22 years earlier.

"And the winner is...Kazuya Mishima"

The speaker's voice resounded powerfully from the speakers and rang throughout the arena. The response of the public was divided into two distinct factions: there were those who whistled, because that Kazuya was just unbearable, hateful, snooty, just like his father and sometimes too cruel when he bullied opponents for no reason. But there were also those who acclaimed him, praising his name at the top of their lungs, because he was strong, powerful, resolute and incredibly mysterious, charismatic and fascinating. But it was of little interest to the individual concerned. He had just defeated yet another opponent in that endless tournament and finally could afford an evening of deserved rest from the exhausting workouts to which he underwent daily. That ninja, Yoshimitsu, had been a worthy opponent, strong and loyal, but not enough. No one really worried him as much as his ultimate goal. Even King, the fighter in the jaguar mask, the American Paul Phoenix and the policeman Lei Wulong, who appeared on paper as very strong fighters, gave him the slightest concern. They were not like him. They were just vile and simple human beings, without any power. Nothing could have blocked his way to the goal he was so eager to reach. They were just formalities to attend to, petty waste of time. Wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel, Kazuya walked firmly towards the locker room, regardless of the whistles of the audience who hated him, but also of the praise, compliments and also the attentions of some women who were directed at him and finally of journalists who every time tried to interview him, making him waste his precious time. Always go straight on your way, never look back, never let down your guard, that was his motto. He entered his personal dressing room, slamming the door behind him, but only after making sure that the sign "do not disturb" was clearly visible on the door frame. He grabbed a small bottle of water and drank the entire contents in a few sips, crumpling the empty plastic and throwing it into a corner. He didn't bother to put it in the basket, someone else would have done it instead. He did the same with his clothes and threw himself in the shower, being greeted by a refreshing jet of fresh water, which gave relief to the cuts and fresh scratches of that last battle. The damn ninja had managed several times to hurt him with his sword, but in a fairly superficial way. Once unarmed, he tried with all his strength and unknown techniques to overpower him, but in the end he managed to bend him quite easily. Smiling to himself, Kazuya let the cold water regenerate him a little more, remaining motionless under the shower, then turned the taps and waited for the water to warm up to wash thoroughly. Even as he massaged his body with a bubble bath, his mind couldn't relax, so focused on the final challenge. Because even though he had passed the quarter-finals brilliantly and still had to fight in the semi-finals, he already knew that he would reach the bottom and that he would finally settle the score with his father. He couldn't wait to defeat him and humiliate him in front of everyone, take away all his possessions and strip him of money, prestige and his immense arrogance. He would annihilate him and destroy him with his own hands. That pathetic tournament that had been going on for weeks would have ended with his absolute triumph. Still with a grin on his face, Kazuya closed the water and stepped out of the shower. He wrapped his muscular body in a pair of soft sheets and began to dry quickly. He would have allowed himself a nice hearty dinner, and then a nice refreshing sleep for his physique. He would not have tolerated annoyances. The next day he would train with even more vigour, because he could not afford to rest on his laurels. He wanted to get in front of that bastard in his best form ever. To tear him from his idyllic program and thoughts, were three dry knocks. Someone was knocking on the door, regardless of the warning posted. Kazuya ignored that annoying sound, surely it was some journalist, or some fans who had secretly eluded the security to get into the locker room and try to interact with the fighters. Another knock. The man still pretended nothing, despite his nervousness increased. If I ignore them, they will understand that they will have to leave, he thought to himself. But contrary to his expectations, the sound became even more insistent. Exasperated, Kazuya walked towards the door, well-meaning to make regret who dared to disturb him. He opened the door wide, ready to pour out all his anger.

"CAN'T YOU READ? DON'T YOU SEE THE SIGN THAT SAYS "DON'T DIST..." but stopped at the sight of the person at the other side of the door frame. " Ah, it's you..." he muttered, immediately lowering his tone and moving to let her in.

"You could have asked who he is instead of yelling like that."

"If I hung that damn sign, there has to be a reason..." he replied annoyed, and began to rub his towel against his thick, dark hair.

"You're always so grumpy..."

Kazuya raised his eyes to the sky and watched the woman he had let in. She wore a white blouse and a pair of dark jeans, her tar hair, long to the shoulders, was held back by a band and framed her face with almost perfect proportions. But what he found most fascinating about her were her warm hazel-colored eyes, with a slight amber tinge, which always shone in any circumstance, with a particular but comforting light.

"Well, what are you doing here?" he asked, continuing to dry.

"I wanted to congratulate with you for your last match. Although you should have avoided to hurt him that much..."

"Tsk..." was the only response she received in return, as he dropped wet towels on the ground.

Jun Kazama looked away, blushing before the man's carelessness in showing himself naked. Kazuya did not miss this detail and sneered at her sudden shyness.

"Strange, you don't usually blush so much when you take my clothes off..." he teased her, with a defiant look.

The woman blushed even more and waited patiently for him to get dressed.

"Here, I brought you some sandwiches. I think you're hungry!"

The other didn't reply, he simply nodded and took the food she was giving him, only to grimace once the wrapper had been discarded.

"But they are all with vegetables!"

"You know I don't eat meat! It's good for you anyway."

Kazuya replied with the umpteenth grunt, but he pounced on them and devoured the whole thing in a few mouthfuls. They tasted great, but he would never admit it.

"I was wondering... Do you have any plans for tonight?" she asked casually, sitting next to him on the metal bench.

"Yes, dinner and going to bed early. Tomorrow I want to triple all my records and..."

"You can't keep stressing out your body like this, Kazuya!" she scolded him, with a stern look. " The body needs the right rest and also the mind!"

"Nonsense, my body is fine and Saturday is the semi-final."

"Oh come on, Kazuya... What's wrong if we have a picnic tomorrow for lunch and you relax a bit? It'll do you good, really!"

"I can't afford it, Jun!"

"But..."

"No buts! I said no."

Jun remained silent, defeat. He would never change, why did she still try? He was so stubborn, so focused on fighting his father, everything else didn't matter. Neither did she.

"All right..." she muttered, getting up. "I'll leave you to your plans then..."

The man sighed. Why did that woman influence him so much? For him the females were just a fun pastime to linger on from time to time, but most of the time they were just annoying distractions, always and perpetually looking for attention and coaxing. But she was different, she was able to touch him deeply and make him feel new feelings... Like feeling guilty in that case.

"Jun, wait!" he exclaimed. " Would you like to have dinner together?"

She looked up at that unexpected proposal. He didn't know why he had advanced it either, but her disappointed and mortified gaze was unbearable.

"Are you asking me because you really want it, or because you pity me?" she replied, seriously.

That damn habit of answering his questions with other questions would never lose her.

"Because..."

Damn it, why was it always so hard with her? Why did she always have to get the words out of his mouth?

"Because?" she urged him, raising an eyebrow while waiting.

"Because I do really want it! Happy now?"

Yes, she definitely was. Proof of that was the bright smile on that beautiful face.

"Where would you like to have dinner? Perhaps it is better to eat something little light, you were sick yesterday..." he asked her, collecting his things and placing them in the bag.

Jun was surprised by that statement. Actually it had been a few days that she was not feeling well, an annoying sense of nausea and dizziness caught her suddenly, leaving her exhausted. Then all of a sudden they just disappeared, like nothing happened. But that sudden display of affection for her on his part had melted her heart and conditioned her judgment. They were so rare and for this always so beautiful...

"Don't worry, I'm feeling much better!" she lied. " Anyway, tomorrow morning I'll go to the doctor, I have my quarterly check-up of tests and analyses that I have to submit to work. If there's something wrong I'll let you know."

Kazuya nodded and they left the locker room together. He let her out first, keeping the door open, and they walked towards the parking lots inside the arena. They would have gone out the back gate so no one could intercept them. In addition, despite Jun's humble origins making her uncomfortable, he decided to take her to one of the most luxurious restaurants in Tokyo.

"But Kazuya, you know that..."

"I don't want to be bothered." he replied dry. " And besides, they make a vegetable flan that you will definitely like..."

Jun smiled at him again. With her lips, her eyes and her heart. She slipped her delicate hand over Kazuya's strong, rough one, which was leaning against the gearbox of his car. He didn't even try to remove it, even when he changed the gears. They arrived at one of his favorite restaurants, located on the upper floors of a huge skyscraper. In addition to fine food, they enjoyed a breathtaking view. His original programs had been completely disrupted by Jun, yet at that moment he didn't care. Seeing her happy, smiling, with sparkling eyes, shy and elegant in manners at the same time, but without putting aside her humility and her sweetness was much more relaxing than a dinner alone and a sleep. They were a balm for his tormented soul, which he was dangerously addicted to. Neither of them wanted to part ways after the sake, both still needed each other's company. In fact, Jun said nothing when Kazuya walked over to his apartment. She didn't protest when he glued his lips to hers, nailing her to the wall as soon as he closed the door. She let herself go completely to him as she was lifted up, taken to his room and laid on his bed, without stopping kissing. When she was with him, she was in seventh heaven. When he was with her, the Devil was silent. Both would have wished that those moments of pure joy would never end... But the cruel fate for them had in store something different...

The light of dawn illuminated that apocalyptic scenario. No building was saved from that blind fury within miles. The dust continued to rise towards the sky, but the rays of the sun could shine this time without being darkened. On the ground, amidst the rubble, the body of two men lay motionless on the ground. Those present watched from a short distance, as their eyes recovered from the blinding glare that had struck them just before. Everyone wondered if it was really over, if there was still a breath of life inside those two bodies. Were they safe? Or was it just the prelude to the end? Had evil survived, or had good finally triumphed? And that good, was it really so? But what intrigued them further was a woman. That magical woman with raven hair and a pure heart, so full of life and vigor until a few moments before, now instead seemed more and more ethereal. The few witnesses of what had just happened were still there staring at them, eyes full of disbelief. Lee had been seriously hurt by the fight with his hated half-brother: he had a broken leg and was bruised and cut; he was supported on both sides by Alisa, whose face was disfigured and half destroyed by the fist she received and Lars, much more unharmed, but with definitely a couple of fractured ribs. On the other side, however, not far away, there were them: Steve, dusty, sore and still visibly frightened, Nina, even paler in face and covered in turn with dust and blood of her sister, whose mangled body lay on one side of the sidewalk. They would have given her a proper burial, no matter what. And then there was that little boy, who answered the name of Keiichi, the only one who got out of that hell unscathed. It was amazing how a newborn could survive. But was him just a baby, or was him a new threat? All held their breath, waiting. Only the gasps of the two men on the ground broke the silence. Father and son, in front of each other, under the same sky. What would become of them?

"Kazuya..." Jun whispered, kneeling beside him.

Her face was streaked with tears and yet she smiled. A strange, bittersweet smile. Her hand shook the man's, but the grip of both was getting weaker, sign that they no longer belonged to this world. Jun's spirit had exhausted all remaining energy, the contours of her silhouette were increasingly blurred. Little more than a mirage remained of the woman of before. Yet she still smiled. She was smiling because it meant her son's soul had won over the Gene. She only had a few minutes left before leaving the world of the living, while Jin would have had his whole life to redeem himself.

"J-j-j-un..." the other muttered, weakly clutching that increasingly imperceptible hand. " F-for-"

He paused for a moment to cough blood. For the first time in years, two dark eyes stared at her. There was no longer that red iris to freeze the blood in the veins. There were no more wings, horns, purple skin, claws and tails. There was only one dying man, but finally freed from the curse that had taken everything from him.

"Forgive me..." he said, closing his eyes.

His hand fell on his chest. His last breath left his body, punctuated by the last beat of his heart.

"Kazuya...My love..."

Jun cried. She wept all the tears she had, pouring them on the lifeless body of the man she should have hated for all the evil he had committed, but which her heart had never stopped loving. The man she wanted to save at any cost and who had given her the most beautiful gift she could ever receive: her son Jin. Jin, whose body slowly began to move, regain consciousness of his incredibly alive being. He raised his head from the dust and saw his mother, who held his father in her arms, now dead. He didn't expect at all to to feel a deep sense of sorrow before that scene, yet he did. He had managed to defeat him, yet in his heart there was no joy. Only pain. Even as a winner.

"Mom..." he whispered, trying to get up.

"Oh Jin..." she answered in sobs.

Staggering, he approached her and Kazuya's body, allowing himself to be held in an insubstantial, but emotionally charged embrace.

"Please, my darling, forgive your father for what he did. Forgive me if I was unable to protect you and save you. And above all forgive yourself and be grateful for the life that awaits you and all the love. They are the most precious gifts you will ever receive..."

Jin didn't say anything. The voice had died in his throat, as the sobs made their way.

"Mom I... I don't deserve to..."

"Shhh, listen to me, honey..." she interrupted. " I don't have much time left, I think you've noticed. But I want to tell you this: you did wrong, I know. You committed some very serious acts, as did Kazuya. But in the end, by choosing the right path, you managed to defeat him and save the whole world from oblivion. You have finally realized that hatred can only be overcome by love, that darkness can be overcome only by light. You will have all the time to heal, to understand, to accept, but above all to forgive yourself... And to love. Nina..."

Jin and Nina jumped when Jun summoned the blonde. With a nod of her hand, she invited her to come closer and Jin for the first time managed to look at her with eyes free from any form of possession. It was exactly as he remembered it and his heart started to beat furiously in his chest. He felt bad remembering what he almost did to her just before. He was going to kill her, moved by that cursed Gene who poisoned his existence. Only the crying of that child had managed to stop him.

"Nina, you just asked me what your role was in all this. Why you, of all people, would be crucial in this fight. Actually the answer is so obvious, but it is important to explain it anyway: Nina as I told you when I appeared in your dream, if you, with your love, had not kept alive Jin's human part, it would have been all lost. I would have been lost, finally suppressed by his curse. Jin, you see, had to suffer a lot, more than humanly bearable. I knew exposing you would be a big risk, but it was necessary. Your son's crying was the ultimate trigger for him to finally find himself. That teenage Jin, convinced that he lost me forever, just that moment before the Devil began his evil work of persuasion, putting the first poisonous roots in his mind. You loved and protected my son when he had the whole world against him. You believed in your love and you did not give up on Keiichi. You did everything I couldn't do and more, and if we're all safe now, it's also thanks of you."

Also thanks to her. Nina didn't feel like a superhero. She had never defined herself as such. Yet for the first time in 43 years she finally felt realized after doing something for good. It was a new feeling, warming her from head to toe. She turned and looked at Steve and Keiichi for a moment and in her heart she understood that everything would be in its place.

"Jun... Thank you..." she muttered, moved in turn.

"Thanks to you, brave and loyal woman. You will be an amazing mother..." she replied with a smile, before looking again at her son. " As for you, Jin... My time is over. You defeated Kazuya. You defeated the Gene. You're safe. Keiichi is safe. Promise me that you will take care of yourself, and when you feel lonely again, sad, angry, or in trouble, always remain yourself until the end. Remember the pain, because only then you will not make the same mistakes. Don't get lost anymore. You are no longer alone..."

Jun hugged him, holding him as tightly as she could. It was little more than a halo, yet Jin felt all the warmth and feeling of his mother perfectly. He wanted her to stay forever, but by now he knew he should let her go.

"I love you, Mom... Thank you for everything..." he muttered.

"I love you too my son, I will always love you...Goodbye..."

A rustle rose from the ground and Jun disappeared. Looking down, however, Jin noticed that on his father's chest there was a crow feather, a tangible sign that his mother had really been there and it wasn't just a dream. Instinctively he looked at his arm and found that his tribal tattoo had completely vanished, leaving not a single shadow faded. It was really over.

"Jin..."

A voice well known to him forced him to turn. Nina was in front of him, with an indecipherable expression on her face. A mixture of anxiety, worry, relief and even sweetness. Those cerulean eyes that made him so crazy were staring at him impatiently, after months and months without looking to each other. Eyes that he thought he would never see again and that instead shone on him. She had changed so much, he felt it, and yet she remained the same. Nina, his Nina, was right there in front of him, waiting for even she didn't know what.

"Nina..." he replied, standing up and moving a few steps in her direction.

Silence fell between the two, while a meter away still stood between them. Neither of them knew exactly what to say, and at the same time they had a million questions. But there was still something blocking them: fear in Nina's case. Shame for what she had done, in Jin's case.

"Nina... I... you... You're alive, I thought..."

"Yes, many believed it..." she replied, smiling slightly.

There was almost embarrassment between them, and both were waiting for one or the other to bring up the subject. Jin gave in, devoured by the desire to know.

"So... He's..." he asked timidly, nodding his head to the people behind her.

"Yes..." she replied, smiling slightly and lowering her eyes before turning back. "Steve... Come..."

The blond jumped, feeling called into question. He was so focused on not missing anything of that scene, he almost forgot to breathe. His mother had given him a precise order, yet his legs refused to move. He squeezed his little brother even more, totally unable to take even one step.

"Steve!" the woman repeated more forcefully. "It's all right, trust me. Come closer. He has a right to know!"

The boxer could no longer oppose that request. He moved slowly toward the two, as the child waved his hands toward his mother, eager to join her. He was so small, and yet he seemed to understand perfectly what was happening. Nina went to meet him and took him in her arms, turning again in front of Jin, so that he could see him better. The latter held his breath, remaining petrified. The eyes were Nina's, as well as some features, but the mere observation left absolutely no room for doubt.

"Forgive me, Jin... I didn't want to keep you outside this, but it was necessary. I know I made a decision about both of us without your consent... But Keiichi was the only one and the last thing I had left of you..."

Keiichi. His son. He, Jin Kazama, had a son. He didn't know exactly how to feel about it. Until a few moments before he would have hated him, as yet another Gene carrier to be eradicated. But now the Gene no longer existed. That little one was his own blood, and Nina's blood, the only woman he ever loved. And how much he loved her! He would have given his own life for her. And he actually tried, promising her that she would live in a better world. Then that discovery and the thought that she was dead had torn him inside. Instead she was alive, hidden somewhere, giving birth and raising their child. Out of the blue he had a family again. A family he didn't hate. Exactly what he always wanted for himself, before sinking into oblivion. He looked at the child in his mother's arms, who stared back at him, his eyes full of curiosity. He wanted to say so many things, but the words simply didn't come out. The silence between them had become so heavy, it was unbearable. So Nina broke it.

"I know how you feel, Jin..." she began gently, giving Steve his son back. "I know, it's too much to handle. And I can't force my life choices on you in any way. You see..." she said, turning slightly and pointing to Steve and Keiichi. "They taught me so much in no time. Steve saved my life twice, helped me and supported me without asking for anything in return. He gave me affection and serenity, despite having denied him, he destroyed all my barriers, exposed my weaknesses and helped me to overcome the most difficult moments. He's the only reason we're here. But believe me it wasn't easy and you Jin..." she took a short break and sighed, trying to avoid the crying from breaking her voice. "You Jin have lived hell and you need time to heal... I have chosen what is right and what is best for my life and I have no regrets... Now it's time for you to do the same."

With her eyes shining, Nina gently caressed his cheek. She knew he wasn't ready for this and she never imagined this moment would come. She simply thought she would continue to live in Ireland with her children, away from everything and everyone, with a new identity. Instead, fate had made their paths meet again and for love she risked everything to help him save himself. But now she could no longer put her own life and what she held dearest in the world aside. Sometimes for love it was also necessary to know how to let go. And Jin wasn't ready for any of this.

"Goodbye Jin... Take care of yourself..."

Slow and relentless, she turned her back, joining her sons, ready to get out of his life. She had made her choice, heart broken, but without remorse. She would have left a window open to the future, but now her priorities were different. She couldn't afford to be conditioned by irrational feelings, now she had too much to lose. Jin watched her go away. Was he really allowing it? The fear of the unknown had immobilized him. It was all too much, he felt overwhelmed. He lacked air. Nina was right, he wasn't ready, he had to heal first, he had to understand first. For love she had allowed him to put together the pieces of his life, without her choices affecting him in any way. He had so many things to work on and so many wounds to heal that he could not afford to take on even more heavy responsibilities, such as that of a child, conceived and born when he was completely unaware. But then he reminded his mother's last words: to remember the pain. To not get lost anymore. He was no longer alone. And so he did: his memory recalled the agony of their last day together, of her tears that didn't stop when they said goodbye to each other before he faced Azazel and then the agony in believing that she had been killed, that she had lost her life because of him. He felt so destroyed... So lost. But Jun was right: now he was no longer alone. He would never be. He quickly covered the distance that separated them, Nina jumped when she was pulled by a wrist and forced to turn, but the scare was soon replaced by the warmth of his arms that held her. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look him straight in the eye.

"If I had to pay for what I did, here and now, I would accept my fate. If I had to live forever to atone for my sins, I would do it twice. Should I die now, I would pass away in peace. But as long as I stay here, on this world, I don't want to live one single moment without you anymore!"

"Jin..."

He didn't care about the people witnessing, he didn't care that he had all their eyes on him, that he may look weak and mushy. He'd already lost her too many times. He would never let her go again.

"I love you, Nina! I'll always love you!"

She didn't answer. She couldn't. Her lips were finally on his, after a long time, like a breath of air. Jin was holding her, like he was afraid she might disappear. But she was there, and she wouldn't go anywhere. Not without him. Smiling, her face streaked with tears of pure joy, she also involved her sons in that embrace. For the first time Keiichi took refuge in his father's arms, who looked at him with a look full of wonder, while the little one put his hands on his face and laughed happily. A new family had born. In that new dawn, a new beginning was about to start...

"Now the new dawn arises and we have it all..." Ensiferum

Autohor's note: and that's it. My story is done, ladies and gentlemen :) But I still have some more to tell you: the final chapter, which is the epilogue, will be posted soon. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed ❤️