Chapter 24: Fight For the Future
The nagging feeling of danger awoke Ryu with a start. The forest was covered in a heavy thick gray fog. Rising to his feet, he looked out into the dense forest as far as the fog would let him. Ryu could see nothing out of the ordinary from where he was standing, but his warrior senses told him otherwise.
Rose slowly stood to her feet wrapping the large wool blanket tightly around her body as she looked around.
"Can you feel the chilly touch of death in the air, Wanderer?" She asked shivering slightly.
"It is all around us, but I feel a strong concentration of it emanating from that direction." He replied pointing off into the woods.
Ryu started to walk off towards the direction he just pointed out. "Wait! Where are you going to?" Rose cried.
"I can't exactly explain it, but it seems to be calling for me." Ryu replied not looking back. "Stay here if you want to, whatever it is wants me."
Rose walked quickly to catch up to him. "No, I'll come with you."
They made their way slowly through the fog. The forest seemed to have lost all of its vibrant color, being replaced by varying shades of gray. The nagging feeling Ryu was having was getting stronger. It was not the same feeling he had always got when his life was in danger; this was something totally new.
As they walked, the fog slowly gave way to the shape of a structure ahead of them. The air was thick with death as they came to a small hut. Ryu was momentarily surprised as he recognized the hut.
"What is it Ryu? Do you recognize it?" She asked looking at him.
"It's Master Gouken's hut. But how could it be here, when it is back in Japan."
The wooden door of the hut slowly opened inward as a ghastly figure stepped out of the darkness inside the structure. Rose unconsciously took a step back behind Ryu peering over his shoulder.
Ryu extended his right fist forward and brought his left hand up to clasp it and bowed slightly. "Sensei..." He said in a low tone.
The figure mimicked Ryu's gesture and in a hoarse tone replied "Young Dragon."
"Why have you left the house of the dead and brought me here Master?" Ryu asked.
"I have come to impart unto you one last lesson my student. Look to you're left and tell me what you see." The ghostly figure gestured.
Ryu did as he was instructed and peered off into the fog. Slowly shapes started to take form out of the mist. Ryu's eyes widened at the sight. Ken was laying motionless on the ground in a pool of blood, Eliza was there kneeling over him crying.
The Wanderer turned back to his Sensei. "What has happened to them since I have left? Is this for real?" Ryu yelled.
Gouken merely pointed back to the scene. Ryu turned to watch as the fog swirled to take on new shapes. A young woman that was badly bruised and beaten was chained to a wall. Her long sweat tangled hair hid her tear-streaked face. Ryu's heart dropped as he recognized her.
The clicking sounds of boots walking across stone echoed through the woods as another form materialized in front of the girl. A large man dressed in a regal military looking outfit with a long flowing black cape stood there with his back to him.
Ryu heard a slight whimper come from behind him as Rose clutched his shoulder in fright. "Dear Lord! It's him!" was all she could mutter. The man reached out and took hold of the girl's chin and lifted it up so she had to look into his eyes.
"Chun li!" Ryu exclaimed holding out his hand trying to rush to her, but his feet were rooted to the spot. The Image before him started to swirl and fade away back into the fog.
Ryu turned and faced Gouken with beseeching eyes. Rose spoke softly regaining her composure. "I think what your Sensei is showing you is what might happen in the future."
Gouken only nodded and pointed to the right. Ryu stared hard into the fog. Two red orbs pierced the fog staring in his direction. "Demon!" Ryu hissed as Gouki's form took shape.
"You will have to choose very soon my pupil." Gouken finally spoke holding out his right fist. "Will you battle the past? Or..." He extended his left fist out. "Will you fight for the future?"
Ryu held out his fist before him and studied them for a second. "What do you see beyond your fists Young Dragon?" Gouken asked. "What do you see?" echoed though out the forest as the fog closed in around them all.