Everything was set. Both had their blades, and now only awaited the chance to set the last act a-dancing. Xeros had decided to make the first move, saying it would only be correct.
It was appropriate, and would fit the pattern of behavior that they had always acted upon until recently. He glanced down to the enspelled sword that hung by his side. It was nearly time. He wondered just what Xeros would do. Most likely something a little stupid, the way the mazoku tended to open his most secret plans.
A quick glance across the room, and a barely perceptable nod. It was time. He turned away from the mazoku, towards where Lina was walking. She looked so beautiful .... And then his sight was cut off by a creme pie being slammed in his face. He snarled in rage as he wiped the pie off his face, then pulled the blade from it's scabbard. The dance had begun.
Xeros turned smoothly as he dodged Zel's lunge at him, quickly pulling his own sword from it's hiding place. With a silent snarl on his face, the two began weaving a deadly net of steel and speed.
Gourry pulled the sword of light from it's own sheath and placed himself between the incredibly fast combatants and Lina. Lina herself prepared to throw a fireball, but balked when she realized that neither Zel nor Xeros was holding still long enough for her to hit them. Their blades were blurring arcs of energy, barely seen. And then, both blades were still. Deathly still. With a grip still at each other's throats and upon the blade that lay within the other's heart, Xeros and Zelgadis slowly slumped to the floor. The spark of life within their eyes was fading ... dying ....gone.
Lina, Firia, Amelia and Sylpheel rushed forward to where the bodies lay, the first tears of grief already rushing from their eyes. But before they could span the distance, a wash of golden light covered the two gone. When the light faded and disappeared, so did Zel and Xeros.
A scream ripped free from Lina's throat, tears pouring down her cheeks. She fell to the floor, pummeling her fists against it even as Sylpheel and Amelia tried to keep her from harming herself. Firia simply stood where she had stopped, tears streaming down her cheeks, rocking softly from side to side.
Gourry, sword forgotten in his hand, stood in silent shock as he looked upon where two of his dearest friends had disappeared. He knew but one thing.
Nothing would be the same.