Hikari and the Soul Edge
Chapter 10: Rematch
Hikari and her friends arrived in a town that was nearby a dormant volcano. The problem with this town was that it was completely abandoned. After spending the entire day searching for any sign of life, the heroes gathered at the center of town.
"Did you find anyone?" Hikari asked.
"Nobody," Kenji asked.
"It's as if they all disappeared," Maria said.
"That's weird," Hikari said.
"That's not the weirdest part," Kenji said. "I think this town's been abandoned recently."
"Why?" Hikari and Maria asked.
"When I was looking around, I saw that most of the town was not covered with dust at all," Kenji answered. "And that's not all. I also found that the food in everyone's houses is still edible."
"You looked through other people's food?" Hikari asked.
"That's not relevant," Kenji said. "Think about it. Why would everyone just up and leave without their food?"
They all thought about this for a minute. Hikari then realized it.
"They must've been forced out!" Hikari exclaimed.
"Or their souls were sucked by the Soul Edge," Kenji said. "It could be either one. And I have a feeling that everything leads to the nearby volcano."
They all looked towards the volcano. Dark clouds hung over the top of the mountain.
"I guess we should investigate," Hikari said.
"It is our only lead," Kenji said.
"Let's move!" Maria shouted.
"Kupo!" Mog squeaked.
They all made their way to the volcano. As they left the town itself, two figures in the shadows were watching them. One of the figures was about knee-high.
At the base of the volcano, Hikari and her friends discovered a large opening. Inside the opening were staircases leading down.
"Who's up for going down the spooky staircase?" Kenji asked.
They slowly began to descend downwards. The further down they went, the warmer the air seemed to feel. Eventually, the heat became overwhelming.
"This is horrible!" Hikari groaned as she wiped the sweat from her face.
They eventually reached the lowest and hottest point in the volcano. The area where the staircase ended was a large room filled with lava. On the lava were patches of walk able land. One of the patches of land was large enough to be a fighting arena.
"This is impressive," Kenji said.
"If you can stand the heat, this would make a good hide-out," Maria said.
Hikari stepped onto the large patch of land. She then felt a familiar presence as her friends started to follow her.
"Get back!" Hikari shouted.
Kenji, Maria, and Mog looked confused. Their faces changed to surprise when an attack came towards Hikari. Hikari managed to raise her blade up in time for a block. When she looked at her attacker, a look of anger grew onto her face.
"You again?" Tira said. "I guess I can play with you for a while."
"You!" Hikari shouted. "You attacked my family and destroyed my home! Now it's time for my revenge!"
"Hikari!" Kenji and Maria shouted.
"Let me do this alone, guys," Hikari said. "This is my battle."
Tira charged towards Hikari. When Tira flipped through the air to perform a spinning ring strike. Hikari rose up her blade to block the attack. Tira then flipped backwards and threw her blade. Hikari rolled to the side to dodge. Tira flipped through the air and landed next to her blade, which she picked up.
The two women then charged towards each other for one quick strike. At speeds invisible to the naked eye, the two women shot past each other. As they ran forwards, the clash of metal could be heard. When they stopped moving, neither woman moved for a moment. Tira then fell to the ground.
"You did it!" Maria shouted.
Tira slowly began to stand up, but Hikari had her sword to her throat.
"It's over," Hikari said. "Your fate is in my hands."
The room suddenly grew hotter.
"Master!" Tira shouted.
Hikari tentatively turned around and saw the source of the increase in temperature. Standing behind her was a knight wearing azure armor. His entire right arm was demonic. In his left hand was a gigantic sword with an eye in its center. The knight's eyes were soulless and demonic. The eye of his sword began to look around.
"Who is this guy?" Hikari thought fearfully. "Something about him…I…I can't move."
"An azure knight who wields the Soul Edge," Kenji said. "No! Hikari! It's Nightmare!"
Nightmare first looked towards Tira.
"You have failed me," Nightmare said. "Redeem yourself by killing those two."
He pointed towards Kenji, Maria, and Mog.
"Yes, Master," Tira said.
Tira jumped into the air and landed next to Kenji, Maria and Mog.
"KUPO!!" Mog screamed.
"Guys!" Hikari shouted.
She tried to run towards them, but a large sword appeared in her path.
"Understand, wretched girl," Nightmare said. "Your soul is mine to take."
Hikari raised her sword in preparation for a battle. She then charged straight towards Nightmare. When she was in range, she began to swing her blade, but Nightmare swiftly blocked every attack. Once he found an opening, he struck Hikari on her ribs with his blade. Hikari fell to the ground and her sword slid into the lava.
"My sword!" Hikari shouted.
She then groaned and gripped her bloody rib because of the pain.
"Now for the end!" Nightmare shouted.
He raised his sword into the air. He prepared to slam his sword into Hikari. Hikari closed her eyes and prepared for the end.
"Keep your hands off of my daughter!" a voice shouted.
Nightmare then screamed with pain as something slashed him. Hikari opened her eyes. Nightmare had been pushed backwards. The one who was standing before Hikari now was her father, Kai.
"Dad!" Hikari shouted.
Kai kneeled down to Hikari. He then cast a Curaga spell to close her wound.
"Stay put," Kai said. "Don't worry about your friends. Take a look if you want."
Hikari looked over towards where her friends were. Kenji, Mog, and Maria were all ok. Standing before a defeated Tira was Metaknight.
"Metaknight, take care of my daughter," Kai said. "I'll take on Nightmare."
Metaknight's cape turned into wings, and he flew over to Hikari, picked her up, and carried her over to her friends. Once he knew his daughter was safe, Kai prepared for combat. He and Nightmare struck at each other. Their swords clashed as they fought longer and longer.
Kai then jumped back and pulled something small out of his pocket. He threw the object, and a small seal surrounded Nightmare.
"What is this?!" Nightmare growled.
"My wife's invention," Kai said. "It's a temporary seal that uses your own power to keep you from moving. Metaknight, get moving!"
"Yes," Metaknight said.
Metaknight grabbed Hikari and her friends. He then began to fly out of the cave.
"Dad!" Hikari shouted as she was pulled out of the room.
"Stay safe," Kai whispered.
"Do you believe you can hold me here forever?!" Nightmare asked.
"Not forever," Kai said. "Just long enough for this!"
Kai began to focus his energy. His sword then transformed into a purple blade of energy. He then split the energy into two swords, which he wielded in each hand. He whole room began to shake and the lava below began to bubble.
"Impossible!" Nightmare shouted.
"GIGAGASH!!" Kai shouted.
He unleashed the energy, which spread throughout the entire room, causing the cave to collapse. Meanwhile, Hikari, her friends, and Metaknight were outside. They then watched as the volcano began to erupt.
"DAD!!" Hikari cried.
"We have to get out of here!" Kenji shouted.
Everyone began to run, except Hikari, who just sat there, tears streaming down her face.
"Move, Hikari!" Kenji shouted as he ran back and began to pull her shoulder.
Metaknight then grabbed Hikari and pulled her away. The heroes managed to flee the area in time before the lava consumed the entire town. When it was all over, Hikari stared at the volcano from a distance. A look of shock covered her face. Also on her face were dried-up tears.
"It's…impossible," Hikari said. "He couldn't have…he can't…"
Everyone else was standing behind her, not knowing what to say or do.
"Hikari," Maria began as she walked over.
When she took a step, Kenji stopped her.
"Let's give her a minute alone," Kenji said.
"But…" Maria began.
"He is right," Metaknight said. "She needs to be alone right now. You two should rest. I'll stay here and make sure she's safe."
Kenji and Maria merely nodded and left. Mog flew over and looked up at Hikari. Because she was sad, Mog was sad as well. The two of them just watched the volcano as the sun set.