Chapter 18
The ultimate Nightmare
Siegfried and Raphael had returned through the portal, to see Amy, who was still a young woman, tending to the awakening Sophitia and Cassandra. "I'm so glad you two are ok now…" Siegfried ran over and gave them both a hug, then kissed Cassandra. Raphael cautiously approached Amy "Amy… I…" Amy, shushed him and said "It is fine…" and gave him a hug "Thank you for taking care of me…" Raphael smiled, he had never felt this good in his life. Cassandra and Sophitia where discussing with Siegfried what had happened in the void, Siegfried told the truth… leaving out the part about Raphael… he believed the man had gone through enough torment… when something else followed them through… "I… am finally… free!" No one could believe their eyes… for Nightmare stood before them!
Siegfried was almost speechless, all he could say was "How… you are… I am…" Nightmare laughed out loud "When you entered the void and touched Soul Calibur, you freed yourself from me… but by shattering the blade, you freed me again… and gave me a little gift!" He held a pieced together Soul Edge in one hand… and holding Soul Calibur in the other… He then brought them both above his head and fused them together! "Behold! Soul Embrace!" The two swords took the form of a huge zwiehander, one Siegfried probably wouldn't be able to lift. "Come… face me!" Siegfried went to charge, but then he noticed that he didn't stand alone, Raphael, Sophitia and Cassandra stood near him. "I almost lost everything, more then one because of this blade!" Raphael swung his blade then held it up to his chest "I will make sure I am the last who is…" Sophitia spoke next "This sword has taken my family away from me… I will have my revenge!" lastly Cassandra spoke "this sword tried to take everything away from me… my sister, my soul, my love! I won't let it do it again!"
Nightmare looked at the four warriors… "Nice speeches… I guess you needed last words… now… no more games!" he charged at the four of them with a quick burst of speed. With one swing of this huge sword, he scattered the four warriors, the two sisters attacked first, confusing Nightmare by doing the same attacks, one after another at the same time on him, when he tried to block one, the other got the hit in. This seemed to work for a while, until he found a flaw in their offence, just as Sophitia and Cassandra went for another attack, he jumped backwards, launching himself at Cassandra, knocking her over, then charging at Sophitia, knocking her down.
Just when Nightmare thought he had some time for a breather, Raphael and Siegfried attacked. This was more difficult, as they where not teaming together, Raphael attacked with a few hits then jumped back, while Siegfried tried to go toe-to-toe with Nightmare himself. Raphael then succeeded in impaling through Nightmares armour, his sword went straight through his chest "Give up!" he said "Its useless to resist… die!" Nightmare then started laughing and turned around. 'How was this possible, he should be dead' Raphael thought to himself, Nightmare kicked Raphael away, not even bothering taking the blade out of his chest. Siegfried stood alone, with the monster he once was "So this is what it comes to…"Siegfried said while moving to his right, Nightmare mirrored him and said "They just got in the way…" The two alter egos mirrored each others movements… to the frustration of Siegfried. Siegfried raised his sword, as did Nightmare "For my father…" Siegfried and Nightmare clashed, both using overhead slashes on each other. Nightmare sniggered and said "You can't beat me, I am everything you are and more!" Siegfried dint agree with him and kicked him away. Then charged at him, again, Nightmare did the exact same thing and again their swords clashed. Nightmare spoke to him again "Soon, I shall take your life and every other life on this miserable world!" Siegfried looked at him "No!" he shouted, Nightmare then kicked the young man away from him, then charged at him. Siegfried didn't recover in time and took the blow from the hilt to the face, he was bleeding from the mouth. This battle went on for a while, with every move Siegfried made, Nightmare blocked and attacked him with, quicker and stronger… Siegfried began to wonder how he can kill a monster, who still has a blade through his chest… then he realised something… it isn't human, it isn't even alive! He can't win! Nightmare punched Siegfried in the chest, bringing him to his knees, he towered over his former host and said "And now… I win!"
Suddenly, Raphael withdrew his blade from Nightmares chest and slashed him down the back, catching him off guard. Sophitia then knocked him off balance and during its fall, Cassandra grabbed Soul Embrace. The energy of the blade was starting to enter her body, she couldn't take it. "aaaahhh! Siegfried!" Siegfried ran to her and took the blade of her, she then fell in a clump on the floor. At first the energy of the blade was electrocuting him, but he soon had control of it. He then said to nightmare, who begun to get up "You hunted souls to gain power… now I release them!" he then threw Soul Embrace on the floor, it started to crack, Nightmare screamed out in pain. Siegfried then lifted the Faust above his head and said "the nightmare ends here!" and brought the Faust full force down upon the powerful sword, shattering it. Nightmare began to fade "Noooo!" Just before he faded away he said "I will never die… I will be within you always!" He then faded into thin air, Siegfried then said "Yes and ther you shall stay…" Cassandra got up slowly, she had just missed what had just transpired. "Where is Nightmare?" she asked "Gone" her sister replied, Sophitia gave her a hug.