Fan Fiction ❯ New Dawn Of The Heart ❯ In the fading Light Of Destiny You Can Only Look Forward And Dare Not To Look Back ( Chapter 11 )

DISCLAMER All game characters in this story are property of Namco/Sega.

DISCLAMER This story contains people being knocked around in weapon fights and bad language as well as * Shoujo-Ai /girl love*

In the fading Light Of Destiny You Can Only Look Forward And Dare Not To Look Back

Aeon slowly moved through the corridor, he felt the water as his clawed feet moved through it. It wasn't very deep though only up to his ankles, the Jin Uni Ki had turned corridors not so long ago making there was down ward through this slightly watery corridor. No doubt some off this water was from his smashing the wall open.

He pulled up his sword watching as it caught the light, which was coming from Jiro's wings, which where open wide acting almost like fire lit torches in the darkness of the Labyrinth. The other Jin Uni Ki where following in a long line while at the back the one with a bent horn was walking slightly sideways checking that no demons where behind them.

It was surprising how they all worked together it was very similar to how he remembered his demons working on the bloody battlefields. Half demon's normally the offspring of full demons but who still had human features but normally had demon horns would pull down the giant Trebuchet's catapult. While Jumo would shift huge boulders on to it then the half demons would pull then realise free sending pile at an oncoming army.

It was horrible to watch but the precision was something to be admired, it was so focused and without question. Theses demon who despite being the disgusting beasts they where, where completely loyal and had followed his orders with out question. He let his gaze wander it hadn't been for good though. He could still hear the screams in the back of his mind as the armies attacking him where cut down.

All the blood and limbs and the screams as demons ripped them apart he just couldn't seem to shake those images. He still didn't have all his memories but those where ones he wished he could get rid off they still haunted him like ugly shadows of the night. Never going away just twisted and crooked a broken image of a past he so badly wanted to forget.

He watched Keiko shake her long main as, she narrowed her gaze smiling at him for a moment then turned back following her pack. It was so odd how such demons as these had come in to being. They had no hate or sorrow only the loyalty to human kind, what was it that had changed them?

So many stories he heard about them around demon campfires as Jumo cursed the Jin Uni Ki while tearing on raw flesh. Or the half demon's who had been sharpening their weapons while drinking blood of their enemies from steel bowls with there un humanly long tongues which lapped up the dark liquid. They could only drink blood and eat raw meat nothing else seemed to fill their stomachs or keep them happy.

They'd always reminded him off those annoying little bats he'd found sucking blood from his tail in some far away lands. He'd remember killing a few and chewing on them just out of boredom and the need for a snack. Plus those stupid half demons had all the worst human traits as well as demon ones, all they cared about was food sex and money and trying to kill each other so they could move up the ranks.

He'd never really liked dealing with them because they always wanted to get in to his bed or try to do something perverse with him. Saying that he'd slept with a female one once a mistake he'd never made again after she'd tried to drink his blood. The drinking hadn't got to him so much it was just how she went about it, it was disgustingly sly and condensing.

Plus all she wanted was to be in control, just wanted to try to a seduce him, to be in charge. She hadn't even asked him if he'd wanted his blood drinking she'd just gone about it and as he'd struggled she'd just tightened her teeth hold cutting him deeper. He smirked the well placed fist to her face had ended it all hadn't killed her but it knocked her out so cold she didn't wake up again for a long while.

He closed his eyes, to think he could've slept with such a disgusting beast, just because it looked half human didn't mean it was human. From what he'd heard Sophitia had, had to deal with this horrible half demon ego who was evil in just about every way possible. She was or so rumours had it been one of the worst half demons to ever come in to existence.

Sadistically brash, overly self centred and despite not even having her own body quite happy to try to permanently take over her hosts. Probably one of his dead masters greatest creations next to himself and Astaroth a half demon who wasn't born of a demon but once human. Lacking in all the little flaws that the normal half demons had, those things like money and power.

Although Sophitia had been very interested in sex, or at least that what his spy's had told him. Even then that was just one flaw, which still put her up higher than any half demon that'd been born from a full demon. Plus she was a clever and manipulative and her being the very nice person she was no one had even noticed that the alter ego was taking over they'd just thought it was her being angry about no one saving her.

He could still see her galloping on that pitch-black stallion, across the Chinese camp setting the place alight with a burning torch. Those blood red eyes burning in the night while she laughed at the soldiers trying to stop her who she just knocked aside. He could see it all from his post on top off the hill oh how he'd loved it. He'd never seen such a half demon with so little fear.

Even the arrows fired at her didn't stop her, and Taki hadn't scared her ether despite the spells the ninja had thrown at her. He felt his eyes close for a moment feeling the sadness of the whole event wash over him.

Sophitia's demon ego was the perfect solider the final phase in magical design, so hateful so powerful and with none of the true Sophitia's passion for love and glory. At the opposite end of the scale to the real Sophitia, a perfect killing machine devoid of all honour.

The half demon self only had one order to for fill, that being to get information on the Chinese camp and report back to the fort with it. She'd surpassed that order easily and on top of that by the time she was through the Chinese camp was in utter chaos.

His master had made the perfect weapon of war, one with out fear no ramous and un bound by human morals. There was also no doubt he'd have made more if he'd lived. He'd always had an obsession with making more powerful magical beings.

He slowly opened his eyes the hell's fires hadn't stopped the mad priest he had been mad playing with dark evil magic in his little demon fort, making huge lizard men armies from the hundreds of captured soldiers who had come and tried to destroy his fort. If they didn't serve him then they died, they'd ended up as no more than demon food or they had screamed until death as they where torn to pieces in the dungeons.

"Where here."

Aeon's gaze slowly shifted as the Jin Uni Ki leader came to a stop his words hitting the air, the huge demon pulled up putting his hug clawed on the wall, which had come in to view in front of them. He closed his glowing eyes for a moment then let out a low sound. Aeons took a slow step forward trying to listen to it.

It sounded like some kind of song, but with out words, like whaling sound but it was beautiful, he slowly lowered his weapon. He'd never heard any thing like it in his whole life. He pulled back as the huge wall slowly began to pull back revealing a corridor, which was right in front of them.

He slowly followed Keiko as she followed the others through the newly opened wall Aeon felt the hard stone floor as his clawed foot hit it, he flicked his tongue out slightly he could smell that he'd been here before. He watched Keiko turned to look at him the Jin Uni Ki female smiled widely "It's not going to long now, until we reach the central labyrinth."

Aeon slowly nodded his head "I know I've been here before." He flicked out his tongue "This is close to where I lost my friends, I can still smell them." Keiko pulled up sniffing slightly "Ah yes…I can smell them or a least can I smell that another human females been here, although her scent is starting to die out, I can still smell it."

Aeon slowly turned his head he pulled up his weapon hand slowly "Down this corridor is the where the central labyrinth is." He shrugged slightly "It's funny how I end up back where I started." Keiko smirked slightly "In life your never back where you start, your soul takes the journey but it's never the same when it returns." She leaned down slightly "It's always stronger."

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Sophitia felt the force as she was hit again, she coughed watching the blood from her mouth hit the floor. She slowly looked up meeting Suzuka's gaze "I don't know how you get Mekki-Maru to realise its full power!" Suzuka snarled aloud she brought up her fist bringing it across Sophitia's face again "Don't lie to me bitch! I know Taki said something to you about it! Now tell me what it was!"

Sophitia slowly pulled herself up from her painful position on the floor "Well you being the high and mighty bitch you are, you should no! You watched as with your blind eye you must've seen!" Suzuka turned kicking the younger woman in the stomach "I saw you saying something yes but I didn't hear what! Those Jin Uni Ki bastards did something it meant I couldn't hear you speaking!"

Sophitia pulled herself up she ignored the blood that was running down her chin "Real shame that…." Suzuka turned sharply Sophitia felt the force as she was hit again she lost her footing this time she cried feeling the floor as she hit it. She groaned feeling the heavy chains which where bolted together so she couldn't move her arms. She slowly and painfully pulled herself on to her knees.

Ignored the pain was getting harder, she coughed again she wished the ninja bitch would just knock her out at least she'd get away from this painful beating which she was being forced to take. She growled slightly as Suzuka took a step forward the woman came to a stop over her "You have no idea why I hate Greek's so much do you Sophitia?"

Sophitia slowly moved her gaze around the arena the blood that was dripping down her chin from her mouth was starting to join the rest, which was in patches, across the floor. She shook her head "Frankly I don't care why you hate me or my people so much!"

Suzuka slowly put a hand on her chin "Interesting how defeat has made you a bit…. how should I put it, angry Sophitia." She leaned against one off the swinging cages poles "Taki all knocked out and such." She clicked her finger "But back to what I was saying I can't stand your people because you never talk when you're being interrogated."

She shrugged slightly "I don't know what it is that mean's you don't talk, I can get most people from different countries to speak but your people are one of the worst. You'd rather die than talk which is stupid since your going to die anyway. I don't really see the logic in that do you Sophitia?"

Sophitia coughed slightly "I do, it mean's I'll die with my honour intact unlike you." She tensed painfully as Suzuka's foot made contact with her knee the ninja pulled up sneering, "Your going to die anyway! You're going to be eaten alive! Why are you making this difficult for yourself Sophitia!?"

Sophitia laughed slightly she knew her own laugh sounded slightly hysterical but she ignored it "Oh please I don't care what you do to me, I'm not going to tell you anything you know that. Your just doing this so when Taki wakes up and sees that I'm bleeding her urge to rip out your lungs will increase."

Suzuka folded her arms "Well there's that and the fact I like hitting you it makes me feel better watching you bleed." She swung her leg around kicking the younger woman in the shoulder "Plus I've always been curious as to how much punishment you can take Sophitia before you start to scream for mercy."

She slammed her foot in to Sophitia's side, the younger woman didn't scream though only groaned painfully "Ivy told me she had to beat you with her sword's whip before you even began to submit." Sophitia turned sharply she could feel her teeth grinding together "I never submitted to Ivy! I won't submit to you ether!"

She turned spitting some of blood in her mouth near Suzuka's foot "Beat me all you want, I will never scream for you. So why don't you just get on with killing me I really hate long drawn out deaths." Suzuka turned kicking Sophitia in the leg again "I hate heroic people you just don't know when to quit! You don't know when you failed and even when you have failed you always try to cover up your defeat with brave words!"

Sophitia shrugged slightly ignoring the pain in her legs and shoulder "You only won because you have Mekki-Maru which you've bestialised somehow. Without that you would have died like the coward you are." Suzuka leaned down until her gaze met Sophitia's " Your just like Taki, you won't give up. You want die with what little honour you have intact don't you?"

She smirked "Sad how when I look at you I somehow wish that demon that's inside you was the one in control." She smiled seeing the surprise on Sophitia's face she eased up a strand on blonde hair "Yes I know all about her… Ivy was very kind in her information giving. It's sad how you got to be the vessel who gained control of this body since you're the weak half."

Sophitia's eyes narrowed "I am not the weak half! She is, she's a monster! I'm glad I was able to suppress her… the evil bitch was no better than you." Suzuka slowly kneeled down putting a hand under the younger woman's chin "I love how you use the words suppress as if you believe she's completely gone and you won."

She leaned close to Sophitia's ear "That's the problem you see you haven't won she's still there somewhere in your subconscious fighting to get out." She slowly pulled up Sophitia's shirt so she could the Jin Uni Ki patch, which was covering her unhealed wound. She smiled yanking the Jin Uni Ki patch up then slowly ran her finger across Sophitia scar causing her to wince painfully.

She smiled evilly "I always wanted to meet the woman who could control you, who is ten times more than you'll ever be. Shame we'll never get to meet we might have got on really well." Sophitia breathed in painfully "She wouldn't like you, she never liked Taki always hated her you'd be no different. She'd just kill you it's what she made for and I wouldn't blame her for ripping your insides out and eating them."

She laughed slightly "You did hear about the two Lizard man soldiers she actually did that to, or did that information slip by you?" Suzuka snarled pulling her hand away from Sophitia's face "I doubt it, she would have worshiped me!" Sophitia shrugged "I know she's still in there she's probably been there right from the moment the lesser Soul Edge sword's broken blade pieced my lower chest."

She smiled slightly "But I've come to except that she's there and I have control over her and that if anyone is stupid enough to bring her out she'll just kill them because I'm the one in her subconscious giving her my thoughts." Her smile widened "So ironic that despite how much I hate her and wish I could get rid of her, I'd still use her against you."

She narrowed her gaze more "So if I where you I wouldn't use Mekki-Maru to bring her out of sleeping, she might have been given her full life through that priests magic but she's the lesser half I'm the stronger half and I'll will her to kill you. She wants this body so badly that she'll do anything just to get a second of life in it."

Sophitia could see the anger in Suzuka's eyes "I'd give her that second if it meant I could kill you. You harmed Taki! You harmed the woman I come to love! I would gladly sacrifice my better side if it meant I could kill you!" She pulled back widening her smile "So if I where you I wouldn't be stupid enough to try to free her from the mental cage in my mind where she's suppressed…you might die."

Sophitia lowered her gaze somehow she wished Suzuka would end all this, it was bringing out the worst in her. She was defeated and Suzuka was just enjoying mocking her as well as beating her. She knew what was coming she didn't need all this it was just foolish cat and mouse play where she wouldn't really gain any edge.

She stopped her thoughts noticing that Suzuka had pulled out Mekki-Maru she gazed at the ugly demon blade whose eye was unopened Sophitia could feel herself shaking she wasn't seriously going to try to bring out her suppressed demon? She couldn't be that stupid? Insane maybe but not stupid enough to tempt fate after what she'd just said and had meant with her every breath.

Suzuka slowly looked at the pulsing weapon in her hands "I wouldn't worry I'm not going to bother with your demon half. I'm just going to dig around in your memory to find out how I can release the full power of this weapon." She smiled slightly "Like you said I'm not going to get it out of you by beating you, so I guess I should just force it from your mind."

She leaned forward grabbing the blonde ponytail, her smile widening "It's going to be such fun to torture you this way Sophitia since it isn't the first time you've looked in to the eye of a Soul Edge weapon." She watched as Sophitia started to struggle "I know the one thing that scares you more than me is looking in to the eye of a weapon like this."

Sophitia struggled harder as Mekki-Maru was raised up until it was level with her face the blade began to pulse. Sophitia watched in horrified manner as the eye in the centre began to open, she pulled back ignoring the sound of her hair being pulled loose from its tail. She tried to close her eyes only to find herself meeting the weapon's eye head on.

It stared at her it's pupil unmoving it brown and golden iris catching the low light she watched it slowly narrow, she breathed in feeling the pain in her chest it was almost like she couldn't breath. She tried to move only to find nothing was working she slowly began to narrow her gaze, trying for all she was worth to resist.

She wasn't going give in to this! She wasn't going to let this weapon get in to her mind! She felt Suzuka's hold tighten on her hair "Stop resisting!" she almost didn't hear the woman's words over the screaming in her mind which just wouldn't stop. She watched as her vision became clouded and red almost like blood began running over her eyes, she could feel rage and hurt.

She turned watching the world go black she found herself turning as a bleeding lake washed past her covering her feet, she found herself gagging even if this was just a vision of her mind everything about it stank of death. She turned watching as the lake became still around her, it was up to her knees pure rich red blood, she lowered her head she'd been here before nothing about this scared her anymore.

It just made her feel ill, she watched as white images rose up in to the air, there where very few of them though mostly flashes of her own mind or passing moments but no solid memories. She tensed feeling the pain in her body, Suzuka was trying to break her mind, this ugly vision was just part off it. She smiled slightly lowering her head it was her mind though and she could keep Suzuka out.

She could feel the agony of her body the agony her struggle and all just to keep those white floating images from showing anything Suzuka wanted to see. She pulled up her hand ignoring how painful it was to keep herself steady her chain's weren't on in this bloody vision, but then this was the ultimate vision and she knew it. It could be controlled because it was her mind being probed.

It was the ultimate place between dreams and nightmares, she'd learnt this because of the priest trying to use his Soul Edge staff on her, she'd seen that it worked both ways. She breathed in painfully even in this vision trying to keep her fingers with in reach of the small pieces of her mind which Suzuka was trying to get in to was hard.

Suzuka snarled she wasn't getting anything from Sophitia's mind the woman was blocking her. She closed her good eye tighter she wouldn't let her win this war of the minds! She felt Mekki-Maru move hissing contempt at the person who's mind it was trying to break in to. Suzuka's good eye snapped open she wasn't getting anything just stupid little flashes of Sophitia's memory's but not her memories themselves.

She watched as a tentacle shot out from Mekki-Maru's blade it moved quickly jamming it's self down wards then slowly creped over to Sophitia and pulled up her blue shirt slightly revealing the Jin Uni Ki patch which was half off. With one swift motion it slammed it's self up directly in to the wound. Suzuka watched as Sophitia's pupils suddenly became small her eyes widened even more.

Her mouth opened in a scream but it was one, which couldn't be heard, Suzuka smirked watching the tentacle pulsed she closed her eye feeling something a memory she laughed watching it skim past her mind, the moment the woman had shattered the blade that had been the lesser Soul Edge Sword. She laughed pushing it aside feeling more memories.

She moved through them finally finding the one she wanted she felt her smile fade, she snapped her good eye open feeling the anger wash through her system. She jerked on the weapon pulling it free of Sophitia's body. She watched the eye close and the huge blades pulsing come to a slow stop.

Sophitia found herself crying out as she finally came back in to being, she watched the vision fade while her blurred vision finally made out the world around her. She hit the floor painfully feeling an agonizing jolt of pain in her in her lower chest she could only curl up as the burning sensation went through her body. Her gaze slowly narrowed she knew this sensation so well.

She was getting sick of it! She was sick of people poking her old wound like it was some kind of weakness! She was sick of it being used to not only hurt her but to probe it's way in to her memories! She watched out of corner of her eyes as the tentacle that had poking in to her moved upwards in a snake like motion. She'd seen it in her vision the only difference was the one that had hit her had, had an eye on the side.

She snarled pulling her head up staring at Suzuka she stared at her feeling her teeth grinding together. She could feel her body tensing as she dragged her self to her knees ignoring all her pain and sorrow. Ignoring the chains weight around her wrists, which pulled her arm's down painfully.

She pulled back for a moment before letting her scream hit the air, she knew it wasn't one off pain or submission but one of anger and defence. She watched as Suzuka stepped back slightly the ninja's eyes narrowed meeting hers.

Taki's eyes snapped open, she groaned painfully trying to blink of her blurred vision. She could hear a scream, which was just dieing down she pulled up her body slightly looking around. She was in a cage she could see the bars all around her the thick heavy steel which was blocking her view of the outside world.

She pulled up her hand slightly then put it on the bars only to feel a jolt of pain causing to pull away just as quickly. She slowly put her hands down, she could still taste blood in her mouth, she eyed her cloths which where torn at the legs she pulled up her hand trying to focus on it.

Her arm had cuts all over it, she groaned again, she could remember passing out and being in so much pain before that. She coughed painfully Suzuka had hurt her with her weapon but she couldn't remember how she could only recall the pain off it all. She slowly eased herself up ignoring the agony that seemed to hammer through her body as she got on to her knees.

She put a hand on her face groaning aloud, she found herself almost loosing balance because off the pain that was sweeping through her system, she eased her self up to the cage bars trying to look down ignoring the cages slight swinging, there was doubt she was some way off the ground. She lowered her gaze seeing Suzuka move slightly, from left to right she was looking at someone.

Taki couldn't see Sophitia anywhere. Where was she? What had the woman done with her? Her eyes still weren't focusing right in the low light, she watched the woman move again getting even angrier, at least that was what it looked like even though her vision wasn't focusing very well.

She put her hand on the cage again only to get the same spike of pain as before, the bitch had magically enhanced the bars. Saying that this was a demon cage, it probably had all sorts of spells on it, which she couldn't alter. She'd have to try though despite how painful it was to move, her slightly blurred vision wasn't helping matters ether it was hard to see anything properly.

Suzuka watched Taki cage move she heard the slight sound of the lightning coming off the bars, there was no doubt that the woman was awake now. That was a good thing at least now she could get on with killing Sophitia. She turned eyeing the blonde woman who was just staring at her intensely her gaze unmoving just burning in to her with anger and vengeance.

Suzuka turned to meet her head on "I can't believe Taki bound Mekki-Maru to you!" She snarled slamming her foot in to the ground "I can never realise its true power because it's bound to you and blood line! I'd have to go back in time and kill the first ever Alexandra born to your house hold which I can't do!"

She pulled up the weapon "Taki really stitched me up good on this one! Now you're going to get what you deserve Sophitia a painful death!" Sophitia didn't speak or reply to her she just carried on staring. Suzuka swung her cape slightly "Just to make it interesting I'm going to get the those Fu-ma bastards in here to watch you die!"

Sophitia just stared even more Suzuka banged her foot on the ground "Say something you little bitch! Beg for life! Put your head between your legs and pray to your god or something!" She watched as Sophitia's gaze narrowed the blonde woman still refused to speak Suzuka could feel her eyebrow twitching "If you don't say something I'll break one of your teeth!"

Sophitia smiled slightly "Tell me what the Jin Uni Ki poem means. The one you stole from Taki, the one your guard pulled out her body suit." Suzuka pulled back slightly in surprise "That you want to know that…. why would you want to know that?"

Sophitia pulled up slightly "I'm going to die aren't I so it's not really going to matter much to you what it means." She shook her head "Call it a last request before I meet my end." Suzuka slowly pulled up her hand "I see, and you believe I know what it mean's, do you?"

Sophitia felt her grin widen "Of cause you know what it mean's, you wouldn't have taken it from Taki otherwise." Suzuka slowly put a hand behind her back "Clever Sophitia, yes I do know what it mean's. Saying that if I told you you'd never beable to understand how to get the Soul charge to work but I'll tell you anyway. Since your going to die anyway it isn't going to matter much what you know."

She slowly pulled up the scroll looking up the small piece of scroll looking at it she let her words wander of the words before reading them. Then turned meeting Sophitia's gaze then glanced at her hand.

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.

She smiled widely "The poem mean's nothing, the poem is just covering the truth." She shrugged "You see the Jin Uni Ki assholes where never all that good at hiding their truths they always make them obvious. Kinda stupid if you ask me, I would expect so much better from a race who pride themselves on hiding so many truths from the ninja's."

She flipped the scroll piece "It's not the poem it's the word on each line, put all four of them together they spell Ityt, the word is from the ancient Jin Uni Ki language it mean's heaven's gate." She laughed slightly "They say that it only works if your pure of mind and you believe in your heart and soul."

She eased up her weapon hand "They say you have to believe in it for all your worth and when you say you do it with out fearing death." She smirked scrunching the scroll up in her hand "A truly stupid waste of time of you if you ask me, because no one can believe in things like that, or believe in a perfect moment because it's unreachable."

She tossed the paper aside "It's not like you could even reach a higher state of mind Sophitia, so this information is useless to you." Sophitia looked up slightly "Useless to me but not to Taki that's why you took it away from her isn't it?"

Suzuka kneeled down slightly "No I just took it away because it amused me and because it seems important to the both of you despite the fact nether of you stupid idiots know what it means." She smirked "Still know you know what it mean and know you know you don't have a chance in hell of stopping me. So I think the time has come for you die."

She narrowed her gaze "I still think though in all this how fun it's going to be to see your blood hit the ground instead of mine." She slowly rose to her feet turning to Akuma "I want the whole fu-ma clan in here! Now!"

She watched the guard nod "Oh and Akuma I want her chained up so she doesn't go anywhere, make sure she's tightly chained, she has broken chains before." Akuma pulled up a grin appearing on his face "With pleasure Suzuka I'll see to it specially, Sophitia won't be going anywhere I can assure you off that." He turned quickly eyeing the other guards "You heard her! Now move your sorry ass's!"

Sophitia felt the pain as she punched in the stomach, she was roughly shoved back her chains where yanked down she heard the sounds as they where bolted to floor forcing her body in to a sitting position. She turned sharply seeing that her chains had been bolted through with a heavy steel ring, which was attached to the floor. She turned back sneering at the guards.

They both looked at each other then calmly pulled out their weapons she lowered her gaze watching as a drop of blood fell from her mouth on to the ground. She was tried of this, she wanted to it to end so badly. No more beatings no more remarks just for her destiny to play out the way it's meant to. To look in to those flaming red demon eyes which would be death in the end.

She lowered her head letting her hair fall over eyes while keeping her gaze fixed on Suzuka, she watched as Suzuka started to laugh again the woman turned putting her weapon over shoulder "It's about time I paid those ninja bastard's a visit."

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Kilik looked up slightly from his sitting position "Did you hear that?" Mina narrowed her gaze "Yes I did, sounded like someone screaming." She shook her head "Sounded painful." Kilik slowly pushed his hand through his hair "It sounded like a woman."

Toki slowly sat up " A woman…Suzuka has no female guards or does she?" Ryoko turned slightly in her sitting position "None, that I know of, but then I never saw all of them." She calmly lay back "Saying that I don't think Suzuka wouldn't have another woman in her group anyway she hates competition."

Toki slowly rose his feet he turned meeting Kilik's gaze "I don't feel this a good sigh." He paused listening as the corridor began behind the door to sound with footsteps "Do you hear that?"

Hiroshi eased himself up on to his knees "I do sounds like Suzuka's paying as a visit along with some of guards, this could be our chance." Rei pulled up hitting her palm with her fist "I don't care about the rest of you but we could attack now. We could get the guards weapons and fight our way out."

Yosho looked up slightly "This is not a good idea!" Ryoko swung her head around "Screw you I think it's a great idea!" Yosho turned quickly "No that's not Suzuka that's something worse!" Ryoko sneered eyeing her brother "Coward! Aren't you going to fight for your freedom?" Yosho calmly shook his head "There's something evil behind that door, I don't feel I have the power to fight it."

Nagmo slammed his fist in to the table "I want out of this bastard room! So you can go screw your self-Yosho! Plus I don't care for all this evil crap!" Toki slowly pulled up his hand "Quite all of you!" He watched as his children fell silent "Yosho's right something isn't right I can feel it."

Hiroshi folded his arms "This is our chance father!" Toki turned slowly meeting his gaze" Silence yourself! There's something coming and it's more evil than anything I felt in a long time!" He was about to say more when the huge solid doors where swung open, he watched in silence as five guards ran in to the room each taking up their position blocking the door.

The room seemed to go quite no sound could be heard apart from the very slights clinking sounds of the assassin guards armour. Toki slowly folded his arms, he tuned to Nagmo who had his fist raised "I do believe Suzuka isn't with them." He smiled "I mean I'd of thought she'd have paid as a visit in the least, or at least brought her evil with her."

He stopped still as a snarling sound hit the air, he watched as a huge demon came in to view, it's black body gleaming as it came to a stop in the door way. He narrowed his gaze watching as it swung it's long tongue "Uni So An Ki, a controlled one, nothing more than a lap dog."

Rei slowly stepped forward "Fine then lets kills it along with these guards!" She stopped still feeling a sudden rush of hot air sweep past her face, the next moment became blurred as a what looked like a long tentacle appeared in mid air it's swung around like a snake it's bladed end hitting her head on.

Rei winced painful stumbling back, as more appeared they grabbed her arms as legs yanking her clean off the ground, she felt the force as more struck her stomach knocking the wind out of her. She felt her self cry out as a figure appeared from thin air below her. She could hear her father cry as the being came in to her view she tried to struggle only to feel the one of the tentacles wrap around her throat.

Mina couldn't bring herself to speak she stepped back slightly trying to get away from the brown eye of the weapon, which was gazing back at her. She felt Kilik's arm as it slowly wrapped around her waist she breathed in deeply trying to focus herself.

Toki could hear his children's cries he slowly turned to meet Suzuka's evil gaze, the woman had her hand around the demonic blade which was pulsating, it's tentacles flying left and right. She had an evil grin on her face she narrowed her good eye causing the tentacles to move with Rei tightly bound in them over the huge demon who instantly open it's mouth.

She smirked "No lets not kill it Rei let's hang you over it so you look like a warm blooded breathing lunch." She watched as the girl's eyes turned to fear as the demon's mouth opened wider showing of its five back set's of teeth. She narrowed her good eye "I wouldn't struggle ether Rei!"

She put a hand on her chin "Unlike the Jumo once you get inside a Uni So An Ki's stomach you can't get out again, It has a stomach muscles that squeezes the moment food enters, you also get boiled by there stomach acids, I've heard it's incredibly painful." She sniggered letting the tentacles flay for a moment "Wouldn't want me to drop you now would you?"

Rei looked slowly looked down feeling herself go still she could feel the demon breathing she watched it's yellow coloured eye at the end of it's tongue slowly rose to look at her, she could feel her breath becoming harder and the sweat as it began to drip from down her face. She was helpless! She couldn't do anything! She closed her eyes tightly shut trying to pretend this was a just a bad dream.

The demon's breathing broke through her thoughts she found herself shaking. Not like this! She didn't want her life end this way! To be a living meal for the very beasts she had sworn to kill it was no way to die! She wanted to die with her weapon!

Toki stopped still he slowly backed away staring at the weapon in Suzuka's hand, he hadn't felt such an evil thing in so long. He turned staring at Rei then turned back to Suzuka "Put her down!" Suzuka pulled up slightly "Now why would I want to do that old man? She looks so good hanging there, plus the look on all your faces right now is priceless."

Toki took a slow step forward "This is madness! She's your sister!" Suzuka sneered at him "Like I said before you're not my family." She grunted, "Hey old man didn't Rei's mother die the same way? I mean the weak bitch ended up as demon food right?"

Toki slowly folded his arms "What do you want? Your just using Rei, so why are you really here?" Suzuka slowly put a hand on her chest "Very good old man, your right Rei is just a tool right now. Lets just say I have a surprise for you all, it'll be a most fun one, I just want you all to come and see it in the main hall."

Ryoko folded her arms "I assume if we refuse Rei dies? Is that correct?" Suzuka clicked her finger "Very good Ryoko! That's just what will happen." She shrugged "Oh but I'll have to chain you all up that's also including our guests, Chinese's pole waving boy and his little bitch."

Mina grunted aloud "Oh that's rich coming from a one eyed bitch who's ugly." She watched as Suzuka turned to meet her gaze "Shut up Chinese girl unless you want to a replay of the suffering I put you through last time!" She put out a finger "Except this time I'll make it longer!"

She watched as Mina backed away slightly she noticed that the ninja's where doing the same "That goes for the rest of you bastards! If you decide to be clever and insult me I'll personally make sure that you suffer long and hard and that Mekki-Maru probes your mind so much that the pain will cause you to die!"

Suzuka slowly put a hand through her hair "Anymore questions?" She grinned watching as the ninja became dead silent "Very good, now I've ended your great escape would you kindly put up your hands so my guards can chain you up?"

Toki took a slow step forward "As you wish, now let go off Rei!" Suzuka turned slightly looking at the young girl who was still hanging over the demon's mouth "I have to admit keeping her there is fun…wouldn't you agree old man." Toki slowly raised both hand "Now! We are keeping our end now keep yours!"

He watched Suzuka shrug "Ah shame you did, I so wanted to drop her." She swung the weapon around causing the tentacles to fly sideway. Rei was thrown out in one swift move she watched as the young girl hit the table smashing it on impact. She watched as Toki's face turned to horror "That wasn't necessary!"

Suzuka watched as Nagmo slowly eased the girl of the floor, she looked in pain he watched as Nagmo eased her painfully to her feet "You said drop her old man, you never said what condition she had to be in." Toki snarled aloud as a set of thick heavy chains where clamped to his wrists "You disgust me! You find yourself so amusing, and you think your funny!"

He narrowed his gaze listening to the sounds as the rest of the ninja's where chained "You think you're a goddess with that weapon but the truth is it's destroyed your mind and it's turned you in to a fool!" Suzuka took a step forward "I was always better than you old man! This just proves it! Now shut your mouth and move along!"

Toki sneered as he was pushed forward by one of the guards "This isn't over!" Suzuka pulled her hand slightly up causing the Uni So An Ki to move forward, she smiled watching Nagmo half carry Rei away as the other ninja's followed.

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Aeon turned slowly in to the corridor, he tapped his clawed feet lightly on the floor. They where very close he could smell it, although the smell was mostly Mina's scent he couldn't mistake it. Probably because it just smelt as strong as the last time he'd been here, it was still as sickly strong as before.

Somehow in all this time he'd been stuck on his own he'd missed Kilik and Mina's smell. Even if nether of them liked him and still didn't at least he'd had, had good times with them. He snorted slightly thinking off Mina's drinking antics, which at the time he'd found very annoying but now he wished he could see her again. The woman was as funny as hell when she was drunk.

On top off that she didn't bluff she had beaten up all the Chinese Sailors in the ships bar along with Kilik. She didn't even notice the guy who had sliced a knife across her arm and her reply had been to smash him over the head with a bottle. Plus her comments to the two female sailors had been hilarious, taking the piss out off them mocking their clothes and calling them names.

Safe to say she was nuts but still managed to knock the both of them out in less than three staff swings. Kilik had just joined in with her antics but he had just mocked the captain and his right-hand who he'd put through a table and the captain got thrown across the room. He hadn't joined in with there fight but then there was no need he was to busy drinking the ale from the steel mug to care.

He hadn't tasted it in so long and it was to refreshing to give up for some fight. Still it hadn't been worth joining in anyway Mina and Kilik they had done just fine with out him. He'd just sat at the bar drinking while occasionally ducking to avoid the chair's bottle's and the sailors weapon that flew over his head. The only help he'd given was to belt a few sailors half way across the room with his tail when they tried to come at him.

He grinned swishing his tail slightly he'd once thought it at irritating to have a big tail because he'd didn't know how to use it once he'd regained his human soul. Sophitia had helped him out with it trying to teach him to move it and swing it although she'd ended up being knocked off her feet a number of times in the process.

Not that she ever complained despite him picking her up off the floor, he'd finally managed to control it and deliver very powerful blows with it. He'd been grateful for her help and when his family had walked away from him she'd been there to support him. She'd been the one rubbing his shoulder and just talking to him like he was a person and not a monster.

She'd been there when no ones else would when everyone else was too afraid to look him in the face or to scared to speak to him. She'd stood there like some guarding force protecting him from others and helping him out. Where was she now? What was happening to her? Had she managed to get out the labyrinth?

Somehow he was sure she had, but the question that was eating at his mind was what had happened along the way to make Taki admit such feelings to her? He'd met the woman more than once and she had always seemed very up tight about expressing herself. Unlike Mina who just said what she thought a trait, which sometimes got her in to trouble.

Taki was something off a dark horse or so it seemed since Sophitia had taken to her. Maybe she had something about her, which Sophitia just loved and couldn't be away from. It was surprising though since Sophitia hadn't wanted to be with anyone since her breaking up with Rothion. Rothion wasn't a bad man at all he was a good man it was just the relationship had hit issues which had caused them to drift apart at least that what he'd heard.

Sophitia's constant fleeting away to fight had caused issues for one she was always being called out to do something. To fight or to help someone so she was never at home much apart from late at night where she'd walk in through the door in a very worn out and annoyed manner. The type where she'd just drop her shield and sword on the floor and crawl back in to bed.

Saying this Rothion hadn't taken this well and Sophitia was never in a good mood late at night, by the time he had finished Sophitia's weapons they had drifted and the relationship was over. Despite this they where still very good friends though, there where no hard feelings with ether of them and Sophitia had still brought back items for him on her travels.

Rothion had also repaired his spare weapons more than once the man was fine crafter off weapons he did a beautiful job of fixing his spare sword when he'd damaged it. Something he'd been very grateful for like Sophitia he had just treated him like a normal person, despite his appearance. He was off the few men that he'd been proud to meet when he returned to Greece.

He turned slightly watching as Yasashiku came to a stop the huge Jin Uni Ki leader slowly put a clawed hand against the wall he turned slightly meeting his gaze "I believe this is where you tried to find your friends is it not?" Aeon eased up his clawed hand "It was but I couldn't get through the wall it was blocked off I believe the trap inside was set off."

Ryozo sniffed the air slightly "Well opening it won't be a problem, it's the ugly bastard on the other side I'm concerned about." Jiro shrugged his shoulder "Him well he's stupid I mean he's just a ninja tool he'll just go back to sleep if we sing him to sleep."

Keiko breathed in deeply "Haven't I already mentioned this? I mean it's easy we just open the wall, go through the secret door and then sing the dumb fool to sleep." Kiyoshi smiled rubbing against her shoulder "You make it sound so easy." Keiko turned narrowing her gaze "It is easy he's stupid and where intelligent race of demons he's not going to be a problem."

Yasashiku smiled shaking his long mane "If only all Jin Uni Ki looked upon the world with such ease like you Keiko." Keiko looked up slightly "You know when you've escaped the demon world in your youth you feel that most things are easy." Kiyoshi smiled wider showing off all his razor sharp teeth "I like it when you make it sound easy, it calm's my nerves."

Aeon turned slightly "You guys get nerves? Your demon's how is your jumpy before battle? I mean look at you your nothing but muscle and horns it's not like most people can take you down." Ryozo sniggered " Ah Aeon, its just Kiyoshi who gets nerves he is more human than the rest of as, since his mother was human."

He pulled up a clawed hand "He suffers from a few human emotions which we don't get since the rest of as where born to parents who where both Jin Uni Ki." He turned smiling at Kiyoshi "I guess your mother gave a few emotions like fear, jealously and hurt and a number of other emotions which most pure blood Jin Uni Ki don't have and will never fully understand, but we envy you all the same your more human than all off as."

He paused then shook his mane "Well next to Keiko that is, who knows suffering better than anyone." He tapped his clawed hand on Hiroshi's shoulders "Come to think off it didn't you say how much you like her…." Hiroshi turned sharply "Shut up Ryozo!" Ryozo smiled pulling back trying to ignore the look Keiko was giving him "You two should date, really you'd make a cute couple."

Yasashiku turned slowly "Calm down all off you, I need to remember how this stone wall works." He breathed in deeply "I'm a little rusty, it's a long time since I've been here." Ryozo pulled back his lips showing off his razor sharp teeth "It's got to be a rune wall you just make a Japanese symbol on it and you walk through it? I mean it's got to be something easy the ninja's wouldn't make it that hard."

Yasashiku turned slightly "This is not a Japanese symbol wall, its password activated, I just can't remember the password right this second." He ran his claws down the wall in a calm manner "I know it's a nice word unlike the one they use to open the front doors of the temple, which is the god of blood and fire." Ryozo snorted slightly "So it's a word not sentence?" Yasashiku looked up slightly "A single word."

Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow "Wouldn't they use something easy, but not easy for others to understand like something no one would think off." He eased up a clawed finger "Like hello or goodbye or another demon race or something?" Yasashiku turned smiling at his son "Probably it wouldn't surprise me, but knowing Toki he may not have made this easy for as."

Jiro sat down, he grunted leaning on his weapon "I can see this is going to take sometime Yasashiku." Kiyoshi turned meeting his gaze "Don't doubt my father, he knows this place better than any off as." Aeon slowly took a slow step forward "If I remember right the Japanese word for welcome is Irashaimasu maybe it's that"

He stopped short, hearing a grinding sound he watched in stunned surprise as the wall in front of him rose up, his gaze widened as what looked liked spikes drove themselves out off the floor it seemed like the whole of the upper wall was rising upwards. The sound was terrible it was an ugly grinding sound and the floor around him shook slightly. He leaned down watching as the above wall rose further.

Its huge spikes slowly disappeared back in side their holes, as the wall finally grinded back in to place. He watched in silence as the dust rose up around him his gaze narrowed as a huge grey room came in to view. At its far end stood a golden dragon he watched in silence as it's opened jaw closed and it moved back on its hinges in to an upward position.

Ryozo turned slightly a wide grin spreading across his face "Now that was impressive, I'm really beginning to like this guy." Yasashiku turned meeting Aeon's gaze "Impressive work Aeon." He moved forward until he was in the centre of the room "It appears the trap was set off but I don't believe anyone was in here by the time it hit the ground."

Aeon slowly moved forward he swished his tail slightly "I can still smell their scent though." Keiko took a slow step forward "No blood though, I mean the spikes holes aren't dripping with it, can't smell any death here, my guess is they got out via the small tunnel." Jiro smirked slightly "Kinda foolish really when we all know that that's the hard way out and that there's a much easier one."

Aeon turned slightly "The map I had only said that there's one door here." Yasashiku took a slow step forward until he was close by the dragon "There is only one door." He pulled up a long clawed finger "But like all secret doors in this Labyrinth it's not quite what it seems." He slowly put a clawed finger on the dragon's head he pushed its yaw down slowly.

His gaze turned quickly as he pushed the head down causing it to make contact with the open yaw "Some of the Dragon statues here have more than one moving part." His gaze narrowed as a rumbling shook the room. Aeon turned quickly watching the roof shake it stopped suddenly he turned quickly watching as what looked like a small door opened which wasn't big enough even for him to get through.

It seemed to widen and heighten as the stones suddenly grinded pulling back, the door they made as they locked in to place was very large. He turned pulling up his weapon "Now that's impressive, where does it go?" Yasashiku slowly ran a clawed finger through his long hanging beard "The tunnel your friends took was small and a somewhat painfully ride much like the one you took to get in to the labyrinth."

He smiled widely "This door on the other hand has a set of stairs that are laid over the top of the tunnel which at this present moment in time has shifted position downwards. All we need to do is walk along them until we get to the stone door on the other side, which has now become visible where as before it couldn't be seen."

Kiyoshi shook his mane "Hopefully the sleeping moron on the other side won't have smelt as." Yasashiku shook his head "I doubt it he's never been all that smart since he was given life I doubt very much that all these years have changed him, he'll still sleep when the time comes."

Aeon looked up slowly as the huge Jin Uni Ki leader walked forward on all fours, he sniffed the air " Safe to say this should be easy." He turned to Aeon "Follow me, I'll lead you to the door." He opened his wings slowly Aeon watched as the light began to come out from them, he slowly followed watching as light revealed a set of long winding stairs leading in to darkness.

He closed his eyes at least Mina and Kilik had made it out of the trap room, he only hoped that this beast the Jin Uni Ki where talking about hadn't hurt them. Deep down he wasn't sure if there getting away was a good thing since the ninja woman above was out of her mind and possibly insane.

He turned shaking his head he couldn't wait to fight his love for war was unchanging even to this day. He'd spent most of his existence fighting with hate and a corrupted mind spilling blood on battlefield and cutting down the innocents something which even Ares the god of war would sneer at. This time is was different this day would give him back lost honour and even if he died after it at least he'd die with self-respect.

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Taki slowly sat up again, she breathed in deeply then slowly leaned forward she could hear the sound of footsteps echoing through the corridors. Her gaze narrowed Suzuka's men where returning no doubt, she wasn't too sure why Suzuka had left since she couldn't hear the conversation below very well.

Sophitia was below but just out of her site she couldn't see what condition Sophitia was in. It seemed oblivious that Sophitia had surrendered so she could save her life. Something, which she couldn't believe, the younger woman had done Sophitia should have fought and killed Suzuka. She would have rather died than made Sophitia something, which Suzuka could torture.

She had no idea why Suzuka had kept Sophitia alive, but deep down inside she could feel nothing about it was good. Suzuka was probably planning something real ugly there was no doubt about it. She breathed in heavily and now she was trapped in this cage, where she couldn't stop it from happening. Suzuka had taken both the scrolls and her powder.

She hung her head slightly this just wasn't fair, she wanted to fight but she couldn't get out of the cage, she couldn't help the one person she loved and she had failed her by not finishing off Suzuka. She looked at her hand she had failed her clan and now all that remained was waiting for her own death.

She looked up slightly seeing the first few guards stroll back in she watched them take their places, the next moments the world around her seemed to go in to stillness, as what looked like her clan began to appear. Each where chained up, at the hands and off the chain hung a thick heavy bolt, which was obviously to clamp them down so they couldn't move their arms.

Her gaze travelled it was a horrible site to behold, she watched in silence as her family where pushed around by the guards. She could feel herself shaking as they all came in to view all off her brothers and sisters who she thought might have been killed. She could feel the joy in her heart as there faces came in to view, Ryoko, Hiroshi and Yosho.

Her smile faded as she watched Nagmo half carry Rei she watched, as her brother placed her on one of the chairs on the upper balcony, her little sister looked like she was in pain. She watched as the guards forced her chains down clamping them then began to do the same to the others.

She felt her heart race face as her father appeared Toki was being pushed by Suzuka, she watched as the woman yanked his chain down clamping it to the floor so he couldn't move. Taki felt her teeth grinding together how dare the bitch do that! How dare she treat her father that way! How dare she treat all of them that way! Like they where animals!

She pulled up kicking the bars despite the pain that hit her leg she kicked again this wasn't fair! It was all so wrong! How could that disgusting despicable bitch win her like this? How could the whole chain of event come to this? She should have won!

Mina felt the pain as she was pushed forward, she watched as the guards pulled them all out on to what looked like a balcony, there where heavy metal chairs to sit on. She watched in silence as the ninja's where pushed down on to them each had his chains bolted to the ground, so they couldn't move their arms in the chairs.

She turned quickly staring at the huge room below them, it's giant arena coming in to view. She'd never seen anything like it before it was beautiful. Japanese's flags hung in the corners waving while, the rooms strength and pride burst though with such force that it shook her soul. She could hear Kilik breathing faster she could feel his hand tightening around hers despite his chains.

She looked down slowly only to feel the room's beauty suddenly vanished its arena was covered in blood. Green and red blood stains marks of deaths and destruction. Her whole world seemed to stop as a figure came in to view. She felt her self get dragged forward until she was on the front row next to Toki. She groaned painfully as the chains where bolted down and she was forced to sit.

She watched as Kilik was pushed down next to her, her gaze moved swiftly back to the chained figure, she could now see them better. She could hear the ninja's horrified gasps hitting the air. She leaned forward noting the blonde hair and the blue shirt she felt her heart hit her rip cage in one swift swoop. It was Sophitia there was no doubt about it.

She couldn't see her face but the white ripped skirt and the blood stained blue shirt where all she needed to tell it was her in the flesh. The woman was bent over slightly chained to the floor with her hands behind her back. Her whole posture looked painful, she could see blood dripping from somewhere because there was a small stream of it moving away from her.

She looked a mess her hair had fallen forward and her ponytail was on the verge of coming out she didn't seem to even move or even turn her head. She turned to kilik who had the same horrified look on his face.

Kilik turned his head that was Sophitia! He tried to stand up but was forced down by one of the guards. His gaze quickly travelled up to the cage above her, which had someone kicking it, he could see the lightning as the person foot hit the bars. He could tell by the shape it was female, no doubt Taki he felt his heart sink. Suzuka had defeated them both.

He looked over at Toki who had a look of pain in his face the old ninja master turned his head slowly meeting his gaze "They lost." Kilik lowered his gaze "I guess that's why were here because Suzuka wants to kill them." Mina looked up slowly "I…I thought they'd make it, I thought they'd destroy her."

Toki breathed in heavily "So this is the thing she wanted to show as." He slowly pulled his chained hand in to a fist "How disgusting." He turned looking at Rei who still looked like she was in some pain. His gaze shifted back slowly meeting Suzuka's one good eye.

The woman was leaning over him her long black cape flowing slightly "Your just in time for my little show old man." She pointed a finger at Taki's cage "So good that you two will get to meet up again, well at least it wont be for long."

She smirked leaning closer "Sadly though she's not the main attraction for today's entertainment Sophitia is." She pushed her boot deeper in to the stone "Sophitia's going to entertain you all with her hero like manner. She's going to amuse me with her pathetic skills and you all get to watch her die." She put a hand on her chin "Frankly I was hoping the bitch would be praying to her god right now."

She slammed her foot down turning to look at Sophitia "Still I think that's too much to ask from a foolish Greek warrior." She turned to sniggering at Sophitia "I have to give it to her though she put up quite a fight as did Taki." She calmly folded her arms " Of cause they both are utterly pathetic when it comes to fighting a Soul Edge weapon though, I'd expect more from two warriors who claim to have defeated Cervantes."

She slammed her foot down hard on the side of the balcony "Shame really I was hoping to make Sophitia suffer a little longer, ah well at least she can amuse me in other ways from here on in." She turned laughing slightly "That is if she's still awake, I must go check that out now mustn't I?"

Toki pulled him self up slightly "I agree with the fight part…that slice in shoulder guard looks really painful. Who was kind enough to give you that?" Suzuka turned slowly meeting his gaze "The Greek bitch gave it to me!" She snarled turning her leg, which had a bandage on it "And your bitch of a daughter gave me that one."

Toki smiled slightly "Such a shame that we thought you said you where a Goddess I guess not since you can bleed." Suzuka turned away slightly she pulled up the demonic blade looking at it "I'd silence yourself old man, wouldn't want me to finish off Rei now would you. I mean I think her ankles actually broken should I break the other one?"

She smiled watching the old ninja master fall silent her gaze drifted to the Akuma who was smiling near by "Lower the bridge!" she watched as the guard pulled back the lever, the huge bridges slowly creaked back down from the balcony making a creaking sound as they hit the arena. She smiled taking one last look at the ninja's who where bolted in the very same chains which where kept for trespassers.

It was so amusing how the very things they had made to protect them selves from outsiders had been the things they where now chained up in. She smirked eyeing up all their weapons which where bound up next to Toki's throne.

These weapon where surrounded by her guards and to far out of reach for them to get at, still it wasn't like they could break out of there chains which where holding them down tight on the balcony. She slowly putting Mekki-Maru over her shoulder then slowly stepped on to bridge making her way over to where Sophitia was sitting.

She smirked leaning over the woman, her gaze drifted up to the cage which was still being kicked by Taki she watched the lightning fly off the bars. She took a step back until she was just in Taki's view "You know you could do that forever and you won't break the bars Taki! Since there the same cages you like to keep demons in although I did modify that cage just for you so it hurts more and more every time you kick it."

She narrowed her good eye "Soon just to kick it will be so much agony you'll want to give up because of the pain." She watched as Taki sat up staring at her the woman's eyes slowly narrowed "Fuck off bitch!" Suzuka slowly pulled up her weapon hand "How charming, and I was hoping you'd thank me for sparing your life and your girlfriends. Even if it is for just a little while."

Taki leaned slightly forward trying not to touch the bars "I wouldn't thank you for anything! I'd rather rip out your lower intestine and wrap it round your neck!" Suzuka's grin widened "Well doesn't this prove what I've been saying all along, that you can't defeat me." She laughed aloud "Don't be so sad though you'll get to watch your girlfriend die you'll get to see her last breath."

She pulled up her finger " You should thank me for that, I mean I was tempted to kill her but instead I'm giving you a chance to watch her die." Taki punched the bars she pulled back feeling the pain as the lightning stuck her hand "Shut up gloating! You haven't won yet bitch!" Suzuka pulled back slightly "Oh and here we go with the hero talk again…I hate your hero types you talk out of your ass's!"

She grunted, "Your girlfriend is just as annoying with her hero talk as are two Chinese friends the pole boy and his mouthy brown haired girlfriend!" Taki looked up sharply staring at the balcony her gaze widened in shock horror on her father side was Mina and Kilik both chained down! Suzuka folded her arms turning to meet Taki's angry brown gaze "That's right friends of yours they came to save you and your blonde bitch."

She laughed again "Can't say they where that great, you really aught to pick better friends Taki, because the ones you have are useless." Taki turned staring at Mina and kilik she could see the guilt in both their faces she turned kicking the bars in rage. This had just gone from terrible to horrible! Why had those idiots followed here? What where they stupid?

She snarled kicking the bars feeling the agony of her blow if her god Ryo-Wo was listening she wanted him to hear her right now. She wanted him to free her from this nightmare! She wanted him to get of his scaly backside and protect her!

Suzuka shook her head watching the lightning fly off the cage again "Don't you just hate failure Taki?" She slowly stepped forward leaning over Sophitia "I've for filled your last request, do you have any last words before your deaths comes?"

She watched as Sophitia slowly looked up meeting her gaze "Yeah I do, your nothing but scum you're a dirty fifthly child murder and I hope I'm the one who kills you because frankly no one would be unhappy about my sword striking you down. My Gods would see it as retribution for your dirty bestialised soul that's not even worthy of Tarturus."

Sophitia narrowed her gaze "So when you get to your version of Japanese's hell I hope you spend your eternity being punished for your crimes and I hope they rip you open daily and that your screams of agony echo in to flames of death for as long as eternity lasts." She grinded her teeth together "I only hope when I send you there you'll spend your whole afterlife remembering it was me and Taki who killed you."

She felt the force as Suzuka's backhand impacted with her face, she groaned painfully tasting the blood in her mouth again, she turned spitting it at Suzuka she watched as red liquid hit the woman's face causing her step back, she snarled looking in to her good turquoise eye "Yeah that's right feel Alexandra blood it's ten times purer than yours could ever hope to be!"

Sophitia hunched her shoulders so what if she was going to die at least she'd said the things she really wanted to say. Both her and her girlfriend where going to die so what was the use in holding anything back anymore. As long as she could die a good death she didn't care what she said from her on in, it was her failure that had led to this so what was the point of keeping her manners to the end.

It wasn't like her god was listening anymore, it was sad that in this moment she knew how Aeon had felt as he'd walked across the bleeding desert believing his gods had left him. She slowly lowered her gaze why had they abandoned her? Was Taki really the cause of it all? Did they resent her so much that they'd kill her and the one she loved all because of her choice.

She shook her head if this was a truly a test of her faith she felt like she was being tested to breaking point. What did they want from her? Why where they doing this! She'd always served Hephaestus she'd never betrayed her gods she'd just been manipulated to do so in the past! She closed her eyes for a second unless this was her punishment for letting a half demon take over her!

Maybe that was the answer maybe that was why it had come to this. Somehow if it was because that it would make sense, her betrayal being the root of her demise the gods couldn't trust those who had misplaced loyalty.

She watched as Suzuka's head guard Akuma came up behind her he had her weapons in his hands the ones she had used in the labyrinth she watched as he placed them next to her. He turned looking at Suzuka whose face was one of rage and disgust.

Suzuka slowly ran her hand over her face wiping Sophitia's blood off "Disgusting little Greek!" She turned slightly noticing the look of utter shock on nearly all the ninja's face apart from Nagmo's because he was laughing at her. She sneered eyeing Sophitia again "I'm so looking forward to this, apparently you can break chains so I'll be interested to see if you break the one's that I've clamped around your wrists."

She leaned down easing the lock free then pulled Sophitia chains free of the bolt " She turned kicking the old Samurai sword across the floor she watched as it slid close to edge of the arena "That should make things a little bit more interesting for you, now you'll have to go fetch that weapon like a good bitch." She turned kicking the shield to the opposite end of the arena "Oh dear it seems you'll have to fetch that one to."

She leaned forward "I'm so looking forward to this you annoying little blonde bitch!" She turned on her heels ignoring Taki's hateful gaze as she wandered back over the bridge on to the balcony she grunted sitting herself on Toki's throne. Her gaze travelled to an assortment of weapons next to her she slowly picked up Taki bag of power, which had been on the table next to her.

She slowly opened her hand letting the dark sand pour in to her hand, she turned eyeing Yosho "I always did like your spells Yosho, this ones a personal favourite of mine." She sat up slightly pulling up the dark powder she chanted slightly then breathed on it, she watched the power spiral outward watching it loop itself around the arena covering the edges.

She smirked finishing the chant, only to see flames burst up around Sophitia they grew up around the arena breaking the darkness of the room while blocking the bridges she turned smiling at Akuma who was close by "Raise the bridges!" She smiled as he moved forward pulling the lever there was a harsh creaking as the huge bridges pulled back in to place under the balconies.

She turned slightly to the ninja's who where on her right side "I'd like to welcome you to my entertainment, this is the one where you all get to see Sophitia die. Should really hurt all your feeling since you all seem to like her so much." She clicked her finger "That will be followed shortly after by Taki getting her head hacked off by me…I always liked how the Samurai do that so I'm going to give it a try."

Toki slowly sat up "I doubt that will happen, you underestimate Sophitia." Suzuka slowly leaned back in the chair "Oh please give it a rest old man, Sophitia is just a pile of weak emotions wrapped in flesh and blood." She slammed her fist down hard looking at Sophitia from above "Where are your mighty Greek gods now you little bitch! I don't see them!"

She watched as Sophitia's gaze met hers she smirked "Looks like they truly have abounded you Sophitia!" She turned watching as Sophitia tried to get up only to fall back on to her knees because of the pain she was in from her beating earlier. Suzuka smiled seeing the pain in her face, which had a steam of blood running down her chin along with other cuts.

Seung Mina turned slightly "He's right you underestimate her, you haven't even begun to see what she's capable off yet. You think her gods are nothing but foolish talk well your wrong! There real I've seen first hand what they can do, as long she believes in them you have no power over her." Suzuka turned slightly "You know I'm getting real sick of you moronic people all you do is talk."

She sat up slightly turning to around "Uni So An Ki!" She watched as the huge demon that had been sitting by the side of one her guards, wandered forward it stopped close by looking at her with its long tongue. Suzuka smiled meeting the golden eye at the end of its tongue "I'm sure your hungry now aren't you, I would've fed you earlier but I needed you to be hungry."

She smiled resting a hand on her elbow "I have something for you now it's waiting in the arena, I know your kind can jump over fire and walk through it so getting your lunch won't be a problem." She breathed in deeply watching as demon pulled back its tongue grinning "Now do me proud and eat that annoying blonde bitch!" She watched as the demon's body moved quickly as it made it's way towards the gap, which separated the flaming arena from the drop bellow.

The Uni So An Ki pulled up its roar hitting the air, it ran forward full force it leap almost seemed to happen in slow motion as it's feet left the ground and it flew through mid air. It hit the flaming arena's burning side, which had no effect on its skin it snarled aloud moving through the blazing flames almost disappearing in to them.

Sophitia looked up sharply from her position on the floor, she watched the flames rise higher in a blast of flaming yellows and oranges mixed with red. She turned sharply hearing a thumbing sound, which shook the arena. Her gaze travelled up wards as two long horns appeared pushing forward through the flames. Her eyes widened in horror as a huge dark face came in to view.

It's red eyes glowing against the flames it's black skin looked worse than any thing in her nightmares she watched as it's nostrils flared and it's ear drew back. His huge clawed hands hit the floor as it moved forward its body passing through the flames. She watched as it's body came in to view it stood on all fours with its tail swishing which had a fine horned end with spines.

Its huge mouth opened as it roared at her it's massive body rose as it slammed it's front clawed hands in to the arena. She watched in horror as saliva started to drip from it's open mouth which was showing off all it's five rows of teeth. Her body froze for a second as it's huge tongue came out of it's mouth she watched as it swung it's self around to look at her the yellow eye opening at the end.

She had to get up! She found herself struggling to get her knees her whole body stung with pain. She managed to get herself up slightly she watched as the huge demon began to make it's way towards her, she turned quickly trying to move her hand's in her chains. They where bolted tight restricting all her movement in her arms she growled aloud tugging on them only to find that she couldn't pry her hands loose.

She stood up fully watching as the demon started to move quicker, it's black body brightened by the burning flames, which rose up around them. Sophitia sneered yanking her arms she could feel the sweat as it began to trickle down her face. The fire seemed to be burning hotter now she looked around the arena quickly trying to see her weapons.

She could just see them but it was hard because of the flames, which bellowed up high causing twisted shadows. She turned quickly moving away from the demon, she watched as it tried to lash out at her it's clawed hand narrowly missing her already ripped white skirt.

She took a step back then slammed her foot out kicking it squarely in the face causing it pull back, despite the force of the blow it sniffed in harshly then breathed out deeply. She took another step back she had to think of something! Anything! Just anyway so she could rid herself of these chains!

She ducked again as the huge monster tried to lash out again she pulled up kicking it this time near it's ear she watched it pull back showing sighs of pain. No doubt it's ears where sensitive. She watched as the eye blinked at the end of it's long tongue, she sneered slamming her foot out with all the force she could muster kicking it the moment it looked at her.

She moved quickly ignoring the sweat that was starting to soak her fringe, she pulled up she had to get the chains off! She moved quickly back flipped clean over the creature as it made a run for her. She hit the ground hard then back rolled her body she felt the agony as she forcing her arms free from their position around her back. She groaned in agony as she pulled her arms out so they where in front of her.

Her next movement came as fast as lightning as the demons ugly face came in to view she slammed her foot out kicking its face full force. She watched a spray of green blood fly through its teeth as her feet made impact. She watched it roar in agony pulling back the next moment where painful as it slammed it clawed hand down smacking her other leg.

She groaned in agony slamming her leg up again kicking it directly in the face, she felt a sudden burning pain as it's claws swiped across her shoulder she didn't get a chance to move as it horn's hit her sending her skidding across the floor on her back.

She moaned feeling the hard stone floor as she came to a stop, she pulled herself over slightly she watching as her now tattered white cloth, which hung from her shoulder began to stain red. She turned sharply moving her legs clean out of the way as the demons hit the floor near by, she back flipped with all her might landing on her feet.

She sneered watching as the demon pulled its horns out of the arena she narrowed her gaze slowly pulled herself up to her full height, she smiled letting her grin widen. She watched the huge demon shake it's head it turned snarling at her, she slowly took a step back. Watching as it came forward it's claws digging in to the stone of the arena.

She watched its tongue swerve as it met her gaze it's yellow eye blazing against the fire. She pushed her foot in to the ground watching it's other clawed hand hit the ground, she could feel her teeth grinding together, she could still feel the sweat as it started to drip of her face. She closed her eyes for a moment drawing in a deep breath she ignored her hurting body, which was screaming while trying to focus herself.

She felt her muscles tense for a second, she couldn't hear the roaring fire as she opened her eyes again, she didn't hear the ninja's who where cheering. She couldn't hear her girlfriends voice above her, which was screaming her name. She ran forward straight at the demon who pulled back slightly almost in confusion she felt the floor as her feet left it.

The jump felt so slow to her, the fires where all she could see as she landed directly on the demons back with all her might, she heard the scatting as it lost it's footing. She felt its body hit the ground hard she turned quickly pulling her chain's over its right horn. She snarled stepping back pulling on the metal she heard herself crying out for the pain in her wrists.

The demon was starting to rise again she pulled out her leg kicking it in the back of the head, she watched it fall down again it's claws leaving marks as they scratched the arena. She yanked again but this time she heard the screeching of metal as her chains started to bend she had get free from them! She couldn't fight like this! She slammed her foot in to the demon's head again.

She didn't get a chance to think as the metal broke she was thrown backward her back hitting the solid floor. She rolled over quickly hearing the huge demon shuffle she brought her free hands forward ignoring the half broken chain with was hanging off them both. Her wrists hurt, as did her shoulder she could see the blood as it started to run down her arm.

She pulled herself on to knees running forward she ignored the sounds of the demons claws as the hammered the arena coming after her. She leaped forward grabbing the sword from its position on the floor she turned around slamming the weapon in to the monster's face, she watched as it rose up roaring in agony.

She watched the green blood as it hit the floor near her feet, her gaze narrowed she wasn't going to give in to this ugly monster! Her body hurt but she didn't care, she would rather die like a hero than a coward! Her weapon hand slammed out slicing across the demons hand causing it to stumble back.

Her leg swung out kicking it in it's back leg as it stumbled back she watched as it crashed to the ground its huge mouth opening as it roared in pain. She got up quickly moved back eyeing the arena she still couldn't see her shield because of the roaring flames.

She quickly shifted her gaze, noticing the weapon on the opposite end of the arena she could only see half of it, which was propped up slightly. She ran forward ignoring the demon who was still roaring in pain. She watched its huge black shadow stumble half hitting the huge cage support Taki's cage swung for a moment before going still.

She leapt forward trying to grab the weapon only to find her self-crying out in pain because of the heat of the shield, which was half engulfed in flames. She grabbed the weapon despite the searing burn. Her gaze narrowed she could hear the demons feet hitting the floor she could hear it's breath as it hit the air, which was thick with smoke from the flames.

She looked at the long shield for a moment, a moment which to her felt like an entirety in the mist of battle. Her hand slowly grasped the leather around the shield, which was still warm. The whole of the lower half of the shields metal was burning red hot like the flames themselves, which burned up around her.

She turned on her heels feeling her metal souls hit the ground, they had been her only remaining piece of armour including her shoe guards but somehow in all this she had leant that armour was something she could live with out. Because despite all her wound despite all her burns and scars and blood that had dripped from her body she was still breathing and still fighting.

There was no greater glory than to face your fears hopefully she could at least earn her place on the Elysian Fields when her time did come. At least they wouldn't deny her that since she had fought for her god. Her gaze moved up to Taki's cage she could still see the lightning flying out from it she could still hear her girlfriend screaming trying to get free.

She turned back meeting the demon's red eyes if she was going to die she was going to take him with her! The filthy Uni So An Ki wouldn't live to have the last laugh she'd rid Suzuka of her disgusting beast, which she was so proud of! This demon deserved no less than to die, so it was forced to return to where ever it's version of Tartars was, even it meant she'd end up in hers!

She watched the huge black-clawed feet hit the ground, her eyes narrowed as they left it the demon's feet left the floor as it leapt at her. Her feet pulled back instantly as she pulled back the flaming hot shield. She could feel her heart hitting her rib cage she could feel the sweat dripping down her face. She grinded her teeth together narrowing her eyes until they where slits.

She turned like lightening her shield swung around impacting with the demon's face in mid flight. The sound was like lightning cracking the earth, green blood flew in all direction's the shields body buckled as it shattered lightning flying out from it's sides which had come down from her shield arm.

The Uni So An Ki was thrown backwards as the long shield broke in two it slammed in to the ground at the opposite end of the arena. Teeth flew out of it's mouth while it roar of agony hit the air it's huge horned head went up thrashing from side to side trying to get a broken piece of shield out of it's bleeding tongue. It's head hit the floor repeatedly as green blood began to soak the arena.

Sophitia eyed the shield in her hand only half it remained the other half was lying near by, while shards of it lay in places. She pulled up the weapon she was unwounded by the blow she grunted aloud not that she'd have cared if it had wounded her anyway. It wasn't like it'd make a difference to her already bruised body, she didn't really care that she'd broken the weapon ether.

It was going to break anyway it'd had, had a crack down it anyway, it wasn't like it was made to last and it wasn't like she needed it anyway. She sneered watching the demon as it rose to its feet as it finally managing to pull the thick shield piece out of its tongue. It turned looking at her it's half closed yellow eye squinting it was obvious she had really done some real damage.

The demon's face was dripping with green blood it had cuts all over it's shoulders from where the broken shield pieces had scratched, it tongue was bleeding and as it opened it's mouth she could see that she'd smashed half a row of it's teeth on it's bottom yaw. Not that this made much difference overall since it had four rows behind that.

Although she had broken both the huge bottom canines which where only on the first row off bottom teeth, it did make some difference. The demon could no longer bite down just with it's lower set, because it had no canines to grip with on the bottom yaw, it was only left with long canines on the top jaw. She shrugged her shoulders watching the demon breath in heavily.

It was trying to regain it's breath, somehow that didn't impress her the fact that the stupid beast needed to break combat was pathetic. She looked at the broken shield in her hand and then tossed it to one side somehow the thought of breaking it's upper canines felt like fun, it was odd how in all this she could now see why Taki got so much pleasure out of killing demons.

There was so much more thrill in it than just fighting them demons were strong opponents, they where tough and fast. Somehow it made the whole fight more interesting, since these monsters didn't give up or surrender. Damaging something bigger than yourself and stronger than your self seemed liked a great accomplishment, you could loose at any second but it added to the thrill.

She'd fought half demons and Lizard men berserkers and cruel men, but they where nothing like this, oh no this was glorious! This was a fight worth fighting for! She was standing in front of something she couldn't defeat and knew would take her down and somehow it thrilled her. This was the first true demon she'd ever fought on her own and with out Taki's help.

She smiled laughing slightly then eased up her sword, she could feel the blood pumping through her system mixed with adrenaline. Okay maybe she was going out of her mind but it wouldn't have been the fist time she'd only ever felt this twice before. The first time was after she'd cut the Lizard man unit down all by herself all that time ago.

The second had been when Taki had driven her wild by her teasing. The time the beautiful ninja woman had almost made love to her in the labyrinth, the moment when she'd felt like she was loosing herself but wanted to loose herself because she didn't care for the world around her at that point. It could've blasted in to flames for all she cared.

It was so strange how both feelings where the same in there own strange way although Taki's had been the better one. She closed her eyes remembering Taki's feeling she'd always had that right up until the beast finally killed her, if there where perfects moments in her life she could think of none better than the time she'd spent with the woman she's fallen in love with.

That was worth dieing for, nothing could take it away from her nothing could hurt it because it was precious to her. She snapped her eyes open pulling back her weapon hearing her self scream aloud she watched the demon throw it's head back roaring at her. She pulled up her weapon slowly reading it to strike, her gaze narrowing.

Taki slammed her foot in to the cage kicking it again, her gaze moved quickly to Sophitia both her and demon where eyeing each other up while trying to regain there breathe. She turned kicking the cage again only to feel a shearing pain go through her whole body as her foot impacted with the bars. Her gaze shot around again to Sophitia she had to get out of this bastard cage! She had to help her!

She had just watched her smash her shield against the demon's face although the force of her blow was probably what had broken the shield, Sophitia always hit to hard but she knew all to well that demon strategy was normally to ware down a human opponent, which was just what the bastard Uni So An Ki was doing!

She slammed her foot in to bars again only to feel the lightning as it went through her, she pulled back feeling herself cry out in pure agony. The cage was getting more and more painful to kick with every blow. She pushed her fringe out of her eyes in annoyance so much her trying to be a hero! She had screwed up this time and Sophitia was taking the punishment!

Her gaze narrowed saying that Seung Mina was the real idiot! Why the hell had she followed her here? What had gone through Mina's head, which had made the stubborn Korean find her way here? Why was Kilik here? This was all so wrong! How they had they both got in to the temple? She'd never told Mina where the temple was!

What in the hell was going on none of it made sense to her? It was irritating and annoying the last think she wanted was for two of her good friends to be hurt and in the same mess she was in. She turned around hitting the bars with all her might, she found herself almost screaming as the lightning struck her body.

She pulled back holding her leg, trying to ease the pain it was getting worse with every blow. She turned quickly glancing at the balcony they where all there watching her, her whole family Suzuka herself who was staring to look annoyed it was obvious they could see it all from their position above. This was so humiliating she was hating every moment off it she was helpless and trapped like a scared animal in a cage.

She could feel herself struggling to keep her composer she could feel her eyes watering it seemed odd that she wanted to cry now. She felt the tears as they started to run down her face but she couldn't help it, she knew she was starting to get desperate. She slammed out her foot hitting the bars while trying to ignore her own desperate sobs, she screamed feeling the lightning hit her.

She didn't care if she had to break her leg she'd get out of this bastard cage! She was not going to let Sophitia die! She kicked out this time hitting the bars so hard that the cage began to swing. She pulled up her hand wiping away her tears of frustration it hadn't hit her till now that she could be playing out Sophitia vision, if this truly was Sophitia's vision.

She stopped short kicking herself mentally she didn't believe in that kind off thing! She believed in Sophitia's god she just didn't believe in Sophitia's premonition. Visions never say the full truth and Sophitia might not have seen the end off it. She believed in the woman she loved more than anything on earth she just had a gut feeling that Sophitia's vision was missing something.

She turned hitting the bars with her fist, she could feel the blood starting to pump faster and faster through her body, she had, had enough of this! She knew her mind was starting to ask her question which she couldn't answer and even if she could it wouldn't make any difference. She was here stuck in this cage with very few options apart from to kick it and smash it until she could get free.

What she wouldn't have given to have Rekki-Maru right now, it pained her even more that she could see it slammed in to a weapon binder opposite it was Sophitia's Omega sword she could see it from her position shining under it's weapon binder, she couldn't see the Elk shield but something told her it was close by. Suzuka was sitting close by with her hand on Mekki-Maru, which was looking around with its one eye.

She stopped suddenly something hitting her, maybe in all her turmoil she'd forgotten that Rekki-Maru was so much like the Omega Sword it was pure. This was be side's the point but if Sophitia could will her sword to come to her couldn't she do the same to Rekki-Maru?

She didn't think her next moves came before she had chance to really think anything through, she pulled her hand out to it was just outside the bars. She winced trying not to touch the steel bars. Her fingers slowly spread out, she was going to force her weapon to come to her she didn't care how long it took she'd will it!

She narrowed her gaze trying to focus on just Rekki-Maru, which was lying silently in its binder almost dead to the world around it. She kept her eyes on it not flinching keeping her body steady, it had to come her! She had to will it she knew full well it was stronger than the weapon binder Suzuka had put it in!

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Aeon slowly moved through the long tunnel he slowly placed his clawed feet on the stone steps. They'd been following these steps for what felt like ages, he stopped watching as Yasashiku pulled up his wings causing light to blast through the tunnel, which lit up everything. Aeon narrowed his gaze seeing a huge stonewall two steps ahead.

It rose up very high and looked as solid as stone could be he watched as the Jin Uni Ki leader pulled himself up on to his hind legs putting a clawed hand on the wall "This would be our way out, is everyone ready?" Keiko breathed in slowly "Ready when you are Yasashiku." Jiro shook his head "Are we all sure about this? Because you all know that the ugly Revenant might wake up as soon as we open this wall."

Ryozo turned meeting his gaze "Brother we don't have time for idea minded thoughts like these time is running out above." Kiyoshi slowly nodded "He has a point the ninja's can't wait any longer, plus if we might beable to fly up the abyss. That is if climbing gets hard which it just might since the thing is covered in bones."

Aeon watched Yasashiku nod then pull up his clawed hand he watched the Jin Uni Ki leader run his clawed hand, he pushed slowly on the wall. He pulled back watching as the wall began to shift it's huge rock face moved outward as part of it came forward showing of a huge solid stone door with no handles. He slowly tapped his clawed finger against it.

The massive block moved slowly separating from the wall, it began to pull away completely from the stone. Its upper door separating completely as it came downward opening like some sort of strange bridge. He watched the light come through as the door's upper half hit the floor with a creaking sound it filled him with joy to watch the first natural light flood in.

It felt like ages since he'd seen this light, real light the normal kind not, which was made by flaming torches in the darkness. He sniffed the air for a second enjoying it before following the Jin Uni Ki leader who had stepped on to the lowered door. He watched as a huge place came in to view it had a huge stonewall covered in thousands of bones

A cage lay near by its long chain hanging down, it looked like it had hit the ground with some force because it was slightly on its side. Orange blood was spattered across the floor, he flicked out his tongue it was Jumo blood because of it's rotten smell.

Millions of demon and human bones where scattered all around creating ugly faces in the low light, he slowly moved off the door, his gaze turned as the rest off the Jin Uni Ki made there way on to the ground. He turned quickly hearing the grinding sound as the door which become almost like a bridge rose up slowly grinding it's way back in to the wall instantly vanishing from sight.

He turned gazing around him this was the central labyrinth? It was larger than he'd have expected. His gaze travelled upward there where strong ray of light bursting downward. He found himself squinting as his eyes got used to it, something orange and red was burning outwards above him and he could see what looked like a cage hanging from a great height.

If it was a cage it was hard to tell since they where all so far down, he was sure there was some kind off a fire burning though because it flickered. He could hear noise as well although it was hard to make any of it out. He felt closed his eyes he could feel something, he felt his hand tighten around his weapon. He knew this feeling he felt it every time he was with Sophitia…

He watched as Keiko jumped slightly landing by his side "I know what you're feeling I can feel it to, we have to hurry." Aeon's eyes snapped open he watched Keiko open her wings to their full length "Get on my back, I'll fly you up there." Kiyoshi took a slow step forward "Be careful Keiko." Keiko shrugged her shoulder slightly "Don't worry I will."

Yasashiku turned quickly "Ryozo! Jiro! Follow her up fly as high as you can and be careful these bone walls will break your wings! So don't fall in flight, I know we said we would climb but there's no time I can hear souls suffering up above!" He turned to his son "If the destroyer awakens we'll lull him to sleep, two Jin Uni Ki can do it." He watched his son nod.

Keiko slowly flapped her wings she watched as Jiro and Ryozo opened there's "This going to be a long way up." Jiro snorted aloud "No kidding." He opened his wing watching as his brother did the same "Well it could be worse the old moronic boned idiot could be awake." Ryozo turned slowly "Shut up little brother we have no time for this!"

Aeon grabbed hold of the fur on Keiko's shoulders tighter "Em… one question I've never flown before, is there anything I need to know?" Keiko slowly raised her self up on to her hinds "Oh nothing much just hold on real tight, I fly faster than these two, probably because I'm lighter." Jiro sniggered "I'd just hold on for dear life Aeon she goes real fast careful you don't loose your lunch, plus if she falls there's no exits"

Ryozo turned slightly "Little brother you can be such an asshole." Jiro shrugged slightly "Oh come on I'm only playing with my friend, just want to get him ready that's all." Aeon grabbed tighter while wrapping his tail tighter around Keiko's waist "Thanks I feel real great after you telling me that." Keiko shook her mane "Oh ignore them Aeon, I mean we Jin Uni Ki are the best flying demons of them all."

She shook her wings "Just one thing through." Aeon looked up slightly "Yes?" She shook her mane again "Please don't grab my horns on the way up it's very uncomfortable." Aeon shook his head holding even tighter "No problem." He closed his eyes tight as he felt Keiko's hind legs tense ready to spring this was not going to be good he could feel it in his gut.

He felt the air fly through his scales as they felt the ground, he breathed in wishing he didn't have to do this. Everything around him seemed to move faster as they flew faster. All he could see was the world moving quicker as Keiko's huge wings beat faster.

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Sophitia felt the pain as she impacted with the floor, she groaned coming to a painful stop on it. She grabbed her sword quickly slamming it around hitting the demon in the face. She pulled herself up in to a kneeling position kicking it in the foot, she watched as it howled moving back painfully.

She eased herself to her feet she could feel the air in her lungs as she breathed in heavily. She was covered in sweat now from the heat of the flames, which hadn't died down even now. The battle was not ending despite her best efforts and no matter how much damage she was doing to this demon it wasn't making much difference she was just getting more and more exhausted.

She watched as the demon rose up it black body gleaming in the darkness while it's huge mouth opened in a roar that shook the arena. Its long tongue came out again with it single eye swerving in mid air. It huge muscle covered body hit the arena as it's claws dug in to the platform it was like a nightmare just a living one which she couldn't defeat even with all her efforts.

She stopped short as she realized what she was seeing, she watched in a long moment as the fires blasted up around her. She closed her eyes for a spilt second her hold on her weapon tightening.

Suzuka slowly sat up in her throne she could see the sceptical below somehow it was starting to bore her. Sophitia still wasn't dead! The little bitch had managed to break her chains as well freeing herself. Oh how Taki's clan had loved that one she slammed her fist in to the table, she was sick off this Sophitia was turning this fight around!

She stopped short hearing something, which caused both her and Akuma to turn suddenly, it was a rattling sound one she'd heard before. Her good eye narrowed as it made contact with Rekki-Maru in its weapon binder. The weapon was rattling trying to free itself she watched in stunned surprise as the Omega sword started to do the same although not with as much force.

She turned leering at Taki's cage this couldn't be happening! How was the bitch doing it? She could see Taki's hand poking through the bars the woman was trying to call her weapon! She swung her head around watching both weapon's rattle more forcefully it seemed like a daunting moment of horror as the Omega sword hit the binder hard.

She had to stop the bitch and quickly! She sneered turning quickly to Akuma "Give me one of the metal staffs with a huge pointed tip!" She watched as Akuma's face turned to confusion she slammed her fist in to the thrones hand rest as she got to her feet "Now!" Akuma pulled up slowly grabbing one of the staffs from behind the throne he turned watching as Suzuka snatched it out of his hand.

He took a step back "What are you going to do?" Suzuka pulled up the weapon "I'm board I want to make things interesting." She grinned evilly seeing Toki's face turn to shock horror the old ninja master tried to stand but was pushed down by one of the assassin guards. She smiled at him "Now, now old man you look very pale."

Toki pulled his chains hard "What are you going to do?" Suzuka smirked "Oh I don't know kill your daughter, her spirit is starting to annoy me." Toki yanked on his chains "What! You can't do that Sophitia is still fighting!" Suzuka shrugged slightly "Yeah well she's not dieing fast enough!"

Toki pulled up fighting the guards who where pushing him down he could hear his other children's shocked cries "She's my daughter! I love her! You can't do this!" Suzuka narrowed her good eye slowly beginning a chant she watched as the staffs pointed tip burst in to blue flames as its bade became stronger with the magic. She turned spiting at the old ninja master "Watch me!"

Sophitia ran forward she slammed her weapon in to the demon's face the huge demon lunged back in what seemed like slow motion. It suddenly came forward with out warning. It's clawed hand swung back hitting her with agonizing force in her lower stomach. The force of the blow caused pain to burn through her body she felt the floor as her feet left it.

She felt the agonizing pain all over as her body hit the metal supports holding up Taki's cage, the pain was agonizing it stung all over. She looked up watching the cage swing for a spilt second her shock horror over whelmed her in a desperate moment she'd seen this before! She had seen all this before it wasn't just her mind playing tricks with her.

She had to get up! She moaned feeling the pain in her body, which was no the verge of exhaustion, it hurt to move it hurt all over. Her body was suddenly slammed down with what was agonizing force, which caused her to scream in pain. She felt the pain and agony as the huge black claws drove themselves in to her unarmoured shoulder they dug deep in to her skin.

She stared up in a moment of silence as the Uni So An Ki swung its tongue like a whip through the air. She turned painfully watching as her blood began to leak out on to the platform. Her gaze narrowed as the red liquid dripped out from under her brown leather strap, she was sure its claws had gone right through her. She turned seeing part of her broken shield near by.

She pulled out her hand trying to grab at it she had no idea where her sword had fallen! She tried to reach the shield despite the agony in her impaled shoulder. She found herself screaming as the demon drove it's claws in deeper in to her shoulder. It pulled up it's other clawed hand smashing at the cage supports causing the huge cage to swing above.

Her gaze suddenly went upwards as she watched something fly through the air, it moved so slowly like it was out of time to her. It looked like a blazing dark blue coloured light shaft as it flew through the air. Its long pointed tip flying above her in slow motion like something out of Tarturus.

In a moment that only made her scream more it smashed through the cage supports. She watched as the cage fell she could only turn she could only stare in horror, as the only person she'd ever loved fell. The cage seemed to fly past her so slowly towards the labyrinths abyss below. Sophitia found herself screaming aloud for all she was worth in share horror and desperation.

She could see the horror in Taki's eyes she could see her face she could see the long black hair moving through the air as the cage sped past her! It couldn't be real! It couldn't be happening! It wasn't real this was just some nightmare and she was going to wake up any second! She kept on trying to tell herself in her moment of helpless, but she knew all to well this was real and it was happening.

Taki found herself screaming in horror she was falling! She watched as the world sped past her she turned seeing Sophitia's face the look in her girlfriends face was one that shocked her it was full of desperation and sadness. She felt the agony as her body hit the bars causing lightning to fly outwards she slammed out her foot kicking in desperation as the cage fell past the arena.

She had to get out! She didn't want to die! She found herself screaming as Sophitia's face disappeared from view. All her world seemed to stop all her thoughts seemed to leave her all being replaced by one single thought, this was Sophitia's vision, it had come to pass. She closed her eyes picturing Sophitia's face the only image she wanted to die with the only thing she'd ever really cared about.

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Aeon looked up as he watched the cage fall, he'd seen something break its support from his position on Keiko's back. He watched as the huge cage fell forward plunging downwards towards them. His gaze widened as it smashed against the bone wall it's metal frame almost bunking under the force off the blow.

Keiko looked up in surprise watching in mid flight as the cage came down towards her, she pulled to one side almost slamming her wing in to the bone wall in mid flight as it sped past her, the look of horror crossed her face as she saw that there was someone in it. All her thoughts left her as she swung around in mid flight diving down after it she knew full well Jiro and Ryozo where following her.

She heard Aeon cry out in terror as they flew downwards she slowly spread her wings back getting ready to grab the cage. She pulled out her clawed hand making a grab for the cage in mid flight she smiled feeling her clawed fingers grab it. She suddenly felt a horrible pain as lightning shot through her causing immense pain, she found her self-roaring in agony.

She let go almost loosing flight in mid air, she watched the cage hit the side wall as it plummeted to earth it's door was suddenly thrust open and a figure was thrown out completely. It was a female figure she watched in horror as it fell, she pulled back her wings despite the pain trying to follow. She could still feel Aeon clinging her desperately trying not to let go.

Jiro looked up in confusion he didn't get a chance to think as something hit him in mid-flight, he was thrown backwards loosing all flight in his wings he found himself plummeting downwards towards the earth below. He roared in agony as his wing hit the bone wall, he only just managed to move in his falling flight as a huge metal cage flew past him hitting the earth below with a crash that echoed upwards.

He carried on falling he could still feel whatever it was clinging to him, he hit the wall again roaring in pain as blood and white feathers flew in all directions. He felt the earth as he hit it with his shoulder, he found himself rolling painfully on the solid earth as hundreds of bones flew in all directions. He final came to a stop as he slammed his clawed hands in to the ground painfully trying to ease his crash landing.

He groaned painfully watching as Kiyoshi ran towards him, oh how his body hurt, everything hurt so badly. He turned moaning then slowly eased up his wing seeing that it was bleeding badly he wasn't sure if he'd broken it because it was to painful to move it. His gaze suddenly widened as he saw what had been clinging to him, it was lying next to him. He pulled himself up despite all his pain trying to look at it, his face turned to shock horror.

It was Taki! She was lying next to him she had by the looks off things hit him when she'd fallen out off the cage. She'd clung on to him as they both fallen for what must have been dare life. He slowly pulled his clawed hand under her turning her on to her front despite some serious cuts and her tattered body suit she didn't look seriously hurt, although he wasn't all that sure.

He wasn't even sure if she was died or if she had just passed out ether, he pushed her with his claws trying to coax some life out of her, but it seemed she wasn't coming around. He leaned forward sniffing her slightly he could smell her soul so she wasn't dead he was sure of it. He groaned this was not something he was good at healing was Keiko's thing he had no idea how to wake her up!

He turned seeing the crumpled mess that was the cage lying near by, It had buckled inwards there was still lightning flying outwards from it's broken steel bars. No doubt it was some kind of demon holding cage, now useless to anyone. If Taki had been in that on impact she'd have been dead for sure, she'd probably be in pieces, she'd only survived by share luck.

He breathed in deeply if you could call hitting him in mid flight lucky it hadn't been lucky for him he wasn't sure if his right wing was broken. Still it had saved her from a horrible death and somehow he was glad to see her again even if it had been in strange circumstances.

He groaned slowly then with one clawed hand picked up the ninja woman off the floor from where she was lying. His gaze shot up this was not good his crash landing had probably woken up the destroyer! It was only a matter of time before it started to awaken and he'd have to be ready for it. He picked up Taki slowly shaking her he had to wake her up and fast!

End of Part 11

By Silvermoonlight (Gabrielle Jackson)

Copyright 2004-06-22

* Authors note * I apologize again for this being so dame late, my collage was being evil and tossing homework at me so much so I wasn't able to finish this until now. Still Since it's my spring break and I have no homework as such chapter 12 will be started right away and maybe up very soon, I hope so anyway. Hope you all enjoyed this and it was a good chapter.