Chapter 5
The chariot sped through the like a projectile released from a siege engine, the air whipping at his face. It was well into the night now, the crimson moon bathed the world in a sickly red glow.The dark flames on the manes of the horses also provided some light, but to Ryu, the vibe it gave was quite spooky.
Down below they passed thick forest with strange silhouettes moving swiftly in the dense wood.
"What's demon taming?" Ryu asked. When Matsura said it, he hadn't really thought of it, but those strange silhouettes suddenly reminded him that this world was full of danger and demons.
"You are still young Ryu, merely telling you will be of no use, instead a demonstration will etch it in your memory" Matsura said with a smile. Then he jumped off the chariot.
Ryu watched in awe as Matsura free fell through the air, with nothing but a smile on his face.
The horses nosedived and the chariot began plummeting down at speeds Ryu couldn't comprehend.
[System: Survival Instincts unlocked]
[Strength: +5]
[Vitality: +5]
Immediately, Ryu felt like he had full control of his own body, he felt like he was back in his previous body, he didn't feel like a baby anymore, he felt like a grown man.
Ryu grabbed the side of the chariot as he held on for dear life, he could barely see with the wind thrashing at his face.
The chariot came to an abrupt stop as Ryu opened his eyes. It was dark, very dark. The tall trees were blocking the light of the moon. It was still there, but the forest was almost pitch black. Ryu couldn't see his own arm. In the background Ryu could hear the sounds of battle as weapons clashed.
"Dad," Ryu called out. The sounds of battle intensified.
"Stay in the chariot, Ryu," Matsura ordered. The sound of weapons clashing and the fierce, deep roars of a creature echoed through the forest. The roars sounded old and dangerous, like something from an era long forgotten.
Ryu narrowed his eyes in the darkness, his senses becoming more alert because of the sudden burst of power from his body. He could just make out flashes of dark and red light in the distance, each one followed by a big explosion that shook the ground, sending dirt and debris flying into the air.
Then, the sounds stopped all of a sudden.
Which was followed by a lenghty silence, only broken by the sound of leaves rustling in the distance. The dark flames on the skeletal horses flickered, making creepy shadows on the trees.
A little while later, Matsura came out of the dark, pulling a huge creature by its neck.
The demon was huge, almost twice as big as Matsura. It wore black armor that had red glowing lines running through it. Its helmet had a terrifying face with big horns on top. Under the sharp ridges of its head, two eyes burned like bright suns. Below them was a scary, jagged mouth.
"What's that?" Ryu asked, his voice trembling slightly despite himself.
Matsura grinned. "This, my son, is a Grade 1 Corrupted Tempus. Perfect for your first test in demon taming."
Ryu's eyes widened. "I thought you were going to tame it."
"Oh, I am," Matsura said, his tone teasing. "But watch closely, Ryu. This is a process you'll need to master to really be called my son."
He flung the Tempus to the ground with a thud that shook the earth, and it snarled, its claws slashing at the air in fury. Matsura stepped back, holding out his hand as a swirling dark orb formed in his palm. With a flick of his wrist, the orb shot forward, forming an intricate glowing array into the ground around the demon.
Ryu leaned forward, fascinated by the glowing lines and symbols that appeared, trapping the Tempus within their confines. The demon roared, its claws raking against the barrier, but the array held firm.
"This array does two things," Matsura explained. "First, it suppresses the demon's power, reducing it to a fraction of its full strength. Second…" He gestured at the symbols glowing brighter with each passing second. "It establishes a connection between the tamer and the demon."
Ryu nodded and took in everything he was being told.
The demon started to struggle more as the array started to close in around it.
Bright lines of energy formed into chains that wrapped around its arms and legs. Matsura walked to the edge of the array and started making a series of precise hand movements. He began to chant a deep, unfamiliar voice in a language Ryu didn't recognize.
The array glowed brightly as the Tempus let out a pained cry and began to shrink in size. Its smoky smouldering skin turned to a tan like colour, its head gained flesh as silky dark hair began sprouting from its scalp.
It still had demonic figures like piercing crimson eyes and claws, but Ryu felt its aura weaken significantly.
Matsura stopped chanting and pointed at the demon. "Kneel."
The newly humanoid demon resisted for a moment, growling low, but the array pulsed with an intense light, and it collapsed to one knee.
"What happened to it?" Ryu asked, wide-eyed.
"When a demon is tamed, part of its power is sealed away," Matsura explained. "This allows it to take on a human-like form, making it easier to integrate into society. However," He glanced at the kneeling demon with a smirk. "The essence of its power remains, and if I command it, it will revert to its original form and fight for me."
Matsura stepped closer to the demon and placed a hand on its head. "From this moment, you are bound to the Hayato clan. You shall now be known as Girun Feng Yan."
A faint glow emanated from the demon as its new name took hold. The array dissipated, and the demon rose, its crimson eyes now calm and submissive.
Ryu stared in awe. "It listened… it obeyed."
Matsura turned to his son with a satisfied grin. "That's the power of taming. But remember, Ryu, this is only the beginning. You'll need to learn how to earn their loyalty, maintain the seal, and wield their strength wisely. One mistake, and they'll turn on you. Now let's get back before your mom starts getting worried"