Chapter 2

written by Illuminet

DISCLAIMER: SAME as the first chapter, okay?

:::BOSCH:::

Ryu...your worthless.

What is driving you to protect a false being? I don't understand it.

"Bossss..."

Your voice is cut off by the rapier I impaled through your throat. Why did you provoke me? Did that fall off the tracks make you forget who you are?

I scoffed at Ryu's dead body as it slumped forward slightly, my blade still impaled in him.

"Ryu 1/8192...is finished."

Some how, that brings satisfaction to myself. I hated Ryu in a way like no other. When we first met, I regarded him as a Low-D who didn't deserve to be there. How did he even get accepted?

Yet I really loathed him when we were in training. His skills seemed natural, as if he were born with them. He chose to use a weapon that no other melee fighting Ranger would use. I also had aspired to use a different weapon of choice when I was a trainee, before him. My weapon of choice had been the rapier, and it took me years to master. This boy had been challenged by seasoned Rangers as I was before him, and almost beat them all in one on one combat, as if they were nothing. When I challenged him myself, he almost defeated me to, but I was lucky enough to beat him.

He would always do his job as diligently as he could, never faltering in the face of danger.

He would do whatever assignment was given to him by Zeno, mostly guard duty, and never complain that it wouldn't increase his D-Ratio. He was a rival. One that seemed to never be able to elude my thoughts...

My reverie was broken at the genic's scream, though it came out pathetically weak, as its ebony eyes welled up with tears, holding tightly to Ryu. It should have chosen the time to flee but hadn't, decided to stay by Ryu's side.

"Don't worry, little genic, you'll meet him in the after life soon enough."

She stared at me a she clutched Ryu to her chest, her tiny red wings moving protectively around him, before she closed her eyes, as if waiting for death.

"Nina, don't do it!"

I heard the member of Trinity say to it. I smirked at her, bringing the tip of my sword to its neck.

"Time to die..."

However as I brought my arm back, preparing to thrust, Ryu's body came into view as he pushed the genic away, as I stabbed forward, the blade going through his chest and out the other end. Ryu glared at me, as he grasped the thin blade of my rapier.

"You....will....not harm her..."

He started glowing with a fiery aura, his eyes flashing red. I was shocked.

"What's going ON?!"

I saw pull the blade from his chest as he shoved me away. Ryu then screamed as he fell to his knees, clutching his head in pain. I saw his entire body go black, as trails of fire ran the length of his body. His body began to glow as the a bright light filled the room, blinding me for a moment.

"Impossible..."

I said as a thought struck me. An early moment in my childhood. My father had forced me to face a powerful monster, telling me not to be afraid. I remember when the battle started, and a blue aura started to form around me. I was afraid of it, but my father told me to embrace it, my hidden powers, and then I had blacked out. When my eyes opened, I saw the blood on my hands, as I looked towards the sword on the ground, my reflection showed that my face was covered in the red, hot liquid. I looked towards my father, as he commended me, saying I was given a special gift. Here now, looking at Ryu, a fear instilled itself in me, and my hatred towards Ryu sky rocketed to new heights as I stared at him, his body fully changed.

"This power belongs to me, Ryu. You don't deserve it!"

I heard myself say, and in blind rage, struck Ryu with a few thrusts to his head and chest, as blood trailed down his now shirtless chest. However, the wounds closed up as if by magic as Ryu roared out inhumanly.

"No way! My Beast Blade doesn't work on you.

However, Ryu never answered me, though. Instead, swiping at me with a clawed hand. As the world went black one thought ran through my mind.

-I LOST TO RYU, A LOW-D, AGAINST THE VERY POWER THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE MINE...-