Hey readers! I made an update on this chapter that could probably make the story line a bit different. Do give this a read and let me know what you think! Currently working on the 4th chapter :)

Hanzo and Athenia march through the streets of Outworld in silence. Neither of them has spoken since they left Edenia. They have been walking for what feels like eternity, and it has been dead silent even until the night time comes, but none of them are tired or even care to start a conversation. When Hanzo hears the sound of swamp water splashing and feels a leakage of water beneath his foot, he knows they are close to Kuatan Jungle, but something is bothering him.

"Are you certain this is the right path?" Hanzo breaks the silence in reflex as he follows Athenia. "This electronic equipment says we are heading the wrong way."

Annoyed as her eyes were all set on the road, Athenia stops and turns around to find Hanzo showing the electronic equipment he talked about. "First of all, that is called a GPS, doofus. It could be misleading. I'm taking a shortcut to the area where I think Shang Tsung's flesh pit is located." She doesn't even bother to wait for his response and proceed anyway.

They have been equipped by the special forces with some of their gadgets to help them accomplish the mission; a GPS, a communicator, grenade, time bomb, a limited source of lighting, and what looks like an ordinary red button but it functioned as a back-up caller. But since Athenia knows her way around Outworld and Hanzo is clueless about gadgets, the GPS seems useless.

Still following her, Hanzo decides to ignore her doofus mockery at him and asks, "How do you know about these equipments?" He asks as he lift the bag with their possessions inside.

"I used to live as an ordinary teenager in Earthrealm, so I'm not exactly tech-blind. And my step father is also an ex-army. These explosive stuffs are like toys." Athenia brags, "God ninja, what'd you do without me."

Hanzo clenches his teeth behind her back then lift his kunai up in the air as if he's going to slay her. But he puts his kunai down when the image of underground prison with no sunlight comes through his mind. If that happens, he will not be able to avenge his family and clan's death, and they won't be resurrected. This mission would be useless for him if that ever happens, so he discards that thought and tries to get back at Athenia.

"You know, Queen Kitana's word about imprisoning could be nothing but a bluff. What do you say if we stay here and have a blood-shattering combat? The survivor gets to do this mission by themselves and does not need to share glory." Hanzo suggests.

"Ugh, trust me, as much as I would love to have your beating heart pierced on my spear, Kitana doesn't bluff. If she says something, she'll stick to it." Athenia states without bothering turning her body around, "One time in our childhood she told me not to eat her leftover edenian pie and she threatened me saying she would smash my pet hamster if I do so. I stupidly decided to ignore that threat and ate it anyway. Guess what happened to Mr. Fluffernutter."

Hanzo's eyes widen in shock as he learned the fact that Athenia was actually into pets and even named her pet with something almost too funny for him. But it was in her childhood anyway so it doesn't really matter to him. Then he frowns and tries to think of another way to get back at her – and he thinks he has found something that may shut her up.

"So princess, tell me. Are you thoroughly informed about what that flesh pit does?" Hanzo asks as he smirks behind her back. He knows that Athenia has never participated in Mortal Kombat, so he thinks she might lack some informations.

Athenia suddenly stops. She takes a deep breath, and stands there in silence.

"Ah, so the brave Princess Athenia does not even know the outcome of this mission she is trying to run... How interesting." Hanzo teases her as he makes his way half-circling Athenia and bumps into her shoulder intentionally so they are now face to face. Her face is glowering in annoyance which pleases Hanzo.

"It's quite alright to lack knowledge sometimes, princess. So what Shang Tsung's flesh pit does is that it creates their experimental armies. He mixes one DNA from a living being into another." Explains Hanzo as he pokes her upper arm slowly yet repeatedly with the flat surface of his kunai. "The possibility is endless for him. He could mix any race he wants and creates strong armies based on the experiments itself. Special forces expected their army will be 75% experimental creatures in the upcoming war against us, so you can well imagine if we sucessfully desert that horrid place. The win will be easily ours." He explains wryly as he raises an eyebrow.

Athenia's face turns as red as her lips as she balls a fist. Hanzo couldn't be any pleaser with the sight. He then turns around, his back facing her, "Judging by the lack of knowledge, and strength, from now on, I should be in charge of this mission." He says confidently as he taps the GPS onto his palm.

"Hey, Ninja!" Athenia blurts.

"What?"

Athenia walks through and face him, "You're so busy being your arrogant self that you don't even realize we've arrived at Kuatan Jungle, do you?" she says with a deadpan look on her face as she tilts her head slightly.

Hanzo looks up and his jaw drops slightly; huge trees and vines surround him and Athenia. Humongous statues and inscriptions are also everywhere to be seen. The smell of wet grass can be smelled distinctly. Ray of moonlight peeks through the trees and vines causing their surroundings to glow – no wonder he has been feeling the humidity since a few moments ago even though the sky is now dark. To him, the view is not that bad – it's actually quite enjoyable if being compared to Outworld Marketplace which was a complete eyesore.

While he enjoys the surrounding, the reality kicks back in – he is here to accomplish a mission. Part of it is to avenge the murder of his family and clan and have them resurrected. He clenches his teeth as the picture of Quan Chi creeps into his mind. He's back to his tense self yet again then turns his attention at Athenia – probably the last person he wants as a partner.

"Yeah, ok. While you're lost in your own delusional thoughts right there, give me that GPS! I need it." Athenia's turquoise eyes are on the GPS and she immediately grabs it from Hanzo's hand, turns around, and continues walking. He stuns, but he replies quickly,

"Really? As I might recall from our previous conversation, it could be misleading."

Athenia stops again and turns around, "Nice try, Ninja. Look, if want to resolve that personal matters of yours that I don't even care about immediately, move your butt now before it gets dark." She complains and walks again.

Hanzo still stands there. His head is now facing the ground. He catches a heavy breath as he recalls the traumatic massacre event which kills his family and clan. He shut his eyes harshly as he balls a fist. The anger in him is slowly building. His body is trembling as if he is a volcano that's about to blow up.

"Hey, Ninja! Are you seriously gonna stand there all day?" Facing him from distance, Athenia extends her arms with her palms facing up, she is getting impatient.

He sighs and let out a silent groan that is barely audible to Athenia as he proceeds the walk with faster pace, catching up to her so now they are walking side by side.

"I do not take orders from you." Hanzo says bitterly as he points his index finger at her.

"You just did, Ninja." Athenia replies rather harshly.

"Look, Princess." Hanzo stops and grabs Athenia by her upper arm, forcing her to look directly into his choleric face, "As much as I loathe working in teams especially with you, I want to do this mission justice in order for my family and clan to be resurrected like I was – Lord Raiden has promised me, so we need to trust each other despite our dislike towards each other. With that being said, you need to do as I say and hold back the attitude before I make—"

Athenia's stiff face turns dumbfounded as they hear noises behind the bushes. Hanzo's face turns to the source of the voice as terror appears on his face. Immediately, he drags Athenia behind the nearest tree and positions himself in front of her. He gets his kunai ready then get down to squat position, lowering Athenia as well by pressing her on her shoulder.

"Quiet! It might be Reptile!" Hanzo whispers.

"Uh… I didn't say anything, did I?! It was you who was talking shit load of crap—"Athenia whispers madly.

"Shhh! Quit it!" Shush Hanzo as he puts his index finger on his lips.

The sound behind the bushes gets louder each second. Even though it is dark, the air they breathe is getting hotter. Hanzo drops a sweat of adrenaline; he is ready to attack any second. His eyes are as sharp as his kunai. Hanzo looks back to find Athenia peeking behind his shoulder, observing their surroundings with her golden spear already on her right hand while her left hand grips on his shoulder. Her fearless eyes are searching for danger. Hanzo can feel her pulse beneath her hand touching his shoulder beating fast and loud, and instantly he knows that her adrenaline is building up as well.

Secretly, he likes the fact that Athenia is also as fierce as he is. She does not rely on him as much as an ordinary woman would – including Kana, his wife who would completely rely on him. At this point, she could've already passed out. And again, Athenia is no common woman; she's a princess and a courageous individual. Maybe Athenia could be a good team player after all; he just doesn't know it yet, he thought. He then discards the thought, cursing himself for having those thoughts – even comparing Athenia to his wife, and instantly, his concentration is back on the noises behind the bushes.

He expects Reptile to come out any second with his scaly green skin while sticking his tongue out ready to eat their heads off, but seconds later, a rabbit pops out of the bushes – a tiny, fluffy, white rabbit.

Hanzo's face instantly turns red of embarrassment. He has misjudged something yet again. He turns his head to find Athenia's eyes on the rabbit and pouts.

"Well," she finally speaks, "I didn't know Reptile's cute, but shall we attack now, Ninja?" Athenia says sarcastically while lifting her spear. Hanzo clenches his teeth and rolls his eyes as he growls on her remark.

"I'm joking. C'mon, live a little! You need to be entertained once a while." Says Athenia as she stands up and slaps Hanzo's upper arm. She then approaches the rabbit and carries it in her arms while stroking its fur gently. So she still into pets, Hanzo thought to himself.

"The only thing that would entertain me is having this mission accomplished and my family resurrected." He stands up with his stiff-looking face.

She turns around to face him with the rabbit still in her arms, "I get it, Ninja. But for now, we need to camp out and rest. Get the flashlight out! We'll continue the search in the morning."

As he is realizing that this mission will be postponed due to regaining their strength, he unpleasantly gets the flashlight out of the bag and hands it to her without saying any word. Athenia accepts the flashlight and looks at him in the eyes. She furrows her eyebrows as if she's trying to read his facial expression.

"Is something wrong with my face?" Hanzo asks dejectedly.

"Nah, you're getting crankier than usual. Don't worry though; I won't mess with you, at least till sunrise."

Hanzo is surprised by her sudden awareness towards him. But he doesn't show it in his face, "I guess I'm just exhausted and starving."

"Chill, it is normal, I am too. We haven't caught a break yet since we left Edenia. Let's go, I know a place here where we can camp out safe and sound." She releases the rabbit free then turns the flashlight on and takes a few steps, but suddenly turns her head to face Hanzo and point the flashlight to his face, then down to his belly and makes a circular movement, "And you better control that beast in your stomach for a while, I'm going fishing for our dinner."

Our dinner? Hanzo thinks that she finally sees them as an actual team and not two people working together by force. Hanzo then nods and follows Athenia's lead without any word coming through his throat.

It is true that he is exhausted and starving, but there is nothing Hanzo couldn't handle. The truth is it is the thoughts lingering through his mind that make him seem cranky, but he actually isn't being cranky. When he thinks, he goes quiet and refuses to be bothered by anything.

As Hanzo walks, he has the person walking in front of him creeping through his mind. Hanzo's brain wanders around as he glares at her back. Can he actually survive this mission with Athenia—someone as stubborn and as rude as he is? What is her actual purpose behind her attitude? And how can she be so rude at one point and then she goes all sensitive and shows she can actually care about other living being? Or is it just an illusion she throws so he won't be able to see her true evil side? Is she a friend, or is she a foe? It's the question Hanzo has yet to find the answer to. Now that's a mission he has to accomplish soon in order to not be fooled, he thought.