Yeah, I don't own SoulCalibur. But I do own the twins (they come in a little later). Anyone who thinks I'm nicking this story from Namco needs their head testing.

Story.

Read.

xD

Love you really. Enjoy!


Chapter 1

"Who is crying…?"

Siegfried Schtauffen's travels had brought him into the city of Athens, and now he was wandering closer to the sound of a rushing river- the sounds were accompanied by a woman sobbing, though at the moment he couldn't see who it was.

Curious, but making sure to keep his distance, Siegfried peered through a thicket blocking his way, hoping to find the source of the noise. He saw a blonde woman with her head hung, knelt on the rocky riverbank, and she seemed to be cradling something, or someone, in her arms. The sobs that shook her body were that of terrible suffering and grief.

"Should I…?" Siegfried wondered- he was reluctant to approach people given his past and his hesitance when it came to trusting people. Yet this woman felt familiar, and she could not be left alone with all that water foaming at her, soaking her clothes, or she would become ill. Mustering up his courage, Siegfried pushed the thorny thicket aside, protecting his head with his arm (he still wore his armour, which prevented the thorns from piercing him), and made his way to the riverbank hesitantly.

The woman looked up to the sound of clanking metal, and Siegfried saw her face properly. He was right to have thought her familiar; he recognised her green eyes (though currently swimming with tears), pale skin and braided blonde hair. Sophitia Alexandra held the body of a man in her arms- numerous deep slashes covered him and had obviously bled him dry. His wrinkled skin suggested he had been in the water a long time. Sophitia broke her brief eye contact with Siegfried, dissolving into tears again. Siegfried crouched beside her and touched the man's icy cold skin. "Who is this?" he asked quietly. Sophitia looked at him again, tears still cascading down her cheeks, and she choked on her agony as she replied hoarsely, "My…my husband…h-he went m-missing last week. He just…he j-just washed up!" Her last words came out almost a howl.

"Who did this to him?"

"I know not…"

Suddenly feeling sorry for the grieving woman, Siegfried was hesitant in putting an arm round her shoulders, but as she leaned her head on his chest it seemed almost instinctive to comfort her- stroking her hair seemed the most natural thing to do, and it is what he did.

"I should take you home," said Siegfried, releasing his hold on Sophitia and unclasping his cloak, draping it round Sophitia to keep her warm. "You have children, right? Where are they?"

"With Cassie…back home," replied Sophitia, allowing Siegfried to cover Rothion with a blanket from his pack and take the cold body from her. She clutched the cloak to her shivering body as if it comforted her. As they started to walk, Sophitia added, "I am sorry, you seem familiar, but if I ever knew your name I have forgotten."

"I am Siegfried," he replied. "I…you tried to talk sense into me, at the Shrine, all those years ago."

"So it was you inside the armour then?"

"Yes." He hung his head as if in shame. "I apologise for my actions back then."

"Those actions were not your own. You have nothing to apologise for. You are no longer Nightmare…Siegfried."

He almost smiled at the use of his name, but instead asked hers.

"My name is Sophitia Alexandra."

~*~

They found a girl slightly younger than Sophitia stood in the front doorway when they got back- Siegfried recognised her as Cassandra, whom he had run into a few times in the past. Cassandra's lips parted in confusion and she hurried forwards, grabbing her sister by the shoulders and shaking her. "Sophitia, you've been gone ages, what's the big deal?" she cried in frantic Greek. Sophitia did not answer, but looked over her shoulder to check where Siegfried was. He was standing quietly a little way off. Cassandra spotted him and narrowed her eyes. "I've seen you before…what are you doing with my sister?" she hissed in English. She clearly did not trust the German knight.

"Please, Cassie…he brought me home," Sophitia pleaded.

"I think you may recognise this man," said Siegfried, moving forwards and twitching the blanket aside so Rothion's face was visible. Frowning, Cassandra examined his face. She pulled the blanket down, and at the sight of the injuries her face turned a pale green, and she had to look away. A stifled sob behind her told them that Sophitia had started to cry again.

After taking a few big gulps of air to steady herself, Cassandra sighed heavily. "So, that's where he was…who was it?"

"She doesn't know."

"I will avenge him," Sophitia said in a low voice. "I will find whoever did this…"

"I don't think you're in any state to-"

"Please look after the children for a while longer, Cassie," Sophitia pleaded. "I must avenge my husband."

"I'm not their mother!" she burst out. "What am I supposed to tell them, you've gone on holiday?"

Siegfried covered Rothion again and placed him on the ground. He locked eyes with Cassandra, suddenly wanting her to understand. "Cassandra…listen to your sister. Can you not see the determination in her eyes? This is something she must do. I'm sure you can look after your niece and nephew for her, until she returns. Don't you want your brother-in-law to be avenged?"

These words stung Cassandra, and her face flushed. "Of course, I-"

Sophitia took her chance. "Then please…please, Cassie!"

Finally she gave in. "Very well…"

~*~

Rothion had always said he wanted to be cremated. Sophitia made sure his wish was fulfilled before preparing to leave on her journey. Pyrrha and Patroklos smothered their mother's cheeks with kisses and hugged her tightly. They did not cry as their father was burnt; they were brave children and understood why Sophitia was leaving. "Do you have everything?" Pyrrha asked.

"I'm sure, sweetheart."

"Take care!" Patroklos chirped, smiling.

Cassandra also gave Sophitia a hug. "Be careful, sis…"

"I promise." Sophitia kissed Cassandra's cheek and hugged her back. "I'll try to come back as soon as I can."

"Good. And Siegfried…" Cassandra spoke over her sister's shoulder, "look after her, you hear me?"

Siegfried blinked a few times, confused. "I'm sorry?"

"Well, you're going with her, aren't you?"

"I…I wasn't under the impression…"

"Kids, go back into the house, please," said Cassandra, "so we can talk."

They agreed and gave their mother one final kiss and hug. Pyrrha also hugged Siegfried and Patroklos shook his hand. "Bye, Sieg!" he grinned. Siegfried had to hide his smile as he watched the children vanish into the house. He was brought back to his senses by Cassandra yelling at him. "HEY!"

"I'm sorry…what?"

Sophitia stepped forwards, and rather hesitantly took Siegfried's hand. He stiffened at the contact. "I would be glad of company, and you are alone also, why don't we travel together?"

The knight shook his head and pulled his hand from Sophitia's. "That would not be advisable," he said quietly. "It isn't safe being around me."

"Why?"

"Sophitia, listen. Everyone I have ever known has died. Your children have just lost their father. Must they lose their mother also?"

"I am strong," she said. "This will be a dangerous journey in its own right. And I'm sure a knight such as yourself could protect me. You were recently knighted, no?"

"Yes...and I am eternally grateful to Lady Hildegard, but…"

"Oh, grow up!" Cassandra suddenly shouted, losing her temper. "I've got more guts than you and we must be about the same age! Sort yourself out!"

Siegfried clenched his jaw irritably- he hated being insulted, and much more by a woman. He uttered a curse under his breath in his mother tongue before saying in English to Sophitia, "Fine. If you are willing to risk your life, I will join you."

"Brilliant," she breathed, hugging him. He stiffened a little again, but he could feel Cassandra's eyes burning into the back of his head and tried not to let his discomfort show. Instead he patted her shyly on the head and sighed.

"So…the adventure begins, Sophitia."