Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Calibur or anything from it. Namco does.
Chronicles of Thunderfang: Chapter Two
Sorrow Filled Good-Byes.
"Thunderfang, that was an easy training lesson today! Why can't you just give me the hard stuff yet?"
"Because you only started your apprenticeship three moons ago. You still need to learn and understand how to use your weapons, Silverstar.
The apprentice scowled at her mentor. "I know, I know…But can't we ever do something hard for once?"
"Maybe some day," Thunderfang answered. Silverstar's gray eyes shined with excitement.
"Are you serious?" the apprentice asked, trying to hide her excitement.
"Maybe," Thunderfang emphasized. "Now, run along. I need to speak with Stormwhisper."
"You better keep your word. Good-bye Thunderfang!" Silverstar waved and ran to the encampment. Thunderfang watched the petite silver haired girl run further into the forest.
Thunderfang stopped walking and stood still. She tilted her head up to the sky and closed her eyes.
'Ancestors…teach young Silverstar to be more patient and help her understand the ways of the tribe.'
She finished her silent prayer and walked down the trail toward the encampment where her tribe stayed.
In a large forest in an unknown region in Europe, a beautiful group of gypsies and outcasts play and hide themselves from society. During the day, these gypsies come to the near by kingdom to deceive people and take gold and other belongings the people worked hard to achieve. But when nightfalls, these beautiful creatures strip off their rags and become the things people warned their children to be on the look-out for. By night, the gypsies and outcasts of society show their true appearance.
These creatures of the tribe are actually witches and wizards who steal for the kingdom and give to the hermits who suffer from the merciless king. The witches and wizards are trained to use powerful weapons that are infused with magic. These witches and wizards are addressed as warriors and gathers, for they protect and gather food and supplies for the tribe. But, no one is to know that the "gypsies" are actually witches. That is the secret that has been protected by the tribe for many seasons. If one is to find out that a warrior is a witch or wizard; that individual and anyone else who was told are to be killed without mercy. This is the code all must follow in the Tribe of Wandering Wolves.
Thunderfang neared the tribe's encampment. The encampment was in a meadow. The meadow was surrounded by forest. Near the south of the meadow was a rock wall carved with several caves. The caves were separated between the leader, shaman, elders, apprentices, and nursery mothers. The leader's den was in the middle and was the place where the leader dwelled. Generally, if the leader had a mate, the mate could stay with the leader in the den.
The shaman's den was right next to the leader's den in the middle. The shaman, or tribe healer, had to have his or her own cave. The shaman's den was very useful because, since the shaman must keep a lot of herbs and books, it would be more organized and easier to find if they had to be used. Also, the shaman must have a den so than if an injured warrior could have a quiet place to heal.
The Elder's den was next to the leader's den. The Elders, people who are too old to be warriors, had their own den because they couldn't rest on the hard ground like they use to and thought that, if someone were to invade, they would be easily protected by the rock.
The apprentices were in the cave next to the elders. The apprentices were warriors in training, usually about twelve to fifteen summers old. The apprentices are assigned a mentor, which is usually a warrior that had experienced being a warrior. Thunderfang, being still a young warrior, was a rare exception and was granted the apprentice Silverstar.
The nursery was next to the shaman's den. The nursery was a place of warrior mothers who are or have given birth to young. The mothers usually stay in the den till the young have become apprenticed.
The warriors are the only ones who don't have a cave. The warriors stay in the meadow and rest under the stars or DarkSky.
Thunderfang walked through the meadow. Several of her fellow warriors already returned from their treks to the near by kingdoms and towns.
"Hey!" A red haired woman called out. "Thunderfang! Come here!"
Thunderfang turned around and saw the young woman, who was sitting on the ground, waving at her. The woman looked about her age. She had mid-length dark red hair. Thunderfang walked over to her. The she-warrior was not wearing her gypsy rags. Instead, she was wearing a gray robe and black baggy slacks. Her gauntlets, the one on her right having long claws extending out, was on. Her bangs were swiped to the side, concealing the scar on her left eye. Her blood red eyes sparkled in the sun's light.
"Hey Red Moon," Thunderfang greeted the woman. "You're back early."
"I know!" Red Moon said gladly. She gave a mischievous smile. "I got chase out of town."
"What happened?" Thunderfang asked, dying to find out why her friend got chased out this time.
"I was entertaining a group of rich folk. And I mean it. They were loaded with gold! I was dancing and playing tambourine ever so gracefully. Then, just as I was about to hit the mother load, those bastard guards saw me and sent their dogs after me.:
"Did you get hurt?"
"No! As soon as I got out of the town, I scared those mangy mutts off by turning into a panther. I scratched one of them good, too!"
"Did anyone see you transform or did anyone follow you?"
Red Moon shook her head. Thunderfang took a sigh of relief. Thunderfang sat down in front of Red Moon.
"You're so lucky you don't have to go to the kingdom," Red Moon said. "It's hard going there now. The number of guards have increased and now, they have attack dogs."
"Don't worry. Soon enough I'll have to take Silverstar to the kingdom. But right now, we have to improve her weapon skills."
"Yeah…" Red Moon said softly.
The two young she-warriors sat in silence for a few moments. Then, Thunderfang turned to Red Moon, eyes gleaming with happiness.
"Remember when we were apprentices?" Thunderfang asked.
"Yeah," Red Moon answered. "Do you remember when Stormwhisper, Red Claw, Weeping Willow, and us two went into old man Losteye's secret compartment full of spells?"
"Yes! Didn't we have to get fresh kill for the elders and mothers for an entire no-leaf?"
"Yeah!" The two she-warriors shared a long laugh. When one of the other warriors gave them brow-raised look, they stopped.
"Times like that I miss," Thunderfang said.
"Yeah…" Red Moon added.
"Oh! Is Stormwhisper here?"
"She's in the shaman's den. Why?"
"I need to talk to her. Good-bye Red Moon. Tell Red Claw and Weeping Willow I said 'hi' when they get here."
"Will do. Take care, Thunderfang!"
Thunderfang waved and got up. She walked towards the rock wall. As she got nearer to the wall, she could here the crying of babies and the singing of mothers coming from the nursery. She could smell the enticing and heavenly scents of herbs coming from the shaman's den. Ever since she was a child, she would enjoy sitting in there and listen to legends and storied Foxflower told.
'Foxflower…' She thought as she remembered the kind shaman. Even though Foxflower was gone, it still pained Thunderfang when she had a memory of her.
Thunderfang entered the shaman's den. The smells were stronger and more blissful inside. The cave's lighting came from a single torch that lit the entire cavern. On the right wall, shelves loaded with books and herbs were lined. On the floor, several piles of thick books were stacked high. A bed, made of hay, was on the left wall. A small wooden chair was next to the bed.
"Stormwhisper?" Thunderfang called out. "Are you there?"
"Yes I am. Hold on."
A small woman walked out from behind a stack of books. The woman looked about Thunderfang's age. She had nice, dark gray hair that stopped at the middle of her back. Her skin was fair. Her eyes were a stunning light green that sparkled in the torch's light. She wore a gray robe and had a black ribbon tied around her waist. She had on a stunning blue pendant, on a silver chain, around her neck.
"Greetings Thunderfang!" Stormwhisper greeted cheerfully. "How are you today?"
"I'm doing fine. How are you?"
"Bored as always. Blindhawk had a stomachache but that's about all that happened here today. How's your training with Silverstar?"
"Well…she is a quick learner," Thunderfang said as she went over to the chair to sit. "She is eager to do stuff she's not ready to do yet." She paused for a second. "And that frightens me."
"Why is that?" Stormwhisper asked tilting her head to the side.
"Because, if she goes of and does something on her own and isn't ready for it, she could get seriously hurt or she could die."
"You were kind of like that when you were an apprentice."
"I know. But my foolishness went away when…" She couldn't finish the sentence. Her eyes became clouded with sadness and grief.
Stormwhisper felt the same way. She went over to Thunderfang and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay," Stormwhisper reassured quietly. "I miss her too. I'm sure everyone who knew her still misses her." Thunderfang didn't answer. She looked up at Stormwhisper.
"Hey…Stormwhisper. Have you had a vision from the ancestors or spirits lately?"
Generally, the shaman of the tribe received visions, dreams, and prophecies from the ancestors. Once in a great while, someone besides the shaman will receive a vision but that is very rare.
Stormwhisper shook her head. "The ancestors and spirits are silent."
"Oh…" Thunderfang muttered. She waited to speak again, contemplating on whether or not she should tell Stormwhisper her conversation with Foxflower.
"Stormwhisper…I need to tell you something."
Stormwhisper raised a brow. "What is it?"
"I-"
The clomping of heavy boots interrupted Thunderfang. A man, who looked a little bit older than the girls, entered the shaman's den. He had wild short brown hair and blue eyes. He had on a black sleeveless robe, revealing his toned and muscular arms. He had on dark gray pants and his boots were tucked under his pants. He smirked at Thunderfang and Stormwhisper.
"Hello girls," The man said smoothly.
"Hello, Skyreader," The girls greeted in unison.
Skyreader walked closer to the two. Skyreader is the leader of the Tribe of Wandering Wolves. He was a little older than Thunderfang, but just by one or two summers. The elders and some warriors, including Thunderfang and Stormwhisper, think that he is arrogant and unfit to be leader. But, the ancestors choose him and their judgment goes through.
Thunderfang's eyes narrowed as the leader stood next to Stormwhisper.
"What do you need, Skyreader?" Stormwhisper asked politely.
"I need to talk with you," Skyreader turned his head to Thunderfang and smirked at her. "But I see you have someone else here."
Thunderfang tried to resist the urge to punch her leader in the face.
"Thunderfang was about to tell me something," Stormwhisper said.
"Oh…" Skyreader said. "Come on, dear. What were you going to say?"
'I'm not your dear…"
"It's nothing," Thunderfang mumbled. She got up and headed towards the exit to the meadow. "I'll talk to you later Stormwhisper."
"Okay. Good-bye!" Stormwhisper said enthusiastically.
As Thunderfang exited the shaman's den, she could hear Skyreader whispering. Apparently, whatever Skyreader wanted to say was so important that it had to be whispered. Thunderfang rolled her eyes and headed towards the elder's den. The elder's den was not only shelter to the old members of the tribe; it also kept the warriors' weapons safe when not in use.
Thunderfang entered the den. Like the shaman's den, a single torch lighted the cave. It did not smell as nice as the shaman's den, but it was doable. A very large wooden cabinet was along the far wall. On the ground were five beds made of hay. The hay smelt fresh meaning that some apprentices must've just changed it. Only one of the elders was in there and it was one of Thunderfang's favorite, LightningCloud.
He was about fifty winters old, which is particularly old for the tribe. He had long white hair and a long graying beard. His eyes were yellow in color. He had on a dark green robe and gray pants on. Even though he was aged, the elder definitely still had the muscles from his warrior days.
LightningCloud was sitting in a chair reading a book. When Thunderfang entered, he looked up from his book. He smiled and joy flashed in his eyes.
"Greetings Thunderfang!"
"Greetings LightningCloud," Thunderfang greeted back. She got down on one knee and bowed to him. When she got up, LightningCloud smiled at her.
"You don't have to bow to me!" LightningCloud said cheerfully. "You're making me feel like that lousy leader of ours."
The two laughed, even though it was rude to make fun of the leader behind his back.
Thunderfang has always enjoyed LightningCloud's company. When she was a child and Foxflower was busy with her duties, LightningCloud would be there and watch her. Thunderfang was happy to find that the elder still had his sense of humor.
When the two stopped laughing, LightningCloud spoke again. "You come to get the twins?"
Thunderfang nodded. LightningCloud was referring to her weapons, two steel fans named Prowling Cat and Snarling Cat. People called them "twins" because it was the only double weapon used in the tribe.
When Thunderfang became an apprentice, Foxflower gave her the two weapons. The two were originally hers but she changed to the shaman staff when she became the tribe shaman. Since Foxflower was tired of her old weapons collecting dust, she gave them to Thunderfang.
LightningCloud smiled. "What are you going to do with them?"
"I'm going hunting," Thunderfang lied.
LightningCloud lifted a brow in suspicion. "Are you sure? You usually are not on the hunting patrol. Are you lying to me Thunderfang?"
Thunderfang knew she was caught. Ever since she was little, LightningCloud could tell if she telling the truth or not.
'Why does he have to be so wise?'
Thunderfang turned to face the elder and walked over to him. She kneeled down and looked straight into is yellow eyes/
"Do not tell a living soul anything I'm about to say," Thunderfang said through her teeth.
The elder nodded.
"I had a dream," She started to say quietly. "I was on this huge, flat rock that was covered with tall grasses and beautiful white flowers. The moon was full and directly above the plateau. Then, there was a bright light and someone was on the plateau with me."
"Who was it?" LightningCloud asked. The elder was intrigued by her dream so far.
"It was Foxflower."
"Foxflower?!" LightningCloud jumped out of his chair and almost knocked Thunderfang over. Thunderfang nodded. "She visited you in your dream?!"
"Uh-huh."
LightningCloud paced about the den, surprised that the former shaman came to the young warrior.
"That's incredible! It's been many, many seasons since a warrior had a vision from the ancestors!"
"May I continue with my dream?" Thunderfang asked solemnly. The elder stopped pacing and went back to his chair. He nodded, signaling her to continue her story.
"We had a reunion and then she told me something," She paused and looked like she choking on the words she wanted to say. Once she had the words to speak, she continued on. "She told me that the tribe would fall very soon. A traitor has breached our tribe's tranquility."
LightningCloud clenched his jaw. His face was serious. "That's…that's a pretty strong prophecy. Is there any more?"
"Yeah. Foxflower said something about two legendary swords that could save us. But she didn't say which one."
LightningCloud sat quietly.
"She told me that I must make the journey to claim one of the swords. But…I don't know if I should."
LightningCloud looked at Thunderfang and smiled. "I think you should go. If the ancestors are saying that only you can save the tribe, then you must go!"
Thunderfang looked at her friend, her eyes welling up with tears. "LightningCloud…but what about the tribe? Won't they still need me?"
"We'll be fine! The food is plentiful and we still have the rest of green-leaf."
"But…what if the ancestors prediction is false?"
"Oh, young Thunderfang," the elder said caringly. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "What does your heart feel it must do?"
Thunderfang looked at LightningCloud, wide eyed and mouth open. She closed her mouth and gulped.
"I…I feel…" she tried to speak out.
LightningCloud smiled warmly and nodded his head, encouraging her to say whatever she is trying to say. "Yes, what do you feel?"
A smile came across the young warrior's face and she stood up.
"I feel like I should look for the two swords!" Thunderfang said. Her eyes were burning with newfound courage.
LightningCloud stood up and grinned at her. "That's my girl! Now, let's go get your weapons."
"You can sit back down. I can get them myself."
LightningCloud snorted. "My legs are still fine! I can walk!" The elder walked over to the weapon cabinet. Thunderfang smirked. 'He's still got that pizzazz of his, that's for sure."
Thunderfang walked over to the cabinet and stood behind LightningCloud. The elder opened the cabinet up. Weapons -ranging from Chinese swords to simple daggers- were neatly hung on the walls and inner doors of the cabinet. On the cabinet floor was a single box.
LightningCloud picked up the box. The box was black in color. Its length was long but its width was small- perfect for holding two fans. LightningCloud brought the box up to his mouth and blew away the thin layer of dust on it. He turned to Thunderfang and handed her the box. Thunderfang took it and opened the ox up. Inside were two fans. The steel sides were black. Ancient writings, colored in gold, were engraved onto the black steel. Foxflower never told her what the writings meant but says that it protects the user in battle.
Thunderfang took one fan out. She examined the steel sides of the fan. Then, opened it up. There was an image on the fan's inside. It was of a white cat, hiding in the shadow watching a mouse. A full moon was above the two animals. A cloud was covering the moon partially.
"Hello Prowling Cat," Thunderfang said to the fan.
She closed the fan and set carefully on an empty shelf in the cabinet. She pulled out the other fan out of the box. She dropped the box onto the ground. She examined the steel outside of this fan, too. She opened it up.
The image on this fan was different than the one on Prowling Cat. In the sky was a sun. There was a black cat and a fox on this fan. The cat was snarling and looked like it was fighting off the fox.
"Hello Snarling Cat," Thunderfang said to this fan.
She reached for the other fan on the shelf and held it. She opened Prowling Cat and smirked.
"Make sure you be careful with Snarling Cat," LightningCloud warned.
"I know," Thunderfang sighed. "Snarling has poison on the inside that can paralyzed someone. But, if one's soul is weak, it can kill them."
She closed the fans and tucked the two weapons, one in each of her long sleeves.
Thunderfang looked at LightningCloud. The elder looked as if he was about to cry, but he had a smile on his face.
"Don't worry," She reassured him. "I promise that I will come back alive."
"You better! Who will I pick on if you're gone?"
"Well…you can pick on my apprentice. She'll need someone to bug when I'm gone."
The elder's eyes lit up. "Are you saying that I can teach young Silverstar when you are away?"
"Oh course! Just to warn you though, she's kind of a hand full, but she is very eager to learn."
"Oh boy!" LightningCloud exclaimed.
"Take it easy."
"I don't have to! I may be an elder but I can still act like an apprentice!"
Thunderfang giggled. Then, the young she-warrior ran up to LightningCloud and hugged him. LightningCloud, caught off guard from her action, placed a hand on her head.
"I'm going to miss you," Thunderfang said quietly.
"I too, young Thunderfang," he returned in the same tone. "Just be safe and try to come back as quickly as you can."
"I promise. As soon as I get one of the swords, I will return."
Thunderfang let down her arms and backed away. Thunderfang waved good-bye and headed towards the exit.
"Farewell Thunderfang!" She heard LightningCloud call out from behind. "Good luck on your journey!"
She turned around and grinned at the elder. "Good-bye LightningCloud! I'll miss you!"
"I will too. I will take good care of young Silverstar!"
Those were the last words she heard as she exited the den back to the meadow. As she walked into the meadow, she felt her heart aching and tried to fight back tears.
The day had turned into night. There was no moon in the sky tonight but stars still twinkled in DarkSky.
A few fires were in the encampment but all were beginning to die down and turn into smoldering ashes. Every warrior in the meadow was asleep and the torches in the dens were extinguished. Thunderfang was the only one awake. She was lying with the other warriors and pretended to sleep until everyone was asleep.
She quietly got up, trying not to wake anyone around her. When she was standing up, she looked at the sky.
'Thank the ancestors for no moon'
As quickly and quietly as she could, she went to the encampment's entrance. Thankfully, she didn't wake anyone up.
She looked at the encampment one last time and felt a pain in her heart. She pulled the two fans out of her sleeves and gripped one in each hand. This was all she had and all she needed to complete the ancestor's prophecy.
'That red diamond choker will protect you on your journey.'
It was Foxflower's voice.
Thunderfang looked around for the former shaman but couldn't see her. She placed two fingers on the diamond choker and looked up at the sky.
'But, young Thunderfang.' Foxflower's voice continued. 'Beware the traitor in your tribe…'
Thunderfang shivered after Foxflower's last words. She continued to look up at the moonless sky and prayed silently to the ancestors and spirits.
'Please…let me be back in time. In the meantime, protect the tribe and my brethren. Thank you.'
Thunderfang looked at the encampment for a few more moments.
"Please be safe," She said quietly.
Thunderfang turned her back to the encampment. Cloaking herself in the shadows, she disappeared into the woods.
The quest for the two legendary swords has begun.