Chapter 3: The Demon Awakens

The atmosphere of the battlefield was cold and dark as Ryu's dark ki continued to swirl around his body. Kenshiro stood still in his stance, as did Ryu. Both fighters were waiting for their opponent to make the first move. The air become thick as their respective battle ki swirled around them. Suddenly in flash, Ryu was directly in front of Kenshiro. This caught Kenshiro off guard as he received a powerful punch to the chest. The force of the punch was enough to send Kenshiro flying back, blood gushing from his mouth. As Kenshiro flew back, Ryu appeared behind him, waiting for Kenshiro's arrival. Just as Kenshiro got near, Ryu gave a powerful side kick to Kenshiro's back, sendng him flying a significant distance before landing on the ground. Kenshiro was not given enough time to stand up before Ryu responded with an axe kick, planting Kenshiro back on the ground. The sight of Kenshiro's blood gushing out from his injuries forced a sinister smile on Ryu's face. Kenshiro tried to get up but Ryu had other plans. He grabbed onto Kenshiro and threw him into the air. As Kenshiro flew into the air, Ryu began to charge another energy ball but this time the energy ball gave a purple hue, signifying the dark ki's corruption. Kenshiro was fully aware for what was gonna happen.

The purple energy ball continued to glow brighter and expand. The power within this energy ball was so great that the sand at Ryu's feet was being sucked up into the energy ball. Finally with an evil glint in his eye, Ryu launched the large purple energy ball towards Kenshiro.

" METSU HADOUKEN!" Ryu yelled.

The purple energy ball whizzed quickly to Kenshiro. Kenshiro once again pushed his arms towards the purple energy ball.

" TENSHO HONRETSU!" yelled Kenshiro, as the familiar energy blast excaped from his hand.

The energy blast collided with the purple energy ball but the purple energy ball continued through. Surprised, Kenshiro could only defend himself fom the imminent impact. As the purple energy ball hit Kenshiro, he was engulfed by the purple light. Kenshiro, weakened by the blast, fell to the ground resulting in a dust cloud forming. Ryu was clearly happy about seeing Kenshiro's fall as he rushed towards the site of Kenshiro's fall. Through the dust clouds he could see a figure on the ground. Thinking he had won, Ryu pounced on the figure, only to realise he had pounced on Kenshiro's charred leather jacket. Shocked and surprised, Ryu did not realise that the dust cloud had cleared and that Kenshiro was standing behind him. As Ryu finally realised Kenshiro's presence he tried to attack but Kenshiro was faster. He struck Ryu's chest, at the same time, striking his pressure point. Ryu could feels his entire body being immobilised and he tried in vain to counter the effects. Wih his entire body immobilised, Ryu became more violent. Anger and rage filled his already glowing red eyes. Kenshiro walked up to Ryu, Ryu struggling the entire time, until they were face to face.

" I struck your Shintachu pressure point." said Kenshiro, " You will be immobilised until I say so."

Ryu growled with spite and hate. Knowing that Kenshiro could do anything to him made his blood boil with rage.

" Now, I will bring back the compassionate eyes that you showed me." exclaimed Kenshiro as his hands reached for Ryu's head.

Ryu struggled to avoid Kenshiro's hands but to no avail. As Kenshiro felt his hands on Ryu's head, he exhaled.

" HOKUTO SENKI RAIDAN!" yelled Kenshiro as light shined from his fingers.

Ryu screamed in agony as his entire body was filled with unimaginable pain. He struggled to move, to stop Kenshiro from performing his technique. However, the pain was too much to bear and as he continued screaming, Ryu's glowing red eyes became dimmer until Kenshiro could see Ryu's pupils. He lifted his hands from Ryu's head. Weakened by the attack, Ryu's head drooped onto his chest from exhaustion. Kenshiro, clearly exhausted, dropped to the ground panting. Soon Ryu looked up, his eyes back to their normal colour.

" What happened?" asked a clearly confused Ryu.

" You were overcomed by dark ki." explained Kenshiro, " You were trying to kill me."

Ryu face turned pale. His face showed that he was in shock.

" I had to use the Hokuto Senki Raidan technique to bring you back." exclaimed Kenshiro.

As he said those words, Kenshiro was surprised to see tears rolling down from Ryu's eyes. The look on Ryu's face showed great sadness and suffering.

" After all these years." cried Ryu, " I thought I had gotten rid of the Satsui no Hadou, yet it returns!"

More tears rolled from Ryu's eyes. His body, though immobile, shook furiously.

" I promised myself to never use it again. Never to hurt anyone anymore" Ryu continued, " And yet, I have."

Ryu's eyes turned to Kenshiro.

" Kill me." he requested.

Kenshiro was taken aback.

" Kill me before I become that monster again." replied Ryu, " Kill me before I hurt more people!"

" Ryu." exclaimed Kenshiro.

" Please Kenshiro." pleaded Ryu, " I beg you. Kill me!"

Kenshiro walked towards the immobile Ryu. Raising his fist, he looked at Ryu.

" Before I die," exclaimed Ryu, " I'd like to thank you for allowing me to spar with you."

Kenshiro became hesitant and his fist stood motionless. After a while, he raised his fist and struck Ryu on his chest. Ryu fell to the ground, seemingly dead. Kenshiro stayed for a moment.

" Why?" asked Ryu, as he felt his body was able to move again, " Why did you spare me?"

" Because," answered Kenshiro, " A man who is able to give his life away in order to stop himself from becoming the monster who will hurt more people is not a monster."

" I..." stammered Ryu

" You remind me of my friend, Ryuuga." exclaimed Kenshiro, " He too gave his life to prevent himself from turning into a monster."

Kenshiro offered his hand towards Ryu. At first, Ryu refuse to accept Kenshiro's hand but looking at Kenshiro's face, which was filled with compassion and hope, he realized he could change. With a tear in his eye and a smile on his face, Ryu placed his hand on Kenshiro's hand. Kenshiro pulled him up and slinged Ryu's arm across his shoulder.

" Come." said Kenshiro, " Let us go back to the village and treat our injuries."

The two fighters carried themselves and walked slowly back to the Yellow Village. Halfway to the Yellow Village, Ryu talked about how he came to study Ansatsuken from his foster father Gouken and how he would train with his best friend Ken. Kenshiro listened intently as he carried Ryu back to the Yellow Village.

" You know." Ryu exclaimed, " Was it fate that my best friend and my sparring partner happens to share the same name with the man whom I would call my greatest rival and my Saviour? "

Kenshiro remained silent.

" Do not worry." said Ryu, " Your silence answered..."

Ryu face turned into shock and so did Kenshiro's as they beheld the sight that saw. The Yellow village which was once brimming with crops and people was now wrecked and destroyed.

" Kenshiro." Ryu started

" I know." Kenshiro answered as they both rushed to the village.

The enormous gates that once protected the village now had a large gaping hole in them. Kenshiro and Ryu entered the village and was welcomed by the atmosphere of dread and sadness. The villagers were trying to build back the now damaged huts. A few dead bodies were strewn on the ground. Somewhere, a child was crying for his dead mother.

" Who could have done this?!" asked Ryu.

Kenshiro looked around. He immediately recognised the guard that was in charge of the elder's protection aiding the villagers.

" You!" Kenshiro asked, " Where is Elder Ougi?"

" He's in the healer's hut, sir!" responded the guard, " I'll take you there."

With Ryu on his shoulders, Kenshiro followed the guard to the healer's hut. As they entered, both fighters were shocked to see Ougi in the bed with bloodstains on his robe. Ryu got off Kenshiro's shoulders and dashed towards Ougi's side

" Ougi!" yelled Ryu, as he carried Ougi in his arms," What happened to the village?"

" Attacked." stammered Ougi, " Very strong... Couldn't hold him back."

" Who was it, Ougi?" asked Ryu.

" Man with red hair." stammered Ougi, " Prayer beads."

After the last statement, Ougi took his last breath and died in Ryu's arms. Ryu began to cry as Kenshiro watched on, sadness in his eyes.

Suddenly Ryu's eyes filled with rage. His body shook with anger as he held Ougi's lifeless body.

" It's him." Ryu exclaimed sternly, " He's here!"

Kenshiro looked at Ryu with a puzzled look.

" Gouki!" exclaimed Ryu.