Hou Ju

Hou Ju (ホウジュ) is a Sanan royal and a non-player character in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. She is the younger sister of the hot-headed prince of Sana, Ryu Kou.

Hou Ju was born to Lord Kuan, and Lady Hinechou. The family lived in the city of Belinsk, which served as the capital of the Sanan colony of Morgal, where Kuan was governor. At some point, Sana underwent a civil war, resulting in Hou Ju's uncle Unan, becoming emperor. Appropriately, Hou Ju was considered Sanan royalty. During the events of the Morgal Revolution, the family was forced to flee for their lives. While Lady Hinechou escaped due to taking a chance visit to Tonfon, Lord Kuan was killed by the Beastmen. Hou Ju would come to reside in the Khiren Highlands, with her brother and Hou Zan. When Hou Ju went to the beastman capital of Belinsk in Morgal, the Morgal king, Volechek, had her captured and held prisoner in his castle, where she was scheduled for execution by boiling. Ryu Kou and Hou Zan attempted to infiltrate Belinsk Castle with some mercenaries but were unsuccessful. Despite the failure, they were surprisingly allowed to escape with ease. Later, they return to Belinsk with Matthew's party of Adepts in an attempt to save Hou Ju, but while in Belinsk Ruins, Alex uses her doomed status to convince Ryu Kou to fulfill the Tuaparang's goal, which was the activation of Eclipse Tower. Hou Ju was freed by Volechek personally, in gratitude for the awakening of the tower, which Volechek believed to be a weapon.

Immediately after, Hou Ju is forced to flee Belinsk alongside Ryu Kou and Hou Zan. The three Sanans are able to escape the Grave Eclipse, which resulted from the awakening of Eclipse Tower, thanks to a Sanan ship that had been sent by Unan after he learned of their fate. The Three Sanans would end up at Iceberg Outpost, where their ship sank. They would set up a makeshift camp there, while Hou Zan fought off any monsters that attacked.

Hou Ju and the others were found by Matthew thanks to Hou Ju's Echo Gem, which broadcast their location. Sadly, though, Hou Zan would succumb to injuries sustained from his fights with the monsters. Hou Ju chose to leave her Echo Gem on Hou Zan's grave to serve as a marker. Matthew then returns Hou Ju and Ryu Kou to their mother and uncle, Lady Hinechou and Emperor Unan, in Tonfon.

Quotes

 * In Iceberg Outpost:
 * Ryu Kou: "Hou Zan, no! You can't die in this forsaken place! I-I won't let you!"
 * Hou Ju: "Yes, hold on long enough for Matthew to take us all back home to Sana, Hou Zan..."
 * Hou Zan: "Ah, that would be a dream... But, alas, one that cannot be..."
 * Ryu Kou: "Hou Zan, no!"
 * Hou Ju: "Don't leave us!"
 * Hou Zan: "Take care of them... Matthew." (Hou Zan passes away.)
 * Ryu Kou: "Hou Zan..."
 * Hou Ju: "No..."


 * In Tonfon:
 * Hou Ju: (After being returned to her family in Tonfon) "My uncle is a generous man. I'm sure he'll give you a reward!"
 * Hinechou: "Hou Ju, that was improper..."
 * Ryu Kou: "What are you thinking of, dear sister?"


 * Hou Ju: "Matthew has saved me twice now. It hardly seems real that I'm safely back home in Sana."


 * Hou Ju: (Thinking) "Matthew, I know if anyone can stop the Grave Eclipse, it's you. Blessings go with you on your journey."