CHAPTER FIVE: Day Three
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the Soul Calibur names or places.
A/N: Hey! Here's chapter Five.... Thank ya'll so much for the reviews! ::tear:: Though I think one reviewer may have mistaken this fic for a humor fic.... Which it's not.... Sorry if I kill your favorite character.... And sorry if I call Ivy a slut.... it's just what I imagine her as being.... You may perceive her different. All right, I know someone isn't going to like the pairings.... but um please don't nag me on it, because I love those!! ::sob:: K? See you soon!
QUEENDRAGONGODDESS: Thanks for the review! I know, I have serious issues with portraying Talim.... -_-;; I tried to make her less annoying... teehee. DEMONGOD86: ................... -_-;; -_-;; -_-;; QUEEN OF SHADOWS: Thanks!! Yeah, I have to admit, I took Barbosa's character.... teehee. DIE CERVANTES DIE!!!..... cough...... I hate him too, as you will see in this chappie!
If you are to flame me, I like constructive criticism. Thanks.
"Let me live, and I will tell you where he is." Maxi thrust Cervantes away from him, while Cassandra stared at him with wide eyes.
"Are you sure this is a smart thing to do?"
"Where is he?"
"He'd be in Antares...."
"How can we trust you?" Cassandra glared.
"He just did," Cervantes laughed grabbing his soul edge. He advanced towards them. "Nightmare would have my head anyway if he knew that I'd told you where he is. And now you know.... that the information I just gave is useless. Because what good would it be to Nightmare's slave?" Cassandra stood her ground as Cervantes dragged the soul edge. Maxi stood in his fighter's stance.
"You're all the same," He glared. Cervantes laughed. He lunged towards Maxi with all due strength, but Maxi dodged and hit him from behind. Cervantes grabbed his hair and thrust him to the ground, raising the soul edge and bringing it down fast, but it sunk merely into the soft soil. Maxi rolled and got up but was then knocked down again. Rolling as he did before, he was not as fortunate this time. The soul edge cut through his right arm, creating a huge gash that was pooling blood.
"Maxi! Are you all right?!"
"It's just a scratch...." He winced. Seeing Cervantes raise the sword again, Cassandra ran and drove her sword into his exposed back. In a state of shock, Cervantes opened his eyes wide and after swooning, he collapsed over Maxi.
"Is he dead?" Maxi asked, getting himself away from the body on top of him. Cassandra bent down.
"His pulse is gone...."
"Throw his body in the river." Cassandra nodded, and with Maxi's help, Cervantes was soon sinking into the depths.
"I would say some cheesy line like 'winning is all that matters' but do you realize what day it is?" Cassandra asked.
"The third of when we started."
"Yes, and we should head back to Mizar. Are you sure you're all right?" Maxi clutched his arm.
"I.... I just have a bad feeling about the others...."
"Wake up.... Talim, come on, we need to go. Talim!" Yunsung stood by her sleeping figure, trying to shake her awake. She groaned and tried to roll over.
"TALIM!" He yelled. She finally opened her eyes. "Geez, I was beginning to think you were dead."
"My dad always said I could sleep through an earthquake. Anyway, what's up?"
"Someone is here. In the forest. It is still early which makes me think they would want to surprise us. Come on, get up."
"You look tired...." Talim said, studying his face. He didn't answer.
"I traced some of their steps last night and it looked like they were headed east near Antares...."
"Wait, Yunsung, do you realize what day it is?"
"I haven't been keeping track.... Why?"
"We are supposed to meet Maxi and Cassandra at Mina's dojo today!"
"But Xianghua will be dead if we had to walk all the way back to Mizar!"
"We could use their help.... but... Xianghua does not have much time. We should go, and hopefully, they will find us somehow." Yunsung nodded. Of course this was a very bad decision, but how were they to know that?
The door opened, revealing light into Xianghua's cell, causing her to squint, not used to light in this pitch black.
"Hello." A man with long brown hair, a scar under his left eye, and a bandage around his stomach entered the room.
"Kilik!! Oh Kilik!" Xianghua embraced. He grinned.
"Happy to see me?" She nodded.
"I know you would never hurt me...." She smiled. Suddenly Kilik got a strange expression on his face. It was one filled with hate, love, and much confusion.
"Xianghua?! I don't know what's happening to me!" Kilik said, letting out an agonizing moan.
"Kilik? What's wrong?!" Suddenly he clutched his stomach. The two slaves guarding Xianghua's cell, contacted Nightmare with communicators.
"I can't see....!" Kilik groaned and Xianghua reached out for his arm, the touch seemed to cause more pain.
"Idiot girl.... Get away from him." Xianghua drew back her hand and backed away from the armored man. "Get up," He spat at Kilik. He tried, but fell. "GET UP!" Nightmare roared and kicked him in the ribs.
"Stop!! Please!" Xianghua begged. Nightmare looked at her.
"You are Xianghua, I presume. You will not be much use... but my odds will be better."
"What are you talking about?"
"Those stupid ass kids who think they can stop my plans. You must be one of them. How would it feel to kill your life long friends I wonder?.... Kilik. Stand." The haze in Kilik's eyes settled and he was now Nightmare's slave again.
"What did I do to him?"
"Apparently my control over him is not as strong as I thought. This is no matter though. It will be over soon enough. Kilik, bring her to me." He did as he was told and brought the struggling Xianghua to face Nightmare.
"Say good-bye to the world you once knew."
"NO!! NOOO!!" She cried. Nightmare simply fed off of her fear and raised the soul edge and pierced through her. Xianghua's horrified cry was cut short. Her eyes were wide and desperate, and her stomach was heaving, trying to take breaths. Xianghua closed her eyes, never to open them again.
"Okay, brain, which way to Antares?" Talim let the wind guide her and pointed.
"It isn't too far from here. If we walk fast and don't stop, we can make it before the sun goes down." Yunsung nodded.
After walking silently for a while, Yunsung looked at her.
"Talim, I uh... just wanted to tell you that.... well, about last night..."
"I know, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.... It will only distract us and-"
"Actually I was going to say that I'd like to try that again when this is over." Talim blushed.
"A rain check.... okay. You have a deal." He smiled.
"HELLO?! Is anyone here?" Cassandra screamed. Her only response was the echo of the dojo. "Come on. We've been waiting here for hours now! They aren't coming. What if their dead? Or... what if they forgot? That would be most likely...."
"Shhh...." Maxi warned. Cassandra fell silent.
"What is it?"
"I don't know.... Stay there...." He said as he walked into the next room. Cassandra nodded. Suddenly she heard a very high pitched screech, Maxi's Soryuju whip out, a loud moan, and then a voice hiss:
"Too easy...." Cassandra raced to Maxi to find he was not alone.
"Hello Cassandra...." A Chinese woman stood fingering one of her daggers. Cassandra eyes darted to Maxi who was badly wounded lying on the floor with his eyes closed. She could still see his chest rising and falling thank the goddesses. Gaze turning back to the ninja, she saw the red rim in her eyes.
"Get out of our way." Cassandra glared. Taki howled with laughter.
"I don't think so."
"I don't want to have to kill you!"
"You are a fool. You think he is your friend? You think I am your friend? You have much growing up to do Cassandra Alexandra. But sadly this is where the road ends. You know my fighting skills are superior to yours."
"We'll see won't we?" She glared. Taki was a very good fighter, no doubt, but Cassandra's heart was filled with hatred, and the will to dominate. And that would drive her in this fight.
"Yunsung, keep up! We're almost there!" Yunsung grabbed her hand and they crossed the border into Antares together. "....She's being held at Nightmare's tower...." She looked up at the huge black castle.
"Do you think we're too late?"
"I don't know," She said gripping his hand tighter.
"We need help! We can't fight this battle against Nightmare alone! Do you know how many men he has in there?"
"No, do you?" She glared.
"Well no... But you're just going to barge in there without a strategy?"
"Look at you! Using your brain! I'm proud!" He dropped her hand.
"We need help Talim. I don't know what's gotten into you, but we can't take on Nightmares' minions."
"We haven't tried yet, so how would we know?"
"You're acting like me! Stop it!" He yelled. She smiled.
"You know we have no choice. Let's just-"
"What? Pray to the Gods?!"
"No... The wind will guide us."
"Does it say we will win?"
"It says it will guide us."
"So you trust an imamate object?"
"Just trust me, Yunsung." She took his hand again and they walked with grim faces.
Cassandra dodged Taki's quick attack, and threw a kick only to be blocked again. Holding Cassandra's leg, Taki spun her around and threw her on the ground, sword flinging from her hand. Thinking quickly, Cassandra grabbed Maxi's Soryuju which was the nearest thing to her.
"How the hell does he work whatever the hell these things are?" She muttered trying to block Taki's attacks. Letting out another piercing ninja cry, Taki pounced, breaking Cassandra's defense and flinging her across the room. Blood spilled on the wall behind her.
"Well, I suppose you might want to take one last look at the pitiful world...." She sighed. "Now we will have a true ruler.... Nightmare..." Cassandra let out a disbelieving grunt.
"He killed my sister. How does that make him a true ruler?"
"Because he is all powerful! And he is a genius, and extremely handsome..." She purred. Cassandra's let the disgust show on her face.
"You know what? I don't even why I'm having this argument with his crony," She sneered and charged at the woman. Weapons clashing, they both showed tremendous skill, Cassandra finally getting a good hit and throwing Taki to the ground. Just as Cassandra raised Maxi's Soryuju, Taki cried out in pain and grabbed her head. Cassandra raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't even hit you yet!" She said. Taki finally stopped yelling and looked up at Cassandra, eyes filled with angst.
"You got lucky," She hissed.
"What?" Cassandra tried to grab her arm, but the ninja was too quick.
"I have to let you off. I had you on the ropes, don't forget. You're dead next we meet," She glared and bounded swiftly away. Cassandra turned around, confused.
"What the hell?" She shook her head. Suddenly Maxi groaned, bringing her back to reality.
"-And stay away!" Cassandra yelled in the direction Taki left. "Humph. That took care of her."
"Cass?"
"Oh! Maxi! Are you all right?!" She raced over to his side.
"You didn't beat her did you?"
"....Course I did!" He laughed, and she sighed. "How'd you know?"
"You're using my Soryuju."
"Is that an insult? You're saying I'm not skilled enough with a Soryuju?"
"It's a fact Cass," He smiled. She tackled him and then stopped, remembering his wounds.
"Are you all right?" She asked stopping on top of him. He didn't look away from her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine..." She gazed back, and eventually broke away.
"We should head out to Antares. It's where Nightmare is hiding..." She said getting up.
"Wait-!" Maxi grabbed her arm and she stayed where she was. Taking her by surprise, he kissed her hard on her lips. Getting over her shock, her lips began to respond. Something tells me they aren't reaching Antares anytime soon.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the Soul Calibur names or places.
A/N: Hey! Here's chapter Five.... Thank ya'll so much for the reviews! ::tear:: Though I think one reviewer may have mistaken this fic for a humor fic.... Which it's not.... Sorry if I kill your favorite character.... And sorry if I call Ivy a slut.... it's just what I imagine her as being.... You may perceive her different. All right, I know someone isn't going to like the pairings.... but um please don't nag me on it, because I love those!! ::sob:: K? See you soon!
QUEENDRAGONGODDESS: Thanks for the review! I know, I have serious issues with portraying Talim.... -_-;; I tried to make her less annoying... teehee. DEMONGOD86: ................... -_-;; -_-;; -_-;; QUEEN OF SHADOWS: Thanks!! Yeah, I have to admit, I took Barbosa's character.... teehee. DIE CERVANTES DIE!!!..... cough...... I hate him too, as you will see in this chappie!
If you are to flame me, I like constructive criticism. Thanks.
"Let me live, and I will tell you where he is." Maxi thrust Cervantes away from him, while Cassandra stared at him with wide eyes.
"Are you sure this is a smart thing to do?"
"Where is he?"
"He'd be in Antares...."
"How can we trust you?" Cassandra glared.
"He just did," Cervantes laughed grabbing his soul edge. He advanced towards them. "Nightmare would have my head anyway if he knew that I'd told you where he is. And now you know.... that the information I just gave is useless. Because what good would it be to Nightmare's slave?" Cassandra stood her ground as Cervantes dragged the soul edge. Maxi stood in his fighter's stance.
"You're all the same," He glared. Cervantes laughed. He lunged towards Maxi with all due strength, but Maxi dodged and hit him from behind. Cervantes grabbed his hair and thrust him to the ground, raising the soul edge and bringing it down fast, but it sunk merely into the soft soil. Maxi rolled and got up but was then knocked down again. Rolling as he did before, he was not as fortunate this time. The soul edge cut through his right arm, creating a huge gash that was pooling blood.
"Maxi! Are you all right?!"
"It's just a scratch...." He winced. Seeing Cervantes raise the sword again, Cassandra ran and drove her sword into his exposed back. In a state of shock, Cervantes opened his eyes wide and after swooning, he collapsed over Maxi.
"Is he dead?" Maxi asked, getting himself away from the body on top of him. Cassandra bent down.
"His pulse is gone...."
"Throw his body in the river." Cassandra nodded, and with Maxi's help, Cervantes was soon sinking into the depths.
"I would say some cheesy line like 'winning is all that matters' but do you realize what day it is?" Cassandra asked.
"The third of when we started."
"Yes, and we should head back to Mizar. Are you sure you're all right?" Maxi clutched his arm.
"I.... I just have a bad feeling about the others...."
"Wake up.... Talim, come on, we need to go. Talim!" Yunsung stood by her sleeping figure, trying to shake her awake. She groaned and tried to roll over.
"TALIM!" He yelled. She finally opened her eyes. "Geez, I was beginning to think you were dead."
"My dad always said I could sleep through an earthquake. Anyway, what's up?"
"Someone is here. In the forest. It is still early which makes me think they would want to surprise us. Come on, get up."
"You look tired...." Talim said, studying his face. He didn't answer.
"I traced some of their steps last night and it looked like they were headed east near Antares...."
"Wait, Yunsung, do you realize what day it is?"
"I haven't been keeping track.... Why?"
"We are supposed to meet Maxi and Cassandra at Mina's dojo today!"
"But Xianghua will be dead if we had to walk all the way back to Mizar!"
"We could use their help.... but... Xianghua does not have much time. We should go, and hopefully, they will find us somehow." Yunsung nodded. Of course this was a very bad decision, but how were they to know that?
The door opened, revealing light into Xianghua's cell, causing her to squint, not used to light in this pitch black.
"Hello." A man with long brown hair, a scar under his left eye, and a bandage around his stomach entered the room.
"Kilik!! Oh Kilik!" Xianghua embraced. He grinned.
"Happy to see me?" She nodded.
"I know you would never hurt me...." She smiled. Suddenly Kilik got a strange expression on his face. It was one filled with hate, love, and much confusion.
"Xianghua?! I don't know what's happening to me!" Kilik said, letting out an agonizing moan.
"Kilik? What's wrong?!" Suddenly he clutched his stomach. The two slaves guarding Xianghua's cell, contacted Nightmare with communicators.
"I can't see....!" Kilik groaned and Xianghua reached out for his arm, the touch seemed to cause more pain.
"Idiot girl.... Get away from him." Xianghua drew back her hand and backed away from the armored man. "Get up," He spat at Kilik. He tried, but fell. "GET UP!" Nightmare roared and kicked him in the ribs.
"Stop!! Please!" Xianghua begged. Nightmare looked at her.
"You are Xianghua, I presume. You will not be much use... but my odds will be better."
"What are you talking about?"
"Those stupid ass kids who think they can stop my plans. You must be one of them. How would it feel to kill your life long friends I wonder?.... Kilik. Stand." The haze in Kilik's eyes settled and he was now Nightmare's slave again.
"What did I do to him?"
"Apparently my control over him is not as strong as I thought. This is no matter though. It will be over soon enough. Kilik, bring her to me." He did as he was told and brought the struggling Xianghua to face Nightmare.
"Say good-bye to the world you once knew."
"NO!! NOOO!!" She cried. Nightmare simply fed off of her fear and raised the soul edge and pierced through her. Xianghua's horrified cry was cut short. Her eyes were wide and desperate, and her stomach was heaving, trying to take breaths. Xianghua closed her eyes, never to open them again.
"Okay, brain, which way to Antares?" Talim let the wind guide her and pointed.
"It isn't too far from here. If we walk fast and don't stop, we can make it before the sun goes down." Yunsung nodded.
After walking silently for a while, Yunsung looked at her.
"Talim, I uh... just wanted to tell you that.... well, about last night..."
"I know, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.... It will only distract us and-"
"Actually I was going to say that I'd like to try that again when this is over." Talim blushed.
"A rain check.... okay. You have a deal." He smiled.
"HELLO?! Is anyone here?" Cassandra screamed. Her only response was the echo of the dojo. "Come on. We've been waiting here for hours now! They aren't coming. What if their dead? Or... what if they forgot? That would be most likely...."
"Shhh...." Maxi warned. Cassandra fell silent.
"What is it?"
"I don't know.... Stay there...." He said as he walked into the next room. Cassandra nodded. Suddenly she heard a very high pitched screech, Maxi's Soryuju whip out, a loud moan, and then a voice hiss:
"Too easy...." Cassandra raced to Maxi to find he was not alone.
"Hello Cassandra...." A Chinese woman stood fingering one of her daggers. Cassandra eyes darted to Maxi who was badly wounded lying on the floor with his eyes closed. She could still see his chest rising and falling thank the goddesses. Gaze turning back to the ninja, she saw the red rim in her eyes.
"Get out of our way." Cassandra glared. Taki howled with laughter.
"I don't think so."
"I don't want to have to kill you!"
"You are a fool. You think he is your friend? You think I am your friend? You have much growing up to do Cassandra Alexandra. But sadly this is where the road ends. You know my fighting skills are superior to yours."
"We'll see won't we?" She glared. Taki was a very good fighter, no doubt, but Cassandra's heart was filled with hatred, and the will to dominate. And that would drive her in this fight.
"Yunsung, keep up! We're almost there!" Yunsung grabbed her hand and they crossed the border into Antares together. "....She's being held at Nightmare's tower...." She looked up at the huge black castle.
"Do you think we're too late?"
"I don't know," She said gripping his hand tighter.
"We need help! We can't fight this battle against Nightmare alone! Do you know how many men he has in there?"
"No, do you?" She glared.
"Well no... But you're just going to barge in there without a strategy?"
"Look at you! Using your brain! I'm proud!" He dropped her hand.
"We need help Talim. I don't know what's gotten into you, but we can't take on Nightmares' minions."
"We haven't tried yet, so how would we know?"
"You're acting like me! Stop it!" He yelled. She smiled.
"You know we have no choice. Let's just-"
"What? Pray to the Gods?!"
"No... The wind will guide us."
"Does it say we will win?"
"It says it will guide us."
"So you trust an imamate object?"
"Just trust me, Yunsung." She took his hand again and they walked with grim faces.
Cassandra dodged Taki's quick attack, and threw a kick only to be blocked again. Holding Cassandra's leg, Taki spun her around and threw her on the ground, sword flinging from her hand. Thinking quickly, Cassandra grabbed Maxi's Soryuju which was the nearest thing to her.
"How the hell does he work whatever the hell these things are?" She muttered trying to block Taki's attacks. Letting out another piercing ninja cry, Taki pounced, breaking Cassandra's defense and flinging her across the room. Blood spilled on the wall behind her.
"Well, I suppose you might want to take one last look at the pitiful world...." She sighed. "Now we will have a true ruler.... Nightmare..." Cassandra let out a disbelieving grunt.
"He killed my sister. How does that make him a true ruler?"
"Because he is all powerful! And he is a genius, and extremely handsome..." She purred. Cassandra's let the disgust show on her face.
"You know what? I don't even why I'm having this argument with his crony," She sneered and charged at the woman. Weapons clashing, they both showed tremendous skill, Cassandra finally getting a good hit and throwing Taki to the ground. Just as Cassandra raised Maxi's Soryuju, Taki cried out in pain and grabbed her head. Cassandra raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't even hit you yet!" She said. Taki finally stopped yelling and looked up at Cassandra, eyes filled with angst.
"You got lucky," She hissed.
"What?" Cassandra tried to grab her arm, but the ninja was too quick.
"I have to let you off. I had you on the ropes, don't forget. You're dead next we meet," She glared and bounded swiftly away. Cassandra turned around, confused.
"What the hell?" She shook her head. Suddenly Maxi groaned, bringing her back to reality.
"-And stay away!" Cassandra yelled in the direction Taki left. "Humph. That took care of her."
"Cass?"
"Oh! Maxi! Are you all right?!" She raced over to his side.
"You didn't beat her did you?"
"....Course I did!" He laughed, and she sighed. "How'd you know?"
"You're using my Soryuju."
"Is that an insult? You're saying I'm not skilled enough with a Soryuju?"
"It's a fact Cass," He smiled. She tackled him and then stopped, remembering his wounds.
"Are you all right?" She asked stopping on top of him. He didn't look away from her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine..." She gazed back, and eventually broke away.
"We should head out to Antares. It's where Nightmare is hiding..." She said getting up.
"Wait-!" Maxi grabbed her arm and she stayed where she was. Taking her by surprise, he kissed her hard on her lips. Getting over her shock, her lips began to respond. Something tells me they aren't reaching Antares anytime soon.