Hey everybody my name is Trevyler and welcome back to Chronicles of the Sword and Soul. I don't even have 20 views on the story as I'm starting this chapter, but I got one review of someone who liked it so I'm gonna keep writing it. Plus I like writing this story regardless. If anyone happens to know other people who'd people who'd like to read this then please send them over. I need all the views I can get. Soul Calibur has seemingly lost it's fan fiction popularity as I don't see many stories or updates anymore. Maybe I'm just too late, but that hasn't stopped me yet. I finally fixed my Soul Calibur 3 corrupt data and am able to play Chronicles of the Sword again. It's been a lot of fun despite having to start all over again when my previous character was near level 80. Well at least my whole save data didn't corrupt. If there is someone else out here who likes this story feel free to message or review. I prefer to have someone review with an account so I can respond, but if you don't have time or for some reason can't, leave a guest review and I'll answer any questions I can in the next chapter. This chapter will be based on Chronicle 1, where you fight Abelia and her soldiers in a mock battle. I may leave some Chronicles out if they don't really hold anything extremely important, but I'll try not to do that too much. Also a few OC's will be added and a few events will be altered. Once again any new characters will have their formulas at the end of the chapter they debut in unless it's a minor appearance. Okay enough talking let's get on with the story!
CHAPTER 2:NEW RIVALRY
Gideon rolled onto the floor of his room, abruptly ending his peaceful sleep.
He jerked up real fast and looked around, "Looks like it's that time again." he muttered.
The stretched and popped his neck and back.
Someone knocked on his door, "Get up man! We're gonna be late for breakfast." Ben shouted.
Gideon shook away his sleep, "Give me a minute." he replied.
He quickly put on his normal dark reddish brown shirt and dark brown leather pants plus a pair of cloth boots before running out the door.
Breakfast was just like any other day, despite knowing what today was. Today was the day students would battle each other to find out who would move on to the final test. Gideon's team just happened to be so unlucky as to be chosen to fight against Abelia, Girardot's best student. He had also found out that his team would be joined by the two cadets from yesterday. The man in the purple armor was Aeneas and the woman was Riese. He had to say that he'd only spent a few minutes talking with them and had already noticed the glances they'd sneak to each other when the other wasn't looking. While Aeneas could be pretty dense at times and not notice, Riese admitted that she did like him a bit and had caught him staring more than a few times, but didn't say anything. Overall he liked them and say that they worked remarkably well together.
Gideon was pulled from his thoughts when the aforementioned woman set her tray on the table, "Good Morning." she greeted.
He gave a small wave, "Morning yes. Good...not so much." he replied.
Riese crossed her arms, "I've told you before that I don't care if we're fighting Abelia. We can still win and move on to the final test which is one step closer to graduating from this place." she reminded him.
Aeneas sat down next to each other, "You guys ready for today?" he asked with a smile.
The blue haired girl smiled back, "I am, but our leader doesn't seem to have much faith in our abilities." she told him.
Ben chuckled, "He's under quite a lot of pressure. People expect a lot more out of him considering his father is a well known commander. Give him a break." he replied.
Aeneas took a bite of his food, "Don't worry. I have a feeling that we could pull this off. We just have to keep our heads in the game and work together. I know you guys can do that since you showed it off a couple weeks back and all assignments following it. Riese and I work together well so we'd be able to do our jobs together just fine. Isn't that right Riese?" he asked.
Riese turned away from him to hide her blush, "Yes we do indeed work well together." she answered.
Gideon rolled his eyes to the obvious annoyance of Riese who discretely stuck her tough out at him.
Jane approached the table, "Real mature guys. We're training for war and you're sitting here acting like children." she said looking more specifically at Riese who just gave a sheepish smile.
Nera came next, "Hey everyone. Today's the day." she said to no one in particular.
The others just nodded and continued eating. She sighed and did the same. Ben flashed her a smile that she returned.
Breakfast went by relatively fast and unusually quiet. Girardot ordered everyone to rally outside. The announcement was mostly directed towards the two teams who would be competing today.
Gideon smirked, "Alright. Let's do our best out there and show Abelia that she's not as high and mighty as everyone says she is." he told his team.
Riese punched him lightly on the arm, "There's the guy that annoys everyone." she teased.
He chuckled, "Yeah. Just had to get back into my usual self. I just don't wanna disappoint my father. He's a war hero and I wanna be like him. I've always been told to fight for what I thought was right and that's what I plan to do." he said confidently.
Ben patted him on the back, "Remember that this isn't all about you. We're here too and we'll help you all along the way. A leader isn't a leader at all if there's no one to lead." he reminded his friend.
Girardot appeared before them, "It is time. Everyone must now take there positions. It'll be on the same field as the previous tests so you should have no problem coming up with a plan." he said to the cadets.
As they all moved towards the familiar starting stronghold, Girardot stopped Gideon, "I know that you and Abelia were never on the best terms and that you think that her confidence is misplaced, but do not under estimate her. She earned the status she has. I also know that most boys your age tend to think low of women when it's coming to fighting." he warned.
Gideon shook his head, "I come from a family of fighters and soldiers. I don't judge my opponents because they are male or female. I judge them on skill, honor, and integrity. My mother isn't a soldier, but she has taught me almost just as much about fighting as my father has. I've come to respect women who fight despite the prejudice they may receive from it." he responded.
The old general smiled, "I wish you luck then." he said simply and walked away.
The cadet caught up with his group quickly so the could begin the test, "Alright here's the plan. We'll split into groups of two and take each stronghold. One person from each team will then stay in the stronghold while the other precedes forward." he directed.
Aeneas nodded, "Simple enough. Who's gonna pair with who?" he asked.
Gideon stroked his chin, "Jane will come with me. Ben you'll go with Nera. Aeneas with Riese you two already work well together. That'll work." he said.
The others stood next to the partners and prepared to move out on Gideon's command.
Gideon and Jane waited in their stronghold to the east of their main stronghold.
Jane crossed her arms, "I was hoping for more to do." she told the commander.
He turned around from the lookout tower, "Wish granted. Two enemy soldiers approaching." he said jumping down onto the platform below.
She took her kunai off her belt, "Let's hope they'll be more entertaining than the others." she said.
He equipped his lance, "I'd be surprised if they weren't considering they're under Abelia's command." he replied.
The two soldiers included an armored woman with a great sword and a man with a very feminine appearance that sported some time of types on his boots.
Gideon decided that they should give their guests a warm welcome, "Are you ready for this?" he said as the woman's sword clashed against his lance.
Her name was Ishtar and she was one of Abelia's trusted soldiers and friends.
The male knight smirked, "I'm more than ready. Let's go." he said forcing her backwards and causing her to stumble a bit.
She quickly recovered and made a horizontal swing towards him. He jumped back just in time and thrust his lance forward a few times. She brought up her sword like a shield. It caught her off guard when Gideon jumped in the air and slammed his weapon down towards her. Her defense was down almost immediately from the force of the blow and it gave him just the opening he needed to take her down. He backed off as if he was going to retreat before moving back in quickly and knocking her off her feet. As she Ishtar tried to stand up, Gideon's weapon was at her throat. Had this been a real battle and an enemy she would be dead. Gideon used the hilt end of his weapon to knock her out without killing her. He looked upon his work before turning his attention the other battle taking place within the stronghold.
Jane was holding her opponent off without much effort. The person she was fighting was a very feminine looking male named Notus. He also used a weapon she wasn't common with. He had blades attached to his boots. His fighting style was similar to many styles of martial arts, but it lacked the use of the upper body that was used in most.
He sent a barrage of kicks her way that she back flicked away from and narrowly missed the edge of the platform. She could she that he was running out of tactics so he used a majority of his energy to send a powerful kick at her. Unfortunately for him, Jane merely side stepped the attack. He was breathing heavily. In a last ditch effort, he ran at her and dick a flying kick. He had failed to realize until too late that she was standing right along the edge of the wooden platform. He went sailing down into the lower levels where the sound of him hitting the floor could be heard. Knowing that the fall would keep him down for the count, Jane turned to Gideon who looked at her with a sense of approval.
He looked over his armor for any problems, "I'm good. How about you? Ready to go?" he asked.
Jane nodded, "Let's get going." she said as they rushed out, leaving the two unconscious troops.
When Ben and Nera got into their stronghold, they were disappointed to find that it was completely empty.
Ben groaned, "All that work getting in here and it's empty." he complained.
Nera put her hands on her hips, "Seriously. Well we better mark this place as ours and see how the others are doing." she told him.
He sighed, "Yeah I guess so." he said.
The two quickly replaced the flag of Abelia's team with their own and headed off to get a good look at the situation of the friends and team members.
Aeneas and Riese were back to back as they deflected the attacks of the two soldiers of the opposing side.
Riese ducked as Aeneas swung his lance horizontally and knocked one of them off the platform to the bottom of the stronghold where they lay unconscious.
She also rolled backwards and slashed the female soldier who was about to land a hit on him acrossed the chest, causing her to stumble.
In one quick motion, she leg swiped her opponent before knocking her out cold with the blunt end of her wave swords.
The knight gave his smile of appreciation, causing a faint blush to creep onto both of their cheeks.
As soon as he turned away, she slapped her cheeks and shook her head to make the redness pn her face go away.
She cursed herself for finding interest in someone at a time like this.
He just smiled as he noticed her actions out of the corner of his eye. He wasn't as dense as everyone thought he was. He just didn't want to embarrass her if she did something stupid if front of him so he feigned ignorance.
Both cadets would have some serious talking to do at some point. It was going to be a problem if they continued like this for too long. Maybe once the war was over, assuming they'd make it through, they could talk it out and just give a straight confession.
For now that would have to wait. They had a battle and a war to win.
The group all met up together outside of Abelia's main stronghold.
Gideon volunteered to fight her since he was the leader. He told them that if he didn't come out after a while to go in and take her on themselves.
Abelia was waiting for him as he approached, "Fight with all your might as I will." she stated.
He nodded and readied his weapon, "As you wish." he replied.
They both stared each other down before Gideon made the first move. He thrust his lance forward only for Abelia to protect herself with her shield. She countered with a quick slash to the rips that he almost didn't dodge in time. He brought his lance down on her unguarded right side. She stumbled but quickly regained her balance. Gideon spun his lance around as she tried to come close , preventing her from advancing. She waited for just the right moment and tackled him to the ground. His lance was just within reach, but he wouldn't be able to grab it in the situation he was in.
Abelia smirked, "Ready to give up?" she taunted.
Gideon got an idea and smirked back, "No but you will be in a few seconds." he said getting uncomfortably close to her.
The sudden movement stunned her a bit and caused her to release him just enough so that he could flip them over to where he was on top. He grabbed his lance and pinned her down while holding the weapon towards her.
He chuckled, "Surprised?" he asked.
She growled at him, "That was a dirty trick." she complained.
He just smiled, "I wasn't expecting it to work. Perhaps you have a thing for me?" he teased.
She tried to free her arms so she could make him shut up but to no avail.
He got close to her ear, "All you have to do is call it quits." he whispered.
She started to get angry again but calmed down, "Fine. I surrender." she gave in.
He let her up and cut down the flag of her team and replaced it with his own.
As he was leaving Abelia stopped him, "Don't get full of yourself." she told him.
He stopped and looked over his shoulder, "I won't. I still respect you. This was a bit fun. Maybe we can spar sometime and I won't use a dirty trick as you call it." he said with a genuine smile.
She crossed her arms and pretended to think about his offer, "Maybe we can." she accepted and motioned for him to be on his way.
He waved and exited the fortress and cheering was heard from his team.
Abelia sighed, 'I think I've finally found a worthy opponent.' she thought.
His smile returned to her, 'And maybe a friend.' she added.
So they beat Abelia as expected. I'm going off of the COTS story for the most part but I'm probably going to add my own elements as well as the story goes on. I hope more people read this. It only has like 75 views. No new character formulas. A couple possible couples and that's about it. Have a great night everybody and I'll see you next time.
~Trevyler