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Soul Caliber: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Seven: Reflections of the Past
The night had gone by fairly well. It had been a good while since either Link or Talim had actually gotten a good nine hours of sleep due to the fact people in cities usually didn't like foreigners or people who refused to show their faces. This passionate suspicion sometimes went so far as to sneaking through locked doors to get a better look, Talim never took that very well. Sophitia and Rothion had a very nice house, and they were obviously very much in love as was shown through their actions and hospitality.
While Talim smiled at this calling Sophitia lucky, Link could only sigh as he had seen it all before, but he wouldn't burden them by letting them know how he felt about it. There was also the resemblance between Sophitia and one of his best friends, that wasn't exactly helping much. But he could tolerate it, knowing that Sophitia wasn't her. He wouldn't look to Sophitia as her. He hadn't acted on his emotions and it was his own fault he wasn't with her. Maybe it wasn't ment to be. He wasn't going to bother fighting it any longer. He had moved on, even if he did have some regret about his own foolishness.
Needless to say Sophitia didn't want to leave Rothion once again to fight the Soul Edge, but he knew that it was her duty and that was admirable in Link's eyes. She had trained to be the one to end the terror caused by the forsaken blades and possessed a firm devotion that would lead her to victory. Rothion trusted her to make her own choices and didn't try to be over protective, perhaps that was his mistake or perhaps that was his merit. Rothion kissed Sophitia softly holding her in his arms, she held him back, it was an embrace that they wished they could hold forever.
Sophitia looked up at him tracing one hand along the line of his jaw, taking in his features and hoping that she would not forget them over this unknown period of time "I'll come back. You know I will." she whispered.
Rothion nodded to his wife "I know Sophi. I know." he said nodding her head.
Link leaned against the tree as this went on, Talim looked at him "You sure are acting glum." she said to him almost annoyed.
Link crossed his arms over his chest "It isn't polite to watch lovers exchange farewells. At least not where I come from. It is a bad omen to have witnesses to such things." he said.
Talim groaned "I know whats wrong. Your homesick aren't you?" Link looked at her and sighed. Talim was right. She was just as misplaced as he was, but it was pretty obvious that whenever he looked at a couple such at Sophitia and Rothion he only saw what might have been. Link wasn't sure how he felt at that point, but never acted upon his emotions once he saw she was happy with her choice. He was almost amazed by his acceptance, but now he was at a loss. In this alien world which was a far cry from any strange country or forbidden land he had visited, would he ever have another chance at obtaining that bond with another, especially if he was trapped here.
Sophitia started toward them holding a bag over her shoulder "Well. As they say lets get this show on the road." she said. Rothion suddenly spoke up from behind them as he walked up holding something in his hands which caught Link's attention.
"Hold on a second! Link you should probably take this." Rothion handed Link what appeared to be a full length blade which possessed the same overall shape and weight of the Master Sword. It explained why he had requested to see it and was still able to promise he wouldn't tamper with it, he had crafted Link another one. Link just hoped he didn't expect it to be a replacement.
"What is this?" Link asked looking back at his own sword. Rothion crossed his arms "Figured you'd need it. Sophi has told me a lot about those swords of the soul. The Soul Edge always knew when she was coming and could always feel her out when she drew her sword. I suggest you keep your own sword sheathed until you are in their midst, then draw your own enchanted blade. Sophi just didn't want to burden you with the trouble of searching out and buying another suitable sword." The swords smith explained.
Link examined the sword and nodded as he placed it on the side of his belt "I figured as much. Thank you." he stated with a light bow.
Rothion nodded patting his shoulder "No thanks needed. Any friend of the White Wind is a friend of this family. Besides that it was her idea." he said motioning towards his blushing warrior wife.
Sophitia smiled "Bless you Rothion." after a few more farewells Rothion and the group parted ways. The sword was made much like Sophitia's only the length and weight matched the Master Sword and that saved a lot of time when it came to finding another sword and adjusting to it. The grip and hilt bore a slight resemblence to the Omega and Alpha Swords carried by the sisters, but it was created from a much more basic metal and didn't possess the same power. Link was thankful however that he had a blade that he could use without giving away the position of their group. It would be bad if after one day he had become an inconvenience.
About an hour of walking later Sophitia, Talim and Link, who continued to wear his cloak and hood arrived at the harbors of Athens just as the sun started to rise. Walking down the length of the pier they all looked up to spy Maxi at the helm of a very well made ship clearly made for private traveling. He waved to them calling them over, they all boarded via the ramp to the side of the ship. Kilik stood with Xianghua at the back of the ship looking down at the harbor.
Cassandra stood next to the mast and looked up to them as they walked on board and smiled lightly as she looked at her group "Did you guys over sleep?" she then made eyes toward her sister "Or did you and Rothion make your goodbyes last again?" she giggled.
Sophitia rolled her eyes at her younger sister by four years "Don't make me toss you over board." she said walking to Maxi, though she furiously attempted to hide the blush that had crawled to her cheeks.
Sophitia looked over the map that Maxi had brought "How long do you estimate this trip will take?" she asked, though it was likely she would ask many more times before she saw her hometown harbor again.
Maxi looked at the sails "We have a very strong wind coming from the west so if it keeps up I'd say we arrive off the coast of turkey by tomorrow's nightfall at the latest." Maxi looked down as Talim and Link proceeded to drop off their bags and pull up the ramp, it wasn't long after words that the ship was released and headed out onto the Mediterranean. Maxi looked at the Fata-Buru the weapon that he had used to defeat Astroth before, returned to him by Kilik he would make sure that it would be the weapon to finish him off. "I'm coming you bastard. This time you won't come back." he vowed, wishing his words could be carried by the wind.
The day was very fine for travel as the ship known as the Eternal Wind moved toward the East. Istanbul wasn't really all that far from Athens and it probably wouldn't take them that till nightfall the next day to arrive. While Maxi had planned to leave the village he didn't plan on doing so alone, some of those who wanted to help protect their homeland had also tagged along. Four people from that village. He himself served as the navigator and the captain due to his extensive knowledge of boats and ships. He had two ship hands that worked as defenders if the ship was attacked. One was a cook. And the final was a gunner that had agreed to come along.
One was a man named Michael, around the age of 32 and Stephan who was 25. They were brothers of northwestern decent. Michael (at 6'2) was easily the strongest person on the ship, though he didn't plan to fight. He had a family to return to. Stephan (at 5'8) while he was the younger and never really worked in manual labor worked as the ship's second defender. J
uan was their cook but also had some knowledge of horses and fishing and had agreed to take care of the horses and teach them how to fish if it came to be needed. However he refused to fight in defense or assault.
The other however had claimed that he would gladly fight. While he had some skill with a sword he had more reliance in the duel pistols he carried at his belt. A young man in his twenties and standing at around 5'9 this young man was called Jack Kutter.
Jack leaned against the deck looking at the saber that he carried, though he had more preference towards the rapidly popular firearms, the rifle and the two flintlock pistols were evidence of this. Michael meanwhile stood at the back of the ship, he basically worked as the first mate and would defend the ship if it was needed or help with whatever he could. He had heard tales of the vengeful monster that Maxi chased and if it was still truly alive it would stamp out anybody that had helped the Dandy of the South Seas. Michael wasn't gonna let that happen to his people.
Link took his place against the mast but looked up as Xianghua and Sophitia seemed to be speaking to Talim. Maxi joined in as he over heard knowing the ship would be fine by itself for now. Link ignored it and continued to check over his own belongings.
Xianghua sat up on the railing that was in front of the wheel "So Talim, exactly how did you get involved in this? Why are you here?" she asked in an interested manner.
Sophitia spoke up "I've kind of been wondering the same thing." Maxi was silent not wanting to add any more pressure for all he knew she was the same as Link. Cassandra and Kilik meanwhile had gone with Michael below to check on the horses that Sophitia had ordered to be taken to the ship.
Talim shrugged as she placed down her elbow blade which she was checking over "Well I suppose I can answer that. It really isn't as complicated as Link's or any of your own. I'm only trying to get the sword so I can return it to the darkness from which it came. We all know what happened when the balance was broken the first time right."
Sophitia nodded feeling lightly responsible for what happened to Siegfried, Kilik, Astaroth and Cervantes as well as the others caught in it, though it seemed it was all fortunate when it came to the original members of the Black Wind.
"Yeah. The Evil Seed." Xianghua breathed.
Talim nodded at this "Seven years ago I was struck by it but not effected. But still it gave me the ability to track and feel out the soul shards. I always did feel an ominous feeling to the west. Then all around once the Soul Edge shattered, but the concentration of the main sword was always stronger. A man came to our village hoping to sell what he called a vitality charm. It knew it was a piece and decided to track it. But I was attacked and it was stolen by somebody that was going on about how he was going to take it and destroy it. The point is, mortals must never wield that sword. We are far too weak."
Sophitia nodded "Obviously."
"Most everything that draws breath is."
All eyes turned to Link as he now held a weapon, a two foot bow readied with an arrow. It appeared to be too small to cover any great distance but he held it as if was more than just a bow. Jack scoffed suddenly "Just to let you know a wooden bow and arrow is no match for a pistol kid." Link narrowed his eyes hearing this. He had encountered firearms already and had a great dislike for them, he suddenly turned his bow toward him the tip of the arrowhead seeming to glow for some reason.
"Is that so?" he asked threatening to release it.
Jack held up his hands "Whoa! I'm not bashing on your taste just stating my opinion." he said.
Link lowered his secondary weapon and crossed his arms "Well it isn't needed." he pointed out as he took aim over the sea and fired. The arrow itself was no more than two feet and extremely lightweight but it was fired faster and farther than any Jack had ever seen. Link looked back at him as he returned his bow to his bag along with the quiver containing about fifty of the small arrows. Cassandra and Kilik had just walked out from below deck to see this, the arrow buzzed along the water going out of view completely. Cassandra looked at Link and the serious expression in his eyes, obviously his wish to destroy the Soul Edge was far greater than their own.
Most of them spent the rest of the day speaking with one another mainly learning of Talim's home as Link had retired to the front of the ship where he stood there as if waiting for something. Kilik had made a note that Link's soul was very strong and patient but something was still very ominous about him, it was like he was missing a part of himself. It was odd but his soul seemed cleansed and pure, there was also an odd energy that emitted from him that he had picked up.
Xianghua spoke up "Kilik, are you alright?" she asked him breaking his gaze at Link.
Talim spoke up "You look at him like you don't trust him." she stated crossing her arms and huffing slightly. She had hoped that they were better than that.
Kilik looked back at Link and shook his head "I rarely trust anybody and I just find it hard to believe that he has just come with so much information. But that isn't it, something it just different about this man. Never mind." he said as he headed to the door that would lead into the lower decks.
Xianghua followed "Where are you going?" she asked him.
Kilik looked out over the sea and shrugged "Been I while since I've been on sea. I'm going to grab something to eat. And evening is fast approaching." he said sleepily.
Xianghua smiled as she slipped her hand into his "I'll join you then. I'm tired of interrogating poor Talim." she stated. They both vanished.
Maxi watched as they vanished. Though he had recognized Kilik and Xianghua from his blurred memories he felt that he had known them his entire life. Despite his amnesia, the price he paid to get his arms and legs back after he was somehow dropped into the underground and nearly killed in the waters that lead him to the village. He chuckled "Wonder exactly why they always leave together." he stated to the others.
The three females looked at him blankly rolling their eyes. Maxi shrugged "Hey! Just being honest." he stated knowing those two were smart and didn't have to be moderated when it came to messages of the heart. The two Athenian females and the priestess however just ignored him.
It wasn't long before darkness did fall and Maxi and crew brought up the sails and all went below decks, all except Link where Juan had prepared a soup for them. Not exactly perfect or fancy but none of them complained, he was after all doing this as a service. Not long after that most of them turned in, all but Maxi who was forced to return to the helm wanting to go as far as possible. Eventually growing weary he called Michael, they pulled and tied up the sails, dropped anchor and left for the lower decks to get some much needed sleep.
The two Athenian sisters had decided to share a room. Though Maxi wasn't surprised when Kilik and Xianghua did the exact same thing. Talim, wanting her privacy to say her prayers took her own room alone. Though Link was nowhere to be found. Maxi didn't think much of it, he had seen Link go down below when he hit the helm again so it was given he didn't fall over board or something stupid like that. He headed for his own cabin and the rest of the night was pretty calm.
Meanwhile being that they had left several days earlier than the members of the white wind, the army that was the black wind was several miles south heading toward the Suez Canal. The Nemesis was heading for the Suez Canal knowing that once they managed to get away from Europe and the Mediterranean it would be easier to pin point exactly where the shards were coming from. Ivy stepped out as she looked at a map then noticed the negative aura, normally an argument. She stepped toward the front of the ship tracking the source of it taking only one guess to who they were.
Nightmare crossed his arms as he looked out over the Mediterranean "If you wanted to scare an entire city into surrender you should have brought the Adrian with you. We are not taking this ship off course to track a single shard. Especially not in that forsaken place." he said toward Cervantes who seemed concerned about a piece of Soul Edge he had picked up.
Ivy sighed as she figured this would happen once one of their spys, one of the lizardmen that had an uncanny ability when it came to swimming as swiftly as a shark came with a message that a merchant claimed to possess a shard of the Soul Edge. The messenger in question had passed her while moving back to get below decks before one of the two took the first blow, that seemed unlikely as another was standing nearby. Renzor looked towards Ivy and rolled his eyes in an almost human like fashion, Ivy didn't know why but the silent reptile struck her as the most intelligent creature in their ranks, right after the ever so mysterious Anubis.
Cervantes narrowed his eyes his teeth gritting as he fought off the urge to attempt a strike at the Azure Nightmare's head "Think about your plot old man! I'd rather save the trouble by having the owner bring it to us. Manipulation has worked very well in our favor, I doubt the soul of a sloth merchant would be very difficult to control." Ivy cut him off as she walked up between them flashing a hand between their faces.
"And I think that the population of the city in question bears knowledge that you would both kill them all should they glance at you wrong. Now what exactly is going on." Nightmare looked back at Ivy, his armor still missing.
He shrugged "De Leon wishes us to head toward Istanbul. He claims to feel a shard coming from there. I feel it as well, but they are already in the possession of others. I'll feel better once we actually know where the others are and there is always the chance that it could be another idiot thinking that he can use it against me." he said full of earned arrogance.
There was a silence between all three of them "Having just set out we need to set an order when it comes to some of the newcomers. At this point either of us leaving is simply out of the question." Ivy smiled as she looked at Nightmare. One of the smaller ships was technically under her command as it was her property, the Darkthorne would take her and the needed amount of troops to retrieve the shard.
"I'll go." she stated as she stretched lightly "After all, Istanbul is a very nice city this time of year and hopefully I won't draw as much attention as you two would, even if I do have the scare an entire city into surrender." she said with a sultry smile.
"I'm not so sure about that, they probably wouldn't go running in fear of you." A cold voice came from behind
Ivy smiled egotistically as she looked back at Karenna who stood there "Don't broadcast your jealousy so much. It is really a disturbance." Karenna growled.
Nightmare sighed looking at the two "Enough. We really don't need this right now. Ivy you take the Darkthorne and go. Dig up whatever you can find and head back as time allows. We'll be waiting in the usual spot." he concluded.
"I'll tell my men to prepare themselves." Ivy announced and was about to walk off, but her father refused to simply be ignored.
"You're taking that child with you again, arn't you?" Cervantes said accusingly, as if suggesting treason.
"So what if I am?" Ivy questioned, a smirk crossing her face as she kept her back to her father.
"I don't trust him!" Cervantes snapped.
"And it is that which makes him far more useful than you." Ivy explained.
"Foolish child!" he growled before moving away.
"Rotton old man." she growled before walking off.
Not too much later Ivy descended from the Nemesis to the red and black painted Darkthorne which was followed by two other small ships. Nightmare's Navy consisted of about twenty or so ships. While the Nemesis served as the command ship, there were four flag ships, the Darkthorne, the Adrian, the Jade and the Backbone. There were also a number of smaller battle ships to protect the flag ships. Though all, but the Darkthorne had been left behind they had regrouped with four of the smaller ships which the lizardmen had managed to seize. Leaving them with the Nemesis, the Darkthorne and seven guard ships. All others were back at the island.
Nightmare watched as Ivy left and took a decent amount of the Uruk-Hai and the lower class demons that were expendable anyway with her. Anubis walked up and looked over the edge of the ship "I don't see why you place such trust in her." he stated.
Nightmare looked at the dark creature "The only reason her weapon possesses that power is because of me. Should she turn I could have her own weapon disobey her, and even strike her down. Though with the influence the soul swords have over her, I doubt such is a possibility." Anubis was silent and looked back.
Anubis closed his eyes as he felt the air around him "The winds will serve Ivy to Istanbul. Can't say much for ourselves."
Nightmare shook his head at this "Drop anchor. Hoist the sails. We'll continue tomorrow morning." he said walking away.
Cervantes growled as he looked at the master of Soul Edge "I really do hate him." he stated.
Diablos spoke "He feeds off of that. I suggest you not allow the emotion to get out so much if you wish to ever be his superior." Cervantes ignored him and just watched the Darkthorne leave in the distance.
"Stubborn child." he grunted before moving off to look for some of the more disobedient troops, so much as a batted eye would set him off today. None of the commanders tolerated them fighting amongst themselves and the Immortal Pirate used it as an excuse to gain more souls.
Next Chapter: A Swordsman's Melody
(Voice of Cassandra) Dreams are one of the strangest things that anybody can witness and mine are no exception as I see odd silhouettes dance before my vision. But there is something in the background that drives these horrible shadows and flickering flames away. Is that music? Where is it coming from?