Chapter 4: Gathering Force
Fuuka Palace, Windbloom, sometime later…
Standing on a balcony overlooking the city, Notokishi watched the refugees from Aires move into the district that had been set aside for them. Notokishi, along with Miyu, Alyssa, Verona, the mysterious Cassandra, and the refugees had arrived only an hour ago, exhausted after the long trek through the desert. King Mashiro had set up accommodations for the refugees the moment he saw Alyssa in Miyu's arms, and the two of them were sent to Garderobe to receive medical attention. Sometimes I forget just how kind father can be. Notokishi thought. He helped the citizens of Aires without me giving him an explanation, does he already know about the incident? Notokishi then heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to face a man with long silver-lavender hair and blue eyes. Were it not for the difference in gender, the two of them looked almost exactly the same.
"Are you alright? I was worried when I saw you enter the city covered in blood." asked the man.
"Yes father, I'm fine."
"I just want to be sure, I don't want to lose you again."
"How come you didn't ask about the refugees before helping them?"
"I've known Alyssa and Miyu since I was 14, when I saw Miyu carrying Alyssa in that condition, I knew something serious must have happened for them to come all the way here. They aren't exactly the type to ask for help." then with a look of seriousness, Mashiro added, "I want to know everything that happened while you were out there. We've been hearing some strange things lately, and I'd like to know if they're true. Come to the council building when you're ready, and bring Verona and the other girl."
"Yes father, I'll see you there."
After things had settled down, the Wind royal family, the stranger Cassandra, and the school head Natsuki Kuruga met in the council chamber at Garderobe.
"Daughter, would you please explain to us what has caused nearly half of Aires to seek refuge in our city?" Nina began.
"Yes. I was accompanying President Alyssa and Ms. Miyu to the excavation site, just as we had originally planned. A little while after we entered the site, we came across a monstrous knight clad in azure armor and holding a large demonic sword."
"It's called Soul Edge, it is a weapon of great power and great evil." Cassandra interrupted.
"We tried to communicate with him," Notokishi continued, "But he attacked us. Miyu tried to defeat the knight, but he possessed incredible strength and punched her into a wall, immobilizing her. Then he went for Alyssa. Verona also tried to face the knight, but he swatted her aside like she was nothing. No offense, Verona."
"I'm gonna kick his big, metal ass next time I see him…" Verona said quietly.
"Uh, yeah. Anyway, the knight had beaten both Miyu and Verona with relative ease, and we were unable to prevent him from striking Ms. Alyssa."
Notokishi saw Natsuki clench her fists from where she sat. "Is there anything else?" inquired the school head.
"Yes. Having struck down Alyssa, the knight now turned his attention to me. Right as he was about to kill me though, someone appeared from almost nowhere and challenged the knight."
"Was that you, Ms. Cassandra?" Mashiro asked.
"No, it was me." said a new voice.
Everyone turned toward the entrance. Standing in the now open doorway was a tall woman with four black wings and a large sword at her side. Everyone stared in surprise at the figure who stood before them.
"Kaia!" Notokishi said, breaking the silence.
"You're alive…" Nina said.
"I don't believe it…" Verona said.
"I will explain the reason I stand before you in this condition later. For now let me finish your story, sister." looking at the others in the chamber, Kaia continued, "I challenged the azure knight, and when our blades clashed, a great and terrible energy erupted between us, blowing us apart. I assume you all saw the pillar of red light?"
"Yes. Was that the energy that erupted?"
"I believe so. I flew to Aires afterward, and the city was crawling with monsters and destruction."
"So you were the one who unleashed it, then." said Cassandra.
"Unleashed what?"
"The Evil Seed. The dark power contained within Soul Edge. It is an energy that gives birth to hordes of foul creatures," turning to Notokishi, "Much like the ones we encountered in the city. It is an energy that gives birth to hordes of foul creatures," turning to Notokishi, "Much like the ones we encountered in the city you call Aires."
"I…did that?"
"That's what it looks like. What sword did you face him with?"
"This one." Kaia drew her sword, "This is Angheol, the sword of black dreams. Because of this blade, I stand before you today. Without it, I would have perished during the incident last year. It is also the reason I have these." Kaia spread out her wings.
"I've never heard of that sword before. The only weapon I know of that could challenge Soul Edge is the spirit blade, Soul Calibur."
"The knight said something about a spirit sword when we fought, he said he could sense an energy from Angheol that was similar to that of Soul Edge."
"Is that so?" Cassandra rose, reaching for her sword. "Then I'll have to destroy that blade along with Soul Edge, before it brings calamity to this world."
"Wait a minute, who are you, and how do you know so much about Soul Edge?"
"I am Cassandra Alexandra, I have been searching for the Azure Knight, Nightmare, so that I may destroy his evil blade. My sister is driven to take the sword, but I fear it will destroy her if she gets it. I was close to reaching it, but some kind of magic trapped me in the flow of time. When I was free again, I was outside the city of Aires, and I met Notokishi and her allies."
"Cassandra, stand down." Notokishi demanded. "The woman you're about to raise your sword to is my sister, Kaia."
"I want to destroy Soul Edge as well," Kaia said. "I have seen what it's capable of, it turned Midori, a friend of mine into a terrible monster who slaughtered her own people."
"Midori?" Mashiro said.
Kaia nodded. "Sadly, I was forced to kill her. I knew of no way to restore her original body."
"I…I see…"
The room was silent for a time. After a few moments, Cassandra extended her hand toward Kaia. "Forgive me, I shouldn't have judged you so harshly."
"It's alright, I don't entirely blame you." Kaia took Cassandra's hand, and they shook.
"Alright, let's try and get everything straight here." Natsuki said. "From what I've gathered, this azure knight, 'Nightmare' as you call him, has some kind of all-powerful demon sword called Soul Edge that corrupts those who are exposed to it. This same knight is the one who's responsible for my sis- for Alyssa's present condition?"
Notokishi nodded. "Cassandra told me that the sword consumes the souls of those who are slain by it. Somehow, Alyssa's body is still alive, but Soul Edge has claimed her soul."
Natsuki turned toward Cassandra. "And you say that a spirit sword called Soul Calibur is the only weapon that can defeat it?"
"That's what I thought, but it looks as though there's a third sword now, considering what I've heard from Kaia about her sword is true."
"I have a question for you, Cassandra. Is it possible to reclaim Alyssa's soul from Soul Edge if it's destroyed?"
"Maybe, I'm not sure. I think Soul Calibur is capable of doing that."
"I see. King Mashiro, Queen Nina."
"Yes?" said Nina and Mashiro at once.
"I request permission to form a small team of our best and brightest, to find Soul Calibur and defeat Nightmare. What say you?"
Nina and Mashiro whispered to each other for a moment, then Nina looked back at Natsuki and said, "We approve your request. With your permission, we'd like to select the team ours-"
"I will go!" said a new voice. This time Miyu stood at the entrance.
"Miyu?"
"I will search for Soul Calibur, and reclaim lady Alyssa's soul."
"Very well, that's one."
"I'll go as well!" Notokishi said, standing.
"And me!" yelled Verona. "You're not going anywhere without me, Notokishi."
Nina sighed. "You two…alright, that's three."
"I'll accompany them as well, they'll need my knowledge." said Cassandra.
"I agree. That's four."
"Five." Kaia said, stepping forward.
"But you just-"
"I know it's been a while since you've seen me, and I know you want me to stay, but I must go. I started this calamity, it should only be fair that I end it. Besides, so long as Soul Edge exists, I will be bound to Angheol, and will remain in this state. Please, let me go."
"But-" Nina felt a strong hand grasp her shoulder. She turned to see Mashiro smiling at her.
"Nina, it's alright. We wouldn't be able to stop her from leaving even if we tried, she's far too stubborn to just sit back and do nothing."
"(sigh) She gets that from you, you know."
"Hey now! You can't blame it all on me, you're just as bad."
Nina laughed at this. Then she turned back to Kaia and said, "Very well, five it is then. All of you get some rest today. You'll depart tomorrow at noon."
With that, the council ended. The band returned to their rooms to rest and prepare for the challenges that would await them. The next day at noon, they departed from Windbloom, and set out to find the spirit sword.
