Mai-Otome: Advent of Black Souls

Chapter 1: Dark Discovery

A/N: Alright! The sequel to Altered Destiny starts now! This is going to be really fun for me, since Soulcalibur is one of my favorite game series of all time. Lol as always please review and enjoy! DarkNovelist out.

Outskirts of the Republic of Aires, 1 Year After the Defeat of Daimonas.

"What? Ruins from the pre-immigrant era?" Notokishi asked. She was a woman in her mid 20's, had silver-lavender hair tied in a long ponytail, and wore a white and blue cloak. She sat in the back of limo, along with three others. To her right sat Verona Rosette, her best friend and personal bodyguard. Across from them sat a silver haired woman dressed like a maid with glasses, and a girl with long golden hair dressed in business attire.

"That's correct. Our research teams have discovered ruins that date back to that time." the golden haired girl replied. "I'm glad you accepted my invitation to accompany us, Princess Notokishi."

"Of course. My father likes to stay on good terms with his fellow leaders. Besides, I've never had the chance to visit your country, President Alyssa."

The golden haired girl smiled. "Do you like it? Miyu and I have been working our hardest to be as good a leader as mother. Haven't we, Miyu?"

"Yes, my lady." the maid said. The driver of the limo then announced that they had arrived at the excavation site.

As Miyu and Alyssa exited the car, Notokishi noticed Verona was fast asleep next to her. Honestly…

"Verona, wake up. We're here."

"Zzzzzz…..huh? Are we there yet?"

"Yes, we've just arrived."

Shaking herself awake, Verona accompanied Notokishi out of the limo. Before them stood a massive crater with what looked like the remains of an old castle at the bottom of it. As they began to descend into the crater, they failed to notice the tall black figure watching them from atop a nearby rock formation.

After walking for some time, the four arrived at the base of the crater. A man in a lab coat greeted them.

"Greetings Ms. President, Ms. Princess. My name is Professor Nasumora Juzuuke." the man said. "I am the chief archeologist here. Please, follow me. I'll give you a tour of the site."

The professor lead the group around the ruined castle, showing them various chambers. As they continued to look around, the mysterious figure from earlier followed them closely, clinging to the shadows. Soon the group arrived at what looked like the throne room of the castle.

"This is the last of what we've uncovered. We're still working on this room." Nasumora announced. "Do be careful in here, we're not quite sure everything is stable."

The group split up to take a look around. Notokishi and Alyssa went over to inspect the remains of a throne.

"Hey, what's that?" Notokishi said, pointing at a strange looking spike protruding from the wall behind the throne. Alyssa walked over to the spike to get a better look.

"It looks like the tip of a sword." Alyssa put her hand on the spike. It began to glow a deep crimson at her touch, and within moments the entire ground around her was shaking. Sensing she was in danger, Miyu was immediately at Alyssa's side, holding her away from the shaking wall.

"My lady, are you alright?"

"I'm fine Miyu."

Professor Juzuuke walked toward the wall. "What did you do?" he demanded angrily.

Suddenly, the wall exploded. When the dust settled, a monstrous figure stood where the wall once stood. The figure was as 6 feet tall and wore a dark blue armor, almost like a knight's. His right arm was large and covered in spines, and three huge talons replaced his right hand. In his normal left hand, he held a large sinister looking sword. Near the hilt of the blade, a horrific yellow eye sat surveying the room.

"I…live…once more…" the monster knight said.

"Who are you?" Prof. Juzuuke asked the figure.

The knight looked at everyone in the room. Then he turned back toward the professor, and raised his sword.

"Wait!"

The knight brought his sword down, cutting the professor in half. As his lifeless body hit the floor, the knight spoke again, "More…need more souls!"

The knight readied his sword again, and lunged at the others. Verona and Notokishi leapt to the side, dodging the attack. Miyu shoved Alyssa aside and replaced her right arm with a sword, stopping the knight's sword inches above her head. The knight withdrew his sword, then with great speed thrust it at Miyu's unguarded stomach. The blade stuck into Miyu.

"Now, your soul belongs to my blade!" the knight shouted triumphantly. Then to his surprise, Miyu's left arm converted into a small mini-gun and fired a small burst of bullets into him. The knight leapt back in pain.

"How do you still live? What are you?"

"I am an android, monster. I do not have a soul, and I do not feel pain."

"You have no soul? Then get out of my way!" the knight swung his right arm at Miyu, knocking her into a wall. Then he switched his gaze to the other three. Notokishi stood behind Verona, who had activated her Robe, while Alyssa stood alone and unguarded, horrified at seeing her friend so easily thrashed about. The knight charged at Alyssa. Verona swung at her shuriken elements at the knight to stop him, but was swatted aside by a slash from the knight's massive sword. Stuck in the wall she had landed in, Miyu saw the knight standing before Alyssa.

"Lady Alyssa! Run!" Miyu yelled, struggling to free herself from the wall. Alyssa stood unmoving, paralyzed with fear. Miyu watched in horror as the knight raised his sword and swung at Alyssa, sending her flying across the floor. Alyssa rolled over a few times, twitched once, then was still. A pool of blood began to form around her body.

"NO!"

The knight now turned to Notokishi, who was kneeling next to Verona. The knight's attack had slammed her into the throne, rendering her unconscious.

"Now, your souls will belong to Soul Edge as well." the knight said, approaching the two.

"Verona! Verona! Wake up!" Notokishi yelled, shaking her injured friend. Just as the knight was about to enter striking distance, an unknown voice called out, "That's far enough, monster!"

Notokishi and the knight turned toward the newcomer, and saw a woman in a black cloak.

"Who goes there?" the knight demanded.

"One who seeks to destroy the demon blade in your hand, the accursed Soul Edge!" the woman threw off her cloak, revealing bandages that covered her upper body to the base of her chin. She had short black hair, orange eyes, a large black sword, and from her back four great black wings unfurled.

"K-Kaia?" Notokishi said in surprise.

The winged woman smiled and gazed at her. "Hello sis, its been a while."

"You're alive! But how? I saw you die right in front of me!"

"There will be time to explain later, right now I must deal with him and Soul Edge."

"You know of this blade? Good. Perhaps taking your soul will be a challenge!" the knight said, lunging at Kaia. Kaia drew her own sword, and met the strike with equal force. The two stood, blades locked. Unable to push each other back, they leapt apart.

"I sense a particular energy from your sword, similar to Soul Edge. Unless its form has changed, it cannot be the spirit blade. What weapon is that in your hands?" the knight asked.

"This is the sword of black dreams, which I have given the name 'Angheol'. Its will and my will are one, and we shall destroy you!"

"So, I am not the only one…if your blade strikes mine once more, then you will have condemned this world to damnation and death. Withdraw now! I will not be merciful a second time!"

"Withdraw? And let you kill my sister and friend? I don't think so!" Kaia poured her fury into a second strike at the knight. The knight raised Soul Edge to stop the strike, and the blades met once more.

"Fool! Now you will know the Evil Seed's wrath!" the entire chamber began to shake violently, and the two swords began to glow. Suddenly, a great red light burst with tremendous force, blowing apart the room and scattering its occupants.

Outside, a column of red light could be seen from every country on Earl. The Evil Seed has sprouted, bringing forth a great darkness once more.