Asturias, Spain
Sixteen Century
Sophitia Alexandra eyed the pirate with a mixture of dread and anticipation. At last, the reason why this humble baker's daughter had left the safety of her home to trek treacherous lands and face dangerous foes had come to an end. The pirate's cold glance was even more frightening than the maniacal cackle that had answered her challenge. After perilous voyages and dangerous opponents, she had finally found him and his legendary ship, the Adrian, at the Spanish port where they were believed to appear from time to time like an apparition from hell. But it was the eye embedded at his right hand's sword that filled her very own soul with a primal fear the Athenian just couldn't shake. She could swear the eye was looking at her with boundless hunger.
"Soul Edge. So this is the cursed weapon. At last we meet" she whispered to herself. The grip on her sword hand tightened, her knuckles became white due to the strain. "At last I will complete my task."
She cleared her throat, praying her voice wouldn't reflect her true emotions. "Cervantes De León! Lay down your weapons and your life will be spared." She had been indeed granted a blessing. Her voice sounded firm, full of conviction and confidence, and didn't hint of the terror she felt deep inside.
"¡Muchachita insolente!" the Spaniard spat back with his gravely voice drenched in utter derision. "Insolent brat! Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? Don't you know that I've defeated warriors far more capable than you in the blink of an eye? But if you are feeling suicidal, I cannot do more but comply with your soul's wishes. Prepare yourself to give your life to Soul Edge."
As he had done in countless other showdowns, the cursed corsair held his two swords firmly, as his falcon eyes assessed his rival. Behind her rudimentary stance he could sense her nervousness. The weapons, a short sword and a round shield of exquisite manufacture were held too tightly, and he could see the veins on her neck and forearms bulging with tension. "This will be a quick kill" he concluded after the visual assessment of his latest victim. The Athenian waited for him to execute the first move. Her waning confidence was giving way to panic. She braced behind her blue and gold hoplon, hoping her death would be quick and painless. Her mind reminded her that if she were to fall, the pirate would grant her neither. Suddenly, with blinding speed, Cervantes rushed her, the glimmer in his steel blue eyes as deadly as the edge of the cursed weapons he held.
"I'll see you in hell!" Cervantes said with a malevolent laughter as Soul Edge traced a path towards her.
Taken by surprise, the girl only managed to scream:
"Hephaestus, protect me!"
To be continued…
Birth of a warrior
A Soul Blade/Soul Calibur fanfiction by regie27
