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, its been a while, but I'm back and I am about to start revealing a good deal of stuff involving multiple subjects. Such as the mysterious warrior's identity, the deal between Drake and Ivy, the mysterious Yugo and the whereabouts of Yoshimitsu and Voldo.
Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Forty Three: Ominous Power
Xianghua was beside herself with disbelief as she witnessed everything swiftly unfold before her and the people that she had come to trust in her search to reunite the Soul Calibur and destroy the Soul Edge. It wasn't like anything had made a great deal of since from the point she recieved the Krita-Yuga from her mother years ago, but now everything was chaos after the reappearance of the creature from Venice and a mysterious stranger that resembled Link's race.
She was supposed to be the one chosen by the Soul Calibur, but somehow this creature had managed to completely manipulate the hilt into a sword that would benefit him. The sword had not completely regenerated within his grip, but it had brought out every ounce of power that was held in the fragment. The fact that he had the fragment was a good sight however, if nothing else it proved he had at least had contact with Link, but still there was so much more unanswered. Not even Nightmare had that kind of will over the Soul Edge.
The creature that Siegfried had called a Hellspawn had forged the three shards of the Soul Edge he possessed into that strange cape that somehow morphed into a double bladed ax. Everything about this creature made absolutely no sense at all, manipulation of that cape and fire and the ability to take the abuse dealt to him in Venice, it was obvious that he was not of this world. Standing in the entrance of the Cathedral with these two explosive forces starring one another down provided no comfort for her, as there was no guarantee that the victorious wouldn't come after the shards. Sophitia grasped their box to her chest, clearly seeing this.
After a few seconds of a tense standoff the monster roared out a battle cry before rushing at his almost godly opponent. The energy that he called out from the Soul Edge shards was like a burning spear in the back of her mind, demanding she either run from it or destroy it. The ominous warrior looked up as the savage demon rushed at him, he took in a breath clearly out of pity or disappointment before shooting out his sword. The monster brought his ax down to slam against the broad sword, the forced caused the warrior to lean back but it didn't knock him down. He forced his way back up and glared at the monster "Mortal fool!" he growled before he made his move.
He swiped back his sword back sending his free hand out to forced the monster back before his sword caught a brilliant blue aura and then it came up. The energy left the sword in the form of a flying disk which struck to the demon and took him with it, he screamed in pain as the blade peeled off a good amount of his flesh before he got off it. The disk flew away from him and struck a wall where it went off in a flesh of light leaving a perfect cut in the stone. The warrior then jumped up and brought up his sword.
The monster looked up his face revealed as something that was once human, horribly burned and callused from something that must have happened. A maw of jagged teeth and a pair of eerie glowing eyes added more to his menacing nature. The monster then slowly stood to his feet his feet taking in a deep breath as his skin began to react slowly stretching out and growing back over his wounds. As the 'mask' slowly sealed over his face hiding the evidence of his suffering his eyes caught a red glow again. The Soul Edge was reacting.
Your supposed to be dead! the essence of the Soul Edge screached out to everybody within hearing distance, the telepathic voice once again invading the minds of the seekers, but it was clearly addressed to the warrior that stood before him. The creature looked up the war point clearly a give away to whoever he was supposed to be, but no matter who he was, the very essence of the Soul Edge hated him. The warrior spoke "Death comes to us all, one could call what I have been through the very definition of the word. But I couldn't rest while you continued to bring chaos to this world. What happened before, will not happen again." the mysterious warrior growled.
Sophitia breathed as she could feel an energy radiating from the sealed box, their fragments were trying a great deal harder to break through her seals. Xianghua looked at her knowing she knew something, Mitsurugi and Taki saw this and demanded to know exactly what was going on. Sophitia breathed trying to explain "The very essence of the Soul Edge has an enemy in this man, a burning hatred that dwarfs its resentment towards any of us. I don't think I've ever felt such malice from any living thing." she breathed as the fragments continued to speak out from their possessed host.
The essence of the sword spoke out once again You dare to predict again?! This world and all of it's sweetbreads are mine! The creatures that inhabit it are mine! he said in clear reference to the men and women it manipulated. The creature that had become possessed raised a hand to point at the silver hair warrior Despite what you've done you will not stop my conquest. After I have taken this world I will take the next, and as long as your sword remains shattered you cannot stop me! the monster then shook his head clearly confused as to why he was losing gaps of memory.
The warrior chuckled lightly holding the blade he had formed from the Soul Calibur's hilt against his shoulder "I know exactly what has been going on while I have been away. I also know how when the blade shattered all of the souls being put towards your resurrection were lost to you. Until you are once again complete you will never be able to do anything but manipulate Nightmare to do your will. Your no closer to your resurrection that I am to my own." he announced to the essence which was obviously disconnected from the main blade. Now some of the seekers were very confused by what was going on. Manipulation? Resurrection? It was another problem that could not be answered with their limited knowledge of the swords.
Siegfried breathed as he knew that this must have been one great deal of malice, not one of the shards imbedded in the ax had picked up on his presence. That had to have ment something, but it didn't make any sense at all. This powerful warrior clearly hailed from Link's lands, but how could he have possibly have ever had contact with the Soul Edge was beyond him. To make things even more confusing, he couldn't recall anything about this man from the seemingly infinite knowledge of the Soul Edge's history which he had taken away with him during the split with Nightmare. Just like the origins of the blade, such facts were either hidden or non-existent.
Cassandra breathed as she looked at the Four Blades who had gathered with Talim and Drake, they were planning something and she was going to make herself a part of it. The way the Master Sword was now glowing could be seen even while it was sheathed, there was something about this titan like warrior that brought out this strange light. The group of six split up going around either side. She breathed as she moved around to the side following Kyle, Mina and Yunsung towards the rear of the possessed monster clearly waiting for any sign of aggression towards the group.
The monster growled as he shook his head regaining control of himself "I don't know what the Soul Edge has against you, but if it will get them to shut up I'll gladly cut you down!" the Hellspawn then rushed the demigod who swiftly raised his blade swatting the ax up out of his way. The warrior followed up with a powerful fist to the monster's chest sending him back to slam into the floor "Stay down. The shards only feed upon your rage." the monster didn't listen and jumped up raising his hand to hurl another fireball which the warrior deflected, but it was all just a diversionary tactic.
As the warrior recovered from the fireball, the ax came down and was held back by the warrior who struggled to keep from toppling over, the crimson reappeared in the monster's eyes You manipulating this host of yours is no different from my own, how long have you been hiding yourself within him, Mythran?! the essense asked finally giving a name. Still this name ment nothing to Taki, Sophitia or even Siegfried. In fact while looking back at his knowledge the name Mythran seemed to be locked in the back of his mind, it was as if he knew at one point but was prohibited by the Soul Edge to access such information.
The warrior revealed as Mythran pushed back with a growl "My host came of his own free will. I simply remained sleeping knowing that eventually you would manipulate your sickening nature to his world. I have never had any direct contact with him until just recently." the essence of the Soul Edge growled as suddenly the monster began to pull back "Silence!" the demon roared as his eyes lost the crimson glow and his hands flew to his head to grab it clearly being distorted by the Soul Edge Shards as they were fused directly into a weapon which was an extension of himself. The warrior growled as the monster looked down and held up a fireball.
From the sidelines Cassandra narrowed her eyes finally beginning to realize what was going on and then rushed into action drawing the Master Sword from its sheath. She jumped up and then drove it hard into the Hellspawn's back, running him through completely. Mythran jumped up and swipped the sword made from the fragment at the ax which held the shards, the weapon and the shards seemed to clash with one another. The crimson aura the Soul Edge had created around their user completely dissipated and the monster was left in complete control of both his mind, body and the power that flowed through his weapon. He glared back at Cassandra before he knelt and then jumped up high into the air pulling himself from the Master Sword.
Everybody gasped as he thrust out his legs and arms freezing himself in mid air, one hand moved to grip over his wound which glowed green, healing over once again. His other glared at Cassandra and charged the ball of hell fire that had been intended for the mysterious Mythran just moments before. He hoisted it back and then hurled it down at Cassandra "Burn!" he roared as the blaze headed right at her. Cassandra was frozen with the heavier blade in her hand "Move!" Sophitia screamed "Cassandra!" Yunsung and Kyle shouted in unison, right as it came down. Cassandra then suddenly felt a force pushed her to the side and then pulled her a number of feet, her hand left the Master Sword as she was moved however.
A massive explosion blew the marble right from the floor and sent the sacred blade flying through the air to stab up into what remained of the cathedral's ceiling. Cassandra grunted as her lower back struck the floor and she skidded lightly, she looked up to catch sight of the warrior looking back at the levitated demon. The back of the tunic had nearly been burned off and it appeared that he had been injured by the explosion. It was obvious that the Soul Edge blinded the Hell spawn from seeing them, but she felt that this warrior hadn't noticed them either. He stood up slowly and stumbled lightly, nowhere near as powerful as before, he then looked at her "Get back." he demanded. She didn't respond and simply ran back to her sister.
Mythran took a deep breath as he drew back his sword and the monster slowly dropped to the floor drinking in the realization of the fact that his opponent was not invincible. The warrior breathed lightly as he looked at the blade he had fashioned from the Soul Calibur fragment, it had become obvious at this point that if he continued his power would consume the fragment as it had the relic he had locked himself in. The entire blade of the Soul Calibur would be required before he could leave his host, and even more stimulus would be needed before he could come out in physical form. Aside from that the bodies true owner was demanding that he be let out.
Some of the seekers were in question as the warrior took a breath and didn't make any sort of a move, it was as if he was reflecting or something. Suddenly he brought back his arm and made an action nobody expected, he tossed the blade away right towards Xianghua where it stabbed into the ground. It glowed before it reduced itself back to its original form, the hilt of the Soul Calibur. Xianghua looked up at the warrior as the knelt down to pick up the shard, Kilik narrowed his eyes "His power is vanishing. His life force is vanishing. Something strange is going on." he said lighting raising the Kali Yuga.
The warrior took a deep breath as he looked down at his hands and then brought them up to course through the silvery hair, he was slowly fading from the living realm once again. In moments he would be forced back into the mind of the body he had taken refuge in so long ago, with any luck he would get his chance to prevent the fall of this world. He breathed as light began to radiate from his body and he dropped down on one knee as the light became almost blinding to everybody in the room. "What in the hell?!" the monster along with several seekers questioned as the light suddenly snapped and flashed.
Eventually everybody regained their sight after the blinding flash and their eyes instantly moved to where the warrior had been only moments before. A figure could be seen through the fadding light and fog, knelt down in the same possition. Right knee placed to the flow, his hands spread out to the side, fingertips gracing the ground and his face pointed to the floor he knelt upon. The sillouette came into view and colors could be made out as the torch light touched cloths of lsuh green, silvery white and tanned brown leather. Blond hair whipped lightly as a soft breeze moved through the Cathedral and the seekers all began questioning their eyes as it become obvious.
The green clad figure slowly moved to stand, forcing his weight up on his leg. His bare fingertips scrapped the ground as he rose up and stood up straight, but still faced the floor. A hole was clearly punched into the left side of his tunic and the edges of the tear was caked with blood stains. The hole was clearly where his lung should have been. The figure raised his head to look up at the monster before him, the one that had attacked the younger of the sister and unconsciously provoked his. They were powerful yet at the same time confused. As if he was completely clueless to everything that was happening at that point in time.
"...Link." Cassandra lightly breathed from her place near the door of the Cathedral, just about every last seekers all echoed after her. Even the likes of Taki, Mitsurugi and Siegfried were all shocked by this turn of events, they would have never expected to see such things in their lives. Cassandra didn't know what to think as she looked upon him, she became completely oblivious to everything that was not him. The wind of life was in him. His body was drawing breath. His body was pumping its blood. His soul was burning like a flame. He was looking at her. "Cass?" he questioned clearly confused by what had been happening.
Cassandra wanted to go to him. Make sure that she was not dreaming. However somebody wasn't willing to stop and savor the return of their long missing friend "To Hell with this!!" the monster roared before he rushed right at the still disoriented Hylian. All of the seekers shouted out warnings as the monster brought back his axe. Link looked up as the powerful twin bladed weapon came right at his head threatening to take it off. Link's reflexes snapped into action and he jumped back forcing his legs up to turn a back flip attempting to avoid the attack.
The ax went just over Link's chest as he dropped back, his leg coming up to smack the monsters arm from behind sending him past Link just as he got back to his feet. Jumping up he moved hard and swung his arm at the monster, the back of his fist struck the demon's face just as the monster whirled around in an attempt to face Link. The monster stumbled forward and regained his balance just in time to catch a foot in the gut, the elf then pushed his assault by stepping up on the monster's bent leg and lashing out with his other foot sending the monster stumbling back against the wall.
Link then jumped back his quiver of arrows rattling without the sword sheath or shield to hold them taunt against his back. He breathed as he glanced around the cathedral his eyes moving to the ceiling of the large building which he clearly was still trying to figure out. It wasn't long before he spied the sacred blade he had hoped was still in the possession of Cassandra, stabbed into the center of what remained of the ceiling. He cursed something in a language that none of the seekers could identify, more than likely his own native tongue. He didn't have long to consider as the monster rushed at him again and he ran making his best efforts to avoid getting hacked.
Everybody kept back at they watched Link weave around the support beams of the Cathedral in his attempts to find the stairs, and the monster called Spawn was never more than a step behind. After several moments of watching Yunsung couldn't take it anymore and drew his sword "Don't! We still have no clue how powerful that bastard is!" Kyle barked, Yunsung shook his head "Well I'm not going to just let Link get a second chance at getting killed. I'm going!" as if by a cue Talim brought up her elbow blades and Mitsurugi brought out his katana. Raphael chuckled as he brought out his rapier "You people are really stupid." he said before the four of them rushed after the monster.
Sophitia looked up as Cassandra watched them run off, a number of them were standing back still guarding her and the shards. It wasn't long before Cassandra shook her head before drawing out her sword and shield and then rushing in to help them. Taki would have wanted to go, but she realized that anymore man power and they would probably end up getting in one another's way. Instead she turned her eyes to the on looking knight that stood by Sophitia "You know what is going on, don't you?" Mina and Kyle both looked. Siegfried however shook his head not having the faintest clue.
Link growled as another blast of fire exploded right next to him and he lost his footing hitting the ground, the monster then rushed up kicking him hard into the side of a pillar. The monster growled raising the glowing ax "I've had enough of you!" he roared preparing himself. Link went down to his belt drawing out his dagger when suddenly there was a flash of steel which cut into the monster's back, he howled in pain before he was kicked off of Link. Yunsung stood there along with Talim "GO!" he shouted. Link without a response ran for the stairs as Mitsurugi took a cleave at the monster's side.
Raphael ran up the stairs after Link as the monster roared slamming another blast of flame into the floor, it exploded outward in a ring forcing his new attackers back and he headed for the stairs seeking blood. Truly the Soul Edge shards were doing a great deal to his frame of mind. Mitsurugi growled as he looked up at the Master Sword unsure of how Link was going to get to it as it was a good thirty feet from its nearest ledge. Talim and Yunsung looked back at the other taking notice of how the others watched with concern, but the expression on Drake's face was different. Almost as if he couldn't believe that Link continued to draw breath.
After a good number of stairs Link came to a halt at the edge of the third floor, spying his sword a good distance from him stabbed into the ceiling. He looked back as Raphael moved out of the stairwell and the monster followed just in time to get the Flambert in his side "Get your sword boy!" Raphael shouted as he ducked a flying ax at his head. Link breathed as he rushed back and then got a running start towards the edge of the floor. The monster looked up and ignoring Raphael charged and hurled another blast towards the legs of the running hylian hopping to send him off the edge and to the ground.
Link reached the edge of the destroyed floor just as the blast came towards his feet. His hand dropped to his belt gripping something that was a dark blue and silver, however just as he jumped up and prepared to use it a deafening explosion went off behind him. His hand left the device as he flew over the gap and spotted his sword, one hand shot out as he passed it and he felt himself swing on his well stuck blade. He breathed as he hung in the air for a moment before he inverted himself, he brought his feet to touch the ceiling as he pulled on his blade which had been stabbed pretty well into the stone.
The monster growled as he watched these events unfold and tore away from Raphael who made a final slash cutting down the creature's back "Running away already?!" Raphael taunted as the monster rushed for the edge. The french swordsman then noticed Link's scenario and his eyes went wide as he grabbed a fallen piece of rubble and chucked it hard at the monster who caught it right in the head before he made the jump. The sheer power of his body allowed him to easily clear the gap and he flew for Link with his ax.
Link however knew exactly what was happening and wasn't about to be killed by that demon from the Venice harbor and reinforced his grip. Just as the monster came close enough he yanked a great deal harder and the sacred blade was freed from its stone sheath. Now, without the support that kept him to the ceiling, Link was sent into a back spin which slammed the blade of the Master Sword into the demon as a result. The demon screamed in agony as the blade cut into him and forced him down towards the floor.
Siegfried and the others watched in amazement as Link corrected himself in mid air and dropped down driving the blade straight through the monster's back riding him down to the ground floor. The demon absorbed a good deal of the impact and his eerie green blood sprayed across the floor he struck, Link withdrew his sword and then jumped down. He grabbed the monster's neck pulling him up and then proceeded to deliver three consecutive slashes to the monster's mid section before he whirled around and struck again. Energy seemed to explode from his sword as he struck the monster sending him flying far into a nearby wall.
Cassandra held her heart over her chest as she had been watching closely, Link had not been this powerful before and she had seen those tricks before back in England when Arus'Nei had struck Talim, Yunsung and Drake away from him. Link's eyes had changed even before he managed to get his hands back on the Master Sword, they were now glowing a light blue and he possessed another energy that was like an extension of his own. Link slowly raised his sword up towards the monster who struggled to get back to his feet, the shards of the Soul Edge were glowing. Burning with the sheer frustration running through the monster's soul, he roared out swearing as he forced his body to heal, clearly his powers were weakening.
Link narrowed his eyes as he saw this and did something that was rather unexpected, he held up the Master Sword and stabbed it into the floor next to him. He then removed his bow from his back that appeared to be intact and placed an arrow in it, everybody then felt the new energy as he a freezing wind blew through the area. The winds whirled around the elven swordsman as he held up his bow and a blue light shined very brightly on the tip of the arrow, before the entire arrow glowed. He then released it just as the creature stepped away from the wall.
The arrow buzzed through the air and struck the monster hard in the chest sending him slamming against the wall, everybody then gasped as something else happened that none of them had seen before them. The arrow burst as it stopped moving and ice materialized outward from the wound caking over the left side of the monster's body, the monster looked up "WHAT THE HELL!?!" he screamed as he raised his ax, but another arrow struck his wrist pinning into the wall covering his right arm and torso in solid ice. A third arrow hit his leg and froze it over as well, the ice sheets had to be at least two feet thick and obviously very cold. The monster grunted and struggled as the ice traveled up his neck covering his head and roared just as he was completely silenced. Link lowered his bow and breathed.
Cassandra was the first to step away from the wall before breaking into full run at Link who looked towards her before his legs gave out and he fell. She slid to a stop and caught him as he fell, his eyes remained open but his breathing was very light. Link looked up at her the brilliant glow still there, taking refuge behind his eyes. Tears welled up in Cassandra's as she held him over the floor and a single hand moved up to moved her hair from her vision before his eyes closed and he went silent. Cassandra hugged him to her unable to express her relief.
The others stepped up as she lowered his head to be placed on the ground a light smile on her face as she realized that there was nothing wrong with him "Its alright, he is asleep." she explained. Yunsung raised an eyebrow "Asleep? You've gotta be kidding me!" he half shouted. Raphael lightly chuckled "I think we all wish we were that relaxed." Sophitia and Kilik both nodded their heads in agreement. Siegfried breathed as he looked up to the sky seeing that the storm was going to come sooner than expected.
Sophitia noticed the same "We'd better take up shelter in the Cathedral tonight. Something tells me going down a mountain in the heavy rain isn't going to be a good idea." Siegfried acknowledged that she was right. As a good number of them broke off to find firewood or find a dry place to set up the fire Cassandra was completely absorbed into Link. He was alive and they had another fragment of the Soul Calibur. She smiled before she stood and followed Kyle and Mina to grab firewood.
Next Chapter: Back From Purgatory
(Voice of Link) As I awake and am told exactly what has happened in the last three weeks I look back upon what I had experienced in the world of my own mind. My meeting with a mysterious presence claiming to know about both of the swords and how they came to be and the information he offered me. As I write and draw out what I was told and what I was shown, many more windows begin to open before us and our quest gains a brighter light.
NOTE: If you haven't figured it out yet, the pastless character which I call Mythran is the Fierce Diety from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Profile will come along with the next chapter. Oh and if you didn't notice, Link has recovered his ability to use magic and he is back. READ AND REVIEW!! NOW!!
Authors Note: Okay, its been a while, but I'm back and I am about to start revealing a good deal of stuff involving multiple subjects. Such as the mysterious warrior's identity, the deal between Drake and Ivy, the mysterious Yugo and the whereabouts of Yoshimitsu and Voldo.
Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Forty Three: Ominous Power
Xianghua was beside herself with disbelief as she witnessed everything swiftly unfold before her and the people that she had come to trust in her search to reunite the Soul Calibur and destroy the Soul Edge. It wasn't like anything had made a great deal of since from the point she recieved the Krita-Yuga from her mother years ago, but now everything was chaos after the reappearance of the creature from Venice and a mysterious stranger that resembled Link's race.
She was supposed to be the one chosen by the Soul Calibur, but somehow this creature had managed to completely manipulate the hilt into a sword that would benefit him. The sword had not completely regenerated within his grip, but it had brought out every ounce of power that was held in the fragment. The fact that he had the fragment was a good sight however, if nothing else it proved he had at least had contact with Link, but still there was so much more unanswered. Not even Nightmare had that kind of will over the Soul Edge.
The creature that Siegfried had called a Hellspawn had forged the three shards of the Soul Edge he possessed into that strange cape that somehow morphed into a double bladed ax. Everything about this creature made absolutely no sense at all, manipulation of that cape and fire and the ability to take the abuse dealt to him in Venice, it was obvious that he was not of this world. Standing in the entrance of the Cathedral with these two explosive forces starring one another down provided no comfort for her, as there was no guarantee that the victorious wouldn't come after the shards. Sophitia grasped their box to her chest, clearly seeing this.
After a few seconds of a tense standoff the monster roared out a battle cry before rushing at his almost godly opponent. The energy that he called out from the Soul Edge shards was like a burning spear in the back of her mind, demanding she either run from it or destroy it. The ominous warrior looked up as the savage demon rushed at him, he took in a breath clearly out of pity or disappointment before shooting out his sword. The monster brought his ax down to slam against the broad sword, the forced caused the warrior to lean back but it didn't knock him down. He forced his way back up and glared at the monster "Mortal fool!" he growled before he made his move.
He swiped back his sword back sending his free hand out to forced the monster back before his sword caught a brilliant blue aura and then it came up. The energy left the sword in the form of a flying disk which struck to the demon and took him with it, he screamed in pain as the blade peeled off a good amount of his flesh before he got off it. The disk flew away from him and struck a wall where it went off in a flesh of light leaving a perfect cut in the stone. The warrior then jumped up and brought up his sword.
The monster looked up his face revealed as something that was once human, horribly burned and callused from something that must have happened. A maw of jagged teeth and a pair of eerie glowing eyes added more to his menacing nature. The monster then slowly stood to his feet his feet taking in a deep breath as his skin began to react slowly stretching out and growing back over his wounds. As the 'mask' slowly sealed over his face hiding the evidence of his suffering his eyes caught a red glow again. The Soul Edge was reacting.
Your supposed to be dead! the essence of the Soul Edge screached out to everybody within hearing distance, the telepathic voice once again invading the minds of the seekers, but it was clearly addressed to the warrior that stood before him. The creature looked up the war point clearly a give away to whoever he was supposed to be, but no matter who he was, the very essence of the Soul Edge hated him. The warrior spoke "Death comes to us all, one could call what I have been through the very definition of the word. But I couldn't rest while you continued to bring chaos to this world. What happened before, will not happen again." the mysterious warrior growled.
Sophitia breathed as she could feel an energy radiating from the sealed box, their fragments were trying a great deal harder to break through her seals. Xianghua looked at her knowing she knew something, Mitsurugi and Taki saw this and demanded to know exactly what was going on. Sophitia breathed trying to explain "The very essence of the Soul Edge has an enemy in this man, a burning hatred that dwarfs its resentment towards any of us. I don't think I've ever felt such malice from any living thing." she breathed as the fragments continued to speak out from their possessed host.
The essence of the sword spoke out once again You dare to predict again?! This world and all of it's sweetbreads are mine! The creatures that inhabit it are mine! he said in clear reference to the men and women it manipulated. The creature that had become possessed raised a hand to point at the silver hair warrior Despite what you've done you will not stop my conquest. After I have taken this world I will take the next, and as long as your sword remains shattered you cannot stop me! the monster then shook his head clearly confused as to why he was losing gaps of memory.
The warrior chuckled lightly holding the blade he had formed from the Soul Calibur's hilt against his shoulder "I know exactly what has been going on while I have been away. I also know how when the blade shattered all of the souls being put towards your resurrection were lost to you. Until you are once again complete you will never be able to do anything but manipulate Nightmare to do your will. Your no closer to your resurrection that I am to my own." he announced to the essence which was obviously disconnected from the main blade. Now some of the seekers were very confused by what was going on. Manipulation? Resurrection? It was another problem that could not be answered with their limited knowledge of the swords.
Siegfried breathed as he knew that this must have been one great deal of malice, not one of the shards imbedded in the ax had picked up on his presence. That had to have ment something, but it didn't make any sense at all. This powerful warrior clearly hailed from Link's lands, but how could he have possibly have ever had contact with the Soul Edge was beyond him. To make things even more confusing, he couldn't recall anything about this man from the seemingly infinite knowledge of the Soul Edge's history which he had taken away with him during the split with Nightmare. Just like the origins of the blade, such facts were either hidden or non-existent.
Cassandra breathed as she looked at the Four Blades who had gathered with Talim and Drake, they were planning something and she was going to make herself a part of it. The way the Master Sword was now glowing could be seen even while it was sheathed, there was something about this titan like warrior that brought out this strange light. The group of six split up going around either side. She breathed as she moved around to the side following Kyle, Mina and Yunsung towards the rear of the possessed monster clearly waiting for any sign of aggression towards the group.
The monster growled as he shook his head regaining control of himself "I don't know what the Soul Edge has against you, but if it will get them to shut up I'll gladly cut you down!" the Hellspawn then rushed the demigod who swiftly raised his blade swatting the ax up out of his way. The warrior followed up with a powerful fist to the monster's chest sending him back to slam into the floor "Stay down. The shards only feed upon your rage." the monster didn't listen and jumped up raising his hand to hurl another fireball which the warrior deflected, but it was all just a diversionary tactic.
As the warrior recovered from the fireball, the ax came down and was held back by the warrior who struggled to keep from toppling over, the crimson reappeared in the monster's eyes You manipulating this host of yours is no different from my own, how long have you been hiding yourself within him, Mythran?! the essense asked finally giving a name. Still this name ment nothing to Taki, Sophitia or even Siegfried. In fact while looking back at his knowledge the name Mythran seemed to be locked in the back of his mind, it was as if he knew at one point but was prohibited by the Soul Edge to access such information.
The warrior revealed as Mythran pushed back with a growl "My host came of his own free will. I simply remained sleeping knowing that eventually you would manipulate your sickening nature to his world. I have never had any direct contact with him until just recently." the essence of the Soul Edge growled as suddenly the monster began to pull back "Silence!" the demon roared as his eyes lost the crimson glow and his hands flew to his head to grab it clearly being distorted by the Soul Edge Shards as they were fused directly into a weapon which was an extension of himself. The warrior growled as the monster looked down and held up a fireball.
From the sidelines Cassandra narrowed her eyes finally beginning to realize what was going on and then rushed into action drawing the Master Sword from its sheath. She jumped up and then drove it hard into the Hellspawn's back, running him through completely. Mythran jumped up and swipped the sword made from the fragment at the ax which held the shards, the weapon and the shards seemed to clash with one another. The crimson aura the Soul Edge had created around their user completely dissipated and the monster was left in complete control of both his mind, body and the power that flowed through his weapon. He glared back at Cassandra before he knelt and then jumped up high into the air pulling himself from the Master Sword.
Everybody gasped as he thrust out his legs and arms freezing himself in mid air, one hand moved to grip over his wound which glowed green, healing over once again. His other glared at Cassandra and charged the ball of hell fire that had been intended for the mysterious Mythran just moments before. He hoisted it back and then hurled it down at Cassandra "Burn!" he roared as the blaze headed right at her. Cassandra was frozen with the heavier blade in her hand "Move!" Sophitia screamed "Cassandra!" Yunsung and Kyle shouted in unison, right as it came down. Cassandra then suddenly felt a force pushed her to the side and then pulled her a number of feet, her hand left the Master Sword as she was moved however.
A massive explosion blew the marble right from the floor and sent the sacred blade flying through the air to stab up into what remained of the cathedral's ceiling. Cassandra grunted as her lower back struck the floor and she skidded lightly, she looked up to catch sight of the warrior looking back at the levitated demon. The back of the tunic had nearly been burned off and it appeared that he had been injured by the explosion. It was obvious that the Soul Edge blinded the Hell spawn from seeing them, but she felt that this warrior hadn't noticed them either. He stood up slowly and stumbled lightly, nowhere near as powerful as before, he then looked at her "Get back." he demanded. She didn't respond and simply ran back to her sister.
Mythran took a deep breath as he drew back his sword and the monster slowly dropped to the floor drinking in the realization of the fact that his opponent was not invincible. The warrior breathed lightly as he looked at the blade he had fashioned from the Soul Calibur fragment, it had become obvious at this point that if he continued his power would consume the fragment as it had the relic he had locked himself in. The entire blade of the Soul Calibur would be required before he could leave his host, and even more stimulus would be needed before he could come out in physical form. Aside from that the bodies true owner was demanding that he be let out.
Some of the seekers were in question as the warrior took a breath and didn't make any sort of a move, it was as if he was reflecting or something. Suddenly he brought back his arm and made an action nobody expected, he tossed the blade away right towards Xianghua where it stabbed into the ground. It glowed before it reduced itself back to its original form, the hilt of the Soul Calibur. Xianghua looked up at the warrior as the knelt down to pick up the shard, Kilik narrowed his eyes "His power is vanishing. His life force is vanishing. Something strange is going on." he said lighting raising the Kali Yuga.
The warrior took a deep breath as he looked down at his hands and then brought them up to course through the silvery hair, he was slowly fading from the living realm once again. In moments he would be forced back into the mind of the body he had taken refuge in so long ago, with any luck he would get his chance to prevent the fall of this world. He breathed as light began to radiate from his body and he dropped down on one knee as the light became almost blinding to everybody in the room. "What in the hell?!" the monster along with several seekers questioned as the light suddenly snapped and flashed.
Eventually everybody regained their sight after the blinding flash and their eyes instantly moved to where the warrior had been only moments before. A figure could be seen through the fadding light and fog, knelt down in the same possition. Right knee placed to the flow, his hands spread out to the side, fingertips gracing the ground and his face pointed to the floor he knelt upon. The sillouette came into view and colors could be made out as the torch light touched cloths of lsuh green, silvery white and tanned brown leather. Blond hair whipped lightly as a soft breeze moved through the Cathedral and the seekers all began questioning their eyes as it become obvious.
The green clad figure slowly moved to stand, forcing his weight up on his leg. His bare fingertips scrapped the ground as he rose up and stood up straight, but still faced the floor. A hole was clearly punched into the left side of his tunic and the edges of the tear was caked with blood stains. The hole was clearly where his lung should have been. The figure raised his head to look up at the monster before him, the one that had attacked the younger of the sister and unconsciously provoked his. They were powerful yet at the same time confused. As if he was completely clueless to everything that was happening at that point in time.
"...Link." Cassandra lightly breathed from her place near the door of the Cathedral, just about every last seekers all echoed after her. Even the likes of Taki, Mitsurugi and Siegfried were all shocked by this turn of events, they would have never expected to see such things in their lives. Cassandra didn't know what to think as she looked upon him, she became completely oblivious to everything that was not him. The wind of life was in him. His body was drawing breath. His body was pumping its blood. His soul was burning like a flame. He was looking at her. "Cass?" he questioned clearly confused by what had been happening.
Cassandra wanted to go to him. Make sure that she was not dreaming. However somebody wasn't willing to stop and savor the return of their long missing friend "To Hell with this!!" the monster roared before he rushed right at the still disoriented Hylian. All of the seekers shouted out warnings as the monster brought back his axe. Link looked up as the powerful twin bladed weapon came right at his head threatening to take it off. Link's reflexes snapped into action and he jumped back forcing his legs up to turn a back flip attempting to avoid the attack.
The ax went just over Link's chest as he dropped back, his leg coming up to smack the monsters arm from behind sending him past Link just as he got back to his feet. Jumping up he moved hard and swung his arm at the monster, the back of his fist struck the demon's face just as the monster whirled around in an attempt to face Link. The monster stumbled forward and regained his balance just in time to catch a foot in the gut, the elf then pushed his assault by stepping up on the monster's bent leg and lashing out with his other foot sending the monster stumbling back against the wall.
Link then jumped back his quiver of arrows rattling without the sword sheath or shield to hold them taunt against his back. He breathed as he glanced around the cathedral his eyes moving to the ceiling of the large building which he clearly was still trying to figure out. It wasn't long before he spied the sacred blade he had hoped was still in the possession of Cassandra, stabbed into the center of what remained of the ceiling. He cursed something in a language that none of the seekers could identify, more than likely his own native tongue. He didn't have long to consider as the monster rushed at him again and he ran making his best efforts to avoid getting hacked.
Everybody kept back at they watched Link weave around the support beams of the Cathedral in his attempts to find the stairs, and the monster called Spawn was never more than a step behind. After several moments of watching Yunsung couldn't take it anymore and drew his sword "Don't! We still have no clue how powerful that bastard is!" Kyle barked, Yunsung shook his head "Well I'm not going to just let Link get a second chance at getting killed. I'm going!" as if by a cue Talim brought up her elbow blades and Mitsurugi brought out his katana. Raphael chuckled as he brought out his rapier "You people are really stupid." he said before the four of them rushed after the monster.
Sophitia looked up as Cassandra watched them run off, a number of them were standing back still guarding her and the shards. It wasn't long before Cassandra shook her head before drawing out her sword and shield and then rushing in to help them. Taki would have wanted to go, but she realized that anymore man power and they would probably end up getting in one another's way. Instead she turned her eyes to the on looking knight that stood by Sophitia "You know what is going on, don't you?" Mina and Kyle both looked. Siegfried however shook his head not having the faintest clue.
Link growled as another blast of fire exploded right next to him and he lost his footing hitting the ground, the monster then rushed up kicking him hard into the side of a pillar. The monster growled raising the glowing ax "I've had enough of you!" he roared preparing himself. Link went down to his belt drawing out his dagger when suddenly there was a flash of steel which cut into the monster's back, he howled in pain before he was kicked off of Link. Yunsung stood there along with Talim "GO!" he shouted. Link without a response ran for the stairs as Mitsurugi took a cleave at the monster's side.
Raphael ran up the stairs after Link as the monster roared slamming another blast of flame into the floor, it exploded outward in a ring forcing his new attackers back and he headed for the stairs seeking blood. Truly the Soul Edge shards were doing a great deal to his frame of mind. Mitsurugi growled as he looked up at the Master Sword unsure of how Link was going to get to it as it was a good thirty feet from its nearest ledge. Talim and Yunsung looked back at the other taking notice of how the others watched with concern, but the expression on Drake's face was different. Almost as if he couldn't believe that Link continued to draw breath.
After a good number of stairs Link came to a halt at the edge of the third floor, spying his sword a good distance from him stabbed into the ceiling. He looked back as Raphael moved out of the stairwell and the monster followed just in time to get the Flambert in his side "Get your sword boy!" Raphael shouted as he ducked a flying ax at his head. Link breathed as he rushed back and then got a running start towards the edge of the floor. The monster looked up and ignoring Raphael charged and hurled another blast towards the legs of the running hylian hopping to send him off the edge and to the ground.
Link reached the edge of the destroyed floor just as the blast came towards his feet. His hand dropped to his belt gripping something that was a dark blue and silver, however just as he jumped up and prepared to use it a deafening explosion went off behind him. His hand left the device as he flew over the gap and spotted his sword, one hand shot out as he passed it and he felt himself swing on his well stuck blade. He breathed as he hung in the air for a moment before he inverted himself, he brought his feet to touch the ceiling as he pulled on his blade which had been stabbed pretty well into the stone.
The monster growled as he watched these events unfold and tore away from Raphael who made a final slash cutting down the creature's back "Running away already?!" Raphael taunted as the monster rushed for the edge. The french swordsman then noticed Link's scenario and his eyes went wide as he grabbed a fallen piece of rubble and chucked it hard at the monster who caught it right in the head before he made the jump. The sheer power of his body allowed him to easily clear the gap and he flew for Link with his ax.
Link however knew exactly what was happening and wasn't about to be killed by that demon from the Venice harbor and reinforced his grip. Just as the monster came close enough he yanked a great deal harder and the sacred blade was freed from its stone sheath. Now, without the support that kept him to the ceiling, Link was sent into a back spin which slammed the blade of the Master Sword into the demon as a result. The demon screamed in agony as the blade cut into him and forced him down towards the floor.
Siegfried and the others watched in amazement as Link corrected himself in mid air and dropped down driving the blade straight through the monster's back riding him down to the ground floor. The demon absorbed a good deal of the impact and his eerie green blood sprayed across the floor he struck, Link withdrew his sword and then jumped down. He grabbed the monster's neck pulling him up and then proceeded to deliver three consecutive slashes to the monster's mid section before he whirled around and struck again. Energy seemed to explode from his sword as he struck the monster sending him flying far into a nearby wall.
Cassandra held her heart over her chest as she had been watching closely, Link had not been this powerful before and she had seen those tricks before back in England when Arus'Nei had struck Talim, Yunsung and Drake away from him. Link's eyes had changed even before he managed to get his hands back on the Master Sword, they were now glowing a light blue and he possessed another energy that was like an extension of his own. Link slowly raised his sword up towards the monster who struggled to get back to his feet, the shards of the Soul Edge were glowing. Burning with the sheer frustration running through the monster's soul, he roared out swearing as he forced his body to heal, clearly his powers were weakening.
Link narrowed his eyes as he saw this and did something that was rather unexpected, he held up the Master Sword and stabbed it into the floor next to him. He then removed his bow from his back that appeared to be intact and placed an arrow in it, everybody then felt the new energy as he a freezing wind blew through the area. The winds whirled around the elven swordsman as he held up his bow and a blue light shined very brightly on the tip of the arrow, before the entire arrow glowed. He then released it just as the creature stepped away from the wall.
The arrow buzzed through the air and struck the monster hard in the chest sending him slamming against the wall, everybody then gasped as something else happened that none of them had seen before them. The arrow burst as it stopped moving and ice materialized outward from the wound caking over the left side of the monster's body, the monster looked up "WHAT THE HELL!?!" he screamed as he raised his ax, but another arrow struck his wrist pinning into the wall covering his right arm and torso in solid ice. A third arrow hit his leg and froze it over as well, the ice sheets had to be at least two feet thick and obviously very cold. The monster grunted and struggled as the ice traveled up his neck covering his head and roared just as he was completely silenced. Link lowered his bow and breathed.
Cassandra was the first to step away from the wall before breaking into full run at Link who looked towards her before his legs gave out and he fell. She slid to a stop and caught him as he fell, his eyes remained open but his breathing was very light. Link looked up at her the brilliant glow still there, taking refuge behind his eyes. Tears welled up in Cassandra's as she held him over the floor and a single hand moved up to moved her hair from her vision before his eyes closed and he went silent. Cassandra hugged him to her unable to express her relief.
The others stepped up as she lowered his head to be placed on the ground a light smile on her face as she realized that there was nothing wrong with him "Its alright, he is asleep." she explained. Yunsung raised an eyebrow "Asleep? You've gotta be kidding me!" he half shouted. Raphael lightly chuckled "I think we all wish we were that relaxed." Sophitia and Kilik both nodded their heads in agreement. Siegfried breathed as he looked up to the sky seeing that the storm was going to come sooner than expected.
Sophitia noticed the same "We'd better take up shelter in the Cathedral tonight. Something tells me going down a mountain in the heavy rain isn't going to be a good idea." Siegfried acknowledged that she was right. As a good number of them broke off to find firewood or find a dry place to set up the fire Cassandra was completely absorbed into Link. He was alive and they had another fragment of the Soul Calibur. She smiled before she stood and followed Kyle and Mina to grab firewood.
Next Chapter: Back From Purgatory
(Voice of Link) As I awake and am told exactly what has happened in the last three weeks I look back upon what I had experienced in the world of my own mind. My meeting with a mysterious presence claiming to know about both of the swords and how they came to be and the information he offered me. As I write and draw out what I was told and what I was shown, many more windows begin to open before us and our quest gains a brighter light.
NOTE: If you haven't figured it out yet, the pastless character which I call Mythran is the Fierce Diety from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Profile will come along with the next chapter. Oh and if you didn't notice, Link has recovered his ability to use magic and he is back. READ AND REVIEW!! NOW!!