All names; characters; locations; and situations mentioned in this story are the property of the author, unless otherwise stated. And they are now being stated: I don't own Blade, who is owned by Alysha S. The idea for Mistress Alonia was given to me by Alysha, as well, but the character is mine.

Author's Note: This is my first fic on this site, so try not to hate me. I'm just testing out my wings here... I'm used to just doing fanfiction. In fact, this is about a character from one of my fanfics. He's such a great character, and I think he deserves his own story. So this is it. No references to Don't Love Me/Blinded by Love. None, except for Alonia and Blade. If you've read them, don't expect Kuja to pop up somewhere. He doesn't. This is Raz's story.
This story was hard to categorize, so I doubt I put it in the right spot. If you want to suggest a change, just let me know in your review! I'll put it there if I think it's right. (Which it probably will be...)

Light of the Stars
Prologue: Mistress Alonia

I rolled over slowly, half expecting the flames to still be there. Instead, I saw Blade's sleeping face. Damn, that man looks cocky, even in sleep. He's always been like that: self-righteous, stubborn as hell, talkative. ...Well, I take that back. He wasn't like this for a while. Actually, for a while I thought of him as a brother. He was all I had. Blade, that stubborn-ass jerk, was the only thing I had. He promised me he would always be there... and well, to tell the truth, he has been. He's never really left me. I guess in a way he's still my best friend. We've both survived through so much together... yeah, he's always been there. Our best survival mission so far is the living hell we go through every day. The torment known as Mistress Alonia.

If you're ever unlucky enough to meet me, maybe you'll see the scars on my back that she's given me. The whip she uses to... how does she say it... "correct" my actions- the Devil's Tongue. I've always believed that no punishment could be greater than that of having the Devil taste your blood. And I've suffered through that for so long, it no longer fazes me. I guess my back is just as scarred and disfigured as my soul. Blade has never been whipped yet, he's never been on the Elf's bad side before. I've never been on her good side. Needless to say... When I was only a child, it mattered then... I had never been looked down on before. Blade, until we met HER, had always looked at me as an equal. Now, I guess I'm just the little boy he wishes he hadn't sacrificed so much for. Blade has changed so much since the night I met him.

But I can tell you more about that night... thirteen years ago, now... later. I suppose the smartest thing for me to do before continuing my story is to tell you who I am... Well, I was once known as Leranaz Usaji, Son of the Ancients of Caitaria. And if you think that's impressive, Blade was the king's heir apparent. Now we serve someone whose only mission in life is to make us wish we were dead. Which, most likely, we someday will be. Blade, I think, is suicidal. He's always talking about how he could jump from the cliff overlooking the forest... how he could finish off his pain once and for all. Truth be know, I think he lives because of me. Touching, isn't it? He hates me, but he won't leave me to face Her alone. Poor Blade. I almost wish he would just go through with it, just end his torture. I wouldn't be far behind him. I'd follow him anywhere: even death.

Mistress Alonia, whom we so adoringly call the Elf behind her back, is always off by herself, dreaming up some kind of mad way to get us injured or killed. Obviously, nothing has worked. But then again... maybe it has. I looked over at Blade again as he rolled over. She's killed him from the inside, destroying who he once was. I can still remember thinking I would die, and not caring as long as he didn't let me die alone. Someone is going to ask me that someday, too... I can feel it. And I'll stay by them, too... just like Blade stood by me... my older brother. Not the brother of my flesh and blood, but the brother of my soul and spirit.

We were both there when Caitaria was attacked. We could have passed as brothers, I guess, in the eyes of anyone from another planet. Both of us had the same blond hair, same blue cat-eyes that changed colors inexorably, the same tanned skin, the same tall, thin, muscular build. Well, again, I guess we couldn't really have passed as brothers. He's always been outgoing; the first to laugh, or state his opinion. Me, I had been raised in a temple, not a castle. I had been taught that the Gods read my thoughts, there was no need to speak, no need to argue or show emotion. I was Raz. Blade named me that. He never liked the name Leranaz... so he just called me Raz. The name has stayed with me all of these years. Just like the memory of him letting me cling to him, my tears falling silently down my cheeks. If I even touch him now, he jerks away.

Blade, the strong one. Blade who's always been there for me, no matter what trouble I happened to cause for him. Yeah, he's my best friend... even if he is the most obnoxious guy I know. Even if he hates me nowadays... I guess he's still a huge part of me. All of the adventure we've been through together... I guess there won't be any more of that. But I can still dream of that time... so long ago...

I roll over again, looking away from Blade, letting my memories travel... back to the destruction of Caitaria...

Author's Note: Well? Is it worth continuing?? Let me know, and let me know if you think it should go elsewhere as far as category. I think it's in the wrong spot. If you need more chapters to be sure... once again, let me know! - LeFox