"Ow..." I muttered, finally waking up. Everything still hurt...
"That's amazing. You're already awake," I heard a soft voice say. I turned my head to see Aerith leaning over me.
"Whadda ya mean, already?" I rasped out.
"Try not to talk. It's amazing you're awake," she replied. "Stay here. I'll get a wet cloth. You're still running a fever." Aerith went off into a hallway. I finally had a chance to look around. I was in one of the rooms in the castle in the Radiant Garden... and was lying down in a bed, apparently in almost a full body wrap.
"Damn. That guy busted me up good," I muttered to myself.
"You could say that," Aerith said, walking back in. She put the warm towel on my head. I stared straight up at the roof.
"Why..." I began.
"What?" she asked, sitting down in a chair next to me.
"Why can't I beat him?" I asked, frustrated.
"Who are you talking about?" Aerith asked. I sighed.
"I couldn't make you listen to all my problems. That's not fair," I said.
"I'll listen. Sometimes we all just need to let it out, and I can tell you need to do that right now," she replied.
"It's... a lot to let out," I said.
"We've got time," Aerith said. "Go ahead."
"Well, it's like this: there's this silver-cloaked guy, Ike. I don't know why, but he drives me crazy..." I said angrily.
"Why?" Aerith asked.
"It's just... he acts like he's so much better than I am. The worst part is it's true..." I muttered. "He's beat me twice, and made it look easy both times. Even after training and using something I shouldn't, he still kicked my ass."
"Maybe you shouldn't worry about him. From what he did to you," Aerith said, no doubt referring to my grievous wounds, "he's too strong for you... way too strong. So just leave it."
"I... can't do that," I said with resolve.
"Why's that?" she asked.
"Not only does he have the answers I'm looking for, but he's mopped the floor with me - twice. And there's something odd about him..." I trailed off.
"What?" Aerith asked.
"It's like... I know him," I said. "I've seen him before, and I know his presence. But he's far off, like a fading memory. But he couldn't be who I think he is. The one I'm thinking of... was kind, gentle, and weak... also a slacker. But that guy... he's aggressive and strong. He also said something about his soul... he said it's 'tainted by the blood of innocents.' I wonder what that could mean."
"Hm..." Aerith hesitated. "Well, is that all you have to say?"
"You're hiding something..." I nagged.
"Well, your injuries. I haven't told you what's broken yet," Aerith said. "All of your fingers are broken, you have three broken ribs, and one of your legs is broken. You also had a concussion. You won't be going anywhere for a month or two. Not even a master White Mage can heal broken bones."
I sighed.
"I won't give it up. I'll beat him... even through broken bones. Him and that Charon bastard."
"You're really pathetic, you know that?" a familiar voice chastised as I turned to see who it was.
"Heh... what do you know about being beaten, Aegle? You just sat there frozen," I muttered. Aerith went out.
"I know you're too battered to even move right now," she said. "You really need to stop picking fights with guys stronger than you. We just got here, so it's understandable if you can't beat everyone."
"But I..." I began.
"If you're going to get over a dozen broken bones, you shoudn't fight someone," Aegle said gently. "I hate to see you like this."
"I won't give up yet..." I muttered, staggering to my feet. My left leg seared with pain, but I stuck through it, limping over to the doorway. My coat was hanging on a hook near there, and my sword was leaned against the wall. I managed to get my coat on, then put my sword over my back. I also found my boots and stepped into them. The pain was almost unbearable, but something else was even more unbearable...
I won't lose to him again!