The Legend Will Never Die: Part Sixteen "Hwang the Burning Patriot"
By: Anita
Hwang the Burning Patriot
Life had taken a turn for the worse. Hwang had recently re-enlisted into the Coastal Defence Force, but was dismissed out when he let his forces fall in battle.
Hwang had been on a journey to find Soul Edge before he had returned home unsuccessful and rejoined to protect his country. Hwang's master, Seung Han Myong, had sent him to find the powerful sword, but his daughter, Seung Mina ran away from home and followed Hwang on his journey.
Hwang brought Seung Mina home with him when he returned, but as he was preparing for battle, he heard news that Seung Mina had ran off again.
This news was unsettling to him, and he had trouble keeping his mind on the battle, and his forces were overrun.
Now, he was sent back on his mission to find Soul Edge, but this was only a disguise. He was truly sent to find and retrieve Seung Mina before she stumbled into any danger.
Armed with his Blue Thunder, the elegant Chinese sword, Hwang was ready to bring the reckless girl home.
Seung Mina was known to train in the Maze of Dead in Turkey. Hwang knew that he would find her there.
When Hwang reached the Maze of Dead, he was amazed at the intricate designs along the walls. This place had been a temple many years ago, and some of the structure had stayed intact. It served as a perfect hideaway for truly strong fighters.
On the highest platform was Seung Mina with her long and heavy Scarlet Thunder, a weapon she had been using all of her life. She swirled, dashed, kicked and punched, practicing her moves. Hwang was surprised at how well the girl was able to wield the weapon.
'Her training has really paid off. Her skills have improved.' Hwang thought.
"Hwang! What are you doing here?" Seung Mina asked in astonishment as she noticed Hwang watching her.
"Your fighting skills have grown quite a bit!" Hwang replied.
"Have you come to spar with me? I will not go easy on you just because we are friends!" Seung Mina declared with a confident smile.
Hwang shook his head in amusement. "I have not come to fight, Mina. Your father-"
"So, you were sent by father. I am not going home, Hwang. My training has just begun, and I have already become so much stronger! I will not give up and go home." Seung Mina replied coldly.
"What do you seek that is so important? What are you willing to risk your life for?" Hwang asked in anger.
"I will prove to father and to you that I am not a child! When I come back home with the most vaunted prize, the Soul Edge, you will both finally see what a great fighter I am!" Seung Mina retorted.
"Soul Edge? Mina, I have been down that same path. The Soul Edge is not the great treasure that people make it out to be. The powers of Soul Edge are strong, manipulative and evil!"
"No matter what you say, Hwang, I will not leave. I am tough enough to stand up to Soul Edge on my own. I have worked so hard!"
"Soul Edge is more powerful than you can ever imagine!" Hwang warned.
"I will not back down!" Seung Mina insisted. "Leave now, Hwang, I will not return home, not now."
Seung Mina turned away from Hwang and continued to train with her Scarlet Thunder.
'She is so headstrong. She does not understand what she is getting into. I have to stop her!'
"Fine, I will leave you to do as you wish, but only on one condition. You must defeat me in battle." Hwang announced.
"Fight you?" Seung Mina asked in shock.
Hwang replied to her question by drawing his Blue Thunder. He slashed at Seung Mina's arm, ripping a part of her sleeve.
Seung Mina quickly sprung into action. She spun her blade directly towards Hwang. He blocked the attack with ease, and countered with a low kick, knocking Seung Mina to the ground.
"If you can not defeat me, what chance will you have of getting Soul Edge? You should save yourself and go home!" Hwang mocked.
Seung Mina glared at Hwang in anger. Slowly, she got back on her feet.
She continued to fight, striking with a flurry of attacks, many that hit their mark.
As Hwang recovered from the outbreak of power Seung Mina had shown him, he sprung at her, pinning her to the ground with his blade to her neck.
"There is no use, Mina." Hwang concluded.
"I am not a child, Hwang. I will fight until you finally see that. I will not give up until you see that I can stand on my own." Seung Mina replied firmly.
Hwang was surprised at Seung Mina's determination. He slowly got up and put the Blue Thunder aside.
"I always believed in you, Mina. I always will, but Soul Edge is much too strong. The dark powers of Soul Edge are stronger than either of us. It is not our destiny to interfere in those affairs." Hwang confessed.
Seung Mina paused as she took in what Hwang had told her.
"Hwang..." she whispered.
"Yes, Mina?"
"Let's go home."
The two warriors returned home, filled with the lessons they had learned on their journeys for Soul Edge, the sword of mystery. They had not even encountered the weapon they had sought after, but that did not matter.
They were finally home.
THE END?