Note: It's been almost 4 years since chapter one and with the release of Soul Calibur V on the horizon, made me want to complete the second chapter at last! Hopefully chapter three won't take as long as this. Enjoy! Comments welcome.

She lit the wick of the candle for the third time that evening. The brooding flame flickered gently from the draught within the room as she resumed her bedside vigil. The glow from the warm light reflected on the young woman, painfully watching her sister slowly succumb to the heights of a feverish torment.
Cassandra carefully placed a damp cloth on her sister's forehead and began to dry away the excess dampness gently.
Her thoughts flashbacked to a few hours earlier; Sophitia's condition had ebbed away with each step closer to home - until she finally collapsed with exhaustion. What occurred next was but a mindless blur, for Rothion intervened and scooped up his unconscious wife - racing towards the Alexandra household with the remainder of his strength – barging past startled villagers who were in his adrenaline charged path. The lingering feeling of helplessness was etched into Cassandra's very core, the suddenness and uncertainty of the situation had left her shaken with her confidence sorely tested. The very least she could do now was to look after her beloved sister to the best of her ability.
A heavy hand placed on her right shoulder rippled her thoughts back into the current situation.

"Sophie will pull through, I believe in her."

Cassandra rose up to greet her brother in law who had just entered the bedroom, feeling ashamed that she could ever doubt the will of her courageous sister. No words were forthcoming in comfort; she could only muster a nod to him in acknowledgement. His eyes usually joyous were now vacant and lifeless. A smell of damp lingered from his bulky frame; he removed his sullen hand to gather the assortment of tools which had been strewn across the wooden floor in the previous panic. Cassandra observed silently, the warm flame flickering wildly to his sudden movements. He paused for a moment and proceeded to gaze out of the window, his expression remained emotionless. However, Cassandra quickly caught on to what he intended to do when he made his way towards the door.

"You're not leaving Sophitia like this!" She exasperated, stepping in front of him defensively "She needs you here when she wakes up!"

"Don't worry," Rothion assured - his voice monotonous and unwavering. Picking up the remainder of his belongings he glanced once more to his wife, "I know you'll look after her Cass, tell her I love her."

"Don't do this to her!" Cassandra cried, raising the tone of her voice in vain. "Rothion!"

She wrapped both of her slender arms around his waist in a feeble attempt to force him to stay. Without warning, she found herself seconds later on the floor as he roughly pushed her aside, knocking over the bedside table in the process.

" You…Bastard! Ugh…"

Trying to make sense of what happened, Cassandra could only watch in shock as the repercussions of the surprise knock to the front of her forehead made her feel not only hurt - but ultimately humiliated. Rothion had walked out on her and her dying sister; his wife, the one who he was supposed to protect with his life. It didn't make any sense at all to Cassandra, all she felt was the pain and confusion.

Poor Sophitia!

Emotions swirling inside and still reeling from her brother in law's sudden abandonment, Cassandra stumbled back over to her sister's bedside, ignoring the increments of dull throbbing from her bruised head. She gazed down sorrowfully at her beloved sister who was now sleeping peacefully under the warm glow of the candlelight. Sophitia was blissfully unaware of the previous event that had just occurred and perhaps – Cassandra thought – that was a blessing in disguise. The last thing she wanted was her sister to be in distress, after all, she deserved better than that. Cassandra swept away the long wisps of blonde hair from Sophitia's cheek and leaned forward, her lips moist in anticipation. She paused as if in thought and then whispered into her ear longing for her words to be heard and reciprocated.

"I will be your shield always, so pull through...we need you, I-I...need you..."

The only reply was from the heavy downpour of rain resonating and dripping from the exterior of the bedroom window.

It just hurt far too much.

Cassandra flopped her head onto the bed, conceding to the fact she was feeling utterly defeated; both her head and heart dictated it to be so. She glanced to her sister one last time, satisfied that she was safe for the time-being.
The white linen sheets absorbed the reddening fluid ebbing from her forehead as she closed her eyes and her mind from the outside world. Eventually, even the sound of the rain could be heard no more in the Alexandra household.

Silence. So warm, so nice and comfortable. Muffled voices, getting louder and closer. Not so dark now, light hues everywhere. Pain returning...Sophitia?

"...Cassandra! Thank goodness!"

"Hold up sis, she's opening her eyes!"

Blurry but familar shapes and colours hovering around. So bright and radiant...

Sophitia...

Cassandra could only pathetically muster a few disgruntled sounds as her eyes strained to open. She focussed her eyes on her sister who now seemed to be fully recovered as she gave a beautiful beaming smile in return.

"Cass, I was so worried! Lucius found you unconscious in a pool of blood at my beside...I-,we thought the worst."

Cassandra turned to her left to find her younger brother Lucius cleaning up her wound. He took out the cloth from the metallic water bucket, wrung it and methodically replaced the bloodied rag with a fresh warm piece.

"How long have I been here for?"

"A full five suns almost!" Lucius enthused, dabbing the cloth on her forehead." I've never seen anyone sleep so long. Mother herself was even starting to worry about you."

"Ow! Well...thank you Luce." Cassandra conceded. She could feel herself burning up with embarrassment; she didn't want to be looked after – especially by her teenage brother. It was a sign of weakness. How was she going to keep her vow to Sophitia when she inherently got knocked out by the corner of a table of all things? The shame of it!

"Soph, sh-she's turning, er... red. I-I think I'm gonna go help mother and father with the baking now!" Lucius recognised the warning signs of his sister's annoyance and scrambled to his feet, quickly throwing everything he used back into the water bucket, which sloshed around the room. Sophitia chuckled and sat down on the bed beside Cassandra, giving a quick wink to her brother.
"I'll take it from here, tell mother and father I'll be downstairs in a few minutes to set up dinner."

Cassandra peered into Sophitia's eyes as if searching for clues; wondering what she was going to say or going to do. So many burning questions was running through her mind then; how was she was going to explain to her sister that her husband just left her there when she needed him or the fact that Rothion was acting strangely? Before the words began to form from her trembling lips, Sophitia reached out and held her hand. It was warm and comforted her nervousness.

"I'm so glad you're awake now Cass , I don't know what would have happened if Rothion hadn't come back to pick up the house key that he forgot to take with him." She paused and looked away sadly, clutching onto the worn sheets of the bed.

"What do you mean 'came back'?'" Cassandra quizzed. As far she could remember, the big oaf left her family high and dry in a moment of crisis. Without pausing for breath, she went ahead and blurted out what had occurred on that night:

"Rothion walked out on you and then knocked me into the table! He-he's a... bloody coward!"

Sophitia's expression lightened as she turned around, chuckling to herself.

"Oh dear! Looks like you really did hit your head hard. You've forgotten, haven't you Cassandra?"

"Forgot what?"

"This..."

Sophitia lightly kissed her sister on the forehead and intertwined her fingers with Cassandra's.

"I love you Cass. I want you to get better, but the very thought of you not being here - it fills my very heart with fear. If I were to lose you, I-I..." Her voice trailed off as her words began to falter. It was rare to see Sophitia reveal such vulnerability. Cassandra always had admired the ability of her older sister to remain calm and collected even in the most harrowing of situations, but now she was on the verge of tears and it broke her heart to see her upset.

"Hush..." Cassandra whispered, unclasping her hands to wipe away the tears from Sophitia's now reddened puffy eyes. "I'm right here, sis. There's no need to worry...not anymore."

Cassandra could see her very reflection as her gaze was met with those caring emerald coloured eyes. Her fingers brushed aside the fine tousled blonde wisps of hair as the remainder of her hand caressed her elder sister's cheek which began to redden. What was this feeling of longing? It was as if the very air itself had become thick and heavy at that precise moment. She didn't want this feeling to end.

"Cass..."

Her heart began to race as Sophitia blushed and responded to her touch, her full rosy lips just inches away. So close and yet...

"Hey!"

An all too familiar voice traced with slight annoyance resounded from downstairs and reality set in once more. Thundering footsteps approached the door and suddenly Lucius bounced into the room, eyeing up both his sisters with suspicion.

"What's taking you so long Soph? You promised you'd help out mother, but dinner is already out on the table." He sighed and continued feverently, gesturing wildly with his hands. "I had to sit and cut those vegetables and they took forever. Look - I have a big cut on my finger!"

"By the Gods Luce...we are having a private conversation here!" Cassandra exploded, glaring at her inconsiderate brother. "Can't you knock? And I'll also make sure to stuff those vegetables down your throat each time you don't!"

"But we're all family Cassie! I loooveyou!"

"Don't say that to me...LUCY! Ugh!"

"Now, now, you two." Sophitia smiled softly, quickly changing the subject and then whispering into her sister's ear, "Come on Cass, you don't want your food to get cold, do you? I have something to tell you later...in private."