Musical Selection

Onimusha 2 - Truth Of Cynicism

Ronin Warriors - Sadness In The Midst of Battle

Ghost In The Shell: SAC - Turf

The Game - Bigger Than Me (instrumental)

Calm Before The Storm

April 20th, 2014, Old Ling Sheng Su Temple, Hubei Province, China…

The Paladin Forces had arrived early in the morning hours before sunrise. Raven met with Lars and the remaining warriors at the old training ground of the abandoned temple. Karasu laid asleep along the basket in which Raven found just outside of the forest. When Kunimitsu finally saw her son, she instinctively rushes over to get him.

Kunimitsu: "Karasu! You're safe!"

Raven: "He's asleep Kunimitsu."

Kunimitsu: "Raven! I thank you."

Raven nodded his head in acceptance of Kunimitsu's gratitude. Alisa was all smiles staring at the family, while Jun stood quietly. Lars approached from behind the women as he informs Raven about the latest developments of the mission ahead.

Lars: "Sorry to interrupt, but we should discuss the big battle that is ahead of us."

Raven: "Were you all successful in creating the charms?"

Lars: "Yes thanks to Jun. Alisa found her the same day Karasu was kidnapped."

Raven: "Jun is here?"

Jun: "Good to see you again ninja."

Raven: "Yea same here. Now I'm curious. Why did you help us?"

Jun: "I feel I owe it the world after the trouble my son and I have caused in recent years. However, my powers have been reduced significantly because of the battle against Heihachi and Ogre. My injuries from that fight have forced me to retire from tournaments. The least I can do is help create charms to fight off the evil spirits roaming this planet."

Lars: "Thanks to Jun, we should be able to penetrate Stella's barrier that causes the intruder to go insane from hallucinations. We don't have much more time because the Spetnaz plan to bomb neighboring countries which could cause an ever bigger catastrophe. So we gotta keep going."

Raven: "You're right. I will inform my superiors about our mission."

Lars: "We will leave for Bulgaria in about 3 hours from now. Jun, let me get a chopper to send you back home ok?"

Jun: "Yes. I appreciate it."

Meanwhile…

Zukumimefu had just entered China territory while dashing at superfast speed. What troubled her was the fact that she had yet to hear from her informant, Nue. Did he complete his mission? If so, why hasn't he contacted her yet? Zuku feared for the worst.

The sun began to set once more within the valley of the Ling Sheng Su Temple. Zukumimefu finally arrived at the scene. Inside the temple ruins, she eventually smelled the stench of something foul, something dead. Near the hallway of the north side main temple, Zuku saw the lifeless body of Nue. His body had been severed in multiple places and his blood saturated the floor. A rise of anger brewed inside Zuku's mind.

Zuku: "Impossible! How? Who could have killed Nue?"

Then Zuku thought about the baby. She never heard any cries or yells from the boy. She searched around the temple grounds some more, yet no sign of Karasu. Then it became more obvious to her.

Zuku: "She must have done this! Dammit! I thought for sure Nue could handle her or anyone else in her little alliance! Kunimitsu, you will die this time, I swear it!"

This fact was not true, but Zuku suspected Nue's murderer was affiliated with Kunimitsu, especially if her son was no longer around after Nue kidnapped him. She also was concerned about Yoshimitsu possibly turning against her to kill her. Nonetheless, the only way to solve this problem would be to hunt down Kunimitsu.

Next day, near the Serbian, Romanian border…

Weary from travel, Zafina and an escort stopped near the Danube River which served as a border between Serbia and Romania. Here they took another break before they could come up with a plan to cross the border since the Romanian government did not allow any foreigners to enter the country after the recent events of ethnic cleansing going on.

Escort: "Zafina, we are just across the river from Romania. Are you sure this is what you want?"

Zafina: I cannot turn back now Tobar. I have friends who also wish to fight and end this evil force for good."

Tobar: "I see. So what is the best course of action to get you safely across the river without military detection?"

Zafina: "First, we need to find a raft or boat. Then if there are soldiers patrolling the border, I must hide myself while you distract them. If they attack you, I will stop them from killing you."

Tobar: "Okay, we aren't too far from the village. We can steal a boat at one of the docks."

Zafina: "Let's wait until nightfall and proceed."

After a brief rest, Zafina and Tobar drove to the village and it didn't take long to find a stray boat at the small harbor. The boat had white paint all the way around, but much of the paint was worn and torn. Tobar tested the buoyancy of the boat, making sure it didn't sink. Satisfied he asked Zafina to climb aboard along with the long chest they brought out of the jeep. Zafina planned to hide inside the chest as Tobar pedaled across the river.

The river was fairly easy to cross. However, once the boat landed in Romanian soil, Tobar could see the lights of some Romanian soldiers walking past the trail. Security was certainly strict, even at night.

Tobar: "Zafina. We made it to Romania, but there are guards already coming. What should I say?"

Zafina: "Just stay calm. Tell them you are just fishing."

Tobar (nervous): "Okay."

The soldiers noticed a white boat along the small beach below the trail, looking at Tobar with the light. They immediately asked him about why he was trespassing.

Soldier 1: "What are you doing out here? No civilians are to leave the country!"

Tobar: "I was just packing my things after I did some fishing today. I'm heading back home now."

Soldier 2: "That's funny. Where are the fish?"

Tobar: "Today was not a good day all, I must admit."

Soldier 1 (shoves Tobar): "Step aside. Open up that box."

The second soldier begins to open the large chest, only to find Zafina ready to pounce on him. In response, the first soldiers pulls out his pistol, only to get stopped by Tobar. Zafina quickly knocks out the second while she had him pinned. Tobar lost the struggle to the gun against the first soldier and got knocked into the sand by him. The soldier was about to shoot, until Zafina climbed on his back and used her legs to body slam his head on the sand. Now everything was clear.

Tobar: "Wow. You are amazing Zafina. I thought I was a goner."

Zafina: "No flattery needed. I knew you could stall them long enough for me to deal with them. Now you should get back to Serbia before more of these men show up."

Tobar: "Zafina."

Zafina: "I will be fine. Now go."

Tobar nodded his head as he prepared to hop back on the boat and pedal across the Danube River. He did not wish to see Zafina die for he was beginning to develop a fondness for her. However, Zafina couldn't develop any further attachments. No one else should stand between her and the enemy that is threatening to change the fate of the world.

South Carpathian Mountains, The Castle of Stella, Romania…

Yoshimitsu: "She has yet to return."

The head of the Manji Clan sat in his current chair just outside Stella's entrance to the basement where Stella was feeding off more children. They howled in agonizing pain, but that didn't bother Yoshimitsu has he pondered on whether or not he should go find Zukumimefu on his own or send some scouts. The yells stopped echoing, then the sounds of walking could be heard from the basement steps. Stella, in her frightening elegance, appears out of the underground staircase. Her neck, face, and breasts were still covered in blood from her latest meals. Then she looks at her servant who dutifully sat guard as she replenished her nourishment.

Stella: "I'm all done with my meal. Call my minions to clean up the mess down there."

Yoshimitsu: "As you wish."

Stella: "Hold it."

Yoshimitsu: "Something wrong your countess?"

Stella: "I sense a familiar power. It's still faint, but it's something I've felt before. And I can't believe that it's still here?"

Yoshimitsu: "What's still here?"

Stella: "I don't know. To be sure I will send some of my beasts to go apprehend this source."

Yoshimitsu: "I trust your judgment Stella."

Stella: "Thank you Yoshimitsu. Say whatever happened to that girl that is always by your side? I haven't seen her lately."

Yoshimitsu: "She went after one of my men, but she has not returned in almost 3 days."

Stella: "I like her. She's full of youth and that makes her beautiful. When is she coming back?"

Yoshimitsu: "I will find her Stella, trust me on it."

Stella: "Excellent. Do go find her for me."

Yoshimitsu: "Yes Stella."

Now Stella wasn't sure if the faint power being felt was that of the old sorcerer who banished her from the living world all those centuries ago, but she had to know. The fact that the sorcerer could still be immortal and is aware of her latest actions bothered her very much. In time, Stella will find out if her fears were indeed true.

Notes: My fault for taking a while to update. My leisure life has been a thrill at least. For those who stuck by the story, i wanna say thanks. I'm not through yet. The big battle is still approaching. Come see it with me as the story goes!