The Quest: Book 1 Ch. 3
By Eliad Sholomovich

Dawn broke threw the cloudy sky in the forest. The orange rays of the sun awoke Ryu. Ryu got up and looked at his arm. The wound was purple and it surrounding skin was dark red.

Ryu Quickly wore his armor to hide this from his friends. He woke them slowly and half an hour later they were off towards the town.

Shadowbane awoke before them and waited for them. Now he was following them from a safe distance.

During the trek towards the City of deckshire were Derek's employer lived Ryu had walked behind and was sweating alot. Countless times he was asked If he was fine. Each time he nodded and continued walking.

They arrived at sunset at a large Metal gate Two guards were standing on top of little towers. The city was huge built of stone and surrounded by a tall granite wall.

"Who treds there?" One asked Derek shouted "It is I Derek, my friends and some companions" Derek shouted. The guard nodded and went to a lever. He pulled it and Slowly the gate opened.

Shadowbane quickly looked at the wall from his hiding place and started running.His speed was so great He was invisible to the human eyes. He lept above the 15 foot tall wall and landed in an alley making no sound. He turned to human form and continued following the group.

Derek led them to a local inn called "The jollow warrior" They entered and the innkeeper recognized Derek and gave him his friends and the crew a table.

Shadowbane saw them enter the inn. He walked towards the wall and passed threw it with a faint purple ripple. He sat down in the shadowed part of the inn and watched the group.

A waitress asked him for his order. Shadowbane looked at her. His shappire green eyes frightened her."Nothing for now thank you" He said and then he continued listening to the conversation.

Ryu was sitting silently near Chunli and Mariko. Ryu was pale and sweating. "Ryu you don't look good maybe you should rest" Chunli said in concern. Ryu shook his head "I'll be fine Chun".

Everyone ordered some food except Ryu. Ken looked at him "Who are you and what have you done to Ryu?" He said.

Ryu raised a brow "Excuse me?" Ken smiled "Just kidding Ryu But Its odd usualy you are anxious to eat"

Ryu only ordered some water.

Shadowbane looked at Ryu "I sense he is ill interesting,Lets test him in his weakened state"

He saw a group of six barbarians at a table nearby.

He closed his eyes and entered their minds. "You shall attack the Man with the red headband the minute he is alone" He repeated the phrase in their subcontious many times.

Then He turned to Ryu. "You need a breath of fresh air" He repeated the phrase. Usuaslly Ryu would detect this attempt but he wasn't in his prime so failed to detect or resist the power.

Ryu shook his head "Excuse me I need a breath of fresh air" He said and left. Chunli and Mariko were about to join when Ken and Guy stopped them "Give him some tie after fighting that monster yesterday he probaly wants some time alone and frankly I don't blame him"

They sat down.But Chunli and Mariko looked at the inn door with a concerned look.

Ryu was standing outside. "D*mn this Spider venom. I must fight it, too much is at stake". Ryu shook his head.

He was then hurled forward after being hit from behind. He quickly got up. He saw six large men all above 6'6 and very bulky approaching.

"Come here pretty boy and we'll teach a lesson" Ryu entered stance and concentrated. He needed to focus but the pain from the poisen and exhaustion was distracting.

Two men lunged at him. Ryu jumped High and spun into a hurricane kick. Both men were struck in the face.

Ryu landed and was greeted by a punch to the gut. He rose slowly and saw he didn't knock them with his kick. "I'm getting weaker by the moment" Ryu mumbled.

He reentered his stance. He kicked one in the abdomen and then in the face. He quickly sidestepped another and swept his feet.

The man tumbled and crashed into the inn wall. He held his face and cried "You broke my nose you little runt"

Ryu approached the other four. He ducked under their attacks and countered with various kicks and punches. He wasn't hit even once.He ignored the pain and concentrated on the task of fighting

Then He saw them gather together very slowly and approach. Ryu tried to channel his Chi but couldn't ignore the pain any longer."My body is just too weak" Ryu mumbled to himself.

He fell to one knee in exhaustion. He was then kicked in the face. He fell on his back.Then he felt his body being hit multiple times by various kicks and punches.

He felt incredible pain and weakness all over his body before everything went black