Two figures walked across the dusty path. Aldebaran watched as Albiore stared silently at the wildflowers, he knew it would be a long time before he saw those again.

An old man with a large wooden cart holding several rolls of woven cloth turned to Albiore and tipped his hat, "Nobo," he politely smiled.

Albiore awkwardly blinked, "uh…nobo," he replied assuming that is what he was supposed to do. Life seemingly filled the old man as he threw his head back and laughed before returning back to his task of transporting his wares to the market. Albiore stopped and looked up to Aldebaran. "Why do people keep telling me nobo?" It wasn't the first time he's ever traveled this way, but today, the townsfolk would say the same thing. He looked up, expecting a humble lesson but instead was greeted with a small smile across his mentor's face. Albiore sighed as he stopped and tugged on Aldebaran's enormous forearm, "come on! Tell me, please!" the ten-year old begged.

He looked down, grabbed him from by his small bag of things and lifted him up like a tiny lion cub before continuing to walk forward with the boy in hand. It was nice to see him appear excited as a normal ten year old should. "It's just a small tradition. Now come on, we have to hurry. I heard your training partner already left, and is probably halfway to Andromeda Island as we speak."

Albiore, long used to being hauled around by Aldebaran's unconventional means sighed as he turned his head toward a mother and her bouncing four-year old.

A little girl screamed and pointed, "NOBO, NOBO, NOBO!" before the mother smiled and hurried her child away from the two as if to say they were embarrassed by the child's behavior.

Albiore lifted his head and gazed at his Brazilian friend expecting him to satisfy his curiosity. Instead Aldebaran simply tucked him back under his arm and increased his pace toward Nobo Cliff. Aldebaran continued struggling to hide his grin, "Albiore, what do you do if you see any dead sea life?" he quizzed him.

"I take it to the volcano and drop it in the lava."

"Why?"

Albiore sighed as he repeated the same answer he's always given, "because if I burn it on the beach, than there is the chance that small bones or fragments would remain. It doesn't take much to be affected by the curse and it is capable of killing off even a Gold Level Saint without proper care. If I do get affected, use concentrated star dust as well as try to bleed it or throw it up out of my system," he muttered in a dry tone while including how to treat the curse. He was sure he would be asked about that part next.

Aldebaran, sensing the clear tone of boredom and trembling nervousness of his student's voice, placed the boy down. Suddenly, Albiore stopped in his spot and immediately threw his backpack to the ground. At first Aldebaran thought Albiore was having another off-day that their Pope warned about, but to his relief it seemed like a classical case of remembering something at the last minute. He watched him place all of what he was allowed to take: a pocket knife, two foot long rods of metal for training (a necessity for anyone on the path for the Cloth of Cepheus), a gallon of fresh water, a notepad wrapped in plastic that he used to log in moves with his game with Red Nail, several papers to get him through checkpoints, scrolls to allow him to pay for food on the island, and a single path map also in plastic that would lead him toward his Cloth and further instructions would remain. "Where's my book?" he asked as he turned his bag over and shook it in hope that it would fall out.

It was a question that he feared and attempted to dodge, "Al, the moisture of the sea would damage it. Let's leave your sketchbook here until you mastered the speed of light and can safely transport it…"

Albiore shook his head, "no, not that book. My book from Argentina!" he borderline shouted as he sat in the dust with his other things. A worried look appeared his face as bit his lip. "I can't leave… not without it…"

Aldebaran felt a little divided. On one hand, it was one of the few things from his home country, but he didn't have a good feeling about it. There was hatred in that book and an unusual obsession about it that held up since meeting the boy when he was seven. In truth, the night before, he pulled it out of the bag and gently shoved it under his mattress, making it appear as if it had casually fallen out.

With the cliff being as close as it was, he thought he would be able to get away with it but sadly that isn't so. Knowing the child and his recent awakening of his ability to travel at the speed of light, he'd return back toward the House of Taurus to look for it. However, the key word was that it was recently awakened. Chances are, he'd overshoot his intended destination or worse, get seriously hurt. The speed of light, the most powerful aspect of a Gold Saint, was also the most dangerous element when one first comprehended it. "Wait here."

Albiore watched him blink out for a brief second before returning back. In his hands was the book with the familiar faded front cover, wrapped in several layers of plastic as were all his other things. He turned to it with a satisfied smile, before looking up and giving his Brazilian friend a hug. It was the least he could do for his stupidity.

The two continued down the path. Once they crossed over a large hill, the familiar hues of Mu's proud pink Lemurian hair and Orpheus' cheerful short sky blue locks were in sight. Pink foxgloves and red poppies hid the sharp rocky edge of Nobo cliff. Once they were close enough Mu stepped forward with Cooooooo with his daily salutations. "Hello Big Al," he graciously smiled before turning downwards, "Little Al."

Albiore fought the urge to roll his eyes. He had never admitted it to anyone but he hated it when Mu did it. He knew he was being friendly and probably thought he was clever, but it felt silly considering everything was considered little around Aldebaran. He bowed, it was the last time he'll hear it for a long time, "good morning." He and Aldebaran spoke as they gave a friendly bow.

Orpheus stepped forward, with tears in his eyes. He was always one of the most sensitive of those on the path of a Silver Cloth. He walked over and kissed both of Al's cheeks and hugged him before Al kissed his cheek back. It was a very informal and personal way of greeting between Saints of equal status.

Orpheus was always a little different among other trainees. Albiore sighed as he leaned his head against Orpheus' cheek, as he struggled to find the strength to tell him the one thing that he's had on his mind for the longest time. "I'm sorry for all those times I went a little… overboard…" he spoke through his cosmos.

Orpheus patted his back, "I know it hurts, just don't go through with the book…"he replied back.

Albiore sighed as the weight in his backpack felt a little heavier.

Orpheus reached into his pocket and handed him a scroll, "Marin couldn't come since she's going through another round of treatment. She wrote this," he showed Albiore the scroll. Several illegible scribbles were all over it, but it did show bits of improvement. "She said good luck in Africa and that she hoped you finish your path."

Albiore smiled looked at the scroll and put it in his pocket. He gave one last round of hugs to the others. It was a strange feeling, almost like anytime he visited his grandparents at the ranch, not here where a good day is when three liters of blood caked the ground and both combatants can walk on both legs in the end. It just felt too normal for the strange and Spartan way of a Trainee.

Aldebaran walked forward and took his hand to guide the child toward the edge. "How's the sunset?" he asked as he placed an arm around his shoulders.

Albiore turned his head toward it. "It's nice," he turned his head, "but shouldn't the boat be here by now?"

Mu and Orpheus took a step back as Aldebaran shaded his eyes with his hand and looked outward. "Maybe…. Actually, if you look hard enough, you can see it," he said as he pointed out.

Albiore turned his head all over the place, from the edge of the horizon, "What boat," he mumbled. Mu stepped forward and pointed out. "Orpheus, do you see a boat?" The musician walked up and pointed out as well. His frustrated eyes searched all over the place. "Where's the boat? I don't see a boat!" he said as he got a little closer.

"No-bo."

*WACK*

Albiore felt a hand smack struck him in the back causing him to fall to the water below. After his head resurfaced and a quick wipe over his eyes. He coughed and watched the trio laugh from up high. He waved his hands to keep himself a float… "No…bo…." He muttered aloud piecing together the words. "No boat?"

Aldebaran, the most jovial of the trio waved a finger, "Nobo is a fine tradition for Silver level and up trainees who must leave Sanctuary to earn a Cloth. Besides, real men swim to their training grounds! Where is the three years of Gold Level Training experience you've earned? Where's that iron vitality that comes with mighty Taurus blood that beats in your heart?"

"I have to swim?" he muttered pathetically, hoping that this was some practical joke.

Mu the Sculptor clasped his hands and turned toward the water-logged Argentinean. "Little Al… do not be upset… think of it as a spiritual journey." To add to the cheese of the moment, Mu stroked Cooooooo's head. "You were but a simple egg, whom Aldebaran has nurtured and now you are a chick. You have long since shed your fluff… your feathers have grown… muscles have formed from within your wings… and in order to temper your wings… you must leave the nest, leave and take flight, and find your way in the bold new world…"

Mu's words did not move Albiore in the slightest. He turned around and began to breast stroke his way to Ethiopia.

O================================================================================O

Love You, Kill Me

Part Four: A Better World

Side Story: Bold Old World Part One

O================================================================================O

FOUR WEEKS LATER… of swimming….

Saul hobbled toward his wooden deck. He sat his cane next to the panel. He turned toward a set of levers and buttons before looking up to the sky, "Lord, please… let there be something today… I'm really tired… too old to do this day in and day out," he whispered out loud with a thin grey tabby cat as his witness. He pressed the large red button and watched as a long cable moved along the pulley and lifted out of the water. Sadly, all that was in his net were just a handful of sardines. He sighed as he reached over and plucked the tiny things out. It looked as if its fin got stuck in one of the fibers of the rope. He turned toward his cat and looked down. "[[Here ya go,]]" he whispered in french as he tossed it down, watching the hungry feline crunch on its head before eating it whole. "[[Heh, well, at least one of us will eat well today.]]"

The old man pulled out his pipe and filled it before turning toward the water. He lit it up and smoked it, feeling guilty about purchasing tobacco during his last trip to Egypt. He looked up as he spotted a something cutting through the surface. "[[Hey!]]" he looked as a boy with bright blond hair cutting across the water. He hobbled as fast as he could. He winced in pain as one hand grabbed his knee while the other reached for a life preserver. "[[Hey!]]" He screamed once more as he threw it out to the boy. To his surprise, the boy just stared at it, waved his hand as if all was fine and dandy before continuing on. "[[What are you doing? Grab it!]]"

Saul frantically changed back and forth from french to english as the boy just floated next to it, expecting him to take it away from him. He sighed as he opened one of the gates and took off his coat. He approached the edge when the child, probably seeing that the old sailor was going to resort to swimming reached over and clutched the tube. Saul sighed in relief as he stepped back and began to pull the kid from the water.

Albiore felt dizzy, "Merci." Part of his training was learning French in order to communicate with the locals. Sadly most of French parts were on the west side of the continent, not around The Horn where he'd be located. At least he got to use a little bit of it.

Saul examined the child. He pulled the bag off his back and began to examine him. His clothes were simple with faded blue cotton pants and a matching sleeveless shirt. He touched his arm to examine a scar, surprised at how hard the muscles were. "[[Are you okay, what are you doing out in the middle of the sea? Were you on a boat?]]"

Albiore closed his eyes trying to at least pretend that he was too weak and unable to speak. In truth, he wasn't sure what to tell him. How was he going to explain why he was out here? If he told him his boat sank, the sailor would take him to the coast guard. He could just allow him to do that and have Sanctuary bail him out. The problem was that while that trick worked with soldiers or Saints, he was still a trainee, and there was the chance that they would leave him there even if he was a gold-level.

"Shhh, don't strain yourself… what happened?"

Albiore open his eyes. Unable to think of anything he inadvertadly blurted his thoughts…"I came from… Greece…" he babbled, "… my arms are really tired…"

Saul shook his head. Kid must have swallowed too much salt water. Then again, he looked extremely strong making him wonder if perhaps he came off a child slave ship. The first part he looked at was his neck, arms, and finally lifted the back of his shirt. "No marks…" not even a tattoo or any marks indicated that he was beaten. Couldn't be a prostitute either… he just seemed to be in too good of health.

Albiore sighed. He was so sick of swimming. He shouldn't be too far from the island since he passed through the Red Sea. He was fairly sure he rounded the tip of the Horn of Africa. He turned toward a flag, as a small fear began to set in. "Is this Madagascar?"

The sailor shook his head. "Oh no… were just along the coast of Somalia. Is that where you are from?"

The ten year old shook his head, "no… I'm not from anywhere near here." He sighed. He's taken a long enough break. "Listen, thank you for getting me out of the water, but I need to go, I have to finish my swim." Albiore stood up. He heard the old man shout to him, but ignored them. He wouldn't understand. "I have family that way, I'll be fine. It's a contest, I have to go now, and I'll be disqualified if I don't swim, but thank you. I appreciate your kindness." He bowed and then jumped off the side.

"Kid, come on! Look at ya! Come back!" he yelled as he grabbed his knee and tried to wave the boy over.

Albiore sighed as he continued onwards. It was a terrible excuse and one that anyone with sense could see all the holes in his explanation. While Saul did seem nice, he wouldn't be sure how he'd handle the truth. He swam as fast as he could, trying to increase the distance between the two. Guilt settled in, but he had to ignore it. He turned toward the boat, La Patte de Singe, floated in its spot. He spotted the old man as he stood on the deck watching him carefully. "I'm sorry," he muttered, as he continued through the water.

Twenty minutes later, he began to see the outline of a black water up ahead. The supposed first sign of the island and its cursed. He looked around. Where was the island? Supposedly he'd be able to see it from there. He swam into the blackness. He swam toward it until a disgusting taste followed in his mouth. He gasped as he lifted his hand, to see the thick goo cover his hand, and sniffed it. Apparently whatever he swam in wasn't cursed water… but it wasn't oil either. He immediately began to swim out of it but the smell was strong. His head felt dizzy as he struggled to get farther away from it. He coughed and gagged.

He shook his head as he struggled to focus, before a wave came up and pounded him deep into the water's grasp.

O|=========================?==========================|O

He opened his eyes as he turned toward the various straps in his chair. He looked down at the bit piece in his mouth attached to a horse bridle around his face, tasting the metal rust off of it. His body trembled in the dirty basement of who knew. Small puddles of water were all over the place. He turned toward a small corner where a barbeque grill, another chair with several car batteries. He looked across the room as he noticed Marie lying on the ground face forward. He looked around. The room was empty.

He threw his weight to one side and caused the chair to fall its side. He bit hard on the metal wire in his mouth after making contact with the ground. He looked down. His legs weren't fastened very well. He wiggled them vigorously until he was able to free them. "Mar-e!" he spat, feeling saliva slide out of his mouth. He needed to get closer. If she could undo his straps, perhaps they could get out and find the others?

Slowly he took his feet and pulled his strapped body over toward his sister. "Mar-e," he tried to say once more unable to get anything comprehensible out. He had to hurry, who knew what they would do if they caught him so far away from where they held him down.

He dragged his body through a yellow puddle. He was pretty sure of what it was, but right now he couldn't care less. "Mar-e," he muttered again. He looked up as her head shifted. Hope filled his heart as he struggled to drag himself quicker than ever until he reached her bright yellow hair. The scent of cooked meat filled the air. He gasped as a rat climbed over her head holding what looked like a piece of overcooked leathery piece of beef in its paws.

Albiore gasped, as he began to cry. He looked up and took his head and nudged her shoulder hoping she would wake up. Suddenly her arm fell over his face. He looked up as grill marks covered one side of her forearm while the other half had been sliced away revealing the dry white bone underneath. His face became pale as he turned toward her bright blond hair. He took his head and nudged hers, over and over, trying to wake up her up. His head increased in pace.

"[[Al. Don't look.]]"

The boy's eyes shifted toward a small grate in the wall. A familiar hand, bloodied, purpled and bruised as it was reaching out.

O|====================================================|O

"Papá." He muttered as he looked down at the piles of blankets. No straps. He touched his face, feeling the tears on his face. Apparently he had been crying in his sleep again. He rested his head against the tiny pillow just as the sailor came up to him. He felt a hand reach over and stroked his head.

Saul walked up to the boy as he handed him some bits of toast. "Here, I know it's not much, but, the cat there took your share. He's a greedy little fleabag… Aren't you tuna-breath?" The old cat turned his head and licked its mouth before proceeding to clean its paw. The Sailor returned his attention to the child. "[[You muttered some things in your sleep.]]"

The ten-year-old simply shifted his eyes around the room. He then spotted his trainer hanging on a rope drying above the sink. He looked down to see an oversized blue t shirt with holes all over them. "[[What was… that stuff?]]"

Saul walked over and pointed outside. "[[Well… those damn companies like to dump all sorts of nasty stuff over here with no thought about those of us trying to make an honest living.]]" He smiled and patted Albiore's short blond head of hair, "[[your mama on your island would kiss me if she knew how much trouble I went through to get that head of hair back to its color, although black isn't a bad color for you.]]"

Albiore felt his face turn red as he felt his mouth tremble. "[[My mom… she's dead… and my dad… my sisters…]]" he muttered as he clenched the side of the blanket.

Saul turned to him and sat down. "[[I'm sorry…. I thought you said your…]]"

Albiore sighed... "[[I lied…]]" he looked up. He realized he didn't get his name.

The Sailor followed up, "[[It's Saul…]]" he pointed downwards, "[[that's Sebastian… he was a mouse hunter here on my ship here, but like me he retired… unlike me… he stayed that way…]]" he sighed, "[[we needed money, I fish but it's been terrible since…]]" he pointed outside, "[[well, you swam through it. Now I told you mine, who are you?]]"

Albiore told him his name, and where he was from, receiving the same general reaction that everyone gave him.

"[[Argentina… I heard its beautiful there. I honestly thought you were from Italy… your last name, Esposito… that's Italian isn't it?]]"

Albiore nodded. "[[There are a lot of people in Argentina that have Italian backgrounds.]]"

Saul patted his back, "[[listen, fishing has been terrible for the past few days… can't really do anything in this area since EP made the place unfishable for a while, how would you like a free ride to this Andromeda Island that you have to go to.]]"

Albiore smiled. If they complain about him cheating, he'll swim around his grounds to make up for the distance. He looked over at Saul's leg. "[[What's wrong with it,]]" he pointed.

Saul turned toward his knee. "[[That is the result of thirty years of fishing and grandchild after grandchild taking a spot upon it. The other one isn't too bad, but, while I use the ledges of my boat,]]" he patted it, "[[I have a cane for all those other times. I'm a little embarrassed to use it.]]"

"[[Can you lift your pant leg up?]]" Albiore pointed out. He watched the old man do so, revealing the hardy leg and spot, covered with curly white hairs. "[[My grandfather had the same problem. it probably hurts a lot.]]" He reached over and summoned his cosmos. Bones and ligaments were easy in terms of the Golden touch. Besides, it was the least he could do for pulling him out of that mess earlier.

Saul looked down as his hand glowed. He watched as gentle warmth came from it and onto his leg. After placing it over the spot for several minutes, he moved his knee cap. No pain or strange crack noises, it was as good as new. He stood up and moved it amazed. He turned his head toward the boy as he lay in the small makeshift bed. "You really did swim from Greece to here," he muttered. He took the plate of toast and pulled it away. He then grabbed the blanket and tucked him in. Where ever this Andromeda Island place was, he'll make sure he gets him there, safe and sound.

O|=============================================================================|O

Coming January 2

Chapter Twenty Two: Spring Time

Several Foot Soldiers come to the Island for training, while Saint Cassandra begins her temporary move to the island.

Side Stories:

-Bold Old World 2

Ten year old Albiore finally reaches the island.

-The Lonely Stage/Love Sick

Orpheus performs for the first time. / An old flame of Eurydice comes to haunt her.

Have You Ever Felt the True Power of the Cosmos?

O|=============================================================================|O

As I wrote on my profile, I chose to write a side story since those are half the typical length of the normal chapters making it easier for me to enjoy the holidays, but still get things up. I ended up having to delay this by a day just because I literally was several hundred miles away from my computer yesterday. My brother in law came over and spent time with him.

I ended up having to split this chapter, because when I go back and reread it, the flow of the story is a big factor in how I write and sometimes I look at it, and if it looks like a good stopping point, I go with it. I am going to repost the side chapter I deleted a long time ago, and not only post it but also conclude it.

Happy Holidays, and as always, if there is something you see that's wrong, I'll be happy to look and change it.

Jenny D