Soul Calibur II: Tale of Heroes
Chapter III: Divine Serenity
Taki led the group East after the skirmish in the forest. They were following Link's trail for seven days now, and he seemed to slow down in pace each day. Taki could tell by the tracks he left behind. She knew he was pretty battered up since she last saw him, all she could think of was why he did not try to heal himself yet.
Siegfried concluded that they were heading straight for Rome, in the same direction they traveled now was Vatican City, an important city in the Roman Empire, where he believed they could stop at to recuperate their energy and continue to hunt the sword and its lone guardian.
Ivy had not said a word since the encounter in the forest, the group knew she was a soul of few words, but her quiet nature was more evident than unusual. She only ever spoke when spoken to, yet she tried to avoid conversation with everyone. That was just Ivy. She rode further behind the group as they transversed the rough terrain in search of the evil blade, much to Yun-Seong's relief. She hadn't preyed on him for some time now, he only hoped it stayed that way.
Talim was gazing off at the sunset, the wind continued to beckon her in the same direction Taki was moving which was the trail Link had left behind. Judging by the tracks; Link rode no horse, instead he traveled on foot. He made a wise choice to move in grassy areas than a dirt road which made tracking him more difficult.
Taki was kneeling in the middle of the path as she examined the tracks, she stood and walked over to a leaf with a dark crimson substance on it that had caught her eye. Dragging her finger through the liquid, she placed it on her tongue and immediately spat it back out. Sophitia stood behind her as she did this.
"Blood. Likely Link's." Taki informed. Sophitia gazed at the leaf in thought, she glanced around for anymore of it.
"Do you think it may have dripped off him onto anything else?" Sophitia asked. Taki considered it for a moment; there was a good chance of that judging by how much damage Link had. If a predator caught his scent and track him down, not even he may be able to defend himself as weak as he must be now.
"It's possible, but I don't see anymore blood around here." Taki answered. Sophitia continued to search the area when Siegfried walked up to them.
"The city is just a mile from here, we can resupply there and continue in the morning." He informed.
"We may find Link there, it is the only settlement anywhere nearby in this area. He may have no choice but to stop and heal himself." Sophitia mused to the two as she examined Siegfried's map. Taki nodded in agreement. Siegfried put his map back in his sack and climbed onto the back of his horse.
"Well, shall we?" He said before galloping ahead. Taki and Sophitia grabbed their horses and followed suite, the others did the same.
*Vatican City – Rome*
Link, his body drenched with his own blood and his strength nearly depleted, leaned against the wall of the south gate to the city heavily as he gasped for air. One of his lungs were punctured by his broken ribs and every now and then he would cough up blood. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a bottle of white liquid with a 'Lon Lon Ranch' label on it, it appeared to be milk. He popped the cork and drank half the contents of the bottle.
Link's breathing slowed down and some of the pain he was feeling diminished. He checked himself and noted it still hurt to breath and his ribs were still broken. The cuts he had sustained and the massive wound on his side which he covered with a now red stained white cloth had closed but did not heal completely.
'They will reopen soon if I keep moving...I can't stop for rest now, they grow closer each day.' He thought to himself. Soul Edge, which rested on Link's back next to his Master Sword both underneath his black cape, savored the moment.
*Aah. It's so refreshing to feel someone I hate in pain.* The blade cooed. Link ignored it and tried to form a plan to enter the city without being detected by the local soldiers.
An idea suddenly entered Link's head as he watched a lone soldier march into a back ally that seemed devoid of others. Link, with strain, pulled the evil blade off his back and stared straight into its eye.
*What.* it snapped in a low tone.
*I have an idea to infiltrate the city, if I tell you to do something than heed my order. If the warriors hunting me find you, they will destroy you. At least with me, you remain.* Link said.
*I'll be no better off if you find that damned holy sword first, boy.* The blade retorted.
*True, but how close am I to finding it? You know that Taki and her warriors are closer to finding the sword than I am. Be grateful that I have not tortured you with my holy sword. If you refuse to aid me here and now, then I may just start.* Link warned. Intimidation was the last method he wanted to revert to, but he needed the sword's cooperation.
Soul Edge remained silent as it weighed the threat, the Master Sword may not have been enough to destroy it, but it could cause it immense pain and will weaken it further. Leaving it with no choice but to accept.
*Fine.* It muttered.
Link opened his pouch and shoved the sword in, it began to shrunk as it entered the pouch to make room for its grotesque size, obviously the pouch was bewitched by some spell that enabled it to carry an infinite amount of items or supplies within its pockets. Finishing this, Link looked around to make sure no one saw him and slipped into the alleyway. The guard Link saw before was sipping on a bottle of what smelled like strong liquor with his back to Link.
As silently as he could, Link made his way towards the guard while keeping in the shadows. He wore a cloak over his form to hide his injured body and head. He wasn't sure how long he could remain this way, but if he could acquire the guards armor than he can sneak past the barricades with ease. Link's plan was to incapacitate the guard and steal his armor. Another method Link reluctantly accepted to use.
Oblivious to the approaching Hylian, the guard sat down with his eyes still looking over the city. Link took note that the guard seemed to be an elderly man, and he didn't seem all to healthy either. This was confirmed when the guard hacked and coughed violently. Link who had a dagger in his hands in-case he was discovered and was forced to fight, sighed quietly.
Link was now right behind the man, he raised the dagger over his head with intent to end the man's suffering, when the soldier pulled out a portrait of a little girl. The motion halted Link.
"Oh Panilia...My sweet young flower..." The old man whispered sadly as he took another swig of his liquor.
Link felt his hand quiver, the thought of taking away this old man from that little girl strung a string of pity in the sore Hylian hero. He hated taking away the lives of others in the middle of combat or war, it was something he had to deal with his entire life. Link reached into his pocket and pulled out the bottle of 'Lon Lon Ranch' milk, then he sheathed the dagger in his left boot quietly.
"You there." Link called quietly. The old soldier jumped in surprise, quickly hiding his photo away in his tunic as he turned and faced Link.
"Who are you? What do you want?" The old man asked. He had a beard as white as snow that dropped to half his chest and his eyes were green in color. Hiding his white haired head was a Roman captain's helmet. The old man held his chest and gasped in pain, Link could only guess his illness.
"I am no one of any importance, and I only wish to help you." Link stated as he held the bottle of milk out to the soldier. The old man eyed Link for a moment before he hesitantly examined the contents of the bottle.
"What is this?" He asked. Link shrugged.
"I will tell you if you would be willing to strike a bargain. If I can remove your illness, I ask for your armor in return." Link stated. The soldier glanced at Link before glancing down at his armor. After a moment, he seemed to have come to a decision.
"Agreed. How will you cure this illness for me?" The old man answered. Link uncorked the bottle and handed it to the soldier.
"Drink this and you will be healed." He instructed. The old soldier slowly took the bottle, still eying Link for any sign of mischief, put the bottle to his lips and began to drink. He drank all that remained in it, which was only half before pulling the glass back and handing it to Link.
Link waited for the old man's response. After awhile, the soldier did not cough. He glanced at Link with a surprised look, a gleeful glint in his elderly emerald eyes.
"I...Don't believe it...I am cured! Thank you, thank you, thank you milord!" The old man said in praise. Link nodded.
"What was that? It tasted like milk!" The soldier questioned.
"It was, milk from my homeland has many healing properties used to cure sickness. Now, may I have your armor please?" Link asked. The old man hurriedly removed his breast plate, helmet, arm-guards, shoulder-guards, and cape. He placed the items at Link's feet and hurried off in his simple clothing, a simple white tunic and a green pair of pants.
Link smiled to himself as he heard the old captain call for his granddaughter. Link watched the soldier disappear into the crowds before he removed his own armor. He placed his damaged equipment into his pouch with his stained tunic and under garments, being sure to 'accidentally' hit Soul Edge with one of his dangerously spiked arm-guards earning him a few unpleasant words from the sword, and then he donned a fresh pair of undergarments and tunic and equipped the Roman Captain armor.
*Damned boy, you should have killed him. End the old fool's miserable life. How do you know he won't just drop dead tomorrow in front of his grandchildren?* The blade questioned, attempting to strike a point to Link or just plain annoy him. Whichever point it could score against Link.
*His time will come, but it will not be soon if I can help it.* Link answered calmly before he placed the helmet on his head and locked it in place with the strap attached to its chin. The visor hid most of his face except, of course, his eyes.
With his disguise hiding his true identity, Link walked out on the street where Roman soldiers of lower ranks saluted to him, Link saluted back and continued to walk towards the barracks and the main gates of Vatican City.
Taki, Siegfried, and Mitsurugi arrived ahead of the others to the gates of Vatican City. The three were going to purchase some cloaks to hide the group so as to not raise any suspicions, or catch the eye of any low life who may see Ivy's questionable wear. Not that they couldn't handle it, but time was of the essence. And it was important that they slip past the guards with no trouble.
They left their weapons behind with the others in Sophitia's care, according to Ivy the Roman garrison at Vatican City refused entry to those who carries anything that can be used as a weapon without special permission.
The three neared the gate where to Roman guards stood at attention, one stepped forward and held his hand up.
"Halt. What business have you in Vatican City?" The guard asked in English. Taki dismounted with Siegfried and Mitsurugi following suite.
"We have come to purchase supplies in the market." Siegfried answered. The other soldier walked over and began to search the horse saddles.
"You may only enter if you have no weapons of any kind, by order of the Cardinal." The soldier explained as he checked Siegfried and Mitsurugi.
He came to Taki who stared at him blankly. The soldier looked her up and down, her outfit was a bit revealing and didn't seem to have anything underneath such as a dagger. Clearing his throat with a sweat, the guard backed away from the ninja and shouted a command.
The gates began to lift and the three walked through leading their horses on foot. They got passed the security inspections with no trouble and were led to the market.
Once in, They split up in search for a shop that sold cloaks at reasonable prices. After an hour, they regrouped at the central square of the city.
Taki and Siegfried did not find any shops that sold clothing, but Mitsurugi discovered one by the East Wing of the city, he beckoned them towards the shop. After dodging the crowd of busy people, The three reached the shop that sold cloaks. A bill board that was nailed to the top of the building read 'Madam Yazel's Cloth Shop' with a painting of a tunic next to that.
They entered the establishment where a crooked old lady dressed in what appeared to be gypsy clothing turned around to face them from behind the counter. She had a long nose that seemed to hook downwards, jewelry lined her neck and hood, and she was as tall as a ten year old child. The top half of her garments were black in color, and the skirt she wore which covered her legs was blue. She leaned heavily on a staff for support as she hobbled over to greet the three.
"Welcome to Madam Yazel's Cloth Shop. May I help you?" Madam Yazel greeted, her voice was raspy and near inaudible, like a corpse would sound like long after its death.
"Good evening madam, do you have any cloaks on sale?" Taki asked as Siegfried and Mitsurugi shared a look after examining the shop owner.
"Why yes I do. This way." Madam Yazel answered as she led the three to a corner where a line of cloaks all with differing sizes and colors along the wall.
"Made of the finest material in Vatican City, please take your time young ones." Madam Yazel stated as she left the three to their dealings and made her way back to the counter.
Taki examined the cloaks, she pulled out a sheet of paper from her pouch that held the sizes of the group's members. Siegfried examined it before picking out a few cloaks. Mitsurugi stood there as the German knight landed several cloaks in his arms. Siegfried carried half and Mitsurugi carried the other half. Taki calculated the cost of it all and made sure she had enough for the cloaks and enough to spare for supplies.
'It's times like these that I wish Link never left the group. One of his jewels would have bought half the city for us.' Taki thought to herself. The day they found him missing, he left them several green emeralds he called 'Rupees' for them to live on, but he didn't count on the quest taking so long nor the additional members.
With both men loaded down with cloaks and Taki counting her funds, they stepped up to the counter where Madam Yazel waited patiently.
"Will that be all, dearies?" The old lady asked. Taki nodded as Madam Yazel named the price and Taki paid for it.
"Madam, has a young warrior with a long green hat come by here?" Taki asked. Madam Yazel looked up.
"Why no child, who is this young man, can you describe him to me?" Madam Yazel asked.
"He's five foot nine inches tall. He wears armor on his chest, hips, and shoulders, green tunic, crystal blue eyes, blond hair, about seventeen years of age and he was injured the last time I saw him. His name is Link." Taki described. Madam Yazel remained quiet at the name. After a while, she sighed.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I did. Only, I haven't seen him for four years. Sweet child, he helped me with this store, I gave him shelter and food in return. He was like the grandson I never had. When he left a year later, I gave him a cape that was a bit too long for him at the time, but I'm sure he has grown into it, to protect him from the cold. Why do you ask?" Madam Yazel asked.
"We're friends of his, I used to train the boy when he was just a child. He was heading in this direction, we've been tracking him for seven days now." Taki answered.
"I see...I will not question your reason. If you see him, tell him to drop by. It would do my old heart good to see his shining face again." Madam Yazel said as she turned around and entered a back room.
Taki watched the old lady disappear behind the door before turning on her heel and walking out with Siegfried and Mitsurugi both growing tired and impatient. They left the East Wing and made their way to an inn where Taki purchased the upper floor for the group to sleep in before leaving the city.
Ivy stood at the edge of the woods where the others waited for Taki, Mitsurugi, and Siegfried to return. She was bored, she absolutely hated waiting on others, but she knew she had no choice. Taki and her group had managed to collect an impressive amount of Soul Edge shards and Soul Calibur shards when she heard of them. If they were close to finding the sword, she wanted to be there to deliver the final strike.
With that reminder as to why she was with these people in the first place in mind, she shut out her boredom and focused on the sights.
Not long after that, the sound of horses approaching caught her attention and she was relived to see that it was Taki and the other two with the cloaks, now the wait was over. Taki approached her and handed her a brown cloak that reached down to Ivy's ankle. The two shared a look of hidden hate amassed after years of fighting before Taki walked away to continue handing out the clothing while Ivy donned the cloak.
With everyone wearing cloaks to conceal themselves, the group departed silently off towards the gate that lead to Vatican City central.
Once there, Taki halted the group just before coming into sight of the gate guards.
"We can't enter the city with our weapons, the laws the Cardinal had put in place prohibit travelers to carry them in city grounds. Only guards can have weapons. We will have to sneak ours in somehow." Taki informed them.
"Why not just sneak up on them and knock them out?" Yun-Seong offered. Sophitia shook her head.
"We can but if we do, someone will find them missing and alert the local garrison to search for intruders. That just may alert Link that we are here. If he is here." Sophitia stated with Taki nodding in agreement. Ivy looked at herself then back at the gate. She gave an evil smile as a plan formed in her head.
"So how do we get in without drawing attention?" Kilik asked.
"Leave that to me." Ivy answered as she signaled the group to huddle. She whispered her plan to them. Seong Mi-Na, Xianguah and Cassandra giggled. Sophitia and Taki frowned. Talim did not get whatever Ivy was saying. The male members could only blush from the thought.
Ivy approached the gates with the groups horses tied to her horse, she dismounted and approached the guards. As she distracted the men with her charms and voluptuous figure, the other members of the group used grapple lines to scale the wall and land inside the city.
"Would you boys mind if I enter the city?" Ivy asked, using a seductive tone. Both guards were too busy drooling at her feet to register her words.
"Hm?" Ivy hummed in question with a smile on her face. The two shook their heads, with that Ivy closed her cloak and stepped over the two guards who were still drooling.
"Weak men." She muttered to herself as she entered the city where the others waited. Once in, Taki and Seong Mi-Na met up with Ivy. Taki started chuckling.
"I have to hand it to you Ivy, that was brilliant." Taki complemented, earning a nod from the dominatrix.
"But you forgot one thing." Seong Mi-Na informed, straining to hold back a laugh.
"What's that?" Ivy asked. Seong Mi-Na pointed to the side, Ivy turned around to see the other male members of the group on the ground drooling at her.
"Oh, bolergs..." Ivy muttered as she slapped herself in the forehead.
As Cassandra, Talim, Yun-Seong and Maxi went shopping for supplies, the rest of the group were searching the city for any sign of Link. Taki stood in the shadows of the central plaza and watched each and every person that moved in her sight range.
Sophitia was by the Madam Yazel's Cloth Shop as Taki suggested she go there in-case Link showed up for a visit to Madam Yazel. She was in the store itself looking at the many wares Madam Yazel had on sale, acting as an ordinary customer. She secluded herself from the view of anyone who entered the shop. On occasion, Madam Yazel would glance at her in suspicion but say nothing and ignore Sophitia's presence.
Ivy was near the barracks should Link have entered that area of the city. She stood at the entrance to an abandoned back alley keeping a watchful eye out for the young hero aided by her sword.
Mitsurugi and Siegfried went looking for Link in the West Wing of the city where the inns were located. Seong Mi-Na and Xianguah were searching the South Wing which was the only way in and out of the city. Also the stables were located there.
Kilik kept an eye on the East Wing should Link emerge there. He stood on the rooftops to have an advantage in his view.
So far, no one had found a clue that Link had even entered the city. His tracks led to it, yet disappeared in the thick traffic that lined the main road. Taki did not have enough evidence that he went near it, but she could sense his presence here.
Ivy continued to watch for the mysterious man they hunted. He shouldn't be so hard to find, unless he altered his appearance and hid Soul Edge, he should stand out in a crowd. Due to the noise in the street, Ivy never heard the heavy thuds of boot-steps and the clattering of armor as a soldier marched along. As she finally became aware of a presence behind her, the shoulder guard of the soldier touched Ivy's upper back. Her eyes widened and she turned around to see no one but the heavy door of the barracks moving to close itself. She turned around again and saw the soldier walking, he was the only soldier on the street.
Ivy followed him, a bit angered that he didn't bother to acknowledge her when he passed her by and bumped her. The closer she walked to him, the more she became unsettled. Something about this man was familiar, he was walking slowly, his boots giving heavy thuds against the cobblestones as he walked. Ivy slowed her pace down until she stopped, her eyes locked on the back of the soldier's head.
The barracks' door slammed behind them, the sound drowning most of the noise. The soldier stopped, Ivy recognized the armor as that of a captain. She looked at the soldier's side where his cape did not cover, a large red stain had seeped through his armor and stained his red cape a darker shade. The soldier began to turn slowly, seemingly to see what had caused the loud slamming noise. When his gaze reached past Ivy, she caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were crystal blue in color and turned gray when the light hit his eyes, giving a shining effect. They seemed to glow in the shadow of his helm.
The soldier turned his piercing gaze on Ivy who stood there. He gazed at her for a few seconds that seemed longer than an hour. His eyes were locked on hers, she could feel his power searching her soul. Before Ivy could move, the soldier began turning around and continued his slow march through the street.
Ivy gasped. She snapped out of her shocked state and began to push her way through the crowd, earning surprised shouts and angry words from the citizens. Her eyes were locked on the captain she knew was Link. But the crowd began to thicken where he entered at and she soon lost sight of him.
"Damn." Ivy muttered. She looked around until she found the sign of the street Link was heading in, he was going into the East Wing. Ivy turned around, she headed for the central plaza to tell Taki before stopping. She considered following Link and trying to catch him herself. Confident that she could subdue an injured and rather young warrior any day of the week, she turned around and headed for the East Wing. If she couldn't catch him by force, she could always charm him.
It seemed to work on everyman she encountered yet.
Kilik turned his gaze from Madam Yazel's shop towards the barracks to see a Roman in captain gear walking slowly through the crowd. The captain was alone and carried a dagger on his belt instead of a sword. The red cape the captain had was flowing idly behind the him as he marched, occasionally a guard would salute the captain and he would return it slowly.
Kilik gazed at this man, he seemed a bit different than any of the Roman officers that passed in this area earlier. His march was slower and he had no sword. The boots were familiar to Kilik, he knew he had seen them somewhere before and the blond hair that hung from underneath the helmet also caught his attention.
The sound of angry shouts came from the barracks suddenly. Kilik turned his head to see what the commotion was all about, he could see Ivy forcing her way through the crowd. Kilik frowned as he watched the dominatrix push her way between carts and groups of people. She suddenly stopped when a man started shouting something at her in a sharp tone, her reaction was shock that quickly turned into fury, she reared back and punched the man hard and dead center in his face. The motion made Kilik choke on his saliva.
'What is she doing?' he thought wildly. Before he could move, Ivy looked up, saw him, and then signaled to him. She flashed two fingers, three, then one and back to two. The signal meant "To me".
Kilik jumped down off the roof onto a stand that broke his fall. He hurried through he crowd on his way towards Ivy. He passed the man who just got his nose broken from Ivy's iron claw and managed to clear a way for her to move off the street. Once off, he began to question her as to why she hit the man.
"What are you thinking? Are you trying to stir up trouble? Link-" He started when Ivy interrupted him.
"Just walked this way! Where did he go?" Ivy interrupted quickly, grabbing Kilik by the colar of his jacket. Kilik blinked in response.
"...No he didn't. I never saw him." Kilik said, crossing his arms.
"He was wearing the armor of a Roman captain, you fool!" Ivy hissed in frustration, shaking Kilik by the neck. Kilik suddenly paled, he lost track of the unusual captain when the noise caught his attention in the barracks area.
"Uh oh..." Was the only thing he could think of saying. Ivy face palmed for the second time that day.
"Idiot!" Ivy shouted as she jumped out into the street in search of the elusive Hylian.
Sophitia was still looking through some clothing, briefly considering to buy some for her own reasons when the bell of the store alerted her that another customer had entered. She glanced around a stack of clothing to see a Roman officer walk in. The heavy steps of the man echoed in the store as he made his way over to Madam Yazel.
He whispered something to her that made her gasp. Sophitia tried to listen closer, she felt like this man was familiar somehow. Madam Yazel was drinking from a goblet when she suddenly spat what she had in her mouth out in surprise.
"You lie." She hissed at the man. The officer whispered again before standing straight up.
"Merry mother of God..." Madam Yazel uttered before she embraced the officer quickly then whispered into his ears something that he nodded to.
Madam Yazel whispered again and glanced in Sophitia's direction. Sophitia had already maneuvered her way to face them while she pretended to check some clothing. She kept her gaze down as she saw the officer glance her way. He continued to gaze at her, she briefly glanced at him before turning around.
A few more inaudible words were exchanged between the officer and the shop owner when Sophitia heard the back door open. Sophitia looked around, acting as if the noise startled her, when she saw Madam Yazel enter through the door with the captain following suite. The door was closed and a lock was latched in place.
Sophitia watched as she saw the shadow of both the shop keeper and captain exchange words before Madam Yazel began to gather a few things in a sack and hand it to the man. The captain pulled the little old woman into a hug before he walked out.
Sophitia turned around again, her back to the two. Nothing happened for a bit as Sophitia continued to look through the clothes until she heard the man's foot steps moving in her direction.
Link, in his disguise, walked closer to Sophitia as he contemplated confronting her. It was risky, she may recognize him just as the other woman had. He did not know the white-haired lady, she had gorgeous eyes, Link felt a little unusual when he thought of her. He snapped himself out of his thoughts and tried to think of some way to alter his voice.
*Soul Edge, can you alter my voice?* Link asked the sword. He heard the blade grumble incoherently before it responded.
*Yes I can, what stupid idea do you have now?* The blade growled in question.
*I just need to alter my voice long enough to speak with someone. Do it.* Link commanded.
*Whatever...What kind of voice do you want?* The sword grumbled, it obviously did not want to do Link any favors.
*Something that wont allow anyone to recognize me. I don't care what it sounds like, as long as it doesn't sound demonic or disturbing.* Link stated.
Soul Edge grumbled again before Link felt something in his throat alter. He continued to approach Sophitia who seemed to become a little tense.
"Excuse me, miss?" Link called, his voice was different. He had a Roman accent now and it was slightly lower in pitch. Sophitia turned around in surprise. Link kept his helmet low and his eyes out of Sophitia's sight.
"Yes?" She responded.
"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to move on. The store is nearing closing time." Link lied. Sophitia looked around.
"Oh...thank you." she responded politely. Link nodded and turned to move away when Sophitia grabbed his shoulder.
"Wait! I have to ask you something." She called to him, Link stopped in his tracks. He wanted to say something that would permit him to leave, but he just couldn't deny Sophitia something. His attachment to her was very strong.
"Yes, milady?" Link answered. Sophitia hesitated at first before she gathered her thoughts.
"I'm looking for someone, I'm wondering if you may have seen him. Have you seen a man with a green hat, crystal blue eyes, black armor with a spike on each shoulder, blond hair, seventeen years of age?" She asked.
'I knew she was going to ask me that. I wish I didn't have to lie to her, but it is necessary.' Link thought sadly.
"No milady, I have not seen a man of that description. Have you checked the inn? Perhaps he checked in there." Link suggested in shame.
"No, but thank you for your suggestion. Good bye." Sophitia uttered a little sadly. Link nodded, mentally kicked himself, and walked out of the store. Sophitia grabbed a few accessories and moved to the counter where Madam Yazel waited.
"My, my, my. You sure did take your time, child." Madam Yazel commented. Sophitia blushed a bit in embarrassment.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that. I was shopping for a friend and I'm not entirely sure of what they would prefer to wear..." Sophitia admitted part of the truth. Madam Yazel chuckled slightly.
Sophitia paid for the clothing and walked out of the store. The first thing she saw was an enraged Ivy and a frightened Kilik. Sophitia looked around, the street was a mess; carts and stalls lay in ruin about the street with a bunch of Roman soldiers laying unconscious on the ground. Sophitia also took notice that the crowd was staying as far away from Ivy as possible.
"...Oh my...What happened?" Sophitia asked. Ivy growled at Kilik first, who flinched, before answering her.
"Link was here. He was dressed as a Roman captain and I lost him in the crowd. This incompetent imbecile next to me saw him but lost sight of him as well. And from the bloody rooftops." Ivy hissed.
"Hey! How was I supposed to know it was him? You knew it was him! Not me, and in fact had you not caused trouble over there by the barracks I may have seen through his disguise!" Kilik retorted, putting a smug grin on his face for effect. He suddenly felt very threatened, he did not know why but he ducked. Good thing too, Ivy's fist was right where his head was a second ago.
"What? That means..." Sophitia started. She suddenly felt foolish, Link was right in front of her, talking to her. She could have grabbed him.
"Link was just in that store! Which way did he go?" Sophitia asked quickly. Ivy's jaw dropped. Kilik searched for the nearest bomb shelter in-case Ivy exploded again.
Ivy turned around to see a hooded man who had just left the store walking away in between the crowds. She drew Valentine and charged off with Sophitia and Kilik following.
Taki watched as Ivy, Kilik and Sophitia emerged from the East Wing in a hurry. She gave one last look around before dropping down in front of them.
"What happened?" She asked.
"We saw Link. He was dressed as a Roman captain, I saw his eyes. I found him by the barracks and chased him into the East Wing." Ivy informed.
"Where is he now?" Taki asked.
"...We don't know. I encountered him in the clothing store but, his voice was not the same. If I saw his eyes than I would have known." Sophitia muttered, Taki began cursing furiously. Just as that was said, the others came in and joined the group.
"Got the supplies! … What's your problem?" Seong Mi-Na said with a cheery tone before she asked as she heard Taki's unpleasant wording.
"Link got away...again! That's twice he has evaded us!" Taki informed in a very angry tone.
"Ouch." Xianguah muttered. Mitsurugi raised his arms at the sky in frustration and Siegfried just shook his head. Maxi chuckled in amusement and Cassandra giggled. Talim held her laughter back as Taki just sulked with Sophitia trying to calm her down, Ivy stood there boiling at Kilik who covered his head. Yun-Seong kept quiet so as to not draw Ivy's attention.
Link slipped into an alley and watched the white-haired woman, Sophitia and the monk run right passed him. He needed to get out of the city as quickly as he could. He can only pull of so many narrow escapes, his wounds had reopened again and he was bleeding. The cloak Madam Yazel had given him hid his bloodied armor, but soon he would be exposed again.
Link moved as quickly as he could through the back ways of Vatican City, he passed by the square where he caught sight of Taki in the shadows of a building keeping a sharp eye on everyone.
"Not good." Link muttered, his voice having returned to normal after he left Sophitia in Madam Yazel's shop.
He looked the other way for an escape. He caught sight of an abandoned church on the other end of the city in a lone court yard that seemed devoid of people. Link sent a quick prayer of thanks to whoever was watching over him now as he moved to the church.
He checked the surroundings and made sure no one was watching before he bolted into the yard and around the back way. He opened the door and stepped inside, the church was in surprisingly good condition. He removed his cloak and Roman armor. He had lost allot of blood in the previous hour, his strength was fading fast. Link thought quickly on what he could do to avoid being found dead.
He checked his inventory and remembered he had run out of potions a few years ago. His last bottled milk was used as well. Seeing no other way, Link wrapped the blood-soaked cloak around his side to hinder his bleeding. It helped, but did not stop it.
Link looked up at a painting of the Roman God, at the bottom a young man with long brown hair and a brown beard stood in a white robe. Link heard of this man, all called him Jesus Christ and proclaimed him the King of Kings. Link saluted the painting in respect with the Christian symbol Madam Yazel had taught him four years ago.
"Oh merciful God, lend me your aid..." Link whispered to the painting. He sat down on one of the benches, his eyelids growing heavy. He began to loose all feeling, his eyes finally closed and he slipped into darkness.
A voice beckoned Link back to the light. He was in some dark void where he could not see his own hand in front of his face. The voice that called to him was quiet and divine. It had a serene touch that brought Link a warm feeling each time it resounded in the dark. The sound of a thousand angels lamented within this darkness Link now stood in called the Nether World. Countless souls roamed the shadows, circling him. The souls of men, women, and children, countless that still walk even in death.
"Link..." The voice called again. It was feminine, and beautiful. A light appeared in Link's vision, a figure stood in the center of that light. Large wings like that of a dove flapped behind the mysterious figure, almost beckoning him.
Link saw no reason to not comply, he felt no trickery behind this all. He moved in the direction of the light, his boot steps echoing gently through the dark. As Link neared the figure in the light, it suddenly grew brighter and brighter.
Link suddenly awoke with a start, he stood up quickly and immediately felt light headed for the fast motion. Two small and gentle hands held him straight, Link's vision remained blurred, but he could make out the faint image of a astoundingly beautiful young women standing in front of him.
"Hello, dear hero." The woman said gently, the grogginess in the young Hylian cleared enough for him to realize that this was the same voice he heard before.
"Huh...? Who are...you...?" Link asked quietly. The woman smiled a radiant smile, a comforting feeling engulfed Link.
"Be at ease young warrior, you are in a house of God. My name is Serenity, and I am an angel from Heaven." Serenity replied. Link shook his head, his strength was depleted and he could not even stand straight. He was dizzy and tired.
"Rest now..." Serenity hushed any question he was about to ask. She slowly lowered him down on the bench and sat next to him.
"Why are you here...?" Link asked. Serenity smiled again.
"Almighty God has sent me to help you, you invoked his aid. Your life is fading away. Yet you refuse to perish, even with the burden of countless resting on your shoulders. You dare not give up. I have been sent to do my part in your quest, young one. But here you must choose your fate. Life? Or death?" Serenity asked. She brushed one of Link's bangs out of his eye as her words registered.
Without hesitation, Link chose.
"...I choose life...I can not fail..." He muttered, his voice above a whisper. Serenity nodded.
"There is more courage in you, Link, than there is in any man on this earth. Your past is a tragic one, yet your strength exceeds that of many. I will do all in my power to heal your wounds, now arise and stand before me, mighty one." She said, with surprising strength she pulled Link to his feet and stood in front of him. He could see her clearly now, her hair was brown in color, her eyes as silver as a cloud. Her robe was as white as snow and her face was one of the most angelic he had ever seen.
Serenity whispered incoherently a chant that echoed throughout the church, her beautiful voice filling the air with heavenly music. When she ceased her chant, she reached up and lowered Link's head, only now did Link see that her head only reached his chin. She placed her lips on his forehead for several seconds before pulling back slowly.
At her touch, Link's legs lost all stability, he dropped to his knees with Serenity supporting him.
"What's...happening...?" Link asked, more tired than last time, each word drawing more of what little strength remained in him.
"I am healing your wounds...Sleep well, young hero. I will watch over you and ensure you are not found. Be at peace..." She cooed gently into his long ear as she laid him back. She grabbed her robe and pulled it off then covered Link's form with it, her warmth seeping into him as she did so. She gave him one last smile as she slowly faded away from his view.
*Remember, I will always watch over you...* her divine voice resounded in Link's mind as he lost consciousness.
He felt as if he was falling, the pieces of his past flowing around him like shattered glass, each one either showing a face of someone close to him or a sight. The red eyes of a Sheikah watched him as he descended. The blue eyes of a princess watched his descent into sleep along side the many others flowing around him.
As he fell, his eyes closed, the last thing on his mind before losing thought was the mysterious lady with the white-hair and the icy bluish-green eyes.