yo yo yo, people! wazzup and all that. just a little ficcie, nothing special. just another fic to bring back that alnel goodness we all love so much -! come on people! ALNEL ALNEL ALNEL...say it with me...i'm gonna shut up now. read and review, people, read and review.

blah blah not mine blah

She looked around, concerned. Where was he? Ever since Fayt and Cliff had taught him how to craft, he had practically moved into the workshop. No one was ever allowed to go in whilst he was in there.

She was glad he had decided to start a new hobby that didn't involve blood, but this was ridiculous.

Which was why Nel Zelpher was found standing in front of Peterny's workshop, her ear pressed against the doors.

There was a curse, followed by a crash. More followed, and shouts, too.

Nel flinched as something was flung against the wall with that sound that only something expensive breaking could make. What was going on in there? She hammered on the door, but there was no answer. Growling, she kicked the doors open and burst in.

"Albel Nox, what in the name of Apris are you…oh my…"

The man lay curled up in the centre of the room, crying. His clothes were torn, his hair unbound, he was covered in blood, and his claw was stained with it. His body was covered in cuts and bruises. He had done a lot of harm to himself.

She ran towards him, forgetting he was the enemy. She grabbed his claw hand, not caring that the talons were digging into her flesh. All that mattered was that her friend was lying in a pool of his own blood, and that he was slowly bleeding to death.

"Albel! What happened?"

"I tried…" he whispered brokenly, staring at the ground so his silky hair hid his face. "I tried so hard, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't. I'm so weak and useless."

"Albel…"

"I wanted to make it so much. I wanted to create something for once, instead of destroying it. But I couldn't."

She tried to look at him, but he turned his head away. The blood fell from his wounds.

Drip, drip...

"Why does everything I touch die? Why can't I just make something, without it falling apart? Why does everything I put my heart into wither and die!"

He curled up, sobbing softly. She touched his shoulder, about to say something, but he pushed her hand away.

"Just leave me. Let me die. I'm not fit to live, anyway. You shouldn't have saved me, father. I'm useless, not good for anything. I should have died…"

"Albel…" Holding his shoulders, she forced him to look at her. "You are not worthless. Your father gave you a second chance, and I won't let you just throw it away. Look at me, Nox," she commanded as he tried to turn away. "Just because you failed the first time, doesn't mean you'll do it again. You can't just give up. Not so soon!"

He stared at her. "Now, are you going to let me heal you?" The captain nodded slowly. "Good. Now, sit still."

She healed him as much as she could, then washed away the blood. She wouldn't let him give up. She didn't know why, but she wouldn't.

Albel walked into Nel's room a few days later, smiling slightly. His hands were hidden behind his back.

"Hey, Nox. Why're you here?"

"I did it." The warrior's eyes shone bright with excitement and pride. "I did it! I finally made it!"

Grinning, he showed her.

"Albel, they're…beautiful!"

"They're for you." He was about to leave, when he turned. "Thank you. I don't think I could have made them without you. Look after them…" he turned and walked through the door, but not without adding, "…fool."

She watched him go, then looked down at her hands.

On them lay two daggers, perfectly made, and with excellent balanced. One was so white it seemed to glow. But it was its black twin that caught her interest. The blade seemed ordinary enough, till she looked closer, and saw tiny writing inscribed along the blade.

I sought inspiration and found it,

I sought help and trust, and found it,

I sought for something to fill the gap,

And found you instead.