Chapter 7
The First Encounter

Ryu chased the zombies through New York. Every few seconds, he could see a shadow, or hear Irene screaming, but he couldn't catch up to the zombie kidnappers. Pretty damn fast for dead guys, he thought. Suddenly, the trail stopped cold. The kidnappers were nowhere to be seen. Ryu looked around in disbelief. Where are they, he thought. Then he saw his two choices. On the street, he saw a open manhole, and across the street there was an abandoned building. Ryu knew this wasn't a coincidence, but which route lead to Irene? Ryu darted for the manhole, but he stopped himself. It seemed too intentional. The cult probably knew that Vega debriefed him. They designed the manhole as a trap. Ryu dashed for the building, confident he made the right choice. 

There was no one in the building, and Ryu couldn't hear a sound. He almost turned back when he heard a door shut. He didn't see any back door, but the saw the stairs leading up to the roof. He climbed them as fast as possible. When he reached the door, it was locked. Ryu didn't waste any time; with a powerful kick he busted the door open. Scrambling through the wreckage, Ryu saw his beloved hiding in a corner scared.
"Irene!"
"Ryu, don't! It's a trap!"

Ryu didn't have time to react; the lightning came from nowhere and electrocuted him. Ryu fell to the pavement, not knowing what or who attacked him. The lightning withdrew from Ryu's body and assimilated into a figure beside him. The lightning changed into a man wearing dark, flowing robes.
"Stupid ninja," he muttered. "Now, my dear," he said turning towards Irene, "I have a most wonderful dungeon to show you."
The Dragon Ball flew from Ryu's hand, and hit the robed man. But, the robed man didn't fall down, nor did he scream in pain. He just turned around to face his attacker, a frame of a man struggling to stay on his feet.
"Stay away from... her... you bastard, UGH!" Ryu couldn't handle the intensity of the Mystical Arts in his state.

The robed man levitated then flew over to Ryu. 
"Now that was foolish," he said. "Just what were you trying to accomplish by doing that, your death?"

The robed man drew his hand above Ryu's head. A strange green glow emanated from his hand, and Ryu could see the void in his gray eyes. It was Xaviev, and the end of Ryu's life was in Xaviev's fingertips.
"Well, answer the question, Ninja Dragon. What were you trying to accomplish?"
Ryu gasped, "this!"

Ryu thrusted the machete deep into Xaviev's chest, who stepped back, shocked at what Ryu did. Xaviev then took his other hand and electrocuted Ryu again. Then he gasped the blade and removed it from his body. He stared at the weapon for a moment, then melted the blade with a touch of his finger. Xaviev dipped his finger in his own blood, then sucked on it decadently. Using a spell he quickly sealed his mortal wound.
"You deserve to die," he addressed Ryu, "but because of that stroke of genius, I'll let you live; for now." 

Xaviev gave a little grunt/laugh as Ryu struggled to keep his head up. 
"I'm taking Irene with me now. If you follow us, you will die."
Ryu didn't respond.
"Very well then," Xaviev said, casting a sleep spell on the fallen hero, "sweet dreams."

Xaviev turned to Irene, who was in shock. He scooped her up in his arms, and they disappeared.