"The sun cannot shine during the night." Viola looked down at the priestess emotionlessly as she panted for breath and had one knee to the ground. "I'm sure you've noticed. The dark energy of this castle is rising at a dangerous rate. It's taxing much of your strength just to even be here."

Talim shook her head but she retched once more, tasting the bile from the back of her throat. Weakly standing up, she wiped away the heavy layer of perspiration from her forehead. "I've... trained myself to withstand these high level of dark energy in the air. I'll be fine."

"Then the training must have went poorly," Viola commented coldly. Something irritated her... it felt almost intrusive even. This feeling that she couldn't rationalize unsettled her and put her into a worse mood than usual. She did not have any patience, as of this moment. "The best course of action is for you to leave with Raphael." Her red eyes hardened. "Don't concern yourself with things that are beyond your control."

Talim gave her a sorrowful smile. "If we cannot live for others, how can we expect others to die for us?" When Viola closed her mouth and turned her head away, Talim said gently, "You treat others kindly, and they will do the same for you, Viola. If you are with Zwei, I'm sure you must have heard something similar."

The seer crossed her arms while her lips turned down from behind her black veil. "It is most worrying at times. You two push yourselves beyond your limits for the sake of others."

The wind priestess lightly touched her wounded shoulder and winced. "If it wasn't for this wound, I would be fine. In the past, Hilde's army attacked Raphael's castle and the amount of dark energy in the air is similar to now. I had nearly died back then but today, things will be different."

"I hope that means you can do something about it." The sharp clack of heels echoed down the corridor as Ivy appeared in a gold tight suit. It dipped down to her belly button and bared her stomach as well as the sides of her generous breasts. The outfit was lined with rich, white fur and stylishly cut, although alittle on the extreme side of being revealing. A gold snake choker flashed at her neck and the alchemist came to a stop beside the priestess. "I thought you and Dumas had forgotten yourselves with the party. I didn't expect it to be such a disaster." Ivy then arched an eyebrow. "What are you staring at?"

Talim blushed and averted her eyes, trying hard not to stare at the amount of skin the alchemist was showing.. "I uhh... isn't that outfit alittle revealing?"

"It's amusing to have men squirm before you, don't you agree?" Ivy asked with a smirk.

"Eh?" Like an owl, Talim blinked her round chocolate eyes a few times in puzzlement before saying, "If they squirm, it just makes me think they have to go to the bathroom."

At the answer, Ivy immediately held a hand to her mouth and laughed. "Now I know why Dumas is so charmed with you."

Talim briefly glanced over to the window as rain lashed out at its glassy panes before asking, "Do you know what's going on, Ivy?"

Returning to the severity of the situation, Ivy commented dryly, "One could hardly miss the piles of bodies, statues and blood." With a serious expression, she said, "A guard briefed me on the situation. I'm afraid to say we have one more problem to deal with."

"What is it?" Talim asked worriedly.

"With the amount of dark energy in the air, the borders grow unstable. It would seem that Dumas may get his wish to open the portal to Astral Chaos without my help." Ivy looked down at her Valentine and pursed her lips. "With all these deaths, the level of dark energy is rising. I came for you because I need your help in making sure the veil doesn't get torn." She regarded Talim closely. "Dumas said you're an adept master at spiritual energy. Surely you must know of some way to prevent the rips in the border."

Talim's heart fell at the dark news. When she concentrated and listened to the wind, she knew it was true. The wall or veil, that separates the world of humans and spirits always weakened in places of death. With the dark energies of all the malfested gathered here, the veil was already thin enough. Now with all this chaos, it must surely be falling apart. It may not be as bad as seventeen years ago, when the borders were ripped wide open near Ostrheinsburg and she had to sacrifice herself to seal it. Nonetheless this was troubling news.

Talim bit her lips. "I understand but..." There were people dying and the rampant malfested needed to be stopped. Especially that lizard... She wasn't sure if Hilde, Dumas, and the Archduke were capable of handling it. She looked up when out of nowhere, Dampierre and Hilde showed up. "Dampierre! Hilde!" She rushed to them and asked quickly, "Are you two alright?"

Hilde grabbed her friend's hand and shook her head. "One of the intruders I ran into is a malfested that has the ability to turn people into stones with her eyes. I..." She was ashamed of what happened and it showed. "I couldn't fight it."

"Talim!" After gasping for breath, the master con artist pointed behind his shoulder. "That vampire nearly bit Le Bello's leg off!"

By his side, Gisele tossed her red hair to the side and said, "The boss is exaggerating." Crossing her arms, she added, "But it is serious, Talim. I'm quite sure that thing has reached its last stage."

The castle shuddered and the entire group gasped as a shrill scream shook it to the core. Talim said softly, "That voice has powers..." Steadying herself with Hilde's aid, Talim bit her lips and thought hard about the situation. Finally, she came up with a desperate plan. She read the wind quickly before saying, "Those rampaging malfested must be captured and taken to the dungeon. The guardian of the dungeon, Voldo, can look after them once they're there. However, the one with the eyes must be avoided at all costs. Viola, you can guide the group away with your abilities. Once I restore the veil, I can handle her."

"Your plan is dangerous." Viola said sharply. "Why not just kill those rampaging malfested? They've reached the last stage. There is no hope in their future and to hope otherwise would only bring disappointment."

Hilde immediately lectured her. "Viola, know your place. She is not only more experienced with these situations than all of us, she is one of the only two masters of purification."

"No Hilde, she may be right," Talim said softly. "In these last seventeen years, I can count on one hand, how many malfested I was able to save once they've reached the last stage. However," Talim touched her medallion for comfort. "That doesn't mean there isn't a chance they can be saved. I'm not going to give up on them until I see them for myself."

Dampierre stroked his moustache and sighed. He knew that Talim was stubborn when it came to these things and he didn't bother in trying to persuade her. "Well, Le Bello suppose he shall wish you good luck then."

One of Hilde's eyebrow rose up in question. "Excuse me?"

"But that scary vampire one..." Alphard and Ludovigo said together and shuddered.

Talim nodded understandingly before comforting the two men. "I know that it's difficult to ask you to risk your lives." She sighed and looked at them all. "Whoever wants to leave, may leave. This is something that shouldn't be forced upon you."

"I'm not leaving." Hilde came to Talim's side and said resolutely, "I will stay to help."

Her three guards stood with their princess. "Wherever our lady goes, we shall follow."

With distaste, Viola muttered under her breath, "As if I have a choice."

Ivy tapped her sword in her hand. "Someone should be severely punished for this. I'll be happy to do it."

"Then it's decided." Talim gave them a worried look. "Please, stay safe." She smiled and motioned for Dampierre to leave. "Go quickly while there's still time."

Dampierre looked slightly ashamed of himself, as all the women stayed back to fight. With a twist of his lips, he turned his back on them. "Good luck."

Hilde motioned for her guards to move. "We will be going now. Talim, take care of yourself. We will see each other after this is over, alright? My children are still waiting for you to sing them a new birthday song this year."

Talim smiled at the fond memory of her adorable children. "Of course. But they grow up so fast, that I think they might be embarrassed if I do."

"Time is not on our side. We should get moving," Viola spoke up emotionlessly.

Looking back over her shoulder, Hilde nodded briefly without answering. Viola could sense the coldness she and the others had for her but she didn't care. They were never fond of her and now that she insulted their dear priestess, she knew they weren't happy with her. Hmph, they were fools. Even without her orb, she could see that to hope for a recovery for those malfested was stupid. Zwei would have agreed with her, Viola thought to herself, unaware that it wasn't the results but the efforts that mattered to

Talim pulled Hilde back as the group began to move. "Hilde, do not be angry at her." She gave the princess a small smile. "If Viola did not care for me, she would not say those words."

In puzzlement, Hilde stared at her friend for a moment before shaking her head, with a small lift of her lips. "Only you, can see the good in others this easily." She patted Talim on the hand before leaving. "Stay safe, my friend."

Talim said quietly, "May the wind be with you, ma farhania."

Ivy helped Talim walked when the princess and her guards left. She peered at her closely and asked, "How do you feel? Your shoulder... it should be taken care of."

"I'm alright, please don't worry about me," Talim insisted as she followed Ivy.

"You're a poor liar," said Ivy. "Your face is pale white and I can see how faint you are. Judging from the blood trailing down your left arm, it's serious." Ivy sighed when Talim just smiled. "How did Dumas ever managed to find such a sweet little kitten like you?"

A pretty shade of red immediately dusted the priestess's cheeks. "Ki-kitten?"

Ivy's own lips turned upward in amusement. She just shook her head and they continued their way through the cold and deserted part of the castle. Occasionally, they came across the bloodshed and when she saw the priestess's expression, she asked, "How are you feeling?"

Talim reached out and lightly touched the blood splattered onto the red wall. She thickly swallowed before kneeling down and reached out for the young guard that laid before her, along with ten other men. His blue eye were opened wide, frozen in horror as his life was violently ripped away from him. His armor was crushed in and she could see the hole where his heart had been. With quivering lips, she closed his eyes and whispered, "I will pray to the wind for all of you." Standing back up, she turned to Ivy. "Let's go."

Ivy dipped her head. "It's not far. Follow me."

They continued the walk in silence, completely lost in their thoughts. When they stopped, Talim stood before the doors with a cold sense of dread. She could feel the cold wind shifting inside and she hesitantly pushed them open. On the black marble floor, Ivy had drawn a huge circle and filled it with wondrous and strange runes. The smell of something bitter swirled around them and Talim noted the large desk with tomes opened on it, facing the circle. It was a lonely room that was lit by a few candles and the large window against the dark red wall showed a powerful storm surging outside. Cast in dark shadows, the room felt ominous as potions and strange concoctions bubbled on the other tables.

Slowly stepping inside, Talim cast her eyes forlornly at the windows for a moment before saying, "I will send my spirit to the spiritual realm and try to balance the energies out. While I'm gone, my body is usually able to protect itself but with my injury and exhaustion, I'm in very grave danger if something was to happen to it. Ivy, is there something you can do to help me?"

"This circle was meant to be used to open the portal,," Ivy explained as she gestured to the floor. "But I can use it as a barrier as well."

"Then let us begin."

Ivy watched as Talim struggled to breathe and she sank to the floors. In a slightly disapproving voice, the alchemist said, "I don't think you have the energy for this."

Talim wiped her forehead with a red ribbon attached to her wrist. "If I don't have the energy, I must force myself to find it. People's lives are at stakes..."

Ivy's lips lifted upward slightly. "I think I can see why Dumas fell for you. You're a charming woman, Talim. I wonder why I can't remember you."

Talim smiled. "That was a harsh and terrible battle we fought. I'm only grateful that your small memory loss of that fight was the only thing that happened to you, Ivy." Taking in a few deep breaths, she put a hand on the window's ledge. "We may begin."

The alchemist nodded briefly before extending her whip. "Sing my sword!" The sword extended into a long sharp whip of metal pieces and it sang as Ivy used it to cut along the edges of the circle, making sparks fly. The circle with its runes began to glow and Ivy walked over to the table of chemical mixtures. Taking a handful of white powder, she threw it up and as the grains fell down on the runes, they glowed a light and warm yellow, pushing back the dark shadows of the room.

On the inside, Talim summoned her remaining strength and danced and whirled her double crescent blades. Using her blades, she also drew her own magic runes in the circle. When the four symbols were carved into the floor, Talim breathed in and felt the wind caress her. Her red outfit rippled likes grasses in a summer's breeze and she said, "For the gates, the wind will dance through."

Twirling languidly through the circle, Talim came to a stop on the east symbol. "Fires of the warm east, hear my voice and burn through." The symbol glowed a light red and Talim continued dancing. She leaped over to the west symbol and twirled to a stop there as well. "Winds of the west, flow out and guide us." Emitting an emerald green color, the second symbol was released. Leaping backward in a graceful arc, Talim performed a few more steps before resting on the south symbol. "Foundation of the earth that lies in the south, stay firm and protect our passage." Radiating a soft brown, the symbol was unsealed.

Dancing northward, she stepped onto the north symbol and whispered the final incantation. "Pure waters of the north, navigate us through and cleanse our souls." The last symbol shone an icy blue and as it opened, the entire circle shone with white light. Opening her eyes that was a beautiful sea green, she waited.

"Thou has returned... priestess." The same guardian cloaked in white light appeared before her and said solemnly, "Beloved daughter of the wind, you may pass. But take heed of the time."

"I always have and always will... wise guardian." Talim closed her eyes and gently kneeled down, tucking her legs behind her. She touched her sun and moon medallion, worried about the ones she cared for. "Raphael, I will come for you soon," Talim whispered softly as she thought of her love, before letting her soul leave her mortal vessel.

Ivy saw the priestess's eyes snapped open, a beautiful sea green but devoid of emotions. At that moment, the barrier went up and illuminated the room in even brighter sunshine light. The air stilled for a moment before a sudden wave of purifying air came up. Ivy immediately braced herself against the powerful force and grimaced slightly. "Hmmm, not bad at all, priestess." Turning around, Ivy left with her Valentine clasped tightly in her hand. "The strength that comes from compassion... how very interesting," she murmured quietly.

Viola stepped back as her orb flashed in her hands. "The other way, now."

With a curt nod of her head, Hilde motioned for them to keep moving. "Viola, where is the one with the cursed eyes?"

"She's close." Viola glanced down at her orb and said, "The girl is looking for her mother and now is the perfect chance for us to catch her attention. Her eyes are burning up, she can't use them right now."

"Then let's go." Hilde followed Viola as the seer led them. When they reached the end of the corridor, they found the malfested woman hold a hand over her eyes and crying. Warily, Hilde called out to her. "Stand up! Come forward and face me!"

The malfested instantly snarled. One of her hand went to the short red dress and she pulled at the fabric. "Why can't you just leave us alone?" She stood up, with one hand still covering her pained eyes. "I just want my mother and my sisters... Where. Are. They?!" She then whimpered and cried as her eyes throbbed.

Viola said quietly, "The opportunity has presented it to us. We must kill her now."

Gerhilde said from behind her princess. "Talim wanted to take a look at her and see if she can be healed."

Coldly, Viola said, "Better to be cruel to others than by cruel to ourselves. There may be casualties if we try to subdue her. "

"Talim is a wise wind priestess who is knowledgeable about the risks and danger when a malfested loses control. If she thinks there's hope, then there is hope," Waltraute, another soldier stated firmly.

Grimgerde blinked once before folding her arms over her pink armor. "We follow Talim's advice."

"She has many years of experience, I'm confident that her way is safer," Waltraute said as she placed her hand on the pommel of her white sword. She had never been fond of the frosty seer and she and the other guards, have harbored a deep respect for the priestess ever since she helped Hilde escape from Raphael's dungeon in the past. For the following years, the priestess had always tried new ways to purified their lands. Even though she wasn't successful, they were all touched by her sincerity and for her kind aid in many matters. They weren't about to listen to Viola instead of the respected priestess.

Viola brushed aside their comment and replied bluntly, "Your princess is the one that gives orders. If she decides to fight, you have no choice but to follow."

"Why you-"

"Silence." Hilde ordered for their quiet and thought about the situation carefully. Finally, she said, "Tie her up! Bound her eyes with fabric or something, we're taking her to the dungeon, so that she can be locked up safely." Hilde saw Viola turned away with a sound of frustration and she said, "You out of all of us, should be more understanding about this."

"We're wasting time and I'm done arguing." Viola replied coldly. "You know as well as I do, she's reached the last stage. There is no hope that I can see in her future, and she'll only be a danger is she's spared." The seer glanced over at the malfested as she was pinned down by Hilde's elite guards and tied up. "I have never been wrong in my predictions."

Hilde knew Viola's predictions had never been false but she was not willing to give up hope, especially since she knew what those poor children and their malfested mother had to go through. "Talim must take a look first. If she says there is no hope, then I will deliver the final blow. Until then, she's going to be put into Dumas's dungeon, where Voldo can guard her."

Viola was about to reply when all of a sudden, her orb flashed pink and she shouted, "Everyone! Back!" She stumbled backward and held an arm up to her eyes just as hot flames leaped towards them. When she saw the lizard, she said with distaste, "The beast has arrived upon a carpet of ruby red flames." Looking into her orb, she said, "The time has passed, the eyes will now open."

Aeon snarled and smashed aside a side table against the wall, sending a figurine of a handsome horse to the ground and making it smash into pieces. Its fire had began to eat at the castle's walls and the flames hungrily devoured the wood and carpet. Raising his axes, Aeon hissed at them hatefully. At the same time, the one with the cursed eyes passed her moment of weakness also stood back up.

Viola shouted out a warning and Hilde and her guards immediately turned to head the other way to face the lizard.

"Well then." Hilde readied her lance behind her. The long white feather from her hat moved slightly as she adjusted her stance. From the side, Gerhilde, Grimgerde and Waltraute also made ready to protect their princess.

Viola muttered something in distaste before throwing her orb into the air. "My orb will be my own eyes." Making a gesture with her hands, from behind her black veil, she whispered, "The eye of the cyclops is mine, now come forth." Her orb shifted and shimmered before it transformed into an orb size red eyeball. Standing before the malfested, Viola flexed the sharp claws threateningly. To Hilde who was facing the other way, she said, "Take care of the lizard. I'll handle the other one."

The malfested glared up at the floating eyeball. "Then let's get started." She rushed forward and narrowly avoided Viola, who had tried to slash down at her face. "Just because you can see, doesn't mean you can move!" She tried to kick the seer but the white haired woman deftly retaliated with another uppercut to her arm.

Viola kept her eyes closed while using the link with her orb to fight. "Nuisance."

Dumas gave a short grunt as he was slammed into the wall. Before he could slide down it, the lamia wrapped her heavy tail around him and squeezed. "I'll crush you!"

"Damn you!" Dumas struggled against the mighty grip and huffed. He felt his vision blurred as the high level of dark energy tugged at his darker side. His left arm throbbed and he tried his best to control himself. In no possible way, can he transform into Nightmare right now. Hilde and the Archduke were here and if they saw him as the Azure Knight, everything he had worked so hard for would crumble at his feet. He could kill them and make up the excuse that they died in battle; but since they were of royal blood, his end would be inevitable if they should die while they were at his castle.

His soldiers laid fallen at his feet, all grievously injured. They too, were trying to control themselves so that they wouldn't fall into the last stage but it taxed their strength, rendering them vulnerable to enraged lamia.

"Augh..." Dumas felt his ribs cry out in protest and at the same time, his right arm burned. The small piece of Talim's soul inside him was struggling to use its powers to help him push the darkness back. But even with its purity, he knew that unless the air around his castle was purified to some degree, he would be forced into the transformation. Dropping the wrapped Soul Edge to the ground, he clawed and raked at the scaly green tail. "Damn you..."

The lamia hissed, not caring about the pain. "You will all perish. If I and my children must die, you will all join usssss."

He snarled hatefully. "I have worked too hard... for it to end now. Die!" His right arm transformed into its monstrous form and he thrust the claws deep into her tail, using the surprise as his advantage. The lamia screamed as he dig the claws in deeper. When she tried to let him go, he wrenched it out and he made sure to make it hurt as possible. He could not help but let his dark side show, as he enjoyed the sight of her writhing on the ground and thrashing her tail about.

Back on his own feet, he shouted, "Stand up! All of you! I want her bandaged and tied up before you take her to the dungeon. Make sure she doesn't die, I want to know how she got in here." As his soldiers struggled to contain the wounded woman, he quickly forced his arm to turn back. A dark red aura surrounded it before it returned to its human form. Grimacing, he put his hand on it and tried to stop the shaking.

Slowly, he bent down to pick up his his veiled Soul Edge and he said bitterly, "Things always have to go wrong, don't they." Stabbing it down into the ground, he concentrated. "This is my domain... our land... Soul Edge, where are the rest of them?"

"One is in danger of being killed by Matthias. On his body, he has three vials of holy water. One was already used and he now heads for your study, intent on stealing any important notes he can find. The second one has cursed eyes and is with the lizard; Hilde and her wenches are dealing with them. The vampirette is killing your people on the second floor, in one of your sitting rooms."

"Which one?" Dumas asked impatiently.

"You have so many rooms, it's hard for me to even tell."

"Isn't there something unique about the room?" Dumas said exasperatedly.

"Apart from the fact that it's quite red from all the blood and spilled guts, no."

Dumas gave up and changed the question. "What else is happening? Is my love alright?"

"She's gone."

"WHAT?!" Dumas glared at his sword furiously. "What do you mean she's gone?"

"Her soul isn't present in your castle. Either she died or left."

His grip around the sword tightened. His dearest... she couldn't have possibly left him. Not in this manner or fashion. He knew her well and he knew she would never leave when there are people who needed her help. She would always risk her safety and happiness for others. He could practically read her like a book, and he knew she must be up to something to help. As for her dying, he wouldn't believe it. She was strong, stronger than anyone he knows. She was capable of immense spiritual powers and her wind dance was a whirlwind of sharp steel and grace that few could match.

Putting a hand on his left arm, he whispered, "I know she's alive. I'm going to find her, after I deal with that damn archduke."

"Tell me, what is it about that woman that you love so much anyway? She is useful, I'll give her that. She has mastery over both light and dark and to have the winds at our hands will bolster our powers, that is why I want you two together. But I know I'm taking a risk, since she'll want you to divert us from our path. I know... you were going to agree with her about stopping the Purge, weren't you?"

Dumas closed his eyes. "Because I don't want her to die for that speech and..." In his mind, he could see her. His beautiful priestess standing beside him, wearing her usual soft smile as she gestured to a new dawn. He said quietly, "I don't want to forgive or forget, but I know that my love for her is stronger than my hatred for the world. If can make a world where the two sides can co-exist, then my Amy will be safe as well."

"No! You can't do this Raphael! Your plan will never work! You know that the humans will never accept you! Just take a look at this mess your in before you start becoming an idealist! There can be no peace!"

With a smile, he said, "She is the truth... and my mirror. If she sees that we're not monsters, then we can show the world that she's right. I don't want to be a monster in her eyes. I want to show her, that I am a strong and wise king. And if a wind priestess and the king of the malfested can fall in love with each other, then the possibility for peace between the two race isn't non-existent. For her sake, I will try.

With that, Soul Edge unleashed its fury at the betrayal. "How dare you break your words! I will cast your soul into the abyss for this!"

He bared his teeth in anger and challenged it, his grip tightening around the handle. "If Algol can wield you, then I can as well!" Dumas curled his lips and growled, "I am the one wielding you, not the other way around."

"You will pay for those words! If she is your mirror, I will show her the monstrous reflection you truly are!"

The hallway lit up in a burst of fire and a nightmarish howl echoed down its corridors.

"I will show her the truth! Everything that you have tried so hard to hide, I will reveal! Do you think she'll look at you the same way, once I show her that you're Nightmare? Do you think she'll even look at you, once she sees you as Nightmare? Let's see if your love can endure, of what's to come."

In midstrike, Voldo let out a low moan as he sensed something wrong about his master.

Sensing his opportunity, Raphael smiled. He brought his sword from the left and swiftly landed multiple cuts on the man's abdoment, letting the blood seep out and dripping down to the ground in rivers. Next, he slammed the hilt into the man's face and knocked him to the ground, letting the guardian lay on the floor od the dungeon and whimper in pain.

"Now guardian, begone!" Raphael slashed his sword down and glared at his defeated opponent. With a vicious kick, Raphael kicked the moaning guardian out of the way. There was no way he was going to stay here a moment longer.

When he opened the doors to the upper main floor, he reeled back from the bodies and blood. Immediately putting a hand to his mouth, he grimaced and gingerly stepped over the corpses. What in the world was happening. There were dead bodies everywhere, the dark energy in the place was maxed out, and from the sounds of it, battles were happening nearby. His red eyes suddenly widened. Yes... with everyone so busy, now was the perfect chance for him to take that priestess with him. He knew he wouldn't be able to use Soul Calibur, but he could certainly use her. Siegfried had told him so.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Ivy uncrossed her whip and let it recoil into a sword by her side. Lightning flashed from outside the window as she confronted the rapier wielder in the dim corridor. With a snarky smile, she said, "Hmm, perhaps you are one of the beasts responsible for all this?"

"Watch who you're calling a beast, harlot." Raphael eyed her gold outfit with distaste. "I'm amazed the nobles didn't die of a heart attack when they saw you."

Ivy let out a rich throaty laugh and smoothed back her short white hair. "You're one to talk. Take a good look at your own outfit, before you judge someone's else." She looked at him cooly and ran a hand up her toned stomach. "Trying to bare your chest and flaunt some kind of bat fetish on your outfit? You have strange taste."

"How irritating, I don't have time for this." Raphael said impatiently, "I'm looking for a woman with green hair, have you seen her?"

"Yes, I have," Ivy answered nonchalantly. "But unfortunately, you won't get to see her." Her icy blue eyes gleamed and she murmured, "You obviously don't belong here. I'm not going to take chances and let you go, if you are one of the beasts responsible for this."

"What?"

Ivy said coldly, "Better to kill someone innocent then let evil go unpunished. This chaos, must be stopped at all costs."

"You must be a fan of the The Prince by Machiavelli then," Raphael growled as he knew a battle was coming.

The alchemist replied calmly, "For the greater good, I will do whatever is necessary. Now Valentine, tear him apart."

Her blade cracked into tiny pieces and quickly flew towards him. Raphael smirked and replied, "Nice trick, but I have one as well." Before they could touch him, he teleported out of their way and reappeared behind her with a devilish grin. "My turn now."

"You-" Ivy gasped as he kicked her, sending her toppling back and into the window.

Raphael watched as the force broke the glass and she disappeared from his sight with a sharp cry. Walking over to the broken window, he held a hand up to shield his face from the cold wind to look down. Leaves from the many trees blocked his sight and he muttered, "I hope you die a slow and painful death." He turned around and began walking past the fallen shards of her sword to continue his search.

After some time, he detected a part of the castle that seemed to be less dense in dark energy. Following his instincts, he soon came to a tower and began climbing. The heavy doors slowly opened and Raphael stepped through. When he saw who was inside, his eyes widened momentarily. The priestess was inside a glowing yellow circle of runes and she seemed to be meditating. The air was still and warm and despite the gloomy weather outside the windows as well as the chaos happening in the castle, the atmosphere here was completely peaceful.

He stood there before her, and couldn't help but feel that she was extremely familiar. What kept drawing his attention was the moon and sun medallion she was wearing. The twinkling symbols...

"Like the sun and moon, we both have differences. What matters is that we can appreciate each other's differences and help each other."

"Augh." He held a hand to his head as the words rung though his mind. "What is going on?"

At that moment, her eyes opened slowly and she collapsed to her side. The barrier immediately stopped glowing and its magic stopped working. Without thinking, he came to her side and helped her up. "Are you alright?"

Her lips parted in amazement before they curled into a beautiful smile. "Ra-Raphael?" She held onto his hand and looked at him happily. "Raphael... it is you, isn't it?" But then she coughed and reached for her aching shoulder that was bleeding through the tied red fabric.

"Stop talking."Raphael shushed her as he braced one arm behind her and firmly supported her.

Talim took in a deep breath and tried to reassure him. "I'm fine... don't worry about me, my love." She blinked and noted that her vision was extremely blurry. Ignoring it, she focused on his voice. "Raphael, how did you escape the dungeon?"

"I dug my way out with a spoon," he replied sarcastically as he stood up, supporting the light woman in his arms. "You can lean on me. Now come on, we're getting out of here. I trust you'll have no objections?"

Talim shook her head. "Raphael, I can't leave. I have to make sure that all this place is made safe and check up on the malfested's condition." She perked up and said happily, "Raphael, do you remember that lizard we searched for seventeen years ago? We can rectify our mistakes. I think I found him."

His eyes narrowed and he immediately scowled. "What? You're going to endanger the both of us because of some years old guilt?"

Talim was hurt by his comment and she turned her head down. "I... I would never want to put you in danger. But I can't possibly abandon people who are in need." She breathed in and said quietly, "I can get you out of here with Hilde's aid but I'm staying until things are resolved. When that's done, I'll come for you."

He set his lips into a thin line as he looked down at her. "You're being ridiculous, you know that. Especially with the condition you're in, you are putting yourself in danger for people you don't know."

Talim smiled and held his hand. "But if I wasn't like that, we would never ended up together. Though..." She giggled quietly. "You always said that my kindness was my greatest charm, at the same time, it's your greatest worry about me."

Raphael looked down at the green hair woman and couldn't help but think she was slightly cute. Siegfried was telling the truth when he said that this woman was practically a saint. He could almost see some kind of halo floating above her head. She was so simple and good, he would have no problems with tricking her into getting Soul Calibur for him, especially since she was already mistaken about his identity. But it was almost like tricking a child and he felt a small sense of regret. With a sigh, he said, "Your kindness, is also your greatest weakness."

Talim's soft lips lifted slightly and she hugged him. Resting her head against his shoulder, she enjoyed the warmth of the contact she had longed for so long. "It is better to be deceived, than to walk away from someone in need."

Hearing the comment, his eyes closed slightly and he reluctantly wrapped his arms around her. Whispering into her thick, emerald, perfumed hair, he whispered, "That philosophy will hurt you..."

Talim's heart soared as he hugged her back and she felt her eyes grow wet. She had waited for so long for this moment, dreamed about it so many times, and finally now, it was a reality. With a smile, she replied, "I have faith that the wind and you will protect me."

"Oh Cecily... you shouldn't count on that."

Talim and Raphael looked over as the black haired duke walked inside. His black eyes were as dark as coals as he drew out a gun and pointed to them. "Heaven must be on my side. I thought I was lucky enough, to find the combatant from seventeen years ago. But now, I've also found her master." He smiled as he saw the man holding her. "You're younger than I expected, but that's no surprise if you're a malfested."

"Duke Corby, wh-what's going on? I've never met you until now," Talim said apprehensively.

The light from the candle highlighted the sinister smile that flashed across his face. "But you met, the Baron of Denoise at the Phantom Pavillion seventeen years ago."

The memory came back to Talim when she thought hard about it. "Yes, I have met him."

"Good." Duke Corby then trained the gun on Raphael while he reached into his pocked and took out a worn piece of paper. "This is the paper that you signed, Cecily. Remember?"

Talim remember the messy signature she had scrawled on there. Since she didn't know how to write, she had made it almost unreadable and the manager had to ask her the name. And she had given her the fake name, Cecily... Talim's eyes widened. "You called me Cecily, during the banquet." She had used that name in so many places, the same way Setsuka had used the name Neve, that she had not noticed.

He grinned. "Your fake name, I presume?" Corby smiled. "I asked everyone there. I tracked down every single person that night. I asked what did your weapons look like, where you two were from and what you looked like. I had an artist sketched out the details I was given and I have burned the images into my mind. As the years passed, I began to worry. For you two must have changed with the passing years or died. You, have certainly changed. I never got any description of green hair nor could I imagine that you would grow up to be so lovely. But," He glanced at her weapons that was tied to her belt. "When Dumas said you used dual elbow blades, I became suspicious. For it was a rare weapon to use here in Europe. When I saw the double crescent blades, I recognized it from the descriptions immediately."

"What is the point of all of this," Raphael snapped threateningly as he raised his rapier.

Corby's eyes flashed. "For revenge... you, killed my brother., the baron of Denoise."

"What?" Raphael asked in confusion. "I never met him!"

Talim then turned to Raphael in confusion. "Raphael, what are you saying? We both met him at the Phantom Pavilion."

"Enough with the lies!" Corby hissed viciously. "I know that he was angry when he found out my brother tricked you into the fight with the lizards, so he killed him. I found the assassin and he confessed to me!"

Holding a hand to her mouth, Talim looked at Raphael with wide eyes. "Raphael," Talim said weakly. "Did you... really kill the baron of Denoise? Please, tell me the truth."

Raphael put a hand to his head. "Will you both shut up! You're giving me a headache!" Before Talim could say something, Corby interrupted them.

"You're right. I'm done with talking. I'm done with waiting." Thunder roared and the wet rain pounded against the glass as Corby prepared to pull the trigger.

Talim knew then, that there was no chance they could get out of this one. Raphael's teleportion powers were fast but they weren't fast enough to dodge a bullet, at least not from this distance. Without hesitation, she placed herself in front of him as a loud gunshot echoed through the air.

For a moment, silence stilled the air in the room, not quite catching up to the event that had just transpired. Finally, Raphael looked down in shock as she took the hit for him. "You... why did you do that?"

Talim hugged him tightly and whispered, "Because losing you again, would be more painful than dying."

Raphael stood frozen as her grip loosened and she fell down to the ground. Her long green hair from the ponytail fanned out around her body, contrasting the red outfit she wore and the blood that leaked out from the wounded shoulder and chest wound. Raphael took a few steps back and stared, trying to make his mind absorb what had just happened. He didn't know her... and she had taken the blow for him because she was mistaken about his identity, he shouldn't let this bother him. But... he touched the corner of his right eye and realized it was slightly wet.

"No need to cry," Corby said frostily as he noticed. "You'll be joining her next."

"What have you done?!"

Raphael inhaled sharply and stumbled back as a monster came into the room. Wearing a dark red hood, he couldn't see its face except for the blood red eyes that shone out at him. The creature was male; wearing no top, he could see that it was fit and well muscled. Tattered red and pink fabric clung to its dark black pants while gold metal greaves shone on its legs. Its left arm was deformed and monstrous and in the other hand, it held a dangerous cleaver. But the most frightening thing, was the sick yellow eye on the blade. "Soul... Edge," gasped Raphael, as he recognized the demonic weapon. Looking at the monster, he took another step back as he realized who the wielder was. "You... you're Nightmare."

You can run... but you can not hide from the truth.

You can seek vengeance... but it will also consume you.

You can defy destiny... but you can not win.

What is to come... will come.

Darkwings13: Oh my wind, it's been so long! Hi everyone! (●*∩_∩*●) Since I was gone so long, I made this chapter extra long. I hoped you enjoyed it.

Thanks to all of your for reading. Special regards to ThalieXVII, who has been reading this since A Journey of Fate. From the very very very very very beginning lol. You've been a great support for me. lostjoie9, I know you've read this from the beginning to like chap 24 of this story, and I'm also very happy to see you like it so much. The enjoyment of the readers is a writer's greatest reward. Of course, I'm also secretly happy that I'm getting supports for my beautiful moon and sun couple lol. This shipping was non-existent when I started... errr... 3 years ago? Wow, it's been awhile.

Thanks to the readers who read and favorited this story: Argosaxelcaos, ThalieXVII, diegofu, IcyStaro, Thaeonblade, LiaTomodachi13, Sword 747. And to those who have this on follow: xxx-wings-xxx and Bznboy. Oh, and yes, the chaos is just starting my friend :)