Zelgadis was faced with a dilemma. In fact, chances were, this would be the biggest problem he would ever face in his entire life. Thankfully, he was giving it thought, instead of rushing into the situation with just his gut feeling.
So, now, instead of an irritated, stubborn, and generally cranky chimera charging off to achieve his only goal, there is a more or less irritated, stubborn, and generally confused chimera pacing back and for thin front of his intended victims. With Lina, Gourry, and Amelia, all gagged and magically bound by the power sealer Laphas Seed, there wasn't much they could do but listen to him trying to justify his actions. Had the situation not been so dire, it could have easily been humorous.
To Xellos, at least.
"On one hand, my cure is finally within my grasp," The chimera mused. "Not that any of you should care, because on the other hand, I have to kill all of you to get it." Amelia's tears gushed, Lina's temper soared, and Gourry snored through the gag.
"My life's ambition is right in front of me..." The shaman fiddled with the knife in his hands nervously. "But at the cost of my friends?" Lina twitched, yelling at him through the gag.
"You're right, what am I thinking?" His shoulders sagged. "You guys are my best friends... but... this is what I've been missing..." With each change of mind, Zelgadis turned and changed directions.
"Of course, if I was human, I'd probably have no problem making new friends..."
Amelia's wailing, Lina's fuming, and Gourry's boredom increased.
"But, they wouldn't be able to understand what we've been through together..." His blue eyes swept over the assembled. "Although, will I want to remember?
"If I kill you three, these past years will have only been a dream, a nightmare." He advanced on them. "But... then all those who were sacrificed...Like Zolf... Like Rodimus... Their sacrifices will have been in vain.... " He stepped back. "Why can't I choose?!"
"Put down the knife, Zelgadis." Xellos appeared behind him and placed a hand on the chimera's shoulder. "If you were going to kill them, you would have done it by now." Cold blue eyes caught sharp amethyst ones.
"No!" Zelgadis stepped back towards his captives. " It's my choice!" Indecision flickered across his mind for a second more, and then he knew what to do. He turned to Lina, the gleaming blade brandished wickedly, and pressed it against her face. He brought up the dagger, slicing through the gag, just as Xellos sent a black cone through his chest. The astral void tore through his spirit, and his eyes widened in horror. The knife fell from his hands, and the Laphas Seed dissipated with the caster's dying energy.
"But I chose you..." The chimera mouthed to Lina s he fell at her feet.
Xellos looked shocked, but he expressed no remorse for the death of the cursed Shaman. Though Amelia tried various and numerous healing spells, the damage the Mazoku had done was to Zelgadis' spirit... and could not be healed. Gourry, although confused about how Zelgadis had died, had not asked a single question of Lina as they buried him.
The red head, for her part, remained silent until after the 'funeral'. She then laid her hand on his graver marker and sighed.
"I know you did, Zel." She whispered. "I know you did."