Chaos Ascendant

Chapter 10

This time, when the Stone appeared, it didn’t get the chance to bounce off of Sylphiel’s head. Luna reached up and caught it instead, pulling it out of the air before it even got close enough to be a concern to the Cleric.

But before Gourry could marvel at Luna’s accuracy, the Cepheid Knight had grabbed him by his collar, and was busy dragging him closer to the place where Sylphiel had hidden the Blessed Blade. She knew that the arrival of the Stone meant that there was trouble above at Flagoon, and that the Protector must now be summoned at any cost.

Sylphiel hadn’t needed to be told anything either. She’d taken to the air, pulling off her shoes as she went. She had to cross the water barefoot, and she knew that anything that she could do to help speed things along was a good thing.

She landed by the water, crossing as quickly as the magic would allow her. Even as she summoned the Blessed Blade, she could feel Shabranigdo’s power increasing. As soon as the sword was free of the water, she grabbed it, mumbled an apology, and crossed back as fast as she could. When she got to shore, the world shook, and she stumbled, throwing out a hand to catch herself, but Gourry and Luna were there.

“Do it now!” A voice echoed through the cavern, a voice that seemed incongruous with the moment.

Luna turned to see a figure with black hair surrounded by a dark miasma. Elena.

But instead of advancing the attack on the trio, Elena was holding back the darkness, buying the others the time that they desperately needed.

The Cepheid Knight favored the Mazoku-Dragon with a smile before shifting and assuming the complete manifestation of her status and title. Cool lavender eyes turned to Gourry, and for a moment, there was a gentle frown before the expression smoothed itself off of her face. “Gourry Gabriev, son of Mipross. What I ask of you now is of no light consequence. Your blood is the same as Cepheid’s. You are his descendant, directly through the elves of Mipross. You are also his descendant through the blood of the Holy Priests of Cepheid, which flows in your mother as well as you. By this duality in bloodlines, yours is the only blood that is true to Cepheid’s. It is your blood alone that can help us.”

Guileless blue eyes blinked, blonde lashes meeting, then parting. “What do I need to do?”

“Some of your blood must be given to the Blessed Blade,” Sylphiel whispered, bringing the blade close.

Completely trusting, without looking, Gourry reached out and caught the blade in his hand. Blue eyes locking on to green ones, he deliberately gripped the blade and slid his hand down its length.

Elena watched, holding back the reach of the Dark Lord, admiring the blonde’s tenacity. She was aware that Shabranigdo was trying to subvert her, trying to get past her barrier, but her draconic side was aiding. She knew that she wouldn’t hold out as long as they needed her to, but she would do what she could. She owed them all that much for everything they’d done for her.

No sooner had Gourry let go of the sword, it began to glow, a brilliant light radiating from in most reminiscent of the Sword of Light. As they watched, it changed, becoming a smaller blade to fit the Cleric who held it. Too long to be called a dagger, and much too short to be a sword, it glittered brightly in the darkness that approached. Sylphiel lifted her eyes to the woman in the distance, raising the blade aloft. “Elena, go. I do not wish for you to be a sacrifice as well.”

Golden eyes narrowed for a moment, and then closed. So the Cleric knew. Head bowed, the Mazoku-Dragon General of Zelas Metallium vanished, allowing the raw power of Shabranigdo to approach at an alarming speed.

Power of another nature began to crackle around Sylphiel as she called words that Gourry couldn’t understand. Suddenly, between heartbeats, everything was frozen.

And then, Gourry watched in horror as the gentle Cleric raised the blade higher, and then with a swiftness born only of sheer necessity, brought the blade to rest within her own body.

The Knight of Shabranigdo’s anger was palpable in the form of the fury that she threw at the Mazoku who stood before the small group. Lina could tell that Xellos was tiring, but he wouldn’t allow them to aid him. He’d explained it as a difference in magics, but Lina knew that he was going to hold out against the Knight as long as he could to buy Sylphiel time, and to keep Zelgadis and Amelia from wearing themselves out in a futile defense.

And while Xellos bought them time, Lina had to make a decision. Who lived, who died, and how the balance would be restored. Sure. No pressure. Just saving the world one more time.

It was beginning to get old.

Xellos’ shield faltered, but before Lina could do anything to help, another figure had joined Xellos. Elena added her strength to the shield, calling back to Lina and the others. “They have everything they need, except time! I hope your Cleric knows what she’s up against!”

Lina couldn’t have been more pleased to see Xellos’ partner, especially with the news she had of the others. “I think she has a good clue. I guess all we can do now is wait!”

Elena shook her head. “You’re going to have to defend yourselves very soon. We can’t stay much longer. Once the Protector awakens…”

Lina nodded. The initial surge of power as the Protector awakened would be enough to destroy both Xellos and Elena. Turning, she saw her two companions preparing for battle. They actually think they’ll have a chance? She’d swat them like flies before they could even raise their shields. Oh well… time for Chaos to join in…

Crimson eyes shot through with gold closed, and Lina summoned enough of her own power to support a shield against the Knight of Shabranigdo. The golden braces glittered at Lina’s wrists, but the armor didn’t follow. She didn’t want to take a true stand unless she absolutely had no choice in the matter. She opened her eyes and looked to the two Mazoku. “Go. Thank you for your help, Xellos and Elena. Now, get out of here before you become trapped into this.”

The two Mazoku looked to each other, and nodded. As they vanished, Lina’s shield formed around the three left behind.

“So. Have you picked, Chaos Knight? Are you going to side with those who support the weaker magics?” The Knight of Shabranigdo punctuated her words with vicious red-black slashes of magic.

Lina’s shield absorbed each attack without countering, and she simply looked at the Knight of Shabranigdo. “I choose to guard those who are my friends. Kira would have known that.” Where in Cepheid’s name is Sylphiel? She should have been able to complete the ritual by now…

Zelgadis and Amelia tightened up behind Lina, the chimera’s voice quiet. “Lina, we have to make a plan for the possibility that Sylphiel doesn’t make it in time.”

Lina ignored the soft sound from Amelia that echoed what was within her own heart. “If Sylphiel doesn’t make it, Zelgadis, I have to take her out. I won’t have a choice in the matter.”

A pool of shadows darkened for a moment as a shadowy figure collected even more shadows and vanished into them.