"Wait just a minute here, this is too much. Are we supposed to believe that you guys are here to slay the demon?" Roland said skeptically.
"Well, no, he's a Dark Lord. In fact, he's the most powerful of all the Dark Lords, right Miss Lina?" said the small Princess Amelia.
"Yeah, Amelia, whatever. But anyway, let's first talk about payment!" Lina said greedily.
"LINA!!!" three voices chorused.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it. Well, so much for first impressions. anyway, we're here to help you guys deal with Shabranigdo. I know we're a motley crew, but we get the job done. By the way do you have any food?" the young sorceress said.
Gourry was quite taken by the black haired girl sitting at the table in front of him. Her black hair seemed to be the only difference between her and Lina. He wondered if she was a sorceress too. And the tall boy with the goatee looked as confused as Gourry felt.
"Lina, can I ask a stupid question?" Gourry asked.
"As opposed too..." came the sorceress' typical reply.
"Well, I was thinking how weird it is that you and Kylie look almost identical. Why is that?" Gourry asked.
"We don't look alike at all!" Lina exclaimed angrily, "And anyway, we're wasting time here! We should be looking for Shabranigdo!"
"She is correct, Gourry, although the resemblance does seem strange," said Zelgadis, the mysterious blue/gray-skinned man leaning against the wall.
"WAIT JUST A MINUTE!" exclaimed Roland, who until this time had been sitting quietly in the corner chair, "I don't know about you guys, but I don't think I'm ready to go fight something I know nothing about!"
"Roland's right," Garrett piped up, "If you guy's know so much about this Shabby-whoever, then would you mind telling us? We're in this thing too!"
Lina was startled, "Thought you knew about Shabranigdo! I'm sorry, here, let me explain a few things about him..."
* * * * *
Two hours had passed and Eduardo's legs were cramped from crouching. He had gotten teamed with Lina and Amelia. Gourry had given him a pat on the shoulder and a "Good Luck!" and gone off with Kylie and Zelgadis to the other side of town. Amelia and Lina seemed positive that Shabranigdo would show up at the very spot on which they were sitting. Of course, Eduardo wasn't too upset with sitting next to Lina. She reminded him of Kylie, right down to her little mannerisms.
Lina noticed the tall boy's eyes looking at her intently. To her surprise, she was flattered. Maybe it was because he reminded her of Gourry. Of course they looked nothing alike, but he was so much like the big swordsman it was scary! She snuck a few glances in now and then when he wasn't looking at her and immediately started falling for him. He was hot.
Gourry, Kylie and Zelgadis were sitting against a brick wall behind a restaurant. She sat on his right, Zelgadis on his left. Zelgadis nudged him in the ribs.
"I'm sure Lina will be happy to know how intently you're staring at Kylie," Zel grinned mischievously.
"You wouldn't!" Gourry cried, to which Zelgadis just smirked.
Kylie knew the big blonde was looking at her, so she shifted her body enticingly. She didn't know why, but she just wanted to see him drool over her the way she was drooling over him. He was like Eduardo in many ways, which just served to fuel her desire for him. A cold wind came up and Kylie shivered. The mysterious Zelgadis took off his cloak and handed it across Gourry to her. She accepted it graciously, thanking him for his kindness.
He was cute, but Kylie knew the little Princess had her sights set on him. Kylie thought it wise not to pursue him. Gourry was a different story entirely
* * * * *
"Hey, Lina, what is that?" Eduardo whispered. There was a strange blue glow coming from a trashcan across the street.
"Sh- oh gods!" Lina began, "He's here! On you feet! Amelia, Flare Arrow, now! Garrett, get your butt in gear! Eddie, I sure hope you know how to use a sword!" she threw her sword at Eduardo, who caught it up deftly with one hand and drew it from its scabbard. He crouched low despite his cramped legs and assumed a defensive position. The proton gun strapped on his back was all but forgotten as Shabranigdo emerged.
Kylie decided to radio Eduardo to see if Shabranigdo had been spotted yet. On the other end of the intercom, however, there was only static.
"Uh, oh guys, I think something's going on...let's go," Kylie said, hurriedly rising to her feet and dusting herself off. She took a step and her knee buckled. She fell backward, hoping the landing wouldn't hurt too much, but was surprised when Gourry's strong arms shot out and scooped her up.
"You oughtta watch your step!" the
swordsman smiled. Kylie blushed and mumbled her thanks. She grabbed her
ghost trap and put it on her back. Then she handed Zelgadis hid cloak and
led the way to the battle.
To be continued...
Paradox Part Four