Soul Calibur II: Tale of Heroes
Chapter II: Tundra Skirmish
Link stood on the cliff over viewing the scenery. The slain remains of a Lizardmen and a Berserker behind him rotting in the sun. He had been followed by those foul beasts when he entered this secret wood which lied by a barren tundra, North of Sparta, Soul Edge likely lead them to him.
Since his last encounter with the Wolfkronian army in the desert, and the sighting of his former master, Link had retreated to a place he felt was secure enough and likely the last place the other's would find him. He knew they were searching for him now. He only hoped his hidden wood was secluded enough to evade the cunning ninja and her allies.
'I'm such a fool. I should of hid the sword, why did Taki have to see me with it? Now they will come for it.' He thought frustrated.
Outwardly, he was as calm as the wind. Inwardly, he was as furious as a Lion. He was also furious with himself, he was running. He missed his old friends dearly, but he had no choice but to evade them. For now.
*Still think my power would do you no good?* Soul Edge's voice mocked, still as annoyed as ever.
*Don't patronize me, sword. I know you would have them killed with me should I give you a foothold of any kind.* Link retorted, the sword was about as annoying as Navi his old fairy had been. Which was why he was calm when it pestered him. Only difference is Navi was trying to help him, not kill him.
The sword chuckled at him before going silent once again.
Link ignored the demonic weapon and gazed out again at the distance.
Something had been tickling the back of his mind for well over the day. Something was approaching, of that he was certain. But what, he was oblivious to. It felt like pure evil born of terrible power, but it also felt like there was an opposite side to that particular force coming from the opposite direction, as if both forces were drawn to this very forest.
"Rather interesting." Link muttered to himself after thinking it through. He guessed that old saying was quite true, 'opposites attract'. Soul Edge glanced at him as if he was crazy for talking to himself. Link noticed the sword gazing at him but ignored as always.
*What are you rambling on about now?* The blade asked in it's commonly annoyed voice, as if everything Link did annoyed it to no end. Link knew it was lying, it was probably more of it's servants being called by the sword to slay him and bring it back to Nightmare's hand.
If he was lucky, he could remain hidden from whatever Soul Edge had summoned. But that leaves the other half of what the Hero had been sensing. He had an idea, and he hoped that his old master Taki was not what he had been sensing. Likely, if they encountered Soul Edge's demon army it would be disastrous, forcing Link to come out of hiding himself and intervene to ensure their safety.
He did not doubt his old master's skill, nor did he dare doubt those she traveled with. They had proven their skill, well, those he knew, of course, Sophitia could be lethal if need be. Taki was a viscous warrior herself, she did after all, train Link seven years ago. As for those he did not recognize, he was unsure. Likely, she had recruited the strongest that she could find for this quest, so he knew they were powerful enough.
But what could be said? He simply could not help it. Should they encounter Soul Edge's forces, he would have no choice but to intervene.
He didn't want to be found by them just yet. With Soul Edge in his grasp, it may try to manipulate them. He wasn't willing to risk it especially with Sophitia being there, he knew she was injured by it long ago and if Soul Edge was near her, it may cause her old wounds to rise again. The blade was terribly powerful. He doubted his arch nemesis could match the blade's will. It was difficult as it is for Link to dominate its will with his own already.
The sun was setting, the hour of twilight was upon him. With the hour late, an idea formed in the hero's head. He smiled to himself, maybe just maybe, he could figure something out. But then again with Taki it may not work. But it was worth a shot.
'This may work to my advantage.' Link thought to himself as he held his chin with his left hand and his right on his armored hip.
Link turned around and locked eyes with the Demon Blade that was embedded in the earth behind him. It regarded him with its hate filled gaze. This elf-like warrior had devastated its plans and halted its progress. Further, he had managed to resist it over the span of three long years.
*What now, boy?* It's demonic voice snarled.
Link gave a very dangerous small smile as he clenched his left hand. The mark on the back immediately flared with great brilliance at his unspoken command.
With Soul Edge beginning to question the warrior's intention, Link began to approach the blade with the darkest look it had seen yet, his eyes seemed to glow white, forcing his irises to disappear. As he approached, the blade's eye widened as his shadow covered it's large, grotesque form.
*Nearby*
Ivy and the others sat on-top of their horses who trotted through the woodlands quietly. Not too long ago, they heard the most inhuman screech sound loudly throughout the forest, it frightened any birds nearby and sent the deer scrambling away. When Taki searched the surrounding area, she found nothing. But she did sense evil amassing nearby, prompting the group to remain on-guard. After awhile, nothing happened.
Seeing this, the group returned to their dealings and thoughts.
'Why am I always right?' Ivy thought sarcastically to herself, she knew that this would happen. Taki and the others who knew this Link had decided it was better to track him. Though, Taki was unsure if it was wise, Sophitia convinced her it was the best way to resolve the conflict with little time.
Apparently not even Taki was willing to put that Link person down.
Ivy chuckled to herself, thinking the high-and-mighty ninja had finally found a task she was unwilling to accept. Link must be something special if even Taki refused to kill him. The ninja was always of the mind that her task came first before those she may of cared for. Such is the ninja's way, Ivy mused.
Yun-Seong, who heard Ivy's sinister-like chuckle look terrified and moved to be as far as possible from the dominatrix. He was not willing to give her a chance to mortify him further until Talim came to his rescue.
He blushed to himself, thinking the beautiful wind priestess was indeed amazing. She seemed to possess the power to calm his raging spirit, and save him from the dominatrix. A feat in of itself, it took a lot to deter Ivy's attention from something. Little did he know, Talim was thinking of him at the very same time. They both glanced at each other from the other end of the caravan, but quickly looked away blushing again.
Siegfried who saw this, shook his head with an amused chuckle. He rode up to Kilik who looked at him confused.
"What's so funny?" The monk asked. Siegfried glanced at the two younger members, Kilik also looked.
"Somebody better get those two together soon." The knight answered. Kilik continued to be confused.
"I don't understand. Why should they 'get together'?" Kilik asked again.
"Just look," Siegfried pointed at them again just as the two glanced at each other, blushed, and looked away again. "It's obvious they like each other. But if they stay that way any longer, I'll just throw 'em into one another and yell: Get on with it already!" Siegfried responded.
Kilik started laughing as he finally saw the two as Siegfried was seeing them. They would make quite a pair. He had no doubt on that. Yun-Seong's raging and pride-filled spirit, with Talim's calm and serene nature. They seemed to complete one another.
"Well, good luck with that. Knowing how Yun-Seong's pride is, and how shy Talim would prove to be in such a situation, you're going to need it!" Kilik stated, Siegfried chuckled.
"True. But I am not going to be the one who tries too convince them." Siegfried retorted.
"Then who?" Kilik questioned.
"Maybe Ivy or Seong Mi-Na?" Siegfried suggested.
Kilik thought about it, if he told Ivy then Yun-Seong would probably kill him. Knowing Ivy, she can be real crafty. Some of the possibilities of what she may try passed through Kilik's mind.
"Things that make you go...Brr." Kilik muttered to himself with a shiver. Siegfried laughed uncontrollably at that, knowing he was thinking about the whip-wielding noblewoman. But then again, Seong Mi-Na may also pull a few fast ones on him, so neither was safe.
As the two continued to wonder who would be best, Taki rolled her eyes. It was no wonder that Yun-Seong and Talim, young as they are, would not see this coming. She thought that maybe Kilik could fill that role, but then again he and Xianguah are a little different than the other two. Siegfried, to Taki's knowledge, had no experience in romance. Ivy...brr, Taki shivered...Cassandra was young, but she was not in a relationship with anyone last Taki checked. Taki herself had no experience in that field, so she excluded herself out of the mental list.
'Wait, what? Why am I bothering myself with their private lives?' She suddenly thought to herself.
Taki looked around, Sophitia and Cassandra were looking at the map that provided no help whatsoever in this forest. Ivy was plotting something like always. Xianguah was checking their supplies. Mitsurugi was glaring at Yun-Seong for stealing his saki earlier that morning. Kilik and Siegfried were still talking. Maxi was polishing his nun-chucks and muttering something about revenge against Astaroth. And Yun-Seong and Talim were day dreaming about one another.
'Yep, nothing to serious going on at the moment. Might as well entertain myself.' She thought with a sigh and continued to contemplate Yun-Seong and Talim's situation.
Maxi was a pirate, and a drunk one half the time so he would do no good. Mitsurugi would probably laugh and not bother with the situation, not to mention he was not the 'romantic type'. Seong Mi-Na would probably only get involved to annoy Yun-Seong. Leaving Sophitia. She was married happily and had children, surely she could take care of it.
Taki only bothered because she needed everyone to be as focused as possible in this hunt. She didn't need the warrior's emotions getting in the way of their goal.
Except Yun-Seong's.
Everyone knew he wanted the sword to "save his home country" as he boasted rather loudly the first day they accepted him. Taki did not want him along, but Seong Mi-Na pointed out he was very skillful, despite how arrogant he proved to be on occasion, and that he would prove useful in battle. Taki had been convinced after a demonstration, but gave Seong Mi-Na the job of ensuring he was not the one to find the sword first.
Taki made a mental note to speak with Sophitia later that night about Yun-Seong and Talim. But for now, they needed to set up camp.
Link chuckled darkly, he had used the power of Farore, the Goddess of Courage, and tapped into the sword's power temporarily. The blade was cursing him in more than one language out of fury, it hated it when he manipulated it instead of it manipulating him when it was at its weakest. Though, this ability required an immense amount of energy that left him vulnerable, Link was confident he could spare it.
If destiny favored the hero on this day, he could use the sword's power to redirect its forces elsewhere and away from whoever else was coming his way.
He held the evil blade over his head, its unholy red aura engulfed him but the power of the Hylian Goddesses forbade it to harm him. The glow shot up into the sky in a tunnel like form, dark clouds began to form around the energy in the heavens. Link directed his gaze to the west, the sword's slaves had seen his signal and altered their course. Link looked to the east now, Taki and her group had not seen his display.
'Good.' He thought in satisfaction.
*Damn you! I will make you pay, boy! You will regret ever placing your mortal hand on my eternal hilt!* The blade roared at him in venom, Link merely glanced at the sword.
*Perhaps so, Soul Edge. But that is not this day, nor will such a day come in the near future.* He responded calmly and slowly.
The sword growled at him with malice.
*We shall see.* It hissed. Link ignored it again. The signal had diminished and with a determined look, Link disappeared into the shadows and waited.
Taki continued to gaze ahead. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a terrible sign of Soul Edge's power on the cliffs nearby. There was only one who could use its power. Only one who could bend it to his will.
'It can't be.' She thought, she never expected Link to be so close nor did she think he would dare summon its power, for the display she saw seemed to be a signal of some kind. It didn't seem right, surely he was not signaling them. So it could not have been Link for he made sure he was not found. But if not him, then who? Who else could show something that resembled Soul Edge's evil power? She decided that they should investigate it, it could be another shard or one of Soul Edge's armies moving through the area.
"Listen to me! There is something nearby that I feel is in someway related to Soul Edge. We must track it down!" Taki informed. "Maxi! See if you can't see anything with your telescope. Siegfried, gather the others and make for the cliffs!" She commanded, receiving nods from the two as she galloped away towards the mountain side.
Siegfried grabbed his horse and moved towards camp. He arrived panting as his armor weighed down on him, Sophitia, Cassandra, Xianguah, Kilik, Mitsurugi, Seong Mi-Na, Talim, Yun-Seong, and Ivy looked up in confusion.
"Taki wants everyone packed and moving, now! Something connected with Soul Edge is near, we have to move!" He urged.
Ivy scoffed, thinking that she did not have to do as the ninja said. But she did want Soul Edge destroyed, so she complied nonetheless.
Sophitia and Cassandra packed the tents and sleeping bags; Kilik, Xianguah, Talim and Yun-Seong saddled their horses; Seong Mi-Na and Ivy doused the camp fire and grabbed the sacks with the Soul Edge shards and Soul Calibur shards.
Finishing this, they all mounted their horses and galloped away behind Siegfried with the wind rushing by.
With the rest of the group behind him, Siegfried pulled up next to Taki who waited patiently for his arrival.
"There is a large group of Lizardmen and Berserkers moving away from the mountain towards that large area with the trees. It's pretty dark over there, so we may not be able to put up much of a fight." Maxi informed. Taki nodded, he was right.
"I have a feeling that Link has something to do with this. Though why, is debatable." She muttered to Siegfried.
"Indeed. So I suggest we try to get in without being spotted." Siegfried suggested. Taki confirmed with a nod and quietly formed a plan. She was, after all, a master of stealth.
*Hidden Forest*
Link sat on a stump, Soul Edge embedded in the earth next to him. It had kept quiet, much to Link's relief. The army had yet to arrive, but Link was certain they drew nearer with each passing second. He was shrouded in darkness, completely hidden from view. His eyes, however, could see clearly in the pitch blackness.
He looked to the edge of the area, the evil blade's forces have yet to near him. But what really confused him was that he lost sight of warriors tracking him. He knew they were tracking him, only he knew of this ancient wood's location. Soul Edge did not know, he concealed the sword's power when he warped here, making it impossible for it to sense their location. The most it could do was call for its minions in this direction and hope they find this place.
Link was beginning to become inwardly frustrated, Soul Edge's forces should have found him by now. He had been waiting for well over an hour now but there was no sign of them.
'Foolish beasts!' He thought, irritated. He glanced around again, using his energy to intensify his sight. What he saw, was what he was trying to stop from happening. Soul Edge's forces were heading straight for Taki and the others.
Growling, Link snatched Soul Edge from its spot. A green bubble like particle gathered around him, swirling from his legs to his head. Once the green substance reached past his head, he disappeared and the bubbles shot towards the sky and moved in the direction of the two colliding forces.
Taki was still moving silently in the shadows with the others behind her when she entered the clearing. Ahead of them were the group of Berserkers and Lizardmen, but they also seemed to have huge cave trolls armed with massive crude maces in their ranks.
"Great. Just great." She muttered. She was hoping to find Link, not Soul Edge's army.
The others emerged from the woods and looked surprised at the enemies ahead. They drew their weapons and stood ready.
"If we can take them down, we might save a village tonight." Cassandra suggested.
Ivy glared at the enemy with a hungry lust to kill the group before her. Taki glanced around, seeing everyone seemed eager in attacking. Smiling a cold smile, she drew her two short katanas.
"Very well, get ready!" She shouted.
The group was more than ready. The enemy had noticed their presence and snarled at them. Taki focused her aura into her swords as the Lizardmen, Berserkers and Cave Trolls charged at them, their sickly howls echoing throughout the forest in such a cacophony.
Soon, the enemy was upon them. Taki and Siegfried charged forward and met the enemy head on, Siegfried swung his sword, Faust, in large arcs; the massive blade cleaved right through the enemy. Though, this particular group was much more skilled then the previous creatures the warriors encountered, they managed to hold their ground.
Taki rolled to the side and with a grunt, stabbed the heart of the Lizardmen she had been fighting. Sophitia was being pushed back by the two Lizardmen that ganged up on her. Cassandra was fighting a Berserker, using her superior speed and smaller size to avoid its strikes, she laughed triumphantly as she struck its head with her shield. Maxi, Ivy, Xianguah, Kilik, Talim and Yun-Seong were surrounded by seven Lizardmen and two Cave Trolls. They quickly scattered as the Cave Trolls charged stupidly at them.
Taki glanced their way briefly...But was suddenly flung to the side with a massive swing of a Troll's hand. Immense pain coursed through her sides as she glanced up to see the Troll about to deliver another strike. As it hefted its crude weapon over its ugly head, a flash appeared from the sky and the last person Taki expected to see now brought down a demonic looking blade on the creature, cutting it straight down.
As Link landed, the two halves of the Troll collapsed backwards as Link moved away. Link glanced at Taki who sat there, stunned.
Taki stared at him with surprise. 'So, it was him.' She thought. Link reached down and pulled her to her feet. But before she could grab him or say anything, he turned around and ran towards the others. Taki shook her head before following him.
Ivy swung Valentine in whip form around, beheading a Lizardman and slicing another in its abdomen. She turned around and faced a Berserker, but as she readied herself, it roared in pain as it fell back. A man was standing on top of it with a large sword in his hand.
Ivy gasped quietly.
The darkness was hiding his features from her, the moon light was on his back but his golden hair was visible underneath the green tail-like hat she heard so much of. All she could make out was his eyes and part of his face which the glow his cold and courageous eyes emitted and illuminated his face in a grayish light. His face was set in a cold scowl, one that would bring any of his opponents fear from the intensity of his expression. His gaze was so piercing, it made her feel uncomfortable.
He glanced at her before charging off. The armor he wore rattling with each step. She knew who it was. With one look came one name.
Link.
She watched as he charged a group of Lizardmen, swinging Soul Edge in large arcs with precise blows. The enemy seemed to perish quickly against him. His speed was one that nearly matched Taki's, his attacks were indeed precise and coordinated. Link swung the massive blade with a grace to match an angel, his cuts slew his enemies quickly.
Eventually, the warriors were forced into two separated groups. Ivy, Maxi, Siegfried, Xianguah, and Yun-Seong in one; Taki, Sophitia, Cassandra, Kilik, Talim, Seong Mi-Na, and Mitsurugi in the other. Link was in none of the two groups. He was in the middle of the battle fending off two Trolls and four Berserkers.
Sophitia took notice of his presence, her face became one of relief and joy to see him alive with her own eyes. Taki and Mitsurugi was eying Link in-case he decided to leave early. They did not plan to let him leave this time. Especially with Soul Edge in his grasp.
*Kill him! I want this fool destroyed now!* Soul Edge ordered to its troops, the creatures intensified their efforts.
"Enough!" Link roared over the noise of the battle. He held Soul Edge in both hands upside down and slammed the tip of the blade into the earth, causing a large repulse to erupt from the sword. The trolls and Berserkers were knocked back. Link saw his opportunity.
"Rrrgh, Winter's Rage!" Link shouted as loud as he could with a growl. Making a hand motion, he slammed his fist into the ground and a huge icy blue wave exploded from him and spread outwards.
The trolls and Berserkers were encased in ice, they screeched in surprise as they froze over. The wave of Winter's Rage spread further and further from Link's still form. His eyes glowing malevolently white, the air blowing against him, his cape billowing in the wind.
The whole area was shown with a light blueish glow that the spell had created as the wave reached further away, freezing everything it passed over or touched.
*Run...* His voice informed the warriors calmly over the noise. The enemy turned and began to retreat, but the icy wind of Winter reached them before they could escape. The Soul Warriors were already far out of range. They could only watch as the remnants of Soul Edge's servants ceased moving with the ice that had wrapped around them.
With the enemy frozen, Link charged forward once more. He spun an angry Soul Edge around and swung each time he came close to a frozen beast, shattering the blocks of ice that held the creatures.
When all but one was destroyed, Link approached a frozen Cave Troll. But as he got close, the creature burst free from the icy encasing, it roared at him in rage and swung its mace at him. Link was too close to avoid the blow, he shouted painfully as he was sent flying. His body struck a nearby tree which fell over from the force of Link's body. He was underneath the trunk as it rolled on top of him when he hit the ground. The only thing she could see of him now was his arm, which did not move at all.
Ivy, having witnessed this, turned a raging glare to the creature who was stomping towards her. She readied Valentine as the creature neared. It raised its mace over its head, leaving the beasts neck wide open. Ivy shouted a quick command and forcefully shot Valentine towards the Troll's neck, the blade extended and pierced its thick flesh until it erupted from the other side, sending its green blood flying. Ivy whipped the blade to the side and made a horizontal strike that struck the creature in its leg, bringing it down with a heavy slam. As it struggled to roll off its back, Ivy stepped up and drove her sword up to the hilt in its skull. The troll twitched slightly before going still permanently.
Ivy glanced over to where she saw Link slam against the tree as she pulled her sword free. Just as she did, Link's brown bracer's glowed gold, golden gauntlets appeared on them and he lifted the massive tree off him and pushed it to the side. Ivy's jaw dropped at the scene. No man she knew could literally lift an oak tree and throw it to the side as if it weighed no less than a short sword. Link glanced at her briefly, the gauntlets disappeared from his arms leaving the brown leather bare. He grabbed Soul Edge and disappeared into the trees.
Ivy knew he was still nearby. She could feel him. The ice had melted down since after the last of the blade's slaves had perished.
Some of the members lit some torches and made sure there were no more enemies nearby that escaped Link's spell. Sophitia, Taki, Mitsurugi, and Ivy eventually came to the back of the mysterious warrior after searching around the area he had disappeared in.
Link kept his back to them.
"Link?" Sophitia whispered.
Link's head lowered. He was calm now. The battle was over, but he was injured. Taki and the others had slight flesh wounds and a few bruises, but Link had taken a blow that would have ended any normal warriors life. His armor was dented heavily, and his chest was sore. His ribcage had been broken and his side was bleeding from a Berserker's ax that had sliced his side early on in the battle. His cape hid his form, the others could not see the damage he had sustained.
Taki crossed her arms. She would have a broken rib cage too, but the troll hit her with its open hand, not a crude mace.
"Link. Look at me." Taki demanded sternly. Link remained unmoving.
"Now." She commanded a little louder.
Ivy watched this all unfold with curiosity. Link was already proving to be an interesting character to her. First he defeats an entire army of soldiers by his self in the desert, appears seemingly from nowhere and aided them in battle, somehow commanded the elements of winter and froze an entire army of Soul Edge's beasts, took the full force of a Troll's mace right in his chest, survives being crushed by a tree trunk, somehow lifted the tree off him and still walk.
Taki stepped forward, Link was not willing to stay, she could see that. Mitsurugi also stepped forward with intent to grab Link before he could disappear. But before they could lay their hands on him, he turned to face them slowly. Taki and Mitsurugi stopped their advance in surprise, weary of Link's intentions. They took notice of how beaten Link was. His armor was busted, his side stained in his own blood, and he was holding his chest with his right hand.
His eyes illuminated his face, a silver glimmer passed through his irises in the moon light. Ivy caught sight if his unusually long ears, her interest was peaked by them. It was strange to see someone who resembled an elf in reality. Ivy tilted her head to the side, Link glanced at her briefly and smiled gently. Ivy felt her heart's rate quicken slightly, but she ignored it. His face looked as if it was carved by angels, excluding the blood, cuts, and the dirt that littered it. His eyes held a gentle and humble look within, mixed with a hard and cold glint of a warrior. They radiated courage and bravery, as well as cunning and wisdom.
Taki took another step towards him with Mitsurugi following, Link took a step back as they neared him. The leaves of the surrounding area swirled around him like the sand storm did in the desert. His armor rattled as he stepped back, his boots crunching the still frozen leaves and grass beneath him as he moved. Taki growled and tried to reach him through the wind, but it was too strong. She could not force her way through, it was as if invisible hands held her back. His glowing eyes soon disappeared and the leaves dropped as if the wind was never there.
"What was that all about?" Kilik asked as he and the other's approached. Taki was too busy muttering to herself about how stubborn and foolhardy Link was to respond.
"Link is gone again, he left and he was injured." Sophitia responded in a worried and hushed tone.
Link was like a son to her, seeing him alive was a joy for her, but seeing him injured, especially as he was just now, was worry for her. It made her frantic, like she would be when one of her own were hurt.
"Bah, come. We will find him. He has the sword, we can always track him with the shards." Mitsurugi grumbled.
The thought made Taki develop an idea. They had to keep an eye on Link, and the best way to do it was to keep him close by. If they could track him down and capture him, then the quest would go by a lot easier for them.
"Yes, lets set up camp and get some rest. We will have to find him, we start tomorrow." Taki told them.
Ivy shrugged. She might as well go along with it, he did have the sword. She also wanted to learn more about Link. Something about him tickled her interest, and she was content in finding out exactly what it was, be it his place of origin and race, or his mysterious nature, she was willing to find out.