It felt like ice had shot through his belly. His mouth went dry. No…no, please, God, don't let her… he pleaded silently. He didn't know what to do. Cassandra stared at him expectantly, waiting for an answer. He swallowed and closed his eyes. Part of him wanted to run away, away from this blonde swordswoman who was so close to unmasking him. Another wanted to get on his knees and plead with her to be leave him alone. Then the rational part of his mind kicked in. He opened his eyes. Siegfried had an answer.
"All warriors who use the Zweihander style hold their swords as I do. The likeness between…Nightmare and I is coincidence. A terrible coincidence but one nonetheless." Would she accept his offering? Her expression went blank. Then her eyes narrowed.
"My sister also once told me how she once encountered a blonde German named Siegfried who used a Zweihander. No one has heard of him since the Azure knight appeared." Her hand went to her chin and she began to speak with mock curiosity. "Fredrick holds his sword like Nightmare. Fredrick looks like Siegfried. Siegfried vanished when Nightmare appeared. Soul Edge adapts itself to the style and weapon of it's user." She looked upwards at the sky and tapped her chin. "Hmm. Could it be…?"
*Clump.* Siegfried dropped Requiem. Cassandra saw the motion and followed the sword's descent. It was too late when she saw Siegfried coming. He grabbed her shoulders and head butted her as hard as he could. He heard a loud *smack* sound. His vision blurred briefly. She fell.
He stared at her prone body. In a few hours she would regain consciousness and certainly tell the world his secret. Everyone who'd lost a loved one to Soul Edge's romp would be after his blood. No. He couldn't have it. He walked over and picked up Requiem. It felt strangely heavy in his hands. He marched over to Cassandra's form. All I have to is bring it down, he told himself, and I'll be safe. His mouth was dry. He started to raise the sword.
He noticed his hands were shaking. He closed his eyes. He had to bury his emotions. It was for the best. Requiem was at his chest level. A strike from there would certainly kill the girl. He prepared himself. A tear leaked out of an eye closed tight as a fist. He flung his sword to the side and began to pant. He sat down and held a hand to his forehead. No, he thought. I'd be no better than Nightmare if I did it. Again he walked over and picked up Requiem. "Goodbye, Cassandra Alexandra. May you and I be far apart when you awaken," he said over his shoulder.
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Siegfried was surrounded by darkness. How had he got there? How could he leave? Hands. He couldn't move his hands. He looked down. His wrists were bound together by…he peered closer. Human hair. He looked in all directions. Only more darkness. He had no idea whether he was on some sort of surface or floating in the air. Then there was a voice. A familiar voice.
"It shall be known to all that Siegfried Schtauffen, son of Fredrick and Margaret Schtauffen, is accused of committing countless murders and other acts of destruction while under the influence of Soul Edge. As his savage acts have excluded him from the ranks of civilized society he has no need for a legitimate trial. I await the verdict." Twelve voices spoke.
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!"
"As expected. He shall be shamed until the end of his life. Goodnight" A tall figure in blue appeared in front of Siegfried. The deformed hand…
Nightmare. Siegfried felt powerless. With his human arm he removed his helmet. Siegfried was staring back at himself. Every part of the face was identical. The scar, the green eyes… it smiled at him. He was disgusted.
His bonds snapped. Siegfried rushed forward. He didn't have a weapon. He didn't care. "I'll kill you!" He screamed.
He woke up with a gasp. He was still in the cave where he'd made camp for the evening. The dream was fresh in his mind. "Soul Edge," he vowed. "I'm going to kill you as have killed me."