The shimmering light of the portal enveloped the group as they stepped through, each of them bracing for whatever lay ahead. The sensation was unlike anything they had felt before—a strange pulling force, followed by a sudden release as their feet touched solid ground again. When they opened their eyes, the sight before them was both breathtaking and unsettling.
Towering plants glowed softly in shades of blue, green, and violet, casting an ethereal light over the land. Trees with twisted trunks rose high into the sky, their leaves shimmering like crystals. Strange creatures roamed the terrain, some scampering on many legs, others flying with translucent wings that left trails of light behind them.
"What is this place?" Tony asked, his voice carrying an edge of suspicion.
Ryu crouched to examine a nearby plant that seemed to quiver as he reached toward it. "It's like...another world," he said, his tone filled with both wonder and unease. "The animals, the plants—everything here feels alien."
Kai, however, was captivated by the beauty around them. "Strange or not, this place is incredible," he said, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. The sky above shimmered with hues of gold and emerald, a celestial canvas, unlike anything they had ever seen.
"No wonder those monsters came from here," Jin muttered, gripping his weapon tightly as his eyes darted from shadow to shadow.
"We shouldn't waste time gawking," Ryu said, snapping them back to reality. "Kai's right—the portal might not stay open forever. We need to find Wei and get back before it closes."
"Agreed," Jin said, nodding firmly. "We should split up. Cover more ground that way."
Tony immediately spoke up. "I'll go with Kai."
"Why not with your brother?" Kai asked, tilting his head in surprise.
Tony shrugged. "I don't know his powers well enough yet. It's safer this way."
"We don't have time for this," Ryu interrupted, his tone sharp. "Here's the plan: Jin and I will head left. Tony, Kai—you take the right. If anyone finds Wei, use Kai's powers to send a signal. Whatever happens, meet back here before nightfall. If it gets dark, we regroup, portal or no portal."
The group nodded in agreement, and without another word, they split into pairs, each heading in a different direction into the alien wilderness.
Hours passed as the pairs searched tirelessly. Tony and Kai moved cautiously through the dense foliage, their senses on high alert. The deeper they ventured, the more unsettling the environment became.
"This place gets creepier the further we go," Tony said, his eyes scanning their surroundings.
"Yeah, but at least it's not boring," Kai replied, though his usual humor was tinged with unease.
Meanwhile, Ryu and Jin encountered a similar lack of progress. Despite calling Wei's name and scouring the area, there was no sign of their missing companion. As the alien sun began to dip below the horizon, an unsettling quiet settled over the land. Shadows grew longer, and the once-vibrant colors of the forest dimmed to a somber gray.
When the four finally regrouped at the portal's location, their expressions were grim.
"Any luck?" Ryu asked as soon as he saw Tony and Kai.
Tony shook his head. "Nothing. You?"
"Same," Jin replied. "But I've got a feeling he's out here somewhere."
"Wait...where's the portal?" Tony asked suddenly, glancing around.
Kai frowned and stepped closer to the spot where they had first arrived. "It was right here. Are we in the wrong place?"
"We're not," Ryu said, his voice steady but tense. "It's gone."
Silence fell over the group as the weight of those words sank in.
"What do you mean it's gone?" Tony demanded, his voice rising.
"I mean exactly that," Ryu replied. "The portal isn't here anymore. We're stuck."
Kai, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "Hey, on the bright side, we've got more time to explore this beautiful world."
"That also means we have more time to find Wei," Ryu added. "And maybe another way out."
"And more monsters to fight," Kai said with a grin.
"Not to mention the one who sent them," Jin said, his tone grim.
Tony sighed and looked around at the darkening forest. "First things first—we need a place to stay tonight. This place doesn't exactly scream 'safe' after dark."
Kai waved dismissively. "Don't worry about that. I've got it covered."
Within moments, Kai used his powers to conjure a sturdy shelter from the ground, complete with walls that glowed faintly to blend into the environment.
"Alright, let's get some rest," Ryu said, stepping inside. "We'll figure out the next steps in the morning."
At dawn, Jin volunteered to scout for food while the others prepared for another day of searching. The forest was eerily quiet as he moved through it, his senses on high alert. Suddenly, he noticed movement in the distance—a shadow flitting between the trees.
"Who's there?" Jin called out, gripping his weapon tightly.
The figure didn't respond. Instead, it bolted deeper into the forest. Without hesitation, Jin gave chase. He dodged low-hanging branches and leaped over roots, his determination growing with every step. When he finally caught sight of the figure again, his breath caught. It looked like...a human.
"Stop right there!" Jin shouted.
The figure glanced back but didn't slow. Instead, they leaped over a ledge, vanishing from sight. Jin followed, landing nimbly—but as soon as his feet hit the ground, the forest floor beneath him gave way. Vines snapped up around him, pinning him in place.
"Got you, intruder," a voice said as the figure emerged from the shadows.
"Intruder? I'm not—" Jin began, but the figure cut him off.
"Save it for the master," they said, throwing a strange plant at him. The plant released a puff of spores, and Jin's vision blurred before he fell unconscious.
Back at the shelter, Kai was the first to notice Jin's absence. Peering through the trees, he spotted a group of armored guards dragging Jin's unconscious body away.
"Guys, we've got a problem!" Kai shouted, running back to the group.
"What is it?" Ryu asked, already grabbing his weapon.
"I saw guards taking Jin," Kai said.
"Did he do something stupid?" Tony asked, earning a glare from Kai.
"We don't have time for this," Ryu snapped. "Let's go."
The trio followed the guards at a safe distance, their hearts pounding as they moved deeper into unfamiliar territory. The guards, aware they were being tailed, quickened their pace.
"Sir, his friends are following us," one guard said to the chief.
"Let them," the chief replied. "We'll deal with them later. For now, get to the castle."
As the group neared the castle gates, the trio decided to make their move. Kai conjured a bike to close the distance, but an arrow whistled through the air, puncturing the tire. Kai leaped off, transforming the bike into a glider to land safely.
Kai safely landed on the ground made the skate shoes for himself and jumped to punch that armored person but that person dodged and kicked Kai badly. Tony took out his Chain blade and threw the blade at him, he dodged it but the chains of his blade captured his legs Tony pulled the chain of his blade, and that person jumped and when he got closer to Tony he kicked him too. Now Ryu saw him busy with Tony and Kai, he took out his Nunchaku and made his hand of solid ice. Ryu punched that person's helmet, but that person couldn't dodge him. When he saw they were closer to the castle he hit Ryu too but Ryu dodged him and then he threw the dirt at him and went to his castle.
"NOOO, we lost him," Ryu shouted.
"First Wei and now Jin," Tony muttered as they regrouped.
"(sigh) I think we should enter the castle," Kai said, facing towards the castle.
"But from where?" Ryu asked.
"There is always a hidden way to enter castles." Tony said, "I saw it in movies."
"This is not a movie but you're right, there should be another way in," Ryu said, gaining hope in his voice.
"I will look from behind the castle," Tony replied.
"OK, then I will go left and Kai you go right," Ryu said.