"Zelgadis!" Lina's magic was focused on a healing spell. "Zelgadis, wake up!"

"Lina, please, don't waste your energy." Gravely, the Mazoku Priest shook his head, holding her back. "Nothing can be done about his condition at this point."

"Condition?!" She snapped. "Don't you dare make this sound so trivial, fruitcake. Don't - "

"Calm down!" He roared. "Zelgadis is in no physical danger at the moment, so no healing spell in all white magic can help him."

"Not... physical...?" Her wide, ruby-toned eyes brimmed with tears as she froze, the Trickster's words sinking in. "Wha... what's wrong with him, then?

"That is a secret that I would like to know the answer to as well." Xellos murmured, causing Ameria to shudder and Gourry to blink in confusion.

Someone has to care; has to know that I... I'm not... a monster Zelgadis thought, wrapping his arms around himself subconsciously to keep the icry chill from spreading. One of them has to have faith in me... even... even if I don't believe in myself.

Who would?

Gourry

No. Gourry was far too naive to understand the nature of life; he wouldn't be able to comprehend the plight. Gourry couldn't help him.

Ameria

... No. Ameria was too young, her faith was that of a child, that couldn't be changed. That was blind faith, and couldn't help him either.

Xellos

What on earth had caused him to think that the Trickster Priest would believe in him?! Xellos had always been unreliable, help would be...

...

No! Don't even dare to hope! Don't dare...

But, without hope, without support...

...Lina

Would Lina care? Would... could she back him up? Would she... No. Stop lying to yourself. With his despair confirmed, the black emptiness began to swallow Zelgadis Greywers, and started to assimilate him...

"I want to help." Lina stated, ruby eyes gleaming dully. "Tell me how."

"Lina, Zelgadis is undergoing a mental war at the moment." Xellos replied, lighting incense on either side of the chimera's face. "The only way to help him would be from the astral plane."

"So I have to go onto the astral plane to help him. Big deal." She shrugged, settling in a cross-legged position across from him.

"Big deal? Lina, this is a battle for life." The Mazoku closed his eyes, still lacking his smile. "If Zelgadis cannot win, he will fade into death. With no heart to sustain the body, our chimeric friend will cease to exist."

"I want to help." She replied. "Zel saved my life, I owe him this much."

"You realize that if he dies and you are on his plane of consicousness, it could destroy you as well."

"I want to help!"

"Then... come with me." Mazoku magic and enigmatic incense mixed together, drawing the two beings onto the astral level of consciousness, where they were met with a dark surprise...