Two Kingdoms, Four Warriors, One Elicoor

Disclaimer: If I owned Star Ocean, the main character would be... ADRAY! WOOT!

Author's Note: Yes, It's Psychodog once again. In this fic it will change points of view from Aquarian side to Airyglyph side between each chapter. This is NOT a fic about Albel (we seem to have too much o' that) and deffinitely not Fayt (throws a spork at him). Albel appears once in a while... as does Nel. But remember, it's the old people who takes the stage! And yes, I'm trying to be unique, and no, I am not mentally unstable. I saw my psychiatrist this morning thank-you-very-much. XD.

Chapter 2: Women-Fear syndrome

Act II: Reading is so Overrated

Setting: Aquios Palace

Neville Zelpher walked up the stone stairs to Aquios palace. Last night's rain left crystal drops of water that made the city of Aquios glitter around every corner. It was nice looking, it really was. The Aquarian warrior felt a sense of exhilirating energy every morning. Energy, he hoped to use to aid his kingdom. It was peaceful, and quite frankly soothing to the young man. He was young, around his mid 20's... he was an experienced warrior, noble, hardworking and honest. Sometimes he worked a little too hard... Hence, Adray always called it "waste of youth". But working made Neville content.

He had blood red haired, messy and a bit untamed. He also had the most beautiful green eyes, they were almost as bright and alive like the trees of Aquios. They sparkled, like the raindrops clinging onto the fresh green leaves. (Like they say, the daughter gets the look from her father). He walked up the staircase, greeted the soldiers and made his way down the hallways. He was about to report to her majesty... but something very peculiar caught his eye.

"Lasbard, what in the world are you doing here?" Neville asked. "And what in Apris are you doing?"

On the other end of the hallway was a tall sturdy man. He was a few years older than Neville, his skin dark and his hair a glowing silver. His arms were tight with muscles, and around his waist was a robe worn by the greatest of warriors. He wore nothing on his upper body, the rune symbols tattooed on his skin for everyone to see. No way was he going to wear those sorry excuse for a robes that all the other runologists wore. Not only were they horrendous, but his muscles couldn't fit in those tight sleeves. It was Adray Lasbard, a close friend of Neville's and his superior officer.

"Shh... reading." Adray replied, his eyes fixed onto the pages of a book.

"You? Reading?" Neville gawked, "Since when do you read?"

"What do you mean?" Adray asked, his eyes still fixed upon the pages of a thick book.

"Well, I never saw you read before... and why weren't you at morning practice?" Neville asked. "I thought you were going to make us do more drills today."

"Too busy reading." Adray replied again. It was a strange sight, a huge man like Adray reading a book so intentively. He even had a pair of small reading glasses, too. "You're a good warrior, you go teach them."

"But not good enough." Neville sighed. He wore a black suit, almost like armor but extremely light and agile. unlike the other men in his group, Neville wasn't very good at runology. He had talent, but he was better for spy work anyway. He was never the best of the bunch... hence he learned under Adray. "Come on, Lasbard. You have a duty to teach us. You know... to set a good example...? Not reading books, you were never good at that anyway."

"Hey!" Adray patted Neville in the head roughly like an older brother. "What are you trying to say? That I'm too barbaric to read books? I'm not as dumb as a rock."

"I never said that." Neville held back a small chuckle.

"Yeah, well that scrawny punk, Lassele did! How dare he insult me... Of course I can read! How in blazing Apris does he think I learned symbology, eh? By standing still, I think not!" Adray laughed. "You can only gain something with good old, hard work."

"I always thought it was a natural talent." Neville shrugged. "You never really studied for anything."

"Yeah, I know." Adray shrugged. "Studying is boring... but one must learn to discipline both mind and body."

"And how your so good at it is beyond me." Neville sighed again.

"I'll show that brat, Lassele some manners! How dare he insult his elders." Adray began to shake in anger. "He's spoiled, he's just jealous... not to mention he can't swing a sword to save his life."

"True, true." Neville shrugged, "But what can we do? He's from a noble family... not much we can do."

"I'm a warrior, a runologist and a possible candidate for the Crimson Blade." Adray mumbled reading the book, "Now if only I was more serious about my job, this wouldn't be so hard... reading, isn't fun." Adray shut the book, "Bah, this is boring. Let's go find some temple priestesses or something."

"Wuh-?" Neville's face turned red. "Adray, now is not the time to be concerned about women-"

"Don't be a fool, Zelpher!" Adray laughed dragging the young warrior, "The ladies aren't for me! I already got a girl, We're finding a suitable candidate for you!"

"I don't need a girlfriend." The young warrior's face lit up as bright red as his hair. "And besides-! I have to report to her majesty about my mission."

"You can do that later." Adray smiled as he dragged the warrior to the inner sanctum. "A young guy like you should have a nice girl! That's why you're so uptight, Zelpher. You need a nice girl in your life to ease the stress. More of this bachelor thing and you will sound older than I do!" Adray smiled, pleased at his own brilliance. "Just think of this as training!"

"A-adray! Hey wait-! Dammnit, Lasbard this is not the time!"

Setting: Inner Sanctum temple shrine thingy...

Surprisingly, Adray was pretty popular with the ladies, all the women giggled as Adray entered the Shrine. Not only was he good looking and had a great physique, but the man also had a strong sense of humor. The Priestesses loved the sense of humor. I mean, spending the day studying with work everywhere, worshipping Apris... it was tough. They needed a break one in a while. Anyway, Adray happily chatted with the women... he was a very sociable guy. Probably one of the reasons why his girlfriend loved him so much, also they were going out for how long now? Talk about strong relationship... he was fiercely loyal to his girl too.

Neville only squirmed nervously... he wasn't very good with women. I mean, Neville was cool and relaxed when he was with men, but women always gave him a sharp chill. Adray makes fun of him, strong as a wolf in battle but as shy as a puppy in front of the damsels. Neville's face was bright red... he was goodlooking himself...but... he spent more time on the battlefield then in the company of others.

Great... I can handle wild monsters and soldiers, yet I'm as weak as a newborn child when in the face of a women... Zelpher squirmed around. His throat was dry, and he was slowly getting dizzy.

"Hey, relax will you?" Adray nudged the young warrior. "You keep doing that and you'll knock out a few years outta your life."

"L-Lasbard..." Neville gritted his teeth... he must look as red as his hair and as shaky as a leaf in a hurricane.

"Hey..." a grin appeared on Adray's young face. "Check it out, you-know-who is here..." He began to nudge the young warrior. "Well, what are you waiting for? Now's your big chance."

Neville's heart skipped a beat, slowly he turned his head to the direction of the door... Entering the room was a young girl, she had hair that reached to her shoulders, rich chestnut colored hair. Her eyes were a shining violet on her delicate and sweet face. Neville felt his skin get really hot in embarassment... as long as he could remembered, he always had a crush on her. She was a talented runologist, a temple priestess and a nurse...

That's right, that's where they first met. When Neville was badly injured from training (by Adray, no less) he was only a young teenager. She too was very young, she just began to learn about medicine... and using her teaches she helped him get better. Ever since that day... he couldn't help but like her. Afterall, he had a fear of women... so obviously he would like the first women he got to know... and Adray knew this well.

Neville began to tremble and sweat. He was too afraid that he would embarass himself...

"Steady... steady..." Adray attempted to stop him from spazzing out completely, but it was too late.

"Lasbard..." Neville choked, "I think I'm gonna be sick."

"Wah-?" Adray stared in disbelief as Zelpher collapsed on the floor unconscious. And as far as Zelpher goes, his world was spinning and turned black.

What an appropriate chapter lol. I have midterms but i refuse to study :P Go adray! Anyway, yeahhh since the game doesn't dig too deeply into the old people I had to improvise. (like I did with the inventors... and look how wacky that turned out) Anyway, poor Neville, he got stage fright with girls.

Hardworking Neville, shy with opposite sex, skilled warrior and spy

Plus, a temple priestess who knows runology

Equals Nel Zelpher! She even has her father's looks lol.

As for Adray, he's a people person, who's disciplined, traditional, and comedic. We later find his girlfriend (and later his wife,) is serious and quiet like Mirage. Which equals, CLAIR LASBARD XD.

Anyway, I don't know Nel's mom's name (sobs) If anyone knows, or thinks of a good name please tell! I really need one. Anyway, next chapter:

Chapter 3: No tea for Nox