Demonic Hollow: Mask of Courage - Season Two: Behind The War

Episode One - One Year Later

One year after Ryu's interaction with the GPA and the Angel/Demon War, all was peaceful...at first glance. Ryu was appointed the new leader of the demon clan, and he accepted graciously. In the few days of leadership, Ryu established new rules and new training regiments, and he felt at peace. He felt confident in his leadership, and while it was overwhelming at first, he grew on it.

Late one night, Ryu sat outside in the newly renovated shed, completely fitted with guard towers, stations, and many more features. He looked down on the land before him. The vast forest provided the clan enough coverage. While the loss of the former leaders of the clan brought a lot of depression to them, Ryu pulled them out. It was a long process.

"Sir, I believe we have movement in the fourth quadrant," a demon says. Ryu sighs, standing. He slowly opens his eyes, "Thanks." He jumps, a shockwave shoots from underneath his feet as he does, he skyrockets through the air, using his magical sword to help him stay afloat. He observes the forest, keeping an eye for any dangerous movement.

In the year past the war, the city, previously in ruins, was repaired and rebuilt. Human life persists to live. However, the GPA issued a CoO (City of Observation) to protect the city from all and any demonic attacks. Scanners placed all along the city would detect and alert any nearby GPA units of a demon's presence. Ryu learned of this and made sure to warn all and any demons to steer clear of that area. With demons and angels being common knowledge, heavy efforts have been implemented to track them down. However, religious groups don't approve of these efforts.

Ryu detects sharp movement in a thicket of trees. He soars to the ground, landing gracefully. He dematerializes his magic sword and approaches the movement. "Hello? Is anyone there?" He asks gently. The movement suddenly stops. Ryu slowly draws his blade, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly, a person leaps from the bush, carrying a pistol. They fire a few times.

Ryu deflects all of them, "Wait!" He raises his hands, "let's talk!" They whimper in fear, firing more bullets, unloading the entire clip. Ryu, of course, with little effort, deflects and slices the bullets. He hears the gun click, and the chamber is empty. Ryu took his chance. He threw his sword into the air, which his assailant caught notice of.

He very quickly, too fast to see, runs behind his opponent, wraps his arms around them, spinning around for a moment, and then he slams them onto the ground, knocking them unconscious. He stands up straight, now clearly observing his attacker. It was a woman, it was...Laurene?! Ryu's eyes widen, "oh my gosh-" He quickly picks her up, carrying her back to the shed.

The demon on watch looks down, "sir! What's going on?"Open the vault!" Ryu shouts. The man nods, quickly running down, assisting Ryu in bringing Laurene inside. He takes her to his old home from before the angel/demon war. He lays her on his couch, swiftly removing his gear and putting hers along with his. "Go get a medical team immediately, I kinda did a number on her," he says quietly. The demon nods and rushes away. He quietly sits alone with Laurene, remembering to the battle before, and how he promised to keep her safe.

He sighs, and all of the trauma of the battle comes back in a flush of complicated emotions. He fumbles with his hands for a while before the medical team arrives. Ryu steps back, observing from a distance. They take her from the home, to the hospital, which he continues to follow closely. Nearly an hour later, he and Laurene were sitting in a quiet medical room. Her heart rate, blood level, all was well. She was just unconscious. Although, this didn't really make Ryu feel better.

He didn't know what happened to her soon after his battle alongside Michael. Michael...Man. Ryu sighs again, shifting in the uncomfortable chair he was sitting in. After a while, Laurene slowly opens her eyes. She groans, sitting up. "Woah, woah, easy," Ryu says quietly, softly supporting her back down. Her breath quickens, "Where am I?! What's going on?! Who are you?!" Ryu was hurt, although it wasn't much of a surprise she didn't recognize him. His hair was completely cut, his face changed by demonic genetics, and he grew a heavy beard.