Hey, here's chapter 3 for ya! I'll be writing more soon. since school is almost over.(yay!) anyway here it is!

Disclaimer: I own Akina and Saku that's it. I don't own Albel. >> but I wish I did!

Chapter 3 Explanations

I looked at him in amazement. I thought that maybe I was just seeing things. "You, you are the one that brought me here!" I asked, stunned.

"Are you surprised by this, Akina?" Woltar asked.

"Greatly."

"Why is that?" Woltar asked, looking surprised.

"This may be the man the saved my life...but he's also the one that almost killed me in the first place!" I said. For some reason I found that I was becoming very angry with Albel and, even myself, I couldn't put it all together, nothing was adding up. Why? Why would he save me after all that? He looked like he truly wanted to kill me, but instead he saves me?

"I'm so confused." I whispered

"Is this true Albel?" Woltar asked

"Yeah, what of it? I saved her didn't I? I could have just as easily have left her there to rot into the ground. I'm starting to think that's what I should've done. Besides it's not really my fault anyway, she was following me so I had to teach her a lesson, it's her own fault."

"My fault! Oh no, the only thing that is my fault are those bandages on you arm and leg!" I yelled. Woltar took a look at the bandages. Then looked right at me.

"You actually caught him off guard twice...amazing, no one has been able to do that in years. You must be talented with a blade." Woltar said

"Really?" I looked at him, his eyes narrowed.

"Hmph...she just got lucky, that's all. Besides, what would it have mattered? I still would have killed her if I had wanted to."

"This is true. Which brings me to the question, why didn't you kill her Albel? This is the first time that you haven't killed your opponent. Why did you bring her here?"

"I'd like to know that myself." I said. Albel became very defensive at this question. He crossed his arms over his chest and hung his head down, but I think that was the first time I saw the expression change on Albel's face. I guess he wasn't expecting us to ask that. And even though that change in his face was only for a moment, it was still nice to know that he had emotions other than hate, greed, and arrogance. It let me know that he was actually human. There was a long silence in the room. You could tell Albel didn't want to say.

"...She...could be...useful...to me." Albel said quietly, not looking up at us. It might have just been my imagination but, I swear that Albel went red in face a little when he said that.

"Useful, what do you mean by that exactly?" I asked

"Ah...I know what it is now...So that's why." Woltar said to himself

"What is it, then?" I asked

"There's something that Albel must do, but he can't do it alone." Woltar said

"What's that?" I asked, looking over at Albel

"You'll have to explain the rest, Albel." Woltar said. Albel suddenly looked up, then rolled his eyes.

"Why do I have to tell her?"

"Because, it's your problem." He said as he left the room. Chuckling to himself. Albel watched him, cursing him as he left.

"Will you just tell me what's going on here, please?" I asked him. Albel sighed

"Fine. You have heard of the Urssa Lava Caves, correct?"

"Yes, I have. I have gone there on a few occasions also." I said. Albel looked at me, surprised.

"Really? Well then maybe you're not as much of a fool as I thought. But we'll see, I'm probably wrong." Albel said. There was that annoying smirk again. He thought he was so much better than me. Which wasn't even true, he just caught me off guard last time, sure he was able to pin me to the ground and would have probably won that last fight, but he didn't have to be so arrogant about it. He wouldn't get so lucky next time.

"You still haven't told me why you need my help." I said

"I don't need your help. I just need a woman with the strength to keep up with me down there." Albel said. Wow, he just gave me a compliment, not directly but, a compliment nonetheless. "Anyway, there is a place that is within those caves, called the Urssa Cave Temple. There is someone down there that needs to be dealt with. That's where you come in, I need you to fight him with me, not saying I couldn't easily kill him by myself if this little problem didn't exist. But I can't kill him alone, there has to be a woman, and from what I've seen your as good as I'm gonna get."

"There has to be a woman, why?"

"He has a barrier that can only be broken if there is a man and a woman there. There isn't any other way to kill him, unless that barrier is broken, he can't die. Trust me, I've tried to find other ways. But every time...he struck me down." You could tell he was becoming angry thinking about this. He must really hate losing. "I can't force you to go. So you can refuse...but keep in mind if you do refuse, I won't be so kind next time I see you on the street, I will kill you." He was looking me right in the eye as he said that, but I wasn't going to let it get to me.

"Your threats won't work on me. So how long do I have to decide?"

"Until your wounds heal. Which won't be too long. I didn't go all out on you like I should have."

"Oh really, so you do have some compassion for others." I said, crossing my arms.

"Bah, compassion is for the weak, I have no such feeling."

"Whatever you say." I said as I turned to leave. He didn't say a word as I left but I could feel him watching me, I went back up the stairs and Woltar was there. Talking to the young woman, Saku the one that had been caring for me. I walked in on their conversation.

"Well, that's good. I hope all goes well." Saku said

"She is a kind soul, I can tell. I think she will help him out. Besides fate has set her as a child fond of red. She might actually enjoy this, just as I know Albel will."

"Do you think that he might..."

"I'm not sure Saku, but maybe."

"Might what?" I said as I walked up to them. Their faces turned to me, surprised.

"Might actually beat Romero with you there to help. Have you decided if you are going to help yet?" Woltar asked. Quickly changing the subject. I shook my head.

"No, I'm not sure what to do just yet. I need some time to think it over."

"Okay, then. There's no rush, take your time. And regardless of what Albel told you, you may refuse without fear. Okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Now if you don't mind Akina, could you please follow me, I need to check and rebandage your wounds." Saku said

"Oh, yes. Of course, I'll be there in just a minute," I said as Saku walked into the room, "I never got a chance to thank you earlier. Thanks for everything, Woltar." I said

"No need to thank me, Thank Albel. He's the one that saved you."

"Can you let him know I said thanks, then?" I asked. I don't think I would be able to thank him myself. Even though, in my mind, he didn't deserve a "thank you" since he's the one that hurt me at the start.

"Absolutely, Akina. Goodnight then." Woltar said

"Goodnight." I said as he went back down the stairs. I went into my room.

"Ow! Geez these things hurt, I can't imagine what it would be like if he had gone all out."

"Master Albel can be quite ruthless sometimes. But he's alright once you get to know him a little better." Saku said as he began to unbandage the wounds.

"I-ah!" she had to put on the antiseptic, it hurt a little bit, "I hope so."

"There it's done. They're actually not that bad, they should be better in a few days. Do you want the pain medicine?"

"Yes, please." I said. She handed me the tray. I took the pills, hoping that I would sleep easier tonight, with no nightmares. That wasn't going to happen.

Again review please! Pretty please! Only three reviews so far...and considering how many people have at least clicked on my story that's not a whole lot. I'm willing to take criticism (as long as it's constructive) and again Thanks to Miss Nox and Icold5 for reviewing it!