Chapter 21
'Yes… I am Siegfried'
Link stood before the dark knight, but it was not Nightmare who he was addressing. From what Link could gather, he was apparently talking to the original owner of the now cursed body; the soul who had slept while Nightmare took control.
Link still wasn't sure he believed what was happening. Nightmare was use to tricking people; this could be just one of his plans to gain Link's trust, before running him through. Link couldn't shake off the feeling that this was just some ploy to lure him closer. With no weapon to attack or to protect him, getting closer to this knight, if indeed it proved to be Nightmare, may prove fatal. Not wanting to find out if he was right or not, Link decided to keep his distance.
Seeing Link hesitate before him, Siegfried sighed heavily.
'You do not trust me, do you?' he asked.
Hearing Siegfried, Link didn't know his awkwardness was so apparent.
'It's alright…' Siegfried mumbled, turning his head off to the side to stare at the destruction that his very hands had caused. The village laid in ruin after Nightmare's destructive wake. Buildings no longer stood and the villagers no longer drew breathe; this village was dead.
Not again! Siegfried thought, as he drew closer to the riverbank. Though the rain made seeing difficult, Siegfried could still see the devastation. A cold wind blew against the rain and swept past both Link and the still knight. Link shivered from the wind, but Siegfried just sighed. He felt and heard the villagers' screams echo along the wind. The screams resounded in his head and would forever plague his mind, along with the guilt he had buried within his restless soul. Every time Soul Edge! You haunt my dreams with images of death and pain, and when I do finally regain control, I see this! The dreams I see were not dreams at all, but were the result of your's and Nightmare's rampage! I dare not sleep for what I fear I might do… but try as I might, I wake still to the sight of the dead you and Nightmare have left. When will this all end?
With those heavy words in his mind, Siegfried crumbled to his knees. As he fell upon his knees, Soul Edge slid from the knight's human hand and lay still and lifeless beside him. Siegfried then lowered his head within his chest and began mumbling some words. Link heard these words clearly, and by the sounds of the words and the tone used by Siegfried, it sounded like a pray. Link watched silently and remained still. Though he could not see the knight's face behind the helmet, Link could feel a heavy, depressed atmosphere around the kneeling knight. Merely watching the knight in silence, Link felt his hesitation and awkwardness disperse from within. It was clear to him now that the knight before him was not Nightmare. Nightmare wouldn't lower himself this far to lure Link in or have such a sorrowful aura surround him. Nightmare wasn't human; he wouldn't even know how to express sorrow, or any other human emotion.
Link, taking this moment of silence, lifted his demonic arm that was still being swarmed by the villagers' souls, and began to whisper a pray of his own in his native language. The two remain still while whispering their own pray. Link's pray was for those who had died there in the village, while Siegfried's prayed for himself. The knight prayed for answers, for a resolution to his cursed life. To end the nightmares of his troubled and haunted past, so he could save what little is left of his future.
Siegfried ended his pray and sighed heavily as he lent back on his legs. He lifted his head up to the sky and allowed the rain to pour into the armour. Siegfried felt the cleansing power within the rain, and though his evil body ached with pain because of the rain's cleansing power, he welcomed it gladly with open arms. While in this position, Siegfried overhead Link's whispering. The knight lowered his arms and stared over to where Link was standing. The Hyalin warrior stood with his head bowed, whispering words the knight couldn't place, while his left arm remain at his chest.
Siegfried was quickly drawn to the sight of the countless souls swarming about Link's arm. He started wondering why the souls were behaving in such a strange manner, when his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of Link's left arm. Seeing Link's deformed arm amongst the swarming souls, Siegfried became shock and terrified, but after a while, he calm down and sighed in defeat. The arm was a surprise at first, but was all too familiar a sight to Siegfried.
Seeing the arm reminded Siegfried of when his right arm began to turn. He couldn't place when the transformation occurred, but remembered his arm itched and ache all the time. Back then, he experience frequent blackouts. They usually occurred before Siegfried began to battle. He remembered getting into a ready stance and holding Soul Edge within his hands, before he blackout. When he regained consciousness, he would be standing in the aftermath of the battle. Siegfried tried on many occasions to remember what happen during that time, but couldn't remember anything of it; but he knew that hidden somewhere in his mind lay the answer.
But I was too naive to realise the truth…that every time I'd blackout, it was HIM that took control, Siegfried thought, as his past flashed before his eyes. At first I had control, but then it slipped away. The more souls Soul Edge gathered the more Nightmare grew within me. Before long, he took full control, and I was forced to sleep within my own body! The nightmares I had, the dreams that plagued me… the things I have done…
Siegfried suddenly began to realise, as he thought more about his past, that Link would soon experience the same horrible and nightmarish events that had befallen him. The demonic arm was the sign that a shadow was forming within Link that would soon rise and take control over the warrior; forcing him to do dreadful things.
Siegfried knew he had to warm Link; to tell him of the coming darkness within.
With that, Siegfried stood up to his feet and slowly walked towards Link; leaving Soul Edge by the river. As Siegfried drew closer to Link, he heard the Hyalin warrior still muttering something in an unknown language. Siegfried tried to recognise some of the words Link used, but the language was totally beyond him; he couldn't recognise a single word. Siegfried knew Link was strange, but he didn't know how strange he really was.
Link came to the end of his pray as Siegfried came to stand before him. Knowing that Nightmare was gone for now, Link was able to stand before the knight without fear; especially since the knight didn't have Soul Edge in his hands.
'Link… there something I have to tell you' Siegfried said, his voice sounding very serious. Though Link couldn't see Siegfried's face, he knew the serious tone in the knight's voice was reflected on his face as well. 'There something I have to tell you about that arm of your's. It's not…'
'…Mine' interrupted Link. 'It's not mine… I know that. I can feel that this arm, though I have some control over it, is not entirely mine'
Hearing Link's words, Siegfried went silent. Having been interrupted, Siegfried knew he had to past on his warning to Link and urgently. But the warrior's words, even the tone in Link's voice, seemed to express that Link already knew the evil that was growing within his demonic arm, though unaware of its true purpose.
'Ever since this arm began to change, I've felt its dark energy running through me. Through collecting Soul Edge's pieces, I sought to destroy the evil blade once and for all. I was foolish to think this task was easy! With each piece I collected, I felt I was losing a part of myself to the darkness!'
Though my warning was not even able to leave my lips… Link seems to have already picked up on my message, Siegfried thought as he listen closely to Link's words. Though Siegfried would have express Link's words differently, they both would have shared the same message.
'My mind is crumbling under an unknown weight,' Link exclaim as he felt his head with his right hand. 'I've tried to ease my mind with peaceful words and memories of the past; but to no avail! My mind continues to suffer, and I fear that if I keep going down this dark and haunted path, collecting Soul Edge's pieces as I go, I know my mind will fall into darkness…' having said that, Link lowered his hand from his head and stared at the cursed blade that lay behind Siegfried. Looking at the silenced Soul Edge, Link's tone of voice began to change. His once serious tone slowly changed into a frighten whimper. 'Apparently it's what Soul Edge wants'
What! It's what Soul Edge wants? Siegfried repeated with curiosity. Repeating those words in his head, he too came to stare at Soul Edge. The dark sword was manipulative and was always using the people that came in contact with it or its pieces, to achieve its one desired goal. That goal: to be set free. Siegfried knew that the sword wanted to be release from its current prison of a body; but what confused him is why Soul Edge would want Link to lose his mind. Was it to use Link as a host? Or use him as a servant to serve the dark sword? Siegfried couldn't tell. Like most people in the world, Siegfried lacked answers to his questions. When it came to Soul Edge, nothing was for certain.
'I have no idea what it wants of me, nor do I really care. I just want that dark blade destroyed!' Link hissed as he stepped beside Siegfried. From looking at Soul Edge, the knight turned his gaze to the warrior that stood beside him.
'And how do you propose to do that, Link?' Siegfried asked, with a raised eyebrow.
Hearing that question, Link became stern and silent as he tighten his right hand into a fist. The answer to that question had plague Link ever since he began his journey. How to defeat and destroy Soul Edge was always on his mind. He didn't have a real certain answer, but with what information he had gathered, there was only one possible solution.
'To destroy Soul Edge... I must find…' Link paused briefly, as the words got stuck in his throat. Without evening thinking properly, Link would have said his Master Sword, when his mind knew clearly that it was Soul Calibur he would have to search for. The Master Sword, though almost having the same pure power as Soul Calibur, was not strong enough to stand against Soul Edge. But, from what he had learned from Kilik, was that Soul Calibur, in the final battle to destroy Soul Edge, was only able to shatter the dark blade and weaken it evil power. Hearing this had made Link lose faith in Soul Calibur and his own Master Sword, but he was still willing to try. Another thing that Link had learnt from Kilik was that in order to seal most of Soul Edge's power, Soul Calibur had to be left behind in the dark void. It was the only way to seal the evil in the dark sword.
So much that did… Link thought sadly, as current events seemed to prove Soul Calibur's sacrifice was in vein
'Well? Do you know of a way to destroy Soul Edge or not?' Siegfried asked again, seeing as Link was silent.
Having that asked again, Link gave his answer.
'I must find the pure blade that was locked away in the final battle… I must find Soul Calibur!'
Hearing Soul Calibur from Link caused an unknown reaction within Siegfried. His mind began to suddenly ache and scream. The mention of that sword caused the dark part of his mind to suddenly stir, as if the darkness feared the blade. Nightmare, the dark consciousness that had fallen quiet, began to fight to regain control. Siegfried, trying his hardest not to alert Link of the fiend's attempt, fought against the darkness.
Let go, Siegfried! You can never win against me!
Shut up Nightmare! I am done with you! I will not be controlled anymore!
Ha! I've heard that many times from you, and yet, you keep failing! All those times you have awoke from sleep and found countless corpses surrounding you are proof of your failure! You can never win against me and Soul Edge!
Though Siegfried didn't want to admit it, in his current state he was no match for the dark servant and its evil blade. With Soul Edge gathering most of its lost power, Siegfried attempts to regain control of his mind had failed every time; until now.
From his battle that raged within his mind, Siegfried jerked his head to look down at Link. The Hyalin warrior was somehow the cause of Siegfried's return from the dark depth of his own mind, where he had been trapped by Soul Edge and Nightmare. He didn't know how Link had freed him, but it was for certain that Link was the cause. When he was lock away in the darkness of his mind, trying to fight to regain control, a sudden scream was heard and a sudden blinding light appeared before Siegfried's self-consciousness. Along with the light, Siegfried saw a face appear before him, as well as the blade the warrior wielded. The blade itself was made of light and the warrior who carried it radiated the same light as his sword. Together, it gave Siegfried the edge he needed to raise from the depths and attack Nightmare head on.
If not for you, I'm might still be trapped away… thankyou Link, Siegfried thanked in thought, as he watched the warrior beside him. Siegfried wanted his words of gratitude to be heard, but he found speaking had suddenly become somewhat difficult. He tried to fight the tightness in his throat, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Link suddenly jump in before the knight.
'…Though I don't know where to begin to look,' mumble Link as he step forwards, 'The sword, Soul Calibur, is just as unknown to me as Soul Edge. Though I have only recently begun questioning people about Soul Calibur, no one has ever heard of the sword!'
A menacing laugh suddenly exploded from within Siegfried's mind after hearing Link's word.
Ha-ha! The sword is weak and useless! And no one even knows about its existence! Beside, the sword is lock away in the dark void. Only Soul Edge could open that void with its dark power. He could search all the way to the end of the earth and still not find it! Ha-ha!
Siegfried groaned in pian as his head felt like it was splitting apart. Nightmare was slowly gaining strength, soon he would be strong enough to overthrow Siegfried and take his revenge on Link. Siegfried knew he didn't have long, and knew that Link needed to run, before it was too late. But before he gave his warning out, Siegfried had a sudden idea appear into his mind. Siegfried, knowing he didn't have much time decided to give Link what information he could spare.
'Link!' Siegfried shouted, his voice sounding heavy and pained.
Link spun around upon hearing the knight's troubled voice. As soon as Link had faced him, Siegfried dropped his acting and revealed to Link that he was under attack. Link, at first, didn't grasp what was happening to Siegfried, who had, until now, stood firmly beside him. Link thought that Siegfried was under attack from an enemy that somehow hid from his clear vision; but when the knight suddenly grasped his head, Link knew that the battle was not on the outside, but was within Siegfried's mind.
Having run to the knight's side to give aid, Link now backed away from Siegfried, sensing that the dark knight himself would be returning to the battlefield. Being near Siegfried, Link could feel the growing darkness within Siegfried's body, confirming that Nightmare was indeed fighting for control. As Link backed away, the knight suddenly grabbed Link's foot, preventing him from moving. Link suddenly began to panic as he was held in place. He didn't know if it was Siegfried or Nightmare who had halted his retreat.
The knight, having his face lowered in the mud, was shaking violently. Link could sense that the battle of the two minds was taking affect on the host body, but had yet fallen under total control of either Siegfried or Nightmare. Link fought against the hold on his leg, but found he couldn't shake the knight off him.
'L-Link…' the knight wheezed out from his troubled breathing. It was Siegfried; he was still hanging in control. Knowing this, Link stopped his retreat and knelt down to listen to Siegfried's words. 'L-Link…Nightmare is coming! Prepare yourself… for combat. Nightmare won't let you go. He knows about your search for Soul Calibur… he's going to stop you from reaching it!'
Though the words caused Link a bit of alarm, he couldn't help but expressed a quick smile.
He wants to stop me from getting to Soul Calibur? Then there must be a way to find the sword!
'So, Soul Calibur can be gotten to? How do I find it?' Link asked, trying to get as much information out of Siegfried as he could before he became Nightmare. Siegfried began wheezing more, and started to chough violently. Nightmare was obviously trying to hinder Siegfried from revealing anything more. But despite his best effort, Siegfried continued.
'Soul Calibur is trapped in the dark void… sealed away after the final battle…only Soul Edge can open the evil door to the void' Siegfried mumbled out heavily, as his grip on his mind slowly lessened. 'You have to open the dark void to free …Soul Calibur… you have to use… Soul Edge'
Hearing the knight's words, Link felt a cold wind blow over him. As Siegfried's words rolled over in his mind, the Hyalin warrior quickly contemplated the dark task that he would have to do. In order to free Soul Calibur, I would have to… use Soul Edge? The very idea sounded crazy and left Link feeling uneasy. Taking up the dark sword in his hands was no doubt a bad idea; this he knew. The demon sword would probably consume his soul as soon as his hands fell upon the blade. But, from what Siegfried had told him, Soul Edge was the only thing that had the power to open the dark void to the spirit sword, Soul Calibur. There was no way to validate the knight's information, nor was there time to find another possible solution. Link had to believe what he was told. His lack of knowledge on both swords put him at a disadvantage, so he couldn't tell what was false or what was real. Siegfried at least knew something about the two swords, and that was helpful enough to him.
'Are you sure there is no other way Siegfried?' Link asked, hoping that there was another way besides using Soul Edge.
Link however did not get any answer from the knight.
The knight's cough had grown more violent and his ability to speak no longer served him. Link could see that the battle of the minds was continuing to rage within and was growing extremely intense. Siegfried was more concentrated on the battle and was using all of his mental strength to stay in control. He could no longer afford to speak to Link for fear of letting Nightmare win. The knight was totally elsewhere.
With Siegfried fighting his own demon, and Link at a loss of ideas and information, Link had to think through what he knew for an answer. The answer to his problem was buried somewhere in his head; he just had to think to uncover it. Though time was no longer an ally to him, Link had to think fast. If Siegfried lost the battle, Nightmare would certainly return, and with a vengeance no doubt. The dark knight would take up Soul Edge and continue his hunt for Link's soul; that was for certain. Link needed to act before then. To run, or to use Soul Edge; those were his choices. He knew that running was the best and most offering of the two choices in the current situation; but, he knew that taking up Soul Edge in order to free Soul Calibur did offer more of a fighting chance against the demon sword.
Do I dare use that sword's dark power in order to free Soul Calibur? Link pondered, staring at the evil blade lying ever so still on the river's bank, or do I run away and fight to live another day? As Link thought long and hard about his decision, he quickly found out that he was getting nowhere. His mind was looping back and forth with every idea he had. Each idea that offered him a solution to his problem somehow got rejected or rebutted against. It seemed he couldn't give himself an answer. He was totally confused.
Link, in some moments of confusion, had learnt to trust his feelings to aid him in a decision in the past. His feelings told him to leave the blade and the village behind him and to seek a better answer another time when he was well rested. But his mind argued against his feelings. His mind told him to use Soul Edge in opening the dark void, so he could free the spirit sword. Hoping this method would have help, Link found that he was still arguing against himself. The answer to his decision was not one that would be made easily. Though one of his choices reaped more of a benefit to his health and to keeping him alive, the other offered him a chance to free the very sword that could rival Soul Edge.
Maybe it was his only chance. That's what kept Link in this state of confusion: would he really risk losing his one chance of freeing Soul Calibur?
Staring at the demon blade, Link felt his hatred for the sword begin to boil. The sword seemed to laugh at him and at his attempts; laughing directly into his mind while it slept. Link wanted Soul Edge destroyed more then ever, but would not blindly risk taking up that evil sword to do so… or would he?
Link let his gaze leave Soul Edge for a moment so he could stare at himself. His body was already under attack from Soul Edge's power and felt more of him was slowly falling under the demon blade's rule. His body would be the first to go, and ultimately, his mind as well. Link stared at his demonic arm and the souls the continued to heal it. The souls were trying to cure his arm, but did little to cleanse the evil that was there. The souls could only cure his physical wounds, not the wounds beneath his skin.
Link's anger began to surface, and as it did, he curled his talon fingers into a fist. His fingers curled in, and as he thought, his fingers were cutting into the demonic skin. He did this in detest of Soul Edge's evil. It pained him, while at the same time, allowed him to vent some steam. Blood began to pour from his wounds as he continued to tighten his fist. The warm liquid oozed down his rough skin and drip slowly into the mud under him, mixing with the blood of the villagers. While he tortured himself, he saw that the souls were recovering his lost blood as they healed him. The blood flowed back into the wounds and the souls healed what they could of Link's wounds while his talons were still dug into his arm. It was like time was going backwards, in order to keep Link for making a mistake he would regret. But this did not stop him from venting his anger out; he kept tighten his fist till his hate for Soul Edge was gone.
As he continued to hurt himself, Link felt something inside suddenly begin to stir. He didn't know what it was, but it caused him to feel somewhat odd. At first it felt like a fire was burning in him, but slowly eased into a gentler sensation. Link felt a peaceful aura consume him as this easing sensation spread throughout his body. His head swam in peace for the first time, silencing his chaotic mind. Link couldn't help but smile as he closed his eyes to take in more of this rare peace.
.
.
Link…
…Link…
In the silence and the calm that surrounded him, Link suddenly felt himself become aware. It was as if he had slept and had only just awoken. His senses activated as he felt himself wake up, keying in and focusing with each passing second. His whole body began to feel again. Link didn't know what had happen to him, but for some reason, he felt incredibly light and renewed.
…Link…
His ears twitch as the soft whisper that had caused him to wake echo again. Link began to feel heavier as he felt his body move again. He felt every nerve in his body and all his muscles pull together, as he willed them. It was like he was given a new body, and was just figuring out how to work it properly; yet he was unable to open his eyes. His eyes remain gently closed together, not budging or opening as he wanted them too.
…are you alright my, boy? …
Link heard the same voice echoing about him. But this time it was stronger and more real; not as a mere whisper like before. The voice was humble, kind and wise, but sounded very old. Link, though he could not see, recognise the voice clearly. The voice was very distinct and carried such an otherworldly tone that only a few had.
The Sages
Link beamed brightly as he pictured the group of Sages within his mind, but more distinctly, the one that had greeted the warrior after a seven year slumber.
'Rauru? Is that you?' Link asked, his mouth trembling slightly as they weak and lifeless.
Open your eyes… Hero of Time
As responding to the wishes of both the Sage of Light and Link's own will, his eyes slowly opened. The darkness of his eyelids faded away, and the light that beamed above shone brightly upon Link. His eyes were blurred at first, but soon focused. As they did, Link came to recognise where he was. The shining light that radiated overhead, the waterfalls that showered down from beyond the clear sky, and the powerful aura of the Triforce that resonated in this most sacred chamber: The Chamber of Sages.
Seeing the Chamber of Sages again, Link felt all too pleased to be there, but wondered how he had gotten there.
Link stared away from the light the shone overhead and peered around the chamber. Link saw that the other Sages were not here to address him as Rauru did. It was just him and the Sage of Light. Peering over his chest to see the old sage, the two offered each other a warm smile. After the smiles was exchange, Link slowly levitated himself forwards as to allow his feet to touch the seal of the Triforce. Having his feet on firm ground, Link properly greeted the Sage with a bow.
'It's good to see you again, Rauru!' Link said, with a smile on his face, 'I've miss this place'. Rauru chuckled kindly after hearing Link's words. His old face beamed brightly as Link's did, behind his white beard.
'It is good to see you too, Hero of Time' Rauru said humbling, nodding his head to Link, 'How can I help you, Link?'
Link went silent. Being summoned to the Chamber of Sages usually meant that he was need for something of great importance, but now, he saw that he hadn't been summon here on some special request. Link wondered then why he was here, if not summoned to do something, then why was he called. Link straightened up from his bow and stared at the Sage of Light for a while, in order to figure this out.
The Sage waited patiently for Link to say something. But it was clear to him that Link was not even sure why he was there.
'I sense you are confused' the Sage said softly. 'What's wrong?'
'Why am I here?' Link asked, seeing as he couldn't figure it out on his own. 'Why was I brought here?'
'You are seeking an answer to a question' Rauru answered, using a cryptic reply. 'You were becoming unbalance and unstable. Something within you was going wrong… as I can see'
Hearing that from the Sage, Link knew that Rauru was referring to his left arm. The demonic arm was not easily missed; not even from a Sage. Link sighed heavily as he grasped the demon arm with his still human hand. Being within the Sacred Realm, Link felt the arm's evil power was weaken further. The Sacred Realm was purifying it evil; but, it couldn't change his arm back to normal.
'I've been infective by evil, Rauru… this evil is strong, and I fear I am unable to beat it!' shouted Link, his voice filled with pain and fear. 'The evil I was sent to destroy is so great… even greater than Ganondorf when he took up the Triforce of power!'
The Sage said nothing but listened in silence while stroking his beard.
'And the worst part of this is…' Link had to paused in order to compose himself, 'I've lost the Master Sword you gave me'
Hearing that from Link, Rauru slowly drop his hand from his beard. His old face expressed great concerned as he lowered his head to think.
'I see… this is most discouraging' Rauru mumbled as he turned away from Link. The old Sage, having his back to Link, lifted his head to the sky and began mumbling some ancient words to the heavens.
Link waited for a while, just standing and watching the Sage of Light mumbling words in an unknown tongue, but soon found him sitting upon the Triforce's sacred symbol. Upon sitting down, Link was surprised to see that he had sat down on the Triforce of Courage; the piece of the Triforce that lay within. He didn't mean to sit on this spot, he just want a place to rest while the Sage was busy. Having sat there, Link automatically lifted his right hand to his face. Being in the Sacred Realm, the Triforce symbol on the back of this hand had lit up. The piece he processed was glowing brightly then the other two, who were inside the other chosen ones. The Triforce of Power was deep within the sadistic hands of Ganondorf, who Link, with the help of all the Sages, had sealed within the Evil Realm. The Triforce of Wisdom was safely in the hands of the Seventh Sage and princess of Hyrule, Princess Zelda.
Link recalled the final battle against Ganondorf clearly within his mind. The furious battle was harsh and brutal on Link's abilities and body; but he never gave up. Even when his body was nearly done in, Link kept on fighting.
Where did that determination and fire go? Why can't I have that same desire against Soul Edge? Link thought as his eyes locked onto his demonic arm. The battle with Ganondorf was indeed a battle that surpassed any he had, but the continuous battle he had with Soul Edge was now becoming a close rival. Comparing the two battles closely so far, Link still saw the fight with Ganondorf as the toughest he had, but, the battle with Soul Edge had the more devastating effect upon the warrior. His arm was the clear indication of that.
'..Link…'
Hearing his named called Link shot up to his feet. The Sage still had his back turned to Link, but his head was no longer up towards the heavens. The Sage shuffled forward, placed his hand firmly behind his back and stuck out his chest. Watching the Sage do that, it reminded Link of General Wang when he acted seriously.
'Link, I fear your journey will be a difficult one indeed. One that is not easily achieved, I'm afraid' Rauru stated, as he slowly faced Link. 'It is a peril that will take you beyond your natural abilities! And I fear in your current state you will not be able to continue this journey if you hope to succeed'
Hearing those words, Link felt even more lost and defeated. Rauru's words were harsh, but true. Link knew that all to well. The fights he had in the new world showed that his skills were nothing to impressive as they are in his world. He would need to train harder if he was to continue.
'…I see' Link mumbled in defeat; his head sinking into his chest.
'Don't be dishearten, Link. Though this task is dangerous, it is not impossible'
Link lifted his head upon hearing the Sage's words. The Sage beamed a smile that told the Hyalin warrior that there was still hope in his current situation. Seeing the smile, Link straightened up and fought the fear and despair that had built up.
'What must I do?' Link asked.
'Ask the right question, and I shall tell you what must be done' Rauru replied, again using a cryptic answer.
'Can't you give me a straight forward answer?'
'This journey is not entirely straightforward as you have come to know; therefore the answer you seek is not as it appears. Throughout this quest you'll have to learn on your own how to find the answers you're after. I can only aid you from here…' Rauru said, bring his hands back to his side.
With that, Link had to think of the questions he needed answered. This was his only chance to find out what he needed to continue his journey and battle against Soul Edge. The first question that came to mind was the one that had plague him just beforehand: whether or not to take up Soul Edge to free Soul Calibur.
'Rauru, from what I have knowledge I have gathered within this world, there exist a spirit sword called…'
'Soul Calibur' Rauru interrupted, finishing off Link's sentence. Link went silent after hearing the Sage mention the sword.
'You know about Soul Calibur?'
'I know about both Soul Calibur and Soul Edge'
'How?'
'I am a Sage, Link. I know many things about our world and the worlds elsewhere. But I am afraid I do not know too much about those swords. Those swords are beyond my knowledge, even as a Sage, their history and true power is beyond me'
Link was surprised that the Sages even knew about the swords. They hadn't said anything about the swords or expressed any knowledge about them when he first told the Sages before he left on his journey. Knowing this now, Link wished that they had warned him about the trouble he was rushing into. At least then he could have trained properly for it.
It's too late now… it can't be helped, Link thought as he cleaned his surprised look from his face. Link focused himself normally and continued on with his question.
'...anyway, Soul Calibur is trapped within the dark void that was created by Soul Edge. My question is… should I take up the evil blade and use its power to open the dark void in order to free the spirit sword?'
Rauru thought about Link's question while stroking his white beard. The Sage looked to be lost in thought as Link had been, but Rauru soon returned form his thinking to give the warrior his answer.
'Soul Calibur is the key to defeating Soul Edge; that is for certain. But until it is freed and strengthen, it cannot vanquish the evil blade' Rauru answered.
'So… I should use Soul Edge, then' Link muttered, feeling his gut suddenly drop.
'I didn't say that' Rauru said, crossing his arms about his chest.
Link froze and stared at the Sage with wide eyes as the Sage's words sank into his ears. If there was another way of opening the dark void without Soul Edge, he would take it.
Seeing as Rauru had Link's full attention, he continued on.
'Soul Edge's power is indeed needed to open the door to the dark void, but you might not need the evil blade itself to do it'
Link blinked blankly at Rauru's words. He ran the words over in his mind, but he was confused as to the meaning of the Sage's words.
'What? I don't understand… what do you mean?'
'That… you'll have to figure out on your own, Link' Rauru told him, giving the warrior a cheeky smile. 'Just like a flower spouting to life, it must first learn to break through the soil to reach for the sky .You'll never grow if you have to be told everything'
Link grunted angrily at the Sage's reply. Though what Rauru said was true and wise, he would have liked it for once if someone just gave him the answer so he could get on with his journey, instead of him searching endlessly for it. It annoyed Link, but he soon found it pointless to get angry over nothing.
'If its Soul Edge's power I need, but not exactly Soul Edge… then what is it that offers that kind of dark power?' Link asked, sounding somewhat confused.
'Search for a land that is covered in darkness. This land will be so fouled in evil that it stands out from the rest. In this land, the power of Soul Edge can be used, without even having the dark blade in your hands!' Rauru said, sounding stern and firm.
Link again was at a lost by the Sage's words. It gave him a location he had to search for, but again lacked the important part of the information that he needed. Link wanted more, but knew Rauru would not give it to him. He had to grow, as Rauru would put it.
Link bowed his head, giving thanks to the Sage of Light for his wisdom. Though he was still at a lost, he at least had something to go on. He would just have to figure out the rest as he went along in his journey.
'Alright Rauru… I think its time for me to return. With what you have told me, I should be able to figure this out'
Hearing those words from Link, Rauru nodded his head humbling before lifting his arms up to the sky. The Sage began muttering some ancient and unknown words, which summoned a beam of light to surround the Hero of Time. As the light bathed him, Link felt his whole body become light as he felt his feet begin to levitate above the ground. The warrior hovered for a few second above the sacred Triforce symbol before he suddenly felt himself being pulled towards the shimmering light above.
Being pulled towards the light, Link felt his body being to burn. Familiar pains and aches spread across his body the more he ascended towards the light. The pain he had gotten while fighting Soul Edge and Nightmare was returning as left this holy sanctum. The Chamber of Sages offered Link's mind and body a moment of rest, before retuning him back into the fire of battle.
Ascending into the light, the Chamber of Sages vanished from around him from the intensity of the sacred light. But before the chamber disappeared before him, Link heard the soft and humble voice of the Sage of Light, echoing on the wind that past him.
'Link… don't not forget the Master Sword… its powers will help on your quest!'
Link listened carefully to the echoes of Rauru, before he stared down at the slowly vanishing chamber and shouted.
'How do I find my Master Sword, Rauru? I can no longer sense it! Can you tell me where it is?' Link questions seemed to echo into the distance, but no reply was heard. The chamber had already gone from his sight, and the bright white void he travelled was a barren and empty placed. Link waited and hoped that his questions would be answered, even though the Chamber of Sages had gone; he hoped that the answers would find their way to him.
Link had almost given up, when his mind was suddenly put at ease by a reassuring voice.
The Master Sword is no longer with you, and has been taken away from the battle with you and Soul Edge… though you may seem lost without it; you are not totally lost at all. That sword and you are connected on a deeper level than before… it will not abandon you. Use the piece of the Triforce you process and it will lead you to your sacred blade
With that, Link felt himself sped off through the white void. Link felt himself pasting the border between the line of reality and of dreams. Though his visit to the Chamber of Sages could have been a dream or mere fantasy that his mind had conjured up, Link believed, without a doubt, that it was the real thing.
.
.
Link gazed motionlessly and without thought as he peered at his arm. His eyes were empty and cold and looked like he was daze. His mind was empty and silent, and his body had fallen still as Link's consciousness was away. Time seemed to hold still as Link's body remain kneeling in the rain, with the knight still battling for his mind and Soul Edge still sleeping at the riverbank.
A giant flash of lighting lit up the storm cloud covered sky and illuminated the wet ground of the destroyed village. In that same flash, Link became aware again. His cold and empty eyes suddenly filled with life and fire as Link returned. His still body began to twitch as his mind resumed control.
Link dropped his demonic arm to his side as he became aware of his surrounding and tilted his head back as to allow the rain to fall on his face. He was back in the village at the exact the same point when he left; but this time, with knowledge to aid him in his quest. His once chaotic mind that had battled over a simple decision had its answers. Though he wasn't sure on the meaning of the answer, it offered him new hope that there was another way to free Soul Calibur without using Soul Edge.
From staring at the storm clouds that floated above, Link rolled his head over to the side to stare at the accursed blade that sat on the riverbank. He stared at the evil blade with calm and collective eyes, with a slight hint of hatred. He no longer heard it laughing at him as his mind was now clear on what he had to do. Link then stared away from Soul Edge to peer at the knight that was still fighting at his feet. The knight was looking worst then he had before. Siegfried was obviously not winning this fight, and in maybe a minute or less, would return as the feared Nightmare.
Though he should have been worried about this fact, he simply didn't care. Nightmare was not as frightening as he had appeared before. The rare moment of peace he had before venturing off into the Chamber of Sages had cleared his mind and allowed him to think straight. It made him see that Nightmare was just a man being ruled by an evil blade. He was not an immortal or god; but just very skilled man that was difficult to defeat.
Knowing that now, Link smiled as he stood up from the muddy ground. Link kicked free from the knight's grip that has once held him in place and then calmly walked away from both Soul Edge and Siegfried. Though the situation was offered in his favour, Link decided not to do anything about the blade and the knight. His mind was on something else. Remembering what he heard before returning back to his body, Link recalled Rauru's words. 'That sword and you are connected on a deeper level… it will not abandon you … use the Triforce piece you process and it will lead you to your sacred blade'
With those words echoing in his mind, Link lifted his right hand. As he had hope, the sacred triangle appeared on the back of his gloved hand; glowing softly in the dark.
'Will you take me to my Master Sword?' Link whispered, drawing his hand closer to his face.
Responding to his words, the Triforce began to glitter brightly before shooting a bright golden aura off into the distance. The Triforce acted the same way Soul Edge's fragment did when pointing to another one of its lost metal shards. Following the trail into the distance and over the horizon, Link now believed the Sages words; the Master Sword was no longer within the village. It had somehow hitched a ride away from the battlefield, leaving Link to defend on his own strength. Though he did feel a bit weak not having his Master Sword with him, he was not without his own powers.
I will find you Master Sword… you can count on that… I will find my way to you! But there is something I have to do first…
With that thought, Link turned back to the battling knight and his fable Soul Edge. Link turned around and faced the both of them, as though he was facing them for a battle. Link narrowed his eyes upon the two while reaching down his back and into his tunic. The warrior stood still as his hand probe his tunic, until his hand suddenly gripped upon an extremely heavy object. Just by feeling the handle, Link knew what he had grasped, and slowly brought it out of his tunic to be bathed in the rain.
'I have to finish what was started' Link muttered as he drew closer towards the knight. 'Win or lose; I don't care. But I have to do this…'
'I have to help that which is fighting for freedom… the light must be freed!'