sympathy gang

sympathy gang

b o o k 1 of 3

b o o k 1 of 3

sym

pa

thy g

an

g 1

Mauricio García

5

6 7

8 9

10

15

If I had to guess...

16 17

If I had to guess, then I’d guess it started there.

So?

Follow me,please

18 19

You have outdone yourselves. Congratulations.

We feel most honored.

Consider it a little something to rememberus by.

Now, be so kind as to explain us your invention.

By all meansyour excellencies.

The ouvey, you’ll see, is really easy to use.

Please remove all footware while I prepare the spirit.

Now, each of you take a syringe and inject it by your heel. Like this.

You will feel the effects of the mix right away.

20 21

After a few minutes the intense, penetrating pain produced by the substances flowing between your bodies will ease.

Iio... come here.

It will be replaced by an unexplicable sensa-tion of belonging that enfeebles reason.

An irrepressible connection begins,arousing all senses.

22 23

I could feel what they all felt. I could sense what they sensed.

Yet, I could look but one thing.There was no actual reason to reach one another, since we all experienced a collective sensitivity.

24

26 27

Are you mad at me?

I had... I experienced some sort of illusion while using the ouvey.

It’s only now by the lights from the road, thatI can hold on to it, its details lingering in my mind.

As I layed with my eyes fixed at the ceiling, my body started to shiver. I got the feeling that the whole room started to fill with water, cold liquid pouring from all of us.

My whole self became lighter and lighter, as the room flooded with what was now a sea of sorts.

It was in this sea that I could perceived the clearest sky above us, and the fixed conditionof the stars on it.

They were like banks of clouds painfully nailed to the ceiling, whilst our bodies dried out of blood.

What is it?

29

I would later come to regard both the experience with the ouvey and the illusion I had as ill omens, foreseeing the future reserved for my sister and I in the following months.

30 31

The following morning Ien and I travelled to the residence of Adi Gul, our grandfather and patriarch of the Line of Gul.

All our family members hopes were deposited in his wisdom. We were sent to his presence attempting to resolve the conflict that had estranged the House of Gul.

32 33

GuArdS!

Being nothing more than a child, princess Lan received Vin Gul into this world.Born from the sun, he came to us by way of the sea.

34 35

Particularly, Princess Lan became abnormally attached to Vin.

The inmediate bond forged between them permanently etwined their destiny, marking this moment as the beginning of a legend. One that came to shape the world.

Thus, he was took as one of their own by the royal Flore of Lower Tesin.

Hardly anyone else could understand the odd appeal the King and his daughter felt for him.

sympathy gangb o o k 1 of 3

Mauricio García

39

40 41

Come on in, then.

A few years later, Princess Lan was to wed Osbal, monarch of Greater Tesin.

unable to leave Vin behind, she provided a seat in the Audience for him. There, Osbal too became fond of the skillful lord of Gul, who eventually became appointed Commander of the royal Guard.

42 43

Should I kill him?

This was, however, not enough for Vin. Neither his ambitions nor his affections seemed happily fulfilled.

44 45

You would beexecuted soonafterwards.

Is thatwhat youwant?

It will happen either way.Or would you ratherhave us both killed?

Once Osbal finds out he will kill us both.

There’s simply noescaping from it.

No!

I won’taccept that.

There arestill ways.

You see now?I have to go backto the hall.

Even with slimpossibilities of success...

It makes nodifference Vin.

There’s still somethingfor me to do.

46

For us.

I never took youfor a fool Vin.

don’t do so yet.

Lan, you must remain in your chambers.

I will start a war tonight.

48 49

...Osbal!

And lord Gul? He’s headed to the Hall now.

You will get what I promised you, my love.

Bo, once in there you have to find lord Nir, and Cra, the elder.Tell them to be ready.

Then head to Glee. A bearded fellow that I’llbe standing next to. You will spill a cup of wine over him.

And you better piss him up.

50 51

Close the doors.

Nobody gets out.

52 53

It’s time.

Laying a finger over a servant of your majesty the King of Tesin, is an act commited only by Saints and fools. Which are you, Glee of Pell?

Has the Lord of Gullost all reason?

May I remind himthat we are honor guests of the Kingof Tesin?

Save your words.I speak not with Pell scum.

Your offense will be washed only by death.

What are you doing Gul?

I’m taking retribution, in the name of Tesin.

You woudl...

54 55

Stories like this one.

And the many others that constitute the legend of Vin Gul...

56 57

...represent the bare heritage of the Line of Gul. It’s not one of rectitude and guidence.

It is one of regretfulness, and penitence. It’s one for you to reflect upon.

We’ll have our war.

It’s one for you to live by.

Iio Gul.

Ien Gul.

Who shall it be?It won’t be too long before one of you succeed your uncle.Not long before one of you be crowned King of All Men.

58 59

It’s not an easy task for me. Nor is it for the King.

From the moment your mother gave birth, I was afraid this day would come.

Where one heir was to be born, two came from the same seed.That, is something I can’t allow.

I know this isn’t the kind of reception youexpected, but I tell you this right now:

Treasure these last moments together.When the time comes, only one of youwill seat in the throne.

You already know who will it be.The answer has been inside youyour whole life.

You just need to look for it.

I found myself overwhelmed with memo-ries of our childhood visits to this place.

Like the leaf floating on water and the leaf reflection, one could hardly tell the real from the impression between you two.

I’ll be the soft wind that agitates the water, causing no harm to the leaf, but blowing hard enough to expose the reflection.

Now, I find myself compelled to discover the truth.

As grandpa Adi continued his chatter, his somber tone of voice gradually faded away.

60

The way a certain spot... a particular light cast upon your eyes, or a sensation in general can take you aback...

I found my brother and I in front of theoak tree once again. And I no longer felt myself like the woman I pretended out to be.

I’m still the girl who clings to her brother’s arms. As we hide from grown ups and promise to marry one day, just like mom and dad.

It’s the ceremony of the pomegranates,and I’m still here.

reminiscences of a lost embrace.

62 63

Where are you going?

I’m taking a bath.

May I join you?

64 65

Is it too hot?

It’s just about right.

66 67

did you like it back there?

I mean, there with the ouvey and those guys...

What did it look like?

right.

68 69

Leave us.

70 71

Iio...No...

I know.

Just let me stay close to you.

72 73

74 75

Vin, come forth.

I’m right by your side my lord.

Like I’ve always been.

Stay that way then, as we pass into history.

76 77

My King, we need to move now,before we give them any opportunity of...

...retaliation.

GET rEAdY!

78 79

Is to this soil that we shall give our lives.

80 81

82 83

You’ve grown lazy, old man.

84 85

86 87

Rise, my King.

88 89

LOrd GuL!

Still wantto go through?

I can see the entrance to the Fortress of Pell from here, and I haven’t come this far, Cra...

We will get there and watch the King seat at the throne of Nor.

Let’s go.

90 91

HERE THEY COME!

92

Bring Osbal in.

94 95

We came too late,my Lord.

Nor, the king of Pell,is already dead....

by his own blade.

I guess nothing works out as I had planned.

This isn’t the wayI wanted to kill you either. For what is worth,

I pictured our battleengaged after theseize of Pell.

I wanted your greatest triumph tobe your grave.

But now, you’ll have to die in infamy.

You truly are nothingother than a child, Vin.

96 97

Can you...Can you hear those shouting out there?

It’s barely audible from here, butthose are the menof Tesin dying.

Me?, that’s all I hear.

I’ve been letting themdie for months now,to have this war of yours.

Then I face this.A dellutional kid, picturing aromantic battle at the end of the world.

But this is no thrill, Vin.

This world is far tooold for that.

Arrest this man.

don’t look that way.

Or could youpossibly believe...

What is it you promise these men? Gold, glory? These are noblemen from Tesin!

They don’t care about you, noryour sense of rightfulness...

No. Youare muchof a threatfor what we stand.

All of us.

Even the onewho’s supposeto love youthe most.

Or how else could I have found out your plans, had it not been for the fear Lan has of you?

So you could make your move.

98 99

She once loved you so deeply,but now Lan’s just afraidof everything you are.

That, from the throne,you would destroy everything she holds dearest.

Like her son.

Is that the reason we’re here,Vin?

To cover Lan’s pregnancy?

Travelling through so many lands...expending so many months far from home...

But your effords were no other than futile, since I knew all beforehand. In fact, it was my idea to tell you it was your son, Lord Gul, when in fact. it is mine.

Lan must be delivering my heir pretty soon.

Ege IV he shalt be named, after his granfather.

And prosperly reign over our newly expanded Kingdom, long after Lan and you are executed, deceitful dogs.

100

102 103

You have won nothing.

There is no way for youto get crowned.

Have I not proved you enough that your words hold no importance to me?

Makes no difference if you believe me or not.

But there is a fatal curse upon the throne of Tesin.

It is cast upon those who havein ther veins some other than royal Tesin blood.

If you don’t have pure Flore blood Vin, you will die on the spot.

This secret,I pass to you now,because Idon’t wantyou to die.

I rather... I rather have you live,now that you have lost everything you strived for.

Vin...

There is no hope for you.

You hear?

104 105

Isn’t that fair?Let’s make it even better, then... Let’s make it... just.

I kneel beforethee, my King.

Lord Vin Gul.

Humblest of your servants.

107

108

As Lord Gul stared at the dwandling battle through the narrow window, legend has it that the blood of thousand men soaking his facemingle with his tears.

resembling two ravines running through his cheeks. Strings of red drops orbiting the air.

110 111

Ien Gul,heir to thethrone ofrus Gul.

Child of myown child.

Your life is as shortnow as Vin’s own was by then.

Yet, unlike him, you have not lost everythingyou hold dearest. It’s the kind of despair youcan’t understand still.

You have not lost who you love the most, nor have you lost your love for him.

But I certainty know, that if you are to becomeQueen of All Men, you must relinquish it.

The crown is a burden, one that shall deprive youof everything that makes you human.

It is by knowing, and thus, following the Tribulations of Vin Gul, that you will follow the path to carve your soul out.

112 113

See the ibe high upon that mountain?

It was erected by Vin Gul himself, 600 generations of men ago, not long after the battle for Pell.

It marks the spot wherehis path really began to unfold.

There’s something generally misinterpretedby common man, and a thing you must withhold deep inside your mind.

The tears Vin shed that day were not to grievewhatever aspiration he found lost.

A court. A kingdom. A spouse. A heir.

They ratherportend the deeds soon needed.

Those tears were omensof the sacrifices to come.

The tears you tooare to weep.

If you are to fulfill your purpose.

114 115

amidst the offspring of men...between the oak, and the hollow elm...

a child of the stone awaits.

who does he wait for, i ask you now.

116 117

He must be waiting for me, Lord Vin of Gul, who is said to have come by the sea, and who shall drain the royal Flore of Tesin.

For in his infinite knowledge, a Saint like thyself must have known I was to seek him.

your mockery will get you no thing from me, lord gul, but swift death.

i hold no patience for the likes of you.

118 119

you won’t lie to a saintdemanding answers.

were you so foolish, as to believe i would help you?

Yes. out of arrogance?

Out of necesity.

do you seek for power?I pursue my path.

you are nothing.a jester, and a fool.

can you understand that?

I refuse to.

then you are doomed.

go back to your kind, lord of gul, and sit at their throne.

you hold no interest to me.

i will not grand you your so-called ‘path’. i will not relieve your soul of its charge.

120

to fool death is a taskthan only you can do.

and you will, if you’re fitto cope with the endeavor.

gul, if you succed, then i speak not to a boy. i speak to the conqueror of life.

this is my word: when they ask for your blood, thou shall awash them with it.

when death demands your flesh, thou shall torn your flesh away.

and by the time life demands your soul...

you won’t be there anymore.

Between the fallen oak and the hollow elm, a child of the stone glanced one whole world anew.

123

124 125

Astounding.

The crowning of Vin Gul...

Constitutes the only one of the sixty-six paintings of the Line Memoires that persist.

It evokes the moment before Vin sat on the throne of Tesin, after being presented with the three vessels and the three orbs. Below, the

Audience hails the Crowning King, while the oak and the elm in the back simbolize the encounter with the Saint.

I don’t undestandhow Vin could be crowned.

Is not just the curse, there are many things.

Was not Lan’s sonthe legitimate heir, for instance?

Before departing to war,Vin instructed Lan to bide in the temple of Blind Sheeps.

He did so to prevent word of Lan’spregnancy ever to reach Osbal, onceit became fairly obvious.

The only person Lan told where she was hiding was Osbal, of course, but he never spoke of it to anyone else.

So by the time the Army of Tesin returned home, Lan’s whereabouts were unknown to everyone but Vin.

126 127

It was not until Vin summoned her, that Lan found a country outside torn between the mourning of the King, and the anticipation to know his succesor.

It seemed pretty obvious for her that Vin would be elected King in the gathering of the Audience. Not only did Vin had the support of the Army, as commander of the forces over at Pell. Most of the Audience also endorsed him, since it was his breaking of the truce that put them in control of great part of the known world.

Then, not only the existence of Lan’s son was concealed from the whole world, but Lan herself was unaware of the events that took place over Pell.

Even more– he was held as a hero by the people, after he discovered a plan to overthrow Osbal. While he could do nothing to prevent lord Nir, and Cra, the elder, from murdering Osbal, he avenge him, and rightfuly placed his late corpse on the throne of Pell.

requesting her presence...

...in mere valediction.

It’s quite understandable then, how Lan became astound when informed that Vin had locked himself up in his palace.

Not only that, but apparently he was secretly performing a daquel for the last few days.

128 129

Oh, Vin...

Vin.

130 131

They asked for my blood.

I had to give them my blood.

To Nir...and Cra.

To Osbal and all of Tesin.

To his Queen,who I loved as my own.

And their son, which I mistook for mine.

132 133

I wish I could tell you something, Vin.

I wish things had not gone this way.

Most of all,I wish I had never met you...

The thought that maybe then you’dlived happily, would spare me theagony of never seeing you again.

134 135

Lan.

It won’t be long before my body runs dry.

Remember when we first met?

This room... is a room flood with blood. You took me out of the water, and forgot about drowning yourself.

You do realize? It was our encounter alone that prevented both our deaths.

It is true that you took me out of the water.

But I can’t help but wonder...

Who saved whothat day actually?

136 137

If you saved me,then I find myselffilled withgratitude.

I can’t find a more fitting way to endmy life, than looking into your eyes.

It will be my time to save your life.

From myself.

But...

If you feel that it was me,who saved you that day...

If you found a sense in life through me...

and if you can’t conceivethat life without me...

Save mine.

Through blood.

139

140 141

142 143

144 145

146

Yours was my heart.

But you asked for my blood instead.

Godspeed, King of Tesin.

149

150 151

152 153

154 155

156

158

Thus Vin Gul embraced...

His own son out of Lan’s womb.

161

162 163

He searched the whole room then.

And once he found them,not a day passed in his lifewhen he would not stare at them for hours.

What was it, you think,that he asked to Lan’s eyeballs?

To Osbal’s?

Could he be asking forgiveness?

Of course not.

A thing like that...

Is just something thatcannot be put into words.

It may not be expressed as— love, remorse, or else.

I wonder ifVin could even held any kind of love after that.

Whatever love endured between Vin & Lan, it resided in their son only.

164 165

That’s why she told Osbal it was his son, when it was not.And that’s also why Lan tried to disappear from the world.

She couldn’t stand being awayfrom Vin, but she had to.To protect their child.

Everything that once wasgood about Vin...

it remained only in Ege Gul.

But she failed.She couldn’t elude their destiny.

Nor we will.

Iio.

I care not aboutLan’s eyes.

Nor Vin’ eyes

I guess that’s what Lan’s eyeballsrememberedVin.

Nor those of anyother king of men.

166 167

I care onlyfor Iio Gul eyes.

What about rus Gul?

You care about the current King of All Men?

Or that he’ll be coming in a few weeks?

What’s your guess, Ien?

Will it be yours, or my eyeshe’ll demand?

168

And what will they look back at?