Fan Fiction ❯ Second Advent of the Vow ❯ Sand, iron and corage ( Chapter 11 )

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

Disclaimer: I do not own Kilik, Taki, Sophitia or any of the Soul Calibur characters; they’re own by Namco.


Chapter V: Sand, Iron and Courage


Note: Some violence due to battle actions depicted.

“Swooosh!” Apocalypse hissed as it was swung in a circular motion by the Minotaur like fighter, hitting his armor clad opponent on his back with the flat of the blade. The surprised knight fell to his knees loudly as he felt his lungs almost exploding from the blow, his hand dropping his large battle sword. Not even his fine-crafted armor spared him feeling the full impact of his challenger’s huge ax, almost as big as his owner was, over his lower column and pelvis. His ache enhanced as he felt the constricting weight of the armor crush over the sore areas. Rock’s booted foot stepped on the fallen warrior’s blade, as his latest victim looked on with despair.

“Give up now and I’ll spare more punishment to you. You have fought gallantly but you know you cannot defeat me.”

The young knight, still trying to recover his breath managed to mutter: “I… I yield.”

The crowd roared as Rock shouted his battle cry: “Bangoo, this is for you!” As he left the arena under the public’s applause and cheers, Rock whispered almost inaudibly to himself: “My dear friend, do not lose hope. I’m coming for you.”

“In moments like this I’m glad I’m on your side and not against you”, said Sophitia, as she warmed up for her bout.

Rock smiled at her, as his mind trailed back to three years ago in which the same golden haired woman had defeated him when his mind had snapped under the influence of evil spirits. It did not surprise him at all that Sophitia had managed to break one of the cursed swords. Now with the experience gained, he was sure she was more than capable of defeating the new Soul Edge wielder.

“It is me who is glad to be on your side. Besides, it is rather humiliating for a man like me to be defeated by someone like you, so this time I’ll stay on the same side and be spared the experience. Both you and Taki gave me several headaches long ago but I’ve learned my lesson well enough to know not to mess with you both!”

“It is truly a compliment coming from you.” Her voice was suddenly drowned when the trumpets blared again, bringing loud cheers and claps from the audience. It signaled that a new match was about to begin.

“Noble audience! You have been enjoying one of the most exciting editions of our Tournament. In our arena, the very best among the best fighters of the World have gathered here, bringing a spectacle worthy of a Roman Emperor. Our day continues with the presentation of new contenders from the exotic lands of Asia and from the land of Alexander the Great.”

As the god of forge’s warrior prepared herself mentally muttering a short prayer, her eye caught the sight of her opponent. They both waited on the underground section of the Colloseum that lead to the main arena. Cages and chains from ancient times were still visible, as a grim reminder of the notorious and cruel past of the aging building that now served as stage for the new gladiators.

She watched the warrior chanting a meditation under his breath. He was rather young and had an air of clear-eyed innocence, as if he hadn’t been spoiled by the realities of the world. He sported red pants, his brown hair tied up in a ponytail and a colorful mirrored belt wrapped around his chest. The soft skin of his face seemed to be flawless in the splendor of youth and vitality, marred only by a small triangular scar on his left cheek. As he meditated, he held his weapon, a beautifully crafted staff, firmly, as if it helped to canalize his energies. She wondered what could motivate such a young man to venture so far from his lands to a place like this. Did he have a quest too?

The heavy hand of Rock over her shoulder brought her back to her immediate reality.

“Sophitia, your name has been called. It is your turn.”

Sophitia rushed to the arena as the audience’s voices lifted and merged in unison creating a loud thunderous sound. Although she could not see them, she knew both Andreas and Alexander were among the audience cheering for her. That thought gave her a new shot of confidence. Her challenger’s name, Kilik, was announced and he approached her with what she thought was a much different look on his face. He did not seem so innocent anymore. In fact, the relaxed, soft look in his dark eyes had been replaced by a steely, determined look she recognized from her best and hardest opponents. While kicking the dust and rocks from her boots with her sword, she concentrated on a strategy to work against the young man’s far-reaching weapon as they were given the final instructions. Meanwhile, he warmed up, twirling and managing his staff in an effortless manner as if it were weightless. It was obvious to all that the young man was highly skilled in its use. His staff brought Sophitia to mind another fighter with a similar weapon: the Korean girl she faced on her previous quest for Soul Edge. Although younger than her, the girl was extremely skilled in the use of the Zamba-toh; also a long ranged staff type weapon. She had underestimated her and for that mistake, she had almost paid the ultimate prize. She had managed to escape the peril alive and most important, with the knowledge of being extremely cautious when facing an opponent with weapons as such. She would not allow herself to make the same error again.

“I’ll have to rely on speed and aggression here. I cannot allow him to overwhelm me with the advantage of more attack range!”

“Fighters, salute the audience.” They both saluted the Italian princes who presided over the tournament with a bow.

“At he moment I leave the marked area, the arena is all yours. Fight an honorable fight and may Lady Victory be with the best of you!”

Bowing, the announcer abandoned the main arena, leaving behind him the fighters. The wind blew softly, making her braided hair and her white skirt flutter. The Mediterranean sun made the blade of her sword and the armored heel of her long boots shine as if it they were made of silver. Determination as hard as rock gleamed in her eyes, as she waited patiently for Kilik to make the first move.

Sophitia gripped her sword tightly and held her shield in a defensive stance as Kilik rushed forward lifting his bo. Sophitia’s shield trembled with the blow as she shifted to the side. She felt the bo lunge towards her again as she evaded the blow with a side step. She answered back with a vertical slash that made Kilik jump back as his staff absorbed the blow. The audience ohhed and ahhed at every move the modern gladiators made.

“That staff is so strong! I can’t believe it took the slash of my sword without receiving any damage!”

Kilik took advantage of Sophitia’s brief distraction, attacking once again, this time aiming at her legs. The Athenian recovered from her momentary lapse just in time to maneuver with a leap. As soon she recovered her footing, she plunged forward slashing the air with her blade, as Kilik absorbed all her furious attacks with his staff. He then pushed her away violently with the point of his staff, hitting her in the abdomen. She felt backwards by the brutal blow, her fall lifting a flurry of sand. Still on the hot ground, spitting the sand particles that fell in her mouth, the Greek warrior willed herself to fight the impulse to roll into fetal position to ease the soreness that crept over her abdomen. With the corner of her eye she glimpsed the bo falling towards her, but before it found its objective, she rolled to her side, but not fast enough, as she received yet another numbing blow on her shoulder. Luckily, her shoulder plate absorbed the greater part of the impact. This time, Hephaestus’ sacred iron had spared her a broken shoulder. As she stood up, she received yet another attack with her shield but when he prepared for the offensive on his startled opponent, with a loud yell, she lifted her leg high, hitting the young warrior on the jaw.

“Ugh!” the staff -wielding fighter yelled loudly. His hands and knees found the ground heavily as he shook his head trying to push away the stinging pain that ran through his jaw and head and the sudden darkness over his eyes. He tried to prop himself up to avoid the renewed flurry of attacks of his female contender, only to feel a heavy iron slam him on the chest that made his body fall again against the sand and pebbles. Kilik thought for a second that the blunt impact of the shield had engraved his mirrored belt over his upper chest. As he tried to lift his head up, a sharp blade over his neck made him rest his head back on the sand. His eyes looked frantically towards his staff but the Greek warrior had taken advantage of the split second he had eased it off his grip to kick it away.

“I guess there’s nothing else I can do. You have bested me,” said Kilik as he lifted his hands to announce that he yielded.

“You were a tough contender. Please allow me to help you up”, said Sophitia as she offered her hand. Kilik accepted and as soon as he was on his feet again and recovering his Bo, he made a small bow towards the Greek.

“I do not regard this as a defeat, for I have gained experience and the knowledge of a warrior worth of my respect.”

She bowed back at him. “ Thank you for your kind words. Now I know whatever has brought you here, it is for a righteous cause. May the gods be with you!”

The noble attitude of both contenders brought the admiration of the audience, as they were both cheered loudly while they exited the grounds.

“That was an impressive match there, Sophitia!” said Rock, as he came to greet her back. With horror, she saw he was about to give her a friendly pat on her sore shoulder when she swiftly avoided it, leaving his massive hand hanging in the air.

“Thank you Rock, but please, can we skip the victory pat on the shoulder for now?” Rock looked incredulously at his hand stopped in mid motion and suddenly he let a boisterous laughter come out. She laughed too, although every laugh brought bits of pain to her abdomen.

Taki looked at the weird scene with her arms crossed, leaning over a concrete wall, as she laughed to herself. She wasn’t used to working with others, but it seemed this “partnership” would prove at least highly amusing. But as she shifted her glance from her new partners to her challenger, the smile vanished from her face. She had just entered the underground area with an air of self-importance and insolence. Sophie noticed her entrance also, astonished. She had seen this woman before. It was the same woman she had seen on the port! She approached Taki, as they both followed the newcomer’s movements.

“Is that your opponent Taki?”

“I believe so. Do you know her?”

“No, but I have seen her before, and somehow, the same evil aura I felt when I faced Cervantes seems to accompany her also.”

“Hmm, now that is strange. Do you think the might be connected?”

“I do not know, but she seems to be a serious challenger.”

As the Greek maiden took the refreshment one of the pages brought her, Taki observed the tall, white haired woman as she removed her cape, exposing a most revealing garment. The woman had a curvy, solid body, long shapely legs and flawless fair skin and the costume did all it could do to show it in full glory. She held on her hands an exquisite sword and she seemed to almost caress it both with her eyes and her hands. And like Sophitia had experienced, she also sensed a dark aura in her. Her right hand came over her ninjato Mekki-Maru and alarmed, she felt the mysterious blade she kept above her waist stir.

“This is definitely not the right moment for me to appease you, Mekki-Maru. I’ve felt you grow more restless since we came to this land. Could it be that you are being strengthen by the Evil Seed? And this woman, can she be related in any way to Soul Edge?”

“Good you have two swords, my friend.” The scantily clad warrior said to Taki. “You are going to need them both. You will soon appreciate up close how wonderful my treasure is.”

Taki looked at her defiantly, as a soft smile curved under her red mask.

“Thank you for your warnings, but I wonder if you have enough wisdom to truly comprehend what you might be dealing with.”

“Oh, yes, I do fathom well what I want. You should have the wisdom to stand out of my way; otherwise, you will have to pay the consequences.”

“Well see about that. Fate will soon reveal who of us will pay!”