Suikoden VII

Chapter Two: Part Six

Chapter Two: Part Six

What?

The power shot through Sasarai's body like a sucker punch. He shouted and stood up, knocking over his chair and a couple of books on the table. He gulped for air and grasped his chest with his right hand, hunching forward and gasping for breath.

"Bishop!" Dios and Pilika hurried to his side; Dios standing to his right and Pilika to his left. "Bishop," Dios said, sliding an arm around Sarasai to hold him upright. "What happened? What's wrong?"

Sasarai struggled to catch his breath to speak, but he knew. His mind was reverberating with the realization. A True Rune. He could sense the presence of a True Rune, but it wasn't the True Wind Rune. No...this Rune was very different. Very...horrifying.

This power. But...how...?!

Thankfully it didn't take him long to recover. He brushed himself off and straightened his posture. "We need to leave," he announced.

"Leave?" Pilika asked, her brow furrowing. "Bishop, are we leaving the country or the city?"

"The city," Sasarai clarified, looking between them. "You both know why we came here."

"To look for...him," Dios said. "Did he use the True Rune again, Bishop?"

Sasarai shook his head. "No. There's another True Rune user in this country."

"You felt them, Bishop?" Pilika asked.

"I felt the power of a True Rune in use." Sasarai looked at the back of his right hand. Underneath his glove, he knew that a golden rune symbol would be there. "I don't know how close...but the wielder is powerful."

"So we will seek them both out," Dios said. "That man...and this other True Rune user."

Sasarai smiled softly. "As citizens of Harmonia, it is our duty to try and bring any True Runes under the power of the Kingdom."

"Yes," Pilika said softly, but her expression became strained and she clasped her hands in front of her.

"I will follow you as I always have, Bishop," Dios promised, but there was a look of worry in his eyes. Sasarai knew that Dios understood that they were not in Zelant on official Harmonian business. No...they were there on their own.

"But that is not why we are here," Sasarai confirmed. "I came here to find him, and now that we know there are two True Runes here, we're not leaving until we meet the wielder of both of them."

"I will stand with you Bishop," Pilika said. "However, we will need to figure out how to leave this city. The Lordship here allowed us to leave our ship, but they will not allow us to leave Niebieska Brama. They have barely allowed us to leave this inn."

They were indeed given rooms at the inn, but only Sasarai, Dios, and Pilika were allowed to disembark. The rest of their entourage was made to stay on the ship, under the watchful eye of the Royal Army.

"Gather your things," Sasarai said. "I have a plan."

They packed their belongings and headed downstairs. Sasarai nodded to Dios, who approached the front desk and deposited a bag on the counter. "Bishop Sasarai thanks you for your hospitality. We hope that 5,000 Potch will suffice for our stay."

"Y-You're giving me 5,000 Potch?!" the innkeeper exclaimed.

Sasarai headed out the front door and into the city square with his two advisors. They were immediately approached by two Zelantan soldiers. "Are you departing today, mister?" one asked.

"Bishop," Pilika corrected him.

"I am," Sasarai told him. "But we will be fine. We don't need your escort."