The Ming Empire was about to fall. It was costantly, almost perpetually, raided by Japanese pirates. Their efforts to recover the Soul Edge were their major effort to turn the tide of battle, and restore their country. However, there were failures in finding the Blade... three times, in fact. The third time, it was his own personal guard that failed, though they were the only search team that came back alive. Chai Xianghua was the leader of this team... and indeed, she had found the "Hero's Sword". However, she could not allow such a weapon to exist... so she shattered it. Unfortunately, the sword was not completely gone. It lived on, in the form of small fragments, one of which made it's way to a certain castle near the Empire's border. Because of the very presence of the fragment, the castle fell... Now, war was approaching. And without the Blade, all seemed lost... - Chapter 8: A Shattered Peace ____________________________________________________________________ 'How can I reach this objective... when I can't move freely in my own country?' Indeed, because of her failure, she had fallen out of the emperor's good graces, and was stripped of her rank and position. But, the worst part was... 'I didn't tell Mina... and she was looking forward to being a royal guard with me! I'm no good to anyone...' Xian had withheld information once before, and if she hadn't, she would probably be back at her post... surely the emperor would understand that the sword was evil! However, she didn't tell him the fate of the sword... and was discharged. On top of that, she felt that the fallen castle at the border of the empire was on her hands as well. 'Mina... I just can't take you any further. If I did, then my burdens would be upon you as well.' She was therefore determined to seek the souls herself, and destroy the sword herself. 'Good bye, my love. May our paths cross again...' ____________________________________________________________________ Outside, in the darkness of the night, Mina was training, trying to grow into her new abilities. 'I've gotta learn how to control this energy. How will I get any farther if I don't?' She had blinded herself agian, for she was comfotable with training in this way. As she started her pattern dance, she began to draw a crowd... which included a few soldiers and scouts. And they were impressed by her display. "That one's good. Her technique looks like the Sheng temple style... but there's something odd about it." One of the scouts studied her pattern carefully... "Hey, it's mixed wih another style. Looks... Korean, to me." "And, you would know because..." "Well, just look! She focuses more on her leg moves and footwork. But her strikes are still Chinese." "Hmm... yes, you're right. I can see it now." As she neared the end, the soldiers had come to a decision. "Hey, why not ask her to help us? Y'know, with the war effort?" "What, her? You're kidding. A lady soldier? Get real!" "Well, there was Chai Xianghua. She used to be a royal guard, so I guess that would be a novel idea..." Little did they know that Mina overheard them. '"Used to be"? What are they muttering about? She's the captain of the emperor's guards! They should show some respect.' "Hey, you four!" The crowd turned towards the soldiers... "It ain't nice to talk about someone like that, especially when she's not here in front of you!" The scout held the other men back and approached Mina. "I'm assuming that you're a friend of hers, then?" "Yeah. What of it?" "Nothing. But what we said is the truth, you know. Xianghua was stripped of her position after she returned from her search for Soul Edge. Of course, I think it's unfair because of that one incident, but there's nothing I can do about it." One of the soldiers spoke up. "But we could sure use someone like you on our team! With moves like those..." "Of course," the scout interrupted, "we wouldn't want to force you to do this." Mina scoffed at this. "Hah! Even if you wanted to, you couldn't! My life's my own. I go and do as I please, and don't you forget that!" "We understand perfectly, miss... what's your name, by the way?" She thought that they didn't deserve the honor of knowing her name, but she gave it to them anyway. "Mina. Seung Mina." The scout was pleased at this. "Ah, yes, Han Myong's daughter! I knew that style from SOMEWHERE. And that other style was Ling Sheng Su rod, right?" 'This guy is wierd...' Mina nodded. "That's right. What of that? And how do you know my father?" The scout just smiled. "All will be explained in due time. In any case, there is a tournament approaching to determine the next member of the royal guards. This is top-secret, though, so if it gets out that I told anyone, It's my job." Mina was puzzled. "If you'll lose your position, then why did you just tell me?" "That's not important," he said while passing Mina an invitation. "The emperor has been wanting to see you again, anyway. Please come to the royal gardens tomorrow." Then they continued their rounds. ____________________________________________________________________ 'Hmm... I guess that it wouldn't be a real problem if I entered. And once I win, I can ask about Xianghua. Besides, it sounds like fun!' However, something within Mina compelled her to seek advice from her weapon for this, and she did so. 'The emperor desires the Soul Edge to a great extent. He is concerned with possesing its power to himself, so that he may be known for slaying those pirates on his own.' Mina was now certain that she'd have to enter the tournament, and warn the emperor of this folly. 'And,' she also suggested, 'We'll have to deal with those pirates as well.' 'I advise against this. It is a numerous force. Even with my aid, you are sitll human... and can still be slain.' 'So? They're tearing the country apart! We HAVE to do something!' 'Be patient. We shall have our chance at them soon.' Mina doubted that... but she agreed to wait. Until then, she would have to save her energy... so she went to bed. But it was not a peaceful sleep... she wondered what business her father had in China, and why she was so well-known amongst the military circles. But, of course, the main thing she worried about was whether the emperor remembered her or not. It had, after all, been a while since she was in China, and if the emperor did not recall meeting her, it would make negotiations very difficult. But she deciced to cross that bridge when she came to it... ____________________________________________________________________ Xian had doubts about going on her own. 'I don't think that I could start off on my lonesome, like last time... I feel stronger when I'm with others who have a common purpose. I have a connection with those who travel with me...' But she felt that the connection between her and Mina was severed. 'If I tell her, will that trust be gone? When I think about that... I get scared. Scared that I'll lose my best friend, the one that I love. But what can I do?' Now she thought that it was a poor idea to run away from Mina. 'I won't make the same mistake. But, where would she be? I've run for quite a while, and now I'm lost...' But it was also a bad idea if she was found. Since the attacks from Japan intensified, there was a guard placed on every road in the capital, and every one of them knew who she was and where she was supposed to be. 'At that castle... but I promised myself that I wouldn't go back there until I destroyed all the pieces. That way, that would be the only one left. I can't get caught...' As if that were a cue, a patrol approached her position. 'CRAP! What timing!' She called to the Krita-Yuga for strength and, after it gave her what she needed, she jumped up to the nearest roof. "Oy, did you hear sumthin'?" The guard looked down the alley where Xianghua used to be. "Probably a stray breeze. You should get a little rest; you're hearing things." "Yeah, I am a little tired..." They walked away... and Xian let out a sigh of relief. 'I'm glad you're back. I thought you were lost forever, you know.' Indeed, the Krita-Yuga was lost in the battle against the demon named Inferno. Feeling that it's purpose was fulfilled, it vanished from sight, along with the Dvarpa-Yuga. But, as if it's mission were unfinished, it mysteriously returned to Xianghua's possesion. 'Well, we can't stay here for long. I have to find the inn.' And with that, she channeled her energy through the weapon and called out to the Scarlet Thunder. When her weapon pointed in its direction, she smiled. 'I knew that practicing that little trick would come in handy!' And she jumped from roof to roof in that direction. ____________________________________________________________________ The next morning, Mina was awake and alert. She felt a strange excitement in the air that day. 'It must be the tournament!' Then, she realized... 'Crap! I forgot to sign up! I gotta hurry!' She headed to the emperial palace at the heart of the city with the intention of beating the rush. Fortunately, she fell into her usual pattern of waking up early. She usually did this for training purposes... and now, she was thankful that she did it as a habit. 'Well, all I have to do now is check and see if they're open.' As fate would have it, they were... "Well, then! I thought that someone would show up early! Yeah, you beat the rush!" "Yeah, I guess so! So, how do I sign up?" The officer took out a paper and a pen and started explaining. "Well, all you have to do is write your name and dicipline on this sheet. Then, you're set to go!" Mina was somewhat disappointed... 'Xian's name isn't on here... where is she, anyway?' Mina shrugged it off and signed the sheet. 'Oh, well. She'll get to watch me win!' But then, she hit a snag. 'Dicipline... that's right! I have a mixture of two styles... so I have to think of my own name.' Mina didn't have time for this, she had a tournament to win! But still, she had reached a big point in her life... she was creating her own style. She wanted a name that would be remembered... something legendary and cool. 'Hmm... I can't use "Mina's Long Sword... it sounds too much like father's! So, then...' Then, she had it. One of Kilik's moves led her to the perfect description of her style... she wrote down her dicipline as "Phoenix Talon". And so, she joined the procession of warriors to the imperial gardens for the day's festivities... and the fighters included one young girl from India whose name was Talim. ____________________________________________________________________ Xian saw this procession as well, and she could sense Mina's soul... and one other. A pure heart amongst the host of greedy mercenaries and cold assasins... and on top of that, her soul was strong. 'Maybe she's one of the six... but I can't go. Mina will have to handle this one. I'll tell her everything later. For now, I think I'll watch the tournament...' But she also had to think of a way in... Meanwhile, Mina heard the voice of the persona within her weapon. 'I feel a strong presence amongst this rabble. Can you not sense it?' Mina didn't want to stop to look around, but she had to know who this was... 'No, but I'd like to know how...' 'Simply call out to the presence with your soul, and hopefully, it will awnser.' 'Hopefully, huh? Well, here goes.' She closed her eyes and concentrated on the source of energy... and the image of a young woman who looked about fifteen appeared in her mind's eye. 'She looks like she's from India... very pretty, too. And she IS strong! If she's one of the souls I'm looking for, then this'll be convienient!' 'True. But the fight against her will be difficult. Be prepared for anything.' 'Right.' But Mina still focused on her beauty... 'She's really pretty...' 'Stay focused. You are attracted to her because she has a great amount of energy within her, and nothing more. You must stay focused, understand?' Mina was snapped back to reality by the voice. 'You're right. Besides, I love Xianghua. I can't be so fickle and easily swayed.' 'You are maturing, Mina.' She was glad that someone finally noticed that she wasn't a child. ____________________________________________________________________ -End So, what do you think? I think it was a good chapter. My first real fight scenes begin in the next chapter! I could use some suggestions... you know by now where to go! - Next Episode - As Mina enters the fray, she continues her search for Xianghua, while trying to befriend the young woman from India. Meanwhile, Xianghua must get inside to support her friend and tell her what has been weighing her heart. And what of the Japanese pirates? Will the attack take place, just as the persona foretold?
Back to The Seeds of Evil: Phoenix Rising Index - Back to Soul Caliber Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction