Chapter 8:All hell

All hell broke loose in the most literal of ways. The cathedral seemed to have instantly dissapeared. In it's place, a raging inferno. Raphael stood in absolute shock. He was a great swordsman, perhaps the best in the world. In such a place like this, he would only be a weak and scared man.

He was in the very fires of hell.

And in front of him could only be one person. Engulfed in flames, hands and feets like talons, and his very bones there for all to see. It could only be the Lord Satan himself. Lucifer was standing right in front of him. And propped on his back was the very prize that Raphael sought. The devil had Soul Edge.

"What is happening?" Raphael wondered aloud. "Impossible!" Lucifer himself jumped in front of Raphael and drew Soul Edge. "I see now." Raphael said. "If I must fight the very devil to gain my prize than I shall!"

The inferno only gave growls and roars in response.

"Well then," Raphael said, drawing his rapier. The precious Flambert that had served him so well in the past. "Let us dance."

Upon seeing the rapier, the inferno grasped Soul edge tightly, and it transformed into an identical rapier that could only be differentiated by the colors. Raphael got into his typical fencing stance and the dance began.

The sword of steel slamming against steel echoed throughout the fiery hellish landscape. The inferno seemed to be able to mirror Raphael's moves flawlessly. Raphael knew that he could not afford to make a single mistake as the swords slammed against each other and bounced off.

Raphael dodged three swipes that would have instantly killed any lesser swordsman. Raphael blocked a fourth and then slipped his sword to strike the creature's fiery heart. With its other hand, the inferno strucked Raphael in the head. Raphael managed to swerve his head to dodge, but still got some slight burns. The injury was acceptable for Raphael had struck a much more fatal blow.

The inferno fell to the ground, and for a moment, Raphael had thought he had won. He was quickly spared the illusion as the inferno rose to fight again. This time, Soul Edge took the form of two elbow blades. Apparantly, the inferno had decided upon the previous assault that using the same weapon was not a prudent course.

Raphael struck forward with his rapier. The inferno blocked with one of the blades and thrusted forward with the other. Raphael felt it cut past his neck, but just like with Cervantes' blade, no blood came. The pain felt all the same though.

Raphael was now on the defensive. For most people, two weapons gave a disadvantage. To a trained individual however, two weapons could be much more than twice more deadly. Raphael was on his toes to avoid the fiery wrath this hell spawned creatured was spinning. Raphael thrusted his sword forward again which was quickly blocked with both elbow blades. Raphael did not take his sword back, however. He continued to push his sword forward. The inferno would not be stopped. He pushed forward as well. The struggle of power went on for many seconds. Then a snap was heard and another strike was given to the inferno's heart.

Raphael gave a triumphant cry as the inferno fell once again. His triumph was dimmed, however, when he saw his sword.

The great Flambert had been broken. Now all Raphael had to fight the fiery inferno was the bottom half of his sword. Raphael did not let the setback dim his spirits though. He merely made one acknowledgement.

"I see." Raphael said. "This is a dangerous place."

As the inferno rose once again the sword had transformed into its natural state. The huge flamberge shaped weapon swung for Raphael. Quickly rolling out of the way, Raphael could not help but note that he was at a severe disadvantage. Even moreso than when he had fought Nightmare. His sword was half as long as before, meaning his range was almost non-existant. And the long weapon the inferno held prevented Raphael from getting close in any way. It seemed a hopeless case,

A hopeless case for anyone except Raphael Sorel.

Raphael sidestepped another strike had to stay on his toes to dodge. This hellish creature could move the weapon much faster than Nightmare could, and in the inferno's hands, it was no less deadly.

"Think, Sorel, think!" Raphael said to himself. "You're one of the most cunning men in France. Surely, a problem such as this would be a simple brain teaser!"

The words sounded hollow in his mouth, but were true nonetheless. At the moment, Raphael could only dodge and move, while his brain reeled. Then a brainstorm came to him. Soul Edge had an extreme amount of mass. It didn't matter how strong someone was, there would still be a lag of time between swings. Certainly not enough time to get in close enough to deliver a blow, but perhaps something else.

The inferno struck again and again, and each time Raphael cursed himself each time for missing. Then Raphael saw his oppurtunity. As the inferno struck with another downthrust, it struck the ground hard. Raphael loosed his rapier throwing it like a lance. Raphael's aim was true. The sword struck the fire-devil right in the head.

The inferno was defeated. Jumping into the air and flailing in agony, Raphael saw as it burst into a million pieces like some hellish firework. Raphael blinked. He was now back in the cathedral, and in front of him lay his prize.

"So this is Soul Edge." Raphael acknowledged. And he followed it with a dark laugh.

Raphael now knew the true nature of the sword said to drive men insane. Swearing not to be controlled, Raphael grasped the sword by the hilt. He then returned to the one he treasured most. What was gained and what was lost is still unknown....

THE END?

So, my story has finally finished. Doesn't it make you feel complete and happy? No? Well, screw you! Anyways, I had a lot of fun writing this story, though I don't know if I'll return to the realm of Soul Calibur any time soon(or if at all) Maybe if you guys send enough positive reviews...