Disclaimer: Star Ocean and all characters involved belong to Tri-Ace. As for Xenosaga characters, they belong to Namco.
Author's Notes: Hmm... The more I look back on what I've planned, the harder it is to tell whether this will be rushed too much, just at the right pace, or too slow. Getting the right timing, and getting the right buildup, takes more then planning and patience, but a bit of experience. Well, no better time to experiment then now.
I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter as well. I hope that this coupling is entertaining you. As for me... I have to try and stop being hypnotized by videogames.
Oh yeah, the setup for this chapter might seem familiar. It's a combination of the prologue and the first chapter. As you'll notice soon enough. How it leads to that first paragraph? Read on to figure out whether this paragraph should put you off, or make you wonder for more.
Adding: Ah yes, I added something at the end of this chapter, due to a review I got for the First chapter.
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She fell from the sky...
By: Knight of Paradox
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"Understood, then I will serve you to the best of my abilities."
With these words, an overwhelming feeling of confusion and surprise came across the man. The eyes of the demon of flesh landed upon that of an angel of steel, as the wind blew the leaves gently across the lightly lit sky, heralding the dawn of a new day.
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The end of the First Chapter, Connection
Let us commence the next chapter in this story
Of a demon of flesh and an angel of steel.
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Chapter 2: Peach Lips
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The fog of war had long been cleared away and soon, they would make it to the end of their journey. The mining town of Kirlsa was but a few hours of walk away, but none were ready to go on further then they could. But strange events unfolded within the last breath of this long day. The blue haired woman's soft peach lips rested against his crimson skin that time. Gently pressing against the man as the sun had long settled away, leaving in its wake the radiant moonlit sky. As for the man, to his own surprise, his sight was upon that of the woman by his side, one whom radiated underneath the gentle moonlight from the heavens above.
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Slumbering away, as if a young child resting amongst a pack of hungry wolves, the blue haired woman, encased in her body of steel, remained against the base of the tree. Across the encampment, the red eyes of a demon-like man were upon her. Anger, frustration and confusion filling his senses, as his thoughts were upon the woman that lay before him.
Her power was vast, greater then any runological force he had witnessed during his years within this campaign. Her endurance was obviously greater then that of any frail woman from their enemy country. Her lack of common sense was also another curiosity that struck him. "Just what the hell did I stumble upon... What is she, a simple-minded moron or what? Huh... Well, she's not scared of me. Her speech is a bit too sophisticated for her to be some random idiot..." Speaking to himself in a low voice, the sound of his own being resonating lightly eased his nerves down. Unfortunately, this moment of silence for himself would soon be broken. "By 'simple minded moron' are you referring to my own being?"
With the same monotonous and clear voice of hers, the woman's head moved about, as if an entirely different entity, as her eyes focused upon the man. "...Never do that again." Reacting naturally, the man's hand had reached for the handle of his blade, his claw at the ready to strike as his eyes focused upon the indeed simple minded woman before him. "Please elaborate on what action you wish for me not to perform." Once more, stress began to build within the man, as his eyes came down upon the woman with what appeared to be the last bits of his sanity slowly fading away from the amassing fury. "Just... stay down and remain quiet..."
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Morning had risen, as the sunlight began to spread throughout the land. Striking the back of the tired soldiers within the unit of the Black Brigade's Captain, their elongated shadows reflected the various pains that haunted them. Hunger, fatigue as well as shock and a dimming morale, was heavy upon the hearts of all. Only but a few were still moving onward with strength and vigor. The elite soldiers who always remained at the side of the captain, the captain himself, and the strange blue haired woman.
Ever since last night, the woman in question had grown far more bizarre then anyone could imagine. At the beck and call of the captain, and often answering to him in manners that would seem only to aggravate him with only her presence, such a feat made the men wary of when their leader would fall prey to his boiling fury. The morning was indeed a strange one, as the girl refused to move or speak; none could move her until finally the captain spoke to her. Those that tried still remembers the weight of the woman and gained newfound respect in the strength of their leader, as well as gained the young lady many perplexing looks aimed towards her figure.
Indeed, the presence of a woman had changed quite a few things. Some of the men felt rather further uncomfortable then they usually were. As for the garment of the woman in question, it aided not in their current situation. The more disciplined of warriors were capable of ignoring such things, or dismissing it altogether whilst focusing on the more important of aspects. Some simply did not have the thought process of such things. One being a man whose eyes and attention were not to the woman covered in steel, but rather to their surrounding.
Dawn had left, noon had long passed away and dusk grew upon the horizon. With the change of the landscape came another few differences. A strange scent in the wind and a small trace of dust rising and dimming in the horizon at a regular pace kept him well aware of his situation, yet still he remained silent, instead halting in his path. An abrupt action led a few to confusion, though many understood. "From your reaction, I suspect you've detected our assailant's return." His eyes shifted over to the girl for a short moment, smiling lightly at what he heard. "At least you've got good senses."
The wicked's hand moved slowly towards his weapon, though before it could reach another would grasp his arm with an iron grip. "Though our assailant are smaller in number, they hold quite a few strategic advantages. I estimate, from our current situation, that the best course of action would be retreat." Her words were cold and clear as it rang through each and every soldier. The veterans were less then pleased to hear such words uttered by this strange woman, and others felt weighed down by the news.
Though before they could react towards the woman, their ambush had begun. With the captain's lips still splitting open, as to shout yet again towards the woman, he found himself dragged across the road. The blue haired angel was rushing through a gap within the attack of the enemy, so to flee whilst taking him through. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, LET GO OF ME WENCH!" The man's arm began to wrestle against the girl's iron grip. Regaining a light control over his body, which previously began to slide across the floor, his footing stable enough to slow down the woman's movements. "I am choosing the course of action which will bring the higher chances of your survival. At our previous velocity, utilizing your subordinates as a decoy we ca-"
"Well, I refuse to run away from these worms!" Turning about, the man faced the opposite direction as to which they were headed to. Thrusting his body forth, twisting his arm about, the man arm slipped through and freed his self from her grip, leaving the alien woman to look behind herself. "Fleeing is our best option, in your unit's current state, your chances of success and survival are low." Quickly she followed the man, attempting to grasp him again and again, though failing at each time, as his attention returned to the one hot upon his trail. "Gah, I don't have the time to deal with you wench! This is My battle and I'm not running away from it." Slithering cold words came through his lips, as his blade drew forth to strike the first victim that came in his path.
"Do you wish for me to assist you then? Considering your past response, I am not certain which answer would be to your preference." A growing distraction behind him kept his attention at bay for a moment, as his body turned about within the same time he had entered the fray. "Listen, just get out of my way. And try not to get yourself killed. I risked my neck to capture you, so you better take care of my little trophy." The woman's eyes were fixated upon the man for a moment, acknowledging her order as her hand rose up to react. Before she could do anything though, the man's blade came behind him, as to halt the maiden whom rushed to him with her own weapon firmly held in her hand.
The initial combat was a one-sided battle, but with the return of their captain, the tide was changing in their favor. The return of the wicked beast drew heavily on the heart of the members within the aquarian's ambush. Moments of hesitation, in fear for what would happen next, began to appear every now and then and in such a heated battle, these moments of hesitation was more then enough for the more experienced to take advantage of. Still, their battle was a furious one, for the initial blow was enough to even the numbers on both sides.
As if a bystander, the blue haired woman remained on the edge of the battle, leaving some in confusion as to her strange act. Though according to her own logic, she was only acting upon the man's request. His erratic and fluid motion was to give him control in the battlefield. A moment to examine him gave her a grasp on his method of fighting. If she were to jump into the battle without knowing his patterns, she would surely only get in his way, going against the orders she were given.
But a lone woman, dressed in steel, upon the side of the battle would surely not be left alone for long. Soon enough, as anyone could have predicted, one of the aquarian warrior maidens came running forth towards her with a sickle and chain in the palm of her hands. Though the woman of steel had little to fear and her superiority was made quite obvious. Every blow and every strike the aquarian maiden performed connected only with the air, whilst the woman of steel would strike but once upon the neck of the one whom sent upon her a flurry of attacks, so to immobilize her in battle.
Soon enough, another maiden came to complete what the first had started and the red eyed woman would have reacted, if not for a scream from within the center of the amalgamation of fighters. Striking the one rushing towards her down cold with the back of her fist, her eyes went to focus upon the one she now served. The man was screaming in anguish as a blade twisted upon the side of his waist, the warriors of the ambush focusing their main strength upon taking down the head of the group they were sent to destroy. Without so much as even blinking, the maiden of steel began to rush forth, appearing with the same calm features upon her face before her lord's assailants.
One by one, each were taken down and disarmed, as the ones with quicker reflexes readied themselves to depart. As the blue haired maiden of war came turning about, one of those serving Aquaria rose her arm high, tossing upon the ground a few spherical containers. The explosion resulted in a spread of a poisonous herb grounded into dust as the maiden fled with her companions. Most remained unaffected, though some in the immediate area were feeling the effects rather rapidly. Those of a lower constitution, tired from the long battle and still healing from previous wounds, already fell prey to the poison's effects.
As for the captain, the poison had gone through his wounds but that mattered little to the man himself. With this burden, he continued on staggering forth, to find a safer place to set up their camp.
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Within the camping grounds, a few ways away from Kirlsa, the wounded were being treated, as others went scavenging about. The captain kept to himself, standing strong and refusing to fall to such a petty thing as being poisoned. Though before anyone could contemplate more upon the situation, a shadow overlapped the man's body, as the woman of steel stood tall before him. "Forgive me for having disobeyed your orders, but the situation had forced me upon my decision to impede with your battle." Still with the same monotonous voice and unflinching face which showed no emotional reaction whatsoever, came as quite surprising to all the men about.
With these words, the captain could only laugh as he held his side, trying to contain the pain from his reaction. "Well... Heh. Isn't this dandy. I guess you've proven yourself to be somewhat more useful then you first appeared to be. From now on, you'll serve under my command." Affirming this with a light grin, the man seemed to signal towards one of the soldiers as to come to his side. "I was already under your command, please explain as to why you are repeating such an obvious situation." A speech usually tinged with confusion was still pronounced in the same manner, which seemed nearly inhuman to many in the surrounding.
"Listen up woman. I never accepted you to serve under me in the first place, nor do I remember telling you to serve me." A hand waved towards her, as to forget the idea she had stored previously in her head. "I do not comprehend what you are trying to accomplish from your current statement. You have stated yourself that I am yours. I am to obey the orders of the one whom owns me, it is a simple fact." Disbelief and irritation began to grow yet again upon the captain, as a heavy sigh came to his lips and a frustrated look came upon him. Groaning lightly at the thought, the man looked upward with a malicious smirk to his lips. "So, you're supposed to follow any order I give you huh? Then start barking like a dog."
"I do not comprehend the reason for this order, but if you wish." Much to the surprise of the many, the woman began to do as such. Standing still as she always had, with an expressionless face, she began to simply bark away, leaving a certain red eyed man quite amused. "No, no... Do a big dog." With this the woman's voice began to sound deeper, imitating quite well the sound of an actual beast. "While you're at it, start jumping around and then start crawling in circles on all four." And to the content of some of the soldiers, the woman did as such, leaving a pained captain with an uncontrollable laughing riot in his hands, of which he contributed to.
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Time passed by, and as Albel had finished his little games of Albel Says, each soldier came to finally rest. The captain and a chosen few stayed awake, so to keep guard of their current encampment. Though they were within their own territory, the relentless attacks they suffered left them with no alternatives. "You should rest. In your current condition, it would be unwise to strain your body and mind further." What appeared to be a voice of reason and kindness came from the rather emotionless puppet like woman whom stared down upon the man.
"Bah... What I do... With my body... Is my choice..." The man's breathing was heavier then before, but none had come to notice before she had. His wounds were hidden underneath the dirty cloth, which was firmly wrapped around his waist, a poor substitute to bandages. "It appears you've been affected by the poison, shall I request medical attention for you, from your subordinates?" Flashing a grin, the man stared upon her eyes with that of a prideful beast. "Heh... If I'd let such a small thing as poison get to me..."
"Considering your current health, your predicted chances of surviving through this type of poison is at an unacceptable estimated rate of 12.8, gathered from all available data. With the amount of time that has passed away, the poison should still b-" A rather long explanation was halted by the man himself, tightening the cloth further against his waist. "I'll take my chances. It's not as if... We had any medicine left." With these final words, the man leaned back against his claw, looking up onward towards the sky with a wicked smile to his lips.
"That is unacceptable. If you do not wish to ask your subordinate for medical attention, then I shall provide it." With these words, the one named Albel found himself thrust to the ground rather forcefully. The shock sent a chilling pain through his wound as he had found more then enough energy to retaliate with a few words of anger. Though before anything could happen, the woman was to his side, unwrapping the cloth that revealed the gapping wound in his waist, close to his hips. Leaning forth, the man fell silent as to the sight before him.
Bathing in the moonlight, a blue haired beauty came closing in upon his body. Her peach lips dipping down upon a small river of crimson blood as they pressed firmly against his skin. Suckling lightly upon it, pain rushed through his head as he eyed the woman curiously. The few whom were still awake looked on to the captain. The sight was a rather shocking one, as the cloth to his sarong and to his wound was now undone. Confusion came about and soldiers went to awaken their friends so to share the strange sight, which would leave them with quite a bit to talk about for the remainder of their journey.
"Let me share your pain." Blue eyes came upon the woman as she returned to the task at hand. Confusion came across the captain once again, unsure of what he had heard due to the noises from the surrounding area. Those blue eyes had appeared before him but for a fraction of a second, for but a small moment of this night. The poison might have had affected him more then he had believed, his sight had been blurring during these past few instants. Shaking the thought away, the man reached forth, so to push the woman away, but his arms would not respond.
The man had lost a lot of blood that day. Though the threat of the poison, taking away his life, was now gone, his consciousness would leave this realm for the night. Exhausted from the battle, from the long treks and from the sleepless nights, this last event took away the remainder of his strength. His vision blurred and all fell to darkness. The last conscious sight he held was that of a blue haired angel of steel, with her peach lips pressing against the crimson blood of a demon of flesh, whom shared the same red eyes as his.
End of Chapter 2: Peach Lips
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Author's Notes: I'm making this at the same time as I'm making Chronicles of the Wicked. Since the Chronicles is a project of greater importance to me, this gets updated a bit slower. But I try to vary between the two...
By the way, no, they're not in love or infatuated yet. No, they probably won't be for a while and at best they'll have physical attraction. I, as the author, don't want them to fall in love within said first five, ormaybe ten, or even twelvechapters, or something like that. Reason? Because I want them to live through things a bit more, I want them to have a more solid reason as to actually fall in love with one another, have them have some past and history between the two.
By the way, the appearance of blue-eyed KOS-MOS will not happen all that often and will happen sparsely at certain times. Why does she appear like that? Well, I'll explain more in later chapters. This may confuse some, this may make some think I'm out of character for a few, or I'm doing an alternate universe. Technically it isn't due to the main focus being Albel and this being his universe. If you're looking at it from a Xenosaga point of view, then it is. But this is in the Star Ocean area.
KOS-MOS's strange behavior is explained due to a few certain things and... Listen. I got ze Xohar's and ze effects ofzetraveling through zedimensions, and ze effects of many variables that I can abuse of to explain what the hellz be goin onz with ze KOS-MOS. Noticez all ze Zs... It's because I'm messing around. Sorry for that, and I hope this chapter wasn't too weird on you all and to any of you who're going to think about it, I am not mocking the french, I'm just having fun with Zs. -This precautionary phrase might actually bring me more trouble then it's saving me from, won't it? Well, seey'all next time I hope.
Adding: Due to BlueTrillium's review, I'll answer a few things to clear the confusion on certain things. KOS-MOS has no memories of trying to attack the group when she first re-entered the area. As for her weigh, Cliff could carry her easily, AlbelCan as well, but for him it'll take more effort. His pride would also go upon it. What I can imagine, and that I haven't written, was probably that his knees would buckle underneath the sheer weight and he'dcollapse. His knights would come to try and help him, he'd justtellem the equivalent of piss-off, and just suffer through dragging KOS-MOS onward.
How/Why did her chest move? Well, first of all, she is programmed for humanoid interaction, second I'd believe she'd have multiple manners as to cool down her systems. Breathing cools down, and therefore would be an addition to her cooling systems. As for eating, I already explained what happened on that.
But as for the idea that something happened to KOS-MOS when she split, perhaps when her systems malfunctionned, perhaps when she got hit by Albel in the middle of her freakish attack that was bugged to begin with... Eh... Who knows. Well... maybe no one except me? I'll be adding this to the end of the first and at the beginning of the next chapter.
Oh yeah, I forgot. Albel still has part of his sword. Though his reach isn't as good, he can still fight with it. Not only that, but he can always take another weapon of his own style. He doesn't appeal to me as the traditional samurai of honor, so the whole "My sword is my life" shebang probably doesn't apply to him. (Not only that, but in the game, you change his weapon around quite a lot. Actually only one sword would be precious enough to him that he'd never want it harmed/destroyed. Y'know which event-weapon I'm talking about.)