Disclaimer: I don't own Soul Caliber, Tekken or any of it's characters. They all belong to NAMCO. I don't own anybody from the Zelda Series they belong to Nintendo. I do not own Spawn or Necrid either, Todd McFarlane does. And if you want the copyright info on the Original Characters it is in my profile.
Author's Note: Okay to answer questions let me just start by stating that Necrid, Charade, Edgemaster, Spawn and Heihachi already have set places in this story. You can stop requesting for who should appear now. Also concerning Spawn because I am so sorely disappointed in his design I will base him off what I have been before in the movies and comics. And if anybody has a full index of his powers please E-mail them to me.
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Fifteen: Voyage on the Red Sea
It wasn't but around three days later that both ships of the alliance were traveling down the Red Sea. The trip through the Suez Canal went very well as they managed to pick up a decent amount of wind from the North, Raphael was beginning to think that perhaps Talim's prayers to the Wind Deity were not as false as he expected. Rather by faith or luck was obvious that Talim was a factor of their fair travel so far, but he had noticed the their youngest member seems melancholy for some odd reason ever since they left Istanbul, she didn't say but they all suspected something was wrong.
Now about a quarter of the way through the Red Sea they were getting good pace and they had plenty of supplies to last them till they reached India and the Harbor of Souls. There they would meet two others that would help them and at this rate they were ahead of their estimation. Stephan, having much more experience at sea going that Kyle had decided to go with the Four Blades group and was doing an excellent job onboard their ship although Strife continued to call the shots. And it was becoming constant for messages to be delivered between the two ships.
The ship that was being piloted by Kyle's group was known as the Nightwraith. As before it was made for both speed and maneuverability but it was not designed to get involved in a fire fight. It was about three fifths the size of the Eternal Wind and seemed to be given more of a stylish shape to it. It was a swift, beautiful, and distinctive red ship known more as a private vessel belonging to the Seung Dojo, used to transport students to tournaments taking place in Korea and China. Its bowsprit resembled the head and beak of a bird, and the sail closely resembled a pair of wings. Apparently a joint venture between Korea and China it was one of the faster ships in existence, lent to them under the order of Mina's father. Though Kyle had to go through alot to convince him. (Around the size of an average Yacht)
The ride seemed to be going smoothly as they sailed over the waters of the Red Sea. Naoyuki, a young man of Japanese and Korean decent (also a student from the Dojo) with more experiance in piloting the Nightwraith stood at the wheel while the others were around. Link and Talim had boarded the Nightwraith that morning seeing as how they needed training room on deck, nobody complained as Link wanted to know more about them, Talim wanted her space and Cassandra was just getting her arm back under her control. Both ships had also been tied together with a long rope to avoid them getting separated, the Eternal Wind had more of an ability to pull other ships anyway.
At this point things were going rather well the ships were sailing not to far from one another only about fifty yards with the Eternal Wind trailing behind. Raphael sat on the back of the ship boredly wondering what was happening back in his homeland. Yunsung stood at the stairs that lead to the helm idly watching Talim who stood at the port side railing just watching the water ripple. Their elven eared guest meanwhile stood at the front of the boat looking to the South, their apparent leader meanwhile sat just shy of him his eyes closed as he thought over what he was doing. Seung Mina and Stephan meanwhile was below checking the supplies.
Yunsung looked at Link and Kyle each of them seemed to have so much ambition of what they were doing than any of the others. Neither of them had spoken much at all since leaving Istanbul, Yunsung huffed lightly not caring. However Talim's depression was beginning to get to him he didn't know what had been eating at her but it was obviously something that was her business as he had asked only to be told off. Ryo leaned lightly on the wheel "You should try talking to her again. I know you have had your brushes but seriously I don't know how much longer I can look at her like that." he said. Yunsung sighed, Ryo was about a year older than him and seemed to know alot more on people than himself "I'll try..." he said cutting off.
Link had noticed Kyle sitting there for quite some time and was beginning to wonder, Sophitia had told him and Talim about what he said about not being after the sword. He had heard these lines before, he was clearly no patriot, the only other reason he could possibly be traveling was to confront one of the members of the Black Wind. That would explain why he confronted that woman in Istanbul. Link then noticed that Kyle was looking at him, he chuckled "Hm. Your truly not from this realm are you?" Link raised an eyebrow "How did you-?" he started only to be cut off "I guessed it from the start. Nobody struck by the evil seed can remain so human in both body and soul." Link lightly huffed at this.
Kyle lightly stretched as he crossed his "You've no need to worry. I'll keep your secret. It will probably help us avoid any more of Yunsung's idiotic questions." he said looking away. Link shrugged his shoulders before looking at him "They can believe what Talim told them. The others know the full story." Kyle scoffed "I've no interest in your past. I only live in my own moment." he said coldly. Link crossed his arms deciding that this was as good a time as any "Well if you won't listen, why not talk?" he asked.
Kyle Strife turned looking up at him with his emerald eyes his serious nature remaining constant "Say what?" he asked confused. Link looked at him, still turned toward the ocean "Tell me your story. Why do you seek the Soul Edge?" there was a few seconds of silence before Kyle sighed. He stood to his feet his right hand clutching into a fist as he reflected "I don't seek either of the swords. Just their one time owner, the Immortal Pirate that devours souls." Link nodded showing he was listening.
"Ten years ago that bastard attacked my clan's village and murdered several of them including my parents. Seven years ago the Evil Seed went off and drove the rest of them insane, I had no choice but to defend myself. While I survived my brother was murdered by the blades of our own. I am the last of that order, I live because I encountered the swords directly. I will not rest until that man and his blade ceases to exist." Kyle said all of this with a hateful resolve in his voice, he was clearly leaving no room for forgiveness and he was surely not going to let another take his target's life "Only Mina knows. The others wouldn't understand."
Link nodded as he spoke looking at the fellow swordsman "Believe me I do. I never knew my parents yet I knew the man was responsible for their death and I've already taken that piece of revenge. Though I can't imagine the pain of knowing your parents and then losing them." Kyle nodded claiming that he had gotten over the depression, he just wanted justice. Link spoke once again "I can understand that. Just don't allow vengeance to consume you. Don't go out seeking another to blame for your misfortune." Kyle nodded to this before he chuckled "Mina's father gave me enough speeches on that. You needn't worry about my well being or my cause. Just remember that unless he attacks you and you must fight he is mine." he said before stepping away.
Link watched as the mysterious Kyle Strife walked away vanishing down the stairs into the lower decks, truly he was a man of great skill. Link shook his head before looking back over the ocean wondering if he'd ever see his own again. Talim had watched all of this and figured that those two had more in common than she thought, she sighed as she hung back over the railing her mind drifting. She honestly didn't know what to think sure everybody made mistakes but everything about that young boy that boarded the Darkthorne matched up too well. Even though it had been over a year since she last saw him she couldn't believe that he would ever join the Black Wind.
Talim's hands moved to be placed at her temples unable to continue thinking about this. Her mind screamed at her that she did not see what she thought she saw. 'It was just a coincidence Talim! I has to be a coincidence!' she shook her head before she sank down her back against the railing as she sat there. "Are you alright?" a voice came, she looked up slowly seeing Yunsung and lightly sighed "No." she admitted. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked showing that he had no interest in continuing a rivalry. Talim shook her head "I just really need time to think." Yunsung nodded before sitting down next to her.
Talim looked at him lightly sighing "Wanna change the subject?" she asked. Yunsung nodded "Gladly. Can you tell me exactly what the deal is with your friend?" he asked. Talim looked at Link unsure if his sensitive ears could pick them up "He has had alot happen to him. He is not from around here as you might have guessed." Yunsung nodded at this looking at him "Evil Seed or not I can tell that much from his cloths." he said. Talim nodded smiling slightly, of course Raphael and the others from the west must have found their attire strange.
Yunsung continued to talk to her eventually coming back to Link's ears "Do they serve any kind of purpose? I mean are they just like that or can he like hear us from where...he is..." he said his voice dropping into a whisper. Talim giggled at this before shrugging "I don't know. He really hasn't brought much up on himself and it isn't like he has heard through our ears." Yunsung nodded. He then smiled "And considering what I've seen of him it isn't likely he'd be cooperative in a hearing test or something." Talim's left hand moved to her mouth stiffening a giggle. Link meanwhile unseen rolled his eyes as he turned his attention from the two of them.
Yunsung brought a hand to his chin looking at her "What is his story exactly? I mean he seems very defensive of where he came from?" Talim was about to start speaking but remembered just how hard it was for Link to get his story out to the others. It was unlikely he'd want these unlikely allies to know of his past. While it was obvious the White Wind wouldn't find any difference, him simply not being exactly human might cause any trust they have toward him to waver. They didn't need a rupture in this allegiance, they might even accuse such a story as being an excuse as some demons were known to take humanoid forms.
Talim shook her head at Yunsung "He has been through alot. He doesn't like his past to be thrown out, it isn't my place to answer you. Sorry." Yunsung looked back to Link able to see that he wasn't exactly the most positive man around "Its no problem. I don't think he trusts us quite yet." Talim nodded. Yunsung decided to change the subject off of Soul Edge and their journey completely and they just started reflecting. Eventually Talim's concerns about the young man had been forgotten.
Back on the Eternal Wind Maxi stood at the helm while Cassandra stood at the front of the ship her arm hanging at her side still in pain but she could at least lift it. Kilik and Xianghua were below decks, it wasn't her business what they were doing. She tossed the thought from her mind as she looked ahead of them through the telescope she had found admiring the clear waters of the Red Sea. Eventually her eyes came to rest on Link who came into view just as the Nightwraith was turning. His sword and shield was at his side and he seemed to be just standing there, she watched his hair lightly blown by the wind, it seemed she was unable to tear her eyes from him.
"Cassandra?" a voice suddenly came from behind, she quickly lowered the telescope turning to see her sister standing there. Sophitia looked at her wondering what she had been doing but decided that wasn't her business she however seemed very serious "How is your arm?" she asked. Cassandra brought her arm up and down wincing lightly but nodded "It will be okay." she said wondering why her sister was being so deep. Sophitia nodded before she stepped forward looking over the waters "Don't you feel that?" she asked. Cassandra was confused "What?" she asked displaying this. Sophitia looked back "The Soul Edge...part of it is near." she said hauntingly.
Back on the Nightwraith Yunsung and Talim were still talking at this point "But seriously why did you come to the village six months ago?" she asked. Yunsung shrugged "At that point I was still on my own searching, I felt some sort of energy from that area. It was too pure to be Soul Edge though. Sorry I got carried away I guess." Talim giggled lightly bringing up one of her elbow blades "You were the one who ran remember. I don't think Alun liked you." she said with a smile referring to her sparrow that she had sent home knowing that he would find his way.
It had turned out that Kyle also had a pet bird, a beautiful hawk called Silverbolt. It had been kept in a cage below decks while they were in Istanbul, just the day before she had seen him send it off from onboard the Eternal Wind. It was a rather large hawk and its name fit it rather well, as its wings were such a bright shade of gray it appeared to be a luster of silver. It was likely that Kyle just wanted to send it out to feed. Being that she had an adoration of birds she had always wanted to see a hawk up close but had never gotten the chance. She however wouldn't have the chance to think on this longer.
Suddenly Talim's sixth sense of the Soul Edge shot up as she felt it, she quickly jumped to her feet feeling it out. Link looked at her as she got up and dashed to the other side of the ship scanning the water, Link looked at her "Whats going on?" Yunsung ran up asking. "Soul Edge. I feel it again!" she shouted. Knowing that feeling from the shard Link had possessed before he handed it over to Sophitia knowing that she would be a better guard to them. Talim continued to scan the waters before she made action "There! Look!" she shouted pointing toward the water.
There was an odd shadow moving in the water that their ship floated upon, while Talim and Yunsung had no clue of what to make of it Link was narrowing his eyes. His ears perked up as there was a distinct thumping in the energy, was that a pulse? Suddenly it moved coming up fast it broke through the water "Back off!" Yunsung shouted. Talim and Link both fell back on the Korean's order as they saw something very bizarre rise up from the water levitating almost. Link narrowed his eyes as he now knew what he was sensing "Soul Edge." he growled knowing that aura by now.
The water slowly drained over it going around its many cracks and canals in its round organic body. It pulsed and contracted like that a heart large veins in its body being pushed out as it did so, it was as if a man's body had been transformed into this creature. A single eye opened as it floated toward the ship, it was large and with an amber pupil was a menacing sight. It was surrounded by what appeared to be several rocks or possibly bone it couldn't be told however in several portions of its body something else could be felt, pieces of the Soul Blade.
Raphael watched from where he sat as the odd creature floated forward to land on the deck before his three companions. It levitated over the deck as all of the pieces fell to the deck landing with a thumping sound of wood being impacted by the unholy substance of the pieces. Suddenly it levitated against spinning and all the fragments followed joining into it, all of them fell into position and suddenly it strung to life, four limbs shot outwards. Everybody stepped back as it then fell its weight smashing into the deck rocking the ship. It then looked up, there was a head but it was just made out to look human, in the center protected by the multiple fragments of bone was the strange creature.
It looked at those before them as Raphael stepped down from the rear of the ship drawing Flambert taking a long look at the creature as it seemed to adjust itself more of the pieces falling into place eventually what appeared to be hands appeared, each finger tipped with a claw. Yunsung stepped back lightly "What is this thing?" he gulped. Talim looked at it deeply in its eye it glanced around mindlessly the presence from the shards obvious, she spoke as she pin pointed them "It has six shards with it! There is one of the Soul Edge in its body. And five of the Soul Blade. Two in its legs, two in its arms and one in its head!"
Raphael looked at the young priestess not believing it "You mean to tell me that this sin against nature is made out of six shards?!" Talim nodded as she brought up her elbow blades in the event that it was truly an enemy. The eye moved around within the plated body of bone looking over them, it beat again as it looked back toward the Eternal Wind feeling more missing parts of itself. Its eye then turned to Link scanning over his body slowly. Was it watching him or was it searching out the shards?
The creature had no other thoughts only to consume the other shards and return to its former glory. Its looked at the first it saw the odd one with long ears, smelling the scent of the shards upon his hands. It gave a low breathing sound, almost like a hiss as it looked at them bringing up one of its clawed hands to stiffen into a claw, the segments of bone rubbing together. They all seemed to back off as the monsters bladed fingertips seemed to extend to a point threatening to attack. Only one thought went through its mind, to gather the pieces of its shattered source from them and keep them safe until it could rejoin with the blades that it came from.
The monster suddenly made a movement and dashed forward its body moving faster than they expected. Yunsung grabbed Talim by the arm pulling her sharply as the monster's claws came down just missing her. Raphael got ready with his rapier "I don't think this think intends to discuss its problem with us." Talim straightened up as she took her stance, Yunsung followed up with his sword. Link meanwhile growled as this monster as it moved to stand between him and his sword and shield. And the Master Sword had been left behind on the Eternal Wind in Sophitia's care.
Talim spoke up suddenly as she noticed Link's hesitation "Link! Do you remember those rumors that we heard back in India?! About the creature with the eye of Soul Edge?!" she shouted. Link's eyes blinked then narrowed at the monster as he remembered exactly what it was. Raphael chuckled holding up Flambert "So this is the infamous Charade. I'm be honest I am not impressed." the monster's eyes didn't show any change as it brought up its claws ready to use them taking his aim at the elven and the young girl.
Next Chapter: Soul Edge's Charade
The Four Blades and the White Wind go up against the first creature created from a fragment of Soul Edge. Composed only of raw flesh, blood and bone it proves itself extremely powerful and with only it's claws defeats two of the Nightwraith's better warriors. Only after does it set its sights toward the Soul Fragments onboard the Eternal Wind with only the wish to kill to collect in its mind.
Also the Profiles for Anubis and Diablos have been added to my site. If I can find proper images next will be Renzo and Karenna. Drake and Kyle have also been updated. The site is of course: http://neo-stars.tripod.com/SCII_OC_PROFILES.htm
Author's Note: Okay to answer questions let me just start by stating that Necrid, Charade, Edgemaster, Spawn and Heihachi already have set places in this story. You can stop requesting for who should appear now. Also concerning Spawn because I am so sorely disappointed in his design I will base him off what I have been before in the movies and comics. And if anybody has a full index of his powers please E-mail them to me.
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Fifteen: Voyage on the Red Sea
It wasn't but around three days later that both ships of the alliance were traveling down the Red Sea. The trip through the Suez Canal went very well as they managed to pick up a decent amount of wind from the North, Raphael was beginning to think that perhaps Talim's prayers to the Wind Deity were not as false as he expected. Rather by faith or luck was obvious that Talim was a factor of their fair travel so far, but he had noticed the their youngest member seems melancholy for some odd reason ever since they left Istanbul, she didn't say but they all suspected something was wrong.
Now about a quarter of the way through the Red Sea they were getting good pace and they had plenty of supplies to last them till they reached India and the Harbor of Souls. There they would meet two others that would help them and at this rate they were ahead of their estimation. Stephan, having much more experience at sea going that Kyle had decided to go with the Four Blades group and was doing an excellent job onboard their ship although Strife continued to call the shots. And it was becoming constant for messages to be delivered between the two ships.
The ship that was being piloted by Kyle's group was known as the Nightwraith. As before it was made for both speed and maneuverability but it was not designed to get involved in a fire fight. It was about three fifths the size of the Eternal Wind and seemed to be given more of a stylish shape to it. It was a swift, beautiful, and distinctive red ship known more as a private vessel belonging to the Seung Dojo, used to transport students to tournaments taking place in Korea and China. Its bowsprit resembled the head and beak of a bird, and the sail closely resembled a pair of wings. Apparently a joint venture between Korea and China it was one of the faster ships in existence, lent to them under the order of Mina's father. Though Kyle had to go through alot to convince him. (Around the size of an average Yacht)
The ride seemed to be going smoothly as they sailed over the waters of the Red Sea. Naoyuki, a young man of Japanese and Korean decent (also a student from the Dojo) with more experiance in piloting the Nightwraith stood at the wheel while the others were around. Link and Talim had boarded the Nightwraith that morning seeing as how they needed training room on deck, nobody complained as Link wanted to know more about them, Talim wanted her space and Cassandra was just getting her arm back under her control. Both ships had also been tied together with a long rope to avoid them getting separated, the Eternal Wind had more of an ability to pull other ships anyway.
At this point things were going rather well the ships were sailing not to far from one another only about fifty yards with the Eternal Wind trailing behind. Raphael sat on the back of the ship boredly wondering what was happening back in his homeland. Yunsung stood at the stairs that lead to the helm idly watching Talim who stood at the port side railing just watching the water ripple. Their elven eared guest meanwhile stood at the front of the boat looking to the South, their apparent leader meanwhile sat just shy of him his eyes closed as he thought over what he was doing. Seung Mina and Stephan meanwhile was below checking the supplies.
Yunsung looked at Link and Kyle each of them seemed to have so much ambition of what they were doing than any of the others. Neither of them had spoken much at all since leaving Istanbul, Yunsung huffed lightly not caring. However Talim's depression was beginning to get to him he didn't know what had been eating at her but it was obviously something that was her business as he had asked only to be told off. Ryo leaned lightly on the wheel "You should try talking to her again. I know you have had your brushes but seriously I don't know how much longer I can look at her like that." he said. Yunsung sighed, Ryo was about a year older than him and seemed to know alot more on people than himself "I'll try..." he said cutting off.
Link had noticed Kyle sitting there for quite some time and was beginning to wonder, Sophitia had told him and Talim about what he said about not being after the sword. He had heard these lines before, he was clearly no patriot, the only other reason he could possibly be traveling was to confront one of the members of the Black Wind. That would explain why he confronted that woman in Istanbul. Link then noticed that Kyle was looking at him, he chuckled "Hm. Your truly not from this realm are you?" Link raised an eyebrow "How did you-?" he started only to be cut off "I guessed it from the start. Nobody struck by the evil seed can remain so human in both body and soul." Link lightly huffed at this.
Kyle lightly stretched as he crossed his "You've no need to worry. I'll keep your secret. It will probably help us avoid any more of Yunsung's idiotic questions." he said looking away. Link shrugged his shoulders before looking at him "They can believe what Talim told them. The others know the full story." Kyle scoffed "I've no interest in your past. I only live in my own moment." he said coldly. Link crossed his arms deciding that this was as good a time as any "Well if you won't listen, why not talk?" he asked.
Kyle Strife turned looking up at him with his emerald eyes his serious nature remaining constant "Say what?" he asked confused. Link looked at him, still turned toward the ocean "Tell me your story. Why do you seek the Soul Edge?" there was a few seconds of silence before Kyle sighed. He stood to his feet his right hand clutching into a fist as he reflected "I don't seek either of the swords. Just their one time owner, the Immortal Pirate that devours souls." Link nodded showing he was listening.
"Ten years ago that bastard attacked my clan's village and murdered several of them including my parents. Seven years ago the Evil Seed went off and drove the rest of them insane, I had no choice but to defend myself. While I survived my brother was murdered by the blades of our own. I am the last of that order, I live because I encountered the swords directly. I will not rest until that man and his blade ceases to exist." Kyle said all of this with a hateful resolve in his voice, he was clearly leaving no room for forgiveness and he was surely not going to let another take his target's life "Only Mina knows. The others wouldn't understand."
Link nodded as he spoke looking at the fellow swordsman "Believe me I do. I never knew my parents yet I knew the man was responsible for their death and I've already taken that piece of revenge. Though I can't imagine the pain of knowing your parents and then losing them." Kyle nodded claiming that he had gotten over the depression, he just wanted justice. Link spoke once again "I can understand that. Just don't allow vengeance to consume you. Don't go out seeking another to blame for your misfortune." Kyle nodded to this before he chuckled "Mina's father gave me enough speeches on that. You needn't worry about my well being or my cause. Just remember that unless he attacks you and you must fight he is mine." he said before stepping away.
Link watched as the mysterious Kyle Strife walked away vanishing down the stairs into the lower decks, truly he was a man of great skill. Link shook his head before looking back over the ocean wondering if he'd ever see his own again. Talim had watched all of this and figured that those two had more in common than she thought, she sighed as she hung back over the railing her mind drifting. She honestly didn't know what to think sure everybody made mistakes but everything about that young boy that boarded the Darkthorne matched up too well. Even though it had been over a year since she last saw him she couldn't believe that he would ever join the Black Wind.
Talim's hands moved to be placed at her temples unable to continue thinking about this. Her mind screamed at her that she did not see what she thought she saw. 'It was just a coincidence Talim! I has to be a coincidence!' she shook her head before she sank down her back against the railing as she sat there. "Are you alright?" a voice came, she looked up slowly seeing Yunsung and lightly sighed "No." she admitted. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked showing that he had no interest in continuing a rivalry. Talim shook her head "I just really need time to think." Yunsung nodded before sitting down next to her.
Talim looked at him lightly sighing "Wanna change the subject?" she asked. Yunsung nodded "Gladly. Can you tell me exactly what the deal is with your friend?" he asked. Talim looked at Link unsure if his sensitive ears could pick them up "He has had alot happen to him. He is not from around here as you might have guessed." Yunsung nodded at this looking at him "Evil Seed or not I can tell that much from his cloths." he said. Talim nodded smiling slightly, of course Raphael and the others from the west must have found their attire strange.
Yunsung continued to talk to her eventually coming back to Link's ears "Do they serve any kind of purpose? I mean are they just like that or can he like hear us from where...he is..." he said his voice dropping into a whisper. Talim giggled at this before shrugging "I don't know. He really hasn't brought much up on himself and it isn't like he has heard through our ears." Yunsung nodded. He then smiled "And considering what I've seen of him it isn't likely he'd be cooperative in a hearing test or something." Talim's left hand moved to her mouth stiffening a giggle. Link meanwhile unseen rolled his eyes as he turned his attention from the two of them.
Yunsung brought a hand to his chin looking at her "What is his story exactly? I mean he seems very defensive of where he came from?" Talim was about to start speaking but remembered just how hard it was for Link to get his story out to the others. It was unlikely he'd want these unlikely allies to know of his past. While it was obvious the White Wind wouldn't find any difference, him simply not being exactly human might cause any trust they have toward him to waver. They didn't need a rupture in this allegiance, they might even accuse such a story as being an excuse as some demons were known to take humanoid forms.
Talim shook her head at Yunsung "He has been through alot. He doesn't like his past to be thrown out, it isn't my place to answer you. Sorry." Yunsung looked back to Link able to see that he wasn't exactly the most positive man around "Its no problem. I don't think he trusts us quite yet." Talim nodded. Yunsung decided to change the subject off of Soul Edge and their journey completely and they just started reflecting. Eventually Talim's concerns about the young man had been forgotten.
Back on the Eternal Wind Maxi stood at the helm while Cassandra stood at the front of the ship her arm hanging at her side still in pain but she could at least lift it. Kilik and Xianghua were below decks, it wasn't her business what they were doing. She tossed the thought from her mind as she looked ahead of them through the telescope she had found admiring the clear waters of the Red Sea. Eventually her eyes came to rest on Link who came into view just as the Nightwraith was turning. His sword and shield was at his side and he seemed to be just standing there, she watched his hair lightly blown by the wind, it seemed she was unable to tear her eyes from him.
"Cassandra?" a voice suddenly came from behind, she quickly lowered the telescope turning to see her sister standing there. Sophitia looked at her wondering what she had been doing but decided that wasn't her business she however seemed very serious "How is your arm?" she asked. Cassandra brought her arm up and down wincing lightly but nodded "It will be okay." she said wondering why her sister was being so deep. Sophitia nodded before she stepped forward looking over the waters "Don't you feel that?" she asked. Cassandra was confused "What?" she asked displaying this. Sophitia looked back "The Soul Edge...part of it is near." she said hauntingly.
Back on the Nightwraith Yunsung and Talim were still talking at this point "But seriously why did you come to the village six months ago?" she asked. Yunsung shrugged "At that point I was still on my own searching, I felt some sort of energy from that area. It was too pure to be Soul Edge though. Sorry I got carried away I guess." Talim giggled lightly bringing up one of her elbow blades "You were the one who ran remember. I don't think Alun liked you." she said with a smile referring to her sparrow that she had sent home knowing that he would find his way.
It had turned out that Kyle also had a pet bird, a beautiful hawk called Silverbolt. It had been kept in a cage below decks while they were in Istanbul, just the day before she had seen him send it off from onboard the Eternal Wind. It was a rather large hawk and its name fit it rather well, as its wings were such a bright shade of gray it appeared to be a luster of silver. It was likely that Kyle just wanted to send it out to feed. Being that she had an adoration of birds she had always wanted to see a hawk up close but had never gotten the chance. She however wouldn't have the chance to think on this longer.
Suddenly Talim's sixth sense of the Soul Edge shot up as she felt it, she quickly jumped to her feet feeling it out. Link looked at her as she got up and dashed to the other side of the ship scanning the water, Link looked at her "Whats going on?" Yunsung ran up asking. "Soul Edge. I feel it again!" she shouted. Knowing that feeling from the shard Link had possessed before he handed it over to Sophitia knowing that she would be a better guard to them. Talim continued to scan the waters before she made action "There! Look!" she shouted pointing toward the water.
There was an odd shadow moving in the water that their ship floated upon, while Talim and Yunsung had no clue of what to make of it Link was narrowing his eyes. His ears perked up as there was a distinct thumping in the energy, was that a pulse? Suddenly it moved coming up fast it broke through the water "Back off!" Yunsung shouted. Talim and Link both fell back on the Korean's order as they saw something very bizarre rise up from the water levitating almost. Link narrowed his eyes as he now knew what he was sensing "Soul Edge." he growled knowing that aura by now.
The water slowly drained over it going around its many cracks and canals in its round organic body. It pulsed and contracted like that a heart large veins in its body being pushed out as it did so, it was as if a man's body had been transformed into this creature. A single eye opened as it floated toward the ship, it was large and with an amber pupil was a menacing sight. It was surrounded by what appeared to be several rocks or possibly bone it couldn't be told however in several portions of its body something else could be felt, pieces of the Soul Blade.
Raphael watched from where he sat as the odd creature floated forward to land on the deck before his three companions. It levitated over the deck as all of the pieces fell to the deck landing with a thumping sound of wood being impacted by the unholy substance of the pieces. Suddenly it levitated against spinning and all the fragments followed joining into it, all of them fell into position and suddenly it strung to life, four limbs shot outwards. Everybody stepped back as it then fell its weight smashing into the deck rocking the ship. It then looked up, there was a head but it was just made out to look human, in the center protected by the multiple fragments of bone was the strange creature.
It looked at those before them as Raphael stepped down from the rear of the ship drawing Flambert taking a long look at the creature as it seemed to adjust itself more of the pieces falling into place eventually what appeared to be hands appeared, each finger tipped with a claw. Yunsung stepped back lightly "What is this thing?" he gulped. Talim looked at it deeply in its eye it glanced around mindlessly the presence from the shards obvious, she spoke as she pin pointed them "It has six shards with it! There is one of the Soul Edge in its body. And five of the Soul Blade. Two in its legs, two in its arms and one in its head!"
Raphael looked at the young priestess not believing it "You mean to tell me that this sin against nature is made out of six shards?!" Talim nodded as she brought up her elbow blades in the event that it was truly an enemy. The eye moved around within the plated body of bone looking over them, it beat again as it looked back toward the Eternal Wind feeling more missing parts of itself. Its eye then turned to Link scanning over his body slowly. Was it watching him or was it searching out the shards?
The creature had no other thoughts only to consume the other shards and return to its former glory. Its looked at the first it saw the odd one with long ears, smelling the scent of the shards upon his hands. It gave a low breathing sound, almost like a hiss as it looked at them bringing up one of its clawed hands to stiffen into a claw, the segments of bone rubbing together. They all seemed to back off as the monsters bladed fingertips seemed to extend to a point threatening to attack. Only one thought went through its mind, to gather the pieces of its shattered source from them and keep them safe until it could rejoin with the blades that it came from.
The monster suddenly made a movement and dashed forward its body moving faster than they expected. Yunsung grabbed Talim by the arm pulling her sharply as the monster's claws came down just missing her. Raphael got ready with his rapier "I don't think this think intends to discuss its problem with us." Talim straightened up as she took her stance, Yunsung followed up with his sword. Link meanwhile growled as this monster as it moved to stand between him and his sword and shield. And the Master Sword had been left behind on the Eternal Wind in Sophitia's care.
Talim spoke up suddenly as she noticed Link's hesitation "Link! Do you remember those rumors that we heard back in India?! About the creature with the eye of Soul Edge?!" she shouted. Link's eyes blinked then narrowed at the monster as he remembered exactly what it was. Raphael chuckled holding up Flambert "So this is the infamous Charade. I'm be honest I am not impressed." the monster's eyes didn't show any change as it brought up its claws ready to use them taking his aim at the elven and the young girl.
Next Chapter: Soul Edge's Charade
The Four Blades and the White Wind go up against the first creature created from a fragment of Soul Edge. Composed only of raw flesh, blood and bone it proves itself extremely powerful and with only it's claws defeats two of the Nightwraith's better warriors. Only after does it set its sights toward the Soul Fragments onboard the Eternal Wind with only the wish to kill to collect in its mind.
Also the Profiles for Anubis and Diablos have been added to my site. If I can find proper images next will be Renzo and Karenna. Drake and Kyle have also been updated. The site is of course: http://neo-stars.tripod.com/SCII_OC_PROFILES.htm