Street Fighter: Dream Never Ends

By Talyn Rahman-Figueroa

Since killing his eternal foe in the heat of battle, Japanese martial artist Ryu Hoshi vowed to never fight again. Seven years later, Ryu continues to live his life in isolation, pursuing the way of the warrior with constant fear that the evil dormant power within him will awaken. One harrowing night, Ryu suddenly feels his animalistic self being unleashed upon a quiet Japanese fishing village, destroying everything in sight. Strangely, it is only in the presence of a young American actress that he feels such malevolence open up to the world. Her body is scarred with Ryu’s name, and her aura mimics that of the demonic rival he destroyed so long ago. Finding himself in a sea of doubt and confusion, Ryu must re-open old wounds to discover his destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Talyn Rahman-Figueroa
• Release date: Feb 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301816958

Talyn Rahman-Figueroa

Street Fighter: Dream Never Ends is the first series of novels based on the popular fighting video-game, Street Fighter. With its 25-year gaming history, the Street Fighter novel has been written for loyal fans spanned across the world. The novel will appeal to readers of Barry Eisler, David Gemmell and Robert Crais, all of whom had greatly inspired the writing of Talyn Rahman-Figueroa. Street Fighter novelist Talyn Rahman-Figueroa is a diplomatic director from London, United Kingdom. As a graduate of Japanese and diplomacy, and a former student of the Shotokan Arts, Rahman-Figueroa has dedicated much of her youth in exploring and understanding the depth and personality of her favourite character, Ryu. Street Fighter: Dream Never Ends is accepted as a full novel by its critics. Characters and storyline of this novel has been based on the work of Capcom. Intellectual property rights belong to ©Capcom Entertainment, Inc. and copyright of illustrations belong to the artists.

Book preview

She clenched her fists against her temple, pounding hard to drive the voice out of her head. Perhaps with enough force, she could make herself believe that this was just another nightmare, or a small case of dementia. But the more she smacked herself, the louder he laughed, deafening her senses to the harsh raindrops that plummeted around her.

It’s not me talking, Tawnya mumbled to herself, unconvinced. Ignore it, just ignore it.

She hesitated for a moment, feeling thick incessant raindrops roll down her face. Her hazel eyes squinted into the piercing darkness, hoping that someone would find her in time, but the vast emptiness seemed to have her surrounded. After just two hours of downpour, the small Japanese countryside north of Kansai was near to flooding. She staggered forward into the sloshing puddle, watching flooded trees bend in the wind against hot air. Her breath was short but the humidity was nothing compared to the evil darkness she felt overpowering her.

"Follow him. Make him feel pain."

I won’t, she sputtered at the voice, her words barely audible. I...can’t...

"We are one," he yelled at her. It is a fact you cannot control.

There was an explosion, followed by billowing dark gray smoke. She halted at the distraction, but only for a second.

"RUN!" the voice commanded.

Tawnya obeyed. She had to in order to survive. She clutched at her chest, wanting to at least control the harsh thumping of her racing heart, but it was useless. Her body was merely a tool.

"He is close," the deep voice rumbled. Bring him to me.

Her panting grew louder and more desperate for air in the stiflingly muggy atmosphere. Her arms flailed wildly as she turned her head this way and that, only to see nothing but darkness. She turned, darting in the opposite direction on a different path where the clouds of smoke were thickest. The cardigan around her waist slapped against her wet jeans. It was almost impossible to run through the flood.

"His name is Ryu...Call for him."

RYU! Tawnya cried in terror, trying to overpower the sound of her solitary voice to a near scream.

Then something ferocious sizzled towards her. Tawnya held herself stiff as she watched a great fireball speed by her, a scalding tangible energy that exploded against the wooden bridge. The flames shot up high into the air, producing a burning heat that would have been welcomed in the cold season. Tawnya thirstily sucked precipitation from her lips, then opened her parched mouth to the dark falling deluge.

She suddenly smiled at the burning bridge, feeling an unnatural excitement at the enviable control she had over Ryu. It was only a matter of time before the Dark Hadou would eat away at his soul, little by little, all and completely. Only then would he be ready to fight.

She shook her head, exasperated and frightened by these alien thoughts.

Get outta my head, Tawnya said aloud, pounding at her temples again. She felt frightened of this thing controlling her actions and using her body to do its bidding beyond the burden of exhaustion.

No, no! she screamed, lifting her hands to her ears to silence him, but the vicious stab of his voice forced her to collapse into the deep puddle.

Please… she begged, don’t make me do it again… but her shaking hand had already retrieved the knife from her back pocket.

Biting her lips hard, Tawnya found herself peering at the weapon with a horrible lack of remorse. The veins on her arm appeared prominently as her gloved right hand gripped the knife tighter, drawing the jagged blade against her clammy skin. She swallowed hard, lost in the sickening conflict that swelled like an infection inside her. Despite her conscience screaming to rebel, he would make her do it.

"Something to remind you of this night."

This night...? she echoed him dazedly.

"The night of your true connection with Ryu."

To mark this night, for my own good, Tawnya said in an even clear tone. Her mind blanked out from her own thoughts, as the pointed edge pierced her skin to engrave Ryu’s name. The throbbing wound gushed an abhorrent red as the blade sliced out another uneven letter. Her expression had become wickedly amused. She knew from the way Ryu had looked at her that he finally felt that connection with her too. An association. A relationship. Something. The sharp pain only made her chortle.

"For tonight." His laughter echoed, mocking her.

Tawnya hurled, looking away from the blood that broke her out of the trance. Her fingers trailed into a lukewarm puddle, letting the knife slip with a loud plop. The trickling blood escaped down her fingers as she gripped the pounding wound tight. She stood to release the stiffness in her knees but her sight blurred from her light-headedness.

For a moment, there was complete silence. Tawnya tried to relax but her body froze, petrified, hearing a haughty laugh that was followed by a loud finger snap. She hoped it was only a hallucination caused by the evening heat. Yet she held her breath ready to scream, in case she was met by the man that controlled her.

Tsk, tsk. A murky green aura. You should be ashamed. The voice was evidently female with a faint Italian accent. Her voice had almost an echoing, hallucinatory air to it.

Tawnya turned to find a tall figure looking down at her. Her long legs were shapely, and the tautness of her calf muscles suggested she wore heels that withstood wet pastures. Her presence was almost celestial.

Rose spoke softly, protected by a large umbrella that casted a shadow over her face. Her fingers were slim, gripping the umbrella rod like a glass of fine wine. Emotional conflict, dependency, passiveness... I see you are consumed.

Tawnya’s body was limp. She looked so afraid, quivering like a child lost in war that it was all too easy for Rose to tower majestically over her. It was difficult to breathe. Tawnya felt a sense of smothering that was almost asphyxiation. Light-headed, she noticed the shallow flooding that surrounded them resembled blood. Her gaze quickly shifted to the yellow satin scarf that fluttered around Rose’s arms, which was the same color as the large buttons on the side of her mauve dress.

You are an easy target, her vibrant cherry mouth whispered. Fear is a stumbling block to both development and self-awareness. It is the ego that has been hurt and feels vulnerable, not you.

Get away from me, Tawnya commanded with a shaky tone. I’ve got a knife, she warned, patting the back of her jeans. Her eyes widened in horror. The pocket was empty.

Shit, she gasped, and splashed water at the stranger, but suddenly she felt her throat constrict as shoots of blue sparks rhythmically smacked into her chest.

Rose pulled back the yellow scarf, which flickered and buzzed with electricity. She raised her head, her face now fully showing from the shadows of darkness. Her sudden smile seemed silently threatening. Her emerald green eyes glistened against the flames from the bridge up ahead.

You will go after him, just as the devil goes after you, Rose cautioned, her face serious.

Tawnya shrieked, holding her bloodstained hands to her ears while Rose laughed haughtily. There was a high-pitched vibration, and it was becoming agonizingly loud as the strident thump of her beating heart was thrusting her senses into panic. She felt her skull ache as image after image of Ryu entered her helpless retinas. His red headband flickered wildly against the wind caused by the growing orange fireball that was encased fearsomely within his palms. His eyes leered dangerously back at her. The heavy crease in his brow made him look crazed.

GO AWAY! Tawnya screamed in pain, almost crouching.

She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her fingers into her lids until the images would vanish, but something forced them open. Tawnya drew one long breath, refocusing her gaze at the yellow scarf that draped over Rose’s chest, but her sight blurred into a sickened double vision. She huffed and puffed, trying to breathe in as much oxygen as she could, but felt herself grow weak.

"Keep running," his demonic voice yelled at her, but she was beyond listening. The pain was too much to bear. She tried wiping the blotches of blood from her gray tank top, but the harder she rubbed, the more pain she felt on her chest from the constant friction. The bleeding wouldn’t stop, the voices continued to blare.

The street was quiet, except for the patter of rain. Tawnya felt another sharp twinge in her chest. It was silent for only a second before her screaming began again.

*****

Chapter 2:

DARK HADOU

The rain came down even heavier, causing the water of the local river to overflow the bank. In the shallow flood, Ryu could no longer run as successfully, but he couldn’t stop, either. This was the wrong place to have come. Small villages dotted around this lowland countryside. He knew that now from hearing their horror-filled cries in the midst of his attack, but it was too late. He had already unleashed total annihilation upon the village he intruded. He couldn’t stop himself.

The closer the woman approached him, the stronger was the horrible compulsion to destroy everything around him with a force that he could not control. It was as though his animalistic self had been opened, like Pandora’s Box. As he realized what he had done, a shiver of panic trembled in his stomach.

Ryu collapsed, having finally found a solid wall to lean against. Hurried air escaped his shuddering mouth as he tried to recover a normal breathing pattern. He scrunched his fist shut, open, then shut again in an effort to keep warm, but he couldn’t keep himself from breaking down. His tightly shut eyes only forced tears to leak down his face.

...must...focus, he gritted his teeth in writhing pain.

With great effort, he entwined his fingers behind his back, refraining himself from forming another lethal fireball, even though a sense of relief would wash over him if he did. He stared straight ahead, feeling a constriction in his chest. Even at this distance, he could still see the glimmering light of the burning bridge that he had just destroyed, and it tormented him. Ryu recoiled at the sight of it, curling into his chest to relieve his angst.

This cannot be happening again, he groaned under his breath. I...have to...stop...

He gripped the back of his head, trying to push the scalding energy back to its core.

The Dark Hadou can’t have returned-- he tried to say, but he suddenly felt a harsh twinge, harder than any punch he had ever taken.

A tingle ran down his spine, tensing up his muscles and forcing his body forward. His face creased from the aching pressure in his chest as his body shook in a crouched stance. He knew he had to fight it. He had to. Being captivated by this dark power was not an option. He crushed his fist against his ribs until his fingers were aching with the effort. He willed himself again and again to make this evil force he felt to disappear.

For as long as he could remember, Ryu had one purpose in life: to better himself as a martial artist. Mentally. Physically. Spiritually. It was a lifestyle he had adopted from his foster father, Master Gouken, and it was a path he continued to follow as a tribute to him. Ryu knew deep down that he could never perfect the Shotokan style without also embedding the Dark Hadou, a technique known only to a few masters and perfected by one. He would rather die than become anything like Gouken’s murderer, Akuma, the brother whose soul was tainted by the powers of the Dark Hadou.

In the plunging raindrops, Ryu could see images of Akuma, his gnarling teeth bright against his darkened face that faintly outlined a human smile. The return of the Dark Hadou terrorized him. Akuma must be alive.

The dark powers can’t be back without you, Ryu said quivering. He hugged his body against the warm sheet of rain that continually washed over him. I will not let you manipulate me again.

It was Akuma’s ultimate wish to fight someone stronger than he was, and it was his greatest desire to see Ryu embrace the Dark Hadou. This source of limitless strength and power was an insult to Gouken’s teachings, and for this reason Ryu knew he had to stop strengthening the Shotokan arts, in order to eradicate this malignancy.

Good intentions harness positive potential, Gouken’s voice echoed.

Ryu’s heart shook. A hazy vision of his Master was before him. His face hadn’t aged at all in over twenty years. The side of his hair reached down as far as the ground even though he was balding fast on top.

You must not succumb to your power. In its place, master it.

I did, Ryu spoke aloud, with his solid arms outstretched. He gazed with despair at the stormy sky. At least, I thought I did, he muttered, sounding as morose as he looked. He seemed to have completely lost sight of Gouken’s basic principles.

Dipping his head low, Ryu addressed Gouken in a voice thickened by grief and helplessness.

I was sure that moving away from Shotokan would weaken my powers. If I stopped strengthening our arts, Sensei, I thought I could live at peace. I...I believed...

Ryu shuddered. Killing Akuma gave him a reason to never compete in a fight again. He had mixed Shotokan with other martial arts style with the belief that the power of the Dark Hadou would abate. He was strong-minded to resist the dark arts, and there was no way he would give up all that he had worked for, all these long years.

I’m nothing like you, Ryu said to his nemesis, quivering. He waved away the evocative raindrops that had made him see Akuma, but the image of his enemy didn’t disappear.

Akuma’s body was covered in muscles that looked like they had been chiseled from stone, and his hair rippled in colors of flame, framing a face that was part human, part gargoyle. He looked upon the world through eyes that blazed an angry red, a reflection of his inner unquenchable rage.

Why do you still torment me? Ryu said, punching again at the raindrops that summoned his worst nightmare.

The warrior’s code is the method by which a man defeats his opponents, he heard his Master Gouken say, his voice deep and serious. The flowing bristles of his graying moustache fluttered as he whispered the code to Ryu in a looping mantra.

Ryu kept himself still, feeling so small. His arm was undersized compared to the thick branch sprouting from Gouken’s shoulder. He knew those arms could easily crush him, even if Gouken was relaxed.

Sensei! Master! he cried, hunched over from the heartbreak he felt. I tried so hard...so hard... not to be like him...but...

He hid his face in his hands for a second, ashamed that he could still compare himself to Akuma.

I haven’t fought anyone since that fight, Ryu shuddered, feeling sickened by Akuma’s memory. I promised to not fight again until I could control my own strength and master my own style, just as you had. I would train alone, every day, to strengthen my mind and cleanse my soul, but even with my restraint, I see nothing but the destruction I create.

He sighed, turning his head to the side in an effort to avoid Gouken’s gaze. Even to this day, Ryu knew he could not be around people without obliterating the very path he walked on. He couldn’t bear to endure the continuous nightmares, if he were to suffer under the Dark Hadou again. Quivering in fear, he squeezed his jaw tight with his hand to release the tension on his face.

I am stronger, he told himself aloud, ...and even more disciplined since the Third Strike tournament... but his voice was shaking with resentment.

The warrior’s code is the method by which a man defeats his opponents, Gouken repeated, in the same tone, with equal emphasis.

But, Sensei, Ryu’s voice trembled, ...even in Akuma’s absence, the Dark Hadou is still trapped inside me...

He turned, expecting Gouken to be with him still. Instead, he saw only the darkness of the misty countryside surrounding him.

Sensei, Ryu said, looking around him in desperation.

He wiped his wet face against his sweat-drenched mitts. His heart pounded harder and faster, probing the shadows, just in case Gouken was hiding, but only the bridge caught his sight.

Distraught, he tried to force himself to picture Gouken again, hoping for his Master to speak to him, even if what he said did little to comfort him. He needed Gouken to materialize again, help him think positive thoughts, and reassure him that he was on the path of enlightenment. But Gouken seemed as far away from him as he could ever be.

Why aren’t you there for me anymore? Ryu implored his mentor, his voice echoed at full volume. Why do I feel this Dark Hadou? SENSEI... Ryu sputtered into a cry, falling onto his knees as he sensed the loss of his dead master all over again.

WHY HAVE YOU ABANDONED ME?

*****

Chapter 3:

MEMORY

With a mumbling groan, Tawnya opened her eyes, quickly lifting her arm to shade them from the piercing ceiling light that pricked them. She was lying flat on the floor like an abandoned package. Her clothes were still damp around the edges, and moisture pebbled her skin.

Agh, my damn head!

Struggling, Tawnya dragged herself up against the cracked-paint wall. She placed a gentle hand on her aching forehead, feeling sick and out of place. Her pupils followed the large black fly that buzzed noisily against the hot bulb, then she scanned the area.

She was not inside her apartment but seated in the lobby room of the building. This was a new system. Security cameras monitored the halls, checking for thieves and graffiti gangs. It was a common crime in this neighborhood of Osaka. There was no air conditioning, the ceiling leaked into the bedroom, the window view was unsightly and she was sure cockroaches roamed in the darkness. Tawnya wanted to laugh when this apartment was first offered to her. Her reputation and fortune could not buy her into a luxury penthouse, not even through her colleague. These days, Japanese property owners distrusted foreigners with their assets, forcing her to take this awful room. It didn’t matter anymore. She had to put up with Osaka for just a few more days before finishing the shoot in Los Angeles.

Her muddy leather boots squeaked as she hobbled along the lobby, leaving drips of water that dribbled from her skin. Her breath quickened, and she strained her mind hard to recall her actions just a few hours ago. She breathed against her hand and sniffed. No sign of alcohol but her hands smelled metallic.

Must have been at another party, she decided, reaching the ledge of the door for a spare key.

Her vision blurred, yet she noticed fresh grazes that covered her bare arms. A single piece of satin banded her arm, with its loose end tucked neatly underneath. Tawnya convulsed, feeling her heart rate shoot into quick mini pulses. She was hurt, bad, and she had no idea how or why.

What the hell did I do? she asked herself, but no matter how hard she tried to think, she was drawing blanks.

Tawnya fumbled, blindly pushing the key into the rusting hole before swinging the door wide open. With an irritated moan, she entered her dark muggy apartment. She felt dizzy seeing slashes across her arm, but the darkness disguised them for a few seconds until the motion sensor colored the hallway with a flickering fluorescent light. The blue carpet turned a dirty gray as she wrung her wet, hip-length hair with her hands. Feeling something sting her, she hissed. It was the terrible wound that hid behind the satin.

The curtains in the bedroom were drawn shut. The neighborhood buildings were old, mostly brick, so they were hardly worth opening. Comforted by the darkness, Tawnya removed her clothes one by one until she was standing naked in front of the half-cracked mirror that spanned the length of her body. She positioned her hair to cover her breasts, sighing amorously from its cold touch. Finally sensing movement, the bedroom lights wheezed into life in their last kilowatt of energy.

A vulnerable woman stared back wide-eyed in the reflection. Tawnya’s bronze skin was freckled with sunspots, and her face looked sunken as if she had nothing to eat for days, yet she hardly cared. Gingerly, she lifted her finger to her bottom lip. There was a small cut. She licked her lips, instantly feeling queasy from their harsh taste. She then traced the words, いつまでもリュウon her pelvis. The vibrant red tattoo only intensified in color against the dull brown tone of her damp skin.

Hurry up and heal, damn it, she sighed, cautiously feeling its bumpy texture.

She was unable to remember when this ‘Forever Ryu’ scar was etched into her skin, or the black tattoo 天 on her left wrist. Whenever it was, it was out of choice and did much damage to her famed image.

Fearfully Tawnya unwound the yellow satin from her arm, curious to learn what she had done to herself this time. The wound stung the instant air touched it, revealing stark red lettering that glowed in the light. Gasping, Tawnya buckled to her knees, weakened by the sight of her own blood. Her body was marked by his name, and his name alone, and it frightened her more than the voice she would hear from time to time. She grabbed her arm, panicked, turning quickly in search of a fresh cloth, but suddenly she felt choked.

He will get you, Rose laughed at her.

Tawnya jumped, shocked by the abrupt voice.

Where are you? she said, hugging her unclothed body. She scanned the empty room with wide eyes.

Your dream will end you if you get too close to making it real, Rose continued to laugh. The voice was threatening, like an echo haunting her mind.

Look behind you, Rose’s voice commanded.

Tawnya shook her head, scared, but her keen sense of curiosity took over. Slowly she turned around, expecting to see Rose standing boldly behind her, but her pupils filled with the sight of tarot cards covering the ashen wall. Sensing nostalgia, Tawnya bit her lip. Grabbing the unmade bed sheet around her, she tugged hard at a random card and examined it in her trembling hand.

A rose? she expressed at first glance.

Each card was marked with an exquisitely drawn rose, with thin black lines coloring the edges of the red petals; it was the same shade of red as Ryu’s headband.

Oh God, no, she mumbled at the sudden memory.

Tawnya watched Ryu crumble to the ground, screaming in pain the closer she drew near him. His once-sweet eyes would fill with pure hatred and vengeance from her presence alone. She had made him turn into