When Zelgadis finally caught up with the ship, his arms were tired and about ready to fall off, but he couldn't stop. Panting for breath, he started to cast a Ray Wing, before he remembered he couldn't speak. Gritting his teeth, he looked around and found a rope hanging over the side of the boat. He grabbed it, and tested it to make sure it was secured tightly. Then he kicked himself out of the boat, and began to climb up the rope.
(~~~~~squigglies~~~~~)
Amelia and Xellos stood arm in arm in front of the podium on the ship, facing a priest wearing all white. Amelia was dressed in a beautiful white gown with elbow-length gloves and pearl jewelry. Xellos refused to wear white, and was instead wearing a pale blue tuxedo.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of these two people," the priest began. "Do you have the ring?"
Xellos nodded, and pulled out a gold ring with a small diamond in the center.
"Very good," the priest said. "Put the ring on her finger." Xellos did so, Amelia still staring straight ahead and not blinking. "Now, Xellos, do you take Amelia to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and honor in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"
Xellos, who didn't care about lying or not, said, "I do."
"And do you, Princess Amelia," the priest started. "Take Xellos to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and honor in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"
Amelia, eyes staring and unblinking, replied in a monotone voice, "I do."
Looking up, the priest said, "If anyone present has a reason these two should not be wed, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."
From the back of the ship, Zelgadis came running forward, down the carpet, and shoved himself between Amelia and Xellos. Xellos turned angrily to Zelgadis, and Amelia just kept on staring straight ahead.
"What are you doing?" Xellos demanded in Zelgadis' voice.
Zelgadis knew exactly what he had to do. He reached forward and grabbed the red pendant arond Xellos' neck, yanking it off. Before Xellos could shout a protest, Zelgadis threw it onto the ground, smashing it into pieces.
Amelia suddenly blinked, and looked around, confused. "What? Where am I? What's going on? Zelgadis-san?"
From the remains of the pendant came a glowing golden mist. It swirled upwards, and then went inside Zelgadis' mouth, stopping in his throat. "Amelia!" Zelgadis said, running over to her.
"Zelgadis-san? You can talk?" Amelia asked, shocked. Suddenly, she broke into a huge grin, and said, "You are him! You did save me! I knew you existed, I did!" She ran up and hugged Zelgadis tightly. She made as if to kiss him, but Zelgadis suddenly dropped to his knees in pain.
"You're too late!" Xellos shouted. "Look!" He pointed off the side of the boat to the last slivers of sunlight disappearing down the horizon. With an evil grin, Xellos said, "You're mine!"
Zelgadis screamed in pain, bent over double even on his knees.
"Zelgadis-san!" Amelia was instantly on her knees beside Zelgadis, her hands on his shoulder. "What's happening to him?"
Before Xellos could answer, Zelgadis stopped screaming, and began gasping for breath. His arms shaking to hold himself upright, Zelgadis looked at his hands. Slowly, he looked up at Amelia, who gasped when she saw his face back in its chimera form.
"Amelia...." Zelgadis said, looking for an explanation, but not finding one.