The tranquil shores of Yakushima were quiet under the fading light of the setting sun. Waves gently lapped at the rocks, and the forest canopy swayed softly in the ocean breeze. Amid this serenity stood Jun Kazama, her calm, composed demeanor masking the storm of emotions that swirled within her.

She had returned to this sacred place, the Kazama Sanctum, after years of isolation and healing. It was here that she had confronted the monstrous Ogre and where she had nearly lost her life. As her fingertips brushed the bark of a familiar tree, memories of that fateful day flooded her mind. She closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath of the forest’s earthy aroma.

“Everything starts here,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. Her visions of Kazuya and Jin’s clash haunted her still, the echoes of their rage a constant weight on her heart. She had seen the destruction they wrought, not just on themselves but on the world. She knew that if she didn’t act, their feud would consume everything.

Opening her eyes, Jun gazed at the horizon, where the ocean met the sky. The time for hesitation had passed. The path ahead was uncertain, but her purpose was clear. She would not allow this battle to escalate any further. Her heart ached for both Kazuya and Jin, yet she knew she had to be the one to stand between them, to bring an end to their cycle of hatred.

Her journey would take her far from Yakushima to Italy. But for now, she lingered in this sacred place, seeking strength in its peace before setting out on her mission.

“Mother Earth,” she said, her hands clasped in a silent prayer. “Grant me the resolve to bring light to the darkness within them.”