SUIKODEN THEORIES: THE MYSTERY OF YUBER & PESMERGA!
- Amethyst
- 19 August, 2025
- Amethyst
- 8 August, 2025
The morning sun rises across the landscape of Altgrön. Today is a significant day for Zayden, as the research of the purple stone should be concluded.
Just like the previous day, Marques and Zayden receive breakfast in their shared room. They then make their way to the antechamber. The guard receives word that they may enter. The curtains are opened and the pair walk in.
“All rise for Her Excellency the Chancellor, and his Excellency the General!”
Marlene and Ludwig walk in from the back of the chamber and she takes the throne.
“Thank you for your timely arrival into this chamber. I summon the head magician to provide results on the research.”
The magician is summoned by a Forever Green Guard into the room. He has papers under his arms and bows before the leaders of the government. Zayden looks at the gesture and notices this is new, compared to yesterday. Like it’s a new directive given to follow. It feels like bowing to a princess, queen or even worse, an empress.
“Your Excellency. Permission to speak freely on the research?”
Marlene nods that the magician is now able to speak.
Marques and Zayden lock eyes briefly and try to hide a form of disapproval on their faces.
“The research on the mysterious purple stone is concluded. It holds significant magical powers. The quality of the magic in the stone is so powerful that it could wipe out entire villages at distance. That is if it were to fall in the wrong hands. If used by someone who is uncapable of the powers, it might even happen that it blows up in their own face and their surroundings. I urge you to find a safe haven where no one can touch this stone. I may only be a simple magician, but the powers of this particular object could spark war.”
Ludwig is shocked by the outcome of the research and secretly looks at Zayden. It’s like he’s trying to tell him, that he’ll try to prevent his mother from using it. Zayden acknowledges it with the smallest nod capable. Lucky for the pair, no one else is able to witness this very brief interaction.
“Grand Magician, you are not simple. You have delivered excellent work with this research. Of course, this object should not befall into the wrong hands. The use of it would… impact the entire world. There is no doubt about that. Guard, take the stone and bring it to the safe. You know which one I mean. I’ll be there shortly to… take it from there into my personal vault. That way, it is guarded in the best possible manner.”
Zayden looks at Marques, then at Ludwig, towards the magician, and doesn’t hesitate to intervene himself.
“Mother, you will not take this stone with you. I brought it here in good faith, hoping it would restore relationships. Between countries, and between us. However, you have let power gain control of yourself. This has gotten out of hand. I will take the stone, as it is I who found it. I am the rightful owner of it. Give it back to me, and I’ll make sure it is safeguarded by me personally.”
Marlene thinks about the offer, then rises up from her chair. She looks Zayden straight in the eyes and utters:
“Who are you to dare insult me by calling me mother in front of all these people? I am “Your Excellency” for you, always and forever. You have absolutely no right to this stone, as it is on my territory. I govern this land and no one else decides how things are going to be. Furthermore young man, you are nothing but a nuisance and a bother since you have been here. You will not take this stone back to interfere with my business. For your attempted small coup, I will throw both you and your personal guard in prison for a night. Just so you can think about your ridiculous proposal. After that, you will be sent to Fort Hagenberg, to aid the readiness of our army in case… of war. That will be all. Guards, seize them.”
Marlene doesn’t even flinch as she goes behind the curtain. In this moment Ludwig sees his opportunity. He runs down the small carpeted stairs towards a Forever Green Guard and whispers into his ears.
The Guard runs to the guard carrying the purple stone, who is almost outside of the room. He speaks to him, as if they are instructions on what to do. The other guard becomes pale, hesitantly nods and then walks outside.
The main guard then turns and walks towards Marques and Zayden and says quietly:
“Gentlemen, follow me. You will be fine.”
Ludwig runs back up the stairs and disappears behind the curtain. Most likely this is the last time Zayden will see his parents in any capacity. The goosebumps of the message turn into consciousness. This is the route that Marlene will take. The path to war, no fear of destruction. No mercy, even for her own son. It has gone to her head for sure.
Forever Green Guards walk in front, to the side and to the back of Marques and Zayden. They then instruct the pair to walk with them in formation outside the chamber. They go through the antechamber and through the grand hall. The large white front doors are unlocked and opened. A carriage is waiting outside. Zayden knows that this is the same carriage they entered Altgrön in. The door is opened and the pair sits inside. The instructed guard is sitting with them, across Zayden.
“Well gentlemen, this is most unusual. I never anticipated to leave Altgrön, and here I am. Your father is definitely the most benevolent person I ever met. We can only hope he can stop her from using this magical stone in any way.”
Zayden ticks off on the words of the guard about leaving Altgrön. He looks surprised at the guard, but thinks wisely of his words. Perhaps this man is a spy, or even the best assassin of the country. Zayden wants everyone he loves to stay unharmed. So he chooses his own words wisely.
“Kind guard, can you elaborate on your first sentence? I thought I heard you mentioned leaving Altgrön? You heard the words of ‘her Excellency’. We are en route to Fort Hagenberg. With my disagreement and disapproval, but that is the way it works.”
The guard then follows the same behaviour Marques had. He takes off his helmet and lays it to the side, in the middle of the seat. He then starts smiling.
“Zum Glück, mein Junge. We are not going to Fort Hagenberg, thank the spirits. Your father is the general of the guards. He instructs us, not ‘her excellency’ like you said. However I carry good and bad news. And there’s something else that is interesting. I will start with the good news. We are on route to the border. The border with Netralia. We will cross it. Then comes the bad news. We are unable to return to Altgrön ever. Your father will try to stop your mother. To prevent war from breaking out. Even with his own life. The guard you saw become pale, knows that his life will end soon too. These are sad times in the world. Especially when one man can not even get in the mind of his beloved partner.”
The guard reaches out his hand towards Zayden to shake it. Zayden accepts and shakes his hand. The same then happens between the guard and Marques. It seems like this guard is trustworthy.
“Thank you for the kind words. I know that my father is a righteous and benevolent man. I am grateful he will send me to the place I now belong. However, I do not understand the cause of your presence. Can you enlighten us more on that as well?”
The guard stands up in the riding carriage and manes the driver at ease.
Marques puts his hand on his sword, just in case.
“Dear boy, you have been trained well to protect. There is no need though. At ease. That is not an order, but a friendly request. I come in peace. I had to stand as some parts started to, well, chafe. I will sit down now and introduce myself. I am Helmut Grafmann, chief of command of the army of the republic of Altgrön. Your father’s righthand man, his confidant, and best friend since our teenage years. Only with this title and connection to your father, you remain alive and unharmed. I will speak freely now. Your father’s life will end shortly at the hands of your mother. Be forgiving towards her for this evil and heinous act. Since obtaining power as the nation’s leader, we have all witnessed her change. It is like she has been taken over by someone or something. Your father has long been unable to change her ways or mind. Especially with a new weapon out of reach and sight, she most likely will start this war. To achieve her goals, or the goals of that or those she is taken by. Take this, and keep it safe.”
Helmut reaches into his normally sealed pocket. Beyond belief, Zayden’s mouth falls open as the hand comes back out. It is the purple stone of the ruins. “WHAT?!” is the only thing Zayden can say in his first response.
“My dear boy, here it is. It was a matter of secure planning and a very narrow timeframe to execute this. This is your father’s last dance with fate, his last act of being loyal to you. His only son. With this action, your mother will find out soon by bribed guards that this is an act of treason. For that reason, your father will be executed publicly. Thus, it is his request I accompany you. On the quest for long lasting peace. By my sword Stefanie, I will protect you until the light of life leaves my body. Take the stone and safeguard it personally.”
“We are nearing the border and my men are instructed to let us pass swiftly. It comes at the stake of their own lives as well. They are committed to your father, and our cause. We will be quiet now until we pass the border. After that, you will tell me all about your adventures of the last year, your relationships, and your partner. Your father knew more than you would like to think. He’s proud of the man you’ve become. Defiant of traditions and following your own path. I can convey the message that he is happy, if you are happy. His last words were to say: “I love my son and his partner I never met. They seem destined for greatness. Let them both carry the light of love and peace onto both our lands.” Almost there, so take this time to think and reflect on your next steps. Marques and I will guide you through to this journey. As will your partner Jowlani and your mutual friends.”
The carriage rides towards the border. The border guards at the gate open it ahead of time and the carriage goes through swiftly. The gate closes behind them, and then shouting and yelling occurs. They then hear sounds of swords and see orange lighting from fire it seems. The border guards loyal to father Ludwig clash with the loyalists of Marlene. Minutes pass as swords cling to each other and shouts of pain are heard. It then becomes silent. It seems like the skirmish is over. The gate stays closed at the end of it. This is the point of no return. Word of what happened here, will travel back to the capital. This is the potential starting point of the war.
How much time is left before Marlene learns the stone has disappeared with her son?
Can Zayden cope with the fact that his father made the ultimate sacrifice?
What will Jowlani do after seeing Zayden again and learning of his story?