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      Chapter IV
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        Part IV
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"Xellos!! *Chased Lina the mazoku around* Stop right there!! If you don't, I'll use the Giga SLave right on you!!" Xellos stopped. ~That worked perfectly.~
"Uhh ... Lina-chan ... *sweatdropps* ... It wasn't my fault that Yumiko has the Spirit dial, right?" Tried Xellos to back away.
"I'm not concerned about that. How many dials have the others?"
"Huh?"
"I know your informing them here and there."
"Well, yeah ..."
"How do they fare?"
"Well, let me see." Fetched Xellos a pile and started to selectate them.
"To the hell with you, Xellos. Gimme that." Grabbed Lina the pile.
~I'm dead ...~ Thought Xellos as Lina started to view them one after another.
"No ... no ... no ... no ... no, Xellos did you take them on regular times?"
~I'm not dead yet? ...~ "Well, sort of."
"No ... no ... no ... huh? Xellos, when was this?" Asked Lina pointing at the picture with illustrated the gang with  the cloths that Shadow's shade brought back.
"Right after you Dragon Slaved the cloths."
"And this?" Showed a pic that was taken after the Wood of despair.
"After that ... could say four days after."
"This?" A quad membered gang stood before a ship and one of them was wrapped in red cloak.
"A week ago."
"And these 'beauties'?" Showed Lina the pictures from the Cave of Gloom's entrance and exit, the Pits of Insanity and some pics between the gap, the Peek of Death and The Soulles swamp.
"Six, five, four, three day before and yesterday."
"This?" showed Phyria battling the mazoku known as Helix.
"Today ... a few hours ago ... but Phyria-chan almost died."
"And from this one *looked at the pic* I would say Valgaav really beat your friend."
"In the meantime Zel-kun and Sylphil-chan managed to save Phyria-chan ---"
"Xellos?"
"Yes?"
*Half minutes later*
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. That hurt, Lina-chan would you be kind and give back my ruined staff?"
"Don't play the fool, just regenerate yourself ...you dimwit."
"Huh? I can't just 'regenerate' myself."
"You can't? *laughs* Now I see why are you fleeing from Helix ... Maybe you're stronger, but he can regenerate himself. And --- *Lina kicks Xellos in the head* IF I FIND ANY MORE PHOTO'S, I WILL KILL YOU NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!!!"
"Temper, temp--"
"WHY SHOULD I?!!"
"Because this?" Xellos pulled a mirror out.
Lina's wings appeared along with red claws on the tainted left arm and with dark scales.
"I will calm down---"
"That will be good."
Lina grabbed the priest and continued. "---After I tore you apart."
"AIEE!! *Vanished Xellos* See you, Lina-chan." Echoed the priests voice.

*Later, when Lina exited the Valley of the Shadows*
*sigh* "Xellos, come out."
"Oh ... I forgot, I can't hide myself from you." Hands over a pile of pictures.
"Guess this is the newest batch." Lina looked at them.
Zelgadis entering a cave and barely exiting the cave. The little group cathing a ship.
"Thanks, now leave me."
"Huh?"
"Once more I notice you and I'll kill myself."
"Oh, that won't go."
"Why? *smile* Oh, you mean I can't die because if I would 'accidentally' have a dead accident either of the two parts in me would take over, yeah?"
"Yupp."
"But, when I want to summon the Giga Slave, then we are 2 on 1 ratio on Kage and I'll just .... khm 'mischant' the spell and merge with chaos."
Xellos imediatelly vanished. "You can't do that."
"Sure? But If i would do that, I would seal two pieces in chaos for an eternity."
"Well *nervous laughter* I think that I'm needed somewhere else, far away elsewhere."
~~Summon the Giga Slave. Summon the Giga Slave. Summon the Giga Slave.~~ Thought Shabby.
~Oh, shut up brat.~
~~Lina Inverse, do you really intend to do exactly as you said?~~
~Yeah, I am certain that Xell--- one moment.~
  Darkness beyond the blackest pitch
"Oh, allright, allright ... sheesh!!" Xellos finally left the place.
~You see *smile* It worked.~
~~... For how long?~~
~Now, there's the last dial in the north.~
~~And Big Bro.~~
~Shut up!! So we go north.~
~~Go west, there is a sixth dial.~~
~6? There are six dial?~
~~Seven altogether.~~
~Huh. why do I have the feeling that you always say the important stuff in the last minutes? *sigh* Did you go to the same school with Xellos and Shadow?~
Lina summoned her wings and flew away in a western direction.

Lina sat on a rock and 'enjoyed' the depression foul effect.
*sigh* "I said get lost, beat it Xellos."
"I'm not Xellos or whatsoever." Said a voice.
"Grin, get lost you too."
"I won't let you--- *A Fireball zipped past him* --- See you."
~I can't continue so depressed...~
~~Why didn't you kill him?~~ Asked Shabby-chan.
~Oh, shut up.~
"Why so depressed little girl?"
"Piss off stranger."
" ... I won't untill I don't know the cause of it."
Lina started to stand up. Shady and crimson flames swirled around her. The wings manifested and she unfolded them.
"I said *Said Lina in a grieving, angry voice* Get lost." The area around Lina started to swirl and the pressure pushed everything aside.
"A dragon ... interesting."
The area suddenly sank as the pressure strenghtened and blasted everything with force.
"I'm not a dragon!!" Shouted Lina and the pressure raised further.
The man, not affected by the wind walked closer and lifted one of the wings.
"And this little beauty?"
The wind calmed down and a shady figure appeared at a nearby tree.
"AAIIEE!!" Echoed the shade or commonly know as Lina Inverse. The shade turned over to the body previously possessed body of her.
"Hey, you soul possessing wretch, why did you banish 'ME' out of 'MY' own body?!"
"We decided to do that." Echoed an elder mans and a little girls voice from Lina's body.
"Not you too Kage ... Hey, what are you staring at me like that?" Turned she to the man.
"Heh *laughter* You never change Lina Inverse."
"Huh?" The shadow walked closer to the man and examined him.
"Do you not recognize me? *Lina blinked a few, but shaked her head* And this?" Pulled the man his cloak over the head and leaned on an old staff.
"Hiiick!! *gulp* Master Eida. *Realized her former teacher* What are you doing here?"
~~Lina-chan is afraid.~~ Thought Shabby-chan.
~~I thought she only fears her sister.~~
"Not true!!" Protested Lina.
"What isn't true?"
"Nothing Eida." *Sweatdrop* ~Why do I always get in trouble? ... Why ever me?~
"Could you ... khm ... return to your body?"
*sigh* "There you got a personalized dark god and a dragon lord ... talk with them." Lina crossed her arms and leaned te a tree.
"We won't let her back for a while." Echoed the duo.
"But why?" Cried Lina.
"To answer your previously mentioned wuestion: someone named Kage called me here and I have some work for you Lina Inverse." Said Eida.
"I will only accomplish that if you defeat me." Stated the sorceress.
"That will be easy *evil smirk* In your current state also?" Asked Kage and Shabby.
"Ow, fine *sweatdrop* Eida, the n how do we settle this?! I'M A SHADOW!!" Stated Lina.
"That means you lost he deal." Said the old man.
"NOO!! *screams and jump at her 'body'* Give it back!! *But she fell through it* Ow!!" Rubbed the shady girl her head and sit up.
"Like we said you will do what you are supposed to do and don't sit there depressed."
Lina sitting depressed. "I AM DEPRESSED!! I feel strange... hey what's happening with me?! I'm fading away!!" Stated the blending shadow.
"We let you return." Stated the two voices.
"Allright ... *confusion* I'm allready back?!"
"So ... Lina, all you have to do is --"
"You didn't defeat me, I won't do anything."
"You couldn't fight in that state."
"But I can now!"
"That was acceptable at 'that' time." Smiled the old man.
"Oh, I won't do anything what I musn't do."
"You will."
"I won--- wait a sec. *Lina moves to a nearby tree and pulls out Xellos* Xellos, I remember something about miscasting the Giga Slave ... or it was just my imagination?!"
"You remember correct, but Kage and my lord asked me to stay by your side."
"Like i said: BEAT IT XELLOS!!"
"I can't, Shabby-chan doesn't allow it."
"Fine *sigh* Let's go."
"Follow me." The man started to walk in a north-western direction.
"I'm not going after you, Xellos come." Went Lina eastwards.
~This isn't good.~ Uhm ... Lina-chan, perhaps we should follow your teacher *Lina gave a furios glare* Or perhaps not." Laughed nervously the mazoku.
"Eida 'was' my teacher."
"Lina Inverse. *Eida hit Lina in the head with his staff* I said to follow me."
"I'm not your student anymore *rubs boil* And I won't follow you any-- *three quick hits* Where do we go Eida?" *sigh*
"After me." Stated Eida and went north-west.
"He's probably a good man *Stated Xellos, but regretted as Lina looked at him* Or not."

*After a long, but uninteresting journey they stopped before an old mansion.*
"Huh? My old sorcerers guide?" Looked at it the sorceress.
"So ... this is where you learnt magic." Stated Xellos.
"Shut up mazoku. Eida, why are we here. I'm no student anymore."
"You you won't learn anything here, but you can 'teach'."
*Lina hit the ground* "I'm not a teacher."
"But you could be one."
"I'm leaving."
"Then you won't find the sixth peace."
"Of what?" Asked Xellos.
"What must I do?" Asked Lina ... hoping Xellos didn't understand it.
"There are some newbies, teach them something useful."
"That's all?"
"You must remain here for two weeks."
"Wha--?! But I don't have so much time."
"You got 'plenty' of time."
"Where is my *sigh* class?"
Eida lead her to a great chamber, deep under the surface." Here is your class."
The room contained the typical stuff of the laboratories, along with few kids who tried their luck with spells.
"I'm sick already, Xellos stay out."Muttered the sorceress and stepped in the classroom.
"Why should I? I only wanted to play with them."
"That's what I fear for, trickster."
As the kids saw Eida, they got in two lines and greated their teacher. But someone stayed at the back of the class. A long haired kid.
"Master Eida, you're back, but who's the boy with you?"
Veins twinkled on Lina's head. "Boy? BOY?! Am I A BOY?!!"
"Yeah." Said a little half-demon kid. Apparently he was a boy, but seemingly large large ears and with a long tail . The long blue hair was held together by a red bandage. The unusually large eyes sparkled with a red shimmering. He wore White trousers with grey T-shirt. The shoulders and the chest was covered with a white armour of some kind. In the shoulders, fore head and the wrist green gems could be seen.
"I am a sorceress ... and what are you .. .a golem of some kind or a chimera?"
"I'm a half elf and half demon ..." Said the strange boy.
"Besides, who are you?" Stepped a girl forward.
"I'm Lina Inverse."
The elven-demon stepped closer while the other backed off.
"The enemy of all who live? The Destroyer of Worlds?" Whispered they with fear.
"Oh, kids. Don't be so rude. Let me show you something." Stepped in the priest.
~Not again.~ Thought Lina.
"Xellos, we don't have time for this."
"But it would be fun."
"And do you intend to do that like the last time?"
"Nope, here it goes."
*sigh* "Eida, where are you going?" Asked Lina.
"I'll leave you with your class, see you in two weeks."

*An hour later*
"Lina-sama, teach us the Giga Slave." Stepped a redhaired glass wielding kid forward.
"WHAAAA---?! No way, just simple tricks."
"Please .... "Pleaded the whole class, except the demonic boy.
"No, and that's all. Do you know any spells?"
"Some little ones." Said the only girl.
"Khm ... judging from your behavior You *nods at the girl* You learned Water Shamanism, you two *nods at a twin pair* learned Fire and Earth Shamanism. The glass wielding is Air Shamanism and the demonic boy is Black magic expert. And if I sense it right everyone here knows a little about Spirit Shamanism, right?" Stated Lina.
"And you Lina-sama?"
"You could say that I have mastered Black magic, Fire Shamanism and Shadow magic. Along with a godd level of other types except White magic."
"What's shadow magic and the Giga Slave or Ragna Blade?" Asked the demonic boy.
"Shadow magic is like the normal type of magic, but in shade version and those two aren't related to anywhere, because the source of it is the Lord of Nightmares."
"Not related, does that despriction exist?"
"Well ... That alll for todays history lession. I would like to know your names."
"I'm Rio." Said the demonic-elf.
"Izuri." Said a twin.
"Izuro." Said the other twin.
"Nami." Said the girl
"Shiro." Said the glass wielding boy.
"Lina-sama *stepped Nami forward* Teach me Chaos spells."
Lina leaned down to her and examied the girl.
"I can't, you don't have the nessesery requirements, luckily."
"What required things and why luckily?" Asked Rio.
"Lina-chan meant ---" A Monovolt hurled Xellos to a wall.
"Some ery powerfull ally, that's all." ~Xellos, I know you can hear me, if you say just one little word, I'll seal myself, got that?~ Send Lina the message ino the environment.
~Ow allright, I won't say anything *sigh* She's illtempered today, sheesh!~
"Once and for all. Only simple spells, clear?"
"Yes Lina-sama." Repeated the class.
"Well, show me what you've got, let it zip towards Xellos."
"Huh, why me?"
"Because, from that you can judge their power."
"But won't Xellos-san be killed?" Asked Nami.
"Do not worry, it's just xellos."
~Thanks Lina-chan.~ "Besides I'm a --- *Shut up glare* --- very skilled priest."
"Well, who's first?"
"I'll go." Stated Rio.
 *The boy started to chant, raising both hands*
 Blast Wave!!
The spell hit Xellos' staffs tip and scratched it a little.
"Good ... Good work Rio." Tated Lina.
~Good to your mazoku possessed soul.~ Thought Xellos.
"But. *A powerfull version of the previous spell broke Xellos' staff* This is the way it should be done, remember : Do not hold back." ~Xellos I said to shut up!~
"Next." Stated Lina and sat down in a chair.

*later*
"Well Xellos? What do you think, who is strong?" Asked Lina.
*pant* ~My staff.~ *pant* "They all good in the order you stated them except the twins, they're both good at Fire and Earth." *pant*
"Good, so, you'll teach yourselves the tricks."
"That?! Us for ourselves? But you're our teacher Lina-sama."
"First of all I talk from experience that you'll learn more faster from your classmates and each of you has an own specialty. And while one of you teaches the other one or two mates I'll teach the rest some of my spells."
"Oh, allright, but Eida-sama taught ---"
"He taught, you were right, but the old geezer isn't here, so it is like I said."
"Yes Lina-sama."
"Lina-chan, aren't you a little tough?"
"Huh? The training hadn't even begun."
"Training?"
"Nope, in two weeks you'll barely live, my dear 'priest'."
"I hope not..." Silenced the mazoku.

*A week later*
"Stop it Rio, why are you holding back?" Asked Lina.
"Because I could kill him?"
"Oh fine ..." A Digger bolt arced through Xellos.
"Lina-sama why did you kill him?" Asked Nami.
"A mazoku can't be killed with this kind of spells."
"MAZOKU?!!" Back off Nami and Izuro.
"Lina-chan, you said that we won't tell them."
"He can't be a mazoku." Protested Izuri.
"Yeah, Xellos-san is so nice." Stated Nami.
"I don't believe it either." Said Shiro.
"Me too, Xellos-san is far too kind." Said Izuro.
"He isn't an ordinary mazoku. *Stated Rio* Priest or general rank?" Asked the boy.
"And Lina-chan isn't an ordinary human." Stated the panting Xellos.
"What did you say?" Thundered Lina's voice.
"Nothing ... nothing ... " Sweatdropped Xellos.
"But if he is a mazoku such high ranked, why didn't he kill us." Asked Nami.
"Because he fears Lina." Stated Rio.
"Not quite, there is Shabby-chan also."
"Who's she? And are you a general or a priest?" Asked Rio again.
"This trickster is a priest-general, because he got the two sides power."
"Lina-sama, who's Shabby-chan?" Asked the class except Rio, who thinked on something.
~~May I great them?~~ Asked the dark god.
~No way.~
~~Ow, I won't eat them.~~
~I said no.~
~~Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty please?~~ Pleaded the girl.
~Oh, fine ...~
~~Nei-chan your mean, you always forbi--- yes?! HURRAY!!~~
~Don't get used to it.~
"So, kids you want to know who's Shabby-chan?"
"Yeeeaaah!!"
A small kid walked out of the shadows. A redhaired, six years old kid greeted them.
"Hiii!! I'm Shabby-chan." Cheered the girl.
"Greeting my lord." Kneeled down Xellos.
"As I thought." Walked rio closerand examined the girls hair and eyes.
~Rio, I know you're smart enough to find this out alone, but don't say it ... the panic won't be good for us ... Shabby-chan might break free if the panic is enough strong.~
~I understand it Lina, but why are you siding with them?~
~I'm not siding with them from my own will, but I will explain it later.~
"I'm the reincarnation of Shabranigdo, that's why I'm called Shabby-chan." chirped the little girl with an innocent face.
The jaws of Lina and Rio fell, Xellos smiled and the kids stood still. Then laughter erupted as the kids realized what the girl just said.
"Shabby-chan, you're so funny." Stated Nami.
" .... *sweat drop* You think I'm funny?" Asked Shabby quite angry.
"Yes." Said the twins.
"And this?*Shabby started to fade and to take on her original shape*Is this funny also?"
"Yeah, yeah *Said shiro and cleaned the glasses* The dark god is a little girl."
~Nice try Shabby-chan, now baack with you.~
~~I won't go untill I said Hello to bigbro.~~
~Why you--!!~
~~Leave her alone.~~ Said Kage.
~Whatever, Kage can she do any harm to us?~
~~I don't think, she only can interakt with shadows or mazokus.~~
~Then it doesn't matters.~
"Lina-sama, are you allright?~ Asked Izuro.
"I'm fine, just thinked what should we do next."

*Another week later*
"O.K. todays lession is over." Stated Lina.
"Hmm ... *smiled Xellos* I'm off Lina-chan."
"If you would like to do."
"Xellos!!" Echoed a horrid voice.
~ ... Helix ... and Eida isn't back yet too.~
The mazoku walked towards the old mansion.
"You there, girl *Shouted te mazoku at Shabby-chan* Where is the coward."
"Oh, would you be quiet? Turn around and slime away, He isn't here. He 'was' here."
Lina walked towards Helix to kick his ass.
"You *Spotted the mazoku the sorceress* The girl with her shadow."
"Yes?" Asked Lina.
"It's payback time." Helix clenched his fists.
Shabby-chan walked closer to Helix.
"Why do you ignore me?!" Shabby kicked the heel of the mazoku.
"How the hell? You actually hurt me ... what are you little girl?" Helix leaned down and grabbed the girl cloths.
"Yuck!! You freak, you slimed my cloths!!" Cried the girl.
"And if you won't flee, I'll kill you." Said the mazoku.
A sudden shock hurled away Helix and Shabby hopped down to the ground.
"Yuck!! *tried the girl to escape from the slimed T-shirt* Why did I get slimed?"
Lina quickly covered the half-naked girl with her cape.
The angry girl moved closer to Helix and charged a crimson bolt.
~Uh-oh. Not again.~ Thought Helix as the shockwave propelled him far away.

*few hours later*
"Oh, Lina. How were the kids?"
"Fine, but to my teach plan they're a bit slow."
"They're so bad?"
"On your teach plan they're much more further."
"Oh, the hard way, eh? I don't really use it anymore."
"You don't?"
"You were the only one who needed it."
Vein twinkles on Lina's head. "Only I?"
"Yes *nervous laughter*  because you were more powerfull than anyone of us ... who's the new kid?"
"Oh, she's Shabby-chan."
"Hmm, yes ... Who are her parents?"
"LoN."
"LoN? ... Who is --- LoN ... ... as Lord of Nightmares?"
"Yepp."
"Were doomed."
"Oh, not quite, you see she's a part of me."
" ... Yeah ... then were doomed even more."
"What was that?" Lina strangled the old man.
"She'll take over you." Lina released him.
"I controll her ... sortof. Anyway the two weeks are over, hand over the Darkness dial."
"What?"
"You said that you would give it to me, if I would teach the kids."
"I only said that I will give you the mansion for 2 weeks, because I wanted to go on a holiday vacation."
" ... Eh *face twitches* Just for *twitch* holiday? This was all for *twitch* nothing?"
"Not quite, you showed these kids something important as I see."
"Oh class! Come out!!"
"Yes Lina-sama?"
"I'm gonna show you some big spells now."
"Yippie!!" Cheared the gang.
"You'll let me loose?" Asked Shabby hopefully.
"No. I'll beat up Eida."
"Eick!!" Run away the old man.
"Rio."
"Yes, Lina?"
"Are you ready for some big spell?"
"Dragon Slave?" Asked the smiling elven-demon.
"That wasn't my original plan, but O.K." Stated Lina.
"What?! No fair Lina-sama, you'll teach Rio a big spell and for us nothing?" Protested the remaining kids.
"First of all, Rio is enough highly advanced to understand the concept of such a spell, and besides Rio is the only one with enough profession in Black Magic to use it successfully. Well I'll recite it and you show me what are you capable of." Said Lina.
"And Lina-sama, what will be the target?" Asked Nami.
"Hmmm *Lina looks around* That mountain." Turns over and shows at a gigantic mountain.
Lina started to instruct the boy how to use the magical energies of the negativ astral plane and then told him the incantation.
"Rio, after you summoned yours and if it's enough good. I'll show you my power level."
Rio stepped forward and lifted his arms into the arm. Soon a red shimmering force could be seen as the boy concentrated his mind into raw magical power.
  Darkness beyond Twilight
*In the red shimmering black waves meshed*
  Crimson beyond the flowing Blood
*Rio let down his hands*
  Buried in the sand of Time
*The spell started to appear in the palms of the boy*
  In Thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness
*Rio pulled his hands back, but because this motion was a bit soon the spell   wavered, but didn't go out of controll*
  And the fools who stand in our way
~I though that Rio could master it.~ Smiled Lina.
  Will be destroyed by the power of You and I possess
*The spell manifested in some red orbs in the palm of the boy*
"Lina Inverse, watch this. Hey guys you too!!" Shouted the excited Rio.
  DRAGON SLAAAVE!!
The spell gathered in the boys palm shot out, but the recoil was a bit strong and the spell flight modified a bit. The result was that the red beam on tore a part off the mountain cape.
"I prefer to say : I won't use this untill my last resort ... in the summoning I almost miscasted it twice and the aiming was also incorrect." Grinned the happy boy.
"That's right, I knew that I can rely this spell on you. Class do you know what happens if a spell goes out of controll?"
"No Lina-sama, what happens then?"
"It kill the summoner." Stated Rio.
"WHAT?!!" This info shocked the kids.
"As Rio said, because the spells energies will be repelled back on the magician and in the case of a Dragon Slave ... Can you imagine why I didn't showed you anything big? You saw also that Rio almost died thrice in the summoning process."
"Almost died?!"
"Yes, as I said I almost miscasted it three times."
"Well then ... here I come." Stated Lina and stepped forward.
 *The amuletts on the wrists, belt and breast started to glow*
"What will that be?" Asked the class.
 Lord of the Darkness and the Four Worlds
 I call upon you, grant me all the power that you possess!!
 *Strong magical power filled the air, but only Rio could sense some of it*
The ear of the boy started to twitch and moved closer to the sorceress.
"Lina Inverse, this won't be a booster spell, or will this be?"
"It is a booster spell." Smiled the sorceress.
  Darkness beyond Twilight
 *Lina raised her hands*
  Crimson beyond the flowing Blood
 *The crimson waves were more black and white meshed than usual*
  Buried in the sand of Time
Helix stepped out of the forest and saw the chanting sorceress.
  In Thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness
~That will be a lection to him ... I'll show him my power.~ Thought Lina.
  And the fools who stand in our way
~Gather around Lina Inverse, hurry ... She'll blast the mazoku in front of us.~ Ordered Rio telepathically.
  Will be destroyed by the power of You and I possess
 *The shockwaves dissappeared and some white glewing orbs formed in the sorceress' palms*
"Merry Apocalypse Helix!" Said Lina.
  DRAGON SLAAAVE!!
Let she loose the spell at the unsuspecting mazoku. As the spell hit him he raw black magical power was enough to tore the mazoku into many pieces and to hurl the remains in a slight curve far away.
"By Helix!" Stated Lina. The destuctiove spell sure calmed her down.
"That was a real Dragon Slave?!" The class didn't realized the danger they were in.
"This was an amplified spell. You're lucky that you moved closer, look behind." Stated Rio and shoved the torn area around.
"Whay is everíthing here so damaged?"
"Because the spell almost directly hit here the environment, Luckily with high enough power the spell also creates a barrier that negates the effect of recoiling on the caster." Said Lina and sit down in the sand.
"Cool!!" Stated the gang.
"Now then I must be off." Lina summoned a flying spell and took off.

*Elsewhere*
*depressed sigh* "Now that had costed me more than two weeks ... for nothing. *She saw a spider like mazoku approaching* Why do they always find me?" She reaied a Fireball.
"Inverse-sama, please listen to me."
" ... *confused look* Inverse-sama?!?"
"Yes, I was searching for you."
"Why?"
"Xellos-sama ordered me to lead you to Stalker-sama."
"Are you ready to follow me?"
"No."
"No? Why?"
"Because I'll  wait for Shabby-chan?"
"For a little kid?"
"I don't know how to say it ... but she is Sha---bu---ra---ni---gu---do." Smiled Lina.
*Gulp* "Is that true?" *gulp*
"As her." Nodded Lina over to the girl.
"AIEE!!" Tried the mazoku to un off.
"Spidy, I wouldn't advise to run away." Smiled the little girl.
Tha mazoku stopped at the moment.
"Lead us where we should go." Said Lina.
"Yes." Said the mazoku, quite in fear.
~~That was good.~~
~I understand that you gain power from dark emotions, but that doesn't only applies to mortal feelings?~
~~Some can be gained elsewhere.~~ *smile* ~~And besides, that was fun.~~ *sparkling eyes* ~~Only destruction is ...~~
~There she goes again.~ Lina ignored the rest.

They arrived at a gloomy caves entrance, the priest walked out from it.
"Xell-kun, hellooooo!!" Shouted Shabby-chan.
"Lina-chan *bows* Shabby-chan." Kneels down.
"Why did you call for us?"
"Well the dial is in there." Stated Xellos.
"You know that?"
"Shabby-chan told me about the remaining two dials and I did a little research."
"Shabby *sigh* chan, why must you always blabble?"
"Oh ... I don't."
"Is there anything deadly?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Thought so ... well, youenter first."
"I can't get in and probably ---"
"Tee-hee-hee it tickles!!" Shabby-chan fiddled with the barrier.
" --- she can't also." Sweatdropped Xellos.
"Shabby-chan ... are you coming?" Asked Lina who entered the field.
"Yes." She evaporized the spider-like mazoku.
"We go in ... and you?" Lina turned to Xellos.
"I'll terrorize the others."
"Say to them we meat at north."

*Inside*
"Nei-chan, can you lit a spell?"
"Why, I bet you can see perfectly like me."
"Yes, but the crowd is unbeareble."
"Crowd? ... Oh, yeah you possess a shadow body... LIGHTING!! Better?"
"Thanks."
"It seems pretty straight forward."

*Later*
"Looks like a dead end." Stated Shabby-chan.
"Huh?" Lina unsummoned the light spell.
"Hey!!" She protested.
"Look, the wall is shining from the back." Stated Lina and blowed the wall in.
As they stepped out they arrived at a clearance.
"Let's have some fun." Stated Shabby-chan and started to run around.
*sigh* Lina followed her. ~Why is she so childish?~
~~Because you were a child then.~~
~Noone asked you Kage.~
"Lina-chan, you're here so fast?" Asked the smiling Xellos.
"Should have thinked, where is it?"
"Xell-kun!!* Shabby-chan hugged the priest* I'm so glad you're here."
"Why mylord?"
"Because I can have now some fun."
~Fun?~ Thought Lina. "shabby-chan, may I tag along?"
"The more, the merrier." Smiled the little girl.
"Ow ... *Xellos closed his eyes and prepared for the sequel, but nothing happened* Huh?" A flaming whip coiled around him.
"Hmm ... Shabby-chan, on who do you bet?" Asked Lina s Helix smacked Xellos a few times.
"Xell-kun is tricky and strong, but Helix is weak, and self-regenerativ." Said Shabby.
"So it will be a long fight, eh?" Looked Lina as Xellos escaped from the whip.
"Go for it Xell-kun." Shouted Shabby-chan, waving a 'Kill Helix' flag.
"What?!"
"You see that Helix guy is quite nerving and Shabby-chan and I decided that you two fight each other and the winner shall gain the power of the loser." Said Lina.
"That won't go only our master could give us more power." Stated Xellos and Helix.
"Or Shabby-chan ... and either of you flee, than She'll kill the coward." Said Lina.
"I won't flee." Helix renewed the attack.
"And if you don't finish it in a hour I'll kill you both." Stated the girl.
"Go Xellos, go!!" Stated Lina.
"Xellos cries. "I'm dead."
"Reeeady, steeady, gooo!!" Shouted Lina.
"Hiya Big sis!!" Cheered Shabby-chan.
"Big sis? *Lina turned around* ~No, not her ....~ Yumiko, what are you doing here?"
"Hiii, Shabby-chan." Greeted the shadow the girl.
"Not fair, not fair, not fair. I want to be mature also." Cried the girl.
"Huh?"
"You're much prettier."
~Think about dark gods.~ *Lina sighed* "What are you doing here?"
"Lil sis?" Asked Yumiko.
"And why?" Questioned Lina.
"I heard the ruckus and wanted to see what's goin on here."
"Oh, Lina-chan ... It's a tie." Shouted Xellos to the sorceress.
"How?"
"Well ... If either of us kills the other ... he would release the gathered energy and that would kill him ... " Xellos gave a nervous laughter.
"So ... I'll have to kill you both." Bounced Shabby-chan around.
"She's so childish." Noticed Yumiko.
"I know." sighed Lina.
"Oh, here." Yumiko gave the Darkness dial along with the Spirit dial to Lina.
"Huh? You had the Darkness dial ... and why are you giving this to me?"
"I don't need them anymore." Said Yumiko.
"Shabby-chan ... leave them .... at another time you'll finish them off."
"What does that 'anymore' mean?" Asked Xellos as Helix vanished.
"You'll see ... you'll see." Smiled the sorceress' shadow.
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     TO BE CONTINUED.
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