passion- n. 1. A powerful emotion such as love, joy, hatred, or anger. 3a. Boundless Enthusiasm. 4. An abandoned display of emotion. Passion is a powerful, deep emotion... one that is usually unbridled or unrestrained. But the synonym of Fire is both similar and drasticly different. Passion is usually something that is limited to only one thing or person. Fire is similar- a passion that burns- but different in the fact that it is applied to most anything and everything in life. Period. The Flames of Passion ___________________________________________________________ The two of them were back in the inn, Xianghua still unconcious. Mina had fallen into a deep and troubled sleep, one that she had cried herself into over the events of the afternoon. In her own mind, she had been completely and utterly useless in the fact that she could not help her friends at all, one of which was the most important person in her life- the other whom she had taken in as a student of sorts. The men who were responsible floated in her mind for the rest of the evening... and slowly, something within her stirred. She was angry. He completely ignored her! How dare he do such a thing? If it weren't for the fact that her friends were in pain or out cold, she would've torn into them like no tomorrow... She was in pain. Seeing Xianghua's bruise made it seem like she herself had been hit instead of Xian... and seeing Talim passed out, only to be used as a bargaining chip, made something within her tighten, as if a string were winding around her soul. She hated the thieves which had stolen her love and her friend, and wanted nothing more than to get them back and destroy them before such incidents happened again. And then the voice. The calm, measured voice that rang out like a bell. Mina had heard it before... for some odd reason, she welcomed it. She did not turn this voice away this time. (You are in pain.) A slight sympathetic tone behind it- though this was the voice of a weapon, it cared for its master. Protected it. Defended it. Mina could've smirked at this. It was all too obvious, but she wouldn't have admitted it to anyone. She did not want to be seen as weak. However... (Yes. What of it?) (I can take it away.) (Can you? I don't see how anyone would want to, since I had failed.) The voice was silent for a moment, but Mina didn't care. She locked herself in the darkness, in the pain. Xianghua couldn't help... no, she was out of it for at least a day, maybe two. Then, the Scarlet Thunder whispered again. (What would take your pain away?) She didn't have to think twice. (Power. Power to defend Xian and Talim. Power to defeat any who would hurt them. Power to show my father and Hwang that I am not some trinket to be given away, or some rock that one can walk past and ignore.) For some odd reason, the voice changed. One that had a somewhat odd tone to it, as if something were beginning. (Is that what you would ask of me?) Mina's mind screamed. She would've lied about it, were she awake and concious about what she were saying... but thoughts in their purest form do not lie. (Yes!) (There is no turning back, once you have walked down the path before you. Your decision is final?) (Yes! I want the strength to protect my friends!) The whisper turned into a shout, a confirmation. (So be it!) And then, she burned. Just like before... just like back at home... Something was stirring inside of her- a raging torrent of pure, cleansing flames. Was this her soul? She had no time to think, as a scream of pain began to rise inside of her throat. (Your body, in its current state, cannot handle it, no matter how hard you train or focus your mind. I am sorry, but I cannot help you with that right now. But when the time comes, I will be able to do something. For now...) Then, everything else was blocked out, as Mina let out a cry of agony... Only to wake up in a cold sweat. (A dream... but the fire was so damn real! Could that be..) But she shook her head to clear it out. The possibility that it was a dream was not in her mind at the moment... It was far too real for her own tastes. No, the weapon, her weapon, was trying to give her what she asked. (Your body, it its current state, cannot handle it, no matter how hard you train...) Tears formed in her eyes again. No, that couldn't be true! If it were, all those years were for nothing! Was she to simply wait until it was time? Then, she looked at Xianghua, who looked so peaceful. Yes, she was to wait. And she would, if only for her and Talim... ___________________________________________________________ Darkness. Emptiness. Her body would not move, no matter how hard her mind tried to move it. (No! What's going on? What happened?) She could remember nothing, save for the prick to the back of her neck, followed by something reminiscent of ice water flowing through her veins. Before that, she had run off with Xianghua to safety... only to be stopped by someone who was easily five times her size and weight. It felt like running into a wall of steel... And he looked about as smart as one as well. Nonetheless, he managed to take out Xianghua... and then, the train of thoughts stopped there as the feeling of ice water coursed through her. (Something inside me... is doing this. Those darts were...) And then, another, more disturbing thought came to mind. (Xianghua! Mina! Are they all right?) Blindly, she struggled for a way to seek such things out, to know for certain where they were. Her most available route, the wind, was out of the question- as far as she could tell, anyway. But then, she felt it. Or rather, her. Mina had left a part of herself in her mind- a part that had not been used recently, seeing as Mina had no reason to check on her, assuming that they would be all right. Well, she wasn't, and she had to let someone know. She reached for it- the thin string of Mina's energy that was within her mind- almost imperceptible, but it was there. She finally took hold of it, and her mind cried out, hoping that she would hear. (Mina!) ___________________________________________________________ An unknown location, somewhere in Peking Docks... "You're sure this is one of them?" Tashiro nodded. He was definitely, most assuredly positive about this young woman. Because what he found on her was most intriguing... "I found this on her." He brought forth a piece of metal, glowing with a bright crimson aura. As soon as he did, heads turned in its direction, millions of pairs of eyes gazing at it hungrily. "I see. And you are sure that the other two will come for her, as soon as they are able?" He nodded again. "I am confident that all three of those shards will be yours, with the promise of more." He nodded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Very good. You have done well. Now, all we have to do is wait for them, and have them hand the pieces over either willingly... or in blood." He looked at the young woman shrewdly. "Her blood first... then theirs." ___________________________________________________________ Xianghua was swimming in darkness. She remembered seeing a huge, ham-sized fist headed towards her with remarkable speed. She couldn't dodge in time- it was a swift attack, for such a big man. When she was knocked out, she was fortunate enough to not feel herself behing hoisted up, or being dumped uncerimoniously onto the ground below minutes later. She was all too lucky that she did not see the pained expression on Mina's face, or the sadness and anger that suddenly suffused her aura with a ferocity similar to an attack. But she was not spared the mental link between the two of them... no, the three of them. She may not have heard or seen, or felt pain, but she did feel something. (Mina! Mina, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault, I-) Then, she realized, after finding the part of Mina that was inside of her, that her friend could not hear. She was too far gone in anger and sadness to listen to anyone but her opponent. (You.. can't hear me, can you?) She could, however, hear Talim. Talim was calm, surprisingly cool under everything that was happening. Xian imagined that, if she could, Talim was smiling. (Don't worry about me- I'll be fine. Just look after Mina. And whatever you do... do not give them what they are looking for.) Of course. The shards that they had- they already had one of each... Oh, no. If they had Talim, They had one of the shards! If that were the case, then they were going to want more, and would stop at nothing to get them all! (We'll get you back! I swear, we'll get you back!) Then, everything else was blocked out, as a flood of anguish came from her older friend, who thought herself as a failure, due to her inability to be in two places at once. It was impossible. But she cried anyway. (Oh, Mina...) ___________________________________________________________ It was near the evening when Mina finally woke up. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked around the room, only to see Xianghua, still out cold. Well, not unconcious, but sleeping, perhaps. She also noticed that the bruise was still there... (One that I could've avoided.) With a look of sadness in her eyes, she did what her first instinct told her to do. She didn't even doubt that it wouldn't work- she just did it. She placed one of her hands on the bruise and channeled her energy toward it, trying to make the swelling go down somewhat. Her hand began to shine with a bright red aura, and she felt the energy draining from her into Xian. (Ugh... any more, and I'll be asleep again.) She pulled away and examined the bruised cheek. Nothing there. It was gone! For some odd reason, she didn't feel so tired anymore. Well, her body was, but her mind was not. She suddenly found that she could help, even if things didn't turn out as they should all the time. Better still was the fact that Xianghua's eyes now fluttered open sleepily, as if she hadn't been knocked unconcious at all. As her vision cleared and she looked up, she saw Mina, whose eyes were brimming with tears at the mere sight of her. "I'm sorry," she said weakly. "I couldn't protect her from them." At this point, Mina did cry, and held Xian close. She thought to herself that she must've been going crazy- she cried more times today than when she was a little child, and over a bruise and someone she barely knew being kidnapped. But for Mina, things had changed. "It's my fault, Xian. If I hadn't been so into fighting that lunatic with the claws, I could've-" If Xian had the strength to, she would've slapped her. Instead, she put a finger to Mina's lips and smiled. "Don't ever say that again. You were fighting so that we could get away. From that point, I made it my responsibility to protect Talim, even though she handled herself very well back there." She dried the tears from Mina's eyes with said same finger, the tired smile never leaving. "I'd rather we just get her back, and forget this happened... because if we don't, something worse is going to happen." Mina's eyes widened. She now remembered why it was so important to defend Talim, besides the obvious mental link, and the fact that she had taken a liking to her. "The shards! Soul Edge!" Xian simply nodded. It was then that Mina heard a ringing, clear voice in her head- one that by now was unmistakable. (Mina!) She almost jumped in surprise and joy. Talim was alive. ___________________________________________________________ Iron Bear had placed her gently (Which was surprising, for one of his size and intelligence) on the bed in one of the best and most comfortable rooms in the entire building. For some odd reason, it was lavishly decorated and had the light scent of perfume in the air. Someone was already here, apparently. However, a still comatose Talim saw none of this. In any case, he was told specificly to make her an "honored guest" instead of a hostage, and by the boss himself at that. Well, she did look cute, and seemed full of fire and spirit. He grinned maliciously at this. He had broken girls with fire and spirit before, and the ones that were coming this way were no different. All he had to do was wait for them. He looked over at her again, and smiled. "I'll have my fun with you later, pretty thing. For now, I must wait for your feeble saviors..." With that, the big man left. ___________________________________________________________ After telling her about the situation, Mina's mood had gone from passive... to bad... to worse... and finally, she was angry again. (Don't you worry, Talim. We'll get you back from those monsters.) Mina could almost see Talim's frown, but didn't care. (Don't call them that. They are frustrated that someone or something is taking their place... time is changing, and they do not want to change. They believe that honor will be lost if the world does not stay as it is.) Xianghua was impressed. Apparently, she knew more than she had let on about the state of the world at this time. But she kept her thoughts to herself, and listened instead. Mina, however, was shocked out of her anger. (Huh? How do you know?) If she were in front of them, Talim would've smiled. (The wind tells me everything. I can hear it... not just in my ears anymore, but in my heart. In my soul. Mina, I understand, just a little. It's my own spirit that lets me hear the wind's voice, even when I'm unconcious...) Mina could've smiled if the situation were not so grave. (What're they saying?) (They're all on edge.. telling stories of how they used to be samurai, each working for their lord and such. Then, they were banned to carry a sword, and everything started to change... firearms replaced swords and bows. According to them, battles started to lose their honor.) She was reminded of a certain man in red armor who said all that... and suddenly, she was disgusted. Xianghua felt it too- her frustration that people could not simply lay down their swords and live their lives. It was indeed sick that they wanted- no, needed to fight. Well, if they wanted a fight, they would get one. Thier last one. (I think they're going to use Soul Edge to throw the world into turmoil, even more so than right now...) Her voice- or thoughts, if one wanted to get technical- began to waver with fear. (Mina... I'm scared... Scared of what else they're saying. They're saying that I look good... I don't like how they say it, though... I don't like their eyes...) Mina's eyes widened. Her pulse quickened. Her hands balled into fists, the knuckles turning white. And something burned. (I'm scared...) ___________________________________________________________ Talim finally awakened in her room. Well, not her room exactly, but one that smelled lightly of perfume and such. Mina's presence was still in her mind, albeit much weaker than before. None the less, it was still there, and she was comforted, just a little. She would admit though, that she would be more comfortable if she were here in front of her. She had been alone for most of her life; her mother and father were not even allowed in the temple back at home. She had accepted that, however. But now that she was used to having someone around... more than one someone... two people who cared for her enough to die for her... she didn't want to be alone anymore. And when she thought of them, both of them, something stirred within. A longing- something that was necessary for her. Her soul cried out for them- her two friends. (This is... what is this? I felt so much safer when I thought about them just now. And I felt warm... Is this is what they call love? I don't know... I've never felt this way for anyone, not even mama... everyone was always so distant to me at the village. I never had any real friends... and even I know that this is not how friends should feel to each other! Is this right? Is this the way things should be?) She finally asked herself the question that she had denied to adress- the one thing that had been pulling at her for the longest time. (Do I love Mina and Xianghua?) As if it were a sort of trigger, she heard it from outside her room. "Intruders! Only two of them, but we won't take our chances. Stay here and protect our guest at all costs. The boss won't be happy if she's not here!" Talim closed her eyes and sat down on her knees, her hands folded in her lap. The air around her was suddenly charged with her energy, and she sent it forth with a message. (I'm here... come and find me.) ____________________________________________________________ A few hours earlier, Mina had jumped out of the window that was just next to her room, like earlier that day, and began following what she was convinced was Talim's presence, using the mental link to track her down. The shards of Soul Edge were another target, but it was for later. Xianghua ran after her, concerned about the state in which her friend was in. She made no move to deviate from the path that Mina was on. Even if she had, the aura of barely concealed anger was like a warning bell. People seemed to move out of her way, as if they could feel her aura as well, or at least see it in her eyes. By the way, the color of her eyes had turned from a soft brown to a bright, shining green. But that was not the most noticable thing about her. For some odd reason, the air temperature had been steadily rising, and the focal point was the woman who was headed for what she believed to be the stronghold for the local pirates. (Mina, what is going on? You're... well, not you.) She would've been wrong. It was Mina. It was just that her anger was starting to show itself in an actual, physical form. And Mina's spirit was one of fire... thus, this was the result. "Mina, hold up! Where are you going? Awnser me, Min-" The woman clad in red, and just about to burst into flames, turned around and presented her gleaming, burning green eyes to Xianghua. As soon as she did, the air cooled, just a little, and she smiled. "Don't worry, Xian. Trust me, okay?" And it was all she said before she turned around and continued walking. As she walked away, she added, "You can come if you wish. Get the fragments of the sword and Talim out of there as soon as you can. I'll provide a... distraction." Xianghua could almost feel the evil, wicked smirk that came from Mina, but did not see it. She was worried none the less. The green eyes were not hers, and the command of fire was not hers. It had to be the weapon, and the weapon responded to the will of the user. Was Mina's wish destruction, then? Was everyone going to die where they stood if they got in her way? If that were the case, then she may as well do what she could. (Don't you get yourself killed or hurt...) ____________________________________________________________ The two guards that were on duty scared most people away. Their job was easy- they didn't even have to draw their weapons all that much. So when a woman approached them this evening wielding a zanbatoh and looking very ready to fight approached, they did not worry all that much. They should've. "Oi miss, what's a pretty little thing like you doing out this late?" The other guard smirked at her. "And with a weapon that size? I'm surprised you can even carry the thing." The woman said something entirely different in response, her tone measured and calm. This should be a bad sign, as far as this woman was concerned. "I'm here because you have someone in there who's important to me. Now, you have two choices... get out of the way, or die quickly and painfully." The two guards looked at each other for a full three seconds, then slowly looked back at the woman before them... and laughed, long and hard. "Hahahahahaha! You're a good one, really! I never heard such a funny joke! But seriously, why not just go home and-" The man was silenced by the blade of the zanbatoh.. no, the kwandao.. piercing through his gut. The blade, which radiated an otherworldy heat, burned him from the inside out. The other guard looked on in shock... then anger... then he attacked. "You BITCH!! DIE!" The woman swung the long-handled broadsword with a speed that was surreal, turning her back and coming around with the fine edge heading out of the man the hard way, and slashing towards his ribs. He didn't last long, and was cut clean through. No scream- he was in such pain that he couldn't scream. It wasn't so funny now, was it? On top of that, her hair had turned from its usual brown to a fiery red. The air around her was now at such a temperature, she was a danger to those that dared come close enough. One could almost see bursts of flame surrounding her, as if newly awakening. But when she stretched her arm in front of her and the air around said arm ignited at her will, the flames whirling around her arm but never touching her, one had reason to be afraid. Very afraid. (Okay Xian, here comes your distraction. Use it well.) Her arm recoiled as the flames came to a point just three inches in front of her hand, and her mind released the burning sphere towards the gates that barred the docks. Wait a minute... what gates? Boom. ____________________________________________________________ A resounding blast was heard all over the docks. Everyone who wasn't on edge was, and those that already were were now on full alert, drawing their weapons and rushing towards the source of the racket. There were three however, that were niether on edge, nor worried. They were all the picture of calm, as if knowing that things would happen like they were. Fang grinned wolfishly, and Bear only smirked. "She's here... Hee hee hee! I can't wait to finish what we started back there!" "Don't bother... no one's getting past me," Iron Bear boasted. But his boasting was justified- the big man was like a wall of steel, despite his size, and he was also rediculously fast. Quite possibly one of the fiercest warriors amongst the pack of brigands, and one of the rudest as well. But no one dare said that to his face. Tashiro said nothing- only looked into the distance. She was coming for him, and these two were only obstacles that could either be circled around, climbed over, dug under, or punched through. He figured that if the resounding blast was her entering the docks by force, the latter was to happen, and niether of them could stop her from doing it. The fire in her eyes was directed to him, and one way or the other, she would be rid of him. That was, if she won. (The other one will probably be the one after the girl. We can't let her leave.) "You two have to take care of the other one that's probably going to be with her. She will be after our honored guest, and that must not happen." "What, that little thing?" Bear laughed haughtily. "She fell to one swing. She's no problem. I'll take her." "See that you do. Because if she gets past you and into that room, you will wish you were dead. Fang!" His head snapped toward Tashiro, more of an animal-like motion than a human one. His eyes showed unrestrained insanity, and at best, his superior's voice barely registered. "You are to secure the entrance to the main hall. It's her life or yours." He almost giggled gleefully. "More hers than mine. I'm going to make her beg for Hell!" "Actions Fang, not words." ____________________________________________________________ Xianghua casually stalked her way through the docks, keeping a low profile. If she was going to get the shards, she was going to do so without any fuss. So far, she was doing relatively well, and her Krita-Yuga had kept mostly quiet, only glowing faintly as she got closer to the supposed location. Suddenly, something from her right, around the corner! She quickly focused her energy into the sword, and as it pulsed to life, her body's strength doubled. She jumped up to the roof of the nearby warehouse with ease, just when the two pirates on patrol came around the corner. As she landed on the roof without a sound, she listened closely. "You hear somethin'?" "Yeah... the wind sure is acting wierd tonight, though. Wonder what it could be?" "Hmm.. I should probably get some sleep. I can almost hear a voice..." The other guard stared at his friend and shook his head. "Yeah, you do need sleep. Both of us." As they passed by, Xian released the breath that she didn't know she was holding. Voices on the wind, eh? She strained her ears to hear what exactly was going on, and thought she heard something... She continued to focus, tuning everything else out, ignoring the guards down there for a while so she could listen. And as she did so, she heard it. A whisper on the wind- one that sounded remarkably like.. "I'm here... come and find me." Talim. She was close... either that, or her command of the winds was first-rate, for her to send a message that far. But the sword was now pulsing, shaking slightly as if it were ready to fly in a certain direction. No, it could not sense shards on her own person- she already had one, and apparently Mina had one as well. Talim had two, so they should be... Xianghua raised the Krita-Yuga and allowed it to point in the direction that the shards were. Apparently, they were just two buildings away. The guards below were pretty much ignorant of her presence still, which was good for her. But now was not the time for pride- she had to get the shards. One, she already had, and the other she had taken from Raphael when she had beaten him at the tournament. She leapt from the roof that she was on, the divine weapon giving her strength, and landed on the next roof in a run. It was a wonder that she didn't make noise, but to her credit, she made none. And then with two long strides, she jumped again, turning a neat spiral in the air, only to land on the roof of the warehouse that held the shards. Her weapon almost sang in fear... (Yup, this is the place. Now then, there had better be a back entrance... because the front seems heavily guarded.) That it was... as she looked straight down, two guards armed with katanas and wakizashis- that could apparently be dual wielded- stood attentively at the door, more alert than the others. She slinked along the roof, looking for another way in, and as she looked down the left side of the roof, she found what she was looking for. A side door. Not exactly the best way to enter, but it would do... She hung from the roof, let herself down, and opened the sliding door as soundlessly as possible, closing it behind her as she entered. (All right... where are you?) ____________________________________________________________ Screams of death. Cries of pain. None of them matched the pain within her- not nearly. She wanted to see Talim again, sure... but these guys needed to learn respect and manners. They could do so in the next life, for all she cared, because she was not concerned about the sanctity of life anymore. Still keeping tabs on her mental link between herself and Xianghua- not to mention Talim, who seemed to be speaking through the various winds that swept through the now heated night air, she walked forward, not bothering to watch for anyone approaching. She didn't need to watch, really. She knew they were there, hiding like the insolent cowards they were. She could almost smell their fear. (Too bad. You should've thought about that before you decided to piss me off!) One behind her, two from the side. Two ahead. She didn't care how she could sense them- how the energy signatures simply picked up in her head. All she knew was that they were there, and they were armed. "Stop hiding. It's no use anyway." They came forth, all five surrounding her. One of them decided to get brave and spoke up. "It was foolish to come in alone.. you may have gotten this far, but it ends here. Did you really think you could mess with us, little gir-" It began quickly. Mina turned her back to the man who was speaking and slammed the back end of the polearm into his shin, while slamming her heel into the man who was in front of her. While both of them were now in pain from a broken nose and shin, respectively, Mina began twirling the kwandao over her head expertly... Before cutting to her right side, and straight into the assailant. More spinning, and a cut to the left, her blade red with heat. Another successful attack, and the pain was intense. Then, she swung the weapon back and forth, slamming the flat of the heated blade on both of their heads, twice each. Four were down... then up again as she stomped the ground, and after taking the weapon in one hand and dipping low, swung upwards in a full circle. With such a forceful swing, the air around her ignited, and her blade created a trail of flames that circled along with the blade's path. Thus, not only were they fatally wounded, but were also burned alive... The fifth man, deciding to attack now, rushed Mina headlong towards her back as she walked away. He didn't even get so far as five steps before Mina kicked out behind her, her heel slamming into his gut and making him fly a good six feet backwards, along with a trail of fire that shot outwards from the path of the kick. His screams of agony went unnoticed as she continued on, the heated air starting to ignite anything around her in a path of destruction. (They will all suffer for what they have done anyway. So I'll let them burn... If they're smart, they'll run. If not, they die. Either way, they're all cowards in the end. Besides... they hurt Talim and Xianghua. My Talim... my Xian...) The flames around her seemed to brighten, as a fit of anger came over her. (Yes... they will burn for this.) ____________________________________________________________ In the storage room, Xianghua's sword was shining brightly while she was busy tearing apart the room in as quiet a fashion as possible. She was just about to give up when she walked away from the spot she stood on... And the aura got just a little fainter. (Huh?) She walked back, and it was at full tilt. Xianghua smiled. (Clever. You guys aren't as dumb as I thought at first.) She casually cut a rectangle in the floor and kicked it in, cringing at the noise. "What was that?" "It came from in there. Check it out; if there's someone in there, kill them. Don't bother keeping anyone who is after our treasure alive." "Aye!" (Oh, hell...) She found the red box that the shards were supposedly in, and ran out of the back entrance, closing it quickly and leaping up to the roof, just as the two guards came crashing in with weapons drawn. "What? Nothing?" "No... someone was here, all right." The guard pointed at the rectangle that was sliced into the floor, and the box that was supposed to be there, though he knew not how. The one who had placed the damned thing there had done so without anyone looking- that someone could find it was a feat in itself. "Put the patrols on the roofs as well. We have someone who is looking for a swift death." "I'll send the word." But Xianghua was already heading towards the sighing of the winds that oddly sounded like voices, telling her to follow. What was at the end of the path was beyond her, but for once, she was willing to take things on faith. She hoped that Talim was still all right... ____________________________________________________________ Speaking of Talim, she was deep in meditation, trying to filter out any unneeded thoughts, save for the ones that kept her alive. (They will come. Keep sending the message, and they will come.) She repeated that thought like a mantra, never stopping her mindset that she was going to get out of this with their help. However, as she door slid open, she was pretty much running low on time. Bear was entering the room again, and it looked like he was frustrated with having such a lovely lady in the building without anything to do. So frustrated, he was thinking about breaking the rules. "Hmm... aren't you the pretty little thing. It looks like your saviors were imaginary after all. Never mind the deaths that were caused... any sacrifice is necessary for our world." She kept her eyes closed, the calm visage on her face never wavering. She said nothing- would not give this dumb-as-a-brick lecher the honor of hearing her voice. "Oh, no words, huh? Well, words aren't needed for what I'm going to do to you. Just relax..." He began walking toward her, taking his sweet time.. "It might even feel good after a while." She simply sat there, acting meek and docile. "Good girl, you're just going to sit and take it. I like that. Like I said, you'll get used to it for a whi-" As soon as he touched her shoulder, a gale force wind slammed into him from the front, pushing even a big man like him a good seven feet from her. "You bitch, you were setting me up!" "I did nothing of the sort," her clear, bell-like voice spoke. "My Goddess protects me, and I have faith in Her. You, with your unclean mind, cannot hurt me, for I am the wind itself." "I don't give a damn... I'm through playing nice with you!" This time, he lunged towards her, but the winds beat at him again, punching into him as if there were physical fists beating at him. But they only slowed him down, as they were meant to... And Talim was running out of energy to use. Not faith, mind you... just energy. Her strength came from the Wind Goddess, and She would not fail her. But right now, there was only one prayer... (Oh winds, speed my friends to my aid! Hear my call!) He was close... so close... She still had her eyes closed in solemn acceptance, ready for the end... And only heard a yelp of pain and the sound of sacred steel tearing into Iron Bear's back. (Thank you, Goddess.) She opened her eyes, and was met with the image of Xianghua, surrounded by a shining aura of pale blue, and standing in her fighting stance just behind Iron Bear. "Dammit, why so RUDE?" He swung a huge arm behind him, only to have it pass through the air as Xianghua ducked underneath it quickly, then slicing upwards, the strength of the blade knocking him clean through the air and onto the bed, and sending blood flying. The boss would have his head for having the sheets ruined, as well as not being able to handle a mere woman. With a twisted battle cry that was more of a roar- much akin to his namesake, he attacked with sheer ferocity, leaping from the bed and aiming to tackle her from the air. It was unfortunate then, that he landed smack on the floor crash and went downstairs the hard way, his heavy body crushing itself with such a forceful impact. All she had to do was turn to the right in a Bea Her Hua, and he passed right by. It was a merciful way to die. really... her sword showed no mercy, and even less pity. But the aura faded almost immediately as she half walked, half ran to Talim's side, placing her hands on her cheeks and looking her over to see if anything was wrong. "You're okay..." Talim tried to hide the blush that suddenly threatened to rise to her face. (Such soft hands...) "Y-yeah, I'm fine. I'm glad you could make it. Where is-" "Mina's busy right now. I think it would be best if we let her do her thing. But on a further note..." She pulled out the red box and opened it. Two pieces of Soul Edge, glowing with a malevolent aura, were sitting on velvet, as if they were some grand prize of sorts. (How vain these people are.) "Yeah, we'll just stay out of her way," Talim agreed. She could feel some sort of force- a tangible heat in the air that was laced with anger and vengance, with a touch of sorrow- and there was love there as well. (So odd... but so familiar. Yes, it's her.) She smiled. "This place is going to come down around our ears... we'd better leave." Xianghua did not question that suggestion one bit. Though how Talim knew everything so intuitively was still a matter to be asked, she saw the sense in asking later. However, one thing was for certain in Xianghua's mind. (I think I'm starting to like you, Talim...) ____________________________________________________________ They were running now. No matter... she would burn them all, eventually. Anyone who got in her way was torn apart, or burned to death. From the silence that the wind had taken, she assumed that Talim was safe, and out of the area. (Good work, Xian. I hope you have those shards as well, because I don't know how to destroy them just yet.) However, she had more important things to worry about now. Things like finding the rest of those... pathetic, worthless, lower-than-scum fools who thought they could just do what they did and walk away... and making them beg for death. One however, was not even willing to beg. The man named Wolf's Fang was on the roof of the biggest warehouse in the dock, waiting. Tasting the air with his nose, looking for her with his ears. He had turned into something less than human, and the madness in his eyes made them luminous and hard, like gems. One could almost swear that he could see in the dark. But in any case, he smelled an otherworldy heat... which would explain the screams of pain that echoed through the docks, all without the clash of swords. Men were being burned alive, and all without drawing their weapons. (A warrior who needs no weapon, eh? Kehehehehe!! I'll kill her anyway! After all, she destroyed my beautiful face... I will make her suffer!!) She was closer now, he could see her. Just a little further... Right under him. Perfect. With an uncanny silence, he dropped towards her, claws extended. As he fell upon her like a stone, a wicked grin broke on his face. So easy!! "How foolish..." Too bad it was short lived. Mina stepped to her left and leapt upwards, swinging her blade in a vertical circle. As it cut a path through the air, flames trailed behind it as the surrounding air was ignited. Fang realized that he had sorely miscalculated, and was the unfortunate victim of the Scarlet Thunder's fine edge, which cut him clean in two, from head to navel. The heat only made it easier and cleaner... Mina landed, looked behind her as his two halves fell to the floor and blood was everywhere, save for on her... and then, she moved on, entering the building. Two down.. one to go... and then, the leader. ____________________________________________________________ Tashiro heard nothing outside but screams and death. He simply folded his legs and sat in meditation, waiting. Clearing his mind. Preparing for this opportunity to rid himself and his current lord of this nuisance. He was a master of the wakizashi, and a former retainer for a great and powerful lord. His tactics were extraordinary- he had won his armies many a battle. But even with his patrols highly trained, the shards were probably already gone, and now this woman- a woman, of all opponents!- had either torn them to shreds, burned them alive, or both. Or at least, his reports said. Then, the room suddenly got very, very warm... The iron doors were slowly turning red from the intense heat from the outside, and without warning, the sound of combat steel piercing the door echoed through the hall. The red-hot blade of a kwandao was sticking halfway through the door, and the blade began to pulse with energy. Slowly, a hole was melted into the doors, and it grew with alarming speed. Once the hole was big enough to look through, Tashiro and the leader of these pirates, named Takena, saw the fiercest, most angry green eyes they had ever seen. A woman with red hair, who seemed to have the very air around her bend and twist with energy and sheer heat, walked through the opening once it got big enough. Now, the wood was starting to catch fire, and the various ornaments and trinkets had caught such a high temperature, none dared touch them. Takena, his voice full of appraisal and judgement, spoke. "Your friends are probably either escaped, or dead. Tell me why you are still here, instead of helping them flee, or mourning them." Her eyes flashed menacingly, but her voice remained calm. "They aren't dead. I can still feel them inside. And I am here to do just that... help them escape. You see, the less of you that are alive, the better of a chance they have of leaving for the inn in one piece, which is exactly where I expect them to go." He nodded approvingly. She would make a very good strategist, had times been different. Oh, but the times would change. "Well planned. Perhaps you would do well in a world of battle, where your skills can truly be used." Mina quirked an eyebrow, waiting for a damn good reason why to let them live. "Think of it. This world will soon have no need of us... of such power as yours. If the world were in conflict constantly, would it not be sheer bliss for one such as yourself? With the Soul Edge, it is possible to create such a world." Mina scoffed at this. It was preposterous and pretentious. A plan such as this could not be allowed to succeed, much less even be carried out. "And of the people who cannot fight for themselves? What of them?" Takena shrugged. "The weak must succumb to the strong. It's how things work on the battlefield. To the winner go the spoils, and the victor is allowed to change the history of the world as he sees fit. Do you not want to define your own destiny?" "Not at the cost of my soul." Her mind assesed the situation, and quickly saw that the man who called himself Tashiro had a short sword... wakizashi, by the look of it. It was best that she change weapons... Her energy moved almost instantly, and the weapon responded. The rod shortened so that it was more of a sword handle than anything else. The blade turned from that of a kwandao into that of a 40" broadsword, the hilt in the form of the usual dragon's head. The blade was 28" long, and was now looking very much like the White Storm and Blue Thunder... "Tell you what... show me how strong you are. You lose, you die. Win, and I just might consider this world of eternal struggle." Tashiro, who was mostly silent during this exchange, rose from the floor and drew his weapon. "Accepted. I have waited for an opponent such as yourself." Mina instinctively got into her ready stance, and entered the battle with all intentions of winning. Because if she lost, everything ended. As the fires began to rage and the building began to show signs of collapes, they charged each other headlong... ____________________________________________________________ -End- Whoa... intense. That was probably one of my better fight scene chapters. What do you all think? Questions? Comments? Requests for next chapter? Please let me know. - Next Chapter - As the docks burn to only embers and ashes, a now ascended Seung Mina goes to battle with a determined and ruthless opponent. She will sacrifice her own beliefs, and even her own friends, should she lose. If anything, it shows confidence in her victory... but will the end be as happy as the other ones? Or will this be the beginning of a world of constant strife? -Chapter 15: Burn!
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