Volechek

Volechek (ボルテチノ Bortechino) is the brother of Sveta and the ruler of Morgal; he rules the country from the capital city, Belinsk. He is a beastman who is initially shown to be working alongside Chalis and Blados in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn.

Biography
Volechek is the son of Morgal's former king. Over a decade before Dark Dawn begins, Volechek's father and mother are killed by an invasion force from the nearby county of Sana, a militaristic country attempting to build an empire. The beastmen are subjugated, and Morgal becomes a Sanan colony.

When Sana became embroiled in a civil war following the death of their Emperor, Volechek seized the opportunity to lead a revolt against their occupiers. The revolt ended ten years of occupation, and reestablished Morgal as an independent country. Afterward, Volechek sets up Belinsk as a safe-haven for his fellow beastmen, and began ruling as king. Because of his deeds, Volechek is considered a hero and is held in high regards by his subjects.

However, the militaristic county of Bilibin later attempts their own, ultimately unsuccessful invasion, which forces Volechek to close the Morgal-Bilibin border at Border Town, effectively closing one half of the city to the game's players. Because of the ongoing fears of war between Morgal and its neighbors, Volechek is able to be manipulated by Blados and Chalis, who promise to give him a powerful weapon with which he would be able to defend his people. This weapon is the Eclipse Tower. Once the tower is activated, he realizes the error he had made, as the resulting Grave Eclipse begins to ravish Belisnk, and introduces shadowy monsters that kill many citizens. Volechek goes with a small contingent of soldiers to confront the monsters, who have been rounded up into Belinsk's Opera House. While the soldiers are killed by the rampaging monsters, Volechek is somehow able to escape.

His new-found knowledge of Eclipse Tower's dangers prompts Volechek to revolt against Blados and Chalis by stealing the Blue Orb in their possession. He is able to get the orb to his sister, Sveta, apologizes to her for his actions, and orders her to flee the city, as she is the last of the royal line. Volechek then returns to the tower, in an attempt to stop it.

This act nearly kills him, but Blados and Chalis imbue him with Dark energy, turning him into the Chaos Hound. He is next encountered when Matthew's group try to fire the Apollo Lens. He initially moves to attack them, but halts himself when confronted by his sister, Sveta, though neither she nor the other Adepts recognize him. However, it is to no avail, as Blados and Chalis pour even more dark energy into him and cause him to go berserk, prompting all three antagonists to attack the party. After this battle, depending on whether the Chaos Hound or Blados and Chalis are defeated (it is impossible to defeat all three), the darkness either overflows and absorbs Blados and Chalis, or they initiate fusion themselves, either way, they create the Chaos Chimera, which then engages Matthew's party in battle.

After Matthew's party emerges from the battle victorious, Sveta realizes that the Chaos Hound is her brother. Blados and Chalis then reveal their hand in Volechek's transformation. They note that they were unable to entirely control Volechek; presumably because his bestial instincts allowed him to recognize Sveta. Much to Sveta's dismay, they reveal that Volechek's transformation can not be undone, as he would not survive the shock. Additionally, reversing the Eclipse would lead directly to Volechek's death. As Volechek is now a creature of darkness, he would be unable to survive in a world of light. Despite this knowledge, Sveta urges the group to activate the Apollo Lens, claiming that Volechek, as King of Morgal, would understand their actions, as the Eclipse is causing his people tremendous suffering.

Matthew tries, to no avail, to fire the Apollo Lens, as he is unable to withstand the harsh light from the area. Sveta, the only member of the group able to equip the Umbra Gear, which protects the user from harsh light, borrows Matthew's power and attempts to perform the act herself. However, Sveta realizes the act would probably kill both her and Matthew, as not even the Umbra Gear could protect them from the intense light surrounding the Apollo Lens, which is said to be the light's very heart. Suddenly, Volechek, seeing his sister in danger, regains his senses. He knocks Sveta back into the shadows to protect her and proceeds to fire the Apollo Lens himself. The act kills him, but it is noted that the Eclipse's end would have killed him anyway; being transformed into a creature of darkness, he no longer had the ability to survive in a world of light.

Matthew's party returns to Belinsk, where they inform the citizens of Volechek's sacrifice. Sveta is crowned Queen of Morgal, while Volechek is considered a hero for his actions.

Cultural References
Volechek's Japanese name refers to Borte Chino, an ancestor of Genghis Khan whose mythological descent from both Tibetan and Indian royalty is detailed in the Altan Tobchi. Borte Chino's name meant "gray-white wolf". Volechek's character design also includes clothing heavily influenced by traditional Tibetan garb.

Quotes

 * In Belinsk:
 * Volechek: (To Sveta) "Why so nervous, little sister? I won't bite. I just heard that you'd activated my tower, and I came to thank you. It hurts me that you don't believe anything I've said. Perhaps this will convince you of my sincerity?" (Volechek unlocks Hou Ju's cell, who he had slated for execution before.)


 * Kraden: "I was greatly saddened to hear of the former king and queen's deaths. I grieve for your loss."
 * Volechek: "Thank you. It was a terrible blow. ...But where are my manners? I have not greeted your friends."
 * Kraden: "My apologies. I should have introduced the heirs of the Warriors of Vale."
 * Volechek: "Is that so? My associates didn't mention that they were of such august lineage..."


 * Kraden: (Discussing the newly activated Eclipse Tower) "[I am well versed enough in ancient lore] to know that activating it was a tragic error."
 * Volechek: "That is enough! This country suffered under foreign rule for 10 long years. Morgal has no choice but to arm itself. Only with the power of the ancients can we subjugate Sana and Bilibin before they return us to slavery."
 * Sveta: "But why ally yourself with those foul Tuaparang?"
 * Volechek: "No more questions! This audience is over. Your pirate friend is in the cell across the way. Take him and be gone." (Volechek leaves.)


 * Volechek: (Outside Belinsk's Opera House, where shadow creatures have been corralled by Volechek's soldiers) "I see. Thank you for your heroic efforts, gentlemen. You have done well. Still, the silence disturbs me..."


 * Volechek: "You may stay here if you lack the courage to follow me in."


 * Volechek: (Speaking telepathically from the peak of Eclipse Tower) "Sveta... Dear sister..."
 * Sveta: "Volechek!"
 * Volechek: "Forgive me for being such a fool. Those Tuaparang scum used me, and I didn't see until it was too late."
 * Sveta: "Of course I forgive you..."
 * Volechek: (Volechek sends Sveta's group the Blue Orb) "Take this. I stole it from Blados-hopefully you can use it as a weapon against the Tuaparang."
 * Sveta: "Where are you going? You can't stay in Belinsk!"
 * Volechek: "Where can I go but here?"
 * Sveta: "Come with us!"
 * Volechek: "I am king of Morgal. I cannot leave our capital when my own misjudgment may have destroyed it."
 * Sveta: "Then I will stay with you."
 * Volechek: "No, dear sister. I am the king, and you are the last of our line. My duty is to stay... Yours is to live."
 * Sveta: "No! I refuse! Dock the boat and let me off!"
 * Volechek: "Good-bye, Sveta. I pray you live a long and happy life." (Volechek enters Eclipse Tower.)
 * Sveta: "...Good-bye, Volechek."


 * At the Apollo Lens:
 * Volechek: (As the Chaos Hound) (Thinking) ''"Death...is...coming..."


 * Volechek: "Sveta...farewell..."