f4tl0l asked me in a comment on Archive of Our Own if I would consider choosing more than one play for Suikoden VI. That got me thinking and I started a new poll:

Poll #6: Would you like to see more than one play for Suikodens I-VI?

- Yes

- No

This poll is a short-term poll that will only be active until 5:00 GMT on October 1st. The results of this poll will determine future polls. If you cannot vote in the poll then feel free to leave a comment of your vote.

Chapter One: Part Three

The following morning, Astraea stood in the Great Hall of Eisenblütig, her heart in her throat and her stomach churning. She had never thought she would see the day where Dawa would leave her side, but that day had come. Her assist was going back to her hometown, and Astraea was unsure of when she would see her again.

Maybe it was naïve to think that Dawa could come with me to Harmonia. But…it feels weird not traveling with her.

"Please don't hesitate to write me letters, Your Highness," Dawa told her. Her smile was forced, though her face was a mask of calm. "Write to me as often as you want. As many times as you want. If you need anything, I will be there."

Astraea nodded stiffly. "Thank you, Dawa." But Dawa's words didn't make her feel any better. She knew deep down that Dawa's promise was empty, because the king wanted her to take command of Potsfurt. She could not simply abandon her post to sail across the sea to come to Astraea's aid.

Behind Astraea stood her siblings, who stood with their assists. Brendan, Kion, and Philomena looked neutral but Sigrun and Denzel predictably looked displeased. Vahan surprisingly also looked displeased by the proceedings. Milo, Barrett, and Ritta stood off to the side watching with trepidation. Barrett turned to look at his half-siblings. "This is a very public farewell," he whispered. "Should the king have arranged such a public farewell for the assist to a royal?"

"…Right," Ritta said grimly, her brow furrowed. "The King may as well hang up a giant banner that says, "Princess Astraea is unprotected!" This is so strange!"

Milo didn't say anything, but suddenly surged forward. "Dawa!" he called out. Murmurs of shock broke out to see him break rank, but Barrett and Ritta quickly followed. "Dawa, don't you worry," Milo announced loudly, standing at Astraea's right side. "I'll look out for A—Her Highness at Soldedt Academy. You can count on it."

"So will I," Barrett said, standing at Astraea's left side.

"Me too!" Ritta cheered, standing alongside Milo.

Astraea was moved then by their words, and her stomach relaxed a little. "Thank you, everyone," she said quietly.

Dawa's smile relaxed as well. "Thank you, all of you," she said. "Remember to do your country proud. And Your Highness…please take care of yourself."

Astraea wondered if she should remain stoic or if she should give in to her "sentimentality" and give her half-sister a hug. After a moment she stepped forward and threw her arms around Dawa's shoulders. "I'll miss you," she murmured. "And I promise to come back to Zelant a better person…and a better soldier."

Dawa let out a shaky breath and hugged her back. "You're already a good person, You Highness. But I know that you will be the best there is at the Academy."

From the back of the Great Hall, Albert watched the proceedings with his arms folded over his chest. "It will be easier now," he murmured to himself, and then turned and walked away.

Astraea waved to Dawa's retreating back, tears stinging her eyes. It felt weird not having Dawa with her, after having Dawa by her side every day for so long. But she maintained her composure and let out a shaky breath. It will be okay. I'll come back stronger. I'll prove myself to everyone.

It was Milo who broke the somber tension in the air. "Can we go and see Bhayankar?" Which got a laugh out of Astraea.

The remaining six candidates for the Soldedt Academy arrived to the castle by the morning before departure. They were all from noble families across Zelant, and from speaking with them Astraea came to learn that none of them had applied to the Academy themselves. It appeared that all ten of the prospective students were elected by third parties to join the Academy. She thought it was odd, but ultimately she didn't give it much thought. All of them were excited to be attending school in Harmonia, and wanted to see Crystal Valley.

As Milo said, his older sister arrived by the afternoon. Astraea had heard much about Lady Sarka Arbeit and her efficiency as the lady of Triona, and she felt nervous meeting her half-sister for the first time. The twenty-six year old looked beautiful and strong; the black armor she wore wasn't as heavy-looking as Sigrun but Astraea could see her strength. She could see that Sarka wore a dark purple dress under the armor and cream-colored leggings. Her hair was dirty-blonde like Milo, long and worn in a dimensional butterfly braid. Her blue eyes were naturally narrow, but Astraea saw kindness there when she met Sarka's gaze.

"I appreciate you looking after my troublesome little brother, Your Highness," Sarka said, ruffling Milo's hair with a armor-gloved hand.

"Sister, I'm not trouble!" Milo protested.

"I'm glad to travel and be a fellow student with Milo, Lady Sarka," Astraea told her.

"Sarka is fine, Your Highness," Sarka corrected her good-naturedly.

"Have you met Ritta and Barrett?" Milo asked, motioning to them.

Sarka's brow rose when she saw the pair. "Ah—you both are also our siblings?" she asked.

"Yes," Ritta said. "But Barrett and I are fosterlings."

"Yeah," Barrett said. "His Majesty was generous to enroll us both in the Soldedt Academy."

Sarka slowly nodded and smiled. "I'm glad to know you both as well. I know all of you will return to Zelant with enhanced military skills."

All of the prospective students were also eager to see Bhayankar, but while Astraea had been able to take Milo, Barrett, and Ritta into the Crypt briefly she was not given permission to take anyone else down there. The rest of the students were disappointed but were nonetheless glad to be in the Eisenblütig.

Astraea enjoyed the company of her half-siblings and the other students, but she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling inside of her. The realization that after tomorrow…everything would change.

Tomorrow…I leave Zelant. And it will be years before I'll be back here.

That evening Astraea tried to go to bed early and sleep. They would all need to travel at dawn the following morning. They would travel to Niebieska Brama, the port town to the northeast that was the port to the eastern part of the world. Then they would sail across the sea to the Northern Continent, where they would arrive in Harmonia and start their new lives as students.

It was sudden, thrilling…but also nerve-wracking.

Astraea sat on her bed in her bedchamber, the silence deafening. Without Dawa there she didn't have anyone to really talk to in confidence. She looked towards the door and stood up. "I'm going to go see my siblings," she announced to the empty room.

Wandering the East Wing also felt weird without Dawa at her side. Astraea found herself looking over her shoulder for her assist, and her heart sank when she realized that no one was there. She shook her head to clear it and decided on the first sibling she would visit.

Brendan.

Astraea approached the double-doors to his room and knocked on the door. After a few moments the door cracked open and Yasmine peeked outside. "Your Highness," she said, opening the door a little more. "Good evening."

"Good evening Yasmine," Astraea greeted her. "Can I speak to my brother?"

"Let me check with—" Yasmine began.

"I'm busy," Brendan called from inside the chamber.

Astraea's heart sank. Yasmine glanced into the chamber and then looked towards Astraea. "Prince Brendan wishes to not be disturbed, Your Highness," she said.

Astraea debated if she should walk away or confront her brother. But as Yasmine started closing the door, a surge of anger swelled inside of her. Astraea slammed her hand against the door to force it open. Yasmine had not been expecting it and stumbled back as Astraea stormed into the room. "Why?!" she demanded. "Why won't you spend time with me?!"

Brendan was sitting at a long table in the center of his main room, which was covered in papers. He was still in armor, which shocked Astraea, but then her eldest brother glared at her and slammed his book shut. "I do not see the need in it, Astraea," he said.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Astraea reminded him, the words burning in her throat. "I don't know when I'll see you again, Brendan—"

"What concern of that is mine?" Brendan interjected, his eyes narrowing. "You would have left eventually. Or I would have. We were not going to be in each other's presence forever. What is happening now is inevitable. There's no use wasting energy on sentimentality."

"S—Sentimentality?!" Astraea spat out. Her vision blurred.

"Look, I have a lot of work to do and a lot of deadline to meet," Brendan said, gesturing to the mess of papers before him. "Have a safe trip, don't disgrace our family. There. Will that suffice for a goodbye, Astraea?"

Astraea blinked rapidly, but the tears still spilled out. Brendan scoffed and shook his head. "You're too old to be crying, Astraea. As a Reiser you're destined to be a military leader. How will people take you seriously if you cry over sharp words?"

"Your Highness," Yasmine said quietly, standing at Astraea's side. Her usually cold voice was low with subtle sympathy. "Perhaps you should take your leave?"

Astraea wondered if she should flee the room with her dignity, or yell at Brendan. But she was too hurt to think of her pride. "Look, Brendan," she seethed through her tears. "I don't know why you hate me, but I'm not going to tolerate it tonight!"

Brendan's brow twitched. "I don't hate you, Astraea," he said bluntly.

"Yes, you do!" Astraea shouted back at him, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "The whole lot of you hate me, and I don't know why! I don't know why you can't ever teat me with basic decency, but moving forward don't expect me to try with you again!"

Then she ran from the room, slamming the door shut behind her. An uncomfortable silence followed. Yasmine slowly turned to look at Brendan. "Prince—"

"Yasmine," Brendan interrupted, his tone low. "I need your help with this."

"Of course, Your Highness." She took a seat next to him and picked up a loose piece of paper. After examining it for a moment, she spoke. "You hurt the Princess, Your Highness."

Brendan was silent for a long moment before he responded. "I know."

"But I know you don't hate her," Yasmine added.

Brendan said nothing to this.

"Hey," Denzel soothed, rubbing Astraea's back. They were sitting in his room side by side on a couch. Musashi watched from the shadows in silence. "Don't let it get to you. You know Brendan; he's like that with all of us, not just you."

"I just don't understand," Astraea murmured, wiping at her eyes. "It's not just Brendan, Denzel. Sigrun and you—only you two are nice to me. Why do everyone else…" she shook her head, and looked down at her hands. "Is…Is it because of Mother?"

"No," Denzel said, too quickly. "It's not that. It's just—" he waved a hand. "We're all different people," he said finally. "There's so many of us, you know? But we all love each other. Don't feel discouraged, especially since you're leaving tomorrow."

Astraea swallowed thickly and closed her eyes. There was so many things she wanted to say, but she couldn't force the words out.

"Don't let this deter you," Denzel told her. "Go out and see our other siblings. When you're done, come back here and see me. I'll order some hot cocoa and we can have a last chat."

Last chat. The words didn't sound good to Astraea. But she forced a smile at Denzel and nodded. "Thank you, Big Brother."

Denzel smiled at her. "Just make sure to come back after you graduate. I don't want to be the youngest heir here."

Astraea laughed and hugged him. "I love you, Denzel."

"I love you, too. Go and see Kion next. He's unpleasant but he's not as bad as Brendan at least."

The dread settled over Astraea again but she shook it off and stood. "I'll do that now."

Denzel saw Astraea to the door and closed it behind her. After a moment he let out a shaky breath and turned towards his assist. "What can you tell me about the Soldedt Academy of Military Science?"

"It is a prestigious and exclusive military school," Musashi said bluntly. "They receive thousands of applicants yearly, but almost no one gets in."

Denzel blinked slowly. "So…a military academy with extremely competitive admissions, gave admissions to ten students from Zelant simultaneously?"

"It is an odd occurrence but not improbable," Musashi said. "If the king sponsored the students himself, and gave a heft donation directly to the school, then they would certainly make exception."

Denzel nodded slowly and looked towards the door. "I wonder why His Majesty is sending Astraea away?"

"It may be what the Princess said," Musashi said bluntly. "It may be because of your mother."

Astraea went to see Kion next, but she saw Gwenette standing outside his door. "The Prince is sleeping," she said to Astraea in a quiet tone. "He asked me that no one disturb him, Your Highness."

"Can you make an exception for me, Gwenette?" Astraea asked her. "Please tell Kion that it's me out here to see him."

But Gwenette shook her head sadly at her. "Please forgive me, Your Highness. Prince Kion explicitly said that no one is to disturb him."

"But—"

"Including you," she added. "I asked him myself about you, Princess. And he said no exceptions."

Astraea's shoulders drooped. The hope that she had felt when she was with Denzel was quickly diminishing. She looked up at Kion's assist and she wanted to ask Gwenette why Kion disliked her so much. But Astraea realized that it would be an inappropriate question and she decided to tactfully deflect. "Do you like it?"

Gwenette blinked in confusion. "I'm sorry, Your Highness?"

"Being Kion's assist," Astraea said. "Does he treat you well, Gwenette?"

Gwenette visibly relaxed and smiled, and the gesture put Astraea at ease. "I still have a lot to learn, Princess," she confessed softly. "And Prince Kion is very guarded. You know that I'm not his first assist, right?"

"…Yes," Astraea said quietly. Kion's first assist was killed in the line of duty two years prior. Grego, another of their half-siblings, had been Kion's assist for years and died protecting him. Kion had been cold and guarded before, but after that he became very withdrawn. The circumstances of what happened to Grego had been tragic, and so no one liked to speak of him. Astraea had wondered why Kion had chosen someone so different to be his new assist, but in hindsight she now supposed that it was because he wanted someone different.

"But I take care of him and he takes care of me," Gwenette said. "I will do my duty and stay by his side."

Astraea nodded. "Good. But take care of yourself after too, Gwenette. And…" she looked away briefly before looking back at her. "Please…tell Kion that I love him and I'll miss him, okay?"

Gwenette nodded. "I will, Your Highness."

Astraea headed off. Gwenette waited until the princess had rounded the corridor before she entered Kion's bedchamber. She moved through his sitting room and entered his bedroom, where he was sitting up in bed, awake and reading. "Princess Astraea stopped by," Gwenette said.

"Hmm," Kion said, not looking up.

"I did as you asked and told her you were asleep, Your Highness."

"Hmm."

Gwenette held her breath for a moment before she spoke. "The Princess wanted you to know that she loves you and will miss you while she's gone, Your Highness."

Kion glanced up then. "I doubt that," he said, then looked back at his book.

Gwenette wrung her hands slightly and fidgeted where she stood, but she held back the words she wanted to say. "Would you like some tea, Prince?" she asked instead.

"Yes," Kion said bluntly.

After being rejected by Brendan and Kion, Astraea did not have high hopes visiting Philomena. But when she stopped by her sister's room, she was surprised to be shown in by Aravine. "Come in, Princess Astraea."

Astraea sputtered, but let her half-sister show her in. Philomena was sitting in her main room drinking tea. Her brow rose when she saw Astraea, but she motioned her closer. "Come," she said briskly. "The tea is still hot."

Astraea sat down, and Aravine poured her a cup. "Ah—thank you for seeing me," she said.

"Why wouldn't I?" Philomena asked her, her eyes narrowing. "You're leaving tomorrow. Do you think I would simply turn you out, Astraea?"

Astraea shrugged. "Brendan and Kion did."

"Why does that surprise you? Here, have a biscuit." She held out the plate to Astraea.

Astraea took a small plain biscuit, and she found herself marveling at Philomena's hands. "Wow," she breathed.

"What is it?" Philomena asked her.

"Your fingernails are beautiful," Astraea said. "So glossy. How do you do it?"

Philomena smiled. "We may be natural soldiers, but we're still princesses Astraea. Proper grooming is just as important as knowing how to swing a sword."

"C-Could you do my nails?" Astraea asked, holding up her own hands. Three or four nails were broken.

"Oh Astraea," Philomena sighed, shaking her head in pity. "You're going to Harmonia! You're representing our family to the largest nation on the Northern Continent! You need to look the part!

"Here." She stood up and grabbed Astraea's wrist. "Aravine, get my supplies. Our little sister needs to look like the princess that she is!"

"Yes, Princess," Aravine said, hurrying towards Philomena's bedroom.

"Ah…you're going to give me a manicure?" Astraea asked.

"Of course," Philomena said. "What are sisters for?"

Astraea smiled, and she finally felt at ease.

When Astraea stumbled upon Vahan and Kerime playing a card game in the hallway, her hands looked considerably better than they had earlier in the day. She had never felt so close to Philomena, and her mood remained elevated as she knelt down beside her two brothers. "Good evening," she said with a smile. "Can—"

"Please don't interrupt us, Astraea," Vahan interjected, his eyes not lifting from his cards. "I have 10,000 Potch riding on this game."

In an instant her good mood dissipated. She swallowed hard and looked between the two before standing. "…Okay," she said quietly.

"I'm sorry to see you go, but it's for the best," Vahan added, glancing at her briefly. "You'll do our family proud, Astraea."

Astraea stammered softly before she nodded. "T-Thank you, Vahan."

"No go." He shooed at her.

"Have a good night, Your Highness," Kerime said, looking up.

Astraea didn't bother hiding her exasperated sigh as she walked away. "…Was it wise to dismiss her like that, Prince?" Kerime asked.

"It's not a big deal," Vahan said. "We'll see her again. Hell…after she graduates, she'll probably declare Royal Combat, and then we'll all end up serving her."

"You believe Princess Astraea could defeat the king?" Kerime asked.

Vahan shrugged. "Anything is possible."

Astraea didn't go looking for Sigrun; her oldest sister found her sitting at the fountain in the garden. "Hello, Little Sister," she greeted Astraea. "How are you feeling about tomorrow?"

Astraea shrugged, staring up at the night sky as Sigrun took a seat beside her. "It feels…strange," she admitted. "Leaving Zelant. I-I didn't make this choice so…"

"Well we are in service to our king," Sigrun said. "Even as royals his word is law. Father wants you to go to Harmonia for military school for a reason. He must have a lot of faith in you."

"Maybe he wants to get rid of me," Astraea muttered.

"What?" Sigrun asked, her eyes wide. "Astraea, that's a horrible thing to say!"

"I-I mean," Astraea said, raising her hands. "What I mean is—Father doesn't seem to like me, Sigrun."

"Father loves you," Sigrun told her.

But Astraea shook her head. "I don't think he likes me, Sigrun. Or…any of them, really. Brendan, Kion, Vahan, Philomena…I-I mean, Philomena gave me a manicure tonight—" she showed off her hands. "But—none of them seem to like being around me, Sigrun."

"It's not like that," Sigrun said, putting an arm around her shoulders. "We're family, Astraea. We love you just as much as you love us."

Astraea sighed quietly. She wanted to believe Sigrun, but she didn't. Not entirely. "Denzel and you both certainly love me. And Dawa loves me. But…"

"I know you don't like that Dawa was sent away," Sigrun said. "But it was done for a reason. You're going to grow into a great soldier, Astraea. Someone that will make us all proud. Who else has the opportunity to go to Harmonia to learn military science? You're bound for great things, Little Sister."

Astraea managed a smile and gave her a hug. "Thank you, Sigrun. I love you."

"I love you, too." Then she shook and helped Astraea up. "Now let's go. I heard Denzel asked for hot cocoa. He invited our half-siblings as well."

"Then let's go!" Astraea cheered, pulling Sigrun along. She saw Ferdinand standing nearby and waved. "Ferdinand! Would you like hot cocoa too?"

The Kobold warrior's brow rose. "That…would not be a good idea, Princess Astraea," he said after a moment.

In the dead of night the castle was quiet, but Astraea could not sleep. She left her bedroom and headed towards the Crypt. The guard on duty was sleeping where he stood, so Astraea breezed past him and down the stairs. The long stairwell was dimly lit, but she knew the way. At the bottom of the stairs was a balcony shrouded in darkness. A very narrow staircase was sectioned off to her left, but she didn't descend it. Astraea instead approached the rail and leaned her arms on it. She couldn't see anything in the darkness, but she knew that he was there. "Bhayankar?"

Silence greeted her. She didn't know if Bhayankar was awake, or even nearby. "Bhayankar, I'm leaving," she called out. "I'm traveling to the east, and…and I don't know when I'll be back."

She thought she heard shifting in the darkness below her, but she still could not see anything. "Please continue taking care of my family, Bhayankar," she continued. "W-We ask so much of you as it is, but I—I know that everyone here will be safe and sound because of you. I know you will stay by our side."

Astraea stepped back away from the rail and bowed. "I will miss you, Bhayankar. And…I hope you will miss me, too. I promise to come back strong for this family. And strong for this country."

The sound of clapping behind her startled Astraea and she swiftly turned. "W-Who's there?!" she demanded.

"Be at ease, Your Highness. It is only I."

Astraea relaxed when she recognized Albert Silverberg approaching from the stairs. "Sir Albert," she said respectfully. "What brings you down here?"

"I could ask you the same, Princess," Albert said. His gaze shifted towards the darkness. "Are you seeing Bhayankar?"

"Yes," Astraea said. "I wanted to say goodbye to him."

Albert's mouth quirked slightly. "Be careful with your words, Your Highness. His Majesty may believe you are being sentimental again."

"And what do you think?" Astraea asked him.

Albert did not answer right away and simply approached the rail. Astraea moved to stand beside him. "I think," Albert said after a moment. "That you are a good person, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Sir Albert," Astraea said.

"But," Albert said, glancing at her. "You do not have the markings of a strong leader. A soldier, yes. But a leader?" He shook his head slowly. "You need more maturity and growth."

Astraea was taken aback by his words. She stammered for a moment before she spoke. "Is…this why I'm being sent away? she asked. "So that I may become a better leader?"

Albert held her gaze for an uncomfortably long time. The silence that hung in the air made her feel even more uncomfortable. Then he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. "You remind me of my cousin," he said. "He has a good heart, too."

Then he turned and walked away, leaving Astraea alone at the rail feeling more confused.