Wesley stood numb, in shock. The battle was over. He never expected Illyria to die. Afterall, she was to have lived forever. She lay disheveled, her body mangled, so still. She put up a fight. He had expected her to retrieve back to her fighting position. Ever so fearless! But, she was powerless.
Her eyes closed, as if asleep. She showed no signs of life, her chest, no movement. Wesley walks around her, crouching down. Tenderly, he pushes her long flowing blue hair away from her gothically beautiful face. Pulling down her shield of armor to cover her bruises, her knife wounds caused blood to flow slowly out of her. Untangling her, he laid her in a comfortable position, wiping away blood off of her face. Her arms lay atop her front, hands folded, with her fingers interlocking each other as if in a praying position. She was like a soldier standing at attention, only laying down.
Angel, Spike and Gunn stood motionless watching their friend in awe.
Wesley had finally begun to accept her presence around him. He knew he could have eventually fallen in love with her, if he hadn't already. Looking down at Illyria, she had that calming look on her face, as if finally at peace. Not that look of confusion, cocking her head, not being able to comprehend her new surroundings, at times fearful of the future that lies ahead for her.
He gently stroked her hair softly and slowly with one hand, the other wiping his tears away, flowing rapidly down his cheeks. Never would he have ever imagined this tragic outcome of her life or that he would one day be grieving over a demon.
Angel approaches Wesley, puts his arms around his shoulders. There were no words to describe what he was feeling. Having his friends around was all the comfort he needed.
Wesley turns to his friends. "Wait. One final moment before I leave."
He feather-light kisses her on her lips, then brushes a few strands of hair away, putting it in place. Bending down to her, he whispers in her ear.
"There, my love, you look magnificent. Simply magnificent."
Taking a step back, Wesley joins Angel, Spike and Gunn, silently they walk away.