One week later...

"From the information I've gathered, Talim is currently in Dumas's hand," reported Dampierre, stroking his moustache and looking at the Schwarzwind standing before him.

Deep in the forest that was near Odenburg, Siegfried had ordered his mercenaries to set up camp there as they waited for Dampierre to bring back information. Tents had been assembled and his men had dutifully obeyed their orders these past three weeks. Beside him, Hilde was asking Dampierre for more details. The rest of his men were either training, sleeping or eating as they waited for their leader to plan out their next move. Siegfried looked up at the bright morning sky and he took in a deep breath. He, Hilde and Hwang had been rather anxious these days as they wondered about Talim's fate. Hearing that she was still alive brought them a great sense of relief.

"I see. So Dumas plans to leave Odenburg with Talim tomorrow night?" asked Hilde. When Dampierre nodded, she turned to Siegfried resolutely. "We should get ready and head for the road they're going to use. Once we get there, we'll ambush the carriage and get Talim back."

Dampierre gave a small cough. "You know... she is doing quite well from what I can tell. Dumas seems to be smitten with her and he has taken good care of her these past few weeks."

This greatly surprised the group and Hwang said, "But Dumas hates the malfested. Why would be bother with her? Talim and I have stopped many of his soldiers from killing all those people awhile back. Why would he care for her?"

"How should Le Bello know? After all, love works in strange ways my friend."

Siegfried shook his head at what he was hearing. "Talim would never forget her love for Raphael and she would never agree to stay with Dumas. She opposes the hunts and slaughter of the malfested too strongly to side with him. If I'm correct, she doesn't even know who he is. Right?"

"You're correct about that part..." answered Dampierre slowly. "But I still believe that Talim is in no danger. "

Hilde only replied, " But she would still be safer with us then with him. That is my final answer." The princess of Wolfkrone gave a short gesture to the con-artist. "Dampierre, you have done well but we still need your assistance for the ambush tonight."

"Excuse me?"

"You can blame yourself for being so greedy for stealing my favorite necklace. Now go get your henchmen and meet us at the rendevous point."

"Your wish is my command," mumbled Dampierre dryly as he walked away. Great, it looked like he was going to have to get his hands dirty.. Dumas had better pay him well for this.

When Dampierre disappeared out of sight, Viola stopped leaning against a tree and walked over to Siegfried, Hilde and Hwang who were all enthusiastically talking about their relief that Talim was alright. "Ahem."

Siegfried turned and when he noticed Viola, his smile faded when he saw the look on her face. He had gotten used to that look and he knew that something was wrong. "What have you seen Viola?"

Her red eyes flicked over to the spot where Dampierre had stood. "I have looked into Dampierre soul and I have seen the future. He has betrayed us."

"It can't be..." Hilde wore a completely shocked expression at the news. "Dampierre may be a greedy man but he wouldn't betray his friends like this."

"Your allies already seemed questionable when they arrived," Viola replied emotionlessly. "But I know that it is certain, that he will betray us. This ambush will now be very dangerous and unless we come up with a course of action, we will suffer some heavy losses."

Hwang looked grim as he absorbed Viola's words. "We now know that the road Dampierre has instructed us to go to is a trap but now, we don't know where Dumas is heading."

"Captain, is something wrong?" asked Salia, walking towards the group. Her medium length brown hair moved slightly in the air from a small breeze and her armour clinked as she walked. Siegfried explained to the situation and Salia bit her lips worriedly. "Captain, this mission is too risky now..."

Siegfried nodded understandably. "I know Salia, but I cannot abandon my friend. She has helped me and Hilde out very much and we are in her debts." Crossing his arms, he pondered in silence for awhile before speaking up once more. "Hilde, Salia, Viola; I want you three to take half of my men and go to the rendezvous point. Your objective is to capture Dampierre and force him to tell us where Dumas is headed in case he manage to escape Odenburg and the surrounding area. That way, we can search for Talim in the future since we'll know where he is. But be careful, I have a feeling that Dumas men may be in on this as well."

"They are," Viola answered curtly. "I have seen the future and I know they will be waiting there to stall us so that Dumas and Talim will be able to leave alittle easier while they hold us back."

"Thank you Viola." Siegfried then continued, "I and Hwang shall take the remaining men and split off into small groups to look around and hope that we'll run into Dumas. Hilde, are you alright?"

She shook her head dizzily and mumbled, "Don't worry about it Siegfried." Standing up straight, she beckoned to Viola. "The one flaw in our plan is where Dumas is heading. Randomly searching around is inefficient and dangerous. Is there a way you can help my friend?"

Viola gestured to the orb hovering beside her and said, " I can only predict which road they'll take. Other than that, I can't assure our victory. And... I have a feeling things won't be going as planned."

"Do you really think it's dangerous to stay here alittle longer?" Talim inquired as he helped her put on some comfortable boots. Sitting on the bed, Talim winced slightly as the movement irked her wounds.

Seeing her pained expression, he hastily apologized and tried to be more gentle but the room was dark since they were getting ready to leave and he found it slightly difficult to tie the boots up. Finished, he helped her stand up and reached for the white cloak he had chosen for her. "I know you wish to remain here alittle longer since you saw Raphael here. But it's been three weeks and I'm quite sure he has left. Careful!" His right hand went to her small waist instinctively as she stumbled. "Talim, you just had your bandages changed. Don't overdo it," he ordered strictly.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to put on my coat."

His voice softened as he helped her lean against his armoured chest for support. "You know that as long as you're with me, I'll take care of everything for you. Now let's hurry, we need to leave immediately " In the dark, he fumbled with her cloak and quickly put it on her. When he was done, he straighten the outfit carefully. "Are you warm?"

"Yes." She winced once more since she was having difficult on standing on her own as the bandages on her legs were recently changed and a few wounds had reopened. When he adjusted the last button, he nodded in approval. "Quickly, we need to leave Odenburg and return to my castle. I have been away for far too long and it's dangerous here."

"I'm sorry... for causing you so much trouble," said Talim, adjusting the bandages around her eyes.

"My dear, stop apologizing for everything. We're in this together and I won't hear otherwise." He turned his attention back as Talim shifted her weight to her other foot. "Does it hurt?"

"N-no. I'm fine. Really. But why do we have to leave in the middle of the night?" asked Talim as he picked her up in his arms as usual. She had grown accustomed to this and she had begun to feel quite safe whenever he was this close to her. He was always gentle and if she wanted him to put her down, he would do so immediately. Talim listened to his tone of voice and noted that she had never heard him sound so agitated before. She bit her lips in worry at the cold armor he was wearing and wondered if things were truly this dangerous.

"I don't want anyone to catch you. It seems that a dangerous group of people who hates the malfested are after your life since you've managed to escape your execution," he lied as he pulled the hood of her white cloak over her head to cover her noticeable green hair.

Everything had been accordingly planned out and he knew that success depended on his timing as well. If they left too late, the Schwarzwind would realize that they had been set up and they would come after him. Turning to Talim, he said. "It wasn't very easy in rescuing you from that fire so there's no way I'm going to let anyone else put you in danger. Now, wrap your arms around my neck alittle tighter." He was about to leave their room but he paused as he remembered something. "Talim, did you take your medicine yet? You know your legs always hurt when I change the bandages."

His thoughtfulness made her smile and she nodded. "Yes. I believe I'll be sleeping for a few hours in the carriage as the medicine takes effect."

"Then it's time to get going my dear." He carried her out of his bedroom and the rest of his soldiers greeted him outside the mansion. After some brief instructions, he let them carry out his orders as he entered the large carriage with Talim in his arms. When she was comfortably seated he commanded his driver to get a move on it and leave this place quickly.

"At once my lord." And the horses quickly trotted forward while his soldiers marched beside their lord's carriage protectively.

Sitting in the comfortable carriage with its velvet seat, Talim grew sleepy as the medicine took effect. As the lull of the moving carriage lulled her to sleep, she tried to force a few more minutes from her body. Quietly, she reached over for his hand and whispered, "Promise me you'll stay safe. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you were injured because of me."

Smiling slightly, he reached over and gathered her in his arms, which she didn't resist to and it pleased him to see how trusting she was of him. "Just sleep and look pretty, Talim. I can take care of myself." Stroking her head, he waited patiently for her to sleep. When she did, he planted a chaste kiss on her head and stroke her arm absentmindedly as the carriage continued down the dirt road.

They had only been on the journey for an hour when they arrived at their first destination. Under a large oak tree, Voldo and the rest of his malfested soldiers awaited him. Getting out, he carried Talim in his arms and proceeded over to the carriage. To his human soldiers, he said, "You know what you must do. Now go." Without questioning their lord, they bowed and proceeded.

Entering the new carriage, he said, "Voldo. You brought Soul Edge with you, correct?" His loyal servant bowed and placed the veiled sword on the seat next to his master. With a laugh, he said, "Now, let's get going shall we?" He hugged Talim comfortingly as the carriage moved once more and his eyes wandered over to the sword. "Until I call upon your powers, you must sleep. I can't have my dearest find out I have Soul Edge."

"Hmph."

Dumas shrugged at the Soul Edge's irritation. Reaching over, he pulled the small curtain over the window to block out the moonlight and then he closed his eyes and rested with his dearest in his arms in the comforting darkness of the carriage.

"Time for bed... Now sleep forever!" Viola hurled her orb forward and called upon her magic. Spiraling gusts of wind engulfed the soldiers and her allies quickly rushed forward. The vacuum stole the leaves from the trees that was planted beside the dusty road and the moonlight shined down upon the new battlefield. Backing away from one of Gisele's kicks, she smashed her orb against her chest and said coldly, "You and your friends will now reap what you have sow."

Gisele glanced over at her boss, her friends; Alphard and Ludovigo, and some of Dumas soldiers. Looking back at the seer, she glared at her. "So you knew what was going on... that's why Siegfried and some of your mercenaries aren't here. But why have you come to the rendevous point if you knew it was a trap."

"I don't have to answer you." Calling for her orb, she commanded it towards the red hair woman.

"Don't get cocky." Reaching behind her, Gisele dodged the orb at the same time she unstrap the crossbow behind her back. Pointing it at Viola, she fired.

Dispatching enemies right and left, Hilde took over the battlefield and she swiftly knocked another soldier away from Salia. Hilde thrust her sword forward and knocked away another sword from her enemy. Pointing her own sword at his neck, she said, "Tell me at once! Is Talim still alive?"

"No. She died," replied the soldier sarcastically.

Hilde was about to let out an angry retort but Salia stabbed the man and let his body dropped onto the grass. "I think that guy will know more about the situation." And she pointed to Dampierre.

Seeing Dampierre, Hilde quickly ran over to him. "Dampierre! You coward!"

"Please Hilde, fighting is pointless," laughed Dmpierre nervously as he backed away from the angered princess. "If you leave right now, I give you my words that none of Dumas's men will pursue you."

Hilde replied by pointing her lance at him. "Have you no honor? How could you betray us like this?"

Dampierre raised his hands up in a hopeless gesture. "I'm offering you a chance to escape aren't I? Le Bello is telling the truth... Talim is well loved and adored by Dumas. As the king of Hungary, her future is looking quite good. Why must you insist on taking her away from him."

"Don't try justifying yourself Dampierre. All you've done was sold Talim to Dumas. She only loves Raphael and you know that." Hilde pursed her lips and said,"Now tell me where they're headed."

He stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "Hmm, if you agree to pay large amount of money for it, Le Bello might consider it."

Hilde hissed, "Don't lie to me. Even now, your eyes looks for a chink in my armor. I swear upon my name, I would save Talim and I will!" And she charged forward to capture him.

Dumas was quietly sleeping when a sudden squeal of his horses shook him awake. "What's going on?"

"My lord! We're being attacked!"

"Then get rid of them!" ordered Dumas. But then frost chilled the air, and Dumas quickly realized what was going to happen next. Leaping out with Talim in one arm, and Soul Edge in the other, he quickly backtracked as the carriage and five of his men got swept away on a tide of ice that Siegfried had just unleashed. Soul Caliburs powers... That damned sword... Hate flared up from Soul Edge as well and it powers slowly leaked out.

"Siegfried? No! Raphael! That power is an enemy to all malfested. Destroy it! Destroy that man! He seeks to take your dearest from you! Kill him and protect her!"

Siegfried looked at the armoured man who had Talim in his arms and said quietly, "Give her back to us. She does not belong to you."

"Who do you think you are to order me around?" asked Dumas, coldly as their men fought against each other along the deserted dirt road of trees and green grass while a bright night sky shone down on them.

Beside the Schwarzwind leader, Hwang answered, "She's our friend and we're not leaving without her."

"Voldo."

At that one command, Voldo leaped out faithfully to his master. "Shshs."

"Take Talim and protect her. I don't want her to get hurt," said Graf Dumas, handing over his dearest as he readied himself for battle.

"Do you think I'll let you go?" Siegfried rushed forward to attack Voldo but Dumas quickly blocked and countered the attack. The two armoured men growled at push against each other and Siegfried cursed as Voldo escaped. "Hwang! Go and save Talim! I'll handle the situation here!"

"Alright then." And Hwang dashed after Voldo while trying to dodge and push away the soldiers coming up against him. "Move!" But they swarmed him and until he could clear a path, he could not get to the priestess.

"I don't think so!" snarled Dumas, shoving Siegfried back and striking out two vertical blows. He smashed the ground and rocks flew everywhere from that powerful attack. Grabbing Siegfried's arm, he pulled it back and forced him to the ground. "Any last words before I kill you?"

Hearing this, Siegfried, "There's nothing to say. Ready?" He slammed his head back against his captors and quickly rolled away to obtain some distance.

"You cannot defeat me, now or ever!" roared Dumas, rushing forward for another attack. Swing his sword low, he growled as Siegfried blocked the attack and countered with one of his own.

The two clashed back and forth and Siegfried was astounded by the man's strength and agility. The longer the battle dragged on, the worse it would get. Shoving Dumas back with the flat of his blade, Siegfried cried, "Take this! Legacy Testament!" Another stream of jagged ice erupted from the ground and it lowered the temperature of the air by a few degrees. He breathed hard and wiped away of sweat as he lifted his sword back up.

Dumas snarled as the ice pierced through his leg armour and sheared away some flesh. "Damn you!"

The two continued striking their blades against each other, each waiting for the other to make a mistake when all of a sudden, a piercing scream penetrated the silence.

It was Hilde's! "What have you done to them!" shouted Siegfried, pointing his sword at him.

Hwang heard the scream as well and he quickly ran to Siegfried's side just as more cries rented the air. "They're in trouble Siegfried." Looking over at Dumas, Hwang said, "What did you do to them?"

He grinned cruelly. "Did you know that beasts can become malfested? They're quite useful actually. Of course, I have to dispose of them eventually but they have served me well on quite a few occasions. Like right now, for instance." His eyes dilated like snakes, and his smile curled even more.

"I thought you were conducting a purge to kill all the malfested?" Siegfried looked alittle confused for a moment. "No... you are using them as weapons? For your own selfish gains?"

Dumas nodded and lied, "Oh yes. But why waste opportunities if I can use the malfested?"

He had been conducting many experiments to force those humans and beasts to become malfested and turn them into deadly weapons. By force, it worked but at the same time, it broke their minds. He didn't really care until their bodies rotted and their life span was completely depleted though. After the battles, he always killed them in the end to avoid suspicion and at the same time, earn praise from the people that he was a hero for ridding such monsters. He also had another motive for conducting this research. By spreading malfestation through other countries, he could use the excuse to invade and say that he was merely ridding the world of evil. It was simply ingenious. Another scream pierced the air and Dumas said, "Well well. It looks like they're running out of time. What are you going to do now?"

Siegfried gnashed his teeth in frustration. Turning back to Dumas, Siegfried said, "You... what are you going to do to Talim?"

"I intend to keep her by my side and protect her," Dumas stated simply. "She belongs to me and no one else. Anyone who dares takes her away from me will die."

Hearing those words, Siegfried narrowed his eyes. "You will never have her heart. Talim could never fall for a man such as you. You... are a monster. I won't let someone like you ruin Talim's life. Hwang! Go and save the others! I'll take care of Dumas."

"You insufferable dog! Learn your place!" And Dumas resumed his battle with Siegfried while Hwang took ten of the men to go and rescue the others.

"What in the world is that demon..." Blood dripped from Hilde's right shoulder shoulder as a huge fanged black wolf snarled and foamed at the mouth. Dampierre, his henchmen, and Dumas soldier's had ran off when one of the men unleashed the beast from a cage. When she saw it, all she was a small and scared wolf pup. But the instant the men stabbed a glowing red shard into it's body, the poor thing mutated.

Dampierre had glanced back at her group worriedly but in the end, he fled. However, a strange coldness gripped his insides and he knew that there was more secrets about Dumas that even he shuddered to know.

The monster let out a loud pained howl and swiped down at Hilde once more. With a grimace she rolled out of the way just as Viola reached her side and smashed her orb against the beast's face. "We need to leave now," said Viola as she continued pushing the black wolf away with her orb. "Death stalks us and if we don't flee, he will devour us."

Hilde nodded and beckoned to her soldiers and Salia to run. But the wolf howled once more and rushed at them with blinding speed. Rocks flew, trees crashed down and blood soaked the ground as the wolf teared the people beneath it apart. "Stop!" She thrust her lance at it's paw and rescued one of her soldier but then it swiped at her and knocked her against a tree. Her vision swam as she tried to get up and she touched the cracked chest plate on her body with wide eyes. It had dented her finest silver armor with ease! Coughing, she got up but then she stumbled and fell once more. Hilde looked up in shock as they wolf roared and charged towards her.

"Princess Hilde!" cried Gerhilde as she rushed towards Hilde. Her armour was dented and broken in certain places and her butterfly shapelike helmet had a long crack on it. But she ran like the wind and thrust her sword into the wolf's side. Siegrune, Waltraute, Schwertleite and Grimgerde, more of her loyal soldiers had done the same thing to draw the breast's attention away from their princess. "Stand firm and don't let it hurt the princess!" Gerhilde shouted, twisting the sword deep into the wolf's side.

"Watch out!" cried Hilde. Her eyes widened when the wolf knocked them away and descended on her archers and Viola who were fighting it with projectiles. With all of her strength, she got up and charged at the beast and used the hidden power inside her from Astral Chaos seventeen years ago. "For my people and my country! Feel our wrath! Storm and Surge!" Her lance thrust forward three times and blood spurted out from the wolf's chest and onto its black fur and Hilde's eyes burned with resolve. "My people... grant me strength! For our homeland!" Leaping up, she delivered the final blow and a blue aura surrounded her as the lance punctured its heart. One last howl escaped its throat as it swiped at Hilde and sent her flying into Salia who tried to catch her.

Arriving just in time, Hwang rushed forth to save them. Calling upon the powers embedded in his Blue Thunder that had awakened seventeen years ago when the Tainted was freed from the borders, he cried, "I call upon the thunder of the heavens to strike true. Awaken and bring about a path of pure destruction!" Divine Thunder Strike!" The sky roared and flashed as storm clouds gathered. In quick succession three blinding bolts of light fired from the skies and it shattered everything around it, including the monster. With a dying howl, the wolf along with the strange shard in its body was vaporized.

Light flashed from Seong-Mina's Scarlet Thunder and the same happened to Yun-Seong's White Storm. Looking at each other, Yun-Seong looked upward at the night sky shining down on them and the dojo's training arena. "What is going on out there?"

Seong-Mina bit her lips and looked at her weapon. "The three divine weapons are connected no matter how are apart they are. Isn't that what Zasalamel said? Does that mean Hwang is in danger?"

"I don't know Mina. But..." Yun-Seong glanced down at his white storm as well. "I worry for all of them who are currently in Europe. Remember what Taki just said when she visited awhile ago? Yoshimitsu was slain and Cervantes, the dreaded pirate was responsible for it. As well, she said that her master was spotted in the West."

"Things are getting kinda complicated that's for sure."

"Yea." Yun-Seong continued looking at his reflection and he bit his lips in worry for his friend. "Talim... please take care of yourself."

"Have enough yet?" Dumas said coldly as he glanced down at the heavily bleeding knight. All of Siegfried's men that remained with their captain were tied up and his soldiers stood by just in case they tried to escape. Glaring at Dumas, Siegfried stayed silent. Smirking, Dumas knocked him out with a swift kick to the head. "Ready the carriage. My dearest is waiting."

"But my lord... your carriage is still frozen."

Dumas let out a sigh of exasperation. Why did things always have to be so difficult? Walking over to the horses, he cut them free from the carriage and mounted the less injured one. Riding away while his soldiers marched beside him, he felt Soul Edge's irritation.

"Why have you spared that man? He wields that hateful power of Soul Calibur and yet you let him live? How could you be so weak?"

Dumas pursed his lips and silently communicated with his sword. "I have my reasons. Do remember that I am your master. You will learn to hold your tongue."

"You delude yourself Raphael. Without me, you would have nothing. All the power and riches you have is because of me."

Dumas hissed," Don't you forget that you need me, Soul Edge. Without me, you're the same as any other lifeless sword."

"I could always use another host," replied Soul Edge coldly.

Dumas replied, "Have any of your hosts ever managed to keep their minds, bodies and souls from rotting away from your power? You know as well as I do that no other host could have come as far as I did. I am strong and with Talim purity and your powers inside me, I will rule over this world just like the Hero King of the past. And keep in mind that my mind, body and soul do not belong to you and they never will weaken. I am your master and in return for resurrecting your powers, you will obey me."

"We'll see about that..." thought Soul Edge quietly.

After awhile, he and his soldiers finally arrived at the inn he had previously booked for the journey. It was sturdy and it had character with its framed windows and Victorian styled roof. Lots of flowers decorated the pathway to the front door and as he dismounted, a young groom bowed low before him. "My lord, shall I take your horse to the stable?"

"Proceed. By any chance, has my servant and my lady arrived yet?"asked Dumas.

The groom nodded and looked up with his red eyes that marked him as a malfested. "Yes my lord. Grandma Kari already helped her into bed and Grandpa Nes has food prepared for you and your soldiers."

Dumas smiled. "Good. I am pleased by you and your grandparents preparation."

The red head bowed low once more. "You saved us my lord. And you gave us this inn. We are forever in your debt."

Entering the comfy and warm inn, he smiled slightly as an old and plump woman ran up and bowed. "It is so good to see you again my lord."

"I see that business is well," he remarked. The huge parlor was richly furnished with dark blue tapestries, a bear rug and some comfortable chocolate sofas. A huge painting of a glorious sunset dominated the room and and the candles on the walls flickered with a warm light. In the dining room, tables and tables of food were already set out and he let his soldiers rest and satiate their hunger.

"How long will you be staying here my lord?" asked old Simon as he came out from the kitchens.

"Just for the night. I need to return to Denever Castle soon. Anyway, how have you two been?"

Kari smiled and adjusted her white bun. "We are fine my lord. And as per order, we've housed many of the wanted malfested here until they're ready to become your soldiers. They're currently in the underground room." With a slight pause, the old woman bowed low. "I thank you my lord... for giving all of the malfested at a second chance at life."

He merely replied," All of you are my people and when the time is right, the days of living in the shadows will be over..."

Walking upstairs, he entered the room Talim was in and smiled with relief. Just being apart from her made him anxious. Placing the veiled Soul Edge against the wall, he gave it a stern look and was satisfied when the sword slept and hid away its powers.

Walking over to the soft cotton bed with its violet silk sheets, he sat down and winced slightly at his injuries. Slowly, he took off the armor until he was only in his thick undershirt and dark brown pants that was now stained with blood near his lower legs. Leaning back against the mahogany headboards, he glanced over at the bandages and water basin he had ordered to be brought up while he grabbed a few bite downstairs. While dressing his wounds, he noticed that Talim stirred and slowly woke up.

"Where... am I?"

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "At an inn my dear. Everything is safe so go back to sleep. Oh, almost forgot. You need to take some more of your medicine."

When she felt his presence, she relaxed as he helped her swallow a spoonful of cherry red liquid. But then she noticed a strange wind around him and she reached downward. "You're hurt. And... this was caused by Soul Calibur's powers!" Resting her hand on the bandaged wound, she heard him gasp slightly. "What happened? Did you meet the Schwarzwind? Did they hurt you?"

Dumas answered hesitantly, "They thought that I wanted to hurt you since me and my soldiers are malfested."

"Please forgive them," begged Talim. "They only fight against the malfested who are a danger to others. They have actually saved many of the malfested who are innocent and-"

Placing a finger on her lips, he smiled. "I understand. They simply did not know any better and for your sake, I won't pursue the matter. It was only bad luck that I ran into them but all that matters is that those who actually wanted to harm you have lost track of us. You are safe now and I won't let anyone hurt you."

Touched by his sincerity, Talim placed a hand on his legs and said, " Soul Calibur's powers is slowing down the healing rate and causing you pain... I'm so sorry for all of this." She shook her head and whispered, "Why are you so good to me? I don't deserve it."

He smiled and place his hand on hers. "You are worth it, never doubt that, Talim."

Talim felt her body tingle at the touch and she withdrew her hand. The more time she spent with him... the more confused she got. Perhaps it's because of how similar he acts and sound like her love that's making her feel this way? But she knew that it was also because of the way he cared and spoke to her. She had only spent three weeks in his company, how could she be feeling these feelings?

Talim immediately shook her head and stayed silent. The reason she fell for Raphael was because he treated her with the utmost affection; the same way this man was treating her. Was she betraying Raphael if she let go, even though she now knows that he truly is alive? Intense guilt rolled through her and tears soaked the bandages around her eye.

He looked at her in shock. "Talim! What's wrong?"

"My heart is confusing you for Raphael. These feelings I may be developing for you, probably stems out wanting to replace him since you're so similar. It's not fair to you, Raphael or to anybody." She sobbed into her hands. "I'm such a horrible woman. Raphael, I'm so so sorry. I don't deserve anybody."

Her sorrow made him wrap his arms around her and he held on, with the aching in her heart matching his. But the fear of rejection stopped him. Could she accept all three of his new roles as Raphael, Dumas and Nightmare? Or will it bring tears to both of their eyes. Stroking her back, he whispered, "Talim... I ... I am..."

Before he could decide, she said tearfully, "You have been good to me, but I know in my heart that I wouldn't have fallen for you if you weren't so similar to Raphael. The truth is, I only love him. I'm so sorry."

"Talim," he said softly. "I understand." He held her tightly and smiled. "My feelings haven't changed and my respect for you remains the same. Let me be his replacement, if that's what you need." He let her cry as he held her. Resting his chin on her head, he closed his eyes and tried to offer any comfort that was possible. As long as he could hold her, love her, he didn't care if she thought he was Raphael or another man. Her heart will always belong to him and that's all that mattered.

Viola glanced up at the moon with her orb in her hands as the mercenaries withdrew from the battlefield to head back to camp to recover. A strange feeling swept through her as she stared up at the luminescent object in the sky. Something was going to happen... very soon. Whether this was good or bad, she did not know. Viola sighed tiredly and put a hand over her heart. Everything seemed so empty... What was the purpose of her powers? She warned the Schwarzwind that it was going to be a trap but they had insisted that through careful planning and will power, they would be able to defeat destiny. Foolish. She looked at the wounded men being carried by their friends and she shook her head. No fate is changeable. No destiny can be altered. Why fight it?

Peering into her purple orb, she stroked it gently. She didn't know why but there was life and feelings inside the orb. It wanted to protect her and it seemed familiar. Did someone give her this orb? Or did she find it somewhere in her past? She certainly couldn't have been born with it. A sudden vision struck her as she saw a medallion with a crescent moon and sun and then she heard something. Looking back up at the moon, she murmured, "The wind and stars... are crying?"

I have given him and only him my heart... No matter what happens, I will stay true to my love.

Will you still love me, if you find out who I truly am? Or will you reject me... just as the world has done.