Suikoden VII

Chapter Five: Part Two

Note: I changed the physical appearance of the Shining Rune. You can see the new description in Chapter Four: Part Four.

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Chapter Five: Part Two

Astraea visited Niebieska Brama a few days later with a small party. She could not add Daunte or Nakula to active or support party, but she was able to add Arin. She also put Viki, Pesmerga, Viktor, and Zerase in the party as well. She didn't intend to fight but it felt like a good party to have nonetheless. Dawa insisted on being with them, so she put Dawa in the support party.

"Hey, are you two related?" Arin asked Viki and Viktor when they arrived to Niebieska Brama.

"What?" Viktor asked, his brow rising.

"Well your names are similar," Arin pointed out. "Viki, Viktor. You both even use a 'k' instead of a 'c' in your name. And you both have black hair. Are you like cousins or something?"

Viktor glanced at Viki before looking at him. "I...don't know?"

"Why?"

"You answer him," Viktor told Viki. "I only remember you from the Gate Rune War and Dunan Unification War."

"A-Ah, Viki is a nickname for me," Viki spoke up, her expression uneasy.

"A nickname for what?" Arin asked.

Viki rubbed at her forehead nervously. "I-I don't know."

Astraea's brow rose in surprise and confusion. She knows Viki is a nickname, but not for what? Wouldn't it be Victoria? Or Viktoria with a 'k' in this case. Gee, that DOES look similar to Viktor!

Viktor clearly seemed clueless about the questions and Viki looked confused. Unperturbed, Arin asked another question. "If you served with Viktor in previous wars, why does he look so old and you don't Viki?"

"I don't look old!" Viktor exclaimed, clearly offended.

"You are clearly not youthful," Zerase said coldly.

"And you are?!" Viktor retorted.

Zerase spread her arms. When Astraea saw the symbol of the Star Rune rise into the air she rushed forward. "Cancel the spell now!"

Zerase narrowed her eyes at her, but the Star Rune quickly dissipated. She looked between Viktor and Zerase. "Can you two please get along and not fight?! We're on the same side!"

"I care nothing for your cause," Zerase said. "Only that you do not abuse the power of the True Wind Rune."

"Fine," Astraea snapped. "But both of you need to stop! Don't talk to each other if you don't have anything nice to say to one another!"

Viktor frowned deeply and folded his arms over his chest. Or rather he tried to, but was unable to fully do so because of his right arm. His frown deepened as he realized this, but he said nothing. Zerase also said nothing as well.

"Let's go," Astraea said, softening her tone. "We'll only be here for a short while."

She didn't know if Lord Benedict would be around in the city but she knew that he had sworn fealty to King Franz and so Astraea knew to avoid his mansion. The first thing she did though was look for Typhon and Dudley. She was both relieved and dismayed to see the Duck warrior in a cage at Typhon's illegal stall. "For 2 million Potch you can—ACK!" Typhon shouted when he saw Astraea.

"Are you okay, Dudley?" Astraea asked Dudley.

"Have you found my halberd?" Dudley asked her.

Astraea shook her head. "C-Could you give me a hint as to what the buyer looked like?"