I'm surprised. For a man with the appearance of a mindless brute, you have an astounding degree of mental strength.
Geki gave no response.
It is impressive that you were able to wrest control of your body from me, even partially, but it is a futile effort. You will eventually exhaust yourself, and you will become my slave once more.
Again, Geki did not respond.
Exerting too much willpower to muster a response, hmm? You probably wouldn't have anything intelligent to say, anyway. A monster of a man like you is good for nothing but muscle work. Fortunately, power is the only thing I need from a host. I spent a lot of time building Toki's strength, and it is a pity that I lost him, but in time, I will build your power to his level. That ninja bitch will pay for her interference.
A twitch from Geki.
Yes - you seek revenge on her, too, don't you? See, we share at least one common motive - why are you so resistant to my control? Let us be allies.
Never, you say? Why do you detest me so?
Ah, of course - Toki. You're quite loyal...or should I say blind? You faithfully followed Toki even as he ran his clan into the ground, stubbornly refusing to see the signs that he was succumbing to a dark force.
You're right, it wasn't his fault - I was the one controlling him, after all. Oh, Toki, Toki...he was quite an admirable man. Such a shame he became the slave of a sword and was slain by the woman he raised.
Geki's body jerked for a moment.
Yes, that's it, you big ape. The more emotion you show, the more mental stress you're under, the sooner you'll wear down, and the sooner I'll be in control again.
Geki's posture relaxed.
Do you still cling to a thread of hope that you'll cast me out of your body? Or do you simply hate me so strongly that, even though you know it's futile, you'll fight for control of yourself just to waste my time? It matters not. The few hours it will take for you to exhaust yourself are nothing to a being of pure will. Enjoy straining yourself, Geki. I am patient. I can wait.
---
It is regrettable that the inns of the late 16th century did not possess customer loyalty programs, for all the time Siegfried and company spent lodging in such establishments would have warranted several rewards by this point.
Taki's body was covered in such a wide array of grievous wounds that it was amazing she had managed to speak coherently - or even remain conscious - as long as she had. The more medically knowledgeable women of the group did what they could with their meager supplies to bandage Taki's wounds on the spot, and then decided to retreat to an inn to provide a bed and a better environment for Taki to recover in.
An atmosphere of hurriedness and anxiety hung over the group; the worst scenario they could have imagined - the creation of a new blade of Soul Edge - seemed imminent, and the only way to stop it was to track down this 'Mekki-maru' weapon as soon as possible, but they had no clue of the owner's whereabouts, and would have to wait for the mysterious ninja woman to awaken before they could even begin to try to stop this new threat.
Although they might be able to track the man by attempting to follow some sort of trail of dark energy he might be leaving behind, the group unanimously decided that it would be better to wait for the woman to awaken before spending time and effort in a possibly futile search. She had already proven to be of value by dispensing important information to them, and seemed likely to be a powerful warrior and invaluable source of knowledge that they would need in order to find and destroy the new weapon.
The woman was an enigma - they'd discovered her crawling out of a pit, beaten and battered, and she had imparted only her name and a warning of the Mekki-maru threat before collapsing. She had spoken so briefly, yet had changed the priorities of the group so drastically with only her few alarming words. Siegfried and the others were looking forward to a more formal introduction to the woman as soon as this crisis was over.
The feeling of impending danger and rushed atmosphere did little to sooth a group that could do little more than wait for someone to wake up at this point. Knowing that spare time might become scarce very soon, they decided to spend this period discussing the situation amongst themselves.
"...About Taki..." Sophitia began, "...I know her."
"...You do?" Siegfried asked in disbelief.
"Yes. I only saw her briefly, but I could never forget her. She is the woman who struck Cervantes down in Spain." Sophitia said.
This new knowledge sent the stunned group reeling further. Their minds began to consider what sort of things might have happened if not for this woman. Siegfried, in particular, was quite intrigued by what possible events this woman had prevented. If she had not struck Cervantes down, Siegfried might have been killed by Cervantes instead of possessed by Soul Edge. And if he had managed to escape alive, he would have never become Nightmare, and would never have the blood of countless innocents on his hands - however, had Taki not defeated Cervantes, the pirate would have continued his killing spree, or a someone else would have killed him and become a Nightmare in their own right.
Siegfried closed his eyes in thought. This woman struck Cervantes down, but did not think to destroy Soul Edge itself? She must have thought that the pirate was the source of the problem, not the sword. If only...if only this woman had destroyed the sword after killing the pirate. Everything would have been avoided. Why did she not simply think of that?
A small degree of animosity started to form within Siegfried, but he brushed it aside. Most people are unaware of Soul Edge's true nature, and few people would have believed that a terror as great as Cervantes could have formed merely from touching the hilt of that dreaded blade. It would not be fair to blame that woman for all that had happened.
"...After that, she carried me home. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for her." Sophitia said.
Ivy appeared deep in concentration - or simply withdrawn. She remembered Taki from that fateful night at Ostrheinsburg. After Astaroth revealed that Nightmare had been deceiving Ivy, he commanded his clay golem minions to attack her while he left to deal with intruders. Ivy managed to survive the onslaught of golems, but only just barely, and was in no shape to fight the next combatant to approach her - an Asian woman clad in red. Ivy began to draw her weapon in anticipation of a possible battle, but Taki struck Ivy's unique sword with her own weapon to stop her.
The Ivy Blade was imbued with the power of Soul Edge, and Rekki-maru bore a crack from the same weapon. When the two swords clashed, they both released a dark aura, revealing a relation to one another. Deducing the nature of this relation, Taki withdrew. Taki informed Ivy that she sensed Soul Edge's influence in Ivy's weapon - and also in Ivy's blood - and departed, in far too much of a hurry to deal with Ivy. It was this night that Ivy learned that she had been using a weapon fueled by the power of the evil blade she despised so much, and that she could only be the daughter of Soul Edge's former host. Ivy was crushed beyond words for years.
Ivy had long dealt with the psychological scars of that night, and occasionally recalled that woman who had only flickered into her life but for a few minutes, but had turned it upside-down in only that span of time, but had not targeted anger toward Taki. Although Ivy had faced and overcome her issues, seeing this woman was a trigger for those feelings of insecurity and pain she thought she had long wiped away, especially after the death of Cervantes at her hands.
Tira, Cassandra, and Setsuka, who were nowhere near as directly related to Soul Edge than the other members of the group, could not feel as deeply on the matter as the others did - but each comprehended the severity of the threat and the relevance of this new woman.
"...I know what I'm about to suggest will be fiercely contested," Ivy began, "but I'd rather say it than regret choosing not to. ...The one option that we have never sought in our pursuit of the Soul Embrace's destruction is the use of a weapon equivalent to Soul Edge or Soul Calibur."
"...Ivy..." Siegfried said in an admonitory tone, already fulfilling Ivy's prediction of opposition.
"So far, we were under the impression that only three such weapons existed - the two blades of Soul Edge, one of which is now destroyed, and Soul Calibur. The introduction of this new blade of Soul Edge - a 'Soul Blade' if you will - presents us with the possibility of using it on the Embrace - "
"...Ivy!" Siegfried repeated, almost threateningly.
"The one thing that may be powerful enough to destroy the Embrace would be another Soul weapon. Sophitia shattered a Blade once, so did I, but the Embrace's unique properties keep it from being destroyed by physical means and magical means, as far as we know. However, another weapon with the properties of a Soul Blade - this Mekki-maru, potentially - has already proven to have at least some effect on the Embrace, as we beheld ourselves when it resonated in response to Mekki-maru's power. The power of the Mekki-maru may be what is needed to destroy the Soul Embrace."
"...Soul Edge and Soul Calibur are currently silent because they are equal opposing forces - positive and negative - that keep one another at bay." Siegfried began. "Allowing a powerful negative force to influence the Embrace could break the stalemate in Soul Edge's favor, ultimately resulting in Soul Calibur's defeat. We would be devoid of the holy sword, the only force that has ever stood up to Soul Edge, and be left with double the previous threat - and there would be two suitable hosts present for the taking."
It took a moment for Ivy to realize what Siegfried's final comment insinuated. "...You won't scare me by reminding me of what I was born to be." Ivy said in a cross tone of voice. "I'd never let Soul Edge control me."
"It doesn't give you a choice." Siegfried countered, equally cross.
"I know I'm considered a possible host for Soul Edge because my blood is tainted by it - but maybe because I share the same aura as it does...I could control it."
Siegfried was visibly taken aback. "...What?"
"I've been thinking - there's never been a person with blood like mine before - my Ivy Blade draws upon the aura of Soul Edge that exists within me, and I've mastered it - Soul Edge and I are nearly one. Perhaps I could wield the sword without letting it control me. Perhaps I could use the power of that cursed sword against itself, and force Soul Edge and Mekki-maru to destroy one another. Perhaps - "
"...Isabella, you know NOTHING!" Siegfried roared as he bolted out of his chair, slamming a gauntlet-clad fist onto the wooden table, nearly splintering it. "Soul Edge invades the mind like a parasite, and drives its wielder mad! It is evil to its very core, and there is no controlling it, no utilizing it for any purpose of good! You have never been 'one' with Soul Edge - I have. It is not something one should ever wish for. You should never become involved with it. You should never even think about becoming involved with it. If you willingly let a blade of Soul Edge possess you, and it drove you mad and forced your spirit to writhe in pain, trapped within its eye with all the rest of the lost souls that have fallen victim to it, I would say that you received exactly what you deserved!"
Siegfried had never spoken with such utter disregard for discretion and tact. Although every woman present had seem him at his worst and in his darkest times, they had never seen him as filled with fury and rage as he was now. The ferocity in his eyes and the wrath in his words instantly brought mind the image of the nightmarish demon he had once been.
Ivy, although a woman of nearly excessive pride, knew when not to pursue a fight.
"We destroy it. We don't use it. There's nothing to suggest." Siegfried said with as much finality as could have been possible.
"...Well said."
The two words had come from an unfamiliar voice - the group's heads turned to discover that the woman of the night had awoken at last, risen, and joined them.
"As two wrongs do not make a right, neither would the fusion of two evil forces bring good." Taki said, speaking slowly and with a thick accent as she found the words in a language she was unfamiliar with, but with eloquence and a vocabulary that proved she knew the language sufficiently to converse in it.
Setsuka asked Taki if she would prefer to speak in her own language and allow her to translate, but Taki declined, reasoning that she should practice using this Western language, as she was about to spend much time with speakers of it.
"You shouldn't be up - you should be resting." Sophitia urged.
"I can't afford to rest right now - and although I thank you for attempting to treat my injuries, the far East possesses healing arts that could assuage wounds better than any bandage or medicine could. I'll be fine. I should even be well enough to fight soon."
"Healing arts - sounds like it's related to purification arts." Tira mused.
"...I have mastery of powerful purification arts, yes." Taki replied.
"Oh! Maybe she could purify the Soul Embrace!" Cassandra suggested. "It might work since we need positive, purifying energy to tip the tables in Soul Calibur's favor, right?"
"It all depends on if we have enough time." Siegfried responded. "Your name - Taki, yes?"
Taki nodded.
"We must verify what you told us earlier. There is a remarkably large collection of Soul Edge shards in one place, and a powerful piece of Soul Edge called Mekki-maru?"
"That is correct." Taki confirmed.
"And this Mekki-maru has currently possessed a host, a man named Geki, who is presently en route to combine the sword with the shards in an attempt to forge a weapon equivalent to a blade of Soul Edge?"
"I can only assume." Taki said regretfully.
"This can't be allowed to happen - we have to stop this! Where is this Geki? Where is he going?"
Taki almost seemed to flinch. She closed her eyes in regret - she'd never thought it would one day become necessary to reveal the location of her clan's hidden village. Despite the fact that she was considered an outcast, no longer a part of the clan, it still felt traitorous to expose its location.
"...It's in a forest. An enchanted barrier prevents outsiders from entering. You'll need me to get you inside. I'll lead you there."
"Do you know how much time we have?"
Taki shook her head. "I don't know. Geki could already be there by now."
"We have to hurry - show us the way." Siegfried pleaded.
"Wait!" Sophitia said. "Do we bring the Soul Embrace? If we bring it, just the presence of the Mekki-maru could break the impasse between them, and bring chaos."
"What about purifying the Soul Embrace?" Cassandra asked.
"...What is this 'Soul Embrace'?" Taki inquired.
Siegfried sighed, wondering if too much time spent talking here would prevent them from being able to stop Geki. He reached for the satchel that contained the Soul Embrace, untied the knot, and revealed the two swords.
Siegfried quickly explained his former identity and the Embrace to Taki, a speech he had made several times already whenever it had been necessitated. Taki's reaction was closer to a confirmed suspicion than shock, but she was still notably surprised.
"...To think, the famous Naito Maru, in person...And even a chance to see Soul Edge, harmless..." Taki did her best to recover from these sudden revelations. "You wanted me to attempt to - purify it?"
"Knowing that knowledge and potency of purification arts increases the further East one travels, we came here seeking a master of such arts."
Taki couldn't stop a small smirk from forming on her face. "Master of purification...? I believe I can say that I'm one of the most capable masters of purification arts you'll find in this part of the world. ...But if you already tried so many things on the Embrace, and yet it did not work, I doubt that my arts would do very much. I have sealed hundreds of demons, purified countless cursed grounds, exorcised dozens of evil spirits from possessed victims, but I have never used the power of purification to sway the tide of a battle between two forces. This is not my area of expertise, nor is it the function of purification. Perhaps efforts could be made later - but as for now..."
"...Understood." Siegfried said, somewhat disheartened. "We can't leave the Embrace alone, but it'd be a risk to bring it with us. ...Taki?"
"It appears my arts may be of some us to you after all." Taki said with an assuring smile. She reached into the pouch of supplies on her back, and withdrew several pieces of paper.
"Huh?" Tira muttered, voicing the collective thoughts of the group, cocking her head to the side in confusion.
"I know what she's doing." Setsuka said. "It must look strange to Westerners, but don't worry - it works. Trust me."
Taki laid several card-shaped pieces of paper on the floor around the Embrace, and planted several more on the Embrace itself. The paper was inscribed with words in Japanese that only Setsuka could decipher - "PROTECT" "SHELTER" "HIDE" "SEAL" "SANCTUARY"
The Embrace glowed with a bluish hue, and a circular area on the floor beneath it became blue as well.
"...What have you done?" Siegfried inquired.
"I've sealed it in place with a very powerful spell. It will remain here, unable to be removed from this spot, no matter what happens. Such a powerful spell cannot last for very long, however. The incantation will fade away in about a day's time."
"And Geki's destination - is it nearby?" Siegfried asked.
"About an hour's run from here." Taki replied.
"Then a day's time is time enough." Siegfried said. "Let's be on our way."
---
When Soul Edge was an infant blade, only possessing a faint wisp of will, it would attempt to ensnare its wielder's mind and directly take over his body - a parasite controlling a host. As Soul Edge matured and became bathed in more bloodshed and violence, its will developed accordingly - it became more manipulative, cunning, and calculating. Instead of grabbing ahold of its wielder's body, it would instead alter his mind and memories ever so slightly, making a philosophy more radical or twisting the way the host remembered something, causing him to pursue a drasticly different goal than his original intentions.
When Soul Edge first gained control of Siegfried, it merely planted a thought in his mind - the power of Soul Edge could resurrect my father if I strengthen it by gathering enough souls. This thought, coupled with endowing Siegfried with a tendency for evil over righteousness, was all that was needed for the poor man to slowly develop into Nightmare. The modern Soul Edge is no longer a mindless parasite that attempts to directly control its host's body, but a sinister, cunning being who gently pulls strings to manipulate its victim into doing whatever the evil sword wills.
Mekki-maru, a blade as immature as Soul Edge was in its early days, had attempted to grasp control of Geki's body directly, and had succeeded for a short while - however, the man possessed a degree of mental fortitude far beyond what his brutish appearance and loutish nature had implied, and had managed to wrest control of himself away from the sword. While waiting for Geki's mental defenses to diminish, Mekki-maru began to consider an alternative to controlling Geki. It toyed with the thought of controlling Geki with mental influence instead of direct domination...taking one step closer to becoming as deadly and cunning as its older sibling.
Mekki-maru waded through Geki's memories, enhancing or decreasing how well he recalled certain events. The evil sword imbued Geki with a deep abhorrence for Taki, far deeper than the hatred that already existed. It also instilled Geki with much more admiration and appreciation for Toki than before, causing Geki to almost idolize and worship the man. Next, Mekki-maru removed Geki's knowledge of Toki being possessed, even going so far as to replace his vision of Taki slaying a demonic Toki with the image of Taki slaying an innocent and defenseless Toki for selfish purposes.
And last, Mekki-maru planted a thought within Geki's mind:
If Mekki-maru's power is increased through the collection of souls, it could do anything - even revive the dead.
Slowly, Geki became less aware of Mekki-maru; he was already possessed by two other things - an incredibly potent desire to find Taki and make her suffer in the worst ways imaginable, and an intoxicating need for Toki to be resurrected - and the key to fulfilling both of these desires was very clear...the sword he held in his hand at this moment.
Mekki-maru stopped attempting to fight for control of Geki, and gave him complete reign over himself - Geki did not instantly cast away the sword, nor did he make attempts to expel Mekki-maru's will out of his body. The thought of losing the sword or the power of Mekki-maru was his worst fear at this point. His main concern now was infusing Mekki-maru with as much power as possible. Geki immediately began running towards the hidden ninja village at an inhuman speed.
Mekki-maru was pleased.