CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE ACADEMY’S COUNTEROFFENSIVE PART I: HEART MEETS HATE

The three boys were now in Kolmnid Forest. As they headed towards the Farms, they gradually became aware of another presence watching them.

"So you came Ryu" a sinister voice suddenly said.

The three boys put up their guard.

"Show yourself!" Ryu who was in the lead said.

He had spread his arms defensively in front of the other two to motion to them not to tread any further. As the boys searched their surroundings for the one who had spoken, they noticed a figure beyond the light, cloaked in the shadows. Part of its lower body was exposed by the Light but its upper body and face were concealed.

"Or should I call you as you are truly named…my ancient archnemesis?" the voice said.

"Reis, Zan, leave the forest immediately. Wait for me in your classes" Ryu said.

"What are you saying? You're a student too" Zan said with an amused laugh.

"Yeah, but I need you two prefects to watch over the students entrusted to you" Ryu said.

"Is he that dangerous?" Reis asked.

"You cannot sense it because a lot of his power has been suppressed by the Academy itself" Ryu said.

"You speak of the Academy as though…it is alive" Zan said.

"It is" Ryu said.

"Whoa! Seriously?! And how do you know all this Ryu?" the others questioned him.

"Like I was saying, a lot of his power has been suppressed by the Academy…and he seems to be concealing the rest of it" Ryu said.

"He flatly ignores us" the others said with weird expressions on their faces.

"He's the darkness of my homeworld" Ryu suddenly said.

The others were in shock. They suddenly realized in just how much danger they were in. They hadn't even sensed a fraction of the power of the being concealed in the shadows.

"If he's here, the others that attacked the Farms will most likely be pulling other moves elsewhere in the Academy" Ryu said.

Reis and Zan nodded. They finally understood why Ryu needed them to oversee the others.

"You still have a lot to explain Ryu" Zan said.

"Sure thing, but I'm sure you'll understand everything in time by yourselves. Just piece together everything you've learnt so far…the fragments and be true to your own unique experiences" Ryu said.

The others nodded and left. When they were no longer in sight, Ryu sighed and raised his eyes to face his adversary. He had a look of indignation in his eyes.

"WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO TRISTRAN?!" Ryu roared and as he did so his features slowly changed.

His skin darkened slightly, his hair turned golden and sacred lines of identity appeared on his face.

"You should know by now Ryuujinn that I have been almost anywhere and everywhere. You seem rather curious of my intentions. Don't you think it would have been wiser to send your students away after you and they had learnt of my plans?" Tristran, the darkness of Ryu's homeworld said.

And there they stood, two titans of Creation and Destruction, staring each other down.