Musical selection:

Tekken Revolution - Historic Town Square

Death Note - Mello Theme A

Streets Of Rage v5 Remake - The Last Soul

Chapter 4 – Countdown To Revival

March 16th,2014, South Carpathian Mountains, The Castle of Stella, Romania…

Conversing through the rugged terrain of the Wallachian Mountain range, Zafina could now see the ruins of Stella's Castle just from the other side of the small river where a bridge once stood. The bridge was torn down by human hands, but that was done a long time ago. No sign of bandits which was a good thing. Zafina did not want to visit this place for long because the weather was getting quite cloudy. After scanning the area for roughly 10 minutes, Zafina pinpointed the stairs leading underground. The stairs were quite long, which took almost a minute to travel down. There was a stick at the side of the wall in which Zafina picked up and used a lighter she carried on her pouch for some light.

Walking underground for about a quarter mile, Zafina could see that a stone door was forced open. She found this to be odd. Passing through that door, Zafina found herself inside the very chamber which housed the chest Stella was said to be imprisoned. Using the fire, she looks all around, but no sign of the chest anywhere. Zafina concluded that she was too late. Disappointed, she exits the room, walking back up into the surface.

Zafina walked back out into the former courtyard of the castle until some bandits showed up, blocking her path at the bridge which was torn down. They were a mysterious bunch, about three of them. Their bodies were covered in tattered long brown cloaks, their masks appeared to be made out of steel which resembled a human's skull. Whoever they were, they wanted Zafina out of the ruins.

Bandit 1: "Trespasser! You shall die were you stand!"

Bandit 2: "Those who enter the sacred castle will not live to tell about it!"

Bandit 3: "Prepare yourself!"

The bandits wasted no time attacking Zafina. Out of their cloaks they pulled out kodachis. Zafina would surprise them however by unleashing the Ashrune blade, hiding back her back, against them. She parried all of their strikes one by one. The Ashrune turned out to be a very strong blade. The hardiness of the steel actually broke one of the kodachis of the bandits. Before he knew Zafina crawled up on his back and broke his neck using her hands. The other two bandits retaliated using an unusual technique by combining their bodies. They both begin spinning around by generating a lot of speed with their feet. Like a spinning top toy, the bandits tried to slash Zafina. However, Zafina could see right through their technique. With the Ashrune, Zafina just threw the blade like a dart, as it impaled the chests of both bandits. They collapsed, rolling around the dirt until the momentum stopped them. One of the bandits was still alive, so Zafina used this opportunity to interrogate him.

Zafina: "Who sent you?"

Bandit 3: "I will never tell."

Zafina (pushes the blade deeper into his heart): "Answer me!"

Bandit 3: "Or…ders, from Yoshi…mitsu. We…must..not let…intruders…know about…the le…gend." (Dead.)

Zafina (Pulls the Ashrune out of the dead bodies): "Yoshimitsu? How does he know about Stella? I need to know more."

Zafina used an ancient technique to perform mind reading. She could do this even with dead people. With the third bandit's head, Zafina kneeled down as she touched her forehead with the bandit's forehead. She could see exactly why the bandits were patrolling the area, as well as foreseeing Yoshimitsu's deal with the Spetnaz to revive Stella. With this disturbing information gathered, Zafina knew exactly where to go.

March 18th, 2014, Buryatia Oblast, Russia, Kirill Spetnaz Camp…

The day finally arrived for the Manji Clan to arrive in Siberia to attend a special meeting with Dragunov and the Spetnaz. The Manji Clan entered the airport of the base around 4pm that day. Some of the stronger members of the clan all showed up to witness their hard work come to fruition. These members included Rikutoshifu aka the Dungeon Demon, Chimotofu aka the Shadow Maker, Katotefu aka the Skunk, Zukumimefu aka the Sunflower, and their leader Yoshimitsu the 17th. They were all met by Dragunov himself and his underling Captain Valerii Vasilev. Vasilev guided the Clan into the entrance of the laboratory where the chest of Stella was being prepared for the final blood transfusion. From about 10 kilometers away, a dark figure followed their every move into the labs.

Raven: "Where are those bastards going?" (Wristcom rings) "What is it?"

Lars: "Raven, you gotta come back here. You won't believe who just arrived before our operation begins."

Raven: "Can it wait? I thought I was supposed to be the bird's eye and guide everyone near the lab."

Lars: "Raven, it's that woman from Egypt."

Raven: "What?"

Lars: "Look I sent Alisa to replace you. She will do a better job of watching where Dragunov and his buddies go."

Raven (still upset.): "This better be good."

About ten minutes later, Raven arrived back in the forest where Lars's Paladin troops were gearing up for a stormfront operation on the base. Lars stood near the tank closes to the South Gate where they would commence the attack. By the time Raven approached Lars he noticed exactly who Lars was referring to. It was Zafina.

Lars: "There he is."

Zafina: "Its been a long time, Raven."

Raven: "Zafina? I don't get it. What brings you out here?"

Zafina: "The same reason as you are here."

Raven: "Oh. I forget you can see the future and see where everyone is with your crystal ball."

Zafina: "My future predictions are not always accurate, but the threat that I have seen is very real. We cannot let this countess revive herself."

Raven: "I agree with that."

Lars: "Zafina is going to be our mole to try and create a diversion as our troops begin the assault on the base. This change of tactics will not deter our main objective."

Raven: "Right, priority number one. Stop the revival of this vampire. Two, find the hospital and save the children. And three, arrest the Manji Clan and the Spetnaz."

Lars: "You got it."

Zafina: "Then let me go on and begin. When I open the gate that will be your signal to invade the base."

Lars nodded as Zafina dashes away into enemy territory. Raven was still curious as to how Zafina managed to get here, but having another strong ally would definitely improve their chances of succeeding. Suddenly, Alisa made a call towards Lars as he could hear from his Bluetooth headset over his left ear.

Alisa: "Lars, I have a situation. The groups are splitting up!"

Lars: "Where are they headed?"

Alisa: "Well Dragunov is walking with one of the Manji Clan towards the hospital. Everybody else is inside the labs looking at his vice captain speaking."

Lars: "Stay calm! Is the chest still inside the lab conference room?"

Alisa: "As I far as I can tell…yes it is."

Lars: "Good we stick with the plan. Keep your position Alisa."

Alisa: "Yes Lars."

Lars (to his troops): "Alright everyone this is it! when Zafina gives the signal, we hit the base full force, are you with me!"

Troops: "Yyyyyyeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

Lars: "Get into formation, all of you! Let's do this!"

The confident Lars gives Raven the thumbs up as he rallied his troops for battle.

Lars (to Raven): "This won't be so bad! This is just like going fishing, except we gotta use our hands, not our poles!"

Raven (actually grins.): "I actually like that analogy. Now we wait for the moment to strike."

Roughly ten minutes in, Zafina took out the guards one by one until she reached the control room of the South Gate. She pushed the large yellow button along the panel which opened the gate. With the gate fully opened, Lars and his Paladin wasted no time firing upon unsuspecting Spetnaz soldiers.

Meanwhile, northeast area of the base, Kirill Hospital…

Sergei Dragunov had his general prepare the business payments they withheld from the Manji Clan for their services. While Vasilev was mingling with the Manji warriors at the laboratory's conference room, Zukumimefu asked Dragunov to guide her to the hospital. The reason was because Zuku wanted to see about Kunimitsu's son. She wanted that baby alive just long enough to place a disease upon him in case Kunimitsu shows up before the revival. Zuku wanted to take this extra precaution, that way the former Manji Kunimitsu could grow weak from eternal sadness. So Dragunov and Zuku both enter the hospital until sure enough, a familiar aura could be felt from outside. Zuku gives Dragunov the serum, full of poison, which decrease human red blood cells. Dragunov not saying anything continues his path into the nursery. Soon afterwards the doors inside the lobby area break apart. Now entering the Scarlet Nukenin herself, Kunimisu, whose aura grew a radiant red color.

Zuku (awaits): "Well well, if it isn't the fox hound herself, looking for her lost cub. I'm afraid you won't be saving him sweetie."

Kunimitsu: "You took my son, now where is he!"

Zuku: "Temper, temper. You won't beat me with just angry words." (laughs.)

Kunimitsu: "Tell me now!"

Zuku: "I dare you come forward you fucking hag!"

Now full of hot air, Kunitmitsu dashes at Zuku performing a scissors kick. Zuku teleports out of way then appears from behind Kunimitsu slashing her upper arm slightly with a flame extending from her ninajtou. Kunimitsu is forced to back pedal holding her left shoulder in pain from the burning cut.

Zuku: "See what happens when you attack. I'm going to torture you slowly so your little boy will see the death of his precious mother."

Kunimitsu: "Damn you!"

Notes: Chapter was short but took longer to finish thanks to some distractions and family business. Anyway, next chapter Kunimitsu has her hands full against Zukumimefu, while Lars, Alisa, Raven have to stop Vasilev and the Manji from reviving Stella. Will they succeed or fail? Dont go away!