Suikoden VI

Chapter Eight: Part Four

Note: Sorry for the delay, it was predictably due to the holiday.

I forgot to mention this last chapter, but a new play based on Suikoden V has been added to the Plays Template page! Feel free to check it out and leave a comment on who you would like to cast in the play or any of the plays on that page.

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Part Four

Three days later...

"Are you both prepared for Blood Fest?" Sanji asked.

"I-I don't believe so," Bax said warily. "And I mean no offense, but the Nagarean religion seems very...um...unpleasant."

"That's what happens when you worship a God of War," Gertrude gruffed. "But yeah, I was flipping through one of their religious texts and ALL of the holidays are either violent or broody! Where are the romantic holidays?! Or holidays that promote drinking?!"

"As you said, Nagar is a God of War," Sanji asked. "Romantic holidays would be the antithesis of the ideology of a God of War. And excessive drinking is illegal in this country, as you well know Gertrude..."

"...That's a good transition to our next topic," Caesar said. "We are less than two weeks away from Blood Fest, where we are anticipating a violent assault from the Holy Army. And we will be circumventing that by attacking Sheikh Sloan Faakhir on the day before, the enforced calm day."

"The Wingers are ready for an aerial assault," Oisin said grimly. "I will not stop fighting that day until I have that human's head on the end of my spear."

"My people are ready to fight as well," Lorik said, folding his arms over his chest. "We are also committed to ending Faakhir's life."

"And Otis will be—" Chinmaya began.

"Öt," Daunte gently corrected her.

"Sorry, Öt. Öt will be joining us for the battle with a preliminary strike." Chinmaya grunted as she struggled with the puppy in her arms. "Ack, Hagan, stop it!"

"Maybe you should let him run around and exert his energy?" Eamon offered. Jasira was resting placidly in his arms. Daunte couldn't help but feel envious.

"Right," Caesar said. "As you all know we have a Death Worm as an ally who can create earthquakes. Öt will strike first and cause an earthquake so great that it will cause the entire collapse of Sheikh Faakhir's Garrison. From there, Hero and James will strike from the sky. Hero said that he they would attach a Thunder Rune to the skyship and that they can channel the power of the rune from the "mouth" of the ship. Then from there we'll move in with our ground forces and the Winger's aerial forces."

"So long as the Sheikh dies that day, I will be satisfied," Oisin said.

"I'm no fighter, but I will ride with the vanguard to ensure I witness his death as well," Lorik said.

"Looks like we have some competition for who will kill the Sheikh," Gunther said, looking around the room. "Lord Daunte, didn't Öt already say he wanted to eat Faakhir for killing his wife?"

"Ah, yes he did," Daunte said warily. "And I understand the sentiments of everyone in this room. Sloan Faakhir has done many horrible things. I won't dictate to you how you all feel about this matter, but please keep in mind that Sloan's daughters are here. They know what their father has done, and that we are going to face him in battle. Whatever happens in the upcoming battle I want to minimize their trauma as much as possible."

"Why should I care for humans who share blood with a butcher?!" Oisin spat.

"Because they are innocent!" Daunte said heatedly. "And they were not immune from Sloan's violence. Their mother especially suffered from his hand! But he is still their father and they are children, and I do not want Esther or Ciana to see their father's head paraded around on your spear like a kebab! I will get you justice for your people Oisin, and for you Lorik! But I ask of you to have tact in this situation if for no other reason than to ensure that those girls don't suffer anymore than they have!"