Surya

Surya (スーリヤ) is a secondary character in Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4. Throughout the majority of the game's script, he is known as Raja (帝, literally: Emperor) although his real name is spoken by nobles within his homeland. He poses as the main antagonist throughout the main story, but Surya is actually the avatar for the true villain.

Background Story
Surya is the younger brother of the former Raja of Tokoyo no Kuni. He was reputed for his heroic image and fairness, yet feared for his ferocity and ruthless cunning in war. During his youth, Surya was heralded as the "Lion King" (獅子王, Shishi-ou) by his people.

Throughout his youth, Surya honored his family ties and obeyed his brother's commands to strike down rebels opposing his reign. However, the grief-stricken populace and the war-torn state of his land became too much for him to ignore. Wanting to save his impoverished people, Surya led an uprising against his brother when he was thirty-four years old. Ministers and other loyalists in Tokoyo no Kuni joined under his banner and they struck the killing blow. Upon learning of his brother's death, Surya was crowned the next Raja shortly after. His brother's wife and son were granted to him soon after. Feeling compassion for his brother's abandoned son, Surya chose to adopt him as his own child rather than execute the young heir or force the child into exile.

Surya willingly carried the heavy burden of being his brother's murderer to honor his duty as the new Raja. He then reigned a land of serenity that he promised to his countrymen. Tokoyo no Kuni enjoyed a brief, happy peace under his leadership. Seven years later, however, the Black Dragon began to stir from its slumber and its dark energies began to taint the hearts of his people. The Black Dragon's influence soon caused hidden resentments in their hearts to surface as malice and irrationality towards fellow man. Wars ignited for no apparent reason other than to kill; assassinations, betrayals, and murder regrettably became common place. Aghast by the miserable state of affairs, Surya tried his best to calm their disputes but to no avail. To prevent further bloodshed, he always sought to order subjugations of responsible parties with careful and rational deliberation.

Four years later, the Black Dragon gained enough power to physically manifest itself within Tokoyo no Kuni as a dark energy within the sky. Having felt the powerful malevolence emitting from the "storm", Surya concluded that it was actually the "Bloodied Serpent" of legend and the real cause of his people's strife. He and Mudgala promptly led troops to destroy it. Their military strategy would have been a resounding success if their opponent was mortal, but, even in its weakened state, the Black Dragon completely overpowered them. Annihilating the army that rose against it, the Black Dragon sought "the sacrifice" to complete its summoning into the mortal realm. Sensing Surya's exceptional spiritual capabilities, the dragon god chose Surya as its temporary host and human puppet until the time for its proper awakening.

Upon being possessed by the dragon god, Surya became acutely aware of the dragon god's desire for destruction as it devoured his soul. Determined to prevent its success, his will fought against it for dominance of his body. Surya's just rulings slipped as a result, unintentionally causing more strife within his land. After six years of battling against the dragon god, however, Surya realized he was fighting a losing battle. Aware of Nakatsu Kuni's legends of defeating the "Bloodied Serpent", he personally paid homage to the Queen and asked her to stop the evil deity within him with her powers. He didn't realize that she was powerless since the White Dragon had stopped communicating with her. Following her advice, he unwittingly led a pointless massacre in Takachiho. Returning to his homeland empty-handed, his spirit lost to the Black Dragon soon after.

His body has since been used by the Black Dragon to meet its demands. With Surya's body, it orders Tokoyo no Kuni's army to relentlessly desecrate Nakatsu Kuni in its search for the "replacement sacrifice".

Story Events
Although Surya's revolution in his youth ignited many political powers within his homeland to pledge their loyalties to him for peace, a handful of ministers remained outraged by the bloody coup d'état. The most prominent of his detractors was his father-in-law Visvakarman. He accused Surya of hypocrisy and swore to avenge the stain it caused on the empire's legacy. During the main story, Visvakarman and his allies lead revolts within the western regions of Tokoyo no Kuni. To uphold its image as the real Surya, the Black Dragon is prevented from leaving Tokoyo no Kuni to deal with the rebellion. However, it is capable of astral projection and may occasionally use its spirit to antagonize Chihiro and her party.

Surya's spirit lies in a frigid and dark place deep within the Black Dragon. By this time, Surya accepts his fate to have his body and soul vanish within the deity. He remains aware of current events around him, yet he is powerless to do anything to prevent the Black Dragon's cruelty. Occasionally his real spirit strains himself to defy the deity and tries to warn his followers, but his brief moments of dominance are cut short by the dragon god in return.

Throughout the timelines, Surya is often completely devoured by the Black Dragon. Chihiro and company can personally see his real spirit before he dies during Asvin and Mudgala's story routes. He remains dead within the final and canon timeline since the White Dragon hastens the Black Dragon's summoning to destroy and recreate the parallel world. Surya's body is used to perform the feat.

Personal Route
Chihiro first encounters Surya's spirit in a dream. She had been isolated from her friends within the mysterious mist at Chikushi. His spirit has taken the shape of a haggard, elderly man who laments the barren and lifeless landscape which surrounds them. He despairs for the world's fate and says there is nothing to prevent its demise. Chihiro encourages him to be optimistic and says the future is always subject to change. His spirit thanks her for her kind reply before the Black Dragon interrupts their short meeting with its attempt to devour Chihiro's soul. It fails due to the sacred leaf amulet she wears which protects her spirit from possessions attempted from great distances.

As Chihiro and her party defeat the Tokoyo no Kuni forces, they eventually seek to reclaim her kingdom's capital, Kashihara. On the night before the final battle Chihiro encourages Surya's son, Shani, to have faith in himself and the power of his wishes. Shani then believes Surya's spirit is still within the Black Dragon and, thanks to his son's power to literally change the parallel world's destiny, his hopeful wish becomes a reality.

When Chihiro and her friends defeat the Black Dragon in combat, the seal placed on the deity breaks and it unleashes its true powers on the party. It desires to use this chance to devour Chihiro, as she and her friends are weakened by the sheer malice it emits. On the other hand, Chihiro believes in Shani's newly created destiny and willingly plunges within the Black Dragon to save Surya's soul. Although he implores for her return back to the mortal realm to avoid becoming the Black Dragon's victim, the Raja is amazed by her earnest integrity to save him when she reaches for him. He fondly accepts her offer to return to their homes. Her power to destroy an absolute fate dictated by the gods surprises the Black Dragon. Feeling utterly defeated in every conceivable way by the humans it despises, the deity decides to sleep within the heavenly realm to recuperate.

Freed from the Black Dragon, Surya returns to the restored plains of Tokoyo no Kuni with Asvin and Shani. He praises Shani for his feat and is welcomed home by his sons. Remembering the ancient lore of his homeland, he congratulates Chihiro and dubs her the "Black Handed King" of legend.

His Aizouban extra event is set thirteen years before the main story. The royal family plans a gathering in Ne-no-Miya, the main palace of their country, to celebrate Shani's first birthday. Asvin finishes his subjugation of the southeastern rebels in two days time to see his first younger brother, an act which causes an sixteen-year old Nasatya to scold him for his recklessness in the palace's courtyard. Surya and Mudgala greet the prince and congratulate him in his efforts. The Raja wishes to have a full report of his son's findings and leaves his general to oversee the rest before leaving. Asvin scoffs that his father is too soft towards his newest son. Nasatya and Mudgala correct the prince's assessment: the Raja cares deeply for all of his family. His kindness ensured that the beauty of the courtyard around them would be preserved.

Two days later, Shani's mother arrives with her child. She is not of royal blood so her meager escort party seemed foreign in Ne-no-Miya's halls. Surya warmly walks towards his son who can barely stand on his own two feet. The infant Shani manages to pluck a flower from the courtyard and offers it to his father. Everyone enjoys the father-son bonding on the sunny day. Suddenly, the sky darkens and Surya crushes the flower Shani had given him. A disembodied evil voices its desire to obliterate through him. Mudgala calmly addresses his liege which helps Surya regain his composure. The damage for the cherry meeting has been done, and the attendees are instructed to leave the premise.

Surya is stunned by the voice which took hold of him. When Mudgala alone approaches, the Raja knows it was the Black Dragon who tried to devour him. He wishes to destroy it before he completely loses his senses, knowing that the sake of his kingdom and his family are at stake. Surya wishes to see Nakatsu Kuni's queen for a cure and asks Mudgala for his assistance in the journey.

Development
Ruby Party members wanted to create a character who symbolized the saying that two suns are never destined to be in the sky simultaneously. If Chihiro represents the rising sun with her new reign as queen, they wanted a giant, setting sun to signal the end of an era. Surya was created with hopes of filling that position.

Personality
The Black Dragon has him act like a ruthless conqueror who is callous to death or protests. Surya, on the other hand, is a regal and stern man who truly devotes himself to his countrymen. He feels it's his responsibility as Raja to always fight to protect them. In many ways, he used to be like Chihiro. They both attract followers due to their compassion and charismatic kindness. However, Surya's experiences with the Black Dragon has killed his idealism and his spirits since his defeat have been lowered. He is depressed by the time the main story begins and has given into the Black Dragon's beliefs. Chihiro's bravery to restore his lost soul inspires him to once again believe in his desires for peace.

His sons accept him as a glorious and mighty hero of their age who has earned his lineage for a just cause. They admire his patriotism and respect his righteous decisions. Surya encourages his children's individuality and praises their talents with pride. When his rulings becomes warped after the Black Dragon's possession, each son had their degree of doubt for their father's integrity. Their thoughts regarding Surya ultimately divides them during the main story.

Character Symbolism
Surya (सूर्य) is one of the chief sun gods in Hinduism. Depending on the region of India, he is also worshiped under the name Arka. He often represents the nurturing properties of the rising sun and is known for being pulled across the heavens with an elaborate horse carriage, powered by seven horses or by a horse with seven heads. His body is often described to have golden properties, and he is known to radiate a powerful light. In East Asian Buddhism, he is instead known as a dharmapala or deva who is named Nichiren in Japan. He is the polar sun god of the twelve divisions of heaven. Nichiren is often associated with the planets in our solar system or by shooting stars.

His symbolic color is a dull violet shade in Japan called murasaki-tobi or "violet black kite" if it is literally translated. The color is used to shade and highlight his illustrated portrait. It is fabled to represent the black kite of the purple world. The bird has been known since ancient times to stalk people and their food, often thieving meals or drying foods away without warning. When a black kite is heard or spotted in the skies, people are advised to never eat in the outdoors since the bird is likely watching them. The golden version of the bird is famous in mythology for blinding Emperor Jinmu's adversaries, helping to pave the path for his victory.

The orange jasmine is his symbolic flower. It is known as a citrus-like plant with thorny branches and tiny white flowers in the spring. Though a native flower of China and Korea, it was imported to Japan and its archaic name was "Kikoku" (枳殻). Within the flower language it represents memories, warmth or tranquility. The fruit itself symbolizes one who acts composed.

Quotes

 * "I was lost in an endless nightmare."
 * "This land... This world will soon be reborn. Mudgala, please live within it."
 * "Don't reach for me. If you do, the darkness will devour you too."
 * "I never thought I would see my lands again."
 * "I failed to win against the god's power, and I have fallen. But, Asvin, you are your own person. Slay me, and save this land. I will not resist Heaven's design. You must become the Black Handed King."
 * "Father!"
 * "Thou would try to kill thyself. Yet, that is all thou can be: a hopeless existence with the pitiful wish for salvation. Thy will is powerless and filthy. Humans are such ugly creatures."
 * "Shut up! I won't stand by while you make a mockery of Father!"
 * Surya, Asvin, and Black Dragon


 * "Turn back. Shoot your arrow to light the path for a new age. The dark god within me must be stopped."
 * "But if I do that, you'll..."
 * "Daughter of Nakatsu Kuni, my fate has been sealed long ago. If my death can save the future of my land, I have no reason to regret."
 * Surya and Chihiro