The Eternal Light

Sorry again for the long wait I've been so busy all summer… I never get a break! Anyway here's the new chapter.

Chapter 25- The Best Laid Plans…

"mujou no yoru tsuredashite hoshii
"on the cruel nights, I want you to take me out
doko demo ii tooku e to
anywhere is good, far away
Owaranai ai wo sagashiteiru
I'm searching for an endless love
Akenai sora wo niranda mama
staring at the sky that doesn't dawn
Anata no ai wo motomete iru"
I'm asking for your love"

I miss you – Do as Infinity

As the sun rose signaling the begging of a new day the dojo went from silent to erupting with noise. Among this noise was the senseless chatter of people excited for the festival. It was the day before Mina's wedding was to take place and everyone was on edge. The warriors were extremely tense after the events of yesterday and the looming danger of today. Today they will have to get the shard and leave Korea but it would not be easy and after yesterday no one was really to ready to get into the mind set to do so. After losing Yunsung and Talim as key members their plans would have to be tweaked on short notice. They had one less person to get the shard and only one look out so now mina made it so it was Lyric, Kilik and Xianghua looking for the shard while it would be Raphael and Link on look out this meant there'd be no distraction, they would have to get the shard fast before anyone notices anything.

"Okay guy's with these new changes we have to work extra hard to pull it off, we can't tolerate any mistakes. Anyway, for rest of the day just remain cool, act normal do what you want just be ready by 6:00 when the festival starts … we'll strike when my father makes his speech" Mina said and every nodded and left the room.

Yunsung had finally gone to sleep late last night after searching hours for shin or any evidence that shin was up to anything, although his search proved futile he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He got up this morning his head racing with thought's he new he had to warn them but knew Mina would dismiss it as being some stupid feud with shin. He'd have to work alone to stop whatever was going down.

"Oh well, I've been on my on before…" he said to himself and getting ready to leave the room, he was going to go to the dinning room; shin was always there in the mornings.

"You look like you have a lot on your mind." He heard someone say coming from the doorway

"Who let you in here" he said without turning around

"Does it matter?"

"No I guess it doesn't"

Talim was a sitting out on the roof of the dojo, looking out at the long plan of green grass and the stadium right next door. The images of yesterday clouding up her mind. Tears slowly sliding down her cheeks, holding her knees, like a baby in the fetal position. ' Did it have to be this way' she thought ' No it didn't they're just to damn stubborn to realize it… but then what can I do… what can I do.' She tried to listen to the wind but it told her nothing so she was left there, alone and cold inside.

"Why are you sitting here feeling sorry for yourself Talim… just forget it" she said to her self, standing up she looked like she was waiting for something but what. " Somewhere I belong… yeah some family we are." The tears streaming, all this time she felt like these people were as good as family, that this was where she truly belonged fighting alongside these people… but now are her feelings any different. 'No' she thought ' This is my family and sometimes we'll fight but we will find our way back, I know, I won't let it end this way… after all I have to be with you… don't I' she said thinking back to Link… the love of her life… the only person she felt that way about… she couldn't let it all go'

"OKAY TALIM! Let's go save this family," she yelled out pumping her fist in the air she went back inside and went to look for Link.

Link was walking around the dining room… his stomach was growling. 'This is no time to be looking for food… I've gotta find Talim and apologize' he thought ' I shouldn't have said those things to her… If only it was as simple as taking them back. Why did I have to be so clueless when it came to love, seriously' he thought sighing 'this is going to take a lot of repair work hopefully it can be fixed though' He felt someone tap his shoulders and turned around… there she was Talim, the love of his life.

"So what do you want?" Yunsung said still not turning around

"What… I can't talk to you now" Lyric said sarcastically

"Sure, whatever make it quick" finally turning around to look at her, she was looking down at the floor, she looked nervous. "Is the floor that interesting" he said smiling, she smiled too

"Yeah, I guess it is… look I just wanted to say I'm sorry about yesterday"

"What about it?"

"I mean I was acting like a bitch yesterday and I'm sorry"

"So what's new?"

"You know what, whatever… I don't even know why I'm apologizing to you your such an asshole!" she said getting ready to leave

"Wait! I'm sorry I didn't mean to be an ass but if you haven't noticed it's like part of my nature." He said smiling " so you're not upset I had a fight with your boyfriend last night?"

"Hey… He's not my boyfriend I don't even like him as a friend, something about hims sleazy."

"But your still going out with him to tonight aren't you?"

"No… I never said that I would; besides I have a job tonight… I don't have the time to go out with him… I wouldn't even if I did."

Yunsung just laughed when she said that… he felt for the first time he was able to talk to her like she was a friend and not his enemy ' it's a shame it's a little to late… maybe I should tell her how I feel… it wouldn't matter since she's leaving anyway…' his thoughts were interrupted by her voice

"In fact I want to thank you for sticking up for me, at the feast, that was nice coming from you" her eyes back too the floor

"Well your welcome but…" a tear falling from her eye's stopped him from saying more, It upset him somehow to see her crying, he was so confused, what'd he do this time

"And… I'm just sorry that I didn't stick up for you when they kicked you out… I mean after all you just…" she was choking on her words and tears were forcing their way down her cheeks, how could she let it all out, it was killing her inside though and she had to let those tears flow no matter what he thought.

"Why are you crying now? It must be that time of the month," he said shaking his head, walking up to her they were face to face now, he wiped away her tears and held her in his arms. ' God, what am I doing…' she felt so fragile to him and he could tell that something's been bothering her for a while and she hasn't been sleeping because of she had bags under her eyes and still she looked so beautiful to him. 'What's wrong with me ' he thought… There was a long silence

Then suddenly she laughed a little threw the tears and choked out, "I'm gonna miss you" as the warm words touched him he kissed her gently on the lips and she slowly kissed him back.

"Wow Talim you don't look as upset as before, what happened, am I out of the dog house"

"I know, I got over it and decide to do something about it, and No"

He laughed, " We'll two outta three isn't bad right"

"I guess so!" she laughed too

"So does this mean your not leaving the team"

"Of course not, You can't choose your family… only destiny can, so I must tolerate their faults and must do my best to help balance it out."

"Wow I'm just happy you're staying. Seems like you grew up wherever you were."

"Yeah, I think so too but Link there's a string attached to this…"

"What?"

"You must keep the promise to keep the pact we made in the begging of this, you can't leave after this, only after we finish with soul edge then we all go to Hyrule together we have to…" he could see all the hope in her eyes but he couldn't just say yes, why couldn't he just say yes.

"Talim… you know how hard this is, my people are counting on me, and it's just not as simple as yes or no."

"Link you shouldn't make a promise you can't keep."

"I know but I made the promise to my people first"

" But you had no choice, life is about choices… you choose to break that promise…'

"So now I must break this one because it is my destiny to save my people just like you say it's your destiny to travel with these people… because in the end Talim destiny would have torn us apart anyway"

"Yeah but your not even putting up a fight! Your just going to lye down and take it, I don't get it why are so stubborn to realize you choose your own destiny if you decide to stay here or go back to Hyrule it is the destiny you chose either way one would say it's destiny, so why not choose to stay with me"

"Because it's not that simple… you just don't understand how hard it is to be pulled apart by two sides, it's not about me or us but about saving our worlds… I can't continually worry about both worlds… we are heroes first people second so is the life of a warrior of our caliber we can only be normal people when it is in the interest of our people and that is the only thing to it, that is our only true destiny"

"Is it really… is that really all we're here for… so then why are we here explain that to me?" she said starting to cry

"I… can't"

Finally their lips parted ways but this kiss still lingered, they stared at each other for a while neither making a sound.

Finally unable to take the silence Yunsung spoke, " well I'm gonna miss you too."

She continued to stare up at him her eyes still watering "I don't want to leave you… but it doesn't matter really does it since I'm going to Hyrule anyway…"

"You don't have to go…"

"Yes I do… I…"

"You don't have to do anything, Lyric, if you leave now… you have a slim chance of saving your world by yourselves even with the replacement… If you waited and brought the others you have a better chance and can better ensure your world's safety, there's no use rushing in to protect them if it's a futile effort"

"I know but I also know that all my people need is a little bit of hope… that goes along way you know… besides look at us were continually dwindling in numbers anyway, even if we all went to Hyrule we'd probably just disband and it'd all be for not…so I rather not take that chance and waste the time on it."

"If your minds truly made up then, let me come with you…"

"What, How…" she said not expecting that, she'd never thought about that, she'd want him to come but really did she want to get him caught up in all of her problems back home.

"Listen at least I'd be another person to help you no matter much more help I'd really be. Look there's no way I'm gonna just stay here, I plan on leaving right after everyone else anyway… we should go together we don't have to go after the shards or anything, we'll just go to Hyrule together"

"Yunsung no I can't, you…"

"Why not…"

"I just can't… I don't want to get you get caught up in all my problems" He really started to laugh then "What's so funny about that?"

"That's probably the dumbest thing you ever said, I mean you could've thought of that before you made that promise with the rest of us and got us involved with the whole prophecy anyway."

"No, I think I've said dumber things but I guess your right but…" she looked down thinking

"So you really have no reason do you? So stop pushing me away already let's just go tomorrow… C'mon…"

"I don't know… we may have problems getting you and Link to get along on the journey" she said they both laughed

"Really… so that means…"

"Yeah we'll go together and maybe since Talim left too we'll get her to come along to since she and Link have a thing going on"

They both laughed again and he kissed her again and whispered softly "I love you" It was amazing to her that he was the first one to say it aloud, so she responded with an I love you too and kissed him on the cheek.

"Okay I need to get ready for the festival"

"Wait, I have a feeling something bad's gonna happen… It was something Shin said…. It was like he knew something was going down… I think he must have found out."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, you said there was something sleazy about him right, well trust me, I've known him for a long time and there is something sleazy about him. He's supposed to pick you up at 6:00 right…"

"Yeah, so…"

"Just Listen…"

"So why can't you just say yes…" Talim looked so hurt and he couldn't stand to fight it anymore

"Okay Talim I'll stay, I just hope Lyric doesn't kill me"

"Well don't sound too upset" she said sarcastically

"I'll try, so does this mean I'm out of the dog house?"

"No, It took you to long to say yes…"

"Great I said yes just to still be left in the cold"

"But it's so worth it, isn't it, to feel like you are in control"

"Yeah tell me how that feels because you seem to be the one in that position," he mumbled

She shook her head " When will you realize Link that you're the one controlling my heart"

"Huh…"

"Forget it…"

"Anyway we have to get ready for the festival""

"So then what're we waiting for?" They both headed for the North Wing

It was now 6:00 and all the warriors meet in the dining room.

"Okay everyone's heading out to the stadium first before we all go out to the field to take part in the festival. Here's were my father will make his speech Hwang and I will be on the stadium floor as well. When I give the signal, you guys will start the plan and put it in action kay?" Mina said

"That's well and good but what's the signal," said Raphael

"When I wink for the third time."

"So essentially we're looking for a wink, great!"

"No… three and yes it's great."

"Whatever"

"Hey where's Lyric" Link said noticing his friend wasn't present

"Oh Man, what does she think she's doing! Not now!"

"Just replace her with Talim…" said Maxi

"Oh yeah, Okay Talim your going in to retrieve the shard kay"

"Yeah, Got it" she said nodding

"Okay let's go"

They all entered the stadium separately and at different entrances, so no one could concentrate on them as a whole. The Celebrations Started and Myong started his speech

"Welcome everyone to this Glorious occasion, today marks the day before my daughters marriage to Hwang," Mina winked once " Hwang being our strongest and Most accomplish warriors, I am most proud to be able to call him my son," again she winked " I know this not only amazes me but everyone else to see that my daughter is still here, we all know she's prone to leaving this dojo but I'm glad to say those days are over and she will become a good wife and eventually mother." She winked a third time and as the speech continued the heroes went to work.

Shin came up to Lyrics door and knocked " Hey it's me! Ready to go Beautiful"

"Just a second, come in, I'm in the bathroom" she answered

"Okay…" He opened the door and walked and saw Yunsung right in the doorway "Hey what the…" he started but was shut up by the fist that made contact with his face and he went unconscienes.

"Damn, that felt good" Yunsung said " Kay Let's get this thing started" They picked him up and put him in a chair. Then they tied him up as tight as possible with some rope

Lyric got some cold water and poured it over Shin and he woke up.

"Good morning, sunshine" she said

"What the hells your problem" he spat

"Unfortunately for you, you're my problem"

"Is that so… well why's that punk with you, huh" he said looking at Yunsung

"Well, unfortunately for you… you're his problem too" she said smiling "So instead of beating around the bush let's get straight to it. What's going down tonight, you knew about what we were doing tonight… didn't you."

"If I did then what… It's too late anyway, it's already started… you know… there's nothing you can do about it" he said smiling

"Don't be so smug… we know that, so tell us where's the shard now." Yunsung said

"What do you mean, didn't you figure it out, it's in Myong's room, right" he was smiling like the Cheshire cat

"Listen, don't bullshit us Shin." Lyric said

"Yeah right, please… " He said laughing. She took out her bow and arrows and placing an arrow along the bow she put the ready to fire arrow right up to his crotch. "Holy shit lady, are you crazy" Hey said jumping a little

"Maybe," she said her arm shaking " you know… I don't think I can hold this position much longer. Oh and I wouldn't move If I was you"

"Wait… Oh please don't, not that… Okay the shard's in a safe behind the vanity Mirror in Mina's room … she doesn't even know it's there… that's why they put it there cuz that'll be the last place anyone looks."

"I have just one question for you… now, why'd you do it?"

"Myong promised if I was able to get you guys arrested on some account then he'd give me a large sum of money. He wanted to have you guys arrested so he could get the rest of your shards and not be looked bad in the eyes of the students, if you were arrested then you'd look like the bad guys trying to steal our last hope as he puts it."

"Okay then I'll go see if the shards there… what's the combination?" Yunsung asked

"I don't know I was only listening in to their conversation… they never mentioned it"

"Your not bullshitting us are you" Lyric said still not moving the bow and arrows

"No, I swear"

"Okay then I'll just have to figure it out then…" Yunsung said

"That'll take forever…"

"Yeah I know, but what else can we do."

"You can blow it open with a small bomb." Shin said

"Yeah but we don't want anyone to know it's being stolen, we want a clean get away." She said putting back the bow and arrows and sitting down

"So… maybe we don't have to do it today." Yunsung said

Talim, Kilik and Xianghua entered the dojo and head quickly down towards the southern wing where Myong's room was located but they had to stop because guarding the entrance to the wing were two guards.

"Shit… Let's get it over with quickly" Kilik said and quickly knocked them out with his weapon.

"Okay good enough let's hurry now" Xianghua said and they ran down the wing but once again they ran into trouble three guards this time but Xianghua quickly took them out with her sword, brushing off her shoulders they continued.

They continued running down the corridor until they reached his room, which was guarded by five guards.

"My turn!" Talim said and rushed forward swinging her tonfas, carefully slicing through one guard, then throwing one into another and finally slicing through one more. Then the final guard attack from behind but Xianghua quickly brought her sword through his gut.

"Damnit, didn't want any casualties," Kilik said

"Well what did you expect? For Myong to just hand it to us c'mon let's just hurry" Xianghua said

They went into the room and started looking for the shard immediately. They searched in and under beds and couches and chairs. They went through his draws and looked behind every picture and mirror to see if there were any safes. The room looked completely devastated.

"Damnit where's this thing, O man this whole thing is really starting to piss me off" Xianghua started to complain

"Calm down, complaining isn't gonna help us any" Talim said

"I know it's so frustrating though… are you sure this is where it was."

"Yes, this is where it's supposed to be I mean where else would it be"

"Well, it's seems to me, it's not in here" they heard someone say from in the door way

Link and Raphael went to there jobs as being lookouts. Link went up to the roof to pot anyone coming at any distance and Raphael was down on the ground to strike as they come. Link waited patiently and for a while no one came but then everyone left the stadium and headed for the field. Link noticed that quite a big group deviated from the rest and went towards the dojo.

"Raphael we have trouble" Link yelled down

"Yes I see them, get ready to get down here I may need back up"

"Right."

The group came closer and it was clear that they were guards.

"Who goes there?" One yelled out to Raphael

Raphael said nothing and just charged for them.

"Halt" they yelled but he continued to charge so they pulled out their swords and went charging after him.

Raphael impaled one soldier after another but quickly the numbers got overwhelming. Link saw this and Jumped down bring his sword down on quite a few guards but still they were in need of help. Link and Raphael were surrounded on both sides.

"Shit how do we get out of this one" Raphael mumbled

"You don't" said Myong coming throw the guards, two higher ranked guards followed him carrying Maxi " You're friend never made it to the boat, my guards already had him out numbered, so how bout we go and see your friend inside"

"What, but how?" Link asked

"Come now, does that matter now, if I was you I'd be thinking about that nice jail cell you'll be sleeping in for the rest of your life" two more highly ranked guards came and preceded to tying up both Link and Raphael. Link was upset that they weren't able to accomplish their goal. They had failed the entire team. As they walked up to the dojo Link swore he heard someone call his name, he looked up and saw something that assured him he'd be okay.

"Hey, go in," yelled a guard

They walked until they reached the southern wing "Looks like your friends have been here" he said looking at the guards on the floor after walking through the corridor they ended finally in front of his room. The door was open and the splayed bodies of some guards were in the doorway.

"I know it's so frustrating though… are you sure this is where it was." They heard Xianghua say

"Yes, this is where it's supposed to be I mean where else would it be" Talim answered

"Well, it's seems to me, it's not in here" Myong said entering the room

Talim, Kilik and Xianghua all got into fighting positions but as soon as they saw Raphael, Link and Maxi tied up they knew it was over.

"So do we fight till the death or go out quietly?" Kilik said

"We fight!" Xianghua said

"I wouldn't do that if I was you, attack and my guards will slice each of your friends into ribbons," Myong said

"You sick bastard, …fine we won't fight." Xianghua said dropping here weapons

"Good, Good I'm glad you see it my way, Okay let's get you into your nice cells" the guards tied them up and they were brought into the basement where they were to be held.

"Well I mean it's already too late for us to stop them from arresting everyone. Which means the wedding will still be on, right." Yunsung said

"Yes, that's true but …"

"So we'll strike during the wedding. I'll get the shard and the bomb will be a good distraction for you to go down and get the others out of prison."

"Right but what about you even if I get them out of prison, we'd have to board the ship immediately but since Mina wanted you to stay here, they won't let you on the ship. So even if we get everything done you'd still be left here because we can't wait the next day to leave, if we stay then we'll be put into the prison"

"I know, but what else can we do… worst case scenario… You go with them and go to Hyrule without me… I'll just stay here."

"Are you kidding me no way, doesn't matter what happens your not going to stay here and face the punishment alone..."

"Don't worry about it, I'll be fine as long as you guys make it out okay." He said

"Your such an Idiot, You know that… Your not gonna be left here… They can't, not after this I mean c'mon not after you get the shard for them."

"Yeah but it doesn't make up for everything besides I owe it to them."

"You don't owe them shit, He deserved what he got and besides we all have our faults why should they decide whose faults are worst, you know what I mean… It's bullshit… and your being just as stupid for complying with them I mean we all played parts in getting those shards it's extremely fucked up this whole thing."

"Let's just drop it, whatever happens, happens okay…"

"No it's not okay… see what I mean, what the hells wrong with you, you let them take away your spirit… we'll I guess if you tell someone there bad or wrong or whatever enough they'll believe it huh?"

"I don't believe it, I just don't want to be that way anymore, I just keep screwing shit up."

"Bullshit."

"It's not bullshit …

"Yes it is, what did you screw up by kicking his ass… nothing, He was screwing us over anyway and no one else even cared to notice, that's why they're probably all locked up by now."

"Well thanks for talking like I'm not even here…" Shin started

"SHUT UP!" they yelled at him

"Lyric just stop okay, your not helping anything, things are just this way and there's nothing that can be done about it okay!"

"Your just being an Idiot, You know that! You're such a Punk! Seriously, you're so damn frustrating. Nothing can be done, if you weren't being such a punk right now you would've never let that shit come out of your mouth, you don't just back out, you never did before! You can't just adapt to whatever's going on around you and follow suit with everything … you have to make it suit you … that's how you used to be…" Tears of frustration started to cloud her vision and slowly rolled down here face without her even making not of them.

"Yeah well, that's the old immature Yunsung… you should probably forget him." He said unable to look up at her

"Really so then I could just forget about this one too because that's the one that I loved."

"Lyric why do you have to be so frustrating?" he said smiling a little even though he was really frustrated

"That's just who I am, take it or leave it, cuz I'm not changing it. I'm sorry I pegged you for being something different didn't know you were such a punk" she stuck her tongue out at him the trail of her former tears still glistened on her cheeks.

"Your pathetic, can't stick with one emotion"

"I know, but c'mon you're getting on the boat when we leave"

"Do I have a choose." He said smiling

"No" she laughed and wiped her eye's and cheeks

"Okay, so we can drop it now."

"For now but I'm serious Yunsung don't try so hard to be what they want"

"So I should try hard to be what you want me to be"

"No just be yourself"

"What if this is the true me"

"Is it?"

"Haven't quite figured that out yet"

"So then when you do tell me but in the mean time, your gonna get on the boat and then we'll go to Hyrule"

"So bossy."

"I know."

"While that was extremely entertaining but it would be nice if you could untie me, it's just a thought, you know"

"Who said anything about you leaving" Lyric said

"Where not done with you," Yunsung said

"What else could I possibly do for you?"

"Well we can't have you come running back to Myong"

"Your not going to kill me, are you?"

"Oh please, your not worth getting my sword bloody" Lyric said

"So then what?"

"Why don't we put him in the closet for now"

"Sure why not as long as he doesn't make too much noise."

"Wait … please no… I'll do anything"

"Why do we need you?"

"I can help you with the plan, I can get you out of here fast I know a secret way out, no one else will follow you… and I know where they keep the explosives I could get what you need from there… just don't put me in there."

"Okay… Fine but if you double cross us before those bastards could lock us away I'll gut you like a fish. Now Let's fine tune this plan"

"First tonight Shin and I will go get the explosives while we do this Lyric go to the ship and tell Mitsurugi and Taki the plan and make sure they have the ship ready by tomorrow, make sure no one sees you. Then tomorrow when the wedding starts I will go to mina's room and get the shard and what not… You and Shin will go to the prison door and let the others out of the cells. After that make sure everyone goes straight to the ship. Lyric you need to get Mina from the wedding… the explosion will create a distraction if it's not enough I will try to explode something else. I'll meet you outside by the dock afterwards and after you get mina you can let Shin go he's no longer our problem anymore."

"Okay, That'll work… so then let's hurry up and do this while all the guards are occupied with other things." Lyric said

"Hear all that commotion, sounds like it's going down now." Shin said

"C'mon let's go to the roof and see"

"It's not some kind of a show," Yunsung said

"Yeah but then we'll know when the coast is clear"

"True but your still just being nosy."

"I know still c'mon" She went up to Shin and pulled out her sword and his eyes went wide "Try anything funny and I'll slice you in two got it." He nodded and she cut through his ropes "c'mon the roof" they went up on the roof

"It's on the south side" shin said and they move quickly along the rooftop, they came to a halt when they saw the horde of guards carrying Link, Raphael and Maxi.

"Link" Lyric said absent-mindedly gripping her sword but Yunsung grabbed her hand and gave her a look that said not to try anything. They just watched and she saw Link look up she nodded towards him and gave him a look telling him; she'd make it right. Then the guard forced Link and the others inside the dojo.

"Okay let's go." Yun said, Lyric jumped off the roof

"Wish me luck!" she said looking back at them and then quickly went on her way

"Okay where are the explosives?" Yunsung said turning to Shin

"There In the room that leads you under the stadium" He answered

They jumped down and began to run towards the stadium. When they got there Shin picked the lock on the door and they went in. As soon as they entered the room Yunsung realized that this was the weapons room because everywhere, on the walls and floor there were swords, bows and arrows, zambatous and other various weapons. In the corner there was a huge box.

"There they are… in that box," he said to Yun

"Open it up… then"

Reluctantly Shin went to the box and opened it up. Yunsung followed him.

"Okay, get to small ones and one of the bigger ones maybe a size up."

"Why am I getting the bombs?"

"Better you than me."

"Right but what if I decided to throw one at you."

"If I were you I wouldn't worry about throwing one but rather that you don't drop one. Now hurry up we need to put them in a cool place."

"Fine then let's hurry up and go then."

"Okay…"

"Yunsung c'mon!"

"Fine, I'm coming."

Lyric ran across the to the port where the ship was docked… and boarded the ship.

"Mitsurugi… Taki?" she called out but no one answered for a while then Taki walk out of one of the rooms.

"What's going on did you guys get the shard already?" she said

"No … they knew all about the plan shin ratted us out…and as we speak everyone's being arrested save me and Yunsung."

"Really how'd that happen" she said with a sly grin on her face

" Hey, get your mind out the gutter, He just warned me about shin and we got shin to tell us what was going on… anyway they fooled us and the shards were right under our noses in mina's room."

"Really where'd you think it was?"

"In Myong's room… since the wedding's still going to take place tomorrow, You and Mitsurugi must be ready to take off tomorrow because we're going to need to get out of here and fast… Also it would help if Siegfried could come to the dojo and help add as a distraction…"

Taki looked down at the floor " That's not possible…"

"What do you mean?"

"Mitsurugi and I will have the ship ready but Siegfried can't help, he reverted back to nightmare… apparently the entity never left his body but lye dormant in his soul. We fought him and slain him… at least we think he's dead he went under the sea and never surfaced I don't know but Mitsurugi's been having a strange feeling… I hope it's just that…"

Lyric looked horrified she remembered when they had met Siegfried and how she had believed in his will to change. " I'm sorry to hear that… this team's just falling apart everywhere…"

"Hmm… what happened?"

"Well of course you know Link and I are leaving… but also there was an incident and Mina and the others decided that they don't Yunsung with us anymore… so Talim left too…everyone's basically at each other's throats."

"I see so is Yunsung still helping you then?" she asked

Lyric nodded "the problem is if he helps then he'll be arrested if we leave him… and I we can't just let him take the fall."

Taki could see the hurt in the girl's eyes " what do you guy's plan to do about it"

"That's just it, he doesn't want to do anything about it, and he plans on staying and taking the punishment…"

"And you want him too go on the ship with us?"

"Yeah, if they don't want him then…" she looked down at the floor

"Then what?"

"He'll come to Hyrule with Link and I…"

"Really you said you wanted him to come with you?"

"He said he wanted to go… so I said it was okay"

"You would want to bring him to Hyrule with you but I thought you couldn't stand each other" she said putting on that grin again

"I love him…" She said barely above a whisper

"What was that?"

"Never mind I have to get back to the dojo, just make sure the ship's ready"

"Okay get going now, and don't worry about getting Yun on the boat… I won't leave without him." She said smiling and Lyric smiled back and mouthed a thank you as she headed towards the dojo.

Sneaking past the guards she met up with Yunsung and Shin who were waiting in the Yun's room.

"So how'd it go?" he asked her

"Fine, you?"

"Yeah we got them so were all set for tomorrow… what's wrong?"

She looked like she was lost in thought "It's Siegfried he reverted back to nightmare…"

"What, did you fight him… did he hurt you or something."

"No, no your getting ahead of yourself… it happened before I got there maybe the day before I didn't ask when but Taki and Mitsurugi fought him and they think he's dead but aren't sure because he sank to the bottom of the ocean but never came back up."

"Damn, I knew he was no good…"

"I think there's more to it… it seemed like he really wanted to change…"

"Please he was only pretending to get our shards… don't be so gullible."

"I'm not being gullible… I don't trust people easily and I trusted him before I ever trusted you so I think that's saying something…"

" Whatever Lyric… at least he's dead now so we don't have to worry about him…"

"That's a horrible thing to say!"

"Sorry… I didn't mean it like that, I'm sure Siegfried was a good guy and I wouldn't wish death on anybody but now he won't have deal with his demons anymore and we won't have to worry about Nightmare coming back."

"That's true I guess… anyway I'm tired I need to go to bed." She turned to exit the room but as soon as she opened the door someone opening the door on the other side knocked her down. It was Mina.

"What's wrong with you can't you knock?" Yunsung yelled at her and helped Lyric off the floor

"No the question is what the hell's wrong with you… Lyric where were you?"

Lyric opened her mouth to speak but Mina cut her off…

"And what the fuck is going on …hmm… Yunsung you been helping them out huh, now you're working the other side…"

"It's not even like that Mina you're over reacting…"

"Over reacting… Hong Yun Sung … I'm over reacting … hmm… when all of our team is in prison… do you still think I'm over reacting?"

"Yes… we already know…"

"I'm sure you do… what were you upset that we kicked you out so you had to snitch and give them our plan…"

"Mina your wrong Yunsung had nothing to do with that!" Lyric yelled over Mina

"Shut up, defend your boyfriend later… cuz I'm pissed with you too… if you weren't up here doing whatever… we would have at least had some more help…"

"Then I would have been in jail too…"

"Yeah well Talim took your place, is that fine to?"

"What?"

"She came back and since you didn't show she took over your job but think if she didn't come back we'd be screwed even farther."

"That still doesn't give you the right to blame it on Yunsung… he had nothing to do with it"

"Okay so then how'd it happen?" she said sarcasm dripping off her words.

"If you had listened to Yun sung this whole time then nothing would have happened… it was shin who had ratted us out… if you had listened Shin would have never been close enough to us to even know the plan…"

"Okay so tell why would he do that… what possible reason would he do that…"

"Ask him, he's sitting in the fucking room…"

She turned and saw him on the bed and he waved hi to her " finally somebody noticed me here" he said

"Is what there saying true … why would you do this?"

"Yes mina, I did it…" and explained his deal with Myong to her

"Damnit, I can't believe this," she said putting her hands on her head

"Don't you have something to say you should be apologizing to Yun?"

"Yunsung has a voice why are you fighting for him, huh that doesn't change the fact that you left us to fall, you both knew and didn't do anything, you could have told us…"

"I can't believe you, you think if we had the time to tell you we wouldn't have come and told you all, huh it was already to late!"

"Hmm… so now what are we supposed to do about it?"

"Nothing …" came a voice from the door… they all turned around and Myong was standing in the door way " You two should consider yourselves lucky, I can't arrest you, enjoy freedom, don't end up like your friends…Mina don't be so angry tomorrow you'll be a married woman"

"Father … I …"

"Shin, ah… there you are… what have you been telling our friends?"

"I just admitted to telling you that's it and I told them why… they know nothing else."

"Fine then come with me, Mina you shall go to your room you need to sleep for your big day" she looked at her father angrily then left "As for you two I'm having guards posted out side this room you'll stay here until after the wedding then you and your friends on the boat can leave. Good Night, c'mon shin I believe we must rework our deal seeing as you let two of them to escape"

"What?"

"Don't expect to get paid… our deal hasn't been completed"

"Myong…"

"Come now don't get upset, I could always have you put in jail"

"Fine" he said and they both left the room and the door was locked on the outside.

"Looks like I'm stuck here…" Lyric said sitting on the bed

"Yup…" he said, he was sitting on the floor looking down

"You think he'll tell Myong the plan…"

"Nope…"

"Can you be sure, what if he offers him money?"

"Shin's sleazy but he's not stupid, Myong double crossed him once he won't be cheated twice…"

"I hope so… God what's wrong with that girl, I can't believe she can get like that, I always thought she was alright… isn't she supposed to be your friend how could you let her talk to you like that."

"How could she not think it was me, it was the only reasonable reason."

"I can't believe this… you're taking it like a dog… are you kidding me… okay even if that's so, how did you deserve to be yelled at like that… for her to come and accuse you like that… and even when she's wrong for her to refuse to apologize… it's disgusting especially from someone who's supposed to be like your sister."

"It doesn't matter… she's just done with dealing with me… can you imagine the problems I've given her… Imagine where she'd be if it wasn't for me."

"If that was the case and seeing how she reacted tonight, she would have left you a long time ago… it seems to me you think your more of a burden then you really are"

"Listen Lyric I don't need you to sick up for me, Okay, I have a mind of my own and I have a voice I don't need you to speak for me… so stop it … stop trying to counsel me, okay… I'm fine and I don't need your help… I said I loved you but I don't need you acting like my wife…"he got up off the floor and yelled at her

"I'm not trying to be Yunsung I'm just saying… besides if I don't stick up for you or give a damn about what happens to you, could I really say I love you…would you have just let her do that to me… Yunsung is that what it means to love someone" she put her arms around her knees and was sitting in the fetal position, tears started streaming down her face " You can't just throw around those words, and not mean them Yunsung …that's why I can't let you do this to yourself and can't just let people just walk on you and I would expect you to the same and you have already…"

He came up to her, hugged her and then kissed her on her forehead "I'm sorry, I guess I'm just not used to this yet, I don't want to upset you but… Lyric you don't need to stick up for me I can do that… you should know that but I'm not going to fight back if I think I'm wrong…"

"But you're not wrong… why can't you see that? You did nothing wrong if anything you helped them out a lot… it's not your fault if they can't seem that"

He wiped a tear from her face and kissed her on the lips "I can see your not gonna give up on this, will you … okay Lyric I think I've figured out…"

"What?"

"Which Yunsung I really am…"

"Which one…"

"That's for me to know… and for you to find out…" He said and they kissed for awhile when they finally parted lips he wiped the tears off her cheeks "Okay stop crying and go to bed, already… you really are frustrating on minute your yelling at me and the next your crying… you need some control of your emotions damnit, your gonna kill me"

She laughed, "Okay fine, your right I need some sleep… If you don't mind I'll take your bed… you need to sleep on the floor"

"What?"

"You didn't expect me to sleep on the floor, did you? How could you let a girl sleep on the floor while your comfy in your bed?"

"I wouldn't your just so bossy about it" she kissed him quickly on the cheek and got under the cover's. "Good Night…"she said

As he laid down on the floor he replied with the same "Good night" and he smiled "you'll need a good rest cuz tomorrow you'll need it" but he realized she'd already fallen asleep ' Man, she must have been really tired' he thought as he closed his mind raced with the event's of today… a heavy load had been lifted off his chest, after telling her his feelings but the relief he felt disappeared quickly as he realized that after tomorrow he would lose her already and that night he didn't sleep well He just looked up at the ceiling or watched her sleeping and listening to her breath softly…realizing that it was too late…

It was now morning and light filled the room. Lyric turned around to see that Yunsung was already up. He noticed she was awake and asked if she slept well… even though he knew. She answered yes and got out the bed and he just stared at her smiling.

"What?"

"Nothing … just waiting for you to hurry up and get over here it's time we get started the weddings in three hour." He said and she nodded

"Turn around and let me get dressed" He did (peeking once) and she got dressed.

"Fine let's get started" he said

"Bring out the bombs!" she said smiling

'Alright… It is time to strike'

"I'm ready to do as you wish"

'Tonight the dojo will go out in flames'

"Blood red flames…"

End of Chapter 24

Okay well finally I've updated… and again I'm sorry for the long wait. Well the Korea saga is almost over one more chapter to go and then we'll be on our way to the fifth shard! I'm know I shouldn't promise anything but I'm going to go ahead and say that the next chapter will be up before I go back to school on September 8th… Yes…this time I promise they'll be no waiting 4 months. Okay with that said I hope you enjoyed this chapter. So until the next chapter…

Inukenイヌケン