Here they are; the final two chapters of Suikoden VI. Thank you to those who stuck with this story during my 4-year hiatus. And to those who came to the story after I returned from hiatus, thank you for joining. I truly enjoyed writing this fanfic. While it's bittersweet to be ending, I'm also glad to have seen this through to the end.
But I left you in suspense long enough. Without further ado, here's the finale of my version of Suikoden VI.
Part Six
"Dead."
Eresh's deadpan delivery of that devastating word was the first thing Daunte heard when his hearing return. "Lady Leknaat!" he shrieked. He pulled away from his father and friends and scrambled across the floor. Yuber looked uncharacteristically horrified, Viki looked devastated, but Eresh's eyes were calm. Daunte reached Leknaat's side and saw the Seer was lying very still on the floor. Her expression was peaceful. Daunte pressed his fingers to her neck but he did not feel a pulse.
Dead. Tears stung his eyes and he turned to look at Windy. Two Rune symbols were floating in the air, each surrounded by blinding light. One looked like half of a rune symbol. One of them Daunte recognized as the Rune of Restoration, but the grief he felt overpowered the horror. "You...You killed your sister!" He hollered.
"If Leknaat is dead from having the Back Gate Rune removed from her, then that means she overused the Rune one too many times," Windy said. Her tone was cold but for a moment...for one brief moment...Daunte thought he saw sadness in her expression. But the moment passed and Windy turned her back on them. "But I have come too far to stop now."
"It is as Leknaat said it would," Eresh said.
"W-Wh—You KNEW that this would happen?!" Surya shrieked as he hurried over. Georg was limping behind him nursing his side.
"Eresh knew that Leknaat would die because Leknaat said Leknaat would die," Eresh said.
"A-And you didn't think to warn us that this was going to happen?!" Daunte demanded. "I NEVER would have brought Lady Leknaat if I knew she would die!"
"And that is why Leknaat did not tell the wielder of the Rune of Restoration that Leknaat would die," Eresh said. "Eresh was puzzled by Leknaat's silence, but it was not Eresh's place to tell the wielder of the Rune of Restoration what Leknaat had seen."
"Well, congratulations!" Yuber snapped, gesturing wildly with his hand. "Because you kept quiet, her premonition came true and Lady Windy has three True Runes in her possession!"
"I-If Lady Leknaat foresaw her own death, did she foresee what we were supposed to do?!" Viki asked desperately.
"She's right!" Yuber snapped. "What in the hell are we supposed to do now?!"
"Eresh does not know," Eresh said.
"Fantastic!"
"Now it's time," Windy said calmly, spreading her arms. "Barbarossa...with your help I will finally have vengeance. Finally—the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia will be vanquished."
"I'll kill you for hurting my son!" Nakula shouted, lunging at Windy.
"Dad, DON'T!" Daunte shouted. But Nakula jabbed his spear at Windy's spear and there was a burst of light, and Nakula shouted as he was flung backwards. "Dad!" Daunte rushed to his side.
Windy stood unscathed in front of the ice coffin, and the Rune of Restoration and Back Gate Rune hovered over the coffin and Barbarossa's body. "Now...Gate Rune," she said. "Reunite your halves!"
Windy's glowed, and the Back Gate Rune glowed brighter. A beam of light erupted from Windy's hand and shot towards the Back Gate Rune. A loud explosion filled the and shook the room violently. The inhabitants screamed, and Nakula shielded Daunte. But Daunte looked up, and beside the symbol of the Rune of Restoration he saw not a half rune symbol, but a fully intact one.
The Gate Rune has been made whole!
"Yuber, STOP HER!" Daunte shouted.
"Damn!" Yuber hissed, but he did as commanded and drew his twin swords and lunged at Windy.
Without turning around, Windy swung her right hand back and grabbed Yuber mid-lunge, her hand locked around his throat. "Yuber," she said calmly. "What have I told you about being rude?"
Yuber gagged; even a creature as mighty as him could not break her hold. He dropped his swords and gripped her wrists, but her hold did not break. "L-L-Lady Wi—" he gurgled.
"SET!" Viki shrieked. Two dozen exercise weights fell from the ceiling onto Windy. They bounced away from her as though they had encountered and invisible barrier, but the spell distracted Windy and she let Yuber go. He snatched his swords up and jumped away from her.
"BEST FRIENDS!" Daunte shouted, announcing his unite attack. Roen and Felicity rushed forward with him and she threw her knives and Roen and Daunte tried to physically attack her. But the attacks did not land on Windy. Her power repelled all of their physical attacks.
"Fog of Deception!" Surya shouted. The symbol of the Flowing Rune rose into the air and a blue fog filled the room. The fog swirled around Windy and quickly dissipated.
"Empty World," Eresh called out calmly, and the symbol of the Pale Gate Rune filled the air.
"I don't think so," Windy said, and the Gate Rune glowed. Before the summoning spell could finish it dissipated. "Do you think you can use that inferior rune against its parent rune?" Windy called over her shoulder. "Allow me to show you the power of a True Rune."
Windy turned back to the coffin. "Underworld Passage."
The Gate Rune glowed, and a familiar and horrible chill filled the room. An ominous black energy opened in front of Windy, and a strong wind picked up inside the room. From within the energy, a chorus of blood-curdling screaming could be heard. Daunte wheezed in shock. "That's—the World of Emptiness?!"
"No," Yuber said grimly, locking his jaw. "That's Hell."
"Hell?" Georg breathed. A look of sorrow filled his face. "Emperor Barbarossa...he went to..."
"He died in a futile attempt at redemption," Windy said. "But a gesture such as that could not wash away the blood staining his hands."
"Oh, then you should know where YOU will end up when you die!" Felicity shouted.
"Eresh advises that we stop the wielder of the Gate Rune," Eresh said calmly.
"Everyone, GO!" Daunte shouted.
"Wail," Windy said.
The Rune of Restoration glowed. A beam of yellow-green light entered the black energy. Seconds later, the beam shot back out and struck the coffin. It quickly pierced the shell and surrounded the body inside. There was another burst of light, knocking everyone but Windy back.
Inside the ice coffin, Emperor Barbarossa's eyes snapped open.
Windy smiled down at him. "It has been a long time. Now we can—"
There was another loud explosion, destroying the table and shooting skyward, blowing a massive hole in the ceiling. As Daunte recovered, he saw that the explosion had blown a hole in the floor itself.
"...Wait," Windy said. She was calm but sounded confused. "What is going on?"
Energy was still spilling out into Barbarossa's body. The power rose and bubbled around him. "A-Ah...Is that supposed to happen?" Viki asked meekly.
"Something came through," Yuber said. "If it was the soul of that human...then either Hell twisted it beyond recognition. Or..."
"Or what?!" Roen demanded.
"Or what the Rune of Restoration pulled through the gate of Hell was not the wielder of the Sovereign Rune," Eresh said.
"No, it IS him!" Windy snapped. Her air of calm was completely gone. "I specifically asked for his soul and his soul alone! With BOTH the power of the Gate Rune and the Rune of Restoration, nothing else should have come through!"
A guttural roar erupted from Barbarossa's body, and the energy grew out like limbs. "That doesn't look human!" Nakula snapped.
"This cannot be!" Windy shouted. "I called for HIS soul! If some other entity came through, then that means that his soul—"
"Was consumed," Yuber finished for her. "By the creature you brought through."
"D-Demons can eat souls?!" Felicity shrieked.
"It's Hell," Surya said grimly. "Just about every nightmare scenario any of us could think of would happen there."
"Barbarossa Rugner died in the year IS 457," Eresh said bluntly. "Over two decades inside of Hell. That would be sufficient time for the soul of Barbarossa Rugner to be consumed by a demon."
"Windy, close the Gate!" Daunte shouted. "Stop that thing from coming through!"
But Windy shook her head. "I will make this right," she said. "I am stronger than you, demon. I will purge Barbarossa from your body and bring him back! I have come too far to turn back now! Not when—"
A white light suddenly filled the room, and a chorus of roars echoed through the room and into the early evening air. "W-What is this?!" Viki shrieked.
"NO!" Windy shrieked. "Damn it all! The Sovereign Rune!"
"Sovereign Rune?!" Daunte exclaimed.
"The wielder of the Sovereign Rune held the Sovereign Rune," Eresh said. "The entity that consumed the soul of the wielder of the Sovereign Rune is currently triggering the Sovereign Rune."
"RUN!" Georg screamed. "EVERYONE, RUN!"
"Gate Rune, close the Gate!" Windy shouted.
Daunte remembered the play Imperial Love, and he grabbed Nakula's arm. "The Golden Hydra!"
"We have to go!" Nakula shouted.
"B-But if we go, who will stop this?!" Viki cried out.
Yuber began to laugh, but the sound was cold and hollow. "It's not the Golden Hydra we would be facing! The demon is corrupting the Golden Hydra!"
"Gate Rune, CLOSE THE GATE!" Windy shouted.
The Gate Rune vibrated violently, and the black energy shrank until it disappeared completely. The True Rune shook so violently and quickly that it looked like a blur. Then, suddenly, there was a loud "CRACK" and the Gate Rune broke apart once more.
"No!" Windy shouted, but one piece flew back onto her arm. The second flew back across the room and struck Leknaat in the center of her forehead. Her body jerked very slightly, but otherwise remained still. The light faded, and the symbol of the True Rune reappeared on her forehead once more.
"Oh," Eresh said bluntly. "Eresh was mistaken."
W-Wait! Daunte thought. If the Rune returned to Lady Leknaat then, that means—that means she's alive!
"...Oh," Windy said. Her tone was quiet as she stared at the mutating form in front of her. "This was unexpected."
"Windy, what have you done?!" Daunte shouted.
Windy looked at him over her shoulder. She did not look calm or angry. Her expression seemed...hopeless, almost. "Well, boy," she said. "I hope you're ready to meet your god."
The light shot out, striking Windy. The witch screamed as she launched into the air, through the hole in the ceiling and out of sight.
The Rune of Restoration flew away from the energy and shot back towards Daunte. Daunte held up his right hand, and the True Rune connected to it. In an instant he felt the familiar warmth, and the familiar heat. I'm sorry, he thought to the Rune. I'm sorry I was so careless.
Forgiven, came the response. It was a comforting caress over his senses.
Daunte came back into himself, and he was relieved to see the Rune of Restoration's symbol on the back of his hand. He hurried back over to Leknaat and raised his hand. "W—"
Another roar filled the air, and a strange body shape rose high above them. The group could not help but gape in shock.
"'Meet your god'?" Roen asked. "W-What did that mean?"
But Daunte knew. Daunte saw it in the shape of the body. He knew the shape. He knew the horns on its head. His jaw hung open in shock. "...Nagar."
"NAGAR?!" Roen and Felicity shrieked. They gaped at the shape as well.
"Eresh can confirm," Eresh said. "The God of War Eresh worships came through the Gate. The God of War Eresh worships is currently fusing with the power of the Sovereign Rune."
"A-Ah—but that thing came from HELL!" Felicity exclaimed. "A-Are you saying—Are you saying that we've been worshipping a demon?!"
Eresh shrugged. "Eresh is surprised that Felicity is surprised. Nagar is a God of War who demands blood and has horns on his head. Nagar is nothing else but a demon."
Daunte felt gutted in the moment. It made complete sense, but knowing the truth made him nauseas. We...We've been worshipping a demon. I've been praying to a DEMON!
"No," Yuber whispered. His eyes were wide and he was shaking his head. "No, no, no, no..."
"Are we in trouble?" Georg asked him seriously.
"That...thing," Yuber whispered. His voice was full of fear. "The demon...is the Black King."
"The Black King?!" Daunte exclaimed, looking at Yuber. "T-The—That's who the Black Knights serve don't they?! That's who Viki made disappear!"
"But I don't remember doing that!" Viki cried out.
"And THAT is our god?!" Roen exclaimed, gesturing to the mass of light.
"Yes," Yuber whispered. His voice was trembling. "And all of us are about to die."
The light suddenly dissipated, and the group finally saw what had mutated in the light. There was no signs of Barbarossa Rugner's body. What stood before them could only be described as an abomination. Five meters in height and three meters in width. The body was black, golden, and red. The skin was rough. Three dragon heads stuck out of the main body on long necks. And the head—the face of the monster was the exact same, angry face that Daunte had looked up to in worship his entire life. It was Nagar, fused with the power of the Sovereign Rune.
"The wielder of the Eightfold Rune was correct," Eresh said calmly. "Every person in this room is going to die."
The battle was impossible and the Nagar-Hydra hybrid did not falter from any blows. Not even Yuber's utilization of his Eightfold Rune could wound the beast. Nagar's own arms were thick and powerful, and it could punch and tear at the party members. The hydra heads were equally dangerous and also had their own moves; the right head breathed fire, the middle head also breathed fire but could also summon a thunderstorm; and the left head could cast healing spells, erasing the minimal damage that was done to the body of the abomination. In all, the hybrid could attack five times in a row; one for each hydra head, one for Nagar's fist, and one for Nagar breathing shards of ice that stabbed like hundreds of swords.
Leknaat was still unconscious, and Daunte could not revive her when focused on the battle. Viki took her place, though she was shaking where she stood. Nakula was the first to fall, and though he was still alive he was still too seriously injured to continue the battle. "S-Save your spells, STOP HIM!" Nakula shouted.
Georg took his place, but his efforts proved minimal. And unfortunately, the hybrid narrowed in on Georg very quickly and focused its attacks on him, dispatching him.
"Sir Georg!" Surya shrieked.
"He's alive!" Roen shouted as Felicity and him dragged him away to where Nakula had been. Then Roen took his place. "How do we stop this thing?!"
"We can't," Yuber snapped. "It has a power beyond us, and the left head will simply heal any and all injuries we give it!"
"Destroy the left head first!" Daunte shouted. "We can't give up!"
The group fought, focusing the attacks on the left head. The middle head however often moved to protect the left head, and absorbed the attacks. "Damn it all, Exorcism Ray!" Daunte shouted.
The Rune of Restoration's strongest spell struck all four parts of the hybrid. To his immediate shock, the middle head went limp and hung low. It was dead. "W—We did it!" He shrieked. "One down, two to go!"
"Not quite," Eresh said quietly.
The left head roared, and the middle head glowed. When the glow faded, the head rose and roared. Daunte sputtered in shock. "W...What?!" He wheezed. "That head can revive, too?!"
The right head roared, and breathed fire towards Daunte. "Daunte, GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Surya shouted. He pushed Daunte to the side, only to find himself consumed by the fire.
"SURYA!" Daunte shrieked. He caught his friend and dragged him back towards Leknaat, Nakula, and Georg. His close friend was unresponsive as Daunte laid him on the ground. "WAIL!" He shrieked.
The spell enveloped all four of them. Nakula, Georg, and Surya sat up, but Leknaat stirred only slightly. "Stay here!" Daunte told them and hurried back into battle. "Felicity!"
"I'm here!" Felicity shouted, taking position in the back row. "But what are we doing?! Fighting until we drop dead?!"
"We don't have a choice!" Daunte snapped.
"GO!" Viki screamed, raising her hand. The Blinking Rune rose into the air, and the spell surrounded the hybrid. But just as quickly the spell bounced off of the monster, and quickly found its way to Eresh.
"Well," Eresh said as the power surrounded her. "This is—" but with a 'poof' she was gone.
"W-Where did you send her?!" Daunte shouted.
"I don't know!" Viki cried. "I-I was trying to send that thing back to Hell!"
"Well, now we're down one person," Yuber grumbled. "I hope this thing kills you before it kills me."
"What a terrible thing to say to the girl you love," a familiar voice announced. There was a blur and the right head roared as a blow fell upon it. The blur jumped in line with the party, and Daunte saw that it was Pesmerga. "W-Where did you come from?!" Daunte asked.
"I followed you," Pesmerga said coldly. "It was good that I did. I was able to lay eyes on the Black King once more."
"U-Uh, did you just say that Yuber loves Viki?" Roen asked warily.
"Focus on the battle!" Daunte shouted. "Best Friends!"
If the hybrid recognized the two Black Knights, it gave no indication that it did. It still continued to attack them furiously. With Pesmerga's presence they finally killed the left Hydra head, and the monster could no longer heal itself. But it was still too powerful.
"T...This is tougher than fighting that one demon," Daunte panted. He saw that Yuber and Pesmerga were also also exhausted. He looked over his shoulder and saw that Nakula, Georg, and Surya standing at the ready. Leknaat was partially sitting up. "Dad, please take over!" Daunte shouted, running back to Leknaat.
"Got it!" Nakula shouted, rushing forward.
Daunte collapsed at Leknaat's side and hugged her tight "I thought you were dead!" He whispered.
"So did I," Leknaat responded. Her tone was quiet and weary. "My vision...did not see me survive this battle."
Daunte decided not to question her as to why she hid this from him. "Lady Leknaat," he said. "We don't know how to stop this creature."
"You cannot stop it," Leknaat said. "My sister—she was not lying when she said that you were fighting a god. You are fighting a demon god fused with the power of a True Rune. It cannot die in its current form."
"Then how do we stop it?!" Surya demanded.
Leknaat nodded. "The only way—the only way to stop it...is to send it back to Hell."
"But Windy needed the full Gate Rune to open the Gate to Hell," Georg said. "Windy is gone. We only have your half, Lady Leknaat."
"I...I know. But I must do this. We must...we have to separate the power of the Sovereign Rune from the demon. You can killed one hydra head. You need...to kill the other two."
"Right," Daunte said. "Kill the Hydra heads, then we need to open the Gate again. But with one half—"
"Eresh will use the Pale Gate Rune to feed power to the wielder of the Back Gate Rune."
Daunte quickly looked up and saw Eresh standing. "Y-You're okay!" He exclaimed.
"The wielder of the Blinking Rune only sent Eresh down the hallway," Eresh said. "But the wielder of the Rune of Restoration must rejoin the fight, as the father of the wielder of the Rune of Restoration is about to fall."
Not again! "DAD!" Daunte rushed back.
Nakula and Georg helped Leknaat to stand. "Are you okay?" Georg asked her.
"I must be," Leknaat said softly. "Or else we are doomed."
In the hole in the ceiling, the sky was starting to turn pink with dusk. The middle head fell, but the right head proved to still be difficult to kill, and they had to contend with Nagar's fists. With two Hydra heads dead, Nagar started trying to gore them. Thankfully they were able to dodge the strikes without getting stabbed by the horns, but the Black King was persistent.
"Best Friends!" Daunte shouted for the umpteenth time. His did his unite attack with Roen and Felicity, striking Nagar and the right Hydra head. To his shock, after the unite attack the right head drooped. With three giant dragon heads drooping dead on his body, Nagar began to stagger. "Lady Leknaat, NOW!" He shrieked.
"Are you ready?" Leknaat asked.
"Eresh is ready," Eresh said. Both spread their arms wide.
Daunte raced back and held Leknaat steady. He raised his own right hand. "Rune of Restoration, I don't know how you can help but PLEASE help Lady Leknaat!" He shouted. The Rune on his hand began to glow. He looked up. "Yuber! Please lend us the strength of the Eightfold Rune!"
"I hate True Rune users," Yuber grumbled.
"Well, now you can redeem yourself for nearly destroying the world," Pesmerga pointed out.
"I don't care," Yuber snapped.
"Please be careful," Viki told him.
Yuber said nothing to her before he went to Daunte's side and held out his right hand beside Daunte's. "Consider yourself lucky," he snapped. "You're about to witness something that will never be seen again; a creature such as I service good against evil."
"I'm ready," Leknaat said. "Underworld Passage."
Light exploded from Leknaat, and it consumed the world and Daunte's senses.
...
...
...
Daunte opened his eyes, and he only saw white. He looked around and he sucked in a breath, but the air felt tight. What is this? Where is everyone?
"Lord Daunte."
Daunte swiftly turned around, and he was suddenly face to face with Leknaat. He exhaled, and the air did not feel so tight any longer. "What happened?" He asked her. "Is everyone all right?"
"Everyone will be," Leknaat told him. She smiled at him. "You did good, Tenkai Star. You fulfilled your role as part of the 108 Stars of Destiny."
"...Why does this sound like a goodbye?" Daunte asked. His heart dropped into his stomach.
"That is because it is,' Leknaat said. "When you open your eyes, I will be gone."
"B-But I will see you again, right?" Daunte asked her. "I-I mean, I—we both have True Runes!"
"You have averted my fate of death," Leknaat said. "For now. But I do not anticipate us meeting again, Lord Daunte. Not until the end comes."
"T-The end?" Daunte breathed. He felt tears stinging his eyes. "What—I don't understand, Lady Leknaat."
"You will," Leknaat told him. She moved in close and kissed his cheek. "But that is something you do not need to worry about right now. You were victorious, and now...now is the time for you to rest."
Daunte closed his eyes, and hugged her. "Thank you, Lady Leknaat. I will never forget you."
"Nor will I you, Lord Daunte."
Morning.
The entire population of Mlkwt Alsmwat had gathered in the square directly in front of the Grand Citadel. Everyone was talking in hushed whispers, looking around with fear or awe at the Liberation Army soldiers standing at the ready. They were not threatening and their weapons were not drawn, but they were stiff and at attention.
Chinmaya walked on wobbly legs onto the lower balcony overseeing the courtyard. She swallowed repeatedly as she approached the uncovered pipes that would allow her to broadcast her voice. She took a moment, and slapped her cheeks with both palms. "Get it together," she whispered. She calmed, and approached the pipes, and the people waiting below.
The citizens of Mlkwt Alsmwat spoke loudly briefly when they saw her, but she raised her hand to signal silence. It took a few moments, but the courtyard fell silent. "People of Mlkwt Alsmwat," she announced. "People of Nagarea. I stand before you to announce to you what you already know. The High Clerics are no more. The Theocracy is no more."
Soft murmurs greeted her. Chinmaya allowed it before the courtyard silenced once more and she continued. "But the Liberation Army are not tyrants. The Liberation Army acted to liberate you from the tyranny. From this day forward, there are no assassins disguised as High Clerics. There is no Theocracy where we answer to a god. We are a new nation, with a new government decided by you, the people Starting today—the Theocracy of Nagarea is now the Republic of Nagarea."
Silence greeted her. Chinmaya felt her breath choke in her throat, and a cold knot form inside of her as the people of Mlkwt Alsmwat stared up at her. She swallowed hard again. I...Did I mess it up?
Someone started clapping. Then another person started clapping. Soon everyone was clapping and cheering and whooping. Throwing up their hands and hugged each other. Some were even crying, but they were crying tears of joy.
Chinmaya exhaled, and she felt tears sting her eyes. She looked towards the door, and saw encouraging nods. She blinked her tears away and raised her hands. It took longer this time, but the crowd eventually settled and fell silent.
"We are a Republic," Chinmaya said. Despite her efforts, her tone was shaky. "And in six months time we will hold our first general election. All of Nagarea will be able to vote for our leader—a President chosen by us and not by a deity. This was all made possible by our leader, Lord Daunte. Lord Daunte rose up as a survivor of the Dark Chasm, and through his efforts we all stand here today at the dawn of a new age for this country.
"But though we will be having a formal election, Lord Daunte wants this new country nurtured and cared for until our President is chosen and voted in by you," Chinmaya said. "In doing so, Lord Daunte has chosen a worthy candidate to be the active President of our new Republic until the elections are held. This acting President will serve you and work for you. If you find him worthy of the position, vote for him in sixth. If not, then you may vote for another candidate."
"Is the acting President Lord Daunte?" Someone shouted from the crowd.
Chinmaya was silent for a moment before she answered. "No."
Murmurs of shock filled the courtyard, but Chinmaya raised her hands for silence once more. "But Lord Daunte chose a worthy candidate regardless," she said. "You know of his bravery, integrity, and fighting prowess. You saw him lead the Liberation Army into Mlkwt Alsmwat. And you saw him lead the charge to save you all from monsters. I hereby present to you, the acting President of the Republic of Nagarea, chosen by Lord Daunte himself!"
Chinmaya gestured with her arm towards the door of the balcony. "Lord Keiran Umed!"
Cheers immediately erupted from the crowd as Keiran strolled onto the balcony. He was dressed in a bright white thobe covered with emblems and medals, with dark blue pants, and he had several scrolls tucked underneath his arm. He was followed by Mihr, Varnaz, Gunther, Allise, Eamon, Lorik, Tamara, River, Oisin, and Sloan. They stood to the back and Chinmaya stepped to the side with a respectful bow to Keiran as he stepped up to the pipes. Seeing him made the people of Mlkwt Alsmwat cheer even louder.
Keiran waited for them to finish cheering before he spoke. "People of Mlkwt Alsmwat. People of the Republic of Nagarea. I am honored to have been chosen by my lord to be your acting leader. I hope to make myself worthy of all of you as well. I have three decrees I wish to hand out immediately, per the command of Lord Daunte. River, please step forward."
River walked forward. The people were shocked to see an Elf. Keiran handed him a scroll. "By order of the Republic of Nagarea, I hereby declare the East Forest a free, sovereign country for the Elves of Nagarea. You are now an independent country not under the rule of the Republic. I wish you prosperity and peace."
Murmurs of shock filled the courtyard. River accepted the scroll. "As leader of my people, I accept your offer most humbly," he said. He had tears in his eyes. "Thank you, President Keiran."
He stepped away, hugging the scroll to his chest. "Oisin, please step forward," Keiran said.
Oisin did so, and the people were shocked to see a Winger. Keiran handed him a scroll as well. "By order of the Republic of Nagarea, I hereby declare the High Peak Mountains a free, sovereign country for the Wingers of Nagarea. You are now an independent country not under the rule of the Republic. I wish you prosperity and peace."
"I accept your offer," Oisin said shakily, taking the scroll. "Thank you, and to Lord Daunte."
He stepped back with River, and Keiran turned to face the crowd once more. "And finally, this decree." He held up the third scroll. "Will abolish the caste system, and mandatory religious service. You are all hereby equal people in the eyes of the Republic, and you are free to worship however you please. If you want to continue worshipping Nagar, you may do so and our Chapels will remain standing. If you want to give up religion, you may do so without punishment. Whatever you want to be, within the confines of the law, will be open to you.
"You are not in service to me," Keiran said. "I am in service to you. This government is in service to you. Let us all work hard together towards a bright future for us all. For Nagarea!" He shouted.
"FOR NAGAREA!" The crowd cheered. Then everyone began hugging and dancing once more.
Keiran nodded, and turned to face the others. He held Mihr's gaze for a moment before looking at the others. "We have a lot of work ahead of us," he said. "But Lord Daunte has faith in all of us. I know that we will succeed."
"We will succeed," Chinmaya said blithely. "Lord Daunte chose you as this country's first leader for a reason, Lord Keiran. We trust in his judgment."
"That's all good," Gunther said, cracking his neck. "But I've been fighting for literally years. Can we go and have that party now?"
Varnaz scoffed. "Always so carefree, aren't you?"
"Hey, someone has to be!"
Everyone responded with a laugh.
Nightfall. The celebratory dinner and party was in full swing at HQ. Yasaka cooked plenty of food, and everyone was coming to and fro on the grounds. No one was wearing armor or in uniform. It was a relaxed and very happy atmosphere.
To the northeast of HQ however, a small group had gathered.
"You plan to leave now, Lord Daunte?" Caesar asked.
"Yes," Daunte said. "Dad wants to take us to Armes to see my distant family. Now is a good time to do so."
"And you will travel to the Northern Continent afterwards?"
Daunte nodded. "I will."
"I can't wait!" Arin cheered, hugging Kibbeh to his chest.
"I've never been to Armes," Roen said.
"I'm looking forward to it," Felicity said.
"I'm sooooo jealous!" Surya whined. "I wanted to go on a trip with you guys! But instead Daunte, you're going with your dad and brother and Roen and Felicity?! I feel so left out!"
"But you have to go home and return to duty," Mokuren reminded him with a smile.
"Oh, I know!" Surya hugged Felicity, then Roen, then Daunte. "Thank you for saving me," Surya told Daunte. "I guess I can add "getting set on fire by a dragon" to list of things I thought would never happen to me."
"Anytime," Daunte said. "I was...just relieved that we were able to send that thing back."
"I'm surprised people still want to worship Nagar even after we exposed him as a demon and NOT a god," Nakula huffed.
"We always knew Nagar to be a God of War, so I guess the fact that he's demon doesn't make much of a difference," Caesar said, shrugging.
"And you're not staying, Caesar?" Daunte asked him.
"No," Caesar said. "Otherwise I would have made the speeches instead of Chinmaya. I finished what I came here to do, so there's no reason for me to stay. I've missed enough classes, so I might as well get back."
"Stop by Falena sometime before going to the Nothern Continent," Surya told them. "The Sun Palace is open to you."
"Just don't marry my sister," Freyr added.
Daunte rolled his eyes and took Arin's hand. "You guys ready?"
"Don't you want to say goodbye to anyone else before we go?" Roen asked.
Daunte thought about it before he shook his head. "I already did."
There was a 'whoosh' of air beside him and he turned to face Yuber. "Release me," Yuber hissed at him.
"Eh?" Daunte asked.
"Release me from this damn contract!" Yuber snapped.
"Don't talk to my son like that!" Nakula snapped at him.
"It's okay," Daunte said, waving a hand. "Thank you for your service, Yuber. I release you from your contract."
He felt a sudden change, like an invisible tether had broken. He nodded, but when he looked up at Yuber, the Black Knight still had a pale and angry expression. "What?"
"I felt the contract break," Yuber hissed. "But I still feel the sickness! Why?! How can I feel this sickness when I am no longer tied to your blood?!"
"I-I don't know," Daunte responded lamely.
Yuber cursed loudly and teleported away. "Um...is he going to be okay?" Arin asked fearfully.
"I'm not going to worry about it," Daunte said. He looked at Arin, Roen, Felicity, and Nakula. "Are you guys ready?"
"Ready," Roen and Felicity chorused.
"I'm ready!" Arin cheered.
"It's time the lot of you start acting like kids for once," Nakula said.
"Have fun on your journey," Caesar said. "I'd ask you to stop by my school, but you probably should avoid Harmonia for now."
"Bye, guys," Surya said. "I'll see you all again sometime."
Daunte nodded and smiled. "Of course. I still need to pay Queen Lymsleia back for all the help she gave me."
"But you're still not marrying my sister," Freyr added.
"Prince, please," Soturi sighed.
"I won't, okay?" Daunte sighed. He rubbed at his eyes. "Marriage probably isn't a good idea for me, anyways."
"Why not?!" Arin demanded.
"All right, let's go," Nakula said quickly, scooping him up under his arms and carrying him off.
"That's our cue then," Roen said. "Let's go!"
"Right!" Felicity shouted with a laugh. "Let's have a fun journey! We have all the time in the world!"
Daunte couldn't help but laugh. "That right. All the time in the world."
The Nagarean Civil War. IS 478-479. A teenage boy named Daunte broke free from a labor camp and rose to power in Nagarea's Liberation Army. With the combined efforts of Nagareans and foreign aid, Daunte overthrew the tyrannical Theocracy.
But all of this was made possible by the 108 Stars of Destiny.