OK, thanks go out to Fake Darth for those reviews which really gave
me some food for thought about the directions my story could take. I
admit, the Ryu that was in the last chapter was a bit too nice, but you
don't win the affections of a lady by breaking necks and killing innocents.
I'll work on the lascivious nature of the character a bit too. Also, a
number of you have commented on how it was surprising that Ryu did not take
advantage of the situation with Nina being asleep, he's a cruel, sadistic,
sociopathic guy, but he is not a rapist. No one else speak of it again.
PG-13. Though by now I'm probably going to have bump it up to R.
Chapter Five: Den of Thieves
Ryu had fallen asleep in one of the armchairs out in the main hall after he had put Nina to sleep, his sword draped across his knees. He was having a pretty good rest despite the lack of a horizontal surface. He was stretched out and snoring slightly, he was slowly slipping out of the seat but in his unconscious state he didn't notice or care, he was just getting some sleep. He sighed contentedly as his dream played on inside his mind.
* * *
Nina awoke slowly, her eyes first opening noted the rising sun in the distance. She was a bit curious about why she was still dressed until her memory reminded her of yesterday's events. Nina's last memory had been of sobbing into Ryu's shoulder. She felt a little anxious about displaying that much emotion in front of a complete stranger. She raised herself upon one elbow and looked around the rest of the room to see if he had lingered, luckily he hadn't. Her body was sore from sleeping in the cuirass but she would probably manage. Her face felt odd, probably from crying in her sleep. Nina quickly shook her head, rejecting those emotions as they tried once again to overtake her. She unbuckled her armor and gathered another set of clothes before she went out into the hall and down to the bathing room.
A refreshing twenty minutes elapsed while she washed away the dirt and sorrow of yesterday. Her heart still felt empty but she could at least go about with having a crushing weight on her shoulders. A single tear came to her eye but she quickly dabbed at it with her towel. Dressed and clean she went on a search for Fenris, she wasn't sure if he had been assigned the guest room but since most of the Rangers were either out or in mourning, it seemed unlikely that anything got done last night. She had been to the guest room and found it empty and now pushed back her hair thoughtfully as she pondered about the whereabouts of Fenris. She had reached the main room and found Fenris slouched in a chair, sleeping contentedly.
"That's nice." Fenris said, his voice faint and slurred. Nina smiled slightly at the apparent pleasant dream and continued to watch the dozing Fenris.
* * *
Ryu felt eyes upon him suddenly, his mercenary instincts took over and his body suddenly jolted out of sleep and onto the floor, his reaction causing him to slip fully out of his precarious position. His body hit the floor with a dull thud and he looked up, his vision glazed over by his rude awakening. He clearly heard someone laughing and immediately recognized the tone of voice as Nina's. He smiled slightly as his mind started to remember parts of his dreams. He pulled himself up with help from the chair and looked up at her as she was covering her mouth while laughing.
"Glad to see that you found a more enjoyable pastime." He commented with some acerbity. He did not like the idea of being laughed at, even if it was by a beautiful woman. She stopped laughing suddenly but still had a smile twitching at her lips. Ryu stood up and stretched himself out completely and twisted himself left and right and felt his vertebrae crack in relief. With both his arms up he was fully able to smell the reek of his unwashed body. "I think I need to wash, if you'll just direct me in the right direction I'll go and take care of that." Nina pointed to the left hallway and Ryu nodded in departure before moving down the hall. He spotted Mezzryn's room marked with a black lotus. Ryu looked left and right before heading into the room of his ex-partner.
The room was draped in black cloth, the body lay on the bed. Ryu quickly went for the chest at the foot of the bed, it was still filled with clothes, they would be a bit big and not long enough but Ryu would live. Ryu also took the long knife Mezzryn had on the dresser next to his bed, it would probably come in handy. Ryu headed out of the room and went straight for the baths. It wasn't too long before he was called out of the room by cries of panic and alarm. Ryu took his time in getting out, he wasn't in a hurry. He dressed himself and tucked the shirt in extra tight and belted the pants on tighter as well with a belt also procured from the chest of Mezzryn.
His sword came on last, Ryu found it reassuring to have a sword on in the presence of Rangers, they always wanted him dead for one reason or another. He casually made his way down the hall and got closer and closer to the main hall which was a buzz with activity. Ryu entered just in time to see a frantic Nina trying to staunch the wound of a Ranger who had been thoroughly eviscerated. His partner was dying of a less serious wound, Ryu was wondering if now was the time to worm his way even more into the hearts of the Rangers and more importantly, Nina. Ryu felt that he might as well try his hand at it a little or else it would look a little suspicious. *I could always kill the guy later.* Ryu thought looking down at the agonized man.
Ryu knelt before the man and rolled up his sleeves, Nina looked on as the man she was tending to sputtered his last. Ryu focused a little and brought a small stream of magic into the body underneath him, the wound closed slightly and the blood was stopped almost completely. Nina and the other gathered Rangers were in awe. Ryu put on a show of being strained. "Let me take him to his room, I can patch him up better from there. . . I hope." Ryu panted at every word and wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. The Rangers nodded collectively and Ryu picked up the Ranger and began to carry him towards the room one of them led him to.
Ryu closed the door behind him, making sure it was locked and callously tossed the body onto the bed, the Ranger grunted in pain. Ryu ignored his apparent discomfort and proceeded to interrogate the injured Ranger. "How many Rangers can I expect to find here?" Ryu asked in a hushed tone, the Ranger stared at him with wide eyes.
"What are you talking about?" He asked in a strained voice, his eyes danced around in fear. Ryu took his left hand and held the straining man down. He then brought back his right hand before ramming it into the wound the man had. He cried out in pain as Ryu's hand began to open the wound wider and grope through the various viscera. The ranger started having problems breathing and keeping up his scream at the same time and gave up his cries when he realized no one was going to save him.
"I can spare you an extremely painful death if you just answer that last question." Ryu repeated calmly, he was currently wiping his hands clean on the unlucky man's tunic as he awaited the dying man's answer. *It's a good thing they're so trusting.*
"Eight. . . Without Mezzryn and Aleric and Sergio." He said his voice barely above a whisper, the wound made it nearly impossible for the man to breath and he was beginning to show the strain.
"You should have subtracted yourself from the number." Ryu commented darkly.
"I thought you said that you would spare me." The man said in surprise at his own demise.
"I lied." Ryu replied smiling, the man was about to scream out loud but couldn't muster enough energy or air to do it. Ryu clasped the man's head between his two hands and was about to snap his neck but thought better of it. Ryu took the pillow from underneath the man's head and quickly and firmly put it over the man's face. "Sweet dreams."
The man moved side to side in a vain attempt to get free but after a few moments he was still and the room was silent. "Noooo! I've lost another! Curse you cruel fate, why did you have to take one so young?" Ryu began to cry out in a show of over exaggerated sorrow at the man's death. He heard the door begin to open and he quickly slipped the pillow back underneath the Ranger's head. Ferzin came in followed quickly by Nina and the other Rangers. "I'm afraid I wasn't able to save him." Ryu said, his head hung low as the others filed in and stood around the dead man. Nina patted his shoulder in a comforting manner as the others bowed their heads in respect for the dead.
Ryu left the room in a hurry and began to laugh slightly, the way these Rangers kept dropping he doubted he'd actually have to fight one. He headed into the main room and found the one woman that was there when he first arrived, Ryu supposed that she was a receptionist or a dispatcher of some sort. She was busy dabbing at her eyes when Ryu arrived but stopped when he entered the room. Ryu put on a depressed mask and plopped down right onto the chair he had slept in.
The two sat in silence broken only by the occasional sob the woman masked behind her handkerchief. The sounds of prayer could be heard coming from the room with the dead Ranger, Sergio had apparently been moved to a different location. "It's a shame, so many Rangers to die so closely together." Ryu said, finally breaking the ice within the room. The receptionist just 'Um-Hmm'ed in response. *She probably thinks I'm a curse of some sort, and truth be told I suppose I am.* Ryu thought cynically. "What were they doing when they got attacked and wounded so badly?" Ryu questioned, he figured any force that was out killing Rangers might strike at him since he was so closely affiliated to them at this point.
"They were investigating a group of bandits that have reportedly been seeking out us, apparently they were too strong for Sergio and Marst." She answered, her voice cracking as she spoke. Ryu nodded, trying to look as sympathetic as possible, he didn't want to alienate any of them just now. Any further conversation he was going to have with the dispatcher was cut short by the appearance of Ferzin and Nina. Nina was looking angry and ready for some revenge, Ferzin looked passive but then again, most of the expressive parts of his face were covered with a white cloth.
"Hey Nina, what's happening?" Ryu asked slipping back into his old flippant nature for a moment before remembering his current situation. All three looked towards him with a perplexed expression but he just shrugged it off.
"C'mon Fenris, we're going to make those bandits pay for what they did!" Nina said, fury coating her words as she grabbed Ryu roughly by the shoulder and hauled him to his feet. Ryu could only follow the outraged Windian as she hauled him outside of the building and outside of the town. Ryu eventually disentangled himself and began to walk of his own accord but he had to cast away his usual form of walking to keep up with the furiously marching Windian.
"Slow down a bit would ya. At this pace we're going to march right into them and be taken by surprise. If they beat those others so badly we certainly want to be a bit more vigilant than them." Ryu pointed out, stopping and grabbing onto her arm to get her to stop as well. She glared back at him before her features softened into a more of an annoyed template rather than a furious one.
"You're right, I was letting my anger get to me." Nina confessed as she broke free and continued walking at a more sedate pace. Ryu caught up with her and they both began walking in stride. "Something's been bothering me Fenris." Nina broke the silence again after ten minutes of walking. Ryu looked down at her slightly apprehensively. "How did you heal Marst the first time around?" She asked looking up at him questioningly.
"Oh that, I had it explained to me once. You know how magic is I guess, seeing as you use it." Ryu wasn't too keen on revealing anything more than he had to at this point, that and he wasn't too sure about his magic himself, he was just able to use it.
"Well, you're human, and the only humans who know how to use magic are the ones that either steal the spirits of the dead, or have been fused with a dead Windian. So which are you?" Nina asked, her voice had a decidedly venomous taste to it when she mentioned those possibilities.
"Neither, not smart enough to warrant the fusion and not patient enough to learn how to siphon off the power of the dead. Still, I could always be a dragon and not know it." Ryu said the last part with a bit of a laugh and Nina joined in too. The idea of a Dragon being on the mainland without a Windian knowing it was quite preposterous. The two walked along in a more amiable silence.
It was probably another hour or so before Ryu picked up something. He couldn't tell whether he heard them or smelt them first but his nose was suddenly filled with the stench of carrion. Nina showed no sign of detecting whatever it was that he had noticed so he put out a hand to stop her. "What is it?" Nina asked in a hushed tone.
"I think it might be the bandits we're out looking for. Why don't you go fly up there and get a better look at them." Ryu suggested as he took a few hesitant steps towards the smell.
"I can't, these wings are just vestigial." Nina explained, her face blushed slightly as if she were ashamed of her inability to fly. Ryu tried to look sympathetic but he was annoyed by the fact that he was going to have to fight a bunch of people who he had no idea about. *I could probably just turn around now, or maybe fake my death again. Both shouldn't be too hard.* Ryu tried to talk himself out of this but his bloodlust was rising within him. He had to admit that the idea of fighting would be nice. Who knows, these might be the guys he's supposed to meet with anyways. Besides, regardless of the contacts, or his rising bloodlust, Nina was a mission necessity.
Ryu crept forward with Nina following behind him. He neared the epicenter of the smell and sound after a few minutes of slinking through the woods. The trees provided a perfect cover as he looked onto the sight before him. Several dead bodies littered the ground and six men stood around, one playing a flute, a merry tune to be sure. The six were not armored but had quite a collection of weapons. Several had cutlasses or similar swords and two had halberds with deadly looking axe heads. None of them were keeping an active guard and looked like easy pickings. Ryu gestured for Nina to stay back as he readied himself for his appearance. "Cover me." Ryu said simply before he stepped out into the clearing.
All of the bandits suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked over at the single man who stood apparently unarmed. "Good afternoon fellas, care for a fight?" Ryu said with all of the arrogance that was inherit within his blood. The six bandits just looked at him and began to laugh at the pomposity of Ryu, they approached him with their weapons drawn and smiled at his apparent stupidity. As soon as they got within ten feet of Ryu Nina let fire a crossbow bolt, Ryu was a bit unprepared for that since it disrupted his style. When the bolt thunked into one of the bandits Ryu broke into a flurry of motion. His sword being drawn out of his sheath was his first attack severing the ties that held the man's stomach together. Ryu completed the spin by pulling his dagger out and embedding it into the chest of his second opponent. *Under the ribcage and into your heart.* Ryu thought as he kicked the corpse on the ground and admired his handiwork.
His battle sense told him that another assailant was behind him. He lashed out with his booted foot and knocked the man onto his back to stare supinely up at the blazing sun. Ryu quickly ducked an attack from a cutlass wielder and countered with and vertical slash diagonally scoring on his chest effectively felling him. The only two people left were wielding halberds and circling him, keeping him from getting in too close. Nina aided him again, Ryu caught a streak of flame go by his peripheral vision and turned to see one of them engulfed in fire, becoming a veritable torch. The second halberdier sensed an opportunity and rushed the unprepared Ryu. His sword was knocked out of his hands and Ryu got knocked back by a propped up drop-kick. The halberdier remained on his feet and thrust his speared point straight at Ryu's neck. Ryu caught the blade and tried to force the man back using his patented strength. Unfortunately the man's own strength rivaled his own.
The two pushed against each other for the better part of a minute. *Where in the blackest pits of Hell is Nina?* Ryu thought as he pushed with all his might against the bandit. The one time he needed a woman for something other than a pleasant diversion she was nowhere to be found. Ryu had an idea and instead of using his strength the hold the halberd at bay he simply broke of the axe head. The newly made quarterstaff was rammed into Ryu's chest to no adverse affect and Ryu kicked the man soundly in his stomach. Ryu rose to his feet grabbing the man's neck and with a sudden twist, snapped the bandit's neck. He let the newly made corpse fall to the ground and looked around for Nina. He spotted her dodging the blows of a man who already had two arrow shafts protruding from his chest. "Something's not right." Ryu said.
"You're right about one thing." A voice from behind him drifted into his ears and Ryu didn't even need to turn to understand what was going on. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck begin to rise as he felt sudden realization course through his body.
"Risen." Ryu turned around and felt one of the Risen's fists slam into his stomach effectively expelling the air out of him. He then felt the hilt of the sword slam into his back, knocking him to the ground. Ryu groaned under the force behind those hits and stayed lying on the ground. Nina had apparently driven back her opponent and had decided to aid Ryu. Ryu suddenly felt his hair tingle with an unnatural feeling. "Ah shit." Ryu muttered as he realized what was going on.
A loud ring burst all around Ryu, he could feel his body being shocked with thousands of volts of electricity as it coursed through his body. His muscles spasms caused his body to contort and clench. Ryu felt his eardrums burst under the onslaught and found himself looking up into the faces of five Risen all but unaffected by the blast. A dust cloud had enveloped the area and he used it to his full advantage. Shrugging of the injuries he had sustained he rolled out form under the surrounding Risen and ran out of their reach. The creatures recovered just as quickly and were off after Ryu. Ryu didn't really realize his predicament until his spotted his sword standing up in the dirt with the Risen interposing themselves between him and it. The first reached Ryu and he quickly ducked and dodged his way to avoid the curved blade.
Ryu could tell he was nearing a tree and turned his back to his adversary. Ryu sprinted forward and leaped slightly, planting his left foot against the tree and using it to vault over his opponents. Ryu turned his body in mid air and surveyed the Risen below him. They looked surprised at the maneuver, Ryu singled out one of the stragglers and executed a hook kick with his right foot connecting with the creature and knocking it clear onto his back as he completed the spin and landed with both feet firmly. Ryu sprinted again, reaching up with his arm to wipe blood off of his face, apparently blood vessels in his eye had burst because his vision was coated with a red tint.
He stooped to pick up his sword and brought himself to a spinning stop, now facing his enemies. Ryu brought his sword up and faced his five opponents smiling. They charged him, confident in their ability to survive anything he could throw at them. Ryu stepped forward and cut through the halberdiers quarterstaff and followed through to sever the head off at the neck. The unfortunate creature burst into black fire and was eventually consumed by it. Ryu deflected a sword stroke from the left and hacked through the offenders sword arm and turned to the flanking Risen, this one was sporting Mezzryn's knife. Ryu blocked the sword stroke from the creature and ripped the knife out knocking his foe back in the process. Ryu spun around and lopped off the head of the armless foe behind him while using the knife to parry the blows from the de-knifed Risen.
With three left the battle began in earnest. The remaining Risen were going to swarm Ryu in a few moments and Ryu was running out of room to maneuver. Nina had launched yet another bolt of lightning to no affect and was now attempting to fire on them with her crossbow. What's more, his adrenaline was beginning to fade away and the pain became more prominent. With three opponents swinging away at him Ryu was hard pressed to block all their attacks. They were just as strong if not stronger than the mercenary and a singular disregard for their own welfare made life a little interesting. Ryu finally spun out from the fight and swiped the legs out from underneath one of the Risen, literally. Ryu charged forward with both blades cutting through their attacks and slamming each home into the heads of the creatures. Both had cross eyed expressions as their last sight in this realm was a blade protruding from between their eyes. Black fire consumed both as they wailed their last. Ryu turned on his foot as he felt a sharp stinging sensation in his leg. The final Risen had rammed a dagger into his left calf. With a negligent air Ryu swung his sword and decapitated his final foe.
Letting out an explosive sigh he slumped to the ground and gazed numbly out at the field. Nina was running over to him and he kind of looked but his mind was focusing on the fight. These weren't the men he was supposed to contact but they were probably going to know what Nina was for, and their boss would likely know who he was if that were the case. Nina had reached him now and had put both her hands on his shoulders and was shaking him, her lips were moving but no sound was coming out. Ryu shook his head trying to clear the apparent deafness. Ryu sighed, realizing he was going to have to rely on magic again. He placed both hands on the side of his head and summoned up some energy. He could slowly being to feel the pain subside in his head and in his leg.
"Ahhh, much better. Now, as you were saying." Ryu said rising to his feet. He dusted himself off slightly and wiped the blood off his face with his sleeve it was soon smeared with blood but luckily it wasn't his shirt.
"What the hell were those things?" Nina asked her eyes still upon the ashes of the bodies. She had a cut on her arm from one of the Risen apparently.
"Risen, not technically zombies but they aren't alive. They give up their souls for 'immortality'. Fire and beheading are sure shot ways to get rid of them." Ryu answered nonchalantly. The odor of carrion was still prevalent but it seemed to be coming from deeper within the forest. *I probably should have known better.* Ryu thought as he reviewed the events leading up to the fight.
The two walked on in silence. Nina seemed full of questions but she kept silent and Ryu was thankful for it. He wasn't sure how much of a lie he could keep up under these conditions. Ryu was good at lying, but lying steadily to one person over the course of a long period of time was a little over taxing for one of his tendencies.
The duo reached a small rock outcropping after a few moments of walking, the smell was almost overpowering at this point. Nina's features crinkled up in disgust while Ryu grimaced towards the rocks. This was the place but he couldn't discern an opening in the rock face. Ryu walked towards the rocks and began to feel around for a seam in the wall denoting a door. A few seconds of searching and Ryu felt a brush of wind behind. He spun around in time to see someone swinging an axe at him. He ducked under the careless blow and unsheathed his sword across the neck of his opponent. Black fire enshrouded the body and its ashes blew away into the forest. A rumbling sound issued forth from the rock face and two more Risen rushed out into Ryu's deadly embrace.
The thieves apparently had no practice at being Risen. They refused to guard their heads making them easy targets for Aleric's blade. Two more black conflagrations surrounded Ryu. "C'mon." Ryu succinctly bade Nina to follow him into the opening. The underground passage smelt like a tomb and had about as many dead bodies. The two walked on in complete silence. No rats scurried around within the halls and no insects made their home here. Only darkness and dead bandits resided in this place.
Nina had conjured up a small sphere of light and had directed it to go before the two. Ryu was a bit uncertain about getting into a fight in these corridors but he figured that any disadvantage he'd have his opponents would too, except the whole they're already dead thing. Ryu's fears of being unable to maneuver were quickly allayed when the tunnel opened up into a massive cavern. His apprehensions about facing more Risen were not however as five were standing waiting for him. *How did they know about us?* Ryu thought hurriedly as he pulled out his sword. Nina was behind him and started rattling off some incantations. Then it hit Ryu. *The Windian.* The thieves obviously wanted Nina for splicing.
The five Risen were much better equipped than the previous ones Ryu had dispatched. They looked like they were ex-knights from their armor and weapons. Ryu sighed in exasperation. *The things I go through for money and sex.* Ryu thought as he charged into the cluster of undead. The first went down before the others had time to react. Fire blocked Ryu from view and Ryu backed off as he waited for one of them to wander through. Nina threw her cards into the fight as well and unleashed a torrent of fire into to the group but avoided Ryu. As the flames subsided Ryu was set upon by the remaining Risen and was hard put upon to parry the three swift blows from his adversary. Ryu spun low dodging the fourth strike and rose up towards the end of his swing ending with his sword out perpendicular with the floor, black flame in front of him. Ryu flipped the sword so it was pointing in the opposite direction and slammed it into his scabbard completing the move. *It's good to be me.* Ryu thought as he jerked his head to get Nina to follow him. He was in his own element again. He didn't have to worry about subterfuge, lies, and being found out. Now that things were getting violent again he could get back to doing what he does best. His spirits were so high that he started whistling his favorite tune again.
Nina was very subdued, apparently she was capable of discretion despite all the signs pointing towards negative. Ryu reached the door at the end of the hall and listened in on it trying to discern any kinds of conversation. Nothing. The door was iron bound wood so it might prove to be somewhat recalcitrant but it shouldn't be too difficult Ryu thought as he took a few steps back. Nina had a perplexed look on her face but realization dawned when Ryu charged forward and he hit the door with his shoulder knocking it open. Ryu hit the ground and rolled up to his feet to find himself in a much smaller cavern.
He was on what seemed to be a naturally created bridge that was suspended above the much deeper stone ground. It reached out and touched a plateau within the cave upon which two humanoids stood. Just as Ryu's eyes were beginning to discern the figures a brilliant white light erupted from the center of the room and blinded him with its intensity. When his eyes finally adjusted to the sudden burst of light the entire room was bathed in a radiant white glow that showed his opponents for what they were. One was a rather short human dressed in merchants' clothes standing next to a raised platform that looked like it was carved especially for humans. His ally was what drew Ryu's attention however.
The man stood as tall as Ryu but was much bulkier, the creature was covered in muscle and his skin was an unnatural white color. The pallid torso was covered up with a scale hauberk which had a sword hilt extending over the back of it. Ryu was immediately drawn to the being's face, its black eyes glared at him merrily and he grinned with putrid black teeth. It was a half-demon.
"Nina, you take out the merchant." Ryu advised pulling his own sword out. He didn't hear any kind of response, and Ryu, not thinking clearly made the ultimate mistake in any fight. He looked away. Ryu saw Nina lying prone on the stone bridge behind him. Ryu's mind quickly reacted to his own mistake and he promptly turned around.
A whistling sound resounded in his ears as his eyes locked upon a twirling war hammer hurtling toward him. "Ah shit." Was all Ryu hat time to say before the hammer slammed into his chest dispelling any breath and energy from his body. Ryu slammed into the wall behind him and rebounded off performing a cadaverous flip and landed supinely staring at the roof of the cavern.
His vision danced around as he was surrounded by psuedo-darkness that created huge forms of shadow. His vision eventually focused upon one figure leaping off the bridge and landing with thud a few feet from him. The half-demon reached over his shoulder and pulled out a massive billhook. It was probably more than four feet with just counting the blade. It smirked down at him with its black teeth and chuckled slightly. Ryu had been spending that past few moments trying to summon up enough energy to work his magic but the best result he was getting was a slight trickle of relief when he needed a flood.
The half-demon hoisted him up by the throat and slammed him into the cave wall. Ryu could feel his vertebrae buckle under the force of the blow. The half-demon spun around and hurled Ryu into the opposite wall where he began to slide down trying in earnest to get to his feet. Ryu's magic was having a hard time keeping up with the force of these blows and at this rate his body would give out. Ryu was getting angry, for the first time in his memory he was actually angry at something.
Not at the half-demon, not at Nina, not at the world, but himself for being stupid. He could've won this fight without having to break a sweat but now he was struggling for his life against some half-breed. Ryu's muscles spasmed under the anger he was feeling. His fists were clenched, his nails digging into his skin causing blood to start falling to the ground. Ryu watched as the half-demon grip him by the neck and pulled him up to eye level. "Good-bye weakling." It muttered in it's grating voice.
The fist was pulled back and brought forward with deadly force.
CRACK!
Ryu felt the blow shudder through his entire being as it seemed to absorb the blow. Instead of feeling the life ending pain that was his due an immense relief flooded throughout his body. Dozens of more cracks and snaps joined the first each bringing relief and strength the Ryu. Ryu smirked back at the half-demon whose features were twisted into surprise. Ryu brought his head back before slamming it full force into the unsuspecting aberrations face. The creature reeled backwards loosening his hold. Ryu slammed his hunting knife into the creature's unprotected side and landed a right hook knocking it back into the wall, its sword forgotten on the ground.
The half-demon ripped the dagger out and Ryu witnessed its regenerative powers in action. "This should be a lot more interesting now." Ryu commented as he slammed his left fist into the creatures face. The aberration swung at him with its fists but Ryu dodged nimbly out of the way. It wasn't particularly focused in its fighting style which made it much easier for Ryu to kill it. Ryu ducked under one wide swing and rose up at an angle ramming his elbow into its face and pinning it against the wall. Ryu smirked at its apparent discomfort and failed to notice the counterattack it was readying.
The half-demon brought both of its fists down onto Ryu's skull knocking him to the ground. Ryu was fazed but his new found powers kept him cognizant. The aberration reached its arm down and was going to grab him but Ryu caught the arm and planted his foot against the creature's chest. Ryu pulled with all his might on the arm. Ryu heard the customary bone popping but the additional muscle tearing was music to his ears. Ryu let go of the arm and used his other foot to kick the half-demon back onto the ground. The creature apparently had some difficulty fixing its muscle tissue which gave Ryu the time he needed to get the billhook from off the ground.
The half-demon had gotten to his feet and was charging Ryu by the time the sword was in the mercenary's hand. It was heavy and sharp, just the way Ryu liked it. Ryu brought his left hand out and punched the half- demon in the face before it could react. The force of the blow and the force of the charge laid the creature flat on the ground. Ryu planted his left foot on his fallen foes chest and brought the sword up to prepare for an overhead, two-handed, cleave. "Good night sweet prince." Ryu jokingly taunted to his defeated opponent as he brought the sword down, the end of the blade cleaving into the skull of the demon sealing the deal. Ryu wiped some blood off his forehead with his sleeve and looked around him. From up on the plateau he could hear some chanting and a few other magic related sounds.
Ryu bent over the dead aberration and unbelted the scabbard it had used and slipped it over his own shoulder. He thought about stealing the armor but the creature was much larger than Ryu and he thought it would be impossible for it to fit without at least some blacksmith work. Ryu put the sword into its sheath and went looking for the war hammer. More incantations began to echo off the walls as it reached a near crescendo. Ryu found the hammer and began to scale the plateau. It was probably fifteen feet up and mildly difficult to climb with a hammer held by Ryu's neck as it was scrunched to the side to hold it in place.
Ryu reached the top of the plateau and hoisted himself to his feet. The scene that met him verified what his original thoughts were, the thieves were going to use Nina for a soul fusion. The merchant was bent over Nina's unconscious form waving his hands ritualistically. *The boss won't like this.* Ryu thought as he brought the war hammer back and got ready to let it fly. "Hey, hands off the Windian!" Ryu shouted letting the hammer fly.
The merchant/sorcerer looked over at Ryu only to be knocked over the raised bed for Nina. Normally Ryu would have taken his time and strolled casually over to body but with the number of people who were rising from the near dead, himself included, he figured he shouldn't be taking too many chances. Ryu sprinted towards the dais and the sorcerer behind it. He vaulted over the bed feet first and drop kicked the rising man. Ryu rose to his feet first though the sorcerer was trying in vain to rattle off a spell.
Ryu pulled his sword out in a fluid motion and hewed through the sorcerer's hands, effectively disarming him. Pun intended. The sorcerer's eyes were filled with fear as he looked up into the blood covered mercenary wielding what essentially looked like a giant meat cleaver. Ryu could see the stumps of the sorcerer's arms begin cover itself with flesh even as Ryu watched. Ryu smirked again as he suddenly realized what this person was, "You guys are way too obsessed with being dead." Ryu said as his fist slammed into the man's chest.
The figure beneath him vanished in a puff of smoke and cadaverous figure replaced it. Ryu's fist had broken through the thing's chest bone and his hand was groping through the ichorous innards. He finally found what he was looking for and placed his other hand on the corpses head as it thrashed around wildly. Ryu's hand tightened around the stone like object and ripped it out of the body. Ryu's hands were clenched around a luminously vibrant amethyst. The corpse keened wildly as it felt its life source being ripped out of it. "Lichs, you think you're so damn invincible!" Ryu was getting slightly irritated with all these dead things just ambling around making his life suck. First Risen, then half-demons, now Lichs; each more annoying than the last.
Ryu's anger helped him crush the jewel within his hand and as soon as it was gone, the Lich underneath him exploded in a cloud of black soot. Ryu slumped backwards sitting against the stone bed with Nina lying obliviously upon it. "It must be great to be able to lie back and let the world take care of itself." Ryu said talking to Nina. She didn't respond. "Not talking to me eh? Well, as long as you're asleep." Ryu pushed himself up to his feet using the dais. Ryu spun on his foot and looked down at the peacefully sleeping Nina.
"It's tempting." Ryu said, commenting upon the situation. But, would it be prudent?" Ryu asked himself, he began to pace stroking his goatee thoughtfully. "What do you think Nina?" No response. "Well, on one hand, it would most likely be a quite enjoyable way to pass the time. On the other hand, she'd probably blast me with spells as soon as she wakes up. But then again, she might find the entire experience quite flattering. On the other hand, The Boss doesn't want damaged goods." Ryu stopped pacing and looked down at the still sleeping Nina. He sighed as he came to his decision. "You lucked out Nina, your virtues will remain intact for awhile." Ryu grabbed the Windian by the waist and heaved her over his shoulder.
Ryu placed one of his hands on the small of her back to keep her in place while he walked. He started whistling again, it just seemed like the time to do it. Ryu walked all the way back to the Ranger's Headquarters with his whistling being his only sound coming out of the forest, apparently it knew him well enough.
He finally reached the headquarters by nightfall and was getting ready to fall asleep. He had dispelled more magic than he was accustomed to but he was out of the woods now. The most of the lights were out in the building which Ryu found slightly disconcerting but nothing to get him to change his plans. Ryu reached the door and laid Nina out on the ground. He was about to turn the door knob when his ears picked up the sounds of shuffling armor inside the room. *That doesn't fit.* He wouldn't have minded if it were a large collection of shuffling and a general buzz of action but this was a discreet action made by someone trying to ambush him.
Ryu smirked as he realized what was going on. *Those Ranger's aren't as dumb as I thought. Well they are because they're still here but at least they figured out who I was.* Ryu opened the door but didn't into the room knowing full well what was waiting for him. One of the larger Rangers lunged into view as he was set on tackling the spot where Ryu would have been. *I'm going to see if I can get through this entire fight without having to pull out my sword.* Ryu thought as he prepared himself for the fight, Ryu's fist launched into the stomach of the Ranger expelling any air from his stomach. He then elbowed him in the spine breaking it and knocking him on the ground. Ryu stepped over the body and entered the room. The Ranger's weren't too bright about laying an ambush in a dark room especially since Ryu had pretty decent eyesight in the dark.
One of the Rangers thrust his sword at Ryu who easily side-stepped the blatant attack and close lined the man when his momentum carried him too far forward. Ryu spun under the third man's axe swing and slammed his elbow into the man's throat, crushing the guy's throat. Another Ranger grabbed Ryu and put him into a half nelson that was surprisingly strong. This Ranger's partner stepped in front of Ryu and Ryu used the guy behind him to lift up his legs and slam his feet into the man's chest, crushing the bones underneath. Ryu's feet hit the floor and he used the inertia to throw the guy behind him over his head and back first onto the ground. Ryu lifted his right foot up and brought it down to crush the Ranger's windpipe. "Five down, two to go." Ryu said eyeing the rest of the room, he could only discern one shadow. The room was suddenly doused with light and Ryu stood stock still, staring at Ferzin.
"Hello Ryu." Ferzin said, the blind old man dressed in well oiled armor, two shortswords belted to his side. Ryu was getting ready to laugh at this prospect.
"I applaud your effort. But seriously, even I have reservations about fighting blind men." Ryu said, his words coated with laughter. Ferzin smirked at Ryu and rushed forward faster than Ryu expected. The swords were out and executed two lightning fast slashes both of which came too close for Ryu's comfort. "You're good, I'll give you that." Ryu said as he dodged another thrust from the old man. Ryu caught the arm in his right hand. "But I'm Ryu." Ryu slammed his left hand palm open into the elbow of the man snapping it under the force of the blow. The old man swung with the other sword but Ryu dodged and went behind Ferzin. Ryu kicked the old man squarely in the back sending him reeling into the wall. Ryu stalked towards the dazed old man, he stepped backward once to avoid a wild swing from Ferzin.
Ryu moved farther forward again this time propelling himself faster with a rebound step. Ryu pulled out his hunting knife and transfixed Ferzin's leather jerkin to the wall. Ryu grabbed Ferzin's other arm as it tried to land a hit on Ryu and twisted it sharply, breaking it as well. Ferzin tried in vain to pull himself off the wall but Ryu's dagger was sunk into the wood up to its hilt. "Just hang out for a little bit, you'll be dead soon enough." Ryu said turning his back on the struggling old man. *That was only six though.* Ryu thought counting those he lay on the ground. As if in answer to his thoughts, the receptionist walked into the room.
"Is everything alright? The light was the signal for me to come out wasn't it..." Whatever she was about to say faded away as the sight of the room took any words she had left out of her. Ryu was smiling broadly at her and she took an involuntary step back. She tried to turn and run but Ryu caught her by the throat in his right hand. He lifted her off the ground and began to tighten the grip on her throat in vice-like fashion.
The receptionist went slack after a few seconds but Ryu wasn't fooled by such a base trick. Ryu's thumb twisted inward and he tightened his grip again crushing her throat even more. She wriggled around in vain trying to get some breath into her throat but after a score or so of twisting seconds, she fell limp, her heart dead. Ryu dropped her to the ground and looked around to see if anyone else was in the mood to die. Ryu stepped across the body strewn floor towards the door. "It's a good thing this house is made out of wood." Ryu commented as he left the room, Ferzin still struggling against the dagger.
Ryu stepped out of the Ranger's Headquarters and found Nina still lying on the ground unconscious. He grabbed her by the shoulder and dragged her thirty or so feet away from the building before he turned around and walked back towards the headquarters. Ryu put both of his hands on the door frame and summoned forth more magic. He typically didn't use his magic for offensive purposes but this time, he'd make an exception. The door frames began to smolder underneath his touch and the wood began to increase in temperature. With one final push of energy a great sheet of searing white fire spread out across the entire frame of the building.
Ryu retreated a few steps as the house erupted into white flames. The conflagration sent heat towards him from even this far away as he looked at his own handiwork. "Now for the finishing touches." Ryu said as he basked into the warmth of his destruction. Ryu grabbed his left arm and twisted it sharply breaking it. Ryu gritted through the pain and continued with his work, his shirt was still torn and covered in blood and soot so it didn't need much work. Ryu pulled out his newly acquired sword and planted it in the ground a few feet from where Nina was lying. Ryu then shuffled on over to where Nina was and carefully laid himself horizontally across her feet to make it look like he collapsed over her in his last attempt to protect her.
*Ryu, you are a genius.*
* * *
There you have it, and boy was it violent and long. I didn't think I had it in me but here we are. I hope none of you got offended by this but I suppose it had to happen like this to an extant to show that, Ryu really is the consummate bastard. And I explained why he doesn't take advantage of unconscious women. I'm probably bumping it up to R even though I don't necessarily think that there are going to be any more chapters quite like this one. I could be wrong about that but you'll just have to keep reading and reviewing to find out. My goal is to at least match the story Taken Flight since we're roughly equal in many respects.
Fact of the Chapter: Did you know that Hugo Weaving, the guy who played Elrond and Agent Smith in recent movies, was also the lead transvestite in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Doesn't that simply boggle the mind?
Chapter Five: Den of Thieves
Ryu had fallen asleep in one of the armchairs out in the main hall after he had put Nina to sleep, his sword draped across his knees. He was having a pretty good rest despite the lack of a horizontal surface. He was stretched out and snoring slightly, he was slowly slipping out of the seat but in his unconscious state he didn't notice or care, he was just getting some sleep. He sighed contentedly as his dream played on inside his mind.
* * *
Nina awoke slowly, her eyes first opening noted the rising sun in the distance. She was a bit curious about why she was still dressed until her memory reminded her of yesterday's events. Nina's last memory had been of sobbing into Ryu's shoulder. She felt a little anxious about displaying that much emotion in front of a complete stranger. She raised herself upon one elbow and looked around the rest of the room to see if he had lingered, luckily he hadn't. Her body was sore from sleeping in the cuirass but she would probably manage. Her face felt odd, probably from crying in her sleep. Nina quickly shook her head, rejecting those emotions as they tried once again to overtake her. She unbuckled her armor and gathered another set of clothes before she went out into the hall and down to the bathing room.
A refreshing twenty minutes elapsed while she washed away the dirt and sorrow of yesterday. Her heart still felt empty but she could at least go about with having a crushing weight on her shoulders. A single tear came to her eye but she quickly dabbed at it with her towel. Dressed and clean she went on a search for Fenris, she wasn't sure if he had been assigned the guest room but since most of the Rangers were either out or in mourning, it seemed unlikely that anything got done last night. She had been to the guest room and found it empty and now pushed back her hair thoughtfully as she pondered about the whereabouts of Fenris. She had reached the main room and found Fenris slouched in a chair, sleeping contentedly.
"That's nice." Fenris said, his voice faint and slurred. Nina smiled slightly at the apparent pleasant dream and continued to watch the dozing Fenris.
* * *
Ryu felt eyes upon him suddenly, his mercenary instincts took over and his body suddenly jolted out of sleep and onto the floor, his reaction causing him to slip fully out of his precarious position. His body hit the floor with a dull thud and he looked up, his vision glazed over by his rude awakening. He clearly heard someone laughing and immediately recognized the tone of voice as Nina's. He smiled slightly as his mind started to remember parts of his dreams. He pulled himself up with help from the chair and looked up at her as she was covering her mouth while laughing.
"Glad to see that you found a more enjoyable pastime." He commented with some acerbity. He did not like the idea of being laughed at, even if it was by a beautiful woman. She stopped laughing suddenly but still had a smile twitching at her lips. Ryu stood up and stretched himself out completely and twisted himself left and right and felt his vertebrae crack in relief. With both his arms up he was fully able to smell the reek of his unwashed body. "I think I need to wash, if you'll just direct me in the right direction I'll go and take care of that." Nina pointed to the left hallway and Ryu nodded in departure before moving down the hall. He spotted Mezzryn's room marked with a black lotus. Ryu looked left and right before heading into the room of his ex-partner.
The room was draped in black cloth, the body lay on the bed. Ryu quickly went for the chest at the foot of the bed, it was still filled with clothes, they would be a bit big and not long enough but Ryu would live. Ryu also took the long knife Mezzryn had on the dresser next to his bed, it would probably come in handy. Ryu headed out of the room and went straight for the baths. It wasn't too long before he was called out of the room by cries of panic and alarm. Ryu took his time in getting out, he wasn't in a hurry. He dressed himself and tucked the shirt in extra tight and belted the pants on tighter as well with a belt also procured from the chest of Mezzryn.
His sword came on last, Ryu found it reassuring to have a sword on in the presence of Rangers, they always wanted him dead for one reason or another. He casually made his way down the hall and got closer and closer to the main hall which was a buzz with activity. Ryu entered just in time to see a frantic Nina trying to staunch the wound of a Ranger who had been thoroughly eviscerated. His partner was dying of a less serious wound, Ryu was wondering if now was the time to worm his way even more into the hearts of the Rangers and more importantly, Nina. Ryu felt that he might as well try his hand at it a little or else it would look a little suspicious. *I could always kill the guy later.* Ryu thought looking down at the agonized man.
Ryu knelt before the man and rolled up his sleeves, Nina looked on as the man she was tending to sputtered his last. Ryu focused a little and brought a small stream of magic into the body underneath him, the wound closed slightly and the blood was stopped almost completely. Nina and the other gathered Rangers were in awe. Ryu put on a show of being strained. "Let me take him to his room, I can patch him up better from there. . . I hope." Ryu panted at every word and wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. The Rangers nodded collectively and Ryu picked up the Ranger and began to carry him towards the room one of them led him to.
Ryu closed the door behind him, making sure it was locked and callously tossed the body onto the bed, the Ranger grunted in pain. Ryu ignored his apparent discomfort and proceeded to interrogate the injured Ranger. "How many Rangers can I expect to find here?" Ryu asked in a hushed tone, the Ranger stared at him with wide eyes.
"What are you talking about?" He asked in a strained voice, his eyes danced around in fear. Ryu took his left hand and held the straining man down. He then brought back his right hand before ramming it into the wound the man had. He cried out in pain as Ryu's hand began to open the wound wider and grope through the various viscera. The ranger started having problems breathing and keeping up his scream at the same time and gave up his cries when he realized no one was going to save him.
"I can spare you an extremely painful death if you just answer that last question." Ryu repeated calmly, he was currently wiping his hands clean on the unlucky man's tunic as he awaited the dying man's answer. *It's a good thing they're so trusting.*
"Eight. . . Without Mezzryn and Aleric and Sergio." He said his voice barely above a whisper, the wound made it nearly impossible for the man to breath and he was beginning to show the strain.
"You should have subtracted yourself from the number." Ryu commented darkly.
"I thought you said that you would spare me." The man said in surprise at his own demise.
"I lied." Ryu replied smiling, the man was about to scream out loud but couldn't muster enough energy or air to do it. Ryu clasped the man's head between his two hands and was about to snap his neck but thought better of it. Ryu took the pillow from underneath the man's head and quickly and firmly put it over the man's face. "Sweet dreams."
The man moved side to side in a vain attempt to get free but after a few moments he was still and the room was silent. "Noooo! I've lost another! Curse you cruel fate, why did you have to take one so young?" Ryu began to cry out in a show of over exaggerated sorrow at the man's death. He heard the door begin to open and he quickly slipped the pillow back underneath the Ranger's head. Ferzin came in followed quickly by Nina and the other Rangers. "I'm afraid I wasn't able to save him." Ryu said, his head hung low as the others filed in and stood around the dead man. Nina patted his shoulder in a comforting manner as the others bowed their heads in respect for the dead.
Ryu left the room in a hurry and began to laugh slightly, the way these Rangers kept dropping he doubted he'd actually have to fight one. He headed into the main room and found the one woman that was there when he first arrived, Ryu supposed that she was a receptionist or a dispatcher of some sort. She was busy dabbing at her eyes when Ryu arrived but stopped when he entered the room. Ryu put on a depressed mask and plopped down right onto the chair he had slept in.
The two sat in silence broken only by the occasional sob the woman masked behind her handkerchief. The sounds of prayer could be heard coming from the room with the dead Ranger, Sergio had apparently been moved to a different location. "It's a shame, so many Rangers to die so closely together." Ryu said, finally breaking the ice within the room. The receptionist just 'Um-Hmm'ed in response. *She probably thinks I'm a curse of some sort, and truth be told I suppose I am.* Ryu thought cynically. "What were they doing when they got attacked and wounded so badly?" Ryu questioned, he figured any force that was out killing Rangers might strike at him since he was so closely affiliated to them at this point.
"They were investigating a group of bandits that have reportedly been seeking out us, apparently they were too strong for Sergio and Marst." She answered, her voice cracking as she spoke. Ryu nodded, trying to look as sympathetic as possible, he didn't want to alienate any of them just now. Any further conversation he was going to have with the dispatcher was cut short by the appearance of Ferzin and Nina. Nina was looking angry and ready for some revenge, Ferzin looked passive but then again, most of the expressive parts of his face were covered with a white cloth.
"Hey Nina, what's happening?" Ryu asked slipping back into his old flippant nature for a moment before remembering his current situation. All three looked towards him with a perplexed expression but he just shrugged it off.
"C'mon Fenris, we're going to make those bandits pay for what they did!" Nina said, fury coating her words as she grabbed Ryu roughly by the shoulder and hauled him to his feet. Ryu could only follow the outraged Windian as she hauled him outside of the building and outside of the town. Ryu eventually disentangled himself and began to walk of his own accord but he had to cast away his usual form of walking to keep up with the furiously marching Windian.
"Slow down a bit would ya. At this pace we're going to march right into them and be taken by surprise. If they beat those others so badly we certainly want to be a bit more vigilant than them." Ryu pointed out, stopping and grabbing onto her arm to get her to stop as well. She glared back at him before her features softened into a more of an annoyed template rather than a furious one.
"You're right, I was letting my anger get to me." Nina confessed as she broke free and continued walking at a more sedate pace. Ryu caught up with her and they both began walking in stride. "Something's been bothering me Fenris." Nina broke the silence again after ten minutes of walking. Ryu looked down at her slightly apprehensively. "How did you heal Marst the first time around?" She asked looking up at him questioningly.
"Oh that, I had it explained to me once. You know how magic is I guess, seeing as you use it." Ryu wasn't too keen on revealing anything more than he had to at this point, that and he wasn't too sure about his magic himself, he was just able to use it.
"Well, you're human, and the only humans who know how to use magic are the ones that either steal the spirits of the dead, or have been fused with a dead Windian. So which are you?" Nina asked, her voice had a decidedly venomous taste to it when she mentioned those possibilities.
"Neither, not smart enough to warrant the fusion and not patient enough to learn how to siphon off the power of the dead. Still, I could always be a dragon and not know it." Ryu said the last part with a bit of a laugh and Nina joined in too. The idea of a Dragon being on the mainland without a Windian knowing it was quite preposterous. The two walked along in a more amiable silence.
It was probably another hour or so before Ryu picked up something. He couldn't tell whether he heard them or smelt them first but his nose was suddenly filled with the stench of carrion. Nina showed no sign of detecting whatever it was that he had noticed so he put out a hand to stop her. "What is it?" Nina asked in a hushed tone.
"I think it might be the bandits we're out looking for. Why don't you go fly up there and get a better look at them." Ryu suggested as he took a few hesitant steps towards the smell.
"I can't, these wings are just vestigial." Nina explained, her face blushed slightly as if she were ashamed of her inability to fly. Ryu tried to look sympathetic but he was annoyed by the fact that he was going to have to fight a bunch of people who he had no idea about. *I could probably just turn around now, or maybe fake my death again. Both shouldn't be too hard.* Ryu tried to talk himself out of this but his bloodlust was rising within him. He had to admit that the idea of fighting would be nice. Who knows, these might be the guys he's supposed to meet with anyways. Besides, regardless of the contacts, or his rising bloodlust, Nina was a mission necessity.
Ryu crept forward with Nina following behind him. He neared the epicenter of the smell and sound after a few minutes of slinking through the woods. The trees provided a perfect cover as he looked onto the sight before him. Several dead bodies littered the ground and six men stood around, one playing a flute, a merry tune to be sure. The six were not armored but had quite a collection of weapons. Several had cutlasses or similar swords and two had halberds with deadly looking axe heads. None of them were keeping an active guard and looked like easy pickings. Ryu gestured for Nina to stay back as he readied himself for his appearance. "Cover me." Ryu said simply before he stepped out into the clearing.
All of the bandits suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked over at the single man who stood apparently unarmed. "Good afternoon fellas, care for a fight?" Ryu said with all of the arrogance that was inherit within his blood. The six bandits just looked at him and began to laugh at the pomposity of Ryu, they approached him with their weapons drawn and smiled at his apparent stupidity. As soon as they got within ten feet of Ryu Nina let fire a crossbow bolt, Ryu was a bit unprepared for that since it disrupted his style. When the bolt thunked into one of the bandits Ryu broke into a flurry of motion. His sword being drawn out of his sheath was his first attack severing the ties that held the man's stomach together. Ryu completed the spin by pulling his dagger out and embedding it into the chest of his second opponent. *Under the ribcage and into your heart.* Ryu thought as he kicked the corpse on the ground and admired his handiwork.
His battle sense told him that another assailant was behind him. He lashed out with his booted foot and knocked the man onto his back to stare supinely up at the blazing sun. Ryu quickly ducked an attack from a cutlass wielder and countered with and vertical slash diagonally scoring on his chest effectively felling him. The only two people left were wielding halberds and circling him, keeping him from getting in too close. Nina aided him again, Ryu caught a streak of flame go by his peripheral vision and turned to see one of them engulfed in fire, becoming a veritable torch. The second halberdier sensed an opportunity and rushed the unprepared Ryu. His sword was knocked out of his hands and Ryu got knocked back by a propped up drop-kick. The halberdier remained on his feet and thrust his speared point straight at Ryu's neck. Ryu caught the blade and tried to force the man back using his patented strength. Unfortunately the man's own strength rivaled his own.
The two pushed against each other for the better part of a minute. *Where in the blackest pits of Hell is Nina?* Ryu thought as he pushed with all his might against the bandit. The one time he needed a woman for something other than a pleasant diversion she was nowhere to be found. Ryu had an idea and instead of using his strength the hold the halberd at bay he simply broke of the axe head. The newly made quarterstaff was rammed into Ryu's chest to no adverse affect and Ryu kicked the man soundly in his stomach. Ryu rose to his feet grabbing the man's neck and with a sudden twist, snapped the bandit's neck. He let the newly made corpse fall to the ground and looked around for Nina. He spotted her dodging the blows of a man who already had two arrow shafts protruding from his chest. "Something's not right." Ryu said.
"You're right about one thing." A voice from behind him drifted into his ears and Ryu didn't even need to turn to understand what was going on. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck begin to rise as he felt sudden realization course through his body.
"Risen." Ryu turned around and felt one of the Risen's fists slam into his stomach effectively expelling the air out of him. He then felt the hilt of the sword slam into his back, knocking him to the ground. Ryu groaned under the force behind those hits and stayed lying on the ground. Nina had apparently driven back her opponent and had decided to aid Ryu. Ryu suddenly felt his hair tingle with an unnatural feeling. "Ah shit." Ryu muttered as he realized what was going on.
A loud ring burst all around Ryu, he could feel his body being shocked with thousands of volts of electricity as it coursed through his body. His muscles spasms caused his body to contort and clench. Ryu felt his eardrums burst under the onslaught and found himself looking up into the faces of five Risen all but unaffected by the blast. A dust cloud had enveloped the area and he used it to his full advantage. Shrugging of the injuries he had sustained he rolled out form under the surrounding Risen and ran out of their reach. The creatures recovered just as quickly and were off after Ryu. Ryu didn't really realize his predicament until his spotted his sword standing up in the dirt with the Risen interposing themselves between him and it. The first reached Ryu and he quickly ducked and dodged his way to avoid the curved blade.
Ryu could tell he was nearing a tree and turned his back to his adversary. Ryu sprinted forward and leaped slightly, planting his left foot against the tree and using it to vault over his opponents. Ryu turned his body in mid air and surveyed the Risen below him. They looked surprised at the maneuver, Ryu singled out one of the stragglers and executed a hook kick with his right foot connecting with the creature and knocking it clear onto his back as he completed the spin and landed with both feet firmly. Ryu sprinted again, reaching up with his arm to wipe blood off of his face, apparently blood vessels in his eye had burst because his vision was coated with a red tint.
He stooped to pick up his sword and brought himself to a spinning stop, now facing his enemies. Ryu brought his sword up and faced his five opponents smiling. They charged him, confident in their ability to survive anything he could throw at them. Ryu stepped forward and cut through the halberdiers quarterstaff and followed through to sever the head off at the neck. The unfortunate creature burst into black fire and was eventually consumed by it. Ryu deflected a sword stroke from the left and hacked through the offenders sword arm and turned to the flanking Risen, this one was sporting Mezzryn's knife. Ryu blocked the sword stroke from the creature and ripped the knife out knocking his foe back in the process. Ryu spun around and lopped off the head of the armless foe behind him while using the knife to parry the blows from the de-knifed Risen.
With three left the battle began in earnest. The remaining Risen were going to swarm Ryu in a few moments and Ryu was running out of room to maneuver. Nina had launched yet another bolt of lightning to no affect and was now attempting to fire on them with her crossbow. What's more, his adrenaline was beginning to fade away and the pain became more prominent. With three opponents swinging away at him Ryu was hard pressed to block all their attacks. They were just as strong if not stronger than the mercenary and a singular disregard for their own welfare made life a little interesting. Ryu finally spun out from the fight and swiped the legs out from underneath one of the Risen, literally. Ryu charged forward with both blades cutting through their attacks and slamming each home into the heads of the creatures. Both had cross eyed expressions as their last sight in this realm was a blade protruding from between their eyes. Black fire consumed both as they wailed their last. Ryu turned on his foot as he felt a sharp stinging sensation in his leg. The final Risen had rammed a dagger into his left calf. With a negligent air Ryu swung his sword and decapitated his final foe.
Letting out an explosive sigh he slumped to the ground and gazed numbly out at the field. Nina was running over to him and he kind of looked but his mind was focusing on the fight. These weren't the men he was supposed to contact but they were probably going to know what Nina was for, and their boss would likely know who he was if that were the case. Nina had reached him now and had put both her hands on his shoulders and was shaking him, her lips were moving but no sound was coming out. Ryu shook his head trying to clear the apparent deafness. Ryu sighed, realizing he was going to have to rely on magic again. He placed both hands on the side of his head and summoned up some energy. He could slowly being to feel the pain subside in his head and in his leg.
"Ahhh, much better. Now, as you were saying." Ryu said rising to his feet. He dusted himself off slightly and wiped the blood off his face with his sleeve it was soon smeared with blood but luckily it wasn't his shirt.
"What the hell were those things?" Nina asked her eyes still upon the ashes of the bodies. She had a cut on her arm from one of the Risen apparently.
"Risen, not technically zombies but they aren't alive. They give up their souls for 'immortality'. Fire and beheading are sure shot ways to get rid of them." Ryu answered nonchalantly. The odor of carrion was still prevalent but it seemed to be coming from deeper within the forest. *I probably should have known better.* Ryu thought as he reviewed the events leading up to the fight.
The two walked on in silence. Nina seemed full of questions but she kept silent and Ryu was thankful for it. He wasn't sure how much of a lie he could keep up under these conditions. Ryu was good at lying, but lying steadily to one person over the course of a long period of time was a little over taxing for one of his tendencies.
The duo reached a small rock outcropping after a few moments of walking, the smell was almost overpowering at this point. Nina's features crinkled up in disgust while Ryu grimaced towards the rocks. This was the place but he couldn't discern an opening in the rock face. Ryu walked towards the rocks and began to feel around for a seam in the wall denoting a door. A few seconds of searching and Ryu felt a brush of wind behind. He spun around in time to see someone swinging an axe at him. He ducked under the careless blow and unsheathed his sword across the neck of his opponent. Black fire enshrouded the body and its ashes blew away into the forest. A rumbling sound issued forth from the rock face and two more Risen rushed out into Ryu's deadly embrace.
The thieves apparently had no practice at being Risen. They refused to guard their heads making them easy targets for Aleric's blade. Two more black conflagrations surrounded Ryu. "C'mon." Ryu succinctly bade Nina to follow him into the opening. The underground passage smelt like a tomb and had about as many dead bodies. The two walked on in complete silence. No rats scurried around within the halls and no insects made their home here. Only darkness and dead bandits resided in this place.
Nina had conjured up a small sphere of light and had directed it to go before the two. Ryu was a bit uncertain about getting into a fight in these corridors but he figured that any disadvantage he'd have his opponents would too, except the whole they're already dead thing. Ryu's fears of being unable to maneuver were quickly allayed when the tunnel opened up into a massive cavern. His apprehensions about facing more Risen were not however as five were standing waiting for him. *How did they know about us?* Ryu thought hurriedly as he pulled out his sword. Nina was behind him and started rattling off some incantations. Then it hit Ryu. *The Windian.* The thieves obviously wanted Nina for splicing.
The five Risen were much better equipped than the previous ones Ryu had dispatched. They looked like they were ex-knights from their armor and weapons. Ryu sighed in exasperation. *The things I go through for money and sex.* Ryu thought as he charged into the cluster of undead. The first went down before the others had time to react. Fire blocked Ryu from view and Ryu backed off as he waited for one of them to wander through. Nina threw her cards into the fight as well and unleashed a torrent of fire into to the group but avoided Ryu. As the flames subsided Ryu was set upon by the remaining Risen and was hard put upon to parry the three swift blows from his adversary. Ryu spun low dodging the fourth strike and rose up towards the end of his swing ending with his sword out perpendicular with the floor, black flame in front of him. Ryu flipped the sword so it was pointing in the opposite direction and slammed it into his scabbard completing the move. *It's good to be me.* Ryu thought as he jerked his head to get Nina to follow him. He was in his own element again. He didn't have to worry about subterfuge, lies, and being found out. Now that things were getting violent again he could get back to doing what he does best. His spirits were so high that he started whistling his favorite tune again.
Nina was very subdued, apparently she was capable of discretion despite all the signs pointing towards negative. Ryu reached the door at the end of the hall and listened in on it trying to discern any kinds of conversation. Nothing. The door was iron bound wood so it might prove to be somewhat recalcitrant but it shouldn't be too difficult Ryu thought as he took a few steps back. Nina had a perplexed look on her face but realization dawned when Ryu charged forward and he hit the door with his shoulder knocking it open. Ryu hit the ground and rolled up to his feet to find himself in a much smaller cavern.
He was on what seemed to be a naturally created bridge that was suspended above the much deeper stone ground. It reached out and touched a plateau within the cave upon which two humanoids stood. Just as Ryu's eyes were beginning to discern the figures a brilliant white light erupted from the center of the room and blinded him with its intensity. When his eyes finally adjusted to the sudden burst of light the entire room was bathed in a radiant white glow that showed his opponents for what they were. One was a rather short human dressed in merchants' clothes standing next to a raised platform that looked like it was carved especially for humans. His ally was what drew Ryu's attention however.
The man stood as tall as Ryu but was much bulkier, the creature was covered in muscle and his skin was an unnatural white color. The pallid torso was covered up with a scale hauberk which had a sword hilt extending over the back of it. Ryu was immediately drawn to the being's face, its black eyes glared at him merrily and he grinned with putrid black teeth. It was a half-demon.
"Nina, you take out the merchant." Ryu advised pulling his own sword out. He didn't hear any kind of response, and Ryu, not thinking clearly made the ultimate mistake in any fight. He looked away. Ryu saw Nina lying prone on the stone bridge behind him. Ryu's mind quickly reacted to his own mistake and he promptly turned around.
A whistling sound resounded in his ears as his eyes locked upon a twirling war hammer hurtling toward him. "Ah shit." Was all Ryu hat time to say before the hammer slammed into his chest dispelling any breath and energy from his body. Ryu slammed into the wall behind him and rebounded off performing a cadaverous flip and landed supinely staring at the roof of the cavern.
His vision danced around as he was surrounded by psuedo-darkness that created huge forms of shadow. His vision eventually focused upon one figure leaping off the bridge and landing with thud a few feet from him. The half-demon reached over his shoulder and pulled out a massive billhook. It was probably more than four feet with just counting the blade. It smirked down at him with its black teeth and chuckled slightly. Ryu had been spending that past few moments trying to summon up enough energy to work his magic but the best result he was getting was a slight trickle of relief when he needed a flood.
The half-demon hoisted him up by the throat and slammed him into the cave wall. Ryu could feel his vertebrae buckle under the force of the blow. The half-demon spun around and hurled Ryu into the opposite wall where he began to slide down trying in earnest to get to his feet. Ryu's magic was having a hard time keeping up with the force of these blows and at this rate his body would give out. Ryu was getting angry, for the first time in his memory he was actually angry at something.
Not at the half-demon, not at Nina, not at the world, but himself for being stupid. He could've won this fight without having to break a sweat but now he was struggling for his life against some half-breed. Ryu's muscles spasmed under the anger he was feeling. His fists were clenched, his nails digging into his skin causing blood to start falling to the ground. Ryu watched as the half-demon grip him by the neck and pulled him up to eye level. "Good-bye weakling." It muttered in it's grating voice.
The fist was pulled back and brought forward with deadly force.
CRACK!
Ryu felt the blow shudder through his entire being as it seemed to absorb the blow. Instead of feeling the life ending pain that was his due an immense relief flooded throughout his body. Dozens of more cracks and snaps joined the first each bringing relief and strength the Ryu. Ryu smirked back at the half-demon whose features were twisted into surprise. Ryu brought his head back before slamming it full force into the unsuspecting aberrations face. The creature reeled backwards loosening his hold. Ryu slammed his hunting knife into the creature's unprotected side and landed a right hook knocking it back into the wall, its sword forgotten on the ground.
The half-demon ripped the dagger out and Ryu witnessed its regenerative powers in action. "This should be a lot more interesting now." Ryu commented as he slammed his left fist into the creatures face. The aberration swung at him with its fists but Ryu dodged nimbly out of the way. It wasn't particularly focused in its fighting style which made it much easier for Ryu to kill it. Ryu ducked under one wide swing and rose up at an angle ramming his elbow into its face and pinning it against the wall. Ryu smirked at its apparent discomfort and failed to notice the counterattack it was readying.
The half-demon brought both of its fists down onto Ryu's skull knocking him to the ground. Ryu was fazed but his new found powers kept him cognizant. The aberration reached its arm down and was going to grab him but Ryu caught the arm and planted his foot against the creature's chest. Ryu pulled with all his might on the arm. Ryu heard the customary bone popping but the additional muscle tearing was music to his ears. Ryu let go of the arm and used his other foot to kick the half-demon back onto the ground. The creature apparently had some difficulty fixing its muscle tissue which gave Ryu the time he needed to get the billhook from off the ground.
The half-demon had gotten to his feet and was charging Ryu by the time the sword was in the mercenary's hand. It was heavy and sharp, just the way Ryu liked it. Ryu brought his left hand out and punched the half- demon in the face before it could react. The force of the blow and the force of the charge laid the creature flat on the ground. Ryu planted his left foot on his fallen foes chest and brought the sword up to prepare for an overhead, two-handed, cleave. "Good night sweet prince." Ryu jokingly taunted to his defeated opponent as he brought the sword down, the end of the blade cleaving into the skull of the demon sealing the deal. Ryu wiped some blood off his forehead with his sleeve and looked around him. From up on the plateau he could hear some chanting and a few other magic related sounds.
Ryu bent over the dead aberration and unbelted the scabbard it had used and slipped it over his own shoulder. He thought about stealing the armor but the creature was much larger than Ryu and he thought it would be impossible for it to fit without at least some blacksmith work. Ryu put the sword into its sheath and went looking for the war hammer. More incantations began to echo off the walls as it reached a near crescendo. Ryu found the hammer and began to scale the plateau. It was probably fifteen feet up and mildly difficult to climb with a hammer held by Ryu's neck as it was scrunched to the side to hold it in place.
Ryu reached the top of the plateau and hoisted himself to his feet. The scene that met him verified what his original thoughts were, the thieves were going to use Nina for a soul fusion. The merchant was bent over Nina's unconscious form waving his hands ritualistically. *The boss won't like this.* Ryu thought as he brought the war hammer back and got ready to let it fly. "Hey, hands off the Windian!" Ryu shouted letting the hammer fly.
The merchant/sorcerer looked over at Ryu only to be knocked over the raised bed for Nina. Normally Ryu would have taken his time and strolled casually over to body but with the number of people who were rising from the near dead, himself included, he figured he shouldn't be taking too many chances. Ryu sprinted towards the dais and the sorcerer behind it. He vaulted over the bed feet first and drop kicked the rising man. Ryu rose to his feet first though the sorcerer was trying in vain to rattle off a spell.
Ryu pulled his sword out in a fluid motion and hewed through the sorcerer's hands, effectively disarming him. Pun intended. The sorcerer's eyes were filled with fear as he looked up into the blood covered mercenary wielding what essentially looked like a giant meat cleaver. Ryu could see the stumps of the sorcerer's arms begin cover itself with flesh even as Ryu watched. Ryu smirked again as he suddenly realized what this person was, "You guys are way too obsessed with being dead." Ryu said as his fist slammed into the man's chest.
The figure beneath him vanished in a puff of smoke and cadaverous figure replaced it. Ryu's fist had broken through the thing's chest bone and his hand was groping through the ichorous innards. He finally found what he was looking for and placed his other hand on the corpses head as it thrashed around wildly. Ryu's hand tightened around the stone like object and ripped it out of the body. Ryu's hands were clenched around a luminously vibrant amethyst. The corpse keened wildly as it felt its life source being ripped out of it. "Lichs, you think you're so damn invincible!" Ryu was getting slightly irritated with all these dead things just ambling around making his life suck. First Risen, then half-demons, now Lichs; each more annoying than the last.
Ryu's anger helped him crush the jewel within his hand and as soon as it was gone, the Lich underneath him exploded in a cloud of black soot. Ryu slumped backwards sitting against the stone bed with Nina lying obliviously upon it. "It must be great to be able to lie back and let the world take care of itself." Ryu said talking to Nina. She didn't respond. "Not talking to me eh? Well, as long as you're asleep." Ryu pushed himself up to his feet using the dais. Ryu spun on his foot and looked down at the peacefully sleeping Nina.
"It's tempting." Ryu said, commenting upon the situation. But, would it be prudent?" Ryu asked himself, he began to pace stroking his goatee thoughtfully. "What do you think Nina?" No response. "Well, on one hand, it would most likely be a quite enjoyable way to pass the time. On the other hand, she'd probably blast me with spells as soon as she wakes up. But then again, she might find the entire experience quite flattering. On the other hand, The Boss doesn't want damaged goods." Ryu stopped pacing and looked down at the still sleeping Nina. He sighed as he came to his decision. "You lucked out Nina, your virtues will remain intact for awhile." Ryu grabbed the Windian by the waist and heaved her over his shoulder.
Ryu placed one of his hands on the small of her back to keep her in place while he walked. He started whistling again, it just seemed like the time to do it. Ryu walked all the way back to the Ranger's Headquarters with his whistling being his only sound coming out of the forest, apparently it knew him well enough.
He finally reached the headquarters by nightfall and was getting ready to fall asleep. He had dispelled more magic than he was accustomed to but he was out of the woods now. The most of the lights were out in the building which Ryu found slightly disconcerting but nothing to get him to change his plans. Ryu reached the door and laid Nina out on the ground. He was about to turn the door knob when his ears picked up the sounds of shuffling armor inside the room. *That doesn't fit.* He wouldn't have minded if it were a large collection of shuffling and a general buzz of action but this was a discreet action made by someone trying to ambush him.
Ryu smirked as he realized what was going on. *Those Ranger's aren't as dumb as I thought. Well they are because they're still here but at least they figured out who I was.* Ryu opened the door but didn't into the room knowing full well what was waiting for him. One of the larger Rangers lunged into view as he was set on tackling the spot where Ryu would have been. *I'm going to see if I can get through this entire fight without having to pull out my sword.* Ryu thought as he prepared himself for the fight, Ryu's fist launched into the stomach of the Ranger expelling any air from his stomach. He then elbowed him in the spine breaking it and knocking him on the ground. Ryu stepped over the body and entered the room. The Ranger's weren't too bright about laying an ambush in a dark room especially since Ryu had pretty decent eyesight in the dark.
One of the Rangers thrust his sword at Ryu who easily side-stepped the blatant attack and close lined the man when his momentum carried him too far forward. Ryu spun under the third man's axe swing and slammed his elbow into the man's throat, crushing the guy's throat. Another Ranger grabbed Ryu and put him into a half nelson that was surprisingly strong. This Ranger's partner stepped in front of Ryu and Ryu used the guy behind him to lift up his legs and slam his feet into the man's chest, crushing the bones underneath. Ryu's feet hit the floor and he used the inertia to throw the guy behind him over his head and back first onto the ground. Ryu lifted his right foot up and brought it down to crush the Ranger's windpipe. "Five down, two to go." Ryu said eyeing the rest of the room, he could only discern one shadow. The room was suddenly doused with light and Ryu stood stock still, staring at Ferzin.
"Hello Ryu." Ferzin said, the blind old man dressed in well oiled armor, two shortswords belted to his side. Ryu was getting ready to laugh at this prospect.
"I applaud your effort. But seriously, even I have reservations about fighting blind men." Ryu said, his words coated with laughter. Ferzin smirked at Ryu and rushed forward faster than Ryu expected. The swords were out and executed two lightning fast slashes both of which came too close for Ryu's comfort. "You're good, I'll give you that." Ryu said as he dodged another thrust from the old man. Ryu caught the arm in his right hand. "But I'm Ryu." Ryu slammed his left hand palm open into the elbow of the man snapping it under the force of the blow. The old man swung with the other sword but Ryu dodged and went behind Ferzin. Ryu kicked the old man squarely in the back sending him reeling into the wall. Ryu stalked towards the dazed old man, he stepped backward once to avoid a wild swing from Ferzin.
Ryu moved farther forward again this time propelling himself faster with a rebound step. Ryu pulled out his hunting knife and transfixed Ferzin's leather jerkin to the wall. Ryu grabbed Ferzin's other arm as it tried to land a hit on Ryu and twisted it sharply, breaking it as well. Ferzin tried in vain to pull himself off the wall but Ryu's dagger was sunk into the wood up to its hilt. "Just hang out for a little bit, you'll be dead soon enough." Ryu said turning his back on the struggling old man. *That was only six though.* Ryu thought counting those he lay on the ground. As if in answer to his thoughts, the receptionist walked into the room.
"Is everything alright? The light was the signal for me to come out wasn't it..." Whatever she was about to say faded away as the sight of the room took any words she had left out of her. Ryu was smiling broadly at her and she took an involuntary step back. She tried to turn and run but Ryu caught her by the throat in his right hand. He lifted her off the ground and began to tighten the grip on her throat in vice-like fashion.
The receptionist went slack after a few seconds but Ryu wasn't fooled by such a base trick. Ryu's thumb twisted inward and he tightened his grip again crushing her throat even more. She wriggled around in vain trying to get some breath into her throat but after a score or so of twisting seconds, she fell limp, her heart dead. Ryu dropped her to the ground and looked around to see if anyone else was in the mood to die. Ryu stepped across the body strewn floor towards the door. "It's a good thing this house is made out of wood." Ryu commented as he left the room, Ferzin still struggling against the dagger.
Ryu stepped out of the Ranger's Headquarters and found Nina still lying on the ground unconscious. He grabbed her by the shoulder and dragged her thirty or so feet away from the building before he turned around and walked back towards the headquarters. Ryu put both of his hands on the door frame and summoned forth more magic. He typically didn't use his magic for offensive purposes but this time, he'd make an exception. The door frames began to smolder underneath his touch and the wood began to increase in temperature. With one final push of energy a great sheet of searing white fire spread out across the entire frame of the building.
Ryu retreated a few steps as the house erupted into white flames. The conflagration sent heat towards him from even this far away as he looked at his own handiwork. "Now for the finishing touches." Ryu said as he basked into the warmth of his destruction. Ryu grabbed his left arm and twisted it sharply breaking it. Ryu gritted through the pain and continued with his work, his shirt was still torn and covered in blood and soot so it didn't need much work. Ryu pulled out his newly acquired sword and planted it in the ground a few feet from where Nina was lying. Ryu then shuffled on over to where Nina was and carefully laid himself horizontally across her feet to make it look like he collapsed over her in his last attempt to protect her.
*Ryu, you are a genius.*
* * *
There you have it, and boy was it violent and long. I didn't think I had it in me but here we are. I hope none of you got offended by this but I suppose it had to happen like this to an extant to show that, Ryu really is the consummate bastard. And I explained why he doesn't take advantage of unconscious women. I'm probably bumping it up to R even though I don't necessarily think that there are going to be any more chapters quite like this one. I could be wrong about that but you'll just have to keep reading and reviewing to find out. My goal is to at least match the story Taken Flight since we're roughly equal in many respects.
Fact of the Chapter: Did you know that Hugo Weaving, the guy who played Elrond and Agent Smith in recent movies, was also the lead transvestite in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Doesn't that simply boggle the mind?