Ch. 1: The Tribunal
Standing before the Council of Elders, Raiden lowered his head, out of respect but even more so from shame. Beside him leered Shinnok, looking quite smug even when both knew that their fate would be determined by those before them.
Chief Elder god Horei rose, his royal green robes wavering by an invisible breeze. He lifted his hand. Silence came to order as the trial commenced.
"It has come to pass that the Council has made their verdict regarding to fate of the accused," Horei began. "It has been determined that both your actions have brought about the near destruction of reality and the return of the One Being. These are grave crimes that cannot go unreprimanded."
The thunder god flinched, bitting his lip as he listened. But he deserved whatever punishment that befell him. If it meant eternal imprisonment, than so be it.
He thought back, now looking at his actions as impudent, even downright reckless. Had it not been Sub Zero and Scorpion, the very fabric of the universe would have dissolved into nothingness. His second fight with Shinnok nearly cost everything.
Damn. If he hadn't been so brash, if he only had more faith in his mortals to protect Earthrealm, he would never have brought all this upon himself, breaking the confidence of those who trusted him.
For as much as he wanted to blame Shang Tsung for corrupting him, Raiden knew that the corruption had always been there in the first place, waiting like a festering wound. He would do anything, foresake everything, even his own principles, to do his duty as protector. What a fool he had been, believing that Earthrealm's safety solely depended on him.
His attention was draw as Shinnok spoke beside him with a cold sneer aimed their audience.
"Well, be done with it you bastards," the shadow god said cooly. "Our crimes are right before you, what further proof do you need?"
Raiden shook his head, astonished of Shinnok's boldness. Instead of regret, his demeanor reflected of one with a determination to accept his fate without so much as a care for what he done. Proud to the end, as if he had not been caught, he would have succeeded.
The Elders exchanged glances before Horei turned his gaze upon Raiden. "And you, Lord Raiden, have you anything to say in your defense?"
The Thunderer shook his head. "What could I say but only to say that I had foolishly disregarded of the will of the Elders, and almost brought the destruction on us all. I do not deserve any fate less than the most severe punishment possible. I'm not worthy of my position as Elder or Protector of Earthrealm.
"Then you renounce your actions?"
Raiden raised his head, meeting the steady gaze from Horei. "Yes." Murmurs ran through the courtroom. "And though I do not deserve to, I ask for forgiveness."
Horei raised his thick grey brow. About him his contemporaries continued their whispers. And no wonder. Never in all of the history of the gods had any deity ever asked for pardon. Though there was no solid rule, gods had no right to redemption. That was only a privilege of mortals, who could defend themselves by claiming ignorance for their actions. As for immortals, the argument was impossible to make.
For a full minute, the court was in disorder as the matter was discussed among the jurors. Horei banged the gavel.
He frowned, giving Raiden a steady gaze. "You are aware that your sins are serious, and you..."
From Horei's left, Air Elder god Boreas arose, raising a hand. "If you please, Your Honor. If I may speak?" he pleaded.
"You may."
Shifting his gaze from Raiden to Horei and back again, Boreas began. "As all present are aware, I have been Raiden's Guardian since the beginning of time. Being the case, I'm very familiar with his character, his person."
He addressed the rest of the court. "As Fujin could testify, Raiden was not himself when he committed these crimes. Under the corruption of his suicide, his judgment had been impaired and therefore he should not be held completely accountable for his actions."
Raiden stared, wanting to protest. But it was his fault! Why could Boreas not understand that? As his Guardian he knew fully of his faults, his determination to forsake anything to carry out his duties. It was he who was responsible for the death of the Zaterran race! He defied the heavens!
Looking at the still impertinent Shinnok, Raiden realized that he wasn't too much different from the cruel shadow god. He, like the other, was a murderer. Both had disobeyed the will of the Elders, abeit for different reasons. Worse of all, like the Fallen Elder, Raiden had given up on the mortals ability to govern themselves, believing that only through his interference, his domination over them, would "peace" be ensured. Though Raiden did not possess Shinnok's desire for power, his possessiveness stemmed from the same wicked root of pride.
Shinnok shot Raiden a condescending look. "Begging for mercy, Raiden? Please, keep what dignity you still have left."
At Boreas words, the murmurs became a drone and the banging gavel sounded. "Order, please everyone." Horei placed both his hands down on the podium and stared grimly at Boreas. "We cannot leave this unpunished, Boreas. Both had committed a heinous crime and will be dealt with accordingly."
Boreas raised his hand in protest. "What justice is this that you reprimand two gods with the same fate, though one has repented of his actions? Raiden shows remorse for what he's done. He should not have to suffer the same punishment as Shinnok." He said the name with distaste.
Though Boreas tried to catch Raiden's eye, the thunder god avoided his glance.
At this the Horei turned to the Elders beside him and conversed with them. He finished and turned back to address Boreas. "Very well, you've made your point. We will reconvene and take the matter into consideration."
Amid the colossi of granite statues in the Hall of Glory, Raiden tried to keep his mind off the trial, forcing his attention elsewhere. Nevertheless, it was futile. Above him, the stone representations of his ancestors glared down as him, as if to condemn him. Disgraced and rejected, Raiden shifted his eyes to the myriads of lesser gods about him, conversing with each other and laughing, oblivious to his plight.
In a way he envied them, despite their audacious attitudes toward authority figures. He too was one of them not long ago, until he was announced as Protector of Earthrealm, a title that was meant to be honorable. His godhood ended in the war with that bastard Shinnok. Because of that accursed Elder, his innocence was ripped from him, and now he only knew death, betrayal, and the evils that dwelled in the hearts of mortals as well as his own.
And just as vehemently as he hated the shadow god, Shinnok returned it with the same mutuality. For the Fallen One had blamed Raiden for it all, claiming that the title of Protector of Earthrealm belonged to him. Shinnok couldn't bear the thought of privilege bestowed upon an upstart, young thunder godling. He believed as Elder he had a right to possess the jewel of the universe. Jealousy and suspicion that the Elders were conspiring against him was what drove Shinnok mad with the lust for power.
Raiden would never admit he never wanted the title in the first place, seeing that doing so would only incur the shadow god's wrath further. Though he couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if Shinnok was given the position to begin with. Would the treachery never come to pass? Though stern and stringent as Shinnok was, before the whole affair he was a just and wise Elder god who carried his responsibilities with dignity and patience. Perhaps he would have been a more fitting god to rule Earthrealm had his pride not got in the way.
Eyeing Shinnok the other side of the chamber, Raiden wondered as he studied the shadow god and shook his head. Who knew that Shinnok possessed such a rage? Were not the Elders supposed to be impersonal, with no emotions? Only mortals would have such imperfections.
Raiden gave a slight smirk. But then who was he to judge. He too was just as guilty of those same imperfections. Perhaps it came with his lightning nature, or from staying around the mortals of Earthrealm too long, but Raiden knew he never had the same indifferent demeanor of his peers. Perhaps the Elders were right about remaining emotional uninvolved with his mortals. After all, it was that attachment that got him into this mess in the first place.
"Raiden!" The Thunderer turned sharply, straining the chains that binded his wrists. The guards glared vehemently at him.
Fujin rushed to him, panting. His face was red, not from exhaustion but from anger. "I've heard the Elders refused to let anyone to hear the sentencing!"
"What?"
The wind god scowled. "They refused to let anyone besides the Elders into the courtroom after the recess. What are they hidding that the rest of us are not permitted to know?" To Fujin, this was an outrage. He promised himself that he would be at Raiden's side through the trial, ready to defend his brother at the moment's notice.
Raiden shook his head. What was in store for him and Shinnok? Will he be sent to the Netherealm as well, tortured for eternity? Anything less was ridiculous for his crime. He placed a hand on Fujin's shoulder.
"I appreciate all you've done for me, my friend," Raiden said sincerely. "For that I'm grateful. Of all my regrets, choosing you as my successor is not one of them." He smiled gently. "I know you will care for the mortals."
With this in mind, both of them knew it was a parting of ways. So just as the gong sounded signaling the last session, Raiden turned to him.
"Fujin, I know it's too much to ask of you of anything. Indeed, I do not deserve to do so after all this. But I beg you, please watch over the mortals of Earth. Tell them...tell them I'm sorry for the grief I caused them," at this the expression on Raiden's face became pained and frantic. "Tell them that if they ever find it in their hearts to forgive me, that I'm proud of them and..." He gasped as two Elders seized him by the shackles and pulled him toward the chamber.
"Raiden!" Fujin shoved pass the guards. He reached out to grasp Raiden's outstretched hand but missed and took hold of the gasa instead. Helplessly, Fujin could only watch as the thunder god was led away.
Never had Raiden felt so unnerved and uncertain. Above, the Elders towered over them, ever watchful of their movements. Even Shinnok who had remained calm during the previous sessions set his face in stone to keep any indiction of his thoughts from surfacing.
Horei's majestic voice boomed as he announced the sentence. Beside him, the Elders stood like silent sentinels. "Because of the circumstances of your case, Raiden, and from Boreas' testimony, the Elders have decided to lessen your sentence. You will not be condemned to the Netherealm."
Shinnok's eyes flashed. "WHAT??!!! I'd kill to see the fool burn in hell! He deserves the same punishment he gave me!"
"Silence." Horei scowled. "You have no bearing in the matter Shinnok. Unless you care to openly plea for pardon..."
"Damn you all," Shinnok spat. "As if I would grovel at your feet!"
Horei ignored him but turned to Raiden. His eyes soften. "You are most fortunate to have Boreas arguing on your behalf, lest we would never have reconsidered your fate."
"Your situation is an unusual one," Horei nodded, rubbing the grey stubble at his chin. "Never has any god ever asked for celemency, since it is a human concept. But I believe you are sincere, Raiden. With mortals, they undergo a series of tests to determine whether or not they are worthy to enter the heavens. Since we cannot immediately accept you back among our ranks, I suggest you follow the same procedures." Horei's brow furrowed. "Keep in mind, that since only mortals are granted forgiveness, so it will be with you."
A Elder goddess stepped forward. "You will be stripped not only of your powers, your immortality, your memory of your existence among us, to live your life as a mortal with all aspects of it."
"As a mortal you will have a series of tests you will endure, all of which the objectives will not be clear to you until it is revealed," Horei finished. He studied Raiden. "Do you understand the implications of this undertaking?"
Raiden could barely choke back his gratitude. He was not unfamiliar with mortality, since he gave up his eternal life not too long ago. He knew suffering his mortals endured, yet he always had his knowledge of the ages to lessen the pain. Not now. He would not have the luxury. He would start off as any mortal: weak, ignorant, and helpless.
He bowed his head deeply. "I understand, Elders. But I will comply. I'm grateful for this chance."
Shinnok growled. "If I live through this, Raiden, you will regret this choice. Your mortal soul with burn in Gehenna for eternity!" The guards beside him, pulled him roughly back.
As Shinnok was led away to some unknown fate, Horei's expression soften as he watched Raiden. "Very well, Raiden. You've made your decision. From time to time, we will watch you. But remember, you have only one chance and one chance only. Make sure you do not waste it."