Chapter 2

Now that my transformation has been complete, my blood screams for me to break free of my chains and attack the force behind this. But who would it be that I demolish? And if it be not a who, then a what. What shall be destroyed by my hand? Bound by chains and fury, I await the fate that will become of me.

Footsteps come my way, down, down, descending forever down, into the hell of a basement, they come. "You're awake? Good." The voice was that of my grandfather, Heihachi Mishima.

"What is it that you want from me?" My voice is mangled by the Devil Gene, unrecognizable to my own ears.

Heihachi only laughs in reply. But soon he began to speak. "You are but a hateful child. And here, my dear boy, is where you can release that hate. Those chains will drain your energy," he laughs yet again. "You shall die here. I care not, as unjust as it may be, for here, here you stay out of my way." With those words he parted, for no more was there to be said.

I let out a yell of hatred and anger. I heard his footsteps and laughter grow ever lighter as he walked to the top. Soon all I heard was silence.

How long I lay bound in the shadows. Hour turned to days, I'm sure, just sitting and contemplating my death. Surely I couldn't just die here. But I know Heihachi better than to let me go freely. I'm on the verge of death when I'm in his grasp, whether it be physically or mentally. I've almost died by the hands of my family quite a number of times, but saved, always, by the Devil Gene.

Though it saves me, I'd prefer death than having to be constantly concentrating on it, night and day. What happened now? What happened then? What was that all about? Am I okay? Constantly keeping things in order, I've no time for anything.

Though I rarely speak a word to her, I know what she wants. Xiao does all the talking and even though I don't listen, I know that I'm right. She wants me, I see it in her eyes, I have no time to play games. The Mishima line shall end with me, Jin Kazama.

Myself, Kazuya Mish, and Jinpachi before him, carried the Devil Gene. If I choose to love, things will get out of hand and another will be born to the curse. I can't let that happen.

Jinpachi Mishima, himself, had been locked in a basement, such as this, by his son, Heihachi. It was the Honmaru above, that I broke free from and flew with my dark wings far away. The same Honmaru where Heihachi and Kazuya were ambushed by a fleet of JACKs. Now I've realized, this is not the Mishima Compound, it is the Honmaru.

Even though, I know where I am, what good does that bring to me? Surely there is no was I, alone, can break free of these chains. And who is there to help me? No one. My power is drained already and more is still to go. But how can I just let myself die here? Then again, how can I stop it? Jinpachi was kept here, too, and how he survived I will never know. I deem I shan't leave this hell again, for it took my great-grandfather several years to break free.

Footsteps. Not quite as heavy as before, footsteps could be heard descending down the stairs toward my holding cell.

"Ah, still alive, are we?" Lee Chaolan stood next to Kazuya Mishima at the bottom of the stairs. "I don't know why they keep you down here, Jin. You're a good boy." Kazuya seemed to object as he elbowed Chaolan hard to the ribs. I'm sure that Lee, in fact, does know.

"It's a pity to see you alive, boy," Kazuya frowned. "We want the Gene."

"Take it, it's yours," I offered. "Just leave Ling alone." I gasped at my own reaction. Xiaoyu! What had become of her?

"Ling?" Chaolan laughed. "You mean that little cheerleader girl?"

"You fool," Kazuya interjected. "We don't want the girl, nor do we have her. But we could take her, I suppose." My father's red eye twinkled and gleamed in the descending light. He walked closer toward me.

"What so I have to do?" I asked quickly.

"Hold still." Lee, it seemed, could only laugh and mock me. But if I care it would be different.

Lee Chaolan was adopted by Heihachi Mishima. Heihachi hjad always liked him better than he liked his own son, Kazuya. But Lee didn't much care for his adoptive father, as most people have never liked him either.

"What becomes of me after the Devil Gene is withdrawn?"

"We'll soon find out, won't we?" An evil laugh escaped my father's lips. I was indeed a bit scared for mine and Xiao's safety.