Authors Note: This is the first time I am attempting to write a Suikoden fanfic and a crossover between S4 and the various Suikoden Series, though I will start with Suikoden V. I hope that all of you will enjoy reading this fic as much as I write it and please do me the honor of reviewing it and pointing out things I can add or do to improve this fic.
Chapter 1
Time has no meaning when a person almost never grows old, Lazlo thought as he sat under a palm tree close to the beach on the deserted island. A lot of memories were stirred up no matter how long he had stayed here. He chuckled at the memory of Chiepoo getting into trouble with a Giant Crab because of his stomach, leading to their fight to save him and the endeavors of how he, Kenneth and Paula, with Chiepoo tried to salvage some materials to attach to their boat when they were marooned here a long time ago. He still felt amused at the memory of Chiepoo being chased by Wild Crabs during the fight as well.
Due to the effects of the Rune, he aged very slowly, and he still retained his youthful look after so long, and he has lost track of the time that has passed since his arrival here.
Through the years, he has seen and heard of many old friends come and go. Kenneth became the Commander of the Razril Knights, and what is surprising is that Jewel, one of his old Knight colleagues, which was one of the most boy hungry, became his wife.
Tal is now one of the greatest fishermen of the Island Nations, due to the tutelage of his mentor, Shiramine, and Ugetsu. Chiepoo, along with Nalkul and Champo became one of the most successful trading companies in the area, and last he heard was they managed to buy over their rival trading company and now was a rich trading conglomerate.
He smiled sadly, wondering how the Kingdom of Obel is doing right now. He missed his father and sister, though it is a very great possibility that they are no longer in this world right now.
He looked at the sky and thought about his adoptive brother, Snowe. A feeling of deep sadness welled up within him as he thought about Snowe. He received the news of Snowe had died during a sea patrol, against some Kooluk renegade forces that were still loyal to Troy. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he weeped quietly, for the brother that he lost.
So caught up with his grief, he did not notice somebody approaching him. He felt warm and gentle arms drawing him to a hug. The action was so warm and comforting, that the grief he felt was let loose and he sobbed in the person's arms, while a soft, comforting voice soothed him like no other.
It took him sometime to release his pent up pain before he said softly. "Thank you... "
A sweet sounding voice, one that is familiar with him replied. "You are very welcome, Lord Lazlo."
Knowing that not many people called him that, especially now that he wasn't the leader of the Island Nation Liberation Army, he looked up and found himself looking at a very familiar face, albeit a very grown up version of the sweet and gentle mermaid that he used to know"Li... Lilen? "
The mermaid nodded and let go of him and sat beside him. He looked to the side and said. " Lilan, you too ? "
The other mermaid sister, now a ravishing beauty in her own right nodded shyly, and sat on his right, looking at him with a curious, but sympathetic expression on her face, which wasn't hard, considering that she was already like that when he was still taking part in the Island Liberation War.
"What brings you out here, you two... you know it is dangerous for you two to be seen out in the open like this." He said to them.
"I know, Lord Lazlo... but we felt your grief. You helped us and our sisterhood during the Liberation... and this is the least we can do." Lilen replied, which was followed by Lilan's nodding.
They stayed like that for some time before Lilen looked at the ocean and said. "There is a ship approaching from the distance. Perharps its best if Lilan and I retire back to the pool in the cave that once hid me and Sister Lilin."
Lazlo looked at both of them and nodded. "It is for the best and very well. We do not know where that ship comes from, and who is aboard it. Go now, I will be here, and will look for you both if it is safe to come out."
Both sisters nodded and then jumped into the water and swam away, as Lazlo looked at the ship that is quickly approaching. The banners and insignia of the vessel looked like a small traveling vessel from the island of Na-Nal.
He rose to his feet when he saw the people on the deck of the ship as it drew closer. Most of them were elves, and two of them looked very familiar. When they stepped onto land, he smiled at them. "Paula, Selma. It is good to see you both again. What brings you my way? "
Both elves had grown older since the last time Lazlo saw them. Selma was just as robust and beautiful since the last time her, and she carried her giant blade, the Evil-Slicing Sword slung on her back. Her hair was slightly longer though, and was tied in a ponytail.
Paula, however, has grown slightly taller and more slender, and her body has matured and she was practically a ravishing beauty. Her hair was also tied in a ponytail, but she wore a simple and yet elegant version of a warrior's garb, which does not restrict movement, and yet still quite form fitting, her Elven Sword which she carried throughout the war, was slung on her left hip.
Selma merely nodded, while Paula went forth and gave him a hug. "It is good to see you as well, Lazlo. As to what is our purpose in coming here, it is quite a long story. Why don't we go to our old spot, and talk more about it? "
He nodded and led them to the small alcove under an arch. He smiled at Paula. "Brings back memories, doesn't it, Paula? I can still vividly remember how we gathered things for our ship back then."
Paula smiled and said. "Yes and Mr. Chiepoo got all of us into trouble by trying to catch the crabs in the island."
"Ahh, those were the days..." Lazlo smiled wistfully. "By the way, why are you both here? I assume this isn't a random visit. The last time I heard, you were nominated as Elder of that elf colony in Na-Nal, and Selma is your bodyguard. Shouldn't you have duties to do or something?" He asked rather curiously.
Paula just smiled, as she had already expected him to ask this particular question. "Indeed. I did not come here just to chat, or just reminisce about the past, Lazlo; I came here with Selma after abdicating my position as Elder in the Elven Colony in Na-Nal."
He raised an eyebrow at what she had just said. "Impressive, I did not know that at all. I must imagine that there were a lot of strong disagreements over that particular decision of yours."
Selma nodded. "Indeed, Lord Lazlo. Lady Paula's abdication came as a surprise to everyone. She was not only a strong warrior, but a good diplomat as well, and a benevolent Elder, and was well liked by everyone."
Paula smiled and said. "Nevertheless, it is my decision to make. After all those years being Elder, I think the explorer and adventurer part in my blood called out to me, and I must admit, it is very alluring and I could not pass up an opportunity to travel and see the world again, just like we used to do when were still liberating the Island Nations from Kooluk rule."
Lazlo looked at them and nodded, as he also felt the same wanderlust come to him in these few months, though he did not do anything about it. "To tell you the truth, after a century or so of being alone here, with only the mermaid sisters for company makes me yearn to travel as well."
Paula blinked at his statement, a slight look of surprise on her face, and Lazlo could see that Selma had the same expression on her face as well. "They're still alive, after this long?" She said finally.
He nodded. "Yes, Lilin and Liloon left many years ago to search for other mermaids, but when they did not return, Lilon grew worried and left as well. There is no news of her as well, even until this day. So the only ones that are left here are Lilen and Lilan. Thankfully, the mermaid trade has subsided significantly after the destruction of the Cray Trading Company, which we destroyed at El-Eal, but there are still rogue vessels dealing in that ghastly trade."
"Ah..." Paula said softly. "It must been hard for you Lazlo... to lose the people we were close to. I know... because of our longevity, and you, a possessor of a True Rune."
"Indeed... well, since we do feel the need to travel out in the world again, I suppose that was your intention when you came here?" Lazlo asked her.
Paula nodded. "Yes, I think it is the time to travel once more. That's why I brought this ship here with me. It'll take us to a port and then we can make our way everywhere by foot, something that we have never done before."
He then looked at Selma. "And you, Selma? What about you? "
The warrior elf said bluntly. "I am here as Lady Paula's companion, friend and protector, Lord Lazlo. Since you are going to be joining us, I extend those courtesies to you as well."
Lazlo nodded and got onto his feet. "Very well then, shall we depart?"
Both elf women nodded and got up and the three of them made their way back to the beach, where they saw Lilen and Lilan waiting for them.
Paula smiled at them and gave both sisters a friendly hug, and reminisced with them for a moment, noting that both of them had grown up to be ravishing beauties, which made her just a little bit jealous of them.
After some time, Lilen turned to Lazlo and said. "So... I guess this is goodbye."
He nodded and gave both of the sisters a friendly hug, before speaking to Lilen. "I am afraid so... I am grateful for both of your company. When I was alone, you both gave me companionship, friendship and I am sad as well, to go... but if our paths were meant to cross again, someday, we will see each other again."
Lilan nodded and said. "I look forward to that day."
She gave him a warm and friendly hug, before disappearing into the sea with Lilan.
Lazlo sighed and then turned to the two elf women. "Well, shall we get going? An adventure awaits us... "
The women nodded and the three of them boarded the ship, and Paula spoke to the captain of the ship, informing that Lazlo was now effectively the leader of their party. The captain nodded, and beamed with pride, for even he has heard of the legendary young man that held the Rune of Punishment, and the driving force behind the Island Liberation War. Paula then turned to Lazlo and said. "Will you give the order to depart, my friend?"
Lazlo nodded and was about to give the order to depart, before he paused, remembering something. He turned to his companions and said. "Please wait for me for a while, I just remembered some things that I need to pick up. Would you wait for me?"
Confused at his request, Paula and Selma nodded, while conveying Lazlo's message to the captain, and he agreed not to depart for a while. Lazlo thanked the captain, and stepped off the ship again, and went towards the cave that he once met Lilin in. He delved deeper into the cave, and found a small alcove where he hid some things. He took his twin swords, dubbed the Twin Heaven Fang, and strapped them back to their original places, on each side of his hips.
He also retrieved a small pack, contained with many accessories that he had kept in the past; including the wooden amulet that Rita gave him back then, before the final battle at Fort El-Eal. That particular amulet reminded him of the close friendship he had with the young girl, whom until today, he is blissfully oblivious of her crush on him. The pack also contained quite a few pouches of Potch, mostly coming from the money that he obtained through the war, and also recently from fighting with the monsters that occasionally popped up on the island. He could still remember fighting against the giant Ancient Crabs, a large brownish crab that resembled the Boss Crab he fought to save Chiepoo.
He also took out another pouch, which was filled with supplies and restorative items, such as Medicines and Mega Medicines, Jizo Clocks, Escape Ropes and other status remedies, as well as Mushrooms and Mixed Herbs that will help keep their party from falling into dire straits. Satisfied that he had brought everything he needs, he effortlessly hefted both packs on his back and walked towards the ship.
Both women looked at him with a surprised look on their faces, but said nothing for the moment, and waited for Lazlo to give the order to depart. He then spoke to the captain, which nodded and ordered his men to withdraw the gangplank and hoist the anchor and unfurl the sails, and soon with the aid of the wind, they were well on their way, the deserted island soon gone in the horizon.
It was then Paula asked. "I can see that you brought quite a bit of things with you? I can only assume that they are supplies for our trip?"
Lazlo nodded at her statement. "That is correct. Since my stay here, Chiepoo has been stopping by some times in the past and offloaded many supplies here, especially recovery items and such, so I thought I would bring them along for our journey. I also brought some money with us, courtesy of the strong monsters that left behind lots of potch as loot."
He then rummaged into his other pack, searching for some time for some accessories for Paula and Selma, whom he thought might need them. For himself, he found a Speed Ring, a Counter Ring and a Guard Ring and placed them on his fingers. He withdrew another Speed and Guard Ring as well as a Thunder Amulet and gave it to Paula, who wasted no time, in putting the rings on her fingers and the amulet around her neck.
For Selma, he gave her a Wind Amulet, a Speed Ring and a Guard Ring as well. Once she had put them on, he asked them. "Now that we are ready for our travels, where should we head to?"
Paula thought for a while. "Hmmm… why not head for the Queendom of Falena ? I hear that there is also an elven colony there in a place called Alseid. I would love to go there to take a look. And who knows, we might get our fair share of adventure, along the way."
Lazlo nodded and he spoke to the captain, who relayed his order to the crew to set sail to Falena. The three travelers stood on the bow of the ship, looking forward as they begin their new journey, into an unknown land, where they are sure that another grand adventure awaits them.
Please Read and Review
Author's Note: At this point of time, I must ask for everyone to review and give suggestions where they will dock to start their adventure. Since my first crossover point is going to be in the world of Suikoden V, I would appreciate any suggestions.