We Live On

Chapter 1

It was ten years since Raguna, Camus, Lukas, and Zavier had defeated the Great Sechs Emperor Ethelbert. Since that time, the town has had peace, it was all calm, however, many changes did shake its people. Leo, the beloved master of the forge, had passed away due to old age, Sharron had left the town for a grand journey across Norad. Cecilia had left to make herself a living, now being of working age, as did Nicholas, but the two did not leave together, both had parted ways before their departures. Wesley's daughter, Lara, had taken over the church due to her father's ailing health. Rosetta acquired her Jean's store after he had passed due to a disease. The Sainte-Coquille household left Kardia for better pastures up north in Norad, leaving Tabatha behind to work with Melody. Melody had her child, a beautiful little girl named Choria, which looked more like Melody than her father. Lynette, a former commander of the Sechs Empire, also had a son, Leona, who's father was Raguna, though he was illegitimate.

The Supreme Commander returned back not long after the battle to the Sechs Empire to announce the Emperor's death in battle and restore the monarchy. The Council of the Sechs finally crowned Norbert, Ethelbert's son, as emperor, but soon he had acquired a side darker than his father's.

He had released his secret police into the Empire to track down anyone who did not support his rule and kill them. Norbert then had a full take over of the Empire, shut down the Council, and renamed his new kingdom the Zzyzx Empire.

However, his most downright darkest thing happened not long after... He forced the Supreme Commander to tell him the truth on his father's death, and, of course, fearing his own demise, the Commander told Norbert on the Earthmate Raguna who had killed him. Upon hearing this, Norbert swore revenge on the Earthmates and ordered the secret police to kill any of those they could find, or at least suspect of being. This led to many deaths of innocent people, who were mistaken for the said race- that was, until the secret police developed a device that can sense the different energy signature given off by Earthmates. From there, Norbert had killed at least all the Earthmates in the empire, but he planned for something greater... For, not filled by this unnecessary genocide, he sent his secret police into other nations, who then continued to kill Earthmates there.

For Norbert, the Plan to Eradicate the Earthmates did not end in his borders... The only borders it would end was at the borders of the world... He would not stop until all Earthmates were killed, that set little Leona in his target list...

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"Leona!" a voice called the young Earthmate, "You're breakfast is done!"

The young kid woke out of bed, put on his clothes, and ran to the kitchen, were his mother, Lynette, was placing his plate on the table.

"Hello, sunshine!" Lynette said cheerfully as she saw him,

"Hello, mom!" Leona replied happily, "It smells good!"

"It's pancakes!" Lynette told him, "Your favorite!"

"Oh really!? Thanks mom! You're the best!" Leona yelled as he quickly sat down, "Was this dad's favorite, too?" he asked.

"No..." Lynette said, "He liked eggs in the morning... In fact, that was the first meal I've ever made for him, or anyone for that matter... huh..." she gave a long sigh, then looked at Leona, "You know... you look a lot like him... though, you have my eyes.." she said and looked at his different colored irises.

"Do I really?" Leona asked, "Dr. Edward said that my eyes are special! They don't happen on many people!"

"They really don't... I guess it's just us two, huh, champ?" Lynette said,

"Yeah!" Leona cheered and then drank his juice.

"Oh! Didn't you say you would meet Choria at the park today at nine?" Lynette asked as she looked at the clock, "Because it's 8:45."

"Oh yeah! I have to go!" Leona said and placed on his hat, "Thanks mom! See ya!" he said and rushed out the door.

"No problem!" Lynette said, but the door had already shut, "Hope you have a good time!"

Thus, little Leona ran to the town, greeting the happy villagers that crossed his way, then made his way to the park, where Choria spotted him from the big tree in the center.

"Leona! Over here!" Choria called him,

"Choria!" Leona responded and ran towards her, "Hello! How are you?"

"Fine! Are you ready to play?" Choria said happily, "I was thinking of starting with a game of tag!"

"That's fine with me!" Leona said and then touched her shoulder, "You're it!"

"Hey!" Choria yelled and started chasing the young earthmate.

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"You called me? Edward?" Lynette said as she walked into the doctor's examination room,

"Why yes." Edward responded as he grabbed a nearby clipboard, "I called you here today to discuss something very important."

"Oh.. What could it be?" Lynette asked worriedly,

"I recently received a letter from Norad warning of a certain disease that strikes young children." Edward said, "I was wondering if your son had any strange symptoms?"

"Oh my..." Lynette mumbled, "Leona? No... He hasn't acted strange.."

"Alright." Edward said, "I was just wondering... However, doctors from Norad will be arriving to Kardia to give their own evaluation... Free of Charge of course... They are really worried about it spreading outside their borders. Yes, the letter said they should arrive before supper or late afternoon."

"I would be too.." Lynette said, "Now, is that all?"

"That should be all." Edward said as he looked through his papers, "Both you and your son already had your yearly checkups... So yes, that's it! Just look out for little Leona, alright?" he said,

"I will." Lynette responded and stood up to leave.

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"Wait..." Leona panted as he slowed to a halt, "Choria... I'm tired... Let's take a break.."

"Ok.." Choria said, too panting from all the running, "Let's rest under the tree, ok?"

"Alright." Leona said and the two walked over to the giant oak, whose shade protected them from the summer sun. "That's better..." he said in relief as he laid on the floor,

"Do you ever wonder what's up there, Leona?" Choria asked, pointing at the sky, "You know, beyond the clouds?"

"Well, my mom told me my dad is up there." Leona responded, "That he's watching us proudly."

"Hey! My mom told me the same thing too!" Choria said, "She also said my dad and your dad were best friends!"

"Yeah.." Leona sighed, "I wish I could've known him..."

"What time is it?" Choria asked,

"It should be around two.." Leona informed, "Why?"

"Because I told my mom I would help her clean the baths." Choria responded, "Well.. I have to go. Bye Leona! I had a great time!"

"Me too! See ya!" Leona told her as she ran off, "Well, I guess its time to go home!" he said and too decided to leave.

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"Have a good time, Leona?" Lynette asked her son as she cooked lunch,

"I sure did!" Leona responded cheerfully,

"I'm glad..." Lynette said, "Now Leona, we have to go see Dr. Edward at around six, there's a bug going around and he's going to check you if you have it."

"Oh mom!" Leona groaned, "I went to him last month! I don't want to go again!"

"It's for your own good, Leona!" Lynette grumbled, "Plus, if you go, I'll make my Roasted Yam for supper."

"Oh..." Leona mumbled, quite interested in the new deal, "Fine.." he groaned,

"That's what I thought." Lynette chuckled, "Now let's eat." she said and set her salmon dishes on the table...

As you all know, this is a sequel of my other story, When Hope Fails, so read that first or else you will be really confused on this story!

I don't own Rune Factory, as you all know, because if so, I would make an anime on the double!

Seriously, Rune Factory needs an anime... Look at the intros and cutscenes! Come on! It is anime worthy!