Crow Magnum here, trying to hammer out another chapter fast but I'm
failing. Something's going on with my review thing in which it's telling
me I have more than I have. Now either it's a conspiracy to make my story
look better, or it just wants to fuck with me, I don't know. It finally
got fixed and now I can comment on what some of you said. Well, this story
has done everything I wanted it to do since it's got a small fan-base,
people like the sadistic nature of the "Hero" and I'm tied with "Taken
Flight". Everyone's a winner! And someone hates what I did with Ryu,
Huzzah! Hooray! And Symphony, Ryu cares about the emotions of Nina for
two reasons, one of those I can't tell you right yet but will be revealed
and the other is well, if you haven't picked up on the fact that his mind
is focused upon the physical benefits of romance then well, you know now.
Chapter Six: The Duel
Nina struggled to wake up, it felt like the part of her brain that controlled her limbs was not working and her eyes welded shut. Her nose and brain told her something was wrong but her body was unwilling to listen to her orders. With a final burst of concentration her eyes fluttered open only to be blinded by the daylight. Her eyes opening was like a lock being turned, everything was fully articulated now and she brought up her left hand to shield her eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. Nina would have moved her legs under her so she could stand up but something was keeping them down. Nina brought her torso up and the hand that was shielding her eyes jumped to cover her mouth as her breath got caught in her throat.
Fenris' body was lying there, bloody and broken. Nina cautiously moved out her right hand to nudge the corpse. She pushed it off her legs with both hands and looked at it expectantly, praying for some sign of life. Her prayers were answered when his chest rose in sorely anticipated inhalation and then let out in a comparable exhalation. Nina's smile faded when her eyes wandered up to look around. Her eyes first sight was the charred remains of a building. Nina looked around wildly, hoping against hope that these woods were foreign, that there wasn't a town a little to the south and that this charred ruin before her was not her beloved Ranger's Headquarters, and that those charred remains were not those of her beloved friends.
But they were. Nina rose to her feet and stumbled towards the wreckage, her eyes already blurred with unbidden tears. Her home. Her friends. Her family. All gone. The heat from the ruins was too much for her to bear and she stopped five or so feet from the shell of a building and broke down and wept. So much loss in such a short time was destroying her. Mezzryn was gone along with Aleric and now everyone who she had held dear had been consumed in fire.
Ferzin.
Ulin.
Aret.
Arturo.
Kerv.
Sandra.
Each one lost to the blaze.
* * *
Ryu was awakened by some wailing in the distance. *Nina must have discovered them. Glad she woke up before me.* Ryu thought pulling himself up from the ground. His arm had managed to fix itself in the night. *That's a puzzler, I've never been able to do that before.* Ryu thought, in reference to his newly attained regenerative abilities he shrugged off the mystery passing off to his own greatness. He's already stronger, faster, and sturdier than people twice his apparent physique, why not healthier too. Ryu propped himself up on one arm and looked over to where a sobbing Nina was prostrate before the smoldering ruins of the Ranger Headquarters. Ryu smiled as a bit of an afterthought for his exploits last night.
Ryu heard some collective sounds of shock and horror behind him signaling that the villagers had come to take a gander at his work of art. Ryu made a show of struggling to his feet and rubbed his head judiciously as the villagers came upon him. One of them grabbed him under his arm and aided him in standing up. "Thank you." Ryu coated his voice in a sore groan resulting from a harsh beating he had taken last night. At least that's what the villagers thought.
More of the villagers went forward to try and comfort Nina, still wracked with silent sobs. Ryu dismissed any questions about his health and started thinking about what the people might know about last night. "Would you mind clarifying what exactly happened last night?" Ryu asked still coating his words with a sore quality as rubbed his head again, his eyes were squinted to make it look like he was suffering from a really bad head ache.
"Well, da Rangers were warnin' us about this Ryu feller. Day figgered dat he was in da area and dat we should step out o' town for da night. We's just got back and here we find da two o' you lollygagging about." The townsperson that had helped him up had answered his question in one of those drawls people around here had a habit of having.
"I see. Well, make sure to help Nina, I should be alright." Ryu said, shaking his head clear of any "ailments." The remaining villagers went to gather a now unconscious Nina and take her back to the town. *Gods, at the rate she breaks down I'm surprised she was accepted into the Rangers.* Ryu thought eyeing her as she was carried down to the local inn. Ryu took after her departing form dubiously as he thought about what to do next. *I gotta get her back in one piece, but I don't think she's capable of accomplishing anything.* Ryu thought as he strolled slowly down to the town. *I can at least get a message to him.* Ryu thought as he kicked an errant stone down the lane.
Ryu did just that though he kind of wished he had done it himself, by the time Nina got recovered he could have made it to Vindar and back a couple of times. Well, that was delving into the hyperbolic a tad, Ryu could not have traveled the intervening thousand miles in five days, but he might have been able to get half of it done. Ryu wasn't going to press any kind of topics with Nina. He had no choice, she was a wreck and every time he had tried to appeal to her senses she confused him for Mezzryn. Why, he had no idea, the two looked nothing alike. Ryu sighed as he leaned back in his chair, at least he had picked up some armor for the local leatherworker. It wasn't anything to brag about but it was nice to be back in some semblance of uniform.
It was mid-afternoon and Ryu was sitting back have just polished off a haunch of herden and was sipping on some of the local ale. *Not bad.* Ryu thought as he tipped the tankard back and drained its contents. Ryu's musings about life were cut short as his nose picked up Nina's familiar aroma. Ryu put the container down and jumped to his feet. *Time to put on the excited but still concerned face.* Ryu thought, his features immediately melding into a solicitous but excited friend. "Nina, you're up." Ryu said grabbing her by the shoulders and gently steering her into a seat.
He took a seat directly opposite to her and leaned forward in anticipation. "Fenris, thank you for staying." Nina said, her voice soft and strained. Ryu passed off the thanks with a hand motion.
"It was the least I could do." Ryu said winningly. Nina smiled a bit back in response but her eyes bombarded Ryu with signals of overwhelming sadness. "C'mon, you should have something to eat. Last time I remember you eating is never." He joked, trying to coax her from her shell, she didn't even smile but continued to stare down at the edge of the table. Ryu ran a hand through his hair and swore mentally, he doubted she would be mentally ready to leave for quite some time. *Dammit why can't people divorce themselves of emotion!* Ryu thought standing up to get her some food. Ryu felt some eyes on him but he shrugged it off to one of the curious villagers. Ryu grabbed the tray with food that the inn keeper had set aside for Nina in case she had woken up today.
He moved quickly towards the table where Nina was still staring blankly. "Buck up Nina, here, have some of this delicious food." Ryu said smiling with as much effervescence as possible. He placed the tray at the edge of her vision and looked at her expectantly for her to start eating. Nina took hold of the spoon and dipped it into the brothy soup mechanically and brought it back up to her lips where she swallowed it. The spoon descended into the soup and remained there as Nina went back to staring. Ryu was very quickly losing his temper, he almost regretted murdering every single Ranger in the town but, well, it was them or him. "Nina, I am returning to... My headquarters." He had forgotten the name of the place, not that it mattered anyways. "I think you should come with me. Or not, I'll drop you off in Windar or someplace like that." Ryu said, cutting straight into what he was driving at.
Nina's hand was shaking slightly at first but eventually got more violent. "Just leave here Fenris... Just leave after they've all be killed Fenris... After all that's happened you expect me to pack up any emotions I may have had and go home? What kind of person are you Fenris?" Nina's voice had reached a crescendo of anger. Ryu was mildly surprised at the outburst. *At least she ain't moping.* Ryu thought rolling his eyes, no longer content to play the part of the sympathizer. Nina seemed ready to harangue him again but was interrupted by someone else within the tavern.
"That man is not Fenris!" Ryu's eyes narrowed suddenly as Nina looked around the bar for the one who had spoken. Ryu slowly reached for his sword as he stood and turned to face his accusers.
"I'm not am I?" Ryu said coolly. He pulled the sword over his shoulder and looked over to find a Woren and a plainsman just looking at him with indignation and anger. Both of their eyes lit up with recognition and Ryu felt recognition dawn upon him as well. *Bo and Cizrai.* He thought as he looked from one to the other.
"That's right you imposter! The real Fenris was slain with an arrow over three days ago! You're actually that sick fuck Ryu!" Cizrai shouted at him pointing at him with her spear. Ryu remained stony face, he might be able to pull this off without having them believed, but he doubted it. "We figured you had to be in the area when we heard about all of the Ranger deaths. Were you responsible for Fenris' death too?" Cizrai was shouting at him in actual anger. Ryu almost felt compelled to feel.
"I was responsible for no Ranger deaths and as you can see, I haven't committed suicide." Ryu passed off the accusations with his usual flippancy and arrogance.
"Cut the bull shit! We know that you're Ryu, you fit the description and the town buried the Fenris just this morning! There's nothing left for you to hide behind." Cizrai was looked exceedingly pleased with herself, Ryu expected her to start preening herself.
"Is this true Fenris? Are you actually Ryu?" Nina asked, she was wringing her hands looking from one group to the other waiting for the joke to end. Ryu remained silent. "He can't be Ryu! He's done nothing but help me during the past couple of days, he helped the Rangers too! Why would he just kill them after all the help he's been?" Nina had stood up and was defending Ryu. Ryu smiled inwardly and thanked his lucky stars that he his efforts to win her over had not been in vain.
"Don't be so naïve! Ryu and this "Fenris" look exactly the same! He arrives at the same time the other dies and all of this misfortune begins as soon as you meet him. Ryu's not above killing his own allies, and he's canny enough to know when to win people over! Just look at this!" Bo said throwing Nina a viewing stone that had both Fenris' and Ryu's picture caught within its spell.
Realization began to dawn within the frightened and weakened Windian. Her eyes went from the viewing stone to Ryu and then back, closely scrutinizing each. The viewing stone dropped to the floor and shattered into a thousand pieces as Nina's hands went slack. Her eyes suddenly lost all emotion and looked straight at Ryu, the eyes wide and filled with tears. "You are Ryu." She said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You did kill them! How could you? How could you do all of these things and still laugh and smile and flirt? How can you be that dead inside?" Nina was shouting her eyes wide with terror as Ryu looked at her with uncaring features. She slowly backed towards Cizrai and Bo, wanted to put distance between herself and Ryu.
"Nina, don't go with them. I may be Ryu, but it is better to stick with the evil you know than the evil you don't." Ryu said, his voice bereft of any of his usual levity. He stared at Cizrai and Bo as if expecting them to make a move. They stood still and flanked Nina as if to protect her.
"No one can be as evil as you!" Nina spat out before turning and fleeing the tavern.
"I guess she made her choice." Bo said smiling wolfishly at Ryu. They departed after the fleeing Windian, no doubt going to worm their way into her heart like he had. The inn was completely empty now and Ryu took a seat at the table and sighed in exasperation, staring blankly at the door where they had left.
He looked over at his mug and noticed it was empty. He would have called for the waitress or the inn keeper but they had left once they realized that he was Ryu. *Fame's a bitch.* Ryu thought as he stood up and used the tap to refill his mug. The door was opened again and this time a small man came in, he had the air of a man who was constantly on the run and his eyes shifted back and forth as he looked around the room. "Hey Seg, what's the word from headquarters." Ryu greeted him as he took a seat again.
Seg sat down directly across from him and looked at him in earnest. "Ya got the girl right? Where is she?" Seg asked his eyes shooting around the room. His voice was almost rat like with its pitch and timbre. "Well?"
Ryu took a sip from his tankard and glowered at the door. "She's gone, Cizrai and Bo decided to reveal my true identity and she took it pretty harsh, they've probably gone back to Dragker by now." Seg's jaw was open in shock as he heard those words.
"Well you've got to get her back fast, HE won't be too pleased if she ends up in someone else's hands." Seg said leaning forward across the table and glaring at Ryu with his beady eyes. Ryu met the look with such cold intensity that the messenger backed down into his chair and gulped.
"I plan on it." Ryu said simply as he stood up and began to walk towards the door. He didn't know whether he was going to enjoy this or not.
* * *
The setting sun cast a glare into the eyes of Druster, he put his hand over his eyes and looked out onto the dirt road before him. Being a guard at this time of day sucked, at least his shift would be over in a few minutes. He was just about to give the all clear sign when he noticed a tall man begin to move his way down the road. Druster waited patiently for the man to reach them, as he got closer more and more of his features became apparent. His was wearing simple leather armor and had what could only be described as a meat cleaver strapped to his back. He got ten feet away from Druster and just stood there. "I'm sorry sir but the gates are closed for the day. If you would like to come back tomorrow they will be opened." Druster said as he eyes the main nervously, he was glad for the four guards up on the ramparts with crossbows. One of the veteran guards had opened the side door and came out to inspect the visitor. Like Druster, he too carried a spear.
"I'd like you to open the gate, otherwise..." The strange man left the implied threat hanging in the air as he pulled his sword out. Druster scoffed slightly since the threat was practically meaningless.
"Our archers would have you down before you could take two steps." The veteran guard said smirking at the crazy warrior. Druster's eyes opened wide as he say the man charge forward despite the position he was in. Two arrows thudded into the ground where he had been and the veteran guard had been ripped open by the man's sword. The blue haired man spun around and charged the flat-footed Druster. Instead of cutting him open the man slammed the hilt of his sword into his face knocking him back. Druster dropped his spear from the pain and the blue haired man picked it up. He dropped his butcher's sword and grabbed Druster picking him up and slamming him into the wooden gate. The warrior hoisted the spear up and slammed it into the chest of Druster robbing him of life.
* * *
Ryu smirked at the dead guard. "You should have let me in." Ryu said walking away from the gate after he grabbed his sword. Two more arrows whizzed by his head as he strolled nonchalantly away from the gate. Then, as if on a whim, he swiveled in his foot and sprinted towards the wall moving past another arrow. Ryu leapt forward and planted his foot on the head of the transfixed guard propelling him even higher up the gate until he reached out and grabbed the crenellations. Ryu used his momentum to flip over the wall and confronted the four archers. Ryu unsheathed his sword with a spin eviscerating two of the archers. The third tried to pull out a short sword and Ryu thrust forward with his sword, even though its tip was blunt. The thrust still did the job and crushed the man's neck beneath the force. Ryu spun around and clove through the arm of his final assailant and followed through with an overhead cleave which ended the fight then in there.
Ryu shook off some of the gray matter still clinging to his sword and went down the stairs and into the city. The sun was setting at what seemed like a much slower pace, as if the sun wanted to be witness the events about to transpire. Ryu sheathed his blade and strode purposefully down the streets. No one was to be seen which struck Ryu as slightly off, but then again, considering Murnab ran this town, everything was considered normal. The giant coliseum loomed before him as his feet carried him onward, if Cizrai and Bo would take Nina somewhere, it would be there.
Just as Ryu was going to reach the gates of the Coliseum an arrow found its way into his leg. Ryu looked up and noticed Bo with his bow and wolfish smile leering down at him. Ryu charged towards the door, anxious to avoid any more arrows. He jerked the missile out as he ran, feeling the puncture wound slowly closing in on itself. Ryu shifted his weight right before crashing shoulder first into the two massive doors. The doors opened with little resistance and Ryu rolled to his feet, sword out. The main room was empty though Ryu could pick up the sound of feet and the smell of armor.
Ryu stood fully erect and looked around the room, his sword pointing towards the ground. Nine doors. Ryu grinned slightly as he realized their plan.
With an echoing war cry, reverberating throughout the vaulted room, the slaves and soldiers of Dragker rushed into the room. Ryu had no intention of fighting the scores of warriors flooding the room and ran into the one door that had no soldiers pouring out of it. Ryu sprinted down the hall, knowing that the slaves and soldiers were following him but were there just to put him into the center ring. *Murnab always did love his arena fights.* Ryu thought just as he entered the arena, the door's portcullis slamming close behind him. Ryu's eyes focused in on Cizrai who was standing in the center of the ring, waiting for him.
Ryu gazed around the coliseum, apparently Murnab was adding more to it since the northwest side was completely overshadowed by a series of wooden ramps and platforms that had several hewn stones at various stages on them. "I thought for sure Murnab would be out here to gloat or something." Ryu commented, waiting for the flamboyant man to pop up in his crimson uniform and spout off some speech. "So, what's going to happen now?" Ryu asked the Woren, her tail lashing about in anger.
"I'm going to kill you." She said simply, leveling her spear at him. Ryu didn't recognize this one, it was probably new. It had steel filigree along the entire shaft and the blade was more pronounced, similar to a glaive.
"That's new, Murnab give that to you?" Ryu asked as he circled his opponent. Cizrai's head turned with his movements but her body remained still.
"He rewarded me with it after I dealt with an insurgent. And I'm sure he'll reward me again once I deal with you." Cizrai broke out of her stance and charged Ryu, thrusting her spear forward. Ryu backhanded the spear away from harming him and twisted his hand to grab a hold of it. Cizrai glowered up at him and tried to jerk free of his hold.
"C'mon Cizrai, we all know who's going to win this fight. What happened last time you fought me hmm?" Ryu was smirking at the enraged Cizrai, she looked almost as mad as she was when they fought last time. Cizrai leapt up and planted both her feet on Ryu's chest and pushed off flipping backwards with her spear in her hand. She charged forward again, hoping to catch him off guard. Ryu brought his sword up, blocking the attack and grinding Cizrai's charge to a stop. Ryu pushed her back on handed and began to press his attack. "Last time I let you live, I'll not be making the same mistake twice." Ryu said jovially. He put Cizrai through her paces as he struck left, right, center up, leg sweep, and finished with a rising two handed sword stroke that knocked Cizrai off her feet.
Ryu smirked down over his supine enemy. "It was good to see you again Cizrai." He brought his sword up, ready for an over head cleave only to have his legs knocked at from under him. He rolled to his feet and had his sword up, ready for the incoming strike except it never came. Cizrai had moved back, trying to lure Ryu to chase her. He knew the coliseum well enough to know that if he tried to chase her, something bad would happen.
"What's the matter Ryu, afraid to chase after me?" Cizrai taunted from a safe forty feet away.
"Calling me afraid when you've already run away doesn't make much sense. I'm not stupid Cizrai, otherwise you might never had fallen in love." Ryu said, knowing full well that if he kept reminding her of their past she would do something rash. Even from this distance Ryu could feel Cizrai's hate wash over him. "A bit touchy eh?"
Cizrai charged from that distance. *She's pretty single minded about the kind of attacks she starts with.* Ryu thought as he prepared for her third assault. Ryu blocked the first strike easily enough but was unprepared for the drop kick that followed. Ryu was slammed against the wall for his lack of foresight and was pressed to defend from four quick strikes and knocked her back with a left hook. Ryu grabbed her spear and flung her into the wall, reversing their positions. "Remind you of anything Cizrai." Ryu taunted as she squirmed, trying to break free of the hold. Ryu was unprepared for what happened next, he had thought that the fight was in hand but he should have remembered Murnab's style better, he never let fights be one sided.
Ryu felt the ground under him begin to shake. He looked down only to find that he was no longer on the ground. He had been sent airborne by one of the many traps littered about the arena. His flight came to an abrupt close when he met the ground. The impact sent him sliding into the wall directly underneath the new construction. Ryu scrambled to his feet and rushed to get out from underneath the all too tempting trap. Ryu spotted Cizrai hurling her spear towards some spot along the wall. Ryu didn't realize the significance of that throw until a beam of searing light flashed before him, incinerating the supports holding the stones above him. The beam of light was still in front of him and prevented him from moving forward and now the supports above him were beginning to crumble.
Ryu rushed back towards the wall hoping it would prevent the brunt of the objects from falling on him. He was wrong. One of the larger support beams fell on top of Ryu knocking him to the ground. Ryu grunted in a Herculean effort to push the wooden support off of him but more weight was added to the beam as more and more stones began to tumble down upon him. His body couldn't take too much more of this, even with the new found strength his last near death experience had imparted. "Damn it all to hell." Ryu thought before he blacked out under the strain.
* * *
Cizrai stood looking at the ruin that had collapsed over Ryu. *Even he can't survive something like that.* She thought with pleasure, now she finally had her revenge upon that man. She was angered over Bo's interference however, she didn't like that fact that she had to rely upon the traps to beat him in the fight. Cizrai sighed and went over to grab her spear, her hand tightened on the shaft and she pulled it out of the switch. She tensed slightly as she heard the pile of stones and wood shift a little but settled down after a tense minute of bated breath.
Cizrai shrugged off her paranoia and began walking out of the arena. Bo was waiting on the other side of one of the gates with Nina unconscious over his shoulder. "C'mon, we need to get this to Murnab." Bo said, patting Nina on the small of her back. Cizrai nodded after shooting yet another glance back at the pile of rubble. "He's dead Cizrai. One hundred percent guaranteed dead." Bo answered her thoughts as he noticed her gaze.
"Yeah, I just wish you hadn't used the traps on him." Cizrai said with a mild bite. Bo shrugged in apathy and began walking down the hall. The slaves and guards which had rushed Ryu into the arena were back at their quarters now so the coliseum's halls were empty. The two walked in complete silence, both thinking about the coming ceremony. Just as they reached Murnab's floor the two stopped to notice the setting sun glare at them balefully.
"The ceremony's going to start soon, we better hurry." Bo advised as he shifted Nina. Cizrai shrugged as she continued to look out at the red sphere looking back at her. In the pervasive silence of the hall both their ears perked up as they caught the echoing strains of Ryu's song. Cizrai's eyes widened in terror. *How could he still be alive, he was buried alive Dammit!* Cizrai turned around towards the one door leading into this room and was able to discern the growing shadow of a man who possessed Ryu's physique. "Hold him off for five minutes and I can be back with help!" Bo shouted as he tore down the hallway with Nina towards Murnab's office.
Cizrai leveled her spear at the door, waiting for Ryu to come in. She didn't have to wait to long before Ryu came into sight. He looked surprisingly good for a man who had just been crushed buried under thousands of pounds of debris. He casually brushed off some dust from his left shoulder and flashed one of his patented smirks at her. "Good to see you again Cizrai." He greeted her jovially, belying his intent. Cizrai wasn't going to try charging him this time, she would try and feint, then spear him through the heart. Cizrai rushed forward but was caught off guard when he followed through not falling for her feint. He slammed his right fist into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her and causing her to drop her spear from the shear pain and surprise. She tried in vain to draw another breath but she was having difficulties getting her lungs to work. So far she could only open and close her mouth like a gagging fish.
Ryu's hand gripped her by the throat, his thumb placed upon a nerve causing her to be limp in his hands as he dragged her across the floor, his eyes upon the crimson sun. "Where's Nina?" Ryu asked, his voice still sinisterly companionable.
"You fucking piece of shit! Going after anything with a pulse!" Cizrai shot at him, her fangs no less venomous now that she was incapacitated.
"Come now, I'm a veritable connoisseur. Besides, you didn't seem to mind my antics last time." Ryu jibed back at her. Cizrai could almost laugh at this situation. Here she was trading insults with Ryu as he brought her up and dangled her off the ledge of the coliseum. "Well, they say cats always land on their feet. Better hope that Woren have the same quality." His grip loosened and Cizrai felt herself falling. The world slowed to a standstill. Memories flashed in front of her. Memories of when she first met Ryu, how nice things were. How they had worked together, and now, how he had killed her.
* * *
Ryu dusted his hands off in satisfaction and he turned around to face the corridor. Bo would be joining him shortly possibly with more troops but most likely alone. They both didn't give him enough credit. Ryu thought as he moved towards the door Bo would be coming through. He took up a position just at the side of the door, not visible but close enough to surprise Bo with an attack. Ryu didn't have long to wait before he heard the labored breathing of the large Plainsman. Ryu brought his right fist across his chest and slammed it with full force against Bo's chest just as soon as he entered the door.
The close-line forced Bo into an awkward flip which he landed supinely on the floor. His compound bow had been dropped in his unexpected flight and Ryu picked it up. Ryu snapped the finely crafted weapon and wrapped the string around each hand leaving about two feet of taut string between them. Bo got to his feet shakily and pulled out a pair of long knives he had kept in his boots. Ryu ducked under the clumsy swipes and head-butted the Plainsman into a daze. Ryu quickly spun around the teetering Bo created a loop with his makeshift garrote and looping it over his head. Ryu jerked suddenly and tightened the weapon around Bo's neck causing his to buckle under the pain. Ryu planted his foot on the Plainsman's back and pushed forward, forcing and even greater strain upon Bo. With a final, futile attempt to break free he collapsed and the dead weight sagged forward in Ryu's arms. "How ironic, killed with his precious bow string. I remember when you first got this bow, Bo," Ryu laughed slightly at the repetition of sounds. "You treated it like a child and that child grew up to kill ya. What are the odds?"
Ryu dropped the corpse and went through the door and into the adjoining hall. It was devoid of activity and Ryu quickly hurried towards Murnab's office. Once he came in sight of the door he noticed Murnab's personal bodyguard holding his position right in front of the door. Ryu smirked at the drone as he approached the door. The bodyguard was a burly individual resplendent in a gleaming steel breastplate with a sword hilt poking over his left shoulder. The bodyguard looked ready to draw his sword but Ryu's left hook said otherwise. The large man was sent reeling and he was knocked flat on his back by the obligatory right hook that followed. Ryu turned the man over with his boot and pulled the sword free of its scabbard, feeling that he'd need it soon.
The man stirred a bit and climbed unsteadily to his feet, using the wall as a support. "It'd be a good idea for you to leave, things are going to get ugly." Ryu said as he hoisted the man to his feet and dusted him off slightly.
"You're really just going to let me leave?" He asked, flabbergasted at the good news.
"No." Ryu swiftly beheaded the man before his facial expression could change so his head rolled about the floor, joyful surprise in its features. Ryu pivoted on his heel and opened the door, finding Murnab leaning back into his chair, a small smile playing on his lips as he swirled a cup of blood red wine. "Where's Nina?" Ryu asked, his voice going cold.
Murnab twirled his wine glass around and watched entranced as the liquid swirled about in its own, mysterious dance. Ryu moved forward impatient at the man and cleaved through the desk before him in a one- handed chop. The desk splintered underneath the blow and still the man watched his glass. "Where's Nina?"
"Come now Ryu, we can't have you breaking apart my office." Murnab scolded, his voice soft as he continued his admiration of his glass. Ryu picked the man up by his collar and slammed him into the bookshelf behind him, knocking several volumes down onto the ground. Murnab chuckled in the face of the Ryu as his glass shattered into pieces and the wine pooled on the ground.
"Where's Nina?" Ryu asked a third time, his fist tightening on his sword. Murnab laughed even louder now and snapped his fingers once he regained his composure. One of the bookshelves opened up revealing another room from which a black cloaked man stepped through. Ryu dropped Murnab as he turned to face his new adversary. The cloaked man removed his hood and Ryu was confronted by an almost mirror image. The blue hair adorning the new man's head was brought back in a ponytail and the goatee was absent from his chin. The man was more lithesome than Ryu as well and was dressed in simple leather armor.
"Good evening Ryu." The mystery man greeted Ryu almost casually, his voice rivaling Ryu's own coolness.
"Fuck you Ryudo." Ryu replied, turning full front to face his next challenge. His mind reeled as his face remained emotionless, the man standing before him was his twin brother. Ryu's mind raced as he saw encounters, old episodes of his life with him and his brother always in combat with each other, both striving for superiority against the other. "Guess it's time for round thirty-seven." Ryu said, preparing himself for an attack.
Ryudo smirked as he pulled out his sword, a katana. *Always loved his shit weapons.* Ryu thought as he scoffed at the weapon of choice. Ryudo wasted no time in pressing the attack, thrusting in rapid succession. The first thrust must have been designed to draw his attack up because the second blow went lighting fast towards the stomach. Ryu spun around the blow and his sword hilt into his brother's spine knocking him forward. Ryu charged after stumbling Ryudo but he recovered quicker than expected and lashed out with his sword which was caught by Ryu's blade. The two faced each other trying to force the other back. Ryu proved the stronger and forced the other back and slashed twice with his sword each stroke being confounded by Ryudo's parries.
Ryudo replied with a fast kick into Ryu's stomach sending him back slightly leaving the other open to press the attack. Ryu blocked the series of attacks but was knocked to the ground by a surprise leg sweep. Ryu grabbed his brother's cloak as he was falling and flipped the other over and into the secret room. Ryudo rolled to his feet but not before Ryu had gotten to his and kicked his brother straight in the face, crunching bone underneath him. Ryu stopped his assault surprised at his good fortune, he had finished off his brother in record time. "I always knew that you were weak." Ryu said walking over to his unconscious brother, blood had pooled around the head though Ryu couldn't see any visible wounds. Ryudo used this moment to strike and launched three shurikens with his left hand which promptly embedded themselves within Ryu's stomach.
Ryudo rolled to his feet and tried to eviscerate Ryu but his sword was blocked single handedly. Ryu plucked the three projectiles out of his stomach and tossed them casually over his shoulder and backhanded Ryudo with the same fist. Ryu pressed his attack bringing his sword about ambidextrously, pressing from both the right and left, trying to offset his brother. Ryudo preformed admirably though and blocked every attack and managed to pull of several of his own during the melee. Ryu thrust forward too strongly and Ryudo slipped out from his defensive mode and hamstrung Ryu causing him to fall forward and rely upon his sword for support. Ryudo brought back his sword for the coup de grace but it never came. Ryudo was distracted by something hitting his back. Ryu glanced over and saw Nina stumbling about, apparently she had been drugged and was now struggling in vain to lash out at her assailants. This diversion had given Ryu the time necessary to heal his wounds and counterattack. Ryu rose to his feet but Ryudo noticed him and launched another series of swipes to try and cut Ryu down to size.
Ryu always left one of his hands open to give him some shifting ability but he used it to grapple Ryudo when the opportunity presented itself. Ryu gripped his brother by his coat collar after and unsuccessful lunge and hurled him forward through the wooden screen door and into the construction beyond. Ryu chased after the rolling body and slashed at an oblique angle, cutting through Ryudo's armor and into his flesh. The injured warrior spun to his feet hacking through one of the support beams with his sword. Ryu ran forward and tackled his brother forcing them both into a roll forwards to avoid the destruction. "I've already been crushed once today." Ryu said, punctuating his explanation with his fist. Ryudo nose cracked under the force and bent into an unnatural state.
Ryu got off his dazed brother and hoisted him up before hurling him into the wall and watched him slide down. Ryu hustled over to grab his fallen and sword and to reface his enemy. Ryudo had already risen to his feet and was cracking his nose back into place. "Poor pathetic Ryu, anything you do to me will only make me stronger." Ryudo admonished him clucking his tongue in disappointment.
"Shut the fuck up and fight!" Ryu retorted, charging his foe. Ryu's sword was blocked yet again, this time it was Ryudo forcing the other forward nearly knocking Ryu off the construction platform. Ryudo ran towards Ryu and leaped up into the air planting both feet against his brother and shoving off in a magnificent flip before landing on a higher tier. Ryu however was pushed off the platform and sent into a free fall before caught himself on one of the beams. Ryudo glanced down at him before turning his back and moving towards Murnab's room. *Dammit, this was just a diversion from what they're doing to Nina!* Ryu realized as he hung on for his life. Ryu pulled himself up and started to leap from platform to platform, getting higher and higher.
Ryu reached the final tier to find that his hypothesis had been wrong. Ryudo was waiting for him to be foolish enough to jump up heads first onto the platform. Ryudo prepared to cleaver through the platform and Ryu's skull as he pulled his katana back prepared for the strike. Ryu dodged let go with one of his hands and let the sword go by without his blood staining it. Ryu pulled himself up and brought his sword hilt crashing into his brother's jaw before finishing him off with the backswing.
Ryudo fell to the ground, a large rent in his face robbing him of his familiar looking features. He stirred slightly as the blood began to pool around him Ryu smiled as he was ready to rid the world and his life of Ryudo. "Parting is such sweet sorrow my brother." Ryu said as he prepared his sword to transfix Ryudo to the spot. His coup de grate was interrupted however by some of Murnab's shenanigans. A beam of darkness erupted from the ground just as the blood red sun had sunk below the skyline, further darkening the area. Ryudo's body began to rise as the magical force wreaked havoc upon his body.
Just as soon as the beam appeared it disappeared and in its place stood a newly forged Ryudo. He was not, however the Ryudo that entered the beam but a different being with the build of Ryudo but the coloring of Murnab. No longer did green eyes shine from beneath a strong brow but black, soulless orbs resided there. The once streaming blue hair was a crimson red flowing in the breeze. Ryu prepared his sword and rushed this mockery of life only to have it burst into a cloud of darkness and drift away upon the zephyr winds.
Ryu fell to his knees in exhaustion as the night spread its comfortless blanket it over him.
* * *
There we have it. I finished this up at three in the morning so it might have a few problems and might seem a bit rushed. Sorry, I just had to finish it while the iron was hot. Thanks for all those who reviewed the last chapter and I hope a great many more will review this one.
Fact of the Chapter: Did you know that Tuesday, is given to us by the Netherlandian God of War Tiw. Simply astonishing.
Chapter Six: The Duel
Nina struggled to wake up, it felt like the part of her brain that controlled her limbs was not working and her eyes welded shut. Her nose and brain told her something was wrong but her body was unwilling to listen to her orders. With a final burst of concentration her eyes fluttered open only to be blinded by the daylight. Her eyes opening was like a lock being turned, everything was fully articulated now and she brought up her left hand to shield her eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. Nina would have moved her legs under her so she could stand up but something was keeping them down. Nina brought her torso up and the hand that was shielding her eyes jumped to cover her mouth as her breath got caught in her throat.
Fenris' body was lying there, bloody and broken. Nina cautiously moved out her right hand to nudge the corpse. She pushed it off her legs with both hands and looked at it expectantly, praying for some sign of life. Her prayers were answered when his chest rose in sorely anticipated inhalation and then let out in a comparable exhalation. Nina's smile faded when her eyes wandered up to look around. Her eyes first sight was the charred remains of a building. Nina looked around wildly, hoping against hope that these woods were foreign, that there wasn't a town a little to the south and that this charred ruin before her was not her beloved Ranger's Headquarters, and that those charred remains were not those of her beloved friends.
But they were. Nina rose to her feet and stumbled towards the wreckage, her eyes already blurred with unbidden tears. Her home. Her friends. Her family. All gone. The heat from the ruins was too much for her to bear and she stopped five or so feet from the shell of a building and broke down and wept. So much loss in such a short time was destroying her. Mezzryn was gone along with Aleric and now everyone who she had held dear had been consumed in fire.
Ferzin.
Ulin.
Aret.
Arturo.
Kerv.
Sandra.
Each one lost to the blaze.
* * *
Ryu was awakened by some wailing in the distance. *Nina must have discovered them. Glad she woke up before me.* Ryu thought pulling himself up from the ground. His arm had managed to fix itself in the night. *That's a puzzler, I've never been able to do that before.* Ryu thought, in reference to his newly attained regenerative abilities he shrugged off the mystery passing off to his own greatness. He's already stronger, faster, and sturdier than people twice his apparent physique, why not healthier too. Ryu propped himself up on one arm and looked over to where a sobbing Nina was prostrate before the smoldering ruins of the Ranger Headquarters. Ryu smiled as a bit of an afterthought for his exploits last night.
Ryu heard some collective sounds of shock and horror behind him signaling that the villagers had come to take a gander at his work of art. Ryu made a show of struggling to his feet and rubbed his head judiciously as the villagers came upon him. One of them grabbed him under his arm and aided him in standing up. "Thank you." Ryu coated his voice in a sore groan resulting from a harsh beating he had taken last night. At least that's what the villagers thought.
More of the villagers went forward to try and comfort Nina, still wracked with silent sobs. Ryu dismissed any questions about his health and started thinking about what the people might know about last night. "Would you mind clarifying what exactly happened last night?" Ryu asked still coating his words with a sore quality as rubbed his head again, his eyes were squinted to make it look like he was suffering from a really bad head ache.
"Well, da Rangers were warnin' us about this Ryu feller. Day figgered dat he was in da area and dat we should step out o' town for da night. We's just got back and here we find da two o' you lollygagging about." The townsperson that had helped him up had answered his question in one of those drawls people around here had a habit of having.
"I see. Well, make sure to help Nina, I should be alright." Ryu said, shaking his head clear of any "ailments." The remaining villagers went to gather a now unconscious Nina and take her back to the town. *Gods, at the rate she breaks down I'm surprised she was accepted into the Rangers.* Ryu thought eyeing her as she was carried down to the local inn. Ryu took after her departing form dubiously as he thought about what to do next. *I gotta get her back in one piece, but I don't think she's capable of accomplishing anything.* Ryu thought as he strolled slowly down to the town. *I can at least get a message to him.* Ryu thought as he kicked an errant stone down the lane.
Ryu did just that though he kind of wished he had done it himself, by the time Nina got recovered he could have made it to Vindar and back a couple of times. Well, that was delving into the hyperbolic a tad, Ryu could not have traveled the intervening thousand miles in five days, but he might have been able to get half of it done. Ryu wasn't going to press any kind of topics with Nina. He had no choice, she was a wreck and every time he had tried to appeal to her senses she confused him for Mezzryn. Why, he had no idea, the two looked nothing alike. Ryu sighed as he leaned back in his chair, at least he had picked up some armor for the local leatherworker. It wasn't anything to brag about but it was nice to be back in some semblance of uniform.
It was mid-afternoon and Ryu was sitting back have just polished off a haunch of herden and was sipping on some of the local ale. *Not bad.* Ryu thought as he tipped the tankard back and drained its contents. Ryu's musings about life were cut short as his nose picked up Nina's familiar aroma. Ryu put the container down and jumped to his feet. *Time to put on the excited but still concerned face.* Ryu thought, his features immediately melding into a solicitous but excited friend. "Nina, you're up." Ryu said grabbing her by the shoulders and gently steering her into a seat.
He took a seat directly opposite to her and leaned forward in anticipation. "Fenris, thank you for staying." Nina said, her voice soft and strained. Ryu passed off the thanks with a hand motion.
"It was the least I could do." Ryu said winningly. Nina smiled a bit back in response but her eyes bombarded Ryu with signals of overwhelming sadness. "C'mon, you should have something to eat. Last time I remember you eating is never." He joked, trying to coax her from her shell, she didn't even smile but continued to stare down at the edge of the table. Ryu ran a hand through his hair and swore mentally, he doubted she would be mentally ready to leave for quite some time. *Dammit why can't people divorce themselves of emotion!* Ryu thought standing up to get her some food. Ryu felt some eyes on him but he shrugged it off to one of the curious villagers. Ryu grabbed the tray with food that the inn keeper had set aside for Nina in case she had woken up today.
He moved quickly towards the table where Nina was still staring blankly. "Buck up Nina, here, have some of this delicious food." Ryu said smiling with as much effervescence as possible. He placed the tray at the edge of her vision and looked at her expectantly for her to start eating. Nina took hold of the spoon and dipped it into the brothy soup mechanically and brought it back up to her lips where she swallowed it. The spoon descended into the soup and remained there as Nina went back to staring. Ryu was very quickly losing his temper, he almost regretted murdering every single Ranger in the town but, well, it was them or him. "Nina, I am returning to... My headquarters." He had forgotten the name of the place, not that it mattered anyways. "I think you should come with me. Or not, I'll drop you off in Windar or someplace like that." Ryu said, cutting straight into what he was driving at.
Nina's hand was shaking slightly at first but eventually got more violent. "Just leave here Fenris... Just leave after they've all be killed Fenris... After all that's happened you expect me to pack up any emotions I may have had and go home? What kind of person are you Fenris?" Nina's voice had reached a crescendo of anger. Ryu was mildly surprised at the outburst. *At least she ain't moping.* Ryu thought rolling his eyes, no longer content to play the part of the sympathizer. Nina seemed ready to harangue him again but was interrupted by someone else within the tavern.
"That man is not Fenris!" Ryu's eyes narrowed suddenly as Nina looked around the bar for the one who had spoken. Ryu slowly reached for his sword as he stood and turned to face his accusers.
"I'm not am I?" Ryu said coolly. He pulled the sword over his shoulder and looked over to find a Woren and a plainsman just looking at him with indignation and anger. Both of their eyes lit up with recognition and Ryu felt recognition dawn upon him as well. *Bo and Cizrai.* He thought as he looked from one to the other.
"That's right you imposter! The real Fenris was slain with an arrow over three days ago! You're actually that sick fuck Ryu!" Cizrai shouted at him pointing at him with her spear. Ryu remained stony face, he might be able to pull this off without having them believed, but he doubted it. "We figured you had to be in the area when we heard about all of the Ranger deaths. Were you responsible for Fenris' death too?" Cizrai was shouting at him in actual anger. Ryu almost felt compelled to feel.
"I was responsible for no Ranger deaths and as you can see, I haven't committed suicide." Ryu passed off the accusations with his usual flippancy and arrogance.
"Cut the bull shit! We know that you're Ryu, you fit the description and the town buried the Fenris just this morning! There's nothing left for you to hide behind." Cizrai was looked exceedingly pleased with herself, Ryu expected her to start preening herself.
"Is this true Fenris? Are you actually Ryu?" Nina asked, she was wringing her hands looking from one group to the other waiting for the joke to end. Ryu remained silent. "He can't be Ryu! He's done nothing but help me during the past couple of days, he helped the Rangers too! Why would he just kill them after all the help he's been?" Nina had stood up and was defending Ryu. Ryu smiled inwardly and thanked his lucky stars that he his efforts to win her over had not been in vain.
"Don't be so naïve! Ryu and this "Fenris" look exactly the same! He arrives at the same time the other dies and all of this misfortune begins as soon as you meet him. Ryu's not above killing his own allies, and he's canny enough to know when to win people over! Just look at this!" Bo said throwing Nina a viewing stone that had both Fenris' and Ryu's picture caught within its spell.
Realization began to dawn within the frightened and weakened Windian. Her eyes went from the viewing stone to Ryu and then back, closely scrutinizing each. The viewing stone dropped to the floor and shattered into a thousand pieces as Nina's hands went slack. Her eyes suddenly lost all emotion and looked straight at Ryu, the eyes wide and filled with tears. "You are Ryu." She said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You did kill them! How could you? How could you do all of these things and still laugh and smile and flirt? How can you be that dead inside?" Nina was shouting her eyes wide with terror as Ryu looked at her with uncaring features. She slowly backed towards Cizrai and Bo, wanted to put distance between herself and Ryu.
"Nina, don't go with them. I may be Ryu, but it is better to stick with the evil you know than the evil you don't." Ryu said, his voice bereft of any of his usual levity. He stared at Cizrai and Bo as if expecting them to make a move. They stood still and flanked Nina as if to protect her.
"No one can be as evil as you!" Nina spat out before turning and fleeing the tavern.
"I guess she made her choice." Bo said smiling wolfishly at Ryu. They departed after the fleeing Windian, no doubt going to worm their way into her heart like he had. The inn was completely empty now and Ryu took a seat at the table and sighed in exasperation, staring blankly at the door where they had left.
He looked over at his mug and noticed it was empty. He would have called for the waitress or the inn keeper but they had left once they realized that he was Ryu. *Fame's a bitch.* Ryu thought as he stood up and used the tap to refill his mug. The door was opened again and this time a small man came in, he had the air of a man who was constantly on the run and his eyes shifted back and forth as he looked around the room. "Hey Seg, what's the word from headquarters." Ryu greeted him as he took a seat again.
Seg sat down directly across from him and looked at him in earnest. "Ya got the girl right? Where is she?" Seg asked his eyes shooting around the room. His voice was almost rat like with its pitch and timbre. "Well?"
Ryu took a sip from his tankard and glowered at the door. "She's gone, Cizrai and Bo decided to reveal my true identity and she took it pretty harsh, they've probably gone back to Dragker by now." Seg's jaw was open in shock as he heard those words.
"Well you've got to get her back fast, HE won't be too pleased if she ends up in someone else's hands." Seg said leaning forward across the table and glaring at Ryu with his beady eyes. Ryu met the look with such cold intensity that the messenger backed down into his chair and gulped.
"I plan on it." Ryu said simply as he stood up and began to walk towards the door. He didn't know whether he was going to enjoy this or not.
* * *
The setting sun cast a glare into the eyes of Druster, he put his hand over his eyes and looked out onto the dirt road before him. Being a guard at this time of day sucked, at least his shift would be over in a few minutes. He was just about to give the all clear sign when he noticed a tall man begin to move his way down the road. Druster waited patiently for the man to reach them, as he got closer more and more of his features became apparent. His was wearing simple leather armor and had what could only be described as a meat cleaver strapped to his back. He got ten feet away from Druster and just stood there. "I'm sorry sir but the gates are closed for the day. If you would like to come back tomorrow they will be opened." Druster said as he eyes the main nervously, he was glad for the four guards up on the ramparts with crossbows. One of the veteran guards had opened the side door and came out to inspect the visitor. Like Druster, he too carried a spear.
"I'd like you to open the gate, otherwise..." The strange man left the implied threat hanging in the air as he pulled his sword out. Druster scoffed slightly since the threat was practically meaningless.
"Our archers would have you down before you could take two steps." The veteran guard said smirking at the crazy warrior. Druster's eyes opened wide as he say the man charge forward despite the position he was in. Two arrows thudded into the ground where he had been and the veteran guard had been ripped open by the man's sword. The blue haired man spun around and charged the flat-footed Druster. Instead of cutting him open the man slammed the hilt of his sword into his face knocking him back. Druster dropped his spear from the pain and the blue haired man picked it up. He dropped his butcher's sword and grabbed Druster picking him up and slamming him into the wooden gate. The warrior hoisted the spear up and slammed it into the chest of Druster robbing him of life.
* * *
Ryu smirked at the dead guard. "You should have let me in." Ryu said walking away from the gate after he grabbed his sword. Two more arrows whizzed by his head as he strolled nonchalantly away from the gate. Then, as if on a whim, he swiveled in his foot and sprinted towards the wall moving past another arrow. Ryu leapt forward and planted his foot on the head of the transfixed guard propelling him even higher up the gate until he reached out and grabbed the crenellations. Ryu used his momentum to flip over the wall and confronted the four archers. Ryu unsheathed his sword with a spin eviscerating two of the archers. The third tried to pull out a short sword and Ryu thrust forward with his sword, even though its tip was blunt. The thrust still did the job and crushed the man's neck beneath the force. Ryu spun around and clove through the arm of his final assailant and followed through with an overhead cleave which ended the fight then in there.
Ryu shook off some of the gray matter still clinging to his sword and went down the stairs and into the city. The sun was setting at what seemed like a much slower pace, as if the sun wanted to be witness the events about to transpire. Ryu sheathed his blade and strode purposefully down the streets. No one was to be seen which struck Ryu as slightly off, but then again, considering Murnab ran this town, everything was considered normal. The giant coliseum loomed before him as his feet carried him onward, if Cizrai and Bo would take Nina somewhere, it would be there.
Just as Ryu was going to reach the gates of the Coliseum an arrow found its way into his leg. Ryu looked up and noticed Bo with his bow and wolfish smile leering down at him. Ryu charged towards the door, anxious to avoid any more arrows. He jerked the missile out as he ran, feeling the puncture wound slowly closing in on itself. Ryu shifted his weight right before crashing shoulder first into the two massive doors. The doors opened with little resistance and Ryu rolled to his feet, sword out. The main room was empty though Ryu could pick up the sound of feet and the smell of armor.
Ryu stood fully erect and looked around the room, his sword pointing towards the ground. Nine doors. Ryu grinned slightly as he realized their plan.
With an echoing war cry, reverberating throughout the vaulted room, the slaves and soldiers of Dragker rushed into the room. Ryu had no intention of fighting the scores of warriors flooding the room and ran into the one door that had no soldiers pouring out of it. Ryu sprinted down the hall, knowing that the slaves and soldiers were following him but were there just to put him into the center ring. *Murnab always did love his arena fights.* Ryu thought just as he entered the arena, the door's portcullis slamming close behind him. Ryu's eyes focused in on Cizrai who was standing in the center of the ring, waiting for him.
Ryu gazed around the coliseum, apparently Murnab was adding more to it since the northwest side was completely overshadowed by a series of wooden ramps and platforms that had several hewn stones at various stages on them. "I thought for sure Murnab would be out here to gloat or something." Ryu commented, waiting for the flamboyant man to pop up in his crimson uniform and spout off some speech. "So, what's going to happen now?" Ryu asked the Woren, her tail lashing about in anger.
"I'm going to kill you." She said simply, leveling her spear at him. Ryu didn't recognize this one, it was probably new. It had steel filigree along the entire shaft and the blade was more pronounced, similar to a glaive.
"That's new, Murnab give that to you?" Ryu asked as he circled his opponent. Cizrai's head turned with his movements but her body remained still.
"He rewarded me with it after I dealt with an insurgent. And I'm sure he'll reward me again once I deal with you." Cizrai broke out of her stance and charged Ryu, thrusting her spear forward. Ryu backhanded the spear away from harming him and twisted his hand to grab a hold of it. Cizrai glowered up at him and tried to jerk free of his hold.
"C'mon Cizrai, we all know who's going to win this fight. What happened last time you fought me hmm?" Ryu was smirking at the enraged Cizrai, she looked almost as mad as she was when they fought last time. Cizrai leapt up and planted both her feet on Ryu's chest and pushed off flipping backwards with her spear in her hand. She charged forward again, hoping to catch him off guard. Ryu brought his sword up, blocking the attack and grinding Cizrai's charge to a stop. Ryu pushed her back on handed and began to press his attack. "Last time I let you live, I'll not be making the same mistake twice." Ryu said jovially. He put Cizrai through her paces as he struck left, right, center up, leg sweep, and finished with a rising two handed sword stroke that knocked Cizrai off her feet.
Ryu smirked down over his supine enemy. "It was good to see you again Cizrai." He brought his sword up, ready for an over head cleave only to have his legs knocked at from under him. He rolled to his feet and had his sword up, ready for the incoming strike except it never came. Cizrai had moved back, trying to lure Ryu to chase her. He knew the coliseum well enough to know that if he tried to chase her, something bad would happen.
"What's the matter Ryu, afraid to chase after me?" Cizrai taunted from a safe forty feet away.
"Calling me afraid when you've already run away doesn't make much sense. I'm not stupid Cizrai, otherwise you might never had fallen in love." Ryu said, knowing full well that if he kept reminding her of their past she would do something rash. Even from this distance Ryu could feel Cizrai's hate wash over him. "A bit touchy eh?"
Cizrai charged from that distance. *She's pretty single minded about the kind of attacks she starts with.* Ryu thought as he prepared for her third assault. Ryu blocked the first strike easily enough but was unprepared for the drop kick that followed. Ryu was slammed against the wall for his lack of foresight and was pressed to defend from four quick strikes and knocked her back with a left hook. Ryu grabbed her spear and flung her into the wall, reversing their positions. "Remind you of anything Cizrai." Ryu taunted as she squirmed, trying to break free of the hold. Ryu was unprepared for what happened next, he had thought that the fight was in hand but he should have remembered Murnab's style better, he never let fights be one sided.
Ryu felt the ground under him begin to shake. He looked down only to find that he was no longer on the ground. He had been sent airborne by one of the many traps littered about the arena. His flight came to an abrupt close when he met the ground. The impact sent him sliding into the wall directly underneath the new construction. Ryu scrambled to his feet and rushed to get out from underneath the all too tempting trap. Ryu spotted Cizrai hurling her spear towards some spot along the wall. Ryu didn't realize the significance of that throw until a beam of searing light flashed before him, incinerating the supports holding the stones above him. The beam of light was still in front of him and prevented him from moving forward and now the supports above him were beginning to crumble.
Ryu rushed back towards the wall hoping it would prevent the brunt of the objects from falling on him. He was wrong. One of the larger support beams fell on top of Ryu knocking him to the ground. Ryu grunted in a Herculean effort to push the wooden support off of him but more weight was added to the beam as more and more stones began to tumble down upon him. His body couldn't take too much more of this, even with the new found strength his last near death experience had imparted. "Damn it all to hell." Ryu thought before he blacked out under the strain.
* * *
Cizrai stood looking at the ruin that had collapsed over Ryu. *Even he can't survive something like that.* She thought with pleasure, now she finally had her revenge upon that man. She was angered over Bo's interference however, she didn't like that fact that she had to rely upon the traps to beat him in the fight. Cizrai sighed and went over to grab her spear, her hand tightened on the shaft and she pulled it out of the switch. She tensed slightly as she heard the pile of stones and wood shift a little but settled down after a tense minute of bated breath.
Cizrai shrugged off her paranoia and began walking out of the arena. Bo was waiting on the other side of one of the gates with Nina unconscious over his shoulder. "C'mon, we need to get this to Murnab." Bo said, patting Nina on the small of her back. Cizrai nodded after shooting yet another glance back at the pile of rubble. "He's dead Cizrai. One hundred percent guaranteed dead." Bo answered her thoughts as he noticed her gaze.
"Yeah, I just wish you hadn't used the traps on him." Cizrai said with a mild bite. Bo shrugged in apathy and began walking down the hall. The slaves and guards which had rushed Ryu into the arena were back at their quarters now so the coliseum's halls were empty. The two walked in complete silence, both thinking about the coming ceremony. Just as they reached Murnab's floor the two stopped to notice the setting sun glare at them balefully.
"The ceremony's going to start soon, we better hurry." Bo advised as he shifted Nina. Cizrai shrugged as she continued to look out at the red sphere looking back at her. In the pervasive silence of the hall both their ears perked up as they caught the echoing strains of Ryu's song. Cizrai's eyes widened in terror. *How could he still be alive, he was buried alive Dammit!* Cizrai turned around towards the one door leading into this room and was able to discern the growing shadow of a man who possessed Ryu's physique. "Hold him off for five minutes and I can be back with help!" Bo shouted as he tore down the hallway with Nina towards Murnab's office.
Cizrai leveled her spear at the door, waiting for Ryu to come in. She didn't have to wait to long before Ryu came into sight. He looked surprisingly good for a man who had just been crushed buried under thousands of pounds of debris. He casually brushed off some dust from his left shoulder and flashed one of his patented smirks at her. "Good to see you again Cizrai." He greeted her jovially, belying his intent. Cizrai wasn't going to try charging him this time, she would try and feint, then spear him through the heart. Cizrai rushed forward but was caught off guard when he followed through not falling for her feint. He slammed his right fist into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her and causing her to drop her spear from the shear pain and surprise. She tried in vain to draw another breath but she was having difficulties getting her lungs to work. So far she could only open and close her mouth like a gagging fish.
Ryu's hand gripped her by the throat, his thumb placed upon a nerve causing her to be limp in his hands as he dragged her across the floor, his eyes upon the crimson sun. "Where's Nina?" Ryu asked, his voice still sinisterly companionable.
"You fucking piece of shit! Going after anything with a pulse!" Cizrai shot at him, her fangs no less venomous now that she was incapacitated.
"Come now, I'm a veritable connoisseur. Besides, you didn't seem to mind my antics last time." Ryu jibed back at her. Cizrai could almost laugh at this situation. Here she was trading insults with Ryu as he brought her up and dangled her off the ledge of the coliseum. "Well, they say cats always land on their feet. Better hope that Woren have the same quality." His grip loosened and Cizrai felt herself falling. The world slowed to a standstill. Memories flashed in front of her. Memories of when she first met Ryu, how nice things were. How they had worked together, and now, how he had killed her.
* * *
Ryu dusted his hands off in satisfaction and he turned around to face the corridor. Bo would be joining him shortly possibly with more troops but most likely alone. They both didn't give him enough credit. Ryu thought as he moved towards the door Bo would be coming through. He took up a position just at the side of the door, not visible but close enough to surprise Bo with an attack. Ryu didn't have long to wait before he heard the labored breathing of the large Plainsman. Ryu brought his right fist across his chest and slammed it with full force against Bo's chest just as soon as he entered the door.
The close-line forced Bo into an awkward flip which he landed supinely on the floor. His compound bow had been dropped in his unexpected flight and Ryu picked it up. Ryu snapped the finely crafted weapon and wrapped the string around each hand leaving about two feet of taut string between them. Bo got to his feet shakily and pulled out a pair of long knives he had kept in his boots. Ryu ducked under the clumsy swipes and head-butted the Plainsman into a daze. Ryu quickly spun around the teetering Bo created a loop with his makeshift garrote and looping it over his head. Ryu jerked suddenly and tightened the weapon around Bo's neck causing his to buckle under the pain. Ryu planted his foot on the Plainsman's back and pushed forward, forcing and even greater strain upon Bo. With a final, futile attempt to break free he collapsed and the dead weight sagged forward in Ryu's arms. "How ironic, killed with his precious bow string. I remember when you first got this bow, Bo," Ryu laughed slightly at the repetition of sounds. "You treated it like a child and that child grew up to kill ya. What are the odds?"
Ryu dropped the corpse and went through the door and into the adjoining hall. It was devoid of activity and Ryu quickly hurried towards Murnab's office. Once he came in sight of the door he noticed Murnab's personal bodyguard holding his position right in front of the door. Ryu smirked at the drone as he approached the door. The bodyguard was a burly individual resplendent in a gleaming steel breastplate with a sword hilt poking over his left shoulder. The bodyguard looked ready to draw his sword but Ryu's left hook said otherwise. The large man was sent reeling and he was knocked flat on his back by the obligatory right hook that followed. Ryu turned the man over with his boot and pulled the sword free of its scabbard, feeling that he'd need it soon.
The man stirred a bit and climbed unsteadily to his feet, using the wall as a support. "It'd be a good idea for you to leave, things are going to get ugly." Ryu said as he hoisted the man to his feet and dusted him off slightly.
"You're really just going to let me leave?" He asked, flabbergasted at the good news.
"No." Ryu swiftly beheaded the man before his facial expression could change so his head rolled about the floor, joyful surprise in its features. Ryu pivoted on his heel and opened the door, finding Murnab leaning back into his chair, a small smile playing on his lips as he swirled a cup of blood red wine. "Where's Nina?" Ryu asked, his voice going cold.
Murnab twirled his wine glass around and watched entranced as the liquid swirled about in its own, mysterious dance. Ryu moved forward impatient at the man and cleaved through the desk before him in a one- handed chop. The desk splintered underneath the blow and still the man watched his glass. "Where's Nina?"
"Come now Ryu, we can't have you breaking apart my office." Murnab scolded, his voice soft as he continued his admiration of his glass. Ryu picked the man up by his collar and slammed him into the bookshelf behind him, knocking several volumes down onto the ground. Murnab chuckled in the face of the Ryu as his glass shattered into pieces and the wine pooled on the ground.
"Where's Nina?" Ryu asked a third time, his fist tightening on his sword. Murnab laughed even louder now and snapped his fingers once he regained his composure. One of the bookshelves opened up revealing another room from which a black cloaked man stepped through. Ryu dropped Murnab as he turned to face his new adversary. The cloaked man removed his hood and Ryu was confronted by an almost mirror image. The blue hair adorning the new man's head was brought back in a ponytail and the goatee was absent from his chin. The man was more lithesome than Ryu as well and was dressed in simple leather armor.
"Good evening Ryu." The mystery man greeted Ryu almost casually, his voice rivaling Ryu's own coolness.
"Fuck you Ryudo." Ryu replied, turning full front to face his next challenge. His mind reeled as his face remained emotionless, the man standing before him was his twin brother. Ryu's mind raced as he saw encounters, old episodes of his life with him and his brother always in combat with each other, both striving for superiority against the other. "Guess it's time for round thirty-seven." Ryu said, preparing himself for an attack.
Ryudo smirked as he pulled out his sword, a katana. *Always loved his shit weapons.* Ryu thought as he scoffed at the weapon of choice. Ryudo wasted no time in pressing the attack, thrusting in rapid succession. The first thrust must have been designed to draw his attack up because the second blow went lighting fast towards the stomach. Ryu spun around the blow and his sword hilt into his brother's spine knocking him forward. Ryu charged after stumbling Ryudo but he recovered quicker than expected and lashed out with his sword which was caught by Ryu's blade. The two faced each other trying to force the other back. Ryu proved the stronger and forced the other back and slashed twice with his sword each stroke being confounded by Ryudo's parries.
Ryudo replied with a fast kick into Ryu's stomach sending him back slightly leaving the other open to press the attack. Ryu blocked the series of attacks but was knocked to the ground by a surprise leg sweep. Ryu grabbed his brother's cloak as he was falling and flipped the other over and into the secret room. Ryudo rolled to his feet but not before Ryu had gotten to his and kicked his brother straight in the face, crunching bone underneath him. Ryu stopped his assault surprised at his good fortune, he had finished off his brother in record time. "I always knew that you were weak." Ryu said walking over to his unconscious brother, blood had pooled around the head though Ryu couldn't see any visible wounds. Ryudo used this moment to strike and launched three shurikens with his left hand which promptly embedded themselves within Ryu's stomach.
Ryudo rolled to his feet and tried to eviscerate Ryu but his sword was blocked single handedly. Ryu plucked the three projectiles out of his stomach and tossed them casually over his shoulder and backhanded Ryudo with the same fist. Ryu pressed his attack bringing his sword about ambidextrously, pressing from both the right and left, trying to offset his brother. Ryudo preformed admirably though and blocked every attack and managed to pull of several of his own during the melee. Ryu thrust forward too strongly and Ryudo slipped out from his defensive mode and hamstrung Ryu causing him to fall forward and rely upon his sword for support. Ryudo brought back his sword for the coup de grace but it never came. Ryudo was distracted by something hitting his back. Ryu glanced over and saw Nina stumbling about, apparently she had been drugged and was now struggling in vain to lash out at her assailants. This diversion had given Ryu the time necessary to heal his wounds and counterattack. Ryu rose to his feet but Ryudo noticed him and launched another series of swipes to try and cut Ryu down to size.
Ryu always left one of his hands open to give him some shifting ability but he used it to grapple Ryudo when the opportunity presented itself. Ryu gripped his brother by his coat collar after and unsuccessful lunge and hurled him forward through the wooden screen door and into the construction beyond. Ryu chased after the rolling body and slashed at an oblique angle, cutting through Ryudo's armor and into his flesh. The injured warrior spun to his feet hacking through one of the support beams with his sword. Ryu ran forward and tackled his brother forcing them both into a roll forwards to avoid the destruction. "I've already been crushed once today." Ryu said, punctuating his explanation with his fist. Ryudo nose cracked under the force and bent into an unnatural state.
Ryu got off his dazed brother and hoisted him up before hurling him into the wall and watched him slide down. Ryu hustled over to grab his fallen and sword and to reface his enemy. Ryudo had already risen to his feet and was cracking his nose back into place. "Poor pathetic Ryu, anything you do to me will only make me stronger." Ryudo admonished him clucking his tongue in disappointment.
"Shut the fuck up and fight!" Ryu retorted, charging his foe. Ryu's sword was blocked yet again, this time it was Ryudo forcing the other forward nearly knocking Ryu off the construction platform. Ryudo ran towards Ryu and leaped up into the air planting both feet against his brother and shoving off in a magnificent flip before landing on a higher tier. Ryu however was pushed off the platform and sent into a free fall before caught himself on one of the beams. Ryudo glanced down at him before turning his back and moving towards Murnab's room. *Dammit, this was just a diversion from what they're doing to Nina!* Ryu realized as he hung on for his life. Ryu pulled himself up and started to leap from platform to platform, getting higher and higher.
Ryu reached the final tier to find that his hypothesis had been wrong. Ryudo was waiting for him to be foolish enough to jump up heads first onto the platform. Ryudo prepared to cleaver through the platform and Ryu's skull as he pulled his katana back prepared for the strike. Ryu dodged let go with one of his hands and let the sword go by without his blood staining it. Ryu pulled himself up and brought his sword hilt crashing into his brother's jaw before finishing him off with the backswing.
Ryudo fell to the ground, a large rent in his face robbing him of his familiar looking features. He stirred slightly as the blood began to pool around him Ryu smiled as he was ready to rid the world and his life of Ryudo. "Parting is such sweet sorrow my brother." Ryu said as he prepared his sword to transfix Ryudo to the spot. His coup de grate was interrupted however by some of Murnab's shenanigans. A beam of darkness erupted from the ground just as the blood red sun had sunk below the skyline, further darkening the area. Ryudo's body began to rise as the magical force wreaked havoc upon his body.
Just as soon as the beam appeared it disappeared and in its place stood a newly forged Ryudo. He was not, however the Ryudo that entered the beam but a different being with the build of Ryudo but the coloring of Murnab. No longer did green eyes shine from beneath a strong brow but black, soulless orbs resided there. The once streaming blue hair was a crimson red flowing in the breeze. Ryu prepared his sword and rushed this mockery of life only to have it burst into a cloud of darkness and drift away upon the zephyr winds.
Ryu fell to his knees in exhaustion as the night spread its comfortless blanket it over him.
* * *
There we have it. I finished this up at three in the morning so it might have a few problems and might seem a bit rushed. Sorry, I just had to finish it while the iron was hot. Thanks for all those who reviewed the last chapter and I hope a great many more will review this one.
Fact of the Chapter: Did you know that Tuesday, is given to us by the Netherlandian God of War Tiw. Simply astonishing.