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

Note: I don’t own anything in regards to Mortal Kombat. If you would like to use the characters I have created feel free to contact me. This story takes place a few weeks after Chapter Eight and Althea has pretty much recovered on her own.

Chapter Nine: Peace Talks

Damn it, Siro, “yelled Taja, “Why are you so upset about Fujin showing up?” Siro replied just as loudly, “I just don’t like how he’s always.....” Siro shrugged.
        Watching the scene was a very curious Althea. She munched on an apple as she looked out the second story window. Kung Lao walked by the door to the room and saw that she was watching something outside. Curious he asked, “What’s going on?” as he walked over and took a look out the window.
        “......your’re not my father, and I’ll damn well see....”Kung Lao could hear Taja’s voice clearly.
        “Hi, Kung Lao “greeted Althea as she offered him an apple. “They’ve been at it for almost an hour now. It’s both entertaining and educational.”
        Refusing the apple, Kung Lao frowned and said, “You know it’s impolite to watch.”
        Althea shrugged and replied, “Well, they shouldn’t be fighting in the middle of the yard with the gates wide open if it was a private conversation. Besides, how else am I to learn about Earthrealm practices and customs if I don’t watch?”
        Kung Lao sighed, “You could just ask.” Althea shook her head, “It’s not the same. The answers I would receive are how things should be, not how they are. For example: From what I understand if an unattached guy is interested in an unattached woman, he should ask her out or something. She has the right to accept or refuse the invite and to leave at almost anytime. However, when I watch these two...”
        “What makes you think Siro is interested in Taja in that way?” asked Kung Lao as if it first dawned on him.
        “Well, he has a fit everytime a guy even hints of being interested in her. That’s why he gets so upset when Fujin shows up,” said Althea.
        “Perhaps he is just trying to protect a friend.” Althea nearly laughed and shook her head, “You’re her friend, and I don’t see you going berserk every time someone tries to ask her out. Then there’s the way he looks at her when she’s not aware he’s around.”
        Kung Lao smiled slightly, he seen those looks but it didn’t dawn on him they were romantic in nature. Althea continued, “I’m about ready to go down there and do something, but I’m not really sure if it’s my place or if it was what I would do.”
        “Good call, “said Kung Lao as he pulled her from the window, “If there’s anything between them, they need to work it out themselves.”

****

        Unknown to everyone, Rayden was on the roof just above the window Althea and Kung Lao just left. With his emotions fully under shields, Althea couldn’t sense him. He was also enjoying the show that Taja and Siro had going on in the yard. For a moment, he was tempted to ask Fujin if he could check on them just to see what would happen. However, his interest changed when he overheard Kung Lao and Althea talking. Her honest admittance of being unfamiliar with Earth’s ways reminded him he knew very little about her people. Calorna was neither a danger nor ally to Earthrealm, so he rarely found any need to even thing about it. Only the recent god war and Althea’s arrival had really brought it to his attention. His lack of knowledge made him a little uncomfortable, especially in regards to dangers related to Kuravan and how to predict Kung Lao’s new student. Perhaps he should do some ‘research’ to correct the matter. Rayden vanished.

****

        For the next few days, things were almost back to normal, almost except for the constant bickering between Taja and Siro. They couldn’t say more than two words to each other without breaking into an argument. By the fourth morning, even Kung Lao had had enough.
        “What’s wrong with you two?” he demanded when they showed up for breakfast. “What do you mean?” asked Siro.
        “You two have barely been able to stay in the same room together without coming to blows and it’s driving me insane. We’re supposed to be a team.” Kung Lao said.
        “It’s not my ...”started Siro. “And it’s mine! “interrupted Taja. “ENOUGH!” yelled Kung Lao. “I’m about to take Althea’s suggestion of locking the two of you up together until you get along or kill each other.”

****
        Althea had just finished with her warm-up exercises and was reviewing fighting with her staff. The long piece of wood moved around her in a smooth and deadly blur.
        “Whoa!” exclaimed Fujin falling on his butt after nearly getting his head knocked off.
        “I must be getting faster, “said Althea as she reached to help him up, “Rayden was able to catch the staff when he nearly got hit.”
        Fujin dusted himself off and said, “Speaking of my brother, have you seen him? I was going to ask Kung Lao, but I heard the yelling.”
        “No, I haven’t seen Rayden and you were smart not to go in there, “said Althea as she leaned the staff against a wall, “Kung Lao is holding ‘peace talks’ between Taja and Siro. Your appearance would have only made things worse.”
        Fujin snorted and said, “Its Siro’s own damn fault for not seeing Taja as the lovely lady she is, before I showed up.” Althea just shook her head, but decided she was the last one to make any calls in regards to relationships. She couldn’t even get her own love life in line, or even going to think of it. “Did Rayden say where he was going?” asked Althea, hoping to change the subject.
        “He said he was going to do a little research on something and was going be gone for a day or two. Today’s the fourth, “answered Fujin.
        Althea sighed and tried checking her own connection with the thunder god. Either he was still shielding or way too far away, since she couldn’t sense anything. “Wish I could help, but I will ask Kung Lao once the ‘peace talks’ are over.”
        Fujin laughed, “It may take a while. Siro is almost as dense in regards to females as Rayden.” Althea’s eyes flashed dangerously as Fujin vanished in a puff of air.

****

        Rayden awoke on a couch with a moan. “You know, even deities need to be careful drinking Calornian Brandy. It has a subtle kick but a powerful after effect, “said a grinning Vatas as he handed his guest a steaming mug. Rayden just scowled as he sat up and took the mug. “Oh, don’t give me that look. You’re lucky I found you and not my brother Kuravan. He would have loved to get his hands on you and use you to get Althea.”
        Rayden nearly choked on his steaming drink and then rasped, “What do you mean? There’s nothing...”
        Vatas just gave him the ‘Oh, please’ look that caused Rayden to becoming increasingly interested in his mug.
        “Even it there is ‘nothing’ between you and Althea, she still considers you a friend and would have felt it was her fault Kuravan captured you, “said Vatas, “You of all people should know how she is.”
        “That’s the problem, “admitted Rayden, “I might know of her sense of responsibility, but not much else.”
        “Ahhhhh...That’s why you’re here, to learn a little about Calornians, “smiled Vatas, “There are better ways than getting drunk on their liquor.” Rayden just gave him a dirty look. Vatas sighed and sat back on his chair, “Look, there’s not much difference between Calornians and Earthlings. Women warriors are more common and we have mages. That’s about it. Of course, due to these few differences relationships are a little more....”Vatas shrugged, “It’s not like it’s important, after all there is ‘nothing’ between you two.”

*****
        Althea snuck a peek through the kitchen door to see if it was safe to enter. The only one she saw was Kung Lao with his head in his hands. With him looking so dejected, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to bring up Rayden’s possible disappearance. But she did promise Fujin. “Kung Lao?” she asked hesitantly.
        The monk looked up with a sigh, “Yeah?” “Fujin dropped by while I was practicing. He mentioned that Rayden had been missing for a few days and was wondering if we saw him. I promised to ask you to keep him away from the ‘peace talks,’ “she said.
        Kung Lao groaned. Althea said, “I guess it didn’t go so well.” “Taja ran upstairs and locked herself in her room. Siro left the post completely looking like he wanted someone to try to mug him just to blow off some steam, “said Kung Lao.
        “Well, unless I’m mistaken there’s not much we can do about Rayden, but hope he eventually shows up, “sighed Althea, “Why don’t I try talking to Taja, ‘girl-to-girl,’ while you go hunt down Siro and get him drunk or something.”

****
        Taja just sat next to the window looking out at nothing. A light knock was heard along with Althea’s voice, “Taja are you alright?” The red head just ignored her in the hopes that Althea would just go away. Knocking louder, “Taja, I know you’re in there. Both Kung Lao and Siro are gone and Fujin is busy looking for Rayden.” A few seconds of silence, “Okay Taja, if you don’t let me in I’ll tell everyone you’re secretly in love with Siro.” At that Taja jumped up and walked angrily to the door. She growled, “You have no idea...” Taja opened the door to see Althea standing there with a bucket of cold looking water in her hands as if ready to throw it. “Either you cool down, or I’ll cool you down, “said Althea in her most dangerous voice. “You wouldn’t dare, “replied Taja through clenched teeth, but the look in Althea’s face proved otherwise. Althea, seeing that Taja understood the situation lowered the bucket. “Do you mind telling me what’s going on with you? It’s like it’s been your time of the month for weeks. It’s starting to make me wish for an attack so that you and Siro will have someone else to fight.”
        Taja just returned back to her seat. Sighing as she sat down, “I really don’t know. Its like he...I don’t know.”
        “He doesn’t want you do go out with any male friends? Sounds to me he could have a touch of jealousy, “said Althea bluntly as she sat down on the floor.
        Taja just look shocked and said, “Who...how can he be jealous?” “Look, I’m not sure if I right in telling you this, but Siro cares for you more than just a friend. Dense as he is, it most likely didn’t dawn on him until Fujin showed up and started to pay you so much attention. Whether or not you feel anything for Siro, tell him. I know it’s against custom here for the woman to make the first move, but...so are female fighters. Just proves that custom doesn’t always work.”
        Taja first paled and then blushed at Althea speech. Althea then jumped up and then grabbed Taja’s hand, “Okay, that’s said lets go downstairs and brutalize a practice dummy. If you want, I’ll even try drawing Siro’s face on it.”

****
        That night and exhausted Althea and Kung Lao sat outside on the steps and looked up to the stars. Both Taja and Siro were in their respective beds, one totally exhausted from beating up a dummy and the other dead drunk. By morning, it would be know if peace would reign. Kung Lao didn’t know what Althea told Taja and wasn’t really sure he wanted to know. Siro was relatively easy to get talking after a few drinks and what he said only proved what Althea said, that he did care deeply for Taja. Kung Lao hoped things would work out between them. Now that only left...
        “My aren’t we contemplative tonight.” A familiar voice spoke. Kung Lao barely saw the dangerous flash of light-blue flame in Althea’s eyes as she jumped up and said, “WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!”

The End...

Next time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest....

Kung Lao was walked towards Taja with a worried look on his face. “Have you seen Althea anywhere?”

[Althea] then started working on the ropes that tied her legs together. Unfortunately, she was no longer alone. An ice cold blast from behind knock her back into unconsciousness.