DISCLAIMER: I don't own Valkyrie Profile 1 or 2. Nor do I own any of their licensed characters, locations or materials. This work is a piece of fan fiction and as such, I write purely for the enjoyment of writing. I make no money from it and the only profit I derive is my enjoyment of writing.

PROLOGUE:

WHERE OURELLEA LEADS

Like sparkling diamonds in a liquid sky, the river Ourellea sped her currents along the eastern shore. The morning light caught each pearling lap and frothing wave, sun-kissed as they made their way along the banks of Coriander Village.

A young girl sat by the river bank, smiling as she sank her hand into the stream. The flowing currents jumped and skipped as they splashed over rocks, gushing past her hand. Her eyes bubbled with unbridled joy, catching the waves for just a moment before they slithered through her latticed fingertips, thrilling her flesh with their watery chill. The morning breeze rushed through her loose mane of violet locks, cooling her face with a breezy kiss. Woodpeckers knocked in the distance while song birds hailed the rising sun.

It was her favorite part of the day. She lay her back against the soft dry earth and closed her eyes. The sounds of nature enveloped her and a longing sigh escaped her lips. The rustling leaves shivered, broken by the clarion of approaching feet. The young girl winced but when she opened her eyes she saw only the inverted image of a young boy dressed in a faded pair of beige, knee-length trousers and a stain-riddled tunic.

Despite the interruption, the young girl smiled upon the boy's approach and rolled over, sitting up on her knees. "Good morning Lucien."

"Hi Platina!" The boy said with a pitch of merriment. He nursed a pale wooden bucket just under his left arm but when he came closer she took in the full sight of him. His right eye was closed slightly with a purple hue standing out just under his mop of auburn hair. His knees were filthy as always but a limp was visible in his step and she could see a row of angry red bruises lacing his left arm. The girl shivered inwardly and knew exactly who was responsible. She knew his scars as well as she knew her own; it was something every village child had in common these days. But they were survivors. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

"Did your mom send you to fetch water too?"

"Yup!" The boy grinned and sat down next to her. "Mom says it's time I start acting like a man. And dad, he… well, he doesn't like it when I sleep too long." Lucien's face fell, hidden behind his drooping locks.

Platina offered a sympathetic nod but the smile was quickly back on the boy's face. "Hey! I knew I'd find you here!"

Platina covered a soft giggle behind her hand. "Did you, now? And why is that?"

"Because you're always here!" The boy replied, emphasizing with his arms spread out. "Why do you like it here so much?"

Platina smiled whimsically, staring up at the trees. They were just beginning to change colors, signaling the onset of fall. But she found their ambient hues and rich contrasts beautiful. "Everything just feels so… different here." She replied at last.

Lucien's brows bunched together in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm not sure I can tell you." Platina smiled and the sun danced against her violent locks. "But, maybe one day, we'll find out together?"

Lucien furrowed his brows together as he pondered her words. His cobalt eyes took an interest in Ourellea's waves and he shrugged his shoulders. " Hm; yeah, I guess so."

Platina mimicked his actions and a peaceful wave of silence passed between them as they quietly watched the flowing stream.

"you know…" Lucien started, with a soft twinkle in his eyes. "some nights I dream about this river."

Platina nursed her cheek against her knuckles as she leaned over to face him. "What about?"

"Sailing!"

Platina smiled. "That's a nice dream. Sometimes I dream of sailing too. Or floating through the air."

"No." Lucien shook his head. "Not just floating. I mean having my own ship, with a crew and everything!"

Platina hiked an eyebrow but continued listening to the boy, bringing her knees under her chin.

"I dream about sailing through this river all the way to the open seas! I want to see it all!"

Platina shook her head in mild amusement. "That sure is a fancy dream. When did you get such grand visions?"

Lucien frowned, sinking his chin into the collar of his tunic but his eyes held fast to the lapping waves. "You think it's funny, but one day I'll really do it."

Platina sighed and brushed a few errant stands behind her ear. "Lucien, in every dream, you eventually wake up."

"So what?" The boy scoffed. "I'll make it a reality!"

"Dreams don't become reality. That's not how they work."

"Says you!" Lucien turned to face her with a challenging frown. "But I'm still going to do it! If you try hard enough, you can make your dreams come true!"

A flash of discomfort passed across the young girl's eyes but she bit her lip. "Not all dreams…" She said quietly and turned her eyes back towards the stream.

But Lucien wasn't finished. "How do you know? What can you do, if you never try? You have to! No matter what, you can do anything, as long as you had the will!"

Platina tried to smother the tension that boiled inside of her. She passed Lucien a pertinent look. "Not always."

"But what if-"

"Enough Lucien!" Platina blurted. "Dreams? What can dreams ever give you? A false sense of hope?"

"I'll follow my dreams!" Lucien struck back.

"And where will that get you?" Platina's eyes shimmered with emotion. "Gone! To God knows where! Is that where dreams take you, Lucien? Away from the world you know? Away from the people who love you?" A thin veil of liquid quickly collected around her eyes before she thrust her face back towards the river. But her shoulders continued to tremble. "Dreams… they've done nothing but ill by me."

Lucien's momentum drooped at her outburst. It was rare that the violet haired girl ever became upset over anything and despite his passion, he cared more for Platina. His eyes sank to the grassy earth, his vigor deflated. "I'm sorry." he said at last.

Platina's drooping head shook from side to side, her back towards him. "No, Lucien. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

The boy could hear a delicate sniffle from her direction as Platina used the cuff of her dress sleeve to wipe her eyes. When she finally turned her head around to face him, she was smiling again but he could see the strain in her gesture.

Lucien frowned. He hated seeing Platina's sadness. The expression was too alien against her, even amidst the life they lived. Her smile was his smile. Her happiness was his happiness.

A mischievous grin curled along one side of his chin and he pointed a finger her way. Platina blinked, taken aback by the gesture. "What?"

But Lucien held his grin. "Your eye! It's twitching!"

The young girl drew her brows together in a sudden from! "It is not!"

Lucien was laughing now. "Yes it is! If you had a looking glass, I'd show you! Your eye is totally twitching!"

"Lucien! It is not!" Platina huffed. "Stop that!"

"Oh! Now it's twitching faster!" The boy ebbed. "You should see it go!"

"LUCIEN!!" But despite her denial, the girl rushed over to the stream and immediately Lucien fell over in laughter. Platina ignored the boy, intently checking her reflection in the stream.

After catching his breath, Lucien moved over beside her and Platina was still trying to catch her reflection in the stream. "Ok, ok I admit, I was joking."

The young girl didn't respond. She continued to look down at the river. Lucien gave her shoulder a light shake. "Hey! Are you listening to me?"

Platina turned her eyes on him with a sharp glare. Lucien squirmed under her expression; chastened, until he caught sight of a rare mischievous grin. But he was too late; the girl quickly splashed a handful of water his way causing the boy to cry out.

"No fair!" Lucien laughed. "That was dirty!"

Platina giggled. "Any more than you telling me my eyes twitch?"

Both kids were smiling now and it filled Lucien's heart. "Fair enough." He agreed.

She smiled again and rubbed her hands against her knees. "You said you wanted to get water for your mother right? I was getting water for my mother too. Shall we fill our buckets together?"

Lucien smiled at the change of subject and quickly bobbed his head. "Sure!"

Platina stood, and for the first time, Aldo noticed the large pair of buckets resting by the bank. They were twice the size of his own and he was sure his friend would have trouble carrying them. Platina stooped over one of them, taking it up in her hands before moving to fill it into the stream.

"Platina, will you be okay with that?" He asked, watching the water sink swiftly into her container.

Platina smiled and nodded. "I'll manage. I've filled larger buckets before. I'm getting used to it."

Lucien nodded, and moved his own container into the stream.

"But what about you?" Platina asked. "Will you be okay carrying that extra weight? I saw how you were limping when you came here."

Lucien flinched but shook his head. "No, I'll be ok. I just… stepped on something when I came here. It's all better now."

Platina knew he was lying. But she also knew Lucien was a proud boy and he didn't like to show his own weakness. His intentions were good but his stubborn behavior often lead him to trouble. Platina hoisted up her first bucket, placing it on the bank before grasping her second. "I know!" She began. "Why don't we find a branch long and sturdy enough, then we can lash our three buckets to it and carry it together?"

Lucien's face brightened as the water rushed into his own bucket. "Sure! That's a good idea!" he agreed.

Platina smiled and trapped the last of the fresh river water into her second container. "I'm done." She said, hoisting her load. A spark of pain seized her then, and the young girl balked, nearly falling.

"Platina!" Lucien released his container and rushed towards her, catching her as she stumbled to one knee She took measured breaths to regain herself.

"It's okay Lucien… I'm alright."

This time, Lucien knew she was lying. It was no secret that Platina's mother was a cruel woman and more than once he had seen his friend with a parade of bruises to show as a testament of her rule. The boy gave her a sympathetic look but stood rooted to his spot, uncertainty gripping his confidence. "Is it bad?" He whispered.

Platina shook her head and flashed him a glowing smile. "I'll be fine. I just stood up the wrong way."

The breeze picked up, lacing Platina's hair in the wind like a gentle banner. Lucien watched her as the sun showered them with a light they could not reach. He looked down at his dirty palm and he sighed. "I hate this life… Why does it have to be this way?"

Platina picked herself up and stood over to the boy. "Lucien?" She asked, smiling.

He looked up at her and Platina wrapped an arm around him in affection. "Isn't it enough that we have each other? Isn't it enough that we can find a chance to share our pain?"

But Lucien didn't respond. It wasn't enough- not for him. Perhaps he was young and still naïve, but he couldn't understand the cruelty of their lives. He wouldn't understand it and he wasn't sure he ever would.

Platina saw the conflict in his eyes and gave him a soft pat on the back. "Come on! Help me find a branch. Please?"

Lucien nodded begrudgingly and after a moment's pause, smiled back. "Of course."

Platina began towards a thick conflagration of trees while Lucien smeared his hands against his slacks and followed alongside her. It was a peaceful walk that Platina enjoyed. The trees encouraged her with their verdant beauty and the stalks of blooming flowers never failed to tickle her interests. Nature was her escape.

"Why does your mother need so much water, anyway?" Lucien asked as they walked.

"She needs the water for her potatoes. You know she wants to have as many selections in the market as she can for the festival."

Lucien soured. Of course he knew about the festival. It was the joy of every upper class adult and the envy of every surf in Coriander. Who didn't know about the festival. Unfortunately, the extent of it's 'festivities' ended with those who stood to actually gain from the affair. For the lives of the young in Coriander like himself and Platina and those whose lives were consumed only by hard labor, the festival was a time of pain and exhaustion.

The festivals used to be held every three months and were said to be full of exotic traders from far off lands. But for as long as either of them could remember, each festival was more symbolic than anything else. No foreign traders came, no outside sources of income were gained. But even still, during that time, they all had to work extra hard, scrubbing, cleaning, washing, cooking, chopping. Any and every task that needed doing, they did and in twice the time it would normally take them. None of the land owners were particularly kind to the lower cast, but every child and slave felt the sting of the whip especially during the festivals. Thus, they learned to fear what their masters enjoyed and, to them, the word became little more than a symbol of dread and agony.

"yeah…" The boy replied, demurely. "But isn't it a bit early to start cooking? There're still three more days before the festival starts, right?"

"That's right." Platina nodded. "But that's why she wants to get all the water ready now. She's storing them in casks now so she can cut back chances of running out while she's cooking."

Lucien bristled. "And she'll have you working even more ruthlessly than last year, no doubt. I don't know what ill moon you were born under Platina, but your mother is a vile person, more vile than any other I've ever met."

Platina shook her head. "She's not as bad as you take her to be."

"You defend her??" Lucien blanched. "How can you say that after all she's done to you?"

The young girl sighed, taking slow steps as her eyes casually searched the thick foliage of ferns and evergreens. "I don't know" Platina finally admitted, eyeing a particularly promising branch. She stooped drown, pulling it from it's home but it snapped in her grasp. She eyed the broken shaft, staring at the shattered end. "But she's my mother… she's all I have… isn't it enough, just to belong?"

"Is belonging, really all that important?" Lucien asked, walking over to her and taking the broken shaft from her grasp.

Platina watched idly as the boy stared at the broken stick before tossing it into the distance. "I want to be free!" he said with confidence. "Some day I want to make my own way! Not depend on others my whole life!"

Platina smiled sadly into the cup of her palm. "You're a strong boy Lucien… I envy you."

"Hey!" The boy blushed. "So are you! You're the strongest person I know!"

"And you're a sweetheart." Platina rose and cupped her palm against the boy's cheek.

They stared softly into each other's eyes; Platina's aquamarine shimmered, captivated by Lucien's azure. Unbidden, they slowly drew closer. Platina could feel her heart beginning to race but she couldn't understand why. A delicate wind picked up, catching their hair as Lucien drew a delicate hand against her violet tresses. His eyes caught the scar just over her ear and Platina flinched, jarring him back to reality.

Lucien blinked then mumbled a silent apology. Platina's cheeks stained a deep red and she quickly dipped her head. The two kids quickly drew apart, suddenly self-conscious. Lucien cleared his throat then ambled past her, down the grassy trail in search of another branch. An uncomfortable silence slowly passed between them.

Platina's mind idly pondered over her silent anxiety as she turned hey eyes towards the multicolored trees. Why was she so nervous? It was just Lucien. Yet, what were they doing? It was a question she didn't want to explore.

"Say Platina? I've been thinking."

The young girl grinned at the change of subject and followed after him. "That's never a good sign."

Lucien rolled his eyes but the young girl matched his pace, walking alongside him. "About what?"

"I've been thinking… Let's get out of here!"

"Lucien!" Platina gasped, covering her mouth. "W- what did you just say?"

"Yeah… Yeah!" The boy turned to face her with resolution flashing in his eyes. "Let's go! The festival lasts for ten days right? Well, we can break at night! They'll be so busy during the day, no one would bother to lo-"

"No!" Platina's eyes were wide with alarm and her chest rose and fell with sudden tension. Her mind swam with confusion. Where was this coming from all of a sudden? "Run? Run away? Lucien have you completely lost your mind!?"

"No!" The boy swung his arm. "I've never been more sane in my life! Platina I've been thinking about this for a long time. Why should we continue putting up with this life? there's nothing for us here!"

"What about our families!? Have you ever thought of that? What about your parents? And my parents! Have you ever considered how they'd feel!?" Her words were coming fast. But her heart was beating faster. She didn't dare fathom the absolute depths of what Lucien was saying; she wouldn't dare entertain the possibilities. "NO! Lucien this is outrageous!"

"No it's not!" The boy bit back and grasped her shoulders with his hands. "Platina, listen! Do you really want to live the rest of your life like this? Scared and dejected, always bulking under the whip of your so-called betters?"

"And what would you have me do Lucien? What would you have me say? Huh?" She violently shook free of his grasp. "That I should run away with you? And to where?" her had swung wildly behind her. "To some God forsaken land unto the great unknown where anything could be lurking beyond the shadows? To some uncertain future that could claim our lives at any time? Or worse, to the whims of some wild bandits? Would you dare brave that uncertainty?"

Lucien glared back at her. "You would stay here?"

"My family is here."

"Your family hates you!"

SLAP

Lucien's eyes jumped wide in shock. He hadn't seen it coming; what's more, he hadn't expected it. Never in a million years would he have expected such an action from his closest friend. But the stinking mark against his cheek was a testament to the truth, Platina had struck him.

He touched his hand to his cheek, then studied his open palm in wonder. Finally his wide eyes trailed back over towards the young purple haired girl. For her part, Platina was also staring back at him with wide eyes. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps but her eyes were large with fear.

He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "I see." he said at last. He turned but a hand suddenly caught his arm.

Platina's face was bowed under falling locks of violet but her hand shook against his shoulder. "Lucien…"

The boy stared long at her and gently cupped his palm over her grasp. "I'm sorry." He apologized. "If that's your decision…"

"Don't go!" The words jumped out of her so suddenly, Platina had to wonder if she had truly been their owner. She was scared. She'd never thought her friend would utter such words. What happened to the boy who found so much joy in simply running with her to the river at night enjoying precious moments of peace? What happened to the boy who was her silent confidante and friend? What happened to the boy who would never utter such horrifying words to her? He had changed; Lucien had changed and she wasn't sure liked who he was becoming.

"Don't go!" She repeated, fear gripping her voice. "Please, don't go…"

"You can't stop me." It was both a statement and a plea. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he was conflicted with her request. "You… Just can't…" He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "you just can't control my life like that!"

"I'm not controlling anything!" Platina gasped. "Lucien, don't you see the risks? If you're discovered, do you know what will happen to you? Not only will you be lashed, you will be breaking the laws of desertion. You know what happens then! They'll jail you and you'll be lucky if all they do is petition you for the slave markets!"

She saw the boy flinch. But she wasn't satisfied yet. If only that determined glint would fade from his eyes. She turned to face him directly, placing both hands on his shoulders. "Lucien… they could kill you if you're caught. I -don't- want that to happen!" Her voice shook but her next words escaped with ardent conviction. "I don't want to lose you!"

"Then come with me!" Lucien pleaded back. He grasped her shoulders again but the young girl sank under his grip.

"You know I can't." She muttered. Tears slipped past her cheeks unbidden and it broke the boy's heart. His grip eased against her arms and Platina cupped one hand over her shoulder. But she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.

"Abandon these plans Lucien! Please! Do it for me!" her voice barely rose above a whisper but he could still hear the intensity of her words. Her hands clutched at his sleeves and her eyes fastened onto his now. "We can sneak out. Catch fish. Perhaps travel the grotto. But please, don't go! I beg you!"

Lucien couldn't hold her gaze, instead lowering his gaze to stare long and hard at his feet. His brows furrowed and for a heart-wrenching instant, she feared he would reject.

Instead the boy sucked his teeth. "It was just an idea." he mumbled. He shook himself from her grasp, then stooped down. Platina watched him silently as he reached into a particularly thick patch of green foliage.

"One day." He said, turning to face her. His eyes were hard but compassionate. "One day I'll show you where Ourellea leads."

Before she could reply, he rose up to his full height, handing her an uneven but sturdy branch. Platina grasped the solid wood, testing its strength and nodded in satisfaction. "This should do nicely." She whispered in affirmation.

And just like that, their talk of desertion was over. Lucien rubbed the dirt from his palms onto his brown slacks. "We should head back now. Father will wonder where I've gotten to and I'm sure your mother will fret as well."

"Sure." Platina replied with a touch of concern in her voice. She hoped she hadn't offended him. But she meant to scare him; she meant to have him see reason. But now she wondered what price she paid for those efforts.

XXXX

Several hours later, the moon waxed over Ourellea's currents, catching each sparkling wave of silver in the pale light. A young boy stood watching those waves as a lingering tear fell, unbidden down his pale cheek. His eyes were heavy with sorrow but solid with determination. A few scattered memories of the events earlier that day flashed across his mind but he shook them away and a gentle wind picked up, brushing his auburn locks.

"This is the only way…" Lucien whispered to himself. He shouldered a heavy brown satchel over his back and turned slightly. Though he looked in the direction of his childhood home, his eyes tried to envision a beautiful, violet-haired girl one last time. He sighed and his voice carried in the wind. There would be pain. Of course, he knew this already. But there was no going back now. He'd made his decision. He knew what he wanted and it couldn't be gained here; not all of it.

Platina. He wished he could have convinced her. But he didn't want to cause her sadness. An sublime smirk passed his lips. He wouldn't delude himself; either way, he was hurting her. He just hoped this was the lesser of the two. He sighed again, and gripped his grubby fingers over the drawstrings of his pack. "I'll be back… one day…" The words were a whisper, a silent promise into a distant wind, a fragile hope that could so easily be broken. But Lucien had made his choice. And so, into the distant night, a lone boy took his first steps into the world beyond.

:::::To Be Continued:::::

:::::Author's Note: Thank you for reading. I am sorry for the super long wait but after much deliberation and thought, I realized the original pace of my story was not going where I wanted it to go. And I knew that, undoubtedly, the chapters would be produced in lackluster fashion. Thus, I've reshaped the story. This chapter wasn't changed much as it is the foundation and starting point of the story. But you will find that all other chapters have changed drastically. Some parts remain in some form but most parts have been reworked. Please forgive me for the change, but it is my hope that this change has improved the story and heightened the suspense. Please give this story a second read and I hope everyone will forgive me for the sudden shift. In turn, the story is running smoother and I will put every effort forth to push out the rest of the chapters in a timely fashion.

Thank you for reading: Writing Gamer