Disclaimer: I don’t own the series, just my stuff.

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AN: wow, this is chapter eleven. I was expecting to be done with Act I by this time. Heh, but then the story would have been rushed… I still feel like it might be in some ways. Like the Tournament arc for example. This is covered in only two chapters; this being the second chapter. It has been over a year since the last major multi-chaptered fic I wrote. It’s been a long time since writing. I know what I want to write, but it comes out weird, I guess. And the main problem is the humor. I dunno why, but my stories always seem to have a lot of humor in them. Heh, that’s what my writing teacher pointed out to me once. That’s good, I suppose.

Feh, anyway. Just the ramblings of a psycho. I’m just super tired. Not sleepy tired, just… y’know. Tired. Surprisingly enough, this story has been easy to write. One or two days and BOOM, a chapter is finished. Not exactly the best story out there, but it’s fun to write and hopefully fun to read. I have plenty to work on, but yeah.

Yes, this is the big fight scene between Ryu and Demus. Heh… Warning though, this is a little graphic. Okay, pretty darn graphic. Lots of blood and violence. Or something. Remember, this is T for Teen! Have a good day.

Here are the reviews

Nina Windia: Oh, hello! I honestly thought I scared you off lol Heh, sorry to hear about your computer. Glad it’s okay now. Heh, yeah, I seem to be writing fast these days. Odd, huh? Oh, good. It seems like my fight scenes aren’t really good. I don’t really like reading long fight scenes either, you know? Decent length ones are good, but geez, we all get that “Jack” is a good fighter, especially after the 33rd flip/kick he did. Lol I’m like you, I do tend to skip two or three PAGES worth of just one big fight scene, especially if it does not have SOME kind of dialog.

Eh, you are right. Yuki does seem to have some secrets, but… ah… they kinda tie in with other characters, too. (like Ryu….) Hm, you are right about this. I will try to be more careful in the future. Yuki does seem to get a lot of limelight… ugh. Well, this chapter is Ryu focused. More or less.

Heh, thanks. It is evil to spell. I even forget how to spell it every once in a while. Yup. Not only that, but it only affects hybrid dragons… Interesing thought, huh?

Anime Monkey: Hee, you are really going to hate me after this chapter… lol My fiance helped come up with that scene. Heh. And the characters for that little bought. Demus could be saying killing metaphorically. Ryu’s technically not killed anyone… yet. Oh, you will love this chapter then, it’s the big fight scene with Demus and Ryu.

Rouge Kaiser: Oh, good. I thought it was you. Ah, nope. I’m in my 20’s and my friends (and mom) already call me crazy lol Ah, yeah. Salla does have a bit of a problem, doesn’t she? Ah, thanks. Thank you. I never did like the Spirit Squad. (“Their just… cheerleaders!”) lol Yup. Couldn’t have Nina go into the fight unarmed and underpowered. Hee… Yuki’s like that annoying gnat you try to swat and can’t hit. She will be smacked a lot. Yup, Demus is this chapter. Deis has a plan!

Right, the chapter. Heheh…

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Take it Past the Limit

“We’re screwed…” Yuki muttered under her breath.

Ryu twitched. This was not something he had been expecting. Though when he thought about it, it did make sense, especially after Salla had kidnapped them. A sudden white-hot pain seared through Ryu’s head. He groaned and staggered a little.

Nina and Yuki gave Ryu a concerned look. The same thing had happened to him in Wyndia. Ryu squinted through the pain and glanced up at Demus. The young man was dressed in a loose gray tunic and brown baggy pains. He had on a silver breastplate, leather boots, and silver gauntlets. Nothing too flashy. Nothing that would mark him as the crown prince of Dragnier.

The host was still talking about the match. Ryu ignored it. He could barely think. What the hell was he supposed to do? Nina and Yuki were getting pulled into his personal business, but then again they DID agree to come.

Ryu glanced up at the many cameras that were aimed at the arena. King Gideon was sure to see this. Ryu was in trouble. Demus might…

“BEGIN!” the host roared into the mic. McMan took a step back and threw his arm down, signaling the match had begun.

This was going to be a problem.

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Two cloaked figures stood in the far back of the arena. One was a massive, imposing figure and the other was much smaller than her companion. She turned to her partner and inclined her head towards the arena.

“The fight’s begun,” the woman said in a heavy accent. Stray strands of blue hair blew in her face. She pushed them back with a well-manicured hand. She looked up at her companion. “We have to let this take it’s course.”

“Of course,” the large man nodded his head. “Deis, are you sure about this?”

Deis nodded. “We interfere now and we will have a problem, Garr. I don’t want Sister to become privy to our actions just yet. Besides, this will shake the very foundation of destiny…”

Garr’s eyes flashed a pale blue. “What of the… cameras?”

Deis grinned slightly and pulled out a staff out of her cloak. The staff was in the form of a green and gold snake and had an orb in its mouth. “It’s been a while since I last practiced magic. A good thunder spell should take care of the cameras.”

“Oh…” Garr eyed the staff wearily. He heard stories about Deis’s errant use of magic. None of those stories ended well, either. He looked down in the arena and noticed Sari was missing. “Damnation…”

“Hn?”

“One of the children is missing,” Garr rumbled.

“Ah, the green-haired one,” Deis said. “I was told about her. She must still be in one of the dressing rooms. No doubt she is being guarded by Salla’s Dragoons,” Deis started to walk in the opposite direction. Garr gave her a look.

“What? We have time. We need to go get her,” Deis reasoned. “We will be back for the finale.”

Garr nodded and walked after Deis. “So, who did you bet on?”

“What?” Garr asked.

“I betted on Bob the Butcher. Too bad I don’t get to see if I win or not…”

Garr rolled his eyes. “Even in such a serious situation, all you can think about is betting, and…”

Deis spun around on her heels. “Can it Guardian or I will turn you into a frog!”

“Fine…” Garr finally said. How did he ever let Deis of all people talk him into this again…?

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Dispatching of the Dragoons was easy enough. A simple fireball spell and they fell like flies. Actually, Deis sent out a bolt, then a fireball before they fell, but that’s another story. Garr also knocked them silly by grabbing their heads and slamming them together.

The only ones that were standing were Salla and a highly confused Sari, who just stared at Deis and Garr. Salla shook her head and basically threw the girl at Garr.

“I cannot allow my prince to carry out this scheme,” Salla said. “Take the girl and do what you will. I must stop Demus from killing my liege.”

Deis nodded as Sari quickly darted behind her. “You are aware of what will happen to you, right?”

Salla nodded. “I can never be forgiven for what I did. By arrogance might very well lead to Ryu’s death. I cannot… bear to think about it. Please! Save him!”

Deis eyed her staff. “We understand.”

Garr nodded. “That is why we are here. You must stop Demus. We will stop Ryu… if need be.”

“Stop… Ryu?” Salla asked. “What do you… oh no!”

“The Awakening,” Deis said as Sari looked up at her in confusion. “It is going to be broadcast in front of millions.”

“We must stop it from happening!” Garr said.

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Demus smiled slightly and walked towards the three. Ryu noticed he was unarmed. Ryu readied his sword. He noticed that Yuki and Nina had readied theirs, too. Demus, for his part, was an accomplished swordsman and was a master martial artist. He knew many different styles of swordplay and knew exactly was pressure points to hit to disable an opponent.

Ryu held his sword up as Demus stopped a few feet away from him.

“Hello Ryu,” Demus said. “It has certainly been quite a few days, hasn’t it? I must say, you have given me quite the runaround trying to capture you.”

Ryu narrowed his eyes. “Oh, I know all about what you are up to! I know about you sending Salla after us, and…”

“Oh, really?” Demus mused. “Salla captured you?” he placed his chin in his hand and looked thoughtful. “It seems like she has disobeyed my orders,” he shook his head. “Never mind. I will deal with her later. Now,” he took a step forward, but a gale wind knocked him back.

He looked over and noticed the orb on Nina’s staff glowing. Yuki had lightning dancing around her daggers. He smiled and gestured at Nina.

“Princess Nina, I am rather relieved to see that you are unharmed,” Demus said. He then turned to Yuki. “Miss Uzuki, I am equally pleased to see that you are doing well.”

Yuki made a face and readied her daggers. “Like I believe that, you stinking piece of shit! We know that you are trying to kill Ryu!” Yuki and Nina stepped in front of Ryu. Yuki knew that Ryu could collapse at any time.

“We will not allow you to harm him!” Nina said.

“I am terribly sorry ladies,” Demus said. “But this is between me and this… monster…” Demus gritted his teeth. “Please stand down and I will not hurt you.”

“NO!” Yuki snapped. “Ryu is NOT a monster!”

Demus’ eyes widened slightly. “You really don’t know what he really is, do you?” Demus smiled. “He is actually the harbinger of destruction. The herald of the Destined Cycles.”

Nina shook her head. “Yeah, so Ryu shares his name with some famous Brood warriors. That doesn’t mean that he is some hero of destiny.”

Yuki shook her head. “Ha! If what you are saying is true, then Ryu’s a dragon clanner. That’s impossible!”

Ryu paled. His body suddenly jerked and he was forced to his knees. Yuki and Nina ran over to Ryu and knelt beside him. Ryu’s legs crystallized then suddenly changed back to flesh.

“What…?” Nina asked.

Ryu groaned through gritted teeth. “No… not now…”

Yuki looked over at Demus. “What did you do?”

Demus shook his head. “I did nothing.” He walked over to Ryu and pushed Nina and Yuki to the side. He grabbed Ryu by the collar of his shirt and pulled him up. “Fight me, Ryu.”

Ryu growled and his eyes flashed red. “Keep them out of this!”

Demus ignored Ryu and punched him in the gut. “FIGHT BACK!”

Demus yelled suddenly as lightning hit his hand. The sudden impact caused him to let go of Ryu. He growled as he noticed Yuki getting ready to aim her hand at Demus once more. He shook his head and raised his hand.

Ryu yelled. Demus was NOT about to use that attack! But Demus merely smiled once more and took a step towards Nina and Yuki. The two were hell bent on interfering in this match, and then they would pay the price for it.

A light flashed around Demus’ hand. Without warning, a beam of light flew from Demus’ hand and split off into two beams. The beams hit Nina and Yuki square in the chest and sent the two girls flying.

Blood splattered everywhere as the two landed with a sickening thud. Ryu screamed as he watched Nina and Yuki twitch once, then go limp. He struggled to his feet and ran over to Nina. He spotted the gaping wound in her chest. He quickly grabbed her wrist and tried to feel for a pulse. Ryu felt nothing. He franticly felt her neck and still got nothing. He leaned down and placed his ear on her chest. Nothing. Nina’s heart wasn’t beating.

Ryu bit back a cry and turned his attention to Yuki. He scrambled over to her and checked for signs of life. He didn’t find any. He then started to shake her roughly. Ryu wailed and slowly let go of the girl. Dead eyes stared back at Ryu.

Ryu didn’t register the host scream for the paramedics. Ryu didn’t even register Demus standing behind him. Demus placed his hand on top of the screaming child’s head. Ryu’s head snapped up and he glared daggers at the young prince.

“Why?!” Ryu screamed.

Demus merely stared back at Ryu. “They were determined to interfere. They needed to be taught a lesson.”

Ryu shook his head in denial. Demus had NOT just killed Nina and Yuki in cold blood. It just wasn’t possible. Oh, but it was. Nina and Yuki were sprawled out in front of him, lifeless.

Ryu rapidly shook his head as his body started twitching. A horrible injustice had just been committed and two innocents were lying in front of him dead. Ryu’s body shook as the sounds of an amplified heartbeat shook the stadium.

Demus took a step back. Many of the fans, including their freaked out host took off running for the exits. The cameramen aimed their cameras at the arena. None took noticed of the wires shorting around the cameras, or the three figures emerging from the exits.

Only Demus took notice to the faint light that was coming from Yuki, or more actuarially, the stone around Yuki’s neck.

The stone flashed an array of colors. Her wounds instantly closed up. The stone then shattered. Yuki gasped as her eyes snapped opened. Demus hid a smirk. The girl had a soul gem. Yuki groaned and tried to sit up.

Ryu screamed as the floor cracked from the pressure he was emitting. Yuki’s eyes widened when Ryu was forced to his feet by an unseen force. Ryu screamed as his body flashed gold and grew in size. When the light died down, a gold scaled 40 foot dragon stood in front of Demus.

Demus laughed. “FINALLY! We will be able to finish the fight from so long ago! We will be able to…!”

Dragon-Ryu roared and let loose a jet of fire. Yuki screamed and held her head. Images of a giant dragon loomed in her mind. The fire in her mind raged all around her and threatened to burn her. She couldn’t dislodge the images of massive dragons ripping and tearing into each other. The still body of a red-haired boy wouldn’t leave her mind.

Demus jumped the jet of fire meant for him and laughed once more. He crossed his arms over his face and ascended as well. In his place was a red scaled dragon standing about 30 feet. Dragon-Demus lunged at Ryu and sank his fangs into Ryu’s thick, leathery neck.

Ryu roared in pain and clawed at Demus, trying to dislodge the fangs. Yuki’s traumatic scream pierced Ryu’s ears. He jerked around and spotted a nearly catatonic Yuki just staring at the two dragons. Yuki screamed again.

Ryu roared as Demus ripped through his scales and withdrew his fangs. Demus took to the air and bellowed out a jet of fire, aimed right at Yuki. Ryu roared and took to the air as well and blocked the attack.

The cameramen yelled and decided that their jobs were not worth their lives and bolted from the arena. Deis stepped forward and with a shake of her Snake-Eye Staff, fried the cameras. She had shorted them, but she wasn’t willing to take any chances.

Both dragons roared. Both were in bloodlust mode. Going in there was suicide, but Deis never was known for being sane. She did, after all, face down Myria herself several times. She flashed purple and teleported down to the arena. She looked down at a catatonic Yuki and a dead Nina. She grabbed both of them and teleported back to the topside of the arena.

Deis stared at Yuki’s dilated and unfocused eyes and shook her head. The girl was rambled nonsense in broken sentences. There would be no getting through to her. Deis turned her attention to the lifeless body of Nina and shook her head.

Sari stepped forward and folded her hands in a prayer position. “May I try to help?”

Deis looked at the girl. “No offense, but what can you do?”

“I might… be able to heal Nina,” Sari said quietly.

Garr cleared his throat. “You can revive Nina?”

Deis shrugged. “I don’t know, but…” Deis turned to Sari. “Might as well give it a try. What can we lose?”

Sari knelt down next to Nina and placed her hands over the girl’s wounds. Her hands flashed brightly as Sari chanted the spell, in a language Deis didn’t think it was possible for the child to know. Nina’s wounds healed instantly and she gasped for air.

Deis grinned slightly. “I guessed it worked. Garr…” Garr nodded and summoned his halberd. Deis turned to Salla who merely nodded.

Both Salla and Garr jumped down to the arena, as Deis attended to Nina and Yuki. Both dragons were clawing and tearing at each other. Salla looked at Garr. Garr’s eyes flashed blood red as he dove at Ryu. Salla dove at Demus.

The attacks were unexpected. Salla stabbed into Demus, causing the dragon to howl in pain. Demus jerked around and lunged at Salla. Salla dove out of the way and readied her own halberd. She threw it in the air, aiming it right at the dragon’s heart. The spear made contact and embedded itself in the dragon’s chest. Demus roared weakly and staggered forward. Salla jumped up and jerked the spear out.

Demus roared and flashed, reverting into his human form. The young man moaned and stumbled forward. Salla moved and caught the boy, taking note of the massive wound in his chest.

Garr, meanwhile, was having a time trying to dodge an enraged Ryu’s attacks. For something so big, the dragon certainly could move wickedly fast. Garr lunged and jabbed the halberd in Ryu’s leg.

The dragon roared and snapped at Garr. Garr dodged the attack once again. Garr, however, was a seasoned combat veteran and Ryu was just a whelp. Guardian Garland, the once servant to the Goddess Myria. The mighty Dragon Slayer. Killer of innocents. Garr had slain more dragons than was recorded in the tombs of Angel Tower. Over 3,000 Brood met their ends by his blade.

Now, however, he was the appointed Guardian to the Destined Children. Ryu’s Guardian. He was revived for that purpose… though destiny always seemed to delight in throwing him a screwball.

The one that revived him had told him he was free to follow his own destiny. It was by that choice, for the second time in his long life, that he willingly protected a dragon clanner. This one was just being difficult.

Garr roared and took flight. He slammed his halberd against the dragon’s head with a loud whack. The dragon rumbled weakly and staggered forward, then changed back into the form of an eleven year old boy.

Garr caught Ryu’s crystallized body in mid-flight. Garr landed at the top of the stairwell and looked down at Ryu’s body. The crystallized body flashed, then returned to flesh. Garr looked slightly concerned, but shook it off. He cradled Ryu’s body as he walked back over to Deis. The two looked down at Salla and an unconscious Demus.

Salla saluted them and then vanished with Demus. Garr and Deis turned their attention back to the children.

“We better get out of here, before someone has the stones to come back and investigate,” Deis said. Garr nodded his head in agreement.

Deis waved her hand and the six of them vanished in a plume of purple light.

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Yuki groaned and sat up. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but she certainly felt sore. She looked around and noticed that she was no longer in the arena. It looked like she was in some sort of small bedroom. She looked over to her left and spotted an unconscious Nina lying in the bed beside hers.

At the far corner, she spotted an unconscious Ryu.

Yuki recoiled and shook her head in denial. Oh, god! Was what happened in Collosia a dream, or did it really happen?

Ryu groaned and slowly sat up. He shook his head, apparently trying to rid it of nonexistent cobwebs. His vision seemed to clear and he looked around. He nearly jumped for joy when he saw Yuki and Nina, both alive and unharmed.

Yuki froze when she noticed her necklace was missing it’s stone. It wasn’t a dream after all. She really did die… and her stone saved her life…

Ryu stood up wearily and started over at Yuki. Yuki yelled hand held her hands out in front of her and waved Ryu back. Ryu looked confused, but took a step backwards. He tilted his head and looked at Yuki for an answer.

Yuki merely screamed and jumped out of the bed with speed only a scared and downright frightened fighter possessed. Ryu, startled, took a step backwards.

“What’s wrong?” Ryu asked hesitantly.

“You… you!” Yuki wailed as she pointed to Ryu. “STAY AWAY FROM ME!”

The sudden commotion caused Garr to open the door in concern. He looked at both Yuki and Ryu and looked at them for answers.

“KEEP HIM AWAY FROM ME!” Yuki wailed as Garr took hold of her shoulders and gave them a firm shake.

“Calm down!” Garr rumbled. Yuki tried to jerk out of Garr’s grasp, but when she realized how pointless it was, she calmed down.

Garr looked over at a startled and upset Ryu. “What happened?”

“I… don’t know!” Ryu wailed. “She just started freaking out.”

“You’re a dragon!” Yuki snapped. “How could you?”

“I don’t get it!” Ryu pleaded. “What did I do?”

“You lied to us!” Yuki shrieked. “I… I hate dragons!” Yuki jerked back. “Stay away from me!”

And with that, Yuki ran out of the door. Garr sighed and looked at Ryu. The boy was just standing there, staring at the floor with a forlorn expression on his face. Garr walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder.

“Why… did she run…?” Ryu asked, not even bothering to look up at Garr.

“She’s… frightened of dragons,” Garr gently explained. “I doubt it’s anything against you. The battle has taken a toll on all of us. Just give her some time and she will come around.”

Ryu merely looked at the floor. “She… acted like I was some kind of monster.”

“She is under the impression that the Brood destroyed her home. She told me she witnessed a dragon clanner kill her mother.”

Ryu looked up at Garr. “She said that? When?”

Garr took his hand off of Ryu’s head and placed his chin in his hand. “When we stopped at Brine Temple. She didn’t go in for a reason, remember? Her hatred of dragons was the reason.”

Ryu numbly nodded. Garr gave Ryu a sharp look. “You know Demus, don’t you?” Ryu nodded. “No more games Ryu. It’s time you tell us everything you know.”

To be continued…