She never thought that she’d ever see this day.
        She never thought that she’d be closing the door on an old friend first.
        She’d always figured that she’d be the one to go first, one reckless act or another sending her into the peaceful sleep of eternity.
        Not him.
        Never him.

        The sorceress stood silent, dressed in black, tears falling down her cheeks as she supported the openly sobbing princess of Saillune. The entire white capital of Saillune was in mourning, shrouds of black swathed across the palace as if a state official had died.
        But it had been worse than a simple state official.

        The cleric watched the two from a distance, unable to approach either the sorceress or the princess. She’d failed in the most essential duties of one entrusted with healing magic; how could she possibly face them? Her hands had lost the life of a friend and a companion. The ever-calm sad eyes turned away, and the cleric walked resolutely out of the church.

        Violet eyes watched the proceedings dispassionately. How… pathetic. Didn’t they understand? Apparently not… but now, who was he to tell them?

        Blue eyes watched quietly, emotions held at bay by strength of will alone. He’d have to be strong for those three, he knew that. All of the responsibility fell to him now, wanted or not. His eyes narrowed as the priest spoke. It was time.

        “And we now return to Cepheid one who lived in his service: Zelgadis Greywords…”

        The pealing of the mourning bell drowned out the further words of the priest as Lina watched the solemn faces of the clerics as they moved towards the coffin. Before she could stop herself, she’d stepped away from Amelia and issued a quiet negation to the men who were about to take up the coffin.
        “No. This should be… done by his friends.”
        Her senses told her that Gourry was behind her, and she saw Amelia out of the corner of her eye lift her head and look across to Lina.
        The priest nodded as the three approached the coffin and with the aid of Lina’s silent levitation spell, picked it up with ease. A distant part of Lina’s mind noticed that Sylphiel was missing, but that would be worked on later. For now… for now…
        They carried the coffin out of the church and towards the royal burial grounds, where Price Philionel had decreed Zelgadis be buried.

        Sylphiel heard the mourning bell begin to peal, and lifted her head. The drink that she had ordered was there, and she picked it up and lifted it to her lips in a silent salute to her fallen friend and her own failure in keeping him alive. Before the bartender could stop her, she threw the drink back. The alcohol burned her throat as it went down, and she found the pain somewhat soothing. In a rough voice, she ordered another and looked out the window towards the palace.

        When it was over, Lina still couldn’t believe it.
        She sat in the chair beside Amelia, who had crumpled on her bed, and looked off into the distance.
        Zelgadis.
        Dead.
        It was impossible… right?
        He’d told her five years ago that the only thing that could hurt him was the Sword of Light. And yet… that hadn’t been true.
        She sat there; listening to Amelia sob, her own tears silent as she remembered.