A/N: So guys, I've uploaded another chapter coz I got a lot of vacant time this week. Reviews are still not that many so I would really appreciate it if you will leave some. /thanks for viewing by te way.
Before the sun rises, Sophitia and Cassandra had already awaken from their slumber. They are used on waking up very early as they always prepare thier bakery back in Athens so that everything will be ready before opening.
"Cassandra, let's go to the bakery and the marketplace. I'm sure those three would like to have breakfast first before we continue to search for information."
"Okay Sis but I'm sure it won't be as good as those we make back home."
"Cassandra don't be so boastful. Every bread is the product of the handwork of a person to earn a living. It is meant to be delicious so that people will come and go at the shop everyday. You know that right."
"I'm sorry Sis. I guess I just miss home a lot. I've never been far away from Athens for so long."
Sophitia then gave a warm hug to her sister.
" I know how you feel Cassandra. I miss Rothion and the children as well. We just have to wait a little longer and this quest will be over. Besides, with Siegfried and the others helping us out, we can finish this mission faster and then we can go home as soon as possible. Plus, you can spend all the time you want with Siegfried." Sophitia then giggled.
"Stop it Sophitia! You're embarrassing me!" as Cassandra broke free from her sister's grip.
"Anyway, let's just go already before those three wake up. Remember, you still have to make up for those two after what you did to them last night."
"Oh my, your right! I think Mitsurugi has got to be in a worse condition than Maxi considering he just came out of the clinic last night."
Cassandra then giggled. "Come on then Sophie. Let's go." the two sisters then exited their room. As they left the room, they were then greeted by Siegfried which surprised the two Athenians but mostly Cassandra.
"Good Morning ladies."
"Good Morning as well Siegfried." as Sophitia greeted back. Cassandra was still shocked that Siegfried has already waken up. Sophitia then bumped her little sister.
"G... Good Morning to... S...Siegfried you're up so early."
"I'm used waking up before sunrise. Father used to always wake me up before breakfast to train with the zweihander. He always says that breakfast is better served after a morning's exercise. Even after he passed away, I still follow what he says."
"So... uhm... you're going to train today?"
"Well no. I was actually going to take a walk in the city. I just need some air after hearing Mitsurugi snore all night long. Anyway it looks like you're two are going out as well. Might I ask where?"
"Well we're going to buy us some breakfast. Do you mind joining us? We could really use a hand in picking up some stuff as well." Just as Sophitia finished talking, Cassandra then said something to her softly.
"Sis! I thought it's just going to be the two of us?" Sophitia then, without anybody of them noticing, secretly slapped Cassandra's butt and made her flinched.
"Oof! Y... yeah! Uhm... we insist." (That was so uncalled for Sophitia. I'll get back at you someday.) as Cassandra glared at her sister.
"Alright then."
The three then left the inn and proceeded to the marketplace. as they were walking, Sophitia somehow had an idea to tease her sister by bumping her to the knight. Cassandra then went off balanced and was about to hit the ground. But with quick reflexes, Siegfried caught the young Athenian.
"Are you alright Cassandra?" as Siegfried and Cassandra stared at each other eye to eye. Emerald meeting emerald with both of their faces turning red.
"Y... yeah. I'm quite alright. I just... uhm tripped. That's all." She then giggled at the knight and then glared at her sister. Sophitia was also surprised at the outcome of her little prank. She then realized what the situation is and then just smiled at them.
"Oops! I guessed I overdid it. But I think that it came out to be perfect."
After all that, the three proceeded to their errands. After going to the marketplace, they then went to the bakery. Before leaving the shop, the baker noticed Sophitia.
"Excuse me my child. I couldn't help but notice but aren't you the one who was asking about Ostrheinsburg last night?"
"Why yes dear sir. Why did you ask?"
"Well I think I just might know someone who might help you. He is a man who lives in a house not so far from here. In fact he's just a short trip outside the city. When you meet him, tell him that the baker sent you. "
"Thank you very much sir. This means a lot to us." The three then bid the baker goodbye and proceeded back to the inn. On their way back, Siegfried notices that Cassandra is having trouble on her load of groceries.
"Need some help back there?"
"Nope. I got it." Just then, a couple of groceries are threatening to fall of her arms. But just like before, Siegfried's alertness prevents that from happening.
"Here. Let me." as he smiled and grabbed a huge pile of groceries from her hands.
"Thanks." as she just stared at the knight and appreciates the kindness that he always shows towards her as he walks forward. Sophitia then slightly bumped her sister to knock her back to her to her senses and then smiled at her. Cassandra then replied with a pout in her face and then walked away as Sophitia just giggled and proceeded back to walk.
Back at the inn, as the sun rises, the two warriors awaken from their deep slumber last night courtesy of Sophitia.
"Ouch! My aching everything! I feel like I've wrestled a grizzly bear or something. That's it! She's going down!" Then suddenly, Mitsurugi overstretched something in his body and let out a very loud cry.
"Hahaha you should see your face right now Mitsurugi. You can barely even face her without shaking from fear like a mouse from a cat."
"Haha very funny Maxi. Anyway One of these days I'll..." before Mitsurugi can even finish what he is saying, The door of their room opened. To his surprise it was Sophitia who was at the door.
"Good Morning you two. Slept well?" She then greeted them both with a smile. As if like in a cartoon show, Mitsurugi then jumped to Maxi's bed, landing on Maxi's body and shaking in fear at the presence of the Athenian.
"Ouch! Mitsurugi, what the hell man? You're not the only one who had a rough night."
"Damn it woman! I've had enough of these beatings!"
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you this time. I just thought you would like some breakfast first before we depart later. Besides, Mitsurugi, you better get used to these kinds of beatings especially when you and Taki get married. You know that she implements strict discipline and follows it just the same right?"
"Yeah I guess so. Hey wait a minute! Who the heck told you that!" Sophitia then giggled. Maxi then was signalling her not to say that it was him. However, it didn't not passed by Mitsurugi's eyes and started to choke the life out of him.
"Why you little weasel I thought we have an agreement that only the two of us would know about that? Grrrr..."
"I...'m... so... rry... It... just... slipped... out... of... me..." Sophitia then laughed at the horse playing of the two. Mitsurugi then released his grip of Maxi.
"So where are we going now?"
"To a house just outside of the city. We have information that someone there might know something about Ostrheinsburg."
"Oh finally some lead." Maxi was delighted to hear the news after catching his breath .
"By the way, where are Siegfried and Cassandra" asked Mitsurugi.
"They're downstairs at the kitchen preparing breakfast."
"Well they sure are taking a bit long though. I'm starving."
"Don't worry Maxi I'm sure they're just about to finish cooking."
(Well well well. Looks like Siegfried is pushing it to another level. Lucky bastard. HAHAHA.)
Down at the kitchen, Siegfried and Cassandra are still cooking.
"So you do this everyday huh?"
"Yup. Sophitia and I are always the ones who cooks breakfast for the family while we also prepare breads for the bakery."
"I'm impressed. Cooking for a whole family looks harder than training with a big sword in the morning. Moreover, preparing for the bakery before it opens? I just don't know what to say."
As Cassandra was fetching some ingredients on the table, a couple of tomatoes dropped on the floor. As she bends over and picks them up, Siegfried couldn't help but stare at her well curved behind. Suddenly, a feeling of erotic sensations appeared in his mind. He then shook his head and turned away to remove those nasty thoughts.
"Don't think like that about her Siegfried. She's not the kind of woman for you to think about that way. Remember what Father always says back then. (The true beauty of a woman is not seen just by the proportions of their body but on the proportions of her heart. Luckily for me, your mother is both beautiful inside and out. So remember son, when you have finally met the woman that you really love, always treat her with respect, love and care as we are expected to always stand by their side and protect them from any kind of harm at all times.) With that in mind, Siegfried faced her again as she had already resumed cooking.
"So... uhm... can you show me how to cook?"
"Sure. Of course. It's just simple really." Cassandra then explained and taught Siegfried how to prepare a simple soup. Siegfried really didn't have the time back then to learn how to cook. He was always busy training with his father and it was his mother who was in charge of cooking and some other chores inside the house. The two were so delighted with the company one another that by just doing something together, that without them noticing it, they are already showing their affection towards each other.
After a little while, they finally finished cooking.
"Thanks again ma'am for letting us borrow your kitchen for a while."
"No problem child. You can always the kitchen whenever you like."
As they thanked the inn keeper, they then proceeded to the room.
"Hey guys! Breakfast's served."
"Oh finally! I'm so starving.
As the group eat, Sophitia then whispered something to Cassandra.
"Psst... Cassandra... So how are you and Siegfried gone along at the kitchen?"
"Well I thought him how to cook soup. (giggles) He was so cute when he looked so naive while we were cooking."
"It doesn't surprised me that much. Rothion can't even make a proper dough of bread. He can only cook metal."
"I guess men will always stay that way." The two then giggled at each other.
After they finished eating, they proceeded with their agenda on going to the house outside the city to get some information. By noon they have already reached their destination. Upon their arrival they were greeted by a man who was working on his land.
"Good day travelers. How may I help you?"
"Good sir, we were wondering if you know a place called Ostrheinsburg. The baker said that you know something of the place."
"Oh! That place." The man then became serious.
"Would you mind coming with me in my backyard. We need to discuss this privately."
The group followed the man and then he started to explain everything to them.
"I will only entertain your presence here because you were sent here by the baker whom I owe my life to. My name is Aeon Calcos. I was once a servant of the Azure Knight and the Soul Edge. One day, the cursed being came to my hometown of Sparta and threatened to destroy it. As one of the warriors of that city, It was my duty to defend it but to no avail. When Nightmare was about to take my life, he looked at me and said that I am worthy enough. At first, I did not understood what he meant by those words but then he then did something far worse. He stole my soul away and turned me into a grotesque lizard to serve him and fulfill all that he desired. I was a soulless puppet that doesn't know what to do but obey his master. But about a week ago if I remember correctly, I was on my way to Zenith to take more souls for Nightmare, I encountered a baker. I immediately ran after him to kill him but suddenly, I felt my body stop. A great pain came upon my body and at the same time, I felt something warm that entered my body. I believe it was my soul. For some unknown reason, my soul was returned to me. As time passes by, my form started to change back to human again then suddenly it stopped. As the baker whom I tried to kill approached me, he was cautious to check me if I was still alive. He then checked my body and then saw something surprising. He saw that one of my hands is still reptile like. (Removes glove and shows it to the group.) This is the hand I was talking about. Now going back, the baker helped me recover, gave me food and even let me stay in this house. He seems to understand that I wasn't myself back then. In return, I try to help him to earn some living by doing the farming in his lands. So that's my story I still however, don't know why my other hand still has not changed back to normal. Now might I ask you what is your purpose in going to Ostrheinsburg? Are you going to take the sword for yourselves?" as Aeon was ready to pull out his weapon in his waist if they answered yes.
"No. We were assigned by our gods to destroy the evil sword and end its evil once and for all. Hephaestus was the one who gave the metals to be forged for the weapons of both my sister and I. " as Sophitia and Cassandra showed him their weapons.
"Indeed these metals are not common to be seen around Greece. Haha! Praise the gods for they have finally sent the warriors who will destroy the evil sword." as Aeon was filled with joy and hope, Siegfried on the other hand was filled with guilt and sadness as he knows that he was the one who was responsible for stealing the man's soul and made him a monster. Cassandra noticed Siegfried's facial expression.
"Siegfried, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm just alright."
"Why do you seem so sad?"
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it." as he gave a fake smile to Cassandra.
"Mr. Calcous, do you know a shorter way to get to Ostrheinsburg?"
"Why yes. If I remember correctly, it is through the forest of Wolfkrone, pass its kingdom and a two day travel by horse." Siegfried then remembered the kingdom of Wolfkrone. It was the only kingdom that he cannot attack when was still Nightmare."
"If the kingdom of Wolfkrone is just two days away from Ostrheinsburg, why don't the servants of the evil sword attack it?" as Maxi asked in confusion.
"Well if you must know, their ruler, Princess Hildergard von Krone, has in her possession, the one thing that can neutralize the effects of Soul Edge, the holy stone, Soul Calibur." the group was stunned to find out that Soul Edge has an opposite form."
"The holy stone? It exists?" as Cassandra was bewildered with what the man has stated. But among the group, nothing was more surprised than Siegfried. He didn't knew that Soul Edge has an opposite form. He didn't knew that it was the reason that when he approaches Wolfkrone as Nightmare, his powers feels as if they were being drained.
"Why didn't the princess just go forth the castle and destroy the sword if she holds such power?" as Sigfried clarifies what Aeon has stated.
"It is because it is still in stone form that is worn by the princess which is at its present state is useless. But a prophecy in their kingdom said that the stone will only change in form if a warrior opposite in nature to the wielder of the cursed sword, will use it to destroy Soul Edge. The stone was passed on for generations in the von Krone family to protect it until the time comes that the said warrior will claim it."
"How did you know such things?"
"The baker was once a royal soldier of the kingdom of Wolfkrone and told me the everything that he knew about the stone when I told him what was my situation back then."
Siegfried then looked Mitsurugi in the eyes. Figuring out that it was something concerning Siegfried's past, he then nodded.
"Well then we'll be on our way now. Thank you for the time Mr. Calcos" as Sophitia and the others greeted him farewell.
"I wish you good luck on your quest and please destroy that sword and end its reign of evil once and for all." As the three started to move forward, Mitsurugi and Siegfried stayed behind.
"Is there something that I can still help you with?"
"Actually there is. My friend here has something to say to you."
"Mr. Calcos, I am the reason why your soul was stolen. I was the one who attacked Sparta. I am... The Azure Knight."
Aeon was then shocked by the confession of the knight. He was then about to draw his blade because of anger but then Mitsurugi blocked him with his katana.
"Hold your horses there friend. Let him finish."
"Thank you Mitsurugi. As I've just said, I was the Azure Knight. But I think I was also responsible for your transformation back to human. You see, I've relinquished hold of the sword and thus, banishing the monster inside of me. While I fought Nightmare for the control of my body, his power might have weaken and your soul was probably released in the progress. The reason why your arm is still grotesque is probably because the sword has now a new master thus reclaimed all of its power back before you can transform fully. My purpose for telling you this is so that I can somehow atone one of my sins." Siegfried then bows down to Aeon. "I expect not to be forgiven but I wished that I could be." Without any of them expecting it, Aeon suddenly bowed down to Siegfried as well. This caught the knight off guard.
"Why are you doing this?"
"It is to thank you for giving back the humanity that I once lost. I understand how are you feeling and what you are going through. After all we are both victims here by the cursed sword. We were both just puppets to fulfill the swords desire. I cannot forgive the Azure Knight who caused havoc throughout the years but I can forgive and give my gratitude to the man who is presently standing right in front of me."
"Thank you very much Aeon. You don't know how important that was for me." Siegfried's eyes then started to pour some tears because of the delight of forgiveness. The two then shook hands and then said goodbye to one another.
"Wait sir knight! Be careful when passing through Wolfkrone forest. The servants of Soul Edge are always lurking there too watch over the kingdom. Also, be warned that the leader of that group, a giant golem named Astaroth will always be present there with or without the group. He is a formidable enemy."
"Thank you for the concern. We will be now on our way."
The two then rejoined their group as they now head for Wolfkrone forest.
"What took you so long?"
Siegfried then explained about the warning to them and then proceeded with their journey.
"Siegfried Schtauffen, I truly am grateful for giving me back my soul and my humanity but I hope that you may forgive me for I still have a duty to serve for the princess of Wolfkrone to gain atonement of my own sins." Aeon Calcos then returned inside the house.
A/N: Whoops! What is the task of Aeon to Princess Hilde? Will this be a benefit or a determent to the warriors? Stay tuned...