Sudden Impulse
By Red Guard
Disclaimer: I do not, did not and probably will not own Suikoden or any of the characters appearing in or associated with it. Konami owns the characters and events appearing in this work.
Author's Notes: Right, now to try my hand at a short and fluffy Suikoden story, I hope I do not do too badly.
Side Story 1 : The Butcher
************************************************************************
'No!' He screamed as shot upright.
He heaved breathlessly as his bewildered eyes searched through the black darkness that was before him. It was a nightmare. The same nightmare that plagued his nights ever since the war ended. He ran his hand through his sweat-soaked hair as he recalled the past six torturous months. Six months without restful slumber. Six months without peace.
He shuddered as drew the sheets around himself. Laying his head on the sweat soaked pillow, he surrendered himself to the darkness. He knew that the voices would visit him again, they always did. The inevitability of the situation depressed him to no end.
He wondered how long it would take for his sanity to abandon him.
************************************************************************
The floor rushed up to meet him. Pain shot through his body as he crashed onto the cold stone floor. Amidst the throbbing pain, he heard his sword clatter as it landed beside his prone body.
'My Lord!' A young knight rushed to his side. 'I am terribly sorry.'
He groaned as he picked himself off the floor, wincing as another bout of pain wracked him. 'Excellently done. Have you been practicing?'
'Yes, my Lord.'
'Apparently your training has paid off. I am impressed with your improvement.'
The young knight glowed with pride. 'Thank you, my Lord!'
'Now, leave me be. Continue with your lessons.'
'Yes, my Lord!' The knight saluted and walked off.
He reached down and picked up sword. The spar went horribly. To be bested by a mere squire was a horrendous insult. Suddenly, a bout of shuddering overcame him and he sank to his knees, his sword once again clattering on the floor. He was turning into a wreck. His much-vaunted skill with the blade had left him. While no one questioned his status as a knight, he knew that if this carried on, it would only be a matter of time before his position would be challenged. How he dreaded that day. The day where he would lose everything he had.
He raised his gloved hands and clasped his head. The voices were growing louder, shriller, more insistent. He fought against the uncontrollable shivering that ran down his spine. His torment was unbearable, but he knew that he deserved every minute of it. After all, that was what a butcher deserved.
************************************************************************
His hand quivered as he stamped the Captain's seal onto the parchment. Impersonating the Captain of the Zexen Knights was a crime punishable by death, but he knew that he would not be caught, at least not today. Everyone was in the hall celebrating the one-year anniversary of the great victory. No one would bother climbing the multitude of stairs to visit what should be an empty office. Even if he was caught, he no longer feared death. In fact, he would welcome it.
His situation was getting from bad to worse. The nightmares that ravaged his nights grew more detailed, more vivid. He remembered butchering women, he remembered slaughtering children. He remembered laughing as he slashed and cut. The voices plagued his every waking hour. Painful reminders of what he had done on that fateful day. He had become a walking zombie, unable to sleep yet not able to stay awake. His life was in tatters.
He gave up fighting the battle for his sanity a long time ago. It was his retribution, his punishment for his deeds. And now, after a whole year of suffering, he decided that he would finally give in. The voices demanded it and he found himself agreeing with them. His sins were too severe. He would pay the ultimate penalty.
He looked at the parchment and rolled it up. He smiled sadly; it was going to be all over soon. He could take solace in that.
************************************************************************
The ride across the plains was a painful period of self-realization. His slow ride to his final resting place was strangely peaceful, almost as if the voices welcomed his decision. He closed his eyes and recalled the day where everything unraveled. The sound of the fire, the smell of death, the constant throbbing of his red-hot fury were fresh in his mind. How he regretted his beastly actions. How he wished he could turn back time. But it was too late. He had to pay the price for his actions. Only then could the voices rest in peace. Only then could he rest in peace.
In the distance stood a young man. No, he was more of a young chieftain. Hugo had grown in stature since the war ended. The Karayan Village was rebuilt due to his immense efforts. Efforts that were recognized everywhere, even in the intensely xenophobic Zexen Council.
The distance between them closed, and soon he could make out the young chieftain's shocked face. 'What are you doing here?' Hugo growled menacingly.
The knight climbed down his horse. 'I apologize for the deception, but I had to make sure you came alone.'
'So you asked Chris to write the letter for you?'
'No. I forged it.'
Hugo's eyes narrowed. 'I believe that felony warrants capital punishment.'
'It doesn't matter.' The knight said softly. 'I just wanted to meet you one last time.'
'What does the Butcher of Karaya want with me?'
The Butcher of Karaya. He knew that was what everyone called him. Everyone knew of his sins. Everyone knew the monster that lurked inside of him. All the better, there would be no one to mourn his passing. Such an end truly befits a butcher like him. He slowly drew his sword. 'A duel.'
'I do not think Lady Chris would approve.'
'This is your chance for vengeance. I slew a hundred of your clansmen and clanswomen. Surely you will not disgrace their memory by allowing me to strike you down.'
A fierce flame began to burn in Hugo's eyes. 'How dare you sully the names of those that you murdered! How dare you imply that they would be as bloodthirsty as you!'
'But they are.' He smiled softly.
'That's it.' Hugo drew his sword. 'If it is a fight you want then that I what I am going to give it to you. Prepare to defend yourself, the Butcher of Karaya, Lord Borus.'
Borus watched Hugo lunged forward. It was going to be over soon. His debt would be paid in full.
************************************************************************
A burst of flame flung him off his feet and his body slammed onto the ground. He grimaced as he turned to face the Karayan. 'Finish it.' He whispered hoarsely.
Hugo walked up to the fallen knight and kneeled down beside Borus. 'Why did you not fight?'
'What are you talking about?' Borus raised his voice. 'You won. I lost. Kill me!'
Hugo sheathed his blade. 'Don't kid with me. I know when a fighter does not wish to fight. Why?'
'Finish it! Draw your blade!' Borus called out. He had to die. He couldn't live anymore. The voices began to return. They tormented him; they chided him for being unable to pay for the blood he spilt. Their cries rendered his mind and their moans tore at his spirit. Did he have to live through the pain once again? He felt hot tears stream down his cheeks. 'Damn it Hugo! Kill me!'
'Why?' Came the soft reply.
'I cannot live! I do not deserve to live!' He yelled. 'All those people, I killed so many of them! The nightmares are so vivid, the day so fresh in my mind. They call out to me and they demand my death. Can you not see my pain? Can you not see the blood on my hands? Do you not know why they call me a butcher?'
Hugo could only stare, wide-eyed, at the wreck of a man before him.
'I cannot take it anymore. I need to die. Please, Hugo.' He turned his eyes towards the young Karayan and pleaded 'Kill me. Let the voices have their wish. Let my blood run on the land that I soiled so many months ago.'
'No.' Hugo said sternly. 'You are not tormented by the spirits, Borus. You are tormented by yourself.'
'What are you talking about?' Borus shot back. 'I can hear them. I can feel them.'
'You are torturing yourself. The spirits of Karaya do not lust after blood, nor do they believe in vengeance. Your own guilt is tearing you apart.' Hugo told the knight. 'At least, now I know that you are not the cold hearted monster that the stories paint you as. Guilt makes us all human.'
'But I am a monster! I still remember my hand tearing your village apart.'
'That is in the past. Now is the present.' Hugo smiled. 'If you wish to atone so badly, you can do so much better than killing yourself. Karaya is still in the process of rebuilding itself and we need all the help that we can get.'
'Are you saying that you have forgiven the one you call the Butcher of Karaya?'
Hugo offered his hand to the fallen knight. 'I cannot give you the forgiveness you seek, but I can help you look for it. Help me rebuild the village. I can guarantee that doing so will put those who fell to rest.'
And at that moment, a slight weight lifted off Borus' shoulders. He felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe it would work. Just maybe. With that, he clasped the offered hand and Hugo pulled him to his feet.
************************************************************************
A gentle breeze blew across the plains of Amur. Two men stood in silence, watching the wild animals run free. The morning sun lavished its rays upon the grassland, waking the flora from their rest.
'I have managed to secure the help of several traders. They will begin delivering the goods in a week's time.'
'Don't tell me that you paid for everything again.'
'Then I won't tell you.'
Hugo sighed. 'I can't have you paying for everything I ask for.'
'The Knights provide me with everything I need. The pay that I receive is just a bonus. I don't really need it.'
'You have given so much to my village. Without your help, I would have had a much harder time convincing others to help us.' Hugo looked at the knight. 'How long has it been? How much have you given?'
'Fifteen months.' Borus answered calmly. 'And I have not given enough yet.'
'It has been so long.' Hugo chuckled. 'Why do you wish for your aid to remain a secret? The villagers should know who their generous benefactor is.'
Borus shook his head. 'They would never understand. My presence would only cause more strife. Besides, I don't think that I could ever set foot in the village ever again. Not after what I did. Let them remember me as Borus the Butcher. It is easier that way.'
Hugo looked at the knight and sighed. Even after all this time, Borus was never able to forgive himself. He had already done so much for Karaya. Every time that Hugo needed assistance, but was unable to find any in the Grasslands, he would ask Borus for help. And Borus would never refuse. His position as a knight offered him many privileges, and one of which was the incredible amount of connections that he had with Zexen. Borus never seemed to fail in his tasks, although he had to fork out quite a bit of money each time. Borus had already sacrificed so much, but he always claimed that his debt would never be paid.
The knight turned towards the Karayan chief. 'Is there anything that you want me to do? I must leave soon.'
'The fields are ready to be harvested so we are looking for a merchant company who is willing to purchase the goods.'
Borus nodded. 'I will see what I can do.'
Hugo thrust his hand out. 'I thank you for your help, my friend.'
Borus shook Hugo's hand. 'No, I thank you for giving me another chance.'
************************************************************************
Borus let his horse trod slowly across the plains. The months traveled by quickly. Ever since he agreed to aid the Karayan village, the nightmares began to subside. Life was becoming normal once again, but his bloodthirsty actions would never be forgotten. He could never forgive himself for that day, and so he willingly gave everything he had to the Karayan village. He couldn't give anything less.
His horse stopped suddenly, breaking him out of his reverie. He looked down, and saw a body, a female body, lying face down on the grass. In an instant, he was off his horse and turning the body around. He recognized her; it was Yuiri, the Alma Kinan warrior. What was she doing so far away from her village?
Her eyes fluttered open, and they focused upon his face. She whispered softly, 'Lady Chris? Is that you?'
Borus looked back at the young woman, utterly shocked. Yuiri was delirious; he needed to get her back to the castle. Her eyes closed again as she faded into unconsciousness. He lifted her off the ground and placed her on his horse.
Cradling her in his arms, he began to mad sprint back to Brass Castle. He had never ridden so fast in his life.
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Author's Notes: Finally! The Butcher revealed! I really overdid the angst this time, didn't I? But Borus deserved it; after all he did slaughter an entire village. It wouldn't make sense for him to get away without a huge dent in his conscience right?
My next chapter should also be another side story, but focusing on Yuiri and her troubles. Hopefully, I'll probably get back to the Fred/Yumi soon.
No Pre-readers were harmed in the making of this piece of fiction.
Anyways, please remember to email me at red_aurum@yahoo.com for any suggestions, critiques, reviews and the like. Please don't flame me, I have a fragile ego.
By Red Guard
Disclaimer: I do not, did not and probably will not own Suikoden or any of the characters appearing in or associated with it. Konami owns the characters and events appearing in this work.
Author's Notes: Right, now to try my hand at a short and fluffy Suikoden story, I hope I do not do too badly.
Side Story 1 : The Butcher
************************************************************************
'No!' He screamed as shot upright.
He heaved breathlessly as his bewildered eyes searched through the black darkness that was before him. It was a nightmare. The same nightmare that plagued his nights ever since the war ended. He ran his hand through his sweat-soaked hair as he recalled the past six torturous months. Six months without restful slumber. Six months without peace.
He shuddered as drew the sheets around himself. Laying his head on the sweat soaked pillow, he surrendered himself to the darkness. He knew that the voices would visit him again, they always did. The inevitability of the situation depressed him to no end.
He wondered how long it would take for his sanity to abandon him.
************************************************************************
The floor rushed up to meet him. Pain shot through his body as he crashed onto the cold stone floor. Amidst the throbbing pain, he heard his sword clatter as it landed beside his prone body.
'My Lord!' A young knight rushed to his side. 'I am terribly sorry.'
He groaned as he picked himself off the floor, wincing as another bout of pain wracked him. 'Excellently done. Have you been practicing?'
'Yes, my Lord.'
'Apparently your training has paid off. I am impressed with your improvement.'
The young knight glowed with pride. 'Thank you, my Lord!'
'Now, leave me be. Continue with your lessons.'
'Yes, my Lord!' The knight saluted and walked off.
He reached down and picked up sword. The spar went horribly. To be bested by a mere squire was a horrendous insult. Suddenly, a bout of shuddering overcame him and he sank to his knees, his sword once again clattering on the floor. He was turning into a wreck. His much-vaunted skill with the blade had left him. While no one questioned his status as a knight, he knew that if this carried on, it would only be a matter of time before his position would be challenged. How he dreaded that day. The day where he would lose everything he had.
He raised his gloved hands and clasped his head. The voices were growing louder, shriller, more insistent. He fought against the uncontrollable shivering that ran down his spine. His torment was unbearable, but he knew that he deserved every minute of it. After all, that was what a butcher deserved.
************************************************************************
His hand quivered as he stamped the Captain's seal onto the parchment. Impersonating the Captain of the Zexen Knights was a crime punishable by death, but he knew that he would not be caught, at least not today. Everyone was in the hall celebrating the one-year anniversary of the great victory. No one would bother climbing the multitude of stairs to visit what should be an empty office. Even if he was caught, he no longer feared death. In fact, he would welcome it.
His situation was getting from bad to worse. The nightmares that ravaged his nights grew more detailed, more vivid. He remembered butchering women, he remembered slaughtering children. He remembered laughing as he slashed and cut. The voices plagued his every waking hour. Painful reminders of what he had done on that fateful day. He had become a walking zombie, unable to sleep yet not able to stay awake. His life was in tatters.
He gave up fighting the battle for his sanity a long time ago. It was his retribution, his punishment for his deeds. And now, after a whole year of suffering, he decided that he would finally give in. The voices demanded it and he found himself agreeing with them. His sins were too severe. He would pay the ultimate penalty.
He looked at the parchment and rolled it up. He smiled sadly; it was going to be all over soon. He could take solace in that.
************************************************************************
The ride across the plains was a painful period of self-realization. His slow ride to his final resting place was strangely peaceful, almost as if the voices welcomed his decision. He closed his eyes and recalled the day where everything unraveled. The sound of the fire, the smell of death, the constant throbbing of his red-hot fury were fresh in his mind. How he regretted his beastly actions. How he wished he could turn back time. But it was too late. He had to pay the price for his actions. Only then could the voices rest in peace. Only then could he rest in peace.
In the distance stood a young man. No, he was more of a young chieftain. Hugo had grown in stature since the war ended. The Karayan Village was rebuilt due to his immense efforts. Efforts that were recognized everywhere, even in the intensely xenophobic Zexen Council.
The distance between them closed, and soon he could make out the young chieftain's shocked face. 'What are you doing here?' Hugo growled menacingly.
The knight climbed down his horse. 'I apologize for the deception, but I had to make sure you came alone.'
'So you asked Chris to write the letter for you?'
'No. I forged it.'
Hugo's eyes narrowed. 'I believe that felony warrants capital punishment.'
'It doesn't matter.' The knight said softly. 'I just wanted to meet you one last time.'
'What does the Butcher of Karaya want with me?'
The Butcher of Karaya. He knew that was what everyone called him. Everyone knew of his sins. Everyone knew the monster that lurked inside of him. All the better, there would be no one to mourn his passing. Such an end truly befits a butcher like him. He slowly drew his sword. 'A duel.'
'I do not think Lady Chris would approve.'
'This is your chance for vengeance. I slew a hundred of your clansmen and clanswomen. Surely you will not disgrace their memory by allowing me to strike you down.'
A fierce flame began to burn in Hugo's eyes. 'How dare you sully the names of those that you murdered! How dare you imply that they would be as bloodthirsty as you!'
'But they are.' He smiled softly.
'That's it.' Hugo drew his sword. 'If it is a fight you want then that I what I am going to give it to you. Prepare to defend yourself, the Butcher of Karaya, Lord Borus.'
Borus watched Hugo lunged forward. It was going to be over soon. His debt would be paid in full.
************************************************************************
A burst of flame flung him off his feet and his body slammed onto the ground. He grimaced as he turned to face the Karayan. 'Finish it.' He whispered hoarsely.
Hugo walked up to the fallen knight and kneeled down beside Borus. 'Why did you not fight?'
'What are you talking about?' Borus raised his voice. 'You won. I lost. Kill me!'
Hugo sheathed his blade. 'Don't kid with me. I know when a fighter does not wish to fight. Why?'
'Finish it! Draw your blade!' Borus called out. He had to die. He couldn't live anymore. The voices began to return. They tormented him; they chided him for being unable to pay for the blood he spilt. Their cries rendered his mind and their moans tore at his spirit. Did he have to live through the pain once again? He felt hot tears stream down his cheeks. 'Damn it Hugo! Kill me!'
'Why?' Came the soft reply.
'I cannot live! I do not deserve to live!' He yelled. 'All those people, I killed so many of them! The nightmares are so vivid, the day so fresh in my mind. They call out to me and they demand my death. Can you not see my pain? Can you not see the blood on my hands? Do you not know why they call me a butcher?'
Hugo could only stare, wide-eyed, at the wreck of a man before him.
'I cannot take it anymore. I need to die. Please, Hugo.' He turned his eyes towards the young Karayan and pleaded 'Kill me. Let the voices have their wish. Let my blood run on the land that I soiled so many months ago.'
'No.' Hugo said sternly. 'You are not tormented by the spirits, Borus. You are tormented by yourself.'
'What are you talking about?' Borus shot back. 'I can hear them. I can feel them.'
'You are torturing yourself. The spirits of Karaya do not lust after blood, nor do they believe in vengeance. Your own guilt is tearing you apart.' Hugo told the knight. 'At least, now I know that you are not the cold hearted monster that the stories paint you as. Guilt makes us all human.'
'But I am a monster! I still remember my hand tearing your village apart.'
'That is in the past. Now is the present.' Hugo smiled. 'If you wish to atone so badly, you can do so much better than killing yourself. Karaya is still in the process of rebuilding itself and we need all the help that we can get.'
'Are you saying that you have forgiven the one you call the Butcher of Karaya?'
Hugo offered his hand to the fallen knight. 'I cannot give you the forgiveness you seek, but I can help you look for it. Help me rebuild the village. I can guarantee that doing so will put those who fell to rest.'
And at that moment, a slight weight lifted off Borus' shoulders. He felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe it would work. Just maybe. With that, he clasped the offered hand and Hugo pulled him to his feet.
************************************************************************
A gentle breeze blew across the plains of Amur. Two men stood in silence, watching the wild animals run free. The morning sun lavished its rays upon the grassland, waking the flora from their rest.
'I have managed to secure the help of several traders. They will begin delivering the goods in a week's time.'
'Don't tell me that you paid for everything again.'
'Then I won't tell you.'
Hugo sighed. 'I can't have you paying for everything I ask for.'
'The Knights provide me with everything I need. The pay that I receive is just a bonus. I don't really need it.'
'You have given so much to my village. Without your help, I would have had a much harder time convincing others to help us.' Hugo looked at the knight. 'How long has it been? How much have you given?'
'Fifteen months.' Borus answered calmly. 'And I have not given enough yet.'
'It has been so long.' Hugo chuckled. 'Why do you wish for your aid to remain a secret? The villagers should know who their generous benefactor is.'
Borus shook his head. 'They would never understand. My presence would only cause more strife. Besides, I don't think that I could ever set foot in the village ever again. Not after what I did. Let them remember me as Borus the Butcher. It is easier that way.'
Hugo looked at the knight and sighed. Even after all this time, Borus was never able to forgive himself. He had already done so much for Karaya. Every time that Hugo needed assistance, but was unable to find any in the Grasslands, he would ask Borus for help. And Borus would never refuse. His position as a knight offered him many privileges, and one of which was the incredible amount of connections that he had with Zexen. Borus never seemed to fail in his tasks, although he had to fork out quite a bit of money each time. Borus had already sacrificed so much, but he always claimed that his debt would never be paid.
The knight turned towards the Karayan chief. 'Is there anything that you want me to do? I must leave soon.'
'The fields are ready to be harvested so we are looking for a merchant company who is willing to purchase the goods.'
Borus nodded. 'I will see what I can do.'
Hugo thrust his hand out. 'I thank you for your help, my friend.'
Borus shook Hugo's hand. 'No, I thank you for giving me another chance.'
************************************************************************
Borus let his horse trod slowly across the plains. The months traveled by quickly. Ever since he agreed to aid the Karayan village, the nightmares began to subside. Life was becoming normal once again, but his bloodthirsty actions would never be forgotten. He could never forgive himself for that day, and so he willingly gave everything he had to the Karayan village. He couldn't give anything less.
His horse stopped suddenly, breaking him out of his reverie. He looked down, and saw a body, a female body, lying face down on the grass. In an instant, he was off his horse and turning the body around. He recognized her; it was Yuiri, the Alma Kinan warrior. What was she doing so far away from her village?
Her eyes fluttered open, and they focused upon his face. She whispered softly, 'Lady Chris? Is that you?'
Borus looked back at the young woman, utterly shocked. Yuiri was delirious; he needed to get her back to the castle. Her eyes closed again as she faded into unconsciousness. He lifted her off the ground and placed her on his horse.
Cradling her in his arms, he began to mad sprint back to Brass Castle. He had never ridden so fast in his life.
************************************************************************
Author's Notes: Finally! The Butcher revealed! I really overdid the angst this time, didn't I? But Borus deserved it; after all he did slaughter an entire village. It wouldn't make sense for him to get away without a huge dent in his conscience right?
My next chapter should also be another side story, but focusing on Yuiri and her troubles. Hopefully, I'll probably get back to the Fred/Yumi soon.
No Pre-readers were harmed in the making of this piece of fiction.
Anyways, please remember to email me at red_aurum@yahoo.com for any suggestions, critiques, reviews and the like. Please don't flame me, I have a fragile ego.