Well, here is another chapter. I hope you enjoy it. It took me four day's to put it together. It was tough, but I did it. Read and review please.
-------------------------------------------------------New Mystery, Old Friend----------------------------------
Nel awoke the next morning. She couldnt believe she had gotten to sleep. She still felt like she had been through a few round's with an executioner. As she streatched her aching body, thought's of the night before came to mind. She rememberd feeling lonely, and even now those feelings swept through her body like a dark shadow. She suppressed it, just like she did every other time. But she knew that one day these feeling's would burst from the dam she had erected, and the consequences she did not know of. As she shower'd those thoughts came back to her, but, feeling more like her old self, she denied them, and turned them into energy, which wasnt easy to do. As she dressed she focused on thought's of work. She rememberd that cadet from yesterday, maybe that was what had tired her out so much. Sure, she WAS one of the best rune user's in the world, but ever since the war had ended and the universe saved, there had been little use of her destructive runeology. Now she felt abit...useless. 'Get ahold of yourself Nel, your not useless, your just so...busy...that you dont relize it.' she huffed. 'Yah, sure, just keep thinking that way and all will be better.'
Later that morning, when she got to her 'office', she noticed a notice of withdrawel from the cadet from yesterday. She just signed it and put it next to all the other withdrawal's that the cadets put in. She sigh'd. Now that these kid's had left, life was going to be even more boring then it had been. She shook her head. Nothing to do but move forward. So, following her routine, she went out into the nearby forest and started her traing, a few hour's early of course. As she got into her step's, thoughts of her behavior latly snaked their way into her mind. Yah, so she had been abit moody, but that was understandable, from her perspective. And so she was hard on her trainee's, but they should toughen up and get some back bone if they want to be in the army. She would not tolerat wussy's in the army, nor in the Blade's. Only the toughest and most reliable got in. These new kid's wernt among them. Ever since the war had ended, people nowaday's thought that the army was a quick way to get cash and fame. They had no idea of the hardship, blood, death...pain that was involved with it. As she was thinking about this, she didnt notice that she was becoming increasinly bitter toward the whole situation, and was taking it out on the tree's nearby. She didnt notice that she had already destroyed the testing dummy's she had set up a few days ago. She didnt notice that she was becoming stronger and faster in the heat of the moment. She didnt notice the rune's along her arms were becoming an ever brighter red, following her emotion's. She didnt notice...the soldier with fear in his eye's as her dagger was placed at his jugular while her other hand was waving a symbol in the air and was about to call down a hell storm. The only thing that had saved the soldier was a yelp on his part as the dagger sliced through his skin and into his flesh while the sky abouve gather'd clouds and ash started to fall. Nel instantly dropped her dagger while trying her best to stop the storm. That didnt work. The spell was cast and fire started raining down on the land below. Nel's eye's went wide as the fire layed waste to the area around her, compleatly obliderating everything in its path. She looked up to see a massive ball of fire head her way. She closed her eye's as the ball consumed her. She felt her skin be seared away, her fleash burnt to ash, her blood dry up, organs vaporize, bone's crumble to dust...she felt...alive...refreashed...invigorated. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around her. Her body was intact, aswell as the soldier beneath her, including a few feet of grass the surrounded them. But that was it. Everything around them, for a few square acres, was turned to ash. She had never used that spell before, and had no idea that she even knew that type of spell. Every spell she knew was created with safe-gaurds, so that they didnt destroy more then they had intended to. This had gone far beyond the boundys that she knew of. This had actually destroyed acres of land, aswell as wild life.
The soldier was looking at her with a tiny bit of awa and respect, but mostly fear. He had never seen such bold destruction cause by one rune user. The only thing he knew of that had caused this kind of ruination was the Thunder Arrow...and that beam of white light that had appeared during the battle against Vox. Nobody would talk about it. He didnt know why. A weapon that powerfull and nobody seemed to remember? To strange. And now this.
"Are you alright?" asked Nel. She was checking him over to see if he was harmed. The soldier nodded slowly, then winced. The dagger had gone in deeper into his throat then he had thought. Nel saw this and immediately begane writing another spell in the air. The soldier cringed at this and started backing away on his elbows. Nel noticed this and was saddend by his lack of trust in her. She finished the spell and instantly a steam of healing mist surrounded the soldier. A few moments afterward the soldier got up slowly and just gawked at her. Nel hide her fear at what just happend and took charge of the situation, like she nomally did.
"What did you come here for. As you can see, im training, and I dont like to be interupted."
The soldier stutterd as he spoke. "We g-g-got a r-report of an un-unidentified c-craft that c-c-crashed outside the c-city."
Nel raised an eyebrow. "Unidentified craft you say? Where is it from."
"We d-dont know. It appear's as a l-l-large rock, but people f-from around the c-city say that it w-was that fa-falling star last n-night. Witnesses claim that the r-rock changed direction in the m-m-iddle of its flight path and headed for the c-city, then stopped and crashed near the c-city wall."
Nel thought it over for a second. "Take me to it." The soldier nodded slowly, and quickly moved of in the direction of the castle. Nel looked around the chared seen once more, and shook her head. She was going to have a hell of a time explaining this to the queen. But for now she put it in the back of her mind for her to chew on later. Now she had to see what this new problem was.
After a forty-five minutes walk throught the remaining forest, they got to the out wall of the city. The soldier then headed east, following the wall and deeper into the forest. After another thrity minute hike, the came apon the supposed rock. Oddly enought, even though it was supposed to come from space, there wasnt any crater. It was smoking from the atmospheric friction, and the land underneath it was abit chared, but not enought to show that it hit at high speed. It almost look like it...landed. She circled it, examining it to see what was up with this...unusual rock.
"Soldier, head back to your duty's, ill keep an eye on this." The soldier nodded quickly, greatfull that he could get away from the woman that almost killed him without effort. He almost ran back to the city. Nel was sure that he would tell everyone about what he saw, and that would bring alot of attintion on her part, attintion that she would rather be placed somewhere else. So she was in no great hurry to get back. She continued to examine the rock for any sign's of its nature. She found none, so she just took up a seat on a nearby stump and watched. As she did her mind wonder'd th what had occured an hour earliar. She had heard story's about rune user's going beserk and unleasing forbidden spell's which brought about untold destruction. She had also read that only the most powerfull rune's could be used for these spell's, but she knew that her rune's were nowhere near the power they had. She just couldnt figure out how that spell had come to pass, and to top things off, she had done it subconsciously.
So deep in her thoughts was she that she didnt hear an almost silent woosh of air as the 'rock' opend up. When the door hit the ground with a gental tap, Nel 'awoke.' She causatly got off her 'stool' and slowly walked behind a nearby tree, just in case. A figure appear'd through the doorway of the 'rock' with a devise in it's hands and slowly made it's way off the ramp. Then it turned and hit a few button's and the 'rock' shifted and changed into some type of space-craft. It was similar to the one's she had seen on the Diplo, but had a diffrent colour pattern. The figure then put the devise in its belt and streatched. Nel slowly made her way around the figure untill she was at his back. She then withdrew her dagger and quickly put it at it's throat. The figure stood stock still, and if Nel could see it's eye's, she imagened they would be fearfull. "Dont move." she said coldly.
Quite the opposite. Fayt's eye's only showed mischievous idea's. It seemed Nel forgot that he carried a scanner with him most of the time. Beside's, his shuttle had scanner's as well, so he detected her life-sign's early on, as well as one other life-sign, but it had moved off back to the city. Fayt quickly rammed his elbow into her gut. Nel bent forward, more out of surprise then pain, and lost her grip. Nel instantly rammed him in the back of the knee caps, tripping him. Fayt lay there, not moving. Nel was abit surprised by this move, but took it in strids. She quickly circled around him, untill she was about to take the hood of his cloak of to see his identity, when he turned around onto his back. She still couldnt see the face becasue of the shadow's from his hood.
"Alright, you win. You win." Nel reconized the voice but couldnt place her finger on who had it. Fayt held out his hand, and she grabbed it slowly and causatly. She had pulled him up about halfway when Fayt lowerd his shoulder and rammed her in the gut again. Nel toppled on the ground and looked up at him, growling. Fayt smiled.
"Wasnt it you that told me to never let my gaurd down, even around a fallen opponet?" Fayt said, his smile growing on his face. Nel stared at him for a moment, then realization lit up in her eye's.
"F-Fayt!"
"The one and only." came his answer. He then streached out his hand. He knew she wouldnt try anything. She took it greatfully, and stood up. Fayt pulled down his hood and took a step back.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
Fayt cocked his head. "I was officially on vacation when the whole crisis of universal destruction came about, so when it ended, I went strait back to my normal routine, but it seem's Maria did some digging and found out about my 'interuppted' vacation." Fayt shook his head and chuckled. "She 'ordered' me to use up the time I had left, or get my battle room privileges taken away, so I choose here."
"How much time do you have?" Nel asked. She hid her hopefullness in her voice and went with the dry type that she normally had. Fayt took out that device again and tapped in a few buttons.
"About...forty three days, thriteen hours, twenty eight minutes, and...twelve seconds." Fayt said mater of factly. Nel snorted. Always with the facts.
"Why'd you come here? Im sure there are hundred's of other planet's that you could spend your time on." asked Nel, as she stared at the shuttle. Fayt walked over to the shuttle door and walked inside. Nel followed and stood at the entrance. Nel waited for an answer while Fayt tapped a few more button's on the control console. Then he took a bag from a nearby chain and walked out.
"Step back please." he asked politly. Nel obeyed, still waiting for an answer. Once the hatch closed, the shuttle then shimmer'd, then changed back into that 'rocky' state.
"Hologhraphic. Dont want people to think something's wrong." Fayt said and headed for a nearby stump. Nel could tell he was avoiding the question, and she was going to say something about it when he pulled something from his bag. He started to turn it over and over in his hand's, the grunted in satisfaction. When Nel walked to face him, she was shocked to see he was holding the Orichalcum sword he had created a few month's back. She couldnt believe he still had it. He was so happy the day he had created it.
Flashback
Nel had been going over mentally the enemies that they had encounter'd before and was figuring out the best way to get past the next one's when she was interrupted by Fayt. He was running toward her, bumping into people that got into his way, apologized quickly, and kept running. Nel smiled faintly. He was just like a young child showing something to a parent. When he finally reached her, he bent over, trying to catch his breath. Nel could see that he was carring a new type of sword, but she was lost as to why he was so enthusiastic about it. When he finally caught his breath somewhat, he handed her the sword.
"Look pant look at what pant what I was able to pant synthesize." Nel pulled the sword from it's sheath, and gasped. It was the Holy Orichalcum Sword, the sword of legend. Only one other person had held such a sword, and he was now a legend, passed on from noble house to noble house. And this sword...she just couldnt bring herself to say that this sword was what had ended The Great War four hundred years ago. She had no idea how he was able to craft such a master-piece. It glowed lighly from the light energy pulsating throught it. The blade itself was almost beyond words. Its outer edge was sharp enought to slice through stone, but it was extreamly light, giving its user speed. The edge was a medium blue, while the inner was onyx black, engraved with rune's that glowed a faint red. The handle was carved with that of a dark dragon, giving the user increased streanght and power. The dragon was a symbol of power, determination, mystery, streanght, emotional, and above all, protective.
"How...how...how did you...make this?" Nel asked hesitantly.
"Well, it was Misty Lear, Mackwell, and Maria that made the Orichalcum, which costed alot, but I was able to synthesize the sword. I took me a few hour's, but I was able to do it." Fayt explained, his smile growing even more at the shock on Nel's face. He knew that there was something special about the sword, but didnt know what. But he still had one more surpise for her.
"You did...an amazing job. Im proud of you." Nel said, and Fayt blushed lightly, taking back his sword. Then he surprised Nel again by handing her another weapon. Nel looked confused. She looked at Fayt questionly. Fayt only looked at her expectanly. Nel sighed and unsheathed the weapon. It took her a few second's for her brain to grasp what she held in her hand. When it caught on, she couldnt do anything but stare. In her hands she held two Orichalcum Lazer Daggers. Because of the orichalcum material add to it, they were now permenantly daggers. They held the blue outline of orichalcum, aswell as a thick streak in the middle, while the inside was glowing bright red from the energy. The orichalcum streaks had been engraved with rune's that glowed a faint purple. The handles were carved with that of a wolf, giving the user increased speed and agility. The wolf was a symbol of speed, mystery, solitude, determination, observant, and above all, protective, just like the dragon.
"You...I...what...how!" gasped Nel. Making one sword was enough, but now this! This was just too much for her to take in. Not even the top scientest's and engineers of the country could create something of this magnitude.
"Well, it took me about eight hundred thousand fol, but it was nothing. I did it for the challange. It was quite fun actually. And I really wanted to make you something that could show how thankfull I am for helping me...err, us. I really mean's alot to me." Fayt paused, a light blush creeping onto his cheeks, but he didnt say anything more.
End Flashback
She remember'd that time fondly. She still had those weapons. She had placed them above her fireplace in her house a few mile's outside Peterny. Those weapon's always brought up memory's for her. She had only used them once, and that was in the fight against Luther. She remember'd his face, when Fayt and her pulled out those weapons. From his look, she could piece together that it was he who had designed them, due to the fact that his spear was similar to their weapons. Now she used the Celestial Lazer she had synthesized with Fayt's help.
Fayt then pulled out another sword from his bag, this time the Celestial Sword Nel and he had created. He then put both sword's on his back, creating an X shape that somehow brought out a aura of mystery.
"You still have those?" asked Nel. She wonder'd why, with all the tech his world had to offer, why he would still have such item's with him. Fayt turned to face her.
"Why wouldnt I?"
"Well, I just thought that you would have brought one of those beam weapons Maria had with her."
Fayt shook his head. "No, I like to keep these with me at all time's."
"Why?"
Fayt shook his head again. "Ill tell you...later. For now id like to move away from this place. Dont want to bring up any trouble."
Nel sighed. Fayt seemed to be more...secretive...then he had been six month's ago. Well, she knew he was right. Soldier's would be here soon, then they would find Fayt, take him back to the queen, she would praise him more, show the people, and the rest of his stay would be filled with strangers wanting a piece of him.
"Come on, ill take you to my house."
"What? But I was just going to stay at-"
"No, there will still be people there to find you. I dont think Claire could keep them all out."
"But, I dont want to be a burdan to-"
"You wont."
"But-"
"No buts mister, iv already made up my mind."
Fayt sighed in defeat. He had never been able to win a verbal battle against Nel, as much as he tried. After six month's, she hadnt changed one bit. Then insperation struck.
"What about your duty's?"
"What about them."
Well, wont I just get in the way?"
"Fayt, I know what your doing, and it wont work. Your staying at my place and that it. Unless..." Nel smirked wickedly "Unless you want a ton of fan girls all over you day and night, not having a moment's peace."
Fayt turned pitch white. He was never good in front of crowds, and Nel knew this. "No...no im good...ill shut up." Nel nodded, then headed for the nearest road. They had about a four hour walk, and in that time they could catch up with the times, and hopefully Nel could get the answer's she sought.
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JPElles: Dont worry, I have every intention of finishing this. And I am like you, a perfectionist when it come's to games. Unlike you, I really enjoyed this game. I believe that iv become experianced enough to be able to see games that I wont like. But I still get surprised by a few, like Star Ocean for instance. It took me totally by surprise. I had know idea what it was about untill I started playing. Now im hooked. FF Tatics was ok. I am also hoping that they come out with a new Star Ocean, partically a sequal to this one. Your right again, gameing is expensive, but look at what it gives us...increased brain power and higher hand-eye coordination then most people!
Zenphoenixa: Yes, I was taken aback by this point aswell. I totally agree with you. This pairing works out extreamly well in my opionion. Sighs People just cant see good pairings if it hit them like a runelogical blast from the Thunder Arrow.
Just-A-Fan: Well, seem's Zenphoenixa is intruding on your territory of longest reviews. Dont worry, you still get your reward, but you better watch it. Anyway, I love long review's, so dont worry, I dont get bored with them. I also notice the hints in the game, but I think they should have pushed alittle more from it if you played your card's right. The only reason I let Nel admit that she was lonely was because she was tired. Really tired. Training all day and then having a fight with some arrogant student, and not sleeping well for the past month's takes a huge amount of stress on the mind, believe me, I know, iv done it. If anybody's tried it then they know that it's extreamly hard to keep down forbidden thought's. Dont worry, I wont bring it up too much, just here and there to keep you on your toe's.
Well, here's to another chapter. I hope you enjoyed how much hurt my finger's are feeling right now, but the thought of seeing your happy face's brightens my day...yah, like id believe that. If anybody's read any of my other story's, then I think youve noticed that I like to make...how should I put this...'big bangs' which is true. I hope I didnt go over the top. I just wanted to add alittle element to it. The game never really told us what those rune's were really capable of, so im just making it up as I go along. Im also aiming to bring back some of the moments that the game brought out. Iv been reading some other Star Ocean stories, coughnopairingsinthemcough and iv noticed that very, very, very few writer's bring out points from the game. Im doing my best to bring them back, as well as add a twist to them of my own, such as the orichalcum weapons. Im also going to be bringing out some of my own experiences in the game, to add more life into it. As a final thought, I would like to know how you, my reader's, liked my first chapter's history leason. If you want, you can send me some major word's and I can try to make them into something like I did with my first chapter. Its up to you. Well, untill next time.