Fatal Fury Fan Fiction ❯ Fatal Fury: Terry and Sulia ❯ An Old Evil and an Old Prophecy ( Chapter 4 )

An Old Evil and an Old Prophecy

Just like Sulia had promised the next day she was up and about like nothing had happened. Mai had bought her a decent couple of outfits and everyone gathered for breakfast. It was almost like the past few months of loneliness had never had happened.

But it was time to get serious. They had to find out what was going on. And the only person with even a bit of a clue was Sulia. After eating and relaxing, they all grew silent, waiting for Sulia to begin. She gave them all a small smile.

"I know what you are all waiting for, so I'm going to give you all the information I know." Sulia's eyes hardened as she turned very serious. Terry smiled slightly. Sulia was so different from Lily. Lily had been trapped in her guilded cage and had waited form him to free her. Sulia had been trapped in a world of magic and loneliness and had freed herself with her amazing strength of will. Terry's heart swelled as he looked at her. Sulia.

"I know that there is a great evil being called from beyond death, from beyond destruction. I know there is a man possessed by the need for power and revenge and is very evil. He seeks complete power and knows that there is only one man who could stand in his way and he is calling on this darkness to eliminate that man…and to obtain power." Sulia closed her eyes and her hands trembled. "I don't know who this man is, or where he is, or how he is planning to do this. All I know is the name of the man he wishes to destroy…the only man who can stand in his way." Sulia turned her tortured golden gaze to Terry. "It's you, Terry."

Mai let out a gasp and grabbed onto Andy. Andy and Joe's eyes hardened as they gazed at Sulia. She met Terry's blue eyes and stared deep into them.

"I felt this dreadful power while I was not dead, nor alive. I knew you were in danger. I knew that whatever this person was planning to do with this power it would destroy the world… and the man I love. I couldn't let that happen." Sulia turned her gaze away and stared down at her trembling hands. "I couldn't let anything happen to you…or the only friends I ever had. I had to do something. So I gathered strength…as much strength as I possibly could. I don't know if it worked…if I can fight like any of you, but I know I don't have to be shoved aside and protected while all of you fight." Sulia lifted her head and stared at the group. "I am going to fight at your side to stop this evil, no matter what."

Sulia felt a hand cover her hand and she looked down to see Terry's strong hand giving her fingers a squeeze. She looked up and saw his eyes glow. He smiled. "Don't worry Sulia. We're going to work together, all of us, in this. Whatever is out there, we'll stop it."

Joe grinned. "Of course we will. We actually went after a god, even though Terry's really the one who did all the work. But we still gave the attempt. What's another mission impossible to this group?" Joe's eyes narrowed. "Plus, if it's really after Terry, then we have got to stop it."

Andy nodded and turned to Sulia. "Sulia, do you at least have any idea where we can start looking for this thing?"

Sulia nodded and squeezed Terry's hand unconsciously. "Yes. I do have some place where we can start." Sulia got up and reached for a map that was on a concession stand nearby. She spread it out on the table. She gave it a quick look and pointed. "Right around there."

Everyone looked over and stared in surprise.

"New York City?"

Andy blinked. "Terry, Joe? Isn't there were the Women's Martial Arts Championship is going to be this year?"

Joe nodded. "Yeah. They're having the Competition in New York this year. But why would the competition be the center of where this power is coming from?"

Terry's eyes narrowed. "The most likely conclusion would be that one of the competitors or judges is this person who is trying to do this."

Joe smacked himself on the head. "Why the hell didn't I think of that?"

Laela grinned evilly. "Because you're brain-dead, Mr. Higashi."

Joe growled at her and everyone burst out laughing. But soon everyone became serious again. Sulia gave a small nod. "Then to New York City we go. I won't stand around and wait for this person to come for Terry."

Mai lifted an eyebrow. "Is it safe to say this person is woman, considering it is the Women's Martial Arts Championship?"

Andy shook his head. "No. It could be one of the judges or even a sponsor of the competition. Just because it's the Women's Martial Arts Championship doesn't mean anything." Andy gave a small smile. "But it would be easy to get some spies into the competition."

Mai's eyes widened and she grinned. "All right! I'm starting to like this plan. Sulia and I can enter us into the competition and find out what the hell is going on. Laela can be the one to pass the information on. This most definitely works!"

Sulia's cheeks turned red. "Uh, Mai?" Mai turned to Sulia with a smile. Sulia swallowed. "I have power…but I don't know if it'll be allowed in a Martial Arts Competition. I have never had any formal training in that."

Mai blinked at her. She then sighed. "Oh yeah." She shrugged and patted Sulia on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Sulia. I guess I'll go alone. It'll take too long to teach you how to properly fight in the tournament. But I really wish you could have competed with me." Mai pouted."

Laela gave a small smile. "Well, how about me? Why don't I join you in the competition, Mai? And we let Sulia do some investigating around. She's the one who can sense the evil after all. She would be able to spot it in no time, while you and I create the diversion by putting on a hell of a show."

The entire group looked at her surprised. Terry blinked. "Laela? You've had training in the Martial Arts?"

Laela shrugged. "I've never actually trained with my fists if that's what you're asking. But I did have a master that taught me some form of Martial Art." Laela got up and went to her room. Everyone was stunned in silence. She looked so delicate, so fragile…so much like an angel from another world that it was hard…if not downright impossible to imagine her as a fighter. She brought back to the table this small metal pole. She squeezed it lightly and it elongated into a staff. Laela twirled it in her arms. "It's not much. But I'm sure it is something. I just hope it's allowed."

The group grinned.

Sulia shrugged as Terry held her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I guess that means I'm the spy of the group. I'll find out who it is while you guys create a diversion."

Terry nodded, his eyes narrowed. "We better start getting ready. We don't have much time before the deadline is up for entering the tournament." Everyone nodded in agreement.

While Laela and Mai were getting ready for the tournament, some strange things started to happen around Sulia. During the training sessions, Mai was having some fun and teaching Sulia a couple of moves for self defense purposes if she got into a tight situation while snooping around. During that time, the group swore they saw the Godamus armor on Sulia's skin. Mai realized she hadn't been seeing things earlier when she had seen the flash of armor on Sulia that had resembled the Armor of Mars. Sulia was actually wearing it.

When they told Sulia what they had seen, she was equally confused. How could she be wearing the Armor of Mars? Hadn't it been destroyed with the god and the power? But, her friends were telling her the truth. They had seen it. The only person Sulia could think of that could tell her what was actually going on, was her uncle.

"Uncle? You have an uncle?" Mai asked curiously.

Sulia nodded. "Yes. My uncle and father were twins, just like Laucorn and I. But they had a terrible fight when Father was going after the Armor of Mars. My uncle, Voltimand, didn't agree with my father going to search for the armor. If only Father had listened to Uncle Voltimand. Then maybe this would have never happened." Sulia smiled. "But even though my father and Laucorn are dead, at least I found you, Terry, and all my friends, in all of this mess."

Terry nodded and smiled at her. Joe shot up. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's find your uncle and find out what's going on with that armor. The faster we do that the more time we have to get ready for the tournament. You three are already enlisted, so we better hurry."

Laela nodded. "For once, I agree with the moron. Let's get going, or there won't be enough time left."

Everyone nodded and Sulia smiled. She wondered what her uncle would say about her friends. She guessed she would find out.

* * *

Voltimand went to answer the door curiously. He didn't get many visitors at all. Especially since he was on the mountain. Who could be calling? That curiosity turned into shock as he gazed at the young woman before him. Wasn't this…?

"Sulia?" The young woman before him smiled. "Sulia, is that you?" The girl nodded enthusiastically and Voltimand gave a whoop of joy. Terry blinked. The man looked like Laucorn, only his eyes were like Sulia's. Terry smiled as he watched the man crush the young woman in a bear hug. "My goodness! It's been ages since I've seen you girl. Look at you. All grown up. The last time I saw you were still a young girl. Now look. You're a woman! It is wonderful to see you again!"

Sulia grinned. "It's great to see you again too, Uncle Voltimand."

Voltimand grinned and put Sulia down, finally gazing to the group behind her. "And who are all of these?"

Sulia smiled. "These are my friends. Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, Joe Higashi, Laela Blackthorne and Terry Bogard." Sulia turned back to her uncle, her face suddenly serious. "We have to talk to you about something extremely important, Uncle."

Voltimand nodded. "All right, then. Come on in and make yourselves at home. We have a lot to talk about, don't we?"

Sulia nodded. "Yes, we do, Uncle Voltimand."

"Well, I'll get some refreshments while the rest of you settle down. I'll be back shortly. Then we can discuss whatever is troubling you."

After everyone had a drink in his or her hands, Voltimand sat down before Sulia and smiled. "Before you ask me anything Sulia, how is your father and your brother? I haven't heard from Laucorn in a while."

Sulia bit her lip and took a deep breath. She was surprised. Her father and uncle were twins. Surely he would have felt his brother's death and Laucorn's. Or at least the unimaginable power of the god, Mars. She met her uncle's eyes. They were curious and unknowing. He didn't know. "Uncle, you were right about the Armor of Mars. Father should have never gone after it. After he found the first piece his partner killed him, made it look like an accident, and took all the credit for finding it." Sulia paused and Terry put his hand on her shoulder for strength. She looked up, her eyes determined. "Laucorn wanted revenge and took the Armor and killed Father's murderer with it. But then Laucorn became obsessed with finding all the pieces and I found out about our curse, our legend, and our destiny. Laucorn resurrected the god, Mars, by accident, and my friends destroyed him. Laucorn is dead. He died protecting Terry after he had snapped out of it."

Voltimand reached for a cigarette and a lighter. He ignited it and puffed in contemplation. Sulia stared at her uncle for a beat.

"What I want to know first, Uncle Voltimand, is how you knew about the Armor of Mars before Father began to search for it? How did you know this was the curse of the Godamus line?"

Voltimand inhaled the smoke deeply and then released it. He turned to Sulia. "Why do you want to know, Sulia?"

Sulia clenched her fists, her eyes narrowed. "Because I died before Laucorn did." Voltimand's eyes snapped open in surprise. "In order to stop Laucorn and to save my friends, I had to kill myself. It worked. Terry stopped Laucorn, Mars was freed, I died, Laucorn sacrificed himself for Terry, and Terry destroyed Mars. I fell into the sea and someone found me and preserved my body. I didn't pass on, and I was finally reunited with my body recently. But, my friends tell me they think they see the Armor of Mars on me. I need to know if that's possible, and if it is why isn't it affecting me? What's going on, Uncle Voltimand?"

Voltimand took another deep breath and exhaled. He looked at Sulia out of the corner of his eye. "All right. I'll tell you. But prepare yourself for a long story."

Sulia nodded.

Voltimand took a long drawl and closed his eyes.

"Because of the Legend of Godamus, and the Curse of the Armor there has been one child from each descendant of Godamus that is told the Legend and the Curse. He or she keeps this secret safe and makes sure that the Armor of Mars remains hidden deep within the earth. My father chose me to keep this secret. When I found out about my brother being involved with the Godamus mythology and his search for the Armor, I knew I had to stop him." Voltimand took a deep breath and continued. "Your father and I fought. He wanted to do it only for historical purposes; he couldn't understand my fear and I couldn't tell him. We parted in anger."

Voltimand closed his eyes. "The descendants of Godamus, with or without the Armor, all have extraordinary powers. Your father had powers that he didn't know he possessed. So did your brother. You had discovered your healing abilities as a child and I developed my powers once I received the knowledge of the Legend and Curse. But after my fight with your father, I turned my powers off, numbing myself to anything beyond the physical." Voltimand opened his eyes. "That's why I had to ask you about your father. I couldn't feel his death like a normal twin would. I had turned off all spiritual power. That included my connection to my brother."

Sulia shook her head. "Uncle Voltimand, what is this Legend you speak of? All I know about is the Curse. I found the cave that had the location of the pieces of the armor, but all the writing told of was the history and the curse. What is this Legend? What do you know?" Sulia paused and swallowed. "And Uncle, can you turn that power on now and tell me if I'm actually wearing the Armor of Mars? I have to know."

Voltimand nodded and smiled. He turned to Terry and the others. "Sulia was always a quiet girl. Never had good friends, but I can tell by the looks of all of you that you are her true and deepest friends." He turned to Terry. "You have great power, Mr. Bogard. You defeated the god Mars." Voltimand scratched his chin. "Perhaps…" he said almost to himself. He got up and left the room. The group gazed at each other in confusion as Sulia waited, her nails digging into her hands. Terry placed his hands on hers and smiled down at her. Sulia smiled back up at him just as her uncle entered the room once more. He was carrying a scroll.

He sat down and slowly and very carefully opened the scroll. Sulia gasped as she saw the writing on the scroll. It was the same as in the cave.

Voltimand took a deep breath and put his cigarette out. He exhaled the smoke through his nose and looked up at the group. He gave a small smile.

"With the knowledge of the Godamus legend and curse comes this scroll. This is where the Curse and Legend are written. This scroll even depicts when the Curse will come to an end and the Legend come to fruition. From what you've told me thus far, the Legend is just beginning to unravel itself."

Sulia blinked, shook her head and stared into her uncle's eyes. "Tell me, Uncle Voltimand. I need to know."

Voltimand nodded and looked down at the scroll. "The Curse of Godamus lies within the Armor of Mars. Only a descendant of the great Godamus may claim the Armor…but there is a curse that accompanies it. This descendant will have the power of the god, Mars, within him. But should it ever be released, the god will wreak havoc upon the world. Because of this curse, we have separated the armor into six pieces. A piece for each arm, a piece for each leg, the breastplate and the headpiece. One descendant, though we have tried to preserve the lives of the Godamus clan and the fate of the world, will succeed in obtaining all the pieces of the Armor. The god shall be reawakened upon the Earth and all shall perish… Yet here is where the Legend of Godamus begins. There are two paths to follow. The descendant will have a sibling who will not be tainted by the desire for power. This sibling will risk death to bring back the descendant from the power of Mars and succeed. But it will come at a high price…both shall die and the Godamus line shall end, and the god shall wreak unimaginable havoc upon the world. This is one path that the Legend may turn upon.

"But there is another path. If a man of great power loves the one who gave up life to save the descendant from the power of Mars, this love will overwhelm the warrior and he will defeat the god with the strength and power of his love. Should Mars be destroyed by the power of love this warrior had for a child of Godamus, the evil power of the Armor shall be dissolved, for Mars shall be no more. The Armor will be overwhelmed by the power of this love and will attach itself to the dying body of the woman who risked her life to save the world from Mars. The Armor will then bring back life to the woman and become a part of her body. She had given up life to save her sibling who had been possessed by the power and evil of Mars, and her death brought forth the unimaginable power inside the human spirit. A power fueled by love. With her revival there will be another evil to torment the land, which will be after the man who had cleansed the armor. Her full power shall be exposed to destroy this evil. The only question that remains will be if they succeed."

The entire group was silent. The scroll had described Laucorn, Sulia and Terry perfectly. It also predicted the evil that had Sulia had felt…But they couldn't believe what they had heard about the Armor. Sulia was wearing it? And it was what had allowed her to be brought back to life? It just seemed so impossible.

Voltimand closed the scroll and leaned his head back. Violet light emerged from the ground beneath him and cleansed him. He shook his head and took in a deep breath. He opened his eyes and gazed at Sulia. He could see her flesh glisten with the power of the Armor. It glistened with the power and strength of her love for the man called Terry Bogard. Voltimand smiled at Sulia. Her eyes widened.

"Your powers have been reawakened, right Uncle?"

Voltimand nodded. He cast his hand forward and covered Sulia in glowing golden light. The entire group gasped as they recognized the Armor of Mars on her body. Even Sulia stared in shock. She was wearing the Armor of Mars. Dear heavens!

"It was Terry's love for you that saved your life and cleansed the Armor. It is now fueled by the power of your love. Because of that it does not need to be seen. It is within you now, a part of you that will always protect you as long as you love. This evil that has come…that is being harnessed toward power and the destruction of Terry…only your love for each other and the love of your friends can prevent it." Voltimand smiled. "Go all of you and do what you have to do to help save the world. We are depending on all of you."

The group nodded and Voltimand lowered his hand, the glow fading as well as the image of the Armor. Voltimand smiled and Sulia bent over to give him a kiss. "Thank you, Uncle Voltimand, for everything."

He nodded and the group said farewell.

They stared into the sky as the sun began to set. They were headed back toward the base of the mountain and toward New York City, where they would find the evil lurking in the shadows.