The Kunpaetku...Chapter 1
Tira moved quickly through the streets of the little German town. There were houses here and there, and friendly people who all would love to greet you to their little town and show you to the nearest inn. To most, it was a very "quaint" town. Of course, Tira had no time to stop and admire it's charm. Hidden under a brown cloak, she walked as quickly as she could to the harbor, where someone had been expecting her. The person in question was none other than Talim, who was sent a letter but a week ago, the contents telling her to head to a town she had never heard of before, for no reason other than "it was extremely important". She expected someone but she had no real idea as Tira approached her on the lonely harbor. Talim hopped up from the edge of the deck and walked to Tira. "Are you the one I was supposed to meet?" She asked, sweetly, but with a touch of annoyance. She must have been waiting a long time. Tira nodded and looked around. "We are alone, right? No one can hear or see any of this..." This made Talim feel a bit uncomfortable. She didn't like secrecy, it always made her nervous, as many things did, and something felt odd to her. The situation suddenly felt uneasy for Talim, but she didn't let it show. "Yes", said Talim shortly, "There's no one here...uh...can you please remove the cloak? It's bothering me." Tira, or to Talim, the mysterious girl, looked down awkwardly. She seemed awfully hesitant, and Talim wondered if maybe she had insulted her. "You know, if you don't want to, I understand, I'm sorry I asked." she said, trying to sound sorry, but really she would like nothing more than to at least see this persons face. "All right...I'll remove it, but you have to stay calm. If you start to scream, I might be forced to hurt you. I'd really hate to..." Tira slipped her hood down, and dropped the cloak, revealing a bright yellow dress that shone slightly in the sunset. Talim stared frozen, recognizing the face of the girl. She had seen Tira's face on a poster, she was wanted for all sorts of murder and theft. Most of Europe was in terror of this girl, and the reward for her capture was enormous.
Talim felt the horrible cold fear fall from her heart and fill her entire stomach. She started to shake, and drew her Tonfa's slowly. Tira realized what was going to happen, and sighed sadly. She wasn't armed, but she had no fear of losing. She just hoped Talim wouldn't be to hurt. Talim stood motionless, trying to see what weapon Tira was wielding, but couldn't see any in her hands. She stepped in and swung, Tira stepping backwards easily. Tira was relived, Talim was so scared, her attacks were slow and predictable. Talim had an expression of determination, but it was obviously troubled. She swung many times, Tira dodging them all. Talim was getting frustrated, and lunged at Tira. Once more, Tira side stepped Talim, but stuck her foot out, causing Talim to fall on her face. Tira quickly helped her up, but Talim struck Tira with a punch almost the instant she was upright again. Tira stumbled back, her cheek pounding. She had no idea such a little girl was so strong. She started to feel worried. People would hear the fight sooner or later, and Tira desperately needed to talk to Talim as soon as possible. Tira decided she would end it then and there and got herself ready. Talim stepped in and swung relentlessly just as before, until Tira saw an opening. Tira pulled her leg back and landed a vicious kick to Talim's stomach. Talim barely made a sound in the shock, and crouched to her knees holding her stomach, then fell on her side. Tears weld up in her eyes and she felt as though Tira had destroyed her insides. She wondered if a kick could kill her.
Tira kneeled down to Talim to see if she was ok. It seemed like she was only hurt, and Tira didn't do as much damage as she had feared. She picked Talim back up on her knees and held her steady. Talim could feel herself crying, and felt humiliated. She wanted to at least go out fighting, not crying and waiting for death. As Tira reached up gently and stroked the tears out of Talim's eyes, Talim flinched and pulled her head away. Tira sighed and turned Talim's head back to her. "At least she's being quiet" thought Tira, as she brushed away more tears. After a moment, Talim realized that Tira was holding her firmly, and could do anything to her that her sick mind could think of. Talim started to struggle, but the pain in her stomach almost made her throw up. Talim desperately tried to pull away, but just ended up looking weak and defeated. Talim started to sob. "W-what are you going to do to me??" She asked, terrified. Tira looked at her with an expression as comforting as she could make it. "Nothing" she said softly, "I'm here to help you. Calm down and listen to me" Talim tried her hardest to calm, but found it nearly impossible. She had never been so scared in her life, and the tears just wouldn't stop streaming down her cheeks, no matter how hard she tried to act brave. "Help m-me with what?" asked Talim, her voice shaking almost as hard as the rest of her body. "I don't need your he-help" Talim wished she hadn't sounded so defiant. She feared it might set the psycho killer off, but instead she heard a comfortingly warm voice. "It's difficult to say this to you, but your...sighs...I can't say this without it sounding crazy...I'll just have to come out with it. Y-your being...hunted?" Talim must have misheard. "Ex-excuse me? Hunted?" Tira nodded. "I don't know why, but there's a monster coming for you. I can't tell you his name, if anyone overhears this, they might be working for him. If they hear his name, they'll know right away what we're talking about. I know this is all very sudden, but we have to get you out of here. The less you know the better." Talim stared, almost forgetting her fear of Tira, having it been replaced with utter confusion. "What? None of this makes sense! First, I would never trust you, a cold hearted murderer! And even if I did, how can you expect me to just up and leave with you because I'm being...Hunted?!" Talim was very angry, something unusual for her. "Talim, quiet down! We can't be heard talking about this!" urged Tira, but Talim didn't listen. "No! I'm not gonna calm down till you tell me what's going on!" It was obvious to Tira that Talim wasn't going to let up. She sighed and lowered her voice. "Ok...I'll try to tell you, but I don't know much myself. There's a cult called the Kunpaetku out somewhere far east, hidden in a very mountainous region. They hunt fragment's of Soul Edge, and seek to destroy Soul Calibur. Now, I don't know why they think this, but they are convinced that you carry a great deal of Soul Calibur's power within your body. They sent a monster after you...a great big man, with red skin and an exposed heart. His mission is to take you alive to the cult shrine so you can be sacrificed on a ceremonial alter. Afterwards, your soul and all it's strength will be absorbed by the monster, supposedly turning it to an apocalyptal beast of destruction." Tira paused for a moment, realizing she hadn't breathed in awhile. Tira tried to judge Talim's expression, but it was unmoving. After a breath, she continued. "I don't know how they know about you, but I've seen the monster. This is insane, I know, but the monster will kill you, wether or not it becomes powerful wont matter afterwards when your soul has been ripped out!" Tira stopped to show she was finished. "That's ridiculous" said Talim simply. "I don't believe a word of this. How do you even know about this plot if it's sooo secret?" Tira frowned. "I...I worked for them at one time...look, it doesn't matter. We have to get you out of here, now!" Talim glared, "Why are you doing this? Why help me if you were going to murder me anyways?" Tira's face went red. "I wasn't going to kill you, I could never hurt you! Listen...I know what you've heard. It's not true, you have to believe me! If I wanted to hurt you, I would have long ago." Talim hadn't thought of that. She tried to decide what to do. At first it seemed obvious. Nothing. This is a murderer, and she would say anything to get Talim alone. The story was crazy anyways, with talk of monsters and sacrifice. Then again...Tira did seem to be very comforting, not a usual attribute of a maniac. She thought hard about the name Kunpaetku, and felt as though she had heard something about it before. Maybe she was telling the truth. Talim was scared, she had no idea what to do. She looked to Tira, and saw Tira staring earnestly, as if desperately wanting her to go with her. She felt Tira's hands slide down from her shoulders to her hips, and Talim felt her face grow hot. "I promise, I would never hurt you...I already feel awful about the fight. Please...trust me?" Talim couldn't help herself from trusting Tira. She felt stupid for believing her even a little, but something about her just felt...protecting, maybe? Talim stared hard into Tira's eyes. She thought long and hard, but suddenly felt herself lose concentration. As she looked into Tira's eyes, she felt a fluttering feeling sweep her. Tira's eyes were so beautiful...but Talim suddenly remembered the situation, and shook it away. Talim sighed and looked away, then back. "I trust you..." she said. She sounded very uncertain, but nothing could be done about it now. Tira had helped her to her feet, and they were already leaving the town.