My first non-star story!Hope you all like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own any Suikoden characters...or Suikoden itself.

Glistening Stardust

#5 Force Your Way

"AAARGGGHHHH!" A chestnut brown haired man threw his sword down in rage, stamping the ground furiously as he lost his fifth match in a row.

"Calm down, Seed. You can't win against me throwing a tantrum like that." A middle-aged man said calmly.

"Easy for you to say, next time I'll beat you and smash your stoic face to the ground, Culgan!" Seed spat out before picking his sword off and checking it for any damages.

Culgan shrugged. "That 'stoic face' is an advantage in the battlefield. There's not much I can do about that." He raised his sword into a battle stance and rushed forward again.

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Seed stepped out of the hot spring. After searching for his towel, he shook his hair violently like a dog does when it's wet before he finally wiped it dry (now that everything in sight was dripping). After getting dressed in casual clothes, something he did not do often, he stepped out of the small enclosing he was in. Seed's sharp eyes scanned over the campgrounds in front of him quickly before he stalked off to his cabin. Those rickety houses had been borrowed from nearby residents as the others all camped outside under flimsy tents. The inhabitants had been all too happy to lend their houses to the great commanders of the Highland Army. As Seed strode away, no soldier dared approach him, because they knew just from the air around him that something was very wrong, or rather, very normal, as Seed's horrible temperament was notorious. Say something he didn't like, suggest something he didn't appreciate, the unlucky person would most likely receive a punch across the jaw. And this was especially prone to happen when Seed had lost a match, especially when it's seven matches in a row.

Seed slammed open the door to find a very stoic Culgan in his room. "Get out, now!" Seed said furiously, pointing out the door. "Before I throw you out after cutting you to pieces!"

"How violent, as usual. Can't you say anything without threatening someone? Even your subordinates are afraid to approach you." Culgan pulled out a seat from under the table that separated the two. "Anyways, have a seat. There is something I need to talk to you about."

Seed glared at Culgan for a long time before taking his advice and plopping down reluctantly into a seat opposite the other Commander, but not before crossly muttering something containing the words "…my house…helps himself…"

Culgan continued as though Seed didn't say anything. "We have orders to attack Matilda two days from today. One of their camps is straight ahead from here. As the divisions closest to the location we will attack, I would like to request your assistance in aiding this assault."

"What the hell! We're from the same army, so why the hell do you have to request assistance from me! It's not like I've got a choice."

"Ah, yes, but won't the attack go more smoothly if we are in accordance with each other before marching into a battle? It may be a mere border skirmish, but you never know."

"Humph, suit yourself. I'll be doing just as I please anyways. You just better not get in my way. That way it'll all go smoothly. Now that that's over, leave before I have my men throw you out." Seed pointed curtly at the door.

Looking at Seed and seeing that he was far more polite than he was earlier, Culgan understood that Seed would not listen to him anymore, at least not for today. Politeness usually indicated a limit, the brim of the cup containing water about to overflow, and sure enough Seed was gritting his teeth so tightly that slight grinding noises could be heard. "I shall take my leave as you wish. I shall be back tomorrow, though. I hope you arrive to a more favorable conclusion before the assault actually takes place." Culgan stood and moved to the door. Just after he stepped outside, he turned away and, with light dancing in his eyes, he added, "By the way, that last sword stroke during the rematch today? It missed me completely. You were far too obvious; even a blind fool would be able to dodge your attack."

The door slammed so hard that the poor shack shook violently.

Culgan chuckled to himself, something he would never let Seed see him do for the sake of his image, as he walked towards his own cabin. It was so easy to irritate him that lately it has been Culgan's new form of entertainment. After all, what else was there to keep his attention?

Seed, however, saw this in a completely different light. Immediately after the door shut close (after it had swung past its frame and Seed had to painstakingly wrench it back inside the frame without ripping the door off its hinges), he found the nearest pillow and started to twist it violently. "That damn bastard, just because I missed…ARGH! I want to strangle him!" Needless to say, Culgan had completed his own private little mission, not helped the least by the fact that this time Seed had completely lost two matches at once. Just as Seed was about to deliver the decisive blow, Culgan kicked Seed in the stomach, sending him flying backwards, only to recover with Culgan's sword at his throat. It was a total embarrassment. How could he have let himself get caught off guard! And a sword was one thing, but a kick? Swordsmen weren't supposed to kick, they have swords to do the attacking! Seed punched the pillow some more.

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"Uh…sir? Are you all right?" A soldier asked after a moment's hesitation.

"Huh? Wha? Yes, yes, of course I'm all right! I'm just dandy. Just get on with your report." Seed rubbed his eyes once more. He didn't sleep much last night due to his frustration and his imagination (he did come up with many creative ways to kill Culgan though).

The soldier raised an eyebrow but soon resumed a militaristic tone. "Yes sir! There have been sightings of a detachment of the Matilda Army approaching sir! Solon Jhee recommends that we attack tonight!"

"What? Tonight? Does he have no idea what we have to go through and prepare before any attack?" Seed lowered his voice as he rubbed his eyes some more. "Argh…this isn't my day…no, wait, it's been a week already. Shit time flies..." Seeing that the soldier was waiting a reply, Seed quickly gave a loud cough and said, "Anyways, agree to Solon Jhee's request. Commander Culgan and I will lead this skirmish and attack tonight."

"Yes sir!" The soldier mounted his horse that was standing nearby and rode off into the woods.

What was Solon Jhee thinking, sending two Commanders into battle on their own? Granted, this was a border skirmish, but still…! "Right, that's just great. Now I have to lead an attack tonight with that sonofa…"

"You mean that Commander who will be riding in with you onto the battlefield?"

Seed froze in his tracks as Culgan stepped out from behind him. He could not see the slight smirk that was on Culgan's face. "I see you have reached the stage where you can make decisions yourself. Congratulations. That's an enormous improvement. Last I heard you couldn't buckle your shoes without someone giving you the order to do so." Culgan clapped his hands in mock applause.

"Shut up, who asked you! Anyways, if you're here, then that means you've already heard that man, so there's no need for me to stay here and explain." Seed turned tail and started to leave.

At this moment Culgan grabbed onto Seed's collar and dragged him back. "Hold it right there, there are still some very important issues we must discuss. Come this way."

As soon as he was sure they were apart from anyone, Culgan let go of Seed's collar and turned to face him. Seed massaged his throat gingerly and glared at Culgan. "Yeah? So what is it?"

"The General has given us very short notice for this attack. We need to discuss tactics as soon as possible, and this isolated area is closer than either of our cabins." As much as Seed hated to admit it, Culgan was right, though he would have been much more comfortable in his own cabin rather out in the middle of nowhere. Culgan continued, "We have a relatively few number of soldiers and we don't have the time, so the only option seems to be band together. However, the enemy will surely try to flank us, and so we must first outflank them. I suggest at this moment, we deploy troops to their flanks with the information that soldier provided us just now."

"Sure, whatever." Seed focused on a stag beetle crawling up the side of a nearby tree trunk. Strategies were never really his thing. He preferred the ol' charge-and-attack method. Besides, he wasn't happy about being in his rival's presence for too long.

Culgan noticed this lack of enthusiasm, but decided not to say anything. "Our only problem is that this requires us to split the troops into at least three portions. We do not that many commanding officers."

"So? Just assign someone to the third portion and we'll take the other two. It's easy."

"Actually, I have a better plan. The enemy would expect us to split our troops into equal strength. Why don't we concentrate our main force into the frontal assault and have the flanks act as diversions? Granted, strong diversions, but diversions nonetheless."

Seed did not like this plan. He knew what Culgan wanted: he wanted the two Commanders in charge, Culgan and himself, to lead the frontal assault while other officers handled the two flanks. In his mind, no good plan will have Culgan and him standing side-by-side, fighting together. However, as much as he hated to admit it, Culgan was right. Emotions such as these were extraneous on a battlefield, and as Culgan was the better strategist, it was better to listen to him. "Fine. Do whatever you want. As long as I get to do some attacking, I'm fine. Can I leave now?"

Culgan paused for a moment before he said, "You know, I wonder how you became a Commander. It must have been your brawn rather than your brains."

Seed, scowling, whipped around and grabbed Culgan's collar. "What'd you say?"

Calmly, Culgan put his hand on Seed's wrist, and the next thing Seed knew, he was on the ground again, with Culgan pinning him down. "This is what I mean. Battles are not all about strength and physical skill. This is why you lose every single one of the matches against me. You are inexperienced in fighting, and you have much to learn. This is your first real battle as a leader, so grow up a little. It will do us all some good." He got up and brushed the dust from his sleeves before he walked away.

Seed lay on the ground, stunned. This was the first time since he had joined the army that Culgan had lost his cool. He must have done something really bad to make him do that, and yet no matter how much he thought, he couldn't remember anything he said or did that could have offended Culgan.

Culgan was angry. He had not meant to throw Seed to the ground, nor to yell at him. Actually, he had intended to ignore Seed's comments altogether, knowing they would be frivolous, but for some reason, perhaps because the battle was just around the corner, Culgan grew impatient of Seed's immature remarks and nonchalant attitude. A battle was much more serious than charging into a crowd of enemies and slashing them to bits; a war was much more than watching the number of soldiers on both sides gradually decline. If Seed did not realize that, then this skirmish would be much more difficult to win than Culgan had thought.

Seed had joined the army at an early age, rising through the ranks extremely early and quickly considering he was from a peasant family. From the moment he first lifted a sword, the officers could see that this child possessed great skill and will one day come to master the sword. Culgan, on the other hand, had to work his way up, drawing from his knowledge of swordplay and strategy. Both were currently at the same rank; however, Culgan had entered the army three full years earlier than Seed had, and yet, Seed had earned the title of Commander only one year after Culgan did. This injustice burned in Culgan's heart, and his only way of relieving it was through regular teasing and matches that he found both entertaining and relieving.

The first match had been mere practice, but Seed, defeated, was furious and demanded a rematch. The second match ended the same way, and so did the third. Seed, driven by these defeats, worked harder and harder, determined to beat Culgan and his solid defense and tricky maneuvers. Culgan wasn't by any means lightning-quick, but his blows were so well aimed and thought out that Seed had a hard time dodging them, but no matter how hard he tried. Everything he did was in vain, and so Culgan earned one victory after another.

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The sun slowly sank below the horizon that was barely visible from between the many thick tree trunks. Soldiers and Commanders alike buckled their armor, strapped their swords, and adjusted their shoes. The two flank divisions had already left, rounding far around the enemy so that they would be difficult to detect until they already attacked. Seed absentmindedly fiddled with the hilt of his sword. Truthfully, this was the first true battle he had participated in as a Commander. Sure, he had taken part in many more before as an ordinary foot soldier, but the position as a leading officer made him nervous. Culgan was nearby, quiet and composed as usual, with his elbows resting on his knees as he quietly contemplated all that could go wrong. Finally, he decided that it was the time.

"Alright everyone. It should be about time. Douse the fires; we wouldn't want to be seen. Everything done? Commander Seed and I will lead the attack. Ready? Then let's go!"

The soldiers moved forward as one large conglomerate mass. The two generals were marching at the front of the line on foot, as riding on horseback had the tendency to make them more conspicuous and horses were generally not preferred in forest terrain. Not too much time had passed when the first volley of arrows sailed through the air.

"Charge!"

The mass moved to a canter, then a gallop as everyone accelerated, charging full speed into another army, waiting just ahead. Seed and Culgan stayed together, not out of want, but rather out of necessity. There were many more soldiers than had originally been reported, and although the flanks must have made contact with the enemy already, it didn't seem to faze their troops one bit. Seed slashed this way and that, ripping through the flesh of Knights that were infringing on Highland territory. Culgan stood a little ways away, sword always at the ready, chanting rune spells and unleashing their devastating powers.

"Hah! Take this, and this, and this!" Seed swung his sword over his head and then down, through the torso of an enemy. Ripping the weapon out, he spun around, catching an approaching Knight by surprise, although the Knight still managed to parry the blow. Seed charged forward, with his sword at his side, and stabbed, repeatedly. The Knight was evidently skilled, as he dodged every single one of Seed's attacks. "Why you…!" Just then he noticed clank just behind him and saw Culgan, standing back to back, swing at the air, repelling an onslaught of arrows.

"Watch your back! Not all opponents attack from the front you know." Culgan's voice was calm, but the eyes were alert, searching for any more attacks. More arrows were swiped away.

"This isn't the best time to be giving one of your lectures!" Seed swung his sword again, but just as he did so, the Knight dipped out of sight. Confused, Seed did not expect the strong kick, lifting him off his feet as the foot connected with his chin. The only thought that went through Seed's mind was "Ah great, here we go again with the kicks…" as sailed through the air and hit the ground hard. When he opened his eyes, he saw his silver-haired companion standing in front of him, with a sword through his lower abdomen. Culgan managed to shove the Knight away, slicing him in two in the process, before he collapsed onto the ground. Seed, seeing this, lifted himself as quickly as he could off the ground, wincing from pain in the process, and hobbled over to where Culgan fell. Looking down at Culgan's face, Seed cursed loudly several times. "What the hell did you do that for?"

The corners of Culgan's lips lifted a little. "I don't know. Instinct, perhaps…?"

"You stupid bastard…" Seed pulled out the sword and rolled Culgan over. Blood stained the dirt that was already wet. Seeing that he couldn't be left in such a condition, Seed tore off one of his sleeves and wrapped it tightly around Culgan's wound, temporarily closing the wound. "Argh, you stupid stupid…"

"Rather than cursing me for having saved your life, there are more important things to do. Find the leader and defeat him." Culgan said calmly, after being dragged to the nearest tree. He straightened himself up against the trunk, panting for breath.

"What! When you're hurt like this? No way, who am I going to beat to pulp after this is all over if I leave you like this!" Seed shook his head vigorously, worried for the first time.

"Listen! As soldiers, our orders take priority. Now go, hurry!"

Seed hesitated, but knowing he had no chance of arguing against Culgan, he stood up. He paused for a moment before he left. "Don't you die on me, bastard."

He ran, sword shining with light from passing fires that had been lit. He passed several soldiers and Knights, each fighting their own battles. He leaped over dead bodies of friends and foes alike as he slashed as many of the living as he could as he made his way into the heart of the enemy army. Before long, his sword became doused in red and his hair matted and clothes crimson.

At last, sandwiched between two other Knights, who were undoubtedly acting as guards, stood one Knight. A circle of corpses lay around the three. Seed only needed to look at him once to realize that the one in the middle was no ordinary soldier; he was the leader. Defeating him would mean the end of this battle. Eyes ablaze, Seed charged, roaring, with all his might towards the three atop the hill. The first, caught by surprise, was easily dispatched. The second proved more difficult. He swung down his sword, and Seed just barely managed to block it, using all this strength to hold it only inches from his face. Glancing to the left, he noticed the leader rush towards him. Seed, remembering two certain incidents, kicked the stomach of the knight, sending him back a few steps, which wasn't much, but at the very least, it gave Seed the chance to dodge the coming attack. He jumped and flipped backwards, catching the leader off guard, and then he stabbed. He hit home. Body slack, the leader fell face-forward, dead. The knight that Seed kicked earlier, seeing his leader fall, stood still, shocked and trembling. After a few seconds, he gave a ferocious yell before he dashed towards Seed, sword flailing. That sword soon flew through the air as Seed cut the arm of his attacker off. Watching the pathetic body curl up and cry on the ground, Seed turned to help some the others.

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Culgan stepped out of his cabin. After a few days of recuperation, he felt he was fit enough to walk around rather than lay in bed for another day, and so he helped himself up and, with some trouble, slowly made his way outside, made even more difficult by his adamant refusal to use a cane or any assistance whatsoever. The sun blinded him temporarily as he opened the door, but the warmth filled him. He was happy to be alive, though he'd never show such gratefulness on the outside.

A soldier rode up to Seed's cabin and knocked the door. Seed, who was sleeping on the table at the moment, woke with a jerk, jumped up and rushed to the door, only to look back and see little droplets of drool on the table. He hastily rushed back, wiped those and any traces around his mouth off with his sleeve, then hurried back to the door and opened it. "Yes?"

The soldier saluted. "Sir, I have received an order from Solon Jhee to deliver this to you." He held out a rolled-up scroll, tied with a gold ribbon.

Seed, curious, took it. "Thank you. You may leave now."

The soldier saluted once more before marching away. Seed watched as he left, then turned and closed the door. He undid the ribbon, letting it fall to the floor as he read the parchment, or at least try, since just as he was about to start the letter, another knock sounded. "What is it?" Seed wrenched open the door irritably, revealing Culgan, who had a wry smile on his face. "Oh…hey…"

" 'Oh…hey…'? That's how you greet your savior? Shouldn't you prostrate before my feet or something?" Culgan stepped inside.

"Just be glad I didn't shove you out the door the moment I saw you, for God's sake! I see you're up and about. If you don't have any business here, leave!"

"Ah yes, I was confined to bed for awhile thanks to a certain someone, wasn't I? I see you're as cold as ever. Hmm?" Culgan noticed the letter Seed was holding. "What's that?"

"I would know except someone decided to interrupt!" After slamming the door shut again, Seed walked across the room before he attempted perusing the paper again. "Let's see…it says…that I'm being promoted!"

"Oh, really? Congratulations! Both for that, and for being able to read, which I didn't know you could do." Culgan gave a mock applause again, but this time, Seed didn't seem to mind.

"Hey, when you get better…how about another rematch? I'm feeling really good about winning this time!"

"So you're now taking advantage of a disabled man now? How shameful! At the very least you should disable yourself before you challenge me. How about a broken leg? I can give those easily."

"Like I'd want one! You know you are perfectly capable of putting up a good fight. Fine, I'll give you a max of five days. If you're not ready by then, then I'll kill you," Seed said with a grin, holding out his hand.

"Fine." Culgan took his friend's hand in his and shook it once before releasing, closing the deal.

Did you like it? Huh huh? I'm need work on fight scenes, so constructive criticisms is greatly appreciated!