Crazee: It's chapter two! Yeah, that's right, four reviews was enough to convince me to keep going. Sad eh? But anyway, Reki's still hiding, so I might as well get on with the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own .hack/DUSK or FE9. Just a vertically challenged chair, a computer that was new for about a week before something better came out, and my OC, Kossin Amnell.
Chapter Two
Although Mist had left shortly after her storm watching expirience, Reki remained up on the roof throughout most of the beginning of the storm. In fact, he didn't reluctantly return to the world below untill the rain became to heavy to endure.
"It's about time you came down."
Caught off guard, Reki looked around wildly for the speaker. His gaze fell on a solemn young man who didn't appear to be much older than himself. But there was something about him, something unexplainable, that said he was older. Perhaps closer to Balmung's nineteen years. If Reki's memory served him correctly, this was Soren, the tactician of the Greil Mercenaries.
"I want to speak to you." Soren said bluntly when Reki remained silent.
Reki was suddenly very attentive. Whay could Soren possibly have to discuss with him? Too confused to protest, Reki followed Soren into one of the spare rooms. Neither of them sat. Instead, they stood at opposite ends of the table in the center of the room. Soren observed Reki calmly while the blonde teen became increasingly nervous.
"You're a mage." stated Soren suddenly.
"E-excuse me?"
Soren's gaze became sharp, as if he was annoyed.
"You heared me. You're a mage... and a rare one at that."
Reki shook his head, a frown etched on his face.
"With all do respect sir, that can't be possible. I was born in a land where magic doesn't exist. The thought of me being a mage is ludicrous."
"You don't think so," Soren said pointedly, "You've entertained thoughts of becoming a mage."
Sighing, Reki shook his head agian. He didn't know how Soren had found out about his player character from The World. Sure it had been fun to play as a wave master, but the magic had just been part of the game, nothing more.
"Yes, I played The World as a type of mage, but that doesn't mean anything. It was just a video game. This is real life."
The stern look on Soren's face made Reki wonder if there really was truth behind the tactician's words. What proof could he possibly have? Or did he have any at all? When Soren looked at him there was a knowing look in his eyes.
"Storms. Rather pointless wastes of energy, wouldn't you say?" he stated casually, gesturing towards the window.
"They are not!" shouted Reki defensively.
Soren's expression turned stoney, but from somewhere in the room, amused laughter could be heard. They were no longer alone.
"You walked right into our negative mage friend's trap," the intruder claimed, "You just proved that what he says is true."
Reki turned towards the entrace of the room. There, leaning against the doorframe, was a man he'd never seen before. His emerald green hair fell neatly to just above his shoulders, the bangs covering one of his brilliant azure eyes. He wore a bemused expression, as if he knew something no one else did.
"Amnell." Soren growled.
The intruder offered a courteous bow, which was accompanied by a sarcastic smile and a wink.
"Pleasure to see you again, Soren."
"I'd hardly choose those words to describe this." retorted Soren.
"Still as polote as ever." the intruder muttered.
Seeming to just realize Reki was still there, the intruder turned his attention to the youth.
"You must be the next canidate for the position of Soren's apprentice. Might I suggest you listen to him? It'll make it less painful."
"I don't mean to sound rude, but why should I take you're advice? I don't even know you." Reki said quietly.
Smiling that bemused smile again, the intruder bowed.
"Kossin Amnell at your service my lord."
Reki ws taken aback.
"Lord?"
He didn't get his answer. The air had become thick and strangely hot. Kossin turned a wide eye on Soren, who now had a ball of flame in his hand.
"I'll tolerate you're presence, Amnell. But don't interrupt." Soren said menecingly.
Kossin just shrugged and took a seat, watching the scene before him intently.
With Kossin out of the way, it was just Reki and Soren. Desperately wanting to get out of this uncomfortable situation, Reki decided to adress the problem directly.
"How can you tell if I'm a mage or not?" he demanded, "What proof do you have?"
"First of all, as Amnell was kind enough to point out," - Soren glared at Kossin, who stuck out his tongue - " Only a weather mage would stand up for a storm. Secondly, I can see magic. You are a mage, there's no way around it."
"It's all true!" Kossin called from his seat.
Pretending Kossin hadn't spoken, Soren approached Reki, extinguishin his fire ball as he did so. He stopped just close enough to make Reki nervous and produced a mirror.
"You need proof? See for yourself."
Cautiously, Reki looked into the mirror. At first, he saw nothing but himself. Then he noticed the strange, steely aura that surrounded his reflection. As if it had been triggered by his noticing it, the aura intensified so that it was almost blinding. Shielding his eyes, Reki looked away from the mirror.
"What was that?" he inquired.
"Magic." both Kossin and Soren replied.
"You're magic." the former continued, earning a glare from Soren.
It was all too much. The proof was right in front of him, but he couldn't bring himself to believe it. He couldn't be a mage! Biting back tears of frustration, Reki ran from the room. He needed to escape. He needed to be alone.
"Well, you discovered him. Go get him." Kossin said, nodding towards the door.
"Why should I?"
"Let's see, storm plus untrained weather mage equals possible mass destruction! And his frustration only makes it worse!"
Wordlessly, Soren left.
Crazee: And that's all she wrote. Things are certainly looking pretty rough for Reki. I wonder what could possibly happen out in that storm...
Kossin: Only you know.
Crazee: That's right! And I'm not telling. You'll have to read the next chapter to find out.
Kossin: You heard her, in the mean time, please review!
Crazee: And if you get really bored while waiting for me, R&R Overcoming Obstacles by Blondee-7310! Many thankies! And many cookies for reviewers!