Chapter 41: Voice from Thunder
Argus Sanctuary, a village inhabited by mostly Edenians, bustled in prosperity doing various activities, yet all is not as it seems. Many of the townspeople detected animosity and confusion in the atmosphere with a clear indication where it originated.
The hut of their leader.
Manerva and Malcolm were inside along with Jax, the maiden anything but pleased at the moment with another person in the room sitting on his knees, fresh wounds littering his body from Scorpion. Raiden's pain paled in comparison to what was going to take place in a few moments.
Pacing back and forth, Manerva silently debated what course of action to take. Malcolm had never seen his sister behave this way, usually always so collected and knows when to act and speak. Of course, there were times she became timid or distressed when Rain assaulted her, but since her interactions with the Earthrealmers, Manerva entire persona changed. Assertive, reliable, and now… she was enraged beyond comprehension.
"Raiden, I want to know everything." Manerva's tone wasn't warm or inviting. "What is the Blood code and how is Sub-Zero in danger?" Typically, she's respectable toward the Thunder God, but after past blunders, Raiden was beginning to lose favor within his ranks, so he decided to do the right thing by closing his eyes in preparation to tell his experience toward the gathering.
"The Blood Code is a ritual to one who offers their blood by the user of the Kamidogu which can increase the user's strength tenfold. It also gives enhanced regeneration, allowing fatal wounds to heal. I had used it to temporarily look into the future, though after Outworld's invasion, I lost that ability."
"Are there any drawback of the Kamidogu?" asked Manerva.
"Yes, once the power depletes, the user will be weakened and exhausted for days. Even worse, it will swallow the user's soul."
Manerva was unnerved by the ordeal, Malcolm and Jax taking all the information in, not letting their stoic facades betray their feelings of dread.
"While healing his Shirai Ryu disciple, Takeda, I informed Hanzo that I sent Sub-Zero to retrieve the Kamidogu, but he never returned. The Kamidogu corrupts anyone who is cut by it, or if they cut themselves with it. Whether he cut himself or someone cut him eludes me. Hanzo and Takeda went to search for him, dead or alive. I am afraid that is all, Manerva. I am sorry."
Manerva's eyes would widen her eyes yet again before narrowing them. "You are telling me..." she started quietly. "That you sent Scorpion, a Shirai Ryu, to go find Sub-Zero, and you don't know if he's enraged or not.." Manerva closed in on the Deity. "Knowing that Scorpion and Sub-Zero never had a decent relationship which didn't mend over the years?"
Her outrage would then escalate. "Are you insane!? Sub-Zero might die AGAIN!" Manerva's arms folded over her chest. "Everything we've done might go out of the window because of your lack of focus, Raiden."
Never had Malcolm seen Manerva speak so disapprovingly. In a sense, she had reminded him of himself due to his rage after witnessing Jade's death.
"When was last time you have seen him?" Manerva inquired before clarifying. "Hanzo, I mean." Raiden went quiet at the question.
Jax and Malcolm glanced at the former's sister in confusion. "I don't understand. Why Hanzo instead of Kuai Liang?" asked the bionic-armed man.
Manerva locked eyes with him. "Because the last time Raiden saw him could be months while his encounter with scorpion would be fairly recently."
"I believe it was a few days ago that I was influenced by the same Dagger influenced me hours after I sent him to find Kuai Lang." Raiden finally answered while trailing his lacerations absentmindedly.
Heaving a deep sigh, Manerva focused purely on concentration trying to locate Sub-Zero's soul fragment. Merely a small trace was enough for her to find him. It took some time, but then she gasped.
"I've… found him," she uttered, her eyes downcast. "But his life is so weak..." Manerva's attention quickly turned to Malcolm. "Brother, I'm placing you in charge during my absence."
Malcolm understood her desire to rescue Sub-Zero but concerned he may have turned because of this curse. "At least let me go with you. Who knows if he might be affected by the cursed power Raiden eluded to."
"Do not worry; I don't sense any corruption from Kuai's life signature." Manerva softly said. "It's a definite possibility he might be himself." Within moments, she then opened a portal, her training as a priestess expended so she can summon entrances by her power without anyone finding out. "I will return shortly, brother. in the meantime, keep our people safe until I return."
Before anything else was said, the priestess went through the portal, leaving the three males dumbfounded. While Jax rationalized Raiden's action for Earthrealm's protection, he couldn't help but justify the siblings' distrust in him which slowly increased over time.
"Don't worry too much about her, Malcolm," Jax said as the boy turned to him. "She's a strong woman."
"I know, Jax, it's just that… I'm unaccustomed to seeing her so… independent." Malcolm admitted.
Jax smirked. "You resembled me when Jacqui began rebelling." He chuckled at the thought of his lone child. "That probably stemmed from me rejecting the idea of her enlisting into Special Forces."
"I guess I hoped she remained my baby sister for the longest time." Malcolm wanly smiled. "Maybe that's how my parents felt when I became independent as well."
"You are her guardian and older brother," Jax simply stated. "It's only natural for you to be worried." A metal palm rested on Malcolm's shoulder. "Exactly when I requested you to be Jacqui's Godfather."
Malcolm remembered when the former military grunt came to him with that question as it completely caught him off guard. By no means did he think lowly of himself, but Malcolm felt as though he wasn't the best option to be a Godfather. However, Jax assured him that no one else was deemed worthy by him or Vera for such an honor. Even now, Malcolm failed to comprehend why Jax chose him over everyone else, but in the end, it showed that there was still hope for the Edenian prodigy to redeem himself. With that said, for the next few hours or days, Malcolm will lead the Edenians as best he can while continuing his training with Jax so he can one day hope to restore his beloved.
Jade's P.O.V:
Life here in this newly created sanctuary hasn't been easy, but after what I've endured, I'll take this any time. I made sure to stay busy throughout the day, helping out in the fields, tending to children, and training in seclusion, necessary until I'm ready to reveal myself. Curiosity got the best of me as I saw the Thunder God receiving quite a verbal lashing from Manerva. Though I do enjoy seeing her take more of an initiative, there are always two sides to every story. I do feel for Raiden, protecting Earthrealm from any invaders is never an easy task. It makes me wish the others would give him the benefit of the doubt. One simply can't just be granted powers of a God and assume it's a walk in the park. That wasn't my main concern.
Malcolm.
During my stay here, I've done my best to remain out of his peripheral vision, not wanting to blow my cover though I desperately wish to embrace him again. I should count my blessings though with Jax teaching him in different avenues along with naming him the Godfather of his daughter. That act of kindness will not go unnoticed on my end.
I must be careful since Malcolm has become progressively cognizant of his surroundings. One night, I trained in solitude during a full moon on the outskirts of the village as most of the patrons were asleep. It gave me a sense of peace away from the bustle of everyday life. I couldn't blame them, however. Trying to start your life over can be quite challenging. For two hours, I molded my skills in self-discipline, not wasting any movement in my quest to regain my stature. It didn't matter to me how long it took. My Queen and Kitana's lives are still under enslavement due to Quan Chi. That bastard will rue the day he ever came into my life. He wasn't my primary target.
That lecherous Tanya.
My vengeance won't be fully satisfied until she feels every inch of my wrath for murdering our child and me. I swear on my life Tanya will not succeed in taking my beloved Malcolm away from me.
As my session came to an end, I froze as Malcolm discreetly tried to approach, doing his best to be friendly. Thank the Gods the hood attached to my outfit covered my face to protect my identity and my noticeable blush. The years have done wonders for him. No longer was Malcolm a mere boy. He was a full-grown man, his body transforming a mountain of muscle, no longer possessing child-like features. Malcolm's aura alone shook me to the core. It was dominant, commanding, and intoxicating.
"Are you here on your own?" he asked in that gentle voice I know so well.
I bent my head down, changing my voice to ensure Malcolm couldn't tell who I was. "Yes, but I'm more than capable of defending myself."
"Didn't say you were. You don't seem like an enemy." Malcolm pointed out.
"Apologies. Like many of our people, the adjustment here hasn't been seamless," I told him. "However, the leadership you and your sister provided has renewed a sense of hope within everyone."
My words touched Malcolm. "Well, we can't take all the credit. What's your name?"
"I can't tell you…" I mumbled.
He frowned. "Why not? You can trust me since you know who I am."
My entire body turned away from him. "It's not that I don't trust you... Now is not the time. However, I do promise to reveal myself later."
I ended the conversation by walking away from Malcolm, his feet never leaving from their position. Though I couldn't physically see it, Malcolm's eyes never strayed my retreating from, watching me disappear within the darkness of the forest. That was too close for comfort, yet I yeared to throw all caution to the wind and disclose my identity.
I couldn't; it was too soon.
