Hall of the Warrior God (Soul Calibur)

After the assassination attempt Argos was sent discreetly out of the palace. There was a secret tunnel under the temple to the warrior god; there is where he was led by the captain of the king’s armies.

Argos stood in the shadows in front of the temple, a grand building built into the side of a mountain. He waited while the captain searched for the secret tunnel. Though it was night and he was in shadows he felt a little conspicuous, sure that the bandana over his mouth wasn’t really hiding much.

The captain rounded the corner and beckoned for Argos to follow to the side of the building where there was a small entrance leading downstairs.

“It’s pitch black,” said Argos.

“Careful down the stairs; it should be lit in the Hall of the Warrior God. Once you’re out of the tunnel head east, there should be a small village there.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded and watched the prince as he walked slowly and carefully down the steps.

Feeling unsafe in the darkness, Argos fingered the sword at his side; it was the same one he’d fought off the assassin with. He’d felt he owed it to his bodyguard to keep his sword safe; and if the sword could keep him safe then it was like Raiden was still protecting him.

He soon stepped off the stairs and into a narrow tunnel, it was dark but there was light up ahead. Following that light led Argos into the Hall of the Warrior God. “Wow,” he breathed out as he took in the enormous hall lined with blades that reached from floor to ceiling. He looked backward, seeing a dark pit he wondered what it was for. Looking forward again he stepped back startled at the man standing in the hall.

He looked a lot like Argos, down to similar clothes and sword.

“Who are you?” he asked loudly.

“Your replacement.”

His eyes widened. He turned back the way he’d come but had to step back as one of the large blades fell over in his way.

His attacker stepped from where the blade had stood to the middle of the hall.

Argos looked at the man scared.

“Let’s have a dual, winner gets to be the prince.”

“Well… if I must win to survive…”

“You must.”

Argos jumped aside as the man rushed forward. He kicked up at his face.

He held his sword out, blocking.

He brought his foot back down into the man’s head, knocking him down. He tried to run forward through the tunnel but the attacker rolled in front of him and leapt to his feet. Argos stepped back before jumping forward with a flurry of sword swings, all of which were blocked.

The assailant swung a powerful blow that, even though blocked, knocked Argos back a few feet.

After just barely keeping his footing, the prince ran forward for a jump attack.

He ducked and rolled forward under the attack.

Argos turned as soon as he landed and saw his doppelgänger lined up with the pit. Maybe that was what it was for… He rushed for him.

He blocked, expecting a sword swing.

Instead, when Argos reached him he leapt up with a series of spin kicks.

The attacker was sent up and caught in the kicks before falling back down, into the pit. His screams echoed quieter and quieter before falling silent

He landed on the edge, quickly leaning back to keep from falling in. After catching his breath he turned to face the hall. How had anyone known to attack him here?

The way back was blocked so no matter how dangerous and unknown the path ahead was there was only one option. He ran ahead.