Disclaimer: This is a alternate world storyline. Like an OVA for Xellos. I do not own any of the characters except for Elda. I tend to screw around with things also, so please don't yell if the characters here are...well, out of character.

The sun was baking the trees of a silent forest with its full summer heat. Bugs buzzed in the air but not another creature stirred, they knew the true nature of the seeming human walking down the worn traveler's path and dared not move for fear of attracting his attention. Needless to say, it made him fell kind of good to know that he was so feared. He was called Xellos, and despite his cheerful human guise, he was a high-level monster. (as if that weren't an understatement in itself) His hair was black but seemed to have a purple tinge to it, and his eyes, though shut most of the time, were also purple. As he walked along, even the bugs became suddenly quiet and Xellos stopped for a moment because the sudden silence made him uncomfortable, but it was too late. When he tried to take a step forward he suddenly found that he was in the middle of a magic circle. A man with a cart came out of the bushes. He seemed rather middle aged and was wearing a lab coat from which he drew a musty old book. Xellos, more curious than afraid because he knew magic circle spells were much too weak to contain him for long, addressed the man directly.

Xellos: So, what mischief are you up to, hmmm?

Man: Ah, I see I've finally caught a high enough level monster to be of use to me.

Xellos: Hmmm, so your a scry then. What does a scry want with a high level monster? Shouldn't you be off somewhere making chimeras or something?

(A/N: Scry is a class I invented wich combines sorcery and science to manipulate the world, branches inclued alchemy, spirit ward creation and chimera building. they can also manipulate the nature of spells to add or remove effects from them.)

Scry: Ahh, you are a smart one. No no, I'm not a chimera builder. I deal in... other matters.

Xellos: But what's to say I'm not just a normal human being that you've caught? That would certainly be embarrassing for you wouldn't it?

Scry: This circle has a few special features and one of them is that it can tell the difference between Mazoku and other creatures, so it only catches what I want it to catch. A normal human would have walked right on by without ever even knowing there was a magic circle there.

Xellos: So what makes you think you can keep me trapped in this silly little circle of yours, hmm? And if you could keep me trapped here, how would you move me to your lab without letting me loose for a moment and thereby causing your...*chuckle* most horrendous demise?

Scry: Well, first, this is no ordinary magic circle. This particular circle was designed to hold in even the 5 lord monsters of Shabranigdo.

Xellos: Hmmm!? *mildly surprised*

Scry: You can try it if you want, though I wouldn't recommend it &endash; you might hurt yourself.

Xellos tries (of course) and despite his initial skepticism discovers that in fact, he is sealed in quite well and cannot escape. He finds that he cannot teleport, blow it apart, nor access the astral plane while within the circle. Needless to say, this makes him quite beyond miffed.

Xellos: Well, now I know you've kept me in, now how will you move me without being duly obliterated?

Scry: Ah yes, that. Well, as you already observed, I am a scry and as a scry I can manipulate spells to add certain... effects. For instance, with this spell, I can now change the spell dimensions to form a perfectly moveable object... in essence, a box to keep you in.

The Scry opened his book and muttered an incantation and before Xellos knew what was happening, the runes and lines of the circle lifted themselves off the ground and changed their configuration to form a box around Xellos. Points of light corresponded with each other and shot through him, preventing his arms and legs from moving. The scry then used a levitation spell to move the entire unit onto the cart and led it off down the road with Xellos frustrated and helpless to do anything about it. Farther up the road Xellos could see the outline of what seemed to be a two-story log cabin. There was even a garden and a small fence surrounding the front yard. The scry used the levitation spell again to get the magic box into the house and downstairs to the lab, where he set the experiment table in an upright position and strapped the box, and Xellos, to it. Xellos was bothered because he'd never been helpless before and he didn't like it one bit. But he did seem to have control over one thing, and that, is how much he knew about his situation.

Xellos: So Mr. Scry, just what have you got planned for me?

Scry: Ah, I'm glad you asked. As you may know there have been previous attempts to change the nature of monsters through infusion of soul material.

Xellos: Yes, but those never succeed. The chaos of the monster soul invariably consumes the mortal soul that it is infused with.

Scry: Yes indeed. Fairy souls last a bit longer, and the longest lasting effects have been with elf souls, which tend to last for years before finally succumbing to the void. So the question befell me, what could there possibly be that would be strong enough to

counterbalance the chaos of the monster's soul void.

Xellos: And?

Scry: I was extremely lucky to happen upon this answer about a month ago. The answer...is this! * pulls down a curtain to reveal a woman in a cage, glowing with a soft light. Her hair white, she had white feathery wings coming out of her back and she was clothed entirely in white.*

Xellos: What!!? But that's...

Scry: Yes! This, is an ANGEL!! I may fall into the depths of the underworld for this, but if it means that I can prove or disprove my theory, I will take that chance. Now enough with this idle chatter. It's time to begin the experiment.

The scry lowered the cage to ground level and brought the angel toward him. Xellos could tell that she must have had a very powerful enchantment on her because although she moved as the scry bid her, her eyes were closed and she appeared to be asleep. The scry whispered to her and she motioned with her hands, there seemed to be a slight sound of tearing, and in a moment a small glowing sphere emerged from within her body. The sphere seemed to be moving and at the same time still as the Scry took it and turned to Xellos.

Xellos: And what will become of your pretty captive, hmm? Now that you've taken that away from her?

Scry: Oh, you needn't worry; souls regenerate over time, and I only took half. Now then, lets finish the experiment shall we?

With that the scry took the hand that held the half-soul and thrust it into the spell box. The gravity of Xellos' own vortex drew the soul toward him, causing him to writhe in agony. The Half of the divine soul refused to be consumed and instead, began to integrate into him and counterbalance the chaos. Xellos struggled to control the pain he was feeling and noticed that with the scry's hand where it was, there was now a break in the box. In essence, the box was weakened. He stopped fighting with the divine half soul and instead focused his attention on breaking the box, drawing on every ounce of his power. It worked; the box blew apart and the scry went flying back. He backed up in fear when he saw Xellos striding calmly toward him, eyes open, a slight smirk upon his face.

Xellos: Well now Scry, it remains to be seen what, if anything, you have changed about me by attaching thisŠ thing to me, but I can assure you that you will not live to find out whether or not you were successful. Now die.

The Scry's eyes widened as the room filled with light. A few minutes later, nothing was left of the cabin and it's laboratory but debris, and a few gnarled stumps where trees had been in the front yard. As Xellos stepped over the wreckage to leave the smoking ruins, he noticed something else had survived obliteration. He hadn't even thought about it at the time, but now it made sense that it would still be there. It was the angel, and somehow, her light seemed a bit dimmer than what he remembered seeing in the lab. Was it because half her soul was missing? That he didn't know, and he would have left her there and probably not thought of her again had she not chosen that very moment as he was turning away to stir and attempt to rise amidst the ashes. She shuddered a little, seeming suddenly cold. Xellos looked down at her, not knowing whether to pity her, or despise her.

Xellos: You, angel. Tell me how to get your half soul out of me.

The angel looked at him oddly, squinted in a bit, and shook her head.

Angel: No, no there is nothing I can do. It's part of you now. It no longer belongs to me.

Xellos: Oh crap. You mean I'm stuck with this?! (This was turning into an extremely bad day for Xellos.)

Xellos turned to leave. Feeling more than a little despondant but putting his "happy" face back on and saying to no one in particular "Well, I guess I had better make the best of this!" Then he paused a moment.

Xellos: So angel, why aren't you heading back up to the heavens from whence you came?

Angel: I can't go back. Half my soul is missing and only a full angel can enter heaven. I cannot return until my soul fully heals.

Xellos: Oh, that's right, you're, half gone now. That does leave you in a bit of a fix doesn't it? Hmmmm?

Angel: Well...there is a way to speed up the process...

Xellos: Hmmmmm????

Angel: My soul will regenerate faster if I remain close to the person who obtained the other half.

Xellos: Well, whatever works for you. I have people that I need to meet up with further up the road, so if you don't mind traveling with mortals you're welcome along!

The angel nodded and stood up. Her wings dissipated in a fall of glowing embers and she brushed some wisps of white hair out of her eyes. Xellos noticed that one of her eyes was gold and the other is silver. It gave him pause.

Xellos: So then angel, what is your uhmm..name? Heheh, what do they call you up there?

Angel: Nothing.

Xellos: A -huh?

Angel: We don't have names up there.

Xellos: Hmmm.... Well how about...Elda? That sounds nice, hmmmm?

Angel: And why should you care so much as to name me, Monster?

Xellos: Uhh... ahemm... That... is a secret.

Angel: Very well then. Elda it is.

Truthfully, Xellos himself didn't know why he cared, but he wasn't about to tell her that. So the two of them set off down the road. It was quite a ways to the next village, so they'd have to camp out in the woods for the night. As the sun set and the creatures of the night began to awaken. They built a campfire. Neither of them had blankets or tents, so they simply sat down on some good sized logs that they managed to scavenge and stared into flames, or up at the stars, in relative silence for most of the evening. After a few hours, Xellos jerked his head up suddenly and stared at Elda with a surprised and bewildered look in his eyes, as if he had just realized something that never would have occured to him before that day...

Xellos: Do angels eat?

Elda: Hmm?

Xellos: Do angels eat, like mortals do?

Elda: Yes, when we are on earth. We do need human type sustenance to keep healthy. * she smiles* But when we are home, we do not need such things. *she giggles a little* However, since I am down here, the answer, as I have said, is yes.

Xellos: I... see. Wait here. I... have to go check something.

Xellos excused himself hastily and vanished into the night. Briefly, he wondered if he had not started to go mad, but he figured that this was, in fact, a natural side-effect and probably a permanent one, so he had better get used to it. He worried though, of what would become of him, and that bothered him, because a Mazoku isn't supposed to worry about their own fate. At last he found what he was looking for. He gathered it up in a satchel (who knows where that came from) and returned to the camp. There he found Elda laying on her back looking up at the sky. He could see that she seemed rather distracted, and so appeared right in front of her. Standing horizontally in mid-air.

Xellos: I'm back! Miss me?

Elda: AHH!! *Elda tries to sit up in her startled skitishness, and the two smack heads*

Xellos accidentally dropped the sack he was carrying, and flopped down onto the ground. Sitting with his legs spread out, he rubbed his head sorely. Elda does the same...

Xellos: Ooowwww... you have a hard head, Ms. Elda.

Elda: You were probably hit by my halo as well. But anyway, it's your own fault for startling me like that! Oohh... I shouldn't try to yell for a while... *rubs her head*

They both became strangely silent as they felt the presence of a pair of eyes upon them. Xellos looked toward the trees with an angry expression on his usually happy face.

Xellos: I do not like to be followed, especially not by my own kind. Come out here and show yourself.

A figure stepped forward, it seemed, vaguely human, and female. Her eyes had no pupils, nor did she have a nose or mouth, yet still she carried an expression that could only be described as contempt. Her skin was pale as ivory, her hair made up of writhing snakes. She even had a snake's tail instead of legs. She floated with ease toward the pair.

Xellos: Well, if it isn't Xenobia. And what brings you to secretly trail me this fine evening? *Xellos puts on his usual mask of cheer as he stares confidentlly into the eyes of the Mazoku before him*

Xenobia: Humph. You've got nerve, acting so casual to one who has labored for your demise as long as I have. You should take more care where you walk in your travels, Trickster Priest. Never would I have imagined even you to be so bold as to come right to my doorstep.

Xellos: Well, I have been trying to do you in as well, so that you'd no longer be after me for the things I took from you, and I figured that instead of waiting for you to come to me, it would be much more expedient if I should seek you out and destroy you. Go me!

Elda looked on the two with a bit of concern. Obviously they were old enemies and it looked as though things were about to get quite violent. Sure enough, Xenobia raised her hand and began the battle by firing a beam of energy at Xellos, who easilly dodged it. He of course retaliated and this continued for quite some time. Xenobia was worn down by Xellos' speed, but he was also becoming worn down because of his discomfort with the still-new half soul. However, soon Xenobia backed off, slinking away into the night to lick her wounds and sulk. Xellos sighed and turned back to the fire and he dropped sack. However, as he was getting ready to sit down, he got a chill up his spine and suddenly felt a weight upon his right side. It was Elda; she was shoving him aside with all her might. Caught off-guard, Xellos stumbled, and fell, landing squarely on his bottom next to the log just in time to see five or six shafts of light pierce Elda at various points from her left shoulder blade down to her inner right thigh. Reacting quickly, Xellos blasted several energy beams into the darkness, hearing at least two of them hit their intended mark: Xenobia. While she pretended to run away, she had instead planned a sneak attack, which would have undoubtedly succeeded had Xellos been alone, but now it was fruitless, and she was duly dispatched. Xellos lifted the angel's body and found her as light as a feather; also, she was still breathing. Timidly, she cracked an eye open and looked up.

Elda: *breathing heavily* Did, you win?

Xellos: Yes. Uhmm... now... about your wounds...

Elda: There's nothing to be done I know. If my soul were fully healed, it would be but a matter of rest and recovery, but, in the state I am in, I'm afraid it's just, not possible this time.

Xellos' mind raced with activity. There was a new thought in his brain now. It says..."She saved your life. You're indebted to her now. You have to save her." He'd never felt an impulse that strong before, and certainly not one that would benefit someone other than himself. Xellos thought more, not knowing what he could do -- until finally, the perverbial lightbulb flashed. He took her into his arms and squeezed her tightly, then he tried to reassure her. "This won't take long" he said, and then, as an afterthought "I'm sorry." Electric currents flashed through both of them; Elda felt enormous waves of pain rend her body. Desperately she wondered as her body shook if Xellos' Monster half had not already consumed the half-soul it was infused with, but in a moment she forced an eye open and saw that Xellos had a look of utter concentration on his face, and that he too is shaking with pain. A moment later, unable to endure more, Xellos loosened his grip on her and they both fall to the ground. He landed on her and she realized that he was sound asleep now. She turned him over gently and let him rest on her. She realized also that her wounds were completely gone. She knew what that meant, and understood why Xellos had apologized. She would never see her homeland again. Sighing, she drifted off into her own exhausted sleep.

When Elda woke up, she found that Xellos was already awake, and she noticed his cloak laying over her like a blanket. She sat up and looked over to the campfire area where Xellos was attempting to cook some fish without burning it. As she approached he looked up and showed her a satchel which he had filled the night before with berries but the attack had prevented him from giving it to her. She smiled thankfully and ate a few. As an afterthought she looked at the cloak in her lap...

Elda: How...

Xellos: *smiles* Oh, that, they seem to have become real now. That is, they're no longer part of my physical body.

Elda: I see. Do you think it's because of the half soul?

Xellos: It would appear so, yes.

Elda: Oh, I think the fish are done!

Xellos looked over at the fish and realized she was right. He took them off of the fire and they enjoyed a bit of breakfast. Then they continued down the road. Eventually, they came to the town where Xellos was supposed to meet his traveling companions. He knew exactly where they'd be, too. Heading for the nearest inn/restaurant, Xellos found exactly what he'd expected to. A red haired girl named Lina and her blonde companion Gourry, in the middle of a crowd of people who'd left their tables to watch the two fight over their massive quantities of food. Amelia and Zelgadis were there as well, trying desperately to not be associated with the other two and their battle over food. Zelgadis was the first to spot Xellos and his companion, perhaps, Xellos speculated, because his 1/3 demon reacted to the presence of other Mazoku. Either way, Xellos put on a cheery smile and made his way over to the young chimera.

Zelgadis: So, I see you made it here alright.

Xellos: Of course! Why wouldn't I? *smile*

Zelgadis: No reason. It's not like it's a particularly dangerous area. Our trip was pretty boring.

Xellos: Well, I'm sure you'll get plenty of excitement soon enough, Zelgadis!

Zelgadis: And who said I want that!? Every time we get "excitement" I end up getting hurt somehow. Or worse, humiliated.

Xellos: Well, we can't help it if your so useful now can we?

Amelia: Oh, Mr. Xellos, who's your friend?

Zelgadis finally noticed that Xellos wasn't alone.

Zelgadis: Yeah, Xellos, I didn't think you were the type to make friends. Or are you manipulating her, too, somehow?

Xellos: No no, nothing like that...

Elda: My name is Elda. I'm an angel. I'm traveling with Xellos until my soul regenerates.

Amelia: It's nice to meet you, Ms. Elda. But, how does traveling with a Mazoku help your soul regenerate?

Elda: Well...

Xellos: Now now, lets not talk about that here, alright? We should really wait until Lina is done with her meal shouldn't we, hmmmm?

The others (except for Elda) grudgingly accepted this, and waited for the ongoing battle to be over. A few minutes later, the food was gone and Gourry and Lina slumped back in their chairs and sighed with contentment. Then they looked up and finally noticed the two new arrivals.

Lina: Oh, Xellos, took you long enough to get here. What happened?

Xellos: I, uhmm, had a little detour along the way.

Lina: And, your little friend there? What's her story?

Xellos: This is Ms. Elda. She's an angel who's traveling with me for a while.

Lina: A Mazoku... and an Angel. No seriously, Xellos, what's her story?

Elda: It's true. I'm an angel and I'm traveling with him until my soul regenerates.

Gourry: But, if you're an angel, where're your wings and halo?

Elda made her wings and halo appear and everyone except her and Xellos facefaulted, not having belived them before. She then made them disappear again as to not draw too much attention to them.

Lina: So what is an angel doing on earth to begin with?

Elda: You know it's the funniest thing; I can't seem to remember what I was doing before I was captured.

Gourry: Captured?

Xellos: Ah, yes, that reminds me, I'm going to be travelling with you people longer than I had originally planed for!

Everyone else except for Elda facefaulted again.

Lina: What do mean by that!!?

Xellos: Well, there's been a slight problem and it's become no longer possible for me to return home...