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

Episode Thirteen - Becoming Whole Pt.2

The Golden Realm is an ancient realm created by the Traitor Angel. It is isolated to all those who are unworthy of the treasure within...knowledge. Ryu's venture to The Golden Realm was triggered by his desire to achieve his goals. The realm unlocks, travel becoming enabled for those who are worthy.

Ryu and Laurene ventured to the gates, a hidden pathway nested within miles of forest. Ryu found himself here with a calling, the same with Laurene. "The Golden Realm? What...?" She asks, all too familiar with the area. Ryu looks at the gate, "This is what I need to become whole. There is still so much I need to learn, not only of these golden powers but of my heritage." He begins to walk to the gate. Laurene hesitantly follows close behind.

They enter the ancient realm. The cool, calming air breezes past their ears. It was a serene area, a sanctuary for Ryu. Laurene didn't feel the same way. There was a distinct history that Laurene shared with this space, not one of comfort and sublime that Ryu felt, but of discomfort... an unfortunate truth was discovered in this realm.

They venture for a while, and Laurene looks around with anxious dread. Ryu glances at her, swiftly picking up on her worries, his face frowns. "What's goin' on Laurene? Is there something wrong?" Laurene looks up at him, "huh? Oh..." She looks away from him, "in order to reconnect with my angelic side, I had to realize a very hard truth." Ryu nods slowly, listening intently. "I was drafted into the angelic army at a young age, my father was a medaled soldier, even God himself met with the man."

Ryu's eyes widen. He hadn't realized until this point that Laurene came from such a prestigious family. "I hated my father..." she starts, "he devoted his life to the angels. It was always protecting others. He was almost never home." Laurene sighs. The weight lightens a little. She spares a glance at Ryu, endeared by his focus. "I don't remember how it led to it, but I was always known as the prodigy of my family. Next in line, to become the strongest angel, even stronger than some of the most decorated warriors of our people."

Ryu chimes in, "Like the Golden Angel?" She shakes her head, "you might not believe it, but the Golden Angel was a lesser known commandant. He is leagues below the higher-level beings."

"What?!" Ryu thinks to himself, "he was a lower-end being?"

"I rejected my heritage for a large portion of my life...my childhood was stripped away from me, I never realized the peace that came with being a child, I never knew anything else than training regimens and sparring.  It was an endless cycle." Ryu shakes his head, "I'm so sorry, Laurene. I never knew..."

She chuckles softly at this, "No, no. It's okay. You weren't my father. Anyway, when I came here to the Golden Realm many months ago, I came to make peace with my blood. After the events of last year, I couldn't bring myself to live as I am now... not without making that peace with myself." She sighs, "it wasn't easy... The Traitor Angel made me go through it all again, but in the end... the strength I gained from that will never be forgotten."

Ryu nods, a slight smile creeps in, "I'm glad. Just know that you won't have to go through that again. It's my time here." Laurene nods.

"Ah, if it isn't my wonderous students," says a voice from the sky. Ryu looks up, and a welcoming smile comes after. The Traitor Angel descends from the sky, gracefully landing before the two warriors. "You've returned. Is there something I can do for you?" Ryu steps forward, "my battle with Tsuzuki was...difficult. I almost didn't make it. I know for sure that he is gaining strength by the second, and I can not afford to be left behind. There's something I've been wondering about, ever since my battle with The Golden Angel, a year ago."

The Traitor Angel nods, "Go ahead."

Ryu looks at his hand, clenching it, "There's something that doesn't make sense about me. Like, I've been denying this part of me that's been dormant for all of my life." He looks up and at the Traitor Angel, "my blood, my biology... there's something off about it." The angel tilts his head, "and what do you suppose that might be?"