Author's Notes: In this chapter we are going to be seeing a bout between the White Giant and the Undead Captain (who is, funnily enough, just a smidge taller). I kind of connected both of their profiles so that they meet just about right after. Here's to battle.

Disclaimer: It's amazing how I have to start this process all over again, but I don't own anything of the Soul series other than the 2 most recent games, and even then only the discs.

Rock vs. Cervantes

After Bangoo had gone off on his own to perform his chosen rite of manhood by swimming back to his home across the great sea, Rock had sworn that he would become a worthy father to the boy. As such, he once again sought the legendary blade Soul Edge, which had somehow affected his past. If he could claim it where many strong warriors had failed, then surely he deserved the boy he had cared for who would no doubt be a man when next he saw him.

It was this quest that led Rock to board the ship he was on. Those on board were seeking the treasure of the dread pirate Cervantes De Leon, someone who was known to have wielded Soul Edge for some time. Though it had fallen into other hands in the years since, there was likely some clue to its current location or perhaps shards of the blade itself.

Rock was below deck as they neared the location while the other sailors eagerly stood on the deck, hoping to be the first to find signs of the cache. He had only intended to go up when they had reached the treasure's location. When he heard the screams of the many people up above, he quickly grabbed his large mace and darted back into the open air.

A storm had settled overhead while he was in the ship and the rain fell like the heavens were bursting. But even as fast as the rain came, it could not wash away the blood spilling from the gutted bodies of every crew member on the ship. Looking to the see around, there appeared to be dozens of broken ships, haphazardly twisting together in the waters. Rock's blood chilled at this horrid sight as he tried to find what could have done such a thing.

The only unbroken ship, besides the one he stood on, was slowly passing by with the rails mere inches apart. There didn't seem to be anyone controlling the vessel and Rock felt something foreboding about it. Nonetheless, he jumped over the railings and across the gap while he was still able. Seconds later, the ship pulled away from the one he had been traveling on.

Standing on the deck of the ghostly vessel, Rock looked around for any signs of life, finding only the rain-soaked cabins at the front and back, with the wind-tossed mast between them. On the wall of the back cabin was a large skull made to be of human height with the jaw hanging slack and the stairs to the bow on either side.

Before Rock could continue looking over the ship, a large, rolling wave pushed it to the side and smashed it against a stone formation jutting out of the sea. The boat cracked and splintered while it teetered on the rocks before it split across the middle, separating the front and back sections, while the mast fell free from both and sank into the tossing waters. Both sections of the boat now floated independent of each other in the stormy sea.

Having been tossed around while the ship split, Rock was lying on the deck of the boat's back half. While he returned to his feet and looked around for what to do next, a figure appeared on the upper deck. Brandishing his twin swords, the man laughed as he leapt over the railing to strike at the warrior below.

Rock heard the laughter and quickly turned around to block the incoming attack. Stumbling back after having his attack repelled, the man continued to laugh. "Good, good. I have no need for weak souls… like those you were traveling with."

Looking at the strange, purple-skinned man that appeared to be a ship's captain, Rock asked, "Who are you and why have you killed the people on these ships?"

The captain's pure-white eyes seemed to bore into the warrior as lightning lit up the sky and a water spout formed in the distance. "I am the owner of the supposed treasure that so many fools have died searching for… Cervantes De Leon."

Hearing the pirate's name, Rock steeled himself and gripped his weapon tightly. "You will be sorry you challenged me." With that, he swung the spike end of Onslaught at the undead warrior.

Cervantes kept the large mace at bay with his twin swords while he tried to use their dual nature to squeeze out an offensive. It would seem, however, that his overly muscular opponent was readily able to dodge the blade before it could strike and each attempt would force the pirate to give up ground to avoid another blow. He was unable to break his enemy's momentum until he caught a downward swing between his weapons and gave a hard kick to the man's unarmored chest. With Rock recoiling from the blow, the pirate took advantage and began his barrage.

Rock did not perform well as he tried to block the attacks of the pirate. He could not move his mace fast enough to protect himself against both of his opponent's swords and received a few small cuts along his arms. Attempting to minimize this damage, he backed away from the ruthless fighter, but soon found himself out of room as he reached the broken planks that signified the edge of the ship's half and nearly tumbled over.

Seeing his enemy standing mere inches from falling into the stormy waters, Cervantes moved in for the kill. When he approached, however, the man regained his footing and dropped to one knee before thrusting his animal-styled helm into the pirate's stomach. He then wrapped the staff of his weapon behind the captain's back and charged forward. Cervantes struggled within the vice-like grip of his opponent until he was slammed into the large skull figure on the wall, nearly shattering it.

Rock continued pressing into the pirate until he felt the hilt of both his swords pound into the back of his neck. He released his opponent and reared back his mace only to smash it back down in an attempt to strike the undead captain. Though Cervantes rolled out of the way, the oversized skull was completely destroyed

Raking Onslaught through the broken shards, Rock turned to the pirate and shouted, "Where is it? What has become of Soul Edge?"

Anger came over the face of Cervantes as he responded. "I haven't known for a long time, but you will never have it. That sword belongs to me. It became mine the day I took it from that galleon's auction and slaughtered everyone on board."

With those words a wave of memory came over Rock. He now remembered the ship with so many people on it. He remembered that something terrible had happened and that his parents had told him to hide until they returned… which they never did. This was the series of events that had caused him to wash ashore on the new world which had been lost to him for so long, but now returned to fuel his fury. "You did not kill so many as you think! I was aboard that vessel and I shall avenge all that died there!"

Cervantes was unprepared for the amount of force the warrior now brought against him. Anytime he tried to simply block the large mace sent hum stumbling backwards. When he managed to avoid the weapon and slash at the man's large legs he didn't seem to feel any pain. The pirate adjusted the grip on the blade in his right hand, deciding that there was a very easy way to be rid of this fighter.

Before he could use his new strategy, however, the muscular warrior's palm wrapped around his throat and pressed him into the ground. Stepping over the undead pirate, Rock twisted around and tossed him into the wall were the skull once was.

Lying on the ground after his rough landing, Cervantes slowly began rising to his feet, swearing that this man would die today. When he had managed to get one foot flat against the deck Rock thrust Onslaught at him. Quickly, the pirate raised both his swords up to deflect the spikes and stood tall. He then leveled out his cross-guard and aimed at the warrior with intent to finish him.

As quick as the pirate had been, Rock adjusted the grip on his weapon and thrust the staff into the captain's chest, pushing him against the wall and piercing both. Cervantes struggled in pain as he was impaled until the mace was pushed in far enough for the spikes to press into him. After a few heavy breaths, he went limp with his arms dangling at the side and a sword still clutched in each hand.

Rock let out a sigh of relief as he looked at the corpse. This had been what he really needed to do to resolve his past and move on with his life. Putting an end to a man who had caused so much death was surely good enough to prove himself a worthy father to Bangoo. He did not need Soul Edge.

Walking over to the broken edge of the ship, Rock raised his arms into the air and cried out through the rain, "Did you see me Bangoo? I'm coming back for you!"

As his own voice died down, Rock heard a weak laughter coming from behind him. He turned around to see the pirate very slowly moving against the wall, still trapped by Onslaught. Cervantes lifted his head and raised one of his swords up to his sightline. "Come with me… back to Hell," he said as he pulled the trigger on his weapon. Rock barely managed to dive out of the way as a shot rang out and a bullet pierced the air.

Though the projectile had missed, Rock was terrified at the semi-living state of his enemy. Taking a few steps toward the pirate, he asked, "How is it that you still live?"

Cervantes laughed again, somewhat louder this time. "I am immortal. Can you say the same?" With that, the pirate continued his wicked laughter and let it echo across the sea.

Watching as the "immortal" captain struggled against his restraint and belittling him, Rock tried to resist the urge to do whatever it took to finish him once and for all. He eventually decided that as long as the pirate was trapped with his ship, he could do no more harm. Leaping off the edge of the boat, he began the long swim back home to Bangoo.

Meanwhile, the two halves of The Adrian continued to drift amidst the many wreckages until they were drawn into the watery tornado at the center of the storm. Water rose up around the disconnected sections and finally began to drag them under, taking the dread pirate with them.

Author's Notes: I never thought Astaroth was all that interesting a Destined Battle for Rock. It fit with the golem's story, but not with his. So I decided to give him this one and resolve something from his past. The ending here has some significance to the ending of "Converging Souls" and may help you to understand exactly what is going on there. By the way, I know I keep saying there is no need to read both stories and then saying how they are connected. Sorry about that, but trust me when I say that the next... 5 chapters will be without direct connection and you won't be hearing me build up my double standard. Anyway, next time the fight will be between two rather strange individuals. Which two strange individuals, you ask. Wait and see. Reviews are welcome.