Chapter 16 – Fate of Two Worlds
The final battle of this story of legends begins here, where the fate of two worlds will be decided not by one, but by two people. Cassandra and Leonsritt, along with Tira, Hilde and Siegfried, had faced many things in their past, but nothing like this. A beast had appeared in front of them.
"What the...?"
"What is this?"
Everyone looked at the beast. Soul Edge had transformed into a beast with the three heads of the infamous Cerberus, each with a pair of glowing red eyes. A humanoid being appeared, taking Leonsritt's form, fusing with the Cerberus. As the fusion had begun, a shockwave of dark energy bursted out, pushing everyone back. A giant had risen out of the dark. This giant now had four arms, with the top arms having two horned Cerberus heads for hands. The third head had appeared on the giant's chest with the Eye of Soul Edge on its abdomen, with a protective crystal forming on it. The abdomen had ended in a pool of darkness. The Blade of Soul Edge remained pierced on the ground. Soul Edge had looked at the people who are planning to take it down.
"I'll guide you into the depths of darkness..."
Leonsritt looked at Soul Edge, and a sudden glow emanated off his steel paddle. Cassandra noticed the glow, and her weapon had the same glow emanating.
"What now?"
Siegfried looked at Hilde and Tira as Soul Calibur emanated that same glow. Cassandra and Leonsritt looked at Siegfried.
"I'm sorry, but Tira, Hilde and I will have to be out of this one."
"Why?"
"But who will back us up if Leo or me gets knocked out?"
"Soul Calibur will help both of you."
Siegfried lifted the crystal blade. The blade floated and split in two. The two halves then formed into balls of light, with each fusing with both Cassandra and Leonsritt's weapons. Siegfried backed away and a flash of light had made them disappear. Cassandra and Leonsritt looked at the weapons and then looked at each other.
"You ready for this?"
"Yeah!"
Both of them charged at the beast but went in to separate directions. Soul Edge grabbed the blade and began swinging it at Cassandra. She rolled out of the way, as Leonsritt threw his steel paddle at the Right Head of Cerberus. The beast received the blow and with Leonsritt catching the blade, he jumped, only to be knocked down by Soul Edge's arm. Cassandra had kept dodging the attacks of the Left Head of Cerberus. Soul Edge had swung the blade, and Cassandra jumped. The Left Head of Cerberus fired a ball of dark fire at Cassandra. She successfully blocked the attack but with her guard down she was hit by the blade. She was knocked down as Soul Edge pierced the ground with the blade. Soul Edge prepared a fist to slam down on Cassandra. Leonsritt appeared and blocked the giant's attack. The Left and Right Heads of Cerberus fired a volley of dark fireballs. Leonsritt smacked the fireballs back at the Heads of Cerberus. The heads retreated for a bit as the Main Head of Cerberus prepared a giant ball of dark energy. Soul Edge grabbed the ball and raised it in the air.
"Aw, crap. Cassandra, get up!"
Cassandra got up as Soul Edge was about to slam the ball of energy on the ground. Leonsritt grabbed Cassandra and ran away from the area.
"Sink into the darkness!"
Soul Edge slammed the ball into the ground and a shockwave spread throughout the battlefield. The shockwave revealed the area they were in. The area looked like the walls and ground were made out of human muscle tissue.
"What the HELL?"
There were gaps on these "walls" where darkness was seeping in through. Black vines and thorns were coming out of the "walls" as well.
"Welcome... to the realm of MY abyss!"
Leonsritt got up with Cassandra.
"Cassandra, grab my hand and swing me to him."
"Are you sure you wanna do that?"
Leonsritt nodded. Cassandra grabbed Leonsritt by his hand and swung him toward the Main Head of Cerberus. Soul Edge prepared a fist as the Left and Right Head of Cerberus started firing a volley of dark fireballs. Leonsritt dodged them all and deflected some back at the Heads. Cassandra jumped in the air and with the deflected fireballs, she boosted herself up in the air as she attacked the Heads. Her blade gave off a bright glow for every hit the Heads took. Soul Edge grabbed Cassandra. Leonsritt threw the steel paddle at the hand grabbing Cassandra. The blow affected Soul Edge as the hand released Cassandra.
"What is this? The power of Soul Calibur...!"
"That's right!"
Soul Edge looked in fear as Cassandra and Leonsritt ran to Soul Edge, prepared for the next hit. Soul Edge summoned dark flare pillars. The pillars began following the two warriors. They both ran in different directions as the pillars kept following them. Soul Edge stretched its arms, preparing to slam both arms against each other. Cassandra stopped and jumped towards the dark flames, but flipped over them. Leonsritt stopped and stabbed the ground in a diagonal way, lifting the blade* and banishing the pillar of flames. The two ran to each other but got caught in the attack Soul Edge prepared. Though Soul Edge kept putting pressure to them, Soul Calibur's aura protected them from the attack.
"WHAT?"
"OUT OF MY WAY!"
Leonsritt slammed his steel paddle on Soul Edge's arm, causing it to back off. He jumped in the air and began diving onto the crystal protecting the Eye of Soul Edge.
"BELIAL EDGE**!"
Leonsritt began using a certain person's moveset against Soul Edge. The hit landed on the crystallized shell, as it began breaking slowly. Soul Edge punched Leonsritt out of range. Cassandra had ran to the shell as well, as she began attacking it with her Angel Step variations. Leonsritt jumped in to the air once again and threw the blade at Soul Edge's face. It staggered and covered its face in pain. Leonsritt called the blade back as he began diving straight to its head. The Left and Right Heads of Cerberus began to snap their jaws at Leonsritt. He spun, striking both heads and stunning them. Cassandra began jumping up to the Main Head of Cerberus and she bashed her shield harshly on the head, knocking it out as well. Cassandra jumped towards Soul Edge's face. With both people ready to strike, Cassandra jumped with force, hitting Soul Edge right on its jaw. Leonsritt dived in a faster speed.
"YOU'RE GONNA LIKE THIS!***"
Leonsritt slammed the steel paddle on Soul Edge's head. Knocked out, Soul Edge leaned backward, exposing the Eye of Soul Edge's protective shell. Cassandra having landed on the ground, began attacking the shell. Leonsritt dove on to the shell, aiming the tip of his steel paddle on to the shell.
"BELIAL EDGE!"
He dove and struck the shell, shattering the shell in to pieces, exposing the Eye of Soul Edge. He prepared to strike the Eye, but had gotten caught off guard when Soul Edge recovered and grabbed Cassandra. She screamed and Soul Edge threw her to one of the "walls".
"CASSANDRA!"
Her body slammed hard on the wall, and she fell. She landed on her knees, coughing up blood. Leonsritt looked at Soul Edge with a rage that was felt among the "room"
"SOUL EDGE!"
He dashed at the Eye. The oncoming attacks from Soul Edge were avoided, as he finally made it to the Eye. He pierced it and blood started gushing out of the Eye.
"You useless... human being!"
Leonsritt prepared to slice the Eye.
"DIE ALREADY!"
Leonsritt lifted his steel paddle, cutting Soul Edge open. The "room" started crumbling down. Soul Edge started disintegrating, as the Heads of Cerberus faded into nothing. Everything started going back to normal. Leonsritt ran to a beaten Cassandra. He kneeled and picked her up.
"Cassandra! CASSANDRA!"
There was no response. He looked at Cassandra with watery eyes.
"No! You can't do this to me!"
He started to cry, but he then heard Soul Edge cough and laugh...
"That's right... (cough) you can't save her, yet she was willing to kill you to get rid of me..."
Leonsritt set Cassandra's lifeless body down carefully. He got up and walked slowly towards Soul Edge's "body".
"What... what are you doing?"
Soul Edge felt shivers down its spine. Leonsritt grabbed Soul Edge by the neck and tossed him high in to the air...
"You'll pay dearly..."
Leonsritt held his steel paddle in backhand position...
"BLACK ONSLAUGHT****!"
He struck a floating Soul Edge. Soul Calibur's power emanated from the steel paddle, forming it into a scythe...
"BLACK SABBATH!"
He struck Soul Edge six times with the "scythe" as it screamed in agony. He pulled the "scythe" from Soul Edge, with it absorbing its power.
"NIGHTMARE RAGE!"
The "scythe" turned into a demonic, white wing. The earth shook as it absorbed Soul Edge's power.
"THIS CAN'T BE!"
Soul Edge looked in fear at Leonsritt's eyes.
"DESTRUCTION!"
The final blow struck Soul Edge in its "heart", shattering the body and the cursed sword, disappearing from the world. The room had disappeared. Leonsritt walked to Cassandra. He picked her up and looked at her with watery eyes once again. He caressed her face softly, tears running down his face. The earth began to shake once again and everything around him began to float. A dark hole appeared and everything began to be sucked in to it.
"What the...!"
Leonsritt began to float as well as he held Cassandra's body tight. Her sword and shield had been absorbed by the dark hole.
"Dammit! I gotta hang on to Cassandra!"
Leonsritt gripped Cassandra tight and he was absorbed by the black hole. Everything went black.
Leonsritt woke up on a grassy plain, his steel paddle stabbed on the ground to his left. To his right, was Cassandra. He got up and looked at her.
"Cassandra!"
He looked at her, with her blood-covered clothing. He looked deeply until he saw her eyes open. Her green eyes looked at his. She smiled and held him tight. Cassandra embraced him tightly.
"It's all over now..."
Cassandra smiled with tears of joy, holding the one she loves. Leonsritt started crying as he held Cassandra tightly...
"I thought I lost you..."
"I thought that, too, Cassandra..."
Leonsritt had a feeling something wasn't right. He felt a sudden burst of dark energy from Cassandra. He opened his eyes to notice that she grabbed her short sword. He pushed her away, nearly missing the stab from her short sword.
"Who are you?"
"What do you mean?"
There was a distortion in her voice. Cassandra began to slouch and twitch. This wasn't Cassandra.
"Don't you... recognize me?"
"Soul Edge..."
Other copies of Cassandra in the slouched position appeared. They all were dark, red-eyed, copies of her. All of them surrounded Leonsritt. He grabbed the steel paddle's handle, only for the blade to disintegrate in his hand. He looked around, with no way out. The copies pounced at him, and everything went black.
Leonsritt woke up in a grassy plain, again. He looked everywhere, and making sure he wasn't dreaming, he pinched his arm.
"Okay, I'm not dreaming..."
He turned to find Cassandra next to him, in the same blood-covered clothing she wore. She laid there, unconscious. Leonsritt picked her up, looking at her. He pulled his sleeve and cleared off some of the blood from her face. Leonsritt felt tears running down his face...
"Why... why did you have to do this to me..."
Leonsritt had memories of himself and Cassandra together.
"You always told me, to never give up..."
He looked at her once again...
"I... I can't lose you..."
He looked up at the sky.
"I... I'm just nothing without you..."
Day had shifted into night as Leonsritt carried Cassandra to a nearby tree. Leonsritt ran his fingers through her hair for a long while. He kept thinking about Cassandra, until he fell asleep. The night sky was filled with shining bright stars. Cassandra opened her eyes, and she saw the night sky, amazed by its beauty.
"Wow... where am I?"
She noticed that she was lying on Leonsritt's lap. She got up and examined him closely. It was really him.
"Leo...?"
Leonsritt slowly opened his eyes and he noticed a shadowy silhouette. He blinked a few times. He rubbed his eyes and saw the woman before him was alive. He looked at her with teary eyes. She was extremely happy that she was with her loved one again. She embraced him tightly. Leonsritt was crying.
"I thought I lost you..."
Cassandra looked at Leonsritt with eyes as if she hasn't seen him in a long time. She pressed herself against him and began locking her lips on his. He was holding he tightly, enjoying each and every second of this moment. He ran his fingers down her back. Even though there was pain, she felt relieved by having his fingers caress her softly. She took off the ribbon holding her hair, and her hair flowed with the gentle breeze. Leonsritt looked at the sight he now sees as one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen in his life. He took off his shirt and placed it below them. Cassandra laid herself on the shirt as he looked into the girl's eyes. Her green eyes were full of the burning passion for the man she loves. Leonsritt began kissing her once again, as she held his hand tightly. Her other hand began to caress him on his back. Cassandra let go of his hand and with it she placed his hand on one of her breasts. She wanted him to touch her again. He fondled her breasts, and she let out a small moan. Leonsritt started running his lips down her neck slowly, breathing on her. The warmth of his breath made her even more excited. Her body didn't mind the pain anymore than what she was feeling. Even though he wanted this moment to last, Leonsritt knew deep down that this was gonna be the last time he'll do this with her.
Morning struck and Leonsritt had prepared himself to walk in to a path that was left over. Cassandra had cleaned the blood off her clothing. Though she was still in pain from the battle, Leonsritt decided to carry her. He walked until they reached two pathways...
"Which one should we take, Leo?"
He thought of which one since they were in the middle of nowhere.
"We're going right..."
He walked to the right path and walked for hours until he arrived in to a familiar place. He stopped. He looked around and noticed something very familiar out of this village. Leonsritt let Cassandra down, and she walked slowly, due to the pain in her body.
"You shouldn't walk at all, Cassandra..."
"No... I'm fine..."
The villagers came out of their homes, looking to see who it was. They recognized the warrior with the steel paddle. The village chief had come out to greet him.
"Well, if it isn't you, young lord!"
"Wow! I never thought I'd see you all again!"
Cassandra walked next to Leonsritt.
"Do you have a healer? I need you to treat her. She's in somewhat of a bad condition."
"Yes, young lord."
The village chief called the healer. Leonsritt carried Cassandra to the healer's home to treat her. Leonsritt walked to the village chief.
"Young lord, we know who you are. There is no need to lie to us. After all, you saved our world, along with yours."
Leonsritt seemed embarrassed about him lying to everyone.
"I mean, I didn't want to put anyone in danger, you know?"
"I understand how you feel."
Leonsritt had smiled. A few more hours passed and Cassandra was feeling better. She joined Leonsritt to a feast the village was holding for him. They celebrated and laughed, having a good time. Leonsritt didn't feel the same. He wanted to stay to keep Cassandra happy. He looked at her and smiled, patting her head. She smiled back. The feast was soon over, and Leonsritt and Cassandra prepared to go. The villagers all looked at both of them.
"Young lord, before you go..."
Leonsritt looked at the village chief.
"Look over there..."
He turned to see on his left. There was a stone statue of him, with the steel paddle stabbed on the ground. He walked to the statue and read the following inscription.
The Warrior with The Steel Paddle. The Savior of Worlds.
"Wow... Thank you..."
"Because of your heroic journey, it will be in history for eternity. And this village will be known for your beginning of your journey, young lord."
Leonsritt smiled as the villagers all bowed down to him.
"All hail Lord Leonsritt."
"Um, you don't have to be formal with me, you know. But I will see you again someday!"
He walked away with Cassandra. But as soon as they began walking, what appeared to be a door of light appeared in front of them. Siegfried walked out of it.
"Leonsritt, Cassandra. Come with me."
Leonsritt decided to go into the door, for he knew what this was about. Cassandra held Leonsritt's hand and walked with him to the door as the villagers watched them leave. They arrived at Valentine Manor. Ivy was waiting for them with Zasalamel standing in the shadows.
"I was wrong about the outcome of this battle."
Cassandra stopped and looked at Zasalamel.
"Only we decide what to do with our destinies. A prediction of the future does not mean anything."
Ivy looked at Leonsritt. She signaled him to walk to her. She began to form a circle on the wall, with small inscriptions on it. The wall began to crumble into the same circle, until it formed a purple gateway.
"This gateway is the only way to your world..."
Ivy looked at Cassandra, with her looking down in grief. Leonsritt saw her and walked up to her. He placed his hand under her chin, pushing her face up to look at her.
"Cassandra, I know I have to go, but you will always remain in my heart..."
Leonsritt grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest.
"Leonsritt. The thing about this is, once you walk out of here through the portal, everyone, except you, will forget everything that happened."
"What?"
Cassandra looked in shock after what she heard. Leonsritt looked at Cassandra, with her about to break down. Leonsritt thought of what to do. He grabbed a plume and a piece of parchment. He dipped the tip of the plume in ink. He wrote something down on the parchment. He folded the parchment and placed it in her hand.
"Cassandra, place this somewhere you can carry this on. I know you will lose your memory, but when you read it, you will know someone was, and will always, be there for you. And the bangle I gave you..."
Leonsritt looked deep in to her eyes. Cassandra began to have tears run down her face. He leaned over to her and embraced her tightly. He looked at her once more, and kissed her. She kissed him with a passion for him. He backed away and told her:
"Goodbye, Cassandra. A part of me resides in that bangle. I love you..."
He jumped in and the portal started sealing. The last thing he saw and heard, was Cassandra telling him:
"I love you, too!"
Everything went black.
Cassandra was back in her father's bakery and she hummed happily. She walked into her room, and picked up her shield and sword. A piece of parchment fell off the shield. She looked at it and opened it. It read:
Cassandra,
Even though you may not remember who I am,
I just want to let you know, I was there for you,
I may know who you are, but you don't know who I am.
One thing you should know is the person who wrote this
is out there somewhere. The bangle you have on your wrist
is a symbol of our love. When you read this, you will know
that I will always love you the same way you have.
Remember: This person will always be there for you.
Leonsritt.
Cassandra read this thoroughly several times. She was confused about this letter, but her mind suddenly sparked. A memory of this young man appeared in her mind. She spoke one single word.
"Leonsritt..."
Her mind began to form one of her memories that we're lost during the time that Leonsritt walked in to the portal. She now remembered who this young man was.
Angelo woke up back in his room. He looked around everywhere. Everything was in its place. He looked at his alarm clock.
"Aw crap, I'm late for school!"
Angelo changed quickly and ran out of his place to run to the bus stop. He saw the bus drive away.
(Wait... is this happening again?)
Angelo walked to school. A bunch of thieves ran to him.
(I remember these guys. They're the ones that stole my stuff!)
Angelo backed away a bit.
(Now I know what to do!)
Angelo noticed one of the thieves grabbing his bag, but he pulled the thief towards him, punching him in the face. The others surrounded Angelo, and he began to swing his bag in a menacing way. He swung his bag hard, hitting every thug. He knocked them down and beat them to a pulp. Angelo walked away. Police arrived and arrested the thugs. Angelo felt proud of stopping these thugs from stealing his bag. His thoughts were filled with one thing that motivated him to fight: Cassandra.
Angelo had returned from school and went to the living room. He prepared something to eat and walked to the living room again. He sat down on his couch and turned the TV on. He thought:
"Sometimes I wish she was here..."
Angelo ate the rest of his meal. He went to take a shower. He thought of the moments he had with Cassandra, all the time he spent with her. He finished showering, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and walked in to his room. He opened the door and found something in his room...
Author's Note: I wanted to make this chapter interesting by adding Ragna The Bloodedge's moves on the final battle. Well it's finally time for the epilogue. The conclusion to this story begins on the next chapter. And like always I do NOT own anything related to SOULCALIBUR or BlazBlue.
*Picture it as Ragna's Forward C move
**This move was added to Ragna's moveset in Continuum Shift. It's a diving sword attack.
***This line is mentioned when Ragna's Distortion Drive, Devoured By Darkness, is used against Hazama. ("TERUMI! YOU'RE GONNA LIKE THIS!")
****Ragna's Astral Heat, Black Onslaught.