Nexus Biographies

A caressing voice soothed the water weeds, the sea birds rasped their shrills, and the peasants mingled about their business within the fishing village of Hausson. Today, the harvest has been plentiful, for many fish were entrapped within their hunting nets, which they joyfully knew would lead to a higher income within the nearby city-states. The men threw open their pocketed treasures, and the glistening jewels of fish scales engulfed the villagers' eyes with greed. The voices roared jovially, and those with their assigned tasks immediately went to work. Some of their bounty would required to be cleaned for the night's feast, and the other portions would need to be preserved for the journey into the towns and cities.

One woman's day was in a much higher form of happiness despite the day's prizes, however. Tomorrow was to be a turn in her life, the pinnacle of her womanhood. It was to be her day of the joining with another man - for life.

She looked up from her fish she was cleaning at hearing a familiar voice, "Suayan, Suayan Li." She immediately recognized the man to be her father. "Certainly this time of year has been the greatest that Hausson has ever bore witness to. Our harvest is plentiful, and my very beautiful and only daughter is to be wedded to one of the greatest warriors of the cities!"

Suayan's father was a joyous man. Though his face was rough from the many hard years at sea, and his clothes torn from the sacrifices of labor; he was successful in finding happiness in all aspects of life.

Suayan could only return a smile to her father. Even though it was supposed to be the most exciting of times in her life, something in the back of her mind shredded her exhilarated emotions. She couldn't put her finger on it --

"Ahhh!" Suayan yelled in response to a sharp pain in her hand. She looked down and realized that she had sliced a deep wound into her finger with her knife. She knew that she was only daydreaming again and not concentrating on her work, but this injury could only bring back so many unwitting memories...

"Ahhh!"

"Quiet girl!"

Suayan swiftly looked up at the one who had hit her. It was one of her kidnapper's henchman, one with only one eye to look upon the day to day tasks of thievery and mischief.

Once again, to her horror, she was on board the sea vessel of which her nightmares are rooted from. Once more, she was young and inexperienced, and only getting used to the harsh treatments the pirates used on her. She only wished that her kidnappers would find her useless and expunge her into the endless depths of the ocean, so this reality of hell would end and she would hopefully drown in peace.

She was taken away from her village in her daily labor clothes, now torn and almost rags that clung to her shivering frame. She clung to the chains that enveloped her bands which bit into her fore-arms, using what force she may to release herself and rid herself of this house of horror.

"Capin'. Capin' Blue Stone." Suayan shifted her stare to one of the Pirates who had stood watch of her. She watched as another man, just as uncleanly dressed, march forth and question his summons, "Wha'tis it ol' Joe?"

"Ol' Stone, this blimey wench be yelling again. Cannot ya convince the witch to keep her bloody mouth closed? I am a gettin' sick of dis post."

Many an age has past now, and Suayan's account of time seemed to have forever drowned away. Shall it be resurfaced? Will she be freed of this enslavement?

She had gotten used to the ill treatments and the harshness of force that has been instilled in her soul. She is forced to work the menial tasks aboard the ship to earn her share of meager scraps of nourishment, from Captain Bluestone, who was now enjoying himself by taking his stolen wealth to the black market of obscured sites.

It was only during one of these ventures, that one mysterious stranger was able to convince the Captain in the purchase of her ownership. Though it was an odd occurance, she was more grateful than she had ever felt before. It was here that this tale of horror was to end, for she had to eventually part with the unknown savior, and take her way back to her own village - to return so she may rebuild what time she had lost for the years she toiled aboard Bluestone's ship.

"Are you all right?" Her father inquired, lunging forth to examine the wound meticulously.

Suayan replied, "Yes, father, I am fine," as she gazed at that empty horizon, waiting it to be filled with that warrior of whom she was to wed.

Author: Drakwen

Origin of Chongun Marriage: Meiyo Yuki

The winds were calm, yet the village of Sanhae was in turmoil. The filthy dogs of the sea, the pirates of Ilbon under the command of Captain Bluestone, were once again invading the peaceful fishing village of Hausson. The plea for help came quickly, and the mighty army of Sanhae, long experienced in the arts of war, responded with full support. Men honorably volunteered, and among them was a young man by the name of Meiyo Yuki.

Meiyo Yuki was the son of a prominent warrior, and the pride of the Sanhaen people. His skills of battle were inherited from his father, which proved again and again in many conflicts. Meiyo had long lost his father in a previous raid by the hands of Bluestone's men, and the fury that he had so tried to suppress was once again freed. Once Meiyo had received word of the recent plunder of the fishing village, he was among the first to offer help.

Once rounded up, the men set for Hausson by way of the large wilderness between Sanhae and Koguryo. Prince M'hul assisted the men upon arrival by providing them with boats to their destination.

Once the island was in sight, many of the men looked away. Smoke billowed from the decimated village, and the bodies of the brave men who defied the pirates lay in the streets. Several groups of the sea-farers were pillaging the houses, and they were not met with much resistance. The boats were soon spotted, and the vile pirates retreated for the time being. The Sanhaen warriors landed on the western beaches, and they regrouped inside of a local house.

Inside were some of the few remaining people who had not been killed or imprisoned, and Meiyo kindly helped the poor souls in what way he could, while the rest of the men ate and drank. He came across a young girl in the kitchen, and he was instantly drawn to her.

"Thank you for helping, but it's not necessary," the girl meekly said,suppressing a small smile. Her voice was like that of the winds, strong yet quiet, forceful yet gentle. He simply bowed, as was polite of him, and replied with, "You seemed in need of a helping hand." They stared at each other for a moment and an eternity, their eyes telling more than the words they could muster. Meiyo departed with a bow, and returned to his men, who were not looking forward to what the next day would bring.

The battle against the plague of the seas was well fought. The Sanhaens forced the pirates back into the sea, but with great loss of life. Meiyo himself had been sliced in his side, and was attempting to disguise his pain. As they returned to the inns in which they had slept the night before, they were taken aback. The inn was burned down, and, upon inspection, 4 bodies were found. The girl was not among them. Obviously taken by the pirates, Meiyo didn't know whether to thank or curse the gods. He was sure of one thing: he would not be returning home just yet.

Meiyo Yuki searched the seas for years, without hope or purpose, except that he knew he could not live without the girl from Hausson. It so happened that upon returning from the Japans, his ship encountered a vessel with a familiar insignia. Bluestone's flag! He quickly had his men raise the flag of a merchant ship, so as not to alarm the sea dogs.

Bluestone, having been informed of this courageous ship that dared remain in his presence, ordered his vessel closer. It was obvious the merchants he saw were well armed, and decided to trade for goods instead of plundering them. The appropriate flag signals were used, and the two fortresses were soon side by side.

"Wut ye be doin here? Ye know this be my ocean, yet ye still dare to come alongside!" Captain Blustone let loose with a mighty chuckle, and added, "That's wuy I be letting ye engage in trade 'stead if feelin' me blade!" His men roared with laughter, and the men soon were bartering over ale and bread, meats and fruits.

Meiyo Yuki took notice of a young woman who was trying to stay out of view, and he almost lost his breath. It was the kitchen girl from Hausson! He quickly made his way to Captain Bluestone and inquired of her. After much arguing over her value, he Bluestone agreed to trade her for several cannon. The girl seemed relived to be freed, yet she did not recognize her savior. Was Meiyo so weary that his appearance had been affected? He had his men take her aboard and have her cleaned, fed, and given new clothing.

Soon after, Meiyo's ship departed from the pirates, now a lot lighter from loss of a few cannon. His men were huddling over their treasures: gleaming swords with jeweled scabbards, silver pendants, and artifacts from faraway lands. Meiyo was watching the pirate vessel leave, when he heard the voices on the deck instantly hush. The young woman, now cleaned and dressed fittingly, was beautiful! Meiyo was reminded again of how much he loved her, and decided it best not to reveal his identity. The trip home was filled with enchanting nights and glorious days, and the girl slowly fell in love with her rescuer.

The night before they reached Hausson, Meiyo Yuki inquired, "All along, I have never asked your name, now I am afraid I must know." She replied with, "My name, is Suayan Li. And now that you have asked me a question, I shall ask you one." She paused and spoke again, "Why did you bring me with you?" Meiyo smiled and answered softly with, "You seemed in need of a helping hand." Her eyes glazed over, and the two lovers embraced.

Suayan Li returned to her father, who had survived the pirate attacks by disguising himself as one, and had long since given up hope on Suayan. His tears of happiness drowned the sea as Suayan's father held her close. Suayan and Meiyo announced their engagement, and her father could not have been happier. Meiyo unfortunately had to return to Sanhae, for his men had not been ashore in years, and were desperately seeking to return home. Meiyo Yuki departed with a promise to his love that he would return for her and bring her to Sanhae when the Festival of Flowers came.

The day came, and the noble Meiyo Yuki and Suayan Li departed to the village of Sanhae during the Festival of Flowers. While Meiyo was busy making preparations, a horrible incident took place. The infamous pirate Dakatsu and several of his men interrupted the Festival. Among them was the Koguryian Librarian, Zeylon!

They swiftly made their way to the Sanhae Hall, where Suayan Li was preparing for the wedding. She was bound, gagged, and dragged away. Many swift citizens attempted to follow them, but they were far too quick, and the pirates were out of sight. Meiyo Yuki heard the news, and was heartbroken. He led a search party around the neighboring kingdom of Buya, to no avail.

Later that evening, a Chongun scout ran to Sanhae, with wonderful news. Dakatsu was spotted with Suayan Li near the shores of Dae! The Chonguns quickly assembled near the shore, and Meiyo Yuki lead the attack. The pirates were unprepared, and most of them fled for their awaiting boats. Dakatsu, with Suayan still in his possession, charged Meiyo Yuki, and wounded him. Dakatsu was overwhelmed by the citizens and the Chonguns, but was spirited away by his first mate, Zeylon.

Suayan Li, now free from her captor, silently shed tears as she slumped over her love. He had been stabbed, and the wound appeared to be mortal. The Chongun Elder, CinderZ, tried to comfort the young lady, but she heard no words; she only wanted to be in the arms of her true love. Suddenly, she made a request. They would be married, at this very spot. With that, CinderZ carried out the ceremony, for the first time in public history. As it was completed, a loud voice erupted, which was heard for miles around - "True love has been forged!" With that, the married couple vanished.

The guides of the Chongun path were once able to perform that same ceremony, and when it was completed, people still said they heard a loud voice in their minds, and were reminded of the story where true love prevailed over all.

Author: Audi