+++ Mortal Kombat: Conquest by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++
Note: I do not own Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Conquest, etc, etc.
That’s over, sorry for taking so long. Between work, some family issues,
and just not being able to figure the end of this one out just kept me from
finishing it sooner.
Chapter Eighteen: Double Jeopardy
“Tell me again, why I happen to be on this trip and not Siro?” asked
Althea, sitting on the wagon bench as it rocked slowly down the uneven
road, “I thought it was his job to join you on these caravan runs.”
Taja growled slight as she held the reins. “Because I asked you to
and your not as big an idiot as HE is,” Taja replied. Althea raised an
eyebrow and said, “Okay....What did he do this time?” The former thief
turned merchant/warrior just stared ahead and redness came to her face that
had nothing to do with the setting sun. Althea’s other eyebrow joined its
partner as she said, “Was it just a shining example of stupidity found in
all males or was it a Siro Special?” Taja continued to ignore the blonde’s
barbs but her blush deepened. Althea, taking a perverse enjoyment in
Taja’s discomfort, continued to muse aloud, “It wasn’t assuming you would
clean up after him all because you’re a woman, he learned that lesson
already. Hmmmm....He never forgets to meet you or anyone when and where he
says he will, so that can’t be it.” Althea tapped her finger on the wooden
bench and continued, “Did he give too much attention to a woman customer?
No, that wouldn’t bother you this much. Wait! Perhaps it is not male
stupidity at all, but just his bad luck at catching you with female
stupidity?”
“Shut up,”said Taja through clenched teeth and she continued to look
down the road.
------------------------------------------------
Kung Lao pulled a pot of water off the stove for tea as Siro repaired
one of his shirts. The monk poored the water over the tea leaves and Siro
sighed, “Why do I feel like it was a mistake letting those two go alone?”
Kung Lao shrugged, but when his face was turned so that Siro couldn’t he
smiled and tried his best not to laugh.
--------------------------------------------------
Arianna followed the slow moving wagon from a distance. Occasionally
she could hear Althea’s laughter when the wind moved in the right
direction. As darkness fell, Arianna picked up her pace knowing that the
darkness would help prevent discovery by the unwary pair. So obsessed with
her prey, she failed to noticed that she too was being followed. A dark
colored wolf loped parallel to her in the wooded areas next to the road.
The wind picked up, causing leaves to rustle loudly and the dust from the
dry road to spiral slightly as night came.
The she-wolf picked up its head and sniffed, as if sensing something
was different about this breeze. With a growl, the wolf changed, growing
larger and shifting into a more bipedal form. Slowing turning around, it
sniffed again and looked around trying to find the source of its unease.
“My, you’re a big one aren’t you,”said Fujin leaning against a tree.
The creature pounced but Fujin vanished in a puff of air. The monster
roared in frustration, no longer caring if Arianna heard. “What language!
Do you really hate humans that much?” said Fujin from behind the creature.
It turned slowly and growled, showing finger-length canines. “This isn’t
going well, “said Fujin as the creature attacked again. Just before the
massive clawed hands ripped through the Wind God, the monster found itself
being picked up and held up by what seemed to be a small tornado. Fujin
eyed the creature and said, “Now are you going to behave yourself and
listen to what I have to say or would you rather go for a spin?”
The werewolf whimpered.
------------------------------------
Later that night, Althea slept peacefully as Taja fed the fire and
kept watch. Taja thought of Althea’s comments about her and Siro. Looking
back, even Taja had to laugh and finally began to understand what Althea
tried to do. Althea making a guessing game of why Taja was angry with Siro
made Taja herself wonder. ‘Why was I so angry with him?’ thought Taja as
she stood up to stretch. Taja’s thoughts were rudely interrupted by a hit
to the back of head. She fell with a loud thud.
Her war years’ habits still ruling her actions, Althea woke up at the
sound of thud and jumped to her feet, ready to fight. She looked around
and saw Arianna standing next to the fire. Light blue flame encompassed
Althea’s fists as she glared at her ‘twin.’ “Do you really want to take
the chance?” Arianna said with a grin, “If try to hit me, I’ll hit her
first.” Arianna’s own hand lit up in with blood red flame and pointed to
the unconscious Taja at her feet.
“What do you want?” Althea demanded, still ready to attack at the
first sign of an opening.
Arianna cruel smile widened and she replied, “Not much, only your
acceptance of my challenge.”
“What?!” exclaimed Althea as her light blue flames died down a
little.
“I want....no need to prove that I am the stronger, that I am no mere
copy. I challenger YOU to a one on one fight, until one of us dies.”
Althea’s eyebrow rose and she asked, “You’re challenging me to Mortal
Kombat? Why didn’t you just kill me while I slept?”
“That would have proved NOTHING! Killing you in combat, with both of
us at full strength and alert will prove I AM your better, “Arianna ranted,
“So accept my challenge or your friend dies.”
“I accept your challenge and my terms are one weapon of the fighter’s
choice and no armor,” Althea said, “Now tell me where to meet and let Taja
go.”
“I thought you would see it my way, “Arianna replied,” Meet me in
three days, noon, at the old ruins east of Zu Zhin. Don’t be late or your
boyfriend will become the prey of THIS godslayer.”
Althea’s eyes flared as Arianna backed off and disappeared in the
shadows.
-------------------------
The rest of the trip went uneventful and silent. Taja still fumed at
being caught off guard and was in no mood for light hearted teasing.
Althea wasn’t either has she contemplated on what to do. She hadn’t told
Taja what had had gone on between herself and Arianna the night before or
even that it was Arianna that knocked Taja out. Althea just let Taja
assume that an unknown attacker ran off once seeing Althea fully awake,
fists glowing and ready to fight. After all, Althea’s flaming eyes and
fists would scare off a common highwayman. She didn’t like keeping the
truth from her red-headed friend, but she already knew what Taja would say
and do in regards to the challenge. Althea sighed and leaned back on the
bench. She would need to keep the others from finding out as well,
especially Rayden, they would just try to stop her from meeting Arianna’s
challenge. This was the best chance of getting rid of her ‘shadow.’
Rayden....why did Arianna’s threat to make Rayden a target, make her so
angry and fearful at the same time? ‘Boyfriend?’ Althea thought with a
snort, ignoring Taja’s inquiring glance. ‘Since when did Rayden fall into
the boyfriend category? Sheesh! That sounds like I’m still a student at
the Academy with a crush on someone.’
However, Althea had to admit to herself that Rayden was the closest
thing to a ‘boyfriend’ she had ever had. In school, she was too busy and
during the war there wasn’t room or time for anything but a fling or two.
To be honest, there wasn’t any guy she was interested in enough to consider
working at a long-term relationship with. But Rayden? Althea sighed and
asked, “How’s the head?”
Taja grimaced, “Hurts, but better than it was earlier. It’s my pride that’s
hurting the most. Can’t believe I let that creep sneak up on ME.”
“Well at least no one got seriously hurt, nothing was stolen and we
will be home in a few hours, “Althea said with a half-smile, “Do you want
think we need to tell the guys?”
“No, “was Taja’s answer and Althea was secretly relieved, “Nothing to tell
them really. Some thief tried to rob us a failed. I can imagine what
irony that Siro will see in that.”
-----------------------------
Before dawn of the third day, Althea prepared to meet Arianna. She
left a note on the kitchen table explaining she would be gone for the day
for personal reasons and was now in the armory getting her battle staff.
Her mental shields were up so Rayden wouldn’t feel her nervousness.
Unfortunately, there was other she overlooked. “You’re not seriously
considering fighting her?” asked Fujin when he appeared the armory doorway,
effectively blocking Althea’s way out.
“Yes, I am, “she said, “She challenged me and this is my best chance
of getting rid of her. She is just too dangerous and insane to leave
running around.”
“To whom? You, Kung Lao....Rayden,” said Fujin with a grin. Althea
turned, her back to the deity, her eyes flashed. Fujin did not see it or
the faint glow around her hands that she held in front of her. “She
dangerous to everyone, “Althea said, “I’m sorry, Fujin.”
“For what?” asked Fujin. Althea quickly turned and blasted him with
her godslayer chi. Fujin just stared for a moment as his powers left him.
“For that, “said Althea, with a sad but determined look on her face.
“And for this.” She then knocked him out with a sharp blow of her staff on
the side of his head.
After untying the unconscious Fujin, Althea grabbed her fallen staff
and left. Her only hope was that the others would not find him too soon.
---------------------------
Althea reached the ruins about mid-morning. Once there she explored
the area with the upcoming battle in mind. Loose rocks, rubble, and
overgrown weeds was going to be a problem, but there was one area that was
completely flat and surrounded by broken down stands. An old arena,
perhaps?
Once she finished looking around, she began her warm up exercises.
Althea mused that there was one good thing about that damn mark on her
shoulder. Since she got it, it seemed that she had more chi energy and was
able to recover more quickly from using it. She just hoped that her use of
her ability on Fujin did no weaken her enough to affect the fight.
-----------------------------
“Has Althea returned yet?” asked Kung Lao in an irritated voice.
“Nope, “Siro answered as he grabbed an apple for his lunch. “Didn’t the
note say she might be gone all day?”
Kung Lao sighed and said, “Yes, but that doesn’t stop me from
worrying. The last time Althea took off she ended up being kidnapped. We
still don’t know who did it or why. Besides this isn’t like her.”
“What isn’t like who?” asked Rayden now sitting sitting at the table
with Siro’s apple in his hand.
“Althea left early this morning without any warning, “answered Kung
Lao, “She left a note but it didn’t say much only that she would be gone
for most of the day. Normally, she would tell us where she would be and
what she would be doing.”
“Hmmmm, “Rayden frowned, “And Fujin seems to be missing as well.”
Just then a crashing sound was heard coming from the armory. Kung Lao and
Siro ran to investigate. There they found a bound and gagged Fujin laying
on the ground. The crash was the sound of one of the scrap metal barrels
being kicked over. Rayden appeared and removed the gag from Fujin’s mouth.
The wind god began to cuss loudly in a dead language and all that Rayden
was able to get out of him was that Althea blasted him and was going to get
herself killed. That was enough, Rayden attempted to find Althea through
their shared link. Then he also said a few choice words in the same dead
language and vanished.
-------------------------
Althea stood up as she heard Arianna’s approach. The dark haired
woman smiled cruelly and said, “My aren’t we in a hurry to die.”
Althea shrugged and went into a defensive position as she responded,
“Not really, just wanting to get a nasty job done and over with as soon as
possible.” Arianna growled as she pulled out her kamas from their holders.
She then twirled and swung them expertly for a few seconds. Althea
studied the weapons as they moved. She had seen Lilith carry and use such
weapons during the God War on Calorna. Arianna’s weapons had speed, dual
attacks and cutting edges in their favor. Where as Althea had reach,
defense and hopefully more practice in regards to her chosen weapon, the
staff.
It was Arianna who attacked first. Eyes flaring read, she swung her
weapons at Althea’s head. Rather than blocking with her staff, Althea
dodged and then countered with a low swing of her own. Arianna flipped
backwards, avoiding the fast moving staff but was hit hard on the shoulder
when Althea followed through, not stopping the spin of her fist attack.
Arianna hit the ground and dropped one of the kamas. She aimed her now
empty hand and a blast of blood red lame was throw towards Althea’s chest.
Althea tried to dodge, but the flames followed her through the air and hit
her hard on the back. ‘Crap!’ though Althea, ‘She’s learned how to control
those flames.
Arianna jumped up from the ground as Althea was attempting to dodge
the first flare and sent another, larger one blast. Althea didn’t even
bother to dodge or use her staff; she just stood there as the second blast
seemed to hit an invisible wall just inches from her face. “That’s it,
“said Althea angrily, “My turn.” Althea then held her staff in one hand and
with the other sent two of her own blasts of light blue flames towards her
opponent. Instead of going straight, the flames curved in opposite
directions for a two prong attack in which Arianna was unable to dodge or
block. ‘Damn!’ Gotta keep these blasts to a minimum,’thought Althea as she
ran to attack again with her staff. Arianna reeled from the dual hits, but
recovered in time to roll out of Althea’s physical attack and jump back up
to a fighting stance, grabbing her fallen weapon. Althea was barely able
block the storming attacking Arianna rained on her with her kamas. Then
Arrianna’s weapons turned from black to a glowing blood red and with a
incredibly strong and focus hit with both kamas, she sheared through
Altheas staff. As the pieces of hard wood slipped from Althea’s hand,
Arianna swung again this time to Althea’s heart. The swing was deflected
by Althea’s barrier. “SHIT!” Arianna screamed as the force of the
deflection caused her to fall back some and dropped one of her weapons
again. Althea dropped the barrier and with a fist engulfed bright blue
flame landed a strong uppercut. Arianna flew backwards from the hit and
landed hard on the ground.
Althea shook her head as she approached the fallen Arianna carefully,
picking up the dropped kama on her way. The use of chi for both attack and
defense was starting to seriously drain her reserves. That last attack
nearly caused her to black out. Where was Arianna getting her strength
from?
Arianna groggily stood up as Althea approached. Suddenly Rayden
appeared not far from the dark haired woman. Arianna changed tactics and a
large red blast hit Rayden full on. “Rayden!” Althea yelled as the thunder
god fell to his knees. Arianna pulled his head back with his hair and held
her remaining kama’s blade at this throat. “Stay right there, “Arianna said
spitting blood from her damaged face.
Althea stopped where she was and responded, “Is this how you want to
beat me? What will this prove.”
“I DID!” screamed Arianna insanely. Rayden took a chance while she
was distracted and knocked Arianna’s weapon away from his throat. He nearly
succeeded in rolling away away from her grasp, but she kicked him in the
gut forcing the wind out of him and causing him to collapse to the ground.
With their shields now wide open, Althea also felt the kick and feel to her
knees. Arianna snorted when she saw Althea on her knees and said, “So
Kuravan was right about that soulbond between you two. Let’s see what
happens when half of a soulbond dies!” Arianna lifted her kama high above
Rayden’s unprotected back.
It was as if time slowed down. Althea saw the blade slowly making
its way to the fallen deity. Hopelessness and rage mixied with desperation
within her soul. A soul that roared, “NO!”
Althea threw out both her hands, her hair turned snow white and her
eyes crystal blue. Then large wave of light blue flame raced out from her
and engulfed Arianna. Arianna was knocked away from Rayden and burst into
flame, dead and ash before she even hit the ground. Her now darkened
remains scattered upon impact when it fell.
As Althea stood up, her injuries healed and she ran to Rayden’s side.
“What just happened?” he asked looking up into Althea’s face. Relief
filled her and she fell down next to Rayden, unconscious.
--------------------------------
“Thanks for letting me stay here, “said Fujin as he nervously sipped
some fruitjuice. “No problem, “Said Kung Lao, “We’ll just put you in the
room that Rayden used the last time.”
“Maybe we should start charging rent, “joked Siro. Kung Lao glared
at his friend. Taja sat down and said, “I hope Rayden....” Silence filled
the room.
Rayden, what’s?” asked Fujin as he turned to look at the now
completely still Taja. “Does she do that often? Ummm, guys?” Fujin
noticed that Siro and Kung Lao was also frozen in place.
A frustrated sounding voice said, “I don’t believe this, Two of you
and you are both rendered mortal within hours of each other. I’m surprised
Earthrealm is still around.” The mysterious white haired woman entered the
room, wearing clothes similar to Fujin’s, only in shades of black and gray.
She glared at Fujin and said, “Does immortality make you stupid or
something?”
“Hey! Don’t blame me. It was...” the her words hit home, “Rayden too!
What happened?” He stood up so quickly, his chair fell down behind him.
“Oh calm down. He’s okay, for now. However he could use some help getting
himself and Althea home. Hmmmm....,”the woman said as she studied Fujin for
a few seconds. She sighed and continued, “How would you like to be aged by
one day and thus regaining your powers now?”
“You can do that?” Fujin asked with both surprise and hope in his
voice. The woman rolled her eyes but only said, “Yes. I don’t like doing
it but since you are normally immortal there shouldn’t be any long term
effects.” She raised her hand to cut off Fujn’s question, “Find a real
time god and ask him for an explanation, please.”
Fujin nodded and said, “Okay....Let’s do it. To be honest I have had
enough of mortal life.” She shrugged and raised both her hands. The room
filled with a bright blue light.
-------------------------------
A little later, the wind picked up at the ruins. Fujin appeared in
the middle of the ‘arena’. He found the battle’s survivors. Althea was
out cold and Rayden sleeping next to her with his arms around her. Fujin
quietly snorted at the sight and then noticed Althea’s new coloring. With
a raised eyebrow he looked around a little more. He found the weapons and
Arianna’s remains. He whistled to himself and said, “Someone was seriously
pissed.”
Rayden woke at the sound of his brother’s voice. “Fujin? How?” he
asked as he tried to sit up. Fujin shook his head and said, “Let’s just
say a old friend of yours decided to show up. Let’s just get you two
home.” The god of wind then stood next to the pair and a whirlwind
surrounded them briefly. When it cleared, they were gone.
The End
Next time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest.....
The emperor took a good long look at the leader of the Red Dragon.
After a few minutes of absolute silence, Shao Kahn’s evil laughter roared
through the halls of his palace.