Thank you to all who reviewed! Yes, Siegfried and Sophitia are my favourite pairing :) YF-21, sorry if you're sick of it, but it's what I want to do. What did you mean by 'more people would review if you allowed anybody to do so'? Anyone's free to review my work, be it a good or bad opinion!

Anyway, on with the fic!

Chapter 3 – Draw thy Sword, Once Again………

A week passed, and Siegfried spent it heading through the best part of Europe. It took him time, and a little help from other people, to remember how to get to the city of Athens.

Now he was on a ship, heading straight for the city. He'd heard stories of how the people of Athens worshipped several different gods, rather than just one. For Siegfried, who had been raised as a Christian, this was a strange. He'd never thought about it the first time he'd been to Athens, but he wondered how it was possible to worship several gods. How could one possibly do the right thing by each one?

The ship was a galley, rowed by several able-bodied men. Siegfried had boarded the ship from Italy, along with an assortment of people. There was a party of noblemen, along with a man who looked like he had fallen on hard times – he didn't have much in the way of clothing or belongings. A young couple were also present. Siegfried had guessed they were just married.

Finally, there was a very stern looking swordsman. He was obviously from the Far East, Japan to be exact. He wore a cloak, but Siegfried could see that a sword was sheathed on the man's left hip.

Siegfried turned his attention to the view. The sky was clear and sunny, and the waters gentle. The whole ship journey had been uneventful………in fact, Siegfried's journey from Germany had been uneventful. It seemed odd that not one person had come seeking Soul Edge………

Siegfried had purchased a large sack, made of strong material, in which to carry Soul Edge. He couldn't let anyone see the weapon, and he didn't like the idea of carrying it on his back, lest he instinctively went to draw his weapon………and found his hands on Soul Edge's hilt. As long as no-one saw Soul Edge, he would be fine.

He had also purchased a new sword, an iron broadsword. It wasn't very good quality, but it would be sufficient until he got Faust back. He didn't expect any significant trouble anyway.

"Ahhhhh………" Siegfried relaxed, and let the cool breeze brush his face. It made him think of happier times………

"Lovely, isn't it? Reminds me of home." came a voice next to him. The Japanese swordsman had moved next to him. His eyes stared at the young knight, hard and piercing as if trying to look into his mind.

Siegfried had only just noticed the man. Having been Nightmare for so long, Siegfried was now unused to talking, and opening up to anyone. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a meaningful conversation with anyone, or even tried to talk to anyone. Now, a complete stranger wanted to converse with him. He was wary of this warrior from the East………he doubted that all he wanted was to talk about the view………

"What do you want?" said Siegfried, pretending to look at the view, but in fact was watching for any sudden movements from the man.

The warrior laughed. "Come now, friend! Surely a man can speak freely to another?" The breeze blew strands of his black hair upwards, and he smoothed it back down. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Heishiro Mitsurugi, and the home that I speak of is Japan." He paused, looking the armoured young man up and down, sizing him up.

"I don't care of your business." spoke Siegfried coldly.

"Who said anything about business?" said Mitsurugi in a friendly manner. "I would just like a friend to speak with. Travel is better when you're not alone!"

Siegfried turned around to face Mitsurugi. He looked like he'd been on a few travels himself, judging from his hardened eyes and weather-beaten face. Siegfried guessed he was aged about late 20s or early 30s. His cloak was open slightly, revealing a strange set of armour that he wore underneath. Obviously this was the kind of armour that Japanese used.

The warrior's get-up was a little suspicious to Siegfried, but then he remembered that he was no better. He looked every bit the conspicuous fool in his plate armour. Perhaps this Mitsurugi did just want to talk? Not everyone he met would be after Soul Edge………

"That's a good sentiment." said Siegfried, raising his eyebrows. "Forgive my manners, but I have difficulty in trusting people."

"Such is the world, friend." Mitsurugi declared. "It is difficult to know who you can trust. I should know………"

Siegfried, as eager as he was to be able to regain this part of his humanity, was not interested in what the swordsman had to say. "What if it is yourself you cannot trust?" he interjected.

"An interesting thought." Mitsurugi nodded. "You sound like you know that experience too well."

Siegfried paused, then replied, "I don't wish to talk about it."

Mitsurugi smiled. "Do not worry. I won't force you. However, at least tell me your name. I have extended the same courtesy."

Siegfried sighed. Mitsurugi seemed like a trustworthy person, so there was no harm in telling him who he was. "Siegfried Schtauffen is my name."

"It is indeed an honour to meet you, Siegfried………" Mitsurugi shook his hand.

Siegfried shook back, but something was nagging in his mind. Mitsurugi seemed very familiar………

Suddenly his mind flashed back, to a moment when he was Nightmare………

Spinning round, Nightmare smashed Soul Edge into the sword of his opponent. The other man, with skill and speed, despite being knocked off guard for a moment, dodged his follow-through.

"You are not a very wise opponent!" shouted Mitsurugi, swinging his sword over his back and driving it forward in a sweeping arc over his shoulder. Nightmare was able to block this, and swung back, aiming to cripple the samurai's legs. However, Mitsurugi was too good for that, and jumped over the evil blade.

"The same could be said of you, foolish human!" sneered Nightmare. His crimson eyes stared hate at this annoying piece of dirt. For once, Nightmare was not covered head to toe in his azure armour. Instead, he was bare-chested, and wore some of his leg armour. A long purple cloak was around his waist, and his blonde locks ran down his back. He looked normal save for his demonic eyes, and the horrible deformed right arm.

He grabbed for Mitsurugi with this arm, and flung the human into the wall, nearly smashing a stained glass window. The ruins of the chapel were familiar territory to Nightmare, as was the Ostrheinsburg Castle in the distance. Mitsurugi, however, was a stranger to this place, and was finding it difficult to take advantage of any terrain. This wasn't stopping him from being a nuisance, however.

Mitsurugi breathed in pain after getting back up. He'd definitely suffered some kind of internal injury after hitting that wall. He felt his chest, and sure enough, he could feel that one of his ribs were cracked. He knew better than to fight in such a condition, but when the prize was Soul Edge………what man would back away from this fight?

He barely had time to collect his thoughts when Nightmare lunged at him again. The twisted sword clashed off his Shishi-oh once again, and Mitsurugi could see that his trusted sword was beginning to strain, facing a weapon of such mass and strength.

"Leave now, and I might spare you!" Nightmare's voice boomed. The Soul Edge, as thirsty as it was for souls, was sated for now. This human's soul would be a good one to take, but he did not want to needlessly sap Soul Edge's strength.

"Not without Soul Edge!" called back Mitsurugi.

"Ha! You want this…?" laughed Nightmare. "You'll get it alright………in your flesh!" Nightmare pulled back then let loose a vicious swing. It was too powerful for Mitsurugi to block, and he tried to dodge in vain. The sword caught him in the side, ripping through his skin.

"Arruuggghh!" groaned Mitsurugi, collapsing to his knee for a moment. The pain lanced through the cut, and there was no way he could fight at total efficiency with this wound. Perhaps retreat was not such a bad idea against such a powerful opponent.

"This is not the end, Nightmare!" he yelled out, and he ran quickly from the chapel, ignoring Nightmare's twisted laughter………

A sudden realisation dawned on Siegfried. During that battle, Mitsurugi has seen his face…..and that meant……

He made to move away from Mitsurugi, but it was too late. Before he could react Mitsurugi had his weapon drawn, and pressed it firmly across Siegfried's throat.

"Or should I say, Nightmare." Mitsurugi's voice murmured in Siegfried's ear.

Siegfried was helpless. Mitsurugi had him completely at his mercy. There was no way he could draw his weapon, and he doubted his fists would be much use before a samurai sword. However, he'd known this man to be a warrior of honour. Mitsurugi would never have done such a cowardly act as this. It was obvious that his desire for Soul Edge was clouding his mind.

"Where is Soul Edge, Nightmare?" hissed Mitsurugi in Siegfried's ear.

"I am not Nightmare anymore………I am free of the sword's grasp." replied Siegfried, hoping he could convince the samurai that Soul Edge was evil.

"Soul Edge is not a sword of salvation! It takes over your mind………and your soul! You must not take it!"

"Perhaps it only turns one such as you into such a foul creature." snorted Mitsurugi. "That sword will allow me to defeat the Tanegashima, and I will not have you keep it from me any longer!" He pressed his Shishi-oh further against Siegfried's throat. "Give me Soul Edge, or I will kill you."

Siegfried gritted his teeth. I can't possibly give him Soul Edge. However, he isn't thinking straight. Perhaps I can trick him………

"Alright………I'll give you Soul Edge. Do as you please with it, I want it to plague me no longer!" said Siegfried, frowning. "I had it stored at the front of the ship, away from the rest of the cargo, to stop some idle person from taking hold of it."

Mitsurugi hesitated. "How do I know this isn't a trick?"

Siegfried looked him in the eye. "I'm telling you the truth. Soul Edge is at the front of the ship."

Mitsurugi couldn't deny it now. The young knight had looked him straight in the eye and not flinched, so he must be truthful. "If I find it there, I will take it and spare your life. I not, I will come back and kill you."

Mitsurugi released Siegfried, and ran for the front of the ship, his excitement growing. Finally………have I found Soul Edge?

Siegfried waited a moment, then ran to the cargo hold. A deckhand looked bewildered as he ran past, but didn't get in his way.

He quickly grabbed the bag carrying Soul Edge. He felt it stir slightly, but of course, he ignored anything that it said. He ran back up to the deck. Mitsurugi was still searching at the front, in vain.

Siegfried looked over the side of the ship. Fortunately, the ship was about to arrive, and the dock was only a few feet away. His armour would be a problem, but he didn't have very far to swim, so he guessed he would be alright.

He was about to jump when he saw something moving out of the corner of his eye. He dashed to the side, just in time to avoid Mitsurugi's sword. It smashed into the railing that Siegfried had just been leaning over, cutting through the wood and scattering a few splinters here and there.

"Fine. It looks like I will have to kill you!" Mitsurugi got ready with his Shishi-oh.

Siegfried drew the iron greatsword from his back. "I can't let you have Soul Edge. You don't know what you will do!"

"I'll decide that, and not you!" Mitsurugi retorted, and then he delivered a powerful overhead slice. It clashed off of Siegfried's weapon, but knocked the knight off balance for a second. Siegfried only just managed to block a second horizontal strike from Mitsurugi. He sure is determined! observed Siegfried to himself.

Siegfried saw a gap in Mitsuruhi's attack, and retaliated with the good old Rook Splitter move. His broadsword smashed downwards onto Mitsurugi's Shishi-oh, which forced Mitsurugi to his knees.

"Never seek the Soul Edge again!" yelled Siegfried, glaring at the samurai. "It will only bring you sorrow!" Before Mitsurugi could reply, Siegfried thrust his sword through his torso, but not to inflict a fatal wound. He lifted Mitsurugi upwards in an arc, and tossed him overboard. There was a loud splash as Mitsurugi barrelled into the sea.

Siegfried wiped sweat from his brow. He hoped that was the last time someone came after the Soul Edge.

He noticed that the ship's passengers had been watching the fight, and looked quite terrified. They were huddled against the other side of the ship, nervous of the victorious knight. The rowers hadn't even looked at the fight – they were still busy propelling the ship towards the dock.

Siegfried cast his eyes along the passengers. "He didn't pay his fare." He spoke.

A few minutes later, he had disembarked from the galley. Clutching his bag, and making sure his sword was secure, he set off towards a tavern. He needed a drink and a good night's sleep before he searched for the shrine. Also, he didn't have the first idea of where to look. He couldn't remember for the life of him where this shrine was. Who would know?

Another memory came back to him. A girl with blonde hair had been there, and had fought with him………

Nightmare looked at the pedestal before him. There was a statue of a woman dressed in battle armour. 'This must be one of those gods………' he mused silently. 'Hah! As if they exist………'

He'd been drawn here to this place, the Eurydice Shrine, by the presence of a strong soul. He didn't know who bore this soul, but whoever it was would soon find their death. However, there had been no visitors to the shrine for a good couple of hours, except for himself. Nightmare was beginning to grow impatient.

'I could have had many souls by now………inside of waiting here like a common fool!' He smashed his demonic fist into the side of the pedestal in anger.

All of a sudden, footsteps echoed across the marble floor. They were dainty………obviously, this was a woman.

Sure enough, he was right. Before him stood a golden haired girl, with a short sword and a shield in her hands. She wore a loose white skirt with a blue pattern on it, and a short blue top with shoulder guards. Nightmare could sense that this was who he had been looking for.

"Let go of it………" spoke the girl, her gentle voice echoing across the shrine.

Nightmare was taken aback. This woman was trying to persuade him to let go of Soul Edge! "Silence!" he growled.

"Please………you don't have to be that monster anymore." The girl tried desperately to reason with the blue armoured knight.

"S-Silence………I must have more souls!" Nightmare retorted, but something in his mind stirred. The one part of him that was still human, Siegfried, tried to wrench back control of his mind.

"Arrrgghh!" Nightmare dropped to the floor, grabbing his head. He screamed for a moment, his unholy voice booming through the whole shrine.

His arm stretched out towards the girl. "Help….me!" begged the knight for a moment, in a tortured voice, different from the evil one that he'd just used.

The blonde haired girl gasped. "Fight it! Drop the Soul Edge!" she shouted.

The girl's encouragement spurred on Siegfried, and for one moment, he took control of his mind again. He made to release the Soul Edge from his grasp………

'Kill her! Take her soul!' hissed Soul Edge, its evil wafting back into his mind once more.

Siegfried became Nightmare again, his mind too weak to stave off the sword's desire. He shook his head for a moment, and got to his feet again, raising the Soul Edge. "Curse you, woman!" he roared. "Your sweet soul shall be MINE!"

"No………"The girl bowed her head, knowing the monster had taken the young man's mind again. She got into her combat stance. "Then I guess we have no choice but to fight!"

Nightmare and the girl rushed each other, the sounds of their blades ringing out through the shrine………

Siegfried held his head. "Who is she……?" he thought, racking his brains for the answer. Unfortunately, it didn't come to him.

"Maybe I just should just rest for a while……" he suggested to himself. He headed inside the tavern he'd just found.

It was surprisingly pleasing inside the tavern, very homely. It wasn't a back street dump where you got the usual thugs and vagabonds hanging around.

It was a nice and welcoming place. He got no piercing stares from the people inside. They just minded their own business.

He looked at the barkeep. "I'd like a room for the night."

"You sound like you could use the rest." remarked the barkeep. "I heard about your little fight on the ship. You can stay for a little cheaper……anyone who keeps scum like that man away from here deserves some rest."

"Thank you……" Siegfried replied, handing over his money. He was surprised by the barkeep's generosity, and he also would have been happy to pay full price. He didn't deserve any gratitude, after the things he'd done as Nightmare……

He spent some time in the tavern asking around for information. Most people didn't know about the shrine, or were simply too busy to answer. It was almost like he'd just dreamt the whole thing up!

However, he finally got his answer. An elderly man knew where the shrine was.

"It is the Eurydice Shrine that you seek, my young friend." The man spoke calmly, as if he'd known Siegfried would be coming. "You will find it in the mountains north of here. Look for the steps carved by the gods – the shrine is there."

"Thank you very much." Siegfried bowed slightly to the man, and made to leave. He then remembered the girl. "Wait, do you know a girl – " He stopped mid-sentence.

The man had vanished………

"He seems in earnest to reach that place………" he mused to himself.

The cloaked figure standing in the corner next to the bar had been eavesdropping on Siegfried's conversation with the old man. Why would a knight want to visit some shrine devoted to gods and goddesses he didn't even believe in? Perhaps for forgiveness?

Raphael Sorel snorted silently. He knew better than that. There was no doubt about it. This man was Siegfried Schtauffen – or Nightmare, as he better knew him. He hadn't forgotten their clash at that old chapel. That fool! It was all his fault that his plan hadn't worked out………

He was intrigued however. Siegfried was no longer Nightmare. Somehow this young man had broken himself free of Soul Edge's grasp.

"He was incredibly lucky. The sword shall not rule me like that!" he declared to himself. Raphael watched as Siegfried departed to his room.

He would follow Siegfried to the shrine, and then take Soul Edge from him. If he took it within a holy place, surely the sword could not possess him!

"Yes………my plan shall be complete, and I will have my vengeance on you, Nightmare……"

Killing two birds with one stone would be excellent………most excellent indeed………

I tried to lengthen this one a little bit, because I noticed the first two chapters were a little on the short side. I'll get to work on Chapter 4 shortly, but don't expect it anytime soon!

Chris the Phoenix Knight