Entanglement
Rebel Tekken Force Camp, Near Mosul Iraq…
When Master Raven was notified by Raven that Zafina had left out of the Rebel Tekken Force camp in Iraq, she and Tweet made haste with the Hyena's Gaze in hand back to that country. It was nightfall once they arrived but the camp was just now calming down due to the damage Zafina caused after escaping from the medical tent. Raven was speaking with doctors and nurses to check up on them and investigate which direction Zafina could have went. Still, he remained at the base until Master Raven and Tweet returned.
Master Raven (Rushing at Raven standing by the crime scene.): "Raven!" (Stops running.) "Tell us! What happened?"
Raven: "Well I guess I can start with the good news. No one was killed here, but the bad news is, Zafina is gone. There are a few clues I want you two to see and then we can begin tracking her down."
Master Raven: "Alright then, lead the way."
At the medical tent …
Raven escorted Master Raven and Tweet towards the damaged medical tent. Most of the wounded soldiers were taken out of the medical tent and moved into another large tent which acted as a mess hall. The damage inside this tent was mainly concentrated in the back end where Zafina was isolated from the rest of the people working inside. That explains why no one got hurt. There was a large opening cut by Zafina's hands right before she escaped. This was the first clue. The next clue was in fact Zafina's blood from the I.V. that was placed upon her non infected hand. The blood scattered across the rug and bedsheets. So Zafina must have yanked it off. Finally, there was the purple orb in which Tweet recognized as it was now shattered into pieces. Did that have something to do with Zafina's condition? Tweet finally said something about it.
Tweet: "Master, I recognize that broken orb!"
Master Raven: "You do?"
Tweet: "Yeah, Zafina would carry it in her travel bag and use it to look into the lives of other people."
Raven: "That was her crystal ball Tweet. It helped her forsee future outcomes."
Tweet: "Oh well, she never told me that. Zafina would avoid me at times while I was helping her find the keys. Like usually when I eat, or once I wake up after sleeping she would be up looking at the ball but like in another room or outside out in the open. Like I said it was weird watching her. But I didn't know she had a curse placed upon her. She damn near killed me by the time we were on our way to the last key."
Master Raven: "Lucky for you, you did not die. Now let's use the signal post talisman and see which direction she may have ran off to."
Pulls out the Talisman as it glows a bright yellow color…
Master Raven: "Using this with the trace of blood on the sheets, we can find out where she went."
Raven: "Master you always come prepared with every talisman."
Master Raven: "Of course. That's why it was best to wait for my return." (The Talisman sends a trace path out of the tent.) "Look. There is the trail, but it's really small right now."
Raven: "That means Zafina is several kilometers away from here. How are we traveling?"
Master Raven: "I will call my hovercraft to follow us, but we have no choice but to go by jeep."
Raven: "What about Eliza?"
Master Raven: "If she is able, we will have to take her with us. She can still rest on top of the trunk. Go get her Raven."
Raven: "Understood. I'll be right back."
Once the Talisman traced the path Zafina made, Master Raven's group hopped on the jeep and began to follow the trail as the hovercraft programmed via auto pilot followed behind them. After about 30 minutes, the trail finally started to build up heavier. The group was traveling southeast along the Iraqi countryside at night. Suddenly they noticed many cars with their headlights on traveling in heavy numbers across the nearby highway. It appeared that they were fleeing out of a village or a smaller city. This scene did not look good from Master Raven's point of view. Zafina must be attacking villagers in her possessed state. They needed to hurry and stop her!
City of Bakhdida, Iraq…
The city was in tatters! Crystals of purple and fire spread through much of the town. Zafina in her state was destroying everything in a state of confusion and anger. Whatever Azazel was doing with Zafina in her body, the old king was clearly upset with being displaced in unfamiliar territory. He would punish anyone for getting in his way by killing them. Azazel simply needed blood and flesh so he could summon enough energy to return home. The same homeland were Zafina hails.
Back at the jeep, Master Raven stopped driving once the group reached the outskirts of the city called Bahkdida. From here, the ninjas would need to keep vigilant. Tweet was told to stay behind and look after Eliza while she was asleep. Master Raven and Raven proceeded ahead inside the city. Raven wondered if Master Raven was ready to fight again despite her newly found scars scattered across her upper body.
Raven: "Urenna, how are you feeling?"
Master Raven: "I'm feeling better Santi. What's the matter?"
Raven: "Better enough to take on this thing again? We need a more concrete plan to seal this monster up for good. I don't want to kill Zafina."
Master Raven: "That is easier said than done. I don't know how long Zafina has been under Azazel's control, but they could be linked closer together in both body and mind now. Taking out Azazel will likely affect Zafina too. I cannot guarantee her safety Santi."
Raven went silent for a minute while walking…
Master Raven: "But…I will do the best I can to exorcise that monster. Can you last against him as I prepare the Exorcise Talisman once more?"
Raven: "Yes…I will try to stall him for as long as I can."
Master Raven: "Understood." (Her senses picked up on Zafina's ki.) "You felt that just now?"
Raven: "Uh huh. She's close. But where?"
Zafina: "Wwwwwrrrrrraaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
The ninjas were both startled at the noise they heard over their heads. Standing in the moonlight was Zafina but her body was in worser shape as her entire skin was colored purple with both of her arms were covered in crystal spikes. She gave the ninjas a menacing look of hatred with her bloodshot eyes. Master Raven and Raven nodded as Master Raven backed off into a safe place. She would prepare the Seal Talisman once more. Zafina hopped down once she saw Master Raven run off, but Raven took out his ninjato blades and defended himself.
Zafina: "Ssssshhhhaaa!"
Raven (Blocks her claws): "Zafina! Stop it! It's me!"
Zafina was not herself. Azazel had a stronger control of her mind and body. Mere words would not work on her. Raven parried her first attack, but Zafina came right back and started to attack Raven with various claw strikes. With his blades, Raven blocks and parries the strikes, yet he resisted to hit the woman. Even if her mutated deformed state, Raven could not help but be captivated by Zafina.
Raven (In his mind.): "I knew I might bump into again Zafina. But not like this."
Zafina: "Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!"
Raven (Trying to dodge.): "Tccchhh!"
Zafina dashed at Raven with an unexpected speed using a spear like thrust attack with her right claw hand. Raven dodged but some of her claw nails cut the skin off his right shoulder. Now Raven's ninja tattoo was bleeding over. Lucky for him the cut wasn't deep. Thinking of an idea, Raven took out a smoke bomb from his right thigh pocket. Once Zafina attacked Raven again, the ninja threw the bomb on the ground causing smoke to appear. This gave Raven a chance to retreat and tend to his wound.
Back at the jeep…
Tweet: "What was that noise? Did they start fighting? I hope that they are ok!"
Eliza (in her sleep.): "Mmmm…I need more fries. Zzzzzzz."
Tweet (Looks at Eliza.): "Of all things to think about. I really want to help my family, but here you are still asleep!"
Eliza (Turning away from Tweet): "Too noisy. Zzzzzzzz."
Tweet (Ticked): "Seriously?"
Meanwhile…
Master Raven: "I wish this process would be faster. I need this charm to be stronger than it was the other day." (Hears a bomb go off.) "Was that a smoke bomb? Raven might be hurt already! Dammit! Focus!"
Raven's position…
Raven: Good. Now to just stop the bleeding." (Uses a cloth in his other pocket.) "This should do it."
Raven wrapped his bloodied shoulder over with the cloth. Now he could go back out there and confront Zafina once more, but where did she go? Raven left out of his hiding spot and began walking back out on the street. Everything was calm until a sharp rise in ki alerted Raven. It was a flurry of crystals coming from above the sky as Raven quickly got out of harm's way. He looked up and there was Zafina was pouncing at him from the rooftop of a high rise building. She forms a crystal like sword in her hands as she tries to slice Raven, but she missed him.
Raven: "There you are!"
Zafina growled at him again. Was she incapable of speech? Did Azazel truly make Zafina into a monster? Why will she not say something? So many questions, but with little time to know, as Zafina used her sword to stab the ground as crystal spikes were coming right for Raven. Raven leaps in the air, but then Zafina quickly jumps in the air and kicks Raven in his stomach. The impact sent Raven dead inside an abandoned apartment complex as his body shattered the window.
Raven landed in a bed mattress that pretty much saved his life. Yet the impact gave Raven a lot of pain. This made him really slow to get back on his feet. Zafina, now back on the ground, rushed towards the building where Raven was inside of. Raven could hear the heels of Zafina rushing upstairs. He could buy more time by finding a way out as long as he could keep his distance.
Zafina finally reached the floor to where Raven landed as she tore up the exit door. He was was gone, but there was a broken window leading back outside. When Zafina looked outside, Raven was getting away by jumping over rooftops. She screamed at him for running away.
Raven: "What? She found me already?!"
Zafina (Attacking): "Ssssshhhhaaaahhhhh!"
Zafina leaped from the building window, and by using her newfound abilities, she charges at Raven like a missile. Zafina nearly catches him with the tip of her crystal sword. Raven jumped off the roof from about 30 meters down and hit the deck hard as he rolled over several times before stopping. Before Raven could rise up, Zafina came crashing down near him. She was so fast that Raven had no time to attack as Zafina put the crystal sword by his neck. Zafina snickered at him for Raven was about to be a goner with his head chopped off.
Raven (thinks): "Damn! I don't have the distance or time to do a teleport jutsu. If I move she will cut me!"
Zafina laughs at him…
Tweet: "Flash Kunai!"
Eliza: "Dark Wave!"
From two different directions, Eliza and Tweet came to the rescue with two different projectile attacks aiming right for the cursed Zafina. She did not have time to react so she was hit by the attacks. Raven backed away from Zafina and had to get on one knee because he was still in a lot of pain. The girls landed side by side ready to defend Raven. Then Tweet asked him was he alright and the whereabouts of Master Raven.
Tweet: "Raven are you okay? Where is Master?"
Raven: "For once…I'm actually glad you two showed up." (Coughing blood.)
Tweet: "Raven!"
Raven: "Sh*t!"
Tweet: "You might be in worse shape than I thought! Where is Master?"
Raven: "She's preparing a…talisman. For exorcism."
Tweet: "You can't fight anymore! Just leave this to us!"
Raven: "F..fine."
Zafina: "Wwwwwwwaaaaahhhhh!"
Eliza: "Dark Mist!"
Zafina attacked again using her crystals to fire at the group, but Eliza uses her Dark Mist as a barrier to shield themselves successfully. Eliza could tell Raven was really banged up. So she simply told Tweet to get Raven to safety.
Eliza: "I got this. Take him somewhere safe!"
Tweet: "Wait Eliza!"
Eliza pressed on and attacked Zafina. Zafina swung her sword but she kept missing Eliza, until the vampire smacked her in the face with a Dark Tempest blast! The impact sent Zafina several meters away from Tweet and Raven. It appeared that the extra sleep gave Eliza a much needed boost in energy. Zafina rubbed her face in obvious pain, but she would not be outdone. Eliza threw a Dark Wave at Zafina once more, but the possessed woman shielded herself with a wall full of crystals. Moving to the left side of the wall, Zafina shot more crystals at Eliza. The vampire could not summon a Dark Mist in time. Eliza tried to dodge some of the spikes but a few of them connected at her right thigh. Ignoring the pain, Eliza uses her other leg for the Dark Cannon Kick hitting Zafina right at her chest!
Tweet (Looking on.): "Holy smokes! Eliza is so powerful!"
Eliza (Not done yet.): "No escape!"
Eliza catches Zafina in midair using her Dark Web Ball, trapping her inside! Then Eliza summons enough ki to use it as a piercing knife. She would aim for Zafina's torso area.
Eliza: "Have a sample of my power! DARK LANCE!"
At a rapid speed, Eliza cut right through Zafina as she penetrated her own Dark Web Ball! Then Zafina fell about fifteen meters down on top of a car. She was knocked out! At least it appeared from Tweet's point of view. Suddenly, Tweet felt the presence of Master Raven quickly approaching them. And there she was hopping down from the rooftop with the purification Talisman shining a bright golden yellow color. Master Raven could see that Eliza was with Raven. She went to them first.
Master Raven: "What happened? Santi? Are you alright?"
Raven: "Urenna. I'm hurting…real bad."
Master Raven: "Don't try to speak. Keep regulating your breaths. I see from your mouth that you have damaged your lungs. Tweet, take him back to the jeep. I see that Eliza did an amazing job at stopping Zafina."
Tweet: "Ok…but you knew all along that Eliza could take on Zafina."
Master Raven: "Sort of. It was a gambler's guess. Now to exorcise that demon." (Showing off both the talisman and the Hyena's Gaze.)
Eliza (Flying down at the ninjas): "Hey! Is that…what I think that is?"
Master Raven: "Yes. It is. Show me to Zafina, Eliza. It's time we end this."
Eliza wanted to keep admiring the things Master Raven was yielding but she did what she was told and escorted the ninja to Zafina's location. When they made it to the damaged car, Zafina was bleeding from her right side of the torso after getting cut by Eliza. Her life force was draining like her blood, but Master Raven did not panic. Instead she surprised Eliza by hopping on top of the car and stabs Zafina at the very spot of the wound using the Hyena's Gaze.
Zafina: "Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
Eliza: "Whao!"
Master Raven: "It's ok!" (Takes the blade off Zafina's torso.)
Eliza: "What?"
After the stabbing, there was white pus covering up the blood of Zafina's wound. It started to close up the injury as it healed Zafina instantly. Finally, Master Raven uses the talisman in her hand to place of Zafina's forehead. Then Master Raven backed away as the light of the talisman began glowing as it took over Zafina's body. Deep in Zafina's mind, Azazel was backed into a corner as the purity threads of the talisman began to ensnare him at all directions. The threads of the Talisman began to trap Azazel as he screamed in agony. There was no way out for him. From the outside world, Master Raven and Eliza looked on as Zafina's body was shaking uncontrollably as the exorcism continued. After 1 minute, the light disappears from her body. It appears that Zafina was back to her normal self.
Eliza: "Is it over?"
Master Raven: "I think so. Look! Her skin is back to its original color."
Eliza: "Yeah! It is!"
Master Raven: "Can you carry her Eliza? I know you just went through a fight with her. So maybe it's asking too much."
Eliza: "I got it! Owww!"
Master Raven: "Huh?" (Looks at Eliza's right thigh bleeding with crystal markings on them.) "Never mind. She got you pretty good. I better take her then."
With that said, Master Raven carries the unconscious Zafina in her arms while keeping the talisman over the woman's face as a security measure. She considered this to be a lucky victory. Especially with Eliza present. Things would have went much worse for the pairing had it not been for the vampire's interference. Tweet meanwhile was told to keep Raven comfortable at the jeep. He was slowly dying, but in time they could use Eliza's ability to heal him wholly again. Once that was done, they would all return back to Lars' camp.
