Disclaimer: I do not own Star Ocean or its Characters.
Note: Yes, allmysensesfail – it's a conspiracy! Either we will spread the Alphia love, or rule the world! Come and join us. (Actually, I had been turning the idea over in my head when Keeki did it first. Then I was inspired by Keeki to go for it and after being sure not to offend anyone, I did. Keeki's great!) Now, allmysensesfail, read this and write more on your story!
Star Ocean: The Untold Story
Chapter 4: A New Ally
Sophia watched the heels of the man in front of her as she followed him. He led her through the mansion and to a room at the far end. He opened the door and stepped inside. Sophia paused momentarily and smiled at her 'guard'. She bowed slightly to him and wished him a good night before entering the room.
The room was not large, but in no way small. There was one window on the far wall and under the window was the single bed. To her left was a simple dresser complete with a mirror hanging over it on the wall. To her right was a small book shelf complete with a few scattered books and other miscellaneous items.
"Humph, do you always wish your captors a good night?"
She blinked at him. His tone indicated to her that he was questioning her intelligence. "I see no harm in it."
He stood in the center of the room. Crossing his arms he gave her a hard stare. "Where are you really from?"
"I-I already told Sir Woltar. I'm from another country."
"Oh, and what is the name of this other country?"
Oh great. She was relieved that her session of questions and answers hadn't lasted long earlier that day. It seemed that Albel was going to be harder to convince then Woltar. She was beginning to wonder if she had convinced Woltar of anything, or if the man was still observing her like he had when they first met.
"It's called Venus." Oh that was stupid. First thing to come to mind and she knew he would see right through it. Venus? Why not Mars or Pluto? Why doesn't he just leave her alone and go to bed. He looked tired. She was tired. She was frustrated and wanted to scream.
He eyed her. "I've never heard of this Venus before. You would do wise not to lie to me, fool."
She just stared at him trying desperately not to panic. "I-I'm not lying! Have y-you been all over this world?" Please say no. Please say no.
"Hum, and where exactly is this Venus located?"
It was better then the reply she feared, but not much. "To the west of here."
He arched his eyebrow at her but didn't respond. She decided that now would be a good time to ask a question of her own. She cursed herself for not thinking of such a question around Woltar. She would prefer to talk to him.
"What country are you at war with and why?"
"And what business is it of yours?"
He was being difficult. She could tell by his tone he was taunting her. She stiffened her stance and did her best not to look like a timid little girl. "Well, if I'm to help you then I would think it would be appropriate for me to know more."
He let out a menacing giggle. She felt the hairs on her arm stand on end. "Fine, Airyglyph is on the verge of starvation and ruin. Such should have been evident as you walked through the town today. Aquaria is abundant and with holds its prosperity. They also attempted to assassinate our King. We had no choice but to rebuke them."
She nodded slightly and tilted her head. "And is there no way to avoid a war. I mean, can't you just talk to them and try to settle this peacefully?"
This time he let out a hardy laugh. "Fool! They will not listen. You can't resolve anything through idol talk. As we speak, they are designing a weapon to wipe us out. Do you really think a desperate man with a dagger to your throat will listen to any words you might say?"
She swallowed hard. His people were on the edge of starvation and it didn't seem like these Aquarians were all that friendly. The computer had warned her before she landed on Elicoor that the world was constantly at war. Were these Aquarians so heartless that they would not help others? And to try and assassinate the King was a whole other thing in itself.
"I-I'm so sorry, Sir Albel. I didn't know."
"Bah, apologies are for the weak. We are at war and there is no room for the timid. It makes you an easy target."
"War or not, it's never wrong to show a little compassion now and then."
He scowled at her. "It's amazing that someone hasn't wiped this Venus from existence, if everyone is as ignorant as you."
She could feel her face redden. He was so mean and if there was something she just didn't like it was mean people. She was sure a war could take its toll on a person, but his behavior was different then Woltar's, who was also in this war.
Even in her mild anger, she was reluctant to speak harshly to him. "Compassion is not weak. It takes a strong person to show compassion and mercy to someone, especially if that someone is an enemy. There's more to being strong then physical strength."
He brushed past her and went to the door. "Bah. I have better things to do then to listen to a worm babble on about nothing." Before she could respond, he left the room; closing the door behind him.
She turned to look at the closed door. "What have I gotten myself into?" she whispered.
oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-
Albel walked the halls on his way to his room, determined to make his way straight to bed. His body was still recovering from the effects of having poison in his system for so long. Woltar stopped him at his door.
"I trust things are well?"
"What do you mean by that, old man?" Albel's mind was set on the girl. Their conversation was still fresh to him. He assumed Woltar was speaking about her.
"It would seem that Shelby has taken it to himself to act in your absence."
Albel tensed. "And what would that be?" he hissed.
"While you were recovering, another object fell from the sky and landed near the castle. There were two occupants this time – both male. They escaped earlier today with help from Aquaria. It would seem we are at a race of sorts."
Albel sighed. "And what does this have to do with Shelby?"
"Your men have two of the Aquarian spies and are holding them hostage at his command. He has set an ambush disguised as an exchange at the Karlisa Training Facility."
Albel turned this over in his head. It would seem that Shelby was plotting something behind his back. Hostages? That was one thing he didn't care much for, nor did he see any advantage in. He turned the events over again. It was unlikely that anything would happen tonight, and he did need his rest.
"I'll look into this further first thing in the morning."
Woltar nodded. "That would be wise."
oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-
Sophia tossed and turned the whole night. Her dreams had twisted the events she had endured. None of it had been pleasant.
In her dreams, she was standing at the escape pod. Fayt looked at her, worry apparent in his eyes. He leaned forward, pulling her into a strong embrace. "Good bye, Sophia."
"Good bye? Fayt, you'll find me won't you?"
"No, Sophia, I won't. You're on your own this time. I won't be there to protect you. Just don't get yourself killed 'kay."
She tried to hold on to him, but he pushed her away. Before she could protest, he walked away from her. He walked slowly down the lit hall, not turning once to look at her.
She stood for a moment before pursuing him. He had just rounded the corner when she caught up. There was no light beyond the corner, but she couldn't stop. She couldn't lose Fayt again. In a full force run, she darted around the corner, determined not to let him leave her.
Instead of finding him, she ran straight into Albel. He caught her by her shoulders. "What do we have here?" His voice was laced with an evil tone.
She wiggled slightly. "Albel? Please, I have to find Fayt!"
"Fayt? You're not talking about that pathetic boy are you?"
His grip tightened on her shoulders and she was unable to break free. "You've seen him?" Her eyes shifted rapidly to look him in the eye. "Where is he? What…what did you do to him?" An instant dread settled in her.
Albel laughed. "What did I do to him? Simple, the fool was in my way so I killed him."
Her voice had left her as her mouth replied with a 'no'.
He leaned forward and smirked at her. "Oh yes. You see, he was in my way. No one gets in my way and lives."
She wiggled more before giving up. She felt defeated. "Why? How was he in your way?" she pleaded.
"We both sought the same prize." He turned her slightly to the side, allowing her to see beyond him. "The strong win what they seek. The weak die."
She turned her head slowly to the ally way. It didn't take long for her eyes to fall on Fayt's body. He was face down on the ground and covered in blood.
She screamed and in screaming woke herself up. She sat up in the bed as the door was flung open. The guard who had been watching her room the whole night rushed in and to her side. "M'lady, are you well?"
She wiped the tears in her eyes away and forced herself to smile at him. "I'm sorry. It was just a bad dream."
The guard backed away from the bed as she stood. She glanced out the window wondering how long she had slept. The night sky still dominated the land beyond the glass. "How long have I been sleeping?"
"Long enough."
She shot her head up at the sound of a familiar voice. Albel stood perched in the door way. She gave him a confused look as she backed up. Her trek was cut short by the bed. As her legs hit the side, she fell back into a sitting position.
"W-what are you doing here?"
"Humph, I came to investigate what would cause such a scream. It's pathetic really." He stepped away from the door and turned to leave.
Her heart jumped. The last moments of her dream stayed with her. The vivid image of Fayt dead haunted her. She stood quickly and sprinted to the door. "Albel! Wait!"
He stopped and glared back at her. "What?"
She called all her courage. It had seemed like a good idea to confront him just a second ago, but she was having second thoughts. "Can I ask you something?"
He sighed under his breath. "Make it fast, fool."
She lowered her eyes to the floor. She wouldn't be able to talk to him if she looked at him. Her dream was still too fresh. "Can…can you try not to kill anyone today?"
He stood motionless before he turned away from her and continued to walk down the hall.
oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-
Mirage nearly lost her composure when Cliff and Fayt walked hastily pass her. She had just finished buying a coat, complete with hood from the local store. She was pleased with how it fit her and was simply standing by the corner when the two walked by.
Both had been looking in her direction; but thanks to her new wardrobe, neither recognized her. She studied the looks on both their faces. Both were determined and had a clear destination set. She also noticed that they were alone.
She was about to follow them, curious to what they were up to when her attention was drawn in the other direction. Coming out of the gates to the mansion Mirage had been keeping a watch on was Sophia. Only, she wasn't alone. By her side was a tall man. Mirage quickly assessed his identity. She had made it habit to listen in on conversations at every opportune time. The man went by the name Albel Nox.
He turned to the short girl and spoke a few words before walking the same path Cliff and Fayt had just gone. Sophia walked a few steps behind him before stopping and calling his name. He turned, looking very displeased with her.
She cupped her hands together in front of her. "Just…be careful okay?"
He didn't reply, but turned and continued his walk.
Mirage quickly turned her attention away from Albel and studied Sophia. The girl looked completely lost and on the edge of a breakdown. No, those emotions were not portrayed in her face, but showed in the way she carried herself. Mirage couldn't help but to wonder how the girl would react if she had left the mansion a minute sooner. Once again, the two Earthlings had all but run into each other.
Mirage studied the area around Sophia. The guards which were stationed at the gate where very close to the girl and observing her intensely. Mirage couldn't help but to wonder if they were just following orders or if they enjoyed staring at her. Both guards had faint, yet visible, smiles on their faces.
Mirage approached Sophia slowly, being sure not to startle the girl. "Excuse me miss," Mirage was sure to talk loud enough for the guards to hear. "Can I speak to you? You remind me a lot of my sister who is away from home and I need something to help ease my mind."
Sophia gave her a small smile. "Sure."
Once the two were away from the prying ears of the guards, Mirage felt relieved. They had not talked during their walk so when Mirage called Sophia by her name it shocked the girl.
"Sophia, I need to you listen to me and listen well."
Sophia gasped at the woman. "How do you know my name?"
"This may come as a shock. My name is Mirage Koas and I'm a member of Quark."
Sophia's eyes grew wide. "Quark? Why are you here on Elicoor?"
Mirage lowed the hood off her head. "I'm here with my partner. We came here to retrieve you. Our boss wants to meet you. We were supposed to pick you up and go to the rendezvous point, but there has been a change in plans. It seems we ran into trouble on the way and ended up crashing near the castle in Airyglyph."
"What does your boss want to see me about?"
"I'll have to let her explain that to you. Right now, we need to find a way to met with the others and then we can work on a way to make contact with her."
"But, I'm not allowed to leave the town."
Mirage smiled. "Don't worry about that. I've got you covered."
Mirage led her around a corner and out of sight. She then pulled an extra coat from her bag. This coat was longer then the one Sophia was wearing (this one almost touched the ground) and the hood was designed to cover more of a person's face. Once the two were ready, they made their way back into the streets.
"Just follow my lead."
Sophia followed Mirage to the southern gate. Mirage studied the area and was surprised to find only one guard on duty. She walked toward the gate, followed by Sophia. Sophia kept her gaze at the ground; keeping her face out of sight.
"Hault!" the guard called, approaching the two. "What business do you have here?"
"My sister and I only wish to take a walk."
The guard looked around Mirage and at the figure behind her. He raised his eyebrow questioningly. "Let me see the girl."
Mirage removed her hood and smiled her most pleasant flirtatious smile. "I'm sorry good sir, but she is not well. She is of the shy nature and such an act of removing her hood in public would cause her turmoil." Mirage spoke in a low tone to give the guard the impression that Sophia had a condition that shamed the family.
The guard smiled back at Mirage. She had succeeded in getting his attention off of Sophia and on to her. She hated to flirt like that, but this was for her mission and therefore something she could live with. "I see. Well, be careful. A short while ago two men exited here and they would not stop. Our guards are currently looking for them."
Mirage gasped at him, putting on her best show. "They are not dangerous are they?"
"We are not sure. We advise you not to travel too far and if you should see them we ask that you return immediately and inform us."
"Most certainly."
Mirage replaced her hood. She smiled wildly, all but laughing as she led Sophia out of the town.
oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo--oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-
(A/N) How do you like the fact that Sophia all but runs into Fayt on two occasions? Oh the irony is just so nice. Oh, and I do read a lot and I love foreshadowing. Just a warning. So, there is some foreshadowing in this chapter.
Also, I'm working on filling in those gaps in the game. Like what was Mirage up to that whole time and some other questions I had. If anyone has their own questions they might want me to take a stab at, just let me know and I'll try. The next chapter answers my question on why Albel would let Fayt, Cliff, and Nel just get away like he did...I'm almost done with the next chapter. I started writing and couldn't stop so the next update on this is coming soon. I'll be starting on the next chapter to my other story after that.
P.S. Cliff and Nel? I love Albel and Sophia, and besides that I love to see couples that aren't used often… Something to think about…
And as always, enjoy :)