Malachite

by Asurahime

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Albel, why weren't you present during the battle?

From what I have seen of you thus far, little as it may be, keeping you from something that makes you stronger would be similar to...

Wait, anything is possible. Your life could be normal at one moment and shatter like glass during the next. But why do I find myself thinking about you right now? Is it because King Airyglyph had said that you were to be their representative in our party? I sensed neither malice in their tone nor hesitation in their decision, but there was a certain timbre in their voice which I did not like.

Especially when it was associated with how they said your name. There is a reason why you weren't there when I crossed swords with Vox. Why do I have the same feeling towards your absence as I feel with that of Sophia and my parents? You aren't supposed to be that important to me after all.

But still... I don't understand. Did you agree to this? Why did you agree to this? Am I looking too deeply into things? Where are you? Do you hate me? Don't I hate you? Why is it that all I have done since coming here is ask questions?

In that sense, I agree that I am the idiot you think I am. I ask too many questions when I know that I will not get any answers for them.

And yet I do not feel at ease. Even more so when Lord Woltar said that you were in the dungeons. Before, I feared you beyond any fear I have ever felt before. Now, that fear is replace by outrage and confusion. They may have the same mortal fear towards you as I did, but jailing their own compatriot is just utterly incomprehensible.

I was half-expecting the Inquisitor from before to show his face. Fortunately, he did not appear. However, a guard at the door had shuddered as he looked at a wall covered with a black cloth when I asked him. What had happened?

I suppose it doesn't matter.

Did you know that others used to make such a big fuss over my name? Fayt. Fate. But what is fate but a perspective of the future? As far as I know, the future is meant to be left unsaid, just as the number of stars in the universe can't be counted. One should not leave their lives over to protect or prevent a destiny. Destiny is just a word, nothing more and nothing less. Living is an action. More powerful than simple words.

There is a principle of uncertainty ruling the universe. We can all stand here, whether in darkness or in light, gazes pained and glances diverted, but the truth is that we can only drive ourselves forward.

We never can learn everything, but no matter at what cost to this planet, there has to be a resolution.

But as I glanced upon you, I could not speak. Just as the principle of uncertainty, one could be at the heavens one moment and reaching desperately for the skies the next. One could be as free as a river one second and in stasis as a glacier the next. You could be causing harm upon an innocent for an instant before being shackled to the wall.

I should feel an ugly thread of satisfaction run through me after all you have done. This may be the proper method for vengeance after all. But, I find myself only rendered speechless at how far you have fallen. No one deserves this. Not even you. Except perhaps me. I am the cause for all of this after all. I wanted to tear the chains away from you, despite that fact that I may be liberating one who might cause my fall one day. However, I am expecting it. I could possibly even deserve it.

But if I free you, I will never say the truth as to why. You may hate me for ever comparing the two of us, but the tangible chains that you wear upon your self reminds me too much of the chains which bind me to this world. I am not saying that this world is not a pleasant one aside from the wars and sadistic Inquisitors, but the longer I stay in this world, the less of a chance I have to save my parents and Sophia.

''What? That warmonger actually agreed to a truce?"

''Vox is no more."

''Dead!? Did they kill him?"

I wanted to dryly interject something about how pleased you sounded at that moment. However, I should have known that you would feel that way. But killing has never been to my taste. It may be to yours, but I would also say that you are lying to yourself.

Why, you may ask?

Throughout the entire conversation, your words were harsh but you refused to meet my eyes. Those who have apathetic lives would not exhibit even the slightest bit of shame. You deliberately averted them every time you glanced in my direction. Maybe it was for the best. The lack of light in your eyes confuse me. I hadn't realized that anyone could have eyes as lightless as yours.

It won't be until later when I would understand. Not until I comprehend the similarities despite the differences. There are times when someone has to pass on. A star always falls in grief for someone who will never be seen again. Our lives are just flickering instants which fly by too fast. I can't reach anything by myself anymore.

What we want are mere wishes and fading words which can't get us anywhere by themselves.

The extent in which I have gone and how far I still have to go bewilders me. I need strength, I admit that, but I need it for a reason. What do you seek power for? To destroy? To create? Or because of something you can't even comprehend yourself?

Your determination is as brilliant as a flame, born out of a new star, but I exists as a flame born from dying stars. I am a creation of an earlier generation, made to destroy in the future. There is a difference between a being and a creation. And yet, there are clear affinity.

Sophia is normally the more romantic one out of the two of us, but my vulnerability, as well as yours, is as adamant as glass. There is pain which seeks the fragility of a prayer. Without words and without our wings, we remain grounded to the earth. How will we reach the heavens?

''These Aquarians are formidable, as I think you well know. If you work with them, you would be able to find a way."

''You make it all sound so simple, old man."

''If you fail, the rest of us are doomed along with you. There'll be no more Aquaria, and no more Airyglyph. This world will be wiped clean."

Duty is just as fickle as what they call destiny. I finally realized it. But now the burden of the world is placed upon all of us. We are not children anymore. But I know that that does not mean we are no longer enemies to you. It will take a long time—if ever—for everyone to be comfortable with each other. We may never even trust each other, but I will do anything in my power to keep this viridian world intact.

I may even be able to succeed. Then, a boy born out of destruction would instigate creation. Albel, does the same apply to you? A vessel can house contradictions just as something cannot be defined without its opposite.

As as your eyes are vermilion, mine are of malachite. Contrasting patterns of light. Why am I so drawn to the contrast? Perhaps...

My eyes are like yours in a manner I no longer recognize.

Malachite

END


Disclaimers:

-Star Ocean: Till the End of Time does not belong to me. It and all other titles and characters belong to Square Enix.

Author Notes:

-This can be taken as just general for the general audience or shonen-ai hinted for the yaoi fangirls. I can write both. I just like Albel and Fayt. Take that as you will. For now, I will keep this toned down due to the fact that I haven't finished the game yet. I don't want to be over-presumptuous and irritate somebody with my own mistakes. Moreover, I enjoy keeping them in character as much as possible.

-This is the fourth installation of Vermilion. The point of views will remain, but the chapters from now on will no longer solely be in the soliloquy form I have used in the first four. They will have dialogue—yes, dialogue—all the way up the the end.

-Was is just me, or did Albel sound a little too happy upon hearing that Fayt and company could possibly had been the ones who killed Vox? That scene had brought me an endless amount of amusement. Also, as my friend and I had noticed upon watching it for the first time, that was just the longest conversation with Albel shackled to the wall. I was wondering if anyone was ever going to let him down.

-To Youko Mitsutama- If you ship this pairing, I will love you forever.

-To Minako- Hmm... I'm really not too big on playing the jealousy trump card. Maria's character has my respect... it's Sophia who I could really do without. Sorry for the Sophia fans out there, but I am less than pleased with the fact that she's at level one when you finally get her. Being imprisoned all this time is no excuse!! knows she's being too much but can't help it Albel, Fayt and Cliff were already unstoppable by this time.

-To A Lifeless Beauty- I wasn't too big on yaoi before, I even wrote Dias/Rena a long time ago. However, yaoi becomes appealing when the Japanese fanarts of it are just kicking me right in the face, saying "LOOK AT ME!!!!" But don't worry, I'll give clear warnings before I do anything of the sort. I like general too.

-To XxFuumaGirlxX- A fan of X, eh? I liked Subaru most though... But I digress. Manipulation is something I love to do... force the characters to act this way and that without their consent for my own sadistic entertain—just kidding. Thanks a lot.

-To Paradoxpunk88- You have given me hope that I am not alone in the universe.

-To everyone- Once again, you guys have made my day. You were even able to get me past the essay I was writing for school. I must also apologize, for as much as I crave to read and review Star Ocean III fanfiction, my mind is set only on fics with slash pairings with Fate or any other pairing not having to do with Albel. I can't pair Albel with anyone else. However, if you ask, no matter what your Star Ocean fic is, I will read and review it. Just... expect more criticism towards grammar, syntax and diction than plot though.