Author Notes: Well this is my first one so I would like any comments and critiques good and bad. Although it would hurt me if you dislike the topic of my work and not my work...yea. This is only chapter 1 and I have chapter 2 in the works and won't put it out without yall telling me about any improvements. Yeah well here goes 10 years of public scool edumacation.


Synopsis: Set soon after the events of Suikoden III. Follows Hugo and his journey. This is a preface to the story that sets the mood, or at least an attempt to set the mood.

Bones fall idle onto the floor in the dark corridor. Little is seen in the dim glow of the torches, their light cascading off the stone walls. The shadowed outline of a young man is frozen in stance. His blade is in his right hand held sideways with the last dust of the bones falling to the ground around it. The dust fades and the figure slowly resumes his stance. The brown and yellow triangles and lines of his attire become more and more visible in the light as he slowly rises. His black and sandy blonde hair is seen and finally his face is seen, shadow cast from every curve from his youthful face.

Hugo lets out a sigh of relief and sheaths his sword, Stodry. He continues his trek down the familiar hall. Not long after he sees daylight and runs to it. On the other side stood a few familiar faces.

"HELLO HUGO!!!" cried Sgt. Joe as he reached out and embraced the old friend and adopted son. "It's been too long. How was your journey?" he asked.

"It was good. I've gotten much stronger and grown much more. What time do I see the council?" Hugo asked as they started to walk away from the Ancient Highway. "They're in the Great Hollow waiting for you."

Hugo and Sgt. Joe walked along and finally made their way to the Great Hollow. Little about Joe had changed. He still had his familiar multi-colored jacket, but had lost is helmet. Apparently he had been discharged from the Duck Defense Force due to he reaching the age restrictions.


"ALL TO ORDER!!!" cried Dupa in his guttural roar of a voice. Representatives of all over the Grasslands were present. "As you…" Dupa stopped and whispered to a human aid of his. The young woman bowed her head and an orange light began to glow from Dupa's throat. "As you all know we are all here as representatives of our respective tribes" his voice echoed through the hollow as the magic the attendant had cast on his voice became evident.

"We are here to discuss the unification of Grasslands so that we can protect ourselves from the growing threats of the thriving nations around us. As you know each tribe is frail in itself, as evident with the lose of the Carne and Safir Tribe. But we can band together and establish plans in the event that a threat may arise. To begin I'd like everyone to meet Hugo, if they already haven't." The crowds gaze fell onto Hugo as he stood beside the entrance. All of the delegates were seated around the central floor. Some were obviously happy to see him others gazed on with stern looks.

"I thought that since he has so much experience with all of the tribes here he would be a good unbiased opinion on the subjects we discuss." Said Dupa. It was the general consensus of the delegates that they agreed.

"Why are the Ironheads here?" cried Luca from behind the Karayan delegates. Beecham quickly shushed her. "They are here because they were once a tribe as well and to include them in our alliance of tribes can only help us. Besides they live in the Grasslands too. Who are we to pick and choose?" said Lucia. Hugo walked to Dupa and took a seat by his side. Joe joined him.

He could see Chris seated in a group next to the Zexen delegates. The knights have their own group, eh? I would think that the Zexen would want them allied with the Zexen delegation, Hugo thought as he got a better view of the room.

The discussion began and the hours began to draw long. Hugo knew this would be a long sitting.