+++ Mortal Kombat: Echoes of the Past by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++
Note: A big thanks to my friend ‘Mike’ for his help with this chapter. I got completely stuck for some reason on one of the scenes and he really pulled through with helping out. In case you read this after I post, good luck with your story.
Chapter Twenty Seven: Death Scene for an Emperor
(Temple of Light)
The wind picked up and Fujin appeared just behind the still kneeling Kung Lao. Seeing the body of Liu Kang, Fujin’s face went pale and he placed a sympathic hand on the monk’s shoulder. Kung Lao stiffened when he felt the touch and then angrily said, “Where were you?”
Fujin looked down and away not sure what to say. Kung Lao would have none of it and grabbed hold of the wind god’s hand. Images of the conflict between a strange god and his own minions filled the monk mind then memories of the strange gods actions in past also appeared. Kung Lao then stood up to glare at the god of wind...just before punching him in the face. Fujin took the punch on the chin, just moving his head slightly under the force. “You were busy protecting one of Kahn’s allies while leaving Liu to fend for himself, “hissed the monk in uncharacteristic anger, “What were you thinking!”
(Elder God of Shadow’s Private Chambers)
In his private chambers, the Elder God of Shadows chuckled and waved his hand to dismiss the floating image of Kung Lao blaming that fool Fujin. His friend was right; the show of seeing Earth’s champion die was entertaining. Only bad thing was Anubis could already hear the debates that is going to take place among his fellow Elder Gods once they…
The dark Elder God growled when he felt the summons to council, it seems that word travels fast. Then an idea came to him, perhaps like the mortal was doing now perhaps he could place the full blame on Fujin for not tending his duties. After all he already failed to guard the Temple of the Elements and now this…Plus this would also make that blasted thundergod look bad for recommending Fujin in the first place. Anubis slowly changed into his more human form and grinned at the thought. For far too long the two of them have enjoyed the favor of the three senior Elder Gods. He walked into the shadowed corner and reappeared from shadowed alcove of his respective altar in the Temple of the Elder Gods. Perhaps, he could even hint that Arianna’s attack on Kuravan proves that both godslayers are too dangerous to continue living.
A heated glare from the Elder Goddess of Water erased that last thought from his mind. The Elder God of Shadows frowned, Danu had a way of knowing even an Elder God’s thoughts and the Elder Goddess was not one to be trifled with. Normally she would see to only that order reigned during the council meetings, but just the fact that she alone could do that proved her power. She has already shown she favors both Rayden and Fujin, but would this flow over to favoring Rayden’s little group of mortals or his godslayer?
Anubis looked around the room noting that the Elder Gods of Earth, Fire and Wind were once again playing the role of council idiots. The three youngest Elder Gods rarely went against what the senior ones said, however one the few times was in regards to the godslayer and Rayden’s actions in regards to her.
Hmmph…fear pure and simple cowards, the senior Elder Gods were powerful and capable of destroying a god but they have yet to do so. Even the traitor Shinnok they only banished to the Neatherrealm. Instead they create ‘godslayers’ to do their dirty work, godslayers that normally burn out after they done their job, a safety feature to prevent a repeat of the original godslaying Dragons’ betrayal. However, Althea has killed a god and survived. Three if you consider Ragen and Shinnok, even if she didn’t make the final killing blows she was there and instrumental in both their deaths. The senior Elder Gods were a threat, but Althea is a proven danger. Now this Arianna, has threatened not one but two gods at the same time and nearly killed Rayden more then once. Not to mention, she is now to be considered a rogue force since Kuravan obviously lost whatever leash he had on her. If this happened to one godslayer, how long until the other does the same?
Everything Damashi has shown and told him has proven true, even that mysterious ‘Lady Tomorrow’ hasn’t been as helpful despite of all her apparent power. Perhaps, he should take Damashi’s recommendation in regards to Kuravan into consideration in spite of his apparent alliance with Shao Kahn and failure to control Arianna.
(Shao Kahn’s Throneroom)
The two sorcerers walked towards the throne of Outworld. He who sat upon the throne sneered as the pair bowed in respected. Before the skull masked male could question the two, the sound swords being unsheathed filled the room as both sorcerers stood up and as one attacked. Each raised a hand to release their respective energy attacks, striking down the pair of shadow priests that stood on each side of the emperor’s throne.
As the priests crashed into the distant wall, the emperor rose and heaved his broadsword at Shang Tsung. Quan Chi raised a wall of skulls to protect him, the sword embedded itself too deep and Kahn couldn’t move it. Shang Tsung threw a blast of flames at him, causing him to cover his face; the sorcerer then drove his sword through Shao Kahn’s gut. Kahn gasped as he felt his life drain from him. He stared angrily at the sorcerer, blood dripping from his mouth. Quan Chi closed the distant, spun and beheaded Kahn, his head tumbling down the steps and his blood coated helm coming to rest at the bottom.
(Dark room lit by a pool of flame)
In a dark room, an unseen being growled as the death scene played out in the flaming pool before him. Reiko walked up from the other side, his face lit up by the flames. He bowed his head in respect to the unseen figure and then said, “It happened just as you predicted, do wish for me to see to their…”
”No, “a familiar voice came from the shadows, “We’ll just wait and see what happens. They already taken care of one thorn in my side, we’ll let them do all the work and take all the blame IF the Elder Gods decide to interfere.”
Reiko bowed and turned to leave but stopped when the voice added, “See to it that someone keeps an eye on both godslayers…especially the rogue.”
(Rayden’s Livingroom)
Rayden sitting up on the couch he was laying on he brushed back his gray hair with a sigh as the headache finally started to fade. He frowned as he sensed something was wrong. Even though he was not presently the Sworn Protector, long ingrained habits were hard to lose thus he automatically sent out his senses to seek out each of the chosen and to test the boundaries of Earthrealm. His face paled when he felt the emptiness that once was Liu Kang. “No…”he whispered as he slowly stood. A pair of warm arms wrapped around his waist as Althea, who had walked in unseen, sympathetically rested her head on his upper arm. “Liu…is, “Rayden started to say but Althea reached up to cover his lips with her fingers as he felt the understanding and mutual morning from her through their bond. “Go help Fujin, “she said, “This is not the time for an inexperienced Protector.”
Rayden returned her hug and then added, “We’ll need your help too and all the chosen will need to be gathered.”
Althea nodded just before the pair vanished in a flash of light.
(Temple of Light)
Kung Lao watched emotionlessly as his fellow monks took Liu Kang’s body away for burial. Fujin unsure what to do but also unwilling to leave things as they were stood a short distance away, just out of site of Kung Lao. The god of wind jumped when he felt a hand land heavily on his shoulder. “What happened?” demanded Rayden.
Fujin wasn’t sure whether to be relieved that his brother was here or be frozen in fear. Being on the receiving end of Rayden’s anger was never pleasant. Althea ignored the two gods as she stared at one of the monks. She slowly walked over to the cold faced monk and asked, “Kung Lao?” His hair was longer and the clothes he wore different, but he looked exactly like her teacher and friend.
“Do I know you?” the monk replied coldly in English assuming the blonde woman was an American by her clothes. Althea smiled sadly as she shook her head, “Sorry, you look like someone I once knew…a long time ago.”
It was then that Kung Lao realized that the strange woman also looked familiar, but what she said next shook that thought from her mind. “How…who did…How did Liu die?” she asked.
”You knew…”
Althea nodded with a sad smile, “I am…or was going to be one of the teachers at the school.”
It was then that Kung Lao noticed Rayden talking with Fujin and then it dawned on him who this woman was. “Althea?” he asked just to make sure. The woman nodded and then said, “You must be Liu’s cousin….” She suddenly turned her face towards the gods and said, “Uh oh…” Even from this far away, Kung Lao could see Rayden’s eyes flash in anger. What really surprised him was how this woman walked hurriedly to the pair to stand right between the two gods, as if to protect one from the wraith of the other.
Kung Lao walked over to hear Althea say, “…calm down.”
Slowly the sparks that were running up and down Rayden’s form faded away as the thundergod calmed down…some. He growled, “He was too busy protecting Kuravan of all people…”
”Then if you’re going to blame anyone, blame me, “the woman said, “After all the only reason why Kuravan is in this realm is because of me and its because of me that Arianna…”
Just then both Fujin and Rayden felt a summons that could not be ignored. “Fujin, you go ahead and meet with the Elder Gods, “said Rayden, “I’ll take both Kung Lao and Althea to the ranch house and then join you.”
The uncharacteristically silent wind god nodded before vanishing in whirlwind. Althea reached over to grab Kung Lao’s arm and said, “Hold on, it’s a bit disconcerting the first few times.”
”What?” said Kung Lao as Rayden took hold of her other hand and they all vanished.
(Ranch house’s backyard)
Two women glared at each other across the grassy field, one dark haired and the other blonde. One with an ice cold stare and the other that could leave burn marks in her glares wake. Johnny Cage looked back at Sub-Zero as if asking ‘Do I have too?’ The Lin Kuei nodded. Johnny sighed and then said in a loud voice, “FIGHT!”
Frost sent a blast of cold along the ground which Sonya dodged easily and ran, fist first, into Frost’s face. Frost tried to counter but was met with Sonya’s other fist. The next thing Frost knew, she was face down on the ground with Sonya’s foot in her back and her right arm being held painfully behind her.
Sub-Zero nearly sighed, this was suppose to be a minor spar to determine how much training and skill Frost actually had but the combination of her actions and Sonya’s temper was turning it into an full out brawl. “Again, “he calmly said ignoring Johnny’s ‘You crazy?’ look, “This time use only martial arts…no kori.”
A crash of thunder and a bright flash of light interrupted the sparring match. Everyone turned just in time to see Rayden vanish once again leaving behind Althea and a noticeably green Kung Lao.
Seeing the stricken look on the pair, it was Sub-Zero who asked, “What happened?”
(Gate leading to Ranch House)
At the front gate, stood a man with a long cloth wrapped package tied to the backpack he carried. His eyes were hidden behind dark glasses as his other senses took in his surroundings. For the past two days he waited for the return of magic he sensed in this area, and just now it reappeared. Barely detectable but not far from here, beyond this gate…but it was not the one he was seeking. This one held none of the taint, cruelty of the one he sought. However there was someone else here, who was recently touched by that same user of magic he sought. Perhaps the pair of them could lead him to his prey. Sensing only those in the not so distant building he decided to observe before making himself known. He raised a hand towards the gate and it glowed faintly gray, in seconds there was a faint click and the gate swung open. With his other hand he brought out a small cylinder which with a flick of his wrist expanded into a white cane. Once he walked past the gate, it swung closed behind him.
The End…
Next Time on Mortal Kombat: Echoes of the Past…
“So nothing will be done, “fumed Rayden, “in spite of this obvious breach of Your rules?”
next chapter [28]