Disclaimer: .enim t'nera sreyalS ehT Don't ask why I wrote it like that.
Xellos and Lina observed each other briefly in the dimness of the chamber.
Xellos broke the silence. "You are aware that you'll never see the light of day again aren't you?"
Lina looked up hopelessly. The chamber spiraled off into the darkness for what may as well have been eternity. She would never return to the surface. Never to feel the sunlight warming her skin as she relaxed in a field. Never to hear the birds sing again. Never to enjoy another meal. Never to see her child again. A wave of complete and utter despair washed over her as she realized that this miserable room was the only world that she would know for the rest of her short life. She moaned softly, a sound of absolute misery.
Xellos smiled as he savored the intoxicating emotions Lina was releasing. "You do understand." He cocked his head and opened a single amethyst eye. "But something troubles me Lina."
Lina slowly looked down until she was staring at Xellos's face. Her expression was totally blank.
"What, pray tell, is wrong with you? Where is the fiery spirit that I know so well?" Xellos leaned in close to Lina and examined her face. She looked dead to the world. Even her crimson eyes seemed dimmer than usual. He shrugged. "You disappoint me Lina. I thought that you would at least try to make this interesting for me."
Lina watched silently as Xellos raised his staff over his head. A moment of hesitation and he swiftly brought it down upon her.
"Okay, this is getting a little cramped!" Emily blushed as Phil leaned against her back to back.
"It looks kind of hopeless doesn't it Emily?" Phil pressed himself closer to her in an attempt to avoid getting burned.
Amelia and Zelgadis were in a similar situation. Behind them the fire had consumed most of the alley and was only a couple feet away from them. The archers above them had finally abandoned their posts as the buildings they were in caught fire. Now they faced death by the sword in front of them and an inferno behind them.
Zelgadis struggled briefly with a soldier that tried to grab his sword and create an opening. A quick slice from Zelgadis's blade removed his hand. He called over his shoulder. "What are you guys doing back there?! I can't fight like this! Put the fire out!"
Amelia and Phil looked at each other briefly.
Phil coughed as he felt his face turn red. "Yes, well that makes sense. I should have thought of that." He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. "Aqua Create!"
A pillar of water shot out of the ground extinguishing most of the flames. The path behind them was clear.
Amelia ran down the passage and checked the other side. "It's okay! We can make it out here! Come on!" She waved them on as she ran out the opposite end of the alley.
Zelgadis looked at Emily briefly. "Go ahead. I'll watch your back."
Emily nodded and turned to follow Amelia.
Just then, a massive fighter charged through the melee and raised an axe over his head. He growled as he swung downwards at Emily's head.
Zelgadis knew he wouldn't be able to stop the man's momentum with his sword. Instead, he shoved Emily, knocking her out of the way. He squeezed his eyes shut and braced for the impact.
The large soldier's axe bit deep into Zelgadis's shoulder before shattering against bone.
Emily turned just in time to catch Zelgadis. "Damn!" She turned to Phil. "Give me some cover!"
Phil nodded and gestured towards the entrance of the alley. "Diem Wind!"
A barrier of solid wind blocked any hope of pursuit by the soldiers as Phil and the others made their escape.
Edward snarled at the troops. "Damn you! They're getting away!" Seeing that his men were utterly useless at this point, he turned his horse and charged down the street. He had to find a way to get around to the other end of the alley.
Emily half dragged half carried the wounded chimera down the alley. She called over her shoulder. "Coming Phil?"
Phil ran up and slung one of Zelgadis's arms over his shoulder. "It's really not looking very good for us is it?" He looked at Emily as he spoke.
Emily shook her head and smiled sadly. "I hate to admit it, but this might be the end."
Zelgadis coughed. "Not really." He gestured to his shoulder. "This will be fine in a couple minutes. I just need some rest."
Emily smiled at Zelgadis. "Thanks for what you did back there."
Zelgadis returned her smile. "Not a problem. Remember the deal? If that guy had killed you I never would have gotten a shot at you."
Emily chuckled. "That's right. We still have to kill each other when this is over right?"
Phil pointed to something up ahead. "Look!"
They looked up to see Amelia waving them towards an open door across the street. The building seemed to be untouched by the flames that had ravaged the rest of the city.
Looking up and down the street and seeing no soldiers, Emily and Phil quickly dragged Zelgadis towards the door.
Amelia called out to them. "Watch out!"
Emily turned to see several archers taking aim at them from the roof across the street. The house was still a few feet away and there was nothing else she could think to do. She quickly moved behind Phil and Zelgadis trying to shield them both. She heard the musical sound of the bowstrings snapping. Tears stung her eyes as she felt several arrows slam into her back.
Lina gasped in pain as she felt Xellos's foot connect with her ribs yet again. Something may have broken that time. She didn't care though. Her life was practically over. What was a little more pain along the way?
Xellos stepped back from Lina who immediately curled up into a tight ball whimpering in pain. "Now, this really is quite interesting Lina." He stepped forward and knelt down next to her. He gently lifted her chin until they were eye to eye. "Why won't you fight me?"
Lina just looked at Xellos and wished that everything would be over. If he killed her, maybe she could be with Gourry. She had decided that anything was better then the terrible fate that awaited her in the Sea of Chaos.
Xellos sighed and smiled warmly at Lina. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that this time you're the one who has a secret." His grin faded. "I positively abhor secrets, Lina. Why don't you tell me yours and I'll go ahead and finish you?"
A single tear ran down Lina's cheek. She squeezed her eyes shut. Deep within herself she could feel a presence stirring. She whispered, "I'm sorry. I can't." A vision came to her of Xellos running her through with his staff. A moment later, the world falling apart. All of Creation wiped out in an instant. The horrible results of the death of the Lord of Nightmares.
Xellos scowled and slapped Lina before standing. "Something has crushed your spirit, and although I hate to admit it, I'm fairly certain that it wasn't me. Tell me what it is Lina."
Lina felt the power within her growing. She opened her eyes and spoke to herself. "I shouldn't be feeling sorry for myself. It's time for us to go home right?" She struggled painfully to her feet and faced Xellos.
Xellos regarded her carefully. "Lina, have you gone quite mad? Talking to yourself isn't healthy you know."
Lina glared at Xellos. Something in her expression made him recoil.
Xellos shook his head and took a second look at Lina's face. "Golden eyes Lina? Is this some sort kind of trick?" He felt something stir in the air around them. There was a powerful force at work here.
Lina raised her arms above her head and began to weave a spell.
Phil quickly shoved Zelgadis into the safety of the house and caught Emily as she fell. His eyes widened in horror at the sight. Three arrows pierced her back in different places. He quickly dragged her into the house before another volley could be fired.
Amelia quickly barred the door. Glancing around the sparsely furnished home, she quickly grabbed a blanket and spread it on the floor. "Set her here Phil."
Phil gently lowered Emily onto the blanket.
Amelia immediately went to work on removing the arrows.
Emily groaned in pain. "Why do I always get stabbed in the back?" She reached out to Phil who took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I really wish you hadn't done that." Phil smiled at her. He looked at her back where Amelia was carefully working the second arrow out. He sighed. "You always have to outdo everyone don't you? You even have to get shot more."
Emily giggled briefly before wincing in pain. "Ow! That's me. Ultra competitive."
Amelia gave Phil a disapproving look. "Don't make her laugh. I need her to stay calm." She cast a Recovery spell on Emily.
Zelgadis carefully rotated his shoulder. No pain. It was amazing. His wound was totally healed in minutes. He stood up and walked over to where Emily was lying on the floor. "That was a pretty stupid thing to do." He knelt down next to her and smiled. "Thanks anyway though."
Emily tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace. "We're even now right?"
Zelgadis thought for a moment. "I suppose so."
There was a crash as something heavy slammed into the door.
Zelgadis stood and drew his sword. "Damn it! I thought we would have a little longer before they got to us."
Emily struggled to stand.
Amelia and Phil fought equally hard to hold her down.
Another crash and the door began to buckle.
"Let me go! He can't fight them all on his own!"
Amelia frowned. "Emily, please hold still. You're going to aggravate you wounds and it will take even longer to heal." She saw fresh splotches of blood on the back of Emily's shirt. She shook her head and sighed. "You really are as stubborn as Lina."
Phil squeezed Emily's hand and smiled at her reassuringly. "Please relax. I'm sure Mr. Greywords can handle it."
Emily looked back and forth between the two nervously. "But. . ."
Zelgadis waved Emily off. "This is nothing. Now that I have a little time to cast, I can end this battle immediately."
The others watched as Zelgadis gathered his immense power within himself. For an instant, the space around him seemed to ripple.
"Earth below me, submit to my will. . ." Zelgadis raised his right hand over his head.
Phil watched in awe. "A Stone Spiker!"
Another crash and the door folded in half. Several men holding a battering ram stood on the other side of the doorway. Behind them the rest of the soldiers crowed around.
Zelgadis smiled. "Just what I was waiting for." He slammed his palm into the ground. "Dug Haut!"
The earth rumbled briefly as the soldiers looked around in fear. Suddenly, spears of stone shot up from the ground impaling most of the soldiers upon them. Those that survived quickly scattered revealing an incredibly angry Prince Edward.
Zelgadis stepped out of the house and moved towards calmly towards Edward, ignoring the groans of the dying men around him. He kept walking until he was right next to Edward's horse. He smiled at the prince. "Hi."
Edward glared at him trying to find the words to express his complete and utter hatred for Zelgadis. He settled on a single word. "Idiot!"
Zelgadis grinned and yanked Edward unceremoniously off his horse.
Amelia finished her recovery spell and inspected her work. She smiled at Emily. "That should be okay, but don't move for a little while."
Emily and Phil watched as Amelia stood and left the room. They smiled at each other.
Amelia walked angrily up to Edward and stuck a finger in his face. "You see what happens when you try to fight against the mighty force of righteousness?"
Zelgadis shrugged. "Well, actually I did most of the work. . ."
Amelia ignored him and continued her vicious verbal assault. "Now Edward, for all the wickedness that you've spread in this world, you will sit and be judged in the Court of Justice!"
Edward slumped. "I was afraid that you were going to say that."
Phil smiled as he watched his mother berate Edward.
Emily tugged on the edge of Phil's cloak to get his attention. "Phil, help me up okay?" Emily pointed towards the door. "I want to see this guy get it."
Phil grinned and scooped Emily up in his arms, carefully avoiding any of the injuries on her back. "As you wish, Emily." He carried her over to the door.
Emily was blushing furiously. She struggled to get out of Phil's arms. "Phil, put me down! I don't want anyone to see me like this! This is so embarrassing!" She glanced out the door. Thankfully, Amelia and Zelgadis seemed to be occupied with Edward at this point.
Phil chuckled. "Please calm down Emily. I don't want to see you hurt yourself again." He gazed into her eyes and smiled. "Okay?"
Emily quietly nodded, mesmerized by Phil's deep blue eyes. "Alright."
They both turned to look out at events unfolding in the street.
Amelia had been mercilessly criticizing Edward for the past ten minutes. ". . .and furthermore, I can't believe that you would try to have your own son killed! That was a terribly unjust thing to do Edward! The gods are glaring down at you even as we speak!"
Edward muttered, "I can't imagine them being any worse than you."
Zelgadis was sitting on the ground crying. He pleaded with Amelia. "Amelia, please stop! Even I've forgiven him at this point!"
Amelia continued on unperturbed. "Only by embracing the path of righteousness can you ever hope to be redeemed Edward! Now, repeat after me! Life is wonderful!"
Edward stared at her for a moment. He could feel his sanity cracking. "Life is wonderful. . ."
Amelia smiled. "Louder!"
Edward forced himself to smile. "Life is wonderful!"
Amelia shook her head. "With more feeling!"
Edward twitched. "LIFE IS WONDERFUL!"
Amelia clapped her hands. "Great! Now you just keep working on that until you've made up for all the evil you've done!"
That was too much for Edward to bear. He screamed and fled down the street. Pausing about half a block away, he turned back and pointed at the group. "When I find Xellos, you people are going to be in so much trouble! You mark my words! You haven't heard the last. . ."
A flaming wall collapsed on Edward as the others watched.
Zelgadis sighed. "Well, I guess that's the end of that huh?"
Amelia sighed and wiped away a tear. "Poor Edward. I was so sure that I could help him become a true ally of justice."
Zelgadis looked at the pile of burning rubble that concealed Edward's body. "No, I think that he's probably a lot happier this way."
Phil shook his head. "But Mr. Greywords, he's dead!"
Zelgadis nodded. "Exactly."
They stood for a moment longer watching the flames when Emily spoke up.
"Hey, where is that Xellos guy anyway?" Emily looked around from her position in Phil's arms.
Zelgadis looked at her surprised. "That's right. Why didn't he fight us?"
Amelia frowned. "It's not like Xellos to run from us. He could have beaten us pretty easily."
Emily's eyes widened. "Mom. . ." She wiggled out of Phil's grasp and sprinted down the street towards the temple ruins. "He's going after mom! Come on!"
A moment later, everyone else ran after her.
Next chapter: Lina's time is up. Will she make it to the Sea of Chaos, or will Xellos finish her?
Notes: Two chapters left and then we're through. I enjoyed writing this chapter immensely. I hope nobody found Lina to be OOC here. I think anyone would be a little down after realizing that his or her life was over. Hope everyone liked Edward's end. Like I said before I was trying to put a little humor into what would otherwise be a very dark chapter.
Xellos and Lina observed each other briefly in the dimness of the chamber.
Xellos broke the silence. "You are aware that you'll never see the light of day again aren't you?"
Lina looked up hopelessly. The chamber spiraled off into the darkness for what may as well have been eternity. She would never return to the surface. Never to feel the sunlight warming her skin as she relaxed in a field. Never to hear the birds sing again. Never to enjoy another meal. Never to see her child again. A wave of complete and utter despair washed over her as she realized that this miserable room was the only world that she would know for the rest of her short life. She moaned softly, a sound of absolute misery.
Xellos smiled as he savored the intoxicating emotions Lina was releasing. "You do understand." He cocked his head and opened a single amethyst eye. "But something troubles me Lina."
Lina slowly looked down until she was staring at Xellos's face. Her expression was totally blank.
"What, pray tell, is wrong with you? Where is the fiery spirit that I know so well?" Xellos leaned in close to Lina and examined her face. She looked dead to the world. Even her crimson eyes seemed dimmer than usual. He shrugged. "You disappoint me Lina. I thought that you would at least try to make this interesting for me."
Lina watched silently as Xellos raised his staff over his head. A moment of hesitation and he swiftly brought it down upon her.
"Okay, this is getting a little cramped!" Emily blushed as Phil leaned against her back to back.
"It looks kind of hopeless doesn't it Emily?" Phil pressed himself closer to her in an attempt to avoid getting burned.
Amelia and Zelgadis were in a similar situation. Behind them the fire had consumed most of the alley and was only a couple feet away from them. The archers above them had finally abandoned their posts as the buildings they were in caught fire. Now they faced death by the sword in front of them and an inferno behind them.
Zelgadis struggled briefly with a soldier that tried to grab his sword and create an opening. A quick slice from Zelgadis's blade removed his hand. He called over his shoulder. "What are you guys doing back there?! I can't fight like this! Put the fire out!"
Amelia and Phil looked at each other briefly.
Phil coughed as he felt his face turn red. "Yes, well that makes sense. I should have thought of that." He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. "Aqua Create!"
A pillar of water shot out of the ground extinguishing most of the flames. The path behind them was clear.
Amelia ran down the passage and checked the other side. "It's okay! We can make it out here! Come on!" She waved them on as she ran out the opposite end of the alley.
Zelgadis looked at Emily briefly. "Go ahead. I'll watch your back."
Emily nodded and turned to follow Amelia.
Just then, a massive fighter charged through the melee and raised an axe over his head. He growled as he swung downwards at Emily's head.
Zelgadis knew he wouldn't be able to stop the man's momentum with his sword. Instead, he shoved Emily, knocking her out of the way. He squeezed his eyes shut and braced for the impact.
The large soldier's axe bit deep into Zelgadis's shoulder before shattering against bone.
Emily turned just in time to catch Zelgadis. "Damn!" She turned to Phil. "Give me some cover!"
Phil nodded and gestured towards the entrance of the alley. "Diem Wind!"
A barrier of solid wind blocked any hope of pursuit by the soldiers as Phil and the others made their escape.
Edward snarled at the troops. "Damn you! They're getting away!" Seeing that his men were utterly useless at this point, he turned his horse and charged down the street. He had to find a way to get around to the other end of the alley.
Emily half dragged half carried the wounded chimera down the alley. She called over her shoulder. "Coming Phil?"
Phil ran up and slung one of Zelgadis's arms over his shoulder. "It's really not looking very good for us is it?" He looked at Emily as he spoke.
Emily shook her head and smiled sadly. "I hate to admit it, but this might be the end."
Zelgadis coughed. "Not really." He gestured to his shoulder. "This will be fine in a couple minutes. I just need some rest."
Emily smiled at Zelgadis. "Thanks for what you did back there."
Zelgadis returned her smile. "Not a problem. Remember the deal? If that guy had killed you I never would have gotten a shot at you."
Emily chuckled. "That's right. We still have to kill each other when this is over right?"
Phil pointed to something up ahead. "Look!"
They looked up to see Amelia waving them towards an open door across the street. The building seemed to be untouched by the flames that had ravaged the rest of the city.
Looking up and down the street and seeing no soldiers, Emily and Phil quickly dragged Zelgadis towards the door.
Amelia called out to them. "Watch out!"
Emily turned to see several archers taking aim at them from the roof across the street. The house was still a few feet away and there was nothing else she could think to do. She quickly moved behind Phil and Zelgadis trying to shield them both. She heard the musical sound of the bowstrings snapping. Tears stung her eyes as she felt several arrows slam into her back.
Lina gasped in pain as she felt Xellos's foot connect with her ribs yet again. Something may have broken that time. She didn't care though. Her life was practically over. What was a little more pain along the way?
Xellos stepped back from Lina who immediately curled up into a tight ball whimpering in pain. "Now, this really is quite interesting Lina." He stepped forward and knelt down next to her. He gently lifted her chin until they were eye to eye. "Why won't you fight me?"
Lina just looked at Xellos and wished that everything would be over. If he killed her, maybe she could be with Gourry. She had decided that anything was better then the terrible fate that awaited her in the Sea of Chaos.
Xellos sighed and smiled warmly at Lina. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that this time you're the one who has a secret." His grin faded. "I positively abhor secrets, Lina. Why don't you tell me yours and I'll go ahead and finish you?"
A single tear ran down Lina's cheek. She squeezed her eyes shut. Deep within herself she could feel a presence stirring. She whispered, "I'm sorry. I can't." A vision came to her of Xellos running her through with his staff. A moment later, the world falling apart. All of Creation wiped out in an instant. The horrible results of the death of the Lord of Nightmares.
Xellos scowled and slapped Lina before standing. "Something has crushed your spirit, and although I hate to admit it, I'm fairly certain that it wasn't me. Tell me what it is Lina."
Lina felt the power within her growing. She opened her eyes and spoke to herself. "I shouldn't be feeling sorry for myself. It's time for us to go home right?" She struggled painfully to her feet and faced Xellos.
Xellos regarded her carefully. "Lina, have you gone quite mad? Talking to yourself isn't healthy you know."
Lina glared at Xellos. Something in her expression made him recoil.
Xellos shook his head and took a second look at Lina's face. "Golden eyes Lina? Is this some sort kind of trick?" He felt something stir in the air around them. There was a powerful force at work here.
Lina raised her arms above her head and began to weave a spell.
Phil quickly shoved Zelgadis into the safety of the house and caught Emily as she fell. His eyes widened in horror at the sight. Three arrows pierced her back in different places. He quickly dragged her into the house before another volley could be fired.
Amelia quickly barred the door. Glancing around the sparsely furnished home, she quickly grabbed a blanket and spread it on the floor. "Set her here Phil."
Phil gently lowered Emily onto the blanket.
Amelia immediately went to work on removing the arrows.
Emily groaned in pain. "Why do I always get stabbed in the back?" She reached out to Phil who took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I really wish you hadn't done that." Phil smiled at her. He looked at her back where Amelia was carefully working the second arrow out. He sighed. "You always have to outdo everyone don't you? You even have to get shot more."
Emily giggled briefly before wincing in pain. "Ow! That's me. Ultra competitive."
Amelia gave Phil a disapproving look. "Don't make her laugh. I need her to stay calm." She cast a Recovery spell on Emily.
Zelgadis carefully rotated his shoulder. No pain. It was amazing. His wound was totally healed in minutes. He stood up and walked over to where Emily was lying on the floor. "That was a pretty stupid thing to do." He knelt down next to her and smiled. "Thanks anyway though."
Emily tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace. "We're even now right?"
Zelgadis thought for a moment. "I suppose so."
There was a crash as something heavy slammed into the door.
Zelgadis stood and drew his sword. "Damn it! I thought we would have a little longer before they got to us."
Emily struggled to stand.
Amelia and Phil fought equally hard to hold her down.
Another crash and the door began to buckle.
"Let me go! He can't fight them all on his own!"
Amelia frowned. "Emily, please hold still. You're going to aggravate you wounds and it will take even longer to heal." She saw fresh splotches of blood on the back of Emily's shirt. She shook her head and sighed. "You really are as stubborn as Lina."
Phil squeezed Emily's hand and smiled at her reassuringly. "Please relax. I'm sure Mr. Greywords can handle it."
Emily looked back and forth between the two nervously. "But. . ."
Zelgadis waved Emily off. "This is nothing. Now that I have a little time to cast, I can end this battle immediately."
The others watched as Zelgadis gathered his immense power within himself. For an instant, the space around him seemed to ripple.
"Earth below me, submit to my will. . ." Zelgadis raised his right hand over his head.
Phil watched in awe. "A Stone Spiker!"
Another crash and the door folded in half. Several men holding a battering ram stood on the other side of the doorway. Behind them the rest of the soldiers crowed around.
Zelgadis smiled. "Just what I was waiting for." He slammed his palm into the ground. "Dug Haut!"
The earth rumbled briefly as the soldiers looked around in fear. Suddenly, spears of stone shot up from the ground impaling most of the soldiers upon them. Those that survived quickly scattered revealing an incredibly angry Prince Edward.
Zelgadis stepped out of the house and moved towards calmly towards Edward, ignoring the groans of the dying men around him. He kept walking until he was right next to Edward's horse. He smiled at the prince. "Hi."
Edward glared at him trying to find the words to express his complete and utter hatred for Zelgadis. He settled on a single word. "Idiot!"
Zelgadis grinned and yanked Edward unceremoniously off his horse.
Amelia finished her recovery spell and inspected her work. She smiled at Emily. "That should be okay, but don't move for a little while."
Emily and Phil watched as Amelia stood and left the room. They smiled at each other.
Amelia walked angrily up to Edward and stuck a finger in his face. "You see what happens when you try to fight against the mighty force of righteousness?"
Zelgadis shrugged. "Well, actually I did most of the work. . ."
Amelia ignored him and continued her vicious verbal assault. "Now Edward, for all the wickedness that you've spread in this world, you will sit and be judged in the Court of Justice!"
Edward slumped. "I was afraid that you were going to say that."
Phil smiled as he watched his mother berate Edward.
Emily tugged on the edge of Phil's cloak to get his attention. "Phil, help me up okay?" Emily pointed towards the door. "I want to see this guy get it."
Phil grinned and scooped Emily up in his arms, carefully avoiding any of the injuries on her back. "As you wish, Emily." He carried her over to the door.
Emily was blushing furiously. She struggled to get out of Phil's arms. "Phil, put me down! I don't want anyone to see me like this! This is so embarrassing!" She glanced out the door. Thankfully, Amelia and Zelgadis seemed to be occupied with Edward at this point.
Phil chuckled. "Please calm down Emily. I don't want to see you hurt yourself again." He gazed into her eyes and smiled. "Okay?"
Emily quietly nodded, mesmerized by Phil's deep blue eyes. "Alright."
They both turned to look out at events unfolding in the street.
Amelia had been mercilessly criticizing Edward for the past ten minutes. ". . .and furthermore, I can't believe that you would try to have your own son killed! That was a terribly unjust thing to do Edward! The gods are glaring down at you even as we speak!"
Edward muttered, "I can't imagine them being any worse than you."
Zelgadis was sitting on the ground crying. He pleaded with Amelia. "Amelia, please stop! Even I've forgiven him at this point!"
Amelia continued on unperturbed. "Only by embracing the path of righteousness can you ever hope to be redeemed Edward! Now, repeat after me! Life is wonderful!"
Edward stared at her for a moment. He could feel his sanity cracking. "Life is wonderful. . ."
Amelia smiled. "Louder!"
Edward forced himself to smile. "Life is wonderful!"
Amelia shook her head. "With more feeling!"
Edward twitched. "LIFE IS WONDERFUL!"
Amelia clapped her hands. "Great! Now you just keep working on that until you've made up for all the evil you've done!"
That was too much for Edward to bear. He screamed and fled down the street. Pausing about half a block away, he turned back and pointed at the group. "When I find Xellos, you people are going to be in so much trouble! You mark my words! You haven't heard the last. . ."
A flaming wall collapsed on Edward as the others watched.
Zelgadis sighed. "Well, I guess that's the end of that huh?"
Amelia sighed and wiped away a tear. "Poor Edward. I was so sure that I could help him become a true ally of justice."
Zelgadis looked at the pile of burning rubble that concealed Edward's body. "No, I think that he's probably a lot happier this way."
Phil shook his head. "But Mr. Greywords, he's dead!"
Zelgadis nodded. "Exactly."
They stood for a moment longer watching the flames when Emily spoke up.
"Hey, where is that Xellos guy anyway?" Emily looked around from her position in Phil's arms.
Zelgadis looked at her surprised. "That's right. Why didn't he fight us?"
Amelia frowned. "It's not like Xellos to run from us. He could have beaten us pretty easily."
Emily's eyes widened. "Mom. . ." She wiggled out of Phil's grasp and sprinted down the street towards the temple ruins. "He's going after mom! Come on!"
A moment later, everyone else ran after her.
Next chapter: Lina's time is up. Will she make it to the Sea of Chaos, or will Xellos finish her?
Notes: Two chapters left and then we're through. I enjoyed writing this chapter immensely. I hope nobody found Lina to be OOC here. I think anyone would be a little down after realizing that his or her life was over. Hope everyone liked Edward's end. Like I said before I was trying to put a little humor into what would otherwise be a very dark chapter.
