Chapter 3:
The party followed Freyjadour to the temple, and knocked on the door. Jowy opened the door slowly. He saw Nash and Geddoe.
"Quickly, come in," he hissed.
Hugo and the rest of the party walked into the room, and Hugo felt a rush of power that he had never felt before. Inside the abandoned Harmonian Temple were two individuals and Hugo immediately recognized them from Luc's mask: The legendary Riou and Jowy. He peered around the room and recognzed Tir McDohl as well, the bearer of the Soul Eater Rune.
"Nearly all the runes are reunited," Zerase said proudly.
"How can you say that?" Riou asked. "There are runes that have been lost with people's deaths."
"Runes are never lost. They return to the Leader of the Sindar. To the Rune of Change. I can feel the leader approaching the building at this very moment."
And at that moment there was a knock at the door. Zerase opened it, and a woman dressed in barely anything walked into the room. All the warriors recognized her as Jeane.
"Greetings leader," Zerase spoke.
Jeane nodded.
"I am telling them of the future of all the Runes that have owners deceased," Zerase added.
"Ah yes," Jeane started. "I indeed am the Leader of the Sindar. And I also contain all the runes that seemed to have perished. The Beast Rune, the Sovereign Rune, the Gate Rune, and the other seven runes that have never been seen by this world."
At that moment, Hugo took the time to look at the other warriors that were following Jeane. He saw a young woman who gave off a blue light of some sort. He recognized her face from the mask as well. It was Sierra Mikain. Nash had walked over to her, led her to a chair, put his arm around her, and kissed her on the cheek. So that was his wife. Hugo thought to himself. He noticed another youthful looking man with a red bandana and gray hair that covered his forehead.
"Hugo, Chris, Sasarai, Louis, Geddoe, Edge meet the other True Rune Bearers," Zerase spoke.
"Lazlo," the short grey-haired one said.
"Sierra," the girl spoke.
"Jowy," the other warrior replied.
"Riou," his companion next to him said.
And then Hugo's eyes were set upon an old friend.
"Futch!" Hugo cried.
Futch smiled and stood up, "That's right. Milia gave the Dragon Rune to me."
"Are these all the rune bearers?" Hugo asked.
"Nearly," Jeane replied. "Hikusaak also has a rune. Pesmerga has a rune. and Yuber has a rune. Leknaat also has a rune, but only half. Windy still has the other half."
"Wait, Jeane you're the leader of the Sindar? Is it really possible that you have eight runes on your body right now?" Hugo asked.
"Yes it's true. I'm sorry I kept the truth from you all for so long. It is not as incredible as it sounds though. The Runes take an incredible toll on my mental psyche. Not only that, but I cannot use any rune in sizeable amount, the other runes will all act up and get out of control. It's time to plan now though, I will explain more later. Zerase, please continue."
"Hikusaak has been preserved in the temple by the Circle Rune," Zerase started. "The Circle Rune in itself is one of the most powerful runes ever. The Circle itself represents life, rebirth, coninuity, alchemy, anarchy, wholeness, infinity, something unbroken."
"I myself do not even know the full extent of the danger the Circle Rune posesses," Jeane added.
"We need to move quickly though, right? The Harmonians know that we're here now," Hugo said.
"Calm down kiddo, I don't think you realize the caliber of the warriors in this room right now," Geddoe joked. "We're all legends here. We're the true Stars of Heaven."
"Indeed," Zerase added.
"Well then I feel downright out of place," Melville added.
"You should," Zerase spat.
"You should Not," Jeane contradicted. "Fate has brought you here for a reason. Your spirit is uncontrollable, dangerous, and exciting. It is for this reason, that you have been brought here. It is for this reason, the Sovereign Rune has chosen you."
Jeane opened her arms and closed her eyes, and from her forehead a white sparkle emerged and went to Melville's forehead. There was an intstant change. His posture was much different, his face was more strong and solelmn, and his eyes danced with power. It was a sight to see.
"So was Luc's death in vain? Did he die for nothing?" Sasarai asked.
"Luc's vision was ultimately right. His method was wrong, but Luc was right in wanting to save the world from the fate he saw. His intentions should be noted as good," Zerase said.
Freyjadour laughed, "You just pop up everywhere don't you Zerase?"
She looked at him coldly. "Just because you have the Sun Rune, Twilight rune, and Dawn Rune, doesn't make you any more special you little brat."
"What about us?" Nash said pointing to himself and Joker.
Jeane looked over at them as well.
"Nash, there will be a challenge for you waiting in that Temple. Your True Rune is waiting for you there," Jeane said. "And Joker, unfortunately, your business here is to be a witness. There is no rune for you, you must be your own person."
Joker looked almost sad, but was clearly excited to be in this position.
"We go tonight," Zerase said. "We have many hours to wait till dark."
Hugo walked through the temple, trying to meet these great heroes. He ended up sitting next to Riou. Riou looked at him cheerfully.
"So where are you from?" Hugo asked.
"Kyaro. Yourself?"
"The Grasslands. I'm a Karayan."
"Still young I see though. Your parents still alive?" Riou questioned thoughtfully.
"My mother is, she's a fierce warrior. She's leader my army outside the castle walls at this very moment. I never knew my father though."
"I can understand what that might feel like. I grew up an orphan myself. I used to get made fun of for it. Jowy used to also be bullied around, that's how we became best friends."
"Was it tough growing up? Actually, no that's not what I want to ask. I'm sorry, I just feel so inferior around all these warriors, I'm not sure how I should feel," Hugo said sadly, putting his head down.
"Hey, c'mon now Hugo. I can understand how you may feel, but I felt the same way. It's part of the rise to power. I was an orphan in a small brigade, but eventually it unfolded into conspiracy, trickery, and slaughter. When I came upon the True Rune and received the Bright Shield it was no easy task. I had to defeat Neclord and Luca Blight. I had to unify the Dunan area and fight the Highland army. I too united the 108 Stars of Destiny. You can do it though Hugo. Really. Challenges lie ahead in the future, especially the not-so-distant future. Tonight, I'm talking. We're all going to be challenged. But we're all together. The runes are in the right hands. You have nothing to be scared or nervous about, because we all support each other here," Riou encouraged.
The young man named Lazlo walked up to Hugo and Riou. He sat down on the bench next to Hugo.
"How you doin kid?" Lazlo asked.
Hugo looked up at the stern looking young man, he felt a rush of confidence from Riou's encouragement though.
"I'm doin' amazing," Hugo said with a familiar fire in his eyes.
"Good, because I hear from that soldier lady that you're in a rough spot. I came over to just let you know that you're not alone. Runes are a burden and a killer, if anybody knows that I sure do. It's the nature of my Rune. In the past this Rune would kill off its bearer and just cycle through hosts. I wake up every morning wondering how long the Rune will stay in its Forgiveness Stage. Because I know at any moment, this Rune could kill me. It's scary kid. But I'm sure like Riou has been telling you, we're all here for each other. We're not all so different. You may feel like this war is overwhelming, but many of us have seen much more war and despair then just the Second Fire Bringer War. I mean, damn, Sierra would be the perfect person to talk to. She used to slaughter innocent civilians and drink their blood. The woman's a vampire. There are so many burdens of these runes. If you're still feeling nervous and unsure, I would highly recommend talking to her," Lazlo spoke.
Hugo looked at Riou as he clasped Hugo's shoulder and nodded. Lazlo patted Hugo on the back and picked him up from the seat. Hugo smiled and walked across the temple to where Nash was seated with Sierra and Lady Chris.
"Well, well, feel like talking?" Chris said hig-falutingly.
"I feel like learning," Hugo retorted. "Sierra, how do you do it?"
Sierra chuckled and Nash smiled.
"Do what, Hugo?" Sierra asked.
"Handle the pressures of the rune."
"Did Riou and Lazlo tell you what I used to be?" Sierra questioned.
Hugo nodded.
"It was an awful time. The Blue Moon Rune made me so blood thirsty. Of course I can control it now, and it recognizes me as its true bearer, but it does not make the memories go away. Do you realize I'm almost 900 years old now? It still feels like yesturday all the atrocities I committed. But I've been through enough, and seen enough suffering to know that I'm not alone. Every rune has an effect on its bearer, and never usually good. These runes are both a cursing and a blessing. Just keep pushing to become stronger, that's all you can really do," Sierra told Hugo.
"Hugo, I've seen you grow up in times of war," Nash added. "You're from a clan of war. Your mother is a fierce warrior. It's not something alien to you. It is inside of you, you just need something to truly expose your heroism and fiery passion. I myself do not have a True Rune, so I cannot speak of the burdens, but I have been dangeriously associated with True Runes, and I know a little about them and their burdens. There's no question you can do it though. Lulu died for his passion, your mother lives for hers, and that was Jimba's whole basis for living."
From beside Hugo there was a slight whimper. He glanced at Chris next to him and saw a tear roll down her cheek.
"I can hear my father talking to me sometimes," She sobbed. "He's a part of me. I feel him with me all the time, but he's also so distant. And the pain of never being with him is something that still troubles me. I may seem like this rigid soldier, but I really can't do this anymore. Hugo I keep telling you to be strong because I want to follow my own advice. But I know where your burdens come from, and I can't help but feel them as well."
Hugo moved closer to her and put his arm around her. She felt small in his arm. He was really was much bigger than ever.
"Chris, I never knew my father. And Riou and Jowy were orphans themselves. I'm sure Sierra can barely remember her parents from so long ago. It's painful but like everybody has been telling me so far, we can always rely on each other. The bearers are in this struggle together, and heaven knows, I'm always with you."
Chris looked up at him with her ice blue eyes. He wiped the tear from her cheek, and she collapsed into his arms, grabbing him close, crying on his shoulder. Sierra shrank back into Nash's arm and kissed him on the cheek.
"What's it like to have that kind of power?" Geddoe asked Tir. "I feel like my Lightning Rune is so much more inferior than yours."
"Geddoe, be happy with what you have. The Soul Eater is becoming increasingly wearing. I feel like it's destroying my soul. I find myself becoming more cynical, more judgemental, more angered. It was the death of my best friend Ted. There's no doubt it's insanely powerful, but it a price I'm not sure how much more I can pay," Tir replied.
"I always was the leader back in the Grasslands. I was the last remaining member of the trio of Fire Bringers, I had fought Harmonia in wars before, I had stolen the Lightning Rune from them, I had been through a lot. But now in the presence of the rest of you, I feel much smaller and insignificant."
"I can't see why you should feel that way. You were one of the largest factors in the Second Fire Bringer war. If Harmonia had won that war and gotten the 5 True Runes I cannot imagine the future we'd be in right now. You were as much a part of history as any of us. I no doubt have respect for you from what I've heard."
Tir offered his hand, and Geddoe clasped it, shaking it with a sense of brotherhood.
"I've heard wonderous things about your deeds," Sasarai complimented.
"It was a tough time of my life, I won't deny that," Freyjadour replied. "Thank you though."
"Lord Salome taught me much about the Falenan Queendom," Louis piped in.
"What's so special about it?" Melville asked.
The two members of royalty and the two young adults sat in a different corner of the temple, having their own discussion.
"From what I heard, it was always a Queendom, ruled by strong women. They'd have wonderous gladitorial games to determine husbands. And there was always warring politics and manipulating politicians. Politics had killed the Prince's mother, kidnapped his sister, and Freyjadour traveled across Falena uniting the people to overthrow the corrupt politicians," Louis recited.
"All very true," Freyjadour added. "It's different now though. Unfortunately, many years ago, a terrible clan called Nether Gate regrouped and became a force to recon with. They succeeded in assassinating my sister and her husband, as well as her children. They also killed my aunt, and nearly all of my family members. But before they got to me, I went to the Sun Rune for help, and the Sun Rune chose me as its bearer. This was the first time in history that it had chosen a male, especially since males couldn't rule in Falena. When it affixed itself to me I also became the bearer of its sub-runes, the Dawn Rune and the Twilight Rune. These two sub-runes can help me control the Sun Rune from getting out of hand. I detroyed Nether Gate and reunited Falena again. Falenans accepted me as their first leader. I refused to call myself a King though. I was just the stand-in until I ever might have had a daughter to become Queen. Thats why I still have others refer to me as Prince."
"That's very admirable, Prince," Louis added. "I'm fascinated with royalty. I grew up very close to Lady Chris, and I'm intruiged by the idea of royalty. I wish I myself could rise up to come to a position of power someday."
Sasarai laughed to himself.
"What's funny?" Melville asked.
"Louis, you must be joking," Sasarai said. "Royalty is nothing but bloodline. Just because there is a blood relation does not mean that the person is any better in character or leadership than anybody else. Look at Luca Blight for instance. You associate royalty with power, but that is not true. I'm surprised Salome did not teach you further. Right now, you hold something more powerful than royalty could ever be. That Rune is true power, not some bloodline."
"He's absolutely right," Frejadour added. "You too Melville. I know you're both young, but you can see in the past of the runes and understand what we mean."
Louis and Melville both nodded.
Edge was now sitting with Jowy and Riou.
"I can't believe that I'm looking at this sword again," Riou joked. "It's been a while."
"What ever happened to Viktor?" Edge asked.
"He went to see the Higheast Rebellion. I bet Geddoe might have seen him there. Joker too. The two of them were one of the reasons the rebellion was surpressed. I actually have no idea where he or Flik might be," Riou replied.
"It'd be nice to see those two clowns again," Jowy laughed. Riou and Edge laughed with him.
"I wouldn't worry about giving back the sword though. He wanted you to keep it. Just keep fighting, and eventually you can pass it on as well," Riou said.
Edge nodded.