The Quest - Book 1 Ch. 29
By Eliad Sholomovich

INSIDE THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

Ryu and his group were now walking on a small path. The path was surrounded bt lave at both sides. They walked some more. Ryu then stopped them. "Somethings wrong. This all seems too easy"

"Ah don't be paranoid dad ,it'll be fine" Mariko told him. Ryu felt the ground rumble gently beneath his feet and shouted "Run". Then the cavern shook violently.

Loud rumbling sounds surrounded the group. The lava behind them overflowed and amassed into a huge tidalwave of orange molten rock.

They started running. The ground shook. They were lucky the terrain was not too damaged and rocky. They kept their balance as the quakes intesified even though the difficulty.

Then Chunli slipped on a stone. Ryu sped back and helped her up. He pushed her forward and ran after her. She sped off forward. The chunk of rock Ryu was standing on cracked and around him the lava started rising.

Leaving only a few platforms uncovered. Ryu started jumping from platform to platform. Then he noticed every jump was longer and harder. He pushed himself to the limit. Before him he saw the others safely arrive to solid black stoned beach.

Ryu reached a final platform. The jump to the ledge was at least 23 feet far. Ryu looked behind him. The wave was getting closer. Ryu breathed the fumes and coughed and choked the heat all around him made his vision hazzy with tears.

To make things worse. The platform he was on was starting to rumble and sink. Ryu broke into a sudden sprint and lept forward. He passed 17 feet and was about starting to fall towards the lava. He saw His friend's shock and horror. "Mustn't let them down they still need me" Ryu thought to himself. Ignoring his pain he spun into a hurricane kick.

He reached the beach and fell to his knees panting. "Ryu watch out" Mel shouted. Ryu saw the wave was about to fall upon him. He channeled his chi and teleported to his friend's side and safety. He rose to his feet. "That was too close" Ryu whispered in a hoarse voice.

They looked around them they were on a small isle. It was surrounded by molten lava. It was about 200 square feet. there was a huge hold in the middle. Strangily no Lava flew threw it.

Suddenly the lava around them started flowing. "What now?" Chunli asked. Out of the lava jumped giant red skinned man. Half human half scorpion. They all held crude spears and had thick scaily skin.

They approached. Ryu and the others stood back ot back. There were about ten man-scorpions. Ryu was still tired. He took deep breaths.

Chunli and the two youths looked in expectation at the monsters. Two approached and tried to stab them with his spear. Mel dodged and jumped high kicking The monster's face.

It swung its scorpion tail and hit Mel as he approached the ground.It loomed above him. It raised its tail about to impale Mel.

Then it was hit in the chest by a blue energy covered Kick. Mariko jumped high and spun into a hurricane kick. The man-scorpion staggered back.

It thrusted its spear forward. Mariko rolled aside.Chunli jumped and grabbed the monsters head. She spun around twisting its neck.

Another one grabbed her with his tail. It started squeesing. It them licked it lips and uncovered a mouth full of sharp teeth. Chunli was choking.

Ryu was still to fatigued to move. "Ryu..Hel.." Chunli cried. Ryu rose to his feet. He shaked his head. His vision was a blur. He focused. "Mustn't give up" He clenched his teeth.

Then he lunged forward. He kicked the creatures abdomen and jumped high.He descended with a jarring kick to the monsters spine cracking it. Chunli fell to the ground coughing for air.

The monster died instantly.Another creature approached Ryu and swung its tail. Ryu dodged and sensed another one approaching from behind him.

He jumped high and the Monster from behind him threw its spear intending to impale the airborn human.Ryu shifted his weight forward and rolled under the throwing monster.

The spear sailed threw the air and hit the other monster's chest. The creature cried in pain. Ryu rose to his feet.

Chunli ran to help him. Ryu was cupped his hands. He aimed them at Chunli. Yellow energy amassed into his palms. "Chun! Duck!" He yelled and released the projectile.

Chunli complied and it slammed into a Man-scorpion shocking it to death with waves of energy.

Then all four managed to finish the remaining Monsters together.They sat down to rest from their battle and run.

TWO HOURS LATER

After regaining their strength They looked for a way out but none was available. Mel sighed "Well it can't get worst then this" Then after he spoke the ground shook violently. "Who dares defy the lair of Ifret lord of fire? You shall pay for disturbing my enternal rest" A demonic voice spoke

Mel rose to his feet "Me and my big mouth" A 7 foot tall brown skinned monster rose from the hole. It had two long black horns on its head. It was mucular and had a red lion brand mane of hair.

It mouth was filled with razor sharp teeth and its eyes glew in inhuman red flames.

Ryu and the others entered their stances.

MEANWHILE DOWN THE OTHER TUNNEL

Ken was limping along with his group. Guy stopped them. "Wait I need to heal your leg Ken. Its too risky to venture further without the capability to run ir jump".

Ken nodded "Ya ,thats true but how do you intend on doing that?". Guy smiled "The Bushin art has many secrets its time to use one"

Guy put both hands on Ken's wound. "This might hurt so brace yourself" Guy then closed his eyes. Slowly a blue aura surrounded ihs hands. It traveled to Ken's wound and slowly it started to close and heal.

Ken clenched his teeth. The blue energy burned his flesh as it healed. Guy was sweating and panting. "There as good as new" Guy said. Ken tested his leg. "Wow thanks Guy well then lets go "

They traveled threw a corridor. Then they stopped. It widened suddenly. "This looks suspicious people" Ken picked a rock and threw it. Nothing happened. "Well I guess I'm just paranoid" Ken shrugged and continued.

He walked a bit. Then a rumbling sound was heard. The group turned around. "D*mn this bloody place" Cammy cursed.Ken shouted "Run!!". Behind them a huge boulder started rolling towards them.

Ken was leading them.Then more problems rose for them. Slabs of stone rose out of the ground forcing them either to jump or run in Zigzags.The extra effort also slowed them down.

"Whats next stones from the ceiling" Dan mumbled. Then what he asked happened. Huge stalagmites fell from the ceiling. Dan shook his fist.

Ken was running then he stopped. Everyone stopped. "Ken are you crazy what are you doing?" Ken pointed forward. They cursed "A dead end" Ken said.

The huge boulder approached and they closed their eyes. Awaiting the end.But it never came. They opened one eyes and saw a huge rock covered humanoid. "Boo" he yelled and they gasped in surprise.

The figure chuckled "Ah I love doing that. Well down to business. I am Bash lord of earth and I can't allow any mortal to invade the realm of earth. You must be killed. No hard feelings its nothing personel strictly business"

The stone figure raised his hands. And prepared to squash the Sf group. But they dodged and He slammed his fists to the ground. The ground shattered.

They all fell down a level. Into a large cave. It had plenty of place to manouver in. Bash snapped his fingers The ground shook. "So you want to fight. I'll be glad to comply" The stone figure said and smiled a toothful smile.