Forgotten King: Chapter 5
Sorry if there are some spelling/grammatical errors in this. I AM NOT AN ENGLISH MAJOR!!!!
* Italics mean a person's thoughts
Zelgadis walked down a hall in the castle, not really caring where he ended up. He had always been one to just wander about as he thought things through. I hope she is okay. Damnit, why wouldn't she stop when I told her. Her wounds needed attention, and I'm sure she knew as well, but she still wouldn't stop. Zel looked to his side, he had just stepped in front of a mirror. He looked at his reflection, studied how he looked from another's eyes. She must really think I am a monster, she already knows I'm part mazuko. Just look at me I am a Monster!!!! Zel lost all control as his fist flew into the mirror, shattering the glass into many tiny pieces, flying to the floor. Zel looked at the glass, contemplating what he should do next, why he was acting like this. I have never lost control of myself like that before. What is the change? What is the difference? Nothing is different here, nothing but...........no that can't be it, can it? Could that girl be causing me to act this way. That.......that girl, Zel's mind was soon overflowing with images of the small redhead that had shown up just two days ago. She is so overconfident and arrogant, but there is something I like about it. There is something about her, something.......WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!!! Zel's mind chided him for thinking that way, he should know better than that. He was a monster and she knew it. There was no way she would she past his appearance, no way in hell. Zel clenched his fist in rage as he looked down at the glass, not even noticing he wasn't alone anymore.
Lina and Sylphiel were walking down the halls of the castle, looking for the master. As they walked Lina began to ask questions of the maid that had become somewhat of her friend. "Did the master serve the king when he was still alive?"
"Um, I guess you could put it that way."
"How did they meet?"
"The master knew the king all his life."
"Really? Then the master isn't that old. So he is a lower level mazuko."
Sylphiel just gazed at Lina, wanting to know where she got the idea that the master was a mazuko. True, he was part mazuko now, but he wasn't originally and how could Lina tell just by looking at him. Not many people knew a mazuko when they saw one. How could Lina know so easily? Wait a minute, it's his eyes. She saw his eyes, that is how she guessed.
"Um, Sylphiel, are you ok?" Lina asked while waving a hand in front of the girl's face.
Sylphiel snapped back to attention and said, "Oh sorry, I got caught up in thought, that's all."
"Hey why doesn't the master stay closer to the city? He would get a better meal that way you know." Lina rambled on with her questions.
"He doesn't like to be around people, he isn't like what you think he is," Sylphiel said with a bit of irritation in her voice. Why can't Lina see that he isn't a mazuko!!
Lina noticed that her 'friend' was getting a bit annoyed with her questions. I guess I better stop for a while. I need to keep at least one friend in this place.
Sylphiel was starting to get worried. Usually she could find the master by now. Now where could he be......... *Crash* Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud from up the hall.
The two girls sprinted down the hallway, wondering what was going on. As they rounded the corner they froze. There was the master, looking at the shattered glass of what used to be a mirror. Glass covered the floor and some of the master himself, pieces of glass still on his hands and clothes.
Sylphiel began to walk towards the master, wanting to stop him before he did something drastic, but stopped as his fist clenched in full rage. "Um, master are you ok."
He didn't move, didn't even register that she even said a word. Then as his rage built up again he slammed his fist into the wall. His fist went straight through with a sickening *crunch* and became lodged in the wall. He began to struggle, trying to get his hand free, but the wall wouldn't release it.
Sylphiel came to his side and began to help pull. It was only then he registered the presence of the two girls in the hallway. They both pulled with all their might, but the wall still refused to budge. Zel looked out the corner of his eye to catch the redhead staring at them, a small smirk playing across her face. Oh great, now I will probably never here the end of this. Damnit, why did I lose control like that!!!
Lina, seeing the comedic display in front of her, couldn't help but smirk slightly. Here was a powerful mazuko stuck in a wall, this you don't see everyday. After a few moments of taking in the humorous situation she walked to the master's side and asked, "Why don't you just teleport out?"
Zel looked at her confused and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Your a mazuko. You should be able to teleport out of this situation, you dummy," Lina chided the master like he was some five year old under her care.
Zel's eyes glazed over with anger, "Damnit, listen to me. I am not a mazuko. I cannot teleport, or do other things that mazuko can do. Do you get it yet?"
Lina looked at him pondering over her conclusion. "Well, if you aren't a mazuko, then just what are you?"
"None of your business," Zel all but yelled as he still tried to pry his hand out of the wall.
Lina reddened as she took in his tone and retorted, "Look here. I only asked you a question. You don't have to get angry at me just because you got your firkin' hand stuck in the wall!"
Zel looked at her annoyed and asked, "Are you going to help, or are you going to keep running your mouth."
Lina fumed, how dare he. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind when he gets out. Lina walked up and began to help, pulling on his arm with all her might.
"Okay, lets try pulling together on three," Sylphiel suggested.
Lina and Zel both nodded and prepared themselves. "One, Two, Three..." Sylphiel counted, and on three they all pulled.
Zel's hand finally dislodged from the wall, and all three were shot back with the force of the pulling. They all crashed into the wall and collapsed in an odd position. Zel landed against the wall first with Lina and Sylphiel landing, the latter on top of the other, across his lap. Sylphiel was the first to come to. Seeing the odd position she was in she blushed and quickly jumped off the pile. She began to shake Lina checking to see if she was ok. "Miss Lina, wake up, please."
Lina moaned and looked up at Sylphiel, "Ow, I'm ok Sylphiel, but please stop shaking me."
"Oh, sorry Miss Lina, I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"That's ok, just remind me to brace a little better next time."
"Ow....." Zel moaned as he came to and began rubbing his temples.
Lina looked up to see the master's head not being covered by the hood. She was meet with the sight of silver looking metallic hair, with one bang coming down over his right eye. Next she noticed his blue skin dotted by rocks, making up his brow and under his eyes. What in the world? A mazuko wouldn't take this form if he was trying to trick people. Lina looked down to see her position over his lap. With her face reddening, she jumped up, and out of his lap scrambling to the opposite side of the hall.
Zel looked at Lina slightly confused, when realizing the situation blushed. At the same time he pulled up his hood, got up, and started walking down the hall. I knew she would see me as a monster. Why else would she hurry away from me like that?
Lina got up and ran after the master. What's this guy's problem? First he gets his hands stuck in a wall because of rage, and now he gets mad for no reason. I just wanted to talk to him, not all this mess. "Hey, aren't you going to at least say anything," Lina asked as she tried to catch up to him.
Sylphiel watched the two go down the hall, Lina attempting to get Zel's attention but failing. I think I will leave those two only right now. She got up and made her way down the hall, I wonder where Gourry-dear is??
Lina followed the master down the hall, she stopped when they reached the throne room and he sat down on the throne. Lina's temper was almost to the point of exploding, but she knew she wouldn't get answers by yelling at him. "Why won't you talk to me? I only want to know more about you."
Zel raised and eyebrow and answer, sarcasm dripping from his mouth, "Oh yes, miss caring just must now everything about me."
Lina placed her hands on her hips and pouted angrily and said, "I just want to be your friend. I can't do that if you keep everything to yourself."
Zel looked at her and responded disbelievingly, "Sure, who wants to be friends with a monster?"
Lina looked at the master, taken aback by his response. True, at first she thought he was a monster, but the more time she watched him, she knew he wasn't a total monster. No, he wasn't, he cared his servants and her too much to be a monster. "I don't think you are monster. I just want to know who you are."
Zel dropped his head, looking at his hands. "How can you say that? I am a monster, anyone who saw me would know it. You knew it by only seeing my eyes the first night we meet."
Lina nervously shuffled her feet at his comment. True again, she did label him for a monster the first time they meet. Oh, why does he have to keep contradicting me, and being right about it to boot!!! "I made a mistake. I was judging too quickly. Please, understand that the night we meet I was pretty strung out after being attacked and captured by your men. And, I might've jumped to conclusions."
Zel raised an eyebrow to this, how could someone have a change of opinion this quick? "What makes now any different from then? I haven't changed, I still am the same."
Lina placed her hands on her hips and looked at the master with extreme irritation. "That's before I saw who you truly are."
"What do you mean? I have done nothing. I haven't shown any change in attitude since then."
"Yes you have. When we meet last night, all I saw and heard from you was a cold, uncaring attitude. But, just from seeing how you treat your servants and I, that shows me that the coldness was just a mask. Why wouldn't you want to show this side of yourself to people?"
"Because people wouldn't except me! Damnit haven't you gotten that yet! Not even my own father could except my appearance after I was......" Zel trailed off after he realized he was giving out too much information.
Lina raised an eyebrow, "After you were what," she asked questioningly.
"None of your business." Zel coolly responded after going back to his mask of neutrality.
"Yes, it is my business. Now that you blurted it out, I have a right to ask," Lina retorted, using her logic of things to her full advantage.
"You may have a right to ask but that doesn't mean I have to tell you," Zel answered coldly.
Lina, fuming from how uncooperative the master was being, began to walk towards the throne. Her arms hung at her side, her fist clenched in anger. She got to the master, and then leaned down to where their faces were only inches apart. "Either you tell me, or I start getting drastic," warned Lina as a evil gleam resonated in her eyes.
Zel felt himself shift as far back into the throne as he could. She is scary when she's angry. "Now look, don't do anything hasty."
"Start talking then, unless you want to be Dragon Slaved," Lina threatened, a feral smile etched across her face.
"Ok, fine you win, just calm down," Zel said quite panicked, this girl would blow him sky high if he didn't comply soon.
Lina back off slightly, and gave a victory sign. "Ok, now talk."
Zel sighed and answered, "My name is Zelgadis Greywords, the crowned prince of this kingdom."
Lina took a step back to brace herself from the shock. What did he just say!! He's the crowned prince, this has to be some kind of sick joke. "How do I know that's true?"
Zel didn't answer, he just stood up and looked at her. Then he pulled down his hood and mask, totally revealing his face. He then positioned himself like the portrait and asked, "Do you believe now?"
Lina gasped in surprise, it really was the crowned prince. All this time he had been hiding in the one place no one would look, right under their noses. But, what happened to him, why did he look like he did now. Was this why he disappeared five years ago, because he looked like he did. Even if he has been changed he still is cute.......WHAT AM I THINKING!!! He's a prince, I would never have a chance in any circumstance to be anything more than his servant. That would be so bad would it.......First things first. Lina shook her head and asked, "What happened to you?"
Zel looked down at the floor, hating to remember the events that lead to his curse, and answered. "My uncle Rezo, became angered when my father wouldn't fund his research. So he decided to curse me, turning me into a chimera, as revenge for denying him." Zel stated, sinking into depression as he spoke.
Lina took on a look of concern at his statement. Man, this isn't good, he's getting all depressed. I have to say something, but what? Lina nervously shuffled her feet while looking at the ground. She couldn't think of something that would cheer him up. When nothing came to her mind she decided with the option left, change the subject and hope for the best. "Hey, what do you do here for fun?"
Zel raised his head, looked at her, and asked curiously, "What do you mean?"
"What do you do for entertainment around here? Watch the moss grow on the castle walls or what?" Lina asked, acting if Zelgadis had asked the stupidest question in history.
"I normally just read, or spar with Vladimir."
"Who's Vladimir? The guy in the mask?"
"Yes, he has been my bodyguard and friend ever since I was five. I don't know why he wears the mask, but I figured it was none of my business."
"You mean you have never seen him without it?"
"Nope, as long as I have known him he has worn that mask."
Lina pondered over this little bit of information. Hmmm....what's up with this Vladimir guy. If he is a mazuko couldn't he just change how he looks at will? Oh, I don't think I will ever understand some of these people. "Well Zel, I take it you have a library here, you wanna show me where it is."
Zel raised an eyebrow at his new nickname, "Zel?"
"Yeah, its much easier than Zelgadis, don't mind if I call you that do you Zel?"
"No, not at all. Now the library is this way."
With that the two of them when down the hall towards the library ideally chatting on their way.
Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.
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