Disclaimer: I don't own the Slayers. That won't stop me from ruining
their lives though.
************************************************************************
Lina felt the presence within her becoming more restless as she continued to cast her spell. She had to kill Xellos before she left. She was fairly certain that Zelgadis and the others would be able to defeat Edward, but the demon priest was another matter entirely.
Xellos looked around the room doubtfully. "A golem creation spell Lina? What on earth do you plan to use?"
Lina continued to channel her magical power into the room. She looked at Xellos confidently. "This!"
The shards of crystal that had been scattered across the chamber now began to flow together until they formed a vaguely humanoid shape that stood several stories high. The newly created golem looked around for a moment before its gaze settled on Xellos. It roared at him in a strangely musical voice. It sounded like hundreds of wind chimes.
Xellos regarded the creature with an amused expression on his face. "Very pretty." He turned to Lina, ignoring the golem's advance. "But surely you know that no mere golem can hope to stand against me?"
Lina nodded. "I know. But this golem isn't normal. It's formed from the remaining shards of the prison that Phibrizzo constructed for the souls of Sairaag. A very powerful magical artifact. Therefore, it should be able to hurt you."
Xellos chuckled. "Very innovative Lina! But. . ." He disappeared just as the golem's fist came crashing down. He reappeared standing atop the creature's head. "Do you honestly expect something this slow to be able to strike me?"
Lina grinned confidently. "Yeah, because I'm not done yet!" She quickly whipped out some sunglasses and put them on. "Lighting!" She cast the spell directly on the golem.
The golem's crystal body reflected and amplified the power of the spell a thousand times over. The resulting flash would have boiled a normal person's eyes in their sockets.
Xellos was far from normal though. He shrieked and covered his eyes. "Damn you Lina!"
Lina clapped and pointed at the priest who was floating in midair trying to recover from her attack. "Go get him big guy!"
The golem grunted in agreement and smashed Xellos against the wall with a fist the size of a large troll. It ground its fist into the wall for a few seconds before pulling away to reveal the trickster priest lying in an indention in the stone with multiple shards of crystal skewering his body.
************************************************************************
Emily ran through the ruins, unmindful of the treacherous footing caused by the rubble. Her mind was on one thing and one thing alone. She had to keep her promise. She had to help her mom. She whispered to herself, "I'm not going to let you down. I said I'd be with you at the end and I will be. Just wait a little longer okay?"
The others were a short distance behind her, trying to be a bit more cautious in their movements.
Zelgadis almost tripped on a jagged rock. "Damn it! If this hall wasn't so narrow, we could just Ray Wing our way there!"
Amelia nodded. "Zelgadis, do you know where Lina was going?"
Zelgadis shrugged. "I think she's going to get the last fragment, but I don't understand why she couldn't have waited until after the battle."
Emily yelled back to them. "Mom has to leave. She didn't have any time left, so she ran off on her own."
Phil shook his head. "What do you mean? Where is she going?"
Emily sighed. "For as long as I can remember, mom's had these dreams. . ."
************************************************************************
Lina watched Xellos with no small amount of satisfaction on her face. "Oh, Xellos! Does that hurt? I really hope it does."
Xellos slowly pulled himself out of the wall. Lacking the strength to fly, he went plummeting to the ground where he landed in a heap. He looked up at Lina and smiled. A shard of crystal had been shoved through one of his eyes, temporarily ruining his good looks. "That was good Lina. Excellent, in fact."
The golem growled at Xellos and took a step forward sending a small tremor through the room.
Xellos stood and dusted himself off, totally disregarding the crystal that pierced his body in places that would have been lethal to a human. After all, his form was just a mask. Even the crystal piercing his eye didn't impede his vision. He grinned. "Trust the sorcery genius Lina Inverse to make the impossible possible." He regarded Lina with a predatory look. "No human has ever harmed me before. Congratulations." He reached up and ripped the shard of crystal from his face leaving a gaping hole filled with negative energy. "That. . . tickled."
Lina smirked. "Yeah, right! You talk big Xellos, but admit it. I hurt you." She pointed at him angrily. "And if I can hurt you, I can kill you. That scares you doesn't it?"
Xellos was busy removing the last of the shards from his body. "You're an annoyance Lina. A fly to be swatted and nothing more." He glanced at her. There was something there. Those golden eyes hid something from him, but what? Before he had time to ponder that question, the golem roared and lunged at him again.
Lina watched as Xellos teleported just before the golem brought its foot down on his head. She glanced around the chamber warily. "Where'd he go?"
"Why, right here Lina!" Xellos called down to her from the top of the golem's head. "What do you say? Let's put your little toy away and get down to business, shall we?" He raised his staff over his head.
Lina worked quickly to raise a shield when she realized what Xellos was doing.
"Blast Bomb!" Xellos smashed his staff into the top of the golem's head causing a huge explosion that scattered jagged bits of crystal death in every direction. He disappeared immediately after impact, avoiding the deadly shower.
Lina gritted her teeth as she struggled to maintain the shield. If it fell she would instantly be cooked by the flames and then sliced into confetti by the shards. Her golden eyes brightened as she unconsciously tapped into the power hidden within her. She muttered, "I know. I'm working as fast as I can!" She cocked her head as if listening to something and grinned wickedly. "That's pretty sneaky. I bet it'll work! I want to add something to your idea though. . ."
Xellos reappeared as the rain of crystal came to an end. He looked at Lina surprised. "Oh? Not dead yet Lina? You are tenacious aren't you? Far more than Gourry was."
Lina glared at Xellos. "Don't you dare talk about him!" Her anger quickly faded and she smirked. "Actually, talk all you want Xellos. You're only making your punishment worse."
Xellos disappeared only to reappear inches in front of Lina. "Punishment?" He backhanded her knocking her into a wall. "Lina, I know that you are well aware of my power. Let's drop the charade shall we?"
Lina picked herself up off the floor and wiped some blood from her mouth. She considered for a moment before sighing. "You're absolutely right Xellos. I do know what you're capable of. It won't even really be a struggle will it?" She began to unfasten something on her cloak.
Xellos smiled for a moment until Lina threw something at him. Several things actually. He caught the objects and examined them.
Four stone talismans with blood red stones imbedded in them.
Xellos looked up at Lina surprised. "These are. . ."
Lina nodded. "That's right Xellos. The power amplification talismans that you sold me all those years ago." She winked at him, her eyes almost glowing at this point. "I hope those are enough to make this a fair fight. In fact, just to show what a generous person I am, I'm not even going to charge you for them. Enjoy!"
Xellos looked at Lina, back down to the talismans, and finally back at Lina again. Her eyes. What was wrong with her eyes? He shrugged and snapped the talismans into place on his wrists, belt and collar. "Lina, I believe that you really have gone mad. Or are you just suicidal?"
Lina briefly thought of the doom awaiting her, but shrugged the thoughts off. It was too late for regrets. "Maybe I am a bit suicidal Xellos, but I'm taking you with me when I go." She began to gesture for a spell. "Lord of Darkness and the four worlds. . ."
Xellos smiled and advanced on Lina blindingly fast. "You should have known that I wouldn't let you do that." Destructive energy flew from his staff at her. "Time to bring this game to an end."
Lina smiled and deflected the dark power with a perfectly formed Ragna Blade. She had made no effort to form the blade and it was entirely under her control. "Gotcha!"
Xellos's one eye widened in shock. "How?" He continued to fly towards her unable to stop his momentum. Out of pure desperation, he shifted over to the astral plane. He saw that it would do no good though. Lina's blade continued to fly towards him tearing a jagged gash through the dimensional walls.
Lina swung the blade. Unlike every other time she had cast the spell, the power was utterly under her control. Instead of an unfocused beam of energy, the blade wasn't even flickering. To the untrained eye, it would have appeared to be darkness solidified.
Xellos had vanished, but Lina knew that he had no time to avoid her attack. There was no resistance as the blade swung through the air. Had he somehow dodged her attack? She looked over her shoulder to see Xellos standing with his back to her.
Xellos looked confused. Surely Lina hadn't missed him? He looked down at himself and noted that he seemed to be intact. Suddenly, his staff fell into two pieces, severed right down the middle. He looked down at himself, horrified to see his body below the waist falling away from the rest of him. He screamed in anguish as he fell unceremoniously to the floor.
Lina turned and calmly walked towards Xellos, the Ragna Blade still pulsing with energy in her hand.
"H-how can this be?" Xellos scrambled backwards, trying to get away from Lina. "You didn't cast the spell! I heard you! You didn't finish the incantation!" He spoke to her as if accusing her of cheating at some game they had been playing.
Lina looked down at the fallen demon with a cold expression. She held up the Ragna Blade briefly before dispelling it. "I don't need to cast a spell to summon what is already mine." She looked down at him with her golden eyes glowing brightly.
Xellos gasped. He finally understood. "You are. . ."
Lina knelt next to him and nodded. "And I'm not pleased with what you've done Xellos. You took Gourry from me. I must take something from you in return." She placed her hand on his head and muttered an incantation.
Xellos screamed as he felt his body being ripped apart by the power Lina was channeling through him. He disappeared in a flash of light.
In her realm, Zelas sat up on her cushions with a concerned expression on her face. She felt her link to her priest-general violently severed. She muttered, "My Xellos? Dead?"
Lina stood and sighed. She was cutting it close. The Golden Lord within her was almost awake. She looked around and spotted what she was looking for.
A jet-black stone was lying in the ruins of the battlefield. The last Soul Render fragment.
Lina held out her hand and the stone left the ground and floated over to her. Upon touching the stone, it began to glow with a golden light. She opened her satchel and the other fragments floated out.
As Lina watched, the four fragments came together to form a single large stone. The Soul Render glowed brighter illuminating the entire chamber. Suddenly, the artifact disappeared to be replaced by a portal.
Lina looked through the portal and immediately felt sick to her stomach. The Sea of Chaos awaited her. She sighed and looked around one last time, trying to remember everything that she loved about this world. Trying to find a way to say goodbye. Tears were running down her cheeks as she stepped towards the portal. "Goodbye Emily. Be well." She took another hesitant step towards the portal. . .
"Mom!"
Lina looked up to see Emily and the others floating down the shaft towards her.
Emily hit the ground running and flung herself into Lina's arms, almost knocking her off her feet.
Lina embraced Emily for the last time. "Hey, you made it!"
Emily was smiling through her tears. "Of course! I told you that I'd be with you at the end."
"I never doubted you for a minute." Lina pulled away from Emily and looked her over lovingly, trying to commit every detail of her child to memory. "Don't forget what I said. This is your world now. Enjoy it while you can." She winked. "But not too much, okay?"
Emily nodded. "Yeah."
Lina squeezed her tightly. "I'll miss you, baby." She kissed Emily's forehead. "I love you."
Emily squeezed Lina even harder. "Bye mom. I love you too."
Lina released Emily and turned to Phil. She whispered to him with a sweet smile on her face. "I swear if you do anything to hurt my little girl, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life."
Phil looked pale. "Of. . . of course not! I would never. . ."
Lina grinned and elbowed him in the ribs. "Just kidding! You're so uptight!" She glanced at Emily again. "Seriously though. Make sure she's happy."
Phil nodded. "Yes ma'am."
Emily walked over to Phil. "What did she say to you?"
Phil looked at Lina who was smiling at him evilly. "Oh, nothing important."
Emily leaned against Phil. "Really?" She smiled when he put an arm around her.
Phil shook his head. "She didn't say anything that I dare to repeat."
Lina turned to Zel and opened her arms.
Zel smiled. "Goodbye Lina." He hugged her tightly.
Lina whispered in his ear while returning his embrace. "I forgive you for your part in everything. I'm sure Gourry does too. That's the kind of guy he was you know. So, don't let it bother you okay? She sighed. "Rezo apologizes for everything that he did, so don't live for anger anymore Zel. Be happy." She smiled at Amelia. "Make her happy."
Zelgadis nodded.
Lina blinked and looked at Zelgadis again. She smiled. "Zel, are you crying?"
Zelgadis sniffed and wiped his eyes. "I didn't know that I still could."
"You must be more human than you think." Lina kissed Zelgadis's cheek. "Bye, Zel."
Zelgadis smiled and released Lina.
Lina turned to Amelia who was weeping openly. She hugged her. "Hey, Amelia. Our little reunion was fun, huh?"
Amelia nodded. "Just like before. We managed to raze Sairaag again."
Lina chuckled. "I'm sure they're used to it by now. Besides, with Seyruun's help it'll be as good as new in no time right?"
"Better than it ever was."
"I'm really going to miss you. You've been like a little sister to me. You're happy now, aren't you?"
Amelia looked at Zelgadis and smiled. "Yeah, I suppose so Miss Lina. Thanks for everything."
"Watch out for Emily whenever you can, okay?"
Amelia nodded. "Of course. Goodbye Miss Lina."
Lina turned towards the gateway. "Time to go." She stepped up to the threshold of the portal before she turned. She smiled at Emily one last time. "Take care everybody." She gave them a wave and then she was gone in a flash of light.
Light surrounded Lina once more. But instead of the soft light of her dreams, this light was violent. Her clothes were burned away immediately and her flesh quickly began to warp as the chaos took hold. She screamed in agony as she felt herself being torn apart. It was so hot.
Gradually, something changed. In the beginning everything had been agony. Now she began to feel cooler. Soon after, the light surrounding her began to dim. Lina closed her eyes and sighed. So this was what death felt like. . .so gentle. She happily slipped into its comfortable embrace.
And then the mortal Lina Inverse, sorcery genius, bandit slayer, and savior of the world ceased to be.
************************************************************************
Next chapter: Farewells and retellings. Also, a heaping pile of author's notes.
Notes: Well I hope that the climax didn't suck. What did everyone think? It can't possibly be any worse than the ending I had for the story before. I turned Slayers into Dragonball Z. *Shudder* It really was pretty atrocious.
One more chapter to go and we're through. Until the inevitable follow up anyway. . .
Stara, I decided to take your advice. Well, how's it look? I've been going back through and fixing the other chapters, but it's been kinda slow going.
Matakishi, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but no happy ending for Lina in this one, huh?
************************************************************************
Lina felt the presence within her becoming more restless as she continued to cast her spell. She had to kill Xellos before she left. She was fairly certain that Zelgadis and the others would be able to defeat Edward, but the demon priest was another matter entirely.
Xellos looked around the room doubtfully. "A golem creation spell Lina? What on earth do you plan to use?"
Lina continued to channel her magical power into the room. She looked at Xellos confidently. "This!"
The shards of crystal that had been scattered across the chamber now began to flow together until they formed a vaguely humanoid shape that stood several stories high. The newly created golem looked around for a moment before its gaze settled on Xellos. It roared at him in a strangely musical voice. It sounded like hundreds of wind chimes.
Xellos regarded the creature with an amused expression on his face. "Very pretty." He turned to Lina, ignoring the golem's advance. "But surely you know that no mere golem can hope to stand against me?"
Lina nodded. "I know. But this golem isn't normal. It's formed from the remaining shards of the prison that Phibrizzo constructed for the souls of Sairaag. A very powerful magical artifact. Therefore, it should be able to hurt you."
Xellos chuckled. "Very innovative Lina! But. . ." He disappeared just as the golem's fist came crashing down. He reappeared standing atop the creature's head. "Do you honestly expect something this slow to be able to strike me?"
Lina grinned confidently. "Yeah, because I'm not done yet!" She quickly whipped out some sunglasses and put them on. "Lighting!" She cast the spell directly on the golem.
The golem's crystal body reflected and amplified the power of the spell a thousand times over. The resulting flash would have boiled a normal person's eyes in their sockets.
Xellos was far from normal though. He shrieked and covered his eyes. "Damn you Lina!"
Lina clapped and pointed at the priest who was floating in midair trying to recover from her attack. "Go get him big guy!"
The golem grunted in agreement and smashed Xellos against the wall with a fist the size of a large troll. It ground its fist into the wall for a few seconds before pulling away to reveal the trickster priest lying in an indention in the stone with multiple shards of crystal skewering his body.
************************************************************************
Emily ran through the ruins, unmindful of the treacherous footing caused by the rubble. Her mind was on one thing and one thing alone. She had to keep her promise. She had to help her mom. She whispered to herself, "I'm not going to let you down. I said I'd be with you at the end and I will be. Just wait a little longer okay?"
The others were a short distance behind her, trying to be a bit more cautious in their movements.
Zelgadis almost tripped on a jagged rock. "Damn it! If this hall wasn't so narrow, we could just Ray Wing our way there!"
Amelia nodded. "Zelgadis, do you know where Lina was going?"
Zelgadis shrugged. "I think she's going to get the last fragment, but I don't understand why she couldn't have waited until after the battle."
Emily yelled back to them. "Mom has to leave. She didn't have any time left, so she ran off on her own."
Phil shook his head. "What do you mean? Where is she going?"
Emily sighed. "For as long as I can remember, mom's had these dreams. . ."
************************************************************************
Lina watched Xellos with no small amount of satisfaction on her face. "Oh, Xellos! Does that hurt? I really hope it does."
Xellos slowly pulled himself out of the wall. Lacking the strength to fly, he went plummeting to the ground where he landed in a heap. He looked up at Lina and smiled. A shard of crystal had been shoved through one of his eyes, temporarily ruining his good looks. "That was good Lina. Excellent, in fact."
The golem growled at Xellos and took a step forward sending a small tremor through the room.
Xellos stood and dusted himself off, totally disregarding the crystal that pierced his body in places that would have been lethal to a human. After all, his form was just a mask. Even the crystal piercing his eye didn't impede his vision. He grinned. "Trust the sorcery genius Lina Inverse to make the impossible possible." He regarded Lina with a predatory look. "No human has ever harmed me before. Congratulations." He reached up and ripped the shard of crystal from his face leaving a gaping hole filled with negative energy. "That. . . tickled."
Lina smirked. "Yeah, right! You talk big Xellos, but admit it. I hurt you." She pointed at him angrily. "And if I can hurt you, I can kill you. That scares you doesn't it?"
Xellos was busy removing the last of the shards from his body. "You're an annoyance Lina. A fly to be swatted and nothing more." He glanced at her. There was something there. Those golden eyes hid something from him, but what? Before he had time to ponder that question, the golem roared and lunged at him again.
Lina watched as Xellos teleported just before the golem brought its foot down on his head. She glanced around the chamber warily. "Where'd he go?"
"Why, right here Lina!" Xellos called down to her from the top of the golem's head. "What do you say? Let's put your little toy away and get down to business, shall we?" He raised his staff over his head.
Lina worked quickly to raise a shield when she realized what Xellos was doing.
"Blast Bomb!" Xellos smashed his staff into the top of the golem's head causing a huge explosion that scattered jagged bits of crystal death in every direction. He disappeared immediately after impact, avoiding the deadly shower.
Lina gritted her teeth as she struggled to maintain the shield. If it fell she would instantly be cooked by the flames and then sliced into confetti by the shards. Her golden eyes brightened as she unconsciously tapped into the power hidden within her. She muttered, "I know. I'm working as fast as I can!" She cocked her head as if listening to something and grinned wickedly. "That's pretty sneaky. I bet it'll work! I want to add something to your idea though. . ."
Xellos reappeared as the rain of crystal came to an end. He looked at Lina surprised. "Oh? Not dead yet Lina? You are tenacious aren't you? Far more than Gourry was."
Lina glared at Xellos. "Don't you dare talk about him!" Her anger quickly faded and she smirked. "Actually, talk all you want Xellos. You're only making your punishment worse."
Xellos disappeared only to reappear inches in front of Lina. "Punishment?" He backhanded her knocking her into a wall. "Lina, I know that you are well aware of my power. Let's drop the charade shall we?"
Lina picked herself up off the floor and wiped some blood from her mouth. She considered for a moment before sighing. "You're absolutely right Xellos. I do know what you're capable of. It won't even really be a struggle will it?" She began to unfasten something on her cloak.
Xellos smiled for a moment until Lina threw something at him. Several things actually. He caught the objects and examined them.
Four stone talismans with blood red stones imbedded in them.
Xellos looked up at Lina surprised. "These are. . ."
Lina nodded. "That's right Xellos. The power amplification talismans that you sold me all those years ago." She winked at him, her eyes almost glowing at this point. "I hope those are enough to make this a fair fight. In fact, just to show what a generous person I am, I'm not even going to charge you for them. Enjoy!"
Xellos looked at Lina, back down to the talismans, and finally back at Lina again. Her eyes. What was wrong with her eyes? He shrugged and snapped the talismans into place on his wrists, belt and collar. "Lina, I believe that you really have gone mad. Or are you just suicidal?"
Lina briefly thought of the doom awaiting her, but shrugged the thoughts off. It was too late for regrets. "Maybe I am a bit suicidal Xellos, but I'm taking you with me when I go." She began to gesture for a spell. "Lord of Darkness and the four worlds. . ."
Xellos smiled and advanced on Lina blindingly fast. "You should have known that I wouldn't let you do that." Destructive energy flew from his staff at her. "Time to bring this game to an end."
Lina smiled and deflected the dark power with a perfectly formed Ragna Blade. She had made no effort to form the blade and it was entirely under her control. "Gotcha!"
Xellos's one eye widened in shock. "How?" He continued to fly towards her unable to stop his momentum. Out of pure desperation, he shifted over to the astral plane. He saw that it would do no good though. Lina's blade continued to fly towards him tearing a jagged gash through the dimensional walls.
Lina swung the blade. Unlike every other time she had cast the spell, the power was utterly under her control. Instead of an unfocused beam of energy, the blade wasn't even flickering. To the untrained eye, it would have appeared to be darkness solidified.
Xellos had vanished, but Lina knew that he had no time to avoid her attack. There was no resistance as the blade swung through the air. Had he somehow dodged her attack? She looked over her shoulder to see Xellos standing with his back to her.
Xellos looked confused. Surely Lina hadn't missed him? He looked down at himself and noted that he seemed to be intact. Suddenly, his staff fell into two pieces, severed right down the middle. He looked down at himself, horrified to see his body below the waist falling away from the rest of him. He screamed in anguish as he fell unceremoniously to the floor.
Lina turned and calmly walked towards Xellos, the Ragna Blade still pulsing with energy in her hand.
"H-how can this be?" Xellos scrambled backwards, trying to get away from Lina. "You didn't cast the spell! I heard you! You didn't finish the incantation!" He spoke to her as if accusing her of cheating at some game they had been playing.
Lina looked down at the fallen demon with a cold expression. She held up the Ragna Blade briefly before dispelling it. "I don't need to cast a spell to summon what is already mine." She looked down at him with her golden eyes glowing brightly.
Xellos gasped. He finally understood. "You are. . ."
Lina knelt next to him and nodded. "And I'm not pleased with what you've done Xellos. You took Gourry from me. I must take something from you in return." She placed her hand on his head and muttered an incantation.
Xellos screamed as he felt his body being ripped apart by the power Lina was channeling through him. He disappeared in a flash of light.
In her realm, Zelas sat up on her cushions with a concerned expression on her face. She felt her link to her priest-general violently severed. She muttered, "My Xellos? Dead?"
Lina stood and sighed. She was cutting it close. The Golden Lord within her was almost awake. She looked around and spotted what she was looking for.
A jet-black stone was lying in the ruins of the battlefield. The last Soul Render fragment.
Lina held out her hand and the stone left the ground and floated over to her. Upon touching the stone, it began to glow with a golden light. She opened her satchel and the other fragments floated out.
As Lina watched, the four fragments came together to form a single large stone. The Soul Render glowed brighter illuminating the entire chamber. Suddenly, the artifact disappeared to be replaced by a portal.
Lina looked through the portal and immediately felt sick to her stomach. The Sea of Chaos awaited her. She sighed and looked around one last time, trying to remember everything that she loved about this world. Trying to find a way to say goodbye. Tears were running down her cheeks as she stepped towards the portal. "Goodbye Emily. Be well." She took another hesitant step towards the portal. . .
"Mom!"
Lina looked up to see Emily and the others floating down the shaft towards her.
Emily hit the ground running and flung herself into Lina's arms, almost knocking her off her feet.
Lina embraced Emily for the last time. "Hey, you made it!"
Emily was smiling through her tears. "Of course! I told you that I'd be with you at the end."
"I never doubted you for a minute." Lina pulled away from Emily and looked her over lovingly, trying to commit every detail of her child to memory. "Don't forget what I said. This is your world now. Enjoy it while you can." She winked. "But not too much, okay?"
Emily nodded. "Yeah."
Lina squeezed her tightly. "I'll miss you, baby." She kissed Emily's forehead. "I love you."
Emily squeezed Lina even harder. "Bye mom. I love you too."
Lina released Emily and turned to Phil. She whispered to him with a sweet smile on her face. "I swear if you do anything to hurt my little girl, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life."
Phil looked pale. "Of. . . of course not! I would never. . ."
Lina grinned and elbowed him in the ribs. "Just kidding! You're so uptight!" She glanced at Emily again. "Seriously though. Make sure she's happy."
Phil nodded. "Yes ma'am."
Emily walked over to Phil. "What did she say to you?"
Phil looked at Lina who was smiling at him evilly. "Oh, nothing important."
Emily leaned against Phil. "Really?" She smiled when he put an arm around her.
Phil shook his head. "She didn't say anything that I dare to repeat."
Lina turned to Zel and opened her arms.
Zel smiled. "Goodbye Lina." He hugged her tightly.
Lina whispered in his ear while returning his embrace. "I forgive you for your part in everything. I'm sure Gourry does too. That's the kind of guy he was you know. So, don't let it bother you okay? She sighed. "Rezo apologizes for everything that he did, so don't live for anger anymore Zel. Be happy." She smiled at Amelia. "Make her happy."
Zelgadis nodded.
Lina blinked and looked at Zelgadis again. She smiled. "Zel, are you crying?"
Zelgadis sniffed and wiped his eyes. "I didn't know that I still could."
"You must be more human than you think." Lina kissed Zelgadis's cheek. "Bye, Zel."
Zelgadis smiled and released Lina.
Lina turned to Amelia who was weeping openly. She hugged her. "Hey, Amelia. Our little reunion was fun, huh?"
Amelia nodded. "Just like before. We managed to raze Sairaag again."
Lina chuckled. "I'm sure they're used to it by now. Besides, with Seyruun's help it'll be as good as new in no time right?"
"Better than it ever was."
"I'm really going to miss you. You've been like a little sister to me. You're happy now, aren't you?"
Amelia looked at Zelgadis and smiled. "Yeah, I suppose so Miss Lina. Thanks for everything."
"Watch out for Emily whenever you can, okay?"
Amelia nodded. "Of course. Goodbye Miss Lina."
Lina turned towards the gateway. "Time to go." She stepped up to the threshold of the portal before she turned. She smiled at Emily one last time. "Take care everybody." She gave them a wave and then she was gone in a flash of light.
Light surrounded Lina once more. But instead of the soft light of her dreams, this light was violent. Her clothes were burned away immediately and her flesh quickly began to warp as the chaos took hold. She screamed in agony as she felt herself being torn apart. It was so hot.
Gradually, something changed. In the beginning everything had been agony. Now she began to feel cooler. Soon after, the light surrounding her began to dim. Lina closed her eyes and sighed. So this was what death felt like. . .so gentle. She happily slipped into its comfortable embrace.
And then the mortal Lina Inverse, sorcery genius, bandit slayer, and savior of the world ceased to be.
************************************************************************
Next chapter: Farewells and retellings. Also, a heaping pile of author's notes.
Notes: Well I hope that the climax didn't suck. What did everyone think? It can't possibly be any worse than the ending I had for the story before. I turned Slayers into Dragonball Z. *Shudder* It really was pretty atrocious.
One more chapter to go and we're through. Until the inevitable follow up anyway. . .
Stara, I decided to take your advice. Well, how's it look? I've been going back through and fixing the other chapters, but it's been kinda slow going.
Matakishi, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but no happy ending for Lina in this one, huh?
