"Yun Sung!!"
There was a white flash and the next thing he knew, he was staring into Talim's large brown eyes.
"H,huh?" He managed in a dazed state. Yun Sung shook his head curtly as the girl drew back to sit on her legs.
"Yun Sung, what's the matter with you? I've been calling your name over and over, but you looked like you were in some kind of trance..."
The young Korean fighter blinked several times as if trying to get the sleep out of his eyes. Had he even been sleeping? When had he drifted off? He remembered watching Talim practice her kata with her newly forged Tonfas and about half way into it, he noticed the Master Sword beginning to flash in an odd way.
'Just like before.' He was suddenly reminded of that night when he barely managed to steal back the strange spirit sword from the hands of that female thief. It did the same thing then and when he woke he had the strong sense to find Link, as quick as he could because he was in danger some how.He didn't know how he knew or how he had managed to find the elf so fast, it was like some one had dropped the idea in his head and then guided him there.
But then came those strange flash backs that came when he was alone. Memories he couldn't explain and feelings he couldn't understand. If only he could hold on to the details but they would slip through his hands like sand leaving him with the vague feeling that he had been a witness to something important.
Even now he couldn't shake that strange sensation that he had just seen something in his dreams but couldn't remember what it was he had seen.
Since he started this sentry post with the others Yun Sung would often find himself doing nothing else but staring into the Master Sword's mirror-like surface wondering if the sword was trying to tell him something.
Yun Sung sat there back against the pillar for a moment longer before he remembered that Talim had asked him something. He wanted to tell her what has been on his mind lately, about all those strange images that he could never quite describe and about those fleeting feelings that came when ever he would stare at the Master Sword. But when he opened his mouth none of that came out.
"It's nothing, I'm fine, just thinking to myself." He managed a half smile, he didn't want her to worry and he didn't really want to talk about it right now anyway.
Talim studied his face weighing his words those large eyes probing his. For some strange reason he suddenly felt kind of weird about her. And telling her all about all that stuff was very tempting. The girl drew back slightly like she had found something with in his eyes and she smiled.
"Oh! I get it, you're worried about Sophitia's plan right?"
'Yeah Yun Sung, remember the plan? You're supposed to be on the look out for any crazed shard-sniffing-mercenary-killing maniac.' His mind told him brightly. Though he doubted such a killer would make a reckless move in the daylight no matter how fast it was fading into night. And even so, the others would be back to double the guards on post around Siegfried. Sophitia had suggested that they not move him and keep the man where he was.
"No, that's not it!" He protested almost too quickly, if anything he didn't need Talim getting the wrong ideas. "I'm not the least bit worried about that. I've just had a lot on my mind that's all."
The young girl inclined her head that smile still on her face. It was obvious she didn't believe him. "Say what you want, just remember we have to stay on our toe, who knows where or when this thing will show up?"
"You think you'll be ready if that time ever comes?" Yun Sung asked. With out a thought or second thought the priestess nodded.
"Of course! I don't train everyday just for show you know!" Talim picked herself up along with her tonfas that sat beside her. Skillfully and with little trouble the girl spun each bladed tonfa as if to prove a point. Trying to placate the girl, Yun Sung held up both hands in defense.
"Hey, hey, it was just a question don't have to be so sensitive about it. So how's the new weapon?"
Instead of answering his question verbally Talim fell into her fighting stance before going into kata once more. Her movement was careful as well as precise and her tonfas in turn cut through the air with power as well as balance.
"Sophitia's husband is truly skilled at his craft, I don't know how to explain it, but my weapon feels different, like it's more powerful." She marveled more to herself then to Yun Sung.
The setting sun spilled into temple ironically falling short from touching the altar where the knight lay sleeping. Talim stayed with in its light as she continued her practice. For Yun Sung it wasn't the first time he'd seen her wield her tonfas or as he'd like to call them 'elbow blades'. They had crossed weapons before on another continent quite a while back.
Even then she was cute. Well.When she wasn't nagging him to stop his 'dangerous' quest she was incredibly cute.
'Too bad she's now too infatuated with Link to even notice me.'
"Damn Link." He grumbled louder than he meant to. Of course, upon hearing the elf's name Talim halted her small session. Turning her head slightly she blinked at him.
"What was that?" She asked. This just proved Yun Sung's point all too well.
"Nothing, I was just wondering where the hell Link is now." Yun Sung lied. He couldn't say anything bad about her dear Link, unless he wanted a harangue that he wouldn't forget. Seriously, she was as sweet as they come but never ever piss her off or get on her bad side!
Talim made a full swing at some imaginary opponent in the air before turning back to her friend. "I believe he's on his way back right now with the staff in hand."
"You're always so sure did you ask the winds or something?"
"No," Talim said plainly shaking her head. "I just believe in him that's all. Once he comes back and revives Siegfried, we can go after the Soul Edge and put an end to its evil."
She sounded so confident, and made everything sound so easy, how could he not help but laugh? When she asked why he was laughing he quickly dismissed the subject. Talim was really something else; some times he wished that she would give up her quest because he had no desire to see her hurt in anyway. Talim resumed to the small talk and Yun Sung was only grateful for something to fill the silence. He looked to the Master Sword propped up against him. Its blade was glowing softly and dimly in the shadow of the pillar he leaned against. He didn't feel anything strange or out of the ordinary as it continued to glow. What in the hell happened earlier?
'White hot light.' That much he remembered. But he new there was something beyond that. Something important.It was like the light served as some kind of veil blinding him from seeing anything, or remembering anything. Perhaps if he thought harder, had some kind of trace.And so he thought back to the first time the blade had shone with such brilliance. But as before there were snatches of voice, sound and pictures so brief, it was like fitting a life time of memories into one instant. His mind reached into the garbled mess searching for anything he could grasp.
"There are three." Yun Sung's lips moved, which surprised him as he didn't will them to move.
"There are three? Yun Sung, what are you talking about?" Talim's voice once again broke his train of thought and the answers slipped from Yun Sung's hands. What had he been talking about? After apologizing for his rude interruptions and Talim when back to what she had been talking about, he glanced forlorn fully at the Master Sword wondering if Link had ever experienced such things.or if Link was the reason behind its mysterious nature.
Like the time he felt propelled to ask the elf how he had come to acquire such a sword. He wasn't sure how he had known to ask.It was already in his mind. It made him even more suspicious by the way Link had reacted to his sudden question. It gave Yun Sung the notion that he had touched upon something the elf didn't want him to know.
With Link refusing to give up any answers and the Master Sword equally arcane nature to surrender it's secrets, the young man figured he would continue to ponder these thoughts that pestered him so much until some given point in time where 'all would be revealed.'
So bizarre, the both of them. Yun Sung thought miserably. Damn the both of them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A moment passed and then another without a sound.
Puzzled Link cracked an eye open and then the other one. Slowly he looked back to find the fine sharp point of Raphael's sword at his exposed neck. It was just an inch or so from actually touching the soft skin. Wide eyes of deep blue wavered upon the sword's tip before traveling up the blade to look at the French man in a sort of fear mixed with uncertainty. The man at the other end of the sword stood quite still eyes transfixed with Link's.
After a minuet passed with nothing happening, Link forced himself to regain his composure some what and he swallowed heavily before speaking.
"R, Raphael."
At his name, Raphael seemed to snap out of his reverie. What he had been thinking about, Link wondered fleetingly. After another second, the cold stoic mask faded to be replaced with a good natured grin.
"Hmm, not a bad dance." He shrugged at this before moving the sword away from Link's neck. He stepped in and offered the elf a hand. "You've got some skill to you boy. And you were rather unpredictable."
Link breathed in relief before taking the offered hand. "Do tell." He said sarcastic. Unpredictable? Who was Raphael trying to kid? This was the second time he'd lost a match. He was really getting rusty.
Upon his feet Link dusted himself off securing his blade and shield. Raphael sheathed his Rapier as well (much to Link's relief.) straightening out his gloves and ONLY his gloves.
"Okay," Link breathed getting Raphael's attention. "I know I lost, but can you shed a little light on our situation here? Shouldn't we start looking for the staff and WHY is everyone here calling you D'Angelo?" Link asked more than a little exasperated.
The blond man turned from him curtly walking away but he spoke as he did so. "Well since you were the most interesting sparring partner I've had in awhile, better than I actually expected." Raphael trailed off and Link could see cool judgment and calculation scuttle furiously behind those ice blue eyes. It was as if he were weighing his words carefully trying to choose what he told Link while keeping more back, and that made Link even more suspicious.
Finally after another moment or two something seemed to click over in the man's mind and he gave Link something of an embarrassed smile.
"D' Angelo is the false name I made for myself because I'm something of a wanted man here in my country." He paused for a moment allowing that much information to settle into the elf and waited for the natural 'shocked and suspicious' look pass over Link's features. "It's really a long and tragic tale believe me. But to sum it all up, Soul Edge was to blame for the destruction of my family and the bounty on my head. I care not to delve into such details." Raphael said with more boredom in his tone than remorse. There was also a hint in his voice that told Link the man had told this story more than once before and wanted to drop the subject. Feeling that Raphael's sincerity was plausible enough, the elf graciously left things at that.
In the mean time Raphael had turned to walk away from the elf casually as if he hadn't just kicked his ass a few minuets ago. "Because of the bounty on my head, there are many people after me; I trust that you will keep my secret just as I have kept yours Link." He said offhandedly and perhaps with an undercurrent of a threat.
Link, unsure of how to feel about this, took a moment to think things through before giving a short nod. "Of course, we're in this together right? I'll watch your back just as you have mine."
Raphael came to a stop in front of one of the many book shelves, turning slightly he regarded Link with an amused smile. "A most excellent answer my friend." With out searching or error, the man reached out and pulled out a dark book. This he opened up flipping through the pages before finding his place. Link soon joined him to peer into the book in his hands.
"What's this?" He asked curiously.
Raphael handed the open book over to the elf. There were strange scrawling all over the page but Link could not make out what they were saying. He could only guess that this must be their written language. So the earrings gave him the power to understand and speak their language but not to read it. Link sighed inwardly but found a small caption at the bottom of the page. It was a rather rough sketch and it was a bit old but it seemed to be a picture of a staff..
"For the past two days, I've been digging up books in this library trying to find out the whereabouts of our particular object." Raphael said as if a known fact. "Not too hard since I did a lot of research on weapons of such strange qualities before. I ran across this little article quite some time ago but had forgotten about till now. After reading that article I can see now why you seek it."
Link lowered the book giving the French man a knowing look. "We've got to go after it. Today, right this moment. We can't waste anymore time."
But once more the French man brought up a finger wagging it reprimanding in Link's face.
"Tut, tut. Do not give it another thought, for I am one step ahead of you my dear boy. Did I not tell you before that I had certain 'connections'? Well, I already went through the trouble to send my most trust worthy associates of to track down and retrieve the object. I gave them all the necessary information I had obtained thus far.All we have to do now is wait for the results."
Link stood there speechless. All this time he had suspected that Raphael was up to something, and now only to find that he complete control on the situation.
The elf could do nothing but stand there admiring his abilities.
And yet, even after all this; he still felt that there was something wrong with this.
"Are you sure about this? I mean, perhaps I should go with them and help."
Raphael took the book from Link's hands and deftly kept it out of his reach as the elf automatically made a reach for the object in protest.
"Certainly not! I won't have you endangering yourself needlessly. Believe me it is far better this way and I am still able to keep tabs on their progress, as soon as they find it, we will know."
"This still isn't right."
"Objection noted." Raphael cut in all too brightly placing a hand behind Link's back ushering the boy away from the shelf like some child that was in the way.
He says he's got it, but I can't help but feel that there's something not right about this whole deal. Link thought but in the next second he firmly shook his head.
There he went again, making mountains out of mole hills. Raphael was his friend fighting for the same reasons Link was, Raphael knew this place better than Link did and if he said he had everything under control then perhaps he should believe him. Besides, he'd only be getting in the way not to mention cause quite a bit of stir if he tried anything by himself.
'Link, you've just got to give him the reigns. This isn't your world and no one is depending on you to do everything anymore.' Link scolded himself sternly. But really, old habits die hard.
"Wait, Raphael, isn't there anything that I can help you with? I'd feel awful that I suggested coming here and not do anything to help the cause."
The blond man stood there thoughtful taking into consideration Link's kindhearted nature. Then chuckling softly Raphael ran a hand through his blond fringe.
"Well there maybe something you can do, other than working on your swordsman ship, I mean."
Link felt his face flush with color and he scowled "I didn't lose THAT badly." He muttered upset because he probably had. Raphael of course heard this but the smile never left.
"More than anything it's a favor. There's a little girl out and about the premises, Amy. The maids cannot seem to find her and I really want to find her myself but I've got some people to deal with in a bit. I haven't seen her all day and I'm a bit worried, could you.?"
"Find her?" Link finished tentatively. Not quite the task he was expecting, but if he could help Raphael in any way. "No problem, I'll be back in a bit, keep me informed?"
Raphael breathed gratefully and nodded. "Thank you so much and as soon as I hear anything you'll be the first to know."
Link had already made his way to the door still feeling rather strange with the new turn of events when Raphael called after him. "Oh, Link?"
Hand already grasping the handle the youth turned. "Yes? What is it?"
The man made a small motion with a hand moving over his head. "Your hood, don't forget." As Link suddenly remembered and quickly replaced his hood, Raphael added; "You will be joining us for dinner tonight won't you? You missed out on a great feast the last time."
Link had totally forgotten about that. "Hey, listen I'm so sorry about that, I had some things to work out." But Raphael shook his head holding up a hand to bring Link up short.
"Please, please, it's alright. I completely understand. You don't have to explain. I just thought perhaps we'd try it again? I'd hate for you to leave with out giving you a taste of Languedoc's famous hospitality."
Finally Link managed a tentative smile. "Of course, we can try again."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Hoped you all enjoyed these two small updates. Sorry for the long wait! Please don't be too mad with Link's losses, he will begin to improve as the story goes along of course. And yes, rematches will be had in the coming chapters so stick around. As always, please let me know how I did. Thanks to everyone who hung in there with me through this dry spell. This chapter is dedicated to all those die hard fans of Soul Caliber.
~Hero Genkaku
There was a white flash and the next thing he knew, he was staring into Talim's large brown eyes.
"H,huh?" He managed in a dazed state. Yun Sung shook his head curtly as the girl drew back to sit on her legs.
"Yun Sung, what's the matter with you? I've been calling your name over and over, but you looked like you were in some kind of trance..."
The young Korean fighter blinked several times as if trying to get the sleep out of his eyes. Had he even been sleeping? When had he drifted off? He remembered watching Talim practice her kata with her newly forged Tonfas and about half way into it, he noticed the Master Sword beginning to flash in an odd way.
'Just like before.' He was suddenly reminded of that night when he barely managed to steal back the strange spirit sword from the hands of that female thief. It did the same thing then and when he woke he had the strong sense to find Link, as quick as he could because he was in danger some how.He didn't know how he knew or how he had managed to find the elf so fast, it was like some one had dropped the idea in his head and then guided him there.
But then came those strange flash backs that came when he was alone. Memories he couldn't explain and feelings he couldn't understand. If only he could hold on to the details but they would slip through his hands like sand leaving him with the vague feeling that he had been a witness to something important.
Even now he couldn't shake that strange sensation that he had just seen something in his dreams but couldn't remember what it was he had seen.
Since he started this sentry post with the others Yun Sung would often find himself doing nothing else but staring into the Master Sword's mirror-like surface wondering if the sword was trying to tell him something.
Yun Sung sat there back against the pillar for a moment longer before he remembered that Talim had asked him something. He wanted to tell her what has been on his mind lately, about all those strange images that he could never quite describe and about those fleeting feelings that came when ever he would stare at the Master Sword. But when he opened his mouth none of that came out.
"It's nothing, I'm fine, just thinking to myself." He managed a half smile, he didn't want her to worry and he didn't really want to talk about it right now anyway.
Talim studied his face weighing his words those large eyes probing his. For some strange reason he suddenly felt kind of weird about her. And telling her all about all that stuff was very tempting. The girl drew back slightly like she had found something with in his eyes and she smiled.
"Oh! I get it, you're worried about Sophitia's plan right?"
'Yeah Yun Sung, remember the plan? You're supposed to be on the look out for any crazed shard-sniffing-mercenary-killing maniac.' His mind told him brightly. Though he doubted such a killer would make a reckless move in the daylight no matter how fast it was fading into night. And even so, the others would be back to double the guards on post around Siegfried. Sophitia had suggested that they not move him and keep the man where he was.
"No, that's not it!" He protested almost too quickly, if anything he didn't need Talim getting the wrong ideas. "I'm not the least bit worried about that. I've just had a lot on my mind that's all."
The young girl inclined her head that smile still on her face. It was obvious she didn't believe him. "Say what you want, just remember we have to stay on our toe, who knows where or when this thing will show up?"
"You think you'll be ready if that time ever comes?" Yun Sung asked. With out a thought or second thought the priestess nodded.
"Of course! I don't train everyday just for show you know!" Talim picked herself up along with her tonfas that sat beside her. Skillfully and with little trouble the girl spun each bladed tonfa as if to prove a point. Trying to placate the girl, Yun Sung held up both hands in defense.
"Hey, hey, it was just a question don't have to be so sensitive about it. So how's the new weapon?"
Instead of answering his question verbally Talim fell into her fighting stance before going into kata once more. Her movement was careful as well as precise and her tonfas in turn cut through the air with power as well as balance.
"Sophitia's husband is truly skilled at his craft, I don't know how to explain it, but my weapon feels different, like it's more powerful." She marveled more to herself then to Yun Sung.
The setting sun spilled into temple ironically falling short from touching the altar where the knight lay sleeping. Talim stayed with in its light as she continued her practice. For Yun Sung it wasn't the first time he'd seen her wield her tonfas or as he'd like to call them 'elbow blades'. They had crossed weapons before on another continent quite a while back.
Even then she was cute. Well.When she wasn't nagging him to stop his 'dangerous' quest she was incredibly cute.
'Too bad she's now too infatuated with Link to even notice me.'
"Damn Link." He grumbled louder than he meant to. Of course, upon hearing the elf's name Talim halted her small session. Turning her head slightly she blinked at him.
"What was that?" She asked. This just proved Yun Sung's point all too well.
"Nothing, I was just wondering where the hell Link is now." Yun Sung lied. He couldn't say anything bad about her dear Link, unless he wanted a harangue that he wouldn't forget. Seriously, she was as sweet as they come but never ever piss her off or get on her bad side!
Talim made a full swing at some imaginary opponent in the air before turning back to her friend. "I believe he's on his way back right now with the staff in hand."
"You're always so sure did you ask the winds or something?"
"No," Talim said plainly shaking her head. "I just believe in him that's all. Once he comes back and revives Siegfried, we can go after the Soul Edge and put an end to its evil."
She sounded so confident, and made everything sound so easy, how could he not help but laugh? When she asked why he was laughing he quickly dismissed the subject. Talim was really something else; some times he wished that she would give up her quest because he had no desire to see her hurt in anyway. Talim resumed to the small talk and Yun Sung was only grateful for something to fill the silence. He looked to the Master Sword propped up against him. Its blade was glowing softly and dimly in the shadow of the pillar he leaned against. He didn't feel anything strange or out of the ordinary as it continued to glow. What in the hell happened earlier?
'White hot light.' That much he remembered. But he new there was something beyond that. Something important.It was like the light served as some kind of veil blinding him from seeing anything, or remembering anything. Perhaps if he thought harder, had some kind of trace.And so he thought back to the first time the blade had shone with such brilliance. But as before there were snatches of voice, sound and pictures so brief, it was like fitting a life time of memories into one instant. His mind reached into the garbled mess searching for anything he could grasp.
"There are three." Yun Sung's lips moved, which surprised him as he didn't will them to move.
"There are three? Yun Sung, what are you talking about?" Talim's voice once again broke his train of thought and the answers slipped from Yun Sung's hands. What had he been talking about? After apologizing for his rude interruptions and Talim when back to what she had been talking about, he glanced forlorn fully at the Master Sword wondering if Link had ever experienced such things.or if Link was the reason behind its mysterious nature.
Like the time he felt propelled to ask the elf how he had come to acquire such a sword. He wasn't sure how he had known to ask.It was already in his mind. It made him even more suspicious by the way Link had reacted to his sudden question. It gave Yun Sung the notion that he had touched upon something the elf didn't want him to know.
With Link refusing to give up any answers and the Master Sword equally arcane nature to surrender it's secrets, the young man figured he would continue to ponder these thoughts that pestered him so much until some given point in time where 'all would be revealed.'
So bizarre, the both of them. Yun Sung thought miserably. Damn the both of them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A moment passed and then another without a sound.
Puzzled Link cracked an eye open and then the other one. Slowly he looked back to find the fine sharp point of Raphael's sword at his exposed neck. It was just an inch or so from actually touching the soft skin. Wide eyes of deep blue wavered upon the sword's tip before traveling up the blade to look at the French man in a sort of fear mixed with uncertainty. The man at the other end of the sword stood quite still eyes transfixed with Link's.
After a minuet passed with nothing happening, Link forced himself to regain his composure some what and he swallowed heavily before speaking.
"R, Raphael."
At his name, Raphael seemed to snap out of his reverie. What he had been thinking about, Link wondered fleetingly. After another second, the cold stoic mask faded to be replaced with a good natured grin.
"Hmm, not a bad dance." He shrugged at this before moving the sword away from Link's neck. He stepped in and offered the elf a hand. "You've got some skill to you boy. And you were rather unpredictable."
Link breathed in relief before taking the offered hand. "Do tell." He said sarcastic. Unpredictable? Who was Raphael trying to kid? This was the second time he'd lost a match. He was really getting rusty.
Upon his feet Link dusted himself off securing his blade and shield. Raphael sheathed his Rapier as well (much to Link's relief.) straightening out his gloves and ONLY his gloves.
"Okay," Link breathed getting Raphael's attention. "I know I lost, but can you shed a little light on our situation here? Shouldn't we start looking for the staff and WHY is everyone here calling you D'Angelo?" Link asked more than a little exasperated.
The blond man turned from him curtly walking away but he spoke as he did so. "Well since you were the most interesting sparring partner I've had in awhile, better than I actually expected." Raphael trailed off and Link could see cool judgment and calculation scuttle furiously behind those ice blue eyes. It was as if he were weighing his words carefully trying to choose what he told Link while keeping more back, and that made Link even more suspicious.
Finally after another moment or two something seemed to click over in the man's mind and he gave Link something of an embarrassed smile.
"D' Angelo is the false name I made for myself because I'm something of a wanted man here in my country." He paused for a moment allowing that much information to settle into the elf and waited for the natural 'shocked and suspicious' look pass over Link's features. "It's really a long and tragic tale believe me. But to sum it all up, Soul Edge was to blame for the destruction of my family and the bounty on my head. I care not to delve into such details." Raphael said with more boredom in his tone than remorse. There was also a hint in his voice that told Link the man had told this story more than once before and wanted to drop the subject. Feeling that Raphael's sincerity was plausible enough, the elf graciously left things at that.
In the mean time Raphael had turned to walk away from the elf casually as if he hadn't just kicked his ass a few minuets ago. "Because of the bounty on my head, there are many people after me; I trust that you will keep my secret just as I have kept yours Link." He said offhandedly and perhaps with an undercurrent of a threat.
Link, unsure of how to feel about this, took a moment to think things through before giving a short nod. "Of course, we're in this together right? I'll watch your back just as you have mine."
Raphael came to a stop in front of one of the many book shelves, turning slightly he regarded Link with an amused smile. "A most excellent answer my friend." With out searching or error, the man reached out and pulled out a dark book. This he opened up flipping through the pages before finding his place. Link soon joined him to peer into the book in his hands.
"What's this?" He asked curiously.
Raphael handed the open book over to the elf. There were strange scrawling all over the page but Link could not make out what they were saying. He could only guess that this must be their written language. So the earrings gave him the power to understand and speak their language but not to read it. Link sighed inwardly but found a small caption at the bottom of the page. It was a rather rough sketch and it was a bit old but it seemed to be a picture of a staff..
"For the past two days, I've been digging up books in this library trying to find out the whereabouts of our particular object." Raphael said as if a known fact. "Not too hard since I did a lot of research on weapons of such strange qualities before. I ran across this little article quite some time ago but had forgotten about till now. After reading that article I can see now why you seek it."
Link lowered the book giving the French man a knowing look. "We've got to go after it. Today, right this moment. We can't waste anymore time."
But once more the French man brought up a finger wagging it reprimanding in Link's face.
"Tut, tut. Do not give it another thought, for I am one step ahead of you my dear boy. Did I not tell you before that I had certain 'connections'? Well, I already went through the trouble to send my most trust worthy associates of to track down and retrieve the object. I gave them all the necessary information I had obtained thus far.All we have to do now is wait for the results."
Link stood there speechless. All this time he had suspected that Raphael was up to something, and now only to find that he complete control on the situation.
The elf could do nothing but stand there admiring his abilities.
And yet, even after all this; he still felt that there was something wrong with this.
"Are you sure about this? I mean, perhaps I should go with them and help."
Raphael took the book from Link's hands and deftly kept it out of his reach as the elf automatically made a reach for the object in protest.
"Certainly not! I won't have you endangering yourself needlessly. Believe me it is far better this way and I am still able to keep tabs on their progress, as soon as they find it, we will know."
"This still isn't right."
"Objection noted." Raphael cut in all too brightly placing a hand behind Link's back ushering the boy away from the shelf like some child that was in the way.
He says he's got it, but I can't help but feel that there's something not right about this whole deal. Link thought but in the next second he firmly shook his head.
There he went again, making mountains out of mole hills. Raphael was his friend fighting for the same reasons Link was, Raphael knew this place better than Link did and if he said he had everything under control then perhaps he should believe him. Besides, he'd only be getting in the way not to mention cause quite a bit of stir if he tried anything by himself.
'Link, you've just got to give him the reigns. This isn't your world and no one is depending on you to do everything anymore.' Link scolded himself sternly. But really, old habits die hard.
"Wait, Raphael, isn't there anything that I can help you with? I'd feel awful that I suggested coming here and not do anything to help the cause."
The blond man stood there thoughtful taking into consideration Link's kindhearted nature. Then chuckling softly Raphael ran a hand through his blond fringe.
"Well there maybe something you can do, other than working on your swordsman ship, I mean."
Link felt his face flush with color and he scowled "I didn't lose THAT badly." He muttered upset because he probably had. Raphael of course heard this but the smile never left.
"More than anything it's a favor. There's a little girl out and about the premises, Amy. The maids cannot seem to find her and I really want to find her myself but I've got some people to deal with in a bit. I haven't seen her all day and I'm a bit worried, could you.?"
"Find her?" Link finished tentatively. Not quite the task he was expecting, but if he could help Raphael in any way. "No problem, I'll be back in a bit, keep me informed?"
Raphael breathed gratefully and nodded. "Thank you so much and as soon as I hear anything you'll be the first to know."
Link had already made his way to the door still feeling rather strange with the new turn of events when Raphael called after him. "Oh, Link?"
Hand already grasping the handle the youth turned. "Yes? What is it?"
The man made a small motion with a hand moving over his head. "Your hood, don't forget." As Link suddenly remembered and quickly replaced his hood, Raphael added; "You will be joining us for dinner tonight won't you? You missed out on a great feast the last time."
Link had totally forgotten about that. "Hey, listen I'm so sorry about that, I had some things to work out." But Raphael shook his head holding up a hand to bring Link up short.
"Please, please, it's alright. I completely understand. You don't have to explain. I just thought perhaps we'd try it again? I'd hate for you to leave with out giving you a taste of Languedoc's famous hospitality."
Finally Link managed a tentative smile. "Of course, we can try again."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Hoped you all enjoyed these two small updates. Sorry for the long wait! Please don't be too mad with Link's losses, he will begin to improve as the story goes along of course. And yes, rematches will be had in the coming chapters so stick around. As always, please let me know how I did. Thanks to everyone who hung in there with me through this dry spell. This chapter is dedicated to all those die hard fans of Soul Caliber.
~Hero Genkaku