Suikoden IV: The Island Nations Chronicles

Finale

OT: Okay, to all my readers who have been expecting a new chapter, I am so sorry to disappoint you. Between college and real-life issues, it doesn't appear I'll be getting back to work on this story in the near future, if at all. I have a number of writing projects I am working on in the effort of actually getting published as well, and thus I wish to devote more time writing other projects than fan fiction. That being said, I am discontinuing this story and likely done writing fan fiction, at least for a while.

However, I do not wish to leave you all hanging without knowing what the plot points are of the story, so here is where I give you the follow-ups.

Chapter 22: After the events of Na-Nal, Lazlo is still unconscious. Having been taken over by the rune, he has yet another vision. Again, the mysterious Alenia is not around and he finds himself aboard Brandeau's ship. The pirate is gripped in a horrific pain, and Lazlo, compelled by pity that no one deserves this fate, forgives Brandeau for his transgressions, allowing the pirate to fade to whatever afterlife awaits him. Lazlo awakens to find Paula lying in bed beside him. After some embarrassment, she apologizes, stating it was the only way she could keep his body from suffering violent tremors. He brushes it off despite his own embarrassment, and the two are interrupted by Selma who enters the room as spokesperson for the elves, drops to her knees and begs Lazlo's forgiveness for the transgressions the elves have committed. Lazlo is startled to realize he has destroyed all but a handful of elves during the siege and is shaken to his core at how terrified they are of him. He goes to speak with Ted, only to learn that Ted once again called upon the power of the Soul Eater to fight back the Rune of Punishment, but the strain caused him to collapse. Ted has fallen into a coma and has not reawakened, adding to Lazlo's feelings of guilt.

It is revealed that Axel has inherited the position of mayor from his deceased father and has opted to align with the United Islands.

Chapter 23: The party makes their way to Middleport in an effort to ensure an alliance, however the elder Lord Schtolteheim Reinbach II refuses, seeing no profit in aligning himself against a profitable alliance with the Kooluk. However, he does permit free and safe passage of the United Islands force through his waters and on his shores. As a show of good faith, Reinbach III orders the captain of his personal fleet to escort Lazlo and company into the deep waters as the Kooluk fleet is nearby. As the elder and younger Reinbach debate the issues of alliance with the Kooluk and United Islands forces, cannon fire can be heard from the mansion as the younger Reinbach informs his father that he may have given instructions to his captain to fire on the Kooluk fleet, giving Lord Reinbach II and Middleport no alternative but to ally themselves with the liberating forces.

Meanwhile, Snowe, knowing full well he is to be executed at sea, fights his way through his two guards, stabbing one with a concealed knife while drowning the other. He takes the uniform of the drowned guard and passes himself off as a Kooluk officer.

Frederica confronts Eleanor Silverberg about what she knows regarding the massacre of the Scarlet Moon border town. Information is not forthcoming.

Chapter 24: The heroes decide to shore up the alliance with Middleport while making plans for the invasion of Razril. Helmut however is taking the threat of invasion very seriously and divides his fleet, sending half of the fleet south with enough provisions to last several weeks.

Meanwhile, Snowe makes his way to Mordo Island, but is captured by Jango and Brec and locked in their prison hold. He can't help but reflect on the irony that is life.

In Kooluk, Ramada is still investigating Fort El Eel in an attempt to weaken the Kooluk offensive while Graham Cray dispatches his fleet south to halt the expansion of liberated islands. Ornello and Busk continue their own investigations, hoping to uncover the Patriarchal dissention. While they are busy with such matters, they fail to realize Miranda is spending increasingly inappropriate amounts of time with Iskas.

Chapter 25: The full offensive begins against Razril. The battle is fierce, Helmut's forces are vastly outnumbered but are defending the port well. The additional Kooluk ships sent south arrive in a flanking formation, attacking the United Islands forces and forcing a two-front assault on the liberators. With the navy in disarray, Lazlo initiates the colored flag strategy and rallies his soldiers to reengage the enemy. A small contingent of soldiers (Kika, Katarina, Kenneth, Jewel, Paula and Tal) manage to board the Interceptor and seize control, turning the tide of the battle. It is a fierce conflict, but the United Islands forces prove victorious. In all, seven ships are sunk and more than 400 are counted among the dead, including Akaghi and Reinhold.

Helmut is made an offer to join, mostly to his daring yet effective strategy that nearly won the battle for Kooluk. He is adamant against supporting his enemies, but in the end, reluctantly joins. The former knights search the city for Snowe, learning that he has been banished from the shores of Razril, though many of the townspeople hope he dies at sea for his attack on the Duchess. It is here that Lino learns from Lord Vingerhut that Lazlo is his son, but refuses to acknowledge it for fear it may conflict the young man who has been placed in command of the liberating forces. However, angered that Lord Vingerhut would use his son as leverage and keep it secret all these years, Lino kills the lord of Razril, leaving the city without a governor, but decrees the island as a providence of Obel.

Chapter 26: With the knighthood on their side, the heroes decide to make plans to attack and reclaim Obel. Word has reached them that a makeshift base has been built on deserted island, but supplies are greatly lacking. Dario then takes the initiative to travel to Mordo Island and gather supplies to stock their new stationary base. In doing so, he meets up with Jango and Brec who are hiding on Mordo Island, as well as survivors of Iluya. Dario convinces them to join the United Islands forces. Their ship, the Sea Serpent, is now the second largest vessel in the fleet. Snowe is discovered in the prison hold, but Dario requests that they should wait for Lady Kika before determining what to do with him.

Pablo takes this opportunity to travel to Middleport and request the support of Warlock. He reluctantly agrees, citing the creation of the rune cannons as his responsibility and his job to fix. He goes on to warn Pablo not to follow the same path he took, because great men are rarely if ever good.

While this is happening, Graham Cray's merchant fleet has retaken an undefended Na-Nal and Nay islands, reestablishing the supply line between Kooluk and Obel. Graham Cray then murders the governor of El Eel, taking his authority and his fleet and combining it with his own. These events are witnessed by Ramada.

Troy has returned to the Kooluk capital for a debriefing of the events in the southern islands, unaware that Middleport and Razril have fallen. While in audience before the king, he asks for permission to marry Ornello. With a heartfelt plea from his daughter and the support of Busk, the king grants permission, the wedding to take place after the war.

Chapter 27: Troy returns to El Eel to learn of the governor's disappearance and Cray's appointment by Iskas as acting governor. Learning of the capture of Razril, he immediately commands the Cray Trading Company's fleet south to shore up the defenses of Obel while he positions his own fleet in Na-Nal. He then sends a communiqué to Colton with only two words, "Attack imminent".

Meanwhile, the alliance fleet has arrived at the staging area, the uncharted island. The structure is roughly built, a job performed hurriedly, but it serves its purpose. The crews are given one-week parlay while Tov and the other carpenters begin patching and fixing damage to the ships. Lazlo welcomes Jango and Brec as well as the survivors of Iluya to their side, and learns of Snowe's imprisonment aboard their ship.

Finding Snowe, Lazlo and his best friend have a serious heart-to-heart about everything that's happened. Snowe begs Lazlo's forgiveness, as he was unable to protect Razril. He understands only belatedly that he tried to save the their home by himself, whereas Lazlo sought out support and friends to retake the city. The two friends reconcile and Snowe is invited into the army with open arms.

With the help of Leknaat, Ted finally awakens from his coma.

Chapter 28: Colton learns of the impending attack and begins preparations for the offensive. Though he expects support from Cray Trading Company, they have yet to arrive.

Meanwhile, Ted learns of Frederica's efforts to discover the cause of the border town's massacre and confronts Eleanor. The two make an uneasy agreement that, before this war is over, they will enlighten the surveyor of what she wishes to know.

Kenneth and Katarina have a heart-to-heart, and though Katarina believes Kenneth's affection for her is simply a schoolboy crush, he promises her that his intentions are nothing of the sort. She cannot deny that she is flattered by his attentions, but does not know how to quantify her own feelings.

Likewise, unable to keep what he knows secret about his relationship with Lazlo to himself any longer, Lino speaks in length to Kika, telling her Lazlo is his lost son Stargel. She does not say she is surprised, but wonders why Lino does not speak to Lazlo about this. He has no answer, hoping that there will be time after the war, however, if the worst should happen and he does not survive, he trusts Kika to tell Lazlo everything, when the time is right. It is revealed here that Kika is in reality, Lino's sister, but she preferred a life of freedom to the pampered, royal life. (this idea was a suggestion by my good friend KArthur, I highly recommend reading her work)

The chapter concludes with Ted finding Lazlo and berating him for again losing control. He tells Lazlo that if it happens again, he cannot help him as his connection with the Soul Eater has weakened. He could not use the True Rune to halt the Rune of Punishment as he did before. It is learned that Ted bartered with the RoP, having the rune judge him in exchange for releasing its hold on Lazlo. The Rune of Punishment found Ted guilty, but will forego punishment until the war is over.

Chapter 29: The attack on Obel is swift and brutal. Eleanor, Snowe and Helmut worked together to formulate the strategy, much to Agnes disapproval, though she was impressed at the finished strategy.

Without support from Cray Trading Company, Colton's Third Fleet is quickly overwhelmed and they have no choice but to surrender. Lino is reunited with his daughter and the full might of Obel is commanded to support the war effort in the hopes of pushing the Kooluk from their waters.

It is then that the governor's personal fleet arrives on fire, burning with linseed oil and set on a collision course with the shoreline of Obel. The damage could be catastrophic, and though many of the United Island's ships attack, they cannot sink the ships. Lazlo offers to use his rune to destroy the ships, and with no other options, permission is granted. As he makes his way to the deck, Paula joins him and takes his hand, promising she will be his anchor. With that, he unleashes his rune and destroys the fleet and saves Obel, but again falls into a coma.

Meanwhile, at El Eel, Ramada the information he needs about the gigantic rune cannon, but is confronted by Graham Cray. Despite trying to talk his way out of being caught, Ramada is shot with a poisoned dart. He remains conscious long enough to see his bird fly away with the blueprints before succumbing to the poison. Though his allies will never know his fate, Ramada dies in the dungeon.

Chapter 30: Lazlo has another vision within the Rune of Punishment, this time meeting his mentor Glen Cott. Glen tells him that he did sell out Razril to the Kooluk, but because Gaien had shut out the knighthood, there was nothing to do against a full-out invasion. It was suspected that the invasion would be used to attack Gaien, which is why they would not send aid, but regardless, Razril was left with only the defenses of the knights, and no support from any of the other islands. Lazlo berates his former commander, telling him he should have had faith in the men that he trained, but he is moved to pity when he sees the grief and regret consuming the former commander. Realizing that his regrets and self-loathing have kept his soul bound to the Rune of Punishment, Lazlo forgives Glen as his soul is freed to journey to the afterlife. This awakens the Rune of Punishment's last spell, however the rune sought to devour him. When he awakens, Lazlo learns he lost two fingers on his left hand, dissolved by the RoP.

It is revealed that when Lazlo awakens, the fleet has already moved north to retake Na-Nal, Nay and Iluya. Not a single shot was fired as the enemy fleet merely retreated back towards El Eel. The whole of the islands have been retaken, but many are not satisfied, believing the Kooluk will only invade again when their strength is regained.

Listening to the advice of his closest companions, Lazlo decides to sail the fleet north and take El Eel, destroying it utterly and preventing future attacks by the Kooluk.

In Kooluk, Miranda and Iskay express their growing attraction and consummate their relationship, setting the stage for Suikoden Tactics.

Chapter 31: Before the battle, a number of conversations and scenes play out as in other games.

Axel and Jewel speak about their failed relationship, Axel knowing that Jewel has feelings for Snowe. He acknowledges this and gives his blessing, thought expresses his regret things could not be different between them.

Ted, Eleanor, Agnes, Lazlo and Frederica have a conversation regarding the events of the border town massacre. It is learned that Eleanor was once married to Graham Cray, however through fate's malicious handling, their son came in possession of the Rune of Punishment. In order to stop a potential Kooluk invasion, the nobles of the Scarlet Moon Empire used their son to unleash the RoP on the attacking forces, effectively driving them back, but losing his life in the process. Eleanor became grief-stricken, abandoned the Scarlet Moon to live as a hermit and took to alcohol as comfort for her pain. Graham was in possession of the RoP, but severed his own arm so as not to suffer the same fate as his son, an act of cowardice that Eleanor never forgave him for. She blamed Graham for the loss of their son, and coupled with his own grief and guilt, Graham sought out a way to make the world pay for his pain. That was when he found Ted and convinced the immortal to give up his rune for a chance to be free. Ted did not know the depths of Graham's disturbed mind, and agreed, because he was desperate to be free of his curse. This occurred seven years in the past, explaining how Ted aged and how Eleanor looks so much older than Graham.

Graham then used the Soul Eater against the border town where a number of nobles and their families were vacationing, destroying the town utterly and winning his revenge. But he was not finished, as the loss of his son and his wife's contempt towards him had driven him mad and the Soul Eater's influence began to corrupt his mind, he sought vengeance against the entire world. Learning of this, Ted has made it his mission to retrieve the Soul Eater. It was his impression that Graham merely wished to silence the Rune of Punishment into a dormant status, not commit genocide, and thus, he bears an equal responsibility for the deaths of the nobles, as does Eleanor for not stopping it. Disgusted and deeply troubled by the events that led to the massacre, Frederica opts to forget she ever heard the story as she cannot deny that her own employers, the Scarlet Moon Empire, are perhaps the greatest to blame for using Eleanor and Graham's child as a weapon.

Kika has a discussion with her pirate compatriots, advising that when this war is over, everything will change. Too much time has passed for them to think they could ever return to the life of free piracy. With the Cray Trading Company no longer in operation, they will need to each determine for themselves what they want out of life.

Katarina tracks down Kenneth and tells him that perhaps it is time she stops thinking so logically and for once pursue what she wants in life. As this may be their last chance because of the coming battle, she offers to share her bed with him. Though deeply tempted, Kenneth tells her he does not what that kind of relationship with her, but hopes that they will both survive so that they may get to that point. Impressed with his response, Katarina agrees.

Bartholomew and Izak have a conversation about what will happen once the war is over and their plans for the future…neither have any plans at all.

Kate and Mizuki have a conversation as Mizuki uncharacteristically laments the loss of Akaghi. Kate can do little to comfort her sister.

The scene shows Troy as he writes a letter to Ornello, telling her all his thoughts and feelings that he never mentioned before. He gives the letter to a subordinate in the event the battle does not go well, with instructions that Lady Ornello receives that.

Chapter 32 and 33 are both the final battle. The battle is brutal. Conflicts erupt as the United Islands fleet engages in the Kooluk's Fourth and what remains of the Third fleet. It looks as though the battle is going favorably well for the United Islands until the Cray Trading Company appears and attacks the flank.

Kika's ship is badly damaged and taking water, nearly half of the United Island and a third of the Kooluk fleet have been damaged. Snowe, aboard the Interceptor, has been grievously wounded. A rune cannon exploded against the haul of the Interceptor, the shrapnel shredding his arm. With fire engulfing the fastest ship in the inner sea, Snowe makes a desperate decision to issue an abandon ship order. Knowing he has lost too much blood to make it off the ship, he steers the Interceptor directly towards the Kooluk flagship, determined to open a wedge large enough to divide the Kooluk forces. He begins to lose consciousness however, until Izak arrives and helps him to a standing position. The former soldier has nothing to go home to, and agrees to stay with Snowe as the ships collide, killing both men.

Snowe's sacrifice however is the turning point of the battle. The United Islands flagship, dubbed The Invincible, unleashes a volley of cannon fire that destroys many of the defending Kooluk ships. Lazlo however, seeing the burning wreckage of the Interceptor and out of his mind with grief at the loss of his friend, abandons ship and makes his way towards land and Fort El Eel. His efforts to fight off the influence of the Rune of Punishment have finally crumbled, as the rune again possesses him.

Chapter 34: Two groups make their way towards the island, the first (Kika, Katarina, Kenneth, Tal, Warlock, Hervey and Sigurd) make their way to destroy the large tree while the second group (Ted, Mizuki, Aldo and Frederica) try to locate Lazlo. Lino remains behind to command the naval battle with Agnes as his strategist, Eleanor having disappeared.

The way into the castle is quite easy, Lazlo having killed all the guards who would have barred his way. The first group arrives and begins attacking the large tree while Warlock makes efforts to send it back to the World of Emptiness. Meanwhile, Ted uses Mizuki, Aldo and Frederica to scout the area and help him find Lazlo, but he disregards this the moment he feels the presence of the Soul Eater. Knowing that's where Lazlo has gone, to engage Graham Cray, Ted orders his companions to remain where they are as he goes to the Soul Eater.

This would have been an epic three-part battle with Lazlo using the Rune of Punishment while Ted took control of the Soul Eater to block the Rune's power (similar to Sierra using it against Neclord). The battle would be long and fierce, with magic being thrown about and blowing apart whole sections of the castle. At one point, Ted would have been knocked aside and Aldo would have appeared, firing an arrow at Graham Cray who used the Soul Eater to kill him. Enraged, Ted uses the Soul Eater to silence the RoP while commanding it to return to him. Ted can therefore ignore Graham as he has no more power and turn his attention to Lazlo who is lost within the power of his own Rune. As they battle it out in a conflict of wills, Paula arrives and manages to talk Lazlo down while Ted subdues the power of the RoP. With everything back to normal, Lazlo approaches a grieving Graham Cray and chooses to forgive him, thus the RoP has shifted from atonement to forgiveness. Ted spends several moments contemplating whether or not he should kill the man, but the first group has succeeded in opening the passage to the World of Emptiness, sending the tree back to its realm, causing the castle to destabilize.

As the group escapes, they do not notice Eleanor who arrives and cradles Graham in her arms. She does not offer comfort to the man, but tells him their pain will be over soon.

The fortress explodes, sending a shockwave of untold power towards the fleet, leaving Lazlo no choice but to use the Rune of Punishment to protect everyone. Paula once more stands at his side and takes his hand as he pulls her close, kissing her for the first time while raising his left hand and unleashing the RoP. In the blood red world of the RoP, Lazlo meets Alenia once more. She tells him she is proud of him and reveals his connection to the RoP and to her. He is her son, and not a day has passed that she did not love him. Revealing this to him, she is now free to move on to the next world, but not before summoning Paula. Although confused, it is revealed that Paula has chosen to accept the burden of the RoP just as Lazlo has, and has been rewarded for her faith by her own measure of immortality. Not even time can now separate them.

Like the game, the story ends with the formation of the Island Nations Federation.

Epilogue: I planned a list of 108 endings like in the game, some were happy, some not so much. Here are the highlights.

Lazlo and Paula go off together, sharing an eternity of love and happiness.

Lino becomes the head of the Island Nations Federation, Mizuki and Kate accept a position of personal bodyguard as well as heading up the information network of the INF.

Kika becomes the first admiral of the INF. She is eventually killed at sea and as per her will, her Falcon Rune is bequeathed to Katarina

Katarina and Kenneth never marry, but do have two children. The Falcon Rune becomes a family heirloom until two generations later when their grandchild finds a way to reproduce the rare gem. Their great-grandchild is none other than Roundier Haia (teacher of Valeria, Anita and Belcoot)

Jewel never gets over the loss of Snowe, but agrees to marry Axel. Though their marriage is largely loveless, she does give him an heir.

The truth of Snowe is discovered and the mansion on Razril becomes known as the Vingerhut Institute, a prominent university in the Island Nations.

The fortress in the deserted island becomes a new military academy and training facility as well as home to the Obel Council, the eventual governing body of the Island Nations Federation.

Helmut and Colton disappear and journey to Tinto where they change their name from Silvermane to Lightfellow. Their descendants eventually settle in Zexon. (this is the second idea KArthur gave me to use)

Ornello spends the remainder of her life grieving the death of Troy. She joins a convent and dies a few years after the collapse of Kooluk.

And…that's about it. Again, I am sorry I could not complete this story. Time, interest and life in general were just hampering my efforts to continue, but I didn't want to leave the story without a conclusion as to how it would have ended. Thank you all for indulging my summary of events and thank you for reading and commenting. I do have ideas for other fan fiction that I may start at some time, but as I stated, between college and my own projects I want to work on, I'm thinking a long hiatus might be in order. Again, thank you all and I hope you enjoyed this story, despite the pisspoor way I ended it.

Jonathan Priest