Disclaimers apply. I didn't create all the characters I used in this story, and I deserve no recognition whatsoever over them. Suikoden belongs to Konami.

Luca's Redemption – Chapter Four

~~~~~

The Beast Rune Unleashed!!

Location: Unknown City

Though the woman threatened them, it wasn't surprising that the zombies didn't take much caution to her threats. Part of them headed for the girl, and the other portion surrounded Luca.

"Woman!! I don't need help! Run now before you get your little nails chipped!"

The woman scoffed and shot at the zombies again. A couple more were shot down, but a couple more popped out of the ground. Luca continued to vanquish the zombies. But, their numbers weren't decreasing.

"Damn! This isn't good… At this rate…" She said.

After the woman spoke, she looked like she was about to raise her right hand. But before she could, Luca heard Maroux's voice, "Resurrection Rune! I command you! Exorcise the Evil Undead! Charm Arrow!!"

The Resurrection symbol shined, and six orbs of light encircled the zombies. The orbs created pillars of a pinkish light. The zombies were shredded by the light and turned to dust. The light ceased; the zombies were gone… For now.

"Whew!" Maroux said behind Luca. "I knew something was wrong. You were taking so long!"

"Idiot!! I could've taken them without your help! Or this woman's…"

"You are welcome."

"…………" Luca said nothing. The awkward silence was setting in, and fast. Maroux, not being able to take it, broke the silence.

"Well Miss…"

"Ayuko."

"Miss Ayuko, then. Why don't we rent a room at the inn? As a thank you, it's on us… How about it?"

"… Fine. I'll be there soon. And I expect a separate room all for me! I don't want to have to be cautious of insects the whole night…"

"Who're you calling 'insects,' woman?!" Luca said. He nearly leaped at her but Maroux stopped him.

"Take it easy, Luca! You should show some respect for a lady!"

"Do YOU even know who I am?! I am Luca Blight!! Have you never heard of my evil?!" Maroux and Ayuko both shook their head.

"…Heh…heheh… You've never heard…of me… Fools… Fools… YOU ARE ALL FOOLISH PIGS!!" Luca's eyes returned to a Luca Blight long forgotten. The Luca Blight that burned down villages, that slaughtered people viciously. The Luca Blight that was thought to have been put to rest forever. He was holding his head like he was in pain, almost toppling backwards.

"You… Are all… SPINELESS WORMS!!! I'LL SHOW YOU THE LUCA BLIGHT YOU ARE ALL MISSING!!! DIE IMBECILES!!! DIE PIGS!!!!" Luca, in a word or two, lost it. He lashed out. He drew his sword slashing furiously at anything around him. Maroux tried to stop him, but Luca easily threw him back. Ayuko attempted as well, but failed just the same. "WHY?!?! WHY SHOULD PIGS LIKE YOU EVEN DESERVE TO KNOW ME?!?!?! WHY?!?! YOU CAN ALL JUST DIE!!"

Luca raised his right hand and summoned the power of the Beast Rune. "BEAST RUNE!! FEAST ON THESE WORTHLESS LIVES AND DEVOUR THEIR ACCURSED SOULS!!!" The Beast symbol lit up in the air and the clouds turned black. Rain started to pour onto the ground and lightning struck loudly in the sky. Luca started emitting an ominous blue light and a dim silhouette of a two headed wolf could be vaguely seen behind him. After this, all Luca could remember was that everything turned white, and a then a familiar voice called, "Beast Rune! Put to rest your earth-shattering power and cease this pointless wave of destruction!" And then the Beast Rune stopped summoning the Silver Beast and Luca blacked out.

"He wasn't ready to use this much energy! We need a doctor and fast!"

Ayuko replied, "…There is a doctor on the outskirts of town! Let's go!"

"Outskirts? Alright. If I just use the Blinking Rune…" The Blinking Rune on Maroux's forehead shined, the Blinking symbol lit up in the air and the three of them were teleported out of the town. "There! That's his shack!" Ayuko said.

Maroux and Ayuko carried Luca's unconscious body into the shack and put him on a nearby bed.

"What happened?" A man wearing a white coat said, sitting behind a desk.

"Are you Dr. Robert? Please help us. He just lashed out and used too much energy on his rune…."

"You mean that light in the city just now? That was this man's rune?! I'm sorry; I will have to ask you to wait in the back."

"Doctor, I may not be as trained as you, but I've had a sufficient amount of training in treating the wounded. Especially magic wounds such as this," Ayuko said.

Maroux also explained that he was a good rune-user and that he may be of some use to the doctor. Dr. Robert agreed to receive help from the two and started to treat his wounds.

~~~~~

Can Luca be saved? Who was that mysterious voice that stopped the Beast Rune? Find out what happens as the rest of the story unfolds… Chapter 5 soon!