Thank you so much Mage of Hope for all the new ideas for plot and scenes. I will definitely be using one of the scenes in this chapter, so look forward to seeing it. As for the rest of you, thank you so much for all the nice reviews and I happily give you the next chapter of the story. Enjoy!

Tales of Xillia – Hope and Destiny

Chapter 3

From Me to You

When the ship finally docked at the seaheaven, Jude stretched her arms as she stepped onto the port. Alvin and Milla followed closely behind, looking around.

"So this is Auj Oule… Strange… It looks and feels just like home…" Jude stated to herself, turning to look at her two travelling companions. Alvin flashed her a smile.

"Well this part of Auj Oule is hardly what I'd call exotic. Get further in and you'll start noticing a difference" Alvin explained, piquing Jude's curiosity.

"You've been here before Alvin?" she asked, tilting her head curiously. Alvin smirked, nodding his head.

"Yep, been here a few times on business. This your first time leaving Rashugal?" Alvin asked, seeing Jude nod in response. Turning to look back at the seaheaven, Jude paused as she noticed the giant notice board.

"There's a map! I'll go take a look at it" Jude stated, walking off to the map. Milla approached Alvin, putting a hand on her hip.

"Glad to see she's taking this seriously" Milla stated, hearing Alvin chuckle a little. Alvin turned to look at her.

"Didn't you drag her into this in the first place?" Alvin questioned, raising a brow. Milla gave him a stern look, putting her other hand on her waist as well.

"She insisted on helping me. I told her time and time again to go home, but she just wouldn't listen" Milla explained, seeing Alvin fold his arms over his chest.

"Really? From what Jude told me, it sounds more like you didn't give her a choice in the matter at first. She went to go get her paper and met you, but her way back had disappeared so she had no choice but to follow you" Alvin replied, seeing Milla look shocked. He couldn't help but chuckle, seeing the look for the first time on her face since he met her.

"You outta show a little sympathy for the poor kid. You did kinda drag her into this" Alvin stated, seeing Milla put a hand to her chin, pondering the thought.

"Hm… You prove a valid point… I'll have to think about it…" Milla replied, seeing Jude walk up to them.

"You said you needed to get to Nia Khera, right Milla? According to the map, Hamil is north of here. And if I recall the legends, Nia Khera is close to Hamil" Jude asked, seeing Milla nod to herself.

"That's correct. Guess we're heading North then" Milla stated, seeing Jude look up at her. Alvin glanced at them.

"So what, the two of you are heading off now?" Alvin asked, seeing Milla turn to look at him. She shook her head, catching Jude off guard.

"No. Alvin, you must be well versed with a sword. Mercenaries like you must have some battle chops" she stated, seeing Alvin's eyes widen. He chuckled, looking a little embarrassed.

"Well, yeah. Line of the work" Alvin replied. Milla folded her arms over her chest.

"Think you could teach me?" Milla suddenly asked, making both Jude and Alvin look shocked.

"What? Well, sure… I mean, I could… But… You know… What's in it for me?" Alvin asked, looking very startled. Jude looked between the two of them, not knowing what to think about any of this. Milla frowned in thought.

"Hm… Guess you'll require money then… Unfortunately, I don't have anything…" Milla stated, pondering in thought. Alvin looked around, scratching at his cheek to try and find a solution. He then noticed the notice board, letting out a triumphant 'aha!'.

"W-What is it Alvin?" Jude stuttered, having jumped back at his sudden personality change. Alvin smirked at the two ladies.

"Well, we can take on some mercenary jobs, so we get some money while Milla gets the training she needs. Sounds pretty good, right?" Alvin explained, seeing Jude place a finger near her temple, frowning in thought. In Jude's head, the high pitched ringing had begun again. It always happened when she was deep in thought.

"Alvin's right… It does seem like the most logical solution anyway. I'm impressed Alvin" Jude stated, smiling at Alvin. Alvin blinked, taken aback by the girl's sudden smile, then frowned.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" he asked sarcastically, beginning to approach the younger girl. Jude's eyes widened when she saw the mercenary approach her, then turned, beginning to try and run away before Alvin's arm snaked around her neck, pulling her back. Jude gagged a little at the sudden pressure around her neck, then suddenly felt her shoulder smack against the mercenary's chest. Her cheeks were beginning to heat up, being this close to an older male. She looked up at Alvin, seeing the grin on his face.

"I didn't quite hear you there Miss Honour's Student. Care to repeat that to the class?" Alvin asked sarcastically, leaning his face close to Jude's ear. Jude's face only lit up like a beacon as she stomped on his foot. Alvin let out a yelp, letting Jude go as she took off in a dash to Milla. Alvin grabbed his foot, hopping around for a little before he chuckled, looking at how Jude was hiding behind Milla a little. Milla had been quite amused by their little exchange, looking between the two of them. Jude was just pouting, sort of hiding in Milla's hair, but Alvin could see the pink on her cheeks. Giving a small chuckle, he turned and walked to a lady that was standing by the notice board. Jude peeked out a little from in Milla's hair, watching Alvin leave.

"You worried about him?" Milla asked, seeing Jude look up at her, startled.

"W-What? No… I couldn't care less about the guy… I-I mean… Well…" Jude stuttered, her face turning redder. Milla just giggled at this, smiling in amusement.

"You really are so… human Jude" Milla stated, seeing the pout on Jude's face. Alvin approached the two of them, seeing Jude duck back behind Milla. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

"We got a job! There are some monsters on the Aladhi Trail that need exterminating! Now all Milla needs is some basic training, then we can go get this cash" Alvin stated, seeing Milla look up with a happy smile. Jude peeked out again, nodding.

"That's wonderful news Alvin. Jude, do you mind sitting down and waiting for us to finish practicing?" Milla stated, seeing Jude look up and nod. She walked over to the nearby bench and sat down, bringing her knees up to her chest. Hugging them, she let out a small sigh. She thought over how she'd gotten into this situation. What she could've done differently to prevent ending up like this, and what she was going to do now. Milla noticed this after she'd drawn her sword to pretend fight against Alvin.

"Jude. You should think about your situation carefully. You no longer have to stay with me anymore. You're free to do as you wish. However, if you choose to stay with me, I can put a good word in for you with the people of Nia Khera. You'd be welcomed there among them" Milla offered, seeing Jude's eyes widen, blinking at her in shock. She almost couldn't believe Milla had offered such a nice thing to her. She smiled sadly back at Milla.

"Sorry, give me a little time to think about it. I'll be decided before you head off" Jude apologized, seeing Milla nod to herself.

"It's alright. It's a big decision to make. I understand that" Milla reassured her, then turned back to facing Alvin. As they continued to practice, Alvin glanced over to see how Jude was doing. He noticed she was looking very tired. Raising a brow in consideration, he focused more on her face. She had some dark lines under her eyes, seeing the whites of her eyes looking a little red. Had she slept at all the previous night?

-later-

After some more practicing, they began heading out to the Aladhi Trail where the unusual monsters were located. Upon approaching the area, they'd found numerous monsters. They'd even tried Linked Combat and Linked Artes. Upon reaching the West Branch of the Aladhi Trail, they stopped when they spotted some unusual fauna for the area.

"Those must be our targets" Milla stated, drawing her sword to get ready to fight. Alvin drew his gun and sword, preparing himself as well. Jude adjusted her gauntlets, preparing herself. The monsters turned, noticing them and dove in to attack.

"Looks like we get one each! Come on everyone!" Alvin stated, dashing to his selected monster to beat it. Milla ran to her monster as Jude let her monster run to her. When it got close enough, Jude launched herself forward, smacking her fist into the monster and sent it flying a little. Running to catch up the distance, she quickly back-stepped behind it, then jumped up, kicking the monster in the head. It hit the ground painfully, but it stood back up.

Jude huffed to herself, realizing this monster was stronger than the ones they'd been fighting previously. It dashed at her, striking but she crossed her arms together, blocking the attack. She skidded back a little, feeling the edge behind her heels. Behind her was a large pool of water. Glaring, she inhaled deeply, putting all her strength into one attack. She ran forward, dodging an attack from the monster and smashed her fist into the monster's chest. She heard multiple loud cracks, seeing the monster fall to the ground in a heap. It completely stopped moving. The fight was over for Jude and the monster, but Jude was left standing there, panting heavily as she held her knees in her hands.

"Done!" Alvin called out, hearing Milla finish off the last of her monster. They both turned to see how Jude was doing, seeing her monster on the ground, dead, and Jude doubled over in a panting mess.

"Jude?" Milla asked, sheathing her sword and walking to her. Alvin did the same, approaching her. Jude looked up at them weakly, her vision beginning to fade in and out from black. After a few seconds, her panting stopped as her eyes rolled up, her head crashing towards the ground. Alvin and Milla both gasped loudly, but Alvin was the only one that acted. He dove quickly, catching Jude's head before it hit the ground. Sighing in relief, he cradled the fallen girl in his arms. Milla ran to the other side, kneeling down to look at Jude in worry. Alvin checked her for a fever, but smiled gently when he realized there was none.

"She's alright… She's just exhausted…" Alvin explained, seeing Milla look up at him. She looked down at Jude's face, seeing how pale it was and the dark lines under Jude's eyes.

"We need to get back to the inn and let her rest…" Alvin stated, placing his hands under the girl's back and knees, lifting her up into his arms. She was surprisingly light, which surprised the mercenary again. When he'd carried her onto the ship he'd also been surprised at her weight. Turning to face Milla, he saw her nod and draw her sword. If they got caught into any fights, she'd be the only one able to fight and defend them. After walking around they reached the end of the Trail.

"Nngh..." Jude groaned as her vision started to clear. She found herself laying against something hard and it felt like she was floating. She tried to move but whoever held her tightened their grip, causing her to look up and see it was Alvin carrying her.

"Hey, wakey sleepyhead," teased Alvin, pinching her cheek.

"Alvin?!" Embarrassed, she struggled to get out of his grip but he was too strong. Instead she hid her face into his coat, hiding her flustered face.

"No need to be embarrassed! It's just you and me...and Milla" Alvin teased, chuckling.

"Alvin!" whined Jude. Alvin couldn't help but chuckle at her behavior, finding it adorable. After making sure she was definitely okay, he placed her on her feet. Milla explained what had happened after the fight and Jude apologized profusely. Alvin frowned at her.

"Well, do I dare ask how much sleep you got last night?" Alvin asked, hearing Jude stumble upon her words. She was hopeless at lying. At least in this scenario anyway.

"I think maybe half an hour?" Jude admitted, hearing Alvin sigh to himself. Jude looked down at the ground apologetically.

"S-Sorry… I just… had so much on my mind…" Jude apologized, her voice sounding like she was going to break into tears. Alvin began to panic, thinking he'd upset Jude. And if there was one thing he hated in this world, it was watching women cry.

"W-Well, make sure to rest when we get to the inn then" Alvin quickly said, trying to cheer her up a little. Jude beamed a sudden smile at him, making Alvin pause as he realized Jude had just played him like a fool. He gave her an unamused look, looking at the girl as he realized she was actually a really, really good actor. She knew how to get what she wanted, that was for sure. Milla had been oblivious and hadn't even noticed.

"Well, we'd best head to the inn. Come on you two, or I'll leave you behind" Milla stated, walking into the Alahdi Seaheaven they'd arrived at.

"H-Hang on Milla! We need to get the money from the job first!" Jude called out, running after her quickly. Alvin sighed to himself, then ran after them.

-later-

After they'd checked in the job and gotten the reward cash, Jude and Alvin began walking to the inn when they heard a loud crash sound. Turning, Jude gasped when she saw Milla's collapsed form on the ground.

"Two in one day?" Alvin questioned, seeing Jude run to Milla. Kneeling down, she put a hand to Milla's forehead.

"No fever… How do you feel?" Jude asked, seeing Milla just lay there.

"I don't seem to have any strength…" Milla replied, her stomach growling loudly.

"Um… when did you last eat?" Jude asked, hearing the loud growl.

"I've never eaten…" Milla replied, making Jude's eyes widen in shock.

"What, never!?" Jude exclaimed, her voice going higher pitched.

"Never… Through Undine, I drew substance from the Water, and through Sylph and Gnome I drew the remaining substances I needed from the Earth and Air" Milla explained. Alvin seemed really confused at this.

"Well, it looks like you're gonna have to nourish yourself the old fashioned way. Come on, let's get some food from the inn" Jude stated, offering Milla her hand. Milla took her hand, allowing herself to be pulled up.

"I see… So this is what you humans call hunger. Fascinating!" Milla stated, giggling happily. Alvin looked between the two of them, clearly confused.

Upon arriving at the inn and Jude cooking up some food, they all sat around the table, staring at three large bowls of stew. Milla looked at the bowl happily, then began scoffing it down quickly. Alvin ate some, then blinked down at the food. Had Jude really made this? If so, she'd just gone up in Alvin's books by a huge jump. Jude saw the pink tinge go on both Alvin's and Milla's cheeks. Smiling happily, she began eating her own food. After a little while, a smack made Jude and Alvin look to see Milla had passed out at the table. Giggling, Jude turned to look at Alvin.

"So… What was all that about earlier? About Sylph, Gnome and Undine? Aren't those three of the four Great Spirits?" Alvin asked, making Jude's smile fade as she looked down at Milla, wondering if it was alright for her to tell Alvin.

"Well… I know it may be hard to believe… but Milla's Maxwell. The Maxwell, the creator of Reiza Maxia. Her name is Milla Maxwell" Jude explained, seeing Alvin stutter in shock.

"Yeah, I know… I was shocked when I first learned it too…" Jude stated, giggling a little. Alvin looked down at Milla in disbelief.

"So… She's Maxwell huh?" Alvin whispered under his breath.