“FOR THE HONOUR AND GLORY THE BOTH OF US!!!! AHAHAHAHA!!!” The Twisted Pair shouted. With a twisted smile on their lips, ‘Ryu’ ran forward with ‘ChunLi’. Leaping of the cliff into the darkness that was waiting to swallow them………. 
  

<<  Having fun yet?!  >> Ryu shouted over to ChunLi. Their acceleration was increasing 
<<  Sorta…You have some tricks up your non-existent sleeves?  >> She asked, automatically tightening her grip. Both noticed strange blackish spots dotting the other side of the cliff wall. It occurred to them that those blackish spots seem to be some of windows carved out of stone. 
  

<<  Before we jump no. Now…maybe. If it works as well in practical! You got anything to add to our options?!!  >> the momentum causing the wind to rushed against his face. 
<<  Just wonderful! You’re gonna test out some harebrained theory with our lives. Two options!!  >> she flood his mind on her thoughts on the first option. 

<<  Going splat is not an attractive option woman. >> ‘Ryu’ scolded her as his narrowed his eyes. 
<< Thought we were going in that general direction? >> ‘ChunLi’ challenged him once again. Some how ‘Ryu’ wondered why he put up with her. 

<< I am not going to let you die that easy. >> ‘Ryu’ said in a very serious tone. 
<< Well. My honor then. >> Nuzzling the top of his head. He could feel her second option entering his mind in thoughts. 
<< Interesting…We share the same harebrained theory. >> ‘Ryu’ smirked 

<< So you can achieve the angle? >> she asked 
<< One can try. >> 
<< Do! There is no trying!  >> she shouted in his head, causing him to grit his teeth. 
  

<< So do you still trust me? >> ‘Ryu’ asked again 
<< Always do and blindly will. Lover boy. >> She whispered in his ear using a tone of voice that fired him up immediately. 
<< WWHOOO! HOOO!!! You just made my day! Tigress!! Hang tight now!!! >> ‘Ryu could feel the pressure of the spikes against his skin increase. 

<< Baka…forgot about them spikes… >> he ignored the pain and started focusing on his chi. He knew that even with all the chi he has it would still not be enough for to create the impact he had in mind 
  

<<  Sure go ahead and borrow.  >> ‘ChunLi’ answered before he could even ask. Thus he began drawing all of their chi. With his hands cupped by his side, the wispy strands of energy began to swirl around his cupped hands as it gathers. It was to be a one shot affair for any mistake would killed the both of them. ‘Ryu’ narrowed his eyes as he calculated the angles. 

< For the honor and glory of Chun-Chun!!!!!! >  his personal battle cry in his head 
  

“SHINKU………..HADOKEN!!!!!!” he yelled against the wind as he let the souped up ball of concentrated chi fly. The recoil action sent them flying back up again. The twisted pair took the opportunity to maneuvered themselves. 

“OOOFFFFF!!!!” ‘Ryu’ took the brunt of the impact as they slammed face first against the wall. 
<< WE made it!!!! >> he called out, as he had one hand on a ledge. 
<< Oooppps!!! >> The ledge loosen as rocks give way. Their weight was to much to bear as they started fall again! ‘Ryu’s fingers bled as he clawed against the wall surface in attempt to regain his handhold. 
  

“AARRGH!” ‘Ryu’ yelled in a desperate attempt to save the both of them. 
“GOT IT!!!!!!” he shouted as he finally had a hand hold. 
<  For the sake of Chun-Chun. > ‘Ryu’ gritted his teeth as he pulled himself up. They were both pumped full of adrenaline from the rush. 

<< Well that was fun. Wanna try that again? >> 
<< What are you? Crazy? >> 
<< Ah. Still around. Thought you fainted from the shock or something. Hey hey stop that! Stop using that thing against me! Or else I’ll let go we both can die together. >> ‘Ryu’ growled. 
<< Well you started it. >> 

<<  …. Are you up for a little a climbing? >> he changed the subject. 
<< What you want me to do? >> 
<< Well. My hands are killing me. I want you to climb up to the ledge and pull me up. >> 
<< Okay. >>  Slowly ‘ChunLi’ release one hand and began clambering up Ryu’s back. 
  

“HEY!! Watch where your stepping. It’s my damn head that’s your stepping stone.” He called out. 
“Would you shut up already?” A few stones fell from ‘ChunLi’s grip but she still had a firm hold. 

“What the hell are you trying to do woman? Cause a landslide? Keep your attention to the task” To a certain point he worries about how long they could hold out before the ledge gives way. 
“What? You worried about me falling?” ChunLi swung her leg up towards the larger ledge and pulled herself up. She bends over and offers one hand to ‘Ryu’ and pulled him up. Upon reaching the ledge he hugged her fiercely to convince himself that they were still alive. 
  

“….Well…... You should be the one to go on a diet…….” ‘ChunLi’ was breathing heavily as ‘Ryu’ lay motionless on the floor breathing deeply. 

<<<  I am most impress by your resourcefulness………   >>>  A familiar female voice said. 

“You said something?” Both asked at the same time. 

<<<  Come back to me and all is forgiven……   >>> The seemingly bodiless voice echoed in their heads 

“She knows.” ‘Ryu’ growled 
“Come on.” ‘ChunLi’ got up offering one hand to ‘Ryu’ who just looked at her 
“We still have to get out of here don’t we? You intend to climb down?” 

<<<  Ryu….. Don’t let her push you around……  >>> 

“Go Away.” ‘Ryu’ growled as he took ‘ChunLi’s hand. 

<<<   I am so hurt by your words. Remember what we meant to each other?…..   >>> 
  

‘ChunLi’ rose her eyebrows in question. But ‘Ryu’ just kept quiet and pulled her along going down the steps. They entered a corridor, it seems that this place had being carved into some kind of a place. 

A palace within a mountain, hardly use at all. Ryu grabbed a torch and lighted with the flint he found near it. The corridors seem to be constructed it a circular manner. With rooms to the North, a spiral staircase that was craved out of a living mountain. 

One couldn’t help but wonder who, what and why this place was built and how long did it took? In this place where even the light barely penetrates the darkness the Twisted Pair had lost track of time in general 
  

“If there’s a giant lizard here. I’m gonna kill the guy in drag.” ‘Ryu’ mumbled. 
“Ah. Déjà vu?” 
“Yeah. Won’t be surprise if there is a hot spring here for that matter. What’s our game plan?” 

<<<   …..To return to me…….   >>> 

“South. Find a way south before the that damn voice kills us.” ‘ChunLi grumbled. 

<<<   …One has a way to aid you…..   >>> A new voice came along. Male this time. 

<<<   ….YOU!!!! LEAVE THEM ALONE!!! THEY’RE MINE!! …   >>>  Morrigan’s voice screeched. 

<<<   …Foolish Succubus. To think you can go against One. One is a god.   >>> 
  

“Well. We sure are popular in this part of town. Considering the welcoming committee.” ‘Ryu’ smirk. 

<< They can bicker for all that want. Just be careful not to let them screw around in your head. >> A very familiar voice reached them privately. 
<< I don’t need your help Geotao. Didn’t know you’re so interested in us. >> ‘Ryu’ growled 

<< Yeah yeah I know you don’t like me much. But CL knows better. Right CL. Sides I’m working on orders to see if there’s a way to keep you two in one piece. I’m always interested in you guys. My job you see. >> 
“She’s on our side. Ryu.” ‘ChunLi’ put her hand on ‘Ryu’s arm. 
“Yeah? You might have known her longer than me. But I still don’t trust her.” 

“So what’s the game plan?” 
<<  Heading south  will do nicely. And don’t die along the way. See ya.   >> Silence took over once more. 

“Why do I have the feeling that she has something up her demonic sleeve.” 
“She has her reasons.” 
“Hhmmmph. Yeah like what? Turning my mate against me?” 

<<<   Indeed that is what Primal one intends. One can aid you.   >>> 

<<<    All they are interested in is your potential. Come back to me I promise not to separate you and your mate…….   >>> Morrigan call out again. 
  

The Twisted Pair didn’t answer but continued till they were reached the bottom. There was a stone door. Opening it they exited from the Northern area into a centralise hall. There were strange flint of lights shining from the dark walls. 

‘Ryu’ notice there’s a wick hanging from what seem like a container and lighted it. The fire ran from the wick into the container of oil. Within the container fire spread around the container which circles the hall lighting up the whole place. 

In the centre of the hall. there was a smashed stone table surrounded by chairs. Apparently a fight had broken out during one of the conferences that was held here. The southern entrance was destroyed and blocked by debris as is the one in the east. 
  

“Knights of the round?” ‘ChunLi’ mused fingering the dusty remain. She noticed something else and drew ‘Ryu’s atttention. 
“The symbol of Oruchi in the West….Aensland’s to north, I don’t recognise the one to east. But the Seven Powers that be take the south.” ‘ChunLi’ mumbled 
“Do we still head south knowing that we are part of a power struggle?” ‘ChunLi’ asked. 
“South yes. At least we know how to deal with Geotao.” 
  

“Rest first.... As much as I don't like this place....” ‘Ryu growled, the voices of Morrigan and whoever that was draining his reserves. Heading to the sourthern side. Ryu settle down with ChunLi, his arms protectively around her. Both scan the area once more, keeping their eyes open for as long as they could before sleep took over. 

< Yes….Sleep on….One have you where One wants you to be…. >  The sinister voice laugh in delight.