Once again, I don't own Suikoden 2 or Legend of Dragoon.
"Julian? Julian, are you there?"
I know that voice! "Over here, Jowy!"
Jowy appeared at the door. "Thank God! I'm getting you out of here!" He quickly unlocked the door. "Let's go!"
We didn't get very far; Flik showed up with a bunch of soldiers. "Alright, give up before we adults get mad."
I raised my hands. "We might as well give up, Jowy. There's too many to fight." He nodded.
"Good," Flik said. He led us to the conference room, where Viktor waited. "Now, what really happened the night we captured you?"
I saw no point in lying. "We were told that it was a State surprise attack, but when we were told to run to the east, we got suspicious. We turned back, and saw, instead of a State general, Luca Blight, the heir to the throne of Highland. Our commander, Captain Rowd, spotted us, but we managed to defeat his soldiers. After a second encounter on the edge of a cliff, Jowy and I jumped into a waterfall. That's the last thing I remember."
Jowy spoke up. "I think Luca ordered the attack as an excuse to continue the war."
Viktor frowned. "Luca Blight. I've heard of him, but this…" He thought for a moment. "You two will stay with us for now." We were sent back to the cell.
It was midnight when Jowy spoke. "We have to get out of here."
"How?"
"Like this." He produced a spoon. "I'll pick the lock." The door swung open. "Let's go."
We made it to the second floor, having avoided the first due to guards. The second was also guarded. "Now what?"
"What do you have?" Jowy asked.
I frowned. "A rope, an oily rag, and some flint, but how does that help?"
"Leave that to me." Jowy took the flint and set the rag on fire, then tossed it at the guards. "That should distract them. Come on!"
We dashed out onto the balcony and used the rope to climb down. The courtyard was deserted thanks to the fire, so we made good our escape.
Jowy and I walked side by side, glad to be free. He looked much better than someone who had jumped into a waterfall normally would. "Jowy?"
"What is it?"
"How did you survive?"
He stopped. "I was washed up near Toto village. A family found me and nursed me back to health. I just left last night."
I sat on the ground. "In a way, I wish we could have stayed."
Jowy glanced at me. "Why is that?"
"There was a sense of camaraderie that I hadn't felt before, except with you. I felt like I belonged there. And Flik and Viktor are better leaders than that idiot Rowd."
"Yeah." Jowy sat next to me. "I'm not very fond of Highland right now, either. Not after what happened to the Unicorn Brigade."
I stood up. "Before we make any plans, we need to get home. I don't want Nanami killed for Luca's ambition."
Jowy rose as well. "You're right. Let's stop in Ryube for supplies, then hit North Sparrow Pass."
Ryube was much busier than during my last visit. Everyone was crowded around what looked like a small traveling circus. From what I could see, the current attraction was a large man who could breathe fire. Nearby were a fortune teller and a knife thrower, alike enough that I assumed they were sisters.
The large man finished his fire act. "Now everyone, can we have a volunteer for Eilie, for her knife throwing act?"
I tried to back away, but they dragged me forward. The fortune teller whispered in my ear, "Don't move. She usually hits, but it's best to be careful."
Despite Jowy's worries, it went perfectly and the crowd dispersed. We introduced ourselves to the circus trio. "I'm Julian Genkaku, and this is Jowy Atreides."
The fortune teller smiled. "I'm Rina, this is Eilie, and that's our big brother Bolgan."
I couldn't help grinning; these people were just fun. "We're here to get supplies, then we're heading for Kyaro."
Eilie looked surprised. "That's where we're going, too. Why don't we go together? It'll be much safer."
I glanced at my friend. "What do you think, Jowy?"
"Fine with me."
I looked back at our new friends. "It's settled, then. Let's go."
We almost didn't get into the pass. Viktor had sealed the border, and it was only through Rina's persuading the guards in ways I didn't want to know about (and still don't) that we were able to get through. Once inside, we immediately saw the wisdom of traveling in a party of five: there were monsters everywhere. Bandits added fuel to the fire.
About halfway through, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. "Huh?" I wandered over. "What are these?"
"These," were a pair of gems, perfect spheres, small enough to hold with one hand. "Jowy, look at this."
He came over and took one gem in his hand. "What the!? It's glowing?"
"Mine, too." Jowy's was glowing jade green, mine electric violet. "I feel something…as though we were meant to have them."
"Me, too." Jowy gazed at the jewel in amazement. "We don't have time to think about it now. We have to get to Kyaro." We pocketed our gems and rejoined the others.
We had one final hurdle to overcome before we could leave: the Mist Monster. Fortunately, I had heard that it was susceptible to fire, so Jowy and I had obtained fire runes in Ryube.
I raised my left hand. "Fire Wall!!"
Jowy followed suit. "Dancing Flames!!"
Our circus friends had an interesting attack: Rina and Eilie would line up behind Bolgan, adding power to his fire breath. The monster didn't last long.
"Whew!" I looked at the others. "Good thing we traveled together. Any other way would have been suicide."
When we reached Kyaro, the circus trio left. "Thanks, guys," said Eilie. "Maybe we'll meet again."
"I hope so," I responded. With a wave, they were gone.
Jowy nudged me. "Let's get going. Nanami's waiting."
I watched Jowy disappear down the road, then took the familiar path to my own home. Kyaro was much as I had remembered it: moderate size, plenty of shops, and friendly people. And yet, somehow, everyone seemed tense, avoiding me. What's going on?
My house came as a relief. Although my father was gone, Nanami still lived here, along with the squirrel-like creature she had dubbed Mukumuku for reasons I had yet to ferret out. I looked forward to an enthusiastic greeting.
I was tackled without warning. "Julian!!!"
I hugged her. "Hi, Nanami. Sorry I'm late."
Nanami shook me. "Was there really a State spy? I heard there was a surprise attack."
I frowned. "I don't know about a spy, but there was a surprise attack, all right." I sketched out the events that night. When I had finished, she looked infuriated.
"Prince Luca killed all those people!?"
"And seemed to enjoy doing it," I said grimly. "We have to get out of here."
"Too late," came a mocking voice.
We spun, drawing our weapons. Facing us was my least favorite soldier, Captain Rowd, accompanied by a bunch of thugs. Nanami and I beat a few, but we were outnumbered. We were clapped in jail.
Within minutes, Jowy was tossed in with us. "Jowy, are you all right?" I asked.
His face showed deep misery. "My father disowned me. He said that no spy could be an Atreides."
"So he thinks you're a spy!?" At Jowy's nod, I slammed my fist into the wall. "Why is this happening!?"
"I'll tell you." Rowd's voice.
"Go on," I said coldly.
"We should never have agreed to this peace treaty. With you dead, as spies, we can crush the State. Enjoy your last meal." He marched off.
The next morning, Jowy and I were bound and marched through the streets. A large crowd had turned out to watch the death march. No one looked sorry; they all seemed to believe Luca's propaganda.
We met a carriage near the end. Inside was Jillia, Luca's sister.
Jowy looked up at her. "It is Highland that has betrayed us, we have done nothing. I won't forgive this…I can't."
I glared coldly at her. "If you want to blame someone, blame your own brother!" I spat.
The execution site was just outside of town. We were whipped while soldiers placed nooses around our necks. "Here's your punishment for betraying your mother country, Highland, and besmirching the honor of the Unicorn Brigade," Rowd gloated. "Any last words?"
We both remained silent.
Rowd continued to gloat, but I was no longer listening. Instead, I was watching Viktor kill every soldier on the grounds except Rowd, who seemed oblivious. At the same time, Flik cut the ropes that bound us, setting us free.
I massaged my throat. "Viktor, Flik, thanks. We owe you big time." Jowy nodded in firm agreement.
Viktor laughed. "You're still my prisoners, remember?"
Jowy shook himself. "We don't have time for this. We have to save Nanami!"
We charged the prison, intent on rescuing her, only to find that she didn't need rescuing. Nanami plowed through the guards as though they were made of cardboard. None got up.
I introduced Nanami to Viktor and Flik, then we raced for the town exit, leaving a trail of dead soldiers in our wake. People soon learned to get out of our way.
We rested briefly at the exit. "Julian."
"What is it, Nanami?"
"Do you think…that this is the end for Kyaro?"
I squeezed her hand. "We'll be back some day."
She smiled. "You're right. This isn't the end."
The return trip through North Sparrow Pass was much easier, thanks to Viktor and Flik. The monsters were dispatched with ease, and the bandits avoided us like the plague.
I sat down with Nanami and Jowy. "Now what? As far as Highland is concerned, we're traitors, and Kyaro is Highland territory. We can't go home."
Jowy said, "I think we should join Viktor's army. We have nowhere else to go."
"I'm with Jowy," said Nanami.
I stood and approached Viktor. "Viktor? May I have a word?"
He smiled. "What's on your mind, Julian?"
I gestured at my companions. "There's nothing for us in Highland, now. All we have left is each other. We want to join you, Viktor."
"Are you sure about this?"
I nodded. "We have nowhere else to go."
Viktor held out his hand. "Welcome, Julian."
I shook it. "Thanks."
Flik said, "Why don't you three search for new recruits? We can always use more."
"Done."
Jowy, Nanami, and I left for Ryube after a brief stop in the fort to pick up Gengen. Since it was the only nearby village we were familiar with, we decided to start there. We struck pay dirt almost immediately, in the form of a hungry swordsman named Rikimaru. I foot the bill for his food, and he joined as a thank you.
"Great!" he said. "I'll help, or my name isn't Rikimaru!"
I grinned. "Our H.Q. is halfway between Toto and Radat. See you there."
We picked up our next recruit almost instantly. A young woman named Millie was wandering around the town. I walked over and asked what was wrong.
"My pet, Bonaparte, is missing," she said.
"Where did you last see him?" Jowy asked.
"He was in the forest north of Ryube."
I smiled. "We'll help you find him."
Millie's face lit up. "Oh, thank you! I'll join your group in return."
The forest was dark, despite the fact that it was just past noon. It was filled with the toughest creatures we had yet encountered; including wild boars and giant spiders. Fortunately, we had little trouble, thanks in part to Millie's skill with a boomerang. I found a bird's nest on the ground near the entrance. We headed north after putting it back in the tree.
The northern area was deserted, so we retraced our steps. Along the way, we encountered a young man and a white wolf. The youth was dressed in a woodman's outfit, and looked as though he belonged in the forest. He carried a bow and arrow as if it was an extension of himself. The wolf stood protectively close.
He looked up as we approached. "Did you put that bird's nest back in the tree?"
I nodded. "I've always had a soft spot for wildlife." I held out my hand. "I'm Julian Genkaku, and these are my friends. We're looking for recruits to fight the Highland Army."
The boy smiled. "My name is Kinnison, and the wolf is Shiro. We live here in the forest."
Shiro howled. He seemed excited about something.
Kinnison looked down at the wolf. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He turned to me. "If we can be of help…."
I shook his hand, then bent and stroked Shiro's fur. "Glad to have you along." The wolf licked my hand.
We resumed the search, this time going east. Kinnison and Shiro were a godsend; Kinnison's skill with a bow had to be seen to be believed, and Shiro outperformed the best Highland attack dogs. We found Bonaparte near the edge of the forest.
Millie ran forward. "Bonaparte!"
Bonaparte growled.
"No!!"
We were forced to fight. Jowy, Shiro, and I took the forefront, while Millie, Nanami, and Kinnison stayed in the rear. Gengen hit from the side. Bonaparte wasn't in the mood to go quietly, but our combined strength was more than enough to bring him down.
Millie gathered up her pet. "Thanks, Julian. I'll head for the fort now."
"See you there."
Author's note: I need some suggestions as to which characters get the remaining Dragoon Spirits. For those who are curious, the name I chose for the Hero is a nod to the late Roger Zelazny's Amber series. D.S.
