Author's Note: Hey again! You guys gettin' sick of me yet? Hope not, anyway here's another fun filled, finger lickin' epilogue!

January 17, 2005

2:04 p.m.

Akkido, Japan.

Not many people knew about these caverns. They were hidden deep within the mountains of Akkido. Even though a rather famous Hot Springs resort wasn't far from here…these caves still remained undetected from humanity…at one time, they were used by a mountain village to bury their dead and worship the moon. The natural cave had an opening in the ceiling to let a shaft of moonlight in.

However, it was day time now…mid afternoon to be precise…and despite the intense cold, Jin Kazama sat ...shirtless…in lotus position directly in the shaft of light. He breathed in and out, focusing on the candle in front of him. He was meditating, and muttering the mantra that he had learned over two years ago in Brisbane.

Master Sakai had taught it to him back when Jin had helped him, and the Nephilim Mark Baker. He owed so much to them…without their help then he was in danger of letting his demonic side take over…despite valiant efforts to quell it, his demon side would have eventually taken control.

Those two had been like family to Jin while he was Australia…Jin didn't have many friends in his life…oh sure, back in high school he was one of the most popular and sought after guys…but those people weren't really his friends. Honestly, the only people that he felt genuinely cared about him were Xiaoyu, Steve, Christie, and Julia…and…Jamie.

As far as Jamie went…the two held no grudges against eachother…in retrospect, Jin knew that Jamie should have been the one to kill Devil. He was the one equipped to do it…the Hon Maru Temple however somehow made Jin lose his grip on his Devil side…probably from all the evil vibes emanating from the place.

Jin owed a lot to Jamie…his father Kazuya was free now from Devil…he was a normal person again. However, fate played a cruel twist of fate…with the Devil Gene permanently gone from his body; Kazuya had fallen into a coma. Right now, he was residing in a hospital in Paris France.

Members of the Via De Angelus had told Jin not to worry…that Kazuya would most definantly awaken…they just weren't sure when. It could be tomorrow, or years from now. But for now, Jin managed to count his blessings, and was content upon the fact his father was finally free.

Jin should be in Paris right now…he should be at his father's side…but something had drawn him here…it came to him in a dream…and he thought that he heard his mother's voice tell him that he would be vindicated in this cavern…so he flew here last night (by physically flying…not by taking a plane…).

And here he sat…meditating…contemplating his life…the demon within him…Xiaoyu…Mark…Jamie…his rivalry with Hwoarang…everything that had happened to him in his eventful…and often sad life.

In some ways he envied the Nephilim…for even though their lives were short and filled with killing and slaughter…that was just it…their lives were short…they didn't have to deal with the killing and sorrow for very long. They were normally called at fifteen, and died at twenty…five years…and that was it.

But what of the rest of us who had to live a life like this with the natural life expectancy? As he pondered these thoughts Jin felt a low breeze drift through the cave. At first, Jin thought nothing much about it…but the wind began to kick up stronger…and stronger…and even though it was below freezing in this cavern, the breeze felt warm.

Just like on the beaches of Brisbane…

The thought randomly popped into his head…he didn't so much think it rather then feel like it was planted there…

And soon…Jin didn't feel alone in the caves anymore…he felt a…a presence with him. The young Japanese man quickly turned, expecting to see some kind of malevolent demon standing behind him…instead…he saw…Mark… he walked towards Jin with that same, aloof, goofy grin that Jin remembered so well.

"Mark?" He whispered.

"Hey Jin." Mark said.

He stood in front of Jin…who still sat in his lotus form. Even though he was a ghost he looked as solid as he did two years ago. Same pale skin….same lithe frame…same peroxide Mohawk, tattoos and piercings.

"Mark?" Jin asked again.

"Yup it's me! In the flesh…well…never mind…" Mark said. "I'd help you up but…y'know, I'd just pass right through you." He said with some embarrassment in his voice.

Jin quickly got up…still disbelieving in the fact that one of his best friends was standing here with him! Jin had so many questions to ask…like, what's it like to die? What happens when you do? And if there really is a Heaven or a Hell…but most importantly…Jin had to do something…had to tell Mark something that had been bothering him for the past two years.

"Mark…" Jin said slowly. "I…I killed you...because of me you're dead…I didn't know that my grandfather was going to track me down! If it wasn't for me…your home…Master Sakai…I…I… I didn't know! I'm so…so…so sorry!" Jin was almost in hysterics now.

"Whoa…whoa…easy there mate!" Mark brought his hands up and tried to calm his friend down.

Mark still wore the outfit he had died in…well, the outfit he wore every night when he patrolled. White tank top, baggy, basketball shorts, and strap on sandals.

"It's not your fault Jin…what went down that night…it happens mate. Nephilim die. It's unfortunate, but that's the truth."

"But Heihachi tracked me down and…"

Mark shook his head. "No…it didn't go down like that. Your grandfather knew of Nephilim because of Baek and Patrick. He knew of our strengths and he knew that inevitably, we are drawn to that tournament. It wasn't that hard for him to locate me…and...Well, with you there it was an added bonus for him." Mark finished.

"But…I killed you! I slit your throat and you bled on the pavement!" Jin argued.

"Jin, let me fill you in on a li'l secret. Everything in this life and the next is all connected somehow. Don't ask me why or how it just is…I mean, me brain hurts just thinkin' 'bout it…anyway, my death was like a ripple effect-"

"I'm sorry Mark…I don't understand." Jin interrupted.

"Well, if you'll let me finish," Mark gently chided. "Anyway, I was bit by the werewolf that your grandfather sent after us. I killed it, but because I was bit I would become one. If that happened then the Nephilim line wouldn't continue until I was killed…but, I'd be evil…do ya see where I'm going with this? Anyway, so I asked you to kill me and you did…then my death summoned Jamie Parker. Jamie has the potential to become a great warrior…and, without my death, he wouldn't've been able to complete the Ascending Angel Ritual…and ultimately never defeat Devil…so ya see?" Mark asked.

"So…it's all connected…is that why you came to me? To tell me that?" Jin asked.

Mark grinned again. "Naw…well, kind of, but not really. I also came to tell you that the Via de Angelus is out lookin' for you. They want you, and the other fighters that helped Jamie out to join up with them. I can't tell you what to do, but I strongly recommend that you take the opportunity."

"Me? Why would they want me?" Jin asked.

"Duh…you're probably one of the most powerful people in the world right now…well, other than the Nephilim. The Devil gene inside of you is still there…if you join up with them, then they'll continue your training to suppress the gene and control your powers for the greater good." Mark stated.

"Right…but where will they find me? How can I find them?" Jin asked.

"Believe me; the VDA'll find you…but I think you should go back to Paris…besides, that girl you told me about is lookin' for you…you two've been separated long enough…I always told you that…but anyway, the VDA wants her too…I think you two'll make a helluva team."

Jin couldn't believe it…Mark was here, and they were talking to eachother as if he were alive again. It felt like they were sitting in the sunwashed, beat up, rundown dojo where he and Master Sakai lived.

"Okay, this is gonna sound totally lame I know…but I need to head out. I can't stay on this plane very much longer. But, know that me an' Master Sakai'll always be watching over you…and please," Mark's voice became serious now. "Continue to watch over Jamie. You've been doing great so far…please keep it up…" Mark looked like he was going to fade out, but Jin quickly called his name again.

"Wait! Mark!"

"Yeah Jin?"

"What's it like to…die?" Jin blurted out…almost afraid to ask it.

"Not nearly as scary and painful as this," Mark pointed to Jin, who was shirtless in a frigid cave. "Seriously mate, don't die of hypothermia now…we need warriors like you against the demons! Put your shirt back on and get your ass to Paris!" Mark said.

Jin chuckled…typical Mark Baker humor. "Really? It's not nearly as bad as people think? Even for Nephilim?"

"It's not too bad Jin…no matter how you die it's just like going to sleep at the end…like being born…only backwards…" Mark said reflectively.

Once again, Mark began to disappear…but stopped in the middle to deliver several more words of advice. "Jin, don't worry…you've done more good then bad in life…stop focusing all this energy on atonement and vindication…because you have a pure soul…you're mother told me…and I know that…believe me, you've been forgiven for all that you've done before…now please, go, help out Jamie and the others."

With that said, Mark finally did disappear, leaving Jin alone in the caves. Jin smiled…the first true smile he had felt in a long time…and in that moment, he felt happy, truly happy. His raven's feather wings unfurled from his back, and Jin flew out of the cavern's opening…out into the mid afternoon…back to Paris, and ultimately, towards his new destiny…

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update…but I had to write a Valentine's Day story for my friends…anyway, now that that's done I can focus on ending this story! Anyway, sorry if this seemed a little rushed or lame…but I really didn't know what else to do with Jin…I didn't want him to get visited by Jun, because that's been done before, and I didn't want him to go back to Brisbane…so, I tried to do something different. Anyway, hope everyone has a Happy V-day! Much love to everyone! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!