Chapter II: Magvel Forest
"We should be at Magvel in two days if we rest sparingly," Siegfried announced, brushing branches out of his path as he walked ahead. "I sure hope so," Cynthia groaned silently while clutching her stomach. She dug a hand though her satchel and cursed under her breath when it did not come into contact with any food. She must have depleted the last of her rations prior to her skirmish with Astaroth. The moss-draped trees towered nearly twenty feet above the two as they traveled and plants, shrubs, grasses and flowers seemed to shoot up everywhere. Cynthia's feet began to drag along the worn dirt path they were traversing but she was certain to keep a close distance between Siegfried and herself lest he regard her as fragile. That was the very last thing she desired. She gave a cry of joy when she heard a low rumbling noise in the distance and rushed forwards so that she was ahead of her companion. "What is it?" he asked, sounding puzzled. "Don't you hear it? Water!" "Are you thirsty?" "No, but I'm dirty."
He gave her a blank face and Cynthia rolled her eyes. "Boys underestimate hygiene." She then ignored Siegfried and clambered over a pile of square, moss-covered rocks and her eyes sparkled upon reaching the apex. A thundering waterfall plummeted into a large spring encompassed by small spherical pebbles and malleable green water plants. When Siegfried arrived she thrust her bag into his hands and said, "Hold this until I'm finished bathing. Until then, go somewhere." The blonde stared at the bag for a moment and then walked off into the woods. Instantly pulling her tunic, pants and shirt off and tossing them onto the rocks, Cynthia dived into the cool clear water and gave a delighted laugh. She couldn't recall the last time she had laughed like that... She cleansed all of the dirt, sweat and blood from of her tan skin and submerged her entire body beneath the water. The cool liquid soothed her sore body and reinvigorated her spirit and she lay in the pool, lids dropping lightly across her eyes, letting out a whimsical sigh. Soon Cynthia couldn't tell if she'd been in the water for minutes or hours, allowing the still water to massage her body and the sweet music of the birds to soothe her but she suddenly gasped as she heard someone walking towards the spring. Siegfried emerged from the brush and instantly ducked when a rock flew by his head.
"What the heck are you doing here, you fcking pervert? I thought I told you to go somewhere!" Cynthia yelled with reddening cheeks. "I went to check on you because you were taking too long to come back. You've been bathing for nearly an hour," he replied impassively. Sighing, the girl shook her head causing tiny droplets to fly in all directions and she muttered, "You don't need to worry about me. You can bathe now, I need to dry my clothes." Siegfried nodded and turned around but Cynthia growled, "Go far away, please. I'll call you when you can come back." Without another word, the man had left and Cynthia pulled herself out of the spring. I need someplace to dry off now, she thought. She then peered around and spotted a towering rock close by the waterfall kissed by the sun's warm rays. She immediately climbed up, lying down between two good-sized rocks and laying her clothing out beside her. "Ok, Siegfried. Your turn," she called. Then she stretched out in the sunlight and closed her eyes.
She was shaken awake several hours later and saw Siegfried's worried face bathed in the moonlight when she opened her eyes. "Hey!" she exclaimed pushing him off of her as she recalled that she was wearing no clothes. "If you keep this up we're not going to be traveling together anymore. You keep your distance and if you need to-" "Shhh!" he interrupted, looking warily around. "I think there are other people near here. Get dressed." He then climbed down the rocks and was gone. Cynthia immediately rose and snatched up her clothes and pack, throwing them on and then followed Siegfried. He was standing tensely and looking out into the dark trees. "Do you think it's safe to continue?" Cynthia whispered once she reached him. "No. If we go out there, we could be surrounded or assaulted from behind. It would be best to back up against the rocks if anyone attacks." The girl nodded and immediately backed up against the large stones along with Siegfried. "Do you have any weapons?" he questioned. "Yeah. I have my dagger." Just at that moment, a short slender girl with a torn revealing green shirt and low-riding tight pants leapt down from the trees and said, "Well you two are a pair of wary cats.
But unfortunately that won't be enough to save you from me. Hand over Soul Calibur and I'll make your deaths quick," she ordered. "I think not," growled Siegfried, pulling his crystal blue sword of incredible length from its scabbard. It pulsed within his hand as if eager for battle and he darted towards the girl. She nimbly leapt over him, slashing at his right arm. Flinching in pain, Siegfried struggled to keep his fingers curled around the hilt of Soul Calibur and swung it in his attacker's direction. Once again she leapt out of his range, a teasing expression upon her pale face. "What's the matter, Siggy? I would expect the one who overcame the great Nightmare to have more fight in him. You don't pleasure me at all!" She slammed her bladed ring across his middle, slicing through the thinner fabric and spilling blood. He groaned in pain, and lashed out blindly in the small girl's direction. She easily dodged his attacks and let out a demented giggle. "How disappointing... I was hoping for a more entertaining fight but it looks like I'll have to end your life now..." she raised her ring blade only to scream as Cynthia's dagger dug into her back. Cynthia instantly removed it and growled, "back off, btch!" Clasping a hand to her back, the teen's violet eyes flashed with malice and she screamed, "You have some nerve calling Tira such a word. Now you shall die, first!" Brushing back her blue-green bangs from her face, Tira swung her blade at Cynthia, nearly making contact with her left arm. "You missed, btch," Cynthia snarled, planting her dagger into Tira's right leg.
She howled in agony and then screamed, "I'll KILL you!" Her teasing little smirk had cleared from her face in an instant, eyes hardening, and with lightening speed, slammed the flat of her ring blade into Cynthia's face. Her feet left the ground; back making contact with it an instant later. The girl stepped over her exposed stomach, the blade of her ring leaving cruel gashes in it as she laughed maniacally. Her laughter came short to be substituted with a shriek and the jet-haired teenager could hear the dull thud of a body slamming against a tree. She unsteadily pulled herself up to observe the slender form of her assailant staggering into the branches. Siegfried sheathed Soul Calibur, beginning to walk south once more and said, "Well, shall we continue?" Cynthia nodded shouting, "I thought you said you wouldn't turn back to help me if I got into trouble?" "Well, this case was different. You intervened with my battle. I wasn't going to just leave you behind," he replied. "But next time... you're on your own."