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 this chapter pretty much ends all the conversation, off mission stuff as they are about to get back on the road but a few things will be discovered first that are essential to the story. Also as far as the whole character dying thing goes...death is only an assumption. How many characters have come back from the dead in the series already?
PROFILES: Black Wind Forces Added. Information on Orcs, Uruk-hai, Lizardmen, Berserkers, etc. can now be found at the dedicated site. The address is in my user profile.
Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Thirty-Six: Back On The Journey
Yunsung couldn't sleep despite his attempts he was having no luck since he saw the kind of friendship that Talim and that accursed Drake shared, he could never match that and it was mocking him. It wasn't long ago that he had returned to the room to find the two of them still going on but being joined by the only other person using the room, Link. Even he seemed to be closer to Talim than he could grasp and it was clear as the day they were no more than friends which could be seen.
Many of the others had taken to their rooms, four in each one. The groups had devided themselves accordingly and he was supposed to be sharing a room with Kyle, Mina and Raphael, while the Athenian sisters were sharing a room with Taki and Mitsurugi. The love birds, Xianghua and Kilik were staying in another room by themselves obviously both of them wanted to review what they knew about the mission, Yunsung scoffed pretty sure that there were other things on their minds.
At nearly two in the morning he found himself wandering aimlessly around the fortress constantly getting request from the guards to get some rest but he knew it would be a vain attempt as the only thing on his mind was how to get Talim to at least consider him more than just an ally. If she and Drake had something going on he didn't want to play such a role as to attempt to steal her away, he just wanted to know exactly what Drake had that he did not. He just wanted Talim to see him as a friend and not an ally.
Sure they had clashed once or twice over their differing views before they ran into one another at Istanbul and Kyle volunteered them into this mess but he expected that over two months of traveling together would at least make her consider that people changed. He sighed lightly to himself as he continued to walk wondering if he should just come out and apologize for being so aggressive to her views and her culture the first time they met.
Yunsung thoughts were cut short as he stumbled over something and then fell to the stone floor, he looked back to see he had tripped over one of those cheap wooden chairs. He was in the dining hall of all places "Are you sleep walking again Yunsung? Or are you trying to catch your shadow?" a familiar smug voice asked. He looked up to see Raphael sitting at one of the tables missing a few articles off his normal cloths, probably due to the warmer climate. (second costume minus the beard)
Yunsung rolled his eyes as he looked up at him "Doesn't anybody from Europe sleep?" he asked referring to the guards and other workers at the fortress. Raphael lightly yawned before speaking "I already slept all I'm going to be able to so I'm just waiting for the sun, what are you doing up at this ever silent hour?" he asked.
Yunsung breathed. Ever since they had allowed Raphael to join them he had been really good to all of them and constantly knew how to solve a problem, though at times it was in a militaristic way. Raphael didn't need Yunsung to speak as he practically read his mind "One mistake so many people make is letting their mind be dominated by a particular thought or question. For your own good I'll hear you out." he said.
Yunsung without much hesitation sat down on one of the stools across from the table Raphael sat, he could trust this man not to spread anything embarrassing. "I know it may seem a little stupid to somebody like you, but have you ever liked somebody only they could see you as anything more than an acquaintance or something?" Raphael blinked still contemplating the first part of his question. Yunsung started to stand "Never mind, its my problem."
"Sit back down." Raphael said out all of a sudden. Yunsung looked back and did as he was told Raphael then began to speak "Don't think that I am so serious that I have never harbored feelings for another person, I've felt deeply for some but not many. My advice to you is that if you want Talim to forgive you for being such a brat just tell her that you want a fresh start and ask if you can be friends." Yunsung was now pretty shocked as the senior member of the Four Blades read him like a book.
Yunsung jumped up from his seat slapping his palms on the table and looking right at the Frenchman "How in the Hell did you do that?" Yunsung asked as Raphael just sat there chuckling. Raphael looked up "I compared your actions around Talim to my actions around somebody when I was your age, the wish to be accepted by the fairer sex is truly annoying I know." he said as he took a long drink from the cup of water in front of him.
Everything that Raphael said made a lot of sense to him but now he found himself asking a question that a part of him told him not to ask "Who was she?" Raphael stopped in mid-drink and placed the cup down looking at Yunsung as he repeated himself "Who is worthy of your attention Sorel?" Raphael found himself stuck between the fact that Yunsung had already trusted Raphael with his secrets.
Raphael then began to speak "Back before when my family was still part of the nobles of France many families began to occupy the country when it became a large business area. There was this one family that collected art and wanted to do business with my father who was still selling out to the other nobles. There was a daughter with my father's business associate and while they discussed prices we tried to escape the atmosphere in our homes. I was around sixteen at the time and she was probably the first person I actually took seriously."
Yunsung rolled his eyes before speaking "I can just imagine you settling down with some properly raised rich girls. It would suit you well..." "When did I say that she was a frail spoiled rich girl. She was a tomboy if there ever was one, she lived her life to the fullest but at the same time was not a disrespectful brat. And she could take care of herself, managed to beat me just about everytime we sparred. Ten to one says that even if she has kept to her training down anybody with a rapier."
He lightly raised his glass before "About two years later, she got on a boat and moved back to England and out of my life around the same time the inside war between the nobles and the peasants started. Love is a game I have never been able to play a winning role at, make sure your cards are in line before you leave yourself open to it." he said before he stood up and left the hall. Yunsung breathed as he figured he'd put his advice to use and while he was at it he'd apologize to Drake as well. For resenting him after he had put himself out for them more than once.
Morning soon came to the fortress and after taking the time to prepare themselves every one of the warriors found themselves prepared to leave, still without word from Siegfried. While still weary from sleep Katherine Chambers had requested that they come and meet her and Arus Loire in the library where they had been with Siegfried up until the wee hours researching the possible owners of a Soul Calibur shard and also looking into the questions Xianghua had asked.
A number of them sat around the library while Sophitia, Xianghua and Kilik stood listening intently as Katherine began to speak "Sorry we must see you off so soon but we have to continue planning our own operations, we cannot have outsiders around while we do so. Either way I just got word from the docks that your ship has been repaired and give supplies, it should be enough to get you to England. Now back to the question at hand, I'm afraid we didn't manage to figure out why the Soul Calibur isn't healing itself but we did find quite a bit of history on the blades."
Katherine then removed a scroll from the table which bore the mark of the Catholic Church on it "This is probably the earliest known history on the conflict between the blades. Siegfried would probably know more but he left earlier on some personal business." she opened the scroll and collected her thoughts before she began reading.
"As history states, three blades of extraordinary power were created by a pair of opposing entities while the world was still but an infant. One sword to serve the spirit and the soul, the Soul Calibur. And a pair to serve the body and the mind, the Soul Edge and Soul Blade. While the creator of the Soul Calibur used his blade to defend the growing world, the other used his blades to cause disaster and ruin. The creator of the Soul Calibur created something else to aid him, its name has however been lost in history and has apparently been lost to this world." Xianghua was lightly shocked, the Soul Calibur had a sister sword.
Katherine continued reading from the scroll "When the two of them eventually came face to face and confronted one another there was a battle that marked the beginning of human conflict. The two entities however only managed to destroy one another and on their last breath seal themselves within their weapons. The spirit of the dark one went into his blades and the other went into his own swords, both of them near death even for practical God they needed to recover but those of the ancient world felt it better not to allow them."
Sophitia looked at Katherine "Whatever did they do?" "They scattered all three of the blades and this forth item as best as they could, but not in the physical world. Using power we can no longer grasp they opened a tear into the void and hurled all four of the weapons into the void hoping never to see them again.. That is how history goes. But it seems that somehow all three blades have made it back here. Odd how things work out."
Katherine lowered the scroll and then spoke "These weapons come from forces beyond human control and there is probably something much deeper in this. Of course for deeper information you'd probably have to ask Nightmare, something I don't suggest." she breathed before speaking "I wish I could be of more help but I'm afraid there is little I can tell you that would help in your progress. Please be off now, we've done all that we can." Katherine then began collecting the materials from around the room.
It wasn't long before the White Wind and the Four Blades had completely cleared out of the fortress all of them with less information than they wanted. Sophitia was somewhat depressed as it was apparent that Siegfried had decided not to come with them, she wished he had at least told her good-bye or something though. She brushed it off as they came toward the docks all of them walking at a calm pace, all accept for Yunsung who seemed to be a little tired. She ignored it as it wasn't her problem and continued walking but then came to a stop right as they reached the Eternal Wind.
Her eyes caught that silhouette that had left her speechless and disbelieving twice in the last twenty-four hours. This time however she broke through it enough to know it was none other that Siegfried Schtauffen sitting on the railing of the Eternal Wind apparently having a casual chat with the grateful Maxi. He now wore black pants and a white shirt still lacking the familiar armor but for some odd reason he did have that massive sword of his poking into the deck. Without much hesitation she marched up the gang plank and shot a glare right at him, he just smiled however.
"Figured you would have guessed I was coming. I'm a little disappointed." he chuckled lightly leaning against his sword, the Requiem. Sophitia breathed at his sarcasm that was quickly beginning to replace the angry irritation that she first witnessed in him. He then looked at her "If you seek to hunt down Nightmare or the shards of the Soul Calibur, I will go with you. I don't think its going to matter in the end but I'm going to do anything I can." Sophitia nodded her head at this "Its good to have you with us, but to be truthful we have no clue of where to go." she admitted.
Siegfried breathed as he stood to his feet and stepped to the mast leaning against it, everybody else in turn climbed the gangplank as they could tell he was about to tap into his great wisdom stolen from Soul Edge. Siegfried looked up "I know where we need to go, Maxi needs to set a course for England. Narrowing it down I know of a person who at the time of the Soul Calibur's destruction wished for nothing more than the Soul Edge's death but first I might know what the flaw in the Soul Calibur is..." he began speaking.
"As Katherine told you the three blades were sent into the void, but those two accursed blades must have been linked so heavily they found their way back and right into the hands of a mortal. The Soul Calibur must have acted out a predestined role by constantly finding its way into the hands of somebody to fight the swords." Xianghua looked up as this was said "Which would explain why it just appeared in my hands when Nightmare attacked me all those years ago." Siegfried's still human hand brushed over his scar as she spoke "Yes."
"Now I'm sure that Katherine told you of how the spirit and soul of their masters went to the weapons. But when Sophitia broke the Soul Blade the balance of the entity's spirit all went to the Soul Edge and its power grew. While the Soul Blade is still powerful it is nothing more than a shell now, it does not have the power of its master to back it up." Kyle lightly smiled at this, it would only make his revenge easier to obtain without a blade that could tempt him.
Link suddenly spoke up "What about this forth item Chambers kept bringing up? What exactly is it?" he asked wondering if it could be one of the several powerful yet pastless relics from his world.
Siegfried shook his head with a shrug "We still to this day know nothing of it, all we know is it was definately not another sword, it was shield or piece of armor made to protect the soul. But we have hypothesized that when the Soul Calibur was shattered the spirit was either divided among the pieces or all gathered in the hilt. But that is only our most positive theory." he explained.
Xianghua was fed up with this, it was hard enough to follow as it was "What else could have happened?! Tell us?!" Siegfried huffed irritated "Alright, but you won't like it. Considering the facts that this forth item was created to protect the soul from being devoured, we fear that if the Soul Edge did indeed pierce the master of the Soul Calibur his spirit might have gone to the sword while his very soul became imprisoned in the forth item and we have no records of ever coming upon something that could make a mere mortal so pure." he said really rubbing in how bad this scenario could be for them.
Katherine was right, she didn't like this theory and she felt like covering her ears as she continued "You've all heard of spirit swords right? When a warrior dies and entrusts his or her spirit into a blade it flows with their strength and power. But the soul of these two entities is what would give the blades living attributes such as healing and the ability to communicate. If the Soul Calibur does not have its master's soul within it then Nightmare has an enormous advantage. And being that Soul Edge has no knowledge of where it could be, it is more than likely not in our world." Xianghua looked to the deck clinching her fist along with Kilik "Damn it all." she murmured.
Raphael looked around seeing all the deep thinking going on and after Yunsung just the night before he didn't need this "Alright let just think about this later. Worst case scenario we have to find all the pieces to Soul Calibur. Best case scenario, we find the hilt and the sword has regrown from that." everybody seemed to nod in agreement of Raphael much to Siegfried's relief.
Sophitia then turned to Siegfried "Alright. You say that you know exactly who might possess a fragment of the Soul Calibur, how do you know this?" Siegfried looked toward Xianghua and then turned and pointed north with his demonic hand, Xianghua's eyes shot up lightly as she felt it out "I can feel its presence. Its so clean and pure, the exact opposite of Soul Edge. Maxi set a course for England I'm pretty sure it is there like he said." Maxi nodded as he began releasing the ship.
Siegfried was then approached by Kyle Strife "You seem pretty sure of yourself. How do you know for a fact that this man wished for nothing more than to destroy the Soul Edge? Tournament records?" Siegfried shook his head at this "Not a man. A woman. I know because I met her and she clued me in on exactly how much she hated the blade. It was after I first started out after the blade and was gathering information on it, I suspected that she would have had to be my savior in the event that I truly did lose my mind to it."
Maxi chuckled lightly before speaking "This chick have a name kid?" he asked. Siegfried brought a hand to his chin before speaking "I believe her name was Isabella Valentine, the daughter of Count Valentine. She claimed that after her father blew off quite a bit of money hunting the sword he kind of lost it before his death. At the time she wished for nothing more than its destruction and was experimenting in arcane magic." all of them nodded aside from Raphael who found himself a little distracted which quickly became noticed by Yunsung.
"Is this Ms. Valentine who I think she is?" he asked Raphael with a light snicker. Raphael rolled his eyes before running a hand over his face as others took notice "This world is become a god awfully small place. If it would please you all allow me to go with you, weather or not she will give up the shard to you it would be nice to see her again." Siegfried nodded as they began to pull out. The Four Blades moved, returning to their ship while the other began situating themselves. Drake meanwhile moved to the front of the ship unable to believe that none of them knew that Isabella Valentine was Ivy of the Black Wind...as well as his master on word of honor.
While the seekers found themselves joined by another companion and were cleared of where they were to go next, nefarious forces had already arrived and seemed to be making plans to intercept them before they got through. After a few weeks of travel the ship called the Darkthrone had arrived off the coast of a peninsula that was off the coast of England carrying a payload of the Black Wind's strike forces. All of them ready to do as they were ordered, but they weren't exactly excited about creating an ambush around the home of the Black Wind's third commander.
It was a nostalgic feeling for the Lady of the Black Wind, Isabella Valentine as she found herself returning to the place she had spent her childhood and early twenties. It was the place where she had created her sword and made several attempts to destroy it. It was also the place where Nightmare first came into her life and convinced her to join him in his plans to take over every living soul on the face of the planet. Though it had been requested that the Black Wind send forces to this place she was really not so sure about how much confidence could be placed into it.
Being that the Nemesis had headed out to open sea so it could get around to Germany and stay out of sight, she felt a little more relaxed with the likes of Renzor and Razorback in her company as she knew that the White Wind would soon arrive. The Soul Edge had already picked up the presence of another Soul Calibur shard located in the ancestral mansion of the Valentine Clan. Though she had no problems retrieving it upon entering the mansion, however she was also supposed to stay and make sure the White Wind ran into trouble.
After they had managed to dock the Darkthorne at the bluff at the bottom of the peninsula she and a few of the lizardmen entered the house and settled in while the Uruk-Hai had been sent into the caverns that ran under the mansion. After all of this she was not to thrilled that she had to set up an ambush in such a place. To her it was a structure that showed both the legacy and ruin of the Valentine family that was not ment as a battleground. Sadly sacrifices had to be made. Renzor seemed to bring her concerns to his men's attention as did Razorback. Ivy however had something else on her mind.
Shortly after their arrive she found herself reading a note that had been delivered to them by the Azure Nightmare's unnamed black hawk. It told her that when the White Wind arrived to retrieve the Soul Calibur shard, she was to make sure that one of the Soul Edge's two biggest threats did not return to the battle field ever again. Cervantes, who was also with them had also requested the removal of another if fate gave her such an opportunity but not one of the three would be easy to just stab in the back, but the note also had another piece of information.
Drake had long surpassed his time limit and he was not where he said he would be. Anubis had already attempted to track him down but had come up with nothing and it was apparent that he had abused her trust and run out on them. Officially, he was now a target as well having betrayed their trust and taken a small piece of the Soul Edge. She hated that she would now have to be on the look out for him being that she actually had some respect for the boy. She had worried about this long into the night and found herself still wondering why he had not returned at midnight.
She found herself back in her bedroom while Renzor's tribe mates were scattered, being that they were a great deal more sanitary than the Uruk-hai she had allowed them entrance. Her father however had stayed on the ship as she refused to allow him entrance to the mansion until the White Wind arrived to retrieve the shard of the Soul Calibur which she held. She had discovered it to be a key item in the blade, the handle and a part of the hilt which was needed to reconstruct the blade, they would need this before they could threaten them with it. She wondered if Nightmare felt foolish about his gift in the desert.
Ivy laid back in her bed which was still ready for her, Valentine lay with its blade wrapped around her as if her weapon was embracing her of all things. She was worried about so many things and it was beginning to irritate her. Between Drake leaving, her birth father still attempting to win her over to his side against Nightmare there was one thing that still got to her. That apparent dark side of the one called Link that had come to them offering his services, he called himself Dark Link and said that he would be waiting for Link as well. She wondered if it had happened yet.
Her thoughts were disturbed as the Valentine grew to attention and curled out from under her body to form into its blade as if it was going on its guard. Ivy came to attention throwing the covers of her bed off and standing up, for once she was not wearing a uniform or any kind of armor. The only thing that adorned her body was a smallish white nightgown made of silk, pillaged on one of the Black Wind's many raids. It also left her bare footed but she felt perfectly capable of fighting in such unworthy attire.
She left her room stepping out into the halls that had been lit with a candle every few steps. She breathed as she closed the door behind her and looked around the hall admiring the rose pattern on the wall but kept in attention as that knocking sound continued to echo through the halls. She followed the sounds and her sword toward the main area of the entire mansion which was the large hall just past the foyer.
As she walked forward into the main hall which was lined in white and rose marble, she took notice that the sound had stopped. She breathed as she looked around the familiar house, it had set the stage for so much of her life. From her childhood and schooling to her teen years and growing up to face life. It was a small world but this place had always been a high part of hers and now it would set the stage for her objective: Luring in the White Wind and eliminating either the Elven, the Athenian or the Four Blade's leader.
It was surprising that there were no people living in the mansion when they arrived. She entered first thinking that if that had been the case they would have to be taken out of the picture, but she dropped that theory when she saw everything in its place. There was even a thin layer of dust coating most of the main hall. She lightly wondered if anybody knew what had become of her in the she vanished and joined the Black Wind. It wasn't like anybody would expect Isabella Valentine to be Ivy.
Her thoughts were broken as she heard a single knocking sound from the rafters that were above, still visible due to the fact they were remodeling the house when the family's funds ran dry. She looked straight up drawing out the Valentine and was greeted by the sight of a familiar silhouette that was leaning against one of the vertical rafters. A figure looked down at her almost mocking the stance she had taken "Step down!" she shouted before she stabbed the blade straight up. It darted out in its multiple segments looking to strike down the offender that sat above her.
With a great amount of agility the invader of the Valentine Mansion moved from the rafter dropping down toward the floor, Ivy swung the whip down ready to draw the man in half. He swiped a blade of his own which was quickly torn from its sheath to slap Valentine away before his feet touched down. The temptress reacted quickly pulling the weapon back before swinging it at her attacker. The invader reached behind his back producing a shield which caused the Valentine to go wide and strike the floor, he then rushed at her.
Ivy recalled the blade and then swung it hard hoping to get it around his body and tear him up but he was too fast and was quickly in her face. He swung out with his sword which was gripped by his left arm which she ducked under but this was her falling as it only came back to have its edge strike her. A foot before her own caused her to stumble but before her chest could hit the floor she twisted around and swung her blade. The whip like sword wrapped around her attacker its sharp edges getting into his cloths but this was only after he had knelt and brought the blade of his sword to her throat.
There was a tense moment of silence as Ivy starred up at her attackers deep red eyes which only seemed to exist to counter her own icy blue pupils, both of which were revealed by the light around the main hall. She breathed as she gripped her weapon, it would take no more than simply willing the blade to retract and he would be covered in some pretty bad lacerations that would never heal completely. She could not see him clearly through the shadows but had a pretty good idea of who this was.
A chuckle escaped the lips of her attacker and she looked to see the slightly shorter figure of the infamous Dark Link whom she figured would not have arrived yet. Dark Link chuckled as he looked down at her "Must you always attack me with this weapon, do I truly scare you that much?" he asked in his own sadistic way pulling back his sword. Ivy smirked before she recalled her weapon which left his body without leaving so much as a scratch "Must you always sneak up on me like that?" she countered him looking away as if she was insulted, clearly she did not trust this man yet.
Dark Link shook his head before reaching down to pull her to her feet which slightly surprised her, her bare feet slid against the marble of the floor and she ended up against his chest. She quickly stood to her feet and tried not to show any embarrassment, she then noticed a chuckle from him "I can't say I don't enjoy your new sense of style." he said looking at the night gown. Unable to help herself she allowed a giggle to escape her lips "Your terrible shadow boy." she said before she brushed herself off and stepped toward a pair of chairs near an unlit fireplace in the corner.
He followed her as she sat down and followed suit looking at her as she looked back at him "You've come a little later than I expected you too." she pointed out. The ash skinned warrior looked at her before speaking "Unlike your group I don't have a great amount of resources, and passing through towns your kind seem to enjoy starring at my differences." he said flicking one of his ears. Ivy smirked at him as he pointed this out, but then she decided to get down to business and asked how he managed to get into the mansion.
Dark Link looked back towards the main doors "You can come out now Pirate." he commented toward the doorway. Ivy narrowed her eyes before she snapped out her sword and stabbed toward the door. The blade struck the wall and the blades glowed revealing the figure that was Cervantes, apparently having followed her from the Darkthorne.
Cervantes's immortal eyes met with his daughter's before he gave a light huff "Forgive me for being cautious. There are very few that I trust within the company of my offspring." he said in reference to Ivy who dismissed it as if it was a joke or a white lie. The shadow of Link chuckled from where he sat while Ivy seemed relatively angry at Cervantes' presence in her home.
Cervantes decided to just get to business unable to stand the leers from his own daughter "I've already told him why we are here and he has agreed to join the Black Wind only if a few conditions are met. He'll be discussing them with you." Cervantes then turned and he moved to leave the mansion "I'll return to the ship and let them know that the mansion is secured, and don't let your sentimental rubbish get in the way of this opperation." Cervantes shouted before slamming the door behind him.
Ivy had stood up glaring at the doors as she was called to defend herself but only managed to stand there clinching her fist, had it not been for the fact he had the Soul Blade she would have attempted to end his life long ago. Her anger was suddenly replaced by a decent amount of surprise as she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders rubbing ever so softly, she looked back to see the one she was to work with attempting to comfort her. He then spoke "That fools thirst for power is going to bring all of you down in the end. Out of all of you he will be the first to fall."
Ivy normally would have turned and struck anybody else away but she was interested to hear what he was getting to "I would like nothing better. He has caused me nothing but misery since I even learned that he existed in this forsaken world." she said as she felt a great deal of tension vanish as this creature's touch. He spoke again in his ever smooth voice "Powerful men always allow their greed to dominate them, this domination is always their downfall, I've seen it many times before." he said with a chuckle.
Ivy lightly rolled her shoulders against his hands before she move to take a seat back in the patted chair although he continued trying to rub her stress away. While she enjoyed this she decided to get to business "By what standards are you willing to help us Shadow Boy?" she asked. The shadow leaned down behind her bringing his lips to her ear "Don't take this personally but I want you to stay out of my way. When Link arrives with his pathetic little band you will allow me and him to fight on equal grounds." Ivy reached back grabbing the back of his neck "Tell me more."
"Link may be a highly skilled warrior and has seen a great deal of challenge in his life but he does have a fair number of weaknesses. In exploiting these weaknesses I can bring out his true ability and power, only then will my existence seem worth while." he explained in a serious tone allowing his hands to rest on her shoulders.
Ivy looked back at him before speaking "Just so you know I have been ordered to destroy him should I come across him but I will gladly allow you to have the first blow at him. Should you fail I will intervene. That is only if I cannot find another suitable target." she explained.
"Agreed." he dark swordsman said before he began to walk away, Ivy turned around to look at him "Good...but I have one more request." he looked back at her requesting she name it "I want to know the true name of the one I make a pact with." the shadow of the elven swordsman closed his eyes and smirked before speaking "My apologies, call me Arus'Nei." he said before he stepped back towards the stairs vanishing into the shadows.
Ivy breathed before she reached into a fold of her night skirt removing a piece of silver blue metal with made the shape of a swords handle, it was the hilt of the Soul Calibur and what they would be coming for. She had her mind not only set on her three targets but the eminent battle between these two twins.
Next Chapters: Conflict By Blood
Upon arriving at the home of Count Valentine an ambush of the Seekers slowly unfolds as a daughter confronts the boy that hunts her father's blood and the carrier of light must fight with the shadow that claims him as his brother. Conflicts are never simple and when two are made enemies from either blood or flesh, it is something that cannot be avoided.
OOC: First off let me go ahead and point out that nobody in the White Wind or Four Blades knows Ivy as Isabella Valentine. So they think they are going to visit some heiress or something. Also if you cannot tell yet I am going to be delving into my personal answers to several frequently asked questions which are as follows:
Who/What exactly is Inferno?
What is his purpose and why is he trapped in SE?
Is there a second SC to go against a second SE?
What is the relationship between SE and SC?
If Inferno is SE essence, then who/what is SC's?
These questions have bothered me and I hope to answer them in this story. But please don't take it seriously because officially these questions really have no answers.
Authors Note: Okay this chapter pretty much ends all the conversation, off mission stuff as they are about to get back on the road but a few things will be discovered first that are essential to the story. Also as far as the whole character dying thing goes...death is only an assumption. How many characters have come back from the dead in the series already?
PROFILES: Black Wind Forces Added. Information on Orcs, Uruk-hai, Lizardmen, Berserkers, etc. can now be found at the dedicated site. The address is in my user profile.
Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Thirty-Six: Back On The Journey
Yunsung couldn't sleep despite his attempts he was having no luck since he saw the kind of friendship that Talim and that accursed Drake shared, he could never match that and it was mocking him. It wasn't long ago that he had returned to the room to find the two of them still going on but being joined by the only other person using the room, Link. Even he seemed to be closer to Talim than he could grasp and it was clear as the day they were no more than friends which could be seen.
Many of the others had taken to their rooms, four in each one. The groups had devided themselves accordingly and he was supposed to be sharing a room with Kyle, Mina and Raphael, while the Athenian sisters were sharing a room with Taki and Mitsurugi. The love birds, Xianghua and Kilik were staying in another room by themselves obviously both of them wanted to review what they knew about the mission, Yunsung scoffed pretty sure that there were other things on their minds.
At nearly two in the morning he found himself wandering aimlessly around the fortress constantly getting request from the guards to get some rest but he knew it would be a vain attempt as the only thing on his mind was how to get Talim to at least consider him more than just an ally. If she and Drake had something going on he didn't want to play such a role as to attempt to steal her away, he just wanted to know exactly what Drake had that he did not. He just wanted Talim to see him as a friend and not an ally.
Sure they had clashed once or twice over their differing views before they ran into one another at Istanbul and Kyle volunteered them into this mess but he expected that over two months of traveling together would at least make her consider that people changed. He sighed lightly to himself as he continued to walk wondering if he should just come out and apologize for being so aggressive to her views and her culture the first time they met.
Yunsung thoughts were cut short as he stumbled over something and then fell to the stone floor, he looked back to see he had tripped over one of those cheap wooden chairs. He was in the dining hall of all places "Are you sleep walking again Yunsung? Or are you trying to catch your shadow?" a familiar smug voice asked. He looked up to see Raphael sitting at one of the tables missing a few articles off his normal cloths, probably due to the warmer climate. (second costume minus the beard)
Yunsung rolled his eyes as he looked up at him "Doesn't anybody from Europe sleep?" he asked referring to the guards and other workers at the fortress. Raphael lightly yawned before speaking "I already slept all I'm going to be able to so I'm just waiting for the sun, what are you doing up at this ever silent hour?" he asked.
Yunsung breathed. Ever since they had allowed Raphael to join them he had been really good to all of them and constantly knew how to solve a problem, though at times it was in a militaristic way. Raphael didn't need Yunsung to speak as he practically read his mind "One mistake so many people make is letting their mind be dominated by a particular thought or question. For your own good I'll hear you out." he said.
Yunsung without much hesitation sat down on one of the stools across from the table Raphael sat, he could trust this man not to spread anything embarrassing. "I know it may seem a little stupid to somebody like you, but have you ever liked somebody only they could see you as anything more than an acquaintance or something?" Raphael blinked still contemplating the first part of his question. Yunsung started to stand "Never mind, its my problem."
"Sit back down." Raphael said out all of a sudden. Yunsung looked back and did as he was told Raphael then began to speak "Don't think that I am so serious that I have never harbored feelings for another person, I've felt deeply for some but not many. My advice to you is that if you want Talim to forgive you for being such a brat just tell her that you want a fresh start and ask if you can be friends." Yunsung was now pretty shocked as the senior member of the Four Blades read him like a book.
Yunsung jumped up from his seat slapping his palms on the table and looking right at the Frenchman "How in the Hell did you do that?" Yunsung asked as Raphael just sat there chuckling. Raphael looked up "I compared your actions around Talim to my actions around somebody when I was your age, the wish to be accepted by the fairer sex is truly annoying I know." he said as he took a long drink from the cup of water in front of him.
Everything that Raphael said made a lot of sense to him but now he found himself asking a question that a part of him told him not to ask "Who was she?" Raphael stopped in mid-drink and placed the cup down looking at Yunsung as he repeated himself "Who is worthy of your attention Sorel?" Raphael found himself stuck between the fact that Yunsung had already trusted Raphael with his secrets.
Raphael then began to speak "Back before when my family was still part of the nobles of France many families began to occupy the country when it became a large business area. There was this one family that collected art and wanted to do business with my father who was still selling out to the other nobles. There was a daughter with my father's business associate and while they discussed prices we tried to escape the atmosphere in our homes. I was around sixteen at the time and she was probably the first person I actually took seriously."
Yunsung rolled his eyes before speaking "I can just imagine you settling down with some properly raised rich girls. It would suit you well..." "When did I say that she was a frail spoiled rich girl. She was a tomboy if there ever was one, she lived her life to the fullest but at the same time was not a disrespectful brat. And she could take care of herself, managed to beat me just about everytime we sparred. Ten to one says that even if she has kept to her training down anybody with a rapier."
He lightly raised his glass before "About two years later, she got on a boat and moved back to England and out of my life around the same time the inside war between the nobles and the peasants started. Love is a game I have never been able to play a winning role at, make sure your cards are in line before you leave yourself open to it." he said before he stood up and left the hall. Yunsung breathed as he figured he'd put his advice to use and while he was at it he'd apologize to Drake as well. For resenting him after he had put himself out for them more than once.
Morning soon came to the fortress and after taking the time to prepare themselves every one of the warriors found themselves prepared to leave, still without word from Siegfried. While still weary from sleep Katherine Chambers had requested that they come and meet her and Arus Loire in the library where they had been with Siegfried up until the wee hours researching the possible owners of a Soul Calibur shard and also looking into the questions Xianghua had asked.
A number of them sat around the library while Sophitia, Xianghua and Kilik stood listening intently as Katherine began to speak "Sorry we must see you off so soon but we have to continue planning our own operations, we cannot have outsiders around while we do so. Either way I just got word from the docks that your ship has been repaired and give supplies, it should be enough to get you to England. Now back to the question at hand, I'm afraid we didn't manage to figure out why the Soul Calibur isn't healing itself but we did find quite a bit of history on the blades."
Katherine then removed a scroll from the table which bore the mark of the Catholic Church on it "This is probably the earliest known history on the conflict between the blades. Siegfried would probably know more but he left earlier on some personal business." she opened the scroll and collected her thoughts before she began reading.
"As history states, three blades of extraordinary power were created by a pair of opposing entities while the world was still but an infant. One sword to serve the spirit and the soul, the Soul Calibur. And a pair to serve the body and the mind, the Soul Edge and Soul Blade. While the creator of the Soul Calibur used his blade to defend the growing world, the other used his blades to cause disaster and ruin. The creator of the Soul Calibur created something else to aid him, its name has however been lost in history and has apparently been lost to this world." Xianghua was lightly shocked, the Soul Calibur had a sister sword.
Katherine continued reading from the scroll "When the two of them eventually came face to face and confronted one another there was a battle that marked the beginning of human conflict. The two entities however only managed to destroy one another and on their last breath seal themselves within their weapons. The spirit of the dark one went into his blades and the other went into his own swords, both of them near death even for practical God they needed to recover but those of the ancient world felt it better not to allow them."
Sophitia looked at Katherine "Whatever did they do?" "They scattered all three of the blades and this forth item as best as they could, but not in the physical world. Using power we can no longer grasp they opened a tear into the void and hurled all four of the weapons into the void hoping never to see them again.. That is how history goes. But it seems that somehow all three blades have made it back here. Odd how things work out."
Katherine lowered the scroll and then spoke "These weapons come from forces beyond human control and there is probably something much deeper in this. Of course for deeper information you'd probably have to ask Nightmare, something I don't suggest." she breathed before speaking "I wish I could be of more help but I'm afraid there is little I can tell you that would help in your progress. Please be off now, we've done all that we can." Katherine then began collecting the materials from around the room.
It wasn't long before the White Wind and the Four Blades had completely cleared out of the fortress all of them with less information than they wanted. Sophitia was somewhat depressed as it was apparent that Siegfried had decided not to come with them, she wished he had at least told her good-bye or something though. She brushed it off as they came toward the docks all of them walking at a calm pace, all accept for Yunsung who seemed to be a little tired. She ignored it as it wasn't her problem and continued walking but then came to a stop right as they reached the Eternal Wind.
Her eyes caught that silhouette that had left her speechless and disbelieving twice in the last twenty-four hours. This time however she broke through it enough to know it was none other that Siegfried Schtauffen sitting on the railing of the Eternal Wind apparently having a casual chat with the grateful Maxi. He now wore black pants and a white shirt still lacking the familiar armor but for some odd reason he did have that massive sword of his poking into the deck. Without much hesitation she marched up the gang plank and shot a glare right at him, he just smiled however.
"Figured you would have guessed I was coming. I'm a little disappointed." he chuckled lightly leaning against his sword, the Requiem. Sophitia breathed at his sarcasm that was quickly beginning to replace the angry irritation that she first witnessed in him. He then looked at her "If you seek to hunt down Nightmare or the shards of the Soul Calibur, I will go with you. I don't think its going to matter in the end but I'm going to do anything I can." Sophitia nodded her head at this "Its good to have you with us, but to be truthful we have no clue of where to go." she admitted.
Siegfried breathed as he stood to his feet and stepped to the mast leaning against it, everybody else in turn climbed the gangplank as they could tell he was about to tap into his great wisdom stolen from Soul Edge. Siegfried looked up "I know where we need to go, Maxi needs to set a course for England. Narrowing it down I know of a person who at the time of the Soul Calibur's destruction wished for nothing more than the Soul Edge's death but first I might know what the flaw in the Soul Calibur is..." he began speaking.
"As Katherine told you the three blades were sent into the void, but those two accursed blades must have been linked so heavily they found their way back and right into the hands of a mortal. The Soul Calibur must have acted out a predestined role by constantly finding its way into the hands of somebody to fight the swords." Xianghua looked up as this was said "Which would explain why it just appeared in my hands when Nightmare attacked me all those years ago." Siegfried's still human hand brushed over his scar as she spoke "Yes."
"Now I'm sure that Katherine told you of how the spirit and soul of their masters went to the weapons. But when Sophitia broke the Soul Blade the balance of the entity's spirit all went to the Soul Edge and its power grew. While the Soul Blade is still powerful it is nothing more than a shell now, it does not have the power of its master to back it up." Kyle lightly smiled at this, it would only make his revenge easier to obtain without a blade that could tempt him.
Link suddenly spoke up "What about this forth item Chambers kept bringing up? What exactly is it?" he asked wondering if it could be one of the several powerful yet pastless relics from his world.
Siegfried shook his head with a shrug "We still to this day know nothing of it, all we know is it was definately not another sword, it was shield or piece of armor made to protect the soul. But we have hypothesized that when the Soul Calibur was shattered the spirit was either divided among the pieces or all gathered in the hilt. But that is only our most positive theory." he explained.
Xianghua was fed up with this, it was hard enough to follow as it was "What else could have happened?! Tell us?!" Siegfried huffed irritated "Alright, but you won't like it. Considering the facts that this forth item was created to protect the soul from being devoured, we fear that if the Soul Edge did indeed pierce the master of the Soul Calibur his spirit might have gone to the sword while his very soul became imprisoned in the forth item and we have no records of ever coming upon something that could make a mere mortal so pure." he said really rubbing in how bad this scenario could be for them.
Katherine was right, she didn't like this theory and she felt like covering her ears as she continued "You've all heard of spirit swords right? When a warrior dies and entrusts his or her spirit into a blade it flows with their strength and power. But the soul of these two entities is what would give the blades living attributes such as healing and the ability to communicate. If the Soul Calibur does not have its master's soul within it then Nightmare has an enormous advantage. And being that Soul Edge has no knowledge of where it could be, it is more than likely not in our world." Xianghua looked to the deck clinching her fist along with Kilik "Damn it all." she murmured.
Raphael looked around seeing all the deep thinking going on and after Yunsung just the night before he didn't need this "Alright let just think about this later. Worst case scenario we have to find all the pieces to Soul Calibur. Best case scenario, we find the hilt and the sword has regrown from that." everybody seemed to nod in agreement of Raphael much to Siegfried's relief.
Sophitia then turned to Siegfried "Alright. You say that you know exactly who might possess a fragment of the Soul Calibur, how do you know this?" Siegfried looked toward Xianghua and then turned and pointed north with his demonic hand, Xianghua's eyes shot up lightly as she felt it out "I can feel its presence. Its so clean and pure, the exact opposite of Soul Edge. Maxi set a course for England I'm pretty sure it is there like he said." Maxi nodded as he began releasing the ship.
Siegfried was then approached by Kyle Strife "You seem pretty sure of yourself. How do you know for a fact that this man wished for nothing more than to destroy the Soul Edge? Tournament records?" Siegfried shook his head at this "Not a man. A woman. I know because I met her and she clued me in on exactly how much she hated the blade. It was after I first started out after the blade and was gathering information on it, I suspected that she would have had to be my savior in the event that I truly did lose my mind to it."
Maxi chuckled lightly before speaking "This chick have a name kid?" he asked. Siegfried brought a hand to his chin before speaking "I believe her name was Isabella Valentine, the daughter of Count Valentine. She claimed that after her father blew off quite a bit of money hunting the sword he kind of lost it before his death. At the time she wished for nothing more than its destruction and was experimenting in arcane magic." all of them nodded aside from Raphael who found himself a little distracted which quickly became noticed by Yunsung.
"Is this Ms. Valentine who I think she is?" he asked Raphael with a light snicker. Raphael rolled his eyes before running a hand over his face as others took notice "This world is become a god awfully small place. If it would please you all allow me to go with you, weather or not she will give up the shard to you it would be nice to see her again." Siegfried nodded as they began to pull out. The Four Blades moved, returning to their ship while the other began situating themselves. Drake meanwhile moved to the front of the ship unable to believe that none of them knew that Isabella Valentine was Ivy of the Black Wind...as well as his master on word of honor.
While the seekers found themselves joined by another companion and were cleared of where they were to go next, nefarious forces had already arrived and seemed to be making plans to intercept them before they got through. After a few weeks of travel the ship called the Darkthrone had arrived off the coast of a peninsula that was off the coast of England carrying a payload of the Black Wind's strike forces. All of them ready to do as they were ordered, but they weren't exactly excited about creating an ambush around the home of the Black Wind's third commander.
It was a nostalgic feeling for the Lady of the Black Wind, Isabella Valentine as she found herself returning to the place she had spent her childhood and early twenties. It was the place where she had created her sword and made several attempts to destroy it. It was also the place where Nightmare first came into her life and convinced her to join him in his plans to take over every living soul on the face of the planet. Though it had been requested that the Black Wind send forces to this place she was really not so sure about how much confidence could be placed into it.
Being that the Nemesis had headed out to open sea so it could get around to Germany and stay out of sight, she felt a little more relaxed with the likes of Renzor and Razorback in her company as she knew that the White Wind would soon arrive. The Soul Edge had already picked up the presence of another Soul Calibur shard located in the ancestral mansion of the Valentine Clan. Though she had no problems retrieving it upon entering the mansion, however she was also supposed to stay and make sure the White Wind ran into trouble.
After they had managed to dock the Darkthorne at the bluff at the bottom of the peninsula she and a few of the lizardmen entered the house and settled in while the Uruk-Hai had been sent into the caverns that ran under the mansion. After all of this she was not to thrilled that she had to set up an ambush in such a place. To her it was a structure that showed both the legacy and ruin of the Valentine family that was not ment as a battleground. Sadly sacrifices had to be made. Renzor seemed to bring her concerns to his men's attention as did Razorback. Ivy however had something else on her mind.
Shortly after their arrive she found herself reading a note that had been delivered to them by the Azure Nightmare's unnamed black hawk. It told her that when the White Wind arrived to retrieve the Soul Calibur shard, she was to make sure that one of the Soul Edge's two biggest threats did not return to the battle field ever again. Cervantes, who was also with them had also requested the removal of another if fate gave her such an opportunity but not one of the three would be easy to just stab in the back, but the note also had another piece of information.
Drake had long surpassed his time limit and he was not where he said he would be. Anubis had already attempted to track him down but had come up with nothing and it was apparent that he had abused her trust and run out on them. Officially, he was now a target as well having betrayed their trust and taken a small piece of the Soul Edge. She hated that she would now have to be on the look out for him being that she actually had some respect for the boy. She had worried about this long into the night and found herself still wondering why he had not returned at midnight.
She found herself back in her bedroom while Renzor's tribe mates were scattered, being that they were a great deal more sanitary than the Uruk-hai she had allowed them entrance. Her father however had stayed on the ship as she refused to allow him entrance to the mansion until the White Wind arrived to retrieve the shard of the Soul Calibur which she held. She had discovered it to be a key item in the blade, the handle and a part of the hilt which was needed to reconstruct the blade, they would need this before they could threaten them with it. She wondered if Nightmare felt foolish about his gift in the desert.
Ivy laid back in her bed which was still ready for her, Valentine lay with its blade wrapped around her as if her weapon was embracing her of all things. She was worried about so many things and it was beginning to irritate her. Between Drake leaving, her birth father still attempting to win her over to his side against Nightmare there was one thing that still got to her. That apparent dark side of the one called Link that had come to them offering his services, he called himself Dark Link and said that he would be waiting for Link as well. She wondered if it had happened yet.
Her thoughts were disturbed as the Valentine grew to attention and curled out from under her body to form into its blade as if it was going on its guard. Ivy came to attention throwing the covers of her bed off and standing up, for once she was not wearing a uniform or any kind of armor. The only thing that adorned her body was a smallish white nightgown made of silk, pillaged on one of the Black Wind's many raids. It also left her bare footed but she felt perfectly capable of fighting in such unworthy attire.
She left her room stepping out into the halls that had been lit with a candle every few steps. She breathed as she closed the door behind her and looked around the hall admiring the rose pattern on the wall but kept in attention as that knocking sound continued to echo through the halls. She followed the sounds and her sword toward the main area of the entire mansion which was the large hall just past the foyer.
As she walked forward into the main hall which was lined in white and rose marble, she took notice that the sound had stopped. She breathed as she looked around the familiar house, it had set the stage for so much of her life. From her childhood and schooling to her teen years and growing up to face life. It was a small world but this place had always been a high part of hers and now it would set the stage for her objective: Luring in the White Wind and eliminating either the Elven, the Athenian or the Four Blade's leader.
It was surprising that there were no people living in the mansion when they arrived. She entered first thinking that if that had been the case they would have to be taken out of the picture, but she dropped that theory when she saw everything in its place. There was even a thin layer of dust coating most of the main hall. She lightly wondered if anybody knew what had become of her in the she vanished and joined the Black Wind. It wasn't like anybody would expect Isabella Valentine to be Ivy.
Her thoughts were broken as she heard a single knocking sound from the rafters that were above, still visible due to the fact they were remodeling the house when the family's funds ran dry. She looked straight up drawing out the Valentine and was greeted by the sight of a familiar silhouette that was leaning against one of the vertical rafters. A figure looked down at her almost mocking the stance she had taken "Step down!" she shouted before she stabbed the blade straight up. It darted out in its multiple segments looking to strike down the offender that sat above her.
With a great amount of agility the invader of the Valentine Mansion moved from the rafter dropping down toward the floor, Ivy swung the whip down ready to draw the man in half. He swiped a blade of his own which was quickly torn from its sheath to slap Valentine away before his feet touched down. The temptress reacted quickly pulling the weapon back before swinging it at her attacker. The invader reached behind his back producing a shield which caused the Valentine to go wide and strike the floor, he then rushed at her.
Ivy recalled the blade and then swung it hard hoping to get it around his body and tear him up but he was too fast and was quickly in her face. He swung out with his sword which was gripped by his left arm which she ducked under but this was her falling as it only came back to have its edge strike her. A foot before her own caused her to stumble but before her chest could hit the floor she twisted around and swung her blade. The whip like sword wrapped around her attacker its sharp edges getting into his cloths but this was only after he had knelt and brought the blade of his sword to her throat.
There was a tense moment of silence as Ivy starred up at her attackers deep red eyes which only seemed to exist to counter her own icy blue pupils, both of which were revealed by the light around the main hall. She breathed as she gripped her weapon, it would take no more than simply willing the blade to retract and he would be covered in some pretty bad lacerations that would never heal completely. She could not see him clearly through the shadows but had a pretty good idea of who this was.
A chuckle escaped the lips of her attacker and she looked to see the slightly shorter figure of the infamous Dark Link whom she figured would not have arrived yet. Dark Link chuckled as he looked down at her "Must you always attack me with this weapon, do I truly scare you that much?" he asked in his own sadistic way pulling back his sword. Ivy smirked before she recalled her weapon which left his body without leaving so much as a scratch "Must you always sneak up on me like that?" she countered him looking away as if she was insulted, clearly she did not trust this man yet.
Dark Link shook his head before reaching down to pull her to her feet which slightly surprised her, her bare feet slid against the marble of the floor and she ended up against his chest. She quickly stood to her feet and tried not to show any embarrassment, she then noticed a chuckle from him "I can't say I don't enjoy your new sense of style." he said looking at the night gown. Unable to help herself she allowed a giggle to escape her lips "Your terrible shadow boy." she said before she brushed herself off and stepped toward a pair of chairs near an unlit fireplace in the corner.
He followed her as she sat down and followed suit looking at her as she looked back at him "You've come a little later than I expected you too." she pointed out. The ash skinned warrior looked at her before speaking "Unlike your group I don't have a great amount of resources, and passing through towns your kind seem to enjoy starring at my differences." he said flicking one of his ears. Ivy smirked at him as he pointed this out, but then she decided to get down to business and asked how he managed to get into the mansion.
Dark Link looked back towards the main doors "You can come out now Pirate." he commented toward the doorway. Ivy narrowed her eyes before she snapped out her sword and stabbed toward the door. The blade struck the wall and the blades glowed revealing the figure that was Cervantes, apparently having followed her from the Darkthorne.
Cervantes's immortal eyes met with his daughter's before he gave a light huff "Forgive me for being cautious. There are very few that I trust within the company of my offspring." he said in reference to Ivy who dismissed it as if it was a joke or a white lie. The shadow of Link chuckled from where he sat while Ivy seemed relatively angry at Cervantes' presence in her home.
Cervantes decided to just get to business unable to stand the leers from his own daughter "I've already told him why we are here and he has agreed to join the Black Wind only if a few conditions are met. He'll be discussing them with you." Cervantes then turned and he moved to leave the mansion "I'll return to the ship and let them know that the mansion is secured, and don't let your sentimental rubbish get in the way of this opperation." Cervantes shouted before slamming the door behind him.
Ivy had stood up glaring at the doors as she was called to defend herself but only managed to stand there clinching her fist, had it not been for the fact he had the Soul Blade she would have attempted to end his life long ago. Her anger was suddenly replaced by a decent amount of surprise as she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders rubbing ever so softly, she looked back to see the one she was to work with attempting to comfort her. He then spoke "That fools thirst for power is going to bring all of you down in the end. Out of all of you he will be the first to fall."
Ivy normally would have turned and struck anybody else away but she was interested to hear what he was getting to "I would like nothing better. He has caused me nothing but misery since I even learned that he existed in this forsaken world." she said as she felt a great deal of tension vanish as this creature's touch. He spoke again in his ever smooth voice "Powerful men always allow their greed to dominate them, this domination is always their downfall, I've seen it many times before." he said with a chuckle.
Ivy lightly rolled her shoulders against his hands before she move to take a seat back in the patted chair although he continued trying to rub her stress away. While she enjoyed this she decided to get to business "By what standards are you willing to help us Shadow Boy?" she asked. The shadow leaned down behind her bringing his lips to her ear "Don't take this personally but I want you to stay out of my way. When Link arrives with his pathetic little band you will allow me and him to fight on equal grounds." Ivy reached back grabbing the back of his neck "Tell me more."
"Link may be a highly skilled warrior and has seen a great deal of challenge in his life but he does have a fair number of weaknesses. In exploiting these weaknesses I can bring out his true ability and power, only then will my existence seem worth while." he explained in a serious tone allowing his hands to rest on her shoulders.
Ivy looked back at him before speaking "Just so you know I have been ordered to destroy him should I come across him but I will gladly allow you to have the first blow at him. Should you fail I will intervene. That is only if I cannot find another suitable target." she explained.
"Agreed." he dark swordsman said before he began to walk away, Ivy turned around to look at him "Good...but I have one more request." he looked back at her requesting she name it "I want to know the true name of the one I make a pact with." the shadow of the elven swordsman closed his eyes and smirked before speaking "My apologies, call me Arus'Nei." he said before he stepped back towards the stairs vanishing into the shadows.
Ivy breathed before she reached into a fold of her night skirt removing a piece of silver blue metal with made the shape of a swords handle, it was the hilt of the Soul Calibur and what they would be coming for. She had her mind not only set on her three targets but the eminent battle between these two twins.
Next Chapters: Conflict By Blood
Upon arriving at the home of Count Valentine an ambush of the Seekers slowly unfolds as a daughter confronts the boy that hunts her father's blood and the carrier of light must fight with the shadow that claims him as his brother. Conflicts are never simple and when two are made enemies from either blood or flesh, it is something that cannot be avoided.
OOC: First off let me go ahead and point out that nobody in the White Wind or Four Blades knows Ivy as Isabella Valentine. So they think they are going to visit some heiress or something. Also if you cannot tell yet I am going to be delving into my personal answers to several frequently asked questions which are as follows:
Who/What exactly is Inferno?
What is his purpose and why is he trapped in SE?
Is there a second SC to go against a second SE?
What is the relationship between SE and SC?
If Inferno is SE essence, then who/what is SC's?
These questions have bothered me and I hope to answer them in this story. But please don't take it seriously because officially these questions really have no answers.