Fan Fiction ❯ Second Advent of the Vow ❯ Ambush! ( Chapter 14 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Calibur or any of it's characters.

Chapter II: Ambush!

*Note: Violence due to battle scenes

-"Are you sure this is the right way?" Sophitia asked with tired, slightly wearied voice. Hearing the question repeated again for the tenth time in the last 45 minutes Rock answered with a low grunt and an icy glare towards the Greek warrior who decided to simply ignore his bad humor. Taki remained impassible, completely aloof from her fellow traveler's current preoccupations with land navigation.

The warriors had been traveling throughout the ever-thickening forest for hours without finding the expected road or any signs of human dwellings whatsoever. They had inquired about directions on a small almost forgotten town, but so far the supposedly commonly used road hadn't materialized yet. Although they did noticed that Taki had seen somewhat suspicious of the elderly man who gave the directions, Rock and Sophitia felt they did not have any other choice if they wanted to keep their steady path southbound. Since then, the scarlet ninja had remained in almost complete silence, looking suspiciously at everything, as if she was expecting something or someone to appear. At least if something did happen it would break the irritating and almost maddening dullness of their trek.

Now both Rock and Sophitia felt they should had heeded their friend's caution. Not only it was that the forest became harder to navigate as they went deeper; it was the unnatural complete lack of sounds that now engulfed them. It was as if the place was completely lifeless, but for the thick trees that pillared on the ground contorting in almost impossible shapes.. What they expected to be an artery of comerce of the neighboring towns turned instead to be a wasteland.

-"I guess you were right Taki. This "shortcut" is everything but short and completely useless. I think we should turn back. It is a wasted day anyway", said Rock with a modest tone.

However, the Japanese fighter did not seem to hear his words. Her attention seemed to be placed now in something behind them. She held the reins of her horse and stood still to observe. Her companions stopped too, their hands instinctively slipping to their weapons. Taki made signaled Rock, who in turn, in amazingly light fashion for someone his size, slipped with an almost weightless tread towards the place Taki had pointed.

Suddenly, it was evident. The crisp sound of brushes being walked echoed on their ears. Somebody was on the forest too, but could it be that they were followed, even spied on? They did not see anyone before but now the clear evidence of a presence, human or otherwise was completely manifest in this place deprived of sound..

Taki sprung to a tall tree branch to scout around. Sophitia held the reins of their horses while waiting for whatever Taki had perceived. Now hurried steps crushing the slightly moistened grass were audible. It seemed it was only one person but they could not take any chances. The path their quest took them was full of dangers and not even the presence of a single person could be underrated under the present circumstances. The steps came closer and Taki saw clearly the silhouette of a man walking in quick pace hastily, rather carelessly. She signaled again to her companions and in an instant they all disappeared. The man finally arrived to were they had stood seconds ago and looked around, as if he was actually looking for them. All of a sudden, Rock leaped towards the stranger, battle-ax Apocalypse in hand and hurled him violently to the ground.

-"Speak stranger! Why are you following us? Speak before I leave your carcass to rot here!"-Rock barked as the edge of the battle ax inched over the man's face.

-"Please, I did not intended to startle you," the man's fearful expression reflected on the huge blade of his attacker.

-"My patience is running thin. You better speak before I¼"

-"Stop Rock Don't hurt him" a loud cry echoed.

The female voice was soon followed by no other than Sophitia, who ran hastily toward them and even more surprisingly, she gave a knowing, albeit surprised look to the stranger.

-"I'm sorry Sophie, I did not mean to scare you or your friends."

-"By the Olympic gods, Rothion, what are YOU doing here?" she said as she helped him back to his feet.

Sensing that the "danger" was gone, Taki leaped to the ground from her looking post with a slightly amused look. Rock scratched his head in complete bewilderment. Noticing Rock's expression, Sophie said:

-"Rock, Taki, our spy here is Rothion, my betrothed, who I thought was in Greece", she said as a scolding glance fell over him.

Rock's frown relaxed and offered an extended hand towards the smith.

-"Pleased to meet you my friend, but next time do not try to startle us. Next time, my ax could be much closer to damaging your skin."

-"Or I could leap behind your back and next thing you will be meeting your long gone ancestors. Hi, I'm Taki."

-"Uh, thanks for the warning. I do have a good explanation but if you all could follow me, I can lead you off this place to the correct road. I think that somehow you were misled to come here and get lost."

-"How you know that?" Taki asked with concern.

-"And since when you've been following me, er I mean us?" asked Sophie, slightly blushing.

-"I have to confess that I've been following you since the Colloseum. Andreas was my accomplice in this, although I can also tell you he did not approve at all of this. I just couldn't stay put back home knowing that you were out there risking your life, so I decided to accompany you, even if it was from a distance. Anyway, at the last town, a fellow blacksmith gave me the correct directions when I noticed you were heading to a different route. The blacksmith also told me after much interrogation from my part that they were all instructed to mislead any foreigner to this palce."

-"Who instructed them that?", asked Rock.

-"He said that men as big as the mythical Goliath threatened to destroy the town if they did not follow their instructions. It took me a while to find you due to the thickness of the forest, but I do now the way out and to the nearest village, again thanks to the smith."

-"Well, what we're waiting for friends? If we were lead here on purpose, it means it is for nothing good. Can you direct us to the quickest way out of here?" asked Rock.

-"Yes, I just need to pick up my horse. As soon you went silent, I decided to go on foot so I could track you better."

"Let' s go then!" said Taki as she leaped back to her horse. "Meanwhile I don't think you'll mind riding with Sophitia."

Sophitia glared back at the ninja as she hesitantly shared her mount with her betrothed. Instants later Rothion was leading the small party out. However, for long minutes, his betrothed had not directed a single word to him.

-"Sophie, I understand I did wrong in following you but like I said before, I tried to wait but it was more than I could bear. I thought I would be driven insane by the horrible thoughts I had. After much begging and pleading of my part, Andreas decided to help me on this. I felt so proud in the Colloseum that my throat went sore rooting for you. You looked so triumphantly looking in the suit of armor I forged for you and so astonishingly beautiful in your victories! I would have not missed that for anything in the world."

She looked at him, as the anger slowly slipped away. What he had done was foolish but she couldn't deny how he cared for her. He added:

-" And now this, I just had to warn you, all of you! I couldn't allow any harm to come to any of you. I just hope I was fast enough to prevent whatever wrongdoing those men intended for you."

-"You did good. Maybe the gods did mean you to warn us and for that I thank you. Let's get out of this place first and then we can talk with more time. Isn't that your horse?"

"Yes. From here we're halfway to the next village."

Rothion walked fast towards his horse but all of a sudden, the inhuman apparition of a man-lizard startled him. The beast violently struck his horse's neck and the poor beast uttered a neigh of agony as it collapsed in a heap to the ground. Amber eyes flashed from everywhere surrounding the small warrior party. Taki uttered a curse under her breath, angry at herself for momentarily lowering her guard and for ignoring the alarms that rang inside her head. Her instincts had never betrayed her and now, ignoring them had proved to be a costly mistake. The lizardmen had achieved the intended surprise and now they seemed to have the upper hand.

With blood trickling over his claw, the ax-wielding lizardman then targeted Rothion and without warning, swung his weapon towards him but the smith leaped back and the weapon fell mere centimeters from were he was standing. He dove over his dead horse and emerged with a short sword similar to Sophitia's.

With a blood-curling hiss, the lizards charged the warriors whom in turn brought their weapons out and charged back on horseback. The clash of irons soon ensued as beasts and warriors fought in a battle of strength and wills. The creatures viciously clawed and bit Rock's horse, making him fall hard on the soil. When they rushed over him, a guttural scream made them stop momentarily.

"Bangoo!, yelled Rock with almost primitive force exploding from his lungs, as he in turn brought them down with a head rush. Bones cracked loudly under the brutal impact of Rock's foot pinning a lizard to a tree trunk. Seconds later, the lizard was no more as his head fell severed from his neck.

Meanwhile, Taki was fending off his opponents with quick yet powerful kicks that startled the beasts, while the lethal blade of Rekki-Maru flashed in the air, painted crimson as each stab found its mark. The red of her outfit was covered with blotches from her slain victim's blood, and new splashes of warm liquid soaked her hands with each surgical like cut of her katana.

Sophitia knew exactly what to expect from the lizards, having fought them before as her sword and shield combined in alternated blows against the creatures. The scales of their bodies proved little armor against the holy iron of the smith-god Hephaestus. By her side, Rothion fought bravely as the lizards kept coming.

-"These demons don't know retreat! They keep coming!", gasped Taki as she nearly avoided the heavy blow of a mace over her head, when another lizard clawed her left shoulder. She screamed and in response, she leaped over her attacker with a gymnast's grace. His back was exposed and before he could react, the edge of her katana pierced through his neck.

Rock's torso and arms had trickles of blood from the open wounds inflicted by the creatures but that just seemed to enrage him more as the carcasses kept littering around him gruesomely.

Then he saw him with the corner of his eye amidst the whirlwind of yellow eyes and emerald scales that engulfed him. A lizard with a short sword and shield of Greek fashion and armor much more elaborated than the others approached him with resolved walk. The other lizards acted around him with respect, so it had to be definitely their leader and also the bastard who took his son away from. His sight went red with wrath and the thirst for revenge choked his throat with the bittersweet taste of unrealized vengeance. Opening his way with his ax, Rock rushed to face him. Sophitia had a glimpse of him too, recognizing the weapons immediately. It had to be the Spartan himself, or what he had become, a creature of darkness, soulless, pitiless, deprived of conscience and will. What a cruel destiny he had encountered! She too went towards him, with the small hope that he might still be saved.

The Lizardman commander and the American warrior faced each other. One with cold eyes, the other with resolution as hard as steel, both yearning for the destruction of the other. Lizardman with his primal instincts governing him, attacked first, his sword making a whistling sound as it cut the wind in a horizontal move. Rock sidestepped and answered back driving his ax towards the torso of Lizardman. The creature blocked the blow with his shield, pushing the ax away with it and aiming the tip of his sword towards his herculean opponent. Rock jumped back and aimed towards the lizard's legs but the creature leaped with astonishing agility and then managed to kick Rock center mass with a huge foot. Rock fell back and felt first a shadow, then a glimmer approach him as the lizard drove his sharp blade towards him. Rock reacted, but not fast enough, as the blade managed to pierce his shoulder. Pain begat rage as Rock butted his head against the man-reptile, making him fall. Both still on the ground, Rock drove a colossal fist and then another towards the creature's head. Pinning him momentarily under his own weight, the American colossus lifted his ax¼

-"Stop" cried Sophitia.

She ran almost breathless towards the fighters. Lizardman took advantage of his opponent's distraction with a head butt, breaking his hold. He went for his weapons but Rock managed to kick the shield away from his grasp, rammed him violently and with a clean cut, severed his sword hand. The creature shrieked as he desperately held the bloody stump where his hand used to be.

Sophitia picked up the sword that bore the god of fire and smith's own handiwork. She then looked at the creature that had held it and approached it.

-"Are you insane? He's still dangerous. Let me finish him!" bellowed Rock.

But she did not seem to listen to him; instead she was murmuring something on her native language. Amazingly, Lizardman lifted his head, attracted by her voice and the ancient cadence of the words. It seemed that in some recess of his primitive brain, the creature seemed to understand their meaning. His eyes did not seem empty anymore. Somehow, they had an almost human gleam.

-"I know you would remember whom you truly are, Aeon Calcos. You still have the determination and strength that allowed you to be a Chosen One, even in this beastly form. You can break their hold on you, do not give up!"

Lizardman nodded but suddenly he felt to his knees, holding his head as if a sudden pain had taken hold. He thrashed and screamed, as if he was prey of some sort of possession. Taki, who saw the scene while fending off her attackers, murmured:

-"He's fighting his demons. They don't want to give him up!"

And to the astonished eyes of everyone, the reptilian head shrunk, giving way to a human head, albeit covered with scaly skin. Amber eyes gave way to dark eyes and instead of hisses and animal shrieks, human screams came from his throat.

-"Go away! I don't think I can manage to keep the beast within away from me for too long!"

-"Aeon!" yelled Sophitia.

The other lizards stopped, stunned by the transformation of their leader. He spoke again:

-"As soon as these beasts realize what has happened, they will attack again. You have to go now!"

-"No, we will not leave you here. You have to tell me where is Bangoo!" said a desperate Rock.

-"You are the young one's father?" Aeon saw the pain on Rock's eyes and felt the burden of guilt almost asphyxiating. "I will help you, I owe you that much."

But as Aeon had warned, the beasts realized what had happened and with renewed vigor, charged again, surrounding their fallen former leader, looking at him viciously.

-"See? They will not allow me to leave alive. Go, escape while you can!"

Lifting his huge ax, Rock stepped in front of the injured Spartan Knight.

"I will recover Bangoo. If they want you, they will have to kill me first!"

A sea of green charged against Rock. His stained blade, gleaming in the light came down over and over it tainting it red, chopping and cutting everything on sight, but the beasts kept coming.

-"Sophitia, my sword!" yelled Aeon while coming to his feet.

She threw his sword to him, and with his uninjured hand, helped Rock with the tide of reptiles. A flash of crimson fell over one while simultaneously two small swords pierced through the attacking creature's back. Meanwhile, Rothion fought to get close to the main combat, slaying as many foes as his strength enabled him. A lizard managed to get close to Aeon and he was about to strike him when Sophitia's small shield knocked him out cold. Aeon suddenly fell again hollering and shaking, the inhuman hisses mingled with the human cries.

-"It's taking control of me again!"

-"Taki, Sophitia, cover me!" instructed Rock, lifting Aeon and running away from the blades that menaced to end his life at that very moment. The female warriors blocked the man-beasts from grabbing Rock and in turn their viciousness turned wholly to them. Rothion was now beside them too, as the three fought together, their backs almost against each other. They moved almost like one and they seemed to be overwhelming the beasts when Rothion fell by the impact of his opponent's tail and was about to strike him on the ground when a short sword came through his chest. The creature's mouth filled with dark blood and felt heavily to the ground. Rothion seemed a bit stunned but rose back up and made a gesture, signaling that he was all right. She smiled back in relief and as she turned back to the battle, the lizard that had lay on the ground suddenly stood up staggering. Without warning, he sank his teeth on Sophitia's back.

-"Sophitia!" Rothion screamed when he saw the dying beast trying to bring his slayer to the netherworld with him. In a leap, he was behind the reptile as his sword pierced his neck, extinguishing his life for good. The creature fell down abruptly and the sword swung down one more time, severing the creature's head.

-"Sophie, are you alright?" the smith said assessing the wound.

-"It's just a scratch, I'm OK."

Just at that moment they heard Rock's voice. He and Calcos had come back running followed by the creatures that had gone after them. Some sort of crude bandage was wrapped around the Spartan's right arm injury, momentarily stopping the hemorrhage.

-"Get the horses, let's get out of here!" he said, as he leaped on his steed. The former Lizardman ran on his side.

Taki, Rothion and Sophitia ran when all of a sudden Sophitia staggered, her legs giving up on her. Rothion managed to hold her fall. When he saw her face, he noticed that her face was pale and her lips were dry. Aeon came to them and his features revealed utter concern when he saw her.

-"Was she bit by them?"

-"I, I think so, but it's only a scratch" answered Rothion.

-"It doesn't matter. These creatures' bite is highly poisonous. You have to take her out of here now!"

Rothion quickly mounted with Sophie, who was now completely unconscious. Her skin felt cold to his touch. They were all mounted when the remaining lizards came around them. Aeon slipped from his mount and walked forward.

-"What are you doing?"

-"I am too poisoned and sooner rather than later, the beast inside me will come over again. It's too late for me now. Go, I'll manage this. I owe it to her who has given me the chance of ending my sterile life with dignity and with a warrior's death. Now go, hurry!"

And as they hurried across the forest, Aeon Calcos, the Spartan Knight, the desert berserker, the former Lizardman, faced his former comrades.

-"For the kingdom of Sparta and for Olympus!, come and face your doom you miserable creatures of hell!!"