I own nothing except Jessica and Dionna.
Chapter 1: The Ritual
Raphael Sorel stared out of the window of his castle, the moon casting an eerie glow on his pale face. On the outside, his face showed a calm expression, as he did not want his servants Marienbard, Auguste, and Jacqueline, nor his beloved daughter Amy, to worry about him. But on the inside, Raphael felt the meaning of fear. This did not occur often. And this fear was coming from strange visions that constantly haunted him. Some of these visions were of his past, which Raphael was well aware of. But the ones that displayed his future, the bloody, violent ones, haunted him constantly. And it wasn't the fear that you have as a child of monsters under your bed, or a fear of heights. No. It was a type of fear that one feels when he or she is being manipulated; controlled by another, more powerful being.
Raphael didn't know it yet, but he soon was to be in that situation.
"My lord, the ritual is starting soon." said a voice that interrupted Raphael's moment of silence. The lord of darkness turned and saw Jacqueline staring back at him. "Oh yes! The ritual to create the new world for Amy and me!" Raphael mumbled, so quiet that Jacqueline couldn't hear him. "My lord?" the servant asked, wondering why he didn't seem to respond. "What?! Don't just stand there you imbecile! Take me to the castle's throne room!" Raphael stated impatiently, an annoyed expression now played across his face. The red headed servant did not reply. She just did as she was told and lead her master to the castle's throne room, where the dark room was illuminated only by the faint glow of the moon, and the soul sword Soul Calibur.
The lord of the night smiled. Now, Amy and he would be able to live in their own new world together. Walking toward Soul Calibur, he threw his now worthless rapier aside. He wouldn't be needing it anymore, anyway, not with the soul sword in his possession. Auguste went over to retrieve it for his master, only to be stopped by Marienbard who gave him the "Don't even bother" look.
Raising both of his arms, Raphael commanded the sword to create the new world for him and Amy. He and the servants waited anxiously for the sword to do so. Ten seconds passed. Then thirty seconds. A whole minute. Still nothing happened. Raphael was beginning to loose his patience. "It should be glowing brightly right now!" he thought. "Why isn't it working?!"
Auguste craned his neck to look at the sword in front of his master. "Hmm... Nothing is happening..." he observed. Raphael shot an annoyed glance at him. That was Auguste: always feeling like he must point out the obvious.
Raphael turned toward green haired Marienbard and asked her in a calm, yet annoyed tone, "Marienbard, you're smart right? Then answer me this: Is Soul Calibur really the sword that people claim it to be?" "Yes master, it is" Marienbard answered with a bow. "Oh really?" her master replied in a voice filled with realization. "I should have realized." he said, as he grabbed the hilt of the sword, and swung it at Marienbard's neck. Auguste and Jacqueline stared in horror at Marienbard's now lifeless body, only to be the next one's to perish under their master's sudden bloodlust.
"You worthless servants! This world truly belongs only to Amy and me now!" Raphael cackled, as he held the soul sword high in his left hand. But he soon stopped, as he suddenly felt the fear again. He turned around, and saw that this time, he really was being watched. He could see the figure walking toward him, hiding in the shadows. He couldn't see this stranger's face, but he could make out a few of his or her features: this person was thin, tall, and had long, dark hair. And I'm not talking about long as in past one's shoulders. I'm not talking about past one's waist either. No. This person's hair went all the way to his or her ankles. Then the figure spoke, in a cold, menacing voice. "Well well. Looks like you could actually serve to be quite useful after all…. Raphael Sorel, am I right?" This was a female's voice no doubt, but he didn't recognize it.
Raphael pointed Soul Calibur at the figure. "How do you know my name woman? And if you come any closer I'll take your life." he threatened. But the girl did not seem to care, and suddenly vanished from her spot. Raphael turned this way and that, but could not see her. She had disappeared, yet he could still hear her voice surrounding him. It said, "Now now Raphael, you don't want the goddess of darkness to take your soul do you?"
That was the last sentence that he heard before everything turned black...