Prologue
There lies a princess fair and dear,
who has slept for over a thousand years,
amidst a bramble of thorny spears.
Her streaming hair is emerald green.
Her rose quartz cheeks a blushing sheen.
But while she rests in the forest of thorns,
the rocks call out and the sea forewarns:
Look for the man with scarlet hair,
who seeks to end our world so fair.
It is his curse you must beware.
O princess trapped in slumber's claim,
your dream is evermore the same.
A world snuffed out, a smothered flame.
Spirit Force and the Brave Adventurers were currently flying through the lanes between when Ace spotted an unfamiliar world.
"Are you seeing this, David?" Ace asked.
"Magic Universe again, huh? It might be due to my Lunarian blood or the company I'm keeping, but...we always manage to find ourselves back here." David said.
"Let's check it out. And Anna, why not come with us? It's been awhile since you've been out in the field." Aya said.
"Sure, I don't mind needing the exercise." Anna agreed.
"Alright, I'll land my ship somewhere open so there'll be enough space for both our ships." Ace said typing in the commands. "How about near that small village?" He asked sending the coordinates.
"Sounds like a plan." Lloyd said.
The groups landed on the world as Ace activated a cloaking device for the ships so no one would find them.
"What do you think we'll find here?" Al asked.
"Knowing Ace, some new members for his group, probably." Teepo said.
"And some training, though that's more for us." Sectonia said.
"Yeah, I also need to get practice in with my magic and maybe you, David, and Genis could teach me the basics while we're adventuring." Ace said.
"It doesn't have to be us. You'll find plenty of people that use artes in worlds like these." Elize said.
"We would know. This Universe is our home." Zelos said.
"Yeah, I could probably learn a few as I fight. So shall we start exploring?" Ace asked.
"Lead the way." Kokoro said.
Ace began walking on ahead as the group found themselves in a forest. As they walked through they saw two people sword fighting. The one with a wooden sword had brown hair slicked back, red and black clothes with a lightning bolt design, and hazel eyes. The older one had the same eyes, he had an open long sleeved black shirt over a white one, a scarf around his neck, his hair in a ponytail, velvet red pants, and leather shoes who had a red and white bracer with weird designs.
"Look over there." Ace said pointing at two people. "What do you think they're doing?"
"From the looks of things… A sparring match." Sectonia said.
"Let's check it out." Papelne said running on ahead.
"Papel, wait!" Ace called out as the others chased after her.
Meanwhile
"This is it, Gramps! Today you're going down!" The youth said as he held a wooden sword in a fighting stance.
"Heh heh. Last I checked, a young pup like you was no match for Sydan Meteor." The older man said with his arms crossed while a mysterious red and white bracer was on his left arm as he pulled out an axe from it.
Back with the groups
"Did you see that? He pulled out a huge weapon from that weird device." Ace said in amazement. "I can sense weird magic from it, what do you think it is?"
"I have no idea. But whatever it is, it's developing a strong resonance." Takeshi said.
The groups then continued to listen in on what the two were saying.
"Come then, Kor! Let's see if your bite measures up to your bark!" The man known as Sydan said.
"That Soma looks pretty heavy on you, Gramps! I'm gonna get you good!" The boy known as Kor said as the two clashed.
"So that's what it's called...a Soma." Saaya theorized. "Isn't that another word for Soul?"
"I guess so." Genis said.
The clash ended in a blur as Kor and Sydan were a distance behind each other.
"Ungh." Sydan grunted as he kneeled down.
"Woo! Yes! I finally got you! Guess there's a first time for everything, eh, Gramps?" Kor said cheerfully. "Um. Gramps? Are you all right?" He asked turning to his kneeling grandfather.
"Afraid I threw out a hip or something? Heh. Don't worry. I may be old, but I'm not THAT old!" Sydan said as he got up and turned to Kor as he crossed his arms. "You just got me good is all."
"Does that mean you'll keep your promise?" Kor asked hopefully.
"It does. As of today, this Soma is yours." Sydan said referring to the bracer on his arm.
"Awesome! Thanks so much, Gramps!" Kor said happily.
"But remember, a Soma is more than a mere weapon. It can be a tool of healing as well as a tool of destruction. It all depends on how you use it." Sydan explained. "All who wield a Soma must cultivate strength here. Do you understand what I mean, Kor?" He asked as he pumped a fist to his heart.
"Um. My target heart rate needs work?" Kor asked while Ace face faulted with his legs in the air.
"No!" Sydan denied.
"My nipples are weak?" Kor asked again this time making Saki face fault.
"Is this guy serious?" Saki asked the others. "Because he's not very good at answering this."
"What he's referring to is the source of all life, from which the human mind is derived." Sectonia said as she and David went to them.
"Exactly. I refer to Spiria." Sydan said. "You two seem like hopefuls yourselves. Judging from your attires, you must have traveled far."
"You don't know the half of it. I'm David Ishihara, a traveler and demon hunter." David said.
"And I'm Sectonia. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Sectonia said with a bow.
"By Spiria you mean the heart correct?" Ace asked as he approached with Spade.
"Exactly. Spiria is the most powerful force known in this world, and yet at times, the frailest. But people can use Somas to fortify an ailing Spiria." Sydan said.
"A strong mind, a strong Spiria." Spade said. "So the strength of one's heart is important to help in the toughest of trials correct?"
"That is correct, young man. And that is why all Soma users, or Somatics, must possess exceptionally strong Spirias." Sydan said. "Spiria, you see, can be disrupted in the face of intense emotions, such as anger, hate, fear, or even love. Having a Soma of your own isn't enough. You must also develop a Spiria that can withstand such emotions."
"I think I get it now. Oh, my name is Ace Neptune. A pleasure to meet you." Ace said as he bowed.
"And I am Spade Neptune. It's an honor sir." Spade said doing a bow as well.
"A pleasure to meet you both. I am Sydan Meteor. This young lad is my grandson, Kor." Sydan said.
"Nice to meet you, Kor." Luna said popping up from behind Ace and onto his head. "I'm Luna."
"A pleasure to meet you all." Kor said.
"Now, Kor. I think it's time you got acquainted with your new Soma." Sydan said.
"Yes! Now let's see." Kor said.
As Kor put the Soma on it began to glow as he pulled a handle from it. And when he held it out a blade appeared from it.
"Incredible!" Ace said in amazement.
"That's amazing, dude!" David said.
"His Soma is a sword?" Sectonia asked.
"Yes. Soma gains form based on what lies within. This blade is a manifestation of Kor's Spiria, sincere and strong." Sydan said.
"Interesting. I can sense the Soma resonating with him." Spade said.
"It even impresses me. Not many people can call forth their Soma on the very first try." Sydan said.
"He must be special if he is able to summon it easily." Azura said. "He must be destined for great things in the future."
"Perhaps so. Only a handful of Somatics are so instantly attuned to their Somas." Sydan said. "My dear daughter Kardia had such a gift."
"You must've been very proud of her." Harpuia said.
"Yes. She was the finest Somatic I ever knew, and I know that she, in turn, would be proud of Kor." Sydan said.
"Then I suppose we know where his innate resonance comes from." Fulgore said.
"And his cockiness! I had hoped that was one quality his mother didn't pass down to him." Sydan said
"Eh, what can you do?" Kagura shrugged.
"Anyway, that's enough training for the day. What do you say we take you to our village?" Sydan asked.
"Are you sure Sir? We don't want to intrude or anything." Stoj said.
"It's no trouble at all. I can tell you are all gifted fighters, so you should have no trouble helping Kor bring us safely home." Sydan said.
"Right! Leave it to us!" David said.
"Thank you very much sir!" Ace said bowing. "We'll help out any way we can."
"Shall we then?" Leviathan asked.
"Yes. Let's go." Sectonia said.
Skit: What do you think? (Ace, Sectonia, Spade, David)
Ace: What do you guys think of Kor and Sydan? They seem like nice people.
Sectonia: Yes. Sydan is wise in the ways of this world. And Kor, he's got a lot of spirit.
Spade: He kinda reminds me of you a bit, Ace.
Ace: How so?
David: We tend to see at least one person like that in the group every time we come to these worlds, so it's not hard to see why.
Ace: I see, I get it now. Alright, let's escort Sydan back to the village.
David: Got it. (This is the first time since Origin's Trial that I've traveled to a new world without Jexi and Hope, not to mention that I don't have the Tapu Guardians to armatize with me at the moment. I'm kind of nervous since they're not around, but I've got all these people with me. I don't have much to worry about here, since we're familiar with these kinds of worlds by now.)
Ace: You ok, David? Don't push yourself too hard. (Walks on ahead)
David: R-right.
Sectonia: It'll be fine, David. We'll be here with you if anything happens.
David: Thanks. It's good to know I can count on you guys.
Spade: Yup, we're with you every step of the way, so don't be afraid to rely on us. I know this is your first time with our group but don't worry. Everything will be fine.
Skit End