CHAPTER THREE: Day Two
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the Soul Calibur Characters.... sigh.
A/N: Hey!! Did I do better with my due date this time? Teehee, thanks sooooo much for the reviews guys! Please tell me what you think! I love to
hear what you have to say! The pairings will definitely become more
prominent within the next few chapters, okay, see you in 2004!!
If you are to flame me, I like constructive criticism. Thanks.
"Yunsung!?!" Talim called, bushes scratching at her legs and arms. "Where are you?! Can you hear me?!" She ran her hands through her hair in anxiety. "Xianghua!? Anyone?" Talim was very fearful. Who knew what could have snuck up on her comrades, and why were they not answering?! What could have-
"Oof!" A huge tree root interrupted her thoughts and tripped her. Her hands broke the fall, and as she pushed herself up, she felt her hand touch a smooth piece of cloth. It was ripped off, and there it lay in the mud, by its lonesome. Talim held the piece of cloth and suddenly stood deathly still. She could not feel any wind. Her friends were in trouble. Rain started to drop on her dark hair. She needed to find them soon!
"Yunsung?!" He heard a distant voice.
"I'm here," he tried to call, but it came out merely a moan. He felt the rain drop down on his hair and flatten his red spikes. "Aw, man...." He moaned quietly. The heavy rain dropped down on his body and make small pools of blood on either side of him. In the dark Yunsung could make out a petite figure making it's way towards him.
"Talim?" He asked with effort.
"Yunsung!" Talim ran to him and kneeled down to his height. She ran her hand through his hair and hugged him, making blood stains on her clothes.
"Oh my god! What happened?!"
"He took Xianghua...." Yunsung groaned.
"Who?!"
"Raphael. I tried...." His voice broke away. Talim hugged him.
"Do.... do you think you can walk?" Yunsung nodded and bit his lip.
"The camp is a ways back. Are you sure?"
"What are you going to do, carry me?"
"I could try...." she smiled. He smiled back. She helped him up, and holding on tighter then they needed too, made their way back to their camp.
Cassandra woke up with a start. Her stomach ached and her horrible memories lingered. She was still tired, and it was early still, but she could not fall asleep. Sophitia haunted her dreams. She must save her.
She looked next to her, and saw Maxi sleeping like an angel. She preferred him this way. He is much cuter when he doesn't speak, although, she was sure he could say the same about her.
She looked to the east where she saw the dawn was breaking. She smiled and let the rising sun warm her. She and Maxi had gone to Thuban during the night, where they found a little shelter and stopped to rest. Maxi told her to wake him at dawn if she was awake, but she did not have the heart to do it yet. Turning away from the sunrise, she looked at Maxi. He was not there.
"Maxi?" She called quietly.
"BOO!"
"Ahh!" Cassandra fell back with surprise as Maxi bent over laughing. "You are such a little boy!" She said getting up, quite flustered. Maxi just laughed.
"Don't ever do that again! You scared me!"
"That was the point," He smiled. Cassandra cocked her head in question.
"What's wrong with you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you happy?" He shrugged.
"I feel alive again," He smiled. Cassandra shook her head, but she could not hide her smile.
"What? Was the old man suffering from lack of adventure?" She chuckled. Maxi picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
"And now let the old man and the old hag find a new adventure in Thuban," He smiled.
"I am no hag!" He laughed and set her down. Cassandra frowned and smiled at the same time. She brushed her dress off.
"Right then. Where to?"
"The sea." He pointed.
"What?!"
"You heard me! There are pirates at the dock over there. Do you see them?"
"Yes, but when did you have time to observe that?"
"Cervantes must be over there. I can see his hat on that post. He must have set it down...."
"What do you intend to do once we get there?"
"Find out our information, and then kill the lot of them."
"There are a lot of men over there...." Cassandra looked doubtful.
"Come hag! Do not doubt your captain!"
"Shut up!" Cassandra yelled and tackled him on to the grass.
"Okay... now this is going to sting... a little. Um, just try to stay still," Yunsung had taken his shirt off the reveal a very nice physique, covered with gashes and scars. Flustered, Talim pulled an antiseptic out of her bag and smothered some on Yunsung's wounds. He gritted his teeth, but did not yell.
"Xianghua could be taken half way across Thuban by now!" Yunsung complained as Talim wrapped gauze around his stomach. She did not answer him, pondering another question.
"What are these from?" She asked running her slim fingers down Yunsung's chest over old scars that marked him. She gave a chill down Yunsung's spine. He did not want her to stop, but he drew away.
"Nothing, it's nothing."
"It's a very bad scar Yunsung. It does not look like it was treated correctly...."
"What are you now? A friggin' doctor?" Talim's eyes widened in shock. This was apparently a very touchy subject.
"I'm sorry...." She whispered. He longed to reach out and touch her arm, but he could not. He turned away.
"Should we continue on?" Yunsung asked, putting on his shirt.
"It is blinding rain and hail. We would surely get lost...." He nodded.
"It is going to be a hard night. The tent is demolished," Yunsung said looking at the wilting tent.
"We have body heat," She said looking at him. His eyes met her big brown ones. Suddenly the forest did not seem so big, and they did not seem so lost. He stared into her eyes and realized they were not so far apart. He closed his eyes and took in her sweet sent. She leaned forward and stood on her toes to be more of his height.
Suddenly Yunsung broke away from her gaze and pretended to stretch, walking back nearer to the tent. She looked down, embarrassed.
"Why don't you sleep? I'm not the least bit tired. I can be on guard tonight." Talim nodded and worked her way into the tent to sleep on the mushy ground. Yunsung sat on a rock in the rain for the rest of the night trying to answer his confusing questions.
"It's just a bit further...." Maxi said, diving under water again. Cassandra tried to keep up as best she could. Maxi decided they would take the ocean and surprise the stupid crew.
"Okay...." He whispered, assuring that they were at shore. Maxi jumped onto the post and grabbed Cervantes' hat, putting it on his head.
"All right, where is the Captain here?" All the pirates' heads turned and their faces told the two that they would not get out alive. Cassandra stepped out of the water and next to Maxi.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh...." One of the men cackled, looking over every inch of Cassandra's body. Looking down, she discovered that the water caused her white dress to become see through.
"Bastard," She growled hiding behind Maxi.
"I demand to speak to your Captain!" Maxi said drawing his Soryuju.
"We might be remotely afraid if it were a sword...." An evil voice taunted. Maxi turned around to face a man so ghostly white, as if he were dead.
"Cervantes....."
"I don't believe I know you. Have we met?!" He raised an eyebrow at Cassandra.
"My name is Maxi-"
"Maxi! For hell's sake, that isn't even a boy's name!" His crew cackled. Cassandra could see Maxi's muscles flexing.
"And what would you like with us 'Maxi'? We are but humble pirates!" Cervantes glared.
"Why do you serve Nightmare?" Cassandra asked.
"Why?! I have never served Nightmare. We work together, if that sounds corny enough."
"I knew it, you're in on this whole, 'Turn people into slaves' thing, aren't you?" Cassandra drew her sword.
"Of course. I have the Soul Edge right here. And now.... well. I think you know what we're going to do." He stared at Cassandra.
"I will kill you before you touch Cassandra," Maxi glared.
"That's touching, really." Cervantes laughed. "Men!" he called and they lunged at her. Maxi stayed true to his word. Before they could get their grimy hands on her, Maxi bashed their heads with his Soryuju and they fell to the ground, dead.
"Give me my hat!" Cervantes growled, snatching his hat from Maxi's head. Maxi assumed his fighting position, and so did Cervantes. Cassandra killed the remaining men of Cervantes' crew. She then stood by Maxi's side triumphantly pointing her sword to Cervantes' throat.
"Do you surrender?" She glared. Cervantes simply howled with laughter. Maxi narrowed his eyes in question.
"I think he's cracked," She said shrugging.
"Where is Nightmare?" Maxi took the collar of his shirt. Cervantes stopped laughing.
"I know you intend to kill me. Why should I tell you when I know you would dispose of me either way? If I tell you will you let me live?" Cassandra looked at Maxi with wary eyes. Maxi looked back at her with the same expression.
"Xianghua?..... Xianghua?....." The girl opened her eyes the tiniest bit.
"Cassandra?" She moaned, seeing the light hair.
"No, I'm not Cassandra," The person snapped. "I am a man. Open your eyes stupid girl!" She did as she was told and saw Raphael in front of her.
"What a little weakling you are. I thought you would never awake." Xianghua blinked many times.
"Where am I?"
"You are in heaven." Xianghua looked around. "Please do not tell me you believed that." She looked back at him. Feeling for her sword, she saw it was not there. "Use your head Xianghua!" Raphael yelled. Suddenly she remembered Yunsung fighting, and passing out on a tree.... And then she saw Talim through the trees, and Raphael threw Xianghua over his shoulder and ran through the forest... Then he stopped at a tent and grabbed a huge piece of firewood which he smashed against Xianghua's head. Needless to say everything went black after that.
Raphael laughed at the look of terror on her face.
"Why did you bring me here?!" She attempted to back away from the man but discovered she was chained.
"I suppose there is no harm in you knowing.... I went to the forest with orders to kill all of you. However I hate to admit that.... the boy was a better fighter then I thought. When another girl came, I changed my plan and decided to have them come to me. You know they will come looking for you. Then instead of killing them, Nightmare can take their souls, and their bodies will be used as minions."
"You mean.... You are dead?" Raphael blinked.
"What?" She pointed at the bandage around his stomach.
"Don't you remember what happened to you?"
"No, and I have no motive to. I belong to Nightmare."
"Don't you remember when you had your own life?"
"Quiet or I will slit your throat," He hissed. She looked down.
"Now, soon you will serve Nightmare also..... You will be the murderer of you own friends, won't that be fun?"
"No.... no!!" Raphael laughed.
"Yes.... yes.... but for now Xianghua, I will leave you. I have more important things to do...." He left the room, and slammed the door shut leaving Xianghua whimpering in the pitch black.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the Soul Calibur Characters.... sigh.
A/N: Hey!! Did I do better with my due date this time? Teehee, thanks sooooo much for the reviews guys! Please tell me what you think! I love to
hear what you have to say! The pairings will definitely become more
prominent within the next few chapters, okay, see you in 2004!!
If you are to flame me, I like constructive criticism. Thanks.
"Yunsung!?!" Talim called, bushes scratching at her legs and arms. "Where are you?! Can you hear me?!" She ran her hands through her hair in anxiety. "Xianghua!? Anyone?" Talim was very fearful. Who knew what could have snuck up on her comrades, and why were they not answering?! What could have-
"Oof!" A huge tree root interrupted her thoughts and tripped her. Her hands broke the fall, and as she pushed herself up, she felt her hand touch a smooth piece of cloth. It was ripped off, and there it lay in the mud, by its lonesome. Talim held the piece of cloth and suddenly stood deathly still. She could not feel any wind. Her friends were in trouble. Rain started to drop on her dark hair. She needed to find them soon!
"Yunsung?!" He heard a distant voice.
"I'm here," he tried to call, but it came out merely a moan. He felt the rain drop down on his hair and flatten his red spikes. "Aw, man...." He moaned quietly. The heavy rain dropped down on his body and make small pools of blood on either side of him. In the dark Yunsung could make out a petite figure making it's way towards him.
"Talim?" He asked with effort.
"Yunsung!" Talim ran to him and kneeled down to his height. She ran her hand through his hair and hugged him, making blood stains on her clothes.
"Oh my god! What happened?!"
"He took Xianghua...." Yunsung groaned.
"Who?!"
"Raphael. I tried...." His voice broke away. Talim hugged him.
"Do.... do you think you can walk?" Yunsung nodded and bit his lip.
"The camp is a ways back. Are you sure?"
"What are you going to do, carry me?"
"I could try...." she smiled. He smiled back. She helped him up, and holding on tighter then they needed too, made their way back to their camp.
Cassandra woke up with a start. Her stomach ached and her horrible memories lingered. She was still tired, and it was early still, but she could not fall asleep. Sophitia haunted her dreams. She must save her.
She looked next to her, and saw Maxi sleeping like an angel. She preferred him this way. He is much cuter when he doesn't speak, although, she was sure he could say the same about her.
She looked to the east where she saw the dawn was breaking. She smiled and let the rising sun warm her. She and Maxi had gone to Thuban during the night, where they found a little shelter and stopped to rest. Maxi told her to wake him at dawn if she was awake, but she did not have the heart to do it yet. Turning away from the sunrise, she looked at Maxi. He was not there.
"Maxi?" She called quietly.
"BOO!"
"Ahh!" Cassandra fell back with surprise as Maxi bent over laughing. "You are such a little boy!" She said getting up, quite flustered. Maxi just laughed.
"Don't ever do that again! You scared me!"
"That was the point," He smiled. Cassandra cocked her head in question.
"What's wrong with you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you happy?" He shrugged.
"I feel alive again," He smiled. Cassandra shook her head, but she could not hide her smile.
"What? Was the old man suffering from lack of adventure?" She chuckled. Maxi picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
"And now let the old man and the old hag find a new adventure in Thuban," He smiled.
"I am no hag!" He laughed and set her down. Cassandra frowned and smiled at the same time. She brushed her dress off.
"Right then. Where to?"
"The sea." He pointed.
"What?!"
"You heard me! There are pirates at the dock over there. Do you see them?"
"Yes, but when did you have time to observe that?"
"Cervantes must be over there. I can see his hat on that post. He must have set it down...."
"What do you intend to do once we get there?"
"Find out our information, and then kill the lot of them."
"There are a lot of men over there...." Cassandra looked doubtful.
"Come hag! Do not doubt your captain!"
"Shut up!" Cassandra yelled and tackled him on to the grass.
"Okay... now this is going to sting... a little. Um, just try to stay still," Yunsung had taken his shirt off the reveal a very nice physique, covered with gashes and scars. Flustered, Talim pulled an antiseptic out of her bag and smothered some on Yunsung's wounds. He gritted his teeth, but did not yell.
"Xianghua could be taken half way across Thuban by now!" Yunsung complained as Talim wrapped gauze around his stomach. She did not answer him, pondering another question.
"What are these from?" She asked running her slim fingers down Yunsung's chest over old scars that marked him. She gave a chill down Yunsung's spine. He did not want her to stop, but he drew away.
"Nothing, it's nothing."
"It's a very bad scar Yunsung. It does not look like it was treated correctly...."
"What are you now? A friggin' doctor?" Talim's eyes widened in shock. This was apparently a very touchy subject.
"I'm sorry...." She whispered. He longed to reach out and touch her arm, but he could not. He turned away.
"Should we continue on?" Yunsung asked, putting on his shirt.
"It is blinding rain and hail. We would surely get lost...." He nodded.
"It is going to be a hard night. The tent is demolished," Yunsung said looking at the wilting tent.
"We have body heat," She said looking at him. His eyes met her big brown ones. Suddenly the forest did not seem so big, and they did not seem so lost. He stared into her eyes and realized they were not so far apart. He closed his eyes and took in her sweet sent. She leaned forward and stood on her toes to be more of his height.
Suddenly Yunsung broke away from her gaze and pretended to stretch, walking back nearer to the tent. She looked down, embarrassed.
"Why don't you sleep? I'm not the least bit tired. I can be on guard tonight." Talim nodded and worked her way into the tent to sleep on the mushy ground. Yunsung sat on a rock in the rain for the rest of the night trying to answer his confusing questions.
"It's just a bit further...." Maxi said, diving under water again. Cassandra tried to keep up as best she could. Maxi decided they would take the ocean and surprise the stupid crew.
"Okay...." He whispered, assuring that they were at shore. Maxi jumped onto the post and grabbed Cervantes' hat, putting it on his head.
"All right, where is the Captain here?" All the pirates' heads turned and their faces told the two that they would not get out alive. Cassandra stepped out of the water and next to Maxi.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh...." One of the men cackled, looking over every inch of Cassandra's body. Looking down, she discovered that the water caused her white dress to become see through.
"Bastard," She growled hiding behind Maxi.
"I demand to speak to your Captain!" Maxi said drawing his Soryuju.
"We might be remotely afraid if it were a sword...." An evil voice taunted. Maxi turned around to face a man so ghostly white, as if he were dead.
"Cervantes....."
"I don't believe I know you. Have we met?!" He raised an eyebrow at Cassandra.
"My name is Maxi-"
"Maxi! For hell's sake, that isn't even a boy's name!" His crew cackled. Cassandra could see Maxi's muscles flexing.
"And what would you like with us 'Maxi'? We are but humble pirates!" Cervantes glared.
"Why do you serve Nightmare?" Cassandra asked.
"Why?! I have never served Nightmare. We work together, if that sounds corny enough."
"I knew it, you're in on this whole, 'Turn people into slaves' thing, aren't you?" Cassandra drew her sword.
"Of course. I have the Soul Edge right here. And now.... well. I think you know what we're going to do." He stared at Cassandra.
"I will kill you before you touch Cassandra," Maxi glared.
"That's touching, really." Cervantes laughed. "Men!" he called and they lunged at her. Maxi stayed true to his word. Before they could get their grimy hands on her, Maxi bashed their heads with his Soryuju and they fell to the ground, dead.
"Give me my hat!" Cervantes growled, snatching his hat from Maxi's head. Maxi assumed his fighting position, and so did Cervantes. Cassandra killed the remaining men of Cervantes' crew. She then stood by Maxi's side triumphantly pointing her sword to Cervantes' throat.
"Do you surrender?" She glared. Cervantes simply howled with laughter. Maxi narrowed his eyes in question.
"I think he's cracked," She said shrugging.
"Where is Nightmare?" Maxi took the collar of his shirt. Cervantes stopped laughing.
"I know you intend to kill me. Why should I tell you when I know you would dispose of me either way? If I tell you will you let me live?" Cassandra looked at Maxi with wary eyes. Maxi looked back at her with the same expression.
"Xianghua?..... Xianghua?....." The girl opened her eyes the tiniest bit.
"Cassandra?" She moaned, seeing the light hair.
"No, I'm not Cassandra," The person snapped. "I am a man. Open your eyes stupid girl!" She did as she was told and saw Raphael in front of her.
"What a little weakling you are. I thought you would never awake." Xianghua blinked many times.
"Where am I?"
"You are in heaven." Xianghua looked around. "Please do not tell me you believed that." She looked back at him. Feeling for her sword, she saw it was not there. "Use your head Xianghua!" Raphael yelled. Suddenly she remembered Yunsung fighting, and passing out on a tree.... And then she saw Talim through the trees, and Raphael threw Xianghua over his shoulder and ran through the forest... Then he stopped at a tent and grabbed a huge piece of firewood which he smashed against Xianghua's head. Needless to say everything went black after that.
Raphael laughed at the look of terror on her face.
"Why did you bring me here?!" She attempted to back away from the man but discovered she was chained.
"I suppose there is no harm in you knowing.... I went to the forest with orders to kill all of you. However I hate to admit that.... the boy was a better fighter then I thought. When another girl came, I changed my plan and decided to have them come to me. You know they will come looking for you. Then instead of killing them, Nightmare can take their souls, and their bodies will be used as minions."
"You mean.... You are dead?" Raphael blinked.
"What?" She pointed at the bandage around his stomach.
"Don't you remember what happened to you?"
"No, and I have no motive to. I belong to Nightmare."
"Don't you remember when you had your own life?"
"Quiet or I will slit your throat," He hissed. She looked down.
"Now, soon you will serve Nightmare also..... You will be the murderer of you own friends, won't that be fun?"
"No.... no!!" Raphael laughed.
"Yes.... yes.... but for now Xianghua, I will leave you. I have more important things to do...." He left the room, and slammed the door shut leaving Xianghua whimpering in the pitch black.