Chapter 15: Terror versus Death
Peter looked out into the lands, and to the statue, wondering if this search for Soul Edge was a wild goose chase. Azukai and Cassandra looked on, hoping that Peter was good to go. Then, a voice echoed.
"I'm surprised, that you made it, this far," bellowed a familiar voice. "Most impressive." Peter turned around to the voice, and saw...
"Zasalamel," he named. Zasalamel descended from the ceiling, holding his scythe.
"My dream is about to be realized. You, however, are not worthy to witness this glorious moment. Leave here at once." Peter wasn't about to budge, as he brought his double-scythe out.
"Zasalamel, you know why I'm here. Soul Edge." Azukai was impressed with the knowledge, that Peter and Zasalamel had met, before.
"Seems that those two had a duel, earlier in his journey," he pondered.
"If that's true, and Peter won, then how is Zasalamel still alive?" Cassandra counter-questioned.
"Well, you saw the restraint, he displayed on me. Maybe he let that creep off, too." Suddenly, the scythers clashed. Swinging their weapons, Zasalamel and Peter fought with the chance of obtaining Soul Edge. However, the battle only lasted a minute, and ended when Peter caught Zasalamel's throat, with Grimm's blade. Zasalamel was down, but not dead. He staggered to his feet, much to the befuddled faces of Azukai and Cassandra. "He was hit with the death blade. How is he still up?"
"You're asking me?" Peter stood firm, prepared to battle more.
"Is that all you got, immortal?" he nagged. Hearing that detail, Azukai figured that something was keeping him alive.
"So, that's why the big guy, with the scythe, won't die," he muttered to Cassandra. Zasalamel laughed, amused at the strength of Peter.
"You've been getting stronger, Mr. Hamby," he cackled. "Something, only the true wielder of Soul Edge, would accompany. However, you're strength will be a minor nuisance. Behold, my true form." That's when the statue started to shine, and fired a beam, striking Zasalamel. The beam caused the darker scythe wielder to float in the air, as he curled, ready to release his power. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a blue sword emerged from behind the transforming being. The blue sword pointed to Peter, who held his double-scythe up, in defense. It was no use. The sword got through the handle and stabbed Peter in the chest. Then, As Peter felt the sword, rubbing his split heart, a flash shot through the entire room. When the light dimmed, Zasalamel and Peter were gone, but, in their place, was a giant red sword, glowing brighter than jewels, and in a creepy way: it was shining blood red and floating upward.
"What the- Where'd they go?!" Azukai and Cassandra entered the room and searched for the fighters. They were nowhere in the room. Suddenly, Cassandra looked at the sword, and saw an image of two creatures. One was a giant knighted figure, with wings, and holding a massive sized sword, which looked frightening similar to Soul Edge. The other was a man, who was sized like Peter, wearing a blue cloak. Here was the most interesting thing: he wielded a double scythe, with both blades, being sky blue. Cassandra had a hunch, that the hooded figure was Peter.
"Azukai, Peter's in here!" she yelled. "He's in Soul Edge!" Azukai was in disbelief.
"Are you serious?" he wondered. He saw the image, and the hooded man. Inside, the man, with his eyes glowing an icy blue color, staring at the winged giant. "If that's Peter, then, how is he still alive? That sword pierced his heart." Cassandra saw it, too. She knew the sword.
"That sword was Soul Calibur, the bane of Soul Edge. Soul Calibur has the ability, like Soul Edge, to merge with a mighty soul's weapon. That's why Peter's double-scythe is like that." Peter began to come around. He was amazed that he wasn't dead...yet again.
'I'm still alive?' he minded. He looked at his surrounding, which looked like space. He was on a platform, as he eyed the winged giant. 'Is it just me, or did Zasalamel give Nightmare an upgrade?' The knight eyed Peter, ready for battle. "Who are you?"
"I...am...Night...Terror!" The figure roared, as it fired beams from his eyes. Peter dove out of the way. He got to his feet, ready to duke it out, against Night Terror.
"My name is Peter Hamby. As the 'Right Hand of Death,' I send those, unworthy to this world, to their final destination. Make your final words, now, because when it's over, my client will be expecting you." Acting as if it was offended, Night Terror charged at Peter.
"I...have...one: Die!" It swung the monster sword, but as it struck the ground, with earth-shattering force, Peter disappeared. Night Terror turned to see Peter, floating in the air, to his side. The giant swung again, but the Wisconsinite vanished, once more. The winged knight searched around, trying to find the blond warrior.
"You're tall, dark, hideous, and sluggish." The hooded Peter reemerged behind Night Terror, smiling. "Did I miss some?"
"Just...one: Immortal!" Turning, the fiend tried to nail Peter, but he was like a bolt of lightning: ultra fast. Azukai and Cassandra were in awe, at the fearlessness of Peter.
"Amazing," Azukai hiccuped. "Night Terror's godly powerful, but it's useless, with the speed, Peter's possessed with Soul Calibur."
"This is true," Cassandra agreed. Suddenly, Peter got face-to-face with Night Terror.
"Face it, big guy," he mocked. "You may be immortal, but you got no skills." Night Terror got mad, and tried to headbutt Peter, but he connected his scythe, on the helmet. The giant shook the strike off, and tried to nail Peter. That's when Peter went to town, nailing Night Terror with both blades, over and over again. If there was skin underneath the armor, Peter might have slashed it. Night Terror's wings were sliced off, and it was down. It felt it's life, fading.
"No!" it screamed in fear. "I...can't...die! I'm...immortal!" Peter landed, eying the dying giant.
"You lost the battle. You will forfeit your reign as the keeper of the sword of salvation, and move on to the afterlife." With that, Peter dashed once more, and slashed Night Terror's throat, causing his sword to fall from his hands. The head of Night Terror had fallen from his body, and the space was imploding. Azukai and Cassandra saw Peter, victorious from his battle. Then, the image got brighter, until they had to cover their eyes. The room got really bright, for a minute. Then, the light dimmed down. The two observers looked around, seeing nothing out of place. That's when Cassandra saw Peter, unconscious, with his double-scythe and Soul Calibur strewn to the ground. She ran over, and checked his chest, as Azukai watched. She smiled. Peter was alive. That's when he opened his eyes, where he saw the sister of Sophitia.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"When you play a game of basketball, you'll know how I feel." Realizing that he was trying to be funny, Cassandra giggled as she helped the winning warrior to his feet. That's when he saw the glowing Soul Edge, embedded to the ground. He walked over to the side of the sword as the other two watched on. Finally, he grabbed the hilt of the sword, and felt the shards leave his satchel, only to merge with the mighty sword.
"You have won Soul Edge," a dark voice bellowed. "Attain the sword!" Peter lifted the sword above his head. He felt the sword's energy surge through his body. His quest, Grimm Reaper's demand for Soul Edge, was accomplished. There was one more place, now, that his journey of souls was over: home, back to 21st century Wisconsin.
TO BE CONCLUDED...
Peter will go home, to Menasha, Wisconsin, and give Reaper, Soul Edge. However, someone will join him, going back to the future...and cause a decision for the hero, his family and his friends.
A/N: The story will end, after the next chapter, but, there will be a bonus chapter. This bonus chapter will be what happens to Peter, if he lost to Azukai, and he was victorious, against Night Terror.
