4. Our distance and that person

It was late at night and everyone was settling down for the evening. Peppita had been bugging Sophia to play some kind of game with her. Sophia had quickly agreed and the two were now sitting in front of the fireplace. Albel had seated himself in a chair near the hearth. After a moment Sophia turned to look up at him, her green eyes sparkling playfully. "Do you want to play cards with us Albel?"

He grunted lightly. "Those are things from your world woman. How would I know how to play?"

Sophia started running her fingers over a loose strand of hair. "I'm a pretty good teacher ya know. I can show you how."

Albel crossed his arms over his chest. "Just play your game. I'm sure I can pick up what I need to know by watching."

Sophia sighed softly and picked up the cards. "I'll just have to make it fair for everyone. Peppita, I'm going to teach you a new game. Are you ready?"

The younger girl nodded excitedly. Sophia glanced back at Albel as she started explaining the rules. "We start with seven cards…"

Once the first round of the game was over he was pretty sure he had an understanding of how these 'cards' worked. As he watched them play a second hand his mind began to wander.

It was odd that such a simple thing as game would stir up such a memory. Albel was anything but sentimental and the idle prattle he and Woltar had shared that night so long ago should have simply dissolve like so many other conversations. But for some reason tonight it was nagging at him.

It had happened nine years ago but he could recall it like it was yesterday. He remembered walking up the path to Woltar's mansion just as the daylight had begun to dim and darkness spread it's shadows across the earth. He was dirty, beaten, and blood covered. Not all the blood was his own.

This night it had been a band of thieves and lowlifes who had been unlucky enough to cross his path. He found it funny how quickly he was gaining a reputation for being unreasonably cruel. He heard those quick enough to retreat call him something wicked. In truth he could care less.

The last fleeting rays of sunlight shown on his gauntlet. He watched as the light reflected off the blood-encrusted metal. It amazed him how quickly he could kill with his new clawed arm.

It had almost been worth the pain just to gain the strength he now carried.

Woltar stood on the steeps of the mansion his wrinkled face holding a look Albel knew only too well. It was the look one would give to something beyond help. It was something that closely resembled the look on his father's face right before the flames took him.

"You were not assigned patrol tonight Albel."

Albel stopped at the bottom of the steps. Glaring up at Woltar he flexed the razor sharp talons on his gauntlet. "What concern is it of your if I eliminate a few worthless maggots. You should count yourself lucky I'm willing to volunteer."

"You should not push yourself like this so soon after what happened at the Accession of Flames Ceremony. If you continue to hack your way through the battle filed you'll…"

"I'll what?" Albel glared daggers at the old man daring him to continue.

Woltar was unaffected and spoke with even more determination. "You'll begin walking a path that you can never turn from."

Albel turned his gaze away in disgust. "I've already chosen my path. I will do what ever it takes to become stronger, stronger than you or any other worthless maggot here. Stronger than my father."

Woltar made his way down the steps to stand face to face with Albel. "Your father gave his life for you!" Woltar hardly ever raised his voice and when he did you knew he was beyond angry.

Albel was hardly intimidated by this and leaned in closer as he spoke. " And he was a fool to do so. I failed! The dragons deemed me unworthy. My sentence was death."

Albel turned from Woltar and put some distance between himself and the old man. "And I did die. The part of me that held fear and concern, the part that held back, is no more! I will do what ever it takes to become worthy of living again!"

Woltar looked disappointed and slowly shook his head. "That will not bring your father back."

"Ha, he made his own choice and I have made mine. You know what they called me today? Wicked. They only use that word because they can't see the strength that comes from letting your concerns die."

Woltar moved to stand next to Albel. "One day there will be no one left to pray for your soul. You will realize what a dark place you have made for yourself. Only the angels will be able to save you then."

"My soul?" Albel threw his head back and let out a laugh full of malice. "If you believe such nonsense than you are a bigger fool than I thought."

Woltar looked away into the night sky. "How am I to help you if you don't even want to save your own soul."

"Here, let me do it for you." Albel fell to his knees, spread his arms out, turned his gaze to the sky, and shouted to the heavens. "Oh great Apris! Send down your angels from the sky! Let them kiss my brow and wipe these evils from my soul!."

Remaining on his knees he glared at Woltar over his shoulder. "Is that enough old man or must I starve to death waiting for my answer."

Woltar sighed heavily. "I truly hope Apris hears you. I fear you are beyond prayer."

Albel rose to his feet and strode up the steps. "I would never pray fool. I could care less about such things." he entered the house leaving Woltar alone in the night. The last thing he remembered hearing was Woltar praying to his father for guidance.

"Glou, he needs more than I can give. I truly believe only an angel can save him now."

Albel looked over at Sophia. She must have felt his stare because she raised her head to look at him. She smiled at him for a moment and then turned her attention back to the game.

Woltar would never know how right he had been that night. Albel knew he had chosen the path of no redemption. He had strayed so far from any comfort or light that it had truly taken and angel from the sky to save him.

Her smile had let him know that he could feel again.

Her touch returned his soul.

Her troubles had brought back concern.

In her tears he quickly found fear.

With earning her love he had earned the right to live again.

A/N

For those of you who don't know Albel's fathers name is Glou.

Originally this theme was going to be #14 invincible. I started this with the intention of having a fluff story and then it just kind of ran away on me.

The theme for this became our distance and that person.

Our distance is the distance between where Sophia comes from and where Albel is. (Angel from the sky)

That person is Albel's father.

So anyway the next theme I write will have fluff I promise.