With what little Shamanistic magic she could use, Lina attempted to psi-scan the chimera. Though obscured by the static of that time of the month, she managed to find what looked like an astral lock. It was broken about the edges, but still held fast.

Could that be what made the sound? she thought, unable to probe any further. What caused it?! Her exhaustion, physical and mental, left her enough energy to settle comfortably in the chair by his bed.

Through the haze created by the fever, Zelgadis was faintly aware that Lina was at his side. His mind registered the sorceress' unconscious shiveres, and his body moved not of his own accord. To be quite blunt, his mind was working in the most basic method of thought above primal needs. Poison-created fever will do that to a victim.

Lina's here. Simple enough to acknowladge. Lina is asleep. Lina is cold. Keep Lina warm. Had he been in his proper mindset, he would have questioned this train of thought. however, he was not, and only the questions how and what crossed his path.

Lina stirred as warm arms wrapped around her, encircling her in a protective circle of gentleness. She opened her eyes, and found her gaze filled by a sea of cerulean. The steady rise and fall of the wry muscles of a man's chest was comforting, but how on earth did she end up there?!

"Zel?" She spoke softly, but loud enough for him to hear. "Zel, wake up." The chimera barely moved, his bad arm resting over her stomach and his good arm wrapped about her shoulders. "Zelgadis, wake up!" His face contorted in agony, and his hold on her was released.

"How is he?" Ameria asked calmly as she entereed the room, again bearing food.

"Ameria! Don't startle me like that!" Lina chided her, then sighed. "The fever's broken, but he still won't wake up. And it looks like he's going to go into siezures. Help me hold him down!"

Zelgadis, what's wrong? She wondered, eyes nearly tearing up as the chimera screamed loudly with a second break. I'd help any way I could, just tell me how?

Several windows shattered at the pitch of the cry, and Gourry came barrelling in again. Between the three of them, they managed to keep him from causing mass property damage, but the shamanist was bleeding from the snake bite and the mouth.

"Lina..." He panted, eyes wide. his chest heaved as he lifted his bleeding hand to her face. "I'll be fine." He sat up slowly, wiping his cerise tinted lips as he quickly scowled at the remaineder of his tunic and pants. Using the tattered ends as a towel, he cleaned the blood from his hand. Then, despite the protests from Ameria, he unwound the bandages from about his wrist.

"Zelgadis, don't - " Ameria drew in a sharp breath upon finding that not only had the snake wound closed up without even a scar, but the skin around it had become a soft and supple flesh-tone.

The chimera, princess, and sorceress stared at the mild transformation in awe, but the moment was broken by the swordsman.

"I don't get it." He blinked, poking Zelgadis' arm. "What's so interesting?"

The mood ruined, the three promptly decided to pound the inconsiderate blonde into the floor.

So the chimera had survived the first Shattering. That was good. What didn't kill him only served to make him stronger, after all. And with the next seal, he would need it.

"Perhaps the Trickster should make his entrance..." Xellos mused, doodling on the pages of an ancient book. They're going to need all the help they can get...