It used to be that the world was pretty simple. You could simply and easily
divide everyone into two groups - humans and pokewomen. Each state had distinct
traits and features.

That all changed around fifty years ago.

Scientists have been researching different things about pokewomon almost
since they existed. Some trying to find a way to turn pokewomen back into
humans, some trying to go the opposite direction, others trying to modify
this trait or that. But it was only then that they started having any success.
... Or so they thought.

In reality, they'd all created the same thing. And it spread. All sorts of
experiments were making them, some girls thresholded into them, some - like
me - were even born this way.

Someone's probably come up with an official name for it, but pretty much
everyone, including the scientists, call us "halflives". Not quite human,
but not quite pokewomon either. Some are obvious, while others, like me,
hide their differences below the surface. How much of the mind is human and
how much is pokewomon varies greatly. The one thing we all have in common is 
that we never seem to quite fit in with the rest of society.

Some try to live ordinary human lives, despite persecution. Some abandon 
themselves into the life of an ordinary pokewomon, simple but not necessarily 
fufilling. Some become hermits, living far away from unfriendly eyes. Some
become wanderers, whether to stay ahead of enemies or just to explore the
world. Some unlucky ones are captured, and face death or taming depending on
another's whims, for there are no laws that protect halflives. The luckiest
few find places where they are accepted, and can live out their lives in
peace.

And for some, the most powerful, the most determined, the most desperate, 
none of those are good enough. They travel the world, searching for the sword 
called Soul Edge...

The stories vary as to exactly what powers Soul Edge holds, but the one
that all agree on is that it lets it's wielder remake their physical form.
It is that power that causes so many to fight to obtain it. Relentlessly, 
they search for the tiniest clues, the vaguest rumors, anything that might 
lead them to the ultimate prize... to be able to become what they desire.
Of course, some of the stories say that Soul Edge is an evil artifact that
exists only to corrupt the spirits of whoever wields it, but that's just
a silly rumor, right?

And I just agreed to help someone I just met find it.

Why? For years I've stayed out of that battle, just exploring the world. I
don't want that power. What I am suits me, and I can't imagine living another
way. So why am I going into the fray now?

I guess maybe it's not enough for me either.

__X__

      THE LEGEND WILL NEVER DIE!!

              POKECALIBUR

    Coming soon from Morgan & Antares.

__X__

Disclaimer: Soul Edge created by Namco, as part of the games "Soulblade"
and "Soul Calibur", the latter of which also inspires the title of this
story.

Notes:

... Forthcoming. (God, I'm getting bad at this...)

-Morgan.
November 19, 2002.