Heart of Darkness

Chapter 46

 

            When they had found themselves in Saillune, Sylphiel and Gourry had set off to one of the nearby temples, as Sylphiel wanted to collect a few items that might help protect them all from further encounters with Zelgadis.

            As such, they had no idea what was transpiring in the Palace. Indeed, they’d reached the temple at close to the same time that Lina had gone Astral.

            They’d spent time visiting, Sylphiel caught up with the head Cleric, Claribold and they discussed the potential for an Avatar of Shabranigdo. Claribold was clearly unnerved by the thought, and pointed out that there hadn’t been any portents of blatant power.

            However, when Sylphiel had mentioned the name ‘Ambervale’ Claribold blanched, pale skin going paler before flushing scarlet. “That’s a story written to scare people from the darker magics. To illustrate what happens on the path of the wicked.”

            “Like Shigai no Ishii?” She asked sweetly. She’d heard all about that adventure too. She knew, better than he what had been encountered down there, what had resulted from the casual treasure hunting expedition. Amelia had told her everything, right down to the use of the Medigo Flare and how it hadn’t harmed Zelgadis.

            Claribold cringed. Those were supposed to be unknowns, places that existed only in the stories told by those who needed to impress youths who had too much of a wild streak in them, youths who were at risk of being contacted by a Mazoku for Pact. He sighed in reluctant acknowledgement, bowing his head. “If you know those places, then there is no reason to dissemble.”

            Sylphiel smiled her sweetest ‘I told you so’ smile and nodded. “The time may be upon us. I don’t yet know what the paths will bring, but there is a storm on the horizon. The Artifacts must be put into place in the event that the upcoming storm is the one that we fear. Shabranigdo must not be allowed to walk the world again. The Avatar must be stopped.”

            Claribold was saved from having to reply by a loud sound of voices, a female speaking quickly to a male who really only had the space to give non-committal grunts, accompanied by rapid footfalls that spoke of running. The door burst open and Amelia wil Tesla Saillune entered with Gourry in tow.

            “Miss Amelia!” Sylphiel said, standing up with an alarmed expression. “What’s happened? You should be at the Palace!” For Amelia to be at the temple in search of Sylphiel, something must have gone terribly wrong.

            “Sylphiel, we need you at the Palace. Lina and Xellos have been attacked… Xellos looks like he’s half-dead, and Lina won’t wake up…” Amelia began, out of breath, tears in her brilliant blue eyes. “We can’t find Jedah, and I doubt you can do much for Xellos, but you have to help Lina. You have to come back now. I’ve horses ready at the door and there’s no time to lose!” On horseback, it would only be an hour or so at full gallop. Maybe less if they ran the horses full out.

            Sylphiel wasted little time moving towards the door. “Yes, at once, Amelia.” She turned to look to Claribold. “Please consider my request and relay your reply to me at the Palace. Anything that can harm a mortal and a Mazoku at once…” She just hoped that it hadn’t been Zelgadis. If he was the Avatar, and if he’d attacked Lina… Sylphiel could see no other alternative. The storm would come and she’d find herself on the opposite side of Zelgadis, Jedah and Xellos. With a fervent prayer that what she feared would not come to pass, Sylphiel followed Amelia and Gourry out of the antechamber, leaving Claribold behind to contemplate what Sylphiel had revealed.

 

            The three ran through the temple, something Sylphiel should have been horrified about, but when necessity dictated, she ran. “What can you tell me, Amelia?” She’d put the travel to good use; ask the questions that she thought would help her decided the best course of action when she got there. Her mental list of spells was already forming, and she hoped it would be enough.

            They swung around to the front, bursting out into the courtyard where the horses awaited. “I’m not sure, but when we first found her, Lina was Astral. When Naga and I tried to summon Jedah for help, Xellos appeared instead. We thought we’d have trouble with him when he took one look at Lina and vanished.” The horses stamped as the three settled themselves in the saddles. The sense of urgency was thick and the horses were eager to move.

            As Amelia led the way, Sylphiel guided her horse to stay beside the Princess. “What happened then, Amelia? Was that when you came to get me?” She needed more information. She herself couldn’t travel in the Astral Plane, to her it was some mythological place filled with dangers and wonders.

            “No,” Amelia replied, watching Gourry’s horse take the initiative and the lead. It didn’t matter who led; they all knew where Saillune was. “I could feel something was going on, could sense some fight on the Astral Plane and then Lina cried out, fighting Naga like a cat. Only when Xellos reappeared did she calm down. But Xellos…” It still made Amelia cold to recall. “He’d been torn apart, Sylphiel. Whatever enemy they ran into left Lina unconscious and Xellos in pieces… and I’m afraid it might have been the woman who took Zelgadis.”

            Sylphiel fretted as they continued towards Saillune. What could she do to help Xellos? She was a Cleric of Cepheid, anathema to Mazoku. Her power, her strength came from the diametrically opposing force. What could she possibly do to attempt to rebuild him? She watched Amelia’s back as scenery flashed past, recalling the bizarre kiss between Princess and Mazoku in the caverns. Would Amelia do something like that again, just to save Xellos? Could she do it again without her own soul becoming corrupted? And what about Zelgadis? Where was he? And Jedah? What about him?

            Too many questions and not enough answers.