Chapter 10: Saved By The Devil
Jin stumbled back from a blow Heihachi landed on his chin. He almost stepped on a chain but did a back-hand spring to avoid it. Heihachi laughed, clearly amused. On the other side of the room, Hwoarang moaned. He was slowly coming to. He looked up to see his broken arm hyper-extended above him so his wrists could be chained together. The Korean moaned and let his head drop, thankful Heihachi's gerbils had hopped him up on morphine.
[Wait a fucking minute...why the hell am I hanging from...the ceiling!?]
Hwoarang's drugged mind snapped into reality and he looked around. On the other side of the massive dojo Jin and Heihachi were duking it out. Jin looked like shit. His body was covered in bruises and scratches. Half his face was bruised and blood ran from his nose and mouth.
[What the hell is going on??]
******************
Kazuya paced his hotel room, growling. Lee was watching him as he smoked a cigarette.
"Something's up. I can feel it..." Kazuya growled.
Lee said nothing.
"Kazuya!" A woman's voice broke through the silence and there was a pounding at the door. "I know you're in there!"
Kazuya and Lee exchanged looks and Kazuya answered the door. There stood Nina Williams looking disheveled and tired.
"Heihachi is making Jin fight everyone in exchange for Hwoarang's life."
"Where are they now!?" Kazuya demanded.
"I don't...know. You have to talk to Christie..."
Kazuya looked over his shoulder at Lee. The silver-haired man forced a smile and nodded.
"I'm sorry, Lee." The fighter said, running off.
"Care for a drink, Nina?" Lee asked.
"Thanks..." Nina limped into the room.
*******************
Sweat rolled down Hwoarang's brow. He had just figured out what was going on.
[One wrong move and I'm dismembered and dead. Kazama's...fighting to save me...]
Familiar "warm-fuzzy" feelings started to tickle at Hwoarang's insides but he squashed them down.
[Just win, Kazama. I rather like my arms and breathing...]
Jin was losing. He had no idea how hard he could hit his grandfather without making the old man fall over. He kicked Heihachi in the stomach but caught the man when he doubled over.
[Fuck! This isn't working!!]
"Auf!" Jin grunted as Heihachi head butted him right in the gut. "No!!"
Jin stumbled back and fell, landing on two chains. They clattered to the ground and Jin cringed. Nothing happened. They weren't connected to Hwoarang. He let out a sigh of relief and jumped to his feet again.
********************
Using Devil's inhuman speed Kazuya ran the length of the Mishima property. He had just squeezed information out of one of Heihachi's guards. The old man had a temple built in the woods. He jumped a fallen tree as he entered the forest.
[Right where he threw me off. I always knew dear old daddy was a sadist...]
The fighter dodged trees and guards, taking down either if they got in his way. He was almost there. He reached the main steps and smiled. Heihachi only had twenty guards posted...easy pickin's. He cut through the guards easily and burst into the temple. He looked around, sniffing at the air. His nose immediately picked up on the putrid scent of evil.
[Father...]
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Jin punched Heihachi in the ribs, satisfied with the crunch that sounded. The old man roared in pain, slamming his fist into Jin's kneecap. Hwoarang winced. His morphine was starting to wear off. His broken arm was starting to hurt badly. Jin limped away from his grandfather, favoring his knee.
"I tire of this."
Heihachi stomped on a chain and Hwoarang felt himself starting to drop.
"No!!!" Jin cried, Devil's wings ripping from his back.
Jin flew at Hwoarang catching him only inches before the chains could rip his arms off. The Devil's markings formed on Jin's body. He broke the chain off Hwoarang's neck and released his arms, putting the broken one back in its sling. He landed on the floor and set Hwoarang down.
"Jin! Look out!" Hwoarang shouted, pushing Jin aside.
Jin could only watch as Heihachi's fist, brandishing metal knuckles, slammed into Hwoarang's ribs. There was a sickening crack and Hwoarang felt his ribs break. The redhead slumped to the ground.
"Damn Korean whore! You're always getting in my way!" Heihachi roared, lifting his foot to stomp on the boy.
There was only a blur of motion before Heihachi was tackled to the ground.
"K-kazuya!?" Heihachi stuttered.
Kazuya didn't reply. He sat on the man's chest, pummeling Heihachi's face and neck with ferocious punches. Jin scrambled over to Hwoarang. The redhead rolled onto his stomach and coughed up blood.
"Jin! Come here!" Kazuya called.
"But..."
"NOW!"
Jin ran to his father's side.
"I'm taking Devil from you. Once I do I want you to grab Hwoarang and run as far as you can down the foot path into the canyon. Do you understand?"
"But...Hwoarang is..."
"Do you understand!?"
"Y-yes..."
Kazuya grabbed onto Jin's hand. The raven-haired fighter fell to his knees in pain as Devil burned inside of him. The markings, including Fatal Lighting, disappeared from Jin's body. Devil's wings vanished in a cloud of dark feathers. Jin's injuries repaired and his bruises faded.
"Now go!!" His father ordered, a purple flamed-like aura surrounding him.
Jin jumped to his feet, scooped Hwoarang up, and ran as fast as his legs would allow.
"Kazuya. Please. No..." Heihachi croaked.
Kazuya only laughed and transformed into Devil. "I will give you a taste of what you created old man..."
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Jin was halfway down the footpath when everything above glowed brilliant white. He heard the guards frantic cries and shouts, but he didn't stop running until he reached the river's edge. He set Hwoarang down gently, brushing the redhead's hair from his face.
"How bad is it..." Jin asked.
"Bad..." Hwoarang coughed.
Jin looked down and winced. The right side of Hwoarang's ribcage was caved in. This was not a mere injury. Hwoarang was going to die. Above, the brilliant light faded into darkness.
"Hwoarang..."
"Thai..."
Jin collected the Korean into his arms, "Thai..."
"I don't hate you, Kazama..."
Jin's eyes snapped open just as Hwoarang's slid shut. Blood seeped from the corner of the redhead's mouth and his breathing slowed. The Japanese bit back a sob and he rested his head on Hwoarang's shoulder.
"No Thai. Don't die on me...please..."
A solitary tear rolled down Jin's cheek. Something tickled his nose and he opened his eyes to see a white feather land in Hwoarang's lap. A soft glow shone to his right and his head snapped up.
"Mother!!"
Jun Kazama smiled at her son and nodded.
"Please Mother. Don't let him die...!" Jin begged.
Jun walked over, her feet never once touching the ground. She patted Jin's head lovingly before crouching beside him and Hwoarang.
"Don't cry..." She whispered, wiping the tear from Jin's cheek.
She reached one slim white hand out and placed it on Hwoarang's ribcage. Jin watched, eyes wide as Hwoarang's ribcage reformed without so much as one painful crack. Jun wiped the blood from Hwoarang's mouth and stood up. Hwoarang coughed and opened his eyes. He caught a brief glimpse of Jun Kazama before she faded into the night.
"That was...that was..." He stammered.
"Kazama Jun. My mother."
"She...healed me..." Hwoarang pulled his arm from his sling and peeled the temporary cast off. "She even fixed my arm!"
The redhead turned to face Jin. He examined the youth's arm. Fatal Lightning was gone. Jin's skin was flawless once again.
"Devil's gone. My father..." Jin looked up at the canyon wall. "He's gone too. Now I have no one..."
Hwoarang grabbed Jin's chin, turning the teen's face to him.
"You have me..."
Jin could only blink before Hwoarang's lips were on his.
"Mmph!" Jin half-protested as Hwoarang flattened him to the ground.
"Shut up, Kazama..." Hwoarang growled playfully, kissing the brunette again.
Part eleven |
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