Chapter 10: Unblessed Soul

Halfway through their journey back to House Sorel, Shinzo departed from Thalias' side. When the young warrior asked her why, the only thing she told him was that she had 'unfinished business' somewhere in southern Germany. Still satisfied with himself after defeating the skilled swordswoman, Thalias allowed her to leave without further questioning. Like she had so many times before, Shinzo waited till nightfall before approaching her destination. It had only been a few weeks since her last visit, but the incident that occurred last time made her wary. The little girl was already awake when she arrived, legs hanging off the edge of her bed and swaying back and forth as she hummed to herself. Shinzo knocked quietly against the window a few times to get her attention, then swung silently over the sill and into the room when it was opened. She had barely risen back to her feet before the child tackled her to the bed, throwing her arms around the malfested woman and pulling her into a tight embrace. Smiling warmly, Shinzo returned the gesture, gently running her fingers through the girl's hair. After a few moments, the girl looked up at her with questioning eyes.

"Tou-san, you came a few days earlier than usual. Is something wrong?" she said in their native tongue.

"I'm worried, Ryu-chan. You started getting sick early last time I came. I wasn't sure if you'd still be alright if I took as long as I normally did. So I came to see you, to make sure you were safe."

The girl smiled innocently in response.

"I'm alright, tou-san. I just want you to keep doing your best so that I can see kaa-san again, so don't worry so much about me."

Shinzo hugged the girl close again, and smiled in mixed sadness and compassion.

"It's only natural for me to worry about you. You're my daughter, after all. Besides, you're all that I have left…I don't know what I'd do if I lost you too."

The girl nodded against the malfested woman's chest, then stared up into her eyes as she stood up.

"Which reminds me, Ryu-chan. I have good news."

"Really? What is it?"

"It seems that all my hard work is starting to pay off. Very soon now, I will have what I need, and I can finally bring her back to us."

The girl's eyes filled with joy.

"I can see kaa-san again?! I can hug her and be in her arms again?!"

Shinzo nodded.

"That and more, my dear Ryunoko. You just have to be patient for a little while longer."

As the child smiled brightly, Shinzo withdrew an arm from her cloak, along with one of her swords.

"I'm going to be very busy for the next couple weeks or so, and I won't have time to check up on you. So to make sure you don't get sick again while I'm gone…"

The malfested woman cut a small gash across her arm, and held it out towards her daughter as blood began to leak from the wound.

"...make sure you take as much of my medicine as possible. Don't worry, this won't be enough to hurt me, so drink up Ryu-chan."

The child nodded, then took hold of Shinzo's arm and carefully lowered her lips onto the wound. As the girl began to drink her blood, the malfested woman smiled. Just a little longer now, and you'll never have to do this again. Soon, I will save you and bring her back to us, and we can be together once more.

Thalias couldn't help but smile as the familiar sight of House Sorel came into view, bringing with it the promise of a warm bed and the company of those he called his allies. With Agria Mesanychta in his hand, he strode proudly into the courtyard. He entered into the mansion unannounced, startling everyone with his sudden appearance. He smiled amusedly at their shocked expressions before clearing his throat to speak. Before he could even tell them 'hello', however, he found himself pulled into a tight embrace, along with the presence of a feminine body against his own. Surprised, he looked down to see Pyrrha with her arms thrown around him, her golden hair obscuring her face from view. She slowly looked up at him, tears of joy running down her face as her violet eyes met the yellow of his.

"I was so worried…" she said softly.

The young warrior smiled and returned the embrace with his free arm.

"I promised I would return, Pyrrha."

The other occupants of the room smiled at the exchange, except for Astaroth and Tira, who were either oblivious to romance or simply didn't wish to be a part of it. While the others went to congratulate Thalias on his return, the ring blade wielder remained where she sat on a window sill, petting one of her many crows she used as informants. Idiots. she thought to herself. Of course he'd come back alive…I never worried for a second that he would d- her train of thought came to a halt as she realized what she was thinking. Did she just feel…concern, for her son?

"Tira was worried about you as well." Pyrrha's voice travelled to her ears, causing her to freeze in alarm.

Thalias turned toward his mother in genuine surprise, and rose a questioning brow.

"Is that so?"

Tira kept her eyes turned away from him, lest her resolve falter.

"Yeah, I was worried that disgusting bitch would rip you apart before I got the chance. But I guess it turned out alright for you, so there's nothing to worry about." she growled back.

"Speaking of which, where is Shinzo?" asked Suki, who was currently reclining in a chair with a half empty case of vodka on the floor beside her.

"Yes, where is our mysterious informant?" added Achreion.

"She said she had something to take care of in southern Germany, and that she would make it back a few days after me. I wouldn't worry too much about her, she's more than capable of taking care of herself. Trust me, I know…"

As the young warrior became overwhelmed with questions about his training with Shinzo, he noticed his mother excuse herself to some other part of the building. He made a mental note to talk with her later, then proceeded to recount his most recent battle to his allies. By the time he had finished, the hour was late, and everyone decided to retire for the night. Now both physically and mentally exhausted, Thalias practically collapsed onto his bed the moment he had finished removing his armor, not even bothering to get under the sheets. Barely five minutes had passed before he heard a knock at his door. Sighing in annoyance, he turned over onto his back so that he could sit up and face the door. Whoever it was must have wanted to hear more about his duel with Shinzo.

"Come in." he groaned.

To his slight surprise, Pyrrha entered his room. However, it was not necessarily the fact that Pyrrha had come to see him (he had actually hoped to have some time alone with her), but rather what she was wearing that caught his attention. The golden haired girl was dressed in a nightgown that appeared to be a little too short for her, as it left most of her legs exposed and tightly hugged her noticeably significant bust. The right sleeve had been torn off to accommodate for her malfested arm, but that was of no concern to Thalias. Quite the opposite, actually. The young warrior could feel heat rising to his cheeks as Pyrrha put her hands behind her back and stared at the floor with flushed cheeks.

"P-Pyrrha! I didn't know you were coming. Or that you had such…interesting, clothing." he said.

"D-Do you like it?" she stuttered nervously in a manner Thalias found cute.

"Um, yeah. It looks great on you…"

A shy smile spread across the golden haired girl's lips.

"I'm glad. I wanted to wear something different for something as special as this."

"What do you mean by that?" Although I think I have a pretty good idea…

Pyrrha swallowed back a gulp of anxiety before making her way over to the young warrior's bed. Thalias took her hand and led her onto the bed to sit beside him. The golden haired girl remained silent for a moment, then took a deep breath as she prepared to speak.

"Thalias…I know we haven't known each other for very long, but…I've never been happier than I am when I'm with you. You accepted me for who I was, and told me that you'd protect me and that I'd never have to fight again if I didn't want to. You held me in your arms, even when my brother abandoned me. Because of you, I feel…happy."

She turned to look at him, tears of joy beginning to form in her eyes.

"No one has ever been so kind to me before, even after learning I am malfested. No one else has stood up for me or called the real me beautiful. I know it may sound strange, but I'm worried that something will happen to you, just like everyone else around me. I don't want that to happen, I don't want to lose you, so I decided to tell you how I feel, before it's too late…"

Without waiting for a response, Pyrrha wrapped her arms around the young warrior's neck and pulled him close.

"Thalias, I…I love you."

Thalias remained still for a moment, stunned at the sudden declaration. He felt as though a great warmth was beginning to grow within him, and as if a silent prayer had just been answered. Smiling warmly, he drew his arms around the golden haired girl.

"Pyrrha…you don't know how much I've wanted to hear you say that."

"Then, does that mean…?"

The young warrior nodded.

"I love you too, Pyrrha."

No more words were necessary at this. All the strange pair had to do to express their feelings was smile as they closed the distance. Eventually, they grew too tired to continue embracing one another, and slowly drifted into sleep. However, despite the elation he felt at hearing such wonderful news, Thalias knew he still had a much less joyous matter to attend to. Carefully removing himself from his lover's side, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead before exiting the room. It didn't take him long to find who he was looking for, considering they were the only person amid their group of unusuals who actually found a gloomy rooftop more comforting than a bed or couch. Tira sat reclining against the slanted roof, legs dangling carelessly off the edge and Eisernne Drossel propped up behind her as a makeshift pillow. Mentally preparing himself, the young warrior stepped out onto the balcony positioned next to her.

"I've gotta admit, you sure know how to find a nice awkward place to be alone." he began, making his presence known.

His mother remained silent, and just continued to stare out into space. Thalias sighed and turned his own gaze to the moonlit night sky.

"Was it true?"

Tira turned toward him, confused at the nature of his question.

"Was what true?"

"What you said earlier. Were you really only worried about me just so you could make sure you'd have the chance to kill me later?"

The insane woman paused, then scoffed and turned her gaze away from him.

"Idiot. You should already know that's exactly how I feel."

"...is that so?"

Her eyes seemed to darken as her voice became lower and venomous.

"Of course it is! You're the worst thing that's ever happened to me, nothing more than a punishment for a terrible failure I never should have had! If anyone is going to kill you, it will be me. It's the only way I'll ever be able to correct my mistake."

Now it was Thalias' turn to become silent. Figuring that she had satisfied the young warrior's curiosity, Tira rolled over onto her side as if to sleep.

"So what you're saying...the reason you saved me from those wolves...the reason you dropped me at a shitty orphanage and left for all those years...they weren't done out of feelings of tenderness or compassion? You just wanted to have the satisfaction of doing it yourself?" he spoke in a quiet yet very angry tone.

Surprised by his remarkably great memory and barely suppressed rage, the ring blade wielder sat up and turned around to look at her son once more. Thalias was now glaring straight at her eyes bordering between yellow and ethereal violet.

"Do it then." he growled.

Tira's eyes widened a fraction.

"What?"

"If the only reason you're still around is so you can kill me, then get it over with. You've had 17 years to think about it, why wait any longer? I've already had to live in hatred and isolation for most of my life, and now that I finally feel as though I belong with others, regardless of who they might be, wouldn't you rather just kill me now, to deepen the blow? Or..." he stared into the depths of her mad eyes with everything he had. "Are you too afraid?"

Her eyes darkened again at this, and her expression contorted into one of pure rage.

"You little shit...how dare you talk to me like that!"

Tira quickly took hold of her weapon and sprang from her spot onto her son, pinning him to the floor of the balcony with her blade against his throat. Thalias glared up at her indifferently, unafraid despite his position. His reluctance to show fear only served to enrage the insane woman further.

"You listen to me and you listen good! I never wanted you to come into my life, I never wanted to have to take care of a stupid little brat! I hated you more than anything, even more than your bastard of a father! Yes, I tried to kill you! Yes, I wanted you dead! And yes, I still want you dead! It was my mistake to let you live as long as you did, I should have known you'd come back to torment me again! But how could I just leave you to die, when you were so helpless and weak? How could I ignore your cries? How could I not give you a chance...to experience life for yourself..."

Slowly, tears of unknown origin began to form in the ring blade wielder's eyes, and the darker side of her personality began to fade. She lost the strength to keep her weapon against Thalias' throat, and dropped it unceremoniously beside him. Tira then slumped back onto her knees, head hung low so that her hair obscured her expression.

"I'm your mama...how could I not care for my son? Damn it all...why did you have to be so helpless? Why did you have to make me care?"

The ring blade wielder felt a pair of strong arms close around her, and knew that her son was embracing her. To her own surprise, she did nothing to escape the embrace, and instead found herself leaning against the young warrior's chest.

"I hate you, sweetums...I fucking hate you..." she choked out through tears that now poured freely down her face.

Thalias closed his eyes as he held her close.

"I know."

He let his mother cry out what he knew she wouldn't say, what she would never tell him no matter what happened. After a few moments, he stood up.

"It's late. I'm exhausted, and Pyrrha will be worried if I'm not there when she wakes up."

He turned to leave.

"Wait."

He glanced over his shoulder to see her still on her knees, with tears still streaming down her face.

"I'm gonna make you pay for this, sweetums. Remember that. I'm gonna make you pay for humiliating me like this."

The young warrior paused, then a ghost of a smile spread across his lips.

"I'll be looking forward to it."

And with that, he turned and headed back to his chambers. As he began to drift into sleep, he thought he heard the soft sound of his mother still shedding tears.

A few days passed, and finally Shinzo returned to House Sorel. The malfested woman was only moderately surprised to learn of the recently formed relationship between Thalias and Pyrrha, as indicated by how close they acted toward each other and how they would often steal longing glances at one another. What did strike her as strange was the fact that Tira was nowhere to be found. Even when she reached out with her nonhuman senses, she could find no trace of the ring blade wielder. When she asked Thalias about this, he became quiet for a moment, then he said that she had simply ran off one night and hadn't come back since. The only one who seemed genuinely worried about her was Pyrrha, though Shinzo thought she caught traces of a similar emotion in the young warrior's gaze as well. However, as none of this presented any semblance of importance, the malfested woman chose to leave it alone and proceed with her report.

"What do you have for us this time?" inquired Thalias as he and the others gathered round to listen.

"Much has happened of late," Shinzo began. "It appears Patroklos has learned of the method to restoring Soul Calibur to full power, and has set out for the eastern countries in order to achieve that goal. In addition, word has reached me saying that Nightmare has begun mobilizing his troops, and that their numbers swarm in the thousands."

There was a mixture of reactions to this. Some whispered in concern to each other, some remained stoic, and some felt the fire of determination burn inside their hearts.

"How did he learn about the way to restoring the spirit sword?" asked Myles.

"Indeed. Knowledge such as that is not easily obtained." added Azrios.

"It's my belief that he sought out an alchemist by the name of Ivy for the information. She was involved in the struggle between the swords for several years, so its only natural that she's come to learn much about them and their origins. I would suggest seeking her out as well."

Astaroth scratched his large head at this.

"Ivy...name sounds familiar...hmm..." he groaned.

"You know who she's talking about, big guy?" Diablos asked.

"Think so...Ivy is strange woman...silver hair...sword like a snake...skilled fighter..."

"Sounds real cheery-" Varryn commented.

"Also very pretty...and has huge boobs..."

The entire room fell silent at the sudden bold statement, minus a bit of snickering from Diablos that was promptly silenced by a smack from his brother. Unable to stand the awkward tension, Shinzo cleared her throat to regain everyone's attention.

"Yes, well as I was saying it would be in our best interests to seek out Ivy and to pursue Patroklos. If he is able to get what he needs for Soul Calibur's restoration, beating him will be much more difficult. And if he does succeed, Ivy may know how to either reverse or cancel the process."

Thalias nodded in approval.

"Good idea. I think we should split up again, and try to meet back here within two weeks. That should give us enough time to track down Ivy and catch up to that arrogant ba-" he paused when he saw concern in Pyrrha's eyes. "-and catch up to Patroklos. So, who wants to look for Ivy-"

"I do!" Varryn cried out.

Everyone shot him odd looks for the tan fighter's sudden enthusiasm, which then turned to skeptical looks.

"Ah, so you're one of 'those' kinds of guys." Suki chided.

"How shameful." Thalias added.

Like you're one to talk! Varryn mentally scolded, knowing full well that Pyrrha was definitely not 'small'. Shinzo seemed to go into thought for a moment as more remarks came the tan fighter's way, then smirk fiendishly.

"Everyone, I think I have an idea..."

This sucks. Varryn groaned internally. As a consequence of his badly timed enthusiasm, he had ended up going on the search for Ivy with Myles, Astaroth, and the devil brothers as company. Since only the wolfman could move about through large crowds as freely as the human, the journey from France to the coast of Britain, where the alchemist was said to reside, had been very slow going. Now five days into their mission, they finally arrived at their destination. Because it would be difficult to keep such vastly abnormal people like Astaroth and the devil brothers inconspicuous, only Myles and Varryn took to the streets of the small city to begin their search, while the others stayed hidden near the docks. After asking around for a while, they made their way to the Valentine Mansion, an illustrious place that far outshined House Sorel (not that Varryn would admit it). As the tan fighter and the wolfman debated over what they would do next, they failed to notice that someone else had just arrived, and was currently studying them with confused eyes.

"You there, who are you? What is your business here?" came a mature woman's voice.

Varryn turned around to face the newcomer, and froze in awe. Before him and Myles stood a tall woman with short silver hair that hung over her left eye, green eyes, slightly pale skin, and a rather revealing purple and gold outfit that included a golden gauntlet over her left arm and greatly emphasized her quite large bust. In her right hand she held a broadsword with a red and gold handle, and she rose an eyebrow as she waited for the tan fighter to respond.

"Well? Are you going to say something, or just stand there gawking?"

The sound of her voice brought Varryn back to reality.

"S-sorry about that. Are you the one known as Ivy?"

"That's correct. Now what are you doing standing around in front of my home?"

"Wait, you live here?" inquired Myles.

"Seeing as how this is the Valentine Mansion, and my name is Ivy Valentine, I should think so. Now if you'd be so kind as to answer my question..."

"Ah, yes. We heard that you told someone by the name of Patroklos important information regarding the spirit sword, Soul Calibur. If this is true, then we'd like to know what you told him and where we should head in order to meet with him."

Ivy's eyes seemed to narrow at the mention of Soul Calibur.

"For what purpose do you seek the spirit sword?"

"We intend to acquire it, so that it may be placed somewhere out of reach of the wrong hands." Varryn answered.

The silver haired woman appeared to go into thought for a moment, then laughed in a haughty and displeased manner.

"Is that really the best lie you can come up with, servants of the azure knight?" she half growled.

"What?!"

"You can't deceive me. I know that you intend to destroy the last hope this world has at defeating Soul Edge, no doubt under Nightmare's orders."

"That's not true!" Myles protested.

"We're against Nightmare! Our entire group's goal is to defeat him!" Varryn added.

"If that is true, then why are you trying to destroy Soul Calibur? I've watched too many lives be destroyed by the cursed sword and its influence, my own included. Even if your intentions are of noble intent, I cannot allow you to chase after the sword."

Ivy raised her broadsword as she took a stance. Reluctantly, Varryn and Myles drew their own weapons.

"Put down your weapon, we don't want to fight you!" the tan fighter tried.

"Our intentions are only that of the azure knights demise, don't you understand?" Myles added.

"Persistent, aren't you?" Ivy sighed. "Very well, then how about a deal. If the two of you can beat me, then I'll join your little group and tell you what I know. And if not, then I will paint the streets red with your blood."

"Two against one? That doesn't sound very-"

The next thing Myles knew, he was lying face down in the street, with a series of sharp cuts across his midsection and his head knocked against the wall of the Valentine Mansion's front gates. Varryn watched in shock as Ivy's sword slithered around her, multiple segments of the blade strung together by a long cord. As fast as it had extended, the snake like sword's blade retracted back into place, once again taking on the appearance of a plain broadsword. Ivy smirked as she brushed her hair out of her eyes.

"Well, that's one down. Now, boy, shall we dance?"

A/N: sorry to end this chapter without an actual fight, but I felt that after everything else that happened it would better off without one. I promise that there will be plenty of action next time, so please continue to read! And don't forget to review! Till next time! Dark Novelist out. (I'm still gonna say that cause its still part of my name)