=The Company of Three=
Late morning at Ayutthaya,
Yunsung and Talim left the inn very early. The Korean looked fresh; it seemed he had slept well. In other hand, the young girl looked sleepy. She rubbed her eyes to keep awake. The youth asked,
"Talim, how are you?" The girl yawned,
"Medyo ngantok ako...you took my bed..." Yunsung answered innocently, while stretching his limbs,
"Sorry...I was very tired after fighting last night..." As they walked to the nearest intersection, Talim commented,
"Sayang, Ate Taki doesn't want to go with us..." The Korean brushed the conversation,
"Aah, forget her! She has her own business anyway..." Then he stopped at the crossroad,
"Let's see where is the direction to India...perhaps I'll ask someone first..." The girl watched him incredulously,
"I thought you already know the way..." The youth scratched his head,
"Well, it is my first time to going out from Choson Peninsula...I only remember Hwang's route..."
"Why don't you ask me?" They turned around and saw the ninja leaned at the direction sign. She folded her hand on the chest, while leaning on the wooden sign. Talim looked glad, while Yunsung only smug. The Filipino said,
"Ate, you're here...I thought you don't want to come with us," Taki smiled in return,
"Just say I've changed my mind...it's no harm to help young people like you..." However, the Korean asked her with suspicion,
"Why are you here?" Unfazed, the ninja answered,
"Outside, many people wanted the fragments for their own intention...she won't be able to protect it alone, much more with you!" She went closer and added,
"Beside, the people who were looking after the fragments of Soul Edge, are looking for me too. Together, we can protect each other backs..." The red-haired youth snorted in disgust,
"Thanks, but we don't need your assistance..." Taki didn't buy that; instead she challenged him,
"Ah, really? Then tell me, which way to go to India? Can you tell me that?" Yunsung was speechless; he fidgeted his fingers. He really didn't know which way that Hwang took. Not only that, he was forget to take Hwang's maps and notes. The silence was disturbing, but made everything clear. Shaking her head, the ninja said mockingly,
"Oh, silly boy...I really wonder what you're going to do if I'm not around. Follow me, I know the place..." Talim asked,
"Where are we going, Ate?" The pony-tailed woman answered,
"I'm going to show our means of transportation to India..."
Few hours later, they sat upon the back of the elephant. The great pachyderm passed the thick shrubs and trees calmly. A mahout sat on its head, sometimes tapped its skin gently to direct the beast. Talim was excited as she watched the surrounding atop the elephant. Behind her, Taki sat in meditating position, while Yunsung tried hard to keep sitting. The Korean was wobbly back and fro, like a swaying ship. He complained,
"Why don't we choose horses or anything else than this behemoth?" The ninja answered calmly,
"The elephant is the best means to pass the jungle, beside people will spot us easily if we picked the common trail," The young girl shouted happily,
"Ang galing talaga ito...gusto ko yun! How about you, Kuya Yunsung?" The red-haired youth replied,
"You call this enjoyable?" Suddenly he fell backward, much to his chagrin. Then Talim asked the ninja,
"Ate, when will we arrive?"
"If there's no problem, it will take 5 days to arrive at India with this transportation. After then, we'll continue to take colts to pass through Afghanistan. From there, we'll continue our journey through Ottoman Empire and take sea route to Balkan..." After settled down with lying, Yunsung followed the question,
"And then..."
"And then, we'll find whereabouts about Soul Edge. It will be easy once we're arrived at Europe..."
"Why don't we take sea route from India?" Taki turned to them with a serious stare,
"Too risky, I don't want to invite too much attention...that's why I take this trail." She stared again to the skies above her,
"This might take 2 1/2 months to arrive at Europe..." The Korean didn't ask anymore, while Talim still enjoyed the scenery before her. She could felt the soft breeze of winds,
Don't worry Talim, believe in yourself... Wind, guide me.
At the same time in Seung's residence,
"No! No! Mina, how many times I say that you won't going out?" Inside the guest room, an elderly man with white Korean traditional costume sat on the chair. Seung Mina stood not far from him; she now braided her hair at the back, while wearing her usual tribal costume. The girl begged,
"But, Father! I just want to bring Yunsung and the White Storm back! Beside there's nothing I can do here..." Han Myoung stared her only daughter with concern, and said,
"The situation is not allowing that, Mina! You know that the Japanese have starting to invade us...so the Emperor decided to shut some ports. At the same time, Admiral Lee Shun Shin has positioned the Coastal Defense Guard to block the enemy's movements there...No, I won't allow you to endanger yourself..." Yet, Mina wasn't about to giving up,
"Father, do you remember four years ago? I can guard myself...I've grown up already..."
"Yes, until Hwang dragged you back! My final answer is...no!" Realized that, the girl resorted to another trick. She quickly put a pouted face, while saying,
"Fine then! I won't eat or drink anything until you allowed me to go out!" She turned her back,
"I will lock myself in my room! If anything happens to me, don't blame me!" As Mina went to her room angrily, Master Han Myoung shook her head,
"Had you still alive, my wife...no doubt she would be an obedient daughter..."
Hours passed and the sun was very high. Han Myoung decided to visit her daughter's room. He knocked the door gently,
"Mina, come out now!" There was no answer. Han Myoung knocked again,
"Mina, let me in. I want to talk with you..." Then a voice came,
"The door is not locked..." Slowly, he pushed the door and entered. Mina sat sulked on her bed, however she had prepared everything including Scarlet Thunder, which lay at the bedside. The master shook his head, before he pulled the nearest chair. For a while, father and daughter didn't talk until Han Myoung took the initiative to start,
"Seung Mina...I do this because I really care you..." She didn't say anything. He sighed then,
"If you were a boy, the situation might be different...however, I realizes that there's no use to lock you or giving you to the unwanted marriage. Probably I might be relieved if I allowed you to go..." Slowly, the Korean girl turned to him,
"Father, are you serious? You will let me go this time?" The elderly master gave a fatherly smile,
"Yes, if I'm not doing that, you'll run away like before...go now! Show what you've learned here to the world!" Excited, Seung Mina hugged her father,
"Thanks, Father! I promise I'll return here with Yunsung!" She quickly took her zanbatou and sack, before going out from the room. Han Myoung followed her until outside. As he watched her daughter, something snuck to his mind,
"Strange, why do I feel something wrong?" His mind raced quickly until it dawned inside him,
She's not only after Yunsung! She's looking after the Sword of Salvation too! He bellowed very loud,
"MINA!!!" However, Seung Mina had disappeared from his sight. It seemed she had figured it out in advance. Han Myoung shook his head in amazement, while laughed inside,
"You're little trickster..." But he was proud to have such daughter like Mina,
"Go, Mina...find your destiny outside..."
Late afternoon at Romania,
Cassandra has walked quite far from Athens, but there was no clue about Soul Edge. The fragment inside her pocket was inert. She wondered whether the fragments were around. But she managed to eavesdrop the rumors about the azure knight who had the weapon called Soul Edge. Driven by the news, Cassandra decided to travel west. Behind her, Nemea Shield strapped tightly, while Omega Sword rested on her right hip. She bumped a black-cloaked figure,
"Oh, I sorry..." The Greek girl continued her journey,
When the girl bumped it, Charade had sensed something strange. It felt something...pure and divine, contrary to the essence inside itself! While cloaked in black tunic, the creature was well covered. Nobody suspected it as long as the cloak was covered it. It turned to the blond-haired girl who was quite far. No doubt, the pure aura came out from her. As long as she's alive, Charade's existence would be imperiled. The divine aura of Hephaestus was its bane! The girl must be eliminated with all costs! The creature began to tail Cassandra. Suddenly the religious procession passed between them. Charade was bewildered, but it was unable to do anything until the procession finished. Once the procession was over, the Greek girl has gone! It couldn't find her track! However, something else had attracted its attention. A band of Russian warriors went to its direction and they had the fragments...the girl could wait, but it wouldn't forget her...
At the same time in Athena,
Sophitia Alexandra packed her belongings, yet her heart was heavy to doing this. She turned to the sleeping children; they were looked feverish. She knew what caused the illness to her beloved ones and she would take care that once and for all. Then a brown-haired man entered the room, his face looked anxious as he asked her,
"Are you leaving now, Sophitia?" The blond-haired woman turned to him,
"I wish I had a choice, Rothion... I can't stand here only, while watching our children suffers!" The blacksmith didn't say anything; instead he went to children and touched their cheek,
"The fever won't going down...Sophitia, I hate to allow you doing this. It is supposedly my job..." Sophitia replied,
"No, Rothion! Pyrrha and Patroklos needs you now," She sighed, "Cassandra already gone with Omega Sword and Nemea Shield, no doubt that she's looking for the damned blade as well..."
"She's doing that because she doesn't want to lose you..."
"That's why I have to go! If not, we're going to lose everything to Soul Edge and that, I cannot allow! I must go now..." As she started to leave, Rothion called her,
"Wait, Sophitia! I have something for you..." He turned to the nearest shelves and took something wrapped with tunic. When he opened the tunic, the Greek woman couldn't hold her surprise,
"That..." Rothion showed him another short sword and small shield. He explained,
"After Casandra disappeared, a voice told me about your holy mission in my dream. I plead to replace you, but I was refused. Instead, it instructed me to find the holy ore and make these weapons to replace the one that Cassandra took..." Sophitia went closer to him and touched the new set of Omega Sword and Elk Shield. The blacksmith stared his beloved wife adoringly like staring a goddess,
"Probably, this is not superior than the original one, but one thing I want you to know, Sophitia...they are embodiment of my love to you. Whenever you go, I always be with you and protect you..." Unable to hold her emotion, she hugged and kissed him. Rothion returned the kiss passionately. In between the kisses, Sophitia said,
"By Hephaestus' name, I swear I will be back with Cassandra, Rothion..."
"I believe you...and I love you, darling!"
"Me too..."
Two weeks later on the Indian Ocean,
The merchant ship rocked gently upon the waves, as the seagulls flew over it. The sun shone brightly on top of Maxi. He sat on the deck, while staring the blue ocean. He already switched his costume with white blazer and pants. The wind strokes his jutted black hair like a lover's touch. However, the pirate looked serious. Then someone greeted,
"Good morning..." Maxi turned and saw Kilik and Xianghua nearby. The girl greeted him with her smile,
"Hi, Maxi! How are you...?" The pirate replied absentmindedly,
"If you ask me, I'm fine..." The young man went closer to him, and said with sympathy,
"Still thinking your departed one?" Maxi sighed,
"They are the part of my life, when I'd decided to be an adventurer...a pirate. They're almost like my family in Ryukyu...especially Kyam..." Xianghua listened to him,
"We've trailed everywhere and sharing fun together! Have you imagined having someone to share everything with, Kilik?" Kilik shook his head, unable to answer the question. He has been orphaned since birth, and then raised by the monks of the Ling-Sheng-Su Temple. There he came to know Xianglian, his sworn sister. When the Evil Seed rained the temple, he was forced to kill those whom he loved in order to defend himself, including Xianglian. Before madness took her, she managed to put Dvapara-Yuga on him. At the end, he found himself standing among the corpses. What broke his heart into pieces was her lifeless body in front of him. Kilik was sure that he would kill himself out of remorse, if Edge Master didn't come to the temple. The old warrior decided to make the temple as a funeral pyre. As the smoke billowed from the burned temple and fire consumed those who had died inside, Kilik swore with his late sister's name that he would make amends for his sins...by destroying Soul Edge.
He turned to the pirate and pondered that their life weren't so different after all. He and Maxi both lost their loved ones. Then the pirate's angry words took him back,
"Everything's fine until that unnatural freak took their lives...I won't forget the day when Astaroth took everything I loved dearly from me!" Maxi gritted his teeth,
"I swear I will end the freak's life for good!! By then, I would be satisfied..." The young man didn't answer. Maxi was lucky; he knew the murderer of his crew...but him? Could he avenge Xianglian's death after knowing that he was the one who was responsible for her death? Was it meant that he had to kill himself? He immediately banished such thought from his mind,
Never! Had I killed myself, Xianglian has died for nothing! She wants me to live...Edge Master told me that suicide wouldn't solve anything! I must live! I have to live to prevent the same tragedy befall to others...
He spoke up, "Maxi, I understood your anger, however there's more important things than vengeance...have you think that before?" The pirate startled with his words, however he didn't contest him.
"Strange that you mentions it now, somehow I remember something else...but yet I can't recall it...it seems very vague..." Suddenly, Xianghua's face brightened and she instantly went closer,
"Yes, Maxi! Tell us..." The pirate thought harder; he tried to dig his mind deeper. Kilik watched intensely until a grumbling sound came. Holding his stomach, Maxi smiled sheepishly to them,
"I just remember I haven't taken breakfast this morning..." Kilik and Xianghua drooped their head after heard the revelation. The pirate said,
"Come, I'm going first..." After he left them, the Chinese girl shook her head,
"Well, here's old Maxi, unaware of our presence..." The young man replied,
"Take patience, Xiang. It must be hard to not remember whom his friends are...he will remember later once we've arrived at Europe. Once he saw Osthreinsburg Castle, I hope his memories will be restored..." Then he went to the hull of the ship, followed by Xianghua. Suddenly she asked him,
"I have a question, Kilik. Have you loved someone before?" Her question took him by surprise. Yet, he answered,
"No, why do you ask that?" The former Imperial Guard pondered, before asking him again,
"What do you think of me? Am I beautiful?" Kilik was surprised, however he asked her back,
"Xianghua, what is the matter? I never see you like this..." She sighed,
"Kilik, I simply wondering why nobody take me seriously...since my mother's death, I buried myself in training. Even so, it is fail to keep my desire to be loved." Xianghua turned to the blue ocean,
"That's another reason why I resigned myself from Imperial Guard...even the warrior wants to be loved...is it wrong to be loved, Kilik?" Slowly, he held her shoulders and said gently,
"No, Xiang...you don't do anything wrong. Sometimes we simply forgotten how to love someone...it has nothing to do with the outward appearance. It is simply coming from inside...inside our hearts," Without warning, Xianghua hugged him and caressed his chest. As the girl hugged upon him, the memories came back to him and it pained him deeply. Somehow Xianghua's face transformed into Xianglian's dying face in his sight. Unconsciously, he distanced himself from her. The girl was surprised with the action.
"What's wrong, Kilik? Did I hurt you?" Kilik shook his head, but he was unable to stare at her,
"No...I'm sorry, Xianghua...Would you excuse me?" Then he left the girl who watched him with a dejected look. She asked herself,
Why, Kilik? Why do you holding back yourself? What are you afraid of? The ocean was silent, as Xianghua turned back to the cabin.
Below the deck of the same ship, Mitsurugi and Yoshimitsu had taken some ration from the nearby cargo. They managed to sneak inside the ship through the cargo boxes. Once inside, they took the most secluded place. While they started to eat, Heihachi snorted disgustedly,
"Ridiculous! Mishima Heihachi has to sneak inside the ship like a rat? It is very humiliating!" The ronin laughed,
"Well, if you were cooperative since beginning, we don't have to act like the stowaways..." Then he offered a salted fish to Heihachi,
"Here is a food for you. Do you want some for you?" The patriarch turned his head haughtily, ignoring the offer. The ninja took a black lacquered box and opened it; it has contained kinds of sushi. He commented,
"Luckily, I managed to bring something before I left Japan..." Mitsurugi didn't answer; he simply took some sushi and gulped it immediately. He quipped,
"Too bad, there's no wine around here..." However, the masked ninja took a jug of wine behind him, as he chuckled loosely,
"Funny, you should mention that," Heihachi couldn't help himself to watch his companions ate. Finally he went closer and sat. The ronin joked,
"Changing your mind?" Heihachi barked impatiently,
"Shut up! Give me the wine and the sushi!" Yoshimitsu put the jug and the box close to the champion of the Iron Fist Tournament in the future , who ate and drank greedily. The critters inside watched them without blinking...
At the same time on France,
The mansion was very huge and designed with an astonishing luxury. It was two-store tall and two wings at both sides. The front was facing the beautiful garden. The gardener tended the garden regularly, while the servants took care the mansion. The iron gates stood open, as the walls circled its premises. Then someone entered the gate calmly. Everyone took notice of the person, but they were astonished then. A cheer came them,
"Monsieur Berthine has returned! Monsieur has returned!!" Everyone inside came out to greet the guest who had returned. As the people gathered around him, Raphael merely smiled or waved back. Not for long, an old, bearded man came to him. He wore a black coat, like what the butlers wore. He said,
"Monsieur...it has been a long time since you've left us! We're glad that you've finally return here..." Dismounted himself from the horse, Raphael replied,
"Well, I have something pressing, Lumiere...how is the situation?" The butler nodded understandingly. As the young master walked toward the door, he turned again,
"By the way, where is Amy?" Lumiere gestured him to turn around and an auburn-haired girl stood behind. She wore the plain blue clothing and tried her best to look happy, but then her eyes were betraying her. Then Raphael went closer and took her gladly,
"My little mademoiselle, Amy...how are you?" The girl asked him instead,
"Why do you leave me, Papa? I thought you wouldn't leave me..." The blond-haired man was silent, yet Amy asked again,
"Did I do something that makes you angry, Papa?" He replied softly,
"No, Amy...Papa doesn't angry with you. Papa have something important...for you; that's why Papa go temporarily..." The girl hugged him, pleading,
"Please, don't leave Amy again, Papa..." Raphael patted her shoulder gently; he couldn't say that he was looking for Soul Edge only for her. At the same time, another guest entered. It was a dirty brown-cloaked man who rode a huge black horse. The horse snorted, while the blood-red eyes glowed. Since the cloak has covered him, anyone couldn't see the man's face. Instantly, the situation turned uncomfortable. Raphael became serious as he saw the mysterious person. Lumiere watched him nervously. As everyone wondered, the French announced,
"Listen, all of you! Here is my friend, Monsieur Soir...I met him during my journey. Since nobody cared him, I decided to invite him stay in the mansion for a while..." A murmur came among the people, yet Raphael continued,
"Since he has an incurable illness, I'll be the one who take care of him and your Lord has given me permission to allow him to stay for a certain time. Nobody allowed to come into Monsieur Soir's room without my permission and nobody tell about him to others, understood?" Everyone nodded as they listened to the instructions. When they dispersed, 'Monsieur Soir' dismounted from his horse and landed with clank on the ground. Raphael gestured him to bring his horse to the stable. The man didn't reply; he simply went to the stable with the horse.
Few minutes later, Raphael brought his mysterious visitor inside the mansion. He showed him the fabulous library inside. The huge windows allowed the sunshine to pour inside, while the shelves of books surrounded the place. The immaculate carpeting covered its floor. Pillars distinguish each area of books. From the library, people could see the ground floor below, close to the front door. Then Raphael gestured the butler to let the curtain fall to cover the windows. After that, he sent him out and turned to Soir. The cloaked figure stared him with...crimson eyes. A hoarse voice came out,
"I have to compliment you for this residence..." The French didn't smile; he said cautiously,
"I hope I have your words about my households..." 'Monsieur Soir' or aptly called Nightmare pulled the nearby chair and sat upon it. The cloak fell and revealed the deformed right hand, which almost dwarfed the chair. The knight lifted his chin, staring his erstwhile ally,
"You have my words...no harm shall come upon them. Now it is your turn to fulfill the promise..." Clearing his throat, Raphael said,
"Tonight, I will bring you to the place where you can feed Soul Edge with strong souls as much as you want..."
At the hill overlooking the mansion, Astaroth stood stoically, watching the building without any expression...
Meanwhile at the small town near Sarajevo,
Sophitia had walked quite far, however she was clueless to Cassandra's whereabouts. She thought at first, that her sister took the same road that led her to Soul Edge. But then it was soon clear to her that Cassandra might take different path from her. It was the same case of her when she tracked Soul Edge for the first time. As she walked around, her mind went to Rothion and her children. Then something else entered her mind; the image of the black, pony-tailed woman materialized inside. She couldn't forget her, because she owed her life to the woman. Yet, Sophitia shuddered as she remembered when she fought Cervantes in the grueling fight seven years ago. Had the woman didn't helped her, she sure she would surely dead. Instinctively, she sighed,
I wish she were here...
When she passed a tavern, suddenly someone was pushed outside. Sophitia jumped in surprise, when realized the man was landed in front of her. She saw clearly that it wasn't a man, but a young man...or something like that. The man wore a green robe of sorts that cover his entire upper body and a long green elven cap resting on his long blonde hair. His pointy, left ear contains a blue earring. He also wore a rope belt, the brownish boots, with gold trim, and his pants match his green robe. His left hand held a shield, his sword in the other. From the tavern, the raucous taunts came,
"Get lost, freak! You're not welcome here!!" The young man shouted back,
"Excuuuuse me! I'm not a freak; I am an elf!! Can you differentiate them?" As an answer, the door was closed with loud slam. Sophitia helped him to stand and asked,
"Pardon me, are you all right?" The man complained,
"All right? What else can going wrong today?" He was stunned like a statue, when he saw her. Instantly, he gave a bow,
"Oh, forgive me for my rudeness, princess! I don't mean to..." The Greek smiled,
"It is my first time when someone calls me princess...look, my name is Sophitia Alexandra and you are..." Brushed his blonde hair, the elf answered with certain tone,
"Link of Hyrule... at your service, Princess Sophitia..."
Back to France,
As the night fell, the mansion was dark. Yet, Lumiere and some servants carried the lanterns outside; they patiently waited something. Then Raphael came out with his usual costume, only this time he wore a red-feathered hat. His horse has been prepared nearby. He asked the butler casually,
"Is everything ready, Lumiere?" The old butler replied,
"Everything's set, Monsieur...may I know where you are going, Sir?" As he mounted his steed, the former noble answered with a reassuring smile,
"Don't worry, I won't be long..." Meanwhile, Soir/Nightmare had taken his own steed and rode it already. The horse's eye looked blazing in the dark, everyone nearby was shuddered with fear. The knight had put his cloak back; now he stared the French intensely. Before he departed, Raphael turned to the window at the second floor of the right wing and saw Amy standing there. He waved the girl, who returned it blankly. After that, the blond-haired man commanded,
"Open the gate!" Slowly but sure, the iron gates were pulled up, allowing both riders to going out from the mansion. They paced their steed to the nearest hill, where they would meet Astaroth there.
Four hours later, the unholy company has arrived at the grassy hill, overlooking the plain below. The huge tents arranged in orderly fashion, were standing on the plain. The bonfires were alight, as many people surrounded it. They wore the French military uniforms, complete with insignia and emblems. Cannons lined nearby the armaments, while the rifles were lying in stacks. Somehow the people on the encampment were unaware of the presence of the uninvited guests at the nearby hill.
The azure knight turned to the French,
"These are the people that you've promised?" Raphael answered,
"They were coming from the Provincial Regiment, but they also served the pompous noble...Sir, these people are experienced and battle-hardened; I think they were suitable for this..." Nightmare didn't answer, he never fought a company of soldiers before. Somehow it was a challenge for him, but Soul Edge was with him. He would manage. Then he turned to the golem who watched people below with hunger. It was hard for Astaroth to restrain his lust of souls, even for an hour. Had Nightmare didn't stop him, surely he would slaughter Raphael's household like what he usually did. He asked,
"What do you think, Astaroth? Were these people meeting our desire?" The champion of Ares grinned only,
"Amuse me again!" Turning his steed to the plain, Nightmare said to Raphael,
"Stay here, we won't be long there..." The French was too happy to comply. He watched the knight and the golem went down, while keeping his cold smile in check. He was going to enjoy watching the nobles became aware that their lull of security and comfort would be disappeared soon. He was going to enjoy it greatly.
Not for few hours, the encampment was thrown into chaos when Nightmare and Astaroth strikes. The screams and shrieks was heard everywhere,
"Demons! Malheur!!"
"Sapristi! Help me!!"
"Kill him..." Nervously, the soldiers lined themselves and targeted the havoc-wreaking golem with their bayoneted flintlocks. The awaited command came,
"Fire!!" The rifles barked simultaneously, but then the bullets did no harm to Astaroth. The giant laughed gleefully,
"Don't make me laugh! Do you want to die that badly?" The terrified soldiers scattered, while the rest stood their ground and began to reload their rifles again. Before they had a chance to fire again, Astaroth cut them all with a mighty swipe. He continued to swipe the area around with Kulutues. An unlucky soldier tried to escape, however the crazed golem picked and threw him to the air. As he fell down, Astaroth caught him with the backbreakeresque manner, cracking the soldier's spine with a resounding noise.
"Dead already? Heh, hmm... hehmm!" He continued to kill anyone who still breathed in his path. At the same time, two nervous soldiers went to a lone cannon and pushed it as they could to their desired position. They pointed the cannon to the golem who just picked another victim and threw him airborne before he dangled and stabbed the victim thrice with his axe. One of them quickly took matches and began to light the fuse, while the other put the gunpowder and the projectile inside. Aware of something, Astaroth turned around and saw them with the cannon. The soldier shouted nervously to his companion,
"Quick, the beast has seen us! Hurry up!"
"I'm trying!" Lifting his axe, the golem charged forward to their direction. At that moment, the fuse sizzled with sparks. Their distances were closing rapidly; it was the matter of life and death. Suddenly an exploding sound was heard and the ground in front blew apart with a thick smoke. The eerie silence filled around the place...
Slowly, the soldiers came out and watched the surrounding. There was no sign of the golem. One of them shouted joyfully,
"We did! We kill that bastard!" As they were elated with their apparent success, the dust and smoke subsidized and...revealing Astaroth who simply stunned by the explosion. He didn't suffer any injuries, save the black marks on the body due to the cannon projectile. Slowly, he turned to the soldiers as they stared him with utter terror. The golem roared furiously, while lifted his giant axe very high,
"DEYAAAH! Struggle! Begone! Get out of my sight!" Those poor soldiers could only hug each other and scream as Astaroth swung the weapon violently, cutting them along with the cannon...
In another direction, an army officer ran away from the carnage. He has witnessed the unknown giant ran amok and laid waste the encampment single-handedly. The giant also massacred his best men, along with the recruits. What he wanted now is to escape the nightmare. However, the officer didn't see the azure knight charging toward him with a black stallion. When he did, it was too late. Riding upon his steed, Nightmare stabbed the officer with his Soul Edge Zweihander and lifted him slowly. As his life was drained away, the poor man asked with unabashed horror,
"By God, what are you?" The knight answered with chilling voice,
"I am your death!" Afterward, he sent the body flying away from his blade and turned around to the now-demolished encampment. Deep inside, he believed that Soul Edge was satisfied, even though these people had offered a paltry resistance. He spotted Astaroth in the midst of the carnage, it seemed the golem had satisfied his lust.
That's enough for tonight! There would be another time...He turned to his newly found stallion, Satan and left the place.
Above, Raphael watched everything below impassively. Eighty soldiers were not a match against the azure knight and the golem. Even the cannon was failed to kill them. He assured himself that he still could in control of both, as long as he gave what they wanted. He knew the place where he could find the soldiers or brigands to feed off them, at least before he brought them to the place where he wanted them...
By then, the nobles should be terrified...let them feel the wrath of Nightmare. Once his job has done, I will have Soul Edge for myself...
The bonfire on the ransacked encampment still burnt...as Astaroth and Nightmare left,
Author's note: Finally, all SC characters from three consoles (except Berserker and Assassin) have been rounded all here! I only know Link from the late ' Legend of Zelda' and I like his attitude when he says 'Excuuuuuuse me, princess..." What do you think of that? Your reviews and suggestions are welcome.
If you noticed, Nightmare had his own steed for the first time. It has been long time Nightmare always walked by foot; so I added Satan as his horse and wondering how he perform his attacks while riding a stallion.
About Kilik and Xianghua, it is just my curiosity...
Berthine is Raphael's alias when he befriended Lumiere's master to acquire means for Amy. I will continue the next chapter, 'The Convergence' after finishing my compre. That's all! See you later!
Glossary:
Filipino:
Medyo ngantok ako (I'm a little bit sleepy)
Ang galing talaga ito (This is very amazing)
Gusto ko yun (I likes it)
Late morning at Ayutthaya,
Yunsung and Talim left the inn very early. The Korean looked fresh; it seemed he had slept well. In other hand, the young girl looked sleepy. She rubbed her eyes to keep awake. The youth asked,
"Talim, how are you?" The girl yawned,
"Medyo ngantok ako...you took my bed..." Yunsung answered innocently, while stretching his limbs,
"Sorry...I was very tired after fighting last night..." As they walked to the nearest intersection, Talim commented,
"Sayang, Ate Taki doesn't want to go with us..." The Korean brushed the conversation,
"Aah, forget her! She has her own business anyway..." Then he stopped at the crossroad,
"Let's see where is the direction to India...perhaps I'll ask someone first..." The girl watched him incredulously,
"I thought you already know the way..." The youth scratched his head,
"Well, it is my first time to going out from Choson Peninsula...I only remember Hwang's route..."
"Why don't you ask me?" They turned around and saw the ninja leaned at the direction sign. She folded her hand on the chest, while leaning on the wooden sign. Talim looked glad, while Yunsung only smug. The Filipino said,
"Ate, you're here...I thought you don't want to come with us," Taki smiled in return,
"Just say I've changed my mind...it's no harm to help young people like you..." However, the Korean asked her with suspicion,
"Why are you here?" Unfazed, the ninja answered,
"Outside, many people wanted the fragments for their own intention...she won't be able to protect it alone, much more with you!" She went closer and added,
"Beside, the people who were looking after the fragments of Soul Edge, are looking for me too. Together, we can protect each other backs..." The red-haired youth snorted in disgust,
"Thanks, but we don't need your assistance..." Taki didn't buy that; instead she challenged him,
"Ah, really? Then tell me, which way to go to India? Can you tell me that?" Yunsung was speechless; he fidgeted his fingers. He really didn't know which way that Hwang took. Not only that, he was forget to take Hwang's maps and notes. The silence was disturbing, but made everything clear. Shaking her head, the ninja said mockingly,
"Oh, silly boy...I really wonder what you're going to do if I'm not around. Follow me, I know the place..." Talim asked,
"Where are we going, Ate?" The pony-tailed woman answered,
"I'm going to show our means of transportation to India..."
Few hours later, they sat upon the back of the elephant. The great pachyderm passed the thick shrubs and trees calmly. A mahout sat on its head, sometimes tapped its skin gently to direct the beast. Talim was excited as she watched the surrounding atop the elephant. Behind her, Taki sat in meditating position, while Yunsung tried hard to keep sitting. The Korean was wobbly back and fro, like a swaying ship. He complained,
"Why don't we choose horses or anything else than this behemoth?" The ninja answered calmly,
"The elephant is the best means to pass the jungle, beside people will spot us easily if we picked the common trail," The young girl shouted happily,
"Ang galing talaga ito...gusto ko yun! How about you, Kuya Yunsung?" The red-haired youth replied,
"You call this enjoyable?" Suddenly he fell backward, much to his chagrin. Then Talim asked the ninja,
"Ate, when will we arrive?"
"If there's no problem, it will take 5 days to arrive at India with this transportation. After then, we'll continue to take colts to pass through Afghanistan. From there, we'll continue our journey through Ottoman Empire and take sea route to Balkan..." After settled down with lying, Yunsung followed the question,
"And then..."
"And then, we'll find whereabouts about Soul Edge. It will be easy once we're arrived at Europe..."
"Why don't we take sea route from India?" Taki turned to them with a serious stare,
"Too risky, I don't want to invite too much attention...that's why I take this trail." She stared again to the skies above her,
"This might take 2 1/2 months to arrive at Europe..." The Korean didn't ask anymore, while Talim still enjoyed the scenery before her. She could felt the soft breeze of winds,
Don't worry Talim, believe in yourself... Wind, guide me.
At the same time in Seung's residence,
"No! No! Mina, how many times I say that you won't going out?" Inside the guest room, an elderly man with white Korean traditional costume sat on the chair. Seung Mina stood not far from him; she now braided her hair at the back, while wearing her usual tribal costume. The girl begged,
"But, Father! I just want to bring Yunsung and the White Storm back! Beside there's nothing I can do here..." Han Myoung stared her only daughter with concern, and said,
"The situation is not allowing that, Mina! You know that the Japanese have starting to invade us...so the Emperor decided to shut some ports. At the same time, Admiral Lee Shun Shin has positioned the Coastal Defense Guard to block the enemy's movements there...No, I won't allow you to endanger yourself..." Yet, Mina wasn't about to giving up,
"Father, do you remember four years ago? I can guard myself...I've grown up already..."
"Yes, until Hwang dragged you back! My final answer is...no!" Realized that, the girl resorted to another trick. She quickly put a pouted face, while saying,
"Fine then! I won't eat or drink anything until you allowed me to go out!" She turned her back,
"I will lock myself in my room! If anything happens to me, don't blame me!" As Mina went to her room angrily, Master Han Myoung shook her head,
"Had you still alive, my wife...no doubt she would be an obedient daughter..."
Hours passed and the sun was very high. Han Myoung decided to visit her daughter's room. He knocked the door gently,
"Mina, come out now!" There was no answer. Han Myoung knocked again,
"Mina, let me in. I want to talk with you..." Then a voice came,
"The door is not locked..." Slowly, he pushed the door and entered. Mina sat sulked on her bed, however she had prepared everything including Scarlet Thunder, which lay at the bedside. The master shook his head, before he pulled the nearest chair. For a while, father and daughter didn't talk until Han Myoung took the initiative to start,
"Seung Mina...I do this because I really care you..." She didn't say anything. He sighed then,
"If you were a boy, the situation might be different...however, I realizes that there's no use to lock you or giving you to the unwanted marriage. Probably I might be relieved if I allowed you to go..." Slowly, the Korean girl turned to him,
"Father, are you serious? You will let me go this time?" The elderly master gave a fatherly smile,
"Yes, if I'm not doing that, you'll run away like before...go now! Show what you've learned here to the world!" Excited, Seung Mina hugged her father,
"Thanks, Father! I promise I'll return here with Yunsung!" She quickly took her zanbatou and sack, before going out from the room. Han Myoung followed her until outside. As he watched her daughter, something snuck to his mind,
"Strange, why do I feel something wrong?" His mind raced quickly until it dawned inside him,
She's not only after Yunsung! She's looking after the Sword of Salvation too! He bellowed very loud,
"MINA!!!" However, Seung Mina had disappeared from his sight. It seemed she had figured it out in advance. Han Myoung shook his head in amazement, while laughed inside,
"You're little trickster..." But he was proud to have such daughter like Mina,
"Go, Mina...find your destiny outside..."
Late afternoon at Romania,
Cassandra has walked quite far from Athens, but there was no clue about Soul Edge. The fragment inside her pocket was inert. She wondered whether the fragments were around. But she managed to eavesdrop the rumors about the azure knight who had the weapon called Soul Edge. Driven by the news, Cassandra decided to travel west. Behind her, Nemea Shield strapped tightly, while Omega Sword rested on her right hip. She bumped a black-cloaked figure,
"Oh, I sorry..." The Greek girl continued her journey,
When the girl bumped it, Charade had sensed something strange. It felt something...pure and divine, contrary to the essence inside itself! While cloaked in black tunic, the creature was well covered. Nobody suspected it as long as the cloak was covered it. It turned to the blond-haired girl who was quite far. No doubt, the pure aura came out from her. As long as she's alive, Charade's existence would be imperiled. The divine aura of Hephaestus was its bane! The girl must be eliminated with all costs! The creature began to tail Cassandra. Suddenly the religious procession passed between them. Charade was bewildered, but it was unable to do anything until the procession finished. Once the procession was over, the Greek girl has gone! It couldn't find her track! However, something else had attracted its attention. A band of Russian warriors went to its direction and they had the fragments...the girl could wait, but it wouldn't forget her...
At the same time in Athena,
Sophitia Alexandra packed her belongings, yet her heart was heavy to doing this. She turned to the sleeping children; they were looked feverish. She knew what caused the illness to her beloved ones and she would take care that once and for all. Then a brown-haired man entered the room, his face looked anxious as he asked her,
"Are you leaving now, Sophitia?" The blond-haired woman turned to him,
"I wish I had a choice, Rothion... I can't stand here only, while watching our children suffers!" The blacksmith didn't say anything; instead he went to children and touched their cheek,
"The fever won't going down...Sophitia, I hate to allow you doing this. It is supposedly my job..." Sophitia replied,
"No, Rothion! Pyrrha and Patroklos needs you now," She sighed, "Cassandra already gone with Omega Sword and Nemea Shield, no doubt that she's looking for the damned blade as well..."
"She's doing that because she doesn't want to lose you..."
"That's why I have to go! If not, we're going to lose everything to Soul Edge and that, I cannot allow! I must go now..." As she started to leave, Rothion called her,
"Wait, Sophitia! I have something for you..." He turned to the nearest shelves and took something wrapped with tunic. When he opened the tunic, the Greek woman couldn't hold her surprise,
"That..." Rothion showed him another short sword and small shield. He explained,
"After Casandra disappeared, a voice told me about your holy mission in my dream. I plead to replace you, but I was refused. Instead, it instructed me to find the holy ore and make these weapons to replace the one that Cassandra took..." Sophitia went closer to him and touched the new set of Omega Sword and Elk Shield. The blacksmith stared his beloved wife adoringly like staring a goddess,
"Probably, this is not superior than the original one, but one thing I want you to know, Sophitia...they are embodiment of my love to you. Whenever you go, I always be with you and protect you..." Unable to hold her emotion, she hugged and kissed him. Rothion returned the kiss passionately. In between the kisses, Sophitia said,
"By Hephaestus' name, I swear I will be back with Cassandra, Rothion..."
"I believe you...and I love you, darling!"
"Me too..."
Two weeks later on the Indian Ocean,
The merchant ship rocked gently upon the waves, as the seagulls flew over it. The sun shone brightly on top of Maxi. He sat on the deck, while staring the blue ocean. He already switched his costume with white blazer and pants. The wind strokes his jutted black hair like a lover's touch. However, the pirate looked serious. Then someone greeted,
"Good morning..." Maxi turned and saw Kilik and Xianghua nearby. The girl greeted him with her smile,
"Hi, Maxi! How are you...?" The pirate replied absentmindedly,
"If you ask me, I'm fine..." The young man went closer to him, and said with sympathy,
"Still thinking your departed one?" Maxi sighed,
"They are the part of my life, when I'd decided to be an adventurer...a pirate. They're almost like my family in Ryukyu...especially Kyam..." Xianghua listened to him,
"We've trailed everywhere and sharing fun together! Have you imagined having someone to share everything with, Kilik?" Kilik shook his head, unable to answer the question. He has been orphaned since birth, and then raised by the monks of the Ling-Sheng-Su Temple. There he came to know Xianglian, his sworn sister. When the Evil Seed rained the temple, he was forced to kill those whom he loved in order to defend himself, including Xianglian. Before madness took her, she managed to put Dvapara-Yuga on him. At the end, he found himself standing among the corpses. What broke his heart into pieces was her lifeless body in front of him. Kilik was sure that he would kill himself out of remorse, if Edge Master didn't come to the temple. The old warrior decided to make the temple as a funeral pyre. As the smoke billowed from the burned temple and fire consumed those who had died inside, Kilik swore with his late sister's name that he would make amends for his sins...by destroying Soul Edge.
He turned to the pirate and pondered that their life weren't so different after all. He and Maxi both lost their loved ones. Then the pirate's angry words took him back,
"Everything's fine until that unnatural freak took their lives...I won't forget the day when Astaroth took everything I loved dearly from me!" Maxi gritted his teeth,
"I swear I will end the freak's life for good!! By then, I would be satisfied..." The young man didn't answer. Maxi was lucky; he knew the murderer of his crew...but him? Could he avenge Xianglian's death after knowing that he was the one who was responsible for her death? Was it meant that he had to kill himself? He immediately banished such thought from his mind,
Never! Had I killed myself, Xianglian has died for nothing! She wants me to live...Edge Master told me that suicide wouldn't solve anything! I must live! I have to live to prevent the same tragedy befall to others...
He spoke up, "Maxi, I understood your anger, however there's more important things than vengeance...have you think that before?" The pirate startled with his words, however he didn't contest him.
"Strange that you mentions it now, somehow I remember something else...but yet I can't recall it...it seems very vague..." Suddenly, Xianghua's face brightened and she instantly went closer,
"Yes, Maxi! Tell us..." The pirate thought harder; he tried to dig his mind deeper. Kilik watched intensely until a grumbling sound came. Holding his stomach, Maxi smiled sheepishly to them,
"I just remember I haven't taken breakfast this morning..." Kilik and Xianghua drooped their head after heard the revelation. The pirate said,
"Come, I'm going first..." After he left them, the Chinese girl shook her head,
"Well, here's old Maxi, unaware of our presence..." The young man replied,
"Take patience, Xiang. It must be hard to not remember whom his friends are...he will remember later once we've arrived at Europe. Once he saw Osthreinsburg Castle, I hope his memories will be restored..." Then he went to the hull of the ship, followed by Xianghua. Suddenly she asked him,
"I have a question, Kilik. Have you loved someone before?" Her question took him by surprise. Yet, he answered,
"No, why do you ask that?" The former Imperial Guard pondered, before asking him again,
"What do you think of me? Am I beautiful?" Kilik was surprised, however he asked her back,
"Xianghua, what is the matter? I never see you like this..." She sighed,
"Kilik, I simply wondering why nobody take me seriously...since my mother's death, I buried myself in training. Even so, it is fail to keep my desire to be loved." Xianghua turned to the blue ocean,
"That's another reason why I resigned myself from Imperial Guard...even the warrior wants to be loved...is it wrong to be loved, Kilik?" Slowly, he held her shoulders and said gently,
"No, Xiang...you don't do anything wrong. Sometimes we simply forgotten how to love someone...it has nothing to do with the outward appearance. It is simply coming from inside...inside our hearts," Without warning, Xianghua hugged him and caressed his chest. As the girl hugged upon him, the memories came back to him and it pained him deeply. Somehow Xianghua's face transformed into Xianglian's dying face in his sight. Unconsciously, he distanced himself from her. The girl was surprised with the action.
"What's wrong, Kilik? Did I hurt you?" Kilik shook his head, but he was unable to stare at her,
"No...I'm sorry, Xianghua...Would you excuse me?" Then he left the girl who watched him with a dejected look. She asked herself,
Why, Kilik? Why do you holding back yourself? What are you afraid of? The ocean was silent, as Xianghua turned back to the cabin.
Below the deck of the same ship, Mitsurugi and Yoshimitsu had taken some ration from the nearby cargo. They managed to sneak inside the ship through the cargo boxes. Once inside, they took the most secluded place. While they started to eat, Heihachi snorted disgustedly,
"Ridiculous! Mishima Heihachi has to sneak inside the ship like a rat? It is very humiliating!" The ronin laughed,
"Well, if you were cooperative since beginning, we don't have to act like the stowaways..." Then he offered a salted fish to Heihachi,
"Here is a food for you. Do you want some for you?" The patriarch turned his head haughtily, ignoring the offer. The ninja took a black lacquered box and opened it; it has contained kinds of sushi. He commented,
"Luckily, I managed to bring something before I left Japan..." Mitsurugi didn't answer; he simply took some sushi and gulped it immediately. He quipped,
"Too bad, there's no wine around here..." However, the masked ninja took a jug of wine behind him, as he chuckled loosely,
"Funny, you should mention that," Heihachi couldn't help himself to watch his companions ate. Finally he went closer and sat. The ronin joked,
"Changing your mind?" Heihachi barked impatiently,
"Shut up! Give me the wine and the sushi!" Yoshimitsu put the jug and the box close to the champion of the Iron Fist Tournament in the future , who ate and drank greedily. The critters inside watched them without blinking...
At the same time on France,
The mansion was very huge and designed with an astonishing luxury. It was two-store tall and two wings at both sides. The front was facing the beautiful garden. The gardener tended the garden regularly, while the servants took care the mansion. The iron gates stood open, as the walls circled its premises. Then someone entered the gate calmly. Everyone took notice of the person, but they were astonished then. A cheer came them,
"Monsieur Berthine has returned! Monsieur has returned!!" Everyone inside came out to greet the guest who had returned. As the people gathered around him, Raphael merely smiled or waved back. Not for long, an old, bearded man came to him. He wore a black coat, like what the butlers wore. He said,
"Monsieur...it has been a long time since you've left us! We're glad that you've finally return here..." Dismounted himself from the horse, Raphael replied,
"Well, I have something pressing, Lumiere...how is the situation?" The butler nodded understandingly. As the young master walked toward the door, he turned again,
"By the way, where is Amy?" Lumiere gestured him to turn around and an auburn-haired girl stood behind. She wore the plain blue clothing and tried her best to look happy, but then her eyes were betraying her. Then Raphael went closer and took her gladly,
"My little mademoiselle, Amy...how are you?" The girl asked him instead,
"Why do you leave me, Papa? I thought you wouldn't leave me..." The blond-haired man was silent, yet Amy asked again,
"Did I do something that makes you angry, Papa?" He replied softly,
"No, Amy...Papa doesn't angry with you. Papa have something important...for you; that's why Papa go temporarily..." The girl hugged him, pleading,
"Please, don't leave Amy again, Papa..." Raphael patted her shoulder gently; he couldn't say that he was looking for Soul Edge only for her. At the same time, another guest entered. It was a dirty brown-cloaked man who rode a huge black horse. The horse snorted, while the blood-red eyes glowed. Since the cloak has covered him, anyone couldn't see the man's face. Instantly, the situation turned uncomfortable. Raphael became serious as he saw the mysterious person. Lumiere watched him nervously. As everyone wondered, the French announced,
"Listen, all of you! Here is my friend, Monsieur Soir...I met him during my journey. Since nobody cared him, I decided to invite him stay in the mansion for a while..." A murmur came among the people, yet Raphael continued,
"Since he has an incurable illness, I'll be the one who take care of him and your Lord has given me permission to allow him to stay for a certain time. Nobody allowed to come into Monsieur Soir's room without my permission and nobody tell about him to others, understood?" Everyone nodded as they listened to the instructions. When they dispersed, 'Monsieur Soir' dismounted from his horse and landed with clank on the ground. Raphael gestured him to bring his horse to the stable. The man didn't reply; he simply went to the stable with the horse.
Few minutes later, Raphael brought his mysterious visitor inside the mansion. He showed him the fabulous library inside. The huge windows allowed the sunshine to pour inside, while the shelves of books surrounded the place. The immaculate carpeting covered its floor. Pillars distinguish each area of books. From the library, people could see the ground floor below, close to the front door. Then Raphael gestured the butler to let the curtain fall to cover the windows. After that, he sent him out and turned to Soir. The cloaked figure stared him with...crimson eyes. A hoarse voice came out,
"I have to compliment you for this residence..." The French didn't smile; he said cautiously,
"I hope I have your words about my households..." 'Monsieur Soir' or aptly called Nightmare pulled the nearby chair and sat upon it. The cloak fell and revealed the deformed right hand, which almost dwarfed the chair. The knight lifted his chin, staring his erstwhile ally,
"You have my words...no harm shall come upon them. Now it is your turn to fulfill the promise..." Clearing his throat, Raphael said,
"Tonight, I will bring you to the place where you can feed Soul Edge with strong souls as much as you want..."
At the hill overlooking the mansion, Astaroth stood stoically, watching the building without any expression...
Meanwhile at the small town near Sarajevo,
Sophitia had walked quite far, however she was clueless to Cassandra's whereabouts. She thought at first, that her sister took the same road that led her to Soul Edge. But then it was soon clear to her that Cassandra might take different path from her. It was the same case of her when she tracked Soul Edge for the first time. As she walked around, her mind went to Rothion and her children. Then something else entered her mind; the image of the black, pony-tailed woman materialized inside. She couldn't forget her, because she owed her life to the woman. Yet, Sophitia shuddered as she remembered when she fought Cervantes in the grueling fight seven years ago. Had the woman didn't helped her, she sure she would surely dead. Instinctively, she sighed,
I wish she were here...
When she passed a tavern, suddenly someone was pushed outside. Sophitia jumped in surprise, when realized the man was landed in front of her. She saw clearly that it wasn't a man, but a young man...or something like that. The man wore a green robe of sorts that cover his entire upper body and a long green elven cap resting on his long blonde hair. His pointy, left ear contains a blue earring. He also wore a rope belt, the brownish boots, with gold trim, and his pants match his green robe. His left hand held a shield, his sword in the other. From the tavern, the raucous taunts came,
"Get lost, freak! You're not welcome here!!" The young man shouted back,
"Excuuuuse me! I'm not a freak; I am an elf!! Can you differentiate them?" As an answer, the door was closed with loud slam. Sophitia helped him to stand and asked,
"Pardon me, are you all right?" The man complained,
"All right? What else can going wrong today?" He was stunned like a statue, when he saw her. Instantly, he gave a bow,
"Oh, forgive me for my rudeness, princess! I don't mean to..." The Greek smiled,
"It is my first time when someone calls me princess...look, my name is Sophitia Alexandra and you are..." Brushed his blonde hair, the elf answered with certain tone,
"Link of Hyrule... at your service, Princess Sophitia..."
Back to France,
As the night fell, the mansion was dark. Yet, Lumiere and some servants carried the lanterns outside; they patiently waited something. Then Raphael came out with his usual costume, only this time he wore a red-feathered hat. His horse has been prepared nearby. He asked the butler casually,
"Is everything ready, Lumiere?" The old butler replied,
"Everything's set, Monsieur...may I know where you are going, Sir?" As he mounted his steed, the former noble answered with a reassuring smile,
"Don't worry, I won't be long..." Meanwhile, Soir/Nightmare had taken his own steed and rode it already. The horse's eye looked blazing in the dark, everyone nearby was shuddered with fear. The knight had put his cloak back; now he stared the French intensely. Before he departed, Raphael turned to the window at the second floor of the right wing and saw Amy standing there. He waved the girl, who returned it blankly. After that, the blond-haired man commanded,
"Open the gate!" Slowly but sure, the iron gates were pulled up, allowing both riders to going out from the mansion. They paced their steed to the nearest hill, where they would meet Astaroth there.
Four hours later, the unholy company has arrived at the grassy hill, overlooking the plain below. The huge tents arranged in orderly fashion, were standing on the plain. The bonfires were alight, as many people surrounded it. They wore the French military uniforms, complete with insignia and emblems. Cannons lined nearby the armaments, while the rifles were lying in stacks. Somehow the people on the encampment were unaware of the presence of the uninvited guests at the nearby hill.
The azure knight turned to the French,
"These are the people that you've promised?" Raphael answered,
"They were coming from the Provincial Regiment, but they also served the pompous noble...Sir, these people are experienced and battle-hardened; I think they were suitable for this..." Nightmare didn't answer, he never fought a company of soldiers before. Somehow it was a challenge for him, but Soul Edge was with him. He would manage. Then he turned to the golem who watched people below with hunger. It was hard for Astaroth to restrain his lust of souls, even for an hour. Had Nightmare didn't stop him, surely he would slaughter Raphael's household like what he usually did. He asked,
"What do you think, Astaroth? Were these people meeting our desire?" The champion of Ares grinned only,
"Amuse me again!" Turning his steed to the plain, Nightmare said to Raphael,
"Stay here, we won't be long there..." The French was too happy to comply. He watched the knight and the golem went down, while keeping his cold smile in check. He was going to enjoy watching the nobles became aware that their lull of security and comfort would be disappeared soon. He was going to enjoy it greatly.
Not for few hours, the encampment was thrown into chaos when Nightmare and Astaroth strikes. The screams and shrieks was heard everywhere,
"Demons! Malheur!!"
"Sapristi! Help me!!"
"Kill him..." Nervously, the soldiers lined themselves and targeted the havoc-wreaking golem with their bayoneted flintlocks. The awaited command came,
"Fire!!" The rifles barked simultaneously, but then the bullets did no harm to Astaroth. The giant laughed gleefully,
"Don't make me laugh! Do you want to die that badly?" The terrified soldiers scattered, while the rest stood their ground and began to reload their rifles again. Before they had a chance to fire again, Astaroth cut them all with a mighty swipe. He continued to swipe the area around with Kulutues. An unlucky soldier tried to escape, however the crazed golem picked and threw him to the air. As he fell down, Astaroth caught him with the backbreakeresque manner, cracking the soldier's spine with a resounding noise.
"Dead already? Heh, hmm... hehmm!" He continued to kill anyone who still breathed in his path. At the same time, two nervous soldiers went to a lone cannon and pushed it as they could to their desired position. They pointed the cannon to the golem who just picked another victim and threw him airborne before he dangled and stabbed the victim thrice with his axe. One of them quickly took matches and began to light the fuse, while the other put the gunpowder and the projectile inside. Aware of something, Astaroth turned around and saw them with the cannon. The soldier shouted nervously to his companion,
"Quick, the beast has seen us! Hurry up!"
"I'm trying!" Lifting his axe, the golem charged forward to their direction. At that moment, the fuse sizzled with sparks. Their distances were closing rapidly; it was the matter of life and death. Suddenly an exploding sound was heard and the ground in front blew apart with a thick smoke. The eerie silence filled around the place...
Slowly, the soldiers came out and watched the surrounding. There was no sign of the golem. One of them shouted joyfully,
"We did! We kill that bastard!" As they were elated with their apparent success, the dust and smoke subsidized and...revealing Astaroth who simply stunned by the explosion. He didn't suffer any injuries, save the black marks on the body due to the cannon projectile. Slowly, he turned to the soldiers as they stared him with utter terror. The golem roared furiously, while lifted his giant axe very high,
"DEYAAAH! Struggle! Begone! Get out of my sight!" Those poor soldiers could only hug each other and scream as Astaroth swung the weapon violently, cutting them along with the cannon...
In another direction, an army officer ran away from the carnage. He has witnessed the unknown giant ran amok and laid waste the encampment single-handedly. The giant also massacred his best men, along with the recruits. What he wanted now is to escape the nightmare. However, the officer didn't see the azure knight charging toward him with a black stallion. When he did, it was too late. Riding upon his steed, Nightmare stabbed the officer with his Soul Edge Zweihander and lifted him slowly. As his life was drained away, the poor man asked with unabashed horror,
"By God, what are you?" The knight answered with chilling voice,
"I am your death!" Afterward, he sent the body flying away from his blade and turned around to the now-demolished encampment. Deep inside, he believed that Soul Edge was satisfied, even though these people had offered a paltry resistance. He spotted Astaroth in the midst of the carnage, it seemed the golem had satisfied his lust.
That's enough for tonight! There would be another time...He turned to his newly found stallion, Satan and left the place.
Above, Raphael watched everything below impassively. Eighty soldiers were not a match against the azure knight and the golem. Even the cannon was failed to kill them. He assured himself that he still could in control of both, as long as he gave what they wanted. He knew the place where he could find the soldiers or brigands to feed off them, at least before he brought them to the place where he wanted them...
By then, the nobles should be terrified...let them feel the wrath of Nightmare. Once his job has done, I will have Soul Edge for myself...
The bonfire on the ransacked encampment still burnt...as Astaroth and Nightmare left,
Author's note: Finally, all SC characters from three consoles (except Berserker and Assassin) have been rounded all here! I only know Link from the late ' Legend of Zelda' and I like his attitude when he says 'Excuuuuuuse me, princess..." What do you think of that? Your reviews and suggestions are welcome.
If you noticed, Nightmare had his own steed for the first time. It has been long time Nightmare always walked by foot; so I added Satan as his horse and wondering how he perform his attacks while riding a stallion.
About Kilik and Xianghua, it is just my curiosity...
Berthine is Raphael's alias when he befriended Lumiere's master to acquire means for Amy. I will continue the next chapter, 'The Convergence' after finishing my compre. That's all! See you later!
Glossary:
Filipino:
Medyo ngantok ako (I'm a little bit sleepy)
Ang galing talaga ito (This is very amazing)
Gusto ko yun (I likes it)