"Going Home"
Disclaimer: I don't own Suikoden. Konami does. Simple enough.
Author's note: This story contains spoilers for just about everything important that happens in Suikoden II. It's best if you read this only after you beat the second game, or this will ruin the game for you and/or just completely confuse you.
Names: Hero's name = Riou Castle = Dunan
For context, Jowy and Nanami have both died. That's right, no happy ending. The story takes place about a year after Suikoden II, so after the events of Suikgaiden II also. The story is told in Riou's POV. He accepted Jowy's half of the rune to make the Rune of the Beginning, therefore it becomes a true rune, and he doesn't age, just like McDolh. This fic is fairly angsty and plotless. Anyhoo, Riou goes to Kyaro to try and make peace with himself.
That, and this is pretty much the first fanfiction I've written. Pity me. I'm open to criticism and such, just be kind to my gentle soul.
The sun had set on Tenzan pass. The wind gently blew my hair around my face, as I stood and looked at my greatest friend and greatest enemy. Both of us silently stood, panting, after our second duel. I had refused to attack Jowy, there was no way I could, even after all that had happened. Both of us looked as if we were about to pass out.
Jowy broke the brief silence. "Riou... I was always jealous of you. There's something about you... always so strong... and gentle..." He looked at me with a piercing azure stare. He continued. "That's all that I ever wanted... to be loved by everyone just like you were... and that's why..." Jowy collapsed, unable to finish his sentence.
"JOWY!!!" I screamed, rushing forward to catch him. Oh, God, why was this happening?
He looked up and smiled bitterly at me. "I... I used too much power... the beast rune that Luca tried to free...." He paused, trying to gather energy to finish his statement. "I had to.... use my.... 'Black sword rune' to stop it... our rune... together.... they make a true rune...."
What was he saying? I didn't want the rune of the beginning. I had a hard enough a time trying to handle the Bright Shield rune. "Jowy…" I said, fearing what he would say next.
Jowy continued on, looking paler by the second. He didn't have much time left. "But... If you use it by itself.... It takes your life..."
I frantically tried to think of something, anything. Jowy was always my best friend, even though we were on opposing sides. I couldn't let him die. First Grandpa, then Nanami, now Jowy? "Jowy, no, you'll be alright!" I whisper to him out of desperation, tears starting to stream down my face.
He ignored my outburst. "Riou... I'm going to die anyway..." He closed his eyes once again, the wind slowly brushing his blonde hair away from his eyes. The setting sun made Jowy look even more pallid, and I could feel his heartbeat starting to slow down. Why was this happening? Why? He looked up again. "So.... I give you... my life... so the two runes become one again..." He slowly rose his right hand, the one with the Black Sword rune. Riou... your right hand..."
"I can't, Jowy, I can't." I whispered, closing my eyes. Was this just a dream? Why was I here?
His eyes pleaded with me. "Riou... I... I'm sorry... I can't stand it anymore.... all the lives that I stole...All the people I hurt...." He raised his hand again, trying to complete the rune.
My tears fell on Jowy's shirt. I started screaming, out of fear, out of anger. "Jowy…why you too? I can't do it! First Grandpa, then Nanami, now you! I thought we'd always be together. You and I, at least, we can run away somewhere, together, and pretend this never happened. Even though all this happened between us, we can still be friends! I can't do it! I can't take your rune, I can't!"
Jowy sighed, resigned to his fate. He looked up at me, starting to beg. ""Please... I beg of you... don't let our dream have been in vain...."
"Jowy, no! You can't! I can't!" I wanted to run away, leave everything behind. Maybe I'd wake up and be in my bed in the dojo. Nanami would come and wake me up, demanding that I hurry up and get dressed; otherwise I'd be late for training.
His voice was that of a man who had given up on life completely. He whispered, "Riou.... There's no... time.... Please... I'm ready..." He reached for my right hand.
"Jowy…" Somehow, I knew there was nothing I could do. Jowy was going to die no matter what I did. Goddamn this rune! I cursed to myself. A bright light started to emanate from our hands, and a warm feeling came upon me. I looked at our hands. I no longer had the image of the Bright Shield imprinted on my hands, but instead a different image that I didn't recognize. Jowy no longer had an imprint on his hand.
Jowy smiled up at me, finally at peace. I could barely hear his next words. "Riou.... I want you to... become a great leader…" He struggled to finish his sentence. "Hold on dearly to this peace that we fought so hard for…the rune.... It will lend you its power, I'm sure of it..." His eyes became unfocused, and I could feel the life slipping away from his body.
"Jowy, no. No…" I whispered, unable to speak any louder.
His eyes closed for the last time. With his final breath, he whispered, "Farewell... my friend...Riou..."