All non-original Characters/Setting/Weapons will be tagged with '*' and will recieve a proper sourcing.

This is based from the famou sword-fighter game "Soul Calibur IV" by NAMCO and Bandai.

Soul Calibur IV: Soul Resonance

Chapter 7: Aider

A bartender grimly wiped clean an iron mug with a dirty black towel. Misty smoke filled the air around him as he glanced at several corners of his roughly crowded pub-inn. All kinds of men were scattered about the large and splinter-covered floor. Sneering mercenaries, grinning knights, and frowning ruffians all sat around large tables, drinking beer and creating a loud chatter of conversation. Gold were angrily tossed aside by losing gamblers, whilst the victors had smiles that could reach their ears.

Suddenly the inn door burst open, the light of the morning sun flooded through. All the men hissed under their breaths at the light, their eyes narrowed with pain. Soon, they fell silent at the sight of a figure. He was a stranger who stood there in silence, his arms held apart the double doors. His body was clad in a long dune-colored coat, a dark blue bandanna-scarf around his neck, and a wide-brim hat with roughed out edges. From under his hat, the stranger’s head slowly turned left and right, as if searching for eye contact. He had already grabbed their attention the moment he entered.

The stranger nonchalantly cleared his throat. He stepped forward and released his hold on the doors. Light instantly fled from his side, leaving him surrounded by near-pitched black darkness. Every man watched him as he strode toward the bartender. Some even pulled out a knife or two, almost playfully twirling them with their fingers.

The stranger pulled back a tall chair and climbed up it. As soon as it sat down the entire chair collapsed under his weight, dropping him straight to the floor with his hat flying. Men watched his loud fall, their expressions never changing. The hat landed perfectly across the bar counter, before the quiet bartender. He watched as a hand shot up from below the counter and grasped onto its surface. Next, a young boy at the age of 18, with dark cyan hair, balanced himself against the counter and to his feet with a gasp.

“You should be careful around here,” mentioned the bartender, with a deep foreign accent, possibly Russian, “it is termite season…”

The young stranger had no other words than, “Ow…” In seconds, every man returned to their lives of drinking, gambling, and arm-wrestling. The stranger lightly limped to one side, grabbed another empty tall chair, test-kicked at it for strength, and finally gently plopped down onto it. He let out a tired sigh, but was cut short when his hat was held in front of him. He looked up at the bartender, who gestured the hat to him.

“This happen to be yours?” he asked. The stranger lightly nodded and graciously took it back. He placed it back on his head and slightly hunched forward on his elbows against the counter, “So, what’ll it be? Beer?”

“Nah, I’m allergic to alcohol…” muttered the young stranger. The men all stopped and glared at him. The stranger casually turned to look around and finally noticed their stares. He shrugged, “What?” They turned away and went back to their business. The stranger groaned and turned back to the bartender, “Mineral water please…”

The bartender raised an eyebrow, “Mineral water? What’s that?”

“Gaah…just get me something non-alcoholic!” growled the stranger. The bartender stroked his moustache with the edge of his cloth, carefully watching the stranger. He turned away and made the stranger’s order.

Again, the doors burst open. The stranger perked his head up at the sound, as several footsteps marched into the inn right behind him. It was three men. Two were rippling with muscles, both heads were rock-solid bald and wrapped around with pirate bandannas. They flanked another man, twice as shorter than they were and more rotund then muscular. A tattered tri-horn hat was perched across his wide head, a broad and proud grin carve across his meaty face.

The bartender turned in time to greet him, his frown turned upside down, “Good afternoon, Vinius…you said you have good news for us and we have already gathered everyone at your disposal…” The bartender rested a cup full of murky and thick cider-brown liquid in front of the stranger. He gazed down with a grimace.

“I said nothing alcoholic…”

The bartender shrugged with confusion, “It’s apple juice.” The bartender wandered off down his counter, following the pace of the man named Vinius. The stranger hesitantly gazed down at the cup. He merely looked away and pushed it far off to one corner of the counter. He held back the urge to push it entirely off the edge and out of existence.

“Listen up, lads! For I’ve got a special treat for ye all!” cried Vinius. Men gathered about Vinus, their body tense for the so-called ‘good news’ and all sorts of questions buzzed.

“What is it?!”

“Food? Weapons? Women?!”

“Or is it gold…”

Vinius heartedly chuckled and shook his head, “One of ye are half right, but even better. I’ve got me−”

“A girl!” hollered out one of Vinius’ lackeys. A heel of a small and stubby foot ploughed deeply into the lackey’s foot. The lackey hollered, but the other slapped a thick hand across his pale lips.

Vinius stood back up straight and adjusted his captain like coat with an angry huff, “As I was about to say, lads…we’ve got ourselves a fine young lady in our presence.” The room was filled with excitement and whistles. Vinius grinned and turned to look over his shoulder, “Come out here, me darling.” As the cheering continued, Vinius reached out behind him and pulled forward a stumbling body. All fell silent. The stranger lightly turned his head and peered under his hat. He could not help a grin.

Standing next to Vinius’ right, was a young 7 years old girl. Eyes blankly stared at her, their jaws dropping to the table and ground. The girl shyly trembled with fear. She tried to back away, but Vinius’ vice-like grip caught onto her wrist and prevented her from leaving.

“I present to ye lads, our bargaining chip for glorious riches…the town mayor’s daughter!” grinned Vinius. A man pushed his jaw back into place, his eyes gleaming with greed along with the rest of the crowd, “HAR-HAR-HAR! With this little bonny lass, we can reclaim what rightfully was once ours! Our ships! Our cannons! Our booty!” A loud cheer shook the roof. The girl squeaked with fear and faltered back, but Vinius yanked her back to his side. He struggled a calm grin, suppressing the excitement rushing through his blood, and glimpsed at her, “Let’s hear ye name, missy.” The girl could barely utter a sound.

“Rebecca?”

All heads perked up with curiosity at the voice. They turned their eyes to the stranger, who stared at the girl while sitting on his bar-stool. He grinned and waved at her, “Hey there.” The girl, Rebecca, was surprised. Vinius’ mouth was wide open. The stranger hopped off of his seat and walked towards the men. He calmly strode in between Vinius’ two lackeys and crouched down to Rebecca’s height. She blinked with curiosity as she stared at him blankly.

“I’m glad that you’re alright, Rebecca. Your dad is worried sick about you,” said the stranger.

Tears started to well up in her small round eyes. She sniffed, “Papa…”

“Hm-hm,” nodded the stranger with a smile, “Rebecca, can you go upstairs and wait for me? Don’t forget to cover yours ears, okay?” Rebecca wiped away her tears with a smile. The stranger chuckled, “Things are going to get pretty messy here, so don’t come down until I say so okay?”

Rebecca happily nodded. Luckily, Vinius’ grip slackened from utter confusion and she obliviously slipped her arm from him. She lightly skipped past Vinius’ dumbstruck men and scurried up the stairs. She took a moment to peek over the staircase and smiled at the stranger, “Thank you, Oniichan…” She then disappeared above the second floor.
[Big brother]

Vinius turned his horrified gaze over to the stranger. The stranger still had his smile on, the front brim of his hat hovering over his eyes.

“WHY YE!” screeched Vinius. He instantly gripped the stranger by the collar and held his as high as he could, “LISTEN HERE YE−”

“NO – YOU LISTEN!” Without warning, the stranger’s arms latched onto Vinius’ wrist like tight manacles. He pried them off his coat and in return lifted Vinius up by his collar. Vinius was held in the air, his feet dangling and his eyes wide with surprise.

“What in the world are you thinking!” hollered the stranger, “Do you think this is a little game? Kidnapping a little girl as a bargaining chip to reclaim your miserable lives of piracy and lawlessness! You guys are the lowest hu– people – I have ever MET!”

With that, he tossed Vinius into the air. Several men instantly stepped aside to avoid a flying Vinius. He finally crashed into a group of shattered beer kegs. A quick shower of beer sprayed over him as he was drenched in alcohol. He snapped out of his shocking trance and instantly flashed deadly glares to all his men.

“What are ye *HIC* standing there for *HIC*…GET HIM!” coughed Vinius. Vinius’ lackeys dashed towards the door and bolted it shut, standing by it to prevent any escape. Swords, daggers, pistols, empty bottles, and broken legs of chairs were drawn forth. Instantly, every man within the inn had the stranger surrounded and started to close in on him. The stranger merely chuckled.

“Heh, you guys don’t know who I am?” The men stopped and exchanged confused glances to one another. The stranger pushed up the front brim of his hat higher to reveal his smirk and confident dark blue eyes, “The name’s Seele Rubilac!” The men exchanged even more confused gazes. They soon charged at Seele with a bloodthirsty cry.

“Hold it,” grinned Seele. The men instantly stopped as Seele lightly sauntered around within the center of the lethal circle, “If you really want a rumble, please be my guest…but be warned, for Angels shall fall from the sky…” Silence followed. No one had any idea what he was talking about. A faint vein pulsed across Seele’s forehead as he raised his voice, “I said…Angels will fall from the skyyyyyyy…” The men stirred, not knowing what to understand. Vinius bolted to his feet. He was about to give the final orders to his men, until a pair of female voices sounded above their heads.

“Ne-ne, do you think that was the signal?” asked a young voice.
[Hey hey]

“I do not know. Seele did not specifically say what would the signal be,” replied a passive and emotionless voice.

“Matakun, that bakka should have given us more details, desu.”
[Geez]

Seele shook with bottled anger, “KAMI! NOW WOULD BE SIGNAL!”

“Aree?” Suddenly, the roof above everyone creaked. Dust rained down and the ceiling beams snapped, “WAH!”
[Huh?]

A portion of the roof broke in and a small figure fell through with a shriek. In seconds, the figure and debris landed directly on top of Vinius with a thundering crack. Dust swelled up into the air. Seele blankly stared at the fallen pile in front of him. He slaps a hand to his face as the dust parted to reveal the figure.

“Ittai, desuyo!” uttered the figure. It was a girl, with fiery-red hair, a pair of small yellow horns, who wore a black kimono with a torn right sleeve and flame decal across its edges, and had a large set of pearl-white prayer beads. She glared up at Seele with a feisty and hot-tempered air, “BAKKA! Why did I listened to you and stay up on the roof, desu?!”

“Now is not the time, Kami…” groaned Seele, his face covered by his right hand. Kamikirimusi, or Kami, gazed around. The surrounding men all stared at her in blank shock, in peculiar at her horns. She noticed their looks, puffed her cheeks, and slapped her hands onto the top of her head to cover her horns. Vinius, on the other hand, was out cold from Kami’s landing on top of his back. Curiosity swept through Kami as she bounced up and down on what she was sitting on, but ignored it as she glared at Seele.

“What now?!” she grumbled.

“Hey, where’s Ashlotte?” wondered Seele, dropping his hand.

“Eh? A-chan?” wondered Kami.

“Hai?”

Seele and Kami looked up, as well as the men. The ceiling started to rain dust again. In seconds, the beams snapped some more and gave way. Another figure dropped from above the roof.

Seele faltered back with shock and held out his arms, “A-A-ASHLOTTE!”

A heavy object crashed right on top of Seele. Dust exploded and filled up the entire inn. Men coughed hysterically as they rubbed their eyes. Kami shivered with absolute horror as the dust started to fade.

“B-bakka? A…A-chan?”

The second figure was a girl with light grey skin, long silver-grey hair, a grey-white bonnet, and an iron dress with a metal-framed bell-skirt, which also had a heart-shaped opening of gears in her stomach area. She was sitting bent over forward from her landing. Like a doll, she slowly sat up straight. She quietly looked around with passive eyes, void of emotions. Her eyes finally fell onto a petrified Kami.

“Hai? You called me?” replied Ashlotte.

“Are you,” gulped Kami, “okay?”

Ashlotte returned a firm nod, “Hai. I am perfectly fine…but…” Ashlotte turned to one side and lifted up an edge of her metal skirt flap. Underneath was Seele, with Ashlotte sitting right on top of his back, “Are you alright, Seele?”

“Oh…” breathed Seele.

Vinius’ eyes open wide awake, glinting with unmatchable fury. He bolted to his feet and heaved Kami over his head, surprising her. With a snarl, he tossed the girl through the air.

“UWAH!” shrieked Kami. She plopped upside down across Ashlotte’s lap. Seele gasped under the newly added weight.

“GET THEM!” hollered Vinius. The men snapped out of their trance. They charged and struck out at Seele, Ashlotte, and Kami. Just as they crowded around them, a powerful burst of frosty blue light erupted. The sudden force sent several men flying backwards, over the heads of the others. They turned as more backed away. Vinius was both horrified and furious.

A fiery blue aura surrounded Seele, Ashlotte, and Kami, as they stood. Seele grinned as he pulled out a crystal rod, with a pair of arrowheads at both ends of them, from his sleeve.

“Azure, Next Shift-Evolution...” He held onto the crystal rod with both hands, side by side, and crushed it within his palms, “AMETHYST!” The crystal turned into dust and soon transformed into a long crystal blue double-bladed sword. Seele twirled it over his head and held it at the ready. Vinius was flabbergasted as men started to back away some more. Seele smirked and readied himself, “Let’s go! Ashlotte! Kami!

“Hai,” spoke Ashlotte. She then pulled out her long and heavy iron halberd, Krnielk.

“Kierro, desuyo!!” murmured Kami. She too pulled out her long iron club with several spikes at the end, Denryu Bakuha.
[Disappear!]

“G-get them! GET THEM!” cried Vinius.

Seele leapt forward at Vinius’ men. With graceful swings of his blade and skilful movement he easily tore through them; a knight charging on horseback into the thin mist. He stopped and ducked under two blades that swiped at his head. He planted the blunt ends of his double-bladed sword behind the attackers’ legs and forcefully flipped them. The rogue knight and bandit somersaulted in the air and fell onto the floor with a deafening thud. Seele turned to look to his sides at the faltering men.

“Come on! Don’t keep me waiting!” smirked Seele.

Ashlotte brought down her halberd onto the skull of a thick headed mercenary. His face twisted with unconsciousness, before the halberd returned to slap him away at the head. Ashlotte glimpsed over her right shoulder. She back-stepped in time to avoid a scimitar from slashing her shoulder. She struck the back end of her halberd into the stomach of the attacking thief. He doubled over in sheer agony with a near-death gasp. Ashlotte then gripped him by the back of his collar and sent him hruling into a group of charging men in front of her. She readied herself for any more attacks.

“It is not honest to attack someone from behind,” said Ashlotte.

Kami swung her massive club around her head. Her blows sent men flying everywhere as she growled under her breath. She stopped and lanced her weapon forward, striking at several mercenaries and pirates in a single line. They collapsed to the floor with a thud. She let out a tired breath, until when she snapped and snarled on another attacker. Taken aback by fear, the attacker fell backward and started to run out of the inn.

“Don’t think I’m useless because I’m small, desu!” growled Kami.

Every man ran in shear terror. They all rushed forward and collided against the barred door. Shoving Vinius’ stone-headed lackeys aside, they unbarred the door and rushed out like a fleeing flock of deer.

Seele, Ashlotte, and Kami stood back together again and watched them leave. The last man went scrambling out, letting the double doors swivel back and forth in silence. They slowly turned back to one man that remained standing, Vinius.

He was flabbergasted as his eyes searched around the inn, for anyone to bark an attacking order at. No one was left, except for the bartender. He simply and slowly ducked under his counter and disappeared out of the situation.

“You…accursed wretches!” growled Vinius at Seele, Ashlotte, and Kami.

Seele placed his double-bladed sword, Amethyst, over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow, “Ex-Pirate Captain Vinius…you are hereby under arrest!” Kami perked her head up in confusion and turned to look at Seele strangely. Ashlotte curiously stared at Seele as well. He never seemed to notice their eyes, nor what he was saying, “You have the right to remain silence, but anything you say will be recorded and used against you in court.”

Vinius blinked, “What are you blabbering about ye landlubber?!”

“What are you talking about, desu?” muttered Kami. Ashlotte kept her gaze on Seele.

Seele finally realized what he said and cleared his throat, “N-nothing! Just a…random thought in my head…”

Without warning, a flintlock pistol and blunderbuss was drawn forth. Kami turned and eyed Vinius, the mad-eyed pirate captain. He held onto the two weapons with a victorious grin.

“Well then, how’s this for a thought?!” chuckled Vinius, “Any wrong move and I’ll blow ye all to China!” Kami curiously gaze at the two weapons in Vinius’ hands.

“What are those? Looks like toys, desu…” grumbled Kami.

“Actually they're guns,” pointed out Seele, “and man are they prehistorically old…”

Vinius was taken aback, “O-OLD? I just got this fresh off the black market!” His eyebrow cringed, “What in Davy Jones’ Locker is ‘prehistoric’?” Seele winced. Vinius shrugged off the question, “Whatever ye say, laddie…Now…” Vinius aimed his pistol and blunderbuss at Seele, Ashlotte, and Kami with a vicious grin, “Say ye−”

A thick rope quickly unwounded from above. It slipped off a hook and it dropped a large iron and candle-lit chandelier with a snap. Vinius was taken aback and looked up, as well as Seele, Ashlotte, and Kami. To Vinius’s horror, the chandelier was falling onto him.

“W-WAIT!” he howled. The chandelier crashed right on top of him. Dust kicked up across the floor as Seele and Kami coughed. Ashlotte simply blinked and turned her attention to the bottom of the chandelier. Vinius was pinned down under the fallen object, utterly out cold.

“Well that takes care of him *COUGH*,” grimaced Seele.

“Ah! I’m sorry!”

Seele perked his head up at the voice. With Kami and Ashlotte, they looked up to the railing of the second floor. A small figure struggled to leap over onto the railing. It finally pulled itself forward to be revealed as a girl. She grinned, “Sorry, Oniichan, if I scared you!”

Seele could not help a chuckle, “Way to go Rebecca!”

*****

“Papa!” Rebecca ran across the cobblestone street of the town. She finally leapt forward into the open arms of her tall and hefty father, the Mayor.

“Oh, Rebecca! I’m glad that you’re alright!” whispered the Mayor, with a warm embrace.

From behind him approached a tall and slender woman with long green hair and wore a pair of glasses, the Mayor’s assistant. She smiled as she adjusted her glasses, “Congratulations for your daughter’s safe return.”

“No, Darleena…the real gratitude goes to…” the Mayor raised his gaze over Rebecca’s small shoulders, “them.”

Seele shyly rubbed the back of his head. Ashlotte and Kami stood next to him, as they watched the Mayor reunited with his daughter.

“Ah-ha…I-it was nothing really?” uttered Seele.

Ashlotte lightly bowed, “You’re welcome.” Kami kept her silence as she grumbled with her lips twisting in distaste, almost exhausted like.

“How can we ever repay you?” asked Darleena.

Seele happily waved off the offer, “No, no! There’s no need to repay us at all! Besides, we’re glad we could help rescue your daughter. We’re content that she’s safe, right girls?”

“Hai,” answered Ashlotte.

“Hmm…” moaned Kami, not listening.

Rebecca turned to look at Seele with a smile. From her father’s arm, she scurried over to him. Seele crouched down to her level just as she approached him. She shyly folded her hands across her dress skirt with a blush, “Thank you, Oniichan!”

“Ah, not a problem!” grinned Seele. He cheerfully took off his tattered hat, gave it a quick pat to separate the dust, and neatly rested across Rebecca’s head, “Here’s something to remember us by.” Strangely, the hat was a perfect fit. That was until the front brim leaned over her entire face. Seele nervously chuckled and help to adjust it, “Maybe in time when you grow, it’ll fit.”

“Oniichan?”

“Hm-hm?”

Seele pushed up the front brim to show Rebecca’s face. She looked timid as her brightening gaze was lowered to the ground, “When I grow up…I want to marry you!” With that she tiptoed and gave Seele a quick kiss on his cheek. He froze with surprise as Rebecca giggled and ran back to her father. The Mayor chuckled and picked her up into his arms.

“Thank you again, young ones…” smiled the Mayor with a bow. Darleena waved a cheery good-bye. Together, the Mayor and Darleena happily walked off into the town street.

Rebecca lifted herself across her father’s shoulder, looking back and waving with a wide smile, “Bye-bye, Oniichan! Oneesans!” Seele stood back up, perplexed, as he rubbed his cheeks.

“Hah…she kissed me…” uttered Seele. He realized something, “‘Marry me’? Hey, Kami what did she meant by marry−”

Kami threw a dark look at Seele, “Oi, bakka…you shouldn’t get all lovey-dovey, de−” Instantly she gagged on her breath at a terrifying sight. She looked passed an oblivious Seele and saw a dark purple aura shrouding over a particular silent girl’s shoulder, “A…A-chan?”

Ashlotte had a passive face, but the aura around her told Kami otherwise. She slowly turned her to look at Seele with her glinting yellow eyes.

“Seele?” she asked, her tone hinted with an unknown emotion, “What was that all about?”

“Huh?” blinked Seele, “About what?”

Ashlotte stood silent for a moment. She finally turned away, “Nothing…nothing at all.” Seele looked confused, but shrugged the thought off. Kami gulped as she saw the black aura around Ashlotte grew a tad bit bigger.

*****

“Phew…turned out to be quite a day…” sighed Seele. He walked down the busy town street with his arms folded behind his head. Closely following him were Ashlotte, whose aura has already dissipated, and Kami, who had a tired frown on her face, “Despite what I said though…it’s still in the afternoon…too early to turn in for the night.” Seele stopped and turned to Ashlotte and Kami, “So what do you girls want to−”

A queasy growl gurgled into the air, followed by a low moan. Ashlotte turned to the source of the sound. Seele followed by looking down and straight at that source.

“Hmm…I’m hungry…” muttered Kami.

Seele rolled his eyes with a faint grin, “You’re always hungry, Kami…”

Kami puffed her cheeks out in rage, “URUSAI, BAKKA! I’m an oni, and onis need food after a fight, desu!”

“Alright, alright,” chuckled Seele, “But first, I think we should get some provisions…” He playfully eyed Kami, “Lot’s of them…”

Kami angrily charged forward at Seele. A pale grey hand held Kami by the back of her kimono. Restrained, Kami continued to struggle towards Seele with her arms outstretched to tear him apart.

“LET GO OF ME A-CHAN, DESU!” shrieked Kami, “LET ME AT HIM – LET ME AT HIM, DESU!”

“Forgive me, Kami-chan, but I cannot allow you to harm Seele…” replied Ashlotte.

Kami gave up her thrashing as she stood with her shoulders shaking. Seele grinned with a cheerful air around him as he leaned closer to Kami, “Why don’t you be a good little girl and listen to us adults?” The vein across Kami’s forehead blew its fuse.

“BAKKA! BAKKA-BAKKA! BAAAAAAKKAAA!”

Seele stood back up and turned on his heels, waving a hand over his shoulder, “It’s settled then. Ashlotte, Kami, you two look for food and provisions. I’ll go look around to see if there’s anything special we may need to know of…”

“Do you not want us to accompany you?” asked Ashlotte.

“Nah…I prefer being away from a shrieking little girl for a moment…”

Ashlotte blinked, while she still held onto a raging Kami from pouncing on Seele, “Are you…alright?”

Seele stopped in his steps, silent. Kami’s anger was instantly doused out and replaced with curiosity. Ashlotte softened her gaze as she stared at the back of Seele. He never turned, but continued forward. His voice deepened with a sense of distress, “I hope so…”

*****

“BLAH!” cried Seele. His head rose from the glassy surface of a pail full of cold water. He rapidly shook his head and dunked his face in again. He held it down in the water for a long time, abnormally long. His expression was calm as his eyes blankly stared at the bottom of the wooden pail. Slowly he pulled his face out and balanced himself over the rim of the well he stood before. His eyes are deep in though as drops from his hair and face trickled into the pail’s tranquil surface.

“What is wrong with me?” he muttered, his voice unsure, “Ah…the words are coming out of my mouth again…and they don’t even belong in this era…Geez…” Seele stood up. He looked down at his hands, “I’m getting stronger in strength…but losing control over myself…Could this be a good or bad sign…” Seele sighed. He stared up at the sky, his face still dripping wet. His eyes stared up at the wandering clouds.

“Will I ever be able to fix myself…to reclaim who I really am?” wondered Seele. He lowered his head, “or will I be a complete burden to anyone?” Seele sighed again, “Man…it’s difficult being human…” Seele levelled his gaze, “Oh well, got it deal with it for now…”

Seele chuckled and wiped his face dry with his sleeve, “Besides, it can’t get any wors−” Without warning, a cold slap of water splashed onto him from one side. Surprised he spat the water out of his mouth and wiped the water from his face, irritated, “I just had to say it…” He suddenly turned to the one who splashed with angry eyes, “I just had to say it, didn’t I-EEEeeeeeeeeeeeee…” His voice trailed off and his eyes widen with astonishment.

At the doorway of the back-end of a small building he came eye with eye with a young girl, at the age of 17. She had long silky blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes. Her skin was a creamy peach color and had faint rosy red cheeks. Her very appearance made Seele stared in awe. The girl stared at him for a long time, silent as she held onto an empty bucket that dripped water from its edges.

Seele nervously chuckled, “Uh…s-sorr−”

The girl’s sweet voice softly rang out, hinted with a French accent, “Can you speak French?”

“E-eh?” wondered Seele. He stared at the French girl with a quiet and confused look.

“Well? Do you?” she asked again.

“Uh…” uttered Seele. He hesitantly held up his hand and loosely pinched the air, “a little?” Without warning, the French girl placed the bucket over his head, “Wha – Hey! What are you doing?!”

The French girl gripped at his arms and instantly yanked him inside the building. He disappeared with a crash and the French girl immediately slammed the door behind her. She shoved the bolt shut and slowly turned to Seele. He was covered in a pile of pots and pans. A bucket hovered in the air and turned left and right, with a voice nervously echoing from it.

“H-Hey? Who turned out the lights?! Bring them back on, I hate being in the dark!” cried Seele. Suddenly, the bucket popped off his head with the help of the girl’s hands. After a shake of his head, he sighed with relief, “Ah…thank you-uuuuuuuuu….” His gagged as he was closely stared at the French girl that – somewhat – abducted him. Seele nervously shook as the French girl examined his face, “Y-yes? Wh-what can I do for you…miss…”

“Lucia,” crisply replied the gentle-looking girl. She stood back up and gazed down at Seele, her arms folded, with a strange and hostile air, “My name is Lucia Agne…and you would be?”

Seele nervously rubbed the back of his head. He then noticed his hand was stuck in a glass jar, “Uh…Seele Rubilac…nice to make your acquaintance?”

“Don’t be,” replied Lucia, coldly, “for when I’m done with you, there will be no good reason to know you anymore.”

“Okay,” gulped Seele. Finally, he spared a second to look around him. He was in a kitchen, possibly of a grand restaurant. It was wide and spacious, housing all sorts of kitchen tables, stoves, and utensils. Pots, pans, knives, and all kinds of drinking glasses dangled from the ceiling; a hanging garden of kitchen items, “Um…where am I…if I am allowed to ask?”

Lucia sighed as her eyes closed, “Welcome to Sérénade de Lune, a French cuisine restaurant. This is one of the biggest restaurants that exist in this town and almost world-renown for its unique variations of French dishes…”

Seele nodded. He looked around again with curiosity, “Uh…is it a holiday or something today?”

“No. Why do you ask?” wondered Lucia, her tone still the same.

“Where’s all the other chefs?” asked Seele. True enough, the entire kitchen was void of life, expect for Lucia and Seele. Lucia did not answer right away, but rather stared at Seele with hostility.

“They’ve quit,” she finally answered, her words hard.

“Eh?”

“Everyone here…has given up their job because of a special guest…as well as the deadliest food critique of all time has arrived to our restaurant…”

“Who?”

Lucia hesitated and turned away, “A French noble by the name of…Raphael Sorel*.”

Seele nodded in understanding. He suddenly realized something, “Ra-Raphael?” Before he could ask any more questions, Lucia knelt down before him. She stared deeply at Seele, her expression of neutrality never changing. Yet, Seele could see something deep behind her shining blue eyes. He could not believe it. She was just as distressed as he was a moment ago.

Lucia took in a deep breath and lowered her gaze to the floor, “I…need your help…”

Author’s Notes

Raphael Sorel: One of the several main characters and fighters of the Soul Calibur series. His main weapon is a rapier, Flamberge, and he fights with deadly elegance and lethal accuracy. He has an adopted daughter named Amy, who is also a playable character in the series starting with Soul Calibur III.

Aider: In French it is the verb 'To Help'.