SHATTERED DREAMS
EVENT: SHATTERED DREAMS
TRACK: PILLARS/TOMB/ORACLE'S CAVES (LOK:SR)
"…DevilKaz?"
……………………………..
"…DevilKaz?"
A faint voice had called to me from the darkness…………………
"Oh come now! You're not on that ridiculous site again are you? You're wasting valuable and more importantly our time!"
I knew the voice who called me…And it was one, at that moment, that I woulda given my soul to silence forever.
"Yes I'm on my ridiculous site again! And I'm assuming you mean our time as in your time? Believe me if it were that easy to find these things we'd be out of a job!" Odd…I answered without even opening my mouth...And so it was as I beheld myself in a strange yet gut-wrenchingly familiar location. I was seated in front of a computer, whilst he with that voice, none other then General Beng questioned me from afar…What was going on?
Strange I could see clear as day yet my eyelids were heavy. My mind itself was in fragments like shattered glass and I knew that I was still subconscious from my earlier fall! So it's true what they say, in the void of reality and dream, forgotten memories return to haunt you…I couldn't say for sure but it looked like a place I had not seen in years. My God…it was my place of business, in the city of…Goddsand! Now I know where I heard that name from…I gazed around the room and along the walls though hard to discern, were prizes…ancient prizes of excavation and weapons and treasure of arcane origin. I guess now's the time to confess as I write this…My great adversary was once my most trusted partner and friend. We were in business together, mercenaries and excavators for hire. And by excavators I meant braving and plundering he most dangerous of ancient locations either for a bounty or our own agenda! My job was finding these items, such was the reason for his snide remark I guess and Beng was the brains of the operation, he would devise means to gain access! We equally took part on the field whether demolition or my favorite executions...
I felt at once overcome with longing to see and experience it once more but as it is in dreams, sometimes those feelings are quick to diminish when longing to see more of what will transpire. The figures had simultaneously and gradually faded and appeared in an opposite location of the same room. I turned my head, which felt like an arduous labor to face the two. There I was again seated across from my enemy, and he was supposedly saying something to me…
Though clearly he was speaking, it sounded like murmurs and mutters as it was rather hard to determine what he was saying. His voice sounded like distant echoes, which is poetic irony as dreams can sometimes be mere echoes of the past! However I did manage to hear a few select things!
"…So…have you found any leads on…yet?"
"No…I knew it would be elusive…never counted on…though" I saw myself say
"Very well…shall we proceed with our current…sination job?"
"Who is it this time…?"
"…G-Corp agent…we of course have been contracted…Mishima Zaibatsu…"
"Another from…hachi? Honestly, I can't …working for that man!"
"Oh and you'd rather…for Kazuya?"
"Yes at least…honorable than…Hei..chi!"
"Honorable? The man fought with…Devil powers. He's nothing…scum!"
"Oh and I suppose…throwing your son…a cliff and volcano…honorable?"
"Well he pays…it's our job so we complete…"
"You're just saying…cause you want…win his favor!"
"No he is…best client…and we need funding"
"Fine…old fashion way?"
"Fine with me…the mood for that"
I admit I was beginning to feel rather uneasy, my sense spun and my body ached with each passing moment. I knew I was trying to wake up but I hoped I would stay for a little longer…I remember that job. We were asked to simply take out an agent for the then young G-Corporation. Kazuya was thought dead and Tekken Tournament 3 was about 4 years from this time. And for those curious, the old fashioned way was our stalk method. I would follow him through the shadows and let our victim catch a few glimpses of me and when he got the idea and started to run, I'd give chase and finally Beng would cut him off a the path and finish him off.
The location of the two changed again. I saw myself once more at my computer, yet I was slightly older and I looked a little more like I did and no sooner did I take notice, I, that is to say my earlier self jump from the computer. Odd I could hear a little more clearer at this point…guess the more recent the memories the easier they are to distinguish.
"I FOUND IT" I yelled
"You did? Where? Tell me quickly" Beng said
"It lies in the mountains far west of Dark City"
"Both objects"
"According to this yes…Hope it's accurate"
"…Indeed. But it's the closet lead we've had"
"By the way, you never told me who we're finding these items for…"
"…the consumer never left a name…said to meet him at…site"
"Well we might as well check it out!"
And just like that the entire scene and surroundings melted away and I found myself in darkness. I admit I was rather unnerved of where I now was being hurtled. I heard nothing as I moved my eyes around searching for some form of life within these shadows. I saw then a beacon…small however coming towards me. And as it grew closer I heard two murmurs and when the light was well within my site I saw the figure holding it. I was illuminating the corridors for which I and my partner now trekked through…at that moment my gut and my mind were wracked with grief. I knew what ominous hour this was…this was the time in which my great betrayal and the birth of all my hatred came into being. And I watched helplessly, like a soul forever damned in a hellish purgatory as my former self plunged the sword, Force Edge through a cavernous wall. The two entered and I followed…There they stood at the threshold and gazed in awe at the long sought after objects. I stared with sorrow however as I knew what events would follow…There in that cursed room, atop that infernal pedestal in the encroaching darkness laid a serpentine blade with a fanged and winged skull on the hilt. And around the skull laid a pendant, a crimson ruby framed in platinum and carved with archaic Ebony runes…it was the Soul Reaver and the Amulet of Sparda…It was no surprise that this vision came as clear as day…
"Finally…we've found it!" My ignorant self said
"After all these years!" my enemy stated "The Weapon of Balance and the Pendant of Purified Hellfire"
I saw myself move forward and take hold of the Reaver. I remember what I felt when I first took it up. I felt a remote et palpable tingling as if the blade stared hungrily at my soul, and my soul itself felt it's dark gaze.
"DevilKaz? What's wrong?" Beng asked.
After shaking of this dread I answered. "Uh…nothing...nothing…"
I picked up the amulet next. At the time I felt nothing and then I questioned…
"Odd, isn't the amulet of Sparda supposed to grant Hellish powers or something?"
"Yes but it was never discovered how…I'm wondering if our client knows…" he answered.
"Hmmm…I see. Well come, let's take these to our benefactor"
"That won't be necessary" he said calmly…
"…What?"
"I said that won't be needed"
No sooner did he say this a group of soldiers rushed out of the gloom and into the room…right on schedule.
"What's going on Beng?" I stupidly asked.
"Nothing at all DevilKaz" he answered
"I figured it would be best if I came to collect myself" boomed a voice from beyond. A figure stepped from the shadows. He had spiked gray hair parted from the middle and he wore a white business suit with burgundy overcoat and I knew who it was immediately.
"Heihachi?"
"Mr. Mishima please. Excellent work you two I would never have found the tomb this easily. Splendid job".
"It was nothing sir! But most thanks goes to DevilKaz. He found it! I just planned how to excavate it!"
"Well then well done young man!"
"Beng? You knew the whole time didn't you?"
I at the time was dumbfounded at the time to see that I had assisted Heihachi in finding this legendary weapon and of course the first thing that crossed my mind was…
"Out of curiosity…Why do you need this object?"
"Allow to answer that along with your payment" with this he made out a check of $25,000 to each of us.
"That and one more thing. I grant you two the offer of becoming members of our highest troupe of infantry in the Tekken-Shu. You see I'm planning a major coup d'état, involving this weapon and I need experienced field men! You two of course will be more then benefited for this excellent service! I will award you excellent pay, corporate benefits and of course start you with officer rank of oh say…Major?"
"Heihachi sir, I would be more then honored" Beng said
"Was I the only one that heard coup d'état? Beng! How could you so willingly agree to this?" I said.
"Think about it DevilKaz! We have the opportunity of a lifetime! We could eventually own the world! You can't say that entices you!"
"But to side with him? You know what kinda person he is! You are a fool!" I said in disgust.
"Oh I'm sorry, I forgot you don't like him because he destroyed Kazuya…the one who you worship right?"
"Well my son still lives, but come now! I expected one to discover these items would have a little more sense then this!" Heihachi intervened
"It's my sense that keeps me from so blindly joining you! I will never do such a thing"
"Very well, if that is your choice. You may still take the money however. Now if you'd be so kind as to hand the weapons over"
"Can't let you have them!" I said, backing away.
"Listen, I do not have time for childish antics. Surrender the artifacts now or you will take their place buried here.
"Never!" I said
"You are a fool DevilKaz…I'm sorry I ever trusted you to be my partner in this!" Beng said.
"I'm sorry to Beng…that I didn't see this and destroy you when I had the chance!"
"Soldiers eliminate him!" Heihachi shouted.
They moved in on me and began to take aim. As they did I felt the newly acquired Reaver hum to life as it sensed the souls of 7 mortals. I figured now was the best time to test it. Before they could shoot I rolled forward and thrust the blade into the chest cavity of the nearest soldier. His face went white instantly and has body imploded upon contact as an emerald apparition was drawn into the blade. I was immediately taken back with surprise by this phenomena but not so much as the soldiers were in fear. This bought m ample time to proceed an attack on the rest of them. I did just that and after my attack I stood with my enemy and Heihachi in the center of the room. Both my swords were drawn now. The Reaver in the right hand, Force edge and the Amulet of Sparda in the left.
"Now DevilKaz, don't do anything stupid…" Beng said.
"You stay out of this! Heihachi, call off you're plans now or I will end you life here and now…ARGH!"
I felt then a burning pain in my left hand as I dropped both my weapon and the Amulet upon the floor. My hand was branded now with the marks of the amulet and I felt a hellish flame course through out my veins. I lurched and twisted in so many ways that unnerved even the two men standing in front. The pain was indescribable I don't know how I remained conscious. They didn't even notice the phenomena taking place on the ground. The Amulet you see, landed on my sword where the blade met the hilt and as I was writhing in agony, I saw the Amulet seep into the blade. It was then that they took notice. For the sword rapidly changed into a large blade, pulsating with a crimson hue. The straight blade bent into a large singular curve and a demonic substance grew along the newly formed skeletal support structure. I took hold of the sword during the confusion. But upon laying my hand upon it my pain increased two fold as I felt power and physical formations tear through my body. But oddly enough, I remembered feeling another power. The power within the sword was very different from the one which scorched me. For it had a calm and soothing effect on my body as it was being torn apart by the power now taking form.
The two actually fell back in slight fear to see what had happened. My skin turned black as night as molten veins seeped into form. Two bat wings sprouted from my back and my hair turned white. My nails grew and tore through my fingers taking the form of claws and the same went for my feet. I gazed at my surroundings through blood red eyes and saw the two. Beng was astounded and Heihachi was quite amused. I could no longer stand and look at them, I was utterly disgusted with my former ally and at the greed of Heihachi!
I bashed through the ceiling of the tomb with my newly formed strength and took with me the Reaver and Sparda. Had I known anything of what the future held. I probably woulda destroyed them there! I saw myself fly from that forsaken place and new hatred and grief burned through me like never before…and with that the vision faded and I was once again in darkness.
I dwelt there for quite some time afterwards…oddly enough I had full control of my mind. As a terrible thought gathered like a storm at the edge of my awareness. It was the one thing however still confused and haunted me to this day! Only now I was certain…Sparda's Amulet had branded me with those marks and the burning I felt before picking up the weapon were the powers of sadistic demons taking root within my body. But Sparda was known to be the one Devil who saw the light and came to the side of Heaven, defending the world from Hell's legions. He must have been the calm essence that kept me alive through that ordeal. But then, who or what was that terrible essence I felt that tortured my mind body and soul? With the realization I came to on that fateful day when Mo told me of the terrible power that lurked within me…I feared…that Devil must have been the one to take root within me at the time of my first infernal harrowing. That must've been why Heihachi wanted that pendant aside from it's other effects! He would've gained the formidable powers of Devil at long last! So…that explained how the Devil Gene got into me. It was forcefully planted within me…
And with that terrifying revelation came one final vision. I saw a radiant light come from beyond the darkness and take a human form. Nothing was visible at all, no face or any physical attributes just a form approached me. It reached out it's hands as if it wanted to take mine. I extended mine and took it's hand and as I did I felt different then I've ever felt before. Gone was the hunger, the rage I had and the taint of Hell. All I felt was a sense of life and a feeling describable only by those who dwelt in Heaven. And after that brief feeling, All had vanished and my dream came to an end…