Author's Notes: If anyone's interested, I made some minor changes in the previous chapters and reposted them. And made some not-so-minor changes in the previous chapter. I want to write more of Meg. =/ But hey, I have to move on. I'll just have to go and write my other fanfic. XD
@CelesluvesYugi: Yes, unfortunately, no Sasa-chan. T.T I reaaaaaaaally want to do a Sasa chapter, but I wouldn't be able to do Sasa-chan justice. T.T
@Ewan Is Hot: ^^ thinks Ewan McGregor is REALLY hot Erm, anyway, thanks!! I luuuuuuuurve the flashbacks as well!!! They are obviously my fave parts cos I can put in Millie and Meg!!! XD
@Luc: ~_~ You try writing without making references to your favorite character when you can very well make them and see how you like it. ~_~ Besides, how can I write about Meg's and Tengaar's pasts without showing Millie? Especially Meg—they are like, best friends!! =^.^=
@King Gilby: XD Thanks!! But no, I'm not gonna do a Sasa. *sniff* Meeh, you'll see who the next one is!!! XD
@GreatLight432: Millie for an interview?? ^.^ That would be enjoyable. We'll see. haha, yeah right, when in reality, the whole plot for this story has been set in stone already As for Tir and Riou… ^_~
Disclaimer: Suikoden is not mine.
Who Is The Mysterious Magician Luc?
Chapter 6: A Brother's Pain
"ACHOO!!" Kidd sneezed. "I hope I don't catch a cold." He dug his hands in his shorts' pockets, feeling around for a hanky. "Darn it, I know I placed it here somewhere!!"
He stopped walking down the trail, dropped his pack and jammed both hands in his pockets. "Darn, where is it??!"
The sky illuminated in a flash of lightning and a split second later, a thunderclap resounded. Kidd looked up at the dark clouds, thick and heavy with the promise of rain. Uh-oh… I really should get moving now and seek shelter!!!
Kidd picked up his pack and ran down the trail desperately searching for a cottage, or a shed—anything that could keep him out of the rain. But all he saw were the grassy fields and trees smothering the Harmonian countryside. Then the rain fell and the cold water seeped right into Kidd's clothes, soaking him in a matter of minutes. Still, no shelter. Kidd quickened his pace, despite the dull pain at his side. It was harder for him now that his socks were wet and his shoes going squish-squish as he walked. His now-wet pack became heavier with the water. It was uncomfortable. Kidd hated it. I hate it. I hate this. I hate Harmonia.
Several moments later, Kidd spied a cave amongst the trees. He groaned but he knew he had no other choice. Better than nothing… Kidd grimaced. He made his way towards the cave and entered.
Hmp… I hate this place… Kidd sulked, kicking at several pebbles lying on the ground. He sat down and leaned against the wall of the cave. Something uncomfortable bunched up beneath him. He stood up and felt in his back pocket and found… a hanky. Kidd's eyes narrowed and he threw it down the ground. Oh yeah, much good that would do now that it's all wet, huh.
I hate Harmonia, I hate all of it. Coming here was useless…
* * *
"Finally," Kidd muttered when a servant walked towards him. Geez, I know he's all-powerful, but Master Sasarai shouldn't make people wait for so long…
"Mister Kidd," the servant bowed. "It is unfortunate, but Lord Sasarai may not see you now."
Kidd's jaw dropped in indignation. What, after he made me wait for so long?? "Why?" The informer demanded.
"The Master is currently suffering another bout of existential angst," the servant said, his tone and face dead serious. Kidd would have laughed his head off but being made to wait had dampened his amusement.
"When may I see him then?" Kidd snapped.
"Not anytime soon, Mister Kidd." The servant replied.
* * *
Existential angst, my foot… "ACHOO!!" Kidd sneezed. "Darnit," he sniffed. "I think I'm going to be sick…"
"Anyone there??!" A deep voice called from deeper inside the cave.
"Huh??" Kidd turned and stared at the dark passage. Who's that?? The informer's eyes widened. Oh no… what if it's… bandits!! No pirates!! A group of pirates—that hid their loot in this cave!!!
"Anyone??" Another voice asked.
Kidd looked around frantically. Oh no, whatdoIdo, whatdoIdo, whatdoIdo… Kidd forced himself to calm down. I know… I should run away!! Right!!! Kidd tightened his grip on his pack and started moving towards the mouth of the cave. Hey, wait!!! I'm an informer!!! I should use my knowledge for justice!!!
Two figures materialized from the shadows; a tall, built figure and one that was slightly smaller. "Hey, it's a boy—"
Kidd dropped his pack and pointed at them with an accusing finger."Y-Y-YOU HAVE THE, THE, THE—RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT!!!" Kidd shouted in a would-be authoritative way, his nervousness making his voice high-pitched and shaky.
"Huh, okay!!" The taller man stepped forward, surprise reflected in his blue eyes. Kidd surveyed the long blond ponytail, the shabby green cape and the shiny hatchet the man carried. Aha, that scarred face!!! Kidd nodded in satisfaction. So, he IS a pirate!!!
"Hey, come over here," the other man told him. He smiled at Kidd, his hazel eyes sparkling from beneath his sooty bangs. The sincerity and honesty radiating from his countenance caused Kidd's conviction to waver slightly. He somehow reminds me of Mister Hugo… Kidd frowned. WAIT!!! Just because he LOOKS like he's a good person, doesn't mean that he IS a good person. Look at Master Sasarai, doesn't he look like a sweet and innocent young man??
"You have your rights, but no asking of any questions!!!" Kidd cried. "I'll do the asking—fiends!!!"
"Uh…" the taller, blond man looked at the younger dark-haired man questioningly. The young man laughed, confusing Kidd.
"You should check on the stew, Gremio," said the young man. "I think it's nearly done."
"Yes, Young Master." The man called Gremio walked deeper into the cave, swallowed by the shadows.
Stew??… "Hey, wait!!!" Kidd called angrily.
"You should come with us." The young man said kindly. "We have a nice, cheery fire going in there." He jabbed his thumb in the direction Gremio went off to. "You can dry yourself off. It would be good for your cold."
"ACHOO!!!" Kidd sneezed on cue. Kidd shouldered his pack once more and followed. This was NOT happening the way it was supposed to…
"Careful now," the young man told Kidd as the informer. "You might walk into the walls. Turn here, there, follow my voice…" They turned to one of the passages; light poured into it. They soon saw Gremio who was kneeling before the fire, pouring stew into three bowls.
"Stew is ready!!" Gremio held out a bowl.
Kidd gulped. It smells so good… Who knew pirates can cook?..
"Gremio, we should have him change into some dry clothes don't you think?"
"Oh yes…" Gremio looked at the bag Kidd was carrying. "All your spares must be wet now, huh?" Kidd nodded dumbly and Gremio fished in one of the rucksacks leaning against the wall of the cave. "Here." Gremio threw a white bundle at Kidd. "It's a tunic of the Young Master, it would go well past your knees."
"T-thank you…" Kidd stuttered.
"You can go change behind there." Gremio pointed at a boulder.
Kidd went behind the boulder and pulled off his wet clothes. Then he pulled on the tunic. It was soft and smelled of mild soap.
Perhaps I should tell them now that I am going to arrest them… Feeling a little foolish, Kidd made his way back to the fire. He saw the clothes from his pack lying beside the fire, for drying.
"Give me that now, we'll dry them." Gremio took the wet clothes from Kidd and laid them out as well.
"Here," the young man handed a bowl of stew and a spoon at Kidd. "Eat it while it's hot."
"Thanks." Kidd said. He took a seat beside the young man. Gremio finished laying out the clothes and joined them in front of the fire.
Kidd shoved the stew in his mouth, barely chewing each mouthful of meat and vegetables. He hadn't realized that he was so hungry. The stew tasted even better than it smelled. It was subtly sweet and the broth was clear yet it had a powerful taste.
"It's very good, how did you make it?" Kidd asked with his usual curiosity.
"That's a secret," Gremio smiled mysteriously. "Here, have some more."
Ah, I see. A secret pirate recipe. Kidd accepted the second bowl and ate again, this time less hurriedly, savoring the taste of the stew. "By the way… you are Mister Gremio, right?" Kidd said to Gremio. Then he turned to the young man. "And you are?.."
"I am Tir," replied the young man.
"Okay, I'm Kidd." The Kidd informed them through a mouthful of stew. "And since you seem to be decent enough guys, I won't arrest you. Even though you are pirates."
"Pirates??!" Tir repeated, looking surprised.
"Where??!" Gremio cried, quickly grabbing his hatchet. He picked a staff off the ground and threw it at Tir.
"Oh, don't pretend, I know." Kidd said. "I'm an informer, but don't worry, I won't tell."
Tir and Gremio exchanged puzzled looks. "It seems that you have an overactive imagination, Kidd," Gremio said.
"Hey!!" Kidd cried. "Are you treating me like some tot??! I wasn't born yesterday you know."
"Nevermind Gremio." Tir dissuaded but Gremio shook his head.
"Look, I don't know what made you think that," Gremio began. "But we are not pirates. As a matter of fact, this is Young Master Tir, the hero of the Gate Rune Wars and leader of the Liberation Army!!!"
"Gremio!!" Tir cried.
"Really??" Kidd blinked. "You're… Tir??!" Kidd reached inside his pocket, took out his wet notes and leafed carefully through them. "Dang it, the ink ran a little…" Kidd pulled out a piece of paper and examined it.
"Black hair, hazel eyes, fair-skinned, carrying a staff. And likely to be wearing a bandanna to keep the hair off his face!!!" Kidd looked at Tir and Gremio. "Travelling with a man named Gremio; blond-haired, blue-eyed and has an x-shaped scar on his cheek!!!" The informer whooped. "It IS you!!!"
Tir sighed.
"I'm sorry, Master Tir." Gremio apologized.
"Well, thank you!!!" Kidd grinned. "I NEED to talk to you, Master Tir!!"
"And why is that?" Gremio asked. Tir looked at Kidd questioningly.
"Well…" Kidd brandished his notes. "I am an informer. And my current investigation, concerns the past of the late magician Luc, a past that you are very much a part of." Kidd held out a hand to silence Tir and Gremio. "Now, now, don't try to deny it. I KNOW he was in your Army."
"Well…" Tir cast a pleading gaze at Kidd. "Shouldn't we just let him rest in peace?"
"Ah, but Master Tir…" Kidd shook his head dramatically. "That will not happen—unless somebody shows the world who he truly is, or at least, was. Sir Futch himself realized that. And I, I am the one who will uncover the veil of mystery that surrounds the tragic 'villain'."
"Luc is not a villain!!!" Tir cried hotly. He looked genuinely angered.
"I did not say he is!!!" Kidd squeaked. "Note the quotation marks around the word 'villain'." The boy held out his notes for the young man to read.
Tir frowned at Kidd suspiciously. "Budehuc Castle… You were one of those that killed him!!!" Tir spat disgustedly. He stood up and turned his back to the informer.
"But, please, I assure you that since I started the investigation, I recognized how Master Luc was not who we thought he was…" Kidd said.
"How could you know?" Tir muttered in a dangerously low tone. "You weren't there. Right, Gremio?"
"Huh, oh yes…" the blond man nodded frantically.
"You knew him only as an enemy," Tir whispered coldly. "How can you ever know?"
"I… can't." Kidd admitted. "My investigation serves only to retrieve a small part of what was, and so—help me!!!"
Tir took a deep breath. His shoulders and back were visibly tense. Kidd couldn't see it bt Tir's eyes were shifting… as he tried to decide what to do.
"Fine. I will help you. And so will Gremio." Tir told Kidd.
"Yes, of course!!" Gremio interjected.
"Thank you," Kidd heaved a sigh of relief. "Umm… now Master Tir, may you please sit down again?"
"… Okay." Tir answered, his tone still slightly frosty. He sat down beside Kidd, albeit with a bit more distance this time.
"Now, Master Tir, Master Gremio," Kidd began. "Who is the mysterious magician Luc?"
* * *
"Hmph!!" Ted scrunched his face, annoyed. "If I ever see that kid again, I'll, I'll… I'll drown him!!! Him and his smelly dragon!!!"
"Ted, you do realize that he's the one who is to take us back to Gregminster, right?" Cleo asked.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Ted grimaced.
"He wasn't so bad," Tir smiled. "I thought he was rather funny."
"Hey, hurry up!!!" Pahn called from further down the trail. "We still have some ways to go before we reach the astrological shrine."
"Yes…" Ted replied, rolling his eyes. He looked at Tir, who shrugged.
"Let's go," Tir said.
They walked down the path. It was seemingly deserted. So, no one lives here except the magician, Leknaat. Tir looked around curiously. There really were no traces of other people… So, she's all alone…
"Visitors!!" An inquisitive little voice cried. "Good day to you!!"
"Good day," Gremio said kindly to the boy who had ran towards them. His dark blond hair was slightly disheveled and his green eyes were twinkling excitedly. He had on loose green robes that marked him as a magician.
A student, perhaps? Tir smiled at the boy. He returned it with a grin that was far too mischievous for Tir's liking…
"Hey kid, can you tell us where this Leknaat is?" Pahn asked.
"Is she much farther?" Cleo asked with a bit more politeness.
"No, she's in there." The boy pointed to a structure slightly visible through the trees.
"Okay, good." Ted said. "Finally. Lead her to us punk."
"Not so fast…" the boy smiled, his green eyes narrowing. "I want to play with you."
"Look, kid, we have no time for your games so just show us the way before I get very mad at you." Pahn waved his hand in an impatient manner.
"Hmm, I don't think so. My name is Luc and I'm no ordinary kid." The child raised his right hand. The winds suddenly picked up and turned violent.
"Whoa!!" Ted cried.
"What are you doing?" Tir clapped a hand over his bandanna lest it be whipped off by the winds.
"True Rune of the Wind!!!" Luc chanted. Tir and his companions gave cries with varied degrees of surprise as a huge golem materialized beside the boy. "Now, let's play!!!" Luc rubbed his hands in childish glee.
"Watch out!!" Cleo cried. She took out her daggers and threw them at the golem, never missing.
"Kyaaa!!!" Pahn punched the golem. "Hey, that hurt." He frowned and rubbed at his knuckles.
Gremio slashed his axe around. The golem raised one of its massive arms and hit Gremio. "Ouch!!"
"Gremio!!" Tir cried. He charged towards the golem and hit it with his staff. Ted stayed far away but released arrow after arrow at the golem.
"Wow, you guys are good!!" Luc chirped.
"Shaddap, you brat." Pahn snarled.
"Oops, watch out now!" Luc pointed. Pahn turned around only to see the golem swinging an arm at him.
"Oof!!" Pahn fell on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Ooh, that's it, you're really gonna get it!!" Cleo swore and threw her daggers with even more force.
Finally, after several long minutes and bruises, the golem collapsed. The tired and angry company turned to the boy Luc who was smiling at them.
"Wow, you defeated my golem!!"
"Why in the world did you do that??!" Cleo demanded.
"Well, you looked strong, so I wanted to see whether you are strong!!" Luc explained.
"That was potentially dangerous, young man." Gremio scolded.
"Well, you defeated it anyway." Luc stuck out a tongue at Gremio.
"Why you little brat," Pahn stepped towards Luc but Tir restrained.
"No harm done," Tir murmured.
"Well at least big brother understands!!" Luc exclaimed. "Come now, big brother, and all of big brother's friends, I'll lead the way to Lady Leknaat!!" He took off and the rest had to run to follow.
"Hey Ted, are you alright?" Tir looked over his shoulder to his best friend who was trailing behind. Ted opened his mouth but no words came. "Ted? What's wrong?" Tir walked towards him.
"I-I-I'll kill that kid!!!" Ted stuttered, finally finding his voice. "I swear I'll kill that kid!!!"
"I don't think he meant any harm Ted," Tir said.
"Didn't mean harm—we were nearly killed!" Ted shrieked.
"I'm sure that didn't cross his mind," Tir assured him. "If anything, he was just showing off… the power of a True Rune. Isn't that amazing? A kid with a True Rune!!"
"Pah, it's really not that great…" Ted muttered.
* * *
"A mischievous boy, that was Luc in the Liberation Army." Tir declared. "Always up to show he's better, trying to prove himself. But he never meant any harm. Right, Gremio?"
"I suppose so…" Gremio said, not very convincingly. "He always did manage to cause harm anyway because he was powerful although he was just a kid."
"Well, of course, I really don't mind…" Tir said. "He was amusing to say the least and although many people think he was 'just a kid', I could get good conversations out of him… very serious. And his insights… so complex. To think he was so young…
"Sometimes, he can make me feel juvenile, even." Tir shrugged. "Maybe because I just got the Souleater then and it seems that I mess up with it every time. But Luc, Luc has had the True Wind Rune all his life… and he seems to know just what to do and how to go about it."
"Ah, for he was under the care of a great sorceress." Kidd supplied.
"Well, not just that." Tir said. "I don't just mean in terms of magical power. I mean… I, I never seem to know what to do. But he does. I don't think Leknaat did that for him… he was just… like that…"
"Master Tir, there is something interesting I have noticed," Kidd began. "Concerning Master Luc, I often hear that it seemed he has 'changed', in the time between the Gate Rune War and the Dunan Unification War…"
"I know…" Tir murmured sadly. "In that time between, he lost that innocent smile… and of course you know how he changed in the fifteen years after the Dunan Unification War… Change… Luc changed too much…"
* * *
"You'll see, there are so many here from the Liberation Army, right Futch?" Meg babbled excitedly, pulling Tir down the hallway of North Window Castle.
"She's right, Master Tir," Futch said.
"And of course, there's some new faces and you'll like them all so much—MILLIE!!" Meg cried excitedly to another girl, a blue-clad girl with some strange yellow creature in her arms.
"Hey Meg, hey Futch!!" Millie skipped over to them.
"Master Tir, this is Millie, my best friend." Meg placed an arm around the other girl. "Millie, that's Master Tir, our leader in the Liberation War."
"Hello!!" Millie greeted, blushing.
"Hello." Tir smiled. From the corner of his eye, he could see a figure in green approaching him.
"Hey Luc, Master Tir is here." Futch said, expecting to see Luc smile. But the mage scowled.
"What are you doing here?" Luc demanded.
"Oh hello Luc." Meg said ignoring the icy tone of Luc's voice. "In Banner Village, we saw Master Tir fishing!! What luck!! And then he helped us save a boy who was poisoned by one of those awful giant worms in the Banner Pass!! Good thing, Docto Liukan saved the boy. So now Master Tir decided to come here for a while and help out!! Isn't that just the coolest thing you ever heard?"
Luc continued staring coldly at Tir. Tir choked down a sigh and instead, smiled tentatively at Luc. "Nice to see you again, Luc…"
"Hmp…" Luc crossed his arms over his chest. "Did you have fun fishing, Master Tir?'
"Huh?" Tir was confused. What kind of question is that?
"I asked you, did you have fun fishing?" Luc repeated. "I think I have said it clearly enough. Didn't I? You heard, it, didn't you?" He raised an eyebrow at Millie.
"Y-yes, yes!!" Millie nodded, a little alarmed. "I heard it."
"So you must have heard it as well." Luc told Tir.
"… I did…" Tir replied.
"Well??" Luc prompted. "Did you have fun?"
"I… I suppose so…" Tir answered.
"Well, I'm glad you did, because I'm certainly not having fun here." Luc spat.
"What are you playing at??!" Meg shrieked, feeling Luc's hostility towards Tir increase with each passing moment.
"It's none of your business as I wasn't talking to you," Luc snapped. Meg looked too furious to speak.
"Luc…" Futch began but Luc held out his hand.
"You shut up as well." Luc ordered. "You know what's happening here, Tir? War. And you know who is the one expected to lead us? Some kid who has half a True Rune. While you, you are fishing, True Rune Bearer. I can see why you are having fun."
"I… sorry…" Tir murmured, not knowing what else to say.
"It's fun being useless, isn't it?" Luc snarled.
Futch couldn't take it anymore. "Luc, that's enough—"
"I said shut up!!" Luc yelled at him.
Meg shouted at him. "Why don't YOU shut up??!"
"Quiet, girl!!!" Luc yelled.
"Why do you this?" Millie asked.
"Stay out of this, you don't know anything about it!!!" Luc retorted. "You weren't in the Liberation Army."
"But… I want to know why." Millie told him.
"Well I don't want to say why!!!" Luc yelled exasperatedly.
"Why not??!" Millie screamed back at him. "Wasn't Mister Tir brave and nice and kind?? Didn't he do a lot for the Liberation Army?? Why do you say he's useless??! I just want to know!!!"
"Well…" Luc huffed. "Well… because!!! You don't see him doing anything this time around, do you??!" He caught the puzzled look on her face and took it for ignorance. "Never mind, you'll never get it."
* * *
"He hated me…" Tir said sadly. "He grew to hate me… But I don't blame him… for despising his 'big brother'… I mean… He must have felt betrayed… Knowing that my part is over… And more and more is expected of him every time…"
"It wasn't your fault, Master Tir..." Gremio said.
"And it wasn't his fault either." Tir said. "Why indeed?? Why did they never give any peace?? Always fighting, always having to invoke the power of the cursed Rune that burdens him… Why? And finally, for him to go down like that…
"It's not fair, Kidd. It's not fair. Yes, we always hear that, life's not fair. But this time it was just plain cruel and unreasonable…"
"So it is, Master Tir…" Kidd muttered.
"Can you hear that?" Gremio interrupted. All of them fell silent and listened.
"No, I can't hear anything." Tir replied.
"Yeah," Kidd nodded.
"Exactly." Gremio smiled. "The rain has stopped. We can all go outside now and resume our journeys." The blond man stood up and diligently picked up the bowls and pot and placed them in a bag.
Kidd took a set of his clothes, now reasonably dry and changed into them. "Thanks for the tunic, Master Tir." He returned the garment to Tir.
"You're welcome." Tir packed the tunic in his bag and slung in on his shoulder.
"Well, shall we go?" Gremio asked.
Although the ground was muddy and there were a lot of puddles, the sun shone, it's gentle warmth welcoming the travelers as they stepped out of the cave.
"Where are you headed now, Kidd?" Tir asked him.
"To Dunan." Kidd replied. "What about you, Master Tir, and you Master Gremio?"
"Maybe to the Grasslands," Tir said.
"We should pass by way of the Budehuc Castle, Master Tir," said Gremio. "That way, we may visit some of our old friends."
"I guess so." Tir nodded. "This is where we part Kidd."
"Thank you for being a part of my investigation." Kidd said. Then he let out a yelp as a ball of light materialized beside him.
"Aren't you used to it by now?" Little Viki smirked as she materialized from the ball of light. "You shouldn't be so surprised.
"Don't do that again, Little Viki!!" Kidd said angrily.
"M-miss Viki?" Gremio gasped.
"Hello Gremio." Little Viki waved at him. "And hello to you, Master Tir."
"H-hello…" Tir stuttered.
"Aren't you glad to see me?" Little Viki asked.
"Glad… of course," Tir said. Gremio could only nod.
"A-aren't you a little too young now?" Gremio sputtered finally.
"Well, okay, I'll admit it, I'm not the Viki you knew." Little Viki said.
"You don't know her?" Kidd asked Tir and Gremio. They both shook their heads. "It's Little Viki!!" Kidd cried.
"That ditz you knew is waiting in Budehuc." Little Viki told them. "She would be sooooo happy to see you again, Master Tir. Shall I teleport us? We'd get there faster."
"Sure…" Tir agreed. "And, oh, Kidd?"
"Yes?"
"You pass by way of Highland right?" Tir asked.
"Yup," Kidd nodded.
"Good. Good luck then." Tir turned to Little Viki. "I'm ready now."
Gremio gulped. "So am I… I think…"
"Bye!!!" Kidd waved.
Author's Notes again: AWW!!! Tir-niichan!!! XD You are SO kawaii!!! Mewants Viki and Tir together, would be very funny and happy!!! XD BTW, it has been soooooooooooo long since I played S1 that the golem scene—I didn't even bother to try to write it word-for-word. So I made up a whole new event, although, still trying to keep it true to what happen…
Next Chapter Preview:
"I know he never believed in me… I could never match up to Master Tir. But I tried my best…"
"I tried my best. That's what he was after anyway…"