Touching the Force
At the outskirts of Vienna, Austria,
Tira moved swiftly on the rooftops; her Watchers followed behind. They had just giving her a good tiding. There was someone who had a dark heart like her. She couldn't wait to see…
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At the darkest corner of the city, the pale-faced and green-haired maiden wasn't so fair anymore. She had just ran her luck when encountered Raphael Sorel. Once at the secluded place, the vampiric noble attacked and bitten her jugular veins. Her pallid body leaned lifelessly on the wall. The Frenchman wiped his mouth from the blood, while commenting,
"Well, Mademoiselle Marienbard! Ze must commend," he smiled, "Your blood is sweet…like a nectar," Before he continued to drink, someone clapped hand. Frowning, he turned and saw the Danish assassin with a flock of Watchers nearby. Raphael recognized her in no time;
"YOU!!" he growled like a beast. Tira quickly said,
"Wait, take it easy! I don't meant to disturb your supper," Throwing his hapless victim, the Sorel master asked,
"You already had! What do you want now?" The young girl grinned,
"Do you want to serve my master, Nightmare?" The Frenchman scowled, after hearing the name,
"Why should I serve him again? I had once served him for getting the Soul Edge and look what I've got!" As he spoke, his eyes glowed blood red and fangs bared. He continued angrily,
"Eternal damnation! I also separated from my beloved Amy!" Tira was silent momentarily, and then she continued,
"So? Serve my master again! You can use his Soul Edge to transform your daughter into an undead again…I thought you want to make a new world for her! With my master's assistance, you can achieve that dream faster!" Raphael pondered awhile; he had tired to live like a runaway. By serving Nightmare, he could have a purpose …thus realizing his dreams!
"You had a point here!" the Frenchman walked closer to her, "I might agree with you, with one condition…"
Tira asked, "What is it? Name it!"
"Give me your blood first!" He grabbed the girl and bites her neck. At first, the Danish girl rebelled and terrified, however she started to enjoy it. She said,
"Yess…please continue it! Yess!!" The lifeless Marienbard stared mutely to the strange couple. Few minutes later, she said,
"Stop!" she pushed him hard, "That was nice, but I need my blood too! I had to get more people…" Raphael wiped his mouth with an embroidered handkerchief, and then he asked,
"Ze, sorry! Can't help it…your blood tastes good. Where shall we go?"
"You will find out soon!" The noble clicked his fingers, and suddenly the once-dead maiden arose. He ordered,
"You, wait me at the castle!" The undead Marienbard nodded and left them alone. He said to Tira,
"Allow me to take you, Mademoiselle!" The vampire lifted his cloak and covered both of them. Instantly they were vanished from the earth!
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At the other hand,
She saw it vividly…something that she wouldn't forget…
Sophitia Alexandra stood triumphantly in her battle attire at the unknown place. She lifted her Omega Sword high to the sky. Beneath her, the motionless bodies of Taki and Seong Mi-na lay. Rekki-maru and Scarlet Thunder were broken into pieces, while Mekki-maru rested at the Greek's waist. Suddenly someone shouted,
"Murderer! You have killed Miss Taki and Mi-na! I won't forgive you!" She turned around and saw Cassandra charging toward her. The young girl shouted her battle cry, as she stormed her older sister. The older woman parried each attack, while waiting the opportunity. Cassandra hissed,
"You'd ashamed our family name!" At that moment, a window of opportunity opened to Sophitia. Like a lightning, she pushed forward and shoved Omega Sword, stabbing her sister right to the chest. Cassandra could only gasp in pain, as blood filled her lungs slowly. She stared her sister with disbelief, before fell in kneeling position. The elder Alexandra smiled coldly, and swung the sword to decapitate…with a slight silhouette of Nightmare nearby.
"ANIO!!" Seong Mi-na shouted aloud, instantly waking the Alexandra sisters. Sophitia quickly came,
"Mi-na! What's happening?" she asked, "Do you have nightmares?" Heavily perspired, the Korean girl nodded,
"Yes, it is terrible!" she said. Cassandra quickly inquired,
"What do you see this time, Miss Mi-na?" Mi-na was silent momentarily. She was hesitated to tell the sisters…that they would kill each other. Smiling sheepishly, she replied,
"Never mind, it just a dream… sorry for bother your sleep!" From their looks, the Alexandra sister weren't convinced. She immediately said,
"Perhaps we should resume our sleep again…goodnight!" After saying that, she dozed off instantly. Huge sweatdrops appeared on Sophitia and Cassie's heads. The younger sister asked,
"Sophie, what do you think?" The older woman sighed,
"If Mi-na won't tell us, perhaps we should wait until she is ready…" She turned around and said,
"Come, we must sleep! Our journey still long…" Unable to find the answers, both sisters went back to sleep with question inside their minds. Cassandra pondered,
This might be similar to my dream before…it always about death. Last time, Sophie and Miss Mi-na were survived from Charade, thanks to Aeon. Then Talim had a similar dream…as a result Miss Taki…gone…who will be die this time? The more she ponders, the more grim its prospects. She decided to forget it…
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Meanwhile,
Sophitia looks concerned. She muttered,
Dreams means bad omens…Taki is gone because of that! Damn, why does the gods sending these visions? What could they achieve through these tricks? As usual, she didn't have answers…
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Sunset at the unnamed plain,
Tira and Raphael walked amidst the grasses. The sunset slightly hurt the noble, however he could endure this. On the open plain, they saw several knights surrounded…a huge rock giant with an axe. The giant had dispatched them easily one by one. The Frenchman commented,
"Last time, the golem and I didn't get along. Why do you think this time will be different?" The Danish girl said,
"Like you, he wants the Soul Edge for himself…don't worry! My plan will work this time! Now come and greet him!"
"As ze wish!"
Astaroth finally crushed the last mounted knight with his Nanbanfu. Just he was about to leave, a presence alerted him.
"I must say your attitude don't change at all…still a brute!" The Merciless Destroyer turned around and saw the noble behind him. He hissed as sulphurous vapor came out
"You…" Raphael quipped darkly, as his hand rested on the pommel,
"Ah, good! You still recognize me, after all!" Instantly, the golem lifted his weapon, while roaring,
"I will destroy you!" He swung his axe vertically, yet the Frenchman blocked the attack with ease.
"You've changed…" he said, as his fangs bared, "…but I've changed too!" The only response that he got was an angry roar. Astaroth swung his weapon uncontrollably, but his opponent had leaped far. Raphael launched a massive stabbage toward the golem. His opponent brushed it like nothing, and suddenly sent a cutting attack toward him. Gritting his teeth, he was forced to safety. This time, Tira joined him.
"Jawohl, that's nice…" she giggled, which Raphael didn't find funny. However, Astaroth stood impassively; he sensed the Danish assassin possesses the aura akin to Soul Edge. Not so strong, and not so weak either. This intrigued him. He asked with a rumble,
"What do you want?" Tira reached out to the golem,
"Come with us…find the Soul Edge!" Hearing that, the Merciless Destroyer roared and thudded his chest,
"I am not serving anyone! Never!" Raphael managed to quip,
"I don't think you're serving anyone the last time we're together…who ask you to serve?" The girl explained,
"I simply ask you to tag along with us. You are free to do anything you want…once you meet my Master you can always challenge him to contest the Soul Edge!" Though slow-witted, Astaroth knew the Soul Edge didn't at its peak. It would be waste to get such insufficient power. This was similar to the last time. Beside, he didn't have a fair chance to fight Nightmare. Once done, he would get rid the weaklings like this noble and the girl. Then he thudded Nanbanfu to the ground, saying,
"Once again…Astaroth will help Soul Edge!" Raphael and Tira smiled to hear; that what they expected.
"Good," she said, "To celebrate it, we shall go to the nearby village in order to gather more souls!" They were departed as the sun goes down.
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Next morning inside the deep forest,
Siegfried Schtauffen trailed slowly beneath the trees' canopy, following the forgotten path. He noted many people had passed by recently. No doubt, their tracks were going to Osthreinsburg. He had followed those brigands silently, but their trails somehow vanished into a thin air. Not only that, the knight noticed an evil aura coming from those ruins. He always knew that, since he had visited the site quite frequently in different incarnation. However, this time was different. It felt…demonic, but unlike Nightmare. Another evil had taken over the castle. The Enigma had gone for good; so it wasn't him.
Recently, he had dreamed…the disembodied voice had called him,
"So you would throw away our friendship?"
"Yes. No one will ever again be a part of my life. Every man or woman who has known me has ultimately fallen to death's touch. So go. Leave me. Forget you ever knew me." Then another voice mocked,
"I have seen what you have done. Now you devote your life to atoning for your sins and redeeming your soul. Are you not as much a victim of that sword as the others?" Other denied,
"No,no! No matter what beguiling words you whisper, my sins cannot be forgiven. I-I slew my father with my own bloodied hands. No cursed sword forced me to do that!" Siegfried knew it was his consciousness; for that reason he had to leave Ivy. He would harm her no more…he really missed her presence. Banishing such thought, he continued,
As he continued, an alarm came to him. Suddenly, his crystalline armor and Soul Calibur reverted into an ordinary armor and zweihander. He realized that he wasn't alone anymore; especially noises came from his direction. He paced his steps and found a huge clearing where the encampment stood there. The largest tent bore the Wolfkrone banner. This meant one thing…the Princess was here! Not for long, sounds of rustling grasses and broken twigs heard around him. Instantly, the soldiers of Wolfkrone surrounded him. They were pointing crossbows and firearms to him. Even so, he didn't feel any killing intent from them. Before he spoke, Baron zum March came. He wore an usual armor, but his feature was softened slightly. He greeted,
"Herr Siegfried, I assume? Princess Hildegard had been right about you, now she was waiting you…" The blond knight nodded,
"I think I can't refuse this invitation…"
"No…" the baron gestured the soldiers to lower their weapons, "…in fact, Your Majesty insists you to come. Now come this way, please!" Siegfried could only sigh, as he escorted into the encampment.
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Once inside, Siegfried and Baron March entered the largest knight. Inside, Hilde's armor and helmet hung nearby. The tall chair rested at the middle of the tent, while facing the wooden table and the smaller chairs. At the left side, the silken curtain covered the other portion. Behind the curtain, everyone could see a fade silhouette of two women. Someone yelled loudly to them,
"Dumkopf, I have told you to disturb me while I'm dressing…" Shocked beyond belief, the baron knelt and apologized,
"Forgive me, Your Majesty! I don't mean to! I've brought the knight Siegfried here," For a moment, there was a silence until the voice looks excited,
"Ja, let him seat! I'll finish soon!" the female turned to her companion, "Gerhilde, please attend our guest for a while!" The elderly maid came and introduced herself,
"My name is Gerhilde. Princess will come soon…please have a seat first, Herr Siegfried,"
Siegfried nodded politely, "Thank you…"
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Two hours later at the capital of Wolfkrone, Sophitia, Cassandra and Seong Mi-na arrived at the kingdom. The young girls had put the modest clothes in order to avoid attention. Cassie wore the green-white clothes and skirt, while Mi-na wore the long white with purple-lines clothes, which less revealing than her first costume. Despite the strappings, only the naughty eyes could peek on the girl's willowy limbs covered in white leggings. However, Sophitia had refused to change her 'simple' costumes, thus put a heavy cloak around her. Even so, the sisters still argued,
"Sophie," Cassandra complained, "Why do you not choose the ordinary clothes? I tired to argue with you in this matter!" The older sister replied,
"I feel comfortable with my clothes, why are you bothered?"
"Yes, but I'm not the only one who bothered! The other would look at you…they would think you're not civilized or sophisticated, if you keep wearing those clothes! Do you agree with me, Miss Mi-na?"
"Actually," The Korean added, "I don't like to wear this; I prefer my old costumes!" Hearing that, the Greek girl pouted only,
"Which side you are actually?" Sophitia stopped them,
"That's enough; I wish to find information about Siegfried or Kilik! Two of them can save Pyrrha's life! I hope this small kingdom could yield some information about them!"
Mi-na yelled, "That's right! This is better than nothing! Let's go!" When they came to the local inn and tavern, what they got was scraps of information. This dampened Sophitia's enthusiasm quickly, but Mi-na and Cassandra kept continuing to hunt information. Despite rowdy, the place looked orderly. During her reign, Hilde had imposed strict regulations to keep order. Soldiers were roving around, watching if anything suspicious happened. While pondering, suddenly Sophitia was accidentally bumped someone. She apologized,
"I'm sorry…I don't meant to," The stranger replied,
"Gomenasai, I don't careful…" The Greek woman felt something familiar in the tone; she looked up and gasped. Her lips trembled, quivering to say…
"Taki…" The raven-haired woman who wore white sleeveless clothes and red leggings stunned to hear the blond woman call her name. Unable to hold her emotions, she hugged the woman and cried,
"Taki…you're still alive! I thought you're gone forever…" This instantly invited a commotion inside the tavern; the Europeans were not accustomed to see women hugging each other. In other hand, Cassandra and Mi-na who had just came, shocked to see the kunoichi. They immediately rushed to the scene, with Mi-na greeted,
"Taki-san, you're alive! The gods must be merciful to us!" The younger girl added,
"Glad to see you again, Miss Taki!" As the commotion grew, Taki watched them in puzzled look and confused with their reactions. She really didn't remember these women, but she had to act fast to defuse the situation. Brushing them, she said to them,
"Look, you must be mistaken! I never see you at all!" Like icy water showered upon them, Sophitia and the others were aghast to hear those words. Instinctively, Sophitia took the kunoichi's left arm,
"Taki, what do you mean? Have you forgotten…" She was unable to continue her words, as the Fu-ma twisted her arm to the back, almost dislocating her arm. The older Alexandra writhed painfully, while her sister shouted,
"Miss Taki! Let Sophie go!" At the same time, the Korean girl pointed her zanbatou
"Taki-san, I hate to hurt you! Please let Sophie go!" The crowd around them immediately dispersed. Staring them, Taki replied calmly,
"I don't have intention to hurt her," She released her lock, allowing Sophitia to go, "Stay away from me, that's my warning!" After saying that, she instantly disappeared.
Atop the roof, Miser watched everything and she looks displeased…
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At the same time,
Close to the fountain at the Wolfkrone Platz, Starkiller sat waiting. He felt out of place at this time. The Dark Jedi used to visit the exotic planets and systems, or encounter strange creatures while doing his missions. However, this planet…looks dull. Humans might be dominant creature here, but the young warrior felt alienated in this planet.
No…there is the girl. She was not a human either… he mused. He wore the cowl over his head and felt comfortable with that until someone suddenly patted him. Starkiller almost pulled his light saber instinctively, had Scheherazade not called him,
"Hello, it is me!" Slightly annoyed, he said,
"You shouldn't do that; I almost kill you in front of the crowd…" The elf maiden merely smiled innocently,
"Sorry, I don't know you're so tense…" she continued, "…by the way, I find a piece of information. The army of this kingdom had just departed to the northeast," The Apprentice was silent; before arrived at this city he sensed the disturbance was stronger at the said direction. Without additional intelligence to confirm, he must take the risk! He must go there! Then he only said,
"Let's go!" As he departed, Scheherazade called,
"Wait, we haven't enjoyed the sight-seeing here yet…" Starkiller had already left, with the elf following him.
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Back to the campsite,
Few minutes later, Hilde came out. Instead her armors, the princess wore the pearly blue dress and a choker around her slender neck. Beneath the slit of her gown, she wore the same color leggings and high heel. Siegfried could see that her skin almost match with her gown's color. Now she was looked like a lady. Then she spoke,
"Thank you for waiting me, Herr Siegfried," The spell was broken and the knight returned to the real world. Hilde seated herself on the taller chair, while Gerhilde and Baron zum March stood beside her. Siegfried noticed the lance was close to her, while the short sword hung upon her waist. He asked politely,
"Honor is mine, Your Majesty. I don't expect Your Majesty was here…I wonder why you send Baron to look for me," The young princess grinned awhile, and then she answered,
"I want you to reconsider my offer, Herr Siegfried," she continued, "Beside, I wonder why you are going to Osthreinsburg. What are you looking for there?" Despite the gentleness, the German noticed a slightly condescending tone in her question. It looks like she ordered him to answer. He replied,
"I have something to settle there…"
Hilde inquired, "Family or personal?"
"Personal, Your Majesty!" This made the princess thought something interesting with this knight. No matter what, he must have him by her side! She implored him again,
"Please, Herr Siegfried! Think my offer again! I promise to give you more gold and glory if you join me! You won't be disappointed!" Siegfried bowed awhile, and to her shock, rose,
"I am afraid we have nothing to discuss further, Princess. My answer is the same. Would you excuse me, Your Majesty?" Baron March was upset, but Hilde now looks livid with anger. She had tried to be gentle, but the knight's stubbornness had irritated her and slighted her patience. Grabbing the Frischer Himmel, she threw it toward the post close to Siegfried and cursed,
"Schweinehund! Nobody ever turn their back to me, not even you Siegfried!" Staring the lance close to him, the knight stood still. Hilde went toward him,
"Do you realize that I can have you killed just because of this?" she shouted angrily. Siegfried responded calmly,
"I know, but I simply can't join you. The stakes is …too great! I won't change anything though you must kill me," The princess was stunned to hear that. This was the first time someone had defied her. Since the incident, everyone always cater to her whim and never disobeyed. Today, someone had dared to disobey her…Sensing the opportunity, the Baron intervened,
"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion for this dilemma…" Hilde replied,
"I am open for any suggestions, tell me…" Baron March turned to the blond knight and said,
"Herr Siegfried, I know you're familiar with the terrain surrounding the Osthreinsburg. I realize it as we're met at the forest. Therefore, I suggest you can guide our army to the Ostrhreinsburg safely. By this, the brigands couldn't ambush us again. Once arrived, you're free to go…with this you aren't part of us and yet still following us. What do you think?" Siegfried pondered momentarily, while Hilde looks brightened. Finally, he said, while shaking the noble's hand,
"I think it is a good compromise…I accept the suggestion!" Baron turned to the princess, "What do you think, Your Majesty?" Hilde nodded,
"Jawohl! That's good…Baron, show Herr Siegfried our campsite! Invite him to join the bonfire where we will drink the best ale," The German knight smiled slightly,
"That's an offer that I can't refuse…" Then both men came out from the tent.
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Light years away,
Inside his palace at Coruscant, Darth Vader exerted his utmost concentration by immersing himself into the Dark side. He believed nobody ever done such thing, save the Emperor Palpatine. The dark warrior tried to reach out the creature, but its soul was too…chaotic. Nevertheless, it was worth to try…
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At Dagobah Swamp,
Yoda mediated once again, however the situation wasn't favored him. The Dark side grew stronger and shrouded his view. At the same time, the disturbance had grown erratic. In order to restore the balance, he must contact the like-minded people beyond. Heavily perspired, he muttered,
"Try must I…the Light side have they must…" The Jedi Master continued his meditation again…
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Back to Earth, on the Red Sea,
Kilik and Xianghua slept together inside their room; their clothes were scattered on the floor. Yet, the former monk felt restless in his sleep and awoke. Yawned, the Chinese girl also awoke and asked,
"Kilik, why waking up? What's happened?" He said,
"I…hear someone calling me. It seems urgent…about warning…the disturbances,"
"What kind of disturbances?" Kilik held his head in utter confusion,
"I…don't know. The voice is too distant…and I have difficulty to hear it clearly," Shaking her head, Xianghua held him and said,
"Kilik, don't force yourself to understand everything. After we're arrived, we'll have time to focus on your dream," After saying so, she kissed him at the lips. The young master said,
"Perhaps you're right…" He kissed her back and returned to slumber again.
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At the midnight,
Cassandra and Seong Mi-na still followed Taki from the distance. After left Sophitia at the local inn, they managed to track the kunoichi and tailed her. The longer they followed her, the farther they go. Few hours passed, their target suddenly turned around and shouted,
"Come out, both of you!" she shouted, "I know you had followed me for three hours!" Then the girls came out. The kunoichi spoke,
"What do you think I am? Stupid? I had known you are following me since beginning…" The Korean girl replied,
"I think you can use the less-insulting words to us, Taki-san…we just want to talk only,"
"Really? Unfortunately, I am not senpai…" 'Taki' suddenly ripped her mask and costumes, revealing herself as Miser. Cassandra and Mi-na shocked beyond belief. The Greek girl shouted,
"The bandit! Where is Miss Taki? What have you done to her?" The bandit replied with a mock surprise,
"Me? I do nothing to senpai…she was on another place for information. But I simply use your gullible to misguide you," The girls instantly pointed their weapons to her,
"What are you doing to Miss Taki until she forgets all of us? Have you brainwashed her?"
"No," Miser answered, "That was the accident, however we believe this was the best! Without you, senpai won't be distracted again…but you turn to be annoying and require a drastic measure,"
Cassandra taunted, "Oh, yeah? How will you do that? Remember, we're outnumbering you one to two!"
"It won't be a problem sooner…Shura!" As the kunoichi clicked, the demon-possessed warrior appeared in front of them from nowhere. Despite following Taki during the maho-tsukai incident, Mi-na never encountered Shura, therefore she was unaware of the danger she had posed. Miser commented,
"Now shall we start now?" Before she unsheathe Red Crow and Rusty Wing, Shura stopped her and said,
"If you don't mind, I want to play with these twerps. I bored to death during our journey; maybe they can entertain me a bit," The former bandit didn't expect his, however it helped her very much. She replied,
"Sure, have a time with them!" Felt offended with her sayings, Seong Mi-na called,
"Who do you think I am? Seong Han Myoung's daughter is not to be taken lightly! I will show you through the hard way!" Shura responded lazily,
"So, you claim yourself as the strongest warrior? We shall see that…come on!" Mi-na glanced to Cassandra and said,
"Cassie, leave this one for me! You can take the other!" The young girl nodded,
"Be careful, Miss Mi-na!" Then the Korean girl lifted and whirled her zanbatou before taking the fighting stance, while Shura unsheathe her katana, Fujin-maru and Raijin-maru. Without wasting time, Mi-na opened the attack with Whirling Fangs. Her opponent waited until the attack got closer and…
"Wave Break!" Swung one of her katana, the demonic warrior broke the initial strike. The impact sent the Korean reeling aback. Before managed to recover, Mi-na was shocked to see Shura closing their distance and sent a high kick toward her mid-section and face. Biting her lips, she held her ground though dragged three steps backward. Like a rabid dog, Shura pursued her opponent and lifted her katana with a murderous look. Sensing the danger, the Korean lifted Scarlet Thunder to block the attack. As the weapons impacted, she felt something like a huge boulder hit her frame. She began to afraid,
She…wasn't a human…so terrifying…bloodthirsty! Darn, this is the first time…I hope it won't be my last time! She tried to control her breathing and focus for the next assault. Shura shouted,
"Why are you stopping now? Go on!" Mi-na replied,
"I just start to warm-up!" Then she began to send two simultaneous horizontal cuts toward the demon-possessed woman. Shura responded by crossing her katanas and whirled toward the opponent. Once again, the attack broke Mi-na's attack. But she wasn't there until…
"Got you! Frankensteiner!" With all her might, Seong Mi-na threw the older woman very hard to the ground and distanced away. She looks pleased, but that look won't long…as her opponent rose instantly and shove the katanas to her. Shura smiled sadistically,
"Good, now my turn!" With Cannonball Lifter, she flipped her to the air. As her opponent floated on the air helplessly, she knocked her down with Soul Crush, tearing some of her garments. Mi-na rolled momentarily and coughed profuse blood.
"Mi-na!" Cassie shouted, while Miser simply watched the fight. Then she mocked,
"I suggest you should help her, or else…Shura would cut her head off…" Ignoring her, the Greek girl ran toward her friend. Though they were not meant for each other, she still cared for her.
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Meanwhile,
Nightmare struggled to maintain its existence, but it was getting harder day by day. The complete Soul Edge had drained him, and it was loath to remake it again. The Azure Knight cursed why Tira didn't come quickly; humans were unreliable…same as its present link. He must found another vessel quickly.
In the midst of anguish and despair, it felt someone…reaches out him from the darkness.
Finally, I can reach you… The demon knight surprised to hear that,
"What? Who are you?" The voice replied mockingly,
Who I am not your concern…I sense you look desperate… Nightmare growled furiously,
"I don't need your pity…" Instantly, its ethereal frame wracked with pain and slowly faded. The creature screamed audibly, but nobody hear it. Once the fit was over, the voice continued,
Nor will I give…yet we can help each other. My offer is good for once only; will you take it or leave it? Unable to bear the previous agony, Nightmare croaked,
"What do you want me to do?" The voice commanded,
Call me Master… The Azure Knight writhed angrily; it felt too proud to acknowledge someone more powerful than itself. Yet, Algol's threat was too great to be ignored. Gnashing its abdominal maws, the evil knight slowly knelt to the ground, whispered unwillingly,
"Master…"
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Sensing that, the Darklord of the Sith nodded satisfactorily. He hissed,
"Excellent," he continued, "Now your journey in the Dark side had just begun…"
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The same time at Antwerp harbour,
Tira and Raphael landed softly upon one of the ships. The Frenchman whispered,
"Are you sure this is the one?" The Danish girl nodded,
"Yes, that's the reason I don't bring the brute along…this one need to be convinced," Before they walked, someone shouted,
"Itigil mo yan! Pakilala sino ka!" The feminine voice was followed by the other,
"Yes, stay where you are!" Tira hissed deeply,
"When I heard such strange accents, I know who they are," Not for long, Talim and Yun-Seong appeared on the deck. In no time, the Filipino girl recognized the assassin,
"Naku, ikaw yan ang babae ng siraulo! Ang alay ni Nightmare!" The red-haired youth replied,
"Yes, the one who had attacked us with Voldo!" He turned to Raphael, "And he once stole Soul Edge from Sir Siegfried! Where is Voldo now?" Tira spat,
"Gone…both of you will follow too!" Before she acted, the noble stopped her first,
"Wait, we try the persuasive way first!" he suggested, "Allow me first!" Grudgingly, the Danish nodded. At the same time, Yun-Seong glanced to the White Storm; it revealed Raphael's true face. He shouted,
"Stay still, vampire! We know you're escaped from Cepheus! But we won't let you go!" Talim was startled to hear it,
"Naku, tiyanak ito?" Holding his head in frustration, the Frenchman said,
"Youth, ze don't want to fight you. Ze just want to talk with the captain of this ship. That's all!"
The Korean replied, "You mean Maxi? He isn't here now! Please go now!" The priestess followed,
"Bakit kailangan mo si Tito Maxi? Parang masamang balak ito!" Suddenly, the steel ring thudded loudly and Tira said,
"Girl, I'm tired to hear you talk like that! Perhaps I should settle this with more direct approach!" With that, the Danish charged toward Talim , while kept insulting,
"Savage like you not supposed be here!" This tugged Talim's nerve; she shouted back,
"Ininnsultohin mo ba ako? Walang hiyaka! Kunin ang sabihin mo!" Without thinking back, she unleashed Cao Ankana and Syi Syarika impacting with Tira's Ixion!
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Burying his face, Raphael couldn't help to wonder about those girls. He commented,
"Girls…so, Yun-Seong is your name, isn't it? What shall we do?" The youth grew wary now,
"What do you have in your mind?"
"Only one thing…your blood!" With that, Raphael Sorel pulled his Queen's Guard and swung toward Yun-Seong ferociously.
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Author's Note: Well, this might come as surprise! The Force had chosen their representatives in this fight. We wonder why are Vader wants from Nightmare? What happened to Starkiller? How will Yoda convince Kilik? Why Tira and Raphael are wanting from Maxi? How will Seong Mi-na and Cassandra survive from their encounter with Shura? Still many questions waiting to be answered. Just wait on the next chapter, "March to the Fates" I wait for your reviews, opinions, critics, flames! See you soon!
Glossary:
Filipino
Itigil mo yan! Pakilala sino ka! –Stop there! Introduce who you are!
Naku, ikaw yan ang babae ng siraulo! Ang alay ni Nightmare-Oh no, you are the crazy woman! Follower of Nightmare!
Tiyanak-bloodsuckers (Filipino)
Bakit kailangan mo si Tito Maxi? Parang masamang balak ito!-Why do you need Tito Maxi? It might be evil intention!
Ininnsultohin mo ba ako? Walang hiyaka! Kunin ang sabihin mo-Are you insulting me? How dare you! Take your words back!