News on Suikoden III manga!!!
I've finally been able to slap eyes on a few scans, and some scanlations of the Suikoden III manga, and I must say...I appreciated the added information. I am now armed with more insight on the Zexen Knights' characterization! ^_^ Although, yes, one may argue that at some point, the story from the manga differs from that of the game, but the end results are just the same anyway. And I liked the perspective on the Six Knights. And I loved it because it has more Percival moments than I had expected. I think the artist was a little biased towards him, as well as Chris because she seems to get more coverage than the other two main characters (Hugo and Ged).

Anyway, I have discovered a couple of interesting tidbits in the manga. (1) Percival, Borus, Leo and Roland were all hanging out together before Chris Lightfellow came into the scene. They were pondering on her situation, too, as a woman wanting to become a knight, and she proved a mystery to them. Borus had shown interest then, but he tried his best to hide it. (2) Chris shows more emotion in the manga. She laughs and jokes with Percival *gasp*! She even cries, and she's not even spared from angsty moments! Can you believe that? The ice queen!?! (3) There are more Percival/Chris scenes than Borus/Chris, which really came as a surprise. (4) In the Iksay Village scene where Percival takes Chris to the festival and dances with her, it was also shown that Barts and Percival seem to have known each other for quite a while. So Barts the farmer really is an Iksay native then... (5) Borus is even more infatuated with Chris in the manga than he appears to be in the video game. Poor Borus...^^; (6) The Lilly/Chris dispute was shown in the manga (the reason for their catfight is finally revealed!). ^_^ Percival breaks up their fight. (7) Captain Galahad is old and has a receeding hairline. But distinguished-looking. ^^ Think Sean Connery with less hair on top.

My take on this? Well, at first I was disappointed, because I wanted to divulge the history of the Six Zexen Knights in my own way. I thought Konami hadn't bothered to dissect their stories, but it turns out it isn't so. But well, I've already started this...and I'm not claiming that everything in my story is a certified Suikoden fact, anyway. Just take it as it is, as a fanfic. I will, however, try to incorporate the new information from the manga into this fic (those that can be added without changing the storylines), such as the cute Percival moments. I've been enlightened on the characterization of Chris Lightfellow and Borus Redrum, so there will be slight changes in their sketches. But it's rather nice to know that Chris isn't the uninteresting ice queen as I had initially thought her to be. I like her much better now. As for the implied pairing...well, I've already had the rest of this story planned a long time before, so I won't change the [future] pairings I have in mind (this is not a romance fic...the sequel is). That's all I can say without citing spoilers. The sequel to this story has Sierra/Nash in it, so you can be sure at least that I'm not rooting for a Chris/Nash. Sorry to disappoint their fans, but I'm Sierra all the way. ^_^ I'm a staunch vampire Sierra fan.

PART I

Chapter Four -- Beginnings Come Undone

"That was Borus Redrum."

Percival glared at the redhead across him, and downed half of his mug of ale. "I know. You already said that. Tell me something else."

Jonas frowned. "Well then, how about 'you're under age'?"

"I already know that, too."

"You appear to have forgotten, my friend."

"Well, nobody asked. No one's complaining."

Jonas sighed, exasperated that he was not getting through his friend's indifference. "That--"

"If you're going to say one more time that that was Borus Redrum, I just might keel over with surprise anytime now."

Jonas had the grace to look affronted. "Well, you don't seem to care!"

"Gee, you think so?" Another swig of ale.

"You should care, though."

"You have got your logic all muddled up."

He shook his head. "Borus Redrum is considered one of the most skilled young swordsmen around here...well, if you don't count the knights, of course. They all say they're just waiting for him to be of proper age before he's knighted, and that it's all just formality. He excelled in all the arts back in the Academy and outclasses most of his fellow squires, and he's just sixteen!"

"I do hope you left the little detail of his underwear color undiscovered."

Jonas gave Percival a scathing glare, but he went on as if his friend hadn't spoken. "Not even a score old, and he's got all that going for him. Why, he might be the youngest squire around...aside from La--"

Percival abruptly stood up and brought down his now empty mug a little more forecful than intended. "I've had enough of this. I'm going to sleep."

He didn't even wait for Jonas to respond. He dropped a few coins on the table to pay for his ale and headed to his room.

Jonas looked after the retreating figure of his friend, sighing mournfully to himself. In his mind, he was still confused by how the events of the day progressed. He couldn't even talk sense to the distracted Percival and ask him what the hell happened back there. Most of all, he wondered about Sir Pelize's cryptic order. He wasn't sure what to make of it.

All qualified soldiers to report to Brass Castle?

Trainees, squires...and knights?

He could not sleep.

He continued to stare up at the ceiling of his room, as he had been doing for the last half hour.

His mind drifted unconsciously (not for the first time) to the swordfight that ensued between him and Borus, the squire.

It disturbed him...in his heart, and in his mind, he knew he was good with the sword. He was one of the best among the trainees. But what good did that do him? Several other trainees who came from affluent families and had all the connections to help them along their way to knighthood had certainly moved on to a higher rank. The eighteen months of training requirement didn't apply to all of them. Just to commoners like him, he supposed.

Had he been naive to think that he'd go far with just sword and riding skills?

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He had fought with Borus Redrum, reputedly one of the best swordsmen among the squires. When he challenged him, he wasn't so sure he'd be a match against the kid, but then he hadn't even cared. The boy turned out to be only a year younger than he was, but that afternoon he hadn't known. He looked young, and perhaps deep inside, that gave him enough courage to challenge the squire. Their bout remained unfinished, but he held up better than anyone's expectations...his included.

And then now to hear that Borus Redrum was actually one of their better swordsmen around? In his eyes, Percival could clearly see himself among their ranks, and it wasn't just pride talking. He knew himself enough, he knew what he was worth. He was a match for that overachieving blondie.

Only...he was just a trainee. Borus Redrum was out to be a knight for certain...sooner than he'd ever be. He'd be lucky to even have that kind of assurance.

It had been more than a year ago, but Bertha's words echoed back to him now.

Never sell yourself short. You go show them what you're made of.

He'd never back out now. His dreams were at stake.

He'll show them.

* * * * *

It was a dream.

In his dream, he was walking endlessly in a straight path. He knew his purpose, and he was striding towards it. A single, blinding light illuminated a clearing before him. There was nothing else. But as he walked nearer towards the source, the light shone brighter. And brighter. Then suddenly, just as he was reaching out his hand for something, it had grown pitch black.

But even in the darkness, he could see.

And his hand closed upon something cold. Yet strangely, the hand that held this thing became warm the moment they touched.

His heart pounded in his chest. He looked up and thought he saw the form of a woman. Someone who was familiar, but he could not, for the life of him, figure out who it was. There was something different about her face.

In the darkness, the woman bent down from where he was standing. She was floating in air. Her mouth formed into something that resembled a smile, but it was mirthless. And she closed her hand upon his.

And then he woke up. Sweating profusely.

He frowned as his sleep-fogged mind desperately tried to grasp the remnants of his dream. But they were slipping from him like water from his hands...he could remember almost nothing.

Nothing, except for that moment, when he felt his heart pound against his chest, fear and trepidation seeping into his bones...

* * * * *

"Galahad?"

He looked up with a start. Pelize chuckled and shook his head. "You seem out of it. What were you thinking of?"

Galahad looked away. "Nothing of importance."

"Bad night?"

"You could say that." Galahad rubbed the back of his neck. "I haven't been sleeping very well these days."

"You're probably just overstressed. Maybe you're not much used to all the paperwork, and would rather be out on the battlefield. Hell knows I get headaches when I see too much of the Council."

"In any case, I shall be tending to their matters exclusively while I'm here at the capital. It may take some time before I join you at Brass Castle. If I join you there at all..."

"You mean until the next time they call for me? I don't see why they would, seeing as the captain of the Zexen Knights is already staying within Vinay del Zexay."

"I am not going to be here all the time."

Pelize let out a long sigh at that. "I suppose. Well, I shall have to get going. The morning is wasting." He mounted his horse.

"Fare thee well, Pelize", Galahad said. "Leo will be following shortly. I shall be without a squire for quite a while, I suppose."

"The burly lad is near knighthood, anyways. It is just as well. This is merely extra training for him."

Galahad nodded. "And there is the matter of the girl..."

"Ah, her. Will she be joining the fray as well?"

"I have received word that she is home from the Academy, just last night. I was going to see her myself."

Pelize thought about this for a while. "This will be interesting." He chuckled. "Well then, I'm off."


* * * * *


"Are you quite certain you do not need a hand, m'lady? I could do that for you."

"No need," the girl brushed the butler off. "I can do this by myself."

"Will you be needing anything else then?"

The girl sighed inwardly to herself. The butler would not let her off until she gave him something to do. "Why don't you prepare luncheon while I pack my things?"

The old man smiled gratefully in response. "Aye, madam. That I shall."

She sighed, and shook her head as soon as she was alone. She was packing her valise, but doing it rather absentmindedly. Barely making herself at home from her arrival the other night, she soon heard news from the Knighthood regarding the summons for Brass Castle. Now she was at a loss on what to do. Her term in school was nearly ended, and yet, she had other duties to attend to as well. She was getting all her priorities mixed up again.

She was already feeling a headache coming.

It didn't help that the butler, dear old man that he was, was anxiously hawking around her every move. Well, she hadn't been home much. She supposed the dear man worried about her. The place seemed empty quite often now, she noted ruefully. She missed the noisy hallways of the school's dormitory, the comfortable bustle of activity that echoed throughout every corner...but she missed her home, too. Except that being home, without her parents, wasn't much of a welcoming thought.

"M'lady?"

The girl broke from her reverie at the intruding voice. "What is it?"

"You have a visitor."

'At this hour?' she thought, almost irritably. Callers usually came by early in the evening. "Who is it?"

"It's Sir Galahad of the Zexen Knights, m'lady. He wishes to speak with you."

At the sound of the captain's name, the girl turned her full attention to the butler. "Have you led him inside?"

"Yes, m'lady; he is waiting inside the parlor."

"Good. I shall be over in a minute then."

Galahad stood up as soon as the young girl entered the room. "Good day, Sir Galahad," she greeted, managing a polite curtsy to the captain of the Zexen Knights. "What brings you here?"

Galahad waited until the two of them had settled comfortably on the damask chairs before replying. "I had received news of you being home, young Chris. You are feeling well, I hope? Have you finished the semester in school?"

Chris shook her head. "I haven't yet, Captain. I only took this chance to rest at home, but the Academy is on break for a fortnight."

"I see." Tea had been prepared for the both of them by the butler, and he took a sip from his own cup now. "You have heard of the summons regarding all qualified soldiers reporting to Brass Castle, I presume?"

"Yes." Chris met the older man's look, nodding slightly. "It was one of the reasons why I had to come home. I had to decide whether or not to proceed to Brass Castle."

"And have you come to a decision already?"

"I...I had meant to attend to my schooling, Captain, and settle matters with the director after this semester was over. But it can wait. I only have two terms to finish."

"Only two terms left? How long 'til you finish this semester?"

"In a month."

"In that case, you needn't hurry. You're excused from the summons until you finish."

Chris' face broke into a hesitant, but grateful smile. "I must thank you for this generous consideration, Captain. Also, as I had mentioned, I meant to speak with the school director and propose suitable arrangements. As I only have one term left to finish after this one, I had been thinking of asking them to increase the number of required subjects I still have to take up, so that I may finish the second term early."

"So that you may begin to fully concentrate on becoming a Zexen knight." Galahad intended it to be a question, but it came out as a statement. Once again, the Lady Chris nodded humbly in response. He inhaled deeply, before continuing. "Your father must be very proud of you. But he would've wanted you to finish your schooling, as well."

Chris smiled in response. "I know. And I fully intend to, Captain." Steely determination flashed through her eyes for a brief second. "Just as I fully intend to become a knight in the service of Zexen, like my father."

The old captain of the Zexen Knights smiled admiringly at the young girl whose spirit burned with such conviction. "You do well, young Chris. You do well."

Chris bowed her head. "Thank you, Captain."

He was hard pressed not to offer other words of praise. The path to knighthood was hard enough for any single man; more so it was for a woman. The girl before him held no illusions, and it was just as well. Even so, Chris Lightfellow had shown great promise not just as a female, but as a future Zexen Knight. Her dedication, determination and prowess with the blade gave her well-deserved distinction, especially since she was a girl--one who had already bested more than a few of her peers and seniors alike in the arts of weaponry, with astounding skill.

She was the daughter and only child of Wyatt Lightfellow, after all.

At the thought of this, Galahad recalled the real reason behind his visit to the Lightfellow residence in the capital. It was not an ordinary call, and in fact, had something to do with the girl's father. Chris seemed to have sensed this, and, as if reading his mind, asked him politely as she could if there was any other reason for his visit. Galahad knew well the gravity of the task at hand, and he decided not to mince words.

"It is about your father, Chris."

Chris could barely conceal a sharp intake of breath as she heard the older man mention her father. In truth, it had been over two years since she had last seen him; she had received no word from him since he had set out for the last mission. When she was a child, her father was sometimes away for longer periods of time, but at least then she and her mother had been sent news regularly of her father's situation. This was different. Since the last skirmish that ensued between the Grasslanders and the Zexen people had happened, knights rarely had time for their families back in their homeland. Her father was no exception. Days had passed, and soldiers who served in the recent battles had already come home, and yet, Wyatt Lightfellow was not among them. Chris refused to believe the worst, and clung stubbornly to hope. But hearing those words spoken by the Captain nearly broke the fragile control she kept reined on her emotions. Relief washed over her...all too quickly followed by fear.

"Have you heard from my father?"

In response, Galahad produced a thin, much grayed and slightly crumpled missive. "A messenger arrived a fortnight ago in Brass Castle, along with a small retinue, those of the 3rd southern mission."

With trembling hands, Chris took the envelope presented to her and carefully pried it open. She looked up at the older man. "From the 3rd southern mission? They're back?"

Galahad nodded. "That missive was written in your father's hand, addressed to the head of the Knighthood based in the capital city. It seems dated, though, more than a few weeks ago. He is alive and well, but..." He paused, noticing the anxious look on the girl's face as she pored over the letter. "But...he has not mentioned returning at all. Indeed, he seemed rather vague on his account of the seige that had happened up north, even with the fact that it has been abandoned several months ago."

The silver-haired girl was pale and trembling as she beheld the letter in her hands. She read over the few significant lines quickly, repeatedly, hardly hearing the Captain's words. She fought valiantly to appear calm, her breathing staggered, and her heart beating wildly in her chest. An expression of bitter confusion crossed her features, and finally, she folded the letter carefully.

* * * * *

The night was to be a sleepless one for all concerned.

From a distant land where the endless green abound, and the winds whispered the secrets of the spirits, a man sat in a solitary corner of an abandoned cottage. He had long taken off his armor, and his sword was badly damaged. Still, there were no dangers here. At least nothing for those who were dearest to him. They were leagues away, separated by the distance and time of travel. He ignored the growing ache that gnawed at him at the thought of what he had left.

The cold of the night had creeped into his bones, and yet, he had not made an effort to rise. He leaned his head heavily on the cracked wall and closed his eyes. But the night was unkind, and he found no solace in the empty air. He opened his eyes once more and raised his arm, flexing his fingers albeit gingerly. He grimaced as he became aware of the power he held within the bounds of his mortal flesh. The rune.

Some time ago, he had been granted the chance for new life. Another one, with the others he had already lived. Once, long ago, time had ceased to hold meaning for him. He was lost to its significance...until he met a woman who gave him back his soul, and taught him to believe and have hope, when he, with his incurable cynicism had managed to learn... It was also she who had given him the most precious gift of all--a daughter.

He smiled, but it was an expression that held deeper emotions.

On some nights, not unlike this one, he would surrender to the call of memories of that happy life he lived, however briefly that was. For surely, though the future held obscure hopes for a weilder of true power like himself, it also brought him safely into the hands of fate. In the end, it was going to be alright. Someday, he could stop running away.

That brought another smile upon his sun-burned lips.

In another place, a man also sat up from his bed, thinking. The hours ticked by and the sky could not grow darker, and yet...night offered no complacence. He could not understand the dreams that plagued him, puzzled by their very effect when he could only remember fragments of it.

In the same city the man lives, a girl was pacing in her bedroom, wide awake as well. Her mind replayed yesterday's events slowly, almost painfully so, and in great detail...especially the exchange of words between her and a respected superior. Sleep could not come at an hour like this, even if darkness fell around her and signalled rest. Her heart was full to bursting, her mind endlessly turning at the options that lay ahead. Decisions had to be made. For surely, tomorrow would bring her unwelcome crossroads.

Somewhere within another residence in the city, a young squire had no such troubling thoughts. Indeed, it could be said that he was all but troubled. In his case, he simply forgot the importance of rest. His mind was occupied, thinking about other things, and sleep was unfortunately not on the perimeter of important thoughts, at least not right now. Who could think of sleeping when he was about to leave the city in a few days? Since yesterday, he had been thinking of the summons issued by his Vice Captain, and little else. He would not admit, even to himself, that most of what actually excited him was the thought of finally ending a fight that had been unjustly interrupted...and for long moments, he relished the image of being the honorable victor, and patronizing the defeated with a dignified air. He had envisioned himself giving a kind, but humbling speech that would put the wayward back in his place.

He was not going to be defeated. It was probably just a fluke, he wondered to himself, but even then, he doubted those very words when they echoed inside his mind. It didn't matter anyhow.

For sure, these were not the thoughts of a certain trainee. For the second night in a row, early slumber eluded this young man. His mind was also on the summons that was issued a few days ago, and the same determined fire that kept him awake last evening still burned. Tomorrow he would leave the city for the castle. He could not know what the next day had in store for him, but he was ready to face it head on. This was merely another bend in the road, and he had gone through far much to be daunted now. There were no important decisions to choose from; there was only one. And that was all that mattered.

But to someone else, in a castle two days travel from the capital, it was not enough. This was a man who now held great responsibility on his shoulders...and it was exactly this responsibility that was keeping him awake at such an ungodly hour of the night. To him, pride and dreams were all fine, but it would take more than that to be considered a true warrior. He knows it only too well.

He was sitting in front of his desk, head bent at work. Candles in front of him were burning more than halfway through their length, and the wax was spilling ungracefully from their holders. Still, he remained, unnoticing this. His attention was focused on the papers that cluttered the table in front of him...particularly the newer batch of documents that lay untouched on a corner. He reached out for this now, and opened it, sifting through the other papers, and selecting from them carefully. Then, gathering the ousted from the pile of documents, he proceeded to read those he held in his hands now carefully.

Another hour passed before an expression of mild surprise crossed his features, and the reason for this was the single document he was currently looking over. Leafing through the papers stapled together, he noted how thin the compilation was compared to most of the other documents in the pile. He turned back on the first page, and skimmed through the contents and information. A single eyebrow lifted upward in mild surprise. He was further intrigued as he continued to read.

No one knows how many more hours the man had spent bent over those papers...but no one could deny the significance his diligence held over the future of aspiring knights. Had it not been for this plan forced upon them by circumstances, the legend of six, which future generations would come to venerate, would have been born late.

That night, the wheel of fate had completed one full turn.

Author's notes:

The real action begins in Chapter 5. *grins evilly*

Touga - I've been quite a fan of your Percival fanfics, too. ^_- Thanks for reading this. Fear not! Even though I really did not like Borus initially, and aside from the fact of burning down Karaya village and punching Percival in Iksay (it happened in the manga! _), I do not hate him. And in fact, I'm ashamed to admit, I'm beginning to like him better (must be all those good Yumi/Borus fics...)
Mox - No, I haven't quite given up this fanfic, don't worry. ^_^ Thanks for reading.
Keshoo Neko - I have been reading your fanfics. ^_^ Good stuff. Let's continue to glorify Percival, shall we? ^_-

I've had new info on the knights' ages, and I was appalled to find out that Leo is older than Salome...the others did tease the latter for being the "old" man in the game. But since this is second-hand info, we're not 100% sure about this. I'm still sticking to the original ages I had intended for the Zexen Knights, where Salome is older than Leo. Actually, only Chris', Borus' and Percival's matter. My guesses were pretty close, too, 'cos like I said, in Suikoden 3 setting I had imagined they were 23, 24 and 25 respectively. My guesses were based on Lilly's age, which is about 21 or 22...I figured she and Chris had to be close in age because of their intertwining histories. ^_-

Thank you's:

I must thank Aria from Gamefaqs for providing a couple of manga scans (and for being a fountain of information!). My japanese is very limited, and it's been a long time since I've actually attempted to use the knowledge but it helped a lot. ^^; I was tempted to rewrite my story, but I must go on with this. ^_^ At least now after reading the manga, I like Chris Lightfellow a little better than before.

Heartfelt gratitude goes out to 13thmoon as well, who not only provided additional scanlations of the manga, but helped me with the translations and official gameguides! I love Nash Latkje just as much as you do, girl, and we'll do him justice, I promise you. But it's Percy for this fic, okay? ^_-

Of course, BlueMoon of Suikosource has my gratitude as well, because he provides a whole lot of information on Suikoden as a whole. I could not have written this story without all that knowledge. Hehe.

And of course, to everyone who reads and reviews. Thank you very much. ^^ This is actually the first time I've written something that isn't of a romantic nature, and I wasn't sure if others would like it. I was planning on pulling my inspiration from my love of all things Percival.