A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting. An emergency came up and that had to come first. But here's the next chapter. Thanks to everyone who's reading this story. It means a lot to Emil Lime and myself.

Enjoy,

Orangepotato and Emil Lime

Chapter by Emil Lime

Rin-Tins Ross: If I look up, maybe I can see the heavens…

The small town of Alta Reel wasn't exactly a tourist town and visitors were few and far between. The main function of the small wooden Inn at the center of town was to house the tiny number of sailors who stopped by. It was usually the ships that were considered too 'small-time' for the major docking town just northeast of Alta Reel.

So when it was learned that a travelling group had stopped to stay in the Inn for the night, there was an instant flutter of tongues in town. Gossip spread like wild fire, everyone saying it was some high level noble who'd come with his mistress. Either that, or it was some rich teenagers running away together. Whatever the story, scandal was involved.

Typical of a small city, something unusual happens and everything involves sex and drugs. Rin-Tins had learned to ignore it as she made her way through the small market place. She was low on food currently and was seeking to rectify that situation. However, the constant chatter of the people around her had slowed down the shop owners, who also wanted a piece of the action.

Reaching one of the many vending carts along the town streets, she plucked a couple of apples and oranges from its top, waiting patiently for the owner to turn towards her. Her golden eyes scanned the area, searching for the so-called 'visitors' who mystified the tiny town. Being rather short for her age, everyone covered the area rather well.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Rin-Tins." Her attention was brought back to the cart, eyes scanning the face of the man.

"That's okay," she handed him the produce and he bagged it, telling her the price as she pulled the money out of her pocket and handed it to him. Making the trade, the two gave nods to each other before she turned, running into someone.

Mumbling an apology, she looked up to see a rather tall auburn, his eyes colored like rust. He was looking down at her, no emotion leaking out of his features.

"I'm sorry."

"That's fine…" She moved out of the way, inching to the side as he walked forward, examining the cart owner's things. It was then that she noticed everyone was looking at him, spying him out of the corner of their eyes.

He was definitely one of those visitors, his white and purple outfit strapped to the brim with belts. A large sword hung on his hip, an exsphere embedded in his hand. And if his otherworldly looks weren't enough to give it away, it was the way everyone in town stared at him. Rin-Tins wasn't sure if he was aware of the eyes that were watching him or if he simply didn't care. Regardless, she had to admit, he did look like a Tethe'allan noble who just might have run away to live with a mistress or two.

She stood there, looking him over as he made his selections and spoke to the man, "Excuse me, do you happen to know where I can find a boat to take to Flanoir?"

The owner scratched his head, "Well, you can check the docks but I don't think there are that many vessels that could withstand the severe cold those waters hold."

Rin-Tins had heard fishermen complain about that. Although they weren't that far from Flanoir's oceans, the temperature drop was too much for the wooden boats to take and only so many people could afford steel ships. This guy would have to have a lot of cash on hand to catch a ride with a fishing boat like that.

"I see," was the man's reply as he paid for the things he'd purchased before turning off, heading in the direction of the Inn. Rin-Tins, as well as everyone else, watched him walk away, whispers being left in his wake.

The shop owner muttered to no one in particular, "Even if he does find a boat, I have no idea how he'll get onto the continent…"

Rin-Tins turned around, raising a sandy blonde eyebrow, "Why's that?"

"Well," he scratched his chin, "It's pretty iced over this time of year. It's nearly winter after all."

Giving him a nod before she left, her feet carried her back to her shop. It was both home and work for her, figuring she didn't need to own two places when she could simply live above her workshop. Pushing open the wooden door, she was greeted with shelves upon shelves of bolts and tools, some larger pieces of machinery hanging upon the walls or scattered along the ground. There was a check-out counter, onto which she spilled her belongings, and beyond that there was a door that lead behind the wall and up a flight of stairs. Climbing said stairs, she walked into her small loft and collapsed on the bed, burying her face in her pillow.

Business in this season was less than superior. Fishermen had no reason to bother with their boats since all of the fish had migrated, and homes didn't need repairs until spring. So, she was pretty much stuck just waiting for some crack job, fixing a fence or repairing someone's pluming.

Of course, that being said, it made it extremely difficult for the carpenter/mechanic to make a living during the cold months. She tried to spread her money, spend it wisely but when a ship breaks open or a roof gets ripped off, major money has to be spent to bring in the parts necessary for fixing it. And, naturally, she was far too nice to ever put much of the burden on her customers. So, instead, she took the hit herself and that always caused trouble during the winter.

There was a sudden chime at the door. Cracking an eye open, Rin-Tins twisted her head out of her pillow and looked at the stairway. Was it possible someone had walked in during her time of need?

Getting up and shuffling down the stairs, her ears were instantly bombarded with words.

"Hey sis, what's this? Can I touch it?" A teenager's voice.

"I don't know, it looks kind of sharp…hey! Don't touch it!" A girl's voice.

"You didn't say I couldn't!" The teenager again.

An exasperated sigh exited the female's lungs as Rin-Tin's came down the rest of the stairs, peeking from behind the wall. "Can I help you?"

Two red haired individuals, possibly the girl and the teenager, stopped what they were doing and looked towards the stairs. They seemed related, even sounded related, but she didn't inquire. Also, she didn't recognize their faces, which made perfect sense when she caught a glimpse of the man in white and purple, coated in belts.

"You're that guy from before," she stepped the rest of the way down, walking forward a few steps and stopping before the counter. He looked at her, seeming to recall her as well.

"What is that supposed to mean, gramps? Is she your one-night-stand? Pretty sick."

"Holtz," the girl's voice was threatening, like she would pick up one of the many tools inside the shop and stab him with it.

The auburn, gramps, shook his head at Holtz' antics before walking towards the desk, "I apologize again for running into you. Are you the one who works here?"

Rin-Tins frowned a little, "Yah, pretty much. My parents aren't around anymore so it's just me." She was expecting the usual reaction, 'how can a girl do this type of job?' or 'all by yourself?'. Honestly, she was used to it. But he didn't say anything at all, just nodded before looking around a little.

"We're in need of a ship that can take us to Flanoir but everyone in town refuses to go out into the waters at this time of year."

"Yeah, wooden boats fracture in the cold water. Also, you've got to watch out for ice bergs and stuff." She tugged on the long scarf she was wearing, fixing it into place before looking at him again. "So why are you here?"

"I was informed that you have a steel plated boat that you lend out to fishermen." He leaned onto the makeshift counter that sat in front of her. His eyes were intense, like he was seeking something from deep within someone else, something only he could see.

With a nod, her long sandy hair sweeping at her sides, she concurred, "I do have a ship but I'm not going to lend it to a bunch of strangers." The red haired girl stepped forward, giving Rin-Tins a look, one that was mixed with sadness and eagerness.

"I'm really sorry that we have to ask you like this, but we have a good reason to get to Flanoir." Gramps shot the girl a look, warning her about her next words. Rin-Tins wondered what that entire situation was about, the gossip from town coming back into her mind and she secretly hoped the older man didn't swing both ways, especially for such a young crowd.

Holtz frowned at her, "Come on. We'll get it back to you…somehow."

"Yeah, 'somehow' isn't going to cut it." Rin-Tins leaned on the counter as well, "Look, if you want a ship, I can build you one. But it'll take me a couple of months, especially since winter is so close."

The girl shook her head, "We don't have a couple of months." Gramps let out a sigh as the girl leaned on the counter, leaning her head down to Rin-Tins level, "Please. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make this up to you but I really, really, really need to make it to Flanoir."

"Why?" The red haired girl looked puzzled at the shorter girl's question, "Why do you need to get out there so badly? Winter sets early there. Every port is probably iced over anyway."

She looked at gramps who shook his head, causing her to say "We just have to, that's all."

Holtz walked forward as well, Rin-Tins beginning to feel a little crowded, "Come on, shorty. Are you even going to be using your boat for the next couple of weeks?" It wasn't the most valid of questions but it was a definite no. Not that she was going to tell them that.

"Look, I'm not letting you borrow this boat. I wouldn't let you take her even if you were the pope. You got that?" Crossing her arms, she held her ground as the girl and Holtz sighed. Gramps didn't seem bothered, as he continued to look down at her.

"Oh come on," Holtz' voice travelled around the room, "It's a boat. You look like you could build yourself another one if you wanted too." He motioned his arms around the shop, tools and other contraptions which were half-built hanging on the walls.

There was something in the red headed girl's eyes that said she'd just about had enough. Slamming her hands down on the table, she looked Rin-Tins in the eyes, "What if I was the Chosen? Would you let me borrow it then?"

There was silence and, for the first time, gramps actually looked bothered by something. Taking a second to clear the air of the sudden outburst, the girl sighed, "I need that boat because I am the Chosen. I've just cleared the Temple of Darkness and am heading towards Flanoir to what will probably be the Temple of Ice. So please, no one else will help us…"

More silence as Rin-Tins was trying to catch up on the situation. This girl was the Chosen? She was the one who was supposed to regenerate the world? And this was her travelling group? Two men, one looking like it was her younger brother and the other looking as if he could be her father? "Are you really the Chosen?"

The idea of a Chosen made Rin-Tins think of a king, one that was carried around on a golden throne as he waved to the crowd. He'd throw a couple of kisses around and bless a few hands as he went across the globe on some kind of perilous journey. Beside him, he'd have a massive army filled with thousands of the land's greatest warriors. This Chosens' group was nothing like she imagined it would be.

But she had heard that the Chosen had headed out on her journey, after all, everyone in town was so excited about it. Everyone kept talking about the possibility that she was the one, that she would free the world of this nearly 800 year curse. Rin-Tins had been skeptical, per usual, about the entire affair. What made this girl different from any other Chosen? However, she had been secretly excited about the Regeneration, if not just to see the Tower of Salvation.

The girl nodded carefully, "Yes, I'm the Chosen. My name is Ilene Capella and this is my brother, Holtz. He is a hired mercenary named Kratos Aurion."

Rin-Tins considered asking her to prove it, but she felt like that would be childish. Already pretty short for her age, she didn't need to act the age her body portrayed as well. Looking at them all again, she frowned and then sighed. "So let's say you're the Chosen. Why are you here in Alta Reel?"

Ilene began to explain everything, from the desian raid on the Temple of Martel to the gruesome battle that had taken place within the Darkness Temple. She even explained falling ill sometime after the battle with some kind of angelic sickness. That had been the reason for them to rush to Alta Reel as compared to the larger coast city. The bigger city was up the coast line and with Ilene falling ill, they didn't want to risk her becoming worse during the night.

Rin-Tins listened to it all, nodding every once in a while to confirm she was still following. When the redheaded girl was done, the sandy blonde paused and waited. When the girl didn't continue, Rin-Tins bowed her head in thought.

"You're story does sound believable…"

Ilene's eyes filled with relief but her body maintained its tense position, "So, will you let us borrow your ship?"

This could be my only chance to get close to the tower…

"My ship has a name, Tokunaga. And yes, I'll let you borrow my ship but with one condition…" Rin-Tins leaned in really close, Ilene doing the same. The two were so close they could feel each other's breath, "You let me come with you as your captain."

There was no hesitation, Ilene nodded and Rin-Tins nodded in return. Holtz let out an angry bellow, "Come on, sis, she's like, ten. She'll only get in the way."

Rin-Tins swirled towards him, "I am not ten! I'll have you know I'm twenty and unless you know how to steer a ship, I highly suggest you take me with you. Besides, your big sister already said yes." There was a smile on her face and Holtz just scowled.

"Go pack your things," Kratos said, motioning towards Rin-Tins.

"Alright!" Heading up the stairs, it didn't take her long to throw together her limited supplies before tromping back down. Her thick boots clomped along the stairs before coming to a stop at the base. "Should I bring a weapon?"

Kratos responded, "Bring whatever makes you feel safe."

Her hands shuffled through a drawer on the counter, pulling out something that looked like a wrench except with a long, thin handle. Pushing it into her bag, Rin-Tins headed towards the door. "My boat's at the end of the dock. She's small but she'll be perfect for this. I hope you guys can appreciate this ship. She's a beaut," Rin-Tins words didn't stop flowing from her lips as she continued to spill forth information about the boat, the Tokunaga, she'd built. Happiness was sprinkled in her eyes, along with a flash of joy. Building things was one of her passion, rather it be of wood or steel. Second to that was talking about them. Even Kratos joined into her conversation, asking questions about what she'd built.

"Are you a boat kind of guy?" She pondered.

"Something like that."

It didn't take them long to reach the end of the dock, though Holtz threw a couple of comments about his ears dying and needing to be revived by the wonderful Chosen into the mix, the entire event went off without a hitch. Boarding the small vessel, Rin-Tins took command of the wheel.

"Flanoir bound?" She asked, to which Ilene nodded with a small smile on her face.

Casting off, Ilene turned towards the shorter girl, head tilted with curiosity, "I never got your name."

"The name's Rin-Tins Ross, Chosen. And I'm happy to be of service."