Star Ocean (All Series) Fan Fiction ❯ Necklace of Fear ❯ Burn ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Alas, Star Ocean isn't mine! Oh cruel, cruel fate! If only thou would bless me with the copyright! But woe is me, I must resort to fanfiction.

Author's Note: I had the toughest time with the first scene! I must've rewrote it a good six times and then ended up throwing it out and trying something else completely. There's a lot that's been edited out so sorry for the short length (missing 3 pages since I usually write 10). Anyways, please enjoy chapter two!

 

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Necklace of Fear

By Raven the Dark Angel

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Chapter 2: Burn

 

Nel never liked crowds. No…scratch that. She hated them. She hated the horrible noise of clashed conversations and she hated the space they consumed, making it difficult to work her way around the closely knit bodies. They were loud. They were hot. And most of all this particular one stank. It stank to damn high heaven! She was so sure Apris must be pinching his nose shut right now. And Nox had the nerve, the gall to say that her people smelled.

She slapped the tray she held on the long cafeteria table and squeezed between two Glyphian soldiers. Clair across from her smiled brightly as she tipped her head to the side slightly and greeted calmly, “Good to see you, Nel.”

The redhead managed a grin of her own and truly wondered why they bothered to be here. Adray was more than enough to teach the Black Brigade Runology, even though she was surprised to see the rather large number of them all grouped together. She had no idea Nox's military unit was so numerous, but she supposed it did make sense with their training facility being so ridiculously gigantic. If only they had the brains to make the dining hall bigger…

“So how did your apology go?” Clair wondered as she began to slice a piece of her steak.

“Ugh!” she moaned and held the bridge of her nose. “Don't remind me!”

“Traumatizing experience?”

“I don't even want to talk about it.” She groaned.

“Well you better get used to it. This Runology lesson is only the beginning.”

“Great.” Nel sighed, poking at her food and effectively stabbed a potato. She lifted it up and frowned down at the wedge before she forced the thing into her mouth. She didn't know how much more she could take of this, never mind the food. The more they worked together the more she felt like they were getting nothing done. They had their ways and them theirs. She didn't understand why they had to work so close like this. What was the difference as long as the two countries peacefully coexisted? They didn't need to be this friendly. What did her Majesty really have in mind? Something was up. She could feel it.

She swallowed the repulsive lump and glanced up at her friend. “But don't you think it's a little weird?”

Clair chewed thoughtfully for a moment. “Perhaps,” she responded and rushed for her drink to wash down the food with a grimace, “Though I image her majesty must be overcome with shock at what you've discovered. There are other worlds out there, Nel, and they weren't afraid to attack us. I can see why she would try to gain as much alliance as possible in case something like that were to ever happen again.”

Nel exhaled and leaned back. “Maybe.” She gulped the liquid in her own cup and placed it back down upon the table with a soft clink. But then again maybe not. Her instincts have never been wrong before. Could she be getting rusty? She had been sitting still far too long without a real mission in what seemed like forever. She needed some good physical activity… She flitted her eyes across the room noticing the crowd beginning to disperse as those few remaining soldiers getting food, clamored for seats. The last two settled unusually close to the others at the far table and Nel wondered briefly why they left such a large gap on the end until her eyes met a dual-tone splash of black and blonde.

Nox lounged amongst his men with one leg stretched along the bench as he draped his only arm over his knee and leaned forward to take a bite of the peach he held. He tilted his head back and rolled his eyes across the room, staring directly at Nel. A curve began to form upon his lips as he swallowed and slowly snaked his tongue out to lap up the dribbled sweetness upon his fingers.

Nel scowled and ripped her gaze from the wretched man. She didn't understand him at all! One minute he wanted to fight her and the next he ignored her as if she were too lowly to be bothered with. What was with him? She tucked her lips back and sliced her meat apart with far more force than needed. His threat annoyed her to no end. If the fight wasn't over then why didn't he continue it right then? She was so sure he was going to but then he simply returned to his work and acted as if she didn't even exist.

She glared back up into his direction, uncaring that he never removed his gaze from her. The smirk only seemed to fatten upon his features and if she wasn't as dignified as she was, she'd have the mind to flip him off right then and there. She watched him toss the pit carelessly aside as she narrowed her eyes at him. His teeth flashed momentarily at her reaction and his eyes glinted just as brightly, leaving the crimson aglow. Nel huffed. This was going to be a long day…

 

xxx

 

“Once the runes are inscribed, you…” Nel sighed, listening to the lector she could repeat to herself in her sleep. She didn't know how many times she heard it never mind the amount she relayed to all her subordinates as well as many of the palace guards back in her teaching days. It was always something that got boring far too quick for her and she could never bring herself to finish her own training. She'd much rather be doing than learning. The only thing that kept her awake this time was the expression across Clair's face that read “please dear god won't somebody put me out of my misery” as she mechanically and rather unenthusiastically demonstrated each position Adray spoke of.

A smile crept across Nel's lips and she thanked her lucky stars that she wasn't up there as well. However the amusement quickly drained when a finger lightly skimmed the length of her arm. She would have sworn it off to be imagination or a mistake in the large crowd if the owner hadn't suddenly clutched her shoulder and possessively swung her body against his.

Nel immediately gritted her teeth in annoyance ready to turn and pummel the bastard who would dare, but before she could react, his voice course and low whispered, “Hello Aquarian.”

“Nox.” She stated blankly, feeling her nerves calm somewhat. But what did he think he was doing? She narrowed her eyes about to hiss her defiance but his hand decided to shift lower. She held her breath, eyes fixated on the many soldiers before them, as he gently glided his palm to her elbow and snaked around her waist. His fingers flexed across her stomach as he pressured her to step back. She stumbled into his form further, too shocked to do otherwise.

The man bent low and she could feel his nose nestle deeply into her hair. He inhaled a heavy breath before dripping the question into her ear. “Care to have a little spar?”

Nel swallowed. Despite the very obvious warmth radiating off him, permeating through both their clothing, she couldn't help but to feel chilled. She wasn't afraid of him… no… she narrowed her eyes annoyed that she couldn't bring herself to pull away. She didn't know what she was.

“Hmm?” he pressed the request as he closed his eyes. He nudged a few strands of hair aside, exposing the flesh of her ear with his nose and began to trace the edge, smirking to himself.

“If it'll get you off me!” she snapped.

“Or so your words say,” he hummed and removed himself from her as the clink of metal signaled his receded step.

Nel whipped her head around, but his back was now turned to her. She rolled her eyes and exhaled at the wild fluff of soft yet spiky tresses until he bent slightly for a moment, mimicking her own position. His red eyes peeked out for a moment and he spoke the words just before turning away, “Meet me on the roof.”

The girl frowned, facing forward once again, as she ignored his unmistakable footsteps sliding from the crowd. Meet him on the roof? What for? So he could prance around with his sword and try to act better than her? Oh she'd show him! She clenched a fist as a smirk of her own crossed her lips enough to rival Albel the Wicked's. She wasn't afraid of him! She'd beaten him twice now and it's about time the third one put him in his place!

 

***

 

This was the second time she walked down this hall and yet it still felt very strange to her. She'd never been in here before those times and never dreamed to infiltrate such a place. She may be a spy but she was no fool either. Nel skimmed her fingers against the brick as she strolled toward the sunlight at the end. This time, she wasn't running for her life, on a mission, or anything of the matter or sort. This time she walked this hall alone and free of will to meet with a man in private that she never expected to ever, especially for a little friendly spar. How absurd. It almost made her want to laugh right out loud. Times were changing and far too quickly. Days now seemed like a blur to her and she longed for something that could ground her back to the past, back to something remotely familiar.

Nel entered the light and squinted as she blocked the sun again and felt a pang of déjà vu hit her. Why did it seem she was always looking for the man who epitomized the darkest of nights in the brightest of lights? She shook her head and brushed the thoughts aside, glad to see at least the arena still remained the same except for the two pillars used to tie hostages removed. She did welcome that change.

She glanced up to her right, unsurprised by Nox standing in his usual spot, dangerously upon the landing. She remembered the first time she saw him up there and in the bright sun he almost looked like a black shadow sent directly from hell. Her heart had pounded in her chest finally laying close eyes upon the man all of Aquaria feared more than anyone: Albel the Wicked. Sure the duke instilled his share of trepidation with his sheer viciousness but he was predictable unlike him. It was his spontaneity that sent chills down the hardest soldier's spines. Rumors of The Wicked were spread across the lands of him as a madman sent by the Demon King himself to wreak havoc on those that would dare stand in his way. However what way he crossed was yet to be figured out.

But he too had changed or at least her view of him had. Being forced to work with the enemy spun all her ideals about him in an instant. From the very first time she had seen him outside of battle, tied to the prison's wall, she knew he was no monster. She witnessed the fatigue in his eyes and malnourished stomach that like anyone else's growled in hunger for food not for blood as so many had whispered. In battle he grew weary and bled whenever injured and she healed him many times throughout the course of their wild journey. In moments of confusion, him standing there by her side in 4D space whether the companionship was mutual or not, helped her get through those rough yet strange times. He had become her silent rock. And because of those times, he was no longer Albel the Wicked, he was simply Albel Nox.

“Are you just going to stand there all day or are you going to strike me, fool?” he barked, still perched on his post.

“I wasn't aware you were ready,” Nel responded with her arms folded as she tilted her chin up at the man.

He whirled his body around and crouched down, allowing his hand to brush the stone below him, staring down like some twisted gargoyle come to life. “I'm always prepared for battle.”

The girl shrugged and exhaled her breath as the man hopped down with his fingers now drumming against the hilt of the katana. He slowly circled her with long strides, hunched low to the ground like a prowling tiger. He wasn't going to play around this time she realized at the change of his battle stance and she slowly tracked him by the corner of her eyes.

He suddenly stopped short directly in front of her and she quirked an eyebrow at him unable to figure out his intentions. She couldn't see clearly into his eyes either with the bangs persistently shadowing over his features like a cloaking defensive she knew all too well. He was unreadable, which immediately signaled danger.

She held her breath and hovered her hands above the handles of her daggers but it was far too late. Albel ruthlessly thrust the Crimson Scourge directly across her shoulder, drawing a beautiful line of red through her scarf that splashed against her clothing. A cry escaped her grasp and she immediately slammed an eye shut at the burning slice it left upon her flesh. She swung her daggers out of the sheaths as the adrenaline shot through her, unable to rip her gaze of the man's eyes reflecting the ruby droplets that smeared the cleansed blade.

Nel swallowed. Her hands began to jitter. She hadn't even seen the actual strike never mind the removal of his sword!

A low chuckle filled the dead air as she watched him toss the blood off the katana, leaving behind a red spray that added to the already many stains upon the stones. She wondered for a moment how many were his yet she already knew the answer; like hers the majority were the cause of his own doing. The stones a canvas to his bloody art that he held a passion and talent for like no other.

“Come Aquarian,” he beckoned, shielding his eyes once more, “Join me and soil those perfect blades of yours with my blood.”

Nel growled between her teeth, ignoring the spatters of her precious life falling to the floor. What was wrong with him? Wasn't this just practice? She swallowed, watching his eyes trail the moisture and had to wonder about his frame of mind as he slowly licked his lips.

He suddenly lunged forward again, but this time she caught it and smiled at the satisfying sound of parried metal. He held his ground as she did hers, but the strength of her lone blade couldn't possibly withstand his. She grunted at the exertion as her arm began to shake and burn in protest, but she had to hold out for just one second longer!

“Fire bolt!” she screamed and slammed her palm flat out against his stomach, dropping her dagger.

Albel staggered back with a sharp cry only for it to twist into a loud booming laugh. His voice cut through her ears, splashing a chill down her spine that choked a breath in her throat.

“Yes! How unexpected!” he exclaimed between bits of his vicious titter, “I haven't been burned in so long…”

“Nox…” Nel breathed, heart thundering in her ears as she watched him smooth two fingers across the charred flesh with a grip still upon his sword. Her eyes widened at the flash of his white upward sneer and she felt the urge to step backward. What was the matter with him?! What exactly had she unleashed?

A cry ripped from her throat as she felt her body slam back into the stone ledge. Nox heaved with amusement as his armored shoulder pinned her down while the Crimson Scourge bit into the flesh of her neck.

“You shouldn't take me so lightly, you know,” he chastised as if she were nothing but a mere child. Nel furrowed her brow and barred her own fangs at him as he leaned in ever so slowly but careful not to dig his blade deeper into the already tender flesh.

“Care not to say anything to me?” he questioned, as she felt the wind of his breath stir her bangs. A wicked grin slithered into his lips as he shifted, placing a knee between her legs.

Nel swallowed and sucked in a breath. She slammed her eyes shut as her pulse quickened at an alarming rate. What was he doing?! She could no longer think clearly as she felt him gently place his other leg on the other side of her own, trapping the limb between his. She gasped feeling the skin of his thigh brush against her own through the slit of their garments, causing another tremor of ice to rack through her body; however he was hardly through with her yet.

Albel pressed his body flat upon hers, taking delight in the way the fleshy mounds of her chest molded against his lean frame. A light chuckle rumbled inside his throat as he watched the little minx before him try ever so vehemently to calm her breathing, but her lungs continued to heave and he could clearly make out the distinct trail of goosebumps rolling across her skin. A satisfied smirk spilled onto his lips as he watched the overflow of red trickle onto the metal he held. Looks like the little Aquarian wasn't much when caught off guard but she had already proven herself to him. Back then and just yesterday, even if it was just out of luck she had the ability to defeat him and that was far more than he could ever say for any other creature on this mud-lump of a planet.

Although he'd best be wise to stay alert around her. Just like the many dragons he had easily defeated in the past, underestimate one of them and even the greatest of warriors could easily be killed. Albel pinched his eyes into slits. Yes he knew that lesson all too well. He lost his left arm twice now for such petty stupidity and he'd be damned if he'd ever lose it again. Yes… he pressed the Crimson Scourge deeper into the girl's neck, relishing the faint whimper. Nevelle's daughter certainly was quite that: a fierce dragon that wielded twin fangs and breathed fire with not only her words but her hands as well.

“Lady Nel! Lord Albel!” a servant called.

Nox clicked his tongue in disgust. If there was one thing he hated most, it was to be interrupted. This better be good…

Nel dared to open an eye and watched as the man slowly withdrew his blade, painfully skimming the sharp edge briefly along the wound. The flesh he assaulted stung at the exposed air he wafted upon her through his sigh and her hand immediately clamped to stop the blood flow with the absence of the metal.

With a soft clink he sheathed the Crimson Scourge and turned toward the servant of Airyglyph he was certain he'd never seen before. Too many new comers, he hated them always shaking far more than needed. “What is it? Snap to it, before I decide to cut that tongue of yours out!”

The messenger's eyes widened and he instantly stood at attention with a quivering hand in salute. “The king requests an audience with the two of you immediately upon a matter of great urgency.”

“And what would that be?” Nel questioned, rapidly gaining her senses back as she cast a silent healing spell. Dealing with Nox's actions would have to wait for later. Right now she was more interested in what the Glyphian King thought he was doing ordering her around. There may have been a peace treaty but that didn't give him the right to instruct her in any mission not delivered directly from Aquarian personnel.

“I don't know,” the messenger answered honestly, “but His Majesty seemed quite adamant that you are the only two that could help.”

“Whatever.” Nel sighed and kicked her dagger from the floor into the air, catching it before strolling her way out. “Might as well see what he wants.”

 

 

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Author's Note: Yeah I know that ended kinda crummy. Don't worry though next time it should be much longer. ^_^! Oh and as for what happens next, the plot starts to come in! Yay! I actually came up with a plot *gasp*. It's quite twisty so everyone's in for some interesting things. Well see you around 30 days from now. I hope it's all worth the wait. In the meantime please give me a review, it really helps motivate me!