Hikari and the Soul Edge
Chapter 15: The Lost Cathedral
After bringing the airship to the shop, Dr. Eggman and Isabella began to work on it.
"This is a fine machine," Dr. Eggman said. "We'll get it up and running in no time."
"Great!" Hikari exclaimed. "I'll go tell Captain Phoenix! We'll have Nightmare taken care of in no time!"
Hikari then headed towards town. After she entered town, she immediately headed towards port to find Captain Phoenix.
"Where the hell is he?!" Hikari groaned after searching for hours. "He said he'd be here!"
Hikari passed by a bar. She then walked back to it and looked inside. She found Captain Phoenix passed out on a table. In his hand was an empty bottle of rum.
"WAKE UP!!" Hikari shouted as she shook the unconscious Sky Pirate.
Captain Phoenix was startled so much that he fell backwards in his chair. He stood up and looked towards Hikari. Hikari could tell that he was drunk.
"Oh, it's you," Captain Phoenix slurred. "You got my ship ready?"
"It's being repaired," Hikari said. "Are you drunk?"
"That's a matter of opinion," Captain Phoenix said.
He tried standing up, but he almost fell back down.
"Maybe I am a little drunk," Captain Phoenix said.
Hikari lifted the drunk pirate onto her soldier and began to drag him out of town. By the time they had reached the airship repair shop, the Sky Pirate had sobered up. They walked inside and found that the airship had been fully repaired.
"Impressive vessel we have here," Captain Phoenix said. "It looks as if it can handle the roughest of seas. I wonder if it has a storage space for me rum."
Captain Phoenix continued to examine the ship.
"Your friends filled us in," Isabella said. "You're really planning on taking the Azure Knight on?"
"Yep," Hikari said. "My father sacrificed his life to give me the chance. I won't let him down."
"It won't be easy," Dr. Eggman said. "But I'm sure that you will win."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Hikari said. "And thank you for repairing the Halberd."
"No problem," Isabella said. "If you ever need repairs on a machine, just come to us."
"Thank you," Hikari said.
"Alright, crew!" Captain Phoenix shouted from the top of the ship. "Let's shove off!"
Hikari, Kenji, Maria, and Mog boarded the ship. They waved goodbye to Dr. Eggman and Isabella as they flew away. Kenji and Hikari used their heightened magical sense to lead the ship in the right direction. The Halberd was sturdy enough to fly through the storm without any difficulty. As they flew deeper and deeper into the storm, Hikari and Kenji felt the dark power grow stronger.
"Keep going straight!" Hikari shouted to the captain over the roar of the storm.
"Got it!" Captain Phoenix shouted back as he took a swig of rum.
Eventually, an island came into view. The magical aura that came from the island prevented the storm from reaching it. The only building that could be seen on the island was a strange cathedral.
"That island's not on the map," Kenji said as he looked at the map.
"But that's definitely where the power's coming from," Hikari said. "Captain! Let's dock here!"
"Alright!" Captain Phoenix shouted.
The ship smoothly landed on the edge of the island. After the ship had stopped moving, the heroes stepped onto the island. Captain Phoenix stumbled drunkenly as the came off of the ship.
"How come you can land a ship perfectly when you're too drunk to walk?" Maria asked.
"Years of practice, lass," Captain Phoenix answered. "Years of practice."
He then tried to take another swig of rum, but he realized it was empty. He then threw the bottle away. The heroes immediately stepped into the cathedral. They began to explore the large building. The inside was much like a maze.
"This will take forever," Hikari groaned.
Mog's ears then perked up. He then began to squeak wildly.
"What's wrong with the rat?" Captain Phoenix asked.
"I don't know," Hikari said.
Four skeletons wielding swords then appeared before them.
"That's what," Kenji said.
Each of the heroes began to fight a skeleton. As they fought, they ran in different directions. Hikari used her sword to block every slash that the skeleton threw at her. She eventually pushed him away and performed a spin slash, completely shattering him.
"That was easy," Hikari said.
She looked around. The only one that was with her was Mog. She couldn't find the others anywhere.
"Guys?" Hikari asked. "Guys!"
She and Mog began to search the area. A strange figure watched her from the shadows. Eventually, a skeleton jumped out of the shadows and prepared to strike. Hikari, not noticing the skeleton until the last minute, couldn't draw her blade in time. Just as the skeleton's sword was about to hit her, someone appeared in front of her and blocked the attack. Hikari looked at her defender. He was a man about 23-years-old. He had semi-long blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore silver armor and had a large sword. Over his right eye was a scar.
The mysterious swordsman swung his blade upwards and completely destroyed the skeleton in a single slice. He then turned to face Hikari.
"Who are you?" the swordsman asked.
"Hikari Kamai," Hikari said. "And who are you?"
"My name is Siegfried Schtauffen," the swordsman said. "But you'd be best to forget it. I saved you this one time, but I will not get involved with anyone else's lives."
Siegfried withdrew his sword and began to walk away.
"Hold on!" Hikari shouted. "You should join me and my friends! We're here to stop an evil man. We could use your help."
"If you mean Nightmare, then leave," Siegfried said. "He is my enemy. I will not let you interfere."
"What do you mean?" Hikari asked. "I have to defeat him. Because of him and his lackeys, I was forced to leave home and watch as my father died! I will not leave!"
Siegfried pointed his sword towards her.
"Nightmare is my opponent alone," Siegfried said.
"At least tell me why," Hikari said.
Siegfried sighed.
"Because he is a past I wish to erase," Siegfried said. "Only then can I repent for my sins. If you interfere, I will kill you."
Siegfried then walked away.
"I still don't understand completely," Hikari thought. "But that doesn't matter. I have to defeat Nightmare. But what did Siegfried mean?"
Hikari and Mog continued to look for their friends. Meanwhile, Maria and Kenji ended up together.
"Where are Hikari and Phoenix?" Maria asked.
"I'm not sure," Kenji answered. "But we have to find them."
Maria and Kenji then spotted a man wielding a nunchaku. He had slicked-back black hair. He wore a white jacket with no shirt underneath, a pair of white pants, and silver and brown boots. On his shoulders were shoulder guards that looked like tiger heads.
"Excuse me!" Maria called out.
The man turned to face them.
"Have you seen a drunken pirate or a swordsgirl with a Moogle?" Kenji asked.
"I haven't seen anyone," the man said. "I've been too busy looking for my sworn enemy."
"Maybe we can look with you," Maria said. "What does he look like?"
"He's a big red golem wielding a giant axe," the man said.
"He shouldn't be too hard to spot," Kenji said. "We'll help look until we find our friends."
"Do what you want," the man said. "But when we find him, stay out of it. He's mine."
"No problem," Maria said. "By the way, my name's Maria. My magical partner here is Kenji."
"I'm Maxi," the man answered.
"Alright," Maria said. "Good to meet you."
Maria and Kenji began to follow Maxi through the cathedral.
Upon entering the Lost Cathedral, our heroes have become separated. Will they find each other before the final battle begins? Only time will tell.