Gensosuikoden: In the dark

By: ChiiMotosuwa

Notes from the author: I had some trouble ending chapter 4 if some of you may had noticed. To be exact, it's becoming harder to write out the chapters after chapter 3, even if I already have the plot of the whole fic thought up in my head. Anyway, thank you for the support I've been getting to continue this fic. I really appreciate it. It's nice to know that my work isn't being ignored.

We're also into the chapters during the Dunan Unification Wars now. I'll keep it at that. I'll use my castle name in the S2 game though. I don't know the novel name for it. ;;

Disclaimer: Suikoden and its characters belong to their respected companies (Konami and such) and no money was made in the production of this Fanfiction.

Chapter 5: Amity

It was once said that sacrifices must be made to gain something greater. It was common knowledge… and many even believed that it was a law of life. But in this world, many had sacrificed things that cannot be replaced and did not gain what they wished. And there were those who were sacrificed without being given a choice… This world was a place filled with much hatred… with much war. The conflicting emotions of the humanity were so overwhelming, and in these dark hateful times… lives were what was forfeited the most.

The army of Luca Blight, the mad prince, had pillaged many villages in Jowston leaving no life unscathed. They massacred the innocent and burned villages, leaving only the scorched remains of what once stood as peaceful lives. The mad prince had torn so many people with his hands… so many… and those who had witnessed it and survived still suffer as they relive their experiences in nightmares in their sleep. A pity that even a child was not safe from such an situation.

"Pilika!" A young voice called from above him, making the young wind mage look up.

Emerald eyes followed the voice as it moved away and down the stairway towards him. There he was, clad in red, white, and black, wearing that yellow bandana around his neck, and a circlet adorned his head. 'Riou' was his name. The so called 'Herald of Victory' against the army of Luca Blight.

Riou caught sight of him and wandered over. His brows were furrowed in concern.

"Luc, have you seen Pilika?"

"No." Luc bluntly replied.

This 'boy' was an example of those who had sacrificed much for the sake of a greater good… at least, a greater good in theory. No older than 16 and already leading an army of men, and women, against the very country he and his sister Nanami had grown up in. The very same country, he once swore to protect as a young soldier of Highland.

And he had a curse similar to his. He had a true rune, the Bright Shield Rune, half of the True Rune of Beginning. But despite the fighting and the weight of such a heavy burden, this boy had the strength to smile, to laugh, to try and live his life as normal as it could get.

It was the same. He reminded him of that other man. Fate gave them their task at the same age, fighting for almost completely similar causes. They both had the strength to live on and carry out what the fates had thrown at them, acting as if this was all meant to be. They had the strength of accept it, a strength he lately seemed to lack.

"Aah…" Riou sighed loudly as he looked around the hall, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's getting better at this."

Luc blinked at him questioningly, failing to understand what he had meant. Riou took noticed of it and laughed.

"Hide and Seek."

He also had the nerve to play around when they were in the middle of war. Luc raised a brow and let out a quiet snort as he turned to the other side.

"Typical…" he thought irritably.

"Where could she have gone this time?" Riou said out loud, not directing it to anyone in particular as he slowly eyed the large empty hall before them.

"Hmm." Luc droned as he watched Riou pace around the hall as he searched behind the pillars.

The young leader suddenly turned to him, a sharp look settled in his eyes.

"THERE!" He pointed towards him.

Luc flinched, thinking Riou's finger was directed at him… then turned his head to follow where he was really pointing at. A small squeak echoed in the hall and he soon found himself lying on his back… with a small child sitting on his chest.

It was Pilika.

She had somehow managed to climb on top of the tablet when they were not looking and Riou's sudden shout must have caused her to slip off it.

Riou walked to them laughing as Pilika immediately scrambled to her feet as she realized that she landed on the poor mage. Luc groaned irritably and took Riou's hand as he offered to help him up.

"Are you all right?" Riou asked, still chuckling somewhat.

"Yeah…" Luc answered as he picked up his staff from the floor.

He glared at Pilika who had now taken cover behind Riou, looking at him in fear between the gap of the young leader's side and arm.

"How did she get up there?" Luc asked as he dusted his clothes and picked up his staff from the floor.

"Who knows?" Riou smiled, looking at the stone tablet of promise then back to the child. "Are you all right? You didn't hurt yourself did you?"

Pilika shook her head reluctantly; her eyes still remained watching the young wind mage cautiously.

"Pilika, you should apologize."

The child ducked further behind Riou. It was obvious to Luc that the girl did not like him.

"It's fine. She doesn't have to." Luc said to him.

Riou chuckled again and crouched down, looking Pilika's arms and knees over in case she had injured herself. He then gave Luc a quick glance before smiling at him again. It looked like the only thing bruised was the wind mage's dignity.

"Don't do that again." He muttered towards the girl who hid her face against Riou's shoulder.

"You do well with children." Riou looked at him a grin, making the brunette roll his eyes.

"RIOU!" Nanami's highly irritated voice echoed from above them. "SHU SAID COME TO THE MEETING HALL NOW BEFORE HE SENDS VIKTOR TO CARRY YOU OVER!"

The young man sighed jadedly and got back on his feet. He patted Pilika on the head then led her towards the wind mage who gave him a puzzled look.

"You wouldn't dare..."

"Please?" Riou pleaded to him sweetly.

"No."

"Just for a few minutes?"

"Shu talks a lot. It'll be more than a few minutes."

"It'll do your social life some good?"

Luc glared at him.

"I hate you."

"I knew you'd see it my way." The Kyaro native nodded and immediately broke into a sprint up the stairs. "I'll be back in a bit Pilika! I'll send Nanami over right away."

He waved at them as he went, leaving Luc standing rather speechless with the small child in his presence. Reluctantly, he turned to the little girl, only to catch her sticking her tongue at him. She quickly covered her mouth, staring up at him innocently.

"..."

Luc's brow twitched as he looked down at her, his patience wavering at the sight of the small child.

"Sacrifices, my ass." He growled darkly.

(to be continued…)