Oh man! I'm so sorry for not uploading my story! I've been kinda busy lately. Anyways, here's the next part!


Chapter 3: Wrath of the Dark Lord

Two weeks have passed since Cassandra and Siegfried arrived at Wolfkrone. With so much uncertainty lying within the girl's heart, the knight decided that it was best the two of them stay at the castle until she finds an answer for herself. Hilde doubted that she would, with all of the past events that happened to her, but Siegfried refused to give up on her. She had to find her reason, even if it took her a whole lot of time.

From the balcony of the castle, Cassandra looked out to the horizon. The sky was filled with gray clouds, allowing only a few tiny rays of sunlight to seep through. She looked up to the sky and realized that it was cloudy as her heart. She just didn't know what to do.

"It seems that you're having a hard time figuring out the answer, Lady Cassandra."

Cassandra turned around and saw that it was Juliane. She had no idea the maid was there, nor for how long.

"Do you at least have any clue?"

The Athenian turned back to the horizon. "No . . . no matter what I do . . . I can't find my answer . . . I know that if I don't fight Sophitia, then a lot of people would lose their lives to the evil sword. But if I defeat her . . . then she'll-"

"Forgive me, Lady Cassandra, but is this woman truly the same Sophitia that you love with all of your heart?"

Cassandra was startled quite a bit when she heard that question. She slowly turned back to Juliane, unable to answer. The maid continued.

"Think for a moment. Would the Sophitia you love hurt other people for her own desires instead of trying to find a less violent way? Would she truly sacrifice others so that the ones she loved are protected? If not, then is the Sophitia who now holds Soul Edge . . . truly your sister?"

Cassandra stared straight into Juliane's hazel eyes, shocked at all the maid just said. "What are you saying? Are you saying that the sister that I know and love is dead?!"

"I'm not saying she's dead. Rather, she might be under the influence of Soul Edge. If you pick up your blade and fight, you might be able to find a way to free her and save her child."

"But . . . is there-"

Suddenly, there was a huge blast from the walls of the gate. Cassandra turned and saw that there was smoke rising from the gate walls. It looked like someone was attacking Wolfkrone. All of a sudden, Cassandra saw someone flying in the sky, heading right for her. She quickly grabbed Juliane and rolled away, avoiding the attacker. After they quickly got up, the Athenian was shocked when she saw who the attacker was. It was the one who she encountered back in Romania. She was absolutely positive about it. He wore a very dark green jacket and pants with a flowing cape and a white neck collar. All of the metal pieces on him took the form of bats. He had platinum blond hair with eyes that were red as blood.

"So, you're the one who has Soul Calibur sealed within your heart."

Cassandra was shocked when she heard him speak those words. "How did you-"

"Oh I can feel the sword's power flowing from within you. There's no doubt that it's in you. Now do me a favor and come along quietly and I won't hurt you."

The Athenian took a step back. "Like I'll ever go with you!"

"Tch. Why fight? You have no one to protect. From what I've heard, your sister murdered your entire family not too long ago."

Those words stunned Cassandra. My whole family . . . is dead?! It . . . can't be . . .

"No . . . You're lying!"

"Hmph. Believe whatever you want. But face it; you're all alone in this world."

Suddenly, he dashed towards the two girls. He knocked Juliane away and grabbed Cassandra by the neck, pinning her against the wall.

"If joining your family in the afterlife is what you're wishing for, then I, Raphael Sorel, shall grant you your wish!"

The vampire then pushed his hand at Cassandra's chest. In an instant, a blue light radiated from the girl's body. Suddenly the sword slowly came out of her, causing agonizing pain. Cassandra yelled at the top of her lungs, for the pain was unbearable. The more the sword came out, the more pain developed.

Raphael smirked. "At last, I shall have the power to create the perfect world!"

But suddenly, someone came from the vampire's side and knocked him away. In an instant, Soul Calibur went straight back into Cassandra's body. Juliane immediately got up and ran to the Athenian.

"Lady Cassandra! Are you alright?!"

Meanwhile, Raphael got back up and saw who knocked him away. It was none other than Siegfried. "How dare you! Now you shall pay with your life!"

The vampire's body suddenly glowed red and a crimson light shot from his body and into the clouds. Before Cassandra, Siegfried, and Juliane knew it, vampires appeared in the sky. Raphael then cried out to them, "My dear servants! You may now feast!"

In an instant, the vampires descended upon the city. They began grabbing the frightened residents and sucking out their blood, killing them in an instant.

Siegfried was horrified. "You won't get away with this!"

He instantly charged at Raphael, but the vampire jumped into the sky and changed into his vampire form. "Sorry, but you'll have to excuse me. My servants and I have some feasting to do." Raphael then turned to Cassandra. "Mark my words, girl. That sword within shall one day be mine!" He then flapped his demonic wings and joined his servants.

The knight cursed. "We have to stop him! Cassandra, let's go!"

He started for the stairs, but stopped when he realized that the girl wasn't following him. "Cassandra?"

The Athenian was looking down. "Siegfried . . . that vampire told me . . . that Sophitia . . . killed my family . . ."

The knight was shocked when he heard those words. But he instantly shook his head. "He's just putting down, Cassandra! Don't let those words-"

"But what if my family's really dead, Siegfried?! What if they're really gone for good?! Even if I defeat Sophitia, I'll have nowhere to go when it's over! I'm now all alone! All my life, I've been fighting for my family, to make sure that they live happy lives! But now that they're gone . . . I have no reason to fight . . . to go on . . . to live . . . I might as well just die!"

Cassandra then dropped to her knees and began crying. For a while, Siegfried and Juliane watched and she sobbed. Then the knight walked to her and bent down. He then placed his hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me. I don't know if what he said was true. But if it is, then let me say this. Just because your family's gone . . . doesn't mean that you should die as well. Algol entrusted you with Soul Calibur for a reason. He wanted you to save this world. And who knows, you might fight a way to bring your family back and set your sister free."

The girl looked up to the knight with tears with her eyes. "But . . . what if I can't bring them back . . . or free Sophitia?"

"Then you have to move on. I know that it'll be painful, but . . . you won't be alone. I'll be there by your side, and I'll make sure you'll pull through."

Cassandra and Siegfried stared into each other for a moment before the girl slowly nodded. The knight then helped her out and turned to Juliane. "For now, you need to evacuate the castle. Find any survivors and escape."

The maiden quickly bowed. "Yes, Sir Schtauffen."

As Juliane hurried, the two warriors looked out to the battle. It was time for some vampire hunting.


Meanwhile, outside the castle

"Give it all they got! Fire!"

After Hilde gave her order, the soldiers fired their cannons and catapults and the archers unleashed their arrows towards the sky. In an instant, dozens of vampires fell from the sky. Those that fell immediately ran towards the princess and her men. Hilde drew out her sword.

"Charge!"

In an instant, the soldiers charged at the vampires. Soon, the two forces collided with each other. Vampires took soldiers and sucked their blood while soldiers impaled their spears and blades into the vampires' hearts. Hilde took down every vampire that stood in her way with her sword and spear easily and gracefully. As she finished one off, she heard a sudden earth shake from behind and quickly turned to see Raphael, who had just landed. Once his minions saw him, they backed away, ready to watch a duel. The vampire transformed into his human form. He suddenly caught sight of the princess and gave an evil smile.

"So . . . you're Princess Hildegard von Krone? Then the rumors are true. You are as deadly with the sword as you are strong and beautiful. Perfect for being my wife."

Hilde pointed her sword at Raphael. "I shall never be an object of pleasure, especially for a vile creature like you!"

Raphael's evil smile instantly turned into a frown of disappointment. "You dare to defy me and refuse to come along quietly? Very well." He then pulled out a rapier with his left hand and took his stance. "Let us settle this with a duel!"

Hilde also readied her weapons and took her stance. Then they charged at each other. Raphael began thrusting his sword at Hilde swiftly and elegantly. The princess managed to block the attacks, but she knew that he was taking advantage. So when she saw an opening, she immediately started slashing her sword and thrusting her spear at the vampire. For a while, neither of them made progress. They just tried to take advantage. Finally, Raphael had it.

"I think it's time for me to taste your blood!"

He charged his rapier and swung it at Hilde, which broke her guard. Before the princess could react, the vampire sprinted towards her and bit her right shoulder. In an instant, Hilde cried out in agonizing pain. But she managed to knee-kick Raphael in the stomach and knocked him away. However, she suddenly felt dizzy and had a hard time concentrating.

Seeing the look on Hilde's face, Raphael smirked. "It seems that the venom is slowly taking its toll on your body. If you don't do something about it, you'll become one of my minions. But of course, I can't afford to lose the opportunity to get a beautiful girl like you!"

He then charged at her again, rapidly attacking with his rapier. Hilde desperately blocked with her spear, for her right arm was throbbing with pain, but the vampire managed to pierce through parts of her armor and caused her to lose even more blood. Then Raphael stabbed her in her left shoulder, causing the princess to drop her spear. Then the vampire grabbed her by the neck and drew her close to him.

"Once you become my minion, you'll me how it feels . . . to be no longer human!"

He then readied his fangs and was about to bite her in the neck. But then a bright green light shined on them. Its holy power forced Raphael to let go of Hilde and backed away. While covering his eyes, the vampire realized this power.

"Grrh! The Holy Stone!"

Hilde quickly turned around and noticed a man dressed in unusual blue clothing. In his right hand was a red rod and around his neck was a light green pendant, which was the source of the light.

"One who has been infected with evil, you shall hurt no one!"

Raphael grunted. "Well if isn't the one who's been ruining my perfect schemes! I'll have my minions deal with you! Mark my words; I shall get you both!"

In an instant, he changed into his vampire form and flew away. His minions then surrounded the two and were about to charged at them. But then some of them suddenly got sliced in half from behind. Hilde and the man turned and saw that it was Cassandra and Siegfried. The knight turned to the man.

"Cassandra and I trust you. Please protect the princess."

The man nodded and quickly grabbed the princess. Then he jumped high, taking Hilde far away from the battle ground. All of a sudden, the Wolfkrone army appeared and to Siegfried and Cassandra. Then they all continued their assault. Before long, those from both sides fell, and the ground was soon covered in blood. But the knight and the Athenian continued to slice the vampires, one by one. The creatures were no match against them. Finally, they stood behind each other and charged up their weapons. Then they swung their blades, sending a shockwave that finished off the last of the vampires.

For a while, the two warriors just stayed in their stances before standing up again. Then they turned to each other and just stared into each other's eyes. Then Cassandra walked up to Siegfried and hugged him tightly. Burying her face into his armor, she began to silently cry. The knight gently wrapped his arms around the girl and pulled her closer to his body. After a while, Cassandra lifted her head and looked at Siegfried's face again with a small smile.

"Thank you . . . for giving me strength."

Siegfried gently smiled and kissed her on the forehead. He then drew her again. For a long time, they just stood there, holding each other in the arms.