Chapter 12
"Accusations"
With a combined shove from the former victims of Jezzel's enchantments, the boulder that sealed the entrance to cursed garden shifted and soon after landed with a reverberating crash against the ground. Afternoon light filtered through the small entrance as the crowd held underground stepped out into the free air. The men and boulder weren't the only things that changed with Jezzel's death, the hot springs were no longer filled with water.
"What happened to the springs?" said Maxi, studying the empty pits.
"Even the water was from that witch," said Luthira. "She once told me the water to capture men's minds flowed periodically from her mouth."
Maxi's eyes popped as he shouted "Do you mean to tell me that I was soaking in hot spit?! Eeeew! That is sick and wrong on so many levels!"
"I told you she was bad news," Xianghua said smugly. Maxi mumbled something about women and their so-called intuition under his breath as they all began to walk slowly up the path, back to Jezzel's cottage, only that was gone too. Only a dried up well marked the location as formerly having a cottage.
"It seems we have no choice but to press onward," said Kilik.
"The next village is about 12 miles that way," Tartin said pointing up the main road.
"Xianghua will need to rest first before move on. I think it would be best if we camped here and started fresh in the morning."
"I think, I could use a break myself," Luthira agreed.
"Well that's all fine and dandy, but what are we gonna eat?" Maxi said with some deep concern in his tone.
"We'll have to scavenge the forest," Kilik said.
"I was afraid of that," he replied.
"I'll help you." Tartin offered, "There are a few poisonous berries in these parts, I wouldn't want anyone to accidentally eat them."
"Good man! We wouldn't want Kilik's hasty appetite to do him in in the peak of his life, eh?" Maxi laughed and slapped Kilik on the back.
Kilik rolled his eyes and turned to Xianghua, "Will you and Luthira be all right alone?" Xianghua turned to Luthira, waiting for her opinion.
"I doubt we'll be in any trouble... but I would feel better if someone who was fighting fit stayed around," said Luthira.
"No problem, I'll stick around," Maxi volunteered quickly. "Bring back a lot of stuff, mates! I'm pretty hungry!" Maxi said waving off the other two men.
The day grew warmer as the day rolled on. Laying in the shade, Maxi closed his eyes for a moment. It wasn't long after that soft, steady breathing came from him.
"Asleep! Some watch guard he is," Xianghua muttered.
"Well, he has been working on that garden all night, not to mention fighting us," the other woman said, looking over the grass that swayed in the breeze.
"I'm sorry," Xianghua said suddenly. Luthira looked curiously at her. "Your hair," Xianghua gestured, "I'm sorry I had to cut it."
Luthira waved the comment away. "Don't be. Tartin says he likes it short," she smiled.
"You're very blessed to have found a man like him," Xianghua smiled back, "My mother always said 'When you find a good man, don't let anything split you apart."
"Jezzel almost did just that," Luthira said ruefully. "But Tartin swears to me, he won't let us be separated against our will like that ever again as long as he draws breath."
"I'm happy for you. Even a little envious," Xianghua said wryly, "There are so few good men left in this world. So many are bent on power and wealth. Plus, there aren't too many men who like a girl that has the ability to beat them up," she said running her fingers over the handle of her sword.
"I'd say you've found someone who doesn't mind."
Xianghua blinked, her expression blank and responded skeptically, "Have I?"
"In fact... I'd say you've found two." Luthira said slyly.
Xianghua's lips pressed together, a pained look came over her face before saying "...I'd rather not speak of them in that manner."
"Oh... I'm sorry," Luthira apologized hastily, "I was just girl chatting-- teasing, you know-- I mean, I didn't realize it was a sensitive subject."
"Well... now you know. Nothing like that could ever happen between us. "
"You mean to say even if one of them said it out first, you'd refuse them?" Luthira asked incredulously.
Just then, Maxi stirred and sat up. He yawned, and stretched.
"What? They aren't back yet? I'm starving."
Xianghua laid back, "My turn to nap, Maxi, try to stay awake this time, won't you?"
"Yeah, yeah, dream away."
Early evening brought Kilik and Tartin back to their company. With a variety of berries, and even a few fish, they were able to have a small meal over the campfire. Evening turned to night, the stars clearly visible in the satin blue-black of the sky. One by one they dropped off to sleep, leaving Xianghua to stare at the mesmerizing flames.
She looked over to Maxi's sleeping face, and then to Kilik's. Luthira's words came back to her mind, but she bit them back. If they knew what I had done... they would hate me. Hate me and never forgive me.
Birds sang as morning arrived, gently warming the weary travelers with beams of sunshine. It was time for them to part company. Though she was happy to get back on their way, Xianghua was also a little sad to break company with Tartin and Luthira. Despite early mistrust, Luthira had turned out to be a good person.
"Take care, and be wary of hot springs," said Maxi jokingly as he shook hands with Tartin.
"The same goes for you," Tartin said, moving on to shake Kilik's hand.
Luthira hugged Xianghua farewell. Leaning closer, Luthira whispered in her ear "There are still a few good men left in this world, don't let anything split you apart," and winked meaningfully.
Kilik, Maxi and Xianghua once again walked the road, onward into the west. Their progression was slower, Xianghua had to rest often. Already it was late in the morning and they hadn't gone more than a few miles.
"We won't make it to town at this rate, we better take turns carrying Xianghua."
Xianghua's eyes went wide, "What?! No, you don't have to do that, I'll walk faster."
"That's just what we don't want. You need to heal, pushing yourself will only make things worse. But we do need to reach town."
"Come on, China-girl, I don't want to sleep on the ground and eat more berries!" Maxi whined.
Kilik freed his hands by passing Kali-Yuga over to Maxi. He kneeled, "It's all right Xianghua, climb on."
Xianghua hesitated, somehow she felt embarrassed, and her heart was beating faster. Luthira's suggestions of having a relationship kept spinning around in her head.
"What are you blushing for, it's only Kilik!" Maxi exclaimed.
"I am not blushing! It's just hot, that's all!" Xianghua snapped defensively and wrapped her arms around Kilik's shoulders from behind as he supported her under her knees and stood up easily.
Their movement was much faster, as they covered another four miles before noon. Maxi took his turn and stood up with Xianghua on his back.
"You're a lot heavier than you look," Maxi said under his breath. Xianghua slapped the back of his head.
"I wanted to walk! You're the one who wants a hot meal and your precious bed! Don't blame me! In fact you're the one who got the wool pulled over his eyes by some maniac plant lady, if it wasn't for me you'd still be spreading fertilizer!!"
Maxi laughed good naturedly, "Take it easy, I just wanted to hear you yell. You didn't say a word that whole time on Kilik's back. You're not as cute when you're silent you know," Maxi joked.
The color rushed to Xianghua's face again, and she shifted her hands to the top of Maxi's vested shoulders, suddenly feeling she shouldn't touch his bare skin. This is so stupid! Why do I let Luthira get to me like this! Xianghua scolded herself in thought. "I-I think I'll take a doze," she said getting off the subject, "so don't drop me!" she threatened Maxi.
"Yeah, yeah, get some beauty sleep, everyone knows how bad you need it."
Another slap landed on the back of Maxi's head.
The three of them entered the front doors of the local inn. A short old man with a sincere smile welcomed them. "You look so tired, travelers! Come, come, you need a good bed and a hot meal, yes? Oh my! The lady is hurt! Shall I call for the doctor?"
"I'm all right. I just need some clean bandages," Xianghua said from Maxi's back.
"As you wish, here then, your room numbers are 17 and 18. No doubt you and your wife can share a room, yes?" he said smiling at Maxi.
"Married!?-- To her!?-- Three rooms, mister, we need three rooms!" Maxi nearly dropped Xianghua, as he hurried to correct the old man, making her hold on to his neck tighter in reflex. Maxi choked and sputtered a little as Xianghua slid off his back to stand on her own feet.
"Many apologies, but as I mean to say, there are only two rooms available. I will send extra blankets to your room, another cot, yes?"
"That won't be necessary," Kilik said evenly, and the turned to Maxi "I'll be meditating anyway, I won't need anything but a quiet corner."
A hard faced man walked by, catching sight of Xianghua, he stopped and stared hard at her. Xianghua recognized him instantly as one of the soldiers that was once apart of the Elite ranks. One of her many enemies in the military, jealous of her ride in rank so quickly and becoming a favorite of the Emperor. Xianghua turned her face away. Held her breath. Don't recognize me, just keep walking, she thought desperately.
"I've seen you before," the man said taking a step closer. "A long time ago... when you were a kid."
"I think you're mistaken," Xianghua said quietly, not making eye contact.
"No, no, I'm not. You were the pipsqueak, the little girl in the Emperor's Elite! You're the one that made us all look like fools! Xianghua! That's your name, isn't it!?" he yelled at her, drawing a pair of Sais from his belt and rushing forward to kill her.
Instantly in response, sword, nunchaku and staff were brought out. The two sais kept the three at a distance, since it was easy to see the three were weary from travel, while the attacker was fresh for a battle. The sais moved with strong slashes, catching Soryuju. Maxi brought up his knee to strike at the man's head, but the movement was just a bit too slow, and he dodged, grabbing a small sphere from his belt, the man cracked it with one hand and blew powder into Maxi's eyes.
"I can't see!" Maxi stumbled back, rubbing his eyes, "A cheap trick! Beat him up for me Kilik!!"
Kilik stepped forward, aiming several thrusts at the man's chest. The man side-stepped, and took another sphere from his belt. Again, the man cracked it and blew the stinging powder into the air. Kilik stopped moving, putting one hand to his head in a cloud of powder. Smiling, the man stepped forward to plunge a sai into Kilik's body. Suddenly Kali-Yuga landed on the man's shoulder with a loud crack. The bo staff came around again on the side of his ribs and then lastly hit him squarely on the chest, sending him down to his knees.
Kilik stepped out of the cloud of powder with his eyes closed.
"Do not count on the blindness of an opponent who still has the use of his ears," Kilik said down to the man while slowly opening his eyes.
"Why do you defend her?!" The man began to scream at Kilik, "Don't you realize who that traitorous vixen is? She broke it, don't you understand?! She brought ruin to the whole unit of the Emperor's Elite! She shattered it and brought the Evil Seeds down on us all!"
With a furrowed brow Kilik turned to Xianghua for her response to this man's accusations. She sunk down to the floor, dropping her sword. Her mouth moved without any words coming out. Color drained from her face as tears started to roll down her cheeks. So much had happened in the last few days, her body couldn't take it anymore, Xianghua dropped to the floor unconscious.
Author's Note:
Finally another update! ;
But let me confess right now: I'm not entirely clear on anything that happened in the original Soul Calibur story line having only plaed SC2. Xianghua's profile at soulcalibur.com makes it out like Kilik and she broke Soul Edge aka "Hero's Sword" together, but then it also sounds like the fragments of Soul Edge are the "Evil Seeds" that destroyed Kilik's temple and set him off on his journey in the first place.
((AckK! I'm so confused!))
So, since this fanfiction has wandered off the "real story" of Soul Calibur a couple times already, I'm just going to try to make this the best story I can, even if I get a few facts totally wrong.
Thanks for bearing with me this long,
Xiantau