The curse's massive arms came crashing down.
Ryu's fingers closed around the fragment at the last second.
Blue energy exploded from his body, thick glowing chains shot upward and wrapped tightly around both of the curse's wrists, the chains pulled hard, stopping the arms just inches above Ryu's head.
The Special Grade curse roared in fury, its metal body shook as it tried to break free, the screaming faces on its skin twisted with rage.
Ken Flash didn't wait he dashed in low, blade flashing, and drove the short sword deep into the curse's side, black smoke poured out from the deep cut, the monster screamed even louder, the sound echoing between the alley walls.
"Kid, stay down!" Ken shouted, pulling his blade free and slashing again but Ryu was already on his feet, the fragment burned hotter in his palm. More images flashed through his mind clean hand signs, smooth flows of cursed energy, moves he had never practiced, everything felt simple, natural.
He copied the chains once more, this time they were stronger, they shot forward and wrapped around the curse's thick neck, Ryu pulled with all his strength.
The curse stumbled forward and dropped to one knee. Its many mouths opened wide, screaming in pain and anger.
Ken saw the opening, he jumped onto the curse's back and stabbed downward again and again. Each strike sent more black smoke spilling into the rain.
For a few seconds, it looked like they might actually win.
Then the curse twisted violently, one arm ripped free from the chains with a loud snap, it swung sideways in a brutal arc and slammed straight into Ken's chest.
Ken flew across the alley like a rag doll and crashed hard into a pile of overflowing trash bags. He lay still for a moment, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Ryu felt a cold wave wash over him, the calm voice returned inside his head, clearer than before.
*He is slowing you down. Use me.*
Ryu shook his head hard, rain flying from his hair. "No… I don't need you."
The curse rose back to its full height, its metal limbs creaked loudly, all its screaming faces turned toward Ryu at the same time.
Pain exploded inside his ears, his knees buckled and he almost fell, the fragment pulsed stronger in his hand, blue energy flooded his body again. Suddenly he could see glowing weak points on the curse bright spots where the negative emotions were thickest, he didn't stop to question it, he just moved.
Ryu ran straight at the monster, blue chains formed around his right fist, he jumped as high as he could and punched the largest glowing spot right in the center of the curse's chest.
The hit landed with a loud crack, the curse's body split open like breaking glass, a huge cloud of black smoke burst out, the monster staggered backward, roaring in pain.
Ryu landed hard on the wet ground, his legs trembled, blood started running from his nose. Holding the fragment and using so much energy was draining him fast.
Ken finally pushed himself up from the trash, his face was pale and twisted with pain. "That's enough! You're going to collapse if you keep this up!" but Ryu couldn't stop, the voice in his head grew louder and colder.
*Finish it. Or it will finish both of you.*
The curse recovered quickly, it swung one heavy arm again, this time Ryu was too slow, the edge of the metal limb grazed his left shoulder, sharp pain tore through him and he dropped to one knee, gasping.
Ken was suddenly beside him, he grabbed Ryu's arm and pulled him back. "We need to run. Now. This thing is too strong for us right now."
Ryu looked at the fragment still clutched in his hand, the blue glow had dimmed slightly, but it still felt alive, warm, almost comforting.
He hated how calm he felt inside, he should be terrified, he should be panicking and screaming. Instead, everything felt distant, quiet.
The curse took one heavy step toward them, the ground shook under its weight.
Ken's grip tightened on Ryu's arm. "Listen to me carefully, my academy is not far from here, we can make it if we move right now but you have to drop that fragment, it's changing you too quickly."
Ryu lifted his eyes and met Ken's worried gaze.
For the first time, he spoke the thought that had been growing inside him since the alley began.
"What if I don't want to drop it?"
Ken's eyes narrowed, rain ran down his face. "Then you won't stay you for much longer."
The curse roared again, it started charging forward, metal limbs smashing through trash and broken walls.
Ken pulled Ryu to his feet roughly. "Run!"
They both turned and sprinted down the long alley. Behind them, the Special Grade curse destroyed everything in its path, getting closer with every heavy step.
Ryu's legs felt heavier with each stride, his cuts burned, his shoulder throbbed, the fragment pulsed steadily in time with his racing heartbeat and deep inside his mind, the calm, emotionless voice whispered one final time.
*You will need me soon, vessel.*
Ryu kept running, but he could already feel something important starting to slip away from him.
**End of Chapter 3**