Part Five Poor Zel-kun

Zelgadiss was very annoyed. Xellos had been making all sorts of comments to him involving Lina and Sirus was walking beside him, poking at him with tweezers and a magnifying glass. They had been traveling for about a week now with no stops in town. They had too much fear that Kotowa would find them if they stayed in a town. After all, their company wasn't exactly normal. Lina was currently complaining about desiring a hot bath. Zel merely ignored her, continuing to lead the way by the faint pull he felt. Shoving Sirus off again, he came to a fork in the road. He concentrated on the consistent pull. He pointed to the left. "It's that way," he said.

"Tough, Zel," Lina replied. "We're going right. There's a hot spring down this way, and I'm not going to miss it."

Sirus held Zelgadiss' arm in front of him and stared at it. Now that Zel was stripped of his clothes and dragged into the men's pool, Sirus had a good chance of examining him. Gourry was asleep at the other end of the pool and Xellos was swimming around. Sirus poked at one of Zel's dark stone blotches across his skin. It had the consistency of stone, but stone could not grow or move like the blotches did when Zel changed phases. It was absolutely amazing.

"What?" he said, drawing his attention away from Zel for a moment.

"I said, do you know what the old phrase 'in and out' means?" Xellos said smiling.

"Xellos, don't go there," Zel said.

"I just want to know exactly how innocent this young man is. Have you ever done that Zel?"

"I am out of here." Zel took the opportunity and went to the other side of the pool.

"Now then, Sirus?"

"What about 'in and out'?" Sirus replied

"Then do you know about making whoopie?"

"No."

"Making love?"

"Love can't be made. It exists between two people who are destined to be together. Or it is the unconditional love of a parent for a child or between friends."

"I'll just skip over that," Xellos muttered. "If it's alright with you I don't particularly feel philosophical right now, though I think we could get into some interesting conversations later on."

"Sounds fascinating. What do you like to discuss?"

"Human suffering, but that's not what I want to discuss right now."

"Alright, then what?"

"Do I have to spell it out for you?"

"Apparently. I'm just not getting what you want to say," Sirus said.

"Sirus, do you know what sex is?" Xellos asked.

"Sex is a noun that is used as a generalization referring to either the male or female gender." Sirus got the impression Xellos was somehow trying to make fun of him, but he didn't know how a simple question like that was amusing.

"What do you know about the verb sex?" Xellos snickered.

"There is no such thing. Sex is a noun. Not a verb."

"Well," Xellos said, "why don't I introduce you to the verb?"

"What?" Xellos shoved Sirus around and kicked him over into the pool next door. Sirus crashed down into a pail filled with soap, stinging his eyes. Behind him he heard a scream.

"Pervert!" she screamed. Sirus recognized the voice as he pulled his head out of the bucket. Sirus stood up turning to Amelia.

"Your Highness?" he asked. "Is that you?" He took a step towards her, but was unable to see the other bucket in his path. He landed flat on his face.

"Sirus!"

"Your Highness," he said. "I know this is very inconsiderate of me. I pledged myself to work for you but I must ask for your help. I have soap in my eyes and am temporarily blinded. Could I beg upon you to aid me?" There was a certain amount of silence. During this time, Sirus felt something wrapped around his waist and he was soon drenched by water. Now that he could see, Sirus looked over to Amelia, who was garbed in a towel and blushing bright red. Sirus knelt. "Thank you, your Highness. But, why are you in the men's bath? And why are you so red? Is the water to hot?"

"Sirus," Amelia replied. "You're in the women's bath. And no. The water isn't to hot."

"Ah yes," he replied. "That's right. Xellos kicked me over here. Well, if the water isn't too hot for you, I'm off then." He bowed. "May you have a nice bath, your Highness."

Meanwhile, back in the men's bath, Xellos had decided to pick on Zelgadiss.

"Well," he said, picking up his staff and walking over to Zelgadiss. "That's one love lorn lady taken care of. Why don't we go visit the other one, hmm?" [Now remember, both men are lacking towels. O-o]

"What are you talking about?" Zel demanded. Xellos ignored him and grabbed his arm. "What the hell-" He slammed his staff into the ground teleporting them. Zelgadiss, being disorientated, fell down on something soft. "-are you doing," he finished quietly.

"Xellos?"

"F-f-f-f-fillia-san?" Zel looked up from his spot on the floor to see Fillia, covered only by her tail glaring at Xellos, who did nothing to hide his position. In one fluid motion, Fillia reached behind her to the towels that were there and wrapped one around herself. Once properly covered, Fillia reached behind her and pulled out her mace, getting ready to pound Xellos.

"You pervert!!" Fillia yelled, trying very hard to hit a very agile Xellos.

"Go get him, Fillia," Zel muttered.

"FIREBALL!" That originated somewhere below Zel, which was weird considering he landed on something soft. That must have been towels, right? Once Zel was nice and crispy, (and stuck on the ceiling) Zel looked down to see that he didn't land on towels. He had landed on Lina, who was in the same attire as himself. None. Both Lina and Zel stared at each other, getting bright red, for a moment before Lina rolled away and grabbed a towel. Zel, being so heavy, fell to the floor, (no longer feeling crispy, but more like jelly,) and closed his eyes, putting his hands over his face and waited. He could hear Xellos and Fillia still chasing each other around the room. Lina's footsteps were light, but Zel didn't even want to guess what she was doing. He knew he was in for it now. She'd probably Dragu Slave him to Zelphilia, or maybe even Giga Slave him. He was so dead.

Needless to say, he was extremely surprised when he heard Lina walk over to him and felt her small hands wrap a towel around him. He took that as a cue that it was safe to sit up. No sooner had he righted himself when the door opened and everyone stopped in silence. Sirus walked in.

"Why are you all here?" he asked innocently. Upon not receiving any answer, Sirus said, "Ah well, it doesn't matter. I'm going back to the men's bath." He walked across the room to the other door. "By the way, why are you all so upset?" Once everyone facefaulted, Sirus left. Zelgadiss, in the meantime, received an unwelcome visitor in his head.

Lina watched briefly as Fillia and Xellos resumed their game of tag before turning to Zel who was turning bright red. Zel didn't notice, however. He was too busy having an argument with Program Rezo.

>Why are you interested in someone who is so underdeveloped?<

Leave. Her. Alone.

>Awww, did I hit a nerve?<

Back off! You don't know how I feel!

>I'd say you like her. You like her more than you'll even admit to yourself.<

So what if I do like her a little? It's my choice, and she's my friend.

>Ah, but I am here to take care of Rezo's interests. Part of those interests is making sure his bloodline continues. And with you in chimeric form, it looks like I'll have to take steps to make sure that Rezo's wish comes to fruition.<

"Rezo! Leave me alone!" Zelgadiss shouted at the top of his lungs.

Lina looked at Zel rather surprised. She hated being caught unaware, and twice in one night! The first time was when Zel suddenly appeared and fell on top of her, and now she was surprised that Rezo had decided it was a good time to make Zel mad. However, Zel didn't seem to realize that he was shouting out loud instead of mentally. Shoving her hate of being surprised away, she silently wished she could hear both sides of the argument.

"I have no privacy with you!…How do I even know my thoughts are my own with you coming in to control me??…And what about the time you controlled my body at night so Lina would come in!….Don't give me that!…You're a program. A set of instructions, so set some sort of deactivation code for yourself with a time limit when you can reactivate!…I want privacy to think what I want!…I am not being silly! Leave me alone!" Fillia and Xellos looked at each other and quietly left the room. Lina started to worry about Zel. He could get angry with a passion if provoked, but this was a little much even for him. "Don't you dare…" Zel was cut off as, it appeared, as Program Rezo took control.

">Now then,<" Rezo said. ">I believe this is a conversation best left for private. Unless you want Lina's opinion on what we were arguing about.<" A door slid open and a toweled Amelia came in.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Zelgadiss-san. What brings you here?"

"Amelia, that's Rezo in control now!" Lina yelled.

">You know, Zelgadiss,<" Rezo said slyly, gazing at the two of them. ">You really should admit your feelings.<" All three started to blush, though it looked weird on Zel with Rezo doing the talking. ">Yes, the other's heart will break, but why…You are only hurting them both by not telling…Okay, we'll leave now, but you all should know, I'll be in control for the next week. Now sleep Zelgadiss.<" Rezo cast a sleep spell on himself. ">You don't have a say in the matter, now sleep,<" Rezo repeated, casting another sleep spell. ">SLEEP!<" A third sleep spell hit Rezo. ">There now. If you ladies will excuse me, I need to rest Zel's body before I start testing his real capabilities.<"

"Now just a minute!" Lina shouted. "If you're in control and testing Zel, how are we supposed to find Drrael! We need to stop him before he consumes the souls of everybody in this world!"

">You needn't worry,<" Rezo said calmly. ">I can still feel the pull that guided Zelgadiss. The only difference is that you'll have my cheerful persona to chat with instead of Zel's dull one, and we'll make camp earlier so that I can find out Zelgadiss' potential.<"

"Give back Zelgadiss-san now!" Amelia cried out. "Or face the Hammer of Justice!"

">Do you love Zelgadiss?<" Amelia faltered. ">Good, then you won't hurt his body. Which basically means you can't hurt me. Toodeloo.<" Rezo headed for the door. ">And when Zel wakes up, he should have realized that he's going to have to break one of your hearts instead of both.<" He left. Lina and Amelia looked at each other.

Zelgadiss' eyes fluttered open. The firelight hit his eyes and he winced. Both the light, and the wincing made his migraine increase. Considerably. He tried to get up, but found that he was too dizzy to do so very well. His throat burned and he could smell liquor everywhere.

"So how do you feel," Lina said quietly. He looked over to her, her bright hair making his eyes hurt. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath of the cool night air.

"Like my mouth was held open while alcohol was rammed down my throat. Do you have any coffee? Or perhaps tea?"

"Fillia-san just made a batch," Amelia said, bringing over a cup. Zel leaned against a tree and sipped it. "Are you sure you're okay, Zelgadiss-san?"

Zel nodded, though the action didn't help his headache. "Just tired. After all, it took three Sleep spells to put me down, I was so angry at him.

"So, Zelgadiss," said Xellos as he took a seat. "Do you feel any stronger?"

"Stronger? No, why?"

"After all the testing Program Rezo put you through, I'd have thought you'd feel stronger."

"What testing?"

Gourry sat looked up. "Don't you remember asking me to fight you? You were pretty good up until the Sword of Light sliced your stomach." Zel's eyes grew wide in shock and he looked down. There was no tear in his shirt, so he felt his stomach. It felt fine. "You mean you don't remember Sirus casting that healing spell either?" Several sweatdrops sprouted.

"I only did what needed to be done," said Sirus from across the fire. "Her Highness would have been greatly upset if you died, so I did what I thought was best." Eyes rolled (except Amelia). "Rezo wanted me to try to use my magic on him, but I steadfastly refused, just as Lina did." Zel glanced over to Lina.

"Hey! I wasn't about to give you a Dragu Slave, Laugna Blade, or Giga Slave. Sorry, but Rezo can't get me that mad, try as he might."

"Thank you both," Zel said quietly.

"I must say," Xellos interjected, "you should let Rezo out more often. I had a wonderful conversation with him. In fact, I was able to guide him in how to use your Mazoku 1/3."

"What?"

"Though you can't teleport," Xellos explained. "You are able to munch on human emotions if your hungry and there is no food."

"You mean I'm a monster like you!?"

"Sorry, Zelgadiss," Xellos smiled. "You're not that lucky. You lack any humor. Besides, it doesn't fill you. You could only do it in probably the most desperate emergencies of famine."

"Stop being so smug, Xellos," Fillia scolded. "Rezo just forced Zelgadiss to drink until he collapsed last night. Now he's been left with the hangover and he doesn't need you to aggravate him."

"Rezo did what to me?"

The following evening, Gourry was bringing wood back to camp. Though his bright, yet dumb demeanor did not portray it, Gourry was feeling very sad. His thoughts were on Sylphiel. He should have been there to protect her. He should have been there to fight for her. He should have done a lot of things. But instead, he was bound by honor to be Lina's bodyguard. Why did things work out the way they did? Of course, Gourry's mind couldn't exactly process that.

Placing a piece of wood into the fire, Gourry looked down at his sword. What good is this sword if I can't protect people with it? He sighed.

"Gourry?" He looked over to Zel.

"Yeah?"

"May I talk to you in private?"

"Sure." He followed Zel away from their encampment where everyone was sleeping. In the forest, they came across a small clearing. Zelgadiss drew his sword.

"Gourry," he said quietly. "I am very angry right now. I need to release it without hurting anyone. Will you fight me?" Gourry was feeling out of sorts as well. He agreed, pulling out his metal sword. Their swords clashed and they fought for a long time. Gourry couldn't help but notice that Zel was unfocused. Just as the battle was starting to get interesting, Zel came at him lunging with all his might. He left himself wide open. Gourry disarmed him easily.

"What's wrong, Zel?" he asked.

"How did you know?"

"You're not fighting the way you usually do."

"Well," Zel said quietly. "Aside from still having a hangover, I am just angry at the world."

"Why?"

"Xellos keeps poking fun at me; Sirus just pokes; Amelia is Amelia; it's everything. No one will leave me alone when I need to be alone. We're off to fight Kotowa and Drrael with no clear idea how to do it. If Xellos was right, then Nightmare energy may not work on Drrael. I look at the future and all I see is blackness." Gourry felt something strike a chord with him.

"I'm just so sick of it all."

"But you haven't eaten anything bad have you?"

"Look, Gourry, all I do is get you all into trouble. When Kotowa controlled me, I almost killed all of you. I know, I saw even though I could do nothing. Hell that was me doing it! I knew what I was doing and I loved it. What type of monster am I?" Gourry saw a small tear slide down Zel's cheek. "I am not worthy of anyone's trust." Gourry waited a moment, trying to figure out what to say.

"What makes you untrustworthy?"

"I'm a chimera. Just by existing I am untrustworthy."

"But would a monster save Lina?"

"What are you talking about?"

"At the ravine, you dove in to save Lina. Would a monster save Lina?" Zelgadiss was quiet for a long time.

"Arigatoo, Gourry." They got up and went back to the encampment.

The next day evening, Zelgadiss was enjoying the first meal he was able to stomach since he finally woke up. All he had been able to have since he woke up with a hangover was some tea. But now he could actually have food. His taste buds scolded him for neglecting them. He put his plate down and volunteered for first watch. Amelia objected.

"Zelgadiss-san, Sirus-san can take the first watch. I…I wanted..to talk with you…alone." Zel swallowed. It looked like Rezo's talk of breaking hearts was finally going to come to life.

"Alright, Ameliaaaaaaaaaa," Zel shouted as Amelia grabbed his hand and shot off into the woods. As soon as they stopped in a clearing near a stream, Zel brought up the first meal he was able to keep down.

"Gomenasai, Zelgadiss-san." Amelia sweatdropped.

>You've made your bed, Zelgadiss. Now lie in it,< Program Rezo said.

You made the bed, you lie in it.

>You hurt both in silence<

But I'll destroy one I hold dear. I may feel for her, but I am friends with her as well. Friendship is something to be valued. I will not loose a friendship if I can avoid it. By being silent, I kept both as friends.

>Interesting rational. But rational nonetheless.<

"So, Zelgadiss-san," Amelia said. "According to Program Rezo-san, you love me, but not Lina. How do we break it to her?"

"Amelia," Zel tried to say.

"I think we should be subtle. Lina-san is strong, but we don't want her to be distracted when we defeat Drrael."

"Amelia."

"Lina-san is a good friend to us both, so we should be gentle when we tell her."

"Amelia!"

"What's wrong, Zelgadiss-san?" Zel sighed. She was not making this easy.

"Amelia," he said quietly. "It's not Lina's heart I'm going to break."

"What?" Amelia said. Her voice was shrill and on the verge of tears.

"I have to break your heart, Amelia," Zel reiterated. "Gomenasai. I am truly sorry, but this is how I feel."

"Iya," whispered Amelia. Her large blue eyes wavered and large tears formed at each corner.

A voice cut through Amelia's repressed sobs. A cold harsh voice. "Ameeeeeeeeeeliaaaa. Why did you kill me, Amelia? Ameeeeeeeeeeliaaaa."

"Who's out there!" Zelgadiss yelled. His sword was ready.

"No!" Amelia said. "It can't be! Not again!"

"Ameeeeeeeeeeliaaaa. Why did you kill me, Amelia? Ameeeeeeeeeeliaaaa."

"Noooooo!" Amelia ran in a random direction, screaming.

"Amelia!" Zel called after her. "What's wrong?" He cursed himself. Great. Nice job, Zel.

"You needed worry about her, Zelgadiss."

"Kotowa!!"

"Yes," he said, coming out of the shadows. "Don't worry about her Whinyness. Someone's going to take very good care of her." Zel ignored Kotowa and went to follow Amelia. Kotowa suddenly blocked his path. "Now, now. You aren't going anywhere. You are going to obey me again."

"Like hell we will!" two voices shouted. One was Zel's, the other was Program Rezo.
Go to Part Six-Shadows of the Past