Chapter 8: Pursuing Luck
Around the concrete jungle that is Japan there is but a few areas where nature is preserved-now it's being exploited for the hunt Yoshimitsu has begun. He leaped on branches with ease and dodged the winds forceful movements to trace the smallest evidence of her presence. Ever so quiet and stealthful he was, so much so that the Irish woman could rely on nothing but her instinct.
As Yoshimitsu drew closer, Nina became more relaxed and finally stopped in a remote part of the outer city.
"Where do I go next?" she thought aloud.
Glancing left and right did her no good so she figured her best bet would to travel to the other side of the city, where the Mishima Empire was located.
"So much for the element of surprise…"
The former samurai's breath quickened with anticipation s he edged closer to his target. Her backside was wide open for the perfect strike then retreat, but Yoshimitsu did not believe in not giving his victims a fighting chance. He only wanted to wound her to make the task easier.
She began moving again and so did he, matching every sound on point so he wouldn't raise her guard. Little did he know that Nina rarely, if ever, let down her guard.
It was taking too long. Yoshimitsu became impatient and daringly prepared an attack, but it was sooner than it should have been. While coming down Nina spun around aiming at the air to get him off balance. It didn't work, but he was unable to make a decisive hit.
"You! Why have you followed me here? I've got nothing against you!" she demanded.
"Dr. Bonsconovitch…" he mumbled.
"What was that?"
"The doctor does not want you to return so he asked me to slay you. I ask that you not resist or the pain will only worsen."
Nina gritted her teeth savagely. "Don't resist, you really don't know who I am do you? Not even a freak like you can stop me."
"…A…frrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeaaaak……" there was a disturbing threat in his throat followed by a random strike.
Nina sprang back for it only to cut her suit. She snickered like a devious witch.
"A fighter gets riled up by mere words…feh! You're such a loser. With that attitude you'll never get to kill me."
Yoshimitsu wished to prove her wrong right then and did not let up on her. Every stroke he made had a purpose and Nina could feel that he was giving it his all. He aimed for her vitals and at one point her throat, but she ducked and a tree took the hit instead. Countering was almost impossible with his weapon constantly coming for her but she came up with ways to weaken his offense.
Making another rush he rapidly poked her face, leaving a dozen cuts and a sour emotion. For only a second did she cringe then she swooped under to grab the handle of the sword.
"You're…very bold…" he claimed. "But foolish…"
Twisting his wrist out of place he broke free of her grasp and shoved her aside. Nina did a backwards somersault into a bushel to recuperate. The more they fought the more hopeless it seemed. There was no way to attack him without the sword as his main defense.
"Look you, I have a more important task to do and you're getting in my way!"
"I cannot return without a body…nor can I allow you to escape."
"Suit yourself! But I'm not sitting around for this any longer!"
Sprinting out of the bushes Nina ran on high heels to the end of the woods. In a huff Yoshimitsu followed by hovering with the use of his versatile weapon. A grim attempt at a smile formed on his face.
Exhausted by the time she reached the end, Nina buckled down trying to catch her breath. Heavy winds blew across her cut up face and it stung worse than a bee's behind. Her eyes began to water and when she opened them fully to see her surroundings she was in shock. Beyond this point was nothing but a cliff and a crevice of abyss below. Trapped was she for Nina knew that the samurai was still lingering in the woods somewhere waiting for her.
"Dammit! That bastard has the upper hand now…"
Just to see her odds against survival Nina peeked into the depths and hardened her resolve.
"No choice then. I have to get this guy off my back and get the hell out of here in one piece."
When she turned around her sights were set on a skeleton skull. Taken aback she stumbled backwards and closer to the edge.
"It's over!" he roared while charging head first into her stomach.
Nina could feel doom in this place, in herself. This was not going to be the place where she would die and nor would it be by this man's hands. Resisting his force she powered up her own and flung him off, the sword slipping out of his hand for the first time since they started.
"Got it!" exclaimed Nina as she reached for his blade.
"Nooooooooooooooooo…" hissed Yoshimitsu, a strange yet visible aura surrounding him.
Nina stopped, cocking her head at her assailant wondering what to do next. Almost instantly the glow appeared around the sword as well and it began to float in mid-air.
"What the-"
"The sword is mine to wield only. Those who are not worthy and try to claim it suffer a fate worse than death. The agonizing torture and misery that its power brings…a power only I truly understand. You are staring at a dead man who by pure luck is wandering this world with no purpose but to help those less fortunate. No mortal can comprehend how fortune works."
Grey shaded the woman's face.
"You're wrong. I know better than anyone how some people get lucky and others don't. It's a matter of sacrifice you see. When one thing…or a person…is lost then there is room for gain. You losing your past life to this object and then being alive right now is proof of that."
"Lies! I told you no mortal can understand, especially a bloodthirsty wench like you! Huuuurrraaaah!"
Without further movement Nina closed her eyes.
"Then let's test your theory and mine…right now."
The impact of their bodies left the woods to deaf ears. Knocked of the edge Nina plummeted into obscurity, leaving Yoshimitsu satisfied. Bowing respectively he sheathed his sword and teleported out of vision.
Back in Tokyo…
Televisions all over switched from commercials to the news at once. People bustling through the streets paused whatever they were doing and looked up. An announcer was shown alongside the most hated man in Japan, Heihachi Mishima.
"Good evening everyone! This is the Nippon News with Tekken Zaibatsu's returning CEO Heihachi Mishima. So you're telling us that you'll be having yet another Iron Fist Tournament to make up for the previous one?"
"Yes. That last tournament had no relevancy whatsoever due to the fact that it was misguided by an…ehem…let's just say unofficial member of the Mishima Empire. Therefore whoever won that tournament doesn't qualify for the prize, but in this tournament which will be called the Dark Resurrection, those who didn't win the 5th tournament will have a second chance a glory and naturally bragging rights. This time I will gladly give away my position, wealth and publicity to the one who can defeat me and my surprise fighter who unlawfully held the previous tournament."
"And there you have it! This is going out to all the wards of the King of Iron Fist Tournament 5, register now and be given a second chance at fame! Stay tuned for more breaking information at Nippon News!"
Among the many stunned viewers were Steve and Lili, who saw this as the perfect opportunity to find what they were looking for.
"Steve this is what I've been waiting for! A chance to show off my abilities to the world…and to my father. And I'm sure that woman we met will be there too. Are you okay with that?"
"Of course, it seems my luck is growing the more and more I progress…"
Hours later…
Pure darkness covered the woodlands and the moon was aligned to where anything that got under its glow was visible, including living things. Out of the crevice crawled the same woman who earlier supposedly fell to her doom and although she was alive, there was no 'life' left within her body. It was work just to stand up and she fell a few times before making it to the top. Her suit was ripped and tattered to the point were she was almost nude and her hair now rested on her shoulders. Despite her poor appearance all she could do was chuckle to herself. The goal was to prove Yoshimitsu wrong and she'd done just that.
"I can only thank my father for this…" she whispered under hot breath. "now I can go-"
Moving such worn out limbs was the worst thing she could do. After the first step she fell again and this time she didn't bother getting up.
"And now…I go to sleep and hope I…wake…up…"
And she didn't wake up…not until after 5 sunsets.