Unknown Realm
The sensation of being pulled through the portal was unlike anything Ryuji Takeda had ever experienced. It was as if every part of his body was being torn apart and reassembled at the same time. The air around him was thick with the smell of sulfur and something else—something dark and primal. When he finally emerged on the other side, he found himself in a place that defied logic.
The sky above was a deep crimson, streaked with veins of black lightning. The ground beneath his feet was a barren wasteland, cracked and scorched, with rivers of molten lava snaking through the landscape. Towering structures that looked like a twisted mix of ancient castles and futuristic fortresses loomed in the distance, their spires piercing the blood-red sky.
Ryuji took a moment to steady himself, his senses overwhelmed by the alien environment. His heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. He had to stay sharp—this place was dangerous, and he could feel it in his bones.
Azazel appeared beside him, completely unfazed by the hellish surroundings. "Welcome to the Underworld, Takeda," he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "This is the realm where demons and devils thrive, where power is the only currency that matters."
Ryuji looked around, taking in the strange and terrifying beauty of the place. "And what the hell am I supposed to do here?" he asked, his voice rough.
Azazel turned to face him, his eyes glowing with an unholy light. "You said you wanted power, didn't you? To gain that power, you must prove yourself worthy. Here in the Underworld, strength is tested in fire and blood. Only the strong survive, and only the strongest rise to the top."
As if on cue, a deep, guttural growl echoed from the shadows. Ryuji tensed, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for a fight. From the darkness emerged a massive beast, a grotesque fusion of wolf and dragon, its scales glistening with a sickly green hue. Its eyes burned with an unnatural fire, and its claws left deep gouges in the ground as it advanced on him.
Ryuji's heart pounded, adrenaline flooding his veins. He had faced plenty of street fights, but this was something else entirely. The beast was a nightmare made flesh, and it was coming for him.
Azazel watched with a bemused expression. "Your first trial, Takeda. Defeat this creature, and you'll take your first step towards true power."
Ryuji clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy that had surged through him when he crossed into this realm. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before—wild, untamed, and potent. He focused, trying to channel that energy into his muscles, to draw strength from it.
The beast lunged at him with terrifying speed, its jaws snapping inches from his face. Ryuji dodged to the side, feeling the rush of air as the creature missed by a hair. He countered with a punch, his fist connecting with the beast's hide. The impact sent a shockwave through his arm, but the beast barely flinched.
Ryuji cursed under his breath. This wasn't going to be easy.
The beast circled him, snarling, and then charged again. This time, Ryuji was ready. He sidestepped the attack and, with a roar, delivered a powerful kick to the creature's side. The energy within him flared, and the kick landed with a force that surprised even him. The beast howled in pain as it was thrown several feet away, crashing into the ground.
Ryuji didn't let up. He charged at the downed creature, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks, each strike fueled by the burning energy coursing through him. The beast fought back, its claws slashing at him, but Ryuji was relentless. He could feel the power growing inside him, driving him forward, making him stronger.
Finally, with one last, bone-shattering punch, Ryuji brought the beast down. It collapsed to the ground with a final, pitiful whine, its body twitching before going still.
Ryuji stood over the defeated creature, panting heavily, his fists still clenched. Blood dripped from several wounds on his arms and torso, but he barely felt the pain. The rush of victory, the surge of power, was intoxicating.
Azazel approached, his expression one of approval. "Impressive, Takeda. You have the potential to become something truly formidable."
Ryuji wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes still burning with the thrill of the fight. "If this is what it takes to get stronger, I'll take on anything you throw at me."
Azazel smiled darkly. "Good. But remember, Takeda—this is just the beginning. There are forces in this world that will push you to your limits and beyond. But if you survive, you will gain power beyond your wildest dreams."
Ryuji nodded, his mind already set. He had come this far, and there was no turning back. He was ready to embrace the darkness, to become something more than just a man.
As he stood in the heart of the Underworld, surrounded by the echoes of his first victory, Ryuji Takeda knew one thing for certain: he would rise, no matter the cost.
To be continued...