The bright orange flame of the fire burned in front of a dark man. Even it's warming light failed to brightened the skin of the man. It's tongues of heat flickered, licking the air with life, with it's artificial life. The man, known only to a few by the name of Akuma, stared intently at the fire. He felt his blood course through his veins with his heat beats, each out pulsating with the power of the Satsui no Hadou, the Murderous Energy. He could feel himself aging slowly, and soon, the Murderous Energy would need a new host to carry on its tradition.
Akuma remembered his brother Gouken. The two of them were the last remaining practitioners of the Shotokan martial art. Their master, Gotetsu had taught them everything about the art, even it's darker, more lethal side. Instead of treating the art of the Dark Shotokan with respect as Gotetsu had hoped, Akuma embraced it and was possessed by the Satsui no Hadou, turning him into the man-demon he was today.
One swift, powerful motion of Akuma's arm, and the life of the fire had been extinguished. He now sat in the darkness of the cold, wet cave, hoping to hear some news of the rumored upcoming Street Fighter Tournament, where he would find the successor to the Satsui no Hadou, a man named Ryu. And he would be its new carrier, whether he liked it or not.