OTL

I am so sorry for not writing more of this. I had been busy with the ending of school and then my internet decides to die for a while. I was hoping for a longer chapter. Oh well.

Review for the next chapter.

Enjoy~

Albel sighed; his brother's presence was not helping his attempt to calm down. The two quietly stared at each other as if words were not needed to be used between them. Finally Van spoke, his voice low.

"It would appear you are not well." He stated.

"If not for the obvious, it's none of your business how I am, Van." Albel lashed out in an equally low voice, his tone bitter. His brother just softly smiled, Albel could feel a sting of regret hit him. Ever since they were young Van had not lashed out in return for being harsh.

"That I know, Albel. However," Van paused, scratching Crème under her chin. In response she purred loudly. "My reason for coming here was not for that. To your surprise; I was summoned by the King." Albel raised an eyebrow, for what would the King need Van for. There must be something he wants to keep hidden.

"Yo! Albel you got to look at this." Cliff's voice broke him out of his thoughts. Albel scowled at the older man.

"What is it now worm?" He replied in dissatisfaction. Cliff rolled his eyes and continued now showing a locator.

"It says that Fayt and Sophia are still on Elicoor." He shrugged. "I dunno but we have to check it out." Cliff finished. Albel stood there silent for a moment, by now the rest of the group had joined them and seemed to be waiting for his answer.

"I'm not sure; it could be a trap for all we know." Nel spoke, breaking the silence. Maria nodded.

"Indeed. If anything we must proceed with caution. It wouldn't be any good if another one of us goes missing." Maria crossed her arms. "For all we know it could just be their communicators there."

"True." Nel said as she placed a hand on her hip. "There isn't any personal that can be spared considering all the rebuilding that is going on in both Airyglyph and Aquaria."

"Bah! So what if there aren't any weaklings to spare. If any of you were in Fayt's position now he wouldn't hesitate to rescue your sorry ass, No matter if it was a trap." Albel almost yelled. He was boiling in frustration; it was hard to believe that these were the ones who defeated Luther. All stared at him in shock and amazement. A soft chuckled caught their attention while a high 'Myuu' followed.

"How amusing!" Van chimed. "I would never have guessed you'd know such interesting people. So the daily gossips of your heroic battles are true." Van smiled. "Oh my! My brother has grown so much." Albel flushed and attempted to lash out at him but to only be stopped by Cliff's loud voice.

"Brother?" he said in shock. "Albel has a brother?" Maria only turned to Van silently inspecting him.

"Brother? Then that means you are Van Nox. The eldest son to Glou Nox, The previous Captain of the Dragon Brigade; Am I right?" Nel questioned. Van smiled and bowed.

"Aye that I am, Nel Zelpher." He adjusted his monocle and continued to smile. Nel narrowed her eyes upon the mention of her name. "Do not be alarmed, I have lived in Peterny for quiet a while and the mention of your name was quite common. Alas, I did go off to study in Greeton during the war only to be stuck there until the rebuilding started. So my knowledge of things that happened during the war is only gathered from Gossip."

"Then, that's when you heard about us?" Maria asked. He nodded.

"That is true. Aside from getting a summons to come here, I was preparing to look for Albel. Hearing all these crazy and interesting tales of him made me want to hear the whole story. However it would seem that you have a bit of trouble going on so I suppose it shall wait." He finished his tone sad towards the last bit.

"Uh… yeah, I suppose we do." Cliff said still in a bit of shock.

"How about this, the groups of you go and check out that signal and when you get back you can tell me all about this adventure. Yes?" Van asked with a smile. Albel groaned in annoyance, his brother's cheerfulness and the fact he was partly dense to certain things were only adding flames to Albel's frustration.

"I don't see any reason not to." Maria said before turning to Cliff. "We need to get some supplies before going." Cliff nodded.

"I will see to getting a horse or two. Getting there faster might make things easier." Nel added. "We will meet back here when we are all finished." After all agreed each went their separate ways leaving Van and Albel at the inn's entrance.

"Now, if you could please, tell me about this said person. Fayt, I believe was his name." Van asked his younger brother. Albel glared in return. "From what I gathered he is a friend of yours?"

"Friend? Careful which words you use to describe weaklings. If you must know something then all you need to know is that he is nothing but a fool who causes trouble." Albel replied, a slight blush appearing while he talked. Afraid Van might call him out on it he turned away and started to walk off, only to stop to the lack of response from his brother. Albel turned slightly to see how Van was reacting. To his surprise Van was only smiling.

"If you are leaving then safe travels to you and I do wish you find this, 'fool who causes trouble' soon." Albel glared, he had been wrong to think Van didn't notice. Van grinned mischievously but didn't say anything else. After a pause he turned in the direction of the castle and started to walk waving to Albel as he left.

Talking about Fayt made Albel remember the last few words the young earthling had said to him. '…. Are we sti-ll just data?' The question echoed, was it possible that the people from 4D were the cause of this? Albel shook his head, there had to be another reason. Whatever the answer was he knew it wasn't going to be one he liked.

Malicious laughter echoed in Fayt's ears. He felt stiff and his movements were ridged. The feeling of weightlessness consumed his senses.

"W-where am I?" Fayt asked aloud, slightly opening his eyes he could make out blurry figures that moved around him. He waited for his vision to clear but when it wouldn't he tried rubbing his eyes but his hand couldn't move.

"Now, I will make you and the people you care about suffer as you made me suffer." A cruel voice stated. Fayt could have sworn he had heard it somewhere before but his thought process was cut short as a wave of pain flooded him. He screamed in agony, the pain grew from within him and lingered on the surface of his skin, poking to get back in. The laughter returned this time a bit more hysterical than malicious.