Sorry I've taken so long to update! Been writing a scenario for an RPG I'll be playing soon, my first one no less And in response to the whole anonymous reviews thing, how do I allow them? I don't know my way around the workings of this website too well!
Anywho, on with the story!
Chapter 4 – The Angel and the Devil
Siegfried's night at the tavern was not a pleasant one. He tried his best to sleep, but the thought of the Soul Edge was forever gnawing at his mind. He lay awake in his bed, his blue eyes looking haunting in the moonlight. He raised his head and looked at the foot of the bed.
Soul Edge was still there, in the bag………and it was taunting him.
You cannot redeem yourself, human! it mocked. No-one will forgive you for what you have done!
"We'll see about that, Soul Edge." replied Siegfried, with a tone of disgust in his voice. He flopped back down on his pillow, and once again tried to enter the land of dreams………
Next morning, Siegfried left the tavern, eager to reach the shrine. From what he knew, it would be a long walk. The shrine was on a mountain after all.
Making his way out of the town, he looked into the distance. There was the mountain, looming over him like some kind of giant. Siegfried had a sense of déjà vu, like he'd been here before………of course, he had been here before………
Raphael had awoken early, in order to keep tabs on Siegfried. However, the knight was nowhere to be seen. He panicked, looking around the tavern. He approached the barkeep.
"My good sir, that knight who was in here yesterday………do you know his whereabouts?" he spoke with impeccable manners.
The barkeep wasn't used to being greeted in such a courteous way. "Certainly, sir. He left the town just a short while ago, heading that way, up the forest trail."
"Thank you kindly, good sir." Raphael gave a slight bow, and exited the tavern. Spying the exit on of the town, he immediately made haste after Siegfried.
"There is no escape from me, Nightmare………" he thought as he headed into the forest trail.
The forest trail led through a light patch of forest, which would open out at the base of the mountain. It would be tough going for any man, as the trail was all uphill. Despite his unnatural strength, Siegfried found himself getting pretty exhausted. His plate armour was weighing him down, not to mention the Soul Edge and his broadsword.
"…Huff…….puff………" he breathed. "This trail seems to go on forever………"
However, the place looked beautiful, almost sacred. Siegfried hadn't seen such a magnificent forest since he'd been back home in Germany.
He decided to stop for a moment, and he sat down resting himself against a tree. He took in the sights and sounds around him. The trees, the blue sky, the birds twittering………for once, he felt slightly at peace.
The sickening whispers of Soul Edge brought him back to reality. He would never be at peace, not until he destroyed the sword. Doubts began to form in his mind, however. Could Soul Edge be destroyed? What if the answer wasn't at the shrine? He looked at the ground.
"If that is the case, then I am lost………" he said out loud, to no-one in particular.
Raphael cursed. "How much further can this trail possibly lead?"
He almost tripped over a loose branch, and cursed again. He felt like he was being led on a merry dance. Well, sooner or later, he would take the lead.
He stopped for a moment, and looked ahead at the trail. The canopy of the trees prevented him from seeing the mountain, and the path looked like it would continue for a good distance yet.
He was about to sit down and rest when a flash of light reflected off something in the distance. He squinted, looking up ahead again.
Someone was sitting down and resting. He saw the long blonde locks, and knew instantly it was Nightmare!
He snuck into the side of the trail and slowly made his way towards his quarry. He couldn't attack here, but he needed to stay out of sight. If Nightmare saw him he would undoubtedly not go to the shrine. Raphael crouched down, waiting for Nightmare to continue walking.
Just then, he heard a rustle………
Siegfried heard the same rustling. Seconds later, three men jumped out of the trees next to him. Siegfried was on his feet, and had his broadsword drawn. He eyed his opposition. They were in rags, armed with various weapons – one had a club, another had a short sword and the third had a hammer – and looked rather menacing.
One word entered Siegfried's mind. "Bandits………" he thought.
The one with the hammer, who appeared to be the leader, grinned evilly. "Hand over all your goods, friend………and we won't have to hurt you."
Siegfried suddenly spun his sword around, performing his Blade Storm. The whooshing of his broadsword was enough to chill the bandits a little, and the other two looked a little fearful of the knight. However, the leader was unfazed.
"Have it your way! Get him!" The leader took a big step forward and swung his hammer, aiming for Siegfried's head. Siegfried was able to dodge the blow but ducking and rolling slightly to the side. He couldn't use his sword to block the hammer; otherwise it would be shattered by the sheer force of the blow.
The other two bandits charged in while their leader recovered. The sword wielder lunged first, trying to slice Siegfried's midriff. However, it clashed off the plate armour, and Siegfried countered by bringing his sword down on the bandit's arm. The unfortunate man howled in agony as his arm was sliced off up to the elbow. Siegfried then caught him in the back of the head with a punch, knocking him out.
The club wielder suddenly had a change of heart after seeing his comrade wounded, and decided to run. However, Siegfried didn't give him the chance. He grabbed the bandit by the shoulder and hit him in the back of the head with the hilt of his sword. The blow knocked out the bandit, and he collapsed to the ground.
Siegfried whirled round as the leader swung his hammer again. Siegfried dodged again as he did before, but the bandit wasn't going for his head. He smashed the hammer into Siegfried's sword. Cracks shot through the blade; it was shattered.
Cursing silently, Siegfried faced the bandit leader. The black-haired vagabond sneered, sensing victory.
"Nobody messes me around, friend! Surrender now and I won't hurt you………much."
Siegfried just stared contemptuously.
"Have it your way!" The thug went into a vicious swing, one that would break a bone if it succeeded in hitting. Siegfried jumped to the side, the hammer narrowly missing his head once more. Before the bandit could react, Siegfried kicked him in his midriff, following up with a right hook to his face. It would have been painful normally, but Siegfried's armour amplified the blows. The punch knocked the thug flat out cold.
Siegfried knelt down beside the man. "Next time, don't underestimate someone who is unarmed." He took the bandit's hammer and tossed it far into the forest. He wouldn't be getting that back anytime soon.
He looked at his broken sword. He swore silently; it was irreparable. If he encountered anymore 'minstrels of the purse,' he would be at a great disadvantage.
Satisfied that no more scum was lurking around, he took his bag and continued his journey up the trail.
The French nobleman watched the battle with keen eyes. Indeed, Nightmare was quite a fighter even without a sword in his hands. Getting Soul Edge would be harder than expected………
He waited until the blonde knight had walked up the trail a few yards more, and then continued to follow him.
It wasn't until about an hour and a half later that Siegfried cleared the forest trail………and finally found the shrine.
It was exactly the same as he remembered. Marble pillars, statues of gods and goddesses………it was indeed a holy place, and Siegfried could think of no better place to destroy the evil sword.
It took him another 15 minutes to climb up the small part of the mountain which led to the shrine, and he stood before the entrance jus as he'd done all those years ago. This time however, he was on a mission for the greater good, rather than evil.
His footsteps echoed as he walked inside the Eurydice Shrine. There was silence, except the wind blowing in through the massive opening to his right. The silence unnerved Siegfried, although he knew that visitors rarely came here.
He saw a great statue of a woman clad in armour. He'd seen the same one last time he was here. She was obviously one of their gods………
His eyes locked onto a sword, wedged into the pedestal close by. He walked up to it to take a closer look. The wide silver blade and golden hilt was all too familiar to him.
"Faust!" he exclaimed. He reached out for the hilt………
"Stop!" shouted a voice.
The clanking noise was all too familiar. He was back again………?
The blonde haired girl rose up from her knees. She'd been praying to the gods again, hoping for some insight into the whereabouts of that sword, when she'd heard the footsteps.
Instinctively, she drew her sword and shield. The last time she'd heard those footsteps, she'd ended up face to face with the demonic knight known only as Nightmare………but wasn't Nightmare defeated?
The sounds were coming from the pedestal hall. What this intruder could possibly want, she had no idea. She wasn't about to let him or her get away with stealing, however.
Upon entering the hall, her eyes focused on a blonde haired man, clad in silver armour and clutching a plain bag. He was reaching out to grab the sword that had been plunged into the pedestal………it was Nightmare who had done that.
"Stop!" she cried, her weapon ready in case he attacked.
The armoured man turned around to face her. She was slightly taken aback by his good looks, but stayed in her ready stance.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
Siegfried was surprised to see a girl before him. Whoever she was, she was beautiful………however, she also held a sword and shield, and didn't look very pleased to see him.
"I came here to get my sword………" he replied. "I mean no trouble."
"Your sword?" replied the girl, perplexed. "But………it was someone else who put that sword in there."
"It was me!" Siegfried frowned.
"You're lying." She took a threatening step towards him. "I suggest you leave, now!"
Siegfried stepped back slightly. "I must have that sword! I've got to destroy Soul Edge!"
"Soul Edge!" The girl cried out in shock, nearly dropping her sword and shield. How could he possibly have Soul Edge?
Siegfried gingerly removed the twisted sword from the bag, being careful not to touch the hilt. It stared at the woman, the eye widening in delight.
"I wasn't always Siegfried………" Siegfried explained, bowing his head slightly.
The woman gasped again, and looked at the grotesque sword. That was what Nightmare had used………but that meant………
She stared at Siegfried. "Nightmare………?"
Shame on his face, and in his heart, Siegfried nodded.
The girl came closer to him She was still shocked, but knew she had no reason to fear this man now. "So………you broke free of the sword on your own."
"Yes." Siegfried nodded. "I remember you………the girl who fought me." He looked her up and down. She was as pretty as the day he'd first seen her. He remembered how her words had gotten through to him and momentarily broken him free of Soul Edge. "You helped me………thank you………"
"Thanks are not necessary." replied the girl, smiling. "So tell me………what is your name?" She looked at him with curious eyes.
"Siegfried………Siegfried Schtauffen." replied Siegfried, glad for the hunderedth time to have that name back.
"I am Sophitia Alexandra." said Sophitia politely. "It's good to meet the real you at last. I knew you weren't a monster inside………"
Siegfried didn't reply to that. He still didn't know if it was true or not.
"We must destroy Soul Edge right now." His voice took on a sense of urgency. "All I need is my sword………"
Sophitia shook her head. "You can't destroy it that way, Siegfried. The first blade was destroyed, and that just made things a lot worse………" She touched an old wound with her hand. She remembered too well the pain those shards had caused when they were embedded in her.
"So, you're saying there's no way to destroy it?" Siegfried said impatiently. "We have to! I can't let anyone else become like me!" He flung the empty bag down in frustration.
"That isn't going to happen!" exclaimed Sophitia. "There might be a way to destroy it………but it can't be done here."
"Can't be done here!" said an exasperated Siegfried. "This is a holy place!"
"It isn't as simple as you think, Siegfried………" Sophitia sighed. "The power in that sword is far greater than any holy power flowing through this shrine. The evil inside the sword is what has to be destroyed, not the sword itself."
"So, exactly how do we get the evil out of the sword?" Siegfried said, looking at Sophitia in annoyance.
"I'm not sure………" replied Sophitia sheepishly, her face falling.
Siegfried's face fell too. "It looks like I'll just have to hold onto it after all………"
Sophitia looked at Siegfried, her face filled with worry. "No, you can't! Not after what you've been through!" She stepped over to him. "Leave it inside the shrine, I'm sure it will be safe here."
"NO!" shouted Siegfried. His aggressive tone shocked Sophitia, who backed away a little bit. Siegfried saw how rude he'd been, and silently cursed himself.
"I'm sorry………" he said gently. "But when I think of what I did as Nightmare, it………I can't let that happen to anyone else. Please understand………"
Sophitia looked into the knight's eyes, and nodded. However, Siegfried could see the worry in her eyes.
"No-one will be taking this from me, Sophitia." he declared.
Raphael had been waiting behind a pillar as the meeting between Nightmare and the girl had taken place, waiting for a chance to grab Soul Edge. The girl Sophitia's presence had made things slightly harder, as he now had two opponents to deal with.
"So………he really isn't Nightmare anymore. Fascinating………" His deep blue eyes were looking at the bad that Siegfried had dropped in anger. It was now a short distance away from the knight. He'd have to be fast, to avoid both Siegfried and Sophitia. Once out of the shrine, he was confident he could outrun Siegfried, who was weighed down by his armour. Sophitia might be more of a problem, however. She looked very nimble………and rather attractive. Raphael never failed to notice a beautiful woman, even when his mind was on more important matters.
He was slightly worried about the sword being evil. Would it take over his mind and body too? Would he become a murderous beast like Nightmare?
Raphael shook his head. "I will not become a slave to some demon!" He looked the bag, knowing that inside it lay the answer to all his problems. He would finally make the world how it was meant to be………
"Amy………this is for you………"
Taking a deep breath, Raphael made his move.
Both Siegfried and Sophitia heard the footsteps from behind them, and whirled round just in time to see a strange man dive forward towards the bag.
Siegfried gasped. "NO!" He instinctively went for his weapon, remembering too late that he didn't have one. He watched in horror as Raphael took hold of the bag.
"Finally!" laughed Raphael in triumph. "I have Soul Edge!"
Sophitia held her Omega Sword and Elk Shield. "You don't know what you're doing!" she shouted. "Drop the sword, before it enslaves you!"
Raphael snorted. "I shall be a slave to no-one, dear lady!" He pulled the bag off of Soul Edge, holding the sword by its blade. The sword's eye began to blink as if it was happy.
Siegfried scowled at this arrogant man. From his voice, his sounded like he was from a country which was bordered with his homeland, called France. His attire and manners suggested he was a noble of some sort. Why would he want something like Soul Edge?
"Listen to me!" He tried desperately to plead with the man. "Whatever it is you think Soul Edge will give you, it won't! It tricks you, making you believe it will give you what you truly desire! When you take it, it possesses your mind, and takes your very soul!"
"It took your soul, Siegfried, because you were weak!" spoke Raphael with disdain. "You fell easily to it because you could not handle the power! I, however, shall be master of this sword, and master of my own fate!" He held Soul Edge high above his head. "I, Raphael Sorel, will make the world as I see fit!"
With a gleam of madness in his eyes, he grasped the hilt with both hands.
"No!" cried Sophitia.
"You idiot!" growled Siegfried.
Raphael smiled, holding the Soul Edge in his hands like a trophy. "It is mine………"
Suddenly, waves of red energy shot out from the hilt like electricity. They encircled Raphael for a few seconds, as if to surmise who and what he was. Then a moment later they surged into him, and he screamed.
"AHHHHHH! What…..is……happening……to me………?"
Siegfried and Sophitia shielded their eyes from the flashes of energy. It was so bright that it filled the entire shrine, blocking out the blue sky.
The red lightning lashed out, hitting the marble floor and leaving scorch marks. The only sound other than the weird energy was Raphael's almost inhuman screaming.
His eyes turned as red as blood and he clenched his teeth. He could feel it trying to take over his soul. He closed his eyes and thought only of Amy, the little girl who had given him so much, and who he was doing this for………
In his hand, Soul Edge began to transform. It morphed slowly, changing from the large Zweihander used by Nightmare to something smaller and thinner. Soul Edge had metamorphed into a rapier, the sword that Raphael used.
Then, almost as suddenly as the reaction between Soul Edge and Raphael had started, it stopped. Siegfried and Sophitia uncovered their eyes and looked.
Raphael was on his right knee, breathing heavily. His right hand held onto the hilt of Soul Edge as if his life depended on it. However, he was physically unchanged. He hadn't suffered any mutations like Siegfried had.
Siegfried and Sophitia tensed as he rose from his knee. He cast an insulting glance down upon them.
"Hah!" he snorted. "I told you it would not break me………" He held the twisted sword aloft. "I am now its master."
Sophitia gasped in disbelief. "That's impossible!"
Siegfried's mouth dropped open in shock. "Only someone as twisted as that sword could possibly resist it………"
Raphael gave a maniacal laugh. "My plan shall now be complete. Those decadent fools shall pay for their deeds. My family shall suffer for betraying me." His eyes danced with insanity.
"You're insane, Raphael………"declared Siegfried, glaring at him. "But I don't care if you have Soul Edge! I won't let anyone else suffer because of it!"
"Neither shall I." Sophitia went into an aggressive posture with her sword and shield.
"You think that you, a peasant girl, and a weakling who calls himself a knight are any match for my power!" sneered Raphael. "I will carry out my plan, and anyone who gets in my way will………suffer the consequences. En guarde!"
At terrifying speed, the former noble rushed Siegfried. Completely defenceless, Siegfried could not stop Raphael. The evil blade pierced his armour, slashing right arm and left leg. The young knight crashed to the floor, grimacing as the pain lanced through his body from the sickening wounds.
Sophitia was barely ready in time to fend off Raphael's attack. The swordsman lunged at her with incredible speed, and only Sophitia's Elk Shield saved her from a mortal blow. She struck back, aiming for his sword arm to try and disarm him. As insane as he was, Sophitia knew he was still a misguided soul and didn't want to kill him unless it was absolutely necessary. Besides, she hated ending a person's life.
However, Raphael easily blocked the slash, and countered with a wild thrust which forced her shield arm back. Before she could bring it back, he sliced her across the arm and then slightly stabber her in the stomach.
The pain forced Sophitia to her knees and she dropped her weapons. She clutched her stomach, the pain becoming unbearable.
"N-nooooo………" groaned Siegfried, beginning to black out.
"He's………too………strong………" gasped Sophitia. She fainted from the pain, leaving Raphael to gloat over his victory.
"Fools………resisting me is useless." He sheathed Soul Edge and started to leave. He turned back to look at them a moment. "Should our paths cross again, I shall end both your lives with as much pain as possible………"
His footsteps echoing into the distance were the last thing Siegfried heard before he blacked out………
I hope I did this right! Something seems missing to me, but I can't quite place it. All reviews welcome
Chris the Phoenix Knight
