Through the wreckage and carnage of the past battle, all that was seen leaving the battlefield was a lone swordsman. He had long blond hair reaching down his back that ended at his knees. His left eye was covered by a huge amount of blond hair. Even though his heavy blue armor was cracked and, in some places, broken completely off, he still strode with the air of a warrior, a protector, a guardian of life. In his hand, he held a handle to what looked like a sword. Every now and then, the handle would flare to life and the faint image of a blade made of pure energy could be seen. This warrior walked to the edge of the carnage climbed to the top of a giant outcropping of rock. His breathing came in spurts and he was panting hard, as if he had just gone through the worst experience of his life. He reached the top and turned around to view the destruction. The land was black and a sunset could be seen. The oncoming darkness, like the tide, came rushing in unexpectedly fast, but expectable at the same time. Spots of blood and a few limbs could be seen on the ground around the rock. The warrior took his sword in both hands and the sword flared to life. The power died and all that was left of the sword was the same, every day tempered steel, like the kind of sword that any common person would have. With a boom, his voice echoed over the deserted battlefield.

            “MY NAME IS GOURRY GABRIEV!!! LINA!!!! I SHALL AVENGE YOUR DEATH!!! YOU SHALL BE AVENGED!!!”

            With a sudden show of strength, the warrior took the sword in both hands and flung the sword away from him with such force that the sword whistled as it flew. With a sickening crunch, the sword hit a rock and stuck steadfast in it.

            “LINA!!! YOU SHALL BE AVENGED!!!”

 

Gourry’s Revenge

 

 

Day 1,

I just bought this diary yesterday. Kinda' nifty huh? I’ve begun to write in this book today. Oh well, I guess onto what’s important.

Two days ago, we got in an extremely fierce battle with a monster that none of us have ever seen before. It came so sudden that out of nowhere, Xelloss was in severe damage. He said something about not being able to use his powers to get him or any of us away in time. Then we saw it… I don’t know what the monster was; it was immensely powerful and was quicker than anything I had ever seen. Xelloss was watching it, then just gasped in terror and began shrieking “NO!! NO!! NOT YOU!! WHEN DID YOU RETURN!!” And then, with a sudden flash, Xelloss was dead. He was on the ground in several pieces, each part pooling black, Mazoku blood. We fought as hard as possible, Lina tried to fireball it, however, it seemed to just take it in as the fireball were nothing. Next, Zel tried to fight. He used several magic attacks, such as Dug Haut, Flare Arrows, Shadow Snap, even the Dynast Cross. Nothing seemed to work. Next Amelia tried, sure, her little justice speech bored us, however, her Ra Tilt did no damage that we could see whatsoever. Next, I fought, I used my sword of light to its utmost power that I could squeeze out of it. My flaming sword didn’t even char the monster’s surface. In fact, we couldn’t even see what he looked like, all that he/she/it? was, was just a floating cloud of darkness. We tried again, all in unison, Dynast Cross, Dynast Frost, Dragon Slave, Ra Tilt, Sword of Light, even the Rogna Blade. The monster didn’t even flinch. After all the energy and power of magic dissipated, we were all out of breath and that’s when the monster attacked. From the shadows came a blade that appeared to be of blackest pitch. He charged at us and even with Zel, who had got up and recovered, using an astral vine, he was still beaten and sent flying in a matter of seconds. I rushed him and found myself on top of a huge rock with my leg pinned under a boulder. I was stuck. Helplessly, I watched as one by one, the monster killed them all leaving Lina by herself to fight. I tried with all my might to move the boulder. By the time I got it off, Lina was losing the fight. I turned to rush into the battle, but before I could get anywhere, I pitch black explosion of the coldest wind blasted me into the boulder. When the smoke cleared, Lina was gone and so was the monster. All that was left of Lina was just her sword, her amulets and her daggers were left smoking on the ground. In a fit of rage, I took the sword of light, threw it out onto the battlefield and left with the thought of revenge for Lina from whatever had killed her. I plan to go on to magic school to learn the ways of magic, because I believe the only way to injure this creature is by magic. I also wish to find anything about this creature that I can at the school. However, with Lina and the others gone, I have no need to keep my ‘dumb blond’ air anymore. I have cast away my stupidity and have gone and embraced the true knowledge that I possess. I easily remember the spells and phrases that my friends used through out time together. With knowledge and in tune to magic, I believe that I will be strong enough to kill the enemy mine.

                                                           

            Gourry

 

 

Chapter 1: Alone

 

 

            Alone, that was Gourry’s worst fear, being alone. He got used to being with Lina, Zel, and Amelia, even Xelloss for the past eight years. And now, with them dead…

Gourry just didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t used to making his own decisions. It’s been eight years since he was on his own. Eight years. Eight years. Where had the time gone. Gourry traveled onward towards the next town in order to get find his direction and be directed towards the land of Seyruun because it was there that he would be accepted into the school of magic. Onward he traveled, traveled, alone.

 

            About an hour later, Gourry got to a town. It wasn’t as if everyone knew him, but everyone got out of his way. Perhaps they feared him as a stranger, perhaps it was because of his dishelved look, maybe, perhaps it was because of his angry, but yet sad and disoriented expression on his face. Gourry didn’t care, he just had to go and find what town he was in and find out which way it was to Seyruun.

As he walked down the road, he walked past the local restaurant. Delicious fumes and odors wafted to him as he walked by.

Hmm, thought Gourry. Maybe I can find some information I require in here. While I do that, I might as well grab a little bite to eat. With that thought in mind, Gourry turned and walked into the restaurant. Immediately a waiter greeted him.

“Good afternoon, sir. How may I serve you?”

“Well, to start with, I’ll take double servings of everything on the menu.”

The waiter sweatdropped. “E-everything?” He stammered.

“And then,” continued Gourry.

“There’s more?”

“I want as much information you can give me about the monster sightings in the area and also the general direction of Seyruun.”

“Now, that second part, I believe I can do,” said the waiter.

The waiter left Gourry by himself as he went to go and place the order.

Now, thought Gourry, maybe I can find out who or what that thing was that attacked us.

 

After about an hour of waiting, the waiter returned with two other waiters all carrying trays of food.

“Here is your order,” said waiter one.

“Here is the information you wanted,” said waiter number two handing him a rolled parchment.

“And here, is your bill,” said waiter number three handing him a small booklet.

Gourry took the bill and looked at it.

“50,000!!!” he exclaimed.

“That’s how much your order was, sir,” explained waiter one.

“Oh, well, fine,” replied Gourry.

He stuffed the parchment into his armor and began to eat.

 

As he neared his final two plates, a small explosion in the restaurant was heard.

From inside, people could see the figure of a young blond lady come out of the smoke from the explosion. All the tables were overturned and food was everywhere, except from Gourry’s table.

The young lady walked over to his table and sat down. Gourry eyed her with suspicion. He knew this lady. They had met before on his journeys with Lina.

“Hello, Zelas,” Gourry said coldly.

“Good afternoon, Gourry,” the young blond replied. “I suppose you know why I’m here.” She snapped her fingers and a flame appeared at the tip, out of nowhere, she materialized a cigarette and began smoking, taking extra care to make sure that each smoke ring flew slowly and vanished in a flash as they hit Gourry on the nose.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I’ve been expecting you. Now, quit these stupid parlor tricks and let’s begin business”

Zelas frowned and with a wave of her hand, the smoke and cigarette were gone. “You have, have you? Dropped the idiot act finally I see. What took so long?”

“With everyone dead, I have no need for it.”

“I see. Oh well, I need your help, Gourry.”

“Why should I help you, Lord Beastmaster?” Gourry said loud enough for the rest of the restaurants customers to tremble in fear.

“Now, now, that wasn’t necessary, was it? Anyways, I need your help. You have knowledge that is vital to the destruction of this new threat. I know about the information you have been given. None of the information there is what you want.”

“How do you know this?”

“Look for yourself.”

Gourry took out the parchment and unrolled it. Quickly reading over it, he tossed it aside and just glared at Zelas.

“OK, you were right.”

“See, I told you. Anyways, this monster is a reincarnation of several monsters you have fought all brought into one form. No simple attack is enough to hurt it. Your sword doesn’t have a chance as it currently is.”

“What are you talking about? This is supposed to be fully powered up as it can get.”

“No, it isn’t. With Valgera and the other light weapons, they can all be combined together, according to legend that is.”

“The other weapons? I have to go collect them? Why don’t you and deliver them to me? Or resurrect Xelloss and have him help me with this task. Besides, this means I’ll have to find some way to travel to the Overworld. How am I supposed to do that?” demanded Gourry.

“I’m sorry Gourry, but I cannot aid you in this quest, as a Mazoku lord of this world, I am forbidden by the Lord of Nightmares herself from entering other worlds. And about resurrecting Xelloss, I’ve tried. His essence has entered the Sea of Chaos so much to a point that even I cannot retrieve him. You will have to go on this quest, alone.”

Alone. Dammit!! Why did he have to be alone! Stupid Mazoku. Why wasn’t she able to get Xelloss back!?! Wasn’t she, as one of the formerly five Mazoku lords, able to do anything, well almost anything?

“Why can’t you retrieve Xelloss, or better yet, destroy this new monster by yourself!” Gourry spat at Zelas.

“Sorry,” Zelas said wiping away some spit that landed on her face. “This monster has powers of Phibrizo, Gaav, your own Great Red Priest Rezo, and some monsters and demons that have been destroyed that you haven’t met yet. He is just too powerful for me to defeat him. I’ve confronted him once about a year ago. I barely escaped with my life. Over the years, his power is and shall increase tremendously. Over the years, I will be able to retrieve Xelloss, however, I can only receive him in pieces at a time. Therefore, it may be a few moths or years before I can summon him fully and help you.”

“Hmmm…if all of those people are in one monster, how was Xelloss able to recognize him? Did Xelloss run into him before?”

“No, I believe, Xelloss only saw a part of him. A part that this monster chose to show.”

Dammit!! However am I supposed to kill a monster that even a Mazoku lord cannot kill!! And now I’m supposed to go out and find the remaining Light weapons. I hope that Prince Phil can hold onto them for me.

“I can, however, give you this compass enchanted by a searching spell. It will direct you towards the closest artifact not in your possession. By the way, where is your Sword of Light?”

“I left it out in the desert to mark the battle that was fought.”

“You’d better go get it, you will need it for the tasks up ahead. Oh and, here, I’ve taken care of your bill for you.”

With that, Zelas disappeared leaving Gourry alone to ponder about the upcoming tasks.

Stupid Mazoku.

 

Interlude

 

            Day 2

 

            With the appearance of Zelas and the information given to me by her, I can begin my journey. Of course, I don’t trust the Mazoku Lord, but can you trust any Mazoku? I return to the scene of my recent battle in order to retrieve my sword. With sword in hand, I will be ready to begin my journey. I spent some time with the local mage of the town I was staying at. I never did find out the name of the town. He, he mage, said that I am amazingly out of tune with magic, but over the years, I can learn to hear and see the flow of magic and be able to manipulate it for my own use. He said that people who use magic may or not notice the flow of magic, but whoever uses magic twists and contorts the river of magic for their own use. I learned that there is two types of magic in general, magic of the physical plane and magic of the astral plane. Astral plane magic is capable of injuring the Mazoku, physical plane magic can only injure those beings born of and living in our plane. I learn things quickly and use it to my advantage I was told. And, that I ever become in tune with this mystical flow, I may turn out be the most powerful mage of all time I was told. I don’t know if I should believe it, but one thing for sure is, I must learn magic and how to use it if I am to avenge the death of my comrades, if I even can. If Zelas is to be trusted, then, by the time I have the skill to defeat the monster at present, it may be so powerful that I cannot even injure him. As I remember it, Rezo became more and more powerful every time we fought him. If this monster has this same type of ability, we may all be out of luck. I close tonight with the single thought that I wish that I can retrieve the weapons and unite them into one and then destroy the monster before, before, it is too late. I wish you were here now, Lina. You would know what to do, I think. You would always lead us onwards towards victory. Except for that last, and fatal mistake.

           

                        Gourry

 

Chapter 2

The Sword of Light

 

            The Sword of Light, was there ever a more useful and all around perfect weapon? It’s been with me since the beginning, the beginning of it all. Through thick and thin, through the rough times and through the years, my sword, my father’s sword, my grandfather’s sword, The Sword of Light. What would I be, where would I be, who would I be, if it wasn’t for my sword? Gourry thought.

            My sword, it’s my sword, could I be anything else without it?

 

            “Ahh, the sweet smell of a recent battle!” said a voice emanating from the receding dust cloud.

            A tall figure strode out of the dust and surveyed the surroundings.

            “Look, Master, a sword, still intact!” said a gravely voice next to the figure.

            “Yes, Soan, I see it.”

            The too figures walked towards the sword planted into the granite surface of the ground.

            “It appears to be solidly embedded into the rock. Someone of enormous strength or magic placed it here.” Said the tall stranger.

            The tall man placed his hands on the hilt and muttered a few words under his breath. Suddenly, a flash came from his hands.

            “Dammit! This sword wont budge,” said the tall one. “It does, however, have a considerable amount of magic concealed in it. I wonder…”

            The stranger gripped the blade with both hands, pulled with all his might, then with a booming voice bellowed, “LIGHT COME FORTH!!!”

            The blade shimmered into life and the rock beneath it shattered. His companion shrieked and hid behind his master. “How-how di-were you able to do that?” He stammered.

            “Simple really, this sword belongs to the Gabriev family and bloodline. With the blade being away from its master, it can mean only one thing.”

            “And what is that, my Master?”

            “Don’t you get it, Soan, the great swordsman Gourry Gabriev must have fallen in battle for this sword is indestructible and would not break, ever, or else, it was left behind for some reason.”

            “But, how did you know how to activate it?”

            “Because, Gourry… is… my brother.”

 

            Gourry hurried to the scene of the battle. With any luck, nobody had come across the barren plain yet. He knew that nobody would be able to activate the blade or release its grip on the rock beneath it even if they knew how to activate it for it needed a person of the Gabriev family bloodline to activate the sword.

            When Gourry got to the battlefield, dust was flying everywhere and he couldn’t see anything.

            What did I do with that sword? Why did I throw it away so recklessly like that?

            “AHH!!!” Gourry heard from up ahead, Instinctively, he ducked just in time to avoid the stream of light go flying over his head.

            What the hell!! Who did that? That was the Sword of Light, my Sword!!

            Gourry crawled forward slowly to avoid alerting his opponent from knowing he had survived.

            “Who goes there?” a voice bellowed form up ahead.

            Should I answer? He, whoever it is, knows that I’m still here, I guess. The only person who could possibly know how to tap that power from the sword could be Zangulus, but he couldn’t activate it even if he tried. Perhaps it’s ……… Oh no!! He’s still alive??

            “I know that it’s you, dear brother. I could sense your presence from a mile away.” Said the voice from the shadows.

            “Who are you?” Gourry yelled back.

            “Come now, Gourry, you forgot your own dear brother, Gary? It couldn’t have been that long since we met last. Remember, we had that great battle, you with the Sword of Light, and me with mother’s blade? You would never have beaten me back then if it wasn’t for your ‘friend’ Zangulus. What? Did you think me dead when he blasted me with that devilish sword of his? It’ll take more than that to beat me, Gary Gabriev.”

            Damn you, Gary. You too, Zangulus, you are always there when I don’t want you, and when I do want you, you’re never anywhere around. Gourry thought to himself.

            “You remember mother’s blade, the Blade of Night, don’t you? There exists no blade equal to it other then the Sword of Light. Even the enchanted Howling Sword doesn’t come close. I’m going to take this fabulous Sword with me, however, I wouldn’t want to leave you unprotected from the dangers of the world, so I leave to you the Blade of Night,” said Gary. “You know, I’ve been following you around for quite some time, wait, no, not you, I’ve been following the Sword of Light. I saw the battle with Lord Gaav, Hellmaster Phibrizzo, I was there when you fought Val-Gaav, I was however quite amazed at the destructive power that resulted from the clashing of two great weapons of Light. You know your battle with Dark Star? I saw it all, from a safe distance of course, I may be obsessed, but I’m not insane.”

            “Why…how…” was all Gourry could get out between his tightly gripped teeth. His hands, clenched tightly into fists dripped fresh blood where his fingernails dug into his hands. It took all of his willpower not to rush Gary right there.

            “How did I find you? That was simple,” he took the Blade of Night and placed it on the ground in front of him. “Listen and watch carefully, I’m only doing this once. Blade of Night, Power of dusk, show me the direction, show me the path, show me the way to the Sword of Light…”

            Upon the utterance of these words, a sudden flash occurred. Not a flash of light, however, a flash of deepest, darkest pitch. Gourry stood still taking in the depths of darkness not able to see anything besides the dark. When the dark had faded, Gary, his follower Soan, and the Sword of Light were gone. In their place, however was just the Blade of Night, hovering in the air pointing towards the distant mountains.

            Gourry grabbed the Blade from the air. It shimmered and shined under the midnight moon. With a grim expression, began his long travel towards the mountains. With a cloud of dust, he was gone leaving only a long trail of footprints where he ran.

            A lone whispering voice still echoed in the midnight air… “Find me, Gourry…find me and then…you may take your sword…if you can…”

 

 

Interlude

 

            Dear Diary,

 

            Why is it, that whenever your worst fear comes, you always seem to be alone and helpless?

            At the battle, I was the lone survivor…I was helpless to help the others…to help…Lina. Why must all things come to this…come to a frightful and lonesome end? Why must we journey into the darkness alone? Is it some sort of test? Some sort of cruel irony placed upon us by the Lord of Nightmares? Why?

            Last night, my “dear” brother Gary stole the Sword of Light…the last thing I can call my own…besides this diary. I don’t know if I am able to find him again. The last time I found him was years ago…years before I was first called…”Jellyfish brains”. IT was a day much like last night…father had just died and in his will, I had inherited the Sword of Light. Gary had gotten mother’s sword, The Blade of Night. Both swords have no equal in this world…except for the Rogna Blade…but that’s beside the point. The point is…MY SWORD WAS STOLEN!!! And by my own brother too… Now, I am left with the Blade of Night, an evil looking sword if there ever was. The blade is sharply serrated near the hilt for about a foot, after that it is a broadsword, like the sword of light, however the blade is tinted with a shade of black so that if light is reflected off…it’s purest pitch…the hilt is by far the oddest I have come across. My sword had it’s sharp little point on the near side and the round end away from me, this sword looks as if a dragon bit onto the ridge of the blade and got stuck there, the handle is an exquisite design…it appears to be the tail of the dragon wrapping around a solid silver handle. This sword is much, MUCH more valuable than my sword. But it’s uses are still of yet unknown in value to me.

            I need to retrieve the Sword of Light so I can activate the Pillar of Light and then get transported to the other world. I still remember the day Sirius came back returning my sword telling me that it is no longer needed and that I may have it back. “Goronova,” he said, “is a good weapon to wield but now that order has been restored to our world, we now return to you both Goronova and Razuvasegis back to you. I shall leave Razuvasegis at the Pillar of Light and return Goronova back to its owner, you Gourry Gabriev.” And with a flash, he vanished back to his own world. To the best of my knowledge Razuvasegis is still at the Pillar, however, I need to find out how to activate the transporter to get there, and I need to get my sword back. So now, with that, I’ll close this entry and get back to the trail.

               

                                                                                                Gourry

 

Chapter 3

The Lonely Path

 

            “Damn it all!!! Why won’t this stupid sword work!!” cried Gary with a start.

            “LIGHT COME FORTH!! LIGHT COME FORTH!! LIGHT COME FORTH!!”

            With a clatter, Gary threw the Sword of Light across the emptiness before him. It’s lonely sound echoing in the blackness.

            “Excuse me, sir,” uttered a voice behind Gary. “But, perhaps, the sword need to be charged or something…perhaps if you let it sit in the sun for a while. After all, it is the Sword of LIGHT…not the Blade of Night…remember master, how the Blade of Night would not be activated nor effective unless used after a deep darkness?”

            “Hmm…you have a point there Soan. I guess I just prefer the darkness to the light. I think that’s the reason why Gourry and I were given the swords. Each one fused with our element. Smart thinking. Now…begone!!”

            With a wave of his hand, Gary expelled Soan from his trans-dimensional rift leaving just him, the sword, and his thoughts within the small space of darkness.

 

            Gourry…Gourry…I’m here, I’m here with you, I’m here to help you…We are all here to help you’

            “Lina?? Where…where are you? I can’t see you, where are the others? Was it all a dream?”

            ‘No, my dear Gourry, this…this voice is us, this place…is a dream…we want to help you, help you live your life in peace, we want to help you out…’

            “How Lina? Please come back to me…”

            ‘So long, Gourry, I’ll be seeing you…”

            “Lina??…LINA!!!”

 

            *pant pant* “Oh…my gosh, was that a dream??” Gourry said to himself as he awoke from his sleep.

            The warrior walked slowly to the opened window ready to shut out the darkness and breath of cold coming from outside. As he reached outside, he stopped as if he recognized something stirring out in the night.

            “That sound…that emptiness…it’s evil.”