Tira first appeared in "Soulcalibur III", as an assassin that fled her previous group due to her mental instability. Though she attempted a peaceful life in a quiet city, she eventually found her urge to kill uncontrollable and wandered until she learned of the living sword Soul Edge and its wielder, Nightmare. Sensing a kindred spirit, she pledged her loyalty to the sword, and sought both a new host for Soul Edge and to destroy its antithesis, the sword Soul Calibur. At the story's climax, the energy released by Soul Edge and Soul Calibur clashing caused her personality to split into two extremes, Jolly and Gloomy. When Soul Edge returned in "Soulcalibur IV", she resumed her service to him, manipulating others into helping, such as Sophitia by kidnapping her daughter, Pyrrha.