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The Crystal Rule	By : QueenDraggyofSwords Category: Final Fantasy Games > Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Views: 956 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy: chrystal Chronicles, any of its characters nor am I making any profit off of them.

Chapter List
- 54
- 55
- 56
Chapter Fifty-Five

By the time they returned to the Guild Hall night had settled in and Layle and Nadeen had awoken. While Nadeen was embarrassed to be so easily tricked by Vaigali and Milka; Layle was annoyed.
Not annoyed that he had been tricked, but that Keiss had let it happen. But what could he do? If he had said anything they both would have been out cold by force. At least this way he was able to be there for Vaigali, even if he hadn't really needed him. Still he understood why Layle was annoyed, he had missed a chance to fight and question Clockwork.
"I can't believe she tried to kill Vaigali…I think she's getting desperate." The Clavat spoke in a low voice as the two made their way back to Keiss' room. They had opted to remain at the Guild over night and plan where they would go to next. They were free to leave since Keiss had completed the mission and Vaigali had gotten his pay.
"Of course she's getting desperate," Keiss was still in a bitter mood about the whole thing. "And we should be too. All of this mess that's going on, it's getting worse. Worse faster than we can slow it down."
"Well, what do you suggest? Try to sabotage the next job from Spinosa ourselves?"
Keiss stopped at the door to his room and shook his head. He watched as the Clavat leaned against the door, "We'll go to Rebena Te Ra, to the source of the shipments and see what we can find."
"Alright then, we leave first thing in the morning?"
"Yeah," Keiss opened his door and let out a sigh. Something about the sight of his old room just made him feel upset.
"You okay?" Layle turned around as he entered the cabin.
"…Yeah," the Selkie lied. "I just, I need a shower, before I lie down." He reached up and touched he side of his face. His fake tan was still rubbing off. He hadn't looked in a mirror as of late, but he was sure the layers of sweat, dirt, makeup, and grime did not make him look pleasant.
"You certainly could use one," Layle motioned for him to move forward. "I'll help you, I doubt you can get it all with one arm."

A nice hot shower was refreshing for Keiss. It did help clear his mind. Usually. However tonight his thoughts weren't clearing up from his head. It had been hours since he had woken up, but still the Selkie was thinking about his dreams and Clockwork and his decision to leave home to peruse the position of High Commander. He honestly hadn't thought this hard or this long about the consequences of it since he left home.
"Keiss," Layle spoke up, his arms on either side of the Selkie's shoulders. "Keiss are you alright?"
"Hmn?" The redhead looked him in the eyes and nodded silently.
The Clavat in turned shook his head in annoyance, "You expect me to believe that?"
How could he expect him to believe that? He knew that he was acting strange for his behavior. He was quiet, and not because he was mad, mostly because he was reflecting. Second guessing himself; it made him uneasy, unhappy, and unable to focus. He just narrowly avoided getting caught betraying the Military, he should be elated. But he did almost think Clockwork had put a bullet through his father's stomach.
What if she had succeeded on that task? If he's not here, and Vaigali is gone, will the Selkies continue to flourish or will they fall apart?
"Why- why wouldn't you believe it?"
"Because were standing in a shower together, and you are just… Standing there." It was true. He hadn't really moved much since they got in. Keiss would have been completely content to stand under the hot water until it was cold and let it wash away all the grime. But he had Layle to help him reach what he couldn't with his damaged arm, which meant he was mostly taking care of his back and his air. Keiss squeezed his right arm with his left hand and nodded.
"Well, you know, it hurts…"
"Look if the water is bothering you, say something. You don't have to stand under it, I can."
"No," he answered him abruptly and turned around so he wasn't facing his partner. "No I'm fine. Right where I am." He heard Layle sigh, however the Clavat continued to help him. Keiss felt his partner's fingers running through his scalp and he relaxed a bit at his touch. That was a bit relieving. Not having to strain his arm trying to wash all the dirt and soot and sweat out of his air. Plus it just felt nice to have someone else do it.
When was the last time he didn't was his own hair? It had to be when he was a kid. When he was still here living carefree on this boat.
"…Hey, Layle," He spoke up.
"Yes,Keiss," his partner's tone was a little exasperated. Boy he could wear out the Clavat's nerves fast.
"…What do you think about, the Crystals?"
"What?"
"You know, the tribal Crystals. Do you think they really have any sway over their tribes? Like, do you think the Selkies got to this point because of something predetermined or what they did themselves."
"Keiss, you know I think Crystal beliefs are a bunch of garbage."
"...Your Mom doesn't."
"And I never listened to her when she recited that crap to me. I don't even remember half the terms." He dragged his fingers down through his partner's red locks, "Why?"
"…You think, if not for Vaigali, Selkies would continue to look for a- a tangible treasure. A thing they can possess and show off or use to buy anything they wanted."
Layle scratched the side of his cheek, what kind of a question was that. "I don't know. You know them better than I do."
Keiss turned around, a bit of a confused look on his face, "Do you think, Vaigali is right?"
"…Keiss," Layle shrugged, "I don't know all that much about this fight with you and him, other than that he's mad as hell you want to be High Commander. I'm not even really sure why. How can I tell you if he's right or not?"
"Well he's not right!" The red head exclaimed at him, it was probably the loudest he'd been in an hour. "He's not right at all. He makes, a ton of stupid decisions. Selfish ones. He wants to regulate everyone under his interpretation of our Crystal's Rule, and thinks he's right. He thinks he's right without fault. And maybe he was, but the world changes! People change! I changed! I'm right to leave here, aren't I? Vaigali or not- if I do this, it will be for the best!"
Layle stared at Keiss as he rambled. The Clavat blinked a few times waiting for him to stop. As the Selkie kept going he realized he wasn't going to. So Layle lifted his hands and put them on his partner's shoulders, "Keiss, stop." He gave the Selkie a slight shake to make sure he listened. "Keiss, you've had a long two days. You've been shot. Dragged over a volcano, fought with Clockwork and Crystal knows what else… Stop thinking. Relax. Think about all of this in the morning."
"I can't stop thinking about it," the red head closed his eyes shaking his head. "What am I going to do if he dies while I'm away? Is everything here going to just fall apart? Can I even make it?"
"…Milka is here to take care of this place when he's away isn't she?"
"Away and gone aren't the same. They aren't the same, Layle…"
"So then, is this your way of saying you're giving up? After you just pulled off the craziest thing you've done to date, your calling it quits?"
Keiss opened his eyes and looked up at the Clavat. Layle was waiting, his head slightly tilted to the side, "I- I don't know. I honestly don't know."
"Well," the blond stood up right, "I think you can make it. And you said Sparks believes in you too right?"
"Sparks…? You mean Sherry?"
"Whatever, its not like I learned her name… But you can give up if you want. If you're worried, it doesn't matter to me. It just matters if it matters to you or not." Keiss looked at Layle, a loss for words. That advice seemed rather sound. Actually rather mature. Had he fallen asleep in the shower? Layle does not say mature things. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I, uh, I just… You're right." He smiled slightly, "I guess I have to determine if this matters to me still, or not."
"So are you done sulking about all this then?"
"…For now."
"Good," Layle slid his arms around Keiss' neck and pressed their foreheads together. "Now let me continue to help you relax, alright?"

Maybe just a night to relax was what Keiss needed. The past few days had been nothing but stressful. Between getting Layle back, losing him, the aerial dog fight with Clockwork, the mission, Kilianda, his arm and his father, he was surprised he hadn't murdered someone by now.
Not that he hadn't tried a few times here and there.
So Layle's invite to help him unwind was more than welcomed. Not that he would have rejected the invited even if he wasn't stressing out. Even if he was one to hardly say no to him, it was a far and few occasion for the Clavat to approach him on the matter, and Keiss hadn't turned him down yet.
He had to admit to himself, there was something better about it when he went in knowing that the Clavat possibly wanted him more than he wanted the Clavat. At least he felt that it was better. The kissing certainly seemed better.
The way Layle's lips moved against his own. The way the Clavat's hangs held onto the back of his head and his shoulder as he pulled him forward. It was, to Keiss, hungrier than usual. Demanded more than normal. Layle's actions asked more of him, even if the Clavat had told him not moments ago to just lean back and let him do the work.
And so he had leaned back, against the headboard of his bed, sitting up right with a towel still draped around his shoulders and the Crystal Bearer sitting on his thight facing him. Layle had started to kiss him slowly, yet that didn't last long. In moments he could have argued he was trying to steal the air from his lungs.
But that was good, he liked that.
Keiss wrapped his left arm around the Crystal Bearer's side. He kept his right close to stomach doing his best not to use it and aggravate his injury. Layle pulled away from the kiss running his tongue over his upper lip and he pushed Keiss back against the headboard again.
"I thought I told you to sit back…"
"I-I was," Keiss said between a few deep breaths. "Or don't you remember?"
"I remember you don't listen well," Layle ran one of his hands down the Selkie's chest and smirked. He carefully ran his fingers over Keiss' wounded arm, just checking it to see if he felt irritated from the touch. He then dipped his hand lower between the two of them and wrapped his fingers around his partner.
Keiss slightly raised his hips at the Crystal Bearer's touch, "Y-you know I never know what to think of you-" he took a deep breath, "When you're like this."
"Do you want me to stop?" Layle leaned forward and pressed their foreheads together.
"If you stop, then we'll each have a busted arm," the Selkie threatened him as he leaned forward to kiss him again.
The Clavat did not start out slowly this time; Keiss felt Layle's tongue pry open his mouth at the start of the kiss, and he did little to resist him. He could feel Layle's hand on the back of his neck again, tangling up in his wet hair as he pulled him forward once more. The Selkie twisted his tongue over his partner's as their lips pressed together, preventing any air from escaping between the two of them. Coupled with the feeling of the Clavat's other hand working him over, he couldn't imagine ever feeling tense about anything. He couldn't imagine thinking about anything other than the person in his lap and the hot sensations bubbling up in his stomach from their constant physical contact.
He felt the weight of the Crystal Bearer shift and rise off of him towards the end of their kiss. Layle kept their foreheads pressed together as he pushed himself up onto his knees. Keiss had to use both hands now to hold his partner steady. He lightly coiled his injured right arm around him and held on to his thigh with his left hand.
Keiss didn't break eye contact with Layle as the Clavat lowered himself back down, even after the blond closed his eyes, Keiss kept watching him. It was, for him, part of the excitement to always watch how Layle reacted. Taking in the way he moved, the way his brow knit together, or how he said his name. It was part of what made it so exciting, especially when what caused these reactions was the pace Layle was setting for them.
It took all of his self control not to lean up and take his partner's lips back when he parted them to let out a nearly stifled groan. He did thrust his hips upward, pushing deeper faster than the other had planned. He couldn't entirely sit still for this could he? Surly Layle didn't expect him too.
Layle finally pulled his head back form Keiss' as he let himself fall back down onto his partner's lap. He tilted his head backward exposing his neck as he tried to catch his breath. Keiss started to speak, but before he could get the first syllable out past his lips the Crystal Bearer was leaning forward again and wrapping his arms around him. The blond kissed him again as he shifted his body silencing the Selkie's concerns.
How could he be concerned for Layle when he was the one that was injured?
As promised his partner did most of the work. In no time the Clavat was using his weight to leverage against his partner, moving up and down in his lap. Occasionally their lips would part for a moment of air or an inconsistent question of the other's well being. But after a few minutes those questions were replaced with incoherent phrases and demands of desire.
Layle had taken his hands off Keiss' neck and shoulders and now used them to hold down the Selkie's legs, keeping him from bucking up and resetting the pace. Not having his hands to hold him back against the headboard, Keiss leaned forward and grabbed onto the Clavat's waist, and kissed along his jaw line and neck in between moments of gasping for air and muttering his name.
Though before the night was over he was more or less shouting it. Multiple times, for every round that the Crystal Bearer rode him to the point of climax.

Hours long after Layle had helped Keiss unwind, and the Crystal Bearer was back to sleep next to the red head, Keiss found himself still wide awake.
By all means he was exhausted. Between the events of the day, and his partner, he should have passed out right along with the Clavat. And yet he found himself awake and staring at the ceiling of his room. It wasn't that he felt stressed out or worried any longer, he just could not sleep. He glanced over at Layle and gently shook his shoulder, "Layle… Are you awake?"
The Clavat didn't budge.
"…" Keiss slowly sat up and climbed out of his bed. He crept around the room to find his pants and pulled them on before slipping out into the dark hallway.

The Guild Master's son roamed the halls of the ship, turning this way and that, going down stairs and making his way to the far end of the ship. He came to a hallway that was barred off from the rest. The big doors were shut, but not locked. Everyone knew not to go past this point for beyond these doors the vessel was falling apart.
Keiss opened the doors slowly, listening to the sounds of the hinges creak as he pushed them open. He carefully closed the door behind him and turned around to receive a gust of wind in the face. The cool night air was blowing into the ship through large gaping holes in its side paneling. The edges of the wood were rotting from time and exposure to the sea air. The floor boards of the hallway here were broken and narrow. There were holes dropping off into more damaged floors or nothing but the ocean below.
It was a tight and narrow walk through these halls. Every step he took had to be light, for he never knew when a piece of the floor would give away. He would have thought after all this time Vaigali would have this part of the ship fixed up, but of course not.
He probably couldn't bring himself to touch it, unlike his room. Which he quickly cleared out. And Crystal knew where his stuff had gone? Probably cast out into the sea…
He finally reached the end of the hall and had to jump across a large gap in the floor; just up ahead there was a door frame that was supposed to lead into a bed room. The room itself was gone, only a foot of its flooring was left over the threshold, creating a very narrow ledge. Beyond that was open air that allowed one to look out into the twilight and the rocky cliffs of the cove. Keiss made his way up the door and stopped.
Sitting on the narrow strip of the floor's remnants was Vaigali. The Guild Master slightly turned his head to glance at Keiss before looking back out into the torch lit cove. He moved forward and took a seat next to him; the two of them together took up what was left of the floor.
Keiss said nothing for the first ten minutes. He looked out at the cove and down at his own feet. He remembered sitting here and swinging his legs listening to stories about life on the high seas and swashbuckling pirates and cannon battles and hidden treasure. He remembered thinking he wanted that life a long time ago. To take his own ship out into the seas and find a great treasure that would turn life around for the Selkies.
"You know she'd tell us we work well together," Vaigali spoke up, still looking out over the cove.
"..Yeah, probably…" Keiss didn't look up at him. Instead he turned his attention to the door frame behind him, studying it. It was worn and slowly deteriorating. "You know if you don't fix this up soon it's going to fall off."
"…It ain't worth fixing this old broken ship."
"Isn't it worth it to preserve the memories you have?"
"No," Vaigali shook his head. "I don't need to rebuild her room to remember her."
Keiss looked back down at his feet. The old room that had been here he'd never seen. Though he had supposedly been born in it. Or was supposed to be. The story was muddled over time, but one part was always the same. Kei Nam's room had been blown right off the ship during her last battle. A nasty fight with a rival ship and a terrible storm had caused heavy damage to the Izymael. Damage that destroyed this hall and the old first mate's room. All of its contents had been lost to the sea.
She had just barely survived it herself. Hanging on just long enough to pass Keiss off to his father. Wrapped up in her blue bandana he now always wore on his head.
When things were at their best between them, he used to sit here with Keiss and tell him stories of how she hunted treasure and fought Lilties on the high seas. That she was the best swords woman in Alfitaria. And that she firmly believed the Selkie Crystal's path for them was a treasure that would reshape their place in the world. One that would put them on equal ground with the Lilties, and make her and Vaigali the wealthiest Selkies in all of Alfitaria.
When he was younger he always thought that meant a great treasure out there waiting to be found. Maybe the one they never got to. Or one even bigger. Yet as he got older, he realized it didn't matter how much gil they possessed, there was something bigger out there that kept the Lilties in power. Something that sailing the ocean and petty theft couldn't get them. Something no amount of gil could buy…
"She would believe I could do it, you know." He looked up at Vaigali. "She would believe in me. She would see this ambition of mine for what it is."
"What it is is foolish." The Guild Master frowned. "And she would agree. You are setting yourself up, to lose more than you are bargaining for."
"I have nothing to lose," He narrowed his eyes at Vaigali, "You made sure of that."
"That Crystal Bearer," he nodded to him, "You could lose him. Crystal knows you've given the Military the tools to take him from you."
"I am not going to lose Layle."
"You're so head strong and foolish! You think your actions won't cost you anything. He's the best thing you've gotten since you left this ship, and you've signed up his kind for extinction! Don't think I don't know about your hand in all that-"
"I am not going to lose him!" Keiss banged his hand on the wood, and action he immediately regretted as a pain shot through his arm. "I can take care of Layle! I can take care of him while I do this! I can and I will! I've not lost him yet!"
"Yet, being the key word," his father turned form him and snorted. "That Clavat believes in you. Enough that he'll get killed over you if you don't watch yourself. I am speaking to you from experience, boy. You can't keep chasing these grand ideas, they will cost you everything."
"I'm glad someone believes in me," he muttered. "You sure as hell don't any more." The Selkie stood up slowly and looked down at the top of his father's head. "Just because you were too, obsessed to keep Kei Nam alive, doesn't mean I'm going to lose sight of Layle. And when I- we- make the laws in Alfitaria, you'd better have a good apology waiting…"
With that Keiss turned around and made his way out through the door frame.
"If you walk away on that note," Vaigali spoke up without looking back at him. Keiss thought for a moment he heard a bit of wavering in the old pirate's usually angry tone of voice, "Then you'd ought to never come back."
He took a deep breath and took a step forward walking away. For a moment he thought to apologize. He could have from the start. He thought that's what he came there to do. But instead he found himself storming off again. Again walking away into a dark hallway. But this time with a bit more certainty.
He knew he was right, and this time he had his partner with him. He had someone to believe in him.
So why did it seem like this time it hurt twice as much?

Keiss and Layle were up bright and early the next morning. The Guild Master's son was more than eager to be gone from the Selkie Guild. He was tired of the place and the doubts that kept trying to re-instill themselves in him.
"Can't we at least get breakfast?" Layle followed the red head up to the deck, yawning. The sun was just coming up and the Guild Members were just starting to get their day underway.
"We can eat at the resort." Keiss' cat Lotta followed on his heels. She whined and fussed, as if knowing he was going to be gone indefinitely again. He would lean down every so many steps to scratch her head and apologize before continuing on. He wouldn't take her from the Izymael. She'd grow bored and restless in the city. Maybe when he was High Commander, he'd get a house in the country and come back for her...
As the two approached the caves leading out of the cove they ran into Nadeen, she too was on her way to the resort.
"Heading out already?"
"You know I can't stand it here," Keiss nodded to her. "What are you doing out here?"
The Leudian girl crossed her arms, "You know I did come here for something other than you. I'm a Guild Member. And I'm checking up on an old acquaintance. I just happened to get caught up in your affairs."
"No one asked you to," Keiss shrugged at her.
"How often do you come around here? There was no way I was going to pass up seeing why you were here. I almost thought I'd have the chance to introduce you to my friend."
"Well why don't you now?" Layle nodded to her.
"We do not have time for that. Okay?" Keiss shook his head, "We have work to do. We need to get to Rebena Te Ra."
"Its probably for the best…" Nadeen nodded, "I'm not sure how she is about Crystal Bearers. Like me she grew up out in Leuda. Not really a lot of your kind out there. Though she's been on the main land for over a year now…" The orange haired girl tapped the side of her cheek. "I recommended her to Vaigali for a Guild recruit. She takes excellent photos. I used to hire her for odd jobs all the time, I originally came her to see how things were going for her."
"Ugh," Keiss rolled his eyes, "Please don't talk to me about photographers."
"Why?" the other two looked at him questioningly.
"I have my reasons."
"Keiss! Layle!" The boys turned their heads to see Milka walking down the tunnel from the direction of the Guild towards them. She was dressed in her usual fancy Guild attire. You'd hardly know she was a pirate in that flowing dress. "Leaving so soon?"
"I'm not wanted here, nor do I want to stay." Keiss put his hands on his hips.
"Did you even say good by to Vaigali?"
"I left him a note that said 'Fuck Off'. Does that count?"
Milka rolled her eyes while Keiss' friends chocked down their laughter. "Well before you go, I need to see Layle."
"What for?"
"It's none of your business."
"He's my partner. We're contracted together. Everything you need him for is my business."
"It's alright, Keiss," Layle waved him off. "I'll fill you in, okay?" Milka nodded to the Crystal Bearer and motioned for him to follow her back toward the entrance of the tunnel. "So… What is it you want me for?"
"Vaigali has something for you."
"For me?"
"Yes." She stopped walking and looked back down the tunnel. They were a ways down from Keiss and Nadeen now. "He was rather impressed with you. And considering your relationship with Keiss, he feels that there is only one thing proper to give you before you go."
"…What is it?"
Milka smiled at him before raising her hands to her lips. She put her pinkies on the ends of her mouth and whistled. The noise caught Keiss' and Nadeen's attention, as well as the attention of two Selkie's hiding up in the rocks over head. They dropped down and grabbed Layle's arms on either side. The Clavat shouted at her and started to try and pull away from them. The woman reached out and grabbed his chin before turning his head to the right, "This will hurt for just a second."
Out the corner of his eye he saw her raise something long, thin, and metal. He balled up his hand into a fist and sent out a pules of energy throwing the Selkies off of him just as he felt something sharp piece through his ear.
Keiss ran up and put himself between Milka and Layle as the Calvat cursed and put his hand over the right said of his head.
"What do you think you're doing, Milka!?"
The two Selkies she called down stood behind her and the woman dusted herself off. "I had to make hole."
"What the hell!" Layle pulled his hand back and looked down at the blood. "What for!"
"For this," Milka reached into the folds of her dress and pulled out something small and silver. She tossed it at Layle, who raised his hand and caught it with his magic. Keiss and Nadeen looked at it as he allowed it to fall into his hand.
"An earring…?" Layle looked confused.
"A-a mark!" Nadeen covered her mouth.
"That's the Guild Mark!" Keiss turned around, "Why are you giving hat to him!"
"Well there's not enough time to give him a proper tattoo-"
Keiss pointed back at the Crystal Bearer, "You're making him part of the Guild! You can't make him part of the Guild! He's not even a Selkie!"
Layle looked up at Nadeen, "That Guild? Really? Me?"
"It's not official." Milka crossed her arms, "But he is welcome here. And he's allowed to take jobs from members, the Guild Hall, and you even get a slight discount on your train rides." She pointed to her ear, "But no one will believe you without a mark. So wear it. It means you're one of us now."
"Yo-you! You!" Keiss clenched his fist, "If you think you're going to get Layle to spy on me for you you two have another thing coming!" He turned around to Layle, "Throw that thing away! Now!"
The Clavat looked at his partner and then at Nadeen. The girl shrugged. Keiss was obviously fuming with rage over the matter. "I- I kind of want to keep it."
Keiss let out a cry of aggravation.
"Be honored, Crystal Bearer. You're the first non-Selkie and the first magic user to be welcomed here." Milka nodded to Keiss with a smug look, "If you have an questions stop by. Oh, and info on Keiss' current up to date doings earns you ten thousand gil."
"If you report on me to them…Layle I swear I will kill you in your sleep."
Milka flipped her hair, "Calm down, brat. You're not in charge of the Guild. Not yet anyway."
Keiss snorted at her, "I never plan to be." He looked back over at Layle, who despite his adamant protest was putting the earring in. He rolled his eyes and motioned for him to follow. Nadeen remained behind.
"Oh, Layle!" The Crystal Bearer stopped and looked back at the female pirate.
"There's also a message…" She pointed at the Clavat, "You let anything happen to Keiss, and what Vaigali did to those Abbadons he will do to you."
The Crystal Bearer stood still for a moment blinking as the woman smiled and turned away.
He had to admit, for one in his life, he was genuinely terrified.
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The Crystal Rule