Disclaimer: I don't own Soul Caliber, Tekken or any of it's characters. They all belong to NAMCO. I don't own anybody from the Zelda Series they belong to Nintendo. I do not own Spawn or Necrid either, Todd McFarlane does. And if you want the copyright info on the Original Characters it is in my profile.
Authors Note: This is of course going on around the same time as the last three chapters. It is essentially what the Four Blades and Talim are doing while the others go after Soul Edge. If you read Chapter 21: Final Preparation then you'll get this.
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Twenty-Six: Tainted By Darkness-Necrid
It had been several hours of travel and only a few of sleep since the Four Blades lead by Talim had set out from the Port of Oman and headed north after the lone signal which they suspected was Soul Edge. As they moved through the rocky regions of the Middle East, both Yunsung and Raphael were growing anxious, completely clueless to the fact that the Soul Edge was absent. Kyle held his blade, Oblivion by the handle taking up the lead right behind the wind priestess, Mina following him closely holding Scarlet Thunder under her arm. Jack brought up the rear holding his rifle over his shoulder and his blade at his side.
The moon had just came into view as Talim looked back at the weary group "Its close. Not much farther now." she said resting her hands over her elbow blades. Yunsung lightly groaned "You said that an hour ago." she ignored him as Raphael pushed by obviously well used to harsh traveling conditions "What are we looking for again?" he asked. Talim looked back at the swordsman from France as she spoke "My visions inform me that the source of the signal, be it a shard or the actual sword is coming from a very noticeable place just over the next ridge." she said climbing past some more rocks. Raphael followed as Kyle stepped ahead of him.
Kyle however suddenly stopped and reached forward grabbing Talim's wrist nearly dropping her down the steep hill, he held one hand back giving a signal. Everybody dropped down on their knees as there were footsteps against the rocks up the hill. A figure stood on top of the hill he looked around lightly before turning and moving, Mina moved up to Kyle "Bandits?" she questioned. Kyle nodded "Scavengers. They live in isolated groups all over the desert and pray upon the lost and traveling, they'd know better than to have Nightmare in their company." he explained.
Yunsung growled lightly looking at Talim "So Soul Edge isn't likely to be here is it?" Talim crossed her arms "Nobody every said it would be, there was only a chance and we probably chose one. But that energy there is at least a pretty big shard of it lingering in this area." she explained. Yunsung grumbled a few incoherent words and Talim just ignored him as she continued to climb making sure nobody was looking as they got to the top of the steep hill and onto relatively leveled ground. They all got out of view of what was most definately the resting place of the signal source, hopefully this would prove worth their time.
They looked down at what appeared to be a small village of tents, a few decently made houses and a few store buildings, not far from the village near the ridge was the crumbling ruins of an old chapel. Either way it was in serious disrepair but still held the same essence of a holy place. Raphael spoke up as he looked over the structure "Well its better than nothing. I don't think the White Wind will do much better. Lets get going." he said bringing out his rapier. Talim looked as it looked like it would be a sneaking and swiping job here. They moved around from the side of the hill and slowly approached a part of the village that had torches lighting the way.
Finally the Four Blades and company had gotten a look of the grounds that surrounded the village, Talim held her hands over her mouth as she saw it. Several of the bandits were littered on the sands soaking in pools of their own blood, their bodies as pale as the moon as if the very heat had been taken from their bodies. Others looked like they died fighting and others look like they were struck down running, whatever had struck here had done so with a great amount of force. Raphael examined one of them "I've never seen any wound like this." he said as he pointed out the odd burning around the severed flesh, the only blade that could have done this was one that was red hot at the point of striking.
The village was derelict, nobody was left alive and the place looked like a ghost town, the bright moon was the only source of light for them. Yunsung breathed as he looked to Kyle and Mina "Do you guys think that Nightmare or Cervantes might actually be here and decided to clean house while waiting." Raphael breathed as he looked at the body. He planned to get Soul Edge under his control to hold off the nobles of France from him and give his adopted daughter Amy a better life, but now he was wondering if he really wanted involvement in a weapon that could make a man do all this.
Drake breathed as he slowly walked through the halls of the cathedral hoping that he would find the shard that he had been sent to retrieve in this place crawling with desert vermin, instead he found nothing but an immense amount of death and ominously drifting souls. The placed seemed to have never been used by the people but was clearly some sort of early monotheistic temple. Whatever had struck here had struck that small group of men he discovered after he first started out, and judging how the red gem was glowing whatever possessed the shard was somewhere nearby. It could not be human any longer, possibly transformed by Soul Edge's energy.
Whatever it was, it had somehow managed to decimate nearly the whole of their forces. They had no organization and they had no clue of how to get past whatever kind of weapon he was wielding. He was confused as to how a group of over a hundred people could all be defeated so quickly, the bad thing was that he knew that whatever had done this was still somewhere in the area and he'd have to fight it to get its shard. Part of him just wanted to run back to Asia but then he knew the Black Wind would come after him, the Soul Edge could track his very soul ever since it first looked at him and he had left with the promise of a shard and Ivy had hinted that they'd let him go if he got them one. But this seemed all too risky.
Yunsung leaned against the door to the cathedral, listening through a crack as it was too dark to see and they didn't want to draw attention. They had moved toward the ridge after finding that the entire village was truly a death filled place. He didn't hear anything but the faint whisper of the wind coming through the windows. Talim had sensed signs of life from the Cathedral and was confident that if their target was anywhere it was inside, she stood back with Jack who took aim on the door. Raphael looked at Yunsung and he nodded before they both lunged forward kicking it open, both of them jumped in followed by the others.
More men were scattered on the floor obviously dead and as Raphael examined the bodies while the others investigated the main hall of the cathedral. Suddenly an ominous draft blew through the area and Talim trembled as her knees failed her. Yunsung hurried over helping her to stand "Talim, whats wrong?" he asked in concern. Talim regained her composure before speaking "I can feel it. The energy of Soul Edge taints all of these bodies. Whoever did this is using some variation of the Soul Edge. Whoever it is, they are still somewhere in this place." a feeling of cold fear washed over everybody before Raphael stood up taking charge of the situation.
He looked around before speaking "Alright. I'll go with Jack check out the ridge. The rest of you should split into two groups and search the area, meet back here in an hour." Talim looked at Yunsung before speaking "We'll check the second level of this place. Maybe there are some survivors." she said. Raphael nodded as Yunsung agreed and the two moved toward a set of stairs leading up "Stay sharp." Raphael called after them.
Kyle and Mina looked at one another saying a few words before looking at Jack and Raphael "We'll stay on the ground floor, maybe this creature will come to us." Mina said. Jack was seriously beginning to question if they were just friends but ignored it as he looked to Raphael "We should get moving, he could be getting away." Raphael nodded and they both headed out while Kyle and Mina moved into the next room.
Drake flipped another page of the dusty old book he had found, it wasn't what he was searching for but it was a treasure among a very large collection. Finding it in the dusty third floor study of the cathedral it was in good condition but it was printed in a language he could not understand but every few pages he found more interesting pictures, all of them seemed to be on ancient and powerful weapons and this included the Soul Edge. He had once sought to destroy that sword and now he found himself serving it, he growled as he placed it back on the table, his luck at finding the shards was coming up less and less and a book he couldn't read would give no help in betraying it effectively.
His ears perked up as he heard a low growl like a bear and moved away from the desk in the small study/library and toward a window that over looked the balcony. The full moon shown down on a large balcony that was accessible from the second floor only and he caught a glimpse of a very large creature standing there. Not much could be seen but except its muscular outline Drake swallowed as he watched two short swords appear in its hands, each one made of glowing radiance that was lit up like lightning. He stabbed them on the ground and then decented on his knees moving around in an odd walk, it reminded him of one of his old home's traditional dances. Was he honoring the moon or the storms that loomed nearby?
Either way he'd have to find out and decided to get a better look but he certainly wasn't going to be sneaking up behind it. Putting out the candle he had lit up he stepped to the window trying to open the rusted hinges with no luck, he growled before he just shattered the ancient glass as softly as he could. He climbed through and out onto the roof removing one of the twin tantos or short bladed katanas he carried being used to support his stepped on the roof as he eventually got a good look down on the monster. He reached behind his belt and removed a small telescope looking down at it.
He zoomed in first on one of the weapons that the creature had made appear out of nowhere, it looked as if an unseen force was holding and light green bolt of thunder into the shape of a gladius style sword. He then looked at the being as it gave an odd grunt toward the sky as if going through a series of a prayer, he lowered his telescope as he brought up one blade wondering if he could get the drop on him from where he was. The crimson gem around his neck was now vibrating in response.
He moved around on the roof to get at a better angle when he saw it, somebody was standing in the doorway. "Hurph. More seekers." he huffed annoyed, they seemed to be discussing how they were going to work this. Drake huffed as he took possition drawing out the blade from behind his belt, one of the two blades called the Northern Wind. As he was about to strike when one of the seekers that stood in the doorway stepped out and approached the creature, but she didn't seemed to want to attack instead she walked slowly and kept her hands at her sides. Was she going to try to reason with it? Drake brought up his telescope...
Drake's hands tightened around the lens as his eyes widened once her face was lit up by the torchlight. Three years passing or not it was no easy task to forget that face or the way she did her hair and the weapons at her sides that she had used since her childhood were a familiar sight as well. He growled as he sheathed the Northern Wind into the sheath behind his shoulder "Talim...what the hell are you doing?" he growled to himself as she stepped toward the monster. She was either hoping it wouldn't notice her, wouldn't consider her a threat or would continue with its prayer. No. That wasn't like her, his mind told him. She was going to try to reason with the behemoth. Drake tensely watched the events unfold.
Talim stepped toward the creature as it continue his strange prayer, her hands kept away from her elbow blades as she hoped this would go well. If it didn't she'd have to fight it, with Yunsung's help it would hopefully be possible. She looked back at Yunsung who stood there looking out from the doorway trying not to be seen, if the monster attacked Talim he wouldn't have time to notice him coming at him. Talim breathed before she approached the monster questioning her own sanity, she stopped in a dead halt as the creature stopped his hailing of the sky and turned to look back at Talim with a pair of deep red eyes.
"What are you?" Talim questioned under her breath as the monster completely turned to face her, its body lit up by the energy of its weapons. It was no longer human if it had ever been. It was a monster, pure and simple. Its flesh was well built up like any heavily training human but it was a dark green like the forests he had seen in the south. While he wore metal upon his arms and legs as armor there was a very odd...something strapped on his chest that seemed to burn and flicker like a little window into the fiery chaos of hell. There was a straight row of spiked poking up from his hairless scalp along with several growing on the upper part of his much more muscular left arm. This arm instead of a normal hand held a three fingered claw and there was what appeared to be a beast's horns on its arm. "Your no longer human, are you?" Talim concluded.
Yunsung growled from where he concealed himself, sure he and Talim had had their differences but had gotten to be somewhat friends in time since they encountered one another again and he didn't like sending her like a lamb to slaughter. He creature made a strange grunt from his throat, a strange echo as it apparently spoke in its own odd language, this wouldn't be easy. He held up White Storm gripping the handle tightly moving his free hand to grip the blade double hand style. Slowly Talim held up her hands showing that she had no intention of fighting and she spoke to the monster that seemed somewhat at ease "We don't want to fight, we want to help you. Please." she said. Yunsung breathed.
Talim took a deep breath as she felt a light gust of wind blow, the monster growled lightly at Talim but didn't attack "GTES GAE GETSU?!" he said in his monsterous voice that seemed to echo in his throat. Talim tensed up as suddenly she felt an energy burning from the odd glowing point in the monster's chest, it then narrowed its eyes at Talim displaying its fangs. Talim took a breath knowing it was hopeless as the creature made its move and jumped forward, it turned a flip landing right on its feet between its two weapons drawing them up "GOHEH HEMA BOGOGAH!" it roared before he brought them both down in a cross shape.
Talim moved hard jumping up into a backflip her lithe form easily leaving the floor and sailing ten feet backwards before landing. Her hands shot to the sides of her legs grabbing her elbow blades, taking Syi Salika in her right hand and Loka Luha in her left she dropped into battle stance as the monster looked up bringing both the energy spikes together to form into an orb, this was not going to go easily. Talim couldn't believe what she was seeing, what this monster held within his hands couldn't be anything other but energy, though she was relieved to find it wasn't the same as what came from the shard. But it was definately something alien to this world.
It growled before it brought its clawed hand through the air and the energy shot out in the shape of a large sword, Talim breathed unsure if she could hold off that kind of force. "EYOOS!" it roared before it jumped forward and swung high. Talim took air into her lungs swiftly before she moved down hard getting under the blade before she shot back up spinning her body at the monster. Syi Salika struck hard across the monster's chest followed by Loka Luha each of them getting some resistance from the thick flesh. She jumped away hoping she had hit vital organs, however the monster just looked at her before bringing back its arm.
The energy returned to the shape of an orb again and the monster looked up at the doorway Yunsung concealed himself and hurled it. Yunsung's eyes went wide before he quickly jumped out of the doorway, the orb of solid energy made contact and went off in a powerful explosion completely leveling the entrance. Yunsung's palms went down hitting the floor before he sprung himself up onto his feet bringing up his blade glaring at the creature. He then instinctively ducked his head as the energy orb sprung back like a rubber ball to its master, this was far from good.
The monster roared as Talim moved back next to him "Its power is incredible. We should leave." Talim said. Yunsung looked back at the destroyed exit "Thats going to be a little hard. Lets just bring this guy down." he shouted before running at the monster. The monster swung his weapon which formed into a blunt object with a blade on the end [AXE!!] Yunsung's mind screamed before he jumped up dodging it and then attempted to strike the weapon out of training reflex. This proved to be a very bad idea. The second it struck it was thrown back like it was needle being held against a fully armored knight.
Yunsung back flipped and landed looking up right in time to move again, he dived hard as the axe came down and went under the monster's right arm slashing up. The blade hardly scrapped the surface of the monster's arm which shot down to grab him by the neck and hoist him up. "Yunsung!" Talim screamed before rushing in holding up both her elbow blades, however the monster was ready and gripped his weapon and then shot it out. It lashed out like a multi segmented whip right at her and she grunted to dodge.
Drake watched as the tip of the energy weapon just missed Talim and came up to make another hit at her as she recovered. Drake growled before he tucked the gem into his shirt and gripped both his blades "To hell with this sneaking shit." he growled before jumping up and pushing off the roof hard. He dropped right toward the monster which looked up right in time to receive a foot hard across his face. Whoever was attacking then set down on his shoulders before jumping off and giving a swift kick to the back of the head, this resulted in Yunsung being released and the monster being sent to the ground.
Yunsung grunted as his back hit the ground but quickly climbed to his feet in time to see the creature following, whoever had come to his rescue somersaulted once before landing down on one knee looking back at the creature. Yunsung looked toward him as Talim ran up to the both of them "Are you alright?" she asked Yunsung who held one of his arms. He nodded as he pulled his sword back up looking down at the monster that hadn't seemed to get up yet. Talim turned around to the warrior that had dropped in from the roof wanting to ask what his purpose was there, however all that came out was a soft gasp.
The resemblance could not have been a coincidence. He was without a doubt human and appeared to be of western decent despite the amount of tan he possessed on his skin. His hair was a dark amber and his eyes from what he could tell by torchlight were just as bright blue as his own. He wore mostly black despite the fact he was in a desert. He wore loose fitting black pants with matching boots and a long sleeved jacket, there was a white collar shirt under it and he also wore fingerless gloves on his hands. He had two familiar tanto swords, essentially half length katanas for one who didn't know eastern blades. He stood at around five and a half feet and judging by his stance relied more on speed and agility that strength or aggression in battle. Clearly it was of the Wind Style and that ment it could only be one person.
"Drake..." Talim whispered lowly under her breath. He looked toward her straightening up but keeping ready as the monster was hopefully down for the moment "Talim. What are you doing here?" he asked in a slightly annoyed voice. Yunsung looked toward them unable to figure out what was going on, however he hardly had the time to contemplate what their relationship was as he heard a low growl from the creature as it slowly rose up. He looked to both of them "I don't know who you are but you and Talim had better save the reunion for later!" he shouted bringing up his sword.
Talim looked to Drake who looked back at her before looking at the monster "You up to this priestess?" he said using her title. She nodded before looking at the target bringing up her elbow blades again "As I'll ever be." she said. Yunsung stepped back to join to two as the boy drew out both of his swords keeping the blades pointed down in the same stance Talim did with her own blade. Clearly of the same style it was obviously a difference between male and female style "You should have killed him while he was still on the ground!" Yunsung shouted at Drake.
Drake narrowed his eyes as he flipped one of the blades looking at the Korean fighter "Save your complaints for later." he ordered. Talim nodded as did Yunsung "Fine. Watch yourselves." he said as the monster rose up and gave a mighty roar of anger "EEEYYYYOOOOOOOOOSSSS!!" he roared as the three of them all snapped into stance ready to take it to him.
Next Chapter: Of Winds and Gales
The battle against the creature eventually revealed as Necrid continues. Raphael and Jack move to assist the younger warriors in any way they can and even after the battle comes to a close what is the nature of Talim and Drake's relationship.
OOC: I want honest feedback to this. Do you think there should be some sort of a rivalry between Yunsung and Drake over Talim's affections. Essentially should there be an unofficial triangle between the three?
Authors Note: This is of course going on around the same time as the last three chapters. It is essentially what the Four Blades and Talim are doing while the others go after Soul Edge. If you read Chapter 21: Final Preparation then you'll get this.
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Twenty-Six: Tainted By Darkness-Necrid
It had been several hours of travel and only a few of sleep since the Four Blades lead by Talim had set out from the Port of Oman and headed north after the lone signal which they suspected was Soul Edge. As they moved through the rocky regions of the Middle East, both Yunsung and Raphael were growing anxious, completely clueless to the fact that the Soul Edge was absent. Kyle held his blade, Oblivion by the handle taking up the lead right behind the wind priestess, Mina following him closely holding Scarlet Thunder under her arm. Jack brought up the rear holding his rifle over his shoulder and his blade at his side.
The moon had just came into view as Talim looked back at the weary group "Its close. Not much farther now." she said resting her hands over her elbow blades. Yunsung lightly groaned "You said that an hour ago." she ignored him as Raphael pushed by obviously well used to harsh traveling conditions "What are we looking for again?" he asked. Talim looked back at the swordsman from France as she spoke "My visions inform me that the source of the signal, be it a shard or the actual sword is coming from a very noticeable place just over the next ridge." she said climbing past some more rocks. Raphael followed as Kyle stepped ahead of him.
Kyle however suddenly stopped and reached forward grabbing Talim's wrist nearly dropping her down the steep hill, he held one hand back giving a signal. Everybody dropped down on their knees as there were footsteps against the rocks up the hill. A figure stood on top of the hill he looked around lightly before turning and moving, Mina moved up to Kyle "Bandits?" she questioned. Kyle nodded "Scavengers. They live in isolated groups all over the desert and pray upon the lost and traveling, they'd know better than to have Nightmare in their company." he explained.
Yunsung growled lightly looking at Talim "So Soul Edge isn't likely to be here is it?" Talim crossed her arms "Nobody every said it would be, there was only a chance and we probably chose one. But that energy there is at least a pretty big shard of it lingering in this area." she explained. Yunsung grumbled a few incoherent words and Talim just ignored him as she continued to climb making sure nobody was looking as they got to the top of the steep hill and onto relatively leveled ground. They all got out of view of what was most definately the resting place of the signal source, hopefully this would prove worth their time.
They looked down at what appeared to be a small village of tents, a few decently made houses and a few store buildings, not far from the village near the ridge was the crumbling ruins of an old chapel. Either way it was in serious disrepair but still held the same essence of a holy place. Raphael spoke up as he looked over the structure "Well its better than nothing. I don't think the White Wind will do much better. Lets get going." he said bringing out his rapier. Talim looked as it looked like it would be a sneaking and swiping job here. They moved around from the side of the hill and slowly approached a part of the village that had torches lighting the way.
Finally the Four Blades and company had gotten a look of the grounds that surrounded the village, Talim held her hands over her mouth as she saw it. Several of the bandits were littered on the sands soaking in pools of their own blood, their bodies as pale as the moon as if the very heat had been taken from their bodies. Others looked like they died fighting and others look like they were struck down running, whatever had struck here had done so with a great amount of force. Raphael examined one of them "I've never seen any wound like this." he said as he pointed out the odd burning around the severed flesh, the only blade that could have done this was one that was red hot at the point of striking.
The village was derelict, nobody was left alive and the place looked like a ghost town, the bright moon was the only source of light for them. Yunsung breathed as he looked to Kyle and Mina "Do you guys think that Nightmare or Cervantes might actually be here and decided to clean house while waiting." Raphael breathed as he looked at the body. He planned to get Soul Edge under his control to hold off the nobles of France from him and give his adopted daughter Amy a better life, but now he was wondering if he really wanted involvement in a weapon that could make a man do all this.
Drake breathed as he slowly walked through the halls of the cathedral hoping that he would find the shard that he had been sent to retrieve in this place crawling with desert vermin, instead he found nothing but an immense amount of death and ominously drifting souls. The placed seemed to have never been used by the people but was clearly some sort of early monotheistic temple. Whatever had struck here had struck that small group of men he discovered after he first started out, and judging how the red gem was glowing whatever possessed the shard was somewhere nearby. It could not be human any longer, possibly transformed by Soul Edge's energy.
Whatever it was, it had somehow managed to decimate nearly the whole of their forces. They had no organization and they had no clue of how to get past whatever kind of weapon he was wielding. He was confused as to how a group of over a hundred people could all be defeated so quickly, the bad thing was that he knew that whatever had done this was still somewhere in the area and he'd have to fight it to get its shard. Part of him just wanted to run back to Asia but then he knew the Black Wind would come after him, the Soul Edge could track his very soul ever since it first looked at him and he had left with the promise of a shard and Ivy had hinted that they'd let him go if he got them one. But this seemed all too risky.
Yunsung leaned against the door to the cathedral, listening through a crack as it was too dark to see and they didn't want to draw attention. They had moved toward the ridge after finding that the entire village was truly a death filled place. He didn't hear anything but the faint whisper of the wind coming through the windows. Talim had sensed signs of life from the Cathedral and was confident that if their target was anywhere it was inside, she stood back with Jack who took aim on the door. Raphael looked at Yunsung and he nodded before they both lunged forward kicking it open, both of them jumped in followed by the others.
More men were scattered on the floor obviously dead and as Raphael examined the bodies while the others investigated the main hall of the cathedral. Suddenly an ominous draft blew through the area and Talim trembled as her knees failed her. Yunsung hurried over helping her to stand "Talim, whats wrong?" he asked in concern. Talim regained her composure before speaking "I can feel it. The energy of Soul Edge taints all of these bodies. Whoever did this is using some variation of the Soul Edge. Whoever it is, they are still somewhere in this place." a feeling of cold fear washed over everybody before Raphael stood up taking charge of the situation.
He looked around before speaking "Alright. I'll go with Jack check out the ridge. The rest of you should split into two groups and search the area, meet back here in an hour." Talim looked at Yunsung before speaking "We'll check the second level of this place. Maybe there are some survivors." she said. Raphael nodded as Yunsung agreed and the two moved toward a set of stairs leading up "Stay sharp." Raphael called after them.
Kyle and Mina looked at one another saying a few words before looking at Jack and Raphael "We'll stay on the ground floor, maybe this creature will come to us." Mina said. Jack was seriously beginning to question if they were just friends but ignored it as he looked to Raphael "We should get moving, he could be getting away." Raphael nodded and they both headed out while Kyle and Mina moved into the next room.
Drake flipped another page of the dusty old book he had found, it wasn't what he was searching for but it was a treasure among a very large collection. Finding it in the dusty third floor study of the cathedral it was in good condition but it was printed in a language he could not understand but every few pages he found more interesting pictures, all of them seemed to be on ancient and powerful weapons and this included the Soul Edge. He had once sought to destroy that sword and now he found himself serving it, he growled as he placed it back on the table, his luck at finding the shards was coming up less and less and a book he couldn't read would give no help in betraying it effectively.
His ears perked up as he heard a low growl like a bear and moved away from the desk in the small study/library and toward a window that over looked the balcony. The full moon shown down on a large balcony that was accessible from the second floor only and he caught a glimpse of a very large creature standing there. Not much could be seen but except its muscular outline Drake swallowed as he watched two short swords appear in its hands, each one made of glowing radiance that was lit up like lightning. He stabbed them on the ground and then decented on his knees moving around in an odd walk, it reminded him of one of his old home's traditional dances. Was he honoring the moon or the storms that loomed nearby?
Either way he'd have to find out and decided to get a better look but he certainly wasn't going to be sneaking up behind it. Putting out the candle he had lit up he stepped to the window trying to open the rusted hinges with no luck, he growled before he just shattered the ancient glass as softly as he could. He climbed through and out onto the roof removing one of the twin tantos or short bladed katanas he carried being used to support his stepped on the roof as he eventually got a good look down on the monster. He reached behind his belt and removed a small telescope looking down at it.
He zoomed in first on one of the weapons that the creature had made appear out of nowhere, it looked as if an unseen force was holding and light green bolt of thunder into the shape of a gladius style sword. He then looked at the being as it gave an odd grunt toward the sky as if going through a series of a prayer, he lowered his telescope as he brought up one blade wondering if he could get the drop on him from where he was. The crimson gem around his neck was now vibrating in response.
He moved around on the roof to get at a better angle when he saw it, somebody was standing in the doorway. "Hurph. More seekers." he huffed annoyed, they seemed to be discussing how they were going to work this. Drake huffed as he took possition drawing out the blade from behind his belt, one of the two blades called the Northern Wind. As he was about to strike when one of the seekers that stood in the doorway stepped out and approached the creature, but she didn't seemed to want to attack instead she walked slowly and kept her hands at her sides. Was she going to try to reason with it? Drake brought up his telescope...
Drake's hands tightened around the lens as his eyes widened once her face was lit up by the torchlight. Three years passing or not it was no easy task to forget that face or the way she did her hair and the weapons at her sides that she had used since her childhood were a familiar sight as well. He growled as he sheathed the Northern Wind into the sheath behind his shoulder "Talim...what the hell are you doing?" he growled to himself as she stepped toward the monster. She was either hoping it wouldn't notice her, wouldn't consider her a threat or would continue with its prayer. No. That wasn't like her, his mind told him. She was going to try to reason with the behemoth. Drake tensely watched the events unfold.
Talim stepped toward the creature as it continue his strange prayer, her hands kept away from her elbow blades as she hoped this would go well. If it didn't she'd have to fight it, with Yunsung's help it would hopefully be possible. She looked back at Yunsung who stood there looking out from the doorway trying not to be seen, if the monster attacked Talim he wouldn't have time to notice him coming at him. Talim breathed before she approached the monster questioning her own sanity, she stopped in a dead halt as the creature stopped his hailing of the sky and turned to look back at Talim with a pair of deep red eyes.
"What are you?" Talim questioned under her breath as the monster completely turned to face her, its body lit up by the energy of its weapons. It was no longer human if it had ever been. It was a monster, pure and simple. Its flesh was well built up like any heavily training human but it was a dark green like the forests he had seen in the south. While he wore metal upon his arms and legs as armor there was a very odd...something strapped on his chest that seemed to burn and flicker like a little window into the fiery chaos of hell. There was a straight row of spiked poking up from his hairless scalp along with several growing on the upper part of his much more muscular left arm. This arm instead of a normal hand held a three fingered claw and there was what appeared to be a beast's horns on its arm. "Your no longer human, are you?" Talim concluded.
Yunsung growled from where he concealed himself, sure he and Talim had had their differences but had gotten to be somewhat friends in time since they encountered one another again and he didn't like sending her like a lamb to slaughter. He creature made a strange grunt from his throat, a strange echo as it apparently spoke in its own odd language, this wouldn't be easy. He held up White Storm gripping the handle tightly moving his free hand to grip the blade double hand style. Slowly Talim held up her hands showing that she had no intention of fighting and she spoke to the monster that seemed somewhat at ease "We don't want to fight, we want to help you. Please." she said. Yunsung breathed.
Talim took a deep breath as she felt a light gust of wind blow, the monster growled lightly at Talim but didn't attack "GTES GAE GETSU?!" he said in his monsterous voice that seemed to echo in his throat. Talim tensed up as suddenly she felt an energy burning from the odd glowing point in the monster's chest, it then narrowed its eyes at Talim displaying its fangs. Talim took a breath knowing it was hopeless as the creature made its move and jumped forward, it turned a flip landing right on its feet between its two weapons drawing them up "GOHEH HEMA BOGOGAH!" it roared before he brought them both down in a cross shape.
Talim moved hard jumping up into a backflip her lithe form easily leaving the floor and sailing ten feet backwards before landing. Her hands shot to the sides of her legs grabbing her elbow blades, taking Syi Salika in her right hand and Loka Luha in her left she dropped into battle stance as the monster looked up bringing both the energy spikes together to form into an orb, this was not going to go easily. Talim couldn't believe what she was seeing, what this monster held within his hands couldn't be anything other but energy, though she was relieved to find it wasn't the same as what came from the shard. But it was definately something alien to this world.
It growled before it brought its clawed hand through the air and the energy shot out in the shape of a large sword, Talim breathed unsure if she could hold off that kind of force. "EYOOS!" it roared before it jumped forward and swung high. Talim took air into her lungs swiftly before she moved down hard getting under the blade before she shot back up spinning her body at the monster. Syi Salika struck hard across the monster's chest followed by Loka Luha each of them getting some resistance from the thick flesh. She jumped away hoping she had hit vital organs, however the monster just looked at her before bringing back its arm.
The energy returned to the shape of an orb again and the monster looked up at the doorway Yunsung concealed himself and hurled it. Yunsung's eyes went wide before he quickly jumped out of the doorway, the orb of solid energy made contact and went off in a powerful explosion completely leveling the entrance. Yunsung's palms went down hitting the floor before he sprung himself up onto his feet bringing up his blade glaring at the creature. He then instinctively ducked his head as the energy orb sprung back like a rubber ball to its master, this was far from good.
The monster roared as Talim moved back next to him "Its power is incredible. We should leave." Talim said. Yunsung looked back at the destroyed exit "Thats going to be a little hard. Lets just bring this guy down." he shouted before running at the monster. The monster swung his weapon which formed into a blunt object with a blade on the end [AXE!!] Yunsung's mind screamed before he jumped up dodging it and then attempted to strike the weapon out of training reflex. This proved to be a very bad idea. The second it struck it was thrown back like it was needle being held against a fully armored knight.
Yunsung back flipped and landed looking up right in time to move again, he dived hard as the axe came down and went under the monster's right arm slashing up. The blade hardly scrapped the surface of the monster's arm which shot down to grab him by the neck and hoist him up. "Yunsung!" Talim screamed before rushing in holding up both her elbow blades, however the monster was ready and gripped his weapon and then shot it out. It lashed out like a multi segmented whip right at her and she grunted to dodge.
Drake watched as the tip of the energy weapon just missed Talim and came up to make another hit at her as she recovered. Drake growled before he tucked the gem into his shirt and gripped both his blades "To hell with this sneaking shit." he growled before jumping up and pushing off the roof hard. He dropped right toward the monster which looked up right in time to receive a foot hard across his face. Whoever was attacking then set down on his shoulders before jumping off and giving a swift kick to the back of the head, this resulted in Yunsung being released and the monster being sent to the ground.
Yunsung grunted as his back hit the ground but quickly climbed to his feet in time to see the creature following, whoever had come to his rescue somersaulted once before landing down on one knee looking back at the creature. Yunsung looked toward him as Talim ran up to the both of them "Are you alright?" she asked Yunsung who held one of his arms. He nodded as he pulled his sword back up looking down at the monster that hadn't seemed to get up yet. Talim turned around to the warrior that had dropped in from the roof wanting to ask what his purpose was there, however all that came out was a soft gasp.
The resemblance could not have been a coincidence. He was without a doubt human and appeared to be of western decent despite the amount of tan he possessed on his skin. His hair was a dark amber and his eyes from what he could tell by torchlight were just as bright blue as his own. He wore mostly black despite the fact he was in a desert. He wore loose fitting black pants with matching boots and a long sleeved jacket, there was a white collar shirt under it and he also wore fingerless gloves on his hands. He had two familiar tanto swords, essentially half length katanas for one who didn't know eastern blades. He stood at around five and a half feet and judging by his stance relied more on speed and agility that strength or aggression in battle. Clearly it was of the Wind Style and that ment it could only be one person.
"Drake..." Talim whispered lowly under her breath. He looked toward her straightening up but keeping ready as the monster was hopefully down for the moment "Talim. What are you doing here?" he asked in a slightly annoyed voice. Yunsung looked toward them unable to figure out what was going on, however he hardly had the time to contemplate what their relationship was as he heard a low growl from the creature as it slowly rose up. He looked to both of them "I don't know who you are but you and Talim had better save the reunion for later!" he shouted bringing up his sword.
Talim looked to Drake who looked back at her before looking at the monster "You up to this priestess?" he said using her title. She nodded before looking at the target bringing up her elbow blades again "As I'll ever be." she said. Yunsung stepped back to join to two as the boy drew out both of his swords keeping the blades pointed down in the same stance Talim did with her own blade. Clearly of the same style it was obviously a difference between male and female style "You should have killed him while he was still on the ground!" Yunsung shouted at Drake.
Drake narrowed his eyes as he flipped one of the blades looking at the Korean fighter "Save your complaints for later." he ordered. Talim nodded as did Yunsung "Fine. Watch yourselves." he said as the monster rose up and gave a mighty roar of anger "EEEYYYYOOOOOOOOOSSSS!!" he roared as the three of them all snapped into stance ready to take it to him.
Next Chapter: Of Winds and Gales
The battle against the creature eventually revealed as Necrid continues. Raphael and Jack move to assist the younger warriors in any way they can and even after the battle comes to a close what is the nature of Talim and Drake's relationship.
OOC: I want honest feedback to this. Do you think there should be some sort of a rivalry between Yunsung and Drake over Talim's affections. Essentially should there be an unofficial triangle between the three?