I held my katana before me, using my senses to keep track of the ninjas' movements. They were slowly closing in on me, no doubt thinking I'd be easy pickings. Deciding to end the anticipation, I took the first swing, catching one by surprise and slashing him in half at the torso. He stared at me in shock for a full six seconds before he fell dead. This set off the rest of the ninjas, who ran at me in a screaming barrage of red and steel.

I swung and arced my sword swiftly and deliberately, hacking limbs here and there, finding a groin or two. One rushed me and I pierced him to the hilt, grabbing the blade aimed for my neck with my left hand, twisting the steel in his belly with my right. He screamed in agony before he dropped like a rock, and I took his sword, dual wielding with the grace and deadly precision the Serpent had taught me.

I guess they figured they might as well just go all out instead of using tactics with me, since they tried rushing me again. Big mistake. Piercing the floor with my newly acquired blade, I lifted myself off the floor, swinging myself into a 360 degree spin, kicking at one end, slashing at the other. The Black guard dropped like flies until but one remained. His eyes were wide in fear as be backed away from me. Any other day, I might have let him live, but I wasn't feeling particularly merciful that day, so stalking toward him, I effortlessly severed his hands when he lifted them to defend himself. His screams annoyed me, and I took one mighty swing, splitting him vertically in half.

I took a deep breath, the scent of congealing blood bringing to mind fond memories of bygone days... But enough of that. I glanced down at myself, finding my clothes were moderately soaked with their blood. I didn't mind it, but I wondered how I was going to change clothes in time to get Timmy. I'd think of something.

The building was eerily quiet as I ascended the stairs, sword in one hand, magnum in the other (I'd dropped the ninja's katana after slicing the last one in half). I jogged down the same hall Godmother Death had taken. Halfway to my next destination, one of the white ceramic tiles gave way under my foot. Pressure plate. A large Gatling gun lowered from the ceiling at the end of the hall, its spinning barrels aimed straight at me. I prayed I was still in shape enough to pull off my old evasion techniques.

The bullets zeroed in on me, and I flipped to the side, narrowly avoiding impact. I rushed forward, gaining as much speed as possible. The gun followed my movements, and I barely got out of the way each time it caught up with me. As I neared the end of the hall, two rockets emerged from the sides of the gatling gun, firing up and seeking me out. I knew I had a one in a million chance of dodging the things, and about an equal chance of surviving the stunt I was about to pull. With the momentum I had, I leapt sideways, now running down the wall with my sword held aloft.

I couldn't afford to waste precious ammo in case there was another ninja posse waiting, so I tucked my mag back in its holster. I was ten feet from the rockets, running at least 60 mph, and I pushed off from the wall, spinning as I did so. I connected my foot with the first rocket and sent it back toward the Gatling gun, blowing up the trap, and I held my breath as I cut the second rocket in two. Fortunately, Fate had granted me enough 'Badass Movie Effects' points to get through the pieces before it blew up. Just for kicks, I pulled out a cigarette and lit it on the lingering clouds of fire in the air.

I puffed a cloud of smoke as I entered a large zen garden, the girl, Miyuki, standing in the middle on a large black stone. She held a tessen in each hand, connected to what appeared to be razor wire on large spools strapped to her arms. It was an odd thing to witness.

Miyuki addressed me in Japanese, "I was hoping you'd make it past the turret. I'm going to enjoy killing you." She spread the fans, the iron sliding into place smoothly and soundlessly.

I rolled my eyes and got into my fighting stance. "Bring it, bitch."

I didn't expect the attack to come so quickly. An iron fan was suddenly six inches from my face, but I effortlessly dodged it with a slight turn of my head. This seemed to infuriate Miyuki, who began swinging her fans out on those pretty silver wires, landing a few nicks on my face and shoulders. I couldn't believe her speed. Every so often, I would deflect a fan with my sword, until finally one of the wires wrapped around the blade and pulled it from my hand, sending it across the garden. It stuck into one of the black rocks at the opposite end.

Miyuki's grin was disgustingly smug. I wanted to wipe it off her pretty face. So I unholstered my assault shotgun and gave the trigger a firm squeeze. Miyuki tried to dodge, but a few shells unloaded into her side, and she fell into the perfectly raked sand, groaning in agony. I pumped my legs hard, trying to reach my sword.

By the time I had pulled it from the stone, Miyuki was on her feet, though she was a bit wobbly. Reaching behind her, she pulled out six more fans, which were each tied on to its own separate wire. She came at me, tessen flashing, and I knew I had to act fast.

With a strength I didn't know I had, I kicked up one of the black rocks from its resting place in the sand, and round housed it straight toward Miyuki. She couldn't stop in time. The rock hit her square in the face and crushed her head, blood, brain and bone spraying everywhere. If I'd been as cold hearted as I was fifteen years ago, I might've appreciated the beauty of this particular stroke of luck a bit more.

At this point, I was starting to wear down, and I still had two more chapters to fight through. Plus driving to Timmy's school. As I holstered my shotgun and sheathed my katana, I took one last glance at the bloody chaos behind me, picked up my fallen cigarette, and exited the room. I found myself in a long hallway with an elevator at the end. Inside, I found I had only a couple floors left before I could finally complete my mission.

As the elevator lifted me to the next floor, I steeled myself for the upcoming battle with Godmother Death.

*
Next chapter: Showdown in the Fourth Floor Lounge