Legend:

* = Telepathic speech

" = Standard speech

' + I = Character thoughts

* + I = Spiritual speech

Transcending history, and the world...

A tale of Souls and Swords, eternally retold.

TALE OF HEROES

Chapter I

The hot desert winds bellowed over the sandy dunes; vibrant energies, invisible to the eye, echoed in the air strongly, enough to cause hair to stand. Like a metallic vibration on millions of steel cords, distorting reality and disrupting the thoughts of sentient minds all around. As the moon rose high, it cast light upon a lone figure walking at a sluggish pace through the sea of sand.

Caww... Caww...

A flight of black ravens cried above, circling something below. Their glowing eyes, red like malevolent fire.

Adorned in onyx armor holding a large sword; half-organic half-steel with two eyes emitting an unholy red aura, the figure wiped his head of the sweat with a sigh. He stood taller than most, yet shorter than some, some would argue. From his neck down, he was covered in thick plate armor. On each spaulder, a gray emblem of a bird flying up glimmered in the bright night while the rest his armor was adorned with etched markings of unknown origin. The man's head was covered by a long pointed hat from just behind his elongated ears, green in color, swaying idly in the hot desert wind.

Behind the warrior, a large black cape covered the pouches on his belt as well as the shield strapped to his back, and the blue and gold scabbard of his sword. It dragged on the ground at the bottom as he walked, the straps wrapping over his spaulders and connecting to buckles near his neck.

The sand kicked up by his armored boots sent waves down the hill, like that of a tiny avalanche. A golden triangular symbol on the back of the figure's left hand glowed idly in the desert night, seemingly repulsing the sinful touch of the unholy weapon in his grip.

The man's young face was devoid of expression, but his deep, dark blue-eyes – they showed a tiring glint in them; as if they've endured world-destroying darkness and life-ending shadows. Despite the weight they seemed to carry, there was a fierce, sharp and hardened glint to them.

Caww... Caww...

Briefly, he glanced up to them. The watchers, ever near as he walked a lonely path. They called to him, and to each other, ever observant. Always nearby.

Behind his blond bangs, the unusually long ears of the warrior twitched. A voice on the wind reached his ears.

A metallic, almost melodic tone echoed on the wind's breath.

Link stopped in his tracks to listen. After a moment of patient waiting, the voice called out to him again.

*...Master...caution...* the voice warned. It sounded feminine. The voice appeared to be coming from the royal blue longsword strapped to his back, the hilt poking up high from his left shoulder. *...Master...beware, Master...* The voice called once more, its chime seemingly echoing around him like a ghost he couldn't see.

Frowning, the armor-clad warrior gazed around the surrounding wastelands with piercing eyes. Far off in the distance, Link's sharp hawk-like gaze caught sight of a banner, flowing in the wind.

The warrior glared at the banner. He knew what was coming. Not long after, hundreds of glowing lights appeared above the sand dunes, faintly illuminating columns of armored soldiers marching in the night.

The evil eye of his sword opened, glaring with sickly pupils into his form. Whispers of bloodshed and massacre reverberated within the walls of his conscious, causing his vision to shake slightly. It spoke of power to dominate everything in the four directions. He fought it, the possessive whispers that sought to claim him.

Visions began to plague him, he could see himself swinging the great hellish weapon with wide sweeps, cleaving the dark shapes and the shadows of his most disturbing memories. As if implying he could destroy his enemies, his nightmares that plagued him. With such a power, the whispers promised, the demons that haunted him in his memories, his nightmares, shall be incinerated in hellfire.

Caww... Caww...

It was tempting. Oh, so tempting, like a sweet succulent fruit, ripe for eating.

Suddenly, dark red energy enveloped him. He grunted with exertion as the evil within the sword enveloped him. His face straining as he fought to maintain control. For a moment, he struggled as the sickly power washed over his armor. Suddenly, he felt a snap within, his eyes widening as they turned a blood red, flaring with an unholy purple light.

The raw energy tearing at his soul had wracked his body, and brought him to a knee. It was growing stronger. He could hear them, the ravens that followed him. Haunting. Screaming.

A quick hiss, akin to red hot metal being rapidly cooled with cold water sounded around him suddenly. A brief flash from the triangular symbol on the back of his hand was more than enough to drive off the demon within the blade.

Slowly, he gathered himself. His eyes returned to normal and the pain receded with the dark energy.

The sound of war drums and heavy feet marching in the dune reached his ears. The clanking of armor and the whining of wooden wheels played loudly amongst the otherwise lifeless landscape. He could hear horses neighing, complaining about the lack of traction and maybe the heat as well.

Grunting despairingly, Link cracked his neck for relief of pressure before standing back up. He scanned the surroundings again, seeing a much smaller group camping in the distance, and a few local creatures that began to scatter in the direction away from the approaching army.

It seemed as if he didn't have much of a choice. The army must have come looking for him, and he wasn't sure if the soldiers would attack anyone nearby, like the travelers east of him. For certain, he did not want to allow them the chance by simply retreating. On the off chance they attacked all in sight, and not just him, He decided not to take the gamble.

He would stand his ground. This time.

He sighed, weary and downtrodden. Adjusting his right spaulder and his belt for comfort, he got ready for the upcoming conflict that was sure to end with blood spilled. A possibility that left him saddened. He did not wish to kill.

Far off, his long ears caught the faint sound of a war horn being blown, signaling 'attack' to the troops. They all shouted and yelled their war cries as the column of soldiers charged with weapons drawn. Arrows loosed from bowmen climbed high into the skies above.

He drew his shield to absorb them in the hopes he could reposition and meet the incoming troops, ready to defend himself.

'Din, Nayru, and Farore...Forgive me.'

*Nearby*

Isabella 'Ivy' Valentine sat against a rock nearby the campsite her group had formed. Deep in thought, she lifted her head and gazed around her surroundings. She was bored out of her mind right now. Never one to socially accept those around her, it still felt weird she partook in the group.

She needed them only for one thing: destroying Soul Edge. She cared not how it would be, but swore that she would see it through. These fools she begrudgingly traveled with, would serve her with the information she needed to ensure it.

Over at the camp, she saw Cassandra chatting idly with Seong Mi-Na, Talim, Sophitia, and Xianguah. Taki was speaking with Siegfried; probably planning their next move no doubt. Maxi stood at the top of a sandy hill with his telescope as he took watch. Mitsurugi was polishing 'Shi Shi-Oh' and making sure the blade was nice and sharp as always. Kilik appeared to be meditating again.

"Blasted desert heat..." She said out loud in exasperation, drinking from a water skin. In response, her sword broke to whip form and pointed west.

"Hm?" She looked in the direction, but didn't see anything.

"Oi! I see something!" She heard Maxi shout, drawing everyone's attention to him.

Taki walked up to him as he handed her the telescope and pointed west. She looked in that direction and saw the vanguard of an approaching army. She noted that they weren't marching right at their campsite, but what puzzled the ninja was why were they here in the first place.

She caught sight of the banner, and recognized it instantly.

"It's one of princess Hilde's armies. They're passing through, but I don't understand why they are here." Taki stated. Siegfried walked up to her and gazed out at the Wolfkronian forces.

"Hilde has been hunting for the sword herself. She held a tournament not too long ago to recruit powerful warriors into her ranks." He explained.

"Why would she seek it?" Taki asked. Siegfried turned to her as he responded.

"She wants the sword destroyed. But without Soul Calibur, it is a fools errand." He answered.

Ivy looked back at where Valentine had been pointing. Now noticing that the sword was pointing at the front of the army. What could Valentine be warning her of? It only ever did that to alert her of something dangerous nearby.

Taki resumed watching the army of soldiers as they continued marching North when she heard the horn of the Wolfkronian forces sound out the signal to attack. Her frown deepened. What were they attacking? She could not see anything in the area to attack except them. But that was not the case, the troops were charging west.

Gazing a little more west, she caught sight of another figure. Her jaw dropped as she recognized him.

Link stood ready with Soul Edge in his left hand, and the Master Sword in his right. He waited patiently for the Wolfkronian forces to begin their approach, planning out how he would somehow repent from killing them, or at least most of them.

The archers let loose another volley of arrows his way, he narrowed his eyes and held his swords up. As the arrows neared, he spun his swords as fast as he could in his hands while holding them in front of him to deflect the projectiles. They hit, and he was able to block most of them, but some still landed on him. He was hit in his chest and leg, though his armor kept it from touching him, he still felt the sting.

He plunged Soul Edge's tip into the sand and pulled the arrows out before quickly grabbing the blade again and parring the first soldier's attack.

Parry, feint, dodge, roll, back-flip, punch, and swing. Steel met steel, blood flew and lives were lost. Though, much to Link's relief, not a lot of lives were taken, he had managed to throw blows that merely rendered his opponents unconscious, though some could not be saved. To avoid Soul Edge acquiring more souls, Link was forced to use the Master Sword on the men that had been slain.

The smell of blood festered in the air, awakening Soul Edge's will once more. It stared at Link hungrily, its voice echoing in his mind... Link's world was beginning to morph around him, distorting as if he was swimming beneath the surface of a strong current made of magnetic energy. His vision blurred, and his hand burned around its grip of the foul weapon's hilt. Outwardly, nothing seemed to be wrong with the Hylian, but his mind was a maelstrom of racing thoughts Anger bled through him like a poison.

It took all his will power to stave off the second attack on his already weakened mind.

He gazed out at the field, his ears caught sound of a soldier gasping. He gazed down at his left and saw one of the troops who he must not of hit hard enough, desperately grabbing for a sword nearby.

Link walked over and kicked the sword away with a nudge of his boot. He locked his eyes on the soldier who watched him with fear as Link pointed Soul Edge's tip to the man's neck. But the soldier seemed unsatisfied with Link's victory; pulling a dagger from beneath his chestplate and lunging for a spot on his legs where his armor did not cover.

Caww... Caww...

Link jumped back, the whispers of the sword echoing in his mind to take this man's life. As the man stood, Link felt his anger flare beyond his control, leaving him to lash out with the Master Sword. The holy blade cut into the man's arm, and with a yelp, the soldier dropped his dagger and gripped his injured limb. But the Hylian moved in and launched a thunderous punch that reduced the soldier to a crumpled heap in the sand.

The light from his hand pulsed again, allowing him to take a sigh of relief when the darkness receded once more. It dawned on him that he nearly lost it that time, and after a quick look at the soldier he knocked unconscious, was glad to see the cut wasn't deep. It was a warning that would heal, but leave a scar not soon to be forgotten.

Link's gaze traveled up at the hills of sand far off into the distance, east of him. His eyes caught the sight of a familiar face which he recognized.

Taki watched the whole battle unravel before her in stunned silence. Long had she thought Link dead, yet he stood before her and defeated the minor regiment of troops. Astonished that he was there, however, her eyes caught a terrifying sight to behold. They kept their height, but watched the violence of battle below.

Watchers.

Caww... Caww...

Soul Edge.

They only flocked like this when the sword was near.

Though, as Link fought, she noted he didn't use the blade for anything except blocking. Questions arose in her head. What had happened to him? Where had he been these seven long years?

Why did he wield Soul Edge? Did he not try to destroy the wicked blade?

She watched as the last of the soldiers fell. Their attacks parried, and with a few kicks, shoulder barges and a few punches that left them alive, but unconscious.

She couldn't help but wonder at how much he had grown. His fighting style seemed more diverse, efficient. He had developed to a much more vicious and powerful combatant. He was quicker than he used to be, and his assaults were carefully coordinated.

She continued to watch even as Link staved off a desperate attack from the last conscious soldier. She watched as Link knocked the man unconscious and suddenly, yet slowly, turn his piercing gaze to her.

For a few seconds, he seemed to stare blankly, before Link gave her what she knew was his old, small and sad smile. She still recognized it even after seven years. His hair hung at the sides of his face, just as she remembered.

Taki unconsciously took a step forward, her eyes still on Link through the telescope. At this, Link's smile disappeared. He slowly shook his head 'no' as he began to walk backwards. She watched him as a sand storm with green energy began to swirl around him, his eyes still shone forward with that glow they seemed to possess now.

As the storm thickened, she lost sight of his iris's, and when the storm died out...

Link was gone.

Taki was worked up over something Ivy could only guess at. She claimed to see an old member of her group though the rest of them could only see a figure as small as an ant in the distance that somehow stopped the army.

Ivy was a bit surprised at that, the man must have been what Valentine was pointing at. What also got her thinking was how this man, Link as she found out his name was, was able to wield Soul Edge. Taki said it was obvious he was holding back, seemingly trying to keep from killing the soldiers. She described everything. At first, Sophitia was the happiest Ivy had seen her since she joined. But the more detail Taki gave, the more that happy look melted into something like worry.

Mitsurugi, who helped Taki train Link with some Samurai styled techniques, held a pride-filled smirk on his face as Taki described the battle. Though when she mentioned Soul Edge, his smirk became a confused frown.

"What? What the hell is he thinking?" Was the first thing the experienced Samurai grunted.

"Who is this Link?" Kilik asked.

"He was a member of our group seven years ago." Taki explained, taking a seat by the campfire and digging into her bag before continuing, "A man who called himself Rock, had found him half-dead in the woods near Athens. Sophitia helped nurture him back to health and he was with us for three years before he disappeared." Pulling a map out of her bag, the ninja sighed. "It is obvious he has avoided being found." Taki added as a murmur.

"He didn't happen to have long ears, a green tail-like hat, a green tunic, a longsword with a blue hilt and a blue shield, did he?" Siegfried asked cautiously. Taki stopped looking at her map at the knight's words. She turned to him and nodded in confirmation.

Siegfried started chuckling with slight amusement.

"It's him. He defeated Nightmare and released me." This caused Taki to frown.

"Why didn't you mention this before?" She seemed slightly annoyed, but her eyes betrayed that. She was distraught at how such an important piece of information may have altered the last dozen years of traveling.

"I did not know if he took the sword or if someone else claimed it. But, if the lack of news of recent massacres is of any indication, he has managed to avoid being controlled by it." Siegfried stated.

Sophitia, eyes full of worry, stood up.

"Then we have to find him! If he can hold Soul Edge at bay then we could track down the shards of Soul Calibur with Link's help." She said. Taki placed her hand on the Athenian's shoulder.

"Much can change in seven years. The Link we knew may be gone. He did not seem willing to approach, and..." The ninja paused, "When I made a move to; he vanished." Taki said in a voice that couldn't be read.

Sophitia seemed as if she was going to argue, but knew it would not change a thing.

"Whether Link is capable of suppressing its power or not, means little without proper sealing. If he truly wishes to help, he should surrender to us so that we all can keep a close eye on the sword. Regardless of his strength, he can not sustain his will indefinitely."

Ivy stood there listening to the whole thing. She shook her head, this was why she hated teaming with others, especially those who she had a less than pleasant introduction with. Namely Taki.

The alchemist had no use for attachments. Her sword was company enough.

She may have not agreed with most of these people, nor did she have to like them. But she hoped their emotions did not slow their quest against Soul Edge. She did not have to worry about the ninja, but the others who apparently knew this Link, was an entirely different story.

However, a thought brought her great satisfaction. The sword was close. So long as she was patient, and allowed the others to do as they must, she may be able to lay this journey to rest soon. Very soon.

Caww... Caww...

With a final glance up, she spotted a lone raven that passed over their camp. Leaving Ivy to smirk, this would prove more interesting than she thought.