Zelgadis' body was lifted from the burnt out pyre but the raw power that so eagerly rolled off his unphased form. His ivory Shamanist's outfit had been reduced to charred rags, but his skin seemed to be untouched by the smoke or the flame.

"Zel...?" Lina whispered as he remained suspended in the air, head lulled back at ease. The duo colored radiance rippled over the slender muscles of his contour easily, licking every smooth niche of his torso.

Lina, my Lina, how I wish it could have been Zelgadis' final thoughts were made known to them by unknown powers, and his final words haunted them all with an aching fear. Remember that I loved you too, more than life itself.

It was all Lina could do to keep from bursting into sobs again.

Beautiful as it was, even the light couldn't last. It's gentle sparkle settled on his still eyes, then flared and was gone.

The Shamanist's body fell limply to the ground, where Xellos caught him and tenderly wrapped him in his cloak.

"Lina..." the youth whimpered, shivering in the cold of his lack of clothing.

"Lina, come here." Xellos whispered, eyes wide. "He's asking for you."

"Zelgadis?"In awe, the red-head approached. "Zel?"

"Lina." He repeated, and the Mazoku Priest turned custody of the semi-conscious former-chimera over to her.

"Zel... You're alive!" She reclined slightly in the grass, cradling his body in her lap.

"Good dream..." He mumbled, snuggling in her embrace. "Good dream. My Lina. No wake."

With a mischievious smirk that made Xellos proud, she teased him with delicate kisses close to the mouth, almost claiming, but restraining herself. If she played this right, he would respond in the desired manner.

"Better dream." He craned his neck forwardto be closer to the source of the carressings. "Lina. Ooo... Heaven." His arms slid free from the Mazoku Trickster's overgarment, which slipped down around his waist, and he pulled her closer.

"Zelgadis. Open your eyes. I have a surprise for you." She whispered into his ear.

"I... My eyes?" Zelgadis cracked open his eyelids, sheepishly trying to sink as far away from her as he could. "This isn't a dream, is it."

"No, Zel. It's something much, much better.

Zelgadis' sapphire hued eyes slowly fluttered open, the gemstone tone gentle but frosted all the same. The blush that spread across his light peach face contrasted both the color and temperature of his eyes.

"I-I-I-I'm sorry, Lina, I-I-I-I didn't realize that and I-I-I... oh gods..." The Shamanist's face went nearly as red as the sorceress' eyes upon finding his state of dress. He rapidly huddled under the cloak, covering as much of his person as he could.

"My, my, I didn't know there were that many different shades of red." Xellos laughed, even as Zel tucked the loose end of his make-shift toga above his waist.

"Why, you..." he growled, rising to attack. his fist paused a millimeter away from the disappointed Mazoku.

"Humph. Fine place to pause, if you ask me." Xellos snorted, flickering off to affgrivate Gourry and Ameria. Zelgadis merely stood there, staring at his human hand, then marveling as he found he was fully so.

A tear of joy rolled down his cheek as he turned to Lina and swept her into his arms. With a laugh of sheer happiness, he tossed her up to touch the heavens, and caught her when she came back to the world with stardust in her eyes.

"Zel..." She giggled as they tumbled in the soft summer grass. "What's gotten into you?"

"I'm not sure." He shrugged, brushing an errant wisp of hair out of his gaze. "I just... never remember feeling so alive. Lina, everything I have ever wanted is mine, now. I love you, and have your love in return. I'm human, alive, and we can be together, now. Forever."