Chapter 9: Isolated Island, Japan

The sky loomed ominously on the rugged landscape as the howling wind threatened to tear up everything in its path. The sun rarely ever came out of sight due to the constant billowing of dark clouds. Waves were constantly pounding on the rocks that lined the island’s jagged coastline. Few animals ever came here and the surroundings seemed to be almost devoid of any life. Even the plant life was sparse and these were usually of the type that could withstand harsh conditions. The whole area was rocky with a huge cave located in the heart of the island. Beside the cave were numerous weathered stone images of ancient gods and demons. Most of the statues were quite weathered but they had not lost the fearsome grimaces that bespoke their visages.

The island had once been used as a shrine to these images many years ago. One could still find some remnant of broken altars or rusted utensils in the area surrounding the shrine. Years of neglect had left the island in such a miserable state that it was all but forgotten.

However, an eerie red glow was emanating from the mouth of the cave entrance indicating that there was something or someone on the island. Flickering torches lined the cave’s passageway but these were not the source of the strange light that could be seen from within the cave’s inner sanctum. In the middle of it all a dark, shadowy figure was sitting cross-legged on the floor and was surrounded by numerous candles. The figure was wearing a black gi with torn sleeves and a necklace with the kanji symbol inscribed in the center. Although in a state of meditation, it did not hide the menace of the person’s appearance especially since the red aura of light was coming from him.

After a while, the man’s eyes opened and he growled threateningly. It had been some time since his last battle and for the time being, he had paused to go into reclusion. The fight had been a stalemate, neither he nor his opponent had enough strength to finish the fight. The memory of that battle caused his red aura to flare up wildly before subsiding.

"Ryu…", Akuma began.

The dark Shotokan master recalled his last encounter with Ryu. Both of them were evenly matched and were well aware of what each was capable of doing. Akuma knew that from among all his opponents, the only one who had the potential to match his power was the young student of his late brother, Gouken. Even Ken did not have the same potential despite the fact that he was just as skilled as Ryu.

Ryu was just about to square off against Gill when he suddenly appeared and let loose the Shun Goku Satsu on the unsuspecting Gill. Akuma and Ryu then proceeded to do battle with each other, knowing that the time had finally come to settle everything.

Their fight had been fast and furious. When their energy had been nearly spent, both decided to end the match. Drawing on their remaining strength, both fighters released their respective chi attacks. Akuma’s Messatsu Gou Hadou collided with Ryu’s Shinkuu Hadouken and the result caused a tremendous explosion of energy that knocked the combatants unconscious to the ground.

Ryu had been the first to get up to his knees and Akuma followed a few moments after. Seeing that both could not continue, he warned Ryu that they would meet again and finish what they had started. After teleporting away, he had retreated to his island and began to ponder on what to do next.

Musing to himself, "That boy will yet continue to further his potential. My weakling brother was right in training Ryu… little did he know that his apprentice would become a formidable opponent. I will have to deal with him again soon. But I shall be ready for him. When that time comes, only one of us will survive."

Akuma’s maniacal laughter left echoes as he left the island, dark shadows trailing in his wake. It was time to begin the search for Ryu.

The wind continued in its howling fury.