Man, if I was any slower getting work done I'd be the Democratic party…Man I'm gonna get flamed for that. Anyway, here it is. I have one more chapter of "thoughts." These are just really meant to let you see what the fighters are thinking and maybe draw some connections as to what might happen later.

Thoughts of Cursed Steel

Far off from the shores of Egypt, another gathering was taking place. In a castle in northern Germany, those who sought the cursed blade were joined forces to take it back. In the center of the castles throne room, in a tattered throne sat the one who had summoned them all. He was the being that struck fear into the hearts of millions just by the sound of his name, Nightmare.

Nightmare-

His claws drummed on the arm of the throne as he waited. "Where are those fools?" He wondered aloud. "That wench Tira should have been back at the very least." His mood darkened even further as his mind turned to Soul Edge. "How could it choose another to be its host over me? I've gathered thousands of souls for it, does this being have strength even I do not posses? Very well then, if it is strength Soul Edge requires, then I shall give it more strength then it could ever desire." Nightmare stretched out his hand and a replica Soul Edge glided over to his hand. "My phantom…Together we will show your father our strength."

The large doors in front of him opened with a loud creaking. In walked Tira followed by Cervantes, Asteroth, Voldo, and to even Nightmares surprise Zasalamel. Tira an forward and bowed before Nightmare's throne.

"Master, we have arrived." She said

Nightmare jumped to his feel. "I see that you fool, where were you three hours ago!" He roared. Tira barley batted an eye lash.

"We would have been here sooner, but someone's ship is a piece of jun." Tira whipped her Aiseline Drossel up in time to deflect a bullet from Cervantes's gun. "You usless harlot!" He growled. "How dare you insult my ship, I'll keel haul ya fer that kind of language." (A/N: For those of you who don't know what keel hauling is, its when a sailor was tied to ropes that looped under the ship, then they were dragged across the bottom.)

"Come, I'll tear your heart out." Tira said coldly, her eyes narrowed.

"SILENCE!!!" Nightmare bellowed, stomping his foot on the ground, sending a shock wave through the castle. "If anyone wants to fight, come to me." He groweled. The two backed down from the challenge.

"Now," Nightmare said, sitting back down, "You will spread out across the globe and search for any information of Soul Edge's location. Asteroth you will head south towards Africa. Zasalamel, you will go west towards England. Cervantes you shall sail to the north. Tira, you must take Voldo and go east. Do not fail me, any of you." The group turned and left, leaving Nightmare alone. "I will find you Soul Edge." He thought.

Asteroth-

On a busy merchants street in Egypt, Asteroth walked, hidden under a large cloak. A man stood in his way. "Sorry boyo, won't let ya go till ya buy a rug." The man said. Asteroth never stopped moving; he grabbed the man with one hand and hurled the man over his stand into the snake charmers nest behind his stall.

Asteroth ignored the stares he received from the onlookers as he continued through the streets. He grabbed a 5 gallon jug of water from a women passing by, and turned into an alley. "Damn it's hot." He said, slumping down to the ground and draining the jug of water. He threw the jug to the other side of the alley and shattered a passing cart that just happened to be there at the wrong time.

"Tira said those worms would be here. SO WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY!" He sat quietly for a moment or two. "I need to find Soul Edge. I will be a god with it, and then it will rain blood. I will never let anyone take it from me." He stood up, his determination building.

"Asteroth!" A voice called from above him. Asteroth looked up and saw a woman on the clothes line above him. He smiled evilly, pulling off his cloak, reveling his red skin and the beating heart visible in his chest scare. "Taki, so good to see someone I can rip to shreds." He chuckled, pulling his axe from his on back.

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Taki said, unsheathing her daggers. She lept into the air and dived down straight at him.

Cervantes-

The ghost ship crashed through the waves as the spirits of dead sailors worked to keep Cervantes's ship on course. Cervantes de Leon stood at the helm; hand on the wheel, guiding his ship through the churning sea.

"Nothing," Cervantes thought, "Nothing will keep me from getting my hands on Soul Edge. Once it is in my grasp again, I will be the most feared pirate on all the seven seas. No man or god shall be able to stop me!" He threw back his head and laughed. "I WILL BE THE GREATEST!" He yelled to the howling winds.

Tira-

Tira walked through a bamboo forest in central China, Voldo following close behind in the strange swagger of his.

"How could master Nightmare pare me with him?" Tira thought. "He knows that I hate Voldo, and that I work better alone." She sighed in boredom.

"Maybe I can just lose him somewhere in these forests and go kill a few people. It wouldn't be that hard. I wouldn't have to worry about Soul Edge or any of that. Though, all the killing on my own is a bit dull. Maybe if someone else were with me, then I could have a bit more fun." The thought brought a smile to her face. "Maybe once this ordeal is all done." She thought.

Voldo-

Hsssss………RAhhhhh………….Grrrrrrrr………..Brahhhhhhh………Grayyyyyy……..sssssssssss…………fllllllllaaaaaaaaa………

(For my master…….for my master……..FOR MY MASTER!!!!!)

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Okay, I ran out of ideas for Voldo, so I just made him real single minded. So, whatever. I'm done.

-Link Guru-