Chapter 14

All’s Well

That Ends Well

And Far Enough Away

Lina didn’t mind weddings. Receptions were great, there was usually a lot of food to eat… and the chance to see Xellos get married was what she considered to be one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Then again, lately she’d had way too many of those types of experiences. She was sitting back in her chair, chewing thoughtfully on a meatball when Filia came by with the Village Elder. Lina swallowed hastily and rose in time to meet them.

“My dear girl, you cannot possibly understand how much I appreciate you. Not only did you rescue our lovely princess, but you’ve also freed us from Shabranigdo and restored our heritage by returning Aurin,” the Elder began.

“Eh… it had its moments… but I am pleased to be of service.” Especially when it comes with gold attached, and is hand delivered just before the wedding… Lina thought to herself.

The Elder chuckled, mostly to himself, and was about to make another comment when Amelia, without a trace of her usual and customary decorum, burst in on the discussion with a frantic cry for Lina.

“Miss Lina! He’s gone! We can’t find him anywhere!” The Princess of Sailune drew up short when she saw Filia and the Eldest of Kuroryu, but still threw Lina a pleading look.

“Who’s gone, Amelia?” Lina asked, but had a sinking feeling that she knew already. It was just the sort of escape he’d seek.

“Mister Zelgadis!” Amelia said worriedly.

Oh great. He would choose now, of all times to go running off again. I still haven’t talked to him! Lina muttered to herself. Well, there was nothing for it, she’d just have to take care of this. With an apologetic look, she turned back to the Elder. “I’m sorry, please excuse me… but if Zelgadis is missing…”

The Elder nodded to her. “By all means, dear girl. He’s the quiet one who didn’t like the crowds, if I recall. Go, find your friend.”

Lina gave a hasty little half-bow, then on a whim, lifted into the air and vanished.

“What a delightful child, Filia… absolutely delightful…” the Elder said, patting the surprised Dragon Maiden’s hand as he turned to find Aurin.

Amelia stood there, staring at the empty space that had been Lina.

He paused long enough to pull out his water bottle and take a drink. Half-closing his eyes as he tilted back his head, he only partially registered someone phasing into the air in front of him. That was Xellos’ trick, and he figured that the Mazoku was coming to see him off.

“Just going to leave without saying goodbye, Zel?” Lina chided as she landed lightly in front of him, small whorls of dust rising into the air.

It hadn’t occurred to him that it might be Lina. Suddenly, Zelgadis found himself leaning forward and coughing in a splutter in order to keep himself from breathing any more water than he already had.

“Lina! You really shouldn’t-“ * cough * “sneak up on people like that! It’s not polite. You’re not Xellos!” Zelgadis scowled as he collected himself, capping the canteen and glowering at her.

Lina found herself blushing. She hadn’t even considered the fact that she might spook him by popping out of the air like that. In fact, she wasn’t sure how she’d done it. But here she was, and she ought to apologize…”Ano… I’m sorry, Zel…” She paused, recalling why she was out here. “But it wasn’t very nice of you to just vanish without saying goodbye!”

“You always end up finding me,” he replied, putting the water canteen away and dropping his hood for now, to talk with her. He didn’t have to hide his appearance from Lina.

Lina put her hands on her hips and looked at him. “So… what gives, Zel? Something hasn’t been right since we took those tests, and I want to know what happened.”

He blushed, looking away from her. “My test is none of your concern.”

“You’re blushing!” she exclaimed, arms straightening and hands forming fists as she fussed. “That’s it, you’d better start talking, Zel.”

He eyed her for a moment, then seeing that she meant it, he sighed and resigned himself to telling her. All of it. He knew it was chancy, knew the risks of destroying the friendship that they shared, but somehow he couldn’t hide it from Lina. Maybe it was that stupid test. Hell, maybe he still liked her.

Back at the reception, things were moving cheerily along, but Xellos still wondered in the back of his mind what he could possibly have done to deserve such a gift from his Mistress.

Because you have done your work for me so well in the past. You are granted that which you desire, and I gain another player in the game.

Xellos, long used to her appearances and disappearances, turned idly to regard Zelas Mellatium. You are up to something, my Mistress.

She smiled, taking his hand and leading him into a dance. Indeed, Xellos. Aren’t I always?

Mazoku and Goddess danced, as the onlookers talked quietly amongst themselves. If Beastmaster Zelas Mellatium was indeed among them, they ought to be honored. Unnerved, but honored. History was in the making, and they weren’t sure if it was to be good or bad.

Amelia collapsed into a chair beside Gourry and put her elbows on the table, chin in hands. ‘I’m worried about Mister Zelgadis… he hasn’t gone off like this in a very long time. At least, the last time we all parted, we all said goodbye.”

Gourry stopped eating long enough to look to Amelia. “I wouldn’t worry about him, Amelia. He’s a good swordsman, and we always run into him.”

Amelia watched Gourry cut another ribbon of steak into what he called ‘bite-size pieces.’ She called them monstrous and would cut them each into four pieces. “I know, mister Gourry, but I still worry.”

“He’s fine, Amelia. Lina has already caught up with him,” a voice interrupted.

Amelia turned to look at Lalli in surprise. “She has?”

Lina was blushing furiously. Little wonder Zelgadis hadn’t acted himself lately. “Um… gosh, Zel… I…” She poinked two fingers together. “I… really… had no idea…”

“You weren’t supposed to,” he said dryly, cheeks almost as red as hers. “After a while, I finally understood that it was a passing thing. You didn’t care about my… appearance. That’s why I…” He paused, clearing his throat. He really shouldn’t have told her. This could only damage the friendship they had…

“You know, Zel… I mean… it’s really flattering and all… but… something in here…” she pointed to her heart, looking at him. “Something in here broke when Hellmaster took Gourry away.”

He nodded, the blush cooling somewhat. “Yes. You and Gourry… compliment each other. I saw it when the two of you worked together to stop that ancient Golden Dragon relic. What he lacks, you are. Just like…” He lifted his head for a moment, surprised that Amelia’s face should cross his mind.

“Amelia,” Lina said softly. “Awkward, bubbly, and completely in love with you, Zelgadis. I hadn’t seen it until just now.”

He folded his arms, trying to look displeased, keenly aware that his relationship with Lina had just taken a turn that he’d never expected it to take. In all of his dreams, he’d never have thought that Lina would end up being a close friend. “She’s the Princess of Sailune, Lina. What would I have to offer her?”

“Maybe you ought to ask her for yourself. She’s good at heart, Zelgadis.” Lina paused for a moment. “Yes, she’s a little young, but give her time. She’s already grown up a lot since we all first met.”

Zelgadis was blushing again. “I’ll think about it. But right now…”

Lina held up her hand. “I know. You need time on your own.” She paused, reaching out and grabbing him into a hug before he could react. “You be careful, old friend. I’d hate to have to pull your stony backside out of a fire when we catch up to you.”

Awkwardly, Zelgadis hugged her in return. He was a bit rough, he knew, but then he’d never had friends who actually cared before. He wasn’t entirely certain what to do about it.

When she let go and floated backwards, she was her old self again. “I’m gonna go back and let everyone know you’re okay. We’ll set out in the morning, I think. There’s a small town around here called Tirshen, and I wanna try the food. And if we catch up with you before that… well… we’ll just see how it goes,

okay?”

He watched as she vanished into the sky, and shook his head. That was practically an invitation to keep traveling with them… maybe he would. He still had some thinking to do. He drew his hood up over his head and started to walk.

Lina popped back into existence in a chair beside Amelia and idly reached over and plucked a potato off of Gourry’s plate, popping it into her mouth. When she swallowed and the others realized that she was there, she grinned at them.

“He’s fine. You know how Zelgadis is… too many people around, and he feels cramped. I can’t say that I blame him, after all… there are a whole lot of people that absolutely adore us, and if one more person thanks me for returning Aurin, I’ll strangle them!”

Gourry let his fork falter in confusion. “But didn’t Filia bring Aurin? Because of Xellos?” The blonde was trying to think again.

“Don’t hurt yourself, Gourry.” Lina muttered as she grabbed another potato off of his plate.

“Hey! Those are mine! Go get your own plate!” Any attempt at thought was shattered as Gourry picked up his plate and started eating again.

Lina leaned back in her chair and considered the conversation with Zelgadis. She hadn’t realized that he’d felt that way… and she found it somewhat unsettling. After all, Amelia was the one for Zelgadis. Wasn’t she?

“Miss Lina… are you sure Mister Zelgadis will be all right…?” Amelia asked Lina softly.

Lina looked to Amelia, a strange little smile playing on her lips. “He’ll be fine, Amelia. He’s been on the road alone a lot longer than we have, and he’s pretty handy with his sword. Besides, if things get too weird on him, he’s bound to cast the Ra-Tilt… in which case, I’ll probably notice it.”

Amelia frowned. “But how would you notice it, Miss Lina? I don’t understand.”

Lina leaned forward to look at Amelia. “I’m the Chaos Knight, remember? It isn’t hard to keep a mental eye on people anymore. Especially when it’s someone I know like Zelgadis. So don’t worry, okay?”

Amelia didn’t trust it, but didn’t say so either.

Lina got up to get a plate of food, and Amelia excused herself to go to bed. Suddenly the party wasn’t that fun anymore, and she found herself drifting over to the window and looking out quietly.

Poor Mister Zelgadis. I wish there was a way that I could help him find his cure. It would make him so happy.

Amelia sighed as she thought back to the first time she had met him. Something about him had drawn him to her… and it wasn’t the fact that he was a chimera. It was his intensity, his strength of presence and how completely in control of himself he was. And every time she looked into his eyes… She sighed sadly

and decided to go to bed.

Lina had given up on the party not long after Amelia, and she sat on the edge of her bed and pulled off her boots, thinking. What Zelgadis had said... that she and Gourry matched each other. She knew that he’d faced down the Lord of Nightmares for her, but she couldn’t remember what had happened.

Do you truly wish to know, Lina Inverse?

Lina looked up to see the Lord of Nightmares standing by her door, a golden reflection of herself.

"I get the feeling that something important happened... but I don't know what."

Having that knowledge will change things.

She snorted. "Change what? I'm already the Chaos Knight..." a thought occurred to her, and she looked at the lord of Nightmares. "Does this mean that I'm

a Mazoku now?"

The Lord of Nightmares shook her head and laughed softly. No. You are still yourself, still Lina Inverse the... She almost appeared to be considering something.

Lina folded her arms and commented dryly: "Dragon Spooker? Dra-Mata?"

Yes.

It was hard to glare at the Lord of Nightmares, but Lina almost managed it.

You will know by morning, Lina Inverse, if you truly wish to. I am not in the habit of keeping information a... secret.

Lina smirked, then nodded, looking down to pull off a glove.

When she looked up, the Lord of Nightmares was gone.

Shaking her head, she finished getting ready for bed, and fell asleep with little trouble.

She looked at Gourry, completely aware that it was his spirit that called her back out of the darkness of Chaos, back to the mortal realm that they both lived in. And she knew why he had been able to, knew the bond that circled them both.

And she kissed him.

And the world changed.

She sat up in bed, eyes wide, fingers on her lips. I remember...

And then she lay back down, staring at the ceiling with a smile. Not too long until morning. She'd think about it then. Maybe.

Morning in Kuroryu found the now-trio of adventurers in the courtyard of the Palace, ready to travel to parts unknown. Amelia had been worried the night before when Lina had returned alone, but Lina had waved her off, telling her that Zelgadis just needed some time on his own again.

And now, they were saying good-byes, cheerfully waving to Aurin and Filia as they headed out of the Gate. No-one knew where Xellos and Lalli had gone… but everyone was convinced those two could easily find anyone they wanted.

“So, where are we going, Lina?” Gourry asked.

Lina grinned. “Well, there’s this town nearby, and it’s said to have really great food. And who knows? Maybe we’ll run into Zelgadis on the way!”

She took off into a run, the other two slightly behind her, and as she looked back, Lina noted the smile on Amelia’s face.

She only hoped he’d be there.

FIN