Ryuu stood, his body trembling with exhaustion but his spirit ignited with fury. He launched himself forward, snatching a guard’s spear in a wild, desperate motion. The weapon felt alien in his hands, a far cry from the familiar weight of his katana. His unrefined movements betrayed his once-great skill, but his rage propelled him.

“Hiro!” Ryuu bellowed, his voice echoing through the hall. “Face me as a warrior, or perish as a coward!”

He hurled the spear with all his might, his form clumsy but driven by fury. Hiro caught it effortlessly, spinning it in his hand with a mocking grin.

“Is this what’s left of the great Ryuu?” Hiro taunted, his voice coarse like a common brigand. “A child flailing with sticks? You’ve fallen further than I could’ve dreamed.”

Before Ryuu could retort, guards swarmed him. He lashed out, his fists striking with the remnants of his once-deadly precision, but it wasn’t enough. A burly guard tackled him to the ground, slamming his knee into Ryuu’s back. Another wrapped heavy chains around his wrists, yanking him into submission.

Ryuu knelt, his breath ragged, blood trickling from his split lip. A guard delivered a swift kick to his side, forcing him to double over.

Hiro stepped forward, the stolen spear resting casually on his shoulder. His laughter was sharp and grating, filling the room with a cruel joy.

“Ryuu! Ryuu! Ryuu!” Hiro sang mockingly. “What a pitiful excuse for a dragon. You’ve been crawling in the dirt for years, and you didn’t even know it! My plan… oh, my plan! It worked even better than I imagined. I thought you’d catch on after a few weeks. But here you are, still the fool!”

Ryuu lifted his head, his eyes blazing. “How could you betray your teachings? How could you betray me?”

Hiro’s expression twisted into one of mock outrage. “How could I?” he sneered, leaning closer. “You took my son from me, Ryuu! My only boy, my legacy! What did you expect me to do? Forgive you? Forget? Never!”

“An honorable warrior—” Ryuu began.

“Honorable?” Hiro roared, cutting him off. “To hell with honor! To hell with dignity and all that garbage! Look where it’s gotten you, Ryuu—chained, beaten, and at my mercy. Do you still believe in those lies?”

“You’ve become a coward,” Ryuu spat, his voice filled with disdain. “Your victory is hollow, stained by deceit and treachery.”

Hiro laughed, the sound harsh and mirthless. “It doesn’t matter, does it? You’re beaten, Dragon. Broken. I won.”

“Through dishonor,” Ryuu said, his tone steady despite the pain coursing through him. “You may have defeated me, but you’ve lost your soul in the process.”

Hiro’s face darkened. He slammed the spear’s butt into the ground, the sound echoing like a thunderclap. “Don’t speak to me of souls, Ryuu! You’re nothing but a whore now, a toy for that spoiled wench! You think you can lecture me?!”

Ryuu’s gaze softened, an unexpected calm washing over him. “Repent, Hiro. Release me, and perhaps there’s still hope for you. Your path can change.”

Hiro’s laughter returned, sharp and bitter. “Hope? You think I need hope? I don’t need redemption, Ryuu. I’ve learned the truth, thanks to you. Honor is for the weak, for fools. Power is what matters, and I’ve got it.”

Hiro leaned in close, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “No one else dared to take revenge on you. The sect? Spineless cowards. They moved on, but not me. You made me see the world as it truly is, Ryuu. And for that, I thank you.”

He stepped back, leveling the spear at Ryuu’s chest. “Now, Dragon, it’s time for you to join your family. In hell.”

Ryuu closed his eyes, a bitter smile playing on his lips. “Perhaps. But even in hell, Hiro, I will find you. And there, we shall settle this as warriors.”

Hiro hesitated for a fraction of a second, Ryuu’s words unsettling him. Then he tightened his grip on the spear, the fire of his hatred reignited.

“Goodbye, Whore!” Hiro snarled, raising the weapon to strike.

Ryuu closed his eyes, his breathing steady as if accepting the inevitable. A dragon defeated by a serpent. But as Hiro’s laughter filled the room and the spear hovered above his chest, the world around him froze.

The sound of jeers, the movement of guards, even the cruel grin on Hiro’s face—everything stopped, suspended in an eerie stillness. Ryuu opened his eyes, blinking in confusion. Then, he heard it—a voice, not from the room but from everywhere and nowhere at once. It resonated in his ears, his heart, his very soul.

“Oh, dragon…” The voice was deep, commanding, yet laced with mockery. “How far you have fallen. From a predator of the skies to a worm crawling in the dirt. If only you had heeded my words.”

Ryuu turned his head, and there he stood: Loki. Draped in an ethereal cloak that shimmered like the night sky, his sharp, otherworldly features bore both beauty and menace. His piercing eyes glinted with amusement and something deeper—disappointment.

“Do you see it now?” Loki continued, his tone cutting like a blade. “Those who preach justice with the loudest voices often wield it with the most hypocrisy. What say you, dragon? Have you finally learned?”

Ryuu struggled to find his voice, his throat dry, his pride shattered. At last, he spoke, his tone heavy with regret. “I was wrong. I doubted you, doubted the truth you tried to show me. I should never have seen the world in such stark shades of black and white.”

Loki’s lips curled into a smirk, though his eyes remained stern. “I was never angered by your doubt, dragon, only disappointed. But know this—you are not alone in your folly. Mortals cling to such rigid ideals, blinding themselves to the complexities of truth. It is a tale as old as Midgard itself.”

Loki stepped closer, his presence almost suffocating in its grandeur. He leaned over Ryuu, his voice softening but losing none of its weight. “So, tell me, dragon: will you let this snake end your miserable story here, in chains, disgraced, and forgotten? Or will you rise again as my herald, to unmask those false prophets and guide others who suffer as you have?”

Ryuu’s heart raced. The offer was a lifeline, yet it carried its own weight. He hesitated, his thoughts clouded by the pull of two worlds. “I… I’m not sure, great God. My family awaits me beyond. My disciples—they deserve to see me again. How can I abandon them?”

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Loki’s expression shifted to one of mild impatience, though his words remained calm. “Your disciples?” He chuckled dryly. “Fear not for them, dragon. They perished in battle, their valor earning them a place in Valhalla. They feast and fight even now, their spirits unbroken. As for your family… they reside in the afterlife, yes. Maybe in Elysium, or in Helheim. Both realms are dull, I assure you. They will not wither without your company.”

He straightened, his voice growing sharper. “But what of you, dragon? Would they want to see you like this—brought low, enslaved, degraded? Is this the legacy you wish to leave them? The fate you choose to embrace?”

Ryuu lowered his head, the weight of Loki’s words pressing down on him. He wrestled with his thoughts, comparing the two choices laid before him.

To accept death meant peace—an end to the torment, a chance to reunite with his family and disciples. He could finally rest, free from the burdens of this cruel world. There was honor in facing his end with dignity, refusing to be manipulated any longer.

But to rise as Loki’s herald… it meant a second chance. A chance to reclaim his strength, to fight for those who could not fight for themselves. He could be the beacon for others trapped in darkness, just as he had been. Yet, it was no small thing to align himself with a god known for mischief and chaos. Could he trust Loki’s motives?

Finally, Ryuu looked up, his gaze steady. “If I take this path, what would you demand of me, great God?”

Loki smiled, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. “Only what you already possess, dragon. Your strength, your resolve, your fire. Use them to expose the lies of men and gods alike. Bring balance to the chaos of this world. And in return, I will give you the power to rise once more.”

Ryuu took a deep breath, his decision was made. “Then so be it. I will not let my story end here, not as a pawn of snakes. I will rise, and I will fight again.”

Loki extended a hand, his grin widening. “Wise choice, dragon. Let us see how brightly you can burn when unshackled from your chains.”

Time unfroze, and the chamber was consumed by a blinding light. Ryuu rose from his knees, the chains binding him shattering into a million shards that sparkled like falling stars. His body radiated an intense azure glow, the light carving ancient runes into his skin, their intricate lines forming patterns that pulsed with an ethereal energy, accentuating every muscle.

Hiro stumbled back, his mouth agape as he shielded his eyes from the brilliance. "What... what is this?! What are you?!" he stammered, his voice barely audible over the hum of raw power filling the air.

Ryuu stood motionless as black under-armor crawled across his body like liquid shadow, conforming perfectly to his form. Pristine black plating materialized over the armor, seamlessly covering his chest, shoulders, and limbs. The plating bore glowing azure lines that pulsed in rhythm with Ryuu's heart, an ominous, hypnotic thrum echoing through the room. Finally, a helmet materialized over his head, its sleek design exuding a sense of ancient authority, and a sword formed in his hand—a blade of glowing blue energy that hummed with the fury of a storm.

Hiro could only stare, terror written across his face. “What… what are you?!” he croaked, his voice trembling.

Ryuu said nothing. He took a step forward, his movements fluid, his form imposing. In a blur of motion, faster than mortal eyes could follow, he vanished. The guards and spectators who had surrounded Hiro barely had time to react before they collapsed, lifeless, one after another. Their bodies fell to the floor like leaves in a storm, leaving only Hiro standing amidst the carnage, trembling.

Ryuu reappeared, his sword glowing with the remnants of his deadly precision. His voice was calm, but his words carried the weight of thunder. “Hiro… A man I once believed to be a beacon of wisdom. A leader. But now, I see you for what you are—a plague that has sickened the realm with your deceit and cowardice.”

Hiro’s fear broke into desperation. “Stop this nonsense! Answer me, Ryuu! What have you become?!”

Ryuu stared at him, unyielding. “Does it matter? I was blind once, blinded by ideals, by a false sense of justice. I ignored the warnings of a celestial being, thinking myself above reproach. I paid the price for my arrogance. But now, Hiro, tell me—what punishment befits a man like you?”

Hiro’s arrogance crumbled into pleading. “I’m sorry, Ryuu! I didn’t mean for this to happen! I… I was blinded, too—blinded by my rage! I swear, I let my anger consume me. Please, spare me!” He fell to his knees, hands clasped together in a pathetic display of submission.

Ryuu stood silently, his gaze piercing. Loki’s voice echoed in his mind, soft yet chilling. “What will it be, my Herald? Does this serpent deserve death… or something far worse?”

Ryuu lifted his hand, and a sphere of glowing blue energy coalesced in his palm. Its light intensified, filling the room with a divine brilliance that made Hiro recoil in fear.

“You spoke of power, Hiro,” Ryuu began, his voice steady and cold. “You claimed it was all that mattered.”

Hiro’s eyes darted to the sphere in Ryuu’s hand, his voice shaking. “Yes, yes… but what is that? What are you doing, Master Ryuu?”

Ryuu’s lips curled into a grim smile. “Power,” he said simply. Without hesitation, he shoved the glowing sphere into Hiro’s mouth.

Hiro gagged, his eyes widening in horror as the energy surged into him. His body convulsed, glowing veins of blue light spreading across his skin like cracks in fragile glass. The power overwhelmed him, his cries of pain silenced as his body froze. He stood paralyzed, his limbs stiff, his face contorted in eternal terror.

“This is your punishment,” Ryuu said, his voice ringing with finality. “You will live, Hiro. You will see, you will hear, you will feel. But your body will remain a prison—unable to move, unable to speak. And that power you craved so desperately? It will sustain you, keep you alive long beyond the years of any mortal, ensuring you bear this torment for as long as it can.”

Hiro’s eyes darted wildly, filled with terror and pleading, but no sound came from his lips.

Ryuu turned away, the glow of his armor casting shadows on the walls as he sheathed his sword. His focus shifted to the door at the far end of the chamber—the room of the warlord’s daughter. “The plague is purged,” he murmured. “But my duty is far from over.”

Ryuu pushed open the ornate doors of the daughter’s chamber, his steps heavy but deliberate. Inside, he found her and her friends lounging in a haze of careless luxury. Their laughter echoed, oblivious to the chaos that had unfolded beyond the walls. The daughter of the warlord sat at the center, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her expression one of smug entitlement.

Ryuu’s hand tightened around his sword hilt, his jaw clenching. For a brief moment, he imagined striking them down, avenging the dignity they had stripped from him. But as his gaze met hers, he saw not malice but emptiness—a hollowness carved by privilege and neglect. His fury ebbed, replaced by an unfamiliar ache.

He fell to one knee, bowing his head and clasping his hands together as if in prayer. “My Lord,” he muttered, his voice trembling with conflict, “what should I do? This woman and her companions humiliated me, stripped me of my dignity, yet I cannot bring myself to punish them. I know they are not the true villains. Their hearts were corrupted by their parents’ failures—by a life of debauchery and twisted desires. Please, my Lord, guide me. Show me the path.”

The room fell silent. The air grew dense, heavy with divine presence. Ryuu sensed Loki’s presence before he heard the whisper—a voice as smooth and sharp as a blade slicing through silk.

“Oh, dragon, you ask for clarity, and clarity I shall grant. These mortals crave indulgence above all else. They wish for pleasure? Then pleasure they shall have… without end.”

Without warning, the laughter ceased. The daughter and her friends froze, their faces slackening into expressions of unrestrained ecstasy. They fell into a trance, their bodies trembling as they succumbed to an endless tide of pleasure they could neither resist nor escape.

Ryuu turned his head away, his chest heavy with conflicting emotions. “Is this justice, my Lord?” he whispered, his voice low.

Loki’s laughter echoed in his mind, cold and unyielding. “Justice takes many forms, my Herald. This punishment fits their desires, does it not? They wished to revel in excess. Let them wallow in it for as long as I see fit. Now rise, dragon, and remember—your sword shall serve my will. Exact justice where it is due, but promise me this: you will always heed my call, no matter where or when.”

Ryuu stood, his azure armor gleaming under the dim light of the chamber. “With all my heart, my Lord,” he vowed. “I am yours to command.”

As he left the chamber, Ryuu cast one final glance at the enraptured figures. Their punishment, though divine, unsettled him. Yet he trusted in Loki’s judgment, for it was far beyond mortal comprehension.

Outside the palace, the air was fresh with the scent of rain. Ryuu descended the steps and stopped as he saw Akio sprinting toward the entrance, his face filled with determination. Ryuu smiled faintly, a small glimmer of hope warming his heart. “Akio,” he murmured to himself, “Ever so valiant.”