The Quest - Book 1 Ch. 31
By Eliad Sholomovich

INSIDE THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

Ryu and his little group started climbing up the stairs. Around them winds howled. The stairs were made of black granite. They seemed to rise endlessly into the air.

The group walked slower and slower by the minute. They were exhausted and breathless. The air lacked a proper level of Oxygen that made breathing tough.

"Lets stop for just a moment Please Sensai" Mel begged. Ryu was tired but determined.He didn't trust this dungeon.It had a annoying habit to spring vicious traps upon them when they rested.

He looked at the rest. They were shivering from the strong winds. And all were panting and sweating. Ryu nodded "Very well. Collapsing here will do us no good.But only for a short while this place is unsafe" Ryu said an sat down

Mel smiled and bowed "Thanks Sensai". Ryu bowed in approval. They sat down on the stairs.Ryu was looking around in a focused and sharp gaze. He searched with both eyes and ears for danger.

The stairway was now in midair. They were surrounded by clouds and the volcanic ground beneath them was blocked by endless white clouds.

After a few minutes they continued climbing uo the stairs. Then they reached a large floating Isle that connected to the stairway. Ryu walked first he touched the ground. "Indeed this looks safe from here but I wonder.." He thought.

He unseathed his sword. Then he thrusted it into a the ground before him. It passed threw it as if it were air.Ryu focused his gaze. "This place is full of holes" He spoke quietly.

He motioned them to approach and showed them. "Take out your weapon and be careful. One false move and its a long way down"

They all nodded. They continued passing the terrain quite easily after using caution. Then a boom was heard. They stopped and turned around and saw some strange blue skinned warriors.

They were wearing ancient indian styled clothes. They all held long curved swords. "Halt in the name of lord Gyrotron" one spoke.

Chunli raised a brow "Who?" she asked. The Blue skinned warrior shook his head in apparent annoyance "Lord Gyrotron king of the genie clans and lord of the element of air"

Ryu nodded and whispered to them "Lets follow them until we're on safe terrain then we'l resist. A fight now would be suicidel"

The others nodded "We surrender for now and will follow you to your master". The genie smiled "For once a mortal with some common sense" they took their weapons and motioned them to follow.

Then the genie walked and the clouds were pushed aside as he walked reveiling the grounds trail. They followed them awaiting a chance to fight.

MEANWHILE DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TEMPLE

Ken and his group were walking threw a swampy wasteland. It was moist and warm. The air stunk from the unmoving waters. Many insects buzzed around them biting and stingind them.

The water was at knee height. Ken and the others walked carefully as the ground was full of rocks and branches. Ken growled "For once I'd like to be in a normal calm and safe place in this d*mned place" he growled and swiped his hand hitting a mousquito.

"Well unfortunatly this place just gets more and more mysterious and dangerous by the minute." Guy said quietly.

The water was very cold and it was annoying while their body sweated and was exhausted their feet froze and cramped.

The water level slowly rose. And many brances and half sunken trees were around them.The water level was now four feet.

Ken felt something brush across his leg. "Guys I think we have company" Ken said. They looked around them and a dozen large snakes approached. They were at least 12 feet long and 2 feet wide.

They had shining bluish scales. Ken took out his sword and the others did the same. The snakes hissed and curled up about to lunged forward.

One of them lunged at Ken attempting to wrap around him. Ken sidestepped. Then he found out something very disturbing. His foot was tied in powerful hold by something.

"What the h*ll?" Ken asked and tried to pull his foot. he felt the grip tighten and remain still. He looked at the snake in fear. "D*mn this is a real bad time to be immobile"

One giant snake lunged forward. It wrapped around Ken's waist slowly surrounding his body. Ken groaned as the snake squeesed his body.

He felt his body was about to be crused. Ken coughed out a cry "Gu..guys help m.." he couldn't say more as the air was squeesed out of him.

Then he felt the powerful hold weaken. The snake cried in a high pitched hiss. The water was stained in crimson. Ken exhaled he saw Dan with his sword thrusted threw the snake's head.

Ken thanked God for giving him such good friends. Then large green vines came out of the water behind Dan Ken shouted "Duck" and Dan complied and Ken swung his sword cutting the vine in half.

The vine grew back out of the cut part. "D*mn this isn't good" Ken cried. Soon the snakes retreated quickly for an some reason.

Ken exhaled and raised a brow as he saw his three friends glancing behind him in surprise and pointed."What do I have a zit" Ken asked

Cammy mumbled "B..Be..Behind you" Ken turned and went wide eyed as well. He was standing before a huge plant monster. Its mouth was that of a venus fly trap filled with sharp teeth and blue drool.

It had a huge green eye.Its body was crap like with with six long legs and a black protecting shell. Two pinchers and two huge green vine came out of its shell.

"What in gods name is that!" Dan cried and pointed at the beast.The others gulped as the creature growled and opened its tooth filled mouth.

"It doesn't really matter. Unless we do something fast." Guy said bluntly. Ken shook his head and focused "Your right lets crush this beast"

They took out their swords and prepared for battle. The creature growled once more. Its green eye fixing on them it shaping into a angry opal shape.

MEANWHILE

Ryu and the others were led into a large fort. inside they were led threw vast and long corriders and stairways until they reached a dungeon.

The genie unlocked it and they walked in. "You shall remain here until we decide what to do with you" He said and left locking the door behind him.

Ryu and the others sat down. Ryu motioned them to gather around. "Be ready they may have took our weapons but they don't know our fighting is here" He said and touched his fist temple and heart.

"Remember fight with emotion and skill but don't any control the other try to retain balance and we shall prevail. Now listen I have a plan.."

Ryu whispered some words to them and they nodded.