Fight To The Death

"Oi, Oi, Oi? What have we got here?" 

Ryu turned his head to see Freed from the anime. He looked crueler in real life.

Seeing Freed, Asia held onto Ryu's hand tighter. He felt the warmth of her hand as she shivered slightly.

Originally, Ryu planned to let Asia get kidnapped, then save her. 

But now, he didn't want such a thing to happen. Why did he have to follow the plot of the anime??

Was he supposed to just let her go just like that? He gritted his teeth and held onto Asia's hand a little bit tighter.

Freed's sadistic smile widened as he leaned closer, his sword glinting ominously in the fading light. "You have a Devil's Scent on you? Who are you?" he taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

Ryu took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He could feel his heart racing, the urgency of the situation pressing down on him. 

"I'm just a regular guy," he said, trying to sound calm even as adrenaline surged through him. "But if you think you can take her, you're mistaken."

Freed chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, is that so? You think you can stop me?" He took a step forward, the sword now raised, ready to strike.

Ryu shifted slightly, positioning himself protectively in front of Asia. "I won't let you hurt her," he declared, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.

Asia squeezed his hand, her eyes wide with worry. "Ryu, be careful!"

He glanced back at her, giving her a reassuring nod. "Stay behind me," he whispered, determination filling him. 

He wasn't going to follow the script; he was going to fight for her, no matter the cost.

Freed laughed, a cold, cruel sound that echoed in the dimming light. "How charming! But you really should know your place, little devil"

With a sudden movement, Freed lunged forward, and Ryu felt his instincts kick in. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blade as it sliced through the air.

"Run, Asia!" he shouted, adrenaline pumping. "Get to safety!"

Asia, however, didn't move.

Asia gritted her teeth, knowing that although she didn't want Ryu to fight him, it looked as if he was more determined than anything to save her.

That made her heart warm, but she was afraid of what would happen to Ryu.

After all, he was her very first friend. 

"Don't worry. Believe in me, Asia. I won't let him take you," he vowed, stepping forward to confront Freed. 

Asia moved to the side. The stakes were higher than anticipated, and he had no intention of losing Asia without a fight.

Freed lunged at Ryu, his sword glinting dangerously in the dimming light, the air thick with tension. 

Ryu's heart raced as he quickly sidestepped, feeling the rush of wind from the blade just inches from his side. He had to think fast.

Freed laughed, a cruel sound that sent chills down Ryu's spine. "You think you can protect her? How quaint!" 

He raised his gun, the metal gleaming ominously. "Let's see how brave you really are, little devil!"

Before Ryu could react, Freed fired a shot. Instinctively, Ryu ducked, the bullet whizzing overhead and striking a nearby tree with a sharp crack. Splinters flew into the air, and Ryu's heart pounded louder.

"Focus!" he reminded himself, adrenaline flooding his system. He glanced back at Asia, who stood frozen, fear evident in her eyes. 

Freed smirked, clearly enjoying the chaos. "You're faster than I expected," he taunted, his eyes gleaming with sadism. 

"But can you keep up?" He lunged forward, swinging his sword in a wide arc.

Ryu drew his own sword, meeting Freed's blade with a loud clang that echoed in the air. 

The impact sent shockwaves through his arms, but he pushed back with all his strength. 

Freed's laughter filled the space between them, taunting and mocking.

"Not bad, but you're still outmatched!" Freed sneered, pushing Ryu back with a powerful thrust. 

Ryu stumbled but quickly regained his footing, his determination burning bright. 

Freed fired again, and Ryu ducked, the bullet narrowly missing him.

Seizing the moment, Ryu charged forward, using the momentum to swing his sword at Freed's midsection. 

Freed barely managed to block, their weapons locked in a fierce struggle. 

With a sudden twist of his wrist, Freed disengaged, spinning away just as Ryu's blade slashed through the air where he had stood moments before. 

Freed circled like a predator, assessing Ryu's stance, looking for weaknesses.

"Your form is solid, but you're predictable," Freed taunted, his voice dripping with condescension. "Let me show you how a true warrior fights!"

Before Ryu could react, Freed lunged again, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. 

Ryu barely managed to bring his blade up in time, the force of the blow rattling his bones. He stumbled backward, breathing heavily as he struggled to regain his balance.

"Don't let him get to you!" Asia shouted, her voice breaking through the haze of adrenaline. She took a cautious step forward, her eyes locked on Freed with a mix of defiance and fear.

Ryu shot her a quick glance, the fire of determination igniting in his chest. "Stay back! I can handle this!" he shouted, his voice steadier than he felt.

Freed let out a derisive laugh, his amusement palpable. "Look at you, trying to protect her. It's adorable, really. But your little love story ends here!" He rushed forward again, sword raised high.

Ryu's heart raced. He could feel the pressure building; the world around him blurred, leaving only him and Freed in sharp focus.

Channeling every ounce of his will, he took a deep breath, steadying his stance. 

As Freed came within range, Ryu pivoted, ducking low and slashing upward in a fluid motion, aiming for Freed's exposed flank.

The blade met flesh, a satisfying grunt escaping Freed's lips as he staggered back, clutching his side. "You bastard!" he hissed, rage etching deep lines on his face.

Ryu seized the moment, closing the distance, ready to press the attack. But Freed, his eyes burning with fury, grinned through the pain. "You think you can win? You're just getting started!"

With a flick of his wrist, Freed summoned a burst of energy, the air crackling around him. Ryu felt the force push him back, forcing him to regain his footing. Freed, now shimmering with a dark aura, seemed even more dangerous.

"I'll show you my true power!" Freed shouted, raising his sword high, the blade glowing ominously.

Ryu felt a chill run down his spine as he prepared to face this new threat. "I won't back down!" he declared, rallying every ounce of strength within him.

As Freed regained his footing, Ryu felt a surge of desperation. 

The dark aura surrounding Freed flickered like a storm, threatening to engulf him. 

In that moment of uncertainty, Ryu closed his eyes and focused. His eyes turned red.

Sharingan!

When he opened his eyes again, the world around him sharpened. Every movement became clearer, every intention more transparent. 

Freed lunged forward, aiming for Ryu's chest, but with the heightened perception of the Sharingan, Ryu could see the attack unfolding in slow motion.

He sidestepped effortlessly, evading Freed's thrust, then countered with a swift, precise strike aimed at Freed's exposed flank. 

Freed barely had time to react as Ryu's blade slashed through the air, but he managed to twist away just in time, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Impossible!" Freed shouted, panting. "You can't be this fast!"

Ryu smirked, his confidence surging. "I'm just getting started."

With each step, Ryu felt the power of the Sharingan coursing through him, amplifying his instincts. 

Freed charged again, but Ryu anticipated the move, ducking under Freed's sword and spinning into a powerful kick that landed squarely in Freed's side, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Freed grunted, scrambling back to his feet, but Ryu pressed on, the Sharingan guiding his every movement. 

Freed swung wildly, desperation evident in his strikes, but Ryu danced around the blows, his body moving with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly.

"Let me show you my true power!" Ryu shouted, channeling his energy. 

He focused on Freed, his eyes locking onto him, and unleashed the full strength of the Sharingan. 

Ryu struck his sword fiercely, cutting Freed right in the stomach. 

"No! This can't be!" Freed screamed

With a powerful thrust, Ryu plunged his sword into the ground before Freed.

The ground erupted with energy, a shockwave radiating outward, dispelling the illusion and breaking Freed's focus. The dark aura around him flickered, leaving him vulnerable.

Ryu seized the moment, locking eyes with Freed. "You've lost, Freed. It's time to end this."

Ryu struck once more as Freed collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily, his defiance extinguished. 

Ryu lowered his sword, his Sharingan fading back to normal, a weight lifting from his shoulders.

She scanned his face, searching for any signs of injury, the adrenaline from the battle still coursing through her. "Are you okay? You looked so intense back there. I was worried you might"

"I'm fine," Ryu smiled, interrupted, attempting to reassure her, though he could feel the exhaustion creeping into his limbs. 

He glanced back at Freed, who was still kneeling on the ground, a shadow of his former self. "I just had to tap into everything I had. It was risky."

Asia shook her head, worry etched across her features. "You can't just put yourself in danger like that! I know you're strong, but—"

"Listen, Asia," Ryu said, his voice softening as he met her gaze. "I couldn't let him win. Not after everything he's done." He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. 

"But I appreciate your concern. It means a lot."

She stepped closer, the weight of their ordeal settling between them. "I just don't want to lose you. You mean so much to me. I can't help but worry."

Ryu felt a warmth blossom in his chest at her words. "I promise, I won't do anything reckless. Not without you by my side." He gave her a small smile, though the tension in his body still lingered.

"You Bastard! You think you'll do fine! I remember you! We have your traitor, Raynare!" Without a second thought, Ryu cut Freed's neck before covering Asia's eyes. 

"Sorry Asia, I'll have to go somewhere right now. I have something else to worry about"

"But-!"

Ryu placed his finger on her soft lips, interrupting her and shaking his head. 

Asia put her head down. 

"Then promise me, you'll be safe. And that I'll heal you when you come back."

"I will" Ryu then patted her head. "I won't ever break a promise from a friend"

Asia blushed as a smile appeared on her face. This was her first friend. 

She didn't know why, but for some reason, her heart was beating extremely fast.