Soul of the Dragon Queen
Chapter 4: Unwanted Reunion Pt.1
(Li Mei's POV)
In similar vain to when Master Bo' Rai Cho rescued me, I awoke in surroundings very unfamiliar to me. Was I dead? Am I in Limbo right now? All of a sudden, my injured arm began stinging me and when I applied pressure with my other hand, I noticed how well it had been wrapped up. Analyzing everything around me I arrived at the conclusion that I was no longer in the clutches of the Dragon King.
While I tried to understand what transpired back in the castle, a ghostly spirit entered my…hmm I was in a tent. This phantom had an air of wisdom, an ethereal aura emanating from him. He had long, shoulder length hair, and had the look of an EarthRealmer. He noticed I was awake and faced me, giving me a very warm smile. Once I saw his face, I recognized immediately who he was: The Champion of Mortal Kombat, Liu Kang.
"Ah, you are awake."
"Just barely." I brought my hand to my face for a second.
"You are quite lucky, because me and Ermac didn't have to save you."
"Ermac? Wasn't he a defender for Shao Kahn?"
"Indeed he was. But that's just it, it is in the past. Like your time as Onaga's queen."
When he said that, I felt a little hurt, my face fell. I couldn't believe I was being judgmental whilst I was Onaga's queen not too long ago.
"I apologize if my words upset you." He said with concern in his voice.
"No it's just a very harsh truth I need to accept." I replied while sitting and pushing my hair back.
"But…As I was saying. Me and Ermac could sense that you were seeking to defect back to the Forces of Light."
"But how?"
"The Warrior's Spirit you possess gives off certain energy. A being like myself or Ermac, could indeed sense your intentions."
"So how did you find me? Was I just lying there? Or being carried?"
"A warrior, who I heard to be Hotaru was having you carried off by some guards. Me and Ermac sensed as though maybe you have decided to put your life as the Dragon Queen behind you."
"A most accurate guess my ghostly friend."
"It's Liu Kang."
"I'm aware of your identity. But I must extend my hand in gratitude of your kind actions."
"Li Mei, there is no need for such formality. We are all friends here."
"I'm assuming Ermac is still in your company."
"As a matter of fact yes. We were both rescuing the Earth warriors and Kitana from Onaga's castle, after their minds were controlled by him."
"I hope you were successful."
"Indeed, we were."
"In which case, they must be lining up to kill me."
"They aren't exactly aware that you're here." Liu Kang replied hesitantly.
"…That makes me nervous…"
"Don't be so ridiculous, they won't kill you."
"They aren't understanding spirits like you."
"Not on the outside, but from within, they are kind souls. All of which will not hold anything against you."
With those final words, Liu Kang's spiritual form exited the tent. As soon as he did I was sure somebody was at least overhearing the conversation. If I was lucky it would probably be Ermac, who wouldn't be as willing to kill me as the others. I did want to go out of the tent but all the same I didn't want to face the people I betrayed during the battle with Onaga.
I decided that they can't possibly be as bad as what I endured during my time as Onaga's prisoner. I was about to push away the flaps of the tent, feeling a little scared over whether any of them would be willing to listen and understand what actually happened.
While I was exiting the tent I saw Princess Kitana, giving me a rather odd look. Her brown eyes opened up with shock, and her jaw dropped. She rushed towards me with incredible speed and pushed me back into the tent. I was very confused as to what just happened. Kitana then entered the tent herself, making sure it was closed properly.
"Li Mei, I admit it's nice to see you awake but you can't just get out of the tent." She said it with such speed that I had a little trouble understanding what she said.
"Wait. It's nice to see me awake? Liu Kang said only he and Ermac trusted me."
"Well then add me to the list. But I'm sure no one else knows."
"How are you so trusting of me?"
"Liu Kang trusts you, so does Ermac. That's enough for me." She smiled and put her hand on my shoulder.
"So who's here right now?"
"Well, um at the moment everybody is busy getting food or firewood or water."
"Names."
"Oh, that's hardly relevant." She tried shrugging it off, looking very uncomfortable.
"What are you hiding from me?"
"I'm not hiding anyon-anything from you." She quickly corrected herself.
"So it's a person…."
"I hope you figured it out."
My eyes opened in shock, I hit my fore head with my palm, in frustration. Truly the last person who I wanted to contend with was here.
"Oh God why? Liu Kang said that only the Earth warriors who were enslaved by Onaga were here!"
"He joined us later on." Kitana nervously told me.
"You know he could probably be able to sense me." I brought this thought to her attention.
"Well…that problem…is not mine." Kitana's replies becoming more nervous each time.
"Is he here right now?" I asked a little more hostile than I thought.
"NO! No, No…Maybe. Look I'm not sure."
"And WHO would know?" I said getting slightly angry.
"I'll check outside and see if he's there. If he is we'll keep you hidden from him."
"What about everyone else?"
"I told you earlier, they aren't here."
"Fine, go check."
Kitana tried to exit the tent without me being seen. She exited the tent, and I heard her begin a conversation with someone.
"Is she awake?"
"Oh yeah, but we can't let you-know-who find out she's here."
"But, we are friends with him."
"I understand that, but she's not ready to face him and he'll obviously impose a confrontation on her."
"Princess, he will have to be told eventually."
"Yes, but Ermac, now is not the time."
"We can see him coming. Should we distract or be honest?"
I heard Ermac present that option to Kitana and responded in her place.
"Distract!"
What I did not realize was that 'he' was already standing with Kitana and Ermac, they were distracting him.
"What was that?" 'he' asked.
"Hmm? I didn't hear anything? Did you Ermac?" Kitana covered for me.
"What? No, we didn't."
"I swear, I heard something."
"Maybe someone was…yelling for help in the forest!" Kitana quickly improvised.
"Ah princess, indeed an interesting observation. We shall take our good friend here and explore the forest." Ermac replied
"I guess I'll get my sword."
And I suppose 'he' walked off. Next I heard Ermac relay something to the Princess.
"We suggest you do what you need to before we return. We will stall him as much as we can."
"Understood."
After a few moments Kitana re-entered my tent. With some relief on her face. Looking as though she accomplished a great mission. I was still annoyed because of my stupidity. And Kitana pointed for me to come out. I was reluctant, but I gave up. She offered me food, and I suddenly felt very hungry.
-W571-
"I apologize for not telling you that Kitana is aware of your presence Li Mei."
"No, no it's fine. The Princess is kind, she is understanding."
"Yes, indeed she is." Liu Kang looked like he was suppressing a smile.
"This food is amazing. I must once again thank you." I said changing the subject.
"Yes, Sonya is surprisingly good with food."
"I suppose it's a bit late for this question but where exactly are we?"
"Well, this isn't Outworld, in case you were wondering. At present we are in EarthRealm."
"I'm surprised at how largely untouched it looks. I mean considering Onaga has extended his rule to all of the realms.
"Hmm, you seem to be unaware of the fact that Onaga has encountered trouble in ChaosRealm and hence is entirely focused on enslaving that rebellious realm in particular."
"I didn't keep track of political affairs while I was in the castle."
Liu Kang simply accepted my reply and seemed to be in a deep train of thought. I had finished eating my food and felt as though I shouldn't overstay my welcome. I didn't necessarily want to bug Liu Kang, but obviously I had to inform him that I was leaving.
"Um…Liu Kang? I hate to distract you but I think I should begin my journey back to Outworld."
"What? No, see I can't let you leave. I mean would you like to get captured again?"
"No, of course not. But I want to go back so I can incite a rebellion in the people of Outworld."
"I can understand that. But Kitana and Ermac wouldn't."
"Isn't she in love with you?"
"…That's not relevant."
"Look, I can't stay here-" I was becoming irritated
"And you can't go back there either." And apparently he was being irritated too.
In the midst of this discussion, Kitana seemingly disappeared. And the other Earth heroes still hadn't returned with whatever Kitana said they had to. When me and Liu Kang began intimidating eachother by simply staring at the other, a conversation made it's way to our ears.
"We INSIST that the forest should be patrolled again."
"Ermac, we didn't find anyone or anything in the forest that was out of the ordinary. Or at least I didn't."
"We sense a great evil, from that forest. You must join us in exterminating it." Ermac tried to say seriously.
Liu Kang found it hilarious and began laughing at how stupidly Ermac was trying to keep us apart from eachother. I began moving towards the tent and Liu Kang looked at me as though I should be moving faster, but alas it was too late.
"Li Mei?" He shouted in disbelief.
My back was facing him and I knew there was no point in hiding now because he had already seen me, I did what I had to.
"Hi, Kenshi."
DA DA DA DUM! That my fantastic audience is the end of chapter 4. So yes, as en-lumine guessed and as Nerdette92 requested, the guy who was 'more shocked than the rest' is indeed Kenshi.
I extend the most grateful thank you's to my fantastic reviewers: en-lumine, Nerdette92 and my newest one BerryKryptonite. All of you really make my day, and I appreciate your encouragement a lot.
Well, I hope this chapter was good and satisfied my readers. And on the request of BerryKryptonite I will be a little kinder on myself rather than cutting myself down to size. And also since I REALLY need to develop my action sequence writing I'll kinda make a request, so if anyone who's reading this wants to help out I would definitely accept your help as my beta
-Warbird571 signing out-