Mortal Kombat: Conquest - CHAPTER 20 - by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva

+++ Mortal Kombat: Conquest by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++

Note: By now you know the routine, enjoy.

Chapter Twenty: One’s Health

At the Temple of Light, Kung Lao spoke with the temple scholars in the hopes they could find a means of stopping the rogue dragon spirit. They knew of half-remembered legends and agreed to help Kung Lao in his search for an answer. After an hour, the scholarly monks chased Kung Lao out of their library, stating that it would be easier to locate the needed information without Kung Lao’s assistance.

Kung Lao went outside and found a peaceful spot under a tree to meditate. Just when he closed his eyes, the sound of a twig snapping made him jump up into a defensive stance. Looking around, he found himself completely surrounded by wolves. They were silent and seemed non-aggressive. Once black wolf with a crescent shaped scar on its shoulder stepped forward and dropped a scroll which it had held in its mouth.

“I’d take that if I was you, “said Fujin leaning against the tree. Kung Lao carefully picked up the scroll and opened it. When he did, a loose scrap of paper fell out. He grabbed it before it reached the ground and written on it was ‘This is what you seek.’

“What....Who?” asked Kung Lao, but the wolves just loped off into the deeper woods. “What’s going on?” he turned to ask Fujin, but the wind god was also gone.

------

Lupena returned to Quan Chi’s stronghold, with misgivings. What the wind god told her was true. Quan Chi was not to be trusted and his experiments were as much a danger to the natural world as the entire human race. However, she had given her oath to serve him and as long as he kept to his end of the bargain.....so serve him she must. “Ah, Lupena, “said Quan Chi startling her out of her train of thought, “How’s my little wolf-bitch doing today?” He walked of the shadowy doorway and Lupena’s senses went to full alert. Something was wrong. The sorcerer walked pass the dark skinned woman and to his work table. “I understand you met with Kung Lao today and gave him a little something of mine,” he said and Lupena started to sweat. “My lord, “she said, “It was nothing important....” “Only the means to re-capture a dragon spirit, “Quan Chi said in a surprising calm voice, “Oh don’t worry...I’m not angry. Actually I’m quite pleased that you did give him the scroll.” Quan Chi turned and grabbed her chin in a tight grip. “Just don’t do anything like that again. You’re lucky that I have more of a use of an imprisoned spirit than a rogue one...”

-----

The temple scholars were ecstatic over the acquisition and promised Kung Lao a translation as soon as possible. On that happy note, Kung Lao went to continue with his meditations, this time staying inside of the temple.

For some reason, he just couldn’t focus. His mind kept wondering over what has happened since the tournament. Jen’s and her father’s death, Taja and Siro joining him, the multiple attacks, Althea’s and Fujin’s appearance on the scene. So much has happened in the last two years. What is yet to come? He finally gave up and decided to take a walk in the hopes that the exercise would clear his mind. As he walked, Kung Lao sensed he was being followed. The monk didn’t want to take a chance of anyone else getting hurt, so he led his shadow outside and off the temple grounds. Night had fallen and with the moon nearly gone it was dark. Kung Lao stopped in the middle of the road and in a defensive stance called out, “Whoever you are, I know you’re there! Come out!”

Silence was his only answer. The wind picked up slightly, causing the dust to blow along the ground. Kung Lao waited. After a few moments, he heard a slight hiss and the sound of flapping wings. In the night sky he could barely make out a winged, female shape flying off. ‘I thought the temple’s restored defenses were suppose to keep her out, “Kung Lao though. A little later, he reported what he saw to Ryant. Ryant sighed and said, “The shields are made to keep out those with harmful intent. This Lilith did not mean any harm, this time.”

“So she was only spying,”said Kung Lao, “Wonderful.”

“Repairing what was already there was difficult but infinitely easier than completely altering or building from scratch. Such a challenge is beyond my strength. Your student on the other hand, if she was at full strength might be able to do so,” said the priest, “Unfortunately, it seems she has never been given the chance to fully recover when she drains herself.”

Kung Lao sighed, “I know, but ....”

“No buts, “said Ryant seriously, “You are her teacher and you have a responsibility to her not only to train and teach, but to ensure her health. This constantly being drain to unconsciousness is not healthy and if it continues may cause long term harm. Send her away for a time if necessary, but she needs time to regain her strength both physically and mystically.” “But where.....”Kung Lao began tiredly but then stopped as if an idea just struck him, “Perhaps...”

-----

“No! Absolutely not!” yelled Althea in response to Kung Lao’s suggestion.

Kung Lao sighed, “Look you need a chance to regain your strength without the possibility of you having to defend yourself. You can’t do that here, not the temple, and not your homerealm. “The monk rubbed the back of his head, he thought trying to convince Rayden was going to be tough but he didn’t consider Althea’s stubbornness on the idea.

“What’s going on?” asked Taja as she entered the study, “I’m able to hear you guys all the way from the store.”

“I’m trying to convince Althea she needs to go someplace to fully recover, “answered Kung Lao.

“He suggested asking Rayden if I could stay at his place!” added Althea fuming.

“Is that even possible?” asked Taja.

Althea frowned even harder and honestly said, “Yes, due to my....heritage.”

“I’m just saying it can’t hurt to ask, “then Kung Lao smiled and said, “All things considered, he might just jump at the chance.”

Althea just glared at him and left the room. Kung Lao sighed and told Taja, “I didn’t want to tell her this, but I saw Lilith at the temple the other night. So despite being told to stay away, Kuravan is still active.”

Taja shook her head and said, “That’s just what we need.”

-----

Althea sat at the kitchen table, writing something on a piece of paper. “You didn’t have to be so vehement in your refusal to stay with me, “said Rayden appearing in the chair across from her.

Althea just looked at him with and emotionless stare, “I wasn’t sure that if you could really have me over for so long and I’m not sure I can trust you if I did.”

Rayden smiled and said, “I thought we went over this. The Elder Gods had decreed that you and others with similar immortal heritage can stay in the immortal realms whenever invited. As for the ‘trusting me,’ unless I’m mistaken it is usually you who starts things. The hot spring, my living room, here the night we were attacked.... “

Althea angrily threw down the pen, nearly knocking over the inkwell and stood up glaring at the thundergod, “The hot spring was mutual, nothing happened in your living room.....”

Rayden’s eyebrow went up as he said, “And the night of the attack? If we weren’t so rudely interrupted, you know where we would have ended up.”

Althea cussed slightly under her breathe as she turned and left the room. Rayden chuckled to himself and then tried to make sense of what Althea wrote. Recently, he had been learning the Calornian language and script because of Althea and the threat of Kuravan. One word popped out, the Calornian word for soulbond. From what he could understand, it seemed that Althea was writing a letter requesting information on soulbonds. Rayden sighed as the humor left him. He wasn’t sure if he should be pleased or concerned by Althea’s research into the bond between them. The few times he actually seen the woman angry was when someone assumed he had some sort of control over her. The memory of Althea’s dream confrontation with the Calornian deities came to mind. He wasn’t sure of her reaction would be in regards to the soulbond. Perhaps....

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” asked Althea has she placed a mug of wine in front of him and then grabbed the letter from his hand.

“Just curious, “replied Rayden, “Couldn’t understand half of it anyway.” Althea snorted as she placed another mug next to where she was sitting earlier. She then rolled up the missive before she sat down. The thundergod took the hint and remain silent, sipping on the wine.

Althea took a deep swallow from her mug and then asked, “What exactly is this soulbond we supposedly have?” Rayden nearly choked on his wine and Althea continued with eyes flickering, “Arianna said that Kuravan was correct in regards to the soulbond between us. What did she mean?”

Rayden could imagine her eyes flaring if she was only a little stronger. He made a choice that would most likely rule them both for the rest of their lives. Rayden dropped the mental shields completely and said, “What do you want to know?”

Just when she was about ready to respond, they heard Taja yelling to Siro about something to do with lunch. “That’s it!” said Rayden as he stood up and grabbed her arm. “We’re going someplace more private.” They both vanished just when Siro entered the kitchen.

The next thing she knew, Althea found herself once again sitting on the roman like couch in Rayden’s living room. Rayden himself was sitting next to her and releasing her arm. “Damn it, Rayden!” she said, “Give me a little warning next time. And what do you think will happen if anyone starts wondering where I am?”

“That doesn’t matter right now, “he answered in a determined voice, “We have been going around in circles in regards what is between us and I’m tired of it.” Althea just looked at him not shocked at his words or tone of voice, but at the feelings she was receiving from him through their link. The frustration and.....love was disconcerting.

“I’m not sure what to say?” she said in a quiet voice.

Rayden stood up and then kneeled down to look directly in her eyes. The emotions he was getting from her was driving him insane. Confusion, concern, and love as well but he wasn’t even sure she knew what it was. “Ok, tell me how you feel. This connection is confusing things and need to know that the other knows his or hers own feelings.” Althea just looked away shyly. “Fine, I’ll go first, “Rayden said as he placed his hands on her kness, “I’m afraid for you and us, I’m completely frustrated by this barrier you seem to pull up around yourself to keep me out after you start something, and I......really care for you.” He paused for a second and then said, “No, that last part is wrong, I....love you. I’m sorry if you can’t face that yet, but you need to know. This soulbond is proof of that love, not the reason for it. A soulbond only happens when too souls were truly meant for each other and meant to be together for eternity. I know this might be a little too much to handle right now....”

Althea gently placed a hand over his mouth to silence him and said, “I too am afraid of what will happen to us and to you. I’m also tired of dodging the issue.” She sighed and removed the hand from his month only to place it on the side of his face, “I’m also worried that even with this soulbond, you will eventually grow tired of me even though....I love you.”

Rayden took Althea’s hand from the side of his face and kissed her palm. “Believe me, “he said, “That will never happen.”

“What do we do now?” she asked.

Rayden smiled and said, “I do believe that Kung Lao’s suggestion of you staying here for awhile is a good one. You’ll get the time to fully recover and we can talk. To be honest there is a lot about me you don’t know and unless I’m mistaken the same can be said for me of you.”

Althea raised an eyebrow and he could sense mischievousness from her when she said, “So all we’ll do is talk?”

Rayden stood up, pulling her up with him and said, “Talk and other things.”

She placed her arms loosely around him and said, “What other things?”

”Oh, we’ll think of something, “he said and prevented her from responing by kissing her.

------ “Guys, have you seen Althea?” asked Taja, “She asked me to let her known when I was going shopping and I can’t find her anywhere.”

Kung Lao groaned and said, “Don’t tell me she’s missing again.”

”I think she’s with Rayden, “answered Siro, “I heard them talking in the kitchen earlier but when I entered they were gone.”

“When was this?” Kung Lao asked.

”A few hours ago,” replied Siro.

”So no one has seen or heard of her since,” said Taja with concern.

“Don’t panic. I’ll try to get hold of Rayden, while you two look around here. Maybe she left a note or something and we just haven’t seen it yet,”said Kung Lao.

-----

‘Not now, ‘thought Rayden as he heard Kung Lao’s call. He sighed as he figured the reason for Kung Lao’s call was that Althea was ‘missing’ again. He did not want Fujin to answer this one. Rayden could only imagine what his brother would tell the monk. The thundergod moved to get up out of the bed causing Althea to waken. “Something wrong?” she asked in a sleepy voice.

“Your teacher is starting to wonder where you are, “he said, “I’m just going to let him know your safe and that you’ll be staying here for at least a few weeks.”

“Can you wait until I get dressed? I really do need to get a few things together if I’m going to be staying here, “she said.

“I think its best that you just rest. I’ll see about getting your things, “replied Rayden.

Althea frowned slightly, but then sighed, “Ok, but only this one time.”

-----

Rayden appeared in the darkening courtyard and saw a very anxious Kung Lao pacing. Internally, Rayden winced at the worry he had caused his friend. “Is there something wrong?” he asked.

Kung Lao turned towards the thundergod with a start. “Have you seen Althea?” the monk asked, “Siro said she might be with you.”

“She’s fine and at my personal domain, “Rayden replied, “It was my understanding that’s what you wanted.”

Kung Lao’s worry turned to anger as he said, “Why didn’t either of you tell us?”

“To be honest neither of us planned on it. I was only going to talk to her about it, but it seems that whenever we try to have a conversation lately we get interrupted. So when we heard Siro entering the kitchen...”

“You vanished with Althea in tow. That I can understand, but that was hours ago, “Kung Lao added, “Why haven’t we heard from either of you since?”

“We.....lost track of time, “said Rayden not showing the nervousness he was feeling.

“Lost track of time, “said Kung Lao in a voice that hinted he had a good idea how that happened.

“Look, she’s agreed to stay at my place for a least a few weeks and I intend to make sure that she does, “said Rayden, “If possible, can you or better yet Taja get together some of Thea’s things.”

------

As the sun disappeared over the horizon, Lilith came out of one of the many tunnels that ran under the city. After make sure she was unseen, she flew to her nightly perch just outside of the trading post. With her superior hearing and night vision, she overheard and saw the last few minutes of Rayden’s and Kung Lao’s conversation. ‘So the godslayer is staying with the thundergod, ‘she though as she watched the pair enter the building. ‘This will be of some interest to the master.’ Then something else caught her attention, a single human male wearing the mark of the Red Dragon approached the trading post and knocked loudly on its door.

The bodyguard answered and the Red Dragon member handed over a scroll to him. The strange male left as Siro closed the door. Lilith thought for a moment about what should she do. There was no choice, she had to know what was the Red Dragon doing sending a message to this group. Even though Rayden’s presence made discovery likely, she jumped off her perch and flew to the trading post’s roof.

“Who was it?” Lilith heard the red-headed female ask.

The sound of a scroll being unrolled and then the bodyguard said, “Someone from the Red Dragon.....It seems that their lead is interested in meeting on neutral territory, something about a possible trade.”

“Let me see that, “said the monk, “Looks like you were right.”

“Aren’t I always? “the thundergod said, “No need to answer that. Just be careful, Drevane is getting desperate.”

The female then said, “It’s our problem. Hopefully the information Kung Lao found about the dragon spirit will work and if it does.....”

“The Red Dragon will be in our debt, “the bodyguard finished.

”Here is some of Althea’s clothes and a few other things she might need, “the female said. Lilith then heard a strange sound like miniature thunder. “You’re welcome!” yelled the red head as the males laughed. Lilith then flew off into the night. Lord Kuravan had to told what she heard and saw.

The End

Next Time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest:

The dark colored wolf changed into a woman as it turned to face the God of Wind.

Kronos speaking to Rayden “....the council is already looking into the matter. Just try your best to keep her alive....”