| English |
| РАССКАЗЫ (STORIES) |
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| Краткий обзор серии (Series overview) |
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| Часть 1 (Part 1) |
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| Часть 2 (Part 2) |
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| Часть 3 (Part 3) |
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| Часть 4 (Part 4) |
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| Часть 5 (Part 5) |
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| Часть 6 (Part 6) |
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| Эпилог (Epilogue) |
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Dark Blade
Prologue
Somewhere in the deep darkness of nonexistence...
Soul Edge: - For hundreds of years your abilities have been giving me forces, but now I am destroyed... demolished... divided... I can no longer feed myself with souls.
???: - What do you want from me?
Soul Edge: - Help me to come back to life. You are the only one, who can do it.
???: - I'll help... but on my terms...
The return of the swords
Years have passed since the failed attempt by demons to invade the World of Mortals. Everything had gradually been coming to norm - means peace and tranquility. Alexander was traveling the world of mortals and, on his way, staying at different cities, he took orders to exterminate evil things that were hampering the calm human existence. After one of many assignments which he was paid well enough, demon had some rest in tavern. Some locals were sitting at the next table and loudly discussing news and rumors. One of the stories caught Alexander's attention:
- From the west, rumors began to spread about a new Nightmare and a cursed sword.
Jessica attacks Alexander
Alexander decided it was all human imagination because he was one of the few who destroyed the swords and personally sealed the splinters in the three worlds. Those swords were impossible to be brought to life without his participation. He had thought that way until Jessica found him. The breathless dragon rushed into tavern and looked around. Upon noticing Alexander she exhaled:
- Finally! I have long been looking for you.
She made a stern look and approached him. Alexander got up to greet his old friend but Jessica skipped to the point at no time and pinned the demon to the wall.
Jessica: - Why?! Tell me! Why have you done that?!
Puzzled Alexander was numbly watching the infuriated dragoness.
Jessica: - Don't act a fool here! I know it was you! No one but you could have broken the seal!
She already was on her way to punch the demon but he managed to block her strike.
Alexander: - What are you talking about?! Calm down and explain, would you!
Jessica came to senses and understood that she was a bit fast to blame him. So she told everything to the demon:
- This happened a few weeks ago. I returned from another trip and found the guards guarding the fragments killed. The fire seal was broken, and the fragments of Soul Edge and Soul Calibur were stolen. No one else could break the seal from the swords except you. Without wasting any time, I went looking for you.
Alexander and Jessica
Alexander listened the story till the end and was somber about the heard:
- So the rumors won't lie...
Together they went to the cave where the fragments of the swords were sealed. Alexander looked everything there on the scene of invasion. The enemy had a huge power if he could overcome the guardians and manage to break the fire demon seal so easily. Still, looking at the traces of the battle the unknown thief appeared there not coming into the doors of the repository but from the site of the splinters that were guarded.
The new menace
On the way to the city, Lexa caught up with them. The demoness went to World of Mortals in search of Alexander, but instead found him in the company of Jessica. Lexa looked at Alexander's companion with a bit of jealousy.
Lexa: - No way, someone could have stolen the dragon's gold?
Even though Jessica helped Lexa save Alexander in the past, this is not a reason to travel together. The dragoness tried to ignore the jealous jabs directed at herself and got down to business:
- It's much worse. The sword fragments have disappeared.
As it turns out, something strange is also happening in Demon World. Queen Lily ordered Lexa to urgently find Alexander.
Lexa: - That is the case of grave importance. You both have to come with me immediately.
She opened the portal and all three followed to the Demon World. But nothing new was found out. Lily told much the same story as Jessica:
- Two days ago the fragments of swords were stolen. The demonic guard that was there to protect them, found dead. Abaddon was seriously wounded in the fight with the unknown.
Abaddon fights with unknown
The team and the queen went to infirmary to quest the only witness of the attack - Abaddon. Wounded demon told his visitors how he met the thief:
- I don't know how the thief managed to break into the castle. He easily removed the fire seal from the fragments, as if he had sealed them himself. Horns and wings gave him away as a demon. I didn't see his face. He was like a shadow created by Abigor - black as darkness itself. And at the same time, his silhouette seemed familiar to me. But I don’t remember where and when I saw him. He was fierce, and his strength was comparable to yours, Alexander. I fought as hard as I could, but he was too much for me. I can't understand why he didn't kill me? He had the opportunity, but he spared me.
Alexander: - But Abigor stayed in the Astral Chaos and could never come back by himself.
Abaddon and Lily
Abaddon was silent for awhile, most likely considering that episode:
- I don’t know who we’re dealing with, but if this demon stole swords so easily in the Mortal World and from the queen’s castle, then his next step will probably be an attack on Heaven's vault. And if the first two attacks can be hidden, then the demon's invasion of Heaven...
Lily finished his thought being enlightened by the effects:
- ...It would be just the same as if we'd declare war. You must hurry and warn them.
And the Heaven would blaze
Alexander, Lexa and Jessica requested an audience with the council of angels. The guards escorted them to the waiting room and told them to wait there.
Jessica: - I wonder if we would be lucky to meet Angelina here. I have not seen her in a while.
Lexa got nervous a bit. She was afraid the Alexander could meet his daughter he knows nothing about even up to know here. But Angelina was on a mission to the World of Mortals and it brought calamity. The Demoness understood that it was silly to hide Alexander's children and information about them from him. The stream of her thoughts was interrupted by the massive explosion.
Master of Dark Blade
Just the moment before that the black demon destroyed the fire seal. The massive explosion went as thunder in council building. Having scattered the angelic guards, the demon took the missing fragments of the swords. Merged together, the particles created a new weapon - the Dark Blade. The demon himself stopped being only the dark silhouette. Dark-blue skin, white hair and beard, black horns, blood-red shine in his eyes and black armor with turquoise shimmer. Without wasting time, the demon headed to the hall where the highest council of angels had just gathered.
- Nexus...?! It can't be! The highest demon is dead! - astonished shouts were heard.
Nexus: - It's payback time!
The Demon spread his wings, raised his sword and attacked the council members. Angels were not even able to react. The guardians who came here on time were beaten too.
Having noticed the fuzz among the warriors of light, Alexander, Lexa and Jessica rushed the others. They rushed into the council hall but it was all too late. Tongues of flame rose up to the high arches, and a demon hovered proudly above the pile of burning bodies. He was holding the massive black sword in his hands.
Nexus: - My beloved... The Highest Council is destroyed. Revenge is fulfilled.
Having noticed the newcomers he raised his sword. The Dark Blade flared up, plunging everything into pitch darkness.
Redemption
When the darkness left there was neither demon nor the sword.
Jessica: - We are late.
Lexa looked around:
- I am afraid this is not the most terrible thing...
The uninvited guest left nothing but the blood and fire. Alexander, Lexa and Jessica were surrounded by the angels who rushed here. They all got their weapons out at first, but understanding what can this conflict lead to they decided to surrender.
The destruction of the council is a serious crime that would be upon the heads of the forces of the darkness who arrived to heaven that day. Jessica who is not the demon was trying to explain the reason of their visit and asked to give her time to deal with the situation. Warriors of light reluctantly agree:
- We will not start a war if the criminal is brought to justice.
Alexander had nothing but starting the reaches of the demon named Nexus. But where to start looking? Lexa suggested that we first find out who this Nexus was? With Lily's permission, they received access to the castle's secret archives. But everything turned out to be in vain. No information about the Nexus was found anywhere. Not a single mention. Maybe this is not a demon at all, but just an image created by a cursed blade? After all, both Alexander and even for some time his brother Abigor used the sword. And Soul Edge could calmly bestow their appearance on the new owner. Searches in the archives were unsuccessful, but news came from Jessica. She seems to have found out the location of the demon she was looking for.
Dark Blade
Nexus summoning his army
Now Nexus had all fragments. He created a brand new super powerful weapon. The force of two powerful blades in one Dark Blade. Soul Edge, fed with grudge and yearning for vengeance from the the demon, got it's power over Nexus. Having received such power, the demon summoned all kinds of creatures and monsters, after which he led an army across the World of Mortals, leaving behind only death. Soul Edge being too hungry was feeding itself with the soul of the fallen. But the demon was not counting one thing in his plan... Having got all the splinters of Soul Edge he got all the splinters of Soul Calibur but that did not give the new sword more power. The more powerful the dark side of the blade was becoming, the more powerful was becoming the bright side of the sword. It was the perfect weapon, but not for the Nexus who was deeply into the vengeance. The spirits of the two swords were tearing its forces apart. Finally, the Dark Blade led Nexus and his army to the Denever Castle where one of the owners of the cursed blade was once destroyed.
The news about that action spread in the nearest cities fast and in few days it reached Jessica. At sunset on the last day of the search, Alexander, Lexa and Jessica stepped onto the threshold of the castle.
Alexander: - Our enemy is hiding here...
Jessica: - Does the fate of the worlds depend on the outcome of the upcoming battle?
The demon nodded.
Lexa: - We'll do everything we can.
As soon as they came in to the castle the gates were closed. Nexus came up to the top and raised the Dark Blade. Just when he did that, all kinds of monsters and different unknown creatures crawled from the holes of the castle. Nexus was watching with no passion as that happened.
Jessica and Lexa prepare for battle
Lexa: - We can handle it! And you take care of their commander.
Alexander raised his sword:
- Fine! I leave them to you!
Ladies looked at each other and withdrew their weapons. Alexander rushed, cutting his way through to the gates of the tower. Lexa and Jessica covered him from behind and protected the approach to the tower as the demon disappeared inside.
Revelations
The black blood spattered the wall of the tower. The bulky body of the beheaded monster fell and it's head rolled down the stairs. The noise in the tower died down. The path was clear. Alexander shook the blood off his sword and walked to the top of the tower. There, in the open area, stood alone a demon whom the angels called Nexus.
Alexander
Alexander: - I don't know who you are, but for attacking the dragon vault, demon queen's castle, stealing the cursed blades, causing chaos in the World of Mortals, and also for trying to start a war between the worlds , you are condemned to death.
Nexus calmly turned around:
- Finally we met...
For a minute the demons looked at each other, studying. Once upon a time, in the castle of Devil, Alexander already encountered this demon.
Alexander: - How did you manage to get close to the sword fragments?
Nexus: - Astral Chaos.
Alexander: - Portal... I could have guessed.
Nexus nodded:
- The sword opened passages to sealed fragments. Removing the fire seal is not a problem for me.
Alexander put forward sword.
Nexus tells his story
Nexus: - Before we begin, please listen to me. What I tell you will help you better understand the reasons for what is happening.
Alexander slowly lowered his weapon, but still frowned at Nexus:
- I'm listening...
Nexus: - You are not the first renegade demon who betrayed the ideals of his home world. But, first things first... Many centuries ago, the ruler of Demon World - the Devil - and I were allies. No... even more - we were good friends. Under his rule, I managed to pave the way to glory and become one of the most powerful generals. Soon, albeit not for long, I started a family. I met a demoness, fell in love, and we got married. We have a son. The demon was named Abaddon.
Alexander quickly realized what he was leading to, but did not show it.
Elena and Nexus
Nexus: - There was a war going on, and I spent almost all my time on the front line. And then I received a letter... It said that my wife had died. Accident - she became an accidental victim of an attack by a robber. Abaddon was left alone. Instead of taking care of the child, I chose to stay in the war. I understand that it was selfish on my part to leave the upbringing of my son to teachers and nannies... Time healed my heart wounds, and I was even able to fall in love again. Her name was Elena, and she was an angel. We were sworn enemies, and we had to fight each other in battle more than once. But over time, an indescribable connection developed between us, which only grew stronger over the years. Unions between creatures of Light and Darkness are strictly prohibited, but we managed to meet in secret in the World of Mortals. As a result of these meetings, you appeared... Alexander... The name you bear was given to you by your mother.
Alexander frowned.
Nexus: - I see this is not news to you.
Alexander: - I've already heard something about my origin.
Nexus fights against Devil
Nexus: - Well... You were born a demon, and a demon has no place in Heaven. Therefore, I had to take you to the world that is familiar to you. When the angels learned of the forbidden union between an angel and a demon, Elena was cast out of Heaven. She lost her wings and became a wanderer in the World of Mortals. The news of our connection reached the lord of the Demon World. Devil was furious. But I, as his devoted general, was given a chance to atone for the mistake. Devil saw you as both a strong ally and a dangerous enemy. After all, you inherited both my strength and the strength of your mother. I was ordered to found a Fraternity Of Hell that would faithfully serve for the good of the Demon World and at the same time keep an eye on you. Blood brothers... Naturally, no one said anything to your brothers, and they lived in ignorance about your origin and their destiny. A candidate for the role of mother for the third son was found immediately. The demoness of darkness, personally chosen by Devil, became the mother of Abigor. The power that the young demon received from her amazed the ruler. But this was not enough for him. You grew, and your power grew. Unlike Abaddon, you received my ability to control fire. Once again they found me a strong demoness, and soon Bloodian was born. On pain of death, I was forbidden to have contact with you and your brothers. Even my existence was hidden from you four. Devil deliberately sent me to distant lands and worlds to keep me away. And when I returned, I should have kept a low profile. You don’t know this, but after you left the Brotherhood, Devil quickly found the reason for your betrayal. It was he who gave the order to your brothers to find you. I didn't want any unnecessary fuss. If the demons knew that one of the high-ranking generals at court was capable of betrayal... In addition, the ruler himself decided to find and destroy me and Elena in the World of Mortals. I couldn't allow this. I had to fight Devil. I was mortally wounded, but with the last of my strength I defeated my opponent, thereby depriving the Demon World of its ruler. So the reign passed to Devil's daughter, Lily. And my name was erased from history as an apostate and traitor. That day I saw my beloved for the last time...
Alexander frowned.
Nexus: - I see this is not news to you.
Alexander: - I've already heard something about my origin.
Father and son
Alexander listened carefully to his father's story.
Nexus: - But I didn't disappear completely. The souls I collected during my life did not allow my disembodied essence to disappear. For many years they fueled me. In the end, my disembodied wandering through the World of Mortals ended when I was absorbed by Soul Edge. For hundreds of years I was captured by a cursed sword, and it used my power to devour the souls of people. But after Soul Edge and Soul Calibur were defeated, the exhausted spirit of the cursed sword turned to me for help. And in exchange for freedom, I agreed. I regained my physical form, becoming the new host of the reborn Soul Edge. First of all, I wanted to find my beloved. But he was too late... When it turned out that she not only had a relationship with the demon, but also gave birth to a child who later became a member of the Brotherhood, the highest council of Heaven did not stand on ceremony... Those for whom she had fought for so many years punished her. With the support of Soul Edge at my disposal, I wanted only one thing - revenge. To do this, I collected all the parts of the swords, creating a new weapon. Dark Blade... But through my weakness, the sword gained new strength. The Dark Blade has gotten the better of me. Now that my love is dead and my revenge done, I have no reason left to exist. Neither in this world, nor in the Demon World... Now I am just the new carrier of the insatiable reborn Soul Edge. And you're here to put an end to it.
Nexus fell silent, thereby drawing a line under his story, and raised a wide sword with a dark blade. The huge eye at the base of the blade stared predatorily at Alexander.
The decisive battle
The Decisive Battle
The battle began. Alexander and Nexus were not inferior to each other - they attacked, defended themselves, evaded blows, and used the hidden forces of fire. The ringing from the swords and the fiery explosions echoed through the stilled castle. Exhausted by intense battle, the opponents jumped to the opposite sides of the arena. Finally, Nexus smirked and rushed forward with an animal roar. Alexander did the same. Demons collided in the center of the arena. Swords screeched last time, and a bright flash for a moment lit up the sunset sky over the castle. When the light faded, and the dust settled, the father and son stood a few steps back to each other. From multiple wounds of Alexander's body blood flowed.
Alexander: - You're strong...
Nexus grinned:
- You too... Heh-heh... Khihhhaaa...!
Nexus clutched his stomach. He lowered his gaze - the armor was broken, and blood was flowing from the huge wound on his chest. Nexus struggled to lift his sword above his head, and thrust it into the floor with as if it were an unbearable burden. The wounded demon sank to the stone floor and leaned back against his weapon.
Nexus: - Heh... You did it... As I thought.
Alexander turned and saw the defeated enemy. He slowly went to him. Nexus looked up:
- To rid the world of such evil... Yes... Elena would want that too... She would be proud of you..., - he coughed up blood, - I'm glad. .. that you are my son... You have fulfilled your duty... Thank you...
Nexus reached out his hand to his son, but his strength left him, and this time finally. Alexander stood still for a few moments silently and looked at his fallen father, whom he had never seen or known before. The demon took several steps toward the sword. The body of Nexus has already begun to burn, leaving behind only the petals of the ashes. The Dark Blade gently smoldered behind him. Alexander, who lost a lot of strength in battle, staggered, dropped his weapon and fell on his knee. His head was spinning with fatigue and loss of blood. The last thing the demon saw before completely losing consciousness was the growing scarlet glow emitted by the Dark Blade.
The return
Gratitude
Somewhere in the darkness a light flashed. In it loomed a female silhouette with white wings behind. The maiden noticed the demon's bewildered look and turned around. It was beautiful face of a woman with sad eyes. She smiled, nodding slowly, and said:
- Thank you.
Alexander: - Ma... ma...
Be it a dream or a vision, but it broke off abruptly. Alexander woke up. The sun has already sunk over the horizon. The sky was tightened by low thunderclouds, and in some places large drops were already breaking against the old stone of the castle.
Next to Alexander there was alarmed Lexa. Demoness used healing potions and bandaged the wounds of the demon. Noticing that he woke up, she smiled, and tears appeared in her eyes. Lexa worried about Alexander, and was immensely happy that he survived. Somewhere nearby Jessica was bustling. She looked around all the nooks and crannies of the tower site, threw away cobblestones and finally said in disappointment:
- It's nowhere to be found. It's seemed to have evaporated.
The Dark Blade disappeared at the very moment when Alexander lost consciousness. What happened and where Nexus's sword went remains a mystery. Perhaps it, like his owner, burned out, but if not, he will soon appear somewhere again.
Lexa and Alexander
Alexander: - This demon... He said he was my father.
Lexa: - What?!
Alexander: - I never knew any of my parents. But now... I began to understand myself a little.
Lexa: - A child who did not know his parents...
Demoness realized that with revelations about the children to pull on and there is no sense:
- Alexander... I've been wanting to tell you something important for a long time... You know... Then...
The demon turned to the embarrassed Lexa, who struggled to pick up the words, and smiled:
- Lex... Do not rush... We'll still have time for revelations...
Encouraged by such a turn, Lexa nodded in response. Jessica looked at the pair of demons in bewilderment.
Jessica: - So you guys... together? Wait a minute...! So it turns out...
She quickly realized who was the father of Angelina and Demian. And she was ready to voice her theory when Lexa pounced on the dragon, and tried to plug that mouth.
Lexa: - Quiet, you, lizard!
Jessica: - Lizard?! Who did you call a lizard?! I'm a dragon!
Alexander burst out laughing.
Epilogue
Alexander and Jessica settled in a large european town. There were no more sword fragments, and therefore Jessica was no longer tied to a specific place. She invited the demon to open his own business. According to the dragon, it is better to have a permanent place where people could apply for help if necessary.
Jessica: - Demons and Dragons: The Evil Spirits Hunters"! That sounds good? Yes, I think so! We accept the task, take the deposit, destroy the target, get a reward! Gold will flow to us by the river!
She, like the daughter of a dragon, knew a lot about gold. Alexander resisted for a long time, but after much persuasion persevering dragon, he reluctantly agreed.
Lexa, when she had free time, visited them and even undertook to help in their common cause. After she finally revealed to Alexander the truth about the existence of children, the misunderstanding between the demons disappeared. Alexander became closer to Lexa. For the first time in a long time, the demoness could breathe easy.
Remark
This text was written in the period from 22 July 2016 to 4 January 2017, translated to english in 15 April 2017.
For English translation of first half of story MY SPECIAL THANKS to my friend Mikomi Jade. The second half of story I translated by myself. So I apologize for any grammatical errors.
| РАССКАЗЫ (STORIES) |
|---|
| Краткий обзор серии (Series overview) |
|
| Часть 1 (Part 1) |
|
| Часть 2 (Part 2) |
|
| Часть 3 (Part 3) |
|
| Часть 4 (Part 4) |
|
| Часть 5 (Part 5) |
|
| Часть 6 (Part 6) |
|
| Эпилог (Epilogue) |
|