Epilogue
“Is it... over?” Gourry whispered softly some time after Shabranigdu’s body had completely disappeared.
“Yes,” I said confidently. “Thanks to Rezo.”
“Rezo?” Zelgadis asked, looking over to where the Dark Lord had been standing, seemingly skeptical that he was really gone.
“Rezo’s soul was still in there somewhere. A tiny shred of goodness that survived even after long years of the Dark Lord gnawing away at his humanity... Between that and his hatred of the Dark Lord’s mockery, in the end... he gave himself over willingly to the darkness I created.”
“Still, that stunt you pulled was really some—” Gourry said, stopping suddenly when he turned toward me.
Zelgadis had fallen silent too. They’d finally noticed my hair, which had turned silver—a phenomenon that occurs when someone uses too much of their life energy.
“L-Lina, your hair...”
“Aw, I’m fine. I just used a little too much power in one go,” I said with a huge grin. “I am pretty tired, though... How’re you guys holding up?”
“I’m... okay too,” Gourry said, picking himself up shakily.
“Same here. Still alive, at the very least,” Zelgadis replied too, getting to his feet a bit more steadily than Gourry.
“Good. I’m glad,” I sighed with a smile before flopping back onto the ground and letting sleep carry me away.
A few days later, the three of us arrived at the outskirts of Atlas City.
“Whew! Tonight: good food and a nice, soft bed,” I said, looking over the rooftops in the distance. My hair wasn’t back to its glorious chestnut color just yet, but at least I was hale and hardy again.
“That little trip took longer than I expected,” Gourry remarked.
“I think it’s time I took my leave,” Zelgadis chimed in abruptly.
“Huh?” Gourry and I questioned in unison.
“I’ve done some pretty awful things, and my face is rather well-known... It’s not safe for me in a city this size. I don’t exactly blend in.”
“I see... What’ll you do from here, then?” I asked.
“I think I’ll see where the wind takes me for a while. I’m sorry about all the trouble I made for you, but...” He scratched at his nose, looking a bit bashful. “If we both survive, maybe we’ll run into each other somewhere. Though I suppose you might not be happy to see me again...”
“I hope I get the chance,” I said, extending my right hand.
“Here’s hoping.”
Zelgadis gently took my hand and shook it. Though his skin was made of stone, it felt strangely warm.
“Take care,” Gourry said with a small wave.
“Yeah. You too,” Zelgadis replied, gently releasing my hand and turning away.
“Y’know, Lina...” Gourry said as we watched Zelgadis head back the way we’d come.
Ever since our battle with the Dark Lord, he’d stopped calling me “little miss” and started calling me by my name.
“Shaking your hand like that... You think he like-likes you or something?”
“Don’t be stupid.” I laughed it off.
“By the way, what were you planning on doing once you got to Atlas City, Lina?”
“Huh. Hmm...” I thought a minute. “Oh, that’s right! Weren’t you gonna give me the Sword of Light?”
“When did I ever agree to that?!”
“So... that’s a no?”
“Of course it is!”
“Too bad. It would basically make me invincible, and it would open new chapters in magical research...”
“Still no dice!”
“Okay, I’ve got it now,” I said with a nod.
“Got what?” Gourry asked, looking confused.
“I know where I’ll be headed next...”
“Where?” he echoed, still baffled.
“Wherever you’re going.”
“Huh?”
“I’m sticking with you until you agree to give me the Sword of Light!” I shot him a wink before turning to walk off. “Now let’s get going!”
On to Atlas City!
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