Authors rant: To those who have reviewed Thank you so much for your
support. I'll try my best to get the Chapters out as soon as possible. Now
on to ch3.
As one the Black Clad men surged forward, intending on ripping the blonde Zexen knight to shreds. The distance between them shrunk rapidly and Borus readied himself for the oncoming onslaught. Suddenly a large geyser of swirling flame erupted amongst the Black Clad Swordsmen, sending several of them flying. The sudden turn of events surprised the swordsmen and the moment of hesitation proved to be a big mistake as two of those who still remained standing got bowled over by two speeding blurs. The first blur resolved itself to be a young Karayan male slightly taller than Borus himself. His long blonde hair, highlighted at the ends with black, is tied back into a lose ponytail that runs to his waist. His cloth is that of the standard Karayan fashion, of yellow and red diamond patterns, in his right hand he wields a long curved blade. With a precise strike he fell the man under him and then moved to engage another. The 2nd blur resolved itself to be a large griffon, its snow white feather gleamed under the sunlight, it swung its giant claw and it too dispatched the black clad swordsman that was under him.
What appeared to be the leader of the group, sensing the turn of the battle, held out his hand high in a sharp gesture, and what remained of Boruss' assailants turned and fled from the battle. The Griffon gives a loud shriek and moved to pursue, but the Karayan stopped him.
"Fubar, let them go, there are no need for pursue."
Up till now Borus had no idea who his rescuer is, though he felt that the young man was familiar to him. It wasn't until he spoke that Borus managed to piece together who the person in front of him was.
"Hugo!"
**************************************************************************** *******
Suikoden 3 Fanfic Conflict from within ch3:
The holy ground
**************************************************************************** *******
Hugo turned around at the sound of his name and looked Borus straight in the eye.
"It has been a long time, Borus of the Zexens. Why have you come to the grasslands?" The Karayan asked tersely. "Or more precisely, judging from the direction you are going, what business do you have with Karaya?"
"I. no, Lady Chris needs your help, Sir Hugo!" Borus exclaimed pointing to his charge, which has been laid gently on the ground behind him.
"Chris!?" Hugos' eyes widened as he realized who is lying motionlessly on the ground, in a flash he was kneeling beside her. With one hand he brushed aside some strands that was matted to her forehead by sweat. " She is having a fever, what happened to her?"
"She was attacked, the assailant used a poisoned blade." Borus explained anxiously, body quivering with urgency. "Salome said the poison is from Karaya, please, Flame Champion, you must help her!"
"I'll bring her to the village, there may be someone who can." Slowly he picks the silver maiden up in his arms and place her gently on the back of Fubar. " Here Fubar can you carry her to the village?"
"Kueeeeeee!" Fubar replied with a loud shriek and folded his wing gently around her.
Hugo gave a nod of satisfaction and whistled loudly. It wasn't long until a large deer like creature ran up to him. In a smooth motion Hugo mounted, he then looked back to Borus.
"Are you coming?"
"I lost my mount during the fight," Borus replied shaking his head, " I will follow as soon as possible though. I leave the rest to you, sir Hugo."
"Borus, you said that the poison was Karayan. Do you believe that one of us did it?" Hugo asked, in a serious tone.
"No I do not."
"Good, because I won't leave Lulu's vengeance in anyone elses' hand." With that he dug his heel into his mount, sending it into a gallop. Borus' eyes widened at that last comment but before he could say another word, Hugo was already gone.
**************************************************************************** *******
Like the wind, Hugo glided forward. Landscapes became blurs as he urged his mount to go faster. As the villages' best rider, Hugo has often used this route in his practice yet never before had he the urgency today. Faster and faster he went and he felt like he was riding the wind itself. Normally he would have glorified in this kind of feeling, but today his heart is filled with mixtures of emotions that he could not sort out. Uncertainty returned and old wound reopened, to see Chris again and under this circumstance made his thoughts swarmed with confusion. After a hard ride, the village of Karaya slowly rose into view. Though the village was burned down in the incident 5 years ago, the people of Karaya quickly rebuilt and now the village stood as if it has stood there for decade.
Upon his arrival to the village, Hugo dismounted and walked in leading his mount with Fubar in tow. The village is in a flurry of activities as people prepare for the summer festival tomorrow night. As he went past various villagers a variety of response greets him.
"Welcome back Hugo, how was the ride, did you make a new record today?"
"Big brother Hugo, come play with us."
"Hugo, where should I put the fruits? How about the decorations?"
Hugo gave each a curt nod in acknowledgement and hurried past them toward his destination. He stopped at one of the simple hut deeper into the village. Very carefully he lifts Chris off Fubars' back and carried her across his arms.
"Wait for me here, Fubar." He told the Griffon and then promptly walked inside the hut.
It was a simple hut, with few furnishings. On the wall there are several weapons indicating it as the home of a warrior.
"Beecham, I need your help." Hugo shouted.
From behind a screen of fur the aged warrior walks out calmly, his brow furrowed at the urgency of Hugos' voice.
"Hugo what is." He stopped suddenly as he realized exactly whom Hugo is holding. " By the Sprits! Isn't that the silver maiden of Zexens? Did the thought of vengeance drive you mad? What have you done, Hugo?"
"I didn't do anything, Beecham." Shaking his head he relays the tale of his encounter with Borus. " He said that she is inflicted with a Karayan poison. That is why she is like this."
"Poison eh? Here let me have a look." Beecham proceeded to check on Chris's temperature and wound.
"Yes I believe I know what is inflicting her," After a few moments of examination he finally declared. "A rare poison processed from Tsurai roots. It was used by some of the young warriors to coat their arrows and blades in the war a few years back, Chief Lucia thought that it's dishonorable and cowardly to use such a thing though. So she banned the use of this poison, none have used it since."
"The only cure is by mixing the Tsurai roots itself with other herbs." Beecham continued. " Unfortunately for her though, we do not have any here in the village at the moment."
"Tsurai roots?" Hugo looked thoughtful as he searched his memory. "I remember they grow near the pond of the spirits. All I have to do is go get them and bring them back right?"
"Yes they do grow there, however by the time you get back. She will already be dead. " Beecham replied grimly.
"What?" Hugo Gasped.
"Judging from her current condition, she will not last the night." Beecham shook his head sadly. " Even if you set out now, you wont be able to get back till tomorrow morning. By that time, it will already be too late."
" The I guess I have no choice but to take her there then." Hugo said in a determined voice.
"That place is Karayan holy ground you can't take an outsider there!" Beecham exclaimed. "Besides not even Fubar can fly up there, do you seriously believe that you can climb the cliff there while carrying a person?"
"I will take full responsibility as the acting chief for this." Hugo answered his voice strong and without a shadow of self-doubt. "As for the other, I got up there once, I'll do it again."
"I suppose there is no convincing you to do otherwise now, it amazes me how much you are like your mother." Beecham said fondly while shaking his head, "Wait here and I'll get you the formula as well as give you the other stuff you need for the cure."
The old warrior walked to the back of the hut and opened a wooden box. After some shoveling around he returned with a small sack.
"Here you go that should have everything you need." Beecham said, fastening the sac around Hugos' waist, "May the spirits watch over you and lend wings for your journey."
"Thank you, Beecham. I'll be back soon, take care of the festival for me will you?"
"When Chief Lucia comes back from Tinto, she will be mad to learn that you have been shirking in your duties again."
Hugo gave Beecham a sheepish grin and then dashed outside. Once again He placed Chris gently on Fubar and then gave Fubar an affectionate pet on the head.
"I need you to look after her again, Fubar. Wait here for a few minutes though, I will be back soon."
Hugo took off once again and this time ran straight to his own house. After some rifling he came up with 2 coils of strong rope, shouldering them he quickly ran back to Fubar. With Fubar in tow He grabbed his mount and quickly made his way outside of village. Once outside, he jumped back onto his mount and this time sets out toward one of the mountain in the distance.
Although it was a short trip compared to the last one, by the time he got there it is close to sunset. The pond of the spirits lies on top of a sheer cliff that belongs to one of the many mountain ranges that surrounds the grasslands. Although there is another way to reach the top it is one that would take the traveler around the mountains that will in turn lengthen the travel by days. Hence the shortest and most efficient way to reach the pond would be to scale the cliff surface. This was the task that was used as a trial in the coming of age ritual in Karaya. Hugo himself has completed the same test a few years back. Hugo sighed and steeled himself for what he knew to be a difficult journey, one that was made even more difficult due to the burden he must carry. Hugo leapt off his mount and tied it to a near by tree. After feeding it some food, he walked to Fubar and gently lifts the burden the griffon is carrying. With the ropes on him, Hugo ties Chris securely to his back.
"Come back in the morning, Fubar." Hugo told Fubar before starting his journey up. Hugo took a deep breath to ready himself and then leapt onto the cliff surface and began his journey up. Although a skilled climber, the extra burden really slowed Hugo down. He only made little progress, by the time the last light vanished over the horizon. Without any source of light, Hugo is forced to grope blindly for a secure spot, making the task even more difficult. What he thought was a secured foothold turned out to be loose as it gave out from beneath him. Only his quick reflex saved him as he dangled from falling to his doom with only his left arm for support. Desperately he sought for better purchase as his strength slowly gives out and was barely in time in finding a sturdy grove to put his foot in through sheer luck.
'Damn it that was close.' He thought to himself with no small amount of relief. Suddenly a thought struck and he began to go through one of the earlier exercise he did after obtaining the true fire rune. A red glow sprung up from his right hand illuminating his surroundings. No longer blind, Hugo continues his climb up, pushing himself to make better progress. After what seemed to be hours of climbing he finally arrived at his destination. With a loud gasp he hauled himself over the edge and onto the secured ground. For a few minutes all he could do was to lay there gaping, out of breath from the exertion. Slowly though he managed to haul himself back to his feet. In front of him, the pond of spirits stood silently in the dark, fireflies danced in the air above illuminating the water and creating an ethereal scene. Hugo gave the area a quick look and found a large rock to put Chris on top of. He quickly walked over and unfastened the rope binding the unconscious woman to him, gently he eased the maiden down from his back. A loud gasp caught his attention and he bent over to examine the unconscious woman. Sweat poured down from her brow like rain, her teeth gnashed together as if fighting some unknown pain, her breathing quick and labored. Though Hugo is not familiar with the symptoms of the poison, he knew that he did not have much time left.
He opened the sac that Beecham gave him. He followed the instructions to mixed up the herbs and prepared them accordingly. With only the root missing in the formula, he quickly scoured the area surrounding the pond for the Tsurai roots. He found some growing behind a small tree, and with much care he dug up the precious root. With the root in hand he quickly mixed it in with the rest of herbs. With the antidote now completed, Hugo gently forced Chris's mouth open and fed her the mixture with some water from the pond. Reflexively she swallowed the mixture and although it did not seem to working at first, soon her fever began to recede. Hugo lets out the breath he was holding and falls backward onto the ground. He examined Chris again and was relieved to note that she also seemed to be breathing easier and the pain too seemed to have stopped. Glad that the cure worked, Hugo wiped a sweat from his eyebrow.
"Its not over yet, Hugo of Karaya, Flame Champion of the grasslands, heir to the true fire rune." A voice suddenly said.
Hugo turned to the sound surprised that he did not detect the person sneaking up on him, yet what he saw surprised him even further. A young blonde girl about 4 years of age and wearing a green dress floated 2 feet above the pond, her image transparent and seemed to flicker once in while.
"Who are you? Are you one of the spirits?" Hugo asked, once the initial shock wears off.
"No I am not, at least not yet." Making a slight curtsy she continued, " My name is Seriam , a spirit speaker of Alma Kinan, I came here on behalf of the one who has gone before."
"You are a spirit speaker? And who is 'one who has gone before'." Hugo asked, confused at the unfolding event.
" I can not tell you who that is, all I can say that she knows lady Chris very well. That is why she wants to help Lady Chris," For a moment her image seems to flicker out only to return 2 seconds later. " I do not have much time, I am really in Alma Kinan right now and the only reason I can speak to you right now is because this place is deeply connected with the spirit realm. But even then I do not have much time, so hold your questions and listen well."
"Although the poison in her system is purged, she is still going to die. The poison has done too much damage to her body and she is in no condition to use her water rune to heal herself. The only way she can survive is for you to channel your own life force through the true fire rune and into the water rune so that it may heal her." More flickers ran across Seriams' translucent image and she seemed strained. " Take care though because the process is very dangerous and if something goes wrong both of you might die, tear apart by the feedback force of both runes. You must keep a clear mind and stay focused. I leave the rest to you." With that the image flickered out completely.
Though mystified at the occurrence, Hugo felt that there might be some truth behind what the girl said. In the quietness of the night, Hugo could clearly hear Chris' breathing and though it is no longer labored it felt extremely weak and getting weaker by the minute. The moonlight casts a soft glow on the sleeping maidens face, and Hugo was struck at how soft and gentle she looked right now. Softly he traced the outline of her features, down her right arm, and then her right hand. Softly he grasped her hand with his right and was surprised at how soft it felt in his grip.
'Who would have thought this hand could swing the sword so masterfully so beautifully and so fearsomely. The same hand that cut down countless. The same hand that killed lu.' Forcefully he stopped his train of thought for that will only open old wound. Hugo have no idea why he so readily jumped to her defense, why he risked his life for hers when he should be killing her instead, if not for Lulu then for the countless grasslanders she killed. Yet even though he does not know why he is saving her, he does know why she should not die.
"Because your people needs you," He said softly to her leaning forward, his forehead touching hers. A red glow intertwined with blue began to shine brightly between their hands as he focused all his strength through his true fire rune and into the true water rune. "Because without you countless more will die, both grasslander and Zexen, because it is through your work there are peace between Zexen and Grasslands." A Sharp pain suddenly erupted from his hand, spreading throughout his entire being. He gritted his teeth as he felt like he is being torn apart, fighting to stayed focused he continues to channel his energy into Chris' true water rune.
"So live, Chris Lightfellow. Live, Silver Maiden. If not for duty then for the people who need you." With that said and his own strength spent, Hugo collapsed forward into the dark embrace of unconsciousness.
Up next: Damian continues to weave his plot for the Grassland and Zexen, spelling trouble for both side. Meanwhile back in Karaya the shadow of doubt comes alive slowly. Guilt and anger slowly eats away in the heart of man.
As one the Black Clad men surged forward, intending on ripping the blonde Zexen knight to shreds. The distance between them shrunk rapidly and Borus readied himself for the oncoming onslaught. Suddenly a large geyser of swirling flame erupted amongst the Black Clad Swordsmen, sending several of them flying. The sudden turn of events surprised the swordsmen and the moment of hesitation proved to be a big mistake as two of those who still remained standing got bowled over by two speeding blurs. The first blur resolved itself to be a young Karayan male slightly taller than Borus himself. His long blonde hair, highlighted at the ends with black, is tied back into a lose ponytail that runs to his waist. His cloth is that of the standard Karayan fashion, of yellow and red diamond patterns, in his right hand he wields a long curved blade. With a precise strike he fell the man under him and then moved to engage another. The 2nd blur resolved itself to be a large griffon, its snow white feather gleamed under the sunlight, it swung its giant claw and it too dispatched the black clad swordsman that was under him.
What appeared to be the leader of the group, sensing the turn of the battle, held out his hand high in a sharp gesture, and what remained of Boruss' assailants turned and fled from the battle. The Griffon gives a loud shriek and moved to pursue, but the Karayan stopped him.
"Fubar, let them go, there are no need for pursue."
Up till now Borus had no idea who his rescuer is, though he felt that the young man was familiar to him. It wasn't until he spoke that Borus managed to piece together who the person in front of him was.
"Hugo!"
**************************************************************************** *******
Suikoden 3 Fanfic Conflict from within ch3:
The holy ground
**************************************************************************** *******
Hugo turned around at the sound of his name and looked Borus straight in the eye.
"It has been a long time, Borus of the Zexens. Why have you come to the grasslands?" The Karayan asked tersely. "Or more precisely, judging from the direction you are going, what business do you have with Karaya?"
"I. no, Lady Chris needs your help, Sir Hugo!" Borus exclaimed pointing to his charge, which has been laid gently on the ground behind him.
"Chris!?" Hugos' eyes widened as he realized who is lying motionlessly on the ground, in a flash he was kneeling beside her. With one hand he brushed aside some strands that was matted to her forehead by sweat. " She is having a fever, what happened to her?"
"She was attacked, the assailant used a poisoned blade." Borus explained anxiously, body quivering with urgency. "Salome said the poison is from Karaya, please, Flame Champion, you must help her!"
"I'll bring her to the village, there may be someone who can." Slowly he picks the silver maiden up in his arms and place her gently on the back of Fubar. " Here Fubar can you carry her to the village?"
"Kueeeeeee!" Fubar replied with a loud shriek and folded his wing gently around her.
Hugo gave a nod of satisfaction and whistled loudly. It wasn't long until a large deer like creature ran up to him. In a smooth motion Hugo mounted, he then looked back to Borus.
"Are you coming?"
"I lost my mount during the fight," Borus replied shaking his head, " I will follow as soon as possible though. I leave the rest to you, sir Hugo."
"Borus, you said that the poison was Karayan. Do you believe that one of us did it?" Hugo asked, in a serious tone.
"No I do not."
"Good, because I won't leave Lulu's vengeance in anyone elses' hand." With that he dug his heel into his mount, sending it into a gallop. Borus' eyes widened at that last comment but before he could say another word, Hugo was already gone.
**************************************************************************** *******
Like the wind, Hugo glided forward. Landscapes became blurs as he urged his mount to go faster. As the villages' best rider, Hugo has often used this route in his practice yet never before had he the urgency today. Faster and faster he went and he felt like he was riding the wind itself. Normally he would have glorified in this kind of feeling, but today his heart is filled with mixtures of emotions that he could not sort out. Uncertainty returned and old wound reopened, to see Chris again and under this circumstance made his thoughts swarmed with confusion. After a hard ride, the village of Karaya slowly rose into view. Though the village was burned down in the incident 5 years ago, the people of Karaya quickly rebuilt and now the village stood as if it has stood there for decade.
Upon his arrival to the village, Hugo dismounted and walked in leading his mount with Fubar in tow. The village is in a flurry of activities as people prepare for the summer festival tomorrow night. As he went past various villagers a variety of response greets him.
"Welcome back Hugo, how was the ride, did you make a new record today?"
"Big brother Hugo, come play with us."
"Hugo, where should I put the fruits? How about the decorations?"
Hugo gave each a curt nod in acknowledgement and hurried past them toward his destination. He stopped at one of the simple hut deeper into the village. Very carefully he lifts Chris off Fubars' back and carried her across his arms.
"Wait for me here, Fubar." He told the Griffon and then promptly walked inside the hut.
It was a simple hut, with few furnishings. On the wall there are several weapons indicating it as the home of a warrior.
"Beecham, I need your help." Hugo shouted.
From behind a screen of fur the aged warrior walks out calmly, his brow furrowed at the urgency of Hugos' voice.
"Hugo what is." He stopped suddenly as he realized exactly whom Hugo is holding. " By the Sprits! Isn't that the silver maiden of Zexens? Did the thought of vengeance drive you mad? What have you done, Hugo?"
"I didn't do anything, Beecham." Shaking his head he relays the tale of his encounter with Borus. " He said that she is inflicted with a Karayan poison. That is why she is like this."
"Poison eh? Here let me have a look." Beecham proceeded to check on Chris's temperature and wound.
"Yes I believe I know what is inflicting her," After a few moments of examination he finally declared. "A rare poison processed from Tsurai roots. It was used by some of the young warriors to coat their arrows and blades in the war a few years back, Chief Lucia thought that it's dishonorable and cowardly to use such a thing though. So she banned the use of this poison, none have used it since."
"The only cure is by mixing the Tsurai roots itself with other herbs." Beecham continued. " Unfortunately for her though, we do not have any here in the village at the moment."
"Tsurai roots?" Hugo looked thoughtful as he searched his memory. "I remember they grow near the pond of the spirits. All I have to do is go get them and bring them back right?"
"Yes they do grow there, however by the time you get back. She will already be dead. " Beecham replied grimly.
"What?" Hugo Gasped.
"Judging from her current condition, she will not last the night." Beecham shook his head sadly. " Even if you set out now, you wont be able to get back till tomorrow morning. By that time, it will already be too late."
" The I guess I have no choice but to take her there then." Hugo said in a determined voice.
"That place is Karayan holy ground you can't take an outsider there!" Beecham exclaimed. "Besides not even Fubar can fly up there, do you seriously believe that you can climb the cliff there while carrying a person?"
"I will take full responsibility as the acting chief for this." Hugo answered his voice strong and without a shadow of self-doubt. "As for the other, I got up there once, I'll do it again."
"I suppose there is no convincing you to do otherwise now, it amazes me how much you are like your mother." Beecham said fondly while shaking his head, "Wait here and I'll get you the formula as well as give you the other stuff you need for the cure."
The old warrior walked to the back of the hut and opened a wooden box. After some shoveling around he returned with a small sack.
"Here you go that should have everything you need." Beecham said, fastening the sac around Hugos' waist, "May the spirits watch over you and lend wings for your journey."
"Thank you, Beecham. I'll be back soon, take care of the festival for me will you?"
"When Chief Lucia comes back from Tinto, she will be mad to learn that you have been shirking in your duties again."
Hugo gave Beecham a sheepish grin and then dashed outside. Once again He placed Chris gently on Fubar and then gave Fubar an affectionate pet on the head.
"I need you to look after her again, Fubar. Wait here for a few minutes though, I will be back soon."
Hugo took off once again and this time ran straight to his own house. After some rifling he came up with 2 coils of strong rope, shouldering them he quickly ran back to Fubar. With Fubar in tow He grabbed his mount and quickly made his way outside of village. Once outside, he jumped back onto his mount and this time sets out toward one of the mountain in the distance.
Although it was a short trip compared to the last one, by the time he got there it is close to sunset. The pond of the spirits lies on top of a sheer cliff that belongs to one of the many mountain ranges that surrounds the grasslands. Although there is another way to reach the top it is one that would take the traveler around the mountains that will in turn lengthen the travel by days. Hence the shortest and most efficient way to reach the pond would be to scale the cliff surface. This was the task that was used as a trial in the coming of age ritual in Karaya. Hugo himself has completed the same test a few years back. Hugo sighed and steeled himself for what he knew to be a difficult journey, one that was made even more difficult due to the burden he must carry. Hugo leapt off his mount and tied it to a near by tree. After feeding it some food, he walked to Fubar and gently lifts the burden the griffon is carrying. With the ropes on him, Hugo ties Chris securely to his back.
"Come back in the morning, Fubar." Hugo told Fubar before starting his journey up. Hugo took a deep breath to ready himself and then leapt onto the cliff surface and began his journey up. Although a skilled climber, the extra burden really slowed Hugo down. He only made little progress, by the time the last light vanished over the horizon. Without any source of light, Hugo is forced to grope blindly for a secure spot, making the task even more difficult. What he thought was a secured foothold turned out to be loose as it gave out from beneath him. Only his quick reflex saved him as he dangled from falling to his doom with only his left arm for support. Desperately he sought for better purchase as his strength slowly gives out and was barely in time in finding a sturdy grove to put his foot in through sheer luck.
'Damn it that was close.' He thought to himself with no small amount of relief. Suddenly a thought struck and he began to go through one of the earlier exercise he did after obtaining the true fire rune. A red glow sprung up from his right hand illuminating his surroundings. No longer blind, Hugo continues his climb up, pushing himself to make better progress. After what seemed to be hours of climbing he finally arrived at his destination. With a loud gasp he hauled himself over the edge and onto the secured ground. For a few minutes all he could do was to lay there gaping, out of breath from the exertion. Slowly though he managed to haul himself back to his feet. In front of him, the pond of spirits stood silently in the dark, fireflies danced in the air above illuminating the water and creating an ethereal scene. Hugo gave the area a quick look and found a large rock to put Chris on top of. He quickly walked over and unfastened the rope binding the unconscious woman to him, gently he eased the maiden down from his back. A loud gasp caught his attention and he bent over to examine the unconscious woman. Sweat poured down from her brow like rain, her teeth gnashed together as if fighting some unknown pain, her breathing quick and labored. Though Hugo is not familiar with the symptoms of the poison, he knew that he did not have much time left.
He opened the sac that Beecham gave him. He followed the instructions to mixed up the herbs and prepared them accordingly. With only the root missing in the formula, he quickly scoured the area surrounding the pond for the Tsurai roots. He found some growing behind a small tree, and with much care he dug up the precious root. With the root in hand he quickly mixed it in with the rest of herbs. With the antidote now completed, Hugo gently forced Chris's mouth open and fed her the mixture with some water from the pond. Reflexively she swallowed the mixture and although it did not seem to working at first, soon her fever began to recede. Hugo lets out the breath he was holding and falls backward onto the ground. He examined Chris again and was relieved to note that she also seemed to be breathing easier and the pain too seemed to have stopped. Glad that the cure worked, Hugo wiped a sweat from his eyebrow.
"Its not over yet, Hugo of Karaya, Flame Champion of the grasslands, heir to the true fire rune." A voice suddenly said.
Hugo turned to the sound surprised that he did not detect the person sneaking up on him, yet what he saw surprised him even further. A young blonde girl about 4 years of age and wearing a green dress floated 2 feet above the pond, her image transparent and seemed to flicker once in while.
"Who are you? Are you one of the spirits?" Hugo asked, once the initial shock wears off.
"No I am not, at least not yet." Making a slight curtsy she continued, " My name is Seriam , a spirit speaker of Alma Kinan, I came here on behalf of the one who has gone before."
"You are a spirit speaker? And who is 'one who has gone before'." Hugo asked, confused at the unfolding event.
" I can not tell you who that is, all I can say that she knows lady Chris very well. That is why she wants to help Lady Chris," For a moment her image seems to flicker out only to return 2 seconds later. " I do not have much time, I am really in Alma Kinan right now and the only reason I can speak to you right now is because this place is deeply connected with the spirit realm. But even then I do not have much time, so hold your questions and listen well."
"Although the poison in her system is purged, she is still going to die. The poison has done too much damage to her body and she is in no condition to use her water rune to heal herself. The only way she can survive is for you to channel your own life force through the true fire rune and into the water rune so that it may heal her." More flickers ran across Seriams' translucent image and she seemed strained. " Take care though because the process is very dangerous and if something goes wrong both of you might die, tear apart by the feedback force of both runes. You must keep a clear mind and stay focused. I leave the rest to you." With that the image flickered out completely.
Though mystified at the occurrence, Hugo felt that there might be some truth behind what the girl said. In the quietness of the night, Hugo could clearly hear Chris' breathing and though it is no longer labored it felt extremely weak and getting weaker by the minute. The moonlight casts a soft glow on the sleeping maidens face, and Hugo was struck at how soft and gentle she looked right now. Softly he traced the outline of her features, down her right arm, and then her right hand. Softly he grasped her hand with his right and was surprised at how soft it felt in his grip.
'Who would have thought this hand could swing the sword so masterfully so beautifully and so fearsomely. The same hand that cut down countless. The same hand that killed lu.' Forcefully he stopped his train of thought for that will only open old wound. Hugo have no idea why he so readily jumped to her defense, why he risked his life for hers when he should be killing her instead, if not for Lulu then for the countless grasslanders she killed. Yet even though he does not know why he is saving her, he does know why she should not die.
"Because your people needs you," He said softly to her leaning forward, his forehead touching hers. A red glow intertwined with blue began to shine brightly between their hands as he focused all his strength through his true fire rune and into the true water rune. "Because without you countless more will die, both grasslander and Zexen, because it is through your work there are peace between Zexen and Grasslands." A Sharp pain suddenly erupted from his hand, spreading throughout his entire being. He gritted his teeth as he felt like he is being torn apart, fighting to stayed focused he continues to channel his energy into Chris' true water rune.
"So live, Chris Lightfellow. Live, Silver Maiden. If not for duty then for the people who need you." With that said and his own strength spent, Hugo collapsed forward into the dark embrace of unconsciousness.
Up next: Damian continues to weave his plot for the Grassland and Zexen, spelling trouble for both side. Meanwhile back in Karaya the shadow of doubt comes alive slowly. Guilt and anger slowly eats away in the heart of man.