Disclaimer: Don't own SuikodenIII or any of the characters therein.

Summary: Disliking the ending I saw after seeing what potential existed, decided to write my own version. Hugo and Chris pairing.

Author's Notes: I've read many works but never written one myself before this one. Finally made the step forward after being more than disappointed by the game's ending. Any kind of feedback welcome.

The gang rest for a day at Budehuc castle before heading out to confront Luc in the final dungeon.

I decided to take one last tour of the castle before returning to my chambers to retire for the night... at the second time of asking. The second floor hallway was deserted as I slowly headed towards the stairs. My first attempts at slumber were short-lived to say the least. It annoyed me somewhat given the circumstances of my predicament... as well as those that I am to lead into full-scale combat on the 'morrow.

The sun had long since set, paving the way for the darkness to cover the skies, sending yet another day into the silent, still night. I had come out of the conference room earlier, having finalised our battle plans for tomorrow's last big push. We were all very pumped-up and in good spirits in there. This was probably down to the blathering of my long-winded optimism. The truth was, inside, I felt very different to what I had actually reciprocated in front of the most daunting crowd of my entire life. Yet, it could not be helped.

"Hugo...", hesitated Caesar.

I looked up to see how unusual it was for someone like Caesar to hesitate as he did. He's been around me for some time now and this is the first that I've seen him unable to come straight out with his words. The guy always looked so laid-back; never a hint of seriousness etched onto his face despite the pressure of the occasions. The speech just flowed out of his verbal orifice with cockiness and arrogance to convey that everything was well within his grasp and going to turn out just as he expects to. He may always be a step ahead of everyone else but still, he didn't have to portray himself in such a manner of irritancy.

"When we start the battle tomorrow, we'll be treading unknown lands.", Caesar continued.

I gave him a confused look. "These are our lands though; no-one will be able to take us on our own patch.", I replied.

"That's not what I really meant.", Caesar began again. "The scale of the battle will involve the largest count of men going at each other in arms than any other battle we've had thus far. This is when any outcome is extremely unpredictable. I'd hate to say it myself, but even I don't know what will happen or who will win when the last blow is dealt on the field. The only certainty is that the grass will be stained a crimson red to the extent that it will flow like a river. There's a good chance that the continent and everyone on it will wiped out... cast into oblivion."

I really didn't know what to say at this point. I didn't know which shocked me more; the possibility of such an horrific outcome despite all our efforts or the new front Caesar was showing.

"It's your duty as the leader to be the essence of inspiration to your men.", said Caesar.

"These are the people who are putting all their hopes and aspirations... their beliefs and dreams onto your shoulders.", Apple started. "They're willing to stake their lives and more in you, truly unperturbed that you will help them protect what is most important to each and every one of them."

And with that, I summoned up all the men in front of the castle's main entrance for my final vocal rally. In all honesty, I had already made my mind up to this even before Caesar and Apple's urging words. That was, once I had left the bounds of my bewilderment at the contemplation of what fate should bring us after the battle. I had done the same thing before, a number of times since I inherited the name of Flame Champion. I guess it's really all part and parcel to the job as leader. I've seen this particular custom being played out endlessly while I was growing up during the Grassland-Zexen conflict. I had learned well from mother, sergeant Joe and the late uncle Zepon.

And more recently, there was of course... her. Lady Chris. The Silver Maiden, as she was often referred to as. She may be the youngest out of the six knights of Zexen but her heart and resolve are second to none. She stands undisputedly, atop the summit of the Zexen guard, commanding the respect and loyalty of the entire legion. Throughout my speech, I shifted my eyes around the masses of devoted listeners. It was a normal thing to do as a leader in order to give the impression that my words were aimed towards everyone.. The thing was, on this occasion, my eyes were searching. Searching for her... searching for her angelic features... for that elegant silver hair... those amethyst eyes. But... why am I doing this? Why is it that I want... no, need her to be watching me here?

"She's not here.", I thought.

It wasn't only until the crowd started to mumble that I had broken off my process of scanning the faces of each individual and realised my own subdued state. I had in fact been silent for a brief moment as I longed for more time to continue my pursuit. I hung my head for a few seconds before bringing it up again. With a final line, I pumped my first into the air and, in the same direction, hollered out a battle cry which would have made Hallec proud. My call was met by the deafening roar from the pack, sending out shockwaves that would have been felt as far as Iksay or close enough to it.

When I brought my head back down, I found my stare fixed at the destination I striving to reach. She looked on at me from her position, close to the front lines in middle. She knew where my gaze was focusing at. And when she beamed back a small, but sincere smile, the sounds of my heart beating inside me progressively became clearer and clearer even through this noisy rabble. I felt the warmness flow up from my body and to my face and couldn't help but let out a grin to highlight my determination.

I think I'm starting to understand why now. Why I need you to be watching me. I felt that the reason was somewhere close to me before but could never fully comprehend it. But I now admit that I used to only look at things from one angle, refusing to contemplate any other one... or maybe I was just denying it all along. Two very different reasons, born from two dissimilar opposing emotions. But all the same, they both come down to this. Look at me, Lady Chris. I am no longer the barbarian child that you had me down for when our paths first crossed. You are one more reason why I must be victorious tomorrow, and survive... as should you... until our paths make their way through each other, one last time.

After the men dispersed, I headed back into the castle. I had barely taken a step through the main doors when I heard a voice calling to me.

"Great job out there, Hugo.", the voice said half-heartedly.

I turned to my left to see Caesar leaning against the wall next to the castle doors; arms folded and eyes closed. Damn... did he see right through me just then?

"Oh, it's you. Thanks." I replied, with no more conviction in my words than he used.

"Hey, I mean it... it's just that I'm not used to doing the praising when nearly all of it was reserved for me for as long as I remember."

"..."

"Anyway, you should head up and get some rest soon. You'll be at the centre of attention tomorrow so you'll need every ounce of strength to be with you."

"I plan on going now. If there's nothing else then I'll be retiring for the night."

"Are you sure there isn't something else you need to do? The sun hasn't even fully set yet."

I turned and started to walk towards the stairs but stopped in my tracks after two steps.

"..."

"..."

"...Caesar"

"Hmm?"

"About what you said in the conference room earlier... you know... tomorrow."

"Oh, that... what about it?"

"Is the outcome of tomorrow's battle really in the balance?"

"Nope."

"I se... huh? It's not?"

"Nah... we'll win."

"But you said-"

"I've changed my mind. We'll win for sure!", he confidently said, accompanied by a stupid-looking grin. "Think about it... the crazy trio no longer have the support of the Harmonian army now that Bishop Sasarai has sided with us. The best they can do is use the sorceress' magic to control monsters, although of vast quantities, we've seen before the sort of strain it puts on her. They won't be able to hold out for long periods with such tactics."

"But what about Albert's information? Couldn't it all be a trap?"

"Unlikely. I know for sure that he doesn't share the same interests as Luc or the other two. He's always just focused his sights on the ranks of Harmonia, and now that the parties have become detached, there's no gain for him to lead us to our deaths and have the entire continent obliterated."

"... Why didn't you tell me about all this earlier?"

"It was to get things moving. Things, as in your mouth. I was trying to get you to open up in the state of desperation and I think it worked really well for your rallying call. I would have waited even later to tell you, but since you said that you were going to turn in now there was no point in hiding it anymore."

"What difference would it have made if I decided not to sleep now?"

"That would depend on what you used that time for."

"If you have something to say, spit it out!"

"Isn't there one more person you want to see and talk to?"

I felt the depths on an icy hell freeze over me from my feet up at this point. I couldn't move to avoid the question... nor could I move to say anything to retort his claims.

"Tha-that's none of your business!", I feebly mustered up.

"I can't force you to do it... but it really would be a shame if anything happened to either of you before you could open up."

Caesar pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on and made his to the main doors of the castle. His back was now facing me as I spoke again

"...You don't fully understand it all... what I feel is not as straight-forward as you think it is."

"In truth, not only do i not fully understand it... I don't understand it in the slightest. I'm a military strategist, not a psychic. It was only because you were bold enough to so blatantly stare at her out in the open for such a long time that I had my suspicions. Hell, I bet I'm not the only one who realised it either. Just make sure that you do go and talk to her. Wouldn't want you to be carrying regrets as you take your first step onto the battlefield now, would you?"

And with that, he raised his right hand so that it was level with his head, and gently flicked his wrist backwards as he made his way out of the castle.

"See ya tomorrow", he ended our conversation with.

I stood on that spot for a brief moment, contemplating what he said. And then I thought to myself-

"How the hell am I supposed to get any decent rest now? Spirits, when Caesar's time comes, make sure you give him a rough ride before putting his soul to rest."

I swung my body round on my toes, darted up the stairs and into my chambers. I refuse to be seen by anyone right now after that speech fiasco.

Author's Notes: I swear, when I started out, I never intended for the piece to be so long-winded. Just that the more I wrote, the more I felt the need to keep adding stuff into it. There was supposed to be some Chris in this chapter but I guess it'll be reserved for the next. I didn't realise how long it took me either… about four hours for me to do just this.

I plan on giving this piece another two or three chapters. The Hugo and Chris quiet time chapter, the duel chapter and then it depends how I'll feel then.

Any sort of review would be nice.

xofrevlis