Fan Fiction ❯ Second Advent of the Vow ❯ Hell's Entrails ( Chapter 17 )

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Soul Calibur.

Note: Violence and battle scenes depicted. Please be cautioned.

Chapter V: Hell's entrails

-"This place must be the entrance to hell!"

Her own words kept echoing inside her mind relentlessly. As her feet kept threading the cave's hard soil, Sophitia's senses were been steadily invaded by a feeling of dread, unlike anything experienced before. Only facing Cervantes had she sensed more pungent emanations of pure evil soak everything around with its dark aura. Sophitia fought the unsettling emotions with logic as her weapon. She realized that it wasn't the claustrophobia inducing narrowness of the corridors or the darkness that seemed to devour any available spec of light like dark holes engulfed whole planets. It took quite a while for her eyes to get used to the darkness, but that wasn't what truly bothered her. It was the almost palpable presence of evil, so strong, so deep seethed, so oppressive that it menaced to drain her spirit's power to the core. There, it resided the true dangerousness of this place.

It seemed Taki had perceived it to, noticing the free hand of the ninja slipping over Mekki-Maru, as if she intended to prevent its unknown powers from awakening and spinning out of control. She had observed the ninja's expression grow stern and severe. Her fingers traced the strange symbols carved in the living stone and her raven-dark eyes spelled without words utter concern while she studied Ivy's map and its annotations once more in search of answers. Her eyebrows met in a frown.

-"I do not like this at all", Rock and Sophitia heard Taki comment sternly. "These symbols are placed to invoke ancient spells of dark origin. These lands are cursed beyond redemption and this mountain seems to be the core and origin of all the malignant energies. I fear what we're about to face is not mere humans nor monsters, but something far more troublesome. We need to stand our ground and cleanse our spirits from any ill thoughts, so we do not risk having them reverted against ourselves."

It had been about an hour since Taki's admonitions were the last words they had exchanged. The cave kept elongating forth in confounding corridors and for the largest of the group, just moving forward was getting to be a more difficult task. The female warriors had also noticed a change in the American warrior. His walk was not as sure and firm as usual, substituted instead by a certain nervousness. His eyes scanned the surroundings anxiously, as if he couldn't wait for an open space to finally materialize. Sophitia put a hand over his muscled shoulder in a reassuring gesture, and as he turned back to acknowledge the sign, she saw a hint of a perhaps very old rooted fear reflected on them.

Taki signaled them to stop while she advanced further to explore. Sophitia decided to take the momentary pause to confront the ax-wielding giant. It was imperative for the success of their mission for all of them to confront and control their most inner fears before they yielded to Palgaea's sinister powers. The sound of Rock's fists gripping Apocalypse tighter as the light faded with Taki was all the cue the Greek needed.

-"Its everything alright?" the Athenian asked softly.

-"Is it that obvious?" he replied ashamed. His right hand balled up in a fist and in frustration, he drove it violently against the cave's sharp wall. His head sank leveled with his shoulders.

-"We all have certain fear hidden deep inside our hearts and I believe even someone as tough and brave as you must have them."

-"I'm amazed of your keen observation, but then again, I shouldn't be. You managed to see the good in me when I was under the curse of madness and attacked you. Again, your intuition is correct. It's just that what is bothering me is far too painful to even talk about."

-"You must try. You need to be sound of spirit and mind to rescue Bangoo."

-"It's funny but I'm so glad that the place I now call home is plenty of open spaces and sunshine. I hate confined spaces; they awake memories of my past, memories that I want to remain away from my conscience as long as possible. You know that like Bangoo, I'm also an orphan. What you might ignore is that I was deprived of my parents by the maniacal pirate we know as Cervantes De Leon and his demonic lust for Soul Edge."

-"I, I didn't know that Rock I'm sorry."

"Don't be, that was long ago, but although I survived I do keep scars of that frightful night that beast slaughtered my parents and sank our ship. I was just a child; I couldn't understand why my father was so excited about his latest acquisition. After many years passed, as I kept recollecting memories of my past, of the boy once known as Nathaniel Adams, I realized that what my father had obtain was Soul Edge. His satisfaction was short-lived because Cervantes found us and the rest, as they say, is history."

-"This madman killed your parents to obtain that dreaded thing"

-"You've said it yourself. I remember all too well the last instants. My father, out of desperation hid Soul Edge on the ship's stockroom and he made me stay on the cabin by myself. It was a stormy night; he left no light as not to call De Leon's attention there. Then I …." Rock's voice broke slightly while his mind brought back the harrowing memories. He breathed in and continued as Sophitia listened attentively.

-" I could hear the screams of terror from above from my father and mother as I shivered in a corner, terrified, awaiting for the demon to leap out of the maddening darkness to take me away too. It has been a while since I've had nightmares about it but it took me long years to finally have a complete night of sleep devoid of such dreams. I had to sleep outside in open spaces under the reassuring light of the moon and stars to realize I wasn't in that cursed ship anymore. And now the darkness, the dank smell, the narrow space, this damn place is bringing it all back! "

A long silence followed the traumatic story. The two fighters stood in mid darkness listening only to their own heartbeats and breathing. Suddenly, Rock turned towards the Greek and to her surprise, his countenance relaxed and offered a smile. Although the shadow of grief still lingered in his dark eyes, Rock looked as if a burden had been suddenly lifted from his shoulders.

-"I guess I needed to open up and let all this out. Thank you for lending me a sympathetic ear."

The Athenian smiled back. It seemed her strategy had been successful after all and the retelling of the terrible story had helped Rock to ease part of the pain welled inside him for so long and with it, its present manifestation in Rock's phobias. "You have nothing to thank me about. It is not only the darkness or the confinement; this place has a very negative aura and is bringing forth our fears to use it against ourselves. I can feel it too and even my old wounds seem to be reacting again after so long. But we have to remain focused or else we will surely fall ensnared by madness!"

-"Sophitia, Rock, hurry, we need to move fast!" Taki rushed them with long, hurried steps.

-"What, did you find something?", asked Rock anxiously.

-"Yes, and I don't like it a bit but I think it is the straightest way toward the dungeons. Ivy's map is not too detailed about what's inside Palgaea so from here on is up to us and the providence of the gods that we find the right way. She does mention the `zoo', though."

-"What, a zoo, inside this place?"

-"I wouldn't take the meaning too literally, I'm sure it wasn't designed to hold animals..."

-"...but creatures spawned by the cursed magic of these cultists, like poor Aeon, am I right?"

-"I wouldn't doubt it at all Sophitia. Whatever sorcery enslaved and corrupted your friend, it was surely a strong one. I've fought many variations of these kind of spells before but they are very treacherous and dangerous. We cannot afford to lower our guard at any cost!"

As Taki had indicated, the corridors ended up on a larger opening. Cloaked by obscurity and hidden from sight, the three warriors watched two burly guards at opposite sides of an iron gate armed with halberds. Blood-chilling shrieks seeped to the outside, making the Palgaean guards gesture nervously. A slight move of Taki's hand was soon followed by the lightning strike trajectory of Rekki-Maru thrown towards a guard's neck. The blade went through cleanly and a spurt of dark blood gusted from the guard's mouth. As the second guard reacted to the slumping body of his mate, Rock's arms came around the guard's ribs and soon a second body slamming against the floor followed the crisp sound of bones cracking. Opening the creaking old gate slowly, the warriors slipped inside cautiously, blades shimmering deadly on the ready.

Sophitia jumped startled at the immediate sight of the remains of a human arm being gnawed by a wolf like beast. His sharp fangs ripped through the muscles and tendons of the arm effortlessly. The remainder of the carcass wasn't too far from the beast and the distinctive smell of fresh blood could be perceived. The beast was held behind stout iron bars and a long iron chain hung from its neck, anchored to a ring on the wall. The Athenian closed her eyes drawing her breath trying to calm the upsetting sensation that had fallen upon her stomach. Her eyes soon found similar beasts that looked back at the intruders, some with curious eyes, others with bloodlust and madness.

"So this is the Palgaea zoo. My guess is here is where they hold those creatures that they have been unable to fully control or just were useless to their plans", commented Taki as she scanned the miserable place. It was rather obvious that this place held little or no interest to the priests due to the lack of proper vigilance and the sense of abandon that permeated the precinct. A foul stench of rotten meat, dank water and feces stung the warriors' nostrils. Taki cursed the instant she decided to do without her mask, the foul smell almost making her gag. There was an almost sense of despair and hopelessness upon the beasts' eyes, eerily almost too humanlike. Hisses, shrieks and growls all mingled in the bizarre spectacle of heretic creations, now forgotten by their masters. The Athenian's eyes moistened at the sight of what it seemed to have been before fallen prey of the cult a boy not older than his brother Lucius. His face remained human but his limbs were those of a goat, giving him an appearance much similar to the fabled shepherd god Pan of her homeland Ancient myths. Rock observed the boy in silence, gritting his teeth, fearing the worst for his young ward.

-"Over here", whispered Taki, more as a way to call her partners' attention than to lead the way.

Still affected by the sight of the child, the Greek and the American followed the ninja's swift steps that now approached a backdoor hidden on a narrow corner. According to the map, the door was supposed to connect the hall of beasts with the dungeons. Inhaling deeply, Taki pushed the door, Sophitia and Rock following suit. The racket of the beasts faded behind the thick door. Strange sounds akin to eggshells being crushed came from their feet as they walked forward through the dank corridor, as if they were stepping on a sticky, soft substance. Rock felt a strange tickle on his left forearm. Taki's torch lowered for an instant and the light came over the shape of a large, hairy spider with a multitude of yellowish eyes. Rock, undaunted, shrugged the insect away with a flick of his index finger. Out of sheer curiosity, the ninja illuminated the floor just to realize that the squishy sensation under her boots were many more of the same ugly insect crowding the nasty floor. The ninja couldn't help to grimace, disgusted. One thing was to fight terrible demons; another much different was to deal with loathsome eight legged, hirsute arachnids and she would much rather take on any of the Netherworld inhabitants any time of the day rather than deal with one more of these filthy insects. Her pace speeded up, wishing to leave the cursed corridor behind. Sophitia decided just to ignore the uncomfortable sensation under her feet.

A new window of terrors was about to be unveiled to the intrepid warriors as they inched towards the dungeons. Blood curling screams alerted them of their closeness to the Palgaean jail. From their hiding place behind the door, peeking through the bars of the small opening that served as window, they could see two herculean blood golems with flagellums, reading for a new round of punishment for the unwilling guests that populated the dungeons. The golems had at their disposal infamous instruments of torture like the iron maiden, St Catherine's wheels and the rack among other monstrosities. Shackled by wrists and ankles against the filthy, blood-stained wall, several men hanged; their bodies mere carcasses that barely breathed, the orbits of their eyes almost popping out of their cadaveric faces. Some still had open wounds, made with the intent of provoking a slow, painful death coupled with the collaboration of hungry rats that peeled away skin and flesh unmercifully.

Suddenly, a flash of white light blinded the golems. As they struggled to recover their sight, the blade of Rekki Maru pierced one of the golem's chest from behind. The second never knew what had happened to the other because the Omega sword cut from left to right his neck. The deed done, both bodies were soon hidden effortlessly by Rock on the corridor leaving a dark trail on the floor. Watching for the advance of more possible golems, the warriors moved quick, their eyes now scanning anxiously the cells looking for a young boy, but as they kept moving forward, they realized with doom that Bangoo was not to be found there. Rock's mandible tensed and the planes of his face hardened under the animal skull.

-"That cursed priest! Where is Bangoo?" The giant seemed to have reached the final straw of his patience.

His trail of thoughts was suddenly interrupted by the all too familiar sound of blades being unsheathed left and right. The warriors rushed to the opposite side just to be surprised by another large group already on battle stance. The light of the torches brought flashes over the blades of the guards' weapons as they approached the intruders from the two corners. In a matter of mere instants, they arrived quickly and assembled in a horseshoe formation around the three fighters, who found themselves pushed against a wall. The opposition was formidable; golems, humans and lizards all armed to the hilt; the elite among the Palgaean army ready to take them down.

-"Bangoo!!!!"

The massive ax wielder soon took the first line of attackers with a single blow of Apocalypse. Rock swung the battle-ax with a devastating mid-low sweeping move and the first attackers received the blow fully on their abdomen and lower extremities. Rock trampled over the fallen foes and advanced menacingly swinging lethally the huge blade; each contact against a body opening deep wounds and severing limbs. A lizardman hurled a spear towards the American giant but Rock deflected it with the flat of the ax and caught the lizard between his chest and the ax and crushed it against himself. With its cervical cord broken in two, the limp body of the reptile slipped to the floor.

The female warriors weren't idle either. As Rock broke through the first ranks, Taki followed swiftly behind with fast as lightning strikes causing mayhem with a combination of jaw breaking kicks and stabs with her sharp ninjato while the Athenian took the opposite flank opening crimson canals with the short sword and numbing blows with the shield. The attackers soon realized they had been decimated in a matter of minutes and decided to fall back. Rock's fury unleashed, he followed visibly enraged the fleeing Palgaeans.

-"Rock wait...don't follow them. They'll regroup!" screamed Sophitia to no avail. The grim ambience, the scent of evil on the air combined with the heat of battle had unleashed the Berserker that laid dormant on her friend, the same she had fought three years ago on the North American Savannah.

-"Taki, we need to stop him! He's stepping further inside their trap!"

But it was too late. The American titan had already immersed himself in an almost labyrinth-like set of corridors with the female warriors running behind. The crude caverns gave way to halls that bore witness of human craftsmanship on its elaboration. They were immersing deeper into the realms of the cult and with now the vantage of stealth gone, all that was left was might and the providence of the gods to see them through their mission. The fighters entered a large hall with the intent of confusing their pursuers, but as the stepped further inside, their exit was blocked by a gate. Undaunted, the female warriors kept moving forward, their eyes peering around the room and its dimness was suddenly extinguished by the sudden gleam of torches that flickered themselves to light.

-"Nice trick", murmured Taki to the Greek, while studying the room. Her analyzing glance discovered placed at the center of the room what she believed to be an altar with a large stone viper towering over a black marbled rectangular stone. Black candles littered its surface, along with scrolls and books. The room was round and hanging on the walls were paintings and tapestries depicting the Palgaea grim deities. The ceiling was also covered by frescoes, the dominating theme of the illustrations being the victory of the wargod Ares unleashing the seething Titans over the Olympians in a brutal battle. Sophitia shuddered, visibly disturbed by the scene.

-"Hmm, an altar. This looks like a hall of worship to their dark deities" commented Taki. While saying this, she felt Meki-Maru stir, this time more insistent than before inside the sealed sheath that kept it under control, but a secret door lifting behind the marbled table took her attention from her blade as more guards appeared, surrounding the two female warriors. Hephaestus chosen warrior and the Demon Huntress positioned towards the center of the hall, their backs almost touching as their weapons once again shimmered menacingly, both assuming their battle stances; the Greek holding firmly sword and shield and the ninja with Rekki-Maru on one hand while the other ready to bring out it's companion if required.

-"Now, how are you going to get away from here, my friends?" said a guard with scorn.

-"Like this!"

The Elk shield swiftly abandoned Sophitia's left arm and traced a silver line as it flew towards the guard's face, hitting him squarely on the face. The guard dove head first backwards and instants later she was between two attackers. As they directed their weapons against her, she maneuvered escaping their blows with a leap and her sword slashed both on her way down. Elk shield back on her arm, the Athenian deflected an attacker and the tip of the Omega sword sank deeply inside the Palgaean's chest. She twisted the blade and brought it out with a horizontal outward move. Meanwhile, the ninja was fending off her share of opposition with agile leaps that utterly confused and infuriated the attackers, only to find their demise in the form of her trusty Rekki Maru. Then she heard them; the soft whispers caressing her ear, the seductive voices that beckoned her to take Mekki-Maru from its slumber and out to the fire and lust of destruction and death.

-"No, I can't yield. I can't allow them to strengthen its evil essence. I must not allow it!"

A furious struggle between sheer willpower and the seduction of evil took place inside Taki's mind and heart, as her attention trailed from the physical struggle to the internal. She felt her concentration tearing apart, drained by the brutal effort of batting both enemies. Then, in a fatal instant, as her attention trailed off from blocking the Palgaean's siren calls on her head to avoid a potential fatal blow, the demons slipped through the ninja's defenses. The ninja's fingers touched softly the cursed blade's hilt and then brought it carefully from its seal. A trail of fire was drawn as it finally came out of imprisonment. The dark energy that had laid dormant on its imprisoning sheath cursed through her arm making it shudder. A part of her still struggled to retain control when her dark eyes discovered behind the altar's table a robed figure chanting what is seemed to be an incantation, his eyes fixated on her. She replied to his malevolent glance with both blades lifted up. Taki felt the sensation of power emanating from the ninjato feeding her strength and the slayers' senses so keenly developed through discipline and hard work were suddenly augmented to a level never experienced before. The cold resolve of the demon huntress was replaced by an urge to annihilate all in her path, the first target being the priest himself. As scores of guards threw themselves against the ninja, with mere slashes of Mekki-Maru, they were pushed away fatally wounded; the cursed blade tip merely touching the unfortunate. Leaping in the air, the ninja landed in front of the priest who looked at her back with a mixture of fear and admiration. Without a word, the ninja brought both blades up and in a single move they cut simultaneously the priest's neck. As she turned her back, his head fell down like a ripe fruit, the expression of horror still fixated on his face.

The shivers that ran down her column alarmed Sophitia of the sudden surge of malevolent energy on the worship hall. Jolted, she caught the image of her friend wielding the cursed blade punishing the remaining guards in the most horrific manner. It wasn't a warrior's fight, it was a massacre. Disposing of her last foe, she ran towards the ninja who looked at her hand's labor entranced.

-"Taki..."

The cold glance that the ninja gave in return froze Sophitia momentarily. She couldn't conciliate the image of her friend with that of the figure that stood before her with arms tainted to the elbow with darkened blood. Her eyes seemed devoid of any humanity. Mekki-Maru gleamed a fatal threat in its edge.

-"You're next!", a grim voice that wasn't the Asian's spewed.

Shaking the surprise, the Greek barely deflected the impact of the ninja sword but as she moved the shield away from her torso pushing away the ninja's strong arm, she connected her boot against the Athenian's upper torso between her collarbones, hurling her down. Still on the floor Sophitia received the new wave of lethal attacks against the blue and gold shield as she struggled to get back on her feet but the Demon huntress was relentless on her blind fury. After what it seemed like an eternity the Greek maneuvered a brief escape and got back on her feet. The blade of Mekki-Maru found the Athenian's upper right arm. She felt the iron burn her skin as it cut through the fabric of her sleeve. As she somersaulted backwards, the reassuring voice of the Oracle broke through her present despair like a beacon in the darkness.

-"Sophitia, your friend is trapped under an evil spell. You have to free her or else she'll be taken forever. You have been given the gift. Use it! Liberate your friend as you did with Aeon."

-"I will, I will not let them take Taki away", she replied to the voice on her mind.

-"Giving up already?" the otherworldly voice that came from the body of the Japanese warrior said mockingly.

-"Never!" and saying this, the Greek amazon charged the possessed Taki leaping into the air. The ninja assumed a guard stance but instead of aiming at her, Sophitia impacted with all her might the space of floor next to the ninja's with her shield. The impact provoked a violent quake-like tremble that shook Taki. While the ninja struggled to keep her footing, the Athenian took the split second window to kick Mekki-Maru forcefully out of her grasp. The cursed ninjato flew high in the air and Sophitia pushed Taki against a wall with the Elk shield.

-"By the power of the almighty Pallas Athena, I command you to leave this host at once, you foul entity!"

The cold shadow that had engulfed the ninja's eyes suddenly disappeared. Her body tensed upwards, and a black shadow emerged with a hiss from the now limp body of the raven-haired warrior. The Omega sword pierced it as it came out and an earsplitting shriek deafened Sophitia momentarily and the shadow vanished in the air. The Greek felt a struggle against her shield.

-"Sophie...what, why are you attacking me. Have you gone mad?" managed to mutter the Asian weakly, the realization of the blunt pain on her chest seeping in.

-"No, but you did.." she replied sternly.

-"I..I don't understand..."

The Greek eased the pressure against the confused ninja, who in turn fell to the floor glancing at the blonde woman in deep confusion. Her eyes watched the mounds of corpses lying around the room and then the blood slipping from the Greek's shoulder caught her attention."Sophitia, you're wounded!"

-"Just a scratch, nothing to worry about. Praise the gods you are back." She momentarily turned her back and lowered her head, looking for something amidst the bodies.

The ninja tried to stand up but her legs gave up on her and slumped back to he ground. "I..I feel so weak, what in the world happened?"

The Greek approached her again with a serious expression on her face. Taki's sword was placed above the shield, as to avoid making direct contact with it. Taki's eyes widened as the impact of faded memories assaulted her back, as if they were engraved over the sword's blade. The fight, the malevolent gods, the voices that beckoned her to wield the cursed weapon...her mind's eye saw herself in a frenzy of destruction and then attacking Sophitia. "It was Mekki-Maru then. It spun out of control strengthened, nourished by this foul place, and then those dreaded prayers...and I yielded under its seduction. I can't believe I was so foolish to let down my concentration! I did that, didn't I?" said the ninja with broken voice pointing at the Greek's arm, the white glove that went up to the elbow now crimson. "I've always feared for something like this to happen. Not even my seals or my spells were able to suppress its true malevolent essence..."

The ninja bowed her head down, a teardrop slowly slipping from her guilt-ridden eyes. "I'm sorry. My overconfidence and the dark yearnings in my heart, however insignificant they might had been, were more than enough to combine with Mekki-Maru's wickedness to overpower me."

The Greek took a knee in front of Taki. The expression on the green eyes was amiable again and Taki felt the Athenian's hand slip over her own.

"Taki, it's over now. You struggled and fought with all your might but the odds were too much, even for you. I'm glad I the gods allowed me the opportunity to aid you for a change."

Taki smiled as answer and with her spirits up, she came back to her feet, feeling her strength return to her slowly, although her legs still felt wobbly under her weight. The Athenian stood up too and offered the blade that still lay over the Greek hoplon. Taki reached for Mekki-Maru with some spell scrolls on her hands. With eyes closed and whispering a prayer in her native language, Taki initiated the sealing rite to return the blade that still bore dry blood to its sheath. The short katana quivered as soon as the seals were placed over the sharp blade. Taki sighted loudly as the blade returned uneventfully to its holding place. The Greek allowed herself to breath again after watching the ninja secure her sword back over her waist.

-"I'm glad that worked. Now, to find our way out of here. We have to still find Rock" said the Greek, as she struggled to push the gate that had trapped them. The door did not budge.

-"Forget about the gate, there's a trapdoor behind the altar. Come, follow me."

And following the blue-clad ninja, Sophitia disappeared through the trapdoor.

**************************************************************** ***********************************************

-"The female warriors have escaped the Initiation Temple!"

-`So, they're even stronger and more skilled than reported. Where's the minotaur-like warrior?"

-"He's approaching fast the path towards Palgaea Shrine, my lord."

-"Very well. I did not foresee that they would take so many of our men down but they're expendable anyway. As long as we seize them, I'm willing to sacrifice each one of you worthless beasts to get them."

The golem captain observed his master in silence, afraid to even think. The Grand Priest was believed to even read thoughts and he couldn't allow the hate he felt towards his creator to slip to his mind.

-"Where's Lady Isabella?" The Grand Priest asked anxiously as he paced around his studio with his hands on his back.

-"Current whereabouts unknown, my lord, but she was last seen heading towards the dungeons."

-"So she has joined the hunt. Interesting. I just hope she doesn't kill any of them, or at least not while I cannot witness it. Go, look for her. Tell her to wait for me on Palgaea Shrine."

-"Yes, my lord Kumpaetku." And after a deep bow, the golem disappeared from the Grand Priest's sight.

-"So this group has proven to be indeed worthy opponents. And the ninja's weapon is so powerful too; it sure will be a great addition to my arsenal...so much potential that they have! Soul Edge will be so pleased with their souls, and I shall rule it's fathomless power!" His maniacal cackle resounded through the room and echoed throughout the halls of Palgaea, chilling the blood of all who heard it.

Somewhere, observing the frantic movements of the cultists' troops, Isabella Valentine slipped her elegant fingers over the passages of the yellowish page of an old book she had sneaked out of the Grand Priest's library. The "heavy guard" that were placed to guard such place laid face down in a pool of their vital fluids; no movements whatsoever came from their lifeless, cold bodies. Noticing the blotch of crimson substance on one of her immaculate white boots, she rubbed it against the clothes of one the corpses and managed to remove the bothersome stain. Not a single expression was reflected on the hard, blue eyes. Her concentration came back to the dusty, antique looking book she held. A sly smile curved her luscious lips.

-"Poor Kumpaetku, you old delusional fool. It sure will be most fitting for you to receive your well-deserved demise by a spark from your own disturbed imagination. I will surely enjoy this."

*Author's notes:

1. Can somebody say cliffhanger? I had planned this chapter to be the last from Book Three but I had so many great ideas that if I had decided to do the whole Palgaea thing here, it would have ended too long. For consistency's sake regarding the average size of my chapters, Palgaea will be a two chapter deal and hopefully, the next installment will end Book Three, but the epic continues!

2. Thank my latest watching of "Record of Lodoss War and the Chibi mini chapters along with too many readings of jin long and Silvermoonlight's fanfics for the next pieceï'¼ (posted on fanfiction.net)

*At the Palgaea realms set.... *

Narrator: "Hephaestus chosen warrior and the Demon Huntress positioned towards the center of the hall, their backs almost touching as their weapons once again shimmered menacingly, both assuming their battle stances; the Greek holding firmly sword and shield and the ninja with Rekki-Maru on one hand while the other ready to bring out its companion if required."

*Sophitia takes her battle stance while Taki's hands reaches back as usual. The Greek suddenly jumps jolted opening her eyes wide and blushing fast*

"Uh, Taki, that's *not* Mekki-Maru's hilt...."

"Oh, oops, sorry about that." *Taki returns her hand forward, whistling. Sophitia glares icily at the ninja.*

"And cut! OK, now what in heaven's was that Taki?"

"Sorry Regie, it's just that I'm getting all confused with all the fanfics I work at..."

"Please Regie I beg you, don't change the pairings!"

*Storming the set, Rothion kneels in front of Regie*

"Rothion, you're not supposed to appear until the end of Book 4! Damn, I just gave away a spoiler!...."

"I know, I know, it's just that this is the only regular fanfic I get to appear in. If it weren't for you, I'll be endlessly stranded on the Soul Calibur unemployment line!"

*Taki smiles evilly*

"You did appear on "The Wounded..."

"Oh, you're right Taki, I appear fighting Nightmare and the next thing I know my brains get splattered on a wall...some gig..."

(Somewhere, Jin Long grins)

*Sophitia looks at Taki and Rothion confused. Rothion and Taki glare at each other angrily*

"Alright people, stop this nonsense! You guys are on my fic now. And Taki..."

"Yes Reg?"

"Stay on role, please..."

"Okay..." *Taki winks at Sophitia. Rothion sees all and jealous, rushes towards Sophitia with a cappuccino.*

*Sophitia smiles a big Chesire Cat smile while drinking her cappuccino.*

"They like me, they really, really like me!"

*Regie27 shrugs and slumps over the laptop* "(Groaning) I need an aspirin!"

The End