by Jeremy Gordon (gordon8_26@yahoo.com)
Note: You know the deal by now. I like the way the story is moving, and I've changed my big picture of it. My original story would've culminated in Hugo going to the past, but since I tried (and failed!) to write about the S1/S2 characters in dialogue by themselves, doing that would have kill this fic deader than dead. You'll still get your favorite characters, but by keeping the S3 characters in, I'll keep the story alive. To make things clear...I'm not an avid shipper of Hugo/Chris, as you might've guessed by now. I think it's a truly horrid pairing, and shows no basis throughout the entire game. A friendship, sure, but romance? Not bloody likely. Still, I might change my mind. It isn't revolving around Hugo now, but it will eventually. Suikoden belongs to Konami.
Surrounded by the frightened residents of Budehuc Castle, Thomas couldn't help but be scared himself. The world's most feared killer, Yuber, had arrived, and was looking to wreak havoc on the citizens of the castle. Glancing around, he asserted himself and took control. "Cecile. How're we doing with security?"
"Pretty good. Watari, Ayame, and the lizards are guarding the top entrance. The Zexen Knights are guarding the lower entrance. Shizu shut down the elevator, but Hugo, Sgt. Joe, and Fubar are watching over it anyhow. Still...I don't know if it could stop Yuber." The normally frantic girl had calmed down, in the midst of a serious attack. Thomas smiled to himself, seeing the courage of his guard shine through in the face of adversity.
"Thomas?" Hearing the voice of Hugo call out his name, Thomas hurried over.
"What's up?"
"Something's wrong...he's taken too long." Hugo closed his eyes in thought, as Thomas listened to him. "I've fought Yuber before, and he's one of those 'kill now, ask questions later' type of guys. It's been nearly ten minutes since everyone got collected into the basement. He should've attacked by now..."
"That makes sense. Should we send anyone out?" The young man was trying to take control of the situation, as he asked Hugo for advice.
"We might as well. I'll go take a look, okay?" Hugo started to leave, but was stopped by Thomas' restraining arm.
"Wait. Take Chris with you. If Yuber is alone, he isn't fool enough to face two True Rune bearers. Okay?" Thomas could see the tension in the young Karayan's eyes, processing his request.
"Fine." Hugo sighed, shaking his head in defeat. "Chris! Get going, we've got a job to do!" Not waiting for the warrior to follow, he exited the basement, into the blinding sun.
"P..p...Pesmerga?"
That was the only word that a shocked Yuber could manage to say, as he backed away slowly. His formerly malicious eyes were now replaced by frightened ones, that glanced from side to side, trying to find a way to escape. The armored man in front of him smirked, and began to speak with a deep voice.
"Yes...I have finally found you, brother." Pesmerga smirked again, as he stepped closer to his almost identical twin.
"What do you want?" Yuber's voice was a mere tremble by now, as he continued walking backwards.
"I want what is mine. The Eightfold rune...give it to me, now!" With a snarl, Pesmerga drew his sword and lept forwars, swinging at Yuber. Yuber jumped backwards, and tried to summon a teleporting spell, but was shocked when it didn't work.
"What....how is this not working?"
"You seem to forget my rune...The Ninefold rune. You forget that it will cause chaos to your mind, and distill the order that the Eightfold rune should bring. I've wandered for 300 years with this agonizing pain in my being...now that I have found you, I will not let you go!" Pesmerga swung again, catching his still-in-shock brother in the leg, dropping the demon to a crawl. As Pesmerga walked towards Yuber, Yuber began to plead for his life.
"Brother...no...I'll give you the rune! I swear! Just let me live!" Yuber's voice was now a desperate whine, as he raised one hand in protest of his certain death.
"I think not. You have caused our family too much disgrace to be allowed to survive any longer." Pesmerga grabbed Yuber's hand, as Yuber felt an extrordinary pain, as the Eightfold Rune lifted out of Yuber's hand, and placed itself into Pesmerga's. Pesmerga's right hand began to glow, and the Eightfold and Ninefold Runes rose up and combined into one. It spun around, and placed itself into the dark knight's right hand. "Finally...the Yin Yang Rune is united. Now brother, you shall perish." With an agonizing shriek, Yuber felt his body be eradicated as Pesmerga's sword of veangeance swung through it.
Behind Yuber, Hugo and Chris watched in shock as they saw the one they had feared for months be eliminated in a single strike. Reacting, Chris cried out.
"You! Who are you?"
"So, your name is Pesmerga?"
That was the question Thomas asked the dark knight, as he sat down in the conference room.
"Yes." Pesmerga almost muttered it, choosing instead to look as his newly formed True Rune.
"Why were you chasing Yuber? How did you track him here? Sorry for the questions, but I and my allies need to know." Pesmerga sighed, as he began to explain.
"Me and Yuber are brothers, from the same bloodline in the underworld. The rune I now posess in my right hand is called the Yin Yang Rune. It has always been in our family, and is an heirloom that is passed down from generation to generation. However...300 years ago, Yuber attempted to steal it. He only succeeded in breaking it apart, into the Eightfold and Ninefold Runes. Eightfold is order, Ninefold is chaos. Yuber took the former. To protect the honor of my family, I took the latter, and began my quest to find him. Since we share two parts of the same rune, I was able to follow Yuber, throughout our bond of the rune. The Yin Yang Rune is the balance of incredible strength, and the power to control it. Now that my quest is complete, I have no purpose of being here. Excuse me as I leave." The tall man turned around and began to leave, but was stopped by Hugo, who stood in his way. "Get out of the way, boy."
"Wait!" Hugo cried out, raising his hands. "Stay here. My mom, Futch, and Viki went to look for you. We need your help to fight Luc, since he's trying to destroy the world. Please..."
"Futch? Viki? Luc? Interesting..." Pesmerga showed the faintest sign of recognition, but dismissed it. "I never would've figured Luc to be the murderous type...but no. I have no reason to help you. I must be leaving now."
"People are in need here? Isn't that reason enough?" With pleading eyes, Hugo remained in the way of the armored dark knight.
Hmm...he's just like Tir and Riou...interesting. "...fine. I will stay here until this ordeal plays out. Do not waste my time. You can explain things to me now." Pesmerga finished his response, choosing to walk with Hugo as the young boy began to explain the happenings of the past four months.
I got from Suikosource that Eightfold is order, and Ninefold is chaos. Hope you get that. R/R