Title: Soul of the Blade
Author: Cara (SerenaShade)
E-Mail: SerenaShade@bolt.com
Distribution: Ask first...though I probably won't say no...Still asking is nice.
Rating somewhere around PG 13 perhaps R for crime scene descriptions.
Feedback: Always a plus
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THIS. WITCHBLADE IS THE PROPERTY OF TOP COW PRODUCTIONS. I am simply using this as an outlet for the inspiration that the show has given to me. I am making no profit off of this; this is simply for the enjoyment of myself and the other people that love the show as much as I do. The only part that I do take credit for is the character Phoenix, she is the product of my over active imagination.
Part I - Glowing Eyes
A seed from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil planted in the womb of a barren, mortal woman. A child born of the blade... to guard it, to guide it to the true wielders throughout all time... She was born at the same time as the blade, but unlike the blade, she has been forgotten. A baby with eyes like old amber... two circles intertwined on her back... seized the day she was born by the priests that had helped her mother with the trials of not having been able to have children. The child was taken into the temple and the witchblade placed immediately upon her wrist. There it did stay until the first true wielder was born. The blade let its living soul know that it was time to seek out the true wielder by falling from her wrist. Trained to be the guardian, the keeper of the blade, only to be a wielder if the true one died before her time. A keeper of the memories of those that have worn the blade, a recorder of its history, the protector of the blade and its wearer, and so much more. She keeps to the shadows, trying her best to fulfill her destiny. She never knew what it was like to be a child, or what it was like to be human, for she was never human. She was the first to wear the blade, but she did not wield it, it wielded her. Time has passed; she has watched the blade change hands more times than she cares to count... Immortal, beautiful, but a stranger in this world...
The dream played out before the sleeping Sara Pezzini like an old black and white film. There was a baby on an altar in some sort of strange temple. There were priests surrounding the child, which was strange, she must be seeing things from a vantage point above them. The baby opened its eyes, and suddenly Sara Pezzini saw a flash of color, familiar color. The baby's eyes were the color of old amber, kind of like the gem in the witchblade. The baby was turned over and on its back were two joined circles, much like the mark Sara now bore on her chest, only hers was smaller. The baby was turned back over and the priests took what looked to be a bracelet and placed it on the baby's wrist. When the priest moved his hand, Sara could see the bracelet for what it was...and woke with a start.
"What the hell? Why would they place it on a baby?" Sara muttered to herself. She looked at her alarm clock. It was close to time for her to be getting up so she shut off her alarm and got out of bed. She dressed and tried to shake the dream from her mind. She needed to focus on work; she didn't need to give Dante any easy reasons for getting on her case. She walked downstairs and out onto the sidewalk. She walked around the side of her building to the place where she kept her bike and got on her way to work.
"Hey Pez, we've got a case."
"What?"
"Down by the old warehouse district, looks like someone is either mimicking our corlach case from a while back or has put a new twist on their own dark tale." Jake said, his voice worried.
"What's the victim look like?"
"They said we'd have to see it when we got there to believe it."
"Let's go rookie." Sara said as she turned and headed out of the precinct.
The scene of the crime was the same as the one that has been used in the druidic sacrifice case they had had a few months back. Conchobar's symbol was still on the wall. Only this time, on the stone, was a young man. He looked like he had been laid out for crucifixion ... His hands were bolted to the stone at the wrists; his feet hung off the end of the dais. There was a cut from the hollow of the young man's throat down to his sternum, and there were strange markings on his chest and down his arms. The man was shirtless, but his pants were more like slacks, though not as dressy. It was then that Sara looked at the full scene of the man on the round stone dais... His heart was lying beside him with a bolt through it as well. Sara turned and put her hand over her mouth, she felt like she was going to be sick.
"This mark looks like it was done by a mortician, for an autopsy. But I don't think that this guy was taken from the morgue. Someone cleaned him up after they were done with him. God whoever did this was sick." Said one of the forensics officers. Sara barely heard them; the witchblade was showing her what had happened, at least in part. Sara restrained the urge to vomit.
The man was at a club; he walked out into the alley and was struck from behind. He woke up looking at the strange symbol on the wall... He was gagged and he felt cold stone beneath him, his shirt was gone. People circling around him, one drawing on him in blood or red paint...the gleam of a blade - a scalpel... the young man screaming. All the rest was blocked as Sara felt a firm hand on her shoulder.
"You all right partner?"
"Yeah, it's just that the scene..."
"Yeah, I know, it's a bit much. So what do you think?"
"I don't know what to think Jake."
"What's the you know what telling you?"
"Looks like ritualistic sacrifice to me."
"What all did you see?"
"Not much Jake, we'll talk about this later, okay?"
"Yeah sure."
"Make sure they take pictures of every last detail, we're going to need them if we're going to research this thing."
"No problem Pez."
"I'm going to get some air, okay Jake?"
"Sure Pez. I'll join you in a few." Sara nodded and walked out of the warehouse.
"God Conchobar, I wish you were here, perhaps you'd have a tale for this mystery as well."
"I just might."
"John."
"Aye, but not for long. I cannae stay."
"Then why are you here?"
"To help you."
"With?"
"Yer case."
"Oh."
"You know, yer getting' a bit better with that thing. 'Twasn't that long ago that you could only see Danny."
"You've met him?"
"Aye, we go out and talk about you."
"Uh-oh does that mean I'm in trouble?"
"Not at all luv, not at all." Conchobar laughed. Sara shook her head. She looked around to make sure that no one else was around to hear her talking to the person that only she could see. The coast was clear, much to her relief.
"I can see yer not too comfortable with me here... I'll talk to ye when yer alone later."
"See you soon John."
"Aye luv, that ye will." John laughed as he faded out.
"This is getting weirder all the time." Sara said to herself as she shook her head. From the shadows, a person that Sara could not see and was to far away from to hear spoke:
"This is only the beginning Sara, this is only the beginning."
The figure from the shadows moved and began walking down the narrow alley she had been standing next to. She walked down the alley, across the street and up a flight of stairs. Once inside, she went up several more flights of stairs and finally came to a long corridor with doors. She walked past the first few to the very last one on the right. She opened the door and walked inside... The young woman was dressed in black jeans, a black t-shirt; black work boots and had on a long black leather duster. She threw the duster to the couch and sat down beside it.
She was a striking young woman, with long, auburn hair and eyes that looked like old amber in firelight... much like the stone in the witchblade. It was very odd... She wasn't exceptionally tall, standing only at a mere 5'5". She was lithe and well built though and looked a bit athletic. Her skin was pale and she looked tired. She had been up all night with the visions again. How long was this going to go on? She shook her head; she knew very well that it would never stop. She sighed and looked out the nearby window... It was going to be another long night. Suddenly she felt as if there were another person with her in the room...
"So which guardian are you? The bard or the cop?" She spoke out into the empty room. A figure slowly appeared...
"The bard. Why are ye watching Sara?"
"I too am a guardian, only I am a living one."
"You're to guard Sara?"
"In a round a bout way, yes."
"Who are ye lass?"
"Hmmm to answer the spirit's question or to leave him wonder?"
"Please lass, don't keep me in suspense."
"Phoenix, Phoenix Magae. If you must know."
"So who are you guarding?"
"Sara and the witchblade, until they separate, then I will safe guard the blade until the next wielder rises."
"Who do ye work for?"
"I work for the blade, and no one else. Trust me if Kenneth Irons knew I was in town, he'd be sending people to capture me. I'm a way to the blade you see. I would never work for that man."
"How'd you know who I was thinking of?"
"The blade allows us to see you, and so it allows me to know what you're thinking. Besides it was the obvious choice."
"Well now that I know ye won't be hurting my lady I'll leave you be. Still wondering how you can see me though."
"It isn't important how I can see you, only that I can." Phoenix replied and with that Conchobar was gone. Phoenix sighed, this wasn't good... damn nosy spirits. The last thing she needed was for one of them to go to Sara and get her to question things. Oh sure, if Sara found her on her own she'd not hesitate to help, but other than that she wasn't going anywhere near there. She picked up her duster and in one fluid movement it was on and she was out the door...
**
She walked back to the area near the scene of the crime, for she knew that's where the current blade wielder was. Being sure to stay in the shadows and to cloak herself with her inherent abilities of subterfuge, she watched, and waited. With all of the meddlesome spirits about, she might just have to go there before she was called. She knew already that this wielder had had the dream of the baby, already she was questioning it in her mind. It would only be a matter of time before she started asking the right questions to the wrong people. If Kenneth heard that Sara had had the dream, it wouldn't be long before he was sending out the search parties.
Sara was talking to her partner, Jake McCartey and they seemed to be having a very deep and private discussion. Phoenix cocked her head to the side, narrowed her eyes, and took a deep, relaxing breath. It wasn't long before she could hear what they were saying...
"So, what's it telling you?"
"I told you Jake, not here, and not now."
"That bad huh?"
"Worse."
"Really?"
"Yeah Jake, so drop it until later."
"Well how much later are we talking?"
"What's the matter rookie, got a hot date tonight?"
"No, it isn't that, I just want to know."
"Fine, meet me at my place in two hours."
"Why two hours?"
"I'm going to ask Danny if he knows anything."
"Going to the Graveyard?"
"You guessed it."
"See you in two hours then Pez."
"Yeah Jake." Sara said as she walked towards her motorcycle. The graveyard, that was good, that would be a very safe place to confront Sara. Phoenix only hoped that it went well. She didn't need a wielder that would turn her in to the enemy. Phoenix walked to her apartment building and got on to her own motorcycle and raced to the cemetery that she had seen Ms. Pezzini at so many times.
Waiting in the shadows of a crypt, Phoenix watched and listened to the conversation. Knowing full well that the ghost, Danny knew she was there. She need only wait for him to create her opportunity for her, and these meddlesome spirits seemed to be very good at doing just that.
"Don't look now Sara, but you're being watched."
"Nottingham?"
"No, someone more dangerous, and yet you are in no danger."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Walk over to that crypt over there and find out for yourself." Danny said. Sara walked over to where Phoenix was standing.
"Who are you and why are you watching me?"
"My name is of little import at the current moment, and I am watching you because it is my job."
"You work for Irons?"
"That old fool? Hardly. Besides, if he knew I was in town, it wouldn't be very likely that I would be here speaking to you."
"And why is that?" Sara asked sarcastically. Phoenix extended her hand to catch Sara's wrist before Sara had the chance to blink.
"This is the reason. The witchblade, you saw me in a dream, the baby on the altar. The first child to where this cursed thing. I am Phoenix, Phoenix Magae. Born of the blade for the blade. I am its living soul, its guardian. The wielder is an extension of the blade and so I protect the wielder as well."
"Phoenix Magae? Like digitabulum magae?"
"Yes Sara. I share a name with the witchblade. Translated my name becomes Phoenix Blade. For now, I guess you may call me Nikki if you wish."
"Alright...Nikki, why are you here?"
"The witchblade and your dream. I cannot run the risk of you telling Irons that you had the dream, although he probably already knows sine he is connected to you because he had to put the damn thing on his wrist. That is besides the point. Do not speak of me to him or his lap dog, if you do, I will take over in your stead, but in order for me to do that, you have to be dead. Do you understand?"
"I think so."
"I do not make idle threats Sara, nor do I wish to follow through on that one. But I must protect myself, for if I fall then the blade will follow, and whoever is wearing it when I am captured will be in the gravest of danger." Phoenix said as she turned and walked away.
Author: Cara (SerenaShade)
E-Mail: SerenaShade@bolt.com
Distribution: Ask first...though I probably won't say no...Still asking is nice.
Rating somewhere around PG 13 perhaps R for crime scene descriptions.
Feedback: Always a plus
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THIS. WITCHBLADE IS THE PROPERTY OF TOP COW PRODUCTIONS. I am simply using this as an outlet for the inspiration that the show has given to me. I am making no profit off of this; this is simply for the enjoyment of myself and the other people that love the show as much as I do. The only part that I do take credit for is the character Phoenix, she is the product of my over active imagination.
Part I - Glowing Eyes
A seed from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil planted in the womb of a barren, mortal woman. A child born of the blade... to guard it, to guide it to the true wielders throughout all time... She was born at the same time as the blade, but unlike the blade, she has been forgotten. A baby with eyes like old amber... two circles intertwined on her back... seized the day she was born by the priests that had helped her mother with the trials of not having been able to have children. The child was taken into the temple and the witchblade placed immediately upon her wrist. There it did stay until the first true wielder was born. The blade let its living soul know that it was time to seek out the true wielder by falling from her wrist. Trained to be the guardian, the keeper of the blade, only to be a wielder if the true one died before her time. A keeper of the memories of those that have worn the blade, a recorder of its history, the protector of the blade and its wearer, and so much more. She keeps to the shadows, trying her best to fulfill her destiny. She never knew what it was like to be a child, or what it was like to be human, for she was never human. She was the first to wear the blade, but she did not wield it, it wielded her. Time has passed; she has watched the blade change hands more times than she cares to count... Immortal, beautiful, but a stranger in this world...
The dream played out before the sleeping Sara Pezzini like an old black and white film. There was a baby on an altar in some sort of strange temple. There were priests surrounding the child, which was strange, she must be seeing things from a vantage point above them. The baby opened its eyes, and suddenly Sara Pezzini saw a flash of color, familiar color. The baby's eyes were the color of old amber, kind of like the gem in the witchblade. The baby was turned over and on its back were two joined circles, much like the mark Sara now bore on her chest, only hers was smaller. The baby was turned back over and the priests took what looked to be a bracelet and placed it on the baby's wrist. When the priest moved his hand, Sara could see the bracelet for what it was...and woke with a start.
"What the hell? Why would they place it on a baby?" Sara muttered to herself. She looked at her alarm clock. It was close to time for her to be getting up so she shut off her alarm and got out of bed. She dressed and tried to shake the dream from her mind. She needed to focus on work; she didn't need to give Dante any easy reasons for getting on her case. She walked downstairs and out onto the sidewalk. She walked around the side of her building to the place where she kept her bike and got on her way to work.
"Hey Pez, we've got a case."
"What?"
"Down by the old warehouse district, looks like someone is either mimicking our corlach case from a while back or has put a new twist on their own dark tale." Jake said, his voice worried.
"What's the victim look like?"
"They said we'd have to see it when we got there to believe it."
"Let's go rookie." Sara said as she turned and headed out of the precinct.
The scene of the crime was the same as the one that has been used in the druidic sacrifice case they had had a few months back. Conchobar's symbol was still on the wall. Only this time, on the stone, was a young man. He looked like he had been laid out for crucifixion ... His hands were bolted to the stone at the wrists; his feet hung off the end of the dais. There was a cut from the hollow of the young man's throat down to his sternum, and there were strange markings on his chest and down his arms. The man was shirtless, but his pants were more like slacks, though not as dressy. It was then that Sara looked at the full scene of the man on the round stone dais... His heart was lying beside him with a bolt through it as well. Sara turned and put her hand over her mouth, she felt like she was going to be sick.
"This mark looks like it was done by a mortician, for an autopsy. But I don't think that this guy was taken from the morgue. Someone cleaned him up after they were done with him. God whoever did this was sick." Said one of the forensics officers. Sara barely heard them; the witchblade was showing her what had happened, at least in part. Sara restrained the urge to vomit.
The man was at a club; he walked out into the alley and was struck from behind. He woke up looking at the strange symbol on the wall... He was gagged and he felt cold stone beneath him, his shirt was gone. People circling around him, one drawing on him in blood or red paint...the gleam of a blade - a scalpel... the young man screaming. All the rest was blocked as Sara felt a firm hand on her shoulder.
"You all right partner?"
"Yeah, it's just that the scene..."
"Yeah, I know, it's a bit much. So what do you think?"
"I don't know what to think Jake."
"What's the you know what telling you?"
"Looks like ritualistic sacrifice to me."
"What all did you see?"
"Not much Jake, we'll talk about this later, okay?"
"Yeah sure."
"Make sure they take pictures of every last detail, we're going to need them if we're going to research this thing."
"No problem Pez."
"I'm going to get some air, okay Jake?"
"Sure Pez. I'll join you in a few." Sara nodded and walked out of the warehouse.
"God Conchobar, I wish you were here, perhaps you'd have a tale for this mystery as well."
"I just might."
"John."
"Aye, but not for long. I cannae stay."
"Then why are you here?"
"To help you."
"With?"
"Yer case."
"Oh."
"You know, yer getting' a bit better with that thing. 'Twasn't that long ago that you could only see Danny."
"You've met him?"
"Aye, we go out and talk about you."
"Uh-oh does that mean I'm in trouble?"
"Not at all luv, not at all." Conchobar laughed. Sara shook her head. She looked around to make sure that no one else was around to hear her talking to the person that only she could see. The coast was clear, much to her relief.
"I can see yer not too comfortable with me here... I'll talk to ye when yer alone later."
"See you soon John."
"Aye luv, that ye will." John laughed as he faded out.
"This is getting weirder all the time." Sara said to herself as she shook her head. From the shadows, a person that Sara could not see and was to far away from to hear spoke:
"This is only the beginning Sara, this is only the beginning."
The figure from the shadows moved and began walking down the narrow alley she had been standing next to. She walked down the alley, across the street and up a flight of stairs. Once inside, she went up several more flights of stairs and finally came to a long corridor with doors. She walked past the first few to the very last one on the right. She opened the door and walked inside... The young woman was dressed in black jeans, a black t-shirt; black work boots and had on a long black leather duster. She threw the duster to the couch and sat down beside it.
She was a striking young woman, with long, auburn hair and eyes that looked like old amber in firelight... much like the stone in the witchblade. It was very odd... She wasn't exceptionally tall, standing only at a mere 5'5". She was lithe and well built though and looked a bit athletic. Her skin was pale and she looked tired. She had been up all night with the visions again. How long was this going to go on? She shook her head; she knew very well that it would never stop. She sighed and looked out the nearby window... It was going to be another long night. Suddenly she felt as if there were another person with her in the room...
"So which guardian are you? The bard or the cop?" She spoke out into the empty room. A figure slowly appeared...
"The bard. Why are ye watching Sara?"
"I too am a guardian, only I am a living one."
"You're to guard Sara?"
"In a round a bout way, yes."
"Who are ye lass?"
"Hmmm to answer the spirit's question or to leave him wonder?"
"Please lass, don't keep me in suspense."
"Phoenix, Phoenix Magae. If you must know."
"So who are you guarding?"
"Sara and the witchblade, until they separate, then I will safe guard the blade until the next wielder rises."
"Who do ye work for?"
"I work for the blade, and no one else. Trust me if Kenneth Irons knew I was in town, he'd be sending people to capture me. I'm a way to the blade you see. I would never work for that man."
"How'd you know who I was thinking of?"
"The blade allows us to see you, and so it allows me to know what you're thinking. Besides it was the obvious choice."
"Well now that I know ye won't be hurting my lady I'll leave you be. Still wondering how you can see me though."
"It isn't important how I can see you, only that I can." Phoenix replied and with that Conchobar was gone. Phoenix sighed, this wasn't good... damn nosy spirits. The last thing she needed was for one of them to go to Sara and get her to question things. Oh sure, if Sara found her on her own she'd not hesitate to help, but other than that she wasn't going anywhere near there. She picked up her duster and in one fluid movement it was on and she was out the door...
**
She walked back to the area near the scene of the crime, for she knew that's where the current blade wielder was. Being sure to stay in the shadows and to cloak herself with her inherent abilities of subterfuge, she watched, and waited. With all of the meddlesome spirits about, she might just have to go there before she was called. She knew already that this wielder had had the dream of the baby, already she was questioning it in her mind. It would only be a matter of time before she started asking the right questions to the wrong people. If Kenneth heard that Sara had had the dream, it wouldn't be long before he was sending out the search parties.
Sara was talking to her partner, Jake McCartey and they seemed to be having a very deep and private discussion. Phoenix cocked her head to the side, narrowed her eyes, and took a deep, relaxing breath. It wasn't long before she could hear what they were saying...
"So, what's it telling you?"
"I told you Jake, not here, and not now."
"That bad huh?"
"Worse."
"Really?"
"Yeah Jake, so drop it until later."
"Well how much later are we talking?"
"What's the matter rookie, got a hot date tonight?"
"No, it isn't that, I just want to know."
"Fine, meet me at my place in two hours."
"Why two hours?"
"I'm going to ask Danny if he knows anything."
"Going to the Graveyard?"
"You guessed it."
"See you in two hours then Pez."
"Yeah Jake." Sara said as she walked towards her motorcycle. The graveyard, that was good, that would be a very safe place to confront Sara. Phoenix only hoped that it went well. She didn't need a wielder that would turn her in to the enemy. Phoenix walked to her apartment building and got on to her own motorcycle and raced to the cemetery that she had seen Ms. Pezzini at so many times.
Waiting in the shadows of a crypt, Phoenix watched and listened to the conversation. Knowing full well that the ghost, Danny knew she was there. She need only wait for him to create her opportunity for her, and these meddlesome spirits seemed to be very good at doing just that.
"Don't look now Sara, but you're being watched."
"Nottingham?"
"No, someone more dangerous, and yet you are in no danger."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Walk over to that crypt over there and find out for yourself." Danny said. Sara walked over to where Phoenix was standing.
"Who are you and why are you watching me?"
"My name is of little import at the current moment, and I am watching you because it is my job."
"You work for Irons?"
"That old fool? Hardly. Besides, if he knew I was in town, it wouldn't be very likely that I would be here speaking to you."
"And why is that?" Sara asked sarcastically. Phoenix extended her hand to catch Sara's wrist before Sara had the chance to blink.
"This is the reason. The witchblade, you saw me in a dream, the baby on the altar. The first child to where this cursed thing. I am Phoenix, Phoenix Magae. Born of the blade for the blade. I am its living soul, its guardian. The wielder is an extension of the blade and so I protect the wielder as well."
"Phoenix Magae? Like digitabulum magae?"
"Yes Sara. I share a name with the witchblade. Translated my name becomes Phoenix Blade. For now, I guess you may call me Nikki if you wish."
"Alright...Nikki, why are you here?"
"The witchblade and your dream. I cannot run the risk of you telling Irons that you had the dream, although he probably already knows sine he is connected to you because he had to put the damn thing on his wrist. That is besides the point. Do not speak of me to him or his lap dog, if you do, I will take over in your stead, but in order for me to do that, you have to be dead. Do you understand?"
"I think so."
"I do not make idle threats Sara, nor do I wish to follow through on that one. But I must protect myself, for if I fall then the blade will follow, and whoever is wearing it when I am captured will be in the gravest of danger." Phoenix said as she turned and walked away.