AN: the story is quite different from the original Soul Calibur story… sorry for any inconvenience caused… =)

Prologue



Peering into the room cautiously, she could see two men, both dressed smartly in their traditional Korean costumes. Straining her eyes a little, she could make out her father's figure amongst the duo. Not wanting to be noticed by her father, Seung Mi Na slowly retreated her head. There were several reasons why she did not want to be seen. Firstly, she didn't want anyone to know she had sneaked away from training and secondly, she didn't want to be caught eavesdropping. The other man was obviously from the Coastal Defense Force. Mi Na had always wanted to join the Coastal Defense Force. Knowing that she might be let in on some important secret makes her heart pound even faster.



"So, Hwang," Han Myung cleared his throat. "I have some very important matters I need to discuss with you."



The man said nothing. So the other man was Hwang, Mi Na thought, with a mixture of jealousy and anger. He was her father's favourite student and he would often gush about his abilities and how well he was progressing. On top of that, he was the one who brought her back home when she was on the quest to find the sword of salvation.



"You see, as my best student, I feel you are the most suitable candidate to carry on my family business."



Mi Na's smile quickly turned into a frown. What does her father mean?



"I'm sorry, teacher, but I don't quite get you…" the young man replied hesitantly.



"Hwang…" the old man coughed several times. "As you can see, I am not well lately. I hope you can grant me my last wish…"



"Teacher!"



"Please, let me continue…" he murmured softly. Mi Na resisted the urge to run over and ask if he was feeling okay. She had to finish listening to what he had to say!



"I wish… wish my daughter can marry a good man…" he paused for a while. "I know you will take care of her. I know you will love my Mi Na."



Mi Na couldn't hold her shock back any longer. Numbly, she let go of her Zanba-tou and sprinted to her father's side. He was sitting in his meditating posture, eyes closed. "Father…"



Han Myung's eyes slowly opened. "Mi Na?" he smiled wanly, reaching one hand out to pat his daughter's head. He never used to be so affectionate. "I suppose you've heard everything?"



"Yes, father, but I –" Mi Na held her tongue. The last thing she wanted to do now was to get married and be tied down – and especially to Hwang! She had never felt so torn in her life. Not even the time when she contemplated whether to leave home or not. Should she grant her father's wish, or make her own decisions for once? She glanced at the man sitting beside her. In the dim room, he looked mean and fierce, unlike the kind and compassionate man her father portrayed him to be. How can I ever marry such a man? She thought sadly.



Han Myung looked expectantly at her, and Mi Na almost saw a look of desperation in his eyes. She hated her father like this. He was supposed to be tough and invulnerable. She wasn't used to seeing him like this. Without giving it much thought she nodded numbly, giving consent to the wedding that she never had the choice to say no to.



AN: don't forget to review… even if you didn't like it…