"uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
Fujimi High School was surrounded by the undead. Takashi's group had escaped unharmed aboard a mini bus with a few other survivors in tow. Shizuka-sensei was focused on driving while the rest of the survivors relaxed.
Rei stared out the window and breathed a sigh of relief. "Do you think Senpai and Chihiro-chan will be alright?"
"This is the infamous Demon Knight we're talking about!" Kohta shouted as if the answer to her question was the most obvious thing in the world.
Saya couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you stupid or something? How would that help in a situation like this?"
"I can't really speak to the rumors about him, but I do know this much. When I first saw Ryuji in class at the beginning of the school year, I always had this feeling that he was different. He had this strange aura about him." Saeko stated.
"Now that you mention it, his attitude towards this whole situation was way too laid back. He didn't seem fazed let alone freaked out in the slightest. And what the hell was up with his sister!? It sounded like she was having the time of her life! Then there was that care package that conveniently crashed on top of the school roof. Just what was so important that he thought he could escape single-handedly while protecting a first year girl?" Saya added.
"Maybe it was a legendary weapon that only the 'Demon Knight' can wield?" Kohta suggested.
"I swear if you say one more stupid… The way you describe him, you make him sound like he isn't even human!" Saya yelled.
"That may not be far off. After seeing what he did on the roof, there's no way a normal human could've accomplished what he did. There's also the matter of those chains…" Takashi interrupted.
"I was curious about that myself. He said he wore them since he was seven years old, but they looked pretty heavy to me. I wonder why he wears them." Rei added.
"The more we speculate, the more questions we have about him. I suggest we save them for when we see him next time." Saeko stated.
"Next time…?" Takashi questioned.
"It's just a feeling." Saeko answered.
Meanwhile, back at Fujimi High School…
*CRASH!*
Ryuji had just jumped off the roof holding his zanbato in his right hand and punching the ground with his left while Chihiro was clinging to his back for dear life. The shockwave from his landing attracted the hoard of the undead to him.
"uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
As Ryuji stood up, he noticed a strange light emanating from his weapon. "Upgraded using the most advanced technology, huh? I guess this is what Sis meant."
"uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
"Chihiro no matter what happens, don't let go."
She closed her eyes and tightened her grip around him.
Ryuji charged the approaching hoard, but they were so slow that he was able to easily run and evade them till halfway through. Without missing a beat he raised his zanbato and virtually cut his first undead victim in half. As the undead corpse fell to the ground, he raised his blade and swung horizontally decapitating three more of 'them' in the process. One swift motion after another he skillfully felled three to four of 'them' at a time inching his way forward as he went till he finally broke through leaving the rest behind. He easily hopped the fence that enclosed the school and they made their escape. Ryuji looked at his weapon as the glow slowly dimmed and concluded that it only glowed in the presence of the undead and the closer he was to 'them' the more intense the glow. It was a useful gimmick to say the least. "You can open your eyes now. We're not on school grounds anymore."
When Chihiro opened her eyes, she was stunned at how fast Ryuji was running. Her sister's elementary school was only a couple of miles away and at the rate they were going make it to their destination in no time flat.
"Senpai, your sword…"
Just as she said that, the elementary school was coming into view.
"Apparently it detects their presence by glowing."
"Then that means… My sister…"
"Don't worry. She's safe. I'm sure of it."
The elementary school was fenced off from all sides with the only entrances being at the front and back. Despite that, they were able to successfully make their way on to school grounds without attracting any attention. Letting Chihiro off his back and sheathing his blade, they then slowly crept their way towards the school and peered around the corner of the building to find a whole group of the undead trying to break the front doors down. The noise they were making kept attracting more of 'them' seemingly without end.
"Sis wasn't kidding when she said it was only a matter of time, but this is a good sign. If they're still pounding away at the door, then it means they haven't made it inside yet. Let's try the back." Ryuji whispered.
Chihiro nodded in agreement.
They slowly made their way to the back of the school, careful not to make any noise. As soon as they arrived, Ryuji scanned the area. "It looks like none of them have made it back here yet." The pair made their way to the back entrance, but as expected the doors were locked. "I guess I shouldn't have expected any different considering the situation, but how will we get in without attracting their attention?"
"Senpai… That window…" Chihiro said pointing at an open window.
The pair walked towards the open window and after making their way inside Ryuji closed the window behind them. "Well that was careless. They lock all the doors, but they forget to close all the windows? It kind of defeats the purpose."
They found themselves in an empty classroom.
"We finally made it here. I'm scared, but I have to find my sister. I need to know that she's safe." These were the thoughts that were racing through the first year's mind. "Let's look around Senpai." Chihiro suggested leaving the third year's side for the first time.
Ryuji followed her lead. "It looks like she finally calmed down. It's reassuring that she can stand on her own two feet when she needs to."
Upon having a look around, it became apparent that the entire first floor of the building had been vacated. Both the front and back doors were not only locked, they were also barricaded off with desks and other school equipment. The sounds could be heard echoing throughout the hallway as the undead relentlessly attacked the front entrance.
Chihiro was frightened by the noises, but she quickly pulled herself together. "Let's move on to the next floor!" She shouted as she took Ryuji's hand and pulled him to the nearest staircase doing her best to put on a brave face. They walked up the stairs in silence. She was desperate to find her sister. "I want to see her. I want to see her right now, but I don't see anyone here either? Is she in one of these rooms? I'm not sure, but I only know of one way to find out."
"How would you like to go about it this time? Shall we go around and search every room again?" Ryuji asked.
Instead of answering, she simply walked forward and took a deep breath, before shouting at the top of her lungs. "RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~CHAAAAAAAAAAN!"
There was an immediate response to her cry. One of the doors opened and a small girl that resembled Chihiro appeared. "CHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~ONEE~CHAAAAAAAAAAN!"
Upon finishing their unique sisterly call, the two girls stared at each other trying to verify whether the other was really right in front of them. "This is real right? I'm not dreaming or anything right?" Chihiro mumbled as tears streamed down her face.
"Chi~Onee~chan!" The younger sister called out as she sprinted and jumped onto Chihiro who welcomed her with open arms. The siblings collapsed to their knees as they embraced each other.
Upon feeling her sister's warmth against hers, Chihiro knew that this was indeed reality. "My sister… My precious little sister… I'm so happy you're safe…" She barely managed to say before fully breaking down.
The younger sister reciprocated and cried along with her.
Ryuji could only smile as he witnessed the act of sisterly love before him.
Noise could be heard coming from Rise's class room. "Class, please calm down." A female teacher emerged from the doorway. "Rise, you shouldn't leave the class room like that. It's danger…" Just as she was about to scold her, she saw a familiar face and a complete stranger. "Who are you?"
"What is all the commotion about? We are under lock down people!" A mature blond woman exclaimed as she walked onto the scene.
"These people just showed up." Rise's teacher explained.
"You better have a good explanation for this." The principal stated in a threatening tone pointing at Ryuji.
Meanwhile, back at the front entrance to the school… *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* A lot more of 'them' had gathered on the school grounds. Their relentless assault was starting to make an impact as the doors were giving way. The banging echoed all throughout the building putting everyone on edge.
By this time, the sisters had finished embracing each other and were now holding hands.
"I have to stay with the class. Chihiro-chan, when you're finished could you escort your sister back to the classroom?" Rise's teacher asked.
"I will Sensei." Chihiro replied with a smile.
The teacher gave a slight bow before returning to the class room.
Ryuji and company followed the principal to her office where he explained everything to her from what happened at Fujimi High to how they ended up here.
"I understand. I'm sorry about what happened to your high school. That must've been tough, but still you can imagine my surprise. Two high school students show up out of the blue and one of them is a male no less." The principal stated.
Ryuji was perplexed. "What does my gender have to do with it?"
"Um Senpai… I didn't mention it before, but this is a girl's only school. Even the entire faculty here is female." Chihiro answered.
"Talk about dropping a bomb on someone." Ryuji grumbled.
Rise tugged on her sister's shirt to get her attention. "Onee~chan… I have to go to the bathroom."
"Eh? Um… okay. Please excuse us." She politely said with a bow before escorting her younger sister to the restroom.
"Anyway, I explained our situation to you. It's time you did the same." Ryuji stated.
"Very well, that is only fair after all. It was only by luck that we were able to survive. It was during lunch time, so most of the faculty was gathered in the teacher's lounge. I just happened to turn the news on. If it wasn't for that we probably would've been overrun already. I couldn't believe it at first, but no matter what channel I flipped to; all the television stations were talking about the outbreaks. I tried calling the emergency number to find out more, but the line was busy which could only mean that this was a serious situation. That's when I made my decision. In order to protect the students and secure the school I ordered a lockdown. It was a close call though. Just as we put the lockdown into motion those things came into view. The whole school was in a panic as we scrambled to get everyone inside the building. Thankfully, no one was hurt. By the time they broke through the front gates, we had already barricaded the doors and evacuated everyone to the second floor. From there we just holed ourselves up in the classrooms trying to wait those things out. The rest you already know."
Ryuji bowed to her. "Thank you."
"What do you mean?"
"If it wasn't for your quick thinking, I wouldn't have been able to keep my promise to my kouhai."
"I don't need to be thanked for doing my job, but you're welcome." Her lips curled into a small smile. There was a moment of silence, but that was when the principal noticed something was odd. "The banging stopped. Did they finally give up?"
"I know from experience that it's not that easy. Once they hear a sound, they hone in on it like a moth to a flame." Ryuji partially drew his zanbato from his sword pack to get a better look. The blade's constant glow was now intensifying confirming his suspicions as he sheathed it.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
An earth-shattering scream echoed throughout the halls of the elementary school.
Ryuji sprinted into the hallway to find one of 'them' had wandered onto the second floor. The undead corpse was standing over the Mihoshi sisters who were on their knees clinging to each other in terror. The thing's mouth was gaping wide open as it prepared to bite. Chihiro did her best to protect Rise as she used her body as a shield, getting between her and their attacker. She closed her eyes and prepared herself for what was to come. Time was slowing down as the scene unfolded right before Ryuji's eyes. "What the hell are you doing just sitting there!? Run idiot!" He yelled in his mind as he bolted towards them.
*Crunch!*
Chihiro cringed as she heard the undead corpse clamp its jaws down sinking its teeth into her raw flesh… or so she thought. "Why am I not feeling any pain? I was sure it bit me. So why…?" She opened her eyes and slowly turned around only for her mind to go completely blank. She opened her mouth, but no words were coming out. Tears were flowing down her cheeks like waterfalls as she struggled to speak. "Sen…pai…"
"You really are a crybaby." Ryuji responded.
She looked on in a state of horror. "But, your arm…"
Ryuji was standing over her. The monster that was about to bite her was now gnawing on the left arm of her beloved Senpai. "Now that it's come to this, I guess there's no point in hiding it anymore." He tore the undead corpse off his arm and tossed it across the hallway. The third year looked at his arm, the bandages that he wore around his left arm were now soaked with his blood. He sighed as he removed the drenched wrappings from his bound arm.
Chihiro took a closer look at Ryuji's arm and her fears had now just turn into disbelief. "Senpai's arm… It's a darker color than the rest of his body. Not only that, it doesn't look like the arm of a human. It's more like that of a demon."
"Scared? It's ok if you are." Ryuji stated as if he were reading her thoughts.
"It's not that I'm scared of you. I kind of had an idea, after seeing what you were capable of. This is just the confirmation, but more importantly your arm! That thing bit you!" Chihiro shouted.
"I wouldn't worry about that. Look…" He reassured her, pointing at the undead corpse. "Even though I didn't smash its head, it isn't moving anymore. I've always had immunity to things like diseases, infections, poisons, and I don't think this virus is any exception. Now that I think about it, it probably bit off more than it could chew." Ryuji explained as if this were just another normal conversation.
"Why are you so calm in this kind of situation!? Don't you have any sense of urgency!? Besides even if what you say is true, you were still bit! What do you plan on doing about the wound!?" Chihiro yelled.
"Don't worry about it. One of the perks of being the infamous Demon Knight of Fujimi High is my ability to instantly regenerate from any wound or injury. It's pretty cool, right?" He responded showing her his arm which was healing at a rapid rate right before her eyes.
"How cruel!? I was worried about you and yet you… Shame on you Senpai!" Chihiro pouted.
Ryuji sighed before patting her on the head. "Sorry, I really do say insensitive things. At least you managed to stop crying. Forgive me?"
She simply blushed and nodded accepting his apology.
"Onee-chan…" Rise whimpered into her sister's chest still in shock. The Mihoshi sisters were still stuck in the same position from when they were attacked; in each other's embrace.
"It's alright Ri-chan. We're safe now. Ryuji-senpai saved us." Chihiro reassured her.
"Are you all right?" Rise's teacher asked from the doorway of her class room.
"Yes sensei. All of us are fine." Chihiro answered.
"Thank goodness. Well, what are you waiting for? I told you to escort your sister back to the classroom when you were done didn't I? How am I supposed to lock and barricade the door with the both of you still out there?"
"Yes, I'm sorry." She apologized. "Come on Ri-chan." Chihiro said to her sister as they got up and walked towards the classroom. She turned around and saw Ryuji wasn't following her. "Aren't you coming with us Senpai?"
"I made a promise to you, remember? I may not have any tact when it comes to holding a conversation, but if it's fighting. Well, I've been refining that skill since the day I was born."
"But…" She started to say till they were interrupted.
"uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
"They're coming. Focus on what you can do Chihiro and I'm sure you already know what that is." Ryuji stated.
The first year looked at her sister and reluctantly accepted what he said. "I understand. Be careful Senpai." She took her sister and ran to the teacher's classroom and when they made it in, the teacher locked the door and they quickly barricaded themselves in with the rest of Rise's class.
"And I'll focus on what I can do." The third year said to himself; clearing his mind of all distractions.
"uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
Ryuji could see 'them' coming up the stairs.
"uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
They were coming from behind as well. He was surrounded, but that didn't deter him as he stared 'them' down. "Looks like ya'll going to a party."
"uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
The undead hoard closed in on him.
Ryuji drew his zanbato, which was now shining as bright as a mini sun in their presence. "So ya'll wanna party? Time to Rock N' Roll!" Ryuji exclaimed as a sadistic grin formed across his face.
AN: Finally managed to write up chapter 2, just before my Spring Semester starts too. I originally intended to make this longer, but I decided to cut this chapter short. Mainly because of Ryuji's last lines which were taken from the opening cinematic of DFO if you choose to play the Slayer character. Basically, it's the beginning of your adventure as a Dungeon Fighter. As a crossover fanfic I wanted be as loyal to the HOTD canon as I possibly could, while at the same time going so far into the DFO direction that it almost feels like Dungeon Fighter. The only difference being the HOTD universe is now your overworld and the monsters you fight are the undead. I hope to achieve that when I write the next chapter.