Fan Fiction ❯ Second Advent of the Vow ❯ Gatherings ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: Nope, I do not own Soul Calibur yet

Chapter IV: Gatherings

Sophitia could barely keep her eyes closed that night. The emotion of the expected tournament had taken over her usual serene self, depriving her of the need for sleep, but she knew she was not the only one who excitement had infected. The inn was a pool of boisterous laughter and blare, with many of the visitors, both fighters and spectators joining in lively predictions on the year's contenders to the highest prizes. It was hard to obtain any sleep at all with the ongoing commotion around her.

The next morning it was all movement and rush everywhere. The warriors had to attend the inscription process and present themselves for the first time to the audience. The first bouts of the tournament were expected after the traditional opening ceremonies. In a sense, that first day was pivotal in determining the future performance in the rest of the event. Bets usually rose after the first fights and the favorites were chosen from the winners.

"Sophitia, you better hurry up. The inscription period is almost up." The worried voice from Alexander sounded through her door.

"I'm ready. You'll see the lateness was worthwhile"

Alexander scratched his head in puzzlement. Sophie was never late, but this day she had taken quite a significant amount of time preparing herself. He knew that everyone was making sure they looked their best to impress the audience as well as the other contenders, but he still wondered what was taking her so long.

The answer came quickly enough as soon as the Greek warrior opened the door.

"Sophie, is it really you? …"

"I know, this is not my usual garments but Rothion thought it would help me to make a strong impression. What do you think?"

For a moment Alexander had to reassure himself mentally that the fair woman who stood in front of her was his travel mate and friend and not a figure of another age. Instead of her usual ancient Greek costume, Sophitia had donned luminous silver armor. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail bounded by a pink bow. Her Omega sword was kept inside a red sheath and over the breastplate, a snow-white shirt highlighted with pink stripes contrasted with the hard iron, as if the costume itself described it's owner: soft and pliable in appearance but hard and unrelenting beneath. Her reliable Elk shield hung on her left arm completed the image.

"Nice thought of Rothion to add such a splendid piece for this occasion. It surely guarantees you will stand out from the crowd."

"Thank you. I believe that was his intention in the first place, but I do confess I do not quite think I could fight in something like this. Too constricting for me."

"Even if you do not fight with it, you will definitely win everyone's attention. May I escort you?"

Sophitia smiled and extended a gaunleted hand towards Alexander, as they flung down the stairs. Andreas was waiting for both while sharing small talk with the innkeeper. They had shared many moments like this over the years through Andreas continuous merchant trips. Noticing the heavy steps, they turned their heads towards the staircase and observed in delight what the warrior had kept for the opening ceremonies.

"My, Andreas you are going to leave a wealthy man if your friend fights as good as she looks! You look stunning my friend and I'm sure you will draw jealous looks from many nobles and knights. Your armor is exquisite enough to rival and even surpass many of them. But of course, your beauty is the one that makes your image even more stunning."

"Ever the flatterer Carlo. I expect to see you this afternoon and you will see with your own eyes that Sophitia is a most impressive warrior, the best my country has raised."

Andreas confident talk helped to rise the Greek warrior's spirit's even higher. It sure felt good to know that you had people rooting for you in the arena.

"Well", said Alexander "this conversation is very interesting but is going to be worthless if Sophitia doesn't make it to the inscription. We better move!"

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Sophitia had barely made it on time to the inscription booth, but finally, it was official: she was now one of the dozens of fighters gathered to claim the year's title and the bountiful prize. While she awaited the opening ceremony on the area reserved to the evening's protagonists, she feasted her eyes in the smorgasbord of colors and textures in display, both adorning the coliseum and the warriors' clothes. The concrete walls were covered with exquisite banners displaying the heraldic symbols of the noblest and wealthiest of the Italian princes, aristocrats and Church hierarchy. Although despised in public, many bishops and cardinals had a liking for the games too and always took the chance to enjoy them. Pages and servants walked frantically from side to side running errands and working on the multitude of tasks such an event brought upon.

She also took the time to observe carefully her would-be opponents. Knights in glistening armors, swordsmen of all types, tall fair-haired Norsemen and lean, tanned Arabs in their elegant tunics were some of the fighters congregated within the ancient theater. Abruptly, a loud, boisterous voice startled Sophitia:

"Well, well, so you are here too? And I was starting to think I didn't had any real opposition around."

In front of Sophitia, with one huge hand on his waist and another holding a massive battle-axe stood a brawny tall man-beast that made everything around him dwarf. His muscular body was deeply cooper tanned and upon his shoulders rested the head of a bull. Suddenly, the man-beast took his huge hand to his head and for the surprise of many, removed the bullhead, revealing the dark-haired head of a man.

"Rock Adams! But I thought you were in America!"

"You are right in that, I was in America, but pressing issues have brought me here. You are not the fighting type so I must assume pressing issues of your own have also brought you here, or am I incorrect?"

"You know me right, old friend. Unfortunately, a mission and not the quest for glory has leaded me here. You do come from very far so you must also have a true significant circumstance that has forced you here."

" I would not want you to burden with this knowledge, but have you heard of a strange breed of heretic beast dubbed the Lizardmen?"

"You know about them?"

"It seems you are already familiar with this foul spawns of hell. If you do, then you already know how soulless they can be."

The horrible sight of the burnt town came to Sophitia's memory. Yes she knew all too well their evil. She nodded.

Rock looked at the sky, as his grip tensed on his axe's handle.

"Sophitia, these dreadful beasts massacred many of my fellow people and took away my adopted son."

Sophitia gasped in horror. These beasts really had no limits to their evildoing.

"I do not understand yet why, but their masters, an obscure cult named the Fyngul Cestemus seems in attracting me here. And here I am, preparing to make them pay for every single day Bangoo has spent away from his home and for the spilled blood of my people."

A grave expression adorned Rock's face as he clenched hard his battle-ax. Sophitia knew that whoever brought upon themselves Rock's rage had judged him wrong. Very wrong.

" What is your reason? You should be enjoying well deserved peace after defeating Cervantes."

"I was, but a berserker has taken over were Cervantes had left and he's the new owner of Soul Edge. I do not yet understand but somehow the Azure knight and the lizard beasts seem to be connected. The gods have once again requested my help and here I am."

"Well, I don't know about the gods but I can sure use your assistance since we share a common enemy."

Then Athena's words came to Sophitia. The oracle was already becoming once again true. She was gaining allies at the Colloseum grounds. She could not help but wonder if the Oracle's prediction of her victory would also become true.

"I will be honored to have you as an ally. Your strength and the blessings the gods have upon me will help us reach our purposes."

A cloaked figure that had been hidden behind a pillar approached them in swift moves behind them. Rock, sensing movement behind his back, held his ax high and was about to strike a deadly blow if it had not been the lithe figure rolled quickly to the side. The shadow like figure then stood up in front of him and held a hand up. Rock and Sophitia looked both perplexed as they watched the hood slip off of the stranger's head. A face covered in crimson red from the nose down soon was revealed. Two swords hung on her back. A mane of raven black hair bound up floated freely from the confines of the hood. Black feminine almond eyes that seemed could pierce souls looked at them amiably. The curve of a smile seemed to form beneath her masked face.

"I'm glad you haven't lost any of your skills, old foe. I hope you do not mind adding a new member to your small group", a soft voice with an oriental accent said to them.

"So the Demon Huntress is also here. I'm feeling a sudden déja vu all of a sudden. Guess this doesn't leave much of a prize money for me then", said Rock with a mock sight.

"Taki! If you are here then…"

"Yes my friend, that means that we are yet to finish what we left unfinished the last time. I expected you here. I knew your gods would call upon you, as soon they knew the Evil Seed was spreading again. Even to places as far as my country the news of the atrocities of the Azure Knight have arrived"

The two female warriors stood in silence for a moment to look at each other. Three years ago, it was their skills and swords that managed to strip Cervantes of one of his precious swords and extinguish his life. Sophitia owed her life to Taki and she felt this time might present the opportunity to repay her the debt. Taki looked as formidable and enigmatic as ever, but there was something else, a burden that she fought to hide but was noticeable on her dark eyes.

"I fear if all of us are gathered here, that means that not only what we have upon us is truly menacing, but that maybe more are on the track again to seize Soul Edge", said Sophitia.

"You can be sure of that. I've noticed through my travels that many have left from my land and those closer to mine to search for it. Many fools still believe it is the "Sword of Salvation" and the "Sword of Immortality", quipped Taki.

"And now with these hideous beasts also on the prowl, I wonder what evils might be brewing in this very moment."

"I do not know Rock, but we better keep in constant contact. It seems this requires all our talents to make it to the bottom of the mystery", concluded Sophie with worried voice.

The sound of trumpets filled the Colosseum as the warriors were called for the opening ceremonies by nervous pages. The three reunited fighters looked at each other before parting ways as they were directed to the shimmering golden and silver boats that would take them to the central arena. The roar of the audience grew as the boats transporting the contenders approached the arena. Names reflecting numerous ethnicity and nationalities were announced aloud as the warriors were presented one by one. All later occurrences passed like a blur to Sophie's mind. The last few hours had brought emotions that far surpassed the excitement of being presented to a loud, action craving audience. She could recall being presented to the audience and the stunning ceremony of the lit of the sacred fire, but her mind was too occupied in sorting out the day's events. Past and present were merging in a twisted play of fate, reuniting past protagonists with new formidable foes. There in the arena, in her glistening suit of armor and holding the weapons that always brought memories of her home and her beloved Rothion, Sophitia wondered just what was going to be her role in this new retelling of the story.

And as the warrior prepared for her upcoming match, a bald man in a lavishly decorated robe observed delighted from the highly coveted principal seats, where all the important people seated, how his opponents were lining up to prevent him from obtaining the supreme power. Ambition and obscure purposes seethed within him. A machiavellian smirk tugged from his thin lips.

"Ah, this tournament will surely bring me utmost pleasure. My opponents are formidable but in the end, I will savor the sweet pleasure of their defeat. My beautiful creations will make sure no one hinders me from obtaining my deserved treasure!"