A/N: Hello all, and welcome to the sixth chapter. I won't spoil too much, but we'll get some good shit. You know…

Ah fuck it. Just enjoy a brief but frenzied make out session.

Of Crossed Swords

Summary: Jane was frustrated with being the weakest link on her team, tired of being the damsel in distress, and she ran into the Emerald Forest only to stumble upon the blade Soul Edge. Touching it transforms her into a monster, and Pyrrha doesn't know if she can bring her back…

*Hunger*

Cinder let out a heavy breath, lowering her arm. She had spent hours training to get used to her new powers, burning the flesh of Beowolves and Ursai alike. And yet…she couldn't help but feel disappointed that she was to be confined to the palace while Nightmare, or rather, Jane, was out killing those foolish enough to get in her way.

She didn't dare voice her disappointment to Salem; her goddess wouldn't take kindly to it and probably punish her most severely for daring to question her.

Cinder's desires to dominate with her newfound magical abilities surged through her, the flames that danced on her fingertips desperately craving to burn human flesh. She needed a way to release those desires, to vent her frustrations. It was like it was alive, a scaly monster that clawed desperately at her insides to escape.

She needed either a good fight or a raw and passionate fuck.

Cinder smirked to herself. Whenever she used to feel a need for stress relief, Emerald was usually the one she went to. The girl thoroughly loved it, submitting to Cinder and allowing the Fall Maiden to take what was hers. Emerald was only too happy to be dominated the way she was.

Today, however, her little thief wasn't going to be the one she claimed. Nor would it be Mercury.

No, her mind was set on the one who truly her equal. The one who possessed powers that rivaled her own.

Nightmare.

Cinder couldn't deny it. Even possessed by a demon, the girl was attractive. Pale skin that yearned to be touched, glowing eyes that burned with the fiercest of emotions, and a silky voice that made her insides quiver in anticipation.

The girl radiated power, and Cinder knew she was drawn to it. Instead of it frustrating her, she smiled. It wasn't one of her normal smiles, where it was more of a display designed to intimidate. 'I think I should stake my claim on her before someone else gets the same idea.'

No one else had dared to approach Nightmare the way Cinder had, whether it was out of fear of being killed by one of the two women or a mere lack of interest. But Cinder knew that the sooner she staked her claim, the better.

She left the chamber behind, her heels clinking on the smooth floor, and her amber eyes narrowed when she heard Tyrian's voice cackling madly with laughter. "What is the meaning of this, Tyrian?" 'I hate him. He's nothing more than a trigger-happy psychopath. Why Salem insists on keeping herself surrounded by his madness, I'll never understand.'

"Nothing at all," Tyrian replied, stifling a giggle. "But I've noticed something different about you, dear Cinder. You seem to have an aura of…longing. Yes, longing. You long for someone to touch you in ways no one else has managed to."

"If you wish to keep your tongue, I'd suggest you shut your damn mouth," Cinder growled, her hands alight with her maiden powers. "Or I will burn you to oblivion."

"Ooooh~!" Tyrian cackled, his tail quivering. "How exciting. Please, do not let me stop you from indulging in your intimate desires."

He stepped aside with a graceful bow, and Cinder scowled as she stalked away from the mad Faunus. 'Bastard. I think I hate him more each damn day.'

Still, as irritating as Tyrian was, Cinder did have to admit that he made for a deadly enemy in battle. His eccentric fighting style threw opponents off, and his tail added an extra weapon to his arsenal. 'Maybe that's why she bothers to keep him around. I certainly can't think of any other reason otherwise.'

Being the woman she was, it was normally very difficult for her to have any time to herself. Emerald constantly followed her like a lost little puppy, too eager to please and shrinking away at the slightest bit of harshness. As for Mercury, she made clear very early on his pathetic attempts to woo her wouldn't have the effect he ached for, but being a boy who constantly thought with the wrong part of his anatomy the message to leave her alone had, sadly, yet to sink into that thick skull of his.

Cinder had sent both of them to their quarters earlier in the day, with strict orders to not disturb her until she called them. She had given the order about four hours ago, and so far the only one to really test her thin patience was Tyrian only minutes ago. 'One little blemish shouldn't spoil the peace I've enjoyed so far.'

She heard footsteps ahead of her, and her eyes strained to see in the inky dark of the corridor. The steps were slow and menacing, and a sudden surge coursed through Cinder's body; there was no mistaking that aura of despair anywhere, and when their owner came into view, her eyes gleamed.

Nightmare had finally gotten rid of her old clothes and decided to wear the new clothing provided to her by Hazel earlier, and by the gods did she look stunning in it. She now wore a black shirt over a dark red dress that was cut at the middle of her thighs, and black boots. She also seemed to have taken liking to a dark cloak with the hood currently down, and her new shield fit the rest of her perfectly. It was larger and heavier than her previous one, with glowing red lines in the pitch black metal and cruel spikes on the top of it; just striking someone with it was sure to cause some sort of damage.

"Just returned, have you?" Cinder asked with a smirk.

Nightmare blinked, and for a second Cinder swore she saw the girl's eyes flicker down to her chest. "I have. The Valentine family has been killed, apart from their youngest daughter. Our Lady wishes for me to…interrogate her, and wants you to speak to her at once."

"Of course." Cinder fell in next to her, and the two walked on quietly together.

The silence between them was nearly unbearable, and Cinder had to suppress a growl of frustration from slipping out. However, she wasn't as good at hiding it as she thought. That, or Nightmare was damn good at reading people's faces.

"Something to say, Cinder? By no means hold it back now." Damn it, those lips looked were too captivating. So full, so soft…

And so sweet.

Every fiber of her being was screaming at her to take her, right there and now. Cinder's resistance was crumbling, brick by brick, until it tumbled like an avalanche.

"Then I won't." Cinder pushed the blonde warrior against the wall, her grip on her shoulders tightly keeping her in place. Before the girl could react, Cinder covered her mouth with her own, finally giving into the desires she wanted to. The scaly monster that clawed at her earlier let out a happy purr, content with her current actions.

She hadn't felt anything like this. Never when she conquered Emerald. It was strange to her; a warm feeling that coursed through every part of her body and settled between her legs. Cinder didn't know how much time she spent kissing her. But when she pulled away, slowly and deliberately, part of her burned in anticipation upon looking at those glowing eyes.

"Why…? Why did you do it?" Nightmare's voice was little more than a quiet whisper, the girl seemingly stunned by the bold move Cinder just made.

"If you didn't want it, you would've pulled away and blasted me aside with your magic." Cinder ran a finger over her lips, licking her own. "But you didn't. In fact, I'd go as far as to say you enjoyed it quite a bit. Am I right in that assumption?" 'Fuck, I needed that. And yet as exhilarating as it was for a mere kiss, I need even more.'

The faintest hint of a blush appeared on Jane's pale cheeks, and that hot stare of hers faltered little by little. But her pride refused to let her answer immediately, and the Fall Maiden's hands started to roam a little.

"I asked you a question." Her hands moved quickly and delicately, tracing paths down her chest and sides. She was rewarded by a hitch in Nightmare's breath, and the blonde shivered at her touch.

"Then here's your fucking answer," Nightmare finally replied. Her hands clasped on Cinder's back, and with her unnatural speed spun Cinder around so now she was the one pushed against the wall. Her lips covered the fiery witch's, and Cinder clutched at her shoulders.

This was more of what she wanted; to have someone show her that they weren't going to be pushed around even in bedroom activities. Kissing Emerald was nice, of course. But kissing Nightmare was a privilege very few would ever get the chance to boast about.

It was everything she hoped for, to have a kiss fueled by fiery passion that would leave them both breathless.

And so Cinder kissed her back.

Both women refused to submit, both trying hard to conquer and force the other into being dominated. Cinder loved it, both the feeling and taste of her lips. They were sweet with the wine Watts kept around the palace, and Cinder tried to cover them to the best of her abilities.

Then Nightmare's tongue came prodding at her lips, demanding entry into her oral cavern. Cinder smirked; this was far more intoxicating than a simple kiss, after all.

She complied, parting her lips to let her own tongue slide out. They wrestled for dominance, each of their tongues sliding against each other and refusing to be pushed back.

And by the gods, did it leave them both breathless.

They reluctantly pulled apart, both panting heavily. The air between them was thick with lust, and it was delicious.

"I don't know what the hell it is about you…" Nightmare said quietly. "But dammit, I am drawn to you like no one else."

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," Cinder replied in return. She settled her hands on the blonde's waist, a fingernail gently scratching at her back, and she leaned in to give her another soft kiss. "I find myself wanting more."

"As do I…" Nightmare let out a soft moan, and she relinquished her grip on the Fall Maiden's shoulders to go to the torture chamber. She looked back, touching her lips with a finger. "Don't go too far, now."

Damn, for a girl who couldn't have been older than seventeen, she knew how to make a woman happy.

Pyrrha felt horrible for Jane's father.

They had arrived at the Arc residence in Nibelhiem only an hour ago, and were introduced to Jane's father by Qrow. Pyrrha could sense the sadness rippling from him like a wave, and the redhead took a seat next to him in the living room. "I'm sorry…"

No father liked hearing the news of their child turning into a monster, and he didn't say anything in return.

Cloud Arc was short, even shorter than her. Despite being old enough to have most of his children in their twenties, he still had a very youthful appearance. His bright blue eyes were little more than sorrowful pools, and were fixed on the fire while Nora and Ren helped cook with Jane's grandfather.

"You don't need to be," he finally answered after a pregnant pause. "It wasn't your fault that Jane became Nightmare and did what she did."

Cloud looked at the huge sword hanging up on the wall to their right, and he sighed before standing up and walking over to pick it up. "Regardless, I suppose it can't be helped."

He spun the sword like it was a flyswatter, resting it on his shoulder. "I am the former wielder of Soul Calibur. I once fought against Soul Edge, but recently, I noticed the sword changed its shape. I'm no longer its master."

The blonde swordsman looked at her. "I think you might be."

"Me?" Pyrrha blinked. "Why?"

"This is why." Cloud motioned for her to follow, and she followed him into a room filled with weapons and various Dust crystals. He picked up a bright blue and white sword, handing it to her. "Look at it, carefully."

Pyrrha looked the blade over, and her eyes widened. "Wait a minute…is this…?"

"That's right. You know that form, don't you?" Cloud asked.

"I do." Pyrrha nodded, and she held it up in the light to reveal the runes inscribed on its handle. There was no mistaking it.

"Good. We begin tomorrow morning," Cloud said. "And…promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"Promise you'll release Jane from her torment. No one deserves to have their soul constantly ripped apart."

Pyrrha gripped Soul Calibur, feeling herself fill with determination. "I will."

"I'll set her free."

A/N: Not sure when the next one will be out. I promise to have smut before chapter ten though. See you again soon!

Discord: DPL #5371