Disclaimer: Well if you can't tell what I own and what I don't own by now...
Okay, it's been too long since I last posted a chapter. Being busy sucks. But I am going to try to have a new chapter up every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from now on. But don't yell at me if I don't make it, I'm only human after all.
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Andrew's Story - Chapter Twenty
Cave of the Wind & THAT Sword...
(Location - Cave of the Wind)
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"Keep on yer guard! This Cave is filled with monsters now." Viktor bellowed.
"So...don't you think we should keep our voices down...so we don't, you know, attract any of the monsters in here?" Andrew said, mockingly raising his eyebrow.
Viktor grunted, but didn't reply otherwise. Andrew gave himself mental thumbs up as he followed Viktor into the cave. Behind Andrew were Riou and Nanami, that Freed Yamamoto guy, and the knife thrower, Eilie. He sighed, as he realised Elaine wasn't in the cave with them. He could only imagine what she was going to say, obviously she wasn't about to say she saved me because she really likes fish...
"This cave is cold and creepy..." Nanami said, shivering as she said it.
"There is always wind flowing through this cave, hence the name. But, admittedly it is rather chilling wind today." Viktor said, caution in his voice.
"I remember playing here when I was younger...I haven't actually been here for, oh, must be three years now." Andrew said, staying on conversation.
"I don't think Kahri would like this place, he'd freak out." Nanami said, as a drop of water fell on her head from the cave ceiling, "Something I might just do myself..."
"How deep is this cave anyway...we've been walking through it for a half hour now." Freed said, a large moan emanating from his words.
"Oh come on Freed, this is a lot better than sitting around in a stuffy office all the time." Eilie replied, before peering at something ahead of the group, "Hey, what's that?"
Everyone stopped, as two beautiful Griffins approached. Viktor unsheathed his sword, "Great, all your chit chat's attracted the beasts."
Nanami looked at Viktor quizzically, "But...they're so cute..."
Andrew opened his mouth to speak, but Nanami cut him off, "And they're usually the worst ones, I know, I know."
"So let's cut them down before they get a chance to..."
But Viktor was cut off as both Griffins flapped their wings, the resulting gust of wind sent all six of them flying backwards into the cave wall. They fell to the floor in an unruly heap. Eilie was first to get back up, as she luckily had a cushion in the form of Viktor to fall back on. Eilie took out one of her knives and threw it expertly at the nearest Griffin. Unfortunately the Griffin batted it away easily with it's wing.
Eilie gasped, and took out two more knives. She threw them both at the same time. The Griffin let out a snort of disapproval as it batted both knives away with ease.
"It's no good Eilie, we're gonna have to take these things head on!" Viktor yelled, still a bit woozy from being sandwiched between the wall and Eilie.
"The drunk man has a point. Projectiles aren't going to work here." Andrew said as he helped Riou back up to his feet.
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's get them already!" Nanami added, as she helped Freed back to his feet.
Andrew and Viktor charged at the nearest Griffin, and it looked caught off guard. It then looked very dead as Viktor and Andrew struck it with their swords simultaneously. Freed charged at the other Griffin, but it had learned from it's dead brethren's mistake and simple swatted Freed away with it's wing. Freed crashed into the wall with a considerable amount of force. Eilie ran over to Freed as Riou and Nanami took over. Nanami ducked under the Griffin's wing swipe and jumped onto the creature's back. She walloped it over the head with her Flower Rod, stunning the beast. Riou followed up with a couple of Tonfa shots to the Griffin's face, stunning it even more. The Griffin never saw Eilie's knife fly towards its head, and with a sickening impact, the Griffin fell to the ground in a heap.
"Somebody better help Freed..." Eilie said, pointing over to the fallen Freed.
Viktor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe we should just leave him here to recover, we can pick him up on the way back. We're nearly there anyway."
Andrew shook his head at Viktor. "I know he's a bit useless, but we can't leave him here to become Griffin chow."
Viktor nodded. "Ah well, it was worth a try..."
Andrew and Viktor hoisted up Freed and once again the led the group deeper into the cave.
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"We're...nearly...there!"
"You said that an hour ago Viktor!"
"....So the cave is bigger than I remember, big deal!"
"Urgh..."
"I think Freed's coming around."
"Then hit him with a rock or something...I WAS JOKING! Aw...crap..."
"Whoops."
"I think he's okay...well, apart from the bleeding..."
"Hang on, I got some more bandages right here..."
Sadly, this conversation was the highlight of their whole trip through the Cave of the Wind. Viktor suddenly stopped, and the others crash into each other as they suddenly stop.
"There's somebody there..." Viktor said.
"Ah," The figure said, "You must be Viktor."
"Funny how you know my name yet I don't know who the hell you are...are you one of Neclord's minions?"
"No, but that accursed creature is the reason I await here. I assume you are here to retrieve the legendary Star Dragon Sword."
"Well...yes I am...but if you're out to get Neclord as well, why didn't you just go in and get the damn thing?"
For some reason, Andrew felt his sword shiver in it's holster. Andrew shrugged, Must be the wind again...
"That "thing" will only be used by a certain person...I am not that person."
"So you just waited here for me to come in and get it?"
"I knew you'd come back for the Star Dragon Sword, that is why I waited here. Oh, where are my manners? I am Kahn Marley."
Andrew nodded, "Ah, from the legendary Marley family, noted for being vampire hunters."
"You're a lot smarter than you let on." Eilie said to Andrew.
"So what are we waiting for?" Viktor said, loudly, "Let's go get the sword!"
Andrew blinked as he felt his sword quiver again. He put his hand on the handle, but felt nothing. Damn wind's playing tricks on me.
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"Okay, now in this cavern lies the Star Dragon Sword. It's very sensitive, so be careful what you say around it." Viktor warned.
Eilie looked utterly confused, "You talk like it's alive or something."
"Okay...everybody ready...let's go in." Viktor led the charge again.
Andrew looked around the cave. This place looks so familiar...guess I over-explored this place.
Viktor stood with his back to the entrance. "Behold, the Star Dragon Sword!"
He moved out of the way to let the others see. He nodded at the gasps they made. "Yes, yes, it's amazing when you see it for the first time and all...but still it IS just a sword..."
"Viktor...there's nothing there..." Eilie said, pointing to the empty podium.
"What are you talking about?" Viktor turned round, "It's right they-ARRRGH!!! It's gone! Somebody stole the damn thing!"
"How DARE you refer to me as that "damn thing" you imputant mortal?"
Everyone looked around for the source of the voice, but saw nothing.
Viktor spoke up, "Hey there buddy! Where the heck have you gone? I mean, I left you here to rest three years ago..."
"You left me here to RUST!"
"Aw, come on Pal...at least show yourself when I'm yelling at you!" Viktor yelled at the voice.
"I'm right in front of your stupid face!"
Everyone turned around to see where the voice had come from. All eyes fell on Andrew's sword-sheath.
Andrew looked thoughtful, "OH! Now I know why this place looks so familiar!" Andrew unsheathed his sword, "This is where I found this Sword three years ago!"
Viktor's jaw dropped. "You mean you had the damn thing the whole time?!?"
Andrew looked confused, "What the hell are you talking about...this is just a sword...right?"
The "sword" flew out of Andrew's grip and pointed itself right at Viktor's throat. "Come on Pal, buddy...I didn't mean any of it...and we really need your help now...Neclord is back."
Andrew stared at the sword, as did everyone else.
Eilie was first to speak. "No way...the sword is talking, this can't be happening..."
"Believe it little girl, for I am the mighty Star Dragon Sword...and you say Neclord is back? I thought I destroyed that infernal monster three years ago." The Star Dragon Sword said.
"I'm afraid the Neclord you vanquished was a mere Clone, mighty Star Dragon Sword." Kahn said, in explanation.
Andrew managed to shake himself out of his trance. "Wait a minute...are you saying that the sword I've been using for three years is actually the legendary Star Dragon Sword? No wonder I never swung a bad stroke with it..."
"At least you treated me with the respect I deserved, unlike Viktor the uncouth barbarian!" The Star Dragon Sword said, still pointing at Viktor.
"Hey! I did treat you with respect, pal." Viktor said, unconvinced.
"Hmph, the way you thrashed me around I'm surprised you didn't stab yourself!"
"Well, if you're just going to moan at me instead of focusing on the Neclord problem...then maybe we don't need you after all!" Viktor said.
Kahn walked over to Viktor, "What are you doing Viktor?"
Viktor smiled slyly, "Reverse psychology..."
Andrew looked at the Star Dragon Sword. "So, why on earth did you let someone like me use someone like you?"
"That's not important now. Fine, I will help you defeat that Neclord once and for all...but on one condition..."
Viktor nodded, "Anything old buddy..."
The Star Dragon Sword ahemed.
"I mean...oh great and powerful Star Dragon Sword."
And so the Star Dragon Sword named his condition...
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Meanwhile
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"You were very foolish to come here alone girl. Surely you should've known that you couldn't have killed me with this...pitiful knife."
The figure crushed the knife in his hand.
"But not to worry, my dear. You'll make a fine addition to my undead army...but that can wait for now. Your friends will be here soon...oh what a surprise you'll be for them..."
The vampire Neclord spun around and let out a loud laugh before exiting the chamber.
Elaine could only watch him leave, as she struggled against the shackles holding her captive, she couldn't even yell at him...he had gagged her.
Oh dammit...If I die here I swear I'm going to haunt Viktor forever! It's his damn fault...okay, it's my fault, but damned if I'm going to admit that!
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The adventure continues in the next chapter...what will happen next??? Find out soon!
Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up on Friday...hopefully. :]
