Disclaimer: I don't own Soul Caliber, Tekken or any of it's characters. They all belong to NAMCO. I don't own anybody from the Zelda Series they belong to Nintendo. I do not own Spawn or Necrid either, Todd McFarlane does. And if you want the copyright info on the Original Characters it is in my profile.
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Master Sword VS Soul Edge
Cassandra walked up to the group as Sophitia looked to the ground as this revelation washed over her, it was like a horrible dream that she couldn't wake up from. In fighting Nightmare years ago she had caused Siegfried to come out as much as he could only for Nightmare to be defeated by Kilik, Xianghua and her mysterious Soul Calibur. But cutting through a hybrid of humanity and sheer darkness left only one part in existence, if one were to put it in the simplest terms it would be understandable to even the most foolish of mortals: Siegfried was dead, and it was her fault for not stopping him when she could.
Sophitia's knees fell away from under her and Cassandra rushed to her side gripping her shoulders keeping her from falling as she fought back any depression, she wouldn't give Soul Edge that satisfaction. Cassandra glared at Nightmare, while she would have normally been impressed that their enemy was so far from repulsive and monstrous she was clearly angry "What the hell did you...?" Nightmare chuckled "The truth can hurt dear girl. No matter who it comes from." Cassandra growled grabbing her sword. Nightmare chuckled "Would you truly harm me?" he asked, Ivy smirked obviously amused.
There was a tense silence before it was shattered by the sounds of boots stepping up "Why is it that everybody that is so fear just can't get enough of the drama?" the elven swordsman asked as he stepped up. Nightmare looked at him and Soul Edge blinked at him narrowing its single eyes, Nightmare spoke as he analyzed his blade's thoughts "You have no purpose here boy, you're the only one that I've no reason to destroy. If you and the younger Athenian leave now perhaps we won't hunt you down." Link slowly brought up his sword the tip pointed right at Nightmare's head "When I'm done with you your not going to be giving a damn about her being a threat." he says, his voice taking a tone of seriousness the kind that belonged only to men of experience.
With this said Link brought his free arm up pushing the cloak back before pulling it from him, the hood comes back and his ears are revealed. Ivy narrows her eyes as she catches sight of the abnormalities of this warrior, considering the power of the two that possessed the similar traits it was likely he was also gifted. Ivy looked at Nightmare as he turned his eyes toward her "Queen..." he said wordlessly instructing her to stand back. She does so stepping away with a wave of her cloak, Sophitia looks up as Cassandra leads her back. Thunder clashes above as both of the two go into stance.
Elsewhere on the battle field Taki, Mitsurugi and Maxi found themselves face with an oncoming group of orcs that didn't seem to let up. Mitsurugi gave a loud cry as he slapped a cheap sword aside with a diagonal cut curving up to come and then slice down the other way slashing the creature through. Keeping track of his surroundings he turned around in time to slice down into another Shishi-oh broke right through the cheaply plated armor on it's shoulder only to come out the creature's side. He looked back to see Taki jump up high into the air in a flip that went in an arc, halfway through her pure sword was drawn and swung slicing right through another's scalp cutting into its brain. She came down and went for Mekki-Maru to slash up with it cutting right through another.
Mitsurugi looked back as his back came to be placed against Taki's as the swarms continued their attempted to surround them "The impatient ones go against Nightmare while we fight the underlings, this feels out of place." Mitsurugi said with a hint of boredom. Taki looked back as the blood and bone made orcs slowly advanced "Fate seems to enjoy holding either of us back from it. Might as well do what we can!" she said shouting the last part before slashing her blade across another one's throat. Mitsurugi then looked up as he deflected the impact from one of the hilt less blades before bringing his katana down "Where did the pirate go?" he pointed out.
Maxi had vanished almost the instant they were attacked and while a good number of the orcs ran like cowards into the labyrinth they were left fighting the thirty some that were left on the surface. Taki growled "He can take care of himself!" she said before grabbing one of the Lizardmen that approached sending her knee into his crotch. It's eyes went wide as he halted movement, she quickly jumped up onto its back before turning a back flip and smashing her feet onto its shoulder blades. Added with her own body weight and the amount of force this was more than enough to completely pulverize the creature's spine.
Meanwhile Maxi found himself heading toward the labyrinth smashing several of the unprepared troops out of the way with his twin nunchaku as he followed his instincts. Coming up on the entrance to the Labyrinth he found what he was looking for, an ominous shadow held a large ax over its shoulder. Anger boiled in his blood as he remembered how long he had burned to destroy him, after what he and the creature called Renzor did to his crew, he would never forgive them. He gave a loud battle cry before dashing over the sand and jumping up to smash his foot hard into the figures back dropping him to the ground.
The impact was solid and dropped pushing hard into the spine dropping him to the ground but then he noticed that something wasn't right, there was armor on. Looking up he saw another of the same shadow turn to face him. The torches set up around the labyrinth lit both of them up resulting in a growl from Maxi. Both of them wore the loincloth of a man from the wilderness, Sophitia had spoken of a warrior who assisted her at one point in her second journey only difference was he apparently wore an wilder beast's helm and not a strange iron mask. Both of their bodies were covered in small circles and scars with didn't seem natural. Neither of them were Astaroth and his anger was wasted on them.
Maxi growled and the unlikely possibility that he was perhaps not there "Where is Astaroth dirt bag?!" he demanded to know of the Berserker before him. It didn't answer as it raised it's battle ax and gave a hard swing at Maxi, the pirate narrowed his eyes as he jumped up springing his foot off of the blade. He then came down and with a shout smashed the end of his nunchaku into the warrior's mask causing him to reel back, he dropped down and kicked hard dropping him. He quickly recovered as the other one rushed Maxi swinging his blade like a baseball bat, he moved hard to the right just getting out of the way.
It kicked up sand which clouded into the fallen one's face causing him to fall back, Maxi looked back and then made his way toward the attacker. The ax came down at him, but Maxi was quick to side step before swinging Soryuju to smash hard into his left hand, it growled with anger before it brought its ax back. "Oh no you don't!" Maxi shouted before he climbed up and boosted himself up off the Berserker and up above his head, he came down turning in mid jump before cracking the end of the nunchaku into the monster's head. There was a crunch before he dropped to the ground giving up the ghost.
Maxi looked back at the other as he started to recover from the sand that was in his "Dumbass." he growled proving that he was at some point human, given strength by the Soul Edge in exchange for his soul. He looked up just in time to have the hard wooden shaft of Maxi's nunchaku crash into his mask bending it into his nose. He gave a loud groan as blood came from the air holes under his nose, there was then a pressure under his neck as the chain between the two sticks came around "Now tell me, where is Astaroth?!" Maxi demanded to know. The Berserker choked as he spoke "The camp. Probably trying to back the others up." he said.
He went for his ax suddenly and swung it back, dull edge first at Maxi. The pirate from Ryuryu looked up before he jumped back right as the ax's blade hit the dirt coming just shy of the Berserker's spin. Angrily Maxi rushed up and smashed his foot into the Berserker's wind pipe dropping him to the ground suffocating. He didn't bother to watch as he ran back toward the camp hoping he would be able to assist Taki and Mitsurugi in their extermination of the low leveled demons that the Black Wind had brought under their control.
Sophitia, Cassandra and Xianghua all watched from the side lines as the two warriors clashed before them all of them amazed that Nightmare was able to keep up with the swift nature of Link's fighting especially with the sword. Kilik stood a little more toward the battlefield as he didn't like the fact that both the shadow demon and Valentine were still in the area. Already both of them had torn up parts of the camp and the rain was beginning to make combat more than a little difficult. Cassandra swallowed slightly not knowing how Link expected to do this, the sword he was using was only the one Rothion had given him it was strong but lacked the blessed properties of the Alpha and Omega Swords.
Nightmare gave a loud shout as he swung down hard, the blade of Soul Edge coming down hard to dig into the sand the moist meat of the sword forcing sand to stick to it. Link slapped the demonic blade aside with his shield and then swung in the attempt to strike at Nightmare's head. The Azure Nightmare was quick to bring his blade back up to catch the Athenian made sword upon its edge. Link growled as Nightmare straightened up and glared down at him, while wielding such a blade could be done the Soul Edge maximized his strength to wield it as easy as if it was hallow.
Nightmare spoke as he glared at Link "Your good but you've no hope of defeating me?" Link grunted "You have any idea how many times I've heard a variation of that?!" he shouted before forcing Nightmare back. The demon stumbled lightly not expecting the strength of Link, obviously his race hid what kind of physical strength was in his average looking frame. He tried to recover as Link came up to him swinging but as Nightmare moved to guard he switched his movement and slapped the blade against the back of his ankle dropping him to the ground. "Damn you!" Nightmare cursed as he fell and the tip of Soul Edge was pointed toward the sky.
Time slowed down for Link as he looked the Soul Edge up and down the single eye that was imbedded in a small canyon of cracks and cuts, it narrowed to glare at him as he brought back the sword gripped in his hand "I expected better." he murmured to himself before swinging hard at the blade. The blade of the Athenian sword made clear contact with the Soul Edge and it leaned slightly from the blow, Link's eyes went wide as he looked at it. The eye looked right at him as the flat end came back to swing at him.
Link moved to the side and decided he'd better take out the user. Bringing back his sword he moved at Nightmare one foot moving to kick his arm away before his blade shot down, he just missed the center of his chest as the arm came back to slap his sword. The blond knight roared loudly before bringing back his right fist to come up and punch Link hard in the chest sending him over ten feet away. Nightmare climbed from the ground looked down at the blade that was halfway impaled through his shoulder. A voice spoke from out of nowhere to all of those watching the battle PATHETIC FOOL. YOU EXPECTED MY WEAKENED STATE TO MAKE MY PHYSICAL FORM ANY EASIER TO DESTROY?!
That was what they all understood as the Soul Edge spoke to them, or rather sent a variety of signals right into their minds which was translated as such. Sophitia had heard this voice before it was the voice of Nightmare and Cervantes when they were both possessed, now Nightmare simply used the sword to fulfill his own wishes, giving it souls in exchange for its cooperation. Judging by the pile of smoldering bodies both she and Link passed on the way in, it was more than likely the sword had regained a good amount of its power, as if the destruction of the french armada wasn't enough.
Nightmare's free hand slowly traveled up to pull the blade from his shoulder and turn the bloody point toward Link "You've made a fatal mistake coming here, you can take my sword when you pry it from chilling cadaver. Though it is impossible for anybody to resist it." he said before he hurled the Athenian blade back at Link. He calmly raised his shield up and the point bounced right off it spinning straight up, Link held up his hand catching the blade "We shall see." he said. Nightmare smiled before he gripped his left hand around the blade and suddenly a dark crimson aura came up around him.
All that could be seen was his shadow and the members of the White Wind were speachless, Xianghua held the blade of Soul Calibur to her chest not knowing what she could do if it was no longer there for them. Ivy suddenly spoke up from her place thirty feet away "If I were you I would call your friend away." she said as the aura around Nightmare grew so dense he was nothing more than a shadow. The shadow changed as spikes began appearing and the right arm grew and formed into a three fingered claw. The aura slowly vanished and the Azure Nightmare was standing in his true glory.
The power of Soul Edge had come even more under his will and he was now able to summon up his armor out of thin air. It wasn't as they remembered it however, it was for one cleaner and trimmed around his naturally armored right arm. It was even darker than before, had a trim of deep gold on the helmet which now bore a pair of dragon wings pointed straight up. An eye was on the chest and there was a lot of pointed edges around the suit of armor. His eyes now glowed a much brighter crimson under his helmet and his hair matched it perfectly, this was the Azure Nightmare in all his glory.
Link narrowed his eyes as Nightmare switched the demonic blade to his newly formed right claw obviously this would be giving him a lot more power behind blows "Well, crap." he growled before falling back into stance. Nightmare hoisted Soul Edge up the flat end falling on his shoulder "Prepare yourself." he said, his voice dark and ominous before he rushed Link much faster than before. The Soul Edge came in a hard vertical slice connecting hard with the Athenian sword. Link growled as several sparks flew and heated grains of metal flew by his face all from his sword.
Sophitia and Cassandra looked on breathing as Nightmare came up hard from the slash twisting the blade, Link's arm held up his shield behind his sword as the Soul Edge came. The demonic sword met both objects hard and the sheer force of the blow shattered the blade of the sword and sent Link flying over thirty feet while being at least eight feet above the ground. "Damn it. Without the blessings it couldn't handle such blows." she growled wondering if Link would be using that sword he had been holding back from all this time.
Link growled as he tossed the worthless hilt of the shattered blade at Nightmare only to bounce off him and land with what else remained of it. Nightmare breathed as he held his sword over his shoulder and looked back to Anubis "A threat indeed. Just another bug to be stomped out." Ivy chuckled "Anubis, show them the nature of your power." she requested. Anubis nodded not enjoying orders but he could tell this boy was powerful, he wasn't about to let his existence continue. Waving one hand everything in the area around Link darkened before he was surrounded by what would be considered pure shadow. A cloud of destruction.
Everybody stood to their feet becoming defensive as Link vanished into the cloud, Kilik growled as he had known some things about demonic magic this attack was known to destroy if not cripple entire armies. Cassandra was held back by Xianghua and Sophitia as she attempted to rush Nightmare, Link so far had made a lot more sense than any body she had ever met and he wasn't going to let him fall like this. "Stop! He'll only kill you too!" Xianghua shouted holding Cassandra in a headlock knowing that Cassandra's lack of experience against such a warrior made even the thought of it suicide.
Nightmare watched from his place just a little distance away from the cloud as he picked up the scent of the sand being scorched by its acidic nature. He chuckled as he watched the sillouette struggle and suffer reaching toward his back at the other sword he carried not like it would help him "Fare the well, child." he said as he started to turn. Suddenly the Soul Edge's eye went wide as it picked up a heavy amount of opposing energy from inside the cloud as there was a hateful version of Link's voice "Think again." he growled as light began to build within the cloud. Anubis raised the ridge of his right eye "My my..." he murmured.
The light from the center pierced through the sphere of shadows before being followed by a second and then a third. There was a heavy amount of wind as this happened "This isn't normal is it?!" "How would I know?!" Xianghua shouted back at her. Ivy gripped the edge of her cape keeping it over to fight the wind, she could tell that this was not a good thing for their side. There was suddenly a slicing sound before there was a burst of light from the center of the sphere that visually tore it apart. As the sand and smoke cleared and the ran took over once again a silhouette appeared in the aftermath, but his strength was different.
The elven swordsman stood there the same as he was before the only difference now was the fact that his left hand now gripped the hilt of a much finer sword, which bore a brilliant holy aura around it. He looked up at Nightmare breathing slowly "Round two." he said his eyes now accompanied by a glow of their own. Kilik breathed, this was clearly the sword he had back in Athens but it had somehow unlocked its power as if at the will of its master. Link suddenly rushed Nightmare his right hand shooting down to grab his shield and hurl it at Nightmare, who slapped it aside on instinct. This was his mistake.
Link jumped up into the air and then brought his glowing blade down, not on Nightmare but on the horrific blade he held. The metal of the Master Sword connected with Soul Edge and there was an ominous and unheard scream of pain as there was a noticeable cracking sound. Nightmare felt pain in his chest as Link jumped away and looked down in horror, the Soul Edge now had a fresh new crack down its blade. Link smirked as he looked toward Nightmare "Surprised? Don't be!" he shouted before rushing him again.
Nightmare swung hard at Link in a diagonal swipe digging his blade into the sand just as Link side stepped under the blade. The blade came up hard swiping hard into the chest plate of his armor cutting cleanly through, Nightmare shouted in pain right before Link sent a solid kick into his abdomen sending him back. Link then turned around spinning before halting his right hand shooting down to grab the hilt of the demonic sword. All four of his fellow warriors looked up as he did such a thing and shouted in unison for him to release the blade, Link however made no such move as he gripped the blade even tighter pulling it from the ground to stab it point first before him.
Cassandra felt her heart beating harder and harder as she watched this, Sophitia had warned him before, she had warned all of them [What in the hell is he thinking?] she asked herself. Nightmare looked up and growled as the boy had effectively taken him off guard, though he had been foolish enough to touch the blade. It was exactly how he brought the guardian of the Money Pit under his control, however Link didn't seem to move his eyes just came to focus on the single eye of Soul Edge. Nightmare gasped as the eye went wide as it discovered a fact on the boy that frightened even it NIGHTMARE! STOP HIM NOW! it shouted once again in unspoken words.
Link smirked as he lifted up the sword and glared down into its eyes "This is why they sent me to destroy you, no matter how pure a soul may be it can always be manipulated. I as you've discovered am an exception. I have no original darkness for you to manipulate. Now die." he said as stabbed Soul Edge down and brought back the Master Sword prepared to end it all. Nightmare might have jumped up to rush him but it would make no difference he was too far away and the shadow demon probably realized that his attacks would only be fazed out by the Master Sword. This is what he had been waiting for and he was going to savior it.
Next Chapter: Startling Revelations
The battle continues to a close which you'll have to read to find out...afterwards Sophitia falls into depression over her apparent failure to defeat Nightmare the first time and free Siegfried's soul. However before she can fall any deeper an unlikely source among their group tells the truth, something that they felt wasn't relevant as they didn't know the truth behind Nightmare. Does this mean that Nightmare's words were misunderstood and Siegfried could possibly be alive?
OOC: CLIFFHANGER!! Hahahahaha!! I'm sorry to do this to you but if you review I will get at least the first part up ASAP! Also for those who didn't get it before here is the system:
""= Speech
[] = Thoughts
= Telepathy
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Soul Calibur II: Of Souls And Swords
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Master Sword VS Soul Edge
Cassandra walked up to the group as Sophitia looked to the ground as this revelation washed over her, it was like a horrible dream that she couldn't wake up from. In fighting Nightmare years ago she had caused Siegfried to come out as much as he could only for Nightmare to be defeated by Kilik, Xianghua and her mysterious Soul Calibur. But cutting through a hybrid of humanity and sheer darkness left only one part in existence, if one were to put it in the simplest terms it would be understandable to even the most foolish of mortals: Siegfried was dead, and it was her fault for not stopping him when she could.
Sophitia's knees fell away from under her and Cassandra rushed to her side gripping her shoulders keeping her from falling as she fought back any depression, she wouldn't give Soul Edge that satisfaction. Cassandra glared at Nightmare, while she would have normally been impressed that their enemy was so far from repulsive and monstrous she was clearly angry "What the hell did you...?" Nightmare chuckled "The truth can hurt dear girl. No matter who it comes from." Cassandra growled grabbing her sword. Nightmare chuckled "Would you truly harm me?" he asked, Ivy smirked obviously amused.
There was a tense silence before it was shattered by the sounds of boots stepping up "Why is it that everybody that is so fear just can't get enough of the drama?" the elven swordsman asked as he stepped up. Nightmare looked at him and Soul Edge blinked at him narrowing its single eyes, Nightmare spoke as he analyzed his blade's thoughts "You have no purpose here boy, you're the only one that I've no reason to destroy. If you and the younger Athenian leave now perhaps we won't hunt you down." Link slowly brought up his sword the tip pointed right at Nightmare's head "When I'm done with you your not going to be giving a damn about her being a threat." he says, his voice taking a tone of seriousness the kind that belonged only to men of experience.
With this said Link brought his free arm up pushing the cloak back before pulling it from him, the hood comes back and his ears are revealed. Ivy narrows her eyes as she catches sight of the abnormalities of this warrior, considering the power of the two that possessed the similar traits it was likely he was also gifted. Ivy looked at Nightmare as he turned his eyes toward her "Queen..." he said wordlessly instructing her to stand back. She does so stepping away with a wave of her cloak, Sophitia looks up as Cassandra leads her back. Thunder clashes above as both of the two go into stance.
Elsewhere on the battle field Taki, Mitsurugi and Maxi found themselves face with an oncoming group of orcs that didn't seem to let up. Mitsurugi gave a loud cry as he slapped a cheap sword aside with a diagonal cut curving up to come and then slice down the other way slashing the creature through. Keeping track of his surroundings he turned around in time to slice down into another Shishi-oh broke right through the cheaply plated armor on it's shoulder only to come out the creature's side. He looked back to see Taki jump up high into the air in a flip that went in an arc, halfway through her pure sword was drawn and swung slicing right through another's scalp cutting into its brain. She came down and went for Mekki-Maru to slash up with it cutting right through another.
Mitsurugi looked back as his back came to be placed against Taki's as the swarms continued their attempted to surround them "The impatient ones go against Nightmare while we fight the underlings, this feels out of place." Mitsurugi said with a hint of boredom. Taki looked back as the blood and bone made orcs slowly advanced "Fate seems to enjoy holding either of us back from it. Might as well do what we can!" she said shouting the last part before slashing her blade across another one's throat. Mitsurugi then looked up as he deflected the impact from one of the hilt less blades before bringing his katana down "Where did the pirate go?" he pointed out.
Maxi had vanished almost the instant they were attacked and while a good number of the orcs ran like cowards into the labyrinth they were left fighting the thirty some that were left on the surface. Taki growled "He can take care of himself!" she said before grabbing one of the Lizardmen that approached sending her knee into his crotch. It's eyes went wide as he halted movement, she quickly jumped up onto its back before turning a back flip and smashing her feet onto its shoulder blades. Added with her own body weight and the amount of force this was more than enough to completely pulverize the creature's spine.
Meanwhile Maxi found himself heading toward the labyrinth smashing several of the unprepared troops out of the way with his twin nunchaku as he followed his instincts. Coming up on the entrance to the Labyrinth he found what he was looking for, an ominous shadow held a large ax over its shoulder. Anger boiled in his blood as he remembered how long he had burned to destroy him, after what he and the creature called Renzor did to his crew, he would never forgive them. He gave a loud battle cry before dashing over the sand and jumping up to smash his foot hard into the figures back dropping him to the ground.
The impact was solid and dropped pushing hard into the spine dropping him to the ground but then he noticed that something wasn't right, there was armor on. Looking up he saw another of the same shadow turn to face him. The torches set up around the labyrinth lit both of them up resulting in a growl from Maxi. Both of them wore the loincloth of a man from the wilderness, Sophitia had spoken of a warrior who assisted her at one point in her second journey only difference was he apparently wore an wilder beast's helm and not a strange iron mask. Both of their bodies were covered in small circles and scars with didn't seem natural. Neither of them were Astaroth and his anger was wasted on them.
Maxi growled and the unlikely possibility that he was perhaps not there "Where is Astaroth dirt bag?!" he demanded to know of the Berserker before him. It didn't answer as it raised it's battle ax and gave a hard swing at Maxi, the pirate narrowed his eyes as he jumped up springing his foot off of the blade. He then came down and with a shout smashed the end of his nunchaku into the warrior's mask causing him to reel back, he dropped down and kicked hard dropping him. He quickly recovered as the other one rushed Maxi swinging his blade like a baseball bat, he moved hard to the right just getting out of the way.
It kicked up sand which clouded into the fallen one's face causing him to fall back, Maxi looked back and then made his way toward the attacker. The ax came down at him, but Maxi was quick to side step before swinging Soryuju to smash hard into his left hand, it growled with anger before it brought its ax back. "Oh no you don't!" Maxi shouted before he climbed up and boosted himself up off the Berserker and up above his head, he came down turning in mid jump before cracking the end of the nunchaku into the monster's head. There was a crunch before he dropped to the ground giving up the ghost.
Maxi looked back at the other as he started to recover from the sand that was in his "Dumbass." he growled proving that he was at some point human, given strength by the Soul Edge in exchange for his soul. He looked up just in time to have the hard wooden shaft of Maxi's nunchaku crash into his mask bending it into his nose. He gave a loud groan as blood came from the air holes under his nose, there was then a pressure under his neck as the chain between the two sticks came around "Now tell me, where is Astaroth?!" Maxi demanded to know. The Berserker choked as he spoke "The camp. Probably trying to back the others up." he said.
He went for his ax suddenly and swung it back, dull edge first at Maxi. The pirate from Ryuryu looked up before he jumped back right as the ax's blade hit the dirt coming just shy of the Berserker's spin. Angrily Maxi rushed up and smashed his foot into the Berserker's wind pipe dropping him to the ground suffocating. He didn't bother to watch as he ran back toward the camp hoping he would be able to assist Taki and Mitsurugi in their extermination of the low leveled demons that the Black Wind had brought under their control.
Sophitia, Cassandra and Xianghua all watched from the side lines as the two warriors clashed before them all of them amazed that Nightmare was able to keep up with the swift nature of Link's fighting especially with the sword. Kilik stood a little more toward the battlefield as he didn't like the fact that both the shadow demon and Valentine were still in the area. Already both of them had torn up parts of the camp and the rain was beginning to make combat more than a little difficult. Cassandra swallowed slightly not knowing how Link expected to do this, the sword he was using was only the one Rothion had given him it was strong but lacked the blessed properties of the Alpha and Omega Swords.
Nightmare gave a loud shout as he swung down hard, the blade of Soul Edge coming down hard to dig into the sand the moist meat of the sword forcing sand to stick to it. Link slapped the demonic blade aside with his shield and then swung in the attempt to strike at Nightmare's head. The Azure Nightmare was quick to bring his blade back up to catch the Athenian made sword upon its edge. Link growled as Nightmare straightened up and glared down at him, while wielding such a blade could be done the Soul Edge maximized his strength to wield it as easy as if it was hallow.
Nightmare spoke as he glared at Link "Your good but you've no hope of defeating me?" Link grunted "You have any idea how many times I've heard a variation of that?!" he shouted before forcing Nightmare back. The demon stumbled lightly not expecting the strength of Link, obviously his race hid what kind of physical strength was in his average looking frame. He tried to recover as Link came up to him swinging but as Nightmare moved to guard he switched his movement and slapped the blade against the back of his ankle dropping him to the ground. "Damn you!" Nightmare cursed as he fell and the tip of Soul Edge was pointed toward the sky.
Time slowed down for Link as he looked the Soul Edge up and down the single eye that was imbedded in a small canyon of cracks and cuts, it narrowed to glare at him as he brought back the sword gripped in his hand "I expected better." he murmured to himself before swinging hard at the blade. The blade of the Athenian sword made clear contact with the Soul Edge and it leaned slightly from the blow, Link's eyes went wide as he looked at it. The eye looked right at him as the flat end came back to swing at him.
Link moved to the side and decided he'd better take out the user. Bringing back his sword he moved at Nightmare one foot moving to kick his arm away before his blade shot down, he just missed the center of his chest as the arm came back to slap his sword. The blond knight roared loudly before bringing back his right fist to come up and punch Link hard in the chest sending him over ten feet away. Nightmare climbed from the ground looked down at the blade that was halfway impaled through his shoulder. A voice spoke from out of nowhere to all of those watching the battle PATHETIC FOOL. YOU EXPECTED MY WEAKENED STATE TO MAKE MY PHYSICAL FORM ANY EASIER TO DESTROY?!
That was what they all understood as the Soul Edge spoke to them, or rather sent a variety of signals right into their minds which was translated as such. Sophitia had heard this voice before it was the voice of Nightmare and Cervantes when they were both possessed, now Nightmare simply used the sword to fulfill his own wishes, giving it souls in exchange for its cooperation. Judging by the pile of smoldering bodies both she and Link passed on the way in, it was more than likely the sword had regained a good amount of its power, as if the destruction of the french armada wasn't enough.
Nightmare's free hand slowly traveled up to pull the blade from his shoulder and turn the bloody point toward Link "You've made a fatal mistake coming here, you can take my sword when you pry it from chilling cadaver. Though it is impossible for anybody to resist it." he said before he hurled the Athenian blade back at Link. He calmly raised his shield up and the point bounced right off it spinning straight up, Link held up his hand catching the blade "We shall see." he said. Nightmare smiled before he gripped his left hand around the blade and suddenly a dark crimson aura came up around him.
All that could be seen was his shadow and the members of the White Wind were speachless, Xianghua held the blade of Soul Calibur to her chest not knowing what she could do if it was no longer there for them. Ivy suddenly spoke up from her place thirty feet away "If I were you I would call your friend away." she said as the aura around Nightmare grew so dense he was nothing more than a shadow. The shadow changed as spikes began appearing and the right arm grew and formed into a three fingered claw. The aura slowly vanished and the Azure Nightmare was standing in his true glory.
The power of Soul Edge had come even more under his will and he was now able to summon up his armor out of thin air. It wasn't as they remembered it however, it was for one cleaner and trimmed around his naturally armored right arm. It was even darker than before, had a trim of deep gold on the helmet which now bore a pair of dragon wings pointed straight up. An eye was on the chest and there was a lot of pointed edges around the suit of armor. His eyes now glowed a much brighter crimson under his helmet and his hair matched it perfectly, this was the Azure Nightmare in all his glory.
Link narrowed his eyes as Nightmare switched the demonic blade to his newly formed right claw obviously this would be giving him a lot more power behind blows "Well, crap." he growled before falling back into stance. Nightmare hoisted Soul Edge up the flat end falling on his shoulder "Prepare yourself." he said, his voice dark and ominous before he rushed Link much faster than before. The Soul Edge came in a hard vertical slice connecting hard with the Athenian sword. Link growled as several sparks flew and heated grains of metal flew by his face all from his sword.
Sophitia and Cassandra looked on breathing as Nightmare came up hard from the slash twisting the blade, Link's arm held up his shield behind his sword as the Soul Edge came. The demonic sword met both objects hard and the sheer force of the blow shattered the blade of the sword and sent Link flying over thirty feet while being at least eight feet above the ground. "Damn it. Without the blessings it couldn't handle such blows." she growled wondering if Link would be using that sword he had been holding back from all this time.
Link growled as he tossed the worthless hilt of the shattered blade at Nightmare only to bounce off him and land with what else remained of it. Nightmare breathed as he held his sword over his shoulder and looked back to Anubis "A threat indeed. Just another bug to be stomped out." Ivy chuckled "Anubis, show them the nature of your power." she requested. Anubis nodded not enjoying orders but he could tell this boy was powerful, he wasn't about to let his existence continue. Waving one hand everything in the area around Link darkened before he was surrounded by what would be considered pure shadow. A cloud of destruction.
Everybody stood to their feet becoming defensive as Link vanished into the cloud, Kilik growled as he had known some things about demonic magic this attack was known to destroy if not cripple entire armies. Cassandra was held back by Xianghua and Sophitia as she attempted to rush Nightmare, Link so far had made a lot more sense than any body she had ever met and he wasn't going to let him fall like this. "Stop! He'll only kill you too!" Xianghua shouted holding Cassandra in a headlock knowing that Cassandra's lack of experience against such a warrior made even the thought of it suicide.
Nightmare watched from his place just a little distance away from the cloud as he picked up the scent of the sand being scorched by its acidic nature. He chuckled as he watched the sillouette struggle and suffer reaching toward his back at the other sword he carried not like it would help him "Fare the well, child." he said as he started to turn. Suddenly the Soul Edge's eye went wide as it picked up a heavy amount of opposing energy from inside the cloud as there was a hateful version of Link's voice "Think again." he growled as light began to build within the cloud. Anubis raised the ridge of his right eye "My my..." he murmured.
The light from the center pierced through the sphere of shadows before being followed by a second and then a third. There was a heavy amount of wind as this happened "This isn't normal is it?!" "How would I know?!" Xianghua shouted back at her. Ivy gripped the edge of her cape keeping it over to fight the wind, she could tell that this was not a good thing for their side. There was suddenly a slicing sound before there was a burst of light from the center of the sphere that visually tore it apart. As the sand and smoke cleared and the ran took over once again a silhouette appeared in the aftermath, but his strength was different.
The elven swordsman stood there the same as he was before the only difference now was the fact that his left hand now gripped the hilt of a much finer sword, which bore a brilliant holy aura around it. He looked up at Nightmare breathing slowly "Round two." he said his eyes now accompanied by a glow of their own. Kilik breathed, this was clearly the sword he had back in Athens but it had somehow unlocked its power as if at the will of its master. Link suddenly rushed Nightmare his right hand shooting down to grab his shield and hurl it at Nightmare, who slapped it aside on instinct. This was his mistake.
Link jumped up into the air and then brought his glowing blade down, not on Nightmare but on the horrific blade he held. The metal of the Master Sword connected with Soul Edge and there was an ominous and unheard scream of pain as there was a noticeable cracking sound. Nightmare felt pain in his chest as Link jumped away and looked down in horror, the Soul Edge now had a fresh new crack down its blade. Link smirked as he looked toward Nightmare "Surprised? Don't be!" he shouted before rushing him again.
Nightmare swung hard at Link in a diagonal swipe digging his blade into the sand just as Link side stepped under the blade. The blade came up hard swiping hard into the chest plate of his armor cutting cleanly through, Nightmare shouted in pain right before Link sent a solid kick into his abdomen sending him back. Link then turned around spinning before halting his right hand shooting down to grab the hilt of the demonic sword. All four of his fellow warriors looked up as he did such a thing and shouted in unison for him to release the blade, Link however made no such move as he gripped the blade even tighter pulling it from the ground to stab it point first before him.
Cassandra felt her heart beating harder and harder as she watched this, Sophitia had warned him before, she had warned all of them [What in the hell is he thinking?] she asked herself. Nightmare looked up and growled as the boy had effectively taken him off guard, though he had been foolish enough to touch the blade. It was exactly how he brought the guardian of the Money Pit under his control, however Link didn't seem to move his eyes just came to focus on the single eye of Soul Edge. Nightmare gasped as the eye went wide as it discovered a fact on the boy that frightened even it NIGHTMARE! STOP HIM NOW! it shouted once again in unspoken words.
Link smirked as he lifted up the sword and glared down into its eyes "This is why they sent me to destroy you, no matter how pure a soul may be it can always be manipulated. I as you've discovered am an exception. I have no original darkness for you to manipulate. Now die." he said as stabbed Soul Edge down and brought back the Master Sword prepared to end it all. Nightmare might have jumped up to rush him but it would make no difference he was too far away and the shadow demon probably realized that his attacks would only be fazed out by the Master Sword. This is what he had been waiting for and he was going to savior it.
Next Chapter: Startling Revelations
The battle continues to a close which you'll have to read to find out...afterwards Sophitia falls into depression over her apparent failure to defeat Nightmare the first time and free Siegfried's soul. However before she can fall any deeper an unlikely source among their group tells the truth, something that they felt wasn't relevant as they didn't know the truth behind Nightmare. Does this mean that Nightmare's words were misunderstood and Siegfried could possibly be alive?
OOC: CLIFFHANGER!! Hahahahaha!! I'm sorry to do this to you but if you review I will get at least the first part up ASAP! Also for those who didn't get it before here is the system:
""= Speech
[] = Thoughts
= Telepathy