Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or ideas used in this story.
A/N: This chapter really didn't turn out as I wanted it to but I'm posting it anyway. I don't think it's well written. I hope you enjoy anyhow, and review please! Also, on the question of the time period, I didn't think much of that except that it's not set during modern day times.
Chapter five: A father reawakened
Nightmare lay next to Ivy in the queen bed. The room was a large, stately space with similar expensive style furniture decorated to the Countess' taste. Nightmare was debating on his next plan while Ivy was sleeping next to him.
Nightmare knew that he must get rid of her. They had discussed their plans the previous night. Ivy had told him of her quest and Nightmare knew for certain that it would hinder his own. The only question was how. Soul Edge could not feed on souls in the daylight and Nightmare could not afford to stay around any longer. He knew that without a doubt that Ivy would destroy him if he did so.
Thinking swiftly, he decided to poison her. He did not want his presence known in this place so he could fall back on it if he was unable to find fresh souls that evening. Nightmare knew there was another place not far but decided to remain safe rather than risk soul edge becoming weaker.
He knew exactly what he would use.
Getting up smoothly, as to not awaken her, he put on his armor and folded his helmet under his arm. Leaving soul edge in the room, he made his way down the spiral stairs and found a door leading out to an extensive looking garden area. Nightmare had seen the plant of his desire on the front walls of the mansion.
Walking a little way into the assorted plants, he found the one in which he needed. Poison Ivy. He smirked to himself at the irony. Ivy would be dead before she even stirred from sleep, on the hand of her beloved plant. Nightmare barked out a laugh and after taking what he needed, he headed back up the staircase.
Ivy was asleep in the same position she had been in minutes ago. To Nightmare she looked like an innocent while sleeping as deadly as she was awake. Careful to be silent, he leaned over her sleeping figure and inserted the fragment of the ivy into her mouth. All he had to do was bet on that she would not wake up before it could take effect.
"Sweet dreams Countess Valentine." He said to her body in a devilish whisper.
Grasping the hilt of soul edge, he left the Valentine house and headed to the north to continue his vindictive journey for the soul edge.
He remained unaware that Ivy's eyes had shot open upon hearing the door close.
Later...
It had been many hours since Nightmare had picked up his path. He emerged through the trees and noticed that he had found civilization. The eye of his sword was awake once again and now Nightmare knew there could be no detours. He headed straight toward the first tiny cottage and kicked open the door. He was met by the sight of a small family seated at their dinner table looking up in shock. He took in the makeshift decoration before launching his attack.
There was a loud scream as he swung soul edge in an upward motion, landing his first blow on a middle-aged man. His wife urged what looked to be their little boy to run but with one quick sweep on the sword Nightmare killed them both with a single stroke. The eye of soul edge was closed as it absorbed the distraught spirits of the three. Once it had reopened Nightmare moved onto the next house.
The screams could be heard as a distant echo in the starless black sky. Again and again the evil knight destroyed the hopes and dreams of the villagers and absorbed their souls one by one. The power of the soul edge grew with each passing man or woman and Nightmare slaughtered the final woman, who was young and clutching her baby as a lifeline. Soul edge was now revived. Nightmare raised the sword in the air and felt a surge of energy complete his body. It was now time for the fragments to be found.
Kicking a broken chair out of his way, he headed out of the house and found a distinct pathway leading out into the wilderness. Nightmare headed toward it, always sure of direction as the power of the sword in his mind told him. Upon reaching it a loud echo of sound was brought to his attention.
A swift flash of light caught him off his guard and he was shocked to see a man standing directly in front of him. This man had a grey colored skin which led Nightmare to the belief that he was a mere spirit. He looked to be a pirate of high status, as he bore the hat of a captain. He carried two swords, the larger in his right hand. The shorter of the two appeared to be a standard sword whereas the other had a swelling purple hilt with red veins edging up into the blade. It was undoubtably a fragment of the soul edge.
The deadly pirate began a circle around Nightmare, causing the knight to follow him, not wanting to turn his back on this probable enemy. His hand was steadily clutching the hilt of soul edge, prepared to fight if needed.
"I am Cervantes de Leon." The pirate said. His voice had a rustic note to it, as if it had not been used in years
Nightmare nodded his head as a sign of greeting, still keeping a close eye on the dread pirate.
"What do you seek of me?" He asked.
"I search for two things. One is a mere human. The other is not so easy to track." Cervantes replied. "I know who you are and I understand that you can help me."
"Oh?" Nightmare asked inquiringly.
"I am looking for a woman who goes by the name Isabella Valentine." Cervantes said. "I think you are aware of my other destination."
"The lost fragments of soul edge." Nightmare hissed.
He could feel the warning of soul edge seeping through his mind. The sword was crying out, sensing the danger. His confidence was arising. There could be no way this pirate could defeat him while soul edge was so strong. Cervantes merely nodded, waiting for the knight to say more.
"I have news of Ivy." Nightmare said, biding his time. "Why is it your wish to find her?"
"It is not business of your own but she is my only offspring. What can you tell me?"
"She is dead." Nightmare replied, laughing to himself. "I destroyed her and soon your fate will be similar to hers."
Nightmare then lunged forward, swinging soul edge to the right of his body. He brought it around to land a blow on the pirate's lower body, but Cervantes was faster. In a flash the pirate flew into the air and landed with a sweeping downward blow. Nightmare pushed up soul edge just in time to prevent the killing shot. Cervantes lunged again, feigning a blow with Nirvana and swiping with the soul edge. Nightmare ducked as soul edge skimmed over his armor. He then made for an upward motion with soul edge.
The pirate captain outwitted him again, and blocked with soul edge. Cervantes then parried with Nirvana, and landed a blow onto the knight's great claw of an arm. Howling with pain, and cursing the swift movements of the pirate, Nightmare swept the sword around his head in anger. Cervantes vanished again and Nightmare sensed the presence of the pirate behind him. This time he feigned a swipe to the right, using his left hand. As Cervantes moved soul edge to block the blow, Nightmare moved in, swiping with his claw. He hit his target and Cervantes faltered. There were two great scars across his face, bleeding profusely. Taking advantage of the fell pirate, Nightmare brought up the sword for the final time of the evening and struck the pirate through.
The captain's face was overtaken by shock. His eyes soon fluttered closed and his body lay onto the ground. A moment later however it began to ebb away soon becoming a mere memory in the night. Nightmare supposed this had something to do with the man not being a mortal.
Feeling immense satisfaction, the knight trudged past the resting place of Cervantes and sat down onto a prominent stone near the fringe of the forest. Nightmare examined the deep gash on his arm and decided that he would have to go on.
Regaining his energy, Nightmare stood. Entering the entrance to the woods, he felt a surge within soul edge. The soul edge was basking in the power of the life it had just taken. The strength of the sword was now greater then it had been for many long years. It was ready.
A/N: Like I said, not amazingly well done but please review!