A/N. This story does not follow the normal Soul Calibur II storyline. Almost none of the characters know each other. Soul Edge is not viewed as a threat; in fact, it is only in this story as Nightmare's weapon. I will be writing from Kilik's perspective, so don't ask me who "I" is. Please review if you want any more chapters, because if I don't get any feedback, I'll assume no one is reading this and discontinue it. All this being said, have fun reading.

Chapter 1: The Tournament

And so the news came. Life had been peaceful for the past several years, and for the longest time I had told myself that I would go on no more quests, fool's errands, adventures. The way of the rod had chosen me to be its successor, an honor I had accepted, thus receiving the holy staff Kali-Yuga. I had decided to stay at the Ling-Sheng Su temple and hone my skills alongside the brothers of my order and Xianglian, the young woman who was like a sister to me. On my last voyage, or what would more likely be deemed "the last time I got lost", I had befriended a lord of the fighting arts, one they call an Edgemaster. He took me in for a time; until I was confident I could find my way back to the temple. I would never forget his stern, yet kindly figure. Despite meeting such intriguing faces, I resolved to remain at home and train. Alas, a proverb states that rules are made to be broken; the same can be said for resolutions, I suppose.

Word travels quickly in any location, including the mountain on which the Ling-Sheng Su temple stood. And so it was that on a spring afternoon, a messenger came, spreading word of a fighting tournament that would take place in Spain several months later. Rumor had it that the organizational crew were searching for the finest warriors from all over Europe and Asia to demonstrate their skills in the competition.

Years before, I would have accepted the invitation unhesitatingly.At that time, however, I had more humility, not to mention the vow to stay where I was. The opportunity to test myself was tempting, I had to admit, but I had more self-control than to run off. As it turned out, the messenger was invited to stay the night, for the return road was long and somewhat harsh. The young man, whose name was revealed as Thomas, planned on collecting any inscriptions to the tournament in the morning, before he took his leave. I couldn't be sure if he was expecting any. To an outsider, the men and women of the temple must seem resigned to their faith, destined not to depart from their native grounds.

I, however, stayed awake all night, unable to sleep with a mental debate raging in my mind. Surely I would not give in to vain temptations, break my vow and set off? But by dawn I had made up my mind; I would be going to Spain, to participate in the Tournament of Souls, as Thomas called it. After all, what could come of it? Surely nothing would go wrong, and if it did, I could handle myself, no? The drawback was the long journey from the mountain to the arena. It would most probably take months to reach western Europe from the Ming Empire. It was another hardship I would forgo.

Before I left, I spoke to Xianglian. She would miss me, she said, as I would her. The brothers of the temple were against me going, but agreed that I was to do what I wished, and would always be welcome back. I promised to return when the tournament was over. And thus, another journey began.