LEGACY OF KMAS CHAPTER 23
THE FIRST MOVE OF KMAS

EVENT: THE PATH TO THE ASSAULT
TRACK: OLD MAN'S COTTAGE (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)

I sped down the road leading to the city exit. Vincent and Cid were right behind us. The cycle went exceptionally fast and purred like a tiger. I'm glad I was at least old enough to drive so I didn't have to argue over who would drive. Luckily Xiao was small in size anyway, so she was able to fit comfortably in the sidecar. Unlike Cid, who was rather a tight squeeze. I heard him cursing at the sidecar and the fact that he wasn't driving even over the motors. Vincent payed no mind to it at all. It was rather funny seeing the old man in the sidecar, but I had to keep myself from laughing so I didn't mishandle the chopper Kazuya gave us. As we passed the boundaries of the city, the shades of dark were gone and we found ourselves once again in nature's light. I blinked and straightened my eyes out, we went hrough the limits rather quickly so it caught me by surprise. It was morning and the sky was once again as it should be, blue with white wisps of clouds and the sun shone down on the lands. We continued down the road that bypassed the decrepit suburbs and through FireWood Forest. As we did I saw something overhead. I large flock of bats flew overhead. It was quite a sight to see especially in the time of dawn. That's when I knew something was wrong. No bat in its right mind would fly during the day time. Unless of course they weren't really bats. I stopped the cycle along the path of the blazing woods and saw the flock of bats descend into our path. The bats merged together to form one being and Unknown took form before me. Vincent, upon seeing the sight, stopped behind me.

"Why have you stopped!"

I paid no mind as Unknown stared at me and then pointed to the fiery woods.

"Come with me" she said and leapt into the forest.

I dismounted from my motorcycle and began to walk into the woods.

"Where the hell ya going DevilKaz?" Cid yelled.

"You two go on ahead! Xiao wait here for me and whatever you do don't follow OK?"

The two reluctantly sped of and Xiao gave a nod hat she'd stay. And with that I crossed into the familiar fire woods.

(End Event)

I hiked deep into the woods and stopped short. For I had sensed the taint of death in these woods and that meant Unknown was close by. I heard the trees rustle in the winds. In a flash of violet I saw Unknown dive out claws bared to slash my throat. I stepped to the side and avoided it with ease.

"I thought we went through this already? It is not night and I am a necromancer, you can not win! I promise to spare your life if you give up now after that I consider you my next meal!"

She said nothing and stood there

"You are quite skilled, DevilKaz" said a familiar voice. It was rather robotic but also had some humanity in it.

"You can stop hiding Gray Fox I know it's you" I knew it was him without a doubt. This was easily done by a process of elimination. Everyone but him was identified so it didn't take a rocket scientist to know. He materialized before me and stepped from behind the trees. With his cover blown he addressed me…

"Rather impressive display, DevilKaz. Mo and Cid told me of your adventures and we know first hand of your very first two"

"You indeed are a valuable asset to this siege and yet you are the very instrument of its downfall. You and Mo both carry the Devil Gene and with it, Heihachi's item for world dominance" the vampire said.

"We must apologize for our earlier actions. We did not know you were that battle experienced. You have gained our trust in the notion that you can handle yourself, but remember you are what Heihachi is seeking" continued the ninja

"Kazuya knows this better then anyone, since he too, is a target in Heihachi's plan. We now have three wild cards in this battle. Both can save our doom us all"

"I appreciate the semi-confidence. But we really must be going" I said

"Not yet!" Gray Fox said "Just remember, you carry he fate of us all. If you die or get captured, this world will be a literal hellhole

"Be remembered as the one who saves, not damns" said Unknown

"Look you two are really wasting my time I know what's at risk but delaying me will not help!"

"We understand, we'll leave you" Gray Fox said and then left the way he came

"We wish you luck DevilKaz" Unknown said before disappearing into bats.

I headed back to make sure Xiao was alright. I found her keeping herself busy with one of her swords.

"So what happened" she asked

"Nothing" I said

"Nothing? Something must've happened in there you took forever!"

"Look, nothing happened that you need concern yourself with"

EVENT: THE PATH CONTINUES
TRACK: OLD MAN'S COTTAGE (Castlevania: Lament of Innocence)

She quit questioning and I revved up the engine and continued down the road. We came out of the forest and turned right past the Dark Citadel. I could not help but look at hat amazing structure once more. I could gaze forever…

"You know you don't have to be so mean!" Xiao accused.

"Well when you've been through as much shit as I have you'll learn that the world sucks!"

"That's not true!"

"Oh yeah! Why not!"

"Cuz you were looking at that building over there!"

"So"

"Well that building as part of the world isn't it?"

"It was hand built!"

"By who"

"People"

"Don't people live on earth?"

"Don't you know it's not polite to talk back?"

"Oh you are mean!"

"And damn proud of it!"

"No you're not"

"Oh?"

"Yes otherwise you wouldn't of tried to leave like that at Kazuya's meeting!"

"You know you're way to observant for someone so young"

"And you're way to grouchy for someone who has so many friends!"

"Friends? You saw what 'friends' I had at the meeting! Absolutely none!"

"What about those two who defended you? The pilot and the short guy? And the knight guy? And what about me, I didn't say anything bad!"

"Well…I…Geez give it a rest!"

"No! You're being a big grouch! Admit it you have friends!"

I hated to admit it but the kid had a point. Dave, despite all I did to him quickly forgave me. Cid was nothing but a pal since I met him and Mo…well…I still was in shock that the little guy stood up! Kuni, KD and Ifritstar, even after seeing the power of the Reaver though still slightly scared stayed with us til the end. And this litle kid, though fully aware of the Revaer's power and mine still befriended me.

"You know kid, you gotta big mouth…and a big heart!"

She smiled at me when I said this

"Just make sure it doesn't get you killed!"

"They'd have to catch me"

The naivety of youth. If only she knew the true power of those creatures.

"Wow! Look at that!" she said.

(End Event)

We came at last to our destination. It's amazing how fast you can travel these lands without interruption and by wheels! The large building loomed over the lands. It was a tall grayish building with a shade of red windows underneath an Ebony top. At lat we had come to the Mishima Zaibatsu.

Hmmmm…how curious. It appeared that Heihachi was studying a new branch of industry. For the sign said Mishima Zaibatsu. but subtitled was "Biological and Researches Facility". The last time I checked, the Zaibatsu was a militia tech corporation. Ah well, it would be smart to take up that field considering his practices on the Devil Gene. It's too bad he lacked the sufficient component. And to our left I saw a very familiar sight. The trees were dressed with dark green leaves and the trunks were of the darkest shades of brown. This was the sight of my home, the cemetery of Dark Forest! I had never known that I had lived so close to my enemies domain. I arrived in time to see all of our group waiting for us roughly seventy-five feet away from a chain linked barbed wire fence that surrounded the Zaibatsu. Strange there wasn't that much security around the area. Actually all there were, were two guards outside the front gates and two patrolling each side. Kazuya began to formulate our plan of attack…

"Alright, there are entrances in the front and back of the Zaibatsu. I shall go through the front to divert any attention. The rest of you go through the back. I suggest you split into groups once you gain entry. Your goal is to find Heihachi! My guess he is located at the high point area of the building. Avoid using elevators, there are four sets of stairs on each level. Search all the levels very carefully for Heihachi or his Seven Squadron. Remember if you encounter any Tekken-Shu, only engage if it's not a large group, otherwise avoid any confrontation! If you encounter the Big Seven, try to dispose of them as well! Once you're in, decide who is going where and make haste. There's a chopper on the roof, so that means Heihachi can leave at any time. I will make my way to the top and divert any and all attention on each floor! Now move out!"

We did as we were told and made our way the Zaibatsu. We crept around to the back of the gates and made our way over them just in time to see Kazuya enter the front. Luckily there was no one watching the back door so our entrance was an easy one. The siege had begun.