Escaping My Nightmare part 3

Chapter 7 - Spirit Sword

Siegfried………Siegfried, wake up………
Huh………?
Please, wake up! Siegfried!
Who’s there………?

Siegfried’s blue eyes opened at last. Sophitia breathed a sigh of relief.
The knight sat up and shook his head. “What happened………?”
“You must have been knocked out.” explained Sophitia. “Something strange happened to Raphael, though. It was right after you locked swords with him.”
“I know………” Siegfried gingerly felt his body, but it appeared he was unhurt save for the bump on the back of his head. “That’s not all………just before I passed out, a voice came into my mind. It said, Soul Calibur………”
“The spirit sword.” spoke Sophitia as if she’d read his mind. “The weapon with opposite energy to that of Soul Edge.”
“The last I knew of it, Xianghua had it………” thought Siegfried out loud, rubbing the back of his head. “Yes, when she fought with me. It failed to destroy Soul Edge, however.”
“Perhaps Xianghua didn’t have enough strength?” mused Sophitia, helping her companion to his feet. “However, it is the best………no, the only chance we have of stopping Raphael.”
“We have no idea where to search, Sophitia.” sighed Siegfried. “Even if we did find it, we might be too late. We should just continue our pursuit of that deluded fool………”
“Siegfried, we can’t fight him as we are.” Sophitia said worryingly. “Next time, he won’t hold back. Soul Edge grows stronger by the day. Only Soul Calibur as a chance.”
“What are you saying?” Siegfried asked, puzzlement on his face.
“We should split up. I will find Raphael, while you locate Soul Calibur. It’s the only way.” The Greek maiden blinked.
“It’s too dangerous, you haven’t got a chance against Raphael!” Siegfried blurted out suddenly. “He almost killed you back there!”
“I can take care of myself, Siegfried!” retorted Sophitia irritably. “You know it is the right thing to do.”
“But………I………” Siegfried started, but he stopped. No, I’d better not go that far.
“What?” Sophitia put her hands on her hips.
“Nothing………” Siegfried sighed. “Fine, we’ll do it your way. How am I supposed to find Soul Calibur, though?”
“Well………” Sophitia started, but suddenly Siegfried dropped to his knees, holding his head.
“Siegfried???? Are you OK???” she yelled.
“Ahhhhh………aggghhhhhh………” Siegfried groaned, but he wasn’t in pain. He was seeing some kind of vision. It was just a blue haze at first, but then it cleared.

And he saw a place. A place he knew very well.
He saw two swords there. One was red, twisted and evil. Soul Edge.
The other was small and thin, almost like a rapier, but it looked different. It had a gap down the middle so there were two points at the tip instead of one. It didn’t feel evil.
Siegfried recognised it at once.
Soul Calibur.

“My God!” he exclaimed.
“Siegfried? What is it?” asked Sophitia, watching him as he stood up.
“I know where it is!” Siegfried replied, shouting in triumph. “Quickly, we must move! That devil………I know what he’s talking about!”
“Siegfried, what are you talking about?” Sophitia said, following him.
“Soul Calibur………it’s at Ostrheinsburg………the place where I was defeated by it. Raphael is going there.” He looked straight at Sophitia, his eyes ablaze with realisation.
“He’s going to fuse Soul Calibur and Soul Edge together!”
“By the Gods………if that happens………” Sophitia gasped. “Nothing could stop him. One could only guess what power he might receive………”
Without further ado, the two warriors made their way for Germany as fast as they could.

It was a moonlit night as Raphael walked the dirt path. The French countryside wasn’t so recognisable now, being bathed in blackness. It looked scary and threatening.
Raphael wasn’t scared, however. He was just angry.
“That blasted fool………” he growled, cursing Siegfried. “What on earth happened back there? That light………it caused me great pain!”
He was still sore from the burning sensation that the light had caused. Soul Edge was also slightly damaged. Raphael had noticed a couple of marks on the blade, obviously caused by the light. Two tiny pieces of the sword had been blasted off. Not enough to cause the sword to become weak, but it was nonetheless a worry for the fallen noble.
He had bigger things at stake in any case. When he had become Soul Edge’s master, it had given him information about ‘Soul Calibur’. Raphael had no idea what Soul Calibur was, but the sword had told him to fuse it with itself, and he would receive the power he craved.
The power to change the world as saw fit………
He continued on his way, to his destiny………

Siegfried and Sophitia took 4 days to finally reach Germany. It was a long slog, and once or twice they had to fend off bandits and the like. Of course, such untrained ruffians were no match for a knight and a divine warrior.
They were just a few hours away from Ostrheinsburg now, but knew that Raphael must be ahead of them. However, they hoped to get there before he did.
Siegfried knew the area like the back of his hand, which was why they’d found the castle so quickly. He’d been getting cold shivers ever since they stepped into Germany, but he knew it wasn’t because he was cold. He could feel evil beginning to gain strength, and that meant Soul Edge was getting close to Soul Calibur.
He turned and looked at Sophitia. The poor girl was tired, and obviously in need of rest after 4 days’ travel. They hadn’t gotten much sleep during the last day’s journey, making as much haste as they possibly could. Sophitia was really trying hard.
He looked forward again and closed his eyes. She didn’t have to come along, he could finish this by himself.
And besides………he was in love with her. The last thing he wanted was for Sophitia to meet her end at the hands of Soul Edge. Yes, she’d fought it before, but victory had not been hers. He was adamant that he would keep her out of danger.
“Sophitia………I’ve been meaning to talk to you.” he spoke.
“Yes?” she answered in the same sweet and polite voice. “What is it?”
“I………” He paused, knowing she’d be upset. “I………don’t want you to fight Raphael………please, stay out of it.”
Sophitia gasped, then her face fell. “How can you ask me that? You expect to rush in there by yourself and get killed?”
“Please, Sophitia………this is my fight………” Siegfried answered, not daring to look at her. “And………”
“And what?” she said with a little venom. “I am NOT going to let you get killed!”
“I don’t want YOU to get killed!” shot back Siegfried with worry and anger.
“You don’t have to protect me just because I’m a girl!” shouted Sophitia, frowning. “Is that what this is about? You wanting to play the knight in shining armour?!”
“No!” replied Siegfried angrily. “It’s because………”
“Because what?” said Sophitia in a low voice, glaring at him.
“Hiyaaaah!!!!”
The shout came from the grassy hill to their right. A figure jumped down in front of Siegfried. His black Oriental armour and samurai sword were instantly recognisable by the young knight.
“Mitsurugi!”
He barely dodged the samurai’s opening swing. It was lucky he wore plate armour, as the sword clashed onto his armplates. Without armour, the hit would have sliced his arm off.
He had Faust ready seconds later. Sophitia had instinctively drawn her weapons as Mitsurugi attacked.
“We meet again, Nightmare.” spoke Mitsurugi in a deadly voice. “This time, you will not defeat me! I know that you don’t have Soul Edge, but I think you know who does.”
“You conceited fool!” rebuked Siegfried. “Soul Edge is in the hands of a madman, and I’m trying to stop him! When are you going to see that it brings nothing but death?”
“Only that weapon can save my country!” growled Mitsurugi. “I will take it by force if necessary!”
“Misguided………just like the rest of them………” Sophitia murmured, shaking her head. She continued, invoking the Greek god and goddesses. “Please give this soul forgiveness, he knows not what he is doing!”
“Hmph.” snorted Mitsurugi. “I see you brought along a lady friend, Nightmare. Hoping to have your wicked way with her, too?”
That remark caused something inside Siegfried to snap. “How………dare………you………” he said, his voice turning very sinister. “I will make you pay for that!”
Siegfried attacked Mitsurugi with a fury not seen since he was Nightmare. The samurai was taken by surprise by this sudden onslaught, and struggled to dodge the flurry of strikes coming his way.
Sophitia just stood, watching the battle in shock. Her eyes were on Siegfried. He didn’t seem normal……… there was a bloodlust in his eyes.
No matter what Mitsurugi did, Siegfried kept on coming. There was no sign of tiredness in his eyes, only hatred for his opponent.
Siegfried then pinned Mitsurugi against a tree, bashing furiously at his sword. The samurai gritted his teeth. “What strength is this???”
The knight reared back, and delivered a devastating Rook Splitter. Faust crashed down on Mitsurugi’s thin Shishi-oh, breaking it in two.
Siegfried pressed the tip of Faust against Mitsurugi’s chest. “I’m going to cut you in two, Schweinhund!!!” he yelled, his voice taking on a murderous tone.
“Go ahead, kill me.” spoke Mitsurugi, standing with no fear in his eyes. “It will prove that you a just a butcher, Nightmare.”
“Siegfried, no!!!” screamed Sophitia suddenly. “Don’t give in to that side of yourself! That’s Nightmare!!!”
“He………deserves to die………” Siegfried said, his murderous gaze still on Mitsurugi. He could just take his life right now. He really wanted to………
“Siegfried………do you really want to become a monster again?” sniffed Sophitia, starting to cry. Tears ran down her face as she spoke. “Please………let him go………”
Siegfried closed his eyes, struggling to think. He needed to kill this fool………this pathetic fool………this human………
His eyes shot open. Human???? That’s what Nightmare would say………
No!!!! Not again! I will not become that fiend!!!!
“NOOOO!!!!!!” screamed Siegfried, throwing Faust to the ground and releasing his grip on Mitsurugi. He collapsed to his knees, holding his head.
The samurai backed off, picking up the pieces of his broken sword. Sophitia ran over to her friend, and put her arm around his shoulder.
“Siegfried………it’s alright………” she spoke softly.
“No………no it isn’t………” stammered Siegfried, his whole body shaking. “He’s still in me………Nightmare, and I don’t even have Soul Edge!”
“It’s just the instincts you had when you were him, Siegfried.” said Sophitia, looking into his eyes. “You are Siegfried, not Nightmare!”
“Please………help me………Sophitia………” choked Siegfried, beginning to cry. “I don’t want to hurt anyone else………”
“You won’t, not as long as I’m here with you.”  Sophitia said, stroking his face. “I’ll look after you.”
“Perhaps you really are not Nightmare after all………” chimed in Mitsurugi. “You show compassion, and guilt. A monster would do no such thing.”
Siegfried looked up at Mitsurugi. “Please………abandon your quest. Or you will end up like me………a monster. Even if you broke free like me………you would be haunted………by every one of their faces………for the rest of your days………”
The samurai bowed his head. “What you say must be true. I have felt nothing but a coldness since coming to this place. It unnerves me………”
Sophitia looked at Mitsurugi. “Your country will not be saved by this sword, but destroyed. The person holding Soul Edge has already caused the deaths of many innocent people. He is now travelling to Ostrheinsburg to fuse it with Soul Calibur. If he accomplishes this, we will be powerless to stop him.”
The samurai nodded. “I see………so………Soul Edge is not a sword of salvation after all………”
“Yes………” uttered Siegfried, getting to his feet. “Go home, Mitsurugi. Maybe you can help your country still………”
Mitsurugi politely bowed. “You are right. I apologise for attempting to end your life. I wish you luck in the battle ahead. I would join you, but I fear my power may be no match for that sword. Also, you have shattered my weapon.”
Siegfried nodded. “I apologise.”
Mitsurugi shook his head. “You were merely defending your honor. You are indeed a worthy opponent.” He turned his back on the two, walking back the way they’d came. “Good luck………Siegfried.”
Siegfried smiled. It was the first time Mitsurugi had addressed him by his name. “Thank you………”

The walls of Ostrheinsburg Castle loomed in front of the two warriors. To Sophitia, this was an eerie and unfamiliar place. To Siegfried, it brought back many memories.
They stepped inside through a large hole in the outer wall. The giant courtyard was quiet, littered with wreckage of the battle that had taken place here over 4 years ago. The great keep loomed over the whole castle. It was a shadow of its former self, and several holes could be seen in its side, no doubt from catapult fire. Siegfried remembered seeing the keep get hit during his battle here, back when he was a mercenary for Sir Stefan’s army.
“This place………it smells of death………” Sophitia said, shivering. She held onto Siegfried’s hand suddenly. Although a strong woman, she was genuinely frightened.
Siegfried squeezed her hand tightly as they searched the courtyard. It was right in the centre that the grand battle had taken place between him and Xianghua. Soul Calibur had to be around somewhere.
“Looking for this?”
Both of them turned around. Standing before them was Raphael, a triumphant grin on his face. In one hand he still held Soul Edge. In the other, he held another. It was unmistakeable………Raphael had Soul Calibur!
“No!!!!” shouted Sophitia.
“We were too late………” cursed Siegfried.
“You really thought you could better me, didn’t you?” laughed Raphael mockingly. “I thought I’d just wait until you got here, so you could witness my victory!”
Anger spread across Siegfried’s face. “You haven’t won yet! I don’t care if you do become all powerful! I will not give up!”
“You still dare to stand against me, Siegfried?” sneered Raphael. “Very well………I shall MAKE you give up! Give up your soul to me!!!!!”
Raphael pressed Soul Edge and Calibur together, to the horror of Siegfried and Sophitia. There was a loud clash as he did, followed by the sounds of the two swords’ energy reacting.
Red bolts of energy shot out of Soul Edge, colliding with blue bolts shot out by Soul Calibur. Together they surged into Raphael, and each other.
Siegfried and Sophitia hid their eyes as a burst of light covered Raphael, blocking their view of him. It shimmered there for a few moments, before finally fading.
The two warriors looked at their foe, and gasped.
He still wore his clothes, and he still had his hair. His face was still the same as well.
However, his body was not human. It was made now of red and blue bolts of energy, binded together. A strange purple aura around them took on the outline of his body. In his hand he held one sword. It was a dangerously long rapier with the two points of Soul Calibur, but the twisted hilt of Soul Edge. It was pulsing with a red light.
“Ha ha ha………hahahahahahaha!!!!!!” laughed Raphael maniacally.
Siegfried and Sophitia’s shock turned to seriousness. Their weapons were drawn in seconds.
“Pah!” scoffed Raphael, looking at them though his now multicoloured eyes. “Those pieces of junk shall not even scratch me! I am immortal!”
“You insane fool………” said Siegfried in disbelief, shaking his head. “With Soul Edge, there is always a price to pay.”
“We’re not giving up hope just because you have Soul Calibur as well.” declared Sophitia, looking at the sword Raphael held. “The power of good will come through, even without it.”
“You really amuse me, madam!” grinned Raphael nastily. “However, I’m tired of playing around with you two………Soul Apocalypse will be your deaths!!!!” He held up his newly christened sword, and energy flashed out of it.
He jumped, landing right in front of his opponents. “Well then………let us dance!”
Siegfried lunged at Raphael, but Raphael blocked his Faust with almost no effort. Sophitia also took a swipe at him but with amazing speed, Raphael blocked her as well. They both attacked him at the same time, but he deflected both attack with impossible speed.
He then countered, stabbing so quickly that neither of them could effectively block him. Soul Apocalypse was just a blur, and it banged into Siegfried’s armour with sickening thuds. The young knight was taken completely by surprise, especially when Soul Apocalypse suddenly pierced his breastplate.
“Ackk!!!!” he groaned. Some blood splattered from the wound inside.
“Hah!” smirked Raphael, thrusting once more. The blow didn’t harm Siegfried, but it pushed him backwards with a strange force. He hit the wreckage of an old catapult, causing it to crash down. The main beam narrowly missed the wounded knight as he rolled to the side.
Sophitia didn’t let Siegfried’s fall get to her. She took advantage of Raphael’s gloating to thrust her Omega Sword into his body.
However, it just went through! Raphael’s new form was transparent! The red and blue bolts suddenly fused with the Omega Sword and lanced through it, out into the hilt and Sophitia’s hand.
“Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!” she screamed as white hot pain shot through her whole body. She instinctively released her sword, and after a few moments the pain stopped. She collapsed to the ground, with several cuts all over her body where the energy had struck. Every single cut was bleeding.
Raphael pulled the Omega Sword out of him and tossed it aside. “Women have always been so weak.” he taunted, smiling evilly. “I’m not going to be beaten by one as puny as you.”
“Ugh………you’re a………poor excuse………for a man………” retorted Sophitia, struggling to keep away the pain. “I will not………lose!”
“You already have.” said Raphael, raising his hellish sword. “You’re the first of the filth that will be cleansed from what is now MY world!”
He spun round suddenly to block an incoming blow from Siegfried, who had aimed at Raphael’s head. He raised Soul Apocalypse and pointed it at Siegfried. A bolt of energy blasted out from it into Siegfried, knocking the knight back.
“You’re beginning to annoy me, you vermin!” snarled Raphael. “Be a good boy and die!”
“Not until you and that sword are buried!” growled Siegfried. He was wounded, but he’d suffered worse as Nightmare. He rushed at Raphael, who let loose a second bolt from Soul Apocalypse. It hit Siegfried, who winced, but kept on coming.
Faust and Soul Apocalypse crashed together, but it was obvious that Siegfried’s faithful Zweihander was no match for the dark sword. Despite being a stick-thin rapier, Soul Apocalypse didn’t break under Faust’s sheer weight. Raphael began to push the giant sword back.
“This is the best you’ve got, Siegfried?” laughed Raphael, bashing Faust aside and stabbing Siegfried in the right shoulder. With a sharp breath, Siegfried crashed to his knees, his left hand clutching his shoulder.
“It’s been enjoyable fighting you, Sir Knight!” said Raphael mockingly. “Now it is time for YOU to be buried!” He thrust at Siegfried, but the knight once again met him with Faust, getting to his feet at the same time.
“If I die, you’re going with me!” shouted Siegfried, forcefully hitting Raphael’s sword away and going into a back-spin slash, aiming at Raphael’s head again. Unfortunately, Faust just passed through Raphael’s head. It too wasn’t solid.
Raphael came swinging back, first stabbing Siegfried’s left arm, then slashing low to hit his left leg. The German grimaced in pain, and dropped Faust.
“To hell with you, Siegfried!” yelled Raphael, winding up for the final, fatal thrust.
The wounded and fatigued Siegfried couldn’t possibly react. He watched as Soul Apocalypse lunged towards him.

“I’ve failed………” was all he could think.

“Noooooo!!!” came a sharp cry.

Out of nowhere, Sophitia stepped in front of Siegfried. The knight could only watch in horror as Soul Apocalypse plunged into her.

Raphael waited a moment, and then pulled the now bloody sword out from Sophitia. The look on his face was one of triumph.

Sophitia, bleeding badly from her stomach, turned and looked at Siegfried.

“May………the gods………be with………you………Sieg………fried………”

She collapsed to the floor, her life leaving her the very same moment.

“No………no………” gasped Siegfried, looking at Sophitia’s lifeless body. “NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!”

Raphael just laughed. Energy erupted out of his sword, surging into Sophitia and ripping her soul free. It dissipated into energy, which shot back into Soul Apocalypse. “Can’t you see? It is useless to resist, Siegfried. Surrender your soul.”
Siegfried suddenly grabbed Faust and looked up at Raphael. Suddenly, the pain that wracked his body just went numb. His face twisted from one of grief into one of pure hatred. His normally serene blue eyes began to burn with fury. “Even if I have to surrender my soul………even if I have to die………” he spoke, his voice full of rage.

“………I will kill you!!!”

With a sudden surge of strength, Siegfried began attacking Raphael. His eyes never swayed their gaze from the madman’s face as he swung Faust like he’d never swung it before. The great sword smashed and smashed against the twisted sword in Raphael’s hand. Despite his strength, Raphael was having trouble defending against the knight.
He let some dark energy surge into Siegfried, but it didn’t faze him at all. He just kept on coming, the murderous gaze still in his eyes.
A moment later, Siegfried managed to knock Raphael off guard.
“Damn you to Hell!!!!!!” cried Siegfried, bringing Faust down upon Soul Apocalypse. Siegfried’s trusted sword shattered with the impact, sending the blade flying away.
There was a flash of light, just like when Siegfried had locked swords with Raphael back at Rouen. This time however, it reacted violently with Soul Apocalypse, causing it to shoot into the air.
“What the devil????” shouted Raphael. “NOOOOO!!!!!!!”
Soul Apocalypse cracked open, and sent out a blinding light. Both Siegfried and Raphael covered their eyes. They heard two clangs as the light slowly faded.
Siegfried opened his eyes. There, on the ground, was Soul Edge and Soul Calibur.
The knight dropped the broken Faust and ran forward. Soul Calibur was in his eyes.
Raphael watched as Siegfried ran. He quickly got up to do the same. Despite losing Soul Apocalypse, he was still in his energy form.

The next few seconds were like a lifetime to Siegfried.

Soul Calibur seemed so far away………he stretched his arm out, reaching for the spirit sword.
He noticed Raphael right next to him, running for Soul Edge. Willing himself, and clenching his teeth, he kept running.
His hand grabbed the hilt of Soul Calibur, and immediately a wave of energy swept through him. It wasn’t like Soul Edge. He felt his wounds ease, his strength return.
Strike him down, young knight. Strike IT down………
Siegfried gasped. Soul Calibur………?
The sword was speaking to him, inside his mind just like Soul Edge did. However, it was willing him on, not taunting him or possessing his mind. Soul Calibur truly was a sword of good………
He saw Raphael’s hand reaching for Soul Edge, and his eyes narrowed.
He pulled Soul Calibur up from the ground, and swung it straight at Raphael, just as he picked up Soul Edge.
Soul Calibur sliced through Raphael’s transparent body, as if it was solid. The madman’s face turned to shock.
“How………how the………I………I am………immortal………!” he gasped in surprise.
Siegfried stood, still in a finishing stance with Soul Calibur. “You’re not immortal. You’re damned. Just as I knew you would be.”
“Curse you………” croaked Raphael, his life ebbing away from him. “CURSE YOUUUUU!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Siegfried threw Soul Calibur in front of his face as Raphael’s body shook violently, then exploded. The bolts of energy that had made up his body shot out everywhere, shooting red and blue lights through the darkened sky.
Almost as soon as Raphael’s death had occurred, it ended. The light vanished, and Siegfried stood alone in the quiet courtyard.
Soul Edge still lay on the ground. Siegfried walked over to it, looking at it. It was still in the form of Raphael’s rapier.
“Let’s end this.” he said to the sword. He raised Soul Calibur………

Then the impossible happened. Soul Edge floated off the ground, hovering in mid-air. Flames began to appear around it.
“My God!” gasped Siegfried, resuming his normal stance. “Don’t you ever quit???”
Soul Edge’s flames intensified, and formed into a shape. To most humans, this shape would have been unrecognisable. It was simply a humanoid shape made of flame, which held Soul Edge in its hands.

However, Siegfried knew this figure all too well. He’d seen it 4 years ago, when he’d first laid eyes on that cursed blade. The memory of the battle came back to him. The scar on his right eye itched slightly.

“Inferno………”

The true form of Soul Edge roared in the inhuman voice that Siegfried knew so well. He gripped Soul Calibur tightly.
“I’m going to send you back to whatever God-forsaken place you came from!” shouted Siegfried. “Have at you!!!”
Inferno roared, and charged at Siegfried. The determined young knight did the same, knowing that perhaps the fate of the known world was riding on this battle.
The two spirit swords smashed together, with a force unlike that of any other. Siegfried’s vengeful eyes stared into Inferno’s evil yellow eyes. He could feel the heat of this monster on him.
He sidestepped, delivering a back-spin slash which crashed off of Soul Edge. Inferno roared as its sword was knocked away. Siegfried followed through, slicing forward and striking Inferno’s chest.
The demon roared in pain, and flames flew off its body. Seeing its momentary lapse in concentration, Siegfried hit it again with a Rook Splitter. Inferno was forced to the ground, more of its body flying everywhere. The courtyard was now ablaze with fire.
“Not so tough now, are we?” yelled Siegfried.
“RAWWWRRRRR!!!!!” shouted Inferno, getting to its feet. It slashed furiously at Siegfried, the twisted blade narrowly missing him. Siegfried perfectly countered with Soul Calibur, once again locking swords.
He stared straight into the face of the monster. “You caused all this! You turned me into Nightmare! You made me kill many………too many innocent people! You turned Raphael into a madman! You killed Sophitia!!!”
Feelings strength flow from the sword in his hands, Siegfried  pushed Soul Edge away, causing Inferno to lose its balance.
Before the demon could react, Siegfried thrust Soul Calibur into its chest.
Inferno let out an inhuman scream and stepped back, fire flying off its body. It was being surrounded in it’s own blood, so to speak.
Siegfried stepped back, pulling Soul Calibur from Inferno.
The demon roared one final time, and exploded, showering the courtyard with the remnants of its body.
When the explosion died away, Soul Edge fell into the ground, sticking up out of it.
Siegfried brushed his golden hair out of his eyes, and took a deep breath. No more Inferno………
He stepped forward, his metal boots clanking on the quiet ground. In front of him was Soul Edge, lifeless. Its eye was closed.
“Just like 4 years ago………” he mused. “Only this time, I’ll do what I should have done.”
He raised Soul Calibur once again. This time, he would finish it………
Stop………
Siegfried paused. “That voice………Soul Calibur?”
Take Soul Edge, Siegfried.
The knight shook his head. “What?!”
You cannot destroy it from the outside. Destroy it from within.
Siegfried lowered Soul Calibur, and looked at the spirit sword. “Have you gone insane? If I take Soul Edge, it will possess me!”
Not if you hold me at the same time. Siegfried, Soul Edge is merely a catalyst for the true evil.
Siegfried rubbed his forehead. “What do you mean………?”
The true evil is what lies within………you must take Soul Edge to awaken that evil. Face and destroy your evil, Siegfried, and you shall destroy Soul Edge.
“My evil………?” said Siegfried, confused.
Soul Edge feeds off the dark side of its host. It is not the sword that possesses the person, but the evil of that person who possesses them. Raphael thought he was in control. He was not. His evil, his dark side conquered him.
“I understand………” Siegfried nodded. He lowered Soul Calibur down to his waist. The truth had shocked him somewhat. The true evil was from within the self………
He looked at Soul Edge. He slowly moved his right hand towards the cursed sword.
“Everyone………if I become Nightmare………please, forgive me………” he uttered into the night air.
Siegfried grabbed hold of Soul Edge’s hilt, and closed his eyes.
At that moment, a huge reaction emitted from Soul Edge. The same thing had happened when he’d taken hold of it the first time. However, this time a reaction shot out from Soul Calibur. The red and blue bolts of energy crackled, fusing together.
The knight dared to open his eyes. The energy flashed outwards all around, striking every object within reach. However, he was still Siegfried.
“What is happening………?” he gasped, as everything around him started to disappear. The castle, its walls, the courtyard all began to diffuse into nothingness.
In a few moments, there was nothing. Just nothing………
Siegfried closed his eyes again as the crackling grew louder………and then stopped.

The young knight opened his eyes. He could see stars, and the blackness that they illuminated. He looked down, and saw that he was standing on nothing! He was stood in mid-air, here in this space.
And yet, he knew where he was. He’d been here once before.
“Chaos………”
“I hope you like this place, Siegfried. It will be your grave!”
Siegfried turned around, and what he saw shocked him to the core.
Right in front of him was a figure, clad from head to toe in azure plate armour except for a grotesque mutated left arm. In its normal human left arm, it held Soul Edge, which was back in its Zweihander form.
Two dark red eyes stared at Siegfried from behind a helmet, which was also azure coloured.
Siegfried, though still shocked, assumed his battle stance, and uttered a name………a name he would curse for the rest of his life.

“Nightmare!!!”


Chapter 8 - Ascension

Siegfried stared incredulously across the vast vacuum of blackness. The stars whizzed all around him, and Nightmare.
“Surprised?” said Nightmare, giving a laugh. Siegfried recognised the deep, insane tone of his own voice. No………HIS voice………
“This………this is impossible!” spluttered Siegfried. “How can we both exist???”
“We are both very much one.” hissed Nightmare, sliding his finger down Soul Edge’s blade. “You are good, and I am evil.”
Siegfried snorted. Nightmare was just a mindless monster searching for souls. Since when did he get this smart?
“It must be something to do with Chaos, or Soul Edge.” thought the knight out loud, nodding to emphasise his point. “Yes, that’s it.” He went into his stance with Soul Calibur.
“You pathetic human!” laughed Nightmare, his cold voice echoing through the emptiness. “You really think you can defeat me? You still have no idea, do you?”
“I know I can beat you.” declared Siegfried, looking the monster in the eye. “I broke free of Soul Edge, I stopped Raphael and Inferno. You’re next!”
Nightmare simply laughed again. Now his laughs sounded taunting. Siegfried felt somewhat uneasy.
“You haven’t broken free, Siegfried. And you never will.” spoke Nightmare with an evil grin.
Siegfried’s anger rose. “What are you talking about?!” he shouted, and his voice echoed louder than Nightmare’s.
“Where are we, Siegfried?” grinned Nightmare, gesturing around him with his arms.
Siegfried frowned. What kind of question was that? “Chaos!”
Nightmare smiled. “What is Chaos?”
A pained look stretched across Siegfried’s face. “I don’t know………some kind of other world? Where Soul Edge came from? I don’t know!!!” he yelled in frustration.
Nightmare stepped closer, causing Siegfried to tense, ready to strike. Nightmare stopped a few steps away from him, with a superior smile fixed to his face.
“Wrong. You humans make me sick………so stupid and blind. You can’t see the truth. Your perception of Soul Edge is all wrong.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” growled Siegfried, who looked ready to kill.
Nightmare looked straight into Siegfried’s eyes, and said coldly:

“Welcome to your soul, Siegfried!”

Siegfried’s eyes widened, and he almost dropped Soul Calibur in shock. “What??!!”
Nightmare turned and faced into the endless black. “This is your soul, Siegfried. Your own personal Chaos. Everyone has one. What you call Chaos is what happens to your soul once your dark side takes it from you.”
“This………is my soul? My consciousness………who I am………?” gasped the German, his head spinning.
“Yes. All those lovely little stars represent what is left of your good or light self, the fragments of your wretched humanity.” Nightmare hissed, turning to face Siegfried again. “The blackness?”
He gave a sick laugh.

“That’s me!”

Siegfried raised his weapon again in anger and disbelief as Nightmare’s cruel laughter echoes through what was supposed to be………his soul.
“You’re lying!!!!” he screamed.
“It’s the truth and you know it, you imbecile!!!” retorted Nightmare, readying Soul Edge. “You see this? Soul Edge is merely the catalyst!!! Once some foolhardy human takes it, it pours into the wretch’s soul, drawing out his or her dark side! You see, it’s not Soul Edge that devours your soul, but yourself! Your own darkness!!!”
“H-How can this be………all these years, I’ve just been possessed by myself???” yelled Siegfried, anger dominating his thoughts.
“Yes! You have never been a slave to the sword, you were a slave to me! And you still are, fool!” laughed Nightmare, grinning. “You broke free of the sword’s influence, not me! Remember when you fought the samurai? When the lust for his soul came back? That was me, taking you again! Only that damned girl stopped me………but she won’t be a problem anymore! Ha ha ha!!!”
Sophitia’s death flooded back into Siegfried’s mind. “You bastard!!!! Sophitia, and many innocent people are dead………all because of that goddamned sword and YOU!!!!” He resumed his stance. “Well, I’m making a stand, Nightmare!!! It ends here!”
“Yes, the life of Siegfried Schtauffen ends here!” snarled Nightmare, taking the same stance as Siegfried. “Whoever wins here, gets your soul! I’m going to enjoy sucking every last part of it from your corpse!!!”
“You’ve had my soul for too long, demon!” rebuked Siegfried, his eyes flashing with hate. “I’m taking it back! For everyone that has suffered because of you, I will kill you!!!”

“I’m going to enjoy this, Siegfried. I’m going to enjoy watching the last of your worthless humanity be extinguished!” Nightmare smiled evilly, and thrust Soul Edge into the air. Red energy crackled out of it, and Nightmare shouted.
“Sword, give me STRENGTH!!!!”

Siegfried simply stared at his dark side. “I will not rest until I wreak vengeance for everyone you have killed!”

Nightmare rushed at Siegfried, screaming death. “Raaaaaaggggghhhhh!!!!”
Siegfried rushed at the same instant, with his own battle cry. “Haaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhhh!!!!!!!”

Both of them swung their weapons, and there was an almighty clash as Soul Calibur and Soul Edge locked together once again.
Siegfried broke the lock, and swung left, right then vertically. Each hit was parried by Nightmare.
Nightmare countered with an almost identical move, except that his vertical slash was more vicious. Siegfried barely blocked it, and was forced to crouch down because of the force.
However, he was ready. He went into his Maelstrom attack, and Soul Calibur sliced through Nightmare’s azure plating, slashing his legs.
“Raarggh!!!!!” hissed Nightmare. The murderous knight was normally quite resilient to pain, but it was Soul Calibur that had wounded him. He stepped back as Siegfried sliced forward, attempting to gain advantage of his momentarily loss of concentration.
“Pain isn’t a very nice feeling is it?” taunted Siegfried, grinning. “You’re going to get a lot more of that before I’m through with you!”
“I’ll show you a whole WORLD of pain, you fool!” Nightmare roared, delivering two immensely powerful vertical strikes to Siegfried. The German blocked the first one but couldn’t withstand the second, and he lost balance, falling to the ground………or at least whatever he was standing on.
Nightmare crouched and stabbed forward, attempting to thrust straight into Siegfried’s head. Fortunately Siegfried saw this coming and once again Soul Edge harmlessly clashed off of Soul Calibur. Siegfried rolled to the side and got back to his feet.
“You can’t win, human!” hissed Nightmare with an evil grin. “I know you, I know how you think!”
“I know how you think as well, and theirs is always a weakness somewhere. I’ll just have to find it!” retorted Siegfried, before rushing back at Nightmare and thrusting his weapon forward. Nightmare deflected it but the force of the stab pushed him back.
Siegfried changed his stance, holding Soul Calibur behind his shoulder. He made to swing it………
Too late! He just noticed Nightmare swinging upwards………
Soul Edge sliced across his outstretched arm and upwards along his face. It went through his arm plating like butter.
“Agh!” cried Siegfried, stepping back and nearly letting go of his weapon. His left cheek was now dripping with bloody from the horrendous cut along it, and his right arm was pulsing with pain.
“Would you like some more?” sniggered Nightmare.
“Why won’t you just………die?!” shouted Siegfried. “Stop plaguing me, you fiend!”
The knight began to feel warm sensations on his two fresh wounds. Soul Calibur was beginning to heal him, but he knew it would take time. He was lucky he’d only been caught on his face and his less favoured arm. Next time he dropped his guard he would not be so lucky.
“I will never die………my thirst, my darkness………my power is eternal!” declared Nightmare loudly, holding Soul Edge in a victorious pose. “You are nothing but a weak little human who cannot see that it is useless to resist your TRUE desires!”
“My true desire is to redeem myself for the things I’ve done! To be a hero to the people, and to make this world a better place!” yelled Siegfried, rallying himself. “Those are MY desires, the desires of me! Siegfried Schtauffen! You are NOT me! You’re just a shadow, the monster that lays dormant in me in the day and that awakens at night! The desires of death, of chaos, of souls………those are YOURS, not mine!”
He held up Soul Calibur. “If Soul Edge brings out a person’s dark side, then this must bring out their light side! I’m not going to let that light go out………”
“I’ll just engulf it with my darkness instead, then!” said Nightmare, dashing to his opponent again. He tried to catch Siegfried with an upwards blow, but Siegfried slashed down, knocking him off balance. Siegfried seized the moment and stabbed Nightmare in the stomach.
“Arrggghhh!!!!!!” cried Nightmare, staggering back and clutching his stomach. Blood was pouring from the nasty wound, and Nightmare was beginning to cough it up as well.
“You’re not as immortal as you think.” declared Siegfried, looking at Nightmare’s wound and the blood that was on Soul Calibur. “You bleed, and you can die.”
“I’ll drown you in your own blood!” shouted Nightmare, his voice full of rage. He struck at Siegfried again, the eye on Soul Edge becoming ecstatic as it smelled blood.
Gritting his teeth, Siegfried braced himself firmly against Nightmare’s blows, suddenly countering by grabbing Nightmare’s head. He smashed Soul Calibur’s hilt into it, sending the azure knight to the floor.
Dazed, but fuelled by bloodlust, Nightmare swiped violently at his foe as he rose to his feet. Siegfried parried him for a moment, but then he sneaked a stab into his attack, which pierced Siegfried’s side. The knight grimaced, but fought on undaunted.
Siegfried noticed that the surroundings were changing. The ‘stars’ were becoming bigger, turning into huge patches of light, and the blackness was beginning be engulfed by it. That could mean only one thing………
“You’re weakening.” He grinned at Nightmare.
“I think not!” snarled Nightmare, slashing at Siegfried. The knight blocked, but didn’t realise it was a trick. Nightmare smashed his demonic arm into Siegfried’s face.
Taken completely by surprise, Siegfried staggered backwards, dazed from the blow. He fell backwards, but jammed Soul Calibur into the ‘ground’ to support himself.
As he went to get up, Nightmare slashed at his sword arm and legs. Soul Edge went cleanly through his armour and delivered punishing pain to those areas.
Siegfried cried out in pain and fell back to his knees. Blood was dripping from his legs and left arm now, but as it hit the ‘ground’ it vanished. He clenched his teeth, trying to ignore the pain. However, he was struggling to even hold Soul Calibur now.
“What a pathetic sight.” hissed Nightmare, standing tall over him. “You were just like this the first time you awakened me.”
Siegfried guessed he was talking about when he first acquired Soul Edge. “I was………blind back then………too blind a-and stupid………to see how evil that sword was………how evil it would make me………”
“You still are blind, fool.” Nightmare pointed Soul Edge at his fallen foe. “You are too blind to see that no matter what you do, your soul is destined to mine! Surrender it now, Siegfried………and I may finish you quick.”
“I-I………won’t give you………the satisfaction………”said Siegfried angrily, but weakly. A strange sensation started to come over him, and he knew that Soul Calibur was once again trying to heal him. He knew however that the spirit sword would not be able to regain his strength in time to avoid Nightmare’s death blow.
“As you wish.” smirked Nightmare. “I’d prefer to make you suffer anyway!” He winded up with his mutated fist and punched Siegfried in the face again. The young knight fell on his back, now sporting a claw mark down the left side of his face.
“I’ve waited a long time for this!” yelled Nightmare, grabbing Siegfried by his throat. “I’m going to strangle every last inch of life out of you, and make sure that this time, you won’t come back!”
He tightened his grip on Siegfried’s throat. The German began to cough violently, the colour starting to vanish from his face.
“Ha ha ha………so weak, you can’t even speak any final words………you will die like the waste of breath you are!” taunted Nightmare, feeling Siegfried’s life begin to slip away. Soul Edge quivered in excitement in his left hand, waiting to finally consume the best soul of them all.
Siegfried began to see a white light as he began to lose consciousness. Looks like this is it………I’ve failed………
The pain from his wounds was starting to fade. Everything was starting to fade, as the light grew brighter.
Good bye………

“Siegfried!”

A voice called out to him. The voice he’d known only a short time, but he’d cherished hearing it.

“Don’t give up! If he kills you, the world as we know it is finished! Everyone and everything will be consumed by him! Nothing will be able to stop him! Please, Siegfried! Or even more people will suffer………”

Tears started to well in his eyes. “Sophitia!!!!” he cried.

“Siegfried………”

Her voice vanished. Siegfried felt like he was dead already. He remembered the horrible moment, as Raphael killed her.
“It’s………it’s not fair………” he cried. “IT’S NOT FAIR!!!”

“Son!”

Siegfried opened his eyes in disbelief. Before him stood Frederick Schtauffen, his father.

“Father!”

“Son, do not listen to that monster. Vanquish him! I know you have the strength inside you!”

“Father………he’s too strong………”

“You’re wrong. You’ve already broken yourself from him physically and mentally. He has lost his grip on your soul. All you have to do is destroy what remains of him inside you. The last fragments of him that grasp your soul.”

“But………”

“It was he that killed me, son. Not you. If nothing else, avenge my death. I know you can do it.”

“Father………”

“Finish it, my son. Destroy Soul Edge………destroy him………”

Frederick’s voice faded away as well. The light was intense now………Siegfried was on the verge of death.

“No………” he said. “This ends now………”


Siegfried snapped back to reality. He was choking, his face blue with death, and his life nearly gone. He stared at the red eyes looking at him with glee, the red eyes that were once his own.
He would not let this monster live any longer.
His left arm, numb with pain, suddenly regained its strength. He sliced upwards into Nightmare’s demonic arm, causing blood to spew out of it like a fountain.
Nightmare screamed, and released his grip on Siegfried’s throat. The knight, barely alive, dropped to the ground. However, energy was flowing into his body from Soul Calibur, and his renewed spirit. Gradually he got back to his feet. Nightmare was still holding his arm, shrieking in agony.
Siegfried’s angered eyes locked onto his dark side. Nightmare looked up into them.
“Go to hell, you bastard.” cursed Siegfried.

Siegfried charged forward with speed and strength he’d never known in his whole life, and would never know again. Soul Calibur began to supercharge with energy, a brilliant blue light emanating from its blade.
Nightmare went to raise Soul Edge, but he never made it.

Siegfried thrust Soul Calibur into Nightmare’s chest, right where his heart was. There was a sickening sound as the blade pierced Nightmare’s flesh. Blood began to seep out of the wound, soaking Soul Calibur.
Siegfried waited a moment, then thrust back, removing the spirit sword from his foe.
Nightmare’s eyes were widened in surprise. He stepped back, clutching his wound with his demon arm. The blood flowed down his chest, leaving a trail of red.
Then, light flashed all over his body, the same light that had come from Soul Calibur. He screamed, the light burning him inside and out. “AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Siegfried blocked his eyes because the light was hurting his eyes. All around him, the empty black vacuum erupted into light, as the tiny ‘stars’ became larger and fused together, ripping through the blackness.
Yet, Nightmare was still alive. Despite the tremendous agony he was in, the azure knight managed to grab Soul Edge.
“You………you will die now………Siegfried!!!!! RAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!” Screaming bloody murder, Nightmare charged at Siegfried with all the strength he had left.
“How can he still be alive?!” thought Siegfried frantically. Just then, he heard Soul Calibur again.
Soul Edge………destroy Soul Edge………
Soul Edge! As Nightmare had said, it was simply the catalyst for a person’s dark side. If he destroyed it………
Soul Calibur began to surge with energy, the bright blue bolts crackling around it.
Siegfried saw his dark side………his nightmare rushing towards him.

“Sophitia………this is for you………” he spoke out loud.

Just as Nightmare reached Siegfried, the knight brought his sword crashing down from behind his shoulder, performing his trusty Rook Splitter technique once again.
Nightmare stabbed forwards with Soul Edge………
Soul Calibur smashed downwards onto Soul Edge with such power that the evil sword was shattered into two pieces. The evil red bolts of energy began to crackle around the broken sword.
Nightmare stepped back, releasing the broken bottom half of Soul Edge. The cursed weapon hung in mid-air, still crackling.
“Ugghhhh……….AAAAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” screamed Nightmare. Rays of light began to pierce his body, and he knew what had happened. Soul Edge was finished………and so was its master.
“NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!” he yelled in shock. “RAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!”
Nightmare exploded into nothing with a loud, echoing bang. He was simply vaporized by the light. There was nothing left of him.
Siegfried looked at where his dark side had stood. Nightmare was dead………gone. He was never coming back. He would never slaughter another innocent again, and he would never plague Siegfried’s soul ever again.
He saw that Soul Edge was still hanging there, as if taunting him. However, the energy around it began to react violently. The two pieces of the sword began to shake, and Siegfried could swear that he heard a scream.
The sword’s eye widened, but not in excitement. It looked at Siegfried with terror.
Seconds later, Soul Edge exploded, with an unholy force. A brilliant shockwave of light surged from the dying sword, and it rushed towards Siegfried.
The blast hit him and threw him to the floor, and he blacked out………


Daylight………blue sky………clouds………
Those were the first things Siegfried saw as he finally opened his eyes. He groggily got to his feet, and grimaced. His wounds from the battle were still hurting, but he felt Soul Calibur helping to ease the pain.
He took a deep breath, and looked around him. The ruins of Ostrheinsburg Castle looked much more serene in the daylight.
Also, the feeling of death and darkness………it was gone. It was almost like he’d purified the entire place.
However, the strangest feeling was within himself. He no longer felt tortured………he felt complete. The darkness he’d always brooded over was gone. His soul was clear now………and it was his once again.
The German looked at Soul Calibur. The sword was a little scratched from its battle with Soul Edge, but other than that it was just fine. He gave a smile. “Thank you.” he said to the spirit sword.
As if to acknowledge him, Soul Calibur glowed blue for a moment.
Siegfried sheathed the sword. He had a feeling that he would find it to be a better companion than even his trusted Faust had been.
He started to walk away, knowing that he would never again need to come back to this place. He’d fought the biggest battle a human could ever fight, and he’d won.
Suddenly, he stopped. A pain like no other he’d ever known shot through his heart. Tears began to well his eyes.
In front of him was Sophitia’s body. He knelt down beside her, and touched her face. Once it had been so warm and full of life. Now it was cold, unmoving………dead.
She’d stood by him the whole time, believing in him. She had been right, as well.
She’d believed in him so much, she’d given up her life for him. He’d finally destroyed Soul Edge………but it all seemed so pointless to him now, because the price had been too high………
“Why………?” he said, the tears finally coming. “Why did you have to die………? I………”
Siegfried paused. He wished he’d been able to tell her………
“I-I………I loved you………”
He held her lifeless body in his arms, doing something he hadn’t done for a long time in his life.
He cried. His tears fell from his face onto Sophitia’s. His cries echoed through the whole castle, and he just couldn’t stop. He had never known pain like this before in his life.
Eventually, he laid Sophitia’s body down on the ground. The least he could do was give her a proper burial.
He was about to start digging a grave, when Soul Calibur began to shake. Puzzled, his unsheathed the spirit sword.
Immediately, it flew out of his hands, and hovered above Sophitia.
“What the………?” exclaimed a puzzled Siegfried. “What are you doing?!”
The sword responded by suddenly surging untold amounts of energy into Sophitia’s body. Blue bolts flew through her body, and it looked like she was being electrocuted. The reaction began to give off a huge light, a light so bright that it was too bright for Siegfried to look at.
“Agh!” he cried, the light hurting his eyes. He was forced to look away.
The light flared for a few moments, before subsiding slightly. Siegfried looked at it.
There was now a pillar of light shimmering in front of him, and Soul Calibur was floating above it. It had completely engulfed the body of his fallen love.
“What is happening?” he said in bewilderment.
Then, a figure stepped out of the pillar. At that moment, Soul Calibur flew back into Siegfried’s sheath, and the pillar faded.
The heroic knight’s mouth dropped open in shock, for standing before him was………

“Sophitia!!!” he exclaimed.
The Greek maiden smiled. “Did you miss me?”
Siegfried’s sadness turned to happiness. He ran to her and threw his arms around her. “I………I thought you were dead………”
“I was………” said Sophitia. “But Soul Calibur can do more than heal………” She looked into his eyes.
“I’m so happy………”said Siegfried, his face breaking into a wide smile. “I thought I’d lost you………”
“You could never lose me. I was in there………in your soul.” She tenderly touched his face. “And………I heard what you said………”
Siegfried gasped, and his face went slightly red. “Y-you did………?”
“Yes.” replied Sophitia, smiling brightly. “And this is what I have to say to that.”
She wrapped her arms around the knight’s neck, and gently kissed him on the lips.
“Siegfried………I love you too………” Now it was Sophitia’s turn to flush red.
Siegfried’s heart leapt. She loves me………? She loves me!!! He looked into her eyes, and leaned into her, kissing her on the lips as well.
Sophitia slid her tongue inside his mouth, searching eagerly for his. When she found it, she entwined hers with his, lovingly sliding hers all the way along his.
Siegfried had never know what a kiss felt like before, having never been in love. It felt like he was in heaven, and despite having never kissed before, he kissed back with passion and love.
A gentle breeze blew through both of them, blowing their hair all around their faces. Siegfried pressed his body closer to Sophitia’s, to keep her from being cold.
As they lost themselves in their passionate kiss, Siegfried realised that for the first time in his life, he wasn’t in a nightmare anymore, but a dream. A sweet dream………

He’d escaped his nightmare at last………


Epilogue

Rumours spread of the destruction of the Soul Edge, and although the true facts about the battle were never realised, one thing was known for certain. It was a knight from Germany and a maiden from Greece that brought the cursed weapon to its knees. No-one would ever know that the knight had once been Nightmare.

The survivors of Rouen eventually began to rebuild their lives. The tragedy of the Sorel family was mourned by many. No-one knew what became of the eldest son, Raphael.

Heishiro Mitsurugi went back to his native Japan, knowing that the Soul Edge was evil, and perhaps there was no way he could defeat the Tanegashima. He decided that maybe all he needed to win through was the stoutness of his heart, and his trusty Shishi-oh………

Siegfried and Sophitia, after their climactic battle with Raphael, Soul Edge and Nightmare, went off to start a new life together.
Siegfried took up a permanent residence with Sophitia in her home town of Athens. Her two children have grown very fond of the German knight.

Sophitia herself went back to the shrine and had a visit from the god Hephaestus, to whom she returned her Omega Sword and Owl Shield. When he asked why she was no longer willing to have the divine weapons, she replied:
“I have no more battles to fight. My place now is with the man I love.”

Siegfried gradually began to open up his heart to the world around him, thanks largely to Sophitia. He remained vigilant however, knowing that though the greatest evil in existence was gone, there was still plenty of trouble that mankind could cause by itself. For this reason, he still holds the spirit sword Soul Calibur, should it ever be needed again………


The Alexandra residence, Athens………

It was a beautiful sunlit night, with orange sweeping through the clear sky. Night would soon be upon Athens.
Sophitia stood, looking at this wonderful sight. She was dressed in a plain white dress, the dress of a housewife, even though she wasn’t a wife yet.
A gentle wind blew through her golden hair, and she shook it about a bit, enjoying the feeling. The wind had been exactly like that on the day she and Siegfried had confessed their love for each other………the day Soul Edge was finally destroyed.
“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” said a voice behind her, and then two arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
Sophitia smiled, knowing exactly who it was. “Yes………it hasn’t been like this for quite a while………”
Siegfried smiled, resting his head on her shoulder. “It’s not as beautiful as you, though.” At that remark, his love turned to face him.
“You flatter me………” she giggled, touching his face. “You’re not so bad yourself!”
Siegfried grinned. “You must be cold.” He cuddled up to her, keeping her warm. He was wearing a plain brown tunic, and black trousers. His trusty armour was inside the house.
“Thank you………” said Sophitia softly, feeling the warmth from him.
Siegfried then let go of Sophitia, and turned her around to face him.
“Siegfried, honey………is something wrong?” she said, a little worried.
“No………” smiled Siegfried, getting something from his pocket. “Everything’s perfect………” He kneeled down, taking Sophitia’s hand.
He showed her what was in his hand. A golden ring.
Sophitia gasped. It couldn’t be………
“Sophitia Alexandra, I love you with all my heart and all my soul. Will you marry me………?”
The girl’s eyes widened in surprise. She began to cry tears of joy, and she didn’t even need to think about the answer. “Y-Yes………”
Siegfried smiled, sliding the ring onto her middle finger. He stood up, and they both threw their arms around each other in a tight embrace, kissing each other as well.
The sunset faded, as a new chapter in Siegfried’s life began………

                                        THE END