Hero of Heroes Ch. 19 - Before the Storm
By Night

The warm light of the rising sun and the sweet chirps of the birds outside had awakened the Shotokan warrior.

Ryu stretched and sat up on his simple bed in his simple hut. Feels so good to wake up like this... but... it didn't used to feel this... lonely... Standing up, he stretched and dived for the floor getting on him thumbs and do his usual routine of thumb push-ups. Upon finishing the last one, he flipped himself upright landing on his legs and kneeled forward to stretch his quadriceps. Back to his old ways... when days ago he was living a normal life. He closed his eyes briefly and reopened them, clearing his mind of the past. Never let the past burden you, Ryu... the more you look back the more it will hurt...

He finished his stretches, and reached over to a small bowl on a small table, picking up a fresh piece of fruit. He stepped out of his hut, looking at what he's never seen for years. Nothing but the tranquility of nature as far as his vision allowed. Where he lived was far away from civilization. Far away from people. He liked it that way. He grew accustomed to solitary life... until one woman changed all that. And now, back in his solitary ways, he has been and always was greatly missing Chun-Li. But right now he mustn't think of her... not now... for there are other matters at hand...

Taking a bite into the fruit in his hand, he looked over to the dojo he's never been in for the longest time. Even though abandoned for years, it was still in excellent condition. He slowly walked up to the old, wooden doors, and they creaked as they opened. Ryu smiled. Hasn't changed one bit. The dojo inside was still clean as it always was, despite the massive collection of dust. Along the walls were various weapons and scrolls, and in the corner was a candle lit room with ancient books and statues. On a small table next to him was a feather duster, and beneath the table was an empty bucket and dry cloth. Well... what needs to be done needs to be done... Ryu finished eating his fruit and picked up the duster, starting off with the surface of the table it was resting on...

***

The dojo looked as clean as it was when it was first built. The wall decorations were straightened, the candles were re-lit, and all the surfaces were void of dust.

Ryu re-entered the dojo with the bucket in his hand, and the wash cloth in the other. A moment ago, he left to fill the bucket with clean water in the river nearby. After placing the bucket on the floor, Ryu lowered himself to his knees and started to wet the cloth, washing anything that seemed dirty on the floor. This type of labor is very tiresome, but Ryu didn't mind one bit. It was the place he grew up in with his best friend. It was home.

The place was completely silent. The only audible sounds were the occasional gusts of winds that passed through the open vents, the chirps of the birds, and Ryu's scrubbing. He worked until he felt it was in adequate condition, and finally stood up, wiping his forehead of sweat. Bottom floor complete... now for the upper deck...

The lonely warrior walked over to the corner of the room where there was a ladder against the wall. He climbed it until he reached the ceiling, and unlocked the hatch. The hatch flipped open, and Ryu propped himself up on the deck above. Nice to see this hasn't changed at all either...

The deck had a breath-taking view. He peered over at the never-ending sea where the sun was rising. The brightness caused him to shade his eyes with his hand, and when he soaked up enough of the forgotten view, he lowered himself back on his knees and began to wash the planks of the deck.

Many warriors have fought Ryu up here. Seeking revenge, seeking him, or just wanting a good challenge, countless warriors have traveled here, facing the Shotokan warrior on this legendary fighting platform over the many years. So many battles took place here that it could be considered to be something of historical value. It was a respected place that was constantly visited by many who seeked the champion of the world... and he was not present, which was a majority of the time, the visitor would simply leave without violating and of the property that belonged to him. I have forgotten whom I last fought up here... many fights I have fought... and still I continue... Ryu sighed. ...and I will never stop. To fight is to live... to live is to fight...

Standing up after finishing the last plank, Ryu turned to the sign next to him. Wetting the wash cloth again, he began to scrub the wooded frame. He carefully washed so that no water would damage any of the writing. Wind... forest... fire... mountain... Ryu looked down at his black belt, which had the exact same symbols on it... Gentle as the wind... peaceful like the forest... massive burning energy as hot as fire... and the strength of a mountain... I've honed these characteristics all my life... and now it has come down to this... the fated battle where it will be either him or me... who will face oblivion...

Ryu finished cleaning the frame, and placed the bucket on the deck. In an instant, he sprang into his fighting stance. His eyes narrowed and he slowly breathed through his mouth. He punched the air in front of him with his forward fist, and he stepped forward into his next move of his kata followed by another... each move with pure intensity. I live as a warrior... and perhaps I will die like one... gloriously in battle... The Japanese fighter stepped into a horse stance into a side punch, completing his kata. He looked straight ahead at the horizon... and jumped down, landing with a punch to the ground below...

But... no. I must not let myself go into the darkness... for the planet will weep to my demise... and the one to shed the most tears will be the one I love... I will not let that happen! Standing up from his kneeling position, the Shotokan warrior snapped back into fighting stance. A blue aura began to form around him as he stood... Be strong, Ryu... do not let her weaken you... let her strengthen you... His aura lightly lifted the dirt and smell pebbles around his feet... and he dashed into the forest ahead of him with amazing grace...

"Tatsumakisenpuukyaku!" Ryu leaped up in his dash, and whirled with his leg extended. The kick with the destructive power of a hurricane... and yet completely beautiful... objects on the ground were forced away from him due to the extreme velocity... And this one was performed with more perfection than he's ever done before... He landed lightly on his feet, and used his landing to launch himself into the air once again...

"Shorrrrrrrryuken!" His rising fist reached up and hit a high branch of a tree, sending some of its leaves falling... Again, his attack done with more perfection and timing than he's ever done ever in his life... He didn't know what it was... but he felt determination inside of him... he felt an indomitable spirit inside that was burning with raw energy... and yet it was nothing like the energy of Satsui no Hado... but something different. Ryu couldn't figure out what it was... but it felt great... he felt so focused and determined... and once he landed from his punch of the rising dragon, he still pressed on... running deep into the lush forest performing move after move...

***

For hours and hours... in the deep thick forest... on top of the rocky cliffs... up the mountain... and now in the forest on a plateau of the mountain... Ryu still practiced... never pausing... but in the sky above, the clouds were pressing close together... causing small sounds of thunder to rumble...

Looks like rain... but I will not let that stop me... The Shotokan warrior continued his seemingly endless sequence of moves... At this moment, time was non-existent to him... he felt he could go on forever...

The rumbles of thunder in the sky above boomed louder with each passing moment... and eventually streaks of lightning began emit their own light...

Let it rain... Tiny drops of water splashed against Ryu's face... and he pressed on, undisturbed. Let it rain... down on me... water brings life... it is a part of nature... and nature is my ally... The blue aura around Ryu began to brighten... and thunder and lightning above crackled louder... as if it was representing the power his aura was emitting...

The warrior went on... tirelessly... he could feel the energy from the natural life all around him... he let it become a part of him... This feels so great... I wonder why I never felt this before...

Thunder was roaring now... and the lightning lit the sky brighter than the sun ever has... as if it was trying to get Ryu's attention... and finally... he stopped. Looking up in the sky... he could see it was now slightly dark... He slowly closed his eyes... I can feel it... coming in the air tonight... He lowered his fists to his sides... he knew that there was another presence... a presence he was waiting for all this time...

A dark... evil presence... He could feel it in his surroundings... and it was becoming stronger... and as each endless moment passed... he knew it was him.

"Ryu."

One word.

The Shotokan warrior turned... facing the demon he came to finally battle against. The demon stood at the very peak of the mountain. His arms were crossed... his eyes burning red... "At last... battle."

"Is it truly battle you desire, young one?"

"That is why I have returned, is it not?"

"Heh," Akuma chuckled, "Perhaps... but perhaps more than just that."

Both warriors knew what was being talked about. "No, demon. I will never submit to it. Never!"

"Your aura is what made me finally present myself to you. Its power has impressed me... just think of how destructive it could possibly be!"

"Destruction... that is not a warrior's way, demon. My power will NEVER be used for such an evil deed."

"Never?" The demon's eyes slanted. "Then it appears that you yourself truly seeks destruction..."

"I think not. Not today demon. Now enough talking. Let us battle!"

"Very well. I shall show you your true path by force then..." The demon leaped into the sky, crashing with his fist a short distance next to Ryu, creating a small crater in the plateau.

Ryu stood, his arms clenched into fists at his sides... and with narrowed eyes, he looked straight ahead at the demon directly in his own red, fiery eyes... and his blue aura of pure energy began to grow around him.

Akuma returned his own evil gaze... and his body began to flame in a fiery red aura... Through the red flames of energy, his teeth clenched... exposing a set of sharp teeth to his opponent... and he growled through them.

Both warriors stood... both observing their opponent... feeling each other's power... The thunder and lightning continued to roar in the sky above... and the strong winds brushed across the land...

Small pebbles began to rise and float into the air... the power and energy present was incalculable...

The warriors of Shotokan were going to enjoy this fight.

Ryu's eyes narrowed further, and he let his inner power increase... I am a warrior... let the battle be joined.