The terror known as "The Catastrophe" had revealed itself. It was evil incarnate, an entity of living flame born of the souls that had fallen to it's blade. Soul Edge. It twist and writhed as it roared to life, high above a burning wasteland, where a small gathering of warriors stood ready to oppose it. But to the Inferno, they were of little consequence ; just more fodder for it's flame.
Among those that had gathered were Kilik, Xianghua, and the man once called the Azure Nightmare : Siegfried Schtauffen. These three were mankind's greatest hope against the malestrom that was brewing, intent on the destruction of every living being on the face of the planet. Joining them was Sophitia's younger sister, Cassandra.
And one other.
A young elven swordsman dressed in strange green garb consisting of a tunic and what appeared to be a nightcap. "Link" he called himself. Though he had spoken little throughout their journey, he had proven to be a strong and trustworthy ally to their cause. That he was standing with them now was proof to that end.
It's transformation complete, the Inferno descended upon them and the battle began. It came as no surprise to any of them that Kilik lead the charge. The Ling-Shng Su disciple attacked the terror head on. After a short exchange, it seized his staff, lifting him on it, and cast him aside. The action, however, had provided Xianghua with the chance to attack, striking it beneath its raised arm as it flung Kilik away. The Inferno howled at the familiar presence of Soul Calibur as it cut into its being.
It shrank away, tempting her to follow, striking her down as she did. But she maintained her grip on her sword. Siegfried chose that moment to assert himself. Weilding Zweihander, he attacked, drawing upon the combined knowledge of every style and technique that'd ever been used against him. For he and the sword were one. Therefore, any style it came to possess became his as well.
The others fell back, watching as sword and master squared off with each other ; the irony lost on none of them. As Seigfried waged his one man war with the demonic entity, he made use of them all. Switching whenever necessary and always with the appropriate style to counter the Inferno's. It was truly a sight to behold.
There was no doubt in Kilik's mind that this was the man he had been before his cruel and illfated transformation. The knight that had been buried beneath the twisted exterior they all saw. Even Link found he couldn't help but smirk in admiration of the older man's skill.
But, despite his long and valiant effort, it came to an end. For the Inferno possessed knowledge that was beyond his grasp and had grown tired of its slave's rebellion. It changed without warning, contorting itself into a swirling ball of flame. Seigfried had just enough time to guard himself, but it'd been for naught. The searing heat it generated pierced his armor and burned through to his skin.
Seeing the danger he was in, Cassandra came to his aid and attacked the beast from behind. The distraction worked, allowing Link and Kilik to move the knight out of harm's way. But now its sights were set on the Athenian girl as there was something about her that reminded it of someone else. Cassandra drew a breath and swallowed, but remained unwaivering in her resolve. Readying her sister's sword and shield, she set herself and lunged.
The Inferno had been prepared to strike, but was unprepared for her lightning speed. She moved and fought like a Valkyrie! Adding to it's woe was Xianghua who had recovered by this time and was aiding the other girl in her attack. While she may not have had Cassandra's speed, the fact that she weilded Soul Calibur made her its chief cause for concern.
Contorting itself again, it swirled behind them catching Xianghua completely off her guard. The blow sent her flying face first in the dirt, then violently end over end. After tumbling a short distance, she stopped and lay unconscious. Then seizing Cassandra, it tossed her high in the air and lept behind her, striking dead center in her back, arching it. The girl hit the ground hard, severely injured and just barely alive.
Kilik had seen enough, but Link thrust out an arm in front of him. The elven stepped forward and attacked and the Inferno welcomed him with open arms. Link's swordhandling technique lacked the style and polish of the others because it was cultivated from years of self discipline. But it had served him well throughout his journeys and now wasn't any different.
The Inferno soon found that the Hylian was as cunning as he was deft. Link carefully timed his strikes while eluding the monster's attempts with a series of rolls, flips, and sideward hops. At one point, as the Inferno closed in, Link rolled backward, coming up with his bow and arrow drawn and fired in one deft move. The arrow was bathed in light a struck it dead center to its sternum. Enraged, it lashed out at the boy and sent him flying, knocking the bow from his hands.
Kilik made his move.
Vaulting high in the air, he brought Kali Yuga down hard across the creature's back. It stumbled forward, offbalance, allowing him to press the attack. So he thought. In his zeal, he'd forgotten that the Inferno was a shape shifter. Without turning, it's back shifted becoming it's front ; the hands, feet, and head all rotated to face forward. Before the Ling-Sheng Su disciple could react, it seized him by the neck with one hand, lifting him off his feet, and strangled him. Kilik's vision began to blur and his eyes teared as the contricting action rapidly cut off his air supply.
Until Siegfried cut off its hand.
The Inferno howled as the Zweihander cleaved through it's wrist, freeing Kilik from its grasp. But still it would not be stopped for it merely grew another in its place! With the others down, Link and Siegfried found themselves in the unenviable position of bieng the Inferno's only remaining opposition.
Their eyes set in determination, they faced each other and nodded then directed their attention to the creature before them. Somehow, it seemed to know what was about to come and centered itself for the final conflict.
In a way it was fitting. As the young knight and the elder one raised their swords in a common cause. The battle was fiercer than any before it and Link swore he'd never fought harder in his life. Gannon himself would have folded to the Inferno's might.
But their cause was just and their conviction without fail. At the battle's conclusion, Siegfried cast aside his Zweihander and did what no other man before him could do : he seized the Inferno. The heat from the flames scroched his skin, but he continued to hold it as it struggled in his grip. Finally pinning the creature's arms behind its back, he exclaimed, "Now boy! Do it now!"
Link didn't have to be told twice.
The Master Sword alight, he lept as a battle cry pierced the air. Siegfried maintained his hold up until the last possible second then dove out of the way of the descending blade. The Master Sword split it's skull down the middle, along with the rest of it's body. The Inferno let loose an unearthly howl as it was burned from the inside out by its holy light. Shafts and beams of light poured forth from its body as it thrashed and wailed, finally bursting into flame. The only trace of its exsistence were its lingering wail the shattered remains of the so-called "Sword of Salvation".
Soul Edge.
Link dropped wearily to one knee, breathing hard and drenched with sweat. A shadow fell over him then. It was the knight, Siegfried. There were no words spoken between them. He simply gave a nod and what almost appeared to be a smile of... thanks? Link wasn't given time to ponder it as it faded as quickly as it came. Seeing that the others had begun to stir, Siegfried turned and left.
'Farewell, Siefried. May you find what you're searching for.'
With that thought, Link moved to join the others.
___________________________________________________________________
Rose had seen enough. There was no longer any doubt that he was the one. Turning from the crystal, she waved her hand dismissively, causing the image to fade.
The time had come. A thin seam of light appeared in the space of her private chamber. It quickly spread into a doorway of sorts, floating perfectly in mid air with nothing either in front or behind it. Armed only with her Tarot Cards, she stepped through.
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(Posted Wed, 21 Jan 2004 06:07)
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