Authors' notes: This will probably contain spoilers for Suikoden 1, 2 and 3. So please play the games first if you don't want spoilers. And the flame champion's name will be Hikaru.
Also, if you see any mistakes I've made please notify me so I can fix it right away. Or if you wish to become my beta reader then e-mail me and I'll think about it. My writing skills are pretty poor, so if something doesn't make sense, I'll try my best to correct it.
Update: I'd like to thank Shinji Ikari for his review. I looked back and saw the mistakes I made and fixed them the best I could. I also forgot to give credit to the website I got most of my information from. www.gamefaqs.com and www.suikosource.com are the 2 sites I got my information from. I may change the title, if I do I will inform it on the summary.
A leaders burden
Its been 3 years since the elemental war. Hugo was now chief of Karaya, as well as the flame champion of the grasslands. Despite all these great titles, Hugo secretly wished to leave the grasslands and explore the world. Geddoe was still part of the Harmonia defense force, and was happy with his comrades. Chris remained as the captain of the Zexen knights, though she still hates the title of a hero. She wanted to do something more in her life, yet she doesn't know what.
On one fateful night, there were two boys running away from Zexen guards. The dark shadows of the night covered over Brass castle like a blanket. The Zexen guards ran through Brass Castle yelling for them to 'halt'. They continued to chase the boys until they reached the kitchen. There was no where to hide, the guards knew they had the boys cornered. After looking at each other and giving their usual nods, they burst the door open to find an empty room. The boys had mysteriously vanished in the darkness like shadows. The guards shook their heads and tried to look through every inch of the castle. There was no trace of either of them.
"What should we do now commander?" asked one of the guards.
"Spread out." he growled. "They couldn't have gotten far."
The soldiers nodded their heads and headed out of the castle to continue their search for the two boys.
Little did the soldiers know, the two young men running through the sewers right below them. Their foot steps echoed through the halls, bouncing from wall to wall. Whatever monster woke up, the two lads were strong enough to take care of them.
"We're almost at the end." Said one of the boys.
Out of nowhere, someone had jumped right in front of them. "Where do you think you're going?" the voice snarled. The person held out their weapon right in front of one of the boy's faces.
Both boys drew out their weapons ready to strike the stranger, when the door suddenly revealing a tall dark shadow.
~*~*~*~
Earlier that day…
Chris rode her mighty stead into Brass castle, where a roar of cheers welcomed her. Everyone would turn their heads to see the silver maiden, the hero of Zexen. Chris has recently come back from battling the Karayans and the Lizard clan. The battle became a draw since both armies were equally matched, and the armies were equal as well.
As Chris saw the people cheering her name, she smiled softly and let out a sigh.
"Is something wrong Lady Chris?" Louis asked tilting his head.
"No, its nothing." she answered shaking her head. As they rode into the city, something caught Chris' eyes. A young boy who slightly resembled the flame champion walked right past her. Ignoring the parade that everyone was excited about, his eyes were full of determination and were preoccupied. Those eyes, that look. Who was he? For whatever reason he was doing in Zexen, it must have been important if he was ignoring such a joyous occasion. Chris' attention of him finally broke when they entered the castle.
The knights rode into the center of the castle and relaxed in the meeting room. Chris sat down in her usual seat, while Salome prepared some tea for her. Leo dropped into his chair and laid back leisurely. Percival and Borus went in their usual spots, while Louis took a chair next to Chris. Roland as usual, leaned back against the wall.
"Another welcoming." Percival smiled. "If this keeps up Chris, they'll name a holiday after you."
Borus frowned at the comment and looked at Chris.
Chris shook her head. "I hope not. I'm not too fond of the title I have right now."
"Lady Chris, you seem tired. Why not rest up?" Louis suggested.
"I think I will. The battles lately have been exhausting." Chris placed a hand on the brow of her head and sighed. She rose to her feet and started to walk towards the door. The others watched her leave with a concerned look.
As the door closed, Borus looked at the others. "What should we do? Chris seems to be more depressed these days."
"I've noticed." Salome frowned. "She seemed happier when we were working with the grasslanders."
"So you think she's happier working with the them?" Percival asked.
"No," Salome shook his head. "What I'm trying to say is that Chris smiled less when she became the captain. Perhaps since Hugo and Geddoe were there to help share the burden of being a leader, Chris felt more balance. As you all noticed, she hates her title as a hero."
"I think she'll be okay." Louis said smiling. Everyone turned to him with a curious look.
"What do you mean?" Leo asked.
"Chris had this expression before. But I think she now realizes how many people believe in her. This is her home, our home, and she wants to protect it. Even if it means to have the leader's burden."
"I guess so." Leo sighed.
There was a long pause before Percival made his suggestion. "Hey, how about me and Salome cook dinner tonight. We'll make something special for our Goddess."
"Its not super pickles is it?" Borus frowned.
"Come on, the stuff we cooked for you guys last time wasn't that bad." Percival laughed.
Louis giggled. "Well this time I won't let you get me drunk."
The knights laughed as they thought of ideas for Chris' special feast.
After the great feast, Chris went back to her room. Noticing the moon from her window she became more drawn upon to it. Leaning close to the window she looked at the night sky with the brilliant silver moon shining upon her.
"The fight today was longer then usual." Chris frowned and then looked at her right hand with a smile. "I guess its because our runes equal each other out. I'm glad that he became the chief of Karayan. The boy has potential, and I can't wait to fight him again." Chris continued to smile and think about the current events. She had to admit, if the grassland and Zexen were at peace, life would be boring for her. However, she wouldn't mind a quiet life either. Despite everything that was happening, she still felt empty inside. She hated working for the Zexen council, but wanted to protect her country. "Why do I feel this way?" Chris asked herself. Perhaps its because she is still the captain of the Zexen knights, even thought she was the most suited to lead the Knights, she still hated having a leader's burden. Chris shook her head from the negative thoughts inside of her. "I can't do this to myself again. I have to think positively. Just like Hikaru. There are too many people depending on me. I can't and won't let them down." With that said, Chris felt better about herself, and was about to go to bed when she heard a noise. She looked out the window to find some guards running around. They were talking to each other and seemed to be looking for something. Chris opened her window to talk to them. "What happened?" She asked one of the guards.
"Oh, milady. Sorry for the disruptions." He bowed. "We are trying to arrest two rats that fled from Vine del Zexen."
"What are the charges?" Chris asked.
"Apparently they stole something from the council." The guard shrugged.
"What is the item?"
"We don't know." the guard shook his head. "The council would not tell us. They said to retrieve the box the rats stole, but not to open it."
Chris placed a finger on her chin. "Alright. Please continue with the search then."
"Yes Milady." The guard bowed and went back to his duty.
Chris got her armor on and went through the secret passage way Nash showed her. She wondered who try to steal something from the council, and what they stole. Whatever it was, it must have been important. She ran towards the end of the tunnel and opened the door. There was no one there. Was she too late? No, there were foot steps approaching. She hid in a corner of the dead end and waited for the boys to come closer.
"We're almost there." called out a familiar voice.
Chris closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then she jumped in front of the two boys. "Where do you think you're going?" she snarled. The boys got their weapons out when suddenly the door opened to reveal a dark figure looking down on them.