=The Hammer Falls=
At the country of Luxembourg, five days later,
Sophitia walked behind her companions, as Link was busy talked with Mina. The Korean girl listened eagerly to the elf's stories. The Greek smiled; Link has done the same thing since they met for the first time. It was unbelievable, once they were look after each other throats' and now they were good buddies. Then she turned to the green plain beside the trail. A gentle wind stroke her blond hair. She sighed as she saw the view before her; she really missed her hometown, Athena, the blue skies above her and…a bloodstained river? Instantly the scene changed dramatically. The skies turned into red blood with black streaks, while bodies sprawled around her. Sophitia almost screamed in horror. She didn't saw Link and Mina, but something else chilled her blood to the core…
Nightmare stood on the hill not far from her. She immediately went to the attacking stance by lifting her Omega Sword and Elk Shield. Instead attacking her, the Azure Knight merely pointed behind her with his deformed hand. Turning back, she saw something lying at the ground. As she went closer, she gasped in fear. It was Omega Sword and Nemea Shield that Cassandra stole from Eurydice Shrine. The weapon has been battered and bloodstained. When she took those weapons, she felt a heart-rending sadness. Sophitia hugged the weapons tightly, tears running freely to her cheek,
Cassandra…I'm very sorry…I was too late…
While she lamented her sister's demise, someone else walked closer to her sight. She glanced to the person and shocked. The man wore the green pirate attire and held two blades at his hands; one of them had a throbbing eye. He stared the Greek with his reddish eyes and laughed maniacally, while Sophitia could do what she could…scream!
"Sophie! Wake up!"
"Princess Sophitia, are you all right?" She opened her eyes and saw Mina and Link in front of him. Both of them look worried. She perspired heavily on her brown-pink garment, while her bandanna was wet. Holding her breath, she stared her friends until Mina asked,
"Sophie, what happened? You're looks like in a trance awhile ago!" The elf added,
"Yes, Miss Mina and I tried hard to wake you, but no avail! How do you feel now, Princess?" The Greek woman answered weakly,
"I don't know…" Her mind raced to the meaning of the vision,
That must be a vision from Hephaestus, Cassandra was in a great danger! I must help her immediately!! Gathering her weapons, Sophitia rose quickly and said to her companions,
"Come, our time is short! I must find Cassandra before Nightmare does!" The Korean and the elf were stunned with sudden change, yet they decided to follow her. While walking, the blond haired woman could not let her mind off from the vision,
It can't be! He's already dead; Taki defeated him! Is it he whom I saw in my vision? Whatever it was, Sophitia couldn't find any answers…
Midnight at Rouen,
The chateau of Sorel Family surrounded by the armed brigands, even some regulars from army and mercenaries had joined them. Marquis Le Sorel has promised the sumptuous reward for those who kill the azure knight. These hardened people were kept awake, lest they were taken by surprise like those before them.
Above the hill, Nightmare watched what transpired below from his steed, Satan. Astaroth with his horned attire stood beside him and clutched his Kulutues. Then the knight turned to the golem,
"Raphael was right; they brought more people for us, Astaroth!" The giant snorted in unison with the black stallion,
"Destroy all!" Nightmare nodded, even Soul Edge in his hand was shaken with exhilaration. He continued,
"If more people coming, the merrier the party…let's go!" By then, he lifted Soul Edge Zweihander to the air and charged forward.
Three hours later, the chaos reigned,
"Kill the bastards!"
"Mercy upon us!"
"Let's get out from here!!"
"God with us!!"
The brigand has met Nightmare and Astaroth head-along, but despite their superior numbers and weaponry, they were not the match against the golem's brute strength and the knight's bloodlust. Muskets were powerless against the Palgaea's creation. The giant whirled his giant axe and cut his opponents like they were the trees only. Limbs flew scattered around the place. Astaroth merely laughed,
"DAH, HAH, HAHAHAH, HAH, HAH! Squirm! Scream! Die! HHHAAAAAY!" The merciless laughter instantly unnerved the remaining survivors. The golem grabbed the nearest person with his axe, wrapping the hapless victim around and then pulled them quickly as the popping sound of joints yanked from its sockets was heard, and finally threw it to the ground.
At the same time, Nightmare has transformed into a harbinger of death upon Satan's back. Using Siegfried's equestrian skill, he evaded the bullets and slashed everyone on his path. Then a lone horseman went to meet him and lifted his sword. Yet, the knight merely deflected or blocked the puny attacks. Finally, he sent Shadow Slicer, cutting the rider and the steed together. He shouted, while lifting his deformed hand,
"Bloodbath! I will show you a nightmare!"
Inside the chateau, Marquis Le Sorel ran inside the living room when the knight and the giant struck. His well-trained, veteran mercenaries were no more. Sound filtered through the window-the clash of steel on steel, the howl of dying men and the rumble of horses scurrying away or charging back. The marquis hoped that he would be safe once inside the living room. However, he was surprised to see someone walking inside the room. Well, not walking so much as swaggering…a familiar voice called,
"Bonjour, cousin! Long time to not see each other…"The man wore red vest and brown pants, while sporting a small goatee. The marquis hissed with displeasure,
"Raphael…you're alive…" Then a loud scream heard faraway. The older Sorel turned,
"Is this your doings?" Raphael gave a mock smile,
"Just say this is your down payment for betraying me to my enemies…" Instantly, he swung Flambert to his estranged cousin.
"Cousin, choose what sword do you want? Epee? Estoc? Reiterpallasch? Then I will give you a honorable death," Steeled himself, Le Sorel instead moved to a desk, opened a sliding panel, and removed from the hidden compartment a sleek, long-curved sword. He immediately pointed it toward his opponent, while the younger Sorel commented,
"I must say it is really a nice sword," The marquis spat,
"That's good, dear cousin! I will use the Queen's Guard to end your life at the spot…"
"Don't be so sure, it is better to prove your words," Slowly, they went to the fighting stance. Surprisingly, their stance was similar. It shouldn't come as surprise since they had the same style, Les Rapiere de Sorel. Le Sorel opened the first attack, rushing forward. Raphael evaded and began his stance to Preparation I. Slowly his rapier glowed blue as he swung it to the ground. When the marquis attacked with whirling cut, he ducked and parried the attack skillfully. In return, he swung the sword toward the opponent, cutting his coat several times. Cursed, Le Sorel went to the same preparation. To anticipate it, Raphael shifted to Preparation II by advancing slowly and said,
"En Guarde!" The marquis sent three thrusting attack, yet the opponent blocked them with ease and counterattacked with stabbage. Instead pressing, the young Sorel asked,
"Why do you betray me? I thought we're close…" Le Sorel snarled angrily,
"As long as you are around, I can't become the head of the Sorel Clan …everyone said you are the best, while I'm not! You always the brightest among the family, while I'm nothing! That's why I give away your whereabouts to your enemies…" Raphael nodded, then he smiled with sneer,
"Well, I should thank you, cousin! You have enlighten me that I have to get rid the people like you for the sake of the people…" Instantly he went into Preparation III, and advanced quickly. Realized that, the marquis shifted to the same preparation. Their swords clanged loudly inside the chateau. Like fencing, they took the position tactfully. Raphael pressed his attack; while Le Sorel was feel cornered. The younger Sorel didn't want to give his opponent any advantages. He whirled Flambert and then struck the marquis' position many times. The opponent was unable to deflect the sudden attack. Then he whispered,
"Undertaker!" He took Le Sorel's left shoulder and threw him off to his right. As the opponent tried to stand, he whacked him with his rapier. The marquis was furious; he immediately went to Unending Strings, but Raphael blocked those attacks, to his dismay. Raphael's movement was so smooth, almost like a wyvern itself. Finally he shouted,
"Coooooooup... de grace!" With three lightning strikes, Raphael forced his opponent to drop his weapon. The Queen's Guard fell clanging on the ground. Before he could even glance, Le Sorel felt the cold steel at his neck. Raphael put the edge close to his jugular vessels, if the marquis tried to do something; he would lose his head. He taunted his estranged cousin,
"Are you going to kill me, Raphael? We're coming from the same family, the same blood!" The French answered mildly,
"Do you think that too when you sell me to my enemies? Have you felt how it is like to being hunted like a beast, huh?" Suddenly, he lowered the rapier and distanced away from the marquis, while saying,
"Well, everyone changes…I'm going to let you go this time," Then he turned around, as Le Sorel knelt to the floor,
"You're so kind, too kind indeed…" Silently, he pulled a hidden dagger and crouched behind his estranged cousin. Yet a terrible, cold voice chilled his heart,
"Coward…" When he turned around, Nightmare grabbed with his deformed hand and stabbed him with Soul Edge Zweihander. The huge, yellowish eye throbbed ecstatically as the marquis's blood poured upon its surface. Then the knight lifted the sword along with its unlucky victim, shouting,
"Unholy Terror!!" With his monstrous strength, Nightmare threw the sword and the poor marquis hitting the wall on the fireplace where the banner of the Sorel Family hung. The impact caused the banner to fall and cover the body of Le Sorel. Raphael simply shook his head. Nightmare asked him,
"Do you know this creep?" The French answered absentmindedly,
"No, I don't know him…" The knight yanked the Soul Edge from the corpse, while staring him with suspicion,
"Strange, he seems know you so well…" Try to divert the conversation, Raphael asked,
"Sir, do you have what you wanted?" Nightmare lifted his Soul Edge Zweihander. The French noticed that the sword was more bulky than the last time he saw it. The eye had grown larger too. The knight spoke solemnly,
"Three more nights, Soul Edge shall be complete…" He turned to Raphael,
"This won't be happen if not because of your help," The French bowed,
"I'm glad to help you, Sir…" Silently, he thought,
Then it shall be mine! As Nightmare went out, he turned to his dead cousin with pity. Le Sorel's eye bulged with disbelief. Slowly, Raphael knelt and covered the corpse with the Sorel Family banner respectfully, and then he took the Queen's Guard and left Flambert beside the body,
"Farewell, cousin…"
Spawn watched them leaving the damaged chateau. Astaroth would rejoin them later. Atop the chateau's roof, the hellspawn pondered,
Something isn't right! Nightmare doesn't killing these people willingly…Soul Edge controlled him! Then why does Malebolgia want me to find the sword? I smell something rotten… Turning to the south, he said,
"I must find an answer for these questions…and fast!" With a single brush, he has disappeared from the sight.
Next morning at Marseilles, close to the Mediterranean Ocean,
Upon the field overlooking the harbor city, three people walked relaxed. They passed the green pasture where the shepherds tend their charges. Taki pulled her hair into a bow, allowing a few strands to fall to her face. She wore a white and gold robe of sorts with a gold sash covering her upper body and thighs. Metal plate guards protected her arms and shins. She wore a dark pants and the dark colored shoes. The costume was less body hugging compared with the previous. Though her creamy, willowy limbs came to view, the ninja felt comfortable to walk without risking the ogling of the others. Yunsung wore a light green shirt/vest and a long flowing red and blue belt over blue navy pants. In other hand, Talim had arranged her hair into knots. She wore a blue apron-like robe that covered her frontal, yet allowed the side open. Gold bracelets adorned both arms, while she still wore a white pants and blue scarf upon her head. The Korean opened the conversation,
"Hey, are you sure that we can found something about Sword of Salvation there?" Taki ignored the sarcasm,
"I have heard the rumors that a crazed knight and a giant has ran amok here, beside the Evil Seeds has leads us here?" The Filipino girl turned to her,
"Ano'ng gagawin ngayon, Ate Taki?" The ninja merely glanced to Marseilles,
"First thing first, we should take a rest first, before go to northwest. I have no doubt we might found news about Soul Edge,"
Back to Rouen,
The incident at the Sorel chateau had invited the attention of many people. To keep the order, the King sent the 12th Royal Regiment to secure the place. The banner with three fleurs-de-lis flew proudly, as those soldiers took over the chateau and forbid people to enter. The burly, barrel-chested man barked orders to some soldiers and sent them away. Not for long, he noticed two people around the place and shouted,
"Hey, do I tell you this place is not for public?" The bare-chested youth with red jacket and red rod answered politely,
"We just pass around this place, Captain. May I know your name?" The burly captain grunted proudly,
"I'm Captain Cosseau from the 12th Royal Regiment…hmm, you aren't look like the people from here," Then the young girl joined them, as the young man introduced himself,
"My name is Kilik, and she's Xianghua, Captain…" Cosseau merely nodded,
"Both of you are warriors, huh?" he said warily, "You'd better be careful, don't like these people…" They turned to the chateau and saw some people took the bodies away. Kilik asked,
"What actually happened here, Captain?" The captain sighed only,
"The Azure Knight just has been coming here; he hasn't only single-handedly taking those mercenaries, but he also killed Marquis Le Sorel with ease. It isn't a small feat, considering the marquis was a skilled swordsman." He coughed awhile, before continue,
"Taking 130 well-armed people isn't a normal human feat, I told you the knight must be demon-possessed to do that…" He didn't continue when he watched Maxi was kneeling at the chateau's lawn. He glanced to Kilik and Xianghua with displeasure,
"If I were you, I'll keep your friend from poking his nose too far. Anyone can be injured, now would you excuse me! I still have some business to attend," When Cosseau left, the young girl tugged Kilik,
"Kilik, do you think the knight was…" The young master nodded,
"No doubt, Xiang! He must be referring to Nightmare! Let's see what Maxi are doing…"
The pirate stared a huge footprint on the ground. His feature was looked serious than usual. When Kilik tapped his shoulder, he was surprised,
"Sorry if we disturbs you…" Maxi rose from the ground,
"That's fine, I simply examined these footprints. I don't think they are interested with this…" They glanced to the soldiers who drove some inquisitive minds away. Kilik replied,
"No, they are confident to their abilities. What do you find?" The Ryukyu pirate explained,
"From what I see, there are three people! The large footprints are no doubt belongs to Astaroth, while the other two were riding horses, though one horse was larger than the other!" Xianghua commented,
"Strange, I don't think Nightmare was riding horse before…" The former master of the Ling-Sheng-Su Temple added,
"He had already changed much since our last fight, I must prepare myself! Sir, where are the direction of the footprints?" Maxi merely pointed toward northeast. Nodded, Kilik said inside,
Kali-Yuga, lead me to the sword!
Late night at the streets of Marseilles,
The surrounding looked merry, as the people went back and fro. They drank, ate and sought pleasure like they would die anytime. Among them, three strangers were looking for a shelter. With look of disappointment, Taki turned around to her companions and said,
"This is the sixth inn, which I asked. As usual, there are no vacant rooms…" Yunsung shrugged her shoulders,
"So, are we going to stay at the street?" There were plenty of beggars around them. The ninja sighed. Talim spoke,
"Bahala na, Ate! Probably we can find another place," The Korean didn't answer. Without even turning back, the former Fu-Ma ninja left,
"Come, we'll try to find another place," Together they trailed the dim-lighted streets.
Meanwhile, someone huddled in the dark. He couldn't see, but he could hear. His loyalty to his deceased master was the only one who kept him alive; it was stronger than the death itself. He would wait until…
Suddenly something else stirred his attention. Something familiar…it brought the memories back,
"Get Soul Edge for me!" Driven by that, he crawled, rolled and tumbled with all fours,
After few hours, Taki sensed something. She immediately gestured them to stop, while her eyes scanned the surrounding. Curious, Talim asked,
"Ano'yun, Ate? Is there something wrong?" Yunsung put his right hand at the pommel of White Storm,
"Do we have another foes here?" The ninja hushed them to quiet. Unknown to them, she heard the soft, but erratic steps at one of the buildings. She knew that pattern, and then everything was dead silent. Felt something bad, Taki suddenly grabbed her companions and lifted them airborne.
In a split second, they have landed gently atop the roof. Yunsung didn't wait to launch the protest,
"Hey, what is the meaning of this? How dare you…" The ninja merely put a finger on her mouth, while whispered,
"Shh, be quiet if you want to live longer…" Now it was Talim's turn to ask,
"Ate, anong nangyari?" The black-haired woman didn't answer; instead she stared in front of her. Then the roof in front of them exploded loudly, showering them with debris. Taki swiftly brushed them off with Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru. Something else came out from the hole. Pale, bony fingers grabbed the tip, and then followed by the whole body. The pale-skinned, thin man came from the broken rooftop. The straps wrapped his face and other parts of his body. It was enhanced by the purple-colored skimpy costume. The man bent his back forward, allowing his leg to bent toward the head. His head rocked around, like looking for something.
Taki stared the man grimly, it seems she recognized him. The Korean whispered,
"Do you know the freak?" The ninja nodded back,
"His name is Voldo and he is not an ordinary freak…" Talim noted that Voldo was performed a dance-like movement, by rotating or twisting his body and limbs. She realized that the Italian was blind. She quickly tugged the woman,
"Ate Taki, bakit siya magsasayaw? Bulag siya e" Everybody was sweat-dropped after hearing her question. In return, Taki glanced sharply to the young girl,
"Voldo might be blind, but it don't affect his killer instinct. He must be looking for Soul Edge or Evil Seeds as well. Don't underestimate him, he can even heard a heartbeat before the victim realizes his presence," Talim and Yunsung looked on each other, before turning back to Vercci's former servant. He still folded or crawled with his hands and feet. For a moment, nobody moved or spoke.
The Italian was at loss; he couldn't find his targets. He sensed them, but he still need the direction, since the hustle-bustle on the streets distracted his hearing. Unknowingly, Talim began to perspire, sweat dotted her forehead. Then the sweat rolled downward from her face, and simultaneously, Voldo stopped moving. Before the sweat hit the roof, Taki caught it in her palms. The girl saw her smiling, but then the smile was vanished when…
"A-nio!" Yunsung accidentally slipped, and a roof fell to the ground with the loud crashing sound. Immediately, the Italian turned to the direction and his ear caught a familiar rhythm…three heartbeats! Taki and Talim gave a dark, sidelong glance to the Korean, who only shrugged his shoulders. Realizing his prey was close; Voldo crossed his arm and pressing his palms tighter. Instantly, Manas and Ayus appeared in his hands. Now he turned to the three…
Taki cursed, "Damn, he know us now!" She turned to the Filipino and the Korean, "Both of you must go, I'll fight him!" Talim protested,
"Hindi, Ate! Let us fight with you!" Yunsung continued,
"That's right! With three of us, the freak can be defeated…" The ninja replied sternly,
"No, you aren't understood! You can't fight Voldo now! His style is not like the usual…trust me, you'll get yourself killed if you insists!" They saw the Italian went toward them, though he still crawled or rolled, it was getting faster. He would be upon them in no time! Torn apart, the girl said pleadingly,
"Pero, Ate…" Taki quickly turned to the red-haired youth,
"Yunsung, take Talim away from here! If I'm alive, I'll meet you at the downtown…" she added,
"Keep the fragments safe! Don't let anyone see or take it from you!!" Yunsung nodded and pulled Talim, who still refused to leave the place. The ninja gave a reassuring smile,
"Don't worry, I'll be fine this time! Go now!" Finally they left her alone. At the same time, Voldo sprang to the air and rolled three times before spreading his spindly limb; ready to strike Taki hard like an eagle strikes its prey. The ninja has ready; she pulled her Rekki-maru slowly, while another hand touched Mekki-maru's pommel.
Yunsung and Talim ran faster as they could. Actually, they didn't like to leave Taki alone with the freak, but she insisted. They finally stopped after quite a distance from their previous place. The girl said,
"Hindi ko gusto ito! We should not leave Ate Taki with that man!" Caught his breath, the youth answered,
"But she told us to go! I have no choice!" He saw Talim looks despondent, so he added,
"Look, Talim! She is a grown-up woman; she can take care of herself!"
"What about her last fight with Charade?" Quickly, Yunsung gave his answer,
"That's an exception! The creature was cunning…don't worry, Talim! She'll be back!" Still, the girl didn't quite sure. Then a feminine voice broke the musings,
"How about you then, children?" Simultaneously, they turned around and saw a cloaked woman standing at the chimney. The red-haired youth quickly unsheathed White Storm. The woman continued,
"Don't worry, I am not your enemy! We have the same objective…"As she came closer, Yunsung saw her face clearly. Her hair was short and white-colored, hanging on her face, while the eyes were golden. Suspected something, he asked back,
"What kind of objective?" The woman smiled,
"The Evil Seed…I know them too…just let me to see it, please?" The Korean was unconvinced,
"Introduce yourself!" The woman opened her hood, revealing her face fully to them,
"I'm Isabella Valentine or more known with 'Ivy'. I also look for of the evil fragments…now would you show me your fragments?" As he hesitated, Talim tugged him,
"Huwag, Kuya! Parang masamang tao siya!I don't trust her…beside Ate Taki said that we shouldn't show our fragments to anyone…"
"But she knows well…" Glanced slightly, the girl insisted,
"Even so, her eye looks cold! She must be hiding something, probably we should wait until Ate Taki returns," Sighed, the youth answered the woman,
"I'm sorry, we can show you the fragments! Probably you would like to wait our friend here?" Ivy instead hissed, while grabbing her cloak tightly. She replied,
"La Ultima Razon…If reason fails, force remains! You give me no choice…" She pulled her cloak and threw it away. Talim and Yunsung startled to see her costume. She wore a very revealing costume with purple color. Her chest almost came out from the costume, while her stomach was covered by transparent material. She also wore the purple skintight leggings that run all the way to her waist, connected with the thongs. Her left arm was covered by a metal elbow pad and golden gauntlet, while the long arm pad covered her right arm. Gold rings circled her thighs. Ivy held a short sword at her right hand. When she spoke, her tone was cold and menacing,
"Be careful or you'll feel the pain! I had trying to be nice with you, but you throw it back to my face…" The Korean felt something familiar with the woman, but he couldn't recall it. He immediately dismissed the thought and commented, "Now you show your true colors, let see how good you are!" Without waiting any longer, he charged toward the Englishwoman. Ivy simply waited him to come. When they collided, she blocked the Korean's attack with the short sword and parlayed up to three attacks. Yunsung slashed, yet Ivy quickly guarded herself by sending a vertical slash. The Filipino girl watched the fight worriedly. The red-haired youth rolled back to find weakness, as the Valentine woman waited. He taunted,
"I can't wait to take you down!" Ivy smiled,
"Overconfidence, I like that…you're a feisty one! Do you have any last words?"
"I'll show you what I can do! Watch and learn!" This time, he leaped very high and sending three slashes, horizontal, vertical and vertical. The Englishwoman didn't do anything until she glanced her opponent. A fierce gleam passed on her golden eyes. She shouted aloud,
"Valentine, show him who you are! Squire's Cage!" Ivy stabbed her sword to the air, and to Talim's shock, the sword was broken into segments and elongated. Then she slashed the weapon very fast, blocking Yunsung's attack at once. Ivy quickly followed her initial attack with a sudden thrust that caught the opponent unprepared. The Korean managed to block the attack; nevertheless the weapon managed to tear his costume and dragged him to the ground. At the same time, the woman sent a low kick to him, before he slammed to the roof. Talim quickly attended him,
"Kuya, ayos ba?" Yunsung only grunted as a reply. Yet, a shocking scene stunned them. Ivy stood tall, as her sword…circled around her voluptuous body lovingly, like a serpent. The sharp edges of the segments didn't tear her fair skin, as it ran smoothly along her curves. She smirked to them.
"By the winds," The girl cried, as she pulled her elbow blades, "It is cursed!"
Ivy laughed.
"No, Valentine is simply…alive and it's my only salvation!" She continued, while staring Yunsung,
"You aren't like Hwang, are you? Wait, you're more looks like the girl I had fought four years ago…" Suddenly something dawned inside Yunsung's mind. He shouted,
"You're the one who had defeated Mina four years ago with that sword! I know that!" The Englishwoman's smile grew wider,
"Oh, she's still around then…well, I think I have to satisfy myself with you," Forced himself to stand, the youth shouted,
"You picked the wrong guy to mess with!" Once again, he resumed the attacking stance. At the same time, Valentine unwound itself from its owner's body. Ivy said softly, but a tone of menace ran deeply,
"Are you ready to die?"
"Talk is cheap in battle! All right, let's start!" Then the Korean charged again, while swung his sabre. To counter it, Ivy swung her whip sword in greater range, thus making her opponent wary. Now she opened her attack,
"Biting Raven!" With a metallic clank, the sword flew toward Yunsung. He immediately slashed vertically to deflect the attack. Even so, the Englishwoman quickly followed it with Raven's Beak, which successfully deflected. Yet, she swung her body forward along with Valentine,
"Dancing Insanity!" In a sudden thrust, the sword struck Yunsung's left side of the head, while their distance was quite far. Talim shouted,
"Kuya Yunsung!!" Felt the prickling blood at the wound, the youth replied,
"I'm all right, Talim!" Then he ran into the opponent's range. Ivy quickly pulled her weapon to close the distance, however Yunsung has already inside her range. He immediately sent a roundhouse kick to her stomach. The Valentine woman instinctively blocked it with her whip sword, yet her body was pushed backward slightly. Instead gritted her teeth she was merely smiled. When the Korean readied another attack, she crouched and swept again. Yunsung bent his body to avoid the first attack, as the white-haired woman started to rose up and attacked him again. Sensing the weakness, he sidestepped Ivy's Menace and grabbed her body. She gasped, as the Korean flipped over with his right boot implanted on her stomach and fell backward along with her. Her body crashed loudly on the roof. Talim cheered,
"Ang galing mo talaga, Kuya!" Ivy slowly rose and watched her young opponent apathetically, though a small bruise smeared her face. Suddenly she laughed maniacally,
"Heh, heh, hee... I like that." Then she gave him a cold stare, "Nothing shall be spared!" Hissed to her lungs, she unwound Valentine once again and shouted,
"Ivy Lash!" Whirling her weapon above the head, the Englishwoman lashed Yunsung, who quickly blocked it with White Storm. His opponent quickly followed it with Venom Lash. Impatient, the Korean slashed horizontally toward her. That's what Ivy waited for! Instantly she used Soul Charge at Valentine and swept toward him with untold force,
"Ivy Lick!" Yunsung instantly went airborne. At the same time, she quickly impaled and slammed him to the roof very hard. The Filipino girl could only gasped as the red-haired youth coughed a speck of blood. When Yunsung turned around, the segments of whip sword instantly wrapped his neck in such speed. He tried to release himself, but Ivy immediately kicked his back, forcing him down to all fours. To add insult to injury, she pulled him slowly off ground, as the segments choked him. The youth could only try to keep those sharp segments from cutting his neck. He could feel her breath behind his nape,
"You'd know? You're quite lively. I like that. Probably you're better than the girl…why don't I keep you? Where shall I cut first?" Instead, the Korean cried,
"DEYAAA! You're going down!" To Ivy's surprise, he brought his head backward and hit her nose very hard. Instantly blood poured from her beautiful nose. A feral growl came from her mouth, as she pulled her whip sword,
"Insolent boy!! Primal Dominance!" She kicked Yunsung with her left leg, and dragged him over the roof. The youth managed to yelp before falling over from the roof.
"Kuya Yunsung!!!" No answer to her scream. Immediately, Talim turned to the Valentine woman and put her weapon in defensive stance. Ivy wiped blood from her nose, and.…licking them. She savored and detested the taste of blood at the same time, remembering the person who gave her this blood. Then she turned menacingly toward the young girl,
"I hope you're more reasonable from your friend…I won't repeat myself; give the fragments and I will leave you unharmed," Talim answered slowly,
"There's a reason why I cannot yield. This is one of them…" The Englishwoman watched her with curiosity,
"Your dialect is unique…are you coming from the Spanish colonies?" Pretending not to be lured, the young girl asked,
"Paano alam mo?" Ivy chuckled,
"I once read about your people when I was a child…what is your name? Talim?" Set her composure to dignity and ignoring the breeze that tickled her skin, she reached out and offered a genuine smile,
"Talim, stop this senseless fighting…give me the fragments and you can going back to your home. I will make sure that the Evil Seed won't disturb anymore…please," The girl hesitated; what Ivy said seems reasonable. She could go home and forget the Soul Edge but then Ate Taki? She had told her about the truth behind the blade and the fragments…if she let it, the untold evil would befall upon the world, like what she felt during her childhood. She stared Ivy's golden eyes; it seemed smiling but behind it hid sadness…and madness at the same time. She shouted,
"No! Hindi ko ibigay ito para sayo! I won't back down!" Instantly, the smile at Ivy's face vanished and replaced with a cold sneer,
"Very well, you are the one who has asked and you are the one upon whom all the consequences fall!" With a twitch, Valentine resumed its whip form. She quickly leaned up and whirled her weapon above the head, striking with full force,
"Crucifixion!" When the whip screeched toward her, Talim quickly blocked it with her elbow blades. Before she managed to breathe, Ivy already sent another attack,
"Ancient Wheel!" Instantly, two low sweeps flew toward the Filipino, yet she swiftly avoided the attack. As the following attacks came, the girl decided to add another elements in her style: Arnis-style attack! She blocked Valentine's attacks by swung both weapons skillfully. This enraged Ivy further as she has became merciless in her attack. She taunted,
"You won't win, savage! I'm assure you that what you'll get is suffering…" Talim didn't parley with her; instead she pushed forward and swifter to the Englishwoman's side. She shouted,
"Ito ang Roundhouse sipa!" Her right heel instantly struck Ivy's rib. Gritted her teeth, the white-haired woman sent Lamenting Tail that tore the apron-like costume apart. Even it scratched Talim's abdomen slightly. It didn't deter the girl to stop her attack. Circled her opponent, she sent,
"Blade Cyclone!" Her body instantly whirled around like a whirlwind, making Ivy had difficulty to blocking the attack. To protect her, she summoned Asylum. Obeying its mistress, the whip sword helixed around her body. Then Talim leaped behind her. As the Valentine woman tried to whip her, she caught her right arm,
"Sungabb Throw!" Rolled to her opponent's back, she pulled the arm and threw the woman very hard. Ivy lay sprawled, as she stunned with the young girl's skill. She immediately rose again and threw her hair back. Talim watched her intensely. The Englishwoman didn't attack; instead she stabbed the roof with Valentine,
"Fear's Void!" In a split second, the edge of the whip sword sprouted beneath Talim's feet. Though taken by surprise, the young girl managed to avoid the attack by rolling away. The sword seemed following her. As the distance between those opponents became farther, Ivy suddenly ran toward her and pulled her weapon. She jumped very high, while sending an attack,
"Serpent's Venom!" As the sweeping attack hit her, Talim felt her body shuddered. Before she landed, Ivy sent a last attack,
"Pride! Asunder!" Instantly, Valentine rolled like a striking serpent that attacking from below. Instinctively, the young girl lifted her elbow blades to counter the attack. However, Ivy changed the attack into an uppercut and…broke one of the elbow blades into pieces! Talim's face instantly drained from its color, as she cried hysterically,
"Loka Luha! Ang aking sandata!!" Everything around her seems mired in a slow motion. Ivy gloated victoriously.
Meanwhile at the Village of the Winds,
The sound of broken jar was heard not far from Talim's house. The middle-aged man quickly took his wife, who sat on the ground, while the pieces of an earthen jar scattered everywhere and the water inside forming a small pool of water,
"Lidi, ayos ka ba?" he asked worriedly. The woman replied,
"Ayos lang ako, but I have broke Talim's jar accidentally…Sanput, I'm afraid something happened to her," Though he felt the same, the man quickly said,
"I feel the same, yet nagtitiwala ako sa kanya! Talim can overcome the obstacle before her…The winds was guiding her path…" Talim's mother nodded and both of them entered the house.
When everything zoomed again, the pieces of Loka Luha clattered around the roof. The countess rolled her weapon, waiting the opponent's reaction. Talim knelt and took the pieces carefully. Tears swelled at the edges of her eyes. Her grandmother gave the elbow blade and she had promised to keep it carefully, but now…how could she explain this? Meanwhile, Ivy mocked without any sympathy,
"Would you keep crying there or continue our business…" The Filipino clenched her teeth, while staring the Englishwoman with fury. She whispered between her teeth,
"Magbabayad ka…" Then she rose and shouted with her lung, while pointing Ivy with her remaining blade,
"Magbabayad ka sa ginawa mo ito! Hindi ko patawarin ito!!" Without thinking anything, she charged toward her opponent and unleashed Wind Charmer. Undaunted, Ivy smiled coldly,
"Silly girl, probably I must teach you…Valentine!" Immediately, she laid her whip on the ground, waiting Talim to close. She could see fury in her face. Simultaneously, the whip sword reverberated and entered beneath the ceiling. When it was closer, she shouted aloud,
"Eye of Madness!!" The roof splinted and went toward Talim. Unaware of the trap, she continued to run until the edge of Valentine hit her chin squarely and sent her airborne. Giving her no quarter, Ivy shouted,
"Demented Loop!" She slashed Talim back and forth as the girl was helpless on the air. Then she slammed her back to the roof. Talim's cap was shredded, allowing her hair to fell back. Her lips were bleeding. She tried to rise, but the injuries prevented her. She noticed the Englishwomen came closer to her. Without any pity, Ivy grabbed the girl's hair and yanked her upward. A gleam of insanity passed on her golden eyes. She said without any shreds of sympathy,
"Had you listened me before…this won't be happened," The girl merely spat on the ground. Instead Ivy impaled her with Valentine,
"Now it was too late…Summon…" Slowly, Valentine broke apart into segments and they floated around them. A tinge of fear appeared in the Filipino's eye. Ivy smiled; she would enjoy this greatly as she finished the sentence,
"Suffering…" Like a flock of angry birds, they flew and struck Talim simultaneously, slicing some of her flesh. She screamed agonizingly, while Ivy laughed insanely. Their voices swallowed by the reveries below. Nobody felt the suffering that the young priestess felt now…except the two glowing eyes from the darkness…
Author's note: I apologize deeply for Talim's fans if you find the story is less desirable. The fight will be getting furious when some characters will join later. Just wait the next chapter ' The Dark Showdown'. Don't worry, just send your critics, reviews (and flames!) Enjoy!
Glossary:
Filipino:
Ano'ng gagawin ngayon? (What are we going to do now?)
Bahala na (It's up to you)
Ano'yun? (What is that?)
anong nangyari?(What happened?)
bakit siya magsasayaw? (Why does he dancing?)
Bulag siya (He's blind)
Hindi ko gusto ito (I don't like this)
Huwag,(Don't)
Parang masamang tao siya (She looks like an evil guy)
Paano alam mo? (How do you know?)
Hindi ko ibigay ito para sayo (I won't give it for you)
Ang aking sandata (My weapon!)
nagtitiwala ako sa kanya (I have faith on her.)
Magbabayad ka sa ginawa mo ito (You must pay what you have done!)
Hindi ko patawarin ito (I won't forgive this!)
At the country of Luxembourg, five days later,
Sophitia walked behind her companions, as Link was busy talked with Mina. The Korean girl listened eagerly to the elf's stories. The Greek smiled; Link has done the same thing since they met for the first time. It was unbelievable, once they were look after each other throats' and now they were good buddies. Then she turned to the green plain beside the trail. A gentle wind stroke her blond hair. She sighed as she saw the view before her; she really missed her hometown, Athena, the blue skies above her and…a bloodstained river? Instantly the scene changed dramatically. The skies turned into red blood with black streaks, while bodies sprawled around her. Sophitia almost screamed in horror. She didn't saw Link and Mina, but something else chilled her blood to the core…
Nightmare stood on the hill not far from her. She immediately went to the attacking stance by lifting her Omega Sword and Elk Shield. Instead attacking her, the Azure Knight merely pointed behind her with his deformed hand. Turning back, she saw something lying at the ground. As she went closer, she gasped in fear. It was Omega Sword and Nemea Shield that Cassandra stole from Eurydice Shrine. The weapon has been battered and bloodstained. When she took those weapons, she felt a heart-rending sadness. Sophitia hugged the weapons tightly, tears running freely to her cheek,
Cassandra…I'm very sorry…I was too late…
While she lamented her sister's demise, someone else walked closer to her sight. She glanced to the person and shocked. The man wore the green pirate attire and held two blades at his hands; one of them had a throbbing eye. He stared the Greek with his reddish eyes and laughed maniacally, while Sophitia could do what she could…scream!
"Sophie! Wake up!"
"Princess Sophitia, are you all right?" She opened her eyes and saw Mina and Link in front of him. Both of them look worried. She perspired heavily on her brown-pink garment, while her bandanna was wet. Holding her breath, she stared her friends until Mina asked,
"Sophie, what happened? You're looks like in a trance awhile ago!" The elf added,
"Yes, Miss Mina and I tried hard to wake you, but no avail! How do you feel now, Princess?" The Greek woman answered weakly,
"I don't know…" Her mind raced to the meaning of the vision,
That must be a vision from Hephaestus, Cassandra was in a great danger! I must help her immediately!! Gathering her weapons, Sophitia rose quickly and said to her companions,
"Come, our time is short! I must find Cassandra before Nightmare does!" The Korean and the elf were stunned with sudden change, yet they decided to follow her. While walking, the blond haired woman could not let her mind off from the vision,
It can't be! He's already dead; Taki defeated him! Is it he whom I saw in my vision? Whatever it was, Sophitia couldn't find any answers…
Midnight at Rouen,
The chateau of Sorel Family surrounded by the armed brigands, even some regulars from army and mercenaries had joined them. Marquis Le Sorel has promised the sumptuous reward for those who kill the azure knight. These hardened people were kept awake, lest they were taken by surprise like those before them.
Above the hill, Nightmare watched what transpired below from his steed, Satan. Astaroth with his horned attire stood beside him and clutched his Kulutues. Then the knight turned to the golem,
"Raphael was right; they brought more people for us, Astaroth!" The giant snorted in unison with the black stallion,
"Destroy all!" Nightmare nodded, even Soul Edge in his hand was shaken with exhilaration. He continued,
"If more people coming, the merrier the party…let's go!" By then, he lifted Soul Edge Zweihander to the air and charged forward.
Three hours later, the chaos reigned,
"Kill the bastards!"
"Mercy upon us!"
"Let's get out from here!!"
"God with us!!"
The brigand has met Nightmare and Astaroth head-along, but despite their superior numbers and weaponry, they were not the match against the golem's brute strength and the knight's bloodlust. Muskets were powerless against the Palgaea's creation. The giant whirled his giant axe and cut his opponents like they were the trees only. Limbs flew scattered around the place. Astaroth merely laughed,
"DAH, HAH, HAHAHAH, HAH, HAH! Squirm! Scream! Die! HHHAAAAAY!" The merciless laughter instantly unnerved the remaining survivors. The golem grabbed the nearest person with his axe, wrapping the hapless victim around and then pulled them quickly as the popping sound of joints yanked from its sockets was heard, and finally threw it to the ground.
At the same time, Nightmare has transformed into a harbinger of death upon Satan's back. Using Siegfried's equestrian skill, he evaded the bullets and slashed everyone on his path. Then a lone horseman went to meet him and lifted his sword. Yet, the knight merely deflected or blocked the puny attacks. Finally, he sent Shadow Slicer, cutting the rider and the steed together. He shouted, while lifting his deformed hand,
"Bloodbath! I will show you a nightmare!"
Inside the chateau, Marquis Le Sorel ran inside the living room when the knight and the giant struck. His well-trained, veteran mercenaries were no more. Sound filtered through the window-the clash of steel on steel, the howl of dying men and the rumble of horses scurrying away or charging back. The marquis hoped that he would be safe once inside the living room. However, he was surprised to see someone walking inside the room. Well, not walking so much as swaggering…a familiar voice called,
"Bonjour, cousin! Long time to not see each other…"The man wore red vest and brown pants, while sporting a small goatee. The marquis hissed with displeasure,
"Raphael…you're alive…" Then a loud scream heard faraway. The older Sorel turned,
"Is this your doings?" Raphael gave a mock smile,
"Just say this is your down payment for betraying me to my enemies…" Instantly, he swung Flambert to his estranged cousin.
"Cousin, choose what sword do you want? Epee? Estoc? Reiterpallasch? Then I will give you a honorable death," Steeled himself, Le Sorel instead moved to a desk, opened a sliding panel, and removed from the hidden compartment a sleek, long-curved sword. He immediately pointed it toward his opponent, while the younger Sorel commented,
"I must say it is really a nice sword," The marquis spat,
"That's good, dear cousin! I will use the Queen's Guard to end your life at the spot…"
"Don't be so sure, it is better to prove your words," Slowly, they went to the fighting stance. Surprisingly, their stance was similar. It shouldn't come as surprise since they had the same style, Les Rapiere de Sorel. Le Sorel opened the first attack, rushing forward. Raphael evaded and began his stance to Preparation I. Slowly his rapier glowed blue as he swung it to the ground. When the marquis attacked with whirling cut, he ducked and parried the attack skillfully. In return, he swung the sword toward the opponent, cutting his coat several times. Cursed, Le Sorel went to the same preparation. To anticipate it, Raphael shifted to Preparation II by advancing slowly and said,
"En Guarde!" The marquis sent three thrusting attack, yet the opponent blocked them with ease and counterattacked with stabbage. Instead pressing, the young Sorel asked,
"Why do you betray me? I thought we're close…" Le Sorel snarled angrily,
"As long as you are around, I can't become the head of the Sorel Clan …everyone said you are the best, while I'm not! You always the brightest among the family, while I'm nothing! That's why I give away your whereabouts to your enemies…" Raphael nodded, then he smiled with sneer,
"Well, I should thank you, cousin! You have enlighten me that I have to get rid the people like you for the sake of the people…" Instantly he went into Preparation III, and advanced quickly. Realized that, the marquis shifted to the same preparation. Their swords clanged loudly inside the chateau. Like fencing, they took the position tactfully. Raphael pressed his attack; while Le Sorel was feel cornered. The younger Sorel didn't want to give his opponent any advantages. He whirled Flambert and then struck the marquis' position many times. The opponent was unable to deflect the sudden attack. Then he whispered,
"Undertaker!" He took Le Sorel's left shoulder and threw him off to his right. As the opponent tried to stand, he whacked him with his rapier. The marquis was furious; he immediately went to Unending Strings, but Raphael blocked those attacks, to his dismay. Raphael's movement was so smooth, almost like a wyvern itself. Finally he shouted,
"Coooooooup... de grace!" With three lightning strikes, Raphael forced his opponent to drop his weapon. The Queen's Guard fell clanging on the ground. Before he could even glance, Le Sorel felt the cold steel at his neck. Raphael put the edge close to his jugular vessels, if the marquis tried to do something; he would lose his head. He taunted his estranged cousin,
"Are you going to kill me, Raphael? We're coming from the same family, the same blood!" The French answered mildly,
"Do you think that too when you sell me to my enemies? Have you felt how it is like to being hunted like a beast, huh?" Suddenly, he lowered the rapier and distanced away from the marquis, while saying,
"Well, everyone changes…I'm going to let you go this time," Then he turned around, as Le Sorel knelt to the floor,
"You're so kind, too kind indeed…" Silently, he pulled a hidden dagger and crouched behind his estranged cousin. Yet a terrible, cold voice chilled his heart,
"Coward…" When he turned around, Nightmare grabbed with his deformed hand and stabbed him with Soul Edge Zweihander. The huge, yellowish eye throbbed ecstatically as the marquis's blood poured upon its surface. Then the knight lifted the sword along with its unlucky victim, shouting,
"Unholy Terror!!" With his monstrous strength, Nightmare threw the sword and the poor marquis hitting the wall on the fireplace where the banner of the Sorel Family hung. The impact caused the banner to fall and cover the body of Le Sorel. Raphael simply shook his head. Nightmare asked him,
"Do you know this creep?" The French answered absentmindedly,
"No, I don't know him…" The knight yanked the Soul Edge from the corpse, while staring him with suspicion,
"Strange, he seems know you so well…" Try to divert the conversation, Raphael asked,
"Sir, do you have what you wanted?" Nightmare lifted his Soul Edge Zweihander. The French noticed that the sword was more bulky than the last time he saw it. The eye had grown larger too. The knight spoke solemnly,
"Three more nights, Soul Edge shall be complete…" He turned to Raphael,
"This won't be happen if not because of your help," The French bowed,
"I'm glad to help you, Sir…" Silently, he thought,
Then it shall be mine! As Nightmare went out, he turned to his dead cousin with pity. Le Sorel's eye bulged with disbelief. Slowly, Raphael knelt and covered the corpse with the Sorel Family banner respectfully, and then he took the Queen's Guard and left Flambert beside the body,
"Farewell, cousin…"
Spawn watched them leaving the damaged chateau. Astaroth would rejoin them later. Atop the chateau's roof, the hellspawn pondered,
Something isn't right! Nightmare doesn't killing these people willingly…Soul Edge controlled him! Then why does Malebolgia want me to find the sword? I smell something rotten… Turning to the south, he said,
"I must find an answer for these questions…and fast!" With a single brush, he has disappeared from the sight.
Next morning at Marseilles, close to the Mediterranean Ocean,
Upon the field overlooking the harbor city, three people walked relaxed. They passed the green pasture where the shepherds tend their charges. Taki pulled her hair into a bow, allowing a few strands to fall to her face. She wore a white and gold robe of sorts with a gold sash covering her upper body and thighs. Metal plate guards protected her arms and shins. She wore a dark pants and the dark colored shoes. The costume was less body hugging compared with the previous. Though her creamy, willowy limbs came to view, the ninja felt comfortable to walk without risking the ogling of the others. Yunsung wore a light green shirt/vest and a long flowing red and blue belt over blue navy pants. In other hand, Talim had arranged her hair into knots. She wore a blue apron-like robe that covered her frontal, yet allowed the side open. Gold bracelets adorned both arms, while she still wore a white pants and blue scarf upon her head. The Korean opened the conversation,
"Hey, are you sure that we can found something about Sword of Salvation there?" Taki ignored the sarcasm,
"I have heard the rumors that a crazed knight and a giant has ran amok here, beside the Evil Seeds has leads us here?" The Filipino girl turned to her,
"Ano'ng gagawin ngayon, Ate Taki?" The ninja merely glanced to Marseilles,
"First thing first, we should take a rest first, before go to northwest. I have no doubt we might found news about Soul Edge,"
Back to Rouen,
The incident at the Sorel chateau had invited the attention of many people. To keep the order, the King sent the 12th Royal Regiment to secure the place. The banner with three fleurs-de-lis flew proudly, as those soldiers took over the chateau and forbid people to enter. The burly, barrel-chested man barked orders to some soldiers and sent them away. Not for long, he noticed two people around the place and shouted,
"Hey, do I tell you this place is not for public?" The bare-chested youth with red jacket and red rod answered politely,
"We just pass around this place, Captain. May I know your name?" The burly captain grunted proudly,
"I'm Captain Cosseau from the 12th Royal Regiment…hmm, you aren't look like the people from here," Then the young girl joined them, as the young man introduced himself,
"My name is Kilik, and she's Xianghua, Captain…" Cosseau merely nodded,
"Both of you are warriors, huh?" he said warily, "You'd better be careful, don't like these people…" They turned to the chateau and saw some people took the bodies away. Kilik asked,
"What actually happened here, Captain?" The captain sighed only,
"The Azure Knight just has been coming here; he hasn't only single-handedly taking those mercenaries, but he also killed Marquis Le Sorel with ease. It isn't a small feat, considering the marquis was a skilled swordsman." He coughed awhile, before continue,
"Taking 130 well-armed people isn't a normal human feat, I told you the knight must be demon-possessed to do that…" He didn't continue when he watched Maxi was kneeling at the chateau's lawn. He glanced to Kilik and Xianghua with displeasure,
"If I were you, I'll keep your friend from poking his nose too far. Anyone can be injured, now would you excuse me! I still have some business to attend," When Cosseau left, the young girl tugged Kilik,
"Kilik, do you think the knight was…" The young master nodded,
"No doubt, Xiang! He must be referring to Nightmare! Let's see what Maxi are doing…"
The pirate stared a huge footprint on the ground. His feature was looked serious than usual. When Kilik tapped his shoulder, he was surprised,
"Sorry if we disturbs you…" Maxi rose from the ground,
"That's fine, I simply examined these footprints. I don't think they are interested with this…" They glanced to the soldiers who drove some inquisitive minds away. Kilik replied,
"No, they are confident to their abilities. What do you find?" The Ryukyu pirate explained,
"From what I see, there are three people! The large footprints are no doubt belongs to Astaroth, while the other two were riding horses, though one horse was larger than the other!" Xianghua commented,
"Strange, I don't think Nightmare was riding horse before…" The former master of the Ling-Sheng-Su Temple added,
"He had already changed much since our last fight, I must prepare myself! Sir, where are the direction of the footprints?" Maxi merely pointed toward northeast. Nodded, Kilik said inside,
Kali-Yuga, lead me to the sword!
Late night at the streets of Marseilles,
The surrounding looked merry, as the people went back and fro. They drank, ate and sought pleasure like they would die anytime. Among them, three strangers were looking for a shelter. With look of disappointment, Taki turned around to her companions and said,
"This is the sixth inn, which I asked. As usual, there are no vacant rooms…" Yunsung shrugged her shoulders,
"So, are we going to stay at the street?" There were plenty of beggars around them. The ninja sighed. Talim spoke,
"Bahala na, Ate! Probably we can find another place," The Korean didn't answer. Without even turning back, the former Fu-Ma ninja left,
"Come, we'll try to find another place," Together they trailed the dim-lighted streets.
Meanwhile, someone huddled in the dark. He couldn't see, but he could hear. His loyalty to his deceased master was the only one who kept him alive; it was stronger than the death itself. He would wait until…
Suddenly something else stirred his attention. Something familiar…it brought the memories back,
"Get Soul Edge for me!" Driven by that, he crawled, rolled and tumbled with all fours,
After few hours, Taki sensed something. She immediately gestured them to stop, while her eyes scanned the surrounding. Curious, Talim asked,
"Ano'yun, Ate? Is there something wrong?" Yunsung put his right hand at the pommel of White Storm,
"Do we have another foes here?" The ninja hushed them to quiet. Unknown to them, she heard the soft, but erratic steps at one of the buildings. She knew that pattern, and then everything was dead silent. Felt something bad, Taki suddenly grabbed her companions and lifted them airborne.
In a split second, they have landed gently atop the roof. Yunsung didn't wait to launch the protest,
"Hey, what is the meaning of this? How dare you…" The ninja merely put a finger on her mouth, while whispered,
"Shh, be quiet if you want to live longer…" Now it was Talim's turn to ask,
"Ate, anong nangyari?" The black-haired woman didn't answer; instead she stared in front of her. Then the roof in front of them exploded loudly, showering them with debris. Taki swiftly brushed them off with Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru. Something else came out from the hole. Pale, bony fingers grabbed the tip, and then followed by the whole body. The pale-skinned, thin man came from the broken rooftop. The straps wrapped his face and other parts of his body. It was enhanced by the purple-colored skimpy costume. The man bent his back forward, allowing his leg to bent toward the head. His head rocked around, like looking for something.
Taki stared the man grimly, it seems she recognized him. The Korean whispered,
"Do you know the freak?" The ninja nodded back,
"His name is Voldo and he is not an ordinary freak…" Talim noted that Voldo was performed a dance-like movement, by rotating or twisting his body and limbs. She realized that the Italian was blind. She quickly tugged the woman,
"Ate Taki, bakit siya magsasayaw? Bulag siya e" Everybody was sweat-dropped after hearing her question. In return, Taki glanced sharply to the young girl,
"Voldo might be blind, but it don't affect his killer instinct. He must be looking for Soul Edge or Evil Seeds as well. Don't underestimate him, he can even heard a heartbeat before the victim realizes his presence," Talim and Yunsung looked on each other, before turning back to Vercci's former servant. He still folded or crawled with his hands and feet. For a moment, nobody moved or spoke.
The Italian was at loss; he couldn't find his targets. He sensed them, but he still need the direction, since the hustle-bustle on the streets distracted his hearing. Unknowingly, Talim began to perspire, sweat dotted her forehead. Then the sweat rolled downward from her face, and simultaneously, Voldo stopped moving. Before the sweat hit the roof, Taki caught it in her palms. The girl saw her smiling, but then the smile was vanished when…
"A-nio!" Yunsung accidentally slipped, and a roof fell to the ground with the loud crashing sound. Immediately, the Italian turned to the direction and his ear caught a familiar rhythm…three heartbeats! Taki and Talim gave a dark, sidelong glance to the Korean, who only shrugged his shoulders. Realizing his prey was close; Voldo crossed his arm and pressing his palms tighter. Instantly, Manas and Ayus appeared in his hands. Now he turned to the three…
Taki cursed, "Damn, he know us now!" She turned to the Filipino and the Korean, "Both of you must go, I'll fight him!" Talim protested,
"Hindi, Ate! Let us fight with you!" Yunsung continued,
"That's right! With three of us, the freak can be defeated…" The ninja replied sternly,
"No, you aren't understood! You can't fight Voldo now! His style is not like the usual…trust me, you'll get yourself killed if you insists!" They saw the Italian went toward them, though he still crawled or rolled, it was getting faster. He would be upon them in no time! Torn apart, the girl said pleadingly,
"Pero, Ate…" Taki quickly turned to the red-haired youth,
"Yunsung, take Talim away from here! If I'm alive, I'll meet you at the downtown…" she added,
"Keep the fragments safe! Don't let anyone see or take it from you!!" Yunsung nodded and pulled Talim, who still refused to leave the place. The ninja gave a reassuring smile,
"Don't worry, I'll be fine this time! Go now!" Finally they left her alone. At the same time, Voldo sprang to the air and rolled three times before spreading his spindly limb; ready to strike Taki hard like an eagle strikes its prey. The ninja has ready; she pulled her Rekki-maru slowly, while another hand touched Mekki-maru's pommel.
Yunsung and Talim ran faster as they could. Actually, they didn't like to leave Taki alone with the freak, but she insisted. They finally stopped after quite a distance from their previous place. The girl said,
"Hindi ko gusto ito! We should not leave Ate Taki with that man!" Caught his breath, the youth answered,
"But she told us to go! I have no choice!" He saw Talim looks despondent, so he added,
"Look, Talim! She is a grown-up woman; she can take care of herself!"
"What about her last fight with Charade?" Quickly, Yunsung gave his answer,
"That's an exception! The creature was cunning…don't worry, Talim! She'll be back!" Still, the girl didn't quite sure. Then a feminine voice broke the musings,
"How about you then, children?" Simultaneously, they turned around and saw a cloaked woman standing at the chimney. The red-haired youth quickly unsheathed White Storm. The woman continued,
"Don't worry, I am not your enemy! We have the same objective…"As she came closer, Yunsung saw her face clearly. Her hair was short and white-colored, hanging on her face, while the eyes were golden. Suspected something, he asked back,
"What kind of objective?" The woman smiled,
"The Evil Seed…I know them too…just let me to see it, please?" The Korean was unconvinced,
"Introduce yourself!" The woman opened her hood, revealing her face fully to them,
"I'm Isabella Valentine or more known with 'Ivy'. I also look for of the evil fragments…now would you show me your fragments?" As he hesitated, Talim tugged him,
"Huwag, Kuya! Parang masamang tao siya!I don't trust her…beside Ate Taki said that we shouldn't show our fragments to anyone…"
"But she knows well…" Glanced slightly, the girl insisted,
"Even so, her eye looks cold! She must be hiding something, probably we should wait until Ate Taki returns," Sighed, the youth answered the woman,
"I'm sorry, we can show you the fragments! Probably you would like to wait our friend here?" Ivy instead hissed, while grabbing her cloak tightly. She replied,
"La Ultima Razon…If reason fails, force remains! You give me no choice…" She pulled her cloak and threw it away. Talim and Yunsung startled to see her costume. She wore a very revealing costume with purple color. Her chest almost came out from the costume, while her stomach was covered by transparent material. She also wore the purple skintight leggings that run all the way to her waist, connected with the thongs. Her left arm was covered by a metal elbow pad and golden gauntlet, while the long arm pad covered her right arm. Gold rings circled her thighs. Ivy held a short sword at her right hand. When she spoke, her tone was cold and menacing,
"Be careful or you'll feel the pain! I had trying to be nice with you, but you throw it back to my face…" The Korean felt something familiar with the woman, but he couldn't recall it. He immediately dismissed the thought and commented, "Now you show your true colors, let see how good you are!" Without waiting any longer, he charged toward the Englishwoman. Ivy simply waited him to come. When they collided, she blocked the Korean's attack with the short sword and parlayed up to three attacks. Yunsung slashed, yet Ivy quickly guarded herself by sending a vertical slash. The Filipino girl watched the fight worriedly. The red-haired youth rolled back to find weakness, as the Valentine woman waited. He taunted,
"I can't wait to take you down!" Ivy smiled,
"Overconfidence, I like that…you're a feisty one! Do you have any last words?"
"I'll show you what I can do! Watch and learn!" This time, he leaped very high and sending three slashes, horizontal, vertical and vertical. The Englishwoman didn't do anything until she glanced her opponent. A fierce gleam passed on her golden eyes. She shouted aloud,
"Valentine, show him who you are! Squire's Cage!" Ivy stabbed her sword to the air, and to Talim's shock, the sword was broken into segments and elongated. Then she slashed the weapon very fast, blocking Yunsung's attack at once. Ivy quickly followed her initial attack with a sudden thrust that caught the opponent unprepared. The Korean managed to block the attack; nevertheless the weapon managed to tear his costume and dragged him to the ground. At the same time, the woman sent a low kick to him, before he slammed to the roof. Talim quickly attended him,
"Kuya, ayos ba?" Yunsung only grunted as a reply. Yet, a shocking scene stunned them. Ivy stood tall, as her sword…circled around her voluptuous body lovingly, like a serpent. The sharp edges of the segments didn't tear her fair skin, as it ran smoothly along her curves. She smirked to them.
"By the winds," The girl cried, as she pulled her elbow blades, "It is cursed!"
Ivy laughed.
"No, Valentine is simply…alive and it's my only salvation!" She continued, while staring Yunsung,
"You aren't like Hwang, are you? Wait, you're more looks like the girl I had fought four years ago…" Suddenly something dawned inside Yunsung's mind. He shouted,
"You're the one who had defeated Mina four years ago with that sword! I know that!" The Englishwoman's smile grew wider,
"Oh, she's still around then…well, I think I have to satisfy myself with you," Forced himself to stand, the youth shouted,
"You picked the wrong guy to mess with!" Once again, he resumed the attacking stance. At the same time, Valentine unwound itself from its owner's body. Ivy said softly, but a tone of menace ran deeply,
"Are you ready to die?"
"Talk is cheap in battle! All right, let's start!" Then the Korean charged again, while swung his sabre. To counter it, Ivy swung her whip sword in greater range, thus making her opponent wary. Now she opened her attack,
"Biting Raven!" With a metallic clank, the sword flew toward Yunsung. He immediately slashed vertically to deflect the attack. Even so, the Englishwoman quickly followed it with Raven's Beak, which successfully deflected. Yet, she swung her body forward along with Valentine,
"Dancing Insanity!" In a sudden thrust, the sword struck Yunsung's left side of the head, while their distance was quite far. Talim shouted,
"Kuya Yunsung!!" Felt the prickling blood at the wound, the youth replied,
"I'm all right, Talim!" Then he ran into the opponent's range. Ivy quickly pulled her weapon to close the distance, however Yunsung has already inside her range. He immediately sent a roundhouse kick to her stomach. The Valentine woman instinctively blocked it with her whip sword, yet her body was pushed backward slightly. Instead gritted her teeth she was merely smiled. When the Korean readied another attack, she crouched and swept again. Yunsung bent his body to avoid the first attack, as the white-haired woman started to rose up and attacked him again. Sensing the weakness, he sidestepped Ivy's Menace and grabbed her body. She gasped, as the Korean flipped over with his right boot implanted on her stomach and fell backward along with her. Her body crashed loudly on the roof. Talim cheered,
"Ang galing mo talaga, Kuya!" Ivy slowly rose and watched her young opponent apathetically, though a small bruise smeared her face. Suddenly she laughed maniacally,
"Heh, heh, hee... I like that." Then she gave him a cold stare, "Nothing shall be spared!" Hissed to her lungs, she unwound Valentine once again and shouted,
"Ivy Lash!" Whirling her weapon above the head, the Englishwoman lashed Yunsung, who quickly blocked it with White Storm. His opponent quickly followed it with Venom Lash. Impatient, the Korean slashed horizontally toward her. That's what Ivy waited for! Instantly she used Soul Charge at Valentine and swept toward him with untold force,
"Ivy Lick!" Yunsung instantly went airborne. At the same time, she quickly impaled and slammed him to the roof very hard. The Filipino girl could only gasped as the red-haired youth coughed a speck of blood. When Yunsung turned around, the segments of whip sword instantly wrapped his neck in such speed. He tried to release himself, but Ivy immediately kicked his back, forcing him down to all fours. To add insult to injury, she pulled him slowly off ground, as the segments choked him. The youth could only try to keep those sharp segments from cutting his neck. He could feel her breath behind his nape,
"You'd know? You're quite lively. I like that. Probably you're better than the girl…why don't I keep you? Where shall I cut first?" Instead, the Korean cried,
"DEYAAA! You're going down!" To Ivy's surprise, he brought his head backward and hit her nose very hard. Instantly blood poured from her beautiful nose. A feral growl came from her mouth, as she pulled her whip sword,
"Insolent boy!! Primal Dominance!" She kicked Yunsung with her left leg, and dragged him over the roof. The youth managed to yelp before falling over from the roof.
"Kuya Yunsung!!!" No answer to her scream. Immediately, Talim turned to the Valentine woman and put her weapon in defensive stance. Ivy wiped blood from her nose, and.…licking them. She savored and detested the taste of blood at the same time, remembering the person who gave her this blood. Then she turned menacingly toward the young girl,
"I hope you're more reasonable from your friend…I won't repeat myself; give the fragments and I will leave you unharmed," Talim answered slowly,
"There's a reason why I cannot yield. This is one of them…" The Englishwoman watched her with curiosity,
"Your dialect is unique…are you coming from the Spanish colonies?" Pretending not to be lured, the young girl asked,
"Paano alam mo?" Ivy chuckled,
"I once read about your people when I was a child…what is your name? Talim?" Set her composure to dignity and ignoring the breeze that tickled her skin, she reached out and offered a genuine smile,
"Talim, stop this senseless fighting…give me the fragments and you can going back to your home. I will make sure that the Evil Seed won't disturb anymore…please," The girl hesitated; what Ivy said seems reasonable. She could go home and forget the Soul Edge but then Ate Taki? She had told her about the truth behind the blade and the fragments…if she let it, the untold evil would befall upon the world, like what she felt during her childhood. She stared Ivy's golden eyes; it seemed smiling but behind it hid sadness…and madness at the same time. She shouted,
"No! Hindi ko ibigay ito para sayo! I won't back down!" Instantly, the smile at Ivy's face vanished and replaced with a cold sneer,
"Very well, you are the one who has asked and you are the one upon whom all the consequences fall!" With a twitch, Valentine resumed its whip form. She quickly leaned up and whirled her weapon above the head, striking with full force,
"Crucifixion!" When the whip screeched toward her, Talim quickly blocked it with her elbow blades. Before she managed to breathe, Ivy already sent another attack,
"Ancient Wheel!" Instantly, two low sweeps flew toward the Filipino, yet she swiftly avoided the attack. As the following attacks came, the girl decided to add another elements in her style: Arnis-style attack! She blocked Valentine's attacks by swung both weapons skillfully. This enraged Ivy further as she has became merciless in her attack. She taunted,
"You won't win, savage! I'm assure you that what you'll get is suffering…" Talim didn't parley with her; instead she pushed forward and swifter to the Englishwoman's side. She shouted,
"Ito ang Roundhouse sipa!" Her right heel instantly struck Ivy's rib. Gritted her teeth, the white-haired woman sent Lamenting Tail that tore the apron-like costume apart. Even it scratched Talim's abdomen slightly. It didn't deter the girl to stop her attack. Circled her opponent, she sent,
"Blade Cyclone!" Her body instantly whirled around like a whirlwind, making Ivy had difficulty to blocking the attack. To protect her, she summoned Asylum. Obeying its mistress, the whip sword helixed around her body. Then Talim leaped behind her. As the Valentine woman tried to whip her, she caught her right arm,
"Sungabb Throw!" Rolled to her opponent's back, she pulled the arm and threw the woman very hard. Ivy lay sprawled, as she stunned with the young girl's skill. She immediately rose again and threw her hair back. Talim watched her intensely. The Englishwoman didn't attack; instead she stabbed the roof with Valentine,
"Fear's Void!" In a split second, the edge of the whip sword sprouted beneath Talim's feet. Though taken by surprise, the young girl managed to avoid the attack by rolling away. The sword seemed following her. As the distance between those opponents became farther, Ivy suddenly ran toward her and pulled her weapon. She jumped very high, while sending an attack,
"Serpent's Venom!" As the sweeping attack hit her, Talim felt her body shuddered. Before she landed, Ivy sent a last attack,
"Pride! Asunder!" Instantly, Valentine rolled like a striking serpent that attacking from below. Instinctively, the young girl lifted her elbow blades to counter the attack. However, Ivy changed the attack into an uppercut and…broke one of the elbow blades into pieces! Talim's face instantly drained from its color, as she cried hysterically,
"Loka Luha! Ang aking sandata!!" Everything around her seems mired in a slow motion. Ivy gloated victoriously.
Meanwhile at the Village of the Winds,
The sound of broken jar was heard not far from Talim's house. The middle-aged man quickly took his wife, who sat on the ground, while the pieces of an earthen jar scattered everywhere and the water inside forming a small pool of water,
"Lidi, ayos ka ba?" he asked worriedly. The woman replied,
"Ayos lang ako, but I have broke Talim's jar accidentally…Sanput, I'm afraid something happened to her," Though he felt the same, the man quickly said,
"I feel the same, yet nagtitiwala ako sa kanya! Talim can overcome the obstacle before her…The winds was guiding her path…" Talim's mother nodded and both of them entered the house.
When everything zoomed again, the pieces of Loka Luha clattered around the roof. The countess rolled her weapon, waiting the opponent's reaction. Talim knelt and took the pieces carefully. Tears swelled at the edges of her eyes. Her grandmother gave the elbow blade and she had promised to keep it carefully, but now…how could she explain this? Meanwhile, Ivy mocked without any sympathy,
"Would you keep crying there or continue our business…" The Filipino clenched her teeth, while staring the Englishwoman with fury. She whispered between her teeth,
"Magbabayad ka…" Then she rose and shouted with her lung, while pointing Ivy with her remaining blade,
"Magbabayad ka sa ginawa mo ito! Hindi ko patawarin ito!!" Without thinking anything, she charged toward her opponent and unleashed Wind Charmer. Undaunted, Ivy smiled coldly,
"Silly girl, probably I must teach you…Valentine!" Immediately, she laid her whip on the ground, waiting Talim to close. She could see fury in her face. Simultaneously, the whip sword reverberated and entered beneath the ceiling. When it was closer, she shouted aloud,
"Eye of Madness!!" The roof splinted and went toward Talim. Unaware of the trap, she continued to run until the edge of Valentine hit her chin squarely and sent her airborne. Giving her no quarter, Ivy shouted,
"Demented Loop!" She slashed Talim back and forth as the girl was helpless on the air. Then she slammed her back to the roof. Talim's cap was shredded, allowing her hair to fell back. Her lips were bleeding. She tried to rise, but the injuries prevented her. She noticed the Englishwomen came closer to her. Without any pity, Ivy grabbed the girl's hair and yanked her upward. A gleam of insanity passed on her golden eyes. She said without any shreds of sympathy,
"Had you listened me before…this won't be happened," The girl merely spat on the ground. Instead Ivy impaled her with Valentine,
"Now it was too late…Summon…" Slowly, Valentine broke apart into segments and they floated around them. A tinge of fear appeared in the Filipino's eye. Ivy smiled; she would enjoy this greatly as she finished the sentence,
"Suffering…" Like a flock of angry birds, they flew and struck Talim simultaneously, slicing some of her flesh. She screamed agonizingly, while Ivy laughed insanely. Their voices swallowed by the reveries below. Nobody felt the suffering that the young priestess felt now…except the two glowing eyes from the darkness…
Author's note: I apologize deeply for Talim's fans if you find the story is less desirable. The fight will be getting furious when some characters will join later. Just wait the next chapter ' The Dark Showdown'. Don't worry, just send your critics, reviews (and flames!) Enjoy!
Glossary:
Filipino:
Ano'ng gagawin ngayon? (What are we going to do now?)
Bahala na (It's up to you)
Ano'yun? (What is that?)
anong nangyari?(What happened?)
bakit siya magsasayaw? (Why does he dancing?)
Bulag siya (He's blind)
Hindi ko gusto ito (I don't like this)
Huwag,(Don't)
Parang masamang tao siya (She looks like an evil guy)
Paano alam mo? (How do you know?)
Hindi ko ibigay ito para sayo (I won't give it for you)
Ang aking sandata (My weapon!)
nagtitiwala ako sa kanya (I have faith on her.)
Magbabayad ka sa ginawa mo ito (You must pay what you have done!)
Hindi ko patawarin ito (I won't forgive this!)