Chapter 5: The Monster Within
Ryo awoke to the harsh clang of metal against metal, the sound vibrating through the walls of the fighters' quarters. It was still dark, the moonlight filtering through the grimy windows, casting long shadows over the room. His body was sore, every muscle protesting as he sat up, his mind still clouded by the aftermath of his fight with Kuro.
The faint smell of sweat and blood lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the blood-soaked arena. Ryo's thoughts drifted back to his brother, Ren. The more he thought about the Fang Serum, the more he realized the perilous path he was on.
Taro's words echoed in his mind: You'll need more than just strength to survive.
But Ryo wasn't just fighting to survive. He was fighting to find Ren. No matter what it took.
The sound of footsteps broke through his thoughts. Ryo turned to find Taro standing in the doorway of the fighters' quarters, his massive figure filling the entrance. The older fighter's eyes were serious, his jaw set.
"You're awake," Taro said gruffly, stepping into the room. "The next round is about to start. You need to be ready."
Ryo's body was still stiff, but he didn't need to be told twice. He stood quickly, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He was still exhausted, but there was no time for weakness. The tournament was unforgiving, and the longer he lingered, the more likely he would lose his chance to find Ren.
"You survived the first round," Taro continued, his voice lower now. "But the real trials are ahead. You'll face stronger opponents, ones who've been here longer and have tasted blood more than once."
Ryo met Taro's gaze. "I'm ready."
Taro's lips curled into a brief, almost imperceptible smile. "We'll see."
The arena was louder today. The roars of the crowd filled the cavernous space as Ryo entered, his eyes scanning the area. The bright lights above flickered, casting strange shadows across the blood-stained floor. The first round had been brutal, but this... this was a different kind of fight. The true monsters of Beast's Maw had arrived.
As Ryo walked toward the pit, he couldn't help but notice the looks from the other fighters. Some were filled with disdain, others with barely concealed fear. The ring had already claimed so many, and now, Ryo had become part of the bloody legend. But he didn't care about their thoughts. All that mattered was the fight.
He was here to win. He was here for Ren.
"Ryo Kazan," the announcer's voice boomed, cutting through the noise of the crowd. "A new contender in the Bloody Prelims. Will he survive this next trial? Will he be the one to rise above the rest?"
The roar of the crowd grew louder, and Ryo's focus narrowed. He couldn't let the noise overwhelm him. He had been through worse before. But what lay ahead was a far greater challenge.
His opponent entered the arena with a low growl. A massive figure, taller than Kuro by at least a foot, his broad shoulders and thick muscles rippling under his scarred skin. His eyes glowed with a feral intensity, the unmistakable sign of someone who had already crossed the line. This was a fighter who had embraced the Fang Serum fully, becoming a hollow beast.
His name was Gorath, and he had a reputation for being a savage, unstoppable force. His fists were like hammers, and his bare hands could crush stone. Rumor had it that he was the last survivor of a group of fighters who had gone mad after taking too much of the serum. Now, he was more beast than man.
Ryo's heart pounded in his chest as Gorath's primal roar filled the arena. The sound was deafening, but Ryo didn't flinch. He had faced danger before. But this? This was on a different level.
The bell rang, signaling the start of the match.
Gorath wasted no time. With terrifying speed, he charged at Ryo, his fists raised in a crushing blow. Ryo sidestepped, his instincts kicking in, but Gorath was relentless. The beast-like fighter turned quickly, his eyes burning with madness as he swiped at Ryo again.
The impact of Gorath's fist against the floor sent a shockwave through the arena, sending debris flying. Ryo barely managed to roll out of the way, his body protesting with each movement. The sheer force behind Gorath's strikes was overwhelming.
But Ryo knew he couldn't keep dodging forever. The more he evaded, the more Gorath seemed to grow enraged. Each missed strike seemed to fuel his fury.
"You're quick," Gorath sneered, his voice a guttural growl. "But you won't last long."
Ryo didn't respond. He couldn't afford to waste energy on words. He needed to outthink the monster in front of him.
With a sharp intake of breath, Ryo launched himself forward, his fist connecting with Gorath's side. The blow barely fazed the beast, who retaliated by grabbing Ryo's arm and hurling him across the arena. Ryo crashed hard against the steel wall, his breath escaping in a painful gasp.
Pain exploded in his ribs, but he didn't allow it to slow him down. He rose to his feet, determination hardening his resolve. He had to survive. For Ren.
Gorath advanced again, faster this time, his fists raised high. But Ryo was ready. He knew he couldn't outmatch the brute's strength in direct combat. No, he needed to use the monster's aggression against him.
As Gorath swung for another devastating punch, Ryo ducked under it, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow. With precise timing, he used the momentum of Gorath's strike to spin around and land a quick jab to his opponent's back.
Gorath howled in rage, but Ryo didn't stop. He moved quickly, staying just out of reach, launching quick strikes to the beast's body whenever he found an opening. But with each blow, Gorath seemed to grow more furious, more unpredictable. His movements became erratic, fueled by the beast within.
Ryo felt the edge of his control slipping. The serum's effects on Gorath were clear now. He was no longer a man. He was a beast, driven only by violence and primal instinct.
And as Ryo delivered another series of quick strikes, a terrifying thought crossed his mind: Was that what he was becoming?
The question gnawed at him, but there was no time for doubt. He needed to focus. He needed to survive.
With a surge of energy, Ryo darted behind Gorath and delivered a powerful elbow to the back of the neck. The blow landed with a sickening crack, and for a moment, Gorath faltered.
Ryo didn't wait for him to recover. He seized the moment, sweeping Gorath's legs from under him, sending the beast crashing to the ground. With all his strength, Ryo brought his fist down into Gorath's chest, the impact knocking the wind from the larger fighter's lungs.
The crowd roared as Gorath's body went limp. Ryo stood over him, panting heavily, his heart racing. The bell rang again, signaling the end of the match.
But Ryo wasn't celebrating. He wasn't thinking about the cheers or the glory. His thoughts were consumed with something else—the growing fear that the monster he had fought in the arena might not be so different from the monster that lurked within himself.