Chapter Five
It wasn't too long until they showed up, but Albel certainly felt like it was so much longer. He hoped Nel was alright. When they showed up, for a few minutes it seemed like everyone forgot why there were there-which ticked off Albel a bit.
"Don't forget why you've come, maggots. Unless of course you want Nel to suffer, than by all means take your sweet time...," Albel reminded them irritably from a distance while they chattered cheerfully, just like they had when they'd been a team before.
"Like we'd forget about your girlfriend," Cliff teased.
"Say that again and I'll slice that stupid head right off your shoulders," Albel threatened angrily. She wasn't his girlfriend, how could anyone want that girl for a lover? She wasn't entirely beautiful and she was certainly not someone who'd be some stay-at-home mom. Not that he'd want kids or be home himself. How could anyone possibly have a family when a mission was always required from them? Heh, I guess we are a little alike, he thought.
"Sca-ree...," Cliff responded, as usual. It was the same response he used to give to Nel when she threatened him.
"Albel's right though, we should get going. Who knows how much time we have," Sophia stated nervously. Finally, Albel sighed, some concern for her.
"Right. We should head to the ruins in Mosel right away," Maria agreed.
"Then let's go," Mirage stated simply.
"I have a hunch she'll be fine..."
"A hunch? Not again..."
"My hunches have always been right, haven't they?"
"That was because of dumb luck!"
"What about that time with that meteor...?"
"One time!" Albel was growing impatient with their irritating stalling.
"Let's go already," Albel snapped at them.
"Right, sorry," Fayt apologized and Cliff shrugged. They finally headed out for Mosel.
They got to Mosel incredibly quickly, mainly due to Albel's rushing, threats, and serious lack of sleep. Even Fayt at one point told him to go to sleep. But he couldn't sleep, his fear for Nel's safety was too overpowering. He didn't understand how they could so easily sleep.
They were by the gate, the one which before had taken them to Luther. The Sacred Orb was still there-they had forgotten to go back and return it, and it's not like it was the only thing on their mind after beating Luther-no, then the only thing they were thinking was, as Nel so nicely put it, a "philosophical conundrum". ((If they did return it, it was never actually stated in the game so for all you know you wasn't...))
Sophia reached her hand out for the orb and touched it, trying to connect to Blair. There was a response almost immediately.
"Sophia?" a voice called, easily recognized as Blair's.
"Blair!" Sophia responded excitedly. It had been much too long in her opinion since they'd spoken, but it was a little odd to consider-a program talking to a real person?
"What's wrong? It's certainly been a while; I didn't expect to hear from you again."
"One of our friends, Nel, was taken. We need your help to rescue her. We're not sure where she was taken, or even who took her..."
"I'll try to help if I can. What's her name again?"
"Nel Zelpher."
"Let's see...ah, here. Elicoorian, correct?"
"Yes, you found her!"
"It would appear she's on a planet called Niteor."
"Niteor?"
"Correct. It looks dangerous though, please be careful."
"We will. Thank you Blair."
"Of course. Good luck!" Sophia pulled away from the orb.
"We need to go to a planet called Niteor," Sophia reported.
"Okay. I'll get the coordinates and we should be able to leave right away," Maria replied.
"Is Nel okay then?" Albel questioned.
"Uh, I believe so...," Sophia answered nervously.
"You didn't ask, did you? Maggot," Albel sighed irritably.
"Well, uh, I assumed that-"Sophia began, but then Fayt came to her rescue.
"Blair would have told us right away if she wasn't, so relax already. At least we know where she is now."
"Hmph." That should have been their first question, he thought to himself. Don't they care for her at all? I...why do I care? Albel finally realized just how much he did care, though he didn't understand it himself. Why did he care so much? She wasn't just anyone, and she wasn't the enemy anymore. What was she to him? He found himself unwilling to answer.
"We can take my ship," Cliff said, interrupting his thoughts. So they left Elicoor almost immediately afterwards, heading to Niteor via Cliff's ship. Albel disliked riding in their ships; it was just something he could never get used to. He stayed mostly in his room, remembering the last time he'd been alone with Nel before she was taken.
"Hey Nox, I have a question for you," Nel said to him suddenly.
"What?" Albel responded in a bored tone.
"Why do you want people to hate you?" she inquired in a tone that Albel could not identify.
"What kind of stupid question is that!" Albel replied bitterly.
"Fayt told me how you asked him if he hated you, and when he said not really you were mad that he didn't hate you."
"...things are just a lot easier when people hate you. Compassion," Albel spoke coldly. "is a weakness."
"Not all the time. It gives you a reason to fight, and a reason to survive."
"Hmph."
"We'll be arriving shortly. Everyone please come to the bridge," a voice spoke over the intercom, interrupting his memories. When he got to the bridge, he found he was the last one to arrive. Seeing him arrive, Maria began to explain the situation.
"There don't seem to be many life forms on this planet, but it is highly developed. Since the population is so small, we were able to pinpoint a likely area to begin our search. Is everyone ready?"
"I think so," Fayt answered for everyone. And so they headed for the transporter to take them to this bizarre planet where Nel was being held...
The moment Albel's feet made contact with the ground he was struck with fear. The place was much too dark, even for him. There were no signs of any kind of life at all, only desolate darkness stretching on endlessly. Albel turned to inquire Fayt of where they should go when he realized he was alone. Alone in a place of nightmares.
"Damn it, what happened!"
"I don't know, he just collapsed!"
"He's...shaking."
"A nightmare?"
"Yeah, but...something doesn't seem right..."
Things just keep getting complicated...eventually everything will be explained, I just don't know when yet...sweatdrop The next chapter is extremely short, but it's awesomeness if my opinion and I just realized that most of them already are pretty darn short.so...uh...yeah...
Next Chapter: Albel needs a hug...
