Suikoden VII

Chapter One: Part Twelve

Chapter One: Part Twelve

The air suddenly felt like it was on fire. Astraea couldn't breathe. Her body felt like it was falling into a bottomless pit, though she was still standing. Her thoughts were in a frenzy as tears streamed down her cheeks.

What what what what WHAT OH MY GOD OH MY GOD—

"What was that noise?"

That simple question snapped Astraea to attention. Panic settled in as she realized that she was in danger. Her feet seemed to grow wings and she took off running down the corridor. The hallway that led to the King's apartments seemed impossibly long and narrow, but she hoped that the dim lighting would not give her away.

Her right hand started to glow, and a sudden gust of wind swept down the hallway. It wasn't strong enough to damage the walls, ceiling, or floor but it was strong enough to snuff out every torch that had been lit. The glow in her hand ceased and immediately the corridor was consumed with darkness, giving her the necessary cover. Astraea did not pause in her steps, but she looked down at the True Wind Rune in shock. Did...Did the Rune act to help me?

The True Wind Rune did not respond to her question this time, but she knew she didn't need the answer. She could not see in front of herself, but she had wandered down this corridor many times in the eighteen years of her life. She knew the way by instinct. She knew when the corridor would end and where she would need to turn.

As she rounded the bend, there was a shout behind her. "Princess Astraea!"

It was Albert, and Astraea faltered briefly in her steps. But she knew that she couldn't stop. She picked up the pace and ran faster.

How—How did he know it was me?!

But she knew how Albert would know. The True Wind Rune activated to protect her—but in doing so it displayed its power.

She continued to run blindly, not knowing where she was going. The thoughts of fleeing then left her mind, flooded by the horror of what she had learned. A jumbled chaotic, hysterical mess of words screaming in her ears.

It was Father—

It was Father—

It was Father—

Father did this—

HE DID THIS—

OH MY GOD—

OH MY GOD—

OH MY GOD—

PAPA TRIED TO KILL ME!

A helpless whine rumbled in Astraea's throat. Unable to help herself she stopped in her tracks and covered her mouth, muffling screaming sobs as best as she could against her palms. A terrible, sickening pain engulfed her body. She thought he was throw up. She knew that her father didn't like her, but she had thought—hoped—that he felt some good feeling for her.

But Franz didn't love her. He hated her. He hated her so much that he tried to kill her as a means of starting a war.

Oh God...oh God...Papa, he—oh God, he killed Milo! Ritta, Barrett, Darko—he killed his allies' children for his own power! He killed his own children for his own power! How could he do this?!

The thoughts made her feel sicker, but Astraea forced it down and tried to calm herself. Getting upset right that moment would not help her. She needed help. She needed to do something!

I swore I would get justice for my comrades, but Papa is the one who arranged their deaths. What...What am I going to do?! What CAN I do?!

Astraea quickly scrubbed at her eyes and straightened. She realized that she was out in one of the east gardens and she quickly ducked behind a pillar to get out of any line of sight. The sight and scent of the flowers around her quickly made her nostalgic for a time not long past where she was still ignorant of what her father really felt about her. A time she didn't know that her own father plotted her murder. Her eyes scanned her surroundings...and that was when she saw the Call to Action Bell.