The Hyena's Gaze
A temporary Rebel Tekken Force camp, about 40 miles south of Mosul, Iraq…
Master Raven (Waking up.): "Mmmm…mmmm."
Master Raven had no idea where she was. She was in a makeshift tent of sorts. Her ninja outfit was completely off, her hair was tied in a bun style, and there were some bandages covering her body. This time Master Raven did not wake feeling brand new. She was hurting in many places. She stood up off the bed with her own strength and began walking out of the tent. When Master Raven stood outside she immediately noticed random soldiers walking about and using vehicles to exchange supplies and tools. One of the medical nurses recognized that Master Raven was now awake and immediately approached her.
Medical Nurse: "Master Raven?"
Master Raven: "Who are you? And where am I?"
Medical Nurse: "My name is Olena and I am a nurse under the Medical Division for the Rebel Force. Commander Lars had our team come and give you and your friends' treatment. There is also a man who wants to see you once got up. I can have him come to you in your tent if you can just wait for me back inside. If that is alright?" (Nervous smile.)
Master Raven (Sighs.): "Very well. But don't keep me waiting."
Olena: "Thanks! I will be right back!"
Master Raven went inside her tent as requested by Olena. A part of her wanted to find Eliza as soon as possible, for she was nervous that the vampire might have been in worse shape than her. And what happened to Tweet and Zafina? Her body at the moment was too sore to just flee and try to find the people in question, but that woman she spoke to made it sound like Raven or Condor was here at the camp. Finally, two shadows appeared at Master Raven's tent as they opened the cloth curtain. It was in fact, Raven with Lars by his side.
Raven: "Master? I'm glad you are ok!"
Master Raven: "Raven! Wha…why are you here? I thought you were in Japan."
Raven: "I was until I found about what happened to Tweet. It's a good thing I decided to come to Iraq and see for myself. Just what in the world went down between you ladies?"
Master Raven: "Wait! First both of you tell me what happened with Eliza, Tweet, and Zafina!"
Lars: "Ahem. Well when my team made it here, we found Raven standing over a passed out Zafina after landing into the area. All of you were out of it. I thought Raven saw everything that happened with you guys, but then he told me that he had just arrived too. Then my team noticed a shrine underground in which we are still investigating at the moment. Eliza is in stable condition but remains asleep. Tweet is in stable condition. She is also asleep."
Master Raven: "What? They are alive?"
Lars: "Yes but Eliza has a concussion and some burns around her arms. Tweet has minor wounds like you. Oh yeah! Zafina is in a coma right now. Also in stable condition. We hope that she can regain consciousness."
Master Raven: "Damn. So my charmed worked after all."
Raven: "You exorcised Zafina?"
Master Raven: "Yes. Whatever that demon was, he certainly had his way with Zafina. She almost killed us too. Wait. Are you guys looking for the key?"
Raven: "What key?"
Master Raven: "It was the final key to unlock the Door for the Hyena's Gaze. An ancient weapon used to purify spirits. Zafina said we could open the door with the keys and use the Hyena's Gaze against the Devil Gene. But now…I see she was suffering from something else entirely."
Lars: "Is the dagger here in Iraq?"
Master Raven: "No. Palmyra."
Lars: "Ehhh…where is that?"
Raven: "Palmyra is an old city in Syria."
Lars: "Ohhh Syria. That's close by. Sort of."
Raven: "So, once the last key is discovered you were going to uncover this weapon from that place, correct?"
Master Raven: "Well that was Tweet's assignment and I had her team up with Zafina to help search for the remaining keys. However, I could not anticipate that Zafina was being possessed by a spirit somehow. It makes me wonder how long she had been in contact with that spirit. I think we should still pursue the weapon, but after this mishap, I can't let Zafina use it. Not if she is still possessed."
Lars and Raven nodded in agreement…
Lars: "As much as I would like to help. I must return for Japan and monitor the activities of my father. His match with my brother is coming in a few days."
Raven: "Again Lars. Thanks for looking after my friends. It was something you didn't have to do."
Lars: "No worries Raven. I know deep down you would rescue me under the same situation."
Suddenly…
Rebel Officer: "Commander! We found the object in question! What are we to do with it?"
Lars: "Is it here now?"
Rebel Officer: "Not yet. It's in a safe being transported over to the camp."
Lars: "Good. Give the key to this man beside me. He will have better use for it than me. I should show you where the rest of the keys are Raven. We will be back Master."
Master Raven: "Understood."
Sometime later, Master Raven Talks On her Log…
Master Raven's Log: "Well…I am back on my log at last. I was out for a brief time after what happened yesterday. To be honest I'm still trying to process the aftermath of all that has transpired. I woke up in the middle of a tent with my gear off and I immediately grew worried that my identity might have been exposed. But funny enough it was Raven who found not only me, he also found Tweet, Eliza, and Zafina knocked out alongside me at the Ancient City of Nineveh. And Lars's Rebel Force Division also found us. I still don't know how, but they made a camp not too far from Mosul. They are treating us medically here. Lars said he would leave soon. However, the medical unit will remain with us until I tell them to leave. I am still trying to decide if Zafina should stay with them or have them transferred to our nearest hospital. Somewhere like Switzerland, I guess. Zafina is in a coma as I speak. I'm feeling a little better right now. Maybe I can see how Eliza and Tweet are holding up, unless Raven does it first. Hang on. I think I hear someone coming now. Master Raven out."
Tent opens up…
Tweet: "Master?"
Master Raven: "Tweet! You're up?"
Raven (Coming from behind): "She just came to. Eliza is still asleep and of course we know about Zafina."
Tweet (On her knees to Master Raven.): "Master! I'm so sorry! About everything!" (Whimpering on the sheets.) "Is…is everything gonna be alright?"
Master Raven (Chuckling.): "Kid…you never cease to amaze. None of this is your fault." (Pats her head.) "Zafina just caught us by surprise that's all. We are lucky to have allied with the Rebel Tekken Force, otherwise we all would have perished."
Tweet (Looks up.): "I will not cower before my enemy ever again! Spirit or man! I will fight for our clan!"
Master Raven: "Well that is re assuring. Now that we have the keys. We can unlock the Hyena's Gaze Door."
Raven: "How soon can we proceed to Syria? Do I need to help you guys?"
Master Raven: "Thanks Raven, truly. I think me and Tweet will do this task together. You can keep up with Eliza and Zafina for me. Have them continue treatment under Lars's medical team. We do not need any more surprises."
Raven: "I understand. Let me know when you are ready to go. I will have your hovercraft ready for launch. Are you hungry Tweet?"
Tweet: "Hai, Raven! See you later Master."
Master Raven: "Take it easy kid."
The next morning…
Master Raven woke up feeling better than yesterday although her wounds were still not totally healed. Never the less, there was no time to waste. The sooner the Hyena's Gaze is retrieved, the better the chances of her fighting anything like she dealt with like the other day with Zafina. Master Raven's plan before addressing the Mishimas was to help Zafina cure her of the curse placed upon her. The Hyena's Gaze should be powerful enough to help eradicate the curse. Once she got dressed, Master Raven notified the Rebel Force that she will be leaving. Then Raven showed up while Master Raven when inside another tent for some breakfast. They ate together. Finally, Raven was told to get Tweet up, gather all of the keys from the safe box, and be ready for the mission.
At Master Raven's Hovercraft…
Master Raven (In her pilot): "Are you ready Tweet?"
Tweet: Yes! Master I'm ready!"
Master Raven (Using her Bluetooth): "Raven we are leaving! Look after the girls while I'm out! We will be back here before sun down. Count on it!"
Raven (Looking from below the hill): "Understood. Master."
Valley of the Tombs, Ancient City of Palmyra, Syria…
Despite there being some tourists in the vicinity, Master Raven still wanted to find the vault where the Hyena's Gaze was stored inside the Valley of the Tombs. It appeared that the security was unaware of the secret passageway leading to the gate. This would make infiltration easy for Master Raven and Tweet. Using the tall columns of the ruined temple as cover, the kunoichis ran separately, but they made sure not to be seen. Finally, they reached the rocky slope under the temple to where the passageway would take them right at the vault. Tweet tapped the rock door five times until it started to move on its own.
Master Raven: "How did you do that?"
Tweet: "I just copied what Zafina did."
Master Raven: "Interesting. Alright come on."
Master Raven used a flash light on her wristcom as the two kunoichi ventured into the passageway. After a minute walk, they at last reached the very door which housed the blade. Five openings for the keys were present. So Tweet opened the safe box and took out each key to insert inside the gate door. Once the keys were all set, they immediately began turning left as the Door opened itself. There it was, standing above a carved rock placed inside a golden box. The Hyena's Gaze was there in front of Master Raven and Tweet.
Tweet: "You see that Master? It's beautiful."
Master Raven: "Yes. I can even feel its aura. It is no ordinary weapon."
Tweet: "Can I touch it?"
Master Raven: "No. I can't have you risk getting possessed somehow. Better let me handle it from now on."
Tweet: "Ohhh." (Disappointed.)
Master Raven: "Let's reclose this gate and get out of here."
Suddenly there is a call from Master Raven's Bluetooth Earpiece…
Raven: "Master are you there?"
Master Raven: "Raven? What's wrong?"
Raven: "It's Zafina! She escaped!"
Master Raven: "Huh? You can't be serious?"
Raven: "I mean it! She forced herself out of her tent. I don't know where she went. I was looking after Eliza when it happened."
Master Raven: "I see. Stay posted Raven! We got the weapon we came for and we will come back. Then we can track Zafina down together."
Raven: "Understood. I will stand by. Raven out."
Tweet: "Zafina is gone?"
Master Raven: "Sounds like it." (Thinking.) "Sh*t. The spell has taken over Zafina's body again. Where the heck could she have gone to?"
