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 leaders burden
The soldiers in the Zexen parliament building began to gather their weapons before heading out of the building to catch the ignorant barbarian. As they were leaving to chase Hugo and Fubar south, Geddoe and his party were waiting north of Zexen. They watched as the soldiers were beginning the chase for Hugo.
"He's going south. Let's cut him off!" Many guards started to leave to the south while a few stayed to guard the city.
"So everyone knows what the plan is, right?" Ace asked as he looked back at everyone.
Emily and Juan nodded. Juan stretched out his arms and yawned. "Lets get this over with."
"Alright, we'll leave the returning men up to you." Queen nodded and then left to go into the parliament building.
Meanwhile, Chris and Tir were wondering what was going on. Chris retracted her hand and placed her armor back on. She then got her sword ready for the intruders. "A battle? At this hour? They must be here for you."
"I think so, too." Tir struggled to get up, but he was still too weak.
"Tir, are you alright?" Chris asked, leaning back on to the door.
"I'll be alright. But what about you? What will you do?"
"What do you mean? I have to fight them."
"I see. I guess it can't be helped."
"I'm sorry Tir. I like you, but it's…"
"Your duty?"
"Yes, I'm truly sorry, Lord Mcdohl." Chris began to leave, but what Tir said to her made Chris stop.
"You don't need to be sorry. You choose to live this way."
Chris sighed sadly. "Yes, this is my choice." Chris then ran off to see what was happening.
Tir rolled over to his back and laid helpless. "Your choice, eh?"
Back with the others, Thomas had used his true wind rune to make the guards sleep. The guards groaned before falling asleep on to the floor. Thomas nodded in satisfaction and waved his arm at the others to signal that the coast was clear. Geddoe and the others started to make their way to the parliament building. From there on, Thomas stayed behind and covered himself with a black cloth so no one would see him. It was best if no one saw him there, otherwise he could endanger the people of the castle.
Geddoe and the others fought with the guards inside. "Get out of the way." Geddoe growled. The guards were shaking in their boots at the sight of Geddoe, but they stood their ground anyway.
"Looks like we have to fight them." Ace smirked. They all charged as one and began to knock out all the guards.
One after another, the guards dropped on the ground like flies. Geddoe used most of his lighting rune to defeat the guards. Ace and Joker did their combo, and Alia and Jacques supported the group from behind. They continued to run and fight until they saw Chris guarding the jail cell.
"Get out of the way." Geddoe frowned as he walked towards her.
"No."
"No?" Queen asked, titling her head and frowning. "If you don't move we will kill you. Are you alright with that?"
Chris looked straight at them. "I'm a Zexen knight. And I'll fight until the bitter end for my country."
"As will I." Borus ran from the parliament, Louis following close behind.
"Lady Chris," Louis said with a smile, "you don't have to fight alone."
"You two came as well?" Chris asked.
"We heard the alert and went here right away." Louis nodded.
Ace smirked. "Well the odds seem to be against you, so how about you give up?"
Borus fanned out his arm in an angry motion. "We'll fight until we die!"
Both Borus and Louis took out their swords and got in front of Chris. Chris pulled out her sword as well and glared at Geddoe.
"I've been waiting for this." Aila snarled. Jacques held her back.
"Our main objective is to free Lord Mcdohl, not to unnecessarily shed blood."
"So how are we going to do that? We can't make them sleep like the others."
Geddoe frowned. "I don't care. We're busting Tir Mcdohl out. Aila, we'll hold them off while you and Jacques get Lord Mcdohl. Understand?"
"But…"
"Please Aila, we don't have much time. Those guards will come back soon." Queen pleaded.
Aila nodded and both her and Jacques left for the dungeon while Geddoe and the others held off Chris.
Both Geddoe and Chris' rune began to glow. "Our runes are responding to each other."
"Lets get this over with." Geddoe took out his sword and got into a fighting position, everyone else following suit.
Aila and Jacques could hear the sound of weapons clashing against each other and the cries of pain. Aila shook her head and continued on.
"Can you feel his spirit?" Jacques asked.
Aila paused, then nodded. "He's up ahead, in the last dungeon!" They reached the last dungeon with the steel black door and small window.
"Lord Mcdohl! Are you in there?" Jacques asked.
"Yes, do you see my weapon anywhere?" Came a weak reply.
"Your staff?" Aila and Jacques looked around and found his staff hanging on the wall. Aila took the staff and placed it into the window. "Is this it?"
"Yes. Please drop it for now."
She dropped the staff, and both she and Jacques heard a loud clang on the floor. "Are you alright?" Aila asked.
They listened and could hear Tir moaning as he trying to stand up. The guards earlier beat up his legs badly. "Stand back."
Aila and Jacques looked at each other before stepping back a bit. A loud bang, and the door fell to the ground. Tir was leaning on his staff like a tired old man. In his hand was a explosion scroll.
"That is…"
"An explosion scroll. A friend gave it to me just in case." Tir smiled.
"You're hurt!" Aila cried.
"We have to leave, let's hurry."
Aila shook her head. "You're hurt. I won't let you go out like this."
"I'll be fine. I can still walk."
"No! You're hurt. Stop being stubborn!" Aila pouted.
Jacques smiled at her, then at Tir. "You better do as she says. She can be pretty stubborn."
"Yes, let me heal you." Aila pleaded and spread her arms out.
Tir was quiet at first, and then a small soft smile crossed his face. "Thank you."
"No problem. Besides, we wouldn't be able to get far if you kept staggering like this." Aila kneeled beside Tir and used her shield magic on him.
Tir closed his eyes and let the yellow spirits circle around him. He could feel the pain in his legs leaving him and his strength returning. Tir opened his eyes and looked over his body to check if anything was still broken. He nodded and smiled at Aila. "Alright lets go."
Geddoe and Queen were starting to breath heavily. Ace and Joker were holing their arms from the cuts the knights made. Chris, Borus and Louis were all panting heavily. They all were stronger then last time. Whenever Geddoe used his lighting rune to take down their health, Chris would use her water rune to heal them.
"This fight seems a bit familiar." Ace smirked.
"You mean like that time we fought with them in the Lizard cave?" Queen asked.
"What are you talking about?" Chris asked.
"I guess you don't remember. It was long time ago so it can't be helped." Queen smirked.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Chris continued.
"Enough talk." Borus snapped. "I won't let you play mind games with Lady Chris. Now surrender or we will end up killing you."
"Funny, we were going to say the same thing for you." Ace said rising up a bit. "Damn, if only Aila was here, she could heal us. Or if Jacques was here, we could do a Mercenary A combo."
"Well, we can't go on like this forever. What should we do?" Joker asked Geddoe.
Geddoe remained silent as he continued to stare into Chris' blue eyes. Geddoe's eye was very dark. Chris couldn't tell what color it was exactly, but it looked brown to her. Chris then held her sword in front, as if she was going to perform a magic attack. Geddoe swung his sword back so he could accelerate a more powerful hit. At the same time, they charged at each other and cried a battle cry. The loud thunderous roar of metals colliding against each other echoed through the building. Everyone turned to Geddoe and Chris, their charge surprising everyone. But the sight before their eyes surprised them more: Tir had got in between their charge and took the hit with his staff.
"Tir!" Chris cried.
Tir looked back at Geddoe and then towards Chris. "Stop this at once."
"Tir…" Chris said sadly and began to withdraw her sword.
Geddoe did the same thing at the same time. "You okay?" he asked.
Tir rubbed his shoulder and nodded. "I won't let you two fight. If you want someone to fight Chris, then I want you to fight me."
"What!?" She exclaimed.
"Fight me." Tir said again. "If I win, I get your rune."
"Why?" Chris asked shaking her head. She couldn't believe the boy who was so kind to her before was asking such a cold thing.
Borus glared at him and stood in front of Chris. "If you want to fight someone, fight me."
Louis then joined in and stood beside Borus. "You'll have to go through me too if you want to fight Lady Chris. I'll protect her until my death!."
The rune on Tir's hand began to glow. The rune wanted to protect its master, but Tir shook his head. "You both love her don't you?"
"Our feelings towards her are none of your business." Borus growled and took out his sword.
"If I defeat you two, then I can get the water rune from Chris?"
"Stop it!" Chris demanded.
"Chris, don't worry. I won't lose to a lowly punk like him." Borus growled.
"Neither will I." Louis frowned with a determined face.
"Tir, you can't take them out by yourself." Queen pointed out.
"Its fine." Tir spun his staff behind him. "Please, the rest of you don't interfere. This is my fight."
Aila looked sadly at Tir, but Jacques placed an assuring hand on her shoulder. He smiled gently at her and then looked at Tir.
Borus swung his sword back and then slashed in Tir's direction. Tir closed his eyes and ducked. He then jabbed Borus in the stomach. The sharp strike knocked the air out of the Zexen knight. Borus was pushed back with a one knock of a blow. Louis glared at Tir before charging. He used a jabbing type of attack similar to Chris's Phoenix. Tir turned to Louis and used his staff like a baton to block each one of Louis' attacks. Then, Tir swung the staff upwards and knocked Louis in the head. Louis went flying back and fell to the ground. Borus yelled and then charged at Tir. He swung his sword, but Tir continued to dodge the sword slashes. Tir then twirled his staff and slashed Borus's right hand. The sword was knocked out of his hand leaving Borus unarmed. Borus then tried to punch him, but Tir caught Borus' punch. Tir held Borus in his arms with a strong grip, Borus couldn't move.
"You don't have to prove anything." Tir said.
"What did you say?"
"You're constantly worried about others think of you. That is why you work so hard to be the best. You think its what is expected."
"Damn you, it's not! Let me go!"
"Borus, if you let others decide who you are then you'll be nothing more then their puppet."
"What are you saying?"
Tir looked at him the eye. "If don't stand your ground, you'll end up falling."
Tir then let go of Borus and let him fall to his knees. Borus didn't understand. This sinking feeling in his heart, and now his legs couldn't move. Why did Tir's words have such an impact on him. Was it because of his eyes again? No, it was something about Tir in general. Tir's power to touch the heart of others.
Chris was holding Louis, who was still knocked out by Tir's blow. Chris didn't hear what Tir said to Borus, and neither did anyone else. His voice was so soft, it was hard to hear. Chris couldn't believe it; Tir had taken out both Borus, one of the best swordsmen in all of Zexen, and Louis. Tir walked up to her and looked at her. His emotionless face started make her feel ill. She stood up with a determined look and pulled out her sword.
"I can't believe you." Chris snarled. "How dare you do this to them! I won't forgive you."
"So what?" Tir's eyes narrowed at her.
Chris couldn't believe this was the same man she held hands with just a few minutes ago. He seemed so kind and gentle before, but now it seemed his heart was cold as ice. "If you want to fight me then here I am."
"I didn't want to fight you, but it looks like it had come to this." Tir raised his staff at her.
Chris, started to concentrate and then used her True water rune to hit Tir. He took the hit, but countered by using Soul Eater and draining her strength. Chris fell to the ground, unable to get up. "Why…?"
"I have a mission at the moment. Like you I have some thing I believe in, and I want see it through." Tir waved his hand and a clear empty orb appeared in front of him. The orb started to shimmer a blue glow and crystals started to come out of Chris. Chris screamed from the pain and her head dropped to the floor after Tir extracted the rune.
"Chris!" Borus yelled, but Geddoe punched him in the stomach hard enough to completely knock him out.
"No…" Chris moaned. "You can't do this. Why? I thought…"
"We both have different missions. Therefore, we are enemies. Remember that Lady Chris." Tir leaned in close to Chris' face. "Stay in Zexen."
He then went to the parliament building to leave. The others glanced at her and then followed Tir. Chris shook her head. "Why? I thought he was kind. He was so cold just now. Was the other Tir just an illusion to get to me?"
Tir and the others were running through the building. They left through the exit and saw Juan, Emily and Kenji fighting with the soldiers who were returning.
"What took you so long." Juan grumbled as he dodged the guard's sword and gave him a right leg snap kick. The guard moaned and dropped to the floor.
"Hey guys, hurry up." Emily yelled as she gave the guard she was fighting one last punch.
Thomas and Cecile were fighting as well. Tir ran towards Thomas and looked at him.
"So we finally meet." Thomas smiled and extended his hand to Tir.
Tir smiled and took his hand to shake it. "Its nice to meet you, Thomas." They all nodded and ran north.
Hugo in the meantime was still riding on Fubar. The griffon looked around and saw Tir and the others running. Fubar pointed his beak at them for Hugo. Hugo nodded.
"Time to finish this." Hugo raised his hand and used the fire rune to burn the guards. The guards continued to follow Hugo and Fubar while Geddoe and the others went to the Northern cave. There Muto was waiting for them with lots of healing items. Muto waved his arms at them.
"I'm glad you're all safe." Muto said happily.
"Is everyone safe?" Thomas looked behind and counted for everyone to make sure no one was left behind.
"Everyone is here." Geddoe frowned. "We should create a mist now to rescue Hugo."
Thomas nodded and started to go south.
"You should leave now." Geddoe said, looking down at Tir.
Tir shook his head. "I want to make sure that Hugo is safe. It'll be my fault if he's hurt."
"I see. A leader's burden." Geddoe said running after Thomas. Tir followed him and the went to go help Hugo.
"Where's that mist Geddoe said?" Hugo wondered. Both he and his griffon were becoming quite tired. Especially Fubar, since the Griffin had been flying earlier. Fubar cooed at him curiously.
Hugo petted his soft head. "Don't worry, they won't forget us. I hope." Hugo was starting to become unsure if Geddoe and his party had decided to leave Hugo behind. He could hear the clanging sound of knights coming. Hugo took out his knife just in case Geddoe didn't make in time. At least he would go down fighting. At the last minute, the mist started to appear. Hugo looked around and saw mist covering everything. Then he noticed a sparkle of blue light. It was Geddoe's lighting rune. Hugo and Fubar ran towards it and saw Thomas, Geddoe and Tir at the end of the blue light. Hugo stopped to greet them.
"Tir, I'm glad you're okay." Hugo said happily.
"Its nice to see you're safe." Tir smiled. "Did you and Fubar see Sasarai?"
Hugo and Fubar looked at each and shook their heads. "You didn't see him in the building?"
Tir shook his head. "If I did, I would of taken his rune already. He was there earlier. He must of left for Harmonia. I guess it can't be helped. We'll probably see him sooner or later."
"Well anyway, we should go back now." Thomas said, nodding.
They all started to run north. When they arrived at the Northern Cavern, Tir noticed the full silver moon. Looking at it, he remembered the last time he saw Kasumi. After the Dunan war, he and Gremio were going to leave Gregminster again. There was still so much to see in the world, and questions that he must find on his own. Before they left, Kasumi came to say goodbye. She was so shy that she couldn't get the words out. She just stuttered nervously and blurted out mixed words.
"Tir, are you really leaving so soon?" Kasumi asked, looking sad
.
Tir didn't say anything and continued to look through the window.
"Well, I guess this is it, isn't it?"
Tir continued to remain quiet.
"Tir, I-I want to be with you." Kasumi began stuttering again and shook nervously. "If that's alright with you. I want to protect you. So I want to go with you!" Kasumi shouted and then looked at Tir.
Tir slowly turned around to face her. Kasumi's heart was beating so fast that Tir could all most hear it. Kasumi blushed and held her heart to silence it a bit. "I don't need protection." Tir coldly replied. "There is no need for you to be with me. Go home Kasumi."
Kasumi's eyes started to become watery from the rejection. She then took a long hard sigh along with a hard swallow. "I see. I'm sorry. It was a stupid thing for me to ask."
Tir turned away from her and looked back the window. "Goodbye then."
Kasumi looked sadly at him and held her heart. She turned to the door to open it, but Gremio was there. "I'm sorry!" She bowed and ran out of the house crying.
Tir watched her run out of the house crying. He felt his heart sink and tears started to come down his face.
"Young master…" Gremio whispered and hugged him gently.
"I didn't want to say such things to her, but…" Tir said trying to hold back the tears, and wiping the ones that came out.
"I know." Gremio said in a soothing voice. "Tir, its still not too late. You can still be with her, can't you?"
"If I'm with her, I'm afraid of…"
"I don't think Soul Eater is a bad rune."
"I don't think so either, but it still resulted in the deaths of four people I cared about. Including you."
"I'm still here."
"Don't talk like that. Soul Eater has your soul still, and once you die…"
"As long I get to stay with you it won't matter to me. If I can take a bit of this burden off you, that's fine with me." Gremio smiled as he took Tir's right hand.
"I know. I just don't want anyone else to die because of me. But I'm glad that you're here with me. If you weren't here it would be much more harder on me."
"I'm glad to hear that. But I think you should apologize to Kasumi."
"No, I can't. I want her to have a normal life in Rokkaku Hamlet. She at least deserves that. Kasumi deserves better then me. Anyway, shall we go then?" Tir asked Gremio. Gremio looked down at the young master and nodded at him.
Tir's heart began to sink again from remembering that time. It seemed so similar when he was fighting Chris. He had broke her heart in the same way. He sighed and said, "Chris forgive me. But I can't let Soul Eater take your soul. If you die because of me, I would never forgive myself. Please stay in Zexen and live a normal life."
"Tir! Is something wrong?" Hugo asked.
"No, its nothing. Lets go." Tir turned towards Hugo and continued to run with him. Tir felt a bit happy around Hugo, because the Karayan boy reminded him of Ted. However, he still felt a bit bad for giving Chris such a cold last impression.
They ran through the cavern and went through a hole Muto, and Twaikin dug up earlier. Then they ran through the Sindar ruins and through there they finally arrived in the basement of Budehuc castle. They took the elevator and went straight into the mansion. Everyone was exhausted and were trying to catch their breath.
"Phew, its been a while since I battled like that." Thomas said, hands resting on his knees.
"Really? It must be because you're out of shape." Kenji said happily. "We should do more exercises."
Thomas shook his head. "Not now, thanks."
Tir looked around the room to take a long look at his rescuers. "Thank you everyone. We should leave, though."
"So soon?" Cecile asked, tilting her head.
"I guess we should rest first. I'm going to look for Tai-Ho and Yam Koo."
"Alright." Cecile said, waving at Tir. "Goodnight then."
Everyone went to their rooms to rest for the big day tomorrow. Tir went down to the docks where Tai-Ho and Yam Koo were waiting. They were much older now. Tai-Ho's beard was now white, and he had wrinkles like an old man. Yam Koo still had the same shaggy hair he had from before, and both still wore the same clothes. Tir looked at them and nodded.
"The True Wind Rune has it's master now."
Tai Ho nodded. "Good. So we're leaving soon then?"
"Yes, in the morning. Please be ready by then."
"Alright. Then, see you in the morning."
"Tir, is something wrong?" Yam Koo asked.
"Huh?"
"You look sadder then usual. Did something happen?"
"Uh no. I'm just tired. I'll be going to bed."
Tai-Ho and Yam Koo watched as Tir left through the door. They looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Something must of happened."
Tir went outside and then looked at the silver moon again. Then he looked down on to his right hand. "I can't be with anyone." He said looking at Soul Eater. "It would only lead them to death."
Credits:
Editor: Myrmee thank-you for doing a wonderful job on editing my fanfic. You're a great editor and please R&R to her too.