Disclaimer: Star Ocean and all characters involved belongs to Tri-Ace. And personally, I do believe that they're in good hands. (I made the typo of forgetting an s to belong in the first chapter... Not that it's important)

Author's Notes: I thought about trying to go with a slightly different style, or a much more different narrative style. Or perhaps a combination of the two. The difficulty would be to find the balance... Ah, this is also my first fanfic I've actually bothered to write further then two pages and actually post somewhere, I believe. (I also was trying to place this down yesterday, but the server kept timing out. Guess it's something that happens.)

Currently, we are still in the section before-game events. This chapter might end up being a bit longer, and I've decided to try(note the word Try) and make the paragraphs a bit larger in bulk. Since, when I looked last, it seemed a bit thin here and there. Any commentary and reviewing would be appreciated, thank you for your time and let the first chapter commence. Hope you enjoyed the Prologue, and get ready for a few moment of Angst, at least I think it's angst, maybe not. Please keep in mind as well, that anything said in here will not put into stone how the ending will be, so don't imagine any coupling will be permanently placed.

Adding: Hey, felt like adding this here instead. I've decided that my version of making flashbacks for this fanfic in particular would be through centering the text inside the story itself. It's not just that but... Please, don't run away? I'm really sorry for this chapter, but I can't bear to break it down into a two or three part thing, splitting it into different chapters. As in all reality, it's only Albel's entrance and a lotta flashbacks. Without the flashbacks, I'd imagine this thing would lower down to 2k words worth or so. Also, from my point of view, this all fits very well in just one shot rather then split apart.

I've also decided to give you guys pointers. I hate to seperate a chapter when there's no real need to, since all the pieces connects to actually form the chapter. So why not try to split it into different parts within one single chapter instead? Exactly! So I'll be splitting chapters into parts with hints. They'll basically herald the start of a part, when one part ends, another part immediately takes place. This makes it that it won't cut the beat and rythmn of the story, whilst giving people a place where they can pause and return to quickly, needing only to remember a few words and using the Ctrl + F. All you need to remember are mini-titles underlined or the word "Part" followed by a number written in words (Ex: Number 9 would be "Nine", therefore "Part Nine", just making sure I'm making myself clear as sometimes I confuse people without meaning to.)

In any case, I won't keep you here any longer. Enjoy the story, at least I hope.

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Chronicles of the Wicked

By: Knight of Paradox

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Chapter One: To the Wicked...

May you be as swift as Solon and as sharp as his blade.

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Part One of Chapter One, Commence.

"My liege, the captain of the Black Brigade has arrived at the gates of the castle and awaits for a private audience with your majesty." Remaining at the door to the private chambers of the great lord of the kingdom, King Airyglyph the XIII, was the lord's private bodyguard, clad in a full vestment of a great complex combination of well tanned leather, hidden below finely crafted steel in the shape of a full plated mail. The scent of ancient lore, books of great age filled with wisdom, a scent refined with the passage of time, with a mixture of a dry tree stump's sap and fading ink, seemed to fill the air. Meanwhile, the handsome middle aged man, within the lord's chambers, would look away from the many maps placed before him, to instead grant the one to the door his attention. "I see, so he's arrived early. Send someone for him immediately, I have need of his advise. Inform him to meet me in the war room." A stern voice, from this handsome older man seemed to burst out with a natural strength and authority only a king could possess.

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Mettle

"What will we do now my lord? The enemy units has severely hampered the progress of our troops but a few moments walk from Arias." Voices echoed and struck as lightning, resonating from one side to another of the worn out tent which was firmly set upon the far outer corners of the battlefield. All of which was covered by the fog of war which arose from thin air. The lieutenants and commanders shouting and rushing from one side to another, orders chaotically given in a frenzy to retaliate and recover themselves from their losses.

"An ambush... We should have known, it was all but too clear, this hole in their defenses... Such an obvious trap! What have I done... I have sent my people to the slaughter!" The king, adorned with a regal mantle which covered his gold and bronze scalelike armor, collapsed upon the edge of the wooden surface laying before him, with his gauntlets which rang against the rugged table. As the many folded maps and wooden figures, depicting their advancing troops against the opponent's, shook suddenly from the abrupt fall of the king, whom had done so upon having heard of the fate of his many soldiers. But he did not remain like so for too long. The king would not maintain this unsightly posture, his arms pressed against the table and his head lowered, whilst his people were still fighting fiercely. "Send the orders to regroup! We will recuperate ourselves and rush through the enemy from five different directions, as quickly as an arrow and as unstoppable as a dragon's rage! Though they may certainly hold another ambush, if we storm in from all fronts, they will be unable to effectively counter us."

"But my lord..." Seated around the table, looming over the strategically positioned figurines upon a worn old grey map, were the many advisors and generals of the troops, as well as the personal bodyguards of the king himself. From the many, a simple man adorned in silk and leather, was one of his few advisors. "What of the Black Brigade? Without a leader to guide them, they will be nothing more then a liability." Many others remained silent at the mention of the infantry and heavy cavalry of Airyglyph, as the recent demise of it's captain remained heavy upon the hearts of the many. The king himself remained silent at the mention of the Black Brigade, in respect to a fellow warrior whom had fallen in battle. But it changed nothing of the fact that the king himself remained clueless as to what he should do, and as always, when he sought guidance, he would look towards his two most trusted advisors. "Lord Vox, Lord Woltar... What insight may you bring, so to shed some light upon what seems to be our current darkest hour?" The once young royal highness, now turning into a middle aged man, drew his hand out across the map that laid before him, as if awaiting their decision before continuing on.

"Perhaps..." With a heavy sigh and his age finally catching up to him, a now aging man remained thoughtful, his elbows before him and his fingers criss-crossed, covering his chin. "It is time that we make use of the boy." Wording himself with deep contemplation, his eyes were no longer upon the battlefield but to the many thoughts which ran through his mind. "The boy? You don't mean..." This gruff and harsh tone belonged to none other then Vox, a man of might and the current captain of the Dragon Brigade, whom had succeeded over the previous leader, the one whom went by the name of Glou. "Yes, the one I speak of is the son of Glou Nox, the former captain of the Dragon Brigade. He is none other then Albel Nox..."

"Woltar, are you certain that he is ready to take on such duties? He still seems so young." There was worry in the eyes of his highness, a hand extending forward with his palm to the air and his fingers laying limp, as if awaiting for something to come to him. Most likely, that something was whatever answer would be given to his question. "My lord, he is still somewhat immature, but he would do well upon the position. Though it has only been two years since the tragedy, the boy has grown remarkably. This may come as a surprise to you, but he is quite adept at the finer arts of war as well as warfare." Food for thought, the mischievous young boy whom was taken under the count's wing, when he had lost both of his parents, had grown.

"...True, he is the son of Glou and a fine warrior on his feet. Though I have yet to know of his abilities to lead. But we are in a moment of need. Without a captain the Black Brigade can do nothing but remain in disarray." For a moment, both the king and the count remained in contemplation, as all the generals and all the advisors at the table began to remain thoughtful upon the candidate in question. As silence grew between this circle of people, surrounded by the sounds of an impending war, a voice spoke in breaking this mute moment. This was the voice of one of the captains, the mighty Duke Vox.

A hand came down upon the table, shaking it with might as, finally, the figurines began to tumble over to the side, whilst the maps fell slightly into disarray due to the strength of the blow. "My lord, I doubt that this boy, whom failed his accession so miserably, would do well to lead our troops! If you will truly place him upon the position of a captain, wether with or without my own accord, then perhaps a test is in order! A test so to see wether this youth has the strength and cunning mind to lead one of Airyglyph's proud Brigades." In response, the king's contemplation would shift it's attention no longer towards the boy in question, but towards this test that one of his loyal officer would suggest. A hand to his chin and an open ear, the kingdom's royal highness spoke with a curious but nonetheless dignified tone. "Hmm, exactly what would this test consist of, lord Vox?"

A light grin appeared upon the man's visage, as if twisting it somewhat. But to the many upon the table, they had grown so accustomed to this face as to grow unable to see it's remaining malignant signs of cruelty. "Let the boy go with but a small unit of our strongest knights from the Black Brigade, so to take care of the ambush parties that lay ahead. If he is capable of taking them down before nightfall, then even I will adhere to his elevation to the ranks of Captain. If he is so weak as to be killed, then he was in no place to inherit the name of the Nox family." There was uncertainty to this suggestion. Sending a guerilla unit against an unknown amount of ambush parties. But all doubt and worry faded away from the king's thoughts, as the old count would speak in defense of the son of Glou Nox. "Your highness, I have the upmost trust upon the boy's abilities."

Nothing but silence reigned between the many men gathered around the table, as the king placed his hand down from his long moment of concentration, waging the possible losses and the advantages he would gain, if ever the young man was successful. "Alright... Recall the troops! Lord Woltar, send someone for the boy! We will see what the son of Glou Nox is capable of." Before all was set in motion, the old count held his hand up, as if in protest to the king's words. "Your highness, I suggest that we send only two knights to be with the boy. I believe it would be best as we do not wish them to be in his way."

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There he was, a thin strange man in garments of red and gold, with an allure that would be most befitting to a narcist. Count Noppen, still lurking about within the royal halls of the castle, was one of the few nobles to remain within the castle itself. His strange personality and attitude awarded him a role somewhat near that of a buffoon, but more importantly, he was an easier asset to utilize and held no ambition to overthrow the king himself. Still, the facts remained that this noble was nonetheless rather irritable. "My, my, if it isn't lord Albel! Back from the Kirlsa facilities already? Well then, let me be the first to welcome you back to our beautiful and glorious capital of Airygly-"

"Shut up you worm. Unlike the others, I do not have the ability to digest my need to regurgitate each time that you open that little trap of yours. So I'd highly suggest you find someone else to entertain and suck up to, or would you rather entertain me by letting me paint the walls red with your blood?" Interrupting the count before him with a dark, cruel voice which slithered through the air, as if a thick cold aura had rushed to the man vested in jewelry and silk, with a cold shiver rushing down his spine to boot.

"Y-yes of course." The count did not achieve his place by testing his luck in such manners. Nor did he survive by insisting so much as to risk his own flesh and blood. As the nobleman ran away from the cold man with careful and composed calm steps, as composed as they could remain with the chilling thought that his head would easily be looped off at any minute if he remained within the same room as the son of Glou for far too long. Still, Count Noppen had made his getaway safely, leaving only the impatient Albel behind. Only one thing seemed to escape the lips of the young captain of the Black Brigade. Something filled with disgust, a light mutter beneath his breath. "Sniveling worm..."

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Golden Dream

"Get out of here you sniveling worm!" A woman's cry filled with fury rode all throughout the neighborhood as a young black and golden haired child would remain hidden behind the large furniture of the room, or to be more specific, a fine wooden dresser adorned with decorative carvings of intricate vine and flower like designs. Those red globes of his peaking out from time to time, as he would see his mother, once again, fending nobles out of their household, upon the first sign of manipulation and subterfuge.

For days on end, they would try to con the Nox family, as well as the families of Woltar and Vox, though their endeavors had grown weaker with each and every failed attempt, which was to say every single attempt, as despair or reality would finally or eventually seep into their hearts. Though there were always a certain few that would remain delusional to the idea that the people would return to wishing their rule, rather then that of the king's. Eventually though, peace would return and the little Albel would remove himself from his hiding place so to head towards the dinning table, the food was still warm and waiting. Their small moment, feasting upon a bountiful home cooked meal, ruined by a certain visit.

The next question though, must have had to be one of the more interesting ones, as the young woman remained silently embarrassed, as well as in awkward thoughts at the query of her little one. "Mommy... Why did you call that mister a worm?" She was the picture of grace and poise, but there were moments when the wife, the lover of the Dragon Brigade's captain and bearer of the child of Glou Nox, had her small violent lapses. Perhaps another part which added strangely to her charms, a sort of rebellious attitude that she would demonstrate from time to time in either a feminine fashion, or in a more blunt manner. "Ah... Eh, um. Now, Albel honey... Now, how am I supposed to say this."

"What? Did what mommy say was something bad?" A young child, brimming with innocence and curiosity, was not afraid by what he had seen, but was rather calm and collected about it. It was not so much as he was hiding, but rather getting a better view, without betraying his location to a type of man whom his father had often warned him about. Reluctantly, she gave up upon subtlety as, at times, it was not her forte. Raising the young Albel was often something they would do as a couple. Approaching her child, the young red eyed boy leaned over to his mother, as to grasp her with his small arms and rest against her whilst she would explain all to him. "My dear sweety... In this world, there are great men like your father. People who work hard, without fear, filled with abilities and capacities. Then there are those whom are weaker, useless or arrogant. People who need to lie and cheat to get where they want or what they want." Nothing but silence emanated from the little child, but a light nod as if understanding his mother's preaching allowed her to continue on.

With the hand of his mother gently caressing the back of his head, her every words made their way to his ears as he would try to make sense out of them. "And the reason why I called him a worm was because he was like one. Crawling around and trying to dig up dirty information or anything else that could fatten his belly. Completely unable to defend themselves but annoying enough that they're hard to get rid of, kind of like bugs. A little bit like a few other things as well." The young Albel, still filled with the same brimming innocence that every children his age had in overabundance, eyed up towards his mother with a thoughtful expression. "So in other words, someone who's weak is called a worm? Then what's daddy?" The young mother looked down, with a light smile, slightly awkward but proud of her child. "Ah... that's kind of how it works... As for your dad. Well... He's a great and strong man, something none of those lowlifes could ever hope to become." A light playful hiss as if she was chasing away another one of these many nobles escaped her lips before the two of them returned to their meals, awaiting the return of the quite reputable captain of the Dragon Brigade to return home, to his loving son and wife.

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Advancing once again through the large and long halls of the castle. The still young captain of the Black Brigade caught more then a few stares and eyes of the people. A hiss to those whom watched far too long and an intimidating glare that portrayed no mercy to those whom remained in his way far too long was no out of the ordinary experience to the people of the castle. The maids, entranced by the arrival of the young man, whom to their eyes was, albeit handsome and thrilling, dangerous, brought them to discuss with one another. "It seems that lord Albel is back! Ah, it'll be a change from seeing those old soldiers walking around!" The one to start the inevitable gossiping and conversation seemed to have somewhat of a one tracked mind, not that the other maids seemed to disagree.

"But it's not as if he's the only handsome young man in the castle. The king himself possesses quite a few good-looking features for a man of his age, don't you think so too?" Another maid began to mutter to the other, as they begun to grow more involved with one another's discussions. "And he's far less dangerous then lord Albel." The ladies seemed to discuss more openly to one another, almost turning into a small cluster. A discussion of what had started from two maids had grown into a small community of five in just a matter of seconds. "Just last time, I saw him when he was in the midst of another angry streak! He was so frightening! I swear I would have expected that soldier's head to fly right off his neck! I felt myself frozen there unable to do anything but watch, I couldn't help it! Lord Albel seems so more captivating when he's angry. But that got me yelled at too... Ah, I felt so awkward afterwards. It seems I still have a long way to go until I'm a good maid."

"Still, he's better then lord Vox. Though lord Vox is somewhat handsome for his age, his personality is worse then lord Albel's in another manner. Not only that, you all know I work the night shift, right? I've seen lord Vox and lord Albel sleep, lord Vox always seems as if he's constantly angry and war has caused such damage to his face! I don't mean scars or anything, just his facial expression... But when lord Albel sleeps, he seems like a divine being slumbering. He seems so innocent, it's hard to believe he's done so many bad things." The heated discussion had grown into a large hub of woman, dressed in the same fashion with a few guards passing by looking somewhat confused or awkward. Others feeling somewhat down as their ears were more then sharp enough to make out their every words. "Ah, I swear I'd would just melt if he were to come and steal me away!" An excited yelp which was quickly shut down by the other maids, a blush to her face and a bow to excuse herself, she quickly remained silent as the women continued to talk profusely to one another.

But out of them all, one of these women made their voice clearer then the others. "I wouldn't know, but what I have to say is that he's always up to no good! Causing trouble and being so defiant all the time, he's just asking to be demoted if you ask me. I don't think any good will come from fawning over him either. He is Albel the Wicked after all, ladies!"

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Demon of War

Like a shadow outlined in gold and crimson, a single man shrouded in a dark cape and black twisting hair rolled through the crowd before him. His entire body spinning forward, hovering barely above the ground, with a twisted and sickening silver edge from which drops of blood seemed to pour out, like a spiraling rain. Already he had pierced through an hour's walk, from where the army could no longer follow. As the screams of people ran through, piercing in every direction, as the fog of war turned to a mist colored from the blood red massacre that ran through it. With naught but two soldiers with him and a look of madness to his eyes, the units of Aquaria were caught by surprise, far from their original plans as well. "Do not be afraid! They are but three, we have both superior numbers, an advantageous position and the will of Apris on our side! We must not lose!"

A thrilling speech, caught only by screams of horrors as the leader of this small group, amongst a few others of runologist war maidens, would see metallic spikes run through her stomach, twisting and turning as the sound of bones and intestines snapping resonated coldly into their ears. Her pain was brought to an end with a blade that came piercing out of her forehead, and sliding across the length of it. The body falling down without a sound as before them remained nothing more then, to their eyes, the incarnation of evil. Screams of panic, quick incantations made in a frenzy, others rushing in tears whilst shouting with fury, while the ones with a calmer heart screamed for retreat.

It was but a blur of motions to those afar, as if the incarnation of Folstar had arrived on their lands, purging it of the followers of Apris one by one. The two soldiers were of little mention, they were nothing more then troops to keep anyone from attacking this demon's back, whilst his massacre could continue forth. Blades came rushing towards the man, but as swiftly as lightning, there stood in the way of their sharp steel a gauntlet, a claw, strapped to the man's entire arm which was pushing the blade aside with ease. With his body twisting, turning and leaning to the side as his entire weight shifted, the woman, whom had just attacked him, began to leap back reflexively. Though she was halted, with nothing more then the tip of her toes touching the ground. The cruel man's own blade pierced through from underneath her. The hilt to her hip and the tip shining lightly from inside her open mouth, one that belonged to a face which was now in an expression of pain and terror. The body of the maiden bucked and twitched before she was thrown off the blade and left to die rapidly in her agony, all in a motion as swift as if the man was trying to wipe the blood off his own lightly curved sword.

There was nothing to be done, runological spells were launched in a last ditch attempt to the man, but left him without so much as a scratch. With his claw in the way, or with far too little accuracy as to even burn a single strand of hair off his head. Like the wind, he would slide around any blade that came his way and his own would pierce through anything it would find. Through the head, arms, legs, stomach, bones and organs of a person. One was even so unfortunate as to have a skewered chest before being put out of her misery with the cold steel piercing through her throat after having to witness the death of her companions. The sight and cruelty was unsightly, as behind him was nothing but a trail of disfigured corpses.

And every now and then, the man, whom seemed caught in between both excitement and what seemed to be a form of boredom, would at times lick the blood off his own artificial hand, like a cat feasting upon milk. Another sight, which forced a few to flee and abandon their companions with which they were fighting, was that of the man shredding the flesh off an arm, the arms of one of their priestesses, with his own jaw. These which belonged to a woman whom tried to strangle him from behind, whilst his blade was clenched by another's grip and with his twisting claw, who's pain it inflicted, was not enough to destroy the fighting spirit of another maiden of Aquaria.

The orders to retreat sounded more aggravating then ever, as all fled back to the gates of Arias. There, the orders of the leader of the Shield Legion was clear, once the first whom evacuated the grounds arrived to inform the remainder of the troops. The Shield Legion's immediate goals were now to minimize casualties as well as to prevent the enemy from gaining further footing. The captains of the Demon Hunter Legion which had prepared the ambush shouted for the retreat of all that were part of her personnel. Certainly, the names of those whom decided to remain behind, as to occupy the mad beast, would not be forgotten in the annals of Aquarian history.

"You're all beginning to bore me..." As if the devil, seated upon his throne, spoke with an almighty ring to his every word. This man remained standing with the body of a maiden hanging by his blade as her dead body remained limply leaning against his shoulder. There was little to no excitement left in his eyes. To where he found a thrilling and dangerous situation, there was nothing left but clean up work. Nothing to appeal the eye of this vile being. Nothing, except a small group of runologists before him. But even then, none of them seemed to possess any strength. If the others he had rushed through was proof enough, they would be of no trouble to him either. "I hope at least one of you will pose as some of a challenge. Or is it that all you Aquarian wenches are so weak that you need to rely on backhanded tactics to win?"

"Y-you demon..." Whispered threats emerged from the lips of the one at the forefront of the group, as her hands were to her lone dagger. The others reached for their weapons as well, as some were readying themselves mentally to cast their strongest and fastest spells in their arsenal. "You won't get away with this! CHARGE!"

"Alright, everybody. Fire at will!" The voice of a silver haired woman resonated with authority and clarity, as the maidens at the top of the city walls began to shine one after the other with energy, as others approached carefully from the road towards the massacre before them.

Five on one, what with the other two soldiers, having been injured long ago, were now resting afar though ready to rush in at any time they would see their current leader in trouble. It was a truly uneven battle, unfortunately for the five whom began to attack this lone warrior. Each blade being carefully blocked, moments of silence and patience between each strike and shards of ice or spheres of flames being evaded at the last moment. Although the clawed man before them was on the defensive, his experience in battle far outweighed those of his assailants. "...This is hardly entertaining. You maggots aren't worth my time. Consider yourselves lucky, I have no interest in killing such weaklings like you." The remaining rookies, enraged at the sight and filled with disgust to the one before them, were shaking in their armor and cloth. Even though the man was turning around to depart, with his blade sheathed and his posture completely defenseless, they would not even dare charge forth. "Hmph, you really are maggots." A laughter rolled through like a vile mist enshrouding them as the man walked calmly away.

But soon, the vile wicked beast before them was pressed to depart in a much faster pace then he himself expected. As dozen of flaming bolts came crashing down at his feet, leaping off the floor but only at the precise moment of the blast. Leaving nothing more then his heel lightly burnt and smoking. Needles of ice came tumbling from afar, pillars of stone shattering to pieces above his head and the shouts of maidens, screaming out, as numerous runological spells were launched at the wicked being whom evaded them all, still holding a cruel laughter to his lips.

Though he was retreating, it did not signify that he hadn't won. The dozens of dead corpses he left behind were more then enough to let the Glyphian troops to advance further and take another step towards their long awaited victory. "Such a wicked beast..." The survivors would look towards the man whom fled back to his own army, wondering wether it was luck, the mercy of the devil or a cruel fate, that allowed them to live whilst their other companions, whom remained on the battlefield, were slain before them. "Do you have any information on this man?" The leading maiden of Apris, the one whom was at the head of the Shield Legion assigned at the frontline of battle by the queen herself, quickly asked her nearest officer as she would silently nod to signal others to search for the proper documents.

"Ma'am! It seems that we have some information regarding this person. According to the information from one of our agents of the Secret Legion, he is Albel Nox, the child of the previous Dragon Brigade captain and is currently living with the captain of the Storm Brigade." The information given and revealed was limited and most of it useless as it provided little to aid them in defending the borders against this newfound threat. "So he lives in Kirlsa does he? Inform the Crimson Blade to have an operative concentrating on the events of Kirlsa with more attention." The silver haired woman was in deep thought, whilst the officer besides her would reply once more, before taking her leave. "I believe they have someone named Astor there, we'll inform her to have him keep a more concentrated watch on Woltar's estate. I have a feeling that this is, unfortunately, not the last time we'll see him..."

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"Lord Albel! The king wishes to inform you that your private audience will be held within the war room." Considerably calm and composed, for a man whom ran through the castle in full clad armor, only to transfer the message of his majesty to one of the three captains of Airyglyph's proud brigades. The soldier bowed rapidly and left at the sign of the Black Brigade's captain, raising his left arm, to which a metallic claw was firmly strapped against, motioning the grunt to depart from his presence. Once his being gone from the captain's sight, with a light twist of his heel, the man turned around to make his way back. The light, which previously struck his face, was now reflecting it's brilliant shine against the cold steel that remained motionless to his left side as well.

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Iron Claw

Hammers thundered and wheels grinded against one another with a loud roar, rivaled only by the screams of a young boy, strapped to a chair and restricted of all movement. Looming above him, a blacksmith and an engineer, working upon the stub that was upon his left arm, whilst a doctor remained afar, awaiting the moment when he would be needed. Heated metal plating and holes punctured through his flesh and bones, knobs and burning red bars of metal running through, with stains of blood against the side of the chair and dust from grinded bone whitening the wooden frame of the chair currently holding the man. Gritting through his teeth, a new hand was given to him. One made of metal, strapped and hooked, bolted into place and outfitted to have the quick capacity to be replaced as well as remain still and bear whatever torture it could without being removed. Without need of intricate tools, or any engineering knowledge, it was a simple yet complex process which involved the many pre-placed metallic objects which now slid through his own body. Underneath this new claw given to him in place of his hand, the product looked like misshapen discs of metal plated against one another to form an elongation of his stub, with bars of metal lined out here and there and tiny knobs made to tighten the entire thing.

"It's finished... I know the process was long, but I hope it was well worth it. I have to say though kid, you've got some balls! Not a lot of people could've remained conscious through the entire thing. You're going to be great, I can feel it." The engineer remained there with a light look of surprise at the young boy whom had looked at him and reached over for his new arm once the work had been completed. "If there's any problem with it, come see us at any time." The cold metal with which he was so familiar with, had now become one with his own being. The pain he had lived through was a challenge to his own will and strength, but the twisted metal now in place of his lost hand was the fruition of it. Though he had lost a physical part of him, he had gained something else of equal worth. Still, this exchanged seemed hollow, as the birth of this newfound hand was also proof of the events that had happened long ago... But he had to accept it and this would not only force the truth upon him, it was his first step towards greatness as well. Recovering from his operation, the young man could do nothing but mutter incomprehensible words in a half unconscious daze. "I don't know kid. Well, whatever you do is none of my damn business. Just don't be dumb like a certain so-called inventor parading around." Somewhere outside of the area where the operation took place, quite certainly, the self-proclaimed Invention King was surely feeling a chill down his spine, due to the mocking of his fellow inventors.

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It was not long though until his march was interrupted yet again. A light grunt from his lips and an increased pace did no good, as he knew he would be stopped once more, and this time, by a man much less interesting then a simple guard. Or rather, more aggravating. Lord Vox whom was currently speaking to a guard had caught sight of the unfortunate captain of the Black Brigade and was now heading towards him, after rapidly ending the discussion. "So, how goes the battle at the frontside of the Kirlsa hills? My informants tells me that the war hasn't progressed quite as planned. The area seems to remain in a stalemate. Perhaps your Brigade alone is unable to do much against the enemy, now would be a good time for the Dragon Brigade to come to aid you, would it not?"

"Don't worry that pretty little head of yours on such petty matters, these scums will be taken care of swiftly when the time is right. And anyways, why would I want to share any of the fun with you?" A sly response with a light maniacal grin to his face, which was quite characteristic of himself. Without much of an adieu, the son of Glou continued on forth to the war room, leaving the older man, captain of the Dragon Brigade, with a light satisfied smile. "We'll see. Nonetheless, in the next meeting, I will make it a priority to address this matter to the king himself." There was no response, as the silent man continued forth, turning the corner as he disappeared from lord Vox's sight.

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Hatred

Morning arrived, the birds were singing outside the mansion's walls, perched upon it's roof or balconies. The young Albel, seemingly in a trance, looked around slowly as if having awoken from a nightmare. The light illuminated the colorful and well decorated room, styled for a young man of good birth. The fresh scent of sage came from the outside garden and across his open window. And the gentle sunlight would press up against the man's skin, wrapping around his body and across his face. The light would strike his eye at such an angle, that it were not harmful. These eyes, caught in a moment of disbelief and horror, shining in colors of white and red, would slowly fall down towards his own body.

Bandages around his arm, a stub midway after his elbow, whilst the wrapping's color contrasted his own body. A pure white at the base and a dry crimson towards the end. Soon, everything flashed before his eyes, as nothing but pure horror were upon those crimson eyes of his. A gut wrenching cry, a wild beast's scream, resonated from the man's lips, keeling over whilst he would clutch upon the remainder of his arm. Cries as if seeking out for something which had now long disappeared as the young man's tears swelled up only to soon be met with a wild rage, almost as if a demon of Folstar had taken over his entire being. With his cries still rolling out of his lips, and his grip upon the stub which stung like a thousand needles into his flesh, the blood could not help but seep further out. Droplets were staining his bed sheets and the boy was now lost in a moment of madness.

That strong hurling voice of his resonating strongly still, his entire body bucking, rasping for breath only to scream once more like a dying creature. With his being twisted as his entire upper body fell to the floor whilst his legs became entangled to his bed sheets. The door to his room opened in a frenzy, as to the doorframe remained an old man, with a shocked expression, and one of the many house maids covering her lips with horror at the sight. The child of the man Glou, now an orphan but a few days before, was trashing about, thrusting his stub into the furniture and the walls, shattering glasses as shards became entrapped into his flesh bit by bit. The dresser tossed to the ground and trampled upon until pieces came flying all about, the bed's frame tipped over and sent flying towards the nearby walls, causing the many paintings to puncture and fall to the floor with the same high pitched sounds which mimicked that of the windows, broken earlier during his rampage. All was turning to hell upon this small room within Woltar's mansion.

Finally, he would turn about. Looking upon a mirror hanging at his wall. A moment of peace seemed to arrive as the one whom was slowly turning into a madman would stare at it intently, with both surprise and horror at the sight of what he could see within it. At that moment, the old count knew not wether to approach him or to maintain his distance, but before he could choose to do either, another full bellied cry echoed throughout the mansion's halls. The pieces of the mirror flying towards the young man from the shock of the blow, having lunged his entire body towards it to destroy it, as if he refused the sight itself. It wasn't long until this strange morning exercise had caused him to fall unconscious, both from exhaustion and from the loss of blood, as streaks of his own life fluids were now painting the room in a chaotic manner.

This scene was turning into routine as, soon enough, the young man had come to hold special needs. All mirrors were taken out of his room, dangerous objects were placed aside, the windows were kept constantly shut and he himself would be firmly strapped to his bed, until morning came and one of the maids would come to unleash the beast, accompanied by one of Woltar's finest lum knights. The boy had turned to seclusion, eating little and sleeping even less, as he was awoken at frequent intervals with screams that made others fear for their own lives or the life of the one whom held these screams. All those within the household seemed to understand the pain of the young man to some extent.

There were times, when between his screams, one could make out the words 'Father' within them, but slowly it seemed that the boy was losing his ability to speak, as things blurred into guttural screams, shattered only by his own tears and cries, as if a lum was eaten alive by vultures upon a dark night in the nearby plains. There was little to do, as anyone whom approached him was gambling with their own wellbeing. At that period of time, it was not unlikely that the one named Albel would violently trash one of the maids about if ever they came within the wrong time, nor was it unlikely that a knight would come out with his armors in ruin and a few bruises and injuries. It felt as if there was nothing to do for the young man whom kept himself imprisoned, caught in a moment in time within his head and doing nothing but contemplating upon it. Having locked himself in a specific scene in the past, his entire being unable to move forward.

The youth questioned himself over and over again, searched for his father at times, as sometimes he would seem like a harmless child, as if he had regressed to a time long in the past as he would crawl about in pain, slobber on his face and dry tears to his cheeks, seeking about for his father and weakly calling for his mother. He was turning more and more hopeless with each passing moments. Woltar could only look at the boy with sympathy, but not all shared the same opinion. Vox, whom would visit from time to time, to know of the health of the child whom belonged to an old friend, was simply disgusted at the sight. It took little time for him to wish to correct this sorry sight.

"Pitiful." A voice resonated in the darkness, as the young Albel had not yet come to slumber. The needs for his restraints had grown to little use by now as his health was deteriorating with the many nights he would remain awake, suffering from a deep case of insomnia and nightmares. "If it was not for the fact that you are the son of an old friend, I would have had you put out of your misery a long time ago." The one named Vox spoke with a blunt brutality at the young man whom remained, like a living shadow or a man awaiting his death, seated at his bedside within a nearly empty room.

"Such a weakling, it makes me sick to see you as you are. Your father must be turning in his grave at the thought that his only son would be such a pathetic little creature. You know what happened, your father died because of your own weakness... No, perhaps I've misjudged the situation. Not your weakness, his own. He was too emotional, too sentimental, unable to accept that his child was worth nothing but dirt. In the end, a weakling gets what he deserves." The words rang like a bell within the boy, as slowly his body begun to shake, his hands gripping upon the bedside as his teeth gritted firmly. "What's this I see, do you wish to kill me? Go ahead, I'd love to see you try. What could the son of a weakling do, a boy who failed his accession, to the one whom will succeed in the place of the father whom sacrificed his life for something as worthless as you."

All snapped within the mind of the young Albel, the docile and broken doll he had become now turned into the raging beast that he was at the beginning of his madness. Lunging forth to the man before him, his eyes filled with the intent to destroy, was stopped rapidly as the war experienced man rapidly grasped the boy's head with his own right hand and pressed it against the wall. Firmly pushing him to it, as the boy could only scream in discontent, his entire body trying to liberate itself, so to get the satisfaction of breaking a certain being's neck. "DON'T YOU DARE CALL MY FATHER A WEAKLING, YOU DAMNED WORM! I'LL KILL YOU! I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE LINEAGE!"

"Heh, do you think you can scare me? To me, you're nothing but an insect, a little bug. I could squash you and kill you right now if I wanted to..." The man held his hand and pressured the boy's head against the wall with great strength. But soon enough, he would toss the boy back to the ground, his back turned to the young Albel as he began to make his leave. "But as I said, I cannot just bring myself to kill the son of an old friend. If you weren't so, the world would surely not miss the presence of a weakling like yourself." With these final words, the now calm Vox walked away, satisfied at his own relief as he finally released his own source of irritation upon the cause of it.

The door shut rapidly, as he wished to depart immediately. From afar, he could hear the cries and screams of the boy, as well as the chaos he was causing within the household. The lums became restless, the guards rapidly awoke and the maids began to scream to one another, as to get the lord of the mansion. As for Vox, he slowly walked away towards the gates of Woltar's estate, with a light smirk of satisfaction.

"I'll become stronger... Just you wait and see. I'll make you regret the day you dared call my father, or me, a weakling, you pathetic, disgusting maggot!" These were the words that uttered out of the boy's lips. As it seemed a new life burned within his eyes, filled with rage and hatred. The old man, Woltar, slowly made his way to the boy, kept still by the knights and awoken in the middle of the night by both his screams and the frantic maids. "...So, you've come to your senses, boy." The old man spoke casually, calmly. He had anticipated the events that would unravel and had prepared himself accordingly... Though he had never thought it would happen so quickly either. "Old man... Get your grunts off me."

"Only if you will calm yourself." A quick response to a quick order, and the young boy calmed himself the best he could. "Now, is there any other reason as to why I've been awoken." The old man ventured to dangerous grounds, he himself knew so, but it was long time that he aided the boy in his recovery in a more active way. The young boy would only look at his stub for a moment before looking towards the old count with determination in his eyes. "I believe that I have a few connections, people whom could do something out of what remains of that arm of yours... It would be your first step towards becoming a great and strong man like your father my dear boy. Are you ready for it though?" There was not a moment of indecision in the young Albel. A light nod came to him, as the count of the mansion departed immediately, to council the aid of a doctor, a smith and an engineer.

Part One of Chapter One, Ended: To the Wicked, The Birth of the Wicked...

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Part Two of Chapter One, Commence.

Before him, the guards were opening the door to the war room, a place for the king and his council to discuss of the current matters. At earlier times, it was a place of gathering of the king and nobles for dinner and discussion, now it was turned to one focused upon strategy and the arts of war. The king was awaiting patiently, studying maps and lore which laid before him across the end of the table. As for the captain of the Black Brigade, he remained standing a step away from the door which was closed shut behind him. "Ah, Albel. Come, sit down, we have much to discuss." Placing aside the objects before him, the king swept his hand across the table towards the seat which was usually taken by the captain in his presence.

"Just cut right to the chase, I haven't got all day. What was I called here for, or have you grown so tired of that useless noble that you need a new form of distraction." With a sarcastic tone to his lips, the man seated himself promptly, without much regard as to his manners. His good hand reaching into his sash whilst the king looked at reports and maps of the Kirlsa hill regions. "Though we've successfully gotten ground and took hold of many surrounding lands and villages, It would seem that we've been unsuccessful with the area between Kirlsa and Arias. Due to our poor rations this year, it has become a greater struggle over the power of the field then we had first believed... We will need to win the area as soon as possible. How goes the training of your men in the Kirlsa training facilities? I've heard that the new recruits have been causing quite a ruckus. There has been news that they have been harassing the members of your staff."

"If that's all, then there was no need to send for me. I've already taken care of them personally." The tone of voice he borrowed was somewhat menacing at first, but it was not unfamiliar with the king. "I see, that's good then. What of the frontline, has the opposing side shown any signs of weakness?" The black haired devil seemed to remain unfazed by the discussion, almost without any interest upon it, as he took a small red apple from his cloth and began to properly clean it against his chest. "These weaklings are bound to lose sooner or later, I'm just taking my time... If you want me to hurry up, just say the word." At what he had uttered, the lord of Airyglyph answered only with a light shift of his head from side to side, staring intently at records and reports. "There is no need to do so. Though it would be advantageous to get this over with as swiftly as possible, I'm afraid that doing so would only leave us open for any counterattack they may formulate. We should not underestimate their forces as we have had done in prior encounters."

There was but a brief silence and a light discussion of recent events which followed the past sentence. Soon enough, the captain of the Black Brigade was dismissed. The day was growing late with every passing moment and the sun was upon the horizon by the time their discussion had ended. To this, Albel made his way out of the castle halls and to the streets of Airyglyph, as maids rapidly came to him, to place upon his shoulders a warm black mantle adorned with feathers to surround his neck and cover his shoulders, a mantle that wrapped around his body and protected him from the never-ending cold. He wasn't so much used to this kind of winter like atmosphere, as he was raised, for the majority of the time, in the mining town of Kirlsa, where the weather was much kinder in comparison. Even as a child, he remained mostly indoors, where it was comfortable and warm. Planning to return to a place in Kirlsa, which he could remotely call his second home but remained more of his turf then anything else, the man cloaked in a cloth as dark as night made his way to the city gates, tossing the remnant of a red apple aside.

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Red Apple

"Now Mayu, I want you to be on your best behavior. This is a golden opportunity and we can't miss it, serving directly for our lord and aiding our country is an honor that only a few of us commoners could ever afford, so I want you to be on your best behavior! Is that understood, young lady?" There wasn't much to be said of this stern toned mother, as she cleaned the face of her young daughter with energy. Though her daughter did not share her mother's current euphoric fervor at the moment's opportunity. "Mom, do we really have to. The place is quite comfortable and...and..." She remained quiet for a moment, not wishing to reveal her newest love, a young boy whom she had met in the streets one day whom rescued her from a wild dog. The kind smile he gave to her, his light brown hair which shone in the light and those eyes of his still made her blush at the mere thought.

"Don't talk nonsense! Anyway, where we'll be working there's bound to be a charming, handsome young man there to marry you! We'll find you a good suitor, one that'll be a good husband of proper stature and that is sure to keep a steady income." The thought of having her own mother choose whom she would marry was to the least of her likings. There were times she dreamed of running away or perhaps to have a dashing prince on a lean lum come sweep her from her feet and dash off to the sunset. Or perhaps have a strong and handsome warrior atop a beautiful silver dragon carry her off the ground, as the two would fly as free as the birds, high above the sky. But all that seemed to come to an end for her.

"Ah, lord Albel! It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, m'lord. And let me say it is an honor to serve one of the kingdom's most magnificent Brigade, and surely the strongest!" The suck up that she was, though she had some backbones and showed great confidence, none of this seemed to really strike the young man whom was the captain of the Black Brigade. Though what did catch his eyes, through all that fast-talk and rambling of the woman before him, was that of a child still hiding behind her mother. She seemed deep in thought and her eyes were filled with a anxiety, surely from whatever was running through that head of hers. This was more then enough of a distraction to the young captain, as she was completely blank to what was going on around her. "Mayu, don't be so impolite. Now why don't you greet lord Albel properly?"

Her stern mother's voice came snapping at her with a light hit to her side as to awaken her from her daydreaming. She yelped and jumped at the light shock she felt, profusely apologizing for having dozed off as, soon enough, the young captain's eyes came to meet her own. And there it was, love at first sight... Well, to be more specific, the young woman fell in love at first sight, the young man though remained completely indifferent. Kept frozen for a few moments with her lips parted and her eyes wide at what she saw before her, as if a statue had been erected where she stood whilst she fled. She knew not really that he was the captain and, possibly, the one whom would happen to be her possible future employer, but she eventually figured it out within her head, what with her mother hinting her to greet the man properly. "Ah... Um, I-I'm Mayu. Please allow us to serve you lord Albel!" Rapidly she bowed deeply, a quick blush coming to her cheeks as she remained still, shaking like so before the man.

She was not afraid of him, rather, she was struck by his dashing looks. At least, to her point of view he was. The sight of the young man's long black hair, illuminated in contrast by the gold tint to the side and to the tip of his bandage covered braids seemed to fit perfectly with the features of his face and the curve of his body. His lean muscles and his slim body, as well as his attire were burned into her retina and carved deep within her mind. The chain around his neck, the skin tight fitting clothes he wore and that mantle that covered his body, every little detail made her thoughts rush forth and made her little body shake with excitement and embarrassment.

"I don't care who you get, just hire someone to cook already." But she remained shaking before no one in the end. The captain had already moved forward and met with every possible staff member and none was appealing to his eyes... Then again, choosing who would cook for his men was a boring task and he was quite uninterested in such dull obligations. Often enough, these were handed down to another man underneath his command or popular votes came to existence simply to decide, what would be to the other Brigades, crucial decisions. The hiring of a proper staff for the newly converted military garrison of the Black Brigade, was not something that really motivated him. "If you would please follow me, we will ask you all a few questions as well as establish your abilities before hiring you." A guard, with less then half his armor on, for the day was a casual one with little training, was standing near the door before soon leading a small line of people to the corridors.

One by one, the possible employees were screened, as a large majority of them were hired. But the selection was slim to begin with. It became quite apparent that they were to be heavily understaffed. The more crucial duties were to be considered priority, as for the refitting of the facility, another issue of importance for the facility was already broken down in certain areas, would not be made into an immediate priority. The time came for the young girl's mother to be interrogated by the soldiers of the Brigade. As for her, she was to simply wait in the next room for her mother to come by. "You, little girl. Come here, we have to ask you a few questions as well." The voice of a young man came echoing lightly, a somewhat good looking fellow whom smiled to the young girl and seemed to guide her, almost forcefully to another room. "Huh? But I thought only the adults were supposed to be enquired about the positions." The young Mayu was confused at the man's words, but his assurances that all the people's abilities were to be screened seemed to bring a heavy sigh of acknowledgment to the young woman.

Although, before they could go anywhere further, the soldier was halted rapidly, at the sight of his captain standing nearby whilst the two collided lightly against his being. "Watch where you're going you! Ah! C-c-captain... I mean, Lord Albel. Ah, I was simply leading this young lady back towards the waiting room, she seemed to have gone astray, wandering about, ah-haha...hah... Well now, follow me young lady." Rapidly, the young man turned around and led the confused girl back, leaving behind the young captain, vested in his black mantle, with a confused look to his eyes and a light click of his tongue which resonated lightly as he walked away, unsure of what had just happened. As you see, there were not a lot of women in the military and with such an obvious lack of the opposite sex, some were growing rather... restless and at the first sight, they were ready to jump. Of course, there were the moral ones, those whom still held up strong virtues, but others were starting to lose such integrity and such views of what was truly good and truly bad. But fear of what their leader could do, if ever he was of higher moral standing then they, kept them in their places. It was perhaps better for the young Mayu's safety to remain away from this place, but unfortunately for her, this was not the case.

Her mother was hired as the chef cook for the facilities, her skills in cooking had astonished more then most would admit, though her looks caused more then a few to frown whenever she was compared to other women they had once met. But her daughter, although young, was as if fresh meat sent to a pack of hungry wolves. Still, she would be held safe, as the hungry pack would be maintained at bay for many various reasons, kept away from her for many nights and many days.

---

"Lord Albel, your breakfast." A light knock to the door and the cheerful voice of a young girl rang to the ears of the lord of the facility. Turning aside, as his hand grasped his pillow so to push it against his uncovered ear, the man seemed wishful for another minute of rest. But the continuous knocking and the light voice repeatedly signaling morning was driving a stick in his head and forced the man awake. It had been a long day yesterday and his body was still sore and tired from all the exercise, it was of no surprise he wished to rest furthermore. Sluggishly, he unlocked the door after dressing himself properly, as well as placing a familiar weight back upon his left arm.

"This won't do any good for your body Lord Albel, sleeping until so late in the morning! You need to take better care of yourself!" An excited child in his room did no good for his current state, but he did not protest. Instead, he seated himself upon his bed, one that was nowhere near as comfortable as the one within his own room, the one located inside the old count's mansion. "My mother showed me how to make these, I hope you'll like it." Perhaps a bit too radiant to his own liking, that little girl was. He remained silent nonetheless, as she placed the meal down upon a nearby table. The servings were generous in comparison to the other trays in her cart, it was somewhat obvious to his eyes. But this became routine, most likely, he figured, that the cooks wanted him well fed due to his position. More sucking up.

Joyfully, she departed from the room, wishing him a bon appetit as she went on with the routine rounds, calling the soldiers to the cafeteria as the food was being prepared, whilst serving the meals directly to the rooms of the generals and other higher ranking officers. "..." All he could do was stare at his meal, consisting of a still steaming stew and an overly sweet curry, with an apple on the side. Still, he was not one to complain or rather, he did not have the energy to... Still, this did not prevent his body from reacting naturally to the taste. On a bright note, she was improving, but for the bad side of things, he had to endure these meals twice a week for the last year or so. He was not alone on these meals though, all those of high position within his Brigade were offered the same services, thus surely many others were to endure his own fate. Due to this fact, he saw no other motive or meaning behind these meals. Sadly enough for the lovestruck girl.

The soldiers of the facility had already become used to the young Mayu strolling around the area. She was as if a light ray of sunshine rushing forth through these desolate ground. To this fact, many were unable to refuse anything to her, wether it was a small favor or answering any question she had. Mayu had become a sort of younger sister to many of the soldiers or, to the younger ones whom were near Mayu's age, became more of a love interest then a sister. Through the time that had passed, the few six months she had started working here, she came to learn very little of lord Albel, as most of her interaction came to be with newer recruits. It was not a surprise that, through these many discussions, she developed a few crushes towards some of the cuter boys in the military. Still, whatever the captain of the Black Brigade had which attracted her, often made these short moments of fawning over another boy die shortly after it was even born. In some cases, it came to even halt the young Mayu from falling in love before she would.

"The captain? Now, now, little one, you shouldn't try to place your nose where it doesn't belong." An older soldier spoke to the little girl that remained besides him, with a tray of empty bowls and dirty utensils. Displeased at the answer she was getting, she pushed forth still. "Please, tell me! I really want to know what lord Albel fancies!" Courageously, she asked still, but the mature soldier could do nothing but sigh at defeat. Though he was a battle hardened soldier, he would melt like many other, at the sight of these puppy eyes pleading to him. "If you really want to know... None of us truly do know. Lord Albel often keeps his distance. But I can assure you, there is one thing that he truly enjoys and that is fighting."

"What about food? Does he have a preference towards spicy things? or maybe salty, or even sweet?" And so, the bombardment of questions began as the soldier had turned into somewhat of a confident as well as a benefactor of answers to her many questions. Still, the knowledge she had accumulated wasn't very large. In fact, even with the lack of what she had gathered, there would be little difference in her current situation. Though, one thing did strike her ears and struck her curiosity. Rumors came passing by and about between the soldiers, rumor of the captain in various form. What truly happened in his past, what cruelties he had performed, wether or not the captain currently had a woman in his thralls. That last one causing quite a panic to the young lady's heart. It would seem that the one she fell so hopelessly in love with would remain a mystery to her, but one thing was certainly clear to her. One detail was clear, the captain was truly alone. High upon his throne and alone, though she was unsure wether he enjoyed it like so or not.

"Lord Albel! Are you awake?" That same cheerful voice resonated and still, he gave no answer. Instead, the door opened, as if on it's own, whilst the captain of the Black Brigade remained standing near the doorframe, leaning forth with his hair dangling before him as his body rested against his claw, which pressed against the wall. His stare, which both intimidated and enticed the young woman, did not prevent her from continuing along her usual antics. "I hope you'll like it! I spent all night trying to get better. I thought it'd be something that you'd enjoy!" Energetically, she came in and prepared the captain's meal. For a moment, the captain remained still looking at the ground before him before turning about, heading towards his own private table. It's usual usage usually remained to collect dust or, once every blue moon, support an open book for the captain to read, but nowadays, it came to be his breakfast table each and every day.

"Lord Albel, is there anything else you would like? Something to drink or maybe another serving? I'm never quite certain since you do not speak quite often." The sound of a man eating silently, with the metal utensils scrapping lightly against porcelain was all she was answered with. "Say... Lord Albel, I was wondering if I could ask you a more... personal question." Still, nothing but silence came to reply the young girl. There were no hinting, as if she never existed within this room in the first place. But this would not discourage her, as she kept pressing onward. "I was wondering, the soldiers speak often of you in both bad and good and... I was just wondering if what they said was true, about how you... How you lost your arm..." Her voice became more and more silent, and the sound of the man's utensils against his plate halted. For a moment, everything seemed to remain still, soon though all the noises of the facility returned, as the young captain continued to calmly eat his meal.

"I... I heard many things about your father when I was a small child. I heard he was a great man! I was wondering about... about how you feel lord Albel. About losing him... You must feel lonely, right?" She felt more and more uncomfortable with every passing moment, with every question answered with silence. She knew not wether she was straying into forbidden grounds or wether she still had the green lights to go on forth. Though soon she gained an answer. The man calmly turned around, a hand extending out towards her, holding an empty dish with a soup bowl stacked upon it which held the previously used utensils. "Get out." There wasn't any sign that he was in the least infuriated, but still, the young captain's tone of voice seemed as if it had grown colder, his eyes which still held that bored expression were sharper. "I-if there's anything else I could do for you, please just ask! In any case, I have to do my rounds now. I wish you a pleasant day lord Albel." Bowing frantically, the young girl quickly clasped the bowl and the dish as she stormed out of the room, both fearful for her life and to any distraught she may have brought to the love of her life. Still though, as she placed a hand on the tray, she felt a firm object in her hand. A bright red apple which she had forgotten to set upon his table.

---

"M-m'lord! I-I can't take much more of this! Ahh!" A light scream came to this young vixen's lips. The expression on her face distorted lightly with her lips parting as her cries of ecstacy began to turn longer and sweeter to the ears. Her body was trembling beneath his own, bucking lightly at his every rough movements. Every time that he would thrust, every time he would bite, every time he would dig himself into her made her edge nearer and nearer to the limit. It wasn't long until finally, her world became white as she felt herself falling from the sky and into a bed of clouds.

Dressed only with her sweat which shone gently within the moonlight, highlighting her many contours and accentuated her bountiful curves, light which peered through the window as to peep upon these two, her hand reached over to grasp the young man's head, lightly caressing it as she began to play with his wet hair. "Well now... You're getting better at this. Have you been doing it with someone else, you heartbreaker?" Playfully she spoke with the voice of a temptress, her red hair sliding across her shoulder and to the bed below her, her plump lips parting as she began to press them against his skin gently, in light kisses across his neck. "Who I see is of my own business woman." A light yelp came from her lips as an answer, her entire body bucked as a man, as naked as the day he was born, forced himself within her without warning yet again.

"My, aren't we aggressive today? Something happened to tick you off?" A light cheerful laughter escaped this hawk eyed young woman, eyeing the man with care she grasped unto him, as the ride continued on. "It's none of your business, just shut up and remain still, wench." An evasive tone, filled with irritation came upon him as he continued to plant himself firmly within a warm slick escape, in contrast to the cold dry air which filled the room. "Whatever you say, m'lord" A playful laughter emanated from the woman, which soon turned to screams of pleasure and joy which lasted well upon the length of the night.

Morning came, the sunlight revealing the clothes thrown about within this hotel room in any direction. The woman's light purple dress upon the floor, the man's black mantle against the seat, all was in a mess, for the exception of the man's sword, neatly placed upon the table nearby. Standing tall, he remained composed with his clothes neatly placed upon him as if the night's events had never happened. Double checking the straps and the bolts of his claw-like gauntlet, the light murmur of a young woman caught his attention. "Mmm...Oh, is it morning already?" Sore and tired from the night's session, with only an hour's rest, the woman rose from the bed, like a goddess from the sea, as she spun the cloth of the bed around her body, rising to her feet as she walked towards the young man. "Listen here, don't try to let it get to you, understand? Next time, try to take your frustration on something else other then someone's hip as well, got that? In any case, if you need me again, you know where to get me." Without so much of an adieu, the young hawk eyed woman grasped her clothes, dressing herself quite casually before exiting the room, leaving behind the captain of the Black Brigade to his thoughts.

Four years and a few months had passed since he was first promoted, from a mere grunt, to a captain, much to the dismay of a select few in the army. And the territory he had gained within the sector which separated Kirlsa and Arias, had long been diminishing as the people he had placed in command of the different areas were losing. Incompetents whom were too weak to provide safekeeping for the grounds that their side had won long ago, their death were well deserved. Still, such feeble people served him and what more, some were even more pathetic then that. Unable to voice themselves, unable to show their disgust to him, petty maggots whom spoke only when his back was turned. It was maddening enough, he could barely stand the presence of a few of his men at times. But they would surely die, sooner or later. Such weaklings usually did in the middle of the battlefield, and though the hills between Kirlsa and Arias had recently turned to a cease fire, the sparse raids tempted Albel to simply charge in with his men in an all out war. But the words and orders of the old count was as if a leash around his neck, keeping him still as he knew it was far too much trouble to deal with that single old man then an entire legion alone.

With his irritation vented and his frustration relieved, the man prepared himself, leaving from the capital of Airyglyph so to return to his own territory. Meanwhile, a good friend of the violent Albel was awaiting his return, as he had been called by this friend in question, so to aid him with his blade. There he stood, with his glasses upon his visage and the thick clothing wrapping around his body to protect him in the same manner as the mantle of the Black Brigade's captain protected it's owner. A young blacksmith, two years younger then the captain, whom hailed from an island nation of the far north, one whom traveled without ever leaving his smithing hammer out of his sight, the one whom was named Lias. But a handsome young man traveling around the facility was certain to catch a certain person's eye.

The young Mayu was looking at the man from afar. This young lady had grown, turning into a fine blossoming lady, even though she was only part of the working force and in no way leading a calmer life. Many had expected her to turn out to have a more robust build due to the solid work she had to go through, but instead she remained somewhat petite with slim muscles upon her body. But there was one thing that never changed about her. Wearing her heart on her sleeve, she fell in love quite far too easily, as the blacksmith's composure and charming, mysterious good looks, entranced her yet again. But this was not the first time that she saw this man before, he came by often and was one of the few she would witness hold a conversation with lord Albel.

"Master Lias, if you're waiting for lord Albel, he won't be returning for a long time. He's currently away at the castle for urgent matters regarding the struggle over the Kirlsa Hills." She spoke in a naturally apologetic manner and was responded with a kind smile. "Is that so? Well then, I suppose I'll have to await for his return. It is not as if I lived so far away that it would be troublesome for myself to be away for too long." Now a citizen of Kirlsa, the young blacksmith feared not missing any customers for if any had passed by, surely someone of the city of Kirlsa would come to inform him. Many found the young man a charming fellow and there were a few whom wished to be his apprentice, with this fact, if anyone sought him, it was certain someone would come here to inform him of it. "In the meantime, why don't we sit down for a light conversation? It would help pass the time, and I believe that you've recently finished your duties as well, isn't that right Mayu?" A boyish smile and an invitation for dinner made the young lady beam with joy and respond with a light nod.

In the meanwhile, although it was of very little importance, soldiers would be at the corner looking enviously at Lias. There were many whom would do anything for a moment alone with the cheerful Mayu, as she had become sort of an idol for quite a few soldiers. Without her knowledge, she had acquired quite a few secret admirers, but like her love for lord Albel, their love for her was never perceived, not in the slightest. This was not his first visit, as it was already stated, thus with that in mind it was not surprising to see the visiting blacksmith leading the young girl towards the cafeteria rather then the other way around. With simple meals before them, and a few envious stare coming from the multitude of other tables, the two enjoyed themselves with simple discussions. Soon enough though, the air around them seemed to turn heavier as a single question was asked. "Master Lias... I was wondering, if you knew anything about lord Albel. It's just that I'm curious, nothing more! It's just that, it seems to me as if lord Albel is always alone, he just seems... Lonely to me."

Placing his utensils down upon the table, as his index reached up to his glasses as to reposition them. The young blacksmith eyed the girl with a serious look upon his visage. "I think I understand now. Well, such devotion to your lord is nothing short of admirable." His words struck true to Mayu's heart as she could only flush and respond with a light panic, but still, she insisted on so to know more about the mysterious Albel. "If you truly wish to know... Even I know little about him. He is just as silent of his past as I am of my own." A sorrowful smile came to his lips at the mention of his own history, but it soon came to pass as he continued onward with the answer that the lovestruck Mayu had been seeking since the beginning. "If you wish to know, let me tell you all that I've learned of Albel to this day." And they continued talking to one another, until the sun rested upon the horizon.

The story of his lost father, of rumors of the horrors that he had done in the year that came afterwards, of his cruelties in the battlefield and of what the young blacksmith could make out of it from what he heard. All that was certain from all that was told, was that the captain was deeply attached to his father. The day that he died had changed his entire life from there on and he had little friends as well which aided not to the matter. But the wicked Albel was not a weak creature, he strived in the battlefield and had made it his life, knowing little about how to live in any other way then the path of the strong. Such things made the young lady feel sadness at the thought of a man she loved for years, being unable to find happiness elsewhere then in the midst of battle.

A day or two had passed, the wicked Albel set foot upon the city of Kirlsa, heading towards the market as to find something to eat, for he was starving from the long trek that was the path between this town and the capital of the kingdom. Whilst the man would prepare himself for another short voyage to his base of operations, many interesting events would begin to unfold within the facility in question. Whilst the captain was away, all the swine under his command could roam freely without fear, expecting the captain to return many days later. It was not the first time that they decided to roughhouse the place, but each time it was maintained and kept secret with many threats and show of strength. But each time, it remained unsure of when the captain would return, for he rarely spoke of when he would come back to his turf. This time though, it seemed as if they were promised an elongated period of freedom, to permit them to do as they wished and clean up the mess long before the devil would return to his nest.

The same passed as usual, they mildly harassed the staff members, had their ways with the prisoners and inflicted humiliation to new recruits whilst the more virtuous ones remained unaware of the events happening around them, or were vastly outnumbered at each time. Still, none had the balls to report such infidel acts, for fear that the allies of anyone they would rat out, would come to kill both their own selves and their family. This charade had started the year before, as the soldiers had become more accustomed to the patterns of their captain's leave.

Lifted up high and placed upon a nearby table, a large box filled with vegetables were placed besides a small bowl filled with fresh meat. The stew today would surely be a healthy one and the growing Mayu had grown better at her cooking, reminding many of the home cooked meals that their own mothers would prepare for them. But this was surely the worse of times, for she was alone within the kitchen as all the others were already at the cafeteria hall, serving the food for the many soldiers whilst she remained behind, to prepare any extra in case the men of the Brigade would ask more then a second serving. She heated the large water-filled pot before her in a warm fire and reached for her cooking knife, as to dice the carrots as well as the other goods that were to be placed within the stew. But before she could commence, a hand reached out for her, grasping her by her arm and pulling her back, as her lips were covered with another pair of hand. Before the young girl, a few malicious smiles appeared, as tears of fear and panic emerged from these brown eyes of hers.

"Albel! Albel, you're here, come quick!" A man, vested in cloth came rushing towards one whom was slowly walking towards the gate of his facility, with a growling stomach and a tired look to his eyes. "What is it, this better be important." Frantically, the usually calm man spoke rapidly of the pressing matter at hand. "It's Mayu, it seems she disappeared from the kitchen. About a minute ago, the cooks returned and found the water boiling with her knife to the floor." This did not phase the captain, not in the least. All he would do is continue to walk forth in his usual manner, with only one response to his lips. "For what reason did you expect me to care about such details, fool?" The man continued onward, ignoring whatever was happening as he turned left to continue along the corridors leading to the elevator. "Have you no heart? Have you not seen how this young lady cares for you? It's a wonder how such a lovely young woman can be so faithful to a man like you!" The moment forced these words out of the man's lips and soon enough, he had realized what he had uttered, quickly shutting himself for fear of having aggravated the mood of his friend. "...Don't make me repeat myself, this isn't my problem." The captain departed with silent steps, heading for the roof as his young friend sighed lightly, returning to the search as one could see in the distance of the large and long hall, a few of Mayu's admirers in a panic, searching about for the location of the young woman.

The elevator, although old, was still a very solid piece of equipment within the facility and easily lifted a small unit of men, in full plated armor, up or down the floors. A hand firmly held the controls, as he pushed it slowly upward, the metallic wheels turning about as to close the gates of the contraption before it began to make it's way upward, with the ringing of metallic wheels clashing to one another silently from above. Unlike his natural self, the man came upon a moment of contemplation to the words of his friend, and to the young cheerful Mayu, to such a timing as well as the noise of metal falling to the ground seemed to catch the man's attention. Rapidly, he halted the machine upon the second floor. The gates opened as always, in the same grinding manner as all before him seemed to turn silent.

The noise had emanated from a room, to the right of the one which he faced. One that was accessible only through the usage of a master key, or through the usage of this elevator. Yet another flaw in the design that long needed correction, though it mattered not, for the room was utilized only as a secondary storage area and was often empty. Silently, he stepped forth looking about as he highly doubted the noise was simple coincidence. Soon enough, he would gain his answer. "M-master Lias, lord Albel, please! Somebody! Anybody! AHH!" Screams of fear and pain resonated throughout the rooms, but the thick metallic doors and the distance between the elevator door and the other floors, muted her screams from all. All, except for her assailants whom laughed silently and cruelly as well as another, the captain of the Brigade.

Slowly, he stepped forward, towards the other room as the sight would only mildly shock him. There she was, the same cheerful little girl who always came to his door every morning, with the same meal every weekend. Tears pouring down her eyes, with marks of slobber over her lips. Her well shaped breasts exposed to the air, as they rose up and down rapidly whilst the young lady rasped for breath in the middle of this panic. Her dress torn to pieces and her apron below her, tainted with the sign of blood which trailed down her thigh to the floor below as the men had begun their act, forcing themselves upon the little girl. "Hey, don't hog her for yourself, it's my turn next." Words resonated, the girl had her eyes closed shut, wishing not to see what was happening before her, as her mouth was now filled with her own socks, so to gag her and prevent her from screaming furthermore.

"Guys, don't you think we'll get in trouble for this? It seems like we're going a bit too far." A single young recruit spoke with worry, as the older three remained confident, unaware of the presence which approached them from behind. "Don't worry, as long as the boss isn't around, we can do whatever we want. It's the same routine, have fun and then clean up the mess and make sure no one rats on us, pretty simple!" A laughter came to the man, who's only garments were the upper part of his armor. Soon though, he would find himself paralyzed in fear, as he remained unable to scream, the pain far too large as all would suddenly be frozen. It was obvious, their death sentence was signed, as the blade of the captain pierced through the man's lower back as the tip revealed itself upon the bottom of his family jewels. "Worm..."

All happened rapidly afterwards, the young Mayu's eyes began to open slowly, only after she would hear the many screams of horror and pain which she herself was emitting earlier. The sight before her was the most frightening she had ever witnessed before in her life. A devil with a blade as one hand and a metallic claw as the other, tearing through the bodies of the men and leaving them alive in agony, as they were amputated, disfigured, clawed and part of their bodies shredded. Gapping holes in some, whilst others lost what all men cared deeply for upon their own person. For a moment, she understood just how fearsome the lord she served could be... But in a part of her, she felt relieved, she felt safer, as the man she loved had seemed to arrive to rescue her.

The following day, the men were hung by their hands, some by their feet, upon the outside walls of the facility. As naked as the day they were born, forced to live their final moments in their lives in humiliation, as the angry mob which were their own war companions, turned their backs upon them and forced unto them their final judgement. A reminder to all the corrupt soldiers just what their fates had in store. "Worms and maggots... the whole lot of them..." His eyes were upon his soldiers, as he felt that all that served him were the same at that moment. Weaklings and cowards, whom would only act behind his back or only when he would serve their meal on a silver plate. Even the young woman he had rescued, to him, was nothing more then an idiotic fool who allowed herself to be captured. Her rescue had not been as sweet as she had thought, as the captain spoke to her still in the same cold manner, branding her a fool. It did not change the fact though, that he helped her, nor did it change the fact that he had given to her, momentarily, the same mantle which protected him from the cold.

And morning came. "Lord Albel, it's morning. Are you awake?" Forcefully, she tried to be as cheerful as ever. But all knew that she was suffering still from the events that passed. All tried to go on about as if life was normal, others tried to cheer her up upon her visits and all the guards kept a respectful distance, though tried their best to return the same old smile they remembered. The door opened silently as the captain of the Black Brigade eyed the girl coldly, as he would anyone. She entered, with a gentle smile to her face, placing the same meal upon the table. A still steaming stew, home cooked curry rice, and a single red apple at his table. The only consistent thing in his meal, a red apple every morning. "Well, I'll be taking my leave now. I hope you have a pleasant day lord Albel." A light bow and a quick escape, but this time, she was halted.

The captain rose a finger to his apple and looked at the girl. He needed not speak as she quickly figured out whatever question would come to his lips, answering long before he could even begin to speak. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away. I simply want lord Albel to be healthy. An apple is also very tasty, you can make a lot of different dishes with apples and tasty food always brings a smile to a person's face. Well, everyone except lord Albel's face." A gentle and playful laughter escaped the young Mayu's lips, as she flustered lightly eyeing the man before departing with a light bow once again. Before the captain had the time to say that he was getting tired of eating apples everyday, he was interrupted by that fool's speech. Still though, it was food, and surely he would not complain. To this, he returned to his table, as routine would return to the facility, slowly, and the events which had passed became forgotten.

At his table, was an empty bowl, a dirty dish, the utensils placed carefully aside and a half eaten apple in his hand, as he departed from his room.

Part Two of Chapter One, Ended: To the Wicked, A Gift from the Land...

---------------

Part Three of Chapter One, Commence.

The town was the same as always, far away from the battlefield and completely oblivious as to what was truly going on in the frontlines. Fools and weaklings whom hid behind the walls of stones and the lives of countless men whom fought in battle to protect them. He was not one of those people though, not one of these weaklings whom remained so far from the battle with their comfortable lives, nor was he one of these fools, giving up their lives for those of these ungrateful bastard whom did few to help the soldiers. He was a warrior pure and untainted, without any so called righteous or moral upstanding. The captain of the Black Brigade was no such idiot tied by a feeling of obligation, he fought for only one reason, because he enjoyed it.

This war was his natural habitat, a place he was accustomed to and where he stood as high as a king when confronted against the enemy soldiers. Time and time again, he proved that he was the mightiest and none could take that away from him, even if the war was to end. One thing remained certain, he would be a fighter till the end of his life.

---------------

Steeled Earth

"It's finally complete." Cloth laid in a mess underneath a single, lightly curved, well-balanced, single edged blade. A katana, an exotic weapon of sort for it was used in a different manner then a normal sword and it's weight, shape and balance differed as well as it's quality. It took many weeks for the two to complete it, seeking the material for it's construction and having to work upon both an idea and a model. The blacksmith, with his glasses upon his nose, remained standing tall above his masterpiece. "...It looks decent. This blade is worthy of my time." A hand grasping the sword, lifted it into the air, swinging it about carefully with precision and skill. The man in question was the one who's surname was Albel the Wicked. As for the smith whom crafted this weapon for him, he was a dear friend of the man, someone he had met a year after his reign as captain of the Black Brigade. That was two years before now, and the blade was ready. It was certain that for the first few months of it's life, this blade would need to be maintained by the man whom gave it life, but only so to make sure the blade would have a long life.

"My friend, I will have you know that it was not I whom has given birth to this blade." The man spoke in the same manner as he would always, with a strange outlook upon smithing that some others did not possess. "What are you talking about, fool? Don't try to deceive me in such petty manner, you were the one wielding the hammer." Having witnessed every passing moment of the blade's creation, he knew for certain that what he had uttered was a lie, or perhaps it was one of these metaphorical terms which he gave such little interest to. "No, that is not what I meant to say. What I wished to tell you was that I am simply the conduit through which it is now able to exist in this world. The one whom truly created this sword my friend, is yourself." These words came out with the same gentle tone of voice the young smith held. But the one named Albel was far from impressed by his words.

"All that I could do was build a poor recreation of the blade inside your mind. I still have a lot to learn about the art of smithing. You should truly consider taking up the hammer my friend, what with your knowledge on weapons and these images of such fine blades you have inside your mind, you would do great my friend. After all, you show great promise as a blacksmith." The man grasped the sheath, created for the blade in his hand as well before he would turn about, ready to leave the workshop. "I think I'll have to pass on that. I would rather be on the frontline then in the back, making weapons that would only serve as decoration for some weak maggot."

---------------

Finally, he was at the gates. The path before him was that of a moonlit sky. His small stroll through the city had seemed to have lasted far longer then he had first anticipated, and now the road had become far too dark for anyone to cross about... Not to mention, that the weather was far too cold for his own liking, preferring the idea of remaining at a warm inn for a moment's rest as to wait for the next morning to arrive, so he would be able to return to his own grounds. But before he could leave, the rapid steps of a person echoed from afar. "H...Help! Somebody! A monster!" A young blonde woman, vested in a thick dress with a light cloth draped across her shoulders and tied at the front below her neck, was running with a tired expression to her face. A basket in her hand and cold sweat running down her face, a lone dire wolf was hot on her trail.

The beast came to a short end in it's life, as the man rapidly stepped in, as if he had vanished for a moment only to reappear between the young woman and the wild beast. At the time, she was still looking back towards the wolf in fear, as she would witness the man, his expression as cold and emotionless as always as his blade slid out of it's sheath without a sound, sliding in a wide horizontal arc at the leaping beast. It's head sliced clean as blood flew across the pure white snow. The body falling limp to the floor as the head rolled on to the side of the bridge. The young woman turned around, looking at the captain, whom now stood, facing the slain beast, as he swung his blade to the side, the blood upon it being tossed away leaving the blade clean as if nothing had happened. "Lord Albel!" A lone guard came running towards the captain and the young maiden, wielding a large pike in his hand. "Ah, I'm sorry. I thought that something was causing you problems... But for a dire wolf to come this close to the capital." The soldier, placing his weapon down, remained still near the young girl.

"U... Um..." The trembling voice of the woman he had rescued spoke to him, catching his attention as he looked back towards her frail figure. "Thank you very much... Lord Albel!" A joyful smile at her current benefactor, with her hands together and her basket hanging from her arm. But such a wonderful moment of safety was halted quite immediately, as the man loomed over her. "Shut up! Are you an idiot? Bringing that shit bug with you!" His eyes were the same, a cruel emotionless stare that eyed down unto the girl. "Bring something stronger! Tch... Everywhere I go, everyone's weak..." Turning about, he came to face the beast once again, leaving behind him the soldier standing near the young woman, as the two stared at the captain of the Black Brigade, whom remained there in the cover of his black mantle, eyeing the horizon before him. "I'm completely... getting bored to death!"

---

"Phew! That was close... We somehow escaped them!" A blonde man, with obvious brawn, breathed with relief as he seated himself more comfortably. "Yes, but we got pretty far from the rendez-vous point, haven't we?" Another woman, at the helms, seemed occupied as she worked the many different screens before her, so to inspect the current conditions of the ship itself. "Well, it can't be helped. Besides, it's better then being dead! It won't hurt to make her wait a little longer. Let's take our time." With this, his arms raised behind his head, a confident smile to his face.

"We really were saved by your hunch." A light sigh came to the blue haired passenger's lips, as he remained firmly seated, calming down from the previous encounter they had suffered. "Finally, some respect! Aren't I great?" With this, the blond man turned about with a smug look upon his visage, but all he received was an attitude with a sarcastic comment. "Yeah right, a healthy respect for your recklessness. Do you want my answer before... or after the heart attack?" The boy raised his a hand lightly as he spoke, only to feel pain upon his head, as pressure began building up upon it. The blond haired man's hand against it with his fingers pushing upon his skull. "Uwaa?"

"What is that supposed to mean? A little more honesty would be nice. like 'Heeey, that Cliff sure is something!' or 'You're a genius Cliff!' You should respect me a bit more obediently!" The man apparently irritated began picking on the little boy, whom helplessly struggled to remove himself from his grasp. But soon enough, trouble began to rang, as an alarm seemed to ring off. "Cliff!" The blonde navigator and helmswoman seemed rapidly troubled. "Sorry to interrupt while you're having so much fun, but the gravitic warp core is overheating. We should reduce speed immediately. The engine will scram if we don't"

"Whaaat? Didn't I specifically request that ya tell me these things sooner? Get back to conventional space, pronto!" A direct order with immediate reaction, a quick roger and the spacecraft entitled the Eagle escaped the grasp of the gravitic warp field and returned to normal space. But this did not herald the end of their troubles. "Bad news." And so, the goddess at the helm brings more news to the curious crew. "Both the conventional and gravitic warp engines are scrammed. The backup engine isn't functional, either. I'd say we have a problem."

"Where're we now?" Curious the muscleman of the group turned to the lone woman, whom answered in the same professional tone. "We're currently within Elicoor II's gravitational field. The planet's gravity is pulling us in!" The situation had turned from bad to worse, as all braced themselves for the upcoming events. "This planet is under the UP3! What do we do?" From the blue haired boy to the blond man, a rapid conversation seemed to echo through the loud room. "For starters, we gotta land before we crash. Then we wait to be rescued." Another answer filled with sarcasm came to the man, commenting upon his great plan. "Look, my mission is to bring you to our leader. Until then, I'll watch out for you. Trust me! You're safe as... as a turtle in his shell!"

"A turtle dropping out of orbit..." A final answer, as the two returned to their quarreling, interrupted only by the same cool headed woman whom rapidly began to input a sequence of command to the ship's helm. "We'll be entering into Elicoor II's atmosphere in another 30 seconds. Get ready for a bumpy ride, and... Keep wagging those tongues and you'll bite them off. I wouldn't want either of you to die of blood loss."

---

The clouds parted suddenly, and all the inhabitants of the land looked to the sky, as what appeared as a shooting sky, came piercing through the air rushing straight to the lands of Airyglyph. Soon enough, sound of panic, the populace fleeing for their lives, as rubbles came flying in all directions, houses crushed underneath the massive weight of this falling object. "We landed..." A light sigh came from the lady at the helm, with a light sigh of relief as answers came from one side and another. "Just our luck. We landed right in the middle of a city!" A light sigh came to the boy's lips. "I guess this is no time to be worrying about the UP3" A final response in this discussion came from the largest of the three, the blond man whom wore a nervous grin. "Not to mention we're outta power and the helm is outta whack. You should be happy to be alive."

From the window of a certain room within the capital, were three aquarian spies, eyeing the sudden landing of the contraption that had appeared and destroyed part of the city. "What in the world... Just happened?" The light red hair of a young woman, with light clothes and nothing more then a scarf to keep her warm, much in the same fashion as her two accomplices, looked out with worry at the events unfolding. In the meantime though, out upon the streets, was but a single man, his blade resting besides him with his claw hung atop of it, would utter out of his lips, life shining anew in his eyes with a smirk upon him. "It smells of flames... I'm getting thrilled!"

Part Three of Chapter One, Ended: To the Wicked, From an Ocean of Stars...

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Chapter One: To the Wicked...

Complete

Following:

Chapter Two: To the Encounter...

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Author's Notes: Hey guys, notice the little things in Italic. I figured, hey, they have a whole mythology/religion in SO3, why not make usage of it? So I did, if you check the dictionary at much, much, later in the game, if you did a lot of things, Solon's name might pop up. He's god of clouds and is said to be the fastest, as well as wielding a two handed sword. Apris is a no brainer, and it'll be like so for a while.

In any case, the following chapter will move forward pretty easily as it follows the plot. But as you all know, whilst these events pass forth, what's Albel doing? Hmm, well we'll just have to see.

This finishing note, like the story, is bound to be larger as well. Notice a few details here and there? here's one I betcha most of you didn't notice. It's pretty early, but y'know when Woltar says to the king, and I quote, "Your highness, I suggest that we send only two knights to be with the boy. I believe it would be best as we do not want them to be in his way." I'll have you notice that when you fight Albel for the first time, you fight against him and two black brigade soldiers. Have fun seeing the little details here and there.

And for people fearing that I'm gonna be coupling Albel with Mayu, don't be. It may be obvious to some, but may not be to others, that I'm simply showing the times and viewpoints of many people, as there will surely be strong bonds forming between Albel and other people. Early signs of affection towards one another does not set in stone the events of the future, so keep that in mind and feel safe or paranoid of who I'll make him end up with. I know I'm repetitive but... meh.

Also of interesting note, I actually had an entirely different planup for this chapter, but this is how it ended up being. Can't really complain though. I didn't really plan on having it turn large like this. Was almost tempted in breaking it off into Chapter 1 part 1 and Chapter 1 part 2... But I said no to that idea. Please take my apology for the length of this chapter, and I hope that the next ones won't be as long, for both my own sake and the sake of readers whom dislike large chapters. As always, if you see an error, please tell me and I'll try to correct it, even if it's just a punctuation problem.

This chapter also gave me a bit more problem, as I have access to both translations of the Star Ocean manga as well as the game itself. The small before-crash scene was a bit irritating, though somewhat easy, as I had to decide which parts to choose from between the game script or from what the manga says. The manga's interactions are shorter but a little bit more lively, whilst the game are longer and sets the mood in a slower pace. I'll be trying to keep a small balance, up to where I can, as the manga's translation seems slower in speed then me typing this story. In any case, I won't hold you back any longer, I'll be working on the next chapter and I hope you'll enjoy it as well.

Adding: Due to the fact that I added a few things, I felt like I needed to add something here too, due to the update in how I'll work for the Chronicles. Mind you, not all my fanfics will have the same setup, this is how the Chronicles of the Wicked will work. As you can see, in this chapter:Center Text for Flashbacks, three of those "-" hails a time skip (or a small time skip backwards)or a change of location, fifteen of those "-" signals a flashback, whilethe underlined font gives the title of the flashback (This will only be used if there are a lot of flashbacks. I don't think it'll happen again.). The announcement of the start of a part of a chapter when the chapter is too large and the announcement of the end of a part of a chapter, with the title of the section of that chapter. This makes it easier for people to go back and catch up on where they left off, or re-read things they want to read, dontcha think so?

Now, for a few things. Mettle means either "Courage and Fortitude; Spirit" or "Inherent quality of character and temperament", Steeled Earth is a weapon in the game and you can only find one copy of it on Barr Mountains, if I recall well enough. From the Ocean of Stars was chosen to design blessings from an ocean of stars, and also miracles within this ocean of stars we have. A cold man like Albel was capable of making a friend, the inventor of the name Lias, and together they've made an unique blade. Not only so, but his planet amongst so many, will host the adventures of his Chronicles, and also the adventures of Star Ocean: Till The End of Time. One amongst millions, like us humans whom each possess something special that makes us all unique.

If you find something wrong, or if you want me to revert to my old way of doing things, just tell me. I read the reviews and I listen to what people have to say. After all, the readers are one upon many sources of strength for just about nearlyany and all writters.

And finally, I'm gonna give you guys a small list, if you want to utilize the Ctrl + F to search up parts you want to re-read. I might be getting ahead of myself, but meh...


Shortcuts: (Why am I placing this here? Cuz it's more for if you want to re-read. If you're in the middle of reading, I'd imagine it's your duty to remember where you left off last, or to remember the quick-link to where you last left off. Trust me, it's not hard to remember "Part One of Chapter One" or even just "Part One".)

Part One of Chapter One, Commence. The Birth of the Wicked reveals how Albel has turned from a mischievious child to a demon of war. Part One holds many Flashbacks, amongst them are:

Mettle: How Albel will gain his position as Captain,

Golden Dream: Showing a tender moment with his mother,

Demon of War: Showing just how he fulfills the deed that enables him to attain his current title of Captain and Albel the Wicked,

Iron Claw: Reveals the painful process of getting yourself a new left arm, and finally

Hatred: Showing how a certain warmonger fuels this story's protagonist's anger and revives his fighting spirit along the way by accident (Wether this was out of kindness or out of actual evil intents, nobody knows).

Part Two of Chapter One, Commence. A Gift from the Land shows a gentle soul trying to connect and find the hidden kindness which has laid dormant in a cold man... It's majoritarily a single flashback anyways. That flashback being:

Red Apple which is pretty much described already.

Part Three of Chapter One, Commence. From an Ocean of Stars shows only one lone flashback,

Steeled Earth: Showing the result of the friendship between Albel and Lias, and the arrival of the rest of the crew from the game.

See you next chapter and I hope this setup makes large chapters a bit more enjoyable for you guys. Now, move on to the next chapter already!