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Search for the Aqualord	By : RoseThorne Category: +S to Z > Slayers Views: 1533 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Title: Search for the Aqualord

By: Chrissy Sky and Rose Thorne

Summary: A sacrifice from an unlikely source brings new changes to Zelgadis� life.

Warnings: YAOI. Zelgadis/Xellos. Slight spoilers for Rev-Evo.

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2. Shock! The Human Curse

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They had to get off the road. Gourry suggested going into the mountains and finding a cave to set up camp. It was as good an idea as any, so that was what they did. Using a Ray Wing, Amelia transported them quickly through the trees to the mouth of the first cave she saw.

They were all worried about Xellos, but until they figured out what exactly had occurred all they could do was let him sleep and try to make him as comfortable as possible. Zelgadis sacrificed his sleep roll for this, though he pretended to be unwilling. In truth he was very worried for the annoying little priest.

It was just too strange to see Xellos so helpless. He was supposed to be the strongest of his rank, his master�s one and only servant. He was one of the few people Lina admitted out loud that she wanted to avoid fighting. They had, recently, but in retrospect it was obvious to Zelgadis that they had not seen Xellos� full power. The Mazoku had only been playing with them. It wasn�t a comforting thought.

Then later, Xellos had turned around and helped them fight Ghost Shabranigdu � though naturally he claimed to have his own reasons for doing so. Xellos had shielded them from the Dark Lord�s blast, nearly dying in the process (or at least Zelgadis greatly suspected this, though the next time he had seen Xellos he�d been fine).

Now, the eerie power that had always come with the priest�s presence was muffled and nearly unrecognizable. His chest slowly rose and fell underneath the blanket wrapped around him. Amelia had deemed the remains of his clothing to be unsalvageable. She also said that he had no visible wounds to speak of, but could not speak to any internal damage. After a short examination, Amelia felt slightly more confident in their assertion that Xellos was human now, though she was still puzzled.

They all were. Zelgadis had never heard of anything remotely like this, and neither had Lina. The only thing that came close was what had happened to Chaos Dragon Gaav. Then again, they didn�t have the exact details on that. Perhaps this was the same.

That night they slept in shifts. Despite his troubled mind, Zel was able to sleep a couple of hours before Gourry shook his shoulder gently.

�Zel,� said his blond friend. �Your turn.�

Zelgadis stretched as he sat up, sighing. �Any change?�

Gourry glanced over his shoulder worriedly at Xellos� prone form by the fire before answering. �Nope. Think he�s dreaming though.�

�Oh?� Curious, Zel got up and studied Xellos.

�His eyebrows keep twitching,� Gourry said around a wide yawn.

�Maybe he'll regain consciousness soon, then. Get some sleep.�

�Sure.� With one last yawn, Gourry went to his sleep roll beside the chimera�s. The girls were sleeping across the campfire, Lina�s leg over Amelia�s waist as the redhead stretched out. She was half on top of the princess, who slept on unknowingly. It was kind of sweet, but it was mostly amusing.

Zelgadis put on a pot of coffee and watched Xellos sleep on for a moment before looking up at the stars with a sigh. He could make them out beyond the canopy of the trees around their camp, distant and flickering in the dark night.

He was replaying the scene from earlier today in his mind again when a whimper interrupted his thoughts. It took him a moment to realize it was Xellos. Zelgadis moved closer, calling out his name softly.

�Mm�� Xellos eyes fluttered open, looking at Zelgadis uncomprehendingly.

Zelgadis was relieved at this sign of life. �Stay still. You�re hurt.�

Xellos frowned as if the gentle order confused him. Then his face went pale and he lurched to the side to vomit. Or he tried to, at least. Only a little bit of spittle emitted from his gagging mouth.

Awkwardly, Zelgadis patted his back, still uncomfortable with seeing Xellos this weakened. �Do you remember what happened?� It was important that they found this out quickly, for Xellos and themselves.

The priest coughed, wiping his mouth. �I�� he started to speak, but trailed off as he saw the drool on his hand. Then he just seemed to stare at his hands, his eyes getting wider and breath quickening, bordering on hyperventilation. �No�� Xellos gasped finally. �No, this cannot be��

Zelgadis was startled by the intensity of Xellos� expression. He looked beyond shaken. �Calm down.�

Xellos looked at him, seeming to notice him for the first time. Suddenly he backed away from Zel, crawling backwards quickly into the cave. He kept moving, as though unable to hold still, looking distinctly like a frightened animal. �No!�

The chimera held up his hands to show he meant no harm. �Xellos, you need to calm down. We�re not going to hurt you.�

Xellos scrambled frantically at the cave wall, then at his skin, scratching the pale flesh with his nails and leaving angry marks. It was as though he were trying to remove the offending flesh. �No! They can�t do this! They can�t�!�

Zel moved quickly, grabbing his wrists to keep the priest from doing further damage. �Calm down! You�re going to hurt yourself!�

Xellos struggled, but could not break his solid hold. �Human!� he wheezed, a hysterical laugh escaping him. There was a wild look in his eyes. �They changed me, remade me! I�m�!�

�You�re human,� Zelgadis confirmed in a soft voice. �Calm down before I cast Sleeping on you.�

The body beneath him went still, the threat effective. His gasps became panting, his breathing slowly becoming steadier. �No, please� Just give me a moment��

Zelgadis nodded, waiting.. He could understand what Xellos could be feeling right at this moment. His entire world had been torn from him, and now he was trapped in a body he didn�t belong in.

Zel understood because the same thing had happened to him.

Xellos swallowed thickly, seeming to focus on the chimera�s face as he calmed down. Zel looked back at him, a bit concerned.

As he watched, a blush spread over the priest�s�former priest�s cheeks. �Is there something for me to wear?� Xellos asked quietly.

Zelgadis blushed himself as he realized finally�the blanket had fallen off of Xellos during his mad scramble around the cave. He was now lying underneath the shaman, naked and beautiful in the dim light.

Quickly, he got off of Xellos and handed him the blanket, embarrassed. �Er� Let me check my bag.�

Xellos nodded, hurriedly wrapping the blanket around himself.

Zel looked through his back and found an extra pair of pants. After checking Gourry�s, he found an extra shirt. They didn�t carry a lot with them on their travels, but luckily they had this much. �We can find you something to fit better once we reach a town,� he told Xellos, handing him the clothes. He hesitated a moment, not sure how the new human would take the rest of his news. �We found your staff as well.�

Xellos took the clothes, holding them to his chest. He looked at Zel for a moment as though he didn�t know what the chimera was talking about at first. Then he nodded and began to dress.

Zelgadis turned away, giving him privacy. �Are you still in pain?�

�Somewhat,� came his soft answer. �Stomach and head hurt. Limbs are sore.�

And the scratches he had given himself probably hurt as well. Zel decided to keep that to himself since Xellos hadn�t seemed to be bleeding. �We weren't sure if it was safe to cast White magic on you.�

Once he was dressed, Xellos wrapped the blanket back around himself and went to sit in front of the fire. He rubbed his forehead. �I would assume yes, but I am no physician.�

Zel handed him a cup of water. �So you�re completely human?�

�I don�t know.� He looked at the cup for a long time before finally taking a sip. �But this water fills me. I am trapped in this body. It's much more solid than before. I feel.... heavy... and it hurts. Everywhere.�

The shaman frowned as he considered something. �Will the Greater Beast know how to help you?�

Xellos laughed softly, without humor. �This is the supreme punishment. Once it is done, no Lord may reverse it.�

�I didn't even know it was possible for a Mazoku to become human,� Zel confessed, hoping for answers.

�It's not something we advertise.�

�But one lord can do it on his own?� Zelgadis asked, confused. �Why would Dynast do that?�

Xellos drank a little more deeply. �From his comment, I believe Dynast-sama realized my master's true tactic when she loaned me to Hellmaster-sama.�

Zelgadis gaped. �What?�

Xellos hesitated visibly, then laughed again, carding a hand through his already disheveled hair. �I suppose there's no harm in telling you now, after the fact... Nor am I my master's servant any longer...� He looked up at Zel, his usual smile pained. �You know what Hellmaster was doing when he used you to lure out Gaav. He meant for Lina to use Giga Slave the entire time.. Gaav, knowing Hellmaster's plan, tried to stop it by killing Lina-san. But my master had two objectives when she bid me to help Hellmaster. She wanted Gaav and Phibrizo both destroyed.�

�So we were really being used by Zelas?� the chimera asked, staring.

�Yes. Dynast has, obviously, figured that out.�

�And used us to get to you...�

Xellos attempted another smile. �It's ironic, isn't it?�

�Is Zelas going to blame this on us?� he asked softly, a little frightened.

Xellos blinked. �What? No. Surely not. Greater Beast has never done anything so irrational.�

Zel was not encouraged. �Yeah, but she's also never lost you before.�

�That would be highly flattering, but I do not believe so. The only one in danger is me.�

Zelgadis frowned. �Are they going to punish you further?�

Xellos ducked his head, hair showering his eyes. �Gaav had to be destroyed because he was reborn as a human. His Mazoku soul eventually merged irrevocably with his human one.�

�But� You�� He trailed off, staring at him. He�d never heard Xellos admit this much information in one sitting. Part of his mind was still trying to process that fact. The other was still trying to get over Xellos looking so small and defeated.

�Dynast will be amused and not send anyone to attack me at first,� Xellos continued softly, �choosing instead to sit back and watch the show. Greater Beast will wait as well, though for different reasons. Dolphin will be the first to attempt my assassination.�

Zelgadis was horrified. �No��

The former Mazoku stared down at his cup, expressionless. �I must find a way to return to my true form.�

�Is there a way?�

Xellos smiled awkwardly. �Haven't the foggiest. But I'll never know unless I look.�

Zel smiled weakly in return, reminded of his own hopeless quest. �Maybe the Claire Bible will be able to help you.� And, also ironically, they were already looking for it.

�Mm, maybe�� Suddenly, Xellos grimaced in pain, clutching his stomach. He whimpered.

�Xellos?� Zel asked, concerned.

�Hurts�� The purple-haired man curled in on himself.

Zelgadis frowned, worried. Then he remembered that Xellos had thrown up nothing. �Is it hunger?�

�I� I don�t know�� His stomach made a noise, however, which answered for him.

The chimera put some broth on over the fire. �Hopefully you can keep something light down.�

Xellos emitted a strained laugh. �I can�t sense emotions any longer. Can�t feed��

�You�ll just have to eat actual food now.�

The former priest tugged at his hair, obviously making tangles in the short locks. �Seems that way.�

Zel sighed, seeing the signs of another breakdown. �Just calm down. We'll figure something out.�

He could feel Xellos� eyes on him as he cooked. �You should leave me,� Xellos said after a moment. �Get Lina-san and the others as far away as you can. If I cannot become a Mazoku again, I will remain a target and you will all be at risk. This time, there is no need for it.�

How strange it was that Xellos was still looking out for them, even when he was the most in danger. Had he always been this way? �You made yourself a target when you blocked Dynast's blast. And we're basically looking for the same thing, so....�

Xellos blinked quizzically. �So you are still looking for a cure.�

Zelgadis shrugged. �There probably isn't one, but my other option is to become a hermit, so...�

The new human studied him, nodding slowly. �You would not make a good hermit,� Xellos said in a soft, definitive voice.

�Eh?�

Xellos smiled. �You would get lonely.�

Zelgadis looked away. �That's one reason I started traveling again...�

�Mm� You and the others were unharmed?�

There was that casual concern again. Under the circumstances, Zel thought he should be thinking more about himself. �By some stroke of luck. I'm surprised he didn't just kill us, honestly.�

�He must have considered it more entertaining this way,� Xellos commented softly.

�I don't know why. We're going to help you, and I don't know how that figures into his plans...�

�He wants me to suffer more.�

The fire crackled as Xellos spoke and Zelgadis remembered to check the broth. He poured a bowl for the former priest, handing it to him. �Well, I can't see how that's working. You're human, but you've also got us.�

He took the bowl, not looking at Zel. �It's because.... I care for all of you.�

Zel started, surprised. �You... Well, I mean, now that you're human, I guess...�

Xellos shook his head firmly. �Before,� he said, drinking the broth tentatively.

�How is that possible?� Zelgadis gasped out. �You�re Mazoku.�

�Was, but that's beside the point. As it is, I cannot answer that. Dynast had a peculiar friendship with Hellmaster, Gaav and Valgaav were practically married... It happens occasionally.�

Zel fell into a startled silence for a moment. �So I'm guessing that's the reason he was angry enough to do this to you.� He turned back to Xellos as sudden realization came to him. �And why Valgaav was so pissed at us!�

�Indeed,� Xellos confirmed mildly, drinking. �They, at least, have had the freedom to act on what they felt. I have had to be more subtle.�

�Why?� Zelgadis prodded, confused.

He stared at the flames, his violet eyes gleaming in the light. �For your sakes and mine. Though it seems to have done no good - Dynast figured it out anyway.�

�I'm really not sure I understand, Xellos...�

Xellos sighed. �It's quite simple, Zelgadis-san. Think back to all the danger that you were in before due to the Lords' plans. They were only using you those times. It was nothing personal. Now... Dynast, at least, knows that it is.�

Zelgadis frowned, thinking that over. �So even if we were to run, they'd probably still kill us to get to you. Since it's now personal...�

Xellos blinked at him, surprise clear in his eyes. Emotions seemed to play easily on his face now, though whether it was due to his current condition or to the fact that he didn�t need to hide anymore was anyone�s guess. �Oh my. I hadn't thought of it that way. Yes, I suppose so.�

�Damned if we do, damned if we don't. You're stuck with us, Xellos.�

His smile then was a bit more like usual. �My goodness.�

It made Zel smirk slightly. �Kind of like how we were stuck with you, huh?�

Xellos giggled softly, and it somehow managed not to be creepy. �Indeed.�

Zel poured himself a cup of coffee. �Are you feeling a bit better, anyway?� The conversation seemed to be getting his mind off of things at least.

�A little. The whole thing still feels... wrong, but for the moment...� Xellos lifted his cup a little, now empty. �This was good.�

Zelgadis shrugged awkwardly. �It's just stock. Once you're used to eating you'll be able to have something better.�

�I ate occasionally. Normally sweet things� Thank you,� he added softly, returning the bowl.

Zel could tell he was uncomfortable � he felt the same, so the shaman quickly changed the subject. �How did you know we were being attacked, Xellos?�

�Ah�� Xellos shifted anxiously. �Well, you're all so good at finding the manuscripts, and as I currently had no more important missions...�

Zel sighed. �I should've figured. You were going to destroy it before I even got to look at it, huh?�

�You can hardly blame me, after seeing the trouble that comes from mass producing Zanaffar armor,� he said in a soft, almost defensive tone.

�You know I don't care about that. All I want is my cure.�

Xellos sighed quietly. �I only destroy pages that pertain in anyway to Zanaffar. That wouldn't have helped you.�

�...I thought you destroyed any part of the Claire Bible.�

He smiled. �You assumed. I never exactly told you the specifics.�

Zelgadis looked away, an old anger stirring. �You've destroyed every piece I've come across, so it was a logical assumption.�

Xellos� voice softened, almost gentle. �True. But I could not explain myself before.. It wasn't allowed. Now... Well, now I am subject to free will.�

�And now you need the Claire Bible too.�

�Again, highly ironic, yes?�

Zel sighed. �Tragic.�

Xellos blinked. �Is it?�

�You're stuck in the same situation I'm in � except yours is more dire � and much of what you've done in the past few years has come back to haunt you..� He hated to admit it, but now he and Xellos had something in common, even if it was terrible.

Xellos made a surprised noise. �... I don't think anyone's ever bothered to understand me so well.�

Zel glanced at him shyly, then back at the fire. �How many people have you known as long as us, aside from other Mazoku?�

�I suppose... with the exception of a few Ryuzoku.... no one,� Xellos said slowly, his tone sounding strange. Zel figured it was only surprise.

�You're not as hard to understand as you seem to think,� he told him mildly.

�Oiya oiya,� Xellos murmured, apparently amused.

Zelgadis glanced at him, confirming the slight smile on the former priest�s face. He did seem a lot better than before, at the very least. �You should get more sleep. We're going to try to reach a town tomorrow, and then we'll spend our time searching for that temple.�

Xellos nodded, strangely meek. �Yes... My head is feeling a little thick, and....� He trailed off, yawning behind his hand politely.

�Go ahead and take my sleep roll,� Zel offered. �I�ve got watch the rest of the night.�

Obediently, Xellos lay down beside Gourry. He seemed to fall asleep almost immediately, possibly exhausted from his reaction upon waking up and the attack earlier.

Zel watched him for a moment, thoughtful. Xellos� face seemed different now too, though it was clearly still him. He couldn�t place the changes in the dark. Eventually he poured himself more coffee and returned to his contemplation of the stars.

They were, at least, not as confusing.

TBC.
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Search for the Aqualord