He stood, frozen to the spot, looking at himself in the crystal. Just like Eris. Did that mean that he was a copy, and not the original? “What am I?” He whispered, looking at the form in the crystal. “What am I, and who are you?”
        Does it matter? A voice within him asked. You are you. That is not. Kill it and move on.
        He found his sword in his hands, and forced himself to lower it. “No! I am not a killer! He has a right to live.”
        Even if he is you and you are nothing? You are not a killer, but what if he is? What then, Zelgadis?
        The tormented youth shook his head, fighting the voice. “No. He has just as much a right to live as I do!”
        But do you have a right? You are not Human. You are Chimera.
        Zelgadis narrowed his eyes. “And what if I am?” In echo of the voice, he retorted. “Does it matter?”
        Crystal blue eyes opened. It does to you.
        Silence fell in the room, the tormented youth standing before the crystal, looking at the now-open blue eyes of the human.

        Lina frowned. She could hear Zelgadis’ voice… but darned if she could figure out where he was. From the sounds of it, she needed to get there fast. He was talking to himself, and everyone knew that talking to yourself was a sign of impending mental doom.
        Finally, Lina did what Lina did best when her temper was short. She drew back her hand, aimed towards where she heard his voice the clearest, and let a fireball fly at the wall.
        Dust and debris flew wildly across the room, and when Lina looked to see the damage, found that the hole she had made led into a room that hadn’t had a door. And through the hole she could see Zelgadis standing near a crystal similar to the one Eris had been trapped within. His sword was in his hand, point on the floor, and he was staring into the crystal as if mesmerized.
        “Zelgadis!” Eris screamed, pushing past Lina. “Oh sweet Cepheid, Zelgadis!!!” She ran into the room, wrapping her arms around the chimera, sobbing. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
        Lina was still trying to figure it out as the remainder of the group approached the crystal and the two at its foot. She looked up at the crystal, and without really thinking about it, commented. “He’s kinda cute. Who is he?”
        Zelgadis collapsed on the floor.
        Eris looked over at Lina. “This is…” she fumbled for a moment. “This is what Zelgadis looked like before Rezo… changed him.”
        Lina looked to the chimera now sitting on the floor, then looked to the figure in the crystal, a vivid red blush coloring her cheeks and ears. “Oh… Um…” It was, for once, one of those rare moments where Lina didn’t know what to say.
        “So you think he is cute, and I’m just a monster.” Zelgadis’ voice was flat.
        Lina turned back to the figure on the floor and shook her head. “No, no! That’s not what I meant, Zel. I mean…” she hastily added. “I think I can safely say that most of us think you’re pretty good looking…”
        Gourry cleared his throat. “I’m left out of this, right?”
        Whatever answer Lina had for Gourry was lost in Amelia’s outburst. “I agree with Miss Lina! While he may be cute, I prefer good-looking! Cute can only get you so far… unless you’re a princess… and everyone gives you things because you’re so cute…”
        Sylphiel leaned into Amelia. “You’re only making it worse.”
        Amelia looked over. Sure enough, there was a dark cloud forming over Zelgadis’ head. Her eyes widened for a moment, and then a firm resolve cascaded over her. She’d say it, no matter what the outcome. “Mister Zelgadis, get those thoughts out of your head. I happen to like you a whole lot, and if you want proof, after we leave here, we can go to Saillune and go on a date.”
        Silence fell in the room as everyone except the figure in the crystal looked at Amelia. As it loomed heavier in the room, Amelia blushed and tapped her fingers together. “That is… if you…” Seeing no reaction, she leapt at Lina. “Miss Lina, help me!!!”
        Lina looked at the princess who was now glued to her with her chest dangerously close to Lina’s face. “Amelia, stop shoving those in my face.”
        Zelgadis sighed and stood up as Lina pushed Amelia away. “All of that aside... the question is, what do we do about him?”
        A smooth voice from the darkness corrected the chimera. “No. The question is: What do I do with all of you?”