-The Vagabond's Camp-

Blink...blink blink...blink

Akuma, still half naked (Akm: MiCah! O_O!!! MC: No, no! I meant the OTHER HALF damnit!), woke up to find himself wrapped in a dirty blanket, lying at some folded sheets of cloth and a pillow, staring at the ceiling of a tent. His body was wrapped with bandages and ointment because he had suffered much from their walk under the desert (Trying walking half naked in Sahara, let see you not get grilled). A single candle lit the whole place, as it was night time already. Sitting up, he turned his head to find the others in the same way, all of them asleep. Unfortunate for him, Bob woke up a while later as he was pondering.

Hwo: (Sitting up) Aw shit...what hit me?

Akm: Oh great, of all the people to wake up, you had to be the one after me. Sheesh... -.-

Hwo: -.o (Holding his neck) Where are we?

At that moment, a woman came in the tent bringing a saucer and a towel with her. She seemed happy that they have awaken.

Wom: Oh! The Prophets have awaken!

H+A: The What?

Wom: The Prophets!-Oh, of course, you're all trying to be modest. I shall inform the elder!

The woman left Akuma and Bob open jawed and awestruck. They looked at each other.

Akm: Prophets? Us? >.< I have a VERY BAD feeling about this...

Hwo: You said it...

The woman returned a little while later, right after Ukyo and Pai have awaken. She brought with her clothes and garments of fine silk, rich velvets and soft cotton. She also hung beads, pearls and diamond necklaces on their neck. She all gave them rings and jewels, all perfectly shaped, to wear. Hwoarang, though, didn't wear them but put it in his pocket.

Akm: ~_~ Okay, now I REALLY REALLY HAVE a VERY VERY BAAAAAD feeling about this...

Pai: ^_^ I don't mind!

Ukyo: You wouldn't...

Hwo: I feel a bit heavy on this...

Akm: You look like Ali-baba.

Hwo: Hello? Have you checked the mirror lately?

Before they could argue, the woman returned and beckoned them to follow her. As they passed, hundreds of eyes fed on them, whispering to each other.

Akm: Okay, repeat what I say a while ago, only the "really" and "very" times six! >.<

They were brought to a tent where a bald old man with a long beard and rich garments and jewels sat at the center of a carpet with pillows surrounding it. He was guarded with two large men at each sides while some ladies were at his back, staring at Ukyo. When he smiled at them, they all giggled.

A+H+P: HMPH...

Eld: Welcome, Prophets! This is our land, the land which is forsaken of water-

Akm: -And Coke ~_~,

Eld: -The land which you, and only you can save!!!

Hwo: Whoa man, wait a sec there! We're no prophets or whatever. We just-

Eld: Ah! But you are!

Ukyo: How do you know that?

Eld: For you hold the same gem as we do! A sacred gem we found under the well as we gathered our last drop of water!

Pai: Gem?

Akm: You don't think...

Ukyo: The portal key!

Akm: You have one? The gem I mean?

Eld: Yes, yes, it is the same as the one you were carrying. When the mighty wind blew you here, we were sure you are the prophecised saviors!

Hwo: Where's the fu-

Pai: >:-|

Hwo: -I mean the gem? Where is it?

Eld: Oh, we hid it somewhere safe and sacred. Do you wish to have it?

All: YES!!!

Eld: Then you must journey to the great Temple of Sand and bring to us the Water Craymel!

Pai: Water Crayon?

Akm: Water what?

Eld: A Water Craymel. It is an ancient artifact that can give us the water we need to survive the harsh land. It is within the temple. We tried to get it ourselves, but our warriors never returned.

Hwo: Oh now that's a happy news! -.-

Eld: We, then, researched and found some Holy scriptures, saying only the chosen ones will be able to get the Craymel.

Akm: The HOLY scriptures had Hwoarang, Jin and my name on it? Okay, that's clear, it ain't us! It was a fake!

Eld: Please, help us. Our water is running out fast! A few more days and we will thirst to death here!

Akm: Not my problem, really.

Pai: Akuma... >:-(

Ukyo: What if we refuse?

Eld: Well, you can't get your gem either!

All: WHAT?!!!

Eld: We sealed it as to asure its safety. The only way to get it is through a ritual, which will require large amounts ALL elements. The other elements are available, but the water we have will not suffice.

Akm: Can't we just call Sogetsu again?

Ukyo: Can't. Only Hazuki can do that. And from the looks of it, she'll be too weak to call him.

Hwo: Aw man...

Ukyo: So near, yet so far...

Pai: Well, look at it this way guys: at least we save their race from dying!

H+A: WHO CARES?

Ukyo: (Sigh) Well, I guess the compass have pointed our path...

All: What?!

Hwo: Speak in English dude!

Ukyo: Hmph! I mean we have no choice but to do what is to be done!

Eld: Good. My men will lead you there tomorrow. For now, we will hold a feast in your names...

Ukyo: u.u I don't think any of us would want to-

He opens his eyes to find them all gone.

Ukyo: ...feast right now...

- The Indiana Jones Adventure -
# Tantanantan-tantanan-tantanantan-tantanatantan...#

After a night of feasting and a morning of vomiting (Ukyo: I TOLD YOU NOT TO DRINK TOO MUCH!), they were finally ready to go, well, the four anyway. The two Kazama's were still out cold. After packing a few stuff with them, they journeyed to the temple.
The temple was brownish and had these funny looking statues in it. Ukyo had but a few second to shut Hwoarang up from insulting it.

eld: This is the temple. The Water Craymel lies within it. And I so bestow to you this, the scriptures we found! They might help you on your way.

The four looked at the scriptures. They were somesort of Hieroglyphics. Pictures of men, blades and whatever.

All: O_O ...???

Akm: Gee, thanks...

Hwo: Oh boy...

eld: May the gods bless your way...

Akm: >.< Hmm...

The four entered the temple. As they walked, the darkness began to swallow them in until they could see nothing but Akuma's red eyes glowing in the dark.

Hwo: O_O! I hate your eyes! They glow!

Pai (Grasping the nearest arm): This is giving me goosebumps! >.<

Akm: Pai...you're breaking my arm ~_~

Ukyo: Will you please light a torch?

Swang!

Pai: AAAAA-mf!

Ukyo: (Muffling Pai) What was that?

Tsaksh! Hwoarang flares the torch. As they continued to walk, they were trying hard to figure out the drawings.

Hwo (Pointing at a drawing of a shovel, a woman, a ring and an donkey): Hey! I know what THIS means!

All: What?

Hwo: Dig the chick with the round ass!

Hwo: HWOARANG!!!

Akm: I knew it couldn't be true!

Ukyo (Shaking his head): Would everyone PLEASE be SERIOUS?! Gawd...

Pai: Maybe we should start at the bottom.

Akm: Let's see...this looks like an opening, probably the entrance...kneeling men before a giant guy sitting in front of them.

Ukyo: Must be their god...

Hwo: What, they're praisin' him or something?

Ukyo: Well, it is a tradition to kneel before your God...kneel...kneel...KNEEL!

Ukyo crashed them all to the ground just before a blade came rushing across the wall. Their faces were flat on the sandy ground but they can hear the hissing of the blade as it passed.

Hwo: O_O Hell...

Ukyo: Okay, everybody, crawl.

Akm: I thought kneeling was enough?

Pai: Better safe than sorry!

Ukyo: Good point...

Hwo: Over there, a door!

They all crawled towards the end of the dark corridor, Hwoarang holding the torch, Akuma the scripture (Akm: WATCH THE TORCH, CLUMSY! Hwo: HEY! YOU HOLD IT!). By the door, they slowly stood up. Easily opening it, they entered a huge, circular hall. There was this big circle drawn on the floor. As everyone got inside, the door closed.

Hwo: Shit!

Akm: Um...a light...it's beaming at a man...some other people behind him, their heads are flaming.

Hwo: Oh that makes a lot of sense!

Ukyo went to the center of the hall. A small beam of light, a size of a fist, beamed into the hall.

Hwo: What are you doing?

Ukyo: Clear the dusts of the wall.

The three did so. After clearing the dusts and cobwebs (Pai: Eew!), it revealed a total of seven heads, each with a circle at their foreheads.

Pai: So...what do we do?

Ukyo: Hmm...gods know who are the true followers from the decivers.

Hwo: Maybe the light...it has to-

Ukyo: Reflect on the foreheads! Bob, you're a genius!

Hwo: :) Well, It's natural in me...

Akm: -.- Nyeh...

Pai: Urk...which one?

Akm: So, who's this true follower?

They looked at each head and observed. They were all the same.

Ukyo: Uh...

Hwo: Guess we have to pick one then!

Akm: And if it's wrong?

Hwo: Then...we'll try again!

Ukyo: You have a mirror with you, I know ~_o

Pai: Um... ^_^ Hehe, I was planning to use it afterwards, really!

Ukyo: I'm sure... ~_o

Ukyo grabbed Pai's mini-mirror and reflected it to the first one...nothing happened.

Hwo: Huh, must-WHOA! WHAT THE FUCK?!

Earthquake...Bob, Akuma and Pai were thrown to the side, Ukyo stumbling at the center. Then, the circle on the floor crumbled, revealing hot molten lava. It was crumbling from the crust towards the center fast. Luckily for the three, there was just enough...uh...floor for them to stand on. Ukyo, though, was stuck on the center.

Pai: Ukyo, you have to jump here!

Ukyo: I can't! We have to solve this!

Hwo: HURRY THEN!

Pai: Can't we try them all?

Hwo: Then what? Make things worst?

Akm: IT WAS YOUR BRIGHT IDEA TO TRY WITHOUT ANALYZING!

Hwo: SHUT UP YOU ASSHOLE!

Ukyo: DO YOU MIND? I NEED HELP FIGURING THIS OUT!

Akm: Okay...It's...uh...HELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE FIRING FOREHEADS MEAN!

Ukyo: Firing foreheads...that's it!

Hwo: Thinkin' the same thing to, huh kensai?

Hwoarang slowly slid through the wall carrying the torch, Akuma and Pai following, wondering what was this all about. One by one, Bob lit the circles of the foreheads, which fired up. Ukyo waited in agony as the circle became smaller and smaller and the ledge farther and farther. Finally, Bob reached the fifth.

Hwo: Didn't burn...YO, THIS ONE!

Akn: Oh now I get it!

Ukyo beamed the light towards the fifth head. Sure enough, the wall slid upwards, showing yet another dark path. The three entered.

Akm: Ukyo, c'mon!

Ukyo was standing on what was left of the floor. It was very slim indeed, and the mid portion would give away at anytime. A bit of rumble, he almost fell into the lava. The three gasped.

Ukyo (Standing up slowly): Okay, on the count of three...one, two-

It gave away. Ukyo jumped off...not able to grab the ledge.

Pai: AAAAH!

Akm: O_O!!!

Hwo: OH SHIT...!

They all looked over the ledge, not really wanting to see-

Ukyo: ...three...

Hwo: Dude! You're alive!

He had thrust the wall with his sword and was holding on for his life.

Ukyo: Uh...a little help here?

They pulled him up as a fountain of lava spewed out.

Ukyo: Whew...

Pai: ~_~ DON'T SCARE ME like that! Oh...

Hwo: Well, you got you're stuff man.

Ukyo: It's good to know you're using your brain.

Akm: Hell...

Ukyo: C'mon, we better move and get this over with.
-
The walked down a flight of stairs carefully, trying to figure out the next clue.

Akm: Animals around Mr. Tall guy...snakes, insects...small guy in a skirt letting them...gulp...crawl around him...

All (Looking at eac other): O_O!!!

Akm: You must be at peace with the god's pets?

Ukyo: Most probably, or you have to trust them as you trust your master...the hard part is what pet it he has...

And when they got to the end of the stairs-

Pai: O_O Oh gawd...

-The next corridor was filled with insects, spiders, centipedes, rats and other disgusting animals.

Hwo: Uh...

Akm: Ugh! Phew! The stench!

Ukyo: >.< We have no other alternative.

Pai: I CAN'T-!!!

Ukyo: Listen to me. NO ONE screams, fudget or panic till we get to the end of the corridor, capice? Just stay calm and they won't...well hopefully, won't hurt you...Okay, Akuma, you go first!

Akm: UK-

Ukyo: SHH! Don't shout! Hwoarang, give him the torch.

Pai: I CAN'T! I'm sorry, but I can't go! I'll stay here, you guys get-

Hwo: And if something bad happens? Ah...Here, I'll carry you -.- Sheesh...

Ukyo: Onward ho, Akuma!

Akm: >.< Easy for you to say!

Akuma stepped into the corridor. He was surprised at how deep the sea of insects were-they were up to his waist. They squirmed and wriggled, some going into his new shirt.

Akm: (Gritting teeth) >.< Mommy...

Slowly, he walked. Soon, Ukyo followed, his eyes closed.

Hwo: Okay, just close your eyes, and don't think of it.

Pai: >.<

And so he followed. The three walked towards the door, whih felt a hundred mile away. Akuma was clenching his fist as a centipede wriggled inside his shirt. He can feel the spiny legs as it crawled on his skin. Ukyo was having a hard time ignoring the spiders in his pants. They were hairy, spiny and a bit wild. Hwoarang was in agony of the itchy feeling, the loathing, the heavy weight he has to put up with, and the fingernails that were clawing the back of his neck. Finally, what looked like and endless journey was done. They rushed in the room, jumping and franatically trying to pull all the creatures out.

Akm: GET IT OFFA ME, GET IT OFFA ME!!!

Ukyo: Ugh! Ahh! Damn!

Pai: EEEEEIIII!

Hwo: Shit!Shit!Shit!Shit!Shit!Shit!Shit!Shit!!!! Aw...WHAT'S ON MY HAIR?! WHAT'S ON MY HAIR?!

Akm: O_O Pai...

Pai: What? WHAT?!

Akm: Just...don't move...

Akuma quickly snatched the huge hairy larva from her back. He dropped it and squished it. After recovering from the shock...

Pai: There's...gah...a door over there...

Akm: Okay...hah...next is...what the? It's a guy gesturing shh...he's covered with some black thing.

Hwo: So, we just have to be quiet? That's easy enough.

Ukyo: You know, you just jinxed everything ~_o

They entered a cave. And they knew what it meant. The cave was filled with bats.

Ukyo (In a very low whisper): Turn the torch off. Akuma, you lead us.

And so the walked soundlessly. Akuma led on as he can see through the darkness with his eyes. Everything would've been easy till...

-tututut-tutut-tututut-

Akm: >.< Not again!

Hwo: YOU DIDN'T TURN THAT THING OFF?!!!

Ukyo: PAI!!!

-tututut-tutut-tututut-

They were all frozen, their eyes enlarged. Yet, the bats didn't seem to notice.

Akm: Whew.

Hwo: Turn it off, damnit!

Pai: Okay, but I can't see! Let's get out of here first.

And just when they were near the end...

-tililit!tilililit!...-

ALL: PAI?!!!

Ukyo: STOP THAT INFERNAL RINGING!!! >:-8

Now this time, the bats heard her phone ringing. They all flew around, bewildered and rampaging everywhere. They scratched the gang's arms and necks as they sheilded their faces through the opening.

Ukyo: YOU COULD'VE GOTTEN US KILLED THERE!

Akm: I JUST KNEW IT! I KNEW-Pai?

Pai was talking to someone on her phone in Chinese.

Others: PAI!

Pai: SHUT UP!!! >:(

Others: O_O

After the phone call...

Pai: You guys are so rude! (Walks off)

Others: O_O...

Akm: She's unbelievable...

Now, the last piece of the puzzle: The shovel, the woman, the ring and the donkey.

To be continued...