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Shin Kouryu Sukuinushi: Psyomaster Ryuken by Thomas Tuke
Episode 7: The dragon within part II
It wasn’t the first time in which rainfall had hit the capital of Barda. It fact it had been one of too many. Grey gloomy weather hung high above the tall skyscrapers and buildings. Not long into the evening had the city been showered in moist precipitation, lightning regularly snapping throughout the darkening clouds. It was by no means distracting for those who dwelled within these urban walls however, for although the rainwater had refreshing qualities in its essence it was not enough to wash away the sins below.Kul’s beady vicious eyes peered forward at his intended prey.
Much of the city’s previous leisure areas had been laid to waste, either during the siege on the capital or as part of the industrializationmodernization programs. Land and buildings had to be torn down for the sake of those big factories. Some areas however had survived the circumstances, namely one children’s play area going under the fun name of the “dragon’s lair”. Even still no child or parent dared venture in there. The graffiti that festooned the very walls was all too apparent. And the creaking trees that loomed over the dark pathways, with the plant life shrouding the true innards of this place. Who knew what sort of thieves and murderers lurked within those hidden depths. Even for the children the messages were all too clear about this abandoned playground. The “dragon’s lair” was disputed a place of no return.And Ryu’s cool-red eyes peered back.
Ryu had no reply as he clicked his fingers again. It seemed as if those blank glowing white-red eyes were more interested in his fingers than his large webbed ears were in listening to Kul’s ranting.
Strangely he had not spoken one word since his transformation. Maybe he couldn’t speak in this form. Kul had not jumped to this conclusion, but he was aware that Ryu had not responded to what seemed to many like a cocky outburst.
“Heh. You’re not even listening to me are you?” Kul chuckled, pointing a thumb at himself. “I know what you’re thinking.” He continued, “That I’m just some random goof playing around with things he can’t understand, no different from any other poor sap you’ve butchered.” watching Ryu clicking his thumbs.
“Let me ask you one thing” he pointed an accusing finger. “Do you really think you’re such a big shot? Do you think you’re a real hero?”
For the first time Ryu took his eyes off what he was doing to look at his opponent, raising an eyebrow.
“The people here hate you, you know. They hate upstart hero-punks like your self. Did you really stop to think of their reaction before you came strolling into town? ”
Kul took a breath “Let me tell you a little something about people. No matter how much they think they’re suffering or hard-done by, they always admire people in power, because deep down they know they’re stupid; they know they don’t have what it takes to be amongst the elites. Forget all those shitty artists, writers and critics or whatever. Even if those saps are in the political ranks, it’s always the powerful men who have the last say, regardless of who they are or how they get to their spot.”
Ryu had long since stopped what he was doing, engaged in Kul’s political theories.
“And I’ll tell you this. Shogun up there is the mean shit, and his long since beaten you to it I’m afraid. People in Barda have been so weaned off their petty ideas about right and wrong and their stupid way of life around it, so much so that their gullible little minds have grown to like it.
Kul paused to glance at the newly built buildings around. “After all… we’ve helped Barda modernize with the rest of the world. I mean do you have any idea of how much Kaonyra’s economy was in the shitter before we arrived? Do understand how easy it was for them to succumb to our whims?”
“Heh.” Kul almost smiled but it felt too soon. “It was squat. After destroying the initial armies, we offered a solution out of their crisis, and our keen use of propaganda soon had them convinced that their current political leaders were liars without brain cells. That’s what made it so easy for when we eliminated them. That’s what helped make it easier to whip the people into the obedient dogs that they are.”
At the same time Kul couldn’t deny his brutal methods. “At the most, they’re afraid of us tightening out power once we eliminate the most pesky rats that give us grief. But even then they will only endure a temporary amount of upheaval in a society that hates the hero who unwillingly causes all their problems.” Kul pointed a thumb at himself. “So if anything its me who they admire; me who they admire for executing all those annoying self-righteous faggots. It’s me who they think as the knight, and monsters like you as the evil dragon.”
Ryu continued to listen to what Kul had to say. On the cue of the word dragon he tasted the air once more.
“You’re fighting a hopeless war kid; there’s no way you can undo the brainwashing that we’ve done, especially after that violent rampage you did back there. And one way or another we’re going to destroy you.” Kul spoke coldly, fully sure of what he was saying. “Heh. Have you considered yet of what other badass warriors lurk within our midst?
Kul gave him a moment to speculate what else was in store. “We’re death gods I’ll say this much. Let me put it this way; I’ve lost count of the number of people I’ve killed. Well within a couple hundred. The hit count goes up from me onwards I’m afraid.” A cruel smile gnashed its way across his face.
“You won’t kill me, and you’ll never defeat the men higher than my rank. And besides…I’ll say this much. You may be cocky from killing a few lightweights but you have no idea how many sick individuals like myself there are in this bloody world.”
Ryu slightly narrowed his eyes. It seemed that Kul was getting to his climatic point.
“Heh. Is it sinking in yet? For all your “heroic deeds” you never think beyond your next battle and that’s why you’ll never truly win. As long as there’s evil in the hearts of men its people like us that will always win. The only remote difference is that Shogun will rule the world permanently, and in the event that he fails, history will repeat itself one way or another. It’ll only be a matter of time before the world succumbs for good to men like Shogun. For it isn’t you damn peaceniks that determine history but the power and greed of those who have ambition; to conquer and rule with an iron fist.” Kul’s finally summarized, pointing a finger of authority to Ryu. “With the facts apparent kid, even if you do win do you think you peace will last? Do you really think that you have what it takes to make difference to the inevitable destiny? Well do you?”
Lightning crackling throughout the sky illuminated their figures once more as Kul had finished his rant, giving Ryu time to think about what he had just said. The rainfall continued to drench him as he pondered about what Kul told him. He remained as still as a statue looking forward down in thought, for a good while. About half a minute had passed since Kul had finished.
Strangely Ryu didn’t seem affected by anything he had to say. He hadn’t a single change in posture since Kul started. Instead he just went right back to what he was doing; stretching his body again, starting with his back.
Kul was a little surprised to say the least. It appeared as if everything he said went through one webbed ear and came out the other. Either he ignorantly dismissed his words, or didn’t respond because this current form prevented him from speech. Or he was just trying to present a strong image. No stepping back.
Kul allowed himself a smirk. “Heh. Gotta admit. I still admire your courage.”
“Volare, oh-oh.
Cantare, oh-oh, oh-oh.”
Shogun felt the need to sing under his breath during the rain. He stood in the shelter thanks to his servants, looking into the far distance.
“Let’s fly way up to the clouds
Away from the maddening crowds.”
Dloplla stood arms folded looking into the far away depths of the city. Soraya nearby sat levitated in her red orb. Her head turned from left to right. She somehow felt uneasy sitting on top of a 60-story building with action-orientated weather around.
As the servants kept the honoured trio dry in the rain, both Shogun and Dloplla peered into the distance from above, observing the action happening in the “dragon’s lair” park. Even though they were a rough 6 to 8 hundred metres away their superhuman eyes could make out everything that was happening. Shogun had clearly resorted to coming out in the open since the cameras around the town square were destroyed from the psychic energy induced back there.
“What’s happening my lord?” Soraya asked, leaning forward to see. Her eyesight wasn’t as good as her masters. Shogun continued to finish the verse of his song under his breath before responding. “Sod-all at the moment.”
“It would appear that he’s no longer in berserk stage. Psychic powers and emotions stabilised.” Dloppla could tell from the way Ryu’s wings drooped down like that. “It takes at least 30 minutes for a leviathon to calm down from a fury rampage. How could he have gained back control so soon?”
“A cry from the heart from one of his pesky friends imagine…” Shogun answered “Or maybe there’s more to the dragon saviour order over the years than I thought.”
A nearby shot of lightning struck a nearby pole behind Soraya. She leapt in fright in her orb. She knew about how lightning struck mostly the nearest objects to the sky in a thunderstorm, and standing on a 60-story building made her quite uncomfortable to say the least.
Shogun slowly turned around to give her reassurance. “Fret not my dear. No lightning shall hit us as long as my powers are active. Her worried face met his. If only his smirk could reassure her. She had still not warmed up to him.
Shogun turned back to the distant park. “The only thing they have been doing is talking. I bet Kul is trying to mess with his head down there with the odd rant or two. But I know there’s more to Kul than that. I just wonder if there’s more to Ryuken as well...”
“But you’re still reckless kid, and you’re gonna suffer because of it.” Kul continued, spitting on the grass. He then reached inside his coat pocket to reveal another coiled barbed whip similar to many he had used in executions. He gripped the whip tightly by his waist, making his murderous intent all too clear for Ryu to observe.
“I’ll show you the techniques that have eliminated countless would-be heroes!” Kul bellowed, raising his left fist and manoeuvring himself into his fighting pose. Ryu had just clicked his neck when it appeared that he was about to take him seriously.
A confident smile stretched its way across Kul’s lips whilst his eyes gazed ever ready “Just try me and see, dragon.”
Ryu suddenly pointed a finger and fired off a finger bolt of electricity aimed directly at Kul’s forehead. Kul waited until the last second before tossing his head aside to dodge the bolt. Ryu fired another, this time at the chest. Kul span around to dodge it, jumping into the air and lashing out his whip in counterattack. Ryu was quick to move his head before he received the lethal blow. Kul was fast. “Too fast for you reptile?”
Like lightning Kul rapidly snapped the whip at Ryu’s head, all lashes dodged. A horizontal snap was tried forcing Ryu to step back to dodge it. More lashes slashed towards his chest, forcing Ryu further to twist, pivot and retreat a few steps. Then Ryu made the offensive by grabbing the lash when it came forward. He gave the whip a sharp tug to snatch it from Kul’s grip but instead Kul jumped forward with it, ascending up and high over Ryu’s head. Ryu remained motionless whilst Kul was flipping over to give him a powerful kick.
Ryu suddenly turned to block the incoming left kick with his left hand. When landing Kul span around to launch an unsuccessful roundhouse before flipping again clockwise to kick Ryu. Ryu hopped back before blocking Kul’s incoming knee. Kul tried to chop at Ryu’s neck with his hands but Ryu’s fists were quick to shield his own muscles. Kul brought his left foot around to try and unleash another kick to the head but this was again blocked. But Kul still had his whip and again lashed out on the spot. Ryu jumped to one side and then to another as another came his way. He himself lashed out with a slash from a psyblade to slice the whip and render it useless. Seizing the moment Kul lunged forward with a straight punch. Ryu grabbed his fist and slashed with his blade again. Kul leaned back to dodge. He then unleashed some of his deeper power. He launched himself forward flipping his feet forward to unleash a fiery kick.
Ryu narrowly jumped back to avoid the attack. Far back. He landed about 10 metres away kneeling down in defence. Kul didn’t immediately continue his assault, taunting his opponent. “What’s the matter? Chicken?”
Ryu retaliated, forming a ball of dark psychic energy and blasted it forward. Kul jumped clean over the blast as it hurtled and destroyed the tree behind him. Kul’s trench coat fluttered with his movements. Suddenly miniature rockets propelled from the untold shadows within his clothing. They soared at their intended target. Ryu’s wings suddenly shifted shaped to zoom round and deflect the rockets. But Kul sprang forward already on the move. He leaped high into the air once more going over Ryu, almost catching him off guard. But Kul unleashed another fiery kick; his boot aimed right at Ryu’s heart. Ryu lifted both his arms in the form of a cross, but the blow, regardless of the strong block shunted him right back at least 6 metres away. He was pushed against steel barriers that bent and unhinged on impact.
After the smoke from the skidding cleared, Ryu slowly lowered his arms, observing Kul in the near distance standing his ground. Even still not one breath was shrilled with the voice of tension or pain, let alone a word from his lips. But it was clear in the expression in his eyes that Kul’s abilities were higher than he had anticipated.
“Hoo-boy! I never knew that you were gonna be so much fun.” Kul chortled, walking slowly towards him. Ryu stood up straight and manoeuvred himself into his trademark-fighting stance, fingers accurately positioned.
“Oh please. I say we drop the standard crap and move on to the big guns. Cause I’ll say this much that wasn’t so much of a taster you’ve just felt.” Kul ordered. Ryu’s eyes narrowed their gaze to what Kul had in mind. Once again Kul was pointing the finger, demanding, ordering, belittling his foe, and showing who was the real knight. “I’m going to use every dirty trick in the book and as a fearsome monster I’ll know you’ll do the same. Show me your real power!”
“He’s at a major disadvantage not being able to read his mind, heh thanks to the unique device implanted within him. It would appear that Ryuken is no match for Kul.” Dloplla made a smirk at first. “Although…hmm.”
Soraya looked from the man to his left to the far distance, frantically trying to determine what was going. Was her hero winning or losing?
“Hmm…” Shogun was observing certain signs in Ryu’s movements. “I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion so soon Dloplla. Judging by his defence, he’s quite aware that he can’t read his opponents. His merely studying his opponents moves as we speak, and he has yet to pull off anything powerful…”
Neither of them spoke a word from there on. They merely watched on to the distance, anticipating that both of their true powers would both emerge. Which one would emerge victorious they wondered; will the dragon before them be conquered?
Lightning snapped in response once more.
“Well? You gonna get tough? You gonna get serious?” Kul blurted out in demand to the dragon. “Huh?”
Again Ryu did not speak a word, merely standing his ground. He even felt the need to lower his arms from his fighting. His eyes suggested a somewhat reluctance to what Kul wanted.
“Didn’t you hear me? If you don’t bring out your most powerful techniques you’re just gonna get stomped into the Earth so what are you waiting for?! Bring it on!”
Silence passed, and Ryu still did not respond. Kul was getting quite aggravated, but when the appropriate thought came to mind he was also getting excited. It was then when he decided to get into character.
“Fine. Don’t bring them out. Maybe you’re just weak after all. Either way, I’ll show you my powers!”
Kul suddenly gripped onto his coat and yanked it off tossing it aside.
The small rocket launching pack he wore on his back was made official at this point. Also revealed was dark, thick armour-plated vest folding over his chest and around the back. It was finely detailed the armour. Emblems of Shogun had been engraved in straight lines up from left to right.
Kul moved himself into position and began to tense his muscles very tightly. Growling and yelling, it was apparent for Ryu that Kul was summoning forth his inner powers. With each bit of energy gathered, his muscles swelled. Thighs, Biceps, neck; they expanded like balloons. He yelled further as a faint yellow aura formulated around his being. Not once did the murderous intent leave the fiery expression on his face.
The Mt Shyva Earth Splitter
“I know fancy martial arts too pal, far longer than a kid like you.” Kul snarled, the process now complete. “This style originates from the volcanic lands draws power from the currents running through the ground. Do you like it?”
The aura was beginning was beginning to fade as Kul’s body was built like a tank at this point. Veins stretched across his body in a mad manner.
Amazement wasn’t the emotion Ryu was feeling when observing the arrogant Kul.
“Heh-heh-heh. I’m gonna pound you into a pulp.” Kul chuckled, standing up straight. “What do you have to say to that?”
As the rainfall dripped onto Ryu’s webbed ear and onto the ground, it was clear in his eyes that he was about to take Kul a bit more seriously. Making a few steps through the puddles Ryu began to make his moves. Kul eyed his opponent’s moves very carefully.
Ryu’s middle fingers locked together, others spread out, his arms straightened forward, palms facing front, they moved in slow, distinct, circular patterns.
Ryu began to take deep heaving breaths. Even then he was as a silent as a mouse, but this expression did not deny the blazing expression within his eyes.
His wings and tail fluttered in tone and contrast as the patterns and expression through his hands, his heaving mouth and wide eyes, became somewhat blurry and hypnotic.
“That’s the notorious “eye of the storm” stance of Ryusukuinushi ken, my lord. It would appear that he’s charging up his psychic energies.” Dloplla uttered observantly. “We should at last be able to see his real powers.”
“True powers…” Soraya pondered. Shogun didn’t speak a word, silently stroking his long goatee, until he noticed something. “What the devil?”
“Huh?” Kul appeared gob smacked. Ryu was in fact slowing down his movements, stopping the gathering of his energies.
“He couldn’t have nearly gathered enough energy to fuel his most powerful attacks.” Dloplla could not understand. “Why did he stop?”
“Perhaps he gathered all the energy he deems necessary…” Shogun said, perhaps somewhat disappointed. Dloplla wasn’t sure if he liked where this was going.
Ryu’s hands stopped when in perfect alignment, palms facing an aggravated Kul. “What? That was it?” he had hoped that he would see more, that his dragon would take him more seriously. Instead Ryu stood there quietly and perfectly still, folding his arms in somewhat relaxation. An ever-confident expression was clear across his eyes; he was sure of his victory-to-be.
“Grrr. I’ve had enough of your shit!” Kul launched himself forward for a lightning fast straight punch. “Die now!”
When the fist came towards the centre of his face, Ryu merely took a few quick steps back to “outrun” his opponent’s attack. The instant the fist could go no further, a mere inch away from his face, was when Ryu stopped. Kul was startled to see how his dragon had avoided the attack, as Ryu’s persistent gaze looked down Kul’s arm and into his eyes.
Kul quickly withdrew his hand, and lifted his left foot to deliver a lethal boot. Ryu leaned back to dodge the kick, before jumping to one side to dodge another lunging punch. Then Kul charged his opponent down punching frantically left and right. Ryu was outrunning, or rather levitating baclwards to avoid each fist; glowing wings gently flapping to propel him backwards, until Ryu was an inch away from a tree. Kul also stopped but only to charge for an attack.
Avalanche strike
Ryu levitated to behind the tree and flew back into the woods. Kul’s launching power-fist smashed the trunk of the tree in half. The top half flew into the air, the stump leaning to one side. Still in mid-air, Kul landed on the shattered stump of wood, metal boots splitting the sharp ends, and propelled himself high into the air, above the branches. In the darkness below Ryu observed his opponent manoeuvre himself to come crashing down.
Mt Shyva Javelin stomp
Down he descended, positioned like a javelin, foot down ready to be driven through Ryu’s skull. He was unsuccessful however; Ryu was quick to float aside. Kul came crashing down, foot embedded into the mud. One would think in such damp, rainy conditions he would be stuck there to be at Ryu’s mercy, but this wasn’t the case. Kul pushed up with his right to leg and instantly ripped his left foot through the mud to swing around to try and smack Ryu in the ribs. Missed again.
For a moment Kul did not move forward to strike again. He stood up aggravated at how all along Ryu did not change his posture; not the folding in his arms or the rebellious look in his eyes.
“Grrr Bastard! I’ll wipe that look off you, Dragon boy!” Kul bellowed violently, manifesting some of the energy from his aura into a faint yellow projectile and tossed it at his watchful adversary. It hurtled like an arrow against the friction. Ryu levitated up into the air to dodge the projectile. The spike bomb shattered the gate to the path behind him half.
As Kul observed the gate break from the hinge of the barrier, it became obvious that Ryu was too quick, but he just couldn’t understand it. His speed, advantages and powers should have been more than a match for the Psyomaster, especially since his opponent is only using a fraction of his power. The dragon wasn’t breaking a sweat, and Kul despised every second of him in that posture. He needed to rethink his attacks, but what else was there left for him to unleash?
And as he took his eyes away from the shattered gate, he realised Ryu was nowhere to be seen.
“What?” Kul looked straight up into the lightning stricken sky that he wasn’t up above like he had observed him go. The gentle touch of rainfall on his wrinkled face did nothing to stop his search for his Dragon.
“Where are you Dragon!?” he blasted in fury. Looking from tree to tree, rock to rock, bush to bush, he was nowhere to be found. But the malevolent eyes of Kul eventually came to look behind him to look deep into the dark depths of the forest. Maybe he was in there. Kul was persistent for his fortunes, and plunged deep into the depths of the woodland labyrinth. “Where are you?”
It was dark in that park, and even darker in the real inner depths of the forest that grew there. Few children, even in the early days, dared to enter.
“Where are you?” Kul began to speak more calmly, in a homicidal tone. It had been at least 7 minutes since he last saw the Dragon He trudged through the muddy ground searching left to right. He could barely see a thing in this wilderness and the intensive rainfall through the leaves and branches dampened his hearing. But Kul was ever so persistent, and on his guard. He wanted to kill.
He still couldn’t see the Dragon. He’d think in this darker isolated spot there wouldn’t be so much wildlife to make his way through, but it was quite the contrary. Many rocks and bushes were positioned conveniently in his path, intensifying in numbers and getting in his way. With the growing darkness and persistent rainfall it was increasingly difficult for Kul to make his way through this forest, harder to go ahead, harder to distinguish the obstacles from his prey. And with each step forward it seemed as if the objects around him had a life of their own, closing in from behind him, preventing him reaching the real world again.
But Kul moved on without a backward glance. In his mind he was reassured by the fact that when he got his dragon down he would make him suffer slowly and painful before finishing him off. After all Kul had long known that he could only hurt and humiliate the dragon whilst he is still alive. He also remembered that he would be in for a raise for his mission; more cash, more babes, more opportunities to slaughter. Kul had already given in to the darkness he waded through. He would embrace nothing else.
Wiping the raindrops from his face and hair Kul came to a halt to what appeared to be the centre of this organic maze. He peered from left to right to see the place was all clear, which left him with some measure of disappointment. There was still no sign of the Dragon, but at this point, all Kul had to do now was wait. Sooner or later the dragon would come and he would claim his victory, he grinned in thought.
“Okay Dragon! Show yourself.”
Kul’s left ear suddenly felt what seemed like a sharp flick from a finger. “What the fuck?” Kul pivoted instantly and sprang back to see behind himself only to observe that no one was behind him. As soon as he landed he felt a blunt shove to his side. “The hell?! Where are you coming from?”
He was taken by surprise. For whatever reason, regardless of the darkness Kul eagle eyes could not see his attacker, whilst his experienced ears could not hear any sounds that he may make. Whatever the attacker was up to, it seemed Kul was completely at his mercy.
Right at the front Kul received another hefty push to his ribs causing him to step back. Instantly Kul lunged out to strike, again and again but what was hitting nothing but air. He’s attacks were like trying to catch air with a sieve. “Dammit where are you?”
From beyond his sights, a small rock surfaced amongst the mud nearby and launched itself in a straight direction, slamming right into Kul’s crotch. A low groan filtered through his throat as he bended down in genital agony. Another sharp shove push him off balance, forcing him to fall face first into the soaking dirt of the ground.
Things were getting freaky. No time to wipe the mud off his face Kul sprang up and sprinted away from the area. Mud dripped from his frightened face. He couldn’t handle the enemy that lurked in the darkness; no point in fighting a fighter he couldn’t see.
Over the bushes, under the branches of the damp trees, whizzing past the stones and other routes, through the mud, Kul was going as far as he could to avoid this madness. However he couldn’t help but shake the feeling that he was being followed, as if his pursuer was right behind him, even though he looked behind to see no one. But that was when it hit him, literally. A ram to the side sent Kul flying right off track. He tripped again, this time over a loose root beneath the trunk of a tree and skidded across some slippery mud towards an opening for whatever light above the trees may shine through.
When he stopped skidding, he opened his eyes to see his own reflection. He could see his own fearful face in a rather deep puddle of water, and as fate would have it, another stroke of lightning lit up the reflection for him to look into.
He disregarded it, getting up to sprint away once more.
He soon exited from the dark forests, splashing through the deeper puddles in near exhaustion. He instantly turned around at the depths behind him. How could he have been so foolish, he thought. He had heard a rumour that the dragon saviour had an enact ability to blend and disappear in the darkness; an advanced Shinobi technique. It spelt death for the hungry cannibal Deathmaster, and it could have meant the same for Kul too.
Kul wiped the mud off his face at long last if the rainfall hadn’t done so already, before realizing the mud that stained his outfit. He remembered how he had pushed into the mud at least two times within the dark reaches of the woods. He remembered how that dragon was somehow able to elude his cautious ears. And that was when it hit him. Within the deepest darkest shadows in those woods his opponent was just toying with him. He was completely at his mercy inside those shadows but the dragon decided not to kill him. He wanted to play around and humiliate him of all people, the most feared executioner of all Barda.
It didn’t just sicken Kul to discover he had been made a monkey out of. The emotions brewing inside him were at a volcanic status. His eyes were blazing with rage. His teeth were gritting and gnashing like a wolf’s, his hands shaking with the urge to tear into soft flesh. If fury had already made his psyche its home, it was also making room for homicide.
“You fucking bastard! How dare you toy with me?” Kul was bellowing almost incoherently into the forest. “How dare you toy with me!”
His voice echoed throughout the drenched park, as it seemed no one could him.
“Quite being a coward and fight me like a man!” he continued to beckon. “You here me? Come out!
Kul was too engulfed in anger to notice the wasteland of damp grass around him, the swings from the separate play park to his right, or the continuous rainfall and clouds from above. There was a certain period of silence passing by, as it seemed his shouting was falling upon, if anything, deaf ears. Kul was too bent up in his desires to kill to ponder on why it was taking him so long for the dragon to show up, and he would feel even more furious if it had escaped. Assuming that this dragon was a coward, every passing moment that went by enraged him further to no bitter end.
But then he heard something, his head lifting erect. His ears could make out a sound; not a response but some sound. It was incredibly faint, but quite clear. It was a low hum, continuing on and on. It was occasionally followed by a low whooshing sound, like something passing by. Like a tail moving from side to side, from above.
Kul was quick to conclude that throughout the whole time the dragon was humiliating him further by hovering in midair right above his head.
“Grrr” Kul flipped back in a blaze of fury to launch another Kick at Ryu’s stomach, but unfortunately missed. When he landed he spotted that Ryu had levitated higher into the air, making his presence known. “Huh?” was even more furious to see that even through all this time Ryu had not changed his position; arms still folded without care, eyes fixed persistently. Lightning from the sky lit up his fixture.
“Bastard!” Kul sprang up into the air to unleash a spinning sidekick to his opponent’s head, but Ryu, in the same pose lowered himself to the ground to avoid the obvious attack. When Kul also landed propelled himself forward to fire another “Avalanche strike”, which like all attacks before hand were nothing more than a miss.
What followed afterwards was a repeat of all attacks up to this point. Ever kick lifted, ever punch thrown ended in failure, Ryu dodging all attacks. In the moments that Kul’s fury died down only a mere fraction, he couldn’t help but wonder why. Why were his attacks missing? They were the best of the best he thought. How could they fail so miserably? These thoughts were quickly drowned by the ideas of his opponent being a coward who would not take his attacks head on. In any case for every attack chucked, Kul’s reward seemed increasingly out of reach, further and further away, and that was what really infuriated him.
At some point however Ryu’s movements were beginning to change. For all his patience, it seemed he was deeming it necessary to end this ordeal.
Their fight eventually reached to the perimeter of another children’s play area crammed pack with even finer recreational equipment, of sculptures of horses and even a large climbing frame shaped like a dragon and with a fierce head to boot. Kul launched another aura energy blast. It obviously missed, but this time Ryu didn’t just avoid the attack, he span to one side and suddenly reappeared just over a metre in front of him. Kul almost leaped out of his skin. Twitching gently in shock it appeared for the first time that Kul was feeling real fear, and Ryu’s all too persistent narrow eyes knew it well.
For the first time in this battle based on his success Kul was beginning to ponder on the possibility that he would lose this battle. Then it would be up to someone else to defeat this dragon, and reap all the rewards. This he could not allow.
Eyebrows tensed, and fists clutched, he threatened his enemy once more. “You Bastard! I’ll show you! I’ll show you!!”
He leapt back, 10 metres at least, landing just near the woods again. Ryu eyed his movements quite carefully. Kul plunged his hands deep into the mud, and pulled out a great clod of earth and clutched it out in front of him greedily. It seemed quite daft and childish at first but Ryu was not underestimating what he was about to do.
Kul tensed his muscles hard as a screwed look tightened across his face. He began to channel his powers into the sod of earth within his hands. His aura lightened once more as a flow of energy around his body flowed into the clod before him. Yellow at first, the aura shifted colour to a deathly orange yellow, changes centred on his newfound projectile.
It seemed as if Kul was pouring all the power of his black soul into this supposed ultimate attack, veins were spreading clear across his face and arms. His teeth like that of a wolves glaring forth as the strength building within this final blast grew more and more, like a volcano ready to erupt.
The Mt Shiva Vulcan wave.
Kul’s voice began to holler as high as possible as the clay in his hands shifted in shape with the pressure of energy forming around it. It appeared no longer to be a clod of mud as it did a raging fireball, giving in to the flames around it. The energy given off was enough to form ripples through nearby puddles around his boots.
The sheer amount of build up towards this attack was coming to an end.
All along, whatever had gone since Kul first unleashed his powers, Ryu had not changed his fixture for a second. Arms still folded, eyes as both relaxed and tensed, he remained perfectly calm, and know one knew what he had in mind by remaining put, apparently ready to take the blast head on.
“Feeling comfortable? Not anymore!” Kul grinned and screamed to his opponent. “To the abyss with you Dragon! Hah!”
Kul at last took one last heave and hurled his improved projectile at his opponent. It hurtled quickly over and across the grass and towards its intended target just by the play area. Ryu observed the raging fireball draw closer and closer to blowing him to smithereens but he did not flinch a muscle. It was as if he wanted to see something, and draw the circumstance out as much as he could.
Kul from what he could observe, saw what seemed like the dragon took the attack head on. As soon as it made contact it exploded; a tidal wave of molten red energy expanding and coming down onto its intended victim. Waves of the destructive force ran through into the play area, damaging and destroying anything it touched. The reaction between the elements induced much smoke, clouding the area, masking all that was happening within the vicinity.
Kul almost staggered on the spot. His final attack taking its toll on him as well, feeling weak from the tension it had put on his mind and muscles. But eyes never once strayed from what was going on down there. “Is it over?”
All was quiet when the attack had finished. No thunder in the sky, or the roar of the flames, now dead; only the gentle refreshing symphony of rainfall on the grass below. And for a while there wasn’t any movement in that area either.
But Kul had no time to relax and gather his strength. He had to be sure that his opponent had been eliminated, and more curious if there was anything left of the dragon for him to mock, or take make and show his master; all the better to claim his reward.
“Is…is it over?” Kul marched towards the shrapnel, almost staggering from the lack of energy. He trudged through the muddy ground, through the tall, uncontrolled grass. Rainfall continued to refresh his face but he did not care. He was determined to see what had become of his dragon, determined to see the truth.
Smoke had shrouded much of what could be seen but Kul was persistent, he wanted to know for sure.
He eventually reached the area, the flow of lava-like energy had long since dissolved back into the Earth from whence it came. As the smoke was cleared, the shrapnel before him was evident. In one stroke he was able to destroy this entire play area. As part of easing his mind, Kul rejoiced in how if any child entered this park they would be upset due to one less play area.
Not much was coherent to make out in the wreckage. Mostly burnt wood and hindered metal. As Kul walked carefully through the area, some of the sculptures or what was left of them were making themselves known. Once finely decorated rocking horses, similar to great stallions rode by knights were now destroyed, damaged and broken. He wasn’t by any means bothered by the damage, but judging from the sight before him as he walked through the wreck from left to right he still couldn’t find any trace of his dragon. Did his attack truly wipe out its presence from existence?
Feeling eventually triumphant Kul was about to leave the lifeless park, but that was when he noticed something; something that could not be.
As the smoke cleared Kul could see one of the recreational structures had remained intact. It was the dragon structured climbing frame. As Kul walked towards it he could see to his amazement that it had not been damaged at all. Not a scratch or a scorch could be found across its surface.
A confused configuration formed across his weary face. This was hard for Kul to understand. His attack had swept across the entire area and everything before him had remained intact. As if something shielded it somehow, deliberately as if fate kept it alive to show something. But this was not possible he thought. How could it be? Was Kul going mad? What was the answer?
How did the dragon survive?
“Hmph. And you’re calling me the dragon?”
At first Kul dismissed it as a voice ringing in his head, but he realised his ears were not playing tricks on him. Eyes twitching and blinking for a moment, Kul slowly turned his eyes, then his head, and then his body to see Ryu slowly walking towards him on foot, tail and wings swaying from side to side. His arms were no longer folded this time. His eyes were calmly intrigued but the newest feature to his appearance was the movement of his lips. “You really don’t have a clue do you?”
Anger enveloped Kul’s face as he bitterly gazed at Ryu. “You…”
Amidst the smoke, the two fighters stood, about a metre or so away from each other. Half a minute passed as Ryu observed the weary fighter whilst Kul wondered how his target could still be alive.
“Bastard! You should be dead!” Kul spat, jaws snapping. “How did you survive?”
“I’ve learnt a few tricks in my time. Just like you.” Ryu spoke again. His voice was a little different when in this form. It was louder, with more treble, like speaking into a distorted microphone. Kul was all too aware as it seemed.
“I see…so you can talk after all.” Kul quipped in resentment. “So why didn’t you speak earlier? How come you’re still standing? Why the fuck is this, this piece of shit climbing frame still here?”
Ryu cut to the point. “Your skills aren’t bad. I have to compliment you there. But if you ever hope to have a chance in defeating your strongest adversaries, your will and your fury must go hand in hand when executing your strengths.”
“What!?” Kul snapped. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“What I’m saying is…” Ryu took half a moment for the words to come forth “If you ever hope to defeat the dragon before you, you must first defeat the dragon lurking within.”
Thunder gently brewed within the clouds above once more.
“Grrr! Punk!” Kul thought Ryu was talking crap but he hated the idea of an enemy telling him how to fight. He raised his right fist to ram it straight into Ryu’s calm face. “I’ll show you!”
Kul lunged forward to execute one more “Avalanche strike”. This time Ryu did not dodge the attack. With little effort he grabbed Kul’s wrist before it could strike him down. Kul gasped in amazement, both from Ryu’s reflexes and his apparent strength. The firm look of controlled aggression that suddenly appeared in Ryu’s eyes and face sent a shiver down Kul’s spine.
“No. Let me show you.”
Ryu twisted his arm and in one sharp, push of a bend, he completely snapped Kul’s arm in one fine crunch, a broken bone poking through weakened flesh.
Kul’s raspy voice screamed in sheer agonising pain. He fell to his knees instantly. For the first time in his life pain had reduced him immobile. Ryu allowed him a few moments of screaming, before letting go of his wrist, letting Kul fall back onto the floor. Gathering what strength he had amongst the pain, Kul crawled back, crying in the intense discomfort he felt. Within the wailing of his injury, Kul took another look at Ryu’s defiant face, not seeing one once of pity and regret or the weakness of anger. “Never underestimate a dragon.”
“The victor has been decided.” Dloplla remarked. “Ryusukuinushi ken defeated Mt Shyva Earth Splitter.”
Shogun remained silent.
Kul gathered whatever energy he had in himself, standing up straight. He had trained himself for combat he thought. He should be used to this pain. As he clutched his severe wound, panting in pain he made sure he kept an eye on Ryu. The dragon saviour’s clenched fist made it apparent that he was ready to see this fight to the end. Ryu did not speak anymore at this point. Instead, his drooping wings stood emblem-erect like before as he advanced forward towards his weakening, broken “knight” of an adversary. Kul gasped again in the face of his impending doom.
“It’s…it’s…it’s not over.” Kul uttered, trying to gain control of the situation once more he thought. He jumped back again and again, so that he was outside the play area once more. Ryu followed.
Kul didn’t have much energy left, so he decided to use the rocket launchers on his backpack. He had been quite conservative of them up to this point, but there was no longer the need to hold them back he thought.
And so like before, he pressed into the remote control in the palm of his left hand, unloading the rockets in a frantic pace of want and fear. They emerged from the pack and screeched towards a rather prepared Ryu. It was only too easy to slip through each rocket.
“Don’t you get it? Your anger and greed alone can’t get you your victory.” Ryu proclaimed, vanishing into the wilderness. “And you damn well can’t cheat your way to victory through this so called attack.”
“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” Kul shouted again and again. He was extra distressed when Ryu was nowhere to be seen, and the only solution that sprang to mind was to keep unloading all that he had left. And so he continued to unload rocket after rocket into the distance, striking down all that it hit. Bushes, trees, rocks, bent upturns within the ground, even further shrapnel of what was left within the play area. There was no sign that his missiles had hit Ryu but that didn’t stop him. He kept firing more and more of those mini rockets, determined that they would eventually bring down his opponent. Or at least he hoped that they would.
“Die! Die Die! Die!” Kul repeated again and again. He laughed in what seemed like an insane expression of fear, his basic primitive instincts revealed. He just continued to back away, laughing and firing those miniature projectiles in random directions, totally shunning his seriously injured arm.
That is of course until a certain click in his backpack brought an unprecedented halt in his attack. Kul continued to pace back and laugh like mad for a few moments, until it hit him. He had run out of rockets.
His laughing finally came to finish, when noticed that within the drench of rain and the smoke from the explosive impacts he had created that shrouded his area, he was all alone, and lost.
He continued to back off, nervous and confused. There were sounds of him striding through the deepening puddles, as well as the relentless downpour of rain, but the only other sound was that of his own scared thoughts, and the stuttering of his voice.
But there was one voice that spoke from the wilderness, one willing to face the facts. “Now what good did that do you?”
“Ah!” Kul looked everywhere from left to right, behind and front as he waded back through the water. Ryu’s hidden voice continued to speak and warn. “All out of ammo I see. Your biggest attacks used up. Leaving only emptiness to be filled with terror. The same terror that you instilled into your victims.”
Kul engulfed in his growing fear, had nothing to say. He kept walking back, barely noticing his fogged surroundings; only feeling the chill of cold water on his spine as he unintentionally waded through waist deep water.
“Not a very pleasant feeling fear is it? I don’t have to read your mind to see that.”
By now the voices were getting louder as Kul realised that wherever Ryu was, he was getting nearer. The sheer thought made him gulp.
“Didn’t anticipate on what your opponent had in store, did you. Never pondered on the events of battle, let alone your defeat.”
Kul came to a thud as he suddenly gathered his wits for a moment. He realised he had hit something, a concrete wall it seemed. He turned around to see that it wasn’t a slab of granite but a half submerged block of marble. And mounted on top was a huge statue of a knight. Kul was too frightened to notice it in further detail but another flash of lightning made him realize that to his horror that on top of the readied spear that the sculpture wielded stood Ryu, staring with eyes of justice, ready to finish this ordeal. “I can’t lose Kul, and you can’t win. The sooner you accept your fate is the sooner this will end.”
Ryu jumped down into the marsh of water to Kul’s left before slowing slipping forward towards his defeated opponent.
“This is the price you pay.” Ryu made it clear. He didn’t even wade through the water in his pursuit. Kul gasped, backing away.
“I know why you chose a battlefield like this.” Ryu spoke. “You had hoped that if I used electrical attacks in a damp environment I would end up hurting myself with my own attack.”
Kul mentioned nothing. Ryu had half expected that Kul made a cutting remark to mock his adversary. No words came forth now. Ryu however intended to prove something raising a hand straight into the air. “Watch and learn.”
A sheer astonishing amount of electricity formed at the palm of Ryu’s hand, sparkling and crackling in colours unnatural compared to the lighting beaming across the sky. Kul had to react quick as he knew Ryu was about to toss the thunderbolt right at him, narrowly avoiding contact with the water he thought. But to his surprise Ryu slowly lowered his electrical hand towards the water. Was he crazy?
Kul immediately jumped out of the water into midair, no time to wonder. Ryu’s hand came into contact with the water. A massive surge of electrical energy surged through the pool of water he was half submerged in. But to Kul’s shock and surprise the attack did not inflict harm back onto Ryu. “What? No way!”
Kul landed over some nearby pavement and into another small puddle, clutching his broken arm, startled at what he had just saw. “Impossible! There’s no way! He should be this side of a burnt cinder!”
But Ryu was persistent more than ever now. He quickly shimmered from the watery depths and reappeared upside down right behind Kul.
Kul quickly turned around to see an incoming elbow attack coming his way. He lifted to his left arm to block the attack, but he had underestimated its power. The thrust shattered bones within his arm, rendering it useless to any further attack. Kul gagged at the new surge of pain flowing through both his right and left arms.
But Ryu would not allow him a moment to nurse his wound. He landed to the ground, drawing away his elbow, clutching his other fist tightly to spear forth the finishing move. “Haaaa! Yayayayayayaya!”
A shower of rapid punches rained onto the weakened Kul, pounding his body senseless, the armour doing very little to protect him. Kul wasn’t allowed a grunt or groan of pain as each impact numbed his speech. Ryu’s fists and loud voice screamed in unison as the fast blows rammed into Kuls chest and face, battering in deep bruises. The force of this attack was such that Kul’s body hovered above the ground in recoil. Ribs broke, bruises deepened, muscles sprained and blood gurgled forth from Kul’s crimsoned face. But Ryu continued his assault, glowing wings flapping, yelling in disciplined fury.
A final left punch landed right in the centre of Kul’s broken chest. Ryu gave him a second to endure a proper moment of pain, holding him in mid-air. Ryu withdrew the fist but before Kul could fall to the ground, Ryu’s right finger sprang forward hammering into Kul’s forehead. Kul was conscious enough to feel the boiling voltage of energy transfer from Ryu’s electrical touch to Kul’s living brain.
Kul gasped, desperate for air, but he knew it wasn’t enough to keep him safe. He had heard all the rumours of Ryu being able destroy an opponent with bolts lightning through a single strike or touch. He already knew he was finished.
The battle was finally over.
Dragon Ranma
“One of countless techniques I’ve been storing until the correct moment. My calm won over your fury.” Ryu coldly spoke. Current aches and pains prevented Kul from giving back a direct response “Ah…ah…”
Whatever the intensity of the storm around them, it was finally beginning to die down. Not a howl of the wind or a blaze of lightning grumbling through the sky.
“To answer one question running loose in your mind, you forget that I am a Dragon Saviour. I am a master of the branch of wind and lightning. Both elements obey my will. As such I may control the currents and flow of the electricity, so that I cannot harm myself. As I’m also a Psyomaster, a prime inquisitor in the ranks, I’m only too happy to enforce the techniques I’ve learnt.
In the thoughts of the adversary, Kul knew he was a dead man. For all the men, women and child he had slain up to this point, for all the backs he’s stabbed, for all the 40 odd years of experience of combat and bloodshed, for all that he had achieved, this younger fighter no older than 25, this Psyomaster took him down in an instant. The tricks up his sleeve and the plans that he had made were to no avail. Despite his status he couldn’t reach the top; it was impossible now that he was about to die. No one will remember him, let alone fear him anymore. All of it went was going down the drain; it just wasn’t fair he thought. It just wasn’t fair.
Ryu as still as a statue compared to his trembling friend, allowed Kul a few moments to gather his bearings a bit.
“I see that whatever technique or surgery you have endured to prevent me from reading your mind, it’s very hard routed; you can take your thoughts to the grave.” Ryu noticed after a while. “So I guess I’ll have to do this the old fashion way.”
Kul gulped.
“Tell me who is Shogun? What does he look like?” Ryu asked.
“I don’t know, sir! I’ve never seen his real face beneath the suit of armour he wears to battle.” Kul answered with never before seen obedience. Ryu gave it a moment before prompting him with the more important question. “Is he really a dragon saviour?”
“Of course!” Kul exclaimed, “How did you think I’d know about your kind.”
Ryu tensed his eyebrows. It seemed that is was as he feared, and judging from the amount of beating he had just given him he knew Kul wasn’t lying about this. Beneath his cool and bold demeanour, Ryu was slightly hesitating to ask the next question. A fearful Kul thought otherwise.
“How strong is he? Is there any other styles that he is familiar with?”
“I don’t know. He was powerful enough to strike down Barda’s defences. I remember he reduced entire brigades to dust with one blast of green energy, but I can tell the guy hasn’t unleashed his deeper powers.”
“I see.” Ryu had little to say. “And are there any other surprises. Any other monsters or generals who know a thing or two about martial arts?”
“I don’t know all of them.” Kul tried to think amongst his inevitable doom. “I know there’s one or two other animals out there; a Naga for one. But they’re coming in at random times…hard to keep track…even Shogun keeps secrets from me.”
“Anymore?”
“Yes he has a right-hand man. Lieutenant Dloplla, but I don’t know much about him. Apparently he’s a religious fanatic.” Kul finished. Ryu had no more questions to ask. And for all that time he had not changed his position since he rammed his finger at Kul’s forehead. He finally withdrew it, allowing Kul to slump onto his knees, in the puddle of rainwater, a crackle of electricity shimmered over Kul’s chest.
“Thank you for your time.” Ryu looked down on the injured man as he looked down at the puddle, unable to take care of his useless arms. “I’ve given you about 3 minutes before my attack kills you. Enough time to beg the heavens for forgiveness.”
Kul engaged enough strength to slowly look upwards at Ryu. For all of what Ryu appeared to be, he sure seemed like a saint allowing an evil enemy a second chance.
Slowly Ryu’s powerful glowing red gaze turned from the pathetic shell of a man that was Kul, as Ryu turned his back on his dark opponent and proceeding to exit this dragon’s lair park. “Farewell.”
Kul stood up a bit on his knees to call out to the saviour. “Wait!”
Ryu had not reached 10 metres when he came to a halt, though not turning around to meet Kul’s desperate plea.
“You didn’t answer my question.” Kul shouted out, voice seemingly damaged. “Do you think your peace will last? That the patterns of history will be changed by your little crusade?”
Ryu took an intake of breath before speaking, already having a response in hand. “When its all over the peace will last as long it must. For all of histories repeats, it’s still changing, otherwise neither of us will have gotten this far.”
Ryu looked up towards the sky in thought. “You’re right about evil determining fate, but good, the guiding light in human morality, also has its say, probably more so. And like me, good men will always be there to fight the good fight. You of all people should know that.”
Kul blinked in slow realisation. At that point Kul was half tempted to tell him not to be so sure, but instead readdressed a previous quote. “Heh. I admire your courage.”
Ryu’s head looked straight ahead again. “As I respect you as a fighter.” He quipped before proceeding on with his journey. “So long.”
As the smoke finally cleared from the area Kul watched as his worthy adversary disappeared into the distant wilderness, tail and drooping wings shifting side to side. He was perhaps beginning to understand what he meant about defeating the dragon within, that the powerful rage was nothing without the wisdom. As much as he couldn’t do it himself, Kul was at least happy to see a being that had mastered both the light and dark within his mind.
At least two minutes had passed as he sat there all alone in the dark wilderness, sitting in the damp puddle. Clutching for a bit of air, Kul realised that his time was running out, and there was nothing to save him from being sent to hell he thought, not after everything he had done. He looked up to the clouds once more. At last he embraced the refreshing touch of sweet gentle rain. It was the only thing now that could take his mind of the 40 seconds away from death.
As well as the thoughts of his fortune that he could have had in the near future.
As Kul looked up panting from the pain induced throughout his damaged body, he wondered what it would be like if he too could control his attacks better, that the situation could be different.
“My god I could have been rich.”
7 seconds ahead of schedule, an eventual surge of high voltage lightning finally blasted through his head, blood and liquefied brains sprayed outwards through a small opening at the back of his head. Surprisingly a clean looking kill, Kul’s now lifeless boy slumped into puddle before him.
His lifeless body fully sinking into the darkness of the dragon’s lair, Barda no longer had to fear from this notorious executioner.
As Ryu finally exited the dangerous shadowy park he stood still, gently gripped his coat to adjust it slightly. Water dripped down from his horns, down from his ears and over his black leathery skin. Before proceeding on with his journey, he breathed a sigh of relieve knowing that he hadn’t lost his touch when controlling this form. His humanity always prevailed over the beast within.
He also pondered on his previous battle, looking up to the cloudy rainy sky, slowly blinking. After a moment, the fight, the talk, the finishing moves, the answers he received, Ryu summarised the past events in two words. “Awful weather.”
“Did you think it was wise my lord, to let him speak the secrets that he knew?” Dloplla asked after the battle.
“Know one gave him enough secrets for him to blabber about.” Shogun answered. “None of the important ones anyway.”
As the weather cooled down around them Shogun let loose a low sigh of disappointment. “I had hoped to see his deeper powers.”
To his side, Soraya was trying to hide it, but she was glad Ryu had won this battle.
“So what now?” Dloplla turned away from the distance.
“Not sure.” Shogun exclaimed. “Maybe I should go down there myself, see in closer detail. Who knows…”
Soraya turned instantly to Shogun, who returned a sinister look in return. “I may even have to take matters into my own hands.”
Dloplla too allowed himself a devilish smile. “Heh.”
So using his psychic abilities, the powerful warlord sprung off the balcony, only to levitate about half way down, and descend into the depths of the city. Everyone left behind on the balcony, Dloplla, the servants holding up the shades and Soraya, seemed quite impressed by the stunt. Soraya however had still hoped that it hadn’t come to this. She expected the worse.
And she wasn’t the only one either. Ryu’s comrades whom he had travelled were also getting worried over his increasing absence. However after all they had been through about an hour ago this was not the only thing on their minds, for somewhere along the line they were uncomfortable with Ryu’s alternate homicidal Drago form. It appeared that he had grown to control earlier. However there was a hidden sense of uncertainty that they just couldn’t shake.
Amidst the rain, amidst the city, not far off from the centre stage in the town square, the group stood inside a small shelter, keeping dry from the rain. Carla stood in the embrace of her parents keeping a lookout for their hero. Kotono and Jin sat on seats, glaring off into the depressing weather. A gentle sneeze fired off from Kotono. She was afraid that she had caught a slight cold.
They wanted to say something. Kotono at least wanted to say that she hoped that Ryu was all right. However, it was generally fair to say that speaking such things would only antagonise their wait even further. After all, how long had they been waiting for their avenger to return?
Even still, there was a feeling amongst them, as if someone wanted to get some words of their chest. But for a good while no one spoke a word.
Strangely it wasn’t really because they were afraid of Ryu; not exactly at least. There was a feeling amongst them that they were some how suckered into the soppy state that they were in, that there was something out there, an unseen force, trying to pervert what they believed in; their faith in Ryu. A cold feeling that had made itself apparent when Ryu transformed. A cold feeling that they could not shake.
So in a way they were not directing their dislike towards Ryu himself, but towards the darkness they have yet to fully understand.
“Jeez, those damn pedestrians sure left in a hurry.” Two minor soldiers patrolled the streets, away from what they investigated by the stage.
“Pretty sick job what he did to those soldiers…and those ninjas.” The second disgruntled soldier remarked.
“Heh. I hope you’re not going all pussy on me here. Heh.” The first one jested.
“Heh. I sure hope Lord Kul has dispatched of that mon… Hey! What are you lot doing here?” the brute finally noticed the group standing beneath the shelter. None of them had noticed the soldiers at first until they heard shouting aimed at them. The group looked up as if caught red-handed.
“So what are you 5 doing here? Huh? Huh?” the two soldiers approached them, hands near the handles of their sheaved weaponry. It had been a while since the group had spoken. It was somewhat hard for the words to come forth from Kotono, Jin, Carla and her parents. “Um…uh.”
“Well?” the brutish soldier was aggravated by the presence of these people. The slimmer slightly more rational one was quite aware that their mission was to seek out the monster dragon saviour rather than anyone else. “Don’t you know there’s a raging beast on the loose in this city? Didn’t you see that mess by the town square?”
Kotono gulped before words came forth. “Oh we were just waiting for a friend.”
There was a moment of silence amongst the gentle rainfall on the rust ground as the soldiers took in and speculated on the info they just heard, looking at each other. Kotono thought she had just dug her own grave.
“Yeah well get ought a here.” The brute dismissed. “Don’t want you getting in our way of our chase. Besides I’ve heard this monster especially likes to eat children.” He leered at Carla. Carla immediately could tell he was lying, although her parents hugged her tighter in response.
But in any case the group felt maybe they should hide somewhere less obvious. But before they could go anywhere one of the soldiers could have sworn that he recognised Carla’s parents.
“Hold on! Ain’t you the ones sent to jail?”
There was a sudden wave of fear that enveloped the spines and hearts of the group, a fear that was induced not by the guard’s sudden accusation. They seemed to clutch their chests in a trance-like submission. It was the same mysterious fear that had clouded their judgment earlier. “Oh no!”
And it seemed to also be affecting the two troops standing just outside the shelter as they instantly gazed up in terror at the unexpected arrival of the familiar red-eyed man standing on top of the shelter. “Oh my god it’s him!”
They back away instantly, both panic-stricken, ready to run off. Ryu suddenly descended down from the roof onto the pavement, slowly moving towards them. With that the two troops finally legged it, fearing for their lives, not looking back at the formidable foe behind them.
As soon as the pair of them disappeared into the distance around a corner Ryu slowly turned around to face his comrades, his tail swinging around with him as the drooping wings curled and flicked gently back and forth.
To his friends dismay he was still in this Drago form, and there was a certain quality beside the appearance that was startlingly holding them back in a tight grip of fear and caution. He observed as they sort of stepped back away from him into the bush shelter further. Ryu himself did not move from his spot, he observed with a gaze less serious than that of what he was giving every other villain up to this point. It was a gaze of somewhat honesty and patience, as if he was awaiting judgment.
It seemed that he did not wish to change back to his human form, not until he knew if they would accept him in this state. So there he stood before them, determining how they all felt. He would not try and encourage them to take his side once more. He felt that they should look inside their hearts and decide for themselves.
For a while none of them made a move, a gentle touch of thunder vibrated in the rainy heavens above. Ryu stood in the damp rain, whilst Kotono, Jin, Carla and her parents stood within the shelter. The question was whether or not they would come out of there to greet him, to congratulate him, to accept his state.
Kotono peered forward to scrutinise the shape-shifting man before her. She took note of his motionless posture and even the look in his eyes. But for whatever reason presented she would not speak a word to congratulate her friend on what seemed like a battle that he won. There was still that fear that held her back. Instead the only word that she could muster was a gentle sound of her voice brushing past the exhaling of her breathing. “Ah…ah…oh…”
The same was to be said about Jin. He could not bring himself to advance towards Ryu. If anything he drew closer to his sister, gripping her, trying to protect her from the possible dangers.
Carla held in the arms of her father and her mother would dare not move from her family anymore than anyone else.
Ryu did not move at first. His expression did not change for an instant, nor had he spoken a word up to this point. But after a while it was becoming clear that his companions would not find it in themselves to accept him in this form. It appeared that they could not conquer those fears that were holding them back fear. Maybe it was best that he left them be.
It was definitely apparent for his eyes that were looking up and down at them. With what seemed like a gentle sigh, he slowly turned around and began to walk away, out of their lives.
“Wait.” A child’s voice rang out to him, stopping him in his tracks. Ryu turned his head around to see it was that of Carla’s. He observed the woeful look on her face tears of sadness running down her cheeks. It was as if she could sense the perhaps consideration to their feelings whilst he was in the Drago form, as if he too felt some sorrow.
“Carla.” all of the group’s eyes turned to the little girl being held in her parents arms, as the bright tears came down from her sympathetic eyes. “Ryu…”
She turned to her parents, wishing to be put down so that she may greet her friend. After some hesitation, the mother nodded as father placed down on the floor. Slowly turning around to face Ryu like he was one of her own, she slowly and progressively began to walk towards her transformed friend, determined to trust him. Everyone was amazed in her efforts; her friends behind her thought she was either brave or naïve. “Carla! Don’t!
Even Ryu was remotely impressed that out of all his friends Carla would be the one to make the first moves. He turned around fully to greet her, and to see if you would fully go through with it, especially with the extra distance she had to walk.
So there she was, walking outside the shelter and into the rain towards Ryu. She was determined to shrug off her discomfort for his current appearance, but with every step she took, every pace closer to her friend, the mysterious and unknown physical force increasingly pressured her into fear, kind of like a voice telling her what an evil man Ryu was. She somewhat gulped at the possibility of it being true.
About half way between Ryu and the shelter, Carla’s mind was assaulted with images of Ryu in a berserk fury butchering those men earlier, and even the demonic visions of Ryu coiling and uncoiling in a hellish realm. She couldn’t explain the visions, she couldn’t explain this unusual force threatening her, but it was beginning to cripple the poor girl in her pursuits; literally. With a gentle squeal she came onto her knees, hands in the water, panting out of breath. Kotono called out to her upon realising that something was attacking her, though not once leaving the shelter, held back by fear. Ryu however looked on, trying to hide any pity that he felt. He felt an energy brewing deep inside Carla’s whimpering shell.
No, she thought, suddenly gathering a new surge of strength to raise her head in resistance. She would not let this unknown beast in her head get the best of her. She would not let cloud the fact that Ryu is her friend. She will win against the demon!
She sprang up with courage and persona never before seen in a child of her age. Jin along with Carla’s parents was left speechless. “Whoa.”
Carla’s fierce face expressed her battle going inside her mind, and Ryu was only too understanding of this bizarre change.
She took a step forward, through the puddle, and then another step forward, and then another. And with every step she took towards Ryu, the imagery and visions collided with her vision further and further. But it did not matter. Nothing was going to get in her way.
And Ryu looked on with pride, as if to say “That’s it girl.”
She was about a metre away from Ryu when the bad hallucinations were at their highest that Carla felt some hesitation once more. Would she do it? Questioning her motives she gazed into Ryu’s sympathetic eyes to receive an answer. Everyone was holding his or her breath, but after a moment she shrugged off the mental strain.
Wiping the moisture of reluctance off her face, she suddenly launched herself forward to finally come into contact with the Dragon saviour. She grabbed onto Ryu’s leg, embracing the warmth, and on that very moment, having finally come into contact with her close friend, whom she owed a lot to, the visions, the images and mysterious force of fear went away, and with that she was glad to know her saviour was all safe and sound.
“Oh my god she did it.” Kotono let out, everyone gasping in amazement. “My god…”
Through the raindrops that were falling on her head, Carla felt the palm of Ryu’s hand patting her on the head to congratulate her. Ryu closed his eyes for a moment; slowly opening them again. She slowly turned her head up to greet his face as he kneeled down. His hands were placed at either side of her face as the words from his mind streamed into hers. “You’ve done well Carla.”
A smile flowed across her face, her eyes glittering. She was stronger now that she had conquered her inner demons, the dragon within. Yet at the same time she could not deny the sheer amount of joy and happiness as the tears came down from her warming face. Rejoicing, she leapt up to wrap her arms around Ryu’s neck to embrace him in a hug. Ryu stood up, holding the young girl in his arms. His wings slowly lifted up to fold around his front in aid to their embrace. There they stood in the tranquil touch of the rain. Ryu’s eyes slowly closed in the gentle warmth of the young child’s cuddle.
And then, through Carla’s unwillingness to let go, she uttered 4 words. Beforehand she would never have said such a thing, about how she looked up to Ryu like her own flesh and blood. Since the day she rescued her from the monster in the arena, Carla knew this man to be her saviour, and he had only done so much more from rescuing her parents from the tyrannical clutches of the wicked. Maybe he already knew how she felt. But the deep warm tears flowing from her cheery face did nothing to shield her feelings. Having conquered her nightmares there was nothing holding her back from saying those 4 words; the 4 nicest words Ryu has heard in a long time. “I love you…Ryu…”
There the two stood in the rain, Ryu holding Carla in his arms, not speaking a word to falter the emotions that she felt.
The four others were soon coming out of the shelter to greet their friend. They too had defeated the fears that petrified them, and were willing to be with someone of the same kind, one who had conquered both light and dark.
Ryu gazed forward at all his friends. They had changed so much for the better within a short amount of time. Jin and Kotono had been through a lot over the past few days since the events in their village, and Carla’s parents were in eternal debt for his successful rescues. They weren’t about to throw away their gratitude now. Ryu was proud to have such companions.
The dragon saviour had one more thing he needed to do. His tail and wings slowly shifted in shape and moved towards the other group. They did not retreat in any reluctance. They embraced the gentle touch of the tail and wings holding onto them like cool wind against their faces.
Their brave eyes turned to Ryu’s face once more. To respond to their courage he nodded given them complete reassurance.
Like ice melting in the heat or clouds giving way to the touch of sunlight, the group simply began to fade away into the background and vanish, disappearing from the area, disappearing from the streets of Barda. For all anyone knew, disappearing from the face of the Earth. Out of sight.
A sudden psychic, self-induced explosion blew up in that area, removing all trace of any occupants that endured emotional hardships there. The blast could be seen for many yards as echoes of emptiness hit through the city of Barda, signalling possible signs of phoney defeat.
To be continued?
