Author's note: I don't own Star Ocean Till The End Of Time
The True Nature Of All
Chapter 24: Beginning of the End
When they entered the teleporter, they found themselves finally in the area that would lead to the Owner, Luther. Airlia looked at the vast room around them, something about it was beautiful, and however, it was definitely a deadly situation… The room they were in was open and yet the inky darkness was lit by various crystal lights. As everyone made their way into the room, Airlia lagged behind with Blair. Her intention was to find out more about the Creator; he seemed to have some connection with her newest friend.
She wanted to be sure about what that connection was as to what method she would have to take to ensure that the right people survived this deadly encounter. However, a portal opened behind Blair and a hand grabbed her as another hand came around her mouth. Airlia growled as she launched herself at the portal. However, another portal opened as a whip wrapped itself around her and dragged her through a separate portal. "Albel!" Airlia screamed as she was dragged. The portal closed behind her as Albel slashed frantically at the air.
One pained howl would echo in every floor, "Aaaiiirrrllliiiaaa!" He screamed as loud as he could, the pain was obvious to all, especially as the box fell from his pocket. Fayt knew what it was instantly.
Fayt looked at Albel as he swore softly, "We'll get her back. Then we'll make those bastards pay." Everyone had known from the black look on his face that heaven should pity those who did this, because no one else would.
Airlia gasped as she was brought close to a man with blond hair and blue eyes. Then she saw the man in the corner with black hair and green eyes. She tensed immediately, and they both chuckled since they saw her fear. "So you did recognize us back there at Sphere…" Airlia said nothing, her anger now overtaking her fear. Airlia gasped as the blonde forced her to kiss him. She regained her wits as she sent her knee into him forcefully. He bent over in half as she tried to take off. However, before she could get any further the other man was in her path and knocked her off her feet.
Before she could fall and hit her head against the floor, he had grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. With her still stunned, he rushed her to the wall, where he shackled her to it. Her fear was in her eyes, she had no doubt of that. He spread her legs apart as he shackled them to the wall. She struggled fiercely as the dark haired man laughed harshly. "Why bother struggling? It's impossible to get out of those chains." He came near her as he teased her with his tongue. She turned her head away to try and keep him from making any further moves when he then turned to her chest and began to let his hands roam over her form.
He felt the quaking and taunted, "Where is the Princess who fought us at every turn? Or do you finally admit your feelings for me?"
That had drawn the last straw; she knew that he couldn't get away with that. She spat at him and he slapped her viscously. She fell limp against the wall. He unchained her arms and removed her armor, leaving her clothing. He started to tear her top away when he heard the screams of monsters dying. They growled, knowing their fun was about to be spoiled. Azazer chained her arms to the wall once again. In their fury, they left and Airlia regained her strength slowly. She opened her eyes and saw that her clothing top was torn, and revealed more than she wanted.
She cried softly, and then listened, hearing the monsters dying, knowing something was coming near her. When the door flew off the hinge, she remained 'limp' fearing it was not her knight coming to help her. She had only then realized how tired she truly was. Her strength to wake up was failing. She could hear Albel's pained cries. She felt tears on her cheeks and somehow realized that they weren't her tears. Yet, she couldn't make herself wake up. She felt herself being carried and that she couldn't control her body. Something was seriously wrong with her, yet she couldn't figure out what it was.
They worked their way to the final chamber. She felt herself being transferred to carrier to carrier as battles were raged, and her strength was slowly returning to her. However, she still felt too weak to open her eyes. When they finally reached the chamber, the group saw who was responsible for Airlia being unconscious. Albel gently set her down in the corner and kissed her forehead. He turned as Blair made a move to plead with the owner, "Owner... I mean, Luther... Now do you understand? Stop this right now! Azazer and Belzeber have already hurt the Princess in nearly more ways than one way. I'm so angry at what they've done to her that I will let them deal with those two as they see fit. But I beg of you, please stop this madness."
Luther looked at the girl, he saw her cheeks were dark, the armor was placed back on her and yet he could see the tear in her shirt. He faced the pair of men who had so 'willingly' helped him. His disgust at them overrode his common sense, "So that was why you offered to help! To use that girl, that bit of data! Disgusting." He eyed the others warily, "Go ahead and dispense your judgment on them. I will feel no pity and will not dispense pain upon the worlds for that. They know I don't tolerate those kinds of attitudes." Albel gave a smirk so nasty, its message was clearly saying that much was going to happen to them. He pulled out his katana; it seemed to glow with his fury.
Airlia felt the fury and knew she had to stop him from allowing it to consume him, body and soul… She summoned what strength she had left, to try if nothing else… No one saw her hand twitch… No one heard her groan in pain… However, everyone heard her cry out, "Don't do it! Not for me!" Albel turned on a fol; he rushed to her, pulling her into his arms… His pained look was enough to make her want to cry. "Albel, don't cry. I'll… be alright… I promise…" However, he crushed her mouth with his. He didn't care who saw it.
What pained him most was the whimper response from her. He released her and saw her smiling with tears in her eyes. "Don't stop, I'm sorry about the whimper, I just hurt a bit…"
He grinned as he pulled out one of her vials, "Drink love. It'll help you."
Airlia smiled weakly as she drank. She felt her strength rush back and some of her lighter wounds heal. "Thank you…" They stood up and walked back to the group.
Azazer gave Albel a deadly look that disappeared in a puff when he saw how furious the girl was. He had a feeling that payback would be a bitch. He had no idea how right he was. Airlia got her sword back from Nel. She grinned as she ran at the pair and when they separated as she had planned, she jumped in the air as she screamed out, "Explosion." Talk about great balls of fire! Two explosions occurred, one on each man. When they were left, they were severely burned and nearly beyond recognition.
Luther looked around, slightly confused. He mumbled, "Why... Why is this happening...?"
Airlia gave him a scornful look, "Because, you chose to try and destroy my world. Because you tried to kill all of whom I love. And for what I ask? Because you were afraid that we would revolt against something we didn't know even exists? If you had not told my 'parents' that you were going to destroy everything because they were studying Symbology, then they wouldn't have done what they did! I partially thank you, for because of it, I found a truly loving family and met the man who truly makes me whole. However, I can't allow you to destroy these worlds…" Luther looked at her with a dumbfounded expression before he had her repeat herself.
"Had you not threatened anyone, it would have prevented this whole confrontation; no one knew that your world existed. No one knew how to get there. However, people are strange creatures. When faced with a problem, they are forced to adapt and overcome the adversity. That's what you forced on us…" Luther seemed to think before he turned to the machine and hit several buttons. The next thing anyone knew, the planets that had disappeared reappeared and he turned to the group.
"I will allow your worlds to live, all of the worlds. However, if anyone tries to destroy my world, or to take it over, I will begin this again. Do we understand?" Airlia smiled brightly as she nodded. Everyone followed suit. Luther walked over to the group as he took her hand to his lips and kissed it.
Airlia nodded, "Let's all go home. Now that everything is settled and Cavan and Cassius will never bother me ever again."
At his quizzical look, Airlia indicated the remains of Azazer and Belzeber and he nodded with a smile. "They harassed you before?" Airlia nodded as she turned to Albel. She ran into his arms and tilted her head up to meet his lips.
Blair smiled brightly as her brother hugged her for the first time in so long. "Thank you my brother. I know how much this means to you to try and keep everyone safe, but that's what they were doing because you struck the first blow." He nodded as they left the room. Albel simply held Airlia close to him, his lips gracing her brow frequently. She sighed frequently in happiness that came from bringing peace to every nation, so she could focus on her own happiness. Albel kissed her lips lightly when the group stopped. She had never seen him this affectionate. Her quizzical look told Albel everything. He held the group up for a moment. He kneeled and took out a small box. He opened it to reveal a beautiful ring with a large rainbow diamond with vine work leading to the right with a star ruby gem and a water gem. On the other side was more vine work with an air gem and a shell sapphire on the other side. The vine work went around the whole ring.
She blushed as he spoke softly, "My love, it was not until I thought you had died before realizing that I couldn't bear to spend my life without my angel there. Love, will you be my wife?" Airlia blushed as she nodded. Her eyes watered at the sight of his smile of love. He brushed her tears away as she kneeled down and kissed him softly. This was the man she wanted to spend her whole life with… He slid the ring on her finger as she blushed heavily. He grinned as they stood up.
Luther was in shock, he had never imagined that bits of data could be in love, but the proof was there, right before him. He turned to his sister, "I'm sorry that I didn't believe you… I want you to take over the corporation for me. I intend to get back to my roots and find myself. I'm in no shape to do anything…" She nodded; her eyes were shining with tears…
They had almost departed when a rather large rabbit approached them. "I can get you as far as Peterny without you having to actually walk the whole way…"
The group looked around as nods of relief and concessions about saving such a walk and time. The rabbit gave a strange chant as they suddenly found themselves at the edge of Peterny. There was a severe reducing of monsters in the area. They moved slowly into the town, as people came out cheering for them. Airlia had the grace to blush with such excitement about them. The sounds of dragons roaring could be heard as Airlia beamed to the sky, seeing the dragons flying around them. Luther, who seemed to feel out of sorts with the location tried to back away, his blonde hair covering his face. Airlia turned to him as she held her hand out to him. "Come; see what life is like here… You'll find us more civilized than you could have ever dreamed… Both of you are welcome to visit Airyglyph whenever you wish…"
Nel nodded; seeing the door was open and he might be receiving… "As you are both welcome in Aquios. Anytime…"
They nodded as Luther seemed to be in disbelief about it. "Why would you accept me after everything…?"
Airlia grinned, having a true answer for him. "I've been in your shoes… I feared that I wouldn't be accepted after what I found that I could do… However both my father and the man I love accepted me, before, during and after the findings were discovered." He nodded as Airlia bumped Nel 'accidentally' into Cliff. Nel blushed and tried to back away when Cliff stopped her. It was go for everything or risk losing everything he ever wanted…
"Nel, would I be welcome in Aquios as well?"
Nel nodded, giving him a sarcastic look, "Of course you big lug. Everyone is welcome in Aquios."
He shook his head, "I meant… never mind…"
Airlia glared at him; however Nel took up the bait that had been laid out for her without knowing it… "Cliff, of course you're welcome to Aquios, anytime… However long you want… I love you, you idiot. However, I know you don't love me…" He glared at her mockingly as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her with all of his passion that was pent up.
"I have never been in love with such a strange woman. However, I know that I can't live without you in my life. Will you allow me to court you – I think the words are…" She grinned as she nodded and held him tightly to her. Finally she had gotten what she wanted… Now she knew the truth that he and Maria were not a couple, not if he was asking her to allow him to court her… She grinned in relief at the Princess who had seen everything and gave her the push that she needed to tell her feelings… Airlia nodded with a grin as Albel held her close to him again.
Fayt's parents along with Sophia's parents approached the group, weary of most of the people there. Airlia glared at them, "See, all taken care of. Now I'm going to visit the Queen of Aquios and then I'm going home…"
They gave her a hopeful look that was dashed by the man holding his Princess close to him. "Not your home, maggots. Her home, Airyglyph." Airlia smiled brightly at Albel, agreeing with him, even though she didn't agree with his methods.
Fayt shook his head, "Father, mother, give up. She's got every right to resent you. I'm just glad she doesn't resent her brother who had no say in anything." Luther and Blair were a little out of the loop as Airlia filled them in.
"I am supposedly their daughter by blood, however, when the Time Gate foretold of their future for their world, they sought to change fate by altering our genes. However, you know this already. The symbol placed in me mutated, so they threw me away. Now they want me to go back to them, as if nothing had ever happened. I told them it is impossible for me to forgive them. Plus, I have a new family that accepted me for me, not because of something inside of me."
They both grinned in understanding as Blair supplied, "Our father threw us away as well. That was when Luther promised to take care of me, no matter what. He created Sphere Corporation and banished our father from its grounds. Neither of us regret our decision that day to have him removed from our lives forever." Airlia nodded, happy to have a new understanding about her friends.
They began to make the slow journey to Aquios, wanting to take in the beauty around them, now that they had the time to do so… The birds were singing their praise and love calls. The group was amazed at how much has changed since the destruction was reversed. Airlia smiled brightly as she saw the gates ahead, and yet, a glance over her shoulder saw an uncertain Luther being consoled by none other than Mirage. Airlia saw he was just tall enough for Mirage to rest her head on his shoulder, should they both want it. Airlia grinned as they approached the grounds. She saw none other than her father and her mother there, waiting for the group to arrive. Airlia sprinted ahead to their open arms, disappointing the Leingods even further.
"Hello father, mother. It's finally finished… I'm so relieved. I can finally come home…" Arzei sighed in pure relief. Albel quickly joined the trio, pulling his love into his arms.
Elena grinned, knowing fully how the pair felt. "That's wonderful darling. Now are you coming home at last?"
Airlia nodded, "Would it be ok if Fayt could join us for a while? I would like a chance to know my younger brother who had no say in any of what went on all of those years ago…"
They nodded with a pair of smiles as Arzei responded, "Of course he's welcomed. They all are, perhaps the boy's father and mother might be allowed, if for no other reason to get to know the wonderful woman that they gave up. I would never deny a parent their right to know their child, even if they don't deserve to have such knowledge."
Airlia smiled, they were truly the best parents in the world. Fayt came forward and bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I would love to spend time getting to know Airlia. By the way Airlia, I would never dream of calling you Mirabel, since that was of the life that you are no longer part of, unless, you want to be called by that name."
Airlia shook her head, "Once upon a time I went by that name, however, that part of me died when they threw me away. Now and forever, I am Airlia Yepa Bohnleid…" Now everyone who knew of her current heritage smiled with pride. She chose her present over trying to reclaim her past. Albel stepped closer to his love and pulled her slightly possessively to his side.
Suddenly a new man joined their ranks, Maxwell. Airlia smiled in greeting, "Hello Maxwell."
He bowed to the group, "I'm honored to be in front of such a large group. I'm glad the enemies have been dealt with. With the permission of His Majesty, I would like to come to Airyglyph for a while to work under the tutelage of Count Noppen. I would like to improve my knowledge."
Airlia smiled brightly as she said, "I look forward to your future endeavors Maxwell." He bowed as he left the group. They approached the castle where they saw Oddeye flying around. He landed out in the dew gardens for everyone to see. They made their way through the castle, much to Lassalle's displeasure. Romeria greeted everyone with a bright smile. Airlia grinned back as they went outside.
Airlia shook her head to clear her thoughts, "After all of the excitement that we went through, I think that I'd rather walk home Father. You and Mother can go ahead and we'll be there soon."
The royal pair shook their heads. "After nearly losing you so often my daughter, I think we'll walk home with everyone. It would do us both good to be seen by our people."
Airlia smiled brightly as they approached the Queen who had been waiting to the side. She embraced the young Princess, "I'm glad that all of our problems have been resolved young Princess."
Airlia grinned in relief, "I, too, am glad about this as well. I've found out more about me than I've ever cared to know, however, I don't regret it. I've gained a brother out of the experience and we've saved our world." Romeria bowed with a gentle smile which everyone returned with grace.
Adray smiled, "I'm also glad that our families are back together." Nel nodded in agreement.
"Yes, my family is also whole once again, for which I shall be forever grateful Princess."
Airlia shook her head, "In the presence of all of us present, with the exception of Robert and Ryoko Leingod, please, call me Airlia. The exception is to call me Princess Airlia. The sting is far too raw for me to forgive right now. Maybe in time, the exception will be given, but not right now." Fayt nodded in agreement, he was also feeling the sting of the deception by his blood.
They moved away from the kingdom and slowly began their journey as Blair smiled, "I'm glad we saved this world… It's so beautiful and peaceful."
Airlia smiled, "Yes, this is my home; it has been for so long now. I couldn't imagine living somewhere else."
Luther nodded, "Yes, forgive me again, Princess, for trying to do something as terrible as what I tried to do…"
Airlia smiled and waved her hand, "Luther, I told you, please call me Airlia." He nodded gently as his hand sought out the blond Klausian, Mirage.
The group left Aquios, Nel wanted to go with the group to have a little more time with her love, Cliff. Nel's family, however, joined them on their journey as they proceeded to Peterny. When they arrived in Peterny, they were approached by Dion and Ameena. The girls who knew Ameena embraced her gently, happy that she was alive and healthy still. Ameena looked at them with tears in her eyes, "I heard everything from Dion who keeps in contact with Lady, I'm sorry, Queen Elena."
Elena shook her head, "I'm not Queen of Airyglyph, yet. Please, just call me Elena."
The pair smiled with a nod, "Elena kept us informed. I'm happy, Fayt, that you found your sister. However, I'm disappointed with your family for doing to her what they did do to her."
Fayt nodded as he spoke, "I agree as well, however, I'm going to stay here for a while to get to know her, and then I have to leave to finish my studies. After that, though, I'm not sure what I'm going to do…"
Airlia smiled, "Whatever you plan, you can always come here to do it…" Fayt nodded with a grateful smile, his silent understanding that he could live somewhere without his parents around that he could no longer truly trust.
They moved their way through with Ameena and Dion remaining behind. However, no sooner had they left the grounds had they heard a familiar voice calling out, "Maria? Maria! Where are you?"
Airlia glanced at the blue haired woman as she blushed, "Lieber."
Airlia nodded as Maria stepped out only to be grabbed into an embrace by Lieber. "I was so afraid that I'd lost you, Maria. That was when I realized I should have told you about my feelings."
Maria looked at him, plainly confused. Airlia gave Lieber a sympathetic glance as he felt despair that she would never understand what he wanted. He frowned slightly, as he kissed the back of Maria's hand. "I love you Maria. However, you will never feel the same about me. At least I was able to tell you what I felt. Farewell M–" he was unable to finish his words as Maria went to him and hugged him tightly to her.
He looked down in confusion to see her smiling gently, "You are a total idiot. I love you too, but you were so busy trying to impress me that it turned me off. I didn't think you loved me… I thought you were only looking for a quick time with me and then you would disappear. You never indicated your feelings for me Lieber." Airlia shook her head as they progressed into Arias uninjured. None of the group in suspected what would happen next as they continued onward. Kira, Farleen, Tynave and Clair awaited the group's homecoming and were shocked by the numbers present. They greeted the group with many smiles and tears. They grinned in relief that the group was relatively unharmed and were delighted by the ring on Airlia's finger.
"So Airlia, he finally asked you huh?" Clair asked her as Airlia smiled in delight. Albel pulled her closer to him still as everyone joined up to head to Airyglyph. The group headed towards the edge of Kirlsa as Nixie and Glou met up with the already large group. It was time for everyone to finally go home… The world safe once more from the dangers at large.