Disclaimer: I do not own Star Ocean or its Characters.
Note: Alright guys, not a lot of Albel in this chapter, sorry. Yes, Alphia is still alive here, but there's story line to get through and I'm still following the game (for the most part). Just remember that this is Sophia – centric so now we just sit back and watch the girl grow up a bit.
Also, this is another of my rare double updates. I really wanted to get this chapter out (because I like this one) and get through the next so I could get back to the track I'm working on.
Star Ocean: The Untold Story
Chapter 9: Treacherous Discoveries
Sophia waited until noon the next day to venture from her room. Vox had left for the battle field and she felt more secure in his absence. Just the thought of him scared her but made her blood boil at the same time.
Her first point of destination was the dungeon. Woltar had entrusted her with a copy of the key and she wanted to know how Albel was holding up. She walked the halls and greeted the maids along the way. She noticed one maid who seemed to be having difficulty with a load of tapestries. As she approached, the maid tripped and spilled the whole pile on the floor.
Sophia jotted up to her and stooped to help. "Here, let me give you a hand with that." She reached out her hand to grab the tapestry on top when the maid stopped her.
Sophia looked up and smiled at the familiar face. "Mirage?"
"How have you been holding up?" Mirage asked slowly gathering the tapestries in her arms.
"I've been okay, but did you ever find your partner?" Sophia also gathered the material in her own arms.
Mirage nodded. "Yeah, he's…around."
"He's in Aquaria huh?"
"How did you know?"
"Well, if he's tall and blonde then he's the guy I spotted with Fayt."
"You saw him too?" Mirage blinked at her.
"Yeah, it was at the Bequerel Mines. Why didn't you tell me Fayt was here?"
"At the time I was trying to get you out of your current imprisonment. I didn't want you to be influenced to act rashly. I felt it was best to hold that information until a better time. I apologize."
Sophia shook her head. "No, it's okay. I understand, I think. Anyway, Fayt's still okay isn't he?"
"Yes." Mirage stood with her retrieved tapestries. "Follow me; it will be more believable for us to talk if you act like you are helping me."
Sophia giggled. "So, I take it you are under cover huh?"
"You could say that," Mirage responded entering a nearby room.
Sophia immediately paled when she noticed the room they had entered. Of all the places Mirage had chosen she had to pick Vox's office. Sophia stepped hesitantly across the floor and dropped her load.
"What's wrong?"
"This is Vox's office. He's… He's a very bad man."
Mirage studied her face for a moment before dropping her own load. "What did he do?"
Sophia told Mirage of both encounters with the man. She didn't give too much detail, but enough to allow Mirage to understand how deep her dislike was for him.
"He was the same one in the kitchen. I knew he was scum the moment I saw how he acted toward you. If not for Albel I would have had to blow my cover."
"Yeah. And he's also the same one who framed Albel." Sophia looked around the office as she talked. He had framed Albel; that much she knew in her gut. An idea planted itself in her head and she was force to act on it. She walked boldly to the desk and started shifting through the drawers.
"Sophia? What are you doing?"
"Looking for proof."
"Proof?"
"Yeah. There might be something here that will prove Albel's not working with Aquaria."
Mirage stood at her side and looked over her shoulder. "Can you read this?" she asked pointing to the papers in Sophia's hands.
All the papers were written in Airyglyph's native language. When she had first stated helping in the lab and library, Sophia had to use her communicator to scan the documents to translate them. After only a day and a half she was surprised to find she could read the text without the communicator's help. She didn't understand why, but she wasn't complaining.
"I don't know how, but yes I can read this. It's almost like I developed some ability to learn this language quickly. To tell you the truth, it's rather odd. I struggled like crazy to learn languages in school. I don't understand why this is so different."
"You've been under a lot of stress lately. It could be your ability has manifested some what."
Sophia looked up from the papers in her hands. "Ability?"
"Oh, nothing. What does that paper say?" Mirage tried her best to change the subject.
Sophia bit her lip and decided it was best not to argue about it. Whatever was going on she would learn in time, right now she needed to focus on what she was doing. After digging through the drawers, she finally found what she was looking for.
It was a signed agreement between Vox and the leaders of Greeton. "Where's Greeton?"
"Greeton?" Mirage echoed. "It's the country to the east of Aquaria. Why?"
"This is an agreement between Vox and Greeton. It states that if Vox is able to sabotage this war then he'll be allowed a ruling position when Greeton can come in and claim total dominance over both Airyglyph and Aquaria. He's the traitor - not Albel."
Mirage studied Sophia. "So, Vox is just out for his own gain. Information like this could provide a solution to this war."
"Yeah," Sophia nodded. "Mirage, can you do me a favor."
"What's that?"
"Do you think you can get this to the King undetected and meet me in an hour at the front gate?"
"No problem but what are you going to do?"
"I have something I need to take care of right quick."
Before Mirage could argue, Sophia had placed the documents in her hands and was out the door. Sophia walked briskly through the castle and toward the dungeons. She had wanted to spend more time with Albel and try to work him out of his shell, but the circumstances had changed. She felt time was slipping from her and she had to act fast.
She opened the cell door quickly, leaving the key in the lock. She didn't stop moving until she was right in front of Albel.
Albel lifted his head lazily and glared at her. "What are you doing here?" he hissed.
She sighed heavily and pushed her bangs from her face. "I came to say goodbye. There's something I need to take care of and I doubt your king will happily accept it."
He eyed her cautiously. "And what is that?"
She sighed again. "It's not something you really need to know." Her voice hesitated with every word.
He kept his eyes locked on her. "Humph. Let me guess, Vox has done it again?"
She searched his eyes, wondering exactly what he meant by that. Did he think Vox had approached her again? He was so hard to read sometimes.
"It looks like Vox is working with Greeton," she caved in, unable to think of anything else to say. "Right now a friend of mine is doing what she can to get the documents to the King, but in the mean time he's out there and there's no telling what he'll do."
"And what, you're going after him?"
She nodded. How did he do it? How was he able to read her so well? She could hardly understand why he did anything he did, yet here he was telling her exactly what she had planned.
"You? And what do you think you can do little girl?"
"I don't know but I know I can't just sit here. Not only is he hurting innocent people for his own gain, but I have a friend out there also. I can't just stand by while his life's in danger because of a maniac. Besides, I still have a score to settle with Vox."
"You're going to get yourself killed, fool."
"Its better then not doing anything. You won't change my mind and it's not like you can stop me right now. I just wanted to say goodbye before I left. I-I might not get to see you again." She lowered her gaze for the first time. Why did she feel sad at the thought of not seeing him again? She wasn't sure. This was so much like telling Fayt goodbye at the escape pods.
"Humph. Stupid girl. Go ahead and get yourself killed. See if I care."
She nodded, biting her lip. "That's what I thought you would say. But I have just one last thing to say to you before I leave. Thank you, Albel."
"Bah. I've done nothing for you."
She shook her head as she turned to leave. "You've done more then you know. Maybe when this is over I'll get the chance to explain it better." She walked out the door and locked it behind her. "Goodbye," she whispered before pulling the key out of the lock.
She continued her walk through the castle and headed straight to Woltar's office. To her relief he wasn't there. She didn't know what she would say to him. She preferred to leave without notice. She placed the dungeon key in the center of his desk. She bowed slightly to the desk and left the room.
Her next stop was the stables. She approached the stable hand and greeted him. "I need a lum, sir."
The boy, who wasn't much older then she was, gave her a questioning look. "All but a few have been taken to the battle. The remaining are to be used if the need should rise."
"I understand that. I need it for the battle. I'm going to lend my aid."
He nodded and motioned her by. She hated to use her new status to gain the animal, but she had not told him a complete lie. She was going to lend her aid. She wasn't picky in her selection and chose the first lum she crossed by. Her main focus was getting to the battle quickly.
The streets were unusually quiet. Most of the soldiers were on the fields and their families were at home hoping for their safe return. There was a somberness in the air that hung over the entire Kingdom.
Sophia made it to the front gate and scanned the area for Mirage. As promised, the woman stalked out of the shadows to meet her. Sophia nodded and mounted the lum. "You can come if you want, Mirage."
Mirage mounted the beast behind Sophia. "Where are we going?"
"This is war, Mirage. I'm going to take out the source."
"You can't mean Vox?"
"Yeah. You don't have to come if you don't want to."
"No, I'm sticking with you. Some one needs to watch your back."
Sophia smiled as she gently kicked the lum's sides, sending them both toward the fight.
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The words Clair had spoken the night before rung in Fayt's memories.
"Nel, I have a separate task for you to carry out, apart from the main force. I want you to break through enemy lines and destroy Airyglyph's command center."
They were going straight after Vox. The way Nel had described him; there was every reason to be apprehensive. Cliff had chuckled and called him Albel on a dragon, but that didn't make Fayt feel any better. It had taken all three of them to defeat Albel. If this guy was as good then they weren't in for an easy fight.
Fayt stood still until Clair issued the command to move out. Before he could really grasp what was happening he was trudging across the field with Nel, Cliff, and Adray (who had insisted on coming along). It didn't take the group long to find Vox.
Vox looked down on them from his seat on his dragon. "So, you're the ones I've been hearing about... The ones who defeated Albel..."
Cliff cut him off. "So what if we are?"
"Vox! You die here, now!" Nel growled.
"You've got a lot of guts, but we'll bury you just the same..." Vox smirked at them. "Leave these scum to me, men!"
Fayt issued the final battle cry. "Let's go!"
The battle had started and it hadn't been easy. Despite the number of hits thrown at Vox, most missed their mark. He was riding a dragon and used his height advantage to avoid most of their swings.
Every time a member was hit, Adray was quick to cast a healing spell on them. His role in the fight was the healer while the other three attacked the best they could. After a number of hits were given and received; Fayt, Nel and Cliff tried an attack that proved effective. Each came at Vox from a different direction. As a result, Fayt was hit and the other two landed their blows.
Everyone was exhausted. Adray had all but depleted his magic supply. Nel, Cliff and Fayt regrouped. Each panting for breath.
"You put up a nice fight! But I wouldn't have it any other way!" Vox growled at them.
"Huh? What's she doing here?" A Glyphian soldier cried as he approached Vox.
All eyes turned to the hill that sat adjacent to the battle field. Fayt had to blink twice before he believed his eyes. Standing on the hill was none other then Sophia. She held a staff up slightly to the air.
"Well, well. So you have come to see me off after all." Vox chuckled a bit, bringing Fayt out of his daze.
"You wanted what I had to give," she yelled back at Vox. "Then here, you can have it. ACID RAIN!" As the rain poured on Vox, Sophia raced down the hill; Mirage on her heels.
She stopped only a short distance from Vox. He growled at her. "What's the meaning of this witch? Are you not aiding Airyglyph in this war?"
She glared at him. The expression on her face was pure dislike. "Oh, and this coming from the one who started this whole war by agreeing to help Greeton?" She smiled at the shock at took his face.
"You have no proof!"
"You're right, I don't…but the King does. Now, it's time I finished what you started. LIGHTNING BLAST!" The electric charges jumped off her staff and hit him square in the chest. He was thrown from his dragon and hit the ground.
Fayt watched awestricken as the girl he hardly recognized walked confidently to Vox. She looked down at him and without so much as a word jabbed the blunt end of her staff into the man's gut.
Fayt started to take a step toward her when a blast crashed a short distance behind him. Fayt turned in surprise. The initial blast was followed by more.
Vox looked up past Sophia. "W-what is that?"
Fayt snapped his head back just in time to see a beam heading straight for Sophia. "Sophia!" Fayt screamed just a second too late. The area Sophia had been standing in was nothing more then another impact site.
He heaved, not wanting to believe what he had seen. He stared at the smoke, holding to hope with all his will. Then a familiar voice caught his attention.
"Mirage! What's going on?" Sophia screamed as the blonde woman let her go. Fayt was instantly thankful she was Klausian. She had just saved Sophia's life.
"The Dragon Brigade?" Nel puffed. "No, that's-?"
"It's them..." both Mirage and Cliff said in unison.
A large battleship appeared from behind the clouds. Fayt's breath was caught in his throat.
"What IS that! ...Something from Greeton?"
"No..." Fayt responded. "That's the Vendeeni...What are they doing all the way out here? Are they planning on conquering this world?"
Cliff put his hand on the boy's shoulders. "Hey! We'd better get outta here! I know what THEY're after. Mirage! You got to get her out of here!"
"What do you mean?" Fayt protested.
"Uh, actually..."
"Can't it wait?" Nel interrupted. "We need to get back to headquarters. Staying here is not a good idea."
"But Sophia!" Fayt couldn't bring himself to run the other direction. He had spent his whole time on Elicoor searching for her and now that he found her she was still out of reach.
"Come on Fayt. Mirage has her. She'll be fine."
Another blast convinced Fayt to follow Cliff. They ran until they were back with Dion's group.
"Dion!" Fayt yelled as he approached the camp site.
Dion motioned to his men. "Retreat! Retreat! Leave the runological weapons where they are! Save your own lives!" Dion started to run, but the debris from another blast caught him. "Arrrghh!"
"Dion, sir!"
Fayt watched in horror as the soldier started to drag Dion off the battle field. He had finally found Sophia – only to be separated again and now Dion was hurt. His headache returned in full force.
"No, stop... Stop, please..." Fayt held his head, trying desperately to rid himself of the piercing pain in his skull.
"Yo, snap out of it! Run! If they get their hands on you then you'll only be used so they can get her!"
"Her? What are you talking about?" Fayt took a step back from the Klausian. "Wait-they're not-they're not after Sophia, are they? Was that why they attacked Hyda?"
"Calm down, Fayt! I can explain…"
"No-I see now." Fayt responded. "Why didn't you tell me the Vendeeni were after Sophia! What do they want with her?"
"I said calm down! Listen to me!"
Cliff tried to put his hand on Fayt's shoulder, but Fayt angrily slapped Cliff's arm away.
"What do they want her for? Why do they want her enough to kill so many innocent people? What-what the hell is going on?"
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Sophia and Mirage ran with no sense of direction. Which ever path they took was the path furthest way from the Vendeeni's fire.
"What are they doing here?" Sophia asked between breaths.
"I'll explain later. Right now we need to take cover."
Sophia ran as fast as she could but stopped when a shadow crossed the ground in front of her. She paused and looked up. A Vendeeni ship hovered overhead. She stumbled forward a bit on the loose gravel. Mirage picked her up and as she did Sophia saw Fayt push Mirage's partner away from him. Then she heard him yell.
"What-What the hell is going on?"
She came to a dead halt. Fayt had been holding his head, but his hands had dropped. A series of symbological symbols circled in front of his forehead. His eyes spaced out as his expression soothed.
Sophia couldn't do more than gasp at him as he hovered inched off the ground. Without warning, a beam of light shot straight out of him and hit the Vendeeni battleship which hovered overhead. In a flash the ship was destroyed. Sophia covered her eyes from the flash but could swear she saw feathers before she closed her eyes.
When the light had passed, Sophia opened her eyes and watched as Fayt collapsed. "Fayt!" she yelled running to him. She knelt and turned him over.
"Sophia," Mirage said, pulling her away. "He'll be okay. Cliff."
"Yeah, I got him." Cliff lifted Fayt off the ground. "Just what I was afraid of."
Sophia shot a glance between the two. "What's going on? What happened to him?"
"We'll have to fill you in later on more details. Right now I suggest we get him back to the castle to rest. Besides, we're not quite sure what's going on at this point any more then you."
"Cliff's right," Mirage said trying to calm her. "Let's go. You should at least tell the Queen of Aquaria what you found earlier today."
Sophia bit her lip and nodded. After helping to defeat Vox she wasn't sure what waited for her back in Airyglyph. No matter how things went, they just seemed to get worst. She only hoped that the King had had time to review the documents she had found and had decided to release Albel from prison.
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Fayt opened his eyes. He scanned the room as much as he could without moving his head. His eyes seemed to be having trouble focusing.
"Oh...you're awake." Nel spoke softly from his side. "What a relief. I thought you might not ever wake up again."
"Where am I?"
"Castle Aquaria. We're back. It looks like the Airyglyph soldiers went back home, too. Now's not the time for war," Cliff responded.
"And the Vendeeni...?"
"Don't worry about them. How are you feeling?"
"I'm all...argh... I'm aching all over! And Dion... Is Dion okay?"
"He was seriously injured." Nel buried her chin in her scarf. "But thanks to your friend it looks like he'll be fine."
"My friend?" Fayt asked as he sat up. "Who?"
"Sophia," Cliff responded.
"Sophia's here?" Fayt searched the room, but found no trace of her. He quickly disregarded the blanket and got out of the bed. "Where is she?"
"Wait, you should stay in bed," Nel protested.
"She's right. You're not in such great shape yourself, you know."
"I'm fine," Fayt said quickly. "Where is she?"
"She's helping Mirage tend to Ameena. Mirage was able to get back to the Eagle and get some supplies. It seems the girl is going to be okay as well."
"Where?"
"In a private room across the hall."
Fayt had just exited the room to see the door across from him opened. Mirage stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her. She smiled at Fayt. "Good to see you up."
"Hey Mirage. Where's Sophia?"
"She was called to see the Queen. She left not that long ago."
Fayt turned in the direction of the audience chamber and started down the hall. Mirage shook her head and followed. Cliff turned to Nel and shrugged.
"Well, you coming?"
"Why not?" Nel responded walking beside Cliff. "As you would say 'never a dull moment'."
"Not with me around," Cliff smiled back at her.
She shook her head and allowed him to walk in front of her so she could hide the smile on her face.
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(A/N) The next chapter is more story line. Since this is Sophia's story it's mainly her realizations and such. There is a good bit of her showing Fayt just how much she's changed since the last time they saw each other. Yeah, on my part it is sort of a revenge thing since I felt he didn't help her adjust that good in the game.