Lost in Time and Darkness

Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Edge or the Soul Calibur series that came after the first game nor do I own Soul Calibur Legends and any non-SC character that has been in one of the games. I do own Mark Frey.

Chapter 2: Tarot in Shadow and Friendship in Essence


Mark had been looking for an hour and saw no sign of the person who had the information he wanted. However he also had something else on his mind. He kept thinking about the fact that Rothion was unfaithful to Sophitia. He didn't know the reason and frankly he didn't care. What Rothion was doing was horrible and Mark considered unforgivable but Mark wasn't going to be the judge of what happened between them. That was Sophitia's role but Mark knew that no matter what he would be there to try and comfort her if she needed it because that was the kind of man he was. When Mark returned to the bakery he saw Rothion was talking to Sophitia but he knew that he hadn't told her what he had done. If he had she would not be laughing as she made dinner. Mark shrugged and went over to where he was sitting earlier and saw his deck had not been moved. He flipped the top card and sure enough it was the Lord of Grails in shadow.

"We thought you might want to check the next card." Mark heard Cassandra say. Mark looked over his shoulder at the younger Alexandra sister and smiled.

"Yeah. Maybe it will be a better result than this one." Mark said with a smile hoping in his head it was. He drew the top card but before he could flip it. Sophitia walked in.

"Dinner is ready." She said in a sunshiney voice. Mark had to admit the voice was soothing and beautiful. Cassandra went straight for the table forgetting about Mark's reading but Mark looked at the card and knew that the night was not going to be a good one. He layed the card face down next to the Lord of Grails as he went to that table to eat. The food was new to Mark but he enjoyed it none the less. He was paticularly partial to the lamb. However as the meal wore on Mark nocited that Rothion was becoming uncomfortable with Mark's prescense. Mark's mind went straight to the card he had facedown on the table and sighed.

"Patroklos eat your vegatables." Cassandra said to the young boy but he simply refused to touch. Mark knew this would be a good time to work on Rothion's conscious.

"Now Patroklos." Mark said. You wouldn't want to cheat your mother out of knowing she made good vegatables do you?" While subtle Mark had put a emphasis on cheat and looked at Rothion. While he pretended not to Rothion had heard it. The man knew that Mark was trying to work on his conscious and much to Rothion's displeasure it was working.

"But I don't like vegatbles." Patroklos whined. Mark smiled.

"Neither do I but I eat them any way so not to cheat my health." Mark said and once again Rothion heard the subtle emphasis on the word cheat. "But any way the way your mother makes them is quite tasty. Would be unfaithful of me to eat them any other way." Rothion was slowly starting to hate Mark with a passion but did his best to keep his emotions hidden. To yell at Mark would be to admit what he's done but then Rothion remembered that Mark said that if Rothion didn't confess Mark would tell Sophitia what he saw. Rothion had reached his limit and sighed.

"What's wrong Rothion?" Sophitia asked concerned for her husband. Rothion was about to lie but decided it didn't matter.

"Us." Rothion said. Mark knew what was going to happen next as did Sophitia.

"Pyrrha, Patroklos you should head to your rooms. We are about to have a grown-up discussion." Mark said, Even though the children were confused they listened and went upstairs to their rooms.

"What do you mean Rothion?" Sophitia asked afraid.

"I mean that since you are always galavating on these adventures people have been talking. Saying things like 'there goes the crazy lady' or 'There's the woman who hallucinates about gods' but they also talk about me and the children. They say 'there's the crazy woman's family' and "I feel sorry for them because of the crazy woman.' I could only take it so much! Then there's also the fact I feel like I married an empty spot on the bed because guess what I sleep next to all the time?" While Sophitia and Cassandra looked outright horrified, Mark held in his rage. He knew that he would hate the reasons but these reasons were ridiculous.

"Rothion I-" Sophitia began but Rothion held up his hand and cut her off.

"So beacuse I see my 'wife' so litle I've had to go out and find some new companions for those lonely moments and they are all better than you and it's all your fault that any of this happened." Rothion couldn't tell you how but one minute he was telling Sophitia the truth and what he really thought and the next he was on he ground with a ringing headache from Mark's fist colliding with the side of his head. "Sophitia took the opportunity and ran as fast as she could out of the house. Mark looked at Cassandra who nodded as she went upstairs to check on the children as Mark looked down at the adulterer.

"Know this. I want to kill you but he children need a father. But know that if I ever find out you miss treat the children I will personally escort you to Hell!" Mark said meaning every word. He then turned around to chase after Sophitia. Mark looked around the immediate area and couldn't find her before deciding to check the square. When he arrived he saw Sophitia kneeling against a fountain and slowly approached her. Sophitia hard his steps and looked back and when she saw Mark she smiled weakly.

"You didn't have to look for me." Sophitia said between sobs. Mark walked over to her and sat next to her. She saw the concern in his eyes. "I'll be fine. I swear."

"Don't lie Sophitia." Mark said. "I can see that the news is ripping you a part and I don't want you to think this is your fault like he said." Sophitia looked down but nearly jumped when Mark hugged her. "Listen I know we just met but you need a shoulder to cry and and I'm offering mine." Sophitia's shock was short lived after hearing this as she held Mark close and cried her eyes out on his shoulder. After five minutes Sophitia finally calmed down and let Mark go. "Good. Now remember that no matter what he said it was never your fault. He chose to be unfaithful and he chose to let these remarks get to him. If a man truely loved you they wouldn't care." Sophitia smiled at Mark's words. They seemed to help her a great deal.

"Thank you Mark. You're right but...what about the children?"

"He has my warning. The only reason he lives is because they need their father." Mark said with a hint of pain in his voice and eyes. "Any way I'll have to leave tomorrow."

"Why's that?" Sophitia asked.

"The information I was looking for wasn't here when I looked so I'll have to search for them or find some other way to gather the information I need."

"What exactly do you need information on?" Sophitia asked hoping that maybe she could be of some assistence.

"The Azure Knight." Mark answered simply. Sophitia was shocked that he was looking for Nightmare of all things. "He possess something of mine I want back and I also figure I should destroy his sword as well." Sophitia was even more surprised. He wanted to reclaim something from Nightmare and it wasn't Soul Edge. This intrigued the woman to no end.

"Would you like some company?" Sophitia asked. Mark looked at her for a moment.

"But shouldn't you try to save your marriage?" Mark asked trying to understand wgy Sophitia offered to travel with him.

"I think it would be best if I let Rothion cool off. He doesn't seem to be in the mood for reconciliation." Mark nodded thinking that was an accurate observation. "Besides I have personally fought both Nightmare and Soul Edge so I will be a great deal of help." Mark thought about it. On one hand he wasn't sure if Sophitia coming with his was a good idea but on the other hand she would make for an excellent travelling companion. After a huge mental debate Mark finally decided to accept her offer.

"I would be happy to have you travel with me. It get's boring traveling alone so some one to talk to would be nice." Mark said with a smile. Mark got up and offered his hand to his knew traveling companion who graciously accepted it as he pulled her up. They went back to the house and heard from Cassandra that Rothion was going to an inn for the night which didn't bother Sophitia one bit. When the next day came around Mark And Sophitia were ready to go and Cassandra, Pyrrha, and Patroklos were seeing them off.

"Cassandra please look after the children." Sophitia said to her younger sister. She knew that Cassandra would want to come with them but she needed to make sure that her children were okay.

"No problem. Just be safe Sophie." Cassandra said. She really wanted to go with them but she knew she should stay for the sake of the children. She also wanted to keep an eye on Rothion in case he tried to cheat on her sister more.

"Trust me I won't let her get hurt." Mark said. Cassandra looked at the strangely clothed man. He was smiling but she could see in his eyes that he was serious. Cassandra then remembered something.

"Hey Mark what was that card the was face down?" Cassandra asked. Mark sighed and looked down.

"The Lovers in shadow. Unfaithfulness." Mark said. "I basically predicted...no I won't lie I found out when I first entered the house." The sisters were shocked but let Mark continue. "I saw him and another woman fixing themselves. I said I would stay silent only if he told you about it before the end of dinner. I thought it would be best so that you could salvage your marriage. Forgive me." Mark looked down in shame but knew it was best to tell them now than later. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up to see Sophitia smiling.

"Thank you for telling me. You're a good friend." Sophitia said. Mark nodded before looking at Cassandra who also smiled. With that Mark and Sophitia left in search of the Azure Knight.


SC Tonight

Welcome to another episode of SC Tonight! Our guest is non other than the breathtaking Sophitia Alexandra!

Sophitia: Thank you for inviting me.

No problem. So what should we clear up?

Sophitia: Why did you write Rothion cheating on me?

Had a feeling. The reason is because I read it in another fic and the logic made sense since most men are like that. Since Rothion really isn't showcased in the SC games he can be made to act in any way. Also adds some depth to the story.

Sophitia: What is the item that Nightmare has that Mark wants back?

That's a secret for now.

Sophitia: Okay will others join us?

Of course they will. I just won't say who.

Sophitia: Then I am all out of questions.

Okay! Join us next time where we will have both Mark Frey and Sophitia.