Fan Fiction ❯ New Dawn Of The Heart ❯ Even In The Darkest Places There Can Be Light ( Chapter 5 )

Suzuka breathed in deeply she slouched back in the huge chair then looked around at the main hall. Toki was wrong she was still in control! She shook her head slightly the old man was just trying to get to her! How dare he try to make her feel small! He was coward and one who was trying to get a rise out of her! She slammed her fist down hard on the chairs arm causing the empty cups on the table next to her to rattle.

She watched as one of her guards put a small cup filled with Sake on the table next to her. He brought himself up until he was in front of her she looked up at him slowly "Is there something you want Akira? Or are you blocking my view just to be annoying?"

She watched the guard pull back "Suzuka I just wanted to ask you something." Suzuka narrowed her good eye "Yes what is it Akira!" The young guard pulled back slightly "Well …em I was guarding the ninja's and one of them came up to talk to me." Suzuka turned her head slightly "Which one?" Akira pulled up a hand "The green eyed one I think she's called Ryoko."

Suzuka raised an eyebrow "I'd hope for your sake Akira that this isn't about you wanting her for some prevented session!" She watched the guard bring up both arms "No...It's not that I swear!" Suzuka slowly pulled herself up in the chair "Then what is it about Akira! Spit it out before I hurt you!" She watched the guard step back in panic "Its just the ninja in question was saying something about you and the fact you might feed as to the demons when your killed the ninja clan."

Suzuka gazed at him for a second "You know of all the things you could say to me this is the worst!" She sneered grabbing the cup of sake of the table "Tell me Akira have I always paid you?" She watched the guard nod she turned gazing at the floor "Have I always been true to my word?"

Akira stepped back nodding he watched as Suzuka's one good eye met his, the dark haired women gazed at him "So why are you even bringing this up?!" Suzuka threw the sake cup at the guard in front of her. She watched it smash against his chest spilling its contents all over his armour.

She pulled up grabbing another empty cup "Never question my word you ignorant bastard! I'm in charge here and unless you want to die a slow painful death by my hands you keep your mouth shut!" She threw the second cup at him, which smashed apart close to his feet. She watched him put up his hand in fright, she turned slightly "Do I make myself clear?"

She gazed at him as he nodded his head, she eyed him for a second then grabbed another cup throwing it at him. She watched it smash apart against his shoulder guard. "Good now that you understand! Do me favour and get out of my sight, before I rip your insides out and wrap them around your neck!"

The guard move back quickly leaving the room at a running pace her eyes followed him until he vanished behind the double doors at the end of the room. She turned seeing Akuma, he quickly picked up one of the cups from the table beside her "Would you like another drink?" She eyed him for second then put a hand on her head groaning "Give me something strong and give me a lot of it."

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Sophitia slowly adjusted her belt then moved her hands down her skirt smoothing it down slightly. She sighed aloud then took hold of the still loose brown leather strings on the front of her blue shirt pulling them slightly tighter.

"I can tie that for you."

Sophitia turned around sharply Taki was standing behind her. The ninja woman smiled then quickly stepped forward taking hold both brown pieces of material "How tight do you have this?" Sophitia looked at her for a moment then lowered her gaze feeling herself blush "Only slightly tighter… It hurts otherwise." Taki smiled then pulled the leather slightly then tied it, she leaned forward until her face was close to Sophitia's "How are you feeling?"

Sophitia looked at Taki's brown eyes for a second then gazed at her arm "I feel fine…how long have I been out? " Taki gently took hold of Sophitia wrist pulling her arm over so she could see where the wound had been "Not long couple of hours maybe. The Jin Uni Ki did a great job on your arm there's not even a scar." She slowly took Sophitia's hand in to her own "I was getting worried about you."

Sophitia slowly looked up, she gently put a hand on Taki's face "I… love you." She slowly leaned forward kissing the ninja gently on the lips. She felt Taki breath in sharply the ninja hands came up slowly running through her hair. Taki found herself being lost in a rush of warmth and passion her mind was doing twists and turns had Sophitia just said that she loved her!

She felt Sophitia's hands running softly through her hair, she was finding it difficult to concentrate She found herself pushing all her thoughts aside as she hit the ground on her back. The Greek woman was on top of her in a flash putting both hands on hers pushing her down into the soft grass. Taki found herself pushing back ever so slightly trying to stop Sophitia's sudden rush of passion.

She watched as the light green eyes met her own Sophitia's face was one of confusion. Taki gently put a hand on the Greek woman's face "Please… say that again." Sophitia slowly leaned forward until she met the Taki's dark brown eyes she stared in to them feeling herself getting lost "I love you."

Taki carried on staring, those word were so simple yet so meaningful words that could break the ice cold of any warriors heart. Words that could shatter the human heart itself and make it come together again five times stronger. Words that could make any brave warrior go in to battle and fight and endless fight for there loved ones.

They were words no one she'd ever been in love with had ever said to her, until now.

She carried on staring then slowly brought her other hand up running her fingers down the side of Sophitia's face. Of all the people she'd never expected her to say it and not so early on ether. She leaned forward slowly gently kissing the blonde haired woman on the lips.

She just wanted to loose herself in this moment, she didn't care anymore. To have the one person she loved say those words to her was worth more than anything in the world. She gently put her arms around Sophitia's waist bringing the younger woman closer. She nuzzled the blonde hair then laid small kisses on Sophitia's face.

Sophitia could feel her heart thumping against her rib cage, she had no idea as to why her girlfriend had asked her to repeat herself. Maybe she'd surprised the ninja or maybe she'd hit a soft spot. She wasn't really sure what she'd done, but whatever it was it was bringing out something in the Taki she hadn't seen before.

"My apologies for interrupting you both, but we need to speak with you."

Taki shot her head up, she turned around sharply seeing one of the Jin Uni Ki about five paces away staring at them. She found herself gritting her teeth together in annoyance. Why was it something always managed to interrupt her during her most passionate and loving moments with Sophitia?

She put a hand on her face, her girlfriend had just told her that she loved her, couldn't she a least have more than five minutes to show the younger woman what that meant to her? Couldn't the Jin Uni Ki wait? She watched as the huge demon raised his clawed hand "Yasashiku wishes to speak you he says its important." Taki pulled up her hand "Can't it wait? I'm busy right now." The Jin Uni Ki calmly shook his main "I'm afraid not Taki."

Taki breathed out deeply she lowered her gaze looking at Sophitia the younger woman looked just as annoyed as she was. She pulled up the her hand gently kissing it "I guess they want to speak with as. We shouldn't keep them waiting."

Sophitia drove her boot in to the grass she didn't want to move from her position she felt Taki's arm around her the ninja gently pulled her up on to her feet. She sighed aloud then turned to the Jin Uni Ki who was standing close by "Do you guys have anything to eat?"

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Kilik eyed the map for a moment then growled aloud he turned slammed his boot in to the stone wall "Why in the hell couldn't they write this thing in Chinese? I cant read this stupid Greek writing!"

Mina stopped still for a moment then eased Aeon along with her. She watched as the big Greek man leaned down painfully. Her gaze drifted to her boyfriend " What can't you read?" Kilik turned pulling up the map in front of her face "This stupid line, what does it say?!"

Mina eyed the writing "I think it says avoid the narrow right passage." Kilik pulled back slightly "Are you sure?" Mina slowly looked up into his dark eyes "I'm sure." She put her finger on the map "Why don't you help Aeon and I'll do the map reading?"

Kilik breathed in deeply he handed his girlfriend the map the walked over to Aeon taking the big ma by the arm pulling him up "Come on big guy we got to keep moving." He heard the Greek man groan he turned back to Mina "Has he said anything in the past half an hour?" Mina looked at the map then turned to meet his gaze " Not a thing I think last time he was speaking he was delirious."

Kilik turned to Aeon pulling his arm slightly "Hey big guy you have any idea about whether or not were on the right track?" He watched as Aeon pulled up his head slightly "Who cares I mean I'm gonna die anyway but before I die I just want to say your girlfriend has a great body." Kilik put a hand on his head "Are hell he's still delirious!"

Mina shrugged her shoulders slightly "Well even if he is delirious its nice to know I'm appreciated." She stopped still looking at the corridor then brought up her hand "Its not far to the centre. A few more tunnels it funny this map says the centre is really dangerous." Kilik raised an eyebrow "In what way?"

Mina sighed aloud "It says it's guarded by something but I can't read what it says." Kilik breathed out heavily he eased Aeon forward "One question how is it your better at reading Greek than me?" Mina sighed aloud "I had help Sophitia used to write notes and draw little pictures on theses scrolls during our travels. Taki and I… we kinda had a look at her writing."

"I couldn't read the Greek but Taki helped me understand it." Kilik smiled widely "What does Sophitia write about?" Mina smiled slightly "All sorts of stuff." Kilik nudged her slightly "Come on what kind off stuff?" Mina looked down at her feet "Oh she writes beautiful little songs and she draws pictures of the trees and plants. She also writes her thoughts down, from what I read she `s really deep and philosophical."

"Would have got through the whole three scrolls if she hadn't woken up with the desperate need to use the bathroom." Kilik laughed at her remark "Oh so you two were looking at her stuff with out asking. Mina I'm surprised at you." Mina pulled up a hand "Geez… give me a break I bored so was Taki and we were both really curious about her. It was Taki's idea anyway, she wanted to see those scrolls so badly."

Kilik shook his head "Stop blaming the ninja you wanted to look as well." Mina raised an eyebrow "Hey Taki can be a lot worse than me when comes to being sneaky. Only thing she's crap at is lying. She's such a bad liar, she couldn't lie to save her life." She found herself laughing slightly "Even Xianghua can catch her out that's how bad she is."

Kilik laughed slightly he pulled up a hand "You know your really overreacting about the lying part." Mina pushed her fringed back slightly "No I'm not Taki is a crap liar!" Kilik shook his head" Well no ones perfect we're all not very good at something. I'm mean I'm terrible at using swords and my jokes annoy people."

Mina pulled back slightly "People tell me I don't know when to shut up at times. I get in to trouble because of it." Kilik smiled "Yeah I noticed that but it doesn't bother me. Watching you beat the hell out of those sailors was the best thing I've ever seen." He slowly took hold of the young woman's hand "I just love you all the more."

Mina felt herself blush she lowered her head trying not meet Kilik's gaze "Really?" Kilik leaned forward he gently put a hand under the young woman's chin raising her head slightly " Yes really, you are such a beautiful woman one who astounded me." He paused leaning over until he was close to her ear " I love you."

Mina could feel herself going weak she tried to step back put didn't get the chance. Kilik's lips met her own she found the breath getting caught in her throat it felt like the world was spinning. She couldn't move her feet were nailed to the spot. She felt as though she was being lost in a sudden rush of emotions.

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Sophitia slowly looked up as one of the Jin Uni Ki walked passed her. He was a huge demon with two set of horns rising from his head his main was completely over grown as was his claws. Taki slowly pulled up her hand "Sophitia this is Yasashiku leader of the Jin Uni Ki." She turned looking at the other demons who were around the small table "Then there's Kiyoshi."

Sophitia turned slowly to her right seeing the Jin Uni Ki with upward curved horns and golden metal caps at the end of them. Taki pulled up her hand pointing to the Jin Uni Ki who looked more slender than the others " That's Keiko she's the one who was watching over you. She also healed all your wounds"

Taki turned looking at the two Jin Uni Ki who where close by. One had a scar running down his snout, she smiled "The one with the scars called Jiro." She paused then turned seeing the other Jin Uni Ki on her right side the huge demons horn was bent back at an angle " And that's Ryozo he's Jiro's older brother."

Yasashiku laughed slightly "My, my you remembered all our names I'm impressed." Taki grinned widely "How could I forget you guys I mean you were so helpful the last time I was down here." Yasashiku slowly pulled up his clawed hand "Ah yes your final test Toki was so proud of you. I mean you got out of the maze quicker than any of your brother or sisters. Although you did get wounded your passage in to becoming a full ninja was excellent.

He paused breathing in "Even Ryoko couldn't match your skill and Rei well she doesn't kill demons quite like you." Taki put a hand on her head "Oh yes Rei my little sister can be very crude when she kills. She also likes to stab things ten times to make sure there dead." Kiyoshi shook his head "You know despite how cute she is she really knows how to seriously mess up the corridors down here."

Keiko shivered slightly "Yes she was bad but Suzuka was worse did she have an issue or something? I mean it was almost like she got some sick pleasure out of pasting the walls in demon guts. I couldn't eat anything she killed, it was so pasted around the corridor." Kiyoshi shook his head "Funny I remember coming to her to ask if she wanted help through the last part of the Labyrinth she told me to fuck off."

Yasashiku sighed aloud "Oh yes she was a bad one all right. I do hope Toki helped her control that temper of hers." He stopped short seeing Taki's face the young woman looked almost sad. He leaned forward slowly "Is something wrong child?"

Taki slowly breathed in then looked down at her hands "Something has gone wrong above the ninja you just spoke off has defected." She watched as the Jin Uni Ki looked at one another in astonishment. Ryozo leaned forward "Is that why you and Sophitia are down here because she put you here?"

Taki nodded her head her eyes drifted for a moment "Yeah that's the reason." She watched Ryozo pull his head up "Oh now that not good news. I thought it was odd you being here I mean normally one of as comes up to see one of you. It's only in the last few years we haven't due to the troubles in the clan we were going to go to the surface very soon."

Yasashiku sighed deeply "Yes poor Toki I hope he's managed to heal his soul." He turned to Taki "I hope you two can work out your difference we heard from Ryoko that you had to ran away for your life sake. We also heard something bad happened with Suzuka but we never got the full story." Keiko shook her head "We really didn't get much info at all it was like everything went mad up above."

Jiro snorted slightly "Didn't get much food ether because of most of the ninja's leaving and not returning for ages. Meant we had to kill our own for a while." He pulled up a clawed hand "Wasn't much fun going around little villages searching for sick minded demons." Ryozo turned gazing at him "Shut up brother you had a great time I'm mean you spent all your time sleeping with the Japanese's girl by the name of Amba. You were having the time of your life!"

Jiro pulled back his lip slightly "Yeah it was fine until she said she wanted to have children. How was I meant to explain to her that to father a child I have to make love to her in demon form. She wasn't ready for that I mean she was only eighteen she needed more time to grow up in to woman." He paused "Hope she found a nice guy she had such a beautiful personality and such an open mind about things."

Keiko shook her head "Well like Jiro said it wasn't great for as." Yasashiku pulled up his hand silencing the group "But of more important issues." He stopped short hearing a growling sound he turned slowly looking at Sophitia "Oh sounds like your hungry would you like something to eat?"

Sophitia was about to say something when Keiko butted in "I told you to get her some food Ryozo! Were you to busy grooming your main to hear me?" She watched as he turned to look at her "Grooming my main give me a break! It takes you over an hour to wash yours on top of all the pampering you give that human body of yours when you take human form!"

Yasashiku turned sharply "Ryozo, food now!" Taki watched as the Jin Uni Ki demon ran off on all four in to the forest. She smiled turning to Sophitia "Just a warning you shouldn't eat the black so…" She stopped short as the Jin Uni Ki burst through the woods she watched as he pushed all number of fruit on to the table.

He turned quickly grabbing a bowl full of black soup then calmly walked over to Sophitia's side "This is our special I know it looks really fowl and it's moving but it tastes like heaven." He quickly pulled up a spoon passing it to her "It's a Jin Uni Ki special you'll like it. Just don't be deterred by the things moving in it."

Sophitia gazed down at the bowl she raised an eyebrow it was moving it was a mass of black leach like worms with little sets of teeth moving in a soup bowl. She turned eyeing Taki "You've gotta be kidding me I've eaten road kill that looked nicer than this." She heard Ryozo laugh the huge demon raised his clawed hand " Oh she's so sweet Taki can I have your girlfriend?"

Taki grabbed an apple biting it "No you can't and why is you didn't kill that first before you served it her?" Ryozo smiled "Well you eat it alive and you didn't complain. In fact you were so hungry you grabbed the bowl out off my hand. It took about two minutes to realize you were eating live food, you were eating it that fast."

Sophitia eyed her the bowl she closed both eyes she had to eat it she'd offend otherwise. Maybe she could keep her eyes closed while eating it she'd forget it was alive. She looked at the Jin Uni Ki for a moment then back at her bowl how bad could it be? She'd drunk snakes blood for a bet. Eaten raw lizard and roasted some rats on a spit this couldn't be any worse.

She grabbed one on her spoon looking at its, she watched it pull up hissing at her. She groaned aloud to Tarturus with it, it was food even if it was alive and hissing at her.

Taki growled eyeing Ryozo "You know I resent the fact you gave me that even if does taste like heavenly food." She watched him shrug " Why is it all humans hate live food? I mean its stupid it just food at the end of the day." Taki tossed her apple core on to the table "It just wrong alright! I feel guilty eating something that's still squirming."

Ryozo laughed slightly " But you can eat an apple that's living it comes from a living tree." Taki narrowed her gaze "That's different! An apple is from a plant an animal is different." She watched as Ryozo smirked "Well we used to eat humans or a least our ancestors did. It was only because one of the Jin Uni Ki leaders couldn't bring himself to eat one of your woman that everything changed."

He was gonna swallow her whole, hell she was half way down his mouth crying then he spat her out. Thousands of Jin Uni Ki watched in stunned surprise that day. Then their great leader carried her back to the human world and gave her back to the humans.

"It changed the face of our race forever and all because off one act, and many centuries past have made as in to a most proud race of demons. We proved to the other demon races that demons and humans can live side by side peacefully and even love each other."

Taki grinned she turned slightly her eyes widened in shock as she watched Sophitia push an empty bowl to one side licking her fingers. She stared as the younger woman who grabbed an orange from the table. Ryozo leaned over nudging Taki slightly "Funny where having this conversation and your girlfriends already eaten the live food. Still at least she looks like she enjoyed it."

Taki leaned over slightly until she was close to Sophitia "I can't believe you eat that." Sophitia turned meeting her gaze "What.. it was gorgeous it tasted as good as my mothers cooking." Taki groaned slightly "Oh Sophitia what am I going to do with you?"

She picked up one of the cups taking a drink from it "I hope that stomach of yours is solid. Because if its not you'll throw up later…I did." She watched the younger woman peel back the orange skin "I'll be fine Taki." Taki breathed out heavily "I hope so."

Yasashiku breathed in slowly "Taki you said a ninja had defected please continue." He watched the ninja put a hand through her hair "It's Suzuka she's gone against the ninja's she's also taken over the clan." Jiro leaned forward "So I'm guessing you're down here because she wanted to kill you then melt away the leader ship rank."

Taki put a hand on the table "That and the fact her minds set on power. Although I feel there's something amiss and its really bugging me." Yasashiku raised an eyebrow "This doesn't sound good please continue." Taki turned slowly looking at Sophitia "My girlfriend killed her and yet some how she manages to rise from the dead."

She looked up hearing the stunned silence she watched as Keiko leaned forward "This doesn't sound right no ninja can do that. I have a feeling you have more to say." Taki lowered her gaze "She was performing a ritual Sophitia walked in on her before she completed it. It involved the deaths of fourteen young children and a blood letting enhanced by some Japanese spell."

Yasashiku snarled aloud he shot forward until he was close to Sophitia "Did you have anything to do with this ritual! Speak quickly!" Taki pulled up sharply blocking Sophitia from his gaze "Don't frighten her you bastard! She walked in on it, she gave her blood innocence to see this woman die. She was also trying to save the those children!"

She slowly watched Yasashiku move his eyes from left to right. She slowly leaned down taking Sophitia's hand "Weren't you Sophitia." She watched as the younger woman lowered her gaze sadly then slowly nodded.

Yasashiku pulled back looked at the others "This can not be! No ninja should know that ritual! Which one of you told Suzuka of its existence?!" He watched as all his group pulled back pulling up there hands in a gesture of horror while sharking their heads. He growled aloud "Well if none of you told her who did?"

Taki slammed her fist down on the table "Told her what? What the hell are you talking about?" Yasashiku breathed in deeply he slowly turned to face Taki "Do you remember when you were young?" Taki raised an eyebrow "Yes very clearly why?" Yasashiku put a clawed hand on the table "Do you remember the story Toki used to tell you all. The one about the shadow lord?"

Taki pulled back slightly "Yes the shadow lord was meant to be demon among demons a devourer of both human and demon flesh and a soul eater." She watched the huge Jin Uni Ki turn slightly "To as demons there called the Nacrinoth, but all as demons would fear one alone."

Taki found the air get trapped in her throat she slammed both hands down on the table "That stories real! I thought it was only a story!" The huge Jin Uni Ki leader raised his head "If only it were sadly it isn't. Did your father ever tell you how the Jin Uni Ki gained their place in the human world?"

Taki put a hand through her hair " There was a war a huge war where the ten great ninja lords who ruled the clans a thousand years ago fought against a huge army of demons. It's said that the Jin Uni Ki suddenly changed sides and fought against their own. Their gift for there courage was to be set free from the world of shadows by all the ninja's clans."

Kiyoshi shook his main "If only that was all the story but part of that story was hidden from you ninja's for your own safety. You are right of cause there was a great war a bloody and brutal one where many died." The part you are never told is that the ten great ninja lords found out about the shadow lord from many demons who were tortured."

"Of course the great lords were fascinated by this a demon who could kill other demons. So much so they got hold of more demons and tortured them to find out how this being could be brought in to their world. They believed they could control this beast like any other demon and use it to win the war."

Yasashiku put a clawed hand on his head "But the price to bring a demon to their world was soaked in blood. The blood of fourteen innocents pure souls, this action caused wars within the clans. Ninja's were disgusted by this action and the deaths of such young children but it was to late by then the damage had been done."

"The Nacrinoth rose up from the pits of flames where no other demon would dear go consuming the ninja lord who brought him in to the world. Eating his soul and using his body to play tricks with the other lords." He pulled up slightly "Of course the demon was inside him and he didn't know. He couldn't tell even his mind was perfect to the last memory he didn't know until it was to late."

"The beast ripped out of him on to a battle field of demons and humans and chaos broke out. The Jin Uni Ki saw a chance to prove to the ninja's that they were different and worthy of the human world. They brought down the demon at the cost of many of there own as for the army of demons they ran in fear from the Nacrinoth."

He pulled up a clawed hand "Such was the terrifying ordeal that the remaining ninja lords were killed by there own clans for their corruption and territory. After that the clans separated wanted nothing to do with each other. They all asked that we keep the ritual safe and out of human hands and so all the scrolls were changed to give a more simple view of the story."

He slowly put his clawed hand through his beard "Although know it seems our efforts have been in vain as one of your clan has used the ritual spell. I'm so sorry that you off all people have had to find out this story."

Taki stared down at the table it seemed like an eternity before the words sunk in. She grabbed the dagger from the table pointing at Yasashiku "Your telling me the greats ones were corrupt! They were honourable leaders this story is a lie!"

Yasashiku pulled his lips back showing of his teeth "I'm sorry Taki but this is the truth your lords were corrupt and they did a terrible thing. I swear I wouldn't lie to you the Jin Uni Ki only wanted to keep clans like yours safe even if that meant hiding the truth from you."

Taki sneered turning around "Oh great then that means everything I've learnt about the ninja history is a lie! Well thanks for spoiling my day you bastard!" She watched the demon raise both hands "You weren't told a lie you were told a better version one which would protect your clan and many others from making the mistakes the great ones made!"

Taki could feel her eyebrow twitching she turned sharply "You know Screw you I don't have to listen to this!" She found herself walking away from Jin Uni Ki's table towards the woodland.

Sophitia turned sharply seeing her girlfriend friend disappear in to the forest. She slowly got up her gaze turned to Keiko "My apologise but I need to go. Thank you for the food." She turned sharply running after Taki.

Ryozo turned slowly eyeing Yasashiku "You know you shouldn't have told her! Taki loves her heritage and is proud of it and you've just ruined what she considers to be important!" He watched his leader turn around in anger "What would you have me do Ryozo?! Lie to her? If Suzuka completed that ritual think about what she could be!"

He slammed a clawed fist on the table "I will not see this noble clans blood soak the Hoko Ji temple's floor! I would rather one honourable ninja knew the truth and could save all their lives if it came to that!"

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Seung Mina breathed out heavily she slowly turned the corner eyeing the lit passage "Well one more corridor and we'll be in the centre." Kilik leaned slightly on the wall "Well it looks like were soon gonna get out of this annoying place." He pulled Aeon along "Come on big guy."

Mina smiled leaning one of the walls "Well next stops got a demon in it still if its anything like the last ones shouldn't be any trouble." She watched Aeon pull his head up the Greek man smiled slightly "Water."

Mina slowly stepped forward "kilik could you get him a drink while I read this?" Kilik pulled up slightly smiling at his girlfriend "Sure." He turned pulling the Greek man up slightly while taking hold of his water skin "Here you go Aeon." The big man pushed the skin to one side "Water!"

Kilik raised an eyebrow "I have water Aeon it's here. I know your not feeling to good but if you drink some you'll feel better." Aeon slammed his boot in to the floor " Water…Lots of water!"

Mina turned slightly " We've really got to get him out of here he's getting worse." Kilik shook his head then turned to her "I agree." He was about to say more when a rushing sound hit his ears. He turned eyeing the corridor behind them "Hey do you hear that?"

Mina pulled up her weapon hand "Ah it's probably just an echo. Aeon said you get echo's around this place" Kilik pulled around sharply looking at the corridor "You know I don't think that's an echo it sounds like its moving toward as" He watched his girlfriend turn around a confused look crossing her face.

Mina's eyes darted "Hey that's weird it is coming to ward as. What the hell is it?" Aeon suddenly pulled up to his full height "Water!" Kilik turned sharply only to see a rush of sliver water thunder into the corridor "Oh Hell! Water!"

He didn't get a chance to speak as Aeon suddenly shoved him he was sent flying into Mina. They both collided with each other hitting the ground ten feet away from him. Mina turned trying desperately to get up. She watched in horror as the corridor behind them started to close as the as upper wall started to come down and the lower began to rise.

Kilik jumped to his feet "Aeon! Get out of there!" He watched in horror as the Greek man sat himself down inn the corridor. The water shot past him hitting the lower part of the closing wall while drenching him at the same time.

Aeon slowly sat down he watched as the stone wall behind him began to close he closed his eyes it was better this way. If he could give but his life then at least it would be saving others. Sophitia had always believed redemption could be given to anyone but he didn't believe it personally, but at least this way he could die quickly and at least the others would make it. He owed them that at least.

Mina ran forward jamming her weapon in to the wedge, which was closing. She watched as water spilled out on to her feet the corridor was flooding. She watched Kilik try to jam his own staff in to the closing hole he grunted trying to heave against it giving it everything he'd got. Mina tried to look into the gap but it was impossible to see anything for the water she leaned on her staff desperately pushing "Aeon get the hell out of there!"

Kilik watched the gap pull up slightly he felt the water as it hit him "Aeon! For fuck sake get out of there!" He winced painfully feeling the walls push back down causing his staff to almost be pushed out of the gap. Mina tried to push against the gap but it was starting to close down on her long blade.

Aeon eyed the water it was flowing all around him he felt his feet get picked up as he slowly left what had been the surface of the corridor. It was almost like a dream a sweet dream where he was sleeping. He couldn't really think straight was he dreaming or was this real? Ether way it was weird he turned seeing the gap close as a weapon was pushed back out.

He felt a stinging pain he turned seeing a wash of red float out in to the water from under a yellow scarf that was tied to his arm. Didn't mina give him that scarf? He moved through the water slightly it was rising fast the corridor was almost submerged in it. He threw himself forward if he was in the water why wasn't he dieing or choking to death from lack of air?

He couldn't remember! Why couldn't he remember? Why was he in this flooded tunnel in the first place? He looked at the closed tunnel then swam down slamming his shield in to it he had to get out before his air began to dwindle!

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Taki slowly picked up a small stone she tossed it forcefully. Her eyes drifted as it smacked the small lake bouncing until it vanished in to the depths of the water leaving only ripples behind. She growled aloud how could this be true? How could the ninja lords do such a thing? She grabbed another stone throwing it at the lake and how could the Jin Uni Ki keep this to themselves all these many years?

She grabbed another stone throwing it with all her might at the lake why did she off all people have to find this out? Personally she'd have preferred to remain ignorant. She looked at the ripples flowing over the lake. This was Suzuka's doing! Hell the bitch was probably a demon or maybe she wasn't but who cares, ether way this was her fault! She'd been Meddling in dark arts that she shouldn't have been!

She stopped still looking down at her boots and Sophitia had, had to witness it! The price being her blood innocence and all because Suzuka liked to piss around with things she wasn't allowed to meddle in or even know about! She slouched down hugging her knees she could feel a tear trickling down her cheek. This situation was screwed up anyway and her and Sophitia were just caught in the middle of it.

"There you are."

Taki turned slightly her eyes meeting Sophitia's light green gaze. The younger woman slowly pulled up a hand " You know it was kinda hard to find you. There are so many trees around here its hard to find your way around." Taki narrowed her gaze "What made you think I wanted to be found?"

Sophitia pulled back slightly her girlfriend was in a bad mood, she slowly stepped over than calmly sat herself by the ninja woman "I'm really sorry about what you heard these ninja lords must be important to you." Taki pulled up sharply turning to face her "Important! I grew up thinking they were honourable men who died in battle!"

She pulled up a hand "But they're not there just filthy child murders who got power hungry." Sophitia looked at the lake "If it makes you feel better the Greek governor is very corrupt." Taki's eyes darted "Oh and that is meant to make me feel better?"

Sophitia pulled back feeling the bite in Taki's voice "No I was just going to say the power corrupts people. Adrian was once a great man who fought in the Greek army but know he sits on his thrown next to our king making everyone's life miserable." Taki eyed her "What are you trying to say Sophitia? Just get to the point already!"

Sophitia sat up slightly "I'm saying that your lords were once great men. They just got power hungry I mean it can happen to the greatest of men." Taki pulled up a hand she turned fully to face Sophitia "You know if that was meant to make me feel better it didn't!"

Sophitia cocked her head to one side "You've been crying." Taki pulled back slightly Sophitia had noticed that! She turned sharply away "Yeah so." She felt Sophitia's hand on her shoulder the Greek leaned over slightly "I've never seen you cry." Taki pushed her hand away sharply "Leave me alone!"

Sophitia gently eased herself forward until she was close to the ninja `s ear "No I wont leave you alone. Your hurting deep down and you need comfort." Taki pulled back slightly "No I …." He words were cut short by the Greek's arms slowly moving around her waist. She found herself cut of from saying anything as Sophitia's hand moved through her hair.

She lowered her gaze Sophitia was just trying to comfort her and she was pushing her away. This was the only person she'd ever really loved how could be so mean? She slowly put a hand on the younger woman's. She was hurting deep down in side Sophitia was right. She wouldn't refuse the younger woman's comfort or love she'd spent her life alone and having to suffer in silence there was no reason to anymore.

Sophitia gently kissed the dark haired woman's face she pulled up a little "I think you're a very honourable ninja Taki. I don't care for what your ancestors did in the past. I've not met any other warrior who believer's in her cause so strongly." She moved her hand through the long silky black pony tail "That's why I admire you so much, You'd do anything to save me."

Taki slowly moved her hand through Sophitia's fringe "I'd die for you." She slowly traced her index finger down Sophitia's yaw line "I love you." She was about to say more when Sophitia's lips met her own. It was a gentle kiss she closed her eyes for a spilt second. Then opened them again as Sophitia pulled back releasing her from the kiss. Taki grabbed her blue shirt pulling her closer.

Sophitia felt herself blush slightly she looked in to the Taki's eyes. She didn't want to move not that she could have she was transfixed on her girlfriends dark brown gaze. She felt Taki slowly moved her hand through her long blonde fringe. The ninja woman leaned forward until she was close to her ear " Do you love me?"

Sophitia's eyes darted slightly "What kind of a question is that? Of cause I love you." She watched Taki sit up slightly the ninja slowly ran her finger down her neck stopping near her chest line Sophitia found the breath getting caught in her throat. Taki smiled widely running her finger lower " Oh a very bad question one which I already know the answer to. Its just I love hearing you say it."

She watched Sophitia fall back slightly she leaned even closer "No one I ever loved told me that they loved me." She slowly put her hand down playing lightly with the younger woman's skirt "Apart from you…I would die in battle just to hear you say that to me." Sophitia looked up slightly "I would die for you first."

Taki raised an eyebrow "You took an arrow for me once. I remember stitching that wound up on your arm. It was the moment I realized that you would give your life for me and I realized how much I cared about you." She could see Sophitia's hands clutching the grass she smiled leaning closer" Please say those words again to me Sophitia."

Sophitia felt Taki's hand again running down her neck. She slowly raised her own putting it on the side of the ninja's face "I love you." She watched as the ninja woman put both hands under her chest running them up the sides of her shirt. She closed her eyes she wanted to loose herself in this moment. She didn't care if the world crashed around her. She'd never felt anything like this in her whole life, not even her widest dreams could match this.

To love and to be loved it was the thing she'd wanted all her life. To be loved as Sophitia, for someone to say her name and say it to her with no want or use of the words hero, icon or symbol or even Greek Wonder, how she'd hated all those title. She slowly pulled herself up wrapping her arms around Taki's waist she never wanted this woman to leave her side she didn't care that she was clueless about how to make love to this woman she'd learn in time.

She'd give her anything and everything she had because Taki would do it for her. Her thoughts were slowly pushed to one side as Taki's lips met her own. She let the world vanish away behind her. She just wanted to feel every once of her girlfriends love and drink it in while she still had time. Before she'd have to lift her sword and fight again."

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Sparks flew as Mina's long blade hit the stone wall she pulled it back then smashing it in to the stone with all her might. She couldn't get it open! She heard Kilik's rod smash against the solid stone wall she looked at the wall it had barely scratched it or even dented it!

Now could Aeon do this? Was the bastard crazy? She pulled her weapon out from the stone pulling it over her shoulder getting ready to strike again. Aeon had lost it, and it was her fault for not sorting out his wound. Something had gotten in to his blood and sent him delirious, she slammed her weapon in to the stone with all her might and now she couldn't help she couldn't save him!

Kilik pulled away from the stone "It not gonna budge! I don't believe this!" He watched Mina pull her self up against the wall desperately trying to find were the closed part of the wall was. He could see her frustration and fear. And guilt mirroring out fro her gaze. He slammed his staff in to the stone they couldn't budge this thing there weapons had no effect on it what so ever.

He put a hand on his face how could the big Greek guy do this? He had sighed his life away and all to save them it was the most honourable thing any warrior could do to give their life to save others. He slammed his fist in the wall Aeon deserved to live! He was honourable he had changed and he had risked everything to come here on this mission despite knowing what the outsiders thought of him!

He had helped them both in many ways but know he was stuck behind a wall drowning and there was nothing ether of them could do about it! It wasn't fare he deserved to live! He deserved to go back to Greece to the Alexandra's and live out his life peacefully! He had proven himself in so many ways, even if he did have the looks of huge lizard man he was a good and noble man inside.

Mina pulled back from the wall she felt her anger sweep through her system "I can't break this wall! Even my hardest blow has no effect!" She turned seeing kilik lean against the wall her boyfriend gripped his weapon harder "That stupid bastard! What the hell did he think he was doing? It's almost like he knew the wall couldn't be broken by weapons."

Mina pulled up her long blade "I can't believe this! I mean why did he do this! Did he do it because he really thought his life was worthless?" Kilik shook his head then slammed his fist in to the stone "Well I don't blame him for thinking that, it's not as if any one of as ever gave him credit for his help!" Mina stiffened in annoyance "Oh fine rub it in! You know if I could take my words of hate back that I spat at him I would!"

Kilik adjusted his jewelled strap slightly "I wasn't blaming you Mina! I mean my sister didn't believe in him ether…Oh hell if only she could see this. She would drop her contempt for him as well!" Mina slammed her staff end in the stone "Son of a bitch! I can't believe this is happening!" She slowly pulled her weapon away from the wall "I've lost Aeon, Sophitia is going to hate me for this."

Kilik turned sharply he pulled up a hand "It's not your fault Mina, maybe Aeon knew what he was doing maybe he has a plan." Mina leaned against the wall "Maybe he just wanted to kill himself because very few people ever believed in him!"

Kilik shook his head "This might be the cure for his wound and a place where he can change forms. Didn't you say Lizard men can breath for a lot longer than humans?" Mina looked up slightly "It could be." She eyed the map, which was in her belt "maybe he wanted as to carry on to the central maze. I mean he said the place was key to getting to the surface."

Kilik looked at the wall "We have to carry on we have to keep moving. If he's got a plan we just have to wait it out till he joins as in the centre of the labyrinth. He said himself he knew this Labyrinth better than ether of as." Mina turned putting a hand through her hair "I can't believe I'm leaving him! This is insane!"

She turned sharply pulling up her weapon hand " What if where wrong? I mean what if were both really wrong and he dies? Do you think you'll ever beable to look Sophitia in the eyes again knowing it was your fault her friend died? Because I wont!"

Kilik turned looking at the wall "We have to take that chance Mina. I personally think he's got a plan I can feel it in my gut he's a clever bastard you know that as well as I do." Mina found her self-breathing in deeply "I can't believe I'm doing this." Kilik looked around the corridor "We have to we cant linger here its dangerous. We'll just have to carry on moving to the centre."

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Aeon struggled under the water he couldn't breath anymore there was no where he could pull his head up out off. He leaned over watching his long brown hair float in the water. He was an idiot why had he put himself in this place? He couldn't remember!

He pulled up his shield slamming it with all his strength in to the corridor wall. He watched as a rush of bubbles hit the air he slowly pulled his head back he was going to die! He'd never live to see Sophitia again or meet his other companions on the others side. He chocked feeling his air leave, his body floating downward hitting the corridor bottom in a mass of bubbles.

He lay there in the still watching the water world, which was probably going to be his grave. He put a hand up slightly some grave he'd have preferred to die by sword and be set of fire under the Greek sun.

His thoughts were cut short by a shearing pain that cut through his body. It felt like he was being torn apart. He watched in surprise as long black claws burst through his fingers. The pain made him cry out in to the water although the teeth slowly extending up from his lower and upper jaw made it hard. He watched as skin formed scales each breaking through and creating a pattern.

He curled over in agony as a long tail broke through his back lashing out in the water, as it grew longer and more powerful. He hared the ripping his cloths as his muscle bulk expanded. His claws tore through the leather boots while his feet grew bigger and wider turning in to a huge three clawed foot with a fourth claw on the back.

His fingers extending through the dark armour turning in to long clawed hands. He hared the tearing as his upper legs tour through the trousers he'd been wearing He closed his eyes painfully feeling his body scream in pain. He felt his face loose it human features as it lengthened turning in to a long snout complete with dagger like teeth He could feel his tongue moving around as it became long and snake like.

He snapped his eyes open he watched as his vision refocused as his eyes took back their lizard like look. He slammed his hands down painfully feeling his whole spine change place and his shoulder blade move position while extending. His tongue swished out in front of him he felt a sudden burst of pain as his hidden spines shot up from his neck and head.

He grunted painfully feeling the spines slam back down under his scaly skin. He felt his newly formed body hit the side of the submerged corridor as he came to rest at corridor bottom again. He breathed in slightly feeling his lungs breath fresh clean air in, he looked down slowly at his new form

His armour still fitted despite everything else being ripped apart, he'd only worn the cloths to hold it up due to loss of muscle bulk. Now the only clothing remaining was the half ripped trousers covering his upper area. Mina's scarf was still wrapped around his shoulder although he could feel the deep wound starting to heel.

He closed his nostrils then turned himself around grabbing both his weapons he slowly raised the Xi sword and Game shield then turned eyeing the submerged wall in front of him. He snarled then slowly narrowed his eyes he would break it and free himself! He felt all the hidden spines raise themselves from under his skin again. He lowered his head getting ready to aim himself at the stone in front of him.

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Sophitia looked up slightly from her lying position on the soft grass her eyes wandered for a moment. She turned her head slightly feeling Taki shuffle the ninja was lying next to her, her well-muscled arm resting on her chest and her long black ponytail flayed out on the grass. She felt the woman's hands twitch slightly feeling her blue shirt she smiled looking at Taki's calm face.

The ninja looked so at peace her eyes closed her eyebrows raised slightly. Sophitia pulled up her hand slightly running it along her girlfriend's arm she smiled slightly eyeing an old scar that was running down the underside of her arm. She moved seeing the ninja's other arm move slightly a tattoo caught her eye she slowly pulled Taki's arm over eyeing it.

The tattoo was of a small red Japanese dragon with horns and a main it was raised up in a position of power similar to the ones she'd seen guarding the doorway. She raised an eyebrow the only reason she hadn't see this tattoo was Taki's bandages had been covering it. She ran her finger down the dragons body, was this similar to the tattoo Suzuka had, had taken from her body after Taki defeated her?

"It's the symbol of my clan."

Sophitia looked up slowly Taki was looking at her the ninja smiled shrugging her shoulders slightly "Other clans don't touch as if they see this symbol." Sophitia lowered her gaze "Its very beautiful." Taki pulled up a hand "I always thought it was annoying…not the tattoo but the trails I had to go through to get it." Sophitia leaned on her elbow she ran her finger in a circular motion on Taki's stomach "Was it given to you for completing the Labyrinth?"

Taki slowly pulled up her hand running it down Sophitia's hair "Yeah for that and the other five challenges. Never want to go through them again as long as I live." She raised her other hand looking at the tattoo "These are also get given to outside member's who've done great things for the ninja clan. There are a couple of people out there with these. They get all the clan privileges and treated like one of as if they ever stop by the temple."

She breathed in deeply then lay back on the soft grass "Most of those are my fathers friends haven't seen any off them in a while." Sophitia slowly pulled up Taki's ponytail she let the hair run through her fingers "They may return someday you never know." Taki lowered her gaze "Didn't think I'd be returning here myself. I never thought I'd see this place again."

Sophitia ran her fingers through the silky black ponytail tip "Never thought I'd be down in a huge labyrinth having the time of my life." Taki raised an eyebrow " Your enjoying this?" She watched Sophitia smile widely the younger woman leaned forward "I'm having the time of my life this is more fun than anything I have to do in Greece."

Taki slowly ran her hand through the younger woman's blonde fringe "What do they make you do in Greece?" Sophitia turned her head slightly her mouth forming a sneer "Adrian makes me do stupid things like talks which is fine except it's on a regular basis and I find it boring. He also use's my name to represent his political cause, which gets to me since I don't believe in his cause."

Taki moved her eyes meeting Sophitia's light green gaze "Politicians piss me off. You mentioned this bastard likes to suck up to your king." Sophitia shrugged her shoulder "Suck up is such a underrated term for it. The king sees him as a right hand and he doesn't see what wrong he does. People suffer because Adrian's laws are allowed to pass."

Taki looked up slightly "That means your stuck as a pawn in his game, he's does wrong but use's your honourable name to keep people quite. Hell I can see why you wanted to leave so bad that would really get to me. How come you never challenged him to battle and showed him up?"

Sophitia found her felt sighing heavily "I did once after he asked to me to become his right hand body guard. He wanted me because I was trained by Argus who's an elite trainer in Greece. He was the man who mentored me in sword and shield. He also trained Aeon and he's only ever trained five people in his life time and some of his warrior's have made Greek's finest soldiers look poor and untrained."

"I wanted nothing of it so I challenged him he was annoyed as you can imagine his treat to me was that if I ever challenged him or went against him in any way my family and Rothion would suffer." She shook her head "I couldn't let him hurt them so I did as I was told, but trust me if I ever get the chance I'll kick him of his high horse."

Taki slammed her fist in to her palm an evil smile spreading across her lips "Or I could just kill him for you." Sophitia swung around gazing at her girlfriend " You know you're terrible Taki. I can't believe you'd come out with that." Taki pulled up a hand "Come on Sophitia, I love you and if some bastards making your life miserable it makes me want to hurt them."

Sophitia shook her head "Adrian's not worth it though and time will run out on him I'm sure of it." Taki slowly ran her fingers up Sophitia's blue shirt " You know we really ought to get back to the Jin Uni Ki we've been gone for a long while."

Sophitia smiled looking up at the forest "I agree they will beable to help as." Taki looked up at the silver dust floating in the sky she pulled on her girl friend's blue shirt "Yeah we'll go back to them. Just another five minutes."

Sophitia didn't get a chance to breath Taki was on top of her before she could move a muscle. The ninja slowly put both hands on hers pushing them gently in to the soft grass. Sophitia felt her self blush as the ninja's face slowly met her. Taki could smell Sophitia's hair she looked in to the light green eyes that twinkled in the light like green sapphire "I want to show you how much you mean to me."

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Aeon felt the wall as his head impacted with it he heard his huge spines scrape against the solid stone leaving marks. He pulled back in a mass of bubbles viciously slammed both clawed hands and feet in to the wall. He watched as the claws dug in, he pulled back then slammed his head in to the wall again with all his might. He had to break it! He had to get out! Even he couldn't breath forever!

He pulled up his shield slamming it in to the stone with all his might he heard a crack as the stone broke under the force. He pulled his sword up slamming in to the wall. He watched as the stone spit further leaving a dense crack in the wall. He pulled up his clawed feet smashing them full force in to the spit wall.

The impact sent ripples through the water he pulled up his head slamming it in to the stone there was shuddering crack as it broke and a half block appeared in the spit stone. He pulled himself up slamming in to the wall with all his might.

The sudden shattering hit his ears as the wall smashed under the impact he was throw forward slightly by the force of the water as it begin to sweep through the immense opening. He slammed his shield up using his claws to rip the walls breaking stone apart. He looked at the opening then pulled up his head slamming it in to the wall he heard the smashing sound as his spines broke the stone.

He didn't get chance to move as the force threw him forward his body smashing through the wall. He hit the floor hard. He felt the water as it thundered through the hole smashing his body. He looked up painfully watching it gush past him heading down the corridor ahead. He narrowed his eyes then opened his nostrils he felt a fresh gush of air fill his lungs.

He opened his mouth letting his snake like tongue roll out, he felt his claws scrape the floor as he breathed in deeply trying to regain his breath. He turned eyeing the still flowing water behind him. He groaned pulling up his sword from it place on the floor he also grabbed his shield then slowly crawled away from the still gushing half broken wall.

He slowly stopped three feet away pulling him self in to a sitting position he swished his tail slightly then looked around him. What in hell had happened to him? He snarled remembering, that bastard demon had bitten him and he'd gotten sick! He looked at his shoulder Mina's scarf was lying soaking wet against his scales it was still dripping with watery blood.

He put a clawed hand on his chest where were Mina and Kilik? He looked at the wall again how the hell had he ended up behind that? He put a hand on his snout rubbing slightly he had probably been so sick he'd done something stupid. He slowly pulled himself up on to his feet he groaned feeling his lizard leg crack slightly. He pulled his tongue back in to his mouth he had to find Mina and Kilik and fast.

He pulled of mina's scarf wrapping it around his wrist then shook his head feeling the spines go back down. He looked at the wound it was almost healed although there was a fresh layer of scales that were falling off. He pulled his jaws around using his canine teeth to grab the dead scales. He pulled harshly tearing the dead skin off from his shoulder.

He winced painfully looking at the wound he sighed aloud at least now he didn't have to worry if he was hurt again his body was equipped to deal with such wounds. He turned sharply staring down the pitch-black tunnel this was going to be a long walk and he still wasn't quite sure were he was.

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Yasashiku slowly put on clawed finger in to the table he pulled it slightly leaving a scratch mark. Keiko put a hand up slowly "You know they'll come back sooner or later Taki was just letting of steam, you know what she's like." Yasashiku sighed aloud then turned slightly "I could have been more a little less harsh and bad tempered." He shook his head "I just don't want to see this clan die or see a Nacrinoth set free on this world."

Kiyoshi shook his head "Nether do I, I mean how do you kill one off those? Our ancestors lost many brave Jin Uni Ki in that battle." He paused "It was an unstoppable force. Keiko turned her head slightly " The darkest force known to the Demon world. Its very roar can shatter cliffs."

"Can it be killed?"

Kiyoshi turned sharply Taki was standing behind him the dark haired woman smiled brushing her slightly ruffled hair back. Sophitia was standing behind her with an eyebrow raised. Ryozo pulled up sharply "Hey you came back. I thought you'd left as….You know after you heard about the ninja lords."

Taki slowly sat down folding both her arms "It doesn't matter I just want to know how you kill a Nacrinoth. I'm not sure that Suzuka is one but none the less any demon that powerful is better off dead." Keiko leaned forward "You do realize you could die, this thing is like nothing you've ever faced in your life. It makes the demons you've encountered look rather weak."

Yasashiku lowered his head "She's right Taki this thing can not be killed by any normal weapon. That's not to say your true weapon's wont work but there's a chance they wont and nether will Sophitia's." Taki slowly put a hand on her chin "What can kill this thing if weapons fail?"

Kiyoshi put a clawed hand up slowly "The legend is that it can only really be destroyed by the charging of souls. The fighter must drew his soul to the surface and use it to enhance his strength and blade. In doing so the Nacrinoth will start to loose it's power." Keiko pulled back her lips showing off her teeth "But that's the myth, our ancestors never said much about destroying one since they never thought one would ever be reborn again."

Jiro pulled up sharply "Yeah it's the myth but they never said how to charge your soul ether. I mean how can Taki destroy something when she can't bring her soul forth?!" Kiyoshi growled aloud "Well if you have anything better to suggest please don't keep it from as!"

Yasashiku slammed both clawed hand down hard "Silence both off you" He turned slowly meeting Taki's gaze " A soul charge is a warriors most powerful force. It is always done by believing that you can do anything. It's like believing you can walk through walls and break stone walls with your fist."

Taki sat up slightly "Can you show me how?" She watched Yasashiku shake his head the huge demon sighed aloud "The way to do it is lost to as but I can give you the written passage we don't know what it means since our ancestors wrote it, but I'm sure you could find truth in it."

Keiko slowly pulled up a clawed hand then pulled out a piece of scroll she slowly took a quill from the ink pot and began writing on it. After a moment she looked up then passed the scroll over to Taki "I don't know if it makes any sense to you it doesn't to as." Taki pulled up the scroll slowly reading it.

In worlds were you see the demon face,

There is no strong embrace, you must embrace blood spilt by the dragon,

Your love is your hero and your courage is your wings,

To for fill your dreams embrace all, and conquer the beast within.

Taki stared at the piece of scroll she let her eyes wander over the words a few times before passing the scroll over to Sophitia who took it and began to read with what looked like difficulty. Sophitia looked up after a moment then turned to Keiko "Can you give me this in Greek? I can't read Japanese very well."

Keiko smiled then took the scrolls from her hands writing the passage again. She pulled up her head then passed the scroll back to Sophitia "Here you go, sorry about that I forgot you're not Japanese." She paused watching Sophitia read again "Is that better?"

Sophitia smiled "It's great, thank you." Taki turned smiling at her girlfriend then slowly turned back to face Yasashiku "What does this Nacrinoth look like?" The huge Jin Uni Ki leader slowly raised his head "They say it's made of shadow and that its every move can shake the earth. It use's no weapons and its roar can shake the mountains and its wings are ten foot on each side."

"Some say it's made of fire and eats anything that's gets to close. Others say it has a mouth with eighteen sets of teeth and its tongue is separated in to five, which pick demons and humans off. "He shook his head "Of cause theses views are from all old writings which our Jin Uni Ki ancestors left after the Great War."

He put a clawed hand up scratching his snout "We don't know how much is true and how much is overacting from great warriors. I mean you know as well as I do that warriors like to enhance there victory's by making the monster seem more frightening than it really it." Taki sighed aloud "Yeah I know what you mean. Dame it! This means that there's no way off knowing until it shows itself."

Yasashiku breathed in deeply "True but that is if Suzuka is a demon she may not be I mean the ritual was interrupted she could have still gained back her life because of the dark magic she'd already brought fourth. It might have also made her more power because if she rose from the dead she could have enhanced her body. Although if that so she's a half life and a shadow of her forma self."

Taki ran a hand through her hair "You know it's very hard to tell with Suzuka I mean she's always been a bitch." She ran a finger across the table "Ether way she fucked up and insane and set on pasting my guts across this labyrinth's walls. Really wish I could get to her right now! As far as I know my family are trapped somewhere up above and the bitch is torturing them."

Keiko moved her gaze to meet Taki's "She can't touch them until you die, can she? I mean I thought that was the ninja law." Kiyoshi turned to face her "It is but Suzuka isn't likely to take notice of it I mean the woman's already killed little children its not like she'll take notice of a bunch of words on paper."

Keiko put a clawed hand on her head " Oh this is terrible it just gets worse by the second." She turned shaking her mane "The only good thing is her not being able to touch ether of your weapons Taki…I mean if she ever… Got hold of Mekki-Maru." Taki looked down at her feet "I don't think she could ever control that weapon. It's to dangerous and it only works in my hands"

"It's true power can't be set free I made sure off that, I bound its nature." She turned looking in to Sophitia's eyes "I bound it with the blood of the one who destroyed the original blade it's very piece is the one that came from Sophitia's body." She pulled up Sophitia's hand "Her blood is so pure it suppresses most of its power and it's the reason I can use the blade."

"It was also bound with a second spell to keep its living element dormant and keep it from waking up or gaining any life. I never wanted anyone to awaken it because its power would be half that of which it came from, which is still immensely powerful and destructive."

She breathed in deeply turning to meet Sophitia's light green gaze "Suzuka could never take full control of that blade, no one can unless Sophitia's blood could be undone which is impossible. I mean to undo it Sophitia would have to undone, when I made it I never told anyone whose blood was used to bond it. No ninja in my clan knows and the last person they'd expect is Sophitia."

Sophitia stared mystified for a moment she couldn't believe the piece that had been merged in to Taki's blade was that which had made her scar. She always assumed it had come from another piece one which had been on the floor after she'd shattered Cervantes's first sword. She pulled up a hand running it just under her chest where the scar was she flinched ever so slightly feeling a twinge of pain.

She looked at her hand for a moment than ran her finger down Taki's bandage, which was wrapped around her arm. She looked up slowly gazing at her girlfriend's face what did Taki mean by undone? Was it her death or did it mean something else?

Taki pulled her hand grinning widely "So you see the blade is partly safe but none the less I still believe Suzuka will try to bring out its nature." She slowly lowered her gaze "In fact I know she'll try she always loved blades that where powerful and full of dark magic."

Yasashiku stretched out both clawed hands on the table " Time is not on our side here, I believe we should return to the surface. What ever Suzuka has become be it a half-life or a demon we must ready ourselves. We have not fought a battle in a long time now we must ready ourselves to fight even if he means our deaths."

He was replied with nods and raised hands from the Jin Uni Ki around he turned slowly to face Sophitia and Taki "You must return first we will follow." He raised a long clawed hand "We will give you things to help you like a map showing you the short cut out of the Labyrinth and a few gifts to help you on your way."

Taki slowly rose to her feet "We'll leave in a half an hour as soon as our weapons are ready." The huge demon lowered his head "As you wish, you will both succeed we believe in you.

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Seung Mina turned looking at the dusty corridor she gazed at the map looking up slowly "The rooms just up here then as soon as we get through it the central labyrinth is on the other side." Kilik turned to meet her gaze "What's in the room?"

Mina looked at the Greek writing "It says something about spikes. It's not very clear at all about it." Kilik leaned over slightly "No it's not all that clear …Plus I still don't get the part about the central Labyrinth being dangerous." Mina looked at the map "Your right there's no demons in there at least none are mentioned here."

She sighed turning the corner her eyes gazed in to the open room. It was a large room with grey looking walls but there was no way out of it. "Well this is our room this sucks its has no door yet the map makes out it has one." Kilik breathed in heavily "Where's Aeon when you need him?"

Mina slowly stepped in to the room "Oh hell I hope he got out of there." She paused then stamped her foot on the floor " Well it's not triggered so how in the hell do you get to the door?" Kilik walked in slamming his staff in to the wall "Nothing moves and it looks totally safe this has to be a trap of some kind."

Mina pushed her fringe back "Stupid lame ass excuse for a trap! I mean it doesn't even work." Kilik leaned against one of the walls "You know maybe where missing something. I mean it might only trigger if we are standing in a certain place." Mina twirled her blade then hit the walls with the staff end "Maybe the door opens when you push down some sort of hidden brick, you know like the dragons head you said Aeon pressed down."

Kilik turned seeing a metal dragon's head at the edge of the room "Like that one." Mina turned sharply a smile spreading across her face " Yeah like that one." She slowly stepped forward putting her hand on the head pushing down she sneered noticing the dragon wasn't moving.

Kilik stepped forward eyeing it "Maybe it's not the head that moves." He pulled up a hand taking it's jaw he felt it come free in his hand as it clicked downward. He turned smiling "See it's the same as the dragon I saw earlier but a different part moves."

Mina gently put and both arms around his shoulders "This is so great I mean this was easy." Her words were cut short as a rumbling hit the air. Her eyes darted as she looked around "What was that?" Kilik raised an eyebrow "Maybe it's the door opening."

His words where cut short as a heavy piece of stone came down full force blocking the door behind them "Ok…That's not good." Mina looked up sharply hearing a creaking sound she watched as spikes began to spring through the wall above them. She heard a thundering sound that shook the floor under her feet. Her gaze moved up as the wall began to move down "Oh crap!"

Kilik looking up at the wall "What the hell?" He turned looking around him "This isn't good!" Mina looked around "Isn't good! This is screwed up more like!" She heard the crumbling as the heavy spikes hit the stone spiting it as it carried on moving down. She looked around desperately trying to find something to jam the moving wall. She could see kilik doing the same.

She hit her knees seeing the cold metal move down further then pulled up her staff trying to use it to stop the wall moving down further. She felt the ground shake as the huge wall carried on moving dust began to spill out all around her. She turned see one of the spikes near her shoulder move further down a skull as hanging off it. Kilik could see Mina struggling he jammed his staff up doing the same as her.

He groaned painfully this was just as difficult as trying to stop the door and the spikes appeared to be growing more despite their efforts. He moved yanking his staff just as one of the spikes drove down close to his shoulder "Mina this isn't working!" He watched his girl friend pull out her bladed staff, which caused sparks to fly. She put a hand on her face "Where going to die! This place is really pissing me off!"

She slowly kneeled as the spikes came further down " I mean I want to live because…." She turned looking at Kilik "I really love." Kilik crawled over on his hands and knees until he was close to her "You mean that?" he felt her move her hand on to his face "Of cause I mean it. I want to be with you." Kilik slowly pulled up her hand kissing it "Same here."

He crouched lower as the spikes came down around him "You know on the bright side at least we get to die young." Mina eyed him then shook her head "Yeah I guess there's that…" She was about to say more when the rumbling stopped she looked around seeing a small opening pull up behind her. She stared for a moment not believing her eyes.

Kilik didn't think he moved his girl friend forward he watched as she jumped through the small gap. He moved him self-trying to avoid the still moving spikes as they moved lower. He found him self-breathing in as he moved through on his stomach. He turned just in time to see the cap close behind him he was suddenly in totally darkness.

Mina felt the wall she felt kilik put his hand on her leg. She couldn't see anything she felt her way around they where in some sort of tunnel. She used her weapon to hit the walls it was a really small tunnel only big enough to crawl through she turned hearing a creaking sound "Is that you?"

Kilik put his hand out in to the darkness "No…you know it almost sounds like the grounds moving." He looked down sharply but wasn't quick enough to move. The floor pulled back underneath him. He lashed out grabbing Mina's leg his girlfriends scream hit the air as she was dragged down with him.

They flew down what felt like another slide similar to the one that had been down when they'd entered the labyrinth. Kilik found himself flying as he was thrown out of the slide. He hit the ground painfully he turned seeing Mina land behind him. He groaned picking up his weapon "Well that was interesting."

Mina turned pulling herself up from her lying position "I think I broke something." She put her hand under her back pulling out what ever it was that was sticking in her. Her eyes widened as an ugly demon skull came in to view it was hideous and the horn was broken. She tossed it to one side "Uh…That hurt. She paused looking around "Where are we?"

Kilik looked up slowly stretching height above them was a huge upward stone wall covered in bones. It looked like it was the bottom area of some kind of platform and where underneath it. He could see light up above showering its rays in to the darkness they had to be at the very bottom. Mina looked up slowly "How far is that?"

Kilik shook his head "A long way up, I don't think we can climb it." He turned looking around him they where in a large area skulls and bones littered the floor both human and demon to the side of them some cages could be seen they where huge in size but it was impossible to tell what was in them for the darkness.

Mina darted her eyes "This has to be the central Labyrinth." She watched Kilik pull up his hand "I agree but why does it have cages?" Mina slowly stood up kicking an old skeletons rib cages out off the way "Maybe there the way to get to the surface."

Kilik folded his arms "Didn't the map say this place had something in it?" Mina kicked another bone out off the way "Yeah it did but there's nothing here but old bones." She picked one up tossing it at the wall "It's not like the dead guys can harm as. "

"Don't disturb the bones you foolish humans!"

Kilik turned around sharply "Who said that?" He turned sharply hearing the voice again "Over here male!" Kilik slowly made his way over to one off the cages he could just make out a glowing pair of green eyes and the shape of a huge skull like face. He looked up slowly at the monster "Did you just speak to me?"

The demon pulled up its back showing off what looked like three huge spider legs with blades on the end its eyes narrowed "Yes I spoke to you moron. Don't disturb the beast that put me in this cage!" It turned its head "The beast will come he is powerful. Maybe I can help you, why don't you open this cage for me?"

Kilik smirked tapping the cage with her weapon "You know personally I think you look better in it, what ever you are." He watched as saliva dripped from the monsters mouth "Shit humans…if I wasn't in here I'd rip you to pieces and eat your brains!" Mina sniggered slightly then leaned forward "Well you're in there so I guess you'll just have to live with the fact you can't."

Kilik gave the demon a look he turned to Mina "Let's just ignore this bastard and find a way out." Mina nodded she grabbed hold off one off the bones throwing it at the demons cage "I agree he's a demon no doubt he's lying I mean there's nothing here." He turned looking up at the huge rock face " Yeah your right the ugly bastards just playing with our heads."

Mina looked at the other three cages two had demons but one was empty. She turned sharply looking up at the stone wall again. There where so many bones, she could see ripped clothing hanging off some of them. Broken swords shields and other weapons where poking out, her eyes darted from side to side "This is a graveyard." Kilik put his staff behind his back "Well at least where alive which is more than I can say for them."

"Bastard human's you'll end up like as!"

They both turned eyeing the demon "Shut up!" Mina looked at Kilik realizing she'd said the same thing she smiled for a moment then looked at the wall "Well guess we've got to climb up that." He smiled then leaned over kissing the side off her face " Well lets get started." He turned hearing the demon make a growling sound he sneered at it pulling up his weapon "If you don't shut up I'll kill you myself!"

Mina slowly made her way up to the wall grabbing on of the bones " She pulled slightly but to her amazement the bone came loose." She eyed it throwing it at the huge pile bones near by "There all loose!" Kilik pulled one noticing how loose it was "Another ninja trap…Great so I guess unless we can find a door where going to die down here."

Mina growled turning sharply "Must be a door here somewhere." She slowly made her way over to the still open cage "Maybe this is our only way out." She stopped still as what felt like a wind rushed past her. She turned looking at kilik "Did you feel that?"

Kilik pulled up his weapon "Something's coming." Mina pulled her weapon up so it was high she watched as the bones rattled under her feet. Her gaze moved in all directions there was nothing she could see no door opening only the rattling of bones. Which were starting to fly past her hitting the pile in the corner.

"You Fools! You awoke him!"

Mina turned sharply eyeing the demon "You know you really ought to shut up! Because If you don't I'm going to come over there and kill you!" She turned staring in amazement as the bone pile suddenly began to move.

It rose up millions of bones shifting while the skulls moved forming taking up a new position. While bone turned making clawed finger there huge broken demon skulls took there place forming a head whole other bones formed a pelvis and huge legs A chest of human skulls made the front as well as the back. Clawed feet and a huge tail appeared from the bones as well as bone wings.

She watched in shear horror as the bone monster arose up from the floor turning to look at both her and kilik. It pulled back its head roaring its many demon skulled heads opened their mouths. It turned eyeing them again it huge arms rising up.

Kilik slowly stepped back he watched the demon pull back it head again. He watched as it turned to the wall a huge blast of flame shooting from its mouths it hit the wall lighting the place for a moment.

Kilik slowly took another step back as its hand hit the wall " This is even worse than the spike room! I mean look at that thing!" Mina eased her weapon up higher "Its an undead monster." She swung her staff as the demons hand came forward she watched the bones shatter, the huge undead demon roared stepping back.

She watched in horror as it raised its hand the bones that had been broken where slowly replaced by new ones as its fingers reformed to what they had been. It turned growling at her then pulled its heads up. Kilik didn't get a chance to move he watched as the flames came again blasting past them both. He was forced to move back. He turned sharply watched Mina run at the monster again.

Her weapon kept on smashing at the bones but no matter how hard she tried the bones just replaced them selves. He ducked again as the fire blasted over his head. His turned sharply looking at the empty cage and then back at Mina "We can't fight this thing! The cage is the only way out!"

Mina turned looking the cage she ducked trying to avoid the flames as they blasted past her again " That's crazy I'm not going in that cage it's a trap!" Kilik slammed the demons chest with all his might he watched as the bones shattered under the force "What would you rather take this bastard on? He wont die he's undead and the only way to the surface is through those cages!"

Mina turned eyeing the cage "This is nuts! I can't believe I'm doing this." She turned yanking the door of the huge cage open. Kilik leapt up behind her pushing her forward so she was in the cage. He turned slamming the door behind him as the huge beast walked past "I agree this is nuts now rattle this thing maybe someone above will see it's chain moving!"

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