After getting fixed up, Talim and Taki spent the rest of the day with the Alexandra sisters. Leads leaked in all day from concerned townspeople giving them information on Tira sightings and also asking about Sophitia and Taki. From what they heard, Tira never stopped her escape from the land. She never made a single attempt to harm or harass anyone. Tira didn't know how to live off the land, nor did she have any money. Taki and Talim were counting on Tira staying close to civilization for substance. But exactly how that substance was to be gained was a concern. The next morning, the girls bid farewell. They asked if Cassandra, Sophitia or any of the townspeople would help looking for Tira, but no volunteers came forward. But Sophitia did have one request. "If you do find Tira, bring her back. If she really means it, I do want to talk to her," she said. The girls took that to mind as they continued their search.
Following rumors he managed to hear or scare out of people, Nightmare traveled the land looking for Tira. He remembered that Tira borrowed his swimsuit model books and he wanted them back. That is what he tried to tell himself at least. The ulterior reason was that Nightmare still had no luck finding more evil minions. The urge to do bad was disappearing. All he did was lounge around. He finally realized what gave him the motivation to commit the most heinous acts of evil. It was his irritation and encouragement from Tira. When Siegfried escaped his control and he was left without a body, a stranger named Zasalamel revived him and encouraged him to get stronger to take on Siegfried. With the arrival of Tira, that task was extremely easy. But as he got stronger, so did the edge masters. Not to mention his body was unstable and was difficult to hold together without the continual absorption of evil energy. With the powers and talents of Kilik, Talim and other edge masters increasing as well as the continued conflicts with the other evil edge masters, Nightmare had a lot on his plate. But Tira never left his side. He planned to devour her powerful and evil soul long ago but he never got around to it for some reason. He sensed a threat coming. A large concentration of evil energy was approaching. Could it be evil edge masters or a lost soul? Nightmare would welcome the opportunity to nourish himself. Out from the shadows they came. Nightmare took back his enthusiasm. In one accord, Aeon Calcos, Raphael Sorel, Astaroth, and Cervantes De Leon appeared. All of these creatures were out for Soul Edge. But in the past, they all stood against each other, trying to prevent the others from claiming the cursed blade. Raphael tried to fight Nightmare once before, but was taken down quickly. However, the evil energy from his Soul Edge inflicted wounds now made him into a powerful menace. "We've finally tracked you down," said Cervantes while arming himself. "What is the meaning of this?" growled Nightmare. Lizard man spoke something, but of course, he couldn't really speak anymore. "In short, we all came to an agreement," announced Astaroth. "The other edge masters are getting to the point where they will start to over power us. The only way we can hope to stand against them is the fully completed Soul Edge. It so happens that you and Cervantes have the biggest pieces of Soul Edge." Astaroth brandished his heavy axe after his taunt. "So in short," added Cervantes, "We decided to have an all out battle between all the most powerful chaotic edge masters. The last one standing gets Soul Edge and all the power that comes with it. When Soul Edge absorbs all of our evil energy, it will complete itself, even without the last couple of fragments that still haven't been found." "You sure are eager to die, you fools!" challenged Nightmare. "Not as foolish as you Nightmare. We have been scouting you out for months. We know Tira is gone and that you haven't made any progress to strengthen yourself or Soul Edge. You're only a shadow of the Azure Knight you used to be" announced Raphael. "On the other hand, we all have been traveling to wastelands where evil abounds, taking in all the evil energy we can hold in. Our souls are much stronger then yours, Azure Knight. Now let us begin!" All of Nightmare's assailants charged him. Despite this being an "all out battle" it would seem that the others were intent on taking out Nightmare first, then probably moving onto Cervantes for his part of Soul Edge. Knowing this, Nightmare had no intention of running away. Even in his condition, he would not lose to vermin like them. Nightmare prepared himself for possibly his last, but greatest battle.
Tira was so exhausted from her running and hunger, she was on the verge of collapsing. "They all lied to me!" she yelled to no one. "They told me everything would be okay!" Right now, Tira didn't know what to do next. After looking around, she saw a small house off the side of the road. Some food, water and new clothes sounded good at the moment. In the past Tira would have had no qualms breaking in and taking everything and eliminating anyone who she saw. But something else spoke in her head too. She recalled Taki and Tira telling her how important it was for a person to respect life and to work for your bread. Tira's head hurt and she fell on her knees grasping her head. *FOOL! RISE UP AND DESTROY! YOU CANNOT DENY WHO YOU ARE!* said the voice in her head again. "No! Stop it!" pleaded Tira again. Tira must have been hallucinating, because she thought she saw a shadowy version of herself coming toward her in her orginal torn, green garb. She held a long knife in her hand. "You can never run away from me!" said the dopplganger with a wicked smile. Tira couldn't even cry for help or beg, for her fear and confused mind stopped her from making a sound. As the doppleganger came to strike her down, something else appeared. A ghostly version of Taki came and used her swords to hold off the attack, while Talim appeared next to her and took her into her arms as if she was shielding her from the evil. At the sight of Tira's protectors, the doppleganger shrieked with murderous intent and charged again. Tira closed her eyes again. When she opened them again, she was all alone. She was breathing heavy and was sweating. She eyed the house again. She made up her mind what she would do next.
Tira walked in slowly into the house and looked around. She didn't see anyone at first. The place appeared to be a shop for travelers. Bags of dried fruit and nuts were on sale, as well as durable but warm traveling clothes were also displayed. Tira eyed some first aid supplies, maps, as well as a small section where concealiable weaponry was available. Just what she needed. A few minutes later, she heard footsteps and a familiar sight. "What a pleasant surprise!" It was Sylvan, the young man from the circus. "Welcome to my shop Mistress Tira. Take a look around. Everything is half off right now, but if you stay the night, you can take it all off." Sylvan laughed at his own perverted comment, but was quickly hushed when Tira punched him hard in the face. "You? What are you doing here?" asked Tira. "This is my place. When you saw me at the circus, I was traveling. I heard about the Arthias recruiting event and was hoping to run into female edge masters. You traveled pretty far yourself, my fair lady. Where are my buxom and tree hugging goddesses?" asked Sylvan. "I couldn't stay with them anymore" said Tira softly. Sylvan eyed Tira's still bloody hand. Tira noticed his attention. He gave a serious look at her. "It's not what you think. I made a mistake, but I didn't kill her" defended Tira. "I really tried. I really thought I would make it." "I see your quest to escape your past is going rough for you" said Sylvan as he crossed his arms and sighed. "Tira, do I remind you of something?" Tira studied Sylvan intensly. Now that she thought about it, there was something. She felt this way when she met him back then, but she brushed it off. "Come with me and try to keep your voice down in the back" said Sylvan as she becoked her to the backroom. Tira followed quietly. When they passed by a bed, Tira saw another familiar face. It was Ivy Valentine, the daughter of Cervantes. She was a target for Nightmare as well, but she was very powerful and skilled, so Nightmare insisted on taking her on personally when he got stronger. She was trembling in her sleep and appeared to be hurt. Sylvan took a moment to replace the wet towel on her head and also lifted her blanket away. He removed the pack of herbs that was covering a spot near her chest. Tira gasped. A nasty wound was beneath it and hinted evil energy. Sylvan took a fresh pack of medicinal herbs and put it on Ivy. "Thank you" she said faintly. She didn't open her eyes, which was a mercy, because Ivy might have paniced and acted out by the sight of Tira. "What happened?" asked Tira quietly. "I'm not sure completely, but from what Ivy managed to tell me, she finally found her father and tried to fight him in mortal combat, but the fight was interrupted and she was overwhelmed. I found her clinging to life in the fields near here and hid her . I can't do anything about the evil energy ailing her. I can only attempt to ease her pain and close her wounds. She may not make it. I was hoping that Talim was nearby when I saw you just now. Anyway, that's not what I wanted to show you. Let Lady Valentine get her rest." Sylvan led Tira to the back of his house. The only thing present was a lone gravestone. "What is this?" asked Tira again. "You still don't remember, Mistress Tira?" asked Sylvan. "Tira, that's my grave. You killed me close to a year ago."