!Soul Calibur 3 and all other related names, places, etc., are property of Namco!

Prologue

The sound of clashing swords echoing inside Ostrheinsburg Chapel came to a sudden stop. The pouring rain drenched the fighters and the thunder reverberated off the broken walls of the old chapel.

The Azure Knight stood tall, his cursed blade raised high above his head, "I like your strong spirit…your soul will feed my sword well."

The dark knight's victim tried to crawl away, but he had nowhere to go. His body was damaged beyond repair. Instead, he turned to face his enemy and smiled defiantly, "The Azure Knight is about to claim another victim…unfortunate it is me."

The knight smirked behind his helm, "Don't fret. Your soul will burn inside my sword for eternity."

The proud Frenchman stared straight into the knight's red eyes, "It must truly be an honor to have fought me, true? I want you to savor your victory, because no matter how strong you become, you will always be nothing but a hack, a street dog!"

The comment infuriated the dark knight. He sent his sword crashing down, straight at the man's head.

Enough!

The Azure Knight stopped. His eyes widened in surprise. He yelled in anger, "What! You again! Stop resisting and move this worthless body of yours and finish him!"

Silence! I will obey you no longer! I will atone for what I have done…

The Knight became silent, but inside his head a battle between the spirit of the body's rightful owner and the spirit of the demonic sword began.

The depth of human greed astounds me. You seek forgiveness? After all you have done?

No! But one must reflect on one's sins and move onward.

…Even if that path leads to darkness? Death awaits all in the end, whether you are free of sin or not.

I just wish to move on…

Can you not hear them--The wails of the souls that burn inside me? It was your hand that sent them to me! Listen!

The knight's body shivered.

You don't really believe that you can forget them so easily, can you?

I am eternally sorry for what I have done…but listen to me!

Listen to this fool. He is ready to die. He knows that death is better than what he is feeling now. Your father, too, knew the simplicity of death, its allure.

Yes…if I could, I would return to that time…

Do not dwell in the past! Look before you, in the present! He has given up. He no longer has any use for his soul. We will put it to use. He has slipped into hopelessness already!

No! That's an illusion! I can see it…I can see the proud way he faces his end! You have lied to me for too long now! It is time I listen to my soul, not yours!

The calm blue eyes of the young man seduced by Soul Edge replaced the burning red eyes of the evil knight. He looked upon the injured Frenchman, who had begun to rise onto his feet. In one last surge of strength, he pierced the blade's demonic eye with his rapier. Satisfied, he smirked and collapsed to the floor in a heap.

The innocent man was still connected to the monster known as Nightmare, and as Soul Edge was pierced he howled in pain. But this was what he wanted. He fell to his knees and placed Soul Edge on the floor in front of him. He began to brutally beat the sword with his fists, hoping to pummel it into dust.

What are you doing!

Despite the spirit of the sword continually biting at his mind, the young man continued to strike the sword. With a will of iron, he yelled in defiance at the spirit still in his mind and finally drove it out. "This is my body! My mind!" As he shouted these words, his body began to change. The thick, tan hide that once covered his body became the skin of a human's. His once blood red hair was now blonde once again. What pleased him most, however, was his right arm. It was slowly changing back to normal. No longer would he have to carry that grotesque arm with him. Finally free, he removed his helm and tossed it aside in disgust. He took a long breath of fresh air for the first time in years.

Soul Edge looked at him wild-eyed. The now restored Siegfried returned the look, "I am finally free." As if on cue, a bright, radiating light shined through the storm clouds. It seemed to chase away the storm. From the light a sword materialized in front of him. Siegfried looked upon the sword. He felt a reverence towards it. He could feel a holy aura surrounding the blade.

Driven by some unseen force, Siegfried took the sword in hand and drove it into the core of Soul Edge. The demonic sword let out an inhuman shriek. Siegfried twisted the blade, and as he did cracks formed on the Soul Edge. Its flesh branched out and began to intertwine with the holy sword. As if to resist Soul Edge, the holy sword's crystal emanated a blinding light. The light filled the old chapel. The light flowed out of the chapel's stained glass windows and lit up the thick forest surrounding the chapel.

Siegfried looked on at the light, mesmerized by its glow. Slowly, he felt an overwhelming sense take over him, and he fell into a deep sleep…