Mitsurugi continues to block and deflect and attack whenever he sees an open. The two clash through the forest as small trees are dissected. They finally reach up on a hill as their blades continue to meet. Mitsurugi then rush Dio with a charging attack as he attacks with his sheathe that Dio sees then reflects but then comes in with a fast strike with his katana that Dio blocks but leaves him open. Mitsurugi grins as his eyes widen and he attacks Dio with a barrage of fierce slashes and quick slashes. The scene grew quiet as the wind blew again. Mitsurugi stood up and saw Dio kneeling with his sword still in hand. “Impressive……You’ve countered EVERY attack. No one has ever done that.”, he said as he saw Dio turn around. “Who are you?”, he asks. Dio looks to him and replies, “I’m called many things. 00_Wolfen, the Egyptian Samurai.”, he lifts up his head as he placed his katana over his shoulder, “But I’m widely known as the Legendary Black Wolf Dio………” Silence grew threw the forest as Tira’s blood began to boil at the excitement of this newcomer. Mitsurugi smirks, “So you’re the one I’ve been searching for. I’m glad to have met the man who appears to be on equal terms as I.” Dio replies, “I’ve always wanted to fight a real Japanese samurai……………but this battle has concluded. We’ve both wore each other out and that last attack took a lot out of me just to block those hits. You’re weary yourself but you’re more man than me.” Mitsurugi then chuckles, “Very well…”, he notice Dio walking past him. “May someday our paths cross.”, he said. Dio began walking his way but stops. He turns his head to Mitsurugi, “And Mitsurugi………” He looks back to Dio, “………what is it?” Dio responds, “I won’t forget that name.” This being said, he walks from the battle torn scene. Mitsurugi thought about Dio’s words and began laughing as he walks his path to find another warrior who could meet his expectations. As Dio walks through the forest, Tira is constantly following him. “Wow! His soul will be delicious! I’ll enjoy this!”
"Just what is Soul Edge anyway?", Nikolai inquired to Mira and the cloaked Xero. "Everyone's after my power, and they say it's more destructive than that. Ivy Valentine gave me a glimpse, but only because she feared it so much. Am I that deadly, to have every warrior in this world after me with bloodlust?" "Nikolai," Mira began, "I'm not too sure what this Soul Edge is either, but we really shouldn't stick around to find out. Although this world intrigues me more and more, we should quickly find if anyone else besides us had been
transferred here, and find a means to escape." "She is right, Nikolai.", Xero adds, "Your power is indeed great, you are the destruction of worlds. This is why we cannot risk you being here. I have only foreseen the events of your demise. I do not know when and where it is to take place, but it is in our best interests to send you back to the peaceful suburbia of the 21st Century, so I can continue to meditate my premonition".
Nikolai frowned. The fact that he was supposed to be the ender of mankind, and life itself always got to him. He never chose to become an alchemist. That was his father's dream. And that lightning storm that night, a freak accident! This only added to his cynicism about life, which is why he chose a life of seclusion. But that has been taken from him, forced to act out some pre-determined destiny that he wanted no part of. Mira put her left hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Niko. We'll get through this." Nikolai smiled. He always felt comfort when he was with Mira moreso than with anyone he's ever encountered during his lifetime. However, he would never expose his feelings to her, partially because of his fear, but mainly because he didn't want her or himself to become too attached when he was eminently the bad guy. The trio kept traversing the open plain for a while with no action.
They had reached a sign “OSTREINSBURG 15 MI CITY LIMITS”
"Huh. Ostreinsburg. Sounds like the name of a town from my time. This world is highly similar. Maybe that's why I feel so comfortable here.",
said Mira. "We must go into town and inquire about our means of escape. Perhaps the townsfolk know something about time travel.", Xero said. Just as they began to continue, several kunai had appeared from nowhere and struck the deck right in front of their feet. Immediately, they all went into defensive mode. The air was uncomfortably silent, the three standing back-to-back-to-back.
"You who possess the power greater than the Cursed Sword. Your power must be harnessed.", a mysterious voice is heard. The trees began to sway heavily as the wind picks up. A shadowy figure
moves swiftly from tree to tree in an attempt to intimidate them. Mira held her sword in front of her, while Nikolai stood with his hands in his pockets. Xero's hands faintly glowed orange. "Xero...?", Niko and Mira said simultaneously. "I may be a time sage, but I still possess an array of offensive magic.", Xero had announced. They smirked and returned their attention to the trees. The wind had died
down, and the figure emerged high in the sky. At first, the sun silhouetted the figure, but from what they could tell, it was a slender person with a ponytail: most likely female. More kunai fell from the sky. Mira quickly jumps in front and held her sword in a diagonal manner, utilizing its bulkiness as a shield as the figure lands. It was now clear of who it was. It was a woman clad in ninja armor, rather busty, wielding two Japanese short swords. Mira turned into an offensive stance, but Nikolai held her back.
"This is my fight. You two stand down.", said Nikolai walked in front of them nonchalantly, hands in his pockets, looking defenseless. The ninja woman looked at him quizzically, "Will you not take a fighting stance?" Nikolai didn't say a word. He pulled a piece of charcoal from his pocket and began to draw in the grass. The ninja woman did not hesitate to take advantage, and ran towards him, swaying from side to side, looking nearly invisible because of her speed. Nikolai teleports out of the way: quickly leaving his circle unfinished. He reappeared behind her. He tossed the charcoal high in the sky and clapped his hands. Storm clouds immediately stole the morning daylight. The ninja woman held her ground, although he
began to fear that Nikolai was tapping into his deadly power. She charged him again, and Nikolai fired off an electrical blast. The woman easily evaded, and unsheathed her kunai, making the strike. Nikolai sidesteps her, his eyes secretly widening beneath his shades, amazed at her speed, as he quickly clapped his hands again and shoved the ninja away, sending a shockwave through her body. She sprawled to the side, and Nikolai took advantage of her pain to run to his incomplete circle. This time he used his alchemy to finish the drawing, his arm moving as fast as lightning. The ninja immediately got up and assumed her fighting stance just as Nikolai finished (in which this happened a second after she was knocked down). Nikolai stared her down, his mind racing.
"I haven't used this transmutation in some time, it'll be a welcome change in my usual strategic tactics. I'm going to fight you head on.", he said to himself. Mira's eyes began to light up. Her favorite transmutation technique! She was going to see HIM again! She couldn't help but smile as Nikolai steps inside his circle and clapped his hands. The ninja dashed towards him in an attempt to stop this, but Nikolai already slammed his hands onto the circle. A black cylinder of light immediately shot towards the darkened skies, completely shadowing him. The ninja woman looked on with
anticipation, awaiting his next move. The black light soon faded, and
Nikolai emerged a totally new person. His trench coat was gone. He wore a sleeveless shirt now, showcasing his expanded muscular body. His pants became more of a tight fit. His alchemist's gloves turned into knuckle gloves, and the circles on them became inert. His shades still remained on his face. Mira's smile grew much wider, now gazing upon Niko's sexier form. The ninja woman too had a look of impression.
"Well I must say, this is quite the improvement." she had complimented. Nikolai forms a very confident smirk, and assumed a fighter's stance. The ninja woman smiles. "Finally ready to get down to business? This should be intriguing. I am the ninja called Taki, and I have come to discover this so-called power of yours. Show me what you got." Nikolai grins, "Well, since we're getting the formalities out of the way, they call me Nikolai. Friends call me Niko for short.", Nikolai boasted with utmost confidence. "Okay then Niko. This should be very fun indeed." Taki said as the two smile at each other, and then both launched into the air towards each other to attack.
Tira lands on top of a chimney as she saw Dio board the ship. She stretched herself upright from all the acrobatic pursuit. She yawns, “Aaaaah, there he is and looks like he was traveling by ship. No wonder I couldn’t find him.” She began scratching the back of her head as her voice tone changed to a darker pitch, “And to think this man has been holding back on me. I always kill the boring ones and the good ones run away. Now, how can I get to him…? After seeing my face he’d defend his for his life.” Her voice tone went back to the joyous one, “But I want to KILL him sooo bad!” She looks over and saw a figure in an alley wearing a white cloak and carrying a basket of flowers. Her eyes widen as a smile creep on her face, “Perfect.”
Dio was sitting on a barrel listening to music played from a flute from Arnold. He looks over to the right as his attention was caught seeing Rufus and ‘BuckethEd’ boarding the ship. He walks towards them to greet. Rufus smiles as he returns a greeting to Dio. ‘BuckthEd’ waves and a third figure is seen boarding the ship. “Who is she?”, Dio asks as he points to the figure acknowledging that it was a female. Rufus looks back and answers, “Her name is Azaela, a local flower girl of this town. She said that she has some information about Soul Edge’s whereabouts.” Dio grabs Rufus and pulls him in. “Not to be rude but isn’t this a bit suspicious?”, he asks. Rufus nods as he tilts his glasses and replies, “I know where you’re getting at but we have no other choices. But for safety, we’ll have to post surveillances on her.” Dio looks over through his peripheral vision as the girl was hooded in her white cloak. She was dressed in a white uniform resembling that of a priestess. His eyes widen a bit as she was holding a large flowery wreath around her body. Her eyes were hidden within the cloak’s hood. He gazed down to her red lips and began to visualize any similarities.
Azaela looks up at Dio as he turns his attention away. “If you must know, I mean no harm Dio.”, she said. His attention returns to her, “How do you know my name?”, he asks. Her head turns to Rufus and she answers, “You’re friend’s description of you fits rather perfect.” Dio took in the information and shrugs, “Very well then……” He walks off as Calo is seen beating on top of the barrels in a musical rhythm as Arnold continues to play on his flute. Azaela watched Dio enter the quarter deck as a smirk grew across her lips.
Taki and Nikolai continuously move at lightning fast speeds, exchanging and countering blows. Taki couldn't land a single hit with her kodachi, but counters with elbows and knees seemed to connect a lot. Nikolai himself was giving Taki a run for her money, moving as fast as she was. Of course, his speed was greatly reduced now that he could not use his alchemy in his fighter form, but it was still something of great aptitude. Mira and Xero simply watched, their trained eyes seeing every blow dealt. Mira felt estatic, "I love it when he fights like this. Close combat fighting always excites me, and Niko does it so rarely! Truly it is a treat to see him do it." Xero didn't say anything. He knew full well that Nikolai wasn't even inputting a fourth of his power. He knew he just wanted to satisfy the ninja woman without hurting her, so that they could move on. The two continued to evade and counter their blows, until Taki jumped back. "You move well for an alchemist. Too bad Ivy cannot use her magic like you do. Fighting her would've been a lot more eventful back then if she had.", she said observantly. "Wait, you know of Ivy Valentine?!" Niko asked curiously. "Yes, she and I have sort of a history. But that story's for another day. Prepare yourself.", saying that Taki charged toward Nikolai once again, and he to her. However, as Taki moved in for a forward strike with the Rekki-Maru, Nikolai jumped up. She grins, hoping he'd do that. The Mekki-Maru glowed, and she pulled them both back and assumed her Possession stance. In a flash, she leapt toward him, and it looked like there were multiple forms of her. Nikolai lost track of which one was her attacking, and he descended with his guard up. Taki came swooping down for an aerial attack, leaving Nikolai in a vulnerable position. He raised his arms in defense, and Taki slashed at them without remorse. Nikolai shouted in pain as he landed, and Taki jumped away, reassuming her Possession stance. Nikolai had no time to mind the pain and the blood that ran down his arms like riverbanks, as Taki further pursued him. Her kodachi glowing, she let loose a flurry of attacks that Nikolai narrowly evaded. Her final blow, she jumped to the side and made a horizontal swing at him. She missed, as it seemed. However, a medium sized scar opened up on his cheek, blood running down.
"That's all? You make this too easy!", Taki said confidently.
"I'm just getting started.", Nikolai retaliates. Nikolai charged forth and disappeared in the process. Taki kept up her guard, looking around for any signs of him. Droplets of blood flew about randomly from his arms, slightly giving away his position. Taki slashed at it, but it was a miss. She calmed herself, not wanting to get antsy and thrown off. Nikolai flashed in and flashed out, like a lightning bolt, attempting to confuse his foe. Taki readied herself, her hands lowing. She raised them high and yells, "Nassatsu!" She slammed her hands down and created a powerful explosion. Unfortunately, Nikolai was coming in for the strike when she did this, and he was caught in the blast, being thrown high in the air followed with another yell, "No escape!". Taki pursued and immediately grabbed him. She locked his legs and arms using
her legs, arching his body. She then sat on top of him and placed her
kodachi in a cross shape across his throat. They quickly landed, and Taki slashed his throat in an X-shape. She jumped away and looked startled as no blood was shed. Instead, Nikolai's body disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Taki turns around and was suddenly hit by a razor sharp wind. Mira and Xero smirked, and they counted the punches. 22 within a second! Highly impressive. Taki screams and fell to her knees, her red suit now full of revealing cuts. Blood poured gently from each wound. Nikolai reappears, his knuckles covered in Taki's blood.
"But you had no weaponry on you!", Taki cries. Nikolai explains the situation, “Although I cannot use alchemy freely in this form, I still have electrical energy dwelling inside me. I used it to create an afterimage clone to distract you, whilst I transmuted more of my energy to act as electrical spikes on my fists. The energy faded the instant my attack was done." She made a final assumption as she gazed at Nikolai, "So you are the one that has been fabled: The Destroyer of the Swords." Taki's armor had fallen off into pieces, and as she moved, her suit began to rip apart even more. More and more bare skin showed. She struggled to cover herself, but the electricity crackled through her body, causing heavy pain. Nikolai had reverted back to his regular form, his body becoming skinnier and losing its muscular build, his coat restored, his jeans a bit baggier, and his gloves silky white once again. Nikolai walked up to Taki and put his hand on her back. A black aura formed around him, and soon enough, Taki's pain was gone. She stood up, and her suit threatened to rip some more. Nikolai took off his coat and hands it over in one arm, "Here. You can borrow this until we get into town you get your clothes tailored. I want to learn more about this these Swords." Taki smiles and donned his coat.
Mira began to scowl. Nikolai doesn't normally act kindly to strangers like that. And what was his deal with Ivy Valentine? Why was he so intrigued about a woman out to kill him? She didn't like the looks of this. Nikolai is becoming way too popular in this world. Nikolai and Taki approached Mira and Xero. "Taki will be joining our party. I feel she's a great asset towards our quest to go home. She has large information on these Swords, and says they may be used to get us back to our ti--erm...back to where we were anyway.", Nikolai said confirming a decisive notation. Mira stepped in between Nikolai and Taki, and Xero lingered behind them. 15 miles to Ostreinsburg. Taki and Nikolai both have injuries to recover. Hopefully, nothing too great of a threat befalls the group, as there is only one capable fighter...
In the mountainous town, Kilik is seen at the emergency room waiting on Xianghua. “The evil energies are growing ever stronger. That power should not be contained by anyone.”, he thought to himself and looks up when a door opens. It is Xianghua who enters the area with a look of concern. “Kilik, Talim is fine. She said it’s okay to leave her behind.”, she said. Kilik stood up from his chair and walks to her. “Is she sure?”, he asks. Xianghua nods a ‘yes’ and answers, “Yes. She wants us to have a safe journey and she will be on the move once she’s fully heals.” Kilik acknowledges the suggestion, “Very well. Let’s move.” With that, the two are seen leaving the doors of the hospital. The wind blew across their bodies as their clothes began to sway. He is then seen reaching his arm out and grabs onto a red staff that leaned against the wall of the entrance. Xianghua looks at him briefly and nods before they left the town.
Rufus’ ship is seen on the move once again: The group all waiting aboard the deck. Rufus makes his way out of the quarterdeck and up to the upper deck. “Alright men, here’s what’s going on. We’ll be heading towards Otsriensburg in roughly two days so be prepared for the worst. I like to let you know that I’ve enjoyed working with you Arnold and Edward and getting to know you two, Calo and Dio.” He pauses as he didn’t see Dio on the deck. Calo looks around and shrugs notating that “I don’t know where he is”. Arnold looks around and thought where could he be.
Dio is seen lying down to rest from his earlier battle with Mitsurugi. As he lies there, a shadow of a figure is seen crawling across the walls. The figure’s posture was definitely familiar as it had claw-like hands and a familiar “hula hoop”-like item around her. The shadow came closer to Dio’s body as a hand protrudes out. The hand was covered in a golden bronzed gauntlet with claw-like tips. The hand reached for his chest. Dio’s hand reached up and grabs the arm and his eyes quickly open. He looks up to see Azaela over him. She jumps in shock, “My apologies, Dio, but the crew were wondering where you were.” He looks at her and traced down her arm showing no gauntlet covered arm. He said in a murmur, “Sorry……thought you were someone else. Can’t make it though………I had a rough afternoon.” Azaela nods, “I understand what you mean.”
He then stretched across the bed and rotates his body to the left. Azaela bows at the neck and began to walk out of the room. As she left, Dio was looking out of his peripherals as he groans. Rufus saw Azaela coming from the quarterdeck and asks, “Azaela? Whe..?” She quickly answers, “He’s tired and needs his rest. I just wanted to see if he was alright.”, saying this with a smile. Rufus sighs in comfort in understanding that his new crew member was alright.
That evening, Calo is out watching the water flow at the ship’s passing. “Ostrhiensburg. Soon we’ll be back home.”, he thought to himself. He then thought to himself, “I don’t blame him. Trusting a complete stranger……” His attention is caught as he saw Azaela near the port of the ship. She had her arms out as she embraced the wind’s gentle current. He perks a brow to this sight and walks to her. “Pardon me. Azaela, right?”, he asks to get her attention. She quickly turns around to see him, “! Uhm…yes?”. He tilts his head to her and asks in an interrogative manner, “So you’re a flower girl, eh, and you just SO happen to know the whereabouts of that sword? How is that?” She was quiet for a few seconds and then spoke, “That sword……Anyone around these parts knew of this sword. It has caused pain and suffering over the millennia and the constant battles over this sword MUST be stopped.” Calo gave her a firm look and then asks, “Alright. So how would you know Dio was in his quarters?” She answers his next question, “I was walking by and saw him inside so I went in to wake him up.” Calo nods and all as smiles with relief, “Oh alright. That’s nice of you but one more thing.” Azaela nods a ‘yes’. Calo asks, “How could you get inside when I locked the room?” “……!”, Azaela looks up at him. Calo then adds, “Dio and I share the same quarters and I knew he was in there before I locked the door before leaving.” A whirring sound is made as Calo quickly pulls out a Colt magnum and points it at her. “Just who are you?”, he asks. Azaela was speechless to what appeared to be a trap.
“………………………”, she paused for a few moments and then said, “I…can’t tell you.” She noticed someone crawling across the floor. Calo reacted by pulling a second magnum out and shooting at the figure. Azaela ran into hiding. Calo saw the figure is shot in the chest and fell on his back. He made a close examination and then saw another figure appear onboard. He quickly shot at him and more shadowy figures began emerging.
The shooting is heard as Arnold and Rufus are seen springing out of bed and making their way to the upper deck. They saw Calo using fast movements to avoid his enemies and shot them. There were too many as Rufus brandished his sword and Arnold ran into action with his strength. Calo saw the cavalry come in as he continues to dodge. Rufus springs into action as he slashed through five enemies that are seen flying about and onto the deck. Arnold was fisticuffing as he grabs onto on figure and slams him into the ground and then swung him into a few more cronies. ‘BuckethEd’ walks out in his night clothing and pulls out his fishing rod like it was a samurai sword. He is surrounded by six figures. He didn’t move an inch as one struck at him. He leans back at the waist and knees the figure in the face. He then rotates around as another came at him. He swung into a chop that struck the spine in his necking bending it. Ed placed his right palm on the back and spun around in a windmill kick that hit the remaining figures who fell to the deck. He jumps off and lands on his feet.
Azaela peers from over the barrels watching the fight as a grin grew on her face. She then looks to the right as the clouds fill the sky and a thunderstorm began to form. Winds pick up and torrentially moved in a violent manner. An eerie fog began to form and creep onto the ship nearly impairing everyone’s vision. Calo looks around as well as the other crew members. The heard footsteps approach them. Calo stares off preparing for a possible fight. A figure slowly gets up behind Calo and raises its weapon but not before getting shot in the head. Calo looks around and then back into the general direction of the bullet. Chains began to rattle as the approach was louder. The mist disappeared as a man who was holding two blades stood before them. His skin pale and eyes white as pearls, distinguished facial hair and an evil glare. He was dressed detailing he was a sea captain but in his mannerism it was easily identified that he was indeed a pirate. Arnold speaks, “Cervantes de Leon, the legendary pirate.”
Cervantes smirks, “It warms my heart to know that there are still people that know of my name. If I had a heart.” He saw Calo who brandished to pistol-like firearms. “You, boy!”, he said to Calo. Calo’s head perks up to the evil pirate, “Me?” He then begins to say, “I’ve seen your marksmanship. Impressive. Are you the captain of this ship?” Calo eyes widen a bit as he thought about Rufus and then says, “Yes I am.” Rufus eyebrow perks, “What the devil is he doing?” Cervantes approached Calo and looks at him, “I, Cervantes de Leon, has come acquire your vessel. My proposal is you die or join me.” Calo inner thoughts spoke, “What the hell have I got myself in to?” He said verbally, “Sorry pal……but if you’re going to take my ship then I’ll have to send you away.” Cervantes laughs, “You make me laugh, boy! Very well……”, he said as mist envelops the two as they are taken from the ship and onto a wrecked ship far away. Rufus and the crew saw the disappearance and wondered “where’d they go”.
Calo drops out of the sky and flips onto his feet as he lands. Bending at the knees, he looks up and saw Cervantes floating down to the wrecked deck of one of his old ships. Calo looks around as he realized what he’s up against. Cervantes assumes his stance as he glares at Calo. “Boy……you will rue the day you declined my offer.”, Cervantes said. Calo then pops up, “Oh yea………”, a brief pause goes by. “You know I don’t have anything to counter what you said.”, he said pointing out.
On the ship, Dio is seen lying down as the same shadow approached him. Arnold was worried about Calo’s encounter with Cervantes. Only one known figure was able to fight him and lived and that was his blood-relative who was presumed dead. He then noticed something, “Where’s Azaela?”, he thought to himself.
Calo bent in a squatting motion as if ready to quick draw. Cervantes smirks as he teleports behind Calo and swipes at his head. Calo quickly ducks and double kicks him to push him away. “Ah! Good one!”, he said before following after Calo with a overhead chop. Calo looks up and blocks it by crossing his firearms. Cervantes then follow in with a thrust but Calo fell back allowing Cervantes the force from the first attack to cause Cervantes to fall forward. Calo then press his feet onto the abdomen and monkey flips his opponent. Cervantes fell to the deck but disappears. Calo looks around as to where he went. Cervantes appears in the sky and came crashing down with another strike. Calo quickly looks up and jumps back before the impact. He was hit with a light scar appearing on his forehead, cheek and his hoodie was ripped. Calo catches himself and looks up as the blood drenched off the side of his face.
“You’re quick on your feet, boy! That’s good.”, he said to Calo. “Tch!”, Calo then dashed towards Cervantes and spun jumps into the air. As he did, he began to point his firearms out and began shooting at his opponent. The path from the spin is causing the bullets to travel in an odd trajectory. Cervantes began to block some of the bullets as his body took damage and the last bullet knocks off his captain’s hat. He looks down and then looks up to Calo as he placed his cover back onto his head, “Oh…you will pay for that.” Calo lands and looks up with a perked brow, “Wait, I hit you four times and you complain about me knocking off that hat?”
Cervantes began charging Calo as his next attack impact with Calo’s guns. Calo spun around into a roundhouse that Cervantes easily caught with his left arm. He then flips Calo into the air and began shooting at him with a pistol that’s built into his sword. One bullet grazed Calo that kept him mid-air and shot two more that knocks him back and follows with a third that went for his shoulder. Calo falls back and rolls onto the deck. Coughing a bit as his wounds tensed with pain. He gets up slowly and thought to himself, “Nice…………a gun blade.”
He then realized it and smirks.
Cervantes asks with curiosity, “What is so funny, boy?”. Calo readies himself and says, “You’ll see.” He then dash towards Cervantes and he returns against Calo. The two began clashing about as they fought. Calo using his guns in a sword-like manner as Cervantes fights the way he always have. Their fight revolves around careful precision and minor agility with an added sense of paranormal attributes. They tried to the best of their ability to try to shoot each other. Calo blocks a sword thrust as Cervantes prepares to shoot him. He quickly shot up his free hand and connects with his opponent and both fire off, grazing each other’s cheeks. Cervantes then knees Calo and threw him up and follows Calo with his pistol ready to fire. Calo quickly spun and shot his rounds off. The two are seen in mid-air shooting at each other as all their bullets counter-attack each other. Cervantes comes in with a flying kick but Calo took his legs and pressed his feet against Cervantes’ foot. “The devil?”, he thought as Calo push off and lands in a flipping motion. Cervantes came down with another attack and Calo caught the two attacking swords as he dropped his guns due to the force. Cervantes grins, “Novice move, boy!”, his pistol charged up and fires. A large explosion is seen from a distance. Alerting Rufus and the crew that Calo was fighting in a western direction of the ship.
On the battle scene, Calo is seen with his hoodie and half of his clothes were in rags and nearly blown off. Cervantes’ eyes were widened with shock as he backs away from Calo showing that he had a large hole through his chest. He coughs up ectoplasm as he glares at Calo, “But………how can this be?” Calo drops the swords and says with as much as his strength, “Because……I’m an alchemist.” He grudgingly adds, “So…you’re an alchemist. How does that explain………?”. Calo answers, “Because I’m able to transmutate any type of metal into a firearm. As long as I make contact I’m able to mold them to my will.” Cervantes stood up in a weakened manner and said, “So………You formed my pistol to the other end……causing me to shoot myself.” He began to laugh, “Very well……you have bested me. What is your name, boy?” Calo grins, “You can call me ‘THE Black Death’ Calo.”, saying this pompously. Cervantes laughs as his body began to fade away showing he was defeated for a second time. Calo grabs his magnums and the mist forms around him and takes him back to the ship.
The crew surprised to see Calo alive and kicking after encountering Cervantes, the insane deadly pirate to ever sail the seven seas. They took him into the quarters to get his wounds treated. Calo is seen lying in bed gazing out of the window. He then looks at his palms to see the transmutation circles embedded on his glove’s palms and kissed them. “You saved my ass. I just wished someone saw that.”, he said with a grin as he placed both arms behind his head. Rufus returns to the steering wheel and began sailing ship back on the right course.
In Dio’s quarters, he is seen lying down in bed as he seems asleep this time. It is shown that the gauntlet hand is shown rubbing the side of his face as he slept. The scene widens as it shows Tira sitting on the bed next to him as he slept. A smile was on her face as her eye light up with a sinister demeanor. What could possibly be going through her mind? Arnold is walking down the passages and opens Dio’s door. He looks inside to see Azaela placing a dinner tray next to Dio’s bed. “That’s awfully sweet of you but I don’t think he wants to be bothered when he’s like that.” She looks to him, “And why is that, sir?” He replies to her question, “Dio has been thinking about that ‘Watcher’ girl ever since he’s encountered her. He’s been uneasy and tensed since. Odd though, although it stopped, I know he’s still thinking about her.” Azaela tilts her head, “Oh………must be harsh.” Arnold nods, “A real pain. I’m continuing my patrol. You should leave too.” Azaela nods in agreement to Arnold before he left. Dio’s shown moving to the right as Tira holds his cheek. “Aaaawwww, he’s been thinking about me ever since we laid eyes on each other.”, she said to herself and her dark inner voice spoke, “Now why the HELL would he be thinking about me!?” The sun was about to rise in a few hours.
"So that's Soul Edge and Soul Calibur huh? And you're telling me it was foretold I come here to destroy both swords?", Nikolai inquires. "Yes. But every warrior in this place will want your power for their own personal gain. It's no surprise that Ivy Valentine attacked you first. It is why I had to test you, but I could tell you took it easy on me.", Taki explains. Nikolai blushed slightly with embarrassment. He hoped he didn't damage her ninja pride. They continued along. The last 15 miles had been uneventful for Nikolai and his group, thankfully. Taki was seriously wounded by his attack, and Nikolai himself acquired some bad scratches from her kodachi. Mira was the only one capable of fending off any oncoming foes for the time being, the group still had no idea what Xero could do, since the swords' time shattering ripple effect disrupted his time magic. But after Taki's introduction, there were no further attacks upon them. They had arrived into Ostreinsburg, and the moment they did, the villagers gawks at them and began murmuring. What strange clothing they donned! Mira, with her armor, and Xero, with his cloak, were the only ones to seem to have fit in. Taki possibly would have, if she weren't wearing Nikolai's coat. The four walked through the town, looking for a medical station of some sort. Nikolai and Taki had to get their wounds treated. "I've got no leads! Damn it, where am I going to find that unknown source of power?!", Yun-Seong had punched a wall, and it cracked. He was quite disappointed that the villagers here did not know about it, but were more than happy to tell them about the Spirit Sword. He did not want Soul Calibur. He felt it within his heart, that the black lightning he saw consumed the sky was more powerful than any holy or evil sword could be. And he wanted to harness it desparately. Seong Mi-Na stood beside him, leaning against the wall, looking bored. "Give it up. That's the first time anyone's ever seen black lightning in the sky. It's not like it's going to walk past you or anything.", said Seong Mi-Na as she approached Yun. As Yun-Seong pouted and Seong Mi-Na whined, Nikolai and company had walked past them, continuing their search. Yun-Seong's heart suddenly sank. Nikolai stops and turns around and asks the pair, "Excuse me, might you be able to direct us to a medical facility around here? We have been through a trying time, and must recover from our injuries."
Yun-Seong said nothing, but stood there, mouth slightly agape. That vibe...the man with the blue t-shirt was giving off a very strange vibe. Nikolai looked at him confusingly, whilst Mira approached Seong Mi-Na and asks her the same question. She happily abliged, and pointed them down the road. They gave their gratitude and took off, Nikolai giving Yun-Seong one last quizzical look before walking away. "What is with you?", Seong Mi-Na nudged her companion in his ribs, snapping him back to reality. He didn't say anything to her, but he chased after Nikolai's crew. "What're you doing Yun-Seong?! Wait up!", yelling as
she chased after him. Yun-Seong managed to stop them once more, in the
center of town. They all looked at them, and the crowd began to murmur.
"You! You have the power of the storm, don't you? You're the one who caused black lightning to fall! I must acquire your power!", Yun proclaims. Nikolai sighed, softly squeezing the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb, "Is everyone around here crazy for fighting? This is why I want to be left alone all the time." The normally sullen-looking Nikolai sounded annoyed. He really needed
medical attention, but here he was, being challenged to another fight.
Yun-Seong brandished his blade, a Chinese sword. He began jumping back and forth in his fighter's stance, ready to go at it. Nikolai groans.
"Nikolai, I'll handle him", Mira offers. "No, this is my problem. Like Taki said, they're all after me. Besides, this guy looks like he shouldn't be too much of a problem.", Nikolai said declining the offer. "What was that?! Don't take me lightly!", Yun-Seong yells.
Seong Mi-Na sighs. It was just like him to rush into a fight like that. Very hotheaded, she did nothing to stop him, it wasn't like she could. He was way too stubborn to listen to her. Nikolai signals Mira and the others to back away. They squared off in front of a water fountain. Yun-Seong had a ferocious look of determination on his face. Nikolai just looked annoyed.
Azaela sat near the main mast enjoying the wind against her face. The hood sway with the wind but still sealed her eyes from view. She then saw ‘BuckethEd’ fishing on the starboard bound. She smiles, “He enjoys fishing.” She then turns her head to the sun breaking over the horizon. She took in the warmth of the sun, “Another day brings us closer……”, she said. Calo lies down in bed recovering from a battle that he’s surprised to win. He turns his head and saw Dio who was lying in his bed. Dio opens his eyes and saw Calo looking at him. He perks a brow, “What?”. Calo grins, “Hey……You should have seen the fight last night……I won against a pirate.” Dio smirks and adds, “Congrats, man.” Calo weakly threw a thumbs up to his friend.
Dio then looks to the floor to see Ookii who was still asleep. He got out of bed and crept out the room to not alert Ookii. Outside, he walks around the quarterdeck and bumps into Arnold. “Arnold?”, he asks as he rubs his right shoulder. He looks down to Dio ready for the question. Dio began to speak, “I……don’t think I can be trusted.” Arnold perks a brow, “Not trusted? What do you mean, lad?” Dio sighs and takes a deep breath, “I may turn on you and the crew. I have been having this nightmare that’s telling me my fate and I don’t want to be burden. I don’t understand what it is but the final message may imply I will turn on you when approaching the sword.” Arnold placed his hands on his sides and responds, “That’s a strong observation you have there. You have not come into contact with the sword yet you believe you’re a liability as well.” He examines him closely, “Still, although we just met, you have gained my trust. Your heart must yearn for something that you do not understand yet you have misinterpreted.” Dio looks up to Arnold, “Hmm?”. “Lad, the sword is dangerous but I don’t believe it’s having anything to do with your dreams. But allow me this question?” Dio looks up and says, “Go ahead.” Arnold then asks, “Does your nightmare involve that girl?” Dio becomes speechless.
At this point, Azaela is shown behind a wall eavesdropping on the conversation. Dio answers the question, “…yes… Although you said there’s no way but I am strongly compelled to save her.” Arnold listens to Dio’s inner thoughts, “She, like me, was an orphan. And I can tell she was raised in a dreadful manner. I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Life hurts I know and she’s a misguided youth. I’m not perfect myself but I have my doubts. If we find the sword, I know she’ll be there but confronting her is what’s hurting me inside.” Azaela quickly disappears from the corner when she heard footsteps approach her location.
Arnold takes in this information and adds, “Dio, if that’s okay with you, you should confront your inner demons. Defeating your darkest adversary is everyone’s greatest challenge. But remember, I’ll be there one hundred percent of the way.” Dio looks up, “What are you saying?” Arnolds laughs heartily, “If you’re in danger, I’ll be there to save you. Now, I’ll ask, will you save me once my life’s in danger?” Dio stares him in the eyes, “Yes……” Arnold laughs and began to walk off passing by Dio. Dio thought to himself, “Thank you, Arnold.”
Giggling is heard as Tira is seen dancing around on top of the sails. Tira sat down with her hands on her knee and looks over her shoulders, “He was an orphan like me? Heheh, goody, this makes it even better.” Rufus sees land and calls out for docking. Once docked, the crew is seen leaving the ship and entering the town of Otsriensburg. The group’s attentions are turned to the town’s water fountain as a crowd of people are watching what seems to be a brawl between Yun-Seong and Nikolai. Dio notice Azaela is not with their group and begins tracing around to track her down.
He checks the alleyways for the girl until he saw a glimpse of her heading towards the dilapidated forest that led to the castle of Ostrhiensburg. He quickly tails her through the forest until she stops and looks around noticing that Dio was following her. “Ostrhiensburg is this way Dio.”, she said. “That’s great to know. Now what do you want with it?”, he asks firmly. She answers, “To destroy it so that mankind can prosper.” He then said, “A likely story. You can stop this charade. I know you’ve been following us the whole time Azaela, the White Sage.” She looks up and seems shocked but impressed, “A brilliant deduction but how did you know?” Dio simply answers, “Xero blurted it out on accident when I bombarded him with nonsensical questions one day. You should hang out some time.” She smiles and says, “Well, similar to Xero but I monitor the ethereal portion of the universe as Xero does time. I’ve felt strong forces coming from this era but the colliding swords set off the ethereal disturbance and thus caused that time rift that you and your friends slipped through. Honestly, I thought you mistaken me for the girl, Tira.” Dio looks up to her, “Tira?”. Azaela points behind Dio. He turns around to see Tira standing on a branch in a tree with a glare on her face. Her body was positioned to the side as the ring blade was held behind her back. The same stance she stood when the two encountered for the first time. She was in her ‘dark’ mood as she spoke, “Mistaken me for her? How absurd!”
Dio readies himself, “So you’re Tira? Look! I don’t want to fight you.” Tira flips out of the tree and to the ground. She quickly looks up to Dio with her glare and said, “But I do……You fought that samurai with intensity. Something I’ve wanted for so long.” She stood up and poised herself before him. Dio began to speak but Tira interrupts, “And don’t give me that bull. Being an orphan, you have nothing to lose.” Dio’s eyes widen as Tira began to sound more like Sett. “I don’t like to talk much but I want nothing more to see you die at your best.” Dio backs away and then noticed Azaela. He nudged his head noting her to get help and she began taking off. Dio sighs and said feeling unsure of himself, “You sure you want this?” Tira firmly said, “My mission is to feed your soul to the sword. But seeing you in action is something worth doing. I’ll make sure you’ll receive the most painful death imaginable.” The wind blew silently.
Nikolai was already weak from his fight with Taki, but since they were outdoors, he didn't have to fear energy depletion. It was his life force he had to be concerned with. Although a powerful alchemist, he was still only human, and could die just as easily as any normal person could. One slash with that sword, and Nikolai would surely fall. He thought it best to play his usual hit-and-run tactics against him to protect him from further harm. The crowd of townspeople instantly grew into a large audience, encircling the fighters. Mira stood by, slightly angered that she's not the one fighting.
"What is with Nikolai?", she thought to herself. "His personality's changing. He would have never accepted this fight challenge. I understand the fight against Taki, since that technique changes his genetic structure, but ever since he escaped the Valentine Mansion, it seems like he's been trying to become stronger. Wait, could it be that he plans to defeat Ivy Valentine?!"
Mira slightly fell from reality, lost in her thoughts. Xero stood by as well, not doing anything. His hidden eyes stared down Nikolai beneath his cloak. Just what was Xero thinking anyway? The crowd began to rant and cheer as Yun-Seong charged toward Nikolai. Some people even formed smaller circles and began throwing golden coins on the ground, making bets as to who the winner would be. Nikolai quickly snapped his fingers and teleported away from Yun-Seong. The crowd roared with excitement. Yun-Seong looked amazed. Reappearing far behind him, Nikolai quickly clapped his hands and slammed them against the earth. A black light shined and faded quickly. Yun-Seong ran towards him again, and Nikolai did not move. He baited him. Yun-Seong jumped high in the air to come down with a kick. Nikolai sidestepped, moving as fast as lightning. Yun-Seong growled and followed up with a sideswipe from his sword. Once again, Nikolai easily evaded. He jumped back a bit, Yun-Seong in his trap. He snapped his fingers, and a small storm cloud formed above Yun-Seong's head. A black lightning bolt struck Yun-Seong down, and he yelled with pain. Electricity coursed through his body as he cringed on the floor. But the pain did not last. He regained composure, and made another attempt at an attack. But he could not move!
"Hey, what the hell?!", he cries. "I magnetized you to the earth, manipulating the metals within its crust. It's only temporary. Your body hasn't sustained serious damage either. I could kill you right now if I wanted to.", explained Nikolai. "This is bullcrap! You never took this seriously, did you?!", Yun yells out. Nikolai corrects his shades and implies, "I never planned on fighting you. The Magnet transmutation is my favorite trap for avoiding fights. If you'll excuse me now, I really must seek medical attention."
Nikolai's arms throbbed with pain, his lacerations deep. The bleeding hadn't stopped, but it slowed down. Taki was on one knee, her wounds still affecting her as well. The crowd moaned in disappoint-ment. No one died, the fight was considered a draw. They began to disperse, collecting their money, and resuming their daily business.
"So that was your plan? I'd expect nothing less from you.", Xero finally chimes. Nikolai nodded. They all walked off in the direction Seong Mi-Na originally points them to.
Deep within the recesses of the Valentine Mansion, Ivy had been concealed in a dimly lit room, lit by candlelight. She was wearing a grey belle dress ensemble. The room was small, paper and books strewn about everywhere. "That alchemist...his power is that of the gods! How could alchemy have advanced that much?", Ivy said to herself. Her face was buried in books, and she was drawing many variations of transmutation circles. She was studying, trying to find something to negate Nikolai's power. Her snake sword alone wouldn't be enough, she needed something powerful. She thought of Soul Edge. She knew of that sword's power all too well, being a former servant. She did not want to utilize it again, her primary quest was to destroy it. However, she could not rule out the fact that she may need the sword once again.
"Perhaps I could manipulate Soul Edge's energy within my body into my
sword...It's risky, my life may be taken in the process. But it's the best option I've got. That alchemist has to die." Thoughts of Nikolai ran through her head. She thought of how scared she was when he displayed his true nature, and it angers her. But she also thought about how timid he was upon their first encounter. She became confused. She stops working and sat upright on her chair. Her face became forlorn. "Is what I'm doing right...? He doesn't have ambition to tap into his power to destroy this world. But it cannot exist, he's a danger wherever he may go.", She remain conflicted.
The trees brush with the ever flowing wind as Tira glares at Dio. “Last chance……I don’t want to do this.”, he said to her hoping this wouldn’t end the way he presumes to be his fate. “What is it that you’re afraid of? Because I’m an orphan too? Thinking of me as you sleep and walk every day sounds disgusting. Whatever your thoughts are they’re not going to last long.”, Tira said as she approached him. Dio slightly edged his foot back.
Tira quickly swung her weapon at Dio and he blocks with his light blue katana that instantly appears. Her eyes widen, “That’s interesting and useful.” She quickly pressed her foot onto Dio’s outward knee and arch backwards into a flipping kick that struck Dio under the chin. His head went up as his body fell back. He caught himself but saw the ring blade thrown at him. He quickly jumps as it stabs into the ground. He lands behind the ring but not before Tira ran to grab it. She swung through the hoop and around as she kicks him in the back of the ankle. He fell forward and quickly turns believing she was coming at him. She ran up and swung the blade with her right arm at Dio. He saw the attack coming but struck at the blade but she was still spinning the blade and it rapidly hits his arms causing him to lose his weapon. He quickly backs away when the final strike could connect as she slung her blade-holding high into the sky and rotates back into her stance. Dio felt the pain but quickly ran before she regrouped. She quickly spun with the blade extending out to clip his ankles but Dio saw and jumps over it like a hurdle.
Noticing she missed, she quickly spun to cut Dio in mid air but he lands in time to duck under it and he grabs his katana. “You’re quick. I like that. But fight me!”, she said turning around in a dance-like spin. Dio ran towards her and began to attack fiercely. He felt there was no escape. Running would only fuel her anger to kill him. Tira was locked in another close range attack as she used her disciplinary movements to overwhelm him. Dio uses similar movements but was more agile than acrobatic. Tira’s eyes widen as she was excited that he returned her favor. They began striking each other forgetting all about deflecting one another’s attacks, regardless of blocking. Both fighters had several and equal battle wounds. Tira strikes a horizontal slash as Dio came in with his. She caught his katana with her right hand as he caught her blade with his right hand. Both of their hands were cut from the impacts as blood drenched from their hands.
They stare deep into each other’s eyes. “Yes……You’re soul would be the benefactor for Edge.”, she said. For the first time, “dark” Tira seems excited about this fight: Someone who can go the distance against her way of life. She forced more momentum to cut Dio as he thrust kicks her away from him. The two faced each other breathing rapidly. Tira grins, “And I thought you were a pushover but time to die.” She came at Dio and he ran to her.
Getting closer, Dio quickly slashes but Tira’s eyes widen foreseeing her trap as she rotates her blade to the side that deflects Dio’s attack. She used his momentum and jumps on top of him to pin him to the ground. She began spinning her blade around her arm like a pinwheel and began lowering it to Dio’s throat and chest area. A sinister glare was on her face but Dio threw his lower body upward as his feet were used to kick Tira in the back causing her to push off of him. She was slightly cut by her own blade as she fell to her knees. Dio got up and retained his stance. He ran to strike her but she saw him peripherally on turning and struck upward to deflect his attack. He lost control of his katana as she lost control of her blade. She tackles Dio onto the ground and placed her body over his. She stares Dio straight in the eyes and laid her lips onto his. Dio’s eyes widen as he felt his life force drain from his body. Feeling the kiss from Tira was too awkward as he tries to struggle but to know avail. His eyes began to fade as his veins began to pulsate. His eyes quickly flash and his arms just fell to the ground.
A few moments have passed as Tira remained on top of him. She picks herself up as she checks his vitals for any signs of life. She blinks and says, “Looks like I over did it.” Tira stood up and began to walk away from the body. Dio’s body is shown with signs of asphyxiation. A few seconds pass as his fingers began to move and his body tone went from a pale color and back to his light brown form. His eyes return to normal as he slowly got up. Tira heard breathing and quickly turns to see Dio standing again. She was shocked at the amazement to see her assignment is still alive.
“How did you do that?”, she asks. Dio was coughing and holding his chest as he looks up. He heard Tira’s voice and question, “Do what?” “HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE!?”, she yells at him. Dio said nothing as his vision returns. Tira then shook her head, “Nevermind. But you have some real nerve teasing me with that ‘dead play’ tactic.”
Dio perks a brow, “Yea…………lets go with that.” Tira was now determined to kill him for sure this time. “By the way, you must’ve really liked me to kiss me to death.”, he said in a somewhat joking manner. “Shut up!”, she said as she ran to him with her weapon. She swung around but he dodges the first attack and comes around with a right hook that struck Tira across the face. Her eyes were widened with shock as she flew across the ground in a dusty manner and Dio ran.
Tira got up holding her face as blood drenched out from her lips. She rubs the blood and looks at it. Her teeth bore as she looks around to see Dio not in sight. She saw droplets of blood that trails off into the woods. Her lip perks up as she follows the trail. Minutes has passed as she searched for Dio in the woods. “Where are you?”, she wonders and looks around. “He’s the only one to survive that……What makes him so special?”, she asks herself. She began to hear chirping sounds and heads towards the location.
She sped through the forest going left and right keeping her hearing on the trail and the sound. As the sound became louder she threw her blade at what was a silhouette of Dio and it stabs into a tree. “That wasn’t him?!”, she then heard the sound and turns around to see that Dio was far away from her. She saw a blue light that emitted the chirping sound. It was easily told that it was electricity coming from his arm and was surging towards his fist. His hand slowly struggles to close and a loud POW sound is heard. Dio looks up as he was squatting at the knees and his eyes were shaped differently. Tira’s eyes widen, “What is he doing?” Dio ran towards her and she ran to him to counter attack. When he approached, his eyes turn to a mixture of violet and yellow iris color and disappears from her sight. Tira stops and looks around in confusion. “The devil………? Where’d he………?”, she ponders. Her eyes widen as she felt a jolt of electricity surge through her body. “RAIKOUKEN!”, Dio is seen running his fist through her as a bolt of lighting seemed to strike down into the forest. Tira is launched into the air in a spinning manner as Dio was poised in the end of his punch form. The electricity slowly disappaited from around his arm as his fingers and arm tingle. He grabs his arm and turns around to see Tira hitting the ground. The electricity continues to emit from her body and then disappears.
He walks over to Tira’s lifeless body. He closed his eyes feeling he did not want to resort to that move. Then, he heard a cough and looks down to see Tira opening her eyes. She groans, “OOoooh, ow what happened?” She looks up to Dio and jumps as she backs away. Dio saw this and wonders to himself, “She sounds different……A lot lighter than she was earlier. Could she…………be her true self before Soul Edge affected her?”. She looks to Dio worried as she is defenseless to him, “Oh no……This is it for me!” Dio held out his hand and kneels to her, “Please………Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you. My name is Dio.” Tira paused for a moment, “What?”. She then thought, “Did he?” Her dark voice re-emerged inside of her, “Indeed……he thinks we’re innocent through you. Perfect timing, we can lead him to the Soul Edge if we play along.” Tira nods her head to Dio and held her hand out to him as he helps her up. “I…I’m Tira.”, she introduced herself. Dio nods to her, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience but you also have something of mine.” He points to her to show she’s wearing his jacket. Her eyes bubble a bit but parts ways with the jacket returning it to him.
Dio felt relief when seeing his jacket back into his possession. “Tira………don’t worry. I think Soul Edge lost control over you for a moment but I’ll try to help you cope again.”, he said assuring. Tira happily smiles as she grabs her weapon and follows Dio. The “dark” Tira smirks as a new plan develops. Her gaze returns to her “light” side as she saw two figures approach them. It was Arnold and ‘BuckethEd’ coming to the rescue but saw that Dio was fine. “Dio? Are you oka…………HOLY HELL!”, Arnold jumps upon seeing Tira. Dio looks to Tira and then throws his arms out, “Whoa whoa! She’s with us now! I believe I broke the sword’s bind on her.” The two look to her as Tira began giggling like a child and waves at them. “Hello! Would anyone like to play?”, Tira said. The two began to chuckle but Arnold was still unsure about the situation. He looks to Dio, “Are you sure about this?” Dio nods a ‘yes’ and adds, “I think it’s temporary but I’ll watch her closely.” Arnold nods but still was uncertain, “Very well………I’ll inform the others but be careful. Once a servant, always a servant.” He and ‘BuckethEd’ leave the scene. Tira’s inner thoughts spoke, “A brilliant deduction. Perhaps I’ll kill him first.” Dio looks to Tira and holds her hand. This broke her train of thought as she saw his hand contacting hers. “…!...”, she was speechless. “Shall we go?”, he asks. Tira nods as the two began walking back to town.
Taki sat on a wooden table separated from the others by a curtain. She stressed to the doctor that she dress her own wounds across her body. A plain looking nurse wrapped Nikolai's arms from shoulder to wrist with gauze. He winced with pain, but when the nurse asked him if it hurt, he simply shook his head and smiled politely. Mira sat in a chair beside Nikolai. Xero stood at the door, silent as ever. However, he had a strange feeling within him, as if another powerful ethereal force was walking this land. It felt familiar to him. He secretly ponders. From beyond the curtain, Taki continues to explain about the Spirit and Cursed Swords.
"Many were afflicted by the swords' influence. For example, Ivy, she fears Soul Edge greatly, she wants to destroy it. Yet her father, Cervantes de Leon, had been cursed by the sword before she was born, so she has the evil energy flowing through her body. Destroying the sword, she hopes to eradicate it. Now that you have come along, she feels that your power combined with Soul Edge, if you were to come in contact with it, it will cause the end to the universe. She detects the strength of your power, and she fears it worse than both Swords.", she explains.
"Ivy...", Nikolai trails off. He thought about her again. He couldn't shake them away. Mira looks at him with a hint of jealously; she believes Nikolai was secretly crushing on her. Nikolai stares off into space as Taki further explains the Swords. He wonders if he could convince her that he had no intention to destroy this land, and if they could restart on friendlier terms. Many thoughts ran his head, all of Ivy. He had to find her again. He knew she was in her mansion, but now he was far from there. He had to go back, to chase these feelings. However, like his feelings for Mira, he kept his conflictions secret: best not to complicate things. "Nikolai? Mr. Nikolai? Hello?", the nurse called to him. "Huh, what?", Nikolai came back to reality, and looked at the nurse confusingly, who was now washing her hands.
“You can put your arms down now Sir. I finished dressing your wounds five minutes ago.". she said. Nikolai immediately shot them down in embarrassment, but immediately felt the repercussions of moving his arms too fast. Pain shot through his arms and echoed through his body. He clenched his teeth and sat stiffly upright until the pain subsides, then he loosened up and slouched on the chair in relief.
"You might want to take it easy Mr. Nikolai", the nursed chimed.
Taki had drawn the curtain back. Her entire torso was covered in cause, as well as her chest. The upper portion of her skin suit was completely torn off. She had done this herself, as it was ripping apart anyway. Nikolai silently gulps at Taki's body figure.
"Thank you sunglasses!", he thought to himself. "I hope you don't mind Niko, but I'll need to borrow your jacket a little while longer.”, she said but gazed at Nikolai’s awkward glance, Niko? Nikolai? Hello?" Nikolai once again snapped back to reality, secretly staring Taki down. Mira growls softly. Nikolai was enjoying himself way too much. Nikolai broke into a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his head, "Oh! Yes, it's fine, of course. Yes, you can wear it, ha ha..." Taki had fastened the coat with the belt, and Nikolai sighs. Mira crossed her arms and taps her feet. "Are we about ready to go?", she grunts. "Sure...lets.", Nikolai replies quietly. The three walked out, Xero trailing behind them as usual. His head was tilted down, lost in thought. “It’s been a long time since I saw your mortal form, Xero……”, said Azaela’s voice from behind. "So, my premonition has come to fruition once again.", Xero had turned around as they exited the hospital to see a girl wearing a similar cloak as his, except white.
"They have always preceded you, after all" she replies., she said with a smile. "Come. There are matters in which both of us must discuss in private.", he said. The two cloaked Sages had disappeared into the crowd. Nikolai turned to ask Xero a question, but saw that he was instantly gone.
Calo laughs a bit at the outcome of the fight but not before noticing that Arnold and Edward ran off. “Hmm…? Must be doing something for Rufus.”, he shrugs and walks off from the fountain. From there, he enters the market place to get food. His stomach growls from having the “morning hunger” effect on him. He bends at the waist as his eyes shot wide open, “Oh God, there goes my stomach.” He runs off to find the nearest food kiosk or whatever in this time they’re known as. He abruptly stops at a deli and pays the currency. Once buying ham, he immediately chomps down without hesitation. A man walks by him holding a rather large sword. It was a crystal-looking sword with an orb that connects the blade and the hilt. He looks up to see a man with long blonde hair, clad in a light and shiny armor. He had blue eyes and a scar over the right. He met Calo’s eyes when turning his head, “You should be careful eating that fast.” He then tossed Calo some gold coins in mistaking that Calo was a poor man. The man walks off but Calo waist no time picking up the “spare change” that was given to him. Finished eating, Calo stood up and made his way to the hotel but saw Nikolai and company exiting the hospital. He calls out, “NIKOLAI! IS THAT YOU!?”, yelling out loud.
"Where'd Xero disappear--", Nikolai asks but