Breath of Fire III: Of Gods and Dragons
Chapter Eleven: The Princess' Heart
Written by Estrelita Farr
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Ryu could only stare at the river below, even after both half-unicorns had long disappeared from sight. Even though they were his hated enemies, he still felt despair for not being able to at least save their lives. Seeing someone die was something he felt he would not forget for a long time.
Despite the fact that he had felt utmost hatred for them earlier.
He suddenly recalled how Balio and Sunder were covered in blood, eyes looking up in fear. Looking up at him.
And he, as he stood towering over them in his Dragon form… had felt satisfaction. Joy at seeing another's pain he had inflicted.
His eyes widened in shock, staring at his hands. Trembling hands, covered in imaginary blood.
"N-no…" he muttered. "I don't want to be a monster…"
He could almost hear a crackling laughter in his ears.
"Ryu…" Nina called, her eyes filled with concern. "You're not a monster…"
"I only want to protect you…" He shook his head, tears filling his eyes. "I don't want to lose control again… I don't want to feel happy from hurting someone…"
"Ryu…"
"I… I know I hated them… I know I hated the people who came to the contest with greed… they were so happy to see someone getting hurt…" He shut his eyes. "But I hated them so much that I lost control… I'm not different from the people I hate…"
The girls remain silent, not quite knowing what to say.
Peco appeared crestfallen. "Pyu…"
At first Garr did not speak, then he posed a question. "Ryu, to what purpose do you fight?"
He was surprised, but he answered, "…to… to protect… but…"
His eyes narrowed. "Then is giving up your choice?"
He had no answer.
Garr began approaching the boy, his heavy steps loud on the wooden bridge. "Will you do naught and let yourself tread the same path of perdition once again? Surely this is not what you wish."
He shook his head tearfully. Certainly he did not want this to happen again… but what could he do?
It was that very moment when he remembered what Bunyan said to him before he left Cedar Woods, "If you want to eat, you have to work. It's the same here; if you want something, you have to work to get it, and be determined enough to keep at it."
He had understood the words then, and he understood the words now.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, wiping his tears, and slowly looked up. "You're right, I just can't give up if I want to stop it from happening again. I just have to keep a hold on my emotions and not let it go out of hand…"
Garr nodded, smiling slightly.
"Oh, Ryu!" Nina hugged him tightly. "You're not a monster! I know you're a good Dragon!"
"You can do it!" Momo said, grinning.
"Pui pui!" Peco added.
Feeling a little better now, Ryu smiled. "Thanks… thanks, everyone."
Garr stretched his wings. "Well then, let us put some distance between us and Wyndia. The day grows short."
The others nodded, but did not move. Their eyes lingered to the edge of the bridge.
"But…" Ryu began.
The winged man shook his head. "The fault lies with none but them; we cannot force them to accept Ryu's help if they wish against it. What happened is part of the Goddess' will… there is naught to be done for them."
The other four stayed silent, but deep down they knew that he was right.
"T-thank you, Garr," Nina said, turning towards him. "Because of you, we're finally free…"
"Think naught of it," Garr said. "I planned not to join their cause for long, anyway. More importantly…" His gaze focused on Ryu once more. "Once the princess is within the safety of her walls, Ryu… Angel Tower awaits us."
Ryu hesitated. "I…"
"W-wait, Garr, Ryu's on a journey looking for his friends, Rei and Teepo…" Nina glanced at the younger male, then at the older one. "Have you heard of them, by any chance?"
"Hm…" The winged man rubbed his chin, deep in thoughts. "I cannot say I have."
A look of disappointment washed over the boy's face. "I see…"
"However." There was a grave tone in Garr's voice that made him look up again. "You will not find them alive, I fear."
Will not find them alive, the voice echoed loudly in Ryu's mind, and he stared at him in horror, his eyes wide.
Momo gasped, her hands covering her mouth.
Nina shook her head quickly. "Garr! How can you say such a thing?"
Garr remained as serious. "Do you know not who you deal with? Balio and Sunder are the sort to strike down both friend and foe alike, once they have outlived their purpose. The reason Ryu survives is his power… am I wrong to say so?"
"N-no, but…" She looked up. "But Ryu's not a bad Dragon! He's always been protecting me!"
"I deny it not." Garr looked up at the sky to tell the time, and then started walking towards the end of the bridge. "First, let us go to Wyndia. To enter the eastern lands requires the King's permission."
As he strode calmly forward, Nina went over to Ryu, who had his eyes focused on the ground.
"Ryu? Are you… okay?" she asked uncertainly.
The boy glanced up immediately, smiling slightly. "I'm fine, don't worry. We should be happy that we're free now, right?"
She smiled as well. "Yeah, and it's all thanks to you, Ryu."
He turned a little red. "N-not really…"
Momo, with Honey on her shoulder, laughed. "Well, let's go! Garr will leave us behind if we don't hurry!"
"Pyu pyu!" Peco cried with a jump.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Ryu relaxed for the first time ever since he left his home in Cedar Woods, no longer fearing for his and Nina's safety. With so many companions with him, along with the strong Garr, he felt that nothing would be able to truly hurt them until they reached Wyndia.
He leaned against a tree trunk, watching Nina playing with Honey and Peco around the campfire that lit up part of their dark surroundings, while Momo was reading a book with rapt attention. He smiled when he saw how happy and free the princess seemed, feeling happy himself.
Garr was sharpening his halberd some distance away from the campfire, not wanting to get in the way of the play. When he was satisfied with its sharpness, he stood up and stretched. As he gazed in the boy's direction, he approached.
"Perchance you might allow this old man to sit by your side?" he asked.
Ryu merely stared at him in surprise at first, then he nodded meekly.
Garr settled down beside him, his large wings folded neatly behind him, his halberd on the ground in front of him. For a while, they sat beside each other in silence, facing the campfire. It was at least a few minutes before the winged man broke the silence.
"Have you long discovered your power?"
The boy looked up immediately, startled. "M-my power?" He grew cautious, suddenly afraid… part of him knew that he could trust this man, yet another part of him kept feeling sorrow and anger just from being near him…
"Yes, your power." His golden eyes watched the princess, robot doll and onion play, with the other girl joining in their laughter, but one could see that all of his attention was fully focused on the young Dragon.
Ryu knew that he could not escape from the question, so he slowly began to answer, "No, not really… I transformed without thinking when I tried to stop Balio and Sunder from running off with Nina…"
"'Twas the need to protect that awakened you."
He nodded. "Yes. But the Dragon form you saw me in, the adult Dragon… that's not my real form. I'm actually still really small."
Garr raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
He paused, before continuing quietly, "It's the power I found locked in a chrysm ore, the power of another Dragon…" A power I must never allow to consume me again…
"So the Dragonkin possess such ability… I know naught of it." There was a hint of interest in his voice.
The younger of the two remained silent for a moment. "I don't know if the others can do it or not, I've never met another Dragon…"
"Perhaps you will not have the chance. They did perish in the war hundreds of years ago, after all."
A look of despair washed over his quiet face as his voice lowered to a whisper. "…I… can't believe that… not just yet…"
"Ryu!" Nina called abruptly, waving madly from near the campfire. "Come and join us!"
"Join…?" Ryu seemed confused for a moment, but complied by getting up and walking to her.
Soon, though, he began running about with the others, turning from a sad young Dragon into a laughing happy child. As Garr watched him, he muttered to himself.
"One would sooner believe him a mere child than a fearsome Dragon… is it truly so…?"
Then he remembered Ryu's berserk state in the battle against Stallion. Although the others had merely brushed it aside, believing in their friend, the memory still etched itself firmly in Garr's mind.
A memory filled with blood.
"…no. He is dangerous. One of the Dragonkin whose wish is the destruction of the world…" He raised his gaze to the night sky. "I would do well to remember that."
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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After a restful night, once again they travelled along the road that led to Wyndia. They were certainly in high spirits today – Nina occasionally skipped as they walked, Momo started humming a little song, Peco bouncing happily with Honey on his head, and even Ryu could not help but to smile and chat a little. Garr seemed amused as he watched them.
When about a day had passed, they finally arrived at the T-junction of Eygnock Road, where Ryu and Nina were first captured and brought to Genmel so many days ago. The boy gazed at the lonely wooden hut that stood beside the road, recalling on the events that happened the last time he was here. He had felt so hopeful then, thinking that he would finally find one of his friends…
"Here we are!" Momo cried, proud that she had led them here as she had promised. "Eggnock Road! Wyndia's just around the corner!"
The princess stayed silent for a moment, before speaking softly, "I've been excited about coming home, and I know everyone's worried, but…" She shook her head. "How am I going to explain to them that Ryu's not a bad guy?"
Ryu felt uncomfortable. he had dreaded returning here after he was thrown into prison by the King… but he knew that Nina belonged here, in her home. He smiled, trying to reassure her.
"Don't worry, I'm sure nothing will happen to me," he stated, defying the doubt that resided inside him. "Your parents aren't bad people, are they?"
She shook her head again, smiling slightly. "No, they're not… I know that they have to make really hard choices sometimes, but I still…"
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, okay? Just be happy that you're home."
She nodded, cheering up. "Okay, I will. Thanks, Ryu."
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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However, when the castle gates neared, Ryu began to feel nervous and doubtful, not even realising that people were staring at his strange company. Nina, too, seemed to feel the same, but she pressed on, knowing that she had kept her parents worried long enough. Boldly she approached the guards at the gate, who at first stared at her in disbelief, and spoke softly to them.
Luckily for them though, the two gatekeepers were rather ecstatic over the princess's return that they immediately ushered them into the castle audience hall, where the worried King and Queen were.
Ryu smiled at the emotional reunion of the royal family when they embraced each other tightly, some even having tears expressing happiness. Part of his heart ached as he partially remembered that he had no family, but most of it was happy for his friend. If he could not experience that happiness, at least she could.
"If it weren't for Ryu and the others…" Nina started after she had calmed down, smiling as she glanced at her companions. "I don't know what I would've done."
"Ah, I see…" the king looked up at the strange group, from Peco all the way up to Garr, and smiled. "Thank you very much for your help… I am truly grateful."
"Think naught of it, Your Majesty," Garr replied, giving a slight bow with one arm across his waist.
"Still, you have my gratitude." He gazed at all of them, but a look of surprise washed over his face as his eyes fell onto Ryu, who was partially hidden behind the huge figure of the winged man.
Ryu shirked back in fear, wondering what would happen to him.
The king took a step closer, inspecting his azure hair. "Hm… you are that 'Dragon' the conmen brought in before, aren't you?"
He gazed upward at the royal man, nodding very slightly. He seemed rather terrified… just like how Nina first saw him so many days ago.
The princess immediately leaped to her friend's rescue, standing between him and her father. "Daddy! Ryu's not a bad person! He protected me and helped me escape from the bad men!"
"I see." To everyone's relief, the king's gaze softened as he smiled again. "I thank you, Ryu, for saving my daughter, and I apologise for thinking you were one of those charlatans."
"I-it's okay…" Ryu said softly, relaxing a little.
"Now then!" He looked around at the group. "I believe you're tired and hungry after your adventures! Would you join us to dinner?"
Gar nodded. "Yes, thank you for your offer, Your Majesty."
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Nina took over half an hour just to relate the whole story to her parents, so excited in the process that she had barely touched her food. The others ate silently, occasionally looking up to answer the king's questions… except for Peco, who ended up sleeping at his seat.
But Ryu, despite already knowing that he wasn't labelled as a criminal anymore, still felt rather tensed, cautious of his surroundings as he ate slowly.
"My, that sounded like quite an adventure," the king remarked when Nina finally finished. "It sounded like you had fun, Nina!"
"It was fun being with my friends!" his daughter agreed. "But it wasn't fun being chased by the bad men…"
A nearby knight, standing near the wall with a halberd in one hand, started speaking hesitantly, seeming as though he was bursting to say something. "But, Your Majesty, with all due respect, I find it rather hard to believe…" He shook his head. "Could a mere child have performed such deeds?"
"Hm…" The royal man started to think deeply.
"But Ryu isn't just an ordinary boy!" Nina protested. "Daddy, Ryu's a Dr–"
Garr cleared his throat loudly, interrupting her. "Ahem! Your Majesty, it is time we left… we plan to leave for the eastern lands by the morrow."
The king nodded. "Ah, I see. You need a passport, don't you? Since you're in a hurry, I will see that you get it immediately."
"Thank you." He stood up slowly from the table, followed by Ryu, Momo and Peco.
"W-wait…" Nina shook her head, looking as though she would burst into tears. "You mean… you're leaving already?"
The winged man gave a slight bow. "Yes, Your Highness."
Momo bowed a little as well, though rather awkwardly, with a sad gleam in her eyes. "Nina… I mean, Princess…" She smiled. "We'll meet again."
"Indeed." The king nodded as he stood up. "If your travels ever bring you here again, we will welcome your presence at Wyndia Castle."
Garr bowed once again, this time to him. "I thank you, Your Majesty."
As he left the dining hall, Momo and Peco followed suit, but Ryu, however, hesitated. A strong feeling of despair tore at his heart, even as he gazed back at Nina, who seemed rather sad. He didn't want to leave her so soon, he still wanted to be with her… but her place was here, in this castle, in her home with her family.
For him, he did not belong here, nor did he belong anywhere in this world.
And… I… I have to learn more about my own family… the Brood…
Tears began to flow from Nina's eyes, which fuelled Ryu's own despair, but fought his own tears and attempted to smile. "Goodbye, Nina, we'll see each other again once we're back."
He gave a small bow and slowly left the dining hall, turning his back to the royal family. It was not long before he started sprinting down the long halls of Wyndia Castle, with tears streaming down his cheeks, and dashing past everyone he encountered along the way.
He knew that he would had to part with her as soon as he brought her home, but it was still rather unbearable… Yes, he knew that he would see her again, he would always come here to visit her once he had gone to Angel Tower, yet despair still overwhelmed his little heart.
Farewells were… not easy at all. Not after how Rei and Teepo were abruptly taken away from him.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Why…? Why did they have to leave so soon…?
Nina stayed on her bed long after her companions had left, her face buried in the tear-soaked pillow. Soon, after she had calmed down, she gave a soft sigh as she slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes lightly.
I guess even if I went with them, I'll only get in the way… they… don't really need a princess along causing trouble…
Just then, she remembered how sad Ryu had looked, and she wished that she could have gone with him… but now that she was home in Wyndia, as a princess she had no reason to remain with them anymore.
Softly she sighed, but soon smiled a little.
But I'll always wait for Ryu to come back… I know he will, once he finds out about his family.
Suddenly cheered up, she went to wash her face in her bathroom, and left for her classroom where her beloved grand piano stood. As she passed maids, servants and guards in the hall, all of them either bowed or curtsied in respect, reminding her of her status and role in this castle, reminding her of the duties she had to fulfil each day.
It was surprising how lonely she felt now, in this big place.
Just as she passed by her mother's bedroom door, she paused; she remembered that during her reunion with her parents earlier, she had seen that her mother looked rather pale, so much more than before she was caught… making her mind to visit her at least, Nina slowly pushed the door open, entering the bedroom that was much bigger than her own, though rather similar in design.
She strode across the blue carpeted floor, walking towards the large four poster bed as the two maids in the room curtsied. The older of the two maids shook her head and said, "Princess Nina, when you disappeared, the Queen was so overcome with grief that she collapsed…"
"R-really…?" Nina whispered, filled with despair and remorse. "I'm sorry…"
She stepped closer towards the bed, and gasped softly when she saw how tired her mother had seemed compared to before the kidnapping. She knelt at the side of the bed, holding her mother's hand lightly. "Mother…"
The Queen opened her eyes slowly, and smiled when she saw her daughter. "Oh, Nina, you don't know how glad I am when you finally came home…"
She shook her head, tears threatening to fall. "I'm sorry, Mother… I made you worry so much…"
She put her free hand on top of the princess', pressing them lightly. "You're my treasure, Nina… Wyndia's treasure… Remember that always, and try not to do anything that would bring us grief…"
I… I don't want to be the princess… I just want to be with Ryu…
But Nina forced a smile, defying the feelings in her heart. "I'll remember, Mother. Please rest now, you need to get better."
"Yes, I will, now that you're back…"
With that, the young girl slowly turned towards the door and left, continuing her way to her lessons room. It took less than a minute to reach it, and she was glad to know that nothing much had changed since her departure, especially where her piano and music books were located. Just as she usually did, she took out a book, flipped the pages to find the pieces that she liked the most, and placed it on the stand above the piano keys. Then, her fingers began moving deftly, the sounds of the instrument echoing across the halls.
Ryu… I wonder if he'll miss me?
No sooner five minutes passed, a high-pitched scream rang across the halls, followed by a loud crash of something shattering, which forced Nina to stop immediately.
"Huh? What was that?" she wondered aloud.
She thought that she had imagined it, but decided to investigate anyway. She jumped off the piano chair, not bothered to keep her book this time, and ran outside the room. She didn't know where it came from, but since it sounded like a plate shattering, she left for the dining hall, which was just below her classroom.
The maids and servants were just cleaning the dining hall after the meal earlier, with some going up and down bringing plates while the others bustled around with cloths and brooms to clean. There was a particular young maid who seemed rather stunned, standing right next to pieces of a broken plate.
"What happened?" Nina asked, curious.
"Oh, Princess, something hit my foot earlier and startled me... then I dropped the plate…" The maid shook her head slowly. "No, it wasn't a rat, it was something… more…" She jumped, pointing towards one direction. "Eek! There it is again!"
At that very moment the princess turned and was just in time to see something small and dark red running out from under the table. To the maids, it was the same thing as a rat – a pest – but to Nina, it was something she recognised immediately.
Honey, Momo's robot doll!
She raced in the direction she thought Honey went, running around halls, crossing the courtyard, past the training field, and then downstairs into the underground area that led to the kitchens, dungeon and wine cellar. The moment she stepped into the kitchen, she had lost Honey, but the chefs there told her that something ran into the wine cellar.
The castle's wine cellar was large, with numerous gigantic crates and barrels, so it was not easy for a small girl to find a small-sized creature there. However, just as she was about to give up, she turned around a corner and tripped over something small and hard… then she realised that it was Honey!
"Oh, Honey! I knew it was you!" Nina called softly, getting up and kneeling next to the small robot doll. "What's the matter? Did you get left behind?"
Honey jumped, as though she was surprised, and then sped away back upstairs.
"Wait! Honey!" the princess cried, but it was too late – the robot had already gone. "Oh no, if the cooks see her, they'll think she's a rat and try to kill her! I have to find her!"
Once again she pursued the robot doll back upstairs, following her all the way out of the kitchens and upstairs back to her own bedroom, then to the large door that led to the balcony. Once outside, Honey stopped, as if she thought that she had finally escaped, but she ran once again when Nina came out the door just right behind her.
"Honey! Wait!" Nina cried again, but her attempts were futile, for the robot doll ran away again, startling the birds perched on the nearby wall.
However, as soon as she reached the end of the balcony, there was nowhere else for her to run.
"Honey, it's me, Nina…" The young girl tried to coax her to come closer. "Don't you remember me? I'm one of Momo's friends…" She took a step closer, but it turned out to be a mistake.
The robot went straight to the edge of the balcony, jumped onto the wall, and prepared to leap.
"No! Honey! You're going to fall!"
Honey paid her no heed and jumped right into the air, towards the low grounds.
"Honey! NO!" Nina cried as she made a grab for her, reaching out as far as she could with both of her arms, and she was just only able to catch her. However, in her panic and hurry, she had leaned too far out.
She screamed as she began to plunge downwards, her voice carried along the wind as she hugged the robot doll tightly. Fear overwhelmed her just like the time she was thrown into Maekyss Gorge by Stallion, except this time the Dragon was not here to save her…
Ryu…!
However, at that very moment, the short sound of zap came from Honey as her body shone brightly, and a magical sphere of white light formed around both of them. They started to slow down, gradually at first, then just as they were just three feet from the ground, they floating slowly downwards like a soap bubble.
We… we're flying?
Just as suddenly as it had formed, the sphere of light disappeared, forcing her to fall once again, but as she was barely a foot above the ground, she was able to land safely on her feet. Breathing hard from the fear, she still held on to Honey, who was no longer glowing now.
"Did you… did you do that, Honey?" she asked, looking at the robot doll in her hand.
There was no response.
"Honey?" She shook her slightly. "Honey! What's the matter?"
Once again, there was no response.
She's not… moving… what should I do…?
Nina stood there for a long time, not quite knowing what to do. Once again, someone else had protected her from danger, and instead of her being hurt, now Honey was unmoving… it was her fault.
She felt despaired, almost ready to cry, but knowing that she was unable to do anything for Honey, she started walking down the path, her back towards the castle walls where she had fallen from.
There was only one person who could help Honey, and that person was Momo.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Time passed rather quickly that day, and it was already past sunset before Ryu realised the time. He stared into the campfire, sadness raging in his heart, feeling as though he had lost an important part of himself. Ever since he had met her, Nina had been an important part of his life, his best friend…
Garr said nothing as he sat before the fire, occasionally throwing firewood into the hungry flames, and Peco remained asleep near them. Momo, however, soon burst out of the tent that they had set up, a puzzled expression on her face.
"Say, has anyone seen Honey?" she asked, looking around.
"No… is she not with you?" the winged man replied, throwing another log into the fire.
"I thought she was…" She scratched her head. "Maybe she wandered off somewhere?" She went around, calling loudly with her hands cupped around her mouth, "Honeeeeeey~ wheeeerree aaaaarrre yoooouuuuu?"
Ryu knew how horrible it was to be separated from friends, so he stood up and looked around for the robot doll as well, poking his sheath into bushes. Just as he stepped out from the shrubbery, though, he caught sight of a familiar figure in the darkness.
"Nina?" he called uncertainly.
"Ryu?" the princess' voice said, as she stepped into the light of the campfire. "Everyone?"
She came back… she really came back.
The boy felt exceedingly happy at seeing her again, so overjoyed that he wanted to hug her tightly, but he refrained himself and instead asked, "Nina, why are you here?"
Momo, then, suddenly caught sight of Honey in her arms. "Hey, you found Honey!"
Nina nodded. "Yeah, she was at the castle, but then she became like this…"
It was only at that time when Ryu realised that the robot doll was not moving at all, as though she was… dead.
The princess shook her head tearfully. "I… I don't know what's wrong with her…"
Momo stepped forward and took Honey in her hands, examining her closely. "Hm…" After a moment, she grinned at the children's apprehensive faces. "Don't worry, she just ran out of chrysm. We'll get her fixed up in no time!"
A look of relief washed over Nina's face. "R-really?"
"Yep!" Momo gestured towards their tent. "C'mon, why don't you bring her inside?"
She nodded, and together both of them entered the tent with Honey. Ryu just stood there dumbly, wondering what to do, then he decided to follow them. However, just as he passed him, Garr spoke.
"Best let Momo be the one responsible for the task; she knows it well," he said calmly, glancing over a shoulder at him. "In the meantime, there is something I should tell you before we begin our journey to Angel Tower."
Ryu turned, confused. "Something… to tell me?"
"Yes…" Even sitting down, Garr was still tall enough to be looking downwards at him. "Once we arrive at our destination, you will learn of the Brood… and the great war that ended some four hundred years ago."
Images flashed across Ryu's mind. Images of flames, images of blood… then, he heard cries, cries and roars filled with fear, anger and despair. And, above them all, he saw a gleaming spear…
"But…" Garr continued, just as Nina came out from the tent without them realising. "There is always that one possibility…" He gazed at Ryu. "…that you may die soon afterwards."
Ryu froze.
"…that you may die soon afterwards…" Garr's voice echoed over and over in his mind, even as he stared at his gigantic companion in shock.
If I go… I'm… going to die…
"Die… you mean he might really die?" Nina exclaimed loudly, running to the boy's side. "Why would you say such a horrible thing? He's just going to learn about his family!"
Ryu did not even react to this outburst – he was completely numb.
"You have to understand, both of you." Garr tossed another log into the fire. "Involve yourselves with the power to destroy entire kingdoms, and you have to prepare for aught and all… even death."
Nina shook her head quickly, protesting. "No! He's not a bad Dragon! He always uses his power to protect me! He's a good Dragon!"
"Yes, I deny it not."
She looked at Ryu. "I… I'm going with you!"
The boy returned her gaze, his voice quiet. "Nina… it'll be dangerous, like Garr said…"
"I don't care!" Tears slid down her cheeks, but she did not seem to realise it. "I don't want anything to happen to you, and I don't want you to die somewhere alone, somewhere without me!"
Ryu smiled slightly, yet it was still clear that he was terrified, still in despair. "Thank you, Nina…"
Suddenly she threw herself at him, hugging him tightly. "I… I know you're a good person, Ryu…" Her voice shook, suddenly losing all the determination she had earlier. "I… I don't want you to die…"
He fought his fear hard, trying to at least appear brave in front of her, but he failed miserably. He broke down completely, sobbing as hard as he did when he had first discovered that Rei and Teepo were missing… perhaps even harder. Nina only held him tightly, her own tears flowing freely.
When Momo came out from the tent, with Honey walking by her side, she was surprised by the unusual scene in front of her.
"Um… did I miss something?"
And Honey gave her a kick in the foot.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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"Once past the border, we shall be in the eastern lands," Garr explained one night and half a day later, once the huge wall of the Wyndia-Rhapala border were sighted at the horizon. "I anticipate few problems with our passports…" He glanced at Nina. "Though we might with our companion, the runaway princess…"
Nina said nothing in reply, looking rather nervous.
"Are you… sure you want to come with me?" Ryu asked, shaking his head. "Won't your parents get worried…?"
"They'll understand if I explain to them, I hope…" She smiled. "I'm coming with you no matter what, so don't try to change my mind!"
He returned the smile. "Thanks, Nina."
"What about you, Momo?" the princess questioned, turning to the other girl. "I mean, you were only supposed to take us to Wyndia, right?"
"Yeah, but my father used to buy machinery from the eastern lands," Momo explained, and then grinned. "I can't wait to see what kind of machines they have there!"
Nina giggled and Ryu smiled – they knew by now that she was mad over machines.
"Pui!" Peco cried, wanting to join in the fun.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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The checkpoint was not a very busy place, since there were only very little travellers staying around to buy supplies from the nearby store. There was a Wyndian guard standing at the gate in the middle of the large wall.
Garr produced the passport when it was their turn to cross the border, and the armoured guard examined it.
"Everything looks to be in order," he stated as he returned the passport to the Dragon-like man. "Have a safe journey, everyone."
"Thank you," Garr said, as he led the party forward through the gate, heading towards the bridge.
Nina bowed her head, trying not to look nervous as she followed Garr, with Ryu behind her. Most of the Wyndian soldiers would recognise her, so it would be a little hard sneak past them…
Just as she feared, the guard stared at her, a surprised expression on his face as he said, "Princess Nina?"
"Uh oh…" Ryu muttered.
"Excuse me…" The guard turned towards Garr and shook his head, hesitating. "But who is this young lady?"
Garr stopped, looking over one shoulder. "She is my daughter. Is there something amiss?"
The others gasped, but their voices were drowned by the guard's.
"D-d-d-d-daughter?" the guard exclaimed, spluttering, then he recompose himself. "W-wait! By daughter, you mean she's your child, right?"
The winged man crossed his arms, leering at them in a rather intimidating manner. "Pray tell, is there another meaning I know not?"
The guard began to tremble. "I-I mean… I-I guess she t-takes after her mother! Yes, that's it! Her mother must be very attractive!" He gestured towards the gate with put-on enthusiasm. "S-sorry to have bothered you, good sirs and madams! Please, g-go on through!"
Quite unable to believe their good fortune, the rest of the group went after Garr onto the wide rope bridge that stretched across a large body of water that was part of the Inner Sea. As soon as they were out of sight, the two children and Momo stopped, trying to calm down from the nervousness that they felt earlier.
"Whoo, that was scary!" Momo remarked. "I thought Nina was going to get caught right there and then!"
"I did too…" Ryu admitted sheepishly.
"That was pretty close…" Nina agreed, then turned to Garr. "Thank you for covering for me like that, Garr."
"Hm…" He gazed at her, seeming to be thinking deeply. "I had heard that Ryu oftentimes protected you, so mayhap you are necessary to show his power."
"What?" The princess immediately turned towards Ryu, who seemed a little uncomfortable now.
The Dragon-like man stretched his massive wings. "After all, if he agrees not to use his power, we are but wasting time…"
With that, he strode forward, walking towards the other end of the bridge and leaving the others behind. Momo glanced at him, then at her two younger companions, and started walking across as well, with Peco happily bouncing after her.
The children watched them go, and then Nina spoke softly, "Ryu… you mean to say that you only use your powers because of me?" She gazed at him. "Only to protect me?"
Ryu did not know just how to answer. "…I…"
"If that's true, then I want to be stronger!" She shook her head. "I want to learn how to fight too!"
"Nina…"
Despair washed over her face. "If… if I'm stronger, then you won't have to use your powers… then you won't get into trouble from using them anymore, right?"
"Nina, even if something happens to me, I'll continue to use this power to protect you, whether you get stronger or not." He suddenly smiled. "You're important to me, so I want to do it."
"But… I…" Her eyes focused on the boards of the bridge. "I don't want to keep getting in your way…"
"Trust me, you're not." He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, still smiling. "I'm just happy that you're with me, even though I'm one of the fearful Dragons."
She looked up. "I-I trust you! I know you're not a bad Dragon!"
He seemed happier. "Thanks, Nina. It really means a lot to me." Seeing how far the rest of their companions were, he told her, "Well, we should get going, and don't worry about it, okay?"
She sniffed slightly, but smiled cheerfully and nodded. "Okay."
Just as they began to move, a gentle wind blew around the bridge, and the male voice that they did not hear spoke high above them.
"I'm glad, Ryu, you're beginning to sound like your normal self again."
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End of Chapter Eleven.
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Author's Note:
I dunno if you realised, but instead of using the term "God", I use the term "the Goddess". After all, you know that she's female from the way Garr refers to the Goddess as a "her" despite calling her "God". I used "the Goddess" instead of the other because… no offence, but it's a bit too religious for me. o_o
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Review Replies for Chapter Ten:
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To RedemptionWarrior:
Haha, your party is way too pro! I'm the lazy sort, after all, I hardly train other than the times I use Charge in battle while I write this novelisation. :D
As for your Dragon question; I won't be giving Ryu the chance to use much of the golden forms, because I'll be using the "generalised forms" rather than both normal and golden forms, since I thought it might confuse people if I try to describe too many Dragon forms. e_e. The Trygon is an exception, since I consider it a "different" Dragon form in this novelisation (which isn't the case in-game). As for the other Dragon forms like the Tiamat and Pygmy, at the moment I didn't give him the chance to use them yet.
But thanks for mentioning it! You knocked some sense into me; I kinda forgot about them. xP
Thanks for the review!
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To Lord Kain:
Thanks! Good to hear you like the bridge scene. :D
Actually it never did occur to me that the voice at the beginning could be the winged lady in the mines later on… I guess it's also one way to interpret it. o_o
Anyway, in my version of the novelisation, I described the voice at the beginning as "a familiar male voice". I knew the winged person in the mines is a female, but we haven't even reached the chapter yet so I'm not going to give anything away. xP Just know that they're two different people!
Thanks for the review. :D
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To Jonathan Priest:
Glad to hear that! One of my weaknesses in battles is the fact that I make them end too fast, so now I try to make them at least a bit longer instead of a 3HKO like what happened in-game. xP Poor Ryu though, I tend to bully him a lot, but I always like Ryu-Nina scenes!
A naïve but determined Riou? That sounds like what I wanted to portray him! I'm guessing the reason why I don't feel so in-character with him is because… well, in my head, he's kinda similar to Ryu. Maybe I should work on some other novelisation first before Suikoden 2, just so to Ryu out of my system? Though I'd love to read your rewrite! But if I did see correctly, most of your FF (dot) net Suikoden stories are for the third and fourth game, which I didn't quite finish… or did you post them elsewhere? o_o
But thanks for reviewing!
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To Rogue Kaiser:
Thanks! I feel that the Ryu-almost-lost-control-scenes are a bit flat for some reason, but I'm glad you like them! I never really liked Stallion, so I gave them quite a bit of a beating… and I've always liked how the "voice" helps Ryu out. Like a fatherly figure, I'd think. :D
Thanks for the review!
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To Airess Byrd:
Yep, and Emitai turns out to be a con artist! Ryu is just too nice… though I'll bet Emitai wouldn't dare to double-cross him after that! I'm glad you like Garr's speech though, I hope I did it well enough to actually make him different from the others. :D
But don't worry about the voice, you'll sooner or later know who he is… in a few more chapters. Suspense killing you yet? xP
Thanks for the review!
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To Nina Windia:
Thanks! I'm glad Ryu's almost-berserk-scenes work well!
I kinda like Garr going into the odd style of talking… of course, I'm hoping it's hard to change the style of speech even if he's old, but I don't think he's the sort to keep up with the times. And I didn't want to go into thou, thee and stuff because… well, I'm bad at it. I kinda forgot Fou-Lu talks like that too, actually. xP
And thanks for letting me know about the 'a single tear of anguish' thing! I actually don't quite remember writing that part… and I keep missing that line when I reread the whole thing. Darn my forgetfulness. x_x I've changed it tears rather than just a tear though!
Thanks for the review! :D