The woman sat on a small set of steps leading up to an altar. She was holding her legs to her chest, and resting her head on her knees. She had assumed this position because of how cold it had grown this late at night. Although the cold was nearly unbearable, she would not allow herself to leave where she sat until she had discovered what she was there to confirm.
Recently, she had been finding damage on the inside of the temple. Some of the statues had been smashed, and some of the wall reliefs had been defaced. The most probable explanation was that vandals were visiting the temple at night and causing the damage. A similar explanation was that it was the work of iconoclasts - people who seek to destroy religious icons, symbols, and monuments. If that were someone's goal, however, the woman thought that it would be more practical to destroy the entire temple at once. Minor instances of damage seemed to indicate that it was merely the work of vandals. However, with the life that the woman had led, she considered another possibility.
The temple had been transformed into its current glorious state as a result of her faith. She wondered...if she were to lose her faith, would that mean that the temple would return to the ruinous state it had once been in? She was now just as pious - if not even more so - than she had always been, so she didn't think that this was the case in this particular instance. Could the damage in the temple be a sign from the gods? What were they trying to tell her? Concluding that the only way she would know for sure was to stay at the temple and see for herself, she had decided to stand vigil overnight.
It was very late now, and the cold weather was making her drowsy. She felt herself beginning to nod off, when she was suddenly alerted by a loud noise.
It was a crashing, breaking noise, as if pottery had fallen to the floor and shattered. She knew that now was the time to confirm her suspicions, and see exactly what was causing this.
She stood up, turned around, walked up the small set of steps to the altar, and removed the sword that lay upon it.
---
The statue was of a goddess. She had short hair, and wore only a robe that hung from her hips.
"Hey - watch this!"
The young man swung his sword vertically, bringing it crashing into one of the arms of the statue. The swing did not slice cleanly through the arm, but struck it with enough force to cause it to break off of the statue. It hit the ground and shattered.
"Now she's an amputee!"
The group of young men laughed loudly and rambunctiously, slapped each other on the back, and took a few more swings of ale.
The man who had removed the statue's arm took aim and prepared for another swing, but suddenly stopped, and jerked his head in another direction. Confused by their comrade's action, the others followed his gaze, all looking towards a corner. After listening closely, they heard footsteps echoing through the temple.
"Who the hell could that be? Does anyone actually live up here?"
"If someone does, it's probably some dirty old hermit."
"Heh - if it is, let's rough 'im up!"
The boys all grinned and waited to see who would step out from behind the corner. It was not a dirty old hermit at all. It was a woman, and a beautiful one, at that.
She was wearing a thin white robe that ended just above mid-thigh. It was partially transparent and only covered her left breast, but she was wearing a metallic brassier beneath the dress that covered her breasts, and displayed deep and inviting cleavage. She wore a sash around her waist that pulled the dress tightly to her body, showing off her womanly form. Long blonde hair reaching down to her hips flowed down from her head, which was adorned with a roman laurel head wreath. She was the perfect picture of beauty, and may as well have walked out of any of these young men's fantasies.
All of the boys were instantly attracted to her, but the sword and shield she carried kept them from voicing their attraction. Only one - the same one who had broken the statue's arm off - was brash enough to speak his mind.
"What's a beautiful lady like you doing in a place like this?" He asked with a sly smile. "Are you an angel descending from heaven?"
The woman showed no signs of being affected by his comment, but did seem as if she was restraining herself from doing something. Instead, she responded to him with a question in a calm, clear voice.
"Why are you doing this?"
The boy smirked, and looked back at the one-armed statue. "Oh, this? It's because it's fun!" He took another swing, and this time removed the statue's other arm. When he looked back at the woman, she looked as if she had started to take a step forward, and then stopped. She closed her eyes, and seemed to be thinking.
They're not doing this for any reason? They're only doing this because they think it's fun? If they had been doing it for religious reasons, or any good reason at all, I might have understood, but-
"Speaking of fun, why don't you come have fun with us?" The boy asked again with the same smile.
"Leave here now, and never return." The woman said in a stern voice.
The boy looked at her, scoffed, and then began to laugh. He turned to his comrades and laughed louder, and they joined in and laughed as well.
"Aw, now, come on, don't be like that, lady. We were just having a little bit of fun in here. No one cares about these statues of gods everyone's forgotten. It's not like anyone believes in them anymore."
If the woman had seemed like she was restraining herself from doing something before, she now looked like she could barely stop herself.
"...I'm only going to tell you one more time. Leave here now. And don't ever come back." She raised her sword, and pointed it at the boys.
The boy held out his own sword in response. "Hey, don't be a bitch! No one cares about this place, and we're just having fun! If you're gonna be a bitch, maybe we'll have to get rough with you! ...And then..." Another smirk crossed his face, one that gave away the lecherous thoughts in his mind.
"...I have no more patience." The woman said, and began to walk forward.
"...We should go, Actaeon..." One of the other boys said to the one who had done all of the talking so far.
"Shut up! I'm not letting some bitch push me around. Okay, you want to fight? You've got it!"
The young man charged at the woman, his sword raised. When he was within range, he swung his sword at her.
The woman calmly raised her sword, and blocked the blow. Then, before Actaeon had a chance to react, she swung her sword at him hilt-first, punching him in the face with both her fist and the hilt of her sword at the same time. The force of the blow knocked him several feet to the side. Whispers erupted from the other boys.
"What the hell!"
"How can a woman be that strong?"
"She did all that without moving anything but her arm!"
Actaeon scrambled to his feet. "...Sh...shut up!" He shouted to the other boys, and then with another shout, charged at the woman again.
This time, he didn't even get to swing at her. She dashed forward unexpectedly, and slammed her knee into his gut hard. Then she grabbed him by his hair with her free hand and flung him back towards the others.
The boys were amazed at the ease with which this woman was able to throw around their leader, and whispered amongst themselves. Actaeon again told them to be silent, but he did not attempt to charge at the woman once more.
"Please. I don't want to have to hurt you. Just leave, and don't come back. Your parents are probably worried about you and waiting for you."
These words stung the boys, but the woman spoke them without a drop of condescension in her voice. She was genuinely worried for them. This display of selflessness awed them.
"...This place is a dump. I'm not having any fun here. Let's go someplace else." Actaeon spat, getting to his feet again, and turning around to leave. The other boys stayed for a moment, looking at the woman, and then followed their leader.
The woman stood at the entrance of the temple and watched them leave. When they were out of her sight, she let out a long sigh.
Sophitia...you've changed so much. She thought to herself with a weak smile. If I had encountered those boys seven years ago, I would have hurried off in the opposite direction, and might have fainted in fear from the things they'd said. I was such a shy and timid girl back then...
---
Greece, the birthplace of Cretaceous culture. The people's beliefs were starting to change to the new ways, and the ancient Gods lived on only in their arts and mythologies.
Sophitia was a shy girl who worked in a small bakery in Athens. She had visited a ruined temple in her youth, and ever since, had been fascinated by the mythical world of her ancestors, and cherished all of the old art and myths.
She often prayed to the goddess Pallas Athena, guardian of her town, and embodiment of wisdom and prudent warfare. And her prayers were being heard.
One morning, as she bathed in a forest spring, a dazzling light shined in front of her. The light formed the shape of a man. At first, Sophitia was terrified, but something about the man soothed her, and she quickly became more amazed than frightened.
The man began to speak to her. He told her that he was Hephaestus, the god of the Forge, and one of the twelve Olympian Gods. Sophitia knew right away that he was telling the truth, but was still afraid of what he wanted to do with her.
"Do not fear. I only want you to receive my oracle." The god had said, as if reading her thoughts.
"Among all the weapons that mankind has created, one sword has grabbed the attention of the gods. The sword...is true evil. It was forged through murder and evil acts, and has now transformed into an abomination that sucks up the hatred and pain of its victims to become even more evil and terrifying. Many people deceived into thinking that it can bring them happiness seek this wicked weapon, dooming others as they do. Nothing but disaster follows in this sword's wake. As God of the Forge, responsibility for this weapon falls partially on my shoulders. I want you to find that wicked sword, and destroy it."
The importance of this task was clear, and Sophitia desired nothing more than to appease the gods she cherished so much, but she was filled with self-doubt.
"...But...W...Why me?"
"I learned of you from Pallas Athena; she says you still believe in the Olympians. That is why I chose you. Few others can hear our oracles anymore.
"...I'm just a girl! ...A mere mortal! How can I fulfill such a task?"
"You are not as weak as you think. Do not worry. Come to my temple. I will grant you a mighty weapon to let you can save your kind. And, remember - Athena will always be with you."
Hephaestus vanished in a flash of light, and the spring was as if he had never been there.
Sophitia equipped herself for her journey as best she could, but still had doubts. She left home without telling her parents or even her siblings where she was going; she knew that they would not believe her, and not allow her to go. She arrived at Eurydice Shrine, a temple was designed and constructed by Hephaestus, and the same temple that had invoked her love of Greek mythology. However, the temple was nothing like the ruins she had first seen it in - when she beheld it now, it looked splendid and grand, and not a day old. Hephaestus was there, waiting for her. He told her that it was the power of her faith that had restored the temple.
He bequeathed to her a blessed sword and shield that he had forged just for her - the Omega Sword and the Elk Shield. But Hephaestus did not give her a chance to show gratitude. "Survive your first trial!" he bellowed, and as his voice echoed in the temple. Lightning flashed, and another Sophitia appeared before her! She looked just like Sophitia down to the armor she wore, but Hephaestus controlled her. The mirror Sophitia attacked, and for the first time, Sophitia tasted combat. Hephaestus was easy on her at first, but then the battle became more difficult. However, this actually only served to make Sophitia braver - seeing this alternate version of herself fighting, swinging a sword, and parrying an enemy's blows made her more confident that she could be like that, too. With this reassurance, Sophitia fought hard, and won the match.
"Well done, Sophitia." Hephaestus said, pride for her in his voice. "You will travel the world, and waken the deceived with your sword. Good luck..."
Sophitia was transported to a strange new land, and her journey began.
---
Sophitia had finally tracked down the location of Soul Edge - a Spanish port town, Valencia, said to be home to the dreaded pirate Cervantes. Ominous silence reigned all around - the town seemed to be completely empty. A foul smell hung in the air, and Sophitia felt someone's thirst for blood. "...This has got to be the place..." She thought to herself. The dreaded pirate ship, the Adrian, was anchored nearby. Sophitia felt an evil presence emanating from the Adrian.
She prayed one last time for the gods' protection, and climbed aboard the ship. A strange man holding two gleaming swords waited for her on the deck. Sophitia knew immediately who the man was, and what the swords were. He was the feared pirate Cervantes, and the swords were...
"...Soul Edge!"
"...I have been awaiting you..." Cervantes hissed at her. "I've sensed how clean your soul is...I can't wait...I can't wait to feast on such a pure soul!"
He leapt at her in an almost animalistic way, and began to attack.
---
Sophitia and Cervantes fought a long battle. Sophitia had fought many enemies, but this pirate was by far the strongest. Finally, however, he seemed to be wearing down, and Sophitia made an attempt to use her weapon to destroy his.
"Hephaestus, give me the strength...!"
With this short prayer uttered, she gave a shout, charged at Cervantes, and struck Soul Edge with all her might. A dazzling light encircled the both of them, and electricity sparked between the two swords when they clashed. The wicked sword shattered into pieces.
However, this victory was bittersweet. When the sword shattered, fragments of it flew away from it at amazing speeds. Some of the fragments even traveled into Sophitia's body. She screamed in pain, collapsed, and writhed in agony. It was the most painful thing she had ever endured in her entire life.
Cervantes was enraged. He and the Soul Edge were like one being, and the destruction of one of the swords was like the destruction of half of him. In his fury, he prepared to deal the finishing blow to Sophitia. She saw the sword coming down on her, and shut her eyes tight. Instead of feeling the sword slice into her, she heard the sound of two swords clashing. When she opened her eyes, she saw someone standing in between herself and Cervantes. She concluded that someone must have intervened and saved her life, at least for now, but she didn't have the strength to hold onto consciousness, and passed out.
---
"Amazing. You're still alive. ...Are you awake? ...Can you hear me?"
Sophitia moaned.
"I've removed most of the shards that were embedded in your body, and done what I could to help your wounds, but you're still hanging on to life by a thread. I don't know what else I can do with you. ...Do you want me to take you home? Where is your homeland?"
"...Athens...Greece..."
"I see. In a sense, you helped me destroy Soul Edge. Returning you to your home is the least I can do to repay you."
After these words, Sophitia blacked out again, and did not awaken for weeks.
---
...And when I recovered my senses...I found myself lying in my bed at home, as if it had all been a dream. A fantastic fairy tale...and that's all that anyone thought it was. No one believed my story. ...Except for Cassandra. Sophitia smiled as she thought of her sister, and the trouble she later caused. But before she started causing trouble, she was a normal girl, just like Sophitia once had been. After her adventure with Soul Edge, she had tried to return to life as she knew it, just the daughter of a baker, but found it difficult. It wasn't that she had been deeply traumatized by the events with Soul Edge. After going from being a quiet girl to a strong warrior, she had a hard time being her former self again. She started wondering who she really was and what her true self was like. Perhaps it was her delicate mental state at the time that led her to fall so deeply in love with Rothion. Thinking back, we fell in love and became engaged so fast…
One day while she was shopping with her sister, she suddenly felt a disturbing sensation - a feeling as if dozens, hundreds, thousands of lives were disappearing, all in rapid succession. The final thought that came to her mind was 'Soul Edge' before she suddenly lost consciousness.
When she awoke, she was being carried in the arms of a handsome man, and wondered if she was dreaming. But it was no dream. Sophitia's sister Cassandra couldn't carry her back home on her own, and asked a nearby strong young man for help. That man was Rothion, a youth who lived in the next city over. Since that moment she awoke in his arms, the two of them had become extremely attracted to each other. It was only a few months until they made the decision to become engaged. Sophitia was extremely relieved to find that Rothion believed her story about Soul Edge, as well. As ancient custom dictated, they visited the Temple of Hephaestus to report their engagement to him, but although they both knew that Hephaestus existed, they were still extremely surprised when he appeared before them!
Hephaestus had appeared before them to deliver another oracle to Sophitia. The remaining blade of Soul Edge was regaining its power, and he needed Sophitia's help once again.
Rothion begged that he be sent in the place of Sophitia. Hephaestus denied his request, but made him an offer.
"Rothion, you are a smith, aren't you? This time it is you who will forge the armor and weapon to protect Sophitia."
Hephaestus gave Rothion a raw shard of sacred iron, and instructed that he forge a sword and shield with it. When the sword and shield were completed, Hephaestus blessed them, and then instructed Sophitia to completely destroy Soul Edge. She pursued Soul Edge once more, purifying lands seized by the Evil Seed.
With Sophitia's oracle in his thoughts, Rothion had put his heart and soul into forging this sword and shield. These weapons served to protect Sophitia from the malice of Soul Edge, as well as to guide her during her quest. Whenever Sophitia used these weapons, Rothion was always alongside her in spirit during her trials and tribulations.
However, despite this, Sophitia's second journey was disappointing compared to her first one. She did manage to stop many people who were corrupted by Soul Edge, but during her journey, she found that someone else had destroyed the demonic sword.
She returned home to Rothion, and they were finally married. Shortly thereafter, they were blessed with two children. They led a happy life once more, but it seemed that Sophitia's peaceful days were fated to always come to an end due to Soul Edge.
One day, a very mysterious customer arrived in Rothion's store. He sold Rothion a particular metal fragment. Rothion thought he had made a good deal, but soon regretted ever purchasing the shard.
When their children found the shard, they suddenly began to fight violently over it. Not only that, but the fragment emanated an aura that caused Sophitia's old wounds to ache.
She deduced that the shards of the demonic sword that struck her so many years ago must have infected her with their dark energy. That was the only explanation she could find for her children's frenzied reaction over a piece of metal.
Directly after these events, two things vanished completely - Sophitia's younger sister, Cassandra, and the original Omega Sword.
---
A woman stood standing before a statue of Hephaestus in his Shrine. She was panting heavily, as she had run the entire distance to the shrine.
"...Why..." She whispered. After catching her breath, she spoke again, this time shouting. "...Why are you doing this to my sister? How can you claim to be an almighty god? Answer me!" She screamed at the statue, her voice reverberating throughout the desolate holy ground. She fell to her knees, worn out from her anger.
It was then that she saw the weapon.
The holy sword blessed by the god of forge. Sophitia and her husband had offered it to Hephaestus after their marriage, placing it back on its altar. Even after all this time, the sword had not lost its gleam, despite being exposed to the elements for four years.
This young woman had been the one to snatch the fragment of Soul Edge away from her sister's children, and now she held it up to the blessed sword. The fragment resonated, and gave off a faint wailing sound - almost as if it was frightened of the holy sword.
She decided then that Soul Edge was still alive. But she could not allow her sister to carry the burden, with a family who depended on her. She decided that she would put an end to the evil sword herself.
She did not trust Hephaestus, but the power to defeat the evil was right before her.
As night gave way to dawn, nothing disturbed the temple's tranquility. However, the young woman, Cassandra, was nowhere to be seen, and the holy weapon was missing from the temple.
---
Sophitia had left on a journey once again, but, for the first time, her journey was not dictated by the gods. This time, it was personal. She was after Soul Edge to free her children from the evil sword's curse, and ensure the safe return of her sister, whom she knew must have left on a journey to destroy Soul Edge on her own behalf. This journey was perhaps the least eventful of all. Sophitia was usually able to sense the existence and location of Soul Edge. But, after several months of journeying, the sensation of Soul Edge's existence vanished all at once. It was as if it had been destroyed, or sealed away. She couldn't sense it anymore at all.
Disappointed, she returned home, and Cassandra returned home soon after. They once again returned to normal life, although they still feared that Soul Edge would rise once again to cause trouble in their lives.
And, ever since Sophitia had returned, she had the faint feeling that Rothion was harboring a secret from her.
---
I'm sorry, Aphrodite...I wasn't fast enough. Sophitia thought, as she cleaned up the shattered pieces of the statue's arms. Come to think of it, the armless form of the statue has an interesting allure. Perhaps it will be better appreciated this way. Future generations will have fun wondering what the arms of the statue had looked like, what they were holding...
Sophitia smiled at her attempt to turn the situation into something pleasant. I guess I'm still just a nice little baker girl at heart.
Just as she finished cleaning up the mess, she saw a faint glow out of the corner of her eye. What? A light? What could be causing that? Are those boys back for more, or...?
The light was coming from the room with the altar upon which usually sat the Omega Sword. ...Could it be...another oracle?
Sophitia rushed back to the room which she had been sitting in earlier, and gasped at what she saw.
A dazzling light, slowly forming the shape of a man.
Sophitia gasped, laid the Omega Sword back onto its altar, backed up, and kneeled down.
"...Rise, Sophitia."
Sophitia looked up, and beheld Hephaestus. She rose her feet, trying to remain as dignified as possible, despite her surprise and nervousness.
"Sophitia...I have received a message from Hermes. A group of warriors is headed to this temple. They will arrive early tomorrow. They are in possession of Soul Edge."
"...Soul Edge! ...But, I thought that..." Her voice trailed off. It was naive of her to assume that Soul Edge had been destroyed before. She should have expected this.
"The reason you have been unable to sense the sword is because it's power has been nulled."
"...Nulled? By what?"
"Another sword, of equal strength to Soul Edge, but of opposite polarity. The two swords are currently embedded in one another, nulling each other's power, so that the sword is difficult to sense."
"I see. Does this mean that...the sword is no longer a threat?"
"No. The two swords may be nulling one another, but as long as Soul Edge exists, a threat to the entire world exists."
"These people coming here - what are their intentions?"
"That remains to be seen. Their intensions could be anything. They could be seeking a new host for Soul Edge. I do not know if you previously knew this, but your children are both possible hosts of Soul Edge."
Sophitia felt like a thunderbolt had run through her body. After she received this news, she felt her legs beginning to give way, and it became difficult to remain standing.
"The warriors could wish to kill you and your sister, as you two may be potential threats to their plans. They could wish to attempt to destroy me, the only one who may be capable of creating a sword that can destroy Soul Edge."
"Could Soul Edge kill a god?"
Hephaestus was silent for a few moments.
"...I do not know." He finally admitted. After a few more moments of silence, he continued to speak. "They will undergo the same trial that you once faced, Sophitia."
"...And what is that?"
"They will fight you."
Sophitia's mind flew back to the time when she had to face a mirror image of herself.
"But - Hephaestus, what if their intentions are good?"
"If their intentions are good, then this will be revealed during the battle."
Sophitia knew better than to question a God twice, but, as she had been when she first spoke to Hephaestus, she was nervous. "What if they defeat me?"
"Do not worry, Sophitia. I will be on your side, as will Athena. As long as you fight within these hallowed grounds, you will not be damaged."
Hephaestus began to fade away. Sophitia started to call out for him to stop, but then decided not to.
When Hephaestus was gone, and Sophitia was left all alone in the temple, she wondered what to do. If the warriors were to arrive early tomorrow, she only had a few hours until they arrived. She might as well sleep in the temple, then.
She gave a sigh, and lay down on the floor in front of the altar. She shivered. So cold...
Suddenly, the two torches on either side of the altar were ignited. Sophitia gasped, and wondered what could have caused it. The fires were much warmer than they should have been - enough to keep Sophitia comfortably warm, even this late at night with no covering.
Perhaps this shall help.
Sophitia had heard the voice in her head. Oh, that's right...you're also the God of Fire. She thought to herself.
"Thank you, Hephaestus..." Sophitia whispered, and laid down once again, lulled into sleep by the soothing warmth of the fires.