A/N: I got my STRATEGY GUIDE! HALLELUAH! Spelling is crap in the morning so I am excused. P Thanks to a close Albel worshipper who I infected with weird pairings. Share it around haaaa XD
Disclaimer: I don't own star ocean 3 or anything else. I do however own the plot, but not the place or game or characters. Unless they were made up (in this case I wouldn't remember the staff that developed and maintained/worked on the eternal sphere and are inside the sphere corperation)
Sphere Prison
Chapter One
SophiaThe people all dressed in similar uniforms weren't very kind to us as they inspected us one by one. One was ridiculously old enough to pass off as my uncle if I had one, but I would expect that he was maybe 40 if age permitted it. Unlike some of my other comrades, close friends, I did what I was told immediately. People may say i'm a goody two shoe, and maybe their right. I do what's told of me simply because I can't help but be nice and respect everyone.
Even...enemies.
"Turn around," The woman that was by me asked in a polite tone so I did, turning around I could feel my weapon sliding off my shoulder as it became apparent that she was disarming me. I still had my Symbology but I didn't want to go against whatever Fayt decided and just stood still. Like a motionless doll. I sneaked a peek over at Fayt, watching him hold out his sword like it was a gleaming trophy. Secretly I wanted to run over and cling to him, never to let go. But I knew I would have to wait.
If I ever saw him again.
Feeling my face turn hot as I realized I was suppose to be listening I bowed apologetically my hair thankfully covering most of my face as I straitened considerably to show I was listening. "...and you shall be bunking with the demi-human Roger. We do not use cells instead you'll have a limited amount of time to wander around the corporation. Guards will be stationed everywhere. Breakfast is at 8am....lunch at 12pm..." The women kept blabbing away as I just nodded. Finding myself zoning out essentially fast.
"I understand." I murmured lightly, keeping my head bowed at the same time as I brushed away my bangs. My frown reversing to a smile "We won't be separated completely will we? I don't want to leave...F-my comrades." I was about to say Fayt, how embarrassing! Cocking my head to the side I nervously entwined my fingers as I gulped. Not really wanting the answer.
I mean. What if the answer was no? I could never get to know more about Fayt, or tell him what I really thought of him. And if I didn't make the first move. He never would. Either that or that, that, that other girl might!
"I'll see what the owner says. Perhaps." I released the breath I never knew I was holding. My knees grew weaker as I was filled with a tingling sensation. The answer was much better than a no or maybe! It was a perhaps. The alternative to maybe, with a different concept. I clasped my hand with hers, feeling the warm heat from her hand. I wanted to know if we were all that different. Something that had been nagging me ever since we arrived in this world. The Real world.
"Let go you disgusting wench!" I turned my head once more to see a man approach me. I let go quickly as the slap came at lightning speed slamming into the right side of my cheek. Tears stung at the corner of my eyes as I lifted a hand to my cheek. Rubbing the red sore spot in a calming way. Like what mom used to do. The woman I had touched was scolding the male that had slapped me. Maybe he thought I had some sort of disease but if I'm not real, than that's not possible.
Is it?
"Sophia!"
My heart swelled, the pain dulling a bit as I could see Fayt fighting his way out of the mans grip. His muscles contracted, relaxed, and tensed as he rushed over to me. Squatting down beside me so I could get a clear look of his eyes and concerned expression. His eyes, strength, and personality were what I most liked about Fayt. At first I considered him my best, and only true friend. But soon it evolved into a more of a need to have him around. I wanted to know him better than anyone. I wanted him for a boyfriend, if possible.
And it would have happened sooner or later! If those Vendeeni hadn't attacked us, than I would be at that beach asking him the question that's haunted my dreams for the past five months! Maybe longer. Perhaps years, it had been long before the vacation that I wanted to ask him. He said he'd never had a girlfriend before. But..
He was getting far to close with Maria and the other guys! It's like. It's like he sometimes doesn't look at me the way he did before. Like he'd somehow changed and became a stranger in my eyes...
"Are you alright Sophia?" His gentle hands touched my cheek. His smooth pale yet soft skin made me want to faint right in his arms. But that would be faking it. I could only manage a nod, blinking innocently at him as he stroked my cheek. Probably hoping to get rid of the throb of pain. Just like mom did. "It's just a little sting. Nothing I haven't had before," I said slowly wanting desperately to make this moment last forever.
My own eyes bored into Fayt's as I reached up to grasp a almost invisible strand of hair. Clenching it in my hand as I tugged enough to rip it. If Fayt felt it, he took no notice. If I didn't get to see him I could look at the strand in the future and keep praying that I would reach my desired goal. Than have a family with him. After all. No one else would want to fall in love with me. I only seemed like a burden to them. Though I tried as hard as the rest I never get acknowledged when I achieve something. I just get pushed aside...
A smile curved at his lips. I hadn't seen him smile for some time. It was always a serious look. "That's good to hear Sophia. I don't want you to get injured. You're an asset to this team." Genuinely I wanted something more like 'You're the only one that I believe in', or, 'I can only trust you in the end, Sophia' but what he said made me feel special. If it meant one thing. That I still had the chance.
I reached out to him. My eyes blinking back tears as I opened my mouth. I was going to say it, to say how much I wanted him to be mine. How I currently feel for him. How my heart bleeds and cries day in and day out like a wolf's shattering howl. But my close contact was cut off with a pair of scissors as one of the men restrained Fayt. Holding him firmly in place.
I turned my head back to the woman; she didn't seem so bad really. She apologized to me as she wiped my face with some sort of cream, well, whatever it was. It got rid of the pain somehow. She was nice treating me more like an adult than a child. At the same time she seemed a lot farer than the other people. With glasses and a similar uniform to the rest and platinum hair. "Are you alright now?" She asked me with a soft tone as I shyly nodded. I wasn't just a goody two shoe. I had feelings as well!
"Yeah, thanks. I'm sorry."
"It's all right dear. Come on now"
I soon found that the sphere corporation was very different from how I thought it would have been. It had only been a few minutes inside and I was already amazed. Security was tight yet, in a way. Balanced. I don't know how to explain it. It seemed so fitting for such an area; yet, it also made it seem essential as it flowed into the design. Finding myself stop a few times I would just gaze curiously but than remembering my spot in this world I quickly followed. But...
She didn't get mad and just told me to examine all I want while I had the chance.
The chance till what? Was I never going to be able to explore or was it up to the creator?
So I took her advice and examined everything. Even able to catch a small glimpse of Roger as he was rudely taken away through a bunch of doors that seemed to open magically and close just as quick. Only not glowing. How odd.
Growing weary of staring at the same things I followed her down the corridor. Taking many twists and turns. I kept mostly to my thoughts, keeping silent as a rock as I just walked right behind her. Head bowed. I already missed Fayt. And Roger, Maria.... all of them. I've never been truly separated for very long but. It was lonely and being in enemy territory.
"Um, excuse me..." I spoke up, barely above a whisper my head still aimed down at the floor. As If I was asking the floor the question. Hoping it would grow a mouth and respond back just to prove my craziness wrong. "What's your name?" I finally finished, looking back up with a barest hint of a smile. I couldn't frown very much or for very long. It just wasn't something that I was born to do. I watched her cock her eyebrow at me and blink a bit confused. Perhaps I was missing the picture in here?
Or a piece of the puzzle?
"Oh I'm sorry my name is Blair. You might have heard of me from Flad in the lost city have you not? He gave me a message that suspicious characters came into our world and were headed here." Something seemed to spark in her eyes as she surveyed my figure. I wish Fayt did that and actually took the time to understand I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm seventeen. Almost legal age for a young adult!
"He seemed very excited about this and informed me right away. I do believe him that you're not here to terrorize our galaxy. I understand you want the Executioners out of your world, but giving yourselves was not the wisest option you could have done. If you defeated Lucifer maybe..." She trailed off, gazing into the distance. I could almost feel the sadness and disappointment. Did she expect us to do something? And who in the world was Lucifer?
"Lucifer?" I repeated.
"Yes. He is the Creator or "Owner" as you know him. He created your world and the Eternal Sphere in a sense. I was hoping that something could have been changed but I guess not..." I fiddled with my hands. What could we have done other than have a showdown with Lucifer? It would have ended horribly if we failed. Our universe would have been wiped out from existence.
Just thinking about it made my eyes start to moisten again with salty tears.
"It ended up like this for a reason. We can still stop him..." I murmured.
"Pardon?"
"We can defeat him. All of this happened because it was suppose to. We'll over throw Lucifer one way or another. Or change his mind over time. We wont be stuck here forever!" I exclaimed with a radiant smile. I clutched a piece of my outfit look to Blair for guidance. I don't know why but I felt like there was more to this place than what it supposedly seemed.
Blair shook her head, shifting the glasses as they began to slip down her nose. "Strong will. I expect you to do something sometime. However, you're here now. And although I'm not much help. I can ease what will happen to you." She must have noticed my quizzical look that was on my face as she continued, being more and more confident with her words. Sometimes I wish I was that confident to tell Fayt things...But I don't know if he would laugh or just reassure me everything is fine.
"As in the test that you will be subjected to. No doubt Lucifer will want to see your full battle potential and pit you one on one with terrifying beasts. New items being invented will probably also be tested on you. Since, he sees you all...expendable." I lowered my eyes, a single hand reaching up to stroke my fine soft straight hair. Lately I know I've been thinking far too much. But, I find it's the best way to get through all this. Everything we have done has affected people everywhere.
But with this decision we might have saved everything we have known.
"Expendable...?" I repeated as she began to be on the move again. Noisy sounds coming form the floor I walked on as I bowed my head. This was going to be a literal horrible place. Perhaps we just have died and gone to hell to be tortured. Maybe fate was laughing at our luck. "Well yes. You are after all game characters. However, I see more as not game characters. But living beings living in an alternate dimension"
"Alternate dimension..." I repeated lightly, noticing Blair coming to a stop I halted as well. Looking up expecting more information. Anything I could possibly use for later that would be beneficial to Fayt somehow.
She smiled genuinely. "Yes. You see it's becoming harder and harder to interfere with your world, your universe. It's like the program has gotten a mind of it's own and has developed far faster and in such a way that makes it difficult for us to use it. It's still operational mind you, but one of these days it will become inaccessible and only Lucifer will be able to use it fully."
It became apparent slowly that she didn't see me as something someone created out of data. But rather, an actual equal. Just another human being.
"Well. This is your room. You'll be bunked together with your Demi-Human friend Roger I believe." She inserted a key card to allow access gave a me a sad look. "I understand" I said seconds later taking the first few steps inside, cringing a bit as the door shut behind me, locking itself from the outside. Shoulders sagging I turned my immediate attention to my living quarters. My dungeon, cell, cage all in one.
Never mind the fact that it was a very large bedroom with two beds and a quite spacious bathroom as well. It still just didn't feel right. Maybe since I know what this is, maybe that's why I can't find it in my heart to enjoy such luxury. "Hmm...?" I looked up; a sparkle from the chandelier above caused my eyesight to be blinded by the sudden shine. I haven't seen these for such a long time. It's almost like an antique nowadays, considering I've been on so many ships and different planets.
Plopping down on the bed I let my head sag into the pillow. It seemed Blair took it upon herself to make sure we lived at least partially alright. I couldn't imagine dungeons in such a place. Nor cells or something like that. This was to be a place where we would survive until the bitter end. Either that or rebelled and defeated Lucifer in turn.
Flicking off my shoes I carefully placed them on the floor. It would do me no good I threw them at the wall. They were nice enough to give us such a bountiful amount of space. Slipping under the covers I found it nearly unbearable with the amount of heat in this room. My senses were so alert it might have been coffee, if I had consumed any. But Fayt never let me drink anything like that; afraid I wont grow anymore since I'm always complaining about my "
It was than I heard a scuffle at the door and my hopes soared.
Perhaps he heard me and did come...?
A/N: You know I was stuck on what to do with Sophia, I mean, I didn't want to make her too annoying, or too angsty, or snobbish. Yet. She turned out to be all of the above anyway. I think she's misunderstood character (don't get me wrong I still hate her but.... I can TOLERATE her now D) Other than that...I'm pleased to say. The strategy guide was worth every penny...
I've talked to Youko about this. But was it just me...or...or I dunno if my BRAIN went funny but during the Airglyph prison part with Fayt being tortured that fat thing we call a human (or elicoorian) did he really call chokes and stumbles over words Fayt his pretty little kitten? I MUST have been hearing things shudders it was...so...many bad images. So, so many...
Thank god Albel remedied it beforehand -hugs strategy guide and buries face in it- Cleanse them away XDDD
Youko Mitsutama: Great that I can pass on my hopes of the popular soon to be pairing. And it was great chatting to you! Also thanks for the comments and such. I'm actually getting somewhere with this
A Lifeless Beauty: Thanks! Hm...trust me. You'll end up liking it heh, Humor's never been my strong point. Dark and depressing is and that's kinda what a prison is about so...heh XP Hmmm...They'll be some parts with Fayt/Sophia to please you so don't worry!
Asurahime: -Points to fanart- Believe me, he doesn't strike me Uke at all but fanart has deluded my brain to think so. So blame them (all of them are nicely done ). So I guess that means I portrayed him (Fayt) good enough to not have him TOO OOC right XD? And yes. It was a very difficult idea, since it's more of basing around the actions of the characters and thinking out what to do from there (and than how Fayt would get along since hes sensitive and emotional..). Agh. It made my head spin. I hope I don't disappoint you XD
Azazer is adorable and cool with that background music XD made me royally love the fight with him
Gorbash: Trust me.I'll MAKE it work. Aside from raping well...Lucifer is mentally challenged and messed in the head. And you don't get a good feel of the character since he wasn't really explained ...enough. I would have a great time laughing at him but he schooled me a few times (I never created the 1000 on weapons. I had none! ee) and I only learned about MP kill in like...universe mode XP Delayed reaction.
Hope you read more
Shartae: I'll give you so many idea's it'll make your head spin! XD jk. I hope that you do get some ideas and pick a part in the game that could have impacted the rest of it. Hopefully, if you do, it turns out real good. And if not, well, I hope anything that comes (or not) is great. Star ocean 3 needs more fics