Chapter Nine

Albel followed his younger self and father into the castle, trying to recall when this exact moment was as he walked. Albel was a little unnerved by watching his younger self being so carefree-it seemed like so long ago he had felt that way he couldn't remember what that was like.

"Dad, mom's going to come with to visit Woltar next time, right? She didn't come last time and it's boring there by myself...," the younger Albel whined a little. Glou stopped and bent down to Albel's level.

"She's still feeling much too ill to go, Albel. It may be a while before she can come with us again," Glou explained. "Why don't you play with the other boys in town?"

"Aw, but they always cry when I beat 'em...," the little Albel sighed. "It's no fun winning all the time...and Woltar's boring." Glou laughed and pat Albel on the head.

"How about this-next weekend I promise I'll come back sooner and if mom's feeling well enough, I'll bring her over too?"

"Really? You promise?"

"I promise."

"Yes!" the little Albel exclaimed excitedly and they started on their way again to his mother's room. The older Albel stood silently for a moment watching them walk and finally remembering when this had happened. He was only seven, and this was only a few days before she...

"You promised...," he said quietly to himself. He slowly began to follow them again, but he remembered the way himself now. When he entered into his mother's room, he felt a little comforted. He remembered how she never scolded him, and her smile had always been kind. The little Albel ran to her bedside as she sat up. The older Albel leaned against the wall and watched quietly.

"Mom!" the little Albel yelled happily, jumping up and hugging her arm.

"Hello Albel," she smiled. "How was your time at Woltar's?"

"Boring...," the young Albel whined. "You're gunna get better soon, right?"

"Of course," she laughed softly, but then began to cough. The older Albel's face saddened as he remembered just how sick she was.

"Good," the little Albel grinned. Glou put his hands on little Albel's shoulders.

"Why don't you head to bed? I'll be there in a minute-I need to talk to your mom alone," Glou said.

"'Kay," the little Albel said simply and then happily left the room. The older Albel decided to stay and see what he had never seen before. The two were silent for a long while after the little Albel had left.

"...What did the doctor say...?" Glou began quietly. She closed her eyes and was silent.

"Not much longer. A week at best..." They were silent once more, but then she continued. "Did you...tell Albel?"

"I don't what to say. Is it better to have him painfully await as well, or to have him see it as a sudden change? I honestly don't even know how he'd react to either. I'm gone so much I...," he broke off a little. "I worry I don't even know my own son sometimes. With you around, things were simpler and I wasn't so concerned. But now..." He sat on the bed besides her.

"It'll be alright...He's a tough little guy, and he most certainly won't hate you. Woltar said he'd help all he could, he is almost family," she said gently, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I know, it's just..." Suddenly the little Albel hopped in, looking a little angry. "Uh, Albel?"

"I got ready for bed-you said you'd be in in a minute. I counted and no one showed up. You even got extra time 'cuz I lost track after twenty-three and had to start over," the young Albel pouted. Glou smiled at his son calmly.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," he said, getting up. The two left and the older Albel watched his mom for a while, trying to record every bit of her since he had been beginning to forget. He didn't want to forget. He closed his eyes, recalling the last time he'd really cried.


Albel stood over his mom's grave, crying uncontrollably. He didn't understand what had happened. She had said she'd be better, hadn't she? Hadn't dad said she'd be better? Why did she die then? His father was talking with Woltar and other people Albel only vaguely knew, so Albel didn't want to go over to them.

He then noticed a group of boys by the fence of the graveyard-it was the group of boys Albel usually beat and made cry. Albel's tear slowed some and he tried to hide his face from them, but they had already seen him crying. They took this opportunity for revenge.

"Loser! Only weaklings cry, remember?"

"Didn't you say crying is for babies?"

"Loser! Loser!" they chanted at him, mocking him and using all the things Albel had said to them when they'd cried against him. Albel looked at them angrily.

"Shut up!" he yelled, but they kept chanting. Albel stood defeated, feeling too tired to try and stop them anymore. Eventually they grew bored and left, but even after they were gone Albel still heard their words in his mind.

'I'm not weak...I'm not a loser!' he thought. 'I'm going to be strong! I won't cry ever again!' He tried to recall some of the words he'd heard his father use sometimes when he didn't know Albel was around. 'I'm going to be stronger than those maggots, then they'll see who's the loser!'


"You shouldn't sulk like that." Albel opened his eyes, surprised. His mother was looking at him. How could she see him if no one else could?

"How...?" Albel began, but he was at a lost for words.

"I'm not rightfully sure, but the point of the matter is I can see you and I can also hear you. And I do know who you are-how could I not know my own son?" she stated simply, smiling kindly like she always had. "And again I say, you shouldn't sulk."

"I'm not sulking-!" Albel replied defensively-it was the only thing he could think of to say.

"Of course not...," she said, sounding both sarcastic and serious. "So tell me-do you understand why your father didn't tell you?"

"He didn't want to see me upset," Albel shrugged.

"But do you know why?" she repeated. Albel stared at the floor, thinking.

"No," Albel said quietly.

"Yes you do," she smiled. Albel looked at her confused.

"If I knew the answer, I wouldn't have said no." She shook her head. She closed her eyes for a moment and then looked at him fondly and asked, "Do you remember when you asked me why the bird always guards its nest so fiercely?"

"Yes, you said it was protecting its eggs."

"The answer you're looking for is the same...Why do you think it protects its eggs?" Albel was beginning to feel frustrated and growing impatient.

"Will you just tell me already? This is really a waste of my time if you won't tell me...," he said irritably.

"Still always expecting people to tell you the answers I see," she laughed. "Albel, listen to me. The reason the bird protects its eggs is because the eggs are its children, and it always loves its children-no matter what. Parents are the same. He didn't tell you because he loves you and wanted to protect you the only way he could think of." Albel was silent. That was the answer? That simple concept and he had never been able to think of this for himself?

"The answer is that simple Albel. You didn't think you were worthy enough for that answer, so you blocked it out. But it is that simple, and everyone is worthy enough for that answer. You don't need to be strong or perfect to be loved," she continued. Albel smirked to himself.

"So then, if anyone can be loved...can anyone also love?" She smiled at him cheerfully.

"You love Nel, don't you?"

"How'd you-?" Albel inquired, feeling embarrassed that she knew and then because he hadn't tried to deny it. She laughed gently at him.

"It's time for you to wake up Albel. You need to protect who you love, don't you?" Albel regained himself and smiled.

"I guess so." He closed his eyes and relaxed, feeling himself beginning to awaken...


Curses, I promised a long chapter and it was still short! I stayed up an extra hour and a half to write this too...x-x Yeah, the only reason Albel's mom is nameless is 'cuz I don't know her name and I'd rather they never say it than have someone attack me for getting it wrong. (sweatdrop) Hm, it seems every time I say it'll be a while before I update, I have it ready practically the next day...

Next Chapter: Anything I can think of here gives away practically the whole darn chapter, so no preview for you! XP