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Bounded By Destiny
Chapter
IV
Betrayal
From A Loved One
I am lord of the skies. Be at ease my brethren, my voice speaks
freedom
Dragon
Rune
The Dragon Rune is one of the runes that ties the human world to others, allowing their bearer to summon full fledged dragons into their world. It bestows upon its bearer the responsibility of all dragons present in Ranzar. This True Rune embodies the idea of responsibility. It forces mortal beings to take responsibility for their actions. This is most prevalent in rulers.
Each True Rune governs specific aspects of reality in the universe such as chaos, death, darkness, life, light, and order. Each Rune allegedly holds an alignment in the Order-Chaos scale, and all 27 True Runes together maintain a balance in the world. The removal of a single Rune from this balance could tip the scales in favor of one side with dire results upon the world. In addition, should a Rune ever be actually destroyed to the point where it may cease to exist, it could forever alter the forces of nature. With no such event every being recorded, the destruction of a True Rune is both a symbolic and literal rebellion against destiny in the universe of Ranzar.
Last where we left off, Jowy had remained behind at the Highland camp in order to allow Riou and Ellie to escape safely back to Muse to deliver the important information to Jess. Although Jowy had promised that he’d catch up to the two, the road back to Muse was quiet and when Riou and Ellie returned to Muse, it was without him.
“Oh…he didn’t catch up with us…” Ellie was the first to speak as her eyes held heavy concern for Jowy. Looking back at Riou, he didn’t look any different than she did. “Well I’m sure he will…he promised that he would, right?”
“Ellie…do you possess a True Rune?” Riou spoke up, looking into her brown eyes. It had been on his mind since she summoned the wall of ice that had protected them from the Highland soldiers as well watching her the other day dancing on the water. It only felt natural to ask her, he needed to know for himself for he too possesses a True Rune.
She looked away from his gaze, saddened—almost ashamed even. “I…I’m sorry, Riou. I should have told Jowy and you. People who possess a True Rune…they aren’t looked upon as friendly to most people…” She was silent for a moment before looking back up and into his eyes. “We hold great power, Riou. And people feel threatened of that power. People become obsessed……”
“It’s all right, Ellie.” He spoke, giving her a friendly smile. “I know…many people become consumed with power. Makes them feel superior—indestructible even.”
“Riou…?”
“I know…for I hold a True Rune as well.” He continued, showing her his right hand. “The Bright Shield Rune.”
“So it’s true…” She said, looking down at it. “I heard that the seal in Toto was released…could it be that…”
Riou nodded. “It was Jowy and I.”
Ellie smiled. “I see, it makes sense now.” She looked back up at him and showed Riou her right hand. “This is mine…the True Water Rune. I suppose this is the beginning of a new journey then. To find the other bearers. Us three. Twenty three more to go.”
Sure it sounded simple enough. But finding twenty three more individuals whom had a True Rune will prove to be a long and difficult task. Not all would be willing to join them. Some people could have their own paths and goals, and using their power for their own business would make the search for the bearers to exceed more complicated.
Even with the exciting news about Ellie, news about Jowy was still nonexistent. Upon returning to Muse, the two of them met up with Viktor and Flik whom suggested reporting this to Lady Annabelle and Jess. Walking into her office, she immediately knew something had gone wrong by the angered expression upon Viktor’s face.
“What is this?” Jess was the first to speak seeing the four come barging into the office.
“Viktor. Flik. What happened?” Annabelle began, standing from her chair and walking over to the group. “Why do you look so angry?”
Without hesitation, Viktor walked up to Jess and grabbed him by the shirt. “Hey. You! Is it true that you sent Riou and Jowy to sneak into the Highland camp!?”
“Hold on a minute! Don’t get so mad…” Fletcher, Annabelle’s assistant said nervously.
“Yes, I asked them to do it. Now get your hands off me!” Jess replied pushing Viktor off him.
“Annabelle, I don’t know you quite well, but is the State really in such a bad shape that they have to kids like this as spies?” Flik spoke, entering the conversation.
“Jess…” Annabelle continued, shamed at his actions.
“I asked them because in order for us to defeat the Highland Army, we need to know how many provisions they have. Riou, how much did they have anyways?”
Riou, feeling that Jess only cared about the one concern over the provisions, didn’t reply in answering his question. That’s when Ellie looked over at him and stepped forward. “Riou mentioned about two weeks worth, right? But the important thing is Jowy. He’s been captured by Highland…well don’t know that he’s been captured, but he didn’t come back with us. You must do something to help him.”
Annabelle felt heartbroken, knowing that she could not help. “Riou. Ellie. I thank you for getting vital information for us. Furthermore, I apologize for putting you in such danger. But I’m afraid we cannot provide any assistance for Jowy at this time. We’ve got our hands full just protecting the city. Forgive me.”
“But…” Ellie trailed off.
“Riou. Ellie. Standing around and talking won’t bring Jowy back safely.” Flik spoke, looking over at them.
“Two weeks means that they are planning a swift assault. Now we can plan our strategy at the Hilltop Conference. Thank you, Riou.” Jess spoke.
Viktor glared, ready to list his fist at him. “Why you…”
“Please. No violence! No violence!” Fletcher wined.
“How dare you, mercenary. We needed information to save Muse. Besides, it’s your fault that Lady Annabelle is suffering.” Jess threatened.
“What!” Viktor retorted. He clearly could not believe the words he head coming out of Jess’ mouth.
“Stop it, Jess!” Annabelle shouted.
“Enough, Viktor. I guess mercenaries like us have no say when it comes to matters like this. Let’s make our leave now.” Flik said, placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
“Damn…” Viktor cursed under his breath, turning around and leaving. Flik and the others left quietly afterwards and headed for the inn where Nanami waited patiently for their return. Once there, Riou and Ellie had no choice but to tell her about what happened. Joey’s absence was upsetting, which frightened her very. She fully understood why he would do what he did, yet she wished deeply for his safe return.
“I hope he’ll be okay…” Nanami began worriedly as she sat on her bed after Riou and Ellie gave her the news. “No, I know that he’ll be okay…he’ll come back.”
“You know Jowy, of course he’ll come back.” Riou told her.
“You’re right.” She smiled, standing up. “Well I’m going to wait out by the gate for him.” She finished, walking past the two and leaving the room.
Ellie looked tired and Riou was still worried about Nanami. There wasn’t much anyone could do. Riou doubted that he could sleep at a time like this. So he decided that he’d go and wait outside with Nanami while Ellie rested.
Outside, he found Nanami sitting, leaning up against the tall stone wall that protected Muse. Walking over, he took a seat down next to her in the grass. The sun was setting and the air was becoming cooler.
“Hey Riou. Jowy’s not…not back yet.” Nanami began, looking over at him. “I’m going to wait a little while longer for him. Riou, you should head back and get some rest, you look tired.”
Riou smiled. “That’s alright, I’m going to wait out here with you.”
“That would be nice. It’ll be faster that way…no I guess not…”
“He’ll come back. He promised.”
There was then a long pause of silence between the two.
“Hey, do you remember the time you got lost in Lude woods? While grandpa was out looking for you, Jowy and I waited just like this. You came back, and I know that Jowy is going to too.” She chuckled. “Well to finish the story, while we were waiting for you just like this, did you know what Jowy did? Ha, ha, he cried the whole time. Can you believe it? Our Jowy crying just like a little baby.” The story made her smile, remembering the great times they spent together while they were kids. “Hey, that story is our little secret, okay? I promised Jowy that I’d never tell anyone about that.” Nanami then stared up at the sky watching the sun finally set. Taking in a deep breath, she sighed. “It’s late, Jowy…”
Just when Nanami and Riou were about to lose hope in Jowy coming back soon, a small figure in the far distance began to make shape and approach Muse. Both Nanami and Riou stood up.
“Ah! Riou, look!” Nanami shouted.
Jowy was in clear view of the two and when he spotted the two beginning to run up to him, he did the same and met in an embrace with Nanami.
“Riou! Nanami! You waited for me.” Jowy began.
“You came back! You really came back!”
“I kept my promise.”
“Welcome back Jowy.” Riou smiled.
“Thanks Riou. Its nice…to have people wait for you.”
“Riou! Jowy! Wake up.” She began, a smile covering her face.
Jowy turned over and grumbled. “Arrrgh…Nanami…a little longer…you know…I…hate mornings…” He replied half asleep.
“C’mon, c’mon, let’s go!” She replied, pulling the blankets off him. Riou did well by getting himself up.
“Let’s go? Where?” Riou asked.
“Something is about to start at the Jowston Hilltop. People have come here from all over Ranzar. We have to see!” Nanami replied.
Jowy chucked. “Oh well. Shall we go then, Riou?”
Getting up and out of bed, the three of them met up with Ellie downstairs of the inn and decided to go check out what was happening up at Jowston Hilltop, which stood behind Muse. Walking through town to the entrance of the steps leading up to the building, they met up with Viktor and Flik.
“Hey guys. Here for the view too?” Viktor began.
“Viktor, what is this?” Jowy asked.
“Eh? It’s a meeting of the leaders of the City-State of Jowston. This is Jowston Hill, so that’s why they call it the Hilltop Conference. Leaders of the 5 State cities—Muse, South Window, Greenhill, The Militida Knights, and Tinto—it should be interesting. It’ll be something to tell your grandkids once day I’m sure.”
All intrigued with the idea, the six of them made their way to Jowston Hill, entered and took their seats watching as the main conference room began to fill up. As a representative walked in, the crowds of politicians quieted down as the meeting was about to begin.
“The mayor of Muse City, Lady Annabelle.” The representative began to speak calling in the parties.
“Leader of the Militida Knights, Lord Gorudo.”
“Representative of Two River City, Lord Mikai.”
“Acting Mayor of Greenhill City, Lady Teresa.”
“Mayor of Tinto City, Lord Gustov.”
“Mayor of South Window City, Lord Granmeyer.”
“Commander of the Muse City Forces, Lord Hauser.”
Once all had taken their seats around the table, the meeting commenced.
“In accordance with the Jowston State agreement, I hereby begin the Hilltop Conference.” Annabelle began.
“The Highland Army has massed at our border. They have only 2 weeks provisions with them. We believe that they will attack soon.” Jess, whom stood behind Annabelle spoke.
“Wait a moment. Aren’t they still in compliance with the peace agreement?” Lord Mikai asked.
“The Highland Army has already invaded the eastern part of Muse, burned several villages to the ground including the Mercenary Fort.” Jess continued.
“As for that, didn’t Highland imply that that was a trick by the mountain bandits?” Gorudo spoke.
“Do you really believe that Viktor’s mercenary fort could be crushed by a group of mountain bandits?” Lord Granmeyer cut in.
“You can’t deny that the Highland Army is massed at the border. It is a fact and it represents a threat to the City State.” Lord Hauser said.
“The Highland Army has approached the border before and never truly attacked. Why do you think this is this any different?” Lord Gustov asked.
“The commander of the Highland Army has changed from Agares Blight to his son Luca Blight. That’s why things are different.” Lady Teresa told.
“It is as Lord Gustov said. They’ll run at the first sight of battle. I’m certainly not going to expend my knights for this.” Gorudo spoke.
“The people of Two River are also very tired from the recent battles as well.” Lord Mikai said.
“Luca Blight is more demon than man. If he breaks through Muse’s defenses, the State will be in shambles. In the name of out mutual oath, I order you to provide troops to protect Muse City!” Annabelle demanded.
“I’m not afraid of your threats. What good is it if I protect Muse and my people, the people of Tinto starve?” Gustov exclaimed.
“That is an order of the oath of the State. You should watch how you speak.” Lord Granmeyer continued.
“Excuse me!” A representative cut in, running up to Jess and delivered a message to him. Jess read the note carefully before speaking. “I have news to report. The Highland Army has slaughtered our border guards and is reportedly headed for Muse.”
“What!?” Lord Granmeyer exclaimed.
“So it appears they were serious.” Gorudo spoke.
“All you heard. I’m ordering you to gather your armies.” Annabelle finished.
At the gates of Muse, a mysterious cloaked woman who had traveled there from Greenhill had finally made it to her destination and at perfect timing seeing that as the gatekeepers had just closed the gate allowing no one to neither enter nor leave the city.
She smiled, looking up from her hood and gazing upon the beautiful capital of the City State.
“This is where I will find you. Isn’t that right…Kage?”
Annabelle looked up from the candle and over towards the door. “Who is that? Who is rude enough to come knocking at this time of night?”
The door slowly opened and Viktor came in, closing the door behind him. “Hey, I didn’t know if you’d still be awake.”
She looked away, resuming the candle. “I don’t have time to sleep…”
Viktor then walked up to the table. “In that case, how about a drink?” He asked, pulling out a beautiful fresh bottle of wine.
Annabelle looked over at him with a smile as he took a seat. “Oh? Sounds nice.”
Opening the bottle and pouring the wine into two glasses, Viktor continued, “I think you’ll like this. It’s from Kankan to the south. I saved this one bottle just to drink with you. When my fort burned down, this one bottle was all I was able to carry.”
Annabelle picked up her glass and began to softly swirl it. “Hmm, nice bouquet.”
As she began taking a sip, Viktor leaned in closer to her. “So how is it?”
Annabelle looked over at him being so close, then looked away, placing the glass down on the table. “Please don’t stare at me like that. I feel like your looking right into my heart…”
Viktor then leaned back, resting his back against the chair. “Sorry, it’s a bad habit of mine.”
“That’s right.” She smiled, taking another sip.
Viktor then chucked, scratching the back of his head. “You’re a tough one, Annabelle.”
“The people of this city are peacefully sleeping now…but the flames of war will soon be here. Even if we gather all the state troops, I wonder what chance we’ll have when we come face to face with Luca Blight’s unit.”
“Well, about a 50-50 chance, I’d say.” Viktor continued, taking a drink.
“I can’t—I mean…we can’t lose. If we do, we lose everything. All those lives…when I think about it, sometimes I get distressed…I even think that I should just surrender quietly…”
“A leader can’t think that way.” Viktor began, looking over at her. “Because everyone is fighting as hard as they can. They all have things and people they want to protect. You do too, Annabelle. Even if it’s to save your life or another’s, there are some things you just can’t protect without fighting. At least, that’s what I think.” He then finished his glass and stood up. “Well, I need my strength for tomorrow. I should be going to sleep soon. Lack of sleep makes you weak.”
While starring down at the table, Annabelle sighed. “Hey Viktor, if I was born at a different time, a different place, and maybe a little shorter, I might have made a good girlfriend for you, no?”
Viktor looked over at her and smiled. “Ha, ha, well you’re just fine the way you are, if you ask me. Maybe I’m not though…” Turning away he then made his way to the door and stopped. “You’re a fine, well-bred lady. Me? As much as I am flattered, you couldn’t be seen with me. We’re two different people who come from different lifestyles. Anyways, see you in the morning.” With that said, Viktor then left Annabelle’s quarters and leaned against the wall outside, his eyes closed forlorn. It was the night thing to do, she was the mayor of the capital of the City State and he was, well, a mercenary soldier. She had to keep an open mind at a time like this and a romance would only cloud her judgment. Taking in a deep breath, he then stood and left to retire for the night.
But with not much they could do about him, the two left the inn and traveled to the City Hall, where they approached the guards by the main doors.
“Riou and Nanami? Please proceed, Lady Annabelle has been waiting for you. You’re friend is already back there.” He spoke to the two, opening the door.
“Our friend?” Nanami asked, looking over at Riou who just simply shrugged his shoulders.
“Riou? Nanami? Is that you?” She called out.
The door opened and entered Jowy. Looking around, he noticed that there was no one else present in the room. “Lady Annabelle, may I come in?”
“Of course, Jowy. What brings you here at this hour?”
Jowy took a few more steps closer when suddenly he pulled out a knife. “Your life…I’ve come to take it.”
“You’re not joking, are you?” She asked, still sitting.
“Please, don’t scream.”
“I suppose even if I called for help, I won’t be able to stop that knife.” She continued, taking a sip of her wine. “This war has needlessly continued on for long enough. Tell me Jowy, can you bear the burden of what you are planning on doing?”
He nodded. “I will bear the burden. This is something I must do.”
“Can you at least let me finish this glass of wine? It’s from an old friend and would be a pity to waste it.”
Jowy then looked away, lowering his knife. “…I’m sorry.”
“You dropped your guard, boy!” Annabelle shouted, throwing the glass while charging at him.
“Wha—what happened!?” Nanami exclaimed fearfully.
“Jowy…you didn’t…” Riou began taking a step forward.
“Riou…Nanami…please forgive me.” Jowy then took a step back and quickly turned around and escaped through the back window.
The two ran up to Annabelle and knelled down in front of her. “Lady Annabelle…Lady Annabelle.” Nanami spoke as she began to open her eyes.
“Lady Annabelle, the Highland Army has arrived—” Jess began, running into the room to see her on the ground dying with Riou and Nanami by her side. “What the—what have you done, just what the hell did you two do to Lady Annabelle!? Explain yourself!”
“Lord Jess.” Hauser began, following Jess in the room. “The Highland Army has entered the city. Seems that there was someone working inside for them.”
“Dammit, we are running out of time. Hurry, we must get a doctor!” Jess panicked, running out of the room with Hauser.
“Ugh…Riou…Nanami…tell Jess that I…don’t need a doctor…” Annabelle forced out.
“Don’t talk, Lady Annabelle. Save your strength.” Nanami replied, holding her hand.
“Riou…Nanami…don’t die…you must live…Riou…fulfill the prophecy…the True Runes…it is Ranzar’s last chance for peace…now go…hurry…they will come here first…” Annabelle continued.
Riou then stood up as well as Nanami. Looking down at Annabelle one last time, they then turned away and began to run.
Riou and Nanami stood there, witnessing this. They had to escape; they had to get out of Muse.
“Riou! Nanami!” Came Ellie’s worried voice as she ran up to the two. “We have to get out of here now!”
“Where are we to go?” Riou asked.
“Flik mentioned that everyone is escaping to South Window. We’re rendezvous with them there. A boat runs from Coronet south of here to South Window.”
“Okay, let’s hurry—”
There was then sudden a loud uproar. As the three of them looked up, a huge dragon stood up at the Jowston Hilltop. It stretched out its large wings with a piercing growl. As it then began to light up into the air, Riou caught glimpse of both Flik and Viktor grabbing onto the beast and began to ride it as it soared over the city.
“What in the world…” Ellie trailed off unable to believe her eyes.
Viktor…Flik…be careful, Riou thought, and then looked at the girls. “We have to escape now.”
AS they ran down the stars of City Hall, they all looked around, trying to find a possible way to get out. The city was nearly taken by Highland, and it would seem that they were surrounded.
“Psst.” Came a whisper to their side.
The three looked over to see a hooded woman leaning against the nearby house. “Need a way out?”
“You know of one?” Ellie asked.
“Perhaps. I came here looking for Kage…but it seems that he isn’t here. You look to be worthy traveling companions. Care to make a deal?” She spoke.
“We’re listening.” Riou replied, him and the girls quickly walking up to her.
“I overheard your making way to South Window. Allow me to travel with you there and I’ll get you three out of here.”
“Deal.” Ellie replied with a smile.
“Get them!” A group of soldiers spoke, running and aiming their guns at the four.
Ellie was prepared to use her rune first but the woman simply walked out in front of the three and withdrew her hand out of her sleeve, summoning her rune. “Soul Eater…” She whispered as it began to glow. A quick ray of wind shot out and surrounded the guards, sucking out their souls. Their bodies then fell, lifeless and cold. Looking back at the other three, she removed her hood and revealed her self. Short blown hair, blue eyes and a long scar down the right side of her cheek. “Forgive me. My name is Ortega. I am a bearer of one of the True Runes. The Rune of Life and Death…”