Suikoden VII

Chapter One: Part Seven

Note: I've started a deviantart page. Here's the link to my Suikoden VII gallery: https://www.deviantart.com/ladysolita/gallery/93952576/suikoden-vii-fanfic. So far I have 18 character images there. While I can't get the color palette for outfits right they do fit how I envisioned them.

As a reminder, Poll #6 closes next week on 10/1. The results will be posted at the beginning of Chapter One: Part Nine so make sure to get your vote in. If you can't vote in the poll, feel free to leave a comment and I will count it towards the final.

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Chapter One: Part Seven

"Yes."

With that simple word, the bird—the True Wind Rune—spread its wings and blinding light filled the cavern once more. Astraea didn't have the strength to shield her eyes so she squeezed them shut. Then she felt warmth around her and she gasped and opened her eyes once more. She saw that tendrils of light had expanded from the chest of the True Wind Rune and had wrapped around her. Her eyes widened as she was suddenly lifted out of the crevice and into the air. Her heart began to pound as she rose higher and higher, and closer and closer to the True Rune. She looked at the True Wind Rune, and she found that she could not look away.

"Princess Astraea Reiser," the bird said, its tone low. "From this moment onward...your life belongs to me."

Astraea was suddenly pulled forward and she was pressed against the bird's chest. Heat and light suddenly enveloped her body. All at once every ache and pain dissipated. The cuts closed over and healed. Her back straightened—her spine reset and suddenly she could feel her legs again. She felt a power beyond anything she could ever conceive.

The light grew brighter and she had to close her eyes again. She felt hot, searing heat on her right hand and she groaned in shock. The heat was almost painful. For a brief moment...she wondered if she made the right choice. But it was a choice she had made...and she would not regret it.

Then abruptly, the heat faded. Astraea opened her eyes but she found that she was still enveloped with light. And—And she was floating.

But she also realized that she was not alone, as she found herself face to face with a brown-haired man with thick bangs that fell into intense green eyes. He saw dressed in an elaborate green outfit, and his gaze was piercing. "So," he said, his tone blunt. "You're the new one."

Astraea blinked, words failing her. The man's face then softened, and his gaze softened. But...it was strange. She thought she saw pity in his eyes.

"I hope you don't live to regret this," the man said.

Then the man disappeared into a bright light, and darkness claimed Astraea.

—

Light had enveloped the island. A powerful force that caused the wind to pick up and the waves to churn. From the northern side of the island, there was a splash and a large tubular object broke the surface of the water. It was primarily made of metal, but the top had a glass casing. It was a sea carriage. An invention that had been lost to time by the Sindar, but newly discovered.

The sea carriage hiss as the lid pop open, and a young man and woman in their early twenties emerged. "W—What the hell?!" James shouted, pushing his goggles up his forehead as he stood up in his seat. "What the hell is that?!" he gestured frantically to the light reverberating from the island.

Xi An stood up with him. "M-Maybe it's a rune cannon?!" she exclaimed, her tone a little excited. "Why don't we try getting closer?"

"Are you nuts?!" James snapped, quickly sitting back down. "I played this game before and died! I'm NOT dying again! Especially when we don't know where Lord Daunte is!"