=The Dark Showdown=
At the same time, Yunsung tried to control his falling by stretching his limbs, something he had learned in Seung Han Myoung's dojo. Then he caught a hanging rope around the streets. Suddenly the rope broke apart, yet the red-haired youth quickly use the momentum to swing himself toward the nearest window. He lifted his legs in anticipation to absorb the impact. Unfortunately, instead the window he bumped the wall and fell once again…on the tarpaulin tent below. When the tent broke, the Korean landed on the haystack. He shook his head and touched the pained neck where Ivy almost strangled him with Valentine. The reddish streaks on the neck were a proof of it. Then he remembered someone,
"Talim!" Immediately Yunsung ran off, ignoring his pained body. He must find his way to her…
Back to the fight, Taki pulled out her ninjato as Voldo fell upon him. Before the Hell Guardian stabbed, she quickly blocked the katars with Blood Scroll. Yet, her opponent didn't stagger, instead he tried to impale her. The ninja counteract the move by swiping her elbow to Voldo. The Italian instantly avoid the swipe, while jumped away from her. Once landed, he walked with all fours again, and suddenly lunged to Taki. He locked his legs around her waist. Before her surprise finished, Voldo had bitten her neck. She screamed painfully, but swung Rekki-maru horizontally in two successive attacks. Aware of the danger, the Italian immediately left her and took some distance. Without hiding her revulsion, Taki kept her distance, while wiped her wound. Fortunately, Voldo's bite didn't contain any poison or tear the vessels. Though his face was strapped, she believed that he must have been smiling. Vercci's servant merely choked a guttural voice, while licking her blood,
"GHAAAAGH!" The ninja didn't reply; she merely circled her opponent warily. Voldo answered the stance by simply walking forward. Taki knew well that the Italian's act isn't to be underestimated. He simply made that before opened his fiercest attack. As expected, he stopped and whirled his body, while putting the katars horizontally. Yet, the ninja didn't want to wait. She opened the attack with Burning Misery. Voldo sprang forward to her, however he has rolled smoothly to avoid her attack. Like a squirrel, the Italian jumped again to Taki's back and locked her waist with his legs. Without glancing back, she could saw the glint of katar behind her. Immediately she pulled Mekki-maru,
"Mekki-maru's Wind!" The enchanted sword came out with furious flame and slashed Voldo's torso lightly. The Italian writhed in pain, and slightly eased his lock. That was enough for Taki. She immediately sent Shadow Banishment to him. Once again, the Italian rolled away from the attack and took quite a distance. She realized she must do something to end this pointless fight,
He's dangerous in the long-distance duel, let's see how good he is in the melee…Instantly, Taki use Rush to close her range with Voldo. The Italian growled in surprise,
"Waghhhhag?!" The ninja shouted, while slashing Rekki-maru toward him,
"Cloud Scroll!!" In a split second, the Hell Guardian crouched his body flat to the roof, rendering the attack hit an empty place. Now it was Taki's turn to be shocked. The thin man slithered beneath her legs like snake, grabbed them quickly and flipped them head over heel. At the same time, he spun to deliver a lethal strike with his katars. Instinctively, the black-haired woman used her legs to push him away and shift to…
"Hurricane Punishment!" Whirling both legs like helicopter, Taki saved her own life for a while. However, Voldo already leaped on air again. This time, he whirled his body in a drill-like stance toward her. Lifting her ninjato, the ninja countered his attack with Shadow Claw. When both of them collided, their bodies were shuddered violently. She slashed Mekki-maru to the Italian, who already jumped away from her. He moved to Caliostro Rush stance by came to her side. Before he managed to slap her with his weapons, Taki smiled,
"I've got you now! Jute Burial!" She jumped upon the Italian's shoulder, landing away from him. Before Voldo ever realized what happened, she put her ninjato under his throat, and proceeds to roll backward from his shoulder, throwing his weight away. Though taken by surprise, the Hell Guardian rolled his body many times before suddenly whirled to face her. Seeing that, Taki sighed,
"We can do this…forever if you want." At the same time, Vercci's voice echoed inside his servant's mind,
"Don't wasting time, Voldo! Kill her, take Soul Edge from her!" He nodded eerily, before running like a madman toward Taki. There was no place to turn around for the ninja; she was already at the ledge.
As Voldo leaped again toward her to perform Centipede Nightmare, the nuke-nin swirled her body away. Before the Italian has a chance to recover, she grabbed his waist and threw him across the ledge…
The window instantly shattered when Voldo hit it. The couple inside the bedroom was frightened to see the uninvited intruder. Fumed inside, the Hell Guardian turned outside to find the ninja, but he didn't sense her anymore around. There was nobody outside! His master wouldn't be pleased with his failure. When he glared to the room, the couple immediately ran away when Voldo unleashed his frustration by slashing everything inside madly.
Taki immediately left the Italian who were busy looking for her. She didn't worrying that. Instead, it was Talim and Yunsung who were in her mind now. Those youngsters were not ready to face the danger that the Evil Seed or Soul Edge posed. They really remind her to…Sophitia; brash, daring, innocent and determined to end the evil sword's quest. Yet, the Greek almost been killed in her first encounter with Cervantes de Leon, then it was up to her to wrap the problem. Sighing, she hoped that she weren't too late. Suddenly she caught someone at her sight. Then she called him loud,
"Yunsung!" The Korean stopped and turned around. Then Taki leaped very high to cross the distance between the rooftops. Without wasting any time, she inquired him,
"What are you doing? Where is Talim?" The red-haired youth replied,
"We've been attacked by someone! I was thrown away…" The ninja cut him sternly,
"Then do you leave her alone?" Yunsung answered vehemently, to brush off her accusing look,
"No, the woman named…Ivy has attacked us; she had thrown me away! I try to find Talim, but I don't know where they go," Instantly, Taki was stiffened and frowned once Ivy's name mentioned. Now they must found Talim quickly! Nobody knew what Ivy was capable to do. Turning away from the youth, she replied,
"Never mind, we must find both of them now!" Yunsung immediately followed her.
Once they arrived, nobody was around the sites. Taki immediately saw the pieces of her elbow blade. Aghast, Yunsung asked,
"Do you think she is…" The ninja shook her head,
"No, though the blood is splattered everywhere, I don't see her body yet…" Then a purring voice broke the silence,
"Are you looking for me?" Once they turned around, Isabella Valentine stood quite a distance from them. Yunsung pulled the White Storm, while the ninja simply put her relaxed posture. She stared the Englishwoman,
"Isabella Valentine, it has been a long time…" she finally said, "It seems you have changed a lot."
Ivy smiled wryly, "Thanks for your revelation four years ago, Japanese…oh, I almost forgot something!" She dragged something out from the darkness. Once it came to sight, they were shocked. Talim, badly battered and bruised stood shakily in front of them. Her costume was badly damaged, while some slashing wounds scattered around her lithe body, though not so deep. Her left eye was swollen. Valentine circled around the young girl, sometimes moving slowly like a snake. Taki knew, had someone threatened its owner, the sword wouldn't hesitate to cut its victim in pieces. Yunsung sprang forward with a cry of fury.
"Silence!" said Taki sternly, thrusting him back; but the white-haired woman laughed aloud,
"Did anyone tell you that this is not a child's play?" Turned back to her, the ninja replied but her voice was sharp as her ninjato,
"Ivy, let her go! She has nothing to do in this matter…" Ivy scowled only,
"Nonsense, anyone who has the Evil Seed is not innocent! I have checked her and I don't find it! Give the fragments and I'll leave her unharmed; refuse me and you can dig for her grave…" Yunsung shouted furiously,
"Because of those fragments you have to hurt Talim like that!?" The older woman spat on the ground,
"No matter the cost, I must ensure the Soul Edge or the Evil Seeds never exist again! Even if I had to spill blood to undo what the evil sword do to me and others…" The ninja said sarcastically,
"Your motives may outweigh your deeds, but they will never wash the blood on your hands, Ivy," The Englishwoman hissed furiously,
"So be it, but instead of my blood, it will be her blood first!" She jerked her weapon, which instantly constricted around Talim's body, making the sharp edges of the segments bit her skin. The Filipino girl croaked with weak voice,
"Ate Taki…Kuya Yunsung…" The Korean was hesitated, however the ninja simply rested her hand upon the pommel of Rekki-maru. Realizing their hesitancy, Ivy taunted them,
"Come, if you dare…" Taki's face were almost hard like a statue, her eyes were blazing with a killing instinct.
Behind the shadow, the glowing eyes watched what unfold before him. The wounded girl reminded him of something. Then it hissed,
"EHNAS SOSOSAYO!"
The cold wind from the Mediterranean Ocean breezed among Taki, Yunsung and Ivy. In a millisecond, the roof beside them exploded with such untold force. Everyone around shielded their eyes. Once the dust and the shards subsided, Ivy was the first to saw it. The huge, green creature stood menacingly. Its breast sphere glowed like a blaze. The horn-like accessory bound his left wrist. While he wore battle plates at the lower extremities, he walked barefoot. His red eyes didn't let the Englishwoman go. Ivy turned to Taki suspiciously,
"Friend of yours?" The ninja glanced her back with venomous stare,
"Are you asking me?" Then the creature roared aloud, cutting into the night sky. Even so, Ivy felt that she was still in control. With one flick of her hand, Valentine distanced its segments from Talim and immediately unwound itself. She smirked,
"I will send you back to the darkness from which you crawled, demon!" The creature, Necrid growled as the reply. Slowly, he raised his right hand on the sky, summoning something. To everybody's sight, a faint green crackle appeared along his arm and slowly forming something…it formed something in a broadsword form. It was Maleficus that Necrid has taken from the Void. Now he was ready to fight…for something.
Then Ivy lashed her weapon vertically with a sudden snap toward the hulking creature,
"Immortal Gale!" The sharp edge of Valentine sliced Necrid's cheek, letting black blood pour. He growled and immediately sent his response by swung his 'sword' to her. The surge of violent force immediately cut through the rooftops like a tidal wave. The Englishwoman smiled, as she pulled Talim in front of her. She intended to make her as a human shield. Unexpectedly, the attack split into two and circled to her. Shocked with the change, Ivy threw the girl and leaped away to the safety. The attack hit the nearby chimneys into smithereens, yet its force still struck the white-haired woman. She felt something prickling her cheek. At the same time, Yunsung stepped to help Talim, but the ninja stopped him. She merely shook her head, while watching the battle. The Korean understood, yet he could only gritted his teeth.
Once Ivy landed back, she staggered backward and felt a faint wet sensation at her cheek. When she touched, she saw a drop of blood at her golden gauntlet. Necrid's attack had cut her face slightly! She turned to the creature with a furious look, while the wound at his face healed instantly,
"How dare you to hurt me, Isabella Valentine! Pay this insolence with your life!" Lifting Valentine very high, she swung horizontally toward the strange creature. She planned to bound her opponent's weapon, and then pull it. When the whip sword tried to wrap Maleficus, it immediately transformed into a whip form, thus avoiding the segments. Instead it locked Valentine and Necrid gave a huge tug that almost made Ivy fell down. The Englishwoman shocked; her weapon were never failed to wrap any weapon…but this one was different. Yet she refused to acknowledge her loss. She swung her weapon again into a long range, before threw it toward her hated opponent,
"Embrace of Lust!" The whip sword managed to wrap the hulking body and pull it facing her. Strangely, the green creature didn't fight. Once finished with the move, Ivy shouted victoriously before sent her favorite throw,
"Summon Suffering!" The segments of Valentine snapped again and zoomed toward its target. Necrid rose calmly and lifted his right hand above the head. In his hand, Maleficus stretched into a staff-like energy. Roared to his lungs, he batted the attacking segments by spinning the 'staff'. Some of the segments went astray to every direction, yet they eventually returned to its sword form. Now Ivy realized two things: that she was outmatched and outnumbered. The situation would become worse, if the ninja and the boy decided to join. She was more startled than afraid, but she knew she had to get out of here fast. Glancing to Taki, she shouted,
"I am through for the day! We'll see each other next time…" Instantly she turned her back and leaped away from the site. Yunsung almost pursued her, had Taki didn't stop him and gestured to look around. The red-haired youth whispered,
"Why don't you help Talim? We might!" The ninja hushed him,
"Though I hate to admit it, I think the demon won't hurt Talim…he doesn't have to send a split attack, when fighting with Ivy,"
"How do you know?"
"Just my hunch!"
Once Ivy gone, Necrid turned to the unconscious girl. The creature knelt and caressed her face, when she moaned weakly,
"Tatay…nanay…" Though those words were foreign to him, Necrid knew the meanings behind it. His mind went back to the forgotten past. Once he was a human, a warrior and a family man, and then his king sent him to retrieve the most powerful sword, Soul Edge. Little he realized that what he sought would strip him from everything he held dearly. Consumed by lust of power, he challenged the real power behind the sword and lost ingloriously. Thrown off to the Void, he learned his mistake and tried to master the chaotic and unpredictable energy of the Void. From there, he gained Maleficus.
Then he returned to the present and watched Talim, She really reminded him to someone from his past.
He wasn't the only one who watched the event. Spawn stood on top of the nearby cathedral and it has reawakened humanity inside him. It seemed Malebolgia didn't take his memories completely.
The demon will hurt her…I must help her! Without too much thinking, he leaped to the air, as his cloak spread wildly.
Suddenly the sky above Necrid became dark, as the Hellspawn's cloak covered the moonlight. While floating on the air gracefully, Spawn whispered,
"Agony…" Obeying his mental command, the blood red cloak rolled back and wrapped around his right hand, morphing into a broad axe that bear the Hellspawn's insignia. Before the creature had a chance to register the incoming, Spawn had jumped to his broad shoulders. When he came down, he jabbed Agony to his opponent, while shouting,
"Doorway to Hell!" Necrid's huge body flipped forward and crashed facedown to the roof, beside the unconscious Talim. The attack had taken Taki and Yunsung off guard, that they immediately pulled their weapons. The ninja muttered, as her right hand rested on the pommel of Rekki-maru,
"Hellspawn…get back to your place, demon from Jigoku!" Spawn stood stoically, while glancing toward the others.
"I'm not your enemy, though I am coming from hell…" Taki didn't flinch from him,
"What do you want, demon? Do your master send you to retrieve Soul Edge?" The ninja's words stung him, however he answered back,
"I've got the sarcasm, okay? Take the girl and get out from here…" Yunsung turned to her, and got the response. He quickly went to Talim, while keeping his watch to the unknown stranger. At the same time, Necrid's body twitched and he opened his eyes back. The Korean carried the wounded girl on his back, and returned immediately to Taki's side. She still stared Spawn fiercely, and the Hellspawn returned it with his greenish glare. When he moved to face them, he asked her,
"What do you know about the Soul Edge?" The ninja was startled, but she kept it hidden from the others.
"Did your master tell you what happened to those who wield the sword?" Spawn stiffened his stance,
"Tell me then…" Taki didn't relax her stance, as she replied briefly,
"The sword is really powerful, but you can't hold on to it and your soul at the same time," A light dawned then, bright and clear and sudden in the Hellspawn's head,
Ah! That explained much! He had already damned his own soul by making deal with Malebolgia, how much more if he really laid his hand to the Soul Edge! The slimelord would get what he wanted! Deep in thought, he didn't realize that the green creature had rose to his full height and his face was full of indignation, as he muttered,
"GEH MOLAH!"
"Look out behind you!" Yunsung's warning was too late! Necrid had grabbed Spawn's neck and he jumped to the air with the neckbreaker stance, carrying his opponent between the shoulder and arms. Like a meteor, he landed very hard upon the rooftops that instantly gave away to such force. The entire roof crumbled below, along with them. Taki and Yunsung stared that with disbelief, and then she said,
"Let's get out now!" The red-haired youth nodded in agreement,
"For once, I'm agreeing with you! We must bring Talim to the safer place…" Without wasting time, they were disappeared.
Beneath its tattered cloak, Charade watched the event carefully. The creature decided to follow them from the safer distance, while moved swiftly like a wind.
Meanwhile, the fight between two otherworldly creatures raged on. Spawn struggled to release himself from Necrid's grab, but the position offered disadvantage. The creature pummeled him senselessly, and he was grateful that his necroplasmic skin absorbed them. After three floors then, they finally landed at the recital hall. Necrid bashed the Hellspawn thrice to the floor. Not satisfied, he bashed his opponent to the wall and dragged it along, before throwing him like a rag doll. Spawn immediately summoned his infernal power. Instead slamming the wall, he stopped on the air and turned himself facing his enemy. The green creature looked angry, but he didn't lax his stance. Floating on the air gracefully, Spawn stretched his right hand and Agony appeared instantly. He addressed,
"You didn't expect this, do you? Levitation can be handy, especially when you need it…" Necrid roared again, and called forth Maleficus again; this time it was a fiery sword form. Spawn brought his axe in front of him, reflecting the hideous look of the abomination. In sudden movement, the green creature sprang toward him and swung his weapon.
The Hellspawn countered the attack with a wide horizontal slash. When the weapon impacted, the sparks of fire flew everywhere. Necrid quickly sent three strikes at once: horizontal, vertical, and horizontal. His opponent managed to deflect two of three attacks; the last one bit the chest. The huge gash appeared, but Spawn cared it less. With incredible speed, the necroplasmic skin knitted the wound to the normal state. He zoomed to the green creature and whipped it with Agony to the air, while shouting,
"Taste Eighth Level of Hell!" As Necrid was airborne, a mysterious, green mist immediately enveloped him and shook him violently. When Spawn whirled his body, more green mist covered his opponent completely. Confident, he levitated slowly to the green mist. To his shock, an invisible energy struck his body and Necrid appeared out from the mist. He lifted the impaled victim slowly and painfully to the air, as he stared it with disgust. The green mist faded instantly and the green creature threw Spawn away to the side. This time, the Hellspawn slammed the wall with a loud thud. Instead the wall cracked beneath his body. He saw Necrid charged toward him at the nick of time. He greeted him with a powerful slash,
"Messiah!" He bashed the creature to the air, before following him and sent another bash exactly at the head. Necrid slammed the wooden floor very hard. Before he had a chance to rise, Spawn shoved his feet to Necrid's chest. Pain seared the creature and brought him back again.
"ESAYA STSSHI. EYOOS. DODTSU POGETDO!" With untold strength, Necrid caught Spawn's legs and whirled him violently, before throwing him to the string instruments at the left side of the hall. The instruments were crushed under the infernal weight of the Hellspawn. The warrior from Hell cursed,
"Damn, it would take forever to take him down!" Once again, the green creature attacked with a feral roar. Spawn levitated again and stretched his left hand; it was glowed with unnatural blaze. Before the distance was closed, he unleashed the attack,
"Levitation Necro Blast!" Then three fireballs appeared and zoomed toward its target. Necrid staggered three steps backward when the first hit him squarely. When another came, he immediately transformed Maleficus into a shield. Spawn used the chance to perform a dive attack. Brought his axe with both hand, he hoped to crush his opponent. Necrid instinctively morphed Maleficus into its usual form and blocked the attack. The sparks showered them, as both refused to yield their ground. Suddenly, the green creature's attention was occupied with something else. He jerked Spawn backward, while turning to the window. Something called him…the Soul Edge! Then someone called,
"Hey, don't you think you should finish with current business first?" Necrid turned around and saw the Hellspawn prepared a large fireball, larger than those that hit him. He glanced toward the grand piano nearby. When the fireball launched toward him, he whipped Maleficus to the leg of the piano and dragged it, as it weighed no more than a pebble. Then he hefted and hurled the piano toward Spawn. The piano exploded into smithereens when it hit the fireball and produced a noisome tone that echoed inside the hall. Even the windows exploded as well, showering the people outside with the shards. Agony morphed back into the blood red cloak that brushed the smithereens away, protecting its master. Once Spawn brushed it away, Necrid was nowhere to be seen. He muttered harshly,
"Curses! He's gone!" At that time, the Hellspawn's true face was revealed. It was nothing more than a badly burned face. He stared the window, pondering something,
He must be following the ninja and those kids…if I want to find Soul Edge, I must follow them as well! Then the cloak covered him again completely…once it opened, Spawn had already vanished, leaving the obliterated recital hall.
Miles from Marseilles, two figures were sitting around the bonfire. Raphael studied Astaroth carefully, seeking signs of weakness. In turn, the golem stared him coldly. No doubt, they considered each other as rivals to the prize…Soul Edge. The French sniffed,
Though looks dumb, this creature isn't like what it seems…I have to find the way to get rid this bulking mass… Then he teased,
"It is a nice night, isn't it?" Astaroth merely growled. Nearby, Satan snorted in agreement.
Far from the bonfire, Nightmare had discarded his azure armor and dipped his face in the river's cool water. He breathed in relief for this respite. When he saw his face, he remembered his past as Siegfried Schtauffen. For that, he would give anything to turn the time back. Yet the deformed right hand was a grim reminder to his present state now. The man stared back to the Zweihander nearby. Soon, it would be complete and would not longer need him anymore, and then he would have peace after the sword was gone. Suddenly, a gentle splash broke Siegfried's musing. He barked loudly,
"Who is that? Show yourself!" Slowly but sure, a small figure appeared. The figure brandished a small shield and short sword, wearing blue white costume. As it came closer, the knight recognized the intruder,
"You are…the servant girl…" The short, blond-haired girl answered,
"I'm Cassandra Alexandra, servant of Hephaestus and I was sent to fight you, Nightmare!" Her word sounded brave, but her eyes flickered with uncertainty. At the same time, Soul Edge was aware of the godly presence. The sword reverberated with a faint red aura. Siegfried was nervous; he didn't sure if he had to fight her. The girl might kill him without realizing the real matter. He knew, also, that to beat her he would have to kill her. Slowly, he lifted himself. The Greek girl lifted her weapons warily. The man lifted his left hand,
"Please, go away…I don't want to fight you…you don't know what you are faced of!" She replied,
"You're the one who forced Sir Berthine to become your accomplice, but I will end this now!"
"You're wrong, I don't force Raphael to involve in this! He voluntarily helped me in this matter…" With a sudden movement, Cassandra swung her sword toward Siegfried,
"Liar, better explain that once you're landed in Hades!" In swift succession, she swung the sword toward Siegfried. The German was forced to block the attack with his deformed hand. He could grab Soul Edge Zweihander, but he really didn't want to kill this girl. A disembodied voice came,
Fool, claim and use me to defend yourself! Kill the girl and claim her soul…
"Never!" At the same time, the Greek unleashed her arsenals. She jumped on the air by using Siegfried's broad shoulders. While on the air, she shouted aloud,
"Seraphim Hammer!" Nemea Shield flew from her hand and knocked the knight squarely, before returned back to its owner. Cassandra didn't waste the chance; she followed the attack with another. Gritting his teeth, Siegfried instinctively grabbed the Zweihander and blocked the attack. The girl shouted,
"Ha, you finally show your true face…" The former Black Wind commander hissed,
"This is the last chance, girl! Go away or suffer the consequences!" After saying that, he brushed her with a mighty push and ran away into the forest. The Greek girl fumed with such action,
"Coward, get back here and fight like a man!"
Cassandra followed Nightmare deeper into the forest, but she couldn't find it. Somehow she was elated with her first encounter with the azure knight. Then she saw something in front. The knight stood stoically, while brandishing the Soul Edge. The short-haired girl went to him with confidence and said,
"It's time for your punishment!" Instead Nightmare chuckled darkly with inhuman voice as he turned to face her,
"Do you want to die that badly? There's no turning back." Cassandra noticed that the once blue eyes had turned into crimson. Suddenly the knight moved swiftly to her, lifting his weapon,
"Evil Eye!" The girl quickly lifted Nemea Shield to protect her, but still, the impact shook her body like a thunder. The knight shifted into Quick Backspin Slash, however his opponent had rolled out from the attack. Cassandra slashed horizontally toward the unprotected part, yet the Azure Knight countered it with,
"Spin Slash!" The huge slash shook Omega Sword violently, and Cassandra felt her hand was shaking with tremors. The slash managed to cut a tree nearby her into two. She immediately distanced herself from the crazed knight, thinking,
What's going on? He wasn't like this before, perhaps I have underestimating him! I must think another plan! She gasped when Nightmare was on her again.
"Rook Splitter!" Sidestepped, he delivered the crushing vertical slash to her. Once again, Nemea Shield protected her, yet it started to have dents around. The Greek now forced to adopt a defensive stance, as her opponent clobbered her with many strikes. She avoided those strikes nimbly, yet Nightmare was faster and stronger. Then a single chance appeared for Cassandra. She quickly stick her sword at the knight's right ankle and into the ground, while croaked,
"Exile…Order!" Then she bashed him with her shield. Nightmare was stunned temporarily, but he surprised her with quick recovery. He grabbed the girl and smashed her over the head,
"Soul Devour!" He threw her a considerable distance. Woozily, Cassandra forced herself to rise. Yet, she was unprepared when Nightmare charged her with his shoulder,
"Rush Splitter!" The attack sent her flying away. She felt a pang of pain from her right shoulder. To her horror, Nightmare was nowhere to seen. Her mind raced frantically,
This must be some kind of mistake! I must get out from here, to set another plan! She forced her aching body to move away. At the same time, the Azure Knight appeared and his horrible voice boomed,
"There's nothing you can do now, except die, goddess!" He charged her again with shoulder, and then followed it with a headbutt. She rolled away from the forest and landed quite upon the grasses. Nemea Shield and Omega Sword scattered from her reach, while her body was wracked with pain. Nightmare went closer to his victim. The midnight wind breezed his long, blond hair, while the crimson eyes watched the girl. The Greek stared him with hate, as her breath panted. The huge eye at the Zweihander blinked several times. Slowly, he lifted his weapon very high, pointing it to the girl's chest,
"Your soul is mine now!" The sword descended rapidly as Cassandra Alexandra screamed aloud…
Three days later, Talim sat close to the window at the countryside inn; she smiled with myrrh when a lone butterfly flew to her direction. She reached out, but the butterfly shied away. The girl hunched her head again. She was getting well after her last encounter with Ivy, but her cheerful expression had gone. Somehow she was lost something that was dear to her. Then Yunsung called her, while carrying a bowl of food,
"Talim, let's eat! I have brought you some food," The young girl replied lazily,
"Maraming salamat, Kuya. Hindi nagugutom ako…" The red-haired youth insisted, as he went closer to offer the food,
"Come on, you didn't eat anything since you woke up. Eat some…" What he got was a cold shrug. He left her with look of concern. At the same time, Taki opened the door. She has changed her costume into the green one. The soft fabrics rustled with her body, while the shoulder pads hung lightly at her shoulders. This time, she let her raven hair fall to the back.
She asked, "How is she?" Yunsung shook his head,
"She doesn't want to eat, no matter how hard I try to persuade," He gritted his teeth,
"If I meet with that woman again, I will make sure she will pay for what she have done to Talim…" The ninja ignored the outburst, while saying,
"Sometimes it is easy to heal the body than the soul. The loss of an elbow blade probably too much for her to bear," She turned to the Korean,
"Yunsung, I want you to go outside for a while! There is something I want to talk to her…"
"All right, I hope you do better than I," The youth immediately left them alone. She went closer and sat beside her. Before the ninja opened her mouth, Talim said,
"Pakiusap, Ate…I don't want to talk anything right now," The Japanese woman inquired,
"Do you still thinking about your broken blade?" The girl turned around; the look of sadness was evident on her face.
"Ate, Syi Syarika and Loka Luha are the reminder who I am…Loka Luha has already broken and I'm failed to protect it. Probably I am not deserve to have such weapons…I have disappointed my lola…" Taki stroke the girl's hair gently,
"Silly girl, your grandmother gave those weapons to you, because she wanted you to use it for your good, not as a mere decorations. Just because Ivy broke one of them, it doesn't means you aren't worthy to use it again…you are what you are!" She produced something wrapped by linen and continued,
"I believe that I may be of some help in that regard," When the ninja unwrapped the linen, Talim held her breath momentarily. It was a blade, heavier and longer, almost similar with a broad sword. Yet, it has two holders. The Filipino watched the blade with hesitation as Taki explained,
"I have looking the blade for three days; it might not suit your taste, but it can substitute your broken blade until you found the better one…why don't you try it?" Slowly, the girl rose and took the blade. She swung and swirled the weapon; it was like a feather in her hand. Then she stopped and watched her own reflection at the weapon. A soft voice came to her ears,
Believe in yourself, Talim.
She nodded understandingly and said, "Cao Ankana…I shall name this blade Cao Ankana," Then her face broke into smile and she suddenly hugged the ninja, while thanking,
"Maraming salamat, Ate Taki! You're very kind to me, thanks for the blade! Salamat!" At first, Taki resisted, but then she gave in and returned the hug. In her mind, she imagined it was Sophitia who hugged her. The Filipino really reminded her to the Greek, though she was younger than the latter. Not for long, Yunsung chimed in,
"Ah, your Highness finally smiles again…I can see you have a new blade now!"
"Kuya Yunsung, ikaw naman!" She turned again to Cao Ankana and said proudly,
"Kung nakikita ko uli ang babae ng puting buhok ito, papatayin ko siya!" By then, a grumbling sound came from her stomach and she smiled sheepishly. The ninja commented,
"Probably we should have our lunch now…come!" The youngsters had left the room already. Taki merely shook her head,
"I wonder if you will like them, Sophitia…"
Eight miles from their place, people crowded the local tavern as usual. Kilik, Xianghua and Maxi passed by to find some information about the Azure Knight and the giant. They found out that sometimes the giant was occasionally spotted around the forest at the nearby mansion.
"The mansion now owned by Berthine, the new master. Rumors said that he keep something inside, but nobody knows what is it…" After thanking the bartender, the young master of Kali-Yuga turned to his companions,
"I think we should pay a visit to Master Berthine, probably he knows something about Astaroth," The Chinese girl nodded in agreement. Maxi replied,
"Why not? Let's go!" Before they went to the intended direction, the pirate accidentally bumped someone,
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry…" However, the bald, white mustached man turned with a frowned face,
"I beg you pardon? A rascal like you probably don't know the good etiquettes… " The last sentence stung Maxi and he immediately turned to face the man,
"You know something? You're a pain. I just wanted to give you the chance to save your life!"
Mishima Heihachi merely cracked his knuckles, "Who do you think you are? Nobody insults Mishima Heihachi and got away without…severe punishment!" Sensed the fighting, the Ryukyu pirate pulled his nunchakus and whirled in successive manner,
"My, my, aren't we calm? I can't promise that you'll live!" The Iron Fist Champion put his offensive stance immediately,
"Better say your prayer now!" The crowd immediately dispersed to give the way for the fight. At that moment, Kilik called the pirate,
"Sir, what's happened?" Maxi spat his words,
"This old man doesn't want to pull his words!" Then Heihachi replied,
"And why should I? I'm the one who supposedly demands an apology from you…" Before the pirate went verbal, the young warrior pulled him away. Xianghua and Mitsurugi have joined them. The ronin asked,
"What's going on?" The patriarch replied,
"Nothing, just teaching this upstart some lesson…" Then a clear, loud and commanding voice broke them,
"Let's go, we have no time for this!" Kilik saw a battle-armored samurai behind Mitsurugi and Heihachi. The demon mask obscured his face, while his right hand looked wooden. Heihachi growled with displeasure, but he didn't argue. Instead he turned on Maxi and pointed him,
"This isn't over yet, and I'll be back, boy!" The pirate snorted only, when they left,
"Huh! I'm really disappointed." Xianghua immediately asked,
"Are you all right, Max…Sir?" Kilik looked upon them with a pained face, but he chose to hide it. Maxi replied gloatingly,
"I'm fine…he probably afraid of me! Er, Kilik, is there anything wrong? You look unhappy…" The young warrior answered,
"Yes, I'm fine…let's go! We must find Nightmare before night comes," While he left, the pirate asked the Chinese girl,
"Did I do something wrong?"
Xianghua replied, "No, Sir! Kilik just…has a problem to express himself. Don't worry, he'll be fine!"
At the secluded place, Cervantes de Leon stood above the hill, watching everything below with his hellish stare. He muttered,
"At last, the time is at hand! Nightmare won't escape from this nook! I shall close it tightly upon his neck!" The undead pirate pulled the Soul Edge Female,
"You shall be reunited again with your mate and the Child of Evil Sword shall be reborn again…then the world shall be ours!" After saying so, he threw his head back and laughed. It was a cruel, cold sound, similar with Inferno. Soon the world would know the meaning of true fear and despair…
Author's note: Whew, my duties almost killing me! I finally finished this chapter and hope you liked it! Thanks for Lysander to suggesting the weapon. What do you think about battle between Spawn and Necrid? I don't play Xbox, but I read Spawn has ability to levitate and shoot fireballs there. So I decided to put it in my fanfic. Check at heat is on when the next chapter, 'Dance of the Blades' comes. About Cassandra's fate, just wait the chapter. As usual, critics, reviews (and flames) are accepted. See you next time!
Glossary
Filipino:
Hindi nagugutom ako (I am not hungry)
Pakiusap (please)
ikaw naman (you are again)
Kung nakikita ko uli (If I see…again)
ang babae ng puting buhok (white-haired woman)
papatayin ko siya (I will kill her)
At the same time, Yunsung tried to control his falling by stretching his limbs, something he had learned in Seung Han Myoung's dojo. Then he caught a hanging rope around the streets. Suddenly the rope broke apart, yet the red-haired youth quickly use the momentum to swing himself toward the nearest window. He lifted his legs in anticipation to absorb the impact. Unfortunately, instead the window he bumped the wall and fell once again…on the tarpaulin tent below. When the tent broke, the Korean landed on the haystack. He shook his head and touched the pained neck where Ivy almost strangled him with Valentine. The reddish streaks on the neck were a proof of it. Then he remembered someone,
"Talim!" Immediately Yunsung ran off, ignoring his pained body. He must find his way to her…
Back to the fight, Taki pulled out her ninjato as Voldo fell upon him. Before the Hell Guardian stabbed, she quickly blocked the katars with Blood Scroll. Yet, her opponent didn't stagger, instead he tried to impale her. The ninja counteract the move by swiping her elbow to Voldo. The Italian instantly avoid the swipe, while jumped away from her. Once landed, he walked with all fours again, and suddenly lunged to Taki. He locked his legs around her waist. Before her surprise finished, Voldo had bitten her neck. She screamed painfully, but swung Rekki-maru horizontally in two successive attacks. Aware of the danger, the Italian immediately left her and took some distance. Without hiding her revulsion, Taki kept her distance, while wiped her wound. Fortunately, Voldo's bite didn't contain any poison or tear the vessels. Though his face was strapped, she believed that he must have been smiling. Vercci's servant merely choked a guttural voice, while licking her blood,
"GHAAAAGH!" The ninja didn't reply; she merely circled her opponent warily. Voldo answered the stance by simply walking forward. Taki knew well that the Italian's act isn't to be underestimated. He simply made that before opened his fiercest attack. As expected, he stopped and whirled his body, while putting the katars horizontally. Yet, the ninja didn't want to wait. She opened the attack with Burning Misery. Voldo sprang forward to her, however he has rolled smoothly to avoid her attack. Like a squirrel, the Italian jumped again to Taki's back and locked her waist with his legs. Without glancing back, she could saw the glint of katar behind her. Immediately she pulled Mekki-maru,
"Mekki-maru's Wind!" The enchanted sword came out with furious flame and slashed Voldo's torso lightly. The Italian writhed in pain, and slightly eased his lock. That was enough for Taki. She immediately sent Shadow Banishment to him. Once again, the Italian rolled away from the attack and took quite a distance. She realized she must do something to end this pointless fight,
He's dangerous in the long-distance duel, let's see how good he is in the melee…Instantly, Taki use Rush to close her range with Voldo. The Italian growled in surprise,
"Waghhhhag?!" The ninja shouted, while slashing Rekki-maru toward him,
"Cloud Scroll!!" In a split second, the Hell Guardian crouched his body flat to the roof, rendering the attack hit an empty place. Now it was Taki's turn to be shocked. The thin man slithered beneath her legs like snake, grabbed them quickly and flipped them head over heel. At the same time, he spun to deliver a lethal strike with his katars. Instinctively, the black-haired woman used her legs to push him away and shift to…
"Hurricane Punishment!" Whirling both legs like helicopter, Taki saved her own life for a while. However, Voldo already leaped on air again. This time, he whirled his body in a drill-like stance toward her. Lifting her ninjato, the ninja countered his attack with Shadow Claw. When both of them collided, their bodies were shuddered violently. She slashed Mekki-maru to the Italian, who already jumped away from her. He moved to Caliostro Rush stance by came to her side. Before he managed to slap her with his weapons, Taki smiled,
"I've got you now! Jute Burial!" She jumped upon the Italian's shoulder, landing away from him. Before Voldo ever realized what happened, she put her ninjato under his throat, and proceeds to roll backward from his shoulder, throwing his weight away. Though taken by surprise, the Hell Guardian rolled his body many times before suddenly whirled to face her. Seeing that, Taki sighed,
"We can do this…forever if you want." At the same time, Vercci's voice echoed inside his servant's mind,
"Don't wasting time, Voldo! Kill her, take Soul Edge from her!" He nodded eerily, before running like a madman toward Taki. There was no place to turn around for the ninja; she was already at the ledge.
As Voldo leaped again toward her to perform Centipede Nightmare, the nuke-nin swirled her body away. Before the Italian has a chance to recover, she grabbed his waist and threw him across the ledge…
The window instantly shattered when Voldo hit it. The couple inside the bedroom was frightened to see the uninvited intruder. Fumed inside, the Hell Guardian turned outside to find the ninja, but he didn't sense her anymore around. There was nobody outside! His master wouldn't be pleased with his failure. When he glared to the room, the couple immediately ran away when Voldo unleashed his frustration by slashing everything inside madly.
Taki immediately left the Italian who were busy looking for her. She didn't worrying that. Instead, it was Talim and Yunsung who were in her mind now. Those youngsters were not ready to face the danger that the Evil Seed or Soul Edge posed. They really remind her to…Sophitia; brash, daring, innocent and determined to end the evil sword's quest. Yet, the Greek almost been killed in her first encounter with Cervantes de Leon, then it was up to her to wrap the problem. Sighing, she hoped that she weren't too late. Suddenly she caught someone at her sight. Then she called him loud,
"Yunsung!" The Korean stopped and turned around. Then Taki leaped very high to cross the distance between the rooftops. Without wasting any time, she inquired him,
"What are you doing? Where is Talim?" The red-haired youth replied,
"We've been attacked by someone! I was thrown away…" The ninja cut him sternly,
"Then do you leave her alone?" Yunsung answered vehemently, to brush off her accusing look,
"No, the woman named…Ivy has attacked us; she had thrown me away! I try to find Talim, but I don't know where they go," Instantly, Taki was stiffened and frowned once Ivy's name mentioned. Now they must found Talim quickly! Nobody knew what Ivy was capable to do. Turning away from the youth, she replied,
"Never mind, we must find both of them now!" Yunsung immediately followed her.
Once they arrived, nobody was around the sites. Taki immediately saw the pieces of her elbow blade. Aghast, Yunsung asked,
"Do you think she is…" The ninja shook her head,
"No, though the blood is splattered everywhere, I don't see her body yet…" Then a purring voice broke the silence,
"Are you looking for me?" Once they turned around, Isabella Valentine stood quite a distance from them. Yunsung pulled the White Storm, while the ninja simply put her relaxed posture. She stared the Englishwoman,
"Isabella Valentine, it has been a long time…" she finally said, "It seems you have changed a lot."
Ivy smiled wryly, "Thanks for your revelation four years ago, Japanese…oh, I almost forgot something!" She dragged something out from the darkness. Once it came to sight, they were shocked. Talim, badly battered and bruised stood shakily in front of them. Her costume was badly damaged, while some slashing wounds scattered around her lithe body, though not so deep. Her left eye was swollen. Valentine circled around the young girl, sometimes moving slowly like a snake. Taki knew, had someone threatened its owner, the sword wouldn't hesitate to cut its victim in pieces. Yunsung sprang forward with a cry of fury.
"Silence!" said Taki sternly, thrusting him back; but the white-haired woman laughed aloud,
"Did anyone tell you that this is not a child's play?" Turned back to her, the ninja replied but her voice was sharp as her ninjato,
"Ivy, let her go! She has nothing to do in this matter…" Ivy scowled only,
"Nonsense, anyone who has the Evil Seed is not innocent! I have checked her and I don't find it! Give the fragments and I'll leave her unharmed; refuse me and you can dig for her grave…" Yunsung shouted furiously,
"Because of those fragments you have to hurt Talim like that!?" The older woman spat on the ground,
"No matter the cost, I must ensure the Soul Edge or the Evil Seeds never exist again! Even if I had to spill blood to undo what the evil sword do to me and others…" The ninja said sarcastically,
"Your motives may outweigh your deeds, but they will never wash the blood on your hands, Ivy," The Englishwoman hissed furiously,
"So be it, but instead of my blood, it will be her blood first!" She jerked her weapon, which instantly constricted around Talim's body, making the sharp edges of the segments bit her skin. The Filipino girl croaked with weak voice,
"Ate Taki…Kuya Yunsung…" The Korean was hesitated, however the ninja simply rested her hand upon the pommel of Rekki-maru. Realizing their hesitancy, Ivy taunted them,
"Come, if you dare…" Taki's face were almost hard like a statue, her eyes were blazing with a killing instinct.
Behind the shadow, the glowing eyes watched what unfold before him. The wounded girl reminded him of something. Then it hissed,
"EHNAS SOSOSAYO!"
The cold wind from the Mediterranean Ocean breezed among Taki, Yunsung and Ivy. In a millisecond, the roof beside them exploded with such untold force. Everyone around shielded their eyes. Once the dust and the shards subsided, Ivy was the first to saw it. The huge, green creature stood menacingly. Its breast sphere glowed like a blaze. The horn-like accessory bound his left wrist. While he wore battle plates at the lower extremities, he walked barefoot. His red eyes didn't let the Englishwoman go. Ivy turned to Taki suspiciously,
"Friend of yours?" The ninja glanced her back with venomous stare,
"Are you asking me?" Then the creature roared aloud, cutting into the night sky. Even so, Ivy felt that she was still in control. With one flick of her hand, Valentine distanced its segments from Talim and immediately unwound itself. She smirked,
"I will send you back to the darkness from which you crawled, demon!" The creature, Necrid growled as the reply. Slowly, he raised his right hand on the sky, summoning something. To everybody's sight, a faint green crackle appeared along his arm and slowly forming something…it formed something in a broadsword form. It was Maleficus that Necrid has taken from the Void. Now he was ready to fight…for something.
Then Ivy lashed her weapon vertically with a sudden snap toward the hulking creature,
"Immortal Gale!" The sharp edge of Valentine sliced Necrid's cheek, letting black blood pour. He growled and immediately sent his response by swung his 'sword' to her. The surge of violent force immediately cut through the rooftops like a tidal wave. The Englishwoman smiled, as she pulled Talim in front of her. She intended to make her as a human shield. Unexpectedly, the attack split into two and circled to her. Shocked with the change, Ivy threw the girl and leaped away to the safety. The attack hit the nearby chimneys into smithereens, yet its force still struck the white-haired woman. She felt something prickling her cheek. At the same time, Yunsung stepped to help Talim, but the ninja stopped him. She merely shook her head, while watching the battle. The Korean understood, yet he could only gritted his teeth.
Once Ivy landed back, she staggered backward and felt a faint wet sensation at her cheek. When she touched, she saw a drop of blood at her golden gauntlet. Necrid's attack had cut her face slightly! She turned to the creature with a furious look, while the wound at his face healed instantly,
"How dare you to hurt me, Isabella Valentine! Pay this insolence with your life!" Lifting Valentine very high, she swung horizontally toward the strange creature. She planned to bound her opponent's weapon, and then pull it. When the whip sword tried to wrap Maleficus, it immediately transformed into a whip form, thus avoiding the segments. Instead it locked Valentine and Necrid gave a huge tug that almost made Ivy fell down. The Englishwoman shocked; her weapon were never failed to wrap any weapon…but this one was different. Yet she refused to acknowledge her loss. She swung her weapon again into a long range, before threw it toward her hated opponent,
"Embrace of Lust!" The whip sword managed to wrap the hulking body and pull it facing her. Strangely, the green creature didn't fight. Once finished with the move, Ivy shouted victoriously before sent her favorite throw,
"Summon Suffering!" The segments of Valentine snapped again and zoomed toward its target. Necrid rose calmly and lifted his right hand above the head. In his hand, Maleficus stretched into a staff-like energy. Roared to his lungs, he batted the attacking segments by spinning the 'staff'. Some of the segments went astray to every direction, yet they eventually returned to its sword form. Now Ivy realized two things: that she was outmatched and outnumbered. The situation would become worse, if the ninja and the boy decided to join. She was more startled than afraid, but she knew she had to get out of here fast. Glancing to Taki, she shouted,
"I am through for the day! We'll see each other next time…" Instantly she turned her back and leaped away from the site. Yunsung almost pursued her, had Taki didn't stop him and gestured to look around. The red-haired youth whispered,
"Why don't you help Talim? We might!" The ninja hushed him,
"Though I hate to admit it, I think the demon won't hurt Talim…he doesn't have to send a split attack, when fighting with Ivy,"
"How do you know?"
"Just my hunch!"
Once Ivy gone, Necrid turned to the unconscious girl. The creature knelt and caressed her face, when she moaned weakly,
"Tatay…nanay…" Though those words were foreign to him, Necrid knew the meanings behind it. His mind went back to the forgotten past. Once he was a human, a warrior and a family man, and then his king sent him to retrieve the most powerful sword, Soul Edge. Little he realized that what he sought would strip him from everything he held dearly. Consumed by lust of power, he challenged the real power behind the sword and lost ingloriously. Thrown off to the Void, he learned his mistake and tried to master the chaotic and unpredictable energy of the Void. From there, he gained Maleficus.
Then he returned to the present and watched Talim, She really reminded him to someone from his past.
He wasn't the only one who watched the event. Spawn stood on top of the nearby cathedral and it has reawakened humanity inside him. It seemed Malebolgia didn't take his memories completely.
The demon will hurt her…I must help her! Without too much thinking, he leaped to the air, as his cloak spread wildly.
Suddenly the sky above Necrid became dark, as the Hellspawn's cloak covered the moonlight. While floating on the air gracefully, Spawn whispered,
"Agony…" Obeying his mental command, the blood red cloak rolled back and wrapped around his right hand, morphing into a broad axe that bear the Hellspawn's insignia. Before the creature had a chance to register the incoming, Spawn had jumped to his broad shoulders. When he came down, he jabbed Agony to his opponent, while shouting,
"Doorway to Hell!" Necrid's huge body flipped forward and crashed facedown to the roof, beside the unconscious Talim. The attack had taken Taki and Yunsung off guard, that they immediately pulled their weapons. The ninja muttered, as her right hand rested on the pommel of Rekki-maru,
"Hellspawn…get back to your place, demon from Jigoku!" Spawn stood stoically, while glancing toward the others.
"I'm not your enemy, though I am coming from hell…" Taki didn't flinch from him,
"What do you want, demon? Do your master send you to retrieve Soul Edge?" The ninja's words stung him, however he answered back,
"I've got the sarcasm, okay? Take the girl and get out from here…" Yunsung turned to her, and got the response. He quickly went to Talim, while keeping his watch to the unknown stranger. At the same time, Necrid's body twitched and he opened his eyes back. The Korean carried the wounded girl on his back, and returned immediately to Taki's side. She still stared Spawn fiercely, and the Hellspawn returned it with his greenish glare. When he moved to face them, he asked her,
"What do you know about the Soul Edge?" The ninja was startled, but she kept it hidden from the others.
"Did your master tell you what happened to those who wield the sword?" Spawn stiffened his stance,
"Tell me then…" Taki didn't relax her stance, as she replied briefly,
"The sword is really powerful, but you can't hold on to it and your soul at the same time," A light dawned then, bright and clear and sudden in the Hellspawn's head,
Ah! That explained much! He had already damned his own soul by making deal with Malebolgia, how much more if he really laid his hand to the Soul Edge! The slimelord would get what he wanted! Deep in thought, he didn't realize that the green creature had rose to his full height and his face was full of indignation, as he muttered,
"GEH MOLAH!"
"Look out behind you!" Yunsung's warning was too late! Necrid had grabbed Spawn's neck and he jumped to the air with the neckbreaker stance, carrying his opponent between the shoulder and arms. Like a meteor, he landed very hard upon the rooftops that instantly gave away to such force. The entire roof crumbled below, along with them. Taki and Yunsung stared that with disbelief, and then she said,
"Let's get out now!" The red-haired youth nodded in agreement,
"For once, I'm agreeing with you! We must bring Talim to the safer place…" Without wasting time, they were disappeared.
Beneath its tattered cloak, Charade watched the event carefully. The creature decided to follow them from the safer distance, while moved swiftly like a wind.
Meanwhile, the fight between two otherworldly creatures raged on. Spawn struggled to release himself from Necrid's grab, but the position offered disadvantage. The creature pummeled him senselessly, and he was grateful that his necroplasmic skin absorbed them. After three floors then, they finally landed at the recital hall. Necrid bashed the Hellspawn thrice to the floor. Not satisfied, he bashed his opponent to the wall and dragged it along, before throwing him like a rag doll. Spawn immediately summoned his infernal power. Instead slamming the wall, he stopped on the air and turned himself facing his enemy. The green creature looked angry, but he didn't lax his stance. Floating on the air gracefully, Spawn stretched his right hand and Agony appeared instantly. He addressed,
"You didn't expect this, do you? Levitation can be handy, especially when you need it…" Necrid roared again, and called forth Maleficus again; this time it was a fiery sword form. Spawn brought his axe in front of him, reflecting the hideous look of the abomination. In sudden movement, the green creature sprang toward him and swung his weapon.
The Hellspawn countered the attack with a wide horizontal slash. When the weapon impacted, the sparks of fire flew everywhere. Necrid quickly sent three strikes at once: horizontal, vertical, and horizontal. His opponent managed to deflect two of three attacks; the last one bit the chest. The huge gash appeared, but Spawn cared it less. With incredible speed, the necroplasmic skin knitted the wound to the normal state. He zoomed to the green creature and whipped it with Agony to the air, while shouting,
"Taste Eighth Level of Hell!" As Necrid was airborne, a mysterious, green mist immediately enveloped him and shook him violently. When Spawn whirled his body, more green mist covered his opponent completely. Confident, he levitated slowly to the green mist. To his shock, an invisible energy struck his body and Necrid appeared out from the mist. He lifted the impaled victim slowly and painfully to the air, as he stared it with disgust. The green mist faded instantly and the green creature threw Spawn away to the side. This time, the Hellspawn slammed the wall with a loud thud. Instead the wall cracked beneath his body. He saw Necrid charged toward him at the nick of time. He greeted him with a powerful slash,
"Messiah!" He bashed the creature to the air, before following him and sent another bash exactly at the head. Necrid slammed the wooden floor very hard. Before he had a chance to rise, Spawn shoved his feet to Necrid's chest. Pain seared the creature and brought him back again.
"ESAYA STSSHI. EYOOS. DODTSU POGETDO!" With untold strength, Necrid caught Spawn's legs and whirled him violently, before throwing him to the string instruments at the left side of the hall. The instruments were crushed under the infernal weight of the Hellspawn. The warrior from Hell cursed,
"Damn, it would take forever to take him down!" Once again, the green creature attacked with a feral roar. Spawn levitated again and stretched his left hand; it was glowed with unnatural blaze. Before the distance was closed, he unleashed the attack,
"Levitation Necro Blast!" Then three fireballs appeared and zoomed toward its target. Necrid staggered three steps backward when the first hit him squarely. When another came, he immediately transformed Maleficus into a shield. Spawn used the chance to perform a dive attack. Brought his axe with both hand, he hoped to crush his opponent. Necrid instinctively morphed Maleficus into its usual form and blocked the attack. The sparks showered them, as both refused to yield their ground. Suddenly, the green creature's attention was occupied with something else. He jerked Spawn backward, while turning to the window. Something called him…the Soul Edge! Then someone called,
"Hey, don't you think you should finish with current business first?" Necrid turned around and saw the Hellspawn prepared a large fireball, larger than those that hit him. He glanced toward the grand piano nearby. When the fireball launched toward him, he whipped Maleficus to the leg of the piano and dragged it, as it weighed no more than a pebble. Then he hefted and hurled the piano toward Spawn. The piano exploded into smithereens when it hit the fireball and produced a noisome tone that echoed inside the hall. Even the windows exploded as well, showering the people outside with the shards. Agony morphed back into the blood red cloak that brushed the smithereens away, protecting its master. Once Spawn brushed it away, Necrid was nowhere to be seen. He muttered harshly,
"Curses! He's gone!" At that time, the Hellspawn's true face was revealed. It was nothing more than a badly burned face. He stared the window, pondering something,
He must be following the ninja and those kids…if I want to find Soul Edge, I must follow them as well! Then the cloak covered him again completely…once it opened, Spawn had already vanished, leaving the obliterated recital hall.
Miles from Marseilles, two figures were sitting around the bonfire. Raphael studied Astaroth carefully, seeking signs of weakness. In turn, the golem stared him coldly. No doubt, they considered each other as rivals to the prize…Soul Edge. The French sniffed,
Though looks dumb, this creature isn't like what it seems…I have to find the way to get rid this bulking mass… Then he teased,
"It is a nice night, isn't it?" Astaroth merely growled. Nearby, Satan snorted in agreement.
Far from the bonfire, Nightmare had discarded his azure armor and dipped his face in the river's cool water. He breathed in relief for this respite. When he saw his face, he remembered his past as Siegfried Schtauffen. For that, he would give anything to turn the time back. Yet the deformed right hand was a grim reminder to his present state now. The man stared back to the Zweihander nearby. Soon, it would be complete and would not longer need him anymore, and then he would have peace after the sword was gone. Suddenly, a gentle splash broke Siegfried's musing. He barked loudly,
"Who is that? Show yourself!" Slowly but sure, a small figure appeared. The figure brandished a small shield and short sword, wearing blue white costume. As it came closer, the knight recognized the intruder,
"You are…the servant girl…" The short, blond-haired girl answered,
"I'm Cassandra Alexandra, servant of Hephaestus and I was sent to fight you, Nightmare!" Her word sounded brave, but her eyes flickered with uncertainty. At the same time, Soul Edge was aware of the godly presence. The sword reverberated with a faint red aura. Siegfried was nervous; he didn't sure if he had to fight her. The girl might kill him without realizing the real matter. He knew, also, that to beat her he would have to kill her. Slowly, he lifted himself. The Greek girl lifted her weapons warily. The man lifted his left hand,
"Please, go away…I don't want to fight you…you don't know what you are faced of!" She replied,
"You're the one who forced Sir Berthine to become your accomplice, but I will end this now!"
"You're wrong, I don't force Raphael to involve in this! He voluntarily helped me in this matter…" With a sudden movement, Cassandra swung her sword toward Siegfried,
"Liar, better explain that once you're landed in Hades!" In swift succession, she swung the sword toward Siegfried. The German was forced to block the attack with his deformed hand. He could grab Soul Edge Zweihander, but he really didn't want to kill this girl. A disembodied voice came,
Fool, claim and use me to defend yourself! Kill the girl and claim her soul…
"Never!" At the same time, the Greek unleashed her arsenals. She jumped on the air by using Siegfried's broad shoulders. While on the air, she shouted aloud,
"Seraphim Hammer!" Nemea Shield flew from her hand and knocked the knight squarely, before returned back to its owner. Cassandra didn't waste the chance; she followed the attack with another. Gritting his teeth, Siegfried instinctively grabbed the Zweihander and blocked the attack. The girl shouted,
"Ha, you finally show your true face…" The former Black Wind commander hissed,
"This is the last chance, girl! Go away or suffer the consequences!" After saying that, he brushed her with a mighty push and ran away into the forest. The Greek girl fumed with such action,
"Coward, get back here and fight like a man!"
Cassandra followed Nightmare deeper into the forest, but she couldn't find it. Somehow she was elated with her first encounter with the azure knight. Then she saw something in front. The knight stood stoically, while brandishing the Soul Edge. The short-haired girl went to him with confidence and said,
"It's time for your punishment!" Instead Nightmare chuckled darkly with inhuman voice as he turned to face her,
"Do you want to die that badly? There's no turning back." Cassandra noticed that the once blue eyes had turned into crimson. Suddenly the knight moved swiftly to her, lifting his weapon,
"Evil Eye!" The girl quickly lifted Nemea Shield to protect her, but still, the impact shook her body like a thunder. The knight shifted into Quick Backspin Slash, however his opponent had rolled out from the attack. Cassandra slashed horizontally toward the unprotected part, yet the Azure Knight countered it with,
"Spin Slash!" The huge slash shook Omega Sword violently, and Cassandra felt her hand was shaking with tremors. The slash managed to cut a tree nearby her into two. She immediately distanced herself from the crazed knight, thinking,
What's going on? He wasn't like this before, perhaps I have underestimating him! I must think another plan! She gasped when Nightmare was on her again.
"Rook Splitter!" Sidestepped, he delivered the crushing vertical slash to her. Once again, Nemea Shield protected her, yet it started to have dents around. The Greek now forced to adopt a defensive stance, as her opponent clobbered her with many strikes. She avoided those strikes nimbly, yet Nightmare was faster and stronger. Then a single chance appeared for Cassandra. She quickly stick her sword at the knight's right ankle and into the ground, while croaked,
"Exile…Order!" Then she bashed him with her shield. Nightmare was stunned temporarily, but he surprised her with quick recovery. He grabbed the girl and smashed her over the head,
"Soul Devour!" He threw her a considerable distance. Woozily, Cassandra forced herself to rise. Yet, she was unprepared when Nightmare charged her with his shoulder,
"Rush Splitter!" The attack sent her flying away. She felt a pang of pain from her right shoulder. To her horror, Nightmare was nowhere to seen. Her mind raced frantically,
This must be some kind of mistake! I must get out from here, to set another plan! She forced her aching body to move away. At the same time, the Azure Knight appeared and his horrible voice boomed,
"There's nothing you can do now, except die, goddess!" He charged her again with shoulder, and then followed it with a headbutt. She rolled away from the forest and landed quite upon the grasses. Nemea Shield and Omega Sword scattered from her reach, while her body was wracked with pain. Nightmare went closer to his victim. The midnight wind breezed his long, blond hair, while the crimson eyes watched the girl. The Greek stared him with hate, as her breath panted. The huge eye at the Zweihander blinked several times. Slowly, he lifted his weapon very high, pointing it to the girl's chest,
"Your soul is mine now!" The sword descended rapidly as Cassandra Alexandra screamed aloud…
Three days later, Talim sat close to the window at the countryside inn; she smiled with myrrh when a lone butterfly flew to her direction. She reached out, but the butterfly shied away. The girl hunched her head again. She was getting well after her last encounter with Ivy, but her cheerful expression had gone. Somehow she was lost something that was dear to her. Then Yunsung called her, while carrying a bowl of food,
"Talim, let's eat! I have brought you some food," The young girl replied lazily,
"Maraming salamat, Kuya. Hindi nagugutom ako…" The red-haired youth insisted, as he went closer to offer the food,
"Come on, you didn't eat anything since you woke up. Eat some…" What he got was a cold shrug. He left her with look of concern. At the same time, Taki opened the door. She has changed her costume into the green one. The soft fabrics rustled with her body, while the shoulder pads hung lightly at her shoulders. This time, she let her raven hair fall to the back.
She asked, "How is she?" Yunsung shook his head,
"She doesn't want to eat, no matter how hard I try to persuade," He gritted his teeth,
"If I meet with that woman again, I will make sure she will pay for what she have done to Talim…" The ninja ignored the outburst, while saying,
"Sometimes it is easy to heal the body than the soul. The loss of an elbow blade probably too much for her to bear," She turned to the Korean,
"Yunsung, I want you to go outside for a while! There is something I want to talk to her…"
"All right, I hope you do better than I," The youth immediately left them alone. She went closer and sat beside her. Before the ninja opened her mouth, Talim said,
"Pakiusap, Ate…I don't want to talk anything right now," The Japanese woman inquired,
"Do you still thinking about your broken blade?" The girl turned around; the look of sadness was evident on her face.
"Ate, Syi Syarika and Loka Luha are the reminder who I am…Loka Luha has already broken and I'm failed to protect it. Probably I am not deserve to have such weapons…I have disappointed my lola…" Taki stroke the girl's hair gently,
"Silly girl, your grandmother gave those weapons to you, because she wanted you to use it for your good, not as a mere decorations. Just because Ivy broke one of them, it doesn't means you aren't worthy to use it again…you are what you are!" She produced something wrapped by linen and continued,
"I believe that I may be of some help in that regard," When the ninja unwrapped the linen, Talim held her breath momentarily. It was a blade, heavier and longer, almost similar with a broad sword. Yet, it has two holders. The Filipino watched the blade with hesitation as Taki explained,
"I have looking the blade for three days; it might not suit your taste, but it can substitute your broken blade until you found the better one…why don't you try it?" Slowly, the girl rose and took the blade. She swung and swirled the weapon; it was like a feather in her hand. Then she stopped and watched her own reflection at the weapon. A soft voice came to her ears,
Believe in yourself, Talim.
She nodded understandingly and said, "Cao Ankana…I shall name this blade Cao Ankana," Then her face broke into smile and she suddenly hugged the ninja, while thanking,
"Maraming salamat, Ate Taki! You're very kind to me, thanks for the blade! Salamat!" At first, Taki resisted, but then she gave in and returned the hug. In her mind, she imagined it was Sophitia who hugged her. The Filipino really reminded her to the Greek, though she was younger than the latter. Not for long, Yunsung chimed in,
"Ah, your Highness finally smiles again…I can see you have a new blade now!"
"Kuya Yunsung, ikaw naman!" She turned again to Cao Ankana and said proudly,
"Kung nakikita ko uli ang babae ng puting buhok ito, papatayin ko siya!" By then, a grumbling sound came from her stomach and she smiled sheepishly. The ninja commented,
"Probably we should have our lunch now…come!" The youngsters had left the room already. Taki merely shook her head,
"I wonder if you will like them, Sophitia…"
Eight miles from their place, people crowded the local tavern as usual. Kilik, Xianghua and Maxi passed by to find some information about the Azure Knight and the giant. They found out that sometimes the giant was occasionally spotted around the forest at the nearby mansion.
"The mansion now owned by Berthine, the new master. Rumors said that he keep something inside, but nobody knows what is it…" After thanking the bartender, the young master of Kali-Yuga turned to his companions,
"I think we should pay a visit to Master Berthine, probably he knows something about Astaroth," The Chinese girl nodded in agreement. Maxi replied,
"Why not? Let's go!" Before they went to the intended direction, the pirate accidentally bumped someone,
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry…" However, the bald, white mustached man turned with a frowned face,
"I beg you pardon? A rascal like you probably don't know the good etiquettes… " The last sentence stung Maxi and he immediately turned to face the man,
"You know something? You're a pain. I just wanted to give you the chance to save your life!"
Mishima Heihachi merely cracked his knuckles, "Who do you think you are? Nobody insults Mishima Heihachi and got away without…severe punishment!" Sensed the fighting, the Ryukyu pirate pulled his nunchakus and whirled in successive manner,
"My, my, aren't we calm? I can't promise that you'll live!" The Iron Fist Champion put his offensive stance immediately,
"Better say your prayer now!" The crowd immediately dispersed to give the way for the fight. At that moment, Kilik called the pirate,
"Sir, what's happened?" Maxi spat his words,
"This old man doesn't want to pull his words!" Then Heihachi replied,
"And why should I? I'm the one who supposedly demands an apology from you…" Before the pirate went verbal, the young warrior pulled him away. Xianghua and Mitsurugi have joined them. The ronin asked,
"What's going on?" The patriarch replied,
"Nothing, just teaching this upstart some lesson…" Then a clear, loud and commanding voice broke them,
"Let's go, we have no time for this!" Kilik saw a battle-armored samurai behind Mitsurugi and Heihachi. The demon mask obscured his face, while his right hand looked wooden. Heihachi growled with displeasure, but he didn't argue. Instead he turned on Maxi and pointed him,
"This isn't over yet, and I'll be back, boy!" The pirate snorted only, when they left,
"Huh! I'm really disappointed." Xianghua immediately asked,
"Are you all right, Max…Sir?" Kilik looked upon them with a pained face, but he chose to hide it. Maxi replied gloatingly,
"I'm fine…he probably afraid of me! Er, Kilik, is there anything wrong? You look unhappy…" The young warrior answered,
"Yes, I'm fine…let's go! We must find Nightmare before night comes," While he left, the pirate asked the Chinese girl,
"Did I do something wrong?"
Xianghua replied, "No, Sir! Kilik just…has a problem to express himself. Don't worry, he'll be fine!"
At the secluded place, Cervantes de Leon stood above the hill, watching everything below with his hellish stare. He muttered,
"At last, the time is at hand! Nightmare won't escape from this nook! I shall close it tightly upon his neck!" The undead pirate pulled the Soul Edge Female,
"You shall be reunited again with your mate and the Child of Evil Sword shall be reborn again…then the world shall be ours!" After saying so, he threw his head back and laughed. It was a cruel, cold sound, similar with Inferno. Soon the world would know the meaning of true fear and despair…
Author's note: Whew, my duties almost killing me! I finally finished this chapter and hope you liked it! Thanks for Lysander to suggesting the weapon. What do you think about battle between Spawn and Necrid? I don't play Xbox, but I read Spawn has ability to levitate and shoot fireballs there. So I decided to put it in my fanfic. Check at heat is on when the next chapter, 'Dance of the Blades' comes. About Cassandra's fate, just wait the chapter. As usual, critics, reviews (and flames) are accepted. See you next time!
Glossary
Filipino:
Hindi nagugutom ako (I am not hungry)
Pakiusap (please)
ikaw naman (you are again)
Kung nakikita ko uli (If I see…again)
ang babae ng puting buhok (white-haired woman)
papatayin ko siya (I will kill her)