The metallic stench of blood assaulted Leon instantly. His eyes roved over the blood-splashed walls and the blue carpet, now dyed deathly crimson in several areas. Tracts and pamphlets littered the floor, their respective brochure stands and display racks overturned.

A woman's corpse was splayed over one of the racks, her throat torn open, eyes staring upward in death's blank gaze. Leon exhaled quietly as he passed the grisly scene and proceeded to the doors leading to the nave.

He carefully pulled open the door, gasping softly as a dead man, who had been slumped up against the door, tumbled onto the instep of his boot. The man's neck was twisted awkwardly to one side, revealing the cause of death. Leon scanned the immediate area cursorily then dragged the body into the foyer, refusing to leave the unfortunate victim as a doorstop.

This disturbing task complete, Leon entered the nave. A deathly hush greeted him, accompanied by a disconcerting sight. The wedding setup was in complete disarray; floral arrangements, ribbons and stands had been upset and trampled over. Several corpses were scattered around the church; some draped over the short pews, others lying prostrate on the floor where they had been mercilessly trodden upon. Blood was splashed everywhere

Leon slowly advanced, eyes sweeping the church, his pulse and respiration impressively steady as he skirted the bloodbath. He balked suddenly, noticing movement within a confessional booth across from him. He narrowed his eyes and stared at the scarlet velvet curtain, gun trained.

The curtain rustled slightly, confirming Leon's suspicion. He sidled over to the confessional stealthily. Maintaining a cautious distance, he slowly reached for the curtain then drew it abruptly, poised to shoot.

"Don't!" cried a youthful voice from the shade. "Please don't shoot!"

A young black boy, about twelve years old, tumbled out of the confessional and scrambled to his feet. He raised his hands, staring at Leon in wide-eyed terror.

Leon immediately lowered his weapon. "It's okay. I'm a federal agent; I'm here to help."

The boy relaxed his arms, still regarding Leon apprehensively.

"What's your name?" Leon asked.

"Omar," he quavered.

"Can you tell me what happened here, Omar?"

"Th-the wedding was about to start when a bunch of women started screaming and running out from the room where the bride was. She came out all bloody and started attacking people, then―"

Omar's sentence broke into a terrified exclamation. "Behind you!"

Leon whirled around to face a man whose eyes bulged from their sockets, blood streaming from them like crimson tears. Leon fired, but the monster batted his arm aside, resulting in an errant shot. The gun flew out of his hand and hit the wall behind him.

As Leon recovered from his momentary surprise, the monster bellowed ferally. Its mouth opened, widening until the sides of its mouth tore open up to its ears, resulting in the hideous slit-mouthed grin that the bride and the woman in Matsuo's photograph bore.

Omar screamed, diving back into the confessional as the monster lunged at Leon.

Leon seized the creature and grappled with it, bracing his arm against its throat to throttle it. The monster rasped loudly, struggling with Leon so savagely, it nearly toppled him.

Pushing against the snarling monster as hard as he could, Leon drew his trusty combat knife and thrust the blade under its clavicle. The creature howled furiously and struck him with stunning force.

Leon crashed into the pew behind him, gasping as his ribs struck the solid wood. Swallowing the sharp, radiating pain, he forced himself upright. The monster charged at him, his knife protruding from its chest. Leon spun out of the way in time to avoid the attack, following up the maneuver with a powerful back kick that sent the monster sprawling over the pew.

The creature hissed and snarled, trying to stand, but Leon was prepared. He pulled the shotgun off his back and, aiming quickly, he fired a single shot. The monster's head exploded in a shower of blood and bone fragments, and its body thudded to the floor.

Panting heavily, Leon slung the shotgun across his chest again. He bent quietly over the remains to retrieve his knife. With some difficulty he dislodged it from the corpse and wiped the gore on his jeans before returning it to its sheath. He sighed ruefully at the dismal thought that just moments ago, this monster had been an innocent, unsuspecting wedding guest.

Leon turned to the confessional from which Omar's shuddering sobs issued. He pulled the curtain aside slowly. "It's okay; it's over," he told the trembling boy. He offered him his hand.

Omar looked at him skeptically for a moment before accepting his aid. He rose, his gaze immediately riveted on the headless body lying just a foot away. He gaped in horror.

Leon stepped in front of him, blocking his view. "Omar, look at me. Eyes on me."

Omar obeyed.

"My partner, Agent Rios, is just outside. I want you to find her and stay with her. The police are on their way. You're gonna see some more scary things out there, but you just keep going, okay? Keep walking, and don't turn back."

Omar hesitated, staring at Leon wildly. Whimpering low, the boy finally took off. Leon heard him cry out as he crossed the foyer and raced out the door.

Leon sought his handgun, wincing as he bent to retrieve it, and imagining the bruise that must have been blooming over his ribs. Inhaling deeply, Leon pressed on. He had yet to find Jenya's husband and daughter. Surveying the scene before him, however, he feared it might be too late.

Leon holstered his sidearm and took up the shotgun, preparing for whatever might come next. He silently made his way toward the altar, stepping around corpses and blood puddles as he went on.

A man suddenly emerged from behind a column Leon was approaching. He instantly raised the shotgun.

"Wait! Please!" cried the man. "I-I'm just looking for my family."

Leon lowered the gun slightly.

"My wife, Jenya. A-and my daughter, Livvie. We got separated and―"

"You're Ben," Leon realized. "I'm DSO Agent Kennedy. Your wife is outside with my partner. You should go join them. I'll look for Livvie."

Ben shook his head. "I'm not leaving 'til I find Livvie."

Leon frowned. "You can't do any good here. Jenya needs you."

Ben advanced on him. "I'm not leaving without my daughter," he said with quiet aggression.

Leon raised the gun again reflexively. Something seemed off about this man. He glanced down at Ben's left arm; the cuff of his suit was torn and blood-soaked. He endeavored to conceal it behind his back.

"Were you bitten?" Leon asked, backing away.

Ben's eyes welled with tears. "Please…"

"Were you bitten?"

Ben bowed his head, weeping. Presently, his sobs deepened into low growls. His head snapped up again, revealing a ghastly slit-mouthed grin and bloody tears trailing down his face. Snarling viciously, he pounced on Leon.

Leon fired off a shot, missing widely as Ben knocked him onto his back. Leon staved off the attack with the shotgun barrel, wrestling with the rapidly-mutating man.

"Daddy!"

The shriek, coming from one of the middle pews, distracted Ben. He abandoned his assault on Leon and stood jerkily. Somewhat dazed, Leon raised himself up to see a little girl, no more than five years old, standing on the seat of the pew, gawking at Ben in terror. Her lavender flower girl's dress was torn and soiled, a crown of faux rosebuds sat askew on her head. Her cheeks were streaked with dirt and tears.

Ben instantly whirled about, leaping after the child like a wildcat. She screamed and dove under the pew, scrambling beneath the row ahead. Ben followed, wriggling his way under the pews in pursuit.

Leon sat up quickly and fired a shot, but only succeeded in blowing a pew-back into splinters. He jumped up, an idea occurring to him. Grunting with effort, he hoisted the nearest pew and overturned it with a hard shove. The pew tilted, hitting the next then the next, causing them to fall over like dominoes.

Hearing the resounding crash of the falling pews, the monster that had been Ben popped up to see the cause of the din. The incoming pew fell against him, pinning him to the pew behind him. Blood spurted from his mouth as he thrashed violently in a vain effort to free himself. Leon terminated him with a single shot.

The girl screamed shrilly, darting out from beneath the front pew and dashing through a door behind the altar.

"Livvie!" Leon called. "Wait!"

He sprinted after her, flinging the door open and storming into the room. Leon found himself in the church sacristy. The room was lined with stored furniture, wall hangings and candle stands. Leon slowly stepped into the large storage room.

"Livvie?"

No answer.

"Livvie, I know you're scared, but I'm here to help you. Your mom is waiting for you outside," Leon said. "Come out, and I'll take you to her. She's really worried about you. Livvie… please."

There was still no reply. Leon heard the distant wail of approaching sirens. The police and ambulance were arriving.

The creaking of a door arrested his attention. He swung around, aiming the gun at a closet in a corner of the room. The double doors were ajar.

"Livvie?"

A low, rasping exhale responded to his call, followed by a guttural growl. The closet doors suddenly flew open, and a large creature burst forth. Judging by the tattered remains of a lavender-hued dress still clinging to its body, it had been a bridesmaid seeking refuge in the sacristy. Its lips had receded into a perpetual grin, revealing large, pointed teeth.

Clearly, the virus was rapidly mutating and evolving.

As the creature leaped out, Leon fired his two remaining shots. Livvie then jumped out of her hiding place behind a massive wardrobe with an ear-piercing shriek. Leon cast the empty shotgun aside and caught Livvie up in his arms. He ran out of the sacristy, the creature chasing him fiercely despite the blood flowing from its wounds.

Leon rushed past the altar, blocking out the bestial roars of the creature charging after him and the frantic sobs of the child he held as he focused on reaching the exit ahead.

Sara suddenly appeared at the door, gun drawn. The sight of her was truly a thing of beauty in that moment. Leon looked up at her urgently as he tore up the aisle.

Horror and shock flashed over Sara's face, but she instantly opened fire at the lumbering monster. The creature evaded the bullets, leaping up onto the nave arcade then down onto the pews, toppling several of them over as it scrambled after Leon.

Despite the extra weight he bore and the ache in his ribs, Leon redoubled his speed.

Unable to make a clear shot, Sara directed her aim at one of the large pendent light fixtures. The creature hopped across, narrowly missing the crashing light fixture which exploded into shards as it hit the pews.

Leon pressed Livvie's head against his chest to shield her from the spraying glass. He raised his arm to protect his own face just as a sliver flew at him, slicing the back of his hand.

Sara tried again. This time, the creature couldn't escape the plunging light fixture. The heavy metal lamp landed squarely onto its head, smashing it to a bloody pulp and leaving glass and metal fragments embedded in its skull.

Leon halted directly in front of Sara who stood taking in the nightmarish scene before her. The gun trembled slightly in her grip. She looked at him.

"Oh, my God… " she whispered.

Leon struggled for breath. "Nice timing," he panted.

Livvie clutched at him, burying her face in his chest. Her loud sobs had tapered down to shuddering gasps. Leon gently stroked her head to soothe her.

"The police arrived, so I thought it best to check up on you myself." Sara glanced sympathetically at the little girl who still hid her face in Leon's jacket. "Is this Livvie?"

Leon nodded.

"What about Ben?"

Leon's grave gaze faltered momentarily in response.

Sara's face fell. "Oh, poor Livvie, " she breathed sorrowfully. She then glanced at Leon's bloody hand. "You're bleeding!" she exclaimed.

"Occupational hazard," he replied dismissively.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do. I―"

"Sara, you did good; we're alive, that thing isn't. A little cut won't kill me," Leon said firmly.

Sara pinched her lips and nodded.

"Let's get the hell outta here. Better get Livvie to her mother," Leon said.

Sara followed him out of the blood-soaked church, her expression troubled. "How do we tell Jenya she just became a widow?"

Leon's brow furrowed. "Another miserable perk of the job," he replied bitterly.

They headed out, stepping forth into a sea of emergency vehicles, first responders and gathering reporters.

Leon sat in the back of an ambulance van, picking absently at the fresh bandage on his hand as he watched the throng of police officers and EMT workers mill around him.

Sara paced beside him, talking on her phone with Olmire, but he scarcely heard a word she was saying. His intent gaze fell back on the church, replaying the events in his mind. Who was behind this sudden rash of mutations? What was the connection? Of one thing he was certain: someone was going to pay for that massacre.

"We're gonna have our work cut out for us with this case," Sara said, breaking through his musings. "But Olmire wants us to clear out for today under the circumstances."

Leon shook his head. "Not me. I wanna check inside for leads. If you need to go home, though, I get it."

He glanced up at her sympathetically. "I know it's been a pretty rough start for you."

Sara scoffed. "No rougher than your first day back in Raccoon City. Uh-uh. I knew what I was signing up for when I asked to join the DSO. This is what I do now," Sara said resolutely. "I want answers, too. And I want justice as much as you do."

Leon nodded respectfully.

She glanced at the arriving Crime Scene Investigation unit van. "Bet they're not gonna like us poking around, though."

Leon discreetly popped a health tablet into his mouth. The existence of the regenerative tablets wasn't public knowledge, thus all agents were charged with secrecy in using them. He stood up.

"Not to sound egotistical, but we're federal agents. Federal law trumps local law enforcement every time. Don't let them bully you," Leon told her. "C'mon."

Leon led Sara back to the church. They were immediately halted by a young, fresh-faced police officer. "Sorry, you can't go in there," he said primly.

Sara immediately drew her badge. "Division of Security Operations," she stated firmly. "We've already been inside. This is our case, officer."

Leon displayed his badge as well.

The young officer moved aside, smirking. "Oh, yeah. The 'Ghostbuster Feds', eh? What do you people do exactly?"

"We deal with the demons you've only dreamt about," Sara said sharply. "You wanna see for yourself?" She pointed at the coroner's van which now housed several mutated corpses. "Take a look… if you dare."

The officer's smirk became a scowl as Sara proceeded past him.

"You're new on the force, aren't you?" Leon asked him, his eyes hard.

The officer shot him a withering glance. "Yeah."

Leon clapped him forcefully on the shoulder. "You've got a lot to learn. But I recommend you disregard my partner's suggestion if you plan on sleeping tonight."

The officer's acerbic attitude vanished, giving way to a troubled aspect. Turning away from him disgustedly, Leon followed Sara inside.

He and Sara stood in the bloody foyer, looking around as the CSI technicians went about their work taking photographs and bagging evidence.

Leon noticed a descending stairwell flanked on the left wall that he had initially passed upon entering. A policewoman was making her way up the stairs.

"Excuse me," he called to her, displaying his badge. "What rooms are down there?"

"It's an open area for gatherings like meetings and banquets. Apparently it was being used by the bride and her company as a dressing room. There are clothes, cosmetics―the works," she replied.

"Sounds like the place to look," Sara said.

They descended the steps and entered the room. As the policewoman had stated, tables had been set up and were covered by feminine items such as jewelry, nail polish, hairpins and garments. A full-length mirror stood in one corner. The heavy scents of perfume and hairspray still lingered faintly in the air. The perfume smelled strangely familiar.

Leon and Sara separated, analyzing everything in the room.

"Uh, Leon," Sara called. "You'd better come look at this."

Leon walked over to Sara who stood beside a makeshift dressing table near the mirror. Lying on the table was a small green box with an iridescent sakura. It was identical to the one Eito Matsuo had received. The same little white perfume vial with vines stood amid sheets of tissue paper. Leon's heart sank.

"Look familiar to you?" asked Sara.

"I knew I recognized that scent," Leon said gravely.

"Somebody sent the bride the virus. Hell of a wedding gift," Sara muttered.

Two CSI technicians approached, gear in hand.

Leon turned to them, his expression severe. "Call for a HAZMAT team. The virus responsible for all this―it's right here."