Sonya Shulen

Sonya Shulen (ソニア・シューレン, Sonia Shūren) is a supporting character in Suikoden. The former Admiral of the Scarlet Moon Empire, Sonya Schulen was the last of the Great Generals to become a member of the Toran Liberation Army.

Suikoden
"Tir.....you're beginning to resemble General Teo....."

- Sonya Shulen

Sonya is a strong warrior who became the Admiral of the Scarlet Moon Imperial Navy following the death of her mother, Kilauea Shulen. After her appointment, Sonya quickly grew close to Teo McDohl, forming a personal relationship with him and was greatly worried and upset about Teo when he was was assigned to the northern border. Sonya and her fleet were originally stationed at Toran Castle, but after the Floating Fortress of Shasarazade was completed, Sonya and her soldiers were relocated there. After they left, pirates began to use Toran Castle for their own ends; to prevent this, Sonya summoned a Zombie Dragon to guard the abandoned Toran Castle. This was not the end of Sonya's troubles with pirates; Anji, leader of a group of pirates, often taunted Sonya, even going so far as to pin a wedding dress to the walls of Shasarazade in order to make fun of Sonya's unmarried status.

Sonya was extremely loyal to the Scarlet Moon Empire and to Teo McDohl. Following his death during the Gate Rune War, Sonya wished to avenge him, even if it meant killing Teo's son, Tir. During the Battle at Floating Fortress Shasarazade, Sonya was forced to defend Shasarazade against a surprise attack from the Toran Liberation Army. Unable to prevent a loss, Sonya Shulen apologized to Teo for being unable to keep the Toran Liberation Army at bay. As the Liberation Army entered Shasarazade, Sonya confronted Tir, asking why he had betrayed the empire as well as his father. Sonya also demanded to know whether the rebellion was what Tir considered just. Seeing the oil lit, Sonya wondered if the flames were Tir's answer and, attacking Tir and his party, Sonya vowed that Tir would pay for taking Teo's life with his own.

Though unable to defeat Tir and his party, Sonya was unsurprised, as Tir had defeated Teo and, unable to avenge him, Sonya swore she would not let the Toran Liberation Army defile her and moved to throw herself into the flames of Shasarazade. However, she was prevented in doing so by Viktor, who decided to take Sonya prisoner instead.

After being taken prisoner by the Toran Liberation Army, Sonya was taken to Toran Lake castle and placed into the dungeon there. Tir came to see her, and asked Sonya to join his forces. Sonya accepted, but said she only did so to be able to see Tir when he was killed. Previously, Cleo, a servant of the McDohl household, also paid Sonya a visit and told her she should not hate Tir, as Teo had seemed happy for Tir when he had died, and told Sonya that she could have been Tir's mother. Sonya took these statements to heart, and realized that Tir was beginning to resemble his father.

Sonya fought for the Liberation Army for the remainder of the war, leading her own unit. After the last battle, Sonya was present at Gregminster Palace, where she expressed concern for Emperor Barbarosa and witnessed Barbarosa's leap from the top of the Floating Garden with Windy. Following the end of the Gate Rune War, Sonya continued on in her career as an Admiral, under the banner of the newly-founded Toran Republic.

Trivia

 * If you are playing Suikoden efficiently for completion purposes, Sonya must be the last character you get to join.
 * The weird blue magic-burst attack that Sonya uses when you fight her is not available through any rune in the game.
 * There is a mysterious evil-looking black cat who hangs out at the Mercenary Fortress in Suikoden II that, when inspected, will say "Sonya...". This is not a reference to Sonya, however, but rather a mistranslation of the cat meowing.
 * Despite being the leader of the Soldier Beauties unit, Sonya can only be used as such in the last battle. Cleo, one of her subordinates, will lead the Soldier Beauties for all other war battles.