Musical seleciton for this chapter:

Tekken 3 Battle Trax - Heihachi

Obie Trice ft. Akon - Snitch (instrumental)

Anno Domini Beats - Transcendence

Onimusha Dawn of Dreams - Mount Hiei

Rurouni Kenshin - Misao Theme

Chapter 2 – Hear About The Legend

March 10th, 2014, Sakurajima Island, Japan…

Raven received a phone call from Lars while he was flying to Japan. At first, Raven was not going to visit Lars until the former Tekken Force general said he met Kunimitsu. It had been close to two years since Raven left her at his old childhood hut in Kyushu. Her old home at Shikoku Island was destroyed by JACKs. So in an act of kindness, Raven offered Kunimitsu his old home in Kyushu so she could do as she pleased. Before he left, Raven allowed himself to get attached with Kunimitsu more closely for her assistance in his mission. He did feel bad about leaving her without saying goodbye, but his life as a secret agent couldn't allow him to sit still and relax. There were too many enemies out there that would love nothing more than to kill Raven and the people close to him.

When the hovercraft finally landed near the shores of the island, Raven could spot the Paladin's camp adjacent over the retaining wall protecting the shoreline from erosion. The ninja sees a familiar person waiting above the docks. With that slick hairstyle and contagious smile, it was none other than Lars.

Lars: "Welcome to the Paladins temporary camp Raven. Glad you could make it."

Raven (shakes Lars's hand): "Likewise."

Lars: "How long has it been?"

Raven: "32 seconds, 17 minutes, 9 hours & 170 days, since we arrested Bryan Fury together. Or 1 year and 6 months since the Mishima Estate Raid."

Lars (laughing): "As professional as always. You never change man. Say, are you hungry?"

Raven: "Do you have soba?"

Lars: "Oh yea, we got plenty of that. Come, this way."

Lars led Raven to the mess hall which was really inside a cargo box trailer for lunch. Once they both filled their plates, they returned outside to sit near a table to discuss the investigation.

Lars: "I know you're a busy man Raven, but I felt I had to tell you about the Manji Clan and their odd behavior over the past 4 months. I'm sure you have heard about their crimes too."

Raven: "Yes, I'm also investigating their activities but I came here to find about Kunimitsu."

Lars: "Yea, I just happened to be flying on my hoverboard in downtown until my radar picked up a strong signal. I went to the source and I found Kunimitsu about to be terminated by an old JACK model. I managed to destroy it and save Kunimitsu. Then I took her back to the camp before 10 o'clock last night. She was unconscious by then so I had paramedics come in and treat her wounds" (Slurps some more noodles.) "The next day, she almost left our base by herself. I did try to stop her from going back into Kagoshima, but she insisted on leaving."

Raven: "You should've stopped her. If Kunimitsu knows something about the clan's recent criminal behavior, it's important that she tells all of us. You're generosity will come back against you one day Lars."

Lars: "Raven, the reason I let her go was because she told me that the Manji Clan stole her child."

Raven (almost chokes on his noodles.): "What did you say?"

Lars: "Yeah. She told me that she is a mother. The Manji stole her kid. I couldn't believe it myself, but she was serious. I wonder who the father is."

Raven: "This is unreal…. I mean, why would…?"

Lars (concerned): "Are you feeling ok man?"

Raven (calming down.): "Sorry I, I thinks it's crazy that she would want to be a mother. Kunoichis are not supposed to have children for obvious reasons!"

Lars: "Times can change people. I mean isn't Kunimitsu always been a lone ninja anyway. So abiding by the ninja code seem pointless don't cha think?"

Raven: "While some ninja did retire and made families, many of those families did not survive because they still had a connection with the clan. They were often used as pawns and bait by the enemies to exterminate the clan. The fact that Kunimitsu neglected these facts makes her look very stupid."

Lars: "That's harsh."

Raven: "I know it is. The Manji Clan probably wanted revenge since Kunimitsu killed the last Yoshimitsu and found out she had a baby. So to get back at her, they took the child away from her. I'm afraid her offspring could be dead now."

Lars: "Damn. I didn't know the ninja life could be so unforgiving."

Raven: "Now you know. So tell me where can I find her?"

Lars: "She left on a boat back to Kagoshima, so she can't be too far."

Raven: "That's the city over the bay from this island correct?"

Lars: "Yep. That's it."

Raven (finishing his bowl.): "Alright. I'll contact you if I can find her before it's too late."

Raven bid his farewell to Lars as he returned to his hovercraft. He circled close around downtown Kagoshima and the countryside. The radar was unable to scan anyone who looked liked her. Then Raven thought about the hut where had grew up in. The same place he offered Kunimitsu to live. Did she return there? Only one way to find out.

Around the same time at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey…

After flying from Cairo to Istanbul, Zafina received a tip from one of her archeologist associates about an elderly Romani woman who received a similar prediction about the legend of the old vampire, Stella. The Romani woman worked at a bong shop within the Grand Bazaar, a very popular and historical shopping area in the city.

Zafina, wearing civilian clothing, took her time to find the shop full of bongs and other funny smoking devices. Walking inside, it looked like no one was present. Zafina decided that maybe the owner wasn't here and walked away until a voice called her back.

The woman: "Is there something that I can help you with?"

Zafina (turning around): "I'm looking for someone named Miriah."

The woman: "That is I. Maybe you've heard but I have some of the best bongs in this whole market. Forget about what those locals tell you about my stuff costing too much. They're just cheap!"

Zafina: "Forgive me, but I didn't come here to shop."

Miriah: "I don't understand. Surely you have an interest in my products right?"

Zafina: "You are a fortune teller like myself. I'm sure you have recognized this card revealed to you over the past week correct?" (Hands the dark goddess card to Miriah.)

Miriah (looking at the card.): "Why yes. I have this card too. It's been coming up in my readings for the past 6 days. So, you want to know about the legendary vampire Stella don't you?"

Zafina: "Yes."

Miriah: "Come to the back of my shop. No one else can listen to this conversation."

Once Zafina followed Miriah inside the closet space, Miriah went to close the curtains in her shop. Then she returned to the closet and locked the door coming in.

Miriah: "The fact that someone like you has shown up to my store about that vampire must mean bad news. I didn't want to believe the rumors about Stella not being truly dead, but I should just tell you at least about how she became what she is."

Zafina (Nods): "Go on."

Miriah: "Stella used to be a noblewoman within the region of Wallachia. Under her husband's watch, the territory they ruled over was quite peaceful, until the Ottoman Empire invaded. By the time her husband passed away in the war against the Ottoman Turks, that's when things took a turn for the worse. One day a mysterious visitor came to her castle and gave her a special wine in honor of her husband. After that her behavior became erratic and cruel. She always had a soft spot for children, but when some of the local kids visited the castle, many of them didn't return back home. Some villagers who accused her of kidnapping and murder also ended up missing until their bodies were eventually found by both Turk and Wallachian soldiers. These crimes against the townspeople went on for years until finally another mysterious person decided to put a stop to Stella. This man happened to be a sorcerer of great power. When the sorcerer entered the castle, he noticed that Stella acquired magical powers on her own by stealing the blood and life force of the children who stayed with her. A battle was fought between the two. The sorcerer was able to defeat Stella by sealing her inside a chest. He did this by melting Stella's body in a liquid form. After that, the sorcerer buried the chest underground the basement levels of Stella's castle. Then he set the building on fire leaving it in ruins. It's been like that ever since."

Zafina: "Who was this sorcerer?"

Miriah: "His real name no one knows, but some say he resembled the grim reaper. I even heard he was immortal, which is why Stella could not kill him."

Zafina: "Wow. I wonder why this woman did not bear children of her own."

Miriah: "Oh I forgot to say she did have a daughter. But as soon as Stella started to change, I heard she also mysteriously ran away. Some people thought Stella killed her, but her body was never discovered."

Zafina: "How terrible. So where can I find this castle?"

Miriah: "The castle is in the Southern Carpathian mountains in Romania. Be wary of bandits in the area. I've heard they don't take kind to strangers who visit the castle. You should hurry young lady. I fear whoever is after the chest may have already uncovered it."

Zafina: "Your right. I should get going."

Miriah: "Thank you for visiting. Can I ask for your name?"

Zafina: "Zafina."

Miriah: "Well Zafina, I wish you well in your journey. Oh and one more thing."

Zafina: "Hmm…."

Miriah (unlocking the door): "There may be a dagger in which the sorcerer used to battle the vampire with. It's called the "Ashrune". I think it's located in some museum in Bucharest somewhere. I forget the name of it though."

Zafina: "I will look into that. Thank you."

Back in Japan…

Raven put in the coordinates to fly over to his dead master's old hut over in the forests of the Miyazaki Prefecture. Maybe Kunimitsu would return there, he thought. When he finally landed, he overheard his hovercraft computer telling him that the air was filled with a toxin. Raven wisely put on his gas mask from under the cockpit, but he was curious. Why would there be poison in the air? What did Kunimitsu do out here?

Coming out of the hovercraft, Raven investigated the area. Soon he spotted four dead bodies along the meadow area of the hut. They appeared to be Manji Clan members. Raven analyzed the scene as an attempt on Kunimitsu's baby getting captured, and then the ninjas were ordered to eliminate Kunimitsu. That part of the mission failed obviously. The toxin in the air would go away, but some particles still lingered. Kunimitsu must have used it to escape. So she wasn't here after all. Suddenly, Raven could hear something approach his area from the east side of the forest. He took out his blades and simply got in stance. An unlikely voice called out Kunimitsu's name as it moved closer to Raven's position. This surprise made Raven lose focus, letting his thoughts wander, before getting blindsided. Raven was sent sliding into a bamboo from getting knocked over. Pissed off, Raven brushed himself off and walked over to the girlish android. She was overly excited, thinking Kunimitsu was here.

Alisa: "Kuni…what? It's Mr. Ninja?"

Raven (angry): "Why did you tackle me just now? Explain yourself!"

Alisa: "I'm sorry, I really thought Ms. Kunimitsu would be home, but I guess not!"

Raven: "Did Lars have you come follow me or something?"

Alisa: "Uhhh…."

Raven: "Figures. I'm leaving."

Alisa: "Wait! I have sources from Lars saying that she was either at home or trailing the Russian forces back to Siberia!"

Raven (stops.): "So she left the country?"

Alisa: "Yeah. But it won't be easy getting into Siberia, so wont you come back to the Paladin camp?"

Raven (changing his mind.): "Fine, but on two conditions. First, if I know who I think I know is behind all of this, then he's all mine."

Alisa: "I don't know what you're talking about."

Raven: "Good. Second, no more blind tackles, please!"

Alisa (laughing.): "Okay."

Raven: "What's so funny?"

Alisa: "That mask! You look like a mosquito!"

Raven could only shake his head in embarrassment, as the android was laughing at his gas mask. Alisa was unaffected by the poison she was a machine, so her sense of humor was still fully operational. Raven ignoring the laughs got back in the hovercraft heading back to Kagoshima. The happy android girl soon followed him up in the night sky as they both took flight.

Notes: Alisa's back! Well anyway, next chapter Zafina will search for the Ashrune dagger but somebody gets in her way. Then its to Siberia where Kunimitsu's baby is getting experimented on. Stay close to your popcorn!