Authors Note: Okay. In responce to reviews I don't know what this is about seven swords, but I am going off of all the intelligence I have gathered on the series. I'm trying to keep it as simple as I can and if you have read other stories it isn't easy for me. Link may still have the triforce but it is nowhere nearly as powerful away from Hyrule. He took it with him to split up the trio and keep anybody from ever getting their hands on all three. Also as far as this chapter goes I appologize if anybodies favorites end up looking weak.
Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Forty Five: Turn Of The Winds
It had been a solid three weeks since she had struck down that meddling elf and after spending some time taking anything of value from a few nearby cities along the coast and now they were finally heading back to the fortress on Kestral Island. There they would be able to rendevous with the rest of the Black Wind and see exactly what kind of power they had from what they had collected. There was also the matter of her servent who was still out on his extended journey to capture the shards, now it was a mission to bring back intelligence on just how much their opposition had.
Ivy was however disturbed with a good number of things, shortly after they retreated from the Valentine Estate the shadow of the elf vanished without a word. And now that they were just leaving into the ocean one of the random orcs informed her of a shadow that was lurking near the front of the ship and had struck down three Uruk-Hai that approached it. Ivy knew that the White Wind wouldn't have been able to stow away and had a pretty good idea of who it was, she decided to take it upon herself to check out exactly what was going on, but in the event she was wrong the Valentine was still alongside her.
The wind was blowing and the rain seemed to come from the darkness to pound upon the deck of the ship, Ivy ignored it as she pulled her cloak lightly around her body and then stepped forward spying the spray of the blood on the deck. She then looked up as a figure just ahead of her hoisted up one and hurled it over board where it smashed into the water, he then averted his glowing crimson gaze towards her. She crossed her arms "Angry about something Arus'Nei?" she questioned. He growled lightly under his throat as he looked down at the convulsing Uruk-Hai at his feet. He shouted as he kicked the creature up and then off the ship before looking towards Ivy.
The temptress didn't flinch as the shadowed Hylian glared at her almost with the intent to kill, he stepped towards her and his hand drew out his blade which came at her in a stabbing motion. She swiped Valentine up to close against the side of the Shadow Sword as it stopped just off the tip of her neck. Arus'Nei spoke with a growl "Link is my target, if you try that again I will not hesitate to kill you." he said before withdrawing his blade. She lowered her own blade as he stepped to the side of the ship "What is to try again? Sorry if you feel robbed but you have to face the fact that he is dead! You have to live up to your end of the deal." Arus'Nei simply chuckled.
He looked back at her with a smirk of amusement "You would be wise to never under estimate either of us, our kind is much more durable than your own. He is alive and you would be foolish to drop your guard until after you've seen a body." Ivy huffed at Arus'Nei's confidence in the elf of the lighter side "I don't need to see anything, I felt my sword pierce him and then he fell into the ocean. No mortal man could ever survive something like that." Arus'Nei shook his head giving up "Believe what you wish temptress, just don't blame me when it comes back to haunt you. It's a mistake both of us have made time and time again." he explained.
Ivy growled before shaking her head "Believe whatever you want dark boy, I won't lose any sleep over it. I must however thank you for your information, it took a little while but I was able to draw one thing from your home realm." Arus'Nei lightly smirked. Before he went off on his persuit he had taken the time to explain the coordinates of the dark realm where he had been forced to remain for so long "I apologize if you were only able to draw out my pet, figured he'd be the only one to respond to my name. Otherwise they only listen to my voice." he explained.
Ivy breathed. Everytime she spoke with the likes of this man she felt a little smaller. After managing to free Diablos and Anubis from their prison of the earth dark realm she had fancied herself as a master of summoning. But with just his instructions and the words of his requesting assistance from any powerful enough to cross through the pentagram she had drawn out a monster beyond her expectations. She looked back at the creature that stood on the front of the ship perched there, awaiting orders from its master.
Arus'Nei crossed his arms as he looked up at the creature figuring that Ivy must not have been nearly as skilled as he was lead to believe, but it was more than enough for the moment. Ivy suddenly looked up as she felt the Valentine rumbled in its sheath taking on a glow, she smiled lightly "Seems that Drake is finally ready." she chuckled. The stone she had given him not only detected the shards, it also connected to Valentine and acted as a signal for when he would be ready to be picked up. Though Diablos had agreed to the duty it was not possible as he was back on Nightmare's ship and hundreds of miles away.
Ivy approached the creature and Arus'Nei looked back at her as the monster raised its impressive wing span not knowing wether or not roasting her was the good idea. Arus'Nei shook his head and the creature stood down as Ivy approached "I have a request to make of you shadow boy." she said. The nickname was beginning to get on his nerves "I want you to go on your pet and retrieve my servant before he is found out. Otherwise it is unlikely he will be able to hold that little group off." Arus'Nei chuckled before he looked to his pet.
Arus'Nei looked at Ivy and lightly narrowed his eyes as if the potential of himself and his loyal partner had been insulted. He looked back at the monsterous winged creature "Razgriz. Follow the trail of the Soul Edge and retrieve the boy who is given power by it, do not make your approach until he has them in his possession." the creature closed its burning red eyes before its wings snapped out and it vanished into the night creating several gusts of wind which ruffled the masts of the ship. Arus'Nei stepped up to the confused Ivy "My pet isn't a simple animal my dear. He was smart enough to wait where I bid him for all these months and he knows exactly who he is looking for." Ivy breathed lightly remembering that Arus'Nei had some form of magic at his disposal that his brother had lacked.
He leaned forward getting in her face to the point she could feel his breath on her neck thanks to the three inch height advantage "Without a doubt, he'll succeed." Ivy crossed her arms as she stepped back from the intimidating warrior "And what if he doesn't?" Arus'Nei chuckled before walking off "He won't. But in the event he does, you can decide." he said before stepping off.
"Obnoxious little boy, arn't you?" Ivy chuckled as the shadow of Link vanished towards the back of the ship, though it was tempting to think of something creative, first thing was first. She drew Valentine out and looked at the glow, it was very bright and Drake was clearly ready to get this done and be retrieved. Ivy just hoped that he wouldn't question his sanity when his ride came in the form of a mythical beast only heard of in fairy tales. Ivy realized that she still didn't know where the shadow and the elf she had killed had come from, she had to find out before long.
Link breathed as he continued to draw out the construct of the building which he had been working on off the image of his mind for the last hour. Attention to detail was vital as he was pretty sure they couldn't afford to make any mistakes about identification. He had stationed himself on a part of the third floor that wasn't taking on rain, he had completed rough outlines of the people he had seen and decided to start on buildings. Cassandra stayed beside him along with a few of the others. Kyle and Mina were both watching this certain drawing rather intently and the Trio and Talim examined the other pieces he had along with Taki.
Link breathed as he took his pencil from the paper and held it out to Mina who had told him it seemed familiar just earlier "Does this fortress mean anything to you?" he questioned, able to tell from the structure that it was some sort of military building. Mina took it and her eyes went wide "This is a base of the Korean Costal Defense Force!" she said able to judge that by the emblem and writing on the building which Link obviously couldn't read. Link picked up one of the rough drafts and then began sketching out on it "This man was standing before the structure in my vision, if you know the building. Perhaps you know him." he said.
He added in a pair of serious eyes, a bandana holding up spiked hair, some other features and then topped it off with the ears. It wasn't completed, but it was well enough for Mina who looked over Link's shoulder "No way! Kyle, its Hwang!" she said. The very mention of the Burning Patriot, Yunsung's one time hero and his rival brought Kyle's attention to the picture "Well I'll be damned." he murmured. Kilik looked up from the back of the room "So this 'Hwang' has a shard of the Soul Calibur. If Seung Mina and Kyle know him it shouldn't be a great task to acquire it, right?" Mina nodded her head.
Link breathed as he intertwined his fingers and pushed them outwards, his tired ligaments popping one after another as he did so. He breathed as he picked up another piece of paper and let out a yawn. It was obvious that keeping his brain wrapped around what might as well have been a dream was no easy task, but after pointing out Hwang it was clear that it was a vision of sorts and not just a random dream. Link continued his drawing on a rough outline which appeared to be balding man with markings around his skull, the others watched and some began to fall asleep.
He breathed as he looked around seeing Xianghua and Kilik up against one anothers shoulders and Maxi was lightly snoring next to them. Mina had dropped off as well next to Kyle who contemplated taking her to the second floor where the others were sleeping. Cassandra's head fell against his shoulder and her hands were braced on his uninjured side holding her up. Link breathed as he found himself unable to find fatigue as the last few weeks were a mental sleep for him mind and his body was recovering. He looked up before smiling lightly and began to trace out Kilik and Xianghua figuring it would make for good entertainment sometime in the future.
Taki opened one eye to spy Link's actions and chuckled lightly as she crossed her arms over her casual emerald garb which had taken the place of her normal red attire, being that she wasn't going into combat anytime soon. She spoke up to Link "Is this talent of yours an aquired skill or a hobby?" she questioned him. Link looked up and smiled to Taki "I just find it interesting. These two are so intense and hot blooded while conscious over this journey, the amount of peace I sense from their slumber is quite calming. Should this end you will all need a way to remember me by." he said as he traced their features. Taki chuckled lightly at the idea of being drawn by the mysterious elf.
On the second floor down those that were not around slept in one of the rooms that still had a few mattresses present, obviously once lodging for the devoted of the cathedril. Sophitia had been the one to point this out and had decided that they would take three hours to themselves and then allow somebody else to enjoy the comforts that didn't come along while in the field. While Raphael and Raphael had taken two of the three mattresses, Mitsurugi had spurned it and had sat down against a wall falling into a rather light sleep. Siegfried meanwhile stood in the corner his large blade leaning against his shoulder and his arms crossed over his chest.
Back in the cathedral where the ominous warrior battled with the powerful hellspawn the latter of the two warriors remained trapped in his icey prison. The ice was still gripping him to the wall and had become solid without much chance of melting in the autumn weather and although his head was poking through he remained unconscious and the Soul Edge shards remained dormant in his outstretched ax. As the night ticked by his body unconsciously twitched and struggled at its confinement, it however ceased as a single silhouette appeared in the area accented by the camp fire light in the center of the ground floor.
The shadow's left hand clutched around a glowing red stone as he raised it to stuff back under his shirt and he took a breath before stepping towards the trapped creature drawing out a single tanto from behind his waist. He took several hacks at the ice that was around the ax before finding it open to the air once again, he then looked at the three Soul Edge shards that were imbedded in the frame and breathed. The point of his blade then dug in acting like a pry to loosen the forsaken piece of metal. As the first Soul Edge shard left the unidentified steel of the ax the Hellspawn felt a good drop in his power and snapped into consciousness.
His first sight was that of a blond haired young man in his middle teens bringing up a glowing piece of steel up to inspect it, clearly a piece of the Soul Edge he had been deployed to collect. A growl collected in the back of his throat as he recognized him as that brat he had hurled across the Venican harbor "The fuck are you doing?!" he half shouted before the boys bright blue eyes darted to him and he recieved the flat end of the blade, swung baseball bat style upside his forehead sending him right back into unconsciousness. The boy then proceeded the pry the pieces of steel from the monster's weapon until he found himself with a trio of them, more than enough to please his masters.
However the shouts of the hellspawn had not gone unnoticed and as the boy found himself slipping the last piece of the Soul Edge into a pouch he heard footsteps right behind him. He narrowed his eyes having already figured out who it was, the same overconfident fool who had been suspecting him since the beginning. His voice spoke out suspicious and demanding of an answer "Drake. Just what in the world do you think your doing?" he said and the sound of a sword being drawn could be heard. The young man breathed before sheathing his blade behind his waist and turning his head back lightly to look at the hot blooded red head.
He spoke up in a calm and confident voice "Just something that I have been trying to do ever since you guys first invited me to tag along..." he said before he swiftly turned and his hand shot up to pull Yunsung's sword out of stance. His free hand then came back and then shot forward slamming into the Korean's chest causing him to reel in pain. He then had his legs sweeped out from under him as the other young man darted for the entrance, stopped and looked back "I'm leaving." he said simply before he darted again. Yunsung growled before jumping to his feet "Traitor! Get back here!" he shouted.
Yunsung's scream echoed through most of the cathedril and several of the seekers woke with a start and moved towards the downstairs to find out exactly what was going on. Link and Cassandra along with everybody else on the third floor regained consciousness just in time to see Taki prepare herself and then jump out a window sliding down the wall of the church. Link jumped to his feet but his eyes shot open as he dropped back holding his side and was forced to watch Kilik and Talim moved out and following the shouts of Yunsung after an unidentified person who could have been anybody from where they were.
Drake dashed through the rain storm so fast that had it not been for the shine of his uncut hair in the moonlight he would have been able to slip away. The trail had become slick with mud and many would have found it difficult to navigate, but Drake hit it and flattened his feet sliding down and finding solid ground before continuing. Yunsung slipped but managed to recover and give chase all while Taki, Talim and Kilik were slowed by the downgrade of the mountain. This would put them a good amount of time behind, but it was unlikely they would lose Yunsung as he was heading straight for a cliff.
Of all the bad luck he had to run into a cliff which had a good four hundred feet to fall and he wasn't in the mood to meet those jagged rocks at the bottom either. Drake looked back as Yunsung stepped out onto the cliff from the path and held up his blade towards Drake "Give back the shards!" he shouted pointing towards the glowing pouch on Drake's belt. The younger warrior narrowed his eyes at Yunsung and spoke "No. I will take them for the moment, and you clearly lack the strength to control them, much less bare the weight on your pathetic soul." he said essentially challenging Yunsung's mantle.
The Korean growled before he rushed at Drake with his blade forgetting about anything the others might say he took a swing with hopes of decaptitating the wind warrior. Drake dropped to the ground at the last possibly moment and sent his fist to connect sharply with Yunsung's gut. The enraged warrior put a great deal of power behind swings at the young man, but he dodges each blow with unbelievable accuracy which ended in a leaping snap kick to Yunsung's jaw which sent him slamming into the dirt. The White Storm bounced across the ground before dropping to rest on the dirt of the cliff where Drake stood.
Yunsung growled as he gripped the side of his pained jaw which he was lucky had not been shattered by the attack, he trembled before striking the ground with his first. It was at this instance that several of the other seekers appeared down the trail save for the wounded Link, the unawoken Maxi and Cassandra who had to force the brash elf to not hurt himself. Taki had entered right at the instant Yunsung had struck the ground and had identified it as one of the Fu-Ma's standard counters. Talim was even more in shock as she rushed forward witnessing Drake picking up Yunsung's sword and scoffing before throwing it towards the rock wall and away from the Korean.
"Drake what are you doing?!" she shouted, her words however fell upon deaf ears as Drake looked down at the shaken Yunsung who glared back "Talim don't even try! He is not our ally!" he shouted as he jumped up to attack again only to have his arm grabbed. Drake then twisted around and swung Yunsung over his shoulder to slam him into the dirt bringing significant pain to his back. Talim shook her head as this was clearly one of her own techniques "No. He wouldn't betray us! Yunsung, just stop!" she shouted out still convinced that Yunsung was attempting to get at Drake's throat.
Drake breathed as Yunsung got up onto his knees and looked back "Talim! He is a traitor! That pouch on his hip, those are the shards!" he shouted. Everybody looked up either stunned and taken in by this astounding announcement several of them unable to believe that Drake would do this. The multiple trained warrior looked down at Yunsung as he glared up at him "He has betrayed us!" he shouted. Drake scoffed "Try saying something that isn't that obvious you fool." he said taunting Yunsung into jumping to attack again drawing a small knife from his boot and taking a downwards stabbing motion at Drake who shot his arm up to catch the attacking arm.
The first punch from the right arm ment to hide the attack from the knife was easily dodged and the knife was intercepted. Before Yunsung could retaliate Drake's free hand shot up to sock Yunsung across the face before the Korean's arm was twisted behind his back held up straight. Drake then struck the back of his knee forcing him to the ground and brought his right hand down in a blade motion on the middle of Yunsung's forearm resulting in a sharp snap which was following by a howl of pain from Yunsung. Drake then tossed the defeated Korean to the ground where he landed grasping at his broken left arm.
Drake looked at the knife that had been pointed at his head and hurled it at Yunsung where it struck home in his left leg causing him to jump up and grasp for it "That is how I respond to underhanded tricks like that, feel fortunate I didn't just remove your arm from your shoulder." he threatened as Talim rushed to the fallen Korean painfully ripping the knife from his leg. The freshly arrived Seung Mina meanwhile moved up to hold up her weapon prepared to defend her father's second finest student. Talim looked at the dagger and then to Drake tears forming in her eyes "What is wrong with you?! Why are you doing this?!" she shouted.
Drake's expression lost its threatening appearance for a second as he felt the guilt begin to sink in, Sophitia however addressed him "What do you gain from those three shards?" she demanded drawing her sword. Drake looked down at the pouch before speaking up with narrowed eyes "Insurance of my own interest. I am a bodyguard and personal mercenary serving under Isabella Valentine, though I'm sure you know her as Ivy." Raphael looked up and narrowed his eyes. They had all heard of Ivy having a young servant, but never would have guessed Drake. He paced light "My reasons are my own, but make no mistake I am not now, nor was I ever your ally."
At these words Mitsurugi, Raphael and Taki all drew their blades not about to let Drake pass knowing his intentions for the shards. Raphael had tossed out all skepticism about Isabella since Link was nearly killed by her and would not let his past with her interfere. Mitsurugi felt guilt in striking down one of such potential, but couldn't just let him get away. It was an internal struggle for Taki. While he claimed to have been taught by Byakko the original creator of the Fu-Ma style was not one who burden Drake further with it. She wanted to interrogate him further.
Suddenly Drake snapped into stance as he looked back feeling a gust of wind before a massive shadow appeared behind them and a stream of flame rushed from its throat lighting up the air above them. Sophitia looked up "A dragon?!" she shouted clearly not believing her own eyes, Drake looked back as the dragon nudged its head back as if to hail him forward. He shrugged and backflipped through the air and landed on the creature's back taking hold of a pair of spikes that jutted from the shoulders. They looked up at him not looking anxious to fight this new threat Drake spoke up "Everybody has their own priorities and while I wish not to burden you, your going to have to get through me sooner or later." he said almost directly to those who had known him.
He looked at Taki as she stood there and breathed before removing something from behind his belt and then made eye contact with the huntress "You all have your own as well, and a little hope wouldn't hurt." he said before tossing something at her. A small disk struck the ground at her feet and in a gust of wind the dragon repositioned itself towards the sky "The wind blows in many ways. But I will not wish those of fortune or curse upon them, I'll just let the streams run themselves." he said before the dragon took off into the sky leaving them all with only more questions.
Talim dropped to her knees and her fingers dug into the dirt and several of them contemplated what to do as Taki knelt and picked up the disk. Scratched out in very shoddy Japanese was a barely legible message "I was taught by Byakko as well as others. To my knowledge, Hitkiri still draws breath." the message was tapped off with the seal of the Hitkiri clan. Yugo's family the same as one her pendant. She looked up as the silhouette vanished and narrowed her eyes vowing that she would find him and force him to spill his guts on whatever else he knew.
Eventually a question came from Xianghua as Mina tended to making a sling for Yunsung's injured limb which had been broken right in the forearm "What do we do now? We've lost three shards, a good source of information and an ally." Yunsung growled lightly demanding that she not address him as such though the Chinese flower ignored him. There was silence among the group before Siegfried spoke "We should head to Athens and allow the wounded to recover. Link has already proven to know much by pointing out Mina's friend, we should allow him time to finish his work, while the rest of us can ease our minds. Lets return to where this started." he said. Everybody agreed.
Next Chapter: Of Loyalty and Betrayal
(Voice of Mitsurugi) In the world there is so many situations where the hand must the forced there are just as many reasons that life is not crafted to be fair. Friction develops between the young bloods over the betrayal that we have suffered, and creates anger. Taki's concern is replaced by relief, but still places her heart beyond our purpose. The loyalty of the wind rider is questioned by those that hold his leash as well, he stands upon the paper that is the Black Wind's trust. As a mercenary one's blade is for sale, but never his loyalty.