Chapter 2

Batbatbatbatbatbatbat

The wooden dummy echoed every strike given to it. It stood firm when it had to, gave way when it needed to. It performed its duties faithfully and without fail.

Batbatbatbat...batbatbatbat

Cheng Xin kept his eyes closed as he struck his targets. His intricate movements expressed an elegance to each punch; beautiful simplicity with each kick.

Batbatbatbatbat...

With a final palm strike, he blew out his breath, opened his eyes, and returned his hands together for a clasp and bow. He eyed the target dummy with a young boy's adoration. His nostalgic walk down to the joys of his past were interrupted by footsteps echoing into the room.

"Master Cheng, it is time."

Before he even turned around, he recognized the voice.

"Okay, Uncle Liao. And please, don't call me Master."

"But you are the Head of this Temple now."

"Because of technicality. There are plenty of people more fitted for this position, and many wiser. I'm looking at one of them right now."

"You're too kind, Master Cheng. While knowledge may come with time, it would be foolish to assume youth and wisdom are like oil and water. Now please, everyone is ready for you outside."

With reciprocating bows, the elder of the two made his way out of the room. Cheng turned back to the wooden dummy. With a smile, he gave it a few light taps before heading out to the temple's prayer floor.

As expected, everyone was already there, kneeling down and sitting on their heels. Cheng walked up the three stone steps that raised him above his audience. A uniform bow from all of them prompted him to bow back.

"To my children," Cheng spoke, feeling quite strange that a man of his age was referring to many older than him as his children, "I gather you all here today to let you know that there is an imbalance in our world." The crowd murmured for just a second, and then grew quiet. "Our oceans, trees, mountains, winds, and now even the sky; these are all signs of a great misfortune. But it is a misfortune that we can overcome."

Cheng might have been the youngest master in the temple's history, but he was well versed in its scriptures, and well practiced in its conduct and arts.

"I cannot tell you exactly what it is we will be facing. This is something as never seen before for the Order of the Heavenly Fist, but I can promise you, that...that..."

He trailed off, distracted by the growing light behind the crowd. The crackling of electricity grew louder and louder, and soon everyone gathered began to turn their heads in awe. With a great spark, Lord Raiden, the one and same from their legends and teachings, had appeared before them. Heads began to bow, eyes dropped to the floor. Master Cheng of course, was not exempt.

"Rise and face me, Cheng Xin," Raiden commanded in a stern yet assuring voice. Cheng did just that.

"May I speak, Lord Raiden?" Cheng asked.

"Only if you promise to speak freely and honestly."

"Of course, my Lord. I assume you are here to talk to me about the changes we've been seeing around us in nature."

"You are correct, Cheng Xin. They are the result of a great evil that will see its way into your world, if it is not stopped. The extinction of humanity is the goal of this evil, this terror named Shao Khan."

Gasps and chatter escaped from the crowd. They knew. Cheng knew. The old books had taught them about Mortal Kombat.

Raiden continued. "I am sure you are all learned about the history of Mortal Kombat. For hundreds of years, we have sought the best fighters from all over the world, and many of the temples you know have given us just that. I come here today to do the same thing. Cheng Xin, sole son and heir to the original master of the Heavenly Fists, I ask of you to fight for the realm of Earth."

Cheng turned his attention to his children. Men, women, children; they all looked to him as if he were their protective father.

"Lord Raiden," Cheng spoke, "are you sure I should be the one you elect? We know the legends of what happens in each tournament. The bloodbaths of Mortal Kombat is not what we train for. The Heavenly Fist does not strike in vengeance or violence, but of knowledge and betterment. We are forbidden from killing, even in self-defense."

"I am aware of this, Cheng Xin. But I have looked at all the best fighters who walk this Earth. You are among them. I do not ask you to kill our aggressors, I only ask you to defend us from them."

As much as Cheng Xin believed in non-violence, he still loved a good fight. Never out of malice or pride. As a formerly relatively frail and weak child, he faced more than a number of defeats. But he lived to learn and get closer to actual Master's wisdom. Learning through reading, writing, conversing, and fighting. There are many roads to enlightenment, and even more roads to discipline. Fighting just happened to be his favorite. A boyish smile formed on his lips. With a bow towards the thunder god, Cheng responded with the promise of his temple's tradition.

"I, Cheng Xin, will serve your will with humility and with an open heart, as encouraged by the ways of the Heavenly Fists, and the kind spirit of mankind."