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.
Authors Note: Okay due to several e-mails and reviews I will say that I am not entirely sure if I will place Taki with anybody in this fiction. It is unknown if I will even involve her partner from a decade ago she apparently fell into a relationship with prior to the destruction of Soul Blade. But if anybody cares there is some information in this chapter.
Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Thirty-One: Agony of the Betrayed
Sophitia's heel lightly came down onto the floor as she came to a halt in the middle of the large main hall, her eyes acted on their own going through a well practiced scan of the room. Cassandra and Xianghua both moved to the doors eager to close the most likely point on entry. As the young warrior from the east closed the doors, the second of the Alexandria sisters lowered the heavy wooden beam sealing the door from conventional entry. Kyle meanwhile moved across the hall to a door that lead into the other courtyard and closed the dead bolt on it, preventing entry from the training yard.
Taki stepped forward holding the captured guard by the back of his armor, she spoke lightly but in the hissed voice of a snake on its last ounce of patience "Call Katherine Chambers here at once. We have little time as it is." she said. The young guard who probably wasn't any older than seventeen nodded his head before she turned him loose "You don't have to lead me along. I'll go and find her please stay here and do not cause any trouble if any of the others come upon you." he said before he began to move away.
"Hold it." a voice spoke up, the young man looked back as Xianghua stepped forward to join him "As a representative of China, it would probably be best if I spoke with Captain Chambers first. That way she would no we are not here to cause trouble." the young man nodded before he continued walking. He was without a weapon and seemed pretty calm at this point she doubted he would turn on them at this point, turning to give a slight nod to Kilik she followed the young man up the stairs that lead up then curved at a window that over looked the training yard before going up.
Most of the group separated and took their placed among the main hall. Taki stayed where she was at the stairs one hand resting on Rekki-Maru as always while the other gripped the handrail. Mitsurugi idly leaned against the door lowering his eyes to the floor deciding to catch a little rest while they waiting. Yunsung joined Link and Cassandra who began discussing how they thought it would go, Yunsung growled for a second. "Whats wrong?" Cassandra asked him. Yunsung looked around "I'm catching a lot of negative energy." he said.
Cassandra looked up as Sophitia approached them alongside Kilik who held his staff "We feel the same but it is different, it isn't the same as a piece of the Soul Edge or Blade. This energy is something that is just as otherworldly but it seems to have a lot of emotion wrapped around it." Kilik pointed out. Link may have been able to feel power in the air but only when it was being displayed withheld it was like looking for a corn kernel in a field of wheat. But to Kilik the emotions of hatred and depression could easily be felt over the air.
[How could everything have gone so fucking wrong?!] this was probably all he could think at this point, even after a month of searching he was still gaining no progress in his seemingly impossible search for the blade called Soul Edge. He had heard that the last holding of the blade was in Venice somewhere but in the end it turned out that there was none of the sword's energy in the area. It was obvious that wherever this man he had targeted was he was no longer with the Soul Edge and had nothing of it, not even a sliver.
[If I would have known that it would have been this fucking hard I would have told that prick Malbolgeia to stay where he was and stick it.] but if he ever wanted to return to his world he was going to have to carry out the orders of the maniacal demon and find the demonic blade called Soul Edge. It wasn't like it would have been a smart idea to turn down a big shot in Hell after being sent there yourself, especially when he was offering you a second chance at life. If he should be able to retrieve it he could return to the portal, return to Malbolgeia and be given back his life.
[Then I'll be able to see Wanda again.] he breathed mentally as he looked toward the fortress called the Defender's Keep. While he could still feel no shards of his target he felt a pulling toward the place from his clinched fist. He opened it to find the only shard he was in possession of the be rumbling violently as if it was pissed at something or someone. The creature showed a great deal of hesitation in following the shards wishes before he jumped off the roof of a church looking back with a slight sneer at the stone cross.
In mid leap however he suddenly felt it, a concentration of the Soul Edge's energy emanating from the other side of the city. His heavy feet came down on one roof as he turned to look toward the sea spying a large amount of ships pulled into a harbor. The signal was weak. As if something was trying to keep its energy from seeping out but finally the energy of the Soul Edge had broken through and was calling to those wishing to possess it. He changed his destination mentally telling his shard to silence itself as he headed toward the harbor. Sure the Soul Edge was known for its ability to manipulate its users, only problem was the sword couldn't take control of him as he had long been damned.
Katherine Chambers looked down at the other warriors recognizing several of them from the battle of Istanbul where they were forced to fight off the Black Wind's forces. Her fiery red hair lightly fell over her shoulders and she noticed a lightly shocked stare from one of the warriors that wore a cloak, but paid it no mind as she stepped down the stairs toward Sophitia followed by Xianghua and the front gate's guard who seemed to still have a nostalgic expression on his face as the two women met. Xianghua rejoined them and they began to speak.
Link's ears perked up as he noticed Chambers hail Mitsurugi over from across the room, it was beginning to get common as he kept seeing such resemblance in so many people. This woman whom he had failed to meet in Istanbul was the striking image of Malon, his best friend's lover and his long time friend. This was of course less shocking than the similarities between Sophitia and Princess Zelda and then there was Talim's friend and Seth, another Sheikah warrior. He continued to listen murmuring to Cassandra what they were saying.
Chamber's faced Mitsurugi as he nodded his head in a greeting, she did the same before she spoke "I was wondering when you would come back to check on your investment." she said obviously referring to the wounded Siegfried he had carried to Venice.
He nodded his head "We have also come for the blade that rested in his chest, is it still around?" he asked. Chambers seemed to look away as this was mentioned immediately giving away that they did indeed know where both of them were located.
Sophitia spoke next clearly impatient "We also must see Siegfried. He might be the only one that will know how to destroy the Soul Edge, we thought we had a plan but it failed. It seems what the Soul Edge has lost in power it has gained in wisdom." she admited bitterly hating to admit failure on her part. She composed herself before taking back that military attitude of hers and looking to Sophitia
Katherine looked at Sophitia with wide eyes "You actually managed to attack the Soul Edg. How did you survive? Or how did they get away?" she asked. She crossed her arms as she asked, it was very difficult to track the Black Wind much less get into a fight with them.
Sophitia breathed as she straightened her sword at her waist "They have powerful allies now brought from another realm by their sorcerous. In the time it would take you to draw your sword they were gone from view completely." she then gave a brief telling on Anubis and his power which Katherine absorbed like a sponge.
Kilik took a breath before he spoke "While it seems that any blade can separate the Soul Edge it takes a blade with a great amount of power to truly destroy it. But it is our theory that to do that we may need the blade than Xianghua used, the Soul Calibur. That is why we need the shard." he told.
Katherine stood there against the wall as she let all of this flow over her, obviously they were more likely to get to the Black Wind before them they were used to the chase "Alright. I'll see if I can get you a meeting with the Commander. If anybody he should know the locations of your friend and the shard of Soul Calibur." she said before she started up the stairs.
"Wait." Sophitia called out causing Chambers to jerk around to face her "Who exactly is the Commander? I never heard of your people ever having a specific leader not even to a specific division." Sophitia knew that if you traced back that Siegfried was the original leader of the Black Wind before it called itself the Defenders, would they put who was more than likely on his back into control?
Katherine looked at Sophitia locking eyes with her before she spoke out to her "I know what your thinking Sophitia and to be honest I do not know. I never met your friend and the Commander took charge six months ago. He has never used his name or referred to any aspect of his past, we as a beacon of hope try to not dwell on such trivial things." she said before she started back up the stairs. Hesitantly everybody began to follow her their curiosity peaked.
He couldn't take it anymore. Drake found himself at his wits end as he continued to contemplate when to make his move and just make off with what they had of the Soul Edge. It would have been simple enough to just ask any of the White Wind where they were kept, or better yet have that arrogant Korean do it for him. The darkest part of his soul kept insisting that he urge Talim to find out for him, they would never find distrust in her. It was impossible to locate. It was his best bet...
[NO!] His mind screamed as his hands slapped into his temples and his nails dug into his scalp [I will not stoop so low as to take advantage of these people. Its bad enough that Talim trusts me when I could turn at any point. I....will not make a fool of her. I owe her more than that.] his mind argued with itself. He was supposed to have a shard a week ago, more than likely Diablos was combing over the Oman area screaming and cursing for him to reveal himself. He couldn't just run away, Nightmare and Ivy knew his weakness and he knew exactly what they would do just to spite him should he go back on his word.
[Curse them! Curse this nonsense called honor! All its done is screw me over!] his mind raged and screamed out how his life had turned out. He breathed as he leaned back unable to think of how long he'd be able to keep from coming clean, before that innocent, ever trusting stare from Talim's eye bore a hole through his defenses. He looked up as the wind blew through his hair causing a few strands to fall before his vision, it was a clear indication that he was blind of where he wanted to go. It was only a matter of time before the others would see right through him.
"Drake." an ever trusting voice asked him from behind, he turned to see Talim standing there looking at him with those ever so beautiful eyes of hers. He spoke lowly to her almost as if pushing the possibility that something was wrong "Yes Talim?" he mentally kicked himself several times as her expression became even more concerned. She stepped closer as he sat on the railing of the ship "Is something wrong?" she asked. It was a question that could be seen coming from a mile away, he breathed as he looked up at her unsure to confess or lie. Both were hard choices.
He suddenly noticed a shadow come over Talim as he heard a sound of weight on the mast, he glanced up and gasped before he moved forward essentially tackling Talim off her feet. She didn't know what to think as Drake grabbed her around her waist and pulled her away from where she was standing, it didn't take her long to figure out that this wasn't just him being random. Her suspicions were confirmed as a rather large humanoid figure came crashing down where she had been standing just moments before making a crater in the ships wooden deck.
Drake stood up at once and looked at the being that nearly crushed both of them under his heels, what he saw made him boost his cautiousness up. Whoever or whatever this thing was it was easily twice his body mass without an inch of flesh showing upon him. His body was masked completely in a black otherworldy material with some white trimming which went in a V shape up his chest. There were also chains, polished silver chains that were around his waist and neck held by what appeared to be metal charms of demon skulls. One his arms were a pair of red bracers, a pair of bands were on his legs as well which were also coated by the black material ending at his feet like a pair of boots. His face could not be seen and where his eyes should have been were only two narrowed emerald beacons.
Drake growled as he looked upon this creature and then slowly took a step back as it looked up at him. It was pretty clear just by looking at this man(or what he assumed to be a man) was once human by was like so many others transformed somehow. There were so many aspects that told him that he was not of human origin, the strange costume he wore was so perfectly fitted to his flesh and it was like it hugged his body of its own accord. He could have been another victim of the evil seed or he could have come from the same origin as Astaroth, or maybe...
The creature slowly stood to his feet, his intemidating form causing both the young warriors to step back, what Drake saw next told him that this monster was far worse than any of those the Soul Edge had possessed save for a few. A unusually long crimson cape hung from his shoulders, held by the chain just below his collar bone, the way it reacted to the wind and the way the light shone off of it was just too unnatural. It moved as if it was part of the wind but it was no form of silk he had ever come across, and seemed to emit and energy seprate from that of Soul Edge or anything else he had felt. Clearly this thing was from another world of some sort.
Drake casted its attire, its energy and its origin from his mind as his mind became dominated by one view point: [This bastard attacked both of us and he is going down!] he placed one hand down on the Southern Wind ready to attack but the creature spoke first as he looked around the city. He speech was performed in a deep and throaty voice as if it was strained "I expect some resistance and they have brats here. What a waste of my time." he growled, clearly whoever this monster was he was annoyed about something.
The creature lowered its glowing green eyes to Talim noting the blades that were attached to the sides of her waist "I'm going to make this simple." he held up one of his hands which was just as gloved as the rest of his body, in it was a single shard of the Soul Edge. Talim was shocked that she had not felt it earlier "I know that there are several of these on board this ship. Hand them over and I won't have to get rough with you two." he said as if he was far to great to waste his time fighting them.
Talim swallowed lightly as the monster referred to the Soul Edge shards that they had collected, currently being kept in Sophitia's room. Apparently hidden away in a box that the energy could not escape from, she figured that the shards must have finally found their way past the Valkyrie's magic. Drake looked at Talim before they both looked back and he spoke "I would suggest that you leave at once. We have powerful allies and they will not be pleased with that blemish on the deck there." he said.
"I can already say one person who isn't happy about it!" a voice rang out, the creature look to the side right in time to catch the bad end of a nunchaku to the side of his face. Maxi then let out a high shout as he kick the creature off his feet and toward the front of the deck going into stance with his weapon. Drake brought out both of his blade flipping them once in his hands before he went into stance, Talim did the same with her elbow blades and they all seemed eager to do some damage. The creature looked at them and growled under his mask "Your pissing me off. You've asked for it." he said raising a hand.
As Drake suspected the cape turned out to be more than it seemed as it gathered itself up being attracted to his awaiting palm, it detached itself from the chain on his chest and moved to his hand becoming like smelted metal. It melded itself into what appeared to be a twin bladed ax that took the same design as his mask including the eyes, perhaps he was a little full of himself but it didn't really matter because if Maxi could do anything about it he wouldn't be living to see the next day.
"Get ready!" he shouted before he rushed hard at the trio. All of them scattered before the ax passed over before being targeted on Maxi who moved to strike again. The creature was struck across the jaw again before it swung hard at Maxi who jumped up on the railing. The blade cut cleanly into the railing nearly decapitating the pirate's foot, he on reaction jumped up kicking the monster back and attempted to grab the ax. Upon trying to the ax turned back into the crimson material and with greased speed shot back to its master's hand retaking the form of the ax.
"Agony is mine, bitch. Don't waste your time!" he said before moving toward Maxi again but suddenly there was movement as a pair of boots swung from over the deck to knock him backwards. Maxi looked up as a sword was drawn and saw the exhilarated form of Raphael Soral standing there with his rapier ready "Saw your new little friend from the Nightwraith, figured he would be letting out more than a little steam on you guys." he said as he fell back into stance.
The monster climbed to his feet growling as he felt stupid for underestimating them, as he stood he looked back at Drake and Talim who now stood ready for his assault. Once again he found himself cursing the one that gave him the power he possessed, the power of a Hellspawn send to get Soul Edge. He dropped back into stance with his ax "Alright! I haven't got all day!" he growled through his mask ready for anything. Despite so many battles, each one here would determine what happened to him.
Next Chapter: Hellborn and Hellbent
As Talim and the others try to hold down the fort against the horribly powerful Hellspawn, Sophitia and company find themselves finally meeting with the mysterious commander of the Defenders. With a Soul Calibur shard in his possession there is something else they want of him, but how will they go about convincing him to once again challenge the Soul Edge?
Authors Note: Okay due to several e-mails and reviews I will say that I am not entirely sure if I will place Taki with anybody in this fiction. It is unknown if I will even involve her partner from a decade ago she apparently fell into a relationship with prior to the destruction of Soul Blade. But if anybody cares there is some information in this chapter.
Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Thirty-One: Agony of the Betrayed
Sophitia's heel lightly came down onto the floor as she came to a halt in the middle of the large main hall, her eyes acted on their own going through a well practiced scan of the room. Cassandra and Xianghua both moved to the doors eager to close the most likely point on entry. As the young warrior from the east closed the doors, the second of the Alexandria sisters lowered the heavy wooden beam sealing the door from conventional entry. Kyle meanwhile moved across the hall to a door that lead into the other courtyard and closed the dead bolt on it, preventing entry from the training yard.
Taki stepped forward holding the captured guard by the back of his armor, she spoke lightly but in the hissed voice of a snake on its last ounce of patience "Call Katherine Chambers here at once. We have little time as it is." she said. The young guard who probably wasn't any older than seventeen nodded his head before she turned him loose "You don't have to lead me along. I'll go and find her please stay here and do not cause any trouble if any of the others come upon you." he said before he began to move away.
"Hold it." a voice spoke up, the young man looked back as Xianghua stepped forward to join him "As a representative of China, it would probably be best if I spoke with Captain Chambers first. That way she would no we are not here to cause trouble." the young man nodded before he continued walking. He was without a weapon and seemed pretty calm at this point she doubted he would turn on them at this point, turning to give a slight nod to Kilik she followed the young man up the stairs that lead up then curved at a window that over looked the training yard before going up.
Most of the group separated and took their placed among the main hall. Taki stayed where she was at the stairs one hand resting on Rekki-Maru as always while the other gripped the handrail. Mitsurugi idly leaned against the door lowering his eyes to the floor deciding to catch a little rest while they waiting. Yunsung joined Link and Cassandra who began discussing how they thought it would go, Yunsung growled for a second. "Whats wrong?" Cassandra asked him. Yunsung looked around "I'm catching a lot of negative energy." he said.
Cassandra looked up as Sophitia approached them alongside Kilik who held his staff "We feel the same but it is different, it isn't the same as a piece of the Soul Edge or Blade. This energy is something that is just as otherworldly but it seems to have a lot of emotion wrapped around it." Kilik pointed out. Link may have been able to feel power in the air but only when it was being displayed withheld it was like looking for a corn kernel in a field of wheat. But to Kilik the emotions of hatred and depression could easily be felt over the air.
[How could everything have gone so fucking wrong?!] this was probably all he could think at this point, even after a month of searching he was still gaining no progress in his seemingly impossible search for the blade called Soul Edge. He had heard that the last holding of the blade was in Venice somewhere but in the end it turned out that there was none of the sword's energy in the area. It was obvious that wherever this man he had targeted was he was no longer with the Soul Edge and had nothing of it, not even a sliver.
[If I would have known that it would have been this fucking hard I would have told that prick Malbolgeia to stay where he was and stick it.] but if he ever wanted to return to his world he was going to have to carry out the orders of the maniacal demon and find the demonic blade called Soul Edge. It wasn't like it would have been a smart idea to turn down a big shot in Hell after being sent there yourself, especially when he was offering you a second chance at life. If he should be able to retrieve it he could return to the portal, return to Malbolgeia and be given back his life.
[Then I'll be able to see Wanda again.] he breathed mentally as he looked toward the fortress called the Defender's Keep. While he could still feel no shards of his target he felt a pulling toward the place from his clinched fist. He opened it to find the only shard he was in possession of the be rumbling violently as if it was pissed at something or someone. The creature showed a great deal of hesitation in following the shards wishes before he jumped off the roof of a church looking back with a slight sneer at the stone cross.
In mid leap however he suddenly felt it, a concentration of the Soul Edge's energy emanating from the other side of the city. His heavy feet came down on one roof as he turned to look toward the sea spying a large amount of ships pulled into a harbor. The signal was weak. As if something was trying to keep its energy from seeping out but finally the energy of the Soul Edge had broken through and was calling to those wishing to possess it. He changed his destination mentally telling his shard to silence itself as he headed toward the harbor. Sure the Soul Edge was known for its ability to manipulate its users, only problem was the sword couldn't take control of him as he had long been damned.
Katherine Chambers looked down at the other warriors recognizing several of them from the battle of Istanbul where they were forced to fight off the Black Wind's forces. Her fiery red hair lightly fell over her shoulders and she noticed a lightly shocked stare from one of the warriors that wore a cloak, but paid it no mind as she stepped down the stairs toward Sophitia followed by Xianghua and the front gate's guard who seemed to still have a nostalgic expression on his face as the two women met. Xianghua rejoined them and they began to speak.
Link's ears perked up as he noticed Chambers hail Mitsurugi over from across the room, it was beginning to get common as he kept seeing such resemblance in so many people. This woman whom he had failed to meet in Istanbul was the striking image of Malon, his best friend's lover and his long time friend. This was of course less shocking than the similarities between Sophitia and Princess Zelda and then there was Talim's friend and Seth, another Sheikah warrior. He continued to listen murmuring to Cassandra what they were saying.
Chamber's faced Mitsurugi as he nodded his head in a greeting, she did the same before she spoke "I was wondering when you would come back to check on your investment." she said obviously referring to the wounded Siegfried he had carried to Venice.
He nodded his head "We have also come for the blade that rested in his chest, is it still around?" he asked. Chambers seemed to look away as this was mentioned immediately giving away that they did indeed know where both of them were located.
Sophitia spoke next clearly impatient "We also must see Siegfried. He might be the only one that will know how to destroy the Soul Edge, we thought we had a plan but it failed. It seems what the Soul Edge has lost in power it has gained in wisdom." she admited bitterly hating to admit failure on her part. She composed herself before taking back that military attitude of hers and looking to Sophitia
Katherine looked at Sophitia with wide eyes "You actually managed to attack the Soul Edg. How did you survive? Or how did they get away?" she asked. She crossed her arms as she asked, it was very difficult to track the Black Wind much less get into a fight with them.
Sophitia breathed as she straightened her sword at her waist "They have powerful allies now brought from another realm by their sorcerous. In the time it would take you to draw your sword they were gone from view completely." she then gave a brief telling on Anubis and his power which Katherine absorbed like a sponge.
Kilik took a breath before he spoke "While it seems that any blade can separate the Soul Edge it takes a blade with a great amount of power to truly destroy it. But it is our theory that to do that we may need the blade than Xianghua used, the Soul Calibur. That is why we need the shard." he told.
Katherine stood there against the wall as she let all of this flow over her, obviously they were more likely to get to the Black Wind before them they were used to the chase "Alright. I'll see if I can get you a meeting with the Commander. If anybody he should know the locations of your friend and the shard of Soul Calibur." she said before she started up the stairs.
"Wait." Sophitia called out causing Chambers to jerk around to face her "Who exactly is the Commander? I never heard of your people ever having a specific leader not even to a specific division." Sophitia knew that if you traced back that Siegfried was the original leader of the Black Wind before it called itself the Defenders, would they put who was more than likely on his back into control?
Katherine looked at Sophitia locking eyes with her before she spoke out to her "I know what your thinking Sophitia and to be honest I do not know. I never met your friend and the Commander took charge six months ago. He has never used his name or referred to any aspect of his past, we as a beacon of hope try to not dwell on such trivial things." she said before she started back up the stairs. Hesitantly everybody began to follow her their curiosity peaked.
He couldn't take it anymore. Drake found himself at his wits end as he continued to contemplate when to make his move and just make off with what they had of the Soul Edge. It would have been simple enough to just ask any of the White Wind where they were kept, or better yet have that arrogant Korean do it for him. The darkest part of his soul kept insisting that he urge Talim to find out for him, they would never find distrust in her. It was impossible to locate. It was his best bet...
[NO!] His mind screamed as his hands slapped into his temples and his nails dug into his scalp [I will not stoop so low as to take advantage of these people. Its bad enough that Talim trusts me when I could turn at any point. I....will not make a fool of her. I owe her more than that.] his mind argued with itself. He was supposed to have a shard a week ago, more than likely Diablos was combing over the Oman area screaming and cursing for him to reveal himself. He couldn't just run away, Nightmare and Ivy knew his weakness and he knew exactly what they would do just to spite him should he go back on his word.
[Curse them! Curse this nonsense called honor! All its done is screw me over!] his mind raged and screamed out how his life had turned out. He breathed as he leaned back unable to think of how long he'd be able to keep from coming clean, before that innocent, ever trusting stare from Talim's eye bore a hole through his defenses. He looked up as the wind blew through his hair causing a few strands to fall before his vision, it was a clear indication that he was blind of where he wanted to go. It was only a matter of time before the others would see right through him.
"Drake." an ever trusting voice asked him from behind, he turned to see Talim standing there looking at him with those ever so beautiful eyes of hers. He spoke lowly to her almost as if pushing the possibility that something was wrong "Yes Talim?" he mentally kicked himself several times as her expression became even more concerned. She stepped closer as he sat on the railing of the ship "Is something wrong?" she asked. It was a question that could be seen coming from a mile away, he breathed as he looked up at her unsure to confess or lie. Both were hard choices.
He suddenly noticed a shadow come over Talim as he heard a sound of weight on the mast, he glanced up and gasped before he moved forward essentially tackling Talim off her feet. She didn't know what to think as Drake grabbed her around her waist and pulled her away from where she was standing, it didn't take her long to figure out that this wasn't just him being random. Her suspicions were confirmed as a rather large humanoid figure came crashing down where she had been standing just moments before making a crater in the ships wooden deck.
Drake stood up at once and looked at the being that nearly crushed both of them under his heels, what he saw made him boost his cautiousness up. Whoever or whatever this thing was it was easily twice his body mass without an inch of flesh showing upon him. His body was masked completely in a black otherworldy material with some white trimming which went in a V shape up his chest. There were also chains, polished silver chains that were around his waist and neck held by what appeared to be metal charms of demon skulls. One his arms were a pair of red bracers, a pair of bands were on his legs as well which were also coated by the black material ending at his feet like a pair of boots. His face could not be seen and where his eyes should have been were only two narrowed emerald beacons.
Drake growled as he looked upon this creature and then slowly took a step back as it looked up at him. It was pretty clear just by looking at this man(or what he assumed to be a man) was once human by was like so many others transformed somehow. There were so many aspects that told him that he was not of human origin, the strange costume he wore was so perfectly fitted to his flesh and it was like it hugged his body of its own accord. He could have been another victim of the evil seed or he could have come from the same origin as Astaroth, or maybe...
The creature slowly stood to his feet, his intemidating form causing both the young warriors to step back, what Drake saw next told him that this monster was far worse than any of those the Soul Edge had possessed save for a few. A unusually long crimson cape hung from his shoulders, held by the chain just below his collar bone, the way it reacted to the wind and the way the light shone off of it was just too unnatural. It moved as if it was part of the wind but it was no form of silk he had ever come across, and seemed to emit and energy seprate from that of Soul Edge or anything else he had felt. Clearly this thing was from another world of some sort.
Drake casted its attire, its energy and its origin from his mind as his mind became dominated by one view point: [This bastard attacked both of us and he is going down!] he placed one hand down on the Southern Wind ready to attack but the creature spoke first as he looked around the city. He speech was performed in a deep and throaty voice as if it was strained "I expect some resistance and they have brats here. What a waste of my time." he growled, clearly whoever this monster was he was annoyed about something.
The creature lowered its glowing green eyes to Talim noting the blades that were attached to the sides of her waist "I'm going to make this simple." he held up one of his hands which was just as gloved as the rest of his body, in it was a single shard of the Soul Edge. Talim was shocked that she had not felt it earlier "I know that there are several of these on board this ship. Hand them over and I won't have to get rough with you two." he said as if he was far to great to waste his time fighting them.
Talim swallowed lightly as the monster referred to the Soul Edge shards that they had collected, currently being kept in Sophitia's room. Apparently hidden away in a box that the energy could not escape from, she figured that the shards must have finally found their way past the Valkyrie's magic. Drake looked at Talim before they both looked back and he spoke "I would suggest that you leave at once. We have powerful allies and they will not be pleased with that blemish on the deck there." he said.
"I can already say one person who isn't happy about it!" a voice rang out, the creature look to the side right in time to catch the bad end of a nunchaku to the side of his face. Maxi then let out a high shout as he kick the creature off his feet and toward the front of the deck going into stance with his weapon. Drake brought out both of his blade flipping them once in his hands before he went into stance, Talim did the same with her elbow blades and they all seemed eager to do some damage. The creature looked at them and growled under his mask "Your pissing me off. You've asked for it." he said raising a hand.
As Drake suspected the cape turned out to be more than it seemed as it gathered itself up being attracted to his awaiting palm, it detached itself from the chain on his chest and moved to his hand becoming like smelted metal. It melded itself into what appeared to be a twin bladed ax that took the same design as his mask including the eyes, perhaps he was a little full of himself but it didn't really matter because if Maxi could do anything about it he wouldn't be living to see the next day.
"Get ready!" he shouted before he rushed hard at the trio. All of them scattered before the ax passed over before being targeted on Maxi who moved to strike again. The creature was struck across the jaw again before it swung hard at Maxi who jumped up on the railing. The blade cut cleanly into the railing nearly decapitating the pirate's foot, he on reaction jumped up kicking the monster back and attempted to grab the ax. Upon trying to the ax turned back into the crimson material and with greased speed shot back to its master's hand retaking the form of the ax.
"Agony is mine, bitch. Don't waste your time!" he said before moving toward Maxi again but suddenly there was movement as a pair of boots swung from over the deck to knock him backwards. Maxi looked up as a sword was drawn and saw the exhilarated form of Raphael Soral standing there with his rapier ready "Saw your new little friend from the Nightwraith, figured he would be letting out more than a little steam on you guys." he said as he fell back into stance.
The monster climbed to his feet growling as he felt stupid for underestimating them, as he stood he looked back at Drake and Talim who now stood ready for his assault. Once again he found himself cursing the one that gave him the power he possessed, the power of a Hellspawn send to get Soul Edge. He dropped back into stance with his ax "Alright! I haven't got all day!" he growled through his mask ready for anything. Despite so many battles, each one here would determine what happened to him.
Next Chapter: Hellborn and Hellbent
As Talim and the others try to hold down the fort against the horribly powerful Hellspawn, Sophitia and company find themselves finally meeting with the mysterious commander of the Defenders. With a Soul Calibur shard in his possession there is something else they want of him, but how will they go about convincing him to once again challenge the Soul Edge?