Familiar of Zero and Soul Calibur is owned by Noboru Yamaguchi and Namco respectively

Long, long ago, transcending history and the world, an enormous sword was forged. Designed to be the deadliest weapon in battle, Soul Edge was created for two purposes: To kill and spread evil. It was said this blade of chaos became so powerful with the souls it slain, that a demon was created from within Soul Edge. The demon Inferno would whisper to the wielders of his sword, promising gifts of power and influence if they slay all in their way. Our founder Brimir saw this corrupted sword and fought the Azure Knight Nightmare to end his evil. To counter Soul Edge, Brimir created the holy sword, Soul Calibur.

"Miss Valliere."

On top of Ostrheinsburg Castle, the battle between good and evil had begun. Nightmare with the dreaded Soul Edge was about to use a spell that absorbs all souls on Halkeginia. Using Soul Calibur, Brimir struck down Nightmare and-

"Miss Valliere! It is your turn!" Professor Colbert alerts Louise Valliere and she drops her book, Tales of Void: Our Saint and Founder Brimir, in fright. She was so immersed in the story that she forgot that today is the day. Today, she must summon a familiar or she will be expelled from the Tristan Academy and return home in disgrace. She is outside, right next to the Familiar Summoning Circle.

"Well go ahead Zero. Show us that beautiful familiar you said you would summon." Kirche mocks Louise as she doesn't see her rival succeeding in the summoning. Their classmates agree as well. But she ignores the snickering and walks to the circle. Louise wants someone that can protect her, be there for her when her peers would bully her for being a Zero.

"Looks like it's Zero's turn."

"Yeah, we should stand back from the explosion about to happen."

"Hopefully she gets expelled for the failure."

"Brimir, I hope so. I do not want another explosion."

She feels tears coming out but she rubs her eyes and focuses on the summoning and the incantation. "I, Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere, in the name of the Great Five Powers, summon forth a beautiful familiar."

However she stops and decides to add to the incantation, just in case. "Regardless of Creation and Destruction, come forth Soul and let your tale be told!"

An explosion knocks everyone back and smoke blocks the view to the summoning circle. Louise focuses her sight as the smoke clear. On the circle, appears to be a man at least two years older by Louise's guess. Normal looking and doesn't look strong nor weak, just an average man in a green tunic and scarf with white pants and boots. That doesn't assure Louise and feels sorrow when she realizes she summon a human. His classmates are laughing at Louise but the professor stops the mocking by stomping his staff. "That is enough children. Miss Valliere, please complete the ritual."

"R-right." Louise doesn't want to bind a human but she needs a familiar to stay in the academy. She walks to the disoriented man and finishes the ritual. "In the name of Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere, I beseech the Pentagon of the Five. Bless this being and make him mine!"

She kisses the stranger and a brand appears on his hand, which stops his dizziness. He opens his eyes and looks at academy which shocks him. "Where am I?"

"You are in the Tristain Academy of Magic." Professor Colbert answers which makes the new familiar widen his eyes.

"How? I was in Gallia." The peasant said though Guiche can't help but insult Louise.

"Oh wow Valliere. Did you pay this peasant to pretend to be your familiar? His acting isn't that well." Guiche said and many snicker which angers Louise. Colbert stops the students.

"That is enough! You are children of nobles so stop."

After the ritual, Louise finds herself in her room with her new familiar. "How did this happen? I wanted to summon a great beast and now I must use some peasant."

Her familiar walks towards Louise, who is annoyed just looking at him. "Alright familiar, here are the rules from your mas- GACK!"

Suddenly the familiar grab her by the throat and slam her to the wall. "You better talk brat. How did you summon me?"

"W-what are you talking about? Let go..." She demands even as she is choked. The peasant is furious but almost relived.

"You are lucky that you took me away from my chasers. That is the only reason I don't throw you off the building."

That was when he coughs up blood, letting Louise go. She looks at blood come out of his chest. "What happen to you?"

"Damnit. I escape from the Schwarzwind but they injured me before I was sent here." The familiar takes out a dagger with dark energy coming from it and forces it on her. "Take it!"

"W-what is this?" Louise wonders as she gazes at the blade, hearing whispers.

"You are holding a piece of Soul Edge." He tells her and her eyes widen.

"That's impossible! Brimir himself slayed Nightmare and destroy the blade!" Louise refuses to believe him and he glares at her.

"Those were half-lies little lady. Nightmare did die but Brimir cut Soul Edge in pieces and gave it to the founders of the kingdoms. You are looking at Hood, best thief in Gallia. I was hired to steal from the king but didn't expect the treasure to be that." The thief reveals his name and profession. Knowing he is about to die, he might as well give the girl some advice. "You want power? Take it and find the rest. Every king is holding those pieces."

Hood the Thief dies, leaving Louise by herself with the dagger of Soul Edge. She can hear whispers of encouragement.

You can do it. Take the power. You deserve it.

"I-I do?" Louise has never heard these words for herself. Her classmates and family don't believe in her. His parents have said that if she fails in the academy then she will be disowned and kick out the Valliere family. Her sister Eleonore warn her not to sully their name. The only ones that truly care for her is her ill sister Cattleya and Princess Henrietta. Now she is hearing words that believe in her. She holds the dagger and feels the power coursing through her. "I am. I will find the rest. I will make the Valliere name proud by wielding the power of the gods. Please tell me, where is the closest fragment?"

"Within the academy. Grab it. Make those that insult you suffer."

"Yes..." Louise agrees with the dagger and leaves her room. She finds Kirche and Tabitha talking when the Germanian noblewoman notices her rival. She gives her a smile while Tabitha's widen just barely.

"Lousie! So I guess your 'familiar-'" She said that word mockingly as Louise keeps walking towards her. "Decided to leave after you payed him, right? You can let me in on the secret. I won't tell, right Tabitha?"

Reacting quickly, Tabitha creates a giant glacier wall between them which blocks a swing from Louise. This causes her dagger to be embedded into the ice. Kirche's eyes widen that she was going to die.

"What's wrong with you, Louise!?" Kirche may have a rivalry with Louise but she would never attack her. Louise takes her dagger off the wall and has a crazed look.

"I am Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere and you are my enemies! Die!" She charges at Kirche and Tabitha, who them and their familiars prepare to defend themselves. Louise jumps and dives towards these witches.

Next Time- The fragment within the Academy