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      Chapter II
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         Part I
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"Who ... Who are you? What did you do to Xellos? What do you want from us?" Asked the elf.
The man sitting under a tree stood up. His face was hidden by his cloak and mask, bloodred eyes sparkled with intellect. At the side of his neck two strains of silvery-gray hair lobbed in the upcoming storm.
Thought Lina.
A gray-silver colored cloak wrapped around his shoulders. The character wears gray greaves with chain gloves, on each of the  gloves is one odd colored talisman.
wondered Zelgadis.
"Me? Well I've done just that what 'THAT' mazoku deserved and Lina Inverse..." Stepped closer to the sorceress. "Hand over my sword." Raised his arm before the sorceress.
"What spell did you use?" Asked Zelgadis.
"Eternal Pain, why?"
"Never heard of...." Said Lina wondering and with a smile and sparkling eyes. "You gotta teach me that spell" *Jumped up the girl and grabbed the shoulders of the man*. "You will it, huh?"
"No....oo....oo....can't.... doo...ooo.." Replied the shaking figure.
"Shadow *evil look* YOU WILL teach it me.." Lina let him go.
"Shadow?" Asked Zelgadis
"How do you know my name?" Wondered the man.
".... Dunno." Let him go Lina.
"Well it doesn't matter, but there are some terms because you can't learn it."
"Terms?"
"1, You got still MY sword. 2, you won't live long enought to learn it. 3, you CAN NOT learn it."
"Huh?" asked Gourry bored.
"What do you mean by 2 and 3?" Asked Zelgadis.
"How old are you?" Ignored the chimera Shadow.
"Im over 18. Why?"
"In that case, even if you could learn it, you would be at least 318."
"What?" Gaped Lina. "318? Isnt there a faster way?"
"Well there is, but..."
"But ?"
"That won't be priceless.."
"How many?" Raised his voice Lina.
"Not money, rather specific.."
"Specific?"
"I'll tell you how if you defeat me in a fair fight.." A thunderstruck echoed from far away.
"Oh.. that would be simple." The upcomig storm started to rain.
"Well, then we can start no.. *zap* ....*cough* *cough* someone can heal me? Besides we didn't even start."
Thought Angela.
"Oops." *sweatdrop* "My fault, I'm being used to end up a fight before the naywiller finishes their speeches."
"Am I a naywiller?" Asked with a little disappointment in his voice Shadow.
"Uhm.. well yeah. Uh I mean .. well no. You see.." Lina get a little embarrased.
"Thanks Angela Altena." Turned to the elf who healed him. "Where do you know Divine magic?"
"Divine?" Surprised Zelgadis.
"That kind of magic that Dragons use?" Asked Lina.
"Some of us elves can conjure up these too, together with Arcane magic." The man looked at the immobizized Xellos.
"Youre and elf?"
"Well. Could say so, and I think Angela Altena is half-elven origin."
"Actually my grand-grand-grand father was human only."
"Then, why do you act soo... humanly?"
"I lived once with humans."
"A weird 'youngster'." Commented Shadow.
"Hey, who do you call a youngster. I'm over 200!!" Shouted the angry girl.
"Shes over 200 pounds? She doesn't look like it." Said Gourry.
"Dumbass, Angela ment she's over 200 years old." Yelled Lina at the warrior.
"So she really is a granny?" *WHAM* as veryone fell flat on Gourry's sentence.
"Well, 'youngster' I'm older than you can imagine." Pulled down his mask and hood to reveal a man with pointy ears, but the strange thing was his face doesn't seemed older than a man in his 20th years. "What do you say now? I'm an Ancient elf like your ancestor Kage Altena."
"Never heard of him."
"Well, we, Ancient elves are different from the race of 'high' or 'noble' elves, Your Ancestor was the only one to choose a 'noble' elf as a bride."
"..." Commented Gourry.
"Khm. Sorry to abort your family union or whatever, but..." Lina interrupted the conversation.
"Oh right, the duel."
"One thing though." Started Zelgadis. "Do you know a way to cure my chimeraness?"
"Well, there is a ... *sweatdrop* Why does he look at me like that?"
"So. If I defeat you *unsheats sword* Youll tell me?"
"Yes."
"Hey, I'm gonna fight him and ALONE!!" yelled Lina.
"You said than you can't cant use your most powerfull spells." Angela reminded Lina.
"...In that case I'll fight both of you."
"But that would be unfair " Commented the blond warrior.
"Even all of you combined your forces with 'THAT' mazoku, You couldnt defeat me."
"WHAT?!? You're so powerful??"
"Heck no. Just kidd..." *BANG* "... OW *As he pulled his head out of the ground* I said just kidding."
"With such things you can't joke." Lina stepped back a few steps.
"You know." Said Zelgadis." We even defeated Darkstar who merged with Vorphied, two gods from an overworld."
"So?"
"So do you know what would happen if we hadn't stop him?" Lina raised a hand ready to throw something strong.
"You don't know it right?"
"Know what?" Angela grabs her 'staff'.
"Forget it... " Raised Lina her voice.
"Quit it, and duel me" Ordered the chimera.
"Now, you're team is quad membered right? I guess you know each other well so.."
"Well... You see I only joined them recently." Corrected Angela
"And the three of you..... Or not?"
"We three know well each other." Zelgadis said with nerve in his voice. "Could we START?"
"Could you wait a little longer till I chant a spell?"
"Eh?" Gourry sat down.
"Nevermind..."
   Power of source from the elven tale
*Shadow raised an arm, the amulett on his arm started to emit a slight golden light.*
"Huh?" Said Angela as her amulett on her belt started to glow with a purple light. "My amulett radiates energy towards him."
   Let loose my anger for the heavens sake
*The amulett on his neck radiated a black light*
wondered Zelgadis
"Wich means that he possesses Elven talismans aswell."
   ETERNAL PAIN!!!!
Shouted the elf and encased Xellos in a barrier of golden,purple and black light.
"Well, that should do it for a while."
"...What did he do?" Asked the confused warrior.
"Shall we start?" Held up the hilt 'owned' by Lina.
"Hey, Thats mine."
"No, It IS mine."
"Fire..." *Chanted three of them* "Ball." The spells zipped to towards Shadow who didn't even flinch.
Then a huge explosion rocked the area as the Fireball met. Lina hastly casted a Bram Gush to clear the smoke.
"What the..." As the area around Shadow was torn and shattered, but the place where he stood was normal.
"Those amuletts are orihalcon?"
"Neee. Just a simple shamanist spell *smile* it always works."
"Sooo, you are powerful enough to cast a difficult spell without chanting? Heh. and I thought you were a 5th class magician."
"Not quite. I simply developed an own tech to pull off spells."
"Own tech?"
"Gourry." Said Zelgadis. "Angela, we attack on three, right?"
"Right." Nodded Angela while grabbing her 'staff'.
"One." Gourry and Zelgadis unsheated their swords.
"Astral Vine." Commanded the chimera.
"Two." Noticed Shadow with a smile.
"Three!" Shouted Zelgadis while unleashing a Blade Haut with his strike. As Shadow dodged the spell with jumping into the air.
"Bephis Bring" Opened Lina the ground where Shadow should land.
"Nice." As he chanted Levitation, then hopped to the ground. Dodged the attack directed by Zelgadis, parried Angelas and cut Angela's 'blade' in half with his weapon.
"What?" wondered Angela. "My blade it can't be. Its almost as powerfull as the Sword of Light's blade..."
"...." Noted Gourry. "What do you mean by almost as powerfull."
"Noo." Screamed Lina what kind of weapon Shadow wielded.
"Lina. " Turned Zelgadis around. "What?" As he also noticed the Ruby-eyed Blade.
"Oh, don't worry." Said quickly the elf. "And I AM NOT Shabranigdo, clear? I just CAN summon his blade."
"So thats why he needed that hilt, it must be enchanted with some ancient magic."
"Noo *showed the hilt* that is right here."
"And now. "Shadow lunged forward and slashed Gourrys weapon in half. "Two out and two in."
"Light come forth." Summoned the blade the warrior.
"Interesting." As they engaded themselves in a swordfight one-on-one.
"Angela, you said that your 'blade' is almost as powerfull as the blade of the Sword of Light, but Gourry has just the Saber of Light and it's much weaker than his sword was, but it's stronger than the Ruby-Eyed Blade."
"No *clink* Lina Inverse, you see *duck* that the power wears off in a short *jump* time, but it is *dodge* stronger then the Sword of Light *evade* Hey!!! That almost cut off my arm."
"Arent we fighting till death?"
"Noo" *Shadow simply grabbed the weapon out of Gourry's hand* "See, if I wanted to, you would be dead." He threw the saber back.
"Well it seem that swordsfight won't solve anything. Magical duel then?" Shadow's Ruby-eyed Blade vanished.
"Then three-on-one is fair?" Asked Lina.
"Right."
*The golden amulett on his left arm started to glew*
   Preservers of Light over Death
"To the hell with ya!!" As Lina let a bunch of spells out to kill him.
"Lina, we don't need to kill him." Remembered the angry sorceress Zelgadis."
   Consumers of Life on the Void
"Huh? He chants and dodges at the same time?"
   Begone for now, Begone from me
"What kind of spell is that?"
   Because my faith is my:
"Some kind of Divine spell." Noticed Angela. "I think, but I'm not sure."
   PRAYER!!!!!!
As an eerie golden light surounded the mage-warrior.
"Now I give you time to recite your last spells. I remind you I will not kill you, keep this in mind."
"O.K. We can use any spell?"
   *the elf started to chant something*
"Anything." smiled the man.
"Lina, something Baaad will happen." Angela backed a few steps.
"Why?" Lina didn't understand.
"My amulett and his amuletts all gathering energies." Angela stopped.
"And?" Asked Zelgadis. "What do you mean?"
"Untill this moment only one or two glew, but now..." The girl started.
"All of them..." Noticed also Lina.
"What kind of spell he chants this time?" Zelgadis prepared to dodge.
"Lina could you think that he chants 'that' spell?" Gourry asked.
"No, something like Ragna Blade or so."
"Ragna... *Eyes opened and let the concentration fade.* "Blade." Shadow dropped to the ground.
"What he summoned that?" Frightened Angela. Lina told her what can this one do, but never saw it.
"Relax. He seems only a bit frightened." The chimera backed off a bit.
"Yeah, Lina, any spell in your hands if frightfull." Noted the blond warrior.
"What do you mean by that?" Stomped Lina Gourry a few times.
"I had no idea you're so powerfull, Lina Inverse."
"Sooo, You give up?" cheerfully jumped a few Lina.
"No it just modifies the things. Shadow Snap." Throw a little dagger at her shadow.
"Oh that won't work. Lighting. See, you cagck." Lina fell to the ground with bleeding arms.
"Lina.." Scolded up her the warrior. "What happened?"
"Put me down!!! Something bit me...... Burst Rondo." She casted the spell to cover the area with smoke.
"Lina, it isn't good to cover the place with smoke." Said Gourry.
"No, thats not it." Said she.
"What isn't it?" Asked the elf.
"Invisible monsters." Noted Zelgadis.
"Oh, yes the smoke would have shown if there were any of them." Angela realized the fact.
"Bram Gush." Let Shadow loose the spell to divide the smoke. "Now we can see each other." *giggle* "I have one spell left to recite. Have fun." As his amuletts started to glow.
"This isn't the spell from before." Noted Lina seeing that Angelas doesn't activated.
"Gourry." Zelgadis threw a lighting spell up. "Prepare to kill his shadow if it nears."
"Huh?"
"Zelgadis, Angela recite your strongest spells."
"And what will you do?" Asked Gourry
"Dragon Slave! *evil smirk* What else?" Noted Zelgadis.
*Zelgadis held his arm before him*.
   Source of all Souls
   Wich dwells in the eternal and Infinite!
   Everlasting flame of blue
   Let the power hidden in my soul
   Be called forth here from the infinity!
*Summoned the chimera Ra-Tilt*.
*Angela held up an arm, while lowering the other.*
   Blood of thousand elves
   Power of Arcane knowlede
   Endurance of a lifetime long
   This sacrafice will end of those
   Who seek to conquer our power!
*Gathered the elven girl Chromantic Orb*.
*Lina chanted the boosting spell before she started*.
   Darkness beyond twilight
   Crimson beyond blood that flows
   Buried in the flow of time
   In thy great name I pledge myself to darkness
   And the fools who stand in our way
   Let be destroyed by the power You and I posses!!
*Finished the Dragon Slave*.
"Nice." Commented Xellos from far away.
"That won't be enough." Said Shadow before he also started to chant.
   Blood of elves who scantify
*The red amulett started to glow*.
   Unseen power that horrify
*The gold amulett glew with intense might*.
   You unknown spirits who terrify
*The black and white amuletts radiated energy*.
   Heed my vow, for I serve you thy
*The gray and blue talismans glew up*.
   Have the arcane power of!
*A shimmering clourfull orb appeared in his hands*
   Ancestral Revenge!!!!!
Then he fell to his knees, And withnessed the events with the others.
The chaotical energy released by the powerfull spells whirled and arced throughtout the environtment, the physics of the spells went totally out of controll. The chaotical energy roamed freely from one place to another attempting to desintegrate or draw anything it touched into chaos.
"Lina." Shouted Zelgadis aloud. "What is this?"
"I don't know, but it seems like the chaotical might released by us is losing it's shape."
"And that means?" Asked Angela.
"OH, goodie." Appeared Xellos. "Ow, not..... Damn. *sigh* I hoped it would work, but Noo."
"What did you wanted?"
"This is almost a really-really-really miniature sized Giga Slave or something like that."
"A Giga Slave?"
"No, just the energies released are close to a Giga Slave divided by a million."
"And.... Hey I thought you were paralized." Noticed Lina.
"I was, just play along. *smile* Wasn't it fun?" Grabbed his staff. "Oh, it losing it's shapelessnes and returning to normal, soo... See you Lina-chan." As the trikster vanished.
"What did he mean by losing it's 'shapelessness'?"
"Look!" Pointed Gourrry at Shadow, whose barrier broke apart from the power of Angelas and Zelgadis' spell.
"Youre finished!" Stated Lina as the powered up Dragon Slave started to erupt and attempted to cower the area with raw black magical energy.
"What the-?!" Said Zelgadis.
"...?" Turned Lina to see as a relatively small orb draws anything inside.
"What is 'that'?" Tried to dodge the elf the black orb wich went by an inch past him.
"I don't know, but it looks like it doesn't follow us."
"Huh? Us?" Gourry ducked.
"It seems it's gathering the energies, and is after Shadow."
"Me, why?" Turned the elf to see as the orb reached the center of the Dragon Slave and become immediatly larger and brighter. A few seconds later it shoot out into the direction where Shadow stood. The elf surprised by it's velocity didn't had the time to dodge the impact. The bright black orb hit Shadow in the chest and started to enlarge and drain the mage within.
A loud, painfull scream echoed nearby and a shady figure fell from a tree. Screaming, grieving with agony the person tryed to get away from the darkness.
"Who is he?"
"He? Oh, he's Shadow." Echoed Xellos' voice. "Didn't you know?" As he appeared to gather the orb.
"And *Pointing at the black orb.* Who 'was' he?" Asked Lina.
"A 'shadow' *giggle* have fun."
"Better te... nah. *sigh* Thats a secret, right?"
"That's my quota.. Lina-chan, don't spoil my fun."
"What do you mean with 'he's' Shadow and that he *points at orb* 'was' a 'shadow'?" The chimera advanced on Xellos.
"I don't have time to explain and besides that is a se..*slash* Not again! You elves must always interfere?" Held his damaged arm.
"What did you do to Shadow-sama?" Demanded Angela before she fainted from the immense power used up by the previous battle.
"Oh, dear now I'm done, right?" Xellos smiled while opening his eyes. "We will see each other soon." Thus he vanished.
Zelgadis looked around to see Gourry thinking hard what happened just now, Angelas faint body and Lina trying to heal Shadow.
Then he shrugged his shoulders and started to help Lina.
"This.....isn't....good...." Said Shadow weakly."
"What do you mean by that?"
"We...can't...let....hi............" And the elf lost conciousness.

       =======
         Part II
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"Boss." Said a confused bandit. "What do we do with the kiddo?" He held up the redorange haired girl.
"Well we already know that she is and Inverse and the Inverse familiy is rich."
"Yes, Boss. They are formidabble though, but why didn't they payed for this brat?" He tossed the girl over a couple of blankets. The girl responed with crying.
"Its been DAYS  sincewe kidnapped her."
"We keep her a bit longer, and if then isn't anything we dispose of her."
"How long, Boss?"
"Sun set." Evil smile.
"Boss, I just received a message, that some fancy merchant comes along the road." Said a thug who just recently ran in.
"Let some men guard the camp, if the kiddo tries to escape, Kill her."
"Right, Boss." Stormed the newcomer off to bring the orders out.
"Let the fun begin." Stated the leader, while drawing his jeweled sword out. "Dont even think you Could escape little girlie."
Then he stepped out of the cave.
"Mommy... *sob* ... Daddy ... *sob* .... I'll show you... I'll SHOW YOU!!!!" screamed the girl.
"Damn YOU!!!" Shouted Lina floating in nothingness.
"Hii, Lina-chan."
*sigh* "Shabby-chan ... You didn't tell me what was the meaning of this last time."
"Huh?" She bounced around.
"That, this isn't 'my' dream."
"Hmmm, bye Lina-chan."
"Hey!! Hey! HEY!! Get back here, don't leave me alone."
"Wake up." Echoed the known sentence.
"Argh! *sigh* I.... HATE...YOU!!!"

"Lina-san!" Said Angela. "Lina-san wake up."
"What happened?"
"You fell asleep after you revived Shadow-sama."
"For how long?"
"Two days."
"What?" Shocked the info her, then she shaked her head. "Anyway don't call me Lina-san, Just L - I - N - A , right?"
"Right, Lina-sa... Lina."
"And why do you call Shadow, Shadow-sama?"
"Hes an elf, over 2500 years old so I must respect him."
"Whatever."
"Exactly what happened then?" Asked Lina from Shadow who was there for some strange reason.
"Xellos nears his goal." Stated the elf.
"So?" Asked Zelgadis.
"What is his goal?" Said Gourry.
"Its kind of a long story, but I don't know one thing."
"But what?"
"He drained a power of a human: Lina Inverse and my: the powers of an Ancient elf."
"Is that bad?" Asked Gourry.
"I don't know it , but he nears his goal."
"Like Gourry asked, What is his goal?" Questoned Zelgadis the elf again.
"Well... We got time, I could tell you the background for this."
"Right, but first..."
"First?" Asked Shadow.
"Leeets EEAT." Stormed Lina towards a nearby village.
"What was that?" Asked the mage.
"Well better catch to her up, lets go." Said the chimera.
*later*
"Why are we standing before a restaurant?"
"Because 200% of Lina is in there."
"200%? Are you sure? Did you not mean 2%?"
"I meant 200%." Stepped in Zelgadis with Gourry and Angela
"Well...." Shrugged Shadow and stepped in to see:
"Waiter! "Demanded Lina another course of food from the exhaused man."Hey, I'm hungry! Hurry up, serve those fine goodies!"
"What the?...." Saw the table stocked up with more than twenty empty dishes and bottles.
"How? She was only thirty minutes before us."
"I can't explain. Better to see with your own eyes." Noted the chimera.
"Huh?"
"Look!" Sit Zelgadis as far as possible from Linas table.
"Ahh?!?"Awed Shadow as Lina stuffed the food within herself like mad.

Shadow sat down to Zelgadis' and Angelas table. "Where is Gourry Gabriev?"
"Hes over there."
"Where?" Then he spotted the duo eating.
"Judged from your behavior. It is dangerous to sit by Linas side while eating right?"
"I wouldnt say it's dangerous.... it's more.... hmm...Like I would duel with seven Shabranigdo pieces alone. The odd would be better for me there."
"And She shall save the world." mumbled again Shadow.
"Did you said something Shadow-sama?"
"Just Shadow."
"I wanted to start this while Lina Inverse is here, but I could tell her afterwards."
"What could you tell me afterwards."
*Huh? How? *confused blinking* "Haah, nevermind, but..."
"But?"
"Why are you so small, I ..."
"Fireball!!" Commanded Lina, and engulfed the mage. "Do you dare to critisize me?"
Shadow sit calmly in the magical fire, not moving an inch. "Ext  Ball. *put the fire out* I am wondering how can you eat so much in such a short time and keep your slim figure."
"I don't know."
"Why did you enflame me?"
"Well, it was so..." *sweat drop*
"Lina doesn't like whem somebody say's to her 'Flat chest' an..." Lina started to glow red.
"Gourry!!" Turned to the warrior the sorceress.
"Uh-oh! Not again." Ran off the mercenary.
"Drill Brando!!" Threw Lina the spell after him.
"Better we go into the forest." Note the chimera. "I don't want to pay for the mess Lina could cause." Started to walk away.
"Angela Altena, go and heal him." Tryed to gain controll again Shadow. "In the meanwhile I'll start my story."
"Do we have time for history lessons?" Asked Zelgadis. "Cant we just jump to the point?"
"You need to know all about this."
"Fine... *sigh* , but I know many things from history."
"The little bookworm." *giggle* "Hey, Zel no offense, but You DO read a lot."
Shadow cutting another catfight. "First what do you know about the Second Mazoku Wars?"
"We know something, but I dot think thats enough." Said Lina, nodding to Zelgadis. "I bet, Zel knows a lot more than me."
"Quit joking Lina, but first a little side information."
"...." Replied Gourry who arrived in the meantime. "What kind of ..."
"Shut up Einstein!!"
"I don't see here no rocks."
"Shut up already. What Zelly *jumps* hey You called me 'that' and this was revenge. Anyway who are You?"
"Im Shadow, an Ancient elf like I said."
"You said that your 2500 years old."
"Over 2500 years, I don't count it for a long time, but it's definiatelly over 2500."
"Well tell us who or what are you."
"You noticed eh?" The elf smiled.
"Lina what are you speaking of?" Asked Angela.
"Easy. Do you know how many years live an elf?"
"Common elves around 200 , but some great mages could live for a 1000 years , but that is very rare."
"And Ancient elves?"
"Around 500, but 1500 is the limit or so." Commented Shadow.
"So who are you?" Stated Zelgadis. "Obviously if you were an elf or an Ancient elf you would look like a very old man and not like someone in the 20th years."
"Well the truth is I am Shadow and I'm really an Ancient elf.
"Long ago onced lived a very powerfull mage. Noone knew his real name, but his power was feared over the world. One day a small boy came to him and demanded the mage to accept him as his apprentice. The mage realizing the chance, offered the boy one choice. The mage will teach him if the boy accepts to show some raw powers to him..."
"Raw powers?"
"To be exactly sure the boy was an elf. And elves have some more genuine contact with the magical planes, so the label 'raw' would be correct. The elven boy accepted this statement and showed the use of raw magical energy."
"Before you continue." Said Lina. "Who was the boy?"
"The boy was an Altena..."
"My ancestor?" Asked Angela.
"Yes, he was the first elf to improve the magical abilities of the elves."
"What kind of improvement?" Asked Zelgadis.
"Well, like he was the first Ancient elf."
"Why Ancient?"
"You'll see." Said Shadow. "After his master ceased the boy wandered the world for over 100 years gathering knowledge and informations. In that 100 years he mastered the Black and White magics completelly.
He continued his travelling until he found a very old and wise Ancient dragon. Here I'm not sure how, but Altena managed to get the dragon teach him.
In the ongoing 200 years he learned many things from the dragons and the mazoku. Their strenghts, weaknesses and other qualities.
When the dragon let Altena go, because he couldn't teach from him any more Altena named himself Kage Altena the Ancient elf to show the honor of the knowledge that he now bear.
By the way do you know what are the elves?"
"Some mages propose they're humans." Said Lina.
"Humans with extremely high magical powers." Noted Zelgadis
"And that explains their long lifetime also." Stated Angela.
"But back to the story:
Kage Altena was in his 500th years, in your human scale that would be 20 or so.."
"Shadow." Said Lina.
"What?" Asked Gourry.
"Kage means shadow." Said the sorceress.
"Exactly, since he learned shadow magic from the Ancient dragon. HE also created many shadow related spells and items..."
"Shadow Reflector." A cold shivering feeling run downwards Linas backs.
"Do you know that item?" Asked Shadow.
"Well I had a 'strange'  adventure before I met with Gourry. And I destroyed 'that thing'." Lina seemingly didn't like the memories of 'that thing'.
Thought Zelgadis. "Shadow, continue."
"About this time he met in a very 'intriguing way' a 'noble' elven woman, and fell in love. Before he decided to settle down he made a last spell and changed his fate."
"What kind of spell?" Asked Angela.
"Somehow he managed to get his shadow to live."
"How?" Angela didn't understood.
"Shadow .. to live ... *jumping up* You.... You are..." Replied Lina thinking.
"Not exactly, but you get the point." Smiled the elf.
"Lina? Could you inform us aswell?" Asked Zelgadis.
"So he took a bit of his soul and transferred through the Reflector to his shadow."
"A bit of his soul and .... Shadow. Interesting." Noted Zelgadis.
"What? I don't get it, please fill me in." Angela got nervous.
"Simple, he is that Arteria guy." Stated Gourry.
*Wham* As everyone hit the ground.
"That's Altena." Corrected Lina. "But Gourry HOW did YOU know it."
"Anyway, I'm his 'shadow'."
"So you're my ancestor?"
"No, he isn't a 'shadow' is completely reversed personality. He can't be your ancestor."
"How do you know that Lina?" Wondered Zelgadis.
*sweatdrop* "Well *nervous laughter* I uh-oh...." Tried to escape Lina.
"Anyway the part of my masters soul way the part of the Ancient elf self. I learned swordsman ship because I hated magic and protected my 'family'. One day a mazoku came and proclaimed that he wants to be the apprentice of my master."
"A mazoku?"
"We didn't know that he was a mazoku."
"HE? .. No ... You don't say that..." Said Lina and spotting some movement in the grassy environment.
"Xellos." Completed the chimera.
"That means Xellos is more than 2500 years old too." Said Angela.
"Or more. Noone knows." Said Shadow.
"...." Gourry a bit confused. "Someone fill me in?"
"At the end I'll summarize it O.K. Gourry?" Answered Lina.
"Well, yeah. *looking around* Is there something to eat?" *Bonk*
"Why did I get this?"
"Shut up." And she started to get wood for a nice roasted boar, that she spotted a while ago.
"When my master refused Xellos he simply said:
^I have my orders to stop you^ and he drained much of my masters essence, crippling his soul..."
"That did he to me also." Lina enflamed the pile of woods gathered in the mean time.
"Xellos was somehow unpleased, but he vanished. With the last resurces my master gave me his spirit to free myself from the 'shadows'."
"I don't get this you are my ancestors 'shadow' and has his spirit and soul, but why are you saying you aren't my ancestor?"
"Like I said he's dead and the soul and spirit transferred to me isn't the part of your ancestors. It was the part of his Ancient elven side.
 When he finally died, I swore an oath to hunt down and kill that mazoku. It took a few years to find Xellos and challenged him to a duel untill death. He smashed my proud with one little snap and vanished. For the next hundreds of years I perfected my martial knowledge and trained myself with great efforts.
About one or two hundred years after I met with Xellos again and almost killed him. Then 'THAT' fiend destroyed my selfcrafted weapon and vanished. His voice echoed in the environment:
^I won't kill you yet, you're amusing. Perhaps we could meet in a few hundred years again..... And by the way, learn magic of some sort. Than perhaps than you 'COULD' stand a chance against me. *laughter* See you in a few hundreds of years 'Shadow'. Oh by the way heres is your 'sword'.^
In my anger I turned to the hated black magical might to confront his demonic presence. With the help of my masters memories I seeked out the dragon who teached my master. I spent hundreds of years with learning anything about magic, mazoku and dragons. As the time passed slowly I began to understand why willed Xellos stop my master..."
"Wait you said you had my ancestors memories." Noticed Angela.
"Some memories, but not his magical powers."
"But the Shadow Reflector copies a creature and the shadow will have the same skills, spells, body and so on only the personality is reversed." Said Lina.
"Like I said I'm not slave to the shadows anymore."
"Right, well continue." Lina started to roast the boar.
"Like my master I also studied the way of the shadows. I had improved many of the spells created formerly by him. Once when I summoned an ancient spell... I got a link to darkness and it almost consumed me."
"What do you mean by 'link to the darkness'?" Asked Angela.
"I accidentally almost awoke a piece of Shabranigdo."
"Scary." Noted the elf girl.
"The years passed and I started to teach elves to use the power sealed within us. The power is only within the elves, dragons and mazoku. The dragons feed on the divine magical powers. While the mazoku the demonian might. Like te humans the elves are also in the middle, neither good nor bad, so we have access to their powers.
This was good untill the Second Mazoku War broke out. We the Ancient elves sided with the dragons fended off the mazoku.
Xellos somehow managed to divide our section and broke a piece of our unwilling apprentices promising to give them power. Those 'elves' called themselves the 'Dark elves'.
In these desperete times I and the three most powerfull of my apprentices summoned a spell to ward off the threath. The spell went a failure and many of us perished. The 'Dark elves' somehow broke our mental barriers and wards. Led by the mazoku they started their rampage.
In the fear of the rage I summoned an Ancient spell, wich I had that time slightly not under controll. With the help of the spell I managed to bring back some of the spirit of the 'nameless mage' and created a shadow from my last surviving apprentice.
Before it managed to manifest, Xellos killed him, thus the body was copied while the spirit not. I placed the spirit of the 'nameless mage' in the carcass and fended off Xellos for a short time hoping the procedure was a success."
"Why not yourself? Why didn't you copy Xellos or a dragon?" Asked Angela.
"The Shadow reflector can only copy humans and only ONE copy can exist. Even if the shadow dies it cannot be copied more, but with the death of the elven apprencite the ritual would be aborted." Lina noted with a concerned look.
"Yes, it would be aborted if I wouldn't had channeled the spirit through the Shadow reflector to replace the missing spirit.
After a while when Xellos had enough fun with me, he prepared for the last attack, but he didn't continue he just stood there and did nothing. Then suddenly vanished before an almighty spell hit the area and destroyed anything it had touched; humans, mazoku, dragons, everything."
"It would be the Giga Slave?" Asked Lina.
"No it was the FIRST Dragon Slave. The humans called it Dragon Slayer because it eradicated more dragons than mazoku."
"The first? But... then.."
"Like Lina thinks it was him and the person who casted that spell was in the body of my formal student. The students name was Rei Magnus...."
"Rei Magnus." Stated Angela with awe.
"Lei Janus." Noted Gourry. "Who is My Plexus?"
"Pinhead!! It is called Rei Magnus!!" Shouted Lina.
"With the help of Rei Magnus we created four talismans. Four talismans, each bond to a dark lord. Because of that we named them Demon Blood Talismans. Those talismans wore our new leader Rei Magnus. On that day the battle seemed to take change and the mazoku were losing. , but then 'The Seeker' found us."
"Whats a seeker?" Asked Zelgadis.
"Not a seeker, but 'The Seeker'. This mazoku has the power of detecting a piece of the Dark god, Shabranigdo and attempts to awaken it. Soon after we realized why had our leader so much power. The piece sealed inside him was soon awakened and resurrected, Rei Magnus with his last effort destroyed 'The Seeker'. The piece who obtained a little from the raw magical natures of the elves called himself the Demonic King of the North."
"Wait you said that elves cannot be used in rituals or sacrafices." Said Angela.
"The piece is sealed in human spirits and the spirit summoned by me was a human spirit.Now the common part:
The four generals of Shabranigdo set up a barrier to weaken the Water Dragon King. While the weakened dragonlord had to fight with Gaav and the Dark gods reincarnation, we elves, Ancient elves, humans and dragons tried to recapture the Demon Blood Talismans from Xellos who grabbed them after the death of Rei Magnus.
The dragonlord lost against the combined power of Gaav and Shabranigdo, but managed to kill Gaav and to merge his soul with a humans, to prison him in and sealed the Dark gods piece in ice.
After the war, we elves retreated from the world to our sacred grounds and shrines. The humans build empires and expanded within the reach of the barrier, the magic started to get popular in these dark ages.
The years passed and I had trained many apprentices. Xellos who usually confronted me abour every five or six years suddenly started to get more annoying. About a hundred years ago he threathened me to join their cause or he would awaken a piece of Shabranigdo. I refused and tried to hide myself, not working quite well. Xellos here and there informed me when he would or will try to cripple me. I think he thought that is an amusing game to say:
^Tomorrow noon, I and some of my old friends are going to greet you, so be prepared^
In the last few years he didn't bothered me once, like he had some really important orders.
Now a little flashback: *He levitated a shady orb and showed.*

"I can't defeat you with my powers!!" said the sorceress.
"And Not Even Ceipheids Army Will Stop ME!!" Rasped the Dark god.
"And what if I call upon a power much higher than yours?" Asked the sorceress with a vile grin.
"Such a power cannot be controlled by yourself."
"And now I'll pledge myself to the Chaos, to the Lord of Nightmares."
   Darkness beyond the blackest pitch
   Deeper than the deepest night
   King of Darkness, Queen of Light
   Who shines like gold upon the Sea of Chaos
   I call upon thee! swear myself to thee!
   Let the fools who stand before me be destroyed
   By the power of you and I posses
The sorceress looked up. "Now you're finished Shabranigdo."
   GIGA SLAVE!!!!
The spell hit Shabranigdo. First it seemed that it won't take effect, but then the Dark lord vanished in the black vortex of swirling chaos which covered the area.
"Now were even." Held up the power-drained sorceress the 'V' sign formed by two fingers.
"Come on Lina lets go." Said the chimera.
The trio went by the remains of a forest off the road.
"Wait!!" Shouted Lina. "Could you ..uh.. show events after I killed him?"
"Of course."
"And can you stop when I say it."
"Yeah." Said Shadow smiling.
The scene went on and stopped when Lina gave the sign.
"Damn. As I thought." Mumbled the sorceress.
"Whats wrong Lina?" Asked Gourry.
"Look." Said Lina . "Behind the shadows."
"I don't see anything just..... Shadow. *turning around*  So you did defeat Shabranaigdo?" Asked the chimera.
"I didn't, I just lowered his defence."
"How?" Asked Angela.
"By awakening Rezo's spirit for a short time."
"And probably you helped us with Dark Star too?" Realized Zelgadis the meaning of Shadow words from before.
"Actually not, but that doesn't matters."
"Why not?" Asked Lina.
"Because Xellos had drained some powers from the Water Dragon King, Rei Magnus-Shabranigdo, Rezo-Shabranigdo, Phibrizzo, Gaav, Lina Inverse and me."
"What do he need that for?"
"Probably Xellos wants to reawaken Shabranigdo." Stated Zelgadis.
"But how could you lose a piece of your soul?"
"I think that his shadow had a piece and when Xellos grabbed it he took also a piece." Angela said while detecting the bones lying around.
"And he need some more special ingridents though."
"Like?"
"A reincarnation of the Dark god."
"Whew, that was delicious." Gourry stood up from the roasted boar, well from the bones and stuff.
"Gourry?" Linas eyes glowed with a deadly red flame. "That was for me alone!!" As he gathered a red pulsating orb.
"Not again. *sweatdrop* Raise defensive spells!" Ordered Zelgadis.
"AAIIE!!" Ran off Gourry with top speed. "Lina! .... Lina! .... Cant you forgive me?" Shouted from far away.
"Forgive this!!! DRAGON SLAAAVE!!!!!" Lina led the energy towards Gourry.
thought again Shadow while appearing before Gourry.
"Huh?" Wondered Gourry as the spell directly hit the elf.
"Was this nessesary?" Appeared the elf with torn body before Lina.
"H..How... You stood in the middle of my Dragon Slave??" The sorceress didn't quite understand.
"Like I said I'm partly shadow." He looked around and stepped to a halfdead tree, Shadow leaned to the trunk and 'ripped' a part out of it's shadow and placed at the place where he was injured.
"Cool." Stated the warrior who came back to see as the shadows wound slowly regenerates.
"..." Gaped the sorceress. "Anyway you said that you know a faster way to teach me that spell and to cure Zelgadis."
"I could teach your shadow the spell not you, but that won't be you untill you sacrafice your soul to him. This applies to Zelgadis also. There is great risks in this although, you could die in the process." Said the shadow with a sad smile.
"Hmm, sacrafice my soul and spirit." Said Zelgadis aloud. "Would be I the same?"
"No, you won't be yourself. Because you and your shadows opposite personality would balance each other out."
"I won't sacrafice my soul to not be myself. I already made that mistake, I won't do it again."
"Then I can't help you. But I can teach Angela a way lot faster than you, because she has elven blood." Shadow started to walk to the east.
"Where are you going?" Asked Gourry.
"We should seek out one of my old friends."
"How old?" Lina get curious.
"I don't know, but more than twenty thousand."
"That friend of yours if a fat one." Noted the warrior.
"Dumbass, he meant twenty thousand years!!" Yelled Lina. "You mean the Ancient dragon?"
"Yepp."
"But the only one is Valgaav.... sortof."
"I don't like this Zel." Stoped the sorceress
"What?"
"Xellos is much more stronger than he shows it."
"And you ask why he only toys with us?"
"No. I only ask why he need my, Angelas, and Shadows power."
"Yes, He needs only mazoku power to reawaken his Lord."
"I have some weird ideas, but I don't like them."
"Like what?"
"I don't wanna frighten you." She speeded up to the others.
Wondered the chimera.

       =======
         Part III
      =======

"When do we arrive there?" Asked a hungry sorceress.
"Within days, why?"
"Daaays?" Stopped she and collapsed. "Im hungry, I can't move without food, I need to EAT!!"
"Fine. *sigh* Do you like boar?"
"Where?" Grabbed Lina the shadow.
"No... ot... here." Shadow escaped from Linas grasp. "If you wait a little more you could eat some,  OK?"
"YEAH!!" Cheered she.
After summoning his shadow he turned to the chimera. "Is she always so.... thickheaded?"
"No. kindof she has two approaching modes. An 'I don't care what happens' mode and a 'serious' mode, when it's about food she is always serious. Gourry, bet you're hungry too, neh?" Explained the chimera.
"Yeah."
"Better your shadow brings at least five or six boars because we need some food too."
"....." *sigh* "Right."
*Later*
"Oh, not again." Stated Angela after she dropped the meat into the fire the third time. "Why does it always fall from the stick?"
"Here." Zelgadis reached a piece of food over to the elven girl. "I don't need anymore."
"Thanks, Zelgadis-san."
"Tasty." Said Gourry while eating the burnt piece of boar.
Angela leaned close to Zelgadis and whispered. "How can Gourry-san eat that?"
"Gourry can eat everything." Stated Lina aloud hearing the whispers theme. "He even didn't notice that when a waiter serves three month old whale instead of dragon cuisine."
"Oh, I wish I had some of those."
Everyone fell.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
"No." Lina stood up. "Well we should get going."

Within days they reached the entrance of the Valley of the Shadows. In the meantime the two elves recovered some of their powers and Angela learnt something new aswell.
"Well there we are." Proclaimed Lina." OK, spill it." She turned to the shadow.
"Spill what?" Said Gourry.
"What kind of danger lurks there?" Asked Angela.
"Shadows, the shadows of the past." Said the elf calmly.
"Eh?"
"Thousands of years before the Valley of the Shadow was the place for many wars between the gods and demons."
"You mean here was the Second Mazoku War?"
"And other small skirmishes aswell, who knows what monsters lurks here not seen by your kind."
"What do you mean by 'my kind'?" Lina got angry.
"Im partly shadow, so I could walk freely among the shades, but you must be very carefull."
"So, you suppose?"
"I suppose examine every corner."
"I wonder that your partly shadow...." Angela started.
"Yes?"
"...You could smack down the shades for us." Completed Angela.
"Untill they don't attack no, but, yes."
"No.. yes? I don't get it..." Said the confused Gourry.
"Liiinaaa-chaaan!!" Echoed a voice from far away.
"Oh no!!" Lina started to get goosebumps.
"Whos that?" Asked Zelgadis.
"Sounds like Lina." Gourry noted." , but Lina is right here."
"Oh no...noo..nooooo. NOOOOO!!" Lina started to run away. "Ugck!" As Shadow grabbed her cape. "Let me goo, PLEASE!! Let's get outta here before they arrive."
"They?" Zelgadis didn't understood.
"Lina-chan probably meant us." Said a cute little Lina voice behind them.
"Oh..no.." *Sweatdrop* *sigh* "Were too late." She collapsed.
"Hii Lina-chan." Waved a large sorceress behind from Lina to Lina.
"Hmm, Lina. Lina looks like Lina." Noted Gourry.
"Shadow Reflector.You said that you knew that thing." Said Zelgadis.
"Well... *nervous laughter* You see, it was soo : .....
 ...... and thats the end." Finished Lina the tale.
"So she is Linas opposite shadow and this is Nagas opposite shadow." Concluded Angela.
"Yes, Angela-chan." Said 'shadow' Lina.
"Khm... You did say that the Shadow Reflector creates an opposite personality shadow, but I don't see any difference except that 'shadow' Lina is more.... femine than you." The chimera noted.
"What do you mean by that?" Lina readied to cast a med-sized spell.
"Lina-chan, you know that violence is not an option."
The group facefaulted.
"Creepy." Zelgadis said."A femine, pacifist Lina. And 'shadow' Naga seems to be very shy and afraid of everything." Pulled the cloak to hide his visage.
"What are you doing here?" Asked Lina trying to no be rude.
"Well Shadow-sama found us one day and brought us here."
"Shadow? *turning around* You knew that all along?" Scoped the elf in her elbow.
"The best way to restore your power is to learn it from yourself.. in this case 'shadow' Lina." Pointed to the girl.
"Well, you're right, but this was mean, not telling me."
"Youre not very friendly to Shadow-sama Lina-chan."Said 'shadow' Lina. "But how can I help?"
'Simple, first we must find a suitable place."
"For?" Lina grew curious.
"Lina's 'shadow' will start using her spells one after another that lina doesn't know.... except the Giga Slave."
"But..but...but that is violence." Said 'shadow' Lina. Why would I wanted to do such a vile thing?"
"Besides she doesn't know spells after we parted..." Protested Lina.
"Of course she does."
"Huh?"
"She will be on equal level of you, but her personality will be inversed."
"Untill I give her my soul, right?"
"Now here we are. *stops* 'Shadow' Lina would you start using your spells?"
"Nooo. I don't see anything why should I do it"
"Because Shabranigdo could be awakened anyday?"
"What?" Said the 'shadow'. "The mazoku lord was slain thousand of years ago."
"Not quite, I slayed Shabranigdo a bit more than two and a half years ago.."
"Thats why I lost my powers then for a while."
"Exactly and.." Lina filled the girl in." .... we are here so."
"You were very mean and vile. Did you know Lina-chan? Promise me that you won't do like that never-ever again." Said she.
"Gck.. Let me goo, besides if I wouldn't be so 'mean' I would be dead by now and probably you too."
"I don't get it" Said Angela.
"Our lives are bond with a special 'curse'. Wich means if either of us die the other dies aswell, but this only works for me and my 'shadow' counterpart. To be sure I don't know why exactly for us..."
"Now lets practice." Said the shadow. "Lina-chan are you ready?"
"Yeah..."
More than two days passed and it seemed that Lina is getting back to her original power. In the meantime Shadow somehow crafted his sword whole and trained with the others while improving Angelas spell capatities.
"You're advancing well Angela Altena."
"I don't get this." Said Lina." How can she use Gaav Flare and Ragna Blast... Gaav and Phibrizzo are long dead."
"Their 'shadow' counterparts are not."
"What?"
"Here we fought the battle for the Resurrection of the Dark god and here has fallen once Gaav and Hellmaster, this is where their 'shadows' exist."
"They live?" Stood up Zelgadis more aware.
"No just their 'shadows', but they can't harm you."
"Just us. 'Shadows'." Said 'shadow' Naga. "I wanted ask before,but.... what is with Zelgadis-sans hands?"
"Im a chimera:" pulled he the mask off.
"EEEEEKK!!!" Screamed the shadow,and Zelgadis quickly pulled it back.
"I didn't mean to frighten you." Tryed to apologize Zelgadis.
"I'm frightenenig from almost everybody."
"I'm almost on full power and lookes like that Angela and you Shadow are gathering too on strenght." Commented Lina.
"Tomorrow we should seek out my old comrade."
"Lets rest." Said Gourry. "I will be the first guard."
<> echoed a sentence in Linas head.
"OW..... HOW.... DO... I...HATE...HER!!" Shouted she in the night.
"Lina-chan, whats wrong?" Asked her 'shadow'.
"Nothing. *nervous laughter* Nothing is wrong."

In a place that normal human would hardly imagine Xellos stood before his master.
"Tell me little Xellos, do you have any advice where it could be?"
"Zelas-sama, I have no doubts where he could hide, but I can't reach him there."
"So, how do you intend to do it?"
"Well, my Mistress, I had already organized a little trap for him."
"What kind of trap?"
"That is a secret Mistress, but if I could tell you that would ruin the fun of the whole game."
"I see, but tell me. Why do you need a piece of the souls from them?"
"Oh, I have personal plans for them Zelas-sama."
"You could destroy the souls right now and then we won't have any company." The Beastmaster noted with an evil gaze.
"But hat would also spoil my fun, Mistress."
"Well, well. Than slow them down or lead them od false clues. That won't spoil it right? Little Xellos."
"Sharp thoughts, Mistress. I will do as you please."
"How does the search go?" Switched theme the Beastmaster. "Do we know where had the Shinzoku hid her?"
"No, Zelas-sama, but we should find her soon."
"Excellent, Xellos, excellent."
"Mistress, there is one thing though."
"We could go to the Valley of the Shadows, so why do we just not send there something to get the artifact?"
"We can't. The power of Ceifeid and Shabranigdos power is too strong."
"Ceipeids power?"
"That was the place where Ceipheid and Shadbranigdo first engaged themselves in battle."
"So thats why could the Dragon Lord prison him in... that means we can't directly get to them." The prankster smiled and giggled. "That makes things more fun." As he vanished.

*Yawn* "Man, I am sooo hungry." Commented Lina.
"Lina-chan, you should put your hand before you're mouth when you do yawn." Said her 'shadow'.
"Oh, it wasn't a bad dream afterall." Lina stood up and fetched some water.
"Lina." Said Gourry.
"Yeah?" Asked the two girls in sinchron.
"Uh, I meant the real one."
"What is it Gourry?"
"I was wondering why is the other Lina so kind to me and you're more rude than she."
"That easy." Said Lina, holding back her anger knowing that her 'shadow' would protest and recite hours of pacifist monologues after monologues." Because she is my 'shadow', the opposite personality as me!"
"Uhm, could you start over?"
"She is not me!!" Yelled she with anger." That's simple."
"But she is also Lina, Lina."
"Nevermind." Walked she away.
"I don't get it. I thought Lina is Lina, but Lina isn't like Lina. Man I don't get this anti- stuff...."
"Just do not ask anymore of that sort of questions." Echoed Linas voice from far away.
"Lina.chan?" 'Naga' asked.
Lina slowly turned around. "Y...y...yes?" Asked with a gentle smile. "What do you want?"
"I and Lina-chan decided to go with you."
"Great." Mumbled Lina. "While I'm in danger you will simple stand, no not stand, hide in a dark corner protesting monologues after monolugues to unhearing masses that a pacifist could be jealous of while we or you will be stomped in the ground."
"I didn't understand anything Lina-chan. So could I and Lina-chan come with you?"
"And how will you defend yourselves?"
"Well we thought you would be gentle and talk htem out of killing us." Linas 'shadow' walked in the clearance.
"So you can't come with us, it would involve much danger for us and for you two."
"Why?"
"Because you won't fight and they could kill you and me."
"Maybe your right... , but I can be dangerous aswell."
"Hmm?"
"Our personalities are linked together thought these are opposite links."
"I knew that."
"Some time ago Shadow-sama tries to teach me how to handle things alone."
"And is it working?"
"Well, not quite, but I defend myself when I'm cornered."
"How many 'deadly encounters' did you survive?"
"Well, quite much..."
"How... Many?"
"A few dozens." Said the scared 'shadow'. "I don't get it Lina-chan, Why did you get a so dangerous name?"
"Theyre just jelous of my powers."
"But why do all men and monster and such wants to kill me?"
"Not you, me..... Sort of... If someone succeds killing Lina Inverse he would have greater name than mines ."
"But why?"
"I have already explained."
"Anyway could you and Naga, khm possibly defend yourselves?"
"Well if we were really threathened we would."
"Anything would I say you would come with us right? *The girls nodded* Well you can come."

Whats this?" Looked Zelgadis at his slowly moving shadow. "What?" As his arm started raising. "My shadow." He started channeling the energies for a spell in his hand and aimed at the shadow of his arm.
"Ra-tilt!" Commanded the chimera.
"Ow!! Damn." Said a creepy voice.
"So, Shadow! *Swordpoint layed on neck* Are you double crossing us?"
"Heck no, just joking."
"I don't get it."
"What?"
"Why do you fool around like that? Youre more intelligent."
"Well I'm an elf ... partly, thus I'm more acceptible for jokes and alike."
"Leave me alone... I don't do joking."
"Oh, Zelgadis-san, we have more common than you could imagine."
"You don't know anything from me."
"And if I say that I know more than yourself?"
"Thats ridicolous."
"I know that you are more than fifteen years old and do not age."
"I don't age?"
"Well, your a third human, a third Rock Golem and third Mazoku."
"I can't remember when did I say this to you, but your not completely right."
"Wich part?"
"One third bronze demon and not mazoku."
"Are you really sure?"
"....."
"Can I show you something interesting?"
"Not interested. Beat it."
"Khm. Do you know anything after Rezo transformed you?"
"I know everything after."
"And the years mindlessly obeying Rezo?"
"Wha.. what?"
"Rezo had a contract with a mazoku, who supported the elements of your transformation."
"A mazoku?" "Who was this mazoku?"
"Oh, you know... purple hair, everclosed smiling eyes.."
"Xellos..... why did he do that?" Zelgadis stayed calm as he always was.
"Why hadnt I noticed the passing years of obeying Rezo?"
"Well the mazoku controlled your body and your soul was sealed away."
"Away? Where? ..... And...*thinking*  You?"
"Oh, well yeah." Smiled the elf admittingly.
"Do you know that you are much like Xellos?"
"I do not terrorize humans."
"I meant your misterious and you do avoid beeing seen, direct the events from the back row."
"Well quite yeah, but I try to help your cause not like 'THAT' mazoku wretch."
"Hmm, I noticed something before."
"Yes?"
"Why calls you 'shadow' Lina, Shadow-sama?"
"Well, it was so...
 ...Thus I showed them this place."
"I sense you know much more about Lina than any of us, maybe herself too."
"Clever... Than I could show you something."
Shadow started to play a quick revision of Linas dreams and past.
"That can't be..."
"Yes.. Xellos caused all things."
"Heh, I'm not very surprised though."