Chapter 22: Storm Front
The clouds in the star lit sky began to illuminate as lightning began to streak across them. Intense energy began to swirl around the Shotokan Master as he summoned forth his great power.
"Shinn Kuuuu..."
Rose smiled evilly as she predicted what his next move would be.
'As soon as you deliver your Ha Do Ken, I shall redirect it upon you boosted with my energy. You have lost warrior, and to think you are the Grand Champion using such predictable moves.'
Ryu drew his hands closer to his hips as he was about to release the energy that he had accumulated. As he quickly threw his arms forward from his right side, Rose initiated her move and began to swing her scarf forward to block.
But, the Wanderer continued his motion and brought his arms across to his left side as he lifted into the air slightly as a harsh wind began blow through the garden.
"TATSUMAKISENPUKAYKU!!!" He yelled above the rising winds.
An incredible energy vortex surrounded the spinning Shotokan Master, drawing in a startled Rose.
"What? But I..." was her last thoughts as she was hit repeatedly from the attack.
The howling winds began to recede, as Ryu landed softly back upon the ground. Rose's form lay crumpled at his feet. Kneeling down, he checked her for a pulse. Shocked to find barely a pulse, he heard her breath in raggedly.
'I held back on that technique.' He thought to himself. 'Something is amiss here.'
A light blue nimbus began to glow around his hand as he gently placed it to her forehead. Moments later her eyes slowly fluttered open.
Ryu could not find any traces of the dark chi that emitted from her earlier, instead he felt a weak warm chi coming from her. This puzzled him.
Looking up at the Wanderer, she had a fearful look upon her face.
"You must leave here immediately, they know you are here." She said weakly.
"Who?" He asked, helping her sit up.
"The same group who made me try to restrain you. They have been looking for the strongest fighters, and you are the most coveted one. They will brainwash you as they did me and make you do horrible things." Tears began to well up in her eyes.
Car doors could be heard slamming from the direction of the main house.
"Please go before they find you!" She pleaded.
"Can you walk?" He asked.
"No, I can still feel the effects of the drug in my system. I will only slow you down. Besides, why would you trust me after what I did to you? Go please before it is too late!"
Ryu went over to retrieve his duffel bag. Slinging it over his right shoulder, he then bent down towards the fallen woman and lifted her gently up into his arms.
"Something deep inside tells me to trust you." He replied.
Looking towards the house he spotted several armed figures rushing into the maze like garden. Without another word, he sprinted off down one of the many paths leading out from the fountain.
Moments later, a tall woman in a black leotard came up to the fountain. After surveying the site quickly, she spoke into a mic.
"Target has fled on foot into the maze. No sign of operative anywhere in vicinity. Initiate search pattern Delta."
Switching off the mic, she proceeded back into the maze.