Lina cried hot and bitter tears, clutching the chimera's lifeless body to herself as if to ressurect him by sheer will alone.

"No!" She screamed, denying the powers that be. "Zel, please don't leave me here alone! Don't leave me, please..."

Gourry and Ameria silently watched the event, not knowing any words that could consoul the grieving soceress.

"It... It is done." Xellos opened his violet eyes, emotionlessly staring at the inanimate form in Lina's arms. His split pupil gaze narrowed, and the grimson gem of his slave gleamed once before exploding in an array of scarlet shards.

"Wha - ?" Lina trembled, looking up at the glowing Mazoku.

"I cannot restore the life to him." Xellos lifted Zelgadis from the ground using the the same red aura, but it turned azure as it settled around the chimeric Shamanist. "However, with the Seals broken, I can return his whole and human form. I think... I think that's what he would have wanted."

At Sunset, the four remaining Slayers stood around the funeral pyre, ready to bid him farewell.

As a human, Zelgadis was even more breath-taking. The sharp lavender hair he had been known for had become soft and indigo. His complexion was a pale cream and free of mark. His smooth features only added to the impression that he was merely sleeping. One almost expected to see his chest rise and fall.

"Zelgadis," Ameria murmured, "you enchanted me with your quiet ways and soft voice. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life."

"Zel," Gourry stepped forward, head bowed. "Your skill earned my respect, but it was your loyalty to your friends that got my friendship."

"Child of my blood, descendant of Metallium." Xellos brushed a lock of Zelgadis' blue-violet hair away from his pale and lifeless face. "I regret your death."

"I..." Lina stood at the wooden pillar that would take his soul to the next world when burned. "I... Zel, I need you... here with me. None of it's worth anything without you. I miss you, and... I don't know if I want to continue without you."

"It's time to say good-bye to him, Lina." Gourry offered her a brotherly embrace, and she fell into it with a sigh of dismay.

"Lina, I think he would want you to go on." Ameria placed her small hand on Lina's shoulder as a gesture of support. "Do you think he could be at peace without knowing you were recovering from the loss?"

"No." The sorceress shook her head, a new wave of tears overtaking her.

"Let's lay him to rest now, Lina." Xellos held out his hand, and she accepted his invitation. In a moment, they hovered close to the body.

"Good-bye, Zelgadis." She gently kissed his lips. Even though he's gone, it feels like he's still with me, beyond my heart

"Do the honors; light the pyre, and set his spirit free." Xellos murmured to her, his sorrow so thick that it choked his voice.

"...fi... fi-fi-fi..." Her hand trembled as energy gathered in her palm. "Fireball." A tiny orb of inferno fell from her fingertips and set the wood alight. The violet hared Priest comforted her as the blaze rooze up around the Shamanist's body, and snippits of memories danced amid the flames.

The first meeting, where Zelgadis' soft voice and sharp wit caught her attention.

A turning point, where Lina had reintroduced long forgotten laughter to his world.

The battle with Shabranigdo, when he had realized his need for her vitality.

The day Rezo's library had collapsed on them, when he had saved her life twice.

Body.

The battle for his life on the Dreamscape, where pure emotions ran rampart.

Heart.

The final sacrifice of his life; the blood exploding from the wounds to expel the Dark Lord and purge the

Soul.

The fire was extinguished as it fell in on itself, drew itself into the icy form that lay amidst it. Sparks alighted on his closed eyes, melted into his essence and left no trace.

An explosion of blue-white light rocked the Slayers, both those living and otherwise.