Thanks to everyone who participated in the polls! Here are the results:
Poll #5: Which event in Suikoden VI would you like to see represented in its play? (Top 2 wins)
- Summoning Yuber (2)
- Final Battle (7)*
- Sloan freed of the Black Rune
- Daunte reunited with his father
- Liberation of the Dark Chasm (1)
- The battle against Eligos (4)*
- The wedding (1)
- The Battle of Winter Hill (1)
—
Poll #7: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden I? (Note: This had a tie so I broke it with a randomizer (best 3 out of 5))
- Odessa's death (2)
- Gremio's sacrifice (4) (1 win in randomizer)
- Tir vs Teo (1)
- Ted gives Tir the Soul Eater Rune (4)* (3 wins in the randomizer)
- The battle against Kwanda Rosman
- The battle against Milich Oppenheimer
- Gremio's resurrection (2)
—
Poll #8: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden II?
- The battle against Luca Blight (7)*
- Jowy's betrayal in Muse
- Final battle
- Nanami's "death" (3)
- Teresa Wisemail's escape from Greenhill (1)
- The battle of Two River
- Matilda Knight's exodus from Rockaxe Castle (2)
—
Poll #9: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden III?
- Thomas's last stand at Budehuc Castle (2)
- Karaya Village massacre
- Choosing the new Flame Champion (5)*
- Geddoe vs Duke
- Koroku's bizarre adventure (2)
- Yun's sacrifice (2)
- The Fire Bringer vs Yuber (3)
—
Poll #10: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden IV?
- Laszlo's exile (4)
- Snowe's "homecoming" to Razril (1)
- Final battle (5)*
- Meeting Elenor Silverberg
- Alternate exile ending (1)
- Laszlo vs Lino En Kuldes (2)
- Liberation of Obel (1)
—
Poll #11: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden V?
- Roy's last stand (1)
- Sialeeds's betrayal (5)*
- The coup at Sol-Falena (1)
- Final battle (4)
- Prince Freyjadour finds the Dawn Rune (1)
- The Sacred Games final
- Sialeeds's death (2)
All of these plays (plus the original five from Suikodens I-V) will be making appearances soon.
Chapter Four: Part Eight
Three days later…
Blutkrieger
"Well, well, well," Taiwo Winn murmured, flipping through his notepad. He was lounging in a chair with his feet propped up on the table before. "Things are getting sticky around here, aren't they?"
Ever since Princess Philomena and Elly Drake returned in disgrace after the battle against Astraea, the entirety of Eisenblütig was eerily quiet. Elly Drake was given a public reprimand for the colossal loss, but much to Taiwo's shock she wasn't fired from her job. After being chewed out by Sir Albert in the Onyx Chamber, she wasn't removed from her position in the Intelligence Bureau but she was demoted from her position.
"In his last defiant act, Prince Vahan absolved you of any responsibility for the mess," Sir Albert said. "So we will honor his wishes."
Vahan Reiser had initially been hailed as a hero who sacrificed himself to save Princess Philomena and her soldiers. But within a day the narrative swiftly changed when new information was brought to light about his fate.
"Prince Vahan has joined Astraea Reiser."
The defection by the Prince to his treasonous sister's side—after he had pledged fealty to King Franz no less—proved to be deeply demoralizing for the people of Blutkrieger. It was bad enough for the people here that Princess Sigrun and Prince Denzel had turned against the Crown—and by extension Zelant. But now Prince Vahan was a traitor?
She got three siblings to side with her. Three still stand against her. Very interesting.
Taiwo didn't feel comfortable staying in Astraea's old bedroom, despite the efforts made to remove any traces of her having lived there. They had moved him into her room specifically to aid in negative propaganda against him. But he was struggling to find…anything about Astraea that could be used against her. She seemed like an ordinary teenage Princess. Far too ordinary for a girl who had conquered Bhayankar. But yet that one girl was somehow responsible for all this chaos? It seemed almost implausible, but somehow it was the truth.
"Truth," Taiwo said to himself, shaking his head. He snapped his notebook shut. "The truth is that either my half-sister is a diabolical schemer. Or…" he pressed his lips together. He knew better than to say the words out loud, even in solitude. He looked around the sitting room before standing up and grabbing his hat. Sitting around speculating wasn't going to get him information. He needed to seek out that information himself.
He left Astraea's former room, but as he crossed the threshold he saw a large group of soldiers down the hall carrying materials out of a room. He realized that they were coming out of Vahan's former room and knew better than to linger. "I hope you didn't leave anything you'll miss behind, dear half-brother," he muttered, pulling his hat down over his eyes as he headed in the opposite direction.
Kion and Gwenette weren't around, which was greatly disappointing, but Taiwo kept an outward appearance of calm as he departed the East Wing. He saw movement ahead of him and stopped in his tracks. He saw two familiar faces approaching him quickly and he snapped to attention. "Princess Philomena," he said respectfully. "How nice to see—"
Philomena brushed past him without saying a word. He saw that she was on the verge of tears and he sucked in a sharp breath. What happened?
Aravine followed behind her charge. Taiwo reached for her arm but she turned and seized his wrist, twisting it slightly. "You do not touch an assist, Taiwo Winn," she said sharply.
Taiwo hissed from the sting of pain, but he remained calm. "We're siblings, Aravine. We share the same father, remember? I have no nefarious intentions towards either of you."
Aravine's face didn't move, but her grip on his wrist loosened slightly. "Talk," she told him.
"What is wrong with the Princess?"
"That is none of your business."
"But the King—"
"You are here for information on Astraea Reiser, not Her Highness Princess Philomena," Aravine interjected. "If it's information you need to know, you will be told."
"It's fine, Aravine." Philomena stormed back over to them. Her face was flushed and her nose was slightly runny. It looked like she was taking all her willpower to not burst into tears. "His Majesty has punished me severely for the failure of this battle, and for Vahan's treason."
Taiwo looked at her in shock. "His Majesty…punished you?" He almost couldn't believe it. Philomena's status as King Franz's favorite child wasn't exactly a secret.
"Father stripped me of my rank!" Philomena exclaimed. Two tears spilled down her cheeks and she wiped at her face furiously. "I have been demoted to Ensign! ENSIGN!" she screamed the word, and it echoed down the corridors around them. "I cannot lead any military units with that rank! What's worse, I am under house arrest! I am not allowed to leave this castle under any circumstance! It's not fair! How was I to know that Vahan would turn on us?! We planned that damn military strategy together! We spent DAYS on it! I had no idea he would…" her voice broke off as she finally burst into tears, burying her face in her hands.
Aravine let Taiwo go and slid an arm around her shoulders. "Let's retire for now, Your Highness," Aravine said, her tone soothing. But she gave Taiwo a murderous glare as she guided Philomena towards the East Wing.
Taiwo whistled softly as he rubbed his sore wrist. "I'm going to be in short supply of royals I'm in good graces with," he mused, shaking his head. He turned to look out over the garden. "Ensign, huh? That must be humiliating for the Princess."
His senses were open, but an unsettling feeling settled in the core of his being. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was fundamentally…not right.
Astraea is labeled a raitor, and all but Princess Sigrun and Prince Denzel stood with His Majesty the King. Then Prince Vahan went to battle with her…and he JOINED her?
Taiwo shook his head and looked in the direction of the King's residence in the castle. "What are you going to do about this…Father?"
"You did well, Your Majesty," Albert said. "I knew that it was not easy, but Her Highness needed to be held accountable for her negligence. She should have realized Prince Vahan's true intentions."
King Franz scrubbed a hand over his face and slammed an open calm against the surface of his desk. "That damn girl turned three of my children against me," he fumed. "How are these people falling in line behind an EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL?!" he shouted the last three words. "How does a twenty-five year old man fail to kill a teenager?! How does ANY of them fail to do so?!"
"We must remember that Astraea has a True Rune," Albert said calmly. "And that will naturally give her an edge. Until we can get that Rune away from her, she will have that over us."
"We also have a True Rune."
Albert smiled thinly. "Yes. And for now it yields to His Majesty. We have to ensure it stay this way."
Franz shook his head. "For now, I'm not sending any of them to her," he fumed. "Brendan, Kion, Philomena—if she were to engage ANY of them on the battlefield, she may be able to convince them to join her!"
"I do not believe we will need to worry about Prince Kion," Albert said softly. "But of course you are right, Your Majesty. For now it's best we not send any more royals to her. We need to figure out alternative plans. For now all we can do is have them stand down. Stripping Princess Philomena of her rank and confining her to Eisenblütig will prevent her from interacting with Astraea and lessen the Princess's chances of joining her."
King Franz clenched his jaw. "I regret hurting her, but…I also regret that she is soft. I have spoiled Philomena too much."
"At least she will not challenge you to Royal Combat," Albert said. "Of your remaining heirs, they are those who will not challenge your authority. Prince Brendan already failed, and Prince Kion has already made it clear that he doesn't want to be King."
King Franz nodded stiffly. "I have that, at least."
Albert hesitated for a moment, and clasped his hands together. Then he spoke. "Since we are having your heirs stand down…there is something I want to discuss with you."
King Franz looked at him. "What is it, Albert?"
"It's about…acquiring a weapon."
Old Capital
"How are your soldiers, Vahan?" Astraea asked.
"They are your soldiers now, Astraea," Vahan reminded her. They were sitting together in Vahan's new room in the castle. Vahan sat on one couch facing a low table, and Astraea sat on a couch across from him. Dawa stood behind Astraea's couch and Kerime stood behind Vahan's couch. Instead of staying in the main area like Sigrun and Denzel did, he took a room in the southwest tower. It was a spacious and round room, and Astraea saw that he was already making it his own. "And they are fine. You were careful to not kill any of them. Those who had serious injuries are recovering. They are not being mistreated."
"I'm glad," Astraea said. She glanced down at her hands, fidgeting slightly. "Vahan—"
"This is going to be an…adjustment for us, Astraea," Vahan said, and Astraea looked up. "We were never close to begin with. It was my fault," he quickly added. "You've always tried to have a relationship with me and I rejected you. When I finally tried to make an effort, it was after you came back from—" his voice broke off and he shook his head.
"I don't want to dwell on our past relationship," Astraea said. "I want to move forward. I would like us to be close, but we shouldn't rush it Vahan. We're both used to things a certain way, and we have to break that habit."
Vahan nodded. "We do. I do. Not just with you but with Denzel. I mean, I've always had a decent relationship with Sigrun. But Denzel…"
"He's angry with you on my behalf, but it will get better," Astraea said.
"It's actually more than that," Vahan said. "I wasn't just a terrible brother to you, Astraea. I've never been particularly close to Denzel, either. When we were kids he wanted so badly to be my best friend, because I was the brother closest in age to him. But I rejected him, and I wasn't kind about it. He's never forgotten that. And with everything I've done currently…" he shook his head.
"But you've joined us now," Astraea said. "We're going to work together to make Zelant better and broker peace with the Bianca Alliance. This whole conflict with him happened because Father framed them."
"I'm still struggling to with that information," Vahan admitted. "I knew deep down that you were innocent, but knowing that Father did all this…and that we sank an Alliance warship for no reason…the Alliance will still be at odds with us."
"With me," Astraea said. "I was the one who sank that ship. If I have to meet with them personally to broker peace then I will do it. But first we need to settle our affairs first."
Vahan smiled. "You're truly proving yourself to be a capable leader, Astraea. I'm ashamed of how much I've underestimated you."
Astraea smiled back. "I just hope that I don't let anyone down."
When she left, Astraea felt lighter. She could already feel a shift in her relationship with Vahan. She knew that they had to take things slow, but she was hopeful that things would get better.
Things WILL get better. And I can make peace with Vahan and form a sibling bond with him, then I can do so as well with Philomena, Brendan, and maybe even Kion.
She wasn't so confident about the last one, but she brushed the feeling off. She turned to Dawa. "Do you know if Denzel truly dislikes Vahan?"
"Prince Denzel is angry with Prince Vahan," Dawa said. "It may be a long time before he forgives him."
Astraea nodded, looking away. She wanted her two brothers to get along, but she was not going to force the issue. Forcing it would make things worse.
As they left the tower and entered the main hall, David approached them wearing a smile. "Hello, Your Majesty. There was something I wanted to go over with you. Do you have a minute?"
Astraea returned the smile and nodded. "Sure."
That evening the Old Capital was lively. The addition of new recruits put a minor strain on resources, but there was plenty of room for everyone. Soldiers grouped together talking and laughing. There was also a significant line to Satoshi's stand to play garapon.
"Oh, too bad!" Satoshi said when a white ball popped out. "But you still win a prize!"
"If it's not booze then I'm not interested," Viktor sighed, waving his hand. "I'm done."
"Next!" Satoshi called out as Viktor walked away. He left the market district and started to cross the north bridge back towards the hospital. Halfway across the bridge though he paused in his tracks. He looked down at his right arm, which was still strapped to his chest, and squashed the familiar negative feeling that started to rise in his gut. He leaned his back towards the rail and looked up at the night sky. "I need to do something," he said to the one hundred and eight stars in the sky. "I feel like a burden to these people. What can I do?"
"The Night Rune."
Viktor's head snapped to his left. He tensed when he saw Zerase standing one meter away from him. Her gaze was narrowed and cold. "What do you want, lady?" he asked curtly.
"The Night Rune," Zerase repeated herself. "Its mark is on you."
Viktor arched a brow. "…Mark?"
"You have utilized the Night Rune."
His brow furrowed and he frowned. "Do you mean the Star Dragon Sword?"
"That is the current form of the Night Rune."
"Yes, I have used it," Viktor said. "I wielded it twice to slay vampires and ghouls. I used it to kill the bastard vampire Neclord."
"But you do not have the Night Rune now," Zerase pointed out.
"Clearly I don't," Viktor retorted. "Which is good, because if I DID have it then it would have been eaten by a giant alligator-monstrosity when it chomped my arm."
"Where is the Night Rune?" Zerase demanded.
Viktor shrugged. "I do not know."
"What have you done with it?"
"I passed it along to someone else."
"Who?" her tone came out faster and sharper.
"A friend," Viktor answered, being deliberately vague.
Zerase lifted her chin, holding his gaze. "It would be best for you to not cross me," she warned him. "You have no idea the power I yield."
Viktor straightened his posture and turned to face her fully. "Do I look like I'm scared of you, lady? I've faced worse than you."
Zerase smiled, but it was a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Ignorant men like you do not live long."
Viktor barked out a laugh. "You're thirty-seven years late giving me THAT threat."
Zerase suddenly became a blur, and then she was directly in front of him invading his space. Viktor jumped back away from her, but she reached out and grabbed the end of Viktor's stump. Rage flooded his body at someone touching his right arm in such a way, and it took every ounce of willpower to keep his emotions at bay.
"You are fearless but you are a fool," Zerase said. "Why would the Night Rune allow you to wield its power?"
Viktor breathed sharply through his nose. "Because we had the same goal. And clearly I was worthy of its power since I used it in two different wars."
Zerase glared at Viktor. He glared back. It was a mutual battle of willpower that last for several seconds. Finally Zerase released his arm. "I have wasted my time," she said. "Perhaps you used the Night Rune in the past. But clearly you will not use it in the future."
Then she turned and walked away. Or rather—she glided away. Her feet still did not seem to touch the ground. Viktor blinked once, and then he was gone.
Viktor rubbed at his nape and snarled before slamming his fist onto the top of the bridge's stone rail. "Damn!"
The next morning Astraea ventured out into the city with Dawa. When they left the castle David emerged from his home and asked to join them. "Sure," Astraea said. Dawa said nothing, but she visibly frowned.
There was still so much of the Old Capital that she needed to see. She headed south along the river towards the residence that Futch had chosen for himself, Gygax, Bright, and Swift. She found a modest two-story house with a small barn that had obviously been designed to hold horses. Now it held Bright's residence, and both Dragon Knights were in the barn with the dragon. "Good morning," Astraea greeted them.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," Futch said over his shoulder. "If I haven't said it before, congratulations on your victory."
"Thank you, Futch." She looked around and saw Gygax sitting in a corner bottle-feeding Swift. "Do you both have enough resources?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Futch said, turning to face her. "The river has plentiful fish, but we are able to fly to find prey for Bright."
"Swift should be able to eat solids, soon!" Gygax called to them.
"He's too young for that," Futch told him.
"How would you know?"
"Because I'm an experienced Dragon Knight, Gygax!"
Gygax rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"I did not need you for the last war battle," Astraea said, bringing Futch's attention back to her. "But for next time—"
Her voice broke off and she let out a loud gasp when she felt a twinge in her right hand. She looked down at her hand, and though she could not see the glow of the True Wind Rune the feeling nonetheless felt familiar to her. She had felt it…before. She looked at Dawa and David, and Dawa had a look of confusion. David, though…the color had drained from his face.
"Something's wrong," Astraea said aloud.
"What?" Futch asked, but Astraea left the barn and took off running. Everyone shouted behind her but she ran south along the cobblestone sidewalk. The feeling…the power…somehow she knew where it was coming from. It was close. Within the city!
"Was it enough?"
"I don't know."
Astraea skidded to a stop when she heard those two voices. They were the voices of two boys, possibly her age. The others caught up to her. "Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Dawa asked.
"Someone's here," Astraea said. The group immediately became alert, but Astraea kept going. Just ahead she saw the path have a dead-end marked by a house and the path went to the right, but the voices came from the left. She reached the dead end and looked to her left. There wasn't a wall there, but a hilly patch of grass over the river. One figure—an older man wearing a tanned cloak—stood over two figures kneeling on the ground. Both figures were indeed teenage boys. One had short spiky silver hair, and the short but straight black hair. The boy with the silver hair wore a red jacket, and the boy with the black hair wore a light suit of armor over dark clothes. They sat side by side with their backs to Astraea, and their heads were bent forward looking at something in front of them.
"Will she be all right?" the black-haired boy asked.
"She should be," the silver-haired boy responded. "That spell will heal anything."
"Excuse me," Astraea asked.
The trio quickly looked up. Astraea could not see the older man's face because of his hood, but she saw that he had long silver hair. But the two both turned to face her, and she could see their faces clearly. The black-haired boy had an innocent, easygoing expression but the silver-haired boy had a stoic, and almost…cold expression.
It was the silver-haired boy who Astraea transfixed on. She couldn't look away from him. When she stared into his dark eyes…it was strange. It was like she—knew him. Similarly, he looked straight at her and no one else. He slowly rose to his feet, not saying a word. The black-haired boy followed suit, though he looked to the silver-haired boy as though seeking what to do.
Futch cried out, the sound startling everyone. He pushed forward until he stood at Astraea's side. His eyes darted between the three that stood before them until his gaze landed on the silver-haired boy once more. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly for a moment as he struggled to speak. When he finally spoke…it was just above a whisper.
"Lord Daunte."
End of Chapter Four