Jun made
her way into the darkened arena in which she was doomed to fight. She was so
cold; her gray button-up midriff and shorts did little to keep in her warmth.
She looked at her surroundings, hoping to find something she could use to help
defend herself during this seemingly impossible battle. The walls were high and
very dark. The floor was ornamented with a giant crossed shape design in the
center. It possessed red and yellow, burning colors within the cross, laced
together with giant white and red carnations. Kazuya was the ever-lustful
sinner. Jun longed to be out in the sun that she knew was beating down softly
during this midday. She could feel the ever darkening evil encroach on what
purity she had. The light that vibrated from her body was glooming every minute
she stood in that room.
Her
instincts pulled her attention to the shadows that lurked in the dark. She was
no longer alone. Her body twisted slight to view where the heart of wickedness
was coming from.
He emerged
from the darkness like a demonic apparition. His body seemed to drip from the
venom of the Dark Lord. How did this beautiful phantom allow himself to lose
all control? His hair was raven black, and glistened like silk against the lit
torches that surrounded the room. His skin was a creamy pale and so soft
against the colors of his amethyst suit. His eyes were dark, menacing and cold,
as they studied her. What did she expect? She was just another adversary
against him. He stood in the center of the room, hands relaxed at his side. His
head tilted slightly, contradicting her stance. She inhaled deeply and walked
up to him, standing only a few feet away. Her breathing became forced, as her
body seemed to shut down from the power that emitted from his soul.
"So, a
woman has made it past all her adversaries. I am quite impressed," he
replied softly.
"I'm
not seeking your approval," she stated, seemingly annoyed at his
arrogance.
"And I
don't approve of many people, but you…"
"Why
are you doing this?" she asked suddenly.
"I'm
afraid I don't understand what you mean," he replied, taken slightly aback
by her interruption.
"This
tournament…against your father. Why don't you let it go? Why don't you let your
soul finally have rest?"
"My
soul will be at rest once I defeat my father for good."
"You
don't need it. You don't need that evil for you to be strong."
Kazuya was
taken by surprise. How did she know of his dark spirit? Before Jun had any time
to respond, Kazuya struck her face, angry at her knowledge. She stumbled back a
few steps before regaining her balance. He was more skilled than he had ever
led on. She regained composure and positioned herself in a fighting stance. She
wasn't going to give into him easily. Kazuya swung at her and unleashed a
series of storming kicks at different levels of her body. Her forearms felt as
if they were being electrocuted as she blocked each fatal kick. He faked her
out of a move and struck her down with a solid blow to her face and then a
sweep kick knocking her to the ground. Her head hit the marble floor with a
solid thud. Her vision blurred, but her instincts told her to move. She quickly
rolled to the side, avoiding a painful `Tsunami Kick.' She quickly crouched and
performed a `Triple Spin Kick,' hitting Kazuya at the back of the knee, forcing
him to the ground. The other two kicks connected at his hip and his head.
He groaned
slightly. He hadn't expected her to have that much power in her moves. Quickly
ignoring the pain, he jumped back up. Jun rose soon after. Both were back to
where they had started. To his surprise Jun attacked. She performed a solid
`Three-Ring Circus;' her first punch succeeded, but the next two were blocked,
her low kick connected with his knee, but her last punch was blocked. He
smirked at her lack of consistency, but was caught unguarded as she finished
the move off with her infamous `Scissor Kick,' both of which connected to his
jaw. A shudder slid down her spine as she heard his neck snap and his teeth
grind against themselves. Much to her dismay, her maneuvers were only enough to
phase him for a moment. He jerked his neck to the side, popping what knots she
had given him. He smiled demonically at her, sliding a bloodied tongue across
his lips. She shook her head, unable to believe it. What evil would have given
him the strength to be able to handle those moves? Was he really possessed by a
devil?
The battle
proceeded, each receiving blows and blocking to the best of their ability. Jun
knew she wouldn't last much longer. She was tired and her pure spirit was
losing its last strength. She focused all her psychic energy on one move, her
`Double Lift Kick.' Both connected to Kazuya, knocking him to his knees. She
landed perfectly, just as if she were a cat.
"I
don't want to fight you Kazuya."
He shook
his head. "Then what do you want?" he asked, raising his hands to
show no defense.
"To
free you from this evil…this hatred you have."
He laughed
and shook his head again. Would she never give up? Nothing was said for a
moment. He spit out a glob of blood, and wiped his mouth. Why did she want to
help him so much? Did she feel it was her duty? Or did she honestly want to
help him? He looked up at her. Her onyx eyes shined brightly against the fires
of light that surrounded them. He inhaled deeply, surprised at the scent of
cherry blossoms. It was she, and he'd know now that he would forever associate
that scent with her. He did find himself drawn to her. Was it her purity that
drew him in? He closed his eyes and sighed softly. She approached him
cautiously, yet curiously. She knew he was capable of recovering quickly, yet
he remained grounded. She stood near him, trying hard not to collapse next to
him. The dark essence that surrounded him was almost too much for her weakened
condition. She touched his shoulder gingerly.
"Please
Kazuya? Let go of your detestation for Heihachi."
His eyes
snapped open with a deep fire burning within them. The sound of that wretched
name refueled his anger. He felt Jun's touch on his shoulder and his hand
quickly took hold of her wrist. He stood up, almost laughing at the hope that
was locked in her eyes. Her brushed some of her tangled black hair from her
face.
"You
see my innocent Jun Kazama…his destruction is the reason I live."
He tugged
her close and performed his violent "Steel Petal Drop." His leg
kicked forward, snapping her body back, before reversing, sending her body into
the cold rigid floor. She cried out as she felt her skull crunch against the
ground. Her eyes began to bleed blackness as her vision became distorted. In
vain, she tried to get up. Her muscles shook frantically, fighting for the
strength to rise. Her body screamed to just collapse then, but her mind fought
hard. She couldn't meet defeat like this. She felt Kazuya grab her neck,
lifting the rest of her petite body. She hung limply in his grasp; a small
painful moan escaped her lips. Finally, her vision focused on him. His face
held a mocking, yet pleading look. Could he have regrets?
"You
cannot survive my `Lightning Godfist.' Forfeit now. I do not want to risk
killing you," he whispered.
With what
strength she had, she shook her head. "I am not going to give in to your
requests. And I have not given up on you either. I know you can be saved,"
she whispered.
He
tightened his grip, blocking her airflow. What was the matter with her? Was she
trying to be his salvation? Hadn't she realized he was beyond forgiveness? He
sold his soul in order to extract revenge on his father, and yet she, his
unorthodoxed angel, was still trying to save him. He stared at her a moment
longer, trying to see if her intentions were genuine. Her body became cold, and
she was becoming a dead weight in his grip. Her eyes rolled into the back of
her head, and she passed out. He let her go, and her small body fell to the
floor. He breathed in deeply, trying to remain in control. One of the men from
the Tekkenshu stepped up to Kazuya.
"What
happened sir?" he asked. "Is she dead?"
"No."
"I
thought this tournament was for you to ki…remove the opposition
permanently?"
"She
does not deserve death by my hand."
"But
sir…"
"She
forfeited, soldier. Take her back to her room and see that she's taken care of.
Have a doctor examine her. Do not question my commands again, or you may find yourself
removed permanently."
The soldier
gulped and nodded.
"Yes
sir."
"And
this is the last battle I'll have today. I do not wish to continue."
"Yes
sir."
Kazuya
stared at Jun's unconscious form. She was beautiful, and the feeling he
received from her psyche brought him an incredible serenity. Maybe she would
save him. He scoffed at the idea and walked away, entering his dark chamber
once again.