The world was a different place now.
How did things change? Nobody knew what caused
it. Some had reoccurring flashbacks to some dark place, where they
were trapped in a box, living only in their memories, over and over...
until a golden warrior, with the wings they all had now, freed them.
But that didn't actually explain anything. Some pretty fabulous stories
were written, however.
"And so," Myth concluded, "The world had ended.
But the end was merely a new beginning. You all know of this new
world, similar but different.. and what has happened to us. Perhaps
my tale was the truth behind it. Perhaps we'll never know for sure.
But at least, when we close, we realize that the true end... has yet to
be written. To be continued."
She closed her draft copy of 'Lina Inverse and the
End of Everything,' and waited for her audience's reaction.
The drinkers at the Singing Drunk Karaoke Bar looked
into their drinks, or outside the window, or at the amusing picture dogs
playing poker someone had hung on the wall.
"Well?" Myth asked, probing.
"It's.. not that we don't like it, miss," a member
of the peanut gallery said. "It's a good story, indeed. Just...
it's pretty hard to swallow. Me and the lads were whispering a bit
whilest you were reading -- terribly sorry -- and it doesn't sit well with
us."
His companion nodded. "Yar. Now, I likes
a good Lina Inverse story like any man. She's a good fictional type
character. But all of this is too much! Nobody knows why all
this happened, but come on now, Lina Inverse couldn't have.. even if...
I mean--"
"You just don't want to admit you FELT it was true,
yew bastard!!" a drunk, belligerent audience member shouted. "All
of you felt that and are too scared to admit it! Ya weak bellied
pansies!"
"No more for Earl, he's topped," the first drinker
noted.
"Now now, it doesn't matter if it's true," Myth
smirked, appreciate of at least one job perk. "You DID admit you
liked the story as fiction. So, cough up the tips, please.
A girl needs to stay fed."
She rattled her coin jar (which was specially padded
to prevent any rattling, and encourage pity, which encourages more money)
and collected. A few coppers here, a silver there, more coppers...
And two gold coins. Two big, heavy ones.
Myth looked up at the man who offered them; not
a particularly impressive sort, sitting on a stool despite being too short
to have his feet touch the floor.
"Good stuff," the man said.
"Ah.. thanks," Myth said. "And thanks for
the coinage, sir."
"You know, I was here when you recited the 'Thousand
Reflections' one," he said. "And the 'Chaos Factor' one. I
was thinking, would you mind if I published them? You can't make
that much money just reciting the stories compared to getting them up and
out there for others to read. But a good trilogy like that could
really help promote your work."
"Published?" she asked. "Ummm... I haven't
been published in a long time. A really long time."
"All the better. My card," the man said, handing
it over. She flipped it, and read the company's initials, SCP.
"I think you're just what we're looking for."
Time had passed. Humanity had settled down; once
you get over the initial shock that your whole species evolved overnight
out of whatever cocoon it was in, things can get back to the usual order
of relationships, stock trading, forceful appropriation of goods and so
on. Architecture was going to need a slight overhaul, and fashions
of course had to match your particular wing colors. Travel was going
to need an overhaul as well.
Nobody sat around twiddling their thumbs.
There were things to be done, after all, and time stopped for no one; things
to do that had needed doing for a long time.
The crowd assembled at watched, expectantly, as
the preacher paused.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," he said.
"You may now kiss the bride."
The groom leaned over, lifting the bride's veil...
and they kissed. The crowd cheered, throwing confetti, rice (non-boiled)
and party streamers. Sailoon really knew how to throw a wedding.
Gourry looked deep into Lina's eyes, and smiled...
"You know....... they look really happy."
"Who, Amelia and Dayvid?" Lina asked, peering up
at the altar across three rows of seats. "Oh, you bet. She's
adorably cute and clumsy, he's sensibly cute and clumsy... it's a match
made in heaven."
The rest of the party in the pew row seemed to agree,
nodding.. although Zelgadis was nodding because he was nipping at an itch
on his neck. "I hate tuxedos," he grumbled. "I never realized
how damn scratchy they are against your skin."
"Oh, ho, ho, hooo!!" Naga burbled. "My little
sister, getting married!"
Lina shhhh'ed the elder Saileese princess.
"Naga, don't laugh at them!"
"I'm not laughing! This is how I cry.
Oh, ho ho ho hooo..."
Aunt "Love" Koirry sighed, a smile lightly painted
across her face. "I agree, Naga-san. It's so nice to see a
young couple in love," she said. "Isn't it beautiful, Chi'Nai?"
"Oh, it is," Chi'Nai smiled. "It's so pleasant..."
Everybody looked at her funny.
"...in that the matrimonial bonds allow for a more
efficient way to spread incomes and share workloads in day to day chores,"
she added quickly, with a faint blush of embarrassment. "That goes
without saying, which is why, ah, I didn't say it. Precisely."
"Don't force it, Chi'Nai," Zelgadis said, still
tugging at his bow tie. "You just look silly--"
She bonked him lightly with a hymn book.
"When're they serving the cake already? Sailoon
ceremonies are too long!" Lina complained, slumping over the pew in front
of her.
Love perked up. "Oh, Lina," she said.
"I forgot to tell you. Guess who's on the catering staff for the
reception?"
"Who?" Lina asked.
Luna Inverse carried five trays at once, thanks to good
balance, two hands and a few levitational spells. She whisked them
down the line of Lina's table, each meal landing neatly in front of each
guest.
"'njoy," she mumbled through her usual smile, and
went on to serve the others.
"Gosh, it's good to see that she's back to work
after losing her job as that knight thingy," Gourry said. "Lina?
Lina, why are you so pale?"
"B-B-Big sis," she babbled. "Big sis.
Big sis..."
"It's surprising, how many people we know who are
here," Aunt Koirry said. "It's a shame that Dayvid's father couldn't
make it..."
Lina nodded. "I haven't heard from Xelloss
since the quest finally ended. Not one peep. I keep checking
in my dreams, but he's a definite no-show. He could've been lost
in the shuffle... you guys know what I had to go through to make this big
happy ending you're living today, remember. Who knows what happened?"
"Awww, don't be so pessimistic!" Gourry smiled.
"Xelloss is a smart guy. What could possibly go wrong?"
A hand clamped heavily over Gourry's mouth, but
a moment too late. "GOURRY!" Lina hissed. "Don't -- say --
that! Unless you REALLY want more people we know to come..."
"Mphmphh," Gourry apologized.
A bit of silence hung over Lina's table... waiting
for the inevitable. Confused looks were passed around; except for
Zelgadis's.
"He's not a Mazoku anymore. That won't work,"
he said casually, taking a sip of his wine. "You can relax now.
We--"
Luna Inverse appeared at Lina's side. "Oi,
sis. Dirty lookin' guy's asking for you outside."
Lina twitched. "Great. Just great."
"Ah.." Gourry said, starting to get up. "Do
you need me to..?"
"I'll be fine," Lina said, waving it off.
She turned back to the 'waitress', without looking directly at her.
"Um.. lead on, sis."
The Inverse sisters wound around the crowded Great
Hall of Sailoon Palace, careful not to let their wings bump into anything
or brush anybody; a skill learned pretty quickly, humanity was finding
out, as time went on. But you can't avoid a sugar and alcohol fueled
bride, as Amelia waved frantically to get Lina's attention as she walked
by the head table.
"Liiiina-san!" Amelia cheered. "Like the reception!?"
"It's great! Congratulations!" Lina shouted
back. And gave Dayvid a sympathetic look, as he was already starting
to get a bit terrified at the concept of a drunk Amelia. She had
to suppress a smile. It was an odd pairing, but it'd work.
Married couples worked best when they were friends to begin with.
A point she mulled over a little more.
The din of the reception was dulled by the thick walls
of the Palace, as Luna led Lina into a private study. She was ready
for anything from a magical brawl to an argument to a bit of forced comedy...
but wasn't ready for who was actually there.
Xelloss snapped the bound copy of 'Lina Inverse
and the End of Everything' he was perusing closed, looking up to smile
his trademark smile. "Hello again, Lina-chan."
"Xelloss?!"
"You state the obvious with an air of wisdom, as
usual," he chuckled. "What, did you think I could leave this world
without parting farewells to my son on his wedding day? Really, now,
I may be a bad father, but only a complete schmuck would do THAT."
Lina glanced back at her sister. "But you
said a dirty man was...?"
"Jokin'," Luna chuckled. "Naw. Angela
'n Bugger are off adventurin' somewhere else. I gotta get back to
work. C'ya."
Being the only waitress who routinely teleported
to carry things, Luna was off in a flash -- literally.
Xelloss stepped over, to talk closely with Lina.
"I'm not violating my promise now, am I?"
"Ah... no. You aren't," Lina decided.
"Look... I'm sorry for leaving you there, but--"
"It was required. I see that now," Xelloss
said. "The Lord explained a great deal to me. How she set it
up that we'd be the only two people left, just so you would explode with
rage and stomp off to find the TRUE answer--"
"WHAT?! I--"
"--because, if they had evacuated everybody you
know and a chunk of the population, we'd be back at square one," Xelloss
said. "Hiding in the World of Dreams, in the cradle of the world.
That means going backwards, not forwards. If... certain people were
not taken away from you, you wouldn't have been able to do what you did."
Lina looked astonished. "Why, that manipulative,
conniving little--"
"So, do you love Gourry?" Xelloss asked, as normally
as one would ask if you wanted a cup of coffee.
"...what?"
"It's a simple question, Lina."
"I... I mean.." Lina said, twiddling her fingers.
She swallowed, and gained resolve. "Yes. Yes, I do."
And.. Xelloss smiled.
"Then I wish you all the luck in the world you have
made," he said. "Gourry's a good man. He will stand by you,
right and well. It would have been nice, if I had... ah, but I didn't,
and it wasn't intended to be, was it? I will miss you dearly, Lina,
but I'm afraid I have much, much bigger fish to fry now."
".....?" Lina asked, speechless.
Xelloss straightened his robes, looking more dignified.
"I'm needed. Another world, where the Lord is setting up a new project.
Similar, but different. I'm going to lead Her heavenly army.
It's a different side to play on, I know, but who knows what could happen?
She appreciates my inner wildness, and thinks I'll be just right for the
role. Of course, it means leaving this world, but that's fine, after
I settle affairs... such as this. Which is now settled. Thank
you, Lina. I have lived in very, very interesting times. I'll
go have a chat with my son, then be off."
The trickster turned to go, taking a step.. then
pausing.
"Actually, you can give me an opinion on something,"
he said. "I'm thinking of a name change with my new job. I've
always had a thing for names that begin with 'L'... what do you think of
Larry?"
Lina, a little stunned, went on instinct.
"Lacks something," she said.
"Oh. I'll just stick with Lucifer, then,"
Xelloss said. "Ta ta."
In a blast of shadows, he was gone.
The reception was winding to a close. The band
had played the same number twice in a row without realizing. Most
of the guests had left; the happy couple was off for a honeymoon in Daratta,
as Reason had negotiated a very fair travel package for them, if Dayvid
would take a few hours to give a lecture at the university about blending
magic and science. Reportedly, the students were very interested.
A few guests were totally drunk. Chi'Nai was
one of them.
"These paintings are so beautiful!!" she wailed,
studying the Great Hall's many portraits. "Oh, look at these colors...
and the textures, they feel so delicate to the touch... I wish I could
paint like this! I should practice! Ne, Zelgadis-chan?"
"Save me," Zel said weakly.
Lina looked up from the breadstick she was toying
with. "C'mon, Zel. She's only been open to strong emotions
for a few weeks now. Give her some time, okay?"
"At least she's going back to the Hi'Chi'Orld soon.
Her and that weird kid, Chi'Bi," Zelgadis muttered... and turned to be
surprised by a very weepy Chi'Nai.
"You want me to leave?!" she asked, near sobbing.
"Ah... ah, that's not what I meant..." Zel said,
and had to duck to avoid a chair thrown at twenty miles an hour.
"JERK!!" Chi'Nai shouted. And the two were
off.
Lina just.. stared. "Gourry, what do you think?
Second oddball couple of the night or just a disturbing display?"
"I think... both," Gourry said. He fidgeted
in his tuxedo a little. "Ah.. I forgot to say, Lina, but you look
really swell in that dress."
"'Swell'?" Lina asked. "I look swell?"
"Neat? Pretty?"
"We'll leave it at that last one," Lina said.
Her brain started wandering aimlessly... to avoid thinking about something.
"Jeez. This has been the wildest ride yet, Gourry. And it hasn't
stopped getting weirder."
"At least big gods aren't stomping around and the
war's over and stuff," Gourry said. "It actually seemed pretty easy!
All I had to do was walk around behind you and not really understand what's
going on, and even after stuff started to explode, everything was great!
What a piece of cake--"
Lina whapped him. "It was HARD, you nitwit!
Hard! I had to get over everybody I knew being taken away for a possible
forever, then figure out how to rebuild an entire freaking world, THEN
stomp the god that was keeping me from doing it and then BUILD the thing!
I think I deserve a medal for that!"
"What about the statue to you we found in the palace
courtyard--"
"Accident," Lina said, nervously brushing by it.
"Fluke. Must have slipped a bit when I was saving the world.
These things happen."
"Oh, okay," Gourry said, accepting.
A silence fell over the couple. Except, of
course, for the sounds of Zelgadis and Chi'Nai arguing somewhere in the
distance.
Lina fidgeted.
Gourry shifted around.
"Ah, Gourry--"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering... if you wanted to do something,"
Lina said.
"Huh? What do you want to do?"
Sunset dips low, over the forest, a reddish gold that
flows across the land. But soon, a new day would dawn, the sun rising
to the top of the sky once more. Because that's what Brian was doing
-- climbing all the way to the top.
His professional name was Skeleton Badass, a criminal
handle he had used a long time ago. Of course, his entire gang of
thugs had been blown up by Lina Inverse and he had run screaming back to
a career in cost accountancy -- but then the Mazoku War started, and somehow
the world blew up while he was busy calculating the estimated benefits
of a new production technique. Just as soon as the building tore
itself apart, he was sitting back in his chair with wings, a feeling that
he had just brushed with death, and a renewed interest in being something
OTHER than a cost accountant.
Since banditry was the only other thing he knew,
it was a natural option.
He got some of the boys together again, and they
came up with a scheme for making flying muggings possible. The bandit
gang thrived for a little while, and Skeleton Badass felt that maybe, he
had found his niche once more. Nothing could go wrong now.
His life was set, his hidden fortress was extra tough, his men were hardy,
his main gate was on fire, his...
Wait a minute.
BOOM.
The explosion knocked the flimsy walls he had put
up around the camp to smithereens. Several of the boys took off running
immediately, when they got a glimpse of who did it... Skeleton Badass squinted
through the smoke, to see two figures come charging through...
Lina Inverse and Gourry Gabriev. In formal
wear, but with sword and spell drawn, and smiling. Back to doing
what they do best, together forever.
"Not again," Brian gasped. "Not AGAIN!!"
Lina and Gourry finished scooping the hoard of booty
they had reclaimed from the tyrannical thugs into Lina's dress, and took
to the sky. Gourry was a clumsy pilot, but a passable one.
"Ah, that felt good," Lina smiled. "Haven't
properly trashed bad guys in awhile."
Gourry returned the smile, happy... not just happy
that Lina was happy, but genuinely back in his own groove. "So, what
now?"
She didn't need to think much.
"Hey, you wanna get married?" Lina asked.
Gourry wobbled in mid air, almost losing control.
"Wh-what??!"
"It's not like we're going to be splitting up anytime
soon. We've got a good team going here," Lina said. "And...
since we both feel that way..."
"You want to get married RIGHT NOW?!"
"No!" Lina said, bopping him lightly. "Of
course not right now! Don't be silly. Besides, there's still
a bandit gang on the other side of Sailoon City I want to get a closer
look at!"
"Oh. ...and after that?"
"We'll see what happens," Lina shrugged. "Details,
details. Come on, Gourry! You fly too slow!"
"I do not! I just need training wings!"
"Slowpoke, slowpoke!"
"Cut that out!!"
Lina laughed, and soared into the evening sky.
