Fayted

**02: Enemies and Open Wounds **

Disclaimer:
Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
This Rho doesn't own Star Ocean,
So you no sue.
But as for the storyline and the characters I create,
touch a single one of them,
and your head this Rho will take.

A/N: mmmkay, warning: This chapter is VERY violent so if you are adverse to blood do not read it. But, you may miss wonderful plot bunnies... >>

I would like to thank my reveiwers Erim and silverdragonz_z ^^ I am glad that you have enjoyed the story thus far! I hope that I do not disappoint you. ***

"Anki Metsubou, age 19, gender male. Freshmen, ranked third in his class. ID #007651. Current residance is Tokyo University, located in the upper levels of the Neo Japan sector of Earth." Stated a female electronic voice. The voice came from a rather large transparent screen that had manifested above a control panel near the front of what looked like the bridge of a rather advanced ship. The interior was silver or course, something that was a nessesity for all ships of this age apparently. It was rather spacious, the many panels and monitors to the right and left of the room, leaving the center clear for the raised platform that took up the bulk of the room. The platform itself was about four feet from the floor, many wires and cables snaking their way up it's sides. These wires were connected to a person it seemed. His or her face was hidden behind a silken veil of black and the person's body seemed to be supported by an odd colored liquid that filled the glass collum that the humanoid was in. Upon further observation, the person appeared to be in a comatose state.

The gender of the person was unable to be determined due to the veil that seemed to cover most of the person's body for modesty as well. Various mechanized devices were attatched to it's limp body which inturn, were connected to wires that ran to the base of the collum. The ship was being controlled it seemed by several people in similar black uniforms, at least six manning each side of the ship.

" Thankyou, Computer. Set a course for Earth." A feminine voice commanded. A woman stood near the collum that held the comatose person, her odd green eyes locked on a small monitor nearby. She looked young to be a ship commander, appearing to be only about twenty one or so, which was very unusual. Of course there was hardly anything normal about the young woman to begin with. For one, her hair was a startling shade of blue. It was a trait that was rarely seen naturally and made her very noticable.

" Is he the one, Takai-sama?" She asked the person who obviously could not hear her. The monitor let out many frantic beeps when a photo a a brown haired young man popped up on the main screen. He was smiling with a goofy look on his face, hand raised in a cheesy peace sign. A smile curved the young commander's lips and she leapt down from the platform.

" Cliff!" She called, moving to stand before the main monitor. A few moments later the door that led to the rest of the ship slid open with a hiss and a rather large man strode into the room. He was intimadating to say the least with his toned muscles and height as he came to a halt near the commander. The man crossed his arms over his chest and grinned good naturedly down at her.

" Yeah? What's up?" He asked.

" This is the one." She replied simply, drawing his attention to the monitor overhead. The blonde man scratched his head as he committed the target's face to memory.

" You sure 'bout that? He's just some regular kid!" He asked, earning a dry look from the woman. She sighed softly and looked up at him.

" Cliff, you are hopeless. Of course he looks like a normal boy, because in essance he is normal." She answered. " I need you to complete your objective, not complain about his looks."

" Yes Ma'am! What if the Federation gets wind of us?" He asked, his dark eyes narrowed.

" They won't, because you and Mirage are going alone to the planet. We will take you as far as we can and then you can use the Eagle to proceed. Rendevous with us when I give you to coordinants." She replied.

" Gottcha." He stated, nodding once before turning back towards the door. The commander stared out the large windows that took up the whole front of the ship. Her fingers closed gently around a small white feather that hung from a chain about her neck as a small smile crossed her face. Finally they were close to completing the mission.

Meanwhile on Earth, the said target was making his way from his afternoon Calculus class to the large cafeteria that sat in the middle of the University. His blue school uniform was askew and looked like it had never seen an iron in it's life. Apparently he wasn't one for neatness when it came to his appearance. With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair and sat down at a small table in the back of the crowded room, setting his laptop and books on the seat beside him. The place was rather high tech, not that one could expect any less from the college. It was so easy these days to go through life without having to lift a finger to do things. Everything was voice automated to make things more efficiant. Honestly, he hated it.

" Please enter student ID#." Came the expected voice of the computer as a transparent monitor appeared before him.

"007651." He replied without hesitation, resting his head on his palm as he leaned forward on the table.

" Good afternoon, Mr.Metsubou. What would you like?" The voice continued. The young man pressed a few selections on the screen before him, looking more bored then anything.

" Thankyou. Enjoy your meal." The voice stated as a tray of hot food manifested on the table before him.

" Will do." He replied sarcastically to the voice before the monitor vanished.

" Anki-San!" Called a young girl, who rushed over to take the seat across from him. He looked up at her with a smile as she began taking her own order. She was a pretty thing really, her shoulder length brown hair, bright blue eyes, and rather frail body. To put it simply she was very cute.

" Hello Hana." He greeted her, starting on the pizza on the tray before him.

" Anki-san, don't you ever eat anything healthy?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at his tray. She earned a shrug and some uncomprehendable reply that was muffled by the pizza. Hana let out a groan and shook her head at him as her own food appeared.

" Lay off already, you are starting to sound like my mom!" He laughed, tossing a french fry at her.

" Well, ONE of us has to be mature!" Hana retorted as she brushed the offending potato off of her shirt. This only earned a snort from the young man. He ignored her death glare and turned his attention to the lunch room, noting that more people were starting to flood in from the other classes that had just let out.

" I think I'm gunna catch a game before my Four o'clock class," He stated after swallowing his remaining food and chugging the glass of water. What? He had to balance out his meal somewhat didn't he?

" Anki! Again? All you do is play those fighting games all the time! Don't you like hanging out with me?" Hana asked, a bit offended by his poor attention span. Anki let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his head as he tried to think up a way to get out of this one. Yeesh! She got mad so easily these days!

" Of course I like hanging out with you, Hana! I just can't sit still too long. You know that. Hey, why don't you play a game with me?" He asked with a classic puppy dog look on his face.

" Me? Play a combat simulator? But, Anki, I am not very good at those things!" She protested, flinching at the look he was giving her.

" Oh, come on Hana! It's easy! Besides, I'll protect you!" He beamed as he gathered up his things. He knew she couldn't resist. The girl blushed faintly and sighed in defeat.

" Fiiine, I'll try it," She sighed. Anki let out a cheer of victory and grinned from ear to ear as he dragged the reluctant girl away. The game that the young man was speaking of was located down the hall from the cafeteria inside of a room set aside for student recreation. There were several doors at the far side of the room with monitors next to them displaying stats and high scores. At the top of each monitor was the name: BlackSeraph, a fact that brought Anki MUCH satisfaction. Afterall, he had worked very hard to become the top scorer in school. Of course no one knew that HE was the famed BlackSeraph that everyone tried to beat. Anki led Hana towards one of the doors, his fingers playing across the monitor as he typed in his passcode.

" Welcome, BlackSeraph. Please enter game preferances." The computerized voice spoke. Why was it always a female voice? Anki keyed in a few more things before turning to the girl who stood behind him.

" All right, Hana. I am going to start us on a beginner level ok? That way you can get the hang of it." He said reasuringly. She fixed him with a look that clearly stated: " You had better not get me hurt!".

" Ok, i'll try my best." She replied. If only she could quell the butterflies that were dancing about in her stomach. The electronic door slid open with a hiss and Anki strode inside confidantly, Hana following behind. The interior of the room was white, lit by lights in the walls and ceiling. The room was round, and very spacious to allow for movement during play. Hana looked about curiously as the door slid shut behind them. Anki stepped into the center of the room and motioned for the girl to follow, an electronic voice instantly sounding all around them.

" Welcome, Master BlackSeraph and Lady Melinnia, to the Virtual Combat Fighting Simulator. You have requested a beginner's level to start your game, is this information correct."

" Yes, that's right." Anki replied. " Melinnia will be using a symbology based character, and I will be using my normal one."

" Very well. For the safty of the players, this game will be terminated if any errors occur during play. VCFS is not responsible for any injuries sustained during combat." the voice continued.

" Yes, I know. Load game please." Anki stated. The room turned black instantly, Hana letting out a yelp of surprise. Neon grid lines appeared on the walls and floor a few moments later. Hana held her arms out slightly and looked down at herself when strange virtual armor appeared on her. She felt a light weight appear in her left hand, a staff that was about three feet long and composed of virtual light.

" Pretty cool, huh?" Anki asked with a smirk, twirling his sword in his hand when he felt the weapon load. His armor was similar to her's she realised as she looked him over.

" Yeah the armor is pretty much all the same. The game makes it so you have to rely on your own strengths to win and doesn't give anyone an advantage." Anki explained. Hana nodded slightly, finding herself rather uneasy about the whole ordeal.

" Here we go!" Anki exclaimed as a boost of adrenaline rushed through his limps. The room hummed faintly and three large beasts appeared before them in a flash. They stood nearly eight foot tall, hunched over slightly and armed with large clubs. Their skin seemed very reptilian and thick over bulging mucles that supported the beast's weight. It's head was similar to a human, yet with slits for a nose and blazing red eyes. Spikes ran down their spines and lined their shoulders, making them very intimadating.

" Alright! Hana, cast attack magics and keep my health up k?" Anki called before rushing forward. His sword came up in a wide arch as he neared the first beast, the young man throwing his weight behind it and flipping backwards in the same motion. The impact of the attack sent the creature flying into the air with a roar of rage. Hana's jaw dropped open in surprize as Anki landed lightly and spun to block the attack of another beast. A ear shattering roar snapped her out of her stupified trance and she let out a shriek before holding her staff before herself. The third beast had snuck up behind her while she had been watching Anki. The young woman felt an odd tingling sensation run through her arms and fingertips, brilliant pink symbols dancing about her form.

" Lighting Blast!" She cried, when the energy intensified. A large bolt of electricity exploded from the tip of her staff. It lashed out violently at the beast, knocking it aside with a crackle of thunder. Anki bounded back a bit from the two beasts, holding his left hand near the sword. The air about his grew cold as he drew heat into himself, fire igniting within his palm.

" Blazing Sword!" He yelled, the flames licking up the cold steel greedily and engulfing it in it's warmth. The young man darted forward and slashed quickly at one beast before spinning and parrying an attack from the second. The flaming sword sliced clean through the creature with a grace that would have made any Jedi envious. Without hesitating Anki turned on the other. It raised the club overhead in order to deal the young man a heavy blow, but Anki leapt to the side quickly. Dark energy laced around his body as he leapt into the air and with a cry he placed several sharp kicks to the beast's head. The creature burst apart in a flurry of digital dust with a cry of anguish. Hana allowed the same power to surround her body as a different set of runes surrounded her.

" Ice Needles!" She yelled, a flurry of sharp projectiles rushing towards the final beast. The tiny ice crystals penetrated it's body and the creature exploded with a roar. Hana let out a sigh of relief and rose a hand to her chest in an attempt to still her racing heart. Anki smirked lightly at her and crossed the room to her side.

" Fun huh?" He asked with a boyish smile.

" Fun? Yeah, but tiring!" She panted, wiping away the sweat that had gathered on her forehead.

" You should excercize more then!" He laughed in reply. " Alright, we'll call it quits for today. Tomarrow we'll try for two!"

" WHAT!?" She exclaimed, earning an amused laugh from him. Suddenly a tremor shook the room, the two stumbling forward roughly. Anki reached out to grab the girl's arm, pulling her back when a large piece of the ceiling came crashing down in the spot she had just recently been occupying.

"What the hell!?" He yelped. Hana shrieked when yet another tremor hit, grabbing onto the young man for support.

" Anki, I don't think I like this game anymore!!" She screamed. Anki winced slightly, knowing that he would be sporting lovely bruises soon. A woosh sounded behind them, the duo turning quickly. A massive beast appeared before them, both letting out cries of surprise.

" WHAT THE HELL IS A LEVEL 50 PLUS MONSTER DOING HERE!?" Anki yelled, pushing Hana behind him quickly. " Computer abort! Abort game!"

" Error. The system is currently being used by another program." The voice of the computer stated. Anki could have died right then and there as his blood ran cold. Did someone hack the game!? Shit! The beast loomed over them, a roar sounding from it's massive jaws. He wasn't ready for this! He had only equipped standard gear so that he could help Hana! The behemoth was a mountain of muscles beneath a purple coat of shaggy fur. It's horned head was very dog like and seemed to be capible of snapping the both of them like twigs.

" Shit! Hana, get back! Cast support magic!" Anki commanded, shoving the girl away from him. She let out a cry and obeyed as the creature advanced on Anki. The young man circled the beast to the left, drawing it's attention rather quickly. With a roar it struck, a large paw catching Anki and sending him flying across the room. The young man let out a grunt when he came in contact with the far wall. Damnit all. Angrily he rose to his feet and sped across the room. He leapt into the air, his blade striking the beast's leg. The creature meerly batted him aside like a rag doll.

" Lighting Blast!" Was the cry that reached the fallen boy's ears, followed closly by a roar of rage and a loud concussion of thunder.

" No!! Hana! Run now!!" He yelled. The girl let out a shriek when the beast sent his own bolt of lighting at her. Pain seared through her frail body and her vision went white. The air was forced from her lungs harshly and her legs gave out from under her. Hana gasped out for air desperately as her vision began to slowly clear, her ears ringing loudly. Anki let out a cry of horror when the lighting struck his best friend, sending the unfortunate girl to the floor. He launched himself forward and with deadly intent, rammed his blade into the creature's side with as much force as he could put behind it. It roared in pain and thrashed violently, but the young man held tight to the creature. Brilliant blue light danced about his body as strange symbols snaked their way up his body. His eyes closed tightly and he forced the energy into his sword. Ice rushed up the blade, sending a large jolt of power through the beast's body. Anki held onto the beast desperately as it thrashed about wildly. His hands fisted in the beast's fur and he tried to pull himself upward. He felt something warm and sticky roll down his right arm, the boy looking down in shock. Was it...BLEEDING!? Thick blackish blood ran from the wound he had inflicted unchecked.

Anki felt a stab of nasuea in his stomach at the sight. No way! These creatures don't have blood! He felt something clamp onto his waist roughly, pain rushing trough him as a cry escaped him. A sickening crack filled his ears and he was yanked violently from the beast's side. His hand slipped free from the sword uncontrolabley and he was flung through the air. Anki didn't even feel the impact of the ground, the pain from whatever had clamped onto him overpowering it. He pressed a trembling hand against his stomach, noting that not only was his armor gone, but his shirt was lacerated beyond repair. He rose his hand up toward his face so that he could see, his eyes widening in fear and disbelief. He was bleeding. Badly. The young man forced himself up into a semi-sitting position and looked down at himself. Flesh had been lacerated almost as badly as the fabric of his shirt, blood pouring from his large wounds in rivers. It was the most painful thing he had ever experianced. Shaking violently from blood loss and terror he looked up at the massive beast who's gleaming fangs were now coated in the young man's blood. Anki's breathing came in short gasps, air barely filling his lungs. His hand moved to hold his shattered rib cage weakly and he was rewarded with a severe jolt of pain for it.

He sucked in another breath before coughing violently, blood trickling from his mouth. Damn. A shriek brought his attention back to the beast and his eyes widened dramatically. Hana was floating nearly twenty feet from the floor, wicked black energy spiralling about her now limp form. The massive beast stood before her, eyes white as it drained the girl of her energy.

" HANA!!!" He screamed, his voice sounding mangled and strained. Desperately he called for what little energy he had left in him and held a hand out towards the beast.

" Ice Needles!" He gasped as the weak attack shot forward. The massive beast let out a howl of pain when the projectiles hit it's face. Hana was dropped instantly and the creature pawed at it's face angrily before turning it's murderous glare to Anki. The young man panted heavily, desperate for air that would not grace his lungs. With a dry sob he rolled to his side. Hana was probabley dead, and he would be soon as well! This was all his fault! How could he have forced her to play? The beast began it's slow advance on Anki, snarling lowly as it neared. He felt an odd sensation work it's way through his body and his world when black.

The beast hesitated when the human's scent changed drastically. Anki's limp form twitched slightly, his dark brown hair bleeding viberant blue. Slowly, the broken male rose to his hands and knees, blood tainting his once perfectly pale skin. A loud cracking sound came from the boy's spine a moment later as joints and tendons popped and snapped. Two bone like structures forced their way from the boy's spine with a sickening snap. White feathers covered the new appendages quickly in a flurry of wild blue light. Anki rose into the air slowly and faced the large beast, one of his hands raising to face the creature. The young man's eyes snapped open, his once emerald eyes now glowing with an intensity that made even the large beast step back. Without a word a humorless smile curved his pale lips and a massive beam of light shot from his body towards the creature. The beast roared in agony when the light impaled it, blue symbols rushing to cover every inch of it.

And with only a faint whooshing sound the creature vanished. It was nothing dramatic or extravigant, it just simply ceased to exist. Anki let out a soft whimper and dropped from the air. He landed with a thud as his wings shattered into a flurry of white plumes...