Chapter 66: Confronting the hooded man
Kilik and Xianghua were running, hand in hand.
For some reason, they were more afraid of releasing each other than of the thing that was chasing them.
They also had to pay attention to avoid dropping their weapons. As if it wasn't enough, they were really worried about the master.
They ran for a long time and lost the sense of time. They were exhausted, but they knew that stopping could put their lives at risk.
They weren't wrong, because the hooded man who had killed the master was closely following them, and he was faster and more resistant thanks to the Evil Seed.
He wanted Soul Calibur desperately, so he was not going to stop.
A few meters ahead of him, Xianghua was losing all her energies. Kilik realized it.
- Xianghua, we can't stop. – he said, breathless.
- No, Kilik... – replied her, stopping. – What we can't do is to run eternally.
Kilik stopped too. He knew they had to run, but Xianghua was right.
- Our only choice is to try to fight. – claimed Xianghua.
- It's okay. But I will. Hide.
- What?
- I don't want anything wrong to happen to you.
- Oh, and I'd love it if something wrong happened to you. – replied Xianghua ironically.
- Xianghua, it isn't the same…
- Just because you are a man?
However, they couldn't argue any more, because the hooded man arrived.
The two youngsters looked at him in fear.
- You! – exclaimed Xianghua.
- Do you…know him?
- I met him before you found me.
- That's why the master felt that evil energy.
When he mentioned his master, Kilik reacted.
- The master...where is he? – he yelled to the hooded man.
The hooded man didn't say a word, but he smiled, showing his gold tooth.
- What have you done to him? – he raised his voice, threatening the hooded man with his staff.
- I'll do to you the same I've done to him, unless you give me that sword. – answered the hooded man, pointing at Xianghua's weapon.
- My sword? Why?
- Don't do it! – said Kilik. – He'll kill us anyway.
Kilik's eyes showed his rage and sadness. A single tear was rolling down his face.
- Then I guess I should kill you first and take the sword. Give it to me willingly, you have nothing to lose.
However, Kilik was not going to do anything for him willingly. He pounced on the hooded man, holding his staff up high, but before he could realize, both he and his weapon were on the floor.
There, he listened to the hooded man talking to Xianghua:
- Now give it to me, little girl, or I'll kill your boyfriend.
Kilik raised his eyes. Xianghua was also looking at him. Their eyes met for the umpteeth time.
They had never thought of themselves as boyfriend and girlfriend. However, at that very moment, Kilik believed the hooded man was right about that. And, according to Xianghua's face, she was feeling the same.
Finally, the girl stretched out her arm towards the hooded man, handing the sword to him.
Kilik closed his eyes, feeling both resigned and touched by what Xianghua had done.
However, something really strange happened.
When the hooded man grabbed the sword's blade, it started shining. The radiance was so intense that even Kilik felt it through his closed eyes.
He opened them to see what was happening, but he needed to close them again immediately because the light was blinding him.
Suddenly, something similar to an explosion sounded and the light died away.
Finally, Kilik opened his eyes and he felt really surprised at what he saw.
Xianghua was sitting on the ground, as surprised as him. Her sword was still beside her.
The hooded man, however, had disappeared.