The Bluff

Did she want to come down and poke a corpse? "Heck yeah!" Sophie said excitedly, "But you go first." She wore a big grin as she looked up at the dragon, almost like she was daring him to jump down. Aiya wandered closer, but kept her distance of Jakoopi. "What's going on?" she asked with eyebrows tilting downwards.

Jarkoopi returned Sophie a small grin and spoke, "If you insist." He launched his body off the side of the Bluff and before he could fall he said, "Meet you down there!"

He tucked his wing as close as possible to his body and dived towards the lake and pointed towards it like a needle. As he felt the wind against his scales he heard a small hum at his peak of his speed, as if he was part whistle. About 100 meters before the water he outstretched his wings wide enough to catch the wind and fill with air like a parachute and slowed his impact. He then collapsed his wings before he hit the water to minimize damage and tearing to them. The water plumed straight upwards into the air casting mist all along the area. The lake water cooled him and felt almost like it was healing him. He could see underwater but the water was not clear enough to see anything of interest or usefulness. He surfaced to the top of the lake and waited for Sophie to find her way down, that is, if Aiya was going to let her come down.

Still lying there. No status change.

Where did everyone go?)) OOC

Sophie hadn't hesitated a moment to follow him, but how she got down before he resurfaced was really anyone's guess. Well, they could probably take an educated guess if they knew she was an android. She broke into burbling laughter when water rained down around her from the splash of his dive, even raising her arms up to shield slightly. Aiya on the other hand was horrified, staring helplessly from over the edge at the pair, or trio including the unconscious man.

"Sophie, come back!" she shouted, but she had a feeling the girl wasn't going to listen.

The water was making it's way through the path carved by his body. It wouldn't get high enough to drown him, but it was washing a lot of the blood off his body. The dirt would turn to mud and soak him and his clothing. It would stimulate his body, bring him to a slow, but steady pulse. Still, it was not enough to wake him.

The water was making it's way through the path carved by his body. It wouldn't get high enough to drown him, but it was washing a lot of the blood off his body. The dirt would turn to mud and soak him and his clothing. It would stimulate his body, bring him to a slow, but steady pulse. Still, it was not enough to wake him.

Jarkoopi found her on the shore nearby, slightly damp from the plume of mist which had shot up from the lake. How she came down so fast was beyond him, he would ask later about it.

"Well, that was-" he paused to think of what to say, "-fun."

He continued to paddle towards land near Sophie. His neck and wings were the only parts of him above the water. When he got onto the sand and mud of the shore he gently waved his wings to help dry himself and Sophie off and gave her a small smile. He then remembered the humanoid in which had been down here first. The ground and air radiated with his mental power, which only he saw. It appeared as what looked to be a purple smoke or steam drifting across the terrain.

"Ha! Dumb fleshy got knocked out when he fell," Sophie declared proudly as her head turned about to look at the downed form of Esphiroth. She walked towards him until she was just ten feet away, then grinned a naughty smirk. "Do you think he'd get mad if we drew on his face while he was sleeping?" she asked as she looked back towards Jakoopi.

Despite being unconscious, the Force was prying on Esphiroth's mind and body now that the others were close. He knew inside his mind, as if in a dream, that he had visitors. Fact was, he couldn't move or do anything about it. In the mud, his finger tips were moving very little as were his toes. He was no threat, just his body reacting to his mind in a dreamland. The Force was trying to bring the body and mind back together as it tried to sew it's power into his body, trying to save him. The slightest touch of life would wake him, but until that happened, he was still out cold.

Jarkoopi stood at a distance watching the mental energy mist drift around Esphiroth and Sophie. Fleshy? Was she implying that... Her immature question snapped him out of his trance.

"I would not do that," he responded with a serious tone. "I wouldn't want to upset him at this point."

He moved quietly next to Sophie, slightly in front of her and about four feet away from Esphiroth. He out spread his wings fully from his back to cover both of them. The wings flapped and moved slowly and calmly to create a small gust of wind onto Esphiroth in hopes to wake him and blow debris, dust and such off of him.

Sophie pouted. "Aw boo! You suck," she answered. A scuff of her foot sent dirt kicking across the floor towards the downed figure. Unfortunately for Esphiroth, there was no touch of life to come from Sophie. Not just because of her lifeless nature, but also because she didn't want to touch him if it didn't involve sabotaging his appearance.

Aiya in the meantime had been making her way down the Bluff as hastily as she could manage. Her athletic nature was in her favour, but it was still a cliff face. She took the safest and fastest route she could fine, scaling down it with careful calculations and considerations.

There it was, the touch of Life. In the dragons flapping of wings, an unfortunate fish that had been in the water filled trench blew into the air and slapped right against Esphiroth's forehead. Not the usual touch of life, but it was still life.

The moment the fish hit Esphiroth, his body broke into a drenching sweat of blood. The Force stole the fish's tie to life and tied Esphiroth to it. Esphiroth's upper body shot forward as he took a huge breathe of air. It was like he was punched extremely hard by an invisible fist.

Seconds later, Esphiroth noticed the dragon in front of him. Immediately he jerked his hands free from the mud and stuck them outwards. From four different points, four dual-sided Lightsaber handles came barreling to his vicinity, stopping one foot from his hands. The weapons did not activate, but they did hover above the ground.

"Who am I kidding... I don't have a chance.." Esphiroth whispered to himself.

Esphiroth pulled himself from the mud and began moving towards the lake in front of him. He would bypass the dragon, keeping his face hidden in his cloak, hiding the blood he sweating from his bodies reaction to his personal Force. Esphiroth would walk waist deep into the water and begin to rinse himself off. The water around him turned to a muddy, bloody, mess. Moving from this spot, back to the shore, Esphiroth would dip into the water over and over, rinsing off.

Esphiroth would reach into his cloak, pulling out a small leather sack. When he opened the sack, he pulled out a small green bean. He would eat this bean and put the sack back in his cloak. After swallowing this bean, Esphiroth's body began to heal and his power began to rise extremely fast.

Esphiroth moved back to face the dragon. He would lower his cloak to reveal his gold and black face. His head was adorned by seven horns that were four inches in length. His presence was archaic, his powers being of Alchemy and Magnetism, completely separate from his Force powers. His sky blue eyes would stare directly into the dragons.

"I am Esphiroth. I do appreciate what you have done for me. A fish of all things... Last thing I remember was the enemy firing at my ship and in less that two seconds it was over. After that, I was taking my position in the Grand Army of the White Sun, the Force was showing me glimpses of you. Then the fish hit me, the Force worked it's magic, and here I am. I hate that I have to go, but I have business to attend to. As a token of my appreciation, I want you both to take my currency and this... If you ever need help, no matter where or what, if your life is in danger, just whisper in this stone and I will be there." Esphiroth spoke to the two.

Esphiroth pulled out a small sack from his pocket and tossed it to the young girl. Inside the sack was coins made of Rubies, probably eight pounds or so. Following this, he would pull out a small, grey, stone with archaic symbols on it. He tossed it to Sophie.

Esphiroth began to focus energy in both of his hands, pulling whatever rations of metal it could from the surrounding terrain. After a few seconds of pulling can, old bullets, bottle caps, and whatever he could, Esphiroth had created a razor sharp cover for one of Jarkoopi's claws. Once formed, the Archaic symbols printed themselves on claw casing.

Esphiroth would offer the claw to Jarkoopi and speak, "This is your calling card. Wear this on any claw and when you need me, you can reach me anytime. You are gifted beyond her. You and I will be able to communicate freely. I do hope you accept, I will never forget what you have done for me. I would offer for you to come with me, but it is probably best you didn't travel with."

Following this, Esphiroth would begin moving around the lake, aiming for Wing City. He didn't know he was, but this is where his Force was telling him to go when it tugged on his life strings when he was in limbo. Walking along the shoreline to let the sun dry his cloak off. He hated to leave so quickly, but it was necessary.

Many did not realize but wind had a fragrance, but much like the quote that suggested one could step into same river twice, for it is always moving wind was always evolving and changing. It had the most unmistakable yet enigmatic perfume that wafted and teased the senses, it could only be truly seen by the actions or gesture it made, otherwise invisible yet loud at times when angry or quiet when calm. Wind was the most chaotic of the elements and it is what brought young Talim here, she generally avoided cities for they obscured the majesty and beauty of the wind. The tall towering structures dared to control and manipulate it, instead of accepting the inevitable. It was pretentious, and really in the end the wind would wear away all structures, thus why she had searched until finding this place. Only once she felt at home surrounded by powerful gusts and tender breezes, she could relax and meditate on her goals.

Talim was from a village where wind was worshipped and revered, where beautiful windmills littered the hillsides embracing the musicality and vibrance it beheld. Of course this was a place out of time since it believed in the old ways, less of modern views and such. It was far off in the mountain in South East Asia, the exact location known only people like herself, those born there. Talim was special too not just from being there but for being the Last Priestess of the Wind and she had done a great deal to prove herself including destroying Soul Edge and ending the life of the monster Nightmare, although he could never die nor could Soul Edge truly be annihlated for good.

As to what brought her here, she had sensed some parts of Soul Edge though shattered may be in the area and though it was very far from her home and not exactly desirable, she had travelled here, although the city was overwhelming and she got little answers. Thus she was now here now, eyes closed warm smile on her face, while she listened to the song given by the wind, just lost in the gorgeous coherence and vigor it gave, she would not be aware of anyone coming up from the path, although when they did see her, they may note her dress was certainly unorthordox, as were his weapon choice, two Tonfas - Elbow Blades gripped tightly seemingly prepared yet unaware of anyone coming in, "Wind guide me." she sang.

Journal Entry no. 2225
Sixteenth day of the Second Month, Year 2XVI

'It has been over a year since I lost Namine to that psychotic hound, yet the pain in my heart cannot let him go. My triumph over the Demon Wolf, Satanity, has left me feeling hollow. My Revenge is complete but still I wander. Even the prospect of my home, holds little excitement to me. I have lost all that I cared for so I must do the only thing that still comforts me, Explore. The Explorer's Corps. Oath rings fresh im my mind of late, as if trying to drive me to some new purpose. Yet I still see her face, still hear her voice, her smile haunts me like a nightmare. What must I do?'

Andrew closed his Journal as he walked up the winding path to the Bluff and placed it back into his Satchel. An audible sigh escaped his lips as he continued to dredge forward. Why was he still wandering? Dispite having just jotted his thoughts down, he still felt no happiness. A year ago, He was clean shaven, His suit was neatly pressed and.......He still had his glasses.

This was not the case anymore. Andrew's hair had grown long, stopping right at his shoulders. His platinum beard spread across his jaw in the form of five o' clock shadow. His suit had holes and was dirty. Needless to say, he was at a bad point in his life and seemed to be searching for something.

When he passed Talim, he didn't particualary take note of anything she wore or the weapons she held. He simply saw a young woman standing on the Bluff. A simple "Gday miss" was all that he said as he was walking past her.

Gently the young Asian girl opened her eyes and smiled gently but with slight curiosity, "My apologies sir I was meditating in the majesty of the wind. My name is Talim you appear distressed, perhaps the healing powers of the wind can relax your soul. I am qualified to say this despite my age Sir, I am the Priestess of the Wind." pausing she walked over regarding him with her gentle gaze, her black ponytail bouncing expectantly while a warmness emanated from her, "I am hunting down an evil hateful weapon, well not weapon but shards of it, you may have heard of it, as you appear Well-Travelled Sir it is known as Soul Edge, a weapon of immeasurable power and promises of giving everything people want, but I sensed and realized it could never be controlled and instead it corrupted and changed those who wield it." nodding she went on, "A truly devilish device it has had three people who wield it, Siegfried the man who became an aberration known as Nightmare, Cervantes a Pirate Captain who discovered it and damned his own crew and Zasalamel they all tried to control the power and were instead corrupted. It tempts claims it can fix all problems we face, thus when I had a chance, I shattered it completely. Unfortunately this blade is so malign that even fragments are dangerous, thus I desperately hunt parts of it to prevent any monsters like Nightmare existing in other places."

Staring at him intently she coughed awkwardly, "My apologies Sir, I kinda went a little rambly there. It is just what I was meditating about, trying to find the source of the fragment, alas it's unclear there is so much chaos and darkness within this world. I feel like I have a great challenge. But, ignoring my concerns sit with me stranger let the weight fall from your mind and I shall provide relief in spritual way. You shall learn how the wind can heal and restore happiness, just listen as I do, and you shall hear the song and feel restored by it."

Andrew stopped his walk as she began speaking to him. He was in no particular hurry to get anywhere so he had time to listen to her story. "Oh no miss, the wind and I have a mutual agreement. I don't throw curses to it, it doesn't give me blustery days" He said with a slight chuckle at his joke. However the topic of the shattered sword came up and perqued his intrest.

"Dear me even young ones such as yourself serches for the sword of swords? Then you must know about it's opposite, Soul Calibur" Andrew said folding his arms across his chest and looked upon her with a pleasent smile "Siegfried hmmmmm.......... As I heard the tale, he sought out the sword with pure intentions as well. Do you have the skills necissary to destroy the fragments? Or are you simply gathering the peices to gain power?" He asked still with a pleasent smile. He then shook his head and chuckled again "My apologies Talim, where are my manners? My name is Andrew Balmont, Explorer, and I have been wandering for a very long time, distress comes with the territory so I am used to it. You, on the other hand, are still young and shouldn't be worrying yourself with something as dangerous as Soul Edge" He said, his smile fading slightly

Not that anyone should really worry about that sword. Andrew beilived that Soul Edge should be destroyed as well, but he didn't feel it was his job to ensure the destruction of another dark sword. He did, however, not want to see any harm befall this young girl. Something about her face was so innocent, just like hers........

When he spoke of the power the evil sword held she shook her head violently, "No, Mr Balmont I intend to destroy the fragments and end the sword for good, for it's very existence has destroyed too many lives and as it exists the wind weeps and sky sighs in sadness, it is not a blade that anyone person should even pursue and even it's sister counterpart only came into existence as the sword was smashed, both are jeapordizing the grand design and neither belong in this world." giving far away look she went on, "Sadly I have no inkling how I shall completely destroy them, but the fragments can't continue to exist for even a fragment with it's twisted promises and malign suggestions is enough to corrupt a person. I am well aware of the risks, but as the Last Priestess of the Wind I should do something, for me to do nothing would be wrong and millions could suffer due to that folly." pausing she gave a smirk, "Also dear sir, the weapons are not for decoration. I am a master at a class of fighting called Wind Dancing, agile, aggressive and tenacious, so though I may look young, don't mistake my youth for lack of experience. I have seen horrible things..." once more her gaze seemed to go far away, "I have seen Nightmare face to face a twisted aberration and saw the horrific eye of that blade, saw it crash down on someone spine and ending their life. I have been worlds that should not exist, but when confronting the evil blade, laws of the normal world are non-existent..."

Letting out long sigh she relaxed herself, "Pleasure to meet you though Mr Balmont and I promise I would never wish to wield such power, for me I never desire what it can offer, it promises fame and fortune, but I have seen greater men and woman than me, be twisted by its claims, I won't fall to such promises nor do I desire them. I desire only to cure the wind of this malady, and not feel the cold steel through the wind, the fiendish horrors choking the natural order..."

Ah the enthusiasm of youth. It was almost refreshing to Andrew to hear her speak with such conviction about her mission. For just a moment she rekindled his old urge to face strong opponents, which is a natural trait of Anthians. However, he shook that thought off, there was no need to fight this young girl who already had such a daunting task.

"Yet, it is not your burden to bear" Andrew said in a sad tone "You do this for the wind and millions of lives, you say. Noble, Heroic, you bring great honor to your ancestors in the path you have chosen. Yet........." His voice trailed off and his eyes showed pain for a second "Evil will never truely by defeated, not by you, not by me. Even if you do manage to destroy the sword, sooner or later, someone will create another one" He said, his tone now grim "Because you cannot destroy the Idea of gaining power for personal ambition"

He stepped past her and gazed out to the sea "Life........ Is like an Opera. It is beautiful and granduious, but that is only because it is tragic. Lives lost, spark new flames of ambition, which feed into the all consuming flames of sorrow. You and I are no exception" He said as he turned back toward her "Once, I dedicated my life to being a Hero. Once, I fought a terrible Evil which threatened not only millions of lives on our own planet, but countless others on different worlds. In the process I fear I may have lost something irreplacible" He said with a sigh. "There was only emptiness at the end of my mission. I fear the same for you're journey Talim. I would hate for you to lose your light as well"

Shaking her head she listened but seemed to disagree, "Mr Balmont, I have seen the effects of my actions and how they help others giving them solace when they had none. Kilik, Sophieta and many others we saw the dangers of this weapon. I never was there originally, but Seung Mina told me how the one who wield it originally a Pirate Captain named Cervantes ended up being destroyed by it. I know evil can never be truly destroyed, but as I live and breath for as long as I do, I will not abandon others to end what you considered ultimately a goal where no one can win. It's not about winning, it's about giving hope to people and inspiring them. I am a figurehead, I can't abandon my people nor can I let other suffers when I can do something."

Pausing she looked over the cliff face, admiring the rays shimmering over the lake while thinking, the person was indeed wise though she felt he had given up to apathy and could sense the distress with him. She had experienced others in such distress, when she had first seen Necrid she knew he was no mere monster, there was more and though she had fought him, in the end he realized she only wanted to understand. There were so many others and yet this person seemed defeated, "Remember Mr Balmont, I may appear young, but in my village I have been growing up to become a Priestess for a great deal of time, I am not naive nor overly idealistic, much like the wind I know things change and evolve. I know it's easy to judge my age and assume that I will be hit with 'reality' or come to find this is all for naught... I can't be that person, I am beacon to my people, I would be wrong to let my personal feelings every jeapordize what needed to be done."

Continuing to scan over the cliffs her eyes notes the breeze wafting over the stems of grass, caressing and stroking while massaging the trees and causing shivers and quivers, it was beautiful just watching the wind playing intimately with nature a spriteful cheeky being, just dancing, while Talim watched, "We only declare defeat when we give up. I have not that option, you may have had that Mr Balmont, but for me I don't have that right, for I can't give up when others believe and rely on me. Yes it may well crush me, but I was destined to be a Wind Priestess, I need to act like one, despite my age."

"Indeed, Perhaps I have been taking you a tad lightly" He said looking her over

She was indeed wise beyond her years and her cause was noble. Yes she was indeed the embodiment of her people's teachings, set out on the world to deliver her message. For the sake of ending conflict, she would bear the pain and burden of the battles until they ultimately consumed and destroyed her. It was the fate Andrew had seen befall so many heroes that he called friend. However, he knew she would not be swayed.

"Life is not so Black and White, Talim" He said said putting his arms behind his back. "But I am sure you already know that".

Suddenly a massive burst of wind would explode outwards from him, followed by the feeling of heavy static in the air. A clap of thunder boomed through the sky as Andrew began to glow in a shimmering silver light "People like us....... Heroes...... We are part of a cycle in which you cannot even begin to imagine." He said as he began to levitate off the ground.

What was this feeling? Rage? No, nothing so simplistic. Hatred? No, nothing so trivial. It was an ambition, one that had suddenly sparked a sickening feeling deep in his gut. People like her were flawed, people like her followed without question, people like her were drones. A world full of 'Heroes' trying to rid Evil, but what was evil?

"Tell me Talim, What would you say, if I told you I was going to kill you?" He asked as he held his arms to the side, levitating six feet into the air. In his right hand, an icy blue sphere that spiraled with ice. In his left, crackling white electricity. " I thank you Talim, our talk has.......Inspired me. I now know what I am supposed to do" He said with a malicious grin

Alarmed at first she quickly steeled herself while speaking in urgent voice, "I would say many have that promise but few seem to fufill I would say you are clearly a man who been injured by some past trangression against yourself or someone you cared for, I would say you are looking for a solution because I am making too much sense. You think by silencing me you will somehow get whoever you lost back or at least not have the guilt of this lost. I have seen many people who succumb to the darkness all because they believe it will somehow stop the demons. It never does. I once knew a fighter, a good man, a man who did what he thought was right, his name was Mitsurugi, he was honourable and had strong ideals, but for whatever reason he sought Soul Edge because he felt it would give him purpose, the blade did not pick him, but his search did corrupt him, make him less of man."

Pausing she gripped her tonfas tightly while staring away from him, "In the end I would say, you are merely choosing the easy path and not even I can allow that, for however the wind blows and caresses the grass, there is one certainity, in my times of fighting others and achieving, I have learnt two things, I am very acrobatic and secondly, if you position your body right, you can survive most falls without too much damage."

Before he could say anything in reply, she leapt completely off the bluff streamlining her body, so when it splashed into the lake, there would be little damage. Her elegant from careened down, creating a huge splash while the Bluff remained a torrid affair.

Andrew smiled calmly as she leapt off the cliff. He was sure, they would meet again. "Priestess of the wind, your cause is noble, and you're confidence is apparent. I look forward to this game of ours. For now however........." He paused lookin towards Wing City "I feel like paying my dear sister a visit" He said taking off his brown suit jacket and tossing it off the cliff

"Drawn together like a moth to an open flame..."

Cole had received a parchment requesting his presence by Midland's Bluff. The parchment was strange...there was no sender address to give him a clue as to who had wanted to see him here. It was someone asking for help, though...if they took the time to seek him out for this, surely he could give them the time of day to at least hear them out. Once he had arrived at the designated location, he stopped in his tracks. Standing opposite of him at The Bluff was none other than his daughter, Toamna. She was standing with a similar letter in hand, head tilted.

"Toamna, what are you..." He cut himself off, glancing to the letter, then back to her. She seemed to have noticed his own in hand.

Blinking, confused, she replied. "A-ah? I was about to ask you the same thing, but...you didn't send this?" She asked, lifting it. Cole's features shifted from curiosity to concern, stowing the parchment away and placing a hand on the pommel of his blade, ready to draw it if need be, but...not quite getting there just yet.

Surely there were others who might have received this letter calling for help. That, or...they were thrust headfirst into a trap...

[Yuki Nikka] cocked her head curiously at the pair and let a slow grin spread on her face. "Nope, didn't call nobody here. Just here for adventure," she said, tugging on the straps of her backpack to jostle it.

"Got a letter too. I think it was meant for me, even if it was sent to someone else. A kind of... fate thing, yanno?" she answered, then finally added, "Hi, I'm Yuki."


General Astana observed intently. "What in the hell..." he murmured.
He wrote down some notes in his notepad. He dropped the pad and it fell out of the protective cover of the tree. "crap!"

Astana darted out and got it, returning swiftly. To the 3 others, it seemed but a blurr.



Cole Maibara blinked curiously and met eyes with Toamna, then returned his gaze to Yuki. That was strange...she received a letter to, but...wasn't the one who wrote it. Concerned, he crossed his arm for a moment and raised an eyebrow in response with a nod.

"Is that so...? Strange...and also not very good news."

Toamna glanced around, she thought she heard something...a voice? She zoned out from the conversation her father and Yuki were starting to have.

In the backdrop of the Bluff, the sky darkened slowly...it was afternoon, sure, but the skies were growing more evening-like in appearance. Not quite storm-darkness, but instead dark like the sun was down despite it still being up in the sky above...Cole looked around, then back to Yuki with a raised eyebrow.



Yuki Nikka shrugged. "Not good is just a frame of mind really, I think," she said, trying to sound intelligent. But she soon realized that attention had turned away from her and she too turned around to look at the sky.

"Uh, it's getting dark real quick. I think we're going to find out what these letters are for..." she said, with a nervous beat of her heart in her chest.



General Astana dove behind a boulder, within 15 feet of the three. He was very quiet, though an alert sentry could probably spot the resulting rustling of leaves. He listened intently on the conversation. "letters...?" he muttered almost silently. What kind of pretentious, anachronistic sorcery is going on here? This can only mean one of two things: Piracy, or something much, much more pressing...