5. The Island
Sound of the crashing waves woke up and startled Nel; as she sat up she noticed the soft yet hot substance she laid on. It was sand, she was on land and if sand was solid she might had kissed it. Taking her time she finally got up off the sandy ground and then starring at a piece of drift wood floating back and forth in the current waves she began to remember the previous events. The Aquarian began to look around from where she was. That was funny, Albel was no where to be found.
"That is weird..perhaps he drowned at sea." she told herself quietly and began to walk more away from the ocean. She stood and her right hand moved above her eyes trying to block the sunlight while trying to figure out where she was. All she saw was a bunch of tall trees and it looked as if she moved further up she would be walking on green grass. The place obviously looked isolated but then again she was only standing on the beach. Slowly she made her way in to the thicket of trees and finding it quite difficult for there were huge vines that seemed to spread from tree to tree.
She continued to walk; not even bothering to stop and look around. Hearing eerie sounds through the forest made her cautious. Since she had not a clue what kind of creatures could possibly inhabit this jungle terrain. Not even knowing where she was and also if Albel may even be alive. She did though pause when a odd odor filled the air; reaching back for her daggers she remembered she dropped one.
Yes, she did indeed drop one of her father's blades. The sinking feeling of sadness started to built up in her stomach. The only thing that meant a whole lot to her was now some where in the sea with that beast, Leviathan. Shaking her head she knew now was not the time to mourn over such a thing especially a thing which was not even human. Continuing her walk she found herself approaching a small lake with a waterfall.
She stopped her self at the sight of a creature which seemed to be taking a drink; it looked like a lum but was white and huge wings which appeared to be folded. Her sudden stop caused her foot to step on a twig causing a loud snap and caused the creature to lift it's head up. It slowly turned around facing Nel; it was nothing like a lum. It had a silver horn in between it's huge ears and another little horn just in front of the big one. It lowered it's head causing the horns to be pointing front ward as if warning Nel.
In fear, Nel backed away from the creature and drew her one dagger. She knew with one dagger this would not be as simple and the decision of using her runeology would probably be her best bet here. The creature on the other hand noticed the fear or more like sensed it, lifting it's head up it gave a light growl. Flapping it's huge white wings it took flight up in the air and flew the opposite direction. Sighing in relief she sheathed her one dagger and made her way towards the lake.
Standing before it she looked at her reflection in the surface of the water. She felt like she was in Duggus forest again only no monster trees, annoying fairy, and a pervertic cat menodix named Roger. She stilled herself as sounds of tree twig snapping could be herd from behind her. Quickly removing her blade she turned herself around and only to be faced to face with none other then Albel Nox. He had a rather annoyed look on his face "Why did you not stay where you were?" he asked her and noticed Nel just sheathed her dagger "I thought you died so I went on ahead" she simply told him. Albel gave a light growl "Bah. Woman you have no idea where we are and you just simply assumed I was dead. Went on your own in this deranged jungle? Maggot.." he hissed lightly.
"What did do you expect? I told you Nox, I am no weak woman" her voice seemed a little bit more raised and Albel just gave a light smirk. "Ah. But that is why we got in this mess. You fell off the boat. Who had to rescue you? I don't think your shining captain jumped off the boat to save you." he told her. Nel just moved her right hand to her forehead "Enough with the captain jokes...oh.."as she was about to say something she noticed Albel's left arm was missing it's claw "What happened to your claw?" she asked him. Blinking his red eyes he lift his nearly shredded bandaged up arm "Because of you wench. I had to remove it. It would be too heavy and I would had sink to the bottom." he told her and the narrowed his eyes "Also. I don't recall hearing any thank you, Sir Albel" he smirked. The Aquarian just stood there in her spot and rest her hands on her hips "I never asked for you to come save me" her voice was in her rather cool manner; she knew what she said would make Albel mad.
"Bah. See if I car-" stopping during mid sentenced a look of horror struck his face and Nel tilt her head "What is it?" she asked him and felt something snaking around her thin waist. Albel quickly with his good arm unsheathed his crimson scourge "Stay still wench. I'll cut you out" he told her as he moved slowly to her now hovered form. Nel struggled under a green like tentacle which wrapped firmly around her waist as she felt herself being hovered up and her feet now not touching the ground she became alarmed. Her eyes widen as Albel approached her with his sword "Ah. Albel..don't hurt me" she closed her eyes and felt the grasp around her waist loosen. Then the sensation of falling down quick but instead of landing on the hard ground she was welcomed by a warm body.
Albel snorted and dropped her once he had caught her "See wench. You just get yourself in to trouble" he told her and did not bother to help her up from the ground. Slowly, Albel approached the half cut green tentacle. With his sword he poked his point down in to it "Wonder what this thing is..just came out of no where" he said as he observed it. Nel grumbled while getting up and dusted off her back side with her hands "You could at least put me down gently" she scolded from behind him.
Shaking his head he turned around to face her with his eyes hidden behind those dark bangs of his "Heh. Don't you know. Those who don't gives thanks, end up having a bad thing happening to them. Bah. Keep your bad luck to yourself" he told her. Nel reached for her only remaining dagger "Listen Nox. Where ever you herd that. It is not true. Just happens to be some wild creature ..er plant thing that attacked." her voice held a bit of unsure of her observe of the creature. Albel sheathed his sword then turned to face her again "Listen woman. Looks like were stuck with each other. Try to behave; or I might feed you to something" he huffed lightly. Giving him a glare she turned away then started to walk towards the waters edge.
Albel watched her and smirked "Perhaps you should bathe. Look at your hair. It looks like it's dried out from all that sand and sea water." he chuckled as she glared at him "Shut up. Like you know anything about taking care of yourself. Look in the mirror. Your bones are practically sticking out." she snapped. Albel shook his head "Your right. Something does stick out...in occasions" he grinned and watched her face go pale. Nel felt his eyes burn down on her now "...Oh. Your talking about your sword right?" she tried to act innocent and he just chuckled "Oh. Well indeed. Depending on which sword we might be talking about." he told her, quite surprised himself of her innocent like mind. "UGH. I don't want to continue this conversation" she fumed while crouching down before the water and then glanced back at Albel "Um. Can you..go away I think I might bathe" she told him. Albel just stood there "Hmp. Whatever. Don't take long I want to go and explore this area out" he grumbled while walking away.
She sighed and started to undress herself, leaving her clothes neatly down beside the water edge. As she bent down to take off her leggings and boots she flinched while holding her side "What.." her hand went down to the right side of her stomach and felt something sharp poking her skin. She didn't realize this happened during that green tentacle incident as her hand moved to it she tried to yank it out but it only caused her to let out a painful yelp. Albel leaning against a tree just close by herd her painful scream; thinking she was being attacked he made haste to her aid. Once he approached her, he froze in spot starring at the backside of a very half naked Nel "Um. Wench. Are you alright?" he asked her.
Nel froze hearing his voice she turned around slightly to face him and noticed his face going pale at the sight of her exposed front "Nox! What are you doing here!" she snapped while hiding her chest with her arms. Albel shook his head and turned his back to her "I herd a painful scream echo the area. I thought it was you" he told her and she gave a nod "It was me. Only because I have some kind of spike sticking on the right side of my stomach." she told him. "Oh. I see" without thinking he turned around to go find this thing which caused her pain and his good hand ran along her bare stomach causing her to shiver under his touch. His hand felt a cool sharp point digging deep with in her skin he looked down glancing at it "Stay still." he told and watched her nod.
She was embarrassed, she was half naked only in her leggings and boots. Her hands were only covering her breasts but her lower region she sadly had to let expose. Feeling a sharp pain because of Albel who now was grabbing the spike and forcing it out; her balance was lost when he got it. Feeling her move quickly his burnt arm quickly grabbed her wrist and forced her to stay balanced. Looking down at the spike in his right hand he wondered if any sign of poison could be dripping off it "Hm. Well do you feel sick?" he asked her and she shook her head "No. Just pain and embarrassment" she told him.
Albel then sighed and threw the spike down on the ground "Well. At least we know one thing. That odd creature gives off spikes...you sure your okay?" he asked her. Nel was rather surprised for she never seen him so concerned "Yeah. Just..fine can you go!" she blushed and noticed Albel now become aware of what he was looking at. He felt slightly hot "Yes..um. Wench" he turned away and started to walk off again. As he left; Nel felt slightly hot and embarrassed by it. But worst of all the spike that was once in her side still burned "It can't be poison." she said trying to reassure herself. Sighing she went back to bathing as soon as she was done she went and got dressed.
Approaching to where Albel was she noticed he didn't look up at her. She figured her body disgusted him so much he had to keep his eyes lowered down from her. Of course that is not exactly what Albel thought instead he was fighting off urges that normally Albel Nox didn't have to deal with. Yes, indeed the air was filled with a blanket of sexual frustration and even just standing there for awhile after that whole incident still gone plaguing his mind. He would love to just walk away from her but in this matter of survival on this island he had no choice but grit his teeth and bare it.
Nel was about to say something to break the silence but Albel spoke instead "Okay. Wench lets move out. We need to find a place to sleep for the night. Because I don't know about you but I don't feel like rescuing you again from that plant creature." he told her coldly. Nel sighed and gave a nod "Understood. As I don't want to risk my life saving you" she told him and started to walk past him. He blankly watched her walk towards a area completely blocked by many vines "Wench. Why that path. Looks like a hassle" he told her and noticed she went to remove her dagger. With a blink of an eye she cleared the path with her only dagger and runeology. Turning around facing him "See. It's not a hassle no more. Lets go. Looks like it might rain" she glanced at the grey thick forming clouds.
Nodding he started to walk the now cleared path; passing by he noticed a odd sculpture. It appeared to be a form of a human but oddly it bore a single horn on the head and wrapped around the ankles of the statue was a huge serpent like creature . Possibly it could be a statue of some form of race and their god. Nel wondered what was all the hold up; sure Albel did things to annoy her but he was never one to just stop and stare. Turning around and resting her hands on her hips her eyes glanced at the statue "Hm. Odd. If there are statues. Then somebody must be living here on this island." she told him in her calm voice and as upon cue he had something to say "Of course maggot. Like I didn't think that."
She hated when he had to have the last word. He always seem to have the last word and she just sighed shaking her head. Them two had been bickering since they first had to work together back when the Vandeeni attacked Elicoor II. Since up till right now they still go at each other with insults. Nel though used to be able to hold her anger and tongue but now since she was alone with him; she let that go.
Walking through the tall grass was not a very easy task. The grass came up to Nel's hips and who knew what lied low in the grass. Albel on the other hand had no problem getting through the grass. But still the little bugs that were flying about started to annoy both of them and both were smacking the air trying to prevent the bugs going near their face. Pausing, the Aquarian felt a light drip land on her bare spot on her arm "Looks like were too late. It is going to rain before we find any form of shelter." and a sigh was released from her lips thinking about trailing in the tall grass while it poured.
Albel just glanced around; still nothing and it seemed like nothing was going to appear anytime soon. At least that is what he thought until Nel pretty much dashed past him at first he thought the woman got bitten by something. I mean, who dashed straight and had a odd look on her face. About to ask if something was wrong with her but he noticed she was using her dagger again cutting more vines. Soon as the vines were cleared, he now realized why she was so happy. A entrance to a cavern yet to him the cavern looked suspicious as for Nel it seemed she didn't care at the moment.
The rain was really coming down and Nel was already soaked. Moving in to the cavern in to complete darkness she raised her right hand a little and a flame started in her palm. It light up the caverns. Albel followed in and noticed her starring at the walls with the flames "Bah. What is it now maggot?" he asked her and she turned around glaring at him "Look! Can't you see for yourself. All these markings...so odd" she told him. Albel glanced at the walls that the light touched and noticed the markings of forms that looked like those statue forms he saw just before they entered the path. Then there was a bunch of creatures and he really didn't understand the writing not that he could read all together anyways.
Sighing she noticed some piled up wood "Perhaps. This might be some sort..of sanctuary?" she said out loud while thrusting piles of wood on to the ground and soon it burst in to flame. Sitting down before the fire she sighed happily as the heat of the fire started to dry her. Albel stood on the opposite side looking at her "Hmp. Such a weak fool. A little rain and you go nuts. Honestly. How did you become the Aquaria's top spy?" he said coldly and sat down. Nel tried to ignore his comment by glancing at his left arm "Albel. Looks like that wrapping you have around your arm is not holding up." indeed it was not. Because of the sea water the shredded wrapping was falling off but also now because of the rain it was wet again and barely staying on.
Albel glanced at it "So what?" he said shrugging while watching the Aquarian continue to eye him. He hated being starred at to long was kind of annoying especially when it came to be this Aquarian wench. She noticed the annoyed look and smiled "What?" she acted like she knew nothing of why he was annoyed. Sighing he just laid on his side before the fire and his crimson eyes starred off at the flickering lights of the fire. Yes, the fire indeed was bringing bad memories to his mind.
Clutching to his left arm as if he was in pain again after that incident during his ceremony. Nel noticed him glancing at the fire and grabbing at his burnt arm "Albel. You still think about that day?" she asked him as she sat up more hugging her knees. Tilting his head lightly his red eyes hid under his black hair "Heh. Maggot none of your business to know what I think about" he coldly told her and watched her glare. Nel got up from the ground and made her way the other side of the fire where Albel was "Look. We might be on this island forever. I don't know about you but we have to try to get along." she crouched down to his side in the position he was laying in. Albel just gave a "Hmp" and looked up at her curiously while smirking "Are you saying. That if we are the last two on this island. You want to procreate? Zelpher I don't know...your not my type" he grinned.
Nel glared "..." she got up and walked over the other side laying down on her back "Goodnight!" she snapped while turning her side so he could only see her back. Albel just chuckled to himself he needed her to get away from him. He felt uneasy with her at the moment probably because he seen her all. Not that he liked her or anything but still she was a woman after all. Sighing he was losing himself to sleep and closed his crimson eyes.
During the time of sleep Nel awoke. She herd groaning coming from Albel and noticed his rapid breathing. His left hand was shaking and his mouth opened letting out a painful sounding scream. With haste; she moved towards him and gently grabbed his shaking numb hand and her other hand pressed lightly against his cheek "Albel! Snap out of it! Wake up!" she called while slapping him against the cheek. Feeling the slap Albel awoke and was startled so startled he used his right hand to knock her down on her back then unsheathed his crimson scourge. Pointing the blade end at her neck he started to regain himself and noticed the paled Nel "Zelpher.." he said softly.
Backing away from her; he sat up and sheathed his sword again. The shaken Nel got up and just rest her hand on her hips "Nox. That was some dream." she tried to hide the fact that he scared her with her usual serious voice. Albel just lowered his head "Zelpher. Don't ever come near me again while I'm asleep. I could had killed you." he told her as his hand rested on his sheathed crimson scourge. Nel moved back to her spot while sitting down "What did you want me to do? Just sit here and watch you wither in pain as you dream?" she asked him and he gave a nod "I been dreaming this dream since I was 15. Now, go back to sleep Zelpher" he told her in a commanding voice. She opened her mouth to comment something but it seemed better to keep it shut.
She found herself going back to sleep again and without realizing she had dropped something when she went to wake Albel up. Albel sat up; he figured he just sit and watch for the night. His red eyes starred at the almost fading fire and in the corner of his eye he saw a light glimmer. Sliding over his right hand clutched the shiny object in to the palm of his hand and he starred at it "This...ring"he said softly. A memory came to his mind of a little girl and he froze glancing at Nel "Can't be..." he said to himself.
A/N: Sorry. Took me awhile. Been doing other things. Also I will hopefully update my other fic soon as well. Anyways thanks for the reviews! Please review this chapter! Thanks again :3