Somewhere in desolate, wind-swept space
In Shadow-land, in No-Man's-land
Two wandering souls met face to face,
And bade each other stand.
'And who art thou?' quoth one agape,
All in the grey and misty light;
'I hardly know,' the other said,
'I only died last night'.
~Unknown
"...I see so that is what had happened." Siegfried murmured with out lifting his reflective emerald eyes from the dusty stone floor. The sun already hung in the center of the sky when the small group had convened in the ruins of the unknown temple. When word had come of Siegfried's sudden revival, those that had taken up momentary residence in the city returned to meet up with those who were slated to keep vigilant watch over the temple.
It had only been two days since Siegfried had miraculously recovered from his deep comatose state, but already he was walking about on his own. What was even more surprising was that Siegfried didn't seem to be bothered by his previous afflictions. Siegfried was able to move about with little trouble or aid! Why, it was as if he awoke a completely new man!
Though many were pleased with his progression, a few were a little uneasy about this turn of events. Namely, the Athens sisters, who believed such blessings, were from the grace of the gods. Talim also did not feel that things were entirely right, but Siegfried did not exhibit anything irregular and she didn't want upset everyone throwing silly unsupported suspicions.
To Siegfried himself no one voiced their concern, as everyone had enough to worry about as it was. Instead, they spoke to him trying to catch him up to speed of the events that had taken place while he was asleep and things that were to occur in the next coming days.
The knight sat upon the altar that had been his divan for the past few days still contemplating everything the others had told him.
"Truly, I can not ask for any forgiveness for the trouble I have caused all of you and especially Link who has left us just for my sake."
Kilik, who had taken his place against one of the nearest pillars, spoke up quickly before the knight could say anymore. "We shouldn't dwell on what is past, but rather what is to come. Now that you're back with us and better yet, fully recovered we can assess our choices and form a plan..."
Nodding, Siegfried looked up to regard his companion with much agreement. "Aye, but to move without the true wielder of the Master Sword would be foolish."
"And to wait allows the Soul Edge more time regain it's strength, lessening our chances at destroying the blade completely." Sophitia said quietly. Her sister, who stood beside her, let out a breath of exasperation making Siegfried suddenly aware of her presence.
"Why must we wait? Yun Sung has already shown that he could wield the blade just fine. As I understand it, this Master Sword already gives us the means to vanquish Soul Edge. That is all we need, we should strike now." Talim who had been listening was about to argue otherwise but Yun Sung who sat beside her spoke up first.
"There you go again, being reckless..." The Korean scoffed. The younger Athens sister shot Yun Sung a heated glare, which he took no notice of passively looking to the Master sword resting against his shoulder. Its blade was glowing noticeably brighter and it glimmered of its own accord as if trying to put the soft light of sun to shame.
"I don't need to hear that coming from YOU." She retorted stiffly.
Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, Yun Sung didn't even attempt to backlash the girl. Instead he spoke once more; "Fine don't listen to me. You keep on thinking that Soul Edge is just a weapon waiting to be destroyed then you're sure to lose, even with the Master Sword."
Siegfried looked up when he heard the young man say this. All around it seemed as though Yun Sung's statement had taken everyone by surprise. Kilik blinked unbelievingly before his features turned curious. "Huh, interesting." Kilik said clearly impressed. Siegfried mirrored Kilik's emotions and he lowered his hands to regard Yun Sung a little more seriously.
When had this change come about in the red head? Had Siegfried really been asleep THAT long?
"If you didn't realize, Soul Edge is a living entity, not an inanimate object. Thus, we must treat it as such if we even hope to survive. For all we know that sword could be waiting for us."
The way Yun Sung spoke made it seem as if he just knew there was something more, something the rest of them could not see. And it gave Talim the chills.
Cassandra was stunned to silence, and Sophitia lowered her head knowing full well where Yun Sung was coming from.
"Gods help up us all..." Kilik repeated softly. "...If that damn sword is waiting for us. Most likely it's set out its snares. We'd be foolish and stupid to rush in there even with the Master Sword and fall into its trap. We can't expect the Master Sword to save us if we don't think ahead ourselves."
"Right, that's exactly right. That's why we need to wait for Link." Talim said. "With both him and Raphael back we can come up with a counter attack against the Soul Edge. If anyone knows the Master Sword's abilities, Link does. That's why he's here isn't it? To help us?"
Kilik shifted slightly arms still crossed over his bare chest. "Yes. We have to wait for Link to return to us. In the mean time we should resume our preparations and start laying out some kind of plan of attack."
But what kind of attack could they possibly form against a sword that's been alive for centuries?
Xianghua crossed her arms contemplating their situation quietly before; "Three weeks, Link said three weeks." In her mind she remembered the elf as she had last seen him, smiling confidently.
*Give me three weeks then. Regardless if I find the staff or not, I will return by that appointed time.*
The monk nodded as he remembered that, Sophitia and Cassandra did the same as they also recalled that day. So far a week and 3 days have passed, but all wondered how the young elf was faring. Had he found the staff yet? Was he on his way back now? What was going on?
As the day waned, the small meeting was adjourned to convene tomorrow morning. While some members asked Siegfried to relocate in the city to be safer, (the killings had all but stopped) others were against it, not wanting to repeat certain events again. In the end Siegfried suggested to allow him one more night in the temple just to be on the safe side. Yun Sung volunteered himself to be on stand by with the Master Sword.
As far as he was concerned Siegfried awake was not as trustworthy as Siegfried in a coma.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The old cravings came again, rousing the knight who lay fast asleep beside the campfire. It had been such a long time since he had felt such an urge that could draw him from the lands of dreamless sleep.
His throat was parched and he feared that any water drawn from any well could not slake his thirst. He craved something with more power, more life.
In the dimness of the dying fire, amber eyes snapped open. Cat-like slits moved inspecting the world around it. With in its field of vision it found the 'guard' dozing against a pillar that was near the fire. Against his body a sword vividly glowed.
Amber orbs narrowed with much distaste. It was time to move.
Boney talons scrapped softly against hard stone ground. Tired and weary muscles flexed carefully and moved with much strength.
His thirst was beginning to grow with every passing second and with every minuet his hunger began to develop into something darker, more sinister.
As if responding to his malicious intent, the Master Sword began to flash sporadically, a warning sign. This extracted a slight smirk from Siegfried who had already staggered jadedly to the entrance of the temple. Far from the firelight he turned, amber eyes aglow in the darkness. And when he spoke it was a deep amalgamation of Siegfried and Nightmare's voice.
"Be silent Spirit Sword, they may not be able to hear you, but I am far from deaf. Day and night I have had to listen to the secret whispers and wishes of countless many that resound with in you. I have even heard destiny's familiar siren-like call from you and I find it quite irritating." Lips pulled back into a fierce sneer revealing sharp incisors. "They are all pathetic fools, to believe that they can destroy me utterly! I will not make the same mistake twice." Indeed he would not, and instead, had something truly grand in store for the Master Sword.
The Master Sword continued to pulse, but it went unnoticed by its wielder who slept soundly. Nightmare knew that the sword was unable to communicate with the wielder or it's warriors. It knew the dangers that were eminent but it could not warn them. It was truly pathetic indeed and he knew he had nothing to fear. "Spirit Sword, your feeble existence demands naught of my respect, but all of my pity."
Feeling a bleak of triumph Nightmare backed away.
The time for battle would come soon. With the foreign Spirit Sword destined to fall, the demon sword's revenge would be complete.
For now, it was time to feed.
With every shard it's influence was growing stronger, already the vile spirit of Soul Edge was immune to the Spirit Sword's light when before it barred it from ever resurfacing, but along with this came the familiar hunger that could not be fed.
Stepping out into the cold pale moonlight, fangs were bared as Nightmare caught a faint scent in the wind. Even this late at night, there were still souls awake and wandering in the dark city of Athens. Though not of the same caliber as the one asleep in the temple, these souls were still tantalizing enough to the demon man and he licked his dry lips hungrily.
They would suffice for now, but many more would be needed if he were to restore his powers to the fullest.
Under the light of the moon Nightmare stepped into the dark city pausing suddenly.
Tawny eyes narrows suspiciously and the knight breathed deeply taking in the cold night air.
"Blood has been spilled, the air reeks of it." The scent was strong and it pulled at his senses, at his soul, there was no possible way the knight could resist from tracing its source. Like a blood hound Nightmare quietly followed the alluring aroma till it led him down one of the many darkened back streets.
Darkness, light, it really didn't matter to the knight. As long as the blood flowed he could find it without sight. Much to his satisfaction the moon lit a few spots in back streets and the silver rays revealed a sight to him.
A truly gruesome sight met his eyes. Just as he suspected there was a large puddle of dark red blood in the center of the ally. A prone body was in the center of this pool of blood, cut to shreds.
Undaunted, Nightmare walked into the puddle and touched the body gingerly with a hand.
"Warm, the life of this being departed not too long ago." Pulling back, Nightmare raised his blood-covered hand to his lips and lightly licked at the dark liquid savoring the bittersweet metallic taste. "Pity so much was spilled however I will not allow another drop to go to waste." Carefully Nightmare cradled the mutilated body raising the torn neck to his lips to drink. As the dark fluid entered his body all the pain, the fatigue, began to lessen, but it did not fade. He would need more.
Wiping his dripping mouth with the back of his hand, Nightmare stood when the shell was drained of what little blood remained. It wasn't enough to even sate his thirst, or quell his cravings. Stepping back, the demon looked to the corpse disdainfully. "This was no accident, and it was not done out of spite."
"Do tell..." Another voice spoke up. Non-pulsed Nightmare turned, eyes flashed as if pleased. Behind him a small figure stepped of the shadows. Revealing light showed a boy no more than seventeen standing there, a black cloak around his small shoulders. Through curtains of thick black fringes, large eyes stared back accusingly. "Sick bastard, It wasn't enough that the man was brutally slain, but you had to remind me of why I despise your lot." The boy said in a voice that did not belong to a young child.
"Oh, so you mean to tell me you aren't responsible for 'this one'?" The blond stressed the phrase 'this one' to point out to the hell spawn of the killings he had also committed in his search for shards.
The cloak moved even before the boy did, acting and reacting to his every step, surging up to envelope his small form. When it died down, Spawn stood in the boy's place eyes burning as bright as fire. "Some one else is working this city. " He said grimly.
Truthfully Spawn had suspected as much, but at the same time he had figured it was Siegfried's doing. With each shard he had been giving this Siegfried, his health continued to improve. He couldn't be 100% certain that it was Siegfried behind the attacks, as shard searching sometimes required him to leave the city to attain the pieces farther away.
Not that his being around made one goddamn difference. This was the second time he had prowled for the murderer and instead found another cooling corpse. Upon that, he had seen a few of Siegfried's comrades walking the streets at night also on the look out. To escape their notice was one thing, to escape his as well was another. Who ever this guy was, Jack the Ripper certainly had nothing on him.
And the fact that he could hit hard, fast and undetected, showed that he wasn't to be brushed off as some small time serial killer. It was pretty apparent to Spawn that this creep didn't want anyone else to know what he was up to just as much as Siegfried or himself did.
"I detected the faint traces of the shard's spiritual residue on the body." Nightmare spoke a little off handedly. "Looks like you've got competition." Though it didn't show, Spawn could practically feel the demon smirking. He knew the demon would switch sides in an instant should this other person gain any more shards. Spawn couldn't let that happen. He had worked his ass off to get this far.
"Shut the hell up."
Shrugging indifferently, Siegfried or more appropriately Nightmare, was quiet once again but a dark brow was raised with a conspiratorial air, the smirk changing into something more of smug superiority. And this time it DID show on the blond's face. However, it didn't last very long when Nightmare suddenly tensed every muscle, eyes snapping wide as though he had been physically hit. Spawn noticed this right off and knew that Siegfried had sensed something, a few seconds later he felt it too.
First it was a feeling, an eerie silent feeling that one gets when they know they're not the only ones there. The air becomes too still and the world a whole lot quieter.
Then there was a soft skittering sound somewhere off to the right, at least that's what Spawn thought at first. But he heard another sound in a completely different place off to the left of them that he could only identify as breathing. The hell spawn did not want to move, not until he could accurately pinpoint their little ambusher's hiding spot.
Nightmare was standing pretty casually and even those luminous cat-like eyes were more amused than bothered by their whole situation.
One could even go so far as to say the demon knight was thrilled to no end. It made Spawn wonder briefly if the demon possessing Siegfried had planned this from the start with the intent of luring out the culprit.
Closing his eyes carefully, Nightmare tilted his head to the side, blond strands falling before his face. "Darkness turns the wheels of madness once again. Yes, your insanity...I want to see it." He spoke as if to himself.
"Cut the bullshit! You're already on my last nerves." Spawn spat in a deep voice.
As he expected Siegfried said nothing but instead let out a vicious hiss as his body moved with amazing quickness. In the next instant Siegfried held the corpse before him as a shield to deflect two katars that were aimed for his back.
The assassin had moved. In the moon light Spawn could see him clearly. Actually to be a little more specific, 'it' looked like a man, but no self- respecting man that Spawn had seen would ever wear what this 'thing' wore. It didn't even move like a human! Long and limber it bended and swayed as if made of rubber!
It's katars were deeply embedded into the dead body and Siegfried shoved it forward onto the strap man causing it to falter back. The strap man hissed in such a manner that only Darth Vader would be proud of.
At this opportune moment Spawn surged forward to take over what Siegfried had started. "Get the hell outta my way!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With nothing else to do but trust in Raphael's words, Link for the first time in his life waited patiently. It was very unsettling to the Hylian as he was ever the one of action. As the days would slowly pass, Link made a routine for himself seeing as he would just go crazy with anxiety.
Every morning shortly after he awoke, he would search out Raphael where ever he may be and ask him the same question he'd asked the day before; "Any news on the artifact?"
Unfortunately every day Raphael in the same manner as he'd answered the day before would answer with a passive voice; "I'm afraid not. But we must not give up hope I am sure they are getting close."
Link would sigh and give a short nod before retreating back to his room. There, he would engage in small practice sessions as the room was spacious enough for him to do so, and should he need more, Link simply moved the furniture off to the sidewalls. He was still quite taken with a move that Raphael had defeated him with, and he himself tried to do the same feeling that it would be a great addition to his arsenal. But as of late, the move was far from perfect and he feared that he would have to ask the French man the secret to the technique. Link had hoped to ask Raphael for a rematch and surprise him with his own move! The elf was still quite amazed at his comrade's style and prowess, that as he began, instead of the normal imaginary Stalfose, Lizardfose or even Gannondorf (that one was his usual favorite) Link imagined he was facing Raphael.
This practice would go on for hours at a time as the need to better himself for the sake of this world and his own was ever present in his mind. Breakfast, lunch and occasionally dinner was usually left at his door upon his request as having to eat out side the safety of his room would require him to don his dark hooded cloak. He only did so when Raphael requested his company.
Should the day permit Link would leave his room to wander about out side, as it was a habit of his that he could not forget. Hylian or Kokiri, Link still considered himself a child of the forests as he was raised there and outside was where he felt at most ease. Though he always wandered alone, he knew very much that he was always watched.
After their first meeting two days ago, Link had kept his distance of Amy as he believed that if she wanted to talk to him, then she would approach him of her own will and when she herself felt comfortable of his presence.
Of course Link did try to help her along with simple little gestures he did when he was 'alone'. Playing the ocarina was a start, as she seemed to have taken a liking to the instrument. One day during the week, He was able to construct a sling shot like the one he had back home and had a little target practice with the trees and rocks and leaves. Before the evening fell, he left the toy upon a nearby tree stump (where he was sure someone would easily find it). The next day, he found the small toy missing, but Link had a pretty good idea of who might have taken it.
With each day, he could feel Amy following him a little closer as he would play his Ocarina carelessly and spiritedly. Link could practically hear her thoughts as she wonder who this hooded man was when he would ride the horses in the field with such refinement.
It wasn't much that Link had accomplished and quite frankly he didn't mind, for each day his aim wasn't to tear down the very walls Amy had put up, but to chip away at each rock at it's base. He hoped that tomorrow he would get a chance to speak with her a little more.
But today something different happened.
As Link arose from his bed, he felt oddly exhausted, like he hadn't slept at all. His head was dizzy and his body was sore and stiff. It hurt to move and Link wasn't sure why. It was as if all the energy had left his body during the night.
'Why do I feel so, tired? Am I coming down with something?' He attempted to do a few things on his own, but was met with extreme difficulty with even the simplest task. He could not walk so well as his legs threaten to give way beneath him, as they did not posses the strength to hold him up. In his head his thoughts swam in a groggy haze and it was hard for him to concentrate for very long. In the end, Link decided that he would rest a bit more for that day and before long Raphael came to visit him in his room as he had not seen the elf all day.
"Looks like you're coming down with a fever my friend, nothing to worry about. You just need to rest a bit more and it'll pass. I'll have something prepared for you that may ease your pain a bit." Raphael spoke confidently from his side and Link could not help but feel comforted.
Link nodded gratefully, but the mere movement pained him and he winced as his head began to throb. "Thank you Raphael. Thank you very much." He replied in a breathless voice. "I'll get over this soon, I'm as tough as they come."
Rising from his bedside, Raphael nodded a slight smile to his lips. "I know, my boy, I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Horrible? Terrible? Please tell me. Not only have I been suffering from writer's block for the past month, but I've also had to move to another duty station for a while. Just in case you were wondering why it took so damn long. While the heat in Yuma Arizona is unbearable, I try my best to keep on writing. This chapter was particularly hard, and it didn't help that I had a heavy case of writer's block already. Hopefully there's a still person around who cares about this little fic. Don't worry I haven't forgotten about it at all. I'm trying to step up the story, as I hate to have it drawn out so long. It's bad enough with the long periods of no- updates.
Anyway, I've already started on the next chapter so hopefully that will be posted in a short bit.
~Hero Genkaku
In Shadow-land, in No-Man's-land
Two wandering souls met face to face,
And bade each other stand.
'And who art thou?' quoth one agape,
All in the grey and misty light;
'I hardly know,' the other said,
'I only died last night'.
~Unknown
"...I see so that is what had happened." Siegfried murmured with out lifting his reflective emerald eyes from the dusty stone floor. The sun already hung in the center of the sky when the small group had convened in the ruins of the unknown temple. When word had come of Siegfried's sudden revival, those that had taken up momentary residence in the city returned to meet up with those who were slated to keep vigilant watch over the temple.
It had only been two days since Siegfried had miraculously recovered from his deep comatose state, but already he was walking about on his own. What was even more surprising was that Siegfried didn't seem to be bothered by his previous afflictions. Siegfried was able to move about with little trouble or aid! Why, it was as if he awoke a completely new man!
Though many were pleased with his progression, a few were a little uneasy about this turn of events. Namely, the Athens sisters, who believed such blessings, were from the grace of the gods. Talim also did not feel that things were entirely right, but Siegfried did not exhibit anything irregular and she didn't want upset everyone throwing silly unsupported suspicions.
To Siegfried himself no one voiced their concern, as everyone had enough to worry about as it was. Instead, they spoke to him trying to catch him up to speed of the events that had taken place while he was asleep and things that were to occur in the next coming days.
The knight sat upon the altar that had been his divan for the past few days still contemplating everything the others had told him.
"Truly, I can not ask for any forgiveness for the trouble I have caused all of you and especially Link who has left us just for my sake."
Kilik, who had taken his place against one of the nearest pillars, spoke up quickly before the knight could say anymore. "We shouldn't dwell on what is past, but rather what is to come. Now that you're back with us and better yet, fully recovered we can assess our choices and form a plan..."
Nodding, Siegfried looked up to regard his companion with much agreement. "Aye, but to move without the true wielder of the Master Sword would be foolish."
"And to wait allows the Soul Edge more time regain it's strength, lessening our chances at destroying the blade completely." Sophitia said quietly. Her sister, who stood beside her, let out a breath of exasperation making Siegfried suddenly aware of her presence.
"Why must we wait? Yun Sung has already shown that he could wield the blade just fine. As I understand it, this Master Sword already gives us the means to vanquish Soul Edge. That is all we need, we should strike now." Talim who had been listening was about to argue otherwise but Yun Sung who sat beside her spoke up first.
"There you go again, being reckless..." The Korean scoffed. The younger Athens sister shot Yun Sung a heated glare, which he took no notice of passively looking to the Master sword resting against his shoulder. Its blade was glowing noticeably brighter and it glimmered of its own accord as if trying to put the soft light of sun to shame.
"I don't need to hear that coming from YOU." She retorted stiffly.
Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, Yun Sung didn't even attempt to backlash the girl. Instead he spoke once more; "Fine don't listen to me. You keep on thinking that Soul Edge is just a weapon waiting to be destroyed then you're sure to lose, even with the Master Sword."
Siegfried looked up when he heard the young man say this. All around it seemed as though Yun Sung's statement had taken everyone by surprise. Kilik blinked unbelievingly before his features turned curious. "Huh, interesting." Kilik said clearly impressed. Siegfried mirrored Kilik's emotions and he lowered his hands to regard Yun Sung a little more seriously.
When had this change come about in the red head? Had Siegfried really been asleep THAT long?
"If you didn't realize, Soul Edge is a living entity, not an inanimate object. Thus, we must treat it as such if we even hope to survive. For all we know that sword could be waiting for us."
The way Yun Sung spoke made it seem as if he just knew there was something more, something the rest of them could not see. And it gave Talim the chills.
Cassandra was stunned to silence, and Sophitia lowered her head knowing full well where Yun Sung was coming from.
"Gods help up us all..." Kilik repeated softly. "...If that damn sword is waiting for us. Most likely it's set out its snares. We'd be foolish and stupid to rush in there even with the Master Sword and fall into its trap. We can't expect the Master Sword to save us if we don't think ahead ourselves."
"Right, that's exactly right. That's why we need to wait for Link." Talim said. "With both him and Raphael back we can come up with a counter attack against the Soul Edge. If anyone knows the Master Sword's abilities, Link does. That's why he's here isn't it? To help us?"
Kilik shifted slightly arms still crossed over his bare chest. "Yes. We have to wait for Link to return to us. In the mean time we should resume our preparations and start laying out some kind of plan of attack."
But what kind of attack could they possibly form against a sword that's been alive for centuries?
Xianghua crossed her arms contemplating their situation quietly before; "Three weeks, Link said three weeks." In her mind she remembered the elf as she had last seen him, smiling confidently.
*Give me three weeks then. Regardless if I find the staff or not, I will return by that appointed time.*
The monk nodded as he remembered that, Sophitia and Cassandra did the same as they also recalled that day. So far a week and 3 days have passed, but all wondered how the young elf was faring. Had he found the staff yet? Was he on his way back now? What was going on?
As the day waned, the small meeting was adjourned to convene tomorrow morning. While some members asked Siegfried to relocate in the city to be safer, (the killings had all but stopped) others were against it, not wanting to repeat certain events again. In the end Siegfried suggested to allow him one more night in the temple just to be on the safe side. Yun Sung volunteered himself to be on stand by with the Master Sword.
As far as he was concerned Siegfried awake was not as trustworthy as Siegfried in a coma.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The old cravings came again, rousing the knight who lay fast asleep beside the campfire. It had been such a long time since he had felt such an urge that could draw him from the lands of dreamless sleep.
His throat was parched and he feared that any water drawn from any well could not slake his thirst. He craved something with more power, more life.
In the dimness of the dying fire, amber eyes snapped open. Cat-like slits moved inspecting the world around it. With in its field of vision it found the 'guard' dozing against a pillar that was near the fire. Against his body a sword vividly glowed.
Amber orbs narrowed with much distaste. It was time to move.
Boney talons scrapped softly against hard stone ground. Tired and weary muscles flexed carefully and moved with much strength.
His thirst was beginning to grow with every passing second and with every minuet his hunger began to develop into something darker, more sinister.
As if responding to his malicious intent, the Master Sword began to flash sporadically, a warning sign. This extracted a slight smirk from Siegfried who had already staggered jadedly to the entrance of the temple. Far from the firelight he turned, amber eyes aglow in the darkness. And when he spoke it was a deep amalgamation of Siegfried and Nightmare's voice.
"Be silent Spirit Sword, they may not be able to hear you, but I am far from deaf. Day and night I have had to listen to the secret whispers and wishes of countless many that resound with in you. I have even heard destiny's familiar siren-like call from you and I find it quite irritating." Lips pulled back into a fierce sneer revealing sharp incisors. "They are all pathetic fools, to believe that they can destroy me utterly! I will not make the same mistake twice." Indeed he would not, and instead, had something truly grand in store for the Master Sword.
The Master Sword continued to pulse, but it went unnoticed by its wielder who slept soundly. Nightmare knew that the sword was unable to communicate with the wielder or it's warriors. It knew the dangers that were eminent but it could not warn them. It was truly pathetic indeed and he knew he had nothing to fear. "Spirit Sword, your feeble existence demands naught of my respect, but all of my pity."
Feeling a bleak of triumph Nightmare backed away.
The time for battle would come soon. With the foreign Spirit Sword destined to fall, the demon sword's revenge would be complete.
For now, it was time to feed.
With every shard it's influence was growing stronger, already the vile spirit of Soul Edge was immune to the Spirit Sword's light when before it barred it from ever resurfacing, but along with this came the familiar hunger that could not be fed.
Stepping out into the cold pale moonlight, fangs were bared as Nightmare caught a faint scent in the wind. Even this late at night, there were still souls awake and wandering in the dark city of Athens. Though not of the same caliber as the one asleep in the temple, these souls were still tantalizing enough to the demon man and he licked his dry lips hungrily.
They would suffice for now, but many more would be needed if he were to restore his powers to the fullest.
Under the light of the moon Nightmare stepped into the dark city pausing suddenly.
Tawny eyes narrows suspiciously and the knight breathed deeply taking in the cold night air.
"Blood has been spilled, the air reeks of it." The scent was strong and it pulled at his senses, at his soul, there was no possible way the knight could resist from tracing its source. Like a blood hound Nightmare quietly followed the alluring aroma till it led him down one of the many darkened back streets.
Darkness, light, it really didn't matter to the knight. As long as the blood flowed he could find it without sight. Much to his satisfaction the moon lit a few spots in back streets and the silver rays revealed a sight to him.
A truly gruesome sight met his eyes. Just as he suspected there was a large puddle of dark red blood in the center of the ally. A prone body was in the center of this pool of blood, cut to shreds.
Undaunted, Nightmare walked into the puddle and touched the body gingerly with a hand.
"Warm, the life of this being departed not too long ago." Pulling back, Nightmare raised his blood-covered hand to his lips and lightly licked at the dark liquid savoring the bittersweet metallic taste. "Pity so much was spilled however I will not allow another drop to go to waste." Carefully Nightmare cradled the mutilated body raising the torn neck to his lips to drink. As the dark fluid entered his body all the pain, the fatigue, began to lessen, but it did not fade. He would need more.
Wiping his dripping mouth with the back of his hand, Nightmare stood when the shell was drained of what little blood remained. It wasn't enough to even sate his thirst, or quell his cravings. Stepping back, the demon looked to the corpse disdainfully. "This was no accident, and it was not done out of spite."
"Do tell..." Another voice spoke up. Non-pulsed Nightmare turned, eyes flashed as if pleased. Behind him a small figure stepped of the shadows. Revealing light showed a boy no more than seventeen standing there, a black cloak around his small shoulders. Through curtains of thick black fringes, large eyes stared back accusingly. "Sick bastard, It wasn't enough that the man was brutally slain, but you had to remind me of why I despise your lot." The boy said in a voice that did not belong to a young child.
"Oh, so you mean to tell me you aren't responsible for 'this one'?" The blond stressed the phrase 'this one' to point out to the hell spawn of the killings he had also committed in his search for shards.
The cloak moved even before the boy did, acting and reacting to his every step, surging up to envelope his small form. When it died down, Spawn stood in the boy's place eyes burning as bright as fire. "Some one else is working this city. " He said grimly.
Truthfully Spawn had suspected as much, but at the same time he had figured it was Siegfried's doing. With each shard he had been giving this Siegfried, his health continued to improve. He couldn't be 100% certain that it was Siegfried behind the attacks, as shard searching sometimes required him to leave the city to attain the pieces farther away.
Not that his being around made one goddamn difference. This was the second time he had prowled for the murderer and instead found another cooling corpse. Upon that, he had seen a few of Siegfried's comrades walking the streets at night also on the look out. To escape their notice was one thing, to escape his as well was another. Who ever this guy was, Jack the Ripper certainly had nothing on him.
And the fact that he could hit hard, fast and undetected, showed that he wasn't to be brushed off as some small time serial killer. It was pretty apparent to Spawn that this creep didn't want anyone else to know what he was up to just as much as Siegfried or himself did.
"I detected the faint traces of the shard's spiritual residue on the body." Nightmare spoke a little off handedly. "Looks like you've got competition." Though it didn't show, Spawn could practically feel the demon smirking. He knew the demon would switch sides in an instant should this other person gain any more shards. Spawn couldn't let that happen. He had worked his ass off to get this far.
"Shut the hell up."
Shrugging indifferently, Siegfried or more appropriately Nightmare, was quiet once again but a dark brow was raised with a conspiratorial air, the smirk changing into something more of smug superiority. And this time it DID show on the blond's face. However, it didn't last very long when Nightmare suddenly tensed every muscle, eyes snapping wide as though he had been physically hit. Spawn noticed this right off and knew that Siegfried had sensed something, a few seconds later he felt it too.
First it was a feeling, an eerie silent feeling that one gets when they know they're not the only ones there. The air becomes too still and the world a whole lot quieter.
Then there was a soft skittering sound somewhere off to the right, at least that's what Spawn thought at first. But he heard another sound in a completely different place off to the left of them that he could only identify as breathing. The hell spawn did not want to move, not until he could accurately pinpoint their little ambusher's hiding spot.
Nightmare was standing pretty casually and even those luminous cat-like eyes were more amused than bothered by their whole situation.
One could even go so far as to say the demon knight was thrilled to no end. It made Spawn wonder briefly if the demon possessing Siegfried had planned this from the start with the intent of luring out the culprit.
Closing his eyes carefully, Nightmare tilted his head to the side, blond strands falling before his face. "Darkness turns the wheels of madness once again. Yes, your insanity...I want to see it." He spoke as if to himself.
"Cut the bullshit! You're already on my last nerves." Spawn spat in a deep voice.
As he expected Siegfried said nothing but instead let out a vicious hiss as his body moved with amazing quickness. In the next instant Siegfried held the corpse before him as a shield to deflect two katars that were aimed for his back.
The assassin had moved. In the moon light Spawn could see him clearly. Actually to be a little more specific, 'it' looked like a man, but no self- respecting man that Spawn had seen would ever wear what this 'thing' wore. It didn't even move like a human! Long and limber it bended and swayed as if made of rubber!
It's katars were deeply embedded into the dead body and Siegfried shoved it forward onto the strap man causing it to falter back. The strap man hissed in such a manner that only Darth Vader would be proud of.
At this opportune moment Spawn surged forward to take over what Siegfried had started. "Get the hell outta my way!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With nothing else to do but trust in Raphael's words, Link for the first time in his life waited patiently. It was very unsettling to the Hylian as he was ever the one of action. As the days would slowly pass, Link made a routine for himself seeing as he would just go crazy with anxiety.
Every morning shortly after he awoke, he would search out Raphael where ever he may be and ask him the same question he'd asked the day before; "Any news on the artifact?"
Unfortunately every day Raphael in the same manner as he'd answered the day before would answer with a passive voice; "I'm afraid not. But we must not give up hope I am sure they are getting close."
Link would sigh and give a short nod before retreating back to his room. There, he would engage in small practice sessions as the room was spacious enough for him to do so, and should he need more, Link simply moved the furniture off to the sidewalls. He was still quite taken with a move that Raphael had defeated him with, and he himself tried to do the same feeling that it would be a great addition to his arsenal. But as of late, the move was far from perfect and he feared that he would have to ask the French man the secret to the technique. Link had hoped to ask Raphael for a rematch and surprise him with his own move! The elf was still quite amazed at his comrade's style and prowess, that as he began, instead of the normal imaginary Stalfose, Lizardfose or even Gannondorf (that one was his usual favorite) Link imagined he was facing Raphael.
This practice would go on for hours at a time as the need to better himself for the sake of this world and his own was ever present in his mind. Breakfast, lunch and occasionally dinner was usually left at his door upon his request as having to eat out side the safety of his room would require him to don his dark hooded cloak. He only did so when Raphael requested his company.
Should the day permit Link would leave his room to wander about out side, as it was a habit of his that he could not forget. Hylian or Kokiri, Link still considered himself a child of the forests as he was raised there and outside was where he felt at most ease. Though he always wandered alone, he knew very much that he was always watched.
After their first meeting two days ago, Link had kept his distance of Amy as he believed that if she wanted to talk to him, then she would approach him of her own will and when she herself felt comfortable of his presence.
Of course Link did try to help her along with simple little gestures he did when he was 'alone'. Playing the ocarina was a start, as she seemed to have taken a liking to the instrument. One day during the week, He was able to construct a sling shot like the one he had back home and had a little target practice with the trees and rocks and leaves. Before the evening fell, he left the toy upon a nearby tree stump (where he was sure someone would easily find it). The next day, he found the small toy missing, but Link had a pretty good idea of who might have taken it.
With each day, he could feel Amy following him a little closer as he would play his Ocarina carelessly and spiritedly. Link could practically hear her thoughts as she wonder who this hooded man was when he would ride the horses in the field with such refinement.
It wasn't much that Link had accomplished and quite frankly he didn't mind, for each day his aim wasn't to tear down the very walls Amy had put up, but to chip away at each rock at it's base. He hoped that tomorrow he would get a chance to speak with her a little more.
But today something different happened.
As Link arose from his bed, he felt oddly exhausted, like he hadn't slept at all. His head was dizzy and his body was sore and stiff. It hurt to move and Link wasn't sure why. It was as if all the energy had left his body during the night.
'Why do I feel so, tired? Am I coming down with something?' He attempted to do a few things on his own, but was met with extreme difficulty with even the simplest task. He could not walk so well as his legs threaten to give way beneath him, as they did not posses the strength to hold him up. In his head his thoughts swam in a groggy haze and it was hard for him to concentrate for very long. In the end, Link decided that he would rest a bit more for that day and before long Raphael came to visit him in his room as he had not seen the elf all day.
"Looks like you're coming down with a fever my friend, nothing to worry about. You just need to rest a bit more and it'll pass. I'll have something prepared for you that may ease your pain a bit." Raphael spoke confidently from his side and Link could not help but feel comforted.
Link nodded gratefully, but the mere movement pained him and he winced as his head began to throb. "Thank you Raphael. Thank you very much." He replied in a breathless voice. "I'll get over this soon, I'm as tough as they come."
Rising from his bedside, Raphael nodded a slight smile to his lips. "I know, my boy, I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Horrible? Terrible? Please tell me. Not only have I been suffering from writer's block for the past month, but I've also had to move to another duty station for a while. Just in case you were wondering why it took so damn long. While the heat in Yuma Arizona is unbearable, I try my best to keep on writing. This chapter was particularly hard, and it didn't help that I had a heavy case of writer's block already. Hopefully there's a still person around who cares about this little fic. Don't worry I haven't forgotten about it at all. I'm trying to step up the story, as I hate to have it drawn out so long. It's bad enough with the long periods of no- updates.
Anyway, I've already started on the next chapter so hopefully that will be posted in a short bit.
~Hero Genkaku