SUIKODEN V AU

AGE OF DARKNESS

This story is not endorsed by Konami. I do not own Suikoden, nor do I claim to. Nor do I claim any of the characters within the story as my own. However the story itself is a product of my own creativity.

PROLOGUE

Streaks of golden light angled through the window seemingly focused on the headboard of the ornately adorned bed.

The luminescence of morning permeated the Prince's eyelids. His eyes, already acknowledging the superiority of the sun, were squinted as he sat up.

Faroush stretched as far as he could. Every inch he stretched brought restful bliss to every inch of his tested muscles.

He peered out the window to behold the magnificent sight of Sol-Falena.

Sunlight glistened off of the water as travelers and merchants alike hustled and bustled around the lakeside agoras. Thousands upon thousands of voices could be heard amongst the sounds of street shows and hammers clanging on anvils.

This was the fruit of the battle for the throne.

Faroush could hardly believe that it had already been a year since he and the Loyalist Army fought off the militaristic Godwin faction.

Suddenly the sunlight lost its energizing warmth as the memories of the final day of the conflict flooded his senses.

He could have exterminated the Godwin family, but by his good graces, he allowed Gizel to live. He couldn't say the same for Gizel's father, Marscal. After fleeing to the ruins in the Ashtwal Mountains, he maintained his position that the Sun Rune should be used as a tool to conquer the world. After Marscal merged with the rune, Faroush and his companions had no choice but to kill him.

The thought nearly made Faroush sick. He had taken the life of someone's father even after losing his own. Was it retribution? No, he didn't feel the need for revenge…yet the emotional wound was deep and unrelenting.

Gizel recovered nicely and had seemingly changed his ways. Without the constant influence of his father and the ruthless scheming of the Senate, he had progressed into what Sialeeds would call "his former self".

As a concession, Gizel had his marriage with Lymsleia annulled. He still wished to remain on staff inside Sol-Falena, however, since he did feel that he owed everything he currently had to the royal siblings.

Somehow, this didn't upset Faroush. Despite Gizel's earlier shortcomings, Faroush had sensed a sincere devotion from him during their duel. If he had wanted, the Godwin son could have disposed of Lymsleia at any time, yet he did what a Queen's Knight was charged with doing, and that's protecting his queen.

The one hesitation Faroush harbored as the interim Commander was Gizel's request to become a new Queen's Knight.

He was not sure of his intentions and sudden declaration of complete servitude…yet he was in dire need of new knights, especially since Alenia and Zahhak had perished, Galleon had retired to Lordlake, and Georg left for the Northern Continent.

What would he do?

"Oh Priiiiiiiiiiince!" a voice snapped him out of his daze.

He turned around to behold a beautiful girl clad in a bronze and gold breastplate and teal tunic underneath. Her purple hair bounced as she strode toward Faroush.

"What are you still doing in bed? Don't you realize how much of a hassle it is to take care of both you AND your sister?"

"Geez, Miakis, it's not like you have to dress me and hand feed me," Faroush replied with a smirk.

"Fine then, I suppose I'll find someone more important to have breakfast with the Queen," Miakis said as she turned up her nose.

Just as she took her eyes off of Faroush, he leapt out of bed and tackled her to the ground.

"OOOOMPH!"

"Remember what my father taught you. Never take your eyes off of your adversary," Faroush bragged.

Suddenly a pair of supple legs wrapped around his neck and pulled him back to the ground. Staring upwards, he now beheld Miakis' face.

"Yeah, remember what YOUR father taught YOU, never underestimate your opponent's abilities,"

"Touché," choked the Prince.

Miakis helped him to his feet.

"Now why do you get ready to eat, I'll meet you in the dining chamber," Miakis giggled as she left the room.

She had been so much help in the months after the conflict. She never failed to make Faroush smile. For that, he was forever thankful.

He had lost his mother, his father, and his most loyal friend, Lyon. It was as if his world had come undone, and the two marks on the backs of his palms were a constant reminder of what had happened. But Miakis was there through the good times as well as the bad times. It was just like the days before Lym came along. Whenever Faroush needed someone, Miakis was there.

He had always had a little crush on her, but when Lym was born, and when Lyon arrived in Sol-Falena with his father, a distance seemed to grow between he and Miakis. He felt as if his feelings for her still existed at a small magnitude, yet they were tucked away and hidden under his royal duty and responsibilities. After Miakis' sharply protested reassignment to Lym and Lyon's assignment as his bodyguard, Faroush developed new feelings. He was attracted to Lyon's innocence and sincerity, and was even more taken by her devotion displayed during the events of the war. After she was ripped away from his life, he would have felt a void, but Miakis was there, just waiting to catch him when he fell.

He loved her with all of his heart.

"PRIIIIIIIIIINCE!"

The familiar call once again broke him from his daze as he finished enrobing himself in his royal vestments.

"I'm coming, Miakis!" he yelled as he rushed out of his room and flung the door shut.