Lina arrived with her precious cargo at the white magic temple ten minutes later. The healers came out and bundled the both of them off for treatment, but Lina protested.
"No...others...outside the city near the old temples...they're worse than me. You have to get them."
The exhausted sorceress watched numbly as the healers worked to save her long time travelling companion. She barely noticed when Zelgadis and Sylphiel came up behind her. They were as tired as she was, and the emotional stress of it all really showed in Sylph, dark circles already forming under her eyes as she wept continually. Amelia slept in a room nearby. Zel put a hand on Lina's shoulder as they watched Gourry through the window.
"You did your best, you know. We all did."
"Yeah, I know. But if Gourry - "
"Shh. We don't need to think like that yet. Not until we hear from the healers."
"How's Amelia?"
Sylphiel answered. "She'll be alright. She just needs to sleep and regain her strength."
Just then, the healers filed out of the swordsman's room, all of them walking off down the hall save for one. He stood before the trio, and delivered the news.
"Your friend is a resilient fighter, but this is going to be too much. We couldn't heal all of the internal damage. Our best estimation is that he has about seven or eight hours left. We did manage to get him conscious again, and put a few spells over him to dampen the pain, but that's about all we can do at this point. I'm sorry." Then he walked off with the others.
As soon as the man turned the corner, the tears started to fall down Lina's cheeks. Sylphiel had already dropped to the floor and was crying relentlessly. The chimera held tears in eyes, and let Lina latch onto him for support.
The shrine maiden sniffled, scrubbing at her eyes, and stood. "I guess I'll go see him now." She proceeded to enter the room, trying her best to put on a cheerful grin for Gourry as he waved at her weakly.
"Hi."
"Hello, Gourry-sama."
"C'mon, sit down." She did as she was bade. "What's with all the tears, Sylphiel?"
That just made her eyes well up more as she stared at him. "Didn't they tell you?"
Gourry just smiled at her. "Yeah. But shouldn't you save those for after I'm gone? I'm still here; there's no reason to cry yet."
"Oh, Gourry-sama!" she flung herself towards him, catching the swordsman in a tight embrace.
"Ow."
She gasped. "Oh! Gomen nasai!" she mumbled, releasing him slightly.
"It's alright....Sylphiel?"
"Mmm?"
"Aishiteru."
The sobs racked her body again. "I love you too! When did you figure that out, hmm?"
"Oh, I knew I loved you a long time ago. But I knew the second I told you, you'd want to get married and settle down and stuff. I just wasn't ready for that. Guess I'll never be ready now. But I didn't want to go without telling you that."
"Arigatou gozaimasu."
"Can you send the others in, one at a time? I'd like to see everyone privately, okay?"
She nodded. "Sure. Anything you want." Sylph walked back to the door and stepped out.
"Well?" Zel asked.
"He wants to see everyone separately, to say personal goodbyes I guess."
"I-I'll go first," Lina offered.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, Zel. I'll be okay."
"Oi, Lina."
"Oi, Gourry," she sniffled. The swordsman grimaced.
"Aw, not you, too!" Lina blinked.
"What the hell do you mean by that, Jellyfish Brains! This could be the last time I see you outside of a big box!" her ranting started to give way. "I'm not ready for that yet."
Gourry smiled. "I know, Lina, I know. Oi," he started, turning to his left and reaching for the chair near the window. He grabbed the item lying on the chair and passed it to Lina. "I know you always wanted the Hikari no Ken, but I guess this is the best I can give you now," he joked.
Lina took the astrally-powered sword in her hands, staring at it blankly. A few teardrops fell onto the sheath and she looked back up at him, still smiling that usual smile of his.
"Gourry, I can't - "
"No, Lina. Take it. Pass it down to your children. That's the way it should be." She nodded.
"Gods, I'm gonna miss you, Gourry."
"I know. I'll be waiting for you, but I don't expect to see you too soon, understand?"
She smiled and gave him a victory sign. "Yeah."
"Ano, is Amelia going to be able to come in?"
"I doubt it. She's still resting and recovering."
"Oh," Gourry's eyes dimmed. "Hey, can you write a letter to her from me?"
"That's a good idea! Yeah, I've got some paper in here," she fished around in her cape and found some paper and a piece of graphite. "What do you want it to say?"
Letter finished and a kiss on the cheek from each other, Lina left the room and motioned for Zel to take his turn.
"Oi."
"Hey Zel."
Zelgadis looked around the room, his eloquent speech for once at a loss. "Uh...so, how're you feeling?"
"Not too bad. A bit tired, but nothing I can't handle."
"Mmm," the chimera sagely nodded.
"Zel?"
"Yeah?"
Gourry turned himself so that he faced Zelgadis. He took on a serious tone, starting, "I've got a request to ask of you."
Zel nodded. "Sure, whatever it is, I'll do it."
The swordsman took the shaman's hand and leaned forward, putting emphasis on his words. "I want you to protect Lina now, okay? Obviously I won't be able to do it anymore, and whether she likes to admit it or not, she needs someone to watch her back. I don’t know of anyone else I'd want to have her guarded by than you. Will you do this?"
Zel's emotional armour started to show signs of damage. "Yes. You have my word."
"Good." Gourry laid back on the bed smiling contentedly. "A-are you guys gonna sleep in here tonight?"
"I think so. Amelia's not expected to wake up until late tomorrow."
"Oh. Good. I don't want to be alone right now."
I wouldn't either if I were in your shoes, the sorcerer thought grimly.
The rising sun streamed rays of golden radiance through the small room's window, falling upon the bed. Sylphiel opened her eyes, roused by the brightness, and looked up, trying to gather her senses. She replayed what little her waking brain could recollect from yesterday. A battle at the temple. Gourry and Amelia injured badly enough to be brought to the healers. The man telling her, Lina and Zelgadis about Gourry. Her talk with her love. Falling asleep in his arms that night. She blinked and looked up at the swordsman's face. His strong arms still wrapped around her, as hers were linked round him. Hesitantly, she brought one hand up and brushed her fingers along his cheek, quickly recoiling. His skin felt so cold. Tears threatened to fall once more as Sylph called out his name, trying to wake him. She sat up and wept. It was no use. Gourry had died in his sleep.
The shrine maiden's sobs did wake Zel, however. The chimera blearily rose his head from its resting place on one of the room's walls. He and Lina had fallen asleep in a couple of chairs. The sorceress continued to snore lightly, her head set on Zelgadis's shoulder as a stone pillow. He gently shifted her so the wall supported her head, then walked over to the bed and opened his arms to the weeping woman. Sylph all but launched herself into his embrace, clinging to the shaman for dear life.
Lina finally awoke. She immediately noticed Sylphiel crying in Zel's arms, and put two and two together. The flame-haired sorceress stood from her chair and walked over to the bed, gazing down at the peaceful expression on her partner's face. She leaned down and brushed away some of his bangs, then gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Sayonara, Gourry."