The Suikoden series is the property of Konami. I just own the original characters in this fanfic. I've realized that I've passed the 20th anniversary of me joining this website. Now I feel old, lol.
After finishing Suikoden VI I wasn't entirely sure if I would write another story. But here I am with Suikoden VII and I'm glad to be here. There is limited information revealed in canon about Zelant, but from what I've heard it's a kingdom run as a militaristic dictatorship. Based upon a concept map released in Japan with the release of Suikoden V, Zelant is two islands (one large island and one much smaller island to the southeast of the main island) and it neighbors the Western Continent and it not actually a country on the Western Continent. This map can be found at Suikosource (awesome website btw) but per translations from users it is only a concept map that was subject to change. The layout of Zelant and the Western continent will be based largely on this map, so please use that map as a reference point.
Another thing I wanted to share with all of you is that—in order to have a complete and coherent narrative—I finished the rest of the 27 True Runes. Thus far eighteen have been revealed in canon, but I have created the remaining nine. I will be putting up all 27 True Runes shortly. Tentatively 7-8 True Runes (both canon and fanon) are expected to appear in this story.
Unrelated note, but I'm super pumped for the release of Suikoden I & II Remasters on March 6th! WOO-HOO!
As with Suikoden VI, I have released polls for Suikoden that have been ongoing since May. There will be more polls to come, so feel free to vote in the polls for outcomes in the story. You can find a link to the forums that has the polls on my profile page. If you're unable to vote in the polls, feel free to leave a comment of your choice and I will count it towards the final tally.
The cover image for this story is of the heroine, and was created using the AI imaging software Dream by WOMBO.
Without further ado…here's Suikoden VII.
"In the beginning, there was "darkness." Then, the "darkness" shed a "tear." From that "tear," the brothers Sword and Shield were born. Shield claimed it could defend against any attack. Sword claimed it could slice through anything. The brothers began a legendary battle. At the end, both Sword and Shield shattered. Sword became the sky, Shield became the earth, and the sparks from the battle became the stars. As for the jewels that adorn Sword and Shield, they fell to the ground and became the True Runes—the runes that all other runes were born from."
Gregminster, Toran Republic
IS 485
"I can't help you."
"You can't or you won't help me?"
Caesar Silverberg snorted. He couldn't help himself despite the very dire situation. But he quickly composed himself and brushed his red bangs out of his face as he turned to face the young man sitting on the couch before him. "Cousin," he said, sobering. "There is nothing I can do."
David Silverberg frowned at him. The young man had short dark brown hair and defiant blue eyes. Caesar had never met his late cousin Mathiu, but he had Mathiu's figurine from the Gate Rune War and so Caesar knew his cousin's face. David had a strong physical resemblance to Mathiu, though the nineteen-year-old's temperament was nothing like Mathiu's.
If he was like our cousin Mathiu, then he wouldn't be in this predicament.
"Caesar," David said, his hands clenched into fists in his lap. The young man was still wearing his white and blue Soldedt Academy uniform. Caesar was honestly amazed he had managed to travel so far in such clothes. "I need help. You're the only person who can help me."
"David, I can't help you," Caesar said, his tone full of exasperation and exhaustion.
"You're the President of Toran!" David pressed, standing up. "You could grant me asylum here!"
"Thank you for the reminder," Caesar sighed, shaking his head. It was job he did not relish. When Lepant had died in office one year prior, Caesar had returned to Toran for his state funeral and to be an advisor to Lepant's successor. Much to Caesar's shock and horror, he suddenly found himself the top candidate to be President! But now here he was; Caesar Silverberg, the second President in the history of the Toran Republic. Deep down, he knew that Apple had to have been behind it.
"But I am President," Caesar agreed reluctantly. "And because of that I can't help you."
"Caesar—"
"Were I a common citizen then yes," Caesar snapped at him. "If for no other reason than my aunt—your mother—I would have gladly helped you. But right now I have the burden of an entire country in my hands, and I cannot fit you into my hands David!"
"Caesar, you know what will happen to me if you don't help me!" David shot back.
"And if I do help you, then it will be an act of war."
David sucked in a sharp breath, and he stammered intelligibly for a few moments. His gloved right hand quickly covered the back of his gloved left hand.
Rage suddenly flooded Caesar's body. He surged forward and grabbed David by his collar with both hands. "You damned fool!" he shouted, shaking the younger man. "How could you have done something so stupid?!"
"I had to," David seethed, glaring back at him. "You weren't there, Cousin! You didn't see him! I had to do something, Caesar! I couldn't have left him like that!"
"And because of that, the entire country of Harmonia is after you!" Caesar shouted. "Your being here has put Toran at risk! If the Holy Kingdom finds out you are here, then they will INVADE! Toran has prospered amazingly since its foundation, but do you think we have the resources to fight Harmonia?! Because we don't! If Harmonia were to invade tomorrow they would crush us!"
"Then what am I supposed to do?" David didn't shout, but his tone was desperate and angry. "If they catch me…they won't kill me."
"No, they won't kill you," Caesar said. "But they'll make you wish you were dead. You'll end up like that poor soul you "saved"."
"I did save him," David hissed back.
"Yeah, and the cost was heavy." Caesar let him go then. He ran both hands through his own hair. After a long moment of silence he turned back to his cousin. "You're not safe here. Truthfully you're not safe anywhere, but you're really not safe on the Northern Continent. You need to leave. Go to the South or the West o-or even the East—nobody knows anything about the Eastern Continent. You'll never be truly safe, but if you leave the Northern Continent you'll at least buy yourself some time."
"Should I go to the Nagarea Republic then?" David asked. "You helped establish that country, right?"
Caesar laughed sardonically. "If you think President Keiran would give you asylum after he finds out what you've done, you're sorely mistaken. You're better off going somewhere else."
David's breathing became heavy and unsteady. "So…you truly will not help me."
"I can't help you," Caesar clarified. "There's a difference."
"What would you do then, Caesar?" David asked him.
Before Caesar could respond, the door to his office slammed open behind him. "Whoa, Mr. President! What's with all the yelling? We can hear you straight from downstairs!"
Caesar turned to face the newcomer…and in that moment he had an idea.
"So he's gone?"
Caesar's head snapped up. He had been sitting in the Floating Garden of Gregminster Palace, moping and staring at the sunset when Apple approached him. His mentor had a look of worry on her face. "Yes," Caesar said. "I did send him away."
"David Silverberg," Apple mused as she sat beside him on the garden bench. "The son of your Aunt Saffron, is he not sir?"
"Please don't defer to me, it's weird," Caesar sighed, shaking his head. "But—yeah. His mom was my dad's younger sister. She despised my grandpa and so she never wanted to get into politics or anything like that. She still kept the Silverberg name though, even after she got married."
"David looks to be much younger than you are," Apple said. "And he looks much like Master Mathiu."
"Seven years younger than me," Caesar agreed. "And unlike Aunt Saff, David decided to follow the family tradition. Though his actions proved that he's as reckless as my cousin Odessa was."
"And you did not help him," Apple pointed out.
"Would you have, if you were in my position?!" Caesar demanded sharply.
Apple slowly shook her head. "Family or not, the risk would be too great for someone in your position. Choosing between family and duty is never an easy thing. I know that it wasn't easy for you to put this country ahead of your kin."
"Yeah." Caesar sighed dejectedly. "Hopefully he can stay ahead of Harmonia for…however long this lasts."
"Do you know where he's going?" Apple asked him.
"I told him he's not safe here on the Northern Continent. I told him to go to any of the other continents."
"Did he mention where he's planning to go?"
Caesar was silent for a long time. Apple peered at him over the rim of her glasses. "Sir?" she prompted, knowing the deferment would make him respond faster. It worked…but the words Caesar spoke were not words she was expecting.
"He'll go wherever Viktor goes."