The Price You Pay

Chapter 6

Disclaimer: Still do not own Star Ocean. Never will.

Author's Note: I am extremely sorry I never wrote this. I can't believe this was never written until just now. I don't why I never finished it earlier but I just forgot after awhile. No one who liked it will remember it. But that's ok. I want to thank all those that supported me. I hope you enjoy this new reader and if they are still around, any old fans. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and thank you for reading.

The group returned from the Hoffman Ruins in silence. Ashton seemed distant and the others were not quite sure that there were any words appropriate for the situation. The two hours they spent exploring and then finding their way back out of the Ruins seemed to last two years to Ashton. As they boarded the ship Ashton turned to the still nervous soldier. "It is quite important that we dock at Herle and not Hilton on the voyage back."

The soldier seemed to become more nervous. "But....sir...I'm not sure that I have permission for that....it..."

Celine came over, again with an angered look on her face. The soldier was terrified into silence and just nodded his head at Ashton.

As the ship made it's way back to Lacour, Ashton inspected the Dragon Relic in the sunlight. The Relic cast a rainbow glimmer in the sunlight. Ashton smiled bitterly. It was amazing that something that looked so beautiful and pure could be put to such a violent purpose.

As Ashton continued to stare at the Relic, Dias silently walked next to him.

"I know that you have mixed emotions about this situation," he said in his typically steady voice, "But you need to remember that what you are doing is for the best. Your original purpose for seeking the dragons was to slay them in the first place, correct? It was only after you were accidentally possessed that they became our...'allies'. In reality what you are doing now is no different that what you planned to do in the beginning correct?"

Ashton turned to Dias looking upset. "But that was before I thought they were friends. Killing them seems cold to me but their betrayal is even more upsetting. I'm quite sorry Dias but I do not think there any words of comfort you can offer me. I think I just want to sit here quietly now and make peace with this world. If this does not work I do not want to die with regrets or any anger within me. Besides...I think if I remain calm the pain this is causing does not seem as bad." Ashton turned away and gazed out onto the water. Dias nodded his head in a show of understanding and respect and walked away. He quietly decided to himself that he find Rena and Celine and suggest to them they rest now. Once they docked at Herle there would be no time for sleeping. Every moment they had available was precious and could not be wasted sleeping.

The sun had nearly set completely by the time the ship docked in Herle. Ashton jumped off the ship with what seemed like renewed energy. The others followed slowy. Celine called ahead to Ashton. "Dearie...what's with the sudden energy...before you barely seemed awake..."

Ashton turned around quickly. "My goal is almost in reach! I can't stop now. I won't burden you any longer. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you..." he said, his mood dropping visibly at the thought of being alone on his quest. Celine smiled and shook her head.

"No way I'm dropping out of this now after I came so far. Besides...would it be right to abandon you like that?"

Rena nodded her head in agreement. Dias made a slight smile. "I do have matters of my own to attend to...but since I have decided to join you leaving now would go against my word. Let's not waste any more time on this subject now."

Ashton smiled for what seemed like the first time in years...it was comforting to know he had true friends on his side. Ashton nodded silently and the group began the lone trek back to the Salva Drift.

The moon had reached its highest point and the group was still a long trek from Salva. Ashton looked up at the full silver orb in the sky. Once again he had to wonder if this would be the last time that he would be able to behold such a glorious sight. This entire trip had left him with that feeling. So much had been taken for granted...if this was his time to go he was glad to be able to see the world in all its glory: the peaceful sea on his voyage to the Ruins, the sight of the Ruins themselves and now the full moon. What added to the amazement he felt was sharing the sights with friends...had he been alone he doubted that it would be as amazing. Ashton smiled to himself...he was finally at peace with everything.

By the time Salva was in sight the sun had already risen and was shining brightly. Ashton had a look of determination on his face.

"Well this is it. We have to go now...time is almost up." The others nodded silently. They could hardly believe that it would ever come to this. The thought of what they were doing and what had led them here still seemed like some sort of dream. This moment in particular seemed surreal. They knew their goal all along but none had imagined what it would be like when they had finally reached this point. There was no time to waste on such thoughts though. The danger was an all too real reality that had to be averted.

The Drift seemed colder this time to Ashton. Perhaps it had something to do with his nerves....or perhaps it was some side-effect of what was happening to him. He decided that he rather not consider such possibilities. Besides...they were only steps away from where the journey would end. His heart was racing furiously. He could hardly keep his hands steady. Again the thought crossed his mind that it was either nerves or just time running out.

"Ashton...please hurry!" said Rena nervously. Ashton snapped to attention.

"Right! Everyone....thank you so much...."he began. Celine held up her hand to stop him.

"No time now! We understand how you feel so just go!" she said. Ashton smiled faintly and nodded. He picked up the Relic and ran to where it had all began for him. He held the Relic above his head and it began to glow.

"This is it...begone cur-ahh-ah-ARRRRRRR! AGGGGGGGGGGHHHH....N-no.....NOT NOOOOOOOWWWWWWW.....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ashton cried as his body also began to glow red and blue. Soon his entire body appeared as if made of light and it started to lose shape, becoming bigger and beginning to take the shape of a dragon. The Relic also began to glow a similar color and the figure that was Ashton began to shift in size. The others had to shield their eyes from the glow. It had become too intense to see. However, they could still hear Ashton for a few more seconds until he stopped. A few moments later the light faded away. Celine squinted from the after-effects of the bright light.

"Ashton...are you...no....ASHTON!"

Ashton was face down with the Relic only a few inches away. It was glowing the same red and blue mixture Ashton was before. The dragons were sealed...but at what price? Celine ran over to the unmoving Ashton while Dias put his arm around a now hysterical Rena. It was too much for any of them to believe that after what they had gone through they had failed their friend when it was most important.

After the incident in the Drift the mine was cut off completely. No one was allowed in for any reason so as to prevent any such incidences from happening again. A year later Celine, Rena, and Dias stood outside the town entrance to the Drift.

"A little late for them to consider that now..." said Celine bitterly.

"They couldn't have known...I suppose this is their way of making things right..." said Rena.

"Feeling sorry for ourselves certainly won't make matters any better," commented Dias after a few moments.

"I agree...I learned to cope," said a voice from behind them. In their depressed state that had not noticed Ashton's arrival in the "wheeled chair" Precis created for him.

"Ashton...how have you been?" asked Celine, obviously still trying to get use to the change.

Ashton gave a small smile. "It's been rough...I do regret we were not quicker. However we were fast enough to stop the destruction of my body completely. The dragons had gotten only as far as my legs so they were connected. When they were sealed away, my legs stopped working. I have been getting used to it over time though..." he began to trail off towards the end.

Rena frowned slightly. "I feel guilty that we are unable to help you..."

Ashton shook his head slowly. "Don't...it's not your fault...it's not the fault of anybody here. We tried our best and we were able to prevent the worst from happening...so let's just leave it at that. I have no other regrets about the situation."

Dias smiled. "You are a strong person to have such an attitude."

Ashton considered the comment for a few moments. "Thank you...I had never seen it that way before..." Dias gave a silent nod to show his understanding.

"Well then," Ashton said he turned around, "Are we going to wait around here all day or are going to relax and discuss what you have all been doing in the past year?" Ashton smiled as the others followed behind him.

'Am I really that strong? I suppose if I wasn't I would have given up over this past year. As long as I can keep this strength up then everything will be fine...' Ashton thought to himself. 'This is just another challenge I have been given...and I will not lose.'

The End.

Thank you all again for reading this story. Review if you want. I may write another fanfic at some point...but if not...it's been fun. See you all later.