+++ Mortal Kombat: Echoes of the Past by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++
Chapter Twenty-Three: Some Truths
(Rented hall in Los Angeles)
“So I heard you’re in Cage’s latest movie, “said once of the actors that Lambert led Althea to, “Have you received any new offers?”
Althea smiled and answered, “The only reason why I’m in that movie was as a favor for Johnny…I have absolutely no plans or desires to be in another one.”
”Ahhhh, so you plan to teach at the school full-time, “said another actor who then smiled as he added, “That demonstration bout you had almost seemed real.”
Althea’s smile became slightly colder as she said, “If it was, he wouldn’t be breathing.”
The group suddenly went silent sensing by the look of her face and the tone of her voice that Althea was stating a simple fact. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Fujin talking to Sonya and then said, “Please excuse, I see someone I need to talk to.”
As she walked towards Sonya and Fujin, a hand landed on her shoulder as a cold voice said, “So we finally get to meet.”
Althea turned to see a dark haired man she didn’t recognize but there was something familiar about him as well. “Do I know you?” she asked. Just then one of the military guests walked up and said, “Mr. Anubis, the general…”
”The general can wait, “Mr. Anubis said with a cold glare and a little something else which both the soldier and Althea sensed in their own way, “Can’t you see I’m talking with the…lovely lady.”
The soldier backed away slightly not really knowing why. Althea frowned recognizing fully what she sensed from this ‘Anubis’. She said in a serious voice, “We can always talk later…when Rayden is around.”
Anubis’s eyes darkened over for a second as if in anger but he then smiled coolly, “Yes…that would be most wise. After all, I can see that neither the brothers nor Kronos has bothered to teach you to show respect…”
”Forgive me….Lord Shadow, “she said quietly so only Anubis could hear, “but I assumed you didn’t want anyone here to know who or should I say what you really are.”
Fujin sighed in relief when Sonya headed off to help Johnny get ready for his demonstration match, but the relief turned into near panic when he saw who Althea was glaring at. He walked over in time to hear Althea say, “Now if you will excuse me.”
Althea turned and nearly walked right in to Fujin. “You alright?” asked the wind god who then looked to see that the Elder God of Shadows was now gone.
The woman nodded and said, “Yes, but I need to talk to both you and Rayden later…by the way where is Rayden? He was supposed to meet me here.”
”Oh he’ll be here, “said Fujin with a secretive smile, “he just needed...” A familiar form walked out from one of the decorative screens.
(Los Angeles, Johnny’s Condo later that night)
Erica hummed an old tune as she washed dishes enjoying the sound of the heated football debate going on between her husband and her daughter’s boyfriend. It seems that when Johnny finally told off Herman and Sonya, he acquired Major Herman Blade’s respect….grudgingly.
Sonya’s voice broke through the relative peace,”God damned son of a ….”
”Sonya!” her mother admonished her daughter who was setting at the small table with a cell phone in her hand.
Ignoring her mother, Sonya continued to yell into the phone, “There is no way I’m gonna let that mother f…..”
Erica reached over and took Sonya’s phone and then calmly told who ever was on the other end, “Sonya will get back to you once she learns some self-control.” The older woman then hung up the phone and turned to her now extremely pissed off daughter.
”Don’t glare at me, “said Erica pointing at Sonya with the phone, “I know such language is sometimes the only way to get your point across but I do not want to hear such language as if it’s a habit!”
Sonya huffed as she glared at the poor wall and then looked back at her mother in shock when Erica added, “You’ll thank me someday, especially once you and Johnny have kids….”
”MOM!” exclaimed Sonya.
From the living room both Johnny and Herman turned towards the kitchen when they heard the loud ‘MOM!’ coming from there.
”I guess that’s my cue, “said Herman as he got up out of the chair.
”You really don’t have to go, I have a spare room….”said Johnny.
”Then where is Sonya going to sleep?”the old soldier asked and a strange smile appeared on his face when he saw Johnny’s almost dismayed look. Yes to him, Johnny Cage was only a boy but then Sonya was only a girl and will remain so in his eyes until they either have gray hairs or have children….preferably after they were married…of their own.
Sonya hurried out of the kitchen into the living room interrupted any more conversation between the two men. “Sonya what’s wrong?” asked Johnny as she walked pasted them. She turned to look at Johnny and it looked like she didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or angry. “I don’t want…”she started to say.
”Why don’t we go out and talk elsewhere, “he said in a calm voice and then turned to ask, “You don’t mind if…”
”No trouble, “answered Herman’s unasked question, “We’ll lock up as we leave.”
Back in the kitchen, Erica sighed as she sat down at the table. As much as she hated to do it, she knew Sonya needed that little push.
”You know you’re starting to act like your mother, “said Fujin leaning next to the sink after he appeared out of nowhere.
”So it is you, “said Erica in a monotone voice, “How could you….”
”I’m not the one who got her into this,” interrupted Fujin, “She got herself in by showing up on that boat.”
Erica closed her eyes and took a calming breath, “Just who…what are you? It’s been over forty years and you don’t look a day older.”
Fujin chuckled at Erica’s old habit of jumping from one subject to another. “Don’t you mean fifty years?” he said but then the smile went away, “Look I know you can’t forgive me for what happened but….”
”No buts, “she hissed as she stood up, “Because of your delusions my father died at some stupid tournament and now I find out that my daughter nearly did the same! Why don’t you fight you own f….”
”Huh hu, “interrupted Fujin wagging his finger negatively “Remember what you told Sonya…”the wind god sighed, “Look I was trying to do someone else’s job at the time and believe me if I could have fought I would have but your father was one of the best fighters at the time….not to mention fighting at the tournament is a tradition in your family….not as much as in Liu’s…”
”So for some stupid tradition you would let a man die living his widow to raise their children alone with no support….”Erica started to say but stopped when her husband entered the kitchen.
Herman Blade placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder but told Fujin, “I suggest you leave or explain everything.”
Fujin walked over and sat down at the table with a sigh. He then said, “It’s a long story….”
Herman pulled up another chair and said, “Start from the beginning.”
”That may not be such a good idea; we would be here for the next week. How about I start where Erica’s family get involved? Long ago there was a monk named Kung Lao who needed to find allies to help start a new school and defend Earthrealm…like what Liu and the others are doing now. He found two close friends and allies in Taja a reformed thief and Siro a former bodyguard,” said Fujin who then looked at Erica, “After a while and many adventures, those two eventually married and had a child. Their eldest grandchild fought along side Kung Lao at the next tournament. Both died.”
”What does this have to do with me and my family?” asked Erica.
”Taja’s and Siro’s line did not die out at the tournament. They had another grandchild too young to fight at the tournament at the time, a grand-daughter. She in turn eventually married and had children. Every fifty years since, a member of this family has fought in the tournament. Your family,” answered Fujin who then sadly added, “Earth did not win another tournament until the last one, which Liu Kang won with the help of Johnny Cage and your daughter, Sonya Blade. As for your father, I do sympathize but I did not convince him to partake in the previous tournament…he volunteered. He knew of the stakes and all I did was showed him the way. I wish I could have helped him more but since it wasn’t really my job….”
”Whose job was it? “ask Herman.
”My brother Rayden’s, he was the Sworn Protector of Earthrealm at the time and should have given advice and some protection to chosen warriors at the tournaments, “answered Fujin hesitately, “Unfortunately, he was grieving over the believed death of someone close to him and was unable to fulfill his duties.”
”This is not making any sense, “said Erica irritably, “Just what is so important about this damn tournament to risk losing so many lives over and exactly who are you and this Rayden person?”
Surprising both Erica and Fujin, it was Herman that answered, “If Earth lost ten tournaments in a row, all would have been lost. “
(Rayden’s home, The Heavens)
Althea fell back into the living room wall where Rayden then held her in place with an open mouth kiss and the weight of his own body. After a few minutes he broke off the kiss and as she gasped for air whispered in her ear, “Just what is this job that Kronos asked me about your progress on?”
With her mind still hazy from the kiss it took a few seconds for Rayden’s question to sink in but when it did it was like ice water. Damn…what a time for that link to fade out. As she regained her bearings Rayden stepped back, turned around and walked off stopping next to the leather couch. Althea sighed as she walked up to hug him from behind. “The Elder Gods are not happy that I gave Scorpion those swords, “she said, “Kronos ‘requested’ that I get them back. If it’s any consolation I haven’t made a bit of progress.”
Rayden placed his hand over one of hers as he said, “I thought I would be the one keeping secrets.”
Althea laughed lightly into his back and then said, “Hey, it’s your job. I was just afraid on how you would have acted when I told you. Lately, you haven’t exactly been the fun loving and understanding deity I fell in love with.”
At that moment, their link flared up opening up their emotions to each other in such a way that they could almost read each other’s mind. Rayden’s concern and slight anger mixed with Althea’s worry and fear. Rayden said a single word in a long forgotten language when he felt that fear. He pulled himself out of her arms to around and pulled her in his arms. That was one thing he never wanted to feel from her, especially in regards to him…fear. He nuzzled her hair and took a deep breath. He had to admit his actions as of late haven’t been the most endearing, but that was why they needed to spend some time together. The thundergod pulled back a little, placed a finger under Althea’s chin to make her look up at him. “Let’s change the subject, “he said less than an inch from her lips, “To more…interesting matters.”
As he closed in, the feelings shared between the two changed to a more powerful one but then the one that Althea felt suddenly became mixed with something just as heated. She pushed him off with flashing eyes. “Just what do you think you’re doing, “she breathed heavily both in anger and desire, “I can’t believe that you think that after asking…you can’t just….” With a huff, she turned unable to continue and the felling of humor she was now receiving from Rayden only made her angrier. She didn’t even bother to try to suppress the faint blue flames that started to appear around her form.
Rayden stepped back but couldn’t keep the grin from appearing on his face. Althea gave a whole new meaning to the term ‘playing with fire’ and he did not feel like becoming mortal at the moment. Althea turned back around to glare at him and growled, “Just what are you laughing at?”
“Unless I’m mistaken, “Rayden answered with laughter in his voice, “It’s usually me that’s been getting angry lately.”
“Tah! “Althea said as she dropped her head and her flames disappeared. The anger was still there but more of a frustration then an all out rage.
“It seems that whenever there is a sudden fluctuation in our bond, “Rayden mused as he sat down on the couch, “One of us gets….emotional.”
Althea joined him on the couch and said, “What was it that Johnny said in that one argument with Sonya….something about constant PMS?”
Rayden’s smile vanished as he glared lightly at the woman. At the same time a smile appeared on Althea’s face. “Don’t look at me, that is a strictly Earth woman problem, “said Althea, “Earth may be my realm now but I’m still Calornian by birth.”
The End….
The white haired woman added, “A little something else that may interest your mistress--the prison to your homerealm and a possible key to its release.”
next chapter [24]