Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 09:28:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Kayla S <naomi_kiyoshi@yahoo.com>
Subject: Time: 2

				   Time
				 by Kayla

Note: If you are not of legal age or if it is illegal to view such
material, please leave. Some names are copyrighted by Squaresoft and the
Final Fantasy series.{} denote speech with the Nine or the various
spirtis. "" represents speech with all else.

Chapter 2: Vengeful Realizations

	He steps back from me quickly, perhaps too quickly. I just
smile. For once, I do not resent the facts that I have my powers. It has
given me the knowledge I needed.

	"So, dearest love, tell me, how much was it?" I did nothing to hide
the malice that kept seething forth from me. I knew he could feel it, and I
was cherishing in that fact.

	"I don't know what you're talking about." His fear was grossly
obvious. I give him a venomously sweet smile and prod his mind. He gasps
and tried to raise his defenses.

	"Going on the defense love?" His eyes betray much as he tries to
hide from me. I sigh and realize we should go back to the other world. I
try and touch him once more but he backs off, scared that I would receive
any more knowledge at his expense. "Look, you can stay in this dimension,
that's fine with me. But what would the Grand Council think if their leader
was missing. Terrible business isn't it?" He gulps and realizes he has no
choice but to subject to my will. I tap him on the shoulder once more and
we're back on Earth, current time, right dimension.

	The hollow black color leaves my eyes and Minerva looks at me. I
can tell that she is concerned, scared that he might have hurt me in any
way. I give her a smile of reassurance and turn my attention to Troy and
Lex.

	"I'm sorry to ruin your evening Lex, but I just had to talk to Troy
today. Now if you will both please escort yourselves, I'll be thankful."
Troy looks at me with scared eyes and tries to edge in a word or too as he
has a reputation as a Grand Council Member to protect. I silence him with
my stare and he hangs his head.

	The door opens and I feel another presence I have not felt in so
long, such a long time. I shudder as his mind searches through the
people. He notices me straight away and starts walking toward me.

	"Ah, my lovely Angel. I have finally found you, after so long. How
are you?" Troy, Lex, and Minerva stare on at both of us as he starts to
take me into an embrace. I stiffen and shake his hands off me. "Oh babe,
your not still mad at me are you. He was going to pay me huge sums to me
you know. I had no choice. He was about to become Grand Council Member too
and I wasn't going to get off on a bad start." Before he can continue I
hold up my hand and silence him. I look at Troy and I can tell he remembers
the beast that stands in front of all of us.

	"You would have sacrificed me so that you might have been on good
terms with the Grand Council? Is that who you truly are Firux?" I spit
towards the beast.

	"Angel, you have to try and understand. He was paying me a hundred
grand. How could I resist, after all, you know I'm a demon of greed and
lust." I turn to Troy and pierce into his very soul through his eyes.

	"So, I was worth a hundred grand? I would have figured I would be
much cheaper, but then again, you didn't want to take any chances with me,
did you?" Troy holds his tongue as he knows that I have him in a trap that
is unbreakable. I look at Minerva and I can tell that she is heartbroken
again. I give her a small smile and she comes and hugs me tight.

	"I'm so sorry Angel. I never knew what this bitch was going to
do. But this is all I need, your testimony and this beasts'. Yours alone
will be sufficient though Angel. You don't know how much power you hold in
the Grand Council even though you're not a part of it. When they were
lamenting over your death, I told them you were still alive." It seems that
our cowardly Troy had regained the ability to speak because he starts to
speak.

	"Wait, how did you know? If even Lucio couldn't find him, how could
you?" Minerva rolls her eyes and looks back at Troy with raging fury.

	"You are so blind Troyan. I don't know how you made it onto the
council, but you are so thick. I think they did it out of pity for
you. Imbecile, I am Lady Nina." Troy's mouth falls open as clear
revelations settle into his mind. "Yep, the same Lady Nina that was your
best friend who you tried to kill when I warned you about having second
thoughts about Angel. It was thanks to Angel that I survived that time, and
it also because of him I made it to the council, he recommended me in his
place. And voila, here I am." Troy looks back at both of us, unsure of what
to believe.

	I sigh to myself. I won't be able to enjoy staying here anymore. I
look for Marcus and send to him that I'm leaving. He sends back in a
worried tone whether he needs to came back with me. His concern fills my
heart with a serene calm and I gently tell him that I'll be fine. He stays
a bit instant but I wear him out and return my attention back to the
squabble at hand.

	"Alright, Nina, lets go. I don't want to stick around here
anymore." Before I can leave, Firux grabs my hand.

	"Need company tonight?" Normally, that would not have made me
exceptionally mad but tonight was not a good night for me and I snapped. I
break my hand from his grip just as the winds once more start to pick
up. Outside, it was starting to rain and I could hear the thunder and see
the lightning. Deep in me, I could feel that Valefor, Leviathan, and Ixion
were very worried. That gave me a bright idea as I turn to Nina.

	"Nina, there's some business I need to tend to right now. Do you
mind if I leave you alone for right now?" She nods her head and I just
leave without looking back. I'm done with Firux and Troy, they are nothing
but parts of my past. As for Lex, that's just too bad.

	I head outside and stop as the rain patters down. I walk towards a
dark ally and look up to the sky. [Valefor, can you get me?] I hear the
distant whisper of the wind and the hum of Valefor's beating wings as he
comes towards me. I turn out all the lights and I ask the clouds to stop
their bolts of light for now. In the very pitch of night, I sense the
shifting of the air and feel the feathers of Valefor as he lands next to me
and bends his head for me to pet.

	I stroke Valefor's soft head as he bends over for me to get up
on. As soon as I am on, Valefor takes off and we head to the mystical place
of Tikira's Woods. We both gently land and he lets me get off. I hear the
hoofbeats and the stomps and the various other noises of the animals as the
Nine gather to me. The Nine ethereal beats of Urur. The Nine who can shun
forth any beast and vampire without a worry. The ultimate controllers of
their separate elements, they stand majestically before me.

	The gentle, flowing voice of Leviathan flows over me as she
whispers to me if I wish to train. I simply nod and she races off, flowing
through the world as would a river and is back within seconds with my
weapons and robe. I don them on and proceed to do some exercise movements.

	The Nine stretch themselves and prepare them for an intense fight
as they can feel the rage that is within me. They keep their questions to
themselves and for that I am grateful. Ixion approaches me and shakes it
head and gives me a gentle smile. [Why not take a rest from training and
instead just roam the woods for now?] I smile at Ixion, she always cared
for me. I nod my head and she gets on her knees and I jump up onto her
back. She rises back up and starts at a gallop, soon attaining the speed of
light as we trek through the Woods.

	As we pass by one spot, a feeling of great sorrow and pain was over
me and I start to shake ferociously. Ixion tilts her head up and stares
into my eyes. [Are you ok?]

	[I don't know Ixion. Someone here is suffering greatly.]

	[In the Woods? No mere mortal or immortal can gather into these
Woods without the permission of one of the Nine.]

	[That's what worries me.]

	[Let's go and find out then.] Ixion speeds up once more and we trek
towards the outskirts of Tikira's Woods. Near the very edge, the pain
becomes so intense that I shut my eyes as they threaten to overflow. We get
closer and the pain becomes unbearable and I tumble off from Ixion and
crumple onto the ground, shaking in sobs. Never have I before in all my
life felt the pain that I feel right now, the feeling of utter
hopelessness, the feeling of utter loss of everything that is dear to one.

Ixion kicks up into the air and neighs. The Woods become alive and come to
protect me from whatever is happening. Above, Valefor soars overlooking
everything. Leviathan joins the foray through the small creek that flows
through. Bahamut digs through underground as he approaches the source of my
trouble. Ixion lays down next to me and jolts of electricity flows around
us. Ifrit comes bounding up and lands next to me, adding a shield of pure
fire around me. Cristile bounds through the frost crystals of the clouds
above as she helps Valefor and Bahamut search for the source of
trouble. Typhoon blows through as a whirlwind comes to protect me, adding
to the defense of lightning and fire. Anima forces its way through the land
and tracks down to the point of where the pain is coming from. As soon as
he finds it, he envelops himself around it cutting off all the
pain. Raidena comes and takes me in her embrace and I once more feel
content.

[Thank you, all of you.] They merely shake their heads.

[Angel, the pain was coming from a boy at the outskirts. He is a mortal who
is about to take faith and leap into the arms of death through way of
sacrifice. Should I interfere and help him?]

[Thank you Anima. No, let me see what I can do.] As soon as those words
have left me, the Nine look at me with unyielding eyes. They make it very
clear that they don't want me any closer to him. [Guys, sacrifice isn't the
only way out. Let me try and talk to him. The only reason I grew so weak
was because I was unprepared. Plus, if he tries anything, you guys will be
there to protect me.]

Begrudgingly, the allow me to get up and proceed to the where the boy
lays. Raidena and Anima both follow me, though at a distance.

I finally spot him and I let out a deep sigh. His feelings are so free to
me that I can tell exactly what is going on. His name is Joshua, Josh for
short. Recently, his parents abandoned him because they found he was gay
and he was living n a shelter home for homeless kids. Even there, people
were wary of him because they couldn't figure out why he was there. Today
was the breaking point because he finally broke down and told them. Many
shunned him but there were a few who tried to console him. Even then, he
just couldn't take it. The two people that meant most to him in the world
didn't care anymore, why should he still live. He had a long, slender
knife, perfect for stabbing oneself, and was preparing to take that
faithful leap. He wanted it short and sweet. As he prepared to take it in,
I step in.

"Wait." His eyes shot up to meet mine and the tears that cascaded down his
face stopped for a while. "Sacrifice isn't the only choice you have." His
eyes became hollow and he answers in a dead tone that I have no idea what
he is growing through. I take a brisk run and sludge him in the stomach. He
drops to the floor and the knife falls out. He buckles in pain. I bend down
and hold him back up. "I know what you're going through. No one cares for
you right?" He nods and I slap him, hard. "Your going to stop living
because of someone else? That's the stupidest thing I've heard in my
life. There's so much to see and experience in this world. Don't give that
all up because of someone else. Let them fuck themselves for all I care,
but don't let them fuck you." He pulls himself away from me and looks up at
me.

"Who are you?"

"My name is not your concern. Your life is your concern right now. Go back
into the world. Prove to your parents that you are better than them. Shove
into their face the fact that they abandoned you. Make them regret that
choice."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Time has taught me that the things that matter most to us, are often the
things we give up most easily because we're too scared of doing any more
harm to them. Don't be scared of that. Don't make the same mistakes I've
made."

I take the knife and fling it out into the night and it lands with a
clatter far away. I take his hand and gently kiss his forehead. "Being gay
isn't wrong, my friend. Don't let others tell you otherwise." His eyes
shoot up in amazement. As I turn to walk away, he grabs my hand and spin me
around.

"How did you know?"

"There are many ways to get to know a person kid. You just have to know how
to use them to your advantage."

"Why do you call me kid? I'm older than you."

"Appearances can be deceiving young one. Trust me." As I once more start to
head off, he grabs my hand again.

"Take me with you. I have nothing else here."

"I cannot take you with me. I'm sorry. There are somethings you just don't
understand."

"Then help me understand."

"Easier said than done. Trust me, just live your life to the best, make
this world your realm. Prove that you're better than them all."

"Then let me start with you." He leans in for a kiss, but I turn my
head. He looks back at me with hurt eyes. "Am I no good?"

"No, your very beautiful. But I'm looking for something more than just
looks and a body kid. I've had my share of that for a long time."

"Where are you going?"

"Who knows. I've found it's easier on the soul and heart to keep
moving. Traveling helps ease the pain of memories."

"Can't I just come with you? I promise I won't be a hassle." I can hear the
pleading tone in his voice. But I can't let my resolve fall, not now, not
here.

"I know you wouldn't be. But this, I have to do alone. I'm sorry it has to
be this way. Just promise you will stay away from these woods and that you
will not hurt yourself or kill yourself." He looks at me with questioning
eyes. "Promise me."

"I promise but I don't understand why you care so much."

"Let's just say I've seen too much suffering in my life to just let this go
by." With that, I dash off into the woods. Raidena hugs me once more as I
weep into her shoulder. That took up a lot more of me than I had expected.

[Are you ok Angel?]

[I will be Anima. It just took a lot out of me. It's been a long time since
I've talked to a mortal.]

[And a long time since you felt your heart flutter.] My eyes shoot up to
meet Raidena's beautiful white eyes. She smiles at me with a knowing smile.

[Perhaps. But I think that is the last time I will see him again.]

[No one can exactly tell Angel. Who knows?]

[Yes, who does.]

[Angel, the Grand Council is trying to contact you.] The emergency in
Typhoon's voice worries me and I latch onto Typhoon as he soars through the
winds and takes me back home.

I jump off and land down and proceed to my chamber. I take up the phone and
look at it. There's a voice message:

"Angel, this is Nina. You have to come quick. The Wyerks are attacking. The
Grand Council can't do this alone. Our troops are already starting to
fall. Please, we beg you."

I look up and call forth the Nine to me. In mere seconds, they are all
around me.

[The Wyerks are attacking. I must go. If your help is needed, I will call.]

[Do not worry Angel, we will be there the moment you call us. I just hope
it doesn't come to that. If the Grand Council were to find out that you are
the one that has the sole power over us, the things that they might put up
on you makes me shiver.] All Nine nod their head in assent to Raidena's
small speech.

[Take your weapons and rob. You will need them. The Wyerks are nothing to
joke about. They are some of the strongest demons. And knowing them, they
will have ensnared to them some vampires.]

[Thank you Ifrit. All of you, get some rest. It's time for me to go.]

[Should I take you Angel?]

[No, it is far too dangerous Valefor. I will beseech the winds to aid
me. Goodbye all.] I dash off with the wind propelling me on. I can hear
Typhoon's and Valefor's powers as the push the wind harder to help me. In
but a few minutes, I reach the headquarters of the Grand Council. I step in
an immediately sense a disturbance. I run in and look at the floor, strewn
with bodies.

"Angel?" I can hear Nina's voice but it is so week. I rush over to her and
gently pick her up. She tries to resist as she slowly tell me
something. "Angel, you must run. It's a trap."

"Bummer Minerva. You had to give that up didn't you. Now it's all
ruined. Oh well, it'll still be all good. Welcome back to my hands, my
brother."


Closure: What's up people? Before I start on my speech, I just want to say
thank you to all the people that sent me an email. It means so much for a
reader to know that someone out there appreciates their writing. But I just
have to snicker at Gui E, you sure know how to knock someone on their ass,
thanks babe, I'll keep that in mind nextime. Anyway, on to the speech.
There were so many ways I could have taken the story and that's why it has
taken me so long to get this out, I just wasn't sure what to do. I just
hope you guys like the path I ended up choosing. If anyone wants to edit
for me, I'd be grateful, just email me. I'm gonna try (no promises) to post
weekly but it all depends on my work and college stuff, so wish me
luck. And another cliffhanger huh, I must be getting good. You can kill me
next week though, it will be better. Send all comments to
naomi_kiyoshi@yahoo.com


Other Stories: Dangerously in Love, under Celebrity