---Aramitama soshite Kushimitama---

-Author Note- I felt like typing up a Fayt/Albel fic, so I decided why not like this? Since I haven't really beat the game yet, and I wouldn't really know where to start the fic otherwise, this will have nothing to do with 4D-beings, Cliff Fittir, or any of the storyline in the game... Well, let's just say it's a rewrite from the time Fayt gets into the escape pod, and is near Elicoor II instead of that other planet, instead. Anyway, I hope you like it...since, of course, Albel is going to really wanna kill me for this...although, he already wants to kill me for a few other instances. o0 It's one of the top things on his list of battles to be won. -whimpers- Mommy...

-Disclaimer- In no way do I own the characters from Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. They are property of their respective creator, and I am only taking liberties with their characters. Besides, would you really sue a teenager for writing a fanfic?

-Journal Entry 001-
SD 772, June 13

Three days have passed since the Helre exploded and I lost contact with Sophia, my parents, and the Pangalactic Federation. Even though games and other things had been programmed into the escape pod to keep the occupant occupied, my mind kept wandering to the planet the computer had designated the closest one with an atmospheric composition similar to Earth. What kind of place would it be, I wondered to myself, shivering in anticipation. Even though it would be equivalent to eighteenth century Earth, it was still an alien planet, and I had no way of knowing what kind of welcome would be awaiting me there.

Still, within the Federation, we learn at an early age to not be discriminatory against other races, and although I knew this quite well and didn't really mind any of the species belonging to the Federation, I didn't really know what to expect on Elicoor II. I was...scared.

For the first time in my nineteen years of existence, I was scared, and not just because it was a planet under the protection of the UP3 and therefore unexplored. The fact that I had been separated from my parents, my best friend, from all that I had known...it really put a damper on this adventure, and my active imagination kept coming up with all sorts of scary situations for when I arrived.

-...-beep- Planet fall in three minutes. Begin preparations.-

"Confirm preparations," I answered the computer, buckling the harness and tightening it, not wanting to be thrown about when we entered the atmosphere. Being the son of well-known genomorphists and authorities on symbology, I was already well-used to space travel, but all Federation members knew what it was like to fly in a ship at least once in their lifetimes, so it was nothing new.

-...-beep- Would you like to go over the UP3 before entering atmosphere?-

The computer had asked me that when it had located Elicoor II, but I already knew what was in it, so I hadn't needed to go over it then or now. The only reason it was asking again, I surmised, was that some people could be ignorant of the UP3, and accidentally does something detrimental to the planet's natural growth. "That's alright, I already know what's in it," I replied, closing my eyes.

-...-beep- Entering atmosphere. Beginning planet fall.-

"Computer, calculate the best place to land without being seen," I gasped, feeling the momentary increase of G-force before the gravitic controls kicked in to compensate. I had nearly forgotten to tell the computer to do that; otherwise it would have just landed anywhere.

--beep- Compliance.-

I sat back in the seat, feeling like I was about to cry. Telling myself I shouldn't be acting so weak, I braced myself for impact, although with the gravity control there would only be a minimally small bump inside the cockpit. I had to do something to keep my mind off the fears that made the bile rise into the back of my throat.

Within a half a minute, it was all over, and the harness automatically unbuckled as the pod's top opened a little, letting in the pure, clean air that only came with many plants and little to no pollution.

Inhaling sharply, I breathed in the scents of the area I'd landed in, wondering if it was just my imagination when I smelled that bitter scent of winter on the air. Although many would deny winter had a smell, I would fully admit that it had a sharp, almost bitter smell to it.

Hesitantly standing after for so remaining on my rear end, I pushed the lid open more, and I could visually see my breath coming out in white clouds. Yes, it would seem this area I'd landed in was in wintertime; just my luck I was in clothes meant for high temperatures and air conditioning. I just hope I wouldn't freeze my butt off before I found civilization.

I hopped down from the cockpit, stumbling slightly on the uneven surface of the ground, my legs feeling a bit like jelly. Glancing around, I assessed my surroundings, and sighed when I realized that this particular area looked mountainous, which would explain the winter-like conditions. Although snow fell, it hadn't really clumped on the ground in a lot of areas, which I supposed meant a good thing.

"Man, I wish I knew what the Elicoorians are like," I muttered aloud, turning back to the ship. I cracked open a panel in the hull, glad for the first time in a long time I had taken a few college courses in engineering, and keyed in a series of numbers into the replicator, ordering up a sword, just incase I met some unfriendly beings, and a bag to carry things in. Of course, the replicator couldn't create clothing, but that was only because the clothing industry back on Earth had had a field day in complaining how the machine took away from their businesses. Well, at least I could still get a bag and a sword, but I still wish I could at least have gotten a sweater or something to wear in this cold weather. Still, my communicator wasn't that bad, but I hoped I wouldn't lose it anywhere.

"Well, I guess I'm off on my new adventure," I smiled to myself, keeping up a brave front so I wouldn't collapse into a mental breakdown. Besides that and hypothermia, I didn't have much to fear about my stay on this planet; I'd eventually find some good people to take me in until a Federation ship came and rescued me. Hopefully...

I trudged along the mountain path, following the obviously often-tread roadways, already sick and tired of the snow, lack of warmth, and the weight of the sword at my side. Even though I was skilled at Battle Simulations, I'd never actually carried a sword in real life, not to mention that the Battle Simulations had been holograms; how would I fare against a real opponent if I didn't really know how to use a real sword?

Despairing of my battle abilities, I didn't really notice the clanking of armor until a hand shot out, grasping me around my waist and hauling me clear off my feet. I hung in the air a few seconds, and then I was plopped onto a creature that was quite possibly a similar species to a horse.

"Ah, looks like I caught a trespasser, men," a deep, rumbling voice hoarsely called above my head, and a wave of fear swept through me. Had they seen my pod land? I hoped to the Stars' that was not true, since I could face some serious repercussions from the Federation, even if it had been a life-threatening situation.

"Shelby, are you certain we should take him in? The Captain wouldn't be very pleased if he turns out to be an innocent 'Glyphian," another voice said, and I had to turn to look up at my captors, my jaw nearly falling to the ground at the sight of the burly man holding me as if I weighed nothing. Behind him on more of those horse-creatures were more men in the matching black armor, and they all looked quite young, even for soldiers.

The man holding me, Shelby, glanced down at me, his good-natured smile widening with sickening malevolent glee. "Judging by his clothes and hair…I'd say he must be from Aquaria, our hated enemy," he said, chuckling a little (for my benefit, I was sure).

Well, it looked like the Vendeeni had chosen a rotten time to attack Hydra IV, since it would seem that Elicoor II was in a state of civil war with itself. Mentally sighing, I judged my opponent, wondering if I could outrun these horse-like creatures if I (somehow) got loose from Shelby's harsh grip around my waist.

"But what if he's from Greeton? I heard they all look weird there," another black-armored young man said, pointing out something that was obviously common knowledge.

"Well, if he is, then he should know not to trespass in Airyglyph!" Shelby barked out, laughing heartily.

Okay, so this area I was in was called Airyglyph? Must be, since they seemed to be the guards, or military, of this place, and kept calling themselves "Glyphians." Considering I had as much knowledge as I would need for the day, I relaxed my body, glad for a change I was so skinny. I easily slid from Shelby's grasp and onto the ground, much to the shout of outrage coming from the big man, and I had a second to contemplate the pain in my shins before I took off at a sprint, hoping to reach some sort of shelter before they caught up with me.

"Get back here, you Aquarian scum!" Yelled Shelby, and I felt the vibration of hooves chasing after me, coming on me at an alarmingly fast rate.

"Ah, no," I gasped, wincing as my shins and side complained loudly. I'd probably damaged something in my legs, and the air up here was also considerably thinner than what I was used to for running in. All these factors combined couldn't make up for the fact that...Shelby easily caught me, sweeping me up and onto the saddle of the horse-creature by my waist, the wind knocked out as my stomach landed almost painfully on the pommel of the saddle.

"Well, that was stupid, Aquarian spy," Shelby growled, wrenching my head back with a gauntleted fist. I gazed into his eyes, trying not to show fear in mine, and I had the absurd notion that no matter what happened, I would survive this encounter, even though they'd probably try their best to kill me.

"I'm not...ah…Aquarian!" I managed to gasp out, wincing at the cruel jerk of his hand in my hair.

He chuckled audibly, his other hand reaching to grasp around my neck, digging his fingers into the pulse points on either side of my throat. "No matter what you claim, little blue-haired boy, you are still going to be thrown in Airyglyph dungeon. I heard the interrogator there has a fool-proof method to reveal any secrets you might have inside your pretty blue head," he threatened, releasing my throat once I tried to cough forcefully, gasping for air.

Wisely, I decided to remain silent, and hope for the best. My chance for escape would come soon, I was sure of it. Until then, I would resist whatever torture they had in mind for me, even if it meant being maimed. Perhaps, I thought optimistically, someone in Airyglyph would feel sorry for me and demand my release.

Well, until a Federation ship came to my rescue, I was on my own in a strange world, vastly different from that of my own. Right then, I could only pray for swift assistance and the bravado to stand whatever the future might bring me.

-End Journal Entry 001-

-Author Note- Okay, so, in the middle of writing out the first chapter, I had to go and turn on the game to look up a few things to make this a better fic. And, yes, I do the correct term for the "horse-like" creature Fayt mentioned: it's a Lum. This is written in Fayt's point of view, and as he hasn't had any foreknowledge of the planet, the terms will become more accurate as time passes, basically when Fayt learns the terms. Oh, and sorry to Albel lovers everywhere that he didn't appear in this chapter. I'm planning on this being a long fic, with fluff (of course), and a few future sex scenes (possibly closer than you all realize). Anyway...don't kill me Al-chan! I'll listen to your critiques and make the changes however you wish! (And when you think you have me defeated, I shall kick your sorry lil...oh, wait...the damn thing's still on. Oh shi-)