Fan Fiction ❯ Second Advent of the Vow ❯ Destiny Calls ( Chapter 4 )

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

"They were visiting the Temple of Hephaestus to report their engagement to him, when Hephaestus appeared before them. The God of Smiths revealed that the remaining Soul Edge was regaining its power and he needed Sophitia's help once again." -"Let me go in place of her," insisted Rothion."Rothion, you are a smith, aren't you? This time it is you who will forge the armor and weapon to protect Sophitia." (Taken from www.soulcalibur.com)


Chapter IV - Destiny Calls

Hephaestus Temple stood majestically atop a mount dominating the city of Athens. The fine marble columns boasted the classic Ionic style that instantly brought to mind the age in which the Greek Peninsula was filled from coast to coast with amazing monuments for the ancient gods. Its friezes narrated stories from heroes and foes from times of old, now forgotten by many. Due to the effects of time, many of these richly detailed statues laid broken, many missing their limbs or heads. Still, they defied time and weather with a glimpse of the glory and beauty they once possessed. Inside the dark temple, barely illuminated with the fickle light of a few torches scattered around, sat an enormous gold and ivory figure of Hephaestus on a throne, holding a massive smith's hammer on his right hand. It was one of the few sculptures that had survived countless attacks of bandits and scavengers to the scarce temples that remained erect. After all, 16th Century Greeks had long forgotten about the Olympians and most of them did not worship them anymore. Ortodox Christianity and the ever-present influence of their current rulers, the Ottomans, had wiped the old rites for good. The temples and all that remained of the once revered gods were a few former places of worship now turned mere attractions for the curious and for the nostalgic. So it was a very strange sight to witness two youths go to the temple to worship and it was well known by all that Sophitia was one of the few remaining keepers of the old religion.This is why, among other things, that she had been chosen by the god of fire and smiths to search for Soul Edge. But now, a different mission brought her here to his house of worship and wonder. As she stood still watching the herculean figure, she held Rothion's roughened hand in hers, wondering if the gods would be pleased by her decision. Her head and her heart were still debating the possibility of leaving her warrior ways behind to settle into the more domestic and quiet life of the wife of a blacksmith. A shadow of doubt and uneasiness kept bothering her. The oracle had been clear in showing her the new menace that was the Azure Knight. She had learned rather easily to come to terms with her warrior self, but Rothion's proposal had changed everything, bringing back the part of her who wanted to once and for all return to the life of the baker's daughter. Her stream of thoughts was interrupted by Rothion's firm voice as he addressed the Olympian: -"Oh sacred Hephaestus, god of smiths, protector of the sacred warrior Sophitia. I present myself to you today to ask you to bless our union, as I have asked her to be my wife and she has accepted. Please, god of my trade, may our petition please you as we solicit your blessing." Sophitia stepped up front, holding a strange piece of iron on her hands. -"Hephaestus, my protector, your oracle had given me the duty of destroying Soul Edge. Your weapons protected me from sudden death and allowed me to destroy part of the evil sword. As proof of my accomplishment, please accept this fragment of the dreaded blade." Saying this, she placed the portion of Soul Edge in front of the image of the god. -"My mission has been completed. I ask you to grant us your divine blessing." Unexpectedly, the fragment of cursed iron seemed to take life of it's own, as it lifted itself from the floor, trembling. Rothion swiftly covered Sophitia's body with his, as their eyes remained glued to the piece of iron that seemed as it was looking for something, or someone. Sophie shuddered, remembering with dread how with flashes of lights countless of those same fragments had tore through her skin, rendering her almost dead. The old wounds felt tender to her touch, making her shudder, anticipating the piercing pain. A sudden, loud smashing sound filled the interior of the Temple and to the couple's astonishment, an enormous silver hammer shattered the wicked shreds of Soul Edge. A golden figure dressed in the ways of the ancient blocked the statue that bored his image. Standing in front of them, Hephaestus took the now dust like fragment and blew it away, as the dust turned into shadows. Even in his deformity (due to the rage of his father Zeus, who threw him down from Mount Olympus), the god stood magnificently. His huge figure dominated the holy grounds, and from his body emanated an intense shimmer that filled every corner of the temple dedicated in his honor.

-"Sophitia and Rothion, I expected you," - the fire-god addressed them in a thunder like voice that echoed through the walls of the compound. -"Both of you have served me well, keeping our memory alive, heeding our oracles. And now, I know you have already heard the oracle once again." The warrior maiden's heart sank as her worst fears already were coming true. She had been having those dreaded premonitions, she had been stirred into practicing and readying herself, her mind in constant turmoil and confusion, and only Rothion's presence had helped to soothe it. But it was inevitable. It was helpless to fight against destiny. "It's not fair"! - Sophitia heard herself spew with trembling voice. - "I've completed my mission! My life was almost lost, and my body bears the marks to prove so. I'm not a warrior, I am an ordinary girl. I want my life back!" -Sophitia said defiantly. Rothion turned his head surprised to see Sophitia defy the Olympian with such daring words. -"I know you are not a warrior by birth nor trade, Sophitia Alexandra. Yet your pure heart and your brave spirit above all, makes you the chosen one for this undertaking. Few mortals would have even thought of such insolent words, yet you have done so, because you have a bold spirit, bold enough to face Soul Edge again!" answered Hephaestus, as his lips curved into a small smile pleased by her undeviating spirit. -"My child,"- the god of smiths added with a sweet voice, almost unbelievable to come from such a fear imposing figure. -"I know your spirit yearns for peace and quietness. I know the fears that haunt you. I know you want to leave this nightmare behind and move on with your life. But I can also see that your spirit will be uneasy until you finish your mission. If you look deep within yourself, you see I what I say is true. Your spirit has been restless as of lately and inner peace has eluded you. You've tried with all your will to push the voices and the visions away, to no avail. " Sophitia's indignation started to fade away. Hepahestus was right. She could never pursue her happiness until Soul Edge was gone for good. Now, not only the fate of countless souls was a stake; her own happiness relied on her warrior skills and unwavering faith. -"But divine one,"-asked Rothion, -"what about the other warriors that you sent? What has happened to them?" Hephaestus bushy brows closed in a frown as his jaw tensed. -"The one that remains is right beside you. The rest, some lay dead. Some forgot what was their true mission and have not heard the oracle since. All mighty warriors, all with true hearts. Yet the Evil Seed managed to taint their spirits and moved them away from their true path!" -"But what about that Spartan knight,"- insisted Rothion, "he seemed such a committed and brave fighter?." Irritated by Rothion's questioning, Hephaestus rebuked with frustration. -"Aeon Calcos, the Spartan, has fell prey of a heretic order and now collaborates with the Azure Knight!" -"All gone!"- gasped Sophitia, " I will abide faithful to the oracle. I will completely destroy Soul Edge, as you have ordered me," - the blonde warrior vowed in solemn tone.Rothion's face suddenly lightened. -"Divine god of smiths, let me go in place of her!" -"No!" - Sophitia heard herself scream. She knew he was brave and had a noble heart able to take on any mission, but he did not understand the true evil of Soul Edge. -"Rothion, you already know the answer to this," answered the Olympian sympathizing with the young smith's pleas. He clenched his fists so hard that he drove them into his palm, cutting through skin. He felt useless. He could not do anything but let Sophie leave while he waited back uselessly, powerless, allowing Soul Edge the chance of taking her life once again? -"Rothion," the sacred smith said -"You are a smith are you?" Rothion nodded. -"I have a mission just for you. This time, it is you who will forge the armor and weapon to protect Sophitia. " -"Divine smith of the gods, my craft can never compare to yours. The first weapons she had were forged by you, and still, they were not almost enough to protect her." -"You will be given a piece of my sacred iron. No mortal has been given this honor before. The oracle chose you for this. It is the oracle's will that your craft and her faith this time will combine to destroy once and for all the reign of the Evil Seed." And saying this, his enormous hand pointed behind the altar to reveal a piece of iron that was not there before. -"My children, my job is already done here. Yours is about to start. I leave with you my blessings. Together you have a destiny to fulfill. If successful, the oracle grants that you will be reunited and happiness will be with you both from there on. Face your destiny. Heed the oracle. Grant us victory!" And with those words, Hepahestus left the holy ground as mysteriously as he arrived. The thin light of the torches again engulfed the interior of the temple, as silence remained as the only witness of the couple that held each other strongly, as if they wanted to share their lifeforce, their souls for what somehow seemed could be the last time.