Usual Disclaimers Apply.  Konami own Suikoden 2 and all it's respective characters, places and names.  But they are really nice people who wouldn't dream of doing anything to the poor helpless fan fiction writer who is doing this for fun, not profit.

This is more like a series of mini chapters rather than one whole chapter.  It is supposed to showcase the newer characters in the story, but I tried to make sure everybody got at least a mention in there somewhere.  Enough talk, on with the chapter!

---

Chapter Forty Five

The New Kids of the Castle

(Location: Various)

---

"Well I must say Leona, you have done a fantastic job setting up this bar." 

Kain of the Divine Dragoon looked over at the proprietor of the bar, which a few days ago was nothing more than a pile of rubble. 

"It was pretty easy, there are always people willing to help when the reward is alcohol." Leona replied, sounding very serious despite the joke.

"This place could become pretty popular," Kain continued, "Maybe you should think about hiring some waitresses soon."

"When I want advice from a knight in shining armour I will ask for it…" Leona countered, "Although I do suppose it's worth considering, even so."

Kain would have smiled, if he was the smiling type, when the waitresses would inevitably appear, Leona would probably take the credit for the idea. 

"Yeah, think about it while you get me another beer."

Leona narrowed her eyes, "Watch how you talk to me.  You may have fancy armour on, but I could still sort you out."

Leona fussed away, getting Kain's drink anyway.

Yeah, I don't see many people being able to stand up to an irate Leona…

---

"And then Bonaparte ran away into those nasty ruins, and that's when we met Andrew who says he's a treasure hunter, but I think he's really a thief.  But that's not important right now, all that was important was chasing after Bonaparte.  He did the cutest thing when he saved us from that giant two headed snakey thing…"

Chris could only blink as Millie retold the tale of how she got mixed up with this "army thing" as she had so delicately put it.  How does she talk on and on without stopping for breath anyway…?

"…and then we got to Muse City, which is where everything really went horribly wrong."

The unthinkable happened.  Millie stopped talking.  Chris quickly picked up on that fact and looked at Millie, who was wiping a tear from her eye.  She regained her composure quickly enough though.

"But that doesn't matter now.  I've got all my friends with me here to play with!  What could be better?"

Slightly shocked that the permanently sugar-rushed Millie was letting him talk, Chris decided to reply quickly.  "Ending this war…"

"Oh, that's a bonus!"

Chris would've said something in reply, but Millie was fussing over Bonaparte again.  He sighed.  Amazing how she could've been through so much and yet be so innocent. 

He looked up as he saw a older looking kid approach them.

"Hey Millie, have you seen Warren anywhere?"

Millie seemed to be too busy with Bonaparte to notice, but she replied anyway. "Nope.  I've been to busy reminisking with Chris."

Chris shook his head, "Reminiscing, Millie," He corrected.

"That too!"

"Oh…Chris was it? I'm Malcolm," Malcolm shook Chris' hand, "Chris…sounds familiar…oh yeah, there was some scruffy looking guy talking about you in the Great Hall…his name was Fisher, Fitser…something like that."

"Oh, so Fitcher made it here after all," Chris smirked in a slightly malicious manner, "Good, now he can pay up.  Which way to the Great Hall?"

Malcolm pointed behind him, "You take those stairs…"

"Don't be silly, I'll take you there personally!" Millie beamed as she took Chris' hand and led him up the stairs.

Malcolm could only watch in what seemed to be a mixture of amusement and bewilderment.

"Cute couple…" He uttered, before resuming his search for Warren.

---

Kahri was also deep in search for Warren, but as he passed the makeshift infirmary Doctor Huan had set up, he decided to pay a visit to one of Huan's patients.

Doctor Huan seemed to be out, but Tuta was there watching over the still unconscious form that lay on the bed…well, it was more of a mattress really…he didn't look too much older than Kahri, facially, but his grey hair kinda ruined his boyish good looks.  Kahri felt a small blush starting and quickly turned away from the sleeping form.

"So, nothing has happened since we brought him in?" Kahri asked Tuta.

"Nope.  Doctor Huan is getting worried about him now," Tuta replied with a small sigh of sadness.

Kahri looked over the sleeping figure again.  He seemed to be more than just a run of the mill person you could meet anyday.  For a start there was some sort of crest on the black chest plate he wore, two swords crossed behind an elegant looking swan.  The swords each seemed to be emitting stars.  The cape he had worn, now torn in several places, could once have been described as white, but now seemed dingy, with a blue hem.  

Then there was his sword.  Kahri hadn't noticed it before now, but it seemed well used.  Too well used, it seemed to be rusty in places.  Still, it looked like it would take a lot to even dent it.  

In short, Kahri thought he looked like a person of royal birth.  Or at least somebody with some noble lineage.  Not somebody you'd think of being chased out of South Window by an angry mob.

That point further puzzled Kahri.  He had taken the blame of being a spy for that girl, but why?  She seemed like the type who could easily handle herself in such a situation…and he just looks…fragile.

And then the Rune on his right hand started to glow. 

Kahri had seen Rune's react before, but this one seemed to envelop the room in a dark shadow.  Kahri heard Tuta scream, but in a way it seemed the scream came from miles away rather than from the same room.  Kahri risked another glance at the shadows…no, not shadows…

NO way!

What Kahri saw was truly breathtaking.  It was not shadows that had enveloped the room, but a beautiful starlit night sky.  Kahri peered over at Tuta, who had calmed down and was equally in awe.

Kahri then turned to the figure on the bed, who looked so peaceful despite his rune causing such magnificence.  It was a sight Kahri would not soon forget, as a full moon suddenly appeared over the bed, and a moonbeam enveloped the figure on the bed.

"It's…." Kahri struggled to make himself heard, "…It's healing him!"

Kahri saw Tuta's mouth moving in reply, but no sound was being made.  The illusion of the night sky made no noise, but seemed to suck the sounds from the room.  If Kahri knew what a vacuum was, he'd have compared the effect the illusion made to one.

Then the door swung open.

In that fraction of a second it took for the door to open the illusion vanished.  It had appeared with such magnitude, but it had ended in such an anticlimactic way.  Doctor Huan walked into the room.

"Has the patient shown any signs of life yet, Tuta?" He asked, walking over to the bed.

He never saw any of it…I don't believe it.  It's as if it hadn't happened at all.  Kahri gazed back at Tuta, who seemed equally awestruck at the whole situation. 

"Did you hear me Tuta?" Doctor Huan asked his assistant, "Has the patient shown any signs…"

He never finished, as he has to jump back from the bed as the figure bolted to a sitting position.  The figure's eyes darted from Kahri to Tuta to Huan and back to Kahri again. 

"Where am I?  Oh, I hope my rune didn't cause any havoc," He looked around the room some more, "Well everything seems to be okay.  Last time it damaged a small house waking me up."

Nobody seemed to have anything to say, and the figure suddenly blushed.

"Oh, where are my manners?  My name is Joseph Zonestar…I'm looking for North Window Castle, am I anywhere near it?"

Everybody seemed in shock.  Eventually Kahri pipped up, "Closer than you might think…um, you can take care of him, I gotta…go…now."

Kahri rushed out of the room a shade too quickly, crashing right into somebody. 

"Kahri! Watch where you're going!" Malcolm yelled.

"Sorry, come on…gotta find Warren." Kahri murmured, before heading off.

Malcolm rubbed his forehead, "What is with everyone today?"

---

Kara ran into Kuskus Town, with Elaine and Andrew following close behind.

"What's the rush?" Andrew panted, not expecting a full out sprint to Kuskus.

Elaine instinctively brushed her hair back over her shoulder, "Oh, like it'll do you any harm to get some exercise.  You're getting kind of pudgy."

"Pudgy?!?" Andrew yelled, but in more of a playful manner.

"Yes, pudgy," Elaine said again, "You could use the exercise."

Elaine poked Andrew's stomach, causing Kara to sigh.

"Okay, so I know you'd rather be alone right now to sort things out and stuff, and since I don't wanna be the third wheel in all this…why don't you two wait at the inn and I'll go talk to this Tai Ho fellow."

"I don't know…Tai Ho seems kind of unsavoury to me." Andrew replied, secretly liking the idea of some private time with Elaine.

"Oh please, who's more unsavoury than a spy like me?" Kara said, twirling around.  She smiled, "Go on.  You two should get as much alone time as possible.  That castle is no place for a budding romance after all."

And with that Kara bounded off towards the docks.

"Damn, she's very perceptive." Elaine said conversationally, "But caring too…remind you of anyone?"

"Yeah…she's a bit like that Malcolm guy," Andrew replied, totally missing the point of the question.

"I was talking about you, silly." Elaine tossed her hair, "So now we've got some free time, what should we do?"

"Well, I do have a couple of ideas…" Andrew grinned.

Elaine wasn't the kind to blush, but even she couldn't contain the red hints that appeared on her pale features.  It didn't help that Andrew stroked her left cheek before catching Elaine with a kiss that she was expecting, but still managed to take her breath away.

---

Ryu led Nanami and Riou back into Radat Town.  Last time they came here it was to get Shu to help them out.  Generally, they hoped getting Amada to help them out would be a lot easier.

"So how exactly do you know Amada anyway?" Nanami asked, the question had been bugging her for a while.

"Oh…well, it's embarrassing to say, but he saved my life once.  You see, despite my obvious brilliance…I'm not a strong swimmer.  Amada saved me from drowning.   We became friends after that.  And now he has the chance to join our army, I'm sure he'll be most honoured."

"You make it sound like a done deal…" Riou sighed, "It seems you owe him one rather than the other way around."

"And what better way to repay my debt than by letting him join us?"

Nanami scratched her forehead, rather bemused by Ryu.  She whispered to Riou, "I think we let too many arrogant people into the army…"

"They sure make things…interesting," Riou replied with a smile.

"You should smile more often, it doesn't suit you to be all pouty all the time." Nanami chirped, before following Ryu towards the bridge.

"Ah, Ryu.  Haven't seen you for a while, what cha been up too?" Amada bellowed.

Ryu didn't hesistate in bragging, "Well you see Amada, I decided to join Lord Riou's army to rid the world of Highland.  But we have a slight problem, we need an experienced boatsman, and by that I mean you, to get a few select members to Two River City."

Amada scratched his chin, and looked behind Ryu to see Riou and Nanami standing there.  "So you need a captain for your boat, am I right?  Or is there more..."

"Well, we certainly could use your strength to defeat the Highland Army too…" Riou added as an afterthought.

Amada brightened up.  "Eh? You're fighting against the Highland Army?"

"I do believe I already mentioned that detail…" Ryu replied.

"Great! I am impressed!"  Amada took another look at Riou, "Okay, here's what I'll do. Because of what happened last time, this time we'll decide it! A one on one battle with me! If you win, I'll join your group!"

"Again?  Isn't getting beat up by Riou once not enough for you?" Nanami exclaimed.

"No, it's okay Nanami.  I have no problems with Amada's terms." Riou twirled his Tonfa expertly, and assumed his regular fighting stance.

"Oh, it's so exciting," Ryu stood back as Amada and Riou took their positions.

"Exciting?" Nanami replied, "Whatever…"

---

Kara had no trouble spotting Tai Ho and Yam Koo.  Ryu had called them ragamuffins, which seemed like a perfectly accurate statement really.  Kara quickly approached them, trying to ignore Tai Ho's lecherous look.

"Now I'm only assuming this, but would you be Tai Ho?" Kara asked, still trying to ignore the expression on Tai Ho's face.

"Well, depends on who's asking little lady." He replied.

Kara managed to stop herself from taking out one of her daggers and playing naughts and crosses on his chest.  She took a deep breath and continued, "Look, I'm representing the rebel army, and we need an experienced boater to get some of us to Two River.  And hello, my face is up here, not down there…"

"Ignore him," Yam Koo sighed, "He's like this ALL the time around pretty girls."

Kara opened her mouth, but paused.  Tai Ho was just a lecherous old geezer, at least Yam Koo seemed honest.  Although you couldn't really tell somebody's honesty when their eyes are covered up.

Kara rolled her eyes, "Whatever.  I've got a lot of things I'd rather be doing, and FYI you're not it.  So are you gonna help us or not?"

Tai Ho thought about it, "Well you certainly are a feisty little madam.  But you're not getting me on feistyness alone.  So I propose a test of luck, a little game of Chinchiron.  What do you think?  Are you up for the challenge?"

Kara sighed, "You know, I we didn't need you, I'd slap you.  But fine, I'll play your little game."

Tai Ho grinned, "Fine then.  I assume you know how to play?"

Kara put her hand on Tai Ho's shoulder, "Shut your mouth, and roll the dice already."

Tai Ho grinned even more, "You're my kind of girl."

Kara grinned too, "Too bad you're no where near my kind of guy.  Roll 'em."

Tai Ho grabbed the dice, and rolled them with a deft flick of the wrist…

---

"We've looked everywhere Kahri.  Let's face it, Warren isn't in the castle anymore," Malcolm sighed.

"We haven't looked everywhere, there's still downstairs to go," Kahri replied, "Oh come on, let's go already."

Malcolm frowned, "But…all that's down there are the docks, the prison…and," Malcolm shuddered, "The makeshift graveyard."

"I promise you don't have to go in there.  So, docks or prison?"

"I'll look in the docks.  Might feel at home."

"I'd say the same…but that would be silly."

"Kahri.  You ARE silly."

"That's not the point."

"Can we make it the point?"

"Shut up and search the docks already."

Malcolm held back a giggle, which nobody would've heard anyway over the loud explosion…

Kahri fell over from the shock, "What the hell?"

Malcolm frowned, "Oh joy, it came from the graveyard."

"Well? Let's go check it out!" Kahri ran towards the graveyard.

"You gotta be kidding!" Malcolm sighed, but Kahri ran right in, "Oh, you're not kidding…oy."

The graveyard was mercifully quiet.  Kahri had his Spatula raised, and ready to strike.  But…there was nobody in there apart from himself.

"Nobody's here!" He muttered, as Malcolm slowly creeped into the graveyard.

Malcolm frowned, "But that explosion…it came from in here…can corpses explode?"

Kahri smirked, "Now who's being silly," It wasn't a question.

"I'm not being silly," Malcolm shivered, "I just don't think straight around dead people."

Kahri dragged the really reluctant Malcolm around the graveyard, making sure nobody was there.  The graveyard had just been set up, but even so there were graves littered around.  Nobody would ever come to mourn for them.

"Okay, this is officially weird," Kahri sighed, "Huge explosion, but no rubble or anything…"

Malcolm opened his mouth to respond, but stopped suddenly.  A strange sensation overwhelmed Malcolm, who fell to his knees.

"What's wrong with you now?  Other than your graveyard-o-phobia?"  Kahri asked, hiding his concern with humour as usual.

Malcolm's eyes had closed over, "A spell…" He faltered.

"A spell caused the explosion?  But there's nobody here!"

"No…spell…cast…DUCK!"

Kahri was taken by surprise by that last comment, luckily for him Malcolm managed to trip him up as a huge lightning bolt crashed into the spot Kahri was in only seconds before.  Kahri turned very pale, and fainted seconds later.

"Well…that's…new." Malcolm fumbled for the words as he lifter Kahri up, "Infirmary for you, and sedation for me…"

---

Energy crackled around the limp body of Avara.  There was no questioning the power that was being collected, but when the person gathering the energy happens to be unconscious at the time, you know something is wrong.  Unbeknownst to the young wizard, his magical energy was manifesting itself while he slept.  And without any way of releasing it naturally, it was almost becoming alive as it struck out randomly.

Many people had gathered around the room Avara had been placed in after he was found outside Leona's bar, unconscious.  Nobody could get in though, as the pent-up magical energy was too strong.

Doctor Huan stood outside, the most worried of all the onlookers.  "If this continues, he could easily be killed by his own magical energy."

"What's going on…?"

Huan turned to see the boy from before, Joseph.  He looked much better than before, having had a chance to rest, although his wounds were still very clear to the eye.

"You can sense the magical energy for miles…" Joseph added, "Why has it built up so strongly?"

"The magician in question is unconscious," Huan replied, "And for some reason the energy hasn't dissipated like it normally should."

"Hmm…seems like he was casting a spell before he fell unconscious, and the energy has just kept growing because he can't cast it," Joseph replied, totally serious.

Huan's jaw dropped slightly, but the good doctor managed to regain his composure quickly, "I don't suppose you know anyway of helping him out?"

"Afraid not, eventually the energy will be able to release itself…we might not want to be around for that though."

Huan was undeterred, "How do you know so much about this?"

Joseph's face went blank, then turned into a puzzled expression, "Oh…I can't seem to remember…it was somewhere, I vaguely remember being taught it…nope.  Can't think…this is most annoying."

Joseph looked up and realized everyone was staring at him.  Joseph blushed and immediately turned away.

By turning away, Joseph was the first person to spot the eery glow that was now coming out of the room Avara lay in.  Joseph backed away from the door, "It's happening…it's getting ready to burst."

Everyone panicked…and then the world seemed to explode around them.

---

Riou and Amada were both tiring, but not willing to show their exhaustion to the other.  The fight had been going on for quite a while now, and both Ryu and Nanami looked bored. 

Riou decided to go for broke, and charged at Amada.  But Amada had the same idea, and it seemed they would clash head to head…

Until the biggest lightning bolt anyone had ever seen crashed down between them.  The impact sent both Riou and Amada flying backwards.  Riou managed to tuck and roll into his landing, coming away with a scrape, but Amada landed hard onto the bridge, his body convulsing in a very disturbing way.  Nanami and Ryu both gaped at what had just happened.  The fight had lasted for so long, and it ended within milliseconds…

---

Rubble fell from the ceiling of the bar as Leona and Kain took cover under one of the tables. 

"Is it an earthquake?" Leona yelled as another bit of debris crashed down.

"I don't think it is…it seems much more powerful than that!" Kain replied.

"But, what else could cause this to happen?" Leona cried out.

Kain was about to reply, but stopped suddenly as he saw a large portion of the ceiling was about to fall down right on top of them.  Without a word, he scooped Leona up and jumped out from under the table, despite Leona's protests.  The rubble crashed into the table, destroying it easily.  Leona saw it, and was about to thank Kain, but Kain was in motion again as he dodged more falling rubble.  Kain tripped over a piece of debris, and he and Leona both tumbled down, luckily landing outside the bar.  The sound of crashing debris was very audible.

And Leona's anger was very obvious.  "When I find out who is responsible for this…"

Kain sighed, "Which room is above the bar anyway?"

Leona thought about it, "One of the rooms Doctor Huan uses for his patients…oh, I hope nobody was up there during that!"

"We'd better go see," Kain said, before he and Leona headed towards the castle's main entrance.

---

"Two Fives and a Six," Tai Ho grinned, "Think you can do any better?"

"You know, if you're as good with boats as you are at talking, then this is almost worth it," Kara sighed as she picked up the dice.

"Hurry it up you two," Yam Koo warned, "I sense a storm comin'."

"What are you talkin' about Yam Koo?" Tai Ho looked doubtful, "There ain't a cloud in the sky."

Kara frowned, "No…I think he's right.  The air seems…wrong."

"You're just sayin' that to delay your roll, girl," Tai Ho sneered again.

"Whatever," Kara shook the dice and threw them towards the Chinchiron bowl.

"Look out!" Yam Koo yelled.

Kara didn't even get a chance to react as Yam Koo tackled her, both of them falling into the water below.  Kara was about to yell at Yam Koo, until she saw the lightning bolt crash into the spot she was sitting on seconds ago.  Tai Ho looked shellshocked.

"Well I'll be damned…" Tai Ho shook his head.

"I don't believe it…" Kara's eyes were wide, "I…"

She never got to finish, "You rolled a 4, 5, 6! Dammit, I lost!" Tai Ho moaned.

Kara and Yam Koo both sweatdropped as Tai Ho helped them out of the water.  Kara's hair stuck to her face, and suddenly she was sporting the messy Yam Koo hairdo.  Luckily she didn't have a mirror to see that…

"Okay, so I guess this means you win," Tai Ho smiled.

"Oh no, not again…" Yam Koo moaned, but he was already resigned to helping.

Tai Ho nodded, "Yep, despite that little trick with the lightning, you won our services."

"We'll stop off at the inn to get you two dried off first, can't have you catchin' a cold now can we?" He added, mainly as an afterthought.

"Good idea," Kara wrung her hair out, drops of water splashed everywhere, "My companions are waiting there for us anyway."

They walked silently to the inn, not quite sure of what had just happened back there. 

"You know," Tai Ho said, thinking out loud, "the wet look really suits you."

Kara said nothing, but she did shoot a nasty look in Tai Ho's direction.  Tai Ho simply laughed, while Yam Koo sighed the sigh of someone who's seen it all before.

"Open up! This is not a request you know! The Highland army orders you to open this door!"

They all stopped abruptly upon hearing that.  Tai Ho pointed in the direction of the inn, seemingly the direction the voice had come from.  Kara poked her head around the corner, and saw three Highland soldiers.  She turned back to Tai Ho and Yam Koo and mouthed the number "3" to them.  They both nodded as they took out their weapons, trident like spears.  Kara gripped the hilts of her daggers, and as one the three of them jumped out from behind the corner.  The Highland soldiers were caught way off guard, and never had the chance to react as they were felled by the fishermen's tridents and Kara's daggers. 

Tai Ho was first to speak up, "Wow, pretty and deadly, you are the total package."

"Which makes her pretty deadly," Yam Koo added.

"Yeah, yeah, let's make sure everyone inside is okay…" Kara was beginning to think going on her own to recruit these two WAS a bad idea after all, not that she'd admit it to anyone though.

"Door's locked," Yam Koo shrugged.

"Let me see…" Kara looked at the door in a very professional manner, before opening it with a mighty kick.

Everyone inside the inn turned to see the pretty blonde girl who had just destroyed the door.  The landlord looked like he would pass out at any second.

Kara sweatdropped, "Sorry about that…  We're part of Lord Riou's army, and we're just making sure nobody got hurt and stuff.  Oh yeah, and I'm looking for a couple of lovestruck kids."

"Over here."

Kara looked over and saw Andrew tending to an apparently unconscious Elaine.  "What in the hell happened to her?" Kara looked at Andrew, who seemed to be wounded too, "What happened here?"

"The Highland Army is trying to take over Kuskus!" One of the patrons yelled.

"Yeah, that's pretty much the gist of it," Andrew added, "We tried to hold them off…but there were too many of them.  Elaine told me to stand back, she said she had a plan…the Rune on her hand.  I hadn't noticed it before then, but it somehow made her a super version of herself.  She managed to kill enough soldiers to cause a retreat, but she fell unconscious after it.  An after effect of the Rune, I guess…"

"So they'll be outside Kuskus by now…" Tai Ho seemed deep in thought, "We'll have to take our boat back to Genkaku Castle."

"We just can't leave Kuskus to fall to Highland!" Kara countered.

Tai Ho laughed, "And you think the four of us can compete with the entire Highland army, missy?"

"Ah…you may have a point there." Kara was deflated and defeated.

"The sooner we get back to the castle, the sooner we can get some help," Andrew added, hiding the fact the help he wanted was more for Elaine than the people of Kuskus.  He mentally berated himself for thinking that way.

But dammit, I can't help it…

"Right, let's go already," Yam Koo nodded, as he left the inn.

Only for an arrow to fly right into his leg.  Yam Koo fell to the ground as the arrow shivered in it's new holster.  Tai Ho looked shocked and helped Yam Koo up, then looked at the entrance of Kuskus…where a veritable army was marching onwards. 

Kara, followed by Andrew, who was carrying Elaine, stopped dead in their tracks. 

"Go on, run for it…" Kara motioned backwards to the docks, "I'll hold them off."

"We're not just gonna leave you here," Tai Ho replied.

"Look buster, your buddy and his girlfriend need medical attention, we do NOT have time to argue."

Tai Ho's eyes narrowed, but he knew she was right.  Hoisting Yam Koo over his shoulder, he and Andrew made their way to the docks.

"Oh boy, I hope this Rune of mine still works…"

Kara raised her left hand into the air, the rune began to glow a firey red colour.  And without warning a wall of pure fire erupted from the ground in front of the army.  They had no choice but to stop, leaving Kara to smirk at them.

"Fire Wall, such a handy spell to know really."

The soldiers were yelling by now, as Kara stuck her tongue out at them and rushed to catch up with the others. 

"Get in already!" Tai Ho yelled as Kara ran towards the boat.  With a jump, she landed safely on the deck, the boat began it's voyage to Genkaku Castle.

That Fire Wall won't last much longer…Kara thought sadly, we're not gonna have time to get back to save Kuskus.

She took one final look at the port town, before turning away.  Tears welling up in her eyes…

---

"Does this mean that Riou won?  I mean he's still standing and Amada's down and out," Nanami asked, totally confused.

"You know…I don't have any idea," Ryu replied, still shocked at the power of the lightning bolt, "But I do know Amada needs some medical assistance.  Perhaps we should take him to the esteemed Doctor Huan before it is too late?"

"Good idea," Riou confirmed, "Come on then, let's help him up."

"You want me to help lift him up?" Ryu was confused.

"It was your idea, and besides Nanami's not strong enough to support this guy."

"Hey!" Nanami yelled, knowing full well Riou was probably right anyway.

"Oh very well then.  Only for my friend's sake," Ryu grasped one of Amada's arms and helped Riou hoist him up.

"Let us depart for Genkaku Castle," Ryu added, "Where I shall most certainly recommend that Amada goes on a diet…"

---

Avara sat upright, then wished he hadn't as a wave of nausea overwhelmed him.  He heard voices outside the door.

"I think it's safe to go in now Doctor."

"I hope the patient is okay."

The door opened and Avara watched as the doctor and a strange grey haired kid walked into the room.

"Oh good, you're awake.  How are you feeling?" The Doctor asked.

"Just fine, apart from the nausea and the stomach pain and an overwhelming hatred for all things destiny."

"You have no idea what happened, do you?" The grey haired kid asked, "You had built up enough energy to level half the continent!  Hopefully by releasing the energy you did not, in fact, level half the continent."

"What's going on?" Leona yelled as she and Kain ran into the room, "The ceiling was collapsing on my bar!"

Joseph sighed, "Um, it wasn't his fault…"

"I guess I'm sorry," Avara lay back down, the nausea threatening to take effect again, "I didn't mean to destroy anything.  Well, unless you count Luc…and knowing my luck he'll be the only thing I didn't hit."

"I think you need more time to rest," Doctor Huan ordered, "Joseph, perhaps you should stay to make sure nothing else goes wrong."

"Me?  B…but…me?"

Doctor Huan nodded, "You seem to know the most about magical energy, despite not knowing how you came across that knowledge.  That makes you the perfect candidate to watch over Avara."

"I don't need a babysitter, thank you," Avara grumped.

Joseph gulped, "I…oh…I suppose I can manage it.  I think."

Avara let out a small hiss of anger, causing Joseph to flinch involuntarily.

"Well, if everything is in order, Leona, perhaps we should get back down to sort out what needs to be done in the bar." Kain turned to leave.

Leona frowned, "Hey, don't order me around."

"It wasn't an order," Kain replied, "Just an idea."

"Bah, lucky for you it's a good idea."

And with that everyone but Joseph and Avara left the room.  Avara snorted, but lay his head back down on the pillow to attempt a restful sleep.

Avara looked back at Joseph first, "Just sit there and be quiet.  I do not want to be disturbed."

Joseph gulped, apparently in consent, as he watched Avara slip into slumber.

What is it that drew the Rune to this castle? Joseph looked at the Night Sky Rune that was embedded in his hand, Is it…fate?  Perhaps it is here that I will finally learn about my past…

The past I have so cruelly forgotten.

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Next chapter sees some of our heroes head of towards Two River City, but more than likely there will be a few surprises along the way.  Will Chris ever get his fee off of Fitcher?  Will Avara and Luc ever settle their score?  Will the next chapter be up a lot quicker than this one?  Find out the answer to at least two of those questions in the next chapter!