Ok, time for the second to last installment of Shadow of a Soul. I think I've kept this story short enough to be enjoyable, yet have enough detail. To all reviewers: YOU ARE GAWDS. Keep reviewing please!

- MPmagi

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Chapter 3

Raphael sat on the edge of the Antares Mountain range, gazing deeply at the snow-capped peaks. Father away, the Inferno Mountain towered from the ground, its sides surrounded by a halo of misty clouds making its top seem to poke the heaven's itself. The sight of the mountain had inspired story and art, now Raphael looked at it as an obstacle, standing in the way of the sword Soul Calibur. The holy blade was on that peak, he was sure of it and an ominous feeling emanated from it in waves that made his stomach queasy.

He shook his head; the hike could wait until tomorrow. His mount's mane was drooping, a sure sign that it, too, was exhausted. Raphael couldn't blame the beast, as it was carrying his packs of supplies.

"Looks like we've both had better times, eh?" he asked, not caring that the horse didn't answer. Patting the horse affectionatlly on the head, he sat next to the animal, warming his hands on the fire he had started. He unbuckled his rapier, letting the hilt relax in his palm. The cold steel felt alive and powerful, a ward against the Mountain's negative energy.

Just as the beginnings of sleep gripped at his consciousness a slight rustling broke the silence. Raphael knew, from long days spent on the run, to trust his instincts, and at the moment, they were telling him to dodge.

He threw himself forward and to his right, and his leg grazed the flames. A knife, unadorned and small with a letter attached to its handle stuck out of the hard dirt.

Raphael stood from his crouch, slightly surprised that his rapier was out and unsheathed. Apparently, he had drawn it without thought. His eyes scanned the land from where the blade would've have been thrown, ready to dodge in case more projectiles came his way.

When it was apparent that his attacker had fled, Raphael carefully examined the knife. He could detect no traces of poison so, with a gloved hand, he picked it up. It was razor-sharp and well cared for, obviously used by no amateur. Suspiciously, it lacked any distinctive marks. All blacksmiths had their own signature, a symbol or mark on the steel of the blade, to identify it as being created by them. This one was completely unadorned, nothing, save the note tied onto the hilt.

His fingers shook slightly as he untied the thin thread and peeled open the folded yellowing parchment. As he read his face turned red, his eyes narrowed and his blood boiled. He gripped the note so tightly it tore in two, tiny parchment fibers fluttering in the small breeze.

Like the brewing storm, Raphael's eyes darted, searching for the origin of the note. If he found the person who wrote this, even if it was in jest, he would rip him limb from limb. In neat, clear calligraphy, it read:

Dear Raphael,

You are invited to an informal get-together I am hosting a little west of your current position. Go to the Antares Forest you will be directed from there. To ensure your punctuality I have Amy in my safekeeping. She will be kept safe, ere your presence.

Bring the shards.

Raphael was instantly awake, the note acting as a stimulant that gave him an inexhaustible amount of energy. He threw the knife with all his force at the nearest tree. It slammed into the trunk, burying itself to the handle in wood and the tree shook violently. He tossed the remains of the note into the air, scattering them to the winds. Anger built into a cold rage, the sense of loss making him search for anything to hurt, to share his pain with. Amy was his, and anyone who threatened her would be the sharp end of his rapier.

He belted on his sword, giving it a gently caress as he packed up his camp. The horse had seemed to be infected with Raphael's newfound power, and neighed happily. He threw one leg over the mount.

"Go with speed, friend." He said eyes forward and radiating power, "Go with the speed of vengeance."

Taki watched silently from her perch atop a nearby tree. Her lips cracked a thin smile as Raphael looked right at her, and then passed over her painted green face and clothes. The trap had been set, and he had no choice but to walk into it now. Her smile grew wider, she had already won.

Her target was Soul Edge, always had been Soul Edge. Her adventures had revealed that the sword had existed, and been shattered into several pieces. Whether there were twenty or a hundred shards she didn't know, all Taki needed were enough of them to forge a new one, one to put against Mekki-maru and to destroy them both forever. Raphael had three or four good-sized shards all of which he carried on his person, as Taki had found out when she searched his house.

So she had hatched this plan. The only way to corner anyone is with their weakness. Taki knew hers: her persistence. And Raphael had his: Amy. The difference between theirs was that Raphael's was easier to capture.

The knife crashed into the trunk was unexpected, and the shaking of the tree nearly unseated her. It returned her attention to the scene at hand and also gave her another glimpse of herself.

Stay focused, Taki, the voice of Master Toki repeated in her mind, berating her screwing up a stealth training session, feel the area around and blend into it, you are your surroundings, and use yourself to your advantage.

She disappeared, simply ceasing to exist on top of the tree as she flitted across the ground. Trees snapped by at a deathly pace, crashing into one at her speed would probably kill her instantly. Time to return to the bait.

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VTM: Yeah, I hit a WB so the update took a while, and my Internet connection was down :( TY for the review

WhipOfAlch: YAY! You reviewed on my B-Day. Capturing the era was what I set out to do, ty for the nice b-day present!

-MPmagi