Love and War

Chapter 2

"So, the monkey thinks he defeated the Marquis by himself? How foolish." Albel was currently frustrated by Cliff's bragging and the rocking of the giant dragon they were

currently riding. Fayt looked over to see the subject of the argument pounding his fists together.

"We'll it didn't look like you got many hits on him, captain," Cliff said, mocking the dirty-blonde man. Every one knew the battle was hard and relentless. Crosell's inability to comply with their pleas was all it took to wear them down. At first it seemed as if they were done when the dragon bowed his head in false agony, then he told them there was more to come. The battle had been a group effort of all party members. Even Roger as small as he was played a major role swinging his axe wildly.

"Trust me."started Albel.

"I didn't think getting stepped on was the proper tactic, at least you distracted him for me."

Cliff growled and proceeded to bark insults back at Albel, while Fayt looked on. He finally spoke up to quiet the noise.

"Hey, look, we all did a good job. Maria's power was a big help, so was Roger. Without all of us together, there's no way we couldn't have done it without everyone's help."

Then the Crosell's mighty head peered upwards.

"Glad, you speak so fondly of me little one. We are about to reach the destination, hold on, for I fear of your safety" said the rough voice.

"Yeah ya' big lummox shut up so we can get done all ready." Spouted Roger

"Why you little!" Cliff was quickly torn away from his argument with both Albel and Roger, as the huge dragon swiftly headed towards Aquios's castle. When they reached the castle, they headed to the audience room to speak with the queen. She congratulated them and gave them private rooms to stay for the night. Fayt went to talk to Cliff about the previous argument.

"Cliff, I thought you were going to calm down." Fayt was also frustrated from the hard battle and Cliff's rambling.

"Jeez, sorry kid, that guy just makes me mad. We should have left him in Ariyglyph and just asked for directions."

Fayt frowned

"If I didn't want him to come, I wouldn't have gone to Ariglyph in the first place."

Cliff knew he had made Fayt mad, he scruffed the Aqua-haired boy's hair and smiled. "Sorry, Sorry. I'll go apologize now if it makes you feel better."

He then left the room to go check on Albel, he opened the mans door but he wasn't in there, he then checked the library, and the research room. He knew Albel hadn't left so he checked the conference room. Albel was there sitting on the table with his legs crossed.

"Hey, what ya' doin' in here buddy" he said trying to be playful.

"Wouldn't you like to know" Albel growled.

"Yeah, I would" Cliff responded trying not to get angry.

"I wasn't accounted for, fool" Albel turned his head trying not to look the other man in the face.

"But, wasn't that your room back there?" Cliff asked.

"I told you I wasn't accounted for, fool."

"What?" Cliff said. "But, she gave us all rooms, maybe she didn't notice you."

"Whatever" Albel remarked, "It doesn't matter, I'm used to being treated like this."

"Well you shouldn't be. How can you get used to something like that?" Cliff felt a little bad about the way he had been arguing with Albel when he saw how he was treated out of his home. Woltar was the only one who probably knew the mans feelings.

"Fool, I'm tired of your questions, the only one who's treated me normal here is that boy."

"Fayt's just being nice- oops!" Cliff didn't mean to say it, but Albel had already heard, and his crimson eyes, became darker and darker.

"So you're saying he's being nice out of pity. I guess the respect I had for him was miscounted."

"Uhhhhh- respect, what respect, I thought you hated him" Cliff said, dumbfounded.

"Humph, I actually liked him too, his strength, the only one who could have defeated me is treating me with pity. I think you're wrong"

"Hey, trust me, I know Fayt better than anyone else and you're telling me I'm wrong!

We're like this." Cliff then showed Albel how close he was to Fayt by mashing his Fist together in a tight ball.

"So you like him too, I doubt he would fall for a maggot like you, respect is not built on something as pitiful as emotion. Respect is admiring someone for their potential and what they can amount to and not be a burden. I can make that boy do anything I want, this is us, and we will be together."

Cliff became really angry with this.

"Well you got a challenge mister wicked, I doubt Fayt would even look your way."

Albel smirked, "Bah! We'll see how this works out...fool"

He then turned and left Cliff in the room, looking back to see Cliff's enraged face. And knowingly laughed to himself.

Tbc

A/n: Ummmm, maybe it was a little drawn out, but stick with me, it seems Fayt is leaning towards Albel's side a little. Hmmmm