The Quest: Book 1 Ch. 2
By Eliad Sholomovich

The Sf crew and four companions camped in a forest clearing. "Listen up folks ,your new here so here are a couple of things you should know. One we are deep in enemy territory so keep your eyes pealed. Two sleep well since the walk tomorrow will be extremely long. Finally You people should sleep close to eachother for warmth and protection" Derek finished

The crew nodded and Ryu volunteered to stay guard. He sat on a log near the group and meditated clearing his mind. A hour later he heard a snap from a branch above him.

He looked above him towards the branches of the trees and was horrified. He was gazing into the eight glowing yellow eyes of a hybrid beast of man and spider.

Ryu got up quickly and entered stance. The beast had two sets of arms and legs with long thin clawed fingers and toes and its mouth was like a spider's. Ryu was sweating he feared small spiders and before him stood a 6 foot tall beast.

The spider opened its mouth and a white cloth shot out. Ryu rolled aside and the cloth stuck to a tree. "Fasssst one arrrren't we.You emit grrrrreat powerrrr I shall enjoy eating you" The hybrid spoke in a insectoid voice.

Ryu looked around him and saw and sensed no other beasts.He looked behind him and saw his friends sleeping. Derek was sleeping along with his group.

Ryu frowned "This is Just too perfect. Just when you need a local expert, he falls asleep on guard duty.Well I must face my fears Its my duty I can't risk my friends lives" Ryu thought to himself.

Then the beast lunged with inhuman speed Ryu tried to block But failed to block four strikes. One succeeded in slashing his arm. He felt a burning pain as his flesh was ripped.

He shook his head. The beast struck again. Ryu jumped above it and spun around in midair and kicked its back. Then he nailed it with a jarring punch to the face when it turned around.

The beast reeled backwards. Then it opened its its mouth and jumped towards Ryu. Ryu ducked low and Nailed it with a high Shoryuken picking it into the air.Then when it landed on its back.

Ryu channeled his Chi into his palms. Blue energy gathered. When the Beast rose Ryu nailed it with a Hadouken.

The beast screeched in a high pitched tone. It lept to the branches above Ryu.Then it disappeared into the shadows. Ryu sensed it was still here and heard the leaves rustle around him. He heard also strange ripping sounds.

Then a huge black spider jumped off the brance and landed in front of Ryu.Ryu backed away in fear and was sweating. The spider approached and Ryu walked backwards.Ryu cleanched his teeth. The huge arachnoid jumped. Ryu teleported in panic and it slammed into a tree.

Ryu took out the sword Shadowbane gave him. He swung it nervously with his eyes closed hoping for the best and luckly cut off two of the spider's legs. The spider screeched in pain and spat a white cloth at Ryu.

Ryu didn't manage to dodje it since his eyes were closed and was hurled onto a tree. The white cloth was powerful and sticky and Ryu found out he was now immobile.

The Spider slowly turned into the hybrid again. It was a hideous sight. Then it when it was the hybrid again but this time it had an arm and leg cut off and bleeding from the stumps.

"Insoulent little Human I'll eat you now for daring to fight back" The hybrid spoke angrily and approached.

Ryu saw his friends wake up and gasp in horror as they saw his situation. Ryu sensed th beast was getting closer. He channeled all his Chi into his arm muscles. Just when the Spider beast was about to bite him, Ryu ripped himself free.

Ryu slammed both fists into the temples of the beast with all his might The fists were covered with his Chi's blue fire.

A blue flash burst and the beast screeched in pain . Its skull broke inwards and a green liguid spilled out of its ears as it slumped to the ground dead.

Ryu quickly left the disguisting beast and returned to his friends.

"Ryu are you O.K?" Everyone asked. Ryu nodded "I'm fine go back to sleep guarding is my duty" Ryu assured them.

Derek and his group woke up. They ran to the scene. "A werespider? Wow , Those things are rare and dangerous." Lorain said.

Baltazar then furrowed his brows "Did it bite you?" Ryu shook his head "Then your lucky you'll probaly survive."

Ryu nodded and later Chunli insisted on switching the guard duty. After a short argument Ryu folded and went to sleep.

A HUNDRED METERS AWAY

Shadowbane raised a brow "Strange I thought these monsters disappeared years ago. I must investigate this situation later"

Shadowbane lept on a branch and leaned backwards and fell asleep. His sharp senses and magic ready even in this temporary slumber.