Zelgadis and Amelia searched through Diol's ruined castle for any
information regarding the recent outbreak of Lesser Demons and chimera
texts.

 "Mister Zelgadis," Amelia said, as she held out a scroll.  "Look at
this."

 Zelgadis took the scroll and flinched. "The guy is a bad artist, but I
can see what he was going to do.  I thought my body was bad.  He wanted
to turn Lina into this?  He had a death wish."

 Amelia looked through some of the other books.  "I think he was going
to put some way to control that creation into her.  He also planned a
stealth mode for Miss Lina."

 "Stealth mode?  How do you hide something like that?"

 "Oh no, Mister Zelgadis.  It's not hiding something that big.  It was
to give Lina the ability to change from human into that thing upon
command."

 Zelgadis quickly took a look through the books that Amelia was going
through.  He saw the notes pertaining to Lina's proposed stealth ability
and pondered aloud.

 "It's a half cure, but it's better than nothing."

 "Mister Zelgadis?"

 "I was just thinking about using that information for myself.   Being
able to change from this to human and back again is better than
nothing."

 Amelia asked, "Why don't you wait for Mister Rezo to cure you?"

 Zelgadis grimaced in distaste.  "He might have been possessed by
Shabranigdo and that caused him to do all those things, but I still
can't trust him.  These works of a madman are lot more trustworthy to
me.  He wasn't trying to hide what he was doing."

 Amelia shrugged and cocked her head to one side. "I hear something."

 She hunted for where the sound was coming from.  Curious, Zelgadis
followed her.  He too could hear the strange sounds that Amelia heard.
He put Diol's writings inside his cloak for later use.  Both of them
came to a heavily barred door.  They looked at each other and removed
the bar and prepared for battle.  Zelgadis and Amelia cautiously pulled
the door open and looked around it into the room.  Seeing its contents,
they quickly slammed the door shut.

 "Th-those th-things," Amelia stuttered. "Mister Diol lost it a long
time ago."

 Shaking and sweating from the horrible vision, Zelgadis put the bar
back across the door.  "Not only has he lost it, he went looking for
more to lose.   Yuck.  Amelia, the roof."

 Amelia nodded and the two of them cast spells to bring down part of the
roof to block the door even further.

 "Let's get out of here, Mister Zelgadis.  There's nothing here about
the invasion.  If it was Mister Diol, he would have started off with
those things."

 The two of them quickly left the ruined castle.  As they left, a
shimmer of light appeared in the room they had left.

 "Now if whatever is in there can scare two mages that much, it'll serve
in my army just as well."

 Loud laughter permeated the castle.

 "Now, it's time to visit an old friend of mine."
-------------------------------------
 In Atlas City, the mage known as Halcyform and his partner Saygrum had
an unusual visitor.

 "Joyrock?" Saygrum said in shock.  "I thought you were killed a long
time ago."

 Joyrock grinned.  "I was.  Now, I want vengeance against the one who
killed me."

 Halcyform asked, "What does that have to do with us?"

 Joyrock laughed and ripped Saygrum's mask off of him and then spat a
fireball into Saygrum's face, which stunned him.

 "I think I'll drain your power into me, Saygrum."

 Saygrum blurred and struck at Joyrock full in the face.  Joyrock
laughed as he grabbed Saygrum's arm.

 "I'm tougher than you think."

 Saygrum asked in shock, "How?"

 Joyrock held up a hand and a tendril of energy shot from it.  Saygrum
barely dodged the attack.

 "You've flipped, Joyrock."

 "Being unable to feel for over a year will do that to anyone, Saygrum."

 Joyrock fired a few more fireballs and tendrils of energy.  He then
faded into subspace.  Saygrum quickly followed.

 Halcyform shuddered as he knew the two combatants were still there, but
in the Astral plane

 Saygrum faded back in.  "Joyrock won't be back for a while.  He should
be lost in the Astral Plane."

 A hand faded in and grabbed Saygrum by the face.  Joyrock cackled
maniacally.

 "Do you really think I would get lost in the Astral plane, when I
fought my way through the time stream itself?   Now, your powers are
mine."

  Energy flowed from Saygrum into Joyrock.  The Monster writhed in the
demon's grasp, trying to break free.  Soon, Saygrum faded away.

 "I now have all of Saygrum's power.  I have now regained what I lost
due to her.  Now for you, Halcyform."

 Halcyform backed up away from Joyrock, as the demon lord approached.

 Joyrock raised the mask and said, "I have the pledge stone that
contains your immortality.  I could break it, but I have a better idea."

 The demon's eyes glowed red and the crystal holding a girl opened up.
The girl slowly stood up.

 "R-rubia?"  Halcyform asked in wonder.  "You came back to me."

 Rubia's skin slowly became a ghastly gray color and her teeth fell out,
horrifying the mage.  Joyrock chuckled and made a gesture.  Halcyform
stared in horror, as Rubia vanished and her spirit fled from him.

 "RUBIA!!!"

 Joyrock laughed, as the mage crumpled to the ground crying.  "Your
despair and agony will sate me quite well.  And since I have the pledge
stone, you will provide me food forever.   I enjoy the taste of your
loneliness.  You humans are just toys to me."

 Halcyform looked up into the eyes Joyrock and knew that his torments
were just beginning.
---------------------------------
 In Midas, Lina and Gourry were wandering the streets trying to figure
out where the Lesser Demons came from.   As the two walked around, Lina
scanned the area hunting for even the slightest trace of the creatures.

 "This getting us nowhere," Lina muttered.  "I have no idea who could be
doing this."

 Gourry asked, "Hey Lina, what about the person you first thought
about?"

 "If he was alive?  Yes, this would fit him," Lina said.

 Lina spotted Zelgadis and Amelia heading towards them.  She waved at
them and they all went to the city square and sat on the edge of the
fountain in the middle of the city.

 "Any luck at Diol's?" Lina asked.

 "I found a way to change myself back part of the time, but no
information on the Lesser Demons."

 "Miss Lina, we also found some other chimeras that Mister Diol was
working on.  They were horrible."

 Lina shrugged.  "Well, he is a crazy old man.  He's probably still
locked up.  At least that nonsense of his will be of some use."

 "So what are you going to do now, Lina?"  Gourry asked.  "Blow up
bandit gangs until you find the answer?"

 Lina shook her head.  "I might have to.  If nothing else, the stories
of my destroying the gangs will spread.  That way, the person might come
looking for me, especially if I use a pattern to my attacks."

 All four of them heard clapping coming from above them.  They all
looked up and say a young looking priest with his eyes closed.

 "That's the sort of logic I'd expect from the notorious bandit killer,
Lina Inverse."

 Looking up, Lina asked, "You are?"

 The man jumped down in front of Lina, almost causing her to fall into
the fountain.  Zelgadis jumped up and circled around to the stranger's
right.

 "Greetings.  I've been hunting for you for a while, Lina Inverse.  I am
the Mysterious Priest Xellos."

 Lina said, "Xellos?  Right.  Look, I'm a little busy at the moment."

 "There's no need to concern yourself about that.  We both want to see
this invasion of Lesser Demons to stop," Xellos assured.

 Amelia asked, "What have they done to you?"

 "I want to stop them since they killed my family.  I figured helping
Lina Inverse out would be the best way to avenge them."

 Lina said, "I guess that makes sense."

 "You mean you believe that story?"

 The entire group, save Zelgadis, fell into the fountain. As the group
came sputtering out of the fountain, Zelgadis grabbed Xellos' shirt.

 "You just made that up?  What are you up to?" Zelgadis demanded.

 Xellos smiled and said.  "I really do need your help in stopping this
invasion of Lesser Demons."

 Coughing a bit, Lina demanded, "Why?"

 "Ah.  Now that is a secret."

 Lina, Gourry, and Amelia once again took a swim in the fountain.

 Climbing out of the fountain, Lina said, "I don't know what is with you
you fruit, but I have no time for these games."

 She shook her head in disgust, as she walked away.

 "Well, I know he's going to launch an attack against Zefilia in a few
days time.  This is just to keep you here as he attacks your homeland."

 Lina stopped in her tracks.  "My sister can handle it, but if she finds
out that I let it happen.  I'll be....."

 Lina shuddered in horror.

 "Is something wrong, Lina?"  Gourry asked.

 "No.  Nothing.  Nothing at all.  We head to Zefilia," Lina replied
quickly.

 Amelia asked, "Mister Xellos, you should know the person's name if you
know his plans.  What is it?"

 Xellos opened one eye and said, "I have a hard time believing it
myself.  But, his name is Joyrock."

 Lina spun around and started yelling at Xellos.  "Joyrock?!  Joyrock's
dead!  He was cut in half by the Sword of Light after I amplified it
with the Dragon Slave!"

 Gourry scratched his head. "I don't remember you casting the Dragon
Slave on my sword."

 "Not you.  The person who had it at the time was Rowdy Gabriev.  I went
back in time and did that."

 Zelgadis said, "Lina?  I think that you had better fill us in on
Joyrock and how you met him.  Maybe there's something you overlooked."

 "Fine.  Fine.  Joyrock?  It can't be."

 As the group headed towards Zefilia, Lina went over adventure on
Mipross Island.  She even went over how she created the Astral Dagger
from the remnants of Rowdy's staff.

 Gourry pointed at Lina.  "So, you're the mysterious sorceress that
helped out family out.  It was because of repelling that invasion the
elves allowed my Great Grandmother to marry my Great Grandfather "

 Lina looked at Gourry in shock.  "Your descended from Rowdy and
Meliroon?"

 Gourry shrugged and nodded.

 Lina muttered. "I guess having elf blood in you doesn't mean you're
going to be smart."

 Zelgadis said, "Lina, the Joyrock of this timeline was killed.  What
about the one from your timeline?"

 "Miss Lina, does that mean there are two of you?"

 "No, Amelia.  I merged with my counterpart in this timeline.  My
experiences for that time were more intense, so I'm able to recall
clearly the alternate timeline.  I have problems recalling what I did in
this timeline though.  As to Joyrock, his power was used to create the
time gate.  I think Rowdy intended for him to be killed by having all of
his energy drained."

 Xellos shook his head.  "This is not good.  Joyrock has the powers of
the elves of Mipross."

 Zelgadis added, "I think that your Joyrock clawed his way into this
timeline and is going to rebuild what you took from him and gain his
vengeance against you."

 Lina said nothing.
----------------------------------------------------------
 Lina stood on a hill and looked down at a building.  She shuddered as
the other four were discussing plans.

 "I guess I had better get it over with," Lina whispered.

 She started down the hill towards the inn.  Gourry jumped up and headed
after her.  Seeing the departing figures, Amelia and Zelgadis quickly
raced after them.  Xellos just smiled and laid back against a tree.

 "Lina, what are you doing?" Gourry asked.

 "Something, I'm not looking forward to.  Talking to Luna.  Please stay
outside."

 Lina took a deep breath and entered the inn, leaving a perplexed trio.

 "I wonder who Miss Luna is," Amelia said.

 Gourry shrugged.  "Lina's older sister."

 Zelgadis and Amelia stopped from going into the inn.

 "I guess we shouldn't interrupt a family reunion," Amelia said.

 The three of them waited for a bit.  Suddenly a shout broke their
reverie.

 "What do you mean, I cast the Giga-Slave?!  If I lost control of that
spell, I'd destroy the world!  Yes, I created it!  But, I backed out of
casting it when I read the full description of the Lord of Nightmares!"

 Gourry said, "I think Lina's having an argument."

 "No kidding," Amelia said.

 Zelgadis shuddered.  "Lina has a spell that can destroy the world?"

 "I went on to learn the Ragna Blade and develop my other spells!  The
Giga-Slave scares me!  My other spells don't put the world at risk!"

 Lina came out of the inn pale and shaking.  "The Giga-Slave?  I
couldn't have cast it?"

 Gourry walked up to Lina and asked, "If you changed time, would that
mean that your actions might also be different?"

 Lina said nothing as she pulled out her book.

 Zelgadis looked at the book and gasped.  "That's a copy of the Clair
Bible."

 Lina gave a short laugh.  "No, it's not."

 Zelgadis asked, "Are you sure?"

 Pulling a folded piece of paper from the book, Lina began reading
aloud.  "Fellow priest of Cephied,   Even though you serve the Sky
Dragon King, we are both servants of the Flare Dragon.  We are getting
reports that the Monster Race is up to something.  Dynast Grausherra has
just moved to the North Pole and the Beastmaster has moved to Wolfpack
Island.  I ask you to put aside your wanderlust and help us against the
Monsters.  Signed, Milgasia.  Humble servant of the Water Dragon King."

 Lina folded the paper up and put it back in the book.  "This book
predates The War of the Monsters Fall.  The Clair Bible is the remaining
memories of the Water Dragon King.  Apparently the guy who wrote this
book traveled a lot.  It's mostly useless."

 Amelia asked, "Miss Lina, how can a book be mostly useless."

  "Because the book describes ways to call upon the greater powers of
the four worlds."

 "How can a book like that be mostly useless?" Zelgadis wondered aloud.

 "Easy.  The book is divided into five sections: Gold, Red, Black,
White, Blue.  Red describes this world.  With the barrier up and the
Water Dragon King dead, the Holy spells described in the book for this
world are useless.  I know most of the Black Magic spells of this world
anyway.   Black describes Dark Star and Vorfeed's powers and abilities,
along with the spells that can be drawn off of them.  Can anyone in this
universe draw upon either of them?"

 Zelgadis replied, "Don't be silly.  They are in another world.  I see.
Blue and White are the other two worlds and the spells you can pull off
of the Gods and Monsters of those worlds.  But, Gold?"

 Lina bowed her head and softly whispered, "The Lord of Nightmares.  The
mother of both the Gods and the Monsters.  Only one spell was listed
drawing off of that being: Ragna Blade.  At least he left enough notes
in the book, so that I could modify other spells."

 Lina looked at the book, headed back, and dropped inside the inn.  "At
any rate, we have a demon to kill.  Luna will keep the village safe,
while we deal with him.  The book should be safe with Luna."

 Amelia said, "Miss Lina, when this is over.  Can the city of Seyruun
copy the Cephied section of that book?  We might have lost the ability
to cast the spells, but we do want them down somewhere."

 Lina nodded and muttered to herself, "Luna said that those spells at
least should be written down someplace where they are safe from being
put in harm's way."

 Zelgadis stroked his chin for a second and walked into the inn.  He
came back out a bit later feeling a bit happier.

 "Mister Zelgadis, what were you doing?"

 "I asked Luna to keep Diol's writings safe for me.  I also explained
what I wanted them for.  I don't want them destroyed in the coming
battle."

 "And a good thing you did to.  By the way, Lina.  Joyrock is heading
here tonight," Xellos said from right behind them.
=======================================================================



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