Author's note: This is my first Star Ocean fanfic so don't expect it to be anything magnificent (oh, how I wish). I'm still undecided upon the overall plot so be prepared for some U turns and the like :)
As is stated the pairing is RomeroXAlbel but this may change or others may be added depending upon how things go.
Anyways to the legal bollocks, I don't own Star Ocean as I'm sure you're already aware but this story is all mine (unless of course my hand has been possesed and some demon has written this instead!). Alright, so I'll quite babbling on and let you read it :)
Chapter 1
After the defeat of Luther things had finally begun to settle down and people return to their everyday, trivial lives. Trivial wasn't the word – more like pointless and insignificant, he thought.
Thank God he was finally alleviated of the tedium of those maggots in their measly spaceship. Now, he could finally put his mind to more important things. The Dragon Brigade still was missing a Captain and now that Vox was dead, who else apart from he and Waltor could take up the role? Waltor was already dodging the coffin and was obviously too old and decrepit to stand as Captain – so that only left one person: him.
Of course it was Glyphian tradition that to be a member of the Dragon Brigade, let alone become Captain, you had to go through that damnable ceremony. The ceremony that had already caused his life to shatter around him in flames many years ago. Even now, the images still haunted him like a hand which could not be shaken off, always intent on suffocating him in it's clutches. And he couldn't bare even the thought of that ceremony again, he couldn't bare the thought of another dying for him – not that he had anyone that cared for him at present, apart from that old fool Waltor of course. However, somehow he couldn't see the old man heroically and acrobatically coming to his rescue as his father had done so many years hence. It wasn't that he was afraid of dying – he welcomed it – it was the fear of what death would bring with it. What if you had to experience your most prominent memories for all eternity? What if you relived your past? That in itself was unbearable.
Albel Nox, currently Captain of the Black Brigade, damned himself, hated himself and despised himself for all his weakness. For being afraid of the inevitable, for being vicious, for being cruel, for being jealous, but most of all, for the death of the one that cared for him the most, the only one he had been able to confide in.
He grabbed at his thick, unruly hair, trying to physically shake the thoughts and regrets from his mind. That was the last thing he needed right now as he made his way through the shadowy and snow kissed courtyard. He shivered as the particles of ice clung to his bare midriff and arms, the wind accompanying them in sending his skirt flying. But he didn't care. There was only one thing on his mind.
He finally reached the King's quarters, half frozen to death. He had never become acclimatised to the weather in Airyglyph. With a trembling hand he pounded on the door. In a few seconds it swung open to reveal a petite servant girl. Immediately her expression turned to one of pure trepidation at the sight of Albel the Wicked. He didn't bother waiting for her to let him in, but pushed past her into the warmth of the castle.
"S-Sir Albel, do you require anything?" she stuttered behind him.
"I'm here to see the King, where is he?" he demanded. She looked at him with a bewildered expression.
"…The King is in his room, sleeping,"
"Oh, is he now…And he didn't tell you I was coming? What a poor excuse for a King he is after all…" Albel smirked, seeing the girl's eyes widen in shock of such things being said of her master.
"Bah, I'll find him myself, worthless scum!" he spat, turning on his heels and striding down the corridor.
Albel didn't have to search long. He had already been to the King's room on several occasions. He reached the ornate wooden door in a matter of minutes and was about to give it the pounding of it's life when it flew open.
"Albel, you're late!" the King said, concern and anger crossing his face.
"You don't expect me to come to you're every beck and call, do you?" he walked into the King's bedroom. It was a lavishly furnished room, with rich crimson carpets, beautifully carved mahogany dressers and a deep four poster bed adorned with silk and velvet sheets. As much as the King claimed he stood for justice for all, he certainly made sure he never went without his luxuries.
Albel sat down on the bed and stared menacingly at the King.
"I hope you're not forgetting about your end of the deal, Arzei?" he said sadistically. The King sighed and shook his head.
"Of course not, but you do recall I said it would take some time to promote you to Captain of the Dragon Brigade…in this way,"
"How much longer?" Albel demanded.
"Perhaps another few weeks at the most. The paperwork still needs to be sorted out. If the soldiers find out that you have become Captain of the Dragon Brigade without undertaking the Ascension of the Flames Ceremony, there will be uproar,"
Arzei was right in the end. Doing things by false means meant waiting, it meant risking ones own life, it meant doing things to please others that one would normally not do.
But, it was the only way. Before he died he wanted to leave behind his mark, he wanted to be everything his father had been and more, he wanted to finally be content with himself. Tradition, religion, beliefs, morals, in the end what were they? The things that held society together as many believed? Or just things to confine us to a life of misery? Albel believed in the latter and he would do anything to oppose what he considered wrong.
"Fine…But no more than a few weeks," he mumbled eventually. The King's piercing eye's showed a glimmer of relief.
"Good. Now can we finally concentrate on other matters, Albel? You have to keep up your end of the bargain too, remember?" Arzei raised an eyebrow, letting his tongue momentarily wet his lips.
Albel shot him a deceitful glance before standing up and removing the tight top that covered his chest. He let Arzei undo the tie that fastened his skirt, throwing it to the ground. Originally, the King had wanted it every day but there was no way Albel was going to consent to that. He had finally bartered it down to once a week. Once a week until the King found a bride and God knows how long that would be. Albel had despised it at first, to be used like some kind of whore, but after a while he had grown numb to it, like a wound that had become so infected it was no longer felt. Arzei wasn't too rough, he went about the deed with a desperate passion but not a forceful one. But nevertheless, Albel couldn't bury the waves of self-disgust that followed nights like these.
Tonight the King seemed to be in a more energetic mood and continued on for what seemed like hours to Albel who was pinned face down on the bed. If this is the only way to give my life at least some hope then I shall endure it to whatever costs…he thought as his teeth gritted with the force of Arzei driving into him. At whatever costs…
When it was finally over, Albel ran to the bathroom, clutching onto the toilet bowl as he was violently sick.
"Albel? Was I too vigorous for you tonight?" the King asked, not in intention to offend him but nevertheless he did.
"Fuck off!" Albel spat through gasps. He heard Arzei sigh, resigning himself to knowing it was no use trying to help him.
When Albel had finally regained his composure he dressed and left, only exchanging minimal words with the King. Outside it seemed even more baltic than it had been a few hours before. The wind had died down however, leaving only an arctic bitterness and a few light strands of snow. The air felt as if crystallized his lungs with ice every time he inhaled, scalding his throat and lips. As he passed through the training grounds where dummies and targets stood motionless like statues, he heard a sound. At first he mistook it for only a bird's whistle but then realised what bird would be out at night in this weather? He froze, his hand shooting to the hilt of his katana, the same gesture he had performed on countless occasions before he slaughter his foe. Crimson eyes scanned the blinding darkness but found no target.
"What maggot dithers around here at such a time?" he said out loud. No response. He waited, hand still ready to unsheathe his weapon. But nothing came. Perhaps it was only my imagination…It was true he hadn't slept in a few days, perhaps his mind was mocking him in his internal nightmare.
However, no sooner had he dismissed it, than a shrill shriek sounded. He had his sword out in an instant, ready for whatever predator lay in wait for him.
"Show yourself!" he bawled. There was a treading noise, soft footsteps upon the snow all around him. How many were there? He couldn't tell, it seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. He turned around and around but only the falling snowflakes came into his vision. There was a soft chuckle, something colder than the night brushing against his cheek. He reeled away and slashed at the air but struck nothing.
"Why are you so scared, Albel Nox?" the voice was like liquid ice, smooth and flowing like an unhindered river. A pang of fear made itself evident in his chest – what could possibly know his name?
"If this is some sort of pitiful excuse for a joke, I will personally decimate the worm responsible!" he spat.
"Joke? Oh no, jokes are for those who wish for a better life, Albel,"
"Who are you?" he swiped again at the air, this time with his claw but it only produced another sadistic chuckle.
"You cannot kill me, you can't even kill yourself. Why bother trying anymore? Why bother carrying on? You only know what will await…"
"You speak rubbish, worm! If you do not give me your name now I'll make sure you are begging for death!" The dread was sweeping over Albel now – how could he face a foe he could not see? Another icy caress ran across his stomach, making him shiver violently. He bared his teeth, if he had to physically slice every inch of this air then he would do so.
"You can slash about all you want Albel, nothing will come of it," the voice mocked. Albel's mouth dropped open – now this thing was reading his mind?
"Enough for tonight, I will see you in good time…in good time…" the voice blurred from existence as suddenly as it had appeared. Albel was left standing motionless, staring up at the blinking stars and falling snow, wondering what had just taken place.
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Author's note: if you managed to stay awake to the end then you've got more stamina than me! Anyways, let me hear the reviews - the good, the bad and the ugly.
Oh, one other thing to note, it's actually been a while since I last played SO3 and I'm not sure if Waltor is Waltor or Waltar, something I always ger mixed up upon so please correct me if I am wrong :)