Beauty and the Beast
Man, I'm weird, aren't I? But this idea just popped into my head one day and refused to go away. What's even better is that it fits!
Without further ado, I present… Beauty and the Beast
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Prologue
It was cold that night.
Of course, Siegfried Schutaffen mused, it had been cold this entire month. But tonight was especially so.
He stood up, stretching languidly as he did so, and knocking a book to the floor by accident. Instantly, a young dark-haired girl stooped to pick it up.
"Do you want anything, master?" Talim inquired.
"Get ready my bed." He instructed, without looking her way. A slight bow, and Talim was off, ready to fulfill her master's wish.
He strode the halls of his castle, pausing only to gaze at a portrait of his parents, deceased when he was but a child. The servants of this great castle had been the ones who had brought him up faithfully, catering to his every whim, and answering all his needs.
He frowned. What was that sound?
Turning, he circled around slightly, until he heard that sound again. No doubt about it. Knocking.
Under normal circumstances, Talim would have immediately scurried off to find out who it was at the door, but as she was currently otherwise disposed…
He followed the source of the noise, until he came to a great set of double doors. With a shove, he swung them open, and stepped through the connector into Orstheinburg chapel, built in ages past by his ancestors.
The hammering once again resounded, coming from the entrance at the far end of the vast chamber. Strange. Siegfried mused. Who would be insane enough to travel by that road, and come to that door? For it led to a mountainous path, twisting and winding, that finally curved into a large forest. In recent years, a more direct route had been constructed on his order, and now this entire area was largely unused.
With a shrug, he strolled over to the entrance, opening them a crack.
A hooded figure stood hunched at the doorway. A racking cough shook his frail form for a moment, and then he began to speak.
"Pardon me, noble sir, but… I'm a simple traveler who's lost his way. Please, would you be so kind as to grant me lodging for the night? I can't pay money, but…" He rummaged through his pack, for a moment, and then pulled out two shards of metal, one with a reddish sheen, the other an azure glow.
Siegfried stared incredulously at the two shards before snorting contemptuously. "Are you mad, old man? You're filthy, haggard, and uncouth, to say nothing of your facial features, and all you have to offer me for a night's lodging are two pieces of coloured tin? Away with you!" He snapped. "You'll find no pity from me here."
The old man stood silent for a moment, then a deep sigh came from the folds of cloak. "Sir, I beg you to reconsider." He turned to look Siegfried in the eye with a piercing gaze. "True beauty, as any wise man knows, comes only from the inside."
"Are you deaf, old man?" Siegfried retorted. "I said no! Depart at once! Your presence disgusts me!"
"…" The aged man stood for a moment, shaking his head. Suddenly, he flicked his wrist, sending the two metals shards flying through the air.
Turning, Siegfried gaped as the two shards clattered to the ground, before growing and changing shape, into two magnificent swords, one crimson, and one azure. From both of the swords a single eye stared out, defiantly, at the young prince.
"I have seen your heart, and there is no love in it. None at all." A great and terrible voice suddenly resounded through the chapel. Twisting back to look, Siegfried cried out in terror. Where the old man had once crouched, shivering, there now stood a great being of flame, gazing down on the prince. "You have everything your heart desires, and yet your heart is cold and hard." Siegfried thought he could hear a tiny chuckle coming from the monster's throat.
"You were so repulsed by my appearance just now, were you not?" It continued. "Very well. Very well… I pronounce a curse upon you."
Suddenly, Siegfried felt a great wracking pain shooting through his body. Dropping to his knees, he gave a great howl of anguish. His arm… his torso… felt like it was being ripped apart into a thousand pieces. Forcing open his eyes, they widened in shock and horror as he saw what had happened to his body.
The doors to the castle flew open, and Talim was there. "Master, what-" And then she was struck dumb at the sight of the living inferno.
"You are my witness, young maiden." The being said, before turning to regard Siegfried again. "You and all in this castle shall be placed under a curse, for the pride and aloofness in your master's heart." With a gesture, he indicated the two swords that had stuck themselves into the ground, still staring at Siegfried, still hunched over on the floor. "The blue sword, Soul Calibur, it's light will steadily diminish. And the red sword, Soul Edge, it's red light shall grow stronger with each passing day. When the blue light is completely extinguished, the red glow will be at its apex. If, before that happens, you can learn to love another and in return earn her love, you will be restored to your rightful form, and the spell will be broken." He paused. "If, however, you fail to do so when the time comes, you will be doomed to bear this form for eternity." A roar of laughter, an explosion of light and dancing flame, and the hellfire disappeared, leaving only the two humans, silently staring at the empty doorway.
It had been seven years to the day, Siegfried remembered, as he awoke.
Walking over to a window, he stared out into the night sky, one arm clutched reflexively at his cloak.
Hope had long since faded from all his servants about hope of finding a woman to love him. Never mind the fact that their master had become ashamed of his dreadful new form, and refused any visitors, any guests. Never mind their castle was in the middle of a great and dangerous forest now, so that few, if any, knew of this castle's existence.
No, these all paled in comparison to the true problem at the heart of the matter. All the staff had long since despaired of the curse ever being broken, for, in the end, who could ever learn to love a beast?
I know it's short, but it's the prologue! It's supposed to be!
So, any suggestions, tips, etc? Is this new and interesting, or should I never attempt to write Soul Calibur fanfiction again?
Please review! Thanks!