Snow Calibur
By ArchangelUK

Part 5: Final part, completed following university disseration and problems with this website. Anyway here is the last section and it is te completion of the story don't let the end fool you. Well I think you've just got about everything you asked you wanted, minus any cameos from (INSERT CHARACTER NOT IN STORY HERE) we've got the culmination of Ivy's plan, insight into Raphael, a bit of french historical intregue, more on the mysterious Basheim the former owner of the farm, the Talim/Link conclusion, the results of Maxi/Kilik/Xianghua, some music, tears, anger and a whole bunch of presents. It may be out of season, but hey, enjoy.

ArchangelUK (5/5/2005)

I do not own Soul Calibur or The Legend Of Zelda just this possessed parrot... ARRR! POLLY WANT A SOUL! SQUARK! SQUARK!

Part 5: Because Tradition Dictates...

Sometime later everyone was up and dressed, Talim who had been up a lot longer than most; mainly through excitement naturally enough, had organised the breakfast and so everybody had a good hearty morning meal before the last person came down stairs. The last person was Ivy who for some reason never ate breakfast, no one could definitely say for certain why.

"Merry Christmas everyone!"

"Good morning, Merry Christmas."

"So, who is going to go first?"

"Perhaps Raphael should go first, after all it was his idea."

Raphael looked over at Xianghua, "Traditionally the youngest should go first don't you agree Xianghua?"

"How would I know?" She replied before noticing Raphael's raised eyebrows and urgent eyes. "Oh!" She exclaimed suddenly realizing his point, "Yes, of course."

"That'd be me then." Talim said cheerfully, and before anyone could move the young warrior was up off the ground and darted up the stairs as fast as her dainty feet could carry her.

"Incidentally." Raphael said speaking out of the corner of his mouth to Siegfried, "Just how old IS Link?"

"He once said to me that the ebb and flow of time had no more meaning for him – whatever that means."

Barely half a minute later Talim had returned carrying a makeshift sack made out of her bed sheets. She sat down in the middle of the circle they had formed and stuck her head under the sheet before disappearing up to her waif like waist.

"Ahem." Raphael cleared his throat, "Talim, what we meant was that you should receive your presents first – not you give us ours first."

"Where's the fun in that?" Came an amused voice from the hefty looking 'sack'.

A few seconds later Talim reappeared, with a set of scarf and gloves for Xianghua that matched her normal light blue travelling outfit. Ivy received a blanket, which she was rather thankful for considering they'd no doubt be leaving here soon. Raphael, whose skill at lighting fires was legendary, for all the wrong reasons, received a tinderbox. Kilik when asked to open his hand was given a leather pouch which when opened appeared to contain various bits of moss.

"Herbs." Siegfried said; answering Maxi's puzzled look. "Powerful ones."

"Part of my wind priestess training involves the identification of many natural resources that contain magics."

"Magic?" Raphael snorted; Siegfried sighed and shook his head.

"What our young friend means in her way is what Kilik has in his hand is some very potent herbs which can be used to create medicines."

"What a resourceful gift!" Kilik said, pocketing the pouch which was itself very sturdy. "Thank you Talim." The girl gave the young man a strong hug.

"You are welcome."

Further gifts followed, from out of a hidden corner of the pantry Talim revealed a hidden stock of cheeses and salted meats that were Siegfried's gift. The supplies here alone were so bountiful they would keep him going for at least 2 weeks. Maxi received a pair of sturdy brown boots that looked rather too big but he insisted would be absolutely ideal. Finally Talim nervously approached with Link's present which was a rather long and thin navy blue felt covered box.

"This is for you Link." She said bowing her head and offering the gift. Link wasn't sure what was going on at first, looking rather embarrassed by what obviously looked a grander gift than those received by the others. Siegfried lost patience with the situation first and elbowed Link who taking the hint gently took hold of the box and mumbled a rather humble thank you in Hylian which Siegfried loosely translated as a blessing to her from the Triforce although he didn't entirely understand what he said. When he opened the two metal catches and then the box everybody in the room caught their breath at the sight. Inside was a beautiful custom crafted silver flute.

"It's beautiful." Ivy breathed, "One of a kind without a doubt."

"Just like the person it's been given to." Siegfried whispered in her ear, which made the Englishwoman smile.

"Gei…. Isayi fosso?" Link mumbled his cheeks glowing a faint pink, looking at the gift with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment.

"Flute." Siegfried said as though he was answering Link, the Hylian looked up and seemed for a brief moment upset. Siegfried looked over to Talim who seemed to be getting the impression that Link didn't like his gift. "It's okay Talim, he likes it. It's just he's never seen one of these before so he's no idea of what it is or does." He reassured.

Ivy stepped in front of Link between him and Talim, "May I?" She asked offering her palm out to the youth who nodded and gave Ivy the instrument. Ivy cocked her head to the side, as if stretching her neck. Then raising the flute pursed her lips together and blew across the mouth hole, it wasn't the best sounding piece of music ever played but it was far from the worst. Link got the gist and held out his hands to signal he wanted the instrument back, Ivy obliged and the young Hyrule native mimicked Ivy's position. After a few seconds awkward fumbling as his fingers grew accustomed to their new positions he blew across the flute.

The noise which followed was wondrous; within five seconds Link was playing music so light that the birds could float and dance on the notes. It was simply spellbinding. He didn't even know that it was an instrument two minutes ago and now he played it like he was a master.

"That boy…" Maxi muttered, "Is not of this world."

"I could have told you that." Kilik replied rolling his eyes, before leading a riotous round of applause. Link delicately placed the flute back in it's box and closed it's hinged lid, he sighed happily then looked up flashing Talim a glorious smile that had the young wind priestess' heart skip a beat… or two.

"Mescilia! Zu heito Talim, rei sulo va kiekay." He bowed respectively, the thanks in his voice clearly evident. Talim smiled and returned the bow.

"Okay, okay enough of all this mushy stuff." Siegfried laughed, "I'll go next."

Siegfried's gifts duly appeared in much the same manner as Talim's wrapped as they were in a bed sheet carried in with relative ease by the hulking giant. Link received the perfect companion to his flute which was a book of blank sheet music paper so he could write down his own songs and compositions. A thankful Link asked if this was because of what he had asked him about earlier and Siegfried nodded, all of which was lost on the others of course as it was spoken in Hylian.

Talim herself received her first present which was a small silver necklace with a blue stone attached to it. Raphael who looked rather uncomfortable receiving a present from Siegfried got a pair of highly durable binoculars which the Frenchman respectfully thanked him for. Maxi received three pairs of socks whilst Kilik was the proud recipient of a type of utility belt which had several pouches of leather strapped to it.

"Useful." Kilik nodded in approval, "Very useful."

"You can store your new herbs in there." Xianghua added, pointing to his present from Talim.

Ivy received two small leather bound books, one of which was in French and one in English – she was fluent in several languages so this did not bother her. The first was on engineering and science and the second (the French one) on enchantment. While Xianghua received a bottle of perfume as well as a bouquet of wild flowers as did the other two ladies.

Maxi, Link, Raphael and Kilik looked at each other and sighed in resignation to the fact that all they'd hear from now until Easter would probably be what a gentleman Siegfried was.

"My!" Ivy explained, "What a kind a thoughtful gentleman you are Mister Schtauffen." - You see what I mean?

Siegfried to his credit merely gave a half bow and muttered that he hoped they enjoyed it. Accepting his praise like it was nothing special before sitting down trying to avoid the half envious, half angry eyes of the other males. Only Ivy remained standing, walking behind the dividing wall into the kitchen area before rematerialising with a sack and Valentine who spun it's segments around and settled down by its mistress's feet.

Ivy's presents were much smaller than the others but equally valuable, Raphael got a large jar of blackberry jam, Siegfried received the cloak she had made which was very comfortable he assured her although she would have to make a couple of small adjustments later. Maxi loved his map, which he seemed to recognise and within five minutes had seemingly plotted a course using it and made down some notes which he cautiously told everyone were for 'a later time'.

Xianghua received the jar of strawberry jam liberated from the cupboard and after much cajoling cautiously dipped a finger into the sticky red preserve.

"Eww." Chai Xianghua screwed her face up slightly before sucking the lightly covered finger.

"Well?" Ivy asked impatiently, as Xianghua's face went through a great many different emotions finally settling on surprise. "Do you like it?"

A roughly feral growl emanated from her throat, before she plunged three fingers back into the jar and scooped out some more. "Spoon!" She barked roughly in Kilik's direction, making Talim giggle convulsively.

"It think she likes it Ivy(!)"

"She'll be sick." Raphael warned, absently rubbing his own jar.

"Killjoy." Ivy poked out her tongue at him.

Kilik, after removing the jar forcefully from Xianghua with Raphael's help received a set of different candles from Ivy. Link received a new rucksack to replace the tatty one he kept behind his shield. Talim however received something much different.

"What is it?"

Ivy just smiled, "Oh something you might find of use."

Talim frowned, "Do you eat it or something?"

"No."

Frustrated the young girl turned around, "Siegfried, what is it?" Her answer was not what she had expected – Siegfried Schtauffen laughed. It started out as a light chuckle before rapidly turning into a full blown roar of laughter, tears started welling up in his eyes and he held onto his stomach which had begun to hurt with his laughter.

"What's funny?" Talim demanded, this time of Raphael but the normally serious Frenchman was trying his best not to start laughing as well. His lip wobbled with effort to stop himself but eventually he too gave away into laughter.

"Maxi!" Talim whined, but the pirate merely shrugged. He had no idea what it was either.

Ivy smiled sympathetically and pulled the girl into a hug from behind and began whispering in her ear.

"Mistletoe?" Talim said out loud before Ivy continued, the young girl going white as a sheet as Ivy explained exactly what mistletoe was, as she finished she turned the girl to face Link who without Siegfried to explain the situation was somewhat confused. Raphael had recovered his wits enough to get out a garbled explanation to the other Asians. Ivy pushed Talim in the small of the back but found the girl was now incapable of movement, frozen to the spot.

After a few moments awkwardness, Raphael and Xianghua decided it was time they gave out their gifts. The group were somewhat confused by this joint declaration but they just said it'd all make sense. As Ivy finished and the others were getting their gifts Siegfried pulled out something from his pocket, "Oh, I forgot this for our, er, other member of our group."

"Other member?" Kilik blinked, "Who's that."

"The member who got us into this edifice of course." He said, revealing it to be a small bottle of oil. "This is for you." And he placed it by Valentine's hilt, who spun its segments in a thank you.

The musical theme of Link's continued with a music book from Xianghua and he also received from Raphael a butterfly net which the Frenchman had adjusted.

"What's Link going to do with a butterfly net?" Maxi asked.

"It's not a butterfly net – well, not anymore at any rate. I've gone back and strengthened the strings so they're not light and can take a much bigger weight." Further investigation revealed a new grip on the end of the net and the knots had been tightened. "It's a fishing net now!" Raphael said proudly, Link nodding as if in understanding then giving him his thanks.

Talim received a silk bandana with blue and pink orchids on it from Xianghua which immediately was placed on her head and from Raphael received a small bible so the youngest of them could continue her investigations into the other global religions that had caught her interest.

Ivy received a more… practical set of clothes from Raphael, a blue outfit bedecked in gold and Victorian splendour while she also received some make-up from Xianghua. Kilik was pleased with a set of soaps Raphael had found for him and also the journal that was Xianghua's gift to him. Whilst Maxi's turn brought him a talisman from Xianghua and a canvas jacket ideal for long nights at the helm of a ship.

Next came Siegfried's present which was the one that had caused the most interest, although no-one had dared say anything about it the tension between Raphael and Siegfried had become more noticeable over the last three weeks. The Frenchman seemed to be enjoying goading the former knight and it was merely a matter of time before Siegfried's patience ran out – and then there would be trouble. So what he had gotten Siegfried was of great concern to all.

"Well now." Raphael said, flexing his shoulders. "Your present is outside. I could bring it in, but it'd take more effort than I'd care to exert right now." The band of adventurers followed Raphael out into the barn where upon they found something very large on a table covered with a dirty old canvas sheet. "It needs some work." Raphael admitted, "But should see you are able to defend yourself and your friends."

He pulled off the cover with a flourish to reveal underneath a large flat iron bar that was worked to a sharp finish at both edges. One end was narrow, long and fat and worked so that a person could grab hold of it.

"It's a sword." Siegfried asked amazed, "Or what will be a sword."

"That's one heck of a sword if it is." Kilik whistled in surprise.

"It wasn't designed to be a sword at first, but with the scale and strength and like I said a bit more work between the two of us you should be able to use it. You do after all need a new weapon."

"Yes." Siegfried nodded, "This will be ideal! Thank you very much."

"It's no problem." Raphael waved his hand dismissively, "I just feel sorry you've got to drag such a large blade around."

"It will be difficult to carry as it is, at least I require a blade holder of some sort."

"Perhaps then this would be of use." Xianghua's present was a hard leather blade holder which could be attached to the back of Siegfried's armour as a scabbard.

"Wonderful!" Siegfried said sliding the bulky weapon into its new home, "Thank you both so much."

Lastly the pair gave each other their gifts, Xianghua receiving a beautiful parasol umbrella and Raphael a piece of paper.

He blinked, "What's this?"

"It's your present obviously."

Raphael slowly opened the paper up revealing the face of a young girl maybe eleven to twelve years old with hair the colour of autumn and deep green eyes full of wisdom and strength. His breath caught in his throat.

"H-How?"

"I saw the portrait you carry; it didn't take much effort after I'd seen the face again."

Raphael collapsed to one knee, holding the paper to his chest. "To see her, on this day… thank you Xianghua. Thank you…"

Everyone else looked at Raphael strangely, then up at Xianghua who smiled a sad smile. It was Link ironically who gave them the answer.

"Amy." Was all he said, and the others let it go at that.

Next was Kilik who gave to Link a new set of arrows for his quiver which met with the approval of the Hylian. Talim received hair clips, Raphael a gold pocket watch, Ivy received a mirror whilst Siegfried received the recipe of a herbal concoction to aid the warding off of sleep. Maxi of course had already received his present, which caused some raised eyebrows amongst the group. Xianghua was given a small jade ring, although she was told part of Maxi's present was from him.

Penultimately was Link, who gave some rather outlandish presents that had everyone else half-puzzled and half amazed. Maxi received a small accordion, Siegfried received a vial of Link's precious blue potion – what exactly was in that potion was a mystery but Link was very protective about them and their use. Ivy received a trinkets box of gold inlaid oak, Xianghua a calligraphy set and Kilik what appeared to be the curtain pole that Ivy had taken the curtain off of to make Siegfried's cloak.

"What's he supposed to do with a curtain pole?" Raphael asked, pondering the iron shaft.

Link sighed, as though he half expected Raphael to say something like that and went off on a long explanation in Hylian which had Siegfried struggling to keep up.

"Toth'elt hern gomaa juhti, ersk killiafh sum Kilik danf gogen sum Kilik parscilia zum saei o'laenth ku-ilm jum yarex por soaffilyadil Raphael gond dermott."

"Something about Kilik should try exercising with it or fighting with it or something along those lines; Link mentioned something about balance and weight or similar. I didn't catch all of it though."

Kilik tossed the pole up in the air for a moment letting it fall back into his palms before whirling the pole expertly around his head. Talim squeaked as she ducked out of the way, though in truth she was in no danger of the arcing weapon – Kilik was a master of perception and spacial awareness. After a series of moves that by way of his skill left no holes in the ceiling or welts on the heads of his compatriots he brought the weapon back to his side.

He puffed a bit, a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead, "It certainly warrants some effort."

"Kilik, zum rergol su t'orla gi hai?"

"Link wants to know what you think of it?"

"Excellent!" He gave the Hylian a thumbs up, "It'll be really useful for training, strengthening the wrists and such also when we're travelling we can string some of our packs on in and they could be carried between two of us."

"A good idea." Maxi nodded.

Link then produced a long bundle of rags and presented it to Raphael, "S'tor."

"Mine?" Raphael asked and Link nodded.

Raphael took the bundle and realised immediately there was something much heavier than cloth concealed therein. Peeling back the material as one might an orange's skin something silver and metallic glinted in the light. Raphael's eyes sought Link's for a moment before he pulled the material away with a flourish revealing a majestically designed sword like a beefed up version of a rapier. The guard arched down across the knuckles in three places and it was encrusted with sapphires and inlaid with silver decoration.

"Whoa." Ivy breathed, "That's a hell of a sword."

"This is…" Raphael stammered, "This is a Queen's Guard."

"A Queen's Guard?" Xianghua asked as Raphael strode past her to the window to get a better look at the blade.

"The Queen's Guard was an elite force of eight swordsmen set up in the early thirteenth century, hand picked by the then King of France Louis IX to serve and protect the Queen whilst he was on the seventh and eighth crusades." Raphael held up the blade and ran his hand down the flat of the sword blade his eyes lost in wonder bewitched by the striking sword. "Its existence was banished from the pages of history it was a secret order, talked of only in myths and childrens stories." He paused, tilting his head to the side allowing a shaft of sunlight to reflect off of the point creating a pattern of dancing flecks of light on the ceiling. "I thought that's what they were."

His eyebrows knitted into a frown, his voice rose slightly in apparent anger. "There were only eight, could be only eight, the service lasted until the death of the Guardsman only then could another be awarded the title. It is the most hallowed honour in all of France, only he who is a Queen's Guard can posses a Queen's Guard for only he has the skill to wield it in defence of her majesty and France." Raphael's face seemed to grow pale, "Only one… who is a Queen's…" He trailed off, his eyes widened. "No…"

"Raphael?" Ivy tugged on his sleeve.

"Basheim." He looked at her for a moment before looking back at the weapon. "Philippe Basheim was a Queen's Guard." His voice was dry with awe, his hand was shaking violently and all of a sudden he threw the blade away from him as if its present burned his skin. "I cannot!"

"What?" Kilik asked as Raphael turned to face him, pure horror etched on his features.

"I cannot accept this, that sword. I'm sorry."

Link looked bewildered, Siegfried's desperate translation of the situation not helping as he fetched the sword from its discarded place on the floor. Raphael raked a hand raggedly through his hair and covered his mouth, he felt rather sick.

"Raphael we don't understand." Ivy laid a hand on his shoulder and his ice cold blue eyes locked on hers.

"Oh sweet Lady Valentine of course you do not, you are English, not of France of course you do not know what this means. The Queen's Guard is the ultimate symbol of honour, it transcends all honours it is the ultimate mark of loyalty - I KILLED a member of the Queen's Guard in cold blood! I am a traitor!" He raged thumping his fist down on the windowsill, "I have been called so before but no that was not the truth, that was lies spun on a spinning wheel of distrust and the scheming of my enemies but now? OH how preciously ironic, I should in killing one who orchestrated my downfall bring about that which they have fictitiously created! I killed Philippe Basheim a Queen's Guard, a secret protector of France. I have put the safety of my Queen at risk, the future of my King in peril and all but spat in the face of my country! This sword is a symbol of loyalty, pure unquestionable loyalty to the crown and I have no right no God given or royally decreed right to bare it. I defile it with my presence."

He turned away to leave but found Xianghua blocking the door.

"No right?" She asked, "This Basheim was a conspirator of amongst the nobles correct?"

"Yes… but still a Queen's Guard."

"A Queen's Guard who would do anything for his own personal advancement correct?" Ivy asked, standing beside Xianghua. Raphael looked away from her, "Raphael, who is the current King of France?"

"It doesn't matter wh-"

"-Who is the current King of France?" Ivy demanded.

"His royal majesty King Louis XV." Replied Raphael growling.

"A King too busy pleasing himself with his mistresses to even bother running the country."

"He is still King by divine right."

"Divine or not a bad King is a bad King and a bad servant of a bad King is more likely than most to betray said King."

"What?"

"He betrayed you to benefit himself do you think he would stop with you if a situation arose whether it was his life or the King's?"

Raphael's mind whirled, Basheim had indeed been a scrounging little toad always out for himself.

"Don't you see Raphael? You are not a traitor. A man like that in a position such as his could hold the ear of the King and hence a dangerous sway over the country."

"I do not deserve to wield such a sword." The Frenchman insisted. "I have betrayed my country."

"No you have not; you are partaking in a quest above that of all others – the acquisition of and destruction of Soul Edge. You are on a mission to save your and all countries Raphael; there is no one more loyal to France than you. Would you die for your King?"

"Yes." Raphael whispered.

"Would this Basheim have done the same?"

Raphael hesitated, "No."

"Then I'd say you were a darn slight more qualified to wield that blade than he was."

"Ivy…"

"Raphael." Link's voice cut through the emotionally charged atmosphere, he walked up to the turmoil ridden man and offered once more the blade. "Tam."

Raphael paused for about thirty seconds then slowly, gingerly, reached out a hand and wrapped it around the handle of the sword sliding it out from Link's tentative grasp. He breathed deeply, "Go sah." He said, a phrase he'd heard often from Link in the last thirty minutes which he believed quite correctly meant thank you. Link for his part just nodded in understanding and then looked over at Talim, visibly swallowing.

Raphael sat down in a chair, Maxi gave him a once over before disappearing to collect his gifts for the others. Siegfried looked at Link who was starting to sweat.

"Nervous?" He asked in Hylian,

"What makes you think that?" Link replied, also in Hylian.

"You're sweating like a pig that's why."

"I am not… at least not that much, I just can't seem to remember what it is I need to say." He clutched at the bottom of his tunic nervously.

"Calm down! It can't possibly be that bad."

"But this is special! I want it to be special."

"Hey!" Siegfried exclaimed, "You'll be fine – just be you, that's all she'd want anyway."

"Easy for you to say!"

"Well, its show time. Here comes Maxi back."

The pirate captain came back with a very small bundle indeed compared to everybody else which caused Xianghua to raise an eyebrow before she noticed Talim's apparent lack of Link based present.

"Excuse me hasn't Link forgotten someone?" She asked 'innocently', failing to hide her grin when Talim's face flushed red.

"He's ready now." Siegfried announced, giving Xianghua an admonishing look and gesturing that Link should begin.

Link walked forward nervously and stood before Talim, his glowing cheeks a rosy red hue. "Talim." He said slowly, before screwing up his eyes as if trying to remember something. "This.. is… your praysant." He said with difficulty, the others agog that Link was trying to speak English. "Merry Chrysh-Christmas." Talim's smile was so beaming it could have lit up the room on its own.

"You spoke! I mean you spoke English!"

Link nodded, understanding the gist and pointed to his coach. "Siegfried." He said pointing.

"Thank you for my present." Talim gave a half bow to Link and the youth looked confused.

"Talim my dear that wasn't your present." Siegfried replied for him as Link took out his ocarina and placed it to his lips. "This is."

And Link began to play.

Some seven minutes or so later Link's fingers ceased their dance across the cerulean coloured porcelain surface of his beloved ocarina and a moment of tranquillity hung in the air. It was the most amazing piece of music anyone had ever heard, it was haunting, it was beautiful and it was Talim's.

"He… composed that?" Kilik managed eventually.

"I believe he did." Raphael responded, "Last night; in a little under three hours." Kilik just shook his head in amazement.

Talim's reaction wasn't exactly difficult to gage, tears were streaming down her cheeks, cascading waterfalls of happiness springing from either eye. "Oh Link!"

"Dur gan celsquoi fur, den ocarn iz zum Talim san gerrnas Talim."

"He said that he hoped you liked it Talim." Siegfried translated.

"Liked it?" The wind priestess clasped her hands together to her chest and laughed a joyous laugh. "It was beautiful!" And with that she scooped up the mistletoe from the windowsill and dangled it over his head. Link looked at it and frowned.

"Xu chagah-" He began but was cut off when a pair of lips was attached unceremoniously to his. The sudden cheer from those around him was amplified when, as the sheer suddenness almost knocked him over, he was forced to wrap an arm around his assailant's waist.

Though he didn't fall, he didn't remove it for a couple of minutes after he regained his balance either…

All of which, and after several calls for the application of cold buckets of well water to Talim, left only one person remaining. Maxi stepped forward and produced a telescope, that when he could pry Talim off himself Link thanked him for. Talim herself was given the promise that Maxi would relay and reseal the rapidly deteriorating bindings on her Wind Blades that very evening. Raphael received a handkerchief, that with his new watch pocket watch from Kilik set off his green jacket very nicely indeed.

Kilik who opposed carrying a large bladed weapon such as a dagger for his own religious reasons was given a small penknife for shaping wood, cutting bonds or whatever the situation called for. It was such that it could easily be hidden in his boot, ideal for any trick situations. Siegfried, in a moment of traditional Christmas irony got the same present he gave Maxi - three fresh pairs of woolly socks. For Ivy, all her wishes came true as a very large pot of strawberry jam was presented to her by the sailor who got a Talim-esque hug for his trouble. Maxi the turned to Xianghua, his bundle empty.

"You'll remember that Kilik said the ring was only part of his gift?"

"Yes." Xianghua said somewhat nervously, "I do."

"Well you see in many ways he's responsible for the present I get to give you." Maxi took a deep breath, "I… remember you, Xianghua."

"Huh?" Xianghua blinked in confusion.

"I remember you." Maxi repeated. "I remember our journey all that time ago, the three of us - to stop Soul Edge and claim Soul Calibur. Now I don't recall all the details yet, there are still some pretty big holes in my memory and I can't promise those will ever come back in anything but the course of time but… But, I remember you Xianghua."

Xianghua didn't know how to react, her feet dumbly brought her forward towards Maxi who looked down at her kindly. When she looked into his eyes she saw it, he might not be back to normal yet as he said, but the spark. The spark that was in the eyes of the old Maxi was once again burning in the new. She made to say something but her voice immediately cracked, choked with emotion. She hugged her old friend around the waist and sobbed unashamed into his shoulder.

"Chai… Chai…." He soothed, rubbing her back. "It's okay."

"I'm, so happy!" She sobbed, "Thank you so much Maxi."

"Don't forget Kilik." Maxi added, "The effort after all was his to help me find myself again."

Xianghua spun around and suddenly saw how tired Kilik was, the exertion still lingered in his eyes and his smile was tired if genuinely happy for her. She stared at him for a few moments, looked back and forth from Maxi to Kilik and then came to a decision. Abruptly she let go of the pirate and strode over to Talim snatching the mistletoe out of her hand… not that she noticed.
Kilik looked terrified, "X-Xiang-Xianghua?"

She ignored him, choosing instead to wink and Ivy before launching herself in a full blown tackle at Kilik that not only succeeded in knocking him over but also knocking over the chair he was occupying with him.

"We ought to watch out for that mistletoe." Siegfried laughed, "Seems to make the girls act somewhat violent."

"Agreed." Raphael and Maxi nodded. Ivy just smiled at the German and idly fingered the extra sprig of mistletoe concealed in her pocket…

It was night time.

Maxi had just finished with completing his promise for Talim's present, whilst inside the main living area the others were busy either sleeping off an excellent Christmas dinner of which Link's demon chicken/cuckoo played a staring role - much to his personal satisfaction. Alternatively they were busy telling stories and singing songs in front of the fireplace. That was, all except one individual; whilst the band of warriors celebrated onwards far to the east the two blades of Soul Edge were wreaking havoc, and above their heads a dark plan was unfolding.

Raphael Sorrel sat on the snow covered roof, a blade in one hand and a piece of paper in the other, his agile form silhouetted against a full winter moon.

A quest, he thought, A quest to rid the world of Soul Edge. He looked at the sword,

Loyalty?

He glanced at picture.

There… there is loyalty. Loyalty in my heart, not loyalty to a myth or to a flag. They act as if I am loyal to them and to their fruitless cause, well, today I am for today is Christmas Day and tradition dictates that it be a time of peace. But tomorrow?

Raphael strapped the blade to his belt and placed the folded picture of Amy into his breast pocket.

Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a time of no tradition. I will cling on to this band for as long as I need them, until Soul Edge becomes mine. He brought a hand to the pocket and touched the material gently, For that… is for loyalty, all the loyalty I need.

He slid off the roof, landing gracefully before re-entering to find Ivy sipping a glass of sherry and the atmosphere very merry to say the least.

"Ah so you're back at last are you?" She teased, "We were wondering when you were going to come back."

"Just needed some fresh air." He lied, "You seem to be having fun."

"Of course!" Maxi said, waving around a bottle of what looked like some ghastly rum concoction. "Come and sit down with us – the night is still young!"

"Yes it is!" Raphael smiled evenly, "Merry Christmas everyone… Merry Christmas indeed…"

THE END

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