"After this, Luca, upset with all the failures his troops have had against an inferior force, the one led by Riou, he personally went to crush them. And, after a battle between their forces, Luca decided to end it with a night raid. I sent my strategist, Leon to inform Riou's army of the plan and facilitate in their defeat of Luca Blight. By doing this, Luca was killed and I had become the King of Highland."
Jowy sighed. "However, I knew simply declaring peace was no answer. I had seen the City States leaders. Too many were corrupt and vile. And the people of Highland, would never accept peace with the people 'who slaughtered the Youth Brigade'. So, I tried to force Riou to surrender in a meeting we held in Muse. He refused and ran, my strategist wanted to fire, but Riou had a bright mind working for him as well, Shu. And he had sent Pilika unbeknownst to Riou. Knowing that I would never allow anyone, especially my best friend, to die in front of her. Obviously, I took her in and protected her in Highland, even while our armies fought."
Jowy looks down. "And the entire time, I used the Black Sword Rune to keep the Beast Rune, which Luca had awakened by sacrificing thousands, sealed, though this action was slowly killing me."
"In the end, Highland fell, and I met Riou where it had all began, where the Youth Brigade had bee ambushed. I tried to make him fight and kill me. To kill the evil King of Highland. Not only to put an end to the war, but to give the people some solace and allow them to move on. Only by having a true end to the conflict could it truly end. Plus, this would form the Rune of Beginning, fulfilling the goals of our Runes."
"But, he refused. He wouldn't raise a hand against me. Instead, just when I thought my end was near, his Rune reacted and instead of taking my Rune, restored my life and allowed me to live. A life I didn't plan to keep."
OoC: It's worth noting that thanks to both Leon and Shu, the war had far fewer casualties than it would have. Also, the war would have been far worse for everyone, if Luca had been allowed to stay in charge and his father was making no move to stop him as the will of the people was behind him in the war, thanks to the "State's cowardly slaughter of the Youth Brigade, just after signing a peace treaty." Jowy's actions were, honestly, the best case scenario.
Austin continued sleeping, with Noel in his mind, happily embracing each other.
