DISCLAIMER: I don't own Suikoden or any of its characters, locations, etc.
OTHER NOT SO IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: A certain law of Suikoden physics will be bent in this story. When a true rune bearer dies, the rune is supposed to go into dormancy. I am writing this as if the rune slowly leaves the body as it decays, for plot purposes.
Prologue -----------------------------------
Deep within the confines of the Circle Palace, two babies were created. As the unholy power of the True Rune seals matured, these two children grew older. Two years after their birth, a council of Harmonian bishops was called together, led by Hikusaak.
"May it be known that, in the year 446 in solis, under the blessing of the great Circle Rune, we bishops do humbly pledge to use our knowledge and merit to guide Holy Harmonia in all of her endeavors" Hikusaak said regally, reciting the customary pledge to the assembly of standing priests. "Now" he continued, while motioning the priests to sit, "I trust you all know the gravity of the situation?"
"Yes milord, the assassinations of bishops Seljuk and Baybars was not only extremely unfortunate, but has also left us with two true runes without bearers. Luckily, our priests were able to seal the runes before they completely left their hosts' bodies" a fat bishop related to the assembly.
"However," a scrawny bishop with a nasally voice interjected, "now we are left with the Wind and Earth runes vulnerable. While our seals may be strong, a host would be stronger. And, according to the Scriptures, we can't attach them to anyone unless they are fourteen or more years of age. This leaves twelve years before our new hosts are ready."
Another bishop spoke up and said "Now, this leaves us with three choices, in my view. We can seal the runes away and wait for the boys to reach fourteen, defy the Scriptures and attach them to them earlier, or search for people the runes will choose as their bearers and convince them to stay in Harmonia. Of these three, only one is really plausible. If we were to search for new bearers, we could not be sure of their character and therefore not be sure of their loyalty to Harmonia and her cause. If we were to attach the runes early, not only would we have to deal with dissatisfaction among the papacy, we would also have two true rune bearers whose bodies are not physically able to cope with the energy infused into them. Therefore, we must seal the runes away and wait for the hosts to mature."
"Then it is settled," proclaimed Hikusaak. "We shall wait until our hosts are the age of fourteen before infusing them with the true runes. In the name of Holy Harmonia and of the great Circle Rune, I call this council to an end." And with that he rose, and the fates of who were to be two of the most illustrious men in the world were decided.
---------------------
Whew! Sorry that was a boring chapter with too much dialogue, but I couldn't see any other way to introduce the story. I also promise the next chapters will be longer. Please review this, as this is the first time I've ever really written something and I'm interested in knowing how I can improve.
OTHER NOT SO IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: A certain law of Suikoden physics will be bent in this story. When a true rune bearer dies, the rune is supposed to go into dormancy. I am writing this as if the rune slowly leaves the body as it decays, for plot purposes.
Prologue -----------------------------------
Deep within the confines of the Circle Palace, two babies were created. As the unholy power of the True Rune seals matured, these two children grew older. Two years after their birth, a council of Harmonian bishops was called together, led by Hikusaak.
"May it be known that, in the year 446 in solis, under the blessing of the great Circle Rune, we bishops do humbly pledge to use our knowledge and merit to guide Holy Harmonia in all of her endeavors" Hikusaak said regally, reciting the customary pledge to the assembly of standing priests. "Now" he continued, while motioning the priests to sit, "I trust you all know the gravity of the situation?"
"Yes milord, the assassinations of bishops Seljuk and Baybars was not only extremely unfortunate, but has also left us with two true runes without bearers. Luckily, our priests were able to seal the runes before they completely left their hosts' bodies" a fat bishop related to the assembly.
"However," a scrawny bishop with a nasally voice interjected, "now we are left with the Wind and Earth runes vulnerable. While our seals may be strong, a host would be stronger. And, according to the Scriptures, we can't attach them to anyone unless they are fourteen or more years of age. This leaves twelve years before our new hosts are ready."
Another bishop spoke up and said "Now, this leaves us with three choices, in my view. We can seal the runes away and wait for the boys to reach fourteen, defy the Scriptures and attach them to them earlier, or search for people the runes will choose as their bearers and convince them to stay in Harmonia. Of these three, only one is really plausible. If we were to search for new bearers, we could not be sure of their character and therefore not be sure of their loyalty to Harmonia and her cause. If we were to attach the runes early, not only would we have to deal with dissatisfaction among the papacy, we would also have two true rune bearers whose bodies are not physically able to cope with the energy infused into them. Therefore, we must seal the runes away and wait for the hosts to mature."
"Then it is settled," proclaimed Hikusaak. "We shall wait until our hosts are the age of fourteen before infusing them with the true runes. In the name of Holy Harmonia and of the great Circle Rune, I call this council to an end." And with that he rose, and the fates of who were to be two of the most illustrious men in the world were decided.
---------------------
Whew! Sorry that was a boring chapter with too much dialogue, but I couldn't see any other way to introduce the story. I also promise the next chapters will be longer. Please review this, as this is the first time I've ever really written something and I'm interested in knowing how I can improve.