Blind to Love
Summary: When Albel is blinded during a surprise attack, its up to Nel to take care of him as he tries to survive without sight. Little does she know that the Federation has more in store for them than they expected. (AlNel)
Chapter 1: Darkness
"Don't think you'll escape so easily, Nox!"
Albel swore under his breath as he ran through the trees between Aquaria and Airyglyph. His braids whipped madly behind him as he dodged trunk after trunk, branch after branch and rock after rock. He was unfortunate enough to have left his sword behind in Airyglyph… but that was not his current priority at the moment…
Right now… he needed to run… and FAST.
Members of the federation were tracking the members of Fayt Leingood's team down and forcing them into submission. Their power had become a threat to them after they refused to enter yet another war with another planet. The current men chasing him were armed with guns quite similar to Maria's. He swore again as one of the soldiers fired and he quickly ducked out of the way.
He wasn't very good when it came to fighting against long-range weapons.
After escaping from Airyglyph, he quickly headed for Aquaria, hoping to find his ally from the crimson blades.
After all… she was in danger too. He needed to warn her…
A smirk spread on his face when he found himself near the Aquios border. He could clear this stupid wall… then he'd be safe for the time being. The Federation wasn't allowed to barricade Aquios without a war starting, and the last thing they wanted was a war with two of the most powerful fighters in the universe on the same side.
Once he reached the wall, he gripped a stone with his right hand and gained his footing on the small ledges he had. His left hand dug its way into another crevice as he began to climb higher and higher. Soon enough, he had scaled the wall, towering over the enemies.
"Fools…" he growled. Once he made it into Airyglyph, he wouldn't have to bother with these maggots anymore…
He glanced down at one of the soldiers who held something in their hand. The man smirked as he pushed a small button on the side and threw it up towards him. Albel's eyes widened when he saw what it was and the close proximity to his face.
"Oh sh-"
The grenade set off in his face, sending him flying back. The next thing he knew, he was in darkness.
Nel's eyes snapped open at the sound of an explosion in the distance. She glanced out the window of her room towards the border and cursed when she saw the remnants of the white light and smoke. Was it an attack? It couldn't be from Airyglyph… they hadn't shown any signs of fighting after the peace treaty.
"Then… what was it?" she murmured.
Ignoring the questions, she dressed quickly, forgetting the stockings and arm guards. She pulled up her boots and draped her cloak around herself. She snatched her daggers and slid them into the sheaths behind her back. Turning her heel, she bolted out the door and headed down the stairs to the main gates.
She didn't know how long she ran… she was too busy thinking about everything around her. After the creator was destroyed, everyone had gone their own separate ways. Albel and Nel would meet each other on certain occasions, but never really just to talk. They usually had a monster to kill or some bandits to stop… but nothing more. The federation had come to them several times requesting for them to come and fight against some other planet, but every time, she, Albel and Adray would decline. The queen and king had finally wished for them to leave and if they tried to take their most powerful soldiers away again, they would attack.
She frowned. The federation had been quiet since then… why would they come now of all times?
She slowed to a halt as she came upon the site of the explosion. Fortunately, it hadn't done much to the wall… just a chunk off the top. That could be fixed easily.
"That's good… but why was it fired?" she wondered aloud. Her eyes scanned the area for any signs of life. Her search abruptly came to a halt when a glint of silver caught her eye. She looked over to see a hauntingly familiar gauntlet sprawled on the ground. The claws seemed to curl slightly… a sign that the rest of the owner was still attached.
Nel broke into a run as she rushed over towards the body on the ground. "Albel!" she cried as she collapsed to her knees beside him. It was indeed the Glyphian… but why was he in Aquaria? Did he have something to do with the explosion? Her green eyes scanned his body, checking for any serious injuries. There were several scrapes and bruises which she healed immediately along with a lump on the head from the fall. There were no broken bones, fortunately, but she wasn't sure if there was internal damage. His hair ties had come loose and his long hair wisped out from its ties. His clothes had been torn and some of the armor dented.
"You were right in the middle of that explosion weren't you…" she muttered, not expecting an answer. "Damnit…"
She immediately froze when she heard someone running towards her through the trees. She frowned and unsheathed one of her daggers, prepared to attack if necessary. The footsteps came closer and a figure came into view. Long, silver hair held back with ribbons shone in the moonlight and the panicked face of Clair Lasbard came into view.
"Nel!" she cried. "I heard the explosion and saw you running out and…" her words trailed off as her eyes fell upon Albel Nox. "My god… what happened?"
"I'm not sure myself…" Nel replied quietly. "But you have to help me bring him back to the castle." Clair nodded and rushed over, taking one of Albel's arms and slinging it around her shoulder. Nel did the same with his burned arm and together the two hoisted him up and began to drag him back.
"Nel…" Claire grunted as the headed towards a hill. "I'm worried about you… the federation is getting desperate for you…" She glanced down at the swordsman and sighed. "And Albel too…"
"I heard Aquaria's the only safe place from the federation on Elicoor II." Nel replied. "Maybe Albel was attacked." Claire nodded.
"It's possible…" she sighed. "I just hope nothing bad happens… The last thing we need is another war."
"I agree." Claire sighed as they reached the summit and started trekking on cobblestone. "Where should we take him?"
"My room… I can take care of him." She sensed Claire's worry and laughed. "Even when he's awake."
Claire smiled nervously. "I wish you the best of luck then." Nel nodded as they walked through the doors and slowly but surely headed to Nel's room up in the tower.
"I would have never thought Albel Nox to be this heavy!" Claire cried as they reached the top. Nel opened her door and helped in hauling him inside. The two carefully brought his body towards the bed and rested him over the covers. Nel sighed and proceeded in removing the shoulder armor and outer part of the gauntlet so that only his mechanical arm and bandages was left there. They didn't bother stripping him of anything besides his boots and the ribbons that held his hair back.
"Do you think you'll be okay, Nel?" Claire asked hesitantly as she headed toward the door. Nel smiled and nodded.
"I've handled Nox before… I'm more than capable of doing it again."
"Alright then…" Claire gave Nel one last wave before closing the door. Nel sighed and turned to the bed where Albel lay and frowned.
"I guess I'll be on the couch…" she muttered. She turned away and slipped out of her boots and changed quickly lest Albel wake up and find her.
A small smile graced her lips as she thought back to before the defeat of Luther… she remembered the many occasions when Roger would peep at her or steal her panties while she was bathing. She was fortunate enough to have a very irritated Albel making sure Roger did no such thing. She had seen Albel kick Roger to next Wednesday before and APRIS it was amusing!
She immediately froze when she heard soft footsteps padding around the dark room. Someone had broken in? She looked up and saw the door closed and locked just as it had been before. Her eyes turned back to the bed and she immediately paled.
He was GONE! Albel Nox was gone! Her eyes scanned the dark room in search of the missing Glyphian. Had he escaped? It was possible… he probably didn't recognize the place.
She gasped when a cold metal hand gripped her shoulder and another one wrapped around her waist soon after. She was pulled back and pressed against a firm chest as the cold, metallic arm clutched her throat.
"Where am I?" he whispered harshly. Nel's eyes widened.
"A-Albel…" she choked. His grip on her throat tightened slightly.
"Answer me!"
Nel swallowed as she tried to calm her nerves. How could Albel be this stealthy? She never remembered him being that silent before…
"You're in Aquios…" Nel replied. "I-Its me, Nel… can't you remember?"
Albel growled and loosened his hold on her throat ever so slightly. "How can I trust you?" he then asked. Nel frowned and thought back to the journey… something he would remember…
"Cliff and Adray dragged you to a strip club while you were in Kirsla… you attacked the prostitute for trying to pull off your sarong and-" his hand clamped her mouth.
"Okay it's you…" Albel growled. "But why is it so dark in here? I can't see a thing!"
Nel glanced over at the window where a full moon shone in through the thin curtains. "You mean you can't see the window over there?" she inquired.
"What window? I don't see anything!"
Nel glanced up at Albel's face for the first time since he awoke and ambushed her. His crimson eyes were glazed over and didn't really seem to be focusing on anything. she waved a hand in front of his face and received no response.
"You're blind…" she breathed. Albel's hands tightened on her and he spun her around, forcing her against the stone wall.
"What!" he snarled. "No! You're lying to me!" He ran a hand over his face, checking to make sure there were no blindfolds. "No… I can't be…" He released her and backed up slowly, letting his shoulders sag.
"I'm so sorry, Albel…"
"Don't."
Nel froze. What was wrong with him. Crimson eyes tried to aim in her direction but he still seemed to be staring beyond.
"Don't apologize… you're probably the one that brought me here, correct?"
Nel nodded, but quickly realized he couldn't see, so she replied aloud. Albel sighed.
"That… that grenade… it was right in my face when it set off…" He smirked bitterly. "Its no surprise that I can't see a thing…"
Nel's eyes widened. "That was what it was?" Albel nodded. "You're lucky you made it over the border or…"
"Yeah… I know…"
Nel sighed and touched his arm hesitantly, earning a small flinch from the man.
"You need rest… maybe it'll wear off… we can see a doctor later on." She heard Albel growl in disapproval, but she ignored him and gripped his arm tighter as she led him towards the bed.
"You still have wounds to heal." Nel said sternly. "Sleep or I'll make you sleep."
Albel sighed and grasped the bedpost before letting himself sit down. He frowned as he felt the sheets under his hands.
"This is your bed isn't it…" He said quietly. Nel sighed.
"Yes it is, but-"
"Then why aren't you sleeping here?"
"Because you're there!"
"I don't have to stay here, Zelpher… I can stay on the couch or something…"
Nel paused. It was rare when Albel Nox was courteous to someone… Nel was one of the few people that were fortunate enough to earn this gift. But tonight wasn't a night to accept it.
"Just sleep there, Nox." She ordered. "It's the least I can do for you."
Albel's face looked almost upset as he begrudgingly took her offer and lay down. Nel smiled with satisfaction as she stood up and rested on the couch.
"Zelpher."
"Yeah?"
"… thanks…"
Nel smiled again as she closed her eyes and felt herself drift into dreamland.
TBC…
NYO! DONE! First chapter of my third AlNel fic! Apologies for the corny title! Sadly it was the only thing that worked for this goddamn fic!Hope you enjoyed! REVIEW PLEASE!