Disclaimer: As always, the characters and ideas used in this story do not belong to me, nor am I making any profit off of writing this. No copyright infringement is intended to Namco or any other companies tied to the creation of Soul Calibur.
A/N: Thanks to the lovely reviewers! It's taking me longer to write chapters nowadays because school has been crazy. But now I'm off for Christmas break so I decided to get down to some more writing. I decided to change the story a little bit in the sense of Ivy's feelings toward Cervantes. I thought it would be interesting to see another look at it. I had a plot summary typed up outlining the outcome of the story but my computer had to get reformatted so I lost it. Now I'm going purely by memory so I hope everything turns out okay.
Chapter seven: The Edgemaster
The three young women set out early the next morning. Cassandra's good mood had been restored by a stable night's sleep and even Sophitia had to admit that it had done them some good. After visiting a few small shops to replenish their food and medical supplies Ivy led them down a few dingy alleyways and out of the town. They walked in silence for a few hours, only speaking to confirm routes and quick destinations. It was only completely broken when they reached the outskirts of a stretched out plain.
"Where are we?" Cassandra asked, wiping sweat off her brow.
"This is known as the Stretch of the Deity. Ancient people live here. They render themselves the only remaining loyalty to their religion." Ivy replied and scanned the area.
"And what religion are they?"
"Nobody knows, really. They never enter civilization. In fact, it is rare that a passing traveler takes this road." Ivy said.
"Then why must we?" Sophitia asked wearily.
"It is the fastest route. We will be there in a week rather than a month if we had chosen to take the southern woodland."
Sophitia nodded. "Is this area dangerous?"
"It might be. From the precarious lack of stories I think we should keep our guard up. Swords at the ready at all times." Ivy said and pulled out Valentine.
Following her lead, they set foot on the golden sand and stepped forward. They were walking for an hour before any signs of civilization began to show. There were no houses. Simple hounds of dirt protruding from the ground were scattered around the area. Small fire pits or laundry racks hung outside what appeared to be the entrances to the homes of the people. They all seemed to be deserted but Sophitia reasoned that it was early in the morning.
"Careful." Ivy said, sounding much more alert than either Sophitia or her sister felt.
"It looks like the community is asleep." Cassandra said and shrugged.
"We don't know anything of them. Ancient rituals could be at hand. When interrupted people often get angry and view it as a sense of defiance." Ivy said in a sharp tone. Her eyes were narrowed in suspicion. "After all, it is not that early."
"But…"
"Silence!" snapped Ivy. "We have to lie low."
Cassandra fell silent but not without shooting a glare at Ivy. Sophitia suppressed a grin and continued on. A few hours later, after meeting no sign of life, they finally decided to stop for the night. Sophitia and Ivy carefully picked out a concealed area which lay behind one of the huts. The "house" was quiet. A fire was soon built and the three sat next to it, warming their hands and preparing a small meal. They ate without a word and eventually attempted to settle. Sophitia fell into a dreamless sleep after a routine of tossing and turning every five minutes.
After a few hours of resting she was awakened by a sharp cracking noise. She sat up abruptly and clutched Omega tightly to her chest. She scanned the area while reaching out a hand to shake Ivy. Her eyes fluttered for a few seconds before they shot open, fully alert.
"What's wrong?" Ivy whispered, slowing unsheathing Valentine.
"There is something out there." Sophitia replied under her breath.
They sat frozen for a few minutes. The calm air was interrupted with another loud snap.
"Wake Cassandra." whispered Sophitia.
Ivy leaned over and gently nudged Cassandra. When she was informed of the situation the three got to their feet, swords at hand and began the search in the darkness. Sophitia cautiously wandered toward the edge of the camp and gazed around. For a few seconds it looked like they were alone but then a figure clad in white came into her view. She took a few steps back and held Omega far out in front of her. She called out to Ivy and Cassandra and the two were at her side in seconds.
"Who is there?" called Ivy.
"Show yourself!" Cassandra demanded. Her face was taut with anxiety.
The figure slowly moved into sight. He was an old man, dressed in ceremonious robes that were opened in the front. His hair, as white as his garments, was pulled back in a high ponytail fastened with a blue tie. His forehead was painted with a peculiar red symbol which glistened in the dark and his chin was shrouded with a snowy beard. Although the part of his face showing through appeared elderly he was as fit as a young man and had a muscled abdomen.
"Do not fear me." He said as he approached them. His voice didn't sound old at all. It had a youthful ring to it.
"What do you want with us?" asked Sophitia, repeating the one question she felt like she had been asking for a month.
"Because I have much to tell you." He replied simply, as if they were old friends. "Lower your swords. You will not need them."
"And why should we believe you?" Ivy asked, ignoring his request.
"I have a gift that I believe will help you. I only ask for an hour of your time. Then you can be on your way and you will remain anonymous."
Sophitia looked to Ivy and nodded. They silently agreed to stay on alert.
"Alright." Sophitia agreed. "You have our attention."
"It is kind of you. They call me the Edgemaster." He started.
"That's your name?" Cassandra interrupted.
"Around here we take the nicknames given to us for our honors in life." said the Edgemaster, smiling at her.
"Oh…"
"Sit down." he said, gesturing around the makeshift campsite.
They all sat down. Sophitia kept a firm grip on the handle of Omega which was now stowed safely in her belt. Despite her own instincts she could not help but trust the man. He had a fatherly grace about him and she felt a pang of sadness, thinking about her own father at home in Athens. She quickly shook away thoughts of home and returned to the present.
"What is this gift you speak of?" said Ivy.
"First, I must know what you are going after." said the Edgemaster.
"We are searching for beings that are possessed by the soul edge." Sophitia cut in.
He nodded. "I thought so."
He fell silent for a few moments and Sophitia grew impatient.
"What is it that you have for us?"
"You must destroy soul edge in order to complete your goal. And there is only one way for you to do that."
Sophitia felt her impatience melt away and looked at him closely. At close range his face was lined and tired. He stared into the fire and then looked up meet her gaze. His blackened eyes burned with a strength that she had never witnessed before. He reached into his belt and pulled out a sword.
In the dark it appeared to be a regular blade but the Edgemaster moved it into the fire. Sophitia and Cassandra gasped as one when they looked upon it. It was a grand sword, glistening in the firelight. The handle was embroidered with symbols and lettering and was a midnight blue in color. Tied to the end of the handle was a piece of fine silk, also blue in color but in the blue shade of the sky. Letters from a foreign language were scripted onto the blade. The Edgemaster smiled at Sophitia when he noticed her eyes, narrowed and struggling to make sense out of the unfamiliar words.
" Arectus oiganisha mea courasez." he read, looking fondly at the sword.
"What does that mean?" inquired Cassandra.
"Destruction of the Soul Edge. At least, that is the rough translation."
"And I suppose that is to mean that this sword has the power to kill soul edge?" said Ivy, now looking into the face of the man, her eyes still narrowed in distrust.
"Yes." The Edgemaster said simply.
"How did you come upon this?" Sophitia asked.
"It is a long tale. One that cannot be told into the early hours of the morning. If you were to remain here another night I could tell you everything. Please. I mean you no harm." he said, his eyes pleading with them.
"You said it would take but a hour." responded Ivy, in a biting tone.
"You will not be able to defeat soul edge without the sword. And you will not be able to trust me if you do not hear my story." said the Edgemaster, his face now slightly amused. "I said that so I could convince you talk to me. Perhaps I was mistaken."
Sophitia and Ivy glanced at each other. Sophitia was running through the consequences in her head. What could she believe? This old man, whom she had never seen before. Or her own sub-conscious that was urging her to move faster?
"I could show you an even quicker route of leaving here." he said, interrupting her train of thought. "I have lived here my whole life. I know this place better than my own staff."
"Will you tell us who you are?" said Ivy.
"I will tell you anything you want to know."
Sophitia sighed. "Alright. We'll stay for one more night."
"What is the name of this sword?" asked Cassandra.
"It is called Soul Calibur."
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