Chapter 5: Quest for the Sword

Everyone that lived in the Village of the Wind knew a peaceful life. For many years it had been a quite village that was somewhat separated form the rest of the world. The villagers there had great faith in the Wind Deity, and it was rumored that they could control the winds (to a certain extent).

Unfortunately, the tranquility was not meant to last. European influence was growing stronger in this part of Southeast Asia. As Europe's culture spread, faith in the Wind Deity slowly waned. This worried Sanput, the village shaman. At this rate, his daughter might be the last priestess of the Village of the Winds. Still, with the help of his wife, Lidi, and his mother, Kalana, they taught her all they knew. In time, his daughter Talim honed her skills and had a promising future of the village's next great shaman. He just hoped she wasn't the last.

One morning, Talim climbed to the top of one of great windmills in the village. She loved to sit at the large platform at the top and watch the sunrise. And then, she would begin her daily rituals, and maybe even practice using her preferred weapon: elbow blades.

This morning however, was different. Talim sensed that the wind was blowing west, when it usually went east. Curious, she decided to read the winds. Talim was not quite skilled at this as the village elders. It required absolute concentration. But, when done successfully, you would (supposedly) be able to foretell the future. She had never actually been able to achieve this, but it was worth a try.

Talim tried to clear her mind as best as she could; it was no easy task. Finally, she could feel herself drifting into a dreamlike state. She didn't feel anything unusual at all. In fact, everything seemed to be flowing normally. Perhaps it was no big deal that the wind was blowing to the west. It certainly didn't —

At that moment, she felt an evil presence like none she had ever felt before. An evil aura flowed around her body, finally rushing into her. Unable to control the evil energy, it overwhelmed her, and she lost conciseness.

Seven days later, she awoke to find herself lying in bed. Apparently, her family had found her on top of the windmill and brought her home. Seeing that she was awake at last, they bombarded her with questions. Talim answered them as best as she could. Once she finished, her father and her grandmother exchanged nervous glances.

"How could this of happened?" Sanput asked.

Kalana shook her head. "I don't know. I have never heard of such a thing happening before."

"Do you . . . do you think she was possessed?" her father asked anxiously.

"No. I wouldn't think so. She is just inexperienced at reading the winds, if you ask me."

"Nonsense. This never happened to anyone because they lacked experience. Beside, I have great confidence in her skill."

"Nevertheless, I recommend that she doesn't read for a while." The two of them seemed to agree on this, for they forbade her to do so. For a while anyway.

The next few years passed by without any more abnormal events. That is, until one day when a Westerner visited the village. He brought with him a strange piece of metal. Talim could feel an evil aura inside the metal. In fact, she was sure that it was the same evil that had possessed her. She told her family, but they were skeptical. How could a shard of metal do something like that to a girl? They did, however, acknowledge that there was an evil presence within the metal, but they did not believe that it was strong.

Later that day, the metal fragment disappeared. The Westerner looked high and low for it, but it was nowhere to be found. Very disappointed, the Westerner left the village.

The next morning, Talim was heading to the top of the windmill once more, when she stopped at a tree. Inside the branches was her pet raven, which she named Alun. She was quite surprised to see it, for it had recently vanished. Talim called to it, and it landed on her shoulder.

"Where have you been?" she scolded the bird. "Everyone has been looking for you. What exactly have you been up — ouch!" she said, as the raven abruptly bit her on the neck. Talim clapped her hand to her neck, scaring off the bird, and she pulled it away seeing a few drops of blood.

"What was that for?" but Alun had already flown back into the tree. She started to chase after it, but she stopped. Alun had looked back at her, and for the first time she noticed that his eyes glowed red.

What was going on? Talim began to back away. She didn't want to be bitten again. The raven reached into a nest, and pulled out the piece of metal. It was now shining with the same dark light as the bird's eyes. She could feel the aura of the metal once again. It was much stronger now.

Suddenly, Alun lifted off and started to fly away. As it zoomed passed, Talim managed to catch it by the leg. The bird immediately began screeching and squawking. In its mad frenzy, it dropped the piece of metal. It then struck her hand with its talons, forcing her to let go, and it flew off.

Talim picked up the shard. Yes, the evil in it was stronger than ever now. She took the metal and ran home showing her parents. After a while, she convinced them to let her go off into the world. She was convinced that she could put and end to the evil if she could only return it to its rightful place. Her parents agreed to let her go, although reluctantly, and Talim set off on her quest. Not only was she the youngest one to seek Soul Edge (she was fifteen), she was also unaware of its true power. Indeed, Talim was very naive.

The man stubbornly pounded on the door. "Xianghua! Get up! Xianghua?"

The women named Xianghua lazily got up from bed and walked over to the door. She pulled it open, gave a loud yawn, and asked sleepily, "What is it? What do you want?"

"Xianghua, you have been summoned by the Emperor. He wants your help."

"The Emperor, huh?" Why should I help him, she thought. After all, the Emperor of the Ming Empire was the reason that she had to live in this shack. "What does he want?"

"The Emperor has recently launched an attack on the citadel, Xiwei. According to him, a member of your search party was staying there, and he was hiding the Hero's Sword from him."

An attack on Xiwei? That got her attention. And what was this rubbish about the Hero's Sword. "That's impossible," she said impatiently, "the Hero's Sword was . . ." She stopped. Finishing that sentence would have been a mistake. She was going to say that the Hero's Sword, also known as Soul Edge, was destroyed, but the Emperor wasn't to know about this.

Four years ago, back when Xianghua was part of the Emperor's hand-picked search party, she set off to find Soul Edge for him. It just so happened that she did find the sword, but she learned that it was evil. So, she destroyed it, scattering its fragments across the globe.

When Xianghua and the others returned empty-handed, the Emperor was most displeased. As punishment, he stripped Xianghua of her high rank. Along with it went most of her privileges, and she became considerably poor. She eventually had to sell her house, and she had been living in a run down cottage ever since.

Xianghua never told anyone what she had done to Soul Edge. The only other people that knew about it were Kilik and Maxi, who had been with her at the time. No one else knew, or so she thought. One day, a strange old man showed up and gave her a nameless sword. He claimed that it was a gift for ridding the world of Soul Edge's evil. He left shortly after, and she never saw him again.

She shook her head. This still didn't make any sense. "But why does the Emperor want me? What could I do?"

"You know much about the Hero's Sword," the man explained. "The Emperor requires your knowledge and experience. He demands that you leave for Xiwei at once."

"Well, whatever," she said. This was going to be a waste of time. Imagine — searching for a sword that no longer exists. "Just give me some time to pack my things."

The man nodded. "Okay," he said. He began to leave, but stopped. "Oh, by the way. There is someone here to see you. He says it's important."

Xianghua, who was already busy packing, said irritably, "Fine! Send him in!" Why were all of these people suddenly bothering her?

"That's no way to talk to your friends," said a familiar voice. Xianghua spun around. The man had left, and someone else was standing in his place. It was Kilik.

"Kilik! Oh, it has been so long. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to you," he said.

Xianghua frowned. "I'd love to, but I'm afraid that you have caught me at a bad time. I am supposed to head off to Xiwei in just a little —"

"Don't bother," Kilik said, cutting her off. "The place in ruins. There is nothing really to see."

She looked surprised. "You were there?"

"Yes."

"And Soul Edge?" she asked anxiously.

"It's not there."

Xianghua let out a sigh of relief, but she was not sure why. She knew that Soul Edge couldn't have been there, so what was she so nervous about? "Well, I still have to go there, I'm afraid. The Emperor wants me to help search for the sword because of my 'experience' with it. Ha! If he only knew . . ."

Kilik was nodding his head. He appeared to be deep in thought. "You're already going there . . . yes, that will work," he said to himself. What is that all about? What did he mean?

"Kilik . . ."

"Yes, I think it's best that they believe you are heading to Xiwei. That way they won't expect . . . that is, of course, if you are traveling by yourself."

"I think I am, but —"

"All right then, we should be able to get away without any problems . . ."

"Kilik!" Xianghua yelled. "What are you talking about?"

He blinked. "You . . . you don't know? I see. I thought for sure that you already knew about it when you asked about Soul Edge."

She cried, "What does this have to do with Soul Edge? I am only heading to Xiwei because they want me to search for the sword. They don't realize that I shattered it, so this whole trip is completely pointless. But, I don't really have any choice, so I'm doing it. Besides, you said that it wasn't even there. So. What are you talking about?"

Kilik stared at her for a moment. Then, he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a piece of metal. When she saw it, Xianghua clapped her hands to her mouth and backed away. She recognized it instantly. It was a shard of the evil sword. There was a long pause, and then she finally decided to speak. In a quiet voice, she asked, "Where did you get it?"

"A samurai gave it to me in Xiwei, just before the attack."

She shook her head again. "I don't understand what this all about."

Kilik took a deep breath, and said, "Soul Edge is back. The evil has awakened within the shards."

She gave him an appraising look, as though she was trying to decide wether he was joking or not. A smile finally spread across her face. He had to be kidding. He had to be. She started to laugh. "Wow. You really had me going there for a minute! I actually thought that Soul Edge was back . . ." Kilik was staring hard at her. His eyes did not blink and he showed no emotion. Xianghua's laughter died away and she began to feel uncomfortable. She started to talk rapidly, hoping to hide her discomfort. "Well, of course it can't be back. I destroyed it after all."

"Xianghua."

"You remember don't you? I took Soul Calibur and shattered it."

"Xianghua . . ."

"There is no way it could come back. It's impossible. How could it possibly live on in the shards after all of this time? And —"

"Xianghua."

"What?!"

Kilik sighed. "Look, you have to believe me. The evil is back. I know it. I can feel it in the piece."

Xianghua was pacing back and forth across the room. "But it can't be back, Kilik. It just can't. Besides, I would have known about it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kilik asked. She looked down at her feet. "You kept a piece, didn't you?"

"I don't really see anything wrong with it. When I destroyed Soul Edge, we knew that we couldn't tell anybody. We knew that there wouldn't be anyone congratulating us or thanking us. So, I kept a piece as keepsake — a memento. It's not much different than when a hunter keeps a —."

"Get it out. I need to see it."

She hesitated. "Okay. I don't really see what it will prove though . . ." She reached under her mattress and pulled out a tiny key. Then, she went over to a bookcase where she took out several books revealing a small storage space behind them. Xianghua reached in and pulled out a box. She unlocked it, held it up so they could both see, and she through open the lid. Inside, there was a single fragment of the demonic sword, which was glowing ominously. Xianghua nearly dropped the box when she saw it.

"It . . . it never glowed before . . ."

"I'm telling you," Kilik said, "the sword has awakened."

"But why?" she said softly. "Why now? Why didn't it happen earlier?"

He said, "Well, I have been putting a lot of thought into that. And so far, I have come up with only one explanation. Nightmare has escaped from the void. We both know that the evil lives inside of him, so maybe he escaped, and the shards were waken from their dormant sleep. It appears that we never truly destroyed the sword after all."

"But how could Nightmare possibly escape?"

"Soul Calibur."

"He can't wield it. The pure energy won't let him."

"I know. But maybe it was slowly infected by Soul Edge over the last four years. If it was taken over by the dark sword, he might be able to use it."

Xianghua took out her fragment of Soul Edge, dropping the box on the floor. The evil aura instantly spread through her body; it wasn't strong, but she could feel it. She didn't like it. Not one bit. This couldn't be true. It was just too horrible to be true, and yet, there appeared to be no other explanation. Suddenly, an idea hit her. "Destroy them. We have to destroy the fragments. If Nightmare has truly escaped, he will go looking for as many pieces of the sword as possible. So, we need to destroy them now, before they can be united."

Kilik shook his head. "No, that won't work. Believe me, I tried. On my way here, I stopped a each and every village I went passed, and I would head right for the town blacksmith. I tried to find a sword or an ax or something that could destroy it. But nothing could. They couldn't even scratch it."

"Then what are we going to do?" Xianghua cried. "If none of those things could do it, then what can?"

"Soul Calibur."

"Don't be ridiculous, Kilik. If the sword is evil —"

"We don't have any other choice," he said. "Soul Calibur was the only thing that was ever powerful enough to hurt Soul Edge. If we find it, maybe we can extract the evil."

"Can we do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. But it's worth a try. We are the only ones that can do this. It is all up to us, once again."

Xianghua said, "But we can't do this alone. We need help."

Kilik nodded. "Yes, we do. That's why you are going to tell them that you are going to Xiwei. Then, we will head for Athens."

"Athens? Why there?"

"That's where Sophitia is. She destroyed the second half of Soul Edge last time. If anyone helps us, it will be her."

"All right. Let me pack my things." But as she walked passed Kilik, her hand unexpectedly jerked toward him. His hand did the same. Soul Edge! The pieces were doing this. Xianghua grabbed her hand and pulled. While she was doing this, she screamed, "Get away from me!" in a voice that was not her own. Kilik backed off, looking startled. She said, "Oh, no Kilik. It's not you. The shard, it was pulling itself to your piece, like a magnet. I . . . I don't think we should bring them together."

Kilik said, "Yes, I think that is a good idea."

She went back to packing, careful not to approach Kilik again.
Yunsung couldn't believe what he was hearing. Hwang Sung Kyung — the famous warrior — was returning to the dojo. He had left several years ago to search for the fabled Sword of Salvation. Hwang had been unsuccessful, and now he was coming back.

Yunsung had always idolized Hwang. He had been his hero. But times change, and so do people. Yunsung's skills were improving. He was quite the Hwang of his day, as he would say. He no longer looked up to Hwang. Instead, he saw him as an opponent. For as long as he could remember, Hwang had always been the best. And now, Yunsung was ready to take his place.

He spent the entire day training in the dojo, awaiting Hwang's arrival. The dojo was located in the Hwangseo Palace, which was near the capital of Lee Dynasty Korea. Yunsung had spent nearly every hour of his life there since he was a little boy. Now, his hard work was finally paying off.

When Hwang arrived later that day, a huge crowd gathered around him. Yunsung had to push his way through, but it was hard. Hwang was very popular. Everyone wanted to see him and hear his stories. A few years ago, Yunsung would have joined them, but not today. He eventually managed to break away from the others and come face-to-face with Hwang. In a loud, clear voice (so everyone could hear him) Yunsung said, "Hwang Sung Kyung, I — Hong Yunsung — challenge you to a fight!"

Murmurs rang out through the crowd. Some of them watched anxiously, wondering if Hwang would accept, but others looked disapproving. Hwang looked surprised. He looked as though he wasn't sure what to say. Yunsung started to feel nervous. The anxiety tied his stomach into a knot.

Finally, Hwang opened his mouth and said: "Hong Yunsung, I decline your offer."

Again, the crowed muttered to themselves. Yunsung was devastated. How could he refuse? He had spent so much time preparing for this moment. Perhaps Hwang was afraid?

"I am sorry," Hwang said, "but I must head off to the Phoenix Court. Maybe another time. Maybe." And with that, Hwang walked off. The crowd followed him, leaving Yunsung all alone.

"How could he do this to me?" he said aloud. "Had he afraid that I would beat him and rob him of his dignity? Why, that coward —"

"Actually, he only left so that he could keep his dignity," said a voice behind him. Yunsung turned to see Seung Mina, the dojo's master's daughter. "Imagine, someone important like him wasting his time with a nobody like you . . ."

Yunsung and Seung Mina had an odd relationship. They were friends, but they would often make fun of the other. While her comment was meant to annoy Yunsung, she did not seriously mean it. He was quite aware of this, but it still made him feel bad.

Seung Mina laughed. "As a matter of fact, the real reason he had to go was because he was summoned to the Phoenix Court. And when you're summoned, you should never be late."

This was true. The Phoenix Court served two purposes. First, it was a place where skilled warriors would duel before the King. Also, it was where you would report to if theKing wanted to speak to you.

She continued. "The King wanted to talk to him. They need him to help defend Korea in case the Japanese invade. They are simply recruiting him."

"Do you think that gives him the right to just —"

"Yes, I do." Seung Mina sighed. "And you know what? I think you seriously need to reconsider your priorities. What you want to do is very foolish and selfish. Here, I want you to take this." She pulled out a Chinese Sword that was glowing with white light. "Go ahead, take it."

Yunsung hesitated. The last time Seung Mina had given him a sword, he had later found the words "For Small Children" engraved on the bottom. She had though it was very funny. Seung Mina was always teasing him about his age. She would act as though he was a young child, and she was a mature adult. In a way, she had a point, for she was five years older than him. In the end, Yunsung took the sword.

"It's called White Storm," she said. "It is supposed to reflect the deepest part of its wielder's heart."

The sword suddenly became a little dimmer. "What happened?" Yunsung asked.

Seung Mina laughed. "You really don't listen very well, do you?" That night, he studied his reflection on the blade. What he saw greatly disappointed him. He looked terribly grim and depressed. Indeed, the sword really could reflect his deepest thoughts. As much as he hated to admit it, Seung Mina had been right. He had acted selfishly. He had been so excited about his battle with Hwang, that he had not stopped to think things out. His plan had been foolhardy. What an idiot he was! He saw now that fighting Hwang was no way to gain respect. So what was?

Yunsung's thoughts drifted back to the Sword of Salvation — the legendary sword that Hwang had failed to find. Perhaps there was a way to gain recognition after all.

Seung Han Myong glared at Seung Mina the following day. "Yunsung left the dojo last night. And guess what he took with him? The sword, White Storm."

"Oh, no," Seung Mina said.

"That sword is a Seung family treasure, so how could he have gotten it?" he asked sarcastically.

"Fine. I admit it, I gave him the sword," she said, folding the arms across her chest. She tried not to make eye contact with her father as she went on. "But I didn't realize that he would run off with it. Besides, it is just an old heirloom. No one actually uses it. I don't. I use the Zanbatou . . ."

"I don't care!" her father cried. "It's not his, and you should never have given it to him."

"I know," she said. "Okay, look. What would you say if I went out after him, and brought him and the sword back?"

Seung Han Myong considered this. The last time Seung Mina had left the dojo, she had gone out to find the Sword of Salvation. Luckily, Hwang found her and sent her back. He didn't want to see his daughter get caught up in that again. But she seemed so determined to fix her mistake . . .

"All right, you can go," he said. "But only if you promise to find him and come right back. No detours. No side quests. Understand?"

"I understand," she answered in a toneless voice.

Soon afterwards, she was on her way, carrying her faithful Zanbatou (a long rod with a blade on the end). You're an idiot, Yunsung, she thought. He went recovered from one mistake only to make another. She sighed. This was going to be a long journey.

I hope you like the story so far! Keep sending in reviews! Oh, and by the way . . .

If you ever have a question about the story, feel free to ask. But please do not post it in your review. Send me an email (check my profile for my email adress). This way, I can get back to you. And make sure that you make the subject something like, "Soul Calibur Question", or "Soul Edge Complete", or "Fanfiction". Do this so I won't accidently delete it.