Suikoden VI

Chapter Eleven: Part One

Note: Sorry in advance but there will be further delays with updates as I will have limited internet access next week. I hope to have the next chapter done by Saturday, but if not check the Investigations page as I want to try getting caught up on that too.

Trigger warning for dark content in this chapter.

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Chapter Eleven: Part One

My hands were bound behind my back and my teeth were locked tight as I knelt on the ground. The hatred was bubbling inside of me but it intermingled with fear. Where are my boys? Did Phoebe get away?

Someone emerged from the main building, and my hatred heightened when I recognized Takefute. I couldn't see his expression but his posture was confident. He walked into the courtyard and was shortly followed by two pairs of Holy Army soldiers. The surviving members of the Liberation Army made exclamations of horror. One pair had Daunte in custody, and the other had Arin in custody. Both of the boys were shackled.

The anger and hate surge inside of me and boiled. "Get those chains off of my sons!" I roared. I tried to climb to my feet but I was shoved back onto my knees.

"Dad!" Daunte shouted, and he tried to race towards me. The Holy Army soldiers however held him fast and dragged him away. "Daddy! Daddy!" Arin wailed, tears streaming down his cheeks.

A group of Holy Army soldiers came out of the main building then, and I saw Phoebe in the center. The Liberation Army screamed when they saw their leader in custody. Her hood had been pulled off and her black hair was disheveled, but her expression was calm and serene. She was giving them nothing.

But I couldn't stay calm and serene. "Get your FILTHY hands off of her!" I hollered.

"Mom!" Daunte cried out.

Phoebe was escorted to my position, but when they got close enough to me she broke from the soldiers and raced towards me. Her hands were shackled in the front and she was able to get her arms around my shoulders and she slammed her mouth over mine. I savored the feeling of her lips against mine and I felt tears sting my eyes and I squeezed them shut. I wasn't a fool. I knew that it would be the last time I would ever kiss her.

"I love you, Nakula," she whispered quickly.

"I love you, too," I responded before she was dragged off of me. "Let her go!" I shouted.

They did not take Phoebe far away from her, but instead forced her to kneel before me face to face. "Daunte, Arin!" Phoebe called over her shoulder, unable to turn around. "Boys, Mother loves you both!"

"I love you too, Mom!" Daunte wailed.

"Mommy!" Arin cried out.

"Boys, close your eyes!" Phoebe shouted. "It will be over shortly!"

I looked towards our sons. To my horror their eyes were being held open by the soldiers who held them. I gasped in alarm and Phoebe looked at me. "I-I can't see them. Did they close their eyes, Nakula?"

"No, we're forcing them to watch," a Holy Army soldier said snidely.

"Don't listen to him," I quickly told her. "Their eyes are closed. They aren't watching this."

Phoebe closed her eyes and her face crumbled briefly. "Good," she said quietly.

Takefute approached and stood to my right and Phoebe's left. He didn't acknowledge me but kept his slimy eyes on Phoebe. "So," he said quietly. "After the inevitable was delayed for an extended period of time, here we are."

Phoebe didn't respond. She held my gaze unflinchingly. Even now I could see the strength of her spirit and will. Her inner strength was what drew me to her in the first place.