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Soul Calibur: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Ten: Of Reunions And Rivalries
Needless to say the next morning there was alot of controversy of the blood that seemed to be drifting from under the pier, but it was nothing that the members of the White Wind had to get concerned over. It was getting late in the morning when Link came walking out from the lower decks unarmed as he didn't plan on leaving the ship, it wasn't like he knew much about supplies and such. Sure he knew alot about sea travel, but there was likely going to be some differences. Everybody else however seemed to be involved in one way or another except for Talim who was still sleeping, or she could have been meditating, the Hylian couldn't tell through closed doors.
Kilik and Maxi stood on the docks speaking with a man with a very tanned skin tone obviously the guy who was selling them their needs. Cassandra sat on the platform at the front of the ship gazing at her Alpha Sword and adjusting her hair in the reflection of the blade. Turning Link saw Sophitia standing near the rear of the ship, Xianghua stood behind her braiding up her hair to keep it out of her way. Jack spoke up toward Link "If your up for sight seeing might as well do it from here. We need to leave as soon as possible." he stated. Link shrugged he really didn't care about what the city had to offer and he couldn't think of anything he needed.
Link's attention was snatched by the sound of running from the stairs that lead to the lower decks and Talim came out breathing heavily still in her night piece which was basically a really long shirt. She breathed as she spoke up "Everyone! Come quick!" she shouted.
Link jumped up and dashed over along with Xianghua and the two Athenian sisters "What's with all the screaming?" Jack asked lightly rubbing his ear.
Talim ignored him as she looked to Xianghua "Can't you guys feel that?" she asked them, all of them looked up and shook their heads. Talim closed her eyes and felt "I can feel it. It is very faint but I sense a shard nearby. However it is weak like the those three that Link brought with him." she pointed out.
Sophitia closed her eyes as she spoke "A shard from the first sword. Hm. I wouldn't be surprised." Cassandra nodded her head as she noticed the faint presence that matched those of the Soul Blade shards though it wasn't nearly as heavy in her head as her sister.
Kilik quickly ran up the gangplank followed by Maxi "Whats going on?" Maxi asked as he appeared.
Link looked back at them "Talim and Sophitia think that one of the shards is in this area. Funny that I didn't pick it up." he said a little surprised that he didn't.
Kilik crossed his arms as he spoke looking toward the city "The shards of the first sword are different and only seem to emit decent aura when they are grasped, otherwise they are dormant. They are not constantly emitting evil energy as the Soul Edge ones are. Thus they give a much weaker signal. That is what we've been told anyway." Sophitia nodded as she adjusted her sword on her hip.
Link looked lightly towards the group before he looked back at the warrior woman "Some of the priests at the temple told me that you apparently shattered the first sword, but they are still one and the same."
She took a breath before she continued "When it was shattered, a good amount of the power went to the other Soul Edge. The rest of it was defused as the phenominon called the Evil Seed and has left the shards of the first sword only with the ability to influence. It cannot grant great power or longevity, it simply drives those that allow a connection to be established insane." she described hauntingly.
Link narrowed his eyes as he looked back at the group "Regardless of the power however, it will need every piece back to once again achieve the ability to contain the its full power." he guessed. This was confirmed with a nod from Sophitia. He truly as worthy of the respect and recognition that his homeland have gavin him.
"Wether or not the Black Wind truly is preparing to return, it is still important that we retrieve the shards and find a way to completely destroy them this time. They are all a threat no matter how much power they have." Kilik announced. Link and Talim both nodded in understanding.
Maxi looked up as he picked up his nunchakus and placed them in his belt "I'll go with Xianghua and Kilik. We'll go to the shopping district, on a trip to the north we found one of them in a market where somebody had hawked it."
Cassandra looked at Link as he spoke up "Me and Talim will search the coast line. You never know maybe one washed up." Cassandra was prepared to say something, but shook it off assuring herself that he could take care of himself. Being sensitive to the aura it would be easier for him and Talim to track it should it be on such an expansive place.
Sophitia nodded as she looked at the rest of the group "Yes. The signal is weak. They usually give off a stronger signal when being held by somebody. We would have picked that up miles away otherwise." Sophitia's face from her normal nature to a serious one that belonged to anybody with great experience.
"Cassandra. You and Jack go through the residential area perhaps you'll find something there. I'll go with you." Jack nodded as this was said. Cassandra nodded a little disappointed, it was doubtful somebody would just leave it in their house. That and she didn't need Link and Talim, their youngest member having never come this far getting lost in a place like this.
Cassandra looked back at Link as he looked over the edge of the ship with his eyes closed as he pulled the bracers onto his hands and wrist. Talim reappeared carrying her elbow blades she hung them on her waist as she walked up to Link "What's wrong?" she asked him.
Link shook his head as he looked back at Sophitia "Where are the shards in our possession?" he asked. Sophitia could see Link's raw concern and looked to Xianghua, she took the tip and stood up to explain a few things.
"After you explained that Talim had felt them out, we placed them in a box that was given to us from the Shrine of Hephaestus. It is made of a very solid metal. It will repel the fragments and they will not be able to be sensed unless somebody is very close to it." Xianghua said as if she had done it a few times already.
Kilik looked up as he gave the Kali-Yuga a practice swing "How close?" he asked rather harshly. Sophitia shrugged as she looked up at him obviously he figured it was important they didn't need Nightmare tracking them down.
Sophitia mentally calculated "Right in the room. And for safe measures, it is hidden away."
Xianghua nodded as she adjusted her thin bladed sword on her hip "Well thats a relief at any rate. Maxi, come on." she called back and the trio left the Eternal Wind heading out toward the square. It seemed like familiar times as Maxi would talk of what he did remember while Xianghua cheerfully laughed trying to get their ever so silent Kilik to lighten up.
Link returned down to the lower decks and retrieved his shield, his cloak, bow and the sword that Rothion had made for him. The only difference of course was the fact that it lacked the mysterious powers, the colors of the blade and hilt matched the Alpha and Omega sword and the blade wasn't indestructible, but still very durable. He left the sheathed Master Sword in his room and had hidden it under the floor boards in the event an unexpected guest boarded. Though with Michael and Stephan standing guard it was doubtful anybody would try anything. Link looked back and started walking "Come on Talim. Lets go." he said heading down the plank.
Suddenly Cassandra rushed up grabbing him by the shoulder "Get back here! Aren't you forgetting something?" she asked pointing up at his ears.
Link rolled his eyes as he brought the hood over his head and he chuckled "I trust you all with the existence of my country, but spreading that knowledge might be dangerous. From here on out when it come to those who ask, I was just another victim of the Evil Seed." he explained. Cassandra chuckled at the deception and nodded.
Sophitia sighed as Link said this "The changes are always either mental or physical. And trust me if it is physical the changes are much greater." Link didn't know what she ment, but nodded as Cassandra reached up straightening the hood to stay on while not making him look like he was trying to hide his face. Link smiled at her, she turned her head lightly "Watch yourself." she said.
Link nodded in assurance before he turned adjusting the sword on his back and walked down the plank after Talim, he looked back once his feet were place on the docks and waved to the remaining three. Cassandra lightly waved back as she left to get her equipment, Sophitia looked at this as her younger sister walked away. She chuckled lightly seeing that obviously Cassandra at least respected Link, it couldn't be told but if she didn't know any better she would think that she liked him. Sophitia giggled at the thought, but it was pretty clear that relationships took alot of time with Cassandra. Link had made record time it gaining Cassandra's recognition.
Link and Talim walked for what seemed like hours around the shorelines finding no shards or even picking up the presence of one, it was pretty much a wild goose chase. The elven swordsman looked back towards the docks with seriousness in his eyes feeling that this was a waste of time. However, looking back at the young, pure hearted Talim kind of reminded him of a few people he knew back in his homeland. He couldn't help but smile as she saw walked carefully along the coast behind him picking up the sea shells she came across here and there placing a few of them in her pockets. It was very touching.
Link looked out over the sea and sighed to himself softly. Talim giggled seeing this "How long has it been since you've walked on the beach Link?" she asked him. Link wished blessings to the sages for this spell that allowed him to use these languages and understand otherwise he would have gotten absolutely nowhere. Link looked back and sighed lightly, he hated talking about this past especially after all that had happened, he was glad he kept his story fragmented. He lacked the power that got him through the age of Gannondorf that had been blessed upon him by the sages at that time. Should he tell all that he had been through they probably would never believe any mortal could get through it alive.
Not that he would have blamed them. The odds against him were insane, had his friends not been along side him and had it not been for the potential provided by the sages giving him their strength, he would have never made it. "Link!" Talim's voice snapped him back into reality. Link looked at her and nodded as he remembered the coasts of Hyrule normally rocky and full of obstacles, these coast were lined beautifully with sand.
"About four years. Never really appreciated it." he said.
Talim smiled as she patted him on the shoulder "Well just wait till we're out on the ocean." Link shrugged as he looked back toward the docks.
"Can't wait." he sigh walking back towards the streets.
Link adjusted his hood before he continued traveling up the street back towards the docks when suddenly Talim stopped as she felt the dark presence buzz through her head. Link looked back to see Talim starring at a rather large house surrounded by a metal fence, it was at least three stories tall and it seemed the roof was accessible from the house.
It looked different from the other buildings around here, almost French or at least Talim assumed. "What's wrong?" Link asked walking closer. That is right before he felt the presence as well, he couldn't believe that they hadn't noticed it sooner. After all it was just a walk up the street from the docks and the Eternal Wind.
Talim closed her eyes as she felt the wind blow through the streets before she looked at Link her eyes narrowed with urgency "The fragment is inside." she said distinctly.
Link looked at the gate and then to her "Should we try to talk it out?" he asked as he pulled the gate open and walked toward the two large oak doors.
Talim looked forward as suddenly two men ran up to them "Uh oh." she muttered as they rushed forward each of them carrying rapiers, fencing weapons.
One held up his hand "Hold it. What business do you have here? The Don is a very busy man."
Link raised an eyebrow "Who?" he asked.
The man looked at him oddly wondering how either new or absent minded this cloaked stranger must have been. The other leaned over "Foreigner. Seeing the damn sights." he said to his partner wanting to avoid embarrassment. Link mentally huffed, they truly had absolutely no idea.
The guard turned back to them "The Don is a very busy man who came a few years ago and established trade here in Istanbul. He is the center of trade for many businesses as well. You have a business proposition for him or something?" Talim was about to answer no when Link spoke up.
"Yes. We'd like to see him if that is okay." the guards stepped to them holding out their hands.
"First thing is first. Turn over your weapon." one of them ordered.
Link was hesitant in turning over his sword but did so anyway though he was allowed to keep his shield which he could use as an effective weapon if need be. They apparently hadn't noticed the elbow blades hanging on Talim's belt, they didn't appear to be conventional weapons to their eyes. Because of this they were probably dismissed as tools or something of the like, perhaps they never gave any concern toward them.
They were then lead into the house, it was most definitely of a European style and it was pretty obvious that this guy didn't trust many types of people, most of them were of French or English decent. The main hall was large and possessed tall ceilings, a second floor walkway that was lead up to by a set of stairs about thirty feet in front of them. On either sides of the stairway which rested directly in front of them were doors that obviously lead somewhere.
At the top of the stairs was a pair of double doors and then walkways that moved to curve around on the walkway going back for a square pattern, obviously these doors lead to the study. The guards spoke of him "The Don is also a highly respected business man of Istanbul. He supplies what is needed to anybody at a lower price than the officials." Talim didn't believe it for a second.
She looked toward Link and got close "If he is the Don I've heard about we need to keep on our toes, I think he might be connected to the local underground trade." Link nodded as he eyed his sword on the guard's back as he pushed open the doors which lead into what appeared to be a rest room. He knew what Talim meant, he bought from and supplied shelter for thieves.
There were books on the shelves and a few plush pieces of furniture to relax in, there was another door directly across from them obviously that was the Don's office or meeting room. Whatever he wished it to be called, it was where they would meet with him either way. Link's wandering eyes eventually came to the other two figures that occupied the room obviously they were some of the Don's company. Neither of them seemed to have the same look of withdrawn hostility that the guards did and they each lacked weapons but that was pretty given as they were obviously not known by these people. The two guards from the outside walked through the door to the next room.
Talim decided to check these two out and looked up. One of them seemed to be of the same decent as those two guards, from a country in the North called France apparently. He wasn't really old nor young he was at the beginning of his middle years around the age of thirty-two or so, give or take a few. He possessed long blond hair a little darker than Link's, was blessed with piercing blue eyes and looked like a man of importance. He wore the kind of cloths one would expect of a man in the art of fencing, she knew of the style as a French traveler had once visited the village. He wore clothing of dark blue and deep red which included gloves, boots, a jacket over a long sleeved shirt and a sheath on his right hip though it lacked a blade obviously taken by the guards.
The Frenchman looked up at them nodding politely "Greetings. What business have you here?" he asked alot nicer than the guards outside had. Before Talim could explain Link noticed that the other one had gotten up.
"The same reason we are obviously." a much more youthful and rude voice said suddenly. Talim looked and glared at the other. Link looked him over. He possessed unnaturally red hair that even rivaled the crimson on the Frenchman's clothing, his eyes were a matching light brown. He wore clothing much like Talim's style only from the North of her home where he met her. It consisted of white and orange and mixing in of black. A sleeveless vest that showed off his collar bone and abdomen as well, he was younger than Link himself but obviously well crafted into a warrior from great amounts of training.
Talim looked at this younger man annoyed as her hands made fist "What may I ask are you doing here Yunsung?" she said spitefully it was pretty obvious they knew one another and it wasn't off good terms.
The brash teenager brought his arms to cross over his chest "I could easily ask you the same question Talim!" he shouted at her as the Frenchman stood "Though I already know the answer." he followed up with.
Talim sighed as she shook her head "Why can't you have any common sense and just go home?" she asked him almost painfully as if she didn't want him here. Link couldn't put it together, would they have to fight their way through them.
The Frenchman suddenly came up to Link leaning lightly against the bookshelf as he spoke "Do you know what their problem is?" he asked Link in his northern accent. Link shook his head admitting that he had never seen this Yunsung before.
"Not a clue, but I'm just going to stay out of it." Link murmured.
The man agreed before nodding his head to his fellow swordsman, he extended his hand then "Raphael Sorel." he said pretty sure that his name hadn't reached this far and even if it had the bounty was ineffective outside France's boarders.
The younger warrior shook his hand "Call me Link." he said feeling that man realized that in this world there were those that did not feel the need to possess last names.
Looking back Yunsung and Talim each turned on their heels back to back looking away from one another, obviously they had known one another before and obviously had their differences. Link however managed to put the simple math together, they were also after the fragment. Though it didn't seem that intended to fight over it.
Suddenly the door opened and a guard stood there holding a second Rapier in his hand, red and silver on the hilt and hand guard it was obviously Raphael's as the design seemed to match the sheath. "The Don will see you now." the Korean stepped away from Talim and through the door Raphael followed. Link adjusted his hood and followed them before being stopped by Talim.
Link looked down lightly at Talim as she looked up at him "Link listen to me. Yunsung and his partner seek the shards and sword for a negative purpose. I believe both of them want it for its power. As long as we are in this situation don't turn your back on anyone." Link nodded as he moved through the doorway.
They found themselves in a library. The door lead outward and it made a semi circle shape with the shelves, the middle of the curve being the doorway they stepped through. In front of them was a desk and another wall. On either side of the wall were doors that lead out onto the large balcony that could be used for parties and such. The walls behind the desk were also decorated with animal heads that had been brought back from the western lands.
The Don looked up from his place at the large desk at them, he seemed like a pretty average man in his middle thirties. He possessed blond hair that was neatly cut short, his flesh was only slightly tanned at he didn't get much exposure to the sun and his eyes were a dark shade. He was also dressed in a red formal outfit. He was apparently known as Don Charlot DeVal and from what could be seen he was obviously brought up to be in this kind of business. Though in most upbringings it didn't account for so many actions being less legal and moral than others.
The Don gracefully moved the pen feather back to the ink well placing it down before looking up at his guests "Odd. None of you are anybody I've seen before. Do you seek to establish a sort of business and need help setting up or do you wish to make trade connections."
Yunsung spoke up swiftly before Talim or Link could "We'd like to conduct a personal trade with you. We are willing to pay any price you name for an item that has come into your possession." he announced.
Talim stepped forward getting attention on her "And we are willing to beat that price." she retorted. Yunsung turned a leer at her, she just smiled smugly before looking back at the Don, Link however had figured on a few things and was formulating a plan to get his weapon back, the guards that stood at the door were on their ready. It was like they were hostile.
The Don looked at them as a look of interest came over his face he leaned back in his chair ever so much and looked at them "Interesting, but you must know that I charge more than just money for my personal possessions. Some people get lonely in this business, get my drift?" he asked. Talim was taken aback by this, she had figured this would be simple, Link only fumed at this hating people like him.
Yunsung meanwhile looked at Raphael as the Frenchman spoke "Unless Mina is up to this there is no way we're getting it." by his tone he obviously wasn't being true.
Yunsung looked back at Raphael "Don't be stupid. We both know if we even tried that, Kyle would kill both of us."
Raphael shrugged at the younger swordsman's words "I wasn't being stupid I was being sarcastic." he stated under his breath as he looked back toward the Don.
Link spoke up breaking the awkward silence in the room "I don't know about that as of now, but we are searching for a piece of metal roughly the size of a person's palm. It glows red and we have reason to believe you recently acquired it." the silence became dense once again as the Don looked at the cloaked stranger. The Don's hand idly went into his pocket concealed by the desk, Link and Talim could both feel the shards foul energy as his fingers brushed against the contents of his pocket. This man, Raphael showed signs that he felt it as well.
Yunsung looked at him and Talim and realized what they felt, he was almost prepared to make an offer when something happened that they didn't count on. The Don jumped up from his chair looking at his bodyguards, all four of them drew out their swords and held them up surrounding the four visitors. "What the hell is this!" Yunsung shouted.
DeVal spoke as he breathed heavily the fragment slowly beginning to corrupt his mind "Don't think you can fool me!" he said his voice haggard as he picked up his own rapier from behind the desk easily a better sword than any of the others, save the one Raphael had seized from him.
Talim looked at the man "You don't understand. That shard and the source of it are both evil. They will destroy your mind if you don't deny it. Please for your own good." the Don laughed as he walked past them toward the doorway. Talim pouted before she dropped her hands behind her back slowly ready to fight.
"I will present this to France as a gift. A powerful weapon that will end that pathetic peasant revolt that is taking up so much time." the Don laughed.
Raphael narrowed his eyes at the man as he looked toward his own rapier in one of the guard's hands "Your blood will be spilled today DeVal."
"We'll see. Men, get rid of them." The Don ordered. All four of them tensed up.
Meanwhile outside the mansion Ivy stood there on the dock as a figure about half a foot shorter than herself walked up, his face could not be seen but he was clearly young. He couldn't have been anymore than sixteen from his voice. He spoke up from behind her "We are ready for your orders Mistress." he said referring to her as such due to the fact that he was by law of defeat and of his own code her slave.
Ivy looked back toward him "Too many already seek that shard. If we cannot do this through negotiation, we'll have to do this through aggression. Report back to the Darkthorne and order that the two other ships be brought into the harbor. I want them ready to attack."
The young figure nodded bringing his hands to his sides before bowing softly a few strands of amber gold hair slipping from under the hood "As you command." he said walking back down the cove slowly the wind blowing the cloak around his back.
Ivy smiled to herself as she remembered besting him in battle back near the Silk Road and how he had been serving her since then "If only all my troops were as loyal and competent as that boy." she said as he vanished down the cove. Ivy closed her spyglass as she made her way onto another roof and sat in wait for the Black Wind's assault.
Next Chapter: The Battle of Istanbul
(Voice of Raphael) Once again Lady Luck has taken the side of another man and left me in the wake of her betrayal. Istanbul has seen many battles fought in the streets, however I believe that this might put a few events of the past to shame. Still DeVal can only possess so much and I seriously doubt that he would be raining fire down on his own mansion. The Black Wind, now things are getting interesting. They saved us the trouble of hunting them down like dogs.