Edge of Vengeance
Lightning cracked thrice…
Torrents of rain fell furiously…
Charade stood triumphantly, dangling the braided hair at its left limb. Blood dripped and mixed with the mud. The pale body that wearing a red tribal skirt and boots, lay motionlessly on the ground. Its left hand still held the zanbatou tightly before death took her…
Tossing the object away, the spawn of Soul Edge shambled toward another body. Slow but deliberate, the creature pulled the golden blond hair upward, exposing a long, white neck. As Charade placed the katars upon the jugular vessels, a face passes over…
Sophitia Alexandra's face…
She managed to whisper, when the creature pulled the blade upon her neck,
"Cassandra…I love you"
Cassandra awoke; she was perspired heavily. Beside her, Talim and Xianghua slept soundly. Mitsurugi was snoring loudly, forcing Taki to take a nap on the tree. Yoshimitsu slept in a meditating position, distancing himself from the others. Kilik leaned over the tree where the ninja took her place. The Greek touched Elk Shield and Omega Sword beside her. That was already 2 days after her duel with Sophitia. Before departed, they decided to exchange the shield. Her sister said,
"Rothion make this shield with his love, thus he'll be with me whenever I go. Now I give this to you, Cassandra. No matter where you are, I will always be with you…" She didn't understand why Sophitia did that. The dream was very disturbing.
"Can't sleep, Miss Alexandra?" Cassandra turned and saw Yunsung stood not far from her. She asked,
"You are…" The Korean introduced himself,
"My name is Hong Yunsung…well, I can't sleep too! That's why I decide to stroll around…" Raising herself, the girl took her weapon and said to him,
"May I join with you?" The youth blushed, while holding his head,
"Sure, why not…two is better than one!" Carefully, she passed Talim and Xianghua who were still asleep. Then they went toward the nearby river. Taki watched what happened below the tree, while Talim blinked her eye twice.
Yunsung dipped his face into the river, while the Greek simply washed her face. She still pondered about her dream, and then shook her head,
It just a dream! Probably she already returned to Athens, while we still going to find Soul Edge…
"Are you all right, Miss Alexandra?" The Korean's call awoke her. She laughed,
"Why do you call me 'Miss Alexandra'? I just 3 years older than you, Yunsung…" The red-haired youth scratched back of his head, as he replied,
"All the more reason to say that, since you're older than me," Cassandra rose and faced him straight,
"Please, call me Cassie…and that will be enough," Yunsung gulped,
"Yes, Miss Alex…I mean Cassie…" The girl chuckled only when she watched his face was blushing like a beet. As they returned to their friends, they spent time to conversing,
Cassandra asked, "Yunsung, why do you looking for Soul Edge?" The youth beamed proudly,
"Well, I will use the blade to defend my homeland, Choson from the invading Japanese. Not only that, I will prove that I deserve honor like Hwang…" He turned to her,
"How about you, Cassie?" The Greek answered,
"Actually, I already done the half of my mission: to stop Sophitia from doing the senseless job…yet I'm now his successor for the job," Nodded, Yunsung asked again,
"I noted you're close to your sister, that's why I can't understand, how both of you could fight each other…" Cassandra brushed her hair, while replying,
"Probably we were too close, that's why we're fighting…oh, I wonder how Sophitia know your friends?"
"Mina? Well, they've crossed the way during Nightmare's hunt…" The Greek cut him,
"No, I mean the Japanese woman…from their chat, I know there's something between them," The Korean responded incredulously,
"Taki? Truthfully, I don't know about that…why don't you ask her?"
"I don't like her…somehow she's too mysterious to be trusted…" He sighed,
"That's my first impression to her before, but then I found out that she was quite reliable, though sarcastic and I started to trust her," she didn't answer, as the youth continued,
"Give her a chance, by then you can learn more about your sister…" Suddenly the rustling sound nearby sent them wary. Yunsung quickly pulled the White Storm, while Cassandra prepared her sword and shield. She whispered,
"Be careful, Yunsung!" He nodded,
"I know!" The rustling sound became louder until it fainted. Then a cloaked figure came out. It opened its tattered cloak slightly, showing the throbbing fleshy core with yellowish eye. The Greek shouted,
"By Olympus, what…is that creature?" Yunsung rattled,
"Charade, I thought it was dead after our least meeting at Transylvania! Beware, Cassie! This bastard can copy our movements and weapons!" She nodded, while took the safer distance to attack. Yet the creature didn't attack them at all. Its eyes watched them, as the pulsation tried to match their heartbeats. The girl turned to him,
"Why did it not attack?" The red-haired youth shook his head,
"I don't know; just don't let your guard down…" They almost went into offensive when the creature took something from the tattered pocket and throw the object to them. Yunsung asked,
"What is that?" Cassandra went slowly and took the object, while keeping her sight upon Charade. She opened her hand and saw two strands of hair, black and blond. Those hairs were wrapped by a red and white ribbon respectively. The red one had some oriental ornaments imprinted and dried blood caked the ribbon. The Greek gasped,
"I…I recognize this ribbon…it is Sophie's and…the hair is hers?" Yunsung came closer to her and saw the red ribbon,
"That is Mina's ribbon…what happened to her? What is actually going on?" For a moment, the world around them was stopped. They turned to the spawn of Soul Edge, which nodded in a mocking manner. Instantly, Cassandra remembered her dream. Inside her head, it was replayed in a grisly manner. She could imagine Charade pulled the katar across Sophitia, and her face fell upon the mud with the lifeless blue eyes, staring straight to her. Her last words echoed inside. She gripped the hairs tightly enough, while knelt on the ground. Yunsung didn't understand what happened. Gritting her teeth, Cassandra answered with hissing voice,
"Don't you know, Yunsung? They are dead! My sister and your friend are dead…killed by that bastard! They were murdered by Charade!" The words hit the Korean very hard; he couldn't imagine that Seung Mina could be defeated easily by that creature. She was too strong for that…unless, yes, like what it did to Taki. He stared the creature with burning hatred. Nobody ever hurt her master's daughter, even Hwang would never touch her single hair. Yet the spawn of Evil Seed had not only cut her hair; it had killed her with dirty tricks. Yunsung stabbed the ground with his saber.
Cassandra struggled to hold the tears back, but she couldn't! Not after what she did to stop Sophitia met an untimely demise, but she had failed. Failed to stop her sister to meet grisly end…she finally met the grislier end at Charade's hand. Finally, she broke,
"You…must pay what…you've done to Sophitia! MURDERER! An eye for an eye! Blood for blood and I want your blood, if you have one!" The Greek charged toward the creature furiously, sending a fierce slashing attack. In response, Charade produced the exact imitation of Scarlet Thunder and Nemea Shield. The attack ripped its cloak, but it managed to evade the attack. Blind with fury, the young girl followed next attack with a shield bash. The creature blocked the attack with ease. Even it had counterattacked by sending a horizontal slash followed by quick spin kick. Fortunately, she managed to block the kick with Elk Shield; even so the kick sent her staggering backward. Before Charade sent another attack to her midrib, a strong blow knocked the creature out. Cassandra turned and saw Yunsung.
He turned and said with a harsh voice,
"You must not kill the creature…" She protested furiously,
"Why…" Then she knew the reason when she saw fire inside his eyes. The Korean shouted,
"Because I'll be the one who will kill the bastard now," He slashed furiously, but all of them were deflected by the creature. To his surprise, it was sending a whirling kick toward his face. Though beaten, the youth immediately rose again. Cassandra called,
"Yunsung, it is better if we join together! We can kill the accursed creature faster; by then you can avenge your friend's death!" The red-haired youth spat blood on the ground, wiping his lips. With a single cry, they attacked their opponent simultaneously…
Beneath the canopy of the trees, Spawn watched the ensuing confrontation with interest,
So, the creature was the spawn of Soul Edge…I hoped to find Necrid, instead of it. Even so, I must salute its tenacity to track those warriors. The hellspawn pondered,
Those youths fought for the memory of their departed ones…what a pity that they don't know what actually happened. His mind flew to the event two nights ago. In the midst of the rainstorm, he saw the blond-haired woman crawled toward her unconscious friend. As she came closer, she saw a towering figure in front of her. The figure held a small shield and sword, also dragging a tail…its slit-like eye stared the woman intensely…
The clanging noise brought the hellspawn to reality again,
Probably I must decide whether I have to join the fight or not…
Cassandra and Yunsung fought with grief and anger. Their ferocity was a terrible thing to behold, but their opponent seemed little the worse for wear. Even there was a time that Charade stymied their movements. Sure enough, those youths wore themselves, but their fighting spirit still burned brightly, even threatened to consume themselves.
"Drac Slayer…" The Korean was about to grab the creature, however Charade had learned from its previous encounter. Instead it slashed overhead, followed by the chest stab. While avoiding the maneuver, Yunsung was furious to see that,
"That is Mina's style! You had no right to copy it, bastard!" Ignored his anger, the creature followed the attack with Thrusting Fang. The youth was forced to block those attacks. At that time, the Greek launched her own attack,
"Meteor Shower!" She stabbed the creature right through its ribcage, and then lifted her victim with all she had. Without warning, Charade swung its 'Nemea Shield', slamming it toward Cassandra's head. The result was devastating. She fell to the ground, and the creature immediately took the Omega Sword out. Before it went to her, Yunsung attacked once again. To anticipate that, Charade unleash Gale Cross toward the Korean. The pain stung Yunsung, yet he stubbornly forced his way. Grabbing again the shield, the creature slammed it to his forehead. As he stunned from the impact, the blade segments grabbed him and…threw him like what Ivy did to him. Now it turned again its attention toward Cassandra and ready to send its lethal attack to end the fight. Suddenly a shadow leaped between them and blocked the attack. The elbow blade crossed to prevent the zanbatou attack. Yunsung shouted,
"Talim!" The young girl merely commented wryly,
"Haynaku, hindi pwede iiwanan si Kuya Yunsung, kahit isang segundo!" She swiftly evaded, when Charade counterattacked. Even so, the battle was even. While Talim distracted the creature away, Taki and Link quickly took Cassandra away. At the same time, the rest had coming as well. Xianghua was surprised to see Charade,
"It is not Inferno, but the creature can copy the attacks very well…what is it, Kilik?" Master of Ling-Sheng-Su answered,
"No, it isn't but no doubt, it was spawned by the evil sword!" Yoshimitsu nodded,
"Probably it just wants to get back to where it belongs, unfortunately I'm not feeling especially gracious for that cursed creature," Kilik stopped the Manji,
"Wait, Elder! We must exercise caution, since the creature can duplicate our moves…" Xianghua agreed,
"Kilik is right…it almost takes forever when I fought Inferno, but the creature somehow less adept than him," Then they saw Cassandra joined again into the fight. The Chinese shouted,
"Cassie! Don't!" She almost pulled her sword, if Kilik didn't stop her,
"Xiang, wait a moment!" A harsh voice came from behind them,
"If you don't want to take the creature down, let me do it!" With that, Heishiro Mitsurugi jumped into the fray.
Meanwhile, Cassandra woke up and found Taki and Link around her,
"What happened?" The elf answered,
"The wretched creature slammed you with its weapon and you fell unconscious…" Immediately, she saw Charade fought Talim. She rose up, only to be held by the nuke-nin,
"Let me go! I have to kill that creature!" The ninja said,
"You're not ready! The creature was too strong for both of you!" Cassandra turned to Taki with teary, but fierce eyes,
"The creature has killed Sophitia! I want its blood!" Her words struck Taki and Link like a heavy hammer on their head. Not for long, Yunsung joined them,
"Not only Cassie's sister, Charade also killed Seung Mina as well!" To this news, the elf was dumbfounded. However the ninja was at loss of words; the news affected her,
Sophitia…dead? Impossible…how can it be? She instantly felt empty, without anything to lean upon. As she stunned, Cassandra grabbed her weapons and went to the fight again. Taki shouted,
"Cassandra, no!"
Back to the fight, Charade somehow managed to match Talim. It even transformed its zanbatou and shield into the elbow blades to facilitate the attacks. The Filipino was furious to see her own weapon was pirated,
"Kinokopya mo parin ang aking sandata? Walang hiya ka!" She focused more to her attack; however Cassandra's coming threw her off the balance,
"Ate Cassie?" The Greek shouted,
"Stay away, girl! This creature is mine!" As she attacked, Charade evaded the attack swiftly, even began to deal the two-way attack. The short-haired girl cried,
"This is for Sophitia!" She stabbed straight to the creature, who somehow anticipated it, however she immediately transform it into a shield smack to its fleshy core. Stunned, it wasn't ready to receive another attack that sent him scrambling into pieces. Before Cassandra could celebrate her victory, Charade immediately reassembles again, this time it was producing Kulutues. The creature swung the heavy axe overhead, targeting the young girl in line. As the axe swung, someone shouted,
"Seal!" Rekki-maru impacted with Charade's axe, sending the creature reeled, but at the same time knocking Taki toward Cassandra. Both fell together to the ground. The ninja quickly held the Greek to the ground.
"Let me go! Can't you see it? I almost killed the creature!" Taki answered sharply,
"No, you were gonna lose! Your life is not worth of it!" Something swirled inside her mind,
I won't let you die like Sophitia…not as long as I live…
Cassandra struggled, but she was unable to break the ninja's holds. Then Taki turned toward Mitsurugi who rushed to fight Charade.
She inhaled deeply, "What a fool…"
Mitsurugi stormed the creature with Sudden Gale. The attack severed one of its limbs. Instead following, the ronin took a careful stance. Charade watched the incoming opponent carefully and quickly produced its own heavy blade. When it charged toward him, the ronin shouted,
"Forced Prayer!" He sent double vertical slashes simultaneously, shattering the creature into pieces. When it tried to reform again, he sent Heaven Cannon to scattered the pieces. Even so, Charade managed to patch its body again. The ronin sent another attack,
"Wind Hole Vortex!" He took a little backstep, before thrusting his katana powerfully. The force threw the spawn of Soul Edge very far. Though he elated with his success, the others didn't,
"What does he think?" Xianghua complained, "The creature just baits him to show more moves!" What she says was true; Charade already produced his own Shishi-Oh. Mitsurugi sneered,
"Having the same sword doesn't mean you're better than me!" He attacked with Sudden Gale, only to be blocked by Charade's Forced Prayer.
"S#!" Before he continued, something huge slammed the ground between him and his opponent. The ronin startled to see a green-skinned creature. Taki shouted,
"Necrid!" Talim and Yunsung were astonished to see the incoming creature, while Xianghua, Link and Cassandra were hushed. Yoshimitsu was very calm. The green creature snorted toward the ronin, who were went backward two steps, before turning its attention to Charade. The skeletal creature watched Necrid with apprehension. In a sudden, Necrid roared aloud,
"KEYOS! YEESSSGHS!" Afterward, he produced Maleficus in form of a flaming sword and slashed the creature at its fleshy core. To everyone's shock, the core bleeds profusely and pulsated panicky, and tried to remember any moves. It produced Kulutues again, and uses Poseidon's Tide. But the green creature wasn't easily intimidated; instead he transformed his weapon into a whip and slashed the moves away, throwing Charade off guard. Still in disorganized manner, it formed the zanbatou and sent Gale Cross. Necrid utilizes the versality of Maleficus by morphing it into a shield to block the attack. He followed into the offense by sending a powerful slash toward the creature, injuring it severely. Eventually, Charade realized that he couldn't copy the Maleficus nor copying Necrid's movements. The void was beyond its capability. In a sudden moment, the green-skinned creature produced a massive sword and uppercut his opponent airborne. Everyone watched as Necrid caught Charade and smashed it into pieces. The skeletal creature once again assembles itself, yet its yellow eye looked swollen and blood spurted from its core. For its final fight, it reproduced its original weapon…the Chained Morning Star and Scythe.
Xianghua called, "Hey, did you see that, Kilik? Charade can't copy the green creature's attack…" He nodded,
"I sensed they might share the same power, which empowers Soul Edge, but they involve different way to use the power," Kilik turned to the Manji,
"Elder, what shall we do?" Yoshimitsu answered,
"I don't sure if the green creature is our ally or foe…just let them fight each other first,"
With a flick, Charade swung the scythe dangerously toward Necrid's neck. The green creature instinctively blocked the attack with Maleficus, only to be slammed at his breastplate with the morning star. Seeing the chance, the skeletal creature whirled its weapon horizontally and vertically, chasing its opponent. Instead avoiding, the green creature crouched on the ground, while put his right arm closely to the ground. He seems waiting Charade to come closer.
"Anong ginagawa n'ya?" Talim asked Taki. The ninja replied,
"Probably he had a plan!" Cassandra screamed, "Let me go! I will die in shame if I can't avenge my sister's death! Don't you realize that?" The raven-haired woman returned,
"Yes, but you'll die if I don't stop you!" Without her knowledge, the Greek lifted both legs up to the chest, coiled them and…instantly kicked her chest very hard! Taki instantly broke her grip as she felt the air came out from her lungs. Painful sensation stung her chest. As the nuke-nin sprawled, the blond-haired girl ran toward Charade.
"Cassandra, no! Talim! Link! Stop her!" But it was too late.
Back to the fight, Necrid deliberately let Charade's scythe tore his flesh, while whispered,
"KEI… KEI… KEI…" When Charade almost sent the deadly blow, someone shouted,
"Monster, face me first! I want your blood!" It saw Cassandra Alexandra coming toward them. Xianghua warned,
"Cassandra, no!" The skeletal creature immediately turned the attack toward the Greek. Necrid fumed when he saw the girl,
"YAMO DEYAGTZI. HAAAAAA! YAAAOS." With lightning-like speed, he unleashed Elder Charge by charging the creature point blank. The attack threw Charade away, while its weapon whirled to Cassandra's direction.
"Miss Cassie, look out!" Link immediately threw his boomerang, which cut the chain in the middle. The scythe and the morning star flew to the separate way.
Meanwhile, Necrid pummeled Charade senselessly. He followed the attack with Wind Drake, which scoops the crumpled foe to the air and slammed again to the ground. The fights lead those unearthly creatures to the downward slope. To end everything, the green creature summoned his weapon again and slashed horizontally to the flesh core. A blood-curdling scream was echoed as the streak crossed its yellow eye and began to bleed. At the same time, Cassandra screamed aloud,
"NOOOO!" Charade fell downward to the slope, and began to disassemble into pieces, as Necrid watched with satisfaction,
"DAAAAAAH! EZEEE YOOS!" Yet when he turned back, he saw Cassandra pointed the Omega Sword to him. She said with trembling lips, but her words was full of anger,
"I won't forgive you…you have taken my vengeance away! You must die for that!" The green creature stood stoically, when the Greek lifted her short sword. Suddenly, Taki grabbed her sword arm and turned her back,
"What are you doing? He is not our enemy, yet you want to strike him like a coward!" The short-haired girl protested,
"I just want to avenge Sophitia! All of you watch this freak to rob my right! Especially you! You have no right to stop me, you are not my sister!" Without warning, the ninja slapped her hand across the girl's face. Link , Xianghua, Yunsung and Talim gasped to saw that happened. Cassandra's right cheek reddened and stung her with pain.
Taki stared her very hard,
"I know I am not like Sophitia, but I know her well! Don't you realize why she had to leave her family? Because of you! Yes, you spoiled brat! Her journey is not all about Soul Edge this time, but for her family…especially you!" She pointed to Cassandra,
"And now you're trying hard to waste your life just to avenge her! I could let you fight Charade, but then I let down Sophitia! She doesn't want to see you suffer the same fate as she did! If she still around, she might do the same thing that I did to you! Look at you! You're blinded by your anger and no longer followed the warrior code that your sister had faithfully followed! How could you to be messenger of the Gods?" Cassandra didn't answer; she ran away from them and crying. Yunsung wanted to follow her, but Taki barked,
"Let her alone, Yunsung! Let her to cool down first…" The Korean wanted to protest, but he knew better than protest her. Xianghua raised her hand,
"Let me follow her, so we can be sure there's nothing will happen to her," The pony-tailed woman nodded. At the other place, Talim stared Necrid with curious look. The creature paid no attention to her until she asked,
"What are you?" The green creature answered,
"GTES GAE GETSU!" The priestess asked unflinchingly,
"You're human, aren't you?" Necrid stared her with stoic expression, yet he spoke in unintelligible language,
"GOHEH HEMA BOGOGAH!" She went closer to him and said,
"I don't know who you are, but I believe that you have the same objective like us: finding Soul Edge! If you want, you can join us to go to Osthreinsburg Chapel…" To this, Necrid didn't answer.
Few hours later, Link, Mitsurugi and Yoshimitsu returned from the slope. Taki asked,
"Did you find its remains?" The Manji answered,
"No, not even a single bone! I feared the wily creature has escaped again…" The ronin turned his sight to Necrid with dislike,
"I will ask him…if you let me!" The ninja shook her head,
"I don't think they knew each other, beside if they indeed in cahoots, they could attacked Yunsung and Cassandra together,"
"Probably you right, but I'll keep my eye to the demon, just to be sure he doesn't do something,"
Late night, at the same place,
Taki still pondered what happened at the morning; it was hard for her to accept that Sophitia was dead. Not far from them, Link still looked at loss. No doubt he was affected by the loss. She could understand what he and Cassandra felt. Then she saw Xianghua walking away from the Greek.
"How is she?" The Chinese girl answered,
"She's fine, though still sad about her sister…" The nuke-nin blurted,
"Can I talk with her just a moment?"
"Sure, but be careful…" Taki smiled only as she went toward the Greek. Cassandra sat on the grass, hunched forward and folded her legs. She turned slightly when she saw the ninja. The raven-haired woman said,
"I hope you don't mind if I join you here…" The Greek didn't answer. Taki placed herself beside her. Moment of silence reigned among them until the ninja spoke,
"Sophitia told about you before…I think she was correct in describing you," Cassandra turned to her,
"Really? What did she say?"
"Cheerful and energetic, that's how she describes you…sometimes I envied her for having a family," The Greek girl turned with curiosity. Taki continued,
"I was orphaned in tender age; my parents were died because of the plague. I know nobody except Master Toki and Fu-Ma clan. For me, they are my brothers and sisters, and I dedicated my life for the clan. Then the quest for Soul Edge led me away from them and there I met Sophitia…"
"Before I regarded her as naïve and ignorant, but she taught me about affection and love. She really makes impact to me…" Cassandra added,
"It was really Sophitia, everyone likes her…"
"For that, I really indebted to her, then I saved her from Cervantes…" The ninja realized that she had Cassandra's full attention right now, "Look, Cassie! I'm apologize for slapping you this morning…" The short haired girl said,
"No, it is me who supposedly to apologize for kicking you…I…was…angry to everyone, including to myself," They were silent again, until the Greek girl asked,
"Ms. Taki…could I hug you for a second?" The pony-tailed woman startled, but then she answered,
"Sure, why not?" They hugged closely for a while. Cassandra laid her head upon the ninja's chest and caressed her back. Taki felt something formed between them. Probably her affection to Sophitia didn't go, despite her death. Cassandra's hair and warmth, almost similar with her sister's. Then she felt the girl was crying upon her. Gently, she stroked the girl's hair,
"That's all right, Cassandra…cry what's inside your heart…" She didn't realize that a pearly tear rolled upon her cheek; she never cried since she entered Fu-Ma clan. Link watched both of them from a safe distance, rubbing her nose.
In another place, Yunsung stood stoically. He stared faraway, while clenching the White Storm.
"Talim, you can come…" The girl appeared from the bushes,
"Pasensya, Kuya Yunsung…parang nalulungkot ikaw," The red-haired youth sighed,
"It is my fault; my arrogance led me further and, worse, cost Mina's life! I could not return to Seung's dojo. I won't be able to tell Master Han what befall to his only daughter nor to Hwang…" Suddenly he stabbed ground with his saber in frustration,
"Yet it was my responsibility! I have to find Sword of Salvation, by then I can explain to them," The Filipino girl was silent for a while, and then she spoke,
"Kuya, why do you still insist to find the sword? Is that one death not enough?" Yunsung turned on her,
"Before meet her demise, Mina told me to find the Sword of Salvation! That is her last message and I shall carry it!"
"Even though, your life would be in danger!"
"That is the risk I must take!" Before the youth went away, Talim pulled her elbow blades and put an offensive position,
"Kuya, kalabanin mo ako! I can't let you put yourself in danger! I can't let you go on. This sword is evil.
" Slightly turned back, the Korean breathed out,
"I don't care if it's evil. I will protect my country and carry Mina's last message!" Swiftly, the priestess moved like a wind and swung her weapons toward him. In a sudden movement, Yunsung blocked the attack and sent a counterattack that make Talim surprised. Before she could rise, he already put his saber upon her neck. For a moment, they stared each other. She could see fire burning inside his eyes. Then the youth said,
"Sorry, but I have to go! Please, Talim! Don't stand on my way or else, I must use force…"
"Kuya Yunsung…" Then a huge snort came and they turned to Necrid who came from nowhere. At first, they thought the creature would attack, but then it went away, leaving them alone. Yunsung distanced the White Storm and left the girl without saying anything. Talim lowered her head, saying,
"Kuya Yunsung… don't do that…" The wind breezed around her, carrying the sadness within.
Early morning, not far from the ruins of Osthreinsburg Castle,
Raphael rode behind Nightmare as they almost close to the ruins. They didn't spoke to each other since they left the mansion. Sometimes Satan neighed aloud. The Azure Knight was preoccupied with something else. Beside, they didn't saw Astaroth. Yet he was sure that the golem still followed them for Soul Edge. It didn't matter the Frenchman; what mattered to him was Soul Edge.
Nightmare watched the scenery in front of him from his visor. The place reminded him too much about his forgotten past. Not far from the place, Black Forest stood as the turning point of his life…witnessing the death of his father at his own hand. Driven by insanity, he had hunted himself and sought the powerful sword. He even killed his own master, Stefan only to pursue his mad objective. When he got Soul Edge, he got more than what he bargained …at the cost of his own soul. Still under the evil sword's influence, he killed many people in order to resurrect his father, even enlisted Astaroth, Lizardman and Ivy to carry his dreaded plan. Ivy…ah, the blast from the past…once he thought she could be his salvation. At the end, she found lies and lies only. He believed that what she wanted now was his own blood. Turning to his Zweihander, the knight sighed,
It still needs few more souls to be complete…by then I shall be free from the accursed sword and settle all accounts…
Entering the ruins, Raphael and Nightmare still silent. Suddenly the knight felt something and the eye on his Soul Edge Zweihander stirred. Realizing that, the Frenchman asked,
"What's going on, Sir?" Took his sword, the knight replied,
"We have a company!" Raphael pulled his Queen's guard in anticipation. The ruins around them now looked intimidating. Then he spotted the blind Italian atop the ruins behind Nightmare.
"Sir Nightmare, look out!" The knight was about turned back when Voldo leaped to him. Satan instantly stirrups, lifting his hooves to the sky. When the Italian tried to stab him, Nightmare quickly blocked the katars with his deformed hand. Ignoring the pain, he brushed Voldo to the ground. The Hell Guardian immediately rolled his body, thus avoiding serious injury. The knight turned his steed to face his enemy,
"Vercci's lapdog…I should know better…" The Frenchman shouted,
"Sir, give me to him and I'll…" Nightmare cut his words,
"No, let me deal with him! I shall end this creature's suffering for good!" At the same time, Voldo heard his master's voice urging,
"Voldo, he has Soul Edge, which we have been looking for! Kill him and bring Soul Edge to me!" The earth thundered aloud, when the Crimson Knight charged his steed toward the opponent,
"Rush! Earth Trample!" Satan almost trampled Voldo, if the blind assassin didn't crawl out from the danger. Instead facing the foe, he backed out. Nightmare charged again, however the Hell Guardian simply leaped to the air and landed behind him. The knight decided to change his tactics; he would attack from sides now. Riding Satan, he came to Voldo's left side and lifting his Zweihander,
"Reaver!" The Zweihander slammed the ground, but the Italian had rolled out again. Furious, the knight swerved and readied his next attacks,
"Advancing Slashes!" This time, Voldo came forward. To Nightmare's surprise, the Italian avoided his horizontal attacks, and crawled beneath his steed and…
Satan neighed aloud, and fell forward to the ground as the assassin hamstrung her legs. Nightmare fell to the ground. Raphael shouted,
"Sir Nightmare!" Voldo immediately went to kill, yet he didn't expect that the Azure Knight also dangerous on the feet as well as on his steed. He slashed horizontally, only to receive two horizontal slashes from him. Nightmare shouted with his terrible voice,
"Take this! Revenge!" Then he sent the forward thrust through the Hell Guardian, and followed up with Hell Slayer. He threw Voldo very, very far…and good thing that he couldn't scream! After finishing the battle, the knight turned to his dying horse. Satan neighed weakly, as his red eyes turned to his master. With the most humane expression that he could muster, Nightmare lifted his Zweihander and sank it into his loyal steed. The huge stallion twitched violently before it went silent. Raphael noted the knight extracted the Soul Fragment from Satan's body. He didn't say anything as the knight turned to him, saying,
"Let's go, Raphael! We have to go to the chapel…" He replied,
"Take my horse, Sir…" Nightmare shook his head,
"I don't need anything for now," He lifted the Soul Edge, "Only this…"
At the same moment, the warriors had close to their destination. Xianghua noted that Yunsung and Cassandra were silent since their departure. Though they were looked close, their face also looks grim. She couldn't blame them; the loss of Sophitia and Mina was too unbearable. Taki also very silent, yet the Chinese couldn't tell whether she affected like Cassandra. Talim also distanced herself from Yunsung. Instead she was close to Necrid. Mitsurugi and Yoshimitsu walked behind them, just in case the creature turned against them. Link whistled along the way, but Xianghua could sense turmoil inside his cheery appearance. She turned to Kilik,
"Do you think it's safe to let them like this?" The young master turned to her,
"Everyone had his or her own turmoil, Xiang…we try what we can do but in the end, only they have the answer,"
"Strange, now you look calm after Maxi wasn't around…" Kilik smiled slightly,
"I just trying to focus myself to our present problem…thinking another's problem will add our troubles," If there was something that she admired from Kilik, it was his presence of mind. She experienced it once when they hunted Nightmare first time. It was soothing and calm. Not for long, she saw the ruins,
"Osthreinsburg Castle! We have arrived finally!" Everyone began to make the faster pace toward the gate and saw a stallion carcass nearby. Yoshimitsu said,
"Nightmare's steed! He must be nearby!" Before everyone agreed, the loud voice boomed to them,
"Exterminate! Destroy all!" They turned around and saw Astaroth. The golem's body was bulkier and had green hue. Now he wore purple mask with 4 circles forming cross, while the Mohawk hair jutted out and purple pants. Thudded his chest, Astaroth whirled Kulutues on the air. Xianghua shouted,
"Astaroth is here!" Necrid growled as he prepared to summon the Maleficus. Before everyone ready, another voice called,
"Leave him to me! You'd better go to the Osthreinsburg Chapel, Nightmare has waited you there!" It was Maxi who looked resplendent in his white blazer and stood at the ruins beside Astaroth. The golem roared,
"Shut up and die!" The pirate ignored him, turning to the others,
"Go! Destroy the Soul Edge…I'll be waiting you here!" Xianghua stared him,
"Maxi!" Kilik immediately pulled her,
"Go, Xiang! He'll wait us here, for now we have Nightmare to deal with!" The warriors went into the ruins hurriedly, leaving the pirate and the golem alone. Maxi whirled Soryuuju, as he stared his opponent with determination,
"Come on! Let's finish this!"
"I'm not going to go easy on you!"
Nightmare and Raphael has arrived at the Osthreinsburg Chapel; the building has been obliterated and deserted long time ago. Yet, the beautiful stained windows still existed, defying ravage of time. From outside, the place looked lone and nobody around. There were no signs of Cervantes. The knight turned to the Frenchman,
"Stay here, Raphael! I have something to settle by myself inside!"
"As you wish, Sir Nightmare!" Nightmare left him outside the chapel, as he entered the gate. Raphael breathed a sigh of relief, however the sun suddenly darkened by a shadow behind him. He turned around and saw Spawn standing on the ruin. The young Sorel quickly pulled the Queen's Guard and pointed it to the incoming foe,
"Fiend, what do you want?" The Hellspawn replied,
"You must know much about the Soul Edge!"
"I haven't the time to waste on the likes of you." Instantly, the red cloak around Spawn morphed into Agony and the green flame on his eyes blazed brightly.
When Nightmare entered the ruined chapel, he could felt tranquility and peace around the place. Despite its pitiful condition, the chapel still looked the same when he entered it four years ago. It was an irony that the Soul Edge chose this place as the portal that leading to Inferno…He stabbed the Zweihander on the ground and slowly knelt on. He could have these feelings again, if only he didn't follow his madness. Then he felt that he wasn't alone anymore. The light footsteps were heard behind him,
"Isabella Valentine!" the Azure Knight called without turning back, "I have been looking for you,"
The Englishwoman replied coldly, "You have found me or rather, I have found you!" She still wore her revealing purple costume, while her left hand rested at the thigh,
"We shall settle our account for once and all, Nightmare…" The knight rose and turned to her; instead taking the Soul Edge, he sighed,
"Before, you and I could have been friends…" Suddenly Ivy pointed Valentine to him, a spark of anger flickered inside her eyes,
"Not so much, as you think! You lied to me since beginning, even deceived me to help you kill more innocent people! Worse, you didn't even tell me that it was Soul Edge who gave life to my sword…" To this, Nightmare chuckled,
"You're the only one who deceived yourself, Ivy…you asked life for your sword and I fulfill your wish! You didn't dig further about me, instead accepting what my terms are, "Gritting her teeth, Ivy twitched her blade into a whip form and assume the attacking position. The knight continued,
"It wasn't me who chose you since beginning, but Soul Edge leads me to you…it know you very well! I'm also a victim of this evil sword like you…"
"Shut up! Now Valentine demanded your life in return! I promise you a painful death," Nightmare lowered his head, asking,
"Surely there is another way!"
"There is no other way!" The Azure Knight turned to the Zweihander, pondering to pull it off and use it to finishing her. Before he could decide, a terrible, inhuman laugh echoed along the ruins. Both combatants turned above and saw the Immortal Pirate standing on the top of the chapel. Nirvana and Soul Edge Female whirled around him. Instead wearing his pirate costume, he wore a black-plated armor on his chest and his beloved hat wasn't around anymore. He cackled,
"What an exciting conversation! I can't help to overheard it…" The Englishwoman stared the undead pirate with hate, while Nightmare kept his sight on her. Cervantes turned on her, while played his moustache,
"Hmm, so you're the wielder of 'Child of Evil Sword'? You seem so familiar…yes, you are…Marla's daughter; your features are similar with her and I believe those fierce eyes are coming from me!" He laughed maniacally,
"It means…my blood runs inside your body! Haha, what a pleasant surprise! I have a daughter! Soul Edge has led you here… Come back to me, my child. Embrace our destiny…" Suddenly Ivy shouted with anger,
"Silence! I can change my own destiny! You have no right in my life, since you abandoned my real mother and me for your madness! Madness of Soul Edge!" The pirate's face twitched with displeasure, and then he spoke with grave tone,
"Is that the way to greet your father? I have to teach you some manner!" He turned to the knight,
"Please stay away from this matter; this is purely family business! I will deal with you after this!" Nightmare didn't answer to the threat. Meanwhile, Ivy has taken offensive position, and pulled her blade backward. Valentine reverberated in her hand, sensing a fight. At the same time, Cervantes jumped downward, followed by Soul Edge Female and Nirvana. He floated like a feather on the air, despite the height. His weapons crashed not far from Ivy, crossing each other. The pirate landed gently and pulled them with ease. The Englishwoman could smell the obnoxious smell when he was around. Yet, the bitterness in her heart forced her to ignore the smell. Cervantes could sense the same vibration upon his Soul Edge; no doubt it was responded to Valentine. Both of them shared the same source. Spreading both arms, he went closer,
"Are you sure, Isabella? Don't ever think that I won't kill you because you are my daughter…I've killed honorable men for such familiarity." Ivy responded by pulling the blade into whip form,
"I already prepared for this moment! I must destroy everything that tainted by Soul Edge, especially you!" She added with smirk, "I have no compunction to kill you; you have died once and will dead soon…" The pirate's red eyes burned brightly and a whitish mist came out from his nostril as he snorted,
"How dare you. I will crush you!" Without waiting, Ivy immediately unleashed Menace Slice and uses her Soul Charge. Her opponent quickly whirled the weapons, and then deflected Valentine with a longer spin of Soul Edge Female. Undeterred, she followed the attack with Squire's Bow. The segments immediately angles up, thrusting upward. To her surprises, Cervantes slashed downward once, before vanished from its sight. A hoarse voice warned,
"Look up behind you!" As the Englishwoman turned back, she saw the pirate was above her. Yet it was too late, Cervantes immediately delivered a direct kick to her head and followed by another kick to the chest. She immediately flew backward, with blood splattered and hit the ground very hard. With disbelief, Ivy wiped the blood from her nose and mouth, while the Immortal Pirate watched only,
"You're good and cunning, I give credit for that! Unfortunately, the anger controlled your reason …" She turned upon the Azure Knight; it must be he who shouted the warning to her. Yet seethed with anger, she shouted,
"Shut up! You're all talk! I'm going to crush you…" Shouted her battle cry, the white-haired woman stormed her opponent again, without thinking herself. Cervantes merely smiled, as he crossed the weapons upon his chest,
Author's Note: Well, I finally finished this part! For Sophitia-Seung Mina's fans, I apologize for what happened to your favorite characters, but I had reserved surprises in the end. What will happen in the duel between Cervantes-Ivy? Who will come victorious and challenge Nightmare? Then how about Maxi and Astaroth? The other heroes? Find out in 'Full Circle'. This is the second to the last. You're free to send reviews, critics or flames, see you!
Glossary:
Filipino:
hindi pwede iiwanan si Kuya Yunsung, kahit isang Segundo- can't leave Kuya Yunsung, even for one seconds
Kinokopya mo parin ang aking sandata?- are you copying my weapons too?
Walang hiya ka-shameful!
Anong ginagawa n'ya? –what does he doing?
parang nalungkot ikaw- you looks sad
labanin mo ako- you fight me