Chapter 10
"Brace yourself," Kara advised, "Raiden may blow a fuse, knowing what I've done."
"We've done, sweetheart. We. He isn't harming you again."
Her Dad made fists, daughter uncurling them.
"I keep my word, Dad. Raiden will kill me long before he attacks Kotal."
Eyes shifted, green to bronze sand, hourglass tilting.
"You've every right to be outraged, but I know what I am doing. Please, don't stop me."
"Attacking is unwarranted. I trust all here would take care of Kara, given what she risks?"
All heads nodded, Kotal satisfied with answer, Kara heartened he took to her.
"I can get you a day, at most. Infuse your gem with fire, you'll need to prove yourself to Council. Any show of weakness? They'll eat you alive."
"I believe it."
Tiama gestured for God to follow her to her chamber, door, ground around it bathed in heliotrope light.
"My temple, sanctuary. Use it, as you see fit."
Voices ceasing, meeting finished, heavy, distressing quiet fell, group collectively swallowing.
Kara squeezed eyes shut, hands fists, desperately wanting to say something, anything to Kotal. Grab his hand, strange gesture, followed by strained silence, far from apt. She stopped herself by channelling triggering thoughts towards concentration, burying feelings, deep under layers of cement.
Wading through it was foolish, she had to pull herself out, clean herself up, head firmly affixed, in direction of thunderer.
"Kara." Raiden fretted, tone raw. "I warned you about leaving. Did you earnestly believe I'd miss portal being activated? Where is he?"
Tiama masked Kotal's appearance, simple, as he was nowhere near powerful enough to be detected, new crystal malleable, shape changing in palm, clenched fingers creating misshape, oddity.
Kara, lied...
"In the Bad Lands, not where you left him, I might add. I cannot believe you harmed him. Knowing your power outweighed his, you destroyed him, left him ashamed, crushed, energy stores depleted. For what crime?"
Raiden heard petulance, replying to that.
"Disobeying Earthrealm. After agreeing to stand beside us, he abandoned us, in our time of need."
"And?" Kara blurted, incredulous. "Loads of people have done that, didn't see you expel them." Accusatory tone employed, Kara kept going, full steam ahead. "You think Kotal is another Shao. That's laughable."
Snort put aside, Kara got to the point.
"My constitution isn't healthy enough to face the Council, but, as I have been nothing but earnest, that shouldn't matter."
"The Elder Council pass judgement in each, every way they see fit. Hiding from me? Forfeit. Concealing anything from them? Criminal."
"Yes," Kara drawled, "because you haven't kept anything from us. Please, don't insult us, alienate. Just let me know what time my appointment," she made mock finger gesture, "is."
She sat, uncaring that it was on the floor, stone icy, watching Elder God narrow eyes at the group behind her.
"All of you take Kara's side, when you know the truth? Personal truth isn't immutable."
Fact woman showed them everything, through her eyes irrefutable evidence thunderer spoke nonsense left group puzzled.
"Under your watch. Kara couldn't have manipulated anything. You'd have known."
Jakal grimaced, eyes fierce. Booming command resonated, chests vibrating.
We shall judge Kara. We will waive charges on the rest. Kara chose to shoulder all burden, all crime. Desist, Raiden. Bring her into the chamber, alone...
Raiden's superiors voices rang clear, giving zero away, intonation devoid of much, though Kara heard order, chest squeezing, resisting gulp.
Kara stayed quiet, retrieving shard from Mother, nod assurance she'd give it her all, mind meditative, avoidance of conflict, brain focused. Her friends were led away, offering their support, gems lighting in unison, filling woman with optimism.
Walking into Council Chamber signed her death warrant, pen in her hand, but she knew fact, fiction didn't belong.
The pen is mightier than the sword?
She snorted.
We'll see...
"It becomes what you want it become, forms, shaping what your mind conjures up."
Energy gathered, Tiama's chamber creating what Kotal wanted, one thing he couldn't have.
His heart cracked, acid burn swallow.
"Of course," acrid laughter bubbled up, "it forms my Father."
Goddess sat, power weaving, knitting its way round her form.
"He was taken from me in a most barbaric way. Recalling events, depraved tyrant, parading through complex, flailing four arms, clad in the armour of my people, weapons they made. The bastard lives, whilst everything in my life wilts..."
Tiama made ball, showing man, disgraced 'Prince' Goro, Kotal turning red with rage.
"Let loose. Reabsorb energy, I share mine with you. Take all you need, it replenishes itself, infinite."
"That is exceedingly generous, and tad foolish of you, if I may say, Lady Tiama. I see where your daughter gained her altruism from, your influence benevolent. You know little of me. Do I prompt lack of concern?"
Tiama nodded.
"Please," she waved God off, "firstly, its Tiama. I let my title drop many years ago. I do not wish to be viewed as anything other than woman, wife, Mother, ally. Secondly, what my daughter showed me allowed me to have an opinion of you that you cannot fathom. I believe that has me at an advantage..."
Both exchanged smirks.
"I also see where Kara acquired her humour..."
"Oh, no," Goddess spoke softly, edge sharpening midway through, "she has my husband's crassness. You just haven't met him yet..."
"Goro rules Edenia, without challenge. Its royal, Kitana is a revenent. Her soul was stolen, inside sorcerer Shang Tsung's Soul Well. I can retrieve it, restore her, the others, Raiden will not let me."
"Why would Earthrealm's guardian refuse to restore their warriors? Princess Kitana being recovered, reinstated would end Goro's domination, leaving me to kill him."
"I cannot fathom reason. He hounds my child, refutes her truth, logic ignored. He harmed you, ravaged Outworld. Retrospect couldn't ever have revealed this. Please. In any way we can recompense his actions, let me know."
Harnessing fire, brightest blue God produced, Kara's Amethyst resonated with Lapis, fusion expanse, varying degrees of both colour.
"It would seem your daughter agrees. Thank you. I request to be left alone, for short while, to collect myself. I do not know your daughter, though I see her heart, intent pure. Her presence soothes, she tries to understand me. I should let her in. I did, in my other existence, fully, wholly. How did you watch this without restriction?"
"My husband and I were open with her, from an early age, we wished her to understand life's intricacies, its positive and negative aspects. Kara should respect herself, look after herself. She became, remains hedonist by nature, but cares deeply when she falls. She doesn't swoon for just anyone, Kotal. Society hides its wants, masks them with value. Value is perfectly fine, though, as we know, we must be made aware of potential consequences. Because of this, Kara is cognisant, protective of her values, shy, modest, as you will have seen. Kara is only abrupt when panicked or angered. Other than that, she is entirely average, docile, and I thank the Gods for that."
"Simple, in the most pleasant sense of the word. Kara is, certainly different. I appreciate her honesty, her values are steadfast. I thank you again, Tiama."
Goddess simpered, standing swiftly, heading for door.
"It is of no trouble, Kotal. You are welcome here, despite what Raiden may say. Were Council unwilling to entertain you, they'd have forcibly removed you from The Heavens. I ought to check on my child. Feel the ripples?"
Drips, origin unknown fell, puddles they created rippling, middle outward.
"That's her. Ripples are indecision. They will want to meet you soon..."
Tiama's quiet voice went unanswered verbally. She took answer in hand waving, gesture practically shooing her away.
Untroubled, Tiama left, sealing door, circle rune revolving, locks clicking in place, each getting steadily more profound, in relative quiet of surrounds...
Jakal lent against wall, arms folded, feet crossed, door opening prompting turn of head, pondering state his daughter would be in, wanting her to stroll out, triumphant, exuberance shimmering.
Kara walked out, holding Amethyst Geode, surprising Father, no end.
"Did Council give you that?"
"Yes. They believe me, my story, that Kotal is of no threat. He merely wants dominion over Outworld. Firm but fair, to quote myself. The Council dismissed Raiden's claims, and warned him. He killed Shinnok, grave crime, big mistake. It means time must be reversed, though how and when that will happen is beyond my comprehension. They wish to speak with Kotal, as we knew they would. They restored my gem, so I can go it alone, rely on my wits, should I be cast out of Earthrealm. If Kotal reiterates my version of events, all agreed to reinstate him, rejuvenate Outworld, rebuild, from ground up. I am allowed to leave, on grounds I stay in Earthrealm, and do not speak with Kotal again, in case I 'coerce' him into saying what I want. Has he studied Mom's gem?"
"He has, and taken in as much energy as is feasibly possible, given short amount of time he had. Being a deity helps, immensely, in that regard." Tiama took Kara's hands. "And how are you faring?"
"Seven out of ten. Better than good, not great. Really want to go home, take a bath, breathe. I feel I can actually breathe, I'm finally allowed too. Also really want to speak with Papa Smurf, but that isn't allowed. Broke enough rules to know pissing off ancient Creator Gods is a terrible idea."
"Papa Smurf?"
Jakal snorted, Tiama not understanding reference.
"Its a kids TV show, love. Little blue men, one girl, I think."
"That sounds, ominous, somehow?"
"Its a kids TV show, Mom. Sheesh..." Kara chuckled. "Well, Kotal used to be blue, he led, and his attitude is similar, so yeah, Papa Smurf. Could'a called him 'Big Blue,' thought that was too simple, even for me."
Devious smirk painted Kara's mouth.
"Is he alright?"
"Truthfully, no. He reminisces of better times, filled with sadness, mourning. Losing all he loved, in tragic circumstances, created someone he wishes to cast away. He is able, if he wishes it, my energy can alliterate, evaporate struggle. With this, he will gain insight, along with my Geode."
In-between index and thumb, Kara showed own crystal, new form.
"The Council gave that to you? Repercussions are huge, given I have been neglecting duty, shirking it, really. Perhaps they wish you to take on the mantle? Your mind, its view, its memories depict you willingly able to take action, tenacious, vigilant, fitting in to new dynamic, alongside Kotal, bringing him joy, prompting urgent decision."
Kara smiled.
"I did what I felt necessary. He listened to 'mortal,' stopped calling me that, after a while. He is willing to listen, surely we should listen to what he has to say, too?"
Parents agreed, Tiama being summoned.
The Amakura's bid each other 'farewell,' holding faith's candle, outstretched, light guiding respective paths.
Divine Chamber
The Heavens
Ket'z formed before his son, aura, soul, heart, everything resplendent gold. He lacked ceremonial garb, appearing mere man to anyone other than son.
Kotal swallowed, saline rush causing him to growl. He placed his hand on his shoulder, latter unable to hold it in, sobs bursting free.
"How? I don't understand."
Shorter man smiled knowingly, irking taller, finding that dissipating quickly.
Surely, you, of all people would understand what power the mind harbours, my son.
Sniffling, Kotal huffed.
"I am trying, Father. Without your guidance, my heart may as well be pulled clean from my chest. I cannot breathe, think properly, your lessons elude me, I grasp around frantically, in the dark."
Ket'z shook his head, holding son's hands, their bond forming piece of precious Gold.
I failed, please do not blame yourself. I let myself die.
"No!" God wouldn't take that, he hated lies with passion rivalling sun's heat..."We trained for war, all its intricacies, whatever it chooses to shroud itself in, known guises."
We trained for war, not warfare from one. Goro knew our ways, likely studied for decades, waiting to strike. Why do you think I sent you away? Tried to send you away, days prior? I had heard rumours of coup, and wanted you, my only child out of harms way.
"Could I have defeated him? Defended you?"
His Father shook his head.
He is old, his tribe older, their battle cry's echoing generations, older still. We stood little chance. I wasn't built for physical strength, as it is clear you became.
He laughed, son foot taller, physique further shrinking his own...
Strategy, that was my forte. I hadn't time to formulate one, lacked sufficiency. Time decided it had its fill of me, the Gods mind's set on bringing me back home, spiritual home. I gave you everything, I protected you when time came for me. I am forever grateful that it took only myself that day.
"They took Mother too. Why, I cannot fathom. Young, by human standards."
Tore open my chest, took everything in me to stand fast, my standing's validity was questioned, multiple times. I was supposed to stand tall, when I wished to curl up, create shell from anguish, salt burn harsh.
Kotal's soft chuckle raised Ket'z brow, questioning, curious as to what was funny.
"Ah." Kotal clarified, blinking lashes free of tears. "My path twisted, strange turn of events. A woman, Kara claims to know me, known me in alternate form of Outworld. Time split, she ended up there. She remarked the way I speak was flowery, akin to playwright, Shakespeare. She was right. Upon hearing you, I realise how I sound. Its heartening. I sorely miss you."
Son, God fiddling, linking, pulling apart fingers, Ket'z's heart beat, something he found cathartic, feeling it cease frightening, he took hand, placing it over fickle organ.
Normal, that is perfectly normal. Expressing yourself, emotions let free is okay. I'd rather you weep than break each, every knuckle in rage, taken out on something. A woman?
Leader grinned, wrinkling skin around eyes, mouth.
Referring to her by name denotes, to me, that you find her company pleasant. Is she similar to An'ze?
Kotal snorted.
"Definitely not. An'ze took pride in beating everyone in battle, she felt little need to prove her prowess, we all knew her skill. Kara? Tiny."
I would assume most are, mortals notwithstanding.
"Most are, yes. She hold two sides. In her left hand, she holds fierceness, bold tongue, use of language colourful, decorating space with varying degrees of purple. In her right hand? Nervous, skittish, quick to acquiesce when out-gunned. She understands when she cannot win. I respect that."
I believe I saw her, leaving with her Father.
Thumbing scruff, Ket'z tilted head.
Interesting. You smile when you say her name. It is encouraging to know past is just that. You have progressed through stages of grief, moved on, without me. You've managed thousands of years, alone, humbled, carrying what you need, leaving behind what you don't. Becoming Emperor? Filled me to the brim with pride, choked up multiple times.
Kotal keened, trembles taking him. Ket'z embraced son, pride bolster, pillar immensely powerful.
Lament for sorrow, lament past, present, the future? Hold it dear, hold it close. Hold those dear close.
God swallowed.
"You mean Kara. She believes in me, may be truly first, in hundreds of years. I have been betrayed, stabbed through the heart, I should feel nought but bitter irony, forcing smiles when need be. I may not be familiar with her..."
But you met her in passing here, were together, cohesive in this 'substitute' realm. Obvious she is on your wavelength, she is kind, I like that she has fire within her veins. Would you wish mouse, trembling at gust of wind? Slow, my son. Inner workings we must work through are at play. Kara is on our side. She waits with optimism in heart. Do not stoke, nor extinguish her flame.
Ruler gestured to Lapis.
Here...
He took it, halcyon gold gilt light beams came from his hand, enveloping son's crystal, threading lines of his soul, his memory, his love within it, etching rune for 'One.'
When Kotal opened his eyes, Ket'z was gone, fresh sobs bubbling, until he saw gem. Golden core, lines sprouting, warmth of his fire fusing effortlessly with Father's collected tepid composure thawing resistance to speak to Elder Council.
With Father's blessing, faith bloomed.
Even if he were stripped of title, he would accept that, heart weightless, heaviness thrown away.
He knew he would, could manage on his own.
Faith upheld, Kotal left chamber, gem fusion throwing energy, covering form with radiance.
Head up, shoulders back, limbs relaxed, God knew this would be battle of words and wits.
He was ready...
Kara's home
Earthrealm
"Tea?"
"Food, and something stronger than that."
Kara laughed.
"I'm hungry too, but its twelve in the afternoon. Strong tea will have to do..."
Jakal snorted.
"Spoilsport."
Huge mugs acquired, Kara filled kettle.
"I swear my wife is in here, somewhere. That sounded awfully like her..."
Daughter returned snort, winking cheekily.
"What was he really like? Only have second-hand information of the man."
"It'd be second-hand info from me, too."
"Yes, but you wouldn't sleep with him, if he were terrible."
Kara laughed, finishing making tea.
"You're right..."
Hands around mug, Kara inhaled earthy wafts from brew.
"Diligent, cagey in the sense that speaking of his past harms him. I can't fully grasp what happened, wanted to try. Harder to view his mind, I tried not too, but waves of dark blue billowing in all directions fuelled anxiety. He suffers with that, showing it would be redundant, given role. I wish he didn't think like that. Seriously, crying is better than breaking every bone in your hand from punching the wall. He didn't do that, he lacked an outlet."
"Until you..."
"Until me." With reticent smile, woman continued. "Go back to the beginning, your roots. Earth beneath feet, crumbled in hands, fresh air, aroma of flowers in nostrils, savouring everything you eat, wonder which bird song you hear, the sunshine healing mind, body. The little things we take for granted. That's it. Mind before body."
"Yep," Jakal ran upstairs, "very glad you turned out more like your Mom than me..."
"You've lost weight."
Kara shrugged, comfiest pair of sweats on revealing that she had, indeed lost weight.
"Been running around, ten hour work days, only sugar I had was fruit, lean protein, carbs almost non-existent, rare alcoholic beverage, just tea and water? Yeah, I sorely miss pizza, pasta, Mom's cookies..." Grabbing mobile, Kara scrolled down number list. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Pizza and cookies. Definitely."
Kara phoned takeaway place, grinning like a child on their birthday, the entire conversation...
"What happened whilst I was gone? What did Kotal do, exactly? Does everyone want to punt him across plains?"
Her Father laughed.
"None I spoke to dislike him. He thought Earthrealm was finished, Shinnok was summoned by Quan, and his 'assistant' D'Vorah. She was working with Kotal, so her betrayal got to him, soured his view of us. He wanted Raiden's amulet under Outworld's protection, as we failed to keep it safe."
"So, he was betrayed, rightfully got pissed off, and Raiden is angry, why, exactly?"
"He is the one who failed, he knows it, we know it, the Council know it. I doubt they are on the same page, even the same book. You made me immensely proud, with your conduct. If you were here, it wouldn't have gotten as far as it did."
"That's a leap, there, Dad." Kara's jaw dropped, working through assumption. "Quan wouldn't have listened to me, neither would Shinnok."
"Kotal would. He would have stepped in, and together, we'd have stopped the summoning, Hanzo would have killed Quan, either way, D'Vorah would be arrested, Raiden wouldn't have killed Shinnok, your Mom would have found the souls, restored remaining revenents..."
"And I would have fallen here? I, honestly don't know. Raiden wouldn't appreciate that."
"He has zero say on anything to do with what you want, who you do. Does he expect your Mom and I too let him stand in your room, watch what you do, make sure he approves of who its with? Fuck that. We may be his charges, but we have rights, opinions. Won't be our guardian for much longer, I reckon."
"Reckon my charm would do the trick? He thought me obnoxious when he actually met me, in both realms..."
The Amakura's laughed until they coughed.
"Uff..."
Kara pushed out stomach, staring cookies down fiercely.
"I'm going in, wish me luck."
Father grabbed bag before she pawed at it.
"Wish me luck fitting in these after I eat ALL of these..."
Kara squinted, mouth agape.
"You wouldn't dare..."
"If its keeping mind off matters, I will. You'll have to move, if you want these."
Kara appreciated Dad's effort, haze over brain long gone.
"I want to speak to Kotal. He needs to do this alone, whether I was given permission to converse with him or not is irrelevant."
"That's how he speaks..."
"I was with him for seven months, Dad. We were a hundred-percent honest with everything, saw each, every side, good or annoying. My stature provided endless source of entertainment, whilst him being blue, then not, in the same day gained him the nickname of 'Papa Smurf,' his lack of understanding cultural differences amused me. He called me 'snow flower.'"
Jakal nodded, gesturing to skin on arm.
"Translucent skin, shimmering veins, colder climate tone? I didn't inherit pasty, makes me wonder what nationality my parents were, as I'm lightly tanned, despite being brought up somewhere perpetually freezing."
"How am I supposed to feel?" Kara's abrupt change in subject prompted Dad's eyebrow to raise. "I love a stranger..."
"Tiama and I were strangers in love, long before we gained confidence to speak. Saw her for months, she would fix messes I made. I destroyed several homes, unable to cope with what was inside. My emotions brought destruction, it pulled apart every fibre of my being, knowing I needed to cry, but devastated world around me, in doing so. She put up with that, me, without words. I know we are different, we fell once, that is rare nowadays, but I see what we had, have in you, saw it in memories. I think that, in time, with level you devote yourself to Kotal, he will see your colours, resonate with them."
"Now you sound like Mom..." Both chuckled. "Mauve, my favourite colour, that's what we formed. I want to give myself credit, feel vanity gnawing."
"Vanity? Furthest thing from it. Its confidence, knowing wants, finding yourself in a world which, lets face it, if you are bold, you're seen as full of shit. We tell people to be brazen, then pull them back down to Earth when they try."
"True." Kara sighed, breaking apart last cookie in half, handing it to her Dad. "I am lucky. I can actually talk to the two of you about intimacy, without steam coming out of your ears, screeching about how women should be 'pure' and all that shit."
"HAH!" Crumbs cascaded onto couch, Kara looking on in horror as they fell. "That'd be rich, coming from US. Honey, we taught you the basics, knew you well enough to let you explore the world. Convivial, jovial, caring? I reckon we did great!"
Kara smiled, but gestured to his smile.
"Please, stop smiling. The crumbs on your beard are falling, and, its distressing me."
Eyeing vacuum, Jakal smirked.
"And you had me, just me, so all your resources, time, money, patience, anxiety, frustration went into bringing me up."
"I used to have much more hair, like I could have plaited it, like your Mom and you do."
"I don't know..." Kara mused. "I could plait your beard, if you want."
Laughing, he nodded.
"Now, where are my elastic bands?"
"Elastic bands? They'll rip out remaining hairs! Double figures sweetheart, double figures!"
"I'll be cleaning my couch for hours, because of your messiness. My lovely, soft, metal free hairbands are far too good for you..."
Jakal fell, unceremoniously onto cushion, full on belly laughing...
Kara adored moments like these, being stored in precious memory bank, to pull out when life got too much.
She had the luxury of happy times, she just needed to remember that when things got dark, light increasingly difficult to find...