He had no time to dodge, no time to think. The full weight of the stone body slammed into him, sending them both backwards over Zel's chair and onto the floor.

"You idiot!" Xellos roared. "You never learn!"

Zel squirmed, trying to disentangle himself from Xellos's grasp; he was rewarded by a punch to the jaw that set his head spinning.

"Zelgadis, NO!" he heard Lina shout.

Again he sensed a ripple of confused attraction from her; Xellos's jealousy twisted into hatred as he struggled to keep Zelgadis down, shifting to straddle the prostrated half-human body.

Prove him wrong, something whispered in the back of his mind. Lina's with you.

Zel closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, silently praying that all he'd learned from years of using a chimeran body would serve him well now.

He felt a momentary trickle of confusion from Xellos; then the stone grip shifted on his shoulder as the mazoku pulled back to strike again.

Without opening his eyes, Zel thrust out his open palm and stopped Xellos's punch.

"What the...?"

Calmly, he raised his eyelids, and a slow smile spread across his features.

"Gotcha," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Xellos's puzzlement gave him just enough time to gain the leverage he needed; in the next instant he had swung his hips off the floor, throwing his opponent's weight forward, over his shoulders.

Despite his weakened state, he could still manage precision. He struggled to his feet, ignoring the coppery taste of blood in his mouth, and then turned to Lina.

"You still with me?" he asked.

"Better believe it."

He heard a groan from the other side of the room. Xellos was getting up, clumsily.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who has a problem learning things, Xellos." Zelgadis shifted into a defensive stance. "Now give it up and get the hell out of here."

Xellos's eyes became slitted.

"What if I decline?" he asked, his voice threateningly soft.

"Unlike certain of my friends, I'm not a pacifist. And I haven't had the most thrilling day." Zel felt his own eyes narrow. "I'm giving you one chance, understand?"

Xellos smiled.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

He made another run at Zel; this time he was prepared, and he sprang out to push Lina out of the way. The sorceress squealed in protest, but they were just in time to avoid getting hit by the stone body's tremendous weight--and Xellos, too inexperienced with his new form to stop accurately, crashed into the back wall.

A steady stream of curses began to pour from the chimera's stolen throat; Zel was quick to get to his feet again.

"Use a spell," Lina cried.

He hesitated. He was weak; an attack spell might only drain him further, and he couldn't afford to exhaust his powers yet...

"Hold it right there!"

Zel whirled. A familiar short figure was standing in the doorway, fists clenched.

"Mr. Xellos, you really have gone too far!"

Not again! He prepared to dodge--and then he realised Amelia wasn't pointing at him...

"How dare you steal another man's Countenance for Unjust Purposes! The Hammer of Justice shall strike you down for this great Evil!"

"Amelia--how did you--"

Too late to ask questions.

"Flare Lance!"

The little sorceress's spell caught Xellos off-guard, and he went staggering backwards.

"Damn you!" A wave of jealousy and hatred swept towards the group before the mazoku fell to his knees.

"I told you, one chance." Zel straightened up a little. "You got a warning and you ignored it. And you underestimated me. I really hate that."

There was a spurt of triumph from Amelia, a prickle of satisfaction from Lina. He was still alert, but exhaustion was beginning to work its way across his mind, bringing relief with it.

"This isn't over," Xellos growled, already fading from sight. "Especially not for you, Zelgadis."

Zel managed a weak "Ha", and then passed out.





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