Author's note:
FYI: I might finish this with a couple of chapters; I don't want this to be long.. Firestarr
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Chapter 15
There was an evil presence that shivered the cold sense in her skin, Cervantes demands the slate in her hand , but she refused, Unaware of her powerful opponent , Cervantes charge his two wedged blades phashing to her unguarded left, The femme ninja quickly evede his attack as she leaped above him, but Cervantes extended a blow of his blade from behind that caught her left leg. Taki fell her Leg iron brace was cracked, from the strong Impact.
Cervantes strength charged with his might trust of his blades clahing against taki's sword
"You are strong, woman.it's a pity you will die uselessly!" he laughed. Taki kicked him away and threw a double mid air kick, causing the evil pirate to fall out from the lower deck of the ship.
The town was rampant chaos, city folks ran across the street as a fire broke out, the pirates and guards alarmed the city gates. There was a huge explosion
"what is going on?!!!" kilik yelled, across a panicking crowd. "Look, that could have caused it!" Hwang was pointing over the view across the open Gateway of the city, there from a distant a stampede of a horde of a thousand reptiles
"not again!!! We must leave this city. the merchant ship has sailed look!.i is far across the sea!" Kilik said.
"there's no other choice we must take those horses!" Maxi saw three horses across the distant street.it's now or never or else someone will take them first. The three men ran towards it. But they caught the sight of the woman they were chasing after. She was fighting a duel against Cervantes on the ship.
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Cervantes was giving taki quick blows, there was nothing she can do to counter it, but dodge it as well
"Give me the slate or you will die! Face it you're no match against me woman! "He shouted at her and charge him with another strong smash (Gasp!) Taki's Blades threw off across the other side of the pavement. She rolled from the right reaching for her weapons. But
"AAACCCCCCCKKKKKK!" Cervantes pierced his blade that stabbed the side of her leg.
"HAHAHAHA Die!!!!" Cervantes gave her an evil laugh just when he was about to strike her in her defenseless position lying down on the pave ment. Taki was able to take her sword and stabbed it directly on his torso
Cervantes lost his balance as taki managed to roll back and regain back her stance even on her condition.
"Never I will not die here! Old geezer!"She smirked, the maddening pain made her rage and charge him with a gallant speed attack she dragged him high above the air and with her strength she threw him crashing down on the breaking wooden pavement of the ship.
Taki dive down , with a charging blow she smack her blades that caught his arms, bleeding as a sign of his loosing strength, then she rolled back far across from the broken floor and laughed at him, Cervantes managed to takegain back his balance.
"I Will never loose to a woman!" Cervantes was holding a small pistol from his back. and
/bang/!!!!
He shot taki and she fell acrossthe floor her own blood spewed in her hand as she tried to stop the bleeding on her gunshot wound.
"Now you will die! " Cervantes was going to give another fire from his pistol, suddenly a pair of nunchakus war hurling in the air, and caught his leg
/thwack, blam!/
Cervantes fell on his back, but he was able to rool to his side avoing the incoming vertical smackdown of kilik's attack, He slash his blades, but Kilik blocked him.from behind Hwang jumped from behind towards Cervantes unguarded back, the strong kick caught him off balance, and made kilik dodge away from him.
"Insolent fools!" Cervantes smack and swipes his blades, to and from clashing to his left, Kilik blocked it and counters it with a strong smack to his side, he jumps but Maxi hurled and smack his twirling nunchaku's but Cervantes blocked it again from behing. Then with a rampant speed Hwang slashes his blue thunder, but Cervantes was able to dodge it. He jumps away from the, the three men were taking him out all at the same time.
"Get her maxi she's wounded, before the ship explodes!" Hwang yelled at them as Maxi left the fight between Kilik, hwang and Cervantes. He went towards the injured ninja. Kilik twirled his rod and hit Cervantes off guard while Hwang was distracting him.
"Go away I don't need your help! You're the one who's following me" taki pushed him away but she was clutching on her bleeding torso
"You're wounded! I can't leave you behind!" Maxi pulled her up, but taki was bleeding so much, she even was loosing her strength
The ship was in flames as the two men were trying to take out Cervantes, the lower deck exploded. "This ship is full of gunpowder let's leave now!" Maxi yelled as he was carrying taki in his arms she fainted.
Kilik was wounded to from each of Cervantes lacerating slashes , his losing his stamina too unable to keep his defense from Cervantes quick strong blows. Hwang then clshed his blue thunder continuously, so Kilik can ran off
"Go!" he shouted . Kilik took his rod.,but the fearless pirate threw the other blade before kilik
"Kilik look out!" hwang tackled Cervantes as they roll across the floor. Kilik managed to avoid the flying sowrd that almost caught his back.
"Hwang!!!" he shouted.for him to escape before the ship blows
Hwang quickly got off of Cervantes, he was already tired, loosing his stamina. The angry Pirate reached for a wrecked wood spike and trust it into the embers of the blazing flames f the ship, with the wod glowing into a fiery incandescence, he snatched it from the flame and he threw it across heading Hwang's direction and
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Hwang cried with the maddening pain as it stabbed its sharp point at his back
"Hwang!!!!!" Kilik screamed, he hasn't been able to save him
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"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Mina screamed , she found herself , she has fallen asleep sitting by the cabin's window * I forgot.. I doze off waiting for Taki * rubbing her eyes as she took off the small blanket , xianghua must have given her.
"..Kilik!!!!.." Xianghua was talking in her sleep. Calling out Kilik's name over and over again. Mina went to her side of the bed.
"Shhh..You're dreaming..." She whispered, and hold her forehead , Xianghua was burning with fever.
*Oh No!, Must have been the rainy days were traveling in the streets! * she thought , Mina tucked her back in the blanket. Her worry over her friend makes her confused what to do since they are in the middle of the ocean
*she's been having the same dream that I have. *
*Mina it's just a dream, Hwang can take care of himself..I hope he's alright, where ever he is.. * the thought of Hwang getting stabbed made her tremble in fear.
She went outside. Mina approached a deck sailor by the bridge, there are so many passengers too.
* The war must be spreading. so this citizens must have evacuated the city *
"Excuse me.* she was about to ask a sailor, but an old man hold his hand
"Child, don't try to ask them." the old man said, Mina sat beside him "What do you mean old man?" she asked
"I Know you are a foreign traveler, keep your identity hidden in the shadows of this ship, they won't question you."
"Why do I have to hide this is a merchant ship isn't it?"
"yes but once you got off this ship.you will be track down, I know you are one of those who seek the root of the chaos of these land"
Mina looked at his eyes she was surprised he knew about the souledge and it's seekers
"How did you know?"
"I am a Grecian, I used to live in the outskirts of athens.I know a maiden like you, God Haphaestus , summoned her to destroy the soul edge, she's is the heroine of our small village in Athens. I suggest you must go there , not dock in Crete"
"The city is in Peril, I saw the taking over of that city. like where this ship has taken away from us.. I wish to go back in my home land. Why don't you come with me?"
"And where would that be?"
"I'm the care taker of a sacred shrine . I lived there in the outskirts of it's foot of that mountain, to which I witness a god blessed that maiden. Only I knew where she is."
"But I was in search with a woman, my friend was asking me to find her, so it would be safe".
"You speak of this friend of yours a warrior too?"
"Yes.. Why you know who she is.?"
"She is from the oriental lands like where you and your friend came from , am I right? She is the huntress Taki.. She fought alongside with her also a year ago."
"Old man you know so much. I think we should discuss this in my cabin, My friend is ill, maybe you can help me? " Mina suggested. So the kind old man joined her.
He was kind, was also a medicine man and gave Xianghua something to drink from boiled medicated leaves. That night The old man told his tale of Sophitia , he was referring to and how she fought along side with Taki.
Till dawn they watched xianghua's fever to cease, Mina decided to join the old man back to Greece, since that dawn the ship docked in Crete they didn't left the ship, afterall Xianghua wasn't feeling any better, then the ship sailed by dawn headin to the city of Athens.
Morning came, The ship arrived in the land of Greece, and Xianghua was feeling better as the climbed down from the ship's plank
"She lives in the next town, I will take you there" the old man said
"Thank you kind sir, But , we must do it on our won, to be safe.thank you very much " Mina hugged and thanked him, xianghua hugged him too "Thank you for keeping me well sir, you're a kind doctor" She remarked
"Very well, and may the gods watch over you..Seung Mina.!"
Mina looked back as they were about to leave "Yes?"
"Destroy the sword."
Mina smiled and nodded and they left, for once in her life she never felt how important she was, not even from kindred strangers. But she's still not happy about it. Mina sighed
"Mina , why? Aren't you glad even strangers like him believes in us. we're heroines!" Xianghua patted her on the shoulder. But she only heard a sigh "yes of course I'm glad." She said
"But what's with that face?"
"Chai, I'm not happy when I'm worried.what happened to Taki.."
with that a frown replaced the smile on xianghua's face " You're right.. But I believed in her.We just have to wait.We cannot meet her here, She knows we are in Crete"
" I Know. And this path leads us here. She will find us soon." Mina said.
"Are you sure Taki is the one you're worried about?.." Xianghua gave her a sly smile,Mina blushed and gave her an insulting look "Hey don't start that with me.. Besides!!!..hmph. You where talking in your sleep last night.!"
"Huh! What am I saying then?" She asked
"uhm. well, Let's just say. you're also worried not only with Taki!" She smiled and pinched her nose
"What is it!! Tell ME!" Xianghua pulled her hand, Mina just laughed at her, suddenly they came across at a crowded city street, vendors and citizens crowede the market street, Mina and Xianghua hooded them selves with the cloaked coats to hide their armed weapons.
"Be mindful Chai, We are still strangers of this lands" Mina whispered.
The two Ladies searched the whole town that noon asking directions how to get to the other town, until the were in the outskirts of the city
"well That bridge leads to the town they say.." Mina said pointing over the bridge
" Mina I'm Hungry already, can we stop, we must eat something this is very exhausting!" Xianghua said as she sat on the bridge's ledge.
"What about that tavern over there?" Xianghua was pointing across the bridge, and beyond it stood a small tavern
"Chai, That must be a crowded place we can't eat there. We can't even afford with the money we have.!"
"Silly! Com'n I don't want to starve to death here!" Xianghua dragged Mina as they went into the tavern
The tavern is full of different people, not merely Athenians, but mostly came from different places, Mina looked in each of every customer's face probably she's hoping to see the three but not even a sight of them.
"Chai what are you doing!" Mina saw xianghua already took some orders from the counter ,a plateful of roasted steak ribs and a basket of whole wheat bread and a pitcher of cold water
"We can't afford all of this" Mina tried to stop her , but xianghua was already feasting on it
"What do you mean? We still have 50 silver pieces!" Xianghua was surprised. The tavern man smacked his fist over on the counter infron t of them
"What do you mean you can't afford! You must pay all of this.. 50 silver pieces is not enough for this plateful steak ribs!"
"I'm sorry but 50 is all we have!" Xianghua pleaded
"Don't give me that look girl!" the tavern man yelled at her, making the whole crowd looking over at them
"Please, We're sorry take this in return, we won't eat the rest.." Mina offered. The tavern man notice the blade of her scarlet thunder peaking behind her cloak.
"You have a spear in your back, why don't you trade it with the 50 pieces of silver?" He insisted. Mina pushed back her zanbatao beneath the coat.
"I'll PAY FOR THE MEAL MALIGHUS! 80 AND HATS' ALL, DON'T BOSS AROUND THESE GIRLS!" a fine looking man appeared behind mina
"Rothion!. Very well you know these ladies!" The tavern man asked
"Every beautiful nymph such as these fine looking ladies, I know every one of them!" Rothion smiled and placed the small pouch on the counter
"haha.. That's the spirit lad.. You know you should be faithful to your future wife!" he laughed
"Oh.her.. Of course. I'm more into showing than saying it.. well that's enough chit chat.come with me" Rothion winked at them to play along.
"Oh Malighus, Please pack their meal" He said. As the tavern man took their plate back to the kitchen
"Thank you kind sir, We don't have money much money."
"Please. Let me.. And this is not the place to be taking your lunch, there are lots of rude people here. Oh. My apologies not to introduce myself.. I'm Ruthion, You two are Asians aren't you. I noticed your spear.that is forged beautifully must be light and sharp to handle" He smiled. Touching the tip of Mina's Zanbatou
"You can tell a good weapon , you seem know a lot of it " Mina smiled
"I'm a blacksmith, I know a good weapon when I see one..As a matter a fact. I can tell your weapons are as sacred too! I'm forging blades my self.. and I can guess, you two ladies are in a quest" he grinned
Mina and Xianghua were amazed. He guessed it precisely
"Well , let's keep that as my little secret..!" he winked. The tavern man came with their pack meal handing over it to xianghua
"I apologize, Here you go" he said
and the three of them left the tavern "Come with me, I want you to meet someone" He said. So they tag along. They arrived into a small house at the outer part of the city. A young blonde lady was sweeping leaves outside, Xianghua and mina looked at her she look so ordinary in plain working clothes but pretty, "Is she the one were looking for,?" Xianghua whispered,
"Cassie where is your sister?" Rothion asked
"There she is!" Cassandra saw her sister from the distant carrying a basket of vegetables.
"Rothion!!!" Sophitia run towards her beloved and hugged him with joy!
"How is my beautiful princess!" he smiled at her and kissed her on the fore head. Mina and Xianghua looked away from embarrassment.
Sophitia looked over Rothion's shoulder and saw Mina and Xianghua. "I see we have guests." She smiled
Mina and xianghua smiled. Sophitia looked at them questioningly as the two unveil their cloaks, revealing their appearance, Sophitia's reaction became serious. "I see. You are both warriors. I'm Sophitia Alexandra and this is my beloved ruthion.." She said
"Sophie, I found them at the tavern, I notice, you were expecting them." he said
"well, The town is not a safe place at all.. and I presume you know a Japanese warrior?" She asked
"yes.. taki." they answered. "I see.. Please wait for me inside, I will just change, this is still a dangerous place..though" and she looked at Rothion with worry
"Rothion bring my weapons here please."
"You're going to leave again." Rothion's eyes filled with tears but with no questions asked he decided to bring sophitia's weapons back. Mina and xianghua went inside.
That night, Sophitia , then told the stories of her quest a year ago. She introduced her family, she was the eldest daughter , her father is baker.
She told them how Her life changed since the day she received an oracle from Haphaestus, the God of fire and forge, to destroy an evil sword called Soul Edge.
Mina and Xianghua mentioned her, about Taki.
Since they didn't know what happened to her when she didn't returned, Sophitia,then decided changed back to her old armor and insisted to go with them on their quest. Where she settle first before leaving her homeland, Rothion came back and handed her Gladius and shield
Rothion's eyes were filled with sorrow Sophitia's father Archelous forbids her to leave. "Father, I will return, I promise and Rothion and I will marry.." She kissed her father on the cheek.
It was a sentimental moment for Sophitia's family, Mina can't stand it. It reminded her about her father and even the same thing how he wished for her and Hwang to settle down .She went outside and cried under the moonlight.
Xianghua looked at her outside from the window. She just left her alone, thinking she needs a time to refresh her thoughts. It has been a traumatic travel from the past few days.
After the farewell and goodbyes, the three prepare to leave to the upper alps they took two horses from the stables. But Mina remained silent.
" What is wrong with her?' Sophitia asked
"Nothing, she need some time alone ..we must leave already, you think so?." Xianghua asked
"Yes we should be going, the safest way to get out from this part of lands is by crossing the alps, It would be far from north of here"
"Yes, We cannot take the route by sea, We almost got caught By that evil pirate" Mina interrupted them
"Don't worry about me I'm fine" She smiled but no in the right mood.
"Cervantes, he used to have the soul edge before, now he has the only replica of that evil weapon." Sophitia remarked
"I see, that's why Taki insisted us to escape that city as soon as possible" Xianghua said
" Yes.. I maybe so , There was a spectular light from the night sky last night from the horizon, maybe near Italy. And that alpine lands is the border gate from Greece, " she exclaimed but Mina remained quiet throughout the whole night as the travel across the road. She just hid her face not looking at them.
she galloped her steed ahead from them avoidingly.
"Sophitia, I'm sorry about her. She's not really herself these days. Actually I envy her" Xianghua sighed
"Why is that?"
"Actually there are six of us. Taki and me, and three men. I met Mina in China, she was with this wanderer she ran into..And another man who was looking for her and jealous with the wanderer she's with. He is also looking for the soul edge.Mina didn't told me about her that much, Until one day I know that she was bethrode to that man all along."
" And what wrong with it?"
"She ran away and I came with her, just to keep her company. I can tell He loves her so much.But she just wants to search for that blade. Her fiancée just wants to protect her and take her home. Since we left. They never saw each other again.. Plain and simply."
"Then She realizes now she misses him"
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Taki woke up into the shimmering moonlight that glimmered in the window, rubbing her eyes , she realized she's in a ship , She sat from her bed, but thepain of her wound still makes her weak from aching.
" Acgk..There's a bullet in my wound!" She scooted back from her seat. Till she notices someone has changed her clothes, wearing a white embroidered shirt her trousers were stained with her own blood, she just remembered she was shot.. "This is from that pirate!" she mumbled and her torso was wrapped in Bandage. Dismayed with the enticing pain from her wound . taki removed the bandage she gasped, her wound was still fresh, and made her lie down on the bed. On top she saw her rekki-maru and took it.
"this is going to hurt!"Taki was about use her sword to pick out the bullet that plunged into her flesh
"AHHHH!" still she can't bear the pain.
"what are you doing!" Maxi entered the room carrying a basin with warm water and clean cloth
Taki pointed her blade right in between his eyes "Where Am I?!!!!and why did you took off my clothes!"
Maxi smirked as he pushed away the blade she was pointing at him. " You could have died there. With the explosion of the ship. We saw you were fighting with that monster Cervantes"
"I could have taken him out myself!'
"How!If we didn't come, You've bleed to your last breath!" he shot back
"Both of you are strangers to me. Why are you following me then?"
".."
"answer!"
Maxi took her blade by force and placed it back on the head board of her bed
"Why???." Maxi smiled
"Yes why?.."
"Captivated by your eyes..!"
"DON'T TOY WITH ME!"
"calm down!.. It's been a day you were unconscious and you have a high fever. Is that how you thank me! If you think I have interest with this.. then I'll give it to you" Maxi said as he went to the drawer. He took out the slate taki was holding before. 'here" he handed it to her. Taki notice a blunt wound on the volar surface of his forearm, "Did I lost much blood.." she asked embarrassedly. That wound was a medicated incision, maxi must have tanfused his own blood for Taki to survive.
"You notice.." He smiled and took the basin and cloth on the side of her bed.
"It's not easy to find a sterile tubing, we looked for any infirmary but no doctor would help us. Well someone insisted us to transfused a blood , in order for you to survive." He said as he took out a small forcep and began to remove the bandage on her torso.
"It was a good thing.. My own blood is the same with yours, by chance." He said softly. Maxi was kind to her. "Thank you" she looked away, uncomfortable how maxi was close to her. But she looked at him while he was trying to took out the bullet from her wound.
"aghkk! That's painful" she shriek lurching her back to move away
"Don't move!.. this would be a pinch!."
"Since how do you know to do these medications! Or you just don't know what you're doing!!!!" taki felt the extreme pain as maxi pull out the bullet from her wound , she sighed with relief.
"There!!" maxi disposed of it and cleanses the wound on her torso with warm water and medicated cream"
"that stings!!!" She shrieked. It was only for a few seconds till she tolerates the pian of her wound.
"There I'm done!.. Well is there any way for you to thank me at least tell me your name." Maxi smiled as he placed back the bandaged wrapping back around her hips.
"Give me another hearty helping and then quickly I will tell you my name" Taki smirked
Maxi gave her a sly look raising an eyebrow at her then he ask ".just for me?? It will just to confer my self wit a warm heart of appreciation, what do you want me to do?"
Taki pushed his face back his hands was in between the sides of her torso. "You believed that!" She laughed. But maxi grasped the weight of her upper extremity. Taki was surprised, but he just simply shifted her body weight upward to make her comfortable and placed a pillow under her head.
She blushed, maxi tripped over almost landing his face over her just when he took his hands out, now he was on top of her.
/silence/
Maxi gasped.. he wasn't aware his position would be like that. But the moment was cut with words of silence. Taki notice the embarrassment from his pure remarkable brown eyes
"taki. Now you know can you get off of me?" she smiled
"oh.. I see..at least I get to fiddle with your hip." He teased
Taki gave him a warning look, but it was only for a moment, she blushed even more. Maxi was lured over the tempting aura of her beauty. As if he wanted to kiss her...
"Maxi. I need that medicated cream.." Hwang entered. As the two almost jumped apart like a surprised pair of birds . maxi fell from the edge of his seat.
"well., well , well am I interrupting something?" He teased leaning his back by the doorway. Kilik entered the room
"What is that noise?" he asked
"Well, our bachelor was in the middle of a private conversation " he laughed.
"GET a life Hwang!!. No wonder you lost your woman!" Maxi shot back. but they just laughed at him. taki looked away seemed to be displeased. And took the slate which was placed on the bed.
"I'm just here to tend my own wounds idiot! Give me that!" Hwang pulled that small bottle from Maxi's hands. Kilik sat on the chair across beside the door way.
Maxi looked at the slate she was holding. It seemed to be familiar to him. Taki hid it behind her back.
"where did you get that?"
"none of your business..!" hwang and kilik looked at her questioningly.
So maxi ignore the slate she was holding. But since Maxi was kind to her, she felt shme to be distrustful with them. "I'm in search of the soul blade.that's why it lead me to find myself going to Crete"
"well you know the whereabouts of it do you?" Maxi asked
".."
"where?! Please tell us" Kilik insisted
".."
"Don't force her. You're free to go. " hwang interrupted
"Hwang what are you saying!!" Maxi pulled hi out of the room
"Hey.she just can easily trust us that easily". He said
Kilik notice the slate in her hand. "Huh?! Where did you get that, I know that slate!"
"Get way from me!" Taki yelled at him
"Hey! Kilik don't force her"
"But I that slate."
"What slate???" hwang asked he was hoping it was mina's slate they found in the temple.
"Whom are you travelling with????" Maxi asked as he sat beside her
"as I said.. I'm alone!!!"
The three men can't make her speak out. "Com'n let's go.. you can rest" Hwang and Kilik walked out the room and maxi putoff the candle light as he left.
Taki looked away facing the moonlight of her room. Her worries over her friends made her feel uncertain where they are *I hope they found sophitia * she said to herself
That night taki can't get enough sleep, she put back on Maxi's shirt she was wearing and went outside. It was a small fishing boat. She yanked opened the door, Maxi, Hwang and Kilik were having a small chat by the lamp light and a drink.
"Why are you still up?" maxi asked
"I can't sleep" she said
"Would you like to join us then?" He asked as he smiled
Taki walked over to them maxi was about to assist her " No it's okay I can walk" She sat up by the fire.
"Where are we heading?" She asked
"In greece" Kilik said
"What?"
"Why?there's no way we can go to Greece. It's dangerous even by the nearby coastline" maxi said
"I should be meeting someone!" taki said
'I thought you were traveling alone"
".."
"there's no need for you to go there." Maxi saidthere's no point of asking her questions since she wont answer.
"Leave her alone.. it's useless." Hwang moved away seated from a distant from them.
"Hwang has been like that for days." Kilik remarked
"Who can Blame him. we are all worried too." Maxi exclaimed
Taki remained silent since she didn't know what were they talking about. She looked at Hwang he was staring at the night sky.
She giggled
"What so funny?" Maxi asked
"Nothing..really He reminded me of someone.I was travelling with this woman, she was like him, who would always wants to be alone and stare at the night sky, think deeply"
Hwang heard her speak Maxi and Kilik looked at her questioningly as she continued.
"Well. actually It was the three of us.."
"WHAT!!!. what do they look like?"
Taki was surprised to each of their reaction then , she looked ta Hwang first "Well, The lonely gril I'm with is much like you, she has a long brown hair, fair complexion, she is a bit smaller than me. The other girl has a small height preferably the youngest. A Korean and a Chinese girl!"
"MINA AND CHAI!!!!"
"Where are they?" hwang yelled at her.
"I. I don't know where are their whereabouts. You know them?.. wait a minute.. Which means. You're the one Mina was talking about."
"Talking about what.?"
"well back in the inn she was always yearning to find someone.. I think that was you.."
Hwang realized the woman he was looking at the balcony was really seung Mina, he was right afterall.
"It's too late for that. now we lost them" He sighed
"Not really.. Iasked them to go to find someone also.. in Athens. We should find them there..But by now, I believe they left."
"Where then."
Taki took out the slate and placed it by the light. "That is the slate mina found. I know it" Hwang explained
"she gave this to me.any way they should be heading north of the roman border of the mountains. My friend they should have meet might decide the same thing"
"Well Since it looks like there's no alternative route. were off to Italy then.don't worry you'll get to see her again" Maxi patted Hwang's shoulder.
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To be concluded....
FYI: I might finish this with a couple of chapters; I don't want this to be long.. Firestarr
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Chapter 15
There was an evil presence that shivered the cold sense in her skin, Cervantes demands the slate in her hand , but she refused, Unaware of her powerful opponent , Cervantes charge his two wedged blades phashing to her unguarded left, The femme ninja quickly evede his attack as she leaped above him, but Cervantes extended a blow of his blade from behind that caught her left leg. Taki fell her Leg iron brace was cracked, from the strong Impact.
Cervantes strength charged with his might trust of his blades clahing against taki's sword
"You are strong, woman.it's a pity you will die uselessly!" he laughed. Taki kicked him away and threw a double mid air kick, causing the evil pirate to fall out from the lower deck of the ship.
The town was rampant chaos, city folks ran across the street as a fire broke out, the pirates and guards alarmed the city gates. There was a huge explosion
"what is going on?!!!" kilik yelled, across a panicking crowd. "Look, that could have caused it!" Hwang was pointing over the view across the open Gateway of the city, there from a distant a stampede of a horde of a thousand reptiles
"not again!!! We must leave this city. the merchant ship has sailed look!.i is far across the sea!" Kilik said.
"there's no other choice we must take those horses!" Maxi saw three horses across the distant street.it's now or never or else someone will take them first. The three men ran towards it. But they caught the sight of the woman they were chasing after. She was fighting a duel against Cervantes on the ship.
*+*+*+*+*+*
Cervantes was giving taki quick blows, there was nothing she can do to counter it, but dodge it as well
"Give me the slate or you will die! Face it you're no match against me woman! "He shouted at her and charge him with another strong smash (Gasp!) Taki's Blades threw off across the other side of the pavement. She rolled from the right reaching for her weapons. But
"AAACCCCCCCKKKKKK!" Cervantes pierced his blade that stabbed the side of her leg.
"HAHAHAHA Die!!!!" Cervantes gave her an evil laugh just when he was about to strike her in her defenseless position lying down on the pave ment. Taki was able to take her sword and stabbed it directly on his torso
Cervantes lost his balance as taki managed to roll back and regain back her stance even on her condition.
"Never I will not die here! Old geezer!"She smirked, the maddening pain made her rage and charge him with a gallant speed attack she dragged him high above the air and with her strength she threw him crashing down on the breaking wooden pavement of the ship.
Taki dive down , with a charging blow she smack her blades that caught his arms, bleeding as a sign of his loosing strength, then she rolled back far across from the broken floor and laughed at him, Cervantes managed to takegain back his balance.
"I Will never loose to a woman!" Cervantes was holding a small pistol from his back. and
/bang/!!!!
He shot taki and she fell acrossthe floor her own blood spewed in her hand as she tried to stop the bleeding on her gunshot wound.
"Now you will die! " Cervantes was going to give another fire from his pistol, suddenly a pair of nunchakus war hurling in the air, and caught his leg
/thwack, blam!/
Cervantes fell on his back, but he was able to rool to his side avoing the incoming vertical smackdown of kilik's attack, He slash his blades, but Kilik blocked him.from behind Hwang jumped from behind towards Cervantes unguarded back, the strong kick caught him off balance, and made kilik dodge away from him.
"Insolent fools!" Cervantes smack and swipes his blades, to and from clashing to his left, Kilik blocked it and counters it with a strong smack to his side, he jumps but Maxi hurled and smack his twirling nunchaku's but Cervantes blocked it again from behing. Then with a rampant speed Hwang slashes his blue thunder, but Cervantes was able to dodge it. He jumps away from the, the three men were taking him out all at the same time.
"Get her maxi she's wounded, before the ship explodes!" Hwang yelled at them as Maxi left the fight between Kilik, hwang and Cervantes. He went towards the injured ninja. Kilik twirled his rod and hit Cervantes off guard while Hwang was distracting him.
"Go away I don't need your help! You're the one who's following me" taki pushed him away but she was clutching on her bleeding torso
"You're wounded! I can't leave you behind!" Maxi pulled her up, but taki was bleeding so much, she even was loosing her strength
The ship was in flames as the two men were trying to take out Cervantes, the lower deck exploded. "This ship is full of gunpowder let's leave now!" Maxi yelled as he was carrying taki in his arms she fainted.
Kilik was wounded to from each of Cervantes lacerating slashes , his losing his stamina too unable to keep his defense from Cervantes quick strong blows. Hwang then clshed his blue thunder continuously, so Kilik can ran off
"Go!" he shouted . Kilik took his rod.,but the fearless pirate threw the other blade before kilik
"Kilik look out!" hwang tackled Cervantes as they roll across the floor. Kilik managed to avoid the flying sowrd that almost caught his back.
"Hwang!!!" he shouted.for him to escape before the ship blows
Hwang quickly got off of Cervantes, he was already tired, loosing his stamina. The angry Pirate reached for a wrecked wood spike and trust it into the embers of the blazing flames f the ship, with the wod glowing into a fiery incandescence, he snatched it from the flame and he threw it across heading Hwang's direction and
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Hwang cried with the maddening pain as it stabbed its sharp point at his back
"Hwang!!!!!" Kilik screamed, he hasn't been able to save him
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Mina screamed , she found herself , she has fallen asleep sitting by the cabin's window * I forgot.. I doze off waiting for Taki * rubbing her eyes as she took off the small blanket , xianghua must have given her.
"..Kilik!!!!.." Xianghua was talking in her sleep. Calling out Kilik's name over and over again. Mina went to her side of the bed.
"Shhh..You're dreaming..." She whispered, and hold her forehead , Xianghua was burning with fever.
*Oh No!, Must have been the rainy days were traveling in the streets! * she thought , Mina tucked her back in the blanket. Her worry over her friend makes her confused what to do since they are in the middle of the ocean
*she's been having the same dream that I have. *
*Mina it's just a dream, Hwang can take care of himself..I hope he's alright, where ever he is.. * the thought of Hwang getting stabbed made her tremble in fear.
She went outside. Mina approached a deck sailor by the bridge, there are so many passengers too.
* The war must be spreading. so this citizens must have evacuated the city *
"Excuse me.* she was about to ask a sailor, but an old man hold his hand
"Child, don't try to ask them." the old man said, Mina sat beside him "What do you mean old man?" she asked
"I Know you are a foreign traveler, keep your identity hidden in the shadows of this ship, they won't question you."
"Why do I have to hide this is a merchant ship isn't it?"
"yes but once you got off this ship.you will be track down, I know you are one of those who seek the root of the chaos of these land"
Mina looked at his eyes she was surprised he knew about the souledge and it's seekers
"How did you know?"
"I am a Grecian, I used to live in the outskirts of athens.I know a maiden like you, God Haphaestus , summoned her to destroy the soul edge, she's is the heroine of our small village in Athens. I suggest you must go there , not dock in Crete"
"The city is in Peril, I saw the taking over of that city. like where this ship has taken away from us.. I wish to go back in my home land. Why don't you come with me?"
"And where would that be?"
"I'm the care taker of a sacred shrine . I lived there in the outskirts of it's foot of that mountain, to which I witness a god blessed that maiden. Only I knew where she is."
"But I was in search with a woman, my friend was asking me to find her, so it would be safe".
"You speak of this friend of yours a warrior too?"
"Yes.. Why you know who she is.?"
"She is from the oriental lands like where you and your friend came from , am I right? She is the huntress Taki.. She fought alongside with her also a year ago."
"Old man you know so much. I think we should discuss this in my cabin, My friend is ill, maybe you can help me? " Mina suggested. So the kind old man joined her.
He was kind, was also a medicine man and gave Xianghua something to drink from boiled medicated leaves. That night The old man told his tale of Sophitia , he was referring to and how she fought along side with Taki.
Till dawn they watched xianghua's fever to cease, Mina decided to join the old man back to Greece, since that dawn the ship docked in Crete they didn't left the ship, afterall Xianghua wasn't feeling any better, then the ship sailed by dawn headin to the city of Athens.
Morning came, The ship arrived in the land of Greece, and Xianghua was feeling better as the climbed down from the ship's plank
"She lives in the next town, I will take you there" the old man said
"Thank you kind sir, But , we must do it on our won, to be safe.thank you very much " Mina hugged and thanked him, xianghua hugged him too "Thank you for keeping me well sir, you're a kind doctor" She remarked
"Very well, and may the gods watch over you..Seung Mina.!"
Mina looked back as they were about to leave "Yes?"
"Destroy the sword."
Mina smiled and nodded and they left, for once in her life she never felt how important she was, not even from kindred strangers. But she's still not happy about it. Mina sighed
"Mina , why? Aren't you glad even strangers like him believes in us. we're heroines!" Xianghua patted her on the shoulder. But she only heard a sigh "yes of course I'm glad." She said
"But what's with that face?"
"Chai, I'm not happy when I'm worried.what happened to Taki.."
with that a frown replaced the smile on xianghua's face " You're right.. But I believed in her.We just have to wait.We cannot meet her here, She knows we are in Crete"
" I Know. And this path leads us here. She will find us soon." Mina said.
"Are you sure Taki is the one you're worried about?.." Xianghua gave her a sly smile,Mina blushed and gave her an insulting look "Hey don't start that with me.. Besides!!!..hmph. You where talking in your sleep last night.!"
"Huh! What am I saying then?" She asked
"uhm. well, Let's just say. you're also worried not only with Taki!" She smiled and pinched her nose
"What is it!! Tell ME!" Xianghua pulled her hand, Mina just laughed at her, suddenly they came across at a crowded city street, vendors and citizens crowede the market street, Mina and Xianghua hooded them selves with the cloaked coats to hide their armed weapons.
"Be mindful Chai, We are still strangers of this lands" Mina whispered.
The two Ladies searched the whole town that noon asking directions how to get to the other town, until the were in the outskirts of the city
"well That bridge leads to the town they say.." Mina said pointing over the bridge
" Mina I'm Hungry already, can we stop, we must eat something this is very exhausting!" Xianghua said as she sat on the bridge's ledge.
"What about that tavern over there?" Xianghua was pointing across the bridge, and beyond it stood a small tavern
"Chai, That must be a crowded place we can't eat there. We can't even afford with the money we have.!"
"Silly! Com'n I don't want to starve to death here!" Xianghua dragged Mina as they went into the tavern
The tavern is full of different people, not merely Athenians, but mostly came from different places, Mina looked in each of every customer's face probably she's hoping to see the three but not even a sight of them.
"Chai what are you doing!" Mina saw xianghua already took some orders from the counter ,a plateful of roasted steak ribs and a basket of whole wheat bread and a pitcher of cold water
"We can't afford all of this" Mina tried to stop her , but xianghua was already feasting on it
"What do you mean? We still have 50 silver pieces!" Xianghua was surprised. The tavern man smacked his fist over on the counter infron t of them
"What do you mean you can't afford! You must pay all of this.. 50 silver pieces is not enough for this plateful steak ribs!"
"I'm sorry but 50 is all we have!" Xianghua pleaded
"Don't give me that look girl!" the tavern man yelled at her, making the whole crowd looking over at them
"Please, We're sorry take this in return, we won't eat the rest.." Mina offered. The tavern man notice the blade of her scarlet thunder peaking behind her cloak.
"You have a spear in your back, why don't you trade it with the 50 pieces of silver?" He insisted. Mina pushed back her zanbatao beneath the coat.
"I'll PAY FOR THE MEAL MALIGHUS! 80 AND HATS' ALL, DON'T BOSS AROUND THESE GIRLS!" a fine looking man appeared behind mina
"Rothion!. Very well you know these ladies!" The tavern man asked
"Every beautiful nymph such as these fine looking ladies, I know every one of them!" Rothion smiled and placed the small pouch on the counter
"haha.. That's the spirit lad.. You know you should be faithful to your future wife!" he laughed
"Oh.her.. Of course. I'm more into showing than saying it.. well that's enough chit chat.come with me" Rothion winked at them to play along.
"Oh Malighus, Please pack their meal" He said. As the tavern man took their plate back to the kitchen
"Thank you kind sir, We don't have money much money."
"Please. Let me.. And this is not the place to be taking your lunch, there are lots of rude people here. Oh. My apologies not to introduce myself.. I'm Ruthion, You two are Asians aren't you. I noticed your spear.that is forged beautifully must be light and sharp to handle" He smiled. Touching the tip of Mina's Zanbatou
"You can tell a good weapon , you seem know a lot of it " Mina smiled
"I'm a blacksmith, I know a good weapon when I see one..As a matter a fact. I can tell your weapons are as sacred too! I'm forging blades my self.. and I can guess, you two ladies are in a quest" he grinned
Mina and Xianghua were amazed. He guessed it precisely
"Well , let's keep that as my little secret..!" he winked. The tavern man came with their pack meal handing over it to xianghua
"I apologize, Here you go" he said
and the three of them left the tavern "Come with me, I want you to meet someone" He said. So they tag along. They arrived into a small house at the outer part of the city. A young blonde lady was sweeping leaves outside, Xianghua and mina looked at her she look so ordinary in plain working clothes but pretty, "Is she the one were looking for,?" Xianghua whispered,
"Cassie where is your sister?" Rothion asked
"There she is!" Cassandra saw her sister from the distant carrying a basket of vegetables.
"Rothion!!!" Sophitia run towards her beloved and hugged him with joy!
"How is my beautiful princess!" he smiled at her and kissed her on the fore head. Mina and Xianghua looked away from embarrassment.
Sophitia looked over Rothion's shoulder and saw Mina and Xianghua. "I see we have guests." She smiled
Mina and xianghua smiled. Sophitia looked at them questioningly as the two unveil their cloaks, revealing their appearance, Sophitia's reaction became serious. "I see. You are both warriors. I'm Sophitia Alexandra and this is my beloved ruthion.." She said
"Sophie, I found them at the tavern, I notice, you were expecting them." he said
"well, The town is not a safe place at all.. and I presume you know a Japanese warrior?" She asked
"yes.. taki." they answered. "I see.. Please wait for me inside, I will just change, this is still a dangerous place..though" and she looked at Rothion with worry
"Rothion bring my weapons here please."
"You're going to leave again." Rothion's eyes filled with tears but with no questions asked he decided to bring sophitia's weapons back. Mina and xianghua went inside.
That night, Sophitia , then told the stories of her quest a year ago. She introduced her family, she was the eldest daughter , her father is baker.
She told them how Her life changed since the day she received an oracle from Haphaestus, the God of fire and forge, to destroy an evil sword called Soul Edge.
Mina and Xianghua mentioned her, about Taki.
Since they didn't know what happened to her when she didn't returned, Sophitia,then decided changed back to her old armor and insisted to go with them on their quest. Where she settle first before leaving her homeland, Rothion came back and handed her Gladius and shield
Rothion's eyes were filled with sorrow Sophitia's father Archelous forbids her to leave. "Father, I will return, I promise and Rothion and I will marry.." She kissed her father on the cheek.
It was a sentimental moment for Sophitia's family, Mina can't stand it. It reminded her about her father and even the same thing how he wished for her and Hwang to settle down .She went outside and cried under the moonlight.
Xianghua looked at her outside from the window. She just left her alone, thinking she needs a time to refresh her thoughts. It has been a traumatic travel from the past few days.
After the farewell and goodbyes, the three prepare to leave to the upper alps they took two horses from the stables. But Mina remained silent.
" What is wrong with her?' Sophitia asked
"Nothing, she need some time alone ..we must leave already, you think so?." Xianghua asked
"Yes we should be going, the safest way to get out from this part of lands is by crossing the alps, It would be far from north of here"
"Yes, We cannot take the route by sea, We almost got caught By that evil pirate" Mina interrupted them
"Don't worry about me I'm fine" She smiled but no in the right mood.
"Cervantes, he used to have the soul edge before, now he has the only replica of that evil weapon." Sophitia remarked
"I see, that's why Taki insisted us to escape that city as soon as possible" Xianghua said
" Yes.. I maybe so , There was a spectular light from the night sky last night from the horizon, maybe near Italy. And that alpine lands is the border gate from Greece, " she exclaimed but Mina remained quiet throughout the whole night as the travel across the road. She just hid her face not looking at them.
she galloped her steed ahead from them avoidingly.
"Sophitia, I'm sorry about her. She's not really herself these days. Actually I envy her" Xianghua sighed
"Why is that?"
"Actually there are six of us. Taki and me, and three men. I met Mina in China, she was with this wanderer she ran into..And another man who was looking for her and jealous with the wanderer she's with. He is also looking for the soul edge.Mina didn't told me about her that much, Until one day I know that she was bethrode to that man all along."
" And what wrong with it?"
"She ran away and I came with her, just to keep her company. I can tell He loves her so much.But she just wants to search for that blade. Her fiancée just wants to protect her and take her home. Since we left. They never saw each other again.. Plain and simply."
"Then She realizes now she misses him"
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Taki woke up into the shimmering moonlight that glimmered in the window, rubbing her eyes , she realized she's in a ship , She sat from her bed, but thepain of her wound still makes her weak from aching.
" Acgk..There's a bullet in my wound!" She scooted back from her seat. Till she notices someone has changed her clothes, wearing a white embroidered shirt her trousers were stained with her own blood, she just remembered she was shot.. "This is from that pirate!" she mumbled and her torso was wrapped in Bandage. Dismayed with the enticing pain from her wound . taki removed the bandage she gasped, her wound was still fresh, and made her lie down on the bed. On top she saw her rekki-maru and took it.
"this is going to hurt!"Taki was about use her sword to pick out the bullet that plunged into her flesh
"AHHHH!" still she can't bear the pain.
"what are you doing!" Maxi entered the room carrying a basin with warm water and clean cloth
Taki pointed her blade right in between his eyes "Where Am I?!!!!and why did you took off my clothes!"
Maxi smirked as he pushed away the blade she was pointing at him. " You could have died there. With the explosion of the ship. We saw you were fighting with that monster Cervantes"
"I could have taken him out myself!'
"How!If we didn't come, You've bleed to your last breath!" he shot back
"Both of you are strangers to me. Why are you following me then?"
".."
"answer!"
Maxi took her blade by force and placed it back on the head board of her bed
"Why???." Maxi smiled
"Yes why?.."
"Captivated by your eyes..!"
"DON'T TOY WITH ME!"
"calm down!.. It's been a day you were unconscious and you have a high fever. Is that how you thank me! If you think I have interest with this.. then I'll give it to you" Maxi said as he went to the drawer. He took out the slate taki was holding before. 'here" he handed it to her. Taki notice a blunt wound on the volar surface of his forearm, "Did I lost much blood.." she asked embarrassedly. That wound was a medicated incision, maxi must have tanfused his own blood for Taki to survive.
"You notice.." He smiled and took the basin and cloth on the side of her bed.
"It's not easy to find a sterile tubing, we looked for any infirmary but no doctor would help us. Well someone insisted us to transfused a blood , in order for you to survive." He said as he took out a small forcep and began to remove the bandage on her torso.
"It was a good thing.. My own blood is the same with yours, by chance." He said softly. Maxi was kind to her. "Thank you" she looked away, uncomfortable how maxi was close to her. But she looked at him while he was trying to took out the bullet from her wound.
"aghkk! That's painful" she shriek lurching her back to move away
"Don't move!.. this would be a pinch!."
"Since how do you know to do these medications! Or you just don't know what you're doing!!!!" taki felt the extreme pain as maxi pull out the bullet from her wound , she sighed with relief.
"There!!" maxi disposed of it and cleanses the wound on her torso with warm water and medicated cream"
"that stings!!!" She shrieked. It was only for a few seconds till she tolerates the pian of her wound.
"There I'm done!.. Well is there any way for you to thank me at least tell me your name." Maxi smiled as he placed back the bandaged wrapping back around her hips.
"Give me another hearty helping and then quickly I will tell you my name" Taki smirked
Maxi gave her a sly look raising an eyebrow at her then he ask ".just for me?? It will just to confer my self wit a warm heart of appreciation, what do you want me to do?"
Taki pushed his face back his hands was in between the sides of her torso. "You believed that!" She laughed. But maxi grasped the weight of her upper extremity. Taki was surprised, but he just simply shifted her body weight upward to make her comfortable and placed a pillow under her head.
She blushed, maxi tripped over almost landing his face over her just when he took his hands out, now he was on top of her.
/silence/
Maxi gasped.. he wasn't aware his position would be like that. But the moment was cut with words of silence. Taki notice the embarrassment from his pure remarkable brown eyes
"taki. Now you know can you get off of me?" she smiled
"oh.. I see..at least I get to fiddle with your hip." He teased
Taki gave him a warning look, but it was only for a moment, she blushed even more. Maxi was lured over the tempting aura of her beauty. As if he wanted to kiss her...
"Maxi. I need that medicated cream.." Hwang entered. As the two almost jumped apart like a surprised pair of birds . maxi fell from the edge of his seat.
"well., well , well am I interrupting something?" He teased leaning his back by the doorway. Kilik entered the room
"What is that noise?" he asked
"Well, our bachelor was in the middle of a private conversation " he laughed.
"GET a life Hwang!!. No wonder you lost your woman!" Maxi shot back. but they just laughed at him. taki looked away seemed to be displeased. And took the slate which was placed on the bed.
"I'm just here to tend my own wounds idiot! Give me that!" Hwang pulled that small bottle from Maxi's hands. Kilik sat on the chair across beside the door way.
Maxi looked at the slate she was holding. It seemed to be familiar to him. Taki hid it behind her back.
"where did you get that?"
"none of your business..!" hwang and kilik looked at her questioningly.
So maxi ignore the slate she was holding. But since Maxi was kind to her, she felt shme to be distrustful with them. "I'm in search of the soul blade.that's why it lead me to find myself going to Crete"
"well you know the whereabouts of it do you?" Maxi asked
".."
"where?! Please tell us" Kilik insisted
".."
"Don't force her. You're free to go. " hwang interrupted
"Hwang what are you saying!!" Maxi pulled hi out of the room
"Hey.she just can easily trust us that easily". He said
Kilik notice the slate in her hand. "Huh?! Where did you get that, I know that slate!"
"Get way from me!" Taki yelled at him
"Hey! Kilik don't force her"
"But I that slate."
"What slate???" hwang asked he was hoping it was mina's slate they found in the temple.
"Whom are you travelling with????" Maxi asked as he sat beside her
"as I said.. I'm alone!!!"
The three men can't make her speak out. "Com'n let's go.. you can rest" Hwang and Kilik walked out the room and maxi putoff the candle light as he left.
Taki looked away facing the moonlight of her room. Her worries over her friends made her feel uncertain where they are *I hope they found sophitia * she said to herself
That night taki can't get enough sleep, she put back on Maxi's shirt she was wearing and went outside. It was a small fishing boat. She yanked opened the door, Maxi, Hwang and Kilik were having a small chat by the lamp light and a drink.
"Why are you still up?" maxi asked
"I can't sleep" she said
"Would you like to join us then?" He asked as he smiled
Taki walked over to them maxi was about to assist her " No it's okay I can walk" She sat up by the fire.
"Where are we heading?" She asked
"In greece" Kilik said
"What?"
"Why?there's no way we can go to Greece. It's dangerous even by the nearby coastline" maxi said
"I should be meeting someone!" taki said
'I thought you were traveling alone"
".."
"there's no need for you to go there." Maxi saidthere's no point of asking her questions since she wont answer.
"Leave her alone.. it's useless." Hwang moved away seated from a distant from them.
"Hwang has been like that for days." Kilik remarked
"Who can Blame him. we are all worried too." Maxi exclaimed
Taki remained silent since she didn't know what were they talking about. She looked at Hwang he was staring at the night sky.
She giggled
"What so funny?" Maxi asked
"Nothing..really He reminded me of someone.I was travelling with this woman, she was like him, who would always wants to be alone and stare at the night sky, think deeply"
Hwang heard her speak Maxi and Kilik looked at her questioningly as she continued.
"Well. actually It was the three of us.."
"WHAT!!!. what do they look like?"
Taki was surprised to each of their reaction then , she looked ta Hwang first "Well, The lonely gril I'm with is much like you, she has a long brown hair, fair complexion, she is a bit smaller than me. The other girl has a small height preferably the youngest. A Korean and a Chinese girl!"
"MINA AND CHAI!!!!"
"Where are they?" hwang yelled at her.
"I. I don't know where are their whereabouts. You know them?.. wait a minute.. Which means. You're the one Mina was talking about."
"Talking about what.?"
"well back in the inn she was always yearning to find someone.. I think that was you.."
Hwang realized the woman he was looking at the balcony was really seung Mina, he was right afterall.
"It's too late for that. now we lost them" He sighed
"Not really.. Iasked them to go to find someone also.. in Athens. We should find them there..But by now, I believe they left."
"Where then."
Taki took out the slate and placed it by the light. "That is the slate mina found. I know it" Hwang explained
"she gave this to me.any way they should be heading north of the roman border of the mountains. My friend they should have meet might decide the same thing"
"Well Since it looks like there's no alternative route. were off to Italy then.don't worry you'll get to see her again" Maxi patted Hwang's shoulder.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
To be concluded....