Author's Note: YAY! It's the weekend and I finally have the time to update!!! I hope you guys are liking the story so far. Feel free to criticize! I don't mind at all!
Disclaimer: I hate to break it to you guys, but, believe it or not...I don't own Mortal Kombat, lol.
The trip back to the frozen temple which served as the Lin Kuei headquarters was a long and silent one. The girl had dismissed every attempt Sub Zero had made at conversation. She had limited her end of the conversation to head nods and yes or no answers. Sub Zero, while himself rather reserved by nature, found her lack of interaction with him slightly disheartening. He had hoped she would have been more receptive. This was not turning out how he had envisioned at all.
She had been cried quietly for about the first thirty minutes. This had made Sub Zero extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to comfort her somehow. He wanted to assure her that everything would be fine, but had no idea how to go about it without making the situation worse than what it was. At a loss, he forced himself to ignore the muffled sobs coming from the woman beside him. As her sobs gave way to sniffling and ragged breathing, he seized the chance to look at her.
Her dark blond hair was a mess. Her green eyes were red rimmed from crying and her otherwise lovely face was tear streaked. She looked defeated, as if she had resigned herself to whatever was going to happen. The miserable look on her face caused and ache to form in his chest and a lump in his throat. No, this is definitely not how he wanted this to be. He felt had to say something just to fill the silence.
"Wren..." he started, "I have called ahead and made arrangements for our arrival. I am sure that you will find your quarters to be quite comfortable." Sub Zero inwardly cringed at his attempt to make small talk with the woman. 'Like she gives a damn...,' he thought.
He tried again. "I have also arranged for one of our senior recruits to help you get settled in. I was thinking that after you get familiar with your new surroundings that we could begin your training. Does that sound alright to you?" Wren only nodded her head in acknowledgment. 'Please let us arrive soon...I'm not sure how long I can stand this...', Sub Zero thought, knowing that there was still a very long way to go.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
They had been trudging through the snow next to each other for some time. Modern transportation could only get them so far in the harsh, arctic environment before they were forced to walk. The sun had set long ago. The only light came from the moon reflecting off the endless sheet of snow and ice. The frigid wind cut through Wren like a knife. She had never been so cold in her entire life. As frozen as she felt, she had to admit, it didn't feel entirely bad. In fact, she found it rather invigorating.
She looked at the man walking slightly in front of and to the side of her. 'He doesn't seem to mind the cold at all...seems to be enjoying himself. Sub Zero...the name suits him...' she thought absently. Her legs, however, were beginning to feel heavy and her clothing was becoming wet from melting snow.
"Are we there yet?" she asked suddenly using her best impression of a whiny five year old.
Sub Zero looked back over his shoulder. "Almost."
"Thats what you said when I asked you twenty minutes ago! We've been wandering around out here for almost an hour. It's freaking cold out here! " Wading through the knee deep snow was beginning to make Wren feel exhausted and very cranky.
Sub Zero couldn't help but laugh. 'At least she's talking', he thought to himself. Sub Zero glanced over his shoulder at Wren once more. "It's just over the next ridge...I promise."
The Lin Kuei headquarters came into view, just as promised, as they reached the top of the ridge. Wren stopped dead in her tracks. The place was huge. It overwhelmed her senses. How someone had managed to hide such a large structure out here amazed her. She hadn't even realized that Sub Zero had already started down the embankment toward the gate until he called back up to her.
"Are you planning on spending the night out here or are you going to come inside?!" Sub Zero laughed inwardly at the look of awe on her face. He remembered he had felt nearly the same the first time he had laid eyes on this particular temple. He had almost felt as if it were calling to him, beckoning him to make it his domain. It was then that he had decided that it would be the perfect place for the Lin Kuei to live and train. It was home.
Wren stumbled down the snowbank. She slid on a patch of hidden ice near the bottom, almost colliding with Sub Zero. His arm shot out grabbing her around the waist and pulling her to him to steady her before she could land face first in another snow drift.
"Thanks." Wren mumbled, a little embarrassed.
"You'll need to be more careful." Sub Zero said in a matter-of-fact voice. "Lets get inside. I'm sure you're eager to be out of the snow." He turned sharply on his heel and continued toward the gate. Wren followed close behind.
As they approached the gate a voice from somewhere above them called out, "Grandmaster Sub Zero has returned...OPEN THE GATE!"
"OPEN THE GATE!" echoed another voice.
Slowly, the gate creaked open allowing Sub Zero and Wren to enter. Wren was grateful for the warmth that greeted her as she stepped inside. She found herself in a large chamber with three very long hallways leading off in different directions. Sub Zero had already started down the hallway to the left motioning for Wren to come with him. He led her down first one hallway and then another. Wren had completely lost track of where she was through all the twists and turns.
'There goes my escape plan,' she thought to herself. 'I'll never find my way out of here...'
Sub Zero stopped suddenly in front of a door and turned to face her. "Here we are. This is where you will be staying. I took the liberty of pairing you with Delilah. She will see to it that you are settled and show you around. She's been here for quite some time and will be able to answer any questions you might have." He knocked on the heavy wooden door.
The door opened to reveal a very boyish looking, tall, slim woman. She had a very angular face, a slightly hooked nose, and thin lips. Her short black hair stuck out in soft spikes all over her head and curled softly just over her ears. She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand as she stepped out into the hallway.
"Delilah, this is Wren. Wren, this is Delilah." Sub Zero made introductions. "I'm sure you're tired from our little hike so I'll leave you to get settled. Delilah will see to it that you have everything that you need. If there is anything that I may do for you, you may find me in my private quarters. Take this hallway all the way to the end, then right. Get some rest and we will talk later." Sub Zero turned and headed in the direction he had indicated lead to his private rooms leaving Wren standing in the hallway with Delilah.
Delilah stretched and flashed Wren a toothy smile. "Nice to meet ya roomie! C'mon in! You look exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep and I'll give you the low down on this place in the morning." Delilah patted her on the shoulder.
Wren followed Delilah into the room. Sleep sounded heavenly to her right now. She was completely exhausted. She was relieved that the trip was finally over. Her dread now focused on what was to happen next. She shut the door behind her and collapsed onto the bed that Delilah had indicated was hers and prompty fell into a dreamless asleep.
End of Chapter 6
YAY! They made it. Wren really doesn't travel well, lol. She really needs to suck it up! I'm gonna get the next chapter up later today...hopefully...if my computer cooperates.