Does anyone know when the Suikoden 1 and 2 remaster is actually coming out? I saw reports saying it was coming out in March, but it's not available for preorder anywhere.

Part Five

When Masaru gave Shou the antidote for the paralysis powder, a loud 'BOOM' filled the air and the shook violently. Shou gaped with wide eyes in the direction of the Burj Almawt. The menacing tower had exploded in bright lights, shockwaves ripping the shingles off of the roofs of houses and debris flying through the air. Chunks of the tower landed upon houses and businesses, and the light shot skyward. From the battlefield outside of Mlkwt Alsmwat, they saw the light collided with an invisible clear dome that covered the city. The barrier.

The barrier swiftly cracked like glass down all the sides, from the top to the bottom. When the cracks reached the ground, the barrier shattered like glass, but just as quickly the millions of shards dissipated into the air. A cold wind swept over Mlkwt Alsmwat, sweeping over Windy's hair and clothes.

"The barrier is gone," she observed. "That means Takefute is dead." She stood there silent for a long moment before turning on her heel and heading for the door. "Now it's my move."

Shou fell to his knees hard as he stared in the direction of the destroyed Burj Almawt. The pain unraveled his insides, tearing at his throat. He sucked in a breath, and let out a scream that conveyed the raw grief that shook his body.

"OBORO!"

Leknaat turned towards Mlkwt Alsmwat. "The Chiyu Star has died," she announced mournfully.

"WHAT?!" Allise cried out. She looked and saw Daunte approaching the battlefield and raced towards him. "Lord Daunte! Lord Daunte!"

"What's wrong?!" Daunte asked. But he already had a sickening feeling inside his gut. When he heard the explosion, and saw the barrier shatter, he knew that something was wrong.

"Lord Daunte!" Allise grabbed his arm. Tears had filled her eyes. "Lady Leknaat—she said one of the Stars of Destiny died!"

"EH?!" The soldiers around them screamed.

"Lady Leknaat!" Daunte screamed. The Seer was at his side in an instant. "Lady Leknaat, what happened?!"

"The Chiyu Star," Leknaat said softly. She was frowning deeply in sorrow. "The one named Oboro. His soul departed this plane just before the barrier fell."

Daunte covered his mouth, his breathing fast and hard. No! No, no, no, NO! Not again, PLEASE!

"I-I have to go!" He managed to choke out, blinking back tears. "I-I have to find his b-body, and I—"

Leknaat interrupted him with the shake her head. "I am sorry, my Lord. But his body…"

Daunte knees turned to jelly and he collapsed. The explosion. If Oboro was caught in the explosion, then his body may have been blown apart. There would be nothing left of his physical body. And if there's nothing left, then his soul can't…

Holy Army soldiers were frantically fleeing back into the gates of Mlkwt Alsmwat, while the Liberation Army dispatched the rest of the monsters. There was a sudden 'whoosh' of air, and Daunte was startled to hear hysterical sobbing. He looked up and saw Masaru and Umeko standing before him, Shou sandwiched between the two ninjas. The usually stoic detective was the one who was crying; crying so hard that he was screaming his sobs. The raw anguish in his face was painful to look at.

"What's going on?!" Surya shouted. He ran over to them with the other Falenans trailing after him. "Shou—what—"

"Call Viki," Masaru interrupted. "We need to get him out of here."

Surya gaped in shock at Shou. Shou was so hysterical that he couldn't speak. "V-Viki!" Daunte croaked out.

In a flash Viki was at his side, but she looked alarmed when she saw Shou's emotional state. "Get him back to HQ," Daunte said. "Take him straight to the infirmary."

"A-Ah—Right!" Viki grabbed Shou from Masaru and Umeko and in another flash they were both gone.

"What happened?!" Daunte demanded. "H-How did Oboro get caught in that explosion?!"

"Oboro is dead?!" Mokuren exclaimed.

"That was part of his plan," Masaru said grimly. "He told me so a few days ago. He came to this country to destroy everything that was left of Nether Gate, and he had to personally ensure that the man named Takefute died." He shook his head. "He told me...he said that he would never believe that Takefute would be dead unless he personally witnessed his death. W-We had heard that Takefute had taken refuge inside of the tower, so..."

"So you plotted," Umeko said quietly. Tears were filling her eyes. "Oboro and you planned on him dying today!"

Masaru shrugged stiffly. "This was what Oboro wanted. He could not be dissuaded otherwise. He felt that the only way to ensure Takefute's death was to die with him."

"And he wanted to atone," Georg said. Everyone looked at him in shock. "I won't pretend that I know Oboro's reasoning, but redemption was something he lived for going all the way back to the Falenan Civil War. He was a high-ranking member of Nether Gate, and was undoubtedly responsible for many deaths. Even though he gave it all up when Nether Gate was disbanded, and even though he saved Shigure and Sagiri, he probably felt that these acts were not enough to fully redeem him."

"So he...he let himself die," Daunte said quietly. "He killed himself while killing the former leader of Nether Gate in one final act of redemption."

Oboro...Oboro, why?! Why couldn't you have talked to me about this?! You've done so much good! Oh, I wish you could see how devastated Shou is! He must have loved you so much!

"Lord Daunte!" Keiran rode over to them on his horse. "Lord Daunte, we must go! They're closing the main gate and trying to seal the city!"

Daunte leapt into action, springing to his feet. "Everyone, MOVE!" He shouted. "Stop the gates from closing!"

"Watch out for the city walls!" Sloan shouted. "Archers and rune spells will be firing from the walls!"

"How many High Clerics are still alive?!" Caesar shouted.

"Two that we know of!" Masaru responded. "Right in front of the gates is one called Yuuto—"

"He's mine," Keiran snarled, raising his sword.

"And one called Hayato was seen retreating to the Grand Citadel!" Masaru finished. "The witch called Windy will undoubtably be there too!"

"I'll head for the Grand Citadel on foot!" Daunte shouted. "I'll take a party of six, with four more in the support party to act as backup! Keiran! Lead the advance through the front gates!"

"Yes, Lord Daunte! " Keiran shouted.

"Tamara and Eamon!" Caesar shouted. "Ready your soldiers in setting up a blockade! In the event we cannot take the city today, we'll need a blockade to hold in the days to come!"

"Y-Yes, Lord Caesar!" Eamon shouted.

"You can count on us!" Tamara shouted.

Caesar turned to Daunte and grabbed his hand. "As you said before, I will follow Keiran with the advance into the city. Before you leave though, I will set up your final party. Please consider this final party very carefully, because after this moment you will not be able to change anyone out."

"I-I understand," Daunte said, nodding. "Lady Leknaat is a required party member for this fight."

"Okay," Caesar said. "You have four more to choose for your active party, and four more to choose for the support to act as your reserves. Who will they be?"

Daunte knew that time was of the essence, and that he needed to choose quickly. But he couldn't help but contemplate his options very carefully. I have many people in this Army who are great soldiers, and many that I never fully utilized. That is my fault. But I know that I cannot choose Keiran for my final party because he needs to lead the advance. That also removes Mihr. And Shou isn't in the right headspace to rejoin the fight. I will be facing Holy Army soldiers, Nether Gate assassins, and Windy inside of Mlkwt Alsmwat. The people who I choose to come with me will need to withstand several onslaughts, and survive a battle against Windy. Unless...

"Yuber," Daunte said. He felt Yuber teleport to his side. "Can you teleport ahead, kill the remaining High Clerics, and seize the Grand Citadel?"

"I could," Yuber said coldly. "But I won't."

"Why not?!" Freyr snapped.

"Because Lady Windy is our enemy," Yuber retorted. "I can face any foe on my own—except for her. If I were to do all of what you said for me to do, she would stop me."

"S-So Windy could beat you?!" Chinmaya exclaimed.

"She took down a Djinn so she sounds dangerous," Georg said.

"I cannot face her on my own," Yuber said through gritted teeth. It sounded like admitting this was physically painful for him. "So if I am to face her, it must be in a party."

"...I see," Daunte said.

"So that you will serve as my meat shields to hopefully weaken her enough so that I may defeat her," Yuber quickly added.

The soldiers around them gaped at him in horror. "I've decided," Daunte said, breaking the silence. "I have my final party picked out."

"Good," Caesar said. "Who will be in the active party with Lady Leknaat and you?"

"Yuber," Daunte said automatically.

"Tsh," Yuber grunted. "But you had better not bring that annoying girl with us again!"

"If you're referring to Viki, she is coming with us," Daunte said sharply. "But in the support party as a reserve."

"I heard you, I'm here!" Viki announced as she teleported back. Yuber gave Daunte a murderous glare.

"Who else?" Caesar quickly interjected.

"My father," Daunte said. Caesar nodded to his but he looked a little uncomfortable. "Eresh," Daunte continued. "And then lastly...Surya."

"Excellent," Caesar said. "And for the support party?"

"Viki, Georg Prime, Roen, and Felicity," Daunte said.

"Wait!" Mokuren protested loudly. "You can't bring the Prince without me! I'm his bodyguard!"

"It will be fine, Mokuren," Surya reassured her but Mokuren shook her head. "It will not be fine! This is my job, my LIFE Prince!"

"Yeah, and you've already died for me!" Surya snapped back. "I'm a Queen's Knight, I will be fine!"

"But I cannot allow you go alone! Prince, what if—"

Surya grabbed arms and pulled her forward. The Army was shocked to see Falenan prince kiss his bodyguard on the mouth. Freyr's jaw dropped in shock. Georg looked amused. Surya broke the kiss and and looked into Mokuren's shocked face. "Thank you," he said. "Thank you for everything that you have done for me. But this is an order—stay here. I have no intention of dying today. I will assist Daunte in seizing the city, and we will return home in victory. Do you have faith in me?"

Mokuren nodded. She was struck speechless. "I will be right back," Surya said confidently. "Stay with my cousin and help Soturi protect him. Okay?"

"...Okay," Mokuren said quietly.

"We have to go," Daunte said as his final active party and support party gathered. "Is everyone ready?"

"I am ready to end this," Leknaat said.

"I'm ready to kill," Yuber said.

"Eresh has mixed feelings to be entering the place where her body was last destroyed," Eresh said.

"You can count on me, Daunte," Nakula said. "Let's finish this today and go home to Arin."

"I'm ready," Surya said, pumping his fist. "I have a Flowing Rune now instead of a Water Rune, so I can assist with healing."

"I-I will do what I can," Viki said meekly.

"I will do everything I can to help you," Georg said.

"Finally, I can avenge my father and avenge all of our friends who were killed by this government!" Felicity declared.

"I will do anything I can to ensure your victory, Daunte," Roen said.

"Okay, let's go!" Daunte said. "Keiran! Lead the Army to storm Mlkwt Alsmwat!"

"Nagar be with you, Lord Daunte!" Keiran shouted. He turned his horse around. "Soldiers, FORWARD MARCH! Do not let the gates be sealed!"

The Army cheered and Keiran and Mihr rode to the front to lead the advance. "Come on!" Daunte shouted to his allies. "We'll enter in through the east entrance!"

"HURRY!" Yuuto shouted. "Close the gates! Kill them!"

Dozen of soldiers were struggling to push the main gates of Mlkwt Alsmwat closed. The door was three-quarters closed before the gates shook, and thunderous battle cries filled the main entrance of the city. The Holy Army still struggled to close the gates, but the Liberation Army had far greater numbers. And those numbers overpowered and overwhelmed the Holy Army soldiers.

"Here!" Yuuto pulled out a vial and shoved it at the nearest soldier. "Drink this and fight them!"

"I-Is that Raging Nostrum?!" The soldier exclaimed. His face was already pale, but holding the vial in his hands made his complexion turn translucent. "I-I-I can't drink this!"

"Are you saying no to a High Cleric?!" Yuuto snarled at him.

"I'm not drinking something that will kill me!"

Yuuto unsheathed his sword and swung it at the soldier. His allies shrieked as the former Nether Gate assassin effortlessly decapitated the soldier. "You scream at THIS?!" He snapped. "No wonder we've lost when we have sniveling cowards like you in our Army!"

A shriek rose from the gates as they burst open. Yuuto's body went cold as he saw Keiran Umed leading the charge into the city with his Calvary unit. An unrelenting wave of blue uniforms flooded into the city, overwhelming the Holy Army soldiers. Very few Holy Army soldiers tried to fight. Most fled deeper into the city. Others tried to scream out surrenders before they were slain. Archers and run casters tried to fire spells from the top of the walls, but those soldiers suddenly found themselves under attacks by a man riding a hippogriff, a bunch of small dragons, and a—werewolf?!

Damn. Damn, damn, DAMN! Yuuto gritted his teeth as the soldiers in his unit fled. I did not survive this long to die like THIS!

He dismounted his horse and snatched the vial of Raging Nostrum that was still clutched in the dead soldier's hand. He looked at it for a moment, then looked at his horse. The animal looked anxious from the chaos and bloodshed around them. A horse fell dead in front of them, and the horse recoiled in alarm and neighed.

Yuuto popped the cork on the vial and shoved it into the horse's open mouth.

"Don't kill those who surrender!" Keiran shouted.

"Sir, several soldiers are disappearing into the city!" Mihr shouted. "What if they ambush Lord Daunte?"

Gunther!" Keiran shouted. "Take a party and follow the soldiers west! Sloan! Follow the ones heading to the east! Varnaz, head north!"

"Got it!" Gunther shouted.

"They won't get away!" Sloan shouted.

"We will stop them!" Varnaz shouted.

"Where is the High Cleric?!" Lanny shouted.

Keiran knew. He had seen Yuuto at the back of the crowd of soldiers, and he was glad that the Holy Army soldiers were dispersing so that he could make his way towards the High Cleric. As he turned in the direction of where Yuuto was, a guttural demonic noise filled the air.

"LOOK OUT!" Someone shouted.

Keiran turned his horse around and his eyes widened when he saw Yuuto charging at him, his horse galloping at ungodly speed. Yuuto looked like he was laughing but the horse—the horse didn't look normal. It was making noises a horse shouldn't, it was frothing at the mouth, and its eyes were wide and manic.

Did he—that bastard! He gave HIS HORSE Raging Nostrum?!

"Umed!" Yuuto shrieked. "I can't wait to kill you again!"

Keiran dismounted and slapped his horse's backside so that he would run away. His steed was loyal and reacted only slightly to the slap, and lingered at his side. "Damn!" Keiran hissed. He unsheathed his sword and charged towards Yuuto and the crazed horse.

"Keiran!" Mihr shouted, dismounting his own horse.

Keiran raised his sword and roared out a battle cry as he ran at Yuuto and his horse. Yuuto looked stunned at what he was doing, but the horse narrowed in on Keiran and steered towards him without prompt from Yuuto. At the last possible second, Keiran sidestepped the charge and swung his sword, slamming the blade into the poor animal's throat. He heard a crack, and right before his eyes his blade broke off the hilt, still attached to the horse's neck.

The horse did not go down, despite bleed profusely. Keiran didn't waver, drawing his backup sword as Yuuto steered the horse back towards him to charge. "Coward!" Keiran hollered at him.

"One of us is dying today and it's NOT ME!" Yuuto shrieked. He yanked the reins and his horse rose up onto its hind legs briefly before surging downwards, trying to crush Keiran under his front legs. Keiran pivoted to the left and thrusted his sword forward, stabbing the horse straight in the heart. The horse staggered but did not go down due to the effects of the drug, and Keiran was forced to leave his sword lodged in the animal's chest.

"Keiran, CATCH!" Mihr shouted, tossing Nariek to him.

Keiran caught Mihr's sword and held it high. "I'm honored to wield this," he said briefly before lunging at Yuuto directly. He knocked Yuuto off the raging horse and to the ground. "Put that poor animal out of its misery!" He shouted. "But be careful! It ingested Raging Nostrum!"

Ten Liberation Army soldiers and ten Holy Army soldiers surrounded the horse and worked together to put the animal out of its misery as quickly as possible. The rest of both Armies stood gaping as Keiran and Yuuto clashed with their swords. "Cowardly bastard!" Keiran snarled. "You will fall at my hand by Mihr's sword!"

Yuuto laughed hollowly. "I—refuse to believe that my life will end like this today!"

"Believe it!" Keiran quickly engaged again, the clangs of their blades colliding and their grunts and shouts filling the air. It was only a few minutes before Keiran saw an opening. He swung his leg and gave Yuuto a roundhouse kick to the face. Then when Yuuto staggered, Keiran raised Nariek and drove the sword deep into his chest.

Yuuto gagged, blood spurting from his mouth. Keiran flinched away, but only because he did not want the other man's blood to touch him. He glared into the murderous assassin's face, leaning his body weight onto the sword. He did not move until the High Cleric went still, and made no further movements.

The Liberation Army cheered while the Holy Army stood stunned. Mihr helped Keiran to his feet. "You were right," he said. "It was your right to kill him."

"We both did it," Keiran said, handing him back his sword.

Caesar approached from the gate and stood beside Yuuto's body. He lifted his head and looked towards the Grand Citadel deep in the city. "One more High Cleric to go."

Daunte's group found the remains of the smoldering Burj Almawt. Thankfully there were no lingering fires and the surrounding homes and businesses had been evacuated, but it was clear that anyone who had been inside the tower had not survived.

Daunte took a moment to pray, as did many in his party. Only Yuber and Eresh stood stoic.

Oboro...I'm so sorry that I didn't do more for you. I'm sorry that you felt that this was the only option for you. I hope that you finally find peace.

He stood up and faced his allies. "Let's hurry. We're getting close."

They took off running again."W-Why does the Holy Army keep fighting us when they've lost?!" Roen gasped as they ran down a residential road. They had fought at lease three dozen soldiers thus far, and despite their efforts to avoid bloodshed with them the soldiers did not surrender.

"They've not lost yet," Surya said. "Not until we take the city and raise the flag of the Liberation Army."

"Liberation Army!"

The group flinched at the proclamation, but Daunte heard the voice above them. He looked up and saw a little girl leaning out the window. "Nagar be with you!" She shouted, tossing a bag down to them. "Win today!" Then she slammed her window shut.

Daunte checked the bag and found healing supplies. "They are legitimate medicinal items and not poison," Eresh said.

"I do not smell poison," Yuber grumbled.

"Then let's take a moment to heal up," Daunte said, disturbing healing supplies amongst the group. "We should reach the Grand Citadel in about fifteen minutes."

"I'm glad that this will finally be over," Felicity sighed. "I feel like we've been doing this for eight years!"

"We've only been doing this for a little over a year," Roen pointed out amusedly.

"I know, Roen! But it feels like longer!"

"We should keep going," Leknaat said suddenly. "I sense...the Front Gate—"

"Windy!" Daunte shouted, looking towards the direction of the Grand Citadel. "She's doing it again?!"

The Blessed Chamber was dark except for blue ambient light. The frozen coffin containing Barbarossa's body was on the table. Windy stood at the foot of the coffin, looking at the body frozen in time. "Soon," she said. "Very soon the world will pay by our hand. They will soon arrive to make this possible."

She looked towards the ceiling. "Those foolish assassins have lost this country," she fumed. "But I cannot have the entire Liberation Army coming here. Just those two." She raised her hand again.

Screams filled the air as monsters suddenly filled the main gates of Mlkwt Alsmwat, and outside the city where the Liberation Army was preparing the blockade. "TO ARMS!" Keiran shouted. "We need to fight the monsters! Everyone, come on!"

"Are you commanding us?!" A Holy Army soldier said incredulously.

"Your leaders just summoned monsters into your city!" Keiran snapped back. "Do you want these beasts killing your spouses and children?! All of us must stop them!"

"He's right!" Caesar announced. "We need to kill these monsters before they kill the civilian population!"

This was enough incentive for the Holy Army to raised their weapons and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Liberation Army to fight the monsters. From the north, west, and east Varnaz, Gunther, and Sloan were racing back towards the main gates to help the fight. A few Holy Army soldiers who had retreated also returned to fight the monsters.

Whatever Windy's intentions were in doing this, she inadvertently united us with the Holy Army, Caesar thought. But his expression was grim as he looked towards the Grand Citadel. But...this means that Lord Daunte is truly on his own.

Yuber teleported back to Daunte's side. "Lady Windy summoned many monsters," he reported. "Both sides have united together to kill the monsters." He scoffed in disgust. "It's so pathetically cliche."

"I think it's sweet," Viki said.

"No one asked you."

"Wow, you're cheerful as usual," Surya muttered.

"There," Daunte said, seeing the grand entrance of the Grand Citadel. The double doors into the massive building were shimmering gold. Six guards were standing at the ready outside. "Is everyone ready?"

"Right!" They shouted.

They charged towards the guards, who were ready. "It's the Liberation Army!" One shouted.

"You'll take our city over our dead bodies!" Another yelled.

Unfortunately it came to that, as all six soldiers fell to their attacks. Daunte tested the double doors but they did not budge. "Yuber?"

Yuber stepped forward without a word. He raised his dual swords high and brought them down. The beautiful double doors splintered and collapsed from the strike.

"There they are!" Hayao shouted. The grand entrance hall of the Citadel was glistening gold as well with high ceilings. "That's Lord Daunte! Kill him and cut his right arm off!"

Six soldiers charged them, but Yuber single-handedly took them down. The remaining soldiers trembled where they stood as Daunte walked to the front of the group. "It's over!" He shouted. "You lost! We're taking the city, and many of your soldiers fighting alongside us against the monsters YOU summoned!"

"M-Monsters?!" A Holy Army soldier exclaimed.

"My sister summoned monsters inside the main gate of the city," Leknaat said.

"My house is over there!" Another soldier shouted.

"They're lying!" Hayato shrieked.

"I-I can't let those monsters get to my wife and kids!" A third yelled. The remaining soldiers ran past Daunte's group and out the door of the Grand Citadel.

Hayato scoffed loudly. "Takefute should have killed you when we had the chance! To think that everything Nether Gate has built up for decades was brought down by some punk kid!"

"You have destroyed too many lives," Nakula snarled. "Now you will die!"

Hayato shook his head. "To think that it came to this! But I would rather die by my OWN hand than yours!"

Daunte knew what he meant to do and raced forward. "NO!"

But Hayato jumped back and swallowed a vial of Raging Nostrum. "KILL HIM!" Nakula shrieked. "Kill him before the drug takes hold!"

Yuber surged forward, Georg following close behind and to Daunte's relief to see the pair effortlessly dispatch the Nether Gate assassin. He realized he'd been holding his breath and he let it out. "That does it," he said quietly. "All of the High Clerics are gone."

Nakula huffed out a loud, painful breath. "They are all gone now, aren't they?" He asked quietly. "All of those Nether Gate bastards. My father, he...he can rest in peace now."

Daunte felt a tightness in his chest and he hurried to his father's side. He hugged him tight. "I love you, Dad."

Nakula hugged him back. "I love you, too."

Roen, Felicity, Surya, and Viki looked emotional at the scene between father and son. Yuber looked disgusted, Leknaat had a wistful smile, and Eresh looked indifferent. Georg for his part had a smile on his face as well. "You must find your peace too," Georg said. "You have to worry about your sons and their futures, after all."

Nakula nodded and let Daunte go. "I will work the rest of my life to make up for everything you both went through."

"Eresh is pleased to see the ones who destroyed her body fall," Eresh said suddenly. "But Eresh advises the bearer of the Rune of Restoration to not relax."

"I know," Daunte said. He looked up at the long stairwell that loomed to the north of them. "We have to find Windy."

"My sister is on the top floor," Leknaat said. "I am...disturbed by the power I sense there."

"If we are not careful she will destroy us," Yuber said.

"This is the first time I've ever heard you worried about anything," Georg pointed out.

"I spent centuries with Lady Windy," Yuber snapped. "I know what she's capable of, and even I will admit that she is far more powerful than I am!"

"But we are here together," Daunte said. "We must face and defeat Windy once and for all."

"I-I wasn't an active fighter during the Gate Rune War, but I remember her power," Viki said shakily. "She was...terrifying."

"She is terrifying," Yuber interjected.

"And we will stop her," Daunte said. "Let's get going now and finish this. I don't think she will summon anymore monsters in anticipation of our arrival."

"She cannot summon more monsters," Leknaat agreed. "But she still has a lot of power."

"And she knows how to remove True Runes," Surya reminded them. "So please be careful!"

Daunte nodded. "I will."

The building was aesthetically beautiful, the walls, high ceiling, and floor shimmering. But there was an aura of menace around the building that made everyone on edge.

Most of the corridors, offices, and stairwells of the Grand Citadel were blocked off and impassable to Daunte's group. Yuber did not want to teleport further ahead because he was concerned about running into Windy by himself, so the group ended up taking multiple detours trying to get to the top floors. Daunte was surprised to not find as many soldiers in the hallways and rooms that they could access, but for the most part they only had to worry about traps.

Lots and lots of traps. Poisonous gas that caused them to use their antidotes. Floor traps that injured them. Wild rabid animals who either had rabies or had ingested Raging Nostrum. It further slowed them down, and after two hours they were only halfway up the Citadel.

"We should rest here for the time being," Daunte said when they entered an empty room with chests. There was no apparent threats in there. "Heal up, everyone. We may not have another opportunity again."

"The monsters my sister summoned have been dealt with," Leknaat said.

"Well that's good," Felicity said. "Now they don't pose a threat to anyone anymore."

"Hey, does anyone else hear that?" Nakula asked.

"Yeah," Roen said. "It sounds like...shouting."

"From outside," Daunte said. He carefully approached the window and looked outside. What he saw below shocked him deeply.

A large of Holy Army soldiers, maybe twenty of them, were standing outside facing the Grand Citadel. They looked ready to storm the building. But standing in their way, arms locked, were unarmed civilians. Men, women, and children of all ages had created a human wall that blocked the open entrance of the building and prevented the soldiers from entering. Both sides were screaming at each other.

Daunte couldn't make out what they were saying but it was clear that the civilians weren't going to let the soldiers through. The soldiers were making angry gestures at the civilian wall but otherwise made no move to attack the civilians.

"Whoa," Roen breathed. "The people of Mlkwt Alsmwat are with us."

"This is truly the point of no return," Nakula said. "With civilians barricading the entrance with their bodies, we cannot leave the building until we are victorious."

"Yeah, the only way out is forward," Surya agreed.

Daunte nodded. "Rest up, everyone. The real challenge lies ahead."

They took twenty minutes to rest before they continued onward. Daunte was uneasy by the fact that both Leknaat and Yuber were on edge. It meant that the battle that awaited them would be difficult. Possibly impossible.

But he didn't let it show. He kept a cool mask of calm on his face as they pressed onwards.

They finally reached the top floor. There were many doors but Daunte saw a long corridor to the west. "The Blessed Chamber is down that hallway," he said, pointing.

"Windy is there," Leknaat said.

"...Yeah," Yuber said warily.

"Eresh's body was destroyed in that room," Eresh said bluntly. "Eresh does not want that to happen again."

"This is it, guys," Surya said, looking at Daunte. "Are we ready?"

Roen and Felicity hurried forward and each took one of Daunte's hands. "We can do this," Felicity said. "For our families. For Kass."

"For Kass," Roen said. "For every child, and every innocent person murdered by this Theocracy."

Daunte nodded. "All right, then. Let's go, everyone."

They drew their weapons and crept down the corridor carefully. The air was eerily silent. Daunte was not encouraged by how deserted the area was. Windy doesn't need guards. She can hold her own in a fight.

"I'll go in the front," Nakula said, moving in front of Daunte. "You three need to keep an eye on your True Runes. You can the witch can steal them, right?"

"She's not taking mine," Yuber quickly and harshly responded.

"Y-You said she was stronger than you, though," Viki pointed out. Yuber snapped his teeth but said nothing.

"I'll move to the front as well," Georg said, standing alongside Nakula. "We'll open the doors and burst into the chamber. If any traps are sprung, they will hit us first."

"Sir Georg, please be careful!" Surya said.

"None of us are dying today," Daunte said.

"Hmm," Leknaat said.

Georg and Nakula each grabbed a doorknob of the double doors. They glanced at Daunte, who nodded they were ready. Everyone held their breath, and then simultaneously Nakula and Georg pushed the doors open the party burst into the room. "Windy!" Daunte shouted. "This ends NOW!"

"Such a rude boy."

Daunte had never seen the Blessed Chamber before, but the mortar-shaped room was massive. In the center was a mortar-shaped table, with chairs still pushed in to the table. Windy had her back to them, uncaring of whatever threat they posed. There was something on the table that glowed blue, and blue ambient light filled the chamber. Yuber closed the doors, as to prevent a sneak-attack from any lingering soldiers. But he clearly wasn't happy to be there.

"Well...hello," Windy said, slowly turning around to face them. She looked coldly happy to see them. "My sister. It has been over twenty years since I last saw you. You are looking better than you have."

"Windy," Leknaat said quietly. "You made us all believe that you had died. That you had perished alongside Emperor Barbarossa. But all of this time...you were hiding and gathering your power."

"The bearer of the Front Gate Rune sided with the butchers who destroyed Eresh's body," Eresh announced.

"That's right!" Felicity snapped. "You have the blood of kids on your hands!"

"I have had the blood of children on my hands long before I came here," Windy said, shaking out her ponytail. "You cannot guilt me. There has been much done to me, and much that I have done, that I cannot feel guilt."

"So you had no problems siding with murderers then," Georg said.

"The former assassins were necessary to achieve my goal," Windy said. "Though even if they had gotten their hands on the Rune of Restoration, the Rune would have been repulsed by the stench of death clinging to their bodies. The Rune was supposed to attach to a malnourished, broken child. That child was supposed to be brought here, where they would be killed. Then..." she spread her arms wide. "Then I would have had the Rune."

"B-But you already have a True Rune!" Viki exclaimed.

"Yes, Timemistress, I do," Windy said with a smile. "But now I can have more than one True Rune on my body."

"There's a corpse on the table," Yuber announced suddenly.

"Oh so rude as usual Yuber," Windy sighed.

"A corpse?!" Roen exclaimed.

"In that—ice case?!" Nakula shouted. "That looks like a coffin!"

"A coffin of ice is best for preserving a body from decay," Windy said.

"...Wait," Georg breathed. He surged forward past Daunte and past Windy. Windy did not stir as Georg almost climbed onto the table to see who was in the ice case. The color drained from Georg's face and he screamed, "NO!"

"Sir Georg?!" Surya exclaimed, but Georg Prime uncharacteristically reacted with anger. He drew his sword and lunged at Windy screaming, but she gestured to him and the older man was launched through the air and across the room, slamming into the wall.

"Georg!" Daunte shouted. Surya at him rushed to Georg's side while the rest of the party checked to see who was on the table. Daunte raised his hand but Surya grabbed his wrist. "Don't use it now!" He whispered harshly. "I've got this, go and see who's in that—"

Viki screamed, and Daunte was on his feet and running back over. Most of the group looked unconcerned but Yuber and Leknaat lingered back. Daunte was relieved to see that Windy had not acted, but Nakula was holding Viki who was screaming. "What have you done?!" She screamed. "What have you done?!"

Daunte reached the table and looked at the ice coffin. Inside he saw an older gentlemen wearing royal regalia with a purple cloak. He had black hair and a mustache. There was a sword on his belt. His skin was frighteningly pale but otherwise he looked like he was asleep. "Who is this?" Daunte asked.

"Barbarossa Rugner," Leknaat announced.

"The person you fell in love with," Yuber pointed out.

"Viki, do you know him?" Roen asked.

Viki shook her head. "N—No! He died! He died at the end of the Gate Rune War!"

"He did die," Windy announced. "He jumped off the top of his palace in Gregminster, clutching me in his arms. He tried to kill me...but only he died."

"You've been carrying his corpse this whole time," Yuber said. He didn't phrased it as a question.

"Oh, Sister," Leknaat sighed sadly.

"Is THIS why you sough Daunte's Rune?!" Nakula hollered, gesturing to the coffin. "Is THIS why you killed kids?! Why you helped slaughter hundreds of thousands of people at the Battle of Winter Hill?!"

"Yes," Windy said. She didn't seem to care that she was surrounded on all sides. "And now that you are all here, you will give me then help I need."

Windy shot both arms up towards the ceiling. Bright light started radiating off her body, blinding the people around her. Daunte raised both hands to cover his eyes, but it was too much.

The light exploded from Windy and shot out in front of her and behind her. One beam of light hit Daunte, and the other hit Leknaat. The familiar screaming rattled in Daunte's ears, and his right arm became horrifically hot. He knew what was happening, and he tried to grab at his arm with his right, but his body felt paralyzed. NO! RUNE OF RESTORATION! He tried to scream but no sound came out.

The light abruptly faded and Daunte slammed into the side of the coffin. He could no longer hear the screams, but it was replaced by a loud ringing. He saw Nakula collapse beside him, holding Daunte in his arms. Nakula was shouting, but Daunte couldn't hear him. His body felt sore. Weary.

He blinked and looked towards the door. Viki and Eresh were kneeling beside Leknaat, who lay prone on the ground. Daunte couldn't contemplate what had happened to Leknaat when Roen seized his right arm roughly and raised his right hand. Felicity peel back Daunte's glove, but Daunte knew the truth before he saw the back of his hand.

The Rune of Restoration was gone.

Please tune in this weekend for the final chapter and the Fates! I'm hoping to finish Bath Scenes before then but it might go up the same day..