Brush With Death's Lady...
"GEKI-HISHO-KEN!!!"
Andy stared in shock as the rock he'd targeted was nearly obliterated. "Kuso…" He took in a breath and looked again. The scene hadn't changed. "How… How am I going to control this kind of power? Terry'd had it for so long… "
Kalani walked up just then, "Getting used to the potential?" She stood dressed in a loose blouse and slacks while munching on an apple. "It's a lot to have to understand at first, believe me."
Looking at his hands, Andy shook his head, "I don't feel so different, but this…" He indicated the rock, "Terry could do that only with a Power Geyser at the highest level. I shouldn't have been able to do it."
"How long have you trained?" Kalani tossed the apple core over her shoulder and walked forward.
"Since I was a child. Why?" The blond fighter looked at her, puzzled. What did his time in training have to do with it?
Kalani smiled. "It's called 'potential' for a reason. You're only as powerful as your effort," she said and spun around. Her left arm arced out, trailing green-white [I]ki[/I], "MIRAGE SWORD!!!"
The karateka watched a tree shudder and then the upper half fell slowly to the side. Andy's blue eyes noted that the strike had made a clean cut through the wood, "Shimatta…" He looked at Kalani with new respect, "That was impressive."
"Thank you," she said softly and turned back around to face him, "When I was a child, I was diagnosed with some severe health problems. My family believed that they could be turned around with martial arts. They were right. I trained for a very long time in an ancient Egyptian style that is practically unheard of any where else in the world." Kalani's green eyes met Andy's, "Because of that training, I have a lot of potential."
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"Krauser is the servant of Odin. He will be a capable ally in the coming battle. You can not back out of this, Terry Bogard. You started this fight and you must see it through."
"But, what about Sulia? Why did she have to die?"
"Don't be ridiculous and single-minded. Sulia knew she had to die if her brother ever got the final piece of that cursed armor. She knew her fate. That child couldn't tell you because if she had, you might not have done what you did. You, Terry Bogard, made the last few months of her mortal coil bearable. You gave her something sweet and pleasant to carry with her into the afterworld."
"Seems like that's all I'm good for…"
"Don't be so defeatist! There are those out there who would pounce upon the chance to love you and be loved by you… If you'd let them in."
"That's too dangerous! I can't… I won't risk someone else-"
"You have to! If you do not, then your line of Champions dies out. Do you honestly think that your Patron will allow that to happen? Do you really think he'd let you squander the gifts he's given you by allowing you to not pass them on through your children?"
"Are you saying that I'm…"
"Yes, Terry - you're the last of your line. Just as Kalani is the last of hers. It is imperative that you both procreate. The legacy of Champions follows a specific strain in the bloodlines. Once that strain is gone, there are no more unless the Patron responsible takes on a new Champion."
"Then it's not as bad as you're saying. My Patron can just make a new line-"
"Don't even go there. You don't understand just what it takes to make a new bloodline that's suitable. It can take a hundred years just to find one or two qualities that would be appropriate. On top of that, you have to find a strong hereditary background. It's a lot of work, Terry. Don't be foolish and think that it'll be okay even if you don't breed."
"You make me sound like some kind of stud animal."
"In all honesty, Terry Bogard, you are - in a way. You are one of the finest examples of human physiology out there. You are top stock. The pinnacle of superior breeding. So, be a good boy, find a nice girl, and get her knocked up."
"Bast?"
"Hmmm?"
"Don't be so crude about it, okay?"
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Cloak watched two of her enemy wander in and out of several shops. One of them was the weakest of the Champions she had been sent to kill. A cold smile touched her dark lips. This would be easy to accomplish. Her Lord and Master would be pleased.
"How does Joe feel about your career?" Benimaru juggled two packages in one hand, trying to get them on top of the stack in his other arm. When they nearly toppled off, his companion caught them and put them where he wanted them.
Lynn shook her head, "Let's just say that my brother isn't pleased. He's not sure if he can go to one of his favorite clubs without worrying that his little sister is going to be in there as the entertainment." She stopped suddenly and her eyes cast about. Something didn't feel right.
Benimaru caught it too and he searched the immediate area, "Do you get the feeling-"
"That we're being watched?" The female Higashi nodded and set her packages down. Lynn looked around again, "The presence is cold, that's for sure."
"Kinda reminds me of Yagami Iori." Benimaru followed suit and placed his purchases on the sidewalk. His dark eyes looked to Lynn, "Except that it's a little more powerful than when he goes into the Riot of Blood."
"Cheery thought," Lynn quipped and continued to dart her gaze around. On instinct, she let her gray eyes travel up one of the buildings, "There!"
Following her gaze, Benimaru spied their watcher, "Fashion nightmare at six o'clock. Doesn't she know that capes went out of style ages ago?"
The figure dropped and slowly floated down the side of the building. Around her slim frame, the cloak billowed out and whipped around, even though there wasn't a breeze to be felt. Her face tilted up just enough for them to see her solid black eyes. A sinister smile held on her face.
"I serve Arawn, the Lord of Death and Murder."
Both Benimaru and Lynn went into stance and separated to try and flank her. As he became more agitated, the blond's hair began to rise on end, a common feature when he was about to engage in combat. "What do you want with us," the woman asked as she studied what she hoped wouldn't be an opponent.
"I've been sent to kill you so that you do not interfere."
Lynn shook her head, "What do you think of that, Benimaru?"
"I think she bit off more than she can chew," he answered with a smile. Benimaru ran his hands through his hair, sparking off the static electricity that was building up rapidly, "Let's show her just who won't be going down easy."
The younger Higashi smiled back at him, "You read my mind."
I'm so surprised that I've actually gotten requests to continue updating this one... Thank you ever so much to all readers of this fic!
~Rei.