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: If you wish to check into the changes that are made to the traditional Ocarina of Time story which Link will be speaking of in this chapter. Check chapters 1-6 of my OOT novelization.
PROFILES: Dark Link's Profile Added, Drake's Background Added (See author's profile for the link)
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Looking Back, Looking Forward
While this unholy partner ship between the Azure Nightmare and the darkness of Link was agreed upon, the seekers of the Soul Edge found themselves blissfully unaware as they finally had a chance to rest after their trials in Oman. Both of the ships stayed close together connected few ropes and long board that connected both of them for the moment, after their first encounter with the creature called Charade they were not going to take any chances in the same region. Seeing as how Link still had some scars to show for it and Yunsung was just getting over bruises, it was their insistence that made them stop near an Eygptian port and grab the boards.
While several of the two groups congregated leaving out Maxi and Naoyuki being the only ones who remained on duty sailing the ships, Taki found herself sitting on a part of the mast looking down at them. This was pretty much her trademark spot as it was her job to wait and watch her surroundings, that is it used to be before Toki had her evacuated from the Fu-Ma and considered her an enemy because she would not allow him to take the Mekki-Maru. She breathed lightly as she looked across the deck at the happenings.
Sophitia was still worried about Siegfried. It was pretty obvious that the others wished to at least offer their best and shared in prayer with her, the group of Kilik, Xianghua and even Yunsung pretty much showed this off. Raphael was apparently back on the Nightwraith speaking with Stephan and Michael about the creature that the Four Blades had encountered hoping they could tell him something they might have learned from their escapades. Mitsurugi was keeping to himself as always in the ships hold, she didn't understand him but he reminded her of how Toki himself was when he was a younger warrior, now easily her senior by fifteen years.
She looked over toward the railings on the sides of the ship near the makeshift bridge where the two youngest of the group were. The one that had introduced himself as Drake had been very quiet in the last few days, of course he had not truly spoken to anybody but Talim until they reached port and got the supplies for the half assed bridge of theirs, which was only lowered so they could move from one ship to another in these waters. For some reason she did not trust him, of course it was in her way to not trust anybody until they have earned it.
It was obvious enough that she knew the likes of Link, Cassandra, Talim and even the Four Blades ment them no harm but something about this boy that Talim had brought back made her very uneasy. Something about him was just ominously familiar, sure she had never laid eyes on him before in her life but there was something was there that she knew, she just couldn't put her finger on it. She would just have to find out later. Looking down from her perch she could see Link and Cassandra near the back of the ship talking once again, every time she looked at them she felt a little sour and she still had no clue why. She cursed herself as she moved away.
Link continued speaking as Cassandra eagerly listened as he continued telling of exactly what went down on his first escapade, of course Cassandra was still trying to absorb the fact he was doing most of this at the age of eleven or twelve. He had hardly been talking more than twenty minutes and already she would have loved to see what kind of a land he was from, at least there violence came from actual monsters and people were peaceful with one another. Currently he was telling of how he first met the Princess Zelda, but this only came after he had tackled his first challenge of a very large spider, crossing an expansive field in only a few hours, dealing with a group of would be killers and meeting with two people who were currently some of his best friends.
"...Needless to say that it would have been no easy task to get past the guards but luckily Malon had a lot of influence thanks to her friendship. It was next to no problem to get through. Of course had I known exactly what would be happening in the next two months because of it, I probably never would have gone. But as they say, destiny calls and the called must obey." Link said. Cassandra chuckled lightly at this "Same with Sophitia, it can all be a pain can't it?" Link nodded with a chuckled before he continued.
"As it turned out she knew much more than just the identity of the one that poisoned my homes spirit, she even knew what he was after and how he planned to achieve it. A man called Gannondorf Dragmire, the leader of the desert folk in the far west planned on gaining the seven stones and breaking the seal on the sacred realm. Inside was a treasure and a potential weapon he knew would guarantee him supremacy over the rest of the world." he told. Cassandra hung on every moment of it, but a story like this wouldn't be believable unless questions could be answered.
Cassandra had a few to ask "When you say stones, you mean the same as the one the Deku Tree gave you and Navi correct? And if you don't mind me asking exactly what did this princess look like?" he snickered. Link nodded his head "The seven spiritual stones each corresponded to an element of the world and if you must know take yourself or your sister and slice off about ten or twelve years." he said back with a smirk. Cassandra breathed lightly in a little bit of shock "Small world...I mean...well you know what I mean right." Link nodded before he continued.
With just about every word he said she knew he was sincere, who would make up such a story and eventually she discovered Kilik and Xianghua on her sides listening as well. Kilik was probably the only one among them who could relate with all the hurtles he had to jump before the evil inside him was brought under control. Link continued for the next hours telling of his escapades of being entrusted with his first horse and his second spiritual stone, obtaining his third in a village called Kakariko, his and Garen's meeting of the Goron people. He also told of his part in a massive battle on a place called Death Mountain where he had to square off with a monster that breathed fire which earned him his forth spiritual stone.
Link wanted to continue but it was difficult to continue on a dry mouth. Xianghua loved hearing about his home land and Cassandra was just hanging off his every word. Kilik's only interest of course was this weapon that Gannondorf sought that Link had censored out of several parts of his story, he figured it was his lands version of Soul Edge. He took a stopping point at where he and his partner Garen Sheikan had split up to find the last of the two stones. That name was familiar to them, Garen was the same man that had come under Soul Edge's control in Hyrule and Link had been forced to fight him. Not an easy task for any man.
Xianghua and Kilik moved away to return to Maxi while Cassandra stuck with Link who walked to the edge of the ship "So when are we going to here more of this story?" she asked. Link breathed before looking at her "Next time we find ourselves in a tranquil area hopefully. I'm not to clear on what happened to Garen when he had to go into Gannondorf's territory but I know that I had to make a few hard choices to get my hands on the last gem." he said. He had promised that if they still wanted to know after this was all over he would sit down with her and tell her absolutely everything there was to tell. Cassandra of course looked forward to it.
It was getting a little dark when Cassandra left going below decks and Link stayed above promising he would come later on. He cursed his luck as he watched Cassandra walk off. He always did this, getting close to those that would surely be very hurt when he was gone. It had happened too many times before, he wasn't exactly planning to let them just watch his back in a world that would never accept him. He breathed as he looked toward Cassandra wondering why he felt so much concern for her "I think somebody likes somebody." a voice said from behind him, he turned back to see Seung Mina standing there.
Kyle was there as well but he was moving over to speak with Maxi and the others "Come on long ears, what is the deal with you and Cassandra?" she asked in a voice that begged the question. He looked at Seung Mina, he hadn't spoken with her much but figured she was the kind that wanted to be involved in personal dilemmas, he looked back at her before speaking "I consider her a friend, aside from Talim she is the only one who I've been able to truly get close to in this world. But it really isn't your business." he said with a breath.
Seung Mina simply laughed at this before speaking "You are terrible at hiding what is crossing your mind, Link. You should take a few lessons from Kyle and a few others I could name." Link looked at Mina as she mocked him, he huffed before he stepped away obviously he didn't feel like being interrogated. Another voice spoke up from the side "If he likes Cassandra that is his business. Why are you so interested anyway?" she turned to see Yunsung leaking against the mast having come over as well.
Yunsung smirked lightly having been waiting for a chance "Are you jealous or something?" Seung Mina crossed his arms with a huff before speaking back to her underling student "No. I'm just interested in what may be occurring in the community of our friends here. Forgive me for being curious." she said before she stepped back toward the bridge. She stepped lightly over it to the Nightwraith which was just on the Eternal Wind's side, leaving Yunsung with the freedom to laugh at the though of Mina chasing after Link. Although he knew that after her father had tried to marry her off twice, first to Hwang and then to that much less worthy punk from another family. It was obvious she planned to find happiness her own way, it entertained him.
Kyle Strife looked at him before speaking "We'll be arriving in Venice by noon tomorrow, I suggest that you get some rest. Also I have a message from Raphael who has managed to get some information on what we are doing." Yunsung leaned back listening as Kyle spoke "Yunsung, we are going to Venice because somebody who could be very helpful to us is there. The name is familiar to me and I have reason to believe that my father might have known his, so please if we do meet him, try not to do anything stupid." he said reciting Raphael's words perfectly before he stepped across the bridge.
Yunsung grumbled as he leaned back against the mast and looked around eventually spying Talim and Drake on the railings of the ship continuing to talk. Drake had been around since they left Oman and he still hardly knew anything about them he figured it was time to find out and approached them. Drake's voice could be heard "Well I don't know what it is worth three years late but thanks a lot. If it hadn't been for you who knows what might have happened." he said bringing up a piece of his past. Yunsung told himself right off that he would not demand to know exactly what he was talking about, it was between them.
Talim's voice spoke up next "It is my role as a priestess Drake. I couldn't just leave you like you were, manifested with the Evil Seed unlike myself. Still from what I feel it has diminished within you in the years." Talim looked up as Yunsung approached and greeted him with a light way "The Evil Seed? What happened to you two?" he asked out of a little concern.
Drake shrugged his shoulders at the question and spoke up keeping his arms crossed over his chest "Well for one it was around seven years ago. The wind village always appoints one priestess and one defender at a very young age and then starts training them. Ironically the two of us were the priestess and defender, one day in the middle of our training there was a bright light in the sky and both of us were struck by it. However unlike your friend Kilik it did not effect us as gravely. It may have been our training as well as Talim's purity." he said before he lightly chuckled brushing a strand of his hair aside "Of course leave it up to one such as myself to be effected after four years."
Yunsung looked at him asking exactly what happened, Drake breathed before speaking "Well considering the time line that Sophitia has told me it would seem that the Soul Edge was defeated around the same time what was left of the Evil Seed finally manifested itself inside of me and tried to possess my soul. With what little control I had left I headed back to the Village of the Wind to try and cure myself." he looked back at the twin blades he carried "I felt that what pure properties were used in making the swords that should have gone to me would help but in the end only one of Talim's rituals truly cured me." he said.
Yunsung raised an eyebrow lightly as his story seemed to piece together "Okay I can understand the whole Evil Seed but what exactly were you doing away from the village. I mean Talim hasn't seen you in the last three years right?" he asked. Drake's expression grew annoyed as this question was asked "The Evil Seed did have some sort of effect on me, it essentially got me exhiled from the Village of the Wind. After I tapped into a few other styles that were outside the Wind Dance style they considered that a very bad things." Yunsung was now a little shocked unable to believe anybody would throw one of their own out for simply wishing to be come a better warrior and protector of his home.
Yunsung spoke up without fear that Talim would stand up for her people's choice "What the hell could you have looked into that was so bad they would have you thrown from the village?" Drake didn't respond, he just remained where he sat with his arms crossed as he looked back on his past.
Talim instead spoke up leaning against the railing "Allow me to explain. My village has seen what kind of violence competition can bring and had many different arts forbidden. While many were tolorated the one that Drake professed and interest in was not. It was essentially the same style of martial arts used by the Fu-Ma syndicate." she explained.
Drake looked up as this was said "It is true. I looked into an art that was designed to take lives, there was no room in the art for any kind of mercy to an opponent. That is what got me exiled from the village. I knew the rules and I tried to break them for the sake of supremacy, if you must know I was jealous of those who had more experiance in the wind style. I wasn't born in the village you see, I was abandoned and they took me in. There is no excuse for my selfishness in this scenario. Still I can't help but wonder, Talim how big of a deal did they make when they discovered that Northern and Southern Wind along with Aero's Gem were missing?" he asked.
Talim lightly gave a smile "They spent days looking for them but seemed only concerned for the gem, which I of course found it in my heart to return to them. The swords obviously stayed with you, when they found out it was you they were far from happy. After all they belonged to the founder of the wind dance." she explained. Yunsung was getting interested and just had to ask why she let Drake keep such a weapon in his possession.
"The world was a pretty dangerous place for one as young as ourselves back then, considering he had been training with those blades last it only seemed right he should have them. Aside from that I figured it was enough of a lesson to the village seeing as how they didn't listen to any reasons he could have made." Talim explained.
Drake smiled lightly as he looked at his long time friend "I didn't know you were so supportive of me Talim, but then again you were always the sweet one." he said, Talim lightly blushed as Drake said this.
Yunsung breathed as he decided he would leave them alone to catch up but had one more question "The Fu-Ma...how would you have ever learned of their style. They are very secretive after all and nobody learns such things unless they are actually in the syndicate." he said having heard this little history lesson form Mina after Taki and Mitsurugi joined the White Wind.
Talim thought about what Drake had told her earlier "Well the village had them under lock and chain but that only seemed to interest us more. Drake didn't do much to take control of the style, just a few of the stances that worked hand in hand with the wind dance. It is a hard style to grasp without and instructor after all. Of course not long after he left he began making a name for himself after somebody apparently went and showed him the mistakes in his grasp of the style." Drake nodded at this.
Yunsung looked at him before speaking "Wait...The Fu-Ma...Taki taught you?" Drake shook his head as the huntress that they were currently allied with was brought up, while he could have guessed she was formerly of the Fu-Ma even he had heard of her. "I'm afraid not. A rouge demon hunter that had left the Fu-Ma taught me. He didn't seem to give much a reason but he burned with a hatred of their race and took the time to teach me the basics of the style. Aside from that I know nothing else, the Wind Dance is more in my blood anyway but it always helps to have a secondary style."
Drake explained all of this oblivious to the fact that they were being eavesdropped upon by a certain man that felt Taki would enjoy hearing this information. Drake breathed as he stepped away "It's a practice that I've come to be content with. You cannot control what happens in the past, it is pointless to worry. Like the wind you must move forward on your own path." he said as he vanished below decks.
Yunsung looked over at Talim as Drake vanished down the stairs "Man life must really enjoy kicking him around." he commented. Talim breathed as she looked down at the water "He has had a very hard life so far. First he is somehow cast from his original home, then he lands shipwrecked and his mother gets him as far as the village before she dies, he grows up in an unfamiliar place and is then forced to leave there into a world he doesn't understand. He probably still has no clue where he is from." she said with a showing amount of pity for the young man.
Yunsung breathed as he was now feeling like a real jerk for being jealous of his and Talim's relationship "Poor guy. Well if anything he can always come with us, I'm sure Mina's father would be happy to have him around." Talim looked back at Yunsung and smiled and then giggled as she heard Yunsung's stomach groan. They then proceeded to follow Drake figuring the White Wind would have them.
Sophitia breathed as she bit into a piece of bread that she had taken from one of the bowls on the table, truly Juan was a good cook with meats but baking could use some work. But she wouldn't complain, they were after all on a boat and it was likely to be difficult controlling fire while on board. She, Kilik, Xianghua, Taki, Cassandra and Link were at the table currently. Maxi had taken his food top side like he always did being that he had nothing reliable to insert upon the subject they spoke of: Soul Calibur.
Truly after Nightmare had given them a piece of it they were all very curious as to what the blade really was, they knew that it was the blade that countered Soul Edge and vice versa but they still had no idea who made it or where it came from. Cassandra looked back lightly as Drake returned to the room he and Maxi were sharing, although Maxi usually wasn't around and Drake half the time vanished onto the deck at night. Talim and Yunsung followed and joined them "Hi." Yunsung breathed as he took a piece of bread.
Taki rolled her eyes as they continued to exchange their own ideas on the relationship between Soul Edge and Soul Calibur. She really didn't care, all she did know was that one was good and the other was evil. One needed to be restored and the other needed to be destroyed, she didn't want to get too far into this philosophy of theirs. As she thought this over and the others departed from the table save for Sophitia and Cassandra somebody stepped up behind her, she looked back to see Mitsurugi who knelt down lightly to whisper something to her. One of Taki's eye brows raised in interest before her eyes moved over to gaze at Drake who stood in the corner looking out one of the port holes.
Mitsurugi stood back up as he told her everything he had witnessed topside, technically it was only the little piece of information that delved into Drake's self-taught secondary style. Taki's eyes narrowed as Drake who was completely turned away, she was going to be confronting him on this. Unlike the others Taki had enough trust in Mitsurugi to reveal a little of her past and had requested that Mitsurugi be on the look out for her partner in the only real relationship she had ever had. "What are you going to do?" he asked. Taki breathed before speaking "Ask a few questions." she said. Though for this she would have to wait until the evening to set in more.
Within a few hours it was night and both ships found themselves drifting, Yunsung had returned to the Nightwraith before both of them dropped anchor and let themselves float. Sophitia and Cassandra had retired for the night, Kilik and Xianghua had done the same. Talim had returned to her own private room while Maxi had actually come down and gone to sleep. The only person that had said they would be up late was Link who sat over a small housed fire sharpening the tips of his arrows, he also had the pieces of the shattered Athenian blade laid out. Otherwise things were silent, and he really didn't care that he knew that at least two of their members were not asleep.
Up on the deck the half moon shown out behind the clouds of the night lighting up the ocean, from the side of the ship one could just see the sillouette of the Nightwraith. Not like anything but the slight passing of the wind ment anything to Drake as he took stance in the center of the deck. It was so hard to practice effectively with this group of misfits all around him, aside from that the night was just so much more inviting to him. It seemed appropriate as with every second present he was living a lie, a lie to them and to Talim and it filled him with a self hatred.
His hands clinched around his two swords before both of them were drawn out and dropped into the basic stance of the Wind Dance style. Angrily he swiped the Northern Wind through the air before coming up with the Southern Wind grasped in his left hand. Both cut cleanly through the air in the same pattern before he came whipping around one blade to his left and then came up with the second in and uppercut maneuver before bringing the blade down as if to stab an imaginary opponent in the shoulder before coming across the head area with his other blade to end his life.
He took stance again sheathing the Southern Wind behind his waist before he cut three times with the Northern Wind before jumping back and then jumping forward on his side. The other blade appeared again as both flowed out coming down toward the ground before he landed on his feet. Snapping back up he back flipped one leg outstretched, such a position would send his foot into an opponent's jaw should he or she actually have lived through both sword swipes. He landed on his feet but jumped back again, in mid flip the Southern Wind was once again returned to its sheath before his left hand boosted him back up.
His feet smashed against the deck as the Northern Wind was swiped hard kicking up a little wind, the imaginary image of an opponent's chest being cleaved open filled his mind as he lowered his blade returning it to the sheath behind his shoulder. His arms lowered from stance as he felt the wind blow, sure it had taken him a good amount of time but he had perfectly molded the arts of the Fu-Ma to those of the Wind Dance in what he enjoyed calling the Wind Blade style. He breathed as he prepared himself to go again but paused as his eyes moved toward the mast, he reached back taking grip on the Northern Wind while his other hand gripped the Southern Wind.
There was then a dart of movement above and Drake dropped his hands before going into a pushed back flip that lasted over the course of twenty feet, his feet touched down on the deck as a shadow jumped out at him. Quick as lighting the Northern Wind flashed from its sheath as there was the sound of another blade though from sound it was clearly slimmer in make. He jumped back before striking with the blade, he growled as it was blocked perfectly and one came at him. He grunted as he twisted to the side and felt his hair cut by the blade, he looked back as he pushed away and just had enough time to catch a female silhouette attacking him.
Fear that he had been found out came to him as he quickly realized it was that huntress Taki Moyika. Dropping all he knew of the Fu-Ma style he drew his other blade snapping into the wind villages most well known stance. He jumped forward dropping both blades down, one after another in an X-shape. The attacker's blade shot forward to deflect his attack and swipped back at him but he knew the basics of the style and wouldn't be taken down so easily, Taki quickly discovered this as he through a kick to her ribs pushing her back. She growled [Okay, you wanna play tough fine by me, amateur.] she thought as she moved forward to attack.
Her blade swiped at the young warrior of the wind who easily managed to maneuver around them as he took into account his knowledge of the Fu-Ma style. She however knew better as she drew out both her sword swipping both up and down, another piece of the basic style. Her interest however was peaked as he instinctively stepped back having not expected it, she followed up by striking again swinging both swords which he deflected but it was not a part of the Fu-Ma style.
Taki breathed as she was forcing herself to use what she had been taught by Toki and not what she had taught herself but it was clear to see that all he knew were the very basics, more to defend him against attacks from the Fu-Ma. Considering he had been struck by the Evil Seed she could see why there would be the danger of the Fu-Ma hunting him. Both because of Toki's obsession with Soul Edge and because of the fact most of those struck become creatures that are more powerful than most Earth based demons. But who would have done something like teaching a child the basics of the style.
Drake moved forward as she went back to one sword and swung at him but he reached forward catching her wrist, he reached up and the flat end of his blade went against the back of her neck. He then pulled back and rolled throwing her behind him. She growled as she hit the deck on her knees and he back flipped twisting as he did so and then rushed at her one sword held down. Taki jumped to her feet and then kicked up off the ground ending up behind him, she reached up concentrating her energy before she slammed her palm into his chest. This was one of the higher level attacks after the assassin was taught the arts of inner energy manipulation.
Drake was hit full force by it and smashed into the wall of the ship, he looked up as Taki moved forward at him [Curse my luck.] he growled as he moved to the side and then shot up at her swinging his blade hard at her head. Taki moved to the left just getting around his attack but was shocked as he jumped up spinning with both blades [How far has he adapted the Fu-Ma style to his own?] he mind questioned as his back was turned and she took her chance. She mock swung at his chest but halted and kicked his leg out from under him.
Drake stumbled for a moment as Taki's hand grabbed his shoulder spinning him hard around, his back was facing her. He loosed his grip and the blades rotated to be held blade down as if he intended to impale her in the side but he was too slow. Taki's arm went around his neck and his arms instinctively shot up, her other arm came around pinning his arm while the other dropped to push into his back pressure pointing him painfully. Taki looked at him "Surrender, young one." she told him. He released his grip on his swords and they dropped to the ground and he breathed waiting for her to just end his life.
It never happened however instead she lowered her free hand and brought her arm off of him, he growled as he jumped forward grabbing his blade off the deck and unsheathing his other. He turned to face her holding his blades both point down clearly focused, she crossed her arms "Calm down Drake. I was testing to see exactly how extensive your knowledge of my style was, as you may know nobody outside the syndicate is to know them. I doubt somebody raised in the same place as Talim would ever join them." she said.
Drake growled "Damn it Yunsung." he cursed. Taki's expression remained the same "I have my own sources, I don't have to leech off of those who can't remain silent. Especially not one such as him." she told him as he slowly lowered his weapons.
He looked at her after he placed his two beloved swords away feeling his security restored "Alright then Demon Huntress, what is it that you want of me?" he asked, his voice somewhat annoyed after being blatantly attacked by somebody he considered an ally.
She closed her eyes as for the first time in a number of months she had to get herself prepared for any reply that could come her way "I want to know exactly who taught you. I want to know who he or she is and what reasons they had to teach you such things." she said in a tone that demanded to be taken seriously.
Drake breathed as she recollected what he could "The man who taught me was a Fu-Ma assassin who had apparently been cast from the syndicate and was being hunted. After the Fu-Ma made an attempt on my life he just happened to be there to save it. He had taught others of what he was willing to, I guess after his friends wanted him dead he was wanting to destroy the secrecy of the Fu-Ma syndicate." he explained to her.
Taki shrugged her shoulders explaining that she would have done the same but then there was the fact that she was no teacher. He continued "After a few weeks he felt I knew enough to put up a half decent fight against the lower level assassins, then he just vanished. As predicted they did come after me with the intent of ending my life but stopped around a year ago. I decided to mix it up with the Wind Dance style to create my own. Seemed effective up until now." he said in his own way commenting her.
Taki looked at him knowing it could have been anybody. Since she left anybody who tried to convince Toki to stop his pursuit of her infected sword and the Soul Edge either ended up exiled, hunted or dead. Despite the odds she still had to ask "Did your teacher have a name that he went by?" she asked.
Drake thought back on this but ended up shaking his head "He was very secrative and stuck to the name he had been assigned. It was easy to tell that he was a master of the style probably aged enough to be your master, I believe he called himself Byakko." Taki felt her lungs exhale as it truly was not her former partner in more than just hunting.
Byakko was the second finest master of the Fu-Ma art next to Toki. While Toki might have been her teacher and master Byakko-sama was the closest thing she had ever had to a father. It was the same for her partner, whom she decided she just had to inquire about. Taki looked at Drake with a look of heavy concern in her eyes, a look few had ever seen before "Did Byakko, ever mention another member of the clan by the name of Yugo?" she asked.
Drake raised a hand to his chin and closed his eyes as he thought on that name which he had heard a number of times from his teacher "I believe that was the one that Byakko was looking for. Apparently he had just vanished without so much of a trace, even moreso than yourself and Byakko was seeking him while at the same time running from the Fu-Ma." he explained.
Taki's heart just plain sank as she heard this. Even more questions that had no clear answers were being weighed down upon her heart. Every time she would be confronted by an assassin of the Fu-Ma coming for her blade she would not be ready to kill. She lightly cursed the others of the group who had dared to remind her of her own past love life back in Oman.
Drake snapped his fingers in front of Taki's face which brought her back to reality, she expected riticul but the young man just sighed "Life can be cruel when it splits us from those we want near us. If your looking I wish you luck finding them. I doubt Byakko would hide." he said.
Taki let this absorb and she bowed to Drake something she rarely did to anybody, he did the same back and she turned wordlessly to return to the ship. He stretched as he sat on the side of the ship "Yugo, huh...what a small plane this world is becoming." he breathed out as he looked at the moon.
Next Chapter: undecided
The two ships finally arrive in Venice and at once head to the Defender's base of operations, but as they arrive they discover that after a few threats people without authorization will not be allowed in. When Sophitia doesn't accept the fact she has been denied entry Link finds himself asking one question: Why do I have to attack everywhere I want to go.
OOC: I will begin working on a profile for Yugo when I find some time. Anybody who wants a little teaser profile go to the third page of the profiles section.
Authors Note: If you wish to check into the changes that are made to the traditional Ocarina of Time story which Link will be speaking of in this chapter. Check chapters 1-6 of my OOT novelization.
PROFILES: Dark Link's Profile Added, Drake's Background Added (See author's profile for the link)
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Looking Back, Looking Forward
While this unholy partner ship between the Azure Nightmare and the darkness of Link was agreed upon, the seekers of the Soul Edge found themselves blissfully unaware as they finally had a chance to rest after their trials in Oman. Both of the ships stayed close together connected few ropes and long board that connected both of them for the moment, after their first encounter with the creature called Charade they were not going to take any chances in the same region. Seeing as how Link still had some scars to show for it and Yunsung was just getting over bruises, it was their insistence that made them stop near an Eygptian port and grab the boards.
While several of the two groups congregated leaving out Maxi and Naoyuki being the only ones who remained on duty sailing the ships, Taki found herself sitting on a part of the mast looking down at them. This was pretty much her trademark spot as it was her job to wait and watch her surroundings, that is it used to be before Toki had her evacuated from the Fu-Ma and considered her an enemy because she would not allow him to take the Mekki-Maru. She breathed lightly as she looked across the deck at the happenings.
Sophitia was still worried about Siegfried. It was pretty obvious that the others wished to at least offer their best and shared in prayer with her, the group of Kilik, Xianghua and even Yunsung pretty much showed this off. Raphael was apparently back on the Nightwraith speaking with Stephan and Michael about the creature that the Four Blades had encountered hoping they could tell him something they might have learned from their escapades. Mitsurugi was keeping to himself as always in the ships hold, she didn't understand him but he reminded her of how Toki himself was when he was a younger warrior, now easily her senior by fifteen years.
She looked over toward the railings on the sides of the ship near the makeshift bridge where the two youngest of the group were. The one that had introduced himself as Drake had been very quiet in the last few days, of course he had not truly spoken to anybody but Talim until they reached port and got the supplies for the half assed bridge of theirs, which was only lowered so they could move from one ship to another in these waters. For some reason she did not trust him, of course it was in her way to not trust anybody until they have earned it.
It was obvious enough that she knew the likes of Link, Cassandra, Talim and even the Four Blades ment them no harm but something about this boy that Talim had brought back made her very uneasy. Something about him was just ominously familiar, sure she had never laid eyes on him before in her life but there was something was there that she knew, she just couldn't put her finger on it. She would just have to find out later. Looking down from her perch she could see Link and Cassandra near the back of the ship talking once again, every time she looked at them she felt a little sour and she still had no clue why. She cursed herself as she moved away.
Link continued speaking as Cassandra eagerly listened as he continued telling of exactly what went down on his first escapade, of course Cassandra was still trying to absorb the fact he was doing most of this at the age of eleven or twelve. He had hardly been talking more than twenty minutes and already she would have loved to see what kind of a land he was from, at least there violence came from actual monsters and people were peaceful with one another. Currently he was telling of how he first met the Princess Zelda, but this only came after he had tackled his first challenge of a very large spider, crossing an expansive field in only a few hours, dealing with a group of would be killers and meeting with two people who were currently some of his best friends.
"...Needless to say that it would have been no easy task to get past the guards but luckily Malon had a lot of influence thanks to her friendship. It was next to no problem to get through. Of course had I known exactly what would be happening in the next two months because of it, I probably never would have gone. But as they say, destiny calls and the called must obey." Link said. Cassandra chuckled lightly at this "Same with Sophitia, it can all be a pain can't it?" Link nodded with a chuckled before he continued.
"As it turned out she knew much more than just the identity of the one that poisoned my homes spirit, she even knew what he was after and how he planned to achieve it. A man called Gannondorf Dragmire, the leader of the desert folk in the far west planned on gaining the seven stones and breaking the seal on the sacred realm. Inside was a treasure and a potential weapon he knew would guarantee him supremacy over the rest of the world." he told. Cassandra hung on every moment of it, but a story like this wouldn't be believable unless questions could be answered.
Cassandra had a few to ask "When you say stones, you mean the same as the one the Deku Tree gave you and Navi correct? And if you don't mind me asking exactly what did this princess look like?" he snickered. Link nodded his head "The seven spiritual stones each corresponded to an element of the world and if you must know take yourself or your sister and slice off about ten or twelve years." he said back with a smirk. Cassandra breathed lightly in a little bit of shock "Small world...I mean...well you know what I mean right." Link nodded before he continued.
With just about every word he said she knew he was sincere, who would make up such a story and eventually she discovered Kilik and Xianghua on her sides listening as well. Kilik was probably the only one among them who could relate with all the hurtles he had to jump before the evil inside him was brought under control. Link continued for the next hours telling of his escapades of being entrusted with his first horse and his second spiritual stone, obtaining his third in a village called Kakariko, his and Garen's meeting of the Goron people. He also told of his part in a massive battle on a place called Death Mountain where he had to square off with a monster that breathed fire which earned him his forth spiritual stone.
Link wanted to continue but it was difficult to continue on a dry mouth. Xianghua loved hearing about his home land and Cassandra was just hanging off his every word. Kilik's only interest of course was this weapon that Gannondorf sought that Link had censored out of several parts of his story, he figured it was his lands version of Soul Edge. He took a stopping point at where he and his partner Garen Sheikan had split up to find the last of the two stones. That name was familiar to them, Garen was the same man that had come under Soul Edge's control in Hyrule and Link had been forced to fight him. Not an easy task for any man.
Xianghua and Kilik moved away to return to Maxi while Cassandra stuck with Link who walked to the edge of the ship "So when are we going to here more of this story?" she asked. Link breathed before looking at her "Next time we find ourselves in a tranquil area hopefully. I'm not to clear on what happened to Garen when he had to go into Gannondorf's territory but I know that I had to make a few hard choices to get my hands on the last gem." he said. He had promised that if they still wanted to know after this was all over he would sit down with her and tell her absolutely everything there was to tell. Cassandra of course looked forward to it.
It was getting a little dark when Cassandra left going below decks and Link stayed above promising he would come later on. He cursed his luck as he watched Cassandra walk off. He always did this, getting close to those that would surely be very hurt when he was gone. It had happened too many times before, he wasn't exactly planning to let them just watch his back in a world that would never accept him. He breathed as he looked toward Cassandra wondering why he felt so much concern for her "I think somebody likes somebody." a voice said from behind him, he turned back to see Seung Mina standing there.
Kyle was there as well but he was moving over to speak with Maxi and the others "Come on long ears, what is the deal with you and Cassandra?" she asked in a voice that begged the question. He looked at Seung Mina, he hadn't spoken with her much but figured she was the kind that wanted to be involved in personal dilemmas, he looked back at her before speaking "I consider her a friend, aside from Talim she is the only one who I've been able to truly get close to in this world. But it really isn't your business." he said with a breath.
Seung Mina simply laughed at this before speaking "You are terrible at hiding what is crossing your mind, Link. You should take a few lessons from Kyle and a few others I could name." Link looked at Mina as she mocked him, he huffed before he stepped away obviously he didn't feel like being interrogated. Another voice spoke up from the side "If he likes Cassandra that is his business. Why are you so interested anyway?" she turned to see Yunsung leaking against the mast having come over as well.
Yunsung smirked lightly having been waiting for a chance "Are you jealous or something?" Seung Mina crossed his arms with a huff before speaking back to her underling student "No. I'm just interested in what may be occurring in the community of our friends here. Forgive me for being curious." she said before she stepped back toward the bridge. She stepped lightly over it to the Nightwraith which was just on the Eternal Wind's side, leaving Yunsung with the freedom to laugh at the though of Mina chasing after Link. Although he knew that after her father had tried to marry her off twice, first to Hwang and then to that much less worthy punk from another family. It was obvious she planned to find happiness her own way, it entertained him.
Kyle Strife looked at him before speaking "We'll be arriving in Venice by noon tomorrow, I suggest that you get some rest. Also I have a message from Raphael who has managed to get some information on what we are doing." Yunsung leaned back listening as Kyle spoke "Yunsung, we are going to Venice because somebody who could be very helpful to us is there. The name is familiar to me and I have reason to believe that my father might have known his, so please if we do meet him, try not to do anything stupid." he said reciting Raphael's words perfectly before he stepped across the bridge.
Yunsung grumbled as he leaned back against the mast and looked around eventually spying Talim and Drake on the railings of the ship continuing to talk. Drake had been around since they left Oman and he still hardly knew anything about them he figured it was time to find out and approached them. Drake's voice could be heard "Well I don't know what it is worth three years late but thanks a lot. If it hadn't been for you who knows what might have happened." he said bringing up a piece of his past. Yunsung told himself right off that he would not demand to know exactly what he was talking about, it was between them.
Talim's voice spoke up next "It is my role as a priestess Drake. I couldn't just leave you like you were, manifested with the Evil Seed unlike myself. Still from what I feel it has diminished within you in the years." Talim looked up as Yunsung approached and greeted him with a light way "The Evil Seed? What happened to you two?" he asked out of a little concern.
Drake shrugged his shoulders at the question and spoke up keeping his arms crossed over his chest "Well for one it was around seven years ago. The wind village always appoints one priestess and one defender at a very young age and then starts training them. Ironically the two of us were the priestess and defender, one day in the middle of our training there was a bright light in the sky and both of us were struck by it. However unlike your friend Kilik it did not effect us as gravely. It may have been our training as well as Talim's purity." he said before he lightly chuckled brushing a strand of his hair aside "Of course leave it up to one such as myself to be effected after four years."
Yunsung looked at him asking exactly what happened, Drake breathed before speaking "Well considering the time line that Sophitia has told me it would seem that the Soul Edge was defeated around the same time what was left of the Evil Seed finally manifested itself inside of me and tried to possess my soul. With what little control I had left I headed back to the Village of the Wind to try and cure myself." he looked back at the twin blades he carried "I felt that what pure properties were used in making the swords that should have gone to me would help but in the end only one of Talim's rituals truly cured me." he said.
Yunsung raised an eyebrow lightly as his story seemed to piece together "Okay I can understand the whole Evil Seed but what exactly were you doing away from the village. I mean Talim hasn't seen you in the last three years right?" he asked. Drake's expression grew annoyed as this question was asked "The Evil Seed did have some sort of effect on me, it essentially got me exhiled from the Village of the Wind. After I tapped into a few other styles that were outside the Wind Dance style they considered that a very bad things." Yunsung was now a little shocked unable to believe anybody would throw one of their own out for simply wishing to be come a better warrior and protector of his home.
Yunsung spoke up without fear that Talim would stand up for her people's choice "What the hell could you have looked into that was so bad they would have you thrown from the village?" Drake didn't respond, he just remained where he sat with his arms crossed as he looked back on his past.
Talim instead spoke up leaning against the railing "Allow me to explain. My village has seen what kind of violence competition can bring and had many different arts forbidden. While many were tolorated the one that Drake professed and interest in was not. It was essentially the same style of martial arts used by the Fu-Ma syndicate." she explained.
Drake looked up as this was said "It is true. I looked into an art that was designed to take lives, there was no room in the art for any kind of mercy to an opponent. That is what got me exiled from the village. I knew the rules and I tried to break them for the sake of supremacy, if you must know I was jealous of those who had more experiance in the wind style. I wasn't born in the village you see, I was abandoned and they took me in. There is no excuse for my selfishness in this scenario. Still I can't help but wonder, Talim how big of a deal did they make when they discovered that Northern and Southern Wind along with Aero's Gem were missing?" he asked.
Talim lightly gave a smile "They spent days looking for them but seemed only concerned for the gem, which I of course found it in my heart to return to them. The swords obviously stayed with you, when they found out it was you they were far from happy. After all they belonged to the founder of the wind dance." she explained. Yunsung was getting interested and just had to ask why she let Drake keep such a weapon in his possession.
"The world was a pretty dangerous place for one as young as ourselves back then, considering he had been training with those blades last it only seemed right he should have them. Aside from that I figured it was enough of a lesson to the village seeing as how they didn't listen to any reasons he could have made." Talim explained.
Drake smiled lightly as he looked at his long time friend "I didn't know you were so supportive of me Talim, but then again you were always the sweet one." he said, Talim lightly blushed as Drake said this.
Yunsung breathed as he decided he would leave them alone to catch up but had one more question "The Fu-Ma...how would you have ever learned of their style. They are very secretive after all and nobody learns such things unless they are actually in the syndicate." he said having heard this little history lesson form Mina after Taki and Mitsurugi joined the White Wind.
Talim thought about what Drake had told her earlier "Well the village had them under lock and chain but that only seemed to interest us more. Drake didn't do much to take control of the style, just a few of the stances that worked hand in hand with the wind dance. It is a hard style to grasp without and instructor after all. Of course not long after he left he began making a name for himself after somebody apparently went and showed him the mistakes in his grasp of the style." Drake nodded at this.
Yunsung looked at him before speaking "Wait...The Fu-Ma...Taki taught you?" Drake shook his head as the huntress that they were currently allied with was brought up, while he could have guessed she was formerly of the Fu-Ma even he had heard of her. "I'm afraid not. A rouge demon hunter that had left the Fu-Ma taught me. He didn't seem to give much a reason but he burned with a hatred of their race and took the time to teach me the basics of the style. Aside from that I know nothing else, the Wind Dance is more in my blood anyway but it always helps to have a secondary style."
Drake explained all of this oblivious to the fact that they were being eavesdropped upon by a certain man that felt Taki would enjoy hearing this information. Drake breathed as he stepped away "It's a practice that I've come to be content with. You cannot control what happens in the past, it is pointless to worry. Like the wind you must move forward on your own path." he said as he vanished below decks.
Yunsung looked over at Talim as Drake vanished down the stairs "Man life must really enjoy kicking him around." he commented. Talim breathed as she looked down at the water "He has had a very hard life so far. First he is somehow cast from his original home, then he lands shipwrecked and his mother gets him as far as the village before she dies, he grows up in an unfamiliar place and is then forced to leave there into a world he doesn't understand. He probably still has no clue where he is from." she said with a showing amount of pity for the young man.
Yunsung breathed as he was now feeling like a real jerk for being jealous of his and Talim's relationship "Poor guy. Well if anything he can always come with us, I'm sure Mina's father would be happy to have him around." Talim looked back at Yunsung and smiled and then giggled as she heard Yunsung's stomach groan. They then proceeded to follow Drake figuring the White Wind would have them.
Sophitia breathed as she bit into a piece of bread that she had taken from one of the bowls on the table, truly Juan was a good cook with meats but baking could use some work. But she wouldn't complain, they were after all on a boat and it was likely to be difficult controlling fire while on board. She, Kilik, Xianghua, Taki, Cassandra and Link were at the table currently. Maxi had taken his food top side like he always did being that he had nothing reliable to insert upon the subject they spoke of: Soul Calibur.
Truly after Nightmare had given them a piece of it they were all very curious as to what the blade really was, they knew that it was the blade that countered Soul Edge and vice versa but they still had no idea who made it or where it came from. Cassandra looked back lightly as Drake returned to the room he and Maxi were sharing, although Maxi usually wasn't around and Drake half the time vanished onto the deck at night. Talim and Yunsung followed and joined them "Hi." Yunsung breathed as he took a piece of bread.
Taki rolled her eyes as they continued to exchange their own ideas on the relationship between Soul Edge and Soul Calibur. She really didn't care, all she did know was that one was good and the other was evil. One needed to be restored and the other needed to be destroyed, she didn't want to get too far into this philosophy of theirs. As she thought this over and the others departed from the table save for Sophitia and Cassandra somebody stepped up behind her, she looked back to see Mitsurugi who knelt down lightly to whisper something to her. One of Taki's eye brows raised in interest before her eyes moved over to gaze at Drake who stood in the corner looking out one of the port holes.
Mitsurugi stood back up as he told her everything he had witnessed topside, technically it was only the little piece of information that delved into Drake's self-taught secondary style. Taki's eyes narrowed as Drake who was completely turned away, she was going to be confronting him on this. Unlike the others Taki had enough trust in Mitsurugi to reveal a little of her past and had requested that Mitsurugi be on the look out for her partner in the only real relationship she had ever had. "What are you going to do?" he asked. Taki breathed before speaking "Ask a few questions." she said. Though for this she would have to wait until the evening to set in more.
Within a few hours it was night and both ships found themselves drifting, Yunsung had returned to the Nightwraith before both of them dropped anchor and let themselves float. Sophitia and Cassandra had retired for the night, Kilik and Xianghua had done the same. Talim had returned to her own private room while Maxi had actually come down and gone to sleep. The only person that had said they would be up late was Link who sat over a small housed fire sharpening the tips of his arrows, he also had the pieces of the shattered Athenian blade laid out. Otherwise things were silent, and he really didn't care that he knew that at least two of their members were not asleep.
Up on the deck the half moon shown out behind the clouds of the night lighting up the ocean, from the side of the ship one could just see the sillouette of the Nightwraith. Not like anything but the slight passing of the wind ment anything to Drake as he took stance in the center of the deck. It was so hard to practice effectively with this group of misfits all around him, aside from that the night was just so much more inviting to him. It seemed appropriate as with every second present he was living a lie, a lie to them and to Talim and it filled him with a self hatred.
His hands clinched around his two swords before both of them were drawn out and dropped into the basic stance of the Wind Dance style. Angrily he swiped the Northern Wind through the air before coming up with the Southern Wind grasped in his left hand. Both cut cleanly through the air in the same pattern before he came whipping around one blade to his left and then came up with the second in and uppercut maneuver before bringing the blade down as if to stab an imaginary opponent in the shoulder before coming across the head area with his other blade to end his life.
He took stance again sheathing the Southern Wind behind his waist before he cut three times with the Northern Wind before jumping back and then jumping forward on his side. The other blade appeared again as both flowed out coming down toward the ground before he landed on his feet. Snapping back up he back flipped one leg outstretched, such a position would send his foot into an opponent's jaw should he or she actually have lived through both sword swipes. He landed on his feet but jumped back again, in mid flip the Southern Wind was once again returned to its sheath before his left hand boosted him back up.
His feet smashed against the deck as the Northern Wind was swiped hard kicking up a little wind, the imaginary image of an opponent's chest being cleaved open filled his mind as he lowered his blade returning it to the sheath behind his shoulder. His arms lowered from stance as he felt the wind blow, sure it had taken him a good amount of time but he had perfectly molded the arts of the Fu-Ma to those of the Wind Dance in what he enjoyed calling the Wind Blade style. He breathed as he prepared himself to go again but paused as his eyes moved toward the mast, he reached back taking grip on the Northern Wind while his other hand gripped the Southern Wind.
There was then a dart of movement above and Drake dropped his hands before going into a pushed back flip that lasted over the course of twenty feet, his feet touched down on the deck as a shadow jumped out at him. Quick as lighting the Northern Wind flashed from its sheath as there was the sound of another blade though from sound it was clearly slimmer in make. He jumped back before striking with the blade, he growled as it was blocked perfectly and one came at him. He grunted as he twisted to the side and felt his hair cut by the blade, he looked back as he pushed away and just had enough time to catch a female silhouette attacking him.
Fear that he had been found out came to him as he quickly realized it was that huntress Taki Moyika. Dropping all he knew of the Fu-Ma style he drew his other blade snapping into the wind villages most well known stance. He jumped forward dropping both blades down, one after another in an X-shape. The attacker's blade shot forward to deflect his attack and swipped back at him but he knew the basics of the style and wouldn't be taken down so easily, Taki quickly discovered this as he through a kick to her ribs pushing her back. She growled [Okay, you wanna play tough fine by me, amateur.] she thought as she moved forward to attack.
Her blade swiped at the young warrior of the wind who easily managed to maneuver around them as he took into account his knowledge of the Fu-Ma style. She however knew better as she drew out both her sword swipping both up and down, another piece of the basic style. Her interest however was peaked as he instinctively stepped back having not expected it, she followed up by striking again swinging both swords which he deflected but it was not a part of the Fu-Ma style.
Taki breathed as she was forcing herself to use what she had been taught by Toki and not what she had taught herself but it was clear to see that all he knew were the very basics, more to defend him against attacks from the Fu-Ma. Considering he had been struck by the Evil Seed she could see why there would be the danger of the Fu-Ma hunting him. Both because of Toki's obsession with Soul Edge and because of the fact most of those struck become creatures that are more powerful than most Earth based demons. But who would have done something like teaching a child the basics of the style.
Drake moved forward as she went back to one sword and swung at him but he reached forward catching her wrist, he reached up and the flat end of his blade went against the back of her neck. He then pulled back and rolled throwing her behind him. She growled as she hit the deck on her knees and he back flipped twisting as he did so and then rushed at her one sword held down. Taki jumped to her feet and then kicked up off the ground ending up behind him, she reached up concentrating her energy before she slammed her palm into his chest. This was one of the higher level attacks after the assassin was taught the arts of inner energy manipulation.
Drake was hit full force by it and smashed into the wall of the ship, he looked up as Taki moved forward at him [Curse my luck.] he growled as he moved to the side and then shot up at her swinging his blade hard at her head. Taki moved to the left just getting around his attack but was shocked as he jumped up spinning with both blades [How far has he adapted the Fu-Ma style to his own?] he mind questioned as his back was turned and she took her chance. She mock swung at his chest but halted and kicked his leg out from under him.
Drake stumbled for a moment as Taki's hand grabbed his shoulder spinning him hard around, his back was facing her. He loosed his grip and the blades rotated to be held blade down as if he intended to impale her in the side but he was too slow. Taki's arm went around his neck and his arms instinctively shot up, her other arm came around pinning his arm while the other dropped to push into his back pressure pointing him painfully. Taki looked at him "Surrender, young one." she told him. He released his grip on his swords and they dropped to the ground and he breathed waiting for her to just end his life.
It never happened however instead she lowered her free hand and brought her arm off of him, he growled as he jumped forward grabbing his blade off the deck and unsheathing his other. He turned to face her holding his blades both point down clearly focused, she crossed her arms "Calm down Drake. I was testing to see exactly how extensive your knowledge of my style was, as you may know nobody outside the syndicate is to know them. I doubt somebody raised in the same place as Talim would ever join them." she said.
Drake growled "Damn it Yunsung." he cursed. Taki's expression remained the same "I have my own sources, I don't have to leech off of those who can't remain silent. Especially not one such as him." she told him as he slowly lowered his weapons.
He looked at her after he placed his two beloved swords away feeling his security restored "Alright then Demon Huntress, what is it that you want of me?" he asked, his voice somewhat annoyed after being blatantly attacked by somebody he considered an ally.
She closed her eyes as for the first time in a number of months she had to get herself prepared for any reply that could come her way "I want to know exactly who taught you. I want to know who he or she is and what reasons they had to teach you such things." she said in a tone that demanded to be taken seriously.
Drake breathed as she recollected what he could "The man who taught me was a Fu-Ma assassin who had apparently been cast from the syndicate and was being hunted. After the Fu-Ma made an attempt on my life he just happened to be there to save it. He had taught others of what he was willing to, I guess after his friends wanted him dead he was wanting to destroy the secrecy of the Fu-Ma syndicate." he explained to her.
Taki shrugged her shoulders explaining that she would have done the same but then there was the fact that she was no teacher. He continued "After a few weeks he felt I knew enough to put up a half decent fight against the lower level assassins, then he just vanished. As predicted they did come after me with the intent of ending my life but stopped around a year ago. I decided to mix it up with the Wind Dance style to create my own. Seemed effective up until now." he said in his own way commenting her.
Taki looked at him knowing it could have been anybody. Since she left anybody who tried to convince Toki to stop his pursuit of her infected sword and the Soul Edge either ended up exiled, hunted or dead. Despite the odds she still had to ask "Did your teacher have a name that he went by?" she asked.
Drake thought back on this but ended up shaking his head "He was very secrative and stuck to the name he had been assigned. It was easy to tell that he was a master of the style probably aged enough to be your master, I believe he called himself Byakko." Taki felt her lungs exhale as it truly was not her former partner in more than just hunting.
Byakko was the second finest master of the Fu-Ma art next to Toki. While Toki might have been her teacher and master Byakko-sama was the closest thing she had ever had to a father. It was the same for her partner, whom she decided she just had to inquire about. Taki looked at Drake with a look of heavy concern in her eyes, a look few had ever seen before "Did Byakko, ever mention another member of the clan by the name of Yugo?" she asked.
Drake raised a hand to his chin and closed his eyes as he thought on that name which he had heard a number of times from his teacher "I believe that was the one that Byakko was looking for. Apparently he had just vanished without so much of a trace, even moreso than yourself and Byakko was seeking him while at the same time running from the Fu-Ma." he explained.
Taki's heart just plain sank as she heard this. Even more questions that had no clear answers were being weighed down upon her heart. Every time she would be confronted by an assassin of the Fu-Ma coming for her blade she would not be ready to kill. She lightly cursed the others of the group who had dared to remind her of her own past love life back in Oman.
Drake snapped his fingers in front of Taki's face which brought her back to reality, she expected riticul but the young man just sighed "Life can be cruel when it splits us from those we want near us. If your looking I wish you luck finding them. I doubt Byakko would hide." he said.
Taki let this absorb and she bowed to Drake something she rarely did to anybody, he did the same back and she turned wordlessly to return to the ship. He stretched as he sat on the side of the ship "Yugo, huh...what a small plane this world is becoming." he breathed out as he looked at the moon.
Next Chapter: undecided
The two ships finally arrive in Venice and at once head to the Defender's base of operations, but as they arrive they discover that after a few threats people without authorization will not be allowed in. When Sophitia doesn't accept the fact she has been denied entry Link finds himself asking one question: Why do I have to attack everywhere I want to go.
OOC: I will begin working on a profile for Yugo when I find some time. Anybody who wants a little teaser profile go to the third page of the profiles section.