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Soul Caliber: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter One: White Wind, Black Wind
It was rather normal day in the city of Athens, Greece. The people of Athens were known for their skill in making great works of art, practical durable weaponry and their undying devotion to their Gods and Goddesses. They were also one of the only cities that had thoroughly prepared themselves for any attack that might come from the likes of Sparta or the Europeans. Rumors of the tension had reached the attention of the priests and governers and they felt it nessesary to be prepared. Not only because of their history, but because the White Wind had been based here. Out of all the world only the city of Athens could have appriciated the end result that this group so desperately sought after.
Essentially founded and lead by the woman warrior and native of Athens Sophitia Alexandra, it was a group that was dedicated to destroying every last trace of the menicing the Soul Edge. It was this reason why over the last two years the group had been moving across the Western world in the efforts to retrieve and eventually purify or destroy the shards of the evil blades. Most of the group, present or elsewhere, had seen the kind of terror that the demonic blades could bring. What so much as a single shard could do to even the purest of men. It was to this end that they were all insistant and determined upon their destruction.
The members of the White Wind watched as two of their more notable members fought, sparring was often used by them as a form of training as there was no corner of the world that wasn't in the straits of warfare right now. There was a great amount of conflict in the country of France at the moment. Violence was rather rampant in the middle east and lower Europe. China and Korea had become isolated and according to contacts, Japan was covered by several small wars that were breaking out between the lords. Truly it was a time to be prepared.
An older, wiser Kilik watched them with eyes that rivaled those of a hawk. The sacred Kali-Yuga was at his side like always, supporting his weight as he leaned on it. It had been four years since his first encounter with the Soul Edge and the knight in azure armor, also called the Azure Nightmare. He had expected to destroy the demonic blade, but the master of the sword still managed to defeat him by fortune's chance. However Nightmare had never been given the chance to strike him down, Xianghua had gained her opportunity to lash out as well with the Soul Calibur.
Xianghua was just as beautiful as ever, but her devotion to the quest was even more at this point. She had been the one that had managed to vanquish Soul Edge, it only seems appropriate that she join its other victims in finding what was left of it. Kilik had not even hesitated when she asked for his help and since then they had developed a very close relationship. She remembered the blade that had sent the Azure Nightmare and his blade spiraling into the shadows of oblivion, the blade that he called Soul Calibur. Krita-Yuga was back to normal and had not changed after the defeat of Nightmare, Xianghua wanted badly to know its secrets, but it did not speak or heed her wishes.
Maxi leaned against one of the columns as he watched the fight. While the other two of the trio had gone out after Nightmare, he had gone to settle things up with a monsterous being called Astaroth which ended in his supposed death. However while he indeed defeated Astaroth and avenged his crew he was left horribly wounded and somehow survived a trip down a river. He survived and battled amnesia, but eventually the memory of his friends returned to him to an extent. One thing lead to another and eventually he found his way to the area known as the Proving Grounds where he was reunited with Kilik, since then he had been following them and joined the White Wind.
The White Wind was a counter to the Black Wind, the remnants of the berserkers that had been lead by the likes of the Azure Nightmare, the behemoth Astaroth and the lizardman Renzor. While the trio was indeed part of it their other members included the Athenian maiden warriors Sophitia and her younger sister Cassandra. While the latter was indeed younger and far from experienced, she had proven herself through training and had revealed her ability in their various hunts for the shards.
Another trio hailing from Japan was also part of the group. The first to join them was a rouge mercenary and former samurai called Heishiro Mitsurugi. Following him came the former Fu-Ma assassin and demon huntress known as Taki Moyika. Lastly there was a personal friend of Maxi whom had fought with his crew while he was still complete, a mysterious masked ninja called Yoshimitsu. This eastern trio had all sought the sword for one reason or another and in their failure to obtain or destroy it, it was their wish that nobody else fall under its sway.
Then there was the enemy. The sparse remnants of the group known only as the Black Wind, those that apparently continued to follow the leadership of Nightmare. While Nightmare was indeed presumed dead they represented him in every way as they continued to terrorize any country they could. At times their agents would get in their way when they found themselves chasing another fragment of the evil swords. However it was well known that the only living commander that was left with breath was Renzor and organization was not easily gripped. It came as no surprise that they had not been heard from in well over eighteen months. It was a peaceful existence to the group.
All of these souls were currently after one thing, the shards of the Soul Edge Sophitia had shattered seven years ago and the shards from the other Soul Edge Xianghua had damaged four years ago which had been sent all over by the void. The void had dispersed them all over the world and the only thing that was left for either group to do was to find them before they fell into the wrong hands. The Black Wind would doubtlessly attempt to piece one of the swords back together and make yet another blade to replace the great power that had once been possessed by their leader. That could not be allowed to happen claimed the elder sister.
Sophitia had seen enough in her time fighting the Soul Edge to allow it to continue. She had originally traveled with Europe's finest warrior, the young knight Siegfried who had unknown intentions on the sword. Sophitia had felt a stirring in her heart while traveling with him and felt that a future was possible. Though after Taki had brought her back to Athens and she had met the man that is now her husband she would often think of him, that is until that day four years ago at that destroyed castle in Germany. It was there in her mind like stained glass.
Sophitia stood before The Azure Nightmare that gripped the now extended Soul Edge, he didn't speak as he looked at her not knowing what to feel if he even had that ability. Sophitia had known it was a human soul trapped by that blade and knew that this soul wanted to be released from the blade's grip. "I want to save you." were her words at that time. She had expected Nightmare to attack her outright but instead he fell to his knees dropping the demonic blade into the ground, it's eye closed as it lost its influence. He grabbed the helmet he wore pulling it loose revealing his face, Seigfried's face. He could be heard begging her to help him. Sophitia felt very stupid about what she had allowed to happen.
Sophitia lowered the Omega Sword and Elk Shield and ran forward to his side, she was hoping to cast the darkness from him. Instead he lowered one hand from the sword and grabbed her in an embrace that she could have never seen coming, Sophitia was lost at this point. The Azure Nightmare bored his forehead into her abdomen grinding his teeth and shivering as if overtaken by two conflicting forces. Sophitia had realized not long ago that for this brief moment the Soul Edge had lost its grip on her long lost friend and partner.
He couldn't bring himself to kill her, not even the demonic blade that had forced so many to do things beyond what they believed possible, could force him to do such a deed. Sophitia couldn't help herself as she had gone so far as to drop her weapons and hold the poor young man's head to her body. This was directly before Kilik and Xianghua appeared through the hoards that he had commanded and sent to guard the castle. The persona that was Nightmare took control once again and ran deeper into the castle where Kilik and Xianghua followed. With Nightmare vanishing from the world in the void between dimensions, she would never know exactly what became of her friend. Even if all that was left of him in the first place was his soul.
Sophitia swung hard clashing the Omega Sword against Cassandra's Alpha Sword hard sending it from her grip, it landed just shy of Kilik. Cassandra attempted to get back to her feet, but Sophitia was quick in placing her blade against her sister's throat ending the practice duel. She breathed heavily a clear sign that Cassandra was getting better and Sophitia was losing the obvious advantage that came with experience "You're getting better sister, but you need to slow down some. You're still extending all that energy at the start." Cassandra nodded acknowledging her sister's wisdom.
Kilik took in a breath and spoke up "Cassandra has some natural skill." he said, his eyes gazing over the magnificent statuary that was in the same room. Still he could see an underlying weakness of not being able to attack those of the own blood, her sister whom she looked up to. After what the curse of the Evil Seed had made him do to stay among the living, having to fight those he considered family was a nightmare he never wanted to experience again. Thus he often refused to spar with real weapons, for fear that the darkness he was sure he had vanquished might somehow return and take hold of him.
Cassandra huffed as she sheathed the Alpha Sword, which had been forged from the very same steel as that of the Omega Sword which her sister used. Her shield was also moved to hang off the hook on the reverse of her belt, she then began moving towards the stairs that would take her to the upper levels of the Eurydice Shrine, which served as their base of operations. It was built atop one of the highest points in the territory of Athens, to the point that the higher levels sometimes touched the descending clouds. Kilik suspected that the purity of the place magnified his and Xianghua's abilities to trace the locations of the shards.
Cassandra headed towards the door, but stopped as her sister called out to her asking where she was going. She looked back and gave a light shrug "Just to get some fresh air. You all still have some business to attend to, right. Just give me the short version later." She said before leaving the room. She would head to the highest level of the shrine where a gallery had been set up to commemorate the achievements of her sister. She felt at peace there with the swirling clouds that entered at this time of year, the cool breeze was also refreshing.
Sophitia waited for her sister to vanish, she had never seen the Soul Edge or truly had any experience in chasing it or finding it aside from the shards. The discussion on what they would do next bored her to tears, she would have rather just been told what to do and be sent off to do it. The elder sister eventually relaxed her own weapons and moved to lean against a pillar looking over the others "So, what is our next order of business?" She asked Maxi who pretty much kept track of everything having to do with the shards.
He had after all brought the problem to their attention when he had first arrived there, his multiple contacts also kept him informed as to strange happenings. He spoke as he brought out a telegram and glanced over it "One of my contacts sent this to me the other day, the messenger that delivered it also stated that the sender was holding something for us." he explained. Kilik leaned against a pillar and slid down it, his long vest scrapping down as he fell into a sitting position next to Xianghua.
The eastern swordsmaiden spoke up "Another shard making its presence known every few weeks. We need more help. We need more people that can actually hold their own in a fight against anybody that might have been possessed by the shards." She explained.
Kilik breathed "It isn't easy when everyone that sends us a request to join wants the Soul Edge for himself or for his country." His voice carried a light hint of anger as he spoke, two of them had came directly to Athens in the attempt to take the aquired shards. That had essentially ended up being Cassandra's first true fight and first drawn blood, luckily they were able to subdue them without causing any permanent harm.
Sophitia breathed at this realization. She remembered it so clearly when Siegfried had arrived in Athens looking for the one that their god of the forge had called, she had returned to resupply and sharpen her blade. Working with him had turned out better than working alone and it had all been luck that they had both been there at the right time. She snapped out of her flashbacks and spoke up "Help isn't going to just come knocking." She explained, almost wishing that the likes of Taki and Rock were still around to help her.
Next Chapter: The Elven Swordsman
(Voice of Sophitia) Somebody comes to the Shrine of Eurydice demanding to be admitted into these ancient halls. Somebody who bares more experience and ability than could have been predicted by his age and his attitude. I do not know who this boy is of where he comes from, but now he has become and intruder heading for the upper levels. If he dares to harm my sister, I will not be taking it lightly.