Chapter 14: Assault on the Fortress

From a balcony in Fuuka Palace, Notokishi watched the grand army of Windbloom as they marched toward the desert. It had been nearly a month since she and Miyu retrieved Soul Calibur. During that time, their group had returned to Wind and had started preparing for a large scale assault on Nightmare and his army. Scouts had reported he was holed up in the castle that had once been buried beneath the desert. There were also reports that a woman with wings had been spotted in the area.

"I was afraid you'd be there. Kaia, please tell me you're alright…" she said, thinking out loud. Hearing footsteps approaching her, she turned around. Miyu and Verona were standing behind her, already in Robe and Mithril Dress.

"The queen wants to speak with you before we go." Verona said.

"I see. Okay, wait for me out front."

Verona and Miyu nodded and left. Notokishi made her way to the throne room were the queen stood waiting. Notokishi got down on one knee.

"You called for me, mother?"

"Yes." Nina answered. "I understand Kaia is in the lair of our enemy?"

"It would appear so. I have reason to believe she will be against us in the coming battle."

"I see. I have a request for you, my daughter."

"What is it?"

Nina's serious expression intensified. "Bring your sister home, by any means necessary."

Notokishi looked her straight in the eye. "Yes, mother." she got up to leave, but Nina still had more to say.

"Notokishi, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"…don't punish her too much. I want to be able to talk some sense into her as well."

Notokishi smiled at this. "Of course, mother." and she left to join the troops.

Outside, she met up with Miyu, Verona, and now Shizuru as well.

"We're ready when you are, princess." Shizuru said.

Notokishi looked at the three in front of her.

Smiling, she ordered. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's end this war today!"

Side by side, the four of them went to the front of the army to lead the advance. As they began to near the valley containing the castle, Miyu turned toward Notokishi.

"Princess, I have something to ask you." asked the android.

"Yes Miyu?"

"I've learned something about Soul Calibur that I think you should hear." Miyu whispered the knowledge in Notokishi's ear.

"Is this true?" Notokishi asked, shocked.

"Yes. I discovered it during these past weeks. I believe we can use it to complete both our goals."

"It wouldn't hurt to try…alright, but we better make sure this'll work." They began to plan their course of action as they walked.

After a few hours of walking, they arrived at the valley where Nightmare's castle sat in wait. The corrupted army had formed a massive wall of soldiers in front of the castle. Notokishi turned to each of her friends and nodded. Then turning to her army, she drew Soul Calibur from her side, and raised the blade toward the sky.

"Soldiers of Windbloom, today we shall strike at the heart of darkness itself! On this day, we put an end to the evil that plagues our world! The evil known as Nightmare!"

"Yaaaaaaaaaaah!" cried the soldiers.

"We will run to meet his hordes, and we will erase them from our world! We will break down the walls of his fortress, and we will slay the azure knight once and for all! CHARGE!"

With that, the entire army of Windbloom and the four heroines raced forward and crashed into the swarm of corrupted. Bodies began to fall as bullets flew and swords clashed. Soon the desert sands began to turn red with blood. Cutting down the soldiers in front of her, Notokishi saw the castle was still a long ways away from their position. She turned toward the other heroines.

"Verona! Miyu! Shizuru! We must clear a path to the fortress!"

The three nodded and began to shoot, slice, and cut their way toward the castle. Just as they reached the entrance, they stopped as a pile of bones fell in front of them. A large red eye came floating towards the pile, and began spinning in place. As it spun, the bones began to burst into flames and form a skeleton above and below the eye, and soon an otherworldly figure stood before them.

"Shit, not another one…" Notokishi grumbled.

The demonic figure summoned a pair of swords and readied itself for combat. Miyu and Notokishi were about to lunge at the creature, but Verona and Shizuru dashed in front of them.

"What are you doing?"

"You two won't be able to beat Nightmare if this guy wears you out first." Shizuru said, still facing the creature.

"Shizuru…"

"You defeat Nightmare and save Kaia! Leave this thing to us!" Verona commanded.

"Verona! But-"

Verona turned around and smiled at her. "Notokishi, we'll be alright. Go."

Notokishi hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Don't you dare die! Let's go, Miyu!" with that, the two of them ran into the castle.

Verona turned back to the monster. "Alright, let's do our best Ms. Shizuru."

"Yeah, we better not disappoint them." at that, the two otome and the creature charged toward each other.

Inside the castle, Miyu and Notokishi climbed higher and higher toward the tower on top. When they reached the large circular room on the third floor, they found the azure knight waiting for them.

"So at last you've come. We've been expecting you." said Nightmare.

"Where is she?" Notokishi demanded, raising Soul Calibur.

"So you've found the spirit sword, Soul Calibur. I'm impressed."

"Goddammit, don't ignore me! Where is my sister? Where is Kaia?"

As soon as she asked, something flew past her and stopped in between her and Nightmare. A woman with four black wings, silver crystal-like armor, and a large black sword now stood before them. She glared at Notokishi and Miyu with her orange eyes.

"Kaia!"

"Hello, sister. It's been a while."

"Kaia, thank god you're alive! I was beginning to think Nightmare had-"

"Had what? Killed her? I assure you, I have no intention of doing that. Not now, not ever." said the azure knight.

"Well then, that'll make it easier to kill you! Kaia, materialize your Robe and help us fight him!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Kaia answered.

"What are you talking about?"

"I am no longer able to use Robe. My power as an otome is gone."

"Kaia…don't tell me…you didn't…" Notokishi lowered her sword slightly.

Kaia nodded. "I've given up my purity."

"You what? To who?"

Kaia said nothing.

"No way… it can't be…" Notokishi stood wide-eyed, realizing the truth.

"It's true."

"Why? After everything he's done, why him?"

"It's true, he did bring much misfortune and death to us and our world. But, he did so because he is like me. Neither of us have a choice."

"I don't believe it… after everything we went through, you'd betray us in the end." Notokishi raised Soul Calibur again. Anger burned like fire in her eyes as she spoke, "Miyu, Nightmare's all yours. I need to beat some sense into my little sister."

"Yes, princess." Miyu walked past Kaia and stood in front of Nightmare, sword ready.

"I remember you." the knight said, raising Soul Edge. "You're that soulless machine who thinks she's human."

"I may not be human, monster, but there is one thing I am certain of."

"And what is that, imposter?"

"By the end of this battle, you will be lying dead, without a head on your shoulders."

"Ha! We'll see about that!"

At this final exchange of words, the four ignited the battle that would decide the fate of the world.