Sorry about the delay, between the Nachi Virus, getting the story booted from Fanfiction.net (and I lost all those reviews too...) and other responsibilities I've been pretty busy. For the last time I don't own Soul Calibur or The Legend of Zelda.
Of Wind and Forest
Despite the cramped confines of the King of Red Lions, Link found he was able to rest quite comfortable. Another strange occurrence was that he was not ill at all. Even in larger ship's like Maxi's he was violently sick, but in this small boat that was barely made for one he felt as good as if he were back in his home riding Epona. He wondered what could be the source of this, but this was a passing worry.
The Hylian's main concern was the bundle that rested in his arms. Talim had used all her energies to create winds that would take them to the mainland. However it drained her greatly and she was forced to spend most of the time sleeping. He wasn't worried though, Talim slept with a content smile on her face against her living pillow. He wasn't worried, just a little lonely.
It was strange to him, Link had traveled for seven years by himself. He had fought countless opponents alone, had grown up alone, but now with Talim lying against him he felt lonely. She had been by his side since he had come to this world, she had been with him every step of the way. She had chosen to be with him over her own people.
Now she was bringing herself to the brink of exhaustion to get them to their destination. Link understood that she was not doing this just for him, Talim had her reasons for destroying the Soul Edge as well. Link smiled as he caressed her face with a gloved hand, whatever happened he wanted it to happen with her.
"Mama," Talim murmured as Link traced a line over her mouth, "I'm sorry Mama." Hearing this Link stopped. "I want to see you again." Link smiled at Talim and decided on where he wanted to go when everything was over.
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The storm had taken more out of Nightmare than he thought. He could feel Siegfried's persona fighting to awaken, trying to regain control of the body again. It was beginning to affect the control that he maintained over Astaroth and his other servants.
What was more, he could feel the souls that moved to find the Soul Edge. Many others were beginning to converge on the chapel. He could feel the souls of familiar enemies and those of Siegfried's once comrades beginning to draw near. The Soul Blade needed to complete itself and soon, for among those souls was that which had rend it asunder once before, the Soul Calibur. As soon as the last few shards were gathered it would be unstoppable.
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Link clenched his eyes, trying to remove the last remnants of sleep. He wondered when it was that he had fallen asleep. Now as it neared sunset the King of Red Lions continued to speed to land, carried by Talim's prayers. He wished that there was more that he could to help her, but all he could do was be by her side.
"Good morning," Talim said as she felt Link stir, "how are you Link?" Talim stretched her left arm around Link's back. She sighed contently as she arched her back. Despite her fatigue Talim was in paradise, held in the arms of Link.
"I think that a better question would be how you are?" He repressed an urge to shudder as Talim's fingers tickled the back of his neck. "You're sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," she laughed, "Invoking the Wind Deity doesn't hurt me, but if I don't dance it's more tiring to do so."
"I don't think I've ever seen you dance before." Link commented off- handedly, "I think you'll have to show me sometime, maybe when we go back to your people you can-"
"Link look!" Talim lifted herself from his embrace. Then she pointed to the horizon, "land!" There not more than a few miles away was a mountain range. Seeing this Talim poured all of her energies into increasing the winds. Both knew that it would not be much longer.
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"You're sure it's all right?" Talim asked as Link blushed furiously as he looked at the floor. "You don't have to if you don't really want to."
"No," Link said, determined, "this is something I have to do, there is no other way."
"Are you sure?" Talim reiterated, she could tell how uncomfortable he was with the situation. This was not something that he did every day, nor was it something he had much experience in.
"No this is it." This was like nothing he had done before. Talim was more experienced in this matter than him, so he could do nothing other than rely on his instincts. Screwing up his courage Link prepared to make his move. He brought his hand down and then...
"Not there," Talim cried out. Startled Link pulled back his hands, then rethinking his strategy he tried again. Once he made his move he looked up to see Talim smiling brightly. "Yes there," she confirmed.
"It's..." Link had a hard time continuing, the situation was all so new to him that he did not know what to do, lifting himself up he said, "It's your turn now."
"Then I'll make my move now," Talim said confidently reaching down. In one quick move she was finished and triumphantly called out, "checkmate."
Link sighed heavily in frustration, it was the third time in a row that Talim had won. Talim had learned from a traveling merchant about a game called chess, which was the game that they had been playing since they had made it to an inn. Somehow Link had been able to successfully hide his ears in his hair, after mooring the King of Red Lions the two decided it would be for the best if they had a night's sleep in a warm bed before they set out on their journey.
"One more game," Talim pleaded, a stern look from Link quelled her, "guess not. Then what are we going to do for fun?" Link turned several shades of red before he looked to the ground again.
"I think we should go to bed." Link said as he put the inn's chess set away. When he turned around again Talim was staring him down with her head cocked sideways. Link swallowed hard for reasons he himself could not understand and with a fearful look in hid eyes said, "What?"
"You know," Talim said as she turned her head to look at the sleeping arrangements, "there's only one bed." Link turned suddenly then and from under is bangs he turned a bright shade of red. "So what did you plan on doing?"
"I'll sleep on the floor tonight," saying this Link fell back on to the floor. This was not his greatest plan as his groaning could attest to it. Sitting up Link used his left hand to rub the base of his head which took the brunt of the fall.
"That wasn't very bright," Talim said as her eyes became like slits, "come on get up." Taking his free hand Talim pulled the youth to his feet. "I don't have a problem sharing a bed with you," saying this caused Link to perform a double take, to reiterate her statement Talim spoke again, "I don't."
"I just think that-" Link would never finish that sentence, for Talim had already interjected.
"Don't give me that line about how it's inappropriate," Talim huffed, Link raised his finger and took a breath as if to point something out, "we've been together for so long and this would not be the first time that we have slept together." Link's finger was then lowered as he sighed.
Defeated and wondering why he would turn down such an offer in the first place, Link let Talim lead him by the hand to bed.
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Link discovered that night just how hard it was to sleep in a comfortable bed with a beautiful woman in his arms. He had spent at least two hours staring into the darkness that surrounded them. It was in this darkness that Link's thoughts poured into his mind with the force of a raging river.
The days were filled with such joy that he could no longer believe he was on a mission to save his people from the Soul Edge. Talim had given him a purpose in this world, but it seemed as if he had lost the purpose from his home world. Were they even on the right path anymore?
Other thoughts filled his head, thoughts of his promise to his people, his silent promise to Talim. His feelings for the Wind Priestess had grown more powerful than he could ever have thought possible. There was more to his quest now than just destroying the Soul Edge for the sake of his people.
"Link," a sleepy voice called out from beside him, "what will we do when it's over."
"I'll take you home," Link said to his half sleeping bed mate, "I'll take you back to your family."
"That'd be great," she said as she cuddled closer to him, "but exiles can't go back. I'm just like you now." Saying this Talim fell into a deeper sleep, leaving Link to awake to ponder their meaning.
Link stayed awake long after that, to the point where he could not honestly tell whether or not his eyes were open, for what seemed like an eternity he thought of Talim's sleeping words. Why hadn't she told him earlier? Was it that he couldn't trust him with the truth?
That could not be it, Talim had always been open with herself. More than likely she had done it because she did not like to think about it, she often had a habit of avoiding the topic of going home after the journey was done. For her it was more likely a source of pain much like Link's own at having to leave his people.
Still he could not help but feel like the biggest jerk on the planet when he said things like 'don't worry I'll take you home safely after it's all over.' Link had felt clueless before, it was something that he became used to after going through more than his fare share of dungeons and the like, but that did not mean that he liked the feeling.
It wasn't until then that he fully comprehended Talim's father's words 'you'll be all she has'. Without a people to return to and without a home to see again, Link might really be the only person left in the word who cared a whit about Talim. He might be the only person who would be with her.
It was at that moment of swirling thought and emotion that he came to a decision, one that he would share with her in the morning. He resolved to go to sleep, knowing well that he would need his energy for the coming day.
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Sleep did not come that night, no form of rest graced the Hylian's body. He dreaded what he had to do, but he knew that he had to. Talim would not like this at all. He felt her start to stir in his arms, she was waking up. It was now or never.
"Good morning," Talim yawned as she turned over to look at Link, "sleep well?"
"Not exactly," Talim became alert when she saw a sad smile on his face, "there's something we need to talk about."
"What is it?" Talim asked as she sat up. "Is everything okay?"
"No," Link said as he turned his face away from her eyes, "This isn't easy to say."
"You want to go on without me?" After so much time together he thought that Talim would be able to read her easily enough. Link confirmed her suspicions when he did not answer. "You do, don't you." Link rose from the bed and started gathering his things.
"Yes," now Talim too was on her feet, "we're close enough now that I can find the rest of the way myself, I don't want you coming with me." Link would not look her in the eyes, he would look at her at all.
"So you just used me then?" Talim raised her voice as she spoke, "That was it wasn't it? The whole time you were with me you just lied to me, you never wanted me around you just needed my power to get you to the Soul Edge and now that you can get the rest of the way without me you're leaving me."
Link did not answer, nor did he even flinch as Talim made accusation out of accusation. He continued to gather himself and prepare to leave.
"Everything really was a lie wasn't it?" Talim spoke on the verge of tears when Link had finished packing and headed for the door. "Everything, including what you said on Maxi's ship." Hearing this Link stopped. "You never cared, you never cared at all. I was just your tool, something you could use."
As Link walked over to her, Talim drew her arms into her body and started crying quietly. Had Talim looked into his eyes she would have seen the abject misery that they possessed. He hated himself for what he was doing, he never intended on causing her pain. This was however the way things were in the real world, he could not protect her with ideals or emotions. He reached out his arm to hold her.
"Don't touch me." Talim whispered, her voice dripping with venom. When the arm continued its course, she tried to bat it away, then when his other arm followed she tried to force that away as well. What ensued then was a short struggle that lead to Talim's arms pressed between the two bodies as Link's arms were wrapped around her.
She hated him then, but she did not want that embrace to end. That was because when it ended he would walk out of her life, probably forever. He had lied to her, used her, but at the same time he had made her greatest dream come true. Link had given Talim her freedom. She could go where ever she wanted and do what ever she pleased. So she would continue on, with or without him.
"You know you can't stop me," Talim whispered, "you can't keep me from going on, so why not let me continue on with you." Talim looked up into his eyes, there with a sad smile was a resolve that mirrored in her own eyes. Talim took this as a victory.
She broke away from him, to put on her boots and get her other things. As her back was turned to him Talim heard the soft music of Link's wind instrument, an ocarina he had called it, but as the notes played she felt her limbs growing heavier. Talim felt a great fatigue over come her as she felt to the ground unconscious.
Once Link was sure the spell of the Ocarina of Time was working he stopped playing the wind instrument. Picking up Talim's body in his arms Link placed her back in the bed, then kissing her forehead gently he Hero of Time left the inn, without his Wind Shaman.
Talim wasn't aware of the time when she again woke up. Talking to the Innkeeper she discovered that a half a day had gone by since Link had left her. She would have to hurry if she wanted to catch up to Link before he did something dangerous.
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Link did not have long to travel, that night he reached the decadent ruins of the structure that was once called Ostrheinsburg Chapel. Four years ago this was the place where the Soul Edge and the Soul Calibur clashed and the Azure Nightmare was weakened considerably. It was here that he was gathering his power and here where he planed his resurrection.
Already he could feel the presence of the evil blade, as well as others that were seeking it. There were as many warriors as there were reasons to seek the weapon. If he did not hurry he would be too late to destroy the sword.
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He had been tracking the sword for years, it had been his all consuming goal. With it he could eliminate the warring nobles and create a life where he and his daughter could live in peace. He could bring a single great order to those that needed it. With the Sword of Salvation he could again make everything right. Such was the resolve of Raphael Sorel.
He hadn't been tracking the blade long. It was no more than a few weeks since he set out that he had come across the Chapel where he could literally feel the sword. It called out to him, he could tell that it needed his strength as much as he needed its.
Guided by the energies he made his way to the chamber where the sword was kept. It was there that he found the swords current master, weakened and barely able to stand.
When the Soul Edge felt the presence of this man it could feel an insanity that would add greatly to it's power. It matter little who wielded it, all the sword needed was a strong body that would feed it the souls it craved. Feeling the limits of Seigfried's body it decided to test the potential wielder. Either it received a new stronger wielder or it feed on the challenger's soul, either way benefited it.
"You're too weak for that," Raphael said with a smug look on his face. "Aren't you?"
To this the Nightmare smiled and raised himself to his full height. Then drawing the Soul Edge from where it rested in the ground he said, "Show me the depths of your insanity."
It was then that the two souls clashed.
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It was morning when Talim had reached the ruins, there she felt the presence of many others. These people who had many reasons had congregated here, for better or worse this was it.
"I didn't think you'd be here." The familiar voice spoke behind her, one she had not heard since she and Link had left his ship.
"Maxi," she said in disbelief, "you're alive?"
"I have something I need to do," he spoke seriously, which was odd to Talim, "I ain't dying until I finish my business with him." Something strange had come over him, this was not the nice, humorous man that she had seen before. His eyes held anger that she had never thought possible.
"Maxi," Talim whispered, this could not be the same person.
"What are you doing Missy?" Wrapped around his neck was a pair of sticks, polished metal and wooden sticks joined by a chain. She had recalled seeing them once before, it was called a nunchaku the last time she saw one.
"I'm looking for someone," she said, unable to look Maxi in the eyes, had he really changed this much, "me friend Link is there somewhere."
"You wanna find him?" Maxi said as he looked to the chapel, "it's a big place, you'll probably need some company." When he said that Talim looked straight at him to see a toothy grin play on his face.
"Thank you very much." She said. Then the Mariner and the Shaman entered Ostrheinsburg Chapel.
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Link sheathed his sword. He then rotated his shoulders to get any kinks out. Around him, in the dank, humid, regions of Ostrheinsburg Chapel were the bodies of Lizardmen, hordes of them. Link had spent nearly the entire night fighting these monstrosities, had it not been for some of the magic he had left in him he would not have survived.
More than anything he wanted to rest, he wanted to just stop, but he had come too far and sacrificed too much to just give up now. All that was left for him was to destroy the sword, his sacrifices would not be meaningless.
Steeling himself for what he still had to do, Link left the chamber where he fought the Lizardmen. This was nothing more to him than another dungeon, one more quest to add to the multitude of dungeons that he had crawled through. At least that was what he kept telling himself.
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"Missy," Maxi said as he raised his hand over her chest, "this is where we need to part ways." He did not look to her, his eyes as well as his mind were in a different place. Taking his nunchaku in his hands he ran off, paying no mind to the girl that he just left.
"Good luck," Talim whispered to the diminishing figure. Crashing through the surroundings Maxi launched a barrage of attacks with his nunchaku against his enemy.
"Remember me," Maxi said with a vindictive grin, "you freak?" The creature he spoke to was almost seven feet tall. It wore little clothing, just enough to cover the weakest parts. It's bald head and pupil less eyes were all that were visible as it's mouth was covered by a metal mask. The most frightening feature of this monster was the beating red stone that was visible and beating. This was Nightmare's once servant Astaroth, the man that Maxi had hunted, the man that killed his crew so long ago and nearly killed him.
"Worms!" The creature shouted after it made a guttural cry. The battle would be fierce and end with the death of one of them. This was what he wanted though, for better or worse it would end there.
Talim could not stay though for she felt Link calling to her. The resonating of the Soul Calibur was also growing, it could feel the Soul Edge. It would not be long now.
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More than seeing it Link could feel the presence of the Soul Edge. The Master Sword, dormant since he had entered this world pulsated with life. It signaled the presence of the evil sword. Looking out to the distance he could see a blonde man standing, almost as if he were waiting for something.
At the sight of him the shards of the Soul Edge glowed and yearned to return to their body. It was then that Link knew his final battle was at hand. Praying to his Goddesses Link readied himself.
Crossing the distance Link got a better look at the being that wielded the Soul Edge. As he did the man attacked. He waved his sword and stabbed at the Hylian. Link deftly leaped back and avoided all the strikes. It was then that he learned his attacks were more of an experiment to see how Link would react than to do any harm.
"Watch quietly, and learn" the man spoke with an air of dignity hinting at a noble birth. He was an older man in his early thirties, his hair was a short blonde and his eyes were a light blue. His skin was paler than some and he wore clothing of great finery. The man stood at least a head taller than the Hero of Time and had a confidence about him that Link could not help but be impressed by. This man's weapon was a rapier, a thin sword made to emphasize speed. Drawing the Master Sword and his Hylian Shield Link prepared to do battle with Raphael Sorel, the man who the Soul Edge now possessed.
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As Talim ran through the halls of the Chapel she could not help but worry about Maxi, however this worry was dwarfed by the worry she felt for Link. She prayed to the winds for all their worth that she would make it in time.
As she ran she felt the presence of someone she had not seen in a long time. Talim stopped running then, taking the Soul Calibur in her hands she prepared to stop the familiar presence.
The person was a man, one with flaming red hair and brown eyes. His skin was tanned from many long days under the sun, he wore a pair of white pants with a unique design on the knee area, and he wore an orange sash around his waist and a vest that was half white and half orange. He carried with him a sword of Chinese design that he called the White Storm. This was someone that she had known long before Link, this was someone that she had been intimate with. This was Hong Yunsung.
"I can't let you go on," she said, "that sword is evil." Yunsung had once confided in her that he would use the Soul Edge to strengthen his home country. That lead to the argument that caused him to leave the Wind Tribe after they met.
"I don't care if it's evil," he said drawing is sword, "I will protect my country."
"There is no other way, correct." That said Talim prepared to battle the man she once loved.
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The battle with the Soul Edge's new wielder was proving to be too much for the Hero of Time. This fighter by himself was enough of an opponent for him. Unlike Link, this warrior was professionally trained, each swing of his sword spoke of years of experience and training. He fought with a grace on par with Talim's dancing, each movement as fluid as water. This was not even mentioning the unholy strength that the Soul Edge was granting him.
Still Link would neither give in nor fail. He had promised many people and sacrificed too much to quit. The Master Sword may not have been as powerful in this world and he may not have had the Triforce of Courage, but he still had his inner courage and the power of those that believed in him.
Using his Hylian Shield to parry the last attack, Link spun his body around that of Raphael's and swinging his sword with that same momentum he attacked. However just as the attack would have made contact the Soul Edge somehow materialized and parried it.
Using a stabbing motion Raphael attacked Link. Quickly the Hylian flipped back and charging forward hit the nobleman in his unprotected midsection. Then rolling forward with his body Link jumped up and split kicked Raphael's face in midair. Then gathering his energy in a kneeling position Link cried out as loud and spun again at the wielder of the Soul Edge, this time however he did not spin just once and his body was alive with electricity. Raphael still managed to block each and every one.
In a desperate attempt Link slashed his sword at Raphael vertically. As he did the Soul Edge tangled his arm around it and picked him up so much that he was forced stand on one foot. The move caused an unbearable pressure to build in his arm.
"This is growing tiresome child," Raphael said as he exerted more pressure on Link's arm, "just give me the rest of the Shards and I promise to make you end quick. If you don't," his eyes then gleamed red and he smiled malevolently, "I'll not only kill you, but your world, your family and your woman."
Link would have wondered how Raphael knew about his world or his people or how he even had the Soul Edge Shards. The only words that hit home were those of hurting Talim. Wrenching his arms from the sword Link gripped his sword and focused all his power into his next attack. Running at Raphael he kicked of the Nobleman's stomach, then his shoulders, then gripping the Master Sword with both hands he screamed, slashing down at Raphael Sorel.
Raphael quickly brought his sword to block the blow. However when the Master Sword and the Soul Edge met that time the Soul Edge was broke in twain, and Raphael was left to feel the full force of the courage of the Hero of Time.
When the attack was finished Raphael flew several feet away from Link, the hilt of the Soul Edge no longer in his hands. When he was sure that Raphael was freed from the Soul Edge, Link gave the nobleman a drink from a blue bottle that he carried in his sword belt. It was then that the Shards of the Soul Edge made their move. Link had no recollection of taking the shards that Talim possessed, but they were there.
And they were calling to their master with a strength that Link, in his battle weary state, could not fight.
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As the Wind Shaman and the Korean Fighter fought a surge of energy exploded all around them. The energy was as malevolent as the day the Evil Seed spread. So strong was the energy that it took all of Talim's will to not fall unconscious again as she had four years ago. Talim kneeled against the ground, her breathing coming in short gasps as she fought to remain conscious.
"What was that?" Yunsung said, the rush of energies making him short of breath. "What's going on?"
"That was the Soul Edge," Talim said as she regained her footing, "do you understand what it intends to do now?"
"Talim," Yunsung said as he looked into the girl that he once knew. She was not the same, she was far more beautiful. Gone was the girl that he knew what he felt like was an eternity ago, now there was a woman who was battling to protect the world and not just one country. She seemed at the same time both more vulnerable and more powerful. She had surpassed him. "You want to go after it don't you?"
"I'm sorry," Talim spoke quickly, "but please try to understand-"
"Go," Yunsung said as he shook his head, "and be careful." Then without looking back, Yunsung sat on a nearby ledge. "I'll be waiting here for you when it's all over." Talim could say not, she just smiled and ran to the source of the energy, leaving Yunsung behind.
No sooner than Talim had left did another woman come at Yunsung from behind, this one poked him with the butt end of her Zanbatou style spear. Wearing a pleased smile Sueng Mina pointed at Hong Yunsung.
"I've finally found you!" Her eyes were serious then, "Go home and leave the Soul Edge to me!"
"No," Yunsung said he would gather his courage for this, "no, let young people handle it." He knew that Mina wasn't very old or that she would fail and not attain the sword, but after feeling that expulsion of power he knew that only Talim would be able to stop that blade. He would stall Seung Mina and get Talim enough time to do what she had to.
He would do this for her, it would be his last act for the girl he once cared about.
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Talim thought that her lungs would burn from all the running that she had done that day, but surprisingly she was fine. Her mind attributed this to the severity of the situation, but another part of her thought it might have something to do with her Elbow Blades, the Soul Calibur. Her weapons seemed to sustain her as long as she kept her mind focused on her goal.
The sun cascaded through the stained glass windows. Half of the area was broken off abruptly and ended in a shear cliff. There were walls on three sides with barely even a semblance of a roof. It was once a grand chamber, one that had made Ostrheinsburg Chapel a breathtaking sight in it's old days. It was here four years ago that the Soul Calibur had dealt the Soul Edge the near crushing blow that had almost ended it's own existence. It was here that Chai Xainghua had defeated the Azure Nightmare four years ago, in this very place.
And it was here that Talim found Link.
"Link," Talim spoke hesitantly as she held her right hand out to him. However there was something wrong with him. When Link heard his name called out he turned around away from the stained glass and straight at her.
"What on Earth..." Talim said as she saw into his eyes, Link's eyes were not the blue that she had remembered them as, these eyes were crimson red. His teeth also were different, she knew that his teeth were not the same, now they ended in fangs.
It wasn't until Talim looked at his weapons that she knew the truth, gone were his Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Instead he wielded a sword and shield that seemed organic in nature. These two items caused the Soul Calibur to burn in rage, for now Link's weapon was the completed Soul Edge.
Link's breathing came in ragged gasps that made the air around his mouth mist and swirl. His eyes no longer held the warmth that Talim had loved, instead they were replaced by a feral, primal glare. He did not see Talim, only the hated sword that had caused so much pain to his own.
Drawing the Soul Edge, Link prepared to fight. However Talim could not, would not battle.
"Soul Calibur," Link's voice spoke with an animalistic growl. "Show me your power." Charging forward Link vertically slashed at Talim with such force that when it missed her it bit into the ground, taking a chunk of it with the sword when he withdrew.
Again Link swung and again he narrowly missed Talim. The next time he swung his sword horizontally, causing Talim to dive away to evade.
"Link," she spoke with urgency in her voice, "this isn't you. Can you hear me?" Talim's voice seemed to ignite something in Link, for as she spoke Link cried out to the sky in another feral howl.
"Souls," his voice wailed. Talim had one shot and she knew it, this would be her only chance at saving Link before the Soul Calibur would have to destroy him. It was a slim hope, but it was all she could think to do.
Swinging his sword down in a wide arc Link attacked again, only this time he found himself held in her embrace. In that embrace Talim prayed with all her might to the Winds and to Link's own Gods for his purification. He yelled as he felt his body being buffed by the winds and felt the energies envelope him.
As Talim held him Link felt his mind trying to break free from the Soul Edge's will. He could hear her voice breakthrough the evil blade's haze, but it was not enough, he could barely keep his hold on his body.
"Link," Talim's voice seemed small then as the Winds and Link's Goddesses fought to purify him, "please, don't leave me." Talim held him tighter then as she felt tears sting her eyes. "We've been through so much, you can't give up on me. I don't want to lose you. Come back to me," she could not even hear herself speaking anymore, but still she said those words that she could not say before, "I love you."
Hearing those words Link broke from the embrace as he grabbed his head while still holding the Soul Edge in his hands. Screaming in a voice that was no longer feral Link threw the weapons to the ground away from him and fell on his hands and knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
When Link was away from the evil weapon Talim set the full force of her power on destroying it. However without a body to sustain it the Soul Edge erupted into an evil hellfire. The power soon became too much for Talim to control as it soon tried to take her.
She didn't know when it started or how, but sometime during that battle her prayers were joined by the soft music of a wind instrument, one that she was familiar with. As the notes grew more powerful Talim felt a soul join with her's. It was him, Link was battling once again at her side.
The hellfire's lost its sustenance. In the blink of an eye, it changed it's form and scattered into the winds. The Spiritual energies led astray righted their course and flowed towards this place. Talim must have sensed the change in the winds, for she looked to the sky and smiled.
When all was quiet Link looked to where the Soul Edge once rested, in it's place there was nothing. Whatever had caused the energies to gather and create it had, ultimately, been the sword's undoing. There was now no reason left to fight. Feeling a moment of rest at last Link sank back to his knees, his injuries even more severe than he thought.
Feeling a familiar warmth caress him, Link stood again, to look into the eyes of the one he cherished.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, but before he said anything else a finger was placed over his mouth.
"It's all right," she smiled at him, "the Soul Edge is gone and I have you back." Taking her finger from his mouth she embraced him again, "and this time I'm not losing you again."
At their feet clattered a familiar pair, Link's Master Sword and Hylian Shield, and before them a portal opened. Looking into it Link could see the many familiar sights of Hyrule. This was his chance, he could go home after all. Talim also looked into the portal and understanding what it was looked to his eyes.
Looking back into Talim's eyes Link knew what he had to do. Picking up the sword Link looked longingly into the portal. On the other side were his home and family and those he had sworn to protect, on that side was the one he loved.
Taking one last look into the portal Link hurled the Master Sword through it, and then playing a song on his Ocarina he closed the portal to Hyrule.
"Why did you do that?" Talim asked Link when he was finished. "Why didn't you go through the portal?"
"Did you know," Link began without looking at her, "that if a fairy even tried to enter this world they will die in mere seconds?" As his picked up his shield Talim wondered why he would speak of such a thing. "It's the same for the people of this world," he continued, "they can't spend more than a few minutes in Hyrule before something in the air kills them."
"What do you mean?" Talim asked she had only a small idea as to what he was talking about.
"I mean my Wind Shaman," what Link said surprised her, he had never referred to her as his, "that anyplace that I can't go with you is not a place worth going to." When Link turned around he gave Talim the truest smile he had ever given anyone.
As the two left the old Chapel of Hero's they looked to the sky, the sun was high and the air carried with it a gentle breeze. Truly for them it was a great time to be alive, for now they were at peace.
-The End
I had to redo chapter ten so that I could keep my PG-13 rating, however I lost all the reviews thus far. Don't worry though because I have all of your encouraging words engraved in my memory and that's all I really need.
I said that the next chapter would be the last and I meant it. Wow that took some doing, well this is that part where I dodge rabid bunnies and evil squirrels bent on making me write this thing until I starve to death.
I wanted to say that I'm ending it here because I've done what I set out to do. I wanted to create as origial a story as possible using these characters, that's why I've laughed away all the hate mail and continued on as I saw fit. To be perfectly honest I could have ended this story at chapter five and have been just as happy, but I felt that since the drive to find the Soul Edge was what motivates everyone in the games it can't end until the Soul Edge is either destroyed or being weilded by someone else.
I would now like to thank those that supported me throughout this, Sabriel41 for understanding this story exactly how I was hoping someone would. Ata-chan for the words of encouragement and the energy. TheOneAndOnlyT for doing me the honor of mimicking me. Sophitia30 for reading this thing from the begining. Hero Genkaku for the encouragement in the begining and everyone else that took the time to read this little project of mine.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, Good Luck in the Future
Ryuhiko@hotmail.com
Of Wind and Forest
Despite the cramped confines of the King of Red Lions, Link found he was able to rest quite comfortable. Another strange occurrence was that he was not ill at all. Even in larger ship's like Maxi's he was violently sick, but in this small boat that was barely made for one he felt as good as if he were back in his home riding Epona. He wondered what could be the source of this, but this was a passing worry.
The Hylian's main concern was the bundle that rested in his arms. Talim had used all her energies to create winds that would take them to the mainland. However it drained her greatly and she was forced to spend most of the time sleeping. He wasn't worried though, Talim slept with a content smile on her face against her living pillow. He wasn't worried, just a little lonely.
It was strange to him, Link had traveled for seven years by himself. He had fought countless opponents alone, had grown up alone, but now with Talim lying against him he felt lonely. She had been by his side since he had come to this world, she had been with him every step of the way. She had chosen to be with him over her own people.
Now she was bringing herself to the brink of exhaustion to get them to their destination. Link understood that she was not doing this just for him, Talim had her reasons for destroying the Soul Edge as well. Link smiled as he caressed her face with a gloved hand, whatever happened he wanted it to happen with her.
"Mama," Talim murmured as Link traced a line over her mouth, "I'm sorry Mama." Hearing this Link stopped. "I want to see you again." Link smiled at Talim and decided on where he wanted to go when everything was over.
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The storm had taken more out of Nightmare than he thought. He could feel Siegfried's persona fighting to awaken, trying to regain control of the body again. It was beginning to affect the control that he maintained over Astaroth and his other servants.
What was more, he could feel the souls that moved to find the Soul Edge. Many others were beginning to converge on the chapel. He could feel the souls of familiar enemies and those of Siegfried's once comrades beginning to draw near. The Soul Blade needed to complete itself and soon, for among those souls was that which had rend it asunder once before, the Soul Calibur. As soon as the last few shards were gathered it would be unstoppable.
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Link clenched his eyes, trying to remove the last remnants of sleep. He wondered when it was that he had fallen asleep. Now as it neared sunset the King of Red Lions continued to speed to land, carried by Talim's prayers. He wished that there was more that he could to help her, but all he could do was be by her side.
"Good morning," Talim said as she felt Link stir, "how are you Link?" Talim stretched her left arm around Link's back. She sighed contently as she arched her back. Despite her fatigue Talim was in paradise, held in the arms of Link.
"I think that a better question would be how you are?" He repressed an urge to shudder as Talim's fingers tickled the back of his neck. "You're sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," she laughed, "Invoking the Wind Deity doesn't hurt me, but if I don't dance it's more tiring to do so."
"I don't think I've ever seen you dance before." Link commented off- handedly, "I think you'll have to show me sometime, maybe when we go back to your people you can-"
"Link look!" Talim lifted herself from his embrace. Then she pointed to the horizon, "land!" There not more than a few miles away was a mountain range. Seeing this Talim poured all of her energies into increasing the winds. Both knew that it would not be much longer.
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"You're sure it's all right?" Talim asked as Link blushed furiously as he looked at the floor. "You don't have to if you don't really want to."
"No," Link said, determined, "this is something I have to do, there is no other way."
"Are you sure?" Talim reiterated, she could tell how uncomfortable he was with the situation. This was not something that he did every day, nor was it something he had much experience in.
"No this is it." This was like nothing he had done before. Talim was more experienced in this matter than him, so he could do nothing other than rely on his instincts. Screwing up his courage Link prepared to make his move. He brought his hand down and then...
"Not there," Talim cried out. Startled Link pulled back his hands, then rethinking his strategy he tried again. Once he made his move he looked up to see Talim smiling brightly. "Yes there," she confirmed.
"It's..." Link had a hard time continuing, the situation was all so new to him that he did not know what to do, lifting himself up he said, "It's your turn now."
"Then I'll make my move now," Talim said confidently reaching down. In one quick move she was finished and triumphantly called out, "checkmate."
Link sighed heavily in frustration, it was the third time in a row that Talim had won. Talim had learned from a traveling merchant about a game called chess, which was the game that they had been playing since they had made it to an inn. Somehow Link had been able to successfully hide his ears in his hair, after mooring the King of Red Lions the two decided it would be for the best if they had a night's sleep in a warm bed before they set out on their journey.
"One more game," Talim pleaded, a stern look from Link quelled her, "guess not. Then what are we going to do for fun?" Link turned several shades of red before he looked to the ground again.
"I think we should go to bed." Link said as he put the inn's chess set away. When he turned around again Talim was staring him down with her head cocked sideways. Link swallowed hard for reasons he himself could not understand and with a fearful look in hid eyes said, "What?"
"You know," Talim said as she turned her head to look at the sleeping arrangements, "there's only one bed." Link turned suddenly then and from under is bangs he turned a bright shade of red. "So what did you plan on doing?"
"I'll sleep on the floor tonight," saying this Link fell back on to the floor. This was not his greatest plan as his groaning could attest to it. Sitting up Link used his left hand to rub the base of his head which took the brunt of the fall.
"That wasn't very bright," Talim said as her eyes became like slits, "come on get up." Taking his free hand Talim pulled the youth to his feet. "I don't have a problem sharing a bed with you," saying this caused Link to perform a double take, to reiterate her statement Talim spoke again, "I don't."
"I just think that-" Link would never finish that sentence, for Talim had already interjected.
"Don't give me that line about how it's inappropriate," Talim huffed, Link raised his finger and took a breath as if to point something out, "we've been together for so long and this would not be the first time that we have slept together." Link's finger was then lowered as he sighed.
Defeated and wondering why he would turn down such an offer in the first place, Link let Talim lead him by the hand to bed.
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Link discovered that night just how hard it was to sleep in a comfortable bed with a beautiful woman in his arms. He had spent at least two hours staring into the darkness that surrounded them. It was in this darkness that Link's thoughts poured into his mind with the force of a raging river.
The days were filled with such joy that he could no longer believe he was on a mission to save his people from the Soul Edge. Talim had given him a purpose in this world, but it seemed as if he had lost the purpose from his home world. Were they even on the right path anymore?
Other thoughts filled his head, thoughts of his promise to his people, his silent promise to Talim. His feelings for the Wind Priestess had grown more powerful than he could ever have thought possible. There was more to his quest now than just destroying the Soul Edge for the sake of his people.
"Link," a sleepy voice called out from beside him, "what will we do when it's over."
"I'll take you home," Link said to his half sleeping bed mate, "I'll take you back to your family."
"That'd be great," she said as she cuddled closer to him, "but exiles can't go back. I'm just like you now." Saying this Talim fell into a deeper sleep, leaving Link to awake to ponder their meaning.
Link stayed awake long after that, to the point where he could not honestly tell whether or not his eyes were open, for what seemed like an eternity he thought of Talim's sleeping words. Why hadn't she told him earlier? Was it that he couldn't trust him with the truth?
That could not be it, Talim had always been open with herself. More than likely she had done it because she did not like to think about it, she often had a habit of avoiding the topic of going home after the journey was done. For her it was more likely a source of pain much like Link's own at having to leave his people.
Still he could not help but feel like the biggest jerk on the planet when he said things like 'don't worry I'll take you home safely after it's all over.' Link had felt clueless before, it was something that he became used to after going through more than his fare share of dungeons and the like, but that did not mean that he liked the feeling.
It wasn't until then that he fully comprehended Talim's father's words 'you'll be all she has'. Without a people to return to and without a home to see again, Link might really be the only person left in the word who cared a whit about Talim. He might be the only person who would be with her.
It was at that moment of swirling thought and emotion that he came to a decision, one that he would share with her in the morning. He resolved to go to sleep, knowing well that he would need his energy for the coming day.
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Sleep did not come that night, no form of rest graced the Hylian's body. He dreaded what he had to do, but he knew that he had to. Talim would not like this at all. He felt her start to stir in his arms, she was waking up. It was now or never.
"Good morning," Talim yawned as she turned over to look at Link, "sleep well?"
"Not exactly," Talim became alert when she saw a sad smile on his face, "there's something we need to talk about."
"What is it?" Talim asked as she sat up. "Is everything okay?"
"No," Link said as he turned his face away from her eyes, "This isn't easy to say."
"You want to go on without me?" After so much time together he thought that Talim would be able to read her easily enough. Link confirmed her suspicions when he did not answer. "You do, don't you." Link rose from the bed and started gathering his things.
"Yes," now Talim too was on her feet, "we're close enough now that I can find the rest of the way myself, I don't want you coming with me." Link would not look her in the eyes, he would look at her at all.
"So you just used me then?" Talim raised her voice as she spoke, "That was it wasn't it? The whole time you were with me you just lied to me, you never wanted me around you just needed my power to get you to the Soul Edge and now that you can get the rest of the way without me you're leaving me."
Link did not answer, nor did he even flinch as Talim made accusation out of accusation. He continued to gather himself and prepare to leave.
"Everything really was a lie wasn't it?" Talim spoke on the verge of tears when Link had finished packing and headed for the door. "Everything, including what you said on Maxi's ship." Hearing this Link stopped. "You never cared, you never cared at all. I was just your tool, something you could use."
As Link walked over to her, Talim drew her arms into her body and started crying quietly. Had Talim looked into his eyes she would have seen the abject misery that they possessed. He hated himself for what he was doing, he never intended on causing her pain. This was however the way things were in the real world, he could not protect her with ideals or emotions. He reached out his arm to hold her.
"Don't touch me." Talim whispered, her voice dripping with venom. When the arm continued its course, she tried to bat it away, then when his other arm followed she tried to force that away as well. What ensued then was a short struggle that lead to Talim's arms pressed between the two bodies as Link's arms were wrapped around her.
She hated him then, but she did not want that embrace to end. That was because when it ended he would walk out of her life, probably forever. He had lied to her, used her, but at the same time he had made her greatest dream come true. Link had given Talim her freedom. She could go where ever she wanted and do what ever she pleased. So she would continue on, with or without him.
"You know you can't stop me," Talim whispered, "you can't keep me from going on, so why not let me continue on with you." Talim looked up into his eyes, there with a sad smile was a resolve that mirrored in her own eyes. Talim took this as a victory.
She broke away from him, to put on her boots and get her other things. As her back was turned to him Talim heard the soft music of Link's wind instrument, an ocarina he had called it, but as the notes played she felt her limbs growing heavier. Talim felt a great fatigue over come her as she felt to the ground unconscious.
Once Link was sure the spell of the Ocarina of Time was working he stopped playing the wind instrument. Picking up Talim's body in his arms Link placed her back in the bed, then kissing her forehead gently he Hero of Time left the inn, without his Wind Shaman.
Talim wasn't aware of the time when she again woke up. Talking to the Innkeeper she discovered that a half a day had gone by since Link had left her. She would have to hurry if she wanted to catch up to Link before he did something dangerous.
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Link did not have long to travel, that night he reached the decadent ruins of the structure that was once called Ostrheinsburg Chapel. Four years ago this was the place where the Soul Edge and the Soul Calibur clashed and the Azure Nightmare was weakened considerably. It was here that he was gathering his power and here where he planed his resurrection.
Already he could feel the presence of the evil blade, as well as others that were seeking it. There were as many warriors as there were reasons to seek the weapon. If he did not hurry he would be too late to destroy the sword.
_____________________________
He had been tracking the sword for years, it had been his all consuming goal. With it he could eliminate the warring nobles and create a life where he and his daughter could live in peace. He could bring a single great order to those that needed it. With the Sword of Salvation he could again make everything right. Such was the resolve of Raphael Sorel.
He hadn't been tracking the blade long. It was no more than a few weeks since he set out that he had come across the Chapel where he could literally feel the sword. It called out to him, he could tell that it needed his strength as much as he needed its.
Guided by the energies he made his way to the chamber where the sword was kept. It was there that he found the swords current master, weakened and barely able to stand.
When the Soul Edge felt the presence of this man it could feel an insanity that would add greatly to it's power. It matter little who wielded it, all the sword needed was a strong body that would feed it the souls it craved. Feeling the limits of Seigfried's body it decided to test the potential wielder. Either it received a new stronger wielder or it feed on the challenger's soul, either way benefited it.
"You're too weak for that," Raphael said with a smug look on his face. "Aren't you?"
To this the Nightmare smiled and raised himself to his full height. Then drawing the Soul Edge from where it rested in the ground he said, "Show me the depths of your insanity."
It was then that the two souls clashed.
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It was morning when Talim had reached the ruins, there she felt the presence of many others. These people who had many reasons had congregated here, for better or worse this was it.
"I didn't think you'd be here." The familiar voice spoke behind her, one she had not heard since she and Link had left his ship.
"Maxi," she said in disbelief, "you're alive?"
"I have something I need to do," he spoke seriously, which was odd to Talim, "I ain't dying until I finish my business with him." Something strange had come over him, this was not the nice, humorous man that she had seen before. His eyes held anger that she had never thought possible.
"Maxi," Talim whispered, this could not be the same person.
"What are you doing Missy?" Wrapped around his neck was a pair of sticks, polished metal and wooden sticks joined by a chain. She had recalled seeing them once before, it was called a nunchaku the last time she saw one.
"I'm looking for someone," she said, unable to look Maxi in the eyes, had he really changed this much, "me friend Link is there somewhere."
"You wanna find him?" Maxi said as he looked to the chapel, "it's a big place, you'll probably need some company." When he said that Talim looked straight at him to see a toothy grin play on his face.
"Thank you very much." She said. Then the Mariner and the Shaman entered Ostrheinsburg Chapel.
_____________________________
Link sheathed his sword. He then rotated his shoulders to get any kinks out. Around him, in the dank, humid, regions of Ostrheinsburg Chapel were the bodies of Lizardmen, hordes of them. Link had spent nearly the entire night fighting these monstrosities, had it not been for some of the magic he had left in him he would not have survived.
More than anything he wanted to rest, he wanted to just stop, but he had come too far and sacrificed too much to just give up now. All that was left for him was to destroy the sword, his sacrifices would not be meaningless.
Steeling himself for what he still had to do, Link left the chamber where he fought the Lizardmen. This was nothing more to him than another dungeon, one more quest to add to the multitude of dungeons that he had crawled through. At least that was what he kept telling himself.
_____________________________
"Missy," Maxi said as he raised his hand over her chest, "this is where we need to part ways." He did not look to her, his eyes as well as his mind were in a different place. Taking his nunchaku in his hands he ran off, paying no mind to the girl that he just left.
"Good luck," Talim whispered to the diminishing figure. Crashing through the surroundings Maxi launched a barrage of attacks with his nunchaku against his enemy.
"Remember me," Maxi said with a vindictive grin, "you freak?" The creature he spoke to was almost seven feet tall. It wore little clothing, just enough to cover the weakest parts. It's bald head and pupil less eyes were all that were visible as it's mouth was covered by a metal mask. The most frightening feature of this monster was the beating red stone that was visible and beating. This was Nightmare's once servant Astaroth, the man that Maxi had hunted, the man that killed his crew so long ago and nearly killed him.
"Worms!" The creature shouted after it made a guttural cry. The battle would be fierce and end with the death of one of them. This was what he wanted though, for better or worse it would end there.
Talim could not stay though for she felt Link calling to her. The resonating of the Soul Calibur was also growing, it could feel the Soul Edge. It would not be long now.
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More than seeing it Link could feel the presence of the Soul Edge. The Master Sword, dormant since he had entered this world pulsated with life. It signaled the presence of the evil sword. Looking out to the distance he could see a blonde man standing, almost as if he were waiting for something.
At the sight of him the shards of the Soul Edge glowed and yearned to return to their body. It was then that Link knew his final battle was at hand. Praying to his Goddesses Link readied himself.
Crossing the distance Link got a better look at the being that wielded the Soul Edge. As he did the man attacked. He waved his sword and stabbed at the Hylian. Link deftly leaped back and avoided all the strikes. It was then that he learned his attacks were more of an experiment to see how Link would react than to do any harm.
"Watch quietly, and learn" the man spoke with an air of dignity hinting at a noble birth. He was an older man in his early thirties, his hair was a short blonde and his eyes were a light blue. His skin was paler than some and he wore clothing of great finery. The man stood at least a head taller than the Hero of Time and had a confidence about him that Link could not help but be impressed by. This man's weapon was a rapier, a thin sword made to emphasize speed. Drawing the Master Sword and his Hylian Shield Link prepared to do battle with Raphael Sorel, the man who the Soul Edge now possessed.
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As Talim ran through the halls of the Chapel she could not help but worry about Maxi, however this worry was dwarfed by the worry she felt for Link. She prayed to the winds for all their worth that she would make it in time.
As she ran she felt the presence of someone she had not seen in a long time. Talim stopped running then, taking the Soul Calibur in her hands she prepared to stop the familiar presence.
The person was a man, one with flaming red hair and brown eyes. His skin was tanned from many long days under the sun, he wore a pair of white pants with a unique design on the knee area, and he wore an orange sash around his waist and a vest that was half white and half orange. He carried with him a sword of Chinese design that he called the White Storm. This was someone that she had known long before Link, this was someone that she had been intimate with. This was Hong Yunsung.
"I can't let you go on," she said, "that sword is evil." Yunsung had once confided in her that he would use the Soul Edge to strengthen his home country. That lead to the argument that caused him to leave the Wind Tribe after they met.
"I don't care if it's evil," he said drawing is sword, "I will protect my country."
"There is no other way, correct." That said Talim prepared to battle the man she once loved.
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The battle with the Soul Edge's new wielder was proving to be too much for the Hero of Time. This fighter by himself was enough of an opponent for him. Unlike Link, this warrior was professionally trained, each swing of his sword spoke of years of experience and training. He fought with a grace on par with Talim's dancing, each movement as fluid as water. This was not even mentioning the unholy strength that the Soul Edge was granting him.
Still Link would neither give in nor fail. He had promised many people and sacrificed too much to quit. The Master Sword may not have been as powerful in this world and he may not have had the Triforce of Courage, but he still had his inner courage and the power of those that believed in him.
Using his Hylian Shield to parry the last attack, Link spun his body around that of Raphael's and swinging his sword with that same momentum he attacked. However just as the attack would have made contact the Soul Edge somehow materialized and parried it.
Using a stabbing motion Raphael attacked Link. Quickly the Hylian flipped back and charging forward hit the nobleman in his unprotected midsection. Then rolling forward with his body Link jumped up and split kicked Raphael's face in midair. Then gathering his energy in a kneeling position Link cried out as loud and spun again at the wielder of the Soul Edge, this time however he did not spin just once and his body was alive with electricity. Raphael still managed to block each and every one.
In a desperate attempt Link slashed his sword at Raphael vertically. As he did the Soul Edge tangled his arm around it and picked him up so much that he was forced stand on one foot. The move caused an unbearable pressure to build in his arm.
"This is growing tiresome child," Raphael said as he exerted more pressure on Link's arm, "just give me the rest of the Shards and I promise to make you end quick. If you don't," his eyes then gleamed red and he smiled malevolently, "I'll not only kill you, but your world, your family and your woman."
Link would have wondered how Raphael knew about his world or his people or how he even had the Soul Edge Shards. The only words that hit home were those of hurting Talim. Wrenching his arms from the sword Link gripped his sword and focused all his power into his next attack. Running at Raphael he kicked of the Nobleman's stomach, then his shoulders, then gripping the Master Sword with both hands he screamed, slashing down at Raphael Sorel.
Raphael quickly brought his sword to block the blow. However when the Master Sword and the Soul Edge met that time the Soul Edge was broke in twain, and Raphael was left to feel the full force of the courage of the Hero of Time.
When the attack was finished Raphael flew several feet away from Link, the hilt of the Soul Edge no longer in his hands. When he was sure that Raphael was freed from the Soul Edge, Link gave the nobleman a drink from a blue bottle that he carried in his sword belt. It was then that the Shards of the Soul Edge made their move. Link had no recollection of taking the shards that Talim possessed, but they were there.
And they were calling to their master with a strength that Link, in his battle weary state, could not fight.
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As the Wind Shaman and the Korean Fighter fought a surge of energy exploded all around them. The energy was as malevolent as the day the Evil Seed spread. So strong was the energy that it took all of Talim's will to not fall unconscious again as she had four years ago. Talim kneeled against the ground, her breathing coming in short gasps as she fought to remain conscious.
"What was that?" Yunsung said, the rush of energies making him short of breath. "What's going on?"
"That was the Soul Edge," Talim said as she regained her footing, "do you understand what it intends to do now?"
"Talim," Yunsung said as he looked into the girl that he once knew. She was not the same, she was far more beautiful. Gone was the girl that he knew what he felt like was an eternity ago, now there was a woman who was battling to protect the world and not just one country. She seemed at the same time both more vulnerable and more powerful. She had surpassed him. "You want to go after it don't you?"
"I'm sorry," Talim spoke quickly, "but please try to understand-"
"Go," Yunsung said as he shook his head, "and be careful." Then without looking back, Yunsung sat on a nearby ledge. "I'll be waiting here for you when it's all over." Talim could say not, she just smiled and ran to the source of the energy, leaving Yunsung behind.
No sooner than Talim had left did another woman come at Yunsung from behind, this one poked him with the butt end of her Zanbatou style spear. Wearing a pleased smile Sueng Mina pointed at Hong Yunsung.
"I've finally found you!" Her eyes were serious then, "Go home and leave the Soul Edge to me!"
"No," Yunsung said he would gather his courage for this, "no, let young people handle it." He knew that Mina wasn't very old or that she would fail and not attain the sword, but after feeling that expulsion of power he knew that only Talim would be able to stop that blade. He would stall Seung Mina and get Talim enough time to do what she had to.
He would do this for her, it would be his last act for the girl he once cared about.
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Talim thought that her lungs would burn from all the running that she had done that day, but surprisingly she was fine. Her mind attributed this to the severity of the situation, but another part of her thought it might have something to do with her Elbow Blades, the Soul Calibur. Her weapons seemed to sustain her as long as she kept her mind focused on her goal.
The sun cascaded through the stained glass windows. Half of the area was broken off abruptly and ended in a shear cliff. There were walls on three sides with barely even a semblance of a roof. It was once a grand chamber, one that had made Ostrheinsburg Chapel a breathtaking sight in it's old days. It was here four years ago that the Soul Calibur had dealt the Soul Edge the near crushing blow that had almost ended it's own existence. It was here that Chai Xainghua had defeated the Azure Nightmare four years ago, in this very place.
And it was here that Talim found Link.
"Link," Talim spoke hesitantly as she held her right hand out to him. However there was something wrong with him. When Link heard his name called out he turned around away from the stained glass and straight at her.
"What on Earth..." Talim said as she saw into his eyes, Link's eyes were not the blue that she had remembered them as, these eyes were crimson red. His teeth also were different, she knew that his teeth were not the same, now they ended in fangs.
It wasn't until Talim looked at his weapons that she knew the truth, gone were his Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Instead he wielded a sword and shield that seemed organic in nature. These two items caused the Soul Calibur to burn in rage, for now Link's weapon was the completed Soul Edge.
Link's breathing came in ragged gasps that made the air around his mouth mist and swirl. His eyes no longer held the warmth that Talim had loved, instead they were replaced by a feral, primal glare. He did not see Talim, only the hated sword that had caused so much pain to his own.
Drawing the Soul Edge, Link prepared to fight. However Talim could not, would not battle.
"Soul Calibur," Link's voice spoke with an animalistic growl. "Show me your power." Charging forward Link vertically slashed at Talim with such force that when it missed her it bit into the ground, taking a chunk of it with the sword when he withdrew.
Again Link swung and again he narrowly missed Talim. The next time he swung his sword horizontally, causing Talim to dive away to evade.
"Link," she spoke with urgency in her voice, "this isn't you. Can you hear me?" Talim's voice seemed to ignite something in Link, for as she spoke Link cried out to the sky in another feral howl.
"Souls," his voice wailed. Talim had one shot and she knew it, this would be her only chance at saving Link before the Soul Calibur would have to destroy him. It was a slim hope, but it was all she could think to do.
Swinging his sword down in a wide arc Link attacked again, only this time he found himself held in her embrace. In that embrace Talim prayed with all her might to the Winds and to Link's own Gods for his purification. He yelled as he felt his body being buffed by the winds and felt the energies envelope him.
As Talim held him Link felt his mind trying to break free from the Soul Edge's will. He could hear her voice breakthrough the evil blade's haze, but it was not enough, he could barely keep his hold on his body.
"Link," Talim's voice seemed small then as the Winds and Link's Goddesses fought to purify him, "please, don't leave me." Talim held him tighter then as she felt tears sting her eyes. "We've been through so much, you can't give up on me. I don't want to lose you. Come back to me," she could not even hear herself speaking anymore, but still she said those words that she could not say before, "I love you."
Hearing those words Link broke from the embrace as he grabbed his head while still holding the Soul Edge in his hands. Screaming in a voice that was no longer feral Link threw the weapons to the ground away from him and fell on his hands and knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
When Link was away from the evil weapon Talim set the full force of her power on destroying it. However without a body to sustain it the Soul Edge erupted into an evil hellfire. The power soon became too much for Talim to control as it soon tried to take her.
She didn't know when it started or how, but sometime during that battle her prayers were joined by the soft music of a wind instrument, one that she was familiar with. As the notes grew more powerful Talim felt a soul join with her's. It was him, Link was battling once again at her side.
The hellfire's lost its sustenance. In the blink of an eye, it changed it's form and scattered into the winds. The Spiritual energies led astray righted their course and flowed towards this place. Talim must have sensed the change in the winds, for she looked to the sky and smiled.
When all was quiet Link looked to where the Soul Edge once rested, in it's place there was nothing. Whatever had caused the energies to gather and create it had, ultimately, been the sword's undoing. There was now no reason left to fight. Feeling a moment of rest at last Link sank back to his knees, his injuries even more severe than he thought.
Feeling a familiar warmth caress him, Link stood again, to look into the eyes of the one he cherished.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, but before he said anything else a finger was placed over his mouth.
"It's all right," she smiled at him, "the Soul Edge is gone and I have you back." Taking her finger from his mouth she embraced him again, "and this time I'm not losing you again."
At their feet clattered a familiar pair, Link's Master Sword and Hylian Shield, and before them a portal opened. Looking into it Link could see the many familiar sights of Hyrule. This was his chance, he could go home after all. Talim also looked into the portal and understanding what it was looked to his eyes.
Looking back into Talim's eyes Link knew what he had to do. Picking up the sword Link looked longingly into the portal. On the other side were his home and family and those he had sworn to protect, on that side was the one he loved.
Taking one last look into the portal Link hurled the Master Sword through it, and then playing a song on his Ocarina he closed the portal to Hyrule.
"Why did you do that?" Talim asked Link when he was finished. "Why didn't you go through the portal?"
"Did you know," Link began without looking at her, "that if a fairy even tried to enter this world they will die in mere seconds?" As his picked up his shield Talim wondered why he would speak of such a thing. "It's the same for the people of this world," he continued, "they can't spend more than a few minutes in Hyrule before something in the air kills them."
"What do you mean?" Talim asked she had only a small idea as to what he was talking about.
"I mean my Wind Shaman," what Link said surprised her, he had never referred to her as his, "that anyplace that I can't go with you is not a place worth going to." When Link turned around he gave Talim the truest smile he had ever given anyone.
As the two left the old Chapel of Hero's they looked to the sky, the sun was high and the air carried with it a gentle breeze. Truly for them it was a great time to be alive, for now they were at peace.
-The End
I had to redo chapter ten so that I could keep my PG-13 rating, however I lost all the reviews thus far. Don't worry though because I have all of your encouraging words engraved in my memory and that's all I really need.
I said that the next chapter would be the last and I meant it. Wow that took some doing, well this is that part where I dodge rabid bunnies and evil squirrels bent on making me write this thing until I starve to death.
I wanted to say that I'm ending it here because I've done what I set out to do. I wanted to create as origial a story as possible using these characters, that's why I've laughed away all the hate mail and continued on as I saw fit. To be perfectly honest I could have ended this story at chapter five and have been just as happy, but I felt that since the drive to find the Soul Edge was what motivates everyone in the games it can't end until the Soul Edge is either destroyed or being weilded by someone else.
I would now like to thank those that supported me throughout this, Sabriel41 for understanding this story exactly how I was hoping someone would. Ata-chan for the words of encouragement and the energy. TheOneAndOnlyT for doing me the honor of mimicking me. Sophitia30 for reading this thing from the begining. Hero Genkaku for the encouragement in the begining and everyone else that took the time to read this little project of mine.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, Good Luck in the Future
Ryuhiko@hotmail.com