In the real world, Ryu's chest burst open, black blood flowing out of it. But, it was as though he couldn't see or sense what was happening at all, his gaze still blankly staring ahead into the eyes of the Valkyrie.
His Realm Heart tore apart, a piece of it collapsing along with his heart and beginning to crumble.
Blood dripped down Ryu's mouth, even his eyes beginning to streak with blood.
Elena tried to rush forward from the skies, but she found herself strongly rebuffed, her arm snapping and her wings clipping like some sort of broken kite as she was flung back.
The Dao of the Valkyrie was too great. She couldn't even get close, an invisible barrier surrounding Ryu without allowing him or anyone else for that matter, to interfere with the process.
Ryu's world went dark and he found himself sprawled on the ground. His jaw hurt a bit, he could even feel a bruise beginning to throb and grow.
He spit out to the side, and one of his teeth actually shot out along with a projectile of blood.
Who the hell had punched him?
He looked up to find a fiery red head boy standing over him.
Oh, it was this bastard from the Deep Eruption Sect. That was right, he ended up because he had said the bastard was a weakling who wouldn't even last a second on the Shrine Plane. How ridiculous, if it wasn't for the fact he couldn't cultivate, would he even be able to land a blow like that?
Ryu kicked out, getting the bastard who had a worried expression on his face right in the shin. But it felt like he had kicked a hard rock wall, he almost snapped his Achilles sending out that kick.
The bastard who had begun to worry since he had lost his temper and punched Patriarch Tatsuya's son suddenly had his fuse relit. This brat was still trying to piss him off? Well fuck it, since he was already going to get into trouble anyway, why not throw another punch.
Ryu protected his face, his silvery irises glaring up.
Then, when he saw he had an opportunity, he swung his leg up again. But, this time, he went right for the groin, driving his shin up with as much force as he could muster.
The bastard yelped out in pain, rolling off to the side.
Ryu scrambled up, reaching for a large potted plant off to the side. Instantly realizing he couldn't pick it up, his gaze flashed. His eyes calculated everything in an instant.
He put his back up against the pot and drove with his legs, knocking it over and right onto the writhing bastard's face.
Another yelp sounded out as glass and clay cracked and shattered.
Ryu stumbled over, finding himself a heavy metal rod at the edge of the training grounds. He picked out the heaviest one he could swing and limped back over to the bleeding bastard.
By now, the bastard had regained some of his bearings, but it was clear he had a heavy concussion. And, while Ryu didn't have any cultivation, he still had his eyes and years of spear training prior.
He wacked the metal rod against the side of the bastard's head again, sending him reeling.
"You little shit!" The bastard roared, stumbling around before suddenly exploding forward in a tackle.
Ryu could see it, but he was unfortunately much too slow. The air was knocked out of him again and he thought he heard a rib crack.
The two boys, one concussed, and the other injured, rolled around with no winner in sight.
However, Ryu only seemed to be getting more and more angry.
He couldn't even beat this weakling. His body was so frail, and only seemed to be getting frailer by the day. All the strength he had had as a toddler was diminishing and all he could do now was roll around with this bastard.
If only he could cultivate. Even if he had to trade in all his talent, he would do it. Just give him common grade talent and he would still be able to beat all these people.
Why was this bastard so lucky? Why could he cultivate but I can't?!
The voice boomed once again.
Another hole appeared in Ryu's chest, black blood pouring out even faster as his face drained of all color.
Ryu's world shifted once again. He found himself in a familiar bed room, a familiar woman lying beneath him, her eyes filled with vulnerability and trust.
"Hubby?" Elena awoke fully to a set of cold lips on hers. Yet, she felt a sense of warmth and comfort when she saw that set of silver eyes looking down at her.
Ryu's eyes were slightly red, still lingering with remnants of his stored emotions. Still, they had an outpouring of tenderness and love that was rare for him. How long had Elena waited to see this very gaze? How many nights had she dreamt of being awoken by this very kiss that still tingled along her lips? So why did she feel her eyes watering? Why was her chest aching with this disgusting bitter-sweet feeling?
"Elena.." Ryu's voice was barely a whisper as though he feared a louder volume would betray its trembling. "Will you allow me to be selfish?"
Ryu continued to look into her eyes, his heart pulling at him to make a different choice, to not use his wife like that, to not mark her as though she was some piece of property who wouldn't be able to make decisions for herself so long as he did this.
But he went through it anyway.
She was too beautiful, too gorgeous. He had held back for far too long, he had to have her. No one else could touch his woman. She was his, and his alone.
Only he could feel these soft curves, these delicate lips, to see her in such an open and vulnerable way…
Ryu's chest burst again, a deep chasm opening up. His ribs split apart, revealing the shredded organs beneath.
His Realm Heart teetered on the brink of absolute collapse, pulling at the last bits of his life.