Chapter 11: A Tale of Souls and Swords
Riza and her little group barely convinced the two warriors with their lies about being from far away, which really wasn't a lie. They found out that Kilik was a student of the Ling-Sheng Su excels in combat with the bo staff, which was called the Kali-Yuga. Xianghua was taught by her late mother, and wielded the Chinese jian, a double edge straight sword, which had no name. She was once an Imperial Guard of the Ming Dynasty. Now, they were both on the quest to find Soul Edge and to destroy it.
"Our quest?" Riza looked a little shocked by the question Kilik asked. "Our quest..." she repeated more of statement than a question. "Well, our quest is to..um.."
Charlie helped her out, "To see the world and become better fighters."
"You're warriors?" Xianghua asked.
"Yeah, you can say that," Riza replied.
Kilik looked out to see the sun rising, they spent the night at the inn, mostly talking. "How about we see what you can do, then?" he said, with a little fight in his eyes.
"You're on!" Riza growled in excitement.
Charlie whispered in her ear, "What you are gonna fight him with? Just your kunai and shurikens, or your Keyblade?"
"The Keyblade, I'll just say it's a rare weapon, only recently used from where we come from," Riza replied. Charlie nodded.
Outside, the five stood in the early morning light, the shadows of the trees overcasting them. Riza took her defensive stance with her kunai drawn, her Keyblade waiting to be drawn. Kilik stood opposite, his red bo staff, Kali-Yuga out in front of him, ready to fight.
"Is that all you're going to fight with, Riza?" Kilik called.
"For now, you'll see my true weapon soon enough, Kilik. Now, are you going to start, or should I take that honor?" Riza smirked.
"By all means," he replied back. Riza charged him, she was quicker than he thought for someone seven years younger than himself. He held Kali-Yuga up to defend, but Riza feinted with the kunai strike and went for a low sweep kick. Kilik jumped just before she could land the hit and went for a downward swing. Riza dodged as the bo staff connected with the ground. Riza leaped farther away, threw the kunai, and ran after she threw it. Kilik deflected the oncoming kunai, and barely missed Riza's punch. She landed in a handstand, turned and kicked him in the back. Kilik was thrown from his spot. He got up and charged. He brought his bo staff across in a slashing motion, only to be blocked by Riza's Keyblade. "What's that?!"
"My true weapon," Riza leaped back. "It's the only one in existence. Now," she took her stance, "where were we?" Riza charged Kilik with a horizatal strike, but Kilik blocked by putting his staff vertical, his Monument Stance, making Riza's strike bounce off, throwing her off balance. He followed-up by pole voulting and kicking Riza in the chest. The keybearer leapt to her feet and countered her Ninja Rush, closing the distance between them then let loose a furious barrage of strikes. Kilik dodged and blocked most of them, but was caught off guard when her foot shot out into his gut; knocking the air out of him. Riza took up her stance for another Ninja Rush, crouched down low, left leg out front, left arm up in front of her body, and Keyblade held out toward the back. As Kilik regained his stance, Riza noticed something behind him. She charged Kilik, who didn't notice the figure behind him. He held out his bo staff like he did before to throw Riza off balance, but this time Riza jumped up and used the upright bo staff to get higher up. She used her Shinobi Slam to slice the Heartless in half. Kilik turned around to see Riza stand erect and the Hearltess disappearing in a dark haze.
"What was that?" Kilik asked.
"Heart--" before Riza could finish, Charlie called her.
"Riza, we got major company!" they all looked around to see a mass of Heartless emerging, samurai, warrior Heartless with Heartless-modified large blade scimitars, and smaller, magic casting Heartless.
"Damn it. Kilik, they're Heartless. Dark creatures, fight hard, and don't give in. Or they'll devour your heart," Riza explained.
"Ok," Kilik charged the Heartless, unleashing his powerful combo attacks, taking out the sword wielding Heartless. Riza let loose swift strikes, slicing the opposing Heartless in halves and quarters. Josh and Charlie dealt with the magic casting Heartless, while Xianghua watched their backs by fending off the bigger Jeartless. Within minutes, the few waves of Heartless ceased.
The five were about to head back into the inn until a large shadow shot out of the ground and wrapped five fingers around the young keybearer. "What the hell?!" Riza cried in surprise. The hand rose, and four saw an enormous Heartless rise out of the ground. It took shape and details. The arms were rock-plated, as were the hips and legs. The body was bulky which lead into a thick neck. The head was large and canine like. On the shoulder was a huge, muscular man, holding his left hand by his chest, in a fist, but his index and middle fingers were extended upwards. Around his thick neck were what looked like enlarged prayer beads. His face looked like Chinese decent, with a thin and whispy mustache and beard. He was bald except for the small ponytail on the back of his head.
"Let her go, you bastard!" Charlie roared.
"On the contrary, mi'lady. The young keybearer is requested. But you can get her freedom back," the man said, his accent was thick and heavy. "In ten days or sooner, make an appearance at the Lost Cathedral and hand over the weapons of soul. Only then will the keybearer's freedom be granted."
"Don't worry about me, guys! I'll be fine. Don't give him the weapons!" Riza yelled from the Heartless's grip.
"We're not waiting ten days to free you; we're doing it right now!" Charlie charged, the wind element powering her sword. "Wind Scar!" the warrior let loose the powerful attack, the sword colliding with the ground. The man on the Heartless's shoulder raised his right hand, bringing up his Soil Shield; the attack looked like it was stopped, but the Wind Scar traveled over the shield and headed to the creature, still strong. The creature, its master, and Riza disappeared into the shadows, the powerful attack passed missed them by seconds. The Wind Scar subsided, as did the Soil Shield. On the other side no one stood. "They're gone." Charlie dropped to her knees. "They took Riza. How could we have let that happened? How?!"
Josh walked over to his cousin. He put his hand on her shoulder, "We'll get her back, Charlie. We will." He tried to reassure her. "Try not to get all worked up. It's just a waste of energy beating yourself up over this." Charlie nodded slowly.
From the woods, appeared Siegfried. He walked past the group until Kilik stopped him, "You...You're the one that has been following Xianghua and me."
"What of it?" He answered back, not looking at the Ling-Sheng Su student.
"Why?"
"None of your concern."
"It's about Soul Edge, is it not?" Xianghua spoke up.
"Yes," Seigfried answered.
Charlie got up, "Do you know where it is? We need to know."
"What if I do?" Seigfried scoffed.
Without missing a beat, Charlie appeared before him and lifted him by his collar off the ground, even with his large sword, and heavy armor, "Our friend was just kidnapped and the bastard that did it wanted the weapons of soul. So if you don't tell me what we want to know, I'll beat it out of you," she growled, "Got it?"
Siegfried, a not easily shaken man, gulped slightly at seeing the seriousness in Charlie's eyes. "Fine, I'll tell you. Put me down." Charlie let him down. "Soul Edge and Soul Calibur are now locked in the Soul Embrace, which I did. Soul Edge's powers are sealed, until they are separated. I'm trying to destroy Soul Edge once and for all."
"Do you know where Lost Cathedral is?" Josh asked.
"Yes. I'm guessing you want me to take you there?" He noticed the serious look on their faces. "Fine. Let's get a good night's rest and I'll take you there."
That night, while everyone slept soundly, except Seigfried. Charlie was up, starting at the moon. Riza. Hold on, we'll get you out of there...Damn it! How could we have let her get caught. That Heartless just appeared out of no where! I'm sorry Riza, can you forgive me? I let you down, and I couldn't even rescue you. Charlie wept silently, failing the Keyblade Mistress, her comrade, her friend.
"Terre, you've returned. Ah, so this is the keybearer of legend. I thought that the keybearer was a male?" A tall dark skinned man said, talking to the Troup Grimm member Terre.
"Yes, well, Zasalamel, not all is what we expect. Now, let me put this one in the holding cell until her friend's arrival with the weapons you desire." Terre took off one of the beads from his necklace and transformed it into a four by four by six holding cell for the Ukaizr. Terre threw her in there and shut the prison door.
Riza charged the door just as it was shut. "Let me out you freak!" Riza roared.
"Not until your friends arrive, young keybearer. Sit tight, you'll be here for a while," Terre began to walk away, "You're food will be served shortly." Zasalamel left before Terre did.
"I'm getting out of here," Riza drew her Keyblade, and slashed at the bars, but to no avail, the bars stood without a scratch.
"No use, keybearer, you're just wasting your strength."
"If I can't break out, I'll just unlock the door," Riza held out her Keyblade to unlock her prison, but nothing happened, "What the...?"
"You're Keyblade's unlocking ability is useless against that prison. It will open when I will it, young one. It's from my prayer beads. So conserve your energy; you will be needing it." Terre left the room.
Riza sat in a huff, retracting her blade. "Stupid megalomaniacs, think they need the world and the most powerful weapons. Can't they think of a different hobby, like I don't know, having an ant farm or putting model ships in a jar?!"
Zasalamel was outside the door when Terre left. "So that's the keybearer that you had to find? Doesn't look like much," Zasalamel said.
"Don't underestimate that one. She's taken out two of our members so far," Terre replied. "But her meddling stops here."
"I don't care. I just want to end this curse. And I need Soul Edge and Soul Calibur," Zasalamel stated coldly.
"Yes, I know. Patience, Zasalamel. You'll have the weapons," Terre smiled. Over my dead body. Sorry, but my boss requires them. So you will live forever, remembering on how you failed yourself. Terre walked away from the dark skinned man. "If you don't mind, Zasalamel, would you mind making sure the keybearer doesn't escape?"
"But you said she couldn't," he answered back.
"There's always that small possibility that anything could happen," Terte left.
"Bastard," Zasalamel whispered.
The next day, after Riza's kidnapping, the five set out to find the Lost Cathedral. Seigfried in the lead, then Kilik and Josh, followed by Xianghua and Charlie. Charlie kept her head high and face neutral, not daring to show her emotions. If they are shown, they'll get the better of her during crucial times.
"I can feel it, we're getting closer, another day's trek, maybe two," Seigfreid called.
"That's good. I can't wait to defeat that scythe wielder," Kilik uttered.
Soon Riza, soon, Charlie's mind said, as if trying to reach the Keyblade Mistress via her mind. She became restless, even the countless Heartless encounters couldn't ease her mind. She needed to know if Riza was ok, they all did. Even Seigfried, even though they didn't meet, but if it quieted the fighters he was with, they he hoped for the girl's safety.
The five made it to the Lost Cathedral, even with the Heartless attacks, bandits trying to steal their money, and other fighters trying to prove their strength, four days after Riza's abduction. The beauty of the Cathedral was breathtaking; it seemed like all the European styles melded into one awesome building.
"Let's go, we have a keybearer to save!" Charlie charged ahead, Josh close behind, with Kilik and Xianghua, and Seigfried bringing up the rear. The Heartless waves were twice the amount they were outside this cathedral. Among the scimitar wielding Heartless and the Magik Kasters, a new sluggish type appeared; Ground Movers. Their had rock hard hides with rocky spikes and strong physical attacks, as well as be able to fire the spikes haphazardly. They continued fighting the waves after waves until they came to a long corridor with giant marble doors at the end.
The party continued further down, but it became extremely difficult; not that Heartless were incredibly powerful, it was they were just too many of them. Josh's magic proved to by useless against the Ground Movers and the Magik Kasters just absorb the different spells. After a half an hour, the party made it to the doors, "Stand back," Charlie ordered. She powered up the flame abilities of her Elemental Blade, pointing it at the doors, "Dragon...Firestorm!" The mighty flames bellowed forth, slamming themselves against the marble doors. The marble doors stood fast. From the shadows behind the group appeared them. "What the hell...?"
"So, you two again?" Seigfried sneered. He ready his Requiem, pointing at the man behind them.
"Tira, finish off the others, I'll take care of this one," said the man in a French Empire nobles outfit, blond hair, and evil tinted eyes. He drew his rapier, Flambert, and pointed it to Seigfried, "You should have killed me when you had the chance."
"Sure, Raphael, this should be fun. These bodies look suitable for Soul Edge, no?" answered Tira, dressed in cloth like leaves with purple threads, leaving little to the imagination, green short hair, and a purple stripe on the left side of her face and right side of her abdomen, twirling her odd ring blade weapon.
"We can handle her, Seigfried, just watch our backs with that guy," Charlie said reading her blade to attack a live target before Kilik stopped her.
"Let Xianghua take her. She hasn't fought a good opponent in some time."
"What about that Talim chick?" Charlie asked, lowering her blade.
"Hardly worth the effort," Xianghua chuckled, drawing her jian, preparing to fight the odd girl in front of her.
"Then what about us?" Josh asked. As if on que, dozens of Hartless appeared, making the young mage, sigh, "I had to ask, didn't I?"
"It's your nature Josh," his brash cousin said, drawing up her sword.
"Yeah, I guess," he said, twirling his staff.
Kilik readied his Kali-Yuga, "C'mon let's protect these guys. Iza!" Kilik called out his battle cry. Josh, Charlie and Kilik held off the Heartless hordes as Xianghua and Seigfried did battle with the gate guardians.
On the other side of the doors, and down the shallow water walkway, Riza could hear a fierce battle raging just beyond the doors. "They came!" Riza cheered from her make-shift prison.
"Quiet girl," Terre ordered. "Zasalamel, where is your skeleton puppet?"
"In the shadows, he'll attack them when they least expect it. No worries, Terre. They'll be dead before they make it here," Zasalamel reassured the muscular man.
"I'm not worried, just making sure all the pieces are in their place."
"Hah! You think that my friends will fall prey to such easy tricks? You're bigger fools than I thought," Riza mocked, shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders.
"Quiet, keybearer! Your death will be long and painful, unlike your comrades," Terre growled.
Back in the hall way, the gate keepers were losing ground, quickly. Raphael and Seigfried were in a blade lock, even though Seigfried's blade was larger and heavier than Raphael's rapier. Xianghua was landing some serious hits on the agile assassin Tira while avoiding major damage from the latter. Josh, Kilik, and Charlie holding off the small Heartless army quite easily.
Seigfried pushed Raphael back and was able to slice his rapier in two. The knight pushed the noble against the wall and pushing his armored forearm into Raphael's neck, picking up the destroyed blade and stabbing them into the shoulders of male gate keeper, pinning him there. Raphael groaned, "Still to soft to finish me off? I'll just come back stronger and kill you, Seig...fried..." the hanging noble past out from the pain.
"Raphael! Dammit!" Tira cursed, her mood drastically changed from the beginning of the battle. "I better hurry up and finish you all off!" The green-clad girl charged the ex-Imperial Guard only for her to miss her target and lodge her weapon in the wall. As she tried to dislodge the stuck weapon, Xianghua struck the back of the assassin's neck with a solid karate chop, making her pass out before she could defend herself.
The rest of the group finished off the Heartless, the last one leaving in a defeated dark haze. "That takes care of the Heartless," Josh said, resting his staff vertically on the ground.
"We gotta get into that room, but how?" Charlie said, sheathing her blade.
"With this!" Xianghua perked up; she revealed the key to the marble doors.
"Xianghua, you rock!" Charlie smiled, grabbing the key from the Chinese girl's outstretched hand. The warrior opened the doors and went charging down the shallow water walkway. "Ok, you freaks, where's the keybearer!?" Charlie barked.
"Where are the weapons I asked for?" Terre answered her requested with his own.
"I'm not here to play games! Where's my friend and then we'll give you the weapons." Charlie growled in annoyance.
"You want to see her," Terre snapped his right fingers. Two Ground Movers carried in Riza's prison, with it's inhabitant.
"Charlie! Josh!" she called from the prison.
"Where's the weapons?" Tere called.
"Fool," Seigfried stepped up. "You've been so caught up trying to find the weapons, you never noticed the monument over there were the weapons you seek". They were all on the balcony of the cathedral which over looked a waterfall. Just as Seigfried said, the odd monument just before the waterfall was, in fact, Soul Edge and Soul Calibur, locked in their Soul Embrace.
"How?" Terre said in disbelief.
"Simple you fool, you never asked!" Zasalmel called, above the doorway, glowing in an intimidating purple aura.
"No matter, I'll take the weapons then," Terre waked toward the balcony's railings.
"No you won't!" came a growl like voice. Above Terre was a demon.
"Who are you?" Terre called, looking up.
"Nightmare!" Seigfried called to his sin.
"Seigfried, you're mine!" Nightmare launched himself at the knight, his large demonic claw outstretched. Seigfried dodged the claw and drew up his Requiem. His blade clashed against Nightmare's Soul Edge Phantom, a mere copy of the Demon Blade.
"Time to destroy you, my unforgivable past!" Seigfried was pushed back toward the door way, and Nightmare charged. Seigfried went for a horizontal strike, but was stopped by Nightmare's claw. The Azure Knight threw the Silver Knight. Terre moved out of the way just in time, over the railing, perched on the shoulder of his large Heartless, the Boulder Basher.
The two charged for the final blow. Then met, Seigfried's sword swung upwards, Nightmare's downward. After a few suspenseful seconds, that seemed like an eternity, Nightmare fell dead. Seigfried turned around to see Terre heading for the swords. "Sorry to keep you, You're up next!" Seigfried charged.
"Seigfried, stop! He's mine!" Charlie rushed past the knight, her wind sword drawn. She leaped off the railing, "You're finished! Wind Scar!" The powerful attack was unleashed with all her fury. The attack connected, instantly destroying the Heartless, wounding the ground master. The two fell into the surprisingly shallow waters, Terre's blood turning the water around him crimson. "I told you'll pay, and you're going to pay in full!" Charlie charged, but missed as the big man dodged; every single one of her swings. She dodged his kick just before it hit. Calm down, Kuzumakii, just calm down. You can beat this guy, but you gotta have a clear and calm mind. Charlie breathed in deeply, and was totally focused on the fight. The two were in a stand-off.
Josh, Kilik, and Xianghua rushed to the cage, "Riza, you ok?" Xianghua asked while the guys looked for a way to open the prison.
"Yeah I'm fine, but you guys can't open it. Only Terre can. The prison is made from one of the beads from his necklace."
"So defeat him and you're free?" Kilik said.
"Yeah. Otherwise, it'd be a waste of energy to try and force it open."
Zasalamel was watching the whole thing unfold. Why get involved when I can wait and take them at their weakest? Hahah! Soon, my curse will be gone! His mind connected with his puppet, Revenant, attack! From the shadows, the skeletal puppet, dressed in a muskateers outfit attacked. Josh quickly destroyed it with a powerful holy attack, Archangel Barrage.
"OK, Terre, time for you to die!" Charlie charged, using the steel blade instead of an element. This time, Charlie was able to slice open the Troup Grimm member's jacket. Under it was a shocking sight. His whole torso was covered in stone, the shape of a torso was chiseled out. Charlie jumped back "That's what I call 'chiseled abs'."
"Hah, you think you are humorous? Let's see how many jokes you tell when you can't pierce my flesh!" Terre challenged as he tore away the rest of his jacket and made the first move with surprising speed. His attacks came just as fast. Charlie was having a hard time dodging his boulder like fist, his left hand still close to his chest. Terre slipped behind Charlie, she knew he was back there but couldn't react fast enough to dodge, but was able to bring her sword up. His Stone Fist connected with the blade, but the force was enough to send Charlie slamming against the wall of the cathedral and knock the wind out of her. She noticed her blade was chipped in several different pieces.
"How...?" Charlie looked astonished at her blade's now unusable condition. Terre went in for the final blow, Charlie's end was near. The fist was a foot away before the swordswomen was saved; Kilik used his bo staff to stop and force the martial artist back.
"You ok, Charlie?" Kilik asked, eyes still on Terre.
"Yeah, thanks, Kilik."
"No problem. Josh, you're up!" Kilik called. The beckoned sage leaped from the balcony and rushed the earth master.
"You're blade can't shed my blood and your magic can't hinder me, what is your plan then?" Terre called, mocking the smaller sage.
"I'm going for your..." Josh closed the distance and before Terre could react, Josh's blade sliced the necklace off. The beads flew off the wire once holding them together, "...Necklace!" Josh smirked. Terre just stood watching the beads fly every which way.
"Riza, Josh did it, try getting out of that prison," Xianghua informed the keybearer.
"Sweet!" Riza sliced cleanly through the bars with her Key of the Ukaizr.
"No!" They all heard Terre wail. The stone engulfed his body and he was left as a statue just under the swords.
"Looks like he's a goner," Charlie joked. She sheathed her blade. The three of them, Charlie, Kilik, and Josh, made their way back on the balcony. As soon as Charlie was done helping Josh and Kilik up, she was basically tackled by the Keyblade Mistress. "Hey there, Princess," Charlie returned the friendly embrace.
"You're ok. I couldn't see what happened after you basically swan dived off the balcony. Josh!" Riza hugged him as well. "I'm so glad to see you two," Riza stepped back. "Sorry, heh, this isn't how the Keyblade wielder should act."
"No, it's how a friend should," Kilik smiled. Riza smiled back.
"If you five are done, we still have to deal with him," Seigfried looked at Zasalamel.
He floated down, still glowing purple. "Now that Terre is gone, I'll have that power."
"Not if I can stop you!" Seigfried charged, only to be knocked away effortlessly by the scythe wielder's power. He was knocked unconscious as he was slammed against a pillar. Kilik and Xianghua were next, but were able to last a bit longer until they were thrown back into the water walkway. Josh, Charlie, and Riza rushed toward the glowing man, and those three lasted the longest; Josh with his blade, Charlie trying to use the elemental forces to make up for the broken blade, Riza with her Keyblade. Until Zasalamel grabbed Josh by the cloak and hurled him against Charlie, knocking them both through the water walkway next to Kilik and Xianghua, her sword's power diminshing.
"You know Josh, I told you always wearing your damned cloak could get you killed!" Charlie growled.
"Shove it, Kuzumakii!" Josh shouted back.
"Looks like you're the only one left, keybearer," Zasalamel sneered.
"You know what? You creep me out, I think it's that yellow eye of your's. What's with it?" Riza said, reading her blade.
"I am cursed with the power to be able to reincarnate through the ages. My left eye holds my soul."
"Oh, its still creepy," Riza charged only to be thrown back against the railing of the balcony.
"I'll finish you off with the power I seek!" Held out his sickle to call upon the swords' power. The monument vanished within a light as was sucked into the body of Zasalamel. He glowed brighter and floated higher up. From his back emerged the blade of Soul Calibur; it came out completely and was thrown at Riza. She dodged the spirit sword, now lodged in the ground next to her. In a bright flash, the cathedral was in a post-apocalyptic ruin, and Zasalamel had changed his form into a demon, Abyss. He hurled his demonic sickle at the young ninja, who barely dodge the flying weapon. Next to her Soul Calibur changed into a keychain. Riza replace the Ukaizr keychain with Soul Calibur. The ending result was the keyblade transformed in a Soul Calibur keyblade.
"Totally boss!" Riza cheered. In the walkway, now cut off from the main area by a form of barrier magic, the group watched in awe as Riza wielded a modified Soul Calibur.
"What's with that weapon? It was just a sword two seconds ago?" Charlie said.
"Soul Calibur will modifiy itself to better fit it's wielder," Xianghua explained.
"Soul Calibur will not save you!" Abyss said. He powered up his energy ball attack until it was at its maximum power. The attack was launched, but Riza saw it coming and sidestepped it, and charged Abyss. They clashed their weapons together, the sound echoing through the destroyed cathedral. Abyss went for a downswing, however, Riza sidestepped. She was caught off-guard by the sudden horizontal swing that followed. Riza back flipped the avoid the blade, but realized that the sickle was able to cut flesh. It was a shallow wound, but it could prove problematic.
Damn, that was too close. He's quicker than I thought. Riza readied herself for another assault. The demon came with death in his soulful, yellow eye. His swings came like a whirlwind of slashes, Riza getting slashed and nicked all over her lithe body. The ninja leaped above a low swing, and kicked the demon in the face, sending him slamming against what was left of a pillar. The pillar collapsed, debris falling off the stage and into a fiery unknown. She closed the distance with her Ninja Rush and attempted to impale the demon sickle wielder, but he leaped up and off the broken pillar before she could even scratch him. "Damn. Get back here!" She called to him as he landed on the other side of the ruined battlefield. She looked at her wound for an instant, it was getting worse. All her movement was opening it up wider and the blood flowed from her workign body.
"You!" Riza felt a dark energy pull her towards him. She brought up her Key blade as she was practically on top of him. He grabbed her with his energy and went used an anti-gravity attack. Abyss slammed the keybearer against the ground three times, every time she was lifted higher than the last; blood form her wounds staining the marble floor. Riza had a hard time getting up, using the Keyblade as a crutch. "And Terre said not to underestimate you. You pitiful creature, I shall break you like a twig!" He boasted.
Riza only smirked, looking at the demon. "You think you won, but you lost the minute you started boasting." Abyss looked down to see Riza with the Soul Calibur Keyblade ran through his midsection.
"How..?" He choked out.
"Simple illusion. My family's technique, the Fox's Trickery. That form you see just behind me, an illusion. Pretty good, right?" She twisted the blade within his dark orb.
Abyss groaned in pain, "But how, your energy signal never left that body," Abyss moaned in pain.
"All part of the trick." Riza pulled the blade out, feeling the dark energy just flood out of the demon's orb. She watched Abyss, grasping her wound on her abdomen.
"So close, I was so close," Abyss rose up, yelling in agony till his body exploded.
From the flash, Soul Edge was lodged in the marble floor feet away from the keybearer. "Soul Edge." Riza went to destroy the weapon, "So this is the Evil Sword. Well, only thing to do." She raised Soul Calibur Keyblade above her head, but before she could strike the chaos bearing sword, a shadow knocked her back.
"So'ry girlie, but t'is sword will be used by me mas'ers," it was Uso.
"Bastard! I won't let you have that sword!" Riza charged, but Uso grabbed the hilt of the Demon Sword. The energy emitted blew back the Keyblade Mistress, knocking her to the ground. "Hehe, the pow'r that t'is blade has. Not e'en you can stop it! Maybe 'nother time, Ukaizr," Uso, with Soul Edge already taking hold of his arm, disappeared into the darkness of his shadow. She could only watch as the sword of ruination disappeared with him.
"Damn!" Riza slammed the ground with her fist. "I failed..." she mumbled.
Kilik walked up behind her, "It's ok, Riza. You did your best, nothing more you could have done," Kilik tried to reassure her.
"But, he has Soul Edge, and the Troup Grimm will get it, and then everything will fall into chaos. How could I not have prevented that?"
"You couldn't," Charlie walked up behind her, Josh, Xianghua helping Seigfried out. "Somethings you can't help to prevent. Like when you got kidnapped, we could do nothing but follow Terre's orders. With this, we have to wait until that Uso guy rears his ugly head," Charlie put a hand on Riza's shoulder, "Then we'll cut it off." Charlie and Riza chuckled.
"Yeah I guess, but what about all the people that will be slain with that monstrosity? What about them? Their friends, family, loved ones?"
"Unavoidable tragedies. And with that, a sin that will get heavier and heavier til the person snaps under it. Or he'll just absorb it and not care for life. Unfortunately, that man will become a grim reaper, taking lives and souls without care of conscience or compassion." Seigfried explained. "Yes, it's sad, but it's the truth. I was like that, I was Nightmare. Now, I'm haunted by my unforgivable past. But my atonement is to live. Yes, this is how I will repent for my crimes."
"I vow, upon the Keyblade, the next time I meet Uso on the battlefield, I'll strike him down!" Riza vowed. She quickly grabbed her midsection, her face twisting in pain.
"Riza!" Charlie grabbed her before the ninja could fall.
"I'm ok, really," she lied, weakly smiling at the worried group around her.
"We have to get her to my mas..." Riza blacked out as Kilik saying they should get her to his master's place. Riza passed out in Charlie's arms.
"Where...where am I?" Riza said, coming to.
"At Kilik's master's place. How you feeling, kiddo?" Josh said, wetting the cloth on her forehead.
Her hands went down to her wound, "Who..?"
"Charlie and Xianghua did your bandages," Josh answered before Riza could finish the question.
"Oh. Where's my other shirt?" the ninja was referring to her fishnet shirt. "I feel naked without it now. Been wearing it for so long."
"Not a problem. Kilik and Xianghua went to find you a new one. Along with a new grey shirt." Josh explained. Riza fully noticed now that she was without shirt but the bandages covered her so Josh didn't see anything he wasn't suppose to.
"Where's Charlie?" Riza said trying to sit up. Josh gently pushed her back down.
"You only got a day's rest, stay. Charlie is getting her sword fixed up. It got damaged pretty bad with that fight with Terre. Kilik's master is fixing it up. Rest, we'll leave soon enough." Josh left the Keyblade Mistress to rest.
Next to her bed was a window. Outside was Seigfried, shadow fighting with his sword. Riza was surprised at he strength that man held, and so young; late teens maybe early twenties. he swung the sword with such grace, confidence, and power. His moves flowing into one. Wow, I wonder how long it took him to be so good. Maybe, when I'm back to full strength, I can challenge him.
"Hey," Charlie's voice came from the doorway. She leaned against it, arms crossed over her chest, fabric in her hands.
"Hey, yourself," Riza smiled. "Whatcha got there?"
"New shirts for you," Charlie put the clothing on the night table, sitting on the bed next to the keybearer. "You ok? Gave us quite a scare there; passing out and everything."
Riza put her face into her hands, "Argh! I passed out, in front of everyone? How embarrassing," Riza chuckled slightly.
"It wasn't that bad. Until we had to tell the guys to turn around so we could dress that wound," Charlie pointed at Riza's abdomen.
"With what?"
"Your grey shirt. That's why we needed to get you a new one, it was ruined afterwards."
"I bet." Silence enveloped the room. Riza spoke up, "How's your sword?"
Charlie sighed, "It got pretty banged up, and after one hit. That guy is lucky he's a statue now, or I would have done somethin' really nasty to him," Charlie balled her fist and growled through her teeth in anger.
Riza's hand came over the warrior's hand, "He's gone, your sword will be good as new, and you'll be back kicking Heartless ass in no time, 'k?" the ninja smiled.
Charlie softened, "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Of course I'm right!" Riza yawned, "Now get out, Kuzumakii, I need my rest."
Charlie stood up, "You know what Ukaizr? I think you're abusing your power; bossing people around and all that jazz."
"Am not!" Riza pouted like a seven year old not getting her way.
"Before I go, let me change those bandages and clean your wound." Charlie got the wrap and herbal healing lotion Xianghua mixed up when they got at the Edge Master's place. Charlie started to unwrap the bandages, and soon unwrap the bandages over the wound. "You're almost healed. I'd say another day and you'll be fine." The warrior began cleaning the wound.
"You think, before we leave, I could spar with Seigfried?" Riza questioned, head turned away, looking out the window.
"If you don't get seriously hurt, then I don't see why not. Why do you wanna spar with him? I would think you would want to finish your match with Kilik," Charlie said, appealing the lotion.
"Kilik was a good fight and all, but Seigfried looks tougher and a better challenge. I mean look at him, they way he wields that huge weapon, he kinda reminds me of my dad." Riza said in a quiet tone. "With the grace of a veteran fighter, always looking for a way to improve."
"Can you tell me about him? You're dad. What was he like?" Charlie asked, wrapping the sixteen year-old's torso.
"My dad, Ukaizr Maikeru, was the strongest ninja in our small village. They say it was because long time ago, when people started to build the village, the first Ukaizr, my great times five grandfather, got lost one day and stumbled upon a bear harassing a small fox. My ancestor took it upon himself to save the little guy, which he did. Little did he realized, when he did it, that he saved the son of the forest guardian, a great fox demon. The fox demon granted my ancestor great strength and speed like the fox himself. And ever since then, the Ukaizr clan had the powers of the great demon guardian of the neighboring forest. That's why our family was so strong and fast. And why our crest is a fox.
"My father was a great man. Tall, silver hair, like mine, a darker blue eye color. He was caring, loyal, protective, jovial, and child-like. I loved my father, but he was always away on missions, protecting our village, escorting high profile clients, or assassinations. When he was home, though, he did his best to spend as much time with as he could. Take me hiking, go fishing, I even got him to pick flowers with me one time, when I was younger. But I think our favorite time together was when he was teaching me the Ukaizr-Kyuubi style's techniques. I learned everything, everything, from him.
"I even got my first real sword from him. It was his; his favorite, actually. I was given it when he left on the one mission he Knew he wasn't coming back from. So he made sure I got a gift from the heart and one that made sure that every time I used it, I thought of him. And I do! I feel like when I use it, he's right there with me." Riza looked down, then looked up to see a confused look on the warrior's face. "Oh, the sword is now the Keyblade. The handle and blade on the back are from my father's sword. He called it the Kiba no Kitsune, or Fang of the Fox."
"You're dad sounds like a hero of his time. I'm sorry you lost him," Charlie rubbed Riza's arm.
"It's ok, I came to accept it sometime ago. Anyway," Riza waved away the subject, "thanks for changing my bandages and getting me a new shirt. Now, go, I need my rest," Riza tried to fight off a yawn, failing in in the process.
Charlie got up off the bed, "Ok, Princess, I'll let you sleep," Charlie left the room. Riza fell into a dream filled sleep of memories of her late father.
Two days after the ordeal with Zasalamel and the loss of Soul Edge to Uso, Riza and the gang were up and running. Riza's wounds were practically healed, but they will definitely leave a scar or two. Said keybearer was sitting on the edge of the training arena of the Edge Master's grounds, the Soul Calibur Keyblade resting next to her; its blueish steel glistening in the afternoon sun. From behind her was the knight; she could tell by the way his armor clanked as he walked.
"So, you're the keybearer everyone fussed over," he said as he walked up next to her, watching the clouds float effortlessly in the wild blue yonder. He looked down, "And that's the Keyblade? It looks like Soul Calibur."
"Yup, I'm that keybearer. Your name is Siegfried, right?" She got a nod from him, "Thanks for showingThe Keyblade loooks my friends the way to that cathedral," She looked at her treasured weapon, "Yeah, this is the Keyblade; it's because of the keychain; it's Soul Calibur." They were silent for some minutes, "I saw you train a couple of days ago, you handle that large sword really well. It's a zweihander type, no?"
"Yeah," Seigfried was surprised that she knew the type of sword. "How did you know?"
"I come from a long line of ninjas; I know my weapons, you could say," Riza grinned up at the knight, his face still emotionless. I was also wondering if you would like to spar with me?"
Seigfried sighed, "How about some other time? I should be going today anyway. It was a pleasure meeting you, keybearer," The knight walked off.
Riza got up to run after him. "Wait!" He turned around, "We never really introduced ourselves. Ukaizr Riza," She held out her hand.
"Siegfried Schtauffen." He shook her hand in return.
"Let's meet again sometime, 'k?" Riza smile, dropping her hand, Seigfried turning to leave.
"Sure, kid." With that the blond knight, in shining steel armor left, his zweihander sword, Requiem, on his back, his raggy cape softly fluttering in the light breeze. As he reached the opposite edge of the platform, and blue-white glow caused a sudden shadow to loom over Seigfried. The knight turned around, to see the keyhole to this world appear. On the other side stood Riza smirking. She picked up her Keyblade and pointed it to the sky. The white locking beam shot from the the gap of the two blades of the weapon, erupting into smaller beams that entered the hole around its perimeter; the loud click of the world's heart being sealed off from the Heartless echoed quietly. Seigfried watched Riza bring her Keyblade to her side. The steel armor clad warrior nodded a good-bye, then turned and took his exit.
"Siegfried Schtauffen, a great warrior, his name shall be remembered thoughout the ages," Riza whispered the the whistling wind.
"Hey, Sugar! We're heading out!" Charlie called, Riza running toward her friend's voice.
Riza found the four on the otherside of the house, "Do you have an unending supply of petnames for me, Kuzumakii?" Riza retorted, using the one name Charlie couldn't stand.
"Maybe I do," she replied her hands on her hips, leaning in close. Riza started to blush.
"Ok you two, enough! Save the friendly banter for the trip," Josh scolded the two, slightly embarrassed how they acted infront of Kilik and Xianghua, receiving raspberries while his back was turned, "Thanks you two, for helping us, and everything." Josh bowed to the two fighters.
"You're welcome, Josh. I just hope you three can get back the demon sword before too much chaos ensues," Xianghua said quietly.
"We will," Riza reassured the ex-Imperial Guard.
"Yeah," Kilik jumped in. "No worries for you three. I hope we see each other again," Kilik smiled.
"Of course. I have to bring back Soul Calibur," Riza looked at her new keychain for her Keyblade. "And I'll destroy Soul Edge, just like I'll destroy the monster that wields it now."
"That's the spirit, now good luck you three," Kilik jumped in. "With your attitude, I bet we'll see you in no time!"
"Yeah, well, I guess we'll see you later then, bye guys," Charlie waved, followed by her companions.
In the forest a few miles from the Edge Master's property, Josh stopped. He pulled a small device from his back pocket that held a small blue button. With a simple, effortless press of the small button, a light shimmered infront of the three warriors, and in a flash of brillant light, their gummi ship appeared.
"How..?" Riza looked dumbfounded as the gummi ship appeared out of thin air. She was certian that the said ship was miles, miles, and miles away.
"Technology is a wonderful thing, Riza," Josh smiled, hoping into the gummi ship.
"C'mon, cutie," Charlie pulled the ninja up, laughing at light pink tiniting Riza's cheeks, causing Charlie to laugh. "You're so easy to fluster."
"Shuddup!" Riza flopped into the ship. She just had enough time to seatbelt herself in with a huff before the engines of the gummi ship roared to life, leaving a heated, smokey wake as the ship left this world's atmosphere.
TBC