Entering his bedroom with Talim in his arms, Dumas shut the oak doors and he hurriedly carried her over to his bed. Brushing away the midnight blue canopy, he laid her gently on the gold velvet sheets and he adjusted some embroidered white and gold colored pillows against the shiny black headboard.

His bedroom was large and the heavy red tapestries hung down loosely, blocking the view outside the two big windows on the right wall. A white fur rug laid in the middle of the room and a white recliner sat near the window while the ivory colored fireplace kept the room comfortably warm. Small side tables rested against the bed, holding candles, various ointments, bandages and other medical supplies he had readied there earlier. A long table stood against the left wall and on it, a glass vase holding white lilies and red roses released an intoxicating smell. Small decorative treasure also stood on the table and the dark red color of the walls gave the room a very elegant atmosphere. Sadly, the two people who were in it had no time to appreciate its beauty.

"My beautiful storm maiden... I'm so sorry I did not rescue you sooner." His eyes teared up when he saw the burns and he stroked her cheek gently. Blood crusted her cheeks, hair and clothes and they stained his blankets but he didn't care. His armor was splattered with it and he dirtied the fabrics further when he sat down on it. Hearing her whimper softly in pain, he said soothingly, "Everything will be alright Talim." Taking off his armored gloves, he grabbed a towel, dipped it into the basin of icy water on the bedside table and after squeezing out the excess water, he began to dab it carefully against the burnt skin on her legs. As he did that, he also rubbed some ointment on the injuries and his eyes blazed with anger at the painful wounds she suffered. He cleaned the wounds as best as he could and tried to be gentle. Nonetheless, the process was painful and she writhed in agony.

Moving upward from her foot, he continued brushing the wet towel against the burns and applying the ointment. His hands moved higher and higher up her legs and he saw that the flames had licked their way up to her upper thighs. Peeling away a piece of fabric that had been burnt into her very skin, he murmured more soothing words as she writhe in pain. Reaching for more light green ointment, he massaged it against her thighs. When he was done, he examined her hands and arms next and was relieved that the burns were less serious and it only took a little longer to treat after he had wrapped her arms and legs in soft cotton gauze.

He didn't manage to get her back though. So he sat her up and when he saw the blood blooming like red flowers on the back of her shirt, he frowned. He peeked down the dress and when he saw the deep whip marks, he inhaled sharply. The wounds were terrible and brutal, inflicted with cold efficiency and cruelty. She was obviously whipped before they dragged her out to execute her.

This was very bad... they were so deep and so opened, the wounds could easily get infected. If she didn't die from blood loss first, then it would certainly be from infections. He cut off her dress and threw the rags aside. He had to clean the wounds on her back with a second towel but right now, he didn't have anything that would help with the healing. He only had antiseptics that could prevent infections and he applied a thick layer onto her back. When she cried, he pressed her head into his shoulder as he spread the stinging medication. "I'm here, dearest," he said through gritted teeth, his heart breaking at her condition.

Finished, he wiped away her tears with his thumb, he held her to his chest. She had suffered through so much... so much... Never again would he let anyone else hurt her. Brushing his lips against against her cheek, he gave her a soft kiss. "At long last, you've returned to me my dearest. I've missed you so much." Reaching for a cup of water, he eased her head up and tried to make her drink but the liquid dribbled down her chin instead. Finally, he reached over for some sleep medicine and poured it into the cup along with the water. He didn't want her to wake up so soon and feel the extremity of the painful burns.

Opening his mouth, he poured the content into his mouth. Making sure he didn't swallow any of it, he leaned over her and carefully pressed his lips against hers. Just as he remembered; it was still so soft and sweet, yielding towards his own lips as he braced one hand under her delicate neck and slowly kissed her. Carefully nudging her lips opened, he kissed her deeply and let her drink her medicine that way. Her dry throat must have been parched for she drank it eagerly, not knowing what method was used to give it to her and her lips worked against his. When the last drop passed from him to her, he disengaged himself from her reluctantly.

He laid her on her front. Wetting the towel once more, he used it to clean the blood off her face, hair, and neck. Her brows wrinkled up in discomfort as he moved her and he tried to be as gentle as possible. She was a beautiful woman, he thought as he worked. A smooth and taut stomach, slender legs, perky round breasts, and graceful arms, added with a gentle and warm face, she had become unrecognizably beautiful. But he was currently too concerned about her well-being at the moment, to dwell on how much he wanted to run his hands along her naked body, kiss her and let her know that they were together again.

Heading to his bathroom that was connected to his bedroom, he washed himself quickly. The bathroom was lit by the glow of his red candles that sat around the rim of the ivory tub and he leaned his head back. Water trailed down his back and he let the warmth relax his sore muscles as he washed himself with a bar of soap. When he was clean, he got out and put on a black silk robe embroidered with gold designs and it opened slightly in the front to reveal a bit of his toned abs as he tied the rope around his waist tightly. His fair blonde hair was still damp and he hastily dried it with a towel as he put on some cologne. Even with all that washing, he could swear that the smell of blood still clung to him.

Finished, he exited and headed over to the bed. Removing the blood stained blankets, he threw it onto the ground and covered her with the new one. It was now very late and he was beginning to feel tired from his transformation into Nightmare. Blowing out the candle on the table, the room become draped in darkness. Next, he reached over to the tasseled rope holding back the canopy, he let it down and it enveloped the bed, creating their own private heaven by blocking out the rest of the world as he sat down beside her on the other side. The mattress curled under their weights as he sat there in silence and held her hand. Sitting there, he stayed by her side for the rest of the night.

The next morning...

In his study, he looked at the items deposited on his paper filled table, and he touched the beautiful double crescent blades Voldo had put there, as per ordered. After all these years, Talim still had them with her... He sighed at the memory of when he gave them to her and he caress the blades gently. Next, he glanced over at her blue outfit and when he noticed the bat pendent, he quickly picked it up. How did she get this? He turned it in his hand and when he saw how faded the silver was, he had no doubt in mind that she had worn it every single day. His throat constricted from the emotions and he closed his eyes for a few moments. Picking up her outfit, he commanded the maids to wash and mend them. When they left, he called for one of his soldiers standing guard outside his door. "Where is Patroklos?"

"My lord, he just left for Klausenberg sometimes last night."

Graf Dumas narrowed his eyes at the news. Well then, there was other ways of punishing that boy... "Cease all efforts in finding Patroklos's sister."

"My lord?"

"Do not question me, understand?"

Hearing the harsh tone in Graf Dumas's voice, the soldier bowed low and said, "At once my lord."

Strolling through his magnificent garden, Dumas glanced down at the red roses and white lilies he had planted in this place. With all of the castles and mansions that he own, he always made sure that the gardeners knew that these two flowers were his favorite. The red rose reminded him of his beloved Amy and he smiled at the memory of their time together. He had told her that she was more beautiful than any rose in this world and nothing can surpass her grace and beauty. He wondered how she would look like after all these years. After all, he had stopped aging so he wouldn't be too surprised if she was still the same. Of course, if she did grow up to be a beautiful woman, then that would be fine with him as well. As long as he was reunited with his daughter, then that was all that mattered.

Kneeling down, he plucked a fully bloomed lily and held it carefully in his hand. He smiled softly as he breathed in the scent of the flower that represented Talim so well. So pure... so different... and so much more beautiful from the rest of this wretched world. It was rather ironic that a man like him could be so attracted to her purity and compassion. They were complete opposites. Remembering her medallion, he smiled. "Just like the moon and sun." She did bring out the best in him and he was quite fond of her naive beliefs about the world. Although, he wished that she would stop thinking about others and worry about herself more. The amount of times she had put herself in danger for others made him shook his head. He was really worried about her but now that she was with him again, he looked forward to asking for her hand in marriage.

"Marriage? Marriage requires trust... and the truths. Would you openly tell her what you've done all these years Raphael?"

He narrowed his eyes as Soul Edge's voice echoed through his head. Taking out the shard from his pocket, he stared at it with dislike. "You know, I liked you better when you keep your mouth shut Soul Edge." Seating himself down on the water fountain seat in his garden, he looked up at the pale moon and said, "In time, she'll understand that the world I'm making is the perfect one."

"I would like to see you tell her that." Soul Edge's voice carried a hint of laughter as it continued. "Imagine how heartbroken she would be if she learned that her one true love was Nightmare. Imagine how devastated she would be if she knew how many souls and lives you took. She would never love you again."

"Qiuet!" snapped Dumas, crushing the flower in his hand in anger. "No matter what happens... she'll never leave me. I trust her."

"Of course. Of course..." soothe Soul Edge. "I've come to like her. When you're with her, you become more open about using your powers to protect her. The feast last night was delicious. But be careful Raphael. That priestess may reject you if she knows what you're doing." With that, Soul Edge's voice faded away.

That one word reject, echoed in his heart and he looked down at the crushed flower in his hand. He felt no regret or shame at what he was doing but when he imagined her reaction if she found out, his heart thudded painfully in his chest. He quickly remembered something she had said to him in the past.

"It saddens me greatly to see that you do not understand Raphael. Every life in my eyes is precious. Not just my own." She hugged herself under the cloak and turned her head up to the night skies. "All life is equal Raphael. If you were to sacrifice this world for my sake then I would never be able to forgive you.

If she knew... she would never forgive him. He clutched his head and looked down at the ground in despair. Everyone knew that he was now Dumas and they all knew about the purge he was conducting. Of course, no one knew that only the humans were killed but still, Talim would be horrified by the number of deaths. If he told her he was Raphael, she would run away from him.

He could picture the horror in her eyes as clear as day. To protect her love for him, he could not tell her that he was Raphael. Only when he was sure that she would accept him and his ideals, would he tell her. That, or destroy Soul Calibur and then let her know. He wanted her to keep believing in the Raphael that she knew and loved. It was the only thing that probably still connected them. For now, all he could do was pretend he was Dumas in front of her. He didn't care if she hated Dumas, but she must continue to love Raphael and treasure the bond they had between them.

Three days later...

Taking out his key, he unlocked the door to his bedroom and stepped inside before swiftly shutting it once more. The elegant red curtains had been drawn down and it casted the room in comforting shadows. Not too bright but not too dark either. He hoped that Talim would find the atmosphere to her liking if she woke up. Strolling over to the bed in elegant knee high black boots and dark blue pants, he lifted up the canopy and eased himself on the bed. For the past few days, he was quite picky with his outfits since he had wanted Talim to see him at his best when she finally woke up. A dark red silk shirt with cuffed sleeves adorned his toned body and it gaped open at the neck, showing off abit of his chest. And with his mysterious mask, pale gold hair and vermilion eyes, he looked incredibly handsome.

The bed had been cleaned and he kept a close eye on her wounds, making sure her bandages were constantly changed and that fresh ointments were always applied. But still, she hasn't woken up and he worried for her. Checking her pulse and temperature, he deemed it to be normal and breathed a sigh of relief. Reaching for her hand, he kissed it tenderly. The skin was still quite red but it wasn't as bad as the burns on her legs. If it left any scars, he would make sure that Patroklos paid dearly for them. Suddenly, her fingers twitched in his hand and his eyes widened.

"Where... am I?" Talim croaked hoarsely as she woke up. Her throat was sore, her head hurt, and every part of her body ached. "So... dark."

"Hold on, I'll fetch you some water." Getting up, he pour her a cup of water from the pitcher on the bedside table and helped her drink as he braced her back. As she gulped down the liquid gratefully, she fell against his chest, absolutely exhausted and drained. "Can you please open the windows? Or light... a candle... I can't see anything."

Nodding, he placed the pillows against the beautiful headboards and helped her lean against them. When she was comfortable, he got off the bed and opened up the red curtains, letting the bright sunlight stream into the room. "There, is that better?"

Talim tilted her head in puzzlement. "No... did you light a candle?"

"I opened the curtains. It's a sunny afternoon today my dear," Graf Dumas replied worriedly.

Talim blinked and rubbed her eyes. Opening them once more, she still couldn't see anything. "I... I can't... see anything. What's happening?" She fumbled blindly around and her hand accidentally connected with the water pitcher. A resounding crash echoed throughout the room and she fell to the floor. "Augh!" Pain flared from her legs as they hit the ground and she gasped.

"Don't move! You'll cut yourself on the metal shards!" He ran over to her quickly and picked her up. Carrying her back to the bed, he turned at the sound of one of his soldier asking him something from outside his doors.

"My lord! Is everything alright in there? Should we come in?"

"You insolent fool! I said that no one is allowed into my room! Leave at once!" he shouted impatiently. Stroking her viridian hair, he eased himself closer and said, "Raise your head and look at me."

Her eyes looked up but they were unfocused. "I can feel.. you. Your arms are around me and you're holding me. But... I can't see you." Her hands reach up and they touched the mask on his face gently. Her hands trailed downward and she felt the soft fabric of his shirt. Drawing away, she cried softly, "I can't see you. Am I blind?"

He gently embraced her when he saw how frightened she was. "It'll be alright. I'll do everything I can to help you regain your sight. I promise, I won't let you become blind." He held her and comforted her as he felt her tears soak the silk near his left shoulder.

"Who are you?" She asked as he rubbed her back comfortingly and murmured more reassuring words for her. His voice sounded so familiar... almost like Raphael's. "Do I know you?"

"I am... someone who cares about you and I also have the power to do so." Now was not the time to reveal who he was. He knew that and with a sigh, he whispered, "This close to me, you can tell what I am can't you?"

"Her head was nestled on his shoulder and she felt his soft hair brush against her face as he continued holding her. His cologne smelled like vintage wine, warm chocolate, and a hint of orange and it calmed her down as she breathed in slowly. Closing her eyes, she read the wind around him. "You're... a malfested."

He nodded and whispered into her ear, "Because you fight to protect the malfested, I am repaying you for your kindness." Laying her back down, he said, "Wait here for me. I'll be right back."

Hearing the door close, Talim laid there in silence and lamented at the loss of her sight. How would she track down Raphael now? After all these years of searching, this was the closest she has ever come and hope had been renewed in her heart. But now, not only was she was utterly useless but for some strange reason, he also didn't seem to recognize her. Also, a strange intruding energy seemed to be flowing around in her body.

Talim closed her eyes and read the wind around her body. Soul Edge's powers? But how? Did something happen when the man rescued her? Perhaps he used some kind of strange power to save her and it accidentally invaded her body? She would have to ask him about it later. Wait... this wasn't her prison dress. Talim realized that she was no longer wearing the scratchy material and she gently touched her dress. He didn't... he couldn't have... changed her outfit did he? Her face flushed red at the thought that a man had seen her without her clothes and she felt extremely bare and vulnerable.

Returning once more, Graf Dumas held a long roll of gauze and in his other hand he held two jars of ointment. One for her eyes and one for her burns. Seating himself on the bed, he apologized when she winced. "Your burns must be making you uncomfortable, am I correct?"

Timidly, Talim spoke up. "Wait, I would like to ask... who changed my dress?"

He flushed bright red and said, "I did."

Talim pulled the blankets to her chest in embarrassment. "Wh-why didn't you ask one of your maids?"

He replied, "They are all humans. I do not trust them and I have gone through much trouble to save you so I don't want to put you in danger just because some maid decided to gossip. "

"You saved me from that fire?" She reached over for him and when his hand met hers halfway, she held it worriedly. "Did you get hurt? Did you suffer any injuries? Are you alright?" She could feel that her hair was slightly crusty with blood and some of it stucked to her skin as well.

"I'm fine," answered Graf Dumas, feeling slightly pleased by her concern for him. "But here, stop talking my dear. The tissues in your throat is damaged and it would pain me if I can't hear your lovely voice in the future. Now, just sit still and be quiet while I tend to your eyes."

Talim sat still, feeling the large bed shift as he moved closer to her and examined her eyes. "Open them for me." Doing as he said, she opened them and she felt his hands on her face as he examined them. Her long eyelashes brushed his fingers as he studied her slightly red eyes and then he said, "Try not to blink or close them until I say so."

She felt him reach for something and then, a drop of cool liquid fell into her right eye and she instantly closed them. "Yes. Now, I'm moving on to you next eye alright?" Finishing, he told her to continue to hold still as he placed a roll of bandages around her head and tied it securely. The cool cream he had applied on it brought a moment of relief for her eyes and she touched the cotton gauze carefully.

"We'll need to let your eyes rest for quite a while," he said softly. "In time, I'm sure they'll get better. You may have suffer ocular burns my dear. Anyway, I shall now change your bandages for your legs and apply some more ointment on your arms."

"I... I thank you for all you have done for me my friend." Holding her arm, she felt extremely grateful as he gently applied the ointment on her arms and she was awed that he was so careful and gentle about it. When he reached for her legs next, she blushed. "I'm sorry... but I can do it myself."

He smirked and he found her quite endearing. "You're not a doctor my dear. These burns are very serious and I'm talented in the ways of medicine so I'd much rather treat you than risk you injuring yourself because of some silly embarrassment. I give you my words I will not do anything more than bandage and treat your wounds. "

"I'm sorry. I... I trust you. And I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble," apologized Talim. "I'll leave as soon as my injuries have healed.

"For you, this is nothing. Take all the time you need to rest," he replied gently. Placing her left leg on his thigh, he began to unravel the bandages but he stopped as he noticed the blood. When she fell, her delicate skin must have split. "Does this part hurt?" He pressed down gently on the skin and looked at her for an answer. When he saw how white her knuckles were turning as she grasped the bed sheets, he stopped and said, "Please bear with me." In fluid motions, he took off the stained bandages and wiped away at the wound with antiseptics to make sure it wouldn't get infected. Dumas heard her let out pained sound and knew that it must hurt so he said to her softly, "I'm almost done. Just alittle longer my dear."

Talim felt the blood rush up to her face at what he was doing as he rubbed ointment into her skin. No man had ever touched her like this for she had always been pure and chaste and in the past, Raphael had only embrace and kiss her a few times. At the same time, the pain lessen her embarrassment and she knew he was just treating her like a patient. He had been a complete gentleman and acted the way a responsible doctor should act. Nonetheless, she unconsciously tugged at her chemise and hoped that it wasn't showing anything.

Too bad he noticed this gesture of hers and his eyes wandered up her lean legs and he also turned red. Turning back to his work, he realized that his hands were near her upper thigh. Setting his lips into a straight line, he continued rubbing the ointment into her skin. When he finished, he said "Now just rest and sleep my dear." He got up and gave her a chaste kiss on her hand as he made her swallow some more sleep medicine. "If the wounds on your back hurts, let me know. But I've already dressed the injuries there yesterday."

"Thank you... very much," said Talim sleepily as she buried herself into her warm gold blankets and fell asleep.

When he was sure that she was sleeping, he bent down and kissed her on the forehead. "You're welcome my dearest."

Carrying a big tray of food towards his room, he hoped that Talim was well enough to sit up and eat for she was still quite weak and he worried about how pale she looked. Opening the door, he swiftly entered and closed it before anyone could see. Walking over to his bed, he said, "Hungry my dear? I've ordered my cooks to make some dinner for you."

Talim smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you for being so kind to me. And please, call me Talim. What is your name my good sir?"

"Umm... it's...I'll tell you later. Now, how do you feel about soup?"

Talim was puzzled about his reaction but she decided to let it go. She scratched at the bandages around her eyes when she suddenly felt him grab her hands. "Don't touch it Talim. You don't want to risk hurting yourself," he said worriedly. Embarrassed, she withdrew her hands from him and nodded. Smiling, he said, "You won't be able to eat solid food for awhile since your throat is still delicate. I've picked out soup and juices for you to drink instead. Here, try some." He held up a spoon of steaming chestnut soup and blew it gently. Holding it out towards her, he watched as she daintily sipped it. " This is Soupe aux Chataignes, it's chestnut soup. Do you like it?" She nodded contently and reached out for the spoon but he intervened. "It's alright, I'll feed you. I don't want you to accidentally burn yourself."

"I don't think I can get more burned than this," she answered him with a slight hint of amusement in her voice. "Please, I can most certainly feed myself my good sir."

Reluctantly, he handed her the spoon and helped her locate the soup bowl sitting on the tray on her lap.

As she ate, he asked hesitantly, "Talim, tell me, for what reasons have you come here? You are clearly not from Europe my dear."

She lowered her spoon and nodded. "I'm on a journey to help the malfested as well as search for someone. And... I'm trying to get stronger so that one day, I'll destroy both Soul Edge and Soul Calibur."

He perked up in surprise. "Oh, how will you accomplish that?"

"You know about those swords?" Talim was even more surprised that he knew about those existence of those swords.

"Yes, I've came across those swords in my books before," he lied quickly. "They're said to be very powerful."

Talim nodded. "But they're too powerful. They will warp the laws of nature and all those who wield them all fall into the abyss of despair in the end. Those swords are evil and they only control those who wield it."

Graf Dumas took the tray off his lap and placed on the bedside table. Adjusting his seat, he said, "What if a wielder was strong enough to control Soul Edge and create a new ideal world with it ?"

Smiling sadly at him, she shook her head. "Only one man from ancient times have been able to achieve such a feat. The Hero King Algol did usher in a era of peace for the people but in the end, that sword still brought him a painful end. I don't want those swords to ruin anymore lives so I will do all I can to destroy them once and for all. But I'm worried about the malfested. Without Soul Edge, they might not live." Talim was startled when he placed his hand on hers and she asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No, I merely wanted to offer you some small comfort Talim." He squeezed her fingers and said, "You are very kind, to care for the malfested like this when instead, most humans repulse us and call us beasts."

She gave him another sad smile. "I was and am still in love with a malfested. I understand his pain and the pain of all the malfested when they are rejected. Because of that, I fight for you all."

"You still love him?" whispered Graf Dumas.

Talim held a hand to her heart and nodded solemnly. "Yes. After all these years, he's the only one in my heart. I..." She sighed and said, "I thought I saw him a few days ago. But the wind around him was different and he did not seem to recognize me. But I want to find him again and make sure. It's been seventeen years and I really hope it's him."

He wondered if she had met his other self. If so, then that piece of his soul must have materialized a human body for itself and was now currently searching for his dear daughter, Amy. At long last... things were finally working out. He smiled to himself and turned to Talim. "Here, it's getting late. You should go to bed my dear. I shall be sleeping in that recliner over there and if you need anything, just call for me." He got off and tucked the gold colored blankets in for her as he helped her lie down.

"Wait, is this your bed?" This soft and warm bed with these fine silk sheets... and yet he has to sleep on a recliner instead because he gave it up to her. "My friend, I'm really sorry about this," Talim said apologetically.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He chuckled and added, "But if you're feeling guilty, perhaps you'll let me sleep beside you? After all, my bed is big enough to hold five people." Her face turned bright red at the suggestion and she shook her head immediately, which just made him laugh. "I jest. Now, good night Talim." And he let down the midnight blue canopy and watched as it covered her from his sight. Walking over to the recliner, he looked up at the night sky outside his window. He had finally found Talim... Now, he just needed to find his beloved Amy so that his family could be complete.

The joy in my heart from being reunited with you

Cannot be spoken with words at seeing you

From now on I will always be with you

Thanks for reading. I send my regards to ThalieXVII, DarkStar56, diegofu, and xxx-wings-xxx for their motivating reviews. It's very appreciated :)