Talim's face fell. "I don't understand a word you are saying, do you speak
English?"
The blond elf inclined his head a bit, but his confused look remained.
"Apparently he doesn't understand you either." Kilik walked up beside her with Xianghua in tow.
"Never mind the language barrier," Xianghua said still eyeing him. "He doesn't even look like he's from this world!"
The elf looked from one to the other as they spoke growing terribly bewildered.
"Nxe Uho Oei?" He said, in turn earning a few puzzled glances himself. The fighters had never heard of such language in all their travels. And was it even possible that he could be from another world? It was questionable, but the long and pointy ears seem like a strong statement to the fact.
Talim pointed to herself "Talim." While Xianghua and Kilik wondered what the hell she was doing (again) the stranger seemed to understand and pointed to her.
"Tal..Talim?" He repeated.
The wind priestess nodded. "That's right!" Both Kilik and Xianghua were surprised but also introduced themselves.
"Kilik." Kilik held out a hand towards the stranger. Once again, he fully understood taking Kilik's hand with his own in a firm shake.
"Kilik."
When Xianghua introduced herself, he had a little problem pronouncing her name, and it took him a few tries but eventually he got it. He looked from one to the other once again, and pointed to each one saying their names in turn.
"Talim, Kilik, Xianghua." After he said this he gestured to himself. "Link."
"That must be his name." Kilik said. He mimicked Link's actions by pointing to him and saying his name. Link nodded looking a bit relieved. Kilik and the rest had to share his feelings. At least they were getting somewhere.
"I don't mean to be rude but can we skip the pleasantries?" Raphael and Yun Sung walked up to join the group. The two had been forgotten and seemed indignant at the fact. But when Link saw them, his body tensed visibly and he fell into a battle stance, hand reaching back for his sword.
The pair stopped and instinctively reached for theirs. But Xianghua and Talim quickly got between before anything could happen.
"Well he doesn't like you guys, and I'm sure there's a good reason." Kilik said while he watched the group from Link's side. "Care to explain?"
Yun Sung pushed past Xianghua assuring her that he wasn't going to fight. "We came to this place because we were searching for something, and then THIS guy attacked us."
Kilik raised a brow questioningly. "Is that really what happened? After what we just saw now, Link doesn't seem the type to shoot first and ask questions later."
The French man let out an exasperated sigh. "Well I don't know about his case, but I too came out here in search of something. How ever, when I reached this place, it seems that these to gentleman were already exchanging blows, and I thought I might lend a hand."
"So you both attacked him?! No wonder he doesn't like you guys." Talim shook her head disapprovingly.
"That's not true!" The Korean growled, a fist clenched. "I came here and I just so happened to wander into that cave thinking that I would find something, and that freak jumps ME! He's obviously hiding something! I know it!"
All looks turned back to Link who had a bit of an idea what they were talking about. But he just didn't like the hot-blooded Korean shouting so much and pointing at him.
"I hate to say it but Yun Sung could be right. I find it a bit strange to find someone living in this desert, and one of his kind for that." Kilik said.
Talim also had to agree feeling the aura stronger than ever. Dark whispers upon the wind seemed to be flowing faintly from the cave. "He even recognized the Soul Edge shard, so he must be involved somehow."
Kilik once again turned to the elfin warrior. "Link, what's in there?" He pointed to the entrance of the cave. Even with the language barrier separating them. Link seemed to understand completely but he looked a bit hesitant, dropping his gaze to the ground, almost guilty. After deliberating to himself, Link solemnly nodded and tucked his bow away. He made a gesture that they were to follow him.
Inside, the cave was significantly cooler, and proved to be one of those massive underground caverns. They walked the rough passage with only the light shining from the entrance, and the deeper they went the more cooler it became. Finally they were deep enough to where the sun light couldn't reach, but Link continued to walk never faltering. Soon the passage opened up into a fairly large cavernous room, lighted by a dim fire burning in the center. Around it were small staked critters, and what not either hunted by Link himself or bought at the village at the edge of the desert. More of his belongings were seen in the corner, armor and various types of things. Something in another corner was glinting softly from the fire light that got Xianghua's attention. When she squinted she recognized the familiar form of a Shield. There were pictures and marks adorning its shiny surface. One marking resembled a bird-like thing, and above it were three gold triangles. She wasn't deeply endowed with the meanings of knightly customs except that it was called a coat of arms. But its meaning was lost to her.
Link made his way to one of the corners where his belongings were stowed and retrieved an object. But it wasn't the Soul Edge, it was a small bottle containing red liquid.
Like the others, Yun looked about the place curiously. But then he turned impatient, obviously excited at how close they were to finding the Soul Edge.
"It's in here alright, I can feel my shard reacting." He said out loud.
"So you WERE looking for the Soul Edge!" Xianghua said. "I bet that's why Raphael is here too!"
"And if I'm not mistaken, that's why your little trio is here as well." The French man returned smoothly. They would have gone on arguing if Link hadn't made a pained look, he came to them and gestured again with his hands that they were to be quite. He continued on walking into a connecting cavern even larger than the first, but this was lit with a scant few torches, hand made in nooks and cranny in the cave. There was a particularly large Torch protruding from the hard ground and beneath it a figure was upon the matted floor.
The sounds of footsteps stirred it, and it moved, large claw scraping upon the ground heavily. The entourage stopped at the sight while Link approached and knelt beside the heavily bandaged figure.
"Xoho, Kxaj Nacc Oujo Oedh Fuad." He said gently placing the small bottle in the figure's hand. There was a deep throaty growl like a beast, but Link did not seem shaken and the growl died away to be replaced by human coughing.
"It's him." Talim said softly, her voice trembled a bit. " He's the source."
Xianghua and Kilik's mouths dropped in pure disbelief. Xianghua had to cover her mouth from crying out in surprise. Yun Sung and Raphael were also stunned in disbelief. But being cool headed in such situations, Raphael regained his composure smiling slyly.
"So this is the one those rumors have talked about. The feared Azure Nightmare."
The blond elf inclined his head a bit, but his confused look remained.
"Apparently he doesn't understand you either." Kilik walked up beside her with Xianghua in tow.
"Never mind the language barrier," Xianghua said still eyeing him. "He doesn't even look like he's from this world!"
The elf looked from one to the other as they spoke growing terribly bewildered.
"Nxe Uho Oei?" He said, in turn earning a few puzzled glances himself. The fighters had never heard of such language in all their travels. And was it even possible that he could be from another world? It was questionable, but the long and pointy ears seem like a strong statement to the fact.
Talim pointed to herself "Talim." While Xianghua and Kilik wondered what the hell she was doing (again) the stranger seemed to understand and pointed to her.
"Tal..Talim?" He repeated.
The wind priestess nodded. "That's right!" Both Kilik and Xianghua were surprised but also introduced themselves.
"Kilik." Kilik held out a hand towards the stranger. Once again, he fully understood taking Kilik's hand with his own in a firm shake.
"Kilik."
When Xianghua introduced herself, he had a little problem pronouncing her name, and it took him a few tries but eventually he got it. He looked from one to the other once again, and pointed to each one saying their names in turn.
"Talim, Kilik, Xianghua." After he said this he gestured to himself. "Link."
"That must be his name." Kilik said. He mimicked Link's actions by pointing to him and saying his name. Link nodded looking a bit relieved. Kilik and the rest had to share his feelings. At least they were getting somewhere.
"I don't mean to be rude but can we skip the pleasantries?" Raphael and Yun Sung walked up to join the group. The two had been forgotten and seemed indignant at the fact. But when Link saw them, his body tensed visibly and he fell into a battle stance, hand reaching back for his sword.
The pair stopped and instinctively reached for theirs. But Xianghua and Talim quickly got between before anything could happen.
"Well he doesn't like you guys, and I'm sure there's a good reason." Kilik said while he watched the group from Link's side. "Care to explain?"
Yun Sung pushed past Xianghua assuring her that he wasn't going to fight. "We came to this place because we were searching for something, and then THIS guy attacked us."
Kilik raised a brow questioningly. "Is that really what happened? After what we just saw now, Link doesn't seem the type to shoot first and ask questions later."
The French man let out an exasperated sigh. "Well I don't know about his case, but I too came out here in search of something. How ever, when I reached this place, it seems that these to gentleman were already exchanging blows, and I thought I might lend a hand."
"So you both attacked him?! No wonder he doesn't like you guys." Talim shook her head disapprovingly.
"That's not true!" The Korean growled, a fist clenched. "I came here and I just so happened to wander into that cave thinking that I would find something, and that freak jumps ME! He's obviously hiding something! I know it!"
All looks turned back to Link who had a bit of an idea what they were talking about. But he just didn't like the hot-blooded Korean shouting so much and pointing at him.
"I hate to say it but Yun Sung could be right. I find it a bit strange to find someone living in this desert, and one of his kind for that." Kilik said.
Talim also had to agree feeling the aura stronger than ever. Dark whispers upon the wind seemed to be flowing faintly from the cave. "He even recognized the Soul Edge shard, so he must be involved somehow."
Kilik once again turned to the elfin warrior. "Link, what's in there?" He pointed to the entrance of the cave. Even with the language barrier separating them. Link seemed to understand completely but he looked a bit hesitant, dropping his gaze to the ground, almost guilty. After deliberating to himself, Link solemnly nodded and tucked his bow away. He made a gesture that they were to follow him.
Inside, the cave was significantly cooler, and proved to be one of those massive underground caverns. They walked the rough passage with only the light shining from the entrance, and the deeper they went the more cooler it became. Finally they were deep enough to where the sun light couldn't reach, but Link continued to walk never faltering. Soon the passage opened up into a fairly large cavernous room, lighted by a dim fire burning in the center. Around it were small staked critters, and what not either hunted by Link himself or bought at the village at the edge of the desert. More of his belongings were seen in the corner, armor and various types of things. Something in another corner was glinting softly from the fire light that got Xianghua's attention. When she squinted she recognized the familiar form of a Shield. There were pictures and marks adorning its shiny surface. One marking resembled a bird-like thing, and above it were three gold triangles. She wasn't deeply endowed with the meanings of knightly customs except that it was called a coat of arms. But its meaning was lost to her.
Link made his way to one of the corners where his belongings were stowed and retrieved an object. But it wasn't the Soul Edge, it was a small bottle containing red liquid.
Like the others, Yun looked about the place curiously. But then he turned impatient, obviously excited at how close they were to finding the Soul Edge.
"It's in here alright, I can feel my shard reacting." He said out loud.
"So you WERE looking for the Soul Edge!" Xianghua said. "I bet that's why Raphael is here too!"
"And if I'm not mistaken, that's why your little trio is here as well." The French man returned smoothly. They would have gone on arguing if Link hadn't made a pained look, he came to them and gestured again with his hands that they were to be quite. He continued on walking into a connecting cavern even larger than the first, but this was lit with a scant few torches, hand made in nooks and cranny in the cave. There was a particularly large Torch protruding from the hard ground and beneath it a figure was upon the matted floor.
The sounds of footsteps stirred it, and it moved, large claw scraping upon the ground heavily. The entourage stopped at the sight while Link approached and knelt beside the heavily bandaged figure.
"Xoho, Kxaj Nacc Oujo Oedh Fuad." He said gently placing the small bottle in the figure's hand. There was a deep throaty growl like a beast, but Link did not seem shaken and the growl died away to be replaced by human coughing.
"It's him." Talim said softly, her voice trembled a bit. " He's the source."
Xianghua and Kilik's mouths dropped in pure disbelief. Xianghua had to cover her mouth from crying out in surprise. Yun Sung and Raphael were also stunned in disbelief. But being cool headed in such situations, Raphael regained his composure smiling slyly.
"So this is the one those rumors have talked about. The feared Azure Nightmare."