As always, I don't own anything. I'm just a fan writing some fiction. Please enjoy!

66- If the Price is Right

The ensuing eruption of dark energy caused even Enrique-Shabranigdo to stop what he was doing and look up.

Lina's silhouette was lost in the vortex of energy, but slowly a golden figure emerged from the background.

"Lina...?" Shizuri gasped.

"I've seen her like this once before." Gourry spoke, his voice shaking. "It means that she... her body is... the Lord of Nightmares..."

"What?!" Lyos snapped. Gourry, however, wasn't listening anymore.

"Oh, Lina... please... please don't lose yourself to chaos..."

The miasma cloud around Enrique-Shabranigdo had dissipated, as the Demon Lord was too transfixed upon the golden figure above him. She stepped off the cliff and slowly descended. The rest of the group landed on the glacier a short distance away, close enough to observe but far enough to be safe from whatever rage the golden being might unleash.

"Are you kidding me?!"

Yeah, something like that.

"Is that... Lina, or the Lord of Nightmares...?" Amelia breathed.

"Every time one of you damn Demon Lords throws a tantrum, I'm expected to take care of it. I do not exist to clean up your messes, you kn- Subordinate S! Listen to me when I'm talking to you!"

Enrique-Shabranigdo stiffened and took a step back. "But Master-"

"Don't but Master me, young man! I designed you for one purpose, and that was to spread chaos. But then a servant of yours sets you free, and what do you do? You get distracted by your own stupid ego!"

"I-I..."

"And then, what? We finally have a Pathosmaster and a Hellmaster, and you destroy them both. You are the reason that the Mazoku can't have nice things!"

"M-master..."

"On top of it all, y-" She stopped abruptly, seeming to notice the other group for the first time. Gourry had been inching steadily closer and closer, but backed up a few steps when he saw the Lord of Nightmares looking at him. She motioned to Enrique-Shabranigdo. "Hold that thought, S. I'll be right back."

The golden figure approached Gourry because he was the closest, but she seemed to be watching the whole group. The swordsman choked on his words as he spoke.

"Are you th-the Lord of Nightmares?"

"I am the infinite, the eternal, the source of all chaos in this world. There are those who call me the Lord of Nightmares. I was graciously given use of this physical form by the faithful servant of mine who inhabited it."

"Will Lina... come back?" Gourry asked.

"Worry not. Her soul is sheltered by the chaos within me. When my work in this plane of existence is finished, she will be returned to her- don't even think about it, S. I see you."

Enrique-Shabranigdo had begun sneaking away, but the Golden Lord's words stopped him short.

"So Lina's gonna be okay, then?"

The Lord of Nightmares gave a nod. "However, I require the use of this form in order to deal with my unruly subordinate. Excuse me."

Enrique-Shabranigdo fell to his knees. "Master, forgive me for letting my ego get the better of me. I swear it won't happen aga-"

"You're damn right it won't happen again." The Lord of Nightmares picked him up by the collar of the boy's shirt.

He squirmed. "Have mercy on me!"

"I won't kill you. There are three pieces of your soul left in human form anyway. But you specifically, I'm taking with me. I've had fun playing with my new dog, but I think I like the idea of playing with you better."

The Demon Lord yelped as she dropped him, and disappeared suddenly, as if swallowed up by some invisible force. The Lord of Nightmares seemed satisfied with herself and brushed off her hands. Amelia had made her way to the front of the group this time and took the chance to speak up.

"M-miss... er, Lord of Nightmares... do you know what's going to happen to Enrique and Mister Pes- Lord Pathosmaster, I mean?"

"Lord Pathosmaster and his general have both committed crimes against the natural order. They are to receive the harshest punishment that can be administered to any immortal creature."

"Wh-what?! No! Please! What did they do wrong?"

"Lord Pathosmaster organized the release of a Demon Lord who was not to be set free, and his general acted as an improper host. The punishment is fitting for the crime."

"NO!" Amelia pleaded. "It was just an accident- Enrique didn't mean to touch the Demon Lord's previous body! And Mister Pestis had no choice- he was put in an impossible situation-"

"My decisions are final."

"But they-"

"I am everything. Do not question my judgment."

Tears stung Amelia's eyes as she felt her shoulders droop. She nodded her head gravely. "Yes."

The Golden Lord stepped back and then said something more, but no one remembered quite what it was. They had all fallen into a daze- everything went hazy and then turned to black.

Filia was one of the first to wake up. Initially, she wasn't sure what had happened. Everything was so fuzzy, she had to check to make sure that she wasn't dead. She felt alive, not that she knew what feeling dead was like...

"Filia, are you okay?"

"Oh, Shizuri." Filia took the woman's hand and sat up. "I'm fine, thanks. Is Xellos here...?"

"He was gone when I woke up. I guess he left with Beastmaster."

"Ah. I see." Filia sighed sadly. "I don't know what I'm going to do with him. He's so stubborn."

"Are... you two okay?"

Filia thought for a moment. "There may not be much good in him, but there is something worth sticking around for. It'll take a lot of work, but I'm sure we'll figure it out somehow."

Shizuri smiled. "I'm so glad-"

"LINA!"

Gourry had pulled his wife into a tight hug. "H-hey, calm down." Lina was saying, as best she could with a pair of strong arms crushing her lungs. "I'm still not sure what's going on."

"What's going on?" Lyos repeated. "I'll tell you what's going on- you just summoned the greatest being in all the universe and she gave that Shabranigdo guy a kick in the pants!"

"The Lord of Nightmares... that's right..." Lina murmured. "Pestis was right. Everything did turn out alright in the end. Everything except..."

"Hey, you guys? Uh, come look at this."

Zelgadis' voice drew their attention. Lina stood up and gasped, drawing closer to where he was standing, her eyes scanning the ground. It was the last sight she'd expected to see, yet oddly enough it didn't feel unnatural.

"Pestis? Enrique?"

It certainly looked like the two of them, sprawled out in the snow next to one another. Neither was conscious and some members of the group were more hesitant to approach the bodies than others. Filia joined Zelgadis and Amelia sitting next to Pestis' body and Lina scooped up Enrique's body in her arms.

"I can check to see... maybe if they're still alive..." Filia picked up Pestis' wrist and positioned it between her fingers to search for a pulse. Zelgadis and Shizuri reached out to her initially.

"N-no, you don't have to-" "That's not going to-"

"He's alive! His heartbeat feels normal."

"What?"

"It's the same with Enrique." Lina spoke up. "He's breathing normally too. His face is warm... I guess that means he's alive?"

"I don't understand. That doesn't make any sense." Zelgadis moved close enough to support Pestis' head and examine his face. "He's breathing, but... that could only mean that he's-"

The professor started showing signs of waking up, so Zelgadis cut off his sentence and raised Pestis' head a little bit. He blinked and his eyes took a moment to focus.

"Are you okay?" Zelgadis asked softly.

For a moment, it was thought the professor didn't see him. Amelia still had Pestis' glasses with her, so it was difficult for him to focus, but once he was able to get a good look at the man in front of him, his features lit up in recognition. He gasped and gave a soft smile. "...oh, I thought I'd never see you again." Pestis closed his eyes and pursed his lips slightly, sitting there for a few moments.

"Uh... what are you doing?" Zelgadis finally responded.

"Aren't you going to kiss me?"

Zelgadis dropped the professor' head and it landed on a rock. "Yep. That's Pestis, alright."

"OW! Oh, that hurts! Ow! Good gods, that hurt. What in the world...?"

Pestis sat up and gingerly touched the back of his head. Amelia leaned closer to him. "Mister Pestis, do you feel any different?"

"Different? Well, cold, I guess, and- ow, that really hurt-" He stopped and whipped his head around. "W-wait a minute! Zelgadis? Is that you?"

"Who'd you think I was?"

"I... uh... well, I just... I thought you were..." Pestis wrung his hands in embarrassment. "Oh, now I've really made a fool of myself. What a mess. I don't- what's wrong with my face? It was cold before, but now it's hot..."

"You're blushing." Amelia replied. "I've never seen your face so red."

"Well yeah! I just completely embarrassed myself in front o-"

"Miss Lina!" Enrique's voice could be heard from a short distance away. He looked around, completely confused. "What happened? Where are we? Where'd Zara go? And Azarel? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, you just... uh... blacked out when you came into contact with the Demon King." Lina answered. "But don't worry. Azarel and the Demon King are gone now, and Zara is safe at the Lin Estate with Lorelei and the twins."

"…Azarel…" Pestis murmured softly. "Oh, Azarel. I hope that, wherever you are, you've finally found peace."

"What happened to Azarel? Why didn't they appear too?" Amelia glanced around nervously.

"The Lord of Nightmares never spoke out against Azarel, if I recall. I guess there just wasn't a crime to punish them for…" Zelgadis murmured. "...wait a second! By punishment, did she mean-?"

"What a relief." Enrique smiled. "I'm so glad everyone's okay- but, uh... my nose and my ears really hurt for some reason..."

"They're red. You must be freezing." Gourry pulled his scarf from around his neck and wrapped it around Enrique's head. "How's that? Better?"

Enrique's voice was muffled by the scarf, but still audible. "It's so warm... it feels so good..."

"I don't get it. How'd we get so sensitive to temperature all of a sudden?" Pestis asked. "I mean, I'm glad we're alive somehow, but..."

"The harshest punishment!" Filia gasped, making eye contact with Zelgadis who'd figured it out just moments before. "For any immortal creature, wouldn't it be the curse of mortality? Humanity?"

"Humanity?" Pestis gasped. "B-but that's not possible! I mean-" He closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, but them opened them again with a look of panic. "I can't access the astral plane!" His panicked expression lasted a few seconds before the reality dawned on him and a big smile spread across his lips. "I-I can't access the astral plane!"

Amelia approached him as he jumped to his feet. "Mister Pestis, are you-"

"I can't access the astral plane, I'm feeling heat and cold and pain, and, and... Zelgadis! Let me see your sword!"

Zelgadis unsheathed his sword and held the hilt out towards his friend. "Don't do anything stu- HEY!"

Pestis swiped one hand across the blade and yelped in response. A few drops of blood fell, leaving a noticeable mark in the snow. The professor gasped as he examined his hand. "This is amazing, ow. Actual, real, ow, human blood, ow. Ah, that hurts, ow."

"Can I try?" Enrique jumped up and joined the professor. Zelgadis quickly sheathed his sword again before anyone else got hurt.

"No, Enrique. You're human enough- you don't need to draw blood."

"Human..." Enrique was still wearing Gourry's scarf, so it was difficult to hear what he was saying. They didn't need to hear his words to see his enthusiasm, however. "I can't believe it! I'm actually, really human! This is the greatest thing ever!" The boy giggled and let himself fall backwards into the snow, stretching his arms and legs out to make a snow-angel.

Pestis ran up to him and took his hands, helping to pull him to his feet. "I know what I'm going to do!" the professor celebrated, twirling the boy around. "I'll move to Craighouse, buy a little home on the lake, and maybe even start working full time at the Senior Citizens' Center. I can finally retire in peace- no more pesky Mazoku to bother me! I can read cheesy romance novels, play bingo, go fishing- whatever I want, whenever I want! It's all peace and quiet for me from now on!"

As Pestis' enthusiasm grew, he began to celebrate with a strange sort of dance- if it could be called that. Enrique, however, was not as excited to hear the professor's plans. "That's... great, Lord Pathosmaster..." the boy murmured, letting go of his hands with a sullen expression. "...but I don't know what I'm going to do now. I don't have anywhere to-"

"No, no, no." Pestis wagged a finger at the boy. "Don't ever call me Lord Pathosmaster again. I'm not a Mazoku anymore. That's no longer my job, and I won't stand for it."

Enrique stiffened. "B-but... what should I call you, then?"

Pestis paused to think it over. After a moment of contemplation, he opened his arms to the boy.

"How about Dad?"

It took a moment for his words to sink in. Enrique's eyes filled with tears and he ran to hug the professor, burying his face in his chest. "Dad..." he sobbed happily. "I love you, Dad!"

Lina gave Gourry a gentle nudge and a smile. He smiled back and tousled her hair playfully. It suddenly felt as though everything was back to the way it was supposed to be.

And so a year passed…

A knock on the door drew Zelgadis' attention. "I'll get it." he called to Amelia, setting the box he was holding onto the kitchen table. He opened the door slightly, almost cautiously, until he saw who it was and pulled it open the rest of the way.

"Surprise, new neighbors!" Lina enthusiastically held up the cake box she was carrying. "I brought you a housewarming present!"

"Lina, come in." Zelgadis stepped aside and offered her an inviting gesture. "I apologize for the mess, but we just got in with everything last night and haven't had much time to unpack."

"That's fine. Don't worry." Lina chuckled, setting the cake box on top of another box on the kitchen table. "With two toddlers on my hands, my house isn't exactly orderly."

"Did you make that cake?"

"No, it's actually from Imia and Emil. I'm just the delivery girl because they're busy with Christmas orders right now."

"That's so nice of the-"

"Oh, Lina!"

Amelia entered the kitchen with a box in her hands. Zelgadis immediately approached her and snatched it from her. "What did I tell you about boxes?"

"Relax. It's napkins. It weighs almost nothing." Amelia turned to embrace Lina. "It's so good to see you again!"

"It's been a couple of months since I was in Seyruun City. How are you feeling?"

"I feel great! No problems here!"

"That's wonderful. I'm so glad." Lina sighed. "It looks like you'll need that energy. What did you bring, half the royal palace?"

"We didn't bring that much." Amelia defended. "Just the important things."

"I see." Lina scanned the room as though searching for something. She cleared her throat before continuing. "But... you didn't leave the most important thing back in Seyruun City, did you?"

Zelgadis gave a laugh. "If it had been up to Philionel, we would have. You should've heard him. He acknowledged that Craighouse is probably a better place to raise a child than the palace in the city, but having to part with his only grandchild so soon-"

"She's asleep in the nursery right now." Amelia answered. "We have that set up, at least."

Zelgadis nodded. "And I just spent a lot of time getting her to sleep, so I don't want anyone going in and waking her up-"

"SOPHIE~! Your auntie Lina's come to visit you~!"

"...and, no one listens to me."

After a minute or two, Lina emerged from the nursery, cooing at the infant she held cradled in her arms while Amelia hovered nearby.

"Oh, Amelia, she's gotten so big! I forgot how fast they grow at this age."

"Well, she wasn't a small baby to begin with..." Amelia replied. "Not that I'd have it any other way, of course."

Lina rocked the infant back and forth gently as she continued speaking to the parents. "Are you enjoying Craighouse so far?"

"Absolutely!" Amelia was the first to chime in, but Zelgadis had a more detailed answer.

"I'm a little concerned that the doors don't lock. Don't you think that's dangerous?"

"No way, not here." Lina shook her head. "This is a very safe community. You're not in danger from bandits or robbers or any kind of-"

"That's not what I'm concerned about." Zelgadis murmured. "...it's neighbors that I'm concerned about."

"Neighbors?"

"W-well," He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "last night I was up about three-thirty with Sophie and I heard something in the kitchen. I came out to see what was going on- and guess who was in our kitchen making coffee?"

"Aw, Pestis wanted to welcome you? That's sweet."

"It's not sweet at three in the morning. That time of the night falls into 'creepy' territory."

"I'm sure he didn't mean it. He's just so happy that you're here." Lina handed the baby back to Amelia. "She's so beautiful, Amelia. She's going to break a lot of hearts when she grows up, I can already tell."

"H-hey!" Zelgadis bristled. "There will be no talk of my daughter and relationships until she is at least of a marriageable age!"

"Oh?" Lina raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly is a 'marriageable age?"

"Like... thirty."

"You're not even thirty!"

"Th-that doesn't matter!"

Lina laughed. "Really, though, it's not all that bad. Enrique is the sweetest child- he's always polite and calls me Miss Lina, and he and Zara are always back home by curfew... They're so cute. They should just get married already."

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself, there? Zara's only nine years old."

"W-well, I mean- if they were older!"

"A marriageable age, right?"

"Oh, be quiet! You're the one who brought that up in the first place-"

Amelia giggled, rocking Sophie back and forth. "It'll be nice to be so close to each other now. I enjoy spending time with you, Lina."

"I feel the same way." Lina agreed. "You're all coming for dinner tomorrow, aren't you? And to our Christmas party at the end of the week? Filia and Val are going to be there, and Shizuri's coming up from Ti Toh. Lyos' last letter said that Miss Lin was doing better, and he thinks she may be in a good enough condition to travel here with him."

"Sounds wonderful! We wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"Somebody's got to keep Pestis in line."

Lina smiled.

"Good. I'm looking forward to it!"

[It's been a really long ride, but I'm extremely grateful to everyone who's stuck it out through the whole story. Thank you so, so much for reading. I never could have finished without your encouragement! I wish you all a wonderful new year and look forward to the next big adventure. Thank you!]