Disclaimer: ...
~*~Claude~*~
The pain is unbearable. I can't think strait. I only hope Leon finds someone, or, whatever. I'm surrounded by darkness...endless...am I falling...? Where...am I? My body feels so heavy. Weak...tired...I feel sick. Just at the moment, there was a bright light above me. I looked up to stare into what looked like the sun..from, under water! I'm drowning! But, I can't move. I was sinking to the bottom. The sun became harder to see, the further I went down. Then, everything was a dark blue. I was on the floor of the endless blue. I stood and looked around. Apparently, I can breathe under water. I looked up, only to see more blue and the sun, size of a teardrop. I took a step forward and when I did, the floor disintegrated beneath me feet. I began falling into blackness. I looked around, but saw nothing different. Then, something was rising up to meet me. I collided with a circular floor, which looked like a stained glass window. The picture was of a large metallic blue dragon, with silver horns. It looked somewhat familiar to me, though I don't recall seeing it. I examined it a bit more before walking around. Everything else was black, there's something new.
"So, we meet again..."
I jumped at the sudden outburst and began looking around. I saw nothing that could have said it, nothing visible, anyway.
"Who are you?" I called out. My voice echoed through out the area.
"My name, I shall not say."
"Well, where am I, why am I hear?" I asked.
"Simple. Do not question me about this, but I know you are on a journey to end the life of Falceon, king of evil."
"Yeah, and?"
"I must show you something before I say anymore...now, close your eyes and relax."
I did as asked and began to feel light. It felt like zero gravity, but jumping wasn't a possibility. Then, there was a bright flash of light and I found myself standing on a beach, endless blue before me. I looked around, taking in the sight behind me. Then the sound of raging water filled the air. I whipped around to find...wait, it can't be. It was my-
"Father!" I shouted as there was a huge wave growing in front of him. He was standing out in the water, knee deep. He slowly turned around and looked into my eyes.
"Come..." He said, extending his hand. The wave continued to get bigger and closer. I ran out into the blue, towards my father. I was almost there, right when the wave crashed down. I was hurled backward at the force of the impact. I looked out where my father was, and still is! He was standing in the same position as before, as if the wave didn't even hit him. I began swimming towards him, just as the current pushed at me. The more I tried, the harder it hit. There was no way I could reach him at this rate. I was running out of breath and let the current take me away. I broke the waters surface and gasped. I felt like the breath of life after being down there so long. My vision was blurred some as I looked at the shore line, to find....Rena! She was sitting on the beach, looking at me. I began my way to the shore as Rena stood up. I reached it and knelt over, panting.
"Are you ok?" Rena asked me with a small smile. I looked up at her a nodded, then dropped my head again. I slowly stood up strait and looked at her. She was looking past me, and into the multicolored sky. I curiously turned around and looked at what she was looking at. There were falling stars everywhere in the sky. Then, there was a person falling with the stars. As they got closer I could make out who it was. It was...me. Just as I guessed that, I felt my stomach lurch. I fell backwards to the ground, and kept on going. Rena looked at me and reached out to grab me, but failed. I was now the one falling in the sky, falling into nothingness. The wind smacked me in the face as I continued to fall. There was a flash of light and I found myself once more sinking in the water. This is all to weird. Once again, everything was a deep blue. I slowly met the oceans floor. My feet made contact and dust kicked up everywhere. It was like it was happening all over again. I looked up, to see the same thing as before, Peter Pan! I took one step forward and there was another flash of light. I shot up and found myself looking out a doorway.
"Claude." A soft voice said. I looked to my side to find Rena, again.
"Wha? Wait, what about" I never got the chance to finish. A sudden feeling of sharp pain hit me hard and canceled my sentence. I grunted and fell back onto what was most likely a bed.
"Claude, your wounds are still bad." Rena said, resting her hand on my own.
"Took us a little while to find you and Leon." Ando said.
"Would'a been longer if it weren't for Leon sending off those sparks." Ryo added, and walked out. I lost myself in my thoughts while all this took place. What was all that about, what I just saw? Some form of communication? Rena began to chant a healing spell, and I closed my eyes. If only I could have seen more. Maybe it was some strange dream. Just as Rena finished, I heard a soft voice.
"If you cannot help your father....if your friends cannot help you...all is already lost." It said. I wasn't surprised; I understood what they were saying. It was referring to that dream thing I had.
"Will this happen again?" I thought to myself. "Will it...?" I looked up at the ceiling as Rena finished the spell.
"Hey Leon, since you don't need your book anymore, could I have it?" Hikeru asked. (He never used it in Star Ocean EX, never even had a book)
"Don't see why not." Leon said, handing his book to Hikeru. She looked at the book, eyes beaming. Then she yelled happily and ran out, dragging Leon with her. Ando laughed a little then looked at me.
"So, why don't you explain to us why you did what you did." Ando said, turning serious.
"I..." I tried to say. I closed my eyes, and tried to think of how to say this.
"We can wait until your wounds heal." Rena said.
"No, I'll tell you now." I protested. Ando grabbed a nearby chair and sat on the same side as Rena. "I...heard from a soldier that there's some sort of, bridge on the enemy horizon. I wanted to find out myself."
"And play suicide, eh?" Ando stated with a small smile.
"No...well, I guess. I don't know what came over me." I looked out the window and at the previous battle arena. There, we had met the monster again. Had Leon told anyone?
"Oh yeah, and...Claude, bad news." Ando said grimly.
"What?" I asked looking at him.
"Uh..." He hesitated and but his lip. Before speaking, he took a deep breath. "More of the soldiers were killed, a lot, in a sneak attack while you were gone. Now there's only about, seventeen soldiers left." What?! I sat straight up in the bed, ignoring the pain trying to pull me back down.
"They aren't that strong, are they?!" I nearly shouted.
"Claude, it was some big monster, like the one from last time the front line was attacked, Shin." Rena said.
"We tried, but it was in vein." Ando said.
"Now, you should really get some rest." Rena said.
"No, I'm fine." I said, getting up. I walked over to my sword and headed for the door. Just as I was about to walk through, a stinging sharp pain in my side brought me to the ground, clutching my wound. I heard Rena and Ando stand up and rush over to me.
"See, you're still hurt." Ando said, helping me up.
"You're wrong, watch me." I pushed Ando away and walked down the hall. I could feel their eyes on me, watching me walk down the hall. I heard Rena called after me as I turned a corner. The second I did, another sharp pain hit me. I fell against the wall as Rena's footsteps could be heard, then stopped.
"If he's no longer hurt, he doesn't need our help." Ando said, stretching out an arm to stop Rena. She looked at him as if he was insane. I stared at him for a moment, panting, before walking on. As I was walking out of the front line, I felt someone' presence nearby. I stopped for a moment. Seconds what seemed like minutes passed before I heard someone say softly, 'Don't go get yourself killed'. I sighed and walked out into the forest nearby. I stood there silently, hand on my sword. If this ever happens again, I must be ready...I must be stronger. I will be sure to slay any monster that stands up to me. But if they realize their mistake and surrender, they are obviously fighting reluctantly; I will spare these who do. At that moment, I tore my sword from my scabbard and sliced through the air. I must improve my ability, far beyond that of Dias'. I once again cut the air, concentrating on my power.
"Claude's really strong isn't he?" I heard a small voice say nearby. I paused for a moment and pretended to rest. It sounded like Hikeru.
"No, he's actually really weak." Another voice, supposedly Ando said. I continued my training, listening in on the conversation as well.
"Whado you mean?" Leon asked.
"Claude's heart is weaker than anyone's." Rena said. As I cut the air again, I once more was brought to the ground from pain. I did my best to ignore it and continue.
"He's very scared in his heart." Ando said. "So he tries to protect everyone all the time."
"But why?" Hikeru asked.
"Claude fights for protecting friends, even if wounded. He just really wants to protect all of us, like he was defending himself." Ando said. Especially you, Rena. I said to myself mentally.
"So we stay together with him all the time. He becomes stronger to protect us." Rena said. "So in order not to make him feel lonely, we stay beside him all the time." I felt as though a new power had risen within me, like a second chance. I began to charge up one of my powers, but my wounds wouldn't allow it. I clutched my side, feeling nothing but pain. I heard the others run to me as I made contact with the ground. I rolled onto my side, grunting as I did.
"Claude, you idiot." Ando said, kneeling beside me after Rena.
"You shouldn't have come out here." Rena said. They began helping me to my feet and to the gate of the front line.
"I wanted to become stronger." I grunted.
"What?" Rena questioned me.
"So, no more bloodshed would show itself to our eyes." I looked at her dead in the eyes.
"You can do that later, now you need to regain your strength." Ando said.
"Yes, sorry for my foolishness." I apologized.
"You needn't apologize." Rena said as we reached the gate. "We understand."
"...thank you." I said before dropping my head and closing my eyes. That was a little foolish of me, going out wounded. But, for a good cause. We are almost to our destination, so we need to be strong. I'm not sure about the others, but I'll back up any of them with my life. If sacrificing myself for the universe is necessary.
Then it will be.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Divine Soul: I think I should say right now, some things I say I don't really mean. I just, before New Years Eve, I had a major break down. Not a soul in this world has seen me like I was then...it's sad, what I do. I hide my tears, then let them go when no one can see. No one knows who I really am, not even me. But that night, it all came out. For almost two hours that went on...haunting me. The past, leaving friends, losing them, why...when...what? I ask myself, but get no answer. I ask questions that can't be answered, but must...ah, so, please review! ^_^`
~*~Claude~*~
The pain is unbearable. I can't think strait. I only hope Leon finds someone, or, whatever. I'm surrounded by darkness...endless...am I falling...? Where...am I? My body feels so heavy. Weak...tired...I feel sick. Just at the moment, there was a bright light above me. I looked up to stare into what looked like the sun..from, under water! I'm drowning! But, I can't move. I was sinking to the bottom. The sun became harder to see, the further I went down. Then, everything was a dark blue. I was on the floor of the endless blue. I stood and looked around. Apparently, I can breathe under water. I looked up, only to see more blue and the sun, size of a teardrop. I took a step forward and when I did, the floor disintegrated beneath me feet. I began falling into blackness. I looked around, but saw nothing different. Then, something was rising up to meet me. I collided with a circular floor, which looked like a stained glass window. The picture was of a large metallic blue dragon, with silver horns. It looked somewhat familiar to me, though I don't recall seeing it. I examined it a bit more before walking around. Everything else was black, there's something new.
"So, we meet again..."
I jumped at the sudden outburst and began looking around. I saw nothing that could have said it, nothing visible, anyway.
"Who are you?" I called out. My voice echoed through out the area.
"My name, I shall not say."
"Well, where am I, why am I hear?" I asked.
"Simple. Do not question me about this, but I know you are on a journey to end the life of Falceon, king of evil."
"Yeah, and?"
"I must show you something before I say anymore...now, close your eyes and relax."
I did as asked and began to feel light. It felt like zero gravity, but jumping wasn't a possibility. Then, there was a bright flash of light and I found myself standing on a beach, endless blue before me. I looked around, taking in the sight behind me. Then the sound of raging water filled the air. I whipped around to find...wait, it can't be. It was my-
"Father!" I shouted as there was a huge wave growing in front of him. He was standing out in the water, knee deep. He slowly turned around and looked into my eyes.
"Come..." He said, extending his hand. The wave continued to get bigger and closer. I ran out into the blue, towards my father. I was almost there, right when the wave crashed down. I was hurled backward at the force of the impact. I looked out where my father was, and still is! He was standing in the same position as before, as if the wave didn't even hit him. I began swimming towards him, just as the current pushed at me. The more I tried, the harder it hit. There was no way I could reach him at this rate. I was running out of breath and let the current take me away. I broke the waters surface and gasped. I felt like the breath of life after being down there so long. My vision was blurred some as I looked at the shore line, to find....Rena! She was sitting on the beach, looking at me. I began my way to the shore as Rena stood up. I reached it and knelt over, panting.
"Are you ok?" Rena asked me with a small smile. I looked up at her a nodded, then dropped my head again. I slowly stood up strait and looked at her. She was looking past me, and into the multicolored sky. I curiously turned around and looked at what she was looking at. There were falling stars everywhere in the sky. Then, there was a person falling with the stars. As they got closer I could make out who it was. It was...me. Just as I guessed that, I felt my stomach lurch. I fell backwards to the ground, and kept on going. Rena looked at me and reached out to grab me, but failed. I was now the one falling in the sky, falling into nothingness. The wind smacked me in the face as I continued to fall. There was a flash of light and I found myself once more sinking in the water. This is all to weird. Once again, everything was a deep blue. I slowly met the oceans floor. My feet made contact and dust kicked up everywhere. It was like it was happening all over again. I looked up, to see the same thing as before, Peter Pan! I took one step forward and there was another flash of light. I shot up and found myself looking out a doorway.
"Claude." A soft voice said. I looked to my side to find Rena, again.
"Wha? Wait, what about" I never got the chance to finish. A sudden feeling of sharp pain hit me hard and canceled my sentence. I grunted and fell back onto what was most likely a bed.
"Claude, your wounds are still bad." Rena said, resting her hand on my own.
"Took us a little while to find you and Leon." Ando said.
"Would'a been longer if it weren't for Leon sending off those sparks." Ryo added, and walked out. I lost myself in my thoughts while all this took place. What was all that about, what I just saw? Some form of communication? Rena began to chant a healing spell, and I closed my eyes. If only I could have seen more. Maybe it was some strange dream. Just as Rena finished, I heard a soft voice.
"If you cannot help your father....if your friends cannot help you...all is already lost." It said. I wasn't surprised; I understood what they were saying. It was referring to that dream thing I had.
"Will this happen again?" I thought to myself. "Will it...?" I looked up at the ceiling as Rena finished the spell.
"Hey Leon, since you don't need your book anymore, could I have it?" Hikeru asked. (He never used it in Star Ocean EX, never even had a book)
"Don't see why not." Leon said, handing his book to Hikeru. She looked at the book, eyes beaming. Then she yelled happily and ran out, dragging Leon with her. Ando laughed a little then looked at me.
"So, why don't you explain to us why you did what you did." Ando said, turning serious.
"I..." I tried to say. I closed my eyes, and tried to think of how to say this.
"We can wait until your wounds heal." Rena said.
"No, I'll tell you now." I protested. Ando grabbed a nearby chair and sat on the same side as Rena. "I...heard from a soldier that there's some sort of, bridge on the enemy horizon. I wanted to find out myself."
"And play suicide, eh?" Ando stated with a small smile.
"No...well, I guess. I don't know what came over me." I looked out the window and at the previous battle arena. There, we had met the monster again. Had Leon told anyone?
"Oh yeah, and...Claude, bad news." Ando said grimly.
"What?" I asked looking at him.
"Uh..." He hesitated and but his lip. Before speaking, he took a deep breath. "More of the soldiers were killed, a lot, in a sneak attack while you were gone. Now there's only about, seventeen soldiers left." What?! I sat straight up in the bed, ignoring the pain trying to pull me back down.
"They aren't that strong, are they?!" I nearly shouted.
"Claude, it was some big monster, like the one from last time the front line was attacked, Shin." Rena said.
"We tried, but it was in vein." Ando said.
"Now, you should really get some rest." Rena said.
"No, I'm fine." I said, getting up. I walked over to my sword and headed for the door. Just as I was about to walk through, a stinging sharp pain in my side brought me to the ground, clutching my wound. I heard Rena and Ando stand up and rush over to me.
"See, you're still hurt." Ando said, helping me up.
"You're wrong, watch me." I pushed Ando away and walked down the hall. I could feel their eyes on me, watching me walk down the hall. I heard Rena called after me as I turned a corner. The second I did, another sharp pain hit me. I fell against the wall as Rena's footsteps could be heard, then stopped.
"If he's no longer hurt, he doesn't need our help." Ando said, stretching out an arm to stop Rena. She looked at him as if he was insane. I stared at him for a moment, panting, before walking on. As I was walking out of the front line, I felt someone' presence nearby. I stopped for a moment. Seconds what seemed like minutes passed before I heard someone say softly, 'Don't go get yourself killed'. I sighed and walked out into the forest nearby. I stood there silently, hand on my sword. If this ever happens again, I must be ready...I must be stronger. I will be sure to slay any monster that stands up to me. But if they realize their mistake and surrender, they are obviously fighting reluctantly; I will spare these who do. At that moment, I tore my sword from my scabbard and sliced through the air. I must improve my ability, far beyond that of Dias'. I once again cut the air, concentrating on my power.
"Claude's really strong isn't he?" I heard a small voice say nearby. I paused for a moment and pretended to rest. It sounded like Hikeru.
"No, he's actually really weak." Another voice, supposedly Ando said. I continued my training, listening in on the conversation as well.
"Whado you mean?" Leon asked.
"Claude's heart is weaker than anyone's." Rena said. As I cut the air again, I once more was brought to the ground from pain. I did my best to ignore it and continue.
"He's very scared in his heart." Ando said. "So he tries to protect everyone all the time."
"But why?" Hikeru asked.
"Claude fights for protecting friends, even if wounded. He just really wants to protect all of us, like he was defending himself." Ando said. Especially you, Rena. I said to myself mentally.
"So we stay together with him all the time. He becomes stronger to protect us." Rena said. "So in order not to make him feel lonely, we stay beside him all the time." I felt as though a new power had risen within me, like a second chance. I began to charge up one of my powers, but my wounds wouldn't allow it. I clutched my side, feeling nothing but pain. I heard the others run to me as I made contact with the ground. I rolled onto my side, grunting as I did.
"Claude, you idiot." Ando said, kneeling beside me after Rena.
"You shouldn't have come out here." Rena said. They began helping me to my feet and to the gate of the front line.
"I wanted to become stronger." I grunted.
"What?" Rena questioned me.
"So, no more bloodshed would show itself to our eyes." I looked at her dead in the eyes.
"You can do that later, now you need to regain your strength." Ando said.
"Yes, sorry for my foolishness." I apologized.
"You needn't apologize." Rena said as we reached the gate. "We understand."
"...thank you." I said before dropping my head and closing my eyes. That was a little foolish of me, going out wounded. But, for a good cause. We are almost to our destination, so we need to be strong. I'm not sure about the others, but I'll back up any of them with my life. If sacrificing myself for the universe is necessary.
Then it will be.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Divine Soul: I think I should say right now, some things I say I don't really mean. I just, before New Years Eve, I had a major break down. Not a soul in this world has seen me like I was then...it's sad, what I do. I hide my tears, then let them go when no one can see. No one knows who I really am, not even me. But that night, it all came out. For almost two hours that went on...haunting me. The past, leaving friends, losing them, why...when...what? I ask myself, but get no answer. I ask questions that can't be answered, but must...ah, so, please review! ^_^`