A/N: And here you are. The end. Please review, and thank you for your readership and support.
Lina awoke a short time later to ash-filled sunlight, her friends' faces hovering at the edges of her vision. Her children were there, and the fingers of her left hand ached from holding Xellos' hand so tightly in hers. Although he did not stir, she could feel him through the rings. They were alive. Everything would be okay.
They took their injured selves back home, where a joyous group, led by Gourry and Filia, greeted them. The homefront had remained quiet after an initial attack by demons, all of which had been easily defeated by Filia and the Greywords children. Everyone stayed until Lina and Xellos had fully recuperated, and then it was time for them to return to their respective homes. Lecia and Val remained for a while before departing to Wolfpack Island, and Gorran lingered to look after his parents, just to make sure the Lord of Nightmares hadn't left them any nasty surprises. Soon, though, he felt the need to go to Seyruun and plan his wedding, and Xellos and Lina could hardly deny him.
Husband and wife had some time to themselves to relax andreflect upon what had happened, and they vowed to never be separated. "We're partners, in all things," Lina told her husband. "The Lord of Nightmares has shown us both compassion. I believe that when it's finally time to leave this world, we'll do so together."
"I agree," Xellos said to his wife, and held her close.
Gorran and Kerra were married a short while later amid the fanfare only a royal family could afford, the entire country of Seyruun turning out to celebrate their union. Xellos sniffled through the entire ceremony, and even Lina became misty-eyed. The couple left right away for their honeymoon, spending it at a little cabin near the mountains, which was a wedding present from Gorran's parents. Xellos was certain they would have a lovely time. When the newlyweds returned, they would take up residence in the Inverse homestead, caring for the garden until such time as Lina and Xellos decided to return from their travels. Even though Gorran and Kerra had gone, and Lecia and Val hadn't stayed for much longer after their departure (Xellos confided to Lina that he thought Lecia enjoyed her newfound teleportation powers far more than was healthy), Lina and Xellos decided to remain in thevicinity of Seyruunfor a while.
"So where are you two headed first?" Gourry asked, surrendering a steak to Lina's rapacious appetite.
Xellos sighed and watched his wife wolf down meat as he helped Sylphiel put another round of food on the table. "Probably to the other continent," he replied, since Lina's mouth was too full to talk. Not that the fact prevented her from trying, of course. "From there we'll probably go where the wind takes us. There is much Lina hasn't seen, and the world has changed greatly since I last traveled the whole of it."
"Sounds like you'll be gone for a while," Zelgadis said, passing a plate to Amelia.
"Probably," Xellos murmured, smiling. "But it doesn't bother me at all. I think Lina prefers the road, anyway."
"Can you blame me?" she said. "Look at where settling down almost got us!"
"It was like that on the road, too," Zelgadis sighed. "Not that you'd remember...."
"Oh, it's fine," Amelia chastised. "There's nothing to worry about now, except for human threats, and I think they can handle those."
"Of course they can," Sylphiel crooned. "You two just be careful. We'll send word if you're still gone by Alfred's coronation."
"That would be lovely," Xellos replied, taking a seat.
Gourry beamed, his blue eyes glistening. "It's wonderful things turned out the way they did. We were worried, for a while."
"We appreciate your concern," Xellos smiled.
The large blonde poured a glass of wine and passed the bottle around. When everyone had their share, he raised his glass high. "To friends and family!" he boomed, grinning.
"And love," Xellos murmured, and kissed Lina as she laughed.