Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction using elements not belonging to the author. Such elements belong to their respective owners. Any similarities with other stories by other authors, either living or dead, are purely coincidental.This was the first time she was truly afraid.

She had heard tales of the pirate's reputation. She had gathered information about him. All that she did because of their cursed link. Yet this was the first time she had seen him in person, and in action. He wielded the two swords with power, precision and grace that bested the skills of the monster she had once served. It was almost as if he and the cursed blades were one.

And that terrified her.

Even the weapon that she holds, her beloved Valentine, who would always come to life whenever she was threatened, seemed to tremble at the not yet complete power of the demon blades.

'Are you afraid of your parents as well, my Valentine?'

Cervantes was now warmed up and ready for the kill. All that remains of his opponents were mere children. With an unholy smile on his face and bloodlust in his mind, he turned to his last remaining victims.

It was then that he saw Ivy.

She bore such a remarkable resemblance to a woman Cervantes knew in the past. It was long before Cervantes even considered being a pirate. The last she had heard of his wife, she fled their home town after hearing news of his becoming a pirate. It had been six years before he acquired the Soul Edge.

He also heard that when she fled, she had just given birth.

And now here stands a woman bearing the likeness of his beloved wife.

'Could it be?'

The pirate began to walk towards Siegfried and the others. Raphael knew that she was heading towards Ivy. He quickly stood in front her.

"Stand aside Frenchman; it is the woman I want." Cervantes said in an angry voice.

"No! I will not let you harm her." Raphael said in a defiant tone.

He quickly advanced towards the pirate, thrusting his rapier at his opponent. It was apparent to Cervantes this man would only be a hindrance to him.

"I have no time for this!"

The pirate parried the rapier strikes and then thrust the Soul Edge. The strike missed Raphael's lungs but that was not the intended target. Raphael soon found himself clamped by the blades. With superhuman strength, Cervantes flung his opponent over his head. Raphael landed in an unconscious heap on the other side of the ship.

Amy tried to run to Raphael's side but Cassandra stopped her. She looked up and saw that Siegfried was the only one left to fight. She wanted so badly to aid him. All he had was his broken sword and ordinary clothes to protect him against the immortal pirate and his demon blade. She knew he had no chance to win, yet she still did what he told her even though she didn't want to. It made her so angry at herself. She felt so helpless.

The former knight knew fighting this opponent was suicide. Even with knowledge he still decided to hold his ground. If he was to die here, so be it. He will pay for his crimes with his life, but not before ensuring the survival of his friends.

'Friends?' he smirked, 'When was the last time I considered someone a friend?'

Taking his broken sword, Siegfried took his position in front of Ivy. Cervantes almost dropped his weapons at the sight of what stood before him. The others were well equipped for combat. Some even had armor. But this man didn't even have a decent shirt. And here he was going to fight him with a broken sword.

"Get out of my way. I'm not in the mood for killing lunatics."

"Know that I will stand my ground, pirate." Siegfried declared, "I will not back down."

Siegfried advanced. He kept striking at the pirate hoping to injure Cervantes in someway. Cervantes did nothing but parry the knight's blows.

'He's strong. Perhaps I should take his soul as well. Ah…I'll do it after I do what I have to do.'

Stepping away, Cervantes began to prepare for an attack. Siegfried tried to defend with his sword, but the strike was far too strong. It sent the knight flying to the mast and into unconsciousness.

Cassandra turned her head in time to see Siegfried hit the mast. Resisting the urge to curse out loud, she took her sword and cut the rope which held the life boat containing Talim, Yunsung, and Taki. As soon as the boat hit the water, she turned to her enemy.

Cervantes continued to walk towards Ivy. In an effort to defend herself, she tried to strike at the pirate with the Valentine. He only let it wrap around the bigger demon sword, which absorbed the energy that gave the whip-sword life. Ivy could only watch in horror as her beloved weapon trembled and fell lifeless.

Cervantes relished the feeling of the power returning. There was also an extra surprise. Along with some of the Soul Edge's energy, Cervantes also received Valentine's 'memories'. These memories included some that belonged to its mistress.

"Isabella."

Her name was said in such a manner that brought chills down Ivy's spine. Releasing one of the demon blades, Cervantes cupped her cheek and ran his hands on the side of Ivy's face. She cringed at the undead pirate's freezing touch.

"You bear your mothers name, as well as her likeness."

She could no longer take it. She tried to get away from him but he grabbed her wrists before she could get any farther.

"Hahaha. What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see your father?"

"Let me go. You are not my father." Ivy screamed, tears falling from her eyes with terror.

At that moment Cassandra came in with a mighty war cry. The pirate quickly recalled his blade. She skillfully targeted the pirate's weapon instead of Cervantes himself. She knew that her weapons would surely damage the demon blades. Cervantes tried retaliating, but each strike on the girl's weapons would cause him unbearable pain. Before the next blow was struck, he leapt away. Cassandra ceased immediately.

The pirate recognized the weapon the girl used. It belonged to the first warrior to ever come close to defeating him. Her style was also similar. The 'memory' of Valentine told him that she was the sister of that female warrior.

"I know who you are girl. Where is your sister? Is she afraid of getting hurt again that she has sent you to die in her place?"

"Sophitia no longer needs to fight. Her life is much better now. I'm your opponent so face me."

The fight continued. Cassandra put all her might in every blow. She tried to aim for his head, but Cervantes stopped her with his crossed blades.

"You may bare the weapons, but that does not make it enough to stop me."

Cervantes pushed Cassandra away with great force. He bore down the larger blade on the Omega sword, making it fly out of Cassandra's hand. Then he used the smaller one to toss the Nemea shield away. Cassandra was now unarmed and defenseless. Before she could react the pirate kicked her on the stomach, stunning her and making her fall. The pirate quickly drove down the smaller demon sword near Cassandra's shoulder. It slightly grazed her right shoulder and neck, but it also pinned her down.

"Now, what should I do with you?" Cervantes said in a malicious tone. "Ah, what am I thinking? I should just get this over with."

Slowly, Cervantes raised his sword. "I really wanted to do this to your sister. I will just have to think of something better."

Cassandra closed her eyes and waited for the blow. Cervantes brought the blade down but instead of cutting through Cassandra's flesh, it was stopped by a wide metal blade. Both looked to their sides.

"Siegfried!" came Cassandra's relieved voice.

Siegfried parried the pirate's weapon away. He then removed the lesser blade and helped Cassandra up.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes." It was the only thing Cassandra could say. She couldn't help but notice how close Siegfried was holding her close to him.

"You are a stubborn one." Cervantes said as readied to attack.

"Cassandra, please move away. You could get hurt again."

Much to Cassandra's disappointment, she was gently pushed away by the knight. Siegfried then took his combat stance.

Cervantes again received another surprise. He knew the stance his opponent took. Siegfried was in a horse riding stance with his right side was facing the pirate. His arms hung in front, gripping his weapon tightly. He crouched slightly, as if ready to pounce.

Cervantes knew the stance was belonged to Nightmare's. He also knew that the azure knight was once the boy who took from him his beloved blades, a boy named Siegfried.

'The Greek called him Siegfried. Is it possible?'

"This ends now pirate!"

"We shall see."

Cervantes struck forward. With skill gathered over many years, Siegfried twirled around while bringing his sword over his head. The move took him away from the enemy's strike. As he faced his opponent, he brought down his blade, striking the pirate on the shoulder. Cervantes winced in pain, making him expose his torso. With all his might, the knight ran his blade through the pirates body. With a great cry, he through himself and the undead pirate overboard.

It was as if everything slowed down for Cassandra as Siegfried and Cervantes fell to the sea. She tried to go after the knight but Ivy stopped her.

"Don't do it. It's already too late."

Suddenly, a light appeared from the sea. What surprised to two more was Siegfried being thrown from the water an back into the boat. The two women scrambled to help their comrade. Cassandra quickly collected him in her arms.

"Please lie still, Siegfried, it's all over. You've defeated Cervantes."

In an almost in audible tone, Siegfried said. "Not yet."

At that moment, Cervantes burst forth from the water. He still had Siegfried's sword lodged in his body. With a terrible cry, he unleashed a great forced that shattered the blade.

"I…may have…underestimated you, boy." he said as he clutched his stomach. "We should continue this at another time and place. Make sure you grow stronger, or it would be much of a sacrifice for Soul Edge."

With one final evil laugh, the pirate flew back to his ship.

Siegfried was spent. His entire body was aching. Still he felt contented. He has saved his companions. He has saved Cassandra.

'Now I can rest.'