Soul Rhapsody

LeMistressV

Summary: Soul Edge has reawakened, and with the destruction of Soul Calibur, the world is quickly plunged into darkness. With the agents of evil seeking out the scattered shards of Soul Calibur, a runaway Korean 'princess,' a lone ninja, an ill-tempered samurai, a righteous priestess, and a fallen knight are brought together in the most unlikely of circumstances. Now with the world in disarray, they, along with those they encounter along the way, are forced to gather the tainted shards of Soul Calibur before it falls into the wrong hands. But who is friend and who is foe? With betrayal and deceit lurking in every corner, no one is safe from the prying eyes of the dark ones.

Main Characters

Seong Mina, Seigfried, Taki, Tira, Nightmare, Mitsurugi, Ivy, Hwang, Yun Seong

Others (?) (not set yet)

Setsuka, Cervantes, Raphael, Cassandra

Possible pairings (you decide)

Seong Mina + Siegfried, Seong Mina + Hwang, Sophitia + Seigfried, Sophitia + Nightmare, Sophitia + NC, Taki + Mitsurugi, Setsuka + Mitsurugi, Ivy + Raphael, Tira + Nightmare

Prologue

The sword gave a loud, snapping noise as it shattered into a million pieces. Its fragments scattered about in every direction, covering the floor with a silvery blue hue. Soon, it caught the light and was bathed in crimson, illuminating the entire room with a bloody glow.

Heels clicked against the blood-spattered cathedral floor. A whirring sound soon followed, slicing through the air with a demonic aura. After the sound took speed, something slammed against the marble floor, cutting through its surface evenly.

She giggled, kicking aside the shards that lay at her feet. With her weapon standing upright on the floor beside her, she raised her hands in the air and stretched. Her petite body flexed with feline grace and raised one leg up high into the air, parallel to her tine frame. When she had finished stretching, she lowered her leg down gracefully onto the floor and brushed the bangs out of her face.

"So this is Soul Edge," she said with a slight purr in her voice as she approached the giant sword standing upright before her. Peering at it carefully, she moved her fingertips along its edge and licked her lips in anticipation. Already she could feel its aura resonate within her very soul. It hummed through her entire body and nearly drowned her in its song. As she kept her eyes transfixed to it, she could feel her heart pounding against her chest, adrenaline rushing through her veins. She liked it.

Suddenly, the sword's eye opened, fixating its gaze on her petite body. It was crimson, just like its body. Soon, it began to vibrate slowly in her hold, releasing more of its power.

She knew she wanted it. She wanted it all for herself. Without a moment's hesitation, she drew the sword up from the floor and stared at it with admiration. Now she could feel its power coursing through her entire body, bathing her with its aura.

"More! More!" she cried out, completely engulfed by the crimson light. She would let the power consume her. She would let the sword overtake her. She would be one with it…

But it was too much for someone of her caliber to handle. The sword's power was much too powerful for her small body to withstand. Soon she began to make a choking sound as she felt invisible hands squeeze at her throat.

"M-master!" she cried out, sinking to her knees. Voices cried out in her mind. It felt as if her skull would split in two if the voices didn't stop screaming. "Master!"

A hand wrenched Soul Edge out of her grip and threw her against the wall. She collided onto the wall and then collapsed onto the floor, panting for breath. Looking up, she spotted a man clad in armor…blue armor…

"Stupid girl! You are not fit to wield this blade!" the knight growled, his power resonating from his voice alone.

"The Azure Knight!" she gasped, struggling to get up.

The knight moved over to her and grabbed her neck, forcing her up to her feet. "You are unworthy to even die by this sword!" he snarled, crushing her neck.

She made a choking noise but was powerless against the knight. Gripping the knight's hand, she struggled to break free. Her neck was about to break.

But it did not…

Soul Edge was screaming now. It burned in the knight's hand and caused him to drop it. As it clanged onto the floor, its ceased its screaming and closed its eye. Its aura had vanished.

She gasped for breath and leaned against her hands for support. As she tried to steady her breathing, a piercing blow struck her head, making her cry out. A vision suddenly flashed before her eyes, and a booming voice filled her ears. Try as she might, she could not get the voice out of her mind.

"Master! Please! You're hurting me! Master, stop!"

Soul Edge's eye opened up once again as her eyes widened, turning crimson. As she closed her eyes, Soul Edge closed its eye as well.

"Yes, master. I understand," she whispered, weakening greatly. Soon, her eyes reverted back to their original color.

The knight stood over her and narrowed his eyes. Slowly, he crouched down to her level and grasped her chin firmly. He could sense something in this girl. It was the same power that coursed through his veins. Whatever it was, she was somehow connected to the sword.

"What is your purpose here? Who are you?" the knight demanded, tightening his grip on her chin.

"I am my master's vessel. I seek the legendary sword Soul Edge. I do my master's bidding," she responded in a hypnotic tone.

"And what does your master desire?"

Her eyes lit up as she looked up into the knight's face. A smile formed at the corner of her lips as she giggled ruthlessly. "My master desires…a new body."

Chapter 1

Hwang's Return

No, no, it simply would not do. There was no way her father intended for her to remain here for the rest of her life! And with that...Hwang, not to mention! She would be stuck in her father's house till she was old, serving tea and rice cakes while he ordered her around. And being the powerless wife she would be, she would have to do as he pleased with no questions asked.

No! She shook her head. It simply would not do at all.

"Teacher."

Of all the nerve of her father! It was bad enough that she didn't want to get married in the first place. Now he was insisting on her marrying that thick-headed Hwang, who cared more about satisfying his ego than about pleasing her…that is…if he cared for her at all.

"Hey…teacher."

Although, she had to admit, Hwang was good looking. But looks weren't everything, and no matter how wonderful he looked, she had no intention of marrying him.

"Mina!"

A sword swung at her in a blinding flash. Instinctively, she twirled her weapon in the air and caught the blade before it grazed her skin. Suddenly, she pushed the sword away from her with ease and turned to look at a handsome young man before her. It was then that her eyebrows twitched with irritation.

"What was that for?!" she demanded, placing a hand on her hip. "I told you to warm up first before disturbing me. And how many times have I told you to call me 'teacher?'"

"More than I would like," her pupil muttered under his breath. He received a quick smack on the head afterwards.

"Don't get fresh with me," she growled dangerously. "Now hurry up with those exercises I taught you so we can get to the real lesson." And with that, she turned her back towards him and busied herself with her own thoughts once again.

Her pupil cleared his throat loudly and sighed. "I have already finished, teacher. You told me to come to you as soon as I finished."

It was then that Seong Mina pulled herself entirely back to reality. Turning to face her pupil once again she raised an eyebrow and grinned. "So you think you're ready for another beating?" she asked, linking her elbows to Scarlet Thunder as she moved it behind her.

"I think it is you who should be ready," her pupil retorted, moving into a fighting stance.

Seong Mina grinned. He was cocky, just like Hwang. She was going to enjoy this.

"Very well," she said, moving into a fighting stance as well. "Here I come." And in a flash she was gone from her pupil's sight.

Yun Seong collapsed onto the floor, covered in sweat and bruises. Panting for breath, he staggered up to his feet and swayed dizzily.

Seong Mina grinned in amusement and helped her pupil steady his footing. "Well I guess today's not that day, huh, Yun Seong," she remarked smugly. "But look on the bright side, you're ten bruises less than last time."

"I couldn't even lay a finger on you!" Yun Seong rasped as Seong Mina passed him some water.

"I know," Seong Mina said, laughing aloud. "Which is why I am the teacher and you," she prodded his chest with her finger, "are my student. Now wash up and we'll eat."

Yun Seong nodded with a reluctant sigh and headed off to the bathhouse.

Seong Mina watched him leave and then headed for the female bathhouse at the opposite direction. Bringing Scarlet Thunder along with her, she hummed to herself and nodded at the younger students that greeted her. They were all Hwang's former students before he left for the war. Now, her father instructed them in Hwang's absence. Only the advanced students like Yun Seong were personally trained by Seong Mina herself. Her father had relinquished his title as Swordmaster when she had defeated him at the tender age of 16.

"Good afternoon, swordmaster," the young students chimed, bowing their heads down in unison.

"Afternoon," Seong Mina replied, moving quickly past them. Looking up to greet her father, she soon realized that he had not been teaching the class. In his place was a grumpy looking old man who barked at his students.

The old man spotted Seong Mina and gave her a brief bow. "Ah, swordmaster. Your father seeks your council at the gates. He insists that you join him as soon as you are…decent." And with that, his eyes fell with distaste on her uncovered stomach.

Seong Mina raised an eyebrow and glanced at what she was wearing. "What's wrong with my clothes? They're nice and comfortable," she remarked, beaming with pride.

"Indeed," the old man said stiffly, wrinkling his nose in her direction. Turning back to his students, he called for their attention once again and pretended that Seong Mina was no longer there.

That suited her just fine. She was never comfortable around the other teachers. They seemed to look down on her.

Drums sounded out as Seong Mina walked through the balcony. Hoof beats followed and then cries of cheers erupted. Curious at what all the commotion was about, she looked over the balcony and gaped at the gates. From afar she could see her father greeting someone.

"Ah, it appears Master Hwang has returned at last," the old man said, peering out the balcony as well. From all the excitement, it seemed that he had forgotten about his students altogether.

Seong Mina scowled, still staring out into the distance. "Hwang is back?" she whispered quietly. She could feel her gut sinking to her stomach as the thought crossed her mind. She had never expected Hwang to come back so soon. This was the end for her.

Frozen in place, Seong Mina watched as her father led a handsome man towards the dojo, chatting with him amiably. As they moved past the balcony, Seong Mina's eyes locked onto dark brown ones. For a moment she could have sworn she saw a spark of longing in his eyes. But it quickly faded as she tore her gaze away from him."Hwang…"

He was the son her father had always wanted.

Seong Mina couldn't help but feel upset. She knew she should be glad for Hwang's safe return home, but she knew that his arrival would only bet he death of her.

"Mina! There you are," her father greeted her as he spotted her entering the room. Beckoning over to her, he shot her a disapproving look and cleared his throat.

Seong Mina looked puzzled and then studied what she was wearing once again. It was then that she realized she had not changed at all. Strands of hair were out of place, her clothes stuck to her skin, and she was still covered in sweat. Too late to do anything now, she thought, giving her father a rueful grin. Smoothening her skirt as best as she could, she moved over to where her father was standing and held Scarlet Thunder behind her. "Afternoon, dad," she said carefully, wondering just what her father was thinking at the moment.

"Is this what you call decent, Mina?" her father whispered harshly into her ear as Hwang entered the room, looking exhausted.

Seong Mina laughed nervously, keeping her eyes focused on Hwang. He was tanned now, and was more muscular than she had remembered. From the opening in his shirt, she could see a large scar running down his chest, giving him a wilder appearance.

Blushing, Seong Mina cleared her throat and lowered her eyes to her feet. Hwang was much more handsome than she had given him credit for. He was going to be a lot harder to refuse now!

"W-welcome back, Hwang," she half mumbled, fearing her voice would give her away. It was then that she immediately regretted not changing into something 'decent.'

Hwang gave her the slightest of nods. "Seong Mina," he said in a low voice. "Or should I say…swordmaster?"

Although it was very subtle, Seong Mina detected some hostility from Hwang's tone. It was then that she began to dislike him once again.

If her father had noticed the disdain in Hwang's voice, he gave no note of it. Instead, he ushered Seong Mina towards Hwang. "I'll leave you two to get reacquainted. I must set up preparations for your welcoming feast tonight." And with that, he left the room, leaving Hwang and Seong Mina alone.

An uncomfortable silence fell over both of them as Hwang studied Seong Mina carefully. After a few minutes, a look of disapproval finally rose to his eyes.

"What is it?" Seong Mina asked, scowling.

Hwang looked away from her and began to walk around the room, clasping his hands behind his back. "It appears that I have expected too much of you," he remarked, running a finger along a blade hanging on the wall. "I had expected that in my absence, your father would miraculously transform you into a presentable lady." He turned to look at her again. "But it seems he's done quite the opposite…swordmaster."

Seong Mina stared at Hwang blankly, keeping her emotions to herself. She would not let him have the satisfaction of upsetting her. Grinning, she tilted her head to the side. "Well, I had expected, that during your absence, you would have changed you sour attitude," she said sweetly. "It appears that we were both wrong about one another."

Hwang did not look amused. He scowled slightly and walked over to her, as if ready to slap her for her insolence. But he refrained from doing so. Instead, he replied, "Once we are married, I will be sure to turn you into a proper woman. Your father may no longer rule over you, but I certainly will."

Seong Mina laughed and moved past Hwang, unperturbed by his threat. "We'll see about that," she answered, giving him a playful look. "I am swordmaster, after all. If you want my devotion to you, you're going to have to work for it." And with that, she left the room, a triumphant smile on her lips. She and Hwang may be engaged, but she would not be his puppet.

Author's Note: I've always wanted to do a Soul Calibur fic, but I've never had any great ideas for it until now. To be honest, I've put so much thought and effort into this fic that I couldn't find a really good summary for the story. It's kind of disappointing, but I'm hoping I'll get people to read this. As you can see from the beginning, there's a lot of uncertainty on my part at the moment. I have my plot and I know what I want to do, but as for the pairings, I'm really unsure of how to go about doing that. Which is why I want you guys to give me any suggestions or, just tell me outright who you actually want to see paired up. One condition though, please make an attempt to tell me why you want that particular couple paired. Don't just spam a request to me without saying anything else, otherwise, I'm going to have a difficult time rewriting the story to fit the pairing. Ah well, I've said enough. I hope you like the story so far. Please RnR. Thanks..