voices in silence
Badeaux is another character who intrigues me. Hope I'm not getting any details all weird; I haven't even asked Richmond to do any investigating about this guy for me in any of my previous Suikoden II games. ;^_^
Timeline-wise, this can take place anytime after Badeaux joins the party.

Humanity is a noisy race.

This world is filled with voices, with unspoken words and wishes.

Humans are simply too ignorant to stop and listen.

It would do them good if they tried.

I left humanity long ago because they had closed their ears and eyes to the truth. I watched them die for their foolish causes on the battlefield.

I watched them die, still clinging to the futile hope that their dreams would be fulfilled.

Why then, have I aligned myself to this boy?

Even I am uncertain.

Perhaps it was the strange voice I heard from him, the voice that echoed past humanity's noise and through nature's silence.

It was the voice of destiny.

So many people have laid their faith in his hands. So many people have laid their lives in his hands.

He is no ordinary human. He promised himself never to let these people down. He has promised by the rune branded upon his hand to take up arms against one he had once called his best friend.

All for the sake of peace for humanity.

Is humanity truly worth saving? Are they worth fighting for, with all their ignorance and all their noise?

I never asked that child those questions for fear it would sway him from what he believes in.

But perhaps he is strong enough to handle the truth.

***


Alone at last, Badeaux seated himself by the window in his chambers just as two wild songbirds perched at his windowsill to sing their happy songs.

In the silence, he heard the secret whispers of nature and its resplendence echoing through the castle's grand walls.

In the silence, he heard destiny's siren-like call.

"...." Badeaux extended his hand. One of the two birds eyed it curiously before hopping upon his finger and starting its song anew.

To preserve life, one must fight and gain strength in others.

As Jinkou has done, I will too.