=The Convergence=
Part II
Early afternoon, near the outskirts of France,
Set her breath, Xianghua lifted her sword over the head. She wore her red corset again, while fixed her attention to the sword. Then she swung the sword high before she continued with a midstab. After that, Xianghua ran forward and made a wide horizontal arc slash. She shouted,
"Rhythm Break!" She twirled her sword at the midsection range, before lunged forward and twirled again her sword twice. Finished with the movement, she slashed vertically,
"Mei Guai Hua!" She sidestepped a little to the left, pushing forward with the sword. Suddenly she went to the ground and spun,
"Hou Lee!" Followed by two low sweeps, Xianghua performed a wide horizontal slash,
"Cross Lian Hua!" With that, she closed her sword practice. Then a clapping sound came. She saw Maxi standing behind her. The pirate said,
"I must say that is really good…" The Chinese girl blushed only,
"You're flattering me, Ma…I mean, Sir! I am merely practicing my moves!"
"Yes, but that is so beautiful. I almost thought that you were dancing," Put her sword away, Xianghua replied,
"You're not mistaken. I once was the dancer in the Imperial Troupe; our styles are based from the Chinese opera and traditional dancing. From there, we're integrated the martial arts inside. Have you seen the dance before?"
Maxi shook his head, "No, I don't know! By the way, where is Kilik?"
"He was looking for the information and food…" Felt tired, Xianghua sat upon the grass. Then the pirate asked again,
"Miss Xiang, may I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead!" Looked uncomfortable, Maxi asked,
"What is the relationship between you and Kilik?" The girl was surprised with the question,
"No offense, Sir! Why do you ask that?" The pirate pulled his breath, before threw himself to the grass,
"Well, probably it is just my hunch! I always watching both of you; it is clear that you like him very much, but he doesn't know what to do…" The former Imperial Guard startled to hear that. Even when they were together three years ago, Maxi always teased them for not showing their true feelings. She wondered whether he regains his memories again. Intended to divert the conversation, she said,
"We're…just friends. How about you, Sir Maxi? Do you have someone to love?" Maxi laughed,
"My one and only love is the sea…I can't be a good lover, but I can become a good sailor!" Slowly, his face turned gloom,
"Probably I'll return to the sea again, after I'm making sure that Astaroth won't back again…" Then the girl asked,
"Where have you been after fighting Astaroth?" Suddenly, the pirate was silent for a moment. Realizing that, Xianghua quickly said,
"If you don't want to answer, that's all right…" However, Maxi sighed only,
"After my last fight with the monster, I fall to the underground river and was discovered by the villagers. They nursed and tended me like one of their own. I might stay there for good if…" Gritting his teeth in anger, he seethed upon the name that he hated so much,
"…Astaroth hasn't back from the dead! It seems I have to finish my job!" Touching his jutted hair, Maxi quipped,
"But strange…I really remember that I had some friends before, but I couldn't recall their name." Astonished, the Chinese girl remembered what Kilik had said to her. Maxi hasn't forgot them entirely! Before Xianghua said something, Kilik appeared to them. He looks surprised, but didn't spoke until Maxi asked,
"Hi, we're just talking about you! Where have you been?" The bearer of Kali-Yuga answered monotonously,
"I just come back from the nearest village for food…and I heard something about Astaroth there!" The mere mention of the name roused the pirate's spirit. Rising up, he asked,
"What is the news?" Kilik put his loads on the grass, before turned to Maxi,
"Rumors said that the giant and the azure knight had terrorized the Southern part of France. Many armed brigands had been massacred and the nobles begged the King to send his Imperial Army to hunt them. Yet, nobody knows where the giant and the knight hid!" Maxi cracked his knuckles, before commenting,
"That's sounds good!" Turning to Xianghua and then to Kilik again, he spoke,
"Oh, I have something to do! Just be sure to leave some food for me…" As the pirate departed, the Chinese girl tried to explain,
"Kilik, it is not like what you think…" The young man replied gently, almost like a soft cut,
"You don't have to explain everything, Xiang…" While taking care their provisions, Xianghua quipped,
"Are you jealous, aren't you?" Kilik answered with a forced smile, something between denial and confirmation,
"Jealous? It isn't your concern…" The girl smiled inside,
You are not good in lying, Kilik. I know that you're jealous to Maxi…Maxi is right, you only don't know how to express your feelings! But you will soon…
At the same time, in other place
A company of thirteen men and a wagon trailed the secluded road. The wagon was carrying the peasant's taxes for the corrupt nobles. If they couldn't pay, their properties would be seized by force. As the company moved, they saw a falling tree blocking the road. However, they also saw a bald, white-mustached man sit on the falling tree. They went closer to the man and commanded,
"Please give the way!" The man didn't answer. Then the black-bearded man repeated again,
"Are you deaf? Give the way for us!" There was no answer! Irritated, the black-bearded man dismounted his horse, followed by his companions. In no time, they had surrounded the mysterious man, while prepared their weapons like clubs, whips etc. The bearded man spoke with threatening note,
"If you won't listen us, this one can teach you to speak!" He swung his whip toward Mishima Heihachi, only to be caught by him. Slowly, the Iron Fist Champion glared him coldly,
"Who do you think you are? Dammit!" With such swiftness, Heihachi sent Death Fist to the bearded man that sent him lying very far. Another attacker swirled his club toward the old warrior, however he immediately tasted three jabs and one uppercut. Stomping his geta, Heihachi punched the nearby thug with Lightning Hammer. In a moment, the rest were hesitated to attack him. He mocked,
"Hmph! Insolent fool!"
Meanwhile behind the wagon, five people were left behind to guard. Yet the noise invited their curiosity. Preparing for the worst, they clicked their flintlock rifle and pistol. At that time, the masked ninja appeared in front of them. He wore green armor and three masks. The skull mask at his right, the smiling mask at the left and the demon at the middle. The orange banner flew behind him. Before they could recover from shock, Yoshimitsu shouted,
"Stone Fist!" Instantly, he backhanded them, sending his opponents reeling. The other thug tried to cock his flint, but the Manji hit his jaw first with the handle of his katana. Roared, another thug swung the spiked club. Without turning back, the ninja spins his trusted sword like a helicopter and caught the thug before throwing him head first. As he landed, another thug greeted him by swinging his huge, spiked club to him. Yet, Yoshimitsu kept his calm.
"Futile! Pomegranate!" After saying that, he performed an uppercut slash that instantly made his opponent stagger. Not ending with that, he juggled to the air and sent a pile-driving kick to the thug's jaw. His problem hasn't over yet; the other two clicked their flintlocks and fired. Yoshimitsu spun his body faster and…he vanished from their sight. As they still stunned, the ninja appeared again at behind them, without they knows it. He took a deep breath, trying to relieve his exhaustion of performing Spinning Evasion. Few seconds later, he stormed toward them, shouting,
"Shark Attack!" Yoshimitsu opened his first attack with a cartwheel that swept their feet from the ground, followed by the drilling punches to their jaws, and finally closed by a handstand kick to each of them. The thugs couldn't do anything, and they flopped like a grain sack with the bruised faces. Juggled backward, the ninja landed softly and felt victorious.
Two thugs want to join the fray, but a rugged voice stopped them,
"Don't blame me when you get hurt." They turned around and saw another Japanese behind them. He has his hair pulled up into a ponytail this time, letting some strands billow in the wind in front of his face. He wore what looks like half of a white toga across his chest and waist, and baggy black and whitepants, with a light belt. White flames are shown towards the bottoms of his pants. The thugs quickly pointed their weapons, but Heishiro Mitsurugi crouched, pivoted and sent a powerful low horizontal slash to his opponent's shins. The thugs howled in pain, when they fell to the ground. Yet one of them stubbornly attacked the ronin again. He merely smirked,
"Don't know when to quit, do you?" Instead attacking first, Mitsurugi waited until his opponent came closer. When their distance was close, he spun around the thug swiftly. Before the opponent realized what next, the ronin slammed Shishi-Oh to his body. The thug watched with disbelief, as Mitsurugi jerked the blade violently from his body and he had only a few moments to register the face, as he fell upon the ground.
At the same time, their friends had tried to run from Heihachi. Disappointed to not getting the worthy opponent, he simply lashed his frustration by pummeling those thugs into pulp. One of them tried to escape, but the Iron Fist Champion grabbed his collar and turned the man to face him,
"Where do you think you're going, huh? The party hasn't over yet!" The poor man trembled in his iron clutches, even he started to urinate inside his trousers. The patriarch smiled wryly,
"Don't worry, I will release you…from the earthly pain!" With that, Heihachi took the man's head and head butted it with his well-shaved head. The thug instantly felt something was cracking inside his head and everything turned into night…
In no time, the guards were taken down. The beaten thugs were scattered around Heihachi, who haughtily snorted. Yoshimitsu immediately climbed the wagon, while the ronin waited. He spoke to the ninja,
"I wonder why we follow your plan to rob this things…" The Manji replied,
"These things are belongs to the peasants, but the corrupt nobles robs them! We're doing the good deed by returning it to them," Heihachi commented,
"There's nobody innocent in this world, not even your 'peasants'," Instead retorts, Yoshimitsu sighed,
"The similarities between you and these nobles are power, Heihachi-san. People like you, thinking that being powerful gives you permission to do anything you pleases," When he broke the chest, the rusted irons and coins greeted him. Alarmed, the ninja shouted,
"We have been tricked! This is the trap!" Then they saw another company pointing their muskets to them. The one-eyed, black-mustached man watched them with satisfaction, however it wasn't the one who made the Manji surprised. He saw someone familiar…a fat-looking man and hissed with disgust,
"Comte Duc Salle!" The noble greeted him,
"Ah, my friend Yoshimitsu! Long time to not see each other. Am I right, Desgrand?" The one-eyed man nodded. Heihachi and Mitsurugi almost went to their attacking position, had the ninja not stopped them. The ronin asked,
"Do you know that toad, ninja?" The Manji answered with hushed voice,
"I've helped him three years ago when we planned to hijack the King's treasury, however he turned his back upon me by taking the half of the treasure for himself…" Heihachi smiled cynically,
"What goes around always, always comes around…" Mitsurugi grunted to him, however Yoshimitsu ignored him. Turning to the loathed noble, he said calmly,
"You have the advantage, it would seem. What do you want?" Duc Salle chuckled darkly,
"I've been waiting this moment since you've foiled my plans three years ago and killing you and your friends should be easy like clicking a finger," Yet he continued,
"However, things change. It seems I have to ask your help again this time!" Yoshimitsu tried to suppress his laugh, yet he asked in sarcasm,
"What can I help you, Comte? Expect me to join your band of robbers to rob the peasants?" The noble shook his head,
"No, that would the least thing you wanted! Beside this is suitable for you as a warrior…do you know Nightmare the Azure Knight?" The words struck those warriors like a lightning. However, the Manji controlled himself,
"Has he been here?"
"Yes, he has been here two and a half months ago! Actually, I want to ask the King to send his army, but then I remembered you! Therefore I risked this to lure you…and it succeed!" Unimpressed, the ninja asked again,
"What do we get if we could kill the Azure Knight for you?" Duc Salle clicked his finger and his men opened the way for them,
"I'll let you live and forget our past, and I'll stop from chasing the peasants, what do you think?" Yoshimitsu didn't like this, but then compared with Nightmare, Duc Salle posed a lesser threat. Their situation couldn't allow having a win-win solution. Finally, he said dejectedly,
"Fine, you don't have to ask me! I'll hunt the Azure Knight by myself and I hope you keep your words…" As they passed the company, the noble called Heihachi,
"Wait, would you like to be my bodyguard? I'll pay you handsomely…" The patriarch smirked,
"No, thanks! You can't pay me…" When they left, Desgrand asked his master,
"Comte, do you intends to keep your words?" Duc Salle smiled,
"Only for now…why should I waste the bullets? Nightmare will do it for us…now, let's go back to the chateau!"
Late sunset, near the border of Hungaria,
"Unh…" Those were the first words that came out from Taki's mouth. She opened her eyes slowly and greeted by the sunlight. Then she touched her forehead and found the bandage around her head. Not for long, someone exclaimed,
"Gising ka, Ate! Salamat, you're all right!" When the ninja tried to rise, a wracking sensation gripped her head. Talim immediately helped her,
"Dahan-dahan, Ate! You're not well yet, your wound was not healed." Taki put herself leaning on the nearest rock. After that, she asked the girl,
"Where am I? Where is the Korean?"
"Kuya Yunsung is gathering some firewood. We have found you at the foot of the hill. Thankfully, I brought some medicinal herbals from my place. Your wound will be healed in 2 days…"
"Where do you learn the herbalists?"
"My grandmother taught me," Talim stopped for a while, before asking again, "Ate, what happened with you? Were you attacked by the people who were looking for the fragments?" Taki didn't answer; she remembered her fight with Charade and it was burned deeply inside her. Instantly, she reached the bandage to take it off, but the Filipino stopped her,
"Huwag, Ate! Let it be for tomorrow! It will be okay as long as nobody touched it!" At the same time, Yunsung has returned with the firewood. Piling the woods, he commented,
"Finally, you're awake…Talim has worried you so much!" Sensing a hint of dislike, the black-haired woman asked with a gentle smirk,
"And you? Are you not worrying me?" The Korean replied without turning to her,
"No offense, Japanese! I don't like you, but it doesn't mean I like to see you dead," Then Taki remembered,
"The fragments?" She quickly took something from her pocket and found the fragment still there. Talim quickly answered,
"Huwag mag-aala, I still have mine!" Breathed with relief, the ninja touched Rekki-maru behind her, but when she checked the other one and couldn't find the ninjato, the dread feeling filled her instantly. She frowned nervously when realize Mekki-maru wasn't with her. Then something dawned inside,
Mekki-maru must be with that cursed creature!! The girl sensed something wrong,
"Bakit, Ate? Is there something wrong?" Quickly, Taki hid her feeling behind smile,
"Nothing, there is nothing wrong! Thanks for your help…" As Talim went to Yunsung, the ninja felt her mind was in turmoil. Everything was out of control; it ignited the steely resolve in her mind,
Tonight I will get it back!
Miles from there, Cassandra brushed the dead leaves from the mansion's garden. From Lumiere, she got the job as a gardener's helper. It didn't bother the Greek terribly, as she was used to be doing any hard works for her family, especially with Sophitia. When she was close at the front yard, she stopped for a while, watching her master at the second store. Raphael was teaching Amy to play the piano. For the girl who spent her childhood in the slums, playing piano was an absurdity, not to mention, waste of time. However, the young master of Sorel wanted her to be preoccupied with other things. So far, she could play some notes, though not so much.
Suddenly, a sharp, feminine voice jerked Cassandra back to reality.
"Excuse me, could you tell me who the master of this mansion?" She turned back and saw a tall, fair-skinned and white-haired woman standing behind her. She wore a black, veiled hat and purple gown with low chest, which made her chest almost, came out. Her long purple skirt has some cleavage beside her right hip. The woman's golden eyes stared the Greek girl condescendingly. Cassandra found that she started to dislike the woman. Then the woman looked at her with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
She asked again, "Excuse me, are you listening me or not? Do you know the master of the mansion?" Gritting her teeth, Cassandra answered irritably,
"Yes, the mansion is belongs to Monsieur Louis Berthine…what do you want, milady?" Disdained her, the woman replied,
"Tell your master that he has a visitor…go on, tell him now!" The Greek girl gripped her broom to the breaking point; the woman's arrogance was too much to bear and she has offended her Grecian pride. Without her knowledge, Raphael had seen them from above and immediately sent Lumiere. Before Cassandra intended to lash back, the butler has arrived and asked the strange visitor,
"What can I help you, mademoiselle?"
Few minutes later, the mysterious woman has been inside the mansion. She stood calmly, waiting in the living room. Lumiere stood nearby the door. The French came in with the blue suit, brown trousers and leather gloves. He asked politely,
"How can I entertain you, mademoiselle? May I know your name?" The woman turned to him and answered,
"My name is Isabella Valentine, or you can call me Countess Valentine, Monsieur Berthine. I have come from England for a single purpose," Raphael nodded only, before he gestured Lumiere to provide drinks and showed her the chairs. After pulling another chair, he faced her straightly and asked,
"What is the purpose, mademoiselle? It must be important that it can brings an English noble to come to France…" Ivy merely smiled,
"Finding Nightmare the Azure Knight!"
Soir/Nightmare was just passing by when he heard the English woman spoke the name. Curious, he went closer to the door and peeked slightly.
Raphael tried to keep his façade neutral, yet it almost took him off guard. However, Ivy ignored that; she continued,
"I'm believed you are aware of the recent massacre around here, am I right?" The French answered nonchalantly,
"Yes, the rumors spread here too. What does it have to do with me?" The Englishwoman explained, as she took off her hat, revealing her hair in buns,
"Well, monsieur! I have traveled very far to confirm the so-called rumors, only to find that was not rumors. Beside I have checked the site where the massacre happened; those places can be reached from several towns and the town near your mansion is one of them. Then I theorized that the knight and the giant must have some hiding place around here. Do you see something peculiar here, monsieur?" Raphael shrugged,
"No, I haven't see something peculiar around here, Countess Valentine." Ivy's eyes, however, showed the otherwise,
"Are you sure, monsieur? Are you hiding something?" The young master replied calmly, though he cursed inside,
"Is that an accusation, Countess?" She rose from her chair and replied,
"No, I don't say so, monsieur. I just wonder with your attitude; it seems you aren't aware about your surroundings. Probably because the old master hasn't returned yet…"
The knight listened their conversation attentively, that he pushed the door slightly,
Ivy's watchful eyes caught the movement, while Raphael said argumentatively,
"Countess, the master of this mansion has entrusted all of his possession fully to me. You can ask from the town mayor or magistrate; they'll confirm that!" Ignored the French, she went toward the door, while her right hand pulled something at her right hip. Raphael was confused with her action, and immediately asked,
"Countess, what are you doing?" Holding the door handle, the Englishwoman replied,
"Probably we should invite our friend to join us in our conversation, isn't it better than eavesdropping?" With sudden movement, she jerked the handle and opened the door very wide. Instead, she met with Cassandra who was carried some tea,
"You!" Ivy hissed with displeasure, "What are you doing here?" Startled, the Greek girl answered,
"I-I'm bringing some drink here…" Raphael quickly intervened them,
"That's all right, Cassandra. If she makes some mistake, I'm apologizing for that, Countess! Now would you care to join me for some refreshment?" Ivy didn't answer; she was sure that someone other than the girl overheard their conversation. Covering her disappointment, she accepted the French's invitation.
As the sun started to set, Raphael escorted Ivy outside where her carriage has waited. He added politely,
"If I find something about the Azure Knight, I'm going to inform you soon." The Valentine smirked in return,
"Don't be so sure, monsieur. We might see each other sooner than you've expected…oh, have you know Marquis Le Sorel?" The French felt a shimmering anger inside as he heard the name,
"Well, he is the head of the Sorel Family…why do you ask that, Countess?"
"He has helped me in my search recently, that's all. Bon voyage!" With that, she ordered the carriage to leave the place.
Nightmare watched the carriage from the library windows. He didn't flinch as Raphael entered the room,
"Who is she?" he inquired. The young master replied casually,
"Just a visitor…why do you asking that?" The knight gave a dagger-like glance with his crimson eyes,
"Be careful, she's very dangerous…I don't like this, you started to accept unknown peoples," Raphael frowned, but then he continued,
"I see. I assure you that if I should happen to across her, I will extend to her the same courtesy I would to you…" At the same time, Cassandra passed in front of them. Nightmare asked,
"Can she be trusted?"
"As far as I concern, she's harmless. Sir, I have found another place with teeming souls for Soul Edge," The knight turned to him,
"Where?"
"Rouen, we will depart tonight!"
Faraway from the mansion, Ivy's carriage stopped awhile. The cloaked man rode his horse beside the carriage, while the Englishwoman listened. She asked again,
"Are you sure with your information?" The man nodded nervously,
"Yes, Mistress! We have spotted him at Marseilles, since then he didn't make any moves! Do you want us to pry him out?" Ivy replied sternly,
"No, just let him! You have done well, here is your reward and go quickly!" After saying that, she threw a pouch of gold outside and the cloaked man took it hurriedly. Then the driver asked,
"What is your order, Mistress? Shall we return to Duc Salle's chateau?"
"No, we're going to Marseilles! That old fat bastard can handle for himself and he is no longer useful for me! Move!" The carriage went to the southwest, as the driver cracked his whip to the horses.
Late midnight at the border of Hungaria,
Talim and Yunsung slept soundly. The Korean snored very loud, while the ninja's place still neat and empty.
Walking farther, Taki took the bandage off from her head. Pain stung her head immediately, yet she decided to ignore it. The memories instantly flashed back in her mind;
Back to the fight yesterday, Taki managed to push Rekki-maru to block the morning star. The maneuver saved her life, but cost her balance and she fell from the hill. She let go the other ninjato reflexively, and Charade quickly unwound its chain before it dragged along to the hill. Taki's body rolled violently until she stopped at the foot of the hill. The creature watched without any expression and then turned to Mekki-maru, without any thinking it took the blade. At first, the blade reverberated with such force, however it stopped after few hours.
Taki bit her tongue angrily. She used to be with defeat, but she couldn't accept losing trust. Mekki-maru was entrusted to her; now it was lost because of her carelessness. Beside, she couldn't imagine what happened with the blade if it had joined with Soul Edge or the damned creature. Few moments later, she had arrived at the little hill that overlooking the large ruined castle. A horde of bats swarmed the abandoned building. It was the former residence of Prince Vlad Tepes. She was certain the creature was hiding there. Silently, she produced Rekki-maru and the Evil Seed; both were hummed with a peculiar hum when pointed toward the castle. The ninja steeled herself, walking toward the castle.
Meanwhile, the loud, clanging sound was heard inside the hall of the castle. Charade brought a large stone and pounded the ninjato with all unholy strength. No matter how hard the creature tried to broke the blade, Mekki-maru wouldn't break easily. Even, the blade struggled to pry out from its' clutches. It seemed the similarities between both of them has ended here. Unable to break the blade, the creature threw Mekki-maru to the floor with utter disappointment. Suddenly, a mocking voice came,
"You can't break it, can you?" Charade was startled; the core turned around to find the voice, while it continued,
"Of course! I has forged the Evil Seed inside it, Mekki-maru has its own mind, though both of you are coming from the same origin! Unlike me, you can hold it for the long time…" Slowly, Taki revealed herself from the shadows. Talim's poultice still covered her forehead, but her eyes stared the creature with hatred. When she spoke, her voice dripped with venom,
"…but you can't have it! Now let's finish this once for all until one of us die, demon!" As the core throbbed with displeasure, it already produced the morning star and the scythe. When the creature swung its weapon, the ninja evaded the attack. Actually she wasn't strong enough to fight; yet the pain was lessened than yesterday. Pulling the remaining ninjato, she began to counterattack. She immediately crouched and sent a low slash. Charade staggered, but then it managed to control itself. The creature attacked her again with scythe, however Taki evaded the attack with Bamboo Cutter. The morning star crushed the nearby wall. When the creature saw the ninja staggered, it went into full offensive. Yet, it was a trap. As it went closer, Taki skillfully shifted from Shadow to Stalker. Not ending there, she lunged toward it with the blade,
"Silence!" The attack knocked Charade temporarily, but it recovered easily. The ninja instantly felt her head was very dizzy. Instead stopping, she pursued her opponent. This time, she began to attack at the close range. The maneuvers confused the creature, because it couldn't use its weapon fully on the melee. She shouted again,
"Seal!" She lunged forward, driving the creature with the flat of her blade. Then she followed with the Seal of the Fire Dragon, which uppercuts Charade quite a distance. Enraged, the creature attacked again by swinging its weapon simultaneously. Taki sent her down-hooking kick that forced it down and sent another attack,
"Divine Wind!" Suddenly, Charade's weapon broke into two, as she cut the chain in between. When she stepped again, she felt wobbly. Fortunately, her opponent didn't use the chance to attack again. Not for long, it materialized the claw weapon added with scimitar. This time, it attacked Taki with Nightmare's Spin Slash by sending a horizontal slash. However, the creature had left some space open. The ninja chuckled at the absurdity and swung Rekki-maru to knock the opponent out. Instead followed its attack, Charade shifted the attack to a forward flip and thrust the scimitar to the ninja.
"Wha…" With her instinct, Taki quickly pushed the blade with her weapon, yet the claw slashed her. She rolled away from the creature, staring to his injuries. The attack almost scraped her chest and bared some skin. Hissing, she realized that the creature was getting clever by predicting her style.
It doesn't know my Possession Stance, still! I have to use the stance right now…before the situation got worse! Then she calmed herself and focused her chi, while Charade waited the next move. Its eye stared its opponent with curiosity. Slowly, she pulled the ninjato horizontally to her face and chanted something. Instantly her eyes opened,
"Rush!" As she shouted the word, her body moved very swift likes the shadow itself. Even so, the creature didn't taken aback with that; instead it swipes both weapons toward her. Immediately, Taki shifted to Storm Scroll, swinging the blade into an arc. The blow was instantaneous; both opponents knocked away. Charade's makeshift body hit the nearby wall, which crumbled, allowing the fresh air to enter the castle. Meanwhile, the ninja hit the dilapidated altar. She felt that her back almost broken, yet she turned her attention to the creature that already recovered its position. It charged toward her again; there was no way out in this situation. Licking her own blood at the lips, Taki was ready to accept whatever her karma is. Before the creature landed its lethal strike, someone blocked the attack, sending it staggered behind. She opened her eyes and saw someone familiar in front of her,
"Yunsung!!" The red-haired youth smiled, "So, this is the one who had beaten you? Let me handle this!" The Korean moved forward, before she uttered an earnest protest, someone else joined,
"Ate, ayos ba?" Shocked with their coming, the ninja stammered,
"How…do you find me?" The girl smiled, while showing her pouch,
"You forgot that I have another fragment too…it leads us here!" She turned away and saw Mekki-maru lying nearby. She told Taki,
"Ate, ito ba ang espada niyo? I'm going to take it for you…" As the Filipino went toward the evil blade, the ninja screamed in horror,
"NO! Don't take it, Talim!" The scream made Talim startled, then the black-haired woman continued, " Mekki-maru is not to be taken by anyone else but me! It would kill you before you even carried it to me!" Instantly, the girl distanced away from the blade, while Taki knelt slowly to the blade. She reached the pommel gently. To Talim's shock, the evil blade shook violently in the ninja's grip, even almost threw her out. Taki struggled to bring Mekki-maru under her control, yet the blade somehow refused to acknowledge her. She perspired heavily and chanted some magical spell. The struggle between both of them was furious.
At the same time, Charade and Yunsung fought furiously. The Korean was full-spirited and aggressive in his attack, giving no corner to his wretched foe. In other hand, the creature couldn't take advantage as it fought the healthy young man, unlike its previous fight with the ninja. The youth suddenly caught its skeletal limb and twisted it, then launched them to the air. Once both of them were airborne, he kicked his opponent violently to the ground. Instantly, the creature was broken into pieces. Yunsung smiled, yet the smile faded as Charade reassembled itself again. He spat on the ground, rubbing his nose,
"I'm not going to lose to fools like you!" He attacked again.
Back to the other place, few minutes passed as Taki still struggled with her wayward blade. Now the weapon was no longer shook with such violent force. As the vibration subsidized, she quickly took the magic wards and wrapped it around Mekki-maru. Breathed in relief, the ninja put it slowly into its sheath. Talim asked,
"Kumusta, Ate?" The pony-tailed woman merely nodded,
"It's fine, Mekki-maru has submitted to me once again…" Turning her eyes to the ongoing fight, she said,
"Only one thing remains…"
Charade was bewildered; it didn't really expect the Korean to come. The only consolation was his style was worth the pain. It needed few hours more to memorize his attack, but now it must try the newly acquired attack. Distancing itself from the opponent, the creature threw its weapon and another weapon materialized in its limbs. It held two short blades and assumed a familiar fighting stance. Yunsung was startled to watch the change,
"Wait! Is that the ninja's style? How do you know it?" Instead, the creature attacked him with suddenness. However something fast blocked its attack and immediately joined the Korean,
"Ang daya mo! Copying Ate Taki's style!" Talim stood in offensive stance, while holding her Syi Syarika and Loka Luha. Then she turned to Yunsung,
"Kuya, do you need my help?" The red-haired youth snorted,
"I can handle this thing by myself…" Instantly the girl's face fell, "…however you can have some piece of it!" Talim brightened,
"Tara, Kuya!" With one shout, they attacked the creature again. Charade felt the frustration crept over its unholy core. Since its existence, it never fought more than one opponent, and if so, it employed cunning to made its opponents weaker. But driven by an unknown desire, it wouldn't fail…never to fail! Instantly the vessels around its core bulged than usual. Then it performed Shadow Cannon. Anticipating this, Yunsung rolled away from the site, but not so with Talim. The girl waited the creature to attack first, once finished she caught its skeletal knees. She pulled her body overhead until her back touched the ground, and then kicked very hard at its 'ribs', sending it flying. At the same time, the Korean kneed Charade at its body, took it airborne, kicked it again and finally performing a rising uppercut slash. Once again, the skeletal body broke apart. Talim exclaimed,
"Tapos na siya, Kuya!" Instead Yunsung hushed her,
"Not yet, Talim! This creature hasn't died for good yet…" To their eyes, the bones immediately reassembled again into its original form. The Filipino said with aghast,
"Halimaw…" It has produced the ninjatos again, and suddenly it rushed toward them with incredible speed. Aware of danger, Yunsung shouted,
"Look out, Talim!" Instinctively he pushed the girl away, as Charade performed three burning fast stabs. He blocked it with White Storm, yet the impact was enough to send him flying to the wall. Yunsung groaned when his back thudded with the wall. Before the creature went to kill, someone called,
"Wait, do you think we still have the business to attend?" The core turned and saw the ninja standing behind.
Taki said, "Let's see who is truly mastered Musoh-Battoh-Ryu, you wretched counterfeit!" Almost immediately, they put the same fighting stance and watched each other. They were trapped in a dance of death. The ninja opened his attack with Rush, which simultaneously followed by Charade. The creature attacked with Blood Scroll, but she has anticipated that,
"Awakening Rush! Soul Charge!" Instantly Rekki-maru glowed very bright and when she flipped the blade, it knocked the creature close to the rubble-strewn window that overlooking the chasm. Without let the table turned, she followed with the next attack and use Soul Charge again,
"Assassin's Strike!" She pushed her attack forward, before Charade had a chance to recover its position. Unable to bear such force, the stone window cracked and crumbled to outside. The creature fell helplessly into the deep chasm below; its limbs flayed uncoordinated. Soon enough, it was swallowed by the darkness. At the same moment, Taki fell to her knees due to exhaustion. Talim hurried to her side,
"Ate Taki, are you fine?" The ninja turned to her sternly,
"You're not supposedly here…" But then she gave a tired smile, "…but thanks for following and helping me to get Mekki-maru again," The girl returned the smile. Yunsung walked closer to them, and then offered his hand to her,
"Well, are you needing help or not?" The raven-haired woman stunned,
"Strange, it isn't like you. What makes you change?" The red-haired youth scratched his head,
"Our countries might be at war, but we're not in Japan or Choson right now. Why should bringing animosities in the faraway land, while we are the strangers here? So, are you accept my offer or not? Just in case I've changed my mind," Taki chuckled,
"Who am I to refuse your offer?" Yunsung responded with a smug. Together with Talim, he carried Taki at her right side and left the castle. Before they left, the Korean peeked slightly to the ruins. Once done that, he turned to the ninja,
"Do you think the creature is really dead now?" In response to that, she replied grimly,
"Let's hope it's true, I wish I can send it directly to Jigoku…" Nobody answered.
Few minutes later, the altar creaked and pushed slightly by something large. From the darkness, a huge creature appeared. His red eyes glowed along with the sphere atop his chest. Faint moonlight revealed his scaly, green skin. A row of spikes adorned his head, while the rest jutted around his left shoulder. The horn-like accessory bound his left wrist. While he wore battle plates at the lower extremities, he walked barefoot. He has watched the recent battle without anyone learned his presence. Moreover, the aura of the fragment has attracted him. With inhuman discernment, the creature recognized who were holding the fragments. A faint vapor came out from his nostrils, before he muttered indiscernible language,
"DESAWOHE. FASER YAYAHO!" Then he vanished again under the shadows…
At the same time at Paris,
Spawn sat atop the cross of the Notre Dame Cathedral, allowing his cloak blown by the wind,
I never thought I would lose Nightmare's track…are my skill already rusted? Then he felt his necroplasmic skin grew tighter and he recognized the signal,
I sense the blood…no, the massacre! It will happen at the north! Rising up, the man who formerly known as Col. Al Simmons turned back,
I'd better go; who knows Soul Edge might be there as well? As he whirled the cloak around, Spawn had vanished from the sight
Late midnight at Southern France,
Cassandra couldn't sleep; she simply missed Pyrrha and Patroklos. She usually slept with them after telling lullaby or bedtime stories. Then the Greek went outside to refresh herself. Once outside, she spotted someone walking to the stables. Thinking that it must be Raphael, she followed but not to close. He went to the stables, where 2 servants waited him nervously. Cassandra picked the best spot where she could see through holes. Inside, she saw Raphael and Soir. The brown-cloaked man gave her creeps. From what she heard among the servants, Soir wasn't well liked. They refrained from giving him ill treatment, had he not monsieur Raphael's friend. Now she listened the conversation between them.
"Our journey will be longer than usual, but I believe we can arrive at Rouen on three days without anyone noticing us," The French put his saddle and tightened it, while Nightmare grunted in reply,
"Why do we have to go there? The farther we go, the more likely the people spot us…why don't take the nearby place?" Raphael answered calmly. This was a dangerous argument he could not afford to lose,
"Sir, there will be many people there! You can get many souls as much as you wants…not only that they're the best fighters that…Sorel Family can offer!" In a split second, a breeze blew Nightmare's cloak, revealing the huge, throbbing eye upon the great sword.
Cassandra was shocked to see that. The fragment that hanging upon her neck was throbbed in response with the Soul Edge. The reaction instantly attracted the azure knight's attention. Even Satan snorted wildly. As he went forward, Raphael called,
"Sir, is there anything you need?" Nightmare didn't answer; the sensation has gone abruptly. He merely turned back and lifted himself to his trusty steed,
"No, nothing's wrong! Let's go to Rouen!" With that, he stirrup Satan on air and then thundered to outside. Raphael shook his head gently and gestured the servants to close the stables. The Greek didn't move at all, as her body was drenched with sweats,
Is that the Soul Edge that Sophitia has looking for? Can I ever destroy that accursed blade? Why does Monsieur Berthine accept such terrible people here? Is he forced or doing it voluntarily? Slumped on the ground, Cassandra wondered what she should do now. This time, the gods have offered no answer…
At the tributary river to the Rhine,
Charade stood in the midst of the boulders; its limbs still held the Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru clone. With a twitch, it transformed its weapons into the White Storm and Syi Syarika…nodding with satisfaction as the streams passed beneath its limbs.
Author's note: Here is the continuation! The next part 'The Hammer Falls' will come next month, whenever I had a spare time. If you have critics (or flame), just tell me!
Glossary:
Filipino:
Gising ka (you're awake)
Dahan-dahan (slowly)
Huwag (don't!)
Huwag mag-aala (don't worry)
Ito ang espada niyo (Is this your sword?)
Ang daya mo! (You cheater!)
Tapos na siya (He's finished!)
Halimaw (Monster)
Part II
Early afternoon, near the outskirts of France,
Set her breath, Xianghua lifted her sword over the head. She wore her red corset again, while fixed her attention to the sword. Then she swung the sword high before she continued with a midstab. After that, Xianghua ran forward and made a wide horizontal arc slash. She shouted,
"Rhythm Break!" She twirled her sword at the midsection range, before lunged forward and twirled again her sword twice. Finished with the movement, she slashed vertically,
"Mei Guai Hua!" She sidestepped a little to the left, pushing forward with the sword. Suddenly she went to the ground and spun,
"Hou Lee!" Followed by two low sweeps, Xianghua performed a wide horizontal slash,
"Cross Lian Hua!" With that, she closed her sword practice. Then a clapping sound came. She saw Maxi standing behind her. The pirate said,
"I must say that is really good…" The Chinese girl blushed only,
"You're flattering me, Ma…I mean, Sir! I am merely practicing my moves!"
"Yes, but that is so beautiful. I almost thought that you were dancing," Put her sword away, Xianghua replied,
"You're not mistaken. I once was the dancer in the Imperial Troupe; our styles are based from the Chinese opera and traditional dancing. From there, we're integrated the martial arts inside. Have you seen the dance before?"
Maxi shook his head, "No, I don't know! By the way, where is Kilik?"
"He was looking for the information and food…" Felt tired, Xianghua sat upon the grass. Then the pirate asked again,
"Miss Xiang, may I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead!" Looked uncomfortable, Maxi asked,
"What is the relationship between you and Kilik?" The girl was surprised with the question,
"No offense, Sir! Why do you ask that?" The pirate pulled his breath, before threw himself to the grass,
"Well, probably it is just my hunch! I always watching both of you; it is clear that you like him very much, but he doesn't know what to do…" The former Imperial Guard startled to hear that. Even when they were together three years ago, Maxi always teased them for not showing their true feelings. She wondered whether he regains his memories again. Intended to divert the conversation, she said,
"We're…just friends. How about you, Sir Maxi? Do you have someone to love?" Maxi laughed,
"My one and only love is the sea…I can't be a good lover, but I can become a good sailor!" Slowly, his face turned gloom,
"Probably I'll return to the sea again, after I'm making sure that Astaroth won't back again…" Then the girl asked,
"Where have you been after fighting Astaroth?" Suddenly, the pirate was silent for a moment. Realizing that, Xianghua quickly said,
"If you don't want to answer, that's all right…" However, Maxi sighed only,
"After my last fight with the monster, I fall to the underground river and was discovered by the villagers. They nursed and tended me like one of their own. I might stay there for good if…" Gritting his teeth in anger, he seethed upon the name that he hated so much,
"…Astaroth hasn't back from the dead! It seems I have to finish my job!" Touching his jutted hair, Maxi quipped,
"But strange…I really remember that I had some friends before, but I couldn't recall their name." Astonished, the Chinese girl remembered what Kilik had said to her. Maxi hasn't forgot them entirely! Before Xianghua said something, Kilik appeared to them. He looks surprised, but didn't spoke until Maxi asked,
"Hi, we're just talking about you! Where have you been?" The bearer of Kali-Yuga answered monotonously,
"I just come back from the nearest village for food…and I heard something about Astaroth there!" The mere mention of the name roused the pirate's spirit. Rising up, he asked,
"What is the news?" Kilik put his loads on the grass, before turned to Maxi,
"Rumors said that the giant and the azure knight had terrorized the Southern part of France. Many armed brigands had been massacred and the nobles begged the King to send his Imperial Army to hunt them. Yet, nobody knows where the giant and the knight hid!" Maxi cracked his knuckles, before commenting,
"That's sounds good!" Turning to Xianghua and then to Kilik again, he spoke,
"Oh, I have something to do! Just be sure to leave some food for me…" As the pirate departed, the Chinese girl tried to explain,
"Kilik, it is not like what you think…" The young man replied gently, almost like a soft cut,
"You don't have to explain everything, Xiang…" While taking care their provisions, Xianghua quipped,
"Are you jealous, aren't you?" Kilik answered with a forced smile, something between denial and confirmation,
"Jealous? It isn't your concern…" The girl smiled inside,
You are not good in lying, Kilik. I know that you're jealous to Maxi…Maxi is right, you only don't know how to express your feelings! But you will soon…
At the same time, in other place
A company of thirteen men and a wagon trailed the secluded road. The wagon was carrying the peasant's taxes for the corrupt nobles. If they couldn't pay, their properties would be seized by force. As the company moved, they saw a falling tree blocking the road. However, they also saw a bald, white-mustached man sit on the falling tree. They went closer to the man and commanded,
"Please give the way!" The man didn't answer. Then the black-bearded man repeated again,
"Are you deaf? Give the way for us!" There was no answer! Irritated, the black-bearded man dismounted his horse, followed by his companions. In no time, they had surrounded the mysterious man, while prepared their weapons like clubs, whips etc. The bearded man spoke with threatening note,
"If you won't listen us, this one can teach you to speak!" He swung his whip toward Mishima Heihachi, only to be caught by him. Slowly, the Iron Fist Champion glared him coldly,
"Who do you think you are? Dammit!" With such swiftness, Heihachi sent Death Fist to the bearded man that sent him lying very far. Another attacker swirled his club toward the old warrior, however he immediately tasted three jabs and one uppercut. Stomping his geta, Heihachi punched the nearby thug with Lightning Hammer. In a moment, the rest were hesitated to attack him. He mocked,
"Hmph! Insolent fool!"
Meanwhile behind the wagon, five people were left behind to guard. Yet the noise invited their curiosity. Preparing for the worst, they clicked their flintlock rifle and pistol. At that time, the masked ninja appeared in front of them. He wore green armor and three masks. The skull mask at his right, the smiling mask at the left and the demon at the middle. The orange banner flew behind him. Before they could recover from shock, Yoshimitsu shouted,
"Stone Fist!" Instantly, he backhanded them, sending his opponents reeling. The other thug tried to cock his flint, but the Manji hit his jaw first with the handle of his katana. Roared, another thug swung the spiked club. Without turning back, the ninja spins his trusted sword like a helicopter and caught the thug before throwing him head first. As he landed, another thug greeted him by swinging his huge, spiked club to him. Yet, Yoshimitsu kept his calm.
"Futile! Pomegranate!" After saying that, he performed an uppercut slash that instantly made his opponent stagger. Not ending with that, he juggled to the air and sent a pile-driving kick to the thug's jaw. His problem hasn't over yet; the other two clicked their flintlocks and fired. Yoshimitsu spun his body faster and…he vanished from their sight. As they still stunned, the ninja appeared again at behind them, without they knows it. He took a deep breath, trying to relieve his exhaustion of performing Spinning Evasion. Few seconds later, he stormed toward them, shouting,
"Shark Attack!" Yoshimitsu opened his first attack with a cartwheel that swept their feet from the ground, followed by the drilling punches to their jaws, and finally closed by a handstand kick to each of them. The thugs couldn't do anything, and they flopped like a grain sack with the bruised faces. Juggled backward, the ninja landed softly and felt victorious.
Two thugs want to join the fray, but a rugged voice stopped them,
"Don't blame me when you get hurt." They turned around and saw another Japanese behind them. He has his hair pulled up into a ponytail this time, letting some strands billow in the wind in front of his face. He wore what looks like half of a white toga across his chest and waist, and baggy black and whitepants, with a light belt. White flames are shown towards the bottoms of his pants. The thugs quickly pointed their weapons, but Heishiro Mitsurugi crouched, pivoted and sent a powerful low horizontal slash to his opponent's shins. The thugs howled in pain, when they fell to the ground. Yet one of them stubbornly attacked the ronin again. He merely smirked,
"Don't know when to quit, do you?" Instead attacking first, Mitsurugi waited until his opponent came closer. When their distance was close, he spun around the thug swiftly. Before the opponent realized what next, the ronin slammed Shishi-Oh to his body. The thug watched with disbelief, as Mitsurugi jerked the blade violently from his body and he had only a few moments to register the face, as he fell upon the ground.
At the same time, their friends had tried to run from Heihachi. Disappointed to not getting the worthy opponent, he simply lashed his frustration by pummeling those thugs into pulp. One of them tried to escape, but the Iron Fist Champion grabbed his collar and turned the man to face him,
"Where do you think you're going, huh? The party hasn't over yet!" The poor man trembled in his iron clutches, even he started to urinate inside his trousers. The patriarch smiled wryly,
"Don't worry, I will release you…from the earthly pain!" With that, Heihachi took the man's head and head butted it with his well-shaved head. The thug instantly felt something was cracking inside his head and everything turned into night…
In no time, the guards were taken down. The beaten thugs were scattered around Heihachi, who haughtily snorted. Yoshimitsu immediately climbed the wagon, while the ronin waited. He spoke to the ninja,
"I wonder why we follow your plan to rob this things…" The Manji replied,
"These things are belongs to the peasants, but the corrupt nobles robs them! We're doing the good deed by returning it to them," Heihachi commented,
"There's nobody innocent in this world, not even your 'peasants'," Instead retorts, Yoshimitsu sighed,
"The similarities between you and these nobles are power, Heihachi-san. People like you, thinking that being powerful gives you permission to do anything you pleases," When he broke the chest, the rusted irons and coins greeted him. Alarmed, the ninja shouted,
"We have been tricked! This is the trap!" Then they saw another company pointing their muskets to them. The one-eyed, black-mustached man watched them with satisfaction, however it wasn't the one who made the Manji surprised. He saw someone familiar…a fat-looking man and hissed with disgust,
"Comte Duc Salle!" The noble greeted him,
"Ah, my friend Yoshimitsu! Long time to not see each other. Am I right, Desgrand?" The one-eyed man nodded. Heihachi and Mitsurugi almost went to their attacking position, had the ninja not stopped them. The ronin asked,
"Do you know that toad, ninja?" The Manji answered with hushed voice,
"I've helped him three years ago when we planned to hijack the King's treasury, however he turned his back upon me by taking the half of the treasure for himself…" Heihachi smiled cynically,
"What goes around always, always comes around…" Mitsurugi grunted to him, however Yoshimitsu ignored him. Turning to the loathed noble, he said calmly,
"You have the advantage, it would seem. What do you want?" Duc Salle chuckled darkly,
"I've been waiting this moment since you've foiled my plans three years ago and killing you and your friends should be easy like clicking a finger," Yet he continued,
"However, things change. It seems I have to ask your help again this time!" Yoshimitsu tried to suppress his laugh, yet he asked in sarcasm,
"What can I help you, Comte? Expect me to join your band of robbers to rob the peasants?" The noble shook his head,
"No, that would the least thing you wanted! Beside this is suitable for you as a warrior…do you know Nightmare the Azure Knight?" The words struck those warriors like a lightning. However, the Manji controlled himself,
"Has he been here?"
"Yes, he has been here two and a half months ago! Actually, I want to ask the King to send his army, but then I remembered you! Therefore I risked this to lure you…and it succeed!" Unimpressed, the ninja asked again,
"What do we get if we could kill the Azure Knight for you?" Duc Salle clicked his finger and his men opened the way for them,
"I'll let you live and forget our past, and I'll stop from chasing the peasants, what do you think?" Yoshimitsu didn't like this, but then compared with Nightmare, Duc Salle posed a lesser threat. Their situation couldn't allow having a win-win solution. Finally, he said dejectedly,
"Fine, you don't have to ask me! I'll hunt the Azure Knight by myself and I hope you keep your words…" As they passed the company, the noble called Heihachi,
"Wait, would you like to be my bodyguard? I'll pay you handsomely…" The patriarch smirked,
"No, thanks! You can't pay me…" When they left, Desgrand asked his master,
"Comte, do you intends to keep your words?" Duc Salle smiled,
"Only for now…why should I waste the bullets? Nightmare will do it for us…now, let's go back to the chateau!"
Late sunset, near the border of Hungaria,
"Unh…" Those were the first words that came out from Taki's mouth. She opened her eyes slowly and greeted by the sunlight. Then she touched her forehead and found the bandage around her head. Not for long, someone exclaimed,
"Gising ka, Ate! Salamat, you're all right!" When the ninja tried to rise, a wracking sensation gripped her head. Talim immediately helped her,
"Dahan-dahan, Ate! You're not well yet, your wound was not healed." Taki put herself leaning on the nearest rock. After that, she asked the girl,
"Where am I? Where is the Korean?"
"Kuya Yunsung is gathering some firewood. We have found you at the foot of the hill. Thankfully, I brought some medicinal herbals from my place. Your wound will be healed in 2 days…"
"Where do you learn the herbalists?"
"My grandmother taught me," Talim stopped for a while, before asking again, "Ate, what happened with you? Were you attacked by the people who were looking for the fragments?" Taki didn't answer; she remembered her fight with Charade and it was burned deeply inside her. Instantly, she reached the bandage to take it off, but the Filipino stopped her,
"Huwag, Ate! Let it be for tomorrow! It will be okay as long as nobody touched it!" At the same time, Yunsung has returned with the firewood. Piling the woods, he commented,
"Finally, you're awake…Talim has worried you so much!" Sensing a hint of dislike, the black-haired woman asked with a gentle smirk,
"And you? Are you not worrying me?" The Korean replied without turning to her,
"No offense, Japanese! I don't like you, but it doesn't mean I like to see you dead," Then Taki remembered,
"The fragments?" She quickly took something from her pocket and found the fragment still there. Talim quickly answered,
"Huwag mag-aala, I still have mine!" Breathed with relief, the ninja touched Rekki-maru behind her, but when she checked the other one and couldn't find the ninjato, the dread feeling filled her instantly. She frowned nervously when realize Mekki-maru wasn't with her. Then something dawned inside,
Mekki-maru must be with that cursed creature!! The girl sensed something wrong,
"Bakit, Ate? Is there something wrong?" Quickly, Taki hid her feeling behind smile,
"Nothing, there is nothing wrong! Thanks for your help…" As Talim went to Yunsung, the ninja felt her mind was in turmoil. Everything was out of control; it ignited the steely resolve in her mind,
Tonight I will get it back!
Miles from there, Cassandra brushed the dead leaves from the mansion's garden. From Lumiere, she got the job as a gardener's helper. It didn't bother the Greek terribly, as she was used to be doing any hard works for her family, especially with Sophitia. When she was close at the front yard, she stopped for a while, watching her master at the second store. Raphael was teaching Amy to play the piano. For the girl who spent her childhood in the slums, playing piano was an absurdity, not to mention, waste of time. However, the young master of Sorel wanted her to be preoccupied with other things. So far, she could play some notes, though not so much.
Suddenly, a sharp, feminine voice jerked Cassandra back to reality.
"Excuse me, could you tell me who the master of this mansion?" She turned back and saw a tall, fair-skinned and white-haired woman standing behind her. She wore a black, veiled hat and purple gown with low chest, which made her chest almost, came out. Her long purple skirt has some cleavage beside her right hip. The woman's golden eyes stared the Greek girl condescendingly. Cassandra found that she started to dislike the woman. Then the woman looked at her with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
She asked again, "Excuse me, are you listening me or not? Do you know the master of the mansion?" Gritting her teeth, Cassandra answered irritably,
"Yes, the mansion is belongs to Monsieur Louis Berthine…what do you want, milady?" Disdained her, the woman replied,
"Tell your master that he has a visitor…go on, tell him now!" The Greek girl gripped her broom to the breaking point; the woman's arrogance was too much to bear and she has offended her Grecian pride. Without her knowledge, Raphael had seen them from above and immediately sent Lumiere. Before Cassandra intended to lash back, the butler has arrived and asked the strange visitor,
"What can I help you, mademoiselle?"
Few minutes later, the mysterious woman has been inside the mansion. She stood calmly, waiting in the living room. Lumiere stood nearby the door. The French came in with the blue suit, brown trousers and leather gloves. He asked politely,
"How can I entertain you, mademoiselle? May I know your name?" The woman turned to him and answered,
"My name is Isabella Valentine, or you can call me Countess Valentine, Monsieur Berthine. I have come from England for a single purpose," Raphael nodded only, before he gestured Lumiere to provide drinks and showed her the chairs. After pulling another chair, he faced her straightly and asked,
"What is the purpose, mademoiselle? It must be important that it can brings an English noble to come to France…" Ivy merely smiled,
"Finding Nightmare the Azure Knight!"
Soir/Nightmare was just passing by when he heard the English woman spoke the name. Curious, he went closer to the door and peeked slightly.
Raphael tried to keep his façade neutral, yet it almost took him off guard. However, Ivy ignored that; she continued,
"I'm believed you are aware of the recent massacre around here, am I right?" The French answered nonchalantly,
"Yes, the rumors spread here too. What does it have to do with me?" The Englishwoman explained, as she took off her hat, revealing her hair in buns,
"Well, monsieur! I have traveled very far to confirm the so-called rumors, only to find that was not rumors. Beside I have checked the site where the massacre happened; those places can be reached from several towns and the town near your mansion is one of them. Then I theorized that the knight and the giant must have some hiding place around here. Do you see something peculiar here, monsieur?" Raphael shrugged,
"No, I haven't see something peculiar around here, Countess Valentine." Ivy's eyes, however, showed the otherwise,
"Are you sure, monsieur? Are you hiding something?" The young master replied calmly, though he cursed inside,
"Is that an accusation, Countess?" She rose from her chair and replied,
"No, I don't say so, monsieur. I just wonder with your attitude; it seems you aren't aware about your surroundings. Probably because the old master hasn't returned yet…"
The knight listened their conversation attentively, that he pushed the door slightly,
Ivy's watchful eyes caught the movement, while Raphael said argumentatively,
"Countess, the master of this mansion has entrusted all of his possession fully to me. You can ask from the town mayor or magistrate; they'll confirm that!" Ignored the French, she went toward the door, while her right hand pulled something at her right hip. Raphael was confused with her action, and immediately asked,
"Countess, what are you doing?" Holding the door handle, the Englishwoman replied,
"Probably we should invite our friend to join us in our conversation, isn't it better than eavesdropping?" With sudden movement, she jerked the handle and opened the door very wide. Instead, she met with Cassandra who was carried some tea,
"You!" Ivy hissed with displeasure, "What are you doing here?" Startled, the Greek girl answered,
"I-I'm bringing some drink here…" Raphael quickly intervened them,
"That's all right, Cassandra. If she makes some mistake, I'm apologizing for that, Countess! Now would you care to join me for some refreshment?" Ivy didn't answer; she was sure that someone other than the girl overheard their conversation. Covering her disappointment, she accepted the French's invitation.
As the sun started to set, Raphael escorted Ivy outside where her carriage has waited. He added politely,
"If I find something about the Azure Knight, I'm going to inform you soon." The Valentine smirked in return,
"Don't be so sure, monsieur. We might see each other sooner than you've expected…oh, have you know Marquis Le Sorel?" The French felt a shimmering anger inside as he heard the name,
"Well, he is the head of the Sorel Family…why do you ask that, Countess?"
"He has helped me in my search recently, that's all. Bon voyage!" With that, she ordered the carriage to leave the place.
Nightmare watched the carriage from the library windows. He didn't flinch as Raphael entered the room,
"Who is she?" he inquired. The young master replied casually,
"Just a visitor…why do you asking that?" The knight gave a dagger-like glance with his crimson eyes,
"Be careful, she's very dangerous…I don't like this, you started to accept unknown peoples," Raphael frowned, but then he continued,
"I see. I assure you that if I should happen to across her, I will extend to her the same courtesy I would to you…" At the same time, Cassandra passed in front of them. Nightmare asked,
"Can she be trusted?"
"As far as I concern, she's harmless. Sir, I have found another place with teeming souls for Soul Edge," The knight turned to him,
"Where?"
"Rouen, we will depart tonight!"
Faraway from the mansion, Ivy's carriage stopped awhile. The cloaked man rode his horse beside the carriage, while the Englishwoman listened. She asked again,
"Are you sure with your information?" The man nodded nervously,
"Yes, Mistress! We have spotted him at Marseilles, since then he didn't make any moves! Do you want us to pry him out?" Ivy replied sternly,
"No, just let him! You have done well, here is your reward and go quickly!" After saying that, she threw a pouch of gold outside and the cloaked man took it hurriedly. Then the driver asked,
"What is your order, Mistress? Shall we return to Duc Salle's chateau?"
"No, we're going to Marseilles! That old fat bastard can handle for himself and he is no longer useful for me! Move!" The carriage went to the southwest, as the driver cracked his whip to the horses.
Late midnight at the border of Hungaria,
Talim and Yunsung slept soundly. The Korean snored very loud, while the ninja's place still neat and empty.
Walking farther, Taki took the bandage off from her head. Pain stung her head immediately, yet she decided to ignore it. The memories instantly flashed back in her mind;
Back to the fight yesterday, Taki managed to push Rekki-maru to block the morning star. The maneuver saved her life, but cost her balance and she fell from the hill. She let go the other ninjato reflexively, and Charade quickly unwound its chain before it dragged along to the hill. Taki's body rolled violently until she stopped at the foot of the hill. The creature watched without any expression and then turned to Mekki-maru, without any thinking it took the blade. At first, the blade reverberated with such force, however it stopped after few hours.
Taki bit her tongue angrily. She used to be with defeat, but she couldn't accept losing trust. Mekki-maru was entrusted to her; now it was lost because of her carelessness. Beside, she couldn't imagine what happened with the blade if it had joined with Soul Edge or the damned creature. Few moments later, she had arrived at the little hill that overlooking the large ruined castle. A horde of bats swarmed the abandoned building. It was the former residence of Prince Vlad Tepes. She was certain the creature was hiding there. Silently, she produced Rekki-maru and the Evil Seed; both were hummed with a peculiar hum when pointed toward the castle. The ninja steeled herself, walking toward the castle.
Meanwhile, the loud, clanging sound was heard inside the hall of the castle. Charade brought a large stone and pounded the ninjato with all unholy strength. No matter how hard the creature tried to broke the blade, Mekki-maru wouldn't break easily. Even, the blade struggled to pry out from its' clutches. It seemed the similarities between both of them has ended here. Unable to break the blade, the creature threw Mekki-maru to the floor with utter disappointment. Suddenly, a mocking voice came,
"You can't break it, can you?" Charade was startled; the core turned around to find the voice, while it continued,
"Of course! I has forged the Evil Seed inside it, Mekki-maru has its own mind, though both of you are coming from the same origin! Unlike me, you can hold it for the long time…" Slowly, Taki revealed herself from the shadows. Talim's poultice still covered her forehead, but her eyes stared the creature with hatred. When she spoke, her voice dripped with venom,
"…but you can't have it! Now let's finish this once for all until one of us die, demon!" As the core throbbed with displeasure, it already produced the morning star and the scythe. When the creature swung its weapon, the ninja evaded the attack. Actually she wasn't strong enough to fight; yet the pain was lessened than yesterday. Pulling the remaining ninjato, she began to counterattack. She immediately crouched and sent a low slash. Charade staggered, but then it managed to control itself. The creature attacked her again with scythe, however Taki evaded the attack with Bamboo Cutter. The morning star crushed the nearby wall. When the creature saw the ninja staggered, it went into full offensive. Yet, it was a trap. As it went closer, Taki skillfully shifted from Shadow to Stalker. Not ending there, she lunged toward it with the blade,
"Silence!" The attack knocked Charade temporarily, but it recovered easily. The ninja instantly felt her head was very dizzy. Instead stopping, she pursued her opponent. This time, she began to attack at the close range. The maneuvers confused the creature, because it couldn't use its weapon fully on the melee. She shouted again,
"Seal!" She lunged forward, driving the creature with the flat of her blade. Then she followed with the Seal of the Fire Dragon, which uppercuts Charade quite a distance. Enraged, the creature attacked again by swinging its weapon simultaneously. Taki sent her down-hooking kick that forced it down and sent another attack,
"Divine Wind!" Suddenly, Charade's weapon broke into two, as she cut the chain in between. When she stepped again, she felt wobbly. Fortunately, her opponent didn't use the chance to attack again. Not for long, it materialized the claw weapon added with scimitar. This time, it attacked Taki with Nightmare's Spin Slash by sending a horizontal slash. However, the creature had left some space open. The ninja chuckled at the absurdity and swung Rekki-maru to knock the opponent out. Instead followed its attack, Charade shifted the attack to a forward flip and thrust the scimitar to the ninja.
"Wha…" With her instinct, Taki quickly pushed the blade with her weapon, yet the claw slashed her. She rolled away from the creature, staring to his injuries. The attack almost scraped her chest and bared some skin. Hissing, she realized that the creature was getting clever by predicting her style.
It doesn't know my Possession Stance, still! I have to use the stance right now…before the situation got worse! Then she calmed herself and focused her chi, while Charade waited the next move. Its eye stared its opponent with curiosity. Slowly, she pulled the ninjato horizontally to her face and chanted something. Instantly her eyes opened,
"Rush!" As she shouted the word, her body moved very swift likes the shadow itself. Even so, the creature didn't taken aback with that; instead it swipes both weapons toward her. Immediately, Taki shifted to Storm Scroll, swinging the blade into an arc. The blow was instantaneous; both opponents knocked away. Charade's makeshift body hit the nearby wall, which crumbled, allowing the fresh air to enter the castle. Meanwhile, the ninja hit the dilapidated altar. She felt that her back almost broken, yet she turned her attention to the creature that already recovered its position. It charged toward her again; there was no way out in this situation. Licking her own blood at the lips, Taki was ready to accept whatever her karma is. Before the creature landed its lethal strike, someone blocked the attack, sending it staggered behind. She opened her eyes and saw someone familiar in front of her,
"Yunsung!!" The red-haired youth smiled, "So, this is the one who had beaten you? Let me handle this!" The Korean moved forward, before she uttered an earnest protest, someone else joined,
"Ate, ayos ba?" Shocked with their coming, the ninja stammered,
"How…do you find me?" The girl smiled, while showing her pouch,
"You forgot that I have another fragment too…it leads us here!" She turned away and saw Mekki-maru lying nearby. She told Taki,
"Ate, ito ba ang espada niyo? I'm going to take it for you…" As the Filipino went toward the evil blade, the ninja screamed in horror,
"NO! Don't take it, Talim!" The scream made Talim startled, then the black-haired woman continued, " Mekki-maru is not to be taken by anyone else but me! It would kill you before you even carried it to me!" Instantly, the girl distanced away from the blade, while Taki knelt slowly to the blade. She reached the pommel gently. To Talim's shock, the evil blade shook violently in the ninja's grip, even almost threw her out. Taki struggled to bring Mekki-maru under her control, yet the blade somehow refused to acknowledge her. She perspired heavily and chanted some magical spell. The struggle between both of them was furious.
At the same time, Charade and Yunsung fought furiously. The Korean was full-spirited and aggressive in his attack, giving no corner to his wretched foe. In other hand, the creature couldn't take advantage as it fought the healthy young man, unlike its previous fight with the ninja. The youth suddenly caught its skeletal limb and twisted it, then launched them to the air. Once both of them were airborne, he kicked his opponent violently to the ground. Instantly, the creature was broken into pieces. Yunsung smiled, yet the smile faded as Charade reassembled itself again. He spat on the ground, rubbing his nose,
"I'm not going to lose to fools like you!" He attacked again.
Back to the other place, few minutes passed as Taki still struggled with her wayward blade. Now the weapon was no longer shook with such violent force. As the vibration subsidized, she quickly took the magic wards and wrapped it around Mekki-maru. Breathed in relief, the ninja put it slowly into its sheath. Talim asked,
"Kumusta, Ate?" The pony-tailed woman merely nodded,
"It's fine, Mekki-maru has submitted to me once again…" Turning her eyes to the ongoing fight, she said,
"Only one thing remains…"
Charade was bewildered; it didn't really expect the Korean to come. The only consolation was his style was worth the pain. It needed few hours more to memorize his attack, but now it must try the newly acquired attack. Distancing itself from the opponent, the creature threw its weapon and another weapon materialized in its limbs. It held two short blades and assumed a familiar fighting stance. Yunsung was startled to watch the change,
"Wait! Is that the ninja's style? How do you know it?" Instead, the creature attacked him with suddenness. However something fast blocked its attack and immediately joined the Korean,
"Ang daya mo! Copying Ate Taki's style!" Talim stood in offensive stance, while holding her Syi Syarika and Loka Luha. Then she turned to Yunsung,
"Kuya, do you need my help?" The red-haired youth snorted,
"I can handle this thing by myself…" Instantly the girl's face fell, "…however you can have some piece of it!" Talim brightened,
"Tara, Kuya!" With one shout, they attacked the creature again. Charade felt the frustration crept over its unholy core. Since its existence, it never fought more than one opponent, and if so, it employed cunning to made its opponents weaker. But driven by an unknown desire, it wouldn't fail…never to fail! Instantly the vessels around its core bulged than usual. Then it performed Shadow Cannon. Anticipating this, Yunsung rolled away from the site, but not so with Talim. The girl waited the creature to attack first, once finished she caught its skeletal knees. She pulled her body overhead until her back touched the ground, and then kicked very hard at its 'ribs', sending it flying. At the same time, the Korean kneed Charade at its body, took it airborne, kicked it again and finally performing a rising uppercut slash. Once again, the skeletal body broke apart. Talim exclaimed,
"Tapos na siya, Kuya!" Instead Yunsung hushed her,
"Not yet, Talim! This creature hasn't died for good yet…" To their eyes, the bones immediately reassembled again into its original form. The Filipino said with aghast,
"Halimaw…" It has produced the ninjatos again, and suddenly it rushed toward them with incredible speed. Aware of danger, Yunsung shouted,
"Look out, Talim!" Instinctively he pushed the girl away, as Charade performed three burning fast stabs. He blocked it with White Storm, yet the impact was enough to send him flying to the wall. Yunsung groaned when his back thudded with the wall. Before the creature went to kill, someone called,
"Wait, do you think we still have the business to attend?" The core turned and saw the ninja standing behind.
Taki said, "Let's see who is truly mastered Musoh-Battoh-Ryu, you wretched counterfeit!" Almost immediately, they put the same fighting stance and watched each other. They were trapped in a dance of death. The ninja opened his attack with Rush, which simultaneously followed by Charade. The creature attacked with Blood Scroll, but she has anticipated that,
"Awakening Rush! Soul Charge!" Instantly Rekki-maru glowed very bright and when she flipped the blade, it knocked the creature close to the rubble-strewn window that overlooking the chasm. Without let the table turned, she followed with the next attack and use Soul Charge again,
"Assassin's Strike!" She pushed her attack forward, before Charade had a chance to recover its position. Unable to bear such force, the stone window cracked and crumbled to outside. The creature fell helplessly into the deep chasm below; its limbs flayed uncoordinated. Soon enough, it was swallowed by the darkness. At the same moment, Taki fell to her knees due to exhaustion. Talim hurried to her side,
"Ate Taki, are you fine?" The ninja turned to her sternly,
"You're not supposedly here…" But then she gave a tired smile, "…but thanks for following and helping me to get Mekki-maru again," The girl returned the smile. Yunsung walked closer to them, and then offered his hand to her,
"Well, are you needing help or not?" The raven-haired woman stunned,
"Strange, it isn't like you. What makes you change?" The red-haired youth scratched his head,
"Our countries might be at war, but we're not in Japan or Choson right now. Why should bringing animosities in the faraway land, while we are the strangers here? So, are you accept my offer or not? Just in case I've changed my mind," Taki chuckled,
"Who am I to refuse your offer?" Yunsung responded with a smug. Together with Talim, he carried Taki at her right side and left the castle. Before they left, the Korean peeked slightly to the ruins. Once done that, he turned to the ninja,
"Do you think the creature is really dead now?" In response to that, she replied grimly,
"Let's hope it's true, I wish I can send it directly to Jigoku…" Nobody answered.
Few minutes later, the altar creaked and pushed slightly by something large. From the darkness, a huge creature appeared. His red eyes glowed along with the sphere atop his chest. Faint moonlight revealed his scaly, green skin. A row of spikes adorned his head, while the rest jutted around his left shoulder. The horn-like accessory bound his left wrist. While he wore battle plates at the lower extremities, he walked barefoot. He has watched the recent battle without anyone learned his presence. Moreover, the aura of the fragment has attracted him. With inhuman discernment, the creature recognized who were holding the fragments. A faint vapor came out from his nostrils, before he muttered indiscernible language,
"DESAWOHE. FASER YAYAHO!" Then he vanished again under the shadows…
At the same time at Paris,
Spawn sat atop the cross of the Notre Dame Cathedral, allowing his cloak blown by the wind,
I never thought I would lose Nightmare's track…are my skill already rusted? Then he felt his necroplasmic skin grew tighter and he recognized the signal,
I sense the blood…no, the massacre! It will happen at the north! Rising up, the man who formerly known as Col. Al Simmons turned back,
I'd better go; who knows Soul Edge might be there as well? As he whirled the cloak around, Spawn had vanished from the sight
Late midnight at Southern France,
Cassandra couldn't sleep; she simply missed Pyrrha and Patroklos. She usually slept with them after telling lullaby or bedtime stories. Then the Greek went outside to refresh herself. Once outside, she spotted someone walking to the stables. Thinking that it must be Raphael, she followed but not to close. He went to the stables, where 2 servants waited him nervously. Cassandra picked the best spot where she could see through holes. Inside, she saw Raphael and Soir. The brown-cloaked man gave her creeps. From what she heard among the servants, Soir wasn't well liked. They refrained from giving him ill treatment, had he not monsieur Raphael's friend. Now she listened the conversation between them.
"Our journey will be longer than usual, but I believe we can arrive at Rouen on three days without anyone noticing us," The French put his saddle and tightened it, while Nightmare grunted in reply,
"Why do we have to go there? The farther we go, the more likely the people spot us…why don't take the nearby place?" Raphael answered calmly. This was a dangerous argument he could not afford to lose,
"Sir, there will be many people there! You can get many souls as much as you wants…not only that they're the best fighters that…Sorel Family can offer!" In a split second, a breeze blew Nightmare's cloak, revealing the huge, throbbing eye upon the great sword.
Cassandra was shocked to see that. The fragment that hanging upon her neck was throbbed in response with the Soul Edge. The reaction instantly attracted the azure knight's attention. Even Satan snorted wildly. As he went forward, Raphael called,
"Sir, is there anything you need?" Nightmare didn't answer; the sensation has gone abruptly. He merely turned back and lifted himself to his trusty steed,
"No, nothing's wrong! Let's go to Rouen!" With that, he stirrup Satan on air and then thundered to outside. Raphael shook his head gently and gestured the servants to close the stables. The Greek didn't move at all, as her body was drenched with sweats,
Is that the Soul Edge that Sophitia has looking for? Can I ever destroy that accursed blade? Why does Monsieur Berthine accept such terrible people here? Is he forced or doing it voluntarily? Slumped on the ground, Cassandra wondered what she should do now. This time, the gods have offered no answer…
At the tributary river to the Rhine,
Charade stood in the midst of the boulders; its limbs still held the Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru clone. With a twitch, it transformed its weapons into the White Storm and Syi Syarika…nodding with satisfaction as the streams passed beneath its limbs.
Author's note: Here is the continuation! The next part 'The Hammer Falls' will come next month, whenever I had a spare time. If you have critics (or flame), just tell me!
Glossary:
Filipino:
Gising ka (you're awake)
Dahan-dahan (slowly)
Huwag (don't!)
Huwag mag-aala (don't worry)
Ito ang espada niyo (Is this your sword?)
Ang daya mo! (You cheater!)
Tapos na siya (He's finished!)
Halimaw (Monster)