It's judgment day and now we've made our stand

And now the powers of darkness

Have been driven from our land

The Battle's over but the war has just begun

And this way it will remain til the day when all are one

~White Lion

"Fear the wrath of God!" Those were the last words the man heard following a sickening crunch as the dark knight's demonic blade impaled him. The man let out a death cry as blood gushed from his wound and his mouth, then he gave up the ghost, but his soul wouldn't find peace, even in death. The killer stood in triumph over his kill. "What sweet sounds of death!" said Night Dragon with a grin as he pulled his sword from the corpse.

The man that Night Dragon had just slain was the leader of a heretic cult that had wrought terror on the nearby land. Draco had set out to silence him, but when he found himself grossly outnumbered Draco gave in to Soul Edge and became Night Dragon once again. Many blood stained corpses laid at his feet none of these fools had over stood a chance against the dark knight.

"My lord, we have wiped out all of their remaining forces," said Tira as she bowed to him.

"Excellent, though these fools were hardly even appetizing to Soul Edge," replied Night Dragon with an evil grin.

'Draco, it's hard to believe it's you in that armor sometimes, to hear you talk this way is so strange. After all, it was you that showed me the error of my ways,' thought Tira as she looked at the corpses scattered through the temple.

Just then Night Dragon let out a pained cry. Draco was now overpowering Soul Edge to take full control of himself again. Though Draco was mostly in control even when he was possessed by Soul Edge's power, the demonic blade still put up a fight each time, but each time it failed. Night Dragon grabbed his head and flung his helmet to the ground. Tira quickly rushed to her husband's side as he fell to his knees; she could see his grotesquely mutated right changing back into its original state.

Draco could hear Soul Edge's whispers as he fought to take control again; each time it tempted him, but he always managed to overcome it- this time was no different.

"Are you okay now?" asked Tira after seeing he was back to his human state.

"Yes, I'm fine; now, let's go home," said Draco as he rose to his feet. Draco, Tira and the others then headed home for Ostrheinsburg.

.::~::.

After returning to the castle, Draco and Tira went in to check on their children, Draga and Tela.

Tela was fast asleep, but as soon as they entered the room Draga awoke and began crying. Tira walked over, picked him up, and hugged him as she sat in the chair next to their bed. "There, there, it's okay," said Tira with a smile as she patted the infant's back.

Draco sat on a windowsill and watched as the woman he once knew as a cruel cold hearted killer showed compassion and love- this brought a smile to Draco's face as he turned and looked at the horizon from the castle window.

"Who's my handsome little boy?" said Tira with a smile as she rocked her son. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Draco and noticed he looked troubled. "Draco, why don't you come and hold your son?" she asked.

"Not right now, I need to go," said Draco.

"Why?" asked Tira.

"I just need to be alone awhile," replied Draco as he left the room.

"Oh, Draco..." muttered Tira as she continued rocking Draga.

.::~::.

Draco silently walked through the castle; he knew exactly were he was going. He headed up the many stairs and entered the crumpled remains of the chapel. Draco sat down on the ledge and began to take off the armor on his arms and chest. He looked at all the scars on his arms and body- even his black shirt couldn't hide all the scars on his chest. Nothing could. Each scar was a reminder of the hell that Soul Edge had put him and his family through. Lately, Draco had been plagued with memories of his past conflicts with Soul Edge, such as the death of his master Giradot, his battle with Strife, and Soul Edge possessing him to carry out its will.

Though he had defeated it, the thought of the sword still existing troubled him; to make matters worse he was still its wielder. Many times Draco had felt the urge to destroy Soul Edge, but each time Soul Calibur stopped him from doing so, but Draco never understood why.

As he sat there he dozed off and he began having a dream; he saw a vision of his master Giradot standing before him. "Master, how can it be?" cried Draco.

"Draco. You have done well, my student. I'm proud of you," said Giradot.

"No, I haven't. I've failed you, Giradot; look what I've done, look what I've become!" said Draco as he fell to his knees.

"I know that you wield Soul Edge, Draco, and I know what has happened since my death, but I'm still proud of you."

"How could you be?" asked Draco.

"Draco, you know as well as I you were not fated to destroy Soul Edge; this is your children's destiny, but you still carry on. You use Soul Edge to protect the innocent, and you keep it out of the hands of the wicked," replied Giradot.

"A lot of good that does. I still give into its power at times," said Draco.

"Maybe so. Have you ever killed an innocent even when you give into it?" asked Giradot.

"No, sir, but when it was controlling me I..." said Draco.

"I know this too, Draco, but it was not your fault. Remember what I taught you. Always hold on to your honor- that's a knight's greatest treasure; never let Soul Edge or anything take that away from you!" said Giradot.

"I've lost my honor, master; all that's really left for me is death," said Draco.

"Don't talk like that!" yelled Giradot as he grabbed Draco by his shirt. "You're wrong! Look at everything you have, child! You have a family now, they need you!" yelled Giradot.

"They don't need me..." replied Draco.

"Don't be a fool, Draco! Do you even realize where that girl would be without you? You've saved her from a horrible fate, and if that's not enough think of your children that need their father!" said Giradot.

"Master, that's the problem. My children will have a lot of pain in their lives, and it's all my fault; and Tira… well, I know her fate as well as I do mine," replied Draco.

"But look at how it will be in the end- your children are the destined ones, and yes, their will be pain, but remember- sacrifices must always be made if anything is to be gained. Tira knows what's going to happen to herself, but she still lives her life happily, and you should do the same. Value the time you have on this Earth with her and your children," said Giradot as he released his grip on Draco's shirt collar. "It's time for me to go now, but Draco, for your family's sake, take what I've told you into consideration," said Giradot as he faded away.

"Master, wait! Don't go!" yelled Draco.

A moment later Draco found himself back in the chapel; it was all just a dream, or was it? "Master, you're right; I will live the rest of my life happily with my family, and even after we're separated by death one day will all be reunited,' said Draco as he looked up at the sky.

Tira had entered the chapel unbeknownst to Draco. "Aw, are you still moping about that scar I put on you when we first met?" asked Tira sarcastically.

Draco turned and smiled as she walked over and sat down by him.

"You've been thinking about all of it, haven't you? Our fates, I mean," said Tira.

"Yes… well, not mine, but yours and the children's. All the pain you'll go through and it's my fault," said Draco.

"Draco, I love you, and I'll stand by you no matter what; pain or no pain, we can't gain anything without making sacrifices," said Tira.

Draco turned and looked at her. "You know, an old friend that's no longer with us always told me that, and I'm sure that both of you are right," said Draco as he put his arm on Tira's shoulder.

The two sat in the chapel together and watched the sun set. 'Soon our time will come, but Draga and Tela, when that happens, you both shall rise and end this war for good. Until then, we shall live as best we can until the day when all are one,' thought Draco as he watched the sun set with his beloved. "Thank you, General Giradot," said Draco with a smile.

"What you say?" asked Tira

"Nothing, just thinking of an old friend," said Draco with a smile. As the sun fully set Draco knew now what he had to do with the rest of his time- teach Tela and Draga the art of combat, to ensure the destruction of the demonic blade once and for all.