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BLACK SCREEN
		
		VOICE (V.O.)
	In the beginning God created the Heavens and 
	the Earth. 

The voice is RASPY, EVIL. His name is DANTE. 

FADE IN:

EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	On this Earth he created a man, the first man, 
	the greatest of all his creations. 

The graveyard is incredibly dark, menacing under the pale light of the 
moon overhead. There is a sudden onset of movement as we start to 
move, gliding past the innumerable gravestones 
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	From him God bore a woman - the human race 
	had begun. 

We turn on our axis, searching for something in the vastness of the 
night. In the distance there is an amazing gravestone - AN ANGEL, 
LOOKING TOWARDS THE HEAVENS, HER WINGS STRETCHED AS FAR AS 
THEY CAN, REACHING FOR THE CLOUDS. 

WE DRAW TOWARDS IT. 
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	But... there is another who roamed Eden. 

We continue CLOSER AND CLOSER towards to incredible headstone. 
WE HAVE FOUND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR. 
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	The truth was hidden - future generations would 
	not understand... that Adam was not the 
	greatest of His creations. 

THE DETAILS OF THE ANGEL BEGIN TO COME INTO FOCUS. 
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	He was God's first creation - Adam was spawned 
	from Him. 

15 FEET FROM THE GRAVE.  
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	He was a creature more powerful than any 
	creature God had ever created. 
	(beat)
	Or ever would. 

10 FEET.
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	But the story did not end there. For paradise was 
	not in His intentions -  he corrupted those who 
	already inhabited it - all it took was a single bite 
	from an apple tree. 

5 FEET. THE ANGEL IS NOT HEAVENLY. IT'S DARKER - SINISTER.
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	Realizing the only mistake He has ever made God 
	banished the creature. Into darkness He was 
	swept where his eyes would never again see the 
	light of day. 

2 FEET. WE STAND AT THE FOOT OF THE GRAVE SITE. 
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	But now... 

A CRACK OF LIGHTNING. 
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	I think it's time for my return. 

Before the sentence can register THE DIRT EXPLODES, HEAVING 
UPWARDS IN A FLURRY OF DIRT AND MUD - SOMETHING HAS BROKEN 
THROUGH. 

IT'S A HAND. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. COFFIN - SAME

A man, lying down with his arms crossed, HIS EYES ABRUPTLY OPEN, 
HE GASPS FOR BREATH AS IF IT WERE HIS FIRST. 

INT. BASEMENT BENEATH CHURCH - SAME

The coffin is made of STONE, JAPANESE INSCRIPTIONS AND CROSSES 
ARE ETCHED INTO THE SIDES AND TOP.

The large concrete slab slowly slides off and CRASHES TO THE FLOOR - 
destroyed. 

The man inside, KAZ, in his early thirties, at least, he looks like it, sits 
up and looks around, unsure of his surroundings. 

His hair is pulled tightly back in a Japanese ponytail, sticking straight 
up at the back of his head, but time has withered the design and his 
hair is messy, falling across his face and down his cheeks. HE LETS 
OUT A SIGH OF ANXIETY. 

He slowly climbs out of the concrete coffin, his muscles ACHE, LIKE HE 
HASN'T USED THEM IN YEARS. 

His clothes are ANCIENT, a white karate suit, covered in a layer of dust 
so thick the color is no longer the white it once was. 

Kaz pats at his clothing, causing the dust on him to billow out until he 
chokes on it. 

He looks down at his suit again and decides that the moth holes don't 
become him - he grabs the pull-around shirt and tugs at it, the 
material ripping at the seams with ease and finally falling to the floor in 
a cloud of dust. 

He takes another look at his pants, deciding it best to leave them on 
even though from the knee down there is nothing left but the skin on 
his legs. 

He grabs at his side; he cringes in fright when he realizes that 
something is missing. 

He rushes back to the coffin, HIS COFFIN, and looks inside. HIS FACE 
FLUSHES WITH RELIEF WHEN HE SEES WHAT HE WANTS. 

KAZ PRESSES THE HIDDEN BUTTON TO RELEASE IT AND YANKS OUT A 
SWORD IN ITS SCABBARD AND UNSHEATHES IT, FLICKING HIS WRISTS, 
SPINNING AROUND HIS BODY FASTER THAN SHOULD BE POSSIBLE. 

The handle is BLACK, every bit of it looking as though it came out of 
the world of tomorrow. The hilt looks far and above MORE ADVANCED 
than any sword of today - a shape and design that certainly does not 
match with its owner. The blade has THREE RECTANGULAR HOLES CUT 
OUT NEAR THE HILT for more speed, and at the bottom, near the base, 
the BLADE IS ETCHED WITH A JAGGED EDGE for multiple uses. The TIP 
CURVES TO A POINT SHARPER THAN ANYTHING THAT HAS EVER BEEN 
MADE. IT GLEAMS SO BRIGHT IT ALMOST HURTS OUR EYES. 

IT FINDS ITSELF IN ITS SHEATH ONCE AGAIN. 

He holds it in his hand, his tie that holds the sheath worn away. Kaz 
looks around, taking a long look around the circumference of the room 
and discovers that there isn't a single door - only a poorly bricked up 
wall. 

INT. LOWER CHURCH STAIRWELL - SAME

From outside the room THE BRICKS COME CRUMBLING DOWN. 

Kaz goes up the long, steep stairwell and leaves through the door at 
the top. 

INT. GOTHIC CHURCH - SAME

The ceilings are amazingly high, the murals are beautiful, and the stain-
glass windows are the most beautiful of its kind. 

THE PLACE IS DESERTED. 

Kaz stops in the center of the church and stares up at the HUGE 
CRUCIFIX WALL MURAL THAT OVERLOOKS THE ENTIRE CHURCH. HE 
BOWS HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY. 

Kaz turns and walks slowly towards the door, his hand on the hilt of 
his magnificent sword. He closes his eyes, envisioning the world 
outside as it was when he left it. 

POV - KAZ

HE SEES A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE, SPANNING TO AN UNHEARD OF 
DISTANCE. BIRDS SING IN THE AIR. WATER TRICKLES DOWN FROM THE 
WATERFALL. ALL IS RIGHT. 

BACK TO SCENE

Kaz still has his EYES CLOSED; he can almost SMELL the air outside. 

He puts the palm of his hand on the door and pushes - IT SQUEALS AT 
THE HINGES, THE OLD, DANK WOOD CREAKS. 

EXT. ALLEY/STREET - NIGHT - RAIN

BUT THE IMAGE IS NOT AS HE REMEMBERED IT. 

RATS SCURRY AWAY AT THE SOUND. DUMPSTERS SPILL OUT THE MOST 
FOUL-SMELLING THINGS HE CAN IMAGINE. THE SKY IS DARK. IT POURS 
RAIN. THE END OF THE ALLEY GIVES NO SOLACE. 

And Kaz speaks for the first time in HUNDREDS OF YEARS, HIS VOICE IS 
RASPY, TIRED FROM HIS LONG YEARS. 
		
		KAZ
	What evil is this?

A spotlight BLAZES the alley from its darkness. 

His soaked hair clings to his face, his body glistens in the wet light. 
		
		COP 1 (O.S.)
	Hey, that guy's got a sword!

Kaz looks at the officers, the light making him squint, he puts his hand 
in front of his face. 
		
		KAZ
	What place is this?
		
		COP 1
	New York, pal. Welcome. You homeless?
		
		KAZ
	(confused)
	My home is no longer known to me. 
		
		COP 1
	Figures. Let me have the sword. 
		
		KAZ
	I do not understand. 
		
		COP 1
	Drop it, or we're gonna have to do it the hard 
	way. Now come on!

The cop reaches for the sword with his hand. Kaz is in over his head 
but his sword is sacred to him and the instant the cops hand touches 
his sword he's already moving. 

KAZ JERKS BACK THE SWORD. BEFORE THE COP CAN BLINK KAZ'S FOOT 
IS IN HIS STOMACH; ANOTHER LANDS IN HIS FACE WITH THE SAME 
BLINDING SPEED. TWO KICKS IN LESS THAN SECOND. THE COP FLIES 
BACK, SLAMMING INTO THE WALL BEFORE ANY OF IT EVEN HAS TIME TO 
REGISTER. THE COP SLIDES DOWN THE WALL - OUT COLD. 
		
		KAZ
	A man's sword is his own - no one else's. 
		
		COP 2 (O.S.)
	HEY!

The other cop screams from inside the squad car, sticking his head out 
the open door. 
		
		COP 2
	GET BACK HERE!

Kaz is already off; bolting down the entire alley before the other cop 
has even gotten to his radio. 
		
		COP 2
	(into radio)
	Officer down! We have a fugitive on foot heading 
	down the alley behind the old church! Suspect is 
	armed and dangerous! I am in pursuit!

The cop leaps out, his gun drawn. 
		
		COP 2
	Stop, or I'll FUCKIN' FIRE! 

Kaz takes no notice. The cop FIRES, the bullet ringing a dumpster just 
in front of Kaz, who screeches to a halt on the wet concrete. 

He turns and looks at the cop, bewildered by what has happened. He 
turns and crashes through an alley door before the cop can even 
blink. 

INT. DEPARTMENT STORE - SAME

Kaz rushes in, not understanding what place this is at first. He looks 
around, and finally realizes this is a place for clothing, something he 
needs. 

THE PATTER OF BOOTS HITTING THE RAIN SOAKED STREET JUST BEHIND 
HIM. Kaz darts into the rows and rows of clothes, ducking behind a 
rack of leather trench coats. 

A half dozen officers rush in the instant he is out of sight, a flashlight 
whizzing over his head just as he ducks it down. The police spread 
out, the beams of their flashlights the only thing piercing the 
darkness. 

Kaz peeks his head out, trying to see without being seen. His eyes 
catches the rack of jackets. He stares at it, and silently grabs one off 
its hangar, slipping out of frame. 

On crouched legs he sneaks behind a pair of boy blues just as they 
turn their backs. Kaz hides behind a wooden stand where piles upon 
piles of black leather pants are. 

A beam of light zooms over and past the spot where he hides - the 
instant the light has passed Kaz reaches over and snags a pair of the 
pants, any pair, not caring, and ducks behind the counter again, 
entirely free from sight. A light starts towards him, running across the 
ground, Kaz turns out of frame. 

In an instant he comes running from out of frame - the trenchcoat on, 
the pants on - his hand snatches up a pair of black leather combat 
boots from a display, and before anyone can blink he is out the open 
alley door.  

EXT. ALLEY/STREET - NIGHT - RAIN

Two squad cars are parked nose to nose at different angles, blocking 
the exit. Kaz does not hesitate or slow, his feet leave the pavement 
and he soars over the hoods of the cars, executing the leap with great 
agility, and not losing an ounce of the speed. 
			
			CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY/STREET/NEAR SIDEWALK - NIGHT - RAIN

Kaz squats in a corner, slipping on the heavy black boots, not 
bothering to tie them, not sure how. 

He pulls his sword from the sheath in a blaze of steel and that 
sharpened blade sound and cuts into the inside of the trench coat, for 
a length about ten inches, carefully, not going through, he makes a 
pocket. 

He sheathes the blade again and stuffs it into the new pocket, 
concealing it. 

He stands up, going out onto the sidewalk, taking his first looks at his 
new world. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. LOCKER ROOM/GYM/CHRISTI'S POV  -DUSK

A small blue locker closes with a -CLANG!-, a name is etched across the 
nameplate in the center - CHRISTI. 

INT. LOCKER ROOM/GYM - DUSK

A young girl, CHRISTI, pretty in an average way, in her mid-twenties, 
pulls on her coat. 

Another locker clangs shut just beside her, O.S..
		
		CHRISTI
	You think this looks alright?
		
		LOCKER ROOM GIRL
	Where you goin'? Date? Or bedroom?

Christi cocks her head in disapproval, as if to say "I would never!" 
She's only upset because she would. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Barbara! 

Christi turns, facing a mirror, trying to get the kinks out of her outfit 
before anyone sees her.
		
		CHRISTI
	(continuing)
	I went out with Charles LAST night. 
		
		BARBARA
	Charles? Again? He is such a sleaze. I cannot 
	believe you are going out with him again. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What? He's nice? 
	(smiling)
	And, yeah, we do enjoy the bedroom. Alot. 
		
		BARBARA
	CHRISTI! Oh, you're awful!
		
		CHRISTI
	Well, he doesn't have any other remotely good 
	qualities. Might as well get something out of him. 
		
		BARBARA
	I hope it's still funny when you're in hell. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Oh, shut up. We're not doing anything tonight 
	anyway. I have to babysit. 
		
		BARBARA
	Babysit? Honey, didn't MIKE just turn twenty?
		
		CHRISTI
	Just because he's radically immature doesn't 
	mean he's not my baby brother. Emphasis on 
	baby. 
	(fixing her hair)
	I haven't seen him in forever. We never get to 
	hang out like we used to since he moved. 
		
		BARBARA
	Well I hope you have fun NOT having sex. If it's 
	even possible. 

Barbara starts to walk away; Christi calls out to her. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(calling out)
	Bye Bar!
		
		BARBARA (O.S.)
	(under her breath)
	I wish MY dull sex life was by choice. It's those 
	boobs, I swear to God I have to get me some of 
	those...

Her mumblings cause Christi to laugh as she combs out the last of her 
tangles. She cringes in pain when the brush gets caught. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Owowowooww!
			
			CUT TO:

EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT 

The night is cold, lonely. Christi looks around, a little frightened by the 
dead of the night, and pulls her coat tighter around her, steam leaving 
her lips. 

There is a noise behind her, she jumps around to see it, startled. But 
it's nothing. She walks faster now, her feet patting the cold ground. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Way to go Chris. The worst part of shit-town at 
	night. 

POV - CHRISTI

She looks over to the sidewalk, beside a dumpster. A homeless man in 
a big coat, a cap covering his cowered face even more by shadows. He 
doesn't even move as she slowly walks by him.  

BACK TO SCENE

She can only stare at him as she walks past. HE NEVER LOOKS UP. HIS 
FACE IS NEVER SEEN. 

Before her gaze can transfix ahead again another man, dirty, his 
clothes are rags, steps in front of her. 

Christi's breath LEAPS FROM HER MOUTH, the stranger in front of her 
only smiles. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Excuse me...  

She takes a step to the side, trying to go around, but he matches her 
step, staying directly in front of her. 

She doesn't see the GUN pointed right in her belly. 
		
		MUGGER
	Do yourself a favor - don't scream. Now gimme 
	the purse. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I like this purse!
		
		MUGGER
	Lady, 
	(cocking the gun in her face)
	I suggest you shut the fuck up and hand over 
	the damn purse. Now. 

THE MUGGER GRABS AT HER BAG, BUT SHE REFUSES TO RELINQUISH IT, 
STRUGGLING TO GET IT BACK AND RUN OFF. 

CHRISTI'S NECK IS STRUCK FROM BEHIND, SHE FALLS FORWARD AND 
SLAMS HER HEAD INTO THE ALLEY WALL, ROLLING OVER TO A SITTING 
POSITION SHE STRUGGLES TO STAY AWAKE. 
		
		MUGGER
	Jesus! 
		
		MUGGER 2 
	You wanna get a decent score for a change, or 
	do you just wanna keep starvin' and beggin' for 
	one measly fuckin' dollar?
		
		MUGGER
	I had it under control!
		
		MUGGER 2
	Not from where I was. If guys like you and me 
	are gonna get what we want we're just gonna 
	have to take it. 
		
		MUGGER
	You didn't have to pistol-whip her fuckin' head 
	man, you shouldn'ta -- 
		
		MUGGER 2
	Shut up. 
	(raising his gun)
	It ain't gonna matter in a sec anyway. 
		
		MUGGER
	Hey man! What the fuck are you doin'?! We got 
	her purse! Let's just get the fuck outta here!
		
		MUGGER 2
	She saw your face. 
		
		MUGGER
	Look at her, man! She is un-fuckin'-conscious! 
	Ok? 
		
		MUGGER 2
	She still saw you. She'll go to the cops. 
		
		MUGGER
	At least grab the purse from her first. I don't 
	fancy spending the next week getting rich girl out 
	of the material. 
		
		MUGGER 2
	Too late man. 
		
		MUGGER
	Come on, man. You probably jangle-fucked her 
	brain up anyhow. She won't remember shit. Let's 
	just go!
		
		MUGGER 2
	One sec. 
	(Cocks the pistol)
	Almost done. 

A LIGHT FLASHES IN THE IN THEIR FACES, A METAL ON METAL SOUND 
ERUPTS. -SHHIING!-

SLOW MO as THE GUN SLICES IN HALF, THE LAST THREE INCHES  OF 
THE BARREL FALLING. 

His face goes from RESOLVE TO FEAR in an instant. 

QUICK CUTS - - NO IDENTITY TO ASSAILANT

BEFORE HE CAN EVEN REACT A BOOT COLLAPSES HIS ABDOMEN. HE 
BUCKLES OVER ON HIS KNEES INSTANTLY.  

HIS FRIEND FIRES AT A BLUR WITH SHAKY HANDS, he HITS NOTHING 
BUT AIR. HIS LEGS FLY OUT FROM BENEATH HIM, LANDING ON THE WET 
SIDEWALK WITH A LIQUID THUD, LANDING HARD ON HIS NECK AND 
HEAD. ANOTHER KICK GETS HIM IN HIS RIBCAGE AND HE'S ON HIS 
HANDS AND KNEES. RIGHT BEFORE ANOTHER KICKS BLASTS HIM INTO 
UNCONSCIOUSNESS. HE spins through the air BEFORE HE IS ON THE 
GROUND AGAIN. 

THE SECOND MUGGER, STILL GRABBING HIS STOMACH ON HIS KNEES, 
LOOKS UP IN FEAR AND PAIN. A STRAIGHT SIDE-FRONT KICK SENDS HIS 
HEAD CRASHING INTO THE BRICK WALL, AND HE FALLS ONTO HIS FACE, 
OUT BEFORE HE EVEN HITS. 

POV -- CHRISTI

Her eyes are BLURRED. All that she can make out is A DARK FIGURE, 
STANDING IN FRONT OF HER, A dark CAP ON HIS HEAD, LOOKING 
DOWN, CAREFULLY PUTTING A SWORD BACK INTO ITS SCABBARD. THE 
SOUND SLOWLY ECHOING OUT AS SHE QUICKLY FADES INTO 
DARKNESS. 
			
			SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DILAPIDATED BACK ALLEY APARTMENT - NIGHT

The apartment is a real hole; a wonder anyone can even survive in 
this filth. The furniture is rotting. Everything is dirty. The only view out 
the single window is the brick wall of an adjacent apartment. 

STEVE, 45, filthy, sits at a plastic dinner table eating leftover pizza. 
		
		DANTE (O.S.)
	So how's it goin' for ya today Stevie?
		
		STEVE
	Look around pal. I'm livin' it up like a fuckin' king! 
	How the fuck do YOU think it's goin'?!
		
		DANTE (O.S.)
	Just thought I'd ask. It's impolite not to, no?
		
		STEVE
	(annoyed)
	What do you want, Dante?

Dante finally shows his face, getting almost nose to nose with Steve. 
His hair is black, greasy, and long, down to his jaw. He wears only 
black, black shirt, pants, and a longcoat much resembling Kaz's. 
		
		DANTE
	I want what I came for. 
		
		STEVE
	And what is that exactly? 
		
		DANTE
	(turning to the window)
	Whatever you can give me. 
		
		STEVE
	Quit with all the mother fuckin' riddles Dant! I 
	just wanna fuckin' get paid, I didn't let you in to 
	play Quiz Show!
		
		DANTE
	Fine! 
	(calming himself)
	No one has a flare for the dramatics these days. 
	(beat)
	Information Steven. I came for knowledge.
		
		STEVE
	See now that I get. 
	(bite of pizza)
	What on?
		
		DANTE
	You're a petty man, you know that? In the old 
	days a man like you would have been killed the 
	moment you stepped out of your mother. 
		
		STEVE
	Yeah yeah yeah. Like I haven't heard THAT 
	before. 
		
		DANTE
	I am closer to achieving my goal than ever 
	before. I've waited so long for these days to 
	come, and now that they're here I HAVE NO 
	FUCKING IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT!
		
		STEVE
	(uncaring)
	Yeah. Pizza?

Dante chuckles for a moment to himself. 
		
		DANTE
	I suppose you're right. I do overreact from time 
	to time. 
		
		STEVE
	Fuck man, I was just wonderin' if you wanted 
	some pizza. I think it's, like, rotten or somethin'.
		
		DANTE
	The final key is hidden from me, and I do not 
	know where I should begin my search, and my 
	other half is nowhere to be found. 
		
		STEVE
	Oh that. 
	(wipes his mouth with his forearm)
	The answers you seek lie amidst those who ask 
	the questions. 
		
		DANTE
	I thought you despised riddles?
		
		STEVE
	I do. That's what I been told. 
		
		DANTE
	Who told you?

Dante takes an interest and comes away from the window, again close 
to Steve. 
		
		STEVE
	I'm a sleaze, not a sellout. 
		
		DANTE
	Ah, loyal until the end. 
		
		STEVE
	What --?

WITH A SINGLE SWIFT MOTION HIS NECK IS BROKEN. HIS LIMP BODY 
FALLS HELPLESSLY OUT OF THE CHAIR, ONTO THE FLOOR. 

DANTE TURNS AWAY, IN JOYFUL ECSTASY, EXHALING HAPPILY, AND 
LEAVES. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S BEDROOM/KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - MIDDAY

Christi JERKS to awareness with a gasp of breath, sitting up in a 
strange bed, the fear still fresh in her memory. 

The bright orange and yellow glow blaze in through the windows. 

She slowly climbs out of the bed, her head aching, she grabs at the 
base of her neck, and heads for the door on wobbly legs. 

INT. KAZ'S WORKSTATION - MIDDAY

Christi walks straight from the room into the main area of the 
warehouse, where Kaz has set up his work area - metal tables and 
chairs. His sword rests on the table just beside him. He is busy 
scrubbing something on his longcoat just as Christi comes stumbling 
through the doorway. 
		
		KAZ
	You should get home before it gets dark. 
	(stops)
	They like the dark. 

Christi doesn't even take notice of his morbid sentence - she only has 
one thought in her aching head. Kaz is busy scrubbing with something 
into his coat, never stopping to turn around. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Where am I?
		
		KAZ
	My home. Well, I should say, my home away from 
	home. This is where I work. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Where's your real home?
		
		KAZ
	Japan. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Jap -- ? What am I do - I don't even know who 
	you are. 
		
		KAZ
	My full name is ROME KAZUO. I think that's all you 
	should know right now. 

Christi inches closer, staring at whatever it is that he's doing. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Casual?
		
		KAZ
	No! Kazuo. It was my father's name. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What are you doing?
		
		KAZ
	I am trying to get the shine out of this material. 
	It gives away my location. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Wait, that was you that I saw? You were the guy 
	that rescued me from those assholes. 

He stops for a moment, starts his head to look back, but decides 
otherwise. 
		
		KAZ
	Yes. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Thank you. 
		
		KAZ
	I saw a lady in distress. 
		
		CHRISTI
	You're telling me! I really hope that --
		
		KAZ
	(interrupting)
	Perhaps you should leave. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(not understanding)
	You want me to go? That's it, you just ship me 
	off?
		
		KAZ
	Time does not permit you to stay. I must leave. 
	And you should return to your home. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I get it. Yeah, ok. Thanks for savin' my life. See ya 
	'round. 

She storms out, not knowing exactly where the exit is, only heading 
away from Kaz. 

He hesitates, then goes back to work. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. CHRISTI'S APARTMENT - DAY

The lock starts to move and the door soon opens, revealing Christi. 
Home. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(calling out)
	Mikey, you home little bro? 
	(listens - nothing)
	Great. 

She comes in, being sure to lock the door and deadbolt just behind 
her. She turns back around and someone is standing right in front of 
her, 

MIKE
		
		MIKE
	Yeah?
		
		CHRISTI
	(gasping)
	Jesus! 
	(sees Mike)
	Mikey!
		
		MIKE
	(laughing)
	Sorry Chris. I didn't hear you. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I'm glad to see you're out of the whole scaring-
	the-shit-outta-me phase. 
		
		MIKE
	Yup. Finally back to the wishing-you-moved-out 
	phase. 
		
		CHRISTI
	That might prove to be problematic, seeing as 
	how my name is all scribbled on the dotted line 
	thingy. 
		
		MIKE
	Where'd you go last night? I thought we were 
	gonna make with the movies again. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(avoiding details)
	I got hung up. 
		
		MIKE
	Richard?
		
		CHRISTI
	Uh, no, actually. 
		
		MIKE
	Ooohh! Do I dare sense the admission of a new 
	bouncy bedroom pal? 
		
		CHRISTI
	I didn't cheat on Richard. Just... relax. It's no big 
	deal. 
		
		MIKE
	I'm starting to enjoy this new you. I mean, where 
	else can infidelity be so darned fun? 
		
		CHRISTI
	Listen, I just came by to get a couple of things. 
		
		MIKE
	Where ya goin'?
		
		CHRISTI
	(Unsure)
	I-I don't really know. 
		
		MIKE
	Oh, alright. I was just about to go to work 
	anyway. 
		
		CHRISTI
	So late?
		
		MIKE
	Yeah, they got some big project they want me to 
	start researchin' on. Some big uprise in fatalities 
	lately. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Oh ok. See ya later then. 
	(He turns to leave. It suddenly comes to 
	her)
	Oh! 
	(he turns back, surprised)
	While you're there could you look up something 
	for me? Well, someone, really. 
		
		MIKE
	You got it. 
		
		CHRISTI
	The name is Rome Kazuo. 
		
		MIKE
	(taken aback)
	Sounds Chinese or something. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Japanese. 
		
		MIKE
	(relenting)
	Alright. But you better do good on your project 
	on Japan honey. I don't want to see any more 
	notes from teacher, now y'hear?
		
		CHRISTI
	Sure thing. Have a blast. 
		
		MIKE
	Hey, no prob. It's just like fun anyway, only 
	boring. 
	(opens the door)
	See ya. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(inattentive)
	Bye. 

Mike shuts the door. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. CHRISTI'S BEDROOM/CHRISTI'S APARTMENT - DAY

Christi throws a workout-style bag onto the foot of her bed frantically, 
shoving a couple of shirts and a pair of pants in there as fast as she 
can. 

INT. HALL CLOSET/CHRISTI'S APARTMENT - DAY

ANGLE - A SHOEBOX ON THE TOP SHELF as Christi, on the ends of her 
toes, reaches up, trying to snatch it up, just barely our of her reach. 

She manages to scoot it across the shelf with her fingertips, bringing it 
down to her level she opens it, her back turned. 

INT. CHRISTI'S BEDROOM/CHRISTI'S APARTMENT - DAY

She retrieves her limp carrying bag, and

ANGLE - SHE PUTS A GUN INTO IT, UNDER THE CLOTHES. 

She throws the bag over her shoulder and heads straight for the 
door. 
			
			CUT TO:

EXT. SIDEWALK/STREET-DUSK/NIGHT

The sun is beginning to set behind the mountains that are the New 
York skyscrapers. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Way to go, Chris. Why don't ya walk? Sure, it's 
	not that far. Or scary. Or life threatening in any 
	way, nooo. 

POV - CHRISTI

She looks up at the sky, searching for the sun. It is quickly setting 
behind the hills, casting a beautiful orange glow over everything. 

BACK TO SCENE
		
		CHRISTI
	At least I'm close. 
	(beat)
	I hope. You know what would be good right 
	about now - a 
	(sees one as it speeds past her)
	TAXI!

Just as speaks the sun falls behind the horizon, turning all that was 
once warm and beautiful, into nothing but cold, gray darkness. The 
light slowly drains out of this place. 

Frantic, Christi looks around, looking for any place where light may 
remain. 

BUT THERE IS NONE. 

Her pace quickens - she knows she shouldn't be out at night in this 
neighborhood. 

CUT TO later, much farther down the same street. Christi is practically 
jogging, if it weren't for those high heels. Several times she looks 
behind her, thinking she heard something. 

CUT TO much later, an entirely different street, almost abandoned, SHE 
IS ALONE. 
		
		DANTE (O.S.)
	Now you see, it's never a good idea for a lady 
	like yourself to be doing her high-heeled-
	marathon training this late. 

She SPINS around to see Dante, obviously startled by his voice. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Yeah, well, I think I can take care of myself. 
		
		DANTE
	Aww. I sorry, did I upset the wittle wady? 
		
		CHRISTI
	(annoyed)
	I'm sorry, who are you again? 
		
		DANTE
	Oh sod my name, it's you that I'm really 
	interested in. 
	(stares at her)
	Would you like a lift?
		
		CHRISTI
	You... have a car?
		
		DANTE
	I surely do. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(puzzled)
	Where is it?
		
		DANTE
	(smiling)
	I think you'll just have to trust me. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(smiling in her own way)
	I think not. Especially after the fucking day I've 
	had. 

She turns and starts to walk away. She manages to get about twenty 
feet before --
		
		DANTE (O.S.)
	About that, how DID those muggers turn out. 

She stops dead. Turns. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What?!
		
		DANTE
	I was in the neighborhood you see. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(angry)
	Are you following me? Because the whole stalker 
	thing should be reserved for celebrities or 
	something. 
		
		DANTE
	Not so much you, no. 
	(beat)
	Tell me, who is your friend?
		
		CHRISTI
	(nervous)
	Friend? Who?
		
		DANTE
	The one I saw filling your mind earlier. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(scared)
	W-what? 

Dante's eyes widen, expecting an answer. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I-I-I don't k-know what you're talking about. 
		
		DANTE
	Pish posh now dear. Now is not the time for lies 
	of the little white variety. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I'm going! 
	(spins and leaves)
		
		DANTE
	(yelling)
	The man in the black coat!
		
		CHRISTI
	I know of no one who has any black clothes. 
	(looks at him)
	Save for you. 
		
		DANTE
	I saw you with him, you know. I mean, I CAN see 
	you with him. 
	(beat)
	All it takes is just a little bit of probing. You can't 
	seem to get him off your mind. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(defiant)
	Oh yeah? Tell me some more then.
		
		DANTE
	Has a knack for helping little yellow heads like 
	yourself. Probably lives in some enormous hole 
	somewhere. And that sword... now THAT is 
	something to behold. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(disbelieving)
	How, how do you know that?
		
		DANTE
	Just a little trick of mine. 
	(beat)
	You were about to tell me his location. 
		
		CHRISTI
	No, I wasn't.
		
		DANTE
	Oh, right. Now I remember - I was about to beat 
	it from you. 

Christi backs away. With a primadonna wave of her hand, she spins 
around and starts to walk away, Dante still in the background behind 
her. After two steps

SHE BUMPS INTO DANTE'S CHEST, GASPING FOR BREATH. 

He looks down at her as she looks up, a grin on his face. 

This time she turns and runs, AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN. ONE MOMENT HE 
WAS BEHIND HER; THE NEXT, IN FRONT. 
		
		DANTE
	(mocking)
	Lost?

Christi opens her bag and retrieves her handgun, her shaking hand 
gripping it tight. 

Mockingly he jumps back, hands in the air, a look of humorous terror 
on his face, pretending to be deathly afraid. 
		
		DANTE
	Better make it count. 

She doesn't wait any longer, she fires the gun. 

Dante's body jumps with a surge of energy, a smile on his face and a 
laughing cry for help escape his lips. She fires again, and again, until 
there aren't any bullets left. With each shot he yells, each a sound of 
joy rather than pain. 
		
		DANTE
	(laughing hysterically)
	Oh! Oh, I think ya got me. 
	(cannot hold his laughter in)

The gun falls to the ground. SHE RUNS. 

Instantly he stops laughing, straightens up, and watches her run off. 

A few seconds later Christi looks over her shoulder, looking for him. 

POV - CHRISTI

THE STREET IS EMPTY. HE'S GONE. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Christi BURSTS in, panting for breath madly, SCREAMING for someone, 
anyone, to hear her. 
		
		CHRISTI
	ROME! ROME, ARE YOU HERE?!

POV - CHRISTI

Her gaze FLIES around the area with blinding speed, across every inch 
as fast as her eyes can focus. Then up in the rafters. She looks toward 
his bedroom. Anywhere else she might have overlooked. 

BACK

She's frantic, muttering parts of sentences under her tired breath that 
make no rational composition; she runs both her hands through her 
hair in anxiety. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(panting)
	He's not... I can't... believe he's not... here. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S WORKSTATION/KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - MUCH LATER - NIGHT

Christi sits in a chair, spinning in it slowly, trying to waste the time 
away. She glances at the work area with eyes of boredom. 

POV - CHRISTI

She sees an extremely old, extremely dusty, enormous one-volume 
leatherette book. Her hand comes in to her range of sight and it wipes 
as much dust away as it can on one stroke. In the center

A LARGE SINGLE CHARACTER OF JAPANESE

BACK

She can't possibly know what it is. 

POV - CHRISTI 

She opens it to the center page. Amidst a myriad of Japanese lettering 
there is a hand drawn picture. IT'S KAZ. 

She looks past numerous other words she can't make anything out of, 
but beautifully written and in perfect format. There is another picture. 
A PICTURE OF THE MAN SHE JUST SAW - DANTE. ONLY HIS FACE IS 
CONTORTED, DARKER, MORE EVIL. 

SHE SLAMS THE BOOK SHUT, AFRAID OF WHAT SHE'S LOOKING AT. 

BACK
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

In the Japanese-style-hinted bedroom of Kaz, she looks around, 
searching for things about Kaz. 

The first thing she sees, in the corner, a praying pad, and a beautiful 
wall mural hanging across it, from ceiling to floor. 

The bed is not Japanese. Just a regular spring mattress. 

He has another work area just across from the bed, more like a 
toolbench - A FEW SMALL DAGGERS AND BLADES, A GRAPPLING HOOK, 
THROWING STARS, BO STAFF, AMONG OTHER JAPANESE AND CHINESE 
WEAPONS HANG ON THE WALL LIKE A CRAFTSMAN TOOLS. 

But there is something else - on the far wall away from the door, a 
Japanese wall/divider, made of paper and thin wood, stretches from 
wall to wall. 

Christi walks over to it, and sees that it slides by the tracks on the 
ground. She grabs one end and pushes it, until it finally touches the 
other wall. 

In its wake there is an enormous window, from wall to wall, with the 
most beautiful and elegant and peaceful view of New York City anyone 
can hope to have. 

SHE JUST STARES. ADMIRING THE BEAUTY. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - DAYBREAK

When Kaz does come home it's morning. 

INT. KAZ'S BEDROOM - DAYBREAK

The warm light streams in through the enormous window. 

Christi is fast asleep on Kaz's bed, fetal position above the sheets. 

Kaz, in the doorway, stops. 
		
		KAZ
	What are you doing here?

She JOLTS to a sudden awareness, completely awake in an instant. 
She sits, on her knees, trying to get the hair from her eyes.  

BEAT
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S WORKSTATION/KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - MORNING

She sits in the same seat as she did earlier. He stands, his back 
turned to her, working on something at his station. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Rome, what are yo--
		
		KAZ
	Don't. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What?
		
		KAZ
	Don't... call me that. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I thought it was your name. 
		
		KAZ
	It's not. 
	(beat)
	My name is Kazuo. Rome was added after my... 
	later. 
	(beat)
	Since I came back... it's just Kaz now. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Kaz?
		
		KAZ
	Yes. People can know too much from a name. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I was going to ask where you came from. 
		
		KAZ
	I told you already. 
		
		CHRISTI
	No, you didn't. 

Kaz stops for a moment, thinking. 
		
		KAZ
	I was sent here to complete my purpose. To fulfill 
	my destiny. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Who sent you?
		
		KAZ
	(beat)
	God. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What?
		
		KAZ
	Please... do not ask me anymore about my past. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Fine. 
	(holds up book with picture of Dante in 
	it)
	Then how 'bout some o' your present? Who's 
	this?
		
		KAZ
	(turns around to see)
	You have been going through my personal 
	belongings. 
	(turns back)
	I wish you had done otherwise. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(not caring)
	Sorry. Got bored. Who is he?

Kaz picks up a rag and gingerly wipes the much from them, and tosses 
it back onto his station. 
		
		KAZ
	His name is Dante. I'm here because he's come 
	back. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Why? 
	(puts down book)
		
		KAZ
	It's of no consequence. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Yes, it is!
		
		KAZ
	(wondering)
	Why, child? 
		
		CHRISTI
	Because I saw him!
		
		KAZ
	(surprised)
	You? Met with him?
		
		CHRISTI
	I didn't meet with him. He met with me. 
		
		KAZ
	(suddenly worried)
	Are you hurt?
		
		CHRISTI
	Then I take it you know about his whole 
	invincible thing?
		
		KAZ
	Yes. He cannot be killed. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What the hell, Kaz?! What the hell? First him with 
	all his no-dead-from-bullet motto. And now you. 
	Why do you have to avoid my questions that 
	way? 
	(annoyed)
	God!
		
		KAZ
	(stops, thinking)
	Child...  
	(beat)
	I was born in 1331, in the age of the Kamakura 
	Bakufu, from a pure-bred race of ninja/samurai 
	warriors.  My father's name was Kazuo. I was 
	born from the daughter of a ninja clan's leader in 
	Japan. 
	(Christi stands in awe, terrified)
	I am 672 years old, Christi. 

She can't speak, her mouth is open but only a faint whimper can 
escape. 
		
		KAZ
	(continuing)
	Dante is the reason I am back. The only reason I 
	could POSSIBLY be back. When I was 23 years 
	old I was chosen by divine rights to battle him. 
	As a consequence of this, I was given special 
	abilities. And unnatural long life. 
	(beat)
	The first time we battled, I thought I had killed 
	him. Now that I'm back, I know that can't be. 
	(beat)
	Your world is... it's so different from mine. The 
	way of my people has long since deteriorated. 
	Now I can only hunt, hoping to find Him before he 
	finds me. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(shocked)
	Ho-How long have you been here?
		
		KAZ
	A month. Maybe a little more. I have trouble with 
	your calendar. 
		
		CHRISTI
	God, Kaz... I-I don't --
		
		KAZ
	If it was Dante that you saw last night then you 
	must tell me everything. Anyone who tries to 
	stop him... will not succeed.  
		
		CHRISTI
	What is he?
		
		KAZ
	(pauses)
	There is not a word for what he is - none could 
	ever be so evil as he. 
	(beat)
	In my language his name means 'to endure'. 
	(beat)
	He is not human - I guess you already came to 
	that conclusion.
		
		CHRISTI
	Yeah. I emptied my clip into his chest and he 
	laughed at me. 
		
		KAZ
	The weapons of your world are powerful, yes, I 
	have seen them. But he is too evil, too powerful, 
	for such things. There is only one thing that can 
	stop him. 

Kaz grabs the sword hilt from the desk and YANKS out the sword with 
the same sound as he had before - SHARPENED STEEL. 

POV - CHRISTI

Her gaze focuses on the sword, looking at it clearly for the first time. 
She sees its design, its beauty. She looks to the hilt, and she can't 
quite understand it. 

BACK
		
		CHRISTI
	What the hell is that thing... ? 
		
		KAZ
	It IS different from other blades, indeed. A 
	shaman in my homeland designed it, crafted it. It 
	can fall upon any object, and it wouldn't hesitate 
	in its destruction. It can never be broken. And no 
	man other than I can wield it.  
	(beat, looks at his sword)
	At first I thought it had been made by some 
	great magic, that a great power constructed it to 
	give to me - the only thing that can stop the Evil 
	One. 
	(sheathes it)
	But now, after seeing the technologies of your 
	world, I understand there is nothing mystical 
	about it at all. I do not yet understand how the 
	shaman crafted such a thing in such a time when 
	nothing like this could have been. But I know I 
	have it now - it WILL kill Dante. 
		
		CHRISTI
	You know, you let my brother spend a week with 
	that thing and we can have every nut in New 
	York hunting this Dante. 
		
		KAZ
	No. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What? Afraid to lose your glory?
		
		KAZ
	No...  the shaman that built it was the direct 
	descendant of the first that defeated the 
	creature - he died in that battle. 
	(beat)
	He blessed it with his life; the elders told me he 
	now inhabits the blade. 
	(beat)
	Besides, 
	(throws the sword and scabbard onto 
	the desk)
	It's an ancient technology. The ideas died with 
	that shaman. 
		
		CHRISTI
	It's not very... you. 
		
		KAZ
	Some of it is very much me. 
	(sadly)
	It is not from this place, yet it struggles to adapt. 
	It has no place in this world. 
	(beat)
	It never did. 

There is a moment of troubled silence, until Christi decides to break it. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Tell me about how we're going to kill it. 
		
		KAZ
	We?
		
		CHRISTI
	Does he have, like, special powers or something? 
	Do YOU?
		
		KAZ
	You want to know of our abilities?
		
		CHRISTI
	That's what I said. 
	(beat)
	I mean, does he have weaknesses, you know?
		
		KAZ
	No. None. By my hand alone can he no longer 
	be. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(sarcastically)
	Great. 
	(looks)
	What about you?
		
		KAZ
	The same. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(frustrated)
	Man...  
		
		KAZ
	What is it?
		
		CHRISTI
	It just seems like, you know, you're immortal, 
	he's immortal. Won't you just fight forever?
		
		KAZ
	We have fought long as it is. He needs no 
	weapon of significance to end me... only himself. 
	(beat)
	He's attuned to the evil of the world. In my time, 
	he was horrible, but now... your world is a dark 
	place. I mustn't underestimate him. 
	(jerks on his coat, grabs his sword)
	Now, show me where you saw him. 
			
			CUT TO:

EXT. STREET/SEWER ENTRANCE - DAY 

She takes Kazuo to where she met Dante. Near where they stand a 
manhole leads down to the sewer. 
		
		CHRISTI
	This is it. 
		
		KAZ
	Right here?
		
		CHRISTI
	Uh huh. 
		
		KAZ
	How did you manage to escape?
		
		CHRISTI
	I just ran. 
		
		KAZ
	(lowers his head, shaking it)
	He let you go. 

He SLOWLY slides the sword out from its sheath, now hanging 
perpendicular to his body behind his back, so that he must reach 
slightly behind his back and extrude it by pulling away from his side. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What?
		
		KAZ
	Oh, and what, you just outran him?
		
		CHRISTI
	(embarrassed)
	It could happen. 
		
		KAZ
	He let you get away. He's looking for me. 
	(shrugs it off)
	D'ah well. 

His sword comes down on the manhole cover like a bolt of lightning. 
IT'S SHORN DOWN THE CENTER, THE TWO HALVES CRASHING TO THE 
MURKY WATERS BELOW. 
		
		CHRISTI
	You know, my taxes are gonna have to pay for 
	that. 
		
		KAZ
	Come on. 

Kaz takes one step forward and drops with grace down the deep 
hole. 

Christi is not so lucky. She sits and scoots toward the cover. 

INT. SEWER - DAY 

She practically falls into it - Kaz manages to catch her, probably saving 
her some aches. 

They start down the length of the sewer, water treading beneath their 
feet. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I can't see anything. 
		
		KAZ
	I can. 

Kaz's eyes gleam with a twinge of light in them, obviously he is able to 
see in the dark. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Well, I can't!

Kaz holds up his sword, angling the blade to catch some of the light 
sneaking in through the open hole above their heads. THE LIGHT IS 
MAGNIFIED BY THE SWORD, ILLUMINATING THE SEWER SYSTEM 
GREATLY. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Neat trick. 
	(walks)
	Tell me again why we're in the sewer. 
		
		KAZ
	There's a place I know. It might help us out. 
		
		CHRISTI
	You have places?
		
		KAZ
	Just one. I think it's some sort of gathering. A 
	place where the less honest can avoid any 
	problems. 
		
		CHRISTI
	In the sewer?
		
		KAZ
	Some of them are worse than you might think. 
		
		CHRISTI
	That sounds comforting. So where is this --

Kaz and Christi round a a hidden corner. THE CHANGE FROM THE DANK, 
DARK SEWER TO THE ELEGANT AND LAVISH LOBBY-ESQUE AREA IS 
BREATHTAKING. 

INT. SEWER HIDEOUT - DAY 
		
		CHRISTI
	(shocked)
	-- place? 
		
		KAZ
	But some of them... well, just take a look. 
		
		CHRISTI
	This is really disturbing. 
		
		KAZ
	I really agree. 
		
		CHRISTI
	How has no one found this?
		
		KAZ
	The doorway is hidden. Only somebody with eyes 
	like mine can see it. 

They pass through the area and come upon an expensive-looking 
door, leading to another room. Kaz turns to her, looks her in the 
eyes.  
		
		KAZ
	Your world has many secrets. Do not be 
	surprised by what you may see. No one like you 
	has ever been here. 

She doesn't look very up to the task. Kaz opens the door. 

INT. SEWER BAR/CHRISTI'S POV - DAY 

The entrance image is not as bad as she thought at first. She scans 
the area. SHE SEES DOZENS OF PEOPLE SITTING AT THE BAR ON THE 
NEAR WALL, DRINKING, THEIR HEADS DOWN. 

THERE ARE OTHER TABLES IN THIS LAVISH PLACE, EACH OF THEM FULL, 
MOVING WITH A MASS OF PEOPLE, TALKING, LAUGHING. 
		
		CHRISTI
	It's a bar. 
	(looks around)
	What's the big deal?

Her head turns towards the bar to see the back of a head belonging 
to a man. 

He senses her gaze and, with a belch, he turns around to look at her. 
HIS FACE IS TWISTED AND CONTORTED, SKIN IN PLACES THERE 
SHOULDN'T BE - ENTIRELY INHUMAN. 

BACK TO SCENE

CHRISTI YELPS AND LEAPS BACK, SHOCKED BY THE DISTURBING 
SURPRISE. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(calmed)
	Oh. 

She looks around further, and sees that most of the people here, upon 
inspection of their features, are not human. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Not your typical. 
	(sarcastic)
	Just what I need more of. As if my heapin'-helpin' 
	of weirdness earlier wasn't enough. 
		
		KAZ
	We will not be here long. 
		
		CHRISTI
	He's not here. We should just leave now. Yes, 
	leave I say. 
		
		KAZ
	I'm not looking for him. We're getting 
	information. 

She nods, as if she knew already. 

Kaz walks up to the bar, pushing past anyone who's in his way. 
		
		KAZ
	(to bartender)
	Where's CHERRY?

The BARTENDER looks up, his expression remains that of stern 
reluctance, and his head quickly motions for the back of the bar. 

Kaz's knuckles come down on the bar-top in acceptance, and he heads 
for the back. The bartender stares at him. 
		
		CHRISTI
	You sure look like you know your way around. 
		
		KAZ
	You'd be surprised how fast you can learn - when 
	you have to. 
		
		CHRISTI
	So why's this guy called Cher --

Before she can finish they come upon the table that he is sitting at. A 
dozen beautiful woman sit around him, groping him, demanding his 
touch. His head turns to face Christi and she sees HIS INCREDIBLY 
BRIGHT RED FACE. 
		
		CHRISTI
	-- Whoa!
		
		CHERRY
	(under his breath)
	Oh, shit. 
	(loud, joyful)
	Kazuo! How's it goi --
		
		KAZ
	Spare me your trite remarks.  
		
		CHERRY
	(his face returns to one of disdain for 
	Kaz)
	What do you want?
		
		KAZ
	Where is he?
		
		CHERRY
	He who?
		
		KAZ
	The Beast. 

With the utterance of His name, a hush befalls the bar and throws it 
into silence as nearly every thing there turns to look at Kaz. 
		
		CHERRY
	(scared)
	Da-Dante? Dante doesn't come around these 
	parts. 
		
		KAZ
	He was upstairs. Just a few hours ago. 

Several of the people in different areas of the bar rush up and head 
fore the door. 
		
		CHERRY
	W-What?
		
		CHRISTI
	(to Kaz)
	Are they afraid of Him?
		
		CHERRY
	Her kind aren't allowed here. 
		
		KAZ
	(to Christi)
	Yes. Deathly. 
	(Cherry hesitantly agrees with a nod)
	 (back to Cherry)
	And I am the one asking the questions here. 
		
		CHERRY
	Alright. Alright. But you don't ever bring her back. 
	And about Dante - I haven't seen him. 
		
		KAZ
	Lies! He was not ten feet from your ugly ass 
	face. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(surprised, quietly)
	Ugly ass face... ?
		
		KAZ
	(ignoring her)
	I know you've seen him. Now tell me where. 
		
		CHERRY
	Hey! Come on! You think I want to see Dante?! 
	Hello? Remember? 'Bore from him all other evils.' 
	All that jazz? Ring a bell? We don't want Dante 
	here! And I'm not exactly too eager to meet the 
	son-of-a-bitch!
		
		KAZ
	I am aware of the legends surrounding my 
	enemy. But I still do not believe -- 

Someone, A BIG MAN, sneaks up behind Kaz. 

He grabs his shoulder with his enormous hand. 
		
		BIG MAN
	Is there a situation here? Sir?

Kaz's hand grabs his own in a flash of speed. And before anyone can 
move THE BIG MAN IS SOARING OVER KAZ'S HEAD, AND CRASHES 
THROUGH THE TABLE IN FRONT OF KAZ. LANDING WITH HIS ARM VICED 
BY KAZ'S, AND THE SWORD AT HIS THROAT. 

 -- THE PATTER OF RUSHING FOOTSTEPS BEHIND --

KAZ TURNS, HIS SWORD GLEAMING WITH SPEED. A HAND FALLS TO THE 
FLOOR. AND THE SWORD RETURNS TO THE THROAT OF THE BIG MAN. 
Kaz looks at Cherry, his eyebrows raised, waiting for an answer. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	Hey!

Kaz stops mid-sentence, to turn and look at who has caught his 
attention. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	You wanna know about Dante? 
	(Downs beer)
	I can take you to Him. 
		
		KAZ
	Who are you?
		
		BAR PATRON
	Just a good samaritan. You want in or not?

Kaz looks to Christi, she shrugs in puzzlement. Kaz quickly relinquishes 
and starts toward the man. He gets up from the stool to meet them. 
		
		KAZ
	Ladies first. 

The man heads for the door, Kaz and Christi close behind. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(quietly, to Kaz)
	He's human. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	Not exactly darlin'. 

He turns around and opens his eyes wide AS THEY GLOW WITH AN 
INTENSITY OF FIRE. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	But all the right parts are there. If you're 
	interested. 
		
		KAZ
	Eyes forward. Six-inch voices. And keep your 
	hands to yourself. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	Alright, alright, Teach. I'm going. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. ELEVATOR ENTRANCE/SEWER - DAY 

At the end of a VERY long sewer tunnel there is a lone light shining 
bright, THE ELEVATOR IS WAITING. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	So, yeah, I know where all this guys lackies like 
	to hang out, his chore handlers. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Sounds like a bunch o' little bitches to me. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	You're not far off there. Gotta be careful though, 
	they're developed. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Developed?
		
		KAZ
	They have abilities too. 
	(re: elevator)
	Where's this go. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	Express. It goes up, top floor o' their skyscraper. 
		
		CHRISTI
	It's not exactly an underground cover up. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	Last place someone'd look though. 

The bar patron goes in first, pressing the one and only button, lighting 
up. Kaz and Christi stand on either side of him, waiting for the ding. 

DING

The doors close. 
			
			CUT TO:

DING

INT. TOP FLOOR/VAMPIRE SKYSCRAPER - DAY 

The doors slide open to an incredible single room floor, lots of space, 
only a small bit of furniture near the window. 

EXCEPT FOR THE LOCKERS COVERING EVERY INCH OF WALL SPACE. 

The bar patron reaches over and presses a button. METAL GRATES 
SLOWLY SLIDE DOWN OVER THE MASSIVE WINDOWS, SHUTTING OUT 
ALL LIGHT. 
		
		KAZ
	Better take this. 

Kaz pulls from his pocket a dangerous looking dagger, spinning it in his 
hand before he has it at the hilt. He hands it to her. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(taking it)
	What's this for?
		
		KAZ
	(exhales,calm)
	It's a trap. 

THE GRATES CLOSE AND LOCK - DARKNESS. 

EVERY LOCKER SLOWLY BEGINS TO SWING OPEN. 
		
		KAZ
	Vampires. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(shocked, angry)
	Vampires?!
		
		KAZ
	Our beer buddy here is one too. Descendants of 
	The Beast. 

Men, no, only shaped like men, their faces twisted and evil, start to 
climb from their standing coffins, sensing the darkness. 
		
		CHRISTI
	How many you count?

Looks at the myriad of vampires slowly surrounding them, cutting off 
any escape. 
		
		KAZ
	It doesn't really matter. 
		
		BAR PATRON
	Message from The Beast. Enjoy yourselves. 

THE MASS RUSHES AT THE TWO, ENCOMPASSING THEM. 

KAZ LEAPS INTO THE AIR - A METAL BO STAFF ONCE HIDDEN IN THE 
INNARDS OF HIS COAT, NOW RESTS IN HIS HAND. 

SPINNING AND TWISTING FASTER THAN CAN BE SEEN THE STAFF 
BECOMES A BLUR, UNTIL IT CRASHES DOWN ON THE SKULL OF AN 
UNLUCKY VAMPIRE, SNAPPING HIS NECK. 

THE BOTTOM END SLAMS ONE IN THE FACE, COMING FROM BELOW, 
SENDING HIM FLYING BACK. HE REELS BACK, THE SAME END LANDING 
INTO THE GUT OF ANOTHER JUST BEHIND HIM. IT GOES LOW, TRIPPING 
ANOTHER WITH SUCH FORCE, HE LANDS ONLY ON THE TOP OF HIS 
SKULL. 

HE BRINGS IT BACK UP, SPINNING IT INCREDIBLY FAST AROUND HIS 
BODY, FINALLY FINISHING THE SPIN OFF WITH A SIDE SWIPE - FIVE OF 
THEM ARE HIT, SPINNING UNGODLY FAST BEFORE THEY HIT THE 
GROUND, ALL IN UNISON. 

THE STAFF HITS THE FLOOR AT THE FEET OF A VAMPIRE. HE STARES AT 
KAZ, COCKY, JUST BEFORE KAZ THROWS THE STAFF UPWARDS, 
SENDING HIM THROUGH THE AIR, CRASHING INTO A HALF DOZEN 
OTHER VAMPS. 

SLAM IN THE STOMACH. SLAM IN THE FACE. A BROKEN KNEECAP. A 
BROKEN NECK. THE IMPACTS ARE SO SHORT AND FAST IT'S HARD TO 
MAKE THEM OUT. 

POV - KAZ

HE LOOKS TO CHRISTI, HAVING LITTLE LUCK WITH THE DAGGER HE 
GAVE HER. 

HE THROWS HIS ARM FROM HIS SIDE STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE STAFF 
SPINS ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS - TAKING OUT A MASS THAT WAS 
LOOMING TOWARDS CHRISTI. 

SHE POPS HIM A LOOK OF EXTREME GRATITUDE, THEN RUNS OFF, 
BEING PURSUED. 

BACK TO SCENE

HE RUNS AFTER HER, BLASTING THROUGH A MASS OF SOLDIERS. HIS 
FIST FLIES, SPINNING ONE LIKE A TOP. ONE JUMPS IN HIS WAY, BUT A 
STANDING FRONT KICK SENDS HIM FLYING INTO ANOTHER GROUP OF 
THEM, CLEARING THE WAY. 

HE GRABS CHRISTI, TRYING TO PROTECT HER. 
		
		CHRISTI
	WHAT DO WE DO?!
		
		KAZ
	GET THE LIGHTS!

HE GRABS HER BY THE BACK OF HER SHIRT, AND THROWS HER, HURLS 
HER OVER A LINE OF THEM THAT WERE CLOSING IN. SHE LANDS ON 
THE OTHER SIDE, HARD, BUT FREE FROM THEIR GRASP AND CLOSER TO 
THE SWITCH FOR THE GRATES. 

HE REACHES IN HIS COAT, BEHIND HIS BACK, AND EXTRUDES TWO 
DAGGERS - ALL BLADE, WITH VERY THICK AND WIDTHFUL BLADES. A 
CURVED DESIGN THAT MATCHES EACH OTHER. 

KAZ BRINGS BOTH BLADES, FROM HIS SIDES, TOWARDS HIM - A HEAD 
FALLS HITS THE FLOOR. IT EXPLODES IN A DAZZLE OF FIRE AND ASH, 
LIKE EMBERS FROM A BURNING LOG. THE BODY DOES THE SAME. 

ONE BLADE INTO THE CHEST, ONE THROUGH THE BACK. ONE BLADE IN 
THE STOMACH, THE OTHER BELOW THE JAW. BOTH IN THE CHEST. THEY 
START FALLING ONE AFTER THE OTHER, LIQUEFYING INTO BURNING 
ASH. 

THEY REGROUP, AND START TO GET HITS OFF. ONE BLADE IS KICKED 
FROM HIS HAND, THE OTHER IS STOLEN. A KICK TO HIS FACE, AND 
ANOTHER TO HIS STOMACH, TWO DROPKICK IN UNISON - SENDING HIM 
TO THE GROUND. 

HIS HEAD SHOOTS OVER --

-- christi in trouble with four of them surrounding her. 

He spins his legs, like he were a top - several fall to the floor. He's up - 
two ninja stars between each set of fingers on his right hand. His 
hand flies forward. 

The next thing that's visible is four vamps, each of them with two stars 
piercing them - one on the head, one in the back. They fall and burn. 
Kaz takes off, trying to gain an offensive. 

But christi is near the switch. She reaches out, ready to press it, when 
a hand grabs her own and spins her around, sending her to the floor. 
She looks up, sees the bar man, smiling. 

The action stops, Kaz is panting, on one side of the floor, the entire 
mass of vamps, although diminished, stand on the other, opposing 
him, ready to attack. 
		
		KAZ
	Okay. So you guys wanna play it that way. 

He grabs the hilt of his sword and SLOWLY removes it from the 
scabbard, a few of them SQUINT from its BLINDING SHINE. 

He holds it in front of him, both hands on the hilt. 

Angle - the sword is directly in front of his face, between his eyes, he 
looks past it, at the onslaught. 

One rushes at Kaz - bad idea. 

With a fling of the sword he's in the air, his burning body cut in half. 

More attack, the sword flying at lightning speed - in the chest, the 
side, the face, the legs - all are attacked before anyone can even 
understand what's happening. 

They stop. They think otherwise. 

Christi looks up at the bar patron, still smiling, pulling a dagger of his 
own, ready to attack. 

A star slams into his leg. He looks to Kaz - now he's smiling. Before he 
can react the dagger she had in her hand is through the bottom of his 
jaw, into his head. He explodes into a fiery dust before he can hit the 
ground. 

She leaps up and hits the switch - the windows open, light filling the 
room. 

Almost instantly everyone of them starts to cook, burning up in only a 
few seconds like all of their comrades just did. 

But there's one, running for the door, his entire body on fire. He hits a 
different switch, a light just below it blinking very quickly. 

Kaz's eyes widen. He runs over and grabs Christi by the waist

And heads for the window. 

Her eyes widen in terror, just as Kaz leaps through the glass window, 
the fifty story window. 

Glass shatters around them. The light stops blinking. 

EXT. FALLING FROM SKYSCRAPER - DAY

Just as they clear the top floor it's up in flames - the button he pressed 
was a last resort, now the whole top floor is exploding in a huge 
fireball. 

But they're still falling. 

Kaz grabs Christi and struggles to put her on his shoulder. She can't 
believe what's happening. 

The sword flips in his hand, pointing down. 

He slams it into the side of the massive building, digging in almost to 
the hilt. His feet find the wall next, pushing down with all his force, as 
he struggles with one arm to keep Christi on his shoulder. 

Halfway down. 

They're not slowing. Still falling too fast. He presses down harder, the 
bottom of his boots leaving an enormous black trail on the side of the 
building, the rubber melting. 

Three quarters. 

Even harder. His feet start to smoke. His face shows his agony. 

Almost down. 

Still too fast. He digs the sword in deeper. 

The shift causes it to lose its hold on the wall. They're falling without 
an anchor at all to the wall. 

His back to the ground, Christi is now pressed against his chest.

His body slams into the roof of a car, the windows exploding, the 
frame destroyed in the span of an instant. 

BEAT

Christi looks up from being buried in his chest. She looks hurt, dazed. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Kaz... ?

His eyes are shut, he doesn't move. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Kaz?!

She slaps him. A groan escapes his mouth, he's in bad shape. 
		
		KAZ
	(in pain)
	That was fun... but I still liked the Empire State 
	better. 

She smiles, her face buried in his chest again. 
			
			SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

INT. CHRISTI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The door shuts. Christi enters her apartment.
		
		MIKE
	Hey, Chris. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Oh, hey, Mikey. 
		
		MIKE
	Where've you been?
		
		CHRISTI
	Just... hangin' around. 
		
		MIKE
	You know, Richie Rich has been callin' all day for 
	you. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Oh shit! Richard... 
		
		MIKE
	I take it by that 'shit' you spent most of the day 
	with your new bedroom playtime pal?
		
		CHRISTI
	I told you, there is no such person. 
		
		MIKE
	Alright. It's a secret. I get it. It's cool. 
	(beat)
	Oh, and, hey, I got that stuff you wanted. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Yeah? What'd it say?
		
		MIKE
	I left it at work. But pretty much all it said was 
	that he was some kind o' priest, holy man type. 
	(stops)
	What'd you wanna know that fer?
		
		CHRISTI
	Just... wondering, I-I guess. 
		
		MIKE
	Oh, yeah. K. 

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. 

Christi turns and opens it to reveal

Kaz.

She looks stunned, she can't really speak. 
		
		MIKE
	(seeing her reaction)
	Who are you?
		
		KAZ
	(to Christi)
	Time to go. 
		
		MIKE
	Hey. Who are you?
		
		CHRISTI
	(beat)
	Maybe there's something you should know. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT.  KAZ'S WAREHOUSE/KAZ'S WORKSHOP - NIGHT 
		
		MIKE
	I-I-I-I don't, I don't... what?
		
		CHRISTI
	That's what I said. 
	(beat)
	What were those things today Kaz?
		
		MIKE
	Wha-What things?
		
		KAZ
	When I fought Dante the first time he was just 
	starting to assemble his army. 
		
		CHRISTI
	His army?
		
		KAZ
	Mostly what we saw today. Some other things. 
	Some worse things. 
		
		CHRISTI
	An army... an army of vampires?
		
		KAZ
	To be honest, I only used that term to familiarize 
	you with what we were facing. In reality, that is 
	a very loose word. They have no specific 
	characteristics. The personality of the individual 
	remains. Whoever feels like drinking blood, does. 
	It's not a general trait. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Why did they... do what they did? Explode?
		
		KAZ
	They're just dead. The disease that they have 
	holds their body together through 
	decomposition. Underneath, they're hollow. If 
	any air gets in, decomposition catches up to 
	itself. 
		
		MIKE
	That's why a stake to the heart... 
		
		KAZ
	A stake anywhere really. Or anything bigger than 
	a bullet, actually. 
		
		MIKE
	Wait, I have a question - Why us?
		
		CHRISTI
	Yeah, I never really got that either. Why does he 
	want me?
		
		KAZ
	Unfortunately, Dante must have seen us 
	together somewhere. He wants to use you to 
	find me. That makes you a part of this too, 
	Michael. 
		
		MIKE
	Great. 
	(beat)
	Why did you come back?
		
		KAZ
	I don't understand. 
		
		MIKE
	Why wasn't someone else chosen after you died. 
	Why did they bring you back?
		
		KAZ
	I was never dead. After I thought that Dante had 
	been killed, I slumbered, hoping I would sleep 
	forever.  
		
		CHRISTI
	How'd you kill him? I mean, the last time?

Something rips through Kazuo's mind. Some forgotten memory. 
			
			CUT TO:

EXT. FIELD - NIGHT 

Kazuo's sword rams straight through Dante's chest - a look of utter 
pain on his face. Lightning cracks in the background as Dante falls 
back, sliding off the sword. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE/KAZ'S WORKSHOP - NIGHT 

He comes back an instant later.
		
		KAZ
	It seems as though I didn't. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Which is why I asked - so we won't make the 
	same mistake again. 
		
		KAZ
	I ran my blade through his heart. 
		
		MIKE
	Does anyone else think that should've worked 
	the first time?
		
		KAZ
	(realizing)
	He didn't die. He slept too. He's waiting for 
	something... 
	(beat)
	I think it would serve us best to retire. The day 
	has made us weary. 
	(re: weapons)
	Stay awake if you want, take what you wish. 

Exit Kazuo. 

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE/KAZ'S WORKSHOP - LATER - NIGHT

Christi and Mike sit around Kaz's workstation, talking. 
		
		MIKE
	I guess I was pretty far off when I guessed you 
	were going behind Richie's back?
		
		CHRISTI
	You're not kiddin'.
		
		MIKE
	I WAS right about a new man in your life. 
	(looks at weapons)
	What are we gonna do Chris? We can't go back 
	to our old lives now. Our jobs. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Dante wants us dead. We do what we have to 
	do. We kill him. 
		
		MIKE
	Kaz kills him, we're just along for the ride. Don't 
	ever forget that. We're just luggage to this guy. 
	He says Dante wants to use you to find him, I 
	think Kaz wants to use you to find Dante. 
		
		CHRISTI
	As long as he keeps me alive, I'm pretty 
	comfortable with our relationship. 

On the table are the multitude of Kaz's weapons. Mike picks up the 
long metal bo staff. 
		
		MIKE
	Ooh, I like this. Metal. I could do things with this. 

Mike spins it around his body, showing only a small amount of skill with 
the staff, but more than most. 

Christi picks up one of the throwing stars. She points to a spot on the 
wall and hurls it, the star spiraling through the air. It flies up, 
completely off target, with a klank, not connecting with anything. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Guess that's a no. 
	(looks, sees his sword)
	I wonder if he would let me use it. You know, just 
	until we find Dante. 

She goes over and reaches for it, her palm touching the handle. 
Something inside the handle shifts, and, without warning, a shock 
erupts from it, causing Chris to drop the sword to the floor. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Fuck!
		
		MIKE
	(laughs)
	That thing has handprint analysis on it. When he 
	said it would only obey him, he wasn't shittin' 
	you. 
		
		CHRISTI
	How did the shaman make that thing? I mean, 
	they didn't have the materials then. The 
	components to put it together. 
		
		MIKE
	I'm having split theories on that. One, either the 
	shaman was from the future and knew how to 
	build it, which I really doubt, cuz if he was, this 
	would be about to get a lot more complicated. Or 
	two, the shaman was a seer and envisioned how 
	to make it. Or maybe it is just magic, fuck if I 
	know. 
		
		CHRISTI
	(re: weapons)
	Which one?
		
		MIKE
	Just pick one of those other swords. It's not like 
	he needs more than one. 
	(walking off, re: staff)
	Maybe I can hook this thing up to a --

Christi stares up to Kaz's bedroom, wondering what he is doing up 
there. 
			
			CUT TO:

EXT. FIELD - NIGHT

Flashes --

-- the field --

-- the air --

-- Kazuo, sweat on his face, panting --

-- Dante, angry, a smile on his face --

Kaz and Dante stands on opposite side of the field, many feet apart, 
but their gaze never loses the others. 

Kaz is in his ninja uniform, an incredible difference from that of the 
present, his hair is in the ponytail on the peak of his head. Dante still 
wears only black, but in ancient clothing. 
		
		DANTE
	It's really pathetic, you know? After all that 
	you've done, I'm still going to kill you. 

Kaz RUSHES him, his sword ready to strike, feet pounding the soft dirt. 
Dante stands still, not moving, arms crossed. 

Kaz brings the sword down, slicing straight through Dante, from his 
neck to his abdomen. 

Or would have. 

Before any contact can be made Dante explodes, becoming a dozen 
black crows, flying off in a FLASH. 

They circle around Kaz, swarming around him, before they finally 
regroup far behind him. Just as fast as he was gone Dante returns. 
		
		DANTE
	(laughs)
	You know, last time I checked that really doesn't 
	do much unless you get me. 
		
		KAZ
	I'm about to do more than that. 
		
		DANTE
	Then enough games. It's time we finally finish 
	this. 

In the blink of an eye, disappearing from across the field again, 
Dante's fist is slamming across Kazuo's face, causing him to stumble 
backwards, using his sword as a brace. 

Dante smiles and nods mockingly; Rome Kazuo attacks again. 

A low swing of his mighty sword, Dante jumps above it calmly, as it 
glides underneath his feet. 

Kaz swings high, before Dante can even land. Dante throws his head 
back, arching at the spine, the sword zipping just above his nose. But 
he's in the air, the maneuver forces him into a back flip. He uses his 
own momentum to his favor, his airborne feet slamming into Kaz's jaw. 
Kaz, on his back, and Dante, on his feet, land at the same time. 

Dante, taking advantage of his prone state, rushes at Kaz, still on the 
ground. Kaz's feet extend out, and Dante's own momentum in his own 
enemy. Kaz's feet catch him in the chest, sending him flipping directly 
over Kaz. The object is to ground your opponent, but Dante is too 
good, and he adjusts, not only landing on his feet, but spiraling in the 
air, landing, facing Kaz's prone body. 

Dante bends down, but Kaz's feet are still in the air - he kicks his legs 
out, hopping up to his feet with the awesome agility move that all 
martial artists know, nailing Dante with his feet on the way up. 

He staggers back, as Kazuo turns - the sword flies, Dante's arm hits 
the floor. 

He just looks at the stump, frustrated, upset, not in any pain. Kaz 
attacks, before he can recuperate, his sword coming down. But 
Dante's arm is already back and he grabs the sword as it's coming 
down in the palm of his hand, smiling. A kick from Dante sends Kaz 
crashing back, losing his grip on the sword. 

Grabbing it by the blade and not from the hilt, Dante can handle the 
sword in his hand. He launches like a spear at Kaz, who is already up 
with another hop. The sword flies at his face, Kaz does a back-
handspring just as the sword passes above his stomach. It loses 
momentum as Kaz gets to his feet, and it sticks with its blade into the 
ground. 

He looks down and sees that his shirt is shorn from how close the 
blade actually came to gutting him. 

Dante's hand extends, fingers stretched out. The sword begins to 
shake in the ground. Kaz's eyes widen, knowing what it's about to do, 
he leaps towards Dante, his arm out. Just as the sword leaps from its 
position in the soil, flying towards Dante's open hand. 

But Kaz is already there and he snatches the sword from its flight 
before it ever gets to Dante, spinning it in his hand to relieve its 
momentum. 

Dante sees his folly, and tries to side-kick Kaz before he can regroup. 

Still with the sword in spin, Kaz sees the leg coming for him and alters 
the spin of the blade and brings it up, Dante's leg disappearing in flash 
of steel below the kneecap. 

Pain flies across Dante's face, but Kaz isn't done. With another flick of 
his wrist the sword is under his control again, and he straightens it out

Straight through dante's heart.

There is a moment of peace, neither of them moves - Dante in utter 
anguish, Kaz with a single hand still has his heart pierced. 

Dante slides off the sword, and falls to the ground, exploding into ash 
as he hits. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. KAZ'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 

Kaz sits alone in a chair, his arms folded on his lap, facing the window. 
His eyes are closed, but he's not asleep, he's meditating. 
		
		CHRISTI (O.S.)
	Kaz?

His eyes open slowly, but he refuses to turn around and face her. 
		
		CHRISTI
	How are you?
		
		KAZ
	(hostile)
	Fine. 

She comes farther in, still weary to get too close. 
		
		CHRISTI
	You don't sound fine. 
	(beat)
	We were wondering what the plan is. 
		
		KAZ
	There isn't one. When we find him, we kill him. 
	Fairly simple. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Is everything alright? 
		
		KAZ
	I've been... having these dreams. Of the first 
	time I fought Dante. I've been trying to ignore 
	them, but, they keep resurfacing. My past won't 
	stay dead. One way or the other. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What did they say?
		
		KAZ
	I dusted him. I watched as he became one with 
	the earth again. I still can't understand what 
	force allowed him to survive, or me for that 
	matter, for all these years. 
		
		CHRISTI
	The past never stays dead. Not for any of us. It's 
	part of life. 
		
		KAZ
	(ignoring her)
	You know, when I went to sleep that night, I 
	really wasn't planning on coming back. I was 
	hoping to slumber until my time too was over. 
	And now here we are - fighting the same damn 
	thing I've been fighting for the last 650 years. 
	Except this time, it's not just in my dreams. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I don't understand. 
		
		KAZ
	There's no way that you can. You didn't watch 
	your family, your friends, you didn't watch them 
	all die. 
	(beat)
	I fought the fight, I just want it to be over. 
		
		CHRISTI
	It's not. There is still some fight left. 
		
		KAZ
	You know, sometimes I wish he had won, that 
	day in the field. At least I wouldn't be here, 
	suffering, this curse that has been brought 
	before me filling my every waking moment. And 
	most others. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Curse? Any human being would give anything to 
	be what you are, to have what you have. 
	Strength, speed, immortality. It is no curse, it is a 
	gift. 
		
		KAZ
	Gift? Laughable. Alive until the very end of time, 
	the same fucking grin looking back at you for all 
	eternity. 
	(beat)
	He will never die, not even I can kill him, I've 
	already seen that. What is the use of trying 
	anymore? The use of suffering, if he's only going 
	to -- 
	(laughs once)
	Endure? 
		
		CHRISTI
	Because you have to. You're the only one. 
		
		KAZ
	I couldn't do it. There isn't anyone. It can't be 
	done. 
		
		CHRISTI
	I guess we'll just have to find out. There's only 
	one way for you to get any fucking sleep! And 
	that's to kill this son of a bitch.

She storms out. He doesn't move, only continues to stare out the 
window, watching the world pass him by. 
			
			CUT TO:

INT. SEWER BAR - NIGHT

The bar is alive again, back in full spring after the earlier disturbances 
by Kaz and Chris. 

Cherry is surrounded by his usual enterage. They're living it up, 
laughing, groping, all the rest in between.  

When the door knob turns and it slowly starts to open. 

The crowd hushes, Cherry stops, stares, at the door. 

A smiling face enters, arms extended as if to welcome them with open 
arms. 

Dante. 

No one moves, frozen with fright. Each of them stare, open-mouthed, 
at Dante, still with arms open and a smile on his face. 
		
		DANTE
	(singing)
	Where everybody knows my name. 

Dante claps his hands together, eager for something. 

Everyone is scared. 
		
		DANTE
	Now, see, I heard a teeny rumor that folk 'round 
	these parts have been blabbin' valuable 
	information concerning yours truly. If that were 
	true, well, this place might as well have a 
	headstone on the front door. 

A man with small horns, HORNED MAN, rushes at Dante. 

He straightens his arm and it collides with his face. He falls to the floor, 
unconscious. 
		
		DANTE
	Why does everyone keep doing that? I just hate 
	being interrupted. 
		
		CHERRY (O.S.)
	What do you want from us?
		
		DANTE
	Oh, hi there... red... thing. 
		
		CHERRY
	It's Cherry. You'll find the name on the deed is 
	mine. 
		
		DANTE
	Oh, so you own it. I get it. It's clever. 

There is a rush of wind. Cherry looks to his right. Dante sits next to 
him, his arm around his shoulders. 
		
		DANTE
	Now, you see, there are a few ways this can go. 
	I won't bore you with the details. What, with the 
	so many of the entrails mopping the floor, the 
	blood from your open skulls clogging up the drain 
	there, it might take a while. 
		
		CHERRY
	We don't have your third. 
		
		DANTE
	My third? Now, who mentioned anything about 
	my keys? The fact that you know of my search is 
	quite interesting in and of itself. 
		
		CHERRY
	What you search for is no secret. 
		
		DANTE
	Indeed. However, the third key is, my little 
	bloodshot buddy. 

Dante leans in to Cherry's face. His arrogant demeanor fades. 
		
		DANTE
	And I think you know where it is. 

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
		
		CHRISTI
	I don't think he's going to be much use to us 
	anymore. 
		
		MIKE
	Why?
		
		CHRISTI
	Mid-life crisis. 
		
		MIKE
	Man. That's gotta suck. That's gotta be like...  a 
	hundred years. 
		
		CHRISTI
	We might have to go after him ourselves. 
		
		MIKE
	That sounds fun. Not impossible though. Check it 
	out. 

Mike holds up the newly enhanced staff. 
		
		MIKE
	I installed a battery in the core, ran wiring 
	through to the ends. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Well?... 

Mike lowers one end until it touches the table. Electricity explodes 
through the staff, charring the table and sending sparks into their 
faces. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Shit. 
		
		MIKE
	My sentiments, exactly. 

He switches it off by means of the button in the center, and puts it on 
the table. 
		
		MIKE
	I'll see what I can do about your sword. It's a 
	good blade, I'm afraid I might just slow it down 
	or something. It's good enough. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Maybe we really can take him on our own. 
		
		MIKE
	I wouldn't get too many id --

Mike stops. He sees Kaz, with his sword, walking out the front door. 
Kaz doesn't look back. 
		
		MIKE
	Where's he off to?
		
		CHRISTI
	He took his sword. 

INT. SEWER BAR - NIGHT

Kaz steps through the door. His black boots crunch glass. They track 
blood. 

He stops. 

His head moves very slowly from side to side, scanning the entire bar. 

He lets out a sigh of disgust. 

Everyone that was in the bar is now on the ground - DEAD. Blood 
everywhere. Every vile thing in the city has been destroyed by their 
ancestor. 

Blood covers almost all of the white tile floor. 

Kaz has to step over dead hands, dead bodies, to even walk. 

Something coughs, a gurgled, blood-filled cough. 

Kaz looms over Cherry, struggling to stay alive. 
		
		KAZ
	What happened?
		
		CHERRY
	Da... Dante. 
		
		KAZ
	Where did he go? 
		
		CHERRY
	No... listen... 

EXT. STREET - NIGHT 

Dante walks, a smile on his face. The camera in tight to his features, 
his location unknown. 

INT. SEWER BAR -NIGHT
		
		CHERRY
	He... he came to us... 
		
		KAZ
	Why?
		
		CHERRY
	He needed... information. 
		
		KAZ
	Information for what?
		
		CHERRY
	When Dante first reappeared he was still 
	struggling to... raise his army. 
		
		KAZ
	That's why he's back? He waited for it grow. 
		
		CHERRY
	No... shut up. He already has. They're just 
	waiting to be called. 
		
		KAZ
	Then why, why has he come back?
		
		CHERRY
	There's... a place. I don't know where. There's a 
	room. 

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Dante comes to a door. His hand reaches out for the handle. 

INT. SEWER BAR - NIGHT
		
		CHERRY
	It needs three keys... to open it. 
		
		KAZ
	Keys?
		
		CHERRY
	They're things... they have a certain energy in 
	them. He had already found two... the first time 
	you killed him. 
		
		KAZ
	And the third?
		
		CHERRY
	I knew where it was... I didn't want to... but... 
		
		KAZ
	What does it open?
		
		CHERRY
	In the room... lies all of Dante's untapped power. 
	All of the evil concentrated into something... 

Cherry coughs up more blood. 
		
		CHERRY
	If he gets his hands on it... 
		
		KAZ
	He'll be unstoppable. 

Cherry nods. 
		
		KAZ
	Where is the last key? I can't let him get it. 
		
		CHERRY
	You don't understand. The last key... someONE. 
	He had to wait... the energy to be born. 
		
		KAZ
	Who then?
		
		CHERRY
	When I saw it... I felt it. If you hadn't - - 
	(coughs)
	I wouldn't have known. 
		
		KAZ
	Who?!
		
		CHERRY
	That girl... that you brought. 

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Dante steps through the door. 

Mike and Christi jump in horror, trying to run away. 

Dante only smiles, with his arms out. 

INT. SEWER BAR - NIGHT

Dante's sword comes down at the neck of Cherry, ending his 
suffering. 

He runs out the door. 

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

LATER

The warehouse has been ransacked. Everything has been utterly 
destroyed. 

Mike lays broken on the floor, not breathing. 

Kaz walks up and stands next to him. 
		
		KAZ
	Christ.
		
		MIKE
	You stupid motherfucker. 

Kaz looks down. 
		
		MIKE
	He didn't want her to get to you. He just wanted 
	her. 
		
		KAZ
	I know. 
		
		MIKE
	Oh! Well, nice of you to run that one by us. 
	Especially right after he fuckin' took her!
		
		KAZ
	She's not dead. He needs her. 

Mike struggles to stand up. Kaz does not help. 

He stares Kaz in the face. 
		
		MIKE
	Just tell me how the hell you plan on getting her 
	back. 

INT. KAZ'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Kaz sits on the floor, facing his enormous open window. Meditating 
with his eyes closed. 

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Mike completes the bandaging of his right arm, he tears the cloth with 
his teeth. 

He grabs two knives from the table and places them in his pants at his 
back. 

He grabs a brown leather bag as well. And heads for the door. 

Without looking he snatches his staff from another table near the 
door. He spins it, the sound of the electricity flowing through it sparks. 

He opens the door. 

INT. KAZ'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

The door slams shut. 

Kaz's eyes slowly open. 
		
		DANTE (V.O.)
	I finally figured it out. 

INT. DANTE'S HIDEOUT - NIGHT 

A blank, empty warehouse. 
		
		DANTE
	What you people are. 

Christi sits adjacent to Dante. 

She refuses to speak. 
		
		DANTE
	Come on, don't you even wanna guess?

She turns her head away from him. 
		
		DANTE
	Stories about me are pretty much the same as 
	they have always been. Ever since that day in 
	the Garden. One little apple and sin was born. 

Dante stands, Christi keeps her head turned. 
		
		DANTE
	And suddenly I became a snake. Ooohh. 
	Something purely evil, they said. All these 
	different names erupted, different opinions. I 
	didn't bust outta Heaven and start doing all 
	these nasty things; I was never an Angel. 

He stands behind Chris, his hands on her shoulders. 
		
		DANTE
	That was just how society evolved my story from 
	His fuck up. 

He walks around until he stands right in front of her. 
		
		DANTE
	People never really realized - 

He grabs her chin and forces her to look at him, his voice erupts. 
		
		DANTE
	That I was first! You people came from me! I was 
	the dominant being before you were ever 
	thought of! 

He subsides, returning to his calm demeanor, still he holds her chin. 
		
		DANTE
	And you people reigned over me for this long. It's 
	absolutely ridiculous. 

He slumps back down into his couch. 
		
		DANTE
	Which is exactly why I'm going to kill you all. 
	Those of you who survive will only do so because 
	you belong to me. 

Christi laughs. 
		
		DANTE
	What's funny?

She can't stop. 
		
		DANTE
	What are you laughing at!?

She tries to hold it in but it gets out, even louder than before. 
		
		DANTE
	What the hell is so Goddamned funny?!?!
		
		CHRISTI
	You really think you're so special?
		
		DANTE
	What are you talking about?
		
		CHRISTI
	You already said it - You were God's fuck up. His 
	one and only. His biggest. 
		
		DANTE
	That makes no difference. 
		
		CHRISTI
	Of course it does! Even if you are stronger than 
	all of us, do you really think that you can 
	outmatch God?
		
		DANTE
	Just you wa - - 
		
		CHRISTI
	You're a fool. You've been destined to get your 
	ass kicked ever since the Book came out. And 
	you still try to beat us? When He favors us so 
	dominantly over you?
		
		DANTE
	They're wrong! The Book is wrong!
		
		CHRISTI
	You're absolutely right. It is wrong. 
		
		DANTE
	You agree?
		
		CHRISTI
	Yeah. You're not nearly as frightening or as 
	dangerous as those pages make you sound. 

He slaps her. But she starts to laugh again. 
		
		CHRISTI
	You won't win. Kaz will stop you, I've seen it in 
	his eyes. He hates you more than he hates 
	himself - You are the only reason he is still alive, 
	he'll follow you until you're dead. 
		
		DANTE
	He already tried! He tried and he failed! He 
	couldn't kill me then, and he sure as hell won't be 
	able to stop me when the keys are in place. 
		
		CHRISTI
	The keys? That's your master plan? Some new 
	power? Even if you kill Rome it won't stop there. 
	Every time you kill a messenger another, a better 
	one, comes in its place. You'll never be able to 
	sleep, you'll only have time to run. New power or 
	not. 
		
		DANTE
	Ah, youth. This is where YOU are mistaken. The 
	power that you so easily mock is much worse 
	than you can ever dream of. Every evil thought, 
	action, sentence is concentrated into it. It has 
	only left out enough to keep the scales balanced. 
	But once it's mine, the scales tip in my favor, and 
	nothing is powerful enough to tip them back. You 
	say that more and more warriors will be sent 
	after me if - - once I kill Kazuo? There won't be 
	any to send. Because when the power is mine, I 
	am going to Heaven's Gate itself, and I'm taking 
	out the boss. And there's not a damn thing He 
	can do to stop me. He'll be nothing compared to 
	me. 
		
		MIKE (O.S.)
	You gotta get there first. 

Dante spins, before he can react a FLAMING BALL BAT flies across his 
face, sending him hurling back. 
		
		MIKE
	You seem to like swords so much, I really doubt 
	you're too fond of fire.

Dante looks up, and the bat comes across his face again, leaving 
instant burn marks on his face. 

Mike swings it again, Dante's arm reaches out and grabs the bat, and 
yanks it from his hands. 

Mike seems unfazed, and retrieves a broad sword from his bag. With 
one swing the flaming piece of the bat is on the floor, and ignites the 
couch. 

He swings the sword again, down towards Dante's face. 

A single finger stops the blade cold, Dante's outstretched pointer 
finger. 

Mike looks worried. Dante's hand slams on the sword and it breaks it 
two. Mike starts to back up. 

He pulls a dagger from each pocket and launches them underhand at 
Dante. In an instant they are lodged into his abdomen. Dante looks at 
them in annoyance and shrugs them off with a swipe of his hand as 
though they were dust. 

Dante starts to advance. 

With a new vigor and confidence Mike grabs the staff from its crooked 
holster between his shoulder blades, whipping and spinning it with a 
surprising skill. 

One end is suddenly slamming against Dante's knee, sparks erupting 
as Dante screams. The other slams into his side the next instant, 
buckling Dante over in pain. It comes across his back, and just as fast 
into his face, coming from below, and sends Dante through the air 
slamming him into a wall. 

Dante holds his chest, as Mike leaps over the couch, using it as a 
springboard, the staff over his head, ready to strike. 

It comes down as he does, but Dante catches it in his hands, the 
electricity erupting again. Dante's face is powerful, but full of pain. 

The other end of the staff pivots, and slams his groin. A myriad of hits 
in just a few seconds, the staff pounding Dante all over, his body 
buckling over every time. Mike continues to hit, so fast the hits are no 
longer deliberate ones, he just keeps hitting. 

The staff stops, he pulls it back and slams one end straight into 
Dante's chest, pushing with all his strength, not releasing the contact. 
The electricity swarms around them both, Dante's mouth is wide open 
in the biggest scream he has ever dealt. 

Mike looks into his eyes, the same anger on his face. Dante keeps 
screaming. 

Mike coils his hips and uses the staff as a brace, hurling Dante over his 
head, he crashes into the couch. He doesn't move. Mike sucks in as 
much breath as he can, and begins to relax. 

Slowly Dante's smoking body begins to rise from behind the couch. 
Mike can't believe it. 
		
		DANTE
	You come prepared. I admire that. 

Dante's hand stretches out, and the staff is suddenly full of a life of its 
own. It leaps from Mike's hands and comes in to Dante's. 

He stands up, and breaks the staff over his knee, the electricity 
flowing once more, but dying in a moment. 
		
		DANTE
	But it's not good enough. 

In a flash of speed Dante is in front of Mike, smiling. 

He only has one weapon left, he pulls out a wooden cross and holds it 
in front of Dante's face. 
		
		DANTE
	Sorry kid, I'm an Atheist.

He crushes the cross to dust in his hand. 

And before he can blink Mike is flying through the air as a result of a 
right back-hand by Dante. 

Blood erupts from his nose. 

Dante leaps over the couch, now completely engulfed in flames, licking 
the walls with its flames, catching everything on fire, in a single leap. 

His black boot slams into Mike's stomach. He flies through the air, 
spiraling, until he slams through a stucco wall. 

Flames engulf it just after he crashes through.  
		
		DANTE
	Nice try, kid. 

Dante grabs Christi under one arm and leaps out the window. 

Smoke fills the warehouse, as flames close in Mike. 

Kaz appears through the smoke, walking calmly with his sword in his 
hand. He steps through the fires, not even worrying if they will burn. 

He looks down at Mike. Then looks to the window that Dante leapt 
from. 

INT. GOTHIC CHURCH - NIGHT 

Kaz has returned to the place that he awakened from. 

He sits at a church bench, looking at the huge crucifix of Christ in the 
front of the church, his hands folded together, praying. 

Other people pass by, some praying at other benches. No one 
speaks. 

Kaz speaks to himself, looking at the cross, almost too soft for anyone 
to hear. 
		
		KAZ
	Why have you done this? Why have you cursed 
	me with this? I have a will of my own, yet my will 
	is only to serve you. Choose another. I have 
	done this for quite long enough. It is time for 
	someone else to pick up where I have left off. 
	Please, I only want to be rid of this. I have no 
	desire to prolong it any longer. 
		
		PRIEST (O.S.)
	I'm sorry, sir. 

Kaz looks to his right, and sees a PRIEST standing there. 
		
		PRIEST
	I could not help overhearing your prayers. 
		
		KAZ
	My prayers are my own. Please, leave me to 
	them. 
		
		PRIEST
	Sir, if you would be so kind. 
		
		KAZ
	Fine. 
		
		PRIEST
	Every person is put here to do something. It's 
	different for everyone. I am here to spread the 
	Word. Meanwhile, my wife says it's her 
	spaghetti. 
		
		KAZ
	Father, I don't have time for thi -- 
		
		PRIEST
	We have all the time that is given to us. If you 
	are still here, whatever your purpose is, is it 
	unfulfilled. 
		
		KAZ
	I already know that. 
		
		PRIEST
	So you know your purpose then?
		
		KAZ
	I know it very well. 
		
		PRIEST
	Then you have a luxury few do. All that's left is to 
	finish it. 
		
		KAZ
	I don't think that I can. It is impossible. 
		
		PRIEST
	This, son, is where you are mistaken. If your 
	purpose is a noble one then it is you only that 
	can finish it. No one now, or ever, other than you 
	can see it through. You want someone else to do 
	it, but no one else can. It is for you alone. It is 
	YOUR destiny, not theirs. 

The doors in the back of the church slam open, booming through the 
quiet church like thunder. 

Kaz doesn't even look up. He knows who it is. Dante enters, with open 
arms. 
		
		KAZ
	There is my destiny now, father. 
		
		PRIEST
	I don't understand. 
		
		KAZ
	Perhaps you should run. 
		
		DANTE
	Kaz! My boy! There you are. I've missed you. 

Dante walks beside the bench that Kaz sits in, and sees the priest. 
		
		DANTE
	Beat it, pops. 

A gust of wind suddenly erupts through the church, blowing back the 
priest slightly. He looks frightened, he runs. 
		
		KAZ
	Why have you come here?
		
		DANTE
	Come on, Kazuo, aren't you even gonna shake 
	my hand? We're old friends. 

Kaz stands up, a fierce determination on his face, eye to eye with 
Dante. 
		
		KAZ
	You do not call us that. 
		
		DANTE
	I only mean we are linked, you and I. Together 
	forever. If I weren't so heartless I'd call it 
	romantic in a way.  
		
		KAZ
	Leave me in peace! I only wish to pray. 
		
		DANTE
	But I want so much more. 

He throws a punch at Kaz. 

He quickly tilts his head as the punch flies by, he snatches his fist from 
the air and holds on, not letting it retract. 
		
		KAZ
	We do not fight here. 

He retracts it anyway, breaking Kaz's grip. 
		
		DANTE
	Oh, right. You still have that thing about fighting 
	in churches?
		
		KAZ
	This is consecrated ground. No harm should be 
	done here. 
		
		DANTE
	Why didn't you just bring them here? It would 
	have saved her some trouble, you know. 
		
		KAZ
	I didn't think you would find me. 
		
		DANTE
	It matters not. This is not our time. I have set 
	that already. 
		
		KAZ
	I will not fight you. 
		
		DANTE
	Kaz? My friend, have you truly checked out from 
	this fight?
		
		KAZ
	I just want to be left in peace. For the rest of my 
	days. 
		
		DANTE
	I must say, this is indeed quite a shock to me. I 
	was rather looking forward to killing you. I'm so 
	disappointed, Kazuo. 
		
		KAZ
	Then leave. 
		
		DANTE
	If I leave you know where it will be to. 
		
		KAZ
	Yes... 
		
		DANTE
	And yet you still hide in fear. 
		
		KAZ
	I do not hide.
		
		DANTE
	You hide. Like your God, you hide. Afraid to face 
	things yourself. I mean, look at Him - - 

Points to the crucifix in the front of the church. 

He mocks the cross, stretches out his arms, lowers his head, with his 
eyes crossed and his tongue sticking out. 
		
		DANTE
	You call that Holy?
		
		KAZ
	I do not hide!
		
		DANTE
	What do you do then, Kazuo? You've become a 
	coward! A chicken-shit afraid of failing!

Several of the patrons hurriedly exit. 
		
		KAZ
	Lower your voice! They only come to pray. 
		
		DANTE
	If you don't try what are you leaving them to 
	pray for!? A battle with you is the reason I have 
	existed for the past six hundred and seventy 
	years! And you deprive me of that! Of all the 
	humans you disgust me the most. 
		
		KAZ
	Then leave here, at once. 
		
		DANTE
	I have found your hiding place, so now all that 
	you have left to do is beg. You know I have her, 
	don't you? Your new chippy. I could go to her. 
	The things I could do to her, Kazuo... You would 
	be utterly amazed how loud a woman can 
	scream if - -
		
		KAZ
	Why do you insist so powerfully?! 
		
		DANTE
	Because of all the power I seek, of all the death 
	and destruction I want, power and life over you 
	are the only things I have looked forward to for 
	the past century. I will kill her, and this world, 
	and every other, if you do not stop me. 
		
		KAZ
	I only want peace. 
		
		DANTE
	If I win then you will have your peace. Everyone 
	will have their peace. But it takes time. I can 
	bring you peace much quicker. All you have to do 
	is try... I'll be waiting. You know where. 

Dante leaves, he slams the doors shut on his way out. 
		
		KAZ
	By your death or mine I will find my peace. 

INT. KAZ'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Kaz stares at his wall of weapons. 

He slowly reaches up and pulls down two straight daggers. Numerous 
chinese stars. 

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - LATER - NIGHT

Kaz is meditating. His legs crossed, eyes closed. A candle licks smoke 
into the air just in front of him. 

INT. HOSPITAL I.C.U. - NIGHT

Mike lays in a hospital bed, the white sheets pulled up tight around 
him. Bandages on his head and arms. 

He's awake, sitting up. He looks troubled, worried. 

A nurse comes in and checks his chart and his vitals. His gaze does not 
unfix. 

INT. KAZ'S WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Kaz slips on his leather coat slowly, the daggers and the stars pinned 
to the inside, clinking together as the coat is pulled on. He grabs his 
sword from the table. And heads for the door. 

INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

A guard, demon, paces a long, darkened hallway. A machine gun in his 
hands. 

He walks to the end of the hallway, making sure to look around every 
angle before turning around. 

There's a noise, something metal falls to the ground, near him. 

His eyes hurry to the sound, just beside him near a dark corner. 

He bends down on one knee, and reaches out to pick it up. 

It's a chinese star, dropped on the floor. 

He looks surprised, and looks up, staring at the dark corner. 

He stands, still staring. 

After a few seconds he's convinced that there is nothing there, known 
by the smirk across his lips, and moves to turn around. 

Two eyes pop open out of the complete blackness. 

Kaz's sword flies straight for the man's throat. 

INT. WAREHOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT

Kaz is dragging the body of the dead soldier down the hallway. 

Footsteps start at the end of the hallway, coming closer. 

Kaz jumps up, the body plopping to the floor with a sick, wet thud, and 
looks down the hallway. 

He sees a shadow coming down the hallway. 

The soldier rounds the corner, and sees the dead body of his comrade 
on the ground. 

He rushes to him, tries to awaken him, but the wound on his neck 
looks too severe. 

He reaches for his radio, when suddenly Kaz drops silently from the 
ceiling. 

The man's neck is broken only a second later. 

INT. DANTE'S ROOM - NIGHT

Dante looks over at Christi, her hands now bound. 
		
		DANTE
	Your boyfriend's here. 

INT. WAREHOUSE ROOM - NIGHT

Several armed guards sit around a table, bored. 

Their attention fires for the door when a glowing-hot line slices 
through the metal frame. 

They stand up, with their guns raised. Another line, and another, and 
synchronous with the same metal cutting metal sound. 

The cutting stops. 

They open fire, all of their automatic weapons firing at the same time. 
Hundreds of rounds in only a few seconds. The  metal rips from the 
door in tiny holes. 

After a few seconds of this the door is gone, now it's only hole on top 
of hole, the door no longer exists. 

The smoke starts to clear. Light shines through each one of the tiny 
holes. 

The thugs start to laugh, grinning and pointing at the door. 

They lower their weapons. 

The second they do the doors blast open, the hundreds of metal 
shards flying out at the guards all at once. They do their best to cover 
their eyes, but it's too much for them. 

Kaz flies out at the exact instant the door explodes. He leaps through 
the air, and catches one of them directly in the face with a flying 
dropkick, sending him flying across the room. 

Kaz is ready to punch again but sees the other four of them are still 
unable to see and stops. 

He walks right in front of one of the gunmen, his eyes bleeding from 
the shrapnel. 

He raises his gun, but it's off the mark. Kaz steps around it just as it 
fires, at absolutely nothing. 
		
		KAZ
	There he is!

He points over to another one of the gunmen, the first one opens fire 
on his friend. Kaz smiles. 

He places the blade of his sword on the barrel of the gun. And very 
slowly slices through the metal, like it was warm butter, showing the 
true edge of the blade. 

He exhales. 

A roundhouse spinkick takes all three of them out, lined up perfectly, 
with one single swift move. 

He smiles in pride. 

INT. BACK ROOM OF WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Kaz is in commencement of another fight, with a few of the superthugs 
from the skyscraper. 

His sword flies through the air, dusting even more of them, the last of 
them. 

A back door flies open, and several ninja-clad warriors, all in black, run 
out, running low. 

Kaz is surprised, and raises his sword. 

Each of them pulls out a small dagger from inside their sleeves, still 
running crouched to the ground at Kaz. 

Two of them break off, leaving their line. Their feet grab the wall, 
running up it as though it were nothing. They cross paths again on the 
ceiling, and come down around Kaz, trapping him. 

He looks impressed. 

They charge him. A straight front kick and one of them flips end over 
end. 

The other two jump him from behind. But Kaz backflips, over them 
both. His legs outstretch, kicking both of them, one foot each, in the 
back of the head before he lands. 

They stagger forward. 

The other one stands up, and they regroup. 

What follows is so incredibly fast that it's hard to pick up any of it - 
They surround Kaz. 

And suddenly blow after blow are flying at him. Six hands all in perfect 
form, at a faster pace than has ever been seen. 

But somehow Kaz is dodging them all. Ducking, pivoting, side-stepping. 
No blow comes into contact with Kaz. 

Instead, he gains the upper hand once again. The two daggers are 
retrieved from inside his coat. 

Two of them punch at him at the same time, aiming high. Kaz manages 
to duck. He stands up quickly, the two facing away from him just 
behind him. He throws his arms out to the side, the daggers piercing 
their spines. 

They claw at the blades with their hands but can't even reach with 
their fingertips. 

The third rushes him. Kaz runs up the wall a step and his other foot 
spins across his face. Sending the thing spinning to the floor. 

He gets up slowly, wiping his mouth. 

Kaz reaches in his coat again. 

The ninja rushes at Kaz, screaming, his mouth open wide. 

Kaz throws his arm forward, and a half dozen chinese stars fly from his 
fingertips. 

Two of them lodge into the thing's face, one on the eye, one in the 
jaw. But a third flies directly into his open mouth. He soars backward, 
his head slamming back the hardest. 

His mouth fills with blood on the floor. 

Kaz raises his sword, just above the ninja's head. 

The sword leaps from Kaz's hands, flying across the room. And directly 
into Dante's waiting hand. 

Kaz can't believe it. 
		
		DANTE
	So, here we are again. 

He grabs the sword at he metal, the blade pointing down. He throws 
the sword into the concrete, it stands upright, wedged in the floor.

He rushes at Dante. 

A bo staff catches him across the face in full sprint, lightning erupting 
from its ends. 

Kaz staggers back, he charges again. The staff continues its assault, 
landing across his face and chest. Kaz falls back. 

He struggles to get to his feet, on all fours. The staff lands on his neck, 
and doesn't move. The electricity erupting from it and engulfing Kazuo. 
		
		DANTE
	Interesting toy the boy made. Very effective. 

The other end slams across his jaw, knocking Kaz unconscious. 

Dante bends down and leans in to his ear. 
		
		DANTE
	Not yet Kazuo. You won't find your peace here. 

INT. GOTHIC CHURCH - NIGHT 

Kaz's limp body is hurled by two men and he lands with unguarded 
force at the feet of Dante. 
		
		DANTE
	Ah, as you should be. 

He begins to come to. He rests on his knees, with his hands bound 
behind his back. 
		
		DANTE
	Kneeling at my feet. 

Kaz's eyes refocus at the enormous crucifix behind Dante.
		
		DANTE
	Yup. Back again, where we started. I know you 
	didn't know this, but there is something very 
	special about this church. It rests on the exact 
	spot where I was first defeated. By you. 

Dante points to the Jesus on the cross. 
		
		DANTE
	Just behind that savior of yours lies a door. Well, 
	a doorway, to be more precise. You see, this is 
	the home of my power. The Door of the Keys. 

Kaz stares at Jesus, his eyes barely able to focus and stay up. 
		
		DANTE
	The shamans tried first to protect it by encasing 
	it in a church, hoping the ways of old would 
	spare any violence here. The same ways that 
	kept you from attacking me here. And now, well, 
	it looks like your little thing about fighting in 
	churches might not hold up for very much longer. 

Dante walks over to a table and picks up a piece of Kaz's tattered 
clothing from his rebirth. 
		
		DANTE
	Anyway, they encased your comatose corpse 
	beneath it, hoping against hope that your very 
	presence would keep things looking for the 
	Power away. And, if worse came to worse, you 
	might awaken and dispel of the evil yourself. 

He tosses the cloth at Kaz, still dazed, it lands on his leg. 
		
		DANTE
	We can see how that all turned out. 
	(to Lackie)
	Set up the keys!

A small blade and a large, beautifully crafted hilt are put on separate 
pedastels. Christi is brought in, being pushed by a descendent of the 
Beast, and tied to the last. 
		
		KAZ
	Why... Christi? 
		
		DANTE
	Why? 
	(he laughs)
	You almost answered your own question. When I 
	tried to ascend the first time the third key did not 
	even exist. I mean, the energy of it existed, it 
	had to, it was the final key. But it had no form, no 
	way for me to find and get it. This is about the 
	time where you rammed your steel through my 
	heart. But I faked my death. I had to wait. The 
	final key had to be made whole, and when I felt 
	its completion I arose. Her name itself holds part 
	of her destiny, didn't you even realize it Kazuo? 
	Just add the 'I' to Christ. 

Kaz struggles to lift his head up. 
		
		DANTE
	Yeah. 
		
		CHRISTI (O.S.)
	Kaz!
		
		DANTE
	Quit screaming! You sound weak. 

Dante walks over to the pedastel area and takes the strange knife 
from its spot. 
		
		CHRISTI
	What have you done to him?!
		
		DANTE
	Nothing. He did it to himself. Actually, I'm thinkin' 
	he's perfectly fine. He's the weak one here. He 
	hates you and the pain you've caused him. He 
	won't help you. 

He stokes the blade with his finger, and strokes Christi's cheek with 
the same one. He looks back at Kaz. 
		
		DANTE
	Where were we? After Jesus was born, don't you 
	think that Mary and Joseph would have more 
	kids? They were a married couple after all. Any 
	child born thereafter would be a direct relative to 
	Christ himself, they would have some of his blood 
	flowing in their veins. It's called a zion. Christi is 
	a zion, probably the only one left. And, after this, 
	the last. Christ's blood itself is the final key. 
	Fitting, I guess. Anyone who spills the blood of 
	the Messiah is rewarded for his deed with 
	ultimate power over his boss. It's great. 
	(to lackie)
	Ready?!
		
		LACKIE
	Yeah. 
		
		DANTE
	Well, I guess we should get on with it then. 

He rears back and stabs Christi in the stomach. She buckles over in a 
gaping, silent scream. Her shoulders tense forward for the wound but 
her arms are restricted by the bonds. 

Kaz's head snaps up. Dante smiles as Christi's body slides off the end 
of his knife. 

Kaz leaps to his feet, already in sprint. He rams a nearby Descendant 
that is holding his sword with his shoulder. He is knocked to the 
ground and the sword flies through the air. 

He pulls against his bonds as the sword still spins through the air. The 
rope snaps into tweed and Kaz reaches out, snatching his sword from 
midair. 

He rushes at Dante, the sword ready to strike. 

Just before he collides with Dante an incredibly bright light erupts from 
behind Dante. 

Kaz is blown backwards and lands hard on the concrete. He looks on 
at Dante, in awe at the light. 

It focuses, the light beginning to retract. It's coming from a door, one 
that appeared from nowhere, standing in the center of an open area. 

Dante walks around it, he looks behind it and sees that the door is 
paper thin, and has no form other than the hole it has made in reality. 

The light begins to subside, the interior of the door coming into view. 

Tree limbs are the first to be seen, bare, leafless. A single apple on the 
end of a single skinny branch. 

Dante reaches out and plucks it from its branch. He looks at Kaz and 
laughs under his breath. The brightness subsides entirely. 
		
		DANTE
	I guess it's ironic in a way. This apple started it 
	all. Now it wants to finish it. Just one bite, and 
	everything evil in this world that has been 
	gathering since the dawn of time will be imbued 
	to me. 

He smiles. 
		
		DANTE
	It's actually kind of a let down really. I thought 
	there'd be more of a light show or something. 
	Like BOOM! and then I'm all powerful. Oh well, it'll 
	just have to do I guess. 

He takes a slow, deep bite of the apple. His body suddenly spasms, 
every limb stretched out as far as they can, like a surge of electricity 
flowing through him. 

Light erupts from within him, filling the room again. 

Kaz throws his arm over his eyes to block it. 

The entire church is blanketed in the light, dissolving everything else 
out. 

EXT. CITY - NIGHT

The entire city is blanketed in the same incredible light. 

INT. GOTHIC CHURCH -NIGHT

The light begins to slow its exit from within Dante. His body relaxes 
and slouches, exhausted. 

He begins to stand up straight, but suddenly his body heaves again, 
buckling over, as it draws itself back again. 

EXT. CITY - NIGHT

All of the light is literally sucked from the city, flowing straight into the 
church. 

INT. GOTHIC CHURCH - NIGHT

The power continues to flow into Dante. One final enormous packet of 
power leaps into him and his chest heaves upward in a scream. The 
power explodes from within him. And there is silence. 

BEAT

The dust begins to clear. Dante stands upright, but leaning over, 
breathing heavily. 

Kazuo stands up, looking around at the structure.

His eye catches the crucifix at the back, leaning now. He closes his 
eyes and nods his head in respect. And charges Dante. 

Dante is still exhausted, he doesn't notice Kazuo. 

Kaz's sword comes down straight at Dante. But he fades just as the 
blade comes down, turning almost to a smoke figure of himself. Kaz 
can't believe his eyes. 

A laugh echoes throughout the entire church, Dante's laugh. 

Kazuo is suddenly rushed by a horde of Descendants. 

Several jump on top of him, but he throws two off with a release of his 
arms. They hurtle backwards until the collide with the far wall. 

Another two are dispatched of just as quickly, Dante's sword swings 
just above his neck, and he turns to dust in an instant. The sword 
pulls back, turns, and rams through his heart. More dust. 

They stop, their forces regroup. They align in Kazuo's immediate 
eyeline. 

He twists the sword in his hand, spinning it, cutting through the air. He 
stops and throws it blade out through the air. It cuts through four 
Descendants, each time it passes through the heart of one it dusted it 
and passes on the next, in a straight line behind each other, until it 
finds the wall and stays perched in it. 

They charge at the same time, Kaz immediately overwhelmed by their 
numbers. 

They collide and surround him, not letting him breathe. Kaz punches 
and kicks erratically, as fast as he can, never stopping on one person 
long enough to hit him twice. 

He almost flails, swinging his arms and sometimes his legs in any way 
possible to get them off of him. He gives up and leaps over them, 
catching the catwalks of the church above. 

He looks down and motions with his hand for them to follow him. A few 
take his advice and leap up to him on the narrow ledge. 

Only one can stand on the beam at a time, it's too thin. That one 
attacks Kaz, he punches but they are easily blocked by the much 
faster Kazuo. He tries a kick but a leg sweep underneath it sends him 
falling to the ground. 

The next one steps up and Kaz looks ready to annihilate him as well. 
But another jumps on the ledge just behind Kazuo, brandishing two 
staffs. He tosses one of them over Kaz's head to the other 
Descendant. Kaz is cornered. 

He repositions his stance, his legs extended out to each of them, 
ready for an attack on either side. 

They attack at the same time, Kaz must use his forearms to stop the 
wooden staffs from hitting him. One connects hard and the impact 
obviously causes him serious pain, as well as opening a wound on his 
arm. 

He throws a kick at him with the staff still on his forearm, but the other 
one sweeps his legs out from under him. He hits the beam but 
manages not to fall. He kicks up to his feet and kicks one in the 
stomach, who reels back. 

They both swing at the same time, a horizontal slice with the staff. 
Kazuo does a backfilp, and grabs on to the beam as he's falling. He 
swings up back around and knocks them both clear off the beam, one 
with each foot, before he lands back on the beam. 

He runs down the length of it and leaps down, amidst the long church 
benches. 

A dozen more Descendants come after him. He steps onto a bench and 
side kicks one in the head. Another leaps into frame and puts all his 
force into one downaimed blow. Kaz does another back-handspring 
just as the blow comes down on the wooden bench, splitting it 
completely in two in an explosion of wood chips and splinters. 

He continues to rotate, never landing the back-handspring, he kicks 
the Descendant in the chest with both feet, stopping his downward 
momentum and sending him awkwardly flying into the distance. 

Kaz gets to his feet and side flips to the next seat. Two charge, he 
leaps and kicks both out in opposite directions, hitting them both in a 
very cheerleader-esque move. 

Another comes at him with a knife, Kaz sidesteps the blow and kicks 
him in the ribs. He spinkicks at Kazuo's head, who leans back and 
watches as the boot flies across his nose. 

Kaz falls on his back, a boot comes crashing down towards his face. He 
rolls out of the way just before it would have crushed his face, rolling 
right underneath one of the benches. 

Another downward kick aimed for his head splits this bench down the 
center as well, just as Kaz manages to avoid it again by tilting his 
head just enough. 

He pushes out at the bench, sending it flipping end over end and 
landing on another Descendant. 

Kaz kicks up again and sees his sword. He runs for it. He catches a 
boot aimed for his head and breaks the leg at the knee that the 
deliverer was standing on. 

Another charges at him amidst the chaos. A simple thrust of his hand 
and Kaz crushes his windpipe with the area of his hand between his 
thumb and forefinger. He falls to the ground, gagging and clutching his 
throat. 

The same hand throws backwards, catching a Descendant in sprint in 
the jaw, sending him flying backwards. Kaz never so much as looked 
behind him. 

He sees another running for him. He kicks his heel forward, taking out 
the foot of the man in sprint. It trips him and he heads for the ground, 
but Kazuo extends his knee as the man's face crashes down into it, 
breaking every bone. 

Kaz kicks two idle onlookers with a single spin kick. 

His palm annihilates another rushing foe, aimed right at the nose. 

A back hand punch launches another through the air. He still can't take 
his eyes off his sword. 

But then one is right in his face. He just manages to stop before it 
slices his face in half. He stops, turns, looks, and sees three 
Descendants with swords of their own, and his still too far away. 

The other Descendants seem to give them room, backing up. Kaz 
sucks in air. 
		
		KAZ
	Okay. So that's how you wanna go then?

The ensuing fight is insanely fast. 

The three of them attack with their swords all at the same time. 

He punches one in the face as quick as he can just as a blade comes 
for his arm. He retracts it and sweeps the legs out from another. 

He gets up and kicks one of them in the stomach straight. Another 
blade comes at him, and he arches his back again just as the blade 
passes overhead. 

He pulls himself up and kicks one of them in the ribs. 

The swords come at him now. He has to lean forward to avoid one 
aimed for slicing him down the middle near the back. Then a thrust at 
his stomach by twisting in mid-move. 

He gets straight again, and tilts his head just enough to avoid a blade 
aimed directly for his forehead. Another slices towards his back, but he 
does another backflip to avoid it. 

He spins madly in the air, blades slicing at him from every angle 
possible, but he manages to dodge them all. 

He comes down on top of one, breaking it in two, the Descendant's 
face is suddenly filled with fear. Kaz kicks the broken blade up to his 
hand and rams it through his heart. 

Before he is even completely dusted he throws the fragmented blade 
backwards, directly into the heart of the other, dusting him as well. 

The third does not go so quietly, he slashes Kaz at the stomach, just 
digging deep enough to draw blood. 

The sword comes down again, but Kaz grabs it with his bare hand. The 
Descendant can't believe it, blood runs out of the hand of Kazuo. 

He yanks the sword right out of his hands, readjusts it in his hands as 
he spins around, and slices him in half at the stomach. 

The others immediately rush at him again, but Kazuo reaches out and 
pulls his sword from the wall. 

They all stop dead in their tracks. 
		
		KAZ
	Neh eh ehhh. 

He hurls the sword again, this time whipping it around so that it spirals 
in a horizontal circle. It slices through five, six, seven, eight 
Descendants until it clangs with the wall and bounces back. 

Kaz reaches up with his arm, and opens his hand calmly. The sword 
whips around and lands directly in his waiting hand. 

Kaz stays in the same position, arm up, crouched on one leg, with the 
other extended out, the sword gleaming in his hand. 

Nothing moves for a long moment. 

One of them takes a dragging step back. And Kaz attacks. 

The sword moves too fast to see. It glints in the light and suddenly 
another Descendant has been turned to dust. 

He thrusts forward, through a heart. He rears it back, crushing a face 
with the hilt. 

He leaps out from the melee again, side flipping in the air to land 
facing them. He slashes one across the back on his way down. 

He tosses the sword in the air. It slashes one of the support beams in 
two. It comes back down and he catches it just in time to destroy 
another Descendant. 

He runs a few more steps back and the sword is in the air again. 

The entire roof comes down on the Descendants, destroying them all. 

Kazuo stands still, sucking in air. 

Clapping echoes throughout the ruined church. Kaz looks around, 
searching for it. 

From nowhere Dante appears, standing atop the rubble, still clapping. 
		
		DANTE
	Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. 

He hops down with ease, the twenty foot drop, like a step. 
		
		DANTE
	They were no match for you, regardless of their 
	numbers. 

Christi, somewhere behind him, coughs. 

Kazuo immediately runs for her. 

Her stomach wound continues to bleed. She grabs at his coat with a 
bloody hand, but no words can be made out past the gurgling in her 
throat. 

Kaz doesn't understand. 

She snatches his hand, and puts her own inside it, the blood smearing 
across it. 

Hey eyes seem to widen, putting emphasis on her action. She mouths 
something to him, it looks like the word 'blood.' 

Her head plops back on the floor, eyes still open, dead. 

After a moment Kaz lets out a scream and turns to face Dante. 
		
		DANTE
	(sarcastic)
	D'aww. 
		
		KAZ
	You did not deserve her blood!
		
		DANTE
	If I'd known how upset you would be at the 
	death of a human... I would have killed more. 

Kazuo charges Dante, the sword ready to strike. 

Dante throws his arm back, a backhand punch, just barely connecting 
with Kaz's face, grazing him. 

Kaz is thrown back the entire length of the church, and blasts through 
the side double-doors into the pouring rain outside. 

EXT. FOREST OUTSIDE CHURCH - NIGHT - RAIN

Dante slowly comes through the doors as Kaz still struggles to regain 
his composure after the incredible punch. 
		
		DANTE
	I, on the other hand, am quite the match for 
	you. 

Kaz stands up and diagonal cuts at Dante. But the blade phases 
through him, like it had earlier. 
		
		DANTE
	Just when you think you have everything figured 
	out - -

Dante is suddenly gone - - 

But reappears just behind Kazuo. 
		
		DANTE
	- - I change all the rules. 

He punches Kaz directly in the chest, and sends him flying into a thick 
oak. It buckles at the point of impact, and topples over. The tree 
comes down, shaking the earth with its weight. 

Kaz gets up, holding his back, in total surprise. 
		
		DANTE
	Ohhh, right! I forgot to tell you. I'm a god now. 

He suddenly appears sitting on the tree stump just behind Kazuo. 
		
		DANTE
	See, why you were busy with my army, I was off 
	becoming a higher being. Oh, and funny story, 
	my new army is raising right about now. 

Kaz charges Dante. He flurries with his sword, swinging it as fast as he 
can in every direction, cutting straight through Dante each time. And 
each time having no effect on his new ghostly body. 

He yawns as Kaz still tries to slice him through. 

He head-butts Kazuo, who flies backwards yet again. 
		
		DANTE
	I doubt if you'll live to see it though. Especially 
	with this performance. Come on!

He charges again, and tries to dropkick Dante, but he passes clear 
through and comes out on the other side. 

Dante turns around. 
		
		DANTE
	See, one of the cool things about being a god is 
	that I can do this. 

He thrusts his translucent hand into Kazuo's chest, near his heart. 
Instantly he is filled with an incredible pain, shown on his face. Dante's 
arm wiggles around. 
		
		DANTE
	All I have to do is squeeze, and you finally have 
	your the peace you so long have desired. 

The pain is excruciating for Kazuo. 

He cuts down on the hand that is in his chest. It falls to the floor and 
dissolves. 

Kazuo steps back, clutching at his chest, breathing in painfully. 

Dante sighs. 
		
		DANTE
	Thanks. 

His arm is already regenerated. 

Kaz slices at the head of Dante, but it again passes clear through. 
		
		DANTE
	When will you learn?
		
		KAZ
	Stop these games! Fight me, as you should!
		
		DANTE
	Very well. No more tricks. We fight as equals, as I 
	have waited for all this time. No more phasing, 
	no more disappearing. You were getting boring 
	anyway. 

Dante disappears one final time, reappearing a few feet away. He 
spins to face Kazuo, ready for the final battle with a smile on his face. 

The rain continues, the only sound. 

Kaz is the first to move. He runs and leaps, the sword glinting in the 
little light that is left, the rain bouncing off of it, ready to tear into 
Dante. 

He comes down straight for Dante's head, but he takes a step left, the 
sword passes just beside him. Another tree falls, sliding off the stump 
because of the flawless cut. 

He slices to the left, horizontally, going for the kill again. Dante leans 
back, the sword goes over his face, annihilating another tree.  

He alters his cut, and aims for the knees of Dante. But he jumps, and 
side-backflips out of harms way, beating the blade. Another tree is cut 
down. 

Dante lands away from Kazuo. They both stand completely still. Three 
trees fall and shake the earth, one right after the other, falling all 
around them. They still don't move. 
		
		DANTE
	You've gotten slow in your old age... Maybe you 
	just need some incentive. 

He soars forward with unfathomable speed, and lands an enormous 
right across Kaz's jaw almost the same instant he leapt. 

Time slows, and the true force of the blow can be seen. 

Kazuo flies back through the air, shattering another tree, blowing 
straight through it, colliding with another tree, and failing until he 
smacks the ground. 

He struggles to get up, blood covering his face, his legs shaking. 
		
		DANTE
	We seem to be repeating ourselves. Let's make 
	it a little more interesting. 

Dante lifts from the ground, floating above it an inch. He suddenly 
soars with that same speed high amongst the trees. 

He crosses his arms and leans against something, even though 
nothing is there. 

Kazuo follows. He leaps high and lands on a thick branch. It bounces 
giving him the jump he needs to reach the next tree. 

He jumps from tree to tree this way, every so often using the tree 
itself to jump from, kicking off of it. 

He comes to Dante quickly and tries to dismember him with one stroke. 
Dante is still too fast, and dodges it, with his arms still crossed. 

He soars off, Kaz using the branch to leap from the instant he lands on 
it. 

He leaps from branch to branch, each time taking a swing at Dante, 
each time another branch falls from his blade, but each time Dante is 
still too fast. He never even uncrosses his arms. 

Kaz stops, and leaps down to the ground. All of the enormous 
branches filling the ground. 
		
		KAZ
	Enough!

Dante lands just in front of him, arms still crossed. 
		
		KAZ
	You want to be equals in this fight, then do it! 
	Quit toying with me and fight! No more speed, no 
	more regenerating! For this fight you are your 
	former self! Or I end it on my own!

He points the tip of his blade toward his own heart. 
		
		DANTE
	Why, do you think, would that bother me? 
		
		KAZ
	Because you don't get your show! Your big 
	finale! And you don't get to say you beat me! 
		
		DANTE
	And I've given you so much leeway in this fight 
	already. But, very well, I guess we should do this 
	your way. 

He rockets Kaz back with right hook, although not nearly as much as 
before. 

He gets up and runs at Dante. He slices with his sword, downstrokes, 
Dante leans out of the way to avoid them, but not nearly as easily. 

He stops Kaz's arm with his forearm, and kicks him in the ribs. Kaz 
returns with a triad of kicks ascending upwards from the knee to his 
chest. 

Dante staggers back, in disbelief. He runs at Kazuo, punching for his 
face furiously. Now it's Kaz who is dodging the blows, swinging his 
body from left to right he avoids the blows. And connects with a kick to 
Dante's face, he is blasted backwards, and lands hard on his back. 

He kicks up and rushes at Kazuo. A flurry of kicks, Kaz manages to 
dodge the first few with his shins, but the blows are too fast, and 
several of the final ones connect. 

Dante kicks the knee of Kaz, who buckles down to one knee. He grabs 
his head and drives his knee directly into his face. 

He falls to his face. He tries to get up, on all fours, his sword a foot 
away. Dante kicks him in the ribs and he flies back, colliding with a 
tree. He coughs up blood. 

He regains his composure and charges again. He flips forward, his foot 
coming down across Dante's cheek as he lands. He lets loose his full 
arsenal, punches to the ribs and face as fast as he can. 

But Dante surprises him and drives his knee into his ribs, he buckles 
over, coughing up more blood. Then Dante's elbow slams into the back 
of his neck, Kaz falls to the ground. Completely bloody, broken. 

Dante picks him up by the throat, lifts high above his head. Kaz is 
lifeless. 

Dante tosses him into a pile of rubble. 

He casually walks over to him, and lifts him up by the arm. He puts his 
hand near the elbow, and torks both hands, breaking Kazuo's arm. He 
screams out and falls to his knees, holding his arm. 

Dante takes a few steps in the opposite direction, feeling he has won. 
		
		DANTE
	You still couldn't beat me. After everything you 
	are still weak. 

He comes back over to Kaz. 
		
		DANTE
	I don't know why I ever bothered. 

Kaz sweeps his legs from under him, who falls forward. Kazuo kicks 
upwards with the other leg, meeting Dante's face as it comes down 
with his boot as it's rising, bloodening Dante and sending him flying 
back. 

He runs for his sword, still protecting his arm. 

He grabs it and immediately charges Dante. He swipes several times 
but Dante manages to avoid them, barely. Kazuo thrusts the sword, 
but Dante directs it to the ground. And stomps on the blade, breaking 
it in two. 

Kazuo's eyes widen. Dante grabs the broken piece and stabs Kaz in 
the stomach with it, before he throws it back on the ground again. 

Kaz falls to his knees, bleeding out. 
		
		DANTE
	The unbreakable sword now lies broken, like its 
	master. 

He whispers into Dante's ear. 
		
		DANTE
	Can you hear it? Your peace is coming. 

The sword lies in front of Kaz, but broken in two. 

He looks forward, as Dante paces behind him. And he can see inside 
the church. He sees Christi's dead body, the blood on her hands. 
		
		DANTE
	How does it feel to die by your own sword?

Dante grabs the end of the sword, the end with the hilt, and slides it 
from the dirt. 
		
		DANTE
	I guess you'll know soon enough. 

He stands behind Dante, he positions the sword in his hands for the 
kill. 

Kaz looks at the cross in the church, now tilted, loosened by the 
destruction. 

He sees them both, Christi and Christ, Christi at His feet. Both of them 
giving their blood for other's lives. 

He sees the blood coming from Christ's wounds on His hands. 

He looks down at his own hands, Christi's blood still covering it 
somehow. 

Kaz looks again at Christ and closes his eyes. 

He sees his homeland, the nature filled paradise he saw when he first 
exited the church after awakening. He's ready to go. 

Dante lifts the blade, ready to strike. 

He brings it down. 

Kazuo sways and the blade misses him. He rolls back and kicks Dante 
in the face, the blade flies up and lands near the broken piece. 

As Dante staggers back, holding his face, the sword pieces glow blue. 
They slowly pull together, phasing back to new, just as Kaz grabs it. 

He smears the blood on his hand on the tip of the blade. 

Just as Dante runs at him he thrusts it forward, the exact same 
position that he did in that field so long ago, straight through Dante's 
heart. 

An extreme pain comes over Dante for the first time in his existence, 
real pain. Lightning cracks open the sky, as Dante's final breath exits 
his lungs. 
		
		KAZ
	How does it fell to have Christ's blood flowing 
	through YOUR veins? 

He yanks the sword out, and spins, his blade following, cutting just 
above the neck. 

Dante's head plops onto the rain soaked dirt. 

It slowly turns to dust, dissolving in the downpour. 

Kaz relaxes, and holds his wound. 
		
		KAZ
	There is my peace!

He walks off. 

EXT. CHURCH - MORNING

Kaz holds Christi's body in his arms, walking away from the church. 
		
		KAZ (V.O.)
	Just like Christ did, Christi gave her blood so 
	others could live against the evil in the world. 
	That's what she tried to tell me. 

A series of shadows begin to step out from the corners, form the 
shadows. 
		
		KAZ (V.O.)
	She knew that even if the sword was broken the 
	Shaman spirit inside of it would return it, and 
	that I could use her blood to kill Dante once and 
	for all. 

A hundred thousand Descendants step out of the shadows. 
		
		KAZ (V.O.)
	But he's not dead. Not yet. 

They begin to surround Kazuo, who doesn't yet understand what is 
happening. 
		
		KAZ (V.O.)
	He told me he has raised his army again. But I 
	didn't understand. 

They close in on Kaz. Encircling him. 
		
		KAZ (V.O.)
	Not yet. 

The circle closes in, so much that there is no escape for Kaz, still 
holding Christi's body in his arms. 
		
		KAZ (V.O.)
	There is still much to do before I find my peace. 

They all rush Kaz, drowning him out. 

THE END

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