Gold

by Asurahime

The mirrors of the Eternal Sphere spin endlessly, uncontrollably, even beyond the reach of God. Time does not exist in this lonely world, forged in the brightest gold and stained by the darkest blood. God is lonely without the songs of the angels, without the hymns and the pious serenades that reinforce his power. Even as the Creator ruled as absolute justice, the fallen seraph he loved most chose to stand before him, wings extended and sword drawn.

What was it that drew Lucifer to rebel? Was it avarice? Lust?

No.

There is no sin deadlier in the eyes of God than the sin of Free Will. This is the knowledge between good and evil, dark and light, and the realization that Creation and Destruction are equal and separate entities.

But even the Creator will one day become susceptible to the inevitability of time. All will end when the stars shine red.

Luther's fingers flew through the keys before him, shifting the cosmos that has grown deaf to the voice of the divine. Stars died, but in their stead shone new ones, flooding the Creator's workspace with crimson light. To the Creator, everything looked to be bathed in blood.

"Is this how you repay me, my Fate? After all that I have suffered through? After all that I have done for you?" whispered Luther as he stared at a screen showing the blue-haired angel and his companions ascending the numerous steps leading to his Workspace. His expression turned murderous when he saw the crimson-eyed usurper, Albel take a hold of Fayt's shoulder to steady him. Turning around violently, he took hold of the mirror of Purification and threw it against the pendulum of the Eternal Sphere, causing glass fragments to fall like deadly rain upon the ground. "Enough, Judgment is at hand."

Waving his hand before him, Luther opened a temporary hole in space. Gold runological circles appeared on the ground as the Creator barked out an order. "Bring my Fate to me."

The entirety of the Workspace groaned, giving an impression of anguish as two figures manifested before Luther. Luther smiled, but his satisfaction did not last and he soon growled in fury when he realized that his target was not alone. "You! Why are you here?" snarled Luther.

"Get lost, worm. This has never been your story!" Wicked vermilion eyes fixed themselves upon Luther. "Some god you are. Looks like even your toys don't want to play with you!"

"This is the end, Luther," said Fayt, holding the Crimson Scourge before him. "Simulacrum or not, this time, I won't miss."

With another flick of his hand, Luther sent Albel flying, the swordsman hitting one of the revolving mirrors with a painful crack before lying dreadfully still. "You… worm…"

"Albel!" shouted Fayt, momentarily taking his eyes off Luther to see his companion fall. Unfortunately, even that moment was enough for Luther to close in, knocking the Crimson Scourge out of Fayt's grasp and grabbing him by the neck. The Creator's blood seeped through Fayt's white shirt, staining the white fabric a deep crimson.

"That was a very foolish move, my Fate. Have you forgotten that in this space and time, I control everything?" Luther's tone was malicious, cutting into Fayt's resolve just like his golden-blue eyes glared daggers into emerald. "Of course you have, since those parasites erased your memories and enslaved your mind."

"You're a monster!" Fayt spat out through the tight hold. "Why do you want to destroy something that you created? We have diverged from the program that you have created out of zeros and ones! We think for ourselves now and we should be able to live and die with our own choice! Do you hate all of the Eternal Sphere that much?"

"Don't you dare speak that way to me, my Fate! You were never anything like those mindless creatures I created for the pleasure of others! I made you into my equal, but they wrenched you from my grasp! Those foolish viruses stole you from me and now, they have enslaved your mind to turn and destroy the only person you are supposed to love!

"But you cannot truly hate me." Luther's tirade ended and his expression grew serene. The vice-like hand turned gentle as it ran fingers through fine, blue hair. "Oh, my beautiful Fate. Since when have the two of us diverged in our understanding of each other? Hatred, as you call it, is a form of love. But that love is unrequited, unsatisfied, and badly misunderstood. It is an emotion that has forgotten its heart and lost its mind. But now, you and I can stop hating."

"Lies!" hissed Fayt, tearing up as Luther's grasp on his throat tightened. "You cannot bring yourself to understand or accept anything or anyone, not even Blair. You've ceased to live since you first decided to play God!"

"Because I lost you!" snarled Luther, eyes wild and frantic. "You were my heart as soon as you first opened your eyes, but those impudent creatures in this cursed artificial cosmos stole you from me. But now, things will be as they are meant to be."

Fayt's pained expression twisted into one of sheer anger as he drew back a fist and punched Luther in the jaw, sending the Creator reeling back in surprise from the unexpected attack. "You're insane!" whispered Fayt before rushing to the unconscious Albel. However, he could only manage a few steps before he was stopped, frozen in his tracks.

"Playtime has long passed, my Fate," growled Luther after he had regained his composure. He turned his head aside and spat out a mouthful of blood, barely visible in the vermilion light bathing the room. "You will return to how you used to be, obedient by my side. If you do not, I will kill that filthy usurper."

"You wouldn't…"

"You forget your place!" hissed Luther, casting a spell that wound itself like a chain around the unconscious Albel's heart. The other end of the chain lay in Fayt's hand. "Defy me and you will see what happens when data loses its heart. With a single word, I can force you to pull on that chain and kill your dear friend. What is your choice, my Fate?"

Fayt struggled to open his hand, put even he could not control his movements as every jerk tightened the chain's grip on his companion's heart. Within moments, he ceased to struggle, defeated. He soon felt cold, dark wings surround him as the chain disappeared in a flash of light. Albel started to stir in its absence. "Luther."

"What is it, my Fate?" asked Luther, triumphant but hiding his surprised at how calm the blue-haired boy's tone was. The movement of his wings temporarily ceased.

"Every time I find myself in a situation, it's always someone else who comes to rescue me. Despite the all-powerful being everyone makes me to be, it always feels as if I am incapable of taking care of myself. Whether it's Albel, Cliff, Nel, or Maria, it is always someone else." Fayt kept his eyes focused upon the purple-clad swordsman even as he felt his consciousness fade.

"Destruction was never meant to be a hero, my Fate," Luther sighed as he wrapped his wings tightly around both of them. "But you no longer have to fret about such menial fantasies. I will always be here for you."

Luther pulled the unconscious boy into his arms, and reveled in their close proximity. He kissed his angel hard, trying to mark his property as his again after so many years of longing, madness, and defiance. The golden-haired God nipped and sucked on Fayt's lips viciously, triumphant but furious with the lack of participation. This is what it felt like to kiss data, pliant to his wishes, but sterile in reciprocation.

Time stopped when Creation and Destruction once again existed on the same space. God and Lucifer, Owner and Owned, Life and Death became one as Luther tore the mortal garments from Fayt to reveal the flawless form created for the divine.

"I have craved your warmth and the desire that you invoke in my heart. You are my beginning and my end. You are my likeness, my everything, myself. I will strip you of your free will until you cannot say you are anything other than mine until the end of time."

Inky blackness fell like a veil upon the Eternal Sphere. All light gave way to all encompassing night. All life ceased, all death stalled, and both good and evil were erased by the union of Creation and Destruction. Stars burned out and fell like tears upon the glass mirrors that lay shattered upon the ground. The pendulum controlling the flow of time stood still, a frozen monolith that no longer has a purpose.

All life must come to an end as everything once held precious turns out to be meaningless after all. There is no time for tears as the clashing of swords still, worshipers turn deaf, and serenades fall silent. The ribbons of the myriad Milky Ways unraveled, rent by a force beyond any law and reason.

This was how Luther wanted it—suspended in time and alone with the divine figure of his own creation. No one can defy the absolute will of God. But in this ephemeral moment, this transient space, they were neither mortals nor gods, simply…

"Lovers," whispered Luther, running his hands across Fate from the tips of the white wings to the shock of sapphire hair to the angel's unclad feet. Fate was perfect, the exact same as he was right before the angel fell into sin. "Welcome back, my Fate." Luther then smiled and held an open palm against Fate's porcelain chest, marveling at the softness of the skin. Whispering a word, golden runological circles appeared when he touched, securing themselves around Fate's heart and trapping the spirit of free will within.

Fate's green eyes flew open as he let out a pained cry, piercing the thick veil of night surrounding them. "Albel!"

The remembrance of the name twisted Luther's expression into one of unbridles fury. He tightened his grip on the synthetic angel, grasping a white wing and digging his nails into Fate's chest, uncaring that he was hurting him. "Fate, you are no longer allowed to let any other name other than mine pass from your lips. I once tore your wings from you and I can easily do so again!"

-Within a heartbeat, Luther grabbed Fayt by the throat and pinned him to the ground. He was no longer laughing and the fire of insanity burned within his eyes. Without a sound other than an animalistic hiss of fury, Luther grasped his synthetic angel's white pinions and tore them from Fayt's back. "I've given you wings and you were supposed to give me your unadulterated obedience. If I took the wings back, will that make you stay with me?"-

"My Owner… it hurts…"

"Just bear it a little longer, my Fate," hissed Luther, taking twisted pleasure in both hearing the subservient voice and causing pain as punishment even in his triumph. "I love you, my Fate. My fallen Israfel has returned to me. We are together now."

Shining eyes looked up at the Creator as he released his prisoner. "Luther, My Owner."

"Yes, my Fate?" murmured Luther against Fate's soft blue hair.

White runological circles pierced the gloom as Fate drew away and turned to face his Creator, a warm smile on his lips and hard mercury shining in his eyes. "I can no longer be your Fate."

-''For the last time, I call you My Owner," said Fate, eyes averted as if looking at Luther pained him. "I choose to go to a place where I am needed."

Soft chuckling turned into hysterical laughter as Luther gazed down fondly upon his greatest creation. "To a place where you are needed? How can I possibly make you understand that the place that you are most needed is here, with me? I created you. I gave you the life that you are living right now."

''Yes, but I can't be all you need. And I no longer need you."-

"What?" Luther pulled back as if burned as Fate unfurled his white wings; its once soft-looking feathers gained a blue-white tinge similar to newly tempered steel.

Fate's warm smile faded as he raised his wings and his hands skyward, his gaze never leaving Luther's. "I am neither Israfel nor Lucifer."

"Fate!"

"I am Tabbris."

E.T.H.E.R.E.A.L.

His head hurt. His body hurt. It hurts to even breathe.

But to hell with pain, murder's a great deal more satisfying.

And fun.

But it's better not to let that maggot know about that or he will just nag about how it's wrong. Nag Nag Nag Nag Nag Nag-.

Worm!

Albel's eyes flew open, cutting off the complaining running rampant in his thoughts. He has woken just in time to see Luther's dark wings envelop Fayt and himself. But even knowing that he would not make it in time, Albel rushed at the forming cocoon, striking at it with his Steel Claws. Although that first one did not so much as scratch the wings, Albel struck repeatedly, snarling expletives as each attempt proved fruitless.

So intent was the former Captain of the Black Brigade in crushing the cocoon that he did not notice the blasting open of the Workspace's doors. He also paid no attention when the rest of his companions surrounded him, asking where Fayt and Luther went.

"Quit acting like a PMSing bitch and answer our questions!" yelled Cliff, quite tempted to bash the Elicoorian's head in. Then he saw what Albel was attacking and adjusted his gloves. "Fine! Maybe you'll answer my questions after I help you smash this thing, so don't say I have never done any favors for you! Maria, Mirage, let's crush this thing!"

"Roger," nodded Mirage.

Albel snarled and stood in front of the cocoon, blocking it with his body. His teeth were bared in defiance and his entire form was poised to attack whoever dared to draw near him. "Back off, worms!"

"Whoa, jeez. You really gotta lighten up from those Mental Enhancers, Albel," said Cliff as he backed off. But his expression hardened when he glanced between the Airyglyph soldier and the immense shell of darkness in the center of the room. "Don't tell me both Fayt and Luther are in there!"

Blair walked in, supported by Sophia and Nel. She took one look at the otherwise motionless room and slumped to the floor, trembling as she looked at the cocoon. "That's a time dilation field, a confined area in space and time that is very difficult to breach. Luther has probably taken Fayt in there for the purpose of reprogramming. Brother, what have you done!"

"BROTHER?" Everyone in the room aside from Albel stared at Blair in shock.

Albel renewed the attack on the cocoon. "Whatever your 'reprogramming' means, I'll reprogram that worm's head off if he so much as touches that maggot! Get ready to be an only child by the time I'm done with him!"

Cliff cracked his knuckles in frustration. "Argh, you're not getting anywhere! Sphere of-!" He quickly found himself knocked ten feet away and on the receiving end of a blood-colored glare that promised death.

"I said back off, worm!" hissed Albel.

Sophia stepped up, pleading to Albel. "Why won't you let us help you?"

"You're not the only one who's worried about Fayt, Albel. You must agree that it would be more productive if we helped you," said Maria as she loaded a laser cartridge in her gun.

Albel stared down each of them in turn before turning back. "No. Don't get in my way."

"Why are you acting like this? You didn't care about what happened to him before, so why do you care now?" growled Cliff, getting back up on his feet. "Don't you even care about—"

"Because I love that fucking maggot," Albel whispered almost imperceptibly, but in the silence of the room, it was clearly heard by all. "So leave me alone."

The rest of the group remained speechless in their surprise. They did not know what stunned them more—that Albel had feelings for Fayt, or that Albel had actually declared those feelings out loud. But in the course of their individual meditations, all the pieces fell into their proper places.

Cliff looked down and picked up a sword by his feet. Noticing the familiar weapon, he called Albel. "Hey, you homo! Quit ruining your nails. I don't think the boys will like you as much if you break one!"

A rather hefty piece of computer equipment buried itself right where the Klausian was standing. I would have mean instant burial to Cliff if he had been a second slower. "Don't mess with me!" snarled Albel in the process of throwing an equally large hard drive.

"Wait, those are-!" Blair started to protest, but Nel held her back, shaking her head. "Don't bother reasoning with those two."

"Here," said Cliff, handing the Crimson Scourge to Albel. "Get Fayt out of there. And if you ever hurt him, I'll bash your face in."

The menacing glare on Albel's face was replaced by one of grudging acceptance as he accepted his sword with a quick nod. "Stand back for your own good."

Cliff grinned and went to stand next to Mirage, crossing his arms behind his head and leaning against the well. "I guess sister's not so bad."

Mirage had a knowing look in her eyes. "Cliff."

"Yeah, partner?"

"That wasn't very nice. Pot calling the kettle black."

Chuckling, Cliff shrugged. "It never would have gone anywhere. Fayt would never have looked twice at me since I can never fully understand everything. Albel, on the other hand, will be able to take care and come to terms with him. I'll just be my lonesome, action-packed, ruggedly handsome self forever."

"Cliff."

"Yes, Mirage."

"Go and fix your mascara."

Laughter. "… you're so mean…"

Gold

END

Disclaimers:

- Star Ocean: Till the End of Time does not belong to me. It and all other titles and characters belong to Square Enix.

Author's Notes:

This is the twelfth installation of Vermilion. It's been a couple of years but a promise is still a promise. It's probably the only one of my stories that I have grown so attached to that it haunts my sleep at night. I have come to terms that I stop updating a story when I don't really want it to end. I don't want this one to end, but I am also not satisfied until I reach a conclusion. Besides, Murder Prince is bright on the horizon for me.

There is one more chapter left, but it has already been written… kind of. Unlike my other chapters, I actually wrote this one down when I had the time. However, what I didn't realize when I was writing was that I had written all the way until the end of the story. Thus, I have to split that rather lengthy chapter into two.

Thank you kindly for your reviews.