A/N: So this chapter is like a part two of the previous chapter. I don't know at first what to put in here actually but thanks to my friends' opinions, I've finished yet another chapter.
As evening arrived, Maxi and Mitsurugi then both looked and nodded at each other then stood up at the same time.
"Okay then, Maxi and I are going out to look around the city and look for information about Ostrheinsburg and even Soul Edge if we're lucky."
"Yeah! After all Zenith is a city much like a lot of cities around here that always come alive once the sun has set." as Maxi smirked at Mitsurugi.
"We'll probably come back late so don't wait for us okay?"
"Yeah! After all, Zenith is a big city. Anyway, we'll be on our way now. Wish us luck."
The two then exited the room and into the city.
"Are you ready for this Mitsy?
"Arrgghh! you know that Taki is the only one I allow to call me that. Anyway, to answer your your question, you always know that I'm ready for anything."
"First one to the rumble gets an early advantage?"
"You're on!"
The two then raced each other to the bar where the battle royal will be held. Meanwhile, back at the inn, Sophitia then stood up.
"Sis? What's up?"
"I'm going out to find information on Ostrheinsburg of course. Judging by the enthusiasm of those two a while ago, I doubt that they will do exactly what they have said and don't worry so much Cassandra. I can handle myself just ask Siegfried over there."
"She's right Cassandra. It's the people here that I'm worried about when they get on Sophitia's bad side."
"But still, take care Sis." Sophitia then hugged her sister and left.
The two remained silent for a while until Cassandra broke the silence. "Uhm... Siegfried, do you want to... go out... for a while? ... You know... just for a walk?" as Cassandra was still feeling awkward towards the knight.
"O.. of course. I... uhm... figured that you're not the type of person that wants to be cooped up in one place for a long time." as Cassandra responded back with a smile. Siegfried then was enlightened with what he saw on the Athenian's face and couldn't help but to smile back.
The two then headed to the streets and walked as they both observe how cities are during the night.
"It's so beautiful to see the city during the night. I've never seen such a place so full of lights, people and enjoyment."
"Isn't Athens like this all the time?"
"I don't know. I was never allowed by my parents to stay outside after the sun sets."
"Then let me show you a place that you have been missing all these times." Siegfried then held the hand of Cassandra and took her to a place where the city can be fully seen.
The Athenian was astonished on what she is seeing before her eyes. The full view of Zenith with it's lights (really fancy torches and candle lights) making her more stunning that she already is.
Suddenly, the two heard something that was coming from the city. They then saw the thing that was making the strange sound as it was heading for the skies. It looked like some sparks or flares that was shot by a musketeer. The next thing they saw just took their breaths away. As the sparks hits the sky, a wide array of lights scattered from it. Apparently, the annual fireworks festival was being held tonight. The two then sat down as they witness the display of fireworks in the dark night sky. Cassandra then leaned her head down to Siegfried's chest.
"Thank you for this wonderful night Siegfried. I'll treasure this moment forever."
Siegfreid then wrapped his arm around her and unconsciously leaned his head to the Athenian's.
"Anything just to see you happy Cassandra."
As soon as the sky clear from the fireworks and the smoke, an elegant cluster of stars appeared before them. After a while a shooting star appeared and was noticed by Cassandra.
"Siegfried, look, a shooting star. Make a wish."
"What? Is that even possible?"
"Of course silly. Everyone knows that. Once a shooting star passes by, your wish will come true."
"Okay then. I'll give it a shot." Siegfried then became serious and thought hard and silently said his wish.
" I wish that I can be forgiven for the sins that I have committed at the past so that I can continue to live happily without the burden of guilt to hold me back. So is that it?"
"Pretty much."
"You think it worked?"
"It will take some time of course. Their not genies that can grant your wish in a blink of an eye."
Then Siegfried chuckled at the Athenian because of being so naive. He then stared at her bright green emerald eyes and started to put his hand on her cheek. Cassandra then blushed as she cannot believe that all these things are happening to her in a single night and the fact that she is spending a memorable night with a man whom she believes will fill the empty space in her life. As their faces almost met with one another, Siegfried suddenly turned his head away as he heard two people who passed by talking to each other.
"Hey I just got news that only two are left of that rumble."
"Oh really? Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go already! That last moment will be epic and I don't want to miss it."
The two young men then rushed to get to the bar.
"What's the problem Siegfried?"
"Mitsurugi and Maxi. They're in that fight. I'm worried that something bad will happen to them."
"Oh my! I thought they were going to ask about Ostrheinsburg around the city? Those two knuckle heads! They always seek trouble. Sophitia's not gonna be happy if she hears about this." as Cassandra puts her palm on her face because of the two acting like hooligans and disappointment on not getting kissed by the knight.
"Let's hurry." as Cassandra nodded, they both rushed to the bar as quickly as they can. Upon arriving at the bar, the two were shocked to see the winner of the rumble.
"Here's your winner and fifty grand richer than the other participants, the gorgeous female warrior from Athens!" the crowd then cheered for the woman.
"Huh? Fifty grand richer?" as Sophitia stood in confusion.
"Here's your price money and congratulations."
As the crowd cheers Sophitia on, Cassandra and Siegfried finally breached through the crowd and meet up with Sophitia.
"Sis, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to ask around for information?"
"I was. But after a while with no leads to Ostrheinsburg, I decided to call it for it the night. As I was going back to the inn, I heard a lot of chaos in this place and well..."
FLASHBACK:
As the fight began, Mitsurugi and Maxi teamed up to knock out as many as they can to make sure that they were the last two standing to settle their score back at the old
country. As expected, they swept through the competition, taking one man after the
other. Finally, the two of them were the only one left in the rumble.
"Well well well, it looks like I can finally have that rematch from last time Mitsurugi. I promise you, it won't be easy as before."
"Hahahaha. Very well Maxi, come and try. Hit me with your best shot and don't hold back. After all no matter what happens, we're both still gonna get filthy rich."
The two then prepared themselves for combat. Maxi started things off with a roundhouse that was aimed for Mitsurugi's head. With experience on his side, the samurai easily ducked to evade the kick and countered him with an uppercut that caught Maxi straight in the jaw. He stumbled for a while but quickly regained his balance. But before Maxi can fully recover, Mitsurugi was already running towards him in an attempt to land a hook. Maxi remembered all too well that it was the same move that caused the beginning of his downfall back then. He immediately dodged it and gave Mitsurugi a forceful punch to the stomach and caused him to flinch. The two then looked straight at each other and gave each one a smile, letting each other know that they were enjoying their match. But as they were about to continue, a woman from the crown approached them.
"Maxi! Mitsurugi! I knew you two were up to no good. It's not natural for you two to go out a big city just to get information. I should've known that you two would just be wasting time picking fights with some scumbags. Now then let's see how you two fair with a real warrior." Sophitia then slowly approached the two, popping her fists.
"W...wa...wait Sophitia can we just take it easy for a while and talk things out?"
"Y...Yeah! After all Athenians are... known as...patient...peace loving...non violent people... aren't they?" as the two slowly backed away, staring at Sophitia, shaking in fear for the pain she is about to bring upon them.
"Maxi, is it too late to run away now?"
"I think so. The crowd won't let us out even if we try."
"I can barely stood up a while ago when I experienced her fury. To add insult to injury, I haven't even fully recovered yet."
"Well all I can say is see you later at the inn." Mitsurugi then chuckled.
"Same to you friend." everything then went black.
END OF FLASHBACK
(Whew I guess I was lucky that I did not tagged along with those two when they planned on doing it while we were still at the clinic. But I can say that I was really lucky that I spent the night with her.) as Siegfried turned his attention to Cassandra.
"Oh Sis, you didn't even had mercy on Mitsurugi. After all he's still suffering from the beating he received from you a while ago."
"Oh! I guess I got a little carried away. Let's just take them back to the inn so that they could rest okay?"
"Of course. The inn isn't that far away from here anyway. Besides, with Siegfried here, we can carry them easily." as Cassandra smiled at her sister.
"Okay then, Siegfried can you carry Mitsurugi by yourself?" The knight then nodded.
"Very well. Cassandra we'll carry Maxi.
"Sure Sis. Maxi doesn't look that heavy anyway."
As the group arrived at the inn and settled their two fallen commrades to bed, the sisters decided to call it a night and went to bed as well. Siegfreid then as the gentleman that he is escorted the two Athenians to their room. But before Cassandra entered their room, she quickly turned back and gave the knight a warm embrace.
"Thank you again for a wonderful evening Siegfried. I really enjoyed it."
He then hugged her back. "You're welcome. I did enjoyed it as wel.l"
The two then released their hold of each other and bid each other Good Night. As Cassandra entered their room, she was then confronted by her older sister.
"It looks like you had a wonderful time tonight with Siegfried, little sister."
"What? We... uhm.. just... went out for a walk. That's all."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am Sis!"
"Oh come now Cassandra. don't expect that I wasn't noticing your awkward reactions whenever I always mention his name."
"Uhm... that's because... uhm..." as Cassandra became more nervous as time passes by.
"Oh and how could I forget last night, when I saw you hugging him like your old teddy bear back home."
"I... uhm..." She knew her sister already figured it out. She cannot cover for it anymore. So without Sophitia preparing for it, Cassandra buried herself into her sister's shoulder and tears started to fall on her eyes.
"I'm sorry Sis! I'm so verry sorry!"
"Cassandra, stop crying. You don't have to apologize for being attracted to Siegfried." as Sophitia gave her sister a warm embrace.
"I'm sorry Sis. I just didn't want anyone to find out until I'm sure what i really feel about him and if he feels the same way for me."
"I think he is the right one for you Cassandra." as Sophitia smiled at her sister.
"But... I'm still not sure on my feelings toward him."
"Cassandra, you haven't treated anyone who courted you the same way as you have treated Siegfried. This is also the only time that I have seen you really enjoying yourself in the company of a man except for Father and Patroklos. If those reasons still doesn't seem to satisfy your questions then I don't know what will."
"I guess you're right Sis. But what if he doesn't feel the same way towards me."
"I don't think so. Afterall, he did took you to a place where the city and the fireworks can be seen at their best right?" Cassandra was then surprised that Sophitia knew about what happened with them a while ago.
"How did you knew that Sis?"
"I figured that out when I saw Siegfried taking you somewhere as I just have learned that the fireworks festival was being held today. You remember back then when we were kids right? We were never allowed by Mother and Father to stay outside the house after the sun has set. That's why you always like staring at the constellations. I'm guessing that you asked Siegfried if he can accompany you to watch them tonight. Then he took you to that place so that you can see the city during the night as you atch the stars together. I highly doubt that he knew that tonight was the festival."
"So what dows that mean?"
"It means that though he has a mission that he needs to accomplish, he still finds some time to spend it with you."
"Do you really think that he did that for me?"
"Of course. Back then, I... uhm...admired Siegfried as well." Cassandra gasped in surprise. "Wait, before you say anything else, let me finish. I don't know if he felt the same way towards me. But because of his desire to put his Father's slayer to justice, he did not tried to spend time with me or even just to know me better. But towards you, he seems to be different."
"Uhm... I suppose you're right. But why didn't you spend the time with him when everything was done?"
"One because I never saw him again until now. Two is that I met Rothion that was destined by the Gods for me to love and be at my side forever. Don't you see Cassandra, he also admires you so don't hinder yourself on showing him what you really feel about him."
"You think so Sis? Well then I'll take your advice and do it as soon as I'll have the strength and courage to tell him. Thanks for everything Sis and good night."
"You're welcome Cassandra. Sweet dreams little sister."
As Cassandra was already sure that Sophitia has fallen asleep, she then knelt near their window and started praying.
"Gods please watch over us always and lend us your strength during times of need. Oh and if it is possible, though he does not worship you, can you please make Siegfried's wishes come true? Thanks for listening." Cassandra then returned to her bed and finally slumbered for the night.
Meanwhile in the other room, Siegfried has just finished checking on his two comrades as the two girls, nursed their wounds and injuries a while ago when they arrived at the inn. He then lied down to his bed as he thought about the time that he had spent with Cassandra earlier.
(Damn! I can't remember the last time that I felt that good. I guess when Soul Edge corrupted me, there's no way that I can ever experience that feeling that I just had with Cassandra a while ago. I even almost kissed her.) Siegfried's thoughts were then interrupted as his attention was directed to a snoring Mitsurugi. (Of course thanks to those two that didn't happened. But I guess I have to thank them as well. I can't bare the guilt of my sins as I let my emotions get the best of me. After all, I can't allow her to know about the real me. I can't let her see the monster that I was that is lurking deep inside of me when she looks me in the eyes. I can't stand to see her experiencing fear towards me. But in case the time comes, I'll let her be the judge of my life. If she will try to kill me, I will stand down and accept my fate. I don't want her to have the burden on having The Azure Knight as another problem that she has to worry about. Besides, without her knowing it, she has already given me a reason to die happily and that's how to love like a normal human being again.)
With that last thought in mind, Siegfried fell asleep.
A/N: So guys, the next chapter will be up really soon. Sorry that I didn't updated lately. School could sometimes be a bummer especially when you're in college. Can't even manage to have a little time to relax.