It was mid day when the small group reached Athens, it's city was populated
as it's streets were crowded by street vendors and passers by. For some
members of the party it was pretty normal as they had been by a few times,
for others it was a city of wonder and majesty.
From the first time they docked, it was clear to see whose first time it was being there. Talim and Yun Sung both had the same expression as the group walked through it's streets. Kilik and Xianghua tried their very best to answer the young priestess' questions that popped up every few seconds. She was very amazed by the numerous gods and goddesses that the people here worshipped. Yun Sung himself for once seemed speechless at the scenery and views of the Greek temples and cathedrals. He, hailing from the continent of Asia had never seen so many white buildings and important structures in his life!
Link, also a new comer to this land (and any land on the earth for that matter) showed the natural interest to the place that was stranger than his own. Siegfried had told him to be mindful of his hood for it would cause quite the stir in the city if anyone found out he was an alien. This earned the Knight a few indignant looks, but Link understood their situation non- the less. And he followed the knight eyes curiously wandering about. Once or twice, the elf would suddenly stopped in his tracks and look about. But when asked by a member of the group what was up, he merely shook his head and continued.
"So Siegfried, where might we find this friend of yours?" Kilik asked when they had walked around the city a bit.
The knight settled upon a bench catching his breath. "I believe she is more of an acquaintance than anything, but none the less, you may have met her in your travels."
Xianghua raised a brow. "Her? Her who?"
Siegfried closed his eyes as he continued; "You have heard of her haven't you? The divine warrior sent by the gods, Sophitia Alexandra?"
None but Xianghua and Kilik knew of course, having run into the maiden themselves. She was a true beauty to see, seeming like a goddess herself. She had such compassion and devotion to all her gods and it shown in her eyes. But they hadn't seen her as of four years ago.
"My travels took me far to this land once before when I was still a complete human." Siegfried admitted. "I was a brash little thing back then searching for the Soul Edge, and I had sustained a fair amount of damage. But that was when I met Lady Sophitia. Even though I was a complete stranger on a mad quest, she took me in to the temple and asked her gods to heal me. And I'm sure they only did so for her sake and total devotion to them. I think it will be a long shot seeing as what I am now, that the gods would ever grant such a request. But I cannot think of any other way." Siegfried reopened his eyes. One long blond fringe covered his demonic eye, while his emerald eye shown clearly his anxiety.
"But there is a chance." Xianghua said. "The gods may hear you out if Sophitia is with you right? The gods sent Sophitia on a quest to destroy the sword Soul Edge, and since it has not been done, they may want more warriors on the move. You would be a great asset to the cause."
"So if we find this Tart, we'd have the power of the gods on our side?" Yun Sung pieced the information together in his mind.
Siegfried shot Yun a defensive look. "Don't talk about Lady Sophitia that way! She isn't some frivols female!"
Xianghua and Kilik exchanged knowing glances with each other then. By the way Siegfried spoke of Sohitia, they had guessed that he had some kind of fancy for the young maiden. Neither of them said a word.
Raphael had been standing idly by while listening. " Still, it wouldn't be such a bad idea having one of her stature in our group. She could prove useful. But where would we find her?"
Siegfried shook his head. "That I don't know, but what I do remember is that she didn't live too far from the Temple of Hephaestus. That was the god she served and she once told me she came there often."
"That's still pretty vague, but perhaps if we asked around we'd eventually find people who know her." Talim suggested.
"Great thinking Talim, we should break into small groups that way we'd cover more ground." Kilik said. "We can regroup at the Temple of Hephaestus if we find anything."
Siegfried nodded in approval but he suddenly winced and his normal hand gripped his side. He hissed in a breath of pain. "Yes, but we'll have to do it quickly, I'm beginning to feel the effects of Link's potions wear off."
At the mention of the elf's name Yun Sung looked about noticing something. "Speaking of the freak, where is he?"
All members of the group looked about also noticing his disappearance.
"How long had he been missing? Anyone noticed?" Kilik asked.
"Wandering off and getting lost in a big city, that's pretty stupid of him." Yun piqued in folding his arms behind his head nonchalantly. "This could be bad, he's a stranger in this world and he doesn't even speak our language. He could get into some serious trouble." Xianghua said worriedly.
Siegfried stood then biting back the pain as best as he could. "Leave him to me, the rest of you should begin your search, don't worry I'll find him." Talim stood beside him then.
"Please Siegfried allow me to accompany you. I am worried about his safety and yours."
Her passionate request provoked a smile from the knight and he could not deny her.
"All right, you may come with me, but we must hurry." And with that, the remaining four broke up into two pairs each heading off in a different direction.
****
Link walked along the streets of the city cautiously. He held his hood securely to assure that it wouldn't get knocked down by any of the citizens that walked along. He didn't know where he was, or where he was going, but he was not lost.
*Link..*
His ears perked up at his name. It was breathless and soft like the very wind was calling him. It was very strange for even in this noisy crowded street he still could hear this voice. When he walked with the other fighters non seemed to hear it but him. Of course curiosity over came him, and when he saw that they had come to a stop, he took his chance and followed this voice.
He would wander a bit in the direction he thought he heard it, and when he stopped to look around, the voice would float to him. It was guiding him some place he didn't know. Link was a bit anxious, but this mysterious voice seemed to beckon to him. So much so he couldn't resist. It was like he was in some sort of trance.
How far had he walked? How long had it been since he left the group? He didn't know, but he felt that such matters could be dealt with later. Right now he had to find that voice.
*Link.*
There it was again. He continued to walk a little faster this time as if to catch and he turned onto an abandoned street that was far from the main crowded roads. Was this where the voice was? Link stood still for a moment straining his ears to catch the voice. He did hear something all right, but it wasn't the voice. It was footsteps.
Link turned slowly thinking it to be another citizen just walking down the streets. But it wasn't. And Link's battle senses were going off as this figure approached him.
At first he mistaken this figure to be a man, for her silvery hair was very short, but as she neared, other features became clear. She donned a cloak much like him that covered her body, but her high heels clicked upon the ground gracefully, and he could see the cold beauty in her eyes. Her dark lips were lush and turned in an eerie smile, a smile that probably wasn't a smile at all. Link began to back up hoping that she was going to pass him by.
But her ice-cold eyes were locked onto his crystal blues.
When she was within a few feet of him, she finally stopped.
"So, it's you." She said, her voice as icy as her looks. "You are the one that I have been sensing."
Of course Link did not understand and so he kept silent. He didn't want to blow his cover, not so soon anyway.
"Do you by any chance have a strange little shard that looks like this?" She held out long slender hand covered by a shiny black glove. When she opened her hand there was a dark piece of metal there, and Link recognized it. The woman saw this and smiled.
"So you do know it?" Again, Link didn't answer, and she grew impatient. "ANSWER me!" She snapped violently.
There was a flick of a movement that caught Link's attention and he instinctively flipped backwards landing a few feet back. When Link looked, he saw something embedded in the ground where he had been standing upon a few seconds ago. It was a tip of a blade. And not only that, but it was linked to many pieces of sharp blades, all coming from beneath her cloak.
The woman's eyes seemed to light up. "So you are a warrior." She said seemingly elated. In a matter of moments she discarded her cloak revealing a woman scantly dressed in black leather. Her left arm was armored and she held her strange weapon there. As Link watched stunned, she gave her sword a little flick of the wrist, and it's segmented pieces retracted as if by a magnetic force or something more, to form a whole sword. With this sword, she caressed it's smooth shiny surface with a cheek, while eyeing Link with something of delight. Shudders ran up and down Link's spine.
"How unfortunate of you to posses such a cursed shard. But no matter, at least you are a warrior, so I will not feel at all guilty when I kill you." She said.
Still Link did not understand but he did not like the looks of this situation.
"My, you are certainly a man of little words. But of course, where are my manners? We haven't been properly introduced." The woman continued. "My name is Ivy, Ivy Valentine. Would you be so kind as to tell me yours foolish warrior?"
Link locked her with a steely glare, he did not understand what she said, but nonetheless he didn't want to fight with her. If it could be avoided...
Much to the woman's surprise Link straightened up and turned away intending leave.
"That isn't very gentlemanly of you," Ivy said. "How DARE you refuse a lady's request!!" With poison in her voice, she lashed out at Link's exposed back, but the bladed whip connected with the face of a shield, as Link spun around to deflect the attack. His sword was drawn, but in doing such a fast defensive maneuver, his hood had fallen back.
Ivy seemed in shock at the long exposed ears. "By the devil.so you are not human?! You are a demon!"
"Nxe Uho Oei?" Link asked getting angry. He did not want to fight a woman, but he wasn't about to get bullied by one either, and each attempt that she made, only made him angrier.
Ivy covered her mouth from laughing out loud. "Well this only gets better and better! I will enjoy making you suffer demonic being of Soul Edge!"
Link's eyes widen when he heard the name. "Soul Edge?" He asked. But he almost didn't have time to doge as her whip lashed out once more a painful scream resounded as it sliced through the air. Link jumped avoiding the attack, but unexpectedly it swung after him as if chasing him! As he landed he tried to block the attack with his sword but it was amazingly strong and it knocked him back, causing him to land with a heavy thud upon the stone road.
The woman laughed loudly. "How did you like the taste of my Valentine blade? I hope you have room for more!" She said cruelly. Once again she swung in the blade unlatching into many segments. Link quickly attempted to roll away and he thought he had moved a safe range, when the blade wrapped itself around his ankle. With a hard yank, Link bit the dirt once more.
A dust cloud was kicked up in his wake, and he coughed having the breath knocked out of him. But Ivy wasn't done yet, and Link realized that he was being pulled towards her.
She had a deadly look gleaming in her cold eyes and Link knew she was out for his blood. Thankfully he was still gripping onto his Master Sword and he wedged it into the ground as hard as he was able. Now that he had a support he pulled himself forward and kicked free of the blade whip.
Shield, where was his shield?
Link found it a few feet from where he had been dragged. Quickly he made a dash for it. But in his haste he forgot the most important rule in fights.
Never turn your back to your enemy.
Just as he dove for his trusty shield he heard the distinct sound of a whip screaming towards him. Link transformed his dive into a front handspring trying to distance him from the deadly blade. He twisted his body in mid air so that he landed facing the woman sword ready, and good thing too, for the whip as he realized too late, was actually alive. Before he knew it the deadly blade had wrapped itself around his body every segment biting into his flesh hungrily. With his sword between him and the whip, he struggled as he kept the sharp segmented blade away from the soft part of his neck, but he could feel it's power as it tightened it's hold upon him. Link's sword shook with visible effort as the elf tried to keep it from enclosing around his neck but it seemed a losing battle.
Ivy let out a triumphant laugh "That's it, go on and fight it! You will only increase your suffering more!"
Link bit back the urge to cry out, the sword grew tighter, it's blades biting deeper. The more he suffered, struggled and bled the wider the smile upon Ivy's face grew.
Her eyes narrowed into slits; "You know, red compliments you very well, my young handsome demon. Too bad I can't play with you some more but I've got other shards to find.Now give yourself to the Serpent's Embrace."
It was then that Link heard a sharp distinctive crackle in the air, felt static of energy.He squinted his eyes through the pain and saw light leaping from the blade and all around him. The blade was sparking!
It was then that he felt the first surge of hot energy instantly hit him almost causing him to loose his grip upon his sword. She was electrocuting him!!
His nerves began to tingle with sharp pain and he could feel his arms start to convulse in response to the electricity pulsing into his body. Link shut his eyes tightly as he felt his legs give way beneath him. He crashed onto the ground but Ivy did not stop, the pain became unbearable, shearing into the very marrow of his bones, and just when he thought he couldn't take any more, when he thought he would surely die from the pain, the electricity stopped, and the blade recoiled from his limp body. Link wasn't sure what had happened or why the witch had suddenly stopped. He couldn't move or wanted to move, lying there on his side, in a fetal position, ever gripping onto his precious sword.
"Link!!" A female voice cried out to him. He managed to open his eyes just slightly, to see Talim bending over him fearful.
"Link are you okay?!" She asked again, but he wasn't able to phrase a response before she sharply looked behind her. Link couldn't hear very well for there was a ringing noise in his ears that were giving him a headache. Talim gripped his arm gently as she said "Don't worry I'll protect you."
And Link watched somewhat conscious as the girl rose and unlatched two bladed batons from her sides. Link wondered if she had had them there the whole time. Her weapons were ornately decorated with gold and paint colors similar to what she was wearing, and she held them falling into a battle stance.
Talim was going to fight the witch to protect him.
Did she know how dangerous the witch was? Link couldn't stand the thought of someone else getting hurt on his account. His legs moved sluggishly scraping themselves against the hard uneven road, and with great effort and much pain he managed to push himself on to his elbows. There was a sharp sting in his arm where the blades had buried themselves, gripping his arm with a hand he continued until he was standing. His breathing was labored and he leaned against his sword to support him.
"My aren't you the stubborn one?" He distinctly heard the silver haired woman say. Talim who had her back turned to him, casted a quick glance in surprise.
"Link?!"
The elf slowly trudged forward, until he stood in front of Talim. He made a gesture that she was to stay behind him.
"No Link I won't!" Talim argued, and he swayed a bit, feeling like they were going to give out again, but she held him arms grabbing him from behind, helping him to stand.
Ivy stood at the other end watching with much interest. She bit the tip of her thumb playfully. "Isn't that sweet?" She cooed "The demon swordsman is trying to protect the little girl, it's so touching, have it your way then, you can BOTH die together!" The look in Ivy's eyes went mad then, almost crazy, she unfurled her sword at them with blinding speed. Link pushed Talim as hard as he could to the side out of harm's way while he dove the other way.
He really wasn't sure how he planned to win this, but he had to try to fend her off so that Talim could get away.
Link hit the dirt for about the fourth time, seriously jarring his already tired limbs with the impact. He winced as he felt the pain shoot up and down his arms and legs to throb in areas that were seriously wounded. After a bit, he recovered, trying to hold a secure stance, but when he looked, he found Siegfried in the very same spot where they had been standing. He was holding the bladed whip in front of him as he had just caught it in mid flight.
Of course this shocked Ivy quite a bit and she screwed her face a bit in annoyance.
"What is all this then? First the girl and now a knight? Are you all in league with this demon?"
Siegfried let go of the whip, which recoiled quickly. His one visible green eye was calm as he spoke.
"Link is no more demon than you or me Ivy." He stated calmly.
Siegfried was speaking their language and Link couldn't make out what was being said, but he saw the woman's expression had changed into something of surprise. .
"How do you know my name?" She asked. "Have you heard of me?" Siegfried nodded slightly.
"I have, but I care not to discus the how or why. I'm here to retrieve my friends."
Ivy laughed as if it were the funniest thing she'd heard. She swung her bladed whip around her coiling it against her own body gently, in a vaguely threatening manner.
"Oh? And what makes you think that I'll let you leave alive with these two?" She asked.
Siegfried gave half a shrug non-pulsed. "What makes you think you can do anything to me?" It was then that he looked to Link sternly.
"Link, Kubo Talim Udt We, A'cc Suksx If." Siegfried instructed.
Link's eyes widen as he understood, but couldn't believe what Siegfried asked.
"De A'cc Jkuo." Link protested, but Siegfried gave him a confidant smile.
"Khijk Mo." He said. The elf stood there unsure, he knew that in his state, he'd either get killed or more hurt, but in the end, he would only hinder Siegfried, and he didn't want Talim getting hurt. Finally, Link gave a firm nod.
"Ro Suhovic." He said. Talim was already up and watching the whole event, but he motioned that they were to leave Siegfried and Ivy alone. With Tailm's aid, he was able to limp a bit faster and both left.
Ivy frowned "Oh no, they're not getting away that easy!!" She jabbed her short sword forward and it's segments shot out aiming at Sieg's chest. But the knight did not move, nor did he so much as flinch at the incoming danger. He simply shifted his stand so that his other arm that was tucked away was exposed. Just as the tip of the blade reached him he threw up his bandaged arm (which was of course abnormally larger than the other) and the whip seemed to follow it shooting sky wards as far as it could extend before it dropped limply to the ground. Ivy faltered back a step. "Wh, what the hell?!" She flicked her wrist, but the whip remained prone and unmoving.
"Valentine!!" The woman ordered harshly. Again the blade refused to move. Finally, she glared at the man standing before her, noticing his bandaged arm.
"You, what did you do to my Sword?" She seethed. Siegfried calmly looked back.
"It would never harm it's creator." He said simply. There was a slight smile upon his lips. This seemed to anger Ivy further as her lips were curled back in a silent growl.
"YOU, just who are you?"
Siegfried didn't answer right away and closed his eyes. "I'm not surprised you can't guess."
His eyes shot open then, and a dark red glow emanated from behind his blond fringe. Once again Ivy faltered back a step not quite sure what to make of him. It was then that Siegfried said something that was very familiar to her, and as he said these words, her mind flashed back to the day when her Blade was brought to life.
Stunned speechless, Ivy stood there as Siegfried turned away, when he did, his blond fringe moved and she could see his other eye for a brief second.
It was as demonic as much as his other eye was human, and it glowed a fierce crimson glow.
"Let's just say we were old acquaintances." Siegfried said his voice growing dark. With that he left a speechless Ivy standing there along
From the first time they docked, it was clear to see whose first time it was being there. Talim and Yun Sung both had the same expression as the group walked through it's streets. Kilik and Xianghua tried their very best to answer the young priestess' questions that popped up every few seconds. She was very amazed by the numerous gods and goddesses that the people here worshipped. Yun Sung himself for once seemed speechless at the scenery and views of the Greek temples and cathedrals. He, hailing from the continent of Asia had never seen so many white buildings and important structures in his life!
Link, also a new comer to this land (and any land on the earth for that matter) showed the natural interest to the place that was stranger than his own. Siegfried had told him to be mindful of his hood for it would cause quite the stir in the city if anyone found out he was an alien. This earned the Knight a few indignant looks, but Link understood their situation non- the less. And he followed the knight eyes curiously wandering about. Once or twice, the elf would suddenly stopped in his tracks and look about. But when asked by a member of the group what was up, he merely shook his head and continued.
"So Siegfried, where might we find this friend of yours?" Kilik asked when they had walked around the city a bit.
The knight settled upon a bench catching his breath. "I believe she is more of an acquaintance than anything, but none the less, you may have met her in your travels."
Xianghua raised a brow. "Her? Her who?"
Siegfried closed his eyes as he continued; "You have heard of her haven't you? The divine warrior sent by the gods, Sophitia Alexandra?"
None but Xianghua and Kilik knew of course, having run into the maiden themselves. She was a true beauty to see, seeming like a goddess herself. She had such compassion and devotion to all her gods and it shown in her eyes. But they hadn't seen her as of four years ago.
"My travels took me far to this land once before when I was still a complete human." Siegfried admitted. "I was a brash little thing back then searching for the Soul Edge, and I had sustained a fair amount of damage. But that was when I met Lady Sophitia. Even though I was a complete stranger on a mad quest, she took me in to the temple and asked her gods to heal me. And I'm sure they only did so for her sake and total devotion to them. I think it will be a long shot seeing as what I am now, that the gods would ever grant such a request. But I cannot think of any other way." Siegfried reopened his eyes. One long blond fringe covered his demonic eye, while his emerald eye shown clearly his anxiety.
"But there is a chance." Xianghua said. "The gods may hear you out if Sophitia is with you right? The gods sent Sophitia on a quest to destroy the sword Soul Edge, and since it has not been done, they may want more warriors on the move. You would be a great asset to the cause."
"So if we find this Tart, we'd have the power of the gods on our side?" Yun Sung pieced the information together in his mind.
Siegfried shot Yun a defensive look. "Don't talk about Lady Sophitia that way! She isn't some frivols female!"
Xianghua and Kilik exchanged knowing glances with each other then. By the way Siegfried spoke of Sohitia, they had guessed that he had some kind of fancy for the young maiden. Neither of them said a word.
Raphael had been standing idly by while listening. " Still, it wouldn't be such a bad idea having one of her stature in our group. She could prove useful. But where would we find her?"
Siegfried shook his head. "That I don't know, but what I do remember is that she didn't live too far from the Temple of Hephaestus. That was the god she served and she once told me she came there often."
"That's still pretty vague, but perhaps if we asked around we'd eventually find people who know her." Talim suggested.
"Great thinking Talim, we should break into small groups that way we'd cover more ground." Kilik said. "We can regroup at the Temple of Hephaestus if we find anything."
Siegfried nodded in approval but he suddenly winced and his normal hand gripped his side. He hissed in a breath of pain. "Yes, but we'll have to do it quickly, I'm beginning to feel the effects of Link's potions wear off."
At the mention of the elf's name Yun Sung looked about noticing something. "Speaking of the freak, where is he?"
All members of the group looked about also noticing his disappearance.
"How long had he been missing? Anyone noticed?" Kilik asked.
"Wandering off and getting lost in a big city, that's pretty stupid of him." Yun piqued in folding his arms behind his head nonchalantly. "This could be bad, he's a stranger in this world and he doesn't even speak our language. He could get into some serious trouble." Xianghua said worriedly.
Siegfried stood then biting back the pain as best as he could. "Leave him to me, the rest of you should begin your search, don't worry I'll find him." Talim stood beside him then.
"Please Siegfried allow me to accompany you. I am worried about his safety and yours."
Her passionate request provoked a smile from the knight and he could not deny her.
"All right, you may come with me, but we must hurry." And with that, the remaining four broke up into two pairs each heading off in a different direction.
****
Link walked along the streets of the city cautiously. He held his hood securely to assure that it wouldn't get knocked down by any of the citizens that walked along. He didn't know where he was, or where he was going, but he was not lost.
*Link..*
His ears perked up at his name. It was breathless and soft like the very wind was calling him. It was very strange for even in this noisy crowded street he still could hear this voice. When he walked with the other fighters non seemed to hear it but him. Of course curiosity over came him, and when he saw that they had come to a stop, he took his chance and followed this voice.
He would wander a bit in the direction he thought he heard it, and when he stopped to look around, the voice would float to him. It was guiding him some place he didn't know. Link was a bit anxious, but this mysterious voice seemed to beckon to him. So much so he couldn't resist. It was like he was in some sort of trance.
How far had he walked? How long had it been since he left the group? He didn't know, but he felt that such matters could be dealt with later. Right now he had to find that voice.
*Link.*
There it was again. He continued to walk a little faster this time as if to catch and he turned onto an abandoned street that was far from the main crowded roads. Was this where the voice was? Link stood still for a moment straining his ears to catch the voice. He did hear something all right, but it wasn't the voice. It was footsteps.
Link turned slowly thinking it to be another citizen just walking down the streets. But it wasn't. And Link's battle senses were going off as this figure approached him.
At first he mistaken this figure to be a man, for her silvery hair was very short, but as she neared, other features became clear. She donned a cloak much like him that covered her body, but her high heels clicked upon the ground gracefully, and he could see the cold beauty in her eyes. Her dark lips were lush and turned in an eerie smile, a smile that probably wasn't a smile at all. Link began to back up hoping that she was going to pass him by.
But her ice-cold eyes were locked onto his crystal blues.
When she was within a few feet of him, she finally stopped.
"So, it's you." She said, her voice as icy as her looks. "You are the one that I have been sensing."
Of course Link did not understand and so he kept silent. He didn't want to blow his cover, not so soon anyway.
"Do you by any chance have a strange little shard that looks like this?" She held out long slender hand covered by a shiny black glove. When she opened her hand there was a dark piece of metal there, and Link recognized it. The woman saw this and smiled.
"So you do know it?" Again, Link didn't answer, and she grew impatient. "ANSWER me!" She snapped violently.
There was a flick of a movement that caught Link's attention and he instinctively flipped backwards landing a few feet back. When Link looked, he saw something embedded in the ground where he had been standing upon a few seconds ago. It was a tip of a blade. And not only that, but it was linked to many pieces of sharp blades, all coming from beneath her cloak.
The woman's eyes seemed to light up. "So you are a warrior." She said seemingly elated. In a matter of moments she discarded her cloak revealing a woman scantly dressed in black leather. Her left arm was armored and she held her strange weapon there. As Link watched stunned, she gave her sword a little flick of the wrist, and it's segmented pieces retracted as if by a magnetic force or something more, to form a whole sword. With this sword, she caressed it's smooth shiny surface with a cheek, while eyeing Link with something of delight. Shudders ran up and down Link's spine.
"How unfortunate of you to posses such a cursed shard. But no matter, at least you are a warrior, so I will not feel at all guilty when I kill you." She said.
Still Link did not understand but he did not like the looks of this situation.
"My, you are certainly a man of little words. But of course, where are my manners? We haven't been properly introduced." The woman continued. "My name is Ivy, Ivy Valentine. Would you be so kind as to tell me yours foolish warrior?"
Link locked her with a steely glare, he did not understand what she said, but nonetheless he didn't want to fight with her. If it could be avoided...
Much to the woman's surprise Link straightened up and turned away intending leave.
"That isn't very gentlemanly of you," Ivy said. "How DARE you refuse a lady's request!!" With poison in her voice, she lashed out at Link's exposed back, but the bladed whip connected with the face of a shield, as Link spun around to deflect the attack. His sword was drawn, but in doing such a fast defensive maneuver, his hood had fallen back.
Ivy seemed in shock at the long exposed ears. "By the devil.so you are not human?! You are a demon!"
"Nxe Uho Oei?" Link asked getting angry. He did not want to fight a woman, but he wasn't about to get bullied by one either, and each attempt that she made, only made him angrier.
Ivy covered her mouth from laughing out loud. "Well this only gets better and better! I will enjoy making you suffer demonic being of Soul Edge!"
Link's eyes widen when he heard the name. "Soul Edge?" He asked. But he almost didn't have time to doge as her whip lashed out once more a painful scream resounded as it sliced through the air. Link jumped avoiding the attack, but unexpectedly it swung after him as if chasing him! As he landed he tried to block the attack with his sword but it was amazingly strong and it knocked him back, causing him to land with a heavy thud upon the stone road.
The woman laughed loudly. "How did you like the taste of my Valentine blade? I hope you have room for more!" She said cruelly. Once again she swung in the blade unlatching into many segments. Link quickly attempted to roll away and he thought he had moved a safe range, when the blade wrapped itself around his ankle. With a hard yank, Link bit the dirt once more.
A dust cloud was kicked up in his wake, and he coughed having the breath knocked out of him. But Ivy wasn't done yet, and Link realized that he was being pulled towards her.
She had a deadly look gleaming in her cold eyes and Link knew she was out for his blood. Thankfully he was still gripping onto his Master Sword and he wedged it into the ground as hard as he was able. Now that he had a support he pulled himself forward and kicked free of the blade whip.
Shield, where was his shield?
Link found it a few feet from where he had been dragged. Quickly he made a dash for it. But in his haste he forgot the most important rule in fights.
Never turn your back to your enemy.
Just as he dove for his trusty shield he heard the distinct sound of a whip screaming towards him. Link transformed his dive into a front handspring trying to distance him from the deadly blade. He twisted his body in mid air so that he landed facing the woman sword ready, and good thing too, for the whip as he realized too late, was actually alive. Before he knew it the deadly blade had wrapped itself around his body every segment biting into his flesh hungrily. With his sword between him and the whip, he struggled as he kept the sharp segmented blade away from the soft part of his neck, but he could feel it's power as it tightened it's hold upon him. Link's sword shook with visible effort as the elf tried to keep it from enclosing around his neck but it seemed a losing battle.
Ivy let out a triumphant laugh "That's it, go on and fight it! You will only increase your suffering more!"
Link bit back the urge to cry out, the sword grew tighter, it's blades biting deeper. The more he suffered, struggled and bled the wider the smile upon Ivy's face grew.
Her eyes narrowed into slits; "You know, red compliments you very well, my young handsome demon. Too bad I can't play with you some more but I've got other shards to find.Now give yourself to the Serpent's Embrace."
It was then that Link heard a sharp distinctive crackle in the air, felt static of energy.He squinted his eyes through the pain and saw light leaping from the blade and all around him. The blade was sparking!
It was then that he felt the first surge of hot energy instantly hit him almost causing him to loose his grip upon his sword. She was electrocuting him!!
His nerves began to tingle with sharp pain and he could feel his arms start to convulse in response to the electricity pulsing into his body. Link shut his eyes tightly as he felt his legs give way beneath him. He crashed onto the ground but Ivy did not stop, the pain became unbearable, shearing into the very marrow of his bones, and just when he thought he couldn't take any more, when he thought he would surely die from the pain, the electricity stopped, and the blade recoiled from his limp body. Link wasn't sure what had happened or why the witch had suddenly stopped. He couldn't move or wanted to move, lying there on his side, in a fetal position, ever gripping onto his precious sword.
"Link!!" A female voice cried out to him. He managed to open his eyes just slightly, to see Talim bending over him fearful.
"Link are you okay?!" She asked again, but he wasn't able to phrase a response before she sharply looked behind her. Link couldn't hear very well for there was a ringing noise in his ears that were giving him a headache. Talim gripped his arm gently as she said "Don't worry I'll protect you."
And Link watched somewhat conscious as the girl rose and unlatched two bladed batons from her sides. Link wondered if she had had them there the whole time. Her weapons were ornately decorated with gold and paint colors similar to what she was wearing, and she held them falling into a battle stance.
Talim was going to fight the witch to protect him.
Did she know how dangerous the witch was? Link couldn't stand the thought of someone else getting hurt on his account. His legs moved sluggishly scraping themselves against the hard uneven road, and with great effort and much pain he managed to push himself on to his elbows. There was a sharp sting in his arm where the blades had buried themselves, gripping his arm with a hand he continued until he was standing. His breathing was labored and he leaned against his sword to support him.
"My aren't you the stubborn one?" He distinctly heard the silver haired woman say. Talim who had her back turned to him, casted a quick glance in surprise.
"Link?!"
The elf slowly trudged forward, until he stood in front of Talim. He made a gesture that she was to stay behind him.
"No Link I won't!" Talim argued, and he swayed a bit, feeling like they were going to give out again, but she held him arms grabbing him from behind, helping him to stand.
Ivy stood at the other end watching with much interest. She bit the tip of her thumb playfully. "Isn't that sweet?" She cooed "The demon swordsman is trying to protect the little girl, it's so touching, have it your way then, you can BOTH die together!" The look in Ivy's eyes went mad then, almost crazy, she unfurled her sword at them with blinding speed. Link pushed Talim as hard as he could to the side out of harm's way while he dove the other way.
He really wasn't sure how he planned to win this, but he had to try to fend her off so that Talim could get away.
Link hit the dirt for about the fourth time, seriously jarring his already tired limbs with the impact. He winced as he felt the pain shoot up and down his arms and legs to throb in areas that were seriously wounded. After a bit, he recovered, trying to hold a secure stance, but when he looked, he found Siegfried in the very same spot where they had been standing. He was holding the bladed whip in front of him as he had just caught it in mid flight.
Of course this shocked Ivy quite a bit and she screwed her face a bit in annoyance.
"What is all this then? First the girl and now a knight? Are you all in league with this demon?"
Siegfried let go of the whip, which recoiled quickly. His one visible green eye was calm as he spoke.
"Link is no more demon than you or me Ivy." He stated calmly.
Siegfried was speaking their language and Link couldn't make out what was being said, but he saw the woman's expression had changed into something of surprise. .
"How do you know my name?" She asked. "Have you heard of me?" Siegfried nodded slightly.
"I have, but I care not to discus the how or why. I'm here to retrieve my friends."
Ivy laughed as if it were the funniest thing she'd heard. She swung her bladed whip around her coiling it against her own body gently, in a vaguely threatening manner.
"Oh? And what makes you think that I'll let you leave alive with these two?" She asked.
Siegfried gave half a shrug non-pulsed. "What makes you think you can do anything to me?" It was then that he looked to Link sternly.
"Link, Kubo Talim Udt We, A'cc Suksx If." Siegfried instructed.
Link's eyes widen as he understood, but couldn't believe what Siegfried asked.
"De A'cc Jkuo." Link protested, but Siegfried gave him a confidant smile.
"Khijk Mo." He said. The elf stood there unsure, he knew that in his state, he'd either get killed or more hurt, but in the end, he would only hinder Siegfried, and he didn't want Talim getting hurt. Finally, Link gave a firm nod.
"Ro Suhovic." He said. Talim was already up and watching the whole event, but he motioned that they were to leave Siegfried and Ivy alone. With Tailm's aid, he was able to limp a bit faster and both left.
Ivy frowned "Oh no, they're not getting away that easy!!" She jabbed her short sword forward and it's segments shot out aiming at Sieg's chest. But the knight did not move, nor did he so much as flinch at the incoming danger. He simply shifted his stand so that his other arm that was tucked away was exposed. Just as the tip of the blade reached him he threw up his bandaged arm (which was of course abnormally larger than the other) and the whip seemed to follow it shooting sky wards as far as it could extend before it dropped limply to the ground. Ivy faltered back a step. "Wh, what the hell?!" She flicked her wrist, but the whip remained prone and unmoving.
"Valentine!!" The woman ordered harshly. Again the blade refused to move. Finally, she glared at the man standing before her, noticing his bandaged arm.
"You, what did you do to my Sword?" She seethed. Siegfried calmly looked back.
"It would never harm it's creator." He said simply. There was a slight smile upon his lips. This seemed to anger Ivy further as her lips were curled back in a silent growl.
"YOU, just who are you?"
Siegfried didn't answer right away and closed his eyes. "I'm not surprised you can't guess."
His eyes shot open then, and a dark red glow emanated from behind his blond fringe. Once again Ivy faltered back a step not quite sure what to make of him. It was then that Siegfried said something that was very familiar to her, and as he said these words, her mind flashed back to the day when her Blade was brought to life.
Stunned speechless, Ivy stood there as Siegfried turned away, when he did, his blond fringe moved and she could see his other eye for a brief second.
It was as demonic as much as his other eye was human, and it glowed a fierce crimson glow.
"Let's just say we were old acquaintances." Siegfried said his voice growing dark. With that he left a speechless Ivy standing there along