1583 A.D: The Day the Evil Seed Rained

"Oh wind," prayed a young wind priestess, barely even a decade old, her chocolate eyes shining with worry as she looked up at the night sky. Her hands stopped in midstroke upon the giant bird egg she had been taking care of for the past week after she found it hidden amidst some bushes. There was something strange going on with the wind swirling around her. It was unfocused and it even seemed afraid. Her beloved wind wasn't communicating to her like normal and she wondered if she should ask momma and poppa what was going on.

She looked to the stars briefly, wondering if they may provide a hint instead. Grandmama had mentioned before that they too, could provide answers like the wind. Talim kicked her legs back and forth from the chair she was sitting on, atop her favorite windmill and said to her egg absentmindedly, "You think everything will be ok?" The egg didn't answer and the stars just twinkled silently, almost sorrowfully she thought until a brilliant gleam of light shot across her vision, followed by a few more until the sky was filled with them. Never had the night sky looked so beautiful but she couldn't help but feel anxious from the sheer magnitude.

Standing up, she could see her fellow villagers coming out from their homes and meditation tents to marvel at the sight as well. Taking one last look up at the sky that was full of these beautiful shooting stars, she gasped as a blast of icy cold wind full of evil energy struck her body, freezing her blood in place and clouding her vision in darkness as she collasped.

She could tell she wasn't in her world even though she couldn't see a thing. The air was heavy with both dark and light energy, strange and dangerous and her own body was as light as a feather. Horribly light... she was afraid that she'd disappear at any moment. With the last bit of her strength, she whimpered, "Wind please help me."

Nothing answered and if she could cry, she knew big fat teardrops would already be dripping down her chubby cheeks. She began wondering if she'd be trapped like this for eternity. She already missed her parents and her grandma and wondered if they would miss her. Would they at least remember to help her hatch the egg?

All of a sudden, something warm wrapped around her and a wave of peace and comfort washed over her. The embrace felt familiar and safe but it worried her slightly for she knew it was not the wind that was protecting her. But when a gentle breeze caressed her cheek, she realized with some incredulity that the wind had brought something or someone to care for her. Who could be so trusted by the wind to take care of its last priestess? After some time, she could feel her soul gathering strength and finally, she gathered the courage to squeak, "I'm not supposed to speak to strangers but who... are you?" The voice let out a bell-like laugh that made Talim immediately think of angels and air maidens.

"You're still too young and weak right now to hold yourself together in Astral Chaos. Your senses are warped. Let me help you."

Despite the distortion of the voice, she could hear the affection as clear as day. Blearily, she opened her eyes, trying to focus them to see who was holding her. To her frustration, the images were blurry, awash with shimmering bloody lights and icy cold wisps that gave off its own warped light. Distinctly though, she could tell that it seemed to be a woman.

"I cannot be with you for long. The wind has done all it can for me at this point so please, listen to me."

Who was this woman? Even in her feeble-minded state and young age, Talim could tell that this practitioner of the wind was powerful. The wind around her was pure and holy enough to lend her soul the strength to begin mending itself.

"My world is lost but here in Astral Chaos, were timelines and memories intertwined, there is still hope. Talim... your world is in great danger. My world met its end slowly but yours doesn't even have the luxury of time. The evil that has devoured everything in my world is furious that I and my love, and another individual and his sister has defied our fates in trying to seek a different future, a future where the world can be saved."

Talim squeezed her eyes shut when the place trembled and quaked. "Wh-what is happening?" she squeaked, not quite understanding what the woman had said or what was going on. "I'm scared!"

"Malfested and all manners of ill beings from the world that has been lost and from Astral Chaos, they're being sent to destroy this last hope of humanity. I will not let them."

Talim gasped when she felt a surge of power flow into her body, the wind swirling around her and shielding her from the chaotic energies of Astral Chaos. To her surprise, the being began singing and it was the most beautiful song she's ever heard. There was so much emotion within the ancient words but she could tell that most of all, there was immense love and hope in it. But not only that, as the power continued to flow through her, images flashed through her mind and soul. There were many pictures of beautiful places, vast green plains, jewel blue oceans, grand castles, and foreign cities, places that opened her eyes to how incredibly vast the world was. Despite that, there was another feeling of longing from the being that was felt in her heart. A desire to be with someone... More images suddenly followed of a tall blurry man who laughed with her, teased her, hurt her, protected her and loved her. The place began to grow white as the singing began to fade and Talim felt the being gently pull away. "Wait! Please, what can I do to help you miss?" she cried, her tender young heart unable to bear the depths of the sorrow and love she just saw from their exchange.

"I gave you the last traces of my power. You'll start off more powerful than I did and I pray that... the sun and moon can be together at last."

As the song died, Talim gasped as she saw who it was. A woman with long flowing dark green hair, identical chocolate brown eyes, serene but more mature features, wearing her people's traditional clothing of ribbons and the trademark medallion of the sun and crescent-shaped moon. Instant recognition and understanding crossed her face as she realized that it was her but much older.

"Good-bye, Talim. Please protect this world... and him." The older Talim smiled as a single tear slid down her cheek, and she held her hand out to offer a traditional wind blessing before fading away in the form of a gentle breeze. "May the wind always be with you."

Darkwings13: The fourth installment of the Fate and Destiny Series. I've rewritten Defying Destiny as it's been so long since I've wrote on it that I forgot what I was going for, and I'm making this be in tune to the new game, Soul Calibur VI. Which by the way, is amazinggggggggg! So happy the little wind priestess is back. :)

Considering it's a soft reboot/alternate timeline (SCVI), it's not even quite necessary for you to read the three previous story. Regarding that though, I thought I start the story off with a future Talim who witnessed the end of her world (Like how Patroklos froze the world over) send her powers/soul through the weird ass Astral Chaos (where Cassandra was supposedly stuck by the way) to help her younger self in another time-line. Like when Patroklos went back in time with his memories intact. It also connected with my ending of Fighting Against Fate. I also like how the developers kept with Edgemasters words of Astral Chaos being a place where strong souls reside and how there are alternate timelines to make SCVI. So even if Talim did die in one of the bad endings, I can see her soul making its way here alongside other strong warriors of Soul Calibur :D

Anyways, enjoy!

1) A Journey of Fate

2) Returning to a Destined Journey

3) Fighting Against Fate

4) Defying Destiny*

P.S Yes the egg is referring to Talim's pet bird lol.