This chapter has been re-written. After beating Luccie-kun for the fourth time, I got a cute fuzzy little Fayt/Albel thing (When I wrote this, right before the credits Fayt had said 'Let's fo back where we belong' and Sophia responded. Albel responded this time... It was so cute!), thus, I had to get rid of the rageing Albel end of this chapter...Sophia-bashers, enjoy!
omoidasu yo hisoyaka na mori no oku de
kono yubi de sotto tsubasa ni fureta ano toki
Remember it: that time when, from within the depths of that secret forest,
you folded your wings softly and settled on this finger.
We sat in our bedroom, on one bed together, hip and hip. Your hands were on your lap and you stared at them, bashful. I stared as well, until I found myself staring at the wide split. I turned away, face hot. You looked up at me with an odd expression, then our eyes met and yours returned to your hands.
"You're probably heard, with the prying that you do around towns, about the Nox family heritage. How we've always commanded the dragon brigade."
"Vox ha-"
"Yes, Vox, that worm. No more than scum. Nine years ago, or so, my father was commander. My mother had long been dead and I did what I could to be strong, like him. I wanted to walk in his footsteps and take over when he... retired. When it came for my ascension of the flame ceremony, I wanted to push my limits and be the strongest, gain the strongest dragon."
"You over estimated..."
Your head shot up as if to give me a venomous glare, but it faded into true sadness. You held your claw up and looked down at it. I was on your left, feeling the cold metal shoulder on my own. "I... should have died, like any other fool." You fought with the buckles until I helped you. You sighed, looking helpless and dependant before me. We slipped it off. Metal clanged on the wooden floor and my cheeks stung as they were slapped by my fingers, palms over my mouth. You looked to your right, as if shamed by my expression.
"Albel... I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." I ran my fingers lightly across the rust-stained cotton bandages. You flinched. I shouldn't have been so surprised by it. I had felt the death before, but never seen it. You never let anyone see.
"My father... he saved me with his own life, much like your own did." Your eye met mine. The deep reds were glazed. You choked a little and let your head roll center, lifelessly staring at nothing.
"Albel." I drew you close. You were very slim, in my arms, the bulk of your claw gone. You turned so that your face was in my chest, your bad arm untouched. My fingers entwined themselves in ebony, holding you to me. You never returned the embrace, you didn't encourage it in anyway, but you never tried to get out of it, never a protest. When I laid myself down on the bed and gently pulled up to me, you accepted and fell asleep with me, even though, for once, we had a room and two beds all to ourselves.
When I woke up the next morning, you were still sound asleep in my arms. You never slept much, so I suppose your body was finally catching up. Peace. There was peace on your face. It gave me a strong sense of hope, determination to save this world. To save you, and maybe we could be like this forever. Gently, tenderly, I came to terms with myself, the gentle tender kiss on your cheek securing it.
I turned over onto my back, closing my eyes and savoring the feel of you on my arm next to me. Then I heard Cliff's heavy footsteps coming down the hall.
"Quick, Albel, get up!" I attempted to push him off my arm.
"What are you doing, you fool!" You spat once I had gotten up. The door swung open. He didn't bother to knock because we were supposed to already be 'decent.'
"Good, you two are up. Maria is getting impatient, let's go before she gets too mad."
"Right." I nodded and he closed the door. I looked down at you as you glared at me, angry. "I'm sorry, I-"
"Forget it, maggot." You scowled and rolled out of bed, fighting to get your claw back on. I tried to help you, but you turned away. The cold shoulder. Metallic, hard, and cold.
"Albel, I-!"
"I said forget it!" That was that, and you stormed out of the room.
We ate a little, and automatically Sophia was right by me, at my arm. But she wasn't there anymore, to me. The past didn't mean anything anymore. We left the city and started on a long trek to Surferio.
You wouldn't look or speak to me. Again! You were ignoring me again! I don't know how many times I can take this rejection! Albel, why are you so cold? You're driving me mad!
"Fayt, are you alright?" I felt the feminine warmth an my arm, again. The brown hair brushing my skin.
"I'm FINE, just leave me alone!" I shook her off, stomping ahead a little faster.
"Fayt!" She squealed.
Cliff looked at her and then to me, hurrying to catch up to me. "Hey, Fayt, is something wrong? You're not being yourself today."
"I'm just tired of her clinging to me all the time, like I'm hers or something." I felt the big man's hand on my shoulder, looking at me as I looked at my feet.
"She was just worried about her. If you want her to stop clinging, you didn't have to snap at her like that." I didn't respond. "Go apologize to her, we need to support each other at times like these."
"Then what about Albel, then? How come he can blow me off as much as he wants, ignore me, hate me, why!"
"Fayt... I'm just trying to keep the peace. We can't dream to beat the creator if we're fighting among ourselves."
I looked up at him, glaring. "Alright. Sophia, I'm sorry." I turned to her, as it seemed the rest of the party had caught up with us.
"I-It's ok, Fayt."
You scoffed.
"You two..." Maria scolded.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." You stalked on ahead.
Stocking up in Peterney, we headed out to that little no-horse town for our last chance to relax. While the others were inside the mayors house, I snuck away outside. We never allowed ourselves to split up here before, there were some dangerous characters here. I needed some time alone.
I took off my boots and dipped my feet into the cool water cautiously. Letting my feet swing, I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. Only a little longer and everything would be... normal? Well, things would never be normal again, but maybe not quite so chaotic to the point where I felt completely helpless.
I leaned back, letting the sunlight heat my face. It was heavenly. Soon I had fallen asleep. When I did wake up, shivering in the bitter cold, the sky was dark blue and sparkleing.
"I hope you don't mind that I put your boots back on you. Your feet were changeing colors." I looked up and there you were, sitting beside me on the edge. Your face, I saw only the side of it, but it was calm.
"The stars are so clear on this planet. I hardly noticed, I've been too busy." I lowered myself back onto my back. "This is a really beautiful planet. It must be nice to live here." You didn't answer, but you stared up at the stars now. "It would have been nice to show you my home on Earth, but I..." It was then that it hit me again, about the destruction of my home. "I-I have no home... anymore..."
"You've been here longenough, it had minds well be your home."You scoffed. I smiled and I realized that you did too, even though you wouldn't face me. You'd just stare at the stars. And I'd just stare into those nowblood warm eyes, in love all over again.Certain things, like the ocean of stars, were meant to go on 'til the end of time.
"Let's go back, back to where we belong."
And you smiled at me. A simple adoreing smile. "I guess."
Stop here, if you'd like, this makes for a nice ending. But there's four more chapters, "side-stories,"
if you will. I've planned out a deal with Romero and Vita, concerning Blair and Luccie-kun's last intervention in the Eternal Sphere.This wasn't supposed to be the ending, but the climax. I like it better this way. Sweet, fluffy, and in love.
