Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Winters' End ❯ Part 6 ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

"I don't think she likes me much." Lina said as they strolled together in the wintry glade. Zelgadis
looked at her, confused by her statement. "Your mother I mean."

"The queen isn't the warmest of people," Zelgadis replied, extracting a smart giggle from Lina
for his pun, "but she does seem to be rather..."

"Cold?" she teased.

"Heh, yes." Zel grinned. "Though her attitude around you is quite disturbing. I've never
experienced her like this before."

"Just out of curiosity Zel, how many human girls have you hung out with?"

"Ahm well just you Lina." Zel answered.

"Hmm.. verra interesting." She hummed.

Zelgadis looked at her strangely. Sure she was exceptionally cute when she got all pensive
like she was, but what could be the connection between Lina and the Snow Queen's
animosity? Was it because of the changes Lina brought into his life? What harm could the fiery
maiden do? he thought of all the tings that had transpired between them. How her presence
and smile warmed his soul, and her mere touch searched his skin and made him truly feel for
the first time in his life. He was already half way to being in love with her. It was during this
reflection that Zelgadis realized his feelings for Lina was the answer to the Queen's.
'My word! She fears her!'

+

Xellos grinned evilly over his sibling's still form. He had been at this un-holy ceremony for more
than an hour, his sister's pale skin showing the strain her body was currently under. Being used
as a battery to charge their way to the dark side in order to fulfill their demented whims didn't
seem to bother Lady Sylphiel much though.

"Soon... Soon... Lina... darling... We'll... Be... Together... Soon." She murmured sickly as
malicious energy surged about her partially devoured person.

Xellos almost laughed at her naivete. 'The simple little fool. Her simpering innocence is the perfec
t bargaining chip in order for me to gain what I need.' He sneered mentally, before calling for the
nemesis of light and goodness.

"Come! Come dark descendents! Feast upon her flesh and soul! Grant me my desires in return!"

The evil energy twisted and wreathed until the visage of un-natural beauty appeared before him.
The creature had the delicate tones that could belong to either man or woman. Its translucent
green mane billowed like weaving strands of soft emerald silk. "What is it you desire human."
The soft baritone voice breathed from his mouth.

"There is one who has escaped me and I desire her return. The luscious Lina Inverse." Xellos
told him, "I require the power of dark magic to bring her back to life."

"The mortal you speak of lives." The demon boy smirked, "She is now ensconced in the realm
of ice and snow. Her presence there is causing dramatic changes to occur. It should be quite
easy to sneak into the Kingdom of Winter during this time of chaos. This shell of a girl will lead
your way."

"Excellent! I thank you dark spawn." Xellos bowed as the handsome devil vanished. "Soon
Lina dearest.. you will be back where you belong. With me!"

+

"You know Zel.. it seems to be lasting longer." Lina commented to her daydreaming companion.

"Hmm.. what?" Zel blinked his way back to reality. "What is?"

"Your skin thing." Lina pointed to the pink doodle of a bunny she had created on his
arm. "I drew that like five minutes ago and it hasn't faded yet. Last time it went like
that" she snapped her fingers to demonstrate.

"Oh!" Zel exclaimed noticing it for the first time. 'I've been so lost in my thoughts that I've
neglected her.' Zel realized and flushed with guilt. "Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you. Its
interesting though, it didn't effect me this time like before. There was no pain."

"Maybe I'm growing on ya!" Lina joked, "But it sure would be nice to know why it happens
anyway.. oh.. there it goes." She watched as Zel's skin returned to its nice blue hue.

"Hn yes it would. Perhaps we could find something in the late king's study. There are many
old tomes there, some from even before my mother's time." He suggested.

Nodding her approval of this venture they walked off to their destination. The study was
located in the rear wing and was probably The most comfortable room in the whole palace,
aside from the prince's personal chambers. They each chose a wall to start from and began
browsing through the titles. Every now and then, Zel would steal quick glances at the red
headed girl, who would do the same. It was when Zel was turning back to his shelf, to avoid
discovery, that he found it.

The ancient bindings were of soft grayed leather and seemed to hold together only out of
stubborn pride. Zel gently retrieved the books from its place and fingered through the crackly
pages. It was the old book of fate and history, said to be penned by his great great grandfather,
that he remembered hearing about as a child. Zel felt positive that this book would tell him
something important.

[ 'It is said that we of the frozen kingdom have cold, un-feeling hearts.' ] he read.

[ 'That our lives are so bound and ordered through the ice, snow, and frost that they are
immortals in their own locked kingdom. Prisoners until the Winters' End. But it should be
known that there is a way back, as it was not always so. A way to return, to break free
from this arctic hell and truly live once more. Should one become ensnared by the heart
string's of chaos and feel the endless burning passion of a human, they will metamorphasize
into what their now beating heart desires. It is the endless love of a mortal human that will
break the spell and transform the luck personage into a human, so they can live, and love,
and breed. In so doing the Winters' End shall become possible.' ]

Zel closed the book silently, stunned by the words of his ancestor. 'Burning passions..
love.. the spell.. to become.. human. Is it true? Oh Lina, it must be!'

"Hey Zel? You find something?" Lina asked her quite prince.

"You could say.. I found my Destiny."