Find my other fics here: www.geocities.com/kaiphantom2000 E-mail and send C&C here: oddball22@hotmail.com Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine. They belong to someone else and I'm only borrowing them to have a little fun! Slayers Beyond Chapter 1 "The past that is, was one that was never supposed to be." -Rowdy Gabriev "What is this place, Lina?" Gourry Gabriev asked, taking in the view of the dank, damp, and dark underground library/laboratory. Several scattered bookshelves lay about, half-filled with ancient tomes, the other half having been tossed to the floor by Lina and Zelgadis. The orange-haired sorceress spun on her heel and yelled at him. "I've told you twenty times already, yogurt-for-brains!" Lina huffed once, then promptly deflated. "Forget it, I don't want to waste time explaining this when I could be looking for that spellbook that's supposed to be down here." She turned her back to her dense, self- proclaimed protector. "Zel, Sylphiel, you tell him." "Count me out," the half-human, half-chimera swordsman/sorcerer declared, tossing another book away, then mumbled, "There has got to be at least a hint of a cure in here somwhere..." Amelia Wil-Tesla Seyruun took another look around the increasingly untidy room, as her two traveling companions tore it up, and fretted. "Oh Miss Lina, Mister Zelgadis, I don't think we should be making such a mess. None of this stuff belongs to us!" "Calm down, Amelia," Lina told her, not pausing in her search. "The owner is obviously not returning. After all, what self-respecting magus would leave their laboratory in such a run-down condition? If he's not gonna take care of it, it's fair game to whoever comes along. Can't let all this precious knowledge go to waste!" That statement was accompanied by the *thump* of yet another dusty, leather-bound book hitting the floor, carelessly tossed over the shoulder of the greed- driven sorceress. "I still don't it," Gourry uttered, scratching his head in confusion. "What's so special about this place?" "It's a wizard's laboratory, Gourry-dear," Sylphiel told him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "They build them underground so any spells they are working on don't cause too much damage if they get out of control." "Don't you remember Rezo's place underneath Sairagg?" Lina asked him, flipping through another spellbook. "It's just like that, only smaller and not as deep." Gourry thought about that. And thought. And thought about it some more. And just so he was absolutely sure, he thought again. Curious about the silence from the blond-haired swordsman, Lina turned around to look at him just in time for him to smile and answer, "Can't remember it at all!" "Oh, Miss Lina, are you alright?" Sylphiel asked,. "Just fine," she mumbled from the ground. Unbeknownst to the group, someone was watching. [I'm back?] Amelia collapsed onto a chair, resigning herself to the fate of waiting for Lina and Zelgadis to finish their pillaging. Sylphiel pulled up a chair next to her and the two clerics began a game of Junken-Pow to pass the time. "Why don't you look around, Gourry-dear," Sylphiel suggested, beating Amelia's paper with her scissors. "Maybe you can find another magical sword to replace the Sword of Light?" The swordsman brightened. "Good idea, Sylphiel! Thanks!" He spared a glance at the standard long sword in the scabbard attached to his waist, where the the weapon he inherited from his father once hung. He knew giving it up was the right thing to do, but he still felt like he had lost something vital. Looking around the room that was 15, maybe 20 meters across, something sparkled and got his attention. Curious, he began to walk in that direction, picking a torch off the wall to shine in that darkened corner. [No, not again...] As the flickering torch light illuminated the musty corner, the sparkle revealed itself from the corner of a large maroon tapestry hanging from the wall. The bottom was two meters above the floor and extended upwards for ten meters, almost touching the ceiling. A piece of the cloth had fallen off the upper left corner exposing part of a gold frame, which was where the sparkle had come from. Interest piquing, Gourry grabbed ahold of one corner of the cloth and pulled, revealing a giant ornate mirror underneath. [You stupid fool! Leave it alone!] Across the room, Lina felt something akin to a cold breeze give her small goosbumps, but when she looked up, she could detect no wind. She backed up from the bookshelf and took a look around the room. Zelgadis was deeply involved in reading a particularly large tome, Amelia and Sylphiel had resorted to a thumb war, and Gourry was farther away, looking up into a giant mirror adorning the south wall. For reasons she couldn't determine, Lina took one step in that direction, and then another. [Stay away!] Gourry was making faces into the mirror, amused by how it distorted his face. Long faces, skinny faces, wide faces, were all equally displayed as he moved his head around. Even that reptilian face looked pretty funny. Wait a minute... reptilian? [I didn't mean to! I didn't know!] Lina saw the green, scaley face appear in the mirror as well, just as a minor tremor struck. She braced herself, then noticed the hook holding the mirror to the wall give out. She broke into a sprint. "Gourry! Look out!" [No, Lina! Don't!] "Huh?" was the eloquent response, as the blond-haired warrior turned to see Lina sprinting toward him, her arm out-stretched as if to grab him. [Not again!] To Lina, everything appeared to go in slow motion. Gourry was gradually turning to face her, puzzlement written across his face. The mirror wobbled and inched foreward, pulling the hook out of the rotted wood that it was attached to by sheer weight alone... and maybe something else. With a last burst of speed, Lina collided with Gourry, knocking him out of the way. The mirror finally lost it's attachment to the wall, and fell foreward just as Lina looked up into her growing reflection. [Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!] Gourry bolted upright up in bed, sweat glistening down his forehead and bare chest. For a moment, he swore he was back in that room. His breath came in short, shallow gasps, as his eyes adjusted to the darkness and darted around the room. Then he felt the other body in the bed beside him stir and he remembered exactly where and when he was. His hand went to his sweaty forehead, as the remnants of the nightmare faded from his mind. Only he knew it wasn't just a nightmare. He felt a hand go to his shoulder, then move down to rub his back. "Gourry, are you alright?" "I'm... I'm fine, Sylphiel," Gourry replied. "Sorry if I woke you, but you should go back to sleep." She could see right through him though, and could tell he was not alright by the amount of moisture on his back. "You had that dream again, didn't you?" "I..." He hung his head. "Yes, I did." Sylphiel sighed. This was actually the first time in a long while he had that particular nightmare. "You have to stop beating yourself up over that! It was almost 20 years ago and it wasn't your fault!" "But I should've done something!" he protested, knowing it was fruitless even as the words left his mouth. But his guilt was still there, diminished maybe, but not gone. "I should have been more careful! If I had, the Lina would still be..." Slyphiel wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his shoulder. "Hush, husband. We've been through this. She knew what she was doing." In both of their minds, they could see the mirror come crashing down, Lina disappearing beneath it. When it finally hit the floor, the glass shattered into a million pieces. But the worst part, was when they lifted the heavy object up. There was no sign of the girl that was standing under it a second before. The mirror, and all of it's pieces, now rested in a secured room in Seyruun. Each of the party split apart to search for information about the mirror and a way to bring Lina back, but in the end nobody succeeded and in time, each was forced to give up. "But I... I..." His wife sighed, then placed a hand upon his brow and mumbled a few words, the sleep spell having an instant effect as she pulled him back to rest on the bed. She layed a kiss upon his brow, then curled up next to him. Sylphiel supposed she should feel a little jealous, knowing that Gourry did care about Lina and viceversa, but she wasn't that kind of girl. She did love Gourry, she just wished she hadn't gotten married to him under such circumstances. Her eyes fluttered closed, and soon Slyphiel Gabriev was fast asleep once more. The teenaged boy studied his opponent, raising his sword slightly. He knew his chances weren't good, since all his attacks so far had been parried or dodged, but he also knew that his skilled advesary's luck couldn't hold out forever. There would be an opening. The youth adjusted his stance as the wind whipped his short black hair around, his medium-sized frame shifting ever so slightly. Then without warning, he charged, yelling a mighty battle cry. Steel met steel, as the boy clashed with the older man, the metal clang of the impacts echoing around the small grassy clearing. The boy felt the adrenaline flowing though his body as he matched his foe move for move. the jubilant thought repeated itself in his brain. However, the outcome of this match would forever be undecided, thanks to the parabolic arc of an airborne brick traveling from the upper window of the nearby log cabin to land squarely on the boy's head. "OW!" exclaimed the boy from the ground. "SARA!" "Do you have to do that so early in the morning!?" came the female cry from the 2nd story window. The youth looked up to his opponent chuckling at him, then offering his hand. The boy reluctantly took it. "Thanks, dad." Then he turned to the house. "I'm gonna get you for that, sis!" Running into the house, he nearly ran over his mom on the way. "Oh, be careful Gowren," she called to him as he headed up the stairs. "Remember, you promised to go pick up some items in town for me today!" "Yes, moooooom!" came the receeding call. Sylphiel smiled to herself, then stepped outside. "Gourry-dear, how went this morning's practice?" "Just great!" Gourry replied, setting the swords back up on the rack. "Gowren's swordsmanship is really improving." Slyphiel couldn't help but smile at this. She knew the effect of having a son first had turned Gourry's disposition around and it was times like this, when he was passing his techniques on, that really brought out the old happy-go-lucky Gourry. The one she had known before Lina's... disappearence. That and he appeared to be over the dream he had last night as well. "...just wish Sara showed as much enthusiasm for this," Gourry was saying. "She's some potential, but doesn't seem very willing to work with it." Slyphiel placed a hand on Gourry's arm. "To each their own, and Sara's been a great help to me at the clinic." she didn't add. In her eyes, Sara's main problem was that she was flighty, as if she didn't really know or care what to do with her life, just going from one place to another without a care in the world. In that way she was more like her father. "GOWREN!" *BANG* *BOOM* *CRASH* Sylphiel sighed, as her daughter's other problem manifested itself in the form of Gowren's flight out the second story window, an idiotic grin on his face. Both parents sighed as their son hit the ground, coming to stop several from their location in a crumpled heap. "Gourry, why don't you go inside and see what kind of damage Sara has inflicted on the house, while I go heal Gowren," Slyphiel calmly suggested. Gourry nodded, then grinned sheepishly and planted a kiss on his wife's cheek before heading inside. Slyphiel placed a hand on her cheek, somewhat surprised by the move. It had taken awhile before Gourry had outright initiated shows of affection like that, but the moments when he had were that much more special. She brought her thoughts back to the present, and went to addess her son who was attempting to pull himself together. She sighed and placed her hands on him, letting the healing magic work it's restorative effects. Sighing, she asked, "Gowren, why do you insist on teasing your sister like that?" "Awww, mom," he complained when he got his voice back, then winced. He placed both his hands on the source of the pain, his other leg, and attempted to heal it. The white glow from his hands was weaker than his mother's however, and tended to blink in and out intermittently, as opposed to his mother's steady pulse. "I was just havin' fun." "And your healing spells need work, too," his mother noted as Gowren gave up and collapsed, letting her take over. She sighed once more, and wondered how long it would be before his adventurous spirit would take him away. He had certainly grown more restless these past few months. In short order, she finished the job and handed him some money. "Now, can you run into town and get those groceries I need for tonight's dinner." Gowren stood up and brushd the dirt off his dark blue pants and brown tunic, then accepted the gold coins. "Alright. Be back later!" he called as he sprinted away, eager to be off. Slyphiel Gabriev sighed once more at the sight of her son's retreating back, then turned and headed back into the house. It did take very long to reach the small village of Runzen, so named for the town's founder. Like most small country towns, it was a center for all the people in the area to gather, buy and sell goods, exchange gossip, and have the occasional festival. Very few people actually lived in the town, most residing in the farms and small houses that dotted the valley. Gowren slowed to a walk as he entered, noting the lack of activity. A few pedestrians lingered here and there among the wooden houses and stalls, but he knew it wouldn't start getting busy until later in the day, the main reason why his mother wanted him to go in the morning. He always like going into town, never knowing what he would find there, as opposed to the boring life he had at home. Also, it was just something about the trip into town that got his spirits up. Frequently, there wasn't much that had changed in the village, but he could never be sure. Little did he know, that the events that he would experience this day, would change his life forever. It started while he was paying Mr. Calrez for a selection of fruits and vegetables at his stall. He had finished coutning the coins out, and was surprised when he had a few left over. His mom had made enough trips into town to know the prices, so the the little bit left over must have been his mom's way of leaving something for him. Shouldering the sack of produce, he was just beginning to wonder how to spend it when he caught the gist of conversation on the breeze. "Come on, you're new in town, right? Me an' the boys can show ya around!" Gowren sighed. That sounded like the voice of Muntz, the local bully leader. His `gang' tended to scare the children into doing his bidding, as well as picking the pockets of innocent travelers, and in general, getting up to no good. Curious, the young Gabriev traveled the short distance to the small alley between two buildings and found the gang clustered around someone backed against a wall. "I told you, I'm not interested," came a steady, but threatening female voice. "Aw, you don't mean that!" another one of the boys countered, which was met with chuckling from the other four. "I believe the lady has stated her desires clear enough," Gowren announced in a noble voice, gaining the attention of the pack. "Get lost, Gabriev," Muntz sneered. "This doesn't concern you." The pack of poys seperated somewhat, and Gowren could see the girl for the first time. A length red hair topped her head and traveled midway down her back, partially held by a black headband. Her clothes were a set above mundane, with black tights and a white and orange colored shirt covered with ornate designs, probably protection runes of some sort. It was her face that really caught his attention, though. She appeared young, about his age maybe, but her face was rounded and full of expression. Her deep crimson eyes reflected equal parts curiousity, annoyance, disbelief, and... something else. Gowren let a confident smirk appear on his face. "I'll be more than happy to leave you to your dirty affairs, as soon as this young woman is allowed to continue on her business." Truth be told, he was a little nervous. While he could probably take Muntz, he didn't know if he could handle all five at once. It was the fact that he was one of the few who could stand up to Muntz that made the other boy leave him mostly alone. Muntz stepped foreward, his ruffled and scruffy features cracking into a hungry grin, even while cracking his knuckles. "Well, if you won't leave voluntarily, me an' the boys will just have to escort you." The annoyance in the girl's eyes compounded ten-fold. "Excuse me! I'm not a prize to be fought over!" She leveled a gaze at Gowren. "And I don't need your help!" However, her outburst went unnoticed as Gowren dropped the sack of produce and took up a ready stance. As Muntz's group advanced, he suddenly wished for a weapon, any weapon at all. A quick scan of the area didn't reveal anything he could use, and he gulped when he realized this may not have been such a good idea after all. "Get him!" Three of the teen boys shot forward and Gowren ducked under the first punch to reach him, delivering a blow to the boy's gut in response. As his opponent stumbled backwards, Gowren prepared for his next target, and barely dodged the fist that clipped his side. He struck out blindly with his own fist, and thought he felt something connect, but then stars exploded in his vision as he felt his body spin around. Shortly afterward, he was grabbed and tossed down the alleyway. As he flew backwards, he caught the sight of the girl still rooted to her spot. She was looking at him with the same annoyance, but he thought he could see worry there was well, and it confused him. Those feelings lasted all of a second or two, before he crashed into a pile of stacked crates, turning them into broken pieces of wood. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs, knowing he had to get to his feet soon, though the reason currently escaped him for the moment. "So much for wonder boy," Muntz sneered, earning a round of laughter from his pack. As Gowren regained his feet, his hand closed around a broom handle, and he brought the weapon up, smiling. "I'm not done yet, runt!" he taunted, calling the bully's hated nickname. "The name's Muntz!" the other boy growled, then rushed forward to attack while the gang flanked him. The girl stomped her foot in frustration and brought her hands up. "Enough of this! Flare Arrow!" A streak a reddish flame impacted the backside of the trailing boy, setting him on fire. He promptly scrambled out of the alley, arms flailing, ending his trip with relief in the town fountain. Meanwhile, Gowren twirled the broom like a battle staff, driving the butt end into Muntz's stomach as he charged. The bully let loose an "oomph" and doubled over as Gowren brought the broom end around to strike the boy's face, sending him spinning sideways into the ground. "Mono Volt!" The girl loosed a jagged bolt of lightning that arced to a second boy. He vibrated for a second as the electricity coursed through him, then stumbled and crashed into a wall, falling unconsciousness. Gowren took advantage of the pause and the sudden empty space to jump forward, bringing the improvised staff down on the third boy's head. With a *crack!*, the wooden weapon broke in half, but the target went down anyway. Adenaline shooting through his veins, Gowren absorbed a punch to his side. Then he turned toward the last boy, weapon flashing out and smacking aside the wrist from a second incoming punch, striking his attacker's face on the return swing. Silence reigned in the small battleground as the last boy dropped, and Gowren finally allowed himself to calm down, his ragged breathing slowly returning to normal. "Are you alright, miss?" Only then did he notice the girl scowling at him. "I could have handled them all by myself!" Gowren chuckled. The previous strike to his ribs made that simple act hurt. "But, it's the duty of the town protector to help those in need!" He scracthed his head in confusion, not really understanding her, then dropped the stick and lurched passed the girl to where he dropped his sack. A hand on his arm stopped him, and he turned to see a hard, yet tender look being directed at him. "But, thank you, anyway." She retrieved her hand and began to walk out of the alley, leaving the young Gabriev staring after her. As she walked around the corner, he blurted out a, "Wait!" then sprinted forward, grabbed his sack, and caught up to her. "I didn't find out who you are, or what you're doing here!" She stopped at his question, grimacing, and eyed him. "I mean, this is a small village. I could, sorta be your guide, or something?" She shook her head and continued on. "That's what they offered." "Don't compare me to those guys!" Gowren said, somewhat indignant. "I just thought if I knew what your business here was, I could help." The girl grimaced again as if something was bothering her deeply, but Gowren missed it completely. "I don't need your help." The young warrior sighed. "Well, can I at least ask your name?" He pointed to himself. "Mine is Gowren Gabriev!" She stopped again and regarded him evenly. If he didn't know any better, he thought she almost recognized the name. "Gabriev?" He nodded and she tapped her chin, then sighed in resignation. "Well, I do plan on staying for the night. Perhaps you could find me a good inn?" "Uh, sure!" He replied, grinning like a madman. "How about staying with my family?" "No!" she practically shouted, clearly not liking that idea. "I mean, I can't possibly accept. Just find me a nice inn, preferably with a restaurant." "Will do!" Gowren was estatic. This was what he had always wanted; something different, something new and exciting! And a cute sorceress to boot! "This way!" He led her off the village's only inn for travelers. Sure she would have found it eventually, but it was much more fun to guide her there. A short walk later brought them to the doors of Olen's restaurant and inn. "Well, here we are!" Gowren offered cheerfully. "Um, thank you again, Mr. Gabriev," the girl offered, then turned and headed for the doors to have some lunch and arrange a room. The boy made a face. "Hey! Don't call me `Mister'. That makes me sound old! Just call me Gowren." She paused halfway in the doorway and smiled, though he couldn't see that particular feature. "Very well... Gowren. And... my name is Lana." And to Gowren Gabriev's surprised face, the girl named Lana vanished inside.