I waited to post this part because I wanted to see the results of Poll #6. Well, mostly life got in the way of writing. Chapter One: Part Ten should be up by Monday night, though.
Thanks to those who participated! Here are the results:
Poll #6: Would you like to see more plays for Suikodens I-VI?
- Yes (7)
- No
Due to the results of this poll, I will select the two highest votes in Poll #5 for the two plays for Suikoden VI. And also due to the results of Poll #6, I have put up five new polls for Suikodens I-V. You can choose up to two but only one will be chosen for the second play of each game. As always, if you cannot vote in the polls please feel free to vote in a comment and I will count it towards the final total.
Poll #7: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden I?
- Odessa's death
- Gremio's sacrifice
- Tir vs Teo
- Ted gives Tir the Soul Eater Rune
- The battle against Kwanda Rosman
- The battle against Milich Oppenheimer
- Gremio's resurrection
—
Poll #8: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden II?
- The battle against Luca Blight
- Jowy's betrayal in Muse
- Final battle
- Nanami's "death"
- Teresa Wisemail's escape from Greenhill
- The battle of Two River
- Matilda Knight's exodus from Rockaxe Castle
—
Poll #9: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden III?
- Thomas's last stand at Budehuc Castle
- Karaya Village massacre
- Choosing the new Flame Champion
- Geddoe vs Duke
- Koroku's bizarre adventure
- Yun's sacrifice
- The Fire Bringer vs Yuber
—
Poll #10: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden IV?
- Laszlo's exile
- Snowe's "homecoming" to Razril
- Final battle
- Meeting Elenor Silverberg
- Alternate exile ending
- Laszlo vs Lino En Kuldes
- Liberation of Obel
—
Poll #11: What would you like the second play to be for Suikoden V?
- Roy's last stand
- Sialeeds's betrayal
- The coup at Sol-Falena
- Final battle
- Prince Freyjadour finds the Dawn Rune
- The Sacred Games final
- Sialeeds's death
Chapter One: Part Nine
Brendan and Kion were waiting in the Onyx Chamber with their assists. Astraea entered with her other siblings and she was immediately overwhelmed when she saw her father sitting on his throne. In the moment she felt so happy to see him that she forgot herself and rushed forward. "Papa!"
King Franz did not stir when his daughter reached him and threw her arms around him in a hug. He remained stiff in her arms but he did not push her away. When Astraea released him he addressed her. "How are you feeling, Astraea?"
"Fine," Astraea said with a smile and a stiff nod. It was only somewhat true. "I'm fine, Pa—Your Majesty," she corrected herself, quickly stepping back off the dais and saluting him respectfully.
"Good," King Franz said briskly. "Because I'm deploying all of you."
Astraea blinked in shock. "…'Deploying'?"
"We received word that a warship belonging to the Bianca Alliance is leaving port and will be sailing past the north coast," Albert said from his usual position behind the king's right. His arms were folded over his chest. "We're going to show the Bianca Alliance the full might of the Kingdom of Zelant and retaliate against them for the Massacre of Innocents. We will have our own ships waiting at the north—sail them to the warship and sink it."
"Is the—are the soldiers who caused the massacre on that warship, Sir Albert?" Astraea asked.
"Does it matter, Your Highness?" Albert responded with a slight shrug. "The Alliance Army is culpable for your attempted murder and the murders of several people. Including your half-siblings. They are guilty by association."
"Your Majesty," Sigrun spoke up, stepping forward. "You said…you are deploying all of us?"
King Franz nodded and stood. "All of you," he confirmed. "I want all seven of my legitimate heirs to fight on the front lines and engage our enemy. The Bianca Alliance insists that they are not responsible for what happened, but we will not believe that obvious lie. We will show them that we will not believe their obvious lie, by seeing the united front of my seven children against them."
"B-But Your Majesty!" Denzel protested, his brow furrowed. "Your Majesty, Astraea just came back! She's suffered something horrible!"
"Life and death situations are par the course of the Reiser Family, Denzel," King Franz told him sharply. "This will not be the last time someone will try to kill Astraea. Now is not the time to cower. Now is the time to take a stand."
Astraea wrung her hands a little. She didn't know how to feel about being thrusted into a war campaign within such a short period of time as her assassination attempt. She certainly needed more time than two or three days to recover mentally!
Oh right, the doctor said—!
"Your Majesty," she spoke up. "Doctor Louyse—"
"I received her recommendation and I am denying it," King Franz interjected, narrowing his eyes at her. "What good is a hot springs trip for you in the middle of wartime? You need to fight, Astraea. The people of Zelant see you as a symbol for surviving the way you did. You will not serve a proper role as a symbol if you run away while people die in your name. Or would you rather be a pathetic princess cowering behind soldiers who would die for you?"
Astraea felt heat flood her face. Her heart started pounding at the humiliation her father inflicted upon her, and she took some minor comfort that only her siblings and her assists were present. She understood his point but his words felt…excessive. Dismissive. As though he did not comprehend or want to comprehend the horror she had suffered. He did not seem to have any patience for her trauma, even.
I knew that my father didn't like me, but this… her hands clenched into fists at her side.
"Your Majesty," Philomena spoke up suddenly, stepping forward. Astraea looked at her sister in shock. "Your Majesty, please have patience with Astraea. She is still young and she did suffer a traumatic event. We are all very lucky that she escaped with her life."
Astraea was stunned to see her usually aloof older sister stand up for her. An uncomfortable silence followed her words. She looked at their father, and King Franz was looking at Philomena. For a brief moment his hard blue eyes softened when he looked upon his favorite child. Then his gaze shifted back to Astraea, and it narrowed once more. "I regret my choice in words," he said finally. "But my decision is final. You will march, Astraea. Our soldiers need to see you. They are going to fight for you specifically, in addition to fighting for this country. Your presence in the vanguard will be an unbelievable morale boost, and we cannot waste such an opportunity."
"Your Majesty—" Sigrun said.
"Not another word," King Franz snapped. "I am King and I will not argue with my own children about my judgment! Astraea is the youngest of you, but we are long past the time of coddling her! She will fight and that is final!"
"I-I understand, Your Majesty," Astraea spoke up then, meeting his gaze. "You are right. I will proudly participate in the war campaign and be a symbol for our soldiers."
"Astraea…" Denzel's tone was quiet and he let his voice trail off.
"Good," King Franz said. "You're all being deployed immediately. Albert has taken the liberty of having servants pack your essentials. You will all head for the north coast once this audience wraps."
"We are leaving now, Your Majesty?" Vahan asked.
"It is essential to engage the vessel before it leaves our waters," Albert said. "It is believed they will be sailing around us to avoid our ports. We cannot let them get away."
"Then we should definitely leave now," Brendan said. He saluted King Franz. "We will be victorious, Your Majesty."
"See that you are," King Franz said. "You are dismissed. Leave now."
The siblings started heading for the main doors of the Onyx Chamber, and King Franz started to take his leave. "Ah—Your Majesty?" Astraea called out, hurrying after him. King Franz stopped in his tracks. "Your Majesty…will Dawa be joining us?"
King Franz glanced at her. "Dawa is maintaining her position in Potsfurt."
Astraea's heart sank and a hard knot formed in her throat, but she swallowed it. "…I see," she said calmly. "Then…who will be my assist now, Your Majesty?"
"'Your assist'?" King Franz echoed incredulously. He jabbed a finger towards her right hand. "You have a True Rune, Astraea. That is your assist now. I can't imagine any living creature that would measure up to the power of a True Rune." Then he stormed away.
Astraea hugged her right hand to her chest and looked down at it. She was still wearing gloves but she could almost see the symbol of the True Wind Rune through the leather. My True Rune is my assist now? I…guess that makes sense.
"Your Highness?"
Astraea looked up and saw Albert at her side. She was surprised that he did not follow her father. The strategist motioned to her and gave a smile that did not seem to reach his eyes. "May I have a word in private with you before you leave, Your Highness?" he asked her. "There is something I need to tell you about the True Rune."
"Of course, Sir Albert," Astraea said. She looked over her shoulder and she saw that Denzel had lingered with Musashi. And…Kion had also lingered with Gwenette? She was surprised by this but she didn't think of it as she followed Albert away.
Denzel stood with his jaw clenched and his fists tight. He breathed sharply through his nose. He was so angry that he wanted to throw something.
"Let it go," Kion said. Denzel glared at him and Musashi moved to stand between them. "What's done is done. Astraea needs to do this."
"If Philomena had been in Astraea's shoes, then Father wouldn't have forced her on this campaign," Denzel rasped. He glared in the direction where Kign Franz had departed. "This is because of Mother, isn't it?"
Kion flinched, and for a brief moment a look of pain crossed his hard, cold face. But then the look dissipated and his glare deepened. "Why are you surprised?"
Denzel scoffed and shook his head. "He has some damn nerve, doesn't he?"
"Watch your tongue," Kion snapped.
Denzel glared back at him. "If Father truly cared for Mother, then he wouldn't have cheated on her HUNDREDS OF TIMES!" He shouted the last three words before storming out of the Onyx Chamber, Musashi quickly following behind him.
Gwenette looked around the empty Onyx Chamber with worried eyes. They were alone but she understood that the walls always had ears. "I hope no one else heard that," she whispered.
"Does it matter?" Kion asked. "Nothing he said was false." Then he stormed towards the main doors of the Onyx Chamber.
Gwenette lingered for a moment, wringing her hands and sighing sadly. Then she followed her charge.
The Royal siblings set out as they were bade to do. The celebrations ceased in the streets of Blutkrieger as the citizens laid eyes upon their princess once more. Astraea didn't want to be paraded in front of people, but Albert had said that she needed to be visible when they left the capital.
There was more that he told her as well…a surprising amount about the True Rune.
"The True Wind Rune is very powerful," Albert had told her in private. "True Runes aren't like regular runes. Their power is woven into the very fabric of the world. But despite its power, it will not be completely open to you."
"Not…open to me?" Astraea asked.
"True Runes don't simply open all four of their spells to their wielder," Albert said. "You have to unlock them with your own might, as you would with a standard rune. However, becoming stronger isn't the only requirement."
He took her right hand and turned the back facing up, though she was still wearing gloves. Astraea looked at him but his eyes were on her hand. Then Albert looked up and met her gaze. "For True Runes," he said. "Unlocking their spells will require…sacrifice on your part."
Astraea swallowed hard. "Sacrifice?"
Albert smiled slightly, and released her hand. "Don't think of it now. But you are in luck, Your Highness—this True Rune chose you. That means its first spell should be open to you."
"I-I can use the first spell? Now?" Astraea looked down at her hand again. "Ah…I think the first spell of the Wind Rune is Wind of Sleep. And the first spell of the Cyclone Rune is Healing Wind."
"That's correct, Your Highness" Albert said. "But for the True Wind Rune…it's first spell is The Shredding."
Astraea's head snapped up when she heard that. "The Sh—"
"Ah ah," Albert gently interjected, holding up his hand. "You don't want to risk releasing the spell here, Your Highness."
The Shredding?! That's a highly advanced wind spell! And that's the FIRST spell of the True Wind Rune?!
"You are still new at using this rune," Albert said. "So even though the spell is open to you, you will be limited in how many times you can use The Shredding. So you should refrain from using the spell unless absolutely necessary."
Astraea had wanted to ask him more. More about the True Rune. More about her father. How did Albert know so much about the True Wind Rune? Why had her father's attitude towards her remained unchanged, even after they thought she was dead? She wanted to ask these questions, but deep down Astraea knew that should would not get an answer. So she held her tongue and ducked her head. "Thank you, Sir Albert."
"You're welcome, Your Highness," Albert responded. "And take care out there. Having that True Rune will make it difficult for our enemies to try and kill you again, but it is still possible for you to die while wearing it. Don't be careless."
Once they left the city limits of Blutkrieger, the Royals made haste to the north. Each of the seven siblings had their own Army unit, and with 700 soldiers marching Astraea knew that no one would be so stupid as to attempt another assassination while they marched together. It felt…weird, to be leading her own unit by herself. Without Dawa by her side, or anyone serving as her support. She looked to the west as they marched, knowing that Potsfurt was on the other side of Zelant, and her throat tightened. I miss you Dawa. I had hoped to see you again, but now it looks like we're not going to work together again.
"Astraea?"
Astraea looked to her left. To her shock she saw Vahan riding in stride with her. Kerime rode behind him. Vahan gave her a smile and said, "Catch." and then tossed something to her. Astraea caught it and was surprised to see her coin purse. She gasped in shock. "I-I thought I lost this!" she exclaimed.
Vahan shook his head. "That was found on the cliff you jumped from, along with your satchel. Don't worry, your 1,000 Potch is still in there." He rubbed at his nape awkwardly. "When we thought you—we divided your things," he quickly said. "Amongst us. To have as keepsakes of you. W-We sent your satchel to Dawa, but…but if you talk to everyone—"
"It's fine," Astraea told him. She was both moved and sad that her siblings had divided her possessions between them, as a means to remember her. "They can keep them if they want. If you still want my coin purse—"
"I have my own, thank you," Vahan told her. "I'm just…glad to have you back, Astraea."
Astraea sucked in a sharp breath, but Vahan then rode back to his unit with Kerime. Vahan had also been a sibling dismissive of her existence, but now he was a lot more communicative with her.
Brendan and Kion are treating me the same, but…but Philomena and Vahan are being nicer to me. Is it because they thought I died?
It was a stupid question to ask herself; of course they would change towards her because they thought she died! While she wished it had happened under better circumstances, she was glad to see this change with them. She hoped that things would only get better with them.
Now if only things would be better with Brendan and Kion…
"Astraea." Denzel rode over to her. "What did Vahan want?"
"He gave me back my coin purse," Astraea told him with a smile. "He told me how all of you…took keepsakes of my stuff."
"Except Kion," Denzel muttered.
"What?"
"I mean I took this," Denzel said, fumbling for his satchel. He pulled out a tin of Astraea's favorite hard candy, which Astraea knew had been in her satchel. "Would you like it back?" he held it out to her.
Astraea shook her head, her smile growing. "You can keep it. I ate all the red candies."
Denzel barked out a loud laugh. He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "Don't ever change, Little Sister."
Astraea managed a laugh as well. "You too, Big Brother."
They reached the north coast quicker than one would expect of a full army, and stood on a cliffside just over the shore. Astraea shaded her eyes, and she saw the outline of a massive warship on the horizon. "That must be it," she murmured.
Brendan was watching the ship through a spyglass. After a few moments he lowered it, his expression hard. "They're flying the flag of the Alliance, and they're sailing within our borderline. We can launch a preemptive strike."
Sigrun raised her own spyglass and looked towards the ship. She frowned deeply. "With a ship that size, we should expect there to be at least 500 on board."
"Five hundred?!" Philomena exclaimed, her eyes wide. "W-Why would the Bianca Alliance sail a warship this close to us with 500 soldiers on it?!"
"To threaten us, that's why," Kion said coldly. He looked towards Astraea. "His Majesty wants you in the vanguard. So you should take the first ship to launch the initial strike."
"Excuse you," Denzel snapped at his older brother. "But you're not in command here!"
"We share command but we cannot waste time with squabbling," Brendan interjected harshly. The siblings immediately turned to their eldest sibling. Brendan looked at Astraea. "We heard the King's orders, Astraea. He wants you at the vanguard; to be visible for our soldiers. With this order—and with your True Rune—you can make a decisive first attack against the Alliance. I second Kion's assessment to send you out first."
"I agree with Brendan," Philomena said, though her tone was reluctant. "His Majesty was…very clear in his demands."
"We're not sending Astraea out there to engage the enemy alone," Sigrun said sharply. "I will take my unit in a separate boat and be her backup!"
"Sigrun, your unit is a Calvary unit," Vahan pointed out. "That means you would need to ram the warship to engage it—"
"And Astraea's boat wouldn't have to?!"
"I'll be Astraea's backup!" Denzel interjected. "My unit is long-ranged, so Musashi and I can launch a long-range attack behind her!"
"So be it," Brendan said. "But you both will need to board your ships and get moving before the warship leaves our waters."
"I'll use the True Rune on the vessel," Astraea said. "That will force an evacuation of the ship and their forces will be forced to divide into small life boats. We can attack the life boats with our units from our ships.
"Good idea," Kion said, and Astraea's eyes widened with shock at his rare praise. "We should then follow in our own boats."
"I won't be wise to send us all out at once," Sigrun said. "One of us should stay on land to engage any soldiers who make it to shore, while the remaining six go out on the water."
"Who will it be then?" Brendan asked. "Astraea and Denzel cannot stay behind so it will either be me, Sigrun, Kion, Vahan, or Philomena."
Astraea contemplated this. Her gaze shifted to Kion briefly before looking away. She had the worst relationship with Kion out of all her siblings, and she debated if she should leave him behind for this reason. Brendan however was the most promising leader out of all of them, and could take the best command on land. But Sigrun was also a great leader. Vahan and Philomena…she was not familiar with their war battle experience, but she knew that they had to have experience as Reiser Royals.
It took a long moment to decide, but then she blurted out her decision. "Brendan."
The siblings paused and looked at Astraea in shock. "I-I think," Astraea said. "That you should stay behind, Brendan. You're the oldest, a-and you have the most battle experience of all of us. If anything happens to us, I trust you to come up with an immediate backup plan."
Brendan looked at her for a long moment of silence. No one said anything either, and Astraea fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably. Finally Brendan turned to Yasmine. "Instruct our soldiers to dismount. If things go south we will need to rush the beach. We can do that faster and in a more organized fashion while on foot."
"Yes, Your Highness," Yasmine responded, and quickly dismounted her horse.
"So you will stay behind, Brendan?" Philomena asked.
"I will stay behind," Brendan said. "And we will be ready if things go south. The six of you should attack in separate waves."
"I agree," Astraea said. "Denzel and I will go first obviously—"
"Then I will be in the second wave," Sigrun said.
"As will I," Kion said.
"Then Philomena and I will be in the third and final wave," Vahan said.
"All right, let's commence!" Brendan shouted, raising his claymore and turning to the soldiers. "We will avenge our children! We will avenge my sister Astraea! The Bianca Alliance will not get away with what they have done! For Zelant!"
"FOR ZELANT!" the soldiers cheered. "FOR THE PRINCESS!"
Retribution for the Massacre of Innocents
Bianca Alliance: 500
Zelantan Royal Army: 700
Victory: Destroy all enemies
Failure: Astraea's unit falls
Astraea kept the outward appearance of calm as her ship sailed closer to the Bianca Alliance warship. It was wooden but it looked to be 250 meters long. She knew that Denzel's ship was following behind her but she felt very alone. But she knew that she had to be professional. She had 100 soldiers under her command who were looking to her to lead them. She had to lead them.
Sir Albert said before that I would not be a good leader. I need to prove that I am.
Astraea looked down at the back of her right hand. "Okay," she said quietly. "I owe you for saving my life. But now...I ask you to lend me your strength for this battle."
She did not hear a reply from the True Wind Rune, but her hand began to glow. The soldiers standing on the deck with her murmured in shock.
"When we get within range," Astraea said, turning to face her soldiers. They were all men and women older than her, but they still looked to her for guidance. "I will use my True Wind Rune to attack the warship. A Rage Rune was enough to destroy the ship I had been sailing in to Harmonia, so a True Rune should cause significant damage as well."
"H-How many times will you use the True Rune, Your Highness?" a solider spoke up.
"For right now I can only use one spell," Astraea said. "But the plan is to force them to abandon ship and divide their forces. We will engage their individual lifeboats when they do so."
"W-What if they are expecting us, Your Highness?" another spoke up. "We are clearly within sight!"
Astraea forced a smile at the soldier, radiating as much confidence as she could muster. "They won't expect a True Rune."
Her words seemed to settle the soldiers and she took her position on the ship's bow. She lifted her right hand slightly and sensed slightly with magic. She wasn't close enough yet, so the boat drew closer and closer. Soon the ship got so close that she could see people running back and forth on the deck of the warship. "Get ready!" she shouted over her shoulder.
The soldiers drew their weapons. "Are we still within our borders?" a crew member shouted.
"Yes!" another replied. "The warship is still within our borders, too!"
Now.
Astraea didn't know the power of the True Wind Rune, but they were now within range. She raised her right hand towards the sky. "The Shredding!" she shouted.
The symbol of the True Wind Rune rose into the air, and suddenly the sky darkened and the wind around them frantically picked up. Between her ship and the Alliance warship a large cyclone suddenly formed and surged towards the warship. Astraea heard shouts coming from the Bianca Alliance warship's deck, but the cyclone was moving too quickly for the warship to react. The cyclone collided with the warship, and shrieks and the sound of crunching wood filled the air. When the air finally settled and the sky lightened, the damage to the warship was monumental. The entire right hull had been stripped bare and she could see the interior of the ship as it started dipping slightly to the opposite side. Fires started breaking out all over the place and an alarm sounded from the ship signaling the evacuation.
This is the power of a True Rune. Astraea looked at her hand as she lowered it. The power almost frightened her.
"They're lowering lifeboats!" Denzel shouted. "That's our signal! Aim for the first two!"
From their boats close to shore, Sigrun, Kion, Vahan, and Philomena watched the battle with wide eyes and gaping mouths. "Astraea did that?" Vahan breathed.
"M-Maybe we don't need to deploy?" Philomena wondered aloud. "Astraea and Denzel seem to have it in hand!"
"Launch!" Kion shouted, waving his arm. "We're joining the fight!"
"Should we signal to Princess Sigrun, Your Highness?" Gwenette asked him.
"She'll know to follow!"
"Kion—damn!" Sigrun snapped when she saw her younger brother's boat sail ahead of her.
"His Highness seems eager to join the battle," Ferdinand observed.
"My little brother is being reckless," she seethed. She waved her own arm furiously. "Launch! And send the signal to Vahan and Philomena to follow!"
Astraea knew that despite the heavy damage to the vessel that the warship would still take some time to sink. The Bianca Alliance soldiers however seemed well-equipped for attack and evacuation, as it did not take long for them to deploy lifeboats. She saw that every lifeboat had a soldier suited in armor, and a sudden prick of discomfort settled in her stomach. She shook it off and motioned forward. "Go! We'll engage the boats one by one!"
The Bianca Alliance soldiers, whatever their intentions were sailing in Zelant's waters and despite their preparedness for their evacuation, were still ill-equipped to handle the onslaught of six ships commanded by Zelantan Royals. The lifeboats were mostly manned by Water Rune users who could not outsail the ships. And despite an estimated crew of 500, Astraea estimated that only three-quarters of the crew escaped and spread out across the lifeboats. The soldiers they encountered were defiant, and…confused by the attack? Astraea did not know what to do about their confusion, but she saw that her siblings did not hesitate to engage them. Even Denzel—her brother who loved to smile—fought without hesitation and showed no mercy. She tried to ignore her unease as she continued to engage.
Despite being swarmed by superior ships, three lifeboats managed to break through. From their speed, Astraea had to guess that they were manned by wielder of Flowing Runes. And much to her shock, they were heading straight for land!
"Send the signal to my siblings!" Astraea shouted. "We have to stop those boats!"
From the land, Brendan saw the three lifeboats approaching. He cursed under his breath as he saw one separate from the two, no doubt to land on different shores. One of them was coming straight for the shore nearest to them. My siblings were careless.
Aloud he called out, "Forward march! We must stop them from landing!"
He saw out on the water his siblings giving chase after the other boats and he breathed out a short sigh. Good. The last thing we need is an invasion.
"Brendan's handling one of the boats!" Sigrun shouted. "But the other two are sailing west together!"
"They can't get away!" Kion shouted. "Let's go!"
Astraea saw that the warship was now rapidly sinking and the other lifeboats had been taken care of. "Let's go!" she shouted in agreement.
The six boats took off after the remaining two. Unfortunately the lifeboats had a significant head start, and they were having trouble keeping up. "We're not going to catch them in time!" Vahan shouted. "We need to get into smaller boats ourselves!"
"That will take forever for us to disembark our boats!" Sigrun shouted.
"Then we should go alone, the six of us!" Astraea shouted. "Us in one boat, and our supports in another!"
"Your Highness, we cannot let you go alone!" one of her soldiers exclaimed.
"I'm not leaving His Highness's side!" Kerime shouted back.
"No, Astraea's right!" Kion shouted. "The Reiser Royal Family needs to be seen as a united fighting unit! We will go to shore and fight together!"
"You're actually agreeing with Astraea?!" Denzel demanded. He glanced skyward. "I think the sky is going to fall!"
"We're wasting time!" Philomena shouted. "If we're going to do this, then we need to go now!"
"Right!" Sigrun shouted back. "Everyone—get into one boat! The assists, you all get into another! We'll battle the Alliance soldiers personally!"
"We will be short a party member," Aravine pointed out.
"I have faith in you, Sister," Philomena reassured her with a smile. "You're the best swordswoman I know."
Aravine smiled at the praise and had no further complaints.
Two lifeboats were deployed and to save time the Royals and assists jumped from their ship's decks and into the boats. Astraea sat sandwiched between Sigrun and Denzel as their boat took off across the water after the Alliance soldiers, the assists following behind.
"Astraea," Kion said suddenly. Astraea looked at him, and her older brother gave a stiff nod. "The attack with that True Rune…good work."
The words almost sounded like they were being dragged out of him, but Astraea was nonetheless moved by the praise. "Thank you, Big Brother."
Kion twitched upon hearing that but he said nothing more.
By the time they caught up to the Alliance lifeboats, the Alliance soldiers had already landed on a deserted beach. The siblings rose in unison, drawing their weapons as they neared the shore. "Get ready," Sigrun said, raising her cutlass.
"T-The Royals?!" an Alliance soldier shouted in shock, pointing towards them.
The bottom of their boat scraped the sand and Sigrun shouted, "NOW!" And all six of them jumped from the boat and charged the soldiers. There were two dozen of them, but they were not intimidated at being outnumbered. The assists raced after the royals with their own weapons drawn.
It was surreal for Astraea to be fighting alongside her siblings in combat, but she felt inexplicable power at being beside them. They took the cross battle formation; Kion at the front, Philomena directly behind Kion, Sigrun to Philomena's left, Vahan to Philomena's right, Astraea behind Philomena, and Denzel behind Astraea. The assists took the standard formation; Ferdinand in the center, Kerime to his left, Aravine to his right, Musashi behind Kerime, and Gwenette behind Ferdinand.
The two groups fought fiercely against the soldiers. Astraea remembered during their drills that they had been assigned various Unite Attacks based on attack pairs with the royal family. She pleased to find that her group of siblings remembered their specific Unite Attack; Royal Family B. The siblings attacked in order based on age; Sigrun first, then Kion, then Vahan, then Philomena, then Denzel, and ending with Astraea. Astraea was amazed at the power they held, especially since the attack affected all enemies. She could not pay attention to the fighting with the assists, but she saw them holding their own.
But the Bianca Alliance soldiers were not giving up. "Frauds!" one shouted. "You war-mongering FRAUDS!"
"CHILD BUTCHERS!" Vahan shouted in response.
As they fought another wave, Astraea looked down at her right hand. She could still sense power in it. "Guys?" she called out. "Let me try the True Wind Rune!"
"Do you have enough spells, Astraea?" Sigrun asked her cautiously.
"War battles are different from these party battles!" Kion said. "Gwenette told me so! Her usage of the True Wind Rune in the war battle should have no effect on this battle!"
"Go for it, Astraea!" Denzel cheered.
Astraea raised her hand. "The Shredding."
"OH GOD, NOT AGAIN!" one of the Alliance soldiers shrieked.
The cyclone that appeared was smaller than the one that appeared in the war battle, but it was no less devastating to the enemy soldiers. The royals were able to make quick work of them afterwards. The assists similarly held their own and dispatched their enemies at the same time.
As they caught their breaths after battle, cheers suddenly erupted around them. Astraea looked around to see their ships had reached the shore. "THEY DID IT!" someone shouted.
"The royal heirs stopped the Alliance!"
"They are so amazing!"
There were cheers also coming from inland. Astraea then saw Brendan approach with Yasmine and their soldiers. "Good work," he said, wearing a rare smile. "We took care of one of the boats but suffered no losses. Any losses from your side?"
"None," Astraea said. She took joy from that, but the discomfort was starting to return again. Without the battle to worry about, she could not easily shake it.
"We should examine the bodies," Philomena said, looking at the fallen soldiers with contempt. "Take their Potch and anything else of value that can be useful to us."
"Good idea," Brendan said.
The siblings, assists, and soldiers began checking the bodies. Astraea knelt down beside one, trying not to look into his face. There was blood still leaking from his mouth. She noticed then that he had a coin bag on his belt and reached for it. As she untied it, her fingers caressed the fabric of his uniform under the armor at his left side. A sudden chill rippled over her skin, and she paused. She looked the body over. She knew the armor and uniform. This person had been a Bianca Alliance soldier. The people who had attacked her and had killed Milo, Barrett, and Ritta looked like this.
But…
She plucked at the fabric between her thumb and index finger and rubbed it. The discomfort in her stomach spread, and a shudder settled into her bones. Something didn't feel right. Something felt…wrong.
"Astraea?"
Astraea glanced up and saw Denzel looking down at her with worry. She forced a smile at him. "I'm okay, Denzel."
He forced a smile back at her. "This isn't the end yet, but it's a start."
Astraea nodded and turned back to the fallen soldier. She untied the coin bag, but after hesitating for a moment she pinched the armor on his arm.
No…
She remembered. She remembered the Alliance soldiers who had butchered her companions and had tried to kill her. When she jumped from the cliffs she had grabbed one of the butchers to shove him away from her as she propelled herself off the cliff. She had grabbed his arm, which was armored and had the white uniform underneath. But…
The plated armor. And the fabric of the uniform. They…They felt different.
True Wind Rune
Level 1: The Shredding — Deals 250 damage to all foes.