Suikoden VI

Chapter Three: Part One

Chapter Three: Part One

The rotunda was his favorite room. He liked to sit in the center of the room, between the four pipes, and just look up. The rotunda above was the same cream color as the rest of the room, but he found comfort looking up and watching the sun filter through the top.

"Oh, Daunte."

He turned his head and brightened when she saw her. "Mom!" He raced over and hugged her around the waist. She hugged him back as best as she could, but it was difficult because of the baby in her arms.

"Your father and I have been looking for you, but I should've guessed you would be up here. Did you know this room is where they used to give morning and evening sermons?"

"They would stand right there, right?" Daunte asked, pointing to the spot between the pipes, where he had been standing. The four pipes were currently covered, but they arched out of the floor at different directions, and were taller than he was. "And they would speak into the pipes, right?"

"Yes. The place is so large, you know, and there was never a moment's rest, so Clerics would give the Morning Prayer from up here so that it could be heard all throughout the facility."

"So if I remove one of the pipe's lids, then everyone all over will hear me speak?"

"In a way, yes. But more importantly, we were looking for you." She touched her finger to Daunte's chin and turned his head up so he was looking at her. "Today was the day we were running drills, Daunte."

"Oh, I forgot!" Daunte wailed in dismay, slapping a hand to his forehead. "I'm so sorry, Mom!"

"No, it's fine. You're still a child and you want to play. I know we've put you in a precarious situation, but we want to be sure that you stay safe. That Arin stays safe. I couldn't live with myself if either of you was hurt, or worse."

Daunte stared at Arin. His baby brother was tugging on their mother's hood, and strands of black hair began peeking out. "Can I hold him?" he held his arms out.

She leaned down and positioned Arin in his arms in such a way so that he could hold him without dropping him. "You're a wonderful big brother, Daunte. And I know that your father and I have put a lot of pressure on you. But I want you to promise me to look out for Arin if anything happens to us."

The answer of was automatic. "Of course I'll look out for him. He's my brother, Mom."

She smiled back at him sweetly. But...there was a tinge of sadness in that smile. "I know, Daunte..."

—

Daunte opened his eyes and saw mostly darkness. He blinked rapidly, and his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. He felt a twinge of pain in his shoulder, and the memories flooded through him and fear snapped through his body.

I was taken prisoner.

He quickly sat up and checked his hands. He wasn't surprised to see his tekko gone, but he was surprised to still see the gloves on his hands. His breathing became unsteady as he peeled back the glove on his right hand with trembling fingers. To his utter amazement, he still saw the dark mud smeared onto his hand. He licked his thumb and wiped at a corner of the dirt. It rubbed away, revealing the outline of the Rune of Restoration.

T-They didn't find my Rune? They seriously didn't find my Rune?! He quickly pulled the glove back down. So...they don't know I have the True Rune? O-Or maybe they were so horrified by the condition of my hands that they didn't want to examine me further? He shuddered and shook his head. That thought wasn't exactly comforting.