Demonic Hollow: Mask of Courage - Season Two: Behind The War

Episode Eleven - Togetherness

"Young Ryu, your mind is plauged with thoughts of doubt and responsibility," The Traitor Angel says as he watches over Ryu. The demon grunts, "Oh yeah? Why's that?" The angel smiles calmly, "he plagues your mind...like a parasite that stifles your true potential." Ryu looks at his master, "who are you even talking about?"

"Luther."

Ryu's eyes widen, his face grows angry, "You take that back!" He stands, summoning his blade, "Luther is NOT a parasite! He blessed me with his legacy, I refuse to listen to this slander!" The angel nods, "as you can see..." He slowly raises his hand, pressing his index and thumb together. He snaps, Ryu's sword vanishes, and he drops to the ground - his energy was completely sapped by the angel.

He coughs, wheezing for air, "wh-what the hell did you do to me?!" The angel chuckles softly to himself, "I may be old, Young Ryu, but that is no defying trait to my power."

"Okay, Laurene, are you ready for this?" Ryu asks. His golden aura flows his hair, which had a familiar tint, much like Laurene's. She looks at him, nodding, "I like the new look by the way...very...unique." Ryu chuckles, "thanks...it took a while to get here."

Tsuzuki cracks his knuckles, "Are you two finished catching up?" Ryu looks over at the demon, "yeah..." He lunges forward as Laurene dashes to the side. Tsuzuki looks at two places at once, and his devious grin returns.

He, too, lunges forward, catching Ryu by surprise. He kicks his feet out from beneath him, and then he kicks him into the air. Laurene runs in, jumping at Tsuzuki. He casually raises a hand at the angel, firing a blast of air, stunning her. Just before Ryu lands onto the ground, Tsuzuki kicks the demon into the air once again with a mighty force.

Laurene's aura flares as she catches herself. She kicks off the ground and leaps into the air. She zips past Tsuzuki. He grabs her ankle, spinning her around before he throws her back to the ground.

"Watch where you're looking," Ryu says. Tsuzuki flips around, catching Ryu's fist. He throws his hand to the side and summons his magical blade. He slices down, a massive golden blast strikes the demon back to the ground. Laurene jumps back, avoiding the collision.

Ryu lands onto the ground beside Laurene. Tsuzuki stands, he yells, tentacles shoot from his body. "Ready!" Laurene shouts. Ryu ducks, putting his hands at the base of Laurene's feet. Beneath, golden energy forms, a boot of golden aura surrounds her. She dashes, her speed multiplied in a thousand fold.

Tsuzuki barely has time to react. He throws his hand up, tentacles form around him, acting as a shield. Laurene throws a golden punch at the tentacles. With her momentum, she easily pierces through. Tsuzuki's eyes widen as she falls through the darkness. She grins. Tsuzuki throws a punch to counter. Laurene evades. Ryu jumps through the darkness, his golden sword lunges forward and stabs through Tsuzuki's chest and his heart.

Laurene lands on the ground. She opens her eyes after seeing the aftermath. Ryu stands as Tsuzuki begins to stumble. Ryu's sword remains inside. Tsuzuki coughs up blood, and his vision blurs. Ryu's eyebrows fur. He sighs, "I'm sorry, this is how it has to end for you, Tsuzuki..."

He goes to pull his blade away, but Tsuzuki stops him by grabbing his wrist. Ryu looks at him. "That was a clever trick," he says as he slowly smiles. The darkness slowly begins to fade. His eyes go dull as his grip loosens. Ryu frowns, "... yeah, it was."

He slowly removes his blade from Tsuzuki's chest. He collapses to the ground, his body lifeless. Ryu sighs, wiping the blood off, "a well fought fight, Tsuzuki."

"TSUZUKI!!! GET UP!!!" Chūjitsu cries. She stumbles into the field. Ryu steps away. She holds him up, sobbing uncontrollably. "Hear me, Tsuzuki, please, please come back to me!" She shouts.