Melt My Cold Heart

Here’s Chapter 2! I know the first chapter’s a bit boring but Qilué and Sogetsu’s character start to unfold more in this chapter. After this chapter, things start to make more sense.

Disclaimer: The characters’ names, physical description, and powers do not belong to me: Sogetsu Kazama from Samurai Shodown and Qilué, one of the Seven Sisters in the Forgotten Realms. Their personalities and this story are original.

Note from author: None of this is going to be based on the video game or the forgotten realms series. Please keep in mind that Qilué is pronounced KEE-lay.

Chapter 2: Control

Qilué was lying on her side, resting her head on her right arm as she could still feel how cold the concrete floor was after lying there for the past two days. The silk robe gave her little warmth but it wasn’t her concern at the moment. She was trying to come up with escape plans which in the end, there was no avoiding death.

She was being held captive in her new master’s quarters. Turning to her other side, now that her right arm was numb, she suddenly remembered the heavy metal collar around her neck. When it was placed on her by one of the soldiers, Qilué thought her neck was literally going to break. It was so heavy that it immediately brought her entire body down to the floor because she didn’t really want to see if her neck would break. As she laid on her other side, the huge metal collar making a loud clunk as it hit the floor and she let out a sigh. Instead of staring at closed curtains, she was now looking at a large bed that hadn’t been slept for a long time because the sheets seemed actually dusty. There was a large fur rug in the middle of the room. Qilué had tried to crawl towards the rug, but the collar restrained her from moving far. A plate of dry food was within her reach. A servant had left the plate for her on her first day staying in the room, but after that, no more food was bought for her. During her stay, she only saw the solider and servant on the first day, but no one else up until now.

The door opened and Sogetsu walks in. Qilué peered out from her white hood and veil, looking at him as he walks towards her. He crouches down and touches the collar around her neck. She couldn’t see what he was doing, but she felt the collar jerk her neck slightly, a small clicking sound was heard, and then the collar fell off, hitting the floor loudly. A sound of relief came from her as she slightly bends her neck side to side.

“Katsu’s waiting for us with his army in the middle fields. I want him to see you so that he knows you didn’t succeed and then I’ll execute you in front of him.” Qilué closes her eyes as Sogetsu stands up and walks out of the room.

--------------------------------------

Katsu’s army was huge. Qilué squints past the five hundred soldiers that were visible in front of her. As a dark elf, her senses were much more acute than humans, and what she saw were reinforcements standing at least fifty feet in the back of the army. Sogetsu was going to slit her throat at any moment now but before she died, she wanted to see him shaken and broken.

“Your odds don’t seem that wonderful.” She said to him with a small smile. “Katsu has reinforcements.” Quickly pressing her lips together, he turns his head towards her, his face still and emotionless. He pulled out the knife she was suppose to kill him with and presses it against her neck. Before Sogetsu could act, a messenger came dashing from behind his soldiers, panting. They turn around to face him, the runner bending over, putting his hands on his knees as he gasps for air, sweat dripping from his forehead.

“Lord Kazama,” the messenger gasped out and then swallows. “there are reinforcements, at least two hundred of them.” Sogetsu quickly faces Qilué and seizes her arm, the knife still pressing against her neck. Forcefully pulling her towards him, his face was inches away from her so that she had no choice but to look at him. She felt scared immediately but as she looks closer at his face, a different emotion swept over her. There was dark rings around his eyes and his face looked thinner. She guessed that he hadn’t slept in days, even weeks. Katsu had told her that Sogetsu was a tyrant, a ruler with an iron fist. Instead, Qilué saw a man willing to die for what was left of his kingdom, to protect it from those that threatened his home. Qilué now felt that she didn’t have the heart to watch him get killed.

“How did you know?” he growls softly so that she could only hear him. She could feel his fingers digging into her skin and she slightly flinched. Even though her veil was covering her face, Sogetsu knew he was hurting her.

“My senses are much more acute. I can see and hear things that are afar.” Qilué manages to get her explanation out and she could feel Sogetsu’s finger slowly pull back. He drops her to her feet and points towards the enormous army. “Tell me what they are doing now.” She turns her head and looks out into the field. Squinting once again, she sees Katsu talking to a solider. The solider nods at Katsu then runs off into the army. It took a while for her to find the solider but she spotted him talking to another solider that was part of the reinforcement. Suddenly, the reinforcements marches out and Katsu’s army started to march forward.

“Katsu’s headed our way. The reinforcements are walking away.” Sogetsu turns to Izu. Qilué guessed that Izu was second in command, seeing how Izu’s clothing was a different color than the rest of the soldiers. “Send half our men back to meet the reinforcements coming behind us. I want the other half to stand their ground here. We’ll have a fight to the death.” Sogetsu draws his sword and walks to the front of his small army. Izu now stood next to Qilué but quickly rushes to Sogetsu’s side.

“Lord Kazama, we’ll lose horribly! Katsu’s army is at least five times greater than ours!” Sogetsu shot his general a glare. “If we agree to an alliance with Katsu, he’ll take over my kingdom. I would rather fight him then hand over what is rightfully mine!” The general steps back, trembling slightly. He nods toward the other men and Qilué could hear the swords coming out of their sheaths. Katsu’s army stops within at least a hundred yards between the two armies and Katsu steps out a few feet alone.

“Lord Kazma!” he shouted, loud enough for Sogetsu to hear. “As you can see, I’m here for your answer!” A grin spread on Katsu’s face. Sogetsu’s face twisted into a look of disgust and shouted back in return. “Katsu! I’ll never surrender my kingdom to you! If you want it, come and claim it!” Katsu stood there for a few seconds, lifting his arm straight forward then dropping it. The first wave of his army ran past him, shouting and trampling across the field. It would be seconds now until Katsu’s men would reach them. Sogetsu was standing firm to his ground, his hands gripping his sword tightly. The general and the rest of the men were shaking, their swords quivering rapidly in their hands. A few even ran away. Qilué quickly runs up to Sogetsu. She looks at him, reading his face and knowing that his mind was already made up. Without saying a word to him, she runs past him and out into the fields. She could hear him shouting at her but she blocked out the sound of his voice. At least 20 feet away from Sogetsu, she stops, guessing that Katsu’s men would reach her within a minute. Taking a deep breath, she exhales and crosses her arms in front of her. She starts to chant in her elvish dialect, whispering the words out like a hypnotic trance. She begins to move her arms in a fluid motion, in sync with her chanting. As she sees the first wave of Katsu’s men only a few feet away from her, she extends out her arm and a bright wave of light explodes. Sogetsu quickly covers his eyes as the rest of his men did as well. When the light faded, blinking a few times as his eyes start to focus, he looks out into the field.

Qilué was still standing there, breathing heavily as one of Katsu’s men had his arm above his head, ready to strike her down with his sword. Only he wasn’t moving. The rest of the first wave wasn’t moving either as if someone had stopped time itself. Suddenly, the solider in front of Qilué let out a gurgling sound and slowly, his upper torso slides off and slumps to the ground with his lower torso lying there next to him. Sogetsu could see arms falling to the ground as well as heads and torsos. The field was now being littered with dismembered soldiers. It was as if a gigantic knife had just swept through them, cutting them all in half.

“She’s…she’s a….devil.” Sogetsu heard his general say. Some of Sogetsu’s men were bending over, throwing up from the scene. Sogetsu could see the look on Katsu’s face. It was clear enough to determine that Katsu didn’t know Qilué had this kind of power, but he didn’t look threatened at all. Katsu raises his arm again, sending out the rest of his soldiers. Sogetsu quickly runs up to Qilué as he sees her lower her arm.

“Do that again!” He shouts at her. She turns to look at him and he grabs her arms forcefully. “I command you!” Her body felt limp as he shook her and saw her shaking her head slowly. The shouts of Katsu’s army were now getting louder and closer. “It’s not so easy. Summoning a spell like that takes a lot of energy. I’m nearly exhausted but there is something else I can do.” Sogetsu let go of her gently this time. She quickly crouches down and places her hand in one of the dismembered soldier’s blood. She then places her red stained hand into the soil. Sogetsu could hear her mutter, the words coming out of her mouth sounded rough but beautiful. The ground starts to shake hard and suddenly two large lumps rise out of the earth. Sogetsu first thought the lumps were going to turn into large boulders but then the shapes turned out to look like bodies. Katsu’s men were now stopping with their advance, waiting to see if their fate would be the same as the rest of their comrades. Two gigantic earth creatures, at least fifteen feet tall were now standing beside Qilué. Sogetsu noticed that there were large hammers where the creature’s hands were suppose to be. Sweat was now forming on Qilué’s forehead as she stood up, lifting her arms and continuing to chant. The large earth creatures lift their legs and start to move towards Katsu’s men. The men were now terrified and slowly start to back away.

“Cowards!” Katsu shouted at his men. “Those creatures are just made of soil! Farmers would be able to cut them down!” Some of his men looked back at him, their terrifying expressions still present. “I’ll make whoever brings me the witch’s head my second in command!” Suddenly the men were now filled with courage and continue their rush towards Qilué. The earth creatures were now moving faster, each step they take made the earth tremble slightly. Before the men could even come into contact with the creatures and strike at them, they were immediately plummeted by the creature’s hammer hands. Screams were heard as the creatures continue to rake through Katsu’s army, swinging and stomping on them. Some of the men were able to pass the creatures unharmed and continue to make their way towards Qilué. Sogetsu quickly lifts his sword and shouts back to his men.

“This is the chance we’ve been waiting for!” A roar came from Sogetsu’s men as they rush out to meet their enemies head on. Qilué was concentrating hard on controlling the creatures but she could feel that Sogetsu now had a good chance of winning this battle. From the corner of her eye, she could see Sogetsu killing one man after another. His movements were swift and ever strike was a killing blow. His technique was flawless, as if he was able to see his enemy’s movement before it happens.

One of the creatures suddenly collapses; a loud thunderous roar coming from it as it slowly melts back into the earth. Sogetsu quickly turns and looks at Qilué. An arrow was in her left shoulder now and her right hand was wrapping around the shaft, threatening to pull it out. The other creature was now stumbling around like a new born trying to learn how to walk but it failed to stay on its feet as it too crashes into the earth but was successful in burying some enemies with its fall. Sogetsu rushes to her side, grabbing her right wrist hard enough to make her let go of the arrow. Her white robes were now splattered with her own blood and he saw her trying to keep her eyes open. She fell into him, her hood falling back and her white hair spilling into his face. A small scent of cherry blossoms filled his senses as he catches her then helping her to her feet. Looking around for archers, he spotted Katsu from a short distance, aiming at them with another arrow, ready to release it. Sogetsu quickly rushes towards Katsu, his speed astounding him. Katsu never saw a man move so fast and with a feel of panic and fear, he let the arrow go. As it was heading straight at Sogetsu, it failed to hit its make because with a fast strike, Sogetsu split the arrow in half. With a loud cry, Sogetsu was now upon Katsu. Taking his sword into both his hands, Katsu only saw a blur in front of his eyes and shortly he was screaming. The screams quickly turn into bloody gurgles, a fountain of blood erupting from Katsu’s neck and splattering onto Sogetsu’s face. Katsu falls face down with a thud and the ground was stained red in a matter of minutes. Sogetsu sheathes his sword then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. He hears his men shouting, crying victory as they all raised their swords up high into the air. Running back, he sees Izu kneeling over Qilué. Her head was in his lap as he cradles her head with his hands. Sogetsu crouched down beside her as he reaches them. Her eyes were closed and he thought first that she had blacked out from the pain but he saw her veil slightly move up and down. A small smirk appeared on his lips and Izu looks at him with concern, wondering what his lord found so amusing.

“She’s asleep, but we better get her back to the castle. Katsu’s arrows are poison. I won’t let something so little kill this amazing creature.”

-----------------------------------------

Qilué’s eyes slowly flutter open. There was light pain in her left shoulder as she brings her left hand up to her forehead. Suddenly, her eyes shoot open. Where am I, she thought as she slowly sits up. She was in Sogetsu’s quarters again but instead of being chained and lying on the cold floor, she was now in the dusty bed. She gently touches her shoulder, remembering what had happened during the battle. Then without realizing, she lifts up the covers to see that she was naked. The door suddenly opens and she let out a small squeal, falling back into the bed with the sheets pulled up over her nose. Her eyes were now wide and looking at Sogetsu as he closes the door and walks towards her.

“You’re finally awake Q. You’ve been sleeping for nearly four days now”. She glared at him, remembering him giving her that pet name. Slowly pulling the covers down to her chin, she swallowed. “I slept for that long..?” She heard a small ‘hmph’ come from him and he nodded and sits down at the side of the bed. On instinct, Qilué automatically curled up while pulling the covers back up over her nose. Looking at Sogetsu, his face was now softer and his eyes actually looked gentle. His features were now changed and he looked healthy and young. She actually thought he looked beautiful. This caused Qilué to slightly drop her defenses.

“Who brought me here and healed me? Was it one of your servants?” Qilué didn’t think any of the soldiers would even come near her after what they witnessed her do to their enemies. A small smirk slowly appears on Sogetsu’s face. “I carried you back here, bathed you, and nursed you back to health. You belong to me, so why would I let the servants have the pleasure of undressing you and treating you?” Qilué’s cheeks were now bright red as Sogetsu let out a small chuckle. Quickly jumping out of the bed with the sheets wrapping around her, her hands were on her chest, holding the sheets tightly. She wondered if he had done anything while she was passed out for four days. Standing up, Sogetsu looks at her then walks slowly towards her. She didn’t know if she should be flattered by his remark or slap him across the face.

“You have great power for a slave. I don’t know how Katsu would have missed that.” Qilué’s face immediately turned into a furious look. “I’m not a sex slave. Katsu never touched me because he thought I was a demon. I didn’t look beautiful like his other slaves but he kept me anyways.”

“Why didn’t you escape then?”

The question came out a bit too fast as she looked at him. “Where am I to go? I look like a demon. Who will want me around?” She heard him scoff.

“That’s the most pathetic thing I’ve ever heard. With your power, why would you want to belong anywhere? You could have made your own kingdom, but I know you have a heart like all women, but yours isn’t as soft of theirs. Why did you kill Katsu’s men? And don’t tell me it was because you hated him. You could have just killed Katsu, but you decided to help me win the battle.”

Qilué stood there with nothing to say. Why did she help save Sogetsu’s kingdom? Was it because she saw a man that could achieve greatness without tyranny? Was it because she found him…attractive? She cursed at herself for thinking about something like that.

“The people…” she softly muttered out. “I care about the people who have suffered in your kingdom. Most of your people ran to Katsu and he treated them brutally. Katsu wasn’t fit to rule your kingdom, even his own. The people would have suffered much more.”

Sogetsu turned away, walking towards the door and opening it. “If you want to stay, stay then, but remember that you belong to me and the rules I set still apply. There is a celebration tonight for the unity of the east and south kingdoms. You will be present at my side Q.” As she opened her mouth to protest against his request, he had already walked through the door and closed it shut behind him. She stood there angry, confused, then curious. Why would he let me stay, she thought. Could it be that I saved his kingdom or that I have power he could use?

No matter what the reason was, Qilué knew that he was using her for his advantage. She let out a sigh. His control over her left her powerless. He knew that she couldn’t kill him because she wasn’t a murderer but now knew she would kill for those that were defenseless. She remembered when Katsu had held her captive and his servants would bring her food. They weren’t afraid of her because Katsu found her as a threat and they would actually make conversation. The real reason why she didn’t escape from Katsu was because of the servants. The servants somehow loved her and cared for her, despite how she looked. Now it was Qilué chance to give this back to Sogetsu’s people. She now knew that he was indeed a tyrant, and if the people suffered worse than when they were under Katsu’s power, she would kill him.


I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! The battle was hard to write out but I promise, promise, no more battle scenes!! So Qilué’s on a mission and why is Sogetsu letting her stay in his home? Sexual tension will be in the next chapter as a new character’s introduced!