Objective Change
August 24th, Palmyra, Syria…
Ever since the conclusion of the Sixth King of Iron Fist Tournament, Zafina had been migrating from place to place throughout her homeland of Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria. She kept a low profile this way as to not attract the wrong attention from normal everyday people, as well as the Tekken Force who could recognize her as an old competitor and marked as a threat to the conglomerate because of her knowledge and fighting prowess. Secretly she was studying a prophecy long foretold by her ancestors about a purifying dagger which could take away curses such as the Devil Gene. Yet another valid reason for Zafina's constant migrations.
Overtime, Zafina noticed that she was being followed. So one night, she pretended to fall asleep in her motel room bed. This allowed the intruder to think that Zafina was vulnerable. As the girl was searching her belongings for who knows what. Zafina quickly rose up and used a sleeping gas powder thrown into the face of the intruding girl. The girl was none other than Tweet, a special agent serving under Master Raven. Zafina decided not to call the authorities but instead interrogate the girl and find out more about her. In the morning, Tweet found herself waking up tied to a chair feeling ill from snorting the sleep powder.
Tweet (Waking up.): "Ughhhhh…" (Head hurting from snorting the powder.)
Zafina (Changing clothes): "You are finally awake."
Tweet: "Huh?" (Looking around.) "Dammit."
Zafina: "Mind telling me your name?"
Tweet: "Uh uh! Not happening!"
Zafina: "I have an idea as to who you work for. The tattoo on your left shoulder looks awfully familiar."
Tweet (Panics): "That's just fanart! I know my manga!"
Zafina: "Enough! If you are who I think you are, then I am sure your allies will come find you. I will keep you as bait just to be sure."
Tweet: "I won't follow you anymore! Just let me go this time! Please!"
Zafina (Brandishing her dagger from the drawer): "One more outburst and I will be sure to keep your mouth quiet for good! Are we at an understanding?"
Zafina placed her left hand over the loud mouth of Tweet, threatening her with her scimitar dagger on the right hand. Tweet started crying as she nodded her head in agreement not to say anything. She could only hope that somebody could get her out of this embarrassing captivity.
Meanwhile…
Master Raven's Log: "Master Raven checking in. I'm just waking up from sleeping on the hovercraft. A really long fight coming from Western Canada into Syria. Looking at the coordinates you gave me CO, it appears that Tweet last called in Palmyra. A modern town has overtaken the old city of Palmyra which is in ruins. I'm sure that is where Zafina is as well. I really hope Tweet is okay. She is young but is very skilled in combat, I doubt Zafina could have easily killed her. I should not be thinking like this. I will find her before my next fight. Rest assured. Master Raven out."
Master Raven carefully landed the aircraft just outside the ruins of Palmyra. Eliza was still sound asleep in the back passenger seat but it was time for her to get up. Master Raven tried tapping Eliza on the shoulder, but it did not work. It was really hot outside in the afternoon sun. After drinking some ice cold bottled water inside the cooler. Master Raven splashed the remaining water into the face of Eliza. That was enough make the girl rise up rapidly.
Eliza: "Gaaaaggghhh! So cold!"
Master Raven: "Get out!"
Eliza (Shielding her eyes): "The sun! Gaaaaa! It's too bright!"
Master Raven (Gives the vampire a cloak): "Put this on! It will cover your body! Now come on!"
Eliza: "Mmmm…where are we going?"
Master Raven: "We are looking for my partner now hush!"
So Master Raven and Eliza first started their search within the modern town of Palmyra. The locals were reluctant to talk with anyone let alone a foreigner. However in a lonely restaurant there was a bartender who was willing to give Master Raven a description of Zafina. He said Zafina came here earlier this morning for a small meal and left out shortly afterwards. Finally, the bartender stated she went straight up the road where it faces one of the city's two motels. With thanks, Master Raven and Eliza walked across town for the motel in reference.
The clerk at the hotel did confirm that Zafina did lodge there for about 5 days and she checked out of the hotel 2 hours ago. The clerk suspected that she was in town to tour the old city ruins. Now the search for Tweet narrowed down into the ruins of Ancient Palmyra. Master Raven had to stop multiple times along the way so Eliza could drink the last bits of blood pints that the ninja had to save just to keep the vampire from getting sick outside in the intense heat. Lucky for Eliza the sun was finally going down heading into the evening hours.
Valley of The Tombs, near the Ancient City of Palmyra, Syria…
The vast ruins of the ancient city were a lot bigger than Master Raven thought. She and Eliza needed to tread carefully after dark, for soldiers from the Syrian Government will be patrolling the area. For at least 1 hour, Master Raven and Eliza searched over half of the ancient city but no sign of Zafina and Tweet. Next, they explored the former Senate Hall and the Agora but no luck there either.
Eliza: "I'm getting tired! Can't we just call it a night?"
Master Raven: "Not a chance! We have still yet to explore all of these ruins. Let's to go to the old theater next."
The theater was one of the more preserved areas of the city. Many gladiators and playwrights entertained the crowds here at this majestic place but that has been many centuries ago. There were some guards out walking around but the security was very weak. There would be no need to engage them in combat, so Master Raven and Eliza uses the shadows to navigate within the halls. When they made it outside the ring area was surprisingly lit up by fire, but not enough to be so noticeable by the guard patrol.
Master Raven: "Now this is unusual."
Eliza: "What is unusual?"
Master Raven: "The fire torches near the back gate. Wait I see someone coming."
The person coming from within the darkness of the back gate appeared in front of Master Raven and Eliza just yards away. It was the very person Master Raven expected to find. She was simply surprised on the method in which the woman revealed herself.
Master Raven: "Zafina?"
Zafina: "Were you expecting someone else?"
Master Raven: "No. You are the very person I came all this way to see."
Zafina: "Did you come for the girl?"
Master Raven: "Yes I did. Tell me, where is she?"
Zafina: "Follow me."
Eliza: "Eh…what is going on?"
Master Raven: "This better not be a trap." (Starts following.)
Ironically Zafina found a secret passageway under the theater via the back gate, this allowed her to travel quickly from the Valley of the Tombs which is where the dagger she was searching for happened to be sealed off. Tweet was actually digging dirt off the sealed gate where the dagger was said to be behind from according to Zafina's sources. Zafina put her to work so that she would not simply run off or fight back. Tweet was already frightened of the Egyptian woman for her skills as an assassin were right on par with the Ravens. If she tried to run, Zafina would be hunting her this time. However, it looked as though Tweet's prayers were answered. Zafina returned into the underground chamber along with Master Raven and someone she never met before.
Tweet: "Master?"
Master Raven: "Tweet!"
Two women run to each other and embrace…
Tweet: "Master I was so scared! Please forgive me!"
Master Raven: "Well for what its worth, I'm glad nothing happened to you."
Eliza (To Zafina): "I don't get it."
Zafina (Folding her arms): "Hmmm."
Eliza: "You could have killed your targets at any time. I can tell you are no ordinary woman. I even tried to attack you from behind, but I could see that you were armed. So why spare us?"
Zafina: "Because I could recognize who these women were. There is no need to create more enemies for myself."
Eliza: "Recognize?" (Yawns) "If you don't mind…I need to…get some sleep." (Collapses.)
Zafina: "What?"
Eliza feel fast asleep due to the exhaustion of walking. Master Raven turned around letting go of Tweet to see Eliza on the ground completely knocked out in slumber. In a way she was glad the vampire dozed off so she could figure out what Zafina was planning. This was very important to know.
Master Raven: "Don't worry about her. She…does that a lot."
Zafina: "You mean passing out?"
Master Raven: "Well she's not really human."
Zafina: "Really?"
Master Raven: "Yeah. Anyway…allow me to apologize for spying on you in the manner of which our organization did. We were curious as to why you did not re enter the King of Iron Fist Tournament for you were once close with one of my partners. We also noticed that you were traveling randomly across the Middle East and thought you might be in trouble. That is why I sent Tweet to investigate and follow your movements."
Zafina: "Is that so."
Master Raven: "But I didn't expect you to make Tweet into your personal assistant." (Glancing at Tweet.)
Tweet (Rubbing her head): "It's not like I wanted to. She really could have killed me Master."
Master Raven: "I know, I'm just glad you didn't run off." (Back to Zafina) "So tell me Zafina. What is this place exactly? Why are you even here?"
Zafina: "This is a place where a holy dagger known as the Hyena's Gaze is stored. It was a gift from my ancestors to the last king of Palmyra some 1200 years ago. It is said to cure any possessed souls from any type of sorcery good or evil. The king only used it once against a rival kingdom and saved his daughter from a curse which nearly killed her in her sleep. After that, the king made sure to seal the dagger away for good. He had his closest advisors created an elaborate locking system and scattered the keys all throughout the Middle East. I manage to get three of them. But I need two more. I was on my way to Al-Raqqa which is were I heard the fourth key was located, until she barged into my hotel room snooping around."
Master Raven: "Like I said, I apologize for that. I'm recording this conversation too, hope you don't mind."
Zafina: "If you are a friend of Raven then I am not worried you will give this information into the wrong hands."
Master Raven: "I just hope the legend is true. I may not have to put Eliza's life in danger."
Tweet: "Is that the name of this vampire. This is her?" (Looking down on Eliza, poking her body.)
Master Raven: "Stop doing that! Yes that is her."
Zafina: "Fascinating. To think Masasats still exist in this day and age."
Master Raven: "Masa what?"
Zafina: "Masasats, it's what my people call blood suckers or vampires as a Westerner would say today."
Master Raven: "Oh." (After a brief pause.) "So tell me. If you can find all of the locks and unseal the door, what will you plan to do with the dagger?"
Zafina: "I plan to use it against the ones with the Devil Gene. And then I will reseal it back here."
Master Raven: "That is going to be easier said than done. Tweet!"
Tweet: "Master!"
Master Raven: "New orders. You will assist Zafina in locating the remaining 2 locks. The search will go faster this way. However, do not get captured again this time. I won't be coming back for you while I'm busy."
Tweet: "Awww."
Master Raven: "We are near the apex of the tournament heading into the elimination rounds. Things are gonna get a lot more intense as time passes. I need you focused and prepared for anything. Do we understand each other?"
Tweet: "I understand Master. I won't let it happen again!"
Master Raven (At Zafina): "I felt like you could use the help. Tweet is a talker but you can always make her stop by making threats."
Zafina: "Hmph. Well she is a hard worker. That much I can appreciate."
Tweet (Embarrassed.): "Ladies. You're embarrassing me."
Master Raven: "Anywho. I guess I better carry this lunkhead back to the ship. We will talk again very soon." (Picks up Eliza.)
Zafina: "Before you go, tell me. Is Raven doing alright?"
Master Raven: "Yes. He is just fine."
Zafina: "That is good. Do tell him that I am thinking about him."
Master Raven (Not turning around.): "I will keep that in mind."
Tweet: "Bye Master! I won't let you down!"
Master Raven's Log: "Master Raven here. I can actually breathe a sigh of relief right now. I no longer believe Zafina was in any kind of danger or posed a threat to our goals. Tweet is just fine. The girl got a little too greedy in finding information about Zafina and was caught in the process. Thankfully Zafina was able to determine that Tweet never tried to kill her. Either way I am glad the woman did not harm Tweet physically. Because of that and the details behind the conversation I had with Zafina earlier, I changed Tweet's objective into finding the last two locks to open the seal door under the Valley of The Tombs in Palmyra. It does sound too good to be true about this "Hyena's Gaze" being a purifying blade, but it's worth a shot right? I still have Eliza by my side sleeping again. The other trump card. Either way, the war needs to end. Well now I was wondering should I return to Canada and speak with Raven again or focus on the last fight against Sergei Dragunov. Yeah I better see what his troops are up to. Master Raven out."
