Another month without her period.

Lina laid down on the bed, her hand going to her stomach as she stared up at the ceiling. She didn't feel pregnant. Every mother she had talked to had always talked about the same symptoms. But she hadn't ever felt like she had a low grade cold - in fact, she had felt stronger than ever. No nausea. Her pants still fit fine, and her breasts weren't tender at all. So… she couldn't be pregnant.

That just made her question why she wasn't having her period. Not having one meant something wasn't right inside her… didn't it? Lina had heard of a pirate gang nearby that had some great loot (and maybe even some magical artefacts), but they didn't have to get there right now. There had been a lot of storms lately, and the ocean had looked pretty treacherous when she saw it. So they would probably be staying right where they were. She had time to go to the doctor in town and have a very embarrassing conversation.

Sighing, Lina closed her eyes, seeing gold against her eyelids.

It had started to become comforting, seeing gold so much. Almost like someone was watching out for her… A part of her said she should be wary of that thought, but she didn't want to be. She hadn't felt like this in a long time. Even as it reached for her, wanted her… she was starting to enjoy it.

Slowly, she opened eyes again.

Maybe she should get ready for bed. The doctor would only be taking emergencies right now anyway. Her period problems weren't an emergency. Who knew, maybe it was just as simple as she overexerted herself somehow. With all the adventuring she did, it was possible. She hadn't known any other female adventurers like her, and she was not about to ask Luna about what it was like being the Knight of Cephied in relation to her period. That couldn't end well at all.

It was probably nothing.

Lina sat up, her hands going to her belts. Time to sleep. Her clothing shed slowly before she reached for her pajamas. As the top slipped over her head, she stopped, thinking. She hadn't seen any other living being other than humans since she figured out the Fien Shot. It seemed like any beasts or Mazoku were just… ignoring her. Or… avoiding her.

Huh. Lina let the top fall into its proper position and pulled on the bottoms. Maybe she was just getting so badass that no magical creature wanted to mess with her. That was possible. She had taken out quite a few big names, and the fact she could kill something with the Lord of Nightmares' power without risking the world with a Giga Slave had probably been told to everyone by now. That would be nice. To be considered that good of a sorceress.

Yawning, she went to her pack, pulling out her brush. Her eyes closed again as she ran the bristles through her hair, gold taking her entire consciousness-

She only opened her eyes when she felt someone shaking her. Glaring, she smacked Gourry's head with the flat of the brush. "What?! And why are you in my room, you pervert."

Scowling, Gourry, rubbed his head. "You didn't come down for breakfast, so I came up to see what was wrong."

"What do you-" Lina turned her head suddenly, her breath catching as she realized it wasn't night any longer. The sun streamed in bright rays into her room, making it quite obvious just how old the room was. "I-"

"Lina, are you okay?" She looked back at Gourry's worried eyes, swallowing. "You were just sitting there."

"Yeah," she managed, putting down the brush. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."

Gourry sighed, straightening up. "Well, breakfast is over. I did order and save you some, though."

Which meant it had been sitting around for a while, either getting cold or lukewarm. Ick. But it was food and she was hungry. Very hungry, she realized. "I'll be down in a bit."

For a moment, Gourry didn't move, then he nodded. "Okay."

Lina sighed as he left, her skin tingling. That… didn't mean good things if she just zoned out like that. She just-

What was happening to her?

Gold…

Everywhere…

Lina opened her eyes, seeing nothing but gold.

She was home…

Any Mazoku worth their life knew what it felt like when the Golden Lord's power was being used. With Lina Inverse having created or perfected several spells calling upon the Golden Lord, they needed to know.

Which meant Xellos could feel it keenly when she kept crafting, kept using her new spell. Several times, he stood above her battles, poised to kill… and yet.

And yet.

Sighing, he stepped out of the physical realm, intent on returning to the Greater Beast. His Mistress.

But when he reappeared…

Zelgadis started to rouse from his doze, his eyes slitting open as the slightest bit of curiosity and alarm thrummed through him.

Xellos instantly stepped back into the Astral realm, shaken.

Why Zelgadis? Why had his thoughts of returning to the one that he belonged to taken him to Zelgadis? Even as a chimera, he wasn't Mazoku, and most definitely he wasn't the one that created him. And yet-

And yet, he couldn't find it in him to leave for Wolf Pack Island. Almost as if something had been-

No. No, it wasn't possible. Not even a Mazoku Lord could steal another Lord's servant like that. Zelgadis couldn't-

Slowly, the chimera's eyes opened fully.

Glittering ruby eyes shone in the stone skin.