A Demon's Tale

An immense crash from behind the wall flung several soldiers on the other side into the air. There wasn’t a single second to anticipate it. There wasn’t a moment to guess where the attack would come from or how many there would be. In a sense, there had only been just one attack against this mighty wall. However, that one strike was caused by two individuals. Two who focused on their fight alone and did not pay attention to those around them, causing the crash that transpired.

Drifting their feet along the ground, they looked on at their new surroundings. The angel was saddened that he had possibly injured his allies, even if the damage was likely not much to begin with. The shark-oni hybrid felt an incredible joy from this fight. He did not care for those around him but merely his foe, who had already changed in such a short amount of time. A week had passed since the two last fought, yet their battle was now much different. Not a single scar could be seen on either of their bodies, but they had certainly struck and countered each hit that was sent their way. Smiling as he held a knife with his mouth, the shark-oni spoke to the mighty angel.

Knife: [Not bad, angel boy! This is a whole lot better than last time! I haven’t stabbed you once and you’ve still got energy to spare! This really might be quite the battle to end your life on!]

Lifting himself off of his knees, Hidari Monjo calmly entered the new stance he had obtained. His two hands were close in distance, with one held in front facing Knife while the other was behind facing himself.

Hidari: [It might be difficult for you to understand, but I cannot fall yet. I need to prove myself worthy to the one I serve and pass on my knowledge to those who wish to serve under her.]

In his right hand, Knife has started to playfully spin the blade he held with the same smug grin as before.

Knife: [That so? Well then, guess you’ll just have to prove yourself here and now if you wanna survive!]

An unexpected move had occurred. One that Hidari could not have anticipated after the previous battle and the few minutes that transpired already. The knives in the shark-oni’s hands were thrown towards him like discs. Weaving to the right to avoid one and to the left for the other, Hidari gave a swift kick to the blade that passed to assure himself that it would not be grabbed whilst it spun. This, however, was not the play Knife had in mind in the slightest. The edged warrior had jumped towards Hidari and unleashed a cross slash at his chest. Raising his arms while moving back, the angel had successfully blocked the oncoming attack, albeit with some shallow wounds along his arms.

As soon as Knife’s left foot tapped the ground, he flipped through the air and landed behind Hidari, slicing towards him with a new pair of knives that he pulled out from his ripped coat. Once again, Hidari was caught off guard and attempted to block the oncoming attacks as he stepped back. This time, he was less successful as parts of his gi and the skin beneath it were cut. His arms received more cuts than before, and to the side of his waist, a much deeper slice was received. Though he grunted in pain from the injury, a heavy kick was given back to Knife that flung him back several feet.

Grabbing his side, Hidari endured the pain as best as he could. The cut wasn’t deep enough to kill, but it was certainly much greater than the injuries from before. The battle had started only a few minutes before, yet he already received such a wound. However, though he had felt a similar pain during their previous battle, a new thought entered Hidari’s mind. Before, he had ridiculed himself over his carelessness and wondered if he was worthy to serve under Shiro Fuloreen, one of the eight gods in the world. Now, his mind was much different. With his head casted down, a pleasant noise exited his mouth.

Hidari: [Heheheh…]

Hearing the laugh, Knife raised his eyes in confusion.

Knife: [You’re laughing?]

What Knife had seen next caused a chill down his spine. It was not something that could warrant such a reaction normally, but seeing it after creating the wound that Hidari held made this uncomfortable feeling take form. He watched as, in front of him, the angel looked back up with a pure resolve in his eyes and a smile on his face.

Hidari: [I thank you. This battle will be the one that births the new version of me. The one who hopes to valiantly serve under Lady Shiro.]

Unnatural. That was the word that rang out in Knife’s head. This man was unnatural. Many feared being hurt, many feared death. There were those who fought without worry, but even then, there was a trace of those fears in their bodies. Though the average warrior could not see it, Knife could. That was what made this angel so unnatural. That trace did not exist. He was hurt, far better than Knife could do in their previous encounter. At that time, those worries existed. Yet now, why had it disappeared? The advantage was his and thus it should only grow. But it did not grow. From the beginning a few minutes prior to now, that fear wasn’t there in the slightest. What happened? Over the course of a week, what created such a devil out of this angelic being?

It was completely unnatural, thus it should be erased. Flinging himself forward, Knife performed an attack that focused far more on the force behind it rather than the intent to slice through Hidari. Landing it perfectly against Hidari’s raised arms, the angel was slammed into the wall behind him.

A perfect hit. He could tell by the limpness in Hidari’s left arm that it was dislocated. All that was left was to take advantage of this and strike him down. He ran towards Hidari and prepared to attack with his right foot. The knife piercing out the front of his shoe was held out as far as it could, focusing on this area alone. With this, the battle would end.

Unnatural. That was what he thought. A smile was still present on the angel’s face.

Suddenly, without a moment to grasp at what was happening, Hidari moved his left shoulder forward and slammed it against the wall.

Knife: [Is he insane?!]

While Knife’s mind questioned Hidari, the angel’s own thought back to a lesson he was taught over the course of the week by the hero he admired.

Airi: [... Your attacks are decent. However, they lack soul.]

Hidari moved his orange eyes over to the blind woman nearby holding a training stick.

Hidari: [They lack soul, Mrs.Fuloreen?]

Airi: [Yes. There isn’t inherently a flaw in those strikes, but they lack soul. When you’re putting your back into them, you’re striking with hesitation, as if you have a reason to stop. Why is that? If you’re pitted up against someone, your intent should be to finish it as swiftly and as effectively as possible. There is no room for holding back.]

Lowering his fists, Hidari gave a small exhale of breath and closed his eyes. A calm smile spread out across his cheeks.

Hidari: [I suppose that’s true. I’m rather worried when fighting, There’s quite a lot on my mind, at least from the one battle I had experienced.]

Airi: [Empty your mind whilst in battle. That is one of the many rules of the Babylon Way. Morals are one thing, but to be lost in thought while engaging in combat is a foolish act that will only hurt you.]

Hidari: [I’ve learned that by now, Mrs.Fuloreen. However, I’m still often doubting myself on whether or not I deserve to be in Lady Shiro’s presence–Ow!]

Without warning, Airi struck Hidari over the head with the stick she was holding.

Airi: [Fool! What type of warrior doubts their worth in battle?!]

Hidari: [Mrs.Fuloreen…]

Airi: [Listen well! To doubt yourself in battle is to forfeit your life! If you wish to prove yourself to Shiro, then prove it with your strength! If you wish to show her how strong you’ve become, then prove it with your speed! If you wish to serve under her, show her how capable you are with your skill! Doubts or worries do not matter in battle! The only place that should welcome you is your own soul! The darkness within your mind should not be the thing that influences you!]

It was on that day that Hidari had gained a new understanding. One that he had forged and burned into the back of his mind.

After slamming his arm against the wall, a change to Knife’s dismay occurred. The arm was successfully snapped back into place. Before he could stop his attack, Hidari quickly grabbed Knife’s left arm and twisted it.

Hidari: [Never again.]

Using the arm to his leverage, he gave a mighty chop from his right hand to Knife’s neck. A great pain comparable to a needle endlessly entering and exiting the body rattled its way through Knife’s own. This pain would not stop him, as he tried to instead kick into the air with his left foot, hoping to cut Hidari’s face. Swiftly weaving back, Hidari’s gi was the only thing that was damaged, revealing his muscles underneath. The entire time, he continued to tightly grip onto Knife’s arm and struck under his chin with his right palm towards the air. Again, a dreadful pain was created while Knife’s brain rattled within.

Hidari: [Never again will I doubt myself.]

The left arm from Knife desperately tried to strike down at his foe, but was met by the right arm that snapped it out of place. Now, both of his arms were dislocated. Letting go of the twisted left arm, Hidari mirrored Knife’s previous attack and struck his chin again, only this time with his right foot.

Hidari and Airi: [Doubts or worries do not matter in battle.]

A counter was not given back. Knife’s brain was a mess after two excellent hits to his chin, resulting in an endless shaking of his brain. This was what Hidari had planned. The aim to effectively knock his foe out via a series of concussions. It was already starting to have a great effect on Knife’s performance. However, there was still more to come. More that would guarantee a victory in no time at all. Clenching his right fist, Hidari struck the side of Knife’s head and caused him to spin. A nearly vomit-inducing experience was given as the world around Knife was rapidly moving. From time to time, he would see Hidari in the same position as before, whereas a second after, he’d see Hidari’s shoes as if they were his new head. This cycle repeated itself for what felt like an eternity to him. The blades in his hands had already dropped to the floor from the attacks prior, but the knife in his mouth had remained there during those. Only now, after receiving such a mighty punch, did the knife in his mouth fall, causing the grip he once had to remove some of the pain to shatter away as the knife joined its edged brothers.

Airi: [The only place that should welcome you…]

As far back as he could while keeping his stance, Hidari clenched his right fist again with all of his might.

It’s coming! That was the thought in Knife’s head. He could barely see the world around him, yet he knew what he could make out. An attack far more fierce than anything before. More than the kick, the palm, the dislocations or the fist from just a second ago. A far greater pain than all of those was coming!

Dead center. Directly into Knife’s solar plexus was a vicious punch that brutally struck him. Air escaped his mouth without a word behind it. He could not speak after all he had received. But even if he could not exchange words, his body made it evidently clear that the pain was immeasurable. His eyes were widened and twitching, his mouth agape, and everything below his face had contorted in place, writhing in agony.

Hidari: [... is my own soul!]

Releasing his punch, Hidari sent Knife flying into the wall on the opposite side. It was complete. His intense combo of attacks that would lead into the fall of his opponent was finished. Taking a moment to breathe, Hidari smiled and clasped his hands together, thanking the two women who taught him the past week. After doing so, he looked on at the smoke and made his way forward.

Hidari: [I suppose I should confirm that he’s out cold. My strikes should have been more than enough to do so, though. Each were centered at vital areas of his body–]

Faster than he could see, something was thrown Hidari’s way from the smoke in front of him. In a mere second, it became clear what it was, as a deep pain dug into his left foot. Hidari fell to his knees, grunting from the pain and gazing at his ankle in agony. A knife. A knife was suddenly thrown towards him and landed firmly into his ankle. His leg was luckily still intact, however the knife was still deep.

From beyond the smoke, a silhouette started to rise.

???: [... My mom was more of the kind type, but there’s one thing she taught me when I was young. Sharks ain’t all that different from oni. She told me a story once about how her and the group she was with got into a fight with a rival posse. Thing is, my mom was the only shark woman there. Not a single one of them were an oni, or a shark or anything like that. That said, they had all sorts of shit on ‘em. Spiked bats, clubs, pipes, you name it. Regardless of that shit, my mom was the only one left standing, smiling while being bathed in the blood of her enemies. She didn’t necessarily kill them, nor did they kill her group. They were just beaten within an inch of their life. The same goes for her group, though. Once she was through with the others, she targeted her own for the sake of sport. It’s just like I said, sharks ain’t all that different from oni. Not just in bloodlust or strength…]

Escaping the smoke was a man with ripped clothes, gray hair and sharp dark gray eyes. Along his face were trails of his own blood that slowly dripped onto the floor beneath him. With a cold look, he continued speaking to the injured angel staring right back at him.

Knife: [But when it comes to endurance too, they’re freaks of nature.]

An essence of brutality was on full display. Hidari struggled to stand as the knife in his foot sharply reminded him of the situation he was in. From the ripped up jacket of Knife’s came two more blades he placed into his hands.

Knife: [Sit nice and tight there. You did a real good job making it this far, so I’ll give you credit for that. However, this is where it ends.]

Moving the knives towards his face, the hybrid lept towards Hidari for the finishing blow.

Knife: [It’s lights out for you!]

Raising his right hand and extending two fingers, Hidari aimed for the center of Knife’s body. In his head, the blond legend spoke again.

Airi: [This should serve as a good lesson, Hidari. When striking an opponent in a vital point in their body, it’s important to use that place to your advantage. All life is fragile to begin with. Regardless of rock hard skin or texture as thin as paper, all beings will receive damage the same way. Thus, no matter how much one can withstand, you must push forward in that spot.]

Knife was confused as to why the two fingers were aimed towards him, but ultimately paid it no mind. In less than a second, he would cut Hidari down. He drew closer and closer, until the fingers touched his body.

As soon as they did, a shock like no other erupted within his nerves.

Pain. It was painful. The pain from the mighty fist before had returned despite being hit by such soft, delicate fingers.

Hidari: [Hitting you in that spot before… wasn’t just to knock you out!]

He curled the two fingers.

Hidari: [It was also…]

The fingers returned to meet their fellow three, and a palm was devastatingly thrusted into Knife’s solar plexus again.

Hidari: [... FOR THIS!]

Knife’s body shook violently as he received the second attack. It felt like a wave of pain was slowly cascading over every inch of his skin. The lower areas of his arms, legs, even his neck would all experience this brutal agony as it made its way up. Much like the raging ocean itself, the waves would then repeat and repeat until being given the mercy of release. Knife was flung into the wall once more, collapsing it completely with him. Hidari pulled out the blade lodged in his foot and stumbled as he made his way up. His face still provided a serious look, which was only natural, given what he knew was ahead.

Hidari: [You’ve made it clear by now that you’ll recover from this! Come on out!]

Just like what had transpired only a minute before, a figure appeared wiping off their clothes as they made their way through.

Knife: [Seriously, I’m gonna have to resort to picking up the knives on the floor if I keep using my spare ones like this. Guess it can’t be helped.]

Giving a sharp grin back to Hidari, Knife pulled out another pair of blades and spun them around with his fingers.

Knife: [Seems like we’ll get a whole lot more enjoyment out of this than last time, angel boy!]

With his palms moving back into place, Hidari took up his stance once more.

Hidari: [As I mentioned, it won’t end like it did before!]

The first encounter between the two had felt oddly calm, despite the clash between them.

Their second face off however had already proven to be much different.

Between Hidari and Knife, there was no longer any room for holding back.

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