Til Death Do Us Part Ch. 4
By Vicky

I woke up from a dreamless sleep, but I did not open my eyes. I could feel the cool breeze on my face. It rustled the leaves almost silently. Such tranquility was not experienced often. I felt the soft grass underneath me, comforting to my skin. Quite a peaceful slumber it had been. But wait…

I opened my eyes abruptly. My surroundings had changed dramatically. As odd as this may sound, I was in my own funeral…when? A few minutes ago…hours…days? What had happened? I sat up on the ground and explored this new environment. Trees shot up from the earth, so high up they could almost touch the sky. Over the top branches I could see a few the stars, gracefully illuminating the moonless sky. The night was incredibly dark, and yet I could see pass my own fingers.

Could this be all a dream? That would certainly explain me being here. Partially I was relieved I was no longer in my funeral. It had been a very disturbing and frustrating experience. On the other hand, I miss the familiar faces I saw there: Ken, Eliza, Chun-li. My Chun-li…

My heart sank at just the thought of her name. Whatever is happening to me I want it to be over as quickly as possible, so I can once again hold her in my arms.

As fast as these hopes came to me, they vanished. I have not set aside the possibility that I am dead. Perhaps my soul has traveled here, but where is here?

I slowly got up to my feet and brushed the dust off my white gi. There's nothing more to do right now than to find out where I am and find a possible way out.

The clearing I had woken up on was indeed very large. As I investigated the place though, I felt my senses quite light, any lighter and I would probably be floating. Why? Where am I?

"Amazing, isn't it boy, how reality can be just as unreal as your most profound dreams."

"Who…?"

The dark figure walked into the clearing. It was unmistakable. He had brought me here. It is he who has been tormenting my mind.

"What's the matter Ryu? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"Akuma."

"Ah, who were you expecting? Death, maybe?" Akuma crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me with malevolent eyes.

I narrowed my eyes and studied him intensely. Akuma was never one to make jokes.

"Well, that isn't too far from the truth. Death can take many forms boy. It dwells in the boundaries of your very dreams. It is not a thing. It is not a person. Just a feeling, something only your senses can perceive."

"What trick is this, demon?"

"Not a trick. You spent your entire life looking for the meaning of the fight, to become a true warrior. Here is your chance.''

He disappeared. I blinked several times. The demon was gone.

Was he…?

''Take this opportunity Ryu, for it is but only one.''

"Stop this trickery demon! Fight me!'' I clenched my fists tightly.

''Is that all you ever think about Ryu? Why, yes. It is the only thing you know. The only thing you've ever felt. The fight is your life…''

I gasped, startled. The voice had changed completely.

''Ken…?''

''…but there are so many other things to life, Ryu. Friends. Family. Why ignore life's gifts?''

''We all have our path in life Ken.'' I tried reasoning with the specter. ''That is your path. Not mine.''

''What about love…?''

I looked to my left. It couldn't be…

''Chun-li?''

''Love, my love, crossed your path. You just pushed it away. Why Ryu? Why ignore life's gifts?''

''Chun-li…I did not mean to hurt you…''

I lowered my eyes; once again I was a coward.

''What do you see beyond your fists, Ryu?''

"Master…Gouken…?"

I looked at my clenched fists, steadied myself and tried to control my fading senses.

"I see my destiny, my fate, my life. Is that not right Sensei?"

"Did you follow your destiny, Ryu?" The specter of my Sensei floated around my being.

"Y-yes. To become a true warrior, to learn the true meaning of the fight, and as a result, to avenge your death…that is my destiny."

His figure halted before me.

"Wrong!"

My eyes widened in a strange mixture of shock, surprise and fear.

"A man's life is not only one path…"

He disappeared from my sight.

"…a man's life can only be completed if he learns to complete his soul…"

I tried reaching out for this vision of my Chun-li, my hand simply went through her.

"What is this…? Why are you tormenting me!?"

"Show me your true power, young one!" I unconsciously snarled in hatred, my muscles tensed, ready to attack at any moment.

" You still do not understand…"

Akuma smirked evilly.

"This is just but another path life has offered you."

He faded into the form of my best friend.

"But men have the opportunity to choose…" Ken said. "That is what makes us humans. We take responsibility for our actions, bare their consequences…"

"Don't you see Ryu?" Chun-li spoke to me again. "A man's destiny can not be fulfilled by following only one path. When you open your heart to everything that has been given to you, good or evil, you have perceived your fate."

"I think I understand…"

"Do not push away love. Do not take life's gifts for granted…"

"I love you Chun-li"

Her image merely smiled and disappeared. I sighed in despair and dropped on my knees. I understood now. I cannot follow one path. My destiny can never be fulfilled that way. But even as the realization hit me, I felt despair, loneliness, regret.

"Have you learned your lesson boy?"

"Why won't you leave me alone!" I stood up to face him.

"I have made a choice Akuma! I will not follow your path! Life has too much to give…"

"You do not deserve death, but unfortunately your fate has been sealed…"

Akuma gathered and incredible amount of chi into one hand, pulled back his fist…

I was to slow to react in time. His blow hit me with unbelievable force. I felt it burned through my skin.

I felt pain. I screamed. I had never heard myself scream so hard. My senses felt light again. I felt my life slipping away from my mortal body.

My time had come, just as the Fates had so cruelly written in their timeless scrolls…