Time, Love and Armageddon
Part Two
June 1, 1598
The creature is a sight to behold. Though the little critter can be found in nearly any part of the world, it's queer ways and somewhat amusing appearance when munching on those little acorn seeds never fail to fascinate Mitsurugi every time he chances on the dimunitive animal. The samurai mercenary has often wondered about the cute little beast's name, and at times he would even think of coining his own word to describe it.
"Hmm, squirrel' sounds mighty appropriate." He mused, while gently stooping down to avoid alarming the animal as he offers it a generous amount of peanuts he pulled out from his travel pouch.
An hour later, the exhausted warrior rests his tired body against the sturdy trunk of a tree, with the little squirrel right beside him, munching on the last of his peanuts. Mitsurugi tried to take a nap, but the disturbing thoughts racing through his mind rendered his attempt at a restful slumber an exercise in futility.
The samurai mercenary never liked that female ninja, at least that's what he knows about his ill feeling towards Taki. He's not sure why, though. It has never been a common practice to the professional bounty hunter to take things personally whenever the aspect of combat is involved. But when it comes to Taki, all Mitsurugi can detect in himself is a strong sentiment of disgust.
But he's not particularly pleased at himself with this. Being raised by his adoptive clan as an honorable warrior with a strong code of ethics which includes a high regard for women, Mitsurugi has tried many times in the past to discern the exact cause of his displeasure towards Taki. It could be false pride: he has always considered himself the greatest swordsman in the world, and is hell-bent in maintaining this reputation for as long as he can. And he just can't allow some upstart female fighter to cast a shadow of doubt on his renown.
But could it really be that? Being a participant of the two quests for Soul Edge, Mitsurugi has encountered a handful of other combatants who, though it pains him to admit, have given him a good run for his money. Foremost is Li Long, the assassin from the Chinese mainland whom he considers as his greatest rival. Then there are the two Koreans, Hwang Sung-Kyung and Seung Mina; the white behemoth Rock whose fighting style he found totally unconventional and yet extremely effective; the evidently insane German knight Siegfried; the unassuming girl from Greece, Sophitia; long-staff fighter Kilik and his constant companion Xianghua; the alluring yet dangerous Ivy; the strange metallic menace known only as Yoshimitsu; that twisted monstrosity Voldo, who stands ever vigilant in defense of this treasure cove owned by the infamous merchant Vercci; and a host of some others.
Mitsurugi considers them all as highly competent warriors. But he also sees them as mere fair game. He never took it personally when one or two of them got the better of him in some isolated situations; that is after all, the life of a warrior. You can't always be on top of the heap however hard you try.
But Taki is different, pondered the contemplating samurai. There's something really annoying about her. This thought has troubled Mitsurugi to no end, and he finally decided to be true to himself and settle this once and for all. His deep contemplation was complemented by the heavy fog that was starting to descend over the lush woodlands.
Then the warrior suddenly stood in attention. "Hey, what's the deal with this fog? It's high noon."
Sensing something out of place in the surroundings, the alerted Mitsurugi clutched the hard wooden handle of his katana in anticipation of the unknown. Just then, he heard the faint yet unmistakable sound of grass being squashed under the weight of heavy footsteps, coming closer to his location.
The mercenary didn't have to wait long before he saw the blurred silhouette of a band which appear to be men holding bizarrely disfigured articles that look like some kind of weapons.
"What's this, some stupid fools looking for a fight" thought the proud samurai. He drew his sword from its leather sheath just as the figures became much clearer as they emerged from the haziness caused by the fog.
Mitsurugi's preparedness instantly turned to awe when he had a good look at his adversaries. Each of them wears some kind of armor that appears to be so old, rusty particles fly off with each step they make. Their faces are ashen, pale as the discolored skin of a lifeless corpse. The only thing that gives evidence to some form of life that animates these seemingly living dead creatures is the dull, red glow emanating from their eyes, which grow brighter with every step they make towards the startled Mitsurugi. They were an extremely frightful sight, enough to shake even the fearless warrior down to his sandals.
Mitsurugi, though feeling a grip of apprehension, stood his ground and waited for the horde to make their move. They slowly marched around him in a circle that completely surrounded the mercenary, leaving him no path of escape.
"Uh-oh, looks like these zombies mean business." The battle-ready samurai thought, as he counted his enemies to be numbering at eleven.
Finally, the one behind him lunged without warning. His keen senses combining with his lightning reflexes, Mitsurugi made a quick 180 degree pivot to fend off his attacker's blade with the cold steel of his katana. The mercenary quickly struck back with a slashing move of his own, cutting a deep and wide gash across the creature's abdominal area. The zombie reeled back from the force of Mitsurugi's blow, but it remained standing and reassumed a battle stance.
"What the no blood? And how could he have survived that?" marveled the now alarmed Mitsurugi. All of the sudden, he realized the situation has become gravely serious, which casts doubts on his chances of surviving this encounter.
Three by three, the walking corpses began to press their attack on the embattled Mitsurugi, as he used all his quickness and skill to deflect the lethal blows of the surprisingly heavy swords his opponents wielded. The warrior was able to knock down one of the zombies to eliminate his blind sight handicap. But this move eventually caused him to be pinned against a tree. Mitsurugi is again back to the predicament of being surrounded by enemies from all sides.
The sound of clashing metal reverberated throughout the woods, causing a disturbance that stirred the animals from their peaceful reverie. The assortment of birds suddenly launched from their nests while the other beasts took a second to determine the source of the commotion, then promptly and speedily went the opposite direction. Even the squirrel who previously fed directly from Mitsurugi's hands abandoned his generous benefactor in an instinctive flight for self-preservation.
Mitsurugi's condition is now that of the grim and hopeless. The relentless attack of the zombies is starting to wear him down, even though he's still unmindful of the numerous cuts his body had already sustained from the sharp blades of his aggressors.
"I'm not going to survive this" the exhausted combatant thought in fear.
But it's never Mitsurugi's nature to just give up however grim the tidings are that faces him. The iron-willed warrior mustered all his remaining strength; and bellowing a frantic roar, whirled his katana in all directions to knock his enemies' weapons off his path to create a gap in the flank. He then quickly dashed for the first opening made by his desperate maneuver, freeing himself from the clutches of his would-be murderers.
The embattled warrior sprinted like crazy to flee from his attackers, never looking back to check if they're in pursuit or not. It seemed like he was running forever until he chanced upon a cave in the bottom of a deep gorge. Mitsurugi wasted no time in using the cavern as concealment, crouching just within the entrance to make sure that the zombies weren't able to catch up to him.
Being certain that he was able to shake them off, the jelly-kneed mercenary them slumped down on the cold and rocky cavern floor before passing out from exhaustion and pain.
----------
His vision still blurry, the wounded warrior struggled to sit up as he came to. It took some time before Mitsurugi's eye sight regained its clarity, after which he tried to make out his surroundings in the dark cave.
Remembering what had just transpired a few hours ago, the mercenary reached for his katana holstered on his waist band, only to feel that his sword and his waist band are both missing. That's when the samurai realized that his solidly built body is naked save for his loose trousers. What's more, his wounds have been patched up. Mitsurugi tried to look around in an effort to find an answer to his baffling state.
Not long after, he heard the sound of soft footsteps. Mitsurugi, his previous horrid experience still fresh in his mind, frantically attempted to stand up to prepare himself for another struggle. But instead of disfigured monsters, he was met with the sight of a gentle and charming woman carrying what seemed to be a bowl. Though he is not in any mood to relax, the mercenary welcomed the sweet smell of vegetable soup prepared by the woman. To hell with the zombies, he thought. Right now, he's being offered a commodity which at the moment is the most important thing in the world for him: food.
The strange woman stared intently at the warrior who was busy gulping down the tasty concoction. Normally, it would have made Mitsurugi's hair stand on end, since he's not pretty much accustomed to the company of women, much more to one who's staring at him. But first thing's first, he had to satisfy his growling hunger before attending to anything else.
Just as he placed the empty bowl down, Mitsurugi was startled when a familiar voice echoed from behind him. "Great. Just great. The world's most feared swordsman, right here in my own home. Who's our next visitor, Chie? Cervantes?"
He could never mistake that voice even if he hears it through a melee, but still Mitsurugi couldn't believe his ears. He was even more astonished when he turned around to face his other host.
"Li Long?" Mitsurugi muttered in disbelief. "But but your dead. I saw you die with my own eyes."
"I was dead, my friend." Li Long curtly answered. "But I came back to life, in a manner of speaking. Thanks to my wife here." The Chinese warrior further added, referring to his life-partner Chie.
In Mitsurugi's eyes, Li Long did appear like he came back from the grave. The once proud assassin who boasts of one of the most impressive physiques among the fighters he has encountered now looks frail and worn down. The Japanese warrior actually almost didn't recognize his sometimes ally and greatest rival, who had shaved his head to complete baldness, and grew a lush beard to complement the totally new appearance. The only thing that identifies Li Long now as the once mighty blade wielder is his distinctive deep-set eyes complemented by a uniquely-shaped, thick eyebrows.
It may seem like Li Long and Chie saved him from certain death, but by no means does Mitsurugi consider this a reprieve. He knows only too well the grudge held against him by his rival, and he wonders if he had just placed himself in an even worse situation than before. Mitsurugi was pondering on the possibilities of another tussle with Li Long when the latter spoke out with an evident tone of sarcasm.
"I was just wondering what could possibly be so bad that had brought you here in such a pathetic situation. The entire English armada, perhaps?"
Ignoring Li Long's scornful remark, Mitsurugi instead chose to satisfy his own curiosity. "Li Long, what happened to you? How could you still be alive?"
"Disappointments do abound in this world, my friend." The Chinese replied, sustaining the sarcastic pitch in his voice. "Don't worry, Mitsurugi, no one lives forever. In time I will surely meet my creator. Unfortunately though, so will you."
Mitsurugi got tired of Li Long's crass remarks and opted to slap it on his face. "Just stop it, you stupid fool. We're not in the battlefield. And I'm not in the mood for such insolence."
"Are you suggesting a truce, Mitsurugi? You?" Li Long replied, not exactly relinquishing his snide way of talking.
"Look, Li Long" Mitsurugi interrupted with a low tone of voice. "I know I've done things which I'm not particularly proud of. But you're right, no one lives forever. A man has to realize that sometimes. And" the mercenary suddenly fell silent, as if hesitating to continue on his suddenly altruistic way of talking.
Li Long ultimately realized that the man he's facing now is not the same arrogant and blood-thirsty trouble-seeker he once encountered in the past. Putting a rest to his hostility, the Chinese warrior sat down in front of his Japanese counterpart and began talking in a calm manner.
"Alright, let's talk. What happened to you?"
Mitsurugi began talking, and recapped the encounter he had with a group of invincible walking corpses who, for some unknown reason, sought to murder him. After the Japanese warrior finished, Li Long paused for a while in deep thought, then raised his head up with a troubled facial expression.
"Those creatures are called soul hunters." the Chinese assassin began to explain. "Legend has it that they are free-floating malevolent spirits who possess the bodies of the dead in obedience to a higher power."
"This is the first time I've heard of such a thing." Remarked the mercenary.
"Anyway," Li Long continued "it's been rumored that these evil spirits are usually summoned by sorcerers for tasks which can be considered suicidal. And usually, a sorcerer's power is enough to call upon only one soul hunter."
"You don't say" Mitsurugi interrupted. "Sorry to discredit your little rumor, but I'm pretty sure I battled a lot more than just one. There were about eleven if I counted them correctly."
Li Long's jaw dropped in amazement. "Incredible! It would have to take a great deal of power to conjure up that many soul hunters."
"Exactly." The samurai agreed. "And in that light, there's only one thing that readily comes to mind."
"Soul Edge." Mitsurugi and Li Long blurted out at the same time.
The duo paused for a few seconds, contemplating on the immensity of the threat currently staring them in the face. Mitsurugi was the first to move, slightly startling Li Long when he suddenly slapped his head in vexation.
"Buddha help me." Quipped the overwrought samurai. "Does this mean it's going to be that bitch's show again?"
Li Long tried to conceal a smile when he heard Mitsurugi's outburst. He may not be the type who meddles with other people's personal concerns, let alone those of his rival blade warriors. But in the short time that he spent with his fellow Blade Hunters, he had grown aware of the budding rivalry between the only two Japanese fighters in the pack, Mitsurugi himself and the lady ninja Taki. Li Long has always considered her a very formidable combatant, who possesses awesome skills which are more than adequate for Taki to stand her ground against the best in the world. And this is something that Mitsurugi's egocentric attitude finds incredibly difficult to acknowledge.
The Chinese assassin thus understands the mercenary samurai's resounding disgust at the prospect they are facing. During the first quest, it was Taki's Mekki-maru sword that inflicted the lethal blow which ultimately vanquished the demonic plunderer Captain Cervantes. And given the present situation, it appears that the only way to destroy the source of the fiendish soul hunters is by enlisting the lady ninja's help once more.
"However bad a taste it leaves in your mouth, my friend, I think that we have no other recourse but to ask for Taki's help. After all, she is the expert in dealing with these things." Li Long remarked, clearly referring to Taki's foremost occupation as a demon hunter.
"I saw her." Mitsurugi curtly replied.
"What?" Li Long reacted.
"I saw her. She's with her friend again, that girl from Athens." The samurai repeated while resting his head against the cave wall and covering his eyes with his forearm. "Three guesses on what they're up to."
Li Long didn't answer, and instead turned a concerned look at his wife, Chie, who's clearly showing signs of mixed excitement and anxiety, but can't even utter a single word on account of her having lost the ability to speak at a very young age due to a debilitating illness.
The Japanese maiden Chie was born with a rare and unnamed disease on the throat that rendered her literally speechless when she was only six years old. Because of this, she was scorned and ridiculed by children of the same age, who thought of her as a freakish child of demon-possessed parents. Other than her own father, the formidable ninja known as Hachebei, the only person who stood up in her defense was her childhood friend and confidante, the young Taki, whose innate courage and strength of conviction manifested early in her life. Chie's face brightened while reminiscing her past misadventures with Taki, recalling with a smile how the future lady ninja almost maimed older and much bigger boys who made the mistake of taunting the mute girl. And now, even though she can't voice it out, her heart is screaming with the enormous desire to see her closest friend once more.
"Taki, oh how I miss you" Chie shouted in her mind.
The mute woman then turned her attention once more to her loving husband, gesturing him to ask for some more information from the samurai mercenary.
"Mitsurugi, where exactly did you see her?" inquired the onetime assassin.
The Japanese warrior sat up and faced his Chinese host. "I think the place was only beyond the Roman frontiers. She was with Sophitia and a score of other strangers who" Mitsurugi suddenly hesitated, not wanting to have to tell his rival about how the Batman nearly bested him in a duel using only his bare hands.
"At any rate," the samurai continued. "According to them, Ivy believes that she's really the daughter of Cervantes, so"
"Who's Ivy?" Li Long interrupted.
"Oh yeah, right. You weren't there" Mitsurugi was reminded of Li Long's absence in the second quest for the Soul Edge, which explains why the Chinese warrior is not acquainted with the English femme fatale.
Mitsurugi continued his tale while Chie stood up to leave the two to their conference. Li Long's thick brows drew closer to each other as he listened to his sometimes adversary recount what he learned regarding Ivy's alleged journey to seek out the resurrection of the dreaded pirate. When the Japanese bounty hunter concluded his fantastic account, the Chinese warrior then hurled back a question which made his counterpart bow his head in apparent shame.
"So why aren't you with them?" Li Long curiously interrogated the mercenary.
"I I don't know how to say this" Mitsurugi stuttered. "When I saw how you well succumbed to that pirate, I realized how huge a mistake was that I committed in considering myself the best sword fighter in the world."
"Come again?" Li Long asked with evident puzzlement. "I don't believe I caught your drift."
"Look, Li Long." Mitsurugi shot back, firming his voice. "Because of this Soul Edge experience and after having faced you, Taki and the others, I have come to an acceptance of the fact that my skill still could use some honing if I wish to be legitimately recognized as the greatest swordsman in the planet. And alright, I admit, you gave me a good run for my money the last time we faced in combat." The mercenary humbly acknowledged.
"You got that right." Li Long thought as he kept his newly found amusement at the Japanese warrior to himself. But then, the brief moment of humor was quickly followed by a slight feeling of astonishment, as the former assassin wondered what could have transformed the otherwise pompous Mitsurugi into this unobtrusive man sitting in front of him.
The expression on Li Long's face betrayed his thoughts, with Mitsurugi accurately deciphering the perplexed look in his Chinese adversary. Exhibiting a wry smile, the mercenary samurai decided to lay the former assassin's stupefaction to rest.
"Look, Li Long. Being at the brink of death can bring about change even to the most contumacious and toplofty man alive." Mitsurugi remarked, obviously referring to his recent brush with the frightful soul hunters. "So please stop looking at me like that. You're making me feel like an impostor or something."
Just then, the two grizzled combatants were interrupted when the unassuming Chie walked back into the chamber, tugging along an adorable toddler who doesn't seem to be any older than four years. The samurai looked at the boy with utter curiosity, then turned his gaze back to his host.
"Li Long, is he who I think he is?" Mitsurugi attentively inquired.
The proud Chinese beamed even more as he got up from his perch and strutted playfully towards the adoringly merry child, who extended his petite arms in eager anticipation.
"This, my friend, is the reason why I came back from the dead." Li Long declared to the amazed Mitsurugi. "Meet my one and only child, my son Li Dang".
Mitsurugi can't help but smile as he witnessed the soft side of his battle-hardened rival. He can feel the pure joy emanating from the being of the warrior, to which he was easily consumed as he stared at the boy mischievously pounding with closed fists on his father's face.
"See, Mitsurugi? My son obviously took after me. He's already displaying the mannerism of a true warrior."
Chie moaned in mock defiance to Li Long's remark. "Oops, sorry, my love. Of course Li Dang also has your lovely, lovely eyes." Apologized the gleeful father to his pretty wife.
Li Long then turned his attention back to Mitsurugi.
"I wasn't exactly dead yet after you guys left. But I was sure I was headed in that direction, with all of you gone and no one there to save me except for a few remaining shards of the shattered evil sword." Recounted the Chinese combatant.
"But then, I thought I saw an apparition of Chie, calling me to come home. I don't know exactly how it happened. But somehow the residual mystic energy of the destroyed blade sent me an image of her and our soon-to-be-born son, begging the gods to bring me back. I guess that Soul Edge isn't all that bad after all." Li Long added, completing his account of how he survived his encounter with near-death. "It was hard, but my love for Chie was far stronger than any kind of pain and suffering. It took me all of a full year, but I made it just the same."
"I I didn't realize" Mitsurugi interrupted Li Long. "I'm so sorry for having left you there." Shamefully apologized the samurai mercenary.
"No apologies, my friend, you didn't know. Who knows, maybe I was already dead." The former killer-for-hire shot back, dismissing his rival's feeling of guilt.
Li Long then handed Li Dang back to Chie, before gently gesturing her to leave. As he went back to Mitsurugi, his face suddenly became sullen, as if being consumed with guilt himself.
"And that's also the reason" the Chinese started talking again "why I just can't possibly involve myself anymore with this third quest for the evil blade."
"Li Long," Mitsurugi muttered "I didn't come here to seek your aid. I myself turned my back to Taki and Sophitia when they asked for my help." The mercenary shamefully admitted. "But I regret having done so. It's not usually my style to give myself in to fear."
Li Long sympathetically rested a hand on Mitsurugi's right shoulder.
"My friend. Fear is healthy, it makes you think and ultimately it can make you a more effective fighter. To tell you the truth, however great your skills maybe, I've always thought of you as foolhardy in the battlefield. You fight like you're some kind of immortal."
"Yeah." The samurai agreed. "I found that out the hard way."
"I can never tell you what you should do." The Chinese warrior continued. "You choose your own path. If you think it wiser to turn your back on this quest, then fine. I'm sure someday you'll realize the wisdom of your decision. In my case, this is the path I choose: the path of life and love in the company of my family. This is where I should be. Let the others who have less responsibilities save the world for us."
Suddenly, the two men lurched when they felt a steady tremor that shook the ground underneath them. At almost the same time, Chie came scampering in and frantically signaled the two to come out of the cave.
Emerging from the cavern opening, the two warriors witnessed a frightful sight that made they hair stand on ends. Visible from the horizon is an ominously bright pillar of blue and white light originating from the west. Mitsurugi and Li Long felt a sudden surge of terror when they recalled a similar event that took place right after vanquishing the demonic Cervantes during the first quest for the Soul Edge.
"The Evil Seed." Mitsurugi exclaimed. "It looks like the event Sophitia predicted is already coming down."
As they anxiously watched the sinister light show, Li Long came to an abrupt and dreadful realization that this new threat is not something he can just turn his back to.
"This is never going to end, is it?" the Chinese warrior sullenly muttered.
"No, unless we make it." Mitsurugi replied, with an implication that almost shattered the heart of the former assassin.
Turning to his erstwhile adversary, Li Long eyed Mitsurugi with a dreary look in his face. After a few moments, he finally came to the hardest decision he ever made in his life, as the Chinese warrior accepted this turn of events with a heavy heart.
"We do this for my family. Mitsurugi, swear on our fathers' graves that we will see this through."
"I do swear." Mitsurugi resolutely pledged.
Then came an appalling silence between the two adroit fighters, which was subsequently broken by a somber remark from the downhearted Li Long.
"Chie will definitely not like this."
June 03, 1598
The day is graced with the splendor of the radiant sunlight showering the environment with its warming rays. It would have been a real scorcher if not for the cool and gentle breeze blowing steadily from the northwest, forming a fascinating and almost hypnotic ripple of undulating meadow plants covering the broad expanse of the eastern valley bordering the Pyreenes heights.
Beneath the cover of the tall grass lies a slumbering viper enjoying an afternoon of peaceful respite. Suddenly, the serpent's attention was caught by a sudden shift of the rythmic rustling being created by the waving fauna. The venomous creature then stretched its slithering body to move away from the apparent source of the aberration, which turned out to be the sound of five pairs of human legs laboring to make it through the thick grass bed. A voice coming from the traveling cortege echoed through the faint whistle of the blowing winds.
"You don't talk too much, do you?" Taki spoke out in trying to initiate a conversation between her and her companion, the hero known in his time as the dark and enigmatic Batman. When the latter didn't respond to her inquiry, the irritated Taki wasn't able to contain her exasperation.
"You know, mister, you really might appreciate using your tongue if you'd just give it a try." Quipped the frustrated lady ninja.
Not far behind them, Robin beheld Taki's vain attempt, which elicited an amused reaction from the Boy Wonder.
"Good luck, Taki. The president of the United States himself can't get much of a conversation from Bruce on a good day." Laughed the formidable juvenile.
Overhearing his comment, the girl with a heavy shield holstered on her back interrupted Robin's musing.
"What's a president?" inquired the Hellenic sword fighter.
"Oh, nothing. Just a word we use to describe our ruler." Interrupted Bludhaven's protector, the vigilante known as Nightwing. He realized the young Robin made a slip by mentioning a term not known in this era, so he had to douse the subject with a quick rejoinder of his own.
"Oh, something like a king." Sophitia sighed.
"Yeah, exactly like a king well, sort of." The Boy Wonder tentatively concurred.
Finding the topic somewhat drab, the Greek dame decided to change the subject with a question she's been wanting to ask Nightwing from the moment they met.
"So, uhh Nightwing, right? Forgive me for being a bit intrusive, but I did notice a semblance of attraction you have for my friend."
The original Boy Wonder didn't answer, and instead simply flashed a smile that adequately satisfied Sophitia's query. Nightwing then followed it with an inquiry of his own.
"Why? Is that a problem?"
"No. No, of course not." Sophitia quickly retorted to erase whatever wrong impressions Nightwing may have. "Actually, to tell you the truth I am kind of hoping you would do something about it."
The Athenian's last remark caused Tim Drake's right eye brow to elevate as he was evidently intrigued by the idea. However, he turned his thought around almost at the same time when he was reminded of their other missing companions. Landing a solid elbow nudge on Nightwing's side, the current Boy Wonder whispered a remark that almost made Richard Grayson laugh.
"Hey, Dick, I thought you were going out with Helena."
"It didn't work." Nightwing curtly replied, pertaining to his failed attempt at a relationship with the Huntress. "Besides, you should be glad. I've always known about the huge crush you have for her." the guardian of Bludhaven teasingly added.
"Stop it, you jerk. Batman might hear." The Dark Knight's partner nervously shot back.
Tim Drake didn't react that way without good reason. He knows only too well of the resounding repugnance the Batman harbors towards the Huntress, who gained the unofficial label of the Anastasia of Gotham from her fearless but less than abstemious method of dealing with the city's criminal elements. And even though the adamant Caped Crusader himself nominated the Huntress for JLA membership, he still firmly intends to insulate his other charges from the obstinate daughter of a murdered mobster. Especially Robin, whose close association with the Huntress never really escaped the Batman's awareness, contrary to what the Boy Wonder actually believes.
And the last thing that he needs right now is his mentor discovering the fact that he does have a heavy crush on the Huntress. He definitely wouldn't want to see Batman going totally ballistic.
The young crimefighter's attention was drawn anew to his big brother figure when the latter began speaking again to the comely looking Greek warrior damsel.
"So what's the deal with your friend?" Nightwing asked Sophitia.
"What do you mean?" the Hellenic lass asked back.
"Well When I tried to talk to her before, she seemed kind of aloof. Is she afraid of me or something?"
"No, not at all." Sophitia quipped. "It's just that well it's sort of a long story. Suffice it to say that something happened in her past that rendered her unable to socialize with men."
"She was married?" Nightwing asked again with a rapidly growing interest with the lady ninja's background.
"No, of course not. Nothing of that sort." Sophitia replied. "It's pretty hard to explain, actually. And I'm afraid I'm really not at liberty to tell you anything. Sorry."
"Oh, okay." The vigilante muttered with a feeling of disappointment, as he sensed Sophitia's intent of giving a rest to the subject.
"I'd be truly delighted, though, if you'd be able to somehow pierce through her barrier." The Athenian suddenly blurted out.
"Excuse me?" Nightwing reacted with a renewed sense of hope.
"Taki's been too much of a loner for the most part of her life. And as her friend, I just can't tolerate that situation for long. I want her to be happy, but I don't know how to convince her to change her grim outlook towards men and love.
"Perhaps you're just what the doctor ordered for my stubborn friend. To tell you the truth, it's the first time I saw her react that way when you approached her. Maybe there's still hope for Taki after all." Sophitia revealed to the elated Nightwing.
"But don't tell her I told you that." The Hellenic fighter quickly added. "She's gonna kill me if she learns that I've placed you on the right path."
"No problem." Nightwing assured Sophitia, while turning his admiring gaze to the headstrong Japanese female warrior, who at that moment stooped down to examine a set of queer footprints she spotted on the reddish brown soil.
"This is most strange." Taki remarked in wonderment. "I know of no animal in this side of the world that bears this shape in its foot. I wonder what could have made these."
The lady ninja didn't notice the Dark Knight kneeling almost beside her, taking his turn at scrutinizing the weird imprints on the ground.
"This is not made by animals." Batman declared. "Judging from the uneven depths of the footprints, it's made by some kind of two-legged creature with appendages of different lengths. I could dismiss it as an injured or even disabled person wearing a pair of three-toed boots. But these are not made by only one creature. There are at least twenty-two sets of footprints. And all of them bear the same pattern of irregularity."
Rising from her genuflected position, Taki feigned an astounded tone of voice to express her annoyance to her previously silent companion.
"Amazing! It talks!"
True to his form, the Batman ignored Taki's sarcastic remark and instead concentrated on the direction where the footprints lead.
"These prints may not be that significant, but I want to be sure. Taki, let's follow it." Ordered the Dark Knight, while signaling their three associates to follow them.
While tracing the trail of unusual footmarks, Taki renewed her intention of conversing with Batman.
"What's with you? Cat got your tongue or something?"
"What do you want to know?" the Dark Knight suddenly exclaimed, which slightly startled the lady ninja. However, the intrepid girl refused to let herself be intimidated by her otherwise cowering associate, and so quickly tried to regain her composure.
"Why do they call you Batman'?" questioned the lady ninja, partly to hide the fact that she's a bit cowed by his imposing presence, and also partly because she really wants to know the reason behind the name.
"Because I am blind to things in the light and all-seeing to those hiding in the darkness." Was the Caped Crusader's brief and ambiguous response, which gave Taki more confusion than clarification.
Contemplating on a different approach, the lady ninja was instead taken by surprise when the Dark Knight turned to her with his own curious comment.
"You wanted to ask something about Nightwing." Batman stated matter-of-factly.
Though not wanting to admit this seeming evidence of weakness of character as Taki considers it, she realized just the same the futility of trying to deny her concealed sentiment to the man whom she felt knows a lot more than what he's supposed to.
"So what if I do?" the Underground Hunter boldly shot back at the Dark Knight.
"Whatever you're thinking about or feeling, forget about it." Batman exclaimed with utter frankness. "He is not the right man for you."
"Really?" Taki mockingly retorted. "Who are you supposed to be, his father? Anyway, you don't have to tell me that because I don't plan on doing anything along the line of what you may be thinking."
"Good." Batman quipped. "It would do you good to maintain your normal attitude towards Nightwing."
No longer able to contain her exasperation for the crimefighter's presumptuous way of talking, the lady ninja finally cut loose and lashed on the Batman.
"And who do you think you are, talking about my normal attitude as if you've known me all my life?" Taki questioned angrily. "You've been acting like you know everything there is to know about the people around you. You don't even have the slightest idea what I've been through."
"No, I don't." Batman concurred. "But whatever it is, I sympathize for your loss."
Taki became even more puzzled at Batman's last remark. "What made you think I suffered a loss?"
Batman didn't answer. However, his previous comment had already stirred up a storm inside the lady ninja's psyche, causing her to fall back to a reflective state with the memory of her aunt's tragic demise coming back to her like a haunting spectre, refusing to allow herself to let go of the pains of the past. Her tormenting recollection was interrupted when the Caped Crusader spoke once more.
"I know. It's painful."
Batman paused for a moment and thought about Superman. He then continued despite the gnawing melancholy.
"But that's what life is all about, dealing with pain. You either succumb to it if you're weak; or you can accept it, choke down the hurt, then move on."
"Pain? Pain?!?" Taki snarled in resounding ire, finally unleashing pent-up emotions that she had imprisoned inside her heart for so long. "What the hell do you know about pain? You don't even know what it's like to witness with your very own eyes the death of someone you love with all your heart!"
At this point, the Dark Knight stopped walking and trained his full attention at the seething lady ninja. He stared at her hard with his unblinking eyes that seemed to penetrate right into the nexus of her soul. Taki felt her fury being immersed in frigid waters, unable to sustain its rage as it was subjected under the dampening effect of the Batman's ice-cold gaze that sent a shivering chill into her body and soul. The lady ninja's knees almost buckled when Batman finally stopped staring at her and continued on his way.
The two were oblivious to the fact that their little clash didn't escape the notice of their three companions walking right behind them. Though a bit stunned by this incident, Nightwing collected himself and walked towards the trembling Taki, knowing all too well the kind of disturbing ordeal she just went through.
"Don't worry about it." Nightwing consoled Taki. "There's only one person I know who never got the terror treatment from Batman. And he's not from this planet."
"I never thought it possible." The lady ninja mumbled softly. "I just got terrified of a man."
Nightwing just smiled as he sustained his amicable demeanor to put some levity in the otherwise tense situation.
"Hey, it could be worse. You just might fall in love with one."
Taki's reaction to Nightwing's remark was that of unqualified restlessness, as she threw an irritable side-glance at the handsome vigilante before walking out on him. This new kind of emotion is causing a great upheaval in her heart; a feeling that is now causing Taki much distress out of the immensely frightful possibility that she just might already be falling for Nightwing.
"I'm sorry, aunt Deki, " the Japanese warrior whispered. "I have failed you, and I am about to destroy myself in the process."
Taki's melancholic mood was interrupted by the echoing voice of her friend and comrade-in-arms.
"Hey, don't you think it's become awfully cold all of the sudden?" Sophitia exclaimed as she noted the sudden drop of temperature in this otherwise warm day. It was then that they all noticed the formation a fog bank rapidly approaching their position.
"Hey, Sophie, you got yourselves some really rad weather in this place." Robin blurted out, to which the Hellenic damsel retorted with a tone of dread in her voice when she felt an unusually high level of mystic energy emanating from the freakish weather phenomenon.
"No, Robin. This doesn't have anything to do with the weather. We're about to have some very unpleasant company." Sophitia warned the Boy Wonder.
And as if in accord to her fears, the otherworldly mist opened up in the middle to reveal a battalion of misshapen creatures not unlike the ones encountered by the Japanese mercenary Mitsurugi. Seeing the frightful horde, the suddenly embattled Sophitia pulled her Omega sword and Elk shield out from their bridle and assumed battle position.
"Taki, they're soul hunters." Surmised the alarmed Athenian.
"And damn too many of them, too. How could this be possible?" Taki snapped back after drawing both her Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru blades from their harness.
"Beats the hell out of me, my friend. But this shouldn't be too much of a problem between your Mekki-maru and my Omega sword." The steadfast Sophitia replied, knowing full well that these horde of walking corpses do not stand a chance against the powers of their preternatural weapons.
Confident that they could easily overcome this threat, the two warrior women told Batman, Robin and Nightwing to stand back.
"This shouldn't take too long." The self-assured Taki added.
"Hey, Bruce, don't you think we should help them?" Robin whispered to Batman while clutching a makeshift rod he fashioned from a dead branch.
"No." was the Dark Knight's authoritative reply. "We do as they tell us. It looks like they have the situation under control"
Then suddenly, a deafening explosion boomed from the fog, accompanied by a blinding flash of lightning that struck the blades of the two courageous women. Feeling a surge of pain along their arms, both Sophitia and Taki had no recourse but to let go of their weapons, which still crackled with electricity after it fell on the ground. The adroit Athenian attempted to retake her weapon, only to be stunned again when she was electrocuted by the crackling lightning field enveloping the Omega sword.
"No! We can't use our weapons!" the terrified Sophitia screamed.
And as if taking a cue from the lightning, the demonic squadron finally launched in a full scale attack against the five embattled warriors. Vastly outnumbered, the Batman and his wards nevertheless gave their best efforts to try and rescue the two women who seemed to be the main targets of the soul hunters.
Though disarmed, Taki and Sophitia still joined the melee. The five gallant fighters fought hard to stand their ground for as long as they can. However, they were soon overcome by the enemies' sheer weight of number. In desperately trying to find a refuge, the quintet was soon trapped by the horde against the hard walls of a granite cliff.
Pressed on one side by vile undead murderers and on the other by a wall of solid rock, Batman, Taki, Robin, Sophitia and Nightwing braced themselves for one final stand. But to their surprise, the demonic throng ceased its attack and just stood there, surrounding them. After a few moments, the horde parted to reveal the alluring figure of a scantily clad woman holding a weapon that appears to be a bullwhip with large, sharp blades affixed along its length. Taki and Sophitia lurched upon recognizing the figure who apparently leads the devilish soul hunters.
"Ivy!" the two women muttered in unison.
"My, my. What warm enthusiasm the two of you exhibit. I apologize for the hellish welcome, but these monstrosities are the only things I can manage in such short notice." The platinum-haired woman snidely snapped back at the pair. "And who are your friends? Would you care introducing me to such magnificent males?" Ivy furthered, turning her attention to the three crimefighters from the future.
Ignoring Ivy's humoring, Sophitia talked to her in an attempt to get her to reconsider her actions.
"Ivy, what you plan to do is dangerous and foolish. You can't possibly think of bringing Cervantes back to life. Millions of innocents will be endangered if you do."
"I'm so sorry, my sweet Sophitia." The seductive femme fatale retorted. "I guess I'm just an insufferable papa's girl. And with the possibility that Cervantes is my real father, well I just can't bear to let him rot under the waters where you left him, can I?"
Taki held Sophitia by the arm, as if telling her not to waste her energy in trying to reason with the deranged woman.
"Then I guess it's safe to say that everyone's doomed, huh. Ivy, you wretch! You are so mistaken if you think I'd simply allow you to do this." The furious lady ninja growled at her onetime comrade-in-arms.
"Why Taki, such angst. Such display of negative emotions. If you intend to act that way for the rest of your life, then I reckon you'd be better off dead. Hmmm come to think of it, I think you'd all be better off dead. Saves me the trouble of dealing with meddlers in my grand labor of love." the twisted Ivy exclaimed before turning back to her army of soul hunters.
"My hideous pawns, you may now finish your job." The Englishwoman commanded the ghastly soul hunters before departing the scene.
"Batman, what do we do? Nothing we've done so far can hurt these uglies." A worried Robin whispered to the Dark Knight.
"Go for the head." Batman quietly replied. "While fighting them, I noticed that these creatures seem to put an extra effort in protecting their heads. That could be their weak spot."
"Easier said than done." Nightwing likewise whispered.
"I know, but we've got to try." Batman quipped. "If not, we're all dead."
The Dark Knight of Gotham was just about to make his move when he noticed a faint swishing sound coming from the back of the soul hunters. Out of nowhere, a huge ax thundered towards them and squarely hit the head of one of the living corpses, snapping it off its neck and crushing it against the granite wall like some kind of oversized, dry tomato.
From a short distance, the quintet then heard a menacing battle cry that, Sophitia thought, could come from only one person.
"That's Rock! Taki, that's Rock!" Sophitia cried out like an excited child while clutching hard on her friend's forearm.
The Greek damsel wasn't mistaken, as the huge American warrior came charging out from the fog, quickly followed by the Korean duo of Hwang Sung-Kyung and Seung Mina, the Huntress and Azrael. In an instant, the tide of battle turned in favor of the heroes, as the embattled soul hunters were overcome with confusion when they were flanked by foes attacking from all sides.
"Helena!!!" Robin shouted when she recognized the Huntress.
"All right, let's rock!" Nightwing yelled while pummeling two soul hunters with a devastating reverse round house.
Batman didn't waste any time as he hoisted a huge chunk of granite and used all his strength to pound it against the head of a soul hunter right in front of him. The Dark Knight allowed himself a grin of satisfaction when the demonic creature fell limp on the ground after its head was severed from its body.
"Everyone! Go for the head!" the Caped Crusader bellowed to instruct his comrades.
Throughout the commotion, the furious Underground Hunter decided to go after the deranged Englishwoman. Executing a series of lightning fast somersaults, Taki quickly grabbed her weapons and immediately launched to hunt for her prey.
"Ivy, you're mine!"
The thrill of combat is what she lives for. Moving with a sudden burst of speed, the youthful Seung Mina planted the blunt end of her Zanbatoh spear to the ground as she pushed hard with her legs, launching herself into the air like a world-class pole vaulter. Still clutching her weapon tight, the formidable fighter from Korea landed in the middle of three soul hunters, and immediately swung her long blade around, switching her hold from her right hand to her left in a dazzling display of awesome skill. Mina then crouched low to the ground for a second to watch her enemies fall to the ground, rendered headless by her spectacular attack.
Picking herself up, Mina looked around to check for other soul hunters she can get her hands on. Her eyes caught the sight of the younger Robin, who at that time was also showing off, whirling his improvised rod between his two hands to smash the heads of two more demonic creatures. Her heart almost leaped from her chest when she nearly mistook the Boy Wonder for someone she knew who possesses a similar fighting style.
"Kilik" the young warrior exclaimed in her mind. The sight of the fighting Robin reminded her of that young man she met during the second quest for the evil blade: Kilik, the greatest living practitioner of the Ling Sheng Su style rod fighting. Being unique in the sense that he's the first man to introduce her to the essence of romance, Kilik was also the first to have broken Seung Mina's heart when he once implied to her his feelings for his partner, the Chinese lass Xianghua, likewise an authority in the Ling Sheng Su style sword technique.
"MINA! BEHIND YOU!" Her gloomy reverie was suddenly interrupted by Hwang, frantically hollering from a distance to warn her of an enemy standing right behind her, who was about to deliver a lethal blow with its crooked weapon. But before Seung Mina knew anything, she felt a shock wave jolt her nape when the soul hunter who was about to murder her was hit hard by Azrael's fist, which sent the zombie's head flying off.
When she realized what happened, the younger Seung stared in amazement at the Angel of Vengeance, totally impressed by the power of his blow.
"You did that only with your hands?"
Azrael looked at Mina with slightly concerned eyes, as he just realized he made a mistake by displaying his above-human level strength that was given to him by the hideous programming of the despicable Order of St. Dumas. How can he explain to these medieval warriors the awesome might he wields despite having a not-so-impressive physique?
"Well, uh I have extremely strong bones. My mother used to drink lots of goat milk when she was pregnant of me." The Agent of the Bat wittily remarked.
"Oh" Mina sighed, nodding her head in agreement despite not really knowing what her savior was talking about.
"We've got them on the run, team! Let's finish this." Batman told the trio of Sophitia, Nightwing and Rock, who each had just vanquished some of the last standing soul hunters. And in a few minutes, not a single zombie was left standing, leaving the heroes exhausted but relieved for having survived the battle.
Like a good military commander, the Dark Knight checked to see if anyone of his charges was injured during the skirmish. That's when he noticed that one of them is missing.
"Where's Taki?" the Caped Crusader asked Sophitia.
"I I don't know. She was standing right beside me before Rock and the others arrived." Replied the worried Athenian fighter.
"I thought I saw her go after that Ivy babe." Robin interrupted, before pointing his right arm eastward. "I think she went that"
Nightwing was already moving before the Boy Wonder could complete his sentence. Sophitia followed suit, running after the protector of Bludhaven to find out what became of the lady ninja.
Meanwhile, Taki recoiled after dodging a near-hit by Ivy's blade-studded bullwhip. She was about to reassume her battle stance when she felt a sudden attack of lightheadedness accompanied by an alarming sensation of warmth in her face. The lady ninja was terrified to feel blood gushing from the side of her torso. Pressing her left hand on the wound tight to minimize the blood loss, the Japanese warrior maiden looked at her smirking adversary through her already fuliginous vision.
There is no doubt in Taki's mind that Ivy's prowess has somehow been augmented. Though she's always found the long reach of the English dame's snake sword an inconvenience, it never really posed a serious threat to the immensely talented ninja. Taki never had a problem in overcoming Ivy in the few events that they faced each other in combat during the last of the two quests for Soul Edge.
But that was then. And that is definitely not the case now. Taki would have considered the platinum-haired warrior to have undergone some rigorous training to enable her to match the lady ninja's awesome skills. But no amount of training can teach a fighter to make herself partially incorporeal; it was like striking on thin air whenever Taki tried to attack Ivy. But the English lady's weapon is as solid as anything could ever be, and it has already inflicted not a few wounds on the Japanese combatant's supple body, the latest and most serious being this gaping laceration which is now about to rob Taki of her consciousness.
"Nuh nice trick uhh" Taki muttered with much difficulty, referring to Ivy's ability to shift into a ghostly form. "Can you do it while standing on your head, too?" the embattled lady ninja sarcastically added in defiance of her enemy.
"Oh, you jest." Ivy shot back. "It's either you've had a personality make-over or you're just delirious. But I'm not too anxious to find out." The British femme fatale further exclaimed while her bullwhip pulls itself back to reassume the form of a sword.
Casually prancing towards the injured ninja, Ivy lifted her blade over her head and prepared to deliver the death blow. But at the last moment, Taki was able to muster the feeble strength she had left, putting Rekki-maru in between her and the Ivy blade to deflect the baneful Ivy's assault. Her desperate defensive move bought the lady ninja a few more moments of tortured existence, though the force of the blow knocked the short sword off her weakened grip.
"Wow, still got some fight left in that luscious body of yours." Ivy mockingly remarked. "My dear Taki, give it up. I promise that you won't feel any pain."
"N not in your lifetime..." The heavily-breathing lady ninja laboriously snapped back, trying her damnedest best to pull herself up on her feet.
"Have it your way, then." Ivy replied with finality, as she lashed her sword in the air to turn it anew into a bladed whip, intending to use it to strangle Taki to death. But before she could carry out her wicked intent, the white-haired aggressor heard a series of rapid footsteps fast approaching. Turning her gaze towards the direction of the disturbance, Ivy saw Nightwing and Sophitia coming to Taki's aid.
Though she wanted desperately to kill the two warriors, the Englishwoman decided on the side of prudence, as she is not certain if her phasing powers can enable her to take on more than one opponent at once. Whispering a short litany, Ivy stepped back into a warp conjured up by her magical adjuration and left the bleeding yet alive Taki to be found by her friends.
June 04, 1598
It's already way past midnight and only within a clock cycle before the sun rises to begin a new day. As he looks around the camp, Nightwing sees most of his companions in this suddenly enlarged detachment taking a very much needed time to sleep. He subsequently ignored them, and focused his attention back to the peacefully slumbering yet badly-injured lady ninja lying down in front of him.
After their group was nearly executed the day before by a horde of zombies and then reinforced by the arrival of the Huntress and Azrael together with some more 16th century warriors, they found the severely wounded body of the unconscious Taki in a secluded woodlands near the battlefield. Richard Grayson remembered that moment as one of the most terrible in his life. Almost as horrid as that day more than a decade ago, when he witnessed the flailing bodies of the two elder members of the trapeze act team the Flying Graysons, helplessly plunging to their deaths in an "accident" that was really the doing of one devious criminal Tony Zucco.
To his utter relief, they arrived at the scene just before the evil maiden Ivy was able to murder Taki. However, the lady ninja wasn't out of the woods yet. Her injuries were somewhat on the critical side, such that even all the rudimentary knowledge in the field of medicine and anatomy of his mentor, the dark and enigmatic Batman, cannot offer a solid assurance of survival for the poor Japanese fighter. Thus, at this very moment, even though she appears so serene in her slumber, Taki is in fact still fighting for her life. It would be a good sign for the lady ninja if she can make it through the night, the Dark Knight surmised earlier.
And Nightwing wants to be the first to be there when Taki finally opens her eyes. He wants to make sure that whatever happens, he's right there by her side to attend to her needs and respond to any emergencies that might arise. Though he is aware of the special regard he has for the elusive woman, Nightwing had absolutely no idea how deep it's grown in the few days that they were together. Maybe he'd never have known if not for that grisly moment when he beheld the profusely bleeding lady ninja, struggling with her labored breathing and faint pulse. At that moment, Nightwing realized just how much he cared for Taki. He tenderly and lovingly caressed the soft hair of the lady ninja before resting his back against the trunk of a sturdy tree that was providing shelter for himself and the injured warrior.
Watching from a short distance, the striking figure of the Batman stands ever vigilant; a dark and fear-inspiring sentinel tirelessly keeping guard around the perimeters of their provisional camp. His senses always keen and concentration rigid as the Rock of Gibraltar, the mysterious Dark Knight's attention is focused over everything that's happening within and beyond the confines of their temporary encampment. And that last gesture of affection by Nightwing didn't escape the ever watchful eyes of the adamant Caped Crusader.
"It's your call, Dick. I'm not your father. And don't ever say that I didn't warn you." The Dark Knight thought, silently expressing concern over Nightwing's perilous personal involvement with the lady ninja.
All the while, the equally worried Sophitia likewise can't bring herself to sleep, overcome by anxiety while her attention is fixated on her impaired friend. Her brooding mood was interrupted when she heard a rustling sound from behind her. She turned her head to find the colossal Rock crouching to find a comfortable position beside her.
"Hi, Sophie." The behemoth softly echoed a greeting.
"Hey." Sophitia curtly returned Rock's salutation, accompanied by a gentle and disarming smile on her face.
Sophitia inched sideways to provide some room for Rock. Sitting side by side, the two Blade hunters formed a somewhat comical sight of a beautiful and fragile girl who looks like a proverbial Jane sitting beside an oversized Tarzan. The two just sat there, unmoving and speaking nothing as they both watched from a distance the wounded Taki being attended to by the distressed Nightwing. Then Rock broke the silence with a question that had been forthcoming since after they defeated the soul hunters.
"So, what do you make of these strangers?"
"Oh, you mean Batman and the others?" Sophitia replied. "I honestly think that they're good people, though a bit on the mysterious side. Especially Batman himself."
"I'll say." Rock commented. "There's something strange about that guy. He doesn't seem evil, but I sense something in him that kind of scares me a little."
"Tell me about it. You should have seen Taki when they had an argument yesterday. I've never seen the girl tremble like that." Sophitia added in recollection of the event that happened during the previous day.
"Taki? Scared of a man? Hah! Next thing we know we'll be watching Voldo distributing Vercci's treasures among the poor." The behemoth laughed, amused by the irony of his idea.
Training his gaze back to Taki, Rock can't help but take notice of Nightwing's unusual display of concern over the Japanese warrior.
"Now that is a sight to behold. Does this guy have any idea what he's getting himself into?"
"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about it." Sophitia replied smiling.
"Better check that train of thought of yours, Sophie. Taki has half the mind to cripple this man if he so much as offer her a wildflower." Rock snapped back at the Athenian.
"I don't know, Rock, my friend. If my plan works -- which I hope it does -- we just might witness our mighty ninja friend eating her words and her sword's harness." The Greek girl replied teasingly. However, her last remark just reminded the American warrior of his primary objective for this journey.
"Man, I hope I wouldn't have to fight Taki just to get her to loan her sword to me." The somber-faced Rock remarked.
"Oh, Rock, of course it wouldn't come to that. Taki is a good person. It may not always show because of her seriousness and ferocity in battle. But I'm pretty sure she also wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Bangoo." The compassionate Athenian replied in reassuring the American warrior.
Rock didn't utter a word of response, and instead just heaved a deep breath to try and clear out the heaviness in his heart caused by the troublesome thought of his ward's pitiful state. Above them, the first signs of the approaching morn makes itself evident, basking the cottony clouds with bright crimson and orange rays coming from the eastern horizon.