Demonic Hollow: A Mask of Courage - Season One: War

Episode Five - The Broken Sword

Ryu swiftly changes into his new gear, patting himself down, smiling wide, "this fits great! Thanks Headmaster!" He smiles, "of course young one. Now come, we have training to do."

Ryu observes the clothing intently, brushing the fabric with his thumb. "S-Sir...you've been critically injured, I need you to rest," the nurse says. Ryu smiles, "no...that won't be necessary."

He turns to her, tilting his head with a smile. He was determined, so much unlike before. It was strange, even to Ryu. There was a fire, a burning rage inside him. "If you insist," the nurse says quietly as she exists the room. Ryu turns his attention back to the clothing.

He puts them on, feeling refreshed. He felt powerful. He grabs his sheath, putting it on, completing the assembly. He looks at his hands, astonished at the feeling.

Across the land, Luther was recovering from his battle. A demon walks into his room, "sir, how are you recovering?" Luther sits up, holding his stomach, "just fine. I'll be up and at 'em in a few hours. How about Ryu? Has anyone checked in on him?"

"Well, sir, Ryu was seen leaving the hospital way too early, given his injuries, but I was told his wounds were healed," she responds, folding her arms. Luther looks at her, thinking about all and any possibilities. He smiles, "he's way too strong to be put down like that."

Ryu unsheathes his blade, looking at it's length. He gets serious, "this is war. I will need to get stronger for these people...my people." He swipes the blade, sheathing it again. He exits the hospital and makes way to home. He has a plan.

He leaves the underground city, the air was warmer. He looks around, "clear." He hops out, beginning to run. Luther was still at home, recovering. A woman bursts through the door, "sir! Ryu just left the city! Any idea on what he's doing?!" His eyes widen, "what?!" He gets up, staggering slightly, before collecting some demons to form a search party.

Ryu runs for miles, his heart aflame, stamina seemed not to be a worry for him. He found the base from before, jumping down to it. He searches for clues. There was none. Except for a wounded angel. Ryu approaches her, drawing his blade, pressing the tip against her neck.

She gasps, awakening. She looks at him, her face goes pale. "Tell me, where did he go?" Ryu asks. She doesn't answer. His face becomes angry, he slightly punctures the angel's neck, "WHERE?!" She gurgles, "n-north east!" Ryu pulls the blade away. He looks at her for a moment, his hand clinches his blade more roughly. He pulls it back, sheathing it. He kneels, pulling bandages from his bag.

He tends to her wounds. She watches him, in awe. "Why...? Why are you doing this?" She asks. Ryu doesn't answer. Once he finishes, he stands and walks away. North-East, he says to himself. The angel lays in awe.

Luther, and his search party, exit the city, and begin the search. They visit the base Ryu was at just earlier. They search, to no avail. All angels had disintegrated, and the dead demons remain. Luther sits on a bench, holding his face in his hands. Michael, who decided to join the search, sat next to him, "hey..."

Luther folds his arms, "I don't need an attitude Michael, please?" He scoffs, "me neither. But I found a lead...Ryu was here, recently torn moist bandaids." He shows him, to his surprise. He stands, "men!"

They all gather around. "I know where Ryu is. It is our top priority to get him back. With the God Angel's declaration of War, he may be the only key to our succession. For our bloodline, our kind, we must obtain Ryu, and win this war," Luther says. He turns away from them, "get yourselves ready. Half of us will continue our pursuit, and the other will alert Luxard to the severity of our situation. Move out."

They do as told, and Luther continues the search.

Ryu's stamina was not infinite, he eventually got tired. He sat underneath a tree, relaxing against it. The fire in his soul was still burning, but he felt content where he was. Alone. Just how he liked it.