Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Chap. 41

Naples, Italy

"Wow. I can't believe I never came here."

Ryu nodded slightly to Sean as the two exited the boat and onto the dock. Reflecting Sean's tone, Ryu took in the serene atmosphere of the town. It had been some time since Ryu has traveled with another and he found he had mixed thoughts about the situation. On the one hand, Ryu was used to traveling alone, where he could dwell on his thoughts freely. But on the other hand, having company was so bad, especially one that would make for a good sparring partner. And with a young immortal visiting a new place, it was a pleasant thing to see.

"It's a beautiful place. I'm surprised Ken hasn't brought you here before." Ryu remarked as the two began to walk down the streets. "This is one of his favorite places. Although...now that I think about it, he has caused his fair share of trouble here.

Sean blinked at Ryu's light joke (not used to hearing him use humor) and then chuckled in afterthought. "Oh, I've got to hear this."

"Well, I remember..."

Ryu suddenly stopped, as did Sean and both for the same reason. An immortal was nearby. But while Sean was simply cautious, Ryu seemed to be trying to discover something. His eyes soon moved across the street and upon a pearl white building; his mind conveying a single thought.

'I... I recognize this ki.'

"Ryu-sensei?"

Ryu gave no reply to the younger immortal and began moving toward the building, almost as if he was being drawn to the structure. Sean followed, unsure about the situation, but willing to stay by his elder's side just in case. Coming toward the building, they both found the door already open and stairs leading upward. Ryu slowly made his way up with Sean in tow and upon reaching the top; they found a beautifully decorated room. Light curtains swayed above and an opening was present at the far edge, showing to top of the city. But their attention was focused on the person stationed in the midst of the place. Violet hair and a golden scarf flapped lightly in the open air as a beautiful woman slowly turned to the two; deep violet eyes in focus upon the Japanese immortal.

"Ryu... You're early."

"Rose."

Black elevator doors opened into a darkly illuminated hallway corridor. A single figure strode out of the elevator; marching down through the hallway purposefully. From around him, screams and howls rose up every several minutes, but the figure did not seem to mind. This place had been the home to many such screams in the past and would continue to be so as long as he saw fit. As far as he was concerned, their screaming fell upon deaf ears.

Along with the pain, terror, and torment that brought them about...

The malevolent figure continued on until he reached a particular chamber room. Entering in, he saw his minions at work, busing themselves upon their task. Just like the screams in the hall, he paid them little mind. His attention was only on the figure before him, floating in a liquid-filled glass capsule. His scientists had been working on this project for some time and so far, the prototype was developing well. Should it work, he would be able to add a savage new force to his militia.

"Guuagggg...!"

His eyes lifted slightly as the prototype struggled within the chamber. Apparently, there were still some 'kinks' in the system as the dark figure sensed pain and agony coming from the creature within. But it soon will pass. Soon, it will be nothing more than a mindless killing machine. Not like the dolls, who were efficient assassins, but a legion of mutated monsters that could wipe out any armed force, any territory, any town, any living soul that came up against it without hesitation, compassion and especially mercy.

"Status."

At his bellow, the lead scientist; a wrinkled elderly man, stepped toward him. "Ahead of schedule, my lord. The interior structure of the subjects' body has already taken to the electrolyte mutation and we are about to begin the exterior augmentations and mental programming now."

The dark lord seemed satisfied with this answer and turned away. "Keep me informed."

And with that, the malevolent figure left, entering back into the hall of desperate screams and unheard wails...

"Rose."

"Ryu?" Sean asked, leaving out the 'master' part in front of public. "Who is she?"

At this, Rose quietly closed her eyes and placed her arms behind her back. "I am simply a reader of destiny, young one. And it is one that your teacher will play a vital role in."

Ryu took a step forward. "What do you mean?""

"You play a great role in destiny, Ryu." Slowly he eyes opened. "But I sense that you are far from ready right now. To know for sure, you must face me, now."

Her hands moved away from her back, revealing a short silver sword in her grasp. On reflex, Ryu reached back to his duffel bag where his sheathed blade was stored. But he stopped midway and began to pull his hand back.

"I have no quarrel with you."

"This isn't a disagreement, Ryu." Her body soon began to ripple until there were two afterimages of her standing on opposite sides of her. "This is a test."

Nodding at this, Ryu reach back again and this time pulled out his sword. Hooking the sheath to the side, Ryu slowly drew to blade and held it forward in stance.

"Very well. I accept your challenge."

A still silence soon followed as the two immortals squared off. Sean backed away, making sure that he didn't interfere with the match. Ryu began analyzing Rose's stance in order to determine what her sword style may be. He only faced her once; it was a brief match and he ready didn't get much out of it. But he had a feeling that this time at least, he would be able to gauge her ability.

"Are you going to stand there and wait?"

Ryu narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you the challenger here?"

Rose lowered her head and let out a light chuckle. "Yes. Yes, of course."

Swwwiiiinnnggggg!

Ryu's eyes snapped wide as he defended against her sword strike. But his defense came on pure instinct. Her movement was so fast that his mind had barely any time to register it. Returning his mind to the fight itself, Ryu pushed back to give himself room. Rose was backed away, but it was as though she simply floated back. Deciding to take the offensive, Ryu whirled his sword and attacked overhead. Rose deflected the attack, but Ryu pressed on with several more attacks, all with great force and speed.

And she deflected them all with ease...

"Still fighting with your power, I see." she said after knocking away another one of his strikes. "You haven't learned much since our last encounter."

"What do you mean?" Sean asked; slightly annoyed that she was scolding Ryu.

Rose gave the younger immortal a brief glance. "If you live long enough, young one, you may understand my words. But for now, just be content to watch."

Ryu again narrowed his eyes, this time in frustration. Just like before, he hadn't gotten anything out of the exchange. She seemed to be much faster than he was, but in an unusual way. Shifting his feet, Ryu lowered his blade and brought it to the side, thus entering into a different stance. Rose simply looked at him, not changing her stance at all and simply waited.

"I'll come to you then."

With a quick dash, Ryu rushed at Rose and swung full force. Instead of deflecting it like before, Rose ducked out of the way and stepped off to the side. But Ryu followed up with a sharp kick to the side, which came close to hitting, but wound up hitting one of the afterimages beside her. The shadow vanished from view and Rose wheeled around to see.

"Mm..."

Again, Rose came at Ryu with unseen swiftness. But this time, Ryu ducked his head off to the side, with the sword just slicing off a hair or two from his head. Sean blinked at seeing the closeness of the attack, but Ryu remained as he was. Taking a stationary stance, Rose beckoned.

"That's it..."

As Ryu attacked again, one thing became clear to Sean. Despite the unusual circumstances of their meeting, Rose seemed to be treating him quite like a...student. 'She's teaching him...?' Sometimes it was hard for him to think about immortals that were older than his teachers and he rarely ever met any to begin with. But this was one right here, not looking a day over twenty-five.

Meanwhile, Ryu continued to attack Rose, moving at a faster pace than before. But despite that, Rose continued to parry, deflect, and evade his attacks. As she wheeled away from another of his attacks, he began to re-evaluate his situation. She seemed faster than he was at first, but it was more like she was predicting his moves. He didn't understand how, but then again, Rose was an enigma to him anyway. And even though he didn't strike her, he did manage to disperse one of her images, at which she commented to. He must have done something there differently, but he couldn't make out what.

"Fight with your soul..."

Ryu's eyes lifted at the voice in his mind. Her voice... What was she telling him? As mysterious as Rose was, her intention of preparing him for whatever destiny she claims he may have was clear. But what was she trying to tell him? What was she trying to teach him? Ryu shook his head. These thoughts were distracting him. He had to focus on the present; on the fight.

Assuming she can predict his moves, that meant that he would have to strike before she could react. Unlatching the hilt from his side, he sheathed his sword into it and held it to the side. Sean's eyes widened at this.

'That's a...battojutsu stance!'

Rose noted this as well, but she didn't react, nor had she changed her stance. Ryu stayed in wait, ready for her attack, whatever it may be. So it was a great surprise when she lowered her sword and put it away. Her afterimage beside her disappeared and she turned around, exposing her back to him. Ryu was unsure about her action, but he didn't drop his guard and held his stance for a bit longer. But the fight was over, as indicated by her next words.

"To grasp the light, sometimes one must face the darkness. Fight with your soul, Ryu and you will be able to change destiny."

Before Ryu could ask what she meant by this, a rush of wind came up, followed by a swarm of flower petals that obscured his vision. It was a brief moment, but when the petals cleared, Ryu found himself in an empty alleyway.

"How...?"

Turning around, he saw Sean behind him, with a bewildered look on his face. Ryu understood that much, since it confused him as well. But he wasn't as surprised, seeing as how he had gone through this before.

'Rose... Who are you...?'