War of the Runes Chapter 9:

Desiderat Pacem Praeparet Bellum

"If you want peace…prepare for war"

The chilling darkness settled upon the four companions as they made their way through the Zexen Forest, warmed only by the sporadic traces of sunlight that filtered through the leafy canopy. Despite their impromptu meeting with the Zexen Council, none among the entourage believed the arrogant diplomats were helping Luc, nor were they aware of his true intentions. This, however, only added to their frustrations, as they were now without an idea as to where the True Wind Rune bearer might be. And of course, the expected yet equally infuriating silence from Leknaat did little to alleviate their concerns.

Riou however, took this opportunity to voice his own suggestions, "You know, since we don't know where Luc is, maybe we should work with the Grasslanders against the Harmonians."

"No," was the only reply to echoed past the lips of the bearer of the Soul Eater. When it became apparent no further explanation was forthcoming, the youngest companion posed his argument.

"Why not? What other leads do we have?" Taking a moment to collect his thoughts Riou stumbled forward. "I mean, Luc has to be involved in this war…and how many lives can we save by helping to end it quickly…"

"Because that is not our task. This war is only used as a smoke screen to hide Luc's movements. Involving ourselves in this conflict will not stop Luc, and only cause more people to die."

Riou stopped in his path and surveyed the party. For reasons he could not even contemplate, he felt alone and distanced from the rest of the group, perhaps because he still argued the merit of proactively stopping the war, rather than to simply let it run its course, but he was certain lives could be saved should the four of them work to battle Harmonia. Indeed, the correspondence he had sent was while certain Tir and the others were not looking was only a small means by which to oppose fate and end the war…and he wondered how Tir would respond to know he had already involved them.

"Riou?" Jowy's concerned words brought the tonfa wielder's mind to the present as he looked to his companions, noticing they had moved some distance from him, yet still the young man stood rooted in place, unwilling to follow Tir's path any further.

"We have to do something Tir," Riou responded, the harsh tones of his own bitterness scorching his lips. "We can't let people die when we have the power to stop it…all we're doing now is roaming the Grasslands and Zexen in circles, trying to find clues to stop that maniac when we don't even know where to look. At least stopping Harmonia will let us do something."

Tir paused in his pace only a moment as he turned his head to address the younger man. "You are under no obligation to follow me Riou, if you want to fight the Harmonians, you're welcomed to do so, but I still must find Luc." With that, Tir turned back to his path and continued walking.

Riou, however, began shaking with repressed anger. He couldn't understand why this man, a man he had admired when they first met, was so willing to cast aside the lives of those people who could be saved, for the sake of stopping Luc when none of them knew where he was. That anger, however, took possession of his body and before he realized what he was doing, the young man was running full sprint at the bearer of the Soul Eater, weapon in hand.

The next events seemed to play themselves out in his mind in slow motion. He distinctly heard Jowy call his name, watched as Tir turned slowly to face him, his eyes as emotionally distant as he had ever witnessed them, and saw the brunt of his tonfa connect with the side of Tir's head, sending the man sprawling to the ground. He would make Tir understand, would beat some sense into the otherwise emotionless void of human flesh that now gathered himself up from the ground.

"Damn you!" Riou screamed, unaware the words were his own until his mind had caught up to his actions and he realized what he had done, yet he was too tired, too hurt and too desperate to worry about the consequences of it all. To his dismay, Tir had not bothered to dust himself off or wipe the stream of blood that trailed from the corner of his lip, but simply stood immobile against the impassioned attacker.

"Why is it so easy for you to discard those lives…why is it you don't give a damn about anyone or anything but your own mission?" For but a moment, Riou had seen the shiver cross the other man's face, the crack in his otherwise impenetrable armor, but the image was soon faded by the clouding of his own eyes. If the only way he could make this man understand was to beat him, then so be it. Yet as he raised his arm again, the strong hand of his best friend halted its course.

"Riou, no!" Jowy demanded as he fought to keep him from lashing out once more at their appointed leader. Riou just shrugged out of Jowy's grip, yet did not raise his weapon again. It seemed almost haunting to his mind that Tir had not bothered to raise his own weapon in defense, had made no move to dodge the coming blow but simply stood his ground as if awaiting the hammer of Riou's strike to fall, as if he felt he deserved nothing less than the punishment to come.

"Why can't you just care? Why are you so desperate to allow this war to play itself out? And you," Riou shouted, turning on his best friend and directing his shaking finger to point at Jowy's chest. "All through the war, you whined and moaned about not having the power to stop Luca Blight, until we got that power. Now that we have it, you're willing to do nothing to stand against the Harmonians and let the Grasslands be sacrificed?" Riou took a few uncertain steps backwards before bolting into the forest. He needed his space, he needed some distance to put between himself and his companions. He needed to understand how it was so easy for them to distance themselves so much from the tragedy to come. He knew the fundamentals of it, the basic law of life, that stopping war was not within even their power to stop, however that did not mean he had to accept it.

Tir, Jowy and Sierra watched the young man run into the forest until the bearer of the Soul Eater turned his back on the company and continued walking the path of their original course. "Oh, this is just perfect," Jowy replied in frustration as he looked from the direction Tir walked to the path Riou had taken. "Weren't we all supposed to be on the same team?"

Sighing deeply at the simple shrugging of Sierra's shoulders, indicating she truly didn't care either way, Jowy shook his head in tired defeat. "I'll go talk to Riou. Lady Sierra, would you mind speaking with Tir and see if you can't get him to…well, I'm not really sure. Could you just talk to him?"

"It really doesn't matter either way to me, but I suppose I could." As Jowy watched the ageless vampire travel in the direction of the emotionally dead warrior, he squared his shoulders and headed into the direction Riou had run, wondering all the while how things had so quickly fallen apart.

The rain fell in sheets of lead, pelting the lone figure with the thick, heavy drops that landed like arrows upon his unmoving stature despite the chill that had settled within his ageless bones. He stood upon the great peak, overlooking the Safir clan and watched with reserved interest as the Mantor riders of LeBuque swooped upon the unsuspecting village like a carrion bird feasting upon the dead.

The efficiency by which they attacked warranted his interest, yet he knew his dragon knights would prove more than a match for the militia. But the squishing sounds of footfalls against the moist soil drew his attention from the battle below as he watched his subordinate walk to his side and kneel before him.

"Commander Joshua, I've come as instructed," Futch said, his head held in reverence as the wet lock hung heavily against his forehead.

Nodding simply before turning his attention back to the battle, Joshua spoke to his fellow warrior. "It seems as if your information is accurate Futch, Harmonia has made its move to invade the Grasslands."

"Indeed," the powerful knight replied, standing from his position in the mud to join his commander. "I wished it wouldn't have happened, but it looks like nothing can hold it back now."

"True, but we're not to get involved in this war…not directly at any rate," the silver haired man said, smiling slightly to the man at his side. "Have you located Luc?"

"I've seen him in LeBuque, but after that, I'm not sure where he went. I didn't want to get too close to the Mantor's and inadvertently start a battle," the younger man said, shaking his head slightly despite himself.

"No, you did the right thing," Joshua replied, watching the giant insects as they pelted the hapless village. "We need to keep our investigation quiet. Have you spoken to Lord McDohl?"

"Not since dropping him and the others off," sighing slightly as he watched the battle, Futch turned toward the commander. "Everything seems to be happening too fast."

"Indeed, but we must press forward. It may become necessary for you to get involved with the Grassland army to slow the Harmonians. If they're slowed, Luc will not be able to move as freely. In the mean time, I'm going to head to Crystal Valley, and speak directly with the High Priest."

Pausing a moment to question the logic of the decision, Futch chose to hold his tongue and saluted his leader before turning on his heel and striding back to his waiting dragon. With careful eyes that followed the confident movements of his subordinate, Joshua allowed a small smile to crease his lips before returning his eyes to the battle. War, was upon them once more, and this time, it appeared to be of a scope too large to contain.

Riou sat in his silent contemplations, absentmindedly tossing pebbles into the underbrush and watching the leaves shimmer just enough for his own mild amusement. He knew he was acting immature, knew that deep down Tir was right, but he couldn't bring himself to feel comforted by it.

The gentle rustling of the grass behind him alerted his distracted mind that he was not alone, though he made no effort to turn around. He knew who it was who had followed him, and also knew the noise was made as a courtesy.

"I should have guessed I wouldn't be able to hide from you," the young man replied, not bothering to face his friend.

"Is that what you call this? Not much of a hiding spot," though the bearer of the Bright Shield Rune still refused to turn to face the man who approached, he could literally see Jowy's eyes scanning the area.

"So, how's Tir?"

The changing of the subject was not lost on the staff wielder yet he chose to ignore the obvious and work to talk his friend out of the dark, brooding depression that seemed to have settled around him. "About the same. Really, I'd almost think a dragon could materialize right in front of him and snap off his left arm and I doubt he'd so much as blink. It's almost creepy."

"How does he do it Jowy?"

The young man did not need Riou to elaborate on the question, he knew his best friend well enough to correctly guess the line of thinking that had plagued him. The silence that followed, however, was the result of Jowy trying to find the words that adequately comforted his best friend.

But before an appropriate answer fully formed within his mind, Riou continued. "I just don't understand how he can be so dispassionate about all that's going on around us. How can he just let it happen and not try to stop it?"

"On the other hand," the blond-haired man replied, "How can you condemn him for doing so? That's what's really bothering you isn't it? You know he's picked the right path, but you just can't let go can you…and no matter how much you want to believe it'll work itself out, you think there's more you should be doing."

"Damn it Jowy, do you ever get tired of being right?"

"No."

"Well it really frustrates me," the young man said, pulling his knees close to him and resting his chin on his knees. "I…I just can't get over the image of Toto Village, of all those people who died and…Pilika having lost her family. How many more orphans are there going to be because of this war? All because Luc feels the need to kill himself because of his fate. I just feel helpless against it; like fate is guiding us…and taunting us at the same time. When did we lose control?"

"We never had control Riou, that's the illusion. Not since the day we got these," Jowy replied, raising his right hand to look upon the tattoo upon his skin.

"So then, there really is no hope?"

"Hope will only abandon us if we let go of it. Tir was right Riou, you can't do that to yourself. He already has, and you see what he's like. I looked into his eyes after you hit him with your tonfa, he looked liked he expected and even wanted you to hit him. He hates nothing in this world more than his own existence…and it really scared me to see that."

"So then, how can we endure all the loss of life and all the killing?"

"One step at a time…just like we did when we trained under Master Genkaku. And if either of us stumble along the way, we can count on each other to get us back on our feet."

His lungs burned with the exertion of his effort as he crashed his way through the Kuput Forest, each hurried step a heartbeat closer to his destination. When they heard the Christa Village was under attack by the Harmonian advance force, there was no debate, no question for the course before them. They would go to the aid of the village and save the people, or die trying.

As they reached the gate of the village, Hugo paused at the sight that lay before them. Soldiers were already engaging the enemy and it seemed to be a fairly even battle. Turning to his companion who stood ready to engage, Hugo nodded his head before rushing headlong in the fray. "Sergeant, let's go!"

Sierra floated in abject curiosity, tilting her head slightly to the right as she observed the appointed leader who sat dejected and morose upon the stone bridge. Every now and then, he'd raise his right hand to survey the glove, as if peering through the material to gaze upon the tattoo beneath, only to drop his hands once more and release a heavy sigh.

She wasn't quite sure why he seemed to go about this ritual, but knew there were some unresolved issues of his horrific past that he could not get beyond. With his eyes focused on the trickling stream beneath the bridge, he seemed as if he debated some great weight upon his shoulders.

"Riou's right," the young man said, loud enough that the words reached the ageless vampire, letting her know he knew she was there.

Taking a deep breath and trying desperately to find the comforting words that never readily came to mind, Sierra lowered herself to the ground and walked towards the young man.

"Right about what exactly?"

"I'm a coward," the words seemed almost spoken from another person rather than the dark-garbed general.

As the moments stretched between them, Sierra turned her head from the young man to follow his gaze. She wondered what had brought on this sudden bout of self-persecution, but felt it best to allow the man to tell her himself, should he feel the need.

"I know how to find Luc…the answers been in front of me all along, I've just never…I was just afraid to act upon that?"

"So, what is it you've come to understand?" Sierra prodded, working in her own way to get Tir to open up.

"Luc is after the True Runes…we should find and locate them."

"So, then why bring us all the way to Zexen? If the rumors are correct, most of the True Elemental Runes are in Grasslands."

Raising his hand once more to gaze upon the tattoo, the general could not stop the shiver that worked its way through the extremities of his body. "There's another factor other than Luc we'll need to deal with. Windy wants my rune, and if I make my presence known to Luc that I'm working against him, she'll come for me."

"It is the probable conclusion," Sierra replied, tilting her head again to study the man. "I'm certain that's why Lady Leknaat was so adamant about you being included."

"Of course it is…I've never been anything to Leknaat except a tool to be used to draw out Windy. That's all she cares about."

The angry bite in his words caused a slight twinge of empathy for the young man, as Sierra moved closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder in a sign of silent support. The reaction however, was just as unexpected as her own comforting hand, as Tir jerked quickly from her touch and moved several paces away.

"Don't touch me!" He screamed, his body shaking rapidly as he pulled his arms around himself, as though to warm him. As unexpected as the action was, Sierra was even more surprised by the fact that his words actually stung her.

"Am I really so vile that you cannot bare my touch Lord McDohl?"

"Don't you get it?" He said, raising his right hand as if it explained it all. "Don't you know what this Rune wants?"

As the realization came to her, Sierra could not help but laugh at the simplicity of his reaction. "Is that all you're worried about?" Taking a few more steps and crouching to stare at him in the eye, Sierra reached her lithe fingers forward to cup his cheek in her hand. "My soul and my life both belong to my rune. As I told you before McDohl, when it all comes to an end, all we will have is each other."

Tears welled within his eyes as his hand clutch hers, pressing it to his face as if it were a source of life to him. She understood in that moment, the depths of his curse, and wondered how long it had been since he had had human contact…to be touched by another living being. She felt a new sensation totally unfamiliar to her, and rather than think about it, acted upon it and pulled the shivering man into her arms, much the way she did when he awoke from his nightmare some days ago.

After several moments, Tir finally pulled away from the warmth of the comforting embrace, yet the distance that had been in his eyes from the beginning of their journey had settled itself within him once more. Gathering himself to his feet, Tir turned his attention to the east, focusing on the distant land of the Grasslands.

"If Riou is willing to come, tell him we're going to the Grasslands, to find the True Runes."

"So, you've made your decision I see?"

"Yes," the general replied, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized his choice. "When I make my presence known, Windy will come for me. When that happens, I want you to lead Riou and Jowy to stop Luc."

Sierra raised an eyebrow at the words but did not comment. Instead, she turned and walked up the path until being called back by Tir.

"And Sierra," he said, his voice softer and more gentle than usual, giving the impression this was the Tir he chose to bury within him self. "Thank you."

A/N: Well, this chapter took longer than I though to write, and I'm still not happy with it. Originally, this was going to be Riou's flashback chapter, but I couldn't think of anything to carry him through the High East Rebellion, so I stayed with this. Also, not sure but I seriously doubt my section breaks will carry over. Damn and their tampering with the formatting. Anyway, not sure what else I can try, I've used the chapter edit function but can't seem to get it to save my changes.

As for the next chapter, next chapter is where I begin diverging from the original story. Also, Tir and company probably won't be in it or if they are, it'll be a small part, this will focus on the other groups and what they're doing. So, as always, if you were kind enough to read it, please be kind enough to review. Thanks.