SF: A Warrior's Path Ch. 8 - Revelations
By Gouki

The sky loomed ominously on the rugged landscape as the howling wind threatened to tear up everything in its path. The sun rarely ever came out of sight due to the constant billowing of dark clouds. Few animals ever came here and the surroundings seemed to be almost empty of any life. Even the plant life was sparse and these were usually the type that could withstand the harsh conditions. Waves were constantly pounding on the rocks that lined the island's jagged coastline. Assisting the ocean in its assail was the overwhelming sound of hard rain, as if the powerful bullet-like downpour fed its power to the dark waters.

Once ago, this hidden island off the southern coast of Japan was the training ground for the dark side of Shotokan, otherwise known as Messatsu. The only clue to this island's past were the demonic statues that although they were weathered over the years, still told the tales of the events that occurred many years ago.

Before it's use by the great masters of Messatsu, this island was once used as a shrine to these images. However it was during their period that the skill with the power to kill a warrior in one swift, great attack within a short burst of seconds was born. The reason behind this was to bring fear and respect towards the Messatsu style, whilst separating their style from the other legendary techniques, and so increase its power and dominance over them. Such a technique needed hours of meditation and spiritual focus to be achieved. After years of intense training, the technique was soon created.

Eventually, it was used on a victim in battle. All seemed to go according to plan, the attack was initiated, and within seconds, the fated warrior was dead. Yet, a few minutes after the attack, that same master suddenly fell to his knees, and after a few seconds he was dead.

It was decided that since he was an old man, it was put down to him being too old to harness the move. Two of the youngest masters attempted the same feat, but they received the same fate. Finally they realised that it was too powerful to be taught without being killed, the scroll that taught the technique were hidden, never to be seen by human eyes again. Over the centuries the technique was forgotten, until one day.

Two students, Gouki and Gouken were taught the style Messatsu by the great master known only as Goutetsu. Gouken and Gouki embraced the style with no difficulty but Gouki became consumed by it, slowly separating from his brother Gouken.

He started to train vigorously, even to the point of unconsciousness, but he ignored the emotions and pain he felt, eventually ridding himself of them believing them to be the weakness of a warrior. One day while training on a tree trunk, he stumbled upon the sacred scroll. Ignoring the warning they beheld, he went on to learn and perfect the technique believing those masters to be foolish for sealing a move with such power. He'd returned back to Goutetsu, who upon seeing him knew of his discovery and attempted to warn him of the results. Gouki laughed at his futile pleas and challenged him to which he accepted. Both fought well but Goutetsu couldn't keep up to Gouki's speed and youth, yet he didn't give up, hoping to stop Gouki's path of destruction. Then, all was over as Gouki unleashed the move. The great master of Messatsu was dead. Like those doomed masters, Gouki fell to his knees, as if he suffered from extreme stomach pain, and it wasn't soon before he fell.

Suddenly dark, powerful waves began to slowly radiate out of Gouki's supposedly fallen body. His raven coloured hair, styled so it pointed upwards, was becoming a crimson red. His muscles were starting to spasm, like they were going to explode, but were actually swelling up with muscle mass. So much so that the sleeves of his gi tore off, exposing his bulging arms, which along with the rest of his body, was now darkened to fit his new art. Gouki stood upright, and what were once his brown eyes were simply red orbs, which were now glowing.

"I have mastered the art!" Gouki exclaimed in glory. He suddenly felt something burning him. On the back of his midnight coloured gi, the kanji symbol of "TEN" flared a blood red, before it slowly subsided.

"Gouki is no more!" he cried. "Only the master of the dark art, Akuma remains!!" He turned to his dead sensei and walked over to him.

"You were a fool…" he reached out, to the beaded necklace that decorated Goutetsu's twisted, contorted neck. "…just like the others, to conceal the Shun Goku Satsu" He used his finger to burn into the centre bead, using his chi to depict the symbol that radiated from him moments ago. Placing it around his own neck, Akuma grinned, exposing flaring teeth, with canines exposed and he disappeared from the scene.

In the heart of the island where this saga all began, was a cave which lead to more of the island's past. Flickering torches aligned the cave's entrance, but the source of light was nothing in comparison to the eerie red glow which was now emanating from the cave's inner region. In the midst of it all, sat a warrior in a state of meditation surrounded by numerous candles that burned away the darkness of the cavern. The aura of light was coming from him.

Ever since Akuma had killed his brother Gouken, he had secluded himself on this hidden island, only leaving to make numerous appearances within the Alpha Tournament. He had found no one worthy enough to die by his hand, that was until he realised of the hidden power Ryu held.

"He has amazing potential." the dark Shotokan master thought. "My weakling brother chose well to train him. However, it will be I who shall unleash the 'evil intent' from him."

After a while, Akuma's eyes opened and a grin flew across his lips. Ryu could be the one that could defeat him. Among the opponents Akuma had encountered, only the Shotokan apprentice had the potential that matched his. Even the other one, Ken couldn't match his though he and Ryu were as skilled as each other.

Akuma's laugh left echoes around the cavern as he left the island. The weather continued in its fury.

"Prepare yourself Ryu…" he thought. "You are next in line…"