Soul Calibur: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Six: Plannings of the Darkness
Hundreds of miles north of the grand city of Athens and many more to the northwest from the country of Ireland, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean was a single island that seemed to radiate with the darkness. The island was closed off from any kind of naval attack by the large ring of forty foot rock spires that circled the island as if held in place by some sort of a hellish force. A constant storm hung over the dark island the thunder almost as numerous as the rain drops, all controlled by the same evil as the rocky defense line. Once a small private Irish Settlement is was easily taken over by the servants of the evil sword and now served as the Black Wind's headquarters.
The entire island reflected the destructive intentions of the Black Wind and their commanding warriors who followed the evil of the sword. The villages and homes that remained standing now only served as homes for the troop of violent berserkers commanded by Cervantes all of them subjects of the power granted to him by the Soul Edge. The caves on the southern end of the island lead deep into the earth where great wealth in gold was located and eventually fiery pits, this is where the creature called Renzor and his fierce ban of lizardmen resided. The forest on the west side of the island served as the fortress for the barbarians lead by the titan that was Astaroth. The island also contained a dock where several ships were located including the Adrian and Nightmare's own vessel.
Lastly there was a large castle that served as more of a fortress that had been constructed by the inhabitants while they were still on the island. This is where the top ranks of the Black Wind resided when they returned to base, the island over all was a large shield to protect the destroying wind. However, after three years the leader had returned and the Black Wind was prepared to leave the island and continue their murderous search for the shards of the Soul Edge. Several of the underlings were loading the four battleships taken from the British Navy but it paled in comparison to the vessel that had been constructed.
An ominous shadow in the shape of a ship that was easily ten times larger and longer than any traditional battleship. The hull of the ship was lined with black armor plated and at least six inches of the strongest pine. The massive sails of the ship were the hides of cattle, sewn together and still stained with the blood from the slaughter. And topped off with the Black Wind's seal, a massive eye in front of two crossed swords, thorny vines growing around them. The bridge of the ship was atop a platform at the back of the ship and the private chambers of their leader were located at the year of the ship where a large window of crimson glass was, starring ominously back at those that dared to cross this ship's path. The Shadow of the Seas, the Nemesis.
The large ship due to the fact it outranked any other ship in size also served as the base for the commanders and special forces of the Black Wind while the four smaller ships served as transports for the standard troops, commanded by the more gifted and competent soldiers. As the orcs and goblins under the command of the Soul Edge stepped up the ramps carrying the supplies for the commanders they steered clear of the starboard side. This is where the Lizardmen were currently standing watching the much weaker creatures with dislike. The superior Uruk-Hai were much more efficient, the goblins and orcs were essentially slaves to the Soul Edge. Of course there was some pride in seeing them, they had all been crafted using alchemy from the remains of those that dared to stand against the blade. Thus they possessed an eternally loyal, soulless army.
The leader of the Lizardmen, called Renzor, glared out across the ship watching his brethren mingle and speak to one another in a speech that seemed innately understood due to the reptilian qualities they all possessed. However, while they were smooth and emerald green their commander appeared to be much more of a threat. Renzor's scales was darker and spiked out, rock solid red spines came from the back of his neck and his teeth clearly showed with every motion of his mouth. His slitted eyes glanced towards the Barbarians and his regular partner.
The titan called Astaroth, whom had come from the same origins as himself, was often teamed up with himself and his own. And like himself and his own, the differences between Astaroth and his underlings was painfully obvious. He stood taller than all of them and his ax was much more powerful with the cursed energy that coursed through the alloy. His heart beat outside his chest and his eyes bore no pupils even though it was obvious he could see, he was also a muscular man of inhuman proportions. Of course, that was the only difference between himself and the destructive men that followed his command. He was far from human.
The behemoth looked at Renzor from his place leaning against the mast, his bloodstained ax resting beside him "Those worms are worthless." He muttered in his heavy throaty voice. Renzor just nodded his head in agreement.
Two others stood on the platform just outside the bridge, after joining them the alchemic temptress known to them as Ivy had taken the liberty of suggesting the help of otherworldly forces. These two were both demons from the nether realm. One stood at about six feet, possessed red and black flesh, rippling muscles, a pair of black wings that resembled those of a bat, claws on his hands and feet. His face possessed blazing yellow eyes and seemed vaguely human. He may have possessed a human mouth but it was edged with sharp fangs. Ivy had smiled at the sight of this demon, while he was currently in his darker form he had the ability to revert into a very handsome young man. Kind of like both beauty and beast. Such was the nature of the demon, Diablo.
The other was silent as he stood there with his arms crossed. Most of his six foot frame was black and rippling with powerful muscles. He held a very long gold and black rod in his right hand while he wore sleeveless black and gold armor. His feet came out to be like that of a large dog, his head was even more of a mystery. His neck was long and came out to be in the shape of a rather familiar figure, that was often worshipped in Egypt. Ivy couldn't contain herself that this demon had agreed to help them, it was none other than a demon that had walked the earth. A demon who felt he had the authority to judge when I person should die, the dark demon Anubis.
Diablo stepped closer to the railing his human form appearing as he leaned forward, cloths appeared on his dark leather armor and regular cloth. He brushed a strand of his rather long black hair from his view as he looked at them "Tell me again why we are helping these mortals?" he said with a disliking scowl.
Anubis looked at him speaking, but his mouth didn't move "I prefer being here on earth instead of that empty void. I will not allow myself to be sent from this realm again. Not even if it means serving mortals for a little while." Diablo shrugged as he looked over the darkened horizon.
Diablos chuckled lightly "It's a shame that nobody takes the summons seriously, how easy would it be to seduce a human woman into allowing me out." Anubis didn't answer and stepped away walking towards the Captain's private quarters, his spear trailing behind him grasped in his right hand, his other one resting at his side.
The inside of the room was just what would be expected from their once human leader. The floor was made up of stained black hardwood and covered with fine gold and red carpet, French decoration obviously. To the left was his armor the ominous armor created by Soul Edge for him once and could be willed to create again, if it was not to be used it was to remind the unwelcome where they had just stepped. There was a large desk to the right lined in gold and onyx, not like he ever used it this was the only part of his cabin that could be entered freely by those that he deemed worthy to ask questions or make suggestions of strategy.
Past the desk on the wall was a stairway that lead up to his own private cabin where he was not to be disturbed. If the door was locked you were entering at your own risk. If he treated the ship anything like the fortress if anybody entered without his approval they would be cut down almost instantly. Anubis had already witnessed one of the mortals that served the Soul Edge be cut down for entering while he was speaking with Ivy, Renzor and himself. It had not been a very pretty mess to look at or to clean up.
Anubis looked up toward the large window that made up the wall of the fifteen foot tall room, feeling out the presence of the sword. The infamous Soul Edge was leaned up against the wall the eye closed as the blade slept and to the right of it looking out the window was it's master currently not in his armor. His unnaturally long dirty blond hair came to his upper legs, he was shirtless, but wore common black pants. The scars from the Soul Edge could be seen, his arms were crossed right over left, both hands human sized. It was odd how the Soul Edge had adapted to him because only when he took hold of it did his hair change blood red and that malformed claw that could obliterate anything appear. It was obvious however that the immortal was probably one of only a few that could find any fascination with the Azure Nightmare.
There were two other presences in the room. Anubis looked over toward the desk spying two figures there. One was female and sat on the edge of the desk, she wore a very tight fitting black body suit and carried a short sword at her waist. She was somewhat modest as she wore some finely crafted armor over her breasts, her lower arms were also covered by armor pieces. To top it all off her feet wore rather thin material boots allowing them to cling to her feet. She was Karenna, an exceptionable specimen that had been lead to Soul Edge by one of the fragments that continued to fuel some very unique powers. The odd thing was her ears and how they stuck out to a point, but their leader had demanded that nobody pry lest they wish for their death.
The other was the serious one, the one that had come along with her to bow and swear their eternal loyalty to the Soul Edge. His dress was pretty average, but made him look like some sort of a northern noble. The brown leather boots, black pants, a blue and silver armor over his chest and an azure cape from his shoulders. He possessed short cut dark blond hair that seemed to have no particular style to it. He also had fingerless gloves that fit his hands perfectly. His arms were crossed and he held a staff on one hand he claimed enhanced his powers. Anubis found it strange that having a Renzor and a Renzo wasn't as confusing as was expected. Considering one was a monster and the other was could almost be considered beneath or beyond human. He didn't care.
Anubis ignored the two looking toward the groups leader stepping up along side him, the blond bangs kept his eyes hidden from the side, he was clearly strong enough to wield the massive Soul Edge considering just how built his body was. He spoke, his voice deep in a serious tone "What is it Anubis?" he asked simply.
Anubis crossed his arms simply the black armored wings moving to fold against his back as he straightened up "Where exactly are we heading, considering how long this search will be?" He asked as casually as he could.
Nightmare was silent, but looked at his sword which bared scars where the shards had broken off, it was a sight that he wasn't pleased by. "We are going to continue and find the pieces to my blade, as well as those of the sister sword. We have many reports and we will simply take them as they come, I'm sure that you have no objections to that." he said not even looking back at him.
Anubis narrowed his eyes as Nightmare spoke to him, Nightmare had been on this quest to retrieve the shards of his sword. Though none of them rejoined with the Soul Edge. They were being put to better uses like controlling less cooperative warriors and keeping a useful few amoungst the living. It was beginning to frustrate him that Nightmare gave no clear reason to why they sought the shards, perhaps to prevent others from gaining the power to defeat him and claim the Soul Edge. Anubis crossed his arms and growled, he had heard much of the Soul Swords. Soul Edge was a blade of negative aura. The spirit sword called the Soul Calibur was the rival of the soul sword. Two blades, bickering between light and darkness. Battling an endless duel across history.
Suddenly the door opened again Anubis turned his head, Nightmare looked back slowly, Renzo jumped to attention and Karenna gripped her sword. There was a slight chuckle from the doorway as a small sly smile came across the seductive indigo lips of Isabella Valentine also known as Ivy. As before she wore the deep black and purple leathers that gripped and showed off her well crafted body. The short stock of platinum hair obstructed the view of one eye as she looked at the group, her left hand which wore perfectly measured bronze armor rested at her hip. The bronze claws nipped at her treasure, the snake sword given life by the Soul Edge, Valentine.
Karenna huffed as she slid her sword back into it's sheath, since she arrived there and joined the Black Wind she never did care for Ivy or her constant questions about her innate control over the black magic that took humans decades to master. What was amazing was that since she had gotten hold of the Valentine and it was given its power she didn't seem to age, in fact while she should have been around thirty she appeared to be around her mid twenties. The platinum hair was obviously a factor of this as well.
Ivy looked around the room at the mismatched group of four "Is there something that I missed?" she asked in her seductive tone as she looked at the leader. Karenna rolled her eyes knowing of Ivy's nature, once the timid young heiress to a legacy she had been turned into this temptress by the Soul Edge's influence through her own weapon. At least that was Karenna's theory, but then again she could name a few times that greater transformations had happened. There was no way to tell if Ivy had truly been seduced by the Soul Edge or if she was trying to seduce it's master.
Anubis looked at Ivy then to Nightmare. Nightmare looked at Ivy "What is it?" he asked simply turning to face her, the dark red eyes revealed though they lacked the glow Soul Edge placed on them when in hand. Ivy smiled as she crossed her arms under her breast boosting them up slightly as if to show them off, Karenna groaned in disgust of this as she stood up and stepped out followed by Renzo. Ivy looked back "Loading is complete and we're ready to cast off."
Anubis nodded at this "Then tell your father we're ready to cast off." Ivy narrowed her eyes before she went for the Valentine. The blade came to life and lashed out at Anubis who quickly raised his staff, the sword separated into several segments the wire in the middle wrapping around Anubis's neck who used the rod to keep it from his throat.
Ivy glared at him "Though he is in fact my biological father he has not done a thing to earn that title off my tongue or anybody else's toward me." she said seriously. Nightmare gave off an amused smile as she recalled the snake sword slamming it into the sheath. She then crossed her arms "Do it yourself, Demon." Anubis stepped out of the room allowing the door to slam behind him caught by the wind.
Ivy smiled as she stepped across the hardwood floor to Nightmare who still looked out the window waiting for the ship to start moving. Ivy stopped behind him running her right hand over his shoulder in a seductive stroke "So exactly what are your intentions for those shards, darling?" she asked. Nightmare turned his head to look at her with a questioning glance before shrugging, he trusted her more than Anubis as she had been with them for over two years.
Nightmare scoffed looking back out the window "I'm not going to allow another sword to be forged from the shards of the soul sword, be it created from the light or from the darkness it would destroy the balance. This world will not be destroyed because of my sloth, it will be subjugated under my hand, one way or another." He said with a vile smirk.
He looked back at her a smile across his face as he did so "This world is ment to be conquered not destroyed. Anybody who gained yet another sword would intend having those intentions and in their infinite stupidity destroy what they long to take over." he explained. The Soul Edge could become stronger while the Soul Calibur weakened, but the overall balance of light and darkness would not be greatly tipped. A new blade being put into the unique flow between the blades would cause the energy to go wild and create a disaster much worse than the Evil Seed.
Ivy ran her hands over his shoulders feeling the light change in softness where his arm would become malformed by gripping the sword "Yes. It would be rather boring if everything came to an end all of a sudden wouldn't it?" she whispered warmly into his ear.
He turned around suddenly grabbing both of her wrist "Not now Isabella." he said as he stepped away from her and towards the door. While it wouldn't have surprised him if her affections were authentic, he wouldn't have given doubts that she merely wished to get her father's goat. Her professional obediance had washed away the day she discovered that she was not serving the sword, by the manevolent spirit of its original host. Without a need to possess somebody, it significantly made up for the absence of the shards and the sword was essentially as strong as it had been.
The Azure Nightmare stretched out his hand and on will Soul Edge moved flying to his waiting grasp. On contact his arm transformed instantly, his hair flashed before turning crimson and his eyes caught a haunting glow. He looked toward her seeing the displeased look on her face "Perhaps at a time when Cervantes is less likely to come barging in here with news." Ivy smiled before following him out the door.
On the deck the two or three hundred troops stood, all of them ready for battle or assault, whichever of the two came first. The Soul Edge's single eye looked at this with delight as soon more souls would feed it and the lesser sister blade, which would be absorbed should its owner manage to outlive his usefulness. It was a possible event in the near future that Ivy would have traded anything in the world to witness or participate in.
Cervantes de Leon stood there as the ship started to move with his putrid violet skin that grew even darker by the day, it was to the point that he could hardly be considered human any longer. He was still garbbed in that ridiculous display of naval coats and slacks, several sashes taken from enemy captains hanging around his belt. The armor that he brought out when he felt it was nessesary worked a great deal better when it came to combat, even if he was truly immortal. He felt the pain when he was pierced, but the power that had been granted to him by the Soul Edge kept him alive no matter what kind of wounds he suffered. Having been forced to turn over the sword he had crafted from a number of shards over to Nightmare in exchange for renewed immortality, he now only carried Adriene and Turmoil. He was still nowhere near his original strength, not that the master of the sword believed he deserved any better.
Ivy looked at Nightmare ignoring the presence of her father as another concern came to mind "What are your intentions for that disgusting creature below? We feed it and continue to let it stay amongst the living after it came to the island and attempted to kill you." She said referring to an odd man that could just be recognized as a human, but the way he bent made her sick to her stomach.
Nightmare huffed at the scuffle that could hardly have been considered a battle before he spoke to his third ranking commander "Leave him to me. When we release him the shard in his head will be under my blade's control and if we cannot use him, I'm sure something will manifest within the dark recesses of your mind." Ivy smirked at this feeling the aspect of having a personal attack dog in the shape of a man to be entertaining. She didn't need another servant for she already had one whos obedience pleased her very much.
Cervantes looked at Ivy who narrowed her gaze before looking straight ahead, he ignored it and looked at Nightmare, or rather the Soul Edge that he clutched in his claws, the blade that he unyieldingly believed to be his. "Where are we heading?" he asked.
Nightmare looked at him "You need not worry old man. We have enough to supply us for three months and if we run out we can always secure more, we will take the shards as they come." he shared as the ship approached the ring of rocks. Nightmare looked towards the defense line to the island and slowly raised the Soul Edge, the rotations of the rocks stopped and a gap opened before them. The Nemesis and the other four ships passed through safely, they were on their path of destruction once again.
Next Chapter: Reflections of the Past
(Voice of Maxi) I never thought I'd get back on the sea. Spending all that time in Athens was starting to make me soft. We finally depart from Athens and I already smell that sweet salt air, however it seems that our newest friends still have a few secrets. Not my right to pry, I'm only after one thing and I only need to make it known that I am going after that and they arn't allowed to. My reasons are my own, and should he still be breathing so is Astaroth.