Soul Calibur: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Thirteen: Alliance of the Seekers
Raphael watched as the shard went sailing through the air, at least put out of this woman's reach. He watched as she looked right at him with those piercing eyes before she smiled, turned and jumped off the side of the building saving herself with that odd weapon of hers. Still with his weapon in hand, Raphael rushed to the side as the shard fell into the fray which his Korean counterpart and the other seekers were fighting through. He noticed that the Lizardmen then started going for it while the woman made her way down near the docks and watched, obviously waiting for the fights to fizzle itself out.
The fallen master of the Sorel clan growled as he turned and ran back to the ladder he had accended from "I really don't need this kind of hell." he murmured as he slid down the ladder then dashed through the house coming into the main hall. The jade scaled Lizardmen and the soldiers of the Black Wind continued to over turn objects in the house leaving Raphael forced to dispatch them.
As he came back into the main hall, his gloved hand slid down Flambert's blade swiping the blackish blood from it. One of the Uruk-hai suddenly rushed into the house roaring "The fragments outside! Get out here worms!" he roared in a barely human voice.
Raphael looked up as this new one watched the others run out, moving swiftly he dashed down the stairs as the Uruk-hai turned. He stabbed the perfectly tempered tip of the Rapier pierced through the cheap iron sword and impaled the monster's face, Raphael pulled the sword out "Stupid beast." he said before he darted outside.
Looking up, he saw that Yunsung, his southeastern acquaintance and a rather attractive young blond woman were running for the ship. The other one had come out and was back with his cloak and hood, he had joined another group fighting off the monsters and doing well. Raphael joined in the fray not wanting to lose the shard.
Sophitia shouted loudly as she broke through two of the Uruk-Hai as one of the orcs took hold of the Soul Edge fragment gripping it as he did so. It looked up right in time to get smashed in the face with the Elk Shield which sent his nose into his skull with fatal results. The fragment landed near Kilik who turned swiftly to smash the Kali Yuga upside another one of the monster's head giving an impact fracture to the left side of it's skull. The shard dropped from its fingers but before Kilik could move for it another leathery foot kicked it away. He jumped up just dodging another blade as he came up the reverse of his rod smashing into an Uruk-hai's unarmored crotch causing it to tumble back.
Xianghua appeared stabbing it through on its way down and stood back to back with Kilik "Where is the shard?" she asked. With all the other life forces buzzing around it was difficult to get a fix on such a simple Soul Edge shard which emitted energy only when grasped.
"Where's Maxi?" Sophitia shouted.
"Back on the ship! We should pull away! More of the defenders are coming and we don't want to get caught in the cross fire!" Kilik announced. Taking up her sword Sophitia helped them move away toward the docks where the Black Wind's ship had finally sunk. Maxi was pulling the Eternal Wind out of the docks as they noticed the Defender's ship stopping, he didn't want to be in their way.
Sophitia, Cassandra, Yunsung and Talim all came to a stop at the edge of the harbor as several of the massive group of monsters started to break off from the square leading a newly arrived unit of the Defenders to chase them. Yunsung however knew that the shard they were seeking was still in the melee along with Raphael, Kilik, Xianghua and Talim's mysterious friend who was nowhere to be seen.
Ivy watched a little entertained as the fragment continued switching between owners until finally one of the Uruk-hai held it up roaring. Suddenly there was a swift movement as the hand and the shard went flying through the air, all of them backed away as the monster was then bisected. Ivy brought out her spyglass to look down and receive a glimpse of the figure that had been dress in the black cloak.
Link looked up as the shard fell toward the ground, the red glow waiting to be grasped again. He slowly extended his right hand which was currently without a shield and the fragment made impact, its weight lightly forcing the arm down. Ivy's smirking violet lips then parted in surprise, even as the figure cloaked his fist around the shard there was no exaggerated signal. In fact her cursed blood screamed at her that the energy signature was slowly dying down in his grasp. It was as if this young man had absolutely no evil within him. No dark side in which to tempt. Ivy narrowed her eyes "This child could be a real nuisance." she said holding up her weapon.
Suddenly as the Uruk-hai prepared to attack the Frenchman from before appeared behind one shoulder ramming him as hard as he could forcing several of them from the ground. The ship from the Defenders was docked in the harbor launching boats to shore not wanting to risk the ship being taken over. Several of them landed including a woman with dark red hair who appeared to be their leader she looked at Sophitia "You. Your Sophitia Alexandria aren't you?" Sophitia nodded. In this time many military groups knew of her face as they knew of what she did seven years ago in damaging the Soul Edge.
Link looked back at the Frenchman as he moved the fragment to the hand that held his sword before raising his right hand something clutched something. Kilik narrowed his eyes as he felt a sudden uprise in Link's soul and looked at the others and motioned toward the ship. Link suddenly moved hurling the object into the ground, Raphael quickly looked away as a explosion of light went off blinding most of the monsters surrounding him. Raphael ran forward following a running Link "What did you do kid!" he shouted.
Link looked back at him "Added a little of my own energy into a naturally grown flash bomb. Never mind that now, just move!" he shouted as they moved from the group.
The hoard slowly regained sight but this was right as the defenders started to go after the group with at least twenty well armed and trained warriors the bruised and battered Uruk-Hai and Lizardmen had little course of action than to leave. Though the Lizardmen had the advantage of being able to run toward the docks right past Ivy and make a quick paced swim for it all while the armored and thick bodied Uruk-Hai sank like rocks. Ivy looked back as she saw her vessel as it approached the docks, well out of range of the docked Defender's ship. The seekers had claimed what they came for, Ivy however just huffed deciding that the shard was out of her reach now and turned to make her way down the docks.
Suddenly as she walked an object hurled from the side, Ivy's eyes went wide before she jumped back and the blade of the weapon stabbed into the nearby wall. She narrowed her eyes as she easily recognized the Zanbatou that hung just near her, she jumped back away from it and whipped up her weapon which extended knocking it from the wall to stab into the ground between the attacker and herself. She looked up to she a miffed Seung Mina standing there.
Ivy smirked upon seeing Mina standing there glaring at her, Ivy straightened up "What? The lashing I gave you last time not enough?" she said.
Mina shook her head "I wouldn't have believe it unless I saw it. You are with the Black Wind."
Ivy scoffed as she recalled her blade together pointing it directly at Mina "Believe it girl! Because of who I am I have to be on someone's side and it certainly won't be of those that foolishly wish to take the sword." Mina glared at her as she stepped forward pulling Scarlet Thunder up and going into stance.
Ivy rolled her eyes "This isn't the same as your training." Mina narrowed her eyes, Ivy as before went with attempting to psyche the other fighter out with her little threats and overly confident demeanor. Seung Mina narrowed her eyes before darting forward at Ivy swinging the pole, the Valentine lashed out heading for Mina's abdomen.
The Korean warrior jerked to the side as the multi-segmented whip lashed fast her body and she swung up at the cord. The blade clashed with the cord and caught it, Ivy smirked before she whipped again just slightly. The wire suddenly snapped back wards sliding right through the segments of the blade back in to the hilt of Ivy's sword and before Mina could question the segments all returned to Ivy as well forming into the blade. Ivy smirked as she held her weapon "Oh I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that no matter how much one might try, this weapon cannot be broken or destroyed. I myself have tried it." Mina stepped back "Shit." she growled to herself.
Ivy moved to step away when Mina rushed her again "Now get out of my way!" she shouted as she lashed out her sword into its whip form which slammed hard against the Scarlet Thunder sending Mina back as an explosion of Ivy's own energy was added to it.
Mina fell back right in time to be caught, Ivy lightly huffed upon seeing this. The warrior from the night before stood there looking at her, he glared at her with some sort of forbidding leer that seemed to analyze her very soul. He glanced at Mina "Regroup with Yunsung and Raphael..." his eyes narrowed on Ivy as he felt out her very soul, reading out the energy from her "...I have something to discuss with this woman." he said darkly.
Mina looked at Kyle then to Ivy narrowing her own eyes knowing that Kyle was essentially the only other guy she knew who could fight Hwang evenly. Picking up her Zanbatou she wished him luck before moving toward the other end of the docks where the others were regrouping. Ivy held up her sword as Kyle looked at her his left hand idly held the hilt of the stained black sword, however there was also one across his back that looked like the one he carried only its blade was a brilliant bright silver. Valentine lightly twitched in her hand as the black bladed sword emitted a beating sound, another living sword but not nearly as free motion as her own.
Kyle looked at her before speaking "The scent of your blood is very familiar to my sword." Ivy raised an eyebrow at this comment as she realized that she had never before fought this boy and certainly hadn't been cut by his sword.
"Allow me to explain, the Oblivion has the ability to memorize the scent and taste of another blood once it has taken it in. Yet your blood is less aged than that of the one I seek." he said. Ivy looked at him blankly but then gasped as she realized what he was talking about.
The younger warrior looked at her noticing her body language "So now you know exactly whom I hunt, I'd expect that of a daughter. If your blood shares the natural concern that it normally does I'd warn him that I'm coming." Ivy realized this was no idle threat, but held no concern over it.
Ivy chuckled as she looked at him "Sorry to disappoint you handsome, but I actually couldn't care less what happens to him. Also, let me give you some advice if you want to avoid my wrath in the future, don't address me as that bastard's daughter." she stated somewhat threateningly.
There was suddenly the sound of another ship being blown by the winds as suddenly the feared ship known as the Darkthorne appeared right behind Ivy. The Guard ship was slowly sinking but it was odd that they would have the oars being used to back the black painted ship in to the harbor. Kyle stepped back narrowing his eyes knowing that this woman was not his concern, but he felt a very dark power coming from inside the ship but it wasn't malevolent enough to be that of the Soul Edge. Ivy looked toward the ship that now only had its deck visible above the water as the rock bed had caught it.
Somebody suddenly jumped up from the already lost ship landing on the docks, Ivy lightly smirked as she saw that he had enough sense to keep himself hidden. At this point several of them were keeping point waiting for the Defender's ship to arrive as well as their own ship. Cassandra looked toward this new figure, he like Link wore a black cloak but was shorter by about three inches. A few dark blond bangs poked out from the hood as he looked at them, he was obviously younger than herself, from what she could see of his face he couldn't be much older than sixteen.
He looked back lightly as he moved toward the Darkthorne, a few of the arriving Defenders rushed him ordering him to stop. They obviously didn't expect him to fight back as he jumped to the side slamming his knee hard into one stomach before drawing a blade from over his shoulder, it was a short bladed katana of sorts. Bringing the dull side before the soldiers neck he pulled sharply taking him off balance before sending him over the side of the deck. Ivy just watched from her place now on the deck of the Darkthorne that was more than ready for a fire fight with the Defenders if their ship dared to move. Once he reached the Darkthorne he dropped his cloak which was soaked anyway.
Kyle looked at him lightly as he backed away he possessed almost dark golden hair going down to the middle of his back. His decent couldn't be seen, but it was apparent that he had mixed blood, his eyes at just a glimpse were a powerful blue while his face bore that of one who knew the fires of battle. Suddenly something opened in the back of the ship, a large trap door which gave the boy access to the deck. At the sound of the wood clapping against the dock Talim turned from her position her eyes landing on the boy, she had only a glimpse before he entered the ship but had enough time to gasp. (yeah another OC)
Cassandra reached out grabbing Talim by the arm as she tried to run toward the ship, somehow driven by some unknown force "Are you crazy! That crazy bitch can strike you down before you get there!" she shouted.
Ivy lightly smiled as Kyle narrowed his eyes at what he saw just past the shadows into the hull of the ship. Ivy smiled before she spoke "Like what you see? It is truly amazing how powerful the larger fragments can do, but only a sliver of the sword charged with our leaders power can do spectacular things to other living things that don't have the mental capacity to fight back." Ivy looked at Mina as she rushed up coming into stance "I can't leave my favorite distraction alone without a playmate now can I?" she laughed.
With these words there was the sound of dropping chains before something jumped right out of the gap that had opened in the back of the ship. Kyle's left arm on instinct moved in front of Mina as he saw this thing. It obviously had once been a four legged animal of some sort, but it had grown large and it was fierce as it glared at them. A pair of large horns came from its head though they went backwards it was obvious that this thing was all about brute force. It possessed grayish remaining fur ,but its blood shot eyes showed the insane bloodlust it was suffering. It stood at around twelve feet tall and was clearly a threat, Kyle closed his eyes lightly as he held up his sword.
Ivy laughed a sadistic nature in her voice before she dropped her gaze to look right at them "I always wanted to fool around with the Soul Edge's true power. This is merely an example of it. It pales in comparison of what it has allowed me to pull from the underworld. Hopefully our little pet can entertain you." Mina stepped forward still confused by the situation. When she had originally met Ivy the temptress had been on a journey to find and destroy the Soul Edge and had initiated battle with Mina when it became apparent she was after it. Two years ago she had heard that the same woman was running with the Black Wind. This Ivy was not the same one that she had fought so long ago, she was far too sultry and outspoken, the old Ivy was withheld and forbidding.
The Lizardmen on deck all seemed to be entertained by the fact that they had at least done a good amount of damage, though officially they had failed their objectives and lost many troops. They stood back as Ivy walked down towards the edge of the ship with a clearly disappointed expression on her face. It might have gone better had it not been for the interference, though she half wished that Renzor would have been there to take charge of his kind. She had realized that she was not a great tactician unless she only had to worry about herself, the numbers went against her own ability.
Isabella Valentine looked back lightly as her young servant walked up to her looking at the monster as it prepared to further the damage to Istanbul and possibly a few of those that sought their leader's sword. He looked up at her for a few seconds before he spoke "Wouldn't it be wiser to wait for the shard to become approachable again?" he questioned dryly.
Ivy shook her head towards this young man that somehow surpassed many of those twice his age in both ability and knowledge "No. We don't need to be followed, and just because they have it for now doesn't mean we can't retrieve it later." she assured him.
The boy nodded "I see. Sorry."
Ivy smiled at him placing her hand on his shoulder "No appologies nessesary, dear boy." she said kindly. Ivy was once again left to wonder how he could be so loyal with no offer of reward while the others were often pretty worthless and hoped for their share once the Soul Edge managed to spread its influence farther.
As the Darkthorne escaped from Istanbul aided by those at its oars and a good wind that pushed it South the others were left with this behemoth of a goat. Kyle held up the Oblivion his other hand held the other blade but it appeared that he didn't plan to use it.
Mina breathed "Ready?" she asked, Kyle nodded slowly as he glared at the monster ready as ever. Suddenly there were footsteps as Raphael and Yunsung rushed up to join them each of them ready with their weapons.
"What kind of an example would I be if I stood back." Raphael said to the trio of younger fighters. Yunsung ignored this as he got ready to go.
Meanwhile back on the other side of the docks Link removed the shard from the folds of his cloak while looking right at the monster. Cassandra looked to her left as Jack ran up having been taking shots at the running Uruk-Hai, he breathed "What the hell is that!" he shouted.
Sophitia drew out the Omega Sword when suddenly Link raised the Rothion's Sword cutting her off before looking at her "You stay here." he said before placing the fragment he had collected in her hand. As Link moved to join the four warriors that had already assisted them more than enough Sophitia turned to Talim who still seemed to be in a bit of shock. Cassandra shouted as she suddenly dashed forward after Link.
Yunsung looked to his right as Link suddenly joined them "You again, eh?" Raphael looked as well before nodding "Help if you must, but whatever is in this thing is ours." he said before rushing forward gracefully. Yunsung followed running much faster and with much less control than Raphael. Jumping up Yunsung brought up his foot to smash across the monster's jaw, however Yunsung landed in pain.
He looked up "That things head is like stone!" he shouted realizing that such a tactic wouldn't distract it any more than it would piss it off. Cassandra suddenly ran up holding up the Alpha Sword "Then get around it!" she shouted as he stabbed her sword into it's side. He turned to snap at her but she managed to turned and run drawing her sword across the things rear left leg.
Raphael stood back as he pulled Yunsung to his feet "I think it would be a good plan to stand back." he said as he backed up. Kyle stepped back as the monster snapped at him then quickly jumped forward slashing vertical to the ground breaking the skin around its jaws. It roared pulling back moaning like a goat in the slaughter.
Link pulled away as Kyle seriously looked at him "Do you think you can distract it for a few seconds?" he requested.
Link nodded as he looked up toward it and saw the motion of movement "Cassandra! Get away from that thing!" he screamed right before the monster swung its head slamming into Cassandra and sending her flying a short distance. She landed on the ground, falling back in pain.
Seung Mina rushed up helping Cassandra to her feet and lead her away from the monster, Kyle glared at the monster as it threatened to go after Seung Mina and the other girl "Oh no you don't." he growled glaring at the monster holding up his sword. As the monster prepared to attack an arrow flew from the right stabbing into the monster's left eye, it roared in pain as two more struck it doing more than enough to force it to drop its guard.
Kyle reversing his sword ran at the monster and jumped up on its lowered head, he then kneeled raising his sword before bringing it down dead center on its back. The long sword punched through the monster's spinal cord and into its heart. It roared as it bucked Kyle off, he landed rolling into a stance holding up the sword however before he could make another move another arrow flew by much stronger than before.
It glowed a very thin aura of blue as it flew through the air before striking the monster in the forehead. The arrow didn't break though it went at least two feet through the monster, it slowly groaned before it fell to the ground. The twin wounds brought out its lifeblood and the monster slowly died a rather miserable death on the docks of Istanbul.
The entire team seemed relieved as Sophitia ran to join Link and the hurt Cassandra. "Uh stupid." Cassandra whimpered holding her shoulder which seemed to have been dislocated. Link looked at her as Sophitia spoke "Hold her still." she ordered.
Link pulled back his hood and did so, kneeling behind Cassandra and holding her by the shoulders, Sophitia then gave Cassandra's right arm a sharp push into the shoulder. Cassandra let out a cry of pain as her arm was forced back into place, Link pulled her close to him holding her close "It's alright." he whispered.
Cassandra softly breathed as she felt Link hold her once again. It was a feeling that she wasn't exactly used to, as she had never been the most open to sympathy, yet it didn't feel out of place for her. It was something warm and touching that she could melt into. Link carefully pulled her to her feet before they moved back toward the others, Cassandra lightly holding her sore shoulder. The sound of Maxi's shouting as he came back to the dock a comfort and promise that the battle was finally over.
Sophitia meanwhile approached the other four of them who had gathered around the carcass of the monster. The one apparently named Kyle reached into the hole that was present in the monster's forehead and drew something out, it glowed red and seemed to be no bigger than a toothpick. A sliver from Soul Edge.
Narrowing his eyes he allowed it to drop to the ground before he stamped his foot into it grinding. The sliver of demonic steel was crushed a decomposed under Kyle's heel. Even if they sought the shards, it was far to insignificant to be of any true worth. Mina softly shook her head as she leaned on her weapon "So what do we do now?" Yunsung asked seeing that they had lost their chance at the shard. They didn't want to fight with the other seekers. It would be unjustified.
Kyle huffed lightly yet seriously not getting any of the information he wanted out of that woman "I don't know." he growled as the Darkthorne was already out of sight.
Raphael crossed his arms as he looked back at the approaching Eternal Wind "Personally the thought of joining these people has crossed my mind."
Before they could even consider the suggestion of their eldest member, Sophitia had closed the gap with the group "That sounds like it could work well, but first we'd like to hear your story." she stated. The ship which apparently belonged to this group was now docked, Mina spoke up "Alright. Lets go boys." she said following Sophitia.
Yunsung seemed pretty sour about all of this as he followed "Something wrong my eastern friend?" he asked.
He crossed his arms tighter "When I first started searching I requested to join these people. Essentially their members from Japan blew me off. After saying no they drew their blades and threatened to use them." he complained. Kyle crossed his arms knowing that these two both wanted the sword for their own reasons, Raphael would use it to bring France back to peace through fear, Yunsung wanted to succeed where his idol had failed.
Seung Mina still claimed that it would bring honor to her father's dojo, but had plotted with him to destroy it. Kyle however, was only with them for the sake of his desired revenge against the former wielder of the Soul Edge and he only fought because he realized it would lead him to the object of his vengence.
Eventually the entire group was standing on the docks, the Defenders were regathering at their own ship on the other end of the dock while their own ship was ready. Maxi stepped down from the ship stretching out "Just like you guys to hog all the action." Kilik and Xianghua chuckled.
Maxi looked at Yunsung and the others as they stood there they were looking for the one who had claimed the shard but it seemed that he was checking things on the ship along with their gunner. Kilik looked at Kyle as he spoke "You people also seek the fragments and the sword. Why?" he asked.
Kyle scoffed "Don't ask me, I just cart them around."
Yunsung was about to speak up when Talim decided to keep him quiet "They do not search for the same reason we do. They seek to use the swords power to their own ends. They will become the next Nightmare if they get it." she warned Kilik. This resulted in Yunsung making fists and shooting a light glare at her, he firmly believed that no blade could control a person.
Raphael shrugged as he sheathed Flambert "I only plan to use it to scare those fools in France into halting their pathetic little personal war. Simply the fact that it is in my possession will force them to do as I say. After they are convinced you can do whatever you damn well please with it, rest assured that I will not be taken over by a blade." he promised. Sophitia would have admitted that his resolve was admirable had Siegfried had not been the same a lifetime ago.
Talim shrugged at Raphael as Yunsung just stood there "And are you still going with the whole 'I have to defend my country' excuse?" she said scornfully remembering when he had confronted her and made her lose the shard she had. Sophitia found it obvious that they knew one another. Seung Mina just sighed as she knew Yunsung was going to let his mouth get ahead of him.
Hong Yunsung took a step forward "Look Talim. The reason I search is my own business. It is really none of your concern, and second it isn't an excuse. I will protect my country with the power that sword holds." he said rather passionately.
Raphael lightly shrugged "If you want to destroy it after I am done with it you may. I don't care. Because myself and Yunsung both want it we're playing first come first serve." Yunsung looked at Raphael. They had been traveling together a while before they joined Seung Mina, under the threat that if they didn't allow them to Mina would personally drag him back to the dojo.
Sophitia spoke up suddenly a little saddened by Yunsung's purpose "There are many swords that possess power in this world. Is it really necessary to chase after something that others seek to destroy or capture?" she asked as a matter of factly.
Yunsung turned away rudely "What do you know lady?" at this he received a swift slap to the back of his head. Yunsung turned to look right at Raphael standing there with his eyes narrowed and his teeth clinched "What was that for!" he shouted.
Raphael snatched him by the arm and pulled him off to the side "You've been seeking the Soul Edge for a year and yet you don't know anything about it! That woman standing there is Sophitia Alexandria, the founder of the White Wind and the woman who shattered one of the Soul Edge blades years ago. Show some respect you twit." he said sternly.
While Raphael lectured Yunsung, Kyle and Mina discussed this between them and eventually nodded then they turned to Sophitia "If we were to travel with you and follow your sixth sense we would eventually run into Nightmare and the Immortal Pirate won't we?" he questioned sounding like he had a mighty resolve.
The fact that he questioned Nightmare concerned Sophitia and made her wonder just how Athens had managed to be left in the dark to the fact that he had returned. Rumored claimed that Cervantes still plundered the seas and only after she had learned that the Soul Edge was still in the world did she realize how his existence was still possible. Sophitia shook off her thoughts and nodded her head grimly "There is no doubt about it." they would have to if they were going to succeed.
Kyle took a breath before he stepped toward the respected woman "We will travel with you. We have no desire for the sword. And we will keep those two out of trouble." Sophitia thought it over and sighed "I honestly don't know. We'll have to think about it." Kyle nodded.
Talim shook her head unable to believe that Sophitia was even considering this before she stepped up the ramp, Maxi lightly shrugged as he watch Talim walk by "Kids." he murmured. Sophitia walked up the ramp to Maxi while Kilik and Xianghua spoke with Kyle and Mina who stated that they had a shard of one of the sword secure at the dojo and they're intentions were not the same as Yunsung and Raphael's. Maxi spoke up "So I'll take it they may be coming with us."
Sophitia shook her head "I'm not sure. Lets wait for Link and Cassandra. We should all have a say in this..." she looked at Kyle and Mina "But I feel we can trust them." suddenly they all looked up as one of the Defenders walked toward the ship.
Sophitia stepped down the ramp as she realized it was the female leader from before, she saluted being an ally of the Defenders. The red haired captain saluted back before nodded Sophitia to ease. She stood about Sophitia's height possessed short cut red hair and interesting enough wore no armor outside of the chest plate, iron bracers and upper body chain mail. She had a rather impressive figure that would make for more of a prized wife than a soldier, however Sophitia saw the raw power that was possessed by her body.
"We appreciate your help Lady Sophitia. But I must ask why you're in this area, with the other members of the White Wind."
Sophitia didn't know how this woman knew so much but answered anyway "We were just getting supplies. One great piece of luck though."
The woman and Sophitia continued talking, she introduced herself as Captain Katherine Chambers that had been working with the Istanbul unit as they attempted to locate a new commanding officer, it explained her Germanic accent. Eventually Sophitia managed to tell her everything that was happening, that they were traveling because she had reason to believe that the Azure Nightmare was not truly dead. The recent actions of the Black Wind also seemed to support the theory that the malevolent group had not disbanded. Chambers however didn't seem pleased as she soon discovered that Sophitia planned to finish it once and for all.
"Lady Sophitia, you have no need to fight any longer. You have a man who loves you and your future has been laid out in front of you, after all you have done I see no reason that you must continue to take up the sword. Leave the Soul Edge to us." Sophitia knew of her fame in Europe and she also realized that her humble nature was well known.
Sophitia shook her head "I just cannot do that. I cannot lay down my sword until it is all over. My children will not be born into the possibility they must face this kind of hell, my burden will not be their own."
Captain Chambers nodded at this "It is your purpose. God speed to you Sophitia, but do not hesitate to call upon us for help, we share the same goals as you after all." she said before she turned to walk back to the ship. Sophitia sighed as she watched her walk away, her and her people had the same resolve as so many others who sought to destroy the sword. Hopefully they're hopes for the future would not be in vain.
Next Chapter: On The Move Once Again
(Voice of Kyle) Fate is a thing that can never be foreseen or predicted by any mortal man within the Gods given limits. Now we run with the White Wind in hopes of finding and destroying both the sword and those that serve its evil. That man with the strange ears tells a story of a country in the untraveled seas, it might fool the others but it will not fool me. What is your story Link?
OOC: rubs hands Whew! Long chapter.