Disclaimer: I no own Suikoden III or anything else... Hmph.

Note: Hm, I seemed to notice people like Chris/Hugo over Chris/Percival. Problem is, I don't like the Chris/Hugo pairing (Ya, I bet you think I'm crazy. Oh well) I'll just take it out entirely then Xx Unless you people can make any better suggestions?

Shadow's Abyss

Chapter 1-A-Hugo: Return to Karaya

Hugo was awake early the next morning, and was trying to kick his duck friend awake.

"Quack! Hugo, it isn't even sunrise yet!" Complained Sergeant Joe, who swished a wing at him. Hugo jumped back slightly, and smirked. "But I said we were going to leave at sunrise," he said, poking at the duck.

Sergeant Joe finally got up. He and Hugo gathered up needed supplies, and went out into the courtyard very shortly before sunrise. Lucia had joined them shortly after. "How many of us are going to be coming?" Hugo asked when he saw her come by. Lucia turned to him, and tilted her head, "A majority of them, I would imagine. Every one should help rebuild our home at least by a small amount."

A screech was heard not to long after Lucia discontinued her speaking. "Darn griffon!" Shouted a voice that was all too familiar. Fubar quickly dashed to Hugo's side, looking a bit disgruntled.

Lilly stomped over to Hugo, glaring slightly at Fubar, "You're going back to Karaya, eh?"

He only nodded, and sneaked a quick glance at Sergeant Joe, who shrugged and shook his head.

She put her hands on her hips, "Hrrrmmph. I can't exactly return to Tinto at this moment, so I will be going with you."

Hugo sighed in exasperation, "We are going back to help rebuild the village, you know," he said, looking towards her. "You think I'm going to perform manual labor?"

"Yes," Sergeant Joe replied sarcastically, becoming annoyed at the girl. "Uck! I can't believe you, you duck!"

"Why can't you go back to Tinto, anyway?" Hugo interrupted quickly before an argument unfolded between the Sergeant and Lilly.

Lilly tilted her head, and shrugged, "I was ordered to not come back... My father said he would be away."

"Away from you," mouthed the Sergeant. Lilly, however, seemed to have caught it. "Grr... Anyway, Samus! Reed! Get your lazy selves over here!"

The two grumbled, and walked over, "Yes, Milady?" Samus said somewhat disdainfully. "We are going with the Karaya Chief and her son, got it?" "Yes Milady," the two slurred, and shrugged.

They left not to long after the reunion, and many of the people were already getting tired of the non-stop bickering of Lilly.

Hugo shook the reigns of the Karayan horse he was riding, and trotted a little ways ahead of the group, realizing that if he stayed neared Lilly too much longer, he would probably try to gut her. He also wanted to keep a look out for monsters.

The trip from the castle back to the ruins of Karaya didn't take very long, a week at maximum. The monsters seemed to have settled down and not prefer to bother the group throughout the trip, despite Lilly's continuous loudness.

They returned to Karaya to find that the rebuilding had already starting, and it was coming fairly well. Lucia walked up behind Hugo, who had dismounted his horse. "Come, son, let's see who as returned," and with that, the two wandered into the village. Followed by Fubar and Joe, and any other villagers who traveled with them. Lilly, Samus, and Reed stayed behind while Lilly 'whipped' them into shape on how to behave here.

Which was a bad idea.

She had told them to stay and watch for monsters, but lacked to mention what to do if someone or something appeared.

A day passed sense they had gotten back, and the two were still out on guard duty, to their dismay. Hugo walked up behind them, "What're you two doing here?"

"Miss Lilly told us to keep guard," Reed said, turning around. "Ya, well, 'Miss' Lilly can go chew on some grass. You should come in and take a look around now. We've stopped for today to say hello to family members and friends. You two may not be Karayan, but you can still come join us."

Reed shrugged, and turned around to see is Samus had heard. "Sa—hey, why did you go all the way up there?"

Hugo walked up to Samus, who was at the large hill. He looked around, and saw a horse, unlike one he had ever seen, galloping toward the village. "Hmm..."

The rider looked to be Karayan, but Hugo wasn't sure from the point he could see. He jogged down the hill and closer to the gate to see if this person was coming to the village.

Ok, that's for Hugos first POV, next will be Chris, I should think... ::shrugs:: depends who I wanna release next.