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

Episode Nine - His Whole Essence

Ryu clashes with The Golden Angel, evading Michael's follow-up attack. He jumps back, as Michael continues his attack. He blocks it with his sword, slicing his friend below the knee, staggering him. The angel leaps over his fallen comrade, stabbing his sword forward.

Ryu expertly clangs his sword against the angel's, directing the momentum. He swiftly kicks him in the gut, then to the jaw, knocking him to the ground. He quickly flips to his feet, holding his hand out to Michael, healing his wound. Ryu looks over, his expression changes. He had more than enough power to defeat them, but together, they were unstoppable.

Ryu's breath was calm and steady, the fury within him burned hotter than ever before. His strength raised at the second, but with this, he could not take on two strong opponents at once. Michael charges, while The Golden Angel stays back. Ryu prepares.

The two begin a battle, swords swinging, missing, clashing, Ryu has the upper hand. He swiftly slices Michael's chest, and despite the damage he'd done earlier, he continues to fight. His aura heals all battle damage near instantly. Michael swipes his blade, Ryu blocks with his own, the two struggle against eachother.

"Michael! Open your eyes! See who you're fighting!" Ryu shouts, the metal of his sword scrapes against his enemy's. Michael didn't respond, as if Ryu's words were empty and bared no weight. "There's no hope to bring him back, Ryu!" The Golden Angel says, appearing behind Ryu suddenly.

He kicks his leg out, knocking him to one knee, giving Michael the chance to attack. He kicks with all of his might, but Ryu blocks it, the force of the attack sends him back, past the angel.

He lands, flipping himself to his feet, clenching his sword close to his chest. The Golden Angel fires a magic blast at Ryu, which he slices through, but Michael catches him off guard, tackling him to the ground, holding him. "Michael-! Come on! We were friends!" Ryu shouts, struggling. The Golden Angel chuckles, walking up. Ryu's aura starts to fade, his battle invigoration slowly slips away.

He kneels before him, looking down into his eyes, a devious grin slapped across his face. "Michael never liked you...why do you think he is so easy to control?" The angel begins, "and soon enough...he will be an angel, and so will you..."

Ryu growls, "I refuse! You won't take me, I swear to everything!" His aura strengthens. The angel pulls out another syringe, "come on now...don't resist. You and I will rule this place, together." Ryu growls and struggles, his temper heats as his aura does. The Golden Angel brings the needle to his neck. Ryu growls again, louder, and more viciously.

"BACK. OFF!!!" He screams, his aura explodes, and from above, tens of hundreds of demons jump from the rooftops. Ryu looks up, eyes agape. They quickly surround and overwhelm both Michael and The Golden Angel. They beat both into submission. One of the lead demons approaches Ryu, who's aura vanished from him. She holds her hand to him, a gentle smile presents itself to him.

"You won the war, Ryu," she says gently. He takes her hand, she helps him up. He stumbles slightly, tired after the long battle, but he was glad it was finally over.

An hour passes, Ryu walks over to the now incapacitated Golden Angel. He kneels, reaching out to his magical suit, "time to take back what's mine." He grabs the shirt, lifting it up. With a swift slip, the shirt is off. Ryu brushes it off, then slipping it onto himself. Pure magical energy surges through his body, a very familiar feeling as before.

He smiles, holding his hand out, his magical blade appears in his hand. He observes it, "it's good to be back at one hundred percent." He turns around, Michael was being carried by several demons. He approaches them, "hey, what are you doing?"

One of the demons looks at Ryu, "oh. Well, as unfortunate as it is, I don't think it's possible to reconvert an already converted demon. Ryu looks down at Michael, he was knocked out just as the Golden Angel was. He sighs, "he was one of our best." The other two demons nod in agreement, taking him away. Head Demon Lara approaches Ryu, putting a hand on his shoulder.