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

Episode One - A New Home Pt.1

Long ago, before even the time you and I were alive, there was an ancient war that took place between Angels and Demons. Humans, during this time, were oblivious to either of the powerful creatures, but they worshiped them equally. This ancient war dragged on for years and years, many lives of both Demons and Angels were lost -- tragically, the Demons lost this struggle.

After this war, there were five major clans of Demons that were constructed due to the massive loss of the Demons. These clans were named Takashi, Roku, Yachi, Masanori, and Shinichi. These five clans, while each were made of Demons, they rivaled each other in morals. Each different clan had different ways of life, most lived off of the land, while one thrived on humans and any living beings that step in their way.

Each clan also had a different way of fighting technique, some used ancient demonic power, while some preferred to use more peaceful and non-lethal means of combat, unfortunately, some seek the misery of others to power themselves.

After the war, Angels lived among humans, guarding them with their lives, as they brought their civilization back to prominence. Though, they may have lived among humans, they ruled themselves with the Ten Commandments of God. These strict rules disallowed many human oriented interactions, such as revealing their true identities, mating with humans, and involving themselves in human wars and struggles.

This brutal war ended many lives, the peace that ensued brought an ever-lasting growth of Angels, Demons, and Humans. Though, treacherous times are coming, and the peace that was so beloved, may come to an end.

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"I'm sorry Ryu," a man said, who held a young boy by his collar. "H-Headmaster, please!" He shouts, squirming. The Headmaster tosses the young boy out into the rainy terrain. "I'm sorry, Ryu...I can't make a case for you anymore. The other headmasters have ruled to throw you out, your destructive temper is too much for the other boys," he explained, looking away from the young man.

He scoffs, "so what?! Those 'boys' you talk about are the reason I get so mad all the time! You can't do this to me!" The Headmaster turns away from him, "...don't come back." He enters the home, closing the door behind him.

Ryu was left behind with backpack, a sheath and sword, a demon mask, and enough yen to live for a few weeks. He stands, brushing mud off of his clothes. He growls, kicking up mud onto the door and surrounding walls. "To hell with you," he said sternly. He grabbed his back, sword, and yen, and began to walk.

Nearly an hour later, he pulls out a map given to him. He sighs, "a human town...just a few miles from here." He shuffles the map back into his pocket. He grabs his demon mask, observing it closely. "They created this for me...so nobody knows who I truly am," he says to himself. He begins to walk again, attaching the mask to his face, removing his sharp ears, and his narrow pupils, which change to human looking.

He sighs, "ugh...I hate wearing this thing, it's itchy." He scratches his jawline, shaking his head. He moves on, and into the city. As he approaches a highway, he pulls out the map, crossing the street unknowingly. Cars swerve by and nearly hit him, but he makes it across.

He folds the map up, and puts it away. "Okay...I need to find a place to stay, it's getting dark," he says softly. He walks around aimlessly for an hour, until he accidentally bumps into a young woman, probably around his age.

She drops grocery bags. "Oh!" She says, "I-I'm sorry-!" Ryu smiles slightly, "no worries." He bends over and picks up the spilled goods. He hands them to her politely, "you in a rush?" She shook her head, taking the groceries. "Okay, well, I'll see you around, yeah?" Ryu says kindly, walking past her.