Cursed Angel

1

The night was cold and mysterious. The clouds played a constant game of hide and seek with the moon. The heavy sky gave warning to the impending rain, but it didn’t seem to bother Jin Kazama. It didn’t seem any different to him. He was frustrated and drained and a cold lonely night was nothing more than miserable company to him.

He rested his weight upon the cool metal balustrade as he stood on his bedroom balcony, watching the moon. The troubled youth could only sigh as he wondered, How long must I carry on like this? How long must I struggle? Was my life made to accept nothing but misery?

As long as I am with you, a drawling and wicked voice interrupted his thoughts. Jin dropped his head, almost as if in defeat, drawing out a long sigh. Don’t think of it as a struggle. It’s an honour to host such a guest, Jin. Many would be flattered. The deep voice spoke in a soft tone.

Then why not pick them? Why me? Why make me miserable? I didn’t ask for this! Jin’s mind rebelled against the voice. Physically, Jin had sunk to his knees. His large tanned hands gripped the steel bar for dear life as he trembled in anger.

That’s exactly why I like you. You didn’t ask for this. It was bestowed upon you. But it’s more than that, Jin. The masculine voice replied, boredom lacing his tone as if he addressed this issue for the hundredth time.

Jin stilled at the words, slightly shocked and listened with piqued interest. Your soul is so unique. It’s been a while since I’ve come across a type like yours. So you chose to curse a rarity? Jin shot back with sarcasm. In reality, all Jin had done was snort at his remark as the conversation continued in his mind.

To a normal person, it may have looked like Jin had just thought of something funny. No, he was not insane. Jin Kazama was unique because of his shared body with the Devil.

The Devil laughed as well. Well played, Kazama but no. Not curse. More like test your ability. See if you can manage harbouring a demonic force within. A demonic force with unlimited potential. The Devil spoke as if he was unravelling a thought for Jin to process.

Well, clearly it’s going swimmingly. The only thing you do lately is deprive me of sleep while you pry my thoughts. Jin snapped.

Are you upset for having a friend, Jin? The Devil mocked him.

Ha. Ha. Get lost, Devil. Jin growled aloud as he regained his posture. His mood was darkening and the Devil wasn’t helping - not one bit.

Alright, but I’m not the one complaining about long lonely nights. And with that the Devil left him in his musings.

Jin scanned the landscape of the Kazama estate before him and huffed in annoyance. He adjusted and straightened up. Jin Kazama was a handsome man from all angles but his side profile was his best. Blessed with god given features of a sharp jaw line, high cheekbones and a strong angular nose, he undoubtedly intrigued many women. However, his most captivating features were his full lips and warm chocolate brown eyes that once sparkled with benevolence. Now they were cold and intense with a seriousness that no one dared to question.

Some say his current position that made it so. Commanding his grandfather’s company at merely twenty three could be taxing, especially when this responsibility had just been thrust upon him. Others say it was the stress of his father’s rival company. Kazuya Mishima was an unforgiving man, particularly when it came to his son.

Aside from his family issues, the Devil had done a fine job of irking him. Every day and every night was the same. It was like clockwork sometimes. Jin had grown tired of this routine, and he was physically tired. It was almost the equivalent of sustaining two people within one.

He continued to watch the dark night until the rain descended upon the earth in a light drizzle. “Awww crap…” Jin groaned as he retreated to his bedroom and shut the balcony doors tightly. He scanned the luxurious room, feeling so alienated even though it was his own bedroom.

Settling into his bed, Jin tried to find comfort within his silk sheets. However, it proved a futile search. He tossed and turned with restlessness. He got up and approached the balcony doors once more. This time however, every step felt heavier than the last the further he got from the bed. There was pain pulsing through his skull and it blackened his vision in rhythm with the pulse. Crashing on his knees and hands to the carpeted floor he took deep breaths, but it was to no avail as his breathing grew more ragged and uneven. Jin’s body shook in shock as pain internally ripped him apart. His arms gave out followed by his knees. He attempted to scream but it seemed like his throat had tightened. His face contorted in rage and small beads of sweat trickled down his temple. He growled as he fought the pain in his body. The waves of agony felt as if it had shifted from his entire body and began to concentrate within his back.

An eerie wisp of darkness escaped from the weak shadows in the room and wrapped his body in a coil formation before dissolving itself into his skin. It resurfaced on his chest in dark ancient markings. The markings burned and seared his body without making him bleed. Jin was crying out in pain; screaming. His chest felt as if he was being sawed in half, right down the middle from his throat to his waist.

Skin was ripped apart at the shoulder blades as silk black wings sprouted. Large and fully grown, they exercised themselves as they sinuously stretched out and spread to their span. Cool blood trickled down Jin’s back from the riven flesh and stained the cream coloured carpet. But the sensation was forgotten as cackles filled his mind.

YOU’RE MINE!

Jin’s mind drew white as it went blank and chocolate eyes were replaced with golden ones.

The Devil had successfully merged with Jin and performed a full body take over. It wasn’t difficult as it had been done before, multiple times. However, when it did occur the two would switch places, and Jin’s voice could be heard internally while The Devil functioned as Jin.

Devil Jin stumbled across the room trying to find his footing. After steadying himself, a clawed fist destroyed the French balcony doors and dark wings took off into the black rainy night.

MEANWHILE

Miles away, in a building of apartments nestled within the heart of the city, resided a particular person. Mia Okumura lay asleep on her bed. Her slumber was not a peaceful one, as her petite features were marred in displeasure. Her lips tugged in a downward fashion as soft whimpers escaped and her breathing became irregular as her nightmare continued on.

Suddenly Mia awoke with a start and she sat up ramrod straight. Gasping and slowly focusing as the sleep cleared from her eyes, she relaxed when she identified the comforting environment of her room. Mia snapped out of her dazed state and ripped off the sheets from her body, swinging her legs off the bed to move into a sitting position. She collected her thoughts, her mind still jarred from the realistic nightmare; they seem to be getting worse with time… Mia felt a slight a chill as the sweat that coated her skin cooled with the passing breeze filtering through her room. Fixing the window shut, she paced her bedroom contemplating the seriousness of her nightmares.

It was the same dream – dark wings, a chilling aura and red eyes that bore into her soul to devour her whole, inside out. And it always ended in blood. Mia wiped the sweat off with a towel and began to pull on a long sleeved shirt and some sweats.

“A few hours in the dojo should help.” She moved towards the bathroom to freshen up before heading out. Fixing her wavy auburn hair into a ponytail, she leaned over to wash out the sleep with cold water. Straightening up, Mia stared at the other face that gazed back at her. The girl was pretty, with large expressive brown eyes and long eyelashes that had beads of water clinging to them. However, they were sunken with bruising around the eye area forming due to her lack of sleep. She pouted at her poor reflection.

While fixing her bangs, Mia caught sight of what was peeking out from under her sleeve. It seemed to be an extremely thin tribal band around her wrist. But wasn’t any tattoo - it was a marking that she had had ever since she could remember. She sighed at the memory and ran her wrist under the cool water after yanking her sleeve up further.

It burned like an open wound, causing Mia to grit her teeth against the sensation. The pain began to intensify and she saw nothing but white. In shock she yanked her arm from the water, slamming into bathroom wall after losing her balance. The pain seared through her arm and throbbed but before she knew it, it was over and Mia was left gasping on the floor of her bathroom.

Gripping her shaking arm with her other hand, she glared at her marking. It hadn’t acted up like that since her last year of high school. Mia’s mood darkened with the pain. Time to make a move now.