It was dark, and it was raining. The rain was an annoyance, as it made the paved streets slick, but the darkness was a blessing in disguise, for it obscured the massacred bodies lying strewn about. It wasn't the first time they had seen this kind of carnage, and not a single one of them doubted that it would be the last.
No matter how much time had passed since Siegfried had been under the control of the wicked sword, his memories of that time became no less vivid. Grisly scenes like the one before him now never ceased to dredge up horrible visions from his past, and the only thing that prevented him from being immobilized by the weight of his conscience was the urge to press onward to find and destroy the vile creature that had murdered so many.
Siegfried tried to convince himself not to feel guilt for the crimes that Nightmare had used his body to commit. He tried to remind himself that Nightmare was a separate existence from his own...but he was guilty of more crimes than slaying the innocent. His memories of Tira, the woman he had taken in and loved and cared for – and used and mistreated – were a constant reminder of his personal failures and his recklessness. He cast a glance over to his left, and saw Sophitia's expression harden. She hadn't shed any tears over the dead in more than four years, but Siegfried knew it was still a difficult sight for her.
Taki was examining the damage, the former trying to detect and purify any lingering traces of evil energy. Amy, walking off a little to Taki's right, paid the dead no heed. Eternally quiet and unaffected by both sights and words, the girl seemed to be devoid of a heart or a soul...and yet, he could not resent her demeanor. She was one of the only companions he had left.
Setsuka had been the first, five years ago. Nightmare had cut her down effortlessly, right in front of Siegfried's eyes. Tira had been standing patiently to side, ready to kill her former master at a moment's notice. In that moment, when Setsuka perished and Tira displayed no regret or remorse, he knew he had lost her forever. He hoped Setsuka's soul hadn't been consumed by the abomination, but as the years had passed he found it easier to forget her than to mourn her.
Ivy had been next, destroyed by her own hand as she flung every last explosive she could think of at Zasalamel, and the one-eyed knight put up a barrier she could not break. It was almost a fitting end – Ivy, in her fury and wrath, had blown herself apart in an attempt to free herself from slavery to Zasalamel's will. Taki extracted the fragments of Soul Edge from her Ivy Blade and purified them, grafting them back into the Soul Embrace.
Cassandra's death probably hit hardest, and Sophitia in particular had been permanently changed after the fact. The girl had come to the aid of her comrades and been struck down by Nightmare. She died of simple blood loss, as her cursed wounds could not be completely purified or even shut. Sophitia's compassion vanished the day her sister died, her warmth permanently replaced by a thirst for vengeance, hidden beneath a calm exterior.
Slung over Siegfried's back was not the Requiem, shattered years ago, but the reactivated Soul Calibur, still functioning, but smaller and paler than ever before. It was especially pitiful when contrasted with the gigantic monstrosity covered in mouths and eyes called Soul Edge, now twice its former size and residing in Nightmare's deformed claw of a hand.
More even than the deaths of his comrades, the loss and subsequent increase in power of Soul Edge had dealt the fiercest, most painful blow. Even Zasalamel had been struck down before the might of Nightmare, unable to achieve whatever goal he had once sought. The power that Soul Edge absorbed from Zasalamel infused Soul Edge and its wielder with nearly godlike strength that only grew as he continued his endless massacre.
They had not heard from their allies – Kilik, Maxi, or Xianghua – for several months, and Siegfried and his company now feared the worst. He had no doubt that he was the only one who could challenge Nightmare now, and soon would come opportune time to do so.
Laced in bitterness, Siegfried's every day was an exercise in demonstrating his hate. He cut down whatever warriors Nightmare had created to face him, and he served lords in need of a strong mercenary – regardless of how morally questionable they may have been – if there was any chance of finding Nightmare or Tira.
It was fortunate that his enemies were incapable of begging for mercy, or he might've hesitated long enough for one to strike unnoticed. As they were unfeeling automatons, driven only by the cursed power of Soul Edge, Siegfried had no second thoughts about cutting them down. It wasn't the same as killing a normal human being, he tried to tell himself.
Taki told him it was foolish to maintain his vow of pacifism, but no matter how hypocritical he may have seemed once the blood started spraying, Siegfried believed it the one trace of his humanity he had left. After Tira's defection and Setsuka's death, he had given up all pretenses of his former ways.
He was now feared, respected, renowned for his savagery in battle. That he stood in opposition to the Azure Knight was Siegfried's greatest saving grace in the eyes of the world. Were he committing the same acts for any other reason, he'd have been perceived as a terrifying, unfeeling murderer.
In this town, however, all voices were silent. The only movement came from Siegfried and his three companions as they continued to walk and wander through the destruction, illuminated only by pale moonlight and a few flickering torches.
"We should try to find provisions, and then seek an inn." Taki suggested. "I don't think anyone in this town needs food or lodgings anymore."
"Agreed." Siegfried replied. "And take whatever currency they have left – we're running a little low."
His orders were simple and direct, and he never had need to carry out such menial tasks himself. He expected Sophitia, Taki, and Amy to do as he had instructed swiftly and without complaint, and he'd yet to be disappointed.
The moment Taki had suggested seeking refuge at an inn, Sophitia had turned her gaze towards Siegfried. He knew what was on her mind, and he couldn't object – it had been far too long since she'd come to share his bed, and separate rooms were certainly easier to go between than a close formation of tents.
As Amy, bent forth to examine the pockets of the dead, her clothing slid up and draped down, giving him a more pleasing view of her form. She had only recently provoked his lechery, as she'd grown into a astonishing beauty. Her hair was longer, her form more developed, and she was silent and obedient, not unlike Tira had once been. The sight of her both warmed and infuriated Siegfried – he wanted her, but every time he looked upon her, he could not help but see Tira.
--
After laying claim to their rooms and organizing a method of watch, Sophitia stepped into Siegfried's bedchamber. The two exchanged no words – they knew by this point their relationship was not simply for comfort but rather convenience. Neither truly loved the other, but reveled in the pleasure.
Sophitia had once scorned such desire, as she was content with matrimony and the blessings of her two children. After years of struggling against evil and seeing her loved ones vanish one after another, she allowed herself any indulgence she could think of to lessen the misery of her wretched life.
Siegfried's view was even more despondent. It was insane to even consider the possibility of destroying Nightmare at this point – he was a step below being a deity, if he did not qualify as a god already, and the only weapon that could harm him was a fragment of its former self. Siegfried expected that sooner or later he or his comrades would perish in the struggle against Nightmare. He was hopelessly addicted to these nocturnal acts, and enjoyed nothing else but this pleasure. It was the only joy he could derive from life anymore.
Yet, while Sophitia was an excellent lover and a good woman by any standard, Siegfried hungered for more. He didn't want to make love to the same woman every night – he wanted to extend his reach and fulfill his desires elsewhere.
He had been courting Amy – to what extent he could, given the circumstances and her personality – and he sensed that she was only a few long nights away from becoming his prey. He also felt that Taki would give in to him eventually – strong as a woman as she was, even she could detect the futility of their quest and sense her end drawing nearer. She felt the same natural desires as every other living being...it was only a matter of time.
Until then, Siegfried would settle for this…
--
Tira dropped onto the inn's rooftop, her breath the only sound she allowed to grace the air. A Watcher flapped above her, dropping a few feathers down as it circled.
Her purpose was simple enough – kill the fools seeking her Master's life. It would be only too pleasurable to kill Sophitia, and finish off the last remaining member of that family. The sight of that red-haired girl was a reminder of former weaknesses, and disposing of her would only prove her worth to her Master again. Defeating Taki would instill such pride in her Master...to kill two powerful warriors and offer their souls to the will of Soul Edge.
Tira dropped down to the nearest window, silent. She knew she'd have to hit Taki first, if she was to have any chance of getting to the others. Tira wasn't all that surprised to find the kunochi still awake, examining her small collection of weapons and sutras, experimenting with her considerable spiritual power.
Tira sacrificed her stealth for the sake of surprise and kicked the windowpane in, swinging in through her ringblade and landing easily between the shards. Taki reacted instantly, drawing the Rekki-Maru and clanging it against Tira's ringblade, hitting with enough force to release a few sparks.
"Demon." Taki spat.
"Self righteous bitch." Tira replied, and drew back, swinging the ringblade in wide arc. Taki drew back, but the cramped inn room wasn't the best place for her to take advantage of her agility, and she stumbled to the floor. Only a timely roll to her left saved Taki from being decapitated and kicking Tira aside.
"Traitor." Taki added, slashing with Rekki-Maru. Tira swerved to avoid contact, but the sheer air pressure left a gash in her cheek, much to the younger woman's fury.
"You're one to talk." Tira pointed out, before grinding her ringblade to the wooden floor and using it as a base to propel her light body around, kicking Taki back against the nearest wall. The force of the impact forced the Rekki-Maru from her hand.
Taki dropped down to grasp her weapon, and her neck fell right in Tira's sights. She opened her legs and wrapped them around Taki's throat. Taki drove the Rekki-Maru into Tira's leg and left a deep gash, but it was too late – Tira snapped her neck and the nukenin fell to the wooden floor, dead before she even realized what had happened.
Tira's breathing hitched and her leg had lost some function, but she had to keep moving. When Tira emerged from Taki's room into the hallway, she found Amy, her prized rapier already drawn, poised for combat.
"This is your only chance." Tira reminded. "This is your one and only chance to avenge the man you loved."
The creaking of the floor caught Tira's notice. She turned, ready to attack, only to find herself paralyzed by a familiar, entrancing gaze. Even now she couldn't bring herself to hate those pale blue eyes, and all desire to kill and harm faded when she saw him.
Siegfried delivered a swift blow to Tira's right cheek, slamming her against the nearest wall. She reacted instinctively, trying to bring the ringblade up to protect herself, only for Amy to drive her Albion into the loop of Tira's weapon and violently jerk it from her grasp, sending the ring-shaped blade flying to the side. Unarmed, Tira attempted to scramble away, but one look at Siegfried's eyes froze her in place once more.
Sophitia, hastily redressed, approached her lover and uttered quietly: "Siegfried – Taki is dead."
Siegfried grimaced in pain from the news, but the emotions on his face quickly turned from regret to anger.
Tira tried to glare at him, but she couldn't hold onto his gaze. When she saw Siegfried's eyes, all her hatred and malice evaporated. She hated herself for this weakness. She couldn't allow herself to be frozen like this if there was to be any hope of killing them and returning to her Master…
...for now, however, she needed to focus on survival. If she could not escape, she would need to buy herself time. Tira hung her head, refusing to look at her former Master. "You've captured me. I'm yours now. What will you do with me, 'Master'?"
Siegfried struck the side of her face again, drawing more blood from the cut upon her cheek. "Never call me that again, demon!" He spat. "I was a fool to have ever believed in you, after all you told me about yourself!"
Tira couldn't look at him, but she still had a retort. "Was I any less a fool for believing you would want and love only me?"
"I never loved you!" Siegfried replied flatly. "I was alone. I didn't even acknowledge what you truly were – a mistake that has cost me dearly."
Siegfried grasped Tira's shoulder and dragged her back into the hallway, not looking at her as he tugged. Amy and Sophitia were more than a little confused as they attempted to follow.
"Siegfried – " Sophitia began, but he raised a hand to silence her.
"I will take my vengeance first." Siegfried explained. "And then Amy may take hers." He tossed Tira into his room and shut the door behind him, concealing them from the others' sight.
Tira landed on her stomach, but landed comfortably atop the sheets, as Siegfried set down his blade and turned her over onto her back. Tira's malice faded once again, when she saw his gaze.
"Master." She whispered, almost reverently, unable to conceal the affection she had buried for so many years.
Siegfried drew himself upon her. Though the scent of blood found his nose, he ignored it – the feel of her flesh was the only thought on his mind; the warmth of her body, the pounding of her heart, the shape of her form, all the things that made her female and desirable to him.
She was quiet. He took her. She embraced him. She reciprocated his every gesture.
The night dragged on as Siegfried indulged himself. It was not until sunlight began to pierce the dull inn window that Siegfried was finally satiated. He lifted himself from Tira's prone, passive body, rummaged through his clothing until he found his belt, and used it to bind Tira's wrist to the bed.
"I'm sorry things had to end this way." Siegfried told the trembling woman lying before him. "This miserable journey is almost over. I promise you that we will see one another again...when I arrive in Hell."
Siegfried dressed himself, hearing not a word from Tira, but feeling her eyes on his form. As he opened the door to exit the room, Amy slithered inside immediately, Albion in hand. Siegfried left the room without turning back. He closed the door and allowed Amy to spend the next few hours indulging herself just as he had done.
Tira felt no fear. She wasn't afraid of what was about to happen to her. She knew that she deserved it, and had no right to feel remorse for herself.
--
Siegfried left without telling his comrades, as soon as he'd adorned his armor and eaten his trail rations, stepping past the empty town towards the abandoned clock tower on the hill, already the stone contorted by the evil power of Soul Edge, burnt black and sprouting strange, organic portions. Siegfried cut the unusual growths over the tower's wooden door and stepped in, the Soul Calibur illuminating the hollow tower, and particularly the immense wooden platform above him.
Siegfried found the staircase and began his ascent, detecting at once the foulness in the air, and saw flames illuminating the platform with a faint purple tint. It was a surefire sign he'd located the abomination.
Nightmare had not slept. It had been waiting, knowing full well that Siegfried would come alone, driven by anger and regret. He would deny that he sought to do battle, but Siegfried's heart would race with anticipation, and he would enjoy himself in the heat of a battle.
Nightmare looked stronger than ever, the Soul Edge even larger than his body now, shining with baneful light. Nightmare itself had changed too, as the blue armor had been further burnt, almost black, and portions of Nightmare's body were missing completely, composed of nothing but purple flame.
"Siegfried." Nightmare greeted, turning to confront the man. "Have you come to return your body to me?"
"Save your words." Siegfried declared, hoisting the Soul Calibur. "Just fight me."
"So be it." Nightmare agreed. "Give me your anger and your malice...give me all your strength, and fill me with the true power of your soul."
"Shut up." Siegfried instructed again, assuming his battle stance. Nightmare allowed itself one malicious chuckle that dripped with arrogance, and then extended both arms, allowing energy to circulate through its armored body and illuminate their battle site. Siegfried didn't allow this to distract him, and charged in, swinging a sword that immediately clanged against its counterpart.
Bits of the crystalline blade broke off, falling to the wooden floor alongside metal chunks of Soul Edge. The two wielders drew back and struck again, and Nightmare forced Siegfried back, the blonde man tumbling and rolling to get back to his feet.
Siegfried replied in kind and slashed, cutting deeply across Nightmare's midsection, only to watch as bits of dark azure armor harmlessly fell away, and the abomination laughed, slashing and cutting a deep gash in Siegfried's side.
The Soul Edge dealt cursed wounds that could never completely heal. The cut was already deep and would spread further along Siegfried's body, but he had to continue – he had to react and strike back. Siegfried aimed a stab upwards, striking Nightmare's face and driving the blade deep into the azure knight's chin. Nightmare howled in pain and drew back. Blood gushed out of Siegfried faster and faster, and he tackled Nightmare and flung both of them forward, right over the platform's edge.
They continued to slash at each other as they fell, into the darkness, illuminated only by Nightmare's energy and the sparks between their swords. Siegfried's vision grew hazier and Nightmare's laughter grew louder. The last thing he saw was the Soul Edge racing straight at his head...
--
Siegfried's eyes flew open, his mouth stretched wide in a silent scream, and his back arched painfully. Above him he saw the canopy of a tent, and as his back gave way he fell onto sweat-soaked sheets. The sun crept through the cracks in his tent flaps, attacking his eyes, and he buried his head underneath a pillow to escape it.
Yet he could still hear that horrible laughter.