CHAPTER 9: THE RETURN OF THE QUEEN
7982 B.C. - Edenia
Queen Sindel stood in her private chamber and looked at the things she had put in front of her. A large pile of clothes was stapled on her bed, and now it was time to put them into her suitcase. She could have ordered her servants to do it for her, but she insisted on doing it herself. It was her decision to go on this long journey, and she would do it on her own way.
A feint knock came from the door, and Sindel turned around to see who it was. As she expected, it was Zerrai, one of her private servants, one that was allowed to enter the queen's private chamber at any time. Zerrai was a slim girl at the age of two hundred thirty-nine years, but she had the appearance of a seventeen years old child. She was one of Sindel's favorite servants, not only because of her flawless behavior, but most of all because she knew Zerrai's parents and grandparents as well.
"What is it?" asked Sindel.
"I wanted to ask Her Majesty if she needed help," said Zerrai.
"No, I'm perfectly fine," answered Sindel and turned back to her baggage. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Mylady," said Zerrai. She didn't go back to work though, instead she remained standing in the doorway and watched the queen packing her stuff together.
"Is there something else?" asked Sindel over her shoulder.
"May I ask you another question?"
"Go ahead."
"Do you really have to leave?" asked Zerrai.
Sindel wasn't able to answer immediately. She had already asked herself many times in the past few days. Did she really have to go? Should she really leave her realm and her daughter at the hands of a man she trusted less and less? The answer was yes. No matter how hard the decision was, it was the best for her child, herself and whole Edenia. It was Delia who warned her after all. It had to be done.
"Do not fear," said Sindel. "I will return as soon as possible. And please, keep the purpose of my journey secret until I come back."
"I understand," said Zerrai. "Please be careful on your trip."
"I will," replied Sindel and watched Zerrai going back to work.
The presence – Saruga - Edenia
The carriage suddenly stopped for an unknown reason and ripped Queen Sindel out of her thoughts. On the day her daughter had succeeded in freeing her from Shao Kahn's control, it was as if she awoke from a dream. Her life under the spell of the Shadow Priests seemed so far away and enshrouded in a mist. All that she knew was that she was reborn in the Mother Realm and that it happened by some dark magic which planted a seed of evil inside her heart, making her do things she never wanted to.
But then, one day it was all coming back to her. First there were only fragments, but soon they formed to a whole. When the memories became unbearable, she decided to leave for a while until she regained control over herself. Now she felt strong enough to return to her home realm and her family. Yet there were still times when the memories seemed to get overwhelming.
The queen opened the window beside her and called out to the coachman: "What's the matter? Why did we stop?"
"There are riders in front of us," answered the coachman. "One of them just descended and is now approaching us."
Sindel's body tensed automatically and she gripped to her Kwan Dao, which was hidden under her seat. She was aware that the danger of being ambushed has increased as the war against the armies of Outworld was drawing near and that she had to be more cautious than ever before.
But her concerns were unnecessary. The riders turned out to be the princess and her friend and adviser Jade. While Jade remained seated on her horse, Kitana descended and walked towards the carriage. She knelt down beside the queen's window.
"Queen Mother, please allow us to accompany you to the palace," said Kitana.
"Permission granted," said Sindel smiling. "I would be very pleased."
"Thank you, Queen Mother," said Kitana. She returned to her horse and jumped back up. The carriage continued to roll. There were no further incidents on their way.
Immediately after their arrival at the palace all the servants came by to welcome the queen. After the welcoming they were led to the dining room where the table for their meal was already prepared. Kitana and her mother took place at the long table opposite to each other. There were no others beside their servants. The first meal together belonged to their privacy. For a while they ate silently.
"So, tell me, how was life in the last few weeks?" said Sindel after a while.
"It was like always," answered Kitana. "There was an audience everyday. But these days there aren't a lot of people coming. It seems that they're busy to get prepared for the coming battle."
"And how are the strategic plans?"
"We're still working on it," said Kitana. "We haven't found the ultimate solution for the two portals yet."
"Tell me about it," said Sindel.
"Well, Shao Kahn is in control of two dimensional portals, what means that he's able to attack us from two sides," explained Kitana.
"Why don't you set up a trap?" asked Sindel. "If I'm informed correctly, one of the portals is near the Cleft Ravine. Why don't you post archers on the mountains and try to lure them through? That way you can at least decimate your enemy's forces."
"That's brilliant!" exclaimed Kitana. "That could be the key to victory. So, I will send our archers and the Shokan warriors to the ravine. For me myself, I will accompany General Shujinko and lead our forces to the Great Plains."
Queen Sindel's face became sinister on the spot. One could clearly see that she disapproved the idea of her daughter going to war along with her troops. "You have ten thousand men at your command. You don't have to participate in this battle yourself."
"This is my realm, Queen Mother. I am the princess; I have a responsibility for the people of this land."
"Yes, it's true that you have a responsibility," said Sindel. "But that does not include putting yourself in danger. Your task is to be the leader of this realm; your safety is the most important of all!"
"With all due respect, Queen Mother, we already had this discussion a thousand times before. I have made my decision. I will lead my troops to battle, with or without your accordance."
Just as Sindel wanted to give another reply, a servant entered the dining room. He bowed in front of Kitana and Sindel and said:
"Your Majesty, there are two visitors who have come to meet you."
"Really?" asked Kitana. "But I announced that there would be no audience today. They have to come again tomorrow."
"Excuse me, Mylady," said the servant. "But I assume that this is not possible. The guests are coming from Mother Realm."
"From Mother Realm?" asked Kitana. "Why didn't you say so in the first place? Is there anything else I have to know? Who are they?"
"One of them is the champion of the latest Mortal Kombat Tournament, Liu Kang; and the other one is the leader of the White Lotus Society, Kung Lao. And they came here to see your mother, the queen."
"Is that so?" asked Sindel. "Did they really come just to see me? I guess I shouldn't disappoint them, then. Tell them to wait just a few more minutes."
The servant bowed. "Yes, Mylady. As you wish."
The past
There was nothing in the world that was as pure as pain. One felt pain or one didn't, there was no half measure, nothing in between. The amazing part of the whole thing was how quickly one's body began to forget pain once it was gone. If it wasn't so, there probably would be no woman that ever wanted to have a second child, or even a third. But as soon as the pain was gone, the rapture would come and take its place. There was no mother that didn't smile at the sight of her baby, no matter how unbearable the pain of the birth was.
But for now, Sindel was wandering through the valley of pain. She was lying on a hard bed. Her legs were spread apart. A few women clad in white robes surrounded her. One sat in front of her, another one behind her head and held her hand. Others came by and brought hot water and towels.
"He's coming! Just hold on a little bit more," said the one in front of her.
Sindel gathered all her strength and pressed again. At the same time she squeezed the hand of the nurse behind her so hard it almost felt like breaking. The strain and the pain made her pump all of the air out of her lungs and took her breath. It was like her body was being torn apart. Sindel screamed.
And then, it was all over. Sindel remained on her bed, feeling her body slowly relax from the strain, while her breath was still heavy. As she rested quietly, she could hear a baby cry, and she knew that it was her child.
"Congratulation," said the nurse in front of her. "It's a healthy boy." She carried it to the queen and put it into her arms. It was an ordinary boy. There was nothing strange about his face. Nothing indicated that his father was Shao Kahn. In contrary, he looked much like Queen Sindel; he had the same dark eyes and the same features. As Sindel looked at her baby, she began to smile, and a single teardrop tickled down her cheeks.
"He's so beautiful," she whispered. "He's going to be a strong boy."
At that moment one of the nurses came back to her. "Ma'am, the boy's new parents are here."
Sindel nodded. "I see."
The nurse noticed that the queen was hesitating and asked: "Ma'am, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes," answered the queen. "It's the best for him if he does not stay with me." She glanced sadly at her new born. "Goodbye, my sweet. I'm sorry that I can't be with you, but I really hope that you will be happy in your life." Then she gave the baby a last kiss on his forehead and handed him over to the nurse who carried him away.
The presence
When Sindel entered the audience hall the two Shaolin representatives stood up from their seats and knelt down before the queen.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty," said Liu Kang. Kung Lao followed his example.
"Please rise," said Sindel. "It is an honor for me as well."
Liu Kang and Kung Lao took place on their seats again, while Sindel sat down opposite from them.
"You're lucky," said Sindel. "If you have come a bit earlier, you wouldn't have met me here. I have just returned from a long journey."
"We have heard from Your Majesty's trip," said Kung Lao. "I hope it was a pleasant journey."
"There are always pleasant as well as unpleasant things on such a trip," replied Sindel. "But let's talk about these matters another time. What I like to know is the reason you came here at this time. You have to know that our realm is on the verge of war..."
"This is exactly why we came for a visit," said Liu Kang. He was interrupted before he could continue; the princess had entered the room. As usual she wore her blue costume. In her right hand she held one of her steel fans and used it as a veil to cover her face.
"Tell me, Liu Kang, did you come here all the way from Earth Realm just to talk to my mother about political affairs?" she asked.
Liu Kang stood up hastily and said. "Of course not! Of course I was waiting to see you as well." He walked to her and kissed her hand. "I hope you were fine since the last time we met."
"Thank you for your regards," said Kitana. "I'm still fine."
The short conversation was followed by an uncomfortable silence, so that Kung Lao returned to their earlier subject.
"The reason we came here is that we hoped that Your Majesty could tell us something about the Undefeatable Army of the Dragon King," said Kung Lao.
"The army of the Dragon King?" asked Sindel. "You mean Onaga's army? Well, it's been quite a while since the last time someone mentioned this name. I thought he was already forgotten. But obviously there are still people who remember him..."
"The Elder Gods remember him," said Kung Lao. "It was Lord Raiden who informed us."
"Well, I have to admit that there's not much I remember," said Sindel. "It was ten thousand years ago after all; I died and was reborn in this time. My memories still are not fully restored. I'm afraid that I can't help you right now. Of course you are welcome to stay here as long as you like. It is safe in this palace. If you had come to another time, we could have shown you many beautiful places of this realm."
Kung Lao bowed once again. "We thank Your Majesty for her kindness."
Kitana sighed and stood up, as if the conversation annoyed her. "I need some fresh air. I'm going out for a walk," she said. "Would you like to come with me, Liu Kang?"
"Of course," said Liu Kang. "I would love to accompany you very much."
"Alright then," said Kitana. "Follow me."
The garden was situated behind the palace. It was a peaceful place with trees, flowers and small ponds. It was designed by skilled architects in ancient times, and every element of it showed itself in perfection.
Kitana and Liu Kang walked silently one next to another. Liu Kang breathed the clear fresh air, closed his eyes and imagined that he was in a realm of undisturbed and perfect peace. It only lasted a few seconds before Liu Kang was pulled back to reality.
"It's been a while since we last met and walked like that," said Kitana. "A lot of things happened since then…"
"Yes, that's true," said Liu Kang.
"And there are even more to come," said the princess. She turned her head towards Liu Kang and looked him straight in the eyes. He could see clearly her sorrows in them.
"Are you worried about the battle?" asked Liu Kang.
"These days, the people are looking up to me. They believe that I am strong, that I will lead them to freedom and that I am able to take away their fear and ease their mind. In their eyes I'm a hero, someone invincible, but I'm not. My soldiers believe that I can give them strength, but who is there to give me strength? Who takes away my fears?"
Liu Kang didn't answer. He could almost feel the pain inside of her from her words.
"In times when I'm with my people I'm thinking that we are definitely going to win. There's nothing more doubtless than that. But when I'm alone again this high feeling disappears and I ask myself: What if I fail? Then I'm thinking that we'll lose, and we will all die…"
"Yes, you're right," said Liu Kang. "We will all die, but not today, and not in this battle!"
Kitana began to smile. "Thanks, you made me feel better."
"And you know what? I will be the one."
"I beg your pardon?" asked Kitana.
"I will be the one who gives you strength," said Liu Kang. "When you are afraid, I'll ease your mind, and when you fall, I will hold you."
"Thank you," repeated Kitana. She turned towards Liu Kang. For a while, they just stood there silently. And then, almost imperceptibly, they both moved their heads towards another, very slowly, as if every second was precious. But just before their lips touched, Liu Kang pulled back.
"I can't do that," he said. "I'm sorry. It has nothing to do with you, I just can't. Sorry." He turned away hastily and left the princess back alone in the garden.
When Liu Kang reentered the palace he met Kung Lao in the main hallway who was carrying his stuff to a chamber.
"Hey, I've already been looking for you," said Kung Lao. "How was the walk with your girlfriend?"
"Kitana is not my girlfriend!" replied Liu Kang in a harsh tone.
"Okay, okay, no reason for being offended!" said Kung Lao. "So, how was it anyway?"
"Fine," said Liu Kang.
"Fine?" asked Kung Lao. "Nothing else? Just fine?"
"What the hell do you want to hear?" asked Liu Kang. He sounded almost furious about Kung Lao's questioning.
Kung Lao stopped and took a close and sorrowed look at his companion. "What's wrong with you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You changed," said Kung Lao. "Everything about you is so different now, and I'm not sure if I like it."
"Think of me what you like!" said Liu Kang. "I don't have to justify myself in front of you!" He walked pass Kung Lao, before he could say anything further.
Later that day
Queen Sindel was in her room, organizing her clothes of the journey when she heard a knock on the door. She stood up from her chair and opened the door. Liu Kang was standing in the door.
"Excuse me, Mylady," he said. "I hope I don't disturb you."
"Not at all," said Sindel.
"May I speak to you privately?" asked Liu Kang.
"Sure," said Sindel. She opened the door wide and Liu Kang stepped in. "Please, have a seat. What is it you want to talk about?"
The Shaolin took seat on a chair, and Sindel sat down, too. For a few seconds Liu Kang remained silent, as if he was trying to find the right words. "I wanted to ask Your Majesty for allowance to follow Kitana into the coming battle against Outworld."
It took a moment before Sindel answered. "Why do you want to go?"
"I have my private reasons," said Liu Kang. "Forgive me, but I can't tell you."
"Is the reason love?" asked Sindel. "Because if it is, then it's the worst reason ever to make such a decision."
"It is not love," said Liu Kang. "Please, don't misunderstand me. I do love Kitana, but this is not the reason. As I said before, I have private reasons to do so."
"I understand," said Sindel. "You have to know that I do not condone in any way the fact that my daughter participates in the battle. But still, I can't forbid it. She's no longer a child, and she's able to make her own decisions. I have no right to hold her back. What right do I have then to hold you back?"
Liu Kang rose from his chair and bowed deeply in front of Queen Sindel. "I thank you, Mylady."
"There is no need to thank me," said Sindel. "I hope you will return well."
When Liu Kang turned to leave the room, Sindel called him back. "I don't know your motivation," she said. "But I can feel that you're fighting your own battle deep within your soul. I hope that you come to peace before it's too late."
Liu Kang nodded. "I hope so, too," he said.
The past
Something was definitely not right. Shao Kahn was behaving much too friendly. In the days right after Sindel's return he treated her in a way like never before. He fulfilled her every wish even before she spoke them out. It was almost as he was replaced by someone who looked exactly like him, but who was not him, a much friendlier version of her husband. At the same time something inside Sindel warned her and told her to be careful.
That evening Shao Kahn had his servant prepare a dinner. And after they had brought Kitana to bed, they sat down in the dining hall. There were several candles enlightened on the table, and they had Edenian wine with their meal.
"So, what's the reason for all this?" asked Sindel.
"There is none," answered Shao Kahn. "Must there always be a reason?"
"No," said Sindel. "Sorry, I was just curious."
"Maybe you're right," said Shao Kahn. "Maybe I have my reasons. Maybe I'm just glad that you returned after such a long time. Maybe I missed you."
"Really?" asked Sindel laughing. "I can hardly believe that."
"I really missed you," said Shao Kahn. "I mean, I'm a man, after all. I wanted to be strong and to wait patiently, and I swear that I didn't touch any other woman. But when I was alone at night, I wondered where you might have been, and I asked myself what you were doing at that moment…"
"You know where I was and what I did during my journey."
"Of course I knew what you told me," said Shao Kahn. "And still I asked myself if you would have gone away to hide something from me…"
"I didn't hide anything from you."
"Don't get me wrong," said Shao Kahn. "Those were just thoughts that I had. I wondered what it was that you hid from me. But then it came to my mind: it was something that wasn't immediately there, but something that could be seen long before it came to existence, such as a child."
Sindel noticed that the conversation was going in a direction she definitely didn't want it to. But she managed to stay calm. "Don't be ridiculous, I didn't have contact with any other man, either."
"Of course, I know that," said Shao Kahn. "But what if it was my son, what if you were pregnant from me?"
"This is absolutely absurd!" shouted Sindel.
"Really?" asked Shao Kahn sarcastically. "It appears more than realistic to me. You always hated me, and giving birth to my son would mean that he inherits the throne instead of Kitana. And you had to prevent that, so you gave away my son! He was my son!"
At that moment Sindel knew that the dices have fallen. She had no more chance to deny the truth. "How did you learn about it?"
Shao Kahn answered with another question. "Loyalty is something great, don't you think? You can entrust everything to someone loyal to you, even your life. But sometimes loyalty can be broken, either by reward or by punishment…"
"Zerrai!" exclaimed Sindel. It crossed her mind that she didn't see her in the passed few days. Some other servants told her that she was ill. Obviously that was not the complete truth.
"Ah yes, Zerrai! She was such a lovely girl…" said Shao Kahn.
"What have you done with her?" asked Sindel hysterically.
"Let me put it that way: We had a little conversation," said Shao Kahn. "It was just too bad that she was so stubborn. She wouldn't accept any reward for a betrayal. So I had to do something to loosen her tongue. She wasn't all that pretty anymore after I was done with her. And you know what?" Shao Kahn paused, as if he wanted to enjoy the taste of every single word he spoke. "She was begging for her life when she told me what I wanted to know."
Sindel felt sick to her stomach. "You bastard," she whispered. "You damn bastard!"
Shao Kahn leaned back in his seat, smirking devilish, ate a small piece of his steak and drank a small sip of wine. "Don't you want to try your meal? It's excellent. Remind me to give a little bonus of gold coins to the cook."
"What are you planning to do now?" asked Sindel. Her voice was nothing more than a whisper. "Are you going to torture me as well? Is this my last meal?"
Shao Kahn laughed out loud, as if he had just heard a fine joke. "Hell, no! I would never do anything like that to you. You are my wife, how do I look like when it comes out that I tortured my own wife?" He stopped laughing abruptly. "But I want you to know that I always get what I want. I have my own ways." He put another piece of meat into his mouth. "Mm, you should really try this. This is worth dying for!"
But Sindel remained motionless on her chair. She felt everything falling from her grip. She had thought that her plan was safe, not perfect, but still good. Once again it seemed that Delia was right after all: No one could change his fate, or even escape from it. And so Sindel sat on the spot for the whole night. She didn't even notice that Shao Kahn stood up and went to bed after he had finished dinner.
Sindel was still sitting in the dining room, when the servants came the next morning to prepare breakfast. The first thing they noticed about the queen was that her hair had changed from black to bright white.
"Mylady? Are you alright? What happened to your hair?" asked one of them with concern in his voice.
"It's nothing," answered Sindel. She wrapped a streak of her hair around a finger and looked at it like hypnotized. "I'm fine, just fine."
"Should we prepare breakfast then?" asked one of the servants.
Sindel awoke from her numbness again. "Of course, go ahead. I'm on the balcony to catch some fresh air."
"As you wish, Mylady," said the servant and started working.
Queen Sindel walked through the palace as if she was in a trance. When she came into the bedroom she saw Shao Kahn sleeping and heard him snoring noisily. She walked tip-toed pass the bed and went out to the balcony. A fresh breeze of air blew against her face and instantly cleared her mind. She knew now what she had to do. She wished she had more time, she wished to see her daughter one last time. Kitana was probably already up and reading in her books, like she always did before breakfast. But if she went to her daughter, she would probably guess what she was planning, and try to prevent it. Sindel knew that she couldn't stay alive. Sooner or later she would die by the hand of Shao Kahn. She wanted to end her life herself, she wanted at least to have the dignity to choose her own end. And she wanted to make it as hard as possible for Shao Kahn to find his son.
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She wasn't afraid anymore; her fear has fallen off. Everything was clear now. A smile appeared on her lips when she jumped over the balustrade…
The presence
Kung Lao was known for his quiet attitude. There were very few occasions when he got enraged. But this was one of them. The whole time he has been wondering about Liu Kang's strange behavior, and now he heard of something that made the case even worse. It was time for a serious conversation between them.
"How could you do such a thing?" he asked while walking up and down anxiously. "Have you completely lost your mind?"
But Liu Kang acted totally unimpressed. "Could you please stop running around like a headless chicken and sit down? You're making me nervous."
Kung Lao stopped and looked straight into Liu Kang's eyes. He was sitting casually in one of two chairs next to his bed. It was a large and soft one. Obviously the queen wanted her guests to feel as comfortable as possible. Ignoring what Liu Kang just said, Kung Lao then continued pacing from one end of the room to the other.
"I don't know what happened", he said. "But something about you changed… How can you be so selfish?"
"What do you know about selfishness?" asked Liu Kang. "I want to do something to help. Is this selfishness? I think not."
"So it's just an act of charity? And if so, why didn't you accept Kitana's offer the last time? Why didn't you come with her and help her with the restoration? That would have been true charity. But now it seems to me that you just want to show off in front of your girlfriend. That's pathetic…"
"I said it before: Kitana is not my girlfriend!" said Liu Kang.
"And what about Raiden's order not to interfere in this war?" inquired Kung Lao further. "Have you forgotten what he told us?"
"Why are you doing this?" replied Liu Kang. "Why are you sucking up to Raiden? What has he ever done for you?"
"I beg your pardon?" said Kung Lao who couldn't believe what he just heard.
"You understood me perfectly well. O yes, Lord Raiden is so great, he knows everything. He never fails," said Liu Kang sarcastically. "But you know what? It's always been us to do the dirty jobs." His voice grew louder bit by bit. "Where was he in the first tournament? Where was he when we went to Outworld all the years back? Where was he when Shao Kahn marched into Earth Realm? All that he is good for is to give orders and stupid comments. I'd say that's enough!" Liu Kang exploded. He hit his palm with full strength on the table. "Never again will I take any orders from him. From now on, I will plan my life by myself. Do you understand?"
Kung Lao took a few steps backward, unable to say anything else. Without saying a word he left Liu Kang's room. While Liu Kang slowly calmed down again, there was a knock on his door again.
"What do you still want?" shouted Liu Kang and ripped the door open, just to fall silent again immediately. The one at the door was not Kung Lao, but Kitana. She was dressed in a white kimono of some shiny material and sandals. Her hair was made up in the fashion the geishas used to wear in the ancient Japan.
"I just saw Kung Lao passing by," said Kitana. "He really seemed to be upset. So if it's inconvenient for you right now, I'll come another time."
"No!" said Liu Kang. "It is not inconvenient at all. Please come in."
Kitana entered the room, and Liu Kang offered her a seat. The princess slowly sat down, as if every single move of hers was well considered.
"So, do you want to talk about it?" she asked. "What was it that made him so furious?"
"O, it was nothing," replied Liu Kang. "Just a small argument between friends. He'll get over it."
"I'm sure he will," said Kitana. She paused for a moment. "Was it because of your decision of participating in the coming battle?"
Liu Kang was caught by surprise. "You already know about it?"
"Of course I know," said Kitana. "My mother immediately told me. Liu Kang, you don't have to do this. This is not your crusade."
"But this is what I want to do," said Liu Kang. He walked to the window and looked outside, although it was already dark. "When you asked me if I wanted to come with you I turned the offer down. I said that my true duty was in Earth Realm. But the truth is I was afraid. I feared the changes that were coming towards me. I feared that I would never see my home again once I went with you. I know that I have been foolish. I shouldn't have left you. Now I'm here, I won't run away anymore. I will protect you…"
"I don't want you to protect me," said Kitana softly. "I have enough guardians to do it. I just want you to be close to me, because I'm human in the first place, and princess only in the second." She stood up, walked over to Liu Kang and turned him around so that he faced her again. She opened her kimono, and dropped it to the floor. Standing completely nude in front of Liu Kang, she softly took his hand and put it on her chest. "I'm made of flesh and blood just like you," she whispered. "Can you feel my warmth, or my heartbeat?"
Liu Kang nodded.
"So, treat me like a woman, not like a princess," continued Kitana whispering. "Because I already have enough servants. Unless some sort of Shaolin-codex forbids you to have a relationship to a woman."
For a while both remained motionless. Then Liu Kang stepped forward and embraced Kitana while she began to undress him. While doing it, she became faster and faster until she tore at his clothes as if she was driven. In the middle of it Liu Kang raised his hands, and she paused for a moment.
"What if… what if your mom comes in?" he asked.
Kitana giggled like a teenage girl. "She won't, unless you asked her to come."
Liu Kang moved closer to Kitana and whispered: "I will never leave you again, I swear it."
"I know," said the princess.
The next day
When Liu Kang woke up Kitana was already gone. Everything appeared some sort of unreal to him. All that she left was a small handwritten note on the nightstand. It said:
Good morning, Liu Kang!
Sorry that I couldn't wait for you. I guess my duties are never on vacation. The breakfast is in the Great Hall. There is a weapon and armor distribution afterwards. We see each other at lunch, if you like.
Love, Kitana
Liu Kang took a shower and got dressed. Suddenly he felt such happiness that he began to whistle. All the sorrows of the past days seemed to have left him. It was almost like he was under the influence of some drugs. But after events of the past few days, he welcomed this light-headed feeling. On the way to the Great Hall he met Kung Lao who was also on his way to the breakfast.
"Hey, you look happy," he discovered.
"You're right, I am," answered Liu Kang.
"Is it because of your girlfriend?" asked Kung Lao. "O, sorry, you don't like it if I call Kitana your girlfriend…"
"No, that's okay," said Liu Kang. "It's me who should apologize to you. I've said many things yesterday I wished I haven't. My behavior was incorrect, too. I'm sorry."
Kung Lao took a long look at Liu Kang; then he smiled and gave a brotherly slap on Liu Kang's shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about that. We're friends, that's all what counts. And I wanted to tell you something else. I've decided to go with you."
"Really?" asked Liu Kang. "But you don't have to do it. If I get into trouble with Raiden, that's okay, but…"
"Stop!" said Kung Lao. "Either we both go or none of us go."
Liu Kang thought about it and nodded. He gave Kung Lao his hand, and Kung Lao replied the gesture.
After the breakfast both Shaolin monks were called to the strategy room, where they met General Shujinko for the first time. As always he was dressed in the military uniform. When Liu Kang and Kung Lao entered the room, he was sitting in a heavy chair and already waiting. On a table in front of him was a big rolled map.
"So, you both are the new ones?" he asked with a slightly hoarse voice.
"That's right," said Liu Kang and introduced himself and his companion.
"Good, I'm General Shujinko. You'll be under my command during the battle. I don't care what special relationship you have with the queen or the princess. I'll treat you just like anyone else of my men. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, Sir!" both answered synchronal.
"Now, I called you here to give you an idea of our plan," said Shujinko. He gave a sign with a hand to let them step closer to the table and opened the map. It was a detailed sketch of the landscape of Edenia. A black circle represented the capital, Saruga. Near it were two red circles. "Those are dimensional portals," explained the general. "One is to the north, near a canyon. The other one is to the south, on the highlands. This one is much larger than the one to the north. That's why we believe the main event will take place on the highlands. This is our destination."
"What about the other portal?" asked Liu Kang.
"We have arranged with our new allies, the Shokan, that they deal with it. There are many archers among them, and they are excellent climbers. So we will use that to our advantage," Shujinko paused a second. "Now let me tell you something about our enemies. Shao Kahn's army consists mainly of demon soldiers, what means they are no humans. They're strong, but not invincible. They're not too bright, but not completely stupid, neither. Just don't underestimate them. Any questions?"
"No, Sir!" said Liu Kang and Kung Lao at the same time.
"Good, now go and get your weapons," said Shujinko. "Afterwards you may enjoy the rest of the day. We're going to depart tomorrow afternoon. Be prepared!"
"Yes, Sir!"
Shujinko watched as the former Shaolin monks left the room. After a moment Sindel entered the room. She was dressed in a fancy dark red dress and wore a silver diadem in her hair.
"Now, what do you think about them?" she asked.
"They have both the will and the spirit to fight, and they're disciplined," answered Shujinko. "I'm less worried about them than about the princess." The general paused for some seconds. "She's still in contact with the Priestess of Shinnok. If things go on like this, whole Edenia will end up in a calamity."
Sindel nodded. "I see. You don't have to concern yourself with that. When the time has come, I'll deal with it personally." She turned and was about to leave the room, when Shujinko posed another question:
"By the way, who is Rain?"
Sindel seemed to be considering about an answer for some time, before she laughed and said: "Come on, General, even kids know what rain is!" Having said that, she left the strategy office.
The Past
Fifteen years were a long time, even for someone who was virtually immortal. Ever since the day Queen Sindel had decided to set an end to her life, Shao Kahn has been relentlessly searching for the child she had born. To him it wasn't just a mere child, but his son, his very own heir. Again and again he had sent out troops to look for his traces. And in the end, the saying has been proved right once again:
The patient ones will be rewarded.
It was already deep at night, but Shao Kahn was still sitting in the throne hall, waiting silently for his riders to return. They had already sent a message that they were going to arrive that very night. Suddenly the large door was opened, and a man in a long dark robe entered. The shadow priest walked up to the throne, fell on his knees and bowed down until his forehead touched the floor.
"Your Majesty," he said without changing his position. "He's here."
"Let him in," said Shao Kahn.
The shadow priest stood up and called out: "The boy may enter!"
For a while, nothing happened. But then the door slowly opened and a boy entered. He walked up until he stood in line with the shadow priest and bowed just as the priest did before.
"My lowness greets His Majesty," he said.
"Ha! Look at his manners! He's well educated," said Shao Kahn happily. "Now rise, I want to see your face."
"Yes, Mylord." The boy did as he was told. He was not too short, but not that tall neither, considering Shao Kahn's height. He was sportive and his body athletic. His black hair was held in a short fashion. His adoptive parents were not all that poor, for he wore an elegant ruby colored suit.
"You know why you're here?" asked Shao Kahn.
"Yes, the people here said that His Majesty is my real father," said the boy.
"Yes, that's right," said Shao Kahn.
"They also say that my mother died shortly after I was born," he continued.
"Yes, I'm afraid that this is true as well," said Shao Kahn. "We can discuss this matter another time. Let's talk about you now. Tell me, do you have any plans for the future?"
"I'm planning to visit a military academy," the boy said with sparkling eyes. "I want to become a great general."
"I'm sure you will, and you will get even more," Shao Kahn paused to emphasize his words. "Look around you. One day, this all will belong to you. And not only that..." He took down his helmet and said: "One day, it will be you who wears this. We'll see each other again when you finished your education, and then we will talk about everything you want to know. But until that day, you'll have to wait patiently. Do you understand?"
The boy nodded, when the shadow priest gave a sign that his time was over. He bowed one last time and was about to leave the hall, when Shao Kahn called him back.
"I still don't know your name, son," he said.
"It's Reiko, Mylord," answered the boy.
"Reiko? Isn't that a girl's name?" asked Shao Kahn half kidding.
"Names are of no great importance," answered the boy seriously. He didn't take it as a joke. "My father once said that a man should not be judged by his appearance or even by his name, but only by his deeds."
"Your father must be a really wise man," said Shao Kahn.
"Yes, I wish I could one day be as wise as him," said Reiko.
Shao Kahn remained in his seat, even as the boy was already long gone. Something about Reiko moved his heart. He had found pleasure in that short conversation they had, and he felt pride for his son. But this was just the beginning, he had great plans with him...