Author's notes:
Okay! Here we are again! Anyway, here are some notes. Please read them first before you read the story to avoid confusion:
Name of the hero: Riou Name of the Army: Phoenix Army Name of the Castle: Seryuu Castle
Okay? Thanks! Reviews please! I really need them! ^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own Suikoden! Konami does!
====================================== Part Three:
An Order That Can't be Followed
======================================
"Lady Teresa! The Muse soldiers are here!"
Teresa Wisemail rose to her feet and ran towards the entrance of Greenhill. When she reached her destination, there, she saw the former Muse soldiers.
"Lady Teresa, I presume?" asked a voice behind the soldiers.
A young man walked through the battalion and stood in front of her.
"And who are you supposed to be? You didn't come from Muse, I suppose... You have a different accent..." she asked firmly. Just what the heck are these soldiers doing here in Greenhill?
It's war alright. Does it mean that Highland will make Greenhill a Highland territory? No. They can't do that. Especially to Teresa Wisemail. But if they do, 100% failure will be slapped at their faces...
"Forgive me. I'm Jowy Atreides, commander of the 4th Royal Highland Army and I'm here to let the former Muse soldiers stay here in Greenhill for a while until this war ends. That is, if Lady Teresa, acting mayor of Greenhill agrees..."
Surrounding her were the citizens of Greenhill. She can hear their whispers saying,
"Greenhill has enough capacity to keep Muse soldiers and support their needs, anyway. We can agree on that..."
"No harm will be done to us anyway, even though they're under the Highland Army, Muse and Greenhill used to comrades-in-arms, they won't hurt us."
"Besides, Lady Teresa can handle it. She's a wise ruler, just like her father."
"Yeah... Greenhill is a neutral country so why would Highland attack us?"
"We don't care about this damn war going on so, who cares if Muse soldiers stay here? After all they were FORMER soldiers and won't participate in the war anymore..."
Teresa, too, had the same idea. Since when can Muse have the will to destroy their own comrades?
~No harm done, I guess...
"So, Lady Teresa, may I hear the acting mayor's decision towards this matter?" the young general asked.
"Okay... I take you on your word. I will let the former Muse soldiers stay here in Greenhill for good."
***
"Lady Teresa! I need to see Lady Teresa!" a voice of a young girl was heard outside Teresa's office.
"I'm sorry but you can't just go in--"
"Oh come on! Let me see Lady Teresa! This is and urgent matter!!!"
"But--"
Shin who was inside Teresa's office heard the girl's voice, too and looked inquiringly at Teresa
"Oh, it must be Nina. Tell her to come in." she ordered.
Shin opened the door and let Nina come in. Nina rushed to her. She was breathing heavily.
"What is it, Nina? Did something happen?" she asked.
The young teen-age girl exclaimed, "No! Not just something happened! Something HORRIBLE happened!!!"
She held her breath. All of a sudden... something horrible occurred?
"Please, Nina, calm down... I can't understand you..."
Nina breathed some air and tried to relax a bit. Then she said, "When I was off to the item store, I was to buy something when the store keeper said that there's no more stock..."
"Stock? Of what?"
"Stock of flour, sugar, salt, mayonnaise and other sort of stuffs used in cooking, In short, there's a food shortage occurring already, Lady Teresa!!!"
"Oh my God..." was all she could utter. It felt like her whole strength was being drained because of the sudden realization.
Shin noticed her face beginning to turn pale. He told Nina not to surprise Teresa too much.
"But Shin! This is not a matter to be taken lightly... I should have known... I should have! I took for granted the number of Muse soldiers! All I've thought about was Greenhill's safety! But what about Greenhill's needs?! What about Greenhill's primary needs?! Oh stupid of me!!!" she exclaimed.
"My lady..."
"Lady Teresa...."
"What?! What can the mayor of Greenhill do?! There's nothing I could do now! It's too late... Shortly... Slowly... Greenhill will fall into the hands of the Highland Army..." she buried her face on her hands and cried.
Nina walked towards her and rubbed her back trying to comfort her finally realizing that her outburst a while ago was not good for Teresa. "No... it's not that... you've been a wise ruler, Lady Teresa... the Greenhill citizens believe in you... always..."
"Wise?! Is this what you call wise?! I've placed everything into vain! The trust and hopes of the House of Wisemail... My father's last wishes... the expectations and support of the citizens of Greenhill... They're all in vain! Because I am... I am a failure..."
"No! That's a lie! Lady Teresa--"Nina was about to still say something when Shin placed his hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
Teresa, however, remained crying. Shin knelt before Teresa and said, "I won't let the Highland Army penetrate Greenhill's barriers. But if they do, at least I won't let them get you... I promise that. I promise that, my lady..."
"Oh Shin... What will I do if you're not here?"
"If I'm not here, I guess life won't be the same as you thought it would be, my lady..."
***
"Lord Shin! The Highland Army!"
"What?! This early?!" exclaimed Shin.
It appears that the Highland Army is heading towards Greenhill already. The matter is obvious. They're going to attack Greenhill.
~Oh no... I have to get Lady Teresa out of here...
"Those Muse bastards were nothing but traitors! They're actually helping the Highland Army!"
"Yeah! They even stole our food! The food that was only for Greenhill!"
~Man... This is not good... Greenhill and Muse citizens are fighting... At this rate Highland will take this advantage and attack us as soon as possible and Greenhill will... Darn! Lady Teresa! I have to get Lady Teresa out of here!
***
Inside her room, Teresa watched as the city of Greenhill falls apart. The city that was once peaceful is now in chaos. All because of a person's fault. All because of her fault.
Highland Army has entered Greenhill already. Nothing had stopped them from taking over Greenhill. Not even the 7,000 soldiers that Greenhill has. Not even her authority nor her strength because she doesn't have that. She doesn't have that strength because her self is only filled with weakness and failure. Not even the strongest man she knows...
~Wait... That's right! Where's Shin?! Oh no...
Highland had probably slaughtered Shin. Shin gets hot-tempered easily and maybe... maybe he had a fight with the Highland soldiers and maybe... he got killed...
~No! Not Shin! Anyone but him!
***
"Heh! That Teresa should only be around here! Find her!" Rowd ordered.
The Highland soldiers were now searching for Teresa. They had entered Greenhill successfully. All they need to do is to find Teresa in order to take control of Greenhill.
Slowly... Greenhill had officially fallen under the hands of Highland...
***
"Father... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry I failed you... I know... sorry is not enough. That one word is not enough to atone for my failures and weaknesses. You must be very ashamed of me. I can't blame you for that, though. Because, I, myself, am ashamed of me..."
Teresa fell down her knees. She heard screams and shouts outside her room. Footsteps were coming close to her.
~It must be the Highland soldiers. They must've come to capture me.
She stood up and said, "I surrender. Capture me if you want for Greenhill already belongs to Highland..."
"Come on now... don't say that to me after all I've been through..."
Her eyes flew open. That voice. It certainly doesn't belong to a Highland soldier. She turned back and saw...
"Shin..."
He hurriedly went to her and carried her on his back.
"What are you doing?! I'm going to surrender to the Highland Army!"
"No, you can't... I knew this was coming. I've prepared a secret spot for you to hide. You'll be safe there, my lady..."
"But if I surrender everything will turn out fine already..."
"No, it won't..."
"Oh please Shin... I don't want the people of Greenhill to suffer any longer..."
"No matter what you say, I won't give you up to those Highlanders..."
"As acting mayor of Greenhill I order you to run for your life leave me alone!"
"I won't obey that order..."
"Shin!!!"
"Don't try to stop me, my lady. I won't let anyone harm you and neither will I hand you to those Highland soldiers. This talk is taking too long. We have to leave before they spot us."
Even though her feelings were still debating, she just can't overpower him. Just like her father. Just like Alec Wisemail. Shin is not a man to argue because if you do, you're messing with the wrong person. They escaped through a secret passage and ran away from the Highland Army.
***
"No traces of Teresa, captain Rowd." The Highland soldier inquired.
"Damn! Where could she be?! She didn't have enough time to escape and there were soldiers all over the city!" Rowd exclaimed.
"Unless there were secret passages and your men were just dumb..." Jowy said.
"How dare you! You're a spy from the City-State and you're betraying Lord Luca!"
Rowd was about to hit Jowy's face when Culgan and Seed appeared in the scene.
"Don't you dare hit the man who brought victory for Lord Luca, Rowd..." Culgan warned.
"Oh yeah?! So you're on his side, too, huh?!"
"It's natural that we have to be on his side because Jowy Atreides isn't just a man of talk! Not like a dumbass like you!" Seed exclaimed.
Losing his patience Rowd threw Jowy and walked away. Someday, Jowy Atreides will sink and Lord Luca will know of his greatness.
~You're dead meat Jowy Atreides...
***
Yes... running away... this is what I always do...
I can't face reality and I'm too weak to handle difficulties...
Weak... this is what I am. This is something that a leader mustn't be...
That's why... I don't consider myself as a leader...
Because all I did to the citizens of Greenhill is to bring chaos, disappointments and sufferings that any human wouldn't want to have...
I'm nothing but a failure...
And that's true...nothing can change it...
[end of part three]
A/N: Reviews please! Comments, suggestions, opinions? Bring it on!!! He he he he!!!
Riou: Neh, Faye-chan, ur so great! True, Shin and Teresa were a nice couple!
Faye: Oh man! No, Lord Riou, I'm not that great as what you think I am! Gosh! *blush*
Riou: Good thing you know... I'm only saying that for you to make a fic about me and Eilie... *grumbles*
Faye: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!! YOU'RE CUTE BUT LORD SHU IS HANDSOME! Nyah! *sticks tongue out*
Riou: Oh no! Don't even think about it! Don't make Shu a fic before me!
Faye: Hmmm...
Riou: Oh please I beg you! I'm the leader and he's ONLY a strategist!
Faye: Well... guess what?!
*Riou questioned look*
Faye: LOOK BEHIND YOU!
Shu: Only a strategist???!!! ONLY???!!! Why you little---!!!
WHACK! TOINK! PAK! BLAGAG!
^^;; Riou and Shu are both kawaiiiii!!!
Okay! Here we are again! Anyway, here are some notes. Please read them first before you read the story to avoid confusion:
Name of the hero: Riou Name of the Army: Phoenix Army Name of the Castle: Seryuu Castle
Okay? Thanks! Reviews please! I really need them! ^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own Suikoden! Konami does!
====================================== Part Three:
An Order That Can't be Followed
======================================
"Lady Teresa! The Muse soldiers are here!"
Teresa Wisemail rose to her feet and ran towards the entrance of Greenhill. When she reached her destination, there, she saw the former Muse soldiers.
"Lady Teresa, I presume?" asked a voice behind the soldiers.
A young man walked through the battalion and stood in front of her.
"And who are you supposed to be? You didn't come from Muse, I suppose... You have a different accent..." she asked firmly. Just what the heck are these soldiers doing here in Greenhill?
It's war alright. Does it mean that Highland will make Greenhill a Highland territory? No. They can't do that. Especially to Teresa Wisemail. But if they do, 100% failure will be slapped at their faces...
"Forgive me. I'm Jowy Atreides, commander of the 4th Royal Highland Army and I'm here to let the former Muse soldiers stay here in Greenhill for a while until this war ends. That is, if Lady Teresa, acting mayor of Greenhill agrees..."
Surrounding her were the citizens of Greenhill. She can hear their whispers saying,
"Greenhill has enough capacity to keep Muse soldiers and support their needs, anyway. We can agree on that..."
"No harm will be done to us anyway, even though they're under the Highland Army, Muse and Greenhill used to comrades-in-arms, they won't hurt us."
"Besides, Lady Teresa can handle it. She's a wise ruler, just like her father."
"Yeah... Greenhill is a neutral country so why would Highland attack us?"
"We don't care about this damn war going on so, who cares if Muse soldiers stay here? After all they were FORMER soldiers and won't participate in the war anymore..."
Teresa, too, had the same idea. Since when can Muse have the will to destroy their own comrades?
~No harm done, I guess...
"So, Lady Teresa, may I hear the acting mayor's decision towards this matter?" the young general asked.
"Okay... I take you on your word. I will let the former Muse soldiers stay here in Greenhill for good."
***
"Lady Teresa! I need to see Lady Teresa!" a voice of a young girl was heard outside Teresa's office.
"I'm sorry but you can't just go in--"
"Oh come on! Let me see Lady Teresa! This is and urgent matter!!!"
"But--"
Shin who was inside Teresa's office heard the girl's voice, too and looked inquiringly at Teresa
"Oh, it must be Nina. Tell her to come in." she ordered.
Shin opened the door and let Nina come in. Nina rushed to her. She was breathing heavily.
"What is it, Nina? Did something happen?" she asked.
The young teen-age girl exclaimed, "No! Not just something happened! Something HORRIBLE happened!!!"
She held her breath. All of a sudden... something horrible occurred?
"Please, Nina, calm down... I can't understand you..."
Nina breathed some air and tried to relax a bit. Then she said, "When I was off to the item store, I was to buy something when the store keeper said that there's no more stock..."
"Stock? Of what?"
"Stock of flour, sugar, salt, mayonnaise and other sort of stuffs used in cooking, In short, there's a food shortage occurring already, Lady Teresa!!!"
"Oh my God..." was all she could utter. It felt like her whole strength was being drained because of the sudden realization.
Shin noticed her face beginning to turn pale. He told Nina not to surprise Teresa too much.
"But Shin! This is not a matter to be taken lightly... I should have known... I should have! I took for granted the number of Muse soldiers! All I've thought about was Greenhill's safety! But what about Greenhill's needs?! What about Greenhill's primary needs?! Oh stupid of me!!!" she exclaimed.
"My lady..."
"Lady Teresa...."
"What?! What can the mayor of Greenhill do?! There's nothing I could do now! It's too late... Shortly... Slowly... Greenhill will fall into the hands of the Highland Army..." she buried her face on her hands and cried.
Nina walked towards her and rubbed her back trying to comfort her finally realizing that her outburst a while ago was not good for Teresa. "No... it's not that... you've been a wise ruler, Lady Teresa... the Greenhill citizens believe in you... always..."
"Wise?! Is this what you call wise?! I've placed everything into vain! The trust and hopes of the House of Wisemail... My father's last wishes... the expectations and support of the citizens of Greenhill... They're all in vain! Because I am... I am a failure..."
"No! That's a lie! Lady Teresa--"Nina was about to still say something when Shin placed his hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
Teresa, however, remained crying. Shin knelt before Teresa and said, "I won't let the Highland Army penetrate Greenhill's barriers. But if they do, at least I won't let them get you... I promise that. I promise that, my lady..."
"Oh Shin... What will I do if you're not here?"
"If I'm not here, I guess life won't be the same as you thought it would be, my lady..."
***
"Lord Shin! The Highland Army!"
"What?! This early?!" exclaimed Shin.
It appears that the Highland Army is heading towards Greenhill already. The matter is obvious. They're going to attack Greenhill.
~Oh no... I have to get Lady Teresa out of here...
"Those Muse bastards were nothing but traitors! They're actually helping the Highland Army!"
"Yeah! They even stole our food! The food that was only for Greenhill!"
~Man... This is not good... Greenhill and Muse citizens are fighting... At this rate Highland will take this advantage and attack us as soon as possible and Greenhill will... Darn! Lady Teresa! I have to get Lady Teresa out of here!
***
Inside her room, Teresa watched as the city of Greenhill falls apart. The city that was once peaceful is now in chaos. All because of a person's fault. All because of her fault.
Highland Army has entered Greenhill already. Nothing had stopped them from taking over Greenhill. Not even the 7,000 soldiers that Greenhill has. Not even her authority nor her strength because she doesn't have that. She doesn't have that strength because her self is only filled with weakness and failure. Not even the strongest man she knows...
~Wait... That's right! Where's Shin?! Oh no...
Highland had probably slaughtered Shin. Shin gets hot-tempered easily and maybe... maybe he had a fight with the Highland soldiers and maybe... he got killed...
~No! Not Shin! Anyone but him!
***
"Heh! That Teresa should only be around here! Find her!" Rowd ordered.
The Highland soldiers were now searching for Teresa. They had entered Greenhill successfully. All they need to do is to find Teresa in order to take control of Greenhill.
Slowly... Greenhill had officially fallen under the hands of Highland...
***
"Father... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry I failed you... I know... sorry is not enough. That one word is not enough to atone for my failures and weaknesses. You must be very ashamed of me. I can't blame you for that, though. Because, I, myself, am ashamed of me..."
Teresa fell down her knees. She heard screams and shouts outside her room. Footsteps were coming close to her.
~It must be the Highland soldiers. They must've come to capture me.
She stood up and said, "I surrender. Capture me if you want for Greenhill already belongs to Highland..."
"Come on now... don't say that to me after all I've been through..."
Her eyes flew open. That voice. It certainly doesn't belong to a Highland soldier. She turned back and saw...
"Shin..."
He hurriedly went to her and carried her on his back.
"What are you doing?! I'm going to surrender to the Highland Army!"
"No, you can't... I knew this was coming. I've prepared a secret spot for you to hide. You'll be safe there, my lady..."
"But if I surrender everything will turn out fine already..."
"No, it won't..."
"Oh please Shin... I don't want the people of Greenhill to suffer any longer..."
"No matter what you say, I won't give you up to those Highlanders..."
"As acting mayor of Greenhill I order you to run for your life leave me alone!"
"I won't obey that order..."
"Shin!!!"
"Don't try to stop me, my lady. I won't let anyone harm you and neither will I hand you to those Highland soldiers. This talk is taking too long. We have to leave before they spot us."
Even though her feelings were still debating, she just can't overpower him. Just like her father. Just like Alec Wisemail. Shin is not a man to argue because if you do, you're messing with the wrong person. They escaped through a secret passage and ran away from the Highland Army.
***
"No traces of Teresa, captain Rowd." The Highland soldier inquired.
"Damn! Where could she be?! She didn't have enough time to escape and there were soldiers all over the city!" Rowd exclaimed.
"Unless there were secret passages and your men were just dumb..." Jowy said.
"How dare you! You're a spy from the City-State and you're betraying Lord Luca!"
Rowd was about to hit Jowy's face when Culgan and Seed appeared in the scene.
"Don't you dare hit the man who brought victory for Lord Luca, Rowd..." Culgan warned.
"Oh yeah?! So you're on his side, too, huh?!"
"It's natural that we have to be on his side because Jowy Atreides isn't just a man of talk! Not like a dumbass like you!" Seed exclaimed.
Losing his patience Rowd threw Jowy and walked away. Someday, Jowy Atreides will sink and Lord Luca will know of his greatness.
~You're dead meat Jowy Atreides...
***
Yes... running away... this is what I always do...
I can't face reality and I'm too weak to handle difficulties...
Weak... this is what I am. This is something that a leader mustn't be...
That's why... I don't consider myself as a leader...
Because all I did to the citizens of Greenhill is to bring chaos, disappointments and sufferings that any human wouldn't want to have...
I'm nothing but a failure...
And that's true...nothing can change it...
[end of part three]
A/N: Reviews please! Comments, suggestions, opinions? Bring it on!!! He he he he!!!
Riou: Neh, Faye-chan, ur so great! True, Shin and Teresa were a nice couple!
Faye: Oh man! No, Lord Riou, I'm not that great as what you think I am! Gosh! *blush*
Riou: Good thing you know... I'm only saying that for you to make a fic about me and Eilie... *grumbles*
Faye: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!! YOU'RE CUTE BUT LORD SHU IS HANDSOME! Nyah! *sticks tongue out*
Riou: Oh no! Don't even think about it! Don't make Shu a fic before me!
Faye: Hmmm...
Riou: Oh please I beg you! I'm the leader and he's ONLY a strategist!
Faye: Well... guess what?!
*Riou questioned look*
Faye: LOOK BEHIND YOU!
Shu: Only a strategist???!!! ONLY???!!! Why you little---!!!
WHACK! TOINK! PAK! BLAGAG!
^^;; Riou and Shu are both kawaiiiii!!!
