Kelley

Kelley (ケリィ, Keryi) is a character mentioned in Suikoden II and Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1. He is a gunner and member of the Howling Voice Guild.

History
Kelley, a member of the enigmatic Howling Voice Guild, found himself intricately connected to Elza and Clive, his childhood companions, as they all grew up together in the Guild's "garden". He was like an elder brother to Clive in particular.

United by an unbreakable bond, the trio shared a resolute aspiration to ascend to the esteemed ranks of knight-class gunners, and their dedication led them to become the first group in several years to successfully pass the arduous guild tests.

However, as their prowess and potential flourished, the elders of the Howling Voice Guild began harboring suspicions about the trio, especially due to their close tutelage under Sauro, one of the revered elders of the Guild. Fearful of any perceived imbalance of power, the elders sought to manipulate the situation to their advantage.

Among the three, Kelley, with his trusting nature, became the easiest to influence. Subsequently, the elders appointed Kelley as the new Guildmaster, gradually distancing him from his cherished childhood friends.

In a fateful twist orchestrated by some of the elders, Elza was drawn into a duel with Kelley, likely a scheme to further solidify Kelley's position as Guildmaster. The heart of the matter lay in the revered gun, Storm, a weapon said to possess its own will and choose its rightful master. However, Kelley struggled to wield it, revealing a discrepancy between his proficiency and Elza's effortless handling of the weapon.

To ensure Kelley's triumph, the elders rigged the dueling gun Mond with blanks, thus guaranteeing Elza's defeat. Yet, Kelley, burdened by the weight of his choices, intentionally chose Mond, symbolic of betrayal, while offering Elza the gun Stern, representing trust in the Guild. In a poignant and tragic turn of events, Kelley fell in the duel, paying the ultimate price for the path he had chosen.

As Elza, driven by both fear and gratitude, fled from possible retribution, he discovered Kelley's final act of compassion—a selfless gesture allowing Elza's escape by ordering all gates to remain open. Kelley's legacy remains a pressing influence on both Elza and Clive for years afterwards.