The Last Arguments
The sun shone over the abandoned mansion, notwithstanding the fight was occurred there. While the others scoured it's surrounding for signs of Nightmare and Astaroth, Kilik sat on the stairs. The young priestess skillfully tended his wounds. Not for long, she patted his shoulder,
"Kuya, aayos na sugat mo ngayon," The young master turned around, smiling,
"Thanks…" Talim merely smiled. From other direction, Xianghua came to their place. Realizing that, Talim said,
"Alis muna ako, kuya! Siguro hinahanap ako si Ate Taki…" Kilik nodded only, as the young girl departed. The Chinese girl watched her, before turning her attention to him,
"I must say that she's quite pretty…" The master of Ling-Sheng-Su replied,
"She took care my wounds; there's nothing wrong in that," Staring her straight, he quipped,
"I sense a hint of jealousy in your words, am I right?" Xianghua chuckled,
"Oh, I just kidding only and you are becoming serious?" They laughed for a while, until he asked again,
"Did you find Maxi?" The girl sat beside him, sighing,
"No, I can't find him. No doubt, he must be pursuing Astaroth and Nightmare," Kilik leaned beside Kali-Yuga,
"I hope he'll be all right; probably we might meet at Osthreinsburg Castle…the place where everything started," The young girl nodded in agreement. She watched his bandaged shoulder, where the blood soaked it slightly.
"Are you all right, Kilik? You're hurt…" He touched his shoulder,
"I'm fine, Xiang. I don't expect that Frenchman attacking me, while I'm following you…"
"Why are you following me?" Slowly, the youth's face blushed. He stammered,
"I…I was worrying you, Xiang…when you're not with us," The Chinese girl shook her head, as she smiled slyly,
"Silly, you could've been killed! Would you go so willingly to your death?" In a split second, the cold face of Xianglian passed upon Kilik's mind. He answered silently,
"For you, Xiang, anything." Xianghua was stunned with his answer, yet she realized that he was starting to open himself. Then she kissed his right cheek lightly,
"Thanks for worrying me," Kilik turned to her with disbelief. He wanted to say something that he kept within so long. For a moment, they were staring each other. His lips was quivered, trying to say words,
"Xiang, there is something I must say to you…"
Suddenly, Cassandra appeared to them, "Xianghua!" The Chinese girl immediately turned to her,
"Cassie, what's up?" The Greek went closer to them,
"I can't find Monsieur Berthine and Nightmare. They were gone…er, did I bother you?"
Kilik remarked cynically, "You don't know how close you are…" At the same time, Yunsung, Taki and Talim came. The nuke-nin said,
"They had already gone…even Astaroth!" The Korean grumbled,
"Yes, along with Sword of Salvation!" Xianghua rose from the stairs,
"How could we find them now? Where are they going?" A voice full of authority rang upon them,
"Nightmare said we can meet him at Osthreinsburg Castle!" Everybody turned around and saw two figures stood in front of them; Yoshimitsu and Heishiro Mitsurugi. The ronin immediately recognized Taki,
"You again? I've had enough of you!" The pony-tailed woman replied mockingly,
"Heh, Haven't you had enough?" Just before Mitsurugi pulled Shishi-Oh, the Manji held him,
"Stop, we come here not to fight each other!" Then someone else came,
"Cassandra!" The younger Alexandra shocked to see her older sister,
"Sis? What are you doing here?" Sophitia answered,
"I realized that I have to deal with this." Meanwhile, Yunsung has become nervous as she recognized someone among the band. Before he went, Seung Mina already blocked his way and caught his ear,
"This time, you won't go anywhere, Hong Yunsung!" The red-haired youth cringed in pain,
"Ouch! It's hurt, Mina!" Suddenly, someone brushed them apart. It was Talim!
"Pakiwalan mo si Kuya Yunsung! Sino ka?" The Korean girl looks surprised, before she smiled mischievously,
"Aba, we didn't see each other about one and a half month and you already had a girlfriend…are you already growing up?" Yunsung shouted vehemently.
"She is NOT my girlfriend!" Link watched the arguments between them incredulously; he really didn't have a clue. Soon, everything turned into a pandemonium until a loud voice broke them,
"BE QUIET!!!" Everyone turned to Yoshimitsu, who merely folded his arms,
"Seems we've stumbled upon some confusion here! Maybe some explanation is in order…" Taki nodded,
"You're right, Yoshimitsu-san. Perhaps we should find a better place to clear this matter,"
Far from their place, Maxi and Heihachi traveled the rugged terrain to look for Astaroth. However, there were no signs from the golem. Fumed, the pirate pointed his finger to the erstwhile companion,
"This is your fault! If you weren't interfering, I would kill Astaroth by myself!" The patriarch merely laughed,
"Hah, huh, hah, huh, hah! Don't whining; it is not my fault that you can't kill the brute! You are simply too slow for me…" Felt insulted, Maxi pulled his nunchaku and shouted,
"Come on! Let's finish this!" Heihachi immediately put his usual stance,
"With my pleasure…" Suddenly, a gentle voice broke them,
"Gentlemen, I believe this can be settled peacefully…" They turned and saw Ivy standing between them.
The pirate muttered, "Who are you? What do you want this time?" The Iron Fist Champion cut him,
"Are you a friend or foe?" Smiling coldly, the Englishwoman answered,
"If you think that I still in the same company with the golem, you're mistaken…I already left them 4 years ago," Her golden eyes glittered slightly, "Now I'm hunting them like what you do now…" She went closer to Maxi, while Heihachi intrigued with her. Ivy said,
"It is surprising that you've forgotten me completely…" Maxi frowned,
"You look familiar…but I can't recall where we met…" She turned in disdain,
"Nevermind…warrior, I have a proposition!" The old warrior merely barked,
"Name it!" She walked toward Heihachi and pressed her voluptuous body to his well-muscled figure, while smiling seductively,
"I know where Nightmare is…join me and you will have everything you wanted," She deliberately shoved her 'assets' to the patriarch. Heihachi couldn't help to staring at her beauty, yet lust was second to his passion for fighting. Then Maxi asked,
"Why should we trust you?" Annoyed, the woman turned around and answered,
"Trust, you see, cannot always be earned. Sometimes mutual suspicion is enough," Distanced slightly from Heihachi, she continued,
"We have no choice, but to be true to one another," Then the patriarch hugged her closer to him,
"Bah, I accept her proposition! Why should we miss the company of such beautiful woman like her?" In turn, Ivy caressed his broad chest tenderly,
"I'm yours, great warrior, as long as you will help me fight Nightmare…" Inside, Maxi disgusted to see how Ivy manipulated Heihachi, but in another hand, her help would be valuable to find the golem, thus he could exact his well-deserved vengeance. He replied,
"Fine, count me in!"
Four hours later, at the abandoned farm house,
The warriors gathered in a barn and began to exchange stories about Soul Edge, Nightmare and Astaroth. Taki got the first turn, then followed by Kilik, Xianghua and closed by Sophitia. Yoshimitsu merely nodded, while he listened their stories. Mitsurugi sometimes frowned or twitched his eyes. Cassandra, Talim and Link heard attentively to the story. Yunsung looks restless; especially Mina kept close watch upon him. Then the Manji said,
"Now I know more about the Soul Edge…and I feel compelled to get rid such weapon from this world,"
Taki added, "It is our duty to remove the evil once and for all…Would you join us, Yoshimitsu-san?"
"You can count on my sword, Yoshimitsu! I'll be glad to have parley with Nightmare or Inferno…"
Kilik continued, "Though we don't have Soul Calibur anymore, we still have Kali-Yuga…"
Xianghua didn't want to lose, "You can rely on me…we shall defeat Nightmare for good!"
"Me too!" Everyone turned to Cassandra and Yunsung who shouted simultaneously.
Sophitia replied, "No, Cassandra! It is too dangerous! You'll go home to Athena right now…" Look of disappointment was oblivious to the younger Alexandra's face. She shouted,
"It is not fair! Why is always you who faced the danger? Do you think father and mother worries you as much as I do?" Sighed, the elder sister answered,
"That's not the case, Cassandra! I was chosen by Hephaestus for this mission…" Strode forward, Cassandra raised her voice,
"So am I!" Now the sisters stared eye to eye, while everyone was silent. Xianghua leaned closer to her friend, while Taki watched them closely. Yunsung want to support her, but he must face Mina first to do so. Judging from his experience, which would be the last thing he could think of. Sophitia spoke again,
"Have you forgotten how close you are to death? Nightmare wouldn't spare you, had the Frenchman not intervened!" A bitter taste appeared in Kilik's mouth, as he heard about Raphael. Instead rebuffed, the young girl continued,
"Yes, but I have learned my lessons well! I believe I can beat Nightmare this time!"
"Have you learned enough? I can't let you go this time, Cassandra! Not as long as I still breathed!" Then Cassandra pointed her Omega Sword to her sister, while declaring,
"I challenge you to fight, Sophitia Alexandra! Only you and me!" Talim and Xianghua gasped, while the rest still silent. The ninja merely slapped her forehead. The Greek woman shocked to hear the words, however she immediately controlled herself. She stared her sister straight dead; her tone was cold and steely this time,
"Are you sure of this, Cassandra? Whoever loses, one of us will go back to Athena without haste…do you agree with that?" Slightly faltered but unable to acknowledge it, the younger Alexandra answered,
"Yes, I agree!" Picking Omega Sword and Elk Shield, Sophitia went into the house, while turning to the short-cropped girl,
"Wait me outside at noon…" Her voice slightly lower, "…you should not do this, Cassandra," As her sister went out, Cassandra went to another direction. Xianghua called,
"Cassie!" Then Taki said,
"Follow her, I'll check Sophitia…" The Chinese girl and the ninja parted way. Seung Mina motioned the red-haired youth to go outside. Though puzzled, he obeyed and went outside. Talim wished to follow them, but she still felt strange with others. Beside, it would be wiser to not interfering them right now. Link still didn't get the clue about this. The grizzled ronin commented,
"This keeps better and…better…"
Taki followed the Greek into a vacant room. Once inside, Sophitia didn't waste anytime to vent her outburst. She slashed aimlessly to the air and kicked the chairs away. The ninja waited patiently until she finished. After calming down, she put her sword and shield gently on the table. Then the pony-haired woman spoke,
"You don't have to do that; she's still young and hot-headed…" The blond-haired woman replied,
"Do you think I don't know that? She might be my sister, but what she does awhile ago has offended me! Challenging her own sister in front of many people…how dare she is," Went closer, Taki said,
"So, your pride is more important than your relationship as a sister?" Sensed a hint of sarcasm, Sophitia shouted aloud to her,
"Who do you think I am? I love my sister very much, Taki! I love her too much to lose her…that's why I must do this to her! To teach her a lesson that she'll never forget…" She went to the window,
"My children's life was on the thread as we speak here…I must destroy Soul Edge or else, everything that I loved dearly, lost to that damned sword! However, I won't let Cassandra to bear such burden; she is too young to understand that!" Coughed slightly, the ninja was waiting her companion to speak. After a moment, nobody spoke until she said,
"Cervantes's still alive…" Without turning back, Sophitia replied,
"I know…I have seen that in my vision! Now you begin to understand why I have to do this…I won't have Cassandra to suffer the same ordeal. Because I love her that I have to show her the error of her way…"
"How about us then?" The blond-haired woman turned to her, and then walked to the table. At the same time, the sunshine shone through the window and fell upon her, making her blond hair glowed like gold. She said slowly,
"Time has changed, Taki. I've grown up since you last knew me… I already married and have a family. We wish we could turn the time back…" Now the pony-haired woman was close to her and said,
"All of us have, but old habits die harder…" With sudden movement, she held Sophitia's chin and locked lips with her, kissing with passion. The younger woman struggled for air as their tongues locked each other, but then slightly gave in and allowed the older woman to finish. In fact, she felt thrilled. She clenched her hands into knuckles. After finished, Taki distanced and the Greek slapped her very hard. Sophitia's eyes flickered with anger as she stared the ninja. Instead retaliating, the pony-haired woman only caressed her reddened face. She spoke again,
"I may deserve this, but know this, Sophitia. I won't stop loving you no matter who you are now; the only way to stop me for loving you is put your sword into my heart. Even so, it won't stop me for loving you…I won't forget the moment we kissed each other last time…" As the nuke-nin ready to leave her, Sophitia called her,
"Wait!" She held the raven-haired woman and said,
"Why not repeat the moment again?" This time, it was her turn to kiss the ninja. They kissed and hugged each other once more, now with more strength; more force…more passion. Consumed by their own passion, they moved to the table and continued there. Sophitia pulled the jumpsuit slightly, while Taki lifted the Greek's skirt slightly. They almost blind to their surrounding until the door creaked and opened, showing someone…
Sophita shocked, "Link…" Instinctively, she and Taki distanced away, while the elf froze with what he witnessed. Both women have disheveled hair and costume; it didn't hard to figure out what happened. For a minute, an uneasy silence reigned. Then Link spoke shakily,
"Excuse me…I think I was in the wrong room…sorry for disturbing you…" He immediately left them, before Sophitia could call her. Turning slightly to the ninja, the blond-haired woman said,
"Taki, excuse me! I will clear this thing out first…" The pony-haired woman nodded. Once her companion went outside, she savored the moment they were together, caressing her wet lips. Sighed, Taki adjusted her jumpsuit again and disappeared from the room.
Not for long, Sophitia caught the elf in the corridor of the house. She took his left arm,
"Link, would you listening me first…" With suddenness, he brushed her rudely and stared her with a look of disbelief and pain. The Greek felt that she was judged by him. Then he stammered, something unusual for him,
"Princess…Sophitia, I am coming to cheer you up; never expecting to see that…"
"Truthfully, I was shocked to see what you do…that is not common in my place, Hyrule! I thought you trusted me!" Unable to comprehend his conflicting emotion, he punched the nearby wall very hard, followed with hitting his head to the wall. Sophitia quickly pulled him away, shouting,
"Stop, Link! You're hurting yourself!" The elf stopped and turned to her; this time his eyes looked serene. He said,
"But I do believe one thing; that love can take many forms to manifest no matter it looks. True, I love you as my closest friend, Princess Sophitia, however my heart is belongs to Zelda…don't worry, your secret is safe with me…" The Greek stunned to hear those words, yet she smiled,
"I'm sorry, Link to not telling you this…thanks for understanding this, you're truly a friend!" She hugged and kissed him, that made the elf blushed. He stammered again,
"Er, thanks…by the way, your sister has waiting you outside…" Then he left her alone.
Taki flipped from the ceiling with head down, "I must say that he is very sportive to accept the fact. I might fall over to him…" Sophitia smiled slyly,
"Are you teasing me? Link is just a friend…unlike you," The Shadow Huntress of Demons leaped downward and landed with her feet. She patted the younger woman,
"Come, you have a business to attend…" They went outside together.
Meanwhile, Xianghua walked hesitantly to the nearby room. A choked voice came,
"Come in, the door is not locked…" She went inside and found Cassandra crying. Nemea Shield and Omega Sword lay beside her. The Chinese girl asked gently,
"Are you all right, Cassie?" Wiping her remaining tears, The Greek said,
"I'm fine, Xiang…I just can't believe I challenged my own sister in front of you…"
"What do you talking? I thought you want to do this…" The short-cropped girl sniffed,
"When we were little children, we used to be to play the mock battle…she pretended to be Achilles and I'm Patroclus. Sometimes we challenged each other and of course, she always wins due to the bigger size…" The girls chuckled,
"After we grew up, she became convinced that Hephaestus had chosen her to carry a holy mission. Nobody but me believed her. When she disappeared for the first time, I convinced myself that she would be all right. My belief was shattered when I saw her half-dying upon our house. I saw the Asian woman helped her and extracting something from her chest. Since then, I feared that she won't returned again someday,"
"When the Evil Seed appeared again, I can't hold my anger toward the gods! How could they let this happened to my sister? She had enough for this…that's why I stole these weapons and went to find the accursed sword!" Sighed, Cassandra continued,
"It never pass to me that I have to fight her for stopping her…I can't expect to win, since she's more experienced than me," Xianghua quipped,
"You can still apologize to her…" The girl startled,
"Yes, I can but she won't back down from the fight! For the Greeks, to withdraw from a duel is considered cowardice and I can't turn back from the fight…what troubles that I've invite for my self!" Strengthened herself, she picked the sword and shield again. Turning to her friend, Cassandra gave a forced smile,
"Come, let's finish this once and for all!" Xianghua breathed out,
"It is lucky that I don't have a sister…what a trouble!" They came out from the room.
In another place, Seung Mina and Yunsung walked along the secluded place. The reddish-orange leaves covered the moist ground, while the bird chirped. She bore the Scarlet Thunder behind her back, while the red-haired youth followed from behind. For a moment, they didn't speak to each other until she broke the silence,
"Do you remember when you enrolled into the dojo for the first time?" Yunsung nodded uneasily,
"Yes, I was 14 years old then…and you're…" Mina replied,
"Nineteen…though my father accepted you, I wasn't impressed with you at that time…"
"That's why you fight me then…with a broom!" The Korean girl chuckled,
"Ah, yes! You were practicing at that time with a child's sword, while I swept the courtyard. I was punished at that time," She glanced to the youth, "And you mistook me as a servant," Yunsung grinned,
"Yes, I was foolish to challenge you at that time and eventually know better than doing that!" Mina lowered her zanbatou and scratched the ground with that,
"The time passed very fast, both of us has grown up," She tossed the White Storm to him; it was startled him,
"What are you doing, Mina? I thought you will drag me home…" Seung Han Myoung's daughter smiled,
"You want to find the Sword of Salvation to prove yourself to Hwang, and then I give the same thing that he gave me four years ago…" She pointed the weapon to him,
"Prove yourself and I'll let you continue your quest…"
Back to the abandoned farm,
Everyone had waited outside. Talim sat on the ground, while Yoshimitsu and Mitsurugi stood their ground. Kilik crouched nearby the priestess. Link had climbed the tree and sat upon its branch. Then Sophitia and Taki came out from the house. The young girl cheered,
"Ate Taki!" The ninja smiled in return. At the same time, Cassandra and Xianghua appeared from the other side. While her sister's face looks grim, the younger girl looked uneasy. After few steps later, the sisters faced each other and brandished their weapons. The Chinese girl whispered an encouragement,
"Cassie, do your best…win or lose, you already do the best…" The Greek nodded,
"Thanks, Xiang…" In other side, Taki reminded,
"Don't too hard on her; she's still your sister…" The blond-haired woman replied tartly,
"I know what I am doing," Afterward, they left the sisters alone. The ninja took her place beside Talim, while Xianghua sat beside Kilik. The gentle wind strokes the sisters' hair, while both gripped their Omega Sword and Nemea/Elk Shield. Sophitia asked her sister,
"Are you sure for this, Cassandra? There is no way back…" The younger girl nodded,
"Yes! Time is short. Let's begin."
"I agree!" Without warning, the older woman put her sword in front of her shield, reflecting the sunshine toward the opponent. Cassandra was taken by surprise and instinctively covered her eyes. As she did that, her sister already moved to kill. Sophitia sent a long swipe toward her sister, yet immediately blocked. Not wasting the time, the young girl pushed her way toward the opponent. Instead countered, Sophitia merely sidestepped the attack and took the safer distance. She saw her beloved sister charged to her and sent a singular horizontal slash. When she brought Nemea Shield, the loud shake rattled her left arm. To her surprise, Cassandra immediately sent a quick spin kick toward her. Gritting her teeth, the older woman retreated again. Her opponent didn't pursue her.
"Not bad, Cassandra…is it my style or yours?"
"Yours, but I have practiced my own recently…" Deep inside, Sophitia felt proud with her sister's achievements. Yet, she must win this time,
"Be careful, you might be hurt!" Shouting her battle cry, she juggled twice on the air, trying to catch her sister off guard. Instead waiting her on the air, Cassandra kept waiting until her sister landed on the ground. Once landed, it was her turn! She crouched and swipe toward her opponent. However, Sophitia had expected that. She quickly rolled away. The younger girl pursued her immediately. The elder woman stopped and this time counterattacked by charging. Before they could connect, the short-haired girl crouched, and then dashed forward to her sister. Surprised, Sophita was pushed backward. She slashed horizontally to break the dash, but her sister anticipated it by raising the shield. She suddenly slammed her shield toward Sophitia, who was taken aback. The opponents distanced themselves again. The elder Alexandra shouted,
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Cassandra nodded,
"I'll do the best I can!" They charged once more and continued to put each other on defensive. This time, Sophitia juggled again and spun herself to sudden attack. Her sister immediately swept the sword upon her ankle. Yet, it was avoided perfectly. The older woman swung her sword to the unguarded part, only to hit the wind. In return, Cassandra sent her 'cheerleader kick' toward her sister. It really hit Sophitia exactly at the chin. Everyone gasped, including the younger Alexandra. She didn't expect her attack would hit. The older woman touched her pained chin, and licked her lips. It tasted salty…a tinge of blood appeared.
"Oh, Sophitia…I'm terribly…" Sophitia stopped her sister's apology,
"It's all right, I'm not careful enough…now let's continue our duel!"
Talim watched the fight between them worriedly; she turned to the Fu-Ma who stood like a statue,
"Ate Taki, bakit hindi ka pipigilan sila?" Taki answered resignedly,
"I try, but both of them won't listen to me…" Suddenly, Yoshimitsu spoke,
"Nobody can, young girl! From the immemorial time, the Greek considered honor and glory as its utmost virtue. Stopping them from fighting will only give them embarrassment…and they didn't take it kindly." The girl shocked, as she turned to the fight again,
"Only one who can prevail in this fight, no matter how close their relationship…" However, Mitsurugi only yawned. He went to the nearby tree and lay there. The ninja commented,
"What are you doing? It is too early to take a nap now!" The ronin answered,
"It is boring to watching girl's fight; I'd better off sleep. Wake me when they were finished…" Few seconds later, he already snored.
Taki muttered, "Men…no wonder you can't even beat me…"
Meanwhile, another fight raged not far from the farm.
"Biting Strike!" Seung Mina swept her zanbatou below, tripping Yunsung to the ground. Before she followed up her strike, the youth quickly rolled away and lifted his saber in defensive stance. The Korean girl merely pointed her weapon in manner of a billiard player,
"Not bad, I saw some improvement. However, the question is: will it be enough to let you beat me?" The red-haired youth replied,
"Any time you're ready!" Mina smirked,
"I think you need a bit more practice." This time, she sent Strangling Slash. Yunsung immediately lowered his stance and suddenly charging, thus blocking the attack. The block sent Mina staggered, yet she quickly countered it with:
"Gale Cross!" She leaped very high, and then slapped her opponent's kidney with the end of her zanbatou. The youth cringed in pain. Mina used the chance to send a chest stab. Yunsung recognized the style as Thrusting Fang. Instead blocking, he sidestepped the attack, allowing the overhead slash pass over. To his surprise, she tilted her body leftward, lowering the slash to him! He quickly blocked the attack and staggered backward. She shouted,
"Beware, Yunsung! Lifting Heavens!!" She started an uppercut slash toward him, which blocked. Yet she started juggling in the air and slashed overhead again. Tired of being punchbag, Yunsung roared and sent three slashes: horizontal, vertical and diagonal. The slashes impacted violently, sending both reeling backward. Without waiting, she swirled her zanbatou toward the opponent. Yunsung's mind raced,
Heavy Crane! I have seen this…and I think I know how to beat her… He instead blocked the swirl, feigning defeat. Mina smiled to this turn of fortune,
"Is that all you've got? You left yourself open!" The youth didn't answer; however he noticed the swing intensely. After the momentum of the swing slightly slowed, he shouted aloud,
"Take this... haaaa!" Like a lightning, Yunsung spun himself forward and Mina couldn't even react when he planted his right boot into her stomach. Like a slow motion, she felt her body flew turnaround before slamming the ground facedown. This angered her to the core,
"That makes me mad! Look like I'll have to teach you a lesson." Shouting aloud, she swung her weapon with all strength, however it opened her defense. Not wanting to waste the chance, Yunsung grabbed Mina's braided hair and pulled her to his side. Instead using the sharp edge of saber, he hit her midsection with the pommel very hard. He could even hear the air came out from her lungs. As she fell to the ground, he stepped the pommel further with his left foot, thus hit her stomach very hard. The Korean girl screamed in pain, throwing her zanbatou off. Yunsung distanced himself from her. The look of pain was evident in her face, while holding her abdomen. Tears rolled upon her eyes. The youth didn't elated with his victory, instead he felt pang of remorse for hurting her master's daughter…and sometimes friend. Shakily, he said,
"Mina…I really sorry! I don't mean to hurt you…" Though still hurt, Seung Han's daughter raised herself, while caressing her injured abdomen,
"I can't believe this! You're the second man who beaten me after Hwang…" She stared the youth who still trying to avoid her. Sighed, she said,
"You won fairly…go ahead." Startled, Yunsung asked again,
"You're kidding! It means I can go now…to look for the Sword of Salvation," Mina took a deep breath and sighed again,
"Probably it is not my destiny to going out…first, Ivy had beaten me…Hwang and then…you. Am I doomed to stay in Choson for good?" The red-haired youth spoke,
"Ivy has beaten me as well…I was learning from my experience, but I…I don't expect to beat you…"
"Father would be proud to know your improvement…and I think Hwang too." She said, still looking away,
"Go, Yunsung…follow your destiny! My journey has ended here, but your journey is just begun…" Yunsung immediately offered his salute to her,
"Thanks, Mina! I won't forget this…I promise I will be back with Sword of Salvation!" Then he left her alone. Wiping her remaining tears, she muttered again,
"How can this be? No way!" As Seung Mina left the place, a single, keen eye watched what happened there. Soon, it would put everything in practice…
Swords impacted; shields clanged each other. The Alexandras still haven't finished yet, as the sun rose above them. Sophitia sent a roundhouse kick, yet blocked by her sister effectively. She immediately followed with a horizontal slash. Once again, Cassandra blocked it. Both women panted; they almost reach the limit of their endurance. Sweats made their clothes stick to their body. Xianghua, Link and Talim held their breath, while Yoshimitsu, Kilik and Taki still stood their ground. The younger girl whispered between his gasping breaths,
"Sophitia..." In other side, Sophitia replied, though she was exhausted as well,
"I want to save you, Cassandra…you don't have to doing this. This supposedly my duty, not yours…" Cassandra hunched her head, allowing strands of her hair fell. She answered,
"I'm sorry Sis, but I have to see things through to the end."
"I'll give it all I've got." After saying that, the older woman juggled on the air. Cassandra didn't wait; she leaped to the air as well. The loud clang heard when their shield impacted. Sophitia was taken aback with her sister's movement. She immediately has driven back to the ground. When she tried to stop it with her right leg, it was strained and pain crept to her sensation. Yet, she refused to give up. Not realizing her sister's condition, Cassandra jumped over her opponent, juggled thrice on the air before throwing Nemea Shield. Sophitia barely had a time for blocking it with her own Nemea Shield, but the strain on her right leg was too much. Unable to keep balance, she fell to the ground. Immediately her sister fell close to her and put the Omega Sword to her neck. Everyone was stunned. Cassandra was about to celebrate her success, if she didn't saw her sister's Omega Sword pointing to her ribs. In other hand, they were at mercy of each other. One twitch and it shall be over. Those who watched were waiting the duelists' decision. She stared Sophitia's eyes,
"Sister..." Sophitia watched her sister dearly; her face was softened. No matter how she tries, she couldn't break the decision: The gods indeed had chosen Cassandra as their messenger, not her. Her time had passed long time ago, now it was her sister's time. She sighed,
"May the Gods be praised.…" By then, she let her sword off. Cassandra was transfixed with that,
"Sophitia…" The older woman answered calmly,
"It is Hephaestus' decisions that you shall be my successor for destroying the Soul Edge…you're the only hope for Patroklos and Pyrrha…" The younger woman rose and offered her hand to her sister. Sophtia accepted and pulled herself from the ground. She stared Cassandra intently and smiled,
"I have forgotten that you are already growing now…Cassandra!" The younger sister couldn't held her emotion anymore,
"Sophitia!" Dropping their weapons, the sisters hugged each other. Yoshimitsu applauded, while Talim took a breath. Xianghua and Taki immediately went to their friends. Sophitia turned and saw the ninja smiled approvingly. She merely smiled back. Xianghua commented,
"What a fabulous fight! Someday we can have a friendly fight between us…" Cassandra replied,
"Don't push your luck too hard, Xiang…" At the same time, Yunsung and Seung Mina appeared. Talim was excited when she saw the youth,
"Kuya, nasaan ka? You miss the fight…" Mina was startled to see Sophitia,
"Sophie, are you all right?" The Greek woman answered,
"I'm fine, Mina…it seems you just have a fight…" The Korean girl scratched her head,
"Er, just some misunderstanding…" While they chatted, Yunsung talked with Talim. Then someone called him,
"You are hurt…" The youth was stunned when he saw a short, blond haired girl stood nearby him. He saw a sliced wound at his left shoulder,
"Just a little wound…" Cassandra ripped a piece of her tunic and immediately bandaged his wound. Blushed, the Korean said,
"Er, thanks…Miss…"
"Cassandra…just call me Cassandra…" Talim watched them with disbelief; however Mina quickly pulled him out,
"Hey, Mina!" The Korean girl replied,
"Though you had beaten me, it doesn't mean that you can date the older woman…you are still underage for that…" The Greek girl couldn't let her sight off from the youth. Xianghua was puzzled with that,
"Cassie, what makes you like him? I don't see anything special in him…" Dazed, Cassandra replied,
"He's so…macho…that's all," To this, Taki quipped,
"Monkey's love…" Without their knowledge, the skillful eye watched everything transpired. It blinked several time…
Few moments later, everyone decided to go to Osthreinsburg Castle. Sophitia and Seung Mina decided to return to their respective place, for honoring their promises. Meanwhile, Xianghua and Talim mischievously poked Mitsurugi's nostrils with a grass. After a few twitch, the ronin sneezed loudly. He found out those girls were responsible for disturbing his nap and began to chase them until Taki stopped him. Before they go, Sophitia said,
"Cassandra, I believe you can carry Hephaestus' mission and save Patroklos and Pyrrha…don't disappoint them," The younger girl answered with resolve,
"I won't! I'll make sure that evil sword will go for good…for making my nephew and niece suffering…"
"Be careful, you still need more experience…you can ask Xianghua or Taki to assist you…" Glancing suspiciously to the ninja, her sister replied,
"I'll be fine, sis! Don't worry!" At the other hand, Mina poked Yunsung,
"Hey, be careful! Once you've got the Sword of Salvation, tell me what it is looks like…"
"I'll be fine, Mina! Tell Hwang, I will bring the sword for him!"
"Remember, no dating!" He shouted,
"Hey, I'm not a child anymore…" As they left, Taki passed Sophitia and said,
"I'll guard her…if necessary, put my life over her." The Greek woman nodded,
"I know you will, Taki! Take care too!" When Link passed them, he said, while scratching her blond head,
"I'm sorry to not coming with you, but I must find Soul Edge for the safety of Hyrule…by the way, Princess! I'll guard your sister with my life…" Sophitia said,
"Thanks, Link! I believe you! You are really a friend…"
"Nah, I have to go! Farewell, Princess Sophitia! Miss Mina!" When the company left, the dark clouds covered the sky and the rumbles of thunder were heard. Mina suggested,
"I suggest we should go to the nearest village…from there we shall take our ways!"
"I'm agreeing!" Not wasting the time, those women ran toward east.
Torrents of rain fell from the sky, while lightning crackled and thunder rumbled. Sophitia and Mina were caught up; they ran furiously to the nearby forest. However, the Greek stopped before she even enters the forest. The Korean was surprised with her companion's attitude,
"Sophie, what's wrong?" Sophitia replied,
"I sensed something evil inside; it's waited us inside the forest…" Alarmed, Mina immediately put the Scarlet Thunder in attacking stance,
"How many are they?" The Greek woman also put her shield and sword in the same position,
"Only one, but it was driven by unearthly power…be careful, Mina!" The girl nodded. Slowly but sure, they entered the forest. As they went closer to the huge tree, Charade lurked behind its branches. Its single eye watched them hungrily, while its flesh pulsated in excitement. The louder their heartbeats beat, the faster its pulsations. It stared the Greek woman with vengeful stare. When Sophitia and Seung Mina were close to the tree, the creature leaped like lightning toward them…they could only gasped…
Lightning cracked thrice…
Author's note: Sorry for delay, I was very busy in my internship. Yet, I managed to write this during spare times. What
do you think about fight between Cassandra- Sophitia and Yunsung-Seung Mina? How about 'shojo-ai'
romance between Taki-Sophitia? What happen to Sophitia and Mina later? Sorry, if it too rush. Just wait
the next chapter, 'Edge of Vengeance'. As usual, I welcome every review, critics (and flames), no matter
how harsh is it. See you next time!
Glossary:
aayos na sugat mo ngayon (Your wounds are well now)
Alis muna ako (I'm going ahead)
Siguro hinahanap ako si Ate Taki (Perhaps AteTaki was looking for me)
Pakiwalan mo si Kuya Yunsung (Let Kuya Yunsung go!)
bakit hindi ka pipigilan sila (Why don't you stop them?)