CHAPTER VII: A CLOAKMASTER IN CHAOS PART TWO:
THE POWER OF BELIEF
DISCLAIMER: I claim NO OWNERSHIP to ANY of the characters in this story except for this chapter (Tojiro "Neo" Ankoku, Ryu Kaze, Akuma Kyofu, and Orion.) They are my original characters and are owned by me. All other characters belong to their respective creators/owners.
The Demigod unsheathed Dragon's Bane with haste and readied himself to charge.
"You're crazy if you think you can this by yourself!" Kurumu shouted.
"Either watch and get killed…or leave now!" Tojiro said, glaring at Kurumu over his shoulder.
Tojiro turned forward, immediately deflecting an incoming spear of ice. The ice golem was now holding a double sided spear, carved to the sharpest point, completely made out of ice. Tojiro gripped his sword tightly, igniting a swirling tornado of Chaos energy around his sword. Tojiro pointed it forward, then held it like a baseball bat, his eyes filled with red hateful anger. Tojiro and the ice demon charged forward towards each other. Tojiro formed jumped forward, then formed into a ball, spinning in forward spins, while his sword stuck out. Like a buzz saw, Tojiro cut through the demon's right arm, leaving a red essence in the socket where the arm was connected. Tojiro exited his ball form and turned to face it. The arm automatically rebuilt itself; hitching back into place of the towering titan. The beast turned around, lunging its ice spear forward. Tojiro jumped onto it. Running up it, Tojiro drove Dragon's Bane energy covered blade into the beast's right eye, causing a distortion of blue light to quake from the entry point. Tojiro was suddenly sent flying away and crashing into the dirt, rolling to a halt.
"All these damn demons. Why can't they just go slaughter a village or something?" Tojiro exclaimed, as he got on all fours.
The shadow of the ice golem loomed over him. His eyes widened and he immediately rolled forward, dodging the ice made spear sent by the ice golem. Tojiro turned around shooting a flurry of green Chaos Spears. The Chaos Spears let stream like tails drift behind them as they flew. Together, they all collided with the beast, then nothing happened. Tojiro huffed with enthusiasm. In a near instant, several green explosions occurred all around the ice golem, wilder like firecrackers and as painful as a thousand needles going through your body.
"That's what you call chaos." said Tojiro, flexing his hands so the lingering discharge of Chaos energy would leave his hands.
The ice demon slowly began to rise, but then quickly shot a massive beam of blue Chaos energy at Tojiro. Tojiro quickly put up a defensive barrier that was sphere shaped. The blast surprisingly broke through and overcame the Cloakmaster. Tojiro roared at the top of his lungs in severe pain.
"T-To-Tojiro? Oh my goodness! TOJIRO!" exclaimed Kurumu.
Tojiro's cloak was left in small shreds, and his skin was horribly burnt, even revealing the flesh and muscles on his arms. His shirt was also burned off, and his body had several disfigured scars slashed across, and unable to bleed due to the horrible burns. Tojiro's eyes remained shut. Kurumu hurried to his side, and began nudging him.
"Wake up! You fool! Wake up!" she screamed vigorously.
The loud steps of the ice golem was all that reached Kurumu's ears. It swung the large ice spear in it's hands several times. Kurumu surprisingly took stand in front of Tojiro's corpse.
"You bastard! He may be a jerk…and maybe even an idiot! BUT YOU WILL NOT HARM HIM!" shouted Kurumu, readying her claws.
The ice golem easily held up it's massive ice spear and let out an angry roar. The sound of metal breaking away from chain sounded loudly. Kurumu looked up and landing in her hand was…the rosary.
A flesh burned hand gently pushed Kurumu back, and standing over her was the ten foot tall Werehog that was Tojiro. His eyes filled with red, and the black symbol of the Great Shade Empire in both his eyes. The scarred warrior stepped forth and growled with fierce rage. The ice golem let out a single bellow of intimidation. Tojiro bent his head down then roared into the sky. A roar as fierce as a lion…and as dangerous as a dragon. The sky suddenly turned dark and crimson red. Tojiro looked at the ice golem, and charged. The massive ice beast lunged it's spear forward. Tojiro easily ran on all fours, leaping to the right then jumping towards it's face, delivering a harsh left hook, causing the ice golem to literally flip over onto its chest. Tojiro clenched his fists, causing them to ignite in flame. Tojiro jumped up into the air. The ice golem quickly sat up, shooting ten icicles directly at Kurumu. The succubus gasped with fear. Tojiro's eyes widened, and he suddenly vanished. He reappeared in front of Kurumu, with his back to the icicles, as each and every one found their way into his flesh. He suddenly opened his eyes back up, he only looked angrier. Kurumu stood frozen like a statue. Tojiro turned around, clenching his fists again to ignite the fires once again. Kurumu looked in utter shock at each of the ten icicles that neatly dug themselves into his flesh.
Tojiro charged forward. The ice golem threw it's spear forward. With his right fist, Tojiro sent his steel flaming fist directly into the tip of the spear, disintegrating. Tojiro quickly followed up by leaping forward, clinging his flaming hands together then driving them down into the ice golem's skull, causing an explosion of fire and ebony smoke. The massive corpse of the ice golem came flying out of the smoke. Kurumu ducked as it crash landed into the ground behind her. Tojiro leapt out of the smoke, the flames gone from his hands. Tojiro performed an elbow drop onto the beast's stomach, causing a series of cracks to scatter across the creature's chest. Tojiro stood over it's face. He grabbed it with his right hand, then began violently punching the ice golem with his left fist. With each and every punch, it became stronger…it became violent…it became more and more evil. Tojiro finally raised both his fists up, creating a flurrying surge of dark red Chaos energy around them. With one angry shout, Tojiro smashed them down onto the beast's face, completely shattering it.
Tojiro walked away from the dead beast's body, as it completely turned to water. Tojiro limped slowly and angrily over to Kurumu. She receded her claws, and the towering demigod looked down at her. Tojiro's strange looking eyes were still retained. The sky went back to its normal hue by this time. The Cloakmaster turned around, and by heating himself up with Firebending, the ten icicles in his back melted. Kurumu looked as the melted ice mixed with his blood, and poured out of a few of the wounds he had. Tojiro put the rosary back onto the chain, a black mist surrounding him, revealing him to be in his hedgehog form.
Tojiro's eyes returned to blank white, and his orange pupils appeared in his eyes as well. Tojiro looked at his right hand, his eyebrows stiffening.
"Are…you…are you going to be alright? Tojiro-san?" asked Kurumu.
Tojiro slowly lowered his right arm, "Think no less of me…but think more, Kurumu-chan." he said, looking over his shoulder.
Kurumu wasn't able to put on a reassuring smile because she still saw disdain and uneasy nature in Tojiro's eyes.
"Hurry. We should go back to the school." he said, limping towards Kurumu.
"You're still hurt!" she exclaimed, hurrying over to him.
"No matter Kurumu. They will heal on their own. It is one of my abilities. Worry about your own life…for me, got it?" he said forcefully.
As the two walked, Kurumu looked down at the Demigod of Death with much curiosity and confusion. She was like the one of many others who couldn't understand how Tojiro viewed the certain aspects in life, including the people in it. Kurumu wasn't so intimate to have a deep conversation, especially with someone of Tojiro's stature. Nothing transpired between the two, not even a mutter, barely even a breath that was suppose to utter words, it was silent and quiet. Kurumu hasn't seen much monsters with such character, but the real question is; is Tojiro considered one? For what he's done in life back in the past, he was a scar to humanity. For his future, nothing more than a doom bringer. For now, however, he is a cursed guardian that must carry the weight of his failures and mistakes, while facing this new force of nature that wants him eliminated.
After coming into the school infirmary, Tojiro was back in his human form. He walked to the window, watching the students take part in gym class and doing various exercises. Tojiro turned around and sat down on the bed.
"Your wounds are better I take it?" asked a familiar voice.
Tojiro let out a loathly sigh. Ryu was suddenly standing in the room.
"Go sputter off somewhere dark and lonely." replied the bitter demon.
"No need to be so offending, friend. I simply came to question today's occurrences." said Ryu.
"Only today? God, aren't we honest." spat Tojiro.
"That ice demon. You've realized its nature, yes?" asked Ryu.
"I easily read its mind…yet I could not find out the maker. Its nature, however, was to kill Kurumu." said Tojiro.
"Akuma is planning it all too carefully. If he is to get through to you by harming those you watch over, he'll tempt you even more to travel through the Nine Circles of Hell at a more earlier point in time." explained Ryu.
"He may send what he wishes. I'll kill them all." replied the Demigod.
"And you believe that he has no ulterior motives?" said Ryu.
"I can predict whatever he brews in that foolish mind of his. I've already realized he's trying to harm others that are under my watch. Because…he knows of my nature." the Cloakmaster responded in a tone that slowly became solemn.
"I sense much grave ache in you suddenly. Why is that?" he asked.
"Ryu, please. You assume too much all too easily." said Tojiro.
"I have already seen your thoughts, and you have realized your new power. The power of the Nightshade." incorporated Ryu.
"What is it then?" asked Tojiro with question, standing up and turning to face Ryu.
"When a Nightshade becomes consumed by the degree of their nature, they seek to accomplish their own wishes. By using this power against Maximus and that ice golem, what have you realized at the time that summoned such power?" said Ryu.
"I was protecting someone." answered Tojiro, looking off into the corner.
"Exactly. With that drive, it activates the hidden power a Nightshade holds. The body of a Nightshade is complicated and that is why there are many questioning situations about how a Nightshade ticks." explained Ryu.
"It's good to know now. But yet…why is it now?" said Tojiro, walking back to the window. He saw Kurumu inexplicably hugging Tsukune, as he suffocated from being held into her chest so tightly.
"Do you believe it to because of those people?" asked Ryu inquisitively.
"Not just them. People who I've put in danger, and simply used my corpse to shield them from that danger. It's endless, Ryu. It's just…endless." explained Tojiro.
Back outside, Tojiro walked alone in the forest with Dragon's Bane in hand. He carelessly swung it in slow movements, ultimately defeated by the force of boredom. His hood was down this time.
"The Chains of Fear. Julius has them. Without them, I can't find the next one. If there'd be one time I'd choose to be attacked, it would definitely be now. At least it would give me something to do." he said consciously in his head.
Tojiro stopped on the dirt path, turning his head several ways, hearing a sudden sound.
"Sounds weak. I won't be needing this then." said Tojiro, sheathing Dragon's Bane.
All of a sudden, he was hit in the head by the front wheel of a bicycle. Flying off the bike was Kokoa Shuzen, Moka's little sister. She flew into a nearby bush. Tojiro remained standing, all that changed was his tilted head, which he quickly shook from dizziness. Tojiro looked to the left, seeing a bat slowly flying by.
"Kokoa-sama…why…are you…so…" It was unable to finish its sentence and dropped to the ground, tired to the highest limit. Tojiro picked the bat up.
"Wake up buddy." Tojiro said, snapping his fingers.
The bat's eyes jolted open, quickly looking in every direction.
"Just who are you? Oh wait! You're that insane demon god Nightshade, aren't you? KOKOA-SAMA! HELP! HURRY!" screamed the frightened bat. Tojiro lifted an eyebrow, then looked over his shoulder.
He walked over to the bush, and pulled a still dizzy Kokoa out of it. He held her up by the back of her shirt.
"I remember you two now. Are you still doing foolish things like always…or have you decided on something less bothersome?" questioned Tojiro.
Kokoa's eyes finally opened, and she looked at Tojiro.
"YOU FREAK!" she screamed, driving her fist directly into his cheek. Tojiro simply dropped Kou, and focused his glare on Kokoa.
"Now…was that really all you have, vampire?" blankly stated Tojiro.
Kokoa gritted her teeth with annoyance and kicked Tojiro in the stomach, throwing herself into a back flip. She landed on the ground, then stood straight up.
"Tojiro, I remember you now. You tried to hinder my plans to get my Onee-sama back!" Kokoa denounced, pointing at Tojiro.
"What's with the grudge, you fool. Tsukune has ruined your pathetic plans more than I have." Tojiro snapped.
Kokoa was simply aggravated even more by his words. Kou quickly flew over to Kokoa and landed in her hand. She squished him in her hands and the bat suddenly changed into a large spiked mace.
"Am I suppose to feel threatened, intimidated, or shall I simply attack you with one attempt?" he asked with steel gritted determination.
Kokoa angrily charged at Tojiro, holding the weapon ready. Tojiro stomped the ground with his right foot. A pillar of earth stood in her way, and she simply swung her spiked mace to blow it away.
"Should've expected that much. Oh well." he shrugged, standing in a stance, with his fists up.
"DIE!" she roared, swinging the mace down at her. Tojiro reached up with his left hand and grabbed the upper handle of the weapon, then pushed Kokoa back, while he held the spiked mace in hand.
Kokoa slid to a halt on the dirt and watched the Cloakmaster march towards her with the weapon resting over his shoulder.
"Now…are you prepared for death?" he asked deliberately.
"You wouldn't even dare!" Kokoa barked.
"How so? Explain yourself." he said.
"You showed enough pity earlier with that boob freak. You wouldn't dare lay a finger on me!" she shouted and taunted.
"The foolish deserve no pity….nor mercy." he said, flipping his hood over his head, the darkness covering his face instantly.
He raised the weapon over his head. Kokoa suddenly appeared frightened and was unable to move.
"I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget." he said, swinging the spiked mace down at Kokoa. She helplessly screamed in utter fear. Silence filled the air. Kokoa's arms were over her head and her eyes completely shut. They finally opened, and the spiked mace was mere inches from her nose. Tojiro reeled the weapon back then tossed it aside, and Kou turned back to his bat form.
"Why…wh-w-why did you do that?" she stuttered.
"That's my method of teaching. Now get up and let's go meet the others. Shall we?" he suggested, holding out his hand.
Kokoa looked at the gloved hand that waited right in front of her. Kokoa turned her head away with disrespect.
"Shows what you know!" she fearlessly yelled, standing up on her own.
"Your nature doesn't surprise me. Now, come. Let's go see your sister." said Tojiro, walking away.
"Uhh, Kokoa-sama, what shall we do? Are you going to follow him?" asked the hovering bat.
"We'll simply have to see what happens, Kou-chan. Now let's go." she said, following after the Cloakmaster.
"Let me ask you this…for what reason are you even here?" asked Kokoa directly.
"I simply saw the bus that travels to this very location. It wasn't my clear distinction." said Tojiro.
The two were in the infirmary room Tojiro was given.
"Man, you being here is simply going to ruin my plans, you know that?" she said.
"Deal with it." muttered the angry demon.
"You idiot! I'm not going to deal with you!" screamed Kokoa.
"You misunderstand. I mean you should intentionally deal with me in whatever way you see fit. I would really like to see how you could even throw me out of this room before I toss you out this window and all the way to the bus stop." Tojiro explained.
"I'm not stupid you know. In fact, I may use you." said Kokoa, putting on a smirk.
"I'm not going to deviate Moka from her normal life. Well, slightly normal life. You simply wish to see the real Moka, just how desperate can you be?" he responded curiously.
"She's my sister, idiot! I'm not going to simply sit around like you and wait for something to happen!" she said yelled, pointing her finger at him.
Tojiro turned his head away, agreeing with her, but not proud enough to actually say it.
"What are you even trying to say, Tojiro? You don't need to protect her! She's one of the most powerful monsters ever! Why do you even care about her?" Kokoa expressed.
"SHUT UP!" roared Tojiro in Kokoa's face.
Kokoa fell to the ground, feeling a sudden freezing cold wrap around her. The lights in the room began to flicker uncontrollably.
"You dare to speak for me? You dare to interpret your own beliefs on me? YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME!" he shouted, causing a shocking blast that knocked Kokoa against the wall.
Tojiro grabbed Kokoa up by her throat and slammed her against the wall.
"Even if you did know why I'm so watchful over that girl's vampire side, you wouldn't have the guts to joke about it. So before you start judging me, you best prepare yourself for a fight!" Tojiro angrily tossed Kokoa to the floor, and left the room. Surprisingly, Kokoa's eyes were shaking, as were her hands.
The Cloakmaster angrily stomped his way through the halls. "Filthy monsters. Damn vampire doesn't know hell about anything." he said with rage. A door opened up ahead on the right side of the hall. Tsukune poked his head out.
"Tojiro?" he said, watching the demon walking past the door.
"Anything wrong?" he asked. Tojiro quickly turned around, shooting a Chaos Spear at Tsukune. The teenager quickly jumped into the hall, while the Chaos Spear destroyed the door and impacted a good portion of the wall.
"I hope that answered your question, you foolish piece of trash!" Tojiro shouted, continuing his way down the hall.
Ryu Kaze suddenly appeared in the middle of the hall.
"Halt now Tojiro." he said, holding his staff out.
"Back off now Ryu…or I'll send you to Hell." cursed the angry Demigod of Death.
"It is not to be cowardly and take the simplest things in the most obscene way of offense! Stand down NOW Tojiro!" commanded the real Nightshade, raising his voice for the rarest of times.
Tojiro shot a beam of negative Chaos energy. Ryu simply swung his staff, which caused the beam to shoot back and hit Tojiro in the chest and causing him to slide across the floor on his feet. Tojiro roared at the top of his lungs with fierce rage. He shot several fireballs and Chaos Spears at Ryu. Ryu simply walked forward, a thin barrier of white Chaos standing protective in front of him.
"Believe me when I say this my friend, you do not want to continue this!" threatened a messaging Ryu.
"My past was easily brought back to mind because one stupid little girl couldn't shut her mouth! NOW BACK OFF YOU GODDAMN FOOL!" roared Tojiro, letting an angry surge of Chaos energy to sweep through the hall and push Ryu back.
The ancient god held his golden staff in front of himself until he finally came to a stop. Tojiro shot beams of spinning drill beams of dark Chaos energy. The blasts were consumed by Ryu's body and he shot one single beam of blue…positive Chaos energy. Tojiro quickly vanished with Chaos Control. Ryu flexed his hand then clenched it, causing the whole beam to vanish so it wouldn't do no damage.
Tojiro reappeared in front of Ryu, sending him a powerful punch to the gut. Ryu bent forward, but he quickly smacked Tojiro in the skull with the Golden Dragon Staff. Tojiro fell to the floor and was ready to get up, but he stayed down once Ryu pointed his staff to his face.
"You will not let words get the best of you Cloakmaster Tojiro! Don't even think of it! You are stronger than that!" said Ryu in a drastic tone.
"I'm beginning to not give a crap about that you old buzzard! Don't you dare speak a word how I should live my life Ryu! DON'T EVEN SPEAK!" Tojiro shouted, shooting a blast of black Chaos energy that sent Ryu flying down the hall.
"I've had enough of damn humans and their petty problems! I live on my own beliefs and my own choices dammit! And so far…it is the faults of others that I have been suffering so harshly! I've seen enough from the past come back to my present! I…HAVE HAD…ENOUGH!" he roared, letting out all his Chaos energy!
The humongous beam blew up through the school, and into the sky, breaking through the barrier that protected the school.
"Tojiro…what have you done?" whispered a motionless Ryu.
Standing in the middle was the anger filled Demigod of Death. The symbol on his forehead was shining red, and his eyes were the same, with the black symbol of the Shade Empire in them.
"No matter what race they are…I SHALL KILL THEM ALL! MY REVENGE IS ALL I HAVE LEFT!" echoed the out of control Cloakmaster.
Tsukune and co. arrived on the scene. "What is Tojiro doing? He's destroying the barrier!" exclaimed Tsukune.
Outside the school, students pointed to the massive cracks forming and as they continuously grew, and how large pieces shattered like glass, falling down. Ryu used Chaos Control to appear in front of the others.
"If he isn't stopped…Earth surely won't stand a chance." Ryu said over the loud thundering noise coming from the release of Tojiro's power.
"How? How can we stop him now?" yelled Kurumu over the loud winds.
"As we speak…the rosary around his neck is frantically feeding him the power of his Werehog form; a being with unlimited power! If this continues…Tojiro will lose his sanity and most likely become a soulless ghoul!" denounced Ryu.
Tsukune's eyes immediately jolted from such news, and he looked down at his holy lock.
"What will you do to stop him?" asked the pink haired Moka.
"I either redirect his Chaos energy and force him into a sleep; which is highly unlikely that he'll wake back up as a normal being, but a ghoul. The other option now is that I strike him down with one shot of Chaos Fear." Ryu explained, pointing his staff forward.
The front of the staff formed a sphere of dark black energy with a lining of salmon colored Chaos energy around it.
"What is that?" asked Yukari.
"Chaos Fear is the single most deadly force of power to ever use against a being. Whatever living tissue it touches, that being will die imminently. I'm leaving this up…to Moka." Ryu said, looking over his shoulder.
"Me! Why?" she questioned desperately.
"Either yes or no Moka…does he deserve life or death? Choose now!" demanded the patient Ryu. Tojiro turned around to the crowd, his eyes filled with uncontrollable hate. Moka looked from Ryu, to Tsukune, to the others, and then the hateful eyes of Tojiro.
"MOKA!" exclaimed Tsukune. Tojiro growled and chuckled, leaping from his spot and down at the group.
"DON'T DO IT! Let him live!" begged the screaming Moka.
Tojiro was ready to swing his claws. Ryu made the Chaos Fear vanish, and instead shot a straight beam of silver with blue in the center that hit Tojiro directly, surrounding him in its enticing glow of intense resonance.
A whole week had passed, and Yokai Academy remained standing strong. The barrier was fixed and the academy has been repaired thanks to the supernatural powers of Ryu. Strictly told by the Nightshade himself, Tsukune and friends weren't allowed a single inch near Tojiro, not even allowed to speak his name, his title or even think about him. It was the first time Ryu has been so serious and taken such drastic measures, but it was to ensure continuity for the students at Yokai Academy. Tsukune and friends went on with their daily lives and daily inequities of obscene romance, passing the time was truly all that they had. Even though the Cloakmaster has done so much horrible things, they managed to not even speak about it, just as Ryu asked. In fact, they may have lost trust in him, probably even more than that. Ryu, too was shocked in the actions he took himself into, not ever wanting to use his powers ever since he had died and became such a powerful force of nature. Could they even be able to look at Tojiro? Is he even alive? The complications that revolve around the last Nightshade is all on personal accounts. Yet there were so many questions that had to be asked…yet there were so many answers, the truth was so well hidden from their eyes. True it may not have been nature that deemed this stunning event, but maybe something more simple and meaningful.
Ryu had finally asked Tsukune and co. to come meet him at the school infirmary, but there was much to be said before even that. The silent group with Tsukune in front saw the door to the infirmary up ahead. Several other students were already standing in front of it, even faculty.
"Everyone! Please, if you could simply back away from the door!" said Ms. Nekonome.
"Listen to your teachers, students! O-r e-l-s-e." said Kagome Ririko, wagging her finger back and forth.
"Attention students! Many, many things have happened after the past few days and we know you are desperate for information! But you must not worry, for the school will be fine! Everyone back to your classes!" said Ruby over a megaphone.
With much difficulty, the students were finally persuaded to clear the area. Standing in front of the door, was Ryu, the Headmaster of the academy, and; the Bus Driver?
"Wh-Wha-What is he doing here?" said a flabbergasted Tsukune.
"Afternoon everyone. I'm glad you could all make it." said the Headmaster.
"It was a wise move that he gather us all here for this Tsukune. Tojiro would have been doomed if not." said the Bus Driver.
"Thank you, you two. I'm glad you were able to help to the best of your ability." thanked a humble Ryu, bowing to them.
"We shall see what happens then, old friend." said the Headmaster bowing back.
The Bus Driver and Ryu then shook hands, and then the two were gone. Ryu turned to the others, taking in a breath as if he wasn't ready to anticipate their reactions.
"If you would all follow me please." Ryu began tirelessly, walking down the right hall.
"Where are we going?" asked Tsukune.
"It's rather uncomfortable to stand right in front of the door, Tojiro may awaken any minute now." said Ryu.
"Then how come we're leaving him alone?" asked Mizore.
"You all must learn, that's why." Ryu answered swiftly.
Sounded just like Tojiro they all thought. The group arrived in the Newspaper Club room so Ryu could speak what he wished to Tsukune and his friends.
"All of you may be in a mind of hate or distrust. I've already read into your minds and seen how you all wish to protect each other from him. He is indeed a troubled individual. Yet, I have seen how careless you've viewed him once he first met you all." Ryu began.
They were all surprised to hear Ryu's words and his ability to read their minds and feelings.
"Tojiro nearly killed himself today…I won't say why…yet, that shall be for later importance. On the other side, Tojiro will live. But I'm afraid his anger has simply been driven to a whole new level of madness. Tojiro may change over these next few days. The reasons why, I rather not estimate." he continued.
"You said he'd turned into a ghoul if he would've have continued, is that really the truth?" asked Tsukune.
"It is. Just like you have Aono Tsukune." said Ryu, lowering his staff forward which touched Tsukune's holy lock, then he lifted the staff back up.
"Except…Tojiro wouldn't even need the power of a ghoul to begin a mass slaughter. He has already done enough. I, like very few…feel sorry for the boy." said Ryu, shaking his head slowly with despair.
"How come he lost his power so easily then?" asked Kurumu.
"I'll bring that to a more private manner. But for now, I'll simply warn all of you with a message." said Ryu. The group appeared confused, but paid attention nonetheless.
"Tojiro was given the title of the last Nightshade because he was born with the mark on his forehead. The mark of his nation. Tojiro lived helplessly, facing nightmares that wouldn't stop tormenting him. The images of every inch of fear that existed was solely focused on his conscious…that is what makes a Nightshade so strong…and so evil. Tojiro fought control over his nightmares for over a thousand years until they stopped invading his mind."
The group made several expressions that showed much surprise, and some sorrow.
"Tojiro's life was filled with absolute violence and famine. All he could hold on to was survival. For every breath he took and every move he made, there was one less person in the world. Tojiro had nearly murdered over a million in his lifetime, maybe, no one truly knows. One of including his mother…and the other…including the only woman he would ever love." said Ryu, holding a serious tone.
Now, the shock arose from their faces.
"Tojiro's mother was the first one he undoubtedly murdered, after having burned his childhood village to the ground. He lost all his memory the moment he became a Nightshade, and thus he paid his own price…and dug his own grave. This…is what you all fail to understand." Ryu explained.
More confusion arose from that sentence. "Tojiro has one rule, one belief, he calls it. Those who disrespect the lives of others…don't deserve their own. Thus enters his current situation. You are all enveloped with this young man here, which I do understand, yet to some extent, you're all being childish and outlandish." Ryu stated.
"My Tsukune doesn't need to listen to your words!" Mizore snapped, standing up.
"Yours? Who do you think you're talking about stalker freak?" barked Kurumu, getting in the snow girl's face.
"There. Over the days of when he first met you all, Tojiro has deemed you all peaceful people who deserve their harmonic lives, yet in a way you denied to honor Tojiro, who constantly threw himself into your problems." Ryu instigated.
"You don't have a damn idea what you're talking about!" cursed Kurumu.
"Both of you sit down…NOW!" commanded Ryu, stomping his staff on the ground, actually shaking the entire room, and causing the lights to flicker.
Kurumu and Mizore both appeared hesitant, but they sat down anyway.
"I am not trying to say you must care about Tojiro, but simply believe that with him around, he refuses to let someone get hurt. Like a week ago, Tojiro carelessly protected you, the succubus girl." Ryu said, looking at her.
Kurumu remembered the furious face that Tojiro wore and how he used his back as her personal shield so she wouldn't get skewered. Kurumu lowered her gaze, suddenly feeling a bit of pain grow inside her.
"He's inhuman, yes. But he still has his mind, and that will be greater than any power he will ever use. Currently, Tojiro is resting, he may even be awake. I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't outside that door right now, or turned into a shadow while in his Darkrai form, listening on this, I don't care. I had to use his rosary which was already tainted enough, so I purified it and replaced the old rosary with his, that is how the barrier was fixed." said Ryu.
Kurumu instantly remembered Tojiro removing the rosary to fend off and defeat the ice golem.
"Then…that monster he turns into, would he be in that form right now?" asked Kurumu.
"I was just about to get to that. I asked the Headmaster to lend me a very special, yet very powerful holy lock that Tojiro is currently wearing. It is sealing the Werehog within him, and also stopping the ghoul blood within him from taking over his mind, just like what happened to Tsukune over here." Ryu explained with great detail, turning his head towards the human.
"Now for the difficult part. Being a Nightshade, Tojiro doesn't have a heart, and therefore his entire body lives off the negative Chaos energy that resides within him. The holy lock is an instrument made to purify and prevent the negative power within him. In other words, the holy lock is slowly killing him from within." said Ryu in a grim tone at the very end.
"Then why did you even put it on him?" exclaimed an upset Yukari.
"If I hadn't, this school wouldn't be standing, and neither would any of you. The matter of the fact is that how Tojiro decides to control his power. Tojiro's will is nearly unbreakable, and if he is able to use his very own will to stop the holy lock from killing him, even when he removes it from his wrist, the ghoul blood may not be able to take him over. In all honesty, it comes down to what he thinks. As of now, however, Tojiro doesn't know what to believe and who to trust, especially you bunch. So the feeling is very, very…mutual." continued the real Cloakmaster.
"Then…should he even stay here?" said Tsukune slowly.
"Perhaps…perhaps not. Tojiro should decide. That is, if he doesn't strangle one of you to death before you even ask him, or possibly eliminate you all at once. I rather not even one of you try." said Ryu, suddenly shifting looks to Moka.
Ryu took in a breath of air. "If you wouldn't all mind, please leave for now." he said, his head lowered.
The group shared several glances, seeking answers in each others eyes, but nothing yielded to them. They were all ready to exit, Yukari opened the door.
"Moka Akashiya." Ryu spoke suddenly. The pink haired vampire turned around.
"You stay. Tsukune, she'll catch up with you guys later." said Ryu politely. Moka walked back into the room and sat down at the table with Ryu on the other side of the table. Tsukune was the last one out, before closing the door shut.
"I want to make this clear to the both of you." Ryu began.
"Both of us?" said the confused vampire. Ryu pointed the Golden Dragon Staff at Moka's rosary.
A small red bolt came out of the staff and into the gem in the rosary. A red light shined with bright illumination. Once the light dimmed, Moka opened her eyes to see her vampire form sitting down right next to her. The two vampires looked at each other with amazement.
"It's good to see you again, omote." said the silver haired vampire.
"I summoned you for a very important reason. There is a good reason why both of you must hear this." said Ryu carefully.
"Go ahead. I am curious to hear this." the inner Moka admitted.
"This is for your ears only. If you can try and resist from telling the others, than do so, unless you can't of course." Ryu stated calmly.
The two Mokas' waited patiently.
"Moka, do you know why I asked you what must be done to Tojiro? Any idea at all? Please tell me what you think." Ryu asked the pink haired Moka.
"What I thought? I'm not sure, really." she replied nervously.
"I see, well there is a real reason indeed why I asked. Yet it would have been better if the inner Moka would have answered Tojiro's fate." continued the ancient god.
"What is it then?" asked Inner Moka.
"It is due to your sister Kokoa Shuzen. She inflicted a painful memory upon Tojiro. In fact…I am sorry to say this…he almost killed her because of it." Ryu answered discretely.
The twos' eyes immediately widened by such news. "I was merely arriving here once I heard their conversation, and took action once Tojiro left Kokoa in a stunned and scared position. The reason for his unleashed power was because of one simple thing, but don't let it worry you, nor offend you, Inner Moka." said Ryu.
Her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"Tojiro has always been very, very protective over people, but there's a pattern I noticed. Tojiro's first and only love Victoria, she had red eyes. I remember talking to Tojiro once about her, which was real surprising since he refuses to ever talk about her with others. Anyway, Tojiro told me her eyes was his favorite thing about her. He use to watch the sunset with her, which was also another favorite of his. The sunset to him, is his whole world." Ryu continued.
"Get to the point." said Inner Moka impatiently.
"Tojiro has always shown great care for girls that have red eyes." Ryu finally admitted.
The two vampires both were surprised to the greatest extent.
"Tojiro became so overly obsessed with hate by Kokoa's words that he remembered about Victoria, and how he failed to protect her, and was wrongfully tricked into killing her. He thought of you, the Inner Moka as an example, and he believed he'll fail to protect you, Tsukune, and everyone else. Tojiro, once he meets people, he expects the best out of them, but he also expects them to respect life, just as he does. Simply, that won't happen now, won't it?"
The Outer Moka looked with a mess of emotions clouding her mind, while the Inner Moka kept her eyes shut, and her arms crossed.
"What does his past even signify? Is he trying to accomplish something here? Or is he not?" asked the Inner Moka.
"By my understanding Moka-san, he intends to kill who needs to be and do away with those who must be dealt with. That much I know, even if he hasn't awakened yet, I already read his thoughts." explained the god.
"I see. Then what initiative will be taken to make sure he takes the right path instead of the wrong one?" Inner Moka asked desperately.
"You are indeed correct on that. I don't wish to pity him, because it his what he does with power that measures out the man he is. Nothing else will change that." replied Ryu.
"Then…are you suggesting he's simply going to leave this place?" asked the Outer Moka.
"I doubt that. He is still desperately searching for…someone." Ryu spoke, a hint of dread in his voice.
The Inner Moka raised an eyebrow at his reaction to the pink haired Moka's question. "I believe it would be better if you choose what is to happen next." Ryu suggested carefully and honestly.
"I don't like the sound of that. I've done the same type of things in the past, and they were all too risky." answered the Inner Moka.
"I'm sure Tojiro will live, but I am truly unaware if he will be ready to fight…I'm even afraid if he'll say another word to anyone." said a solemn Ryu.
"He's mad and displeased, we all understand that already. I believe it is up to him if he decides to continue living or not. It shouldn't be our business." said the Inner Moka coldly.
"That's Inner Moka for you." thought the pink haired vampire, staring at her with disbelief.
"I understand. I thank you both for hearing what I had to say." he said, pointing his staff forward, creating another red flash.
The Inner Moka was sealed back inside the rosary, and Ryu immediately rose to his feet, turning to the window.
"I've never in my life been able to question any other being more than Tojiro, don't you agree?" said Ryu.
"I suppose. However, what is it that you need Tojiro for?" asked Moka.
"For a purpose no else could comprehend. For a foe that no one else can defeat, that's why." answered Ryu, turning back around to face Moka.
"It is his task to complete, whether he likes it or not." Ryu added.
Moments later, Ryu and Moka joined the others in front of the infirmary room.
"Whether he's awake or not, be quiet, be sensitive, and be respectful. Tojiro is very unorthodox and he may not even notice us at first sight due to his complications, so be warned." Ryu explained, standing in front of the door.
The group understood. Ryu grabbed the doorknob and slowly opened it up. Ryu stepped aside, and the group took careful pace inside the room. There in the corner lie the unconscious body of Tojiro. He was remained in his hedgehog form. His arms were on top of the blanket that covered him up, and his eyes; shut. A rolling cart was right next to his bed, with three jars of swirling negative Chaos energy in each of them. There was a small thin tube that came out from the top of each jar, and into three spots. One into the wrist of his left hand, his chest, and the third went into his forehead where the symbol of the Shade Empire was. Above all, his head entire head was wrapped in bandage, except for around his eyes, so he could still see once he wakes up.
"With these jars, they'll slowly give him the power he needs, and his regenerative abilities will take care of the rest." said Ryu.
The group observed him carefully, not trying to cause any noise or disturbance.
"He's been here ever since the event a week ago?" asked Tsukune.
"That's correct. He hasn't even moved an inch since." replied the cloaked god.
"So you have no good guess when he'll wake up?" asked Yukari.
"I wish I had. For now, it's all on how his body decides to divide the Chaos energy amongst his body. Once that happens, he shall awaken." Ryu noted.
"It's truly a life and death situation, no matter where he goes and no matter what he does." said Kurumu.
Ryu looked at the succubus with surprise, glad she understands Tojiro's situation.
"Yet I'm still worried, just how will he react to us?" asked Mizore.
"There is a slight possibility that he won't, but a higher one that he will. It truly depends how his mind works once his eyes open, it's simple." answered Ryu.
"Simple? It won't be so simple to clean up whatever's left of us if he reacts angrily!" exclaimed Tsukune.
"Shhh!" said the girls, while Ryu chuckled.
A puff of steam suddenly sounded from Tojiro's right arm. Silence immediately fell upon the room, and everyone looked at Tojiro with tense faces. Small green and lights from within Tojiro's arm came on and blinked several times.
"Look! His eyes are opening!" said a joyful Moka.
Tojiro's head turned from left to right, and he groaned and grunted in pain. His eyes opened, and they were filled with a glowing fierce red. He turned his head to the others. The group stood frozen like ice, fearing the worse. Tojiro's bandaged head turned towards the ceiling, another puff of steam coming from within his arm.
"Shall we let you rest, my friend?" asked Ryu.
Tojiro suddenly glared at him, his eyes forming into an angry stare.
Ryu's head reeled back, "Oh. I see. I apologize, Cloakmaster Ankoku." Ryu answered, while nodding his head.
"What are you talking about?" asked Tsukune awkwardly.
"Tojiro just talked to me telepathically." answered Ryu, looking at Tsukune.
Their faces didn't appear willing to believe him.
"Well, he was honest in his words." Ryu said, trying to avoid the real answer.
"What did he say, Ryu?" asked Yukari kindly.
"Excluding all the death threats to you all and myself, his body is healing and he said he can't wait to get up." Ryu explained.
Everyone wore their faces in a startled mood, and blank expressions in their eyes. In a mere instant, the group suddenly charged out of the room like an unstoppable herd of animals. Ryu poked his head out of the door, then shook it.
"Who must I feel sorry for now?" he said, going back inside the room, and closing the door shut.
Ryu went alone to the Headmaster's office on urgent business, while he left Tojiro to slowly regain his thoughts alone in the infirmary. Ryu opened the double door and walked on inside.
"Afternoon friend." said the Bus Driver, who was in the room as well, smoking a cigar.
The Headmaster turned around in his chair. "Is the Cloakmaster awake?" he asked.
"He is indeed. Yet my fears appear true. Tojiro refuses to take action in this school's drastic fate, more or less leave the infirmary." answered Ryu.
"Weren't you sure he would react in a certain way though? Such as, if his memories would give him a slight hindrance of hope." the Bus Driver included.
"I wish it was that way, yet I am beginning to doubt, friend." Ryu stated honestly.
"If what you've foreseen is true, we can't risk losing the school to him." said the Headmaster.
"Agreed. The holy lock does seem to take great enough affect on Tojiro, but in all honesty it is truly up to him on how he decides to use his power to fight the ghoul within him." Ryu explained undoubtedly.
"And so, the beast of death, this Werehog…will it try and take him over? I've seen what their kind can do, they are unstoppable once they taste blood." said the Headmaster.
"Luckily, the Werehog won't take over his mind. Tojiro has silenced the nightmares of his Werehog a while back, so that half of him won't be a problem." stated the real Nightshade.
"Then half of this crisis is solved." the Bus Driver added.
"Only half, that much is true, friend. But how this threat was able to amount such a force against us makes me curious." said the Headmaster.
"Orion must've been fooled by Akuma no doubt. Who knows how long it will take them to prepare their attack against this school." Ryu added.
"Akuma? That can't be…" began the Headmaster.
"Indeed it is. His motives are complicated, but I know what he's planning." answered Ryu.
"Besides killing Tojiro, what else is he planning?" asked the Headmaster, setting clasped hands on the table in front of him.
"I'd rather not go into deep detail, but it seems that-" Ryu was silenced once the double doors slammed open and into the room ran Ruby Tojo.
"Ruby! What matter do you have to barge in so drastically?" questioned the Headmaster, standing up from his desk.
"From the tunnel…a creature leading a band of monsters…are on their way here!" she informed, breathing heavily.
"So he is here." muttered the esteemed Ryu.
The Bus Driver lowered his cigar from his mouth, "Now is the time we see who joins a side."
In the infirmary, Tojiro's metal hand reached for the side bar on his bed. With what power he had, he sat up, his back cracking in the process. He slowly and carefully maneuvered his arms to get the joints working properly. His red glowing eyes looked down. He removed the tubes that fed him Chaos energy from their three spots. Tojiro set his legs hanging off the edge of the bed. The cloak covered anti-hero stepped off the bed, grunting in pain, placing his right hand over his stomach. He then stood straight, sticking both his arms down by his sides. His eyes blinked in surprise. On a table in the corner was the holster for his revolver Black Death, and right next to it; the broken sword that was Dragon's Bane. The red lines were gone, and the sword was beyond repair. He strolled over to it, and picked both parts up. His eyes appeared still very angry, as he looked from one half to the other in his opposite hand. He put the two parts back down and grabbed Black Death and strapped it onto his belt. Tojiro dug into his pocket, taking out his journal. He sat down on his bed, and opened it, his eyes appearing questioning. From his past journeys, from recent, they were all collections of things he himself had placed in the book. He came across one picture of him standing with Yuto Amakawa, his cat half bodyguard Himari, and all their friends. Another was with Tsukune and the others. Every picture had a little wording next to it, below it, or above it. He had even drew his own pictures. Pictures of monsters he had faced, lands he had not forgotten, and even faces he can't forget. One page, was one he would never find himself turning to. It brought up enough pain for him to squinch his eyes, then shut them, closing the book with haste. They were images that brought him so much pain. It would make his current position be nothing more than a mere bruise. He put the journal back in his cloak pocket, then rested his clasped hands on his lap, and began to do something he hasn't done in such a long time; meditate to reconcile.
Outside the limits of the school, the bounty hunter Orion walked alone in through the forest. He was alone for the moment until a sudden black mist formed by his side.
"Greetings Orion. I see you're almost at the school." said the cloaked figure who had appeared out of the mist.
"I'm well aware of this plan…Akuma. Now leave. This is between me and Nightshade." barked Orion, not turning his head a single inch.
"I understand that clearly, do not be so arrogant." replied Akuma. "Like it makes any much of a difference, devil. What of Tojiro's current status?" replied the bounty hunter.
"It appears he has released a large amount of his Chaos energy which has rendered him weak. This may the only chance you get to get your revenge. That is…if those monsters decide to protect him." said Akuma with a sly and fraudulent tone.
"We shall see what it takes for a monster to protect a freak. That is the truth Akuma." snapped the bounty hunter.
"We shall see indeed. Yet, my latest attack has definitely broken that fool Tojiro. I do believe she felt a tad bit sorry for the order I gave her." said Akuma, his hand to chin, as he chuckled hysterically.
Orion looked at his so called informant with disgust, completely ignoring his distasteful words. Orion turned his head forwards, spotting Yokai Academy in the distance, and where his true goals lie.
"The demons from Hell I assigned to you, whenever, all you must do is activate the Chaos Control. Do you understand?" said Akuma.
Orion unsheathed Silver Wind, while still walking.
"Do you understand or not, bounty hunter? You know you need my help for this siege." Akuma announced, standing in Orion's path.
"Let me do my job, and you can do yours!" Orion barked, elbowing Akuma out of his way and continuing his way to the school for monsters.
"Tojiro Ankoku…what will you do this time?" said a grinning Akuma, who began laughing as he slowly vanished into a black mist.
"Tsukune! Tsukune? Where are you?" called Kokoa, walking into the Newspaper Club's room.
"Kokoa-chan?" asked Tsukune from behind. Kokoa jumped off her feet, turning around in the process.
"You idiot! Watch how you intrude someone!" Kokoa exclaimed.
"Sorry, Kokoa-chan. What were you calling me for?" he replied.
"My fake sister wanted to tell you something. She's on the roof, saying it's something very important." said Kokoa.
"Okay, would you like to come with me?" he asked.
Kokoa's eyes appeared wide. "Who do you think I am? Why would I want to follow you?" she snapped, turning halfway with her arms crossed, with her eyes shut.
"I know it's not the best question to ask you now, but is there truly something you have against the Outer Moka?" questioned Tsukune curiously.
"She isn't real. She's a fake like I said. She wasn't the sister I grew up to know! So why are YOU sticking your nose into MY business?" shouted Kokoa angrily, getting in Tsukune's face.
Their was silence afterwards. Tsukune's mind studied Kokoa's fierce expression, which was all for honest love and anger.
"I can admit I believe what you say." he said.
"Good! I'm glad you can respect your superiors!" gloated the young vampire.
"But it's not what I believe in." Tsukune said suddenly.
"Heh?" said a confused Kokoa. "I talked to your real sister, as you say. Believe it or not Kokoa, they're both the same. Their hands are the same, and I'm sure their intentions are different, but when I hold her hand, it's the same. There's no difference." Tsukune said with strong emotion.
"Don't talk so smart about my sister!" Kokoa shouted, ignoring Tsukune's kindly words.
"Like I said Kokoa, believe it or not. There's nothing wrong with difference. Because no matter what way you look at it…they're both Moka Akashiya." Tsukune stated with a positive look and smile. He then left the room, leaving Kokoa lost for words, for a second time that is.
Tojiro was back laying down in his bed, with his back slumped against the back of the bed so he was still sitting up, staring blankly at the ceiling. His red glowing eyes were all that was obvious, besides his entire bandaged up head. He barely had the chance to even speak to himself, he even refused to talk mentally, interesting and bias at the same time. His right arm let out a puff of steam. It showed him a sign that it was being fed the right amount of Chaos energy, so he would later be able to back in fighting position. That, however, brought up one single complication; who would he fight…and who would he fight for? Tojiro could begin an endless quest in the very back walls of his own conscious to find the answer, but he wouldn't yield so easily to such an emotion that requested foolishness. After all, it is his belief to fight for reason, and now for revenge. Most of the individuals he met, senselessly doubted him for his beliefs and actions. About the highest percent of those people didn't even say it, because the Cloakmaster himself read their minds and saw the truth behind their words, whether for the better or for the worse, his burdens were his only. There was no surprise that he deterred his own path because of his beliefs of letting people who deserve peace lives live on and save them from those who wish to ruin them. It was up until now on how Tojiro would question himself. He would never question his beliefs. It was one of the very few things he had that he could control and would never let go of. He damns individuals for his own reasons. For the reason of causing pain and havoc in another's life. He despises those people the most, especially those who beg for salvation, but he didn't yield, he simply…swung away and let it rain blood. He was no longer tied to nature due to the desperate and enduring war he ended a while ago. It was a broken bond and he was vulnerable to death. The arms of death have always been desperate to drag him to eternal suffering, but he has endured worse on the surface. If he could imagine it well enough, the fingers of death were simply tracing up his arms and could grab his shoulders, forcefully pulling him to darkness and madness forever. The roots of his own nature were practically plunged into this very earth, and they rot with disdain and negativity, yet he refuses to let his past catch up to him, he plans on outrunning it until the very moment he dies. His eyes said all these things, as they continued to glow with a fierce hate that no one could ever match up to, for the world he grew and lived upon has betrayed him to the extent that he would some day return the favor ten fold. Luckily, he is still undecided on that question.
The door swung open, Tojiro immediately shot a round from Black Death at the individual. Luckily, it was Yukari, so the bullet ripped through her pointy hat instead. She took it off, looking at the hole with a shocked look. Tojiro dropped the gun back on the cart next to his bed, then stared back up at the ceiling, all with carelessness. Yukari waved her wand over the hole, and it stitched itself back up. Yukari placed the hat back on her head.
"Uhh, ex-excuse me, Tojiro-san?" she started slowly.
Tojiro kept silent, not even turning his head the slightest of inch.
"Don't you want to get up? Ryu said as soon as you'd wake up, you would have enough power." Yukari informed, walking over to Tojiro.
Tojiro let out a breath, his chest expanding, then deflating. Yukari was somehow frightened at first when he took that breath in, so she came out from behind the door, and walked back over to Tojiro.
"I'm sure you're going to be alright, Tojiro-san. Trust me." she said with a smile, standing beside his bed, with a smile and her hands clasped behind her back.
His red filled eyes cringed tightly by her frantic speaking, and especially her belief of him being 'alright'. There was no hidden treasure that he obviously hated others speaking for him. It was at his expense to decide what he wanted, not anyone else's self conscious will could change that. Yukari looked at Tojiro with a face full of question and curiosity, yet the young witch half heartedly believed he would respond to whatever she said.
"Excuse me, Yukari?" asked Ryu from the door.
"Oh! Yes?" she turned around.
"I see you're keeping Tojiro company, that's very kind of you." said a proud Ryu.
"I sure am!" she concluded, raising her hand up in the air.
"Would you mind if I had a word with him for a moment please?" Ryu asked politely.
"Okay!" replied Yukari, hopping towards the door. She turned around once in the doorway. Tojiro slowly turned his head to her.
"I hope you make a speedy recovery…Tojiro-san!" she stated with a happy smile, before closing the door. Tojiro turned his head back towards the ceiling, acting as if he was alone again, treating Ryu like a part of the wall.
"If you haven't already noticed…Orion is coming to this school. He's obviously coming for you, Tojiro." began Ryu.
A telepathic message was sent from Tojiro.
"What do you mean by that? Tell him you're not here? You surely must be fooling yourself, Cloakmaster!" Ryu said in an outburst of surprise.
Another message was sent, this time Tojiro's eyes became more significant with distaste and annoyance.
"You refuse? What does that mean? You refuse to protect this school?" said a surprised Ryu.
Tojiro began carelessly talking telepathic messages, he absolutely refused to utter a word.
"A world of fools. A world of fools. I see. That's what you think. I must disagree with you, my friend. You are the fool!" Ryu angrily stated, stomping his staff on the floor.
Tojiro didn't care at all which didn't phase Ryu.
"Don't treat your own established beliefs as a shield. Just because it was shattered for one moment, you lower your sword against the coming threat? You should raise your sword to fight! Then…you retrieve another shield…and use that to protect yourself. You're too inconclusive my friend. I now read your mind and see the fault…it's her? It is, isn't it?" Ryu judged in a constant outburst of words.
"Don't speak of her you say? That is all you plan on doing at this point! You would leave this school to suffer because you refuse to rise against the threat! How foolish of you Tojiro! Very foolish! You should be lucky to have made such friends here…but now you're only focusing on one? I can respect your intentions, but they are merely half truths! I know you're determined…but…you must…you must simply not sit by and watch this world be torn apart when you are able to stop the chaos from burning out of control! Your journey has begun many days ago…" Ryu informed abruptly, suddenly stopping his words at the end.
Ryu dug his left hand into the right sleeve of his cloak. He took out something and tossed it onto Tojiro's lap. His head looked down, and he immediately grabbed the item.
"…and now is the time to take it seriously. That's all I found of her, Tojiro. Where is she?" he asked.
Tojiro looked at the item he held in his right hand, his eyes becoming lost and confused. Ryu lowered his head and left the room in an instant. Tojiro stared at the item discretely, knowing all what Ryu spoke of, but unwilling to believe such words. Tojiro tore off a piece of his cloak and wrapped it around the item that filled his mind with so many thoughts and memories, then put it on the cart next to his bed, then stared back up at the ceiling. There was a short sense of sincerity and delusion in the air of that very room, and for some accursed reason, it wasn't getting out…anytime soon.
On the roof, there was Moka and Tsukune.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing." said Tsukune, looking out in the distance.
The tree line was breaking down and several explosions occurring. Loud bangs and roars erected from the forest, monstrous roars that sound war.
"Don't you think why Ryu was talking with the Headmaster?" asked Moka.
"Most likely. Yet I want to know who's leading this attack. I'm not liking it a bit!" replied Tsukune strongly.
"I do believe it would be better you all seek shelter inside the school." announced Ryu, arriving from behind the pair.
"Ryu! What's going on?" called the deliberate Tsukune.
"Truly…there is no time to explain." said Ryu, raising his staff up once he stopped behind the two, who were facing him.
Moka and Tsukune turned around to see a large ball of flames suddenly disperse from the protective barrier Ryu had created.
"Hurry, find safe haven within the school." commanded the constant Ryu.
Tsukune and Moka quickly headed for the door that led down into the school, while Ryu stood alone on the roof.
"Orion…what kind of bounty hunter are you…to be tricked so easily?" Ryu said to himself.
Orion came to the path leading up to the school.
"These fools will regret hiding the scorn of humanity in this building." said Orion, raising Silver Wind into the air.
A series of white lightning bolts began to shoot out from the blade. In the sky, a huge group of wyverns appeared with demons in black armor, with burning orange eyes, rode upon. Some of the wyverns had guns on their backs, which the demons sat in.
"This is truly some fierce power. Let it purge you from the edge of this earth…Tojiro Ankoku." spoke Orion, driving his sword into the ground, to spawn an army of a thousand numerous demons behind him. Orion pointed his sword forward at Yokai Academy.
"Burn it to the ground! Kill all who get in your path! BRING ME…THE CLOAKMASTER OF DARKNESS!" Orion commanded with ferocity.
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW!
Orion: The school's defenses will fall...Cloakmaster! Reveal yourself!
Tsukune: We can't let any of them pass! You guys got it? We're holding this line!
Ryu: Orion is a high stakes fighter, breath caution my friends!
Inner Moka: My patience has been tested many times...but this battle seems to be the least of my worries.
Kurumu: Hold on guys, where's Yukari? Yukari! That flat chested witch! Where'd she go?
Yukari: Tojiro-san? I don't mean to intrude...but I must tell you: You will get better! You'll redirect this pain you feel! I believe so!
Ryu: Only you, Cloakmaster...you are all this school...all the world needs...to ensure the perfect harmony.
NEXT TIME!
A CLOAKMASTER IN CHAOS! PART THREE:
ROAR! THE BLADE OF DARKNESS AWAKENS!
