Suikoden VII

Chapter Eight: Part Six

I'm back. Thank you for your patience with me. My health is still in rough shape but I'm going to press on as much as I can. I cannot set a deadline for finishing this story with my health being what it is, but I will not leave you guys in limbo with this story like I did with Suikoden VI.

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Chapter Eight: Part Six

Dr. Tieling's nostrils flared with her rapidly building rage. "What," she seethed. "Exactly were you doing within city limits that necessitated you needing a Resurrection Rune?!"

"Hey, you make it sound like it was my fault!" Viktor said indignantly. He was sitting on an infirmary bed looking worse for wear. "I was just walking along, minding my own business, when suddenly that bitch with the Twinkle Star Rune attacked me for no reason!"

"She attacked you? Unprovoked?"

"Yeah! Do you not see my bodyguard here wounded too?! She tried to protect me!" He jabbed his finger towards Gwenette, who was sitting on the next bed over looking disheveled and slightly miserable.

"That woman is...unnaturally powerful," Gwenette said, shuddering a little. "It's a good thing her rune is one of a kind. And that she's an ally of ours."

"You had the good sense to carry a Sacrificial Jizo on your person, Miss," Dr. Tieling told her, softening her tone with Gwenette.

"I've...learned not to leave home without one," Gwenette said sheepishly.

"Yeah, the first time's rough," Viktor sighed. "But you get used to it."

"Y-You...You've died before?!" Gwenette exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Oh God, more times than I can count," Viktor said, reclining on his bed. "Surviving in my line of work requires luck, or having someone with a Resurrection Rune handy. Or a Sacrificial Jizo. But I don't think it counts if a Resurrection Rune or a Jizo can bring you back, can it? It only counts if the Resurrection Rune can't bring 'em back. Otherwise I just call it being "KO'd"."

"What's this I heard about you picking a fight with Zerase, Viktor?" David's voice sounded amused as he sauntered into the infirmary. He shook his head as he stood at the foot of Viktor's bed. "It doesn't look like you won."

"Shouldn't you be quarantining with the pox, kid?!" Viktor demanded.

"The pox?!" Dr. Tieling fixed her eyes upon David. "You have the pox and haven't seen me?!"

David flinched and his eyes went wide. "Ah...you see—"

"You BASTARD!"

Everyone in room jumped when the door nearly exploded off its hinges and Prince Kion stormed in, his face a mask a mask of rage. He pointed his finger towards Viktor. "You're dead!" he snarled.

"Prince, wait!" Gwenette cried out. She ran to insert herself between Viktor and Kion. "T-This was all a big misunderstanding!"

"Oh, no you don't!" Dr. Tieling shouted, jumping onto Kion's back and putting him in a full Nelson. "I already used Yellon that idiot! I'm not doing it again!"

"Get off me!" Kion still tried to advance with Dr. Tieling still on his back.

"Prince, wait a minute!" Gwenette cried out, hugging his arm. The Prince dragged both women along regardless.

"I...need to—uh—go quarantine," David said, running out the busted door.

"HEEL, PRINCE, HEEL!" Viktor shouted, almost climbing up the wall as best he could and kicking at the air with one leg.