A/N:Yeah, sorry for updating without new chapters. I've read the reviews you've stated and I really appreciated them. Thanks to Sentinel07 and captainwhiteshadow for the reviews. So here's the part where Siegfried and Cassandra first met.
"Hey sis, where are we off to next?" as Cassandra faced her sister and walked backwards.
"Were heading to the City of Zenith. We need to resupply some of our stuff and we need to ask people for information on what are we going to expect on our way to Ostrheinsburg."
"Hahaha! I'm sure though that it won't be any walk in the park." as Maxi grinned.
"Oh stop being so negative Maxi. So far nothing bad has even happened to us hasn't it?"
"You can never be too careful Cassandra. After all we are dealing with the dreaded Azure Knight and his servants. I think that when we passed Zenith, things are not going to be so easy for us." as Sophitia cautiously warned the group.
After a while the trio stopped nearby a small lake.
"Hey girls, it looks like like the sun is about to set. Let's stop here and make camp. Tomorrow we'll arrive at Zenith after noon. I'll be going out to collect some firewood. You girls wait here for the time being." The two girls agreed as Maxi heads deeper in the forest.
"Hey sis, do you think that we will succeed in destroying Soul Edge?" as Cassandra tucked her knees into her arms.
"Why have you been doubtful all of a sudden? It's not like you to give a second thought in your actions aren't you? And between the two of us you are the more confident one with your head held up high and ready for anything that comes in your way." as Sophitia giggled.
"Yeah well, it's not an ordinary task and Nightmare and his servants aren't your everyday type of warriors that we can easily beat with ease. And..." Sophitia then came and interrupted her and gave a warm embrace to her sister.
"Don't worry about it. You not going to fight all alone. The gods will be there watching over us and giving us the strength we need to accomplish the task given to us. More importantly, we have each other. For me that's more than enough to give me courage when we engage those demons to battle."
"You're right sis. I shouldn't doubt myself during these times. I have to remain brave and confident with the hope of succeeding and returning home to Athens. Thank you for everything Sophitia." as Cassandra stood up full of confidence and courage.
Suddenly, the sisters noticed a rustling in the bushes nearby.
"Maxi is that you?" asked Cassandra.
Then a band of armed men appeared in front of the sisters. With their weapons and shields inside their tents, the sisters were left defenseless from the men. They were now corned with the men surrounding them.
"Well looky here boys, we got ourselves a loot in here, looks like a lot of stuff inside that tent and there's a couple of perty' ladies for us to be takin'." as one of the men had a smirk on his face. As the men crept closer, they suddenly stop when suddenly a man with long blond hair covered with armor that shined with the sun's rays against it, appeared in between the girls and the armed men.
"I thought we already told you not to rob people around these parts? Not only that but you even threat these two defenseless girls in taking them for for your own personal desires. You really are a group of disgusting people." as Siegfreid stares down at the bandits. "Siegfried? Is that you? What are you doing here?" as Sophitia quickly recognized him. "Nice to see you again too Sophitia but I'm afraid we have to discuss later right after I've cleaned up this mess."
"Boss, he is the one that I have told you about. He was one of the people who killed some of our comrades back at the blacksmith shop."
"Ah, so you're the one who has been responsible for us not having well crafted weapons, supplies of stuff are you? Where is the other one huh? Well never mind that. Do you think that it is right for you to kill my men boy?" as the bandit leader wears a smug face on the knight.
"Well if they are going to continue to do these horrible deeds that you ask them to and if you won't retreat now as well then yes." as he threaten the bandits.
"Ah, what courage you have there boy, I admire you for that. Even threatening us with just yourself. Now that takes guts. It's just sad to see them be splattered all over the ground when I get the pleasure of avenging my men and kill you later. as Siegfried just stared at the bandit leader saying nothing. "Very well then let's see that arrogance of yours can do boy when all my men attack you at the same time." the bandits now started to crept closer, surrounding the knight.
"Ladies, just stand back there and don't be afraid. This will be over quickly." as Siegfried draws his zweihander, Faust, the sisters cannot help but stare in slience amazed at Siegfried as he draws a gigantic sword from his back with just one hand. "Hah, this will also be a perfect time to test this weapon out." as Siegfried enters his stance and smiles at his opponents.
All of a sudden three men rushed at the knight. With one swing of the broadside of his sword, Siegfried sent the men flying and crashing down on the lake. As more of the men attacked him, he just sent them all crashing to the lake like the previous ones. He continued doing this until the bandit leader was left all alone shaking in fear.
"Now this is my last warning. If I see you harming anyone again, I won't be as merciful to you or your men. Do you understand me?" the bandit leader just nodded. Siegfried then pointed the leader to join his men in swimming in the lake. The bandit leader then ran and jumped in the lake with his minions. "Come on men let's get out of here." "Yes boss!" as the bandits hurriedly swam away from Siegfried and the girls. Siegfried then returned the sword to his back and approached the girls.
"Are you alright?" the girls then nodded at the knight.
"Siegfried, it's been so long when we last saw each other. What happened to you?"
"It's a long story back then Sophitia. But I can tell you that I wasn't successful in finding my father's killer during those times. How about you what happened to you and that ninja when you encountered Cervantes?" as Sigfried pretends that he did not knew what happened to them.
"Well both a fellow warrior and I were badly injured but we manage to defeat the pirate. When we were about to destroy Soul Edge, someone rushed in and grabbed the sword and ran so fast that we can't even react fast enough in the turn of events. Because of the injuries we had, we didn't recognize eho the thief was." as Sophitia explains further.
"By the way, this is my younger Sister Cassandra."
"I'ts a pleasure to meet you mister and thanks for helping us a while ago."
"The pleasure's all mine milady." as Siegfried kneels down to one knee, grabs the hand of the young Athenian and gave it a small kiss. Cassandra's face then turned red on the actions of the young knight because it was the first time that someone has done that to her. Even back at Athens none of her suitors would treat her the same way as Siegfried had. The young Athenian then suddenly removed her hand for the grip of the knight and turned away with the feeling of embarrassment and with a small smile.
"I'm so... sorry, I was j... just surprised with the sudden turn of events."
"It's okay miss. I didn't mean to startle you." explained by Siegfried.
"By the way Siegfried, I heard the bandit said that there were two of you who first encountered them. Who are you with anyway." as Sophitia asked him.
"Oh yeah that reminds me. I have forgotten that I have a companion who's waiting for me." as Siegfried was preparing to turn away, someone called his name.
"Hey Siegfried!" Siegfried then saw two men approaching them.
"Mitsurugi what are you doing here and who are you with?" "That goes the same for me friend. I ask you the same question as well and not only that, what are you doing with a couple of beautiful ladies?" as the two asked in confusion. Their attention changed direction to the Athenians when they saw Maxi.
"Maxi what took you so long?"
"Yeah. We were attacked by bandits and a lot of them too. Good thing that Siegfried over there appeared just in time and defeated them all." as Cassandra pouted her face.
"I'm sorry guys. When I was collecting firewood, I bumped into my friend back in Japan, Mitsurugi. I kind of lost track of time when we started exchanging stories with each other. Not only that I got us some fruits that I found that really looked tasty. I'm really sorry that I didn't helped you back there."
"Actually I'm the one who should apologize. I did not know that Maxi here have other companions with him let alone two beautiful young ladies. Please accept my humble apology." As Mitsurugi bows in front of them as a sign of respect shown by samurais to their masters which was practiced very well in their country.
"It's okay. Don't worry about it. Actually why don't you two join us in our camp. It's actually getting dark and we still have food for everyone." proposed Sophitia.
"Yes it's the least way we can thank you for your aid a while ago." but deep in Cassandra's mind, she just wanted for Siegfried to stay whom she really admired the first time he arrived for their aid. As the two warriors look at each other and nodded, they agreed to stay.
As night approaches, the two warriors discussed with the trio what their purpose is why they are here.
"What you are going to Ostrheinsburg to destroy the sword as well? You cannot be serious about this?" Sophitia's eyes then widened with what the two have said.
"I'm afraid I am." as Siegfried and Mitsurugi looked at each other, signalling Siegfried what to do.
FLASHBACK:
While the sisters where preparing for dinner and Maxi was busy preparing improvised beds for their guests inside a tent, Mitsurugi and Siegfried discussed on what should they do when they are asked on what are they doing here or where they are headed.
"So here's what your going to say so that they will not be suspicious around you. When you arrived at the top of the castle, you engaged and defeated Nightmare. But without you knowing it, you were followed by Cervantes to claim the sword for himself. With fatigue from the battle, and Cervantes now possessing the Soul Edge, you were overpowered and was sent crashing down to the river until you lost consciousness.
"You think it will work?"
"Of course. I will back you up just in case they don't buy the story." as the two were still talking, Cassandra called them for dinner. The two warriors stood up and joined the others.
END OF FLASHBACK
"I can't believe it! You defeated Nightmare? but how?" as Cassandra stare at amazement at the knight.
"For what I have been told, it looks like Nightmare has never fought an opponent who wields a zweihander like himself. As you might remember Sophitia, I was trained in wielding such a weapon." as Siegfried seems to be getting the trust of the three.
"The big surprise for us is Cervantes. Sophitia barely survived the last time she encountered him. Now he is more powerful because of the souls that was absorbed by that hing over the years." as Maxi stated.
"I got it! Why don't we just join parties to destroy the sword. Like the saying goes, "The more, the merrier." as Cassandra smiled.
"No! It is my own journey to acomplish because I am responsible for that to happen. And I don't want anyone to loose their lives for that sword. Even you Mitsurugi..." as Mitsurugi just sat in silence knowing already their plan.
"But we were chosen by our gods to embark on this quest as well. We can't just disobey their orders." as Sophita tries to reason with Siegfried.
"Please, I already lost a lot of people who are close to me because of that cursed sword. I don't want your souls to be consumed by that thing. You are still needed by your families back home."
"Okay then, we'll just accompany you until we reach Ostrheinsburg castle then we'll let you deal with the sword yourself." as Cassandra suggested and winked at her sister. Sophitia then figured out what her sister was doing.
With regret and still hesitation on the knight, he agreed. "You shall just to accompany me until we reach the castle then I want you to go back home. Understand?"
All the warriors nodded. Later at the night, all the warriors went to their tents.
"So Cassandra are you serious that we will still continue and destroy the sword?"
"Of course when we go along with him inside the castle, there is nothing he can do about it. Of course we will still help him battle though." as Cassandra smiled as her plan succeeded a while ago.
"You were so persistent a while ago in letting Siegfried agree on letting us be together on the journey. Even back then, I can't make him to agree with my own opinions." as Cassandra blushed a little and turned her head away from her sister.
"...Of course I am... We...uhm...still have to obey our gods right... and...with Siegfried and Mitsurugi with us...uhm...it will be easier for us to finish this right? ..." Then Sophitia noticed something different about her sister but just let it pass by.
"Quite a performance there I must say. They did not noticed a thing. But why did you agreed on letting them join us?"
"I don't know. Ther'e just so persistent especially Cassandra. She's just so stubborn on having her own way. But still she still remained to be sweet, innocent and happy. It's just unusual to see that in an Athenian warrior. I can surely say that because I know her sister and she's not like her." as Siegfried stares up the top of the tent.
"Well well well looks like someone has an admiration with a certain Athenian girl. HAHAHAHAHA!"
"No I just find it unusual." as Sigfried's cheeks turned red.
Mitsurugi then continued to tease his blood brother.
"Whatever." as Siegfried stood up and was about to leave the tent.
"Hey where are you going? Going to court Cassandra? HAHAHAHA!"
"Hahaha very funny. I'm just going out. Just going to catch some air and have a little peace and quiet especially form you."
"Okay! Whatever you say lover boy."
On a tree near the lake, Siegfried lied down and stares at the stars. "Actually, she really looks very attractive. Her eyes that look like orbs of emerald. Her short golden hair that seems to make her cuter. Her toned yet silky smooth legs. Though her clothes are quite revealing, still she tries to be conservative about it. Her positive outlook in life also is very contageous and finally her smile that can even be compared to those of an angel's. Maybe if she appeared to me when if I was still Nightmare, it might give me enough strength to banish that monster and even defeat Cervantes back then." Suddenly Siegfried shook his head in regret. "What am I thinking? If she knew that I was Nightmare, she would never forgive me because of the sins that I have done and will probably end my life as well. She was after all ordered by her gods to destroy me."
Siegfried then had a long sigh, suddenly he heard footsteps approaching his way.
"Good Evening Siegfried. I thought that I would be the only one to be here? I see that somebody has got here before me."
"Good Evening as well Miss Cassandra. Let me guess? Couldn't sleep and that's why you came here to stare at the stars huh?" as Siegfried was delighted to see the young Athenian.
She then giggled. "I see you do this as well when you can't sleep huh? Just wanted some peace and quiet and try to forget about everything for a while." As Siegfried offered her a seat next to him.
The two then stared at the constellations for a while until Siegfried broke the silence.
"Can you tell me about yourself Cassandra? I've already heard Sophitia mentioned to me that she has a little sister back then when we first met?
"Well, she might already told you this but Sophitia and I were daughters of a baker. As we grew older, we took over the family business ourselves." Then she told him about the similarities and differences about her and her older sister.
"So you still never fell in love even though you had a lot of suitors?"
"Yeah, I just can't seem to find in any of them a certain quality of a man that I was looking for. Maybe I... haven't found... the right one... for me." as the young girl suddenly blushes.
(Do I have the quality of a man that she is looking for? Am I the one that she has been searching for to complete her life?)
"How about you Siegfried? Tell me about yourself and how did you and my sister first met?"
"I first met your sister back then near Spain. As I was traveling for my own cause, I lost my consciousness because of hunger along the way. Then hours passed by and Sophitia and her companion found me lying on the ground. They let me join them for a while and shared their food with me. When we finally arrived at Spain, we parted ways because we have different tasks that we must accomplish on our own."
"What was the task that you have to do back then?" Siegfried then told Cassandra the story of his father and how he searched for the individual responsible for his death. Sigfried then let out a deep sigh. "Throughout these years, I still haven't put my father's soul to rest. That's why I became a knight to probably have a lead to the people or individual that is responsible. But throughout those years, I have done a lot of horrible things and have killed a lot of people in the process. Now I know that my soul is damned and cannot be forgiven." as Siegfried tries to hide his tears because if the lies and half truths he has been telling the girl and even the burden of the death of his father, he suddenly felt something warm and soft covering his body. He was also not wearing his armor that time so he completely felt it. It was Cassandra who gave him a warm embrace. Little did the two know, Sophitia saw what her sister did as she peeped through the tent and went back to bed again with a smile on her face. (It seems that my little sister has already found what she is looking for.) as Sophitia had already figured out what's different about her sister.
Going back to Siegfried who is still locked in the Athenian's embrace.
"Do not judge yourself if you are or are not worthy of forgiveness. Only our divine entities will be the one to judge that. I still don't know what really happened to your past but I know that you are a genuinely big hearted guy." as Cassandra looked Siegfried in the eyes with tears about to pour down on her as well.
"Well I better go back inside. It's getting pretty late. I better go back to bed. It was nice spending time with you Siegfried. Good Night."
"Likewise. Goodnight Cassandra." as the young Athenian responded with an angelic smile.
Siegfried then went back to his tent. "Hey lover boy! How was your night with your lady?"
"What in the world are you still doing awake?" the knight asked in embarrassment and in confusion.
"Watching my favorite show in the evening. HAHAHAHAHA!" the last thing Mitsurugi saw that night was a big fist crashing down his head.
(She is truly a sight to see. A person who is beautiful inside and out. Maybe she can be the reason for me to continue living in this world after I finish my mission. That is if she can accept me for who I was.)
(I don't know why but I somehow feel different when I am around him. Like he is the one that I have been looking for all this time. Like he will always be there to protect me at all times.)