Soul Caliber II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Four: Story Of The Hylian
"What did happen to your country Link?" the young maiden asked him in her calm, caring almost angelic voice that made him trust her all the more She obviously felt sympathy toward him at what he was going through and seemed interested what had happened. It was obvious that being the sister of the famous Sophitia Alexandra, she had heard much of the Soul Edge's destructive powers. Link looked lightly at her with his sapphire eyes before returning his gaze to the floor with a sigh, his eyes then turned towards the door where discussion could be heard from.
Sophitia spoke as she realized that the guards were waiting just outside the doors "Why don't we continue in the gardens. This gallery is uncomfortable and a little dangerous. What with a dozen soldiers looking for Link doesn't help much either." The elf nodded in agreement.
Kilik stepped away from the wall holding the Kali-Yuga in his right hand balanced over his shoulder, walking casually he made his way up the stairs and over to the doors and reached out grabbing one of the loop handles. He pulled back forcing one of the large double doors open. As predicted the soldiers that Link had fought his way through all stood outside the door with their weapons drawn ready for another encounter with the elven swordsman. They all attempted to move in but Kilik quickly reacted holding his rod up with both hands forming a barricade, Maxi followed suit with his Nunchaku. The soldiers stopped some of them not knowing what to make of this.
Sophitia stepped up to them holding up her hands showing that her blade was sheathed and her shield was at her waist "Its alright. The young man is not an enemy, he just really needed to be taken seriously. Kindly return to your posts and allow him to pass." Several of the guards moved back to their posts, some of them eyeing Link hatefully as they moved off.
One suddenly pointed at his ears "But..."
Cassandra spoke up "He's probobly another victim of the Evil Seed if not just another from foreign lands. I doubt he means us any harm" she sharply stated. He huffed and left.
Link nodded a thanks to Cassandra and she smiled lightly at him "Now we're even. Understood."
Link shrugged lightly at the temperament of the younger sister "Whatever you say."
Maxi lowered his weapon as they left them "What a bunch of jerks, huh?" he chuckled towards Link remembering how they reacted to him at first. He yawned as he placed the sticks of the nunchaku together and slipped it back in his belt where the other one, Fata-Buru, rested. Soryu-ju, was his newest made from the finest wood that could be found and the chains had been replaced with the works of Sophitia's husband. Link picked up the Alpha Sword and handed it back to Cassandra who took it and nodded to Link before she walked after Xianghua, Kilik and Maxi who headed to leave.
Xianghua took point leading the group out of the room, she kept Krita-Yuga sheathed in the scabbard on her belt. The blade, like the Kali-Yuga was a very powerful weapon which had more power to it, the Soul Calibur had taken form from it, but it only returned to normal after damaging the Soul Edge. She was hoping that whatever information this young man brought would somehow shed some light on why the holy sword had been resealed.
Kilik followed with the Kali-Yuga held in his right hand over his shoulder, he smiled as he looked at her. They truly did love one another, but distance often kept them apart as her orders from her country was to find and destroy the Soul Edge. All the while he was forced to return periodically to the Proving Grounds to meditate and keep his soul pure and untouchable to the demonic blade. Maxi followed behind them, while he knew of their love he felt like the older brother of the trio and wouldn't do anything to prevent it.
Maxi looked back as Link and the two Athenian maidens spoke their forgiveness to a few of the soldiers. He chuckled "Hey ladies. What do you say we keep moving? I'm not getting any younger here." he called out as he vanished through the doorway.
Link looked at him then to Cassandra placing on a confused expression "What did he just call me?" He asked annoyed. Cassandra raised a hand to her lips as she giggled at Link's obvious sarcasm.
Sophitia looked at Link with a smiled "Maxi is like that. You'll get used to him after a while." Link nodded and walked on the two sisters trailing behind him. Cassandra watched his every movement wondering if he would agree on traveling with them should they invite him. She was fighting mostly to keep from showing any shown signs of admiration.
After the long walk down the stairs they all crossed through the main hall where Link had first revealed himself, somebody stood at the nearest exit that lead into the palace gardens. The man chuckled as he crossed his arms leaning against the pillar that was next to the door, he held something wrapped around his arm. The cloak Link had been wearing, as they approached he spoke up "So you're the one everybody has suddenly been talking about. Just arrived in Athens and already you've made a name for yourself." he tossed him back the cloak with Link caught and tucked under his arm. He then placed his hands at his hips and the man smiled with a shake of his head "Hopefully now some of the young blood will decide to take their training a little more seriously, considering how you managed to plow through them." He laughed in spit of his rank..
Sophitia looked at the man who unlike the other guards had armor that included more brass than the iron the others wore, this basically showed that he was the captain of the guards. The man had light blue eyes, short cut black hair and a thin amount of facial hair, while he was obviously a well experienced soldier he was also a loving father of two children. Sophitia spoke "Is there anything I should know Araydan?" she asked as he was the source of their information of the Black Wind's progress. Because of the danger presented by Soul Edge, Greece and the Holy Roman Empire also had an alliance currently, so information was being exchanged constantly between the two of them.
Araydan handed Sophitia a telegram she sighed as she recognized the difficulty written English on it. Maxi took a look at the characters on the envelope "Mitsurugi?" he asked. She nodded knowing that, although the man in question was able to speak English fluently it was difficult for him to write in it. His frustration showed in the ink.
Kilik shrugged as he saw Sophitia confirm Maxi's guess "He really should have Taki do it for him. It would be easier on him and his self-control." the young man murmured. The woman called Taki had spent time in Europe and caught on to the universal language quite nicely in writing and speech.
Maxi looked back at his friend and laughed "And actually owe anybody any favors, or endanger his ego? I don't think so." Sophitia handed it to Xianghua who placed it into her satchel she always wore.
Araydan started to walk away when he remembered "Also Sophitia, Rothian said he hoped to see you home early tonight." Sophitia sighed, hating how this destiny kept her away from her husband.
Link looked at Araydan "Another searcher?" he asked.
Araydan chuckled "No. Lady Sophitia's husband. He made her sword and shield and is one of the worlds leading authorities on swords. Makes him invaluable to the research on the blade." Araydan then stepped away from them. To find a weakness in the Soul Edge through the shards they had collected had been estimated to be their best bet.
The group walked out of the echoing halls of the palace and into the tranquil gardens. The area was quite calmly, several flowers and trees rested around the area and the sounds of song birds soothed the soul. Link looked at the little birds, they were rare in his lands. The smaller one that would only sing, they were usually either chickens, crows, birds of prey or fiends that attacked anything else that moved. This world seemed so much more calmer than his own, but of course he had traveled across the areas outside the cities. Bandits, thieves, berserkers and savages roamed all over the place ready to prey on the travelers crossing through.
Sophitia walked over to a bench and the other two women joined them. Kilik took a seat on the ground at the edge of the bench next to Xianghua who playfully put her legs over his shoulders. Cassandra sat in between her elder sister and Xianghua looking at Link who stood across from them his arms crossed leaning against the wall. Maxi leaned against the nearby tree looking at the two, rolling his eyes as Kilik responded by holding her legs and threatening to stand. Now that all of them were away from the temple's cramped halls and soldiers listening ears it was time to get back to the point at hand.
Sophitia Alexandria crossed her well toned legs and looked at Link who stood there against the wall his eyes still closed and his arms crossed idly over his chest "Okay Link now please tell us exactly what happened to your country? We must know what kind of damage can be expected from Soul Edge in our world." Cassandra leaned forward placing her elbows on her knees before placing her hand under her jaw showing interest. Link sighed as he brought his right hand up to his forehead to lightly rub, it was stressful enough learning and adapting to this world but until Soul Edge was destroyed his world was in danger of invasion.
Link looked up at them his eyes growing serious "I hail from a land called Hyrule that is far into the southeast, for centuries we have essentially kept our existence a secret for your known world. We didn't want to be involved in your problems and wanted to remain isolated and uninvolved in the difficulties of your world." He had to keep himself from mumbling as this was stated and Cassandra exhaled lightly realizing that their problems had been forced on him.
Link continued "It all started seven years ago. The shards of the first shattered sword came from a bright light in the sky and descended upon the land under the appearance of shooting stars or something of the like. I had just arrived back from my journeys in the other countries of Hyrule and like always my existence seemed to attract problems that were far from normal." They all could be seen paying heavy attention. Maxi however looked at him, wondering if he thought he was fooling them.
Cassandra meanwhile did the simple math "Seven years? How young will that have made you! How could anybody condone you venturing outside your country, much less your hometown?" Her concern seemed odd, but Link didn't blame her. He had received the same reaction too many times before. Perhaps she wasn't concerned, perhaps she was impressed.
Link looked at the ground slightly "Not to brag but I've been on my own since before then, only at the age of twelve did the purpose of my life begin to open up before me. That, however, is another matter all together." Cassandra pitied him but he didn't seem to mind.
He continued "I was about fourteen when the first wave of shards arrived. At that point I possessed more than my want for those adventures, having been commissioned to venture outside the kingdom's boarders and learn of the outside world. But soon the shards began reacting to people, as they soon managed to get into the hands of those of high authority. Five years ago they reached one of my best friends..." Link sighed as he realized he wouldn't have a great need to ever say this name again "...the daughter of the royal family."
"A princess!" Maxi retorted in surprise. Link chuckled lightly knowing that Maxi was beginning to doubt his words it wasn't exactly common around here. "We only met through my first series of events, without a number of uncommon gifts bestowed upon her, it is unlikely I would still be alive today. Its not like a fairy tale. A commoner befriending a Princess is a privilage and had it not been for the fact that our destinies were tangled, it wouldn't have mattered. However our relationship has no relevance to this." he said rather insistently.
Kilik nodded to him "Alright. Then what happened with her?" he asked.
Link nodded his head as he spoke "They all managed to get into the hands of high positions of the world. Princess Zelda of Hyrule, Prince Marth of Altea, and the King of Hyrule. This caused much social unrest until my country's guardians the six sages noticed that each one of them held these shards and were being corrupted. Being that I had a close friendship with each of them I decided to handle this." they all listened.
"The King and Zelda's shards were not as difficult to retrieve considering they were both my friends and my country's leaders. The King was a matter of forced recovery as his own judgement defeated the shard, Zelda was a matter of getting through its influence before she gave hers up." his expression became serious "Prince Marth was far from easy as we had to get his without making an attack on him look like an act of war against Altea. We managed to get the shard and seal them away where they couldn't reach others. However four years ago only six months after this, two more shards of much greater power came to me."
Sophitia understood this, he had proved himself a powerful warrior and it only made sense that they would have attempted to track him down "They nearly took me as their host, but when it became obvious they couldn't they couldn't, one took control of a friend and possibly one of the finest swordsmen in the country. A warrior named Garen Sheikan." He said hating this memory especially.
Sophitia placed a hand over her mouth as he said this it wasn't exactly something she wanted to ever experience. Xianghua spoke, feeling for Link "Oh Gods. Thats terrible. What happened?" she asked curious, but not wanting to cause him pain.
Link looked at the Master Sword as he unsheathed it and swung it once through the air, it left bright blue aura behind the blade "I managed to defeat him, but it was in no way an easy task as I had to keep him alive. I wouldn't have been able to face his wife with his blood on my hands, regardless of the circumstances. I attempted to destroy this stronger shard, but my sword lacked at the time lacked the power and it spirited itself away in two halves. A week later I received word that two powerful students of the sacred arts had vanished without a trace, but an evil energy was thick in their home."
Everybody listened for these identities "I do not know them personally, I only know that they both dabbled in a number of things that event the royal families advisors wished forbidden. I'm guessing that somehow the shards got to them and they left to hunt down the core of the sword, I however managed to keep the remaining shard safe." Link lightly placed the point of the blade in the ground idly twisting the handle.
Kilik looked up at Link, then at the ground narrowing his eyes as he heard this "Link." he said grabbing the elven swordsman's attention.
Kilik took some time with his choice of words before he spoke "Not so long ago I heard rumors of two people that apparently possess mysterious powers, according to sources these two decimated a fifty man unit of the crusaders. Their arrows seemed to flow off targets and systematic explosions began picking them off."
Maxi nodded as Kilik finished "Sounds like what some englishmen were talking about down by the peir. A man that possesses an unseen ultimate shield and a woman that commands a power of the same nature." Link narrowed his eyes and nodded confirming that those were most definately the two.
Cassandra shook her head "So now you must fight your own kin here." she breathed out in pity of the swordsman.
Link decided to finish this off and pushed off the wall stepping before them "One year ago the kingdom was still at peace. Garen had recovered and married another friend of each of us, Malon. Hyrule and Altea were officially made into a permanent alliance with the marriage of Zelda and Marth. As much as I care for her I know that he would treat her well." he chuckled with a light smile.
He sighed lightly shaking his head "Anyway, I was still on call to guard the Soul Edge shard as it constantly seemed to attract those that lusted for power to our boarders. Then Zelda had a dream, it was a message from this world of somebody requesting the one that can resist the shard of demonic steel."
Xianghua nodded as she looked at him halting from her polishing of Krita-Yuga "And that would have been you, right?" Link nodded and looked back to the group "She told me that the shards must be taken and along with the sword destroyed. So I, following the orders wished upon me and my own vow to protect my country came here, to destroy the Soul Edge and hopefully break the strands of influence it has placed over my people and the rest of the world." There was a definite silence before he looked up "And that is my story."
Cassandra breathed deeply as she looked at him all the more impressed with him, to be taking on such by himself seemed to be insane, but from where she sat and the way he told of this it was the truth. Cassandra stood up walking to him "Are you requesting to travel with us? If the Soul Edge and the Azure Nightmare are truly still alive in the world they will not wait long before making it known. It will be very dangerous." Link looked up at the girl around his own age before him. He reached forward cupping her cheek softly in his hand, she gasped upon reaction the others all looked at them.
Link's eyes were serious as he studied her own "You just attacked me and never got close to placing your blade against my flesh. You are very skilled, yet your eyes hold the gaze of a soul sharpened through training and hardship, but like a brand new blade you've yet to dull at all. For lack of a better term, you are a virgin to the battlefield. Why are you going?" he asked her as if concerned, or maybe he just didn't want dead weight.
Cassandra pushed his hand away feeling somewhat insulted "I can take care of myself! Now are you looking to join us or not!" she half shouted obviously frustrated over Link's judgment of her. But he was right, she had never been in true battle. She had sparred, brought down a few would-be thieves and could stomach the sight of blood, but had never killed anybody.
Kilik stood up along with Xianghua and the others. The five of them stood before him "Its okay with all of us." Xianghua said cheerfully. Sophitia smiled at Link with a nod "It will be nice to have another blade Sir Link." Maxi nodded as he flipped a thumbs up.
Link breathed before sighing heavily "Alright. I gladly accept your offer on one condition. I will be the one to confront the Soul Edge's master. If I fail you're welcome to jump in, I just want my chance to make him pay myself." Kilik and Maxi both nodded. Sophitia however grew deathly silent she didn't know how to feel about that, would he stop to think about the man trapped by the Soul Edge or would he kill Nightmare outright without even attempting to bring Seigfried salvation.
Maxi suddenly moved over to Link and wrapped one arm around Link's shoulders placing him in a friendly grab "So what happens? After we take down a few demons, one demonic sword and whatever else fate throws at us you head back home? Sounds pretty cut and dry." Link suddenly went silent and slapped Maxi's arm off his shoulders walking away moving past Cassandra who had calmed down a little.
She turned around to face him walking up grabbing him by the shoulder "Hey what's wrong? Is there complications to you getting home? We have one of the best naval forces in the world, just point us in the right direction."
Link slowly turned to face them looking at Cassandra, she was so much like her. Innocent, caring, loving of her friends, like an angel in the form of a mortal. Link shook his head as he looked at the group "Who said anything about going back. My lands. My world cannot afford to be known by those of the outside world, if I return I risk taking the taint of the Soul Edge back with me along with other that will wish to harness similar power in my country." everything seemed to go silent with pity or surprise from the group. Link fought back the painful truth "To be blunt, I cannot go back. Ever."
Next Chapter: Plannings of the Light
(Voice of Xianghua) Loyalty to one's lands. Loyalty to one's royalty. Loyalty to one's orders. What loyalty can be so great that anybody would follow orders so blindly and throw themselves from their own life? I don't understand. Mitsurugi's letter carries news and the call to reunion, hopefully we will be meeting with him and the other Eastern Seekers soon. I just hope that we can find someway to help Link, it isn't fair what he is being put through.