Li paced back and forth, thinking furiously and coming up with nothing. The enchanted shackles Ramius and the other magic users wore proved to be too strong for him to physically pull apart, and without Dimitri he couldn't summon magic. Even leaving proved to be tricky, for every time he approached the door the two crystalline statues came to life and physically removed him from the vicinity of the entrance. Why he was left unshackled confused him, but Ramius's suggestion that he wasn't seen as a threat, and shackles weren't to be placed on non-threats. Li had smiled ruefully at that theory, it pricked at his pride to be considered a non-threat. He paused in his pacing.
"Ramius, doesn't sound affect crystal?" The sage nodded, but then shook his head.
"If what you are suggesting making a high enough pitched noise that would cause the crystal to shatter, it's a good idea, but it won't work."
"Why not?" Li asked, baffled and hurt. Ramius gave him a sheepish look.
"Sufficed to say, none here can hit that particular note, much less hold it long enough for it to be effective."
"What about a whistle?" Li was grasping at straws, and Ramius knew it.
"With what materials? I noticed that you are even bereft of that copper butterknife of yours." Ramius replied gently. It had the adverse effect.
"It was broken when 'Dancer - " Li paled. "'Dancer." He stomped over to the far corner, grabbing the insane mage and shaking him.
"What's happened to 'Dancer?!" The befuddled man stared back at him, half in terror, half asleep.
"Who knows why the Towermaster would want your friend? Why does he want any of us? Mayhap you should ask him, when he comes for us at the dark of the moon!" In a fit of madness the man crackled and foamed at the mouth. Disgusted, Li put him down and returned to his friend's side.
"What am I going to do?" He asked Ramius, his voice tight with worry. Ramius opened his mouth to answer when the door was blown inward. Nonchalantly Zelgadis stepped through the smoldering rubble, and without a sideways glance fried both sentinel golems with a beam of light from each hand. He blinked, adjusting to the lower light of the room, looking around.
"Where's 'Dancer?"
'Dancer meanwhile was carrying on the strangest two way conversation she had ever been prived to. While the Mazoku taunted and questioned her, Dimitri, (as she learned the blade was called), filled her in on the severity of the situation. Mazoku, she learned, were major demons, on par with dragons and lesser gods who fed off of the darker emotions of humanity. 'Dancer listened carefully, the information sounding oddly familiar, like some half forgotten grammar lesson, even as Kaljav, the Mazoku, baited her, made her angry and afraid by turns. And yet she recognized the baiting for what it was, and with Dimitri's help, managed to control these emotions. Nor was she idle. Never one to spend excess time on caring for her outward appearance, she had several chipped and broken nails which she diligently applied to the cords binding her hands. It was a slow, and painstaking process, but Kaljav gave her plenty of time, trying to pump her for information just as he tried to raise her fear level.
Even under the best of circumstances, people don't ordinarily stand a chance against these monsters. Dimitri explained.
Why do I sense a 'but'? 'Dancer asked, sawing through another strand. Dimitri sighed in her head. She still thought he sounded just like Li, if only a little deeper, but she expected as much from his bond-weapon.
I was designed for the direct purpose to slay such monsters. 'Dancer's hopes lifted for a moment, then sank as Dimitri continued. But I absolutely CAN'T function at full power without my bond-human.
Li. For a moment 'Dancer thought wistfully of the good natured blademaster, while Dimitri discovered a new, more disturbing (according to him) facet of their link. He could hear her unspoken emotions. Privately he hoped Li would make his appearance shortly, he didn't like the bond he was developing with this enigmatic girl.
"Who are the others?!" Kaljav roared at her, bellowing in her face. He wasn't angry. He was never angry, but he found acting the part frequently instilled fear in a way that threats didn't. 'Dancer nearly gagged at the stench of his breath, it smelled of fish left to rot. 'Dancer gave him a disdainful look.
"What are mere mortals to you?" She snapped back, her patience coming to a surprising end. In a queer, clear-headed way she knew was in the worst danger in her entire life, and yet felt no fear. If she pulled apart her hands in a quick motion she could free herself from her bonds. Still Kaljav would see that movement and be upon her before she could draw Dimitri. She continued to saw the last strand.
"Indeed, what are any of us to one who is so powerful? " Her voice deepened and grew scornful, even as she drew herself to her full height. Kaljav stared at her, suddenly uncertain about the woman standing before him. Dimitri broke off in his own dialogue, aware of a curious change in the latina's aura. 'Dancer arrogantly tossed her head, and made eye contact with the Mazoku, something she hadn't done but once before. Kaljav found he was unable to look away. For the briefest moment he thought he was staring into the sea gold eyes of a flamedrake. 'Dancer dropped her eyes, and the curious hold over him vanished. He also saw her hands were free. She held them slightly away from her sides, palms outward, as if in a dare. A mischievous smile lit 'Dancer's face. The next move was up to him, and Kaljav knew it.
He lunged roaring.
Li was angry about leaving the magic users without having freed them, but like Ramius said, it made no sense for them to continue trying to waste magic on shackles which only proved to absorb it. Zelgadis, seeing he could nothing for them had turned and left without so much as a by-your-leave. It didn't take Ramius much persuading to send Li after the chimera and when he finally caught up with the veiled warrior, Zelgadis was wiping his blade clean of the blood of a trio of monsters he had slain. The cool efficiency with which he dealt with the whole business made Li wary. He didn't like the mood which had settled onto Zelgadis.
"Here." Zelgadis tossed him one of the creatures' obsidian blades. Li tested the weight of the strange sword, and decided he could make do with it.
"'Dancer has my blade." He had explained earlier, to Zelgadis, who had made no response, so that Li was left wondering if he had even heard Li's statement. It occurred to Li then, that Zelgadis noticed a great many things, and preferred not to comment on them. He strode purposely down one hall way, then up at stairwell, almost as if he knew where he was going.
"Do you know where we're headed?" Zelgadis didn't even pause to give him the benefit of a glance.
"Of course." His terse reply told Li something his demeanor hadn't. Zelgadis was worried.
Dimitri practically leapt out of his scabbard, crackling with energy. 'Dancer hoisted the weapon, marveling at the lightness of it, all the while knowing she had no idea what to do with it. Dimitri quickly solved that problem by demanding power. 'Dancer gave willing of it, and again she felt a familiar tug, as if something was leaving her. Feels a little like bleeding, but without the pain. She thought recklessly as Dimitri unleashed a wave of ragged energy. Kaljav to the brunt of the attack full in the face, and retreated to subspace for a second.
There was a moment of silence in the room, broken by the sounds of fighting outside. 'Dancer reached for the door as Li burst into the room, shouting her name as a war cry.
"Funny, I had no idea I inspired such devotion." She remarked drolly, leaning against Dimitri. Li blinked, then grinned foolishly at her.
"Sorry, I heard a shout and - " 'Dancer shook her head.
"Not to worry. Here," She handed Dimitri and his sheath to the delighted blademaster. "I believe these are yours."
"Is that so?" 'Dancer blanched as ivory talons grasped her around the middle and yanked her away. She at least had the presence of mind to drop the enchanted sword. The Mazoku snapped his fingers, causing a thick wall of ice to spring up between him and Li.
'Dancer couldn't even shout, a chill creeping over her body freezing the very breath in her lungs. The runes on her bracers flared up, and with a howl of pain Kaljav threw her against the wall. He stared at his hand, the flesh charred from where he had held her. 'Dancer lay stunned, the force of the toss robbed her of breath.
"'Dancer!" Li dashed into the room, hacking away at the ice. 'Dancer forced herself to move, hearing his voice. She wasn't too far from a window looking out over the interior of the tower - shattering ice interrupted her train of thought. 'Dancer spared a glance over her shoulder. Li engaged Kaljav, his sword glowing bright enough to hurt her eyes.
"What, are you going to kill me with a light spell?" Kaljav taunted the blademaster. 'Dancer grit her teeth and stood, her hands finding the window sill.
"Idiot... demon... doesn't ... know... when to... shut up." She snarled, pulling herself up onto the ledge. Kaljav glanced back at the woman in the open window. It didn't take a master sage to guess what he was thinking, and 'Dancer deliberately leaned backwards. The last thing she saw as she tumble away was the Mazoku's startled expression.
"You know, one of these days I'm not going to be around to save you." 'Dancer chuckled softly, and grinned broadly up at Zelgadis. She lay flat on her back on the ground, rescued from certain disaster by a well timed spell. She sat up gingerly.
"I'll be sure not to jump out of any more windows then." She flinched, and gently stretched, checking to make sure nothing was broken. She was roughed up, but thankfully the worst damage was little more than the large purple bruise she'd acquired. Not that she wasn't going to feel it in the morning. Zelgadis extended his hand and helped her to her feet, watching her intently. 'Dancer blinked, surprised at the scrutiny.
"¿Qué?
"You didn't hear a word of what I just said, did you?" Zelgadis asked quietly. 'Dancer shook her head. Zelgadis pulled up one of her sleeves, and studied the faintly luminescent bracers. 'Dancer bit her lower lip, his studious calm alarming her. He muttered something under his breath and rapped the bracer with the hilt of his dagger. 'Dancer started, she hadn't even seen him draw the knife.
A jolt ran up her spine, like a mild electric shock. 'Dancer gasped and pulled her hand out of Zelgadis's grasp. It was as if she had taken off a pair of sun glasses, all the colors came into sharp relief. At the same time she became of the soft sound of the cloth of her cloak rustling, the slightly stale smell of the air, the sensation of a stray hair in her face, the coppery taste of blood in her mouth.
"Better?" 'Dancer stared at Zelgadis, not comprehending.
"What did you do?" Zelgadis looked immensely relieved.
"Dispel. It's a cross between Flow Break and Dicleary."
"But Dicleary is a..." 'Dancer's eyes grew wide at the implication. She felt lightheaded.
"H-how come you..." She faltered, not knowing how to continue.
"How come I didn't use it before?" Zelgadis stretched out an arm to steady her as she began to sway on her feet. "You were too far under before." He looked her over again, noticing the bruising covering the left half of her.
"Are you going to be okay?" He asked quietly. She nodded and he sighed inwardly. 'Dancer wouldn't rest until she either got Fledge back, or got killed trying.
An explosion rattled the entire tower. As one, they looked back up at the room from which 'Dancer had fallen. A yellow cloud billowed out and Li was leaning as far out as he dared, coughing.
"Do you think we should - " Li apparently caught sight of the duo and waved at them, seeming none the worst for the wear.
"Never mind." 'Dancer murmured. Zelgadis allowed himself a faint smile.
Kaljav stepped out of subspace into an ornately decorated study. Books lined the shelves from the floor to the ceiling, and sunlight lit the entire area. Kaljav squinted slightly, the brightness of the room insult to the injury he sustained at the hands of the well trained blademaster. His once alabaster skin was ash grey, and he was covered in shallow cuts that refused to heal. At the other end of the room from him, peering through a primitive microscope, was a purple haired gentleman.
"Kenntnis." Kaljav growled. The grandfatherly man turned, as if startled, and faced the Mazoku. Kaljav wasn't fooled. The towermaster had known the moment the Mazoku had stepped into the room. He would also have a good idea on how Kaljav had received his wounds, if he hadn't been watching the entire battle from his scrying glass all together. Kaljav growled again.
"Kenntnis, I am returning to the Wrent. Deal with intruders yourself."
Kenntnis didn't say anything as the Mazoku slipped back into subspace, but an amused smile played on his face after the Kaljav left.
"A chimera, a slayer and a Guardian." He mused aloud, glancing over at his scrying pool. The clear water clouded over and showed him the trio, the chimera and woman climbing the tower stairs as the blademaster hurried down them to rejoin his comrades. His smile widen.
"Dream well, children."
Zelgadis stopped suddenly, his arm shooting out in front of 'Dancer, stopping her as well. 'Dancer looked beyond his arm and saw what caused his consternation. Mist spilled down the stairway. 'Dancer shot Zelgadis a concerned look. He shrugged, but 'Dancer could see the tension in the shrug as the mist drew closer.
"We won't be able to outrun it." 'Dancer silently bobbed her head, and the mist was upon them.
Stop! Li came to a screeching halt, nearly pitching forward from the effort. He stared uneasily at the mist slowly rising up the stairwell.
"Is it dangerous?" He asked his blade. Dimitri didn't get a chance to answer, as the floor dropped out from below the blademaster.