Fan Fiction ❯ Second Advent of the Vow ❯ The Blacksmith ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

"Sophitia was rescued and carried back home by a youth named Rothion who lived in the next city." (Taken from www.soulcalibur.com)

*DISCLAIMER: These characters belong to Namco. I just happen to like them enough to write about them.

Notes: Character's inner thoughts are identified by asterisks *

Chapter II: The Blacksmith

The smell of fresh-baked bread had filled Sophitia's room invitingly, stirring her from her slumber that morning. Gods, how she had missed that familiar scent during her travels! It was good to wake in one's own bed and to be surrounded by familiar settings after so many nights spent in wherever place she was when night came down. Her home was particularly reassuring that morning, since her night had been filled with a strange mixture of images: the new wielder of Soul Edge and the stranger who rushed to her aid.

-*I haven't seen him before; he must be from out of town,* muttered Sophitia to herself with a hint of sadness. Looking for a way to ground herself into her immediate reality, she spent her morning helping her mother and sister with household chores while her father and Lucius tended the bakery.

-*Too bad the situation did not allow us a proper introduction.* - sighted the Athenian, still taken by the stranger.

"You seem distracted, my dear."- Her mother's sweet voice broke her string of thoughts as she smoothed the folds of a tablecloth. - "Are you sure you are feeling fine? Perhaps, you should take some time off, especially after what happened yesterday. Thank the gods that gallant man was around to help you both. And Cassandra...poor thing! She was worried sick for you!"

Sophitia nodded in affirmative. It was Cassandra who helped Sophitia with the transition of being the "sacred warrior" back to the baker's daughter. And only she knew about the true cost of that seemingly glorious and heroic search for Soul Edge, the nightmares, the nights filled with apprehension and fear. The images of Cervantes and Soul Edge branded indelibly in her unconscious mind still filled her dreams. Her sister had become her best ally and confidant throughout her ordeal of adapting back to her former life. Sometimes she wondered for how long her beloved young sister would endure sharing her burden. When fear managed to paralyze her or the pain of her wounds became unbearable, Cassie laid on her side lending her help, understanding and support. Sophitia decided to shrug aside such thoughts that only brought forth sorrowful memories back and took a deep breath.

-"I think you are right, Mother. I think I'll go to the Shrine of Eurydice to ease my spirit."

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The Athenian warrior laid her sight over the majestic view that she was offered sitting down at the furthest edge of the temple. Majestic mountaintops covered with cotton like clouds rose defiantly over the sea, a cloudless clear blue sky covered it all and doubled as a dramatic backdrop while the white marble columns gleamed with the bright sunlight surrounded her. Mortals and immortals watched her in their marble and stone alter egos, frozen in their utmost glory. The wind blew softly, moving strands of her golden hair away from her face. She lifted her head with eyes tightly closed, as if the gentle wind could carry all her disturbing emotions away and ground her to normality.

-*"Will that ever be possible? Will I ever be just another anonymous girl from Athens?"*


Steps behind her interrupted her thoughts and she sensed an insistent gaze over her. She felt as if her moment of solitude had been violated.

-*"Who could it be?"*- She tensed, awaiting the unexpected behind her. -*"Usually nobody comes here when I'm around,"* she thought, annoyed. Her usual good temper was giving way to rage due to the emotional turmoil she felt in that particular moment. Instinctively she reached for her left side, only to realize that she did not carry weapons anymore.

-*"Well, I still have my arms and legs, so whoever is better be ready to face my anger!" *

She remained still, waiting for the invader to be within her range to strike. She heard the steps approaching and when she sensed the invader was closing on her, without warning, she turned and with a single blow, threw the stranger off balance. When she neared the figure that lay on the ground to strike again, an unexpected heat rushed to her cheeks. Embarrassed, she realized that the invader was none but the man who had aided her yesterday!

-"Oh my, I, I am so sorry,"- Sophitia hurried to say. -"Please forgive me, it's just that I..."
The stranger rose up dusting his clothes off, while offering a conciliatory smile.

-"Please," he said -"do not explain yourself. I was prepared for something like this. I was warned that you did not fancy visitors while in here."

Sophitia could not muster any words to reply as she took the opportunity to finally look at him in detail. He was taller than she recalled. He was dressed in the way of her people and his head was covered with abundant dark hair. His dark brown eyes looked at her amiably with a hint of tenderness she had never noticed in a man before. She had seen countless attractive warriors on her journey. She remembered very well the dashing Korean Coastal Guard officer and the brave samurai that along many others pursued Soul Edge, but most of all, she could never forget the angelic like Germanic Knight. Siegfried Schtauffen was even younger than her but his years as a mercenary had made him mature well beyond his chronological age. Now with the benefit of hindsight, she could see how attracted she had been to him three years ago. However, beneath his green gaze there was always a shadow of intense turmoil and his handsome features and blonde hair, that was even lighter than her own could not hide the fact that his spirit was deeply troubled. It had been this fact that had urged them to part ways.

That had been her first real romance, albeit brief, and subsequently, her first heartbreak. After that, she swore to herself to consecrate fully on the Oracle's command. With the subsequent events that had followed her match with Cervantes, romance or anything resembling it had been relegated to mere memories of more innocent times where Soul Edge did not exist. Now with the courteous young man in front of her, she was amazed to notice the remarkable warmth and openness this youth flaunted. His smile made her feel at ease again and she felt her anger fade away.

- "It seems you already know who I am. Can I have the privilege of knowing your identity?"

-"My name is Rothion. I am a smith by trade and a rescuer of damsels in distress by liking, " he said with a smile. "I was doing some business in the market when I heard your sister. I'm sorry I invaded your privacy. My intention was to introduce myself properly this morning, but when I went to your parent's house, they told me you had already left to come here. I was about to try later, but I just had to know if you were feeling better!"

-*Thank the gods you did not heed the warnings*- Sophitia thought to herself as she admired her companion's good presence.


- "My friend, I truly want to thank you for assisting me and for be so concerned for my well-being"- she said with a pleasant voice. " -Please, if you do not have any compromises ahead, join me. I was only admiring the view", she said as she sat down where she previously was. "I just wished I had checked before attacking," she added sheepishly.

-"Sophitia, that's okay. After all, I guess it is a privilege to face the feared "sacred warrior" and survive to tell it!" Laughter escaped from Sophitia's throat and it proved to be so infectious that he followed suit, sitting down at her side. -"Sophitia, pardon my curiosity, but could you please answer me this?" Sophie turned her head towards his to notice a concerned expression on his face.

-"You look worried, please ask".

-"It is just that watching you laugh so wholeheartedly; I remembered the dread that your face expressed. It was like something very troubling haunts you. What could make such a brave fighter like you fear so much? I know I've just met you, but I wanted to tell you that you can count on a new friend whenever you need it.". Sophie felt that his words brought her comfort and strength to face her fears.

-"My fainting spell came due to a vision, a horrible vision. I feel my mission has yet to end. I can still feel the evil, and it is bringing forth despair and death!"

Rothion saw how her features turned from serene to deeply concerned. -*Why would the gods allow such a beautiful creature delve into such horrid matters?* - he thought. Yet in her emerald eyes he saw a determination and inner strength he had never seen in another woman. But then of course, it was perfectly evident that Sophitia was not an average woman.

-"Now I understand why the gods chose you. You embody honesty, beauty and true courage and faith amidst all odds; everything that can overcome the darkest of evils."

The baker's daughter felt a slight blush paint her cheeks again, astonished that such an insight into her character could come from a complete stranger. Yet, a feeling within her made her feel he was not a stranger after all. It was as if two friends who had not seen each other for a long time had been reunited.

*It seems the gods have brought me support and companionship in a time I need it the most,* -Sophitia pondered. As she meditated on this, the smith placed his hand over hers. She did not move hers away; instead, she relished the warmth and the sense of protection she felt having his rugged hand over her own.

-"Sophitia", - Rothion broke the silence, -"I know your weapons got destroyed on your last battle. I am a smith and nothing would make me happier if you accepted, as a token of my friendship, a new set of weapons made by my hand. You are a warrior, and as such, you need to train."

The warrior's eyes brightened at the thought of training again. She enjoyed peacetime, but feared she might lose her skills without proper training. Besides, her dad's wonderful pastries were menacing her lithe figure. And then there was also the premonition at the market she might be called again by the gods to banish what was left of Soul Edge, if that possibility was indeed true. She wanted to remain enjoying the return to her former life but the vision had filled her with insecurity. She had to remain on the ready.

-"Would you allow me that honor?" His voice brought her back to reality.

A sudden idea crossed the Athenian's mind, a soft smile curved on her lips.

-"I'll be glad to accept your offer, but with one condition: that you join me in my training. I need a partner to train, if, of course, you dare after what happened today" - she said teasingly.


Rothion looked at her as a wide smile enlightened his face:

- "I don't think I'll give you the chance to catch me off guard so easily again, Sophitia. I might not be a warrior but I pride myself in being a resourceful fellow. I still have more tricks under my sleeve that I will love to try against you!"

Sophie smiled back at him, thinking: -*"That's exactly what I'm expecting, my dear Rothion."*