The wide open eye flinched in pain, and glazed over. The face looked down to its stomach, where a bloom of blood spread. The mouth gasped and choked nearly soundlessly. Three pairs of eyes looked over.
"Lina?" said Gourry.
"LINA!" Zel shouted.
Amelia just gaped. She ran over, "No, Miss Lina, no.." she whispered, her head beginning to spin.
Lina slowly collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach as the blood continued to flow. Amelia put her hands on Lina's, ready to cast a healing spell. Lina faintly smiled, "Won't work.." she murmured, "It's too deep. Too far.. gone.." she said, coughing.
Zelgadis and Gourry ran over, "NO! No, Lina! You'll survive, you have to survive!" Gourry shouted.
Zel gazed at the spreading blood in total shock.
Lina shook her head, "I can't, Gourry. I think I've used all my luck up. That dagger was spelled.. No healing magic will work.. None except the highest level white magic. Nothing but Resurrection will cure this. " She said weakly.
"And.. none of us can do that.." Amelia said, eyes brimming with tears, "Miss Lina, you can't.." she said, tears streaming down her face.
Lina weakly shook her head, "No. I can, and I am.. Don't be too sad, Amelia.. I had a good life, I suppose.." she reached out with a hand to smooth Amelia's hair, and rubbed her cheek fondly.
Amelia felt a sinking in the pit of her stomach as the warm blood stained her own cheek.
Lina smiled, eyes faraway, "You were like my little sister, Amelia.." she said, "Just like my very own little sister.." she said. Her hand dropped from Amelia's cheek, and she smiled distantly.
Gourry covered his ears in anguish, "Lina, no.. I'm not.. You can't be. It's not true!" he said, eyes wide and empty.
Lina shook her head, "It is true.. Gourry.. Gourry.. You were.. always there for me. You.. saved me when I... thank you, Gourry.." she said. She brought her hand to him, and he grabbed it.
"Lina. No." he said, beginning to cry, "It can't be happening.." he said, washing her hand clean of blood with his hot tears.
Lina closed her eyes, and then opened them again, "I'm so sorry." she said.
Amelia was still trying to cast a healing spell, but nothing was happening. Zel reached out mutely, and pulled his hand away, sobbing bitterly.
She turned her wide, nearly sightless eyes to him, and shivered, "Zel.. I'm sad I won't be around to see you cured.." She choked out, softly.
Zel shook his head, eyes wide, "It's not true. It's not.." he said, as a mantra to himself..
Lina smiled, "You people sure are stupid.. But. I find myself missing you already.. things are funny that way. I always thought that… That if I had enough luck, I could live through anything. But… I suppose this time I was taken by… surprise." her face twisted into a parody of a smile, "I'm so tired.. I'll miss you all." She said.
Zel took her by the hand, "No." he said softly.
She smiled, "I'll really miss you..." she said… and she closed her eyes. Tense moments passed, but they didn't open. Zel looked down at his bloody hands.. and gathered Lina up in his arms.
Gourry touched her hair, and he took her limp body. He put his head down on it, and sobbed, "Why couldn't I save you? Why wasn't I paying attention? What…? Who...?" he cried over her limp form.
Amelia sat down, legs unable to support her anymore.. and she cried, "Miss Lina.. No.. What.. No.. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?" she screamed, her hands in front of her face.
Zel looked up at the stars, "Who. did . this…?" he murmured. He looked down, shoulders shaking, "WHO DID THIS???" He shouted, "Show yourselves! How could you.." he looked up, eyes dead of all emotion, "Show yourself." He said, drawing his sword, and pointing it at a shadow in the trees.
The shadow stepped up, and said in an all-too-familiar voice, "I've killed her…"the figure stepped into the light, "I've finally killed her…" An otherworldly laugh issued from the woman.
Zel gasped, and dropped his sword. Amelia and Gourry looked up.
Gourry's eyes widened, "No.. It can't. SYLPHIEL!?!?" he shouted in anguish.
The shrinemaiden smiled, "Finally, Gourry-dear.. we can be happy together.." she said with a smile.. And then…
LIGHTNING FLASHED...
A sweaty figure sat up, breathing hard, "It was.. a dream.. Only a dream." Lina said, eyes wide and dark.
Amelia sat up, "What's the matter, Miss Lina?" she asked.
Lina shook her head, "Nothing.. I just... Nothing.." she said. And she rolled over.