Heart of Darkness
Chapter 29
Silence,
Amelia decided, was worse than the loudest chaotic cacophony. She’d rather be
able to hear shouting, ranting, crying… anything other than the strange stillness
that had settled around the small group that had followed Xellos off through
another series of rooms that they hadn’t even known were there.
After moving them through the third chamber, Xellos had paused, still seeming to ignore the four mortals that trailed behind him. He’d opened his eyes, looked around, and then with his eyes still open, had drawn the group through one more stone chamber before collapsing into a heap on the stone floor. Instantly concerned, Sylphiel had leapt forward to aid, only to be repelled by something akin to the barrier that Jedah had thrown up to prevent Amelia from returning to the room before.
It had taken a few more attempts for them to realize that Xellos was deliberately pushing them away from him as he gathered himself into a slumped, but seated position on the stone floor, looking as if he’d been at the brunt end of a Soul Bless or one of the other powerful, and at times unfortunately, Sealed White Magics.
It took no time at all for Amelia to realize why Xellos was pushing them away, and calmly slip through the barrier to sit next to him. It was then that she decided that silence was intolerable, and she quietly touched her fingers to Xellos’ gloved hand, causing him to turn his head slightly to look to her, his violet eyes dull and strangely lifeless.
“You know that I do not like you, Xellos Metallium. You are a Mazoku, and by all rational definition a sick and twisted antithesis of all that I hold dear. You delight in the pain and suffering of others, and yet, you are taking no power, no… comfort” she nearly choked on the word, “from us. You have led us away from danger, protected us in a way opposite of your nature. I do not understand your behavior, as it is clearly having an impact on you.”
Amelia’s speech was delivered with almost no emotion. She would be a great ruler indeed, Xellos decided. That was, if they survived the showdown between Jedah and Zelgadis. That fight would be nothing less than catastrophic.
Not even
Xellos would be safe here from the shockwaves of power that could and likely
would result from an all-out battle between Mazoku of their level. And yet,
Xellos had no strength to draw the five of them away any farther. He was bound
to Jedah’s will not to leave the mortals, and he was
doomed if he didn’t. It was a no-win situation, and so it was time for him to
pay the piper and tell some of the truth. ‘
“Amelia,” Xellos began quietly, hating every word he uttered, “Once upon a time, I walked the world, a mere mortal like yourself.” His voice was too low for Naga, Sylphiel, and Gourry to hear. They could see that the odd pair was speaking, but no words were penetrating the thick silence. “In those days, I was a Priest of moderate rank, sworn to the same service that you are now.”
Shock rippled over Amelia’s features as she looked sharply to Xellos. He lifted his hand out from under hers, as if he found her touch to be painful. “I made the Pact with Jedah, knowing that one could not exist without the other. If I became a powerful Mazoku, the balance would demand a powerful ally for the other side as well. It… made sense.” It had been a logical sacrifice, he’d told himself at the time. He hadn’t stopped to think out the fact that he was balanced out in mediocrity as well. Ah, the misguided sacrificial tendencies of impetuous youth.
Amelia frowned. Xellos didn’t sound like himself, didn’t have that annoying edge to his voice, that glitter in his violet eyes as he looked at her. “Zelgadis… if that even was Zelgadis, he hit you harder than you want us to know. He’s nearly killed you and you’re protecting us!” She couldn’t hold back the sudden burst of emotion, couldn’t quell the spark of rage that flashed through her. “Well, stop it!” The anger sharpened her voice, shattering the silence with a crack that seemed like the last two words were echoed in the distance. It was a thunder with no lightning, a fierce catch of the last two words as if not one, but two voices had spoken it at the same time.
Naga frowned over at her sister, but cast a glance back the way they had come. Had that been Lina’s voice she’d heard, a strange echo of Amelia’s? Or was it simply a trick of these caves? She looked bath to Amelia and Xellos, wondering if they had heard it, wondering what they were talking about. Xellos looked half-dead and Amelia… well, Naga wasn’t sure what emotion that was that she could see in her sister’s eyes. Pity? Compassion? For Xellos? Or was it maybe for someone else?
Something seemed to settle around Amelia, an odd mix of tangible and intangible magic laced with emotion. Determination flashed across the younger Princess’ eyes, and she summoned up all the courage that she could, telling herself it was the only way, a last desperate gamble to save them all from what was rapidly becoming clear as Certain Doom. Young woman gave way to magic, an ancient power of Woman, something as old as Jedah, as old as Chaos Itself. It was the power that enabled those who could wield it the ability to make the hardest of choices, take the most dangerous of actions without hesitation or regret.
With no further words, no explanations or warnings, Amelia threw herself at Xellos.
And planted the almightiest of kisses directly on the Trickster Priest’s lips.