The Legend Will Never Die: Part Twelve "Ivy the Twisting Blade of Solitude"

By: Anita

Ivy the Twisting Blade of Solitude

Ivy held her intricate sword in her hands. This work of art had always seen her through the toughest of battles, but she had always felt a dark and mysterious power flow from it.

The snake sword, which she had named Ivy Blade, had been an ordinary sword until the fateful day when she first encountered Soul Edge. She had hoped to fight the warrior who wore azure armor, but once her weapon had come in contact with the large Soul Edge, she felt a surge of evil flow through her, and quickly retreated. That power had caused her blade to come to life.

Ivy had become interested in Soul Edge when her she learned that her late father had been searching for it. Sadly, when her mother died as well, Ivy discovered that her parents were not her true parents, she had been adopted.

Ever since her first encounter with Soul Edge, Ivy could feel that part of her was connected to the pure evil that coursed through the blade. If she wished to find out her true origins, she would have to find Soul Edge.

'I will travel the world until I find out the truth. This sword transforming is a sign that I will need all the strength I have, but I know I can do this. The Isabellas were wonderful parents, but the blood that flows through me seems...different. Special.' Ivy thought. She shook away her thoughts and continued on her journey.

It had started raining heavily and Ivy found cover from the downpour. She soon found herself exploring her surroundings.

'What is this? Where am I?' Ivy thought as she walked onto a higher platform. She looked around. The view from the atop the platform was amazing. Ivy was amidst thebeauty of the Silk Road Ruins. The ruin was intricately designed, with obvious clues of opulent tenure. Whoever created the masterpiece was quite rich, and had spent a lot of money to create the perfect landscape for battles. Ivy was awed by the sheer splendour of her surroundings.

"Who are you? What is it that you seek?" A voice asked.

Ivy turned to see a man, the same age as her. The man had a sharp, curved sword in his hands.

"I am Ivy. I am on a quest for the unequalled Soul Edge." Ivy replied with much confidence.

"Heh, I see. Well, Ivy, I am Hwang, and it seems you have stumbled upon my secret battleground. If you are looking for Soul Edge, you have come to the wrong place. You may go on your way." Hwang replied.

Ivy was shocked at Hwang's kindness. She had expected him to challenge her to a battle for trespassing.

"Ivy...that name sounds familiar..." Hwang thought out loud to himself.

"I do not believe we have ever met, but you may have heard about my great fighting skills. My graceful snake sword can defeat the likes of anyone." Ivy said with a smirk.

"Snake sword...? Yes! That was what I heard. A man was asking about you out near the eastern sea." Hwang informed.

'Looking for... me?' Ivy thought.

"He also mentioned the Soul Edge..." Hwang added. "Maybe he is after it as well?"

Without another word, Ivy quickly ran off.

'Why would anyone be looking for me? Is this person related to my past? I have told very few that I am after Soul Edge, how would this man know my intentions?' Ivy pondered as she rushed towards the eastern sea.

She felt a familiar atmosphere around her. She could feel her heart beat faster as she came closer to the pier. The rain slowed as Ivy continued.

There was a man, alone, looking out to sea.

"So, you have come, Ivy." The man said without averting his gaze from the water in front of him.

"Who are you?" Ivy shouted angrily. This was no time for games.

The man turned around to reveal a devilish smirk and an ominous glint in his eyes.

"Cervantes?" Ivy asked, shocked that she was seeing the old pirate in front of her. He was the previous owner of Soul Edge, and many had been certain that he had died.

"Yes, Ivy, I am alive and well. I am still in search of my old, beloved sword, but then, and idea struck me. There are many who wish to destroy Soul Edge, and I can not stop them on my own." Cervantes replied.

"You still seek Soul Edge? After being under its demonic control? Why do you wish to be its slave?" Ivy asked through clenched teeth. This man was pure evil.

"It is my destiny to wield that sword! No one else in this world is worthy of its power!" Cervantes growled in anger.

"How does any of this relate to me? I have fought Soul Edge, and I have sensed its evil. I will not help you, what good will it do me?" Ivy said as she turned to leave.

"The power, you felt its power, Ivy. The desire for Soul Edge is as strong in you as it is in me!" Cervantes said, stopping Ivy in her tracks.

Ivy shivered as she remembered the feeling she had gotten when her sword had clashed with Soul Edge. The power had been overwhelming, irresistible, the feeling felt so...

"Familiar." Cervantes said, finishing Ivy's thoughts. "I know exactly how you feel Ivy. I feel the same way. I have seen you fight. If we work together, we can obtain the greatest power in this universe!"

"No. The evil in that sword will consume my soul. You are not even under it's power, and you still wish to feed it with your life. I am not like you." Ivy replied, struggling to understand her own feelings.

"You would rather find out about your parents?" Cervantes asked with a smirk.

"How did you...?"

"You and I are much more alike than you believe, Ivy. Your mother would have been quite proud..."

Ivy looked up at Cervantes in fear. "No... you can not be..."

"One day you will realize that the blood flowing in you has destined you to the Soul Edge. Goodbye...daughter..." Cervantes whispered, and was off.

'No! Cervantes, that demon? Is it true?'

Ivy felt herself falling deeper and deeper into the whirl of questions her encounter had caused. She had started this journey in hopes of answers, but she was not sure she was ready for them.

'The blood flowing throughout my body may want me to hold the great Soul Edge in my hands, but the Ivy Blade is my destiny. I will not let the mistakes of the past cloud my judgement. Soul Edge is evil, and despite my origin, I will not let it roam this earth any longer.' Ivy vowed.

With a new quest in mind, Ivy was off. The dark shadow of a pirate watched her.

"Foolish girl. Soul Edge will never be destroyed."

THE END?