Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 2: Secrets

"Oh Cliff, there you are."

The Klausian was found leaning against the tree near the small grave yard in Arias. He looked up at Maria as she approached. She walked to stand under the shade.

"Yeah?"

"We're heading out to Peterny shortly." She looked up through the tree and at the early morning sky. "Look, I've been talking to Nel and we both agree that something is…well…wrong with Fayt. Once we get to Peterny why don't you check on him?"

Cliff nodded. "So you noticed too? Seems the kid has something on his mind." Cliff grunted as he lifted off the tree. "I'll see what I can't do."

"Good."

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It wasn't a long walk through Palmira Plains; but with the outbreak of new enemies, the team had to be ready.

Sophia kept her pace with the group. She wasn't one to hold gloomy thoughts, but the closer they got to Aquios, the more she thought of Blair's words.

Blair: And Sophia... When you find the Sacred Orb, YOU must touch it.

Sophia: Why me...?

Blair: The special IDs are devices originally placed in the Eternal Sphere for4D beings to use. They are configured so that other beings cannot use them for their intended purpose. In short, it is useless to all of you except Sophia. Based on what I've seen so far, I think she is the only one who can use it.

Sophia: Okay.

Once again they would be relying on her. She only hoped she could do what was needed of her. She had gained a lot of experience and confidence. Still, now and then, she feared she would let everyone down.

"Humph"

Her thoughts were interrupted when she looked up and saw Albel. Somehow she had slowed her pace without realizing. Lost in thought, she had started at the front of the group and was now at the rear. Everyone had just walked around her, obviously not noticing something was on her mind. She did stay quiet around them, so she really couldn't blame anyone if they didn't notice.

"Oh, um…sorry." She looked nervously at him. She wondered if it would look too suspicious to anyone if she hurried her pace.

"What's wrong with you?" He kept his voice quiet and harsh.

She was half way shocked. Was he actually talking to her where the others could see? She'd seen some changes in him, but only when they were alone. He had made it clear that he didn't want the others to know anything.

"Just thinking, that's all."

A low growl emanated from his throat. "Stay alert, fool. We are on a battle field. Don't loose your head or it could end in death." At that he moved so to distance himself from her before any of the crew glanced back.

Her stomach fluttered. Was he worried about her enough to risk talking to her in broad daylight? She felt a new drive take over. She had to do what it took and she had to push failure out of her mind.

She had spent many nights with Albel, just the two of them, on the fields. He had seen to it that she didn't give up and that she only got stronger. She somewhat enjoyed fighting by his side. Over time, they had become a good team, taking out monsters. He was still better, of course. She had no reasons to fight before, but he gave her a new determination.

Okay Sophia, she thought. If nothing else, you owe it to him to make it through this.

……………………………………

"Fayt! Watch out!" Cliff puffed, charging the Convictor. Fayt turned in time to see Cliff use his Fist of Fury on the malformed angle beast that had been ready to attack Fayt from behind.

"Incompetent fool!" Albel said to him as he finished the Convictor with a Double Slash.

Fayt looked at Albel, angry. "Hey!" He started to walk in Albel's direction. "What'd you just say?"

Nel stepped in and halted Fayt, holding his shoulder. "It won't do any good to fight amongst ourselves, Fayt."

She was right. Fayt had been the one that had decided Albel should stay to begin with. At that time he thought the swordsman would be a good strength to the team. Now he wasn't so sure. After what he had seen two nights ago…

"Yeah, Fayt. Let's just keep moving," Cliff said joining Nel.

He looked at Albel. The swordsman just chuckled before turning and resuming his walk to Peterny. Fayt growled.

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They arrived at Peterny by that afternoon. Nel agreed to set up the lodging and they all agreed to meet at the inn later that afternoon to make their plans for the next day.

After dispersing, Cliff quickly lost sight of Fayt. He set off to find the boy. He needed to know what was wrong. They still had a lot to do and they needed to be ready to face the Owner.

Fayt sat at the bar in Peterny. He was starting on his second drink when Cliff found him at the table alone. Cliff ordered his own drink and went to join his companion.

"So, what's up? A little early to start drinking don't ya think?" Cliff took a sip and leaned over the table. Due to its small size, he was practically in Fayt's face.

Fayt shook his head, took a sip, and leaned back in his chair. "Just thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

Fayt remained silent.

"Hey now, if you can't talk to me then who can you talk to? You've been real quiet lately."

Fayt sighed. "The other night, at the cave…I saw something…something disturbing."

Cliff raised his eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "Like?"

"I don't think you'd believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

Fayt took a deep breath, trying to push the images from his mind. "I saw Sophia and…and Albel kissing."

Cliff leaned his head back and let out a hearty gut laugh. "You really had me going there."

"No," Fayt shook his head. He took a sip from his cup. "I'm telling the truth."

Cliff stood up. "Come on. I'm getting you to the inn. You were just dreaming, that's all."

Fayt stood and brushed his blue hair out of his face. "Yeah, you're probably right."

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Sophia sat alone on the steps to the temple, eating a fruit she had never tried before. It resembled an orange with green strips. The locals called it a ninago. It was good and sweet.

She didn't mind being alone that much anymore. Things for her really weren't that bad after all. After the incident with Albel in the plains, she felt the urge to go on. She finally felt like she belonged.

She didn't feel like a child anymore. She felt herself growing. Of course, having to fight on a daily bases could do that to anyone. Fayt had changed a lot from the boy at the resort to the one she met on her first trip to Elicoor.

But the battles were only part of it. There were other things in her life to think about.

A shadow appeared, shading her from the sun, and interrupting her thoughts. Looking up she saw Albel. He sat beside her, barely leaving space between them. She smiled at him. He just looked at her and then turned his attention to the fruit he had just purchased. His fruit was more oval shaped and yellow.

"Hi there." She continued to smile at him before looking back at her lunch.

The only response she got in return was "Humph."

"Ummm…you think you should be here?" She didn't look at him. "I mean what if someone saw?"

"What do I care what someone thinks. Their nothing more then maggots."

She giggled. "What kinda fruit you got there? Any good?"

"Food's food."

"Maybe I'll try that one next time."

"Why wait?" He gave her a half glance and an evil smile.

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Cliff followed Fayt through the streets and to the central plaza. The teen seemed dazed alright.

Maybe there was more to his story. Or maybe it was just a dream. Cliff decided to keep a closer eye on the boy.

He nearly collided with him when Fayt suddenly stopped.

"Yeah!" Cliff put his hand on Fayt's right shoulder. "What'd you do that for?"

"Cliff, look." Fayt pointed ahead of him.

Following his finger Cliff first spotted Albel sitting on the stairs to the temple. Next he spotted Sophia. Then he witnessed the strangest thing he had ever seen. Albel held a yellow fruit to Sophia's lips. She took a bite and nodded. He then resumed eating the fruit himself.

Sensing that they were too much in the open, Cliff pulled Fayt behind the nearest stand and out of sight. "Hey look Fayt…Come on…if what you saw wasn't a dream then just ignore it. They are both free to do what they want."

"But, Cliff, this is Albel we're talking about. He's wicked remember. He'll only hurt her."

"Fayt, I'm telling you, just let it be. Besides, since when is it your concern? I mean you haven't exactly paid much attention to her until now. Don't tell me you're jealous."

"NO! It's not like that. I just don't want to see her get hurt. That's all."

……………………………………

Albel finished his lunch and stood up. He thought he saw movement out of the corner of his eyes, but a direct look revealed nothing. He was facing away from Sophia. "Tonight?" He didn't look at her.

"Sure," Sophia responded. She watched him walk away. She thought back to a time when she was scared of the wicked swordsman. Back then it seemed more likely that he would have killed her rather then like her. She really should have seen it then. He was always picking on her. Well, not really picking. Albel wasn't one for picking on someone. He was just showing her extra attention in his own way.

It was probably the only way he knew. He had asked her not to tell anyone about them. Well, he didn't ask, he threatened to kill her if she told. That had frightened her at first, but she continued to see him anyway.

She went to him the second time out of sheer curiosity. By the end of the third week, they were spending time together almost every night. Some nights were sent on the fields in battle. Some in his room, and some out under the stars.

He didn't talk a lot. She did her best to restrain from talking too much. He never really seemed to mind when she babbled on. Maybe he was just ignoring her, but at least he didn't threaten to kill her anymore.

Sophia smiled and tilted her face to the afternoon sun. Things can only get better, she thought with optimism.

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Fayt and Cliff entered the inn. Neither had much to say. Once inside, Fayt set off to find Maria or Nel. Cliff followed, determined not to leave the teen alone.

Both Maria and Nel were found in the small restaurant at the back of the inn. They had been spending a lot of 'girl time' together, so it was no shock to find the two in the same place.

Fayt and Cliff joined them at their table.

"So, what brings you two here?" Nel asked. The look on Fayt's face revealed there was more to it then just wanting lunch.

Fayt shook his head. He couldn't seem to conjure the sounds needed to produce words.

Cliff shook his head at Fayt before looking at the two. "Hey, have either one of you noticed a change in Sophia?"

Maria and Nel exchanged glances. "No, why?"

"How about at night?" Fayt asked. "You three share a room. Anything different?"

"Honestly Fayt," Maria responded. "Sophia's quiet like usual. Most nights she's not even in the room."

"WHAT?"

Cliff put a hand on Fayt's shoulder to steady him.

Maria looked at Cliff, then at Fayt. "She suffers from insomnia. She has since I've first met her. It's not unusual for her to be wondering the halls, or out star gazing, or what ever she does."

"Why this sudden interest?" Nel asked.

Fayt pushed his chair back and stood. "Oh, it's nothing. Sorry."

Fayt left the table. Cliff threw his hands up and shrugged his shoulders before pursuing his activity of not letting the boy out of his sight.

……………………………………

Fayt waited until the Klausian was asleep before he ventured from the room they shared. Cliff would never agree with his idea. Besides, this was something he needed to do alone.

He walked to the end of the hall, searching for Sophia. His plan was to caught her up and pull her away to talk. When a door opened, a sudden case of guilt overcame him and he ducked behind the decorative plant in the corner.

Looking through the leaves, he saw Sophia exit her room. She quietly closed the door so not to disturb her sleeping roommates.

Now's as good a time as any, Fayt thought. But he found he couldn't move. He hesitated as he watched her scan the hall. She couldn't see him behind the plant. She crossed the hall and quietly opened the door to Albel's room.

When she disappeared, Fayt's trance broke. He moved slowly to Albel's door. Getting on his knees, he pressed his ear as close as he could to the crack between the door and frame.

For a long time all he heard was silence. The silence was broken by Sophia's light giggle.

"Ignorant girl," Albel said softly.

"Oh? If I'm so ignorant, then how do I know about this?"

Albel moaned. Fayt shot up and hurried down the hall, back to his room. He didn't pay attention to where he was going and ran straight into Cliff in the hallway.

Cliff gave him a strong look. "Boy! Don't even think about it." He proceeded to pull Fayt back in their room.

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Okay, that chapter was a bit longer then the first. This story started as an idea and then just took on a life of its own. I can already see how this ends…but the team has to get pass Luther first. I'm trying to highlight this story with only a little reference to the game scenes.

I'll post chapter 3 when I get it done. I promise the next chapter will have a lot more action.