A/N: This is slightly Alternate Reality since Fayt and Cliff don't crash into Elicoor. I just felt like there needed to be more Albel x Nel fanfiction around. The theme should be pretty easy to spot if you know your Disney movies or even your fairytales. It might be a bit cliché, but it works for these two. So enjoy and please review. It'll help keep my muse focused on this story. I seriously want to finish this one. :D

Disclaimer: Tri-Ace and Square Enix own Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. If they didn't, I'd have a bunch of Alnel and other couple silliness. And I do not own the words Nel recites. That belongs to Disney.

Once upon a time, in a land of Airyglyph, a son of a Duke lived with his parents. Happy was this child, although he was full of hubris. His father was a great knight and dragon tamer. The boy truly looked up to his father, but one day, it was all taken away.

The boy was destined to become a dragon tamer like his father, but during his Accession of Flame Ceremony, he did not pass the test. The dragon then unleashed his flames upon him, but the Duke died instead, leaving his son fatherless and the Duchess a widow.

The Duchess was the fairest in all the kingdom. Many suitors came to woo her. Every suitor who came was rejected, but none more so than the King of the Dead himself. The Duchess refused the King of the Dead's advances, even rejecting the Rose of Heaven, whose nectar would grant the drinker eternal life.

The King could see that the woman truly loved her deceased husband. Instead of unleashing his anger upon her, the King of the Dead placed a curse upon the Duke's Son and turned him into a Beast every new moon, marking him as one of his own. Ashamed of what her son became, she tried to appease the King of the Dead, but it was too late and the Duchess grew mad.

The Duke's son now bore a mark upon his back, which is only visible during the new moon, but it is no ordinary mark. The mark would fade on his 25th year. If he could learn to love another and earn love in return by the time the mark fades, the curse would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a monster for all time. As the years passed, the Duke's Son fell into a pit of hatred, loathing himself because his father died due to his weakness and for his own inability to protect his mother. It was not long until he lost hope.

For who could ever learn to love a Beast?

Until I Find You

I. Glances on the Battlefield

When the world was young, my country used to be one with Airyglyph. That was so until the defeat of the Empire of Aquor at the hands of Greeton. Since then, Aquaria and Airyglyph have been engaged in the civil war. I do not know how long we have been fighting, but I know I do not want to see blood on the hands of my children, should I have any. I do not want the children who will succeed us to be bathed with hatred and hold a lust for blood.

To this war, I've lost my father, Nevelle Zelpher – the former leader of the Secret Legion, a Crimson Blade in his own right. He was a loving father from what I choose to remember. Loving, but strict. Kind when he knew I was pushed too hard. From the age of fifteen, I've followed his footsteps and become a member of the elite Crimson Blades. I have yet to recover his weapons from the other side, but I intend to get them back. My father had always promised that his weapons, the Blades of Ryusen, would be mine.

I've also lost my best friend, Clair Lasbard to this war. Being my comrade in the strategic field, she was the only daughter of legendary war hero, Adray and sole inheritor of dukedom of Arias. I have inherited her lands via the request of her father. Clair and I have always been close, but I cannot have control of her area. I feel that this area is not mine. From Clair's death, I swore that I would find a way to end this conflict between Aquaria and Airyglyph.

Her Royal Majesty Aquaria XXVII is presently unwed and claims that she is too old to bear a child. Therefore, she named Clair to be her heir, but since Clair's death, the position as the heir of Aquaria falls to me. I am the second Crimson Blade to hold the title of the Queen's heir. As the heir to she who shines as bright as the sun, I have been sworn to end this war in whatever way I can.

I have been sworn to do this, but I cannot bear to see one more friend of mine die. The question is how? I pray that Apris will show me the way to peace.

Nel Zelpher,

Duchess of Peterny and Arias

Crimson Blade & Commander of the Secret Legion

Heir to the Kingdom of Aquaria

"Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young Prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the Prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind."

She couldn't believe that she was doing this. It was completely and utterly absurd. She was needed out there on the battlefield. The Secret Legion needed its commander. The Shield Legion relied on the information the Secret Legion brought back from Airyglyph. She needed to be on her way to Kirlsa, but she was trapped, running a silly job.

"But then, one winter's night, an old beggar-woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the Prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away."

Magistrate Lasselle set this up. There was no doubt about it.

"But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful Enchantress."

Yes, Nel Zelpher was the queen's present heir, but she could hold her own in battle. She was not a princess, waiting to be pampered and married off. She was a Crimson Blade, one of the highest ranks in the Sacred Kingdom of Aquaria. She felt insulted when Lasselle insisted that she be treated as such.

"The Prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart; and as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous Beast --- and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world."

Usually, the Queen would not give in to Lasselle's suggestions, but this one seemed logical. After all, Nel had taken mission upon mission and therefore, had a lack of rest. Her abilities as a spy would be compromised.

"The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken."

That was how Nel was stuck reading fairy tales to a few children. Speaking of children, they were falling asleep on her watch. She sighed to herself and continued reading, cursing Lasselle in her head. It was his fault in the first place.

"If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a Beast?"

The red head paused for a moment, scanning the perimeter. She could see a few of the palace guards chuckling. It wasn't often that they would witness such a sight. The great Nel Zelpher was reading to young children of Aquaria's most noble families. Not only that, she was in a dress for Apris's sake. It was a backless dress made of the finest silk. Two slits were cut into the sides of her dress, allowing the red runes to show. She could feel the eyes of the men tracing her form and watched the slow grins appear across their lips.

Damn that Lasselle!

Nel belonged in the war effort, not in the castle, reading to children. She exhaled and slammed the book shut, waking up the children and snapping the guards out of their lustful fantasies. Pulling the book to her chest, she quickly stood and watched the children pouted at her. "That'll be all for today. Run along now."

Gasping, the children beamed and ran off to the gardens. As soon as they were out of sight, Nel proceeded to glare at the palace guards. Instinct led her right hand to her thigh, where her daggers would usually be. She didn't have them with her, but all in the kingdom knew of her strength. Seeing her threat and knowing she was able to beat them with sheer force, the guards then backed off and looked away. Nel shook her head and seized this chance to leave.

She glided silently through the halls to reach her room. Runologists who were studying in Castle Aquaria stepped out of the way and bowed their heads. These people certainly did not help her mood. In fact, it worsened. By the time she got to her room, she slammed the door behind her, gazing out the window. She needed to blow off some steam. The sun wasn't even overhead yet and she was restless. That was it. She would leave and join the Shield Legion.

Sneaking out of the castle without being noticed was one of her skills.

As her hands reached the back of her dress and untied the knot, she allowed the dress to slip off her body and tossed it onto the bed. Her bright green eyes located her Crimson Blade uniform and reached out for it. It took a minute to get everything on, including her favorite scarf. She sat on the bed to put on her boots and armor, finally equipping her twin daggers to her sides.

She stood up and fixed her gloves. Nel started to mumble to herself. Her mind was completely made up. The Magistrate had no say in her next course of action. After all, she had her share of rest. "If I use the fastest lum in the stables, I can reach Arias within two hours at least. Maybe less, if I don't stop."

After grabbing a cloak to hide her face and vibrant hair, she set off for the stables. No one noticed her gallop off out of the Sacred City.

Bah, I do not know why I am writing this letter. I suppose it was the old coot's idea. It will not take long. My skills are on the battlefield rather than within castle walls. I have no love for politics, but for battle. Airyglyph has been fighting the Aquarian scum for as long as I can remember. I live for the thrill of the fight. I am called Albel the Wicked for the way I treat my enemies on the battlefield. To Aquaria, I am a monster, but that is because they are weak.

I see no point at fighting such weaklings. Duke Vox - that fool doesn't agree with me. Bah, why shouldn't the King should behead that maggot? I do not care if the maggot is uncle to my King. The maggot is poisoning my country, focusing on the war instead of domestic problems.

The war has taken my father from me. At fifteen, I lost my father during my Accession of the Flame ceremony. I was meant to join the war effort on an air dragon, but the dragon tried to kill me. My father burnt to death instead. My mother is too old to bare another child. Since the death of my father, illness is slowly driving her mad. She fails to recognize her own son.

I am the last Nox left.

As Vox rides his air dragon, I am stationed on the front lines. I swear he wants me dead. His son died in battle instead of me. He blames me for that, but I do not care. I am the heir of Airyglyph XIII now, whether I like it or not. And should I ever sit on that throne (bah, Apris knows better than to do such a thing), the first thing I will do is behead that Vox, end this pointless war and find more worthy causes to fight for.

Albel Nox

Duke of Granah Hills

Captain of the Black Brigade

Heir to the Kingdom of Airyglyph

A head of black-blond hair lead his troops onto the battlefield. He raised his sword and thrust it forward, signaling the attack to begin. From behind him, the Black Brigade stormed off, some on foot and others on lums. The Storm Brigade would follow shortly. The Dragon Brigade charged at the Aquarian army from above. The routine was the same and it bored him.

A crimson gaze did not waver as he foresaw the carnage the Glyphian troops would bring down upon the Aquarian scum. He spit into the ground below. For years, the battles were the same and he found no one whose skills could entertain him.

A low growl left the back of Albel's throat. He had killed all the filthy maggots that seemed like a challenge, but in the end, they were weak and begging to be spared. To the other side, he was merciless. Thus, he was Albel the Wicked. Without much effort, he charged through the fields and swung his blade, cutting the few unfortunate Aquarian soldiers in his path. There was no remorse in his eyes, but his instinct told him to keep fighting so he could to leave the battle alive. He had no doubt that he would be bested by the Aquarian scum with his weapon, but it was their runology. It was a cheap way of winning in his eyes.

Swiftly dodging a fire bolt, he snarled. "Worm."

Then, it rained fire. Whether they were from the Runologists or from the air dragons, Albel simply didn't give a damn. All he knew was that he had to avoid it. His lum galloped on. His arm grew tired of his killing blows with his blade. He was more comfortable fighting on the ground, but Woltar insisted that he rode during this battle.

"That stupid old coot." Albel hissed, "That Vox is a maggot too."

If it wasn't for that warmonger, Albel wouldn't be here, slaying every Aquarian in sight. He was bored and his thoughts drifted to his mother. The poor woman was dying. Yes, he knew that. She had always despised the conflict and urged her son to help the effort to end it, but now, Albel was losing her. He clenched his prosthetic hand into a fist and sliced the last of the scum in half.

He looked up, not even breaking a sweat. He needed to find a worthier opponent. His boredom returned and it showed his ruby eyes. But just then, he spotted a flash of red near the heart of the battlefield. He had seen that shade before in Airyglyph, which was rare in itself.

"Lady Nel?" He could hear her name being shouted on the other side. There was a few Aquarian scum seemed to be surprised by her arrival. She seemed important to the Aquarian troops. A frown crossed his lips as he spotted the woman riding a lum. Her vibrant hair made her stand out as she slipped out of her black cloak. It was her alright. She must have been the one who informed Aquaria about the 'pre-emptive attack'.

Then, he heard the air dragons screeched and dive from the skies above. Albel urged his lum to ride on, toward that woman, taking the life of every worm blocking his way. He took several direct hits in the form of flames and ice, but he used his gauntlet and his blade to deflect some of them. All that matter was to get to that wench before Vox did.

However, Shelby the Heavy-Handed got there first. Albel cursed the existence of his second-in-command, calling him all sorts of insects. The urge to kill Shelby came to mind, but as much as he hated to admit it, Albel needed Shelby around to win the Black Brigade's support if intimidation did not work. "Bah, stupid-"

He was cut off by the sounds of dragons roaring, men dying in pain and Woltar calling them to fall back. It also seemed that the opposing forces were attempting to fall back as well. There was an increase in elemental spells flying about. Albel glared at Shelby, who had fallen under the edge of an icy dagger. Blood stained his armor as the soldier fell off his lum. Shelby the Heavy-Handed had been defeated by that woman! Cursing the name of his subordinate, he caught her gaze, her bright green against his deadly crimson.

"Boy!"

Sheathing his weapon, Albel snarled, cursing the wench under his breath and forced his lum to turn its heel. He could still feel her gaze upon his back. If looks could kill, he was sure that woman would try to do so. As the thoughts passed, against the noise of the footsteps and stallions rushing home, he then realized that woman could be a bit of a challenge. He remembered her name: Nel. After he spoke it aloud, he immediately growled. Thankfully, the remnants of the Black Brigade had not heard him. In fact, they were too occupied with their own losses, but only the old coot heard.

Count Woltar sighed to himself and shook his head. He had seen the maiden as well, not knowing what to think. He rode behind Albel, not saying a word.