Musical Selection For Chapter

Deus Ex Human Revolution - Lower Hengsha Ambient Part 1

Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection - Shattered Dreams

Soul Calibur 3 - The Intruder

Anno Domini Beats - Creepin

Street Fighter III 3rd Strike - Q Theme

Chapter 15 – Siege the Castle

Less than 6 miles from Stella's Castle, Approaching the Barrier…

The Paladin forces have reached the beginning point in which the barrier surrounded the perimeter of Stella's castle. All troops stood side by side as Alisa offered each soldier a charm in order to enter the barrier without getting cursed. Lars surveyed the area on top of a rock overlooking the river and castle. The place crawled with Manji ninja and eerie looking creatures. Lars summoned Raven to come and observe the current situation.

Lars: "Raven, come here would ya?"

Raven: "What's up?"

Lars (Hands him the binoculars.): "I don't see any sign of Yoshimitsu nor that vampire woman. However, the castle is currently getting repaired by the monsters and Manji ninja. So we can surprise them with an all-out assault."

Raven (looking): "I see. Do you see a way inside?"

Lars: "I think we should split up and hit the castle from all sides. That way there won't be any counter offenses. Sounds like a plan?"

Raven: "Alright. I'll go first by crossing the bridge, but I'll wait on your command once everyone is in position."

Lars: "Alright, I'll go tell the others."

10 minues later…

Lars: "This is the plan. Raven will come in at the front of the castle by himself. Alisa's team will attack from above so her group can land at the eastside courtyard."

Alisa: "Woo hoo! I got a team!"

Lars: "Kunimitsu, do you want a squad?"

Kunimitsu: "I'm no good at leading anybody, just tell me where to go."

Lars: "Ok, there's supposed to be an underground tunnel at the other side of the castle facing us now. I believe this is where Stella is keeping the hostage children. I'm counting on you as being the liberator of this operation. Think you can handle that?"

Kunimitsu: "Of course."

Lars: "Alright. The rest of you will follow me as this group will attack the castle's broken fortified wall on the west side using our hover boards to travel across the river. This operation will begin in 30 minutes. Let's make our way to our positions."

The troops quietly saluted Lars as they scrambled to gather their last remains of weapons and travel equipment for the assault. Kunimitsu swiftly leaves the area, running along the limbs of the leafless trees. Her mind drifted to that annoying Zukumimefu who kidnapped her child, maybe twice. There was no guarantee that Kunimitsu would free all of the remaining surviving children if she were to fight her new rival, but she owed Raven and Lars a lot for their help. So with that thought in mind, Kunimitsu wouldn't give up until she found that tunnel.

About 15 miles away from Stella's Castle…

Zafina as an astrologist knew that sometimes fate would bring its surprises, but this one was quite the shocker. Sergei Dragunov, thought to have died during the raid of the now defunct Kirill Base back in Russia, was in fact alive. Some injuries still lingered around his face & body, but he was still in one piece. Dragunov used his country's newest plasma gun to kill off the bat beast who attacked Zafina. Lucky for her, Dragunov also drove a truck he stole from another village in order to head for the castle. He vowed to kill Stella for embarrassing his nation and killing off many of his soldiers. Dragunov made the truck get off the highway heading into the rural road leading near the castle. Zafina still wasn't sure what Dragunov's goal was, so she tried to communicate with him once more.

Zafina: "What are you planning to do once we arrive at the castle?"

The Russian still never said anything. However, after driving another ten miles, Dragunov stops the truck. He turned on a device around his belt which covered his body in a green light. Dragunov was aware of the barrier that Stella place to thwart off intruders. This way he could penetrate the castle without getting cursed. Then Dragunov prepares to leave the truck, not even telling Zafina. Whether she tagged along or not wasn't his concern.

Zafina: "You plan on fighting her by yourself? Do not rush to your death Dragunov!"

Dragunov: "Stella is mine to kill. You understand?"

Zafina: "Believe me, we all want to stop her."

Dragunov (points the gun at Zafina.): "Stay out of my way!"

The Spetnaz captain then turns around and walks away from Zafina. There was nothing more Zafina could do in that moment. She thought about fighting Dragunov despite being saved by him. However, that would be a waste of time and effort because Dragunov was no pushover in combat. Zafina reluctantly let him go. She was too concerned about Raven and the rest of the Paladins.

Inside Stella's Chamber Room…

Zukumimefu was dying from the inside out. Her stomach bulged to the point where it would bust completely open. Stella now back in her dress, levitated above the air laughing at Zuku being tortured. What Stella had done was force Snippy to impregnate Zuku in order for producing a new breed of species with some of its father's abilities like making acid and tentacles.

Zuku: "What's happening to me? Noooo!"

It was too late. Zuku's stomach burst into a bloody explosion. Then about six grossly looking creatures crawled out the body. Then they quickly formed limbs and were all able to stand up much like humans. Stella landed back down of the ground, satisfied with her latest experiment. Stella made sure they would not attack her by casting another spell to sense that she was one of them. Then she would give the little ones their mission.

Stella: "Go outside and guard this place with your life! We have some company on the way here. I can sense them. Mother will reward you with a special prize when you kill them all!" (Giggles.)

The mutant creatures all hopped in excitement and rushed out of the chamber room. Snippy stayed behind from a distance until Stella ordered to eat up Zuku's dead body and copy itself as the ninja girl.

Stella: "Go see about the children Snippy. Make sure no one touches them understand?"

Snippy nodded as it picked up Zuku's ninjato and rushed out the room. The sorceress finally decided to come out of her room and oversee the situation. Whoever these people were, they were going to be severely punished.

Front of the Castle Grounds…

Despite Lars not giving the official word to commence attack on the castle. Raven went ahead and pressed onward to fight the unsuspecting Manji ninjas and monsters who were working inside the castle grounds. One overseer could see the workers getting chopped up by Raven's blades. He began to alert the rest of the castle by ringing the bell at the south side wall. However, Raven quickly made his way to the bell and slashed the neck of the overseer. More enemies were coming, so Raven did his kuji-in.

Manji soldier: "Kill the intruder!"

Raven: "Hmph. Rin…Pyoh…To…Sha…Kai…Jin…Retsu…Zai…Zen!"

An army of Ravens scattered about and made easy work on all the enemies. When the scene cleared, Raven's clones merged back into the original body. The entrance inside the main hall doors were closed, but Raven cut the doors in half with the blades. When the Dark Talon finally walked inside the main keep, he noticed a figure in the distance sitting on the former king's throne. The figure glowed his body within the darkness, revealing himself to be none other than Yoshimitsu.

Yoshimitsu (stands up.): "I had a feeling you would seek me out."

Raven: "It's not you I'm after, but if you get in my way, I will eliminate you."

Yoshimitsu: "I see. One last question."

Raven: "What?"

Yoshimitsu: "Just how did you make it this far without being overtaken by our spell barrier?"

Raven (grinning): "That's a secret."

Yoshimitsu's eyes lit up in anger as he drew out his katana from behind his back as it glows a radiant gold color.

North end of Stella's Castle, within the woods…

It took almost 25 minutes for Kunimitsu to travel and search for this underground cave Lars mentioned. This was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Soon Kunimitsu discovered two Manji ninja walking back and forth in a line parallel towards a small cliff. Behind them was indeed a cave.

Kunimitsu: "It's about time."

Kunimitsu threw a smoke bomb in their direction. The two ninjas were startled by a sudden drop they heard on the ground. They both investigated.

Ninja 1: "What was that?"

Ninja 2: "Let's take a look."

Ninja 1 (sees something light up.): "What the fuck?"

Ninja 2: "I don't like the look of this."

The bomb goes off as it covers the ninjas in a thick blanket of smoke. The men struggle to breathe and see, but it was too late. Kunimitsu hops down for the tree canopy and slashes the ninja with her ninjatou using minimal effort.

Kunimitsu: "Geez. Those two sucked ass! They couldn't tell it was a smoke bomb? Now to find those kids."

The fox ninja cut the long vines which covered the cave's opening and entered cautiously. It was dark so Kunimitsu used a flashlight inside her pouch she took from out of the Preventer ship. The tunnel was very large, yet muggy. She wondered how deep this rabbit hole went. Soon, a door was blocking the rest of the way. Kunimitsu kicked it open and saw the scenery change from darkness to light. Even the floor changed from veneer stone instead of dirt. Candles also provided light, so Kunimitsu put away the flashlight. The hallway went even further across for about another 5 minutes. At last Kunimitsu reached what looked like steel bar cells. Many of the imprisoned children were present as some stood up in surprise to find someone they did not know. Kunimitsu examined the steel cells and concluded her blade was too weak to cut through. She would have to find the keys.

Kunimitsu (thought): "Damn, there are a lot of cells. No way am I gonna abuse my blade just to rescue some brats. I need to find those keys."

One child yells: "Are you here to free us?"

Kunimitsu (responds): "Yea, but I can't free you until I find the owner of the keys."

Another child: "Stella has them!"

And another: "Yeah! She keeps them inside her bedroom!"

Kunimitsu: "Where is that?"

And another: "High above us! In the castle!"

Kunimitsu: "Shit! Damn it all!"

Kunimitsu hated that she would have to be the one to play rescue, but how was she going to a find a way back up the castle without turning around? She pressed onward as she stepped out of the corridor. At the center of this large cylindrical atrium was a cage which looked like it was pulled by some gears.

Kunimitsu: "Finally, I'm getting somewhere."

She was about to activate the gears using the lever device, until a familiar spark struck her left shoulder.

Kunimitsu: "Aaaah! What the?"

More sparks descended from above as Kunimitsu ran out of the way. From above a familiar figure hopped down onto the floor. Kunimitsu eyes were fixated at Zukumimefu, the one who gave her fits back in Russia. Little did she know, something was very different about Zuku.

Notes: The gang is closing in on Stella. Gonna be some sweet fighting planned for the next chapter. Any suggestions on how this should play out, would be interesting. Keep it locked here!