Before I recieve any flame-mails, please understand the following. There is absolutely no reason a Dark Lord CAN'T be called upon for a healing. After all, she brings back Lina's companions at the end of Slayers NEXT.
"]]---[[" Indicates that the person is speaking in a foreign language.
In the quiet of the afternoon a breeze stirred her long overgrown brown bangs. Ignoring the sweat on her forehead she continued to practice her kata. I want to be strong, I want to be strong! She silently chanted, whirling the heavy metal rod in place of her bo staff. The wind picked up a little and she was suddenly aware of the clanking of metal on metal. A gentle voice laughed, causing her heart to squeeze. "No." She whispered, trying to escape. But all there was where red robes, surrounding her. She flinched away from the globe of red energy pointed at her. "Zelgadis...." Whispered the silky voice. She turned and ran, only to run into the red light. "NOOO"
"OOO!" Gasping 'Dancer sat up with a start. Controlling her breath, she looked around the cabin she shared with Zelgadis. His hammock was empty. That's why I dreamed for so long. 'Dancer rubbed the back of her neck and tried laying back down. After five minutes of unsuccessful tossing and turning, (made all the more disconcerting by virtue that she was laying in an unsteady hammock), she sighed and got up. Taking with her pad of paper and some charcoal pencils, (gifts from Alex and Amanda), she went above deck and was mildly surprised to see Zelgadis already there.
Sitting with his back against the port side rail, Zelgadis was reading from a book he'd borrowed from the Merlady's captain. Hovering stationary a meter above his head was a soft glowing light. Duh Stormy, where were you expecting him to be on a ship this size? The crow's nest? 'Dancer wandered over to Zelgadis and sat down on the rail near him, where she could take advantage of his light. She was slightly irked to see he had his veil up, but she didn't mention it.
"Couldn't sleep?" He asked, not looking up from his book. "Um." 'Dancer answered non-comittedly, pulling out a clean sheet of paper. She didn't want to admit to him that she couldn't remember the dreams that tormented her nightly. She began drawing randomly, and was vaguely surprised to see she was sketching the figure of a tall man in priest robes. Shading in areas of shade and sunlight, she tried to place the figure. Whoever he is, he's blind. She realized, and paused to study the picture. Where had she seen him before? Com'on Stormy, use your brain for once. Why is this gentleman familiar? She chewed on her lower lip and stared out across the ocean. Starlight reflected crazily on the calm sea. Probably someone from Torisantl. She mused. Funny, this reminds me of the night we sailed into San Francisco. She quickly changed subjects, not wishing to pursue that line of thought.
"Why are you drawing him ?" Zelgadis's sharp tone quickly grounded her thoughts in reality.
"Huh?" She looked up at him blankly. On his feet, he glared down at her and repeated his question, pointing to her sketch.
"¿Qu- this? I was just drawing from memory..." Zelgadis's eyes grew colder.
"You know him?" He asked ominously. 'Dancer swallowed. "I... don't think so. I just - I mean- Isn't he someone from Torisantl?" Zelgadis searched her eyes for a moment.
"What else have your drawn from memory?" He asked in a guarded tone. 'Dancer handed him her drawings. Zelgadis looked through them and plopped down next to her. Finally, he looked up, amazed.
"Yo- you drew these, from memory?" His voice had a curious catch to it and 'Dancer glanced down at the sketches.
"Yes, why... is there wrong with them?" Despite her years of having draw, she still had the nagging fear that she had drawn the anatomy wrong. Zelgadis shook his head. "No, it's just that they are my - these are people you've never met, only I would know them." Your what? 'Dancer blinked.
"What are you saying then?" Zelgadis gave her an unfathomable look, then glanced back down at the pictures. He switched tactics.
"Did you ever have nightmares about your village being invaded?" He asked bluntly. 'Dancer's heart lurched and she stared at him, speechless. Finally she managed,
"¿Comó?"
Zelgadis glanced at her, sympathetically. "You're nightmares, what are they about?" 'Dancer stared down at her hands. They were shaking.
"No sé. No recuerdo." She responded in a low voice. "I can't remember them. No matter how hard I try to, or how bad they are, I never remember my nightmares." She pulled herself together and stopped shaking. Zelgadis was silent for a moment.
"Red robes and a clanking staff? Soft laughter? This man?" He tapped 'Dancer's most recent drawing. 'Dancer's eyes widened as the nightmare came back to her.
"Yes, how did you know? A-are you reading my mind or something?" Zelgadis sighed. "That's my nightmare you've been having, just like these are my memories." He shuffled through the papers again until he stopped at the picture of a serene looking woman. 'Dancer mulled over the situation.
"Does that mean you've some of my memories?" There were some things about herself she'd rather no one knew... She carefully watched his expression. Zelgadis noticed her stare and kept his face blank. No fair!
"Beyond the nightmare, I haven't. But it's possible." That was as much as she was going to get out of him, and she knew it.
"Humph. Still, that would explain why you can suddenly speak Spanish." She thought aloud. Zelgadis raised an eyebrow. "Spanish?"
"Don't you remember, in Torisantl, when we were, ah... running away from the bountyhunters?" A smile tugged at her lips. Zelgadis gave her a flat look.
"I hadn't realized that I was speaking in a foreign tongue." 'Dancer politely swallowed her laughter. She looked back at her most recent drawing and sobered immedently.
"So, this is Rezo." She sighed, holding up the parchment. Zelgadis nodded unhappily. 'Dancer focused her will on the picture. Source of all power... The drawing burst into pale aqua flames and her stomach clenched.
"You shouldn't be casting so soon." Zelgadis disapproved. "Your hair's already white." 'Dancer absently touched her braid. Her once ebony roots had faded to cloud white. "I noticed. Will it grow out that color?" Zelgadis snorted, handing back her sketches.
"Keep overexerting and you won't live long enough to worry about white hair." He remarked softly, staring out over the water.
'Dancer ignored the biting comment and started to put the drawings away.
"Zel," He looked over as she held up a picture. "What was you dog's name?" He smiled faintly at the drawing of a fierce looking curl-tailed canine. "Trekker." 'Dancer half-smiled. "Trekker. An appropriate name." She put away the sketches and star-gazed as Zelgadis went back to his book.
"Zel?"
"Hmm?"
"Will you teach me fireball now?"
"Lass," 'Dancer turned at the sound of the captain's weather roughened voice. The Merlady's skipper side-stepped a laden stevedore and strode up to her.
"Yes?" 'Dancer asked the suntanned woman.
"Give this to yer young friend. He left it in me cabin." 'Dancer took the oilskin wrapped object and gave the captain a quizzly look. It was a book.
"Can I ask why?" The woman smiled. "Yer blue friend took a keen interest in it, and 'tis a rare find, to 'ave someone who kin read, and enjoys it." Both females pressed themselves against the rail as several stevedores hauled a huge crate by.
"Okay, and thanks again for the ride." The woman caught 'Dancer's arm as she turned to leave.
"One more thing lass. Yer both welcome aboard me Merlady at anytime." Startled and touched, 'Dancer stammered her thanks as the captain shooed her down the gangplank.
The tiny port town of Bonisurf's only claim to fame was a massive mural of the island that was enchanted to continually update itself. 'Dancer found Zelgadis studying the lower portion that held the kingdom of Saaphiro.
"Oye, you've a gift from the Captain." She handed him the oilskin. He opened the skin and looked at her suspiciously.
"Why?" Uh oh, someone's back to his old grumpy self. 'Dancer shrugged.
"Said she hadn't seen anyone take a keen interest in reading in a while. She probably realized that you hadn't finished it. Oh and you have free passage on her boat whenever you need it." Zelgadis raised an eyebrow. 'Dancer ignored it and pointed to the map. There were times when she just didn't want to deal with his personality. "Have you found a route yet?" Zelgadis nodded and outlined his choice. 'Dancer, puzzled, stared up at the map.
"Why are you taking the road around that forested valley?" She asked. Zelgadis sighed softly.
"That forested valley is known as the Forest of Perpetual Night. There isn't a path through." 'Dancer snorted. "That's stupid. You could cut two days travel out by going through that valley, even if you were trailblazing." Zelgadis didn't say anything, but 'Dancer knew her observation hadn't fallen on deaf ears. Like him, time weighed heavily on her, and she was acutely aware of wanting to reach Saaphiro in as quickly as possible.
"Let's go."
Zelgadis was the first to notice something was amiss, but it took 'Dancer's tact (or lack there of) to articulate the problem.
"They all act like they're afraid of something." She muttered over her bowl of rice. Zelgadis shrugged, the table before him empty, as he had choosen not to order anything so he wouldn't have to take off his veil. "This is an area with a large Monster population." They sat in the tiny inn at the edge to the Forest of Perpetual Night.
"The worst Monsters generally turn out to be other humans, Zel." She replied coolly. Zelgadis glanced over at her as she drank from her mug, and wondered what she was alluding to. 'Dancer signaled a waitress over to their table.
"Oye, is there a path through that valley?" She asked carelessly, secretly watching the girl's reaction. She didn't need to be so careful about it, the blind could have seen the naked terror in the girl's face.
"Oh, no Miss, besides, you don't want to go there!" 'Dancer's eyebrows lifted. "Why not?"
"The forest is haunted." She whispered, then looked over as the barkeeper scowled at her. "I have to go..."
"Hmm..." 'Dancer frowned thoughtfully, and stood. She slid a silver piece under her bowl. "Tip?" Zelgadis asked. 'Dancer nodded, then murmured in a low aside.
"Ghosts aren't enough to cause this kind of fear. She's hiding something."
'Dancer and Zelgadis walked silently out of the no name hamlet in silence. Conversation was required by neither, and the quiet was a comfortable companion to both parties.
"Oi, travelers!" Both stopped as a young boy raced to catch up with them.
"Yes chico?" 'Dancer asked. The tow headed boy took a deep breath.
"Dellia lied to you. There is a path through the Forest, it just no one's used it for a long time." 'Dancer and Zelgadis exchanged looks.
"Do you know why they lied to us?" Zelgadis asked softly. The boy nodded.
"Miko Ferez has forbidden the whole town from mentioning it." 'Dancer swallowed. Something about the priest's involvement left a bad taste in her mouth.
"What is 'it'?" 'Dancer asked, curious. The lad grimaced.
"Ma an' me, we moved here after it happened so I donno, an' no one will tell me. But it must have been pretty bad, 'cuz they watch all us kids extra careful now." He scowled and 'Dancer smiled lopsidedly.
"Makes getting into trouble all the harder, ¿no?" The boy made a face. "It's not like we're trying to get into trouble, we just wanna have fun." 'Dancer pitied the boy's situation as Zelgadis coughed politely.
"Oh, right. Can you show us where the path is?" 'Dancer asked. The boy nodded and lead then to the edge of a bramble thicket. With a stick he swept aside several branches to reveal a slightly over-grown path.
"Thanks chico." 'Dancer flipped him a silver coin.
"Thank you!" The boy waved enthusiastically to the duo as they disappeared from sight down the path.
"We're lost." Zelgadis finally admitted, stopping to take stock of the situation.
"Worse," 'Dancer replied sourly, pointing to a twist of paper hanging off a tree branch. "We've been walking in circles."
Zelgadis shook his head, thinking.
"There's no way we could have circled around." He logicalized. "We've kept the steam to the right of us the entire time."
"Then these markers moved themselves. " Her remark earned her a flat look. "Or someone else moved them. Or magic is somehow involved." She concluded. Zelgadis looked thoughtful. "A ring spell. Stay here." Leaving his light spell with her, he marched down the path. 'Dancer waited ten minutes, then seriously began to consider going after him when Zelgadis appeared from behind.
"A ring spell?" She asked, making herself comfortable on a large rock. Zelgadis nodded. "So, how do we break it?" Zelgadis sat down with his back against a tree.
"One doesn't." 'Dancer sighed and stared up into the overlapping branches. The canopy of the trees was so thick that no light penetrated the upper layer.
"Why not?" Zelgadis pulled his cloak tight around him. "These woods are thick with their own kind of magic. I can't tell where the ring spell ends and the forest's magic begins. Get some rest." 'Dancer glanced at him angrily, then turned to her thoughts. So you're saying it's too powerful for you. She pulled her own cloak around her. Zel's right, the forest is positively dripping with magic, but... there's something else, too. She looked over at Zelgadis. Kinda feel sorry for him, though. I at least grew up in a jungle. These strange trees must unnerve him. She yawned. Diosa, am I tired.
She was dozing off when something grabbed her braid at the base of her head. Shrieking she was lift up. I can't see- I can't reach them! The pressure on her head grew unbearable as she kicked wildly and tried to grab the hand holding her.
" 'Dancer, 'Dancer, wake up!" 'Dancer was roughly shaken awake by Zelgadis. Seeing she was awake he released her and she sat up, trembling. In the thrall of the dream she had fallen off her rock.
"Wha-" "Nightmare." Zelgadis replied tightly. 'Dancer felt a chill go down her spine. He's warning me about something! She looked around, her frantic gaze coming to rest on a figure just outside the light from his spell.
'Who's there?" She asked sharply, getting to her feet. The figure stepped into the clearing, revealing...
"A child." 'Dancer's eyebrow twitched. She coolly appraised the young girl in violet robes. Zelgadis held up a warning hand. "Look at what that 'child' carries." 'Dancer glanced at what the girl used as a staff and felt her stomach drop. The black haired girl carried a scythe. She couldn't be... 'Dancer threw off her surprise and took a step towards the girl.
"Who are you?" She demanded. The girl looked at her with peculiarly vacant purple eyes and considered the question.
"I am the guardian of the Forest. Who are you?"
'Dancer was taken aback by the serenity reflected in the voice. Zelgadis stepped in.
"We're travelers. Why have you kept us here?" The girl studied him curiously.
"The Forest kept you, not I."
"Then how do we get out?" 'Dancer suddenly found her voice. The girl frowned at her.
"You are not following the rules." 'Dancer grew cross. "What are you talking about?"
"She's referring to the rules of Arcane Magic." Zelgadis said softly.
"Meaning?" Zelgadis sighed. "I keep forgetting you're not,...the rules of Arcane Magic specify that for every question asked, the questioner must answer a question before he can ask another."
"So she's saying it's her turn?" Zelgadis nodded. 'Dancer looked grumpily back at the girl. "So ask already."
"Why have you come into the Forest?"
"We thought we were taking a shortcut." 'Dancer grumbled. "How do we get out of this spell?"
"By defeating me."
'Dancer turned to Zelgadis, her eyes flashing. "This is ridiculous! I am not going to fight a child!" Zelgadis gave her a quizzly look. "She's not that young." 'Dancer's eyes narrowed. "She's not a day over fourteen, or I'm no judge of age. And that's a child where I come from." She argued. Zelgadis looked over at the girl.
"Do you have a question?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Then ask it."
"In what way do we have to defeat you?"
"In combat."
'Dancer sighed. Whatever happened to a friendly game of checkers?
"Do you have a problem with that?" The girl sounded faintly amused.
"Yes, actually I do."
"This too is part of the rules of Arcane Magic."
"That's nice. Let's get this over with." The girl smiled rushing at 'Dancer, scythe flashing.
"Oye! I'm the one that doesn't want to fight you!" 'Dancer side stepped. I'll just disarm her, then no one'll get hurt. She dodged under the swing and grabbed the handle of the scythe. A jolt of electricity seared up her arms and she dropped the scythe.
"Ach!" 'Dancer hissed ducking under another attack. Zelgadis was there suddenly, his sword-work covering 'Dancer as she beat a hasty retreat.
"BURAMU GUSSHA." Zelgadis hurled a glowing ball at the girl. The girl crossed her chest with her left arm, the ring finger of her hand folded down, and shouted,
"Dark Wall!" A dark mist rose out of the ground in front of the girl, protecting her the explosion caused by the glowing ball. 'Dancer slipped around from behind and grabbed girl around her shoulders pining her arms to her side.
"Give up!" She snapped, making the girl drop her scythe. The girl smiled softly.
"Nightfall!"
Immediately the world was plunged into darkness. 'Dancer was knocked back by an explosion as Zelgadis cursed at an unsuccessfully attempt to summon light. The air whistled and 'Dancer ducked, only to have her midriff come into contact with a knee. She dropped to her knees.
"DALKA FUREA" There was a flash of even darker blackness, and promptly the darkness lifted. The girl stood directly behind Zelgadis, scythe raised. 'Dancer's eyes widened as she whispered "detrás". Zelgadis spun around, his sword catching the scythe blade. 'Dancer stood shakily, watching the fight with admiration. The girl was good. 'Dancer blinked, then gasped. Zelgadis's veil was splatter with mauve blood, his blood! 'Dancer observed as the girl's scythe nicked Zelgadis's arm. The scythe blade, it's longer than Zel's. Her eyes widened as full comprehension dawned on her. And sharper! She could actually hurt him! 'Dancer lept between the two fighters, her sais flashing.
"Enough!" 'Dancer's left sai held Zelgadis's sword inches away from her middle as her right sai over her head halting the downward motion of the girl's scythe. "]]Zel, you're bleeding![[" She muttered in Spanish. Zelgadis looked down, surprised to see blood splattered on his sleeve. The girl lept back and smiled at 'Dancer. 'Dancer disengaged her sai from Zelgadis's sword.
"You're good." The girl complimented her. "Unfortunately, you're also in the way. Enfeeblement!" An icy hand clutched at 'Dancer's throat, draining the strength out of the latina. 'Dancer gargled as she collapsed. The girl lept over 'Dancer's fallen form and with blinding speed reached out to touch Zelgadis's face. Zelgadis jumped back, leaving the girl holding his veil. She stood up straight, feeling the cloth.
"A man, a man who wears a veil. I wonder why."
Zelgadis's glared angrily at the girl. "You wonder-" He choked, raising his sword and attacking the girl in a blind rage. The girl said nothing, just defended against his onslaught with equal (if not better) skill. Enraged at the lack of effect he was having, Zelgadis sidestepped her next attack and shouted,
"VAN REIRU!"
A web of ice shot out from his hands. The girl countered with a spell.
"Dark Wall!" A dark mist rose out of the ground, catching the web. Zelgadis lept over the cloud, right behind his spell, slamming his fist into her solar plexus. The girl sank to her knees, gasping for air. 'Dancer sat up suddenly, the weakness gone. Zelgadis back fisted the girl. She fell back, knocking her head against the rock 'Dancer had been sitting on earlier. Zelgadis knelt, grabbed her by the front of her robes and hauled her up. She hung limply as he raised his fist.
"!Páre!" 'Dancer grabbed his fist, and was nearly pulled off her feet. "Stop it Zel! Stop! Look at her eyes! She's blind! Stop, please! Please, you're killing her!" Zelgadis stared at 'Dancer with the most enraged expression she had ever seen. He wants blood. She realized, strickened. Zelgadis then glared hard into the girl's eyes. 'Dancer was correct, he realized. The girl's purple eyes had no pupils. He lowered his arm as 'Dancer gently lowered the injured girl to the ground. "Oye, chica, don't move."
Zelgadis stood abruptly, angrily towering over the two girls.
"What are the words to Recovery?" 'Dancer asked him. Zelgadis just crossed his arms. She glanced sharply up at him. "Diga me las palabras, Zel."
"You're not strong enough to cast yet." He replied softly, archly. 'Dancer stood her eyes flashing furiously. "Quit stalling. Tell me the damn words." She hissed. Zelgadis simply gave her a stony look. The girl tugged at 'Dancer's cape and 'Dancer knelt down. The girl beckoned her closer and when 'Dancer obligingly did she whispered into her ear. A look of unease flashed across 'Dancer's face but she sat back and clasped her hands together. Diosa forgive me...
"King of Darkness, shining like gold, I pledge myself thee. Through me, heal the one before me, through me, let your will be known, through me, Regeneration!" Dark energy gathered around 'Dancer's hands and swirled out to surround the injured girl. The misty energy settled on her and seemed to be absorbed by the skin. After a long moment the girl sat up. 'Dancer smiled wanly, then swiftly turned and retched.
"Satisfied?" Zelgadis asked coldly. 'Dancer wiped her mouth on her sleeve, noting spots of blood.
"Exceedingly." She turned back to the girl. "Do you-, wait, whose turn is it?"
"Mine, now." The girl stood and helped 'Dancer to her feet. "I concede defeat. As required I release you from the spell." 'Dancer trembled from exertion and the girl glanced at her. "Are you all right?"
"Of course she isn't." Zelgadis snapped as 'Dancer murmured that she was fine. The girl said nothing for a moment, then closed her eyes. After a moment she opened them again.
"I've lifted the spell. Just remember not to step off the path, or the Forest will trap you again." The girl glanced from one traveler to the other. Zelgadis said nothing, storming down the path, his light bobbing behind him. 'Dancer push off her tree.
"Thank you for the warning." 'Dancer glanced over at the forest guardian.
"And thank you for healing me." She paused. "Why did you?"
"Because I don't like hurting children. What's your name?" The girl blinked, then smiled sadly.
"Mekeio. Be careful. Just because you're on the path doesn't mean you're safe from the Forest." 'Dancer nodded, and turned to go. "And 'Dancer," 'Dancer paused. "In this place, you're greatest danger is yourself. Remember that." Mekeio faded away from view. 'Dancer glanced at the place Mekeio had been, then jogged after Zelgadis.