Chaos Begins I

Previous Scene [ you can skip]

Ryo changed direction, heading towards the lake. His super speed created a vortex of air around him, allowing him to run on water without sinking. He stood on the lake, ready.

The shadow walked on the water surprising Ryo. "Very funny. You think you'll have the upper hand fighting me on the lake?" he said, smiling evilly. Do you want to know a secret.

Ryo raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" he

asked.

"I'm contracted with an S-rank speed

demon; the shadow replied

__________**

What? An S-rank Demon?" Ryo was taken aback by the revelation. Fear gripped his heart, but he clenched his fists, refusing to let his legs tremble. "That explains why he has two different powers. The shadow and speed... Dammit, I never thought of that. What about your power rank?" Ryo asked, his voice wavering.

"I am an S-rank Shadow," the figure replied, continuing to advance.

"What the hell?" Ryo blurted out, unable to control his fear any longer. "That means he's capable of matching an S-rank Pro Guardian... so he—he—he's an SX-rank Sinner." The thought pushed him back.

"Surrender or fight?" the sinner asked, his smile evil.

"Tch, I'd rather die than surrender to you," Ryo said confidently, though his consciousness was screaming in terror.

The Shadow laughed, a sound that sent chills down Ryo's spine. "That's more like it," he said, closing his eyes and making continuous hand signs. Ryo stood silently, confused and tense. "What the hell is he doing?"

Finally, the Shadow went quiet and whispered, "From the foundations of heaven and earth, I summon my inner demon. Mesceus unleashed!" A deep, dark aura began to envelop his body, much larger than before. The shadow screamed in pain, clutching his head.

"What's going on? Should I run?" Ryo stepped back, assuming a defensive stance.

"Now it finally begins," the Shadow said, his voice deeper. "It seems he's transformed into his demon form," Ryo thought. "How the hell will I fight this monster?" His legs began to tremble.

The demon's eyes were now pure red. He had grown taller and a right horn had sprouted from his head. Darkness swirled around him. "So, do you still want to fight?" the Shadow asked.

"If I fight him, there's a billion percent chance that I'll die, and even the teachers here can't stop him. What the heck should I do? I can't surrender now. He's definitely going to win." Ryo's thoughts spiraled. "Dammit, listen to myself. I sound like a coward. My dream is to surpass my brother, and now I can't face a sinner? What the hell am I thinking? Guardians don't care whether their opponents are stronger; they fight bravely, and if they die, they die with honor."

Ryo forced out a fake laugh, masking his fear. Clenching his fists, his eyes hardened with determination. "You think your little demon power will scare me? Fuck that. You are worthless to me."

"What?" The shadow demon took Ryo's words like poison. "Worthless? We'll see about that." In a blink, the demon moved faster than Ryo's eyes could track.

"Fuck!" Ryo was slammed down to the lake but managed to stay afloat. He held his bleeding head and stood up. "What the hell? He's faster than before. My instincts can't even track him." Despite the fear gnawing at him, Ryo stood confidently, not wanting to show his fear. "Is that all you've got, shadow demon? Huh? Come on."

"Trying to hide your fear and brag won't take long for you to beg me," the shadow taunted.

"What?! Talk louder. What are you saying? I can't hear you!" Ryo yelled, even as his instincts screamed at him in terror.

"Well, you called for it," the shadow replied.

Ryo knew what would come next. His common sense told him more than his instincts this time. He ran at his full speed limit, the movement sounding like a grenade explosion as water followed his path. "Not so bad. He's a good choice," the shadow mused, dashing forward with a sound like a bomb exploding, splashing the lake into the forest as he chased Ryo.

"Why the hell am I running? I need to stop and fight him," Ryo thought. His conscience yelled, "Is being this dumb your full-time job, or are you just naturally gifted?"

"Shit, he's heading towards me," Ryo spotted the shadow moving at an insane speed, dodging every tree.

"Playtime is over," the shadow said to himself, moving with such speed that his movement echoed through the forest. "[Shadow Fist]." A red aura enveloped his hand as he closed the gap, the air force of the punch uprooting trees and pushing Ryo back.

The forest cleared out. Ryo's back leaned on a rock, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. His head was bleeding, his clothes torn, revealing his upper body covered in red slicing scars and a deep wound on his ribs. "What the fuck? Am I going to die?" He saw the shadow walking towards him slowly. "I need a fucking miracle."

"Ryo!!!" He heard his name shouted from the right side of the forest. "Wait, is that Olivia's voice? What the hell is she doing here? She'll get killed." Tears streamed down his face, not wanting his classmate to share his fate. "Olivia!!" he shouted, "Run for your life! Run!"

Olivia stopped, her thoughts racing. "No way. I'm not going to leave you. You're hurt, you're dying!" she shouted, running towards Ryo.

"Goddamn you, I said stop! I don't need your help!" Ryo shouted, tears streaming down his face harder. "Just leave!" Olivia stood there, confused. "Just go! Run as fast as you can to the others and tell them we've been attacked by sinners!" Olivia kept advancing. "No, but I can't leave you here," she said.

"Just run and tell them, or we'll all die. Please, I'm begging you." Olivia stood there, her fists clenched. "Please don't die," she said, running back. "Goodbye, Olivia," Ryo muttered, turning back to the shadow who was now close. "I see another student running from fear."

"Screw you, moron," Ryo spat the words.