Disclaimer: I don't anything related to Star Ocean.

Title: Do No Harm

Prologue

A/N: I can't believe I finally got around to writing something for Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. But I always enjoyed this game and there is so little written for it, that's not about Albel. This story changes one event slightly. Although I will bring it back into line later. I always wondered what if the 4D being hadn't intervened so early in the game.

I'm sorry if this feels kind of rushed. That's because it was. This will lean in the Fayt/Nel direction. They go through so much together in the first disc. And as an optional character, Nel can spend almost the entire game with Fayt.

Nel closed one hand over the sword's hilt, the other resting on the scabbard. The weapon still felt strange in her hands, its weight unfamiliar. No. Not unfamiliar, just wrong. Unnaturally heavy.

Eyes closed, she sighed softly. It was just her imagination. She knew without a doubt its balance was perfect. Nel laid the sword down one the tabletop more gently than was necessary, more than was appropriate for a weapon. Her fingers lingered on the pommel. She knew the sword almost as well as her own shorter blades.

The blade: long, broad, and double edged. A single fuller ran the length of the ash colored sword. A leather wrapped hilt, molded to the wielder's hand over countless battles. Bought in Airyglyph (a rarity considering the war) and refined at the crafting table. She wasn't fond of longer swords. They didn't suit her build or her fighting style. And their added reach gave her fits to fight against. But this one was different than most. Technically a bastard sword, wielded with one hand or two. Versatile. Almost elegant. And more than a little menacing (not a bad quality for a weapon). How many soldiers would have proudly carried it into battle?

Her eyes fell over the scabbard. Such a simple piece. Old and worn. But well maintained. A poor match for the sword. Made of nothing but wood and leather, dyed blue.

Blue.

How appropriate.

Nel's lips twitched. Alone in one of the castle's guest rooms she allowed herself a smile. If there was one color, one word, she would associate with Fayt… It suited him. She was proud of that, even if she would never admit it. She'd picked it up for her mission, before ever meeting him.

And that meeting had not gone well.

She'd gotten directly to the point. As always. Demanded their technology and threatened to kill them if necessary to keep it out of enemy hands. And it wasn't an idle threat.

She was willing to cross a lot of lines for the sake of the mission.

"I don't have anything against you two. But my duty comes first."

Her smile waivered.

Fayt made her wonder which line was too many.

"I don't need to remind you that you can't help your father if you're dead."

She pulled her hand away from the sword.

With a sigh, Nel Zelpher, AKA the Crimson Blade, war maiden of Aquaria, and top operative of the Secret Legion, flopped backwards onto her bed. She stared at the peach colored ceiling without really seeing it, lost in her thoughts. Minutes, maybe hours, passed.

"You were ordered to rest. Her Majesty didn't intend for you to sulk." Clair Lasbard stood in the doorway, arms crossed. Three strides brought the silver haired woman to the edge of the bed and she peered down at Nel, a stern (albeit upside down) expression on her face. "You can't hide in here the whole time."

Nel Zelpher did not sulk. She just felt restless and angry and empty inside. Not that she'd admit that to Clair. Although Clair probably suspected. They'd been friends for so long.

Said friend was just trying to get a rise out of her. Normally it might have angered her, would have gotten some sort of immediate response. It was a testament to her mood that she didn't jump to take the bait. So she returned to her staring match with the ceiling tiles. She didn't even look at Clair when she spoke. "I take my meals in the common hall."

"True." Clair eyed her critically. "A little exercise might be good."

Nel sat up, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?"

"If you're so unhappy here in Aquios", Clair held out a scroll bearing the royal seal. "You can deliver this to Arias." Not waiting for an answer the commander of the Shield Legion started towards the door until something caught her eye. When she turned back to Nel she held a familiar sword and sheath in her hands.

Something…possessive flashed across Nel's eyes and for the first time Clair's expression softened. "I'll keep it safe", she promised. "Now shoo!"

. . . . .

Nel found herself outside the holy city's gates. Arias was a bit of a trek but it was still early. And it wasn't a bad day for travel. Still plenty of daylight and a clear sky.

The sky…

"I'm sorry Fayt."

A/N: Thanks for reading. If it seems to angsty or anyone is OOC, let me know. I truly appreciate constructive criticism.