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.
A True Rune's burden
A month before the fated day, Hugo was in the open fields of the grasslands. He would often come there to train himself. He swung his knife in the air, swirling like the wind itself. Hugo was dancing in the wind. The spirits followed his every move, floating around him like fire flies. Finally, Hugo planted his feet to the ground, and closed his eyes to feel the cool breeze against the back of his neck. Hugo turned his head to his beloved pet Fubar. Fubar gave a caring coo as he looked at his friend.
"That should be enough exercise for today." Hugo nodded in satisfaction. He smiled kindly at Fubar before petting his soft neck. "We should go back to the village now. I bet Beecham is making loads of work for me to do."
Fubar nodded and started to head for the village, then he looked back at his master who was mounting on the Kayaran horse.
"Lets go then." Hugo grinned as the horse began to gallop. Fubar followed and sqealed in excitement, as if he was announcing Hugo's return to the village. They ran through the giant plains and arrived at Kayara in a matter of minutes. When they entered the village, Hugo could hear Beecham calling for him.
"Hugo!" Beecham roared.
Hugo sulked as his horse approached the old man. "Beecham, I…"
"Chief Hugo." Beecham frowned and threw his hands into the air. "You have to take your role more seriously. You're the chief of the village. What would happen if you weren't here and the village was under attack?"
Hugo nodded his head and shrugged. "I know I know. I'm responsible for everyone now that I'm chief."
"That's right. You're also the one who is suppose to make the important decisions for us."
"Alright, so what's the matter today." Hugo asked as he slid off his horse.
"This." Beecham held out a piece of paper with small writing on it and a seal on the bottom. "The peace treaty between the grasslands and the Zexen federation. All of the chiefs from the other villagers have signed it. You're the only one left. Please read it carefully."
Hugo's eyes shot wide open and his mouth dropped to his neck. "You mean I have to read this whole thing?"
Beecham folded his arms and titled his head. "Of course, do you have a problem with that?"
"Its so long, and how can I understand all these terms. It'll take me the whole day."
"Well then, its best you start reading it now. Zexen wants to see it in two days." Beecham frowned as he walked away.
Hugo studied the paper sadly and rubbed his head. "I guess I have to start reading."
Fubar cooed and titled its head at Hugo.
Hugo petted the griffon's head and smiled. "Sorry, this is something only I can do. You can go back to the open fields if you want."
Fubar shook his head slowly and looked at Hugo with his big, bright, eyes.
Hugo's lips slowly gave in to a smile and let a sigh. "Alright, but I warned you, this is pretty boring stuff."
Fubar nodded happily and followed Hugo into the village. They sat in the center of the village where a bright fire was burning. Fubar nestled on the soft ground while Hugo leaned back on him like a large pillow. Hugo continued to read the treaty. There were some words he didn't understand, and the treaty seemed complicated. Hugo took another deep breath as he scrolled down to how much more he had to read. Shaking his head, he continued where he left off from the paper. The writing was so small, it was hard to tell what the words were sometimes. The blue sky quickly turned to a black night sky. The stars twinkled and glittered through the night. Hugo yawned from exhaustion. The paper seemed to keep going on and on. He was on the last paragraph and sighed in satisfaction. "Finally." He said sleepily. "When I write my report, I'm requesting for the font to be bigger." He grumbled. Hugo continued to read when he heard a noise outside the village. Hugo shook his head and assumed it was a wild animal.
Fubar quietly woke up from the sound as well.
"Its probably nothing." Hugo assured Fubar.
Fubar looked at the direction where the sound came from and titled his head. Then Hugo heard the sound again. It wasn't an animal. It was the sound of a man screaming for his life. Fubar jumped to his feet and stared at the direction.
"I heard it too." Hugo narrowed his eyes. Hugo nodded at Fubar and jumped on to his back. "Lets go."
Fubar flew into the air as the battle in the grassland started to become serious. The Kayaran villagers began to wake up and check what was going on. Beecham came outside to see what the noise was. A large blast of smoke was rising into the air.
"What on earth is happening?" Beecham asked angrily. "Call the soldiers and the guards. Have the guards surround the village and the rest of the soldiers will follow me."
Meanwhile, Hugo and Fubar soared around the area where the blast of fire came from. Then he saw an unusual beast attacking a group of soldiers. It had 3 heads, and a large body that was covered in fur. Its eyes were glowing yellow and its mouth snarled like a wolf's. They didn't look like Zexen soldiers though.
"Why won't you die?" the soldiers asked. "We used all our magic spells on it."
The beast continued to growl and began to attack them again.
Hugo shook his head. "It looks like they ran into the beast by accident. They shouldn't travel during the night." Hugo frowned. "Fubar lets go."
Fubar gave out a war cry and flew down to where the beast was. The beast looked at Hugo and began to roar. Its breath was poisoned and Hugo could feel the air eating his flesh and getting into his body.
"Damn, I was careless. We have to take him out first so we can heal ourselves." Fubar nodded and charged at the beast. The beast dodged the attack, and bit Hugo's arm when he tried to attack. "What kind of monster is this?" Hugo wondered. "Damn, what is this poison. Its eating at me so quickly." Hugo's vision started to blur, the monster continued to charge at them. Hugo shook his head and began to concentrate on his fire magic. Hugo used 'Final flame' so he wouldn't hit the soldiers by accident. The beast cried out and then shook off the fire.
"What?" Hugo was left in shook. The monster absorbed the fire magic. Hugo's strength began to leave him. His head started to feel heavy, and he couldn't feel his hands anymore.
Fubar and Hugo fell to the ground, drained from their strength and could no longer fight. "Out of all things…" Hugo gritted his teeth. "To be defeated by a wild animal." Hugo's eyes shut and he dropped on the soft ground.
As the monster was about to devour its prey, a cool calm voice spoke out the words, "Judgment." The beast screamed at the amount of pain the spell did to it. The beast charged at the boy who attack him. He glared at the beast and then drew out his staff. He dodged it's attacks and whacked the heads hard enough to knock it down. The monster let out a defeating cry and fell to the ground.
The wind brushed against the boy's clothing. He then slowly walked to the soldiers who were scared stiff of what the boy had just done.
"Are you alright?" He asked quietly.
The soldiers nodded. "Thank-Thank you."
"You should leave. The forest isn't safe at night."
The soldiers nodded at him and scrambled to their feet. They ran towards Brass castle leaving the boy with Hugo. The boy walked slowly to Hugo and felt his neck, then he took a look at the blood. His eyes narrowed at the poison. He's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a voice.
"Hurry, the fighting stopped." Beecham cried out. "Chief Hugo! Where are you!?" When the Kayaran fighters came over the hill, they saw the beast knocked out. Beecham slowly shifted his head around the area until he saw both Hugo and Fubar down on the ground with a boy looking down them. "You! Who are you and what have you done?"
The boy began to run away and disappeared before the men could catch him.
"Who was that." Beecham rubbed his head. "Hugo, are you alright? What happened?"
"I think its poison." One of the men said.
"Lets get them back to the village then." Beecham took Hugo into his arms and carried him. The other men put Fubar on their back and carried the creature back to the village.
When they arrived, they allowed a doctor to look at Hugo. Luce stayed by Hugo's side the whole time. The doctor frowned. "This poison, its not from here. I've never seen it before."
"You mean you can't help him?" Luce began to cry.
"Not until I can find the source." the doctor shook his head. "The monster that attacked him must of ate a foreign object. Or perhaps…"
Beecham's eyes narrowed when he began to think of what the doctor was thinking. "It could have been a trap."
"You think someone set this up?" Luca asked.
"Well, we have no proof. For now, we can only pray that Hugo will survive this poison long enough for me to find a cure."
Everyone sighed as Luce began to cry. Then one of the soldiers called from outside. "Excuse me sir." The soldiers had brought in the boy that was with Hugo when he was poisoned.
"You're that boy that was with Chief Hugo." Beecham snarled.
"Yes, apparently he came to us with these herbs." The soldier pointed to the boy's bag.
"Herbs?" Beecham look at them cautiously.
"These are the herbs that will make an antidote for him." the boy said quietly. "If he and the griffon do not take them soon, they will die."
Beecham continued to look at the boy with questioning eyes. "What do you think doctor."
The doctor looked into the boy's eyes and nodded. "I think we can trust him." The doctor was about to take the herbs, when the boy pulled them away from him.
"Let me do it. This antidote requires precise measurements. I was taught how to do it by a friend long ago."
Beecham folded his arms. "And who is this friend of yours?"
"Liukan."
"What? Liukan?" Beecham and everyone were in shock. Beecham held the boy by the shoulders. "The famous medicine man?"
"Yes. He died a long time ago though. I asked him to teach me how to make some medicine during the Gate rune wars."
Beecham shook his head. "Gate Rune Wars? Wait, just who are you?"
"My name is Tir Mcdohl." Tir lowered his hand on to Hugo's sweltering forehead. "Please, there much time."
Beecham nodded and allowed the boy to mix the herbs.
***
The next day, Hugo rose from his bed and stretched out his arms. Hugo looked around the room and saw Luce watching over him. "What happened?" Hugo asked when he looked at Luce.
Luce hugged Hugo so tightly he could barely breath. "Oh Hugo, I'm so glad the antidote worked." she cried.
"Oww, oww." Hugo clinched his teeth, and pushed Luce away. "I'm fine Luce. Just what happened?"
"You were careless." Beecham frowned as he walked in.
"Huh? So you were the one who saved me."
Beecham shrugged. "Not really. The real thanks goes to that boy."
Hugo titled his head and had a confused look. "What boy?"
"The one who made the antidote for you. He left a while ago." Beecham shrugged. "He said he had important business to attend to."
"What?" Hugo jumped out of the bed and went for the door. "What a rude punk. He should at least stay to let me thank him." Hugo went outside and jumped on the nearest horse he could find.
Beecham chased after him, yelling about his other duties. "Wait, what about the treaty?"
"I read it already." Hugo yelled. "Tell the Zexen council to write bigger."
"Hugo!!" Beecham yelled. It was too late, Hugo was out of reach, and anyone who knew Hugo knew that no one could catch up to him on horse. Fubar, decided to join Hugo and flew off in the same direction. "Not you too!" Beecham yelled at Fubar. Fubar cried through the air and happily flew to catch up to Hugo.
They ran through the plains, until they could see someone walking through the grasslands. Hugo grinned knowing it was probably the boy who saved him. Hugo wanted to know the boy's name and to thank him. Hugo wasn't the type to like having someone save him and merely walk away without telling him their name.
"Hey, stop! Wait!!" Hugo cried out to the boy. The boy stopped in his tracks and turned his head slightly. Not enough for Hugo to see his face though. Hugo got off his horse and walked towards the other boy. Fubar gently landed next to the horse and watched Hugo and the other boy. The boy was a few inches taller then Hugo and wore red Chinese clothing, The image of him reminded him of the flame champion. "You're the one who gave me the antidote right."
The other boy turned around and nodded. "Yes that was me."
Hugo gasped when he saw the other boy's face. "Wait. Red clothing, a green bandana, a long staff. Are you Tir Mcdohl."
Tir sighed and nodded. "I guess that man told you then."
Hugo shook his head. "Oh no. I heard stories about you that's all. I didn't even know who you were until now."
"I see. Well you're welcome for the antidote." Tir bowed and turned to the other direction. "I must be off now."
"Uh hey, where are you going?" Hugo asked touching Tir's shoulder.
"Somewhere quiet for now. There are some things on my mind and I wish to relax that's all." Tir responded.
"I see." Hugo looked at him curiously. "Why are you alone?"
Tir tightened his grip on his staff. "I just want to be by myself that's all."
"How about I guide you to whatever destination you want." Hugo happily suggested.
"Guide?" Tir's emotionless face had a thoughtful look, then he shook his head. "No I'll be fine on my own. You should go back to the village."
"I know, but to be honest, I sort of don't want to." Hugo said sadly as he looked back at the village.
"Why is that?"
"My mother was the chief of the village. Now that she's made me chief I can't do as much stuff as I want to." Hugo sighed.
"Stuff?"
"Yeah, like see the world and meet new people." Hugo smiled.
"You're like me then" Tir whispered.
"Huh?"
"You bare the Leader's burden." Tir looked up at the blue sky and let the wind gently breath against him.
"I guess we do." Hugo blushed. Hugo then got an idea and grinned. "Hey, so how about it. We'll go together."
"What about your village?"
"Oh yeah. I'll tell them I'm leaving and that Beecham and Luce will be in charge until I get back." Hugo mounted on to the horse once again and looked at Tir. "Can you wait for me."
"You're sure about this?" Tir asked cautiously.
Hugo nodded. "Yeah. I was waiting for a perfect time to leave Kayara anyway. So you want to find a quiet place huh? Maybe Alma Kinan would be to your liking, if the villagers will let us stay."
"Actually I was lying about that." Tir had a serious look in his eyes now. Hugo looked at them with anticipation of what he was going to say. "I want to steal the wind rune from Zexen."
"The wind rune? Zexen has it?" Hugo snarled.
"Yes, they took it from Luc's body." Tir looked at the ground. "Luc was an old friend of mine. Therefore, the least I can do for him, is give the rune to some worthy. I won't let the Zexen council hand it over to Harmonia. I promised someone that."
"I see." Hugo's eyes narrowed. "We should go back to Kayara and think of a plan instead then. To break into that place will take some time and skill."
Tir smirked. "Then you'll help right."
"Yeah, we're friends now." Hugo offered his hand to Tir and to help him on to the horse. When their right hands touched each other, their hands began to glow.
Tir blinked and looked at Hugo's right hand. "You possess the True Fire Rune."
Hugo nodded, "What rune do you have. It feels very strong."
"The rune of Life and Death, also known as Soul eater."
"Soul eater huh?" Hugo pulled Tir up to sit behind him. "Looks like we have two things in common."
"I guess we do." Tir smiled as he held on to Hugo as they rode back to Kayara. When they arrived back at the village, they began discussing the plan to steal the wind rune.
***
On the fated day, Hugo and Tir snuck into Zexen by swimming in the lake and entering by the docks. The night was calm and quiet with a few clouds in the sky. When they went into an alley Hugo dried their clothes by using his fire rune. They could hear the clanging sound of the knight's armor. They were in the Saint Loa knight's hideout waiting for the coast to be clear. Fubar quietly flew into the alley and made sure no one saw him. When everything was in place, they began the plan.
"Hugo, stay here until I come back." Tir whispered.
"I don't see why I can't go with you." Hugo frowned.
"It'll be safer if I went alone. I have Soul eater." Tir showed Hugo his rune on his right hand.
Hugo nodded and watched Tir leave quietly.
Tir quietly made his way to the parliament building. He kept looking from every corner, making sure there was no one there. There was a guard blocking the door to the building. Tir saw some soldiers patrolling the area. He waited until they left to knock the guard down. The guards were out of site and now was Tir's chance. He used a sleeping spell to make the guard sleep. Tir caught him in time before he fell. He then took the guard's keys and opened the door. He left the guard sleeping on the stairs so the soldiers would think he was sleeping on the job. Tir quietly opened the door to make sure no one was there. When he heard foot steps, he hid behind a large knight statue. It was only two council members. Tir could easily take them out, but something told him to listen to them.
"As soon as Harmonia makes our agreement, we can take out the grasslands for good and take over them."
"Yes, this will surely get us popular with the voters during the next election."
"If we have Harmonia on our side, then not even those stupid knights can stop us."
"Yes, I can't believe Chris is socializing with those barbarians. I knew she wouldn't make a good captain."
"Hmph, only a fool would send a woman to do a man's job."
"Well we should make preparations for the agreement."
The council members left and Tir came out of hiding. "Good thing Hugo wasn't here. Otherwise those two would be dead." Tir went into the council's meeting room. He began to search for the item. In the desk, under the table, on the self, nothing useful was there. Tir then noticed the round table's center. He shook the table a bit to see if the table would rattle. He was careful enough though for it not to be loud enough for anyone else to hear. Tir heard the rattle inside the center of the table. He climbed on top of it and used his staff to break through the desk. Once he got through the center, there was a box. He opened and saw a clear crystal ball with the true wind rune's symbol it. Tir smiled as he could feel Luc's presence in the rune. He then heard foot steps coming towards the meeting room.
Tir quickly locked the door before they could get in. He look around decided to blast through the roof. He used a flame scroll and burned the roof until there was a hole. The council members busted the door and charged in. They saw Tir holding the box with the wind rune, he smirked at them and used a grappling hook to go up to the roof. He moved so quickly the guards couldn't reach him in time. Tir jumped off the roof and ran towards the alley where Hugo was waiting.
"Stop right there." called out a soldier.
Tir turned around and used another wind scroll to cast sleep. The soldiers fell asleep in their tracks and dropped to the floor.
Tir continued to run until he met up with Hugo. He ran into the alley where Hugo was pacing around with anxiety. Hugo did a 180 degree turn and almost yelled at Tir.
"What happened, I thought you said you'd be careful."
"I was." Tir shrugged. "Anyway, lets get out of here. They'll come any minute."
Hugo nodded and jumped onto Fubar's back, then helped Tir on to Fubar. Fubar flapped his wings and flew off. The archers tried to shoot them down, fortunately Fubar was able to dodge the arrows. Fubar continued to carry the boys until they reached Brass castle. When they arrived at Brass castle, Tir asked Hugo for them to land. Hugo nodded and Fubar landed at the entrance of Brass castle.
"Fubar, we'll meet you on the other side okay?" Hugo said petting Fubar's head. Fubar nodded and took off. "Be careful, and be quiet." Hugo whispered.
"We should go." Tir reminded him.
"Yeah, this way." Hugo pointed out to Brass castle. They could hear the soldiers call out for them. The soldiers in Brass castle heard the call and were ready to take on the boys. Hugo was about to use his fire magic when Tir stopped him and used soul eater. Soul eater knocked all of them out at once.
"We have to be quiet about this. If you use your rune, it make wake the civilians and more soldiers would come." Tir looked at Hugo's hand and shook his head. "Just use your knife for now."
Hugo smirked. "That's my born specialty."
They continued to run towards the castle until Hugo pulled them into the kitchen. "This way." Hugo gestured towards the fire place.
Tir could hear the soldiers coming closer. He shook his head and followed Hugo into the fire place. When Tir jumped down, something trigger the trap door and he landed right on top of Hugo. Tir look sat up and looked down to see what he landed on. Hugo merely growned.
"Oh sorry." Tir laughed nervously as he helped Hugo up.
Hugo snorted and then pointed ahead. "That way."
They boys ran through the sewers beating every monster that came across them.
"We're almost there." Hugo pointed out. As they were getting closer to the exit, a dark figure jumped out right in front of them.
"Where do you think you're going!" the voice snarled.
Tir and Hugo drew out their weapons ready to take the enemy down when the door suddenly opened.
The tall dark haired man looked around and gasped at the sight of Tir's image. "H-Hikaru?" the man squinted.
"Geddoe! Chris?" Hugo said in exclaim.
"You know them?" Tir asked.
"Yes, we fought together in the Elemental wars." Hugo said looking back at Tir, who was still holding his staff in a fighting position.
"So they're allies?" Tir asked.
"Hugo. What are you doing?" Chris snarled. "Why are you stealing the wind rune."
"It wasn't Zexen's to begin with." Hugo barked.
"It's the property of Harmonia now." Geddoe frowned. "What do you want with it.
"Hugo we're running out of time." Tir held out his right hand. "Soul eater!!"
The rune began to glow and sucked everyone's strength. Tir nearly collapsed from the amount of energy he had to use.
"Tir! What have you done." he asked as he kneeled near Chris.
"Forgive me, but we don't have time for this." He said staggering for the door. Geddoe's party was also effect by the rune and they were knocked out as well. "If you want to stay then go ahead, but I need to go on. Forgive me."
Hugo then took Tir's arm and wrapped it around his neck. "I helped you get this far so I can't turn back either."
Tir smiled slightly at him. "Thanks. Lets get out of here quickly. We still need to go through the rest of the plan."
Hugo and Tir disappeared into the woods where they found Fubar waiting for them. Fubar cooed at them and let them ride on him as they crossed through the plains. They flew off into the night and disappeared from Zexen.
Geddoe pushed himself up slowly. The soul eater took a lot of his strength, so it was harder for him to move. Geddoe looked outside and his eye glared at the direction the boys left. "Tir…Mcdohl?" he whispered.