Disclaimer: The characters and ideas used in this story do not belong to me.

A/N: Thanks a bunch to the reviewers! A special thanks to Wolfboy245 who reviewed both chapters. This chapter might be a little more difficult but I'm looking forward to writing it. I think I'm suffering from minor writer's block at the moment. Enjoy and review please!

Chapter three: A Journey Begun

Back to the present

Nightmare trudged up the mountain side, seeking a civilization. He was in great need for human souls to feed his sword which was starting to waver. Strong souls in particular. Soul edge would have the greatest feast once Nightmare reached his destination. All he had to do was bide his time and make sure the sword was well rested.

He was searching for a large village located in the mountains. Siegfried had dwelled in Britain for some time since his visit to Athens. He had taken several day crossings on various water crafts hoping against hope that it would not reach nightfall before the trips were over. These memories were completely lost to the knight. The only memory that now dwelled in the mind of Nightmare was that he had visited this place before. His only thought was focused on how many fresh souls flourished there and that he would own them all before the following sunrise.

As darkness began to fold across the sky he reached the top of the mountainous plain. His scarlet eyes turning downward he saw exactly what he had been searching for. The village lights were lit, a beacon for the knight to pay visits to the homes. Upon his first glance he knew which light he would visit to begin. A significantly large, palace style house towered over the rest of the land. It was located at the end of the village.

Nightmare had certain memories of whom the formidable house belonged to. It belonged to a warrior, deathly and beautiful who had the power to kill an army of men. He knew her soul was strong. He could taste her desire for knowledge and adventure. She would feed her soul to the sword and Nightmare would continue his hunt for the remaining shards of the soul edge.

Nightmare knew that he must do this in order to rule all the lands. He would have the most powerful sword ever known to man. People of all kinds including warriors would bow at his feet and do his bidding. It was the forever dream in the dark knight's head. And once he had the sword he would find a way to resurrect his father. They would be together again and all of his deathly dreams would come alive.

He swiftly made his way down the mountainside, not wavering once despite the giant sword which was now awake with an excited fervor. The great eye was barely blinking, staying opened at all times, watching. Waiting.

He walked through the village unchecked as it was late into the night. It was a quick decision but he decided to leave the rest of the people until after he had visited the palace. He wasn't long in reaching his destination. In minutes he was standing at the towering door, decorated with the Valentine coat of arms.

Nightmare pushed the door open and entered a large entrance area. It was decorated with rich fabrics all in the colors of scarlet, violet and gold. The furniture was grand. The wall beared another coat of arms this one much larger than the first.

The house was empty with a ringing silence. Nightmare was not surprised, as rarely anything could shock him. He was smart enough to figure out that Ms Valentine was probably already aware of his presence. Nevertheless, he would take her out.

Entering a parlor decorated in the same colors and fabrics, he heard a voice from behind him.

"Having a look around are we, Siegfried?"

He turned around and saw her standing on the hearth wearing a stately black dress. Her white hair was gleaming as always and her deep violet eyes were flashing with something akin to amusement.

"Isabella."Nightmare hissed, tilting his head in greeting.

"Surely you must remember that most call me Ivy." She replied, beginning to circle him.

He wasted no time. Wielding the soul edge and swinging it over his head, he brought it down with a furious strength. Ivy was not caught of guard. She brought up Valentine to block the blow, the two metals making a loud clanging sound. She then uncoiled Valentine and the sword wrapped itself around Nightmares wrist causing him to drop the soul edge which landed on the floor with a thud, the eye looking furious.

"I know why you have come." Ivy said, once again circling him.

She pulled Valentine over her shoulder with a quick movement and soon Nightmare was seated on the scarlet couch glaring at her with contempt. How could this woman defeat him? He cursed himself for waiting on the citizens. Soul edge was not strong enough to fight yet.

"You wish to find the lost shards of the soul edge, correct?" She was eyeing him with something of a predatory look.

He said nothing.

"You are not Siegfried." It was a mere statement, not a question.

This time he looked at her.

"No. Siegfried is dead." He laughed his maniac sounding laugh, the foreign ringing through the empty silence.

"You are Nightmare. The evil knight that slaughters people by the thousands." Ivy stated, again not a question.

Nightmare smirked at her. She had not released her grip on Valentine and the coils began cutting into his wrist. He began to feel exasperated at the wasted time.

"If you're going to kill me, Ms Valentine what is holding you back?"

"That's not a question I have to answer."

Ivy did answer it however, by leaning forward and kissing him in a passionate manor. He was not surprised as memories of a previous relationship with this woman came flooding back. It was a memory of Siegfried and Nightmare soon pushed it out. Nevertheless, he returned to kissing the gorgeous woman. The knight was not going to deny himself of the pleasures of a female's flesh. She broke it off briefly looking at him with amused eyes once again.

"You'll be spending the night then?"

He merely smirked at her.

"I suppose I am."

These were his last words before he seized her lips into a ferocious kiss. There was a doubt in his mind as soon as he did this in which he tried to push it away. Nightmare hated it when Siegfried's memories caused him to doubt his actions. Yet this one could not be pushed away. It was the memory of a woman. A woman who loved him. Nightmare concentrated on Ivy instead. Love was not going to push him out of Siegfried's body. Siegfried would never return again.

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