Chapter 13:

Harsh Months

You! What are you doing down here?! Do you have a death wish, traitor?
I...
Hummm... Even after performing all of your horrible tasks like a faithful, little dog, you were banished... He continues
to use irony as his play tool, at every corner, does he not?
I just wanna die... please... please, free me from this curse...
Weakling! Thanks to you, Humanitys greatest hope for freedom may be lost. I will not let you die until you have done
your part in trying to set this right!
...
Besides, the fact that you retain your memories tells me you are worth more than I would give you credit for. Your force
of will must be stronger than you even realize... Now, get on your feet. You are no longer his pet!

Days of endless exercises which served no other purpose than improving Ryos speed, agility and
flexibility were what had awaited the young man in the coming weeks. Each day he faced multiple
obstacles which he had to evade, all while sustaining the least amount of injury possible. It was a process
of trial and error, and, at first, more error than success. Bruises, cuts and gashes had soon become close
friends with him. Right behind them was frustration. He was in a constant battle with his will to improve.
Each day hed expect to do better, and every day hed fail because as his skills increased, so did the
difficulty of his challenges. Eventually, to match his improving reflexes and physical performance, he
started facing real opponents in addition to running the obstacle courses.
Sometimes, when facing an opponents direct attack, Ryo reacted by drawing his weapon. Each and
every time he would be punished with a series of physically draining exercises. The archangel was
extremely strict in his teachings, and according to him, movement training did not (in any way) involve
weapons defense or attack.
Close quarters unarmed combat was of high priority in Ryos training. The daily basic martial arts
and self-defense lessons felt like a breath of fresh air to him, after so long running obstacle courses. In
this, he easily excelled at most of the initial and intermediate exercises, thanks to his years of Karate
practice, and quickly moved on to the more advanced parts of training.
A lesson he learned by force was that of withstanding pain. While every cut and bruise he got was
healed so that it would not infect or cause any serious injury, the pain was not lessened in the least. He
was told it was important to feel pain so that he would embrace the need to avoid injury, but also be
ready to withstand it, when it inevitably occurred on the battlefield.
Ryo could not have imagined being pushed so far. Every day hed feel completely exhausted, and
by evening he would find himself with the recurring thought that he couldnt withstand another day. As
he went to sleep, he remembered everything that had happened, and he could not keep his tears from
running down his face. He remembered Karin, his parents, and Mike, and how they were all gone
forever. These thoughts strengthened his resolve; hed awaken each morning stronger than before and
ready for whatever trials lay ahead of him.
That he would reach so far, in so little time, would have seemed nothing more than a fantasy to his
past self. In little over two months time, he was going through all his exercises like a mathematician
reviewing simple equations, overthrowing any obstacle and successfully evading each attack thrown at
him. And, whenever he was tempted to draw his sword, hed be ready but keep it sheathed, just as the
archangel had instructed. At first he hadnt seen see the practicality of this, but he quickly grew aware
of the positive effect this training was having on him. He had grown more agile, and significantly faster.
His reflexes had become sharper, just like his knowledge of space and distance. Now, he could easily
predict where an enemys attack would land and how he should evade it.
If Ryo felt the need to eat or drink, it was due only to force of habit. No more than a week into his
training, hed grown accustomed to not consuming food or any kind of beverage, and eventually his
body stopped asking for it. The bracelet Metatron (the simple-looking angel that had received him the
first day, who, it turned out, was none other than the scribe of God) had given him was certainly having
an effect, in whatever way it worked its magic.
A couple of months elapsed as Ryo bettered his movement and unarmed combat skills. As the
training got harsher, so did his desire for revenge. It was the only thing fuelling his physical and mental
capabilities.
Every night he would lie down in the dark silence of his sleeping quarters. After a month of
unwelcome gloom, he had surrendered and asked Raphael how to turn on the light source in his room.
Hed received the plain but cryptic answer that he needed only will it to light up. He decided he
would rather remain deprived of light, and keep his pride more or less intact, than insist on a proper,
understandable, answer. Therefore, the darkness had become as much a part of his nights as sleep itself.
Gradually, as he was becoming stronger and fiercer, the idea of facing real enemies in battle had
begun to sound less and less ridiculous. Physical pain came to mean nothing. He no longer saw spiritual
pain as a bad or harmful feeling; it was simply with him at all times. His awareness that he was slowly
but steadily losing his humanity grew also. Most disturbing of all, Ryo couldnt remember how it felt
to interact with another person. He was starting to forget whatever it was that made him human. Love,
compassion, sympathy, happiness, laughter, sadness... all was drifting farther and further away from
him. Even the feeling of looking into another persons eyes was all but forgotten.
All Ryo would see, every waking day, were the angels blank and empty, silvery stares; all he would
interact with were their emotionless and mechanized reactions. Soon, the only true feeling that would
remain was his hatred for the cause of all the pain and suffering that had befallen him. He could no
longer cry for his lost life; all of his tears had dried up. He knew that just as surely as time flowed, hed
eventually stop caring. As everything else faded away, any vacant space was rapidly taken over by his
insatiable thirst for revenge. All that he was enduring, and all he still had to endure, would be worth it
when he finally sated the craving that thrived in his vengeful heart.
***
One day, about six months of training behind him, Ryo got up early as usual, got dressed in his
training garb, and walked all the way up the enclosed staircase and through the wide open corridors that
led to the training grounds. He was not even close to the doors, and he already felt something was
different. The silence was sharper than usual, the air heavier, thicker. As he neared the exit, instead of
the mayhem that was always a constant outside, he could feel dozens of presences, anxious in silent
anticipation of something. One step out the doors was all it took for his eyes to witness what his senses
had already told him.
Ryo, welcome. Today you will be moving on to the next level of your training. Archangel Raphael
was a few steps ahead in the grass. Behind him was a huge crowd of white-winged warriors standing
perfectly still in organized rows. I have designated a fighter to face you in real combat. He will be
brandishing his regular weapon. You, on the other hand, will fight unarmed.
Ryo was surprised by the announcement, even though he did not show it. Although hed been
anticipating that some sort of test was coming (since his training was feeling stagnant), he still wasnt
expecting to go up against a full-fledged angelic warrior in an open fight... much less at a purposeful
disadvantage.
 Often in battle a warrior is unarmed. This will help you understand how real battle feels in that
situation... it will also serve as a test of how well you have learned your lessons thus far, the archangel
stated. There was complete silence in the usually noisy and tumultuous fields. There is only one
outcome to this battle that will allow your training to continue, and every warrior here will bear witness
to it.
Very well, Ryo replied. Determined not to show any sign of reluctance or weakness he strode past
the archangel. Keeping his chin held high, he gazed at the rows of angelic warriors. Who will be my
opponent?
The warrior that stepped forward brandished a long spear as his weapon.
This is Raze, Raphael declared, coming up behind Ryo.
Raze huh? A white-winged, empty-eyed creature, dressed in white robes... who wouldve guessed...
humph... you wont be the one to stop me. Youre just another obstacle that I need to overcome.
Well, lets get started then. Ryo spoke directly to his opponent.
If you think Ill let you shame me in front of my fellow warriors, you are sorely mistaken. Raze
had a strange accent. It sounded as if he was not familiar with English or, for that matter, any human
language. His eyes were completely fixed on Ryo, nothing else mattered. Be prepared, half-breed!
Dont think Ill go easy on you! Youre not in a training match anymore.
Humm? Well, this is different... shame huh? At least this one shows some kind of emotion... maybe
thisll be a good change of pace from all the training... and what did he call me? What the hell did he
mean by half-breed?
Raphael commanded the other warriors with words spoken in the angels strange, ancient language.
In a few moments theyd formed a wide circle around Ryo, his opponent, and the archangel. With their
arms stretched and palms facing down, all the angels started chanting incomprehensibly, and in an
instant a perfect circle of pure golden light was etched on the ground, shining brightly.
This fight will end once one of the contestants is incapacitated or steps out of this circle. Raphael
declared. He flapped his massive wings, slowly lifting himself a few feet above the ground. You may
begin, he announced, and then flew back to take his place outside the round arena.
Ryo could clearly see the determination in his opponents expression as the angel readied his
weapon. No, not simply determination... there was something else. Raze looked as if he actually
despised him. For whatever reason that might be, Ryo would use it to his advantage. The priority would
be to disarm his adversary; it would be far too dangerous to allow the angel to keep his weapon while
he fought unarmed. A single clear strike would be enough to end the fight; he could not let that happen.
So, whatre you waiting for, creature? The young man lowered his stance, and spoke with a
provoking tone. Are you gonna parade your wings for me all day? I have better things to do.
Raze sneered in annoyance. Impudent insect... this will be over soon enough. Ill send you back
down to where you came from... dead or alive! As soon as he finished speaking, he lunged forward
with a thrusting attack.
The taunting had worked: Ryos opponent seemed angry enough to have made the first move, as
well as the first mistake. The young man sidestepped swiftly to his right and managed to evade the
attack. He reached for the angels weapon and took hold of it. His opponent inexplicably released it
without any resistance. It was only when his feet where off the ground, that Ryo became aware of the
angels brutally fast movements. A clear sweep had raised both his legs up in the air and the sky filled
his view, as he fell. As if time had slowed down, the weapon was removed from his hands, and just as
he felt himself hit the grass-cushioned dirt, Raze re-entered his field of vision, regaining his balance,
and raising his spear, ready to thrust it again... this time downwards.
 Quickly rolling to the side, Ryo dodged the strike at the last moment. The spear plunged deep into
the earth amidst broken blades of grass. He jumped to his feet, and turned to his opponent just in time
to feel a powerful blow to the face. Raze had dashed forward again and attacked him with the staff
section of his weapon. Stunned, Ryo stumbled back and raised his arms to block future attacks. A
powerful kick to the stomach sent him flying backwards. Sprawled on the ground, his vision still blurry
from the impact to his face, he could barely make out his adversary opening his huge wings preparing
another assault. He struggled to his feet, and readied his defense.
It took a second for Raze to be right up in Ryos face. Using the momentum of his wings, Raze
shifted his weight to lend increased force to his horizontal slash. In a move that surprised even himself,
fuelled solely by his will to survive, the young man bent backwards so rapidly that his head reached the
level of his waist in a mere instant, while his balance did not sway. As soon as he felt the weapon
whoosh past him, he stood up straight. His opponents back was turned to him due to the missed attack,
so he grabbed both of Razes outstretched wings and delivered a powerful knee strike to the angels
back.
The angelic warrior staggered and let out a scream of pain. He fell to one knee but kept a steady grip
on his spear. Ryo seized Razes hunched shoulders and propelled himself upwards, twisting around
mid-air. Landing, his feet shunted the spear, forcing it to the ground and out of the angels grasp. His
opponent looked up in surprise and Ryo quickly delivered a powerful right hook to his temple. Without
allowing the stunned fighter to fall, he grabbed him by the collar and unleashed a barrage of punches.
He was screaming fiercely as he kept punching with all his strength until Raze opened his wings and
managed to push himself away through the air.
Breathing heavily, his heart skipping beats and fighting to jump out his throat, Ryo grabbed the spear
and threw it beyond the limits of the circle of light. Hed managed to disarm his opponent. Now they
were on even playing grounds. He watched Raze land a few feet away, struggling awkwardly to remain
upright. He closed his eyelids and took a deep breath, concentrating to regain his own steadiness. He
would win this. He could do it.
The angel spat on the ground and wiped his mouth. His sleeve was stained dark red. You think this
will make it easier for you to beat me? Do you actually think youre capable of fighting one-on-one,
evenly, with a soldier of God?! Raze folded his wings and felt the bruising on his face, before shaking
away the numbness clouding his head. How impudent can you get, halfling? Even if you had the skill
and power to defeat me, it wouldnt be near enough to match the years of practice and experience all of
us have had! Spite and disdain, as well as self-admiration, inflated the angelic warriors words.
You talk too much, Ryo said, taking the time to weigh his options. He was aware of just how much
strength the angel had over him. Hed been watching them train for months. On top of that, he still
hadnt learned how to control his vital force he wasnt even supposed to use it if he intended to keep
his bodys health from deteriorating further.
Well... lets see how this goes... maybe he doesnt know I cant use the life stream like he can? This
would probably buy me an opportunity as he should be wary of going all out.
While Ryo was considering the best way to approach the situation, his opponent had already lost his
patience. With a strong wave of his wings, Raze suddenly dashed in, giving the impression he was going
to tackle the young man. As soon as the angel got near, Ryo sidestepped, but his adversary stopped dead
in his tracks using a single flap of his wings, and turned to face him with a smug simper on his lips. The
creature had again performed a feint to get Ryo to open his defenses, and once more he had fallen for
the trick. An inhumanly fast and powerful uppercut to the gut cleared all the air from his lungs, and just
as soon as he felt the intensity of the blow radiating to every last inch of his body, he knew, after all, he
stood no chance of winning. A set of stone solid fingers viciously wrapped themselves around his throat,
blocking the entrance of any air, and his whole body was lifted off the ground.
Ugh... agh... damn it... I cant let this creature stop me... no... I... I wont!
But the resolve seeped from his mind as he felt his vision blurring from the lack of oxygen. His heart
thundered in his ears; his lungs ached for even the smallest breath of air, and his frenzied mind was
begging for release like a caged wild animal. A sudden surge of adrenaline spiked his awareness. He
clutched his enemys wrist firmly with one hand, and, using all the strength he could summon, he
delivered a strike to the elbow joint of the creatures arm. Raze immediately released him and stepped
back, grabbing at his arm in pain. Without even stopping to get enough air into his lungs, Ryo dashed
forward to attack. But the angel vanished from his field of vision, and not a second later an impact from
behind knocked him to the ground.
Disoriented, Ryo quickly turned on his back and raised his arms and knees defensively, but his
opponent was already upon him. Raze grabbed him by the vest and pulled him upright. He kept him
suspended in the air, and with punch after bludgeoning punch, Ryo felt the pain clawing at his mind.
He tried helplessly to break Razes hold on him. Eventually much sooner than he would expect the
pain began to subside. He knew he couldnt hold on much longer. The angel was too strong, and his
senses were abandoning him. There was nothing he could do.
... No... not after all thats happened... I cant lose now...
Ryo could hear Raphaels voice in the background he was speaking hastily in the angels language,
probably announcing the end of the match. Raze wasnt stopping; and he wasnt going to stop any time
soon. He screamed out loud in anger as he kept striking at Ryos face with an unending flurry of
punches. With each hit, Ryos senses slipped further away from him. The pain vanished and both his
arms dropped alongside his body, weightless. Only the tremendous blows to his head kept going.
Karin... mother... father... Mike... youre all... I...
The archangels thundering voice was the only audible sound beneath Razes enraged cries. Ryo
could feel Raphaels presence approaching.
I... have to... avenge... I... Im... sorry...
One final scream from the archangel marked the moment Ryos consciousness abandoned him for
good. The last image his brain caught was that of the angels pure fury and hatred as he struck at him
over, and over, and over again... and then it all went black. Then there was blood... everywhere, there
was only blood, enveloping him, gushing from in front of him, spraying through the air, spilling over
his face, over his arms... he could feel its bitterness washing over his senses, infusing his mind with
infinite unknown bliss.
Screams, shouts, and voices hollering sounded from every corner, and amidst all the black and
crimson, white was born. There were fair-colored feathers floating everywhere, slowly falling to the
ground, gracefully landing on pools of blood, getting stained dark-red as ripples diffused around them...
and then, silence.