Soul Calibur: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Twelve: Battle of Istanbul Pt.2
The street outside the mansion had turned into a battlefield in itself as the lower class orcs attacked the four higher trained warriors while the three Lizardmen and about fifteen Uruk-hai headed into the mansion's courtyard. On the roof a pair of men could each be seen drawing their swords, one under control the other very hurried about it. All the while a woman on another roof watched, and the three men on deck of the Eternal Wind continued to hammer off the opposition who dared to set foot upon the treasured ships with means of spilling blood.
Kilik shouted as he brought the end of Kali-Yuga up hard in a jabbing motion slamming it into the throat of a nearby orc, a gorey crackling sound was heard as it fell to the ground dead. Kilik then quickly twisted smashing the sacred rod into the next opposer before bringing it to rest under his shoulder just as the monsters rushed the mansion "We can't hold them off forever!" he shouted. Cassandra growled as she swung her shield hard smashing it into the nearest orc's face, it was a new feeling but she knew how these creatures came to be. They had no soul and certainly no lives. No loss on her part.
Sophitia went low with the Omega Sword allowing it to impale through another one's abdomen before stepping back to take her stance and kick it back "Does anybody have any bright ideas?" she asked swiftly. Cassandra looked up towards the doors as the group around them seemed to retreat they were only being distracted.
She looked onwards knowing that they had to do something "I need a volunteer." she said. Xianghua accepted knowing that Sophitia and Kilik were easily the more skilled of the four. They then began to advance toward the mansion.
"Ah damn!" Yunsung shouted as the doors were broken down and the hoards of the Black Wind moved up at them. Talim and Yunsung couldn't hope to hold all of them off as several of them ran at them. Suddenly there was a quick movement right before the shaft of an arrow buried itself into one of their heads, going right through the monster's armor.
It caused several of them to topple over as they tripped over the corpse. Yunsung looked up to see Link standing on the other side taking shots at the creatures with his bow from the top of the stairs. Talim looked at Yunsung as the monsters recovered "Come on." she shouted before pulling him after her.
Moving toward the window Talim and Yunsung both jumped falling a floor before landing on the overhang of the front door, quickly recovering from the short fall Yunsung pulled Talim to her feet and they found themselves in the middle of the brawl. As Yunsung moved to stab at one of the monsters, Cassandra appeared swiftly giving it a kick to the head. She was breathing heavily and Yunsung didn't know what to make of her at this point, they had obviously been defending them for a while. "Talim where is Link?" Cassandra asked. Talim sheepishly looked back toward the mansion.
Xianghua twisted Kali Yuga in her hand before looking at Yunsung "Who is this?" she asked. Yunsung looked at her knowing her as one of China's former higher ranking swordsmaidens that was dropped in rank after the destruction of Soul Edge.
"That doesn't matter." he snapped at her holding up White Storm ready as the monsters approached them "I think we have bigger problems than that!" he shouted pointing at the oncoming group of Uruk-hai.
Xianghua looked at the Athenian swordsmaiden "Cassandra. Just find Link and get out of there!" she ordered.
Cassandra took advantage of the monsters regrouping and headed inside the Alpha Sword at her side ready to move. The monsters were raiding the place searching for the fragment and obviously not having any luck at this point. Cassandra ducked aside as the one on the top of the stairs roared, judging by the bodies with arrows in them Link was giving them alot of trouble.
Suddenly, there was a horn sounding in the distance, the leader reacted by roaring as he pointed outside essentially demanding they defend the house from the upcoming invaders. Cassandra then watched as he rushed through a door after somebody obviously Link. The other two stood on guard. Cassandra breathed as she tried to think of something.
Link breathed as he had retreated into the library after managing to slay several of their searchers, however seeing the better armed Lizardmen made him back off for the time being to collect himself. Link turned around as the doors to the Don's office were suddenly kicked in only to be slammed again, he looked up seeing the monster that apparently was leading these forces. The gold chest plate and the double edged spear set him apart from any of the others. It narrowed his orange red eyes at Link before drawing back its arm and hurling the weapon at Link hopping to skewer him.
The swordsman quickly moved as the sword pierced through his cloak before stabbing into the far wall. Link looked up narrowing his eyes before the monster before him drew a shield and short sword, he looked at the monster sizing him up. Oddly it brought back memories from his first journey across his land, of the savage beings that wielded needle swords and simple shields as well as a resemblance to reptiles. Link replaced his bow on his back sliding it behind his new blade's sheath "Guess I'm not as far from home as I originally thought." he said before dropping into stance tossing the cloak to the floor.
The Lizardman growled, his jaws stained a light pink from a previous battle, a foul breath emerged as he gave an open mouth snarl. Link narrowed his eyes as it spoke "Die!" it groaned before rushing forward. Link still seemingly unarmed jumped to the side hard as the monster took a swing at his head, his hand went to his belt and he hurled something. It looked like bent stick, but as the monster looked up he found himself impacted right in the snout stunning him and allowing Link to get some distance. The strange weapon curved and returned to the elven who smirked before replacing it on his belt.
Cassandra breathed slowly before she rushed the two Lizardmen again going low before twisting and bringing the blade of the Omega sword up "Get out of my way!" she shouted in anger. The spear that the monster wielded broke in half as the blade made contact, Cassandra then spun with his left arm smashing her shield into its head. A few teeth could be seen flying with the mixed blood as its skull was crushed in and it ceased movement, the other one which carried a halberd snarled in anger before turning from where it was at the shattered window. Cassandra narrowed her eyes before huffing and rushing into the library where Link was.
As Cassandra rushed through the doors and looked up "Link!" he shouted as she saw the monster rush at Link taking a snap with it's jaws. Link dodged to the side before kicking the monster across its snout with a jumping kick, the monster growled before swinging hard. Link stepped back just in time as the blade cut a gash near the shoulder of his tunic, he moved toward the entrance of the room to meet up with Cassandra just as the other one broke in. They both ended up back to back as the two scaled terrors circled them "Are you alright Link?" she asked. Link nodded "Yeah. Don't try to block, they strike to hard." he said his right arm aching him.
Cassandra nodded as she felt the sword sheath on his back against hers "Got a plan?" he asked her quite simply as he gripped his sword. Cassandra shook her head as she kept her eyes glared at her pursuer "Not really. Just keep your eye on the ugly one." Link nodded showing no humor as he kept his stance, Cassandra looked back at her target as Link slowly slipped his shield off his arm "You die!" The leader roared before running at Link. The other followed suit, Link moved dropping the shield catching it at the end to smash it across the monster's face.
The younger of the Athenian sisters looked back pulling her leg back before twisting, the monster made a stab, but just missed before she smashed her heel traveling at high speeds into its back. She ignored the sounds of clanging steel as Link and the leading Lizardman fought eventually there was the sound of shattering glass. Cassandra looked back to see that both of them had smashed out the balcony doors. Cassandra huffed "Men. Always having to do things the destructive way." she murmured before turning her attention back to her opponent.
Link ignoring the pain of a few scratches from the window raised the hilt of his sword and brought it down hard on the monster but it managed to blunt it and kick him off. Link cursed himself for trying such a maneuver and quickly raised his sword and shield again, the monster growled before it rushed at Link swinging the short sword at him in anger. Link breathed as he adjusted his cape on his head keeping his ears in check as the monster and him circled one another waiting for the other to move.
Ivy meanwhile continued to watch Raphael and DeVal do the same thing having had nothing so far but a few clashes. DeVal was endlessly stressed out by the sharp whilst her old acquaintance Raphael Sorel remained calm and collected as always. Looking down from her place on opposite roof she spotted the leader of the attack and the new fighter from behind. Ivy lightly shrugged "Seekers just keep dressing odder and odder." she told herself as she continue to watch the two Frenchmen go at it, though eventually her attention was drawn back to Link and the Lizardman.
Link shouted as he dashed at the Lizardman who looked on ready to hold up his own shield however this didn't go as planned. The second Link was only a few feet from the monster he went down low tossing his sword to be held in his right hand blade down. He then came up hard in a powerful sweep that twisted him. The monster let out an ear splitting roar as the blade penetrated through its chest plate armor bending it inwards.
Ivy watched entertained as the swordsman came up to chain his attacks, he took another swipe slapping the blade from the monster's right hand then hunkered down bringing his blade off to the side. Link getting up his strength suddenly jumped into the air in a spinning motion the blade sent the commanding monster with him contacting two more times before he dropped fifteen feet to the ground.
Ivy watched the movements of the mysterious warrior impressed with just how much control this fighter had over his body, the monster then fell to the ground head first resulting in a rather familiar cracking sound. The boy then breathed as he looked over his slain opponent kneeling lightly at the corpse grabbing it by the snout and checking its neck. He breathed in relief as if the monster lacked something, perhaps a mark or something. She didn't understand, but this boy was none of her concern as she turned back toward Sorel and DeVal.
Raphael chuckled as the brought back his left hand which held the precious Flambert and swiped it up deflecting yet another one of DeVal's blows from his own sword. Raphael was obviously disappointed "What a waste of time." he said as he swiped up cutting a deep gash on the man's shoulder. The Don held his free hand which grasped the shard of the Soul Blade to his wound the shard soaking in the blood. Ivy watched with anticipation, it was a simple matter of jumping down there and retrieving the shard once one of them was the obvious victor.
Sorel studied DeVal as he went back into stance holding the shard against his chest, this ruined the basic balance and he had no style to him. The Don rushed Raphael suddenly and swung hard his weapon clanging against Flambert, he then pulled back drawing the sword across Raphael's wrist hardly even breaking skin. "Give up yet!" the Don asked as if completely out of his mind which would be expected.
Raphael looked at his wound which failed to even break through his gloves and deciding that it was time to end this, he looked up to answer the question "To be honest..." he narrowed his eyes speaking much more mercilessly "I'm irritated." he then moved forward.
Ivy watched as Raphael moved forward and swung hard sending the Don's sword from his hand and off the roof striking the body of the deceased Lizardman only seconds after the boy had retreated back inside. Raphael then moved his right hand catching DeVal's countering punch, he then moved forward pushing the Don stumbling. Then expertly and rapidly fast her made several consecutive jabs with his sword, only the tip of the blade penetrating flesh right before he drew all the way back and sent the blade through the Don's heart the gathered energy blowing him backwards.
Ivy Valentine smiled as she saw this glad that the sane had won this one, she looked back toward the harbors as she took notice of another ship coming into the area. Looking through the spy glass she found that it bore the seal of the Defenders and that horn from earlier meant they would come on foot too. Ivy knew that the Darkthorne would be arriving soon to pick her up as the other guard ship was doomed as it is, looking down at Raphael as he approached the downed victim of Soul Edge she decided to just grab it and be done. Though she was a little bit concerned for her servant onboard the still remaining guard ship.
Link walked back into the mansion looking up to see that the other Lizardman was done for, its skull had been collapsed and Cassandra was lightly holding her left arm obviously having brought it down a little hard. Link looked at her handy work as he picked up his cloak "Not bad." he stated.
Cassandra sheathed her sword at her side crossing her arms "Clumsy beast tripped." she pointed out a little disappointed. Link nodded looking toward the main entrance as there was still sounds of combat going on "We'd better help the others." he said. Cassandra nodded and they both headed out in the effort to escape the closed quarters of the mansion.
When they arrived outside they found that others had arrived on horseback and were going blade to blade with the monsters. All of them wore standard silver armor and possessed either spears, swords and shields or hand held axes, obviously these were the defenders that Sophitia spoke of earlier. But now there were many more monsters from the ship that was slowly sinking from the Eternal Wind's cannon fire. Link drew his sword and shield once again as the Uruk-hai and Lizardmen continued to out number the other members of the White Wind.
Yunsung and Talim soon appeared. Cassandra moved forward grabbing Yunsung's shoulder causing him to face her "What the hell is going on out here!" Cassandra shouted.
Yunsung looked back at the Black Wind's guard ship "The Defenders have arrived but it looks like they had more on that ship than we thought."
Talim looked around "We need to get to higher ground! Back to the Eternal Wind." she pointed to the ship that was just through the hoards.
Yunsung breathed in keeping his blade ready before rushing forward at the gathering mob "You people better be behind me!" he shouted as he made his blitz.
Raphael breathed as he flipped Flambert and caught it at it's handle "Hurph. Even beast know when they should give up." he said to the possessed man who laid there still clutching the shard even in death. Raphael wasn't going to risk getting close and in desperation raised his sword cutting through the man's wrist causing the hand to go limp and release the shard. As he thought it was the real deal, it glowed crimson like the ones they had seen earlier slowly Raphael kneeled to pick it up with his gloved hand.
Suddenly Raphael heard the wind alter, being cut by something coming from above. He turned in time to see something slam down into the roof and then exit up through the Don's hand sending the shard flying up into the air. Raphael growled as he saw it was a weapon. Not to be outdone by a scavenger Raphael quickly looked back tracking the bladed rope to its owner, a women wearing a cloak and rather scandalous leather. He moved hard as the shard fell to the roof landing in the center however just as he rushed up ready to attack the woman, the weapon retracted completely into a sword.
The French swordsman jumped back as it was then swung at him the short blade just missing him and he looked at the woman. She looked right back at him a smile coming to her face, it was pretty obvious he wouldn't recognize her as their last meeting was fourteen years ago before her father became completely obsessed with Soul Edge and his family became involved in the private war going on in France. Something truly was familiar about her to him, but he couldn't put his finger on it, he knew nobody with such flawless platinum hair.
He held up the Flambert toward her narrowing his own cold eyes "Kindly and slowly step away miss. I do not wish to draw to blood of a lady or a woman. But I will if I must." he demanded rather delicately.
Ivy closed her eyes smiling "A man of grace and integrity to the end. Unbelievable." she murmured to herself before holding up her sword ready to fight him. Raphael looked down below slightly then to the shard, Ivy took her chance and rushed him swinging the broader short sword. Raphael held up his own blade to block pushing back against Valentine as it approached him, Ivy smiled.
Raphael then out of retaliation kicked the shard to get her attention off him, he however didn't count on it going right off the roof falling right toward the hoards on the ground. Ivy looked up as this happened, as much a chance as her forces had of getting it so did the Defenders or the White Wind. She growled before she swung her leg kicking him hard in the side, he buckled lightly but moved up to swing at her. Ivy avoided it as she jumped back and ran toward another building, the Ivy Blade went out with a snap catching the side and she used it to slide down the side. Raphael then looked toward the crowd as pandemonium ensued.
This was going to get a lot worse before it got better.
Next Chapter: Alliance of the Seekers
(Voice of Yunsung) I guess I should have expected this kind of resistance sooner or later, but the fact that the original members of the Black Wind are still in their ranks is something that our group was hoping for. It means that the sword is probably still with them too. I don't know what to make some of these people, but an invitation to join the efforts of the White Wind sounds appealing. That'll have to wait however, can't let Talim and Raphael have all the fun with this new monster they just unleashed.