Musical Selection for the Chapter

Anno Domini Beats - Inner Peace

Soul Calibur V - Pavor Nocturnus

Onimusha Dawn of Dreams - Test of Valor 5

Cowboy Bebop - Stella By Moor

Ca$his - Light It

Chapter 20 – Untapped Potential

The Preventer campsite, about 25 miles away from the castle…

The head of the Paladin forces now in a separate room within the medical part of the ship at the second floor. His condition improved from critical to stable as he lay comfortably in a coma state. Dr. Ginza briefly stepped into Lars's room to monitor his breathing. It looked like the commander would be alright as long as there are no disturbances. However a strange turn of events occurred once a nurse peeked into the room to find the doctor.

Nurse: "Dr. Ginza! You must come outside quickly!"

Dr. Ginza: "SSssssshhhh! Mr. Lars is asleep still. Now what's the trouble?"

Nurse (quieter): "Quick, you won't believe the sight. Just come out!"

Dr. Ginza: "Umm. Alright."

In a matter of minutes, Dr. Ginza and the nurse reach the entrance door out of the ship. What Dr. Ginza saw with his own eyes was truly a shock to witness. There were hundreds, maybe thousands, of children all approaching the Preventer ship from within the forest. They came in all shapes and sizes. Some were being carried because they were sickly or physically unable to move. It was a sight indeed.

Dr. Ginza: "I don't believe it. All of these children came from the castle?"

Nurse: "It would appear so."

Dr. Ginza: "Vicki, call the United Nations. Tell them to send five convoys with food and clothes at our location as soon as possible."

Nurse: "But what about the barrier?"

Dr. Ginza: "The barrier isn't affecting the children is it?"

Nurse: "No. It doesn't look that way."

Dr. Ginza: "That means that the other fighters are combating Stella as we speak. So the barrier could be weakened or gone all together. Plus, the ship cannot support all of these children at one time. All the more reason to ask for reinforcements."

Nurse: "I see your point. Better be on my way."

As the nurse left from behind Dr. Ginza, the old man could only wonder just how did the children get themselves free and out of harms way just by making it here? However, many of the children needed help. So with no hesitation Dr. Ginza steps down from the plane and greeted himself to the first group of children who were present in his path.

Meanwhile, the Nexus World…

Kunimitsu (waking up): "Mmm….Where, where am I?"

Kunimitsu slowly stood back up on her feet. She looked at her surroundings and wondered where in the world this place is. Picking up the Ashrune blade off the dirt, Kunimitsu notices her injuries were gone. How did that happen she wondered? Then a familiar voice was heard just above a large cliff overlooking the lava flooded valley.

Kunimitsu: "Wait, that sounds like?"

Kunimitsu hopped over the various rocks to the tall cliff. There she saw Alisa being tied up to vines by none other than Stella. The vampire was groping her by way of fingering. Kunimitsu saw this and it made her angry. Gripping the Ashrune blade Kunimitsu charges at Stella demanding Alisa's release.

Kunimitsu: "Let her go you nasty bitch!"

The fox ninja missed Stella as she levitated out of the Ashrune's cutting range, but Kunimitsu did cut one of the vines which held one of Alisa's arms. Because of her new body, Alisa was more sensitive to sexual arousal. Stella had poisoned her too. Alisa's began to have chills and her sensors where acting wild.

Kunimitsu: "Alisa? Answer me. Are you okay?"

Alisa: "I'm receiving so…many flashes….I think…I might have…to shut myself down."

Kunimitsu: "Don't worry! I'm going to help you as soon as I beat that vampire!"

Alisa: "I'm sorry…I couldn't be…of any…assistance."

Kunimitsu: "Don't be sorry. Just hang on!"

Stella (still in the air): "How touching! Too bad both of you will die here!"

Kunimitsu: "You're going down Stella! Here I come!"

Kunimitsu jumps high in the air to attack Stella, but when she met the vampire, her slash attempt failed. Stella teleported back into the surface and began powering up. Kunimitsu lands back down only to see Stella laughing at her. Suddenly, Stella's ki began to rise sharply. Kunimitsu did not like where this was going.

Stella: "I brought you all here so that I could make easy work against everyone! My powers are amplified in this realm! So witness my newest form!"

Kunimitsu: "What the…?"

Stella's body began to morph itself into a reptilian type of state. Her skin appeared to get darker, yet more rugged. She grew about two feet taller than normal and her saliva hit ground and corroded the dirt as soon as it made contact.

Stella: "It's a shame it had to come to this. My territory won't be at peace unless I get rid of you!" (Spits a lava blast out of her mouth.)

Kunimitsu (dodges): "Dammit!"

The vampire couldn't catch Kunimitsu with her projectile attack, but then she thought about quickly eliminating the vulnerable Alisa.

Stella (looks at Alisa): "I should take out the easier prey first!"

Kunimitsu (Too far): "No! Stop! That's not fair!"

Stella: "Perish!"

The vampire spits her salivated acid towards Alisa, who could not even move. That is until something black quickly picked her up at the last second. The acid lava blast connected the vines that once held Alisa burning everything it touched. Kunimitsu looked around until she found Raven carrying Alisa in his arms with Zafina standing alongside above a higher cliff. Kunimitsu was relieved and now she could solely focus on the enemy before her. An idea crept in her head, yet it required great concentration. Stella had finally located the people who rescued Alisa. She had almost forgotten about them. They must have been dragged into the portal as well.

Stella: "I forgot about those two." (Looks at Kunimitsu.) "What's this?"

Raven and Zafina also noticed the rise in Kunimitsu's ki. Raven noticed she was praying while reciting the kuji-in.

Raven: "Don't tell me."

Zafina: "Yes, Kunimitsu is using your chant by tapping into the Ashrune's full potential. She has more to lose in this life than I do, especially now that she has a child."

Raven: "Karasu."

Zafina: "This is why the Ashrune is responding better with her than me. The spirits of the past are answering her pleas."

Kunimitsu (yelling): "ZEN!"

Kunimitsu's ki resonated the same energy as the Ashrune blade itself glowing an orange color. It was if Kunimitsu was no longer the same person as before. Stella had enough, she gathered up her strength to fight Kunimitsu head to head. As if it were a signal, a large bubble popped from above the lava lake below the fighters. The sound made them sprint towards each other at top speed.

They were attacking with a fury. Stella using her claws and Kunimitsu defending with the Ashrune battled all around the island cliff they stood on. Raven and Zafina were tending to Alisa, but once they followed the fight, they had no idea who was winning because both warriors were moving so fast.

Raven: "I'm gonna get dizzy at this rate. I can't keep up."

Zafina: "Incredible."

This burst of fury went on for another five minutes until something happened. Kunimitsu had connected a cross cut on Stella in the middle of her stomach. This slowed Stella down. The vampire tried to retaliate by double slashing Kunimitsu but that proved useless. Kunimitsu did a 360 maneuver to avoid being hit. From behind, Kunimitsu stabbed Stella from the back, piercing her heart in the process. Not even Stella's toughen skin could save her from this fatal blow. Knowing the end was near, Kunimitsu mercilessly takes her blade out of the vampire's body. Stella staggered to stay on her feet, until her body changed back to its human form as she collapsed. Blood quickly oozed out of her body, and yet Stella had a smile of her face.

Stella (dying.): "At last. I can finally…have…eternal…rest. I was…surprised…that I…was…given a…second chance…to see my…beloved castle. But that dream…is over. Maybe…I can see…my little one…once again."

Raven (looking from below): "Just like that. She's dead."

Zafina: "Alisa. Can you stand?"

Alisa: "I can…now…thanks to…you."

Raven: "Now just how are we going to leave this place? Stella's sorcery may have been our only way out of here."

Within the blink of an eye, Kunimitsu teleported to the same cliff where the other warriors stood. This surprised all of them.

Alisa: "Kunimitsu?"

Zafina: "The sword has taken over her body. She's not in control of herself."

Raven: "What? How did she…?"

With no warning, Kunimitsu raises the Ashrune above her head as the sword shined so bright, it made the others cover their eyesight. A portal much like the one Stella used was made above the sky. All of the warriors standing were dragged by the gravitational pull of the hole. In a matter of seconds everyone landed back into their original realm, the same spot where they all fought Stella.

Raven: "Ouch. My back! Wait a minute. We're back on Earth!"

Zafina: "Looks like the sword found a way to bring us back to our realm."

Alisa: "Kunimitsu!"

Raven and Zafina turn their heads to see a maskless Kunimitsu standing from about 40 feet away from them, not moving, with her head down. Suddenly the orange aura from her body wore off. Then the sword dropped from Kunimitsu's right hand as the fox ninja fainted in fatigue.

Raven: "Kunimitsu!"

Raven darted to see about Kunimitsu's sudden fall. Her eyes were now closed. Raven kneeled close to her and checked for a pulse. It was slow, but the heart was still beating. Perhaps she just blacked out, Raven hoped. Zafina helped Alisa once again as they walked closer to the ninjas.

Zafina: "What happened?"

Raven: "We better get back to the Preventer. I think she lost consciousness, but I could be wrong."

Notes: The fight is over. The blood countess has now perished thanks to the combined efforts of the legendary Ashrune blade and Kunimitsu's prayers to save those she cares about. See what happens with the heroes in the last chapter. Stay tuned!