A/N: Since I enjoyed the last flashback chapter so much, I'm doing it again. This time is Sierra's story. Most of it will focus on Blue Moon Village, and all info I got from Suikosource as described in Suikogaiden. Sierra Milkain

Suikoden: War of the Runes

Chapter 8: Hell's Fury

The early morning sunrise breezed across the horizon of Vinay del Zexay like the breath of Sadie herself, carrying with it her blessing upon the land for all the inhabitants that dwelled within Zexen's borders. Those blessings however, were not to be granted upon the four companions who made their way steadily through the town square towards the imposing structure of Zexen's Council Hall. They were denied entrance once, and would not be denied again, even if the goddess herself barred their path.

As they journeyed however, Riou and Jowy kept a cautious eye on the young man bringing up the rear of their entourage. Since the nightmarish memories that reopened the wounds of his tortured past resurfaced this last evening, the Lord McDohl had become more stoic and withdrawn than any among the group had ever seen him. It was a silent, deadened march he kept while walking in step with his companions, yet the haunted expression born of those memories had yet to leave his face. That very expression he now wore, the gaze of a man with nothing left in life, had sent a violent chill down the spines of his younger companions.

Regardless of the emotional condition of Tir, Sierra took the lead, weaving about the crowded streets in a calming ease as she passed the unsuspecting consumers that frequented the street venders. Had they known perhaps, what she was, they would have feared for their very lives, however, anonymity was the greatest asset of her kind.

Nevertheless, she paid the casual shopper little more than a passing glance as she pressed forward and guided her company up the series of steps that led to great hall of the Council Chambers. Yet once more, upon reaching the large, oaken doors, the armored sentry moved to bar their path.

"Excuse me," Sierra cooed sweetly as she smiled at the taller man, "but we have business inside. Would you be so kind as to step aside?"

A strange shudder passed across the guard's face as he obediently stepped aside, allowing the four to enter the great marble structure. Smiling with genuine pleasure, Sierra entered the hall followed by the shell-shocked Riou and Jowy and the unresponsive Tir.

It had been so very long since the young woman had come to the run down cabin deep within this unnamed forest. Her own desperate need to distance herself from the world and perhaps save it from her curse was what drove her into this isolated location. And whether she had lived within this shelter for ten years, a thousand years, or the single beat of her ancient heart was of little consequence, so long as the world was spared of her evil.

Yet on a nightly basis, her cursed rune would attack her, causing violent convulsions within her seemingly frail frame as punishment for not honoring its true intentions. The violent seizures would often leave her weakened as she lay upon the moth-eaten mattress and weep of her curse, and curse her very existence. She was a soul tortured into a battle of wills between her own once mortal soul and the Moon Rune. And it was a battle she was desperately losing.

However, fate, it seemed, had intervened upon her behalf as a young man had stumbled upon her cabin late one evening. His condition harbored near death and it was yet a valiant struggle for the young maiden not to feast upon him, despite the silent urging of her rune. When he begged her to search for his princess, she did so, not due to any obligation she had on his behalf, but to distance herself from him. She prayed desperately that he would be mercifully dead when she returned, that her unspeakable temptation was taken from her, but upon learning of the fate of the princess, she returned to her cabin to find the knight, though weakened, still clinging to life.

Upon learning of his princess' death however, the young knight cursed his fate and the heavens, and brought upon his own demise for his blasphemy against God. As his breath became shallower with every passing moment, Sierra moved closer to the man, drawn by his own agony and grief. It was no longer a matter of wills but of need, and she would shed her tears for him tomorrow, but today, at this moment, she would give him a kiss…one that would last all eternity.

The Ancient Highway, a series of tunnels that stretched the length of the Grasslands was little more than an intricate maze of passages that weaved about the bedrock of the fertile country. The venerable maze was more than a means for the Lizard Clan to quickly mobilize their forces to any part of the Grasslands, but also served to cover their retreat should they need it. The tunnels were so expansive, that many a man giving chase to the reptilian warriors often found themselves lost for days, all but a few ever seeing daylight again.

The maze of tunnels however, did not cross the mind of the large man in the heavy, black armor, as he moved his way through the passages with an intricate knowledge that beckoned him forth. It was as though the unseen forces had snagged his soul and summoned him to the place of origin, and he hoped with silent desperation the meaning behind the unseen guiding hand was the presence of his long-time quarry.

To his dissatisfaction however, he came upon the large, alcove within the cavern, supporting little interest save the magically sealed door in the far corner of the chamber, a single figure seemingly examining the passage. For but a brief moment, he believed the blond haired man standing at the sealed entry to be his target, but quickly discounted it as the man he now observed held but a different build than that of Yuber's.

Walking with silent purpose, the dark warrior approached the figure, his curiosity piqued. As he approached however, the large, blond man spoke silently, addressing his motive. "I had wondered how long it would be before someone sought out the Cindar Ruins," he said, turning to face the black-garbed knight. "Know that I cannot allow you to go any further."

Pesmerga tilted his face only slightly as he scrutinized the figure before him. He had, in his ancient life, met many warriors and soldiers of repute, yet this was a man of rare talent. "As if you could stop me," Pesmerga replied, a challenging smile tugging at his lips.

"Who are you?" Jimba asked the large knight, the fingers of his right hand tickling the hilt of his sword as he teetered between drawing the weapon or first receiving answers to his inquiry. "You're not a normal man, are you?"

"Nor would I say are you," Pesmerga replied in kind, nodding his head briefly. "I sense your fate is deeply interwoven with the True Runes. If that is the case, then tell me where the demon Yuber is."

The response was not at all what the Karayan warrior had expected, as he slowly lowered his hand from his weapon and tilted his head. "I fear I do not know the name. Nor can I understand why you would assume that I do."

"Yuber hunts those who possess the True Runes. It is surprising that you have not met him despite your possession of one such fragment of God's will."

"How do you know…" Jimba began, reaching once more for his weapon only to have Pesmerga roll over his own question.

"You shall meet him eventually then. And when you do, tell him that death is coming." And with that simple statement, Pesmerga turned to leave the aged warrior to his own thoughts. As the large knight vanished into the catacombs, Jimba was certain that the area had grown brighter once more, that the chamber had become warmer and the circulation of his own blood had once again flown to the extremities of his body.

Sierra lay against the restful form of her lover, gentle tracing one delicate finger around the curvature of his muscles as he tightened his hold on her, drawing her attention to his face. "I'm sorry if I woke you," she said softly, stretching forward to tenderly brush her lips against his.

"I was already awake," Rean smiled, moving his hand to brush a few stray locks that had fallen into Sierra's face. "So, what are you thinking about?"

Tightening the grip on the man in her arms she spoke to him, "Just thinking about the day we met. It's been so long ago, that I try to keep it fresh in my mind so it doesn't slip away."

"You shouldn't worry about that," the former knight said, caressing her cheek as he brought his lips to hers. Pulling away with a loving smile, he gazed fully at his lover. "That is the past, and all I care to remember is the here and now."

"You don't…have any regrets for what I've done to you? What I made you?" She asked, the hopeful sense of wonder hanging on every word.

"The only thing you've made me is loving you. You and I, we are locked away within this village, apart from the world with only our friends who have become our family. I can think of no better eternity than to be here with you," he said, gathering her lips in a kiss once more.

The sudden knocking on her chamber door followed by the intrusion on the pair of lovers distracted the two only briefly as they watched the frantic messenger. "Mistress Sierra," the servant said, bowing only slightly as required by protocol before continuing. "It's Neclord…"

"What?" Sierra responded, fearing what had happened to the new blood to warrant the intrusion.

"He's…barricaded himself within the sacred shrine…he's intending to steal…"

Sierra entered the large foyer of the massive building, followed by her companions as she gazed about the antechamber. She pondered only briefly the whereabouts of the council chamber when Jowy interrupted her thoughts.

"So, what was that you did to the guard Sierra?"

"Hypnosis is only one of the talents we vampires possess. He'll return to normal in a few minutes with no knowledge we were ever there."

"So, you could have done that yesterday…why didn't you?" Riou asked, indignant over the fact that the ageless maiden had hidden her power from them.

Sierra responded merely by shrugging her shoulders and gazing about the interior, her eyes falling upon the spiraling staircase as she made her way towards the upper level, only to be stopped by a rather rotund servant.

"Excuse me, your not permitted upstairs while the council is convening," the man said, meeting the party half way and blocking their further progression. "Might I ask your business for coming to the Council's Sanctum?"

"Is that what your really call this place?" Sierra replied, not bothering to hide her mirth at the obvious importance placed upon the otherwise insignificant meeting hall.

But Riou responded quickly to defuse the situation. "Please sir, we must meet with the council."

The council servant may have expected any number of alibis but had not expected that. After a moment to gather his thoughts at the near lunacy of the request, he replied once more, a snide, arrogant grin parting his lips. "You certainly must be joking, the council does not meet with children."

Though again the messenger was taken aback as Sierra's own laughter resurfaced at the statement. "Did you hear this simpleton? He believes we're children…"

Jowy and Riou both exchanged uncertain looks at each other, believing whatever chance they now had to address the council had vanished with Sierra's outburst. It was Tir however, who moved forward, weaving his way slowly around the younger men before moving to sidestep the servant.

"I have said," the man replied once more, placing a retaining hand Tir's arm, "that children are not permitted to enter the council chamber's."

Tir, however, froze in mid step and turned his darkened eyes towards the gatekeeper. The look he received from Tir would have been enough to make the bravest of soldiers cower at the aura that radiated from the bearer of the Soul Eater. As it was, the servant found himself without the ability to speak, let alone raise further protest. "Never.touch.me!" Tir said, as the bitterness of his own hateful fate filtered into his voice.

Shrugging free of the man's grip, Tir continued his journey up the stairs, followed closely by Riou and Jowy. Sierra however, leaned close to the man, lingering inches from his face as she devoured the fearful stench of the frightened civil servant. "Be fortunate Lord McDohl was being kind to intervene…another moment and I'd have torn your throat wide open."

Smiling for no other reason than to bare her fangs at the now horrified man, Sierra turned to walk further up the passage and join her companions. When she reached the top floor landing, Riou turned a curious eye towards her.

"Why didn't you just hypnotize him like the last person?"

"Firstly, it tires me to exert that particular control. And secondly, as I said in Lady Leknaat's chamber, eternity gets rather boring, and I was rather amused with the situation."

Sierra rushed to the site of the Sacred Shrine with all the speed of her immortal life. Already a large gathering of her followers stood outside the shrine, as they looked nervously about, worried over the actions of the newcomer. As Sierra approached, she moved to attempt entry into the shrine, only to have the large iron doors swing open on their own accord.

Neclord stepped from the chamber, a greedy grin upon his features as he looked out over his gathered clan. "My my…what an audience I seem to have gathered," the vampire sneered as he stepped from the shrine.

As he moved, however, Sierra took an unconscious step back, her eyes fixed upon his right hand and the tattoo that had emblazoned itself upon his skin. Shaking her head in silent disbelief, Sierra raised her eyes to address the vampire. "How could you? The Moon Rune is our sacred artifact, to be used by us all, not for the greed of one."

Neclord however, turned his eyes towards the sky, admiring the distant stars the blinked about the canopy. "Do you ever get tired of this place?" The simplicity of the question however brought a confused look upon Sierra's face as she tried to understand the meaning of the words.

"I must say I am certainly dissatisfied with this place. My spirit has grown restless, so I am taking the Moon Rune and leaving."

Fury creased the lines of Sierra's flawless face as she stepped forward to challenge the upstart, only to have her path blocked by a number of her followers who stood against her. "What are you doing? We cannot let him take the sacred Rune."

"They understand better than you Lady Sierra," Neclord taunted, smiling brightly despite the anger his former mistress conveyed. "I bear the rune that is key to our survival, thus they follow me now…not you."

Sierra stepped away from the crowd, fearful of the repercussion of what was to come. Turning her eyes for some manner of support, she saw even Rean stand amidst the crowd shielding Neclord. With every sense of will she possessed, Sierra fought against the overwhelming betrayal that drove the bitter blade through her middle. "Just tell me," she said, fighting to keep her voice steady in light of what had occurred. "Why are you doing this? If you wanted to lead you should have challenged me. But that rune does not belong to any of us. It is the source of our survival."

Neclord again smiled the same, tainted grin as though nothing pleased him more the immortal woman's distress. "I've met someone," he replied cryptically before further explaining. "Windy has shown me there are only two types of people in the world, those with power, and those who submit to that power. I will submit to you no longer." And with the simple statement, he faded from view, taking the Moon Rune and the future of her people with him.

Nash Clovis leaned casually against the railing that separated Iksay Village from the vast, fertile fields that was the greatest source of pride for the small community, taking in the jovial atmosphere of the Harvest Festival. He knew he should further his investigation into the whereabouts of the masked bishop, and knew even more than that that Sierra would be greatly angered to see him lull about, but he understood that a man could only do so much before his body told him it was time to rest, especially a man of his age.

Yet as he gazed about the cheerful, smiling faces, his eyes fell upon two figures approaching the celebratory revelry. He knew immediately by their appearance that they were two of Mighty Six Zexen Knights, and more importantly, one was the captain herself. Perhaps, if he considered the thought in a particular way, there was an argument to be made about the wise decision to come to this out of the way village.

He stood amidst the shadows, considering how best to approach the captain when her escort apparently moved off for whatever reason. Satisfied that fate had at last smiled upon him, the blond-haired spy followed the captain up the hill, pausing only a moment as she gazed out over the horizon.

"Be careful," Nash said, putting all his charm into his voice as stepped from the shadows to address the woman, "Too much adoration of the view will make the sun blush."

The four bearers of the True Runes entered the chamber designated for the council meeting, drawing immediately stares that ranged from bewilderment to indignation at the intrusion. The man seated at the head of the council seemed the first to gather his wits and address the intruders.

"What business do you have interrupting our meeting…GUARDS!"

The door snapping shut however brought the boisterous councilman to a near fury at the impudence of these peasants who dared to interfere with their business.

"This meeting is of the highest importance and we ask that you leave at once." A second councilman said, smoothing his long mustache as he spoke to the group.

"Ask? We demand you depart at once…"

The sudden ringing chimes echoed throughout the chamber as Tir brought his staff hard against the table, silencing the men. "Subtle," Sierra said, cocking an eyebrow as she looked over the group while Riou and Jowy moved to opposite corners, effectively flanking the council.

"Where is Luc?" The general demanded, receiving only curious looks from the politicians.

Sierra sighed despite herself as she stepped forward. The years McDohl had spent in his self-imposed exile did nothing for his public speaking skills. "What my companion is trying to say is…we have received information that you and your country have bartered a deal with Harmonia. We want to know what the specifics of that arrangement are."

The council stirred nervously, looking from one another as they weighed the declaration. "What right have you coming into our meeting and making baseless accusations. Insulting us, threatening us," the councilman said, turning to stare at Tir. "Not only are we under no obligation to answer you, but you will be very fortunate indeed if you don't find yourselves in a damp Zexen jail for the remainder of your lives."

"The remainder of our lives is a very long time councilor." Sierra continued, walking casually around the table. "Let me see if I can put this in perspective. You and Holy Harmonia invade the Grasslands from different fronts, effectively conquering the land and split the spoils between yourselves. Not very intelligent, are you gentlemen?"

The statement caused the men to startle at the insult, fuming more than before at the insolence of these intruders. The fourth councilor addressed the party, his eyes narrowed in speculation. "Are you spies from Grassland?"

"Don't be absurd, those barbarians aren't sophisticated enough to utilize spies." Another councilman said, surveying the four intruders. "Meaning you're probably from Tinto, wanting your own piece of the action."

However it was Riou who spoke next. "I have no loyalties to Gustav of Tinto, we are here for another reason," the youngest of the party proclaimed. "You haven't thought your plan through fully, have you? By conquering Grassland, you're willing to throw the entire continent into war."

When the speculative murmurs of the councilmen quieted, Riou continued. "Lucia, chief of the Karayan Tribe has close ties with President Teresa of Dunan. By destroying Grasslands, you will anger their allies of Dunan, which will also reunite the alliance of Dunan and Toran. You can't win against them."

"Never mind that!" Tir said, moving his eyes across the seated men. "There was a Harmonian bishop who came to speak to you about joining in the battle against Grassland. I want to know where he went."

"What right do you have to question us?"

"Sir, the man you met with is dangerous, we have to find him," Jowy pleaded, hoping to reason with the pompous men seated about the table.

"Of course he's dangerous," the first councilman said again, mockery in his voice. "Do you think we'd put our trust in a plan of conquest if the man who proposed it was unwilling to see it through?"

"Conquerors, do not attempt to destroy the continent." Sierra concluded, allowing the statement to sink in.

After many moments of silence, another councilman spoke what the others were thinking. "That's absurd. Its not possible."

"I beg to differ," Jowy commented, drawing the councilman's attention towards him. "The man you met with seeks to capture the four remaining True Elemental Runes and use their power to destroy the rune he himself possesses. When that is done, a level of devastation never before witnessed will wipe the continent clean. We have to find him and stop him."

"Preposterous, what proof can you offer to even validate your claim…not that we're likely to believe you," another man said.

In response, Tir raised his right hand, allowing the crest of the Soul Eater to glow above his head, followed by Sierra and Riou and Jowy, the latter's Runes illuminating both the crest of the Bright Shield Rune and Black Sword Rune, with the emblem of the Rune of Beginning showing between them.

"We too hold True Runes, and thus it is our responsibility to track him down and stop him." Tir said, lowering his hand as he stared mournfully at his tattooed hand.

"You have to help us," Riou said, pleading once more. "Do you know where he might have gone?"

Sierra felt the repulsion of her own bile build within her stomach as she stared at the weakened forms of the dead or dying. Blue Moon Village had become little more than a tomb for those who dwelled within, the betrayal of Neclord leaving those who chose to stay to suffer the long-coming approach of their death.

Leaving the wailing screams of anguish that filtered from the lips of her villagers behind her, Sierra entered the cabin that had been her home for the past countless centuries, stopping as she watched the whimpering form of her lover as he fought off the convulsive seizures that had taken possession of him. Moving quickly to his side, Sierra cradled his form in her arms, soothing his rigid form with her gentle hand as she rocked back and forth, hoping to provide some comfort.

"Here," she said softly, holding her wrist out for him to take as she prepared to open a fresh wound. "Take some of my blood."

But the half-hearted shake of her head stopped her as she tried desperately to give him the strength to fight the thirst. "Rean, no…stay with me, okay. We'll get through this. You just have to believe, okay? Now here, drink…"

"Don't fool yourself Sierra," he said weakly, pushing her arm away as if the thought repulsed him. "How much blood do you think you have? You can't sustain me."

"Well I'm not letting you give up…"

"I never said I was giving up either," he replied, raising his face to stare at the ageless woman. "I just said I won't drink any more of YOUR blood."

"What are you saying?" the coven mistress asked, her eyes wide as she searched for some meaning missed within the words of her lover.

"I'm saying," Rean replied, grabbing the ancient beauty by the throat and hoisting her into the air. It was overly apparent that the strength he feigned to lack never fully left him. "That maybe Neclord was right. Maybe its time we got out of this pit and found out what's really out there. What do you say Sierra, feel thirsty?"

The woman looked on in shock as the once gentle eyes possessed by the man she loved now flirted about with a sense of madness. Whatever wisdom, whatever compassion he may have once possessed, it seemed to have long since departed. "Have you gone mad Rean?"

"No my dear Sierra, its called an awakening…" And with the power of his superhuman strength, he hurled the woman against the far wall. When she raised her eyes to look once more upon the man she loved, her heart was torn asunder to see he had departed.

Tears, fresh and bitter streamed down her face as she stared at her shaking hands. The blood of her kinsmen would stain the porcelain fingers for not being able to prevent what had happened, yet more hurtful than the death of so many innocents was the loss of the man she cherished with her very heart to the thirst that had consumed him.

Tears of anguish streamed down her face as she pounded her fists on the wooden flooring of the cabin, each blow a reminder of a shared look, a tender touch, a loving kiss she had shared with him. She continued driving her fists into the ground, landing blow after blow upon the floor until the boards cracked and splintered, until her own blood flowed from her aching hands.

Staring with cautious curiosity, the vampire licked the wounds, feeling renewed strength flow throughout her body as she drank of the vital bodily fluid. As the tears dried upon her face, she raised her eyes to stare into the emptiness that was her own soul. "Neclord," she said quietly, not caring he was nowhere near enough to hear her own decree. "If it takes the rest of eternity, I will hunt you down and kill you for this betrayal. And when you reach Hell, know that many of the villagers you've sent to their deaths will be waiting for you."

Standing slowing from the floor, Sierra turned towards the door and left, to at last ease the suffering of the dying souls.

Mt. Senai

The Alter of the Flame Champion was a sacred relic left over from the Fire Bringer War some 50 years ago. It was rumored that the Flame Champion had used this alter to levy a degree of control over his rune; indicating the probability that this alter itself was Cindar in origin.

The history of such a relic however made no difference to the masked bishop or his companion as they searched the shrine for some clue as to the whereabouts of the True Fire Rune. Sighing despite his desire to hide his frustrations, Luc turned to his companion and addressed the mage.

"It does not seem to be here after all," Luc said in deep frustration. "The Flame Champion's ability to hinder the Rune's discovery is nothing short of an annoying hindrance."

"Well, we are not without clues as of yet," Sarah replied, trying to ease the strain of disappointment from her master's mind. "Perhaps we should look else where."

"I suppose it can't be helped," the bishop replied, turning slightly to watch as the large man in the black suit of leather armor led a group into the inner sanctum of the Alter of the Flame Champion. "And it seems we have guests," Luc replied, his words indicating he fully expected the arrival of the mercenaries.

"Shall we have a talk with them?" Sarah asked, turning her eyes towards the ageless mage by her side.

"Indeed," Luc replied, taking a few steps towards the group approaching, "I believe we shall."

To be continued.