A/N: I'm not putting this up too fast for anybody am I? Maybe I'm just a little too worried. When I got my first reviews, I was afraid to look. I thought they'd be terrible. But as long as no one screams at me to tell me this worthless story shouldn't be up, I'm going to keep going. Lol, this is the wonderful chapter where Albel has a long talk with Fayt. No, not that kind of talk! Get your minds out of the gutter!

Disclaimer: If I created Fayt, he would belong in our world, not just a game. And Albel would get jealous because I would constantly hug Fayt because of all his cuteness.

Fayt woke up in the middle of the night feeling that something was wrong. He found out what it was as soon as he opened his eyes: Albel was standing close by his bed staring at him intently. Fayt was instantly reminded of another, less pleasant incident in the inn when Albel had come to talk to him in the inn.

With a look of amusement, Fayt sat up in his bed. "So, Albel the Wicked has come for another midnight conversation."

"Yes I have, maggot," Albel said irritably. "And this is a very serious matter, so wipe that insolent smirk off your face."

Fay sighed. "Do you think I hate you again?"

"No," Albel said abruptly, and then he added. "And it doesn't matter anyway."

Fayt raised an eyebrow. "What do you want Albel?"

Albel saw that as an invitation to begin. Without asking, he sat down on the edge of Fayt's bed and after an intense scrutiny of the boy he began talking. "What I want to know is what you were doing by yourself while the rest of us were of exploring."

Fayt rolled his eyes. "Why do you need to know? We all wanted to do something alone. I don't know what you were doing; you don't know what I was doing. It doesn't matter."

"I was hunting," Albel said haughtily. "I had hoped to train, but these miserable creatures were so weak they would have died with no help from me."

"Ah, yes. How could I forget your constant need to kill something," Fayt muttered sarcastically.

Albel glared at him. "Only weaklings refuse to kill. I need something stronger that these miserable worms you have forced me to train on. They are no challenge at all. How am I supposed to practice if there is nothing worthy of my time to practice on?"

"Keep you voice down," Fayt said gingerly at the end of the warrior's tirade. "Maybe tomorrow we can go search for some dragon if you really want a change."

"Don't try to change the subject," Albel hissed. "You still didn't tell me what you were doing."

Fayt sighed. "I told you it doesn't matter. I wasn't doing anything particularly important."

"Tell me exactly what you were doing," Albel demanded.

"Nothing," Fayt said irritably.

"Don't lie to me," Albel insisted. "I know exactly what you were doing."

Fayt sighed. "Why do you ask if you already know? Go ahead and tell me what you think I was doing if you know so much."

Albel glared at Fayt. "You were doing what all weaklings do: focusing on your shortcomings. Only worms mope and complain about things they can't fix. The past is over with, fool. If you are weak, train and improve. Otherwise, stop thinking about it."

"I wasn't moping," Fayt insisted.

"Yes, you were," Albel growled, determined to be right. "I'm a good judge of these things. You may fool everyone else with your innocent looks but I know better."

"Fine," Fayt sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue. "If you say I was moping, I was moping."

"Good," Albel said with his trademark grin. "Now, tell me what weakness you are worried about and I'll tell you how to fix it."

"You can't help me with this," Fayt said softly.

Albel looked curious. "You know you won't be happy until you solve whatever it is."

"I know."

"Then do something about it!" Albel said impatiently.

"I wish I could," Fayt said sadly.

"You're a fool. That weakness can be fixed."

"Albel, you don't understand. I endanger everyone's lives."

Albel snorted. "Train harder and become stronger. Then nobody has to protect you."

"I'm already strong. That's why everyone wants to kill me."

Albel cocked his head to one side. "What nonsense is this, fool?"

"I put everyone around me in danger," Fayt whispered. "I bring misery to all I know."

Albel snorted. "Bah, you bring misery to yourself."

Fayt looked at him curiously.

With a sigh, Albel rose and began pacing the tiny room. "You can't keep thinking that everyone dies because of you. People die without your help. They die because they are weak worms. It's no fault of yours."

"You don't understand," Fayt said desperately his voice rising in panic. How could Albel call his father weak?

Albel bore down on him relentlessly. "If you think that everything is your fault and you blame yourself, you're going to isolate yourself from everything. The world is a terrible place if you think each step you take has caused a tragedy. You don't cause everything, you know. Sometimes-"

"Stop it!" Fayt shouted, ignoring his own advice to keep quiet. "You don't know what I think. You don't know anything about it."

"Then tell me," Albel said eagerly.

"No," Fayt said softly, looking away. "You won't look at me the same way again if you knew. You might even run away from me."

"Bah, no secret is that bad. What kind of coward do you think I am? Go on and tell me. It will do you some good to have someone strong enough to handle it."

Fayt merely smiled. "I don't doubt your strength, but even you wouldn't see me the same way once I told you. Haven't you seen how the all look at me?"

Albel looked surprised. "They all look at you differently. I didn't notice that."

Fayt smiled sadly. "You're lucky you don't notice, but I do."

Albel was troubled by Fayt's attitude. He quickly made for the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Fayt."

Fayt nodded briskly and attempted to go back to sleep.