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Ling-Sheng Su Temple Ruin
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The Ling-Sheng Su Temple, famous in the world of matial arts, is located deep within the Chinese mainland.
A few years ago, this historic temple was suddenly destroyed. The influence of the Evil Seed, released by the Soul Edge in a land far to the west, drove the monks of the temple insane, and they tore each other apart with their well-honed combat skills. In this way, the proud Ling-Sheng Su temple vanished.
Giant watermills line the sides of this steep ravine.
These majestic waterwheels catch the flowing torrent of clean water and generate power to aid those who live in this harsh, mountainous terrain. The waterwheels also pump water to irrigate fields. The bountiful water that is drawn up passes through an old aqueduct facility and is carried to the other side of the mountains.
Was it this human ingenuity of borrowing the power of nature to improve life that captured Talim's heart when she visited this place? Or was it perhaps seeing that water--a different type of power from that of the wind she worshipped--also flowed throughout the world?
The mansion of Count Valentine appears to be dark and abandoned, but a light flickers in one corner of the building. Ivy, adopted daughter of the late Count, now uses it as an alchemic workshop and a place for her experiments with magic. The Count had pursued Soul Edge as the key to immortality, but his daughter ascertained that what her father had sought was an evil sword that devoured souls. She swore to destroy it, and in this place the peculier sword dubbed the "Ivy Blade" was born.
And now, having learned of the existance of a sword that opposes Soul Edge, Ivy has holed up in her room. There, she pours over her books, making use of all of her knowledge to research the spirit sword, Soul Calibur. Surely it will not be long before she sets out on a journey in search of further knowledge.
A stone clock tower that stands at the corner of a quiet temple outside the edge of town. Inside, a complex arrangement of machinery creaks along, ceaselessly ocunting each passing second. The inside of the rarely-visited tower is dark and gloomy, but light shines in from a window near the top of the clock mechanism brightens up a section of the tower.
After this tower was built, a man began to visit this place. This habit has not changed over the course of his countless lives. He will come here again, to this place where the steady rhythm of machinery counting away the seconds is all that can be heard. For this man who has lost his sense of time over the course of his countless lives, it may be that this is the only place where he can truly feel the passage of time.
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Eurydice Temple - Gate of the Gods
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The gods of Olympus are long forgotten and no longer worshipped. But a number of phenomena confirm that they once existed. This temple in the clouds is one of them. This circular temple, said to have been constructed by the god of the forge, Hephaestus himself, stands at the peak of a mountain. Around the sides of the mountain spirals a giant stairway.
People constructed a corridor for human use beside the stairway of the gods, for those who came to worship at the mountain peak. In the front of the base of the stairs stands a temple marking the entrance to that corridor. It has been a great long time since this temple was constructed to call the gods to this place, but even those who visit it now will surely be awe-struck by its beauty.
Deep in the Himalayan mountains, upstream of a cold mountain river, lives a legendary sword master. It was quite some time ago that this old man chose to spend the remainder of his life in this old cave temple. He continues to live eternally.
And now, in order to control the power of the evil sword that he had absorbed, a young apprentice devotes himself to training in his place. Once the apprentice's fierce training is complete, he will set out once again to challenge the cursed sword. What thoughts will go through the mind of the old man as he sends Kilik on his way?
The flowing water that has watched the old man for so long offers up no words, merely continuing to flow as it always has.
If you want to check out larger art of the stages, try the Stages section in the image gallery.
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It resembles many others, yet it is like nothing else. A magnificent palace of water that seems to contain every form of architecture known to Europe. No one knows who made it or where it is located. However, it is said that only those with a strong will and a willingness to bet their own lives can reach it.
The great volume of water that flows through it is always circulating and pure, and it is said that it cleanses those who come here to pray. Siegfried seeks a showdown with Soul Edge and atonement for his own sins. Pursuing him, Nightmare, too, reaches this place. Will this holy palace of water be the end of both their journeys?
The Murakami Navy of the inner seas became famous during Japan's warring states period. But when the country was united under Hideyoshi Toyomi and he issued his proclamation against piracy, they were slowly robbed of their power.
The final resistance put forth by the Murakami forces of Noujima was met by the Kuki Navy, who have suffered in the past at the hands of the Murakami. Both sides fought fiercely in a series of sea battles. While originally hold the advantage, the Murakami forces of Noujima eventually began to be pressed back by the Kuki forces. The Kuki forces were backed by Hideyoshi, the effective leader of Japan, and in the end, the Murakami finally yielded.
In the records of this conflict, one can find the name Heishiro Mitsurugi. At the beginning of the conflict, he had supported the Murakami forces.
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Ostrheinsburg Castle - Battlement
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Much time has passed since this proud, once-impregnable fortress, with its four citadels, was reduced to ruin. The scars left by a swarm of giant siege engines several years ago tell the tale of the horror of war. After losing its first lord and falling into ruin, this castle was occupied by a terrible master known as the azure knight.
The chaos of war, and then the azure knight, filled this land with bitter hatred. A miasmal fog still lingers over the castle even after the knight has left.
It is said that this land avoided even by wild beasts, feels like home to those who have accepted evil into their hearts. Those who visit this place will surely see the dark birds that gather at the top of the tower of this crumbling castle.
There is an island with no known name that occasionally becomes the topic of rumors told at pubs. Beneath this island that floats in the Mediterranean Sea is a giant vertical shaft at least 50 meters deep that was dug in secrecy. There, along with countless traps to stop intruders, lies a great fortune. The rumors say that this place belonged to Vercci, the wealthy Italian merchant. It is said that he disappeared into the sea along with his fleet of ships and that he sleeps here now, together with his treasure...but no one has confirmed the truth. Those who have foolishly ventured into the pit have paid for their overconfidence with their lives, returning not with treasure, but only wounds carved into their bodies. As the wounds had obviously been made by a blade, the rumors eventually began to include tales of a mysterious guardian.
Rumors of the reappearance of the Azure Knight have cast a dark shadow across Europe. This time, the damage he has wrought is even greater than before, reaching across the sea all the way to Egypt.
For the sake of repairing numerous temples that have been damaged by unknown hands, people and materials have been gathered from across the land, but among these workers, rumors persist that the destruction was caused by sword.
In his pursuit of the Azure Knight, Yun-seong hears these rumors and sneaks into a temple under repair. He needs to see the damage before the repairs are complete. Will he find that it was in fact caused by the Azure Knight, as he suspects?
Originally constructed as a retreat for the Ming Emperor, this garden is now a large park open to the public.
Most of the area is made up of water, and a combination of bridges and peninsulas creates a depp, complex landscape.
The view from the palace in front, the former residence of the royal family, is especially beautiful, entertaining visitors along with the blossoms of the four seasons.
Currently, the park is under the management of a powerful, elderly general of the Ming Empire. Thanks to the kindness of the general, Xianghua now trains secretly here amid the morning mist.
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