others followed suit. They stood in a circle, waiting for Kotowa to show up. Something didn't feel right. Gourry looked up to see Kotowa there, and with a bright ball of light in his hands.

"Try solving this puzzle, trickster priest!" he said, throwing the ball to them.

Rubbing the spots from his eyes, Gourry looked around to see he was surrounded by stone. They were in some sort of passage way. But the last I saw, we were on a road. His pondering of their predicament was interrupted.

"Amelia! Fillia! Lina!" Zel shouted. Looking around, Gourry saw that the ladies were missing. He had failed Lina as her bodyguard. Kotowa would pay for this disgrace. As the echoes of Zel's call faded away, he looked around, fingering the walls.

"This way," said Zelgadiss with confidence.

"And how can you be so sure?" Xellos asked.

Pointing to his nose, Zel said, "Because Rezo built me to find things for him. If I can find things for him, then I can find things for myself." He started to lead them through the passageways, which felt like a maze. Gourry got a mental image of him, as a rat, following cheese in a maze with people in white coats watching him.

"So is there any food at the end of this maze?" he asked. Zelgadiss landed on the ground and Xellos sweatdropped.

"No, Gourry," Xellos replied. "There isn't."

"Oh. So, uh, Xellos?" he continued.

"Yes?"

"Why don't you just teleport us away?"

"Because there is an enchantment barrier in this maze. Though we can use magic, the enchantments on my staff won't work."

"But you're a Mazoku. Why do you need your staff to teleport?" Zelgadiss and Xellos sweatdropped. Very large sweatdrops.

"Because I've been turned into a human."

"Oh. Then does this mean you'll have a better chance with Fillia?" Xellos crashed to the floor while Zel led them down another corridor.

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Just that Fillia never liked you as a Mazoku, so if you're not a Mazoku now, you can get along better with her, right?"

"…."

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Let's change topic, shall we?" Zelgadiss turned down another corridor. The walls were starting to look funny.

"So, Gourry, how have things been with Lina since last we met."

"The usual."

"Really? And what exactly is the usual?"

"Her pounding me for taking some food she wasn't eating, her pounding me for helping her with bandits, her pounding me for carrying her when she gets hurt, her pounding me for falling asleep when she's talking to me, her pounding me for falling asleep and landing in her lap, her pounding me for any comments on her bust, her pounding…"

"We get the idea," Xellos interrupted. Xellos' voice grew sly. "So, do you end up in her lap often?"

"Not if I know what's good for me."

"But do you like it there?"

"Nope. I'll get pounded if I do that." Xellos seemed unhappy with all the answers that Gourry was giving.

"So, do you," he started to say, but Zelgadiss cut him off.

"What's wrong, Zeldiasag?"

"Quiet," Zel replied harshly. "I thought I heard something." All three of them went silent. Gourry strained his ears, but heard nothing.

"Lina!!" Zel called.

"FIREBALL!!!" We all know who that was.

"Lina-san," Fillia said slowly through gritting teeth. "Don't. Do. That." Lina ignored her however as she cast yet another fireball. Fillia dodged it but Amelia wasn't so lucky.

"Lina-saaaaaaaan," Amelia whined. "That hurrrrt! Stop doing that!"

"Okay then," Lina said, grinning evilly. "Why don't YOU try to do something!" Lina grabbed said princess and threw her to the wall. The wall absorbed the impact, much like rubber would, and bounced Amelia back. Of course, the opposite wall did the same thing and soon the justice-loving princess was the latest craze since Wimbledon.

"Li-na-san-I-don't-like-this-it's-dis-com-for-ting-help-me-stop-bou-nceing!"

Lina once again grinned evilly. "You really want out?"

"Yes-Li-na-san!"

"Really really REALLY want out?"

"YES!!!"

"Okay then. Dill Brando!"

"Oh-no."

After the ash settled and Amelia stopped twitching, the princess jumped up and grabbed Lina by the neck and started shaking.

"WHY DO YOU KEEP HURTING ME LINA-SAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Lina just drove her fist into Amelia's head. "IT'S BECAUSE I'M ROYALLY PISSED AMELIA!!!!!!!!"

"WILL BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!!" That was Fillia. "I thought I heard something."

The two girls quieted down and listened.

"Lina!" The voice was faint, they almost didn't hear it. The three held their breath and listened again.

"Lina!" The voice was a little louder and this time more recognizable.

Lina smiled. "Oh yes! HEY ZEL!" she called. "Where the hell've you been!"

Once all were happily reunited again, (to some people's discomfort. It took forever to pry Amelia off of Zelgadiss arm), Zelgadiss started to guide them through the maze.

"Zelgadiss-san," Amelia asked. "How do you know your way out of here, have you been here before?"

"No, I haven't," he said shortly. "I can smell the difference between stale and fresh air. I'm following fresh air, and I can feel very slight wind currents. It's not that hard to know where you're going when you know what you're looking for, now be quiet! I need to concentrate. This far from the opening, it's not that easy to detect these minute changes. They followed Zelgadiss in silence. They winded through the twisting passages until Lina felt completely lost.

Zelgadiss stopped and took a deep breath. "Ah, fresh air."

"Now now, it's no good if you get out of here that easily!" Kotowa's voice echoed through the halls. "It looks like I need to fix that a little bit. With a bright flash of light, Lina found that she and everyone else were somewhere else in the maze. "Welcome to the middle of the maze. I hope you have fun getting out. Without a guide, that is."

"Fireball!" Lina hurled it at a nearby stone wall. It was destroyed easily. "Now what the hell are we supposed to do!" She turned to Zel who was looking right at her.

"Can you still find your way out this deep in the maze?" she asked.

"What?"

"Can you get us out of here?" she repeated.

"I can't hear you," Zel responded.

"I SAID GET US OUT OF HERE!!!" she screamed.

"Lina, I don't think I can hear anything anymore," Zel replied. "What I told you about before, on how I found our way out, I can't do it. I can't smell or hear anything, and this deep in the maze, I can't feel any breezes."

"DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!!!" Lina got ready. "Darkness beyond twilight, Crimson beyond blood that flows," she started. Her five companions went chibi. Despite the one stone wall that Lina had decimated earlier, they were surrounded by rubber that bounced back any spell tossed at it.

Five chibis attacked Lina. Chibi Fillia and Chibi Amelia grabbed Lina's legs to throw her off balance. Chibi Gourry and Chibi Xellos grabbed on to her harms to stop her hand movements. Chibi Zel grabbed Lina's cape, somehow understanding what spell Lina was about to cast. Lina continued to chant the spell, ignoring the five chibis that were on her.

"May the fools who stand before me be destroyed by the power you and I possess. DRAGON," Chibi Zel gave one final tug on Lina's cape, pointing her up to the ceiling. "SLAVE!!" With the Dragu Slave harmlessly blasting the stone ceiling, all five chibis breathed a collective sigh of relief and then went back to normal.

"Why the hell did you all try to stop me!" Lina shouted. She ignored their vague responses and casted Levitation, going up and out into the pale blue sky. Once outside, Zel got back his senses.

"Come on. We'd better get out of here before Kotowa realizes what just happened," Fillia said. The flew off.

He walked up the road until he crested a hill. Looking down, he saw a town of modest size. Praying the girl he sought was in there, he started down the hill. He reached the edge of the town and it happened again. Women came to him in droves and men pulled out axes and swords and anything else good for pain. Sighing, he continued till he came to an inn.

[These are the authors speaking. This entire paragraph is devoted to His description. You'll see his importance later on, but right now is a tribute to Yoroiden Samurai Trooper/Ronin Warrior fans. ^_~ Imagine, if you will, Seiji/Sage's handsome ice blue eyes given to Shin/Cye's adorably cute face, with Ryo's beautiful jet black hair (adding some blond bangs and making it a bit longer). What? you ask. No Touma/Rowan or Shu/Kento? Never fear, for he is dressed in Touma blue and Shu orange with a dash of white for safety. For those of you who have absolutely no clue what we're talking about, see the provided pic.]

Walking into the inn, he went to the bar in back. The innkeeper reached for something under the bar, but he raised his hands, looking harmless.

"Excuse me, sir," he said amicably. "I'm looking for a young lady." The inn was suddenly drowned in sound as all the girls and waitresses dived for him. Being fast on his feet, he managed to jump onto the bar, avoiding being crushed.

"I'm the girl you're looking for!" came from five different directions.

"Is your name Lina Inverse, by any chance?" The faces seemed to fall.

"I'm Lina Inverse! Who wants to know?" came a voice over the den. Looking up, he saw a petite young lady with red hair and eyes. She was on her table, her companions looking embarrassed.

"A pleasure to meet you," he said, bowing. "I am Sirus. Sirus DeFlag." He hopped off of the bar and strolled over to her, ignoring the girls clawing at him saying that they were Lina. Sirus just politely pushed them aside, already knowing the description of Lina. When he finally got to the table, the three girls who were there were starry eyed at him and the men where tense, as he expected.

"How do you do," Sirus said cordially. "I apologize Inverse-san, but I must speak with you in private."

"Oh, never mind that for now," Lina said cheerily. "These are my friends." She went to a hooded figure and walked her way around the table, introducing everyone. "This is Zelgadiss, next to him is Amelia, and to her side is Xellos, who is beside Fillia, who is seated by Gourry."

"It is an honor to meet you all," Sirus said bowing. "But Inverse-san, I must speak to you in private."

"Why?" said Gourry bluntly.

"I was instructed years ago by my family to give you something in return for something," Sirus stated.

"And what might you be taking," Xellos said slyly. "Her virginity?" Fillia flattened him.

"Virginity?" Sirus asked. "What's that?" Several faces hit the table.

"Good gods," Fillia said, "he's dumber than Gourry."

"I am sorry, but you are mistaken," Sirus responded. "I graduated top in my class at the University of Sailoon." Jaws hit the floor.

"I'm sorry," Lina said. "But did you say the University of Sailoon? The most prestigious university in the known world? The one that almost nobody but geniuses with sterling records can get into?"

"The same."

"You can not be that smart." Sirus studied this Zelgadiss, mainly out of curiosity for why someone would were a hood and mask indoors. Sirus gasped when he saw what Zelgadiss was.

"Unbelievable!" he exclaimed. "A golem/Mazoku/human mixture! But so intricate." Sirus pulled off Zelgadiss' hood and mask, staring at the pebbles on his face and the long ears. From somewhere, he produce an magnifying glass. "Such craftsmanship. You'd need a progression tank and several extremely rare ingredients. You can't just make a Mazoku from scratch." He looked into Zelgadiss' eyes. "Or maybe you could with some sort of animal base with a troll mixture…" Zelgadiss pushed him away, putting his hood and mask back.

"You proven you point. You're smart but 100% innocent. Now back off!"

"Incredible! The chimera seems to have an Artificial Intelligence!"

"So what do you have to give me?" Lina interrupted with greedy eyes.

"As I said, I must speak to you in private about that."

"Fine, let's go to my room."

"What?" the men shouted as Lina dragged Sirus upstairs. Once in Lina's room, she sat on her bed and waited. Sirus looked around the room, noting that other than provided furniture, she didn't seem to have anything to be unpacked. The room was pretty bare. A hand grabbed him and whirled him around.

"HEY!!" Lina yelled. "WHY THE HELL DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS IN PRIVATE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE ME!??!"

"Forgive me," Sirus said bowing.

"Done," Lina replied, going starry eyed over him again.

"I have an ancient book for you. However, before I can give it to you, you are supposed to lift a curse from me."

"What curse? I don't see any curse."

"Precisely. It was designed so that even the most accomplished diviners can not see it and assume me either crazy or some pathological liar."

Lina sat back down and looked pensive. "I can see how that would be a problem, but other than that, it can't be that bad a curse, is it?"

"Well," Sirus took a chair by the door. "The problem is that every woman or girl who sees me falls head over heels in love…"

"And that's a problem how?" Lina appeared to be controlling her starry eyes a bit better now that she understood it was part of his curse.

"It is a serious problem," Sirus explained. "If I find someone I love, then how do I know they love me back? Besides that's only half the curse."

"Only half??"

"Yes, the other half is that any man who sees me wants to kill me."

"Ouch."

"Imagine how that's compiled further by a man's wife who gets a sudden interest in me."

"Double ouch. I understand. Now can I have the book now?" Sirus sweatdropped.

"Get rid of the curse and the book is yours."

"Now now now," Lina said. "I can't just lift a curse. I'm going to need compensation for time and services rendered."

"Done, by giving you the book."

"And what good is a book? I've read just about every single one out there."

"I assure you," Sirus said leaning back. "You haven't read this one. There is only one copy and its been in my family for centuries."

"Interesting. How do I know it's not just a fairy tale book."

"Because why would I go through so much trouble to give it to you?"

"I hate it when people make sense." Lina took a long look at Sirus. He started to feel nervous as the minutes ticked by. Dear gods, please let her be able to help me. More minutes crawled by when Lina finally sat back.

"I can't help you."

"I understand," Sirus replied quietly. He got up to go.

"But I know someone who can," Lina finished. Sirus took his turn to go starry eyed.

"Really??" He fell to his knees. "You're not just making this up? You really can help me??" Sirus wrapped his arms around her waist and cried. "THANK YOU THANK YOU!! ARIGATO ARIGATO!!" Sirus, being innocent and not knowing how Lina felt about hands on her was rather surprised to find himself suddenly going through her door and into the wall across the hall. Ignoring what happened, however, he was soon on his knees again. "Please Inverse-san, help me!"

"I oughta Fireball you!" Lina yelled. "And don't call me Inverse-san! Just Lina will do. The only person you call Inverse-san is my sister, and you'll never meet her, got it?"

Sirus bowed. "Thank you Lina. Domo arigato."

"Whatever. Just come with me." Lina dragged Sirus downstairs. Back down in the dinner area, the girls started to hover around him again. Thankfully, Lina did have a reputation, so they didn't get too close. Once back at the table, Lina explained the situation.

"So I can't do anything if I can't see the damn spell. I could end up making it worse," Lina concluded. The men at the table seemed to relax as they understood why they were so angry. "Xellos, Fillia, what about you two?"

"Sorry," Xellos said. "But in my present condition, there isn't much I can do."

Fillia stared at him. "I can't see the spell either. It's almost like I can see it, but my mind goes into a hazy when I try."

"Amelia? You specialize in white magic." Sirus wanted to comment on that, but kept it to himself.

"I'm in the same boat as Fillia-san. Maybe if we go to Daddy, he can do something."

"No can do, Amelia," Zelgadiss said. "If I get off track, I may not be able to pick up his scent again. And right now, we're going the opposite direction of Sailoon."

"You live in Sailoon?" Sirus asked.

"Yes," Amelia replied. "I am Amelia Wil Tesa Sailoon…" Sirus interrupted her.

"The princess??" She nodded. Sirus bowed, taking her hand. "Your highness, I am honored to be graced by you company. I shall strive to be worthy of your companionship." Amelia blushed. Brightly as Sirus kissed her hand.

"Anyway," Lina shouted. "I didn't want to do this, but Zel?"

"I don't know white magic."

"But he does."

"No. No way. No how. I refuse to let him in control again."

"Do you want to kill a potential ally just because of some curse that's making you do it?"

"No, I want to kill him because he may be a spy for Kotowa."

"Please Zelgadiss-san," Amelia said, her eyes filling with tears. "Follow your pure heart and help those in need so that they may also continue on the path of righteousness."

"No."

"Please Zelgadiss-san," Fillia said "This book of his may be useful like the Clair Bible was."

"No."

"I don't want to be controlled by a spell, Zelgadiss," Xellos said.

"No."

"Why not?" Gourry said.

"No."

"Yes, Zel, you will do it." Lina said. "Unless you want to face me." Zel sighed.

"Your choice, your consequences." Zel went quiet for a moment.

">So, Lina, you want to become part of my family,<" Zel said in a different voice.

"Rezo, you're here for business."

"Amazing," Sirus said. "Two AIs in one body. Incredible." Rezo sweatdropped.

">What do you wish of me, Lina?<" Rezo said.

"Can you see the curse on this guy?" Lina said indicating Sirus, who had magnifying glass in hand while he poked at Zel's hair with tweezers. Rezo nodded. "Great! Can you undo it?"

">Of course. It's a simple spell really,<" he replied.

"Wonderful!" Amelia cried out. "Then can you please help Sirus-san?"

">Very well, though you should know that Zelgadiss has some serious reservations about this.<" Rezo grabbed Sirus' hand, staring at it. Sirus was amazed at the stone like quality of Zel's skin, especially when Rezo poked one of his fingers into Sirus' hand, making a small trickle of blood. Walking over to Gourry, Zel grabbed a swordless hilt and went back to Sirus, ignoring Gourry's cries to give back the sword. ">Change: Phase…<" Sirus was curious as to what type of enchantment he was calling for. His surprise skyrocketed as he realized that Rezo and Zelgadiss were having some sort of argument.

">Yes I'm going to change phases….do you want him cured or not?……you're being ridiculous……no one will notice us……oh alright. We'll do it your way.<" Without any warning, Rezo grabbed Sirus, hefted him under his arm and carried him upstairs with everyone else following. Once upstairs, he stepped over the remains of Lina's door and went into a door further down the hall, which Sirus assumed to be his room. Once in the room, Sirus watched in amazement as Rezo physically changed into some sort of winged beast. Rezo had called it Phase Ten. With a thought Rezo brought the sword to light and held the bare blade in his hand.

"You can withstand the Sword of Light in your upper phases?" Fillia said in shock.

">Hai. Didn't I tell you or Zel that? No? Well you can calm down Zelgadiss. We're not dead. Let's get this done.<" Turning back to the small cut in Sirus' hand, Rezo started to chant a spell. "Blessèd Light that heals all, I pray thee to do as I call." He started to mumble and Sirus could not understand what he was saying. His hand stung as, once Rezo finished chanting, he placed the tip of the Sword of Light into Sirus' hand. Sirus was next aware of a bright light and the sound of something breaking. As his awareness came back to him, he noticed that Gourry and Xellos didn't look so tense and that Fillia and Lina weren't starry eyed. Amelia still was, though, so Sirus didn't know if his curse was crushed or not. Rezo tossed the sword to Gourry who grabbed and refused to let go. Rezo crossed his arms.

">Yes he's cured….yes I know lots of different types of cures……no I can not cure you……because Rezo never programmed that knowledge into me!<" There was a small silence and Zelgadiss seemed to go back to normal.

"I warned you," Zel said.

"Now then," Lina said. "How about giving me that book?"

"History of me first." Lina collapsed to the floor but agreed. "I am Sirus DeFlag and my family was named after the great Holy Tree Flagoon. My ancestors settled there shortly after the Swordsman of Light slew the Great Beast Zanaffar. I am from a large family, but I have no brothers or sisters and I grew up according to the traditions of my family that have been handed down since Zanaffar was destroyed. My family was entrusted with two books. When I was 8 years old, my father brought me to a cave in the mountains near Sairaag. It was there that I was supposed to be alone for the next ten years. One of the books I was to study. The other I was to give to a fiery sorceress who could cast a Giga Slave and live." Sirus sat back in his chair. "Though I tried very hard to follow my family's tradition, I often left the cave and went home. I couldn't help it. I was lonely. Anyway, my father threatened to disown me if I didn't follow his wishes. I finally stayed at the cave and took my study seriously. I did everything I was supposed to do. However, on the day of my 18th birthday, I returned to find Sairaag in ruins and my family was killed." He briefly wiped a tear from his eye. "I talked to the few survivors and discovered that a sorceress named Lina Inverse fought some guy in red. The man in red was trying to force her to cast a Giga Slave. I finally knew who I was looking for. However, I could not follow for my grief was too much. When I finally cast it aside but I knew I was not ready to meet you. I went to the University of Sailoon to hone my skills. Only then did I go out to seek you. Lina, I find that it is very easy to discover where you've been, but almost impossible to discover where you are."

Lina flashed a victory sign. "That's because a sorceress of my caliber can't rest until she's filled her purse and her stomach by bashing the bad guys."

"I was in Zoana when I finally pinpointed where you were. It was very sad though."

"What was sad, Sirus-san?" Amelia asked.

"When I got to Zoana, some Mazoku, Kotowa, if I remember correctly had just come through the kingdom. He and his master killed the King and Queen and their newborn child. As I recall, a priestess from Sairaag was also killed there."

"Sylphiel??" Gourry whispered.

"I'm sorry but I don't know her name. If Sylphiel was the priestess who survived Sairaag, then that must be her." Gourry got very quiet.

"Martina-san, and Zangulas-san?" Amelia asked. "They're both…."

"Yes."

"Okay, that does it!" Lina yelled. "The book you're giving me has a spell right? So I'll be able to blast Drrael from here to the Sea of Chaos for what he's done! Now give!"

Sirus ignored her comment. "Now the book I am to give you predates to Koma War by about," Sirus paused, trying to remember what his father had told him. "I think it was 10 thousand years." Everyone in the room fell to the floor.

Lina grabbed Sirus by the collar. "Do you have any idea how valuable that book must be?? Any collector would kill for something like that and you've been carrying it around?? Something like that needs to be in a vault with an army to guard it!!" Sirus wiggled free from her grip.

"I think I've done a fine job of keeping its existence a secret and keeping myself out of harms way."

"How did such a book get into your possession?" Fillia asked.

"As I said, my family has been guarding it since after the defeat of Zanaffar. It was given to my ancestor by a seeress who said it is only to be read by a fiery sorceress who can cast a Giga Slave." Sirus reached under his shirt and pulled out the book. "Lina Inverse, fiery sorceress foretold to my ancestor. This is now yours." He handed it to her. Lina grabbed it from his hand and started to read it.

"WHAT??" Lina grabbed his collar again and pulled him down to face her. "Do you have any idea what's in this book?"

"No," Sirus replied. "I was ordered never to look at it. It is for you eyes only."

"This is a book that details a high level offensive WHITE magic spell!!" Lina screamed.

"But Lina-san," Amelia said. "I am an expert at white magic and there are no offensive spells. White magic is for healing and purification."

"No it's not," Sirus responded. "The book I studied from was full of offensive white magic. White magic is the only kind I know."

"But that's impossible!" Zel exclaimed. "The city of Sailoon has been the white magic capital of the world and no one there can do offensive white magic! For centuries, the only white magic in existence was purification and healing!"

"But I cast offensive white magic."

"Then do so now," Xellos said.

"No."

"Why?"

"It'd be improper to do such a thing when there is no danger." Everyone decided to let the subject drop.

"So," Lina said. "What are you going to do now, Sirus?"

"Don't you know?" Sirus asked. "Until you learn and cast that spell, I have to travel with you. If none of you have an understanding of offensive white magic, then I shall have to teach you."

"But Sirus-san," Amelia said. "The righteous path we follow is fraught with dangerous Mazoku and vile villains. We can not allow you to risk you innocent life in our quest. You must have a better mission. Go to Sailoon and see my father, Prince Philionel about," Amelia was cut off.

Sirus knelt before her. "Your Highness," he said. Taking her hand, he kissed it. "I shall be your humble servant and at your disposal on your holy quest. Whatever you need, merely ask." Amelia blushed. Bright red.

"Now I wouldn't call this quest holy," Lina started. Zel put his hand on her shoulder.

"Let it drop. It looks like he's stuck with us. Let's all get some sleep and leave in the morning."
Go to Part Five-Poor Zel-kun