Disclaimer: In no way or form does any character in Suikoden belongs to me
Note: This is an AU story of how Yuber became what he is. The backstory is just an idea that I am toying with and not the official backstory that Konami has in plan for them ;;; Theme taken from lj community 30kisses.

Vicissitude
1. a) A change or variation. b) The quality of being changeable; mutability.
2. One of the sudden or unexpected changes or shifts often encountered in one's life, activities, or surroundings.

Does a demon sleep?

He realized centuries ago that sleep was not a necessity for a creature like him. He does not suffer the draining fatigue that fragile humans undergo. Even so, he slept; sleeping not because he was tired, but rather because it was the only way he could savour the last shreds of humanity left in him.

But even that luxury was denied to him. The sweet oblivion of sleep, the only moment where he was truly himself slowly slipped away from his fingers; and no matter how desperately he tried to grasp on to that elusive moment of contentment, no matter what he tried, he could not escape from the madness that threatened to engulf him in its dark embraces.

Every day was a new fight; a never-ending series of parrying and deflecting between man and rune that wore down his soul a little more each time they clashed. It was just a matter of time before the other gave in, and both knew that it would not be the rune. It was not in its plan to free its host anytime soon for it knows not the meaning of 'tire' or 'surrender' and time was aplenty. After all, what are years to it when it has witnessed the rise and fall of civilisations?

The only time his soul knew peace was when he surrendered to the embraces of his dreams.

Does a demon dream?

Even his dreams did not release him from his internal conflict. The shadows that danced at the edge of his consciousness taunted him with memories of the past, with what could have been and what he would never have. He could never go back to those times and right what was wrong nor could he ever hope to be forgiven for the lives he had taken.

He recalls his past through a crimson haze, tainted by the consequences of his actions. The cries for mercy of countless victims followed him even to his sanctuary, a grim reminder of what one moment of weakness has caused misery to others throughout the centuries. Death and destruction were his faithful companions as he travelled, leaving a trail of deep crimson wherever he went.

There were rare times when he found peace within the inner turmoil of his soul. In those precious few times, his dreams brought him back to the simple life he used to lead; back to his life with his troopmates… back to his life with Pesmerga. He could see their smiles clearly; as if it was only yesterday that he last saw them and that everything had never happened.

Yuber woke up to the rune humming with displeasure, clearly angry at the momentary loss of control over its host. Hesitantly, he brought his hand to his lips, feeling the ghost of a kiss that was all that remained of his dream; it was then that Yuber made up his mind. It was something that he had avoided for a long time. Turning his attention to the horizon that laid before him, the tiger-eyed man decided to take the road home…

Author's Note: From what I heard, Pesmerga/Yuber is a rare pairing, but I thought writing about their past would be a fun thing to do. This is not the official script that Konami provided, but rather something that I made up to fill in the blanks in the Suikoden series. Forgive me if there is any mistake as I had never played any of the Suikoden series before, but learned of it from a friend. Thank you for reading. Constructive criticism is appreciated.