Chapter 1: The Lin Kuei
It was a windy day and the sun shone over the distant mountains. The clouds were a mixture of textures and coulers all white and blue as the sky merged with the cloud. In the valley below the many houses of the secret city of the Lin Kuei lined the landscape. Dragon's gate over looked the sandy Gobi desert as fortified as ever. The guards looked out through arrow slits to the sand outside. The unlucky jobs that nobody wanted. The soldiers patrolled the various battlements; some up the top of mountains took short watches in the freezing snow and icy weather before their partners took over. Down below in the green weathers and pleasant valleys in the great squares that were scattered across the mountains, the Lin Kuei soldiers dressed in simple red practiced dreaming of the day when they might become an Arch assassin.
The larger houses below in the green valley belonged to the arch assassins; the fighters who excelled in pretty much everything and were paid by far the most of all the Lin Kuei. Birds twittered in the trees as gently on the tip of the wind you could hear their chanting "hut, hut, ha!" Slowly and in rhythm you could see some of them distantly, punching in unison or kicking and going through the various movements that defined who they were in their clan. The Lin Kuei had grown very rapidly in power recently. An entire ninja clan had been wiped out at their orders and had given their rivals a taste of true fear. The world of assassins was on its edge in fear of this strong criminal powerbase: The Lin Kuei.
The Shiri Ryu they had once been called. They were small compared to the Lin Kuei but they had stepped out of line once too often. An assassin so the story goes was sent in by the name of Subzero, he eliminated the entire clan killing and slaughtering mercilessly until none were left alive. There was nothing left of their Grandmaster or their anchient ways. The warning had been made and the ninjas stepped into line. The Lin Kuei held the sway in the underworld now and it showed in their growing numbers.
Subzero had become a legend for his murdering, his crimes, and his destruction. He had become a pinnacle of strength in the underworld that everyone looked upon with jealousy or admiration. They all wanted to have his power, his power over death that they lacked. His life was a mystery to all. There were few who could say they knew him. Even faking the association was dangerous. There were many many people who wanted him dead for what he did.
Although the Ninja did not work as one organization, the honor of their clans as a whole was always strong. The Shiri Ryu was one of the oldest Ninja clans and the new generations wanted payment for the knowledge that they had lost. Although they dare not speak the name aloud, Subzero was the one they wanted, dead or alive... but ultimately dead. Then they could show the Lin Kuei that none of their members were too arrogant for death.
Down in the glade past the wooden houses were the richer members of the Lin Kuei - mostly the arch assassins. At the far end of the path there was a very large stone wall with metal steaks daggers and barbed wire sprawled on top. It hadn't always been that way. Once the wall had been only a few meters high, now it was six and thickly layered. Once you could have walked right up to the door and knocked although it would do you little good. Now you had to walk through the gate that was guarded by soldiers day and night. Black belted Lin Kuei dressed in red guarded the entrance and patrolled the walls. It was if you could believe it, a fortress inside a fortress. At first it is hard for an outsider to imagine why an assassin amongst assassins would fear to be assassinated. But for the owner of this house there were reasons.
The employer was rich, he had completed many a mission for the Grandmaster and had come out of it with lots of money. Money of course that other people wanted, and a reputation that other people wanted to remove. The Lily ponds were beautiful inside and you could see the reflection of the red guards walking past them at night under moonlight and in the day in sunlight. The whole house was kept very tightly under control and orderly. The owner picked the guards himself personally from the graduation ceremonies. The black belts were the top rank before Arch assassins. They were all doing their final work for the Grand master before they ascended to the final rank. Advanced guard duty was seen as a valuable way to graduate into the top ranks of the Lin Kuei. It wasn't easy.
The patrolling was changed every week making it almost impossible for spies to formulate any plans. But there were attempts on the security; people did now and again get in. They were squashed quickly and the defenses were improved over and over again until the pretty mansion had now taking its present form. Torture made short work of their morals to protect their own masters.
With all this set aside you could perhaps imagine what the tension was liked when someone tried to knock on the front door. You could imagine how the guards would glare ready at any moment to hurl shurikens at the offenders head. His name was Cyrax, dark skin and a funny dress sense. Today he was coming up to the gates in black jeans and a yellow t-shirt as ridiculously western and casual as he could possibly get. The thought that the guards would not appreciate this was not on his list of concerns. His arms were bare and you could see the rounded shapes of his muscles past the elbows. Black dread locks hung down from his hair each tied back separately. He was surprisingly though it's hard to believe it at first glance, an arch assassin. He came up the path towards the guards who were whispering fiercely amongst themselves. Their eyes turned suddenly towards him and they quickly returned to their posts either side of the huge spiked metal gates that rose in between both sides of the stone gray walls.
"You there!" called one, "What do you want?"
"I'd like to see the master of this house," he replied with a grin "Is he in?"
"Not for the likes of you!" replied the other "Get off before we make you off!"
Cyrax stood still and smiled, he put his hands on his hips and tilted his head on one side with the air of someone important, "Do you know who I am?" he said after awhile.
The guard to his left stood still and watched him a moment examining him, he paused and then widened his eyes, "Are you Arch assassin Cyrax?"
"That's exactly who I am, now tell Subzero from me that I'd like to see him... is he drunk or something?"
"Quite Soba," replied the second half glaring at him with mistrust, "He hasn't touched the drink for over a month"
"I'll go get him," snarled the other, "You wait here!" turning with key in hand he put the metal inside the lock and it clicked. Pushing forward hard the gate opened with a metalic creak and he closed it behind him locking it as he went. Running off he hurried away down through the gardens towards the house. Down the path a patrolling soldier watched him with amusement and then gazed at Cyrax down the path and through the bars of the metal gate.
"Looks like you'll have to wait," smiled the guard, "I'm sorry about my friend, you see we have to be on top security here no matter what... we and our predecessors at this post have been assaulted before"
"Do people often get over the walls?"
"Heh I'd like to see them try," he laughed gazing up the six meters to the spikes and barbed wire above, "If you ask me Master Subzero can be a little paranoid sometimes, but don't say you heard that from me!"
Cyrax nodded and gazed up at the huge walls, "How on earth did he get funding for all of this?" he said more to himself than the soldier.
"Heh, the people here gossip about that more than anything else. Some say he got most of it when he went and wiped out the Shiri Ryu, my superstitious friends think he made a pact with the devil. I personally think he just got very rich from all of his work, although if you asked me how much money he has I couldn't possibly say what state he's in financially. Are you good friends with Subzero?"
"I think so," smiled Cyrax, "As long as I don't get too ambitious. What are your plans? Arch assassin or are you going to do one of the regular jobs?"
"I'm hoping to eventually become one of the Grand master's personal body guards. In my opinion it's relatively the best job out their skill wise and in pay. I'm not really that interested in earning lots of money, I just want a stable position"
"Sounds good to me, I don't know why I didn't do that myself" pondered Cyrax, he paused gazing down the path to the double doors "... ah, here he comes now"
He could see Subzero coming out of the far wooden doors dressed in blue, a black belt round his waist. A black fold fell down inbetween his legs and his face was masked with a blue mouth piece so that only his eyes could be seen. A black line fell down his middle like a tie and split up either side into blue segments. He looked almost exactly the same as he had done the year before. Beside him the guard groveled lowering himself and speaking very fast as if to explain himself. Subzero seemed mostly to ignore him and only turned now and again to listen to what he had to say.
"Hello Cyrax," he said behind the mask as the soldier fiddled with the gate.
"Good to see you," replied Cyrax coming forward as the gate opened. They embraced and patted each other on the back. Cyrax's chin was bristled and not quite shaven but it didn't stand out too much because of his skin couler. Subzero felt it briefly against his cheek as their heads passed each other.
"Come in and have something to eat," said Subzero leading him away down the path. The soldiers gazed at the two of them awhile from different directions, some by the Lilly pools, others by trees, others peered out through windows all intrigued to find out what was going on.
"So how are the fish biting?" asked Subzero after they had walked down half the path. The path was gravelly under their feet.
"Better than before that's for sure," replied Cyrax with a grin, "Things have really started moving around here after your work"
"I think you mean Quan chi's work in all truth," smirked Subzero, "I just did my job as I was asked"
"Do you mean to tell me..." said Cyrax after awhile, "That it wasn't you who wiped out the Shiri Ryu?"
"Of course it bloody well wasn't," grumbled Subzero, "That was just part of the deal. The employer was called Quan chi, he did that job in return for my own mission... recovering an old map"
"I can see why people are confused," chuckled Cyrax, "I personally have never even heard of Quan chi"
"Don't you ever speak to Smoke Cyrax?"
"I do," sighed Cyrax as they came up to the door, "But he never talks much, I can never seem to get anything out of him"
"I'll tell you what," said Subzero opening the double doors under the porch, "One of these days I'll invite you both in for a party and then you can force some gossip out of him. We could even pin the tail on Sektor"
"You're so rood about him," chuckled Cyrax. The air was clean but slightly dusty inside, the sun came in through the windows flickering and sparkling as they crossed into the dinning room. A long table stretched out across the room with chairs evenly placed. Sunlight came in through large windows and several doors lead off into other different rooms. A soldier at the back of the room gazed at Cyrax slowly in suspicion as they entered.
"Well," said Subzero taking a seat, "To tell the truth I hate his guts" turning he gestured to the soldier in red "Leave please, tell the others not to disturb this room, oh and get Serriana to bring me and a friend something nice to drink there's a good soldier"
Turning the red dressed guard nodded and exited through a wooden door in silence. Subzero turned back to Cyrax with a grin under his mouth piece, "Apart from the visit is there something you wanted to tell me?"
"Yes actually," returned Cyrax sitting forward, he leaned his elbows on the table and crossed his legs the black jeans sticking out strongly against the rich attire of the room, "I've come to remind you that its time for the renewal of the vows to the Grand master. The messenger came a week ago one of the Grand master's men, but apparently he told me that the men at the gates wouldn't let him in. So as we're friends I thought I'd come and remind you myself"
"I completely forgot about that," chuckled Subzero, "Still I better go, he'll get pretty pissed off if I don't"
"He'd have you killed more like," returned Cyrax with a roll of his eyes "The rest of the minor vows were done over the last four days same as last time, Arch assassin vows are tomorrow"
"Thank you very much for the warning. I'm in your debt"
"Put in a good word or two for me to the Grand master and you won't owe me a thing," winked Cyrax, "Speaking of that party idea of yours would you like to come to one I myself have arranged?"
"Will Sektor be there?" snapped Subzero quickly
"No of course not, Smoke myself Pyrian will all be there... Tringle I think ... Hydro, you know the guy who dresses like you, Ashan said he'd come and some other minor people who we invited for the hell of it. If you came though it would be brilliant and would bump the affair up a whole new level"
"Yeah alright when?"
"Tomorrow night and its Casual Gear please! Remember the word: Casual! I don't want anyone turning up with masks swords daggers guns kitanas and shurikens in every boot. This is for fun not another chance to kill off opposition in the toilets," Cyrax sounded actually quite pissed off. Subzero laughed out loud and slammed his hand on the table reddening in the face.
"Alright Cyrax, I'll come in something different this time"
"Its not just you," grumbled Cyrax seemingly slightly offended "Everyone does it. I've been to many parties and most of them are so tight round here I can't even shake peoples hands incase they throw me through a window or something"
"What gave you the idea?"
"I just thought it would be a nice chance to relax after everyone's taken their vows"
"Sounds a good idea to me," shrugged Subzero. At that moment the door opened and both Cyrax and Subzero turned to see an old lady come in through the far door. Grayed long hair and today dark rich green clothing. In her hand was a tray with drinks on she brought it slowly down onto the table and stood obediently waiting.
"Thank you very much Serriana, you can return to your business now," smiled Subzero. She left with a nod out of the doors closing them quietly behind her. Her footsteps echoed away on the polished stone floor.
"Your lucky to have her you know," said Cyrax quietly
"She's good isn't she?" he returned in the same manner, "I never have any problems with her at all. She's completely obedient, and keeps that lot in line," he gestured pointing to the patrolling guards through the windows.
"She moves very gracefully. Does she..."
"Fight? No. Lin Kuei women don't fight they are inferior," laughed Subzero with a large grin.
"Is that you talking or the wine?"
"Well... perhaps I taught her a little, but that's a bit of a secret between you and me. She's best at potions"
"Well of course, that's what you originally got her for isn't it?"
"She has a lot of experience, and yes potions of course was the original reason. I was lucky to stumble across her when I did. Where's Smoke right now? That sounds familiar... have I said that before?"
"No I don't think so," said Cyrax, "Smoke was doing some work for a person called Hsu Hao or something. He's supposed to be hunting some people down in the Special forces but he got called back here for the vow and had to cancel the job"
"I'm sure he'll be frilled to bits about that," chuckled Subzero sipping the wine.
"He's furious although he won't show it," returned Cyrax, "I think a lot of people are the way the Grand master just flung it upon us like this without any warning. He's not the only one; a lot of people have had to cancel jobs over the matter. Its not right you know, the vows shouldn't interfere with arch assassin's freedom too much in my opinion"
"Well they've got to happen sometime"
"Yeah yeah I know," sighed Cyrax, "But they're such a pain, I don't want to waste my day waiting to be called up to go and kiss his big red behind"
"Its going to be hard for me too Cyrax," grumbled Subzero
"Why's it hard for you? He loves you, whenever I speak to him he asks about your health"
"Heh," chuckled Subzero, "As if he cares. No I'm serious, I haven't been on many jobs for quite a while, only small things that I get because of my reputation. I've avoided speaking to him in truth and having to get out of this comfortable retreat and go and suck up to him again isn't going to make my day one bit. Anyway enough about the Grand master what have you been doing recently?"
"Taking things slow. I've been doing lots of guard duty inside the fortress. I'm getting to know some powerful people... including yourself"
"Oh please," chuckled Subzero
"Sure, sure most famous Lin Kuei assassin under the sun... don't know him," waved Cyrax sarcastically
"Your not getting to know me Cyrax, I've always known you haven't I?"
"Well yeah... kinda I guess. But I feel I know you better now than I have ever done before. Have you changed somehow?"
Subzero paused and sipped his wine; he stared out at the window at the passing soldiers who came passed every few seconds at a steady walking pace. The sun caught the tips of Shurikens on some who were untidy enough not to place them precisely about their clothing "Maybe" he said after a while. He turned back to Cyrax suddenly.
"Cyrax, do you believe in a place called the Neatherealm?"
"No," returned Cyrax, "Of course not, its just part of Lin Kuei superstition"
"I thought so," replied subzero gazing into the wine, "Lets just say that when you've been through hell and back, it makes you see things clearer"
"Huh?... How so?"
Subzero paused and ran his finger round the edge of the glass on the table. It started to make a quiet ringing sound as he did so as the glass vibrated "I guess I just realized that as an individual I'm really not that important. Its everything as a whole that seems to matter..."
"That's what you'd call Sorcerer's talk," chuckled Cyrax, "It doesn't suit you Subzero. Stick to the old-n-cold assassin routine, I think it suits you better"
"I guess," mumbled Subzero after a good while, "But I do... I only like to lessen up a little when I'm with my friends. Anyway I haven't seen you in a while, would you like to stay for lunch? Serriana's got a few extra helpers now to do the kitchen"
"No that's alright thanks," returned Cyrax
"Why? Come on its fine you can stay"
"No I think I'd better be off anyway. I need to check up on some jobs I was offered"
"I could employ you for food!," chuckled Subzero pouring himself another glass of wine. It was his fourth glass and he was feeling by now a little tipsy.
"I'm sorry, I must go," turned down Cyrax, "I've got important business to attend to"
"Oh go on, I'll only keep you a minute"
"Really... Subzero I'm sorry but I have to leave. I can see myself out its fine"
"Tch I'll come with you if you're leaving. I'm sorry you feel so inclined to exit my house"
Subzero got up with Cyrax and showed him slowly to the door "Is it the wine? Did I say something wrong?"
They walked through the doors and out into the open together, the sun flashed and again the red soldiers stared at them both as they walked down the path each wondering what they were saying "Your hospitality is excellent Subzero and your wine is as fantastic as it always has been but I really must go now before I'm missed. I'd come more often if I wasn't busy honestly but I really do need to go"
Subzero sighed as they walked down the path. They came to the gates and the guard turning round and seeing the both of them nodded and undid the gates "Was everything okay master?" he asked as Cyrax walked through.
"Fine, fine," returned Subzero with a nod, "Just business as usual" he uttered dryly.
"I'll see you tomorrow afternoon Subzero," called Cyrax with a wave and he set off away up the path and away from Subzero's home. Subzero shook and scratched his head before turning round and walking up the path, "See you," he mumbled regretfully.
The sun shone as Cyrax walked away up the path. Gazing back once he saw the guards at the gate whispering about him. He shrugged and fingered a rip in his black jeans "I suppose I'd better put something better on for tomorrow"
Birds flittered in the trees as he walked up the path and away. The houses passed him by and maids and servants cleaned the porches with old brooms all staring briefly at him as he passed by. He stopped leaning against an old tree that stood up high into the air. Large branches extended overshadowing the path.
"I'm sorry Subzero," he said quietly to himself, "But I just can't have a strong association with you. You're too out in the open now" he looked at the tree roots and noticed how the bark was curled in such a strange way.
"Hey mister," said a high voice. Turning round he looked over to a porch where a small girl sat on a rocking chair she leaned back and forth with a constant creaking noise. He stared at her slowly "What?" he asked.
"You just came out of Subzero's house didn't you?"
"No I didn't, you must be mistaking me for someone else"
"You did so!" she exclaimed, "My dad said that Subzero's too lucky for his own good and its gonna be sooner or later that someone decks him!"
"Tell your father that if he says things like that to irresponsible daughters he will need to watch his own back," growled Cyrax and turned away with a wave of his black dreadlocks and walked away down the hill. He walked about eleven paces before she replied with a slam of a door.
"Subzero lover!" she called out.
Cyrax sighed deeply as he went away down the path, clouds passed slowly above and a gentle breeze passed over him, "Subzero... I'm just glad that right now I'm not in your shoes"
It was a windy day and the sun shone over the distant mountains. The clouds were a mixture of textures and coulers all white and blue as the sky merged with the cloud. In the valley below the many houses of the secret city of the Lin Kuei lined the landscape. Dragon's gate over looked the sandy Gobi desert as fortified as ever. The guards looked out through arrow slits to the sand outside. The unlucky jobs that nobody wanted. The soldiers patrolled the various battlements; some up the top of mountains took short watches in the freezing snow and icy weather before their partners took over. Down below in the green weathers and pleasant valleys in the great squares that were scattered across the mountains, the Lin Kuei soldiers dressed in simple red practiced dreaming of the day when they might become an Arch assassin.
The larger houses below in the green valley belonged to the arch assassins; the fighters who excelled in pretty much everything and were paid by far the most of all the Lin Kuei. Birds twittered in the trees as gently on the tip of the wind you could hear their chanting "hut, hut, ha!" Slowly and in rhythm you could see some of them distantly, punching in unison or kicking and going through the various movements that defined who they were in their clan. The Lin Kuei had grown very rapidly in power recently. An entire ninja clan had been wiped out at their orders and had given their rivals a taste of true fear. The world of assassins was on its edge in fear of this strong criminal powerbase: The Lin Kuei.
The Shiri Ryu they had once been called. They were small compared to the Lin Kuei but they had stepped out of line once too often. An assassin so the story goes was sent in by the name of Subzero, he eliminated the entire clan killing and slaughtering mercilessly until none were left alive. There was nothing left of their Grandmaster or their anchient ways. The warning had been made and the ninjas stepped into line. The Lin Kuei held the sway in the underworld now and it showed in their growing numbers.
Subzero had become a legend for his murdering, his crimes, and his destruction. He had become a pinnacle of strength in the underworld that everyone looked upon with jealousy or admiration. They all wanted to have his power, his power over death that they lacked. His life was a mystery to all. There were few who could say they knew him. Even faking the association was dangerous. There were many many people who wanted him dead for what he did.
Although the Ninja did not work as one organization, the honor of their clans as a whole was always strong. The Shiri Ryu was one of the oldest Ninja clans and the new generations wanted payment for the knowledge that they had lost. Although they dare not speak the name aloud, Subzero was the one they wanted, dead or alive... but ultimately dead. Then they could show the Lin Kuei that none of their members were too arrogant for death.
Down in the glade past the wooden houses were the richer members of the Lin Kuei - mostly the arch assassins. At the far end of the path there was a very large stone wall with metal steaks daggers and barbed wire sprawled on top. It hadn't always been that way. Once the wall had been only a few meters high, now it was six and thickly layered. Once you could have walked right up to the door and knocked although it would do you little good. Now you had to walk through the gate that was guarded by soldiers day and night. Black belted Lin Kuei dressed in red guarded the entrance and patrolled the walls. It was if you could believe it, a fortress inside a fortress. At first it is hard for an outsider to imagine why an assassin amongst assassins would fear to be assassinated. But for the owner of this house there were reasons.
The employer was rich, he had completed many a mission for the Grandmaster and had come out of it with lots of money. Money of course that other people wanted, and a reputation that other people wanted to remove. The Lily ponds were beautiful inside and you could see the reflection of the red guards walking past them at night under moonlight and in the day in sunlight. The whole house was kept very tightly under control and orderly. The owner picked the guards himself personally from the graduation ceremonies. The black belts were the top rank before Arch assassins. They were all doing their final work for the Grand master before they ascended to the final rank. Advanced guard duty was seen as a valuable way to graduate into the top ranks of the Lin Kuei. It wasn't easy.
The patrolling was changed every week making it almost impossible for spies to formulate any plans. But there were attempts on the security; people did now and again get in. They were squashed quickly and the defenses were improved over and over again until the pretty mansion had now taking its present form. Torture made short work of their morals to protect their own masters.
With all this set aside you could perhaps imagine what the tension was liked when someone tried to knock on the front door. You could imagine how the guards would glare ready at any moment to hurl shurikens at the offenders head. His name was Cyrax, dark skin and a funny dress sense. Today he was coming up to the gates in black jeans and a yellow t-shirt as ridiculously western and casual as he could possibly get. The thought that the guards would not appreciate this was not on his list of concerns. His arms were bare and you could see the rounded shapes of his muscles past the elbows. Black dread locks hung down from his hair each tied back separately. He was surprisingly though it's hard to believe it at first glance, an arch assassin. He came up the path towards the guards who were whispering fiercely amongst themselves. Their eyes turned suddenly towards him and they quickly returned to their posts either side of the huge spiked metal gates that rose in between both sides of the stone gray walls.
"You there!" called one, "What do you want?"
"I'd like to see the master of this house," he replied with a grin "Is he in?"
"Not for the likes of you!" replied the other "Get off before we make you off!"
Cyrax stood still and smiled, he put his hands on his hips and tilted his head on one side with the air of someone important, "Do you know who I am?" he said after awhile.
The guard to his left stood still and watched him a moment examining him, he paused and then widened his eyes, "Are you Arch assassin Cyrax?"
"That's exactly who I am, now tell Subzero from me that I'd like to see him... is he drunk or something?"
"Quite Soba," replied the second half glaring at him with mistrust, "He hasn't touched the drink for over a month"
"I'll go get him," snarled the other, "You wait here!" turning with key in hand he put the metal inside the lock and it clicked. Pushing forward hard the gate opened with a metalic creak and he closed it behind him locking it as he went. Running off he hurried away down through the gardens towards the house. Down the path a patrolling soldier watched him with amusement and then gazed at Cyrax down the path and through the bars of the metal gate.
"Looks like you'll have to wait," smiled the guard, "I'm sorry about my friend, you see we have to be on top security here no matter what... we and our predecessors at this post have been assaulted before"
"Do people often get over the walls?"
"Heh I'd like to see them try," he laughed gazing up the six meters to the spikes and barbed wire above, "If you ask me Master Subzero can be a little paranoid sometimes, but don't say you heard that from me!"
Cyrax nodded and gazed up at the huge walls, "How on earth did he get funding for all of this?" he said more to himself than the soldier.
"Heh, the people here gossip about that more than anything else. Some say he got most of it when he went and wiped out the Shiri Ryu, my superstitious friends think he made a pact with the devil. I personally think he just got very rich from all of his work, although if you asked me how much money he has I couldn't possibly say what state he's in financially. Are you good friends with Subzero?"
"I think so," smiled Cyrax, "As long as I don't get too ambitious. What are your plans? Arch assassin or are you going to do one of the regular jobs?"
"I'm hoping to eventually become one of the Grand master's personal body guards. In my opinion it's relatively the best job out their skill wise and in pay. I'm not really that interested in earning lots of money, I just want a stable position"
"Sounds good to me, I don't know why I didn't do that myself" pondered Cyrax, he paused gazing down the path to the double doors "... ah, here he comes now"
He could see Subzero coming out of the far wooden doors dressed in blue, a black belt round his waist. A black fold fell down inbetween his legs and his face was masked with a blue mouth piece so that only his eyes could be seen. A black line fell down his middle like a tie and split up either side into blue segments. He looked almost exactly the same as he had done the year before. Beside him the guard groveled lowering himself and speaking very fast as if to explain himself. Subzero seemed mostly to ignore him and only turned now and again to listen to what he had to say.
"Hello Cyrax," he said behind the mask as the soldier fiddled with the gate.
"Good to see you," replied Cyrax coming forward as the gate opened. They embraced and patted each other on the back. Cyrax's chin was bristled and not quite shaven but it didn't stand out too much because of his skin couler. Subzero felt it briefly against his cheek as their heads passed each other.
"Come in and have something to eat," said Subzero leading him away down the path. The soldiers gazed at the two of them awhile from different directions, some by the Lilly pools, others by trees, others peered out through windows all intrigued to find out what was going on.
"So how are the fish biting?" asked Subzero after they had walked down half the path. The path was gravelly under their feet.
"Better than before that's for sure," replied Cyrax with a grin, "Things have really started moving around here after your work"
"I think you mean Quan chi's work in all truth," smirked Subzero, "I just did my job as I was asked"
"Do you mean to tell me..." said Cyrax after awhile, "That it wasn't you who wiped out the Shiri Ryu?"
"Of course it bloody well wasn't," grumbled Subzero, "That was just part of the deal. The employer was called Quan chi, he did that job in return for my own mission... recovering an old map"
"I can see why people are confused," chuckled Cyrax, "I personally have never even heard of Quan chi"
"Don't you ever speak to Smoke Cyrax?"
"I do," sighed Cyrax as they came up to the door, "But he never talks much, I can never seem to get anything out of him"
"I'll tell you what," said Subzero opening the double doors under the porch, "One of these days I'll invite you both in for a party and then you can force some gossip out of him. We could even pin the tail on Sektor"
"You're so rood about him," chuckled Cyrax. The air was clean but slightly dusty inside, the sun came in through the windows flickering and sparkling as they crossed into the dinning room. A long table stretched out across the room with chairs evenly placed. Sunlight came in through large windows and several doors lead off into other different rooms. A soldier at the back of the room gazed at Cyrax slowly in suspicion as they entered.
"Well," said Subzero taking a seat, "To tell the truth I hate his guts" turning he gestured to the soldier in red "Leave please, tell the others not to disturb this room, oh and get Serriana to bring me and a friend something nice to drink there's a good soldier"
Turning the red dressed guard nodded and exited through a wooden door in silence. Subzero turned back to Cyrax with a grin under his mouth piece, "Apart from the visit is there something you wanted to tell me?"
"Yes actually," returned Cyrax sitting forward, he leaned his elbows on the table and crossed his legs the black jeans sticking out strongly against the rich attire of the room, "I've come to remind you that its time for the renewal of the vows to the Grand master. The messenger came a week ago one of the Grand master's men, but apparently he told me that the men at the gates wouldn't let him in. So as we're friends I thought I'd come and remind you myself"
"I completely forgot about that," chuckled Subzero, "Still I better go, he'll get pretty pissed off if I don't"
"He'd have you killed more like," returned Cyrax with a roll of his eyes "The rest of the minor vows were done over the last four days same as last time, Arch assassin vows are tomorrow"
"Thank you very much for the warning. I'm in your debt"
"Put in a good word or two for me to the Grand master and you won't owe me a thing," winked Cyrax, "Speaking of that party idea of yours would you like to come to one I myself have arranged?"
"Will Sektor be there?" snapped Subzero quickly
"No of course not, Smoke myself Pyrian will all be there... Tringle I think ... Hydro, you know the guy who dresses like you, Ashan said he'd come and some other minor people who we invited for the hell of it. If you came though it would be brilliant and would bump the affair up a whole new level"
"Yeah alright when?"
"Tomorrow night and its Casual Gear please! Remember the word: Casual! I don't want anyone turning up with masks swords daggers guns kitanas and shurikens in every boot. This is for fun not another chance to kill off opposition in the toilets," Cyrax sounded actually quite pissed off. Subzero laughed out loud and slammed his hand on the table reddening in the face.
"Alright Cyrax, I'll come in something different this time"
"Its not just you," grumbled Cyrax seemingly slightly offended "Everyone does it. I've been to many parties and most of them are so tight round here I can't even shake peoples hands incase they throw me through a window or something"
"What gave you the idea?"
"I just thought it would be a nice chance to relax after everyone's taken their vows"
"Sounds a good idea to me," shrugged Subzero. At that moment the door opened and both Cyrax and Subzero turned to see an old lady come in through the far door. Grayed long hair and today dark rich green clothing. In her hand was a tray with drinks on she brought it slowly down onto the table and stood obediently waiting.
"Thank you very much Serriana, you can return to your business now," smiled Subzero. She left with a nod out of the doors closing them quietly behind her. Her footsteps echoed away on the polished stone floor.
"Your lucky to have her you know," said Cyrax quietly
"She's good isn't she?" he returned in the same manner, "I never have any problems with her at all. She's completely obedient, and keeps that lot in line," he gestured pointing to the patrolling guards through the windows.
"She moves very gracefully. Does she..."
"Fight? No. Lin Kuei women don't fight they are inferior," laughed Subzero with a large grin.
"Is that you talking or the wine?"
"Well... perhaps I taught her a little, but that's a bit of a secret between you and me. She's best at potions"
"Well of course, that's what you originally got her for isn't it?"
"She has a lot of experience, and yes potions of course was the original reason. I was lucky to stumble across her when I did. Where's Smoke right now? That sounds familiar... have I said that before?"
"No I don't think so," said Cyrax, "Smoke was doing some work for a person called Hsu Hao or something. He's supposed to be hunting some people down in the Special forces but he got called back here for the vow and had to cancel the job"
"I'm sure he'll be frilled to bits about that," chuckled Subzero sipping the wine.
"He's furious although he won't show it," returned Cyrax, "I think a lot of people are the way the Grand master just flung it upon us like this without any warning. He's not the only one; a lot of people have had to cancel jobs over the matter. Its not right you know, the vows shouldn't interfere with arch assassin's freedom too much in my opinion"
"Well they've got to happen sometime"
"Yeah yeah I know," sighed Cyrax, "But they're such a pain, I don't want to waste my day waiting to be called up to go and kiss his big red behind"
"Its going to be hard for me too Cyrax," grumbled Subzero
"Why's it hard for you? He loves you, whenever I speak to him he asks about your health"
"Heh," chuckled Subzero, "As if he cares. No I'm serious, I haven't been on many jobs for quite a while, only small things that I get because of my reputation. I've avoided speaking to him in truth and having to get out of this comfortable retreat and go and suck up to him again isn't going to make my day one bit. Anyway enough about the Grand master what have you been doing recently?"
"Taking things slow. I've been doing lots of guard duty inside the fortress. I'm getting to know some powerful people... including yourself"
"Oh please," chuckled Subzero
"Sure, sure most famous Lin Kuei assassin under the sun... don't know him," waved Cyrax sarcastically
"Your not getting to know me Cyrax, I've always known you haven't I?"
"Well yeah... kinda I guess. But I feel I know you better now than I have ever done before. Have you changed somehow?"
Subzero paused and sipped his wine; he stared out at the window at the passing soldiers who came passed every few seconds at a steady walking pace. The sun caught the tips of Shurikens on some who were untidy enough not to place them precisely about their clothing "Maybe" he said after a while. He turned back to Cyrax suddenly.
"Cyrax, do you believe in a place called the Neatherealm?"
"No," returned Cyrax, "Of course not, its just part of Lin Kuei superstition"
"I thought so," replied subzero gazing into the wine, "Lets just say that when you've been through hell and back, it makes you see things clearer"
"Huh?... How so?"
Subzero paused and ran his finger round the edge of the glass on the table. It started to make a quiet ringing sound as he did so as the glass vibrated "I guess I just realized that as an individual I'm really not that important. Its everything as a whole that seems to matter..."
"That's what you'd call Sorcerer's talk," chuckled Cyrax, "It doesn't suit you Subzero. Stick to the old-n-cold assassin routine, I think it suits you better"
"I guess," mumbled Subzero after a good while, "But I do... I only like to lessen up a little when I'm with my friends. Anyway I haven't seen you in a while, would you like to stay for lunch? Serriana's got a few extra helpers now to do the kitchen"
"No that's alright thanks," returned Cyrax
"Why? Come on its fine you can stay"
"No I think I'd better be off anyway. I need to check up on some jobs I was offered"
"I could employ you for food!," chuckled Subzero pouring himself another glass of wine. It was his fourth glass and he was feeling by now a little tipsy.
"I'm sorry, I must go," turned down Cyrax, "I've got important business to attend to"
"Oh go on, I'll only keep you a minute"
"Really... Subzero I'm sorry but I have to leave. I can see myself out its fine"
"Tch I'll come with you if you're leaving. I'm sorry you feel so inclined to exit my house"
Subzero got up with Cyrax and showed him slowly to the door "Is it the wine? Did I say something wrong?"
They walked through the doors and out into the open together, the sun flashed and again the red soldiers stared at them both as they walked down the path each wondering what they were saying "Your hospitality is excellent Subzero and your wine is as fantastic as it always has been but I really must go now before I'm missed. I'd come more often if I wasn't busy honestly but I really do need to go"
Subzero sighed as they walked down the path. They came to the gates and the guard turning round and seeing the both of them nodded and undid the gates "Was everything okay master?" he asked as Cyrax walked through.
"Fine, fine," returned Subzero with a nod, "Just business as usual" he uttered dryly.
"I'll see you tomorrow afternoon Subzero," called Cyrax with a wave and he set off away up the path and away from Subzero's home. Subzero shook and scratched his head before turning round and walking up the path, "See you," he mumbled regretfully.
The sun shone as Cyrax walked away up the path. Gazing back once he saw the guards at the gate whispering about him. He shrugged and fingered a rip in his black jeans "I suppose I'd better put something better on for tomorrow"
Birds flittered in the trees as he walked up the path and away. The houses passed him by and maids and servants cleaned the porches with old brooms all staring briefly at him as he passed by. He stopped leaning against an old tree that stood up high into the air. Large branches extended overshadowing the path.
"I'm sorry Subzero," he said quietly to himself, "But I just can't have a strong association with you. You're too out in the open now" he looked at the tree roots and noticed how the bark was curled in such a strange way.
"Hey mister," said a high voice. Turning round he looked over to a porch where a small girl sat on a rocking chair she leaned back and forth with a constant creaking noise. He stared at her slowly "What?" he asked.
"You just came out of Subzero's house didn't you?"
"No I didn't, you must be mistaking me for someone else"
"You did so!" she exclaimed, "My dad said that Subzero's too lucky for his own good and its gonna be sooner or later that someone decks him!"
"Tell your father that if he says things like that to irresponsible daughters he will need to watch his own back," growled Cyrax and turned away with a wave of his black dreadlocks and walked away down the hill. He walked about eleven paces before she replied with a slam of a door.
"Subzero lover!" she called out.
Cyrax sighed deeply as he went away down the path, clouds passed slowly above and a gentle breeze passed over him, "Subzero... I'm just glad that right now I'm not in your shoes"