Ryse's plan would take a lot of steps. The very first was being subtle.
"First thing I must ask. Who are you?" [Ryse]
The masked boy tilted his head.
"What kind of answer do you want?" [Masked Boy]
"How about just telling me your name?" [Ryse]
The masked boy scratched his chin.
"In that case… My name is Vincent. Vincent Reid. Ah, but your people call me the Demon of Frenzy." [Masked Boy]
Ryse sighed.
("The mask really told me that was his identity, but I had really hoped not.") [Ryse]
"Why are you here?" [Ryse]
"I dropped something so I came back." [Demon of Frenzy]
"I see." [Ryse]
The first condition was completed. All he needed was his name. Next came the second step.
"Did you kill everyone here?" [Ryse]
He passed his gaze over the littered corpses.
"Yep!" [Demon of Frenzy]
He agreed cheerfully.
("...Damn monster.") [Ryse]
Gritting his teeth, he continued asking questions.
"Why did you kill these people?" [Ryse]
The Demon of Frenzy looked at him with innocent eyes.
"Why shouldn't I?" [Demon of Frenzy]
Ryse was at a loss for words.
"...What are you?" [Ryse]
The Demon of Frenzy's smile faded.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" [Demon of Frenzy]
He suddenly vanished and appeared mere inches away from Ryse.
"Are you like the others too? Can't you see?" [Demon of Frenzy]
Ryse felt a chill crawl down his spine as the boy locked eyes with him. It was as if the Demon of Frenzy was staring deeply into his very soul.
"What do you see me as? A monster? A demon? Are you going to say I never should've existed? Why can't you just see me as myself?" [Demon of Frenzy]
The boy took off his mask, revealing a young man with tears rolling down his face.
("He's crying?") [Ryse]
His eyes were mesmerizing. One eye looked like it was orange, as if it was set aflame. The other, however, was crystal blue as if frozen in ice.
"Look at me. Am I not human too?" [Demon of Frenzy]
"I.." [Ryse]
As Ryse began to reply, Askyros tackled the boy.
"Askyros?!" [Ryse]
The Demon of Frenzy struggled as Askyros attempted to crush him, but managed to slip out.
"Ryse! Your chest! Snap out of it!" [Tida]
"Ryse looked down to see a burnt handprint on his breastplate. It appeared that there were signs of the metal melting, which was close to fully penetrating the armor.
("Did… Did I almost die?") [Ryse]
He looked at the Demon of Frenzy with disbelief.
"Did you just try to kill me?! Was that all a lie?!" [Ryse]
The boy frowned.
"It wouldn't be just an attempt if your friend didn't step in." [Demon of Frenzy]
Knowing that, it appeared that Ryse's original plan was a bust.
("This brat really is a demon in disguise!") [Ryse]
"Ryse. Step back. I will handle him." [Askyros]
Reassuring as that may be, Ryse didn't think that Askyros would come out unscathed.
"No, we can take him." [Ryse]
"Askyros. We have your back." [Tida]
Askyros nodded.
"Aw… Friendship. You guys disgust me." [Demon of Frenzy]
Askyros drew his sword.
"I do not care about your opinion." [Askyros]
The Demon of Frenzy tossed his mask aside.
"Okay big guy. I'm going to have fun killing you." [Demon of Frenzy]
He raised a hand and sliced the space itself apart, leaving a hole in the air. He then reached inside and took out two crimson gauntlets.
("What is that?") [Ryse]
The moment he placed them on, the Demon of Frenzy vanished.
"Huh?" [Ryse]
Surprised by the sudden disappearance, he was too slow to react as his opponent's hand reached for him. Luckily, Askyros interrupted by slashing at the boy.
"Tsk! You lucky bastard." [Demon of Frenzy]
The Demon of Frenzy engaged in close combat with Askyros. Unlike how Askyros usually approached fighting, he had to dodge for once.
"You're quick." [Askyros]
"I know." [Demon of Frenzy]
"Not enough though." [Askyros]
He thrust his blade.
"Rotating Shell Arts." [Demon of Frenzy]
With just a flick of his wrist, Askyros' sword was sent straight back at him.
"Beru Mil! Slug!" [Tida]
The sword slowed down, allowing Askyros to tilt his head enough so that the sword wouldn't stab him.
"...That's annoying." [Demon of Frenzy]
He bent down and threw dirt at Askyros, then made a beeline towards Tida.
"Root!" [Ryse]
Vines erupted below the boy, grasping at his ankles as he ran.
"Too slow." [Demon of Frenzy]
"Indeed you are." [Askyros]
To the boy's surprise, Askyros had appeared by his side. He was then met with a powerful kick.
"Urgh!" [Demon of Frenzy]
The blow had enough power in it to shatter most of his bones, but the boy managed to just minimize it to just an arm.
"Basseve Tui Fell! Holy Entrapment!" [Tida]
Golden beams of light fell from the sky, piercing the ground around the Demon of Frenzy while creating a cage.
"...We caught him!" [Ryse]
"Not yet." [Askyros]
The boy inspected the cage.
"Hm." [Demon of Frenzy]
Using his one good arm, he poked a few spots. Within an instant, the cage exploded.
"What?!" [Tida]
"You guys are pretty good." [Demon of Frenzy]
Flames suddenly erupted around his broken arm, causing it to heal quickly. Within seconds, it returned to peak condition.
"...What a monster." [Ryse]
"Ah… so that's your answer." [Demon of Frenzy]
He put on an ecstatic smile.
"So you see me as a monster, hm?" [Demon of Frenzy]
He tilted his head with a terrifying look in his eyes.
"Come then. Let's liven things up! Fight me! Kill me! Slay the monster before you!" [Demon of Frenzy]
Flames rushed out of his body, and a cold mist seemed to seep out of his breath. Ryse could sense no mana, which meant that it was naturally produced. It was almost as if he truly was a monster.
"Today, we feast on death!" [Demon of Frenzy]