Chapter 1 of 3

I'm currently working on writing a book with a friend so I would take any reviews seriously and be very appreciative of some constructive criticism. Let me know how the different themes across the three chapters feel. Even if you don't have a literary background, I'd still like to hear opinions.

Enjoy!

Cruel.

Life was. Wasn't it? When he didn't have a purpose, a reason for existing, he had an eternity to wallow in his self loathing. And now...

Now Luke could feel the warm sun as he sat on the green hillside, the lake in the distance shining with light. Slow white clouds drifted lazily across the sky as a bird chirped happily in the distance. Nearby in the shade of a lone tree Anise napped and Jade leaned against the trunk reading a book. A light breeze rustled the leaves, breaking the complete silence of the world as Jade turned a page. He remembered Jade being the first person to approach him about his condition.

"Don't suppose you'll be able to raise me like those other bodies huh?" Luke joked, but still looked to the man with a look of faint hope.

Jade simply looked back at him, expression impossible to discern as he shook his head slightly. "Not in a state you'd like. It would be a true mockery of everything you are now. A shattered memory of someone I'd prefer to hold intact." He said very seriously, auburn colored eyes focusing on Luke's.

"Yeah..." Luke acknowledged, knowing that would be the answer as he made for the inn door. "Thanks anyway, Jade."

Guy could be spotted down by the lake's edge, walking slowly along the shore with his arms behind his head as he dribbled a small rock ahead of him.

Closing his eyes and listening to the complete quiet of nature again he focused on simply feeling. Sensing. The grass under his fingers, the rough texture... The cool earth underneath. The warmth of the sun penetrating his clothes, layering heat across his body, but never to the point of breaking a sweat. And as soon as it neared uncomfortable the wind would sense it and blow lightly over him, bringing it back to equilibrium.

It was... Amazing. How bizarre, how beautiful, ordered and chaotic the world was. He opened his eyes as another breeze came, this time looking over the grassy hillside and up to the top of the next slope, sighting the most beautiful image he knew would remain in his memory forever.

Tear, standing in a field of flowers so diverse in color and vibrancy her clothes almost appeared black, hair flowing with the wind. It was rare he was able to see her full face without her hair falling back into place and he enjoyed every second of it. She ran an ungloved hand over her ear, tucking a few strands back in place and looked around, breathing in the scent of the petals. His mind wandered as he watched, awestruck by her beauty. Her pale face flickered with a small smile as her large deep blue eyes followed the field to its edge and gazed out over the lake.

He knew how he felt about her. It'd taken him long enough but it was one of the many things he'd realized within the past few weeks. Despite their constant quarreling and how cold and emotionless she seemed at times they were traits he'd learned to admire in her character. They made her, her. The person he felt more strongly about than any other.

And then reality came back to him as he closed his eyes again. Luke was seven years old, and was on his deathbed. He'd squandered the first six years of his life in the manor and spent the better part of the past year being miserable while in the company of the greatest cast of friends anyone in Auldrant could ever hope to have. Only in discovering that he wanted to live when he was in the Tower of Rem did he realize how incredible his life had been, how incredible the world was.

Cruel then, was fate in deciding only after this realization would his life be concluded. He wished he'd been this appreciative of life when he had more time. He wished he had more time. He remembered all his past experiences that in the moment he'd treated as inconvenient or annoying. But now they were all things he doubted he'd ever be able to do again. He was grateful they'd even found this moment to rest on this beautiful day. But he wanted to trek through the river in Cheagle woods, camp in the freezing trails of Mt. Roneal, sweat until his clothes were drenched in the Zaleho volcano, tell Tear how he felt about her... But time it seemed, was something no longer on his side.

And it was precisely for that reason that he would never tell her. He didn't know how she felt about him and he wasn't very gifted with speech. But one thing he did know was how cruel it would be to say those words that yield so much promise ring hollow under the shadow of death.

It was ironic, his entire life he felt he lacked a purpose, a reason to live beyond existing. And only now that he had one would it mark the end of his life. The true reason to live was to live, to enjoy these precious moments in everyday life not wait around for some "purpose" to give it meaning. As simple as a notion as that was it took even an idiot seven years to get it.

But... That was that. Despairing on the past mistakes was the way of his former self. He only had a few days left and he intended to enjoy every seemingly minute second of it. Looking at the big picture now he would prefer to live out these final hours in happiness rather than a lifetime of misery in the manor. Food tasted better when he actually focused on it and not in the action of eating, sensations more intense when he thought about them instead of only looking towards the next activity. Eight years was too short, it was true. But it was the hand he was dealt; he could focus on that or on the people he loved, the amazing world, the life remaining. He hoped his friends lived the rest of their days as he was now. It was never too early to start.

A small smile found its way onto his face as he opened his eyes. When they'd adjusted to the light he saw Tear in the distance, watching him. He smiled at her, happy just to have caught her notice, and her face lit up in return. It was a rare expression to see on her and it made his body feel much warmer than the sun ever could.

There were countless experiences he'd never have, but that wouldn't stop him from enjoying his time left.

Start with what you can do, right?

The sound of rustling clothes met his ear and he turned to see Jade beginning to stand, closing his book in one hand. "We've dawdled long enough for today, Noelle should be rested enough to finish the trip. Shall we continue?" He asked pointedly, gesturing towards the top of the hill.

Luke gave a slight nod. "...Right." He answered, smiling and rising to his feet.

And chapter two has the romance if that's what half of you are waiting for =)