Template:FanCharOwnership Helen Flanders (ヘレン・フランダース, Heren Furandāsu) is a fan character in the Soul series of fighting games that was created by Hyper Zergling. She has made her appearances in Soul Calibur: Rise of the Archdemon, Soul Calibur: Circle of Legends, and Soul Calibur: Blades of War, and has made non-canon appearances in Soul Calibur: Rise of Omega, Soul Calibur: The Future War, Soul Calibur: Rise of Legends, and Soul Calibur: Legendary Battle. She can also be created in Soul Calibur IV's and Soul Calibur V's Character Creations.
What lies in her soul is Discipline. In Soul Calibur V's promotional material she would be referred to as The Enigmatic Black Knight.
History
Helen was born to Jan Flanders and his wife, and was raised in an upper-class family. Although she was raised as an only child, Helen was told that she had an older sister who went missing before she was born. Helen's mother was then taken by sickness when Helen was ten years old. On the night of her 22nd birthday, Helen was introduced to Xie Tian, who was a young warrior under the command of her father. During her birthday celebration, several assassins were discovered. While Jan and several other knights fought the assassins, he ordered Xie Tian to escort Helen away. Soon, the assassins were all killed, allowing Xie Tian and Helen to return to Jan's location. Unfortunately, he died fighting. The origin of the assassins were fortunately identified, having been sent from a duke named Henri, who had the intention of eliminating the House of Habsburg’s best military leaders. After Jan's death, both Helen and Xie Tian discovered that they were betrothed by his will. Xie Tian, feeling guilty for Helen's sadness, decided to leave it up to her to decide who she would marry.
Helen then requested Xie Tian to teach her how to fight so she could avenge her father and also not need to rely on others to defend herself. Xie Tian was initially reluctant, but also considered the idea of avenging someone he had much respect in, so he agreed to train Helen in combat. After the first six months of training, Xie Tian taught Helen how to wield a wodao – the closest Chinese equivalent of a European longsword, so that she could honor her father by wielding his blade; granted, one edge had to be dulled lest Helen injure herself. When Helen’s training was complete, both she and Xie Tian gathered several warriors serving the House of Habsburg to assassinate Henri. Helen, Xie Tian, and their fellow soldiers fought through Henri’s guards and confronted Henri himself. Helen impaled him through the gut, seemingly ending his life.
All of this time, Helen and Xie Tian grew very close to each other. After their victory, they decided to marry, not just out of Jan's will, but also out of love. One year after their marriage, they had a child named Owen. A few years later, Xie Tian left the household in search of a way to destroy the Soul Calibur and Soul Edge.
Soul Calibur IV
Concerned for her husband, Helen went to find Xie Tian and left her son to under the care of the House of Habsburg to temporarily care for. On the first night of her journey, she arrived at a town of fleeing and dead civilians, only to encounter Nightmare. In the sword clashing, she chipped off shards from the Soul Edge, which all struck her. Helen was soon overpowered, and Nightmare prevailed and attempted to claim her soul; however, he was unable to. Given up, he left Helen for dead and moved on.
The power of the shards quickly healed Helen and increased her strength. She even underwent physical changes, such as change in eye color. Helen finally found her husband, and aided him in fighting armies of Soul Edge's minions. Within the conflict, they briefly fought side-by-side with Sakura, Syaoran, and Leandra, and spoke of fighting for a better future for their children.
Soul Calibur V
Through their efforts, they eventually witnessed the destruction of the Soul Edge. At the start of the temporary peace, Helen returned to her son with her husband. As Helen was malfested, she went far from home, for fear that the Soul Edge shards lodged inside her would drive her to insanity. Helen found a new home in the Americas, in a small abandoned castle. There, she formed a small mercenary group called the Lions’ Pride in order to keep watch on potential dangers that could cause Soul Edge to be reborn.
Nine months after the defeat of Nightmare, Helen gave birth to a daughter, who she named Marja. The child was clearly not human as a result of Helen's malfestation, but being a mother, Helen gave Marja just as much love as she gave Owen. Wanting to keep her daughter out of danger from fearful humans, Helen made sure she left the castle as little as possible.
When Marja reached the age of two years, Helen traveled to her friend, Sakura, to see if she could help the demon queen in reclaiming her kingdom. When Helen, with a small fighting force with her, found Sakura, she saw that she, Syaoran, and their two children were under attack by malfested warriors. Helen and her mercenaries made quick work of the malfested, securing the safety the family.
Seventeen years after the destruction of Soul Edge, the number of malfested in Europe began increasing, prompting Helen to return to her home continent with most of her mercenaries. Helen had ordered the remaining subordinates to keep watch over Marja. Upon arriving at Europe, a group of Helen's spies found the unconscious Acheron, and brought him to Helen. When Acheron woke up, he and Helen went through brief introductions. Helen eventually asked Acheron to join the Lions' Pride; he agreed, as long as his presence was kept secret from his sister, Leandra.
Only a few days later, Helen coincidentally met up with Leandra, who she had not seen for many years. Leandra had fairly recently learned a new fighting style, and Helen agreed to help test the acquired skills in a friendly sparring match. During the fight, Helen accidentally knocked off Leandra's half-face mask, and saw the burn it had been hiding. After the fight, Helen picked up Leandra's mask from the ground and returned it to its owner. Although Helen was tempted to tell Leandra of her brother's whereabouts, she did not break her word.
Hana's Return
Helen scried for anyone she knew nearby who may need her help. She discovered that Sakura was not too far away and decided to go greet her friend while her mercenaries continued to take care of her husband. When Helen neared Sakura's location, Sakura became in the presence of danger. Helen arrived in time to save her friend from her evil twin sister, Hana. Hana had stripped Sakura of her demon form and her lightning abilities granted by Raiden. After Helen and Hana briefly clashed blades, Hana escaped. Feeling unsafe in a weakened form, Sakura summoned the Archangel Seres Saharah.
Moments later, they were attacked by a large number of malfested, led by Hotaru and Hakudoshi, the former of which is also one of Sakura's sworn enemies as well as Seres' son. The heroes were reinforced with the arrival of Sakura's family. The malfested were merely civilians who had gone mad, prompting the heroes to incapacitate them in order to have Seres reverse their malfestation. By the time all of the malfested were restored, Hotaru and Hakudoshi had escaped. Sakura asked Seres and the rest of her family to find Hotaru and Haku while she and Helen would continue to hunt down Hana in order to retrieve Sakura's demon form.
It did not take Helen and Sakura too long to find Hana, as the former had the ability to scry those she had met while the latter could locate her lost abilities using the amulet she wore. In a brief struggle, Helen and Sakura were able to disarm Hana, prompting the evil twin to escape once more. Sakura now needed Seres' help to get the spirit of Raiden out of her sister's sword. By chance, Seres was fighting her son not too far away. Upon seeing Helen in possession of Hana's blade, Hotaru attempted to remove it. In the commotion, Sakura was able to retrieve Hana’s and regain her original form. While Sakura powered up, Hotaru escaped, wounded and outnumbered.
Now ready to settle the score with Hana, Sakura and Helen went straight to the evil twin. Sakura and Hana initially fought each other uninterrupted, until Hana summoned several demons to aid her. Helen helped Sakura fight off the demons until Hana was once again alone. Just before Sakura could land the finishing blow, Hana unleashed an energy blast that pushed back both of her opponents, granting her escape. Before Sakura and Helen could decide what to do, Seres approached them, telling them that Kyou the demon king had broken the peace treaty between his kingdom and the Cloud Kingdom. She asked for Sakura’s immediate assistance while she asked Helen to find Hotaru. Helen agreed to Seres’ request and began scrying the archangel’s son.
Soul Calibur: Rise of the Archdemon
Soul Calibur: Circle of Legends
Not long after returning to her outpost, Helen was told that a nearby town was being pillaged by a group of soldiers. Helen took a small force of mercenaries in order to drive off the attackers. Upon arriving at the town, the enemies all went after Helen, who proceeded to effortlessly swat them away, until only one remained. Helen made not of the last attacker looking very much like Leandra, believing this girl to be Leandra's child who had lost her way. Realizing that the soldiers were after Helen's Soul Edge shards, she warned the girl to not needlessly throw her life away. Helen's enemy did not heed her warnings and attacked, only to be defeated like the rest of her henchmen. Helen decided to spare the life of the girl, knocking her out instead of ending her life.
Helen decided it was time to meet her husband after all these years. She scried Xie Tian and discovered that he was traveling with the same girl who attacked her earlier. Helen, wearing the helmet that obscured her face, first challenged the girl to a duel. Although the girl was able to hold her own for a few minutes, Helen overpowered her. Xie Tian then stepped in to face Helen, seeing that the girl could no longer fight. Age taking a toll on him, Xie Tian began tiring. Noticing that her husband could no longer keep up, Helen offered a stalemate. Xie Tian then and asked Helen to confirm her identity, as he had figured her out. She removed her helmet so they could have their proper reunion. Xie Tian then explained that the girl was Alexandra, Leandra's daughter, both of who have forgotten about each other; Xie Tian was trying to help Alexandra find Leandra. Helen agreed to help the girl find her mother and located Leandra through scrying. Although reunited with her husband after seventeen years of absence, Helen decided to keep the existence of their daughter a secret from him.
Before meeting up with Leandra, Helen told Xie Tian about the Lions' Pride mercenary clan she founded. Thanks to Helen's scrying, the three of them would find Leandra not too long later. Unfortunately, Leandra was in a malfested state. Helen, Xie Tian, and Alexandra all held off the raging Leandra until she eventually came to her senses. The moment she snapped awake, brief memories of having Alexandra flashed through Leandra's head. Both mother and daughter reunited at last. The reunion, however, was somewhat cut short with the arrival of the Liana, one of Henri's lead henchmen, and several of her subordinates. The heroes were able to kill most of the weaker soldiers and eventually forced Liana to retreat.
Alexandra then told her mother that the enemies they had just fought were working for Henri, who was the one who enslaved Alexandra throughout much of her life. Helen did not believe the girl at first, having supposedly killed Henri almost two decades earlier; once Helen scried the corrupt duke, however, she was convinced. Alexandra then asked Leandra to allow her to train under Xie Tian and Helen, so she could become stronger to help fight Henri. Helen told the mother and daughter that she and Xie Tian accept Alexandra as their student and Leandra agreed. Leandra then left for her endless quest, and the training began the next morning.
In a few weeks, Alexandra's training was complete. She asked her mentors where she could find her father, but they reluctantly told her that her father, Mitsurugi, only had one goal in mind - to best Algol - and would most likely be uninterested in meeting any lost child he could possibly have. Nevertheless, Alexandra was determined to find her father. Helen told her that Mitsurugi was on his way to the Tower of Glory and gave her a general location of where her father could be.
After reuniting with her father, Alexandra returned to Helen and Xie Tian, asking for their help rescue her friend who was under the enslavement of Henri. Alexandra's mentors agreed to help and the three came up with a plan to rescue Konrad.
Alexandra led Helen, Xie Tian, and Helen's mercenaries to Henri's arena. Alexandra disguised herself as a challenger while her allies his in the shadows, waiting for her command. In the arena, Alexandra confronted Henri, wearing a mask to hide her identity. Both fighters held back throughout the duration of the match, not wanting to harm the other. As they fought, Konrad threw a swing very close to Alexandra's face. She dodged the attack a little too late, and her opponent's hammer took off her mask, revealing her face. Konrad and all of the spectators were shocked. Alexandra immediately called for Konrad to follow her to the escape route, but before they could leave the arena, she began feeling immense pain throughout her entire body, causing her to collapse. Henri taunted Alexandra, telling her that he had cursed her with a monstrous form ever since he enslaved her, and he was now activating it after all these years. Just as Henri finished explaining, Alexandra had transformed completely, now a humanoid werewolf-like creature. Having lost control of her body, the transformed Alexandra attacked Konrad. Helen immediately jumped into the arena to hold off Alexandra while Xie Tian led Konrad through the escape route. Unfortunately, Henri had already blocked off any possible escape, having sent his other guards to kill a good number of mercenaries that aided the rescue.
Just when all seemed lost, Yuner, an angel who could cure people of malfestation, and Owen, Helen's own son, arrived. With the Jingu Staff in hand, Owen swept through all of the enemies in his path until he confronted Alexandra, telling his mother to leave the entire building and that he and Yuner would take care of the situation. Trusting her son, Helen left with Xie Tian, Konrad, and the surviving mercenaries. Owen restrained the rampaging Alexandra with his strength in order to allow Yuner to restore Alexandra back to her normal self. When Alexandra was human again, Owen carried her out of the arena as he freed additional prisoners, with Yuner following just behind. When they finally escaped, Owen used the Jingu Staff to demolish the entire arena and Alexandra reunited with Konrad. With her goals finally complete, Alexandra joined the Lions' Pride mercenary clan.
A few days after Konrad and Alexandra joined the Lions' Pride, Liana arrived at the Lions' Pride outpost, asking to join. She explained that she only worked for Henri lest he ordered for Konrad's execution. Now that Konrad was free from Henri's enslavement, she no longer needed to work for the man who ruined their lives. Helen subsequently agreed to have Liana join the Lions' Pride.
Soul Calibur: Blades of War
Personality
Helen is a courageous an honorable woman. She has also been shown to be very friendly to anyone she does not consider an enemy. Helen is notable for being very caring towards younger comrades, often in a motherly fashion. Unlike most humans, Helen is mentally immune to malfestation, due to her unbreakable will; this is shown by her ability to maintain full control of herself, despite the many Soul Edge shards in her body.
Abilities
Unlike Ivy and Maxi, Helen's malfestation has changed her physical appearance and capabilities almost to the extent of an actual Soul Edge wielder because she has dozens of Soul Edge shards lodged inside and all over her body. Beyond granting Helen functional immortality, the malfestation changed her eyes to being demonic-looking, and increased her muscle mass.
In terms of abilities, it is clear that Helen has increased strength, being able to effectively wield a massive weapon and wear heavy armor. Helen's malfestation has increased her durability, pain tolerance, and recovery. Helen also has the ability to scry others from afar, provided she has seen them with her own eyes beforehand.
Ending
Soul Calibur IV
Soul Edge and/or Soul Calibur rise up in swirls of energy. Helen looks up, rushes to the sword(s), jumps, and grabs the or both swords. She looks around and sees the energy coming to her. Helen lifts the sword(s) while it/they glow(s) with power (if both swords are held, a vortex will lift Helen off the ground), rushes forward again, slashes the energy dispersing her, and jumps off the tower. The scene changes to her with the Soul Calibur or Soul Edge in the ground. She pulls it out and raises it in triumph.
The text only screen says "Her name will be engraved in history and will live on forever."
Hypothetical
Algol is on the ground, with Soul Edge and Soul Calibur next to him. Helen walks up to the Soul Edge and lifts it up. Algol rises to his knees and watches on. The eye glows with increased intensity as the evil tries to take control of Helen. However, she is unaffected, and plunges Soul Edge into Soul Calibur's central orb, shattering the spirit sword. With Soul Edge stuck into the ground, she releases the evil sword and unsheathes her own. She stabs Soul Edge's eye, shattering it as well. Finally, Helen sheathes her sword and walks away.
The text-only epilogue says: "With Soul Calibur and Soul Edge destroyed, she returned to her family and lived the rest of her life in peace."
Fighting Style
In Soul Calibur IV, Helen shares the same fighting style as Mitsurugi. In Soul Calibur V, Helen shares the same fighting style as Siegfried.
Critical Finish
Soul Calibur IV
Demon Slayer - The screen turns black before Helen performs four quick slashes. The opponent then collapses face-first, in flames. This Critical Finish belongs to Mitsurugi.
Soul Calibur: Rise of the Archdemon and Soul Calibur: Circle of Legends
Fatal Draw - Helen sprints through the opponent with a singlehand backhand horizontal swing. The opponent remains standing briefly until Helen stabs her sword into the ground and then crosses her arms, saying "You're through!" The opponent then collapses, face-first. This Critical Finish is somewhat similar to Setsuka's from Soulcalibur IV.
Critical Edge
Soul Calibur V
Legacy Testament - Helen raises her sword above her head and then stabs it into the ground, causing a trail of crystal spikes to appear in the direction of his opponent.
Soul Calibur: Rise of the Archdemon
Gooberdoober Clooberdoober - Helen raises her sword above her head, with the blade pointing forward, and then brings the sword behind her head before vertically swinging it downwards. This Critical Edge is somewhat similar to Nightmare's from Soulcalibur V.
Skills & Details
Soul Calibur IV
Hypothetical Default Skills
- Will Power
- Appeal
- Strengthen Vertical
Soul Calibur: Circle of Legends
Default Skills
- Will Power
- Appeal
- Soul Gauge Damage B
Storymode Boss Skills
- Will Power
- Appeal
- Soul Gauge Damage S
Theme Music
- "Queen of the Night"
Quotes
Soul Calibur IV
- You're hopeless.
- Strength is not the only path to victory!
- Fight!
- Glad that's over with. Phew!
- I'm here through unrelenting effort.
- Uh-oh! I think I should've eased up a bit.
- Prepare yourself.
- Hesitation will lead to defeat.
- Bring it on!
- Get ready!
- I will not hesitate to kill you.
- I have bet my life of this sword.
- Fighting is not only way to settle this.
- I will not hold anything back.
- I'm sorry, but I cannot lose.
- Prepare...Yourself!
- Sleep... Eternally!
- Okay, get ready for this!
- Stay down!
- Brace yourself!
- This is the end!
- Even with the same moves it all depends on the user.
- This is my power!
- None can withstand this attack!
- Only one can emerge the victor.
- Are you even trying?
- I'll crush you!
- Don't move!
- Do not underestimate me!
- Still kicking!
- What would you call true strength?
- All my strength!
- Stop struggling!
- I'm not playing.
- I saw that!
- Fall!
- Hit!
- Won't work!
- Goodbye
- There!
- Finish!
- Too late!
- Now!
- Did you go easy on me?
- You're so predictable.
- The end!
- You're good!
Soul Calibur V
- Are you ready?
- Ready to fight?
- What a waste of my time.
- You were a good opponent.
- There's no mercy in battle.
- Victory or defeat depends on one's training.
- You won't survive this!
- Shut up!
- Die!
- Pitiful...
- You won't get away!
- Show me what you've got! - taunt
- Got it!
- Stand aside!
- Too late for regrets!
- Scared?
- This is it
- Ready?
- Amateur
- You're no match!
- Give in!
- Bear witness...true power! - spoken during Critical Edge
- Begin...
- Is that all?
- Stand...
- Take this!
- Stand down!
- Careful or you'll be dead.
- Think again!
- That's far enough!
- Nothing personal
- What a disgrace - spoken when time up
- FIEND! - spoken when guard is crushed
- It can't be... - spoken when ring out
- NOOOO! - spoken when ring out again
- Unforgivable... - spoken during Ivy's Sweet Dominance throw
- Fool!
Relationships
- Wife of Xie Tian
- Mother of Owen and Marja
- Defeated by Nightmare prior the events of Soul Calibur IV
- Friends with Leandra and Sakura
- Mercenary leader and friend of Acheron
- Mentor of Alexandra
Gallery
Soul Calibur IV
Soul Calibur V
Hana's Return
Soul Calibur: Rise of the Archdemon
Soul Calibur: Circle of Legends
Soul Calibur: Blades of War
Helen's creation
Soul Calibur IV
Name: HELEN (female)
Alignment: Good
Head: Priestess' Hood [6-48-18]
Face: ----
Neck: Kitty Choker [6-08-15]
Shoulder: Bong-seon Spaulder [6-01-32/6-08-15]
Underwear: Tiger Lily Stockings [6-48-18/6-08-15]
Upper: Tiger Lily Breastplates [6-48-18/6-48-18]
Arm: Raven Gloves [6-01-32/6-08-15/6-48-18/6-48-18]
Leg: ----
Ankle: Bandages [6-01-01]
Foot: Traveler's Boots [6-48-18/6-48-18]
Accessory: n/a
Physical: +50/+25
Voice: #2 [-10]
Hair: Long [7-05-17]
Face: #6
Eye Brow Color: [7-05-17]
Eye Color: [9-09-16]
Skin Color: [1-09-05]
Base Color: [6-48-18]
Style: Mitsurugi
Weapon: Two-Handed Sword
Soul Calibur V
Fighting Style: Siegfried
- Body:
- Height: 4
- Base Body Type: Built
- Upper Arms: -16
- Forearms: -16
- Pectorals: 5
- Hips: -20
- Thighs: -16
- Calves: -16
- Stomach: 0
- Chest: 20
- Waist: -20
- Muscle Mass: 4
- Face 6
- Hair: Elegant Bob
- Eyebrows 17
- Voice:
- Veteran Knight
- Pitch: 15
- Tone: 10
- Malfestation Level: Light
- Equipment:
- Head: Viking Helm
- Face: Skull Mask
- Undergarments: Tiger Lily Stockings
- Neck and Back: War Cloak
- Arm: Iron Gauntlets
- Shoulder: Warthog Pauldrons
- Ankle: Wrapped Legs
- Feet: Scorpion Greaves
- Specialized Equipment 1: Horn
- Equipment Location: Head
- Horizontal: 0
- Vertical: -8
- Back: -6
- Width: -20
- Length: -50
- Depth: -20
- Rotate Vertically: 0
- Rotate Horizontally: 0
- Angle: 0
- Weapon:
- Great Sword
- Outrageous Pack
- Colors/Patterns/Stickers
- Body Color:
- Skin: [0:9, 0]
- Hair and Eyebrows: [7:5, 17]
- Eyes: [9:1, 15/0:1, 31]
- Equipment Colors:
- Head: [5:8, 18/0:0, 31/0:0, 31]
- Face: [0:7, 10]
- Undergarments: [0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Neck/Back: [0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Arm: [0:0, 31/0:0, 31]
- Shoulders: [0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Ankle: [0:0, 10]
- Feet: [0:0, 31]
- Specialized 1: [0:0, 31]
- Stickers:
- Weapon Color:
- Weapon: [0:0, 29/0:0, 29/0:0, 25]
- Weapon Trail: [9:0, 31]
- Body Color:
*Mod (reference sheet):
- Row 00000470: Change 16 00 00 01 01 to 16 00 00 0E 01
- Row 000004A0: Change 16 00 00 06 06 to 16 00 00 0F 06
- Row 00000590: Change 16 00 00 01 01 to 16 00 00 0E 01
- Row 000005B0: Change 16 00 00 05 05 to 1F 1F 00 00 05
- Row 000005C0: Change 16 00 00 06 06 to 16 00 00 0F 06
- Row 00000610:
- Change the first FF 00 00 FF FF to 1F 1F 00 01 11
- Change the second FF 00 00 FF FF to 1F 1F 00 02 12
- Row 00000650:
- Change the first FF 00 00 FF FF to 22 19 00 00 1A
- Change the second FF 00 00 FF FF to 22 19 00 01 1B
No DLC and no modding version
Fighting Style: Siegfried
- Body:
- Height: 4
- Base Body Type: Built
- Upper Arms: -16
- Forearms: -16
- Pectorals: 5
- Hips: -20
- Thighs: -16
- Calves: -16
- Stomach: 0
- Chest: 20
- Waist: -20
- Muscle Mass: 4
- Face 6
- Hair: Elegant Bob
- Eyebrows 17
- Voice:
- Veteran Knight
- Pitch: 15
- Tone: 10
- Malfestation Level: Light
- Equipment:
- Head: Gorgon Armet
- Undergarments: Tiger Lily Stockings
- Upper Body Covering: Archery Breastplate
- Neck and Back: War Cloak
- Arm: Iron Gauntlets
- Shoulder: Warthog Pauldrons
- Ankle: Wrapped Legs
- Feet: Scorpion Greaves
- Weapon:
- Great Sword
- Outrageous Pack
- Colors/Patterns/Stickers
- Body Color:
- Skin: [0:9, 0]
- Hair and Eyebrows: [7:5, 17]
- Eyes: [9:1, 15/0:1, 31]
- Equipment Colors:
- Head: [0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Undergarments: [0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Upper Body Covering: [0:0, 31/0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Neck/Back: [0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Arm: [0:0, 31/0:0, 31]
- Shoulders: [0:0, 31/5:8, 18]
- Ankle: [0:0, 10]
- Feet: [0:0, 31]
- Stickers:
- Weapon Color:
- Weapon: [0:0, 29/0:0, 29/0:0, 25]
- Weapon Trail: [9:0, 31]
- Body Color: