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

Episode Four - For Our Lives

"I must say angel, you impress me," the man says, seemingly relaxed even in this situation. Laurene growls, "I'm not an angel." He chuckles, "so you're not. Show me exactly what a demon can do!" Laurene's eyes flash red as she appears behind the man, throwing a sharp and blind fast punch. He catches it with ease, and counters with a swift kick. She evades, just barely dodging the attack. She slides on the ground, standing up quickly, hands up.

The man chuckles, "not bad! You were taught well. Since we have something in common, what with us being demons and all, why don't I tell you a little bit about our clan, and about me?" Laurene raises an eyebrow, "...like...right now?" He nods, grinning, "a little story before I effortlessly defeat you, and take Ryu with me." She scoffs in response, "...go ahead."

"My name is Tsuzuki, I lead the Shinichi clan, a clan of the most vile, and monstrous demons," he explains. "Yeah, you already told us that," Laurene spits, folding her arms. He chuckles to himself, "forgive me. I've...not been myself recently. Could you tell? I don't usually fight...my prey comes easily." Laurene's eyes become angry, "...you bastard." Her eyes flash red, she appears in front of him. He grins down at her, his eyes flash red as well - the two clash. Tsuzuki grunts, grinning wider, "not a lot of mortals know of these techniques...someone must have taught them to you!"

He kicks Laurene back, she skits against the ground. She looks up at him, standing up, "yeah. After the angel's defeat in this town a year ago, I lost myself, and a new friend came and picked me up. Unfortunately...I lost them too." Tsuzuki folds his arms, "I'm sorry for your loss." Laurene's eyes locked with the ground. She sighs, "that doesn't matter now. What matters now is Ryu, and the future of our people. It starts with me defeating you!"

Tsuzuki grins, "you'll die trying." He appears in front of Laurene suddenly, throwing a sharp punch. There was collision, but...she caught his fist! His eyes widen, "oh?" Laurene gains a pure white aura, it erupts, sending the demon back, skitting against the ground. He looks up at her, "oh? Heh...you're using your angelic powers, demon..."

She closes her eyes, "yes...as much as I claim I am a demon, I will forever be an angel at heart. This power, however, will be your undoing!" She dashes at him, throwing a flurry of punches. Tsuzuki is overwhelmed. Laurene throws a quick punch to Tsuzuki's gut, appearing behind him suddenly, kicking his back sharply, and finally she appears in front of him, striking his jaw, launching him into the air. She jumps, and kicks with both legs, launching the demon far into the forest. She chases.

He shakes his head, catching himself on a couple of trees, looking forward, Laurene close on his tail. He grins, "this will be fun!" He gains a red aura, dashing right at her. The two clash, catching each other's fists. "I must admit angel, you've impressed me! Very few people can land a finger on me!" Laurene scoffs, "I've done far more than that!" She breaks the clash, kicking his left leg out, tripping him. She steps, kicking him into the air. She appears above him, looking down at him. "It's over..." she says, delivering a final blow. She cups her hands, raising them into the air. A golden flame surrounds her fists as she critically strikes him with all of her might, sending him soaring to the ground at blinding speeds.

She sighs, losing her aura. She floats back to the ground. She looks at the crater formed by the massive impact. She pants softly, "and that's that." She turns, walking away from the battle. She makes her way back to Ryu, gently picking him up, "it's okay friend...let's go home." She carries Ryu on the way back. She sighs, "I wish I didn't have to use that power...but I had no choice."

She walks for a few minutes, before she feels the ground begin to shake. She looks around, "huh...?" From afar, a huge beam of light shoots straight into the sky, clouds form a circle, beautiful sunlight falls in. Laurene looks over, aghast at the sight. Suddenly, from afar, a huge gust of wind knocks her back, causing her to drop Ryu. She is flung back, and she hits against a tree. She looks up, there stood Tsuzuki. Her eyes widen, "but how-?"