The poor fools. They were like lambs to the slaughter.

The assassins had been only too willing to undertake their mission. Perilous as it may have been, the same greed for money that validated their murders also justified the danger of their assignment. The one-eyed moor had paid them handsomely just to hear his offer, and they'd been assured an even larger bounty for successfully completing their mission.

"Down!" Taki yelled to Sophitia, who ducked in time to avoid a polearm. Taki swiftly disposed of the attacker and turned her sights on the next.

Zasalamel had warned them that their foes were not to be underestimated, that their group would need to attack relentlessly, under cover of darkness, if they were to have any hope of success.

What Zasalamel didn't tell them was that they would all die anyway. They'd be the richest men in the cemetery.

Siegfried and his band had shed their dead weight and were now moving at a satisfactory pace toward the location that Zasalamel had chosen to perform his ritual. Although these developments pleased him, there was one thing that did not. While four of the five travelers were besieged by anxiety and unease, there was yet one of them who remained perpetually calm. If the Soul Embrace was to acquire any further power before his ritual, it would need to absorb more suffering, more strife. Zasalamel would see to it that this was taken care of.

He certainly wouldn't inconvenience himself by approaching them directly; their petty grudge against him would surely be a nuisance to him. He would isolate the one whom he sought to break, and then he would sever her mind.

Many of the assassins had panicked and forgotten their plan, but a few among them continued it, and drove Taki away from the others, towards the edge of the forest, where Zasalamel waited, indifferent to his lack of stealth.

One could not easily sneak up on Taki. She would hear their footsteps, or their breathing, or even their heartbeat, and defeat them in an instant.

Fortunately for Zasalamel, Taki had exerted herself to much to retain her keen senses. She couldn't hear his heartbeat or his breath, and his footsteps made no discernible sound upon the air.

He grabbed the nukenin from behind and dragged her into the forest, disarming her quickly as he left his remaining red herrings to die by the blades of her comrades.

Zasalamel, in the meantime, would drive this struggling woman to madness.

---

Siegfried slashed and his foe dropped. Ivy and Sophitia covered his back as he lifted up the Chinese man in the black hood, locking eyes with him before beginning his interrogation. Amy watched with her trademark apathy.

"Why did you try to kill us?" Siegfried asked.

The man replied in Chinese, in a tone to suggest he wasn't interested in complying. Ivy and Sophitia were of no help with translation, and Taki was nowhere to be found. Frustrated, Siegfried shook the man.

"Who hired you?" Siegfried demanded.

More words he didn't understand.

"You're green, Siegfried." Ivy said, commanding the Valentine's blade to split into parts, and raising it to the man's neck. "This is how you interrogate someone..."

---

Taki woke and found her hands and feet bound, her swords a few feet away. She hadn't lost any clothing, she was glad to see, and she still had a few devices left in strategic spots in her armor, exactly as she'd been trained to have.

"You are an anomaly, Taki the nukenin." Zasalamel observed from somewhere around her.

Taki tried to turn her head, but her position made this difficult. Out of her peripheral vision she could vaguely make out a silhouette. Based on his position, he was sitting cross-legged, but not on the ground. He was floating several feet to her right, approximately two meters from the nearest tree.

She measured the length of Zasalamel's body, and contrasted it with the distance and how well she could move her wrist while it was bound. The likelihood of a critical hit from a kunai or shuriken at this distance was slim, especially considering Zasalamel's apparent indestructibility. Her singular confrontation with him had ended within seconds, and he'd successfully controlled Ivy and manipulated Geki – as well as fought Siegfried to a standstill. Her respect for the man's combat aptitude was matched only by her distaste for his manipulative method.

Her shuriken were in a pouch at her hip. Two kunai rested in her boot, strapped beneath her bodysuit's leg. She could probably reach the shuriken, but Zasalamel had a clear view of her back, and if she rolled over to conceal her hand, she wouldn't be able to throw them at him.

A few ounces of gunpowder rested beneath her right shoulder pad, and the rope for her grappling hook lay under the left. She kept her hands still for the time being, listening for any sound of attack before she tried to strike.

"Most kunoichi specialize in espionage, not combat." Zasalamel said. "They make use of their feminine attributes to seduce and obfuscate their targets, and then dispose of them more discretely – more subtly – more elegantly than you do."

Taki did not reply. She did not believe that Zasalamel could possibly be aware of her thoughts on such women and their conduct, but then again, it wouldn't surprise her if he had somehow gained the knowledge.

"You possess no tact or subtlety." Zasalamel observed. "Your efforts are all devoted to the shinobi arts, and you forsake your gender role. But, why do you do so? For what? To whom are you trying to prove yourself?"

Taki's hand grasped her shuriken. She used her peripheral vision to measure the distance, and practiced flicking her arm with her free wrist, creating the appearance that she was trying to wrest free of her bonds. Based on how far she could move her fingers, she could probably hit him...but she was still calculating the height and the speed of her throw.

"And I answer myself," Zasalamel continued, "you intentionally focus on what separates you from the rest of your gender, rather than what binds you to it. Are you afraid to acknowledge than you are a woman? Or are you ashamed of it?"

Taki was unphased by insults, and considered verbal abuse to be one of the weakest forms of attack. She did not wish to honor his petty remarks with a response, but replied to him to distract him from what her hands were doing and buy herself some time. "My gender is of no consequence to me." She said tersely.

Zasalamel raised an eyebrow. "The kraken wakes. And already I can tell you disdain what you are. You disparage your gender. You deny whatever natural advantages you could derive from it, and try to play a role you were never intended to occupy."

Taki had to keep him talking just a few moments longer..."What do you know of me?"

"Only that you spend all your time denying what you are." Zasalamel replied. "For someone so concerned with efficiency and personal advancement, you overlook some of your greatest strengths."

"Not strengths." Taki replied curtly. "Nothing worth keeping."

"So concerned with becoming stronger that you overlook the advantages you have possessed since birth." Zasalamel told her. "Do you hate being a woman so much?'

Before he'd finished asking the question, Taki found her bead and jerked her wrist as best she could. The shuriken in her hand spiraled through the air, right towards Zasalamel's neck, right at the corner of his jaw, at the highest point of one of his largest carotid arteries. The strike wouldn't kill him immediately, and he'd bleed for several seconds before he was rendered unconscious. She could only hope the strike would render him too stunned to react in time. After all, it usually did.

However, most people couldn't conjure a spherical field around themselves at will, either. The barrier Zasalamel erected appeared and dissipated during the split second in which the shuriken was within its range, and the weapon bounced off and landed uselessly on the ground far below.

"It is very rude to interrupt someone when they are speaking." Zasalamel told her. He allowed himself to return to the ground, walking towards the bound woman. "But I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything less than you trying to escape."

"It is my way." Taki said simply.

"I waste time with a verbal interrogation," Zasalamel observed. "And you were undoubtedly trained to resist torture..." He extended his hand. "...physical torture, at least."

He waved his arm, his wrist glowing with baneful dark blue light. "Your mind is so solely focused on your personal advancement, I doubt you value the past very much at all."

Zasalamel vanished, replaced by a burning temple, and a grotesque demon with four arms and three faces.

Taki dropped down before him, readying the Mekki-Maru and leveling it at her target.

You are used to killing by now, Zasalamel noted, his voice reverberating inside her head. Did you show any hesitation then? Was it difficult to take another person's life?

Or did you simply rationalize that creature wasn't human anymore? That killing a demon was far easier than killing a human?

Taki could not reply. She had no control over her actions. She was merely viewing a memory, watching herself battle the demon, her body doing nothing more than acting out her recollection of battling this monstrosity. As fire rained down around her, she struck without hesitation. She cut without mercy or forethought. Her only thought was for survival.

Would it surprise you to learn that those lives you've ended have led to numerous of lost souls wandering the Earth? Their desire for vengeance upon you led to a few to call out for me – they pleaded, begged me to grant them the chance to end your life.

The scene changed. Taki was modestly removing her clothing to bathe. Though it was a formality, she had agreed to remain clean and fresh in the presence of her lord and any of his associates. She did not expect her clan members to spy on her – they knew her well enough that any who desired her would respect her privacy – but she was still cautious.

Taki certainly didn't want her enemy to witness this, either...

So ashamed of your femininity. You would do anything you could to blend in among men, so long as you remained the best of them. So long as you were the most powerful and most dependable, you would be only too happy to wear their armor and wield their weapons and forsake any natural talent.

Taki was dissatisfied with her breasts. To her, they were nothing more than unnecessary blobs of fat, even if she was quite muscled underneath. She didn't want to use them as a distraction, and they'd been known to impede some of her movements. They were another obstacle to be worked around, a handicap that led a few of her comrades to belittle her.

But then, she was belittled simply for being a woman, too.

You hate yourself. You cannot stand even the slightest imperfection. The slightest social stigma disgusts you. You're suffering, and you impose it upon yourself. You can only drive it off by bearing as many burdens – as many responsibilities – as you can hold.

Taki found herself lying on the ground again, Zasalamel towering over her, his outstretched hand not a foot from her face.

"Those souls I told you about would like a few words with you." Zasalamel said. He stepped away, but the blue light lingered.

From it, shadows emerged, gradually becoming more corporeal and forming recognizable, humanoid forms. Blood fell from their chests, their waists, and their neck's carotid arteries. They lurched forward, unimpeded by their wound. All reached towards her, and she struggled to escape, but could not cut or reach her explosives or her sutras.

The hands reached down to her face. They pulled at her, attempting to drag her towards that dark light.

For the first time in years, she screamed.

---

It was Sophitia who heard the cry. "Taki." she said simply, heading into the woods. Ivy left the blood soaked and barely conscious assassin on the ground as she, Siegfried and Amy moved to follow.

It wasn't like Taki to be in pain.

It wasn't like her to scream.

And if something scared Taki, it was bound to terrify them too.

---

Zasalamel watched his apparitions grasp and claw at her with a weary sense of duty. He did not take any particular joy in the sight – though, admittedly, it was rare for him to derive joy from anything – and if he still possessed a typical moral compass, he might've pitied her.

She was not his enemy, specifically. She was a tool who would be more useful to him after her psyche was shattered, and he knew that simple physical force would not be enough to break her. He had to target her fragile mind, and prey upon her most personal weaknesses.

It was in poor taste, he admitted. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances.

Zasalamel had long felt that the world would be a better place if people were not punished for their mistakes, but instead rewarded for learning from those mistakes. He'd been punished by nature itself for the choices he'd made, and he abhorred the penalty he had to suffer even after he had learned the error of his ways. He did not wish to harm others, not without reason, not even with reason. Most humans were so much weaker than himself that to harm them was genuinely unfair.

Taki the nukenin was strong. She would survive the torment.

But that didn't mean she deserved it.

It was just what he had to do to accomplish his objective.

Zasalamel's attention was quickly diverted from the matter, however. He recognized the platinum blonde mane of Ivy Valentine and the heavy armor of Siegfried. Zasalamel would be overmatched battling an alchemist and a skilled swordsman simultaneously, and his objective was complete anyway.

He drew the souls back within himself, and began his retreat. Taki was still dazed, lying on the ground, her eyes alight with obvious fear.

Sophitia immediately dropped to kneel beside Taki, examining her for injuries. Ivy moved to pursue Zasalamel as he vanished into the shadows, but Siegfried restrained her, grasping her bare shoulder.

"We help our comrade first." Siegfried told her firmly. "We do not pursue him on our own if it can be helped."

"No..." Taki moaned, sitting up. "...Schtauffen, you must...pursue him. He's the one...keeping us from destroying the Embrace."

"Your safety is more important than him," Siegfried replied.

She was still hurt. Still terrified. Still vulnerable.

Still very, very angry, and growing resentful of Siegfried's illogical decision.

"The mission must always come before the lives of comrades." Taki said firmly, even as she shook from pain. "You could have recovered me after he was stopped!"

"We cannot risk losing the person we need in order to purify the sword." He lowered his head solemnly. "I will allow no more good people to die because of this madness." The face of Talim briefly flickered in Taki's mind.

Sophitia tried to convince Taki to lay down and rest. Taki appreciated the concern, but would not be dissuaded. "Schtauffen – "

"If you have an objection, we can discuss it after you've been tended to." Siegfried told her firmly. "It's not as though any of us will be going anywhere else tonight."

Reluctantly, Taki accepted Sophitia's help, and caressed her wrists once they were unbound, the feel of clammy, dead hands still upon her neck.

---

Taki's tent was small, but she kept herself even more cramped by storing her weapons to one side and her scrolls and explosives in another. There was barely room to lie down, but what room she had was sufficient, and the ground was comfortable enough. She wasn't particularly injured...even if that's what Sophitia had tried to treat.

By the same token, Taki wasn't willing to acknowledge her vulnerability, even to her comrades. Though she doubted they were disappointed in her or begrudged her for letting Zasalamel get the better of her, Taki still felt she had failed. She'd been defeated quite easily, by an adversary who'd exploited her weaknesses without raising a weapon. She hadn't even been able to land a single blow.

And all his comments about her...womanhood.

What did it matter that she was a woman? She was as competent as any of her clan members had ever been – and indeed, often she was even more competent. She was stronger than most men, and her lighter frame made her more agile. Even if she was an atypical kunoichi, what did that matter? She was more versatile and less predictable as a result.

Any human could kill any other human. She'd been trained to deliver a single definitive stroke, and had been trained to do so before her target knew she was there. The fact that she was a woman never entered the equation when she carried out her duty.

Except the few foes who had avoided striking her, or the ones who had been all too easy to slay because they had been distracted by her form. Men and demons alike could not resist eyeing her, and she'd been only too happy to capitalize on that lechery and cut out the very eyes they roved her body with. It had become routine for her to capitalize on other's hesitation and step forward without fear.

Yet now, Zasalamel…

It wasn't the first time she'd faced a supernatural enemy. It was, however, the first time her past had come back to bite her. She'd faced some persistent foes more than once – Ivy came to mind – but never had she been rendered vulnerable and faced dozens at once.

Never had she been so...completely defeated.

And then, Siegfried had chosen to help her rather than to follow Zasalamel. That, more so even than her own failure, appalled her. Among her last group of comrades, losses – while infrequent – had always been a possibility. Death was their business. Completion of their mission mattered more than any member of a typical four man cell. The orders of their lord were absolute. The institution and the completion of their tasks always mattered more than the men who carried it out.

Siegfried's vow of pacifism had impressed Taki at first, but based on what tales she had heard of him and what she had seen for herself, his ways had proven impractical more than once. The Azure Knight would certainly not hesitate to kill, and Tira wouldn't have any trouble killing anyone but her former Master – or at least that was what Taki predicted, despite the slave's words on the bridge at Athens.

Siegfried could destroy Nightmare, as he was nothing but an evil will bound to a suit of armor that was a shadow of his former self. Siegfried hated Zasalamel just enough to hurt him, but probably not just enough to kill him.

And though Siegfried would probably give up his life to destroy Soul Edge, she saw now he would not be willing to sacrifice anyone else to do it. He wouldn't give up any of his comrades, and the fact he'd bedded a few of them probably made him even more protective.

Perhaps he had specifically saved her because he'd yet to have her...

No. That was immaterial. The problem was not whatever desires Siegfried might have for her. The problem was that he was their leader, and he had been unwilling to sacrifice one of his squad for the good of the mission.

He lacked the ruthlessness, the sense of devotion to duty, required from a leader. He was so devoted to his friends he'd allowed their enemy to escape. He insisted that everyone live to see the end of this journey.

It was admirable. It was a good trait, and something she could respect.

But not in a leader. Not from the man who had to make choices for the good of everyone.

Before Taki could raise an objection, she'd speak to the others. She wouldn't make a move until she knew where her other comrades stood.

And whether they would follow her instructions when the time came.

---

Their campsite was almost ideally situated at the base of a single mountain cone, less than a mile from the forests. The area was full of hills, and a single alcove near the cinder cone had filled with water from a neighboring river and formed a hot spring.

It was small, but accommodating. Siegfried had filled half of it on his own, but he'd left to allow Sophitia and Ivy some privacy. He'd gone to sit in his tent, chivalrously keeping away. Taki was supposed to be resting, but she would not spurn the opportunity.

She stepped past Amy swinging her rapier around, indifferent to the hot spring. Taki arrived at the spring and spotted the two other women on opposite sides of the semicircular pool. Sophitia had tried to make conversation, but Ivy's responses had been short and neutral. Sophitia's friendliness was getting her nowhere with such a staunch woman.

And Sophitia might've objected, but she didn't seem surprised to see Taki. Ivy merely nodded as Taki disrobed and joined them, leaving her weapons and tools only a few inches from the edge of the water. She was still modest, and moved into the water very quickly.

Women did this all the time, she rationalized. She had been raised around men, and hadn't been exposed to such a typical social activity. In a few seconds she would be comfortable...a selfish thought to have, when she intended to ask them questions that she knew would make them very uncomfortable.

"Have you healed well?" Ivy asked, frank as ever.

"I'll be fine." Taki responded simply. "But this can't happen again."

Sophitia frowned. "Taki, no one blames you – "

"And I don't expect you to," Taki cut her off. "The problem wasn't that I had been defeated. The problem was in our leader's insistence on coming to my aid."

"Come on, that's what Siegfried is like." Sophitia replied. "He can't help but be concerned. He cares for all of us."

"As you care for him?" Taki asked.

"...I care for him as a comrade. Nothing more." Sophitia answered solemnly. Although there was no direct evidence, it was apparent that the swordsman and the married woman had enjoyed a nocturnal embrace while she was wounded by her unfaithful husband. Taki knew that it was in poor taste to remind Sophitia of the stains on her marriage, but she did not intend to hold back on account of others' shame.

"He isn't the smartest among us." Ivy noted. "But that wasn't his forte or niche to begin with. Just because he prioritizes keeping us alive isn't reason to think less of him."

Taki had not expected that of Ivy. "I thought you'd be encouraging him to be ruthless."

"I do." Ivy responded flatly. "Frequently. But I don't expect him to comply; that isn't in his nature. He's so burdened by self-imposed guilt for Nightmare's crimes that he would never adapt methods that suit his nemesis."

"That is understandable, but that isn't what we need." Taki pressed. "We had our primary enemy outnumbered and surprised, and we didn't pursue him."

"You saved me when I needed to be saved." Sophitia reminded her.

"Only after I'd finished the fight with Cervantes." Taki pointed out. "I carried out my mission before I helped you."

"And that's your philosophy." Ivy said tersely. "That's what you believed was more important. Obviously, that isn't how Siegfried feels. What is the issue here?"

"I am not trying to make you doubt Siegfried's virtues." Taki continued. "I am calling into question his role as our leader. He has to think about our ultimate goal before he thinks about us."

"Why?" Sophitia asked.

"Don't be naïve." Taki requested. "This is dangerous. You went on this journey knowing it was possible you wouldn't come back."

"That I wouldn't come back." Sophitia confirmed. "That doesn't mean I'd be willing to sacrifice anyone else."

Taki was at a loss for words.

"It's almost funny how differently I see things from you two." Ivy observed with a chuckle. "I'd be perfectly content to sacrifice either of you – hell, both of you and a thousand others – if it would complete this journey and dispose of Soul Edge. My soul is tied to that sword, so I don't believe that I will live after its destruction. I don't want to die myself, but I would happily sacrifice anything – my life, your lives, anything – without hesitation if it would destroy that infernal weapon."

Both Taki and Sophitia were speechless. Ivy shrugged. "And here I thought you two might value honesty."

Another thought crossed Taki's mind, and all thoughts of Ivy's shameless disregard were lost. "There's also the fact...well, Schtauffen – "

Ivy inferred immediately. "Oh, you think he wouldn't risk losing you until after he'd slept with you?"

Sophitia's cheeks started to turn red. Taki herself remained focused on the task at hand. "Yes, I'm worried. He hasn't tried anything yet, but I know he looks at me – "

"Does that make you self conscious?" Ivy asked. "Or uncomfortable?"

"No." Taki answered firmly. "Why? Did you feel that way?"

"Not at all. I seduced him." She said, almost proudly. "He might've cast a glance my way, but I was the aggressor. From the very beginning I had him wrapped around my finger, and called on him when I wanted to have my bit of fun."

Sophitia seemed affronted by these statements.

"Oh, don't look at me like that." Ivy smirked at Sophitia. "Have you forgotten when we went underground and you snuck off with him? You were so insistent about spending time with him you left both of you very vulnerable to attack."

Sophitia stammered. "I – "

"Oh, don't worry, you don't have to justify yourself," Ivy said. "I've never much concerned myself with what the other members of our merry band are up to. We've all gone through our own paces, all made our own decisions...and although we never discussed it aloud, there was an unspoken schedule between us, a calendar describing which nights of the week each one of us was allowed to seek comfort from Siegfried."

"That's not true at all." Sophitia said in a very small voice.

"Don't let her fool you, Taki." Ivy suggested. "There was a schedule well before you joined us, and it kept going for a while after."

"I'm aware." Taki said simply. "And I normally wouldn't care about other people's business, but it's clearly affecting Schtauffen's judgment."

"And that's a bad thing?" Sophitia asked. "That he wants to keep us all alive?"

"At the expense of our mission." Taki fired back.

"You don't know that for sure." Sophitia fired back, just as quickly.

"No, I suppose I don't..." Taki admitted. "...but I know how I can find out."

---

Taki had taken first watch. Normally she might be willing to serve two continuous watches, but Siegfried insisted on at least trying to convince her to let him take over. She knew he'd come, blissfully unaware of what she'd discussed with Sophitia and Ivy.

He stepped out of his tent and towards the dying remnants of their fire, where Taki sat, her weapons at her right.

"Can I convince you to let me take over tonight?" Siegfried asked, sitting down beside her.

"If you think you can, try me." Taki replied, moving to the side to allow him more room. "But you'll have to hear out a proposal of mine."

"Go ahead." Siegfried offered.

"Give me the Soul Embrace." Taki instructed. "And inform our comrades that you've deferred all the duties of command to me."

Siegfried was taken aback. "Taki, are you – ?"

"Serious? Very." Taki told him. "You could've jeopardized our mission today, and that would be grounds for reprimand in any serious organization. If you are truly unwilling to sacrifice, I'll be relieving you of command."

Siegfried paused, stopping to think. "Do you really believe I was in error in allowing Zasalamel to escape?"

"Yes!" Taki replied with uncharacteristic fervor. "I know you've seen enough of death – we all have – but you must be willing to sacrifice your comrades, or your hesitation will allow our enemies to succeed. I have no problem with your vow of pacifism, but you can't afford to save everyone, or Soul Edge will endure!"

Siegfried stood up. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Taki." he stated simply. "No, I will not give you Soul Embrace, and no, I will not give you command over the others."

Taki stood up immediately after, instinctively drawing the Rekki-Maru and leveling it forward. "You must think this through logically, Schtauffen! This is a very dangerous journey we've embarked upon, and people will die!"

"People have died." Siegfried replied bitterly. "And no one else will, if I can manage it."

"You cannot be flippant about this!" Taki shot back. "Your responsibility is first and foremost to completing our mission, at any cost!"

"Not at the cost you're suggesting." Siegfried responded, looking at the tip of her blade, a few inches from his chin. "I trust you to be efficient, Taki, but not to be ruthless. What you're suggesting isn't a burden I'm willing to bear."

"That is exactly why you should entrust the responsibility to me." Taki replied flatly. "Your compassion is an admirable trait, but one you are obviously unable to set aside when we need you to."

"You have enough responsibility thrust upon you," Siegfried said. "And now that our numbers are reduced, I won't put even more pressure on you. We're going to find a way to purify the sword, and I will not sacrifice anyone to get there."

"And I – " Taki began, but was swiftly cut off.

"You will? You'll sacrifice one of us?" Siegfried asked. "Well, here's your chance to prove it. I will not surrender Soul Embrace to you. If you want charge of it, you'll have to take me down."

Taki glared at him. "Not while our numbers are limited, and not when you are a capable combatant."

"Then things stay the way they are," Siegfried told her. "And no one will die."

Taki continued to glare, her grip tightening on Rekki-Maru. "Our mission has to come first. We don't have time to be sympathetic."

"You don't." Siegfried said. "But that's your strength. Not mine."

"One more chance, Schtauffen." Taki told him flatly. "For the good of the mission."

Siegfried stepped forward, placing his neck beside her sword.

"Go ahead and sacrifice, then." Siegfried told her. "For the good of the mission."

Taki's gaze was still intensely focused on Siegfried's own. He was serene, waiting on her to act without concern.

Taki respected his bravery. She understood that willingness only too well, as she'd been ready to die at any moment, and she beat her fear down and kept a strong face.

It was easy to deliver a definitive strike. She wouldn't need to kill him, only show she was serious.

Show him she was right.

Show him…

…her hand was shaking. She couldn't will herself to move.

She couldn't bring herself to hurt him. Because of that face. Those words.

Taki lowered her blade and looked away from him, unable to speak. Unable to explain herself.

"Not so different from me, are you?" Siegfried asked her. "Willing to die, but not willing to let anyone else die for you."

"...I suppose so." Taki replied tentatively, sitting back down.

"Sophitia is the same," Siegfried replied. "And Isabella puts up a tough front, but she'd sooner jump in the path of an attack than let it hit Amy. She's not expecting an existence when all this is done, but her participation in this quest proves that she does care about the next generation. She's strong enough to let one of us die, but not for anyone else."

Taki sat quietly, watching the fire die down.

"We're all ready to die." Siegfried told her. "We sacrifice ourselves, and no one else. I don't get to decide that. If you feel you have to die for this mission to be a success, you can only do it after me and anyone else who'd come to your aid."

"Schtauffen, what about how you feel?" Taki asked him. "You've...been with Ivy and Sophitia. And Tira, too. You could compromise all of our success because you care too much."

"...I have thought about this." Siegfried acknowledged somberly. "And I don't honestly know what'll happen when I'm faced with that situation. But if today was any indication, I'd prioritize the safety of my comrades, first and foremost."

"And Tira?" Taki pressed. "Her words on the bridge...she's our enemy now."

Siegfried was very quiet for several seconds as he contemplated. "Yes, she is." he confirmed. "But if possible, we will not take unnecessary lives – even hers."

"But what if it was necessary? Would you be able to strike her then, Schtauffen? Will you be able to kill when we need you to?"

Siegfried closed his eyes. "I know when another person's life stands in the way of doing the right thing. I know when...there is no other choice. I will be able to do the right thing, whenever I have to."

In that moment, Taki could see why Sophitia and the others spoke so highly of this man. Perhaps it was the dying firelight, or perhaps it was just his clear, strong diction, but Taki had been impressed by him.

His vice was an inappropriate lust for the female form, and although Taki was certainly no exception, Siegfried had conducted himself in a brave, dignified manner in her presence. And, of course, he was a tall, strong man with stunning eyes and a deep voice...

Taki shook her head. There was no need to complicate their relationship further, and Siegfried was probably wearied of arguing with her. And even if she acted upon such feelings, she had no idea what would happen. She'd never been with a man before, and wouldn't have any clue what would happen if she were to.

She never expected to make love to a man. In her clan, she wouldn't want any infighting or animosity amongst her comrades, so she never pursued a romantic relationship with any of them, preferring to relate to the others as simple brothers in arms or even friends. She had known very few women at the time, and most of those she knew had been enemies, using their feminine wiles to distract – and subsequently disarm – her comrades. She'd hated them, and never respected them. She'd never felt any connection simply through gender.

Yet, the women she called comrades had slept with Siegfried, and none appeared any worse for the wear. Though Sophitia certainly carried a lot of guilt with her now that her marriage had been repaired, Siegfried's strength and passion had brought her comfort. And Ivy was considerably less irritating the day after she'd made use of Siegfried's body.

But that wasn't reason enough for Taki to sleep with him. It was clear he'd do exactly the same thing and make the same effort to protect her if he slept with her or not. He was certainly protective of Amy, and there wasn't any chance of her appealing to his base desires, not for a few more years, at least.

She'd never touched a man in anything but a platonic manner or an attempt to administer first aid. She'd never shared a kiss or even an affectionate hug. She'd never wanted a man to do so.

Yet, Siegfried...he had virtues she could not help but admire. Compassion, strength, rationality. He was what a man was meant to be, and had proven time and time again that he was deserving of trust, even if he wasn't exactly monogamous. Besides, she didn't want a relationship for the time being. Could passion do her any harm?

"Siegfried?" She asked.

"Yes?" The man replied, his countenance just as stoic as always. His eyes did not stray from hers, he did not allow his gaze to wander across her body, he did not tremble with boyish anticipation and eagerness. He was not the man that his vice made him out to be – while his weakness for the female form was undeniable, he was in control of such desires. He was giving her his attention, his respect, something he would only grant to one whom he valued for more than just an attractive figure.

And that, to Taki, was far more arousing than any flirtation or seduction could have been.

She lowered her mask, even if it was already down past her chin. She looked up to him, holding his gaze, and moved closer.

She kissed him. She missed his lips, almost biting him as she tried to figure out what to do. Siegfried was surprised at first, but closed his eyes and moved his own mouth to accommodate hers'. Taki closed her eyes after him and followed his example.

It was a strange feeling at first, and very wet. She could smell him very well, and it took several seconds to get comfortable, but once she felt at ease, she pulled him in with one hand, drawing him closer, and the two entered a warm embrace as they moved close and closer to the ground...

---

Although there was no evidence to be found suggesting that anything had happened between Siegfried and Taki, the telltale awkwardness between them the following morning was more than enough to give Ivy and Sophitia reason to speculate.

"Do you think they – ?" Sophitia began, but Ivy raised a hand to silence her.

"It's not our concern." Ivy told her as she attempted to hold back a small smirk.

And so their journey continued, with each of them just a little more protective of their comrades than they'd been the day before.