Heart of Darkness

Chapter 25

 

            Lina hadn’t fainted. No, the redheaded Sorceress had instead instantly dissolved into tears, a completely uncharacteristic response to Jedah’s revelation about Zelgadis potentially becoming Shabranigdo’s Avatar.

            Jedah led them all into the caves, through that small hallway and into the first room, helping Lina sit on the floor where Amelia could offer her a handkerchief from her pouch and Sylphiel could murmur little useless words of what pathetic comfort she could. Gourry stood by the doorway, contenting himself with being the guardian, keeping watch for anything that might come their way… largely because he didn’t know what else he could do. Lina’s tears had always made him feel a little strange, as if he’d somehow managed to fail her as protector and older brother, even though she was perfectly capable of fending for herself.

            The Trickster Priest had vanished somewhere along the way back to the caves, so Naga couldn’t pin him and ask him what she wanted to ask. Instead, she looked from Lina to Jedah and frowned. “What?” Her patience was worn, and she was tired of having the impression that a game was being played at her expense. She wanted answers, and she gave Jedah a look that told him all too plainly what she thought of the silence, and his lack of willingness to be forthcoming with answers. The youth blinked his light blue eyes for a moment, the picture of guilty innocence, and then he sighed. He shook his head, his soft violet hair trying to tug itself out of the ponytail he wore it in.

            “Amelia,” Jedah said, looking to the younger girl. “Will you please take care of Lina for me? I need to speak with your sister.” No reasons were given, but then Amelia was completely taken in by Jedah and didn’t need any. As far as Amelia was concerned, Jedah was no-one and nothing more than Zelgadis’ younger brother.

            Leaving Lina in the care of Amelia, along with Sylphiel and one rather lost Gourry, Jedah led Naga deeper into the cave system, aware of what he’d have to do… and somehow not finding the thought very pleasing. He had hoped that it wouldn’t have had to come to this, but he needed Naga on his side, needed to be on her side… for if not for Naga, Lina wouldn’t have managed to get this far. And if he was going to reach Zelgadis, Lina would have to be there with him. So as far as he was concerned, Naga was essential and he couldn’t afford any rifts within the group.

            They didn’t get very far, however, for as soon as they were unquestionably out of earshot of the others, Naga came to a halt and folded her arms, glaring at Jedah’s back as she spoke. “Enough games, Jedah, or whoever you are. I want to know who you truly are and what’s really going on.”

            “Are you certain?” Jedah asked from the darkness. He came to a halt and turned, though he knew that she couldn’t see him. He sounded so sad that for a moment, Naga wasn’t sure. But she rallied herself and glared into the shadows. “Of course I’m sure! I asked you a question and I expect an answer!”

            He sighed, closing his eyes and calling his magic to him, regretting it even as he did it. As Naga stood there, Jedah became visible in the darkness, etched out of light in bas-relief. Black, purple and gold glittered around him, his hair was suddenly long down his back, and then the magic parted like a cloak that had been swirled around his figure.

            She gasped, eyes widening as she took a step away when he moved out of that unnatural reversed-light darkness. He was clothed in black that was edged with purple and gold trim, ancient runes worked into the edges of his tunic, glittering throughout his belt. His black hair offset crystal blue eyes that made her think of the clearest Winter sky… and the unmistakable sense of Power. He tingled with it, glittered with it, his eyes so clear, so beautifully deep… she felt the pull, felt the hypnotic gaze sweep through her as if he could look at her very soul. As if…he held near-infinite power in the palm of his hand. As if he was so very much more than he was telling her. As if…

            In an instant, she placed it.

            “Mazoku!” She gasped, her own blue eyes widening incredulously at him as she took two steps backwards. “You’re Mazoku!!” It wasn’t a nameless dread that crept through her, no. She knew the danger, knew what he could do to her if he so chose.

            “At last, no secrets, Naga. I am Jedah, son of Zelas Metallium. My powers and abilities outstrip even Xellos.” His voice hadn’t changed; it was still the same. It hadn’t darkened with detestation as most Mazoku’s did, nor had it grown rough with power. “But I do not choose to exist on the world in my capacity as the Son of the Greater Beast, and I only show you because you had the obscene temerity to badger me into it.”

            The weight of those words hit Naga full on. She’d pushed relentlessly at one of the most powerful beings in the Four Worlds. She was lucky to still be there to realize what she’d done. The next thought was to wonder if she’d live to tell of it.

            “I would prefer it if you didn’t mention it,” Jedah said quietly, a hint of sadness in his voice. Naga found herself nodding, speechless by the sheer force of Presence that hung as an aura in the room. She was caught in one of those moments where she might not have been awake or asleep, but somewhere halfway in-between, that waking dream in which anything was possible… and perfectly acceptable. So Jedah was a Mazoku. A Greater Mazoku, at that. He wasn’t objectionable… just… powerful. It almost made a bizarre sort of sense.

            And then, from the doorway, came the unmistakable sound of Amelia screaming in absolute terror.