The room went silent after the trio read the diary. To think that their Queen and aunt would have betrayed King Jerrod, her own husband, and spit on his memory like their union meant nothing at all. Varying emotions swirled between them: Distress, sadness, and overwhelming anger and rage.
"That abominable banshee!" Malcolm quietly lashed out, doing his best to keep Jemarcus from waking up while cradling him, his body filled with tension.
Manerva was shocked but angered as well. Not only had they all learned about the vainglorious Queen's actions against Uncle Jerrod, but also against the race of cryomancers. This was a heinous crime of the highest order.
"They were Edenians," she softly remarked. "She banished them because of their loyalty to Uncle Jerrod."
Jade shook her head in dismay. "I wish that Kitana would've known about this. We both looked up to Sindel as our role model."
Malcolm then went toward the crib to gently place their child inside. "You know, mother didn't favor her much." He turned to his wife and sister. "She had felt Sindel was always strange, aloof, somewhat cold, and untrue to herself."
Needless to say, Jade seemed surprised at that revelation. "She did?"
Frowning deeply, Malcolm folded his arms. "Add to that, she never felt that Sindel behaved well to Jerrod, nor correctly nurtured infant Kitana at the time. I didn't know what she meant at the time, but now that we see this diary, seeing her lies regarding her marriage to Shao Kahn, I now know what she had meant." His eyes gazed at the diary in contempt. "I wonder if her first death was a lie or a truth."
Manerva mirrored his expression. "We may never know, but I will never revive her after learning of this, and if Sindel does come back, she'll be tried for treason and the murder of our King."
Never before have Malcolm or Jade ever seen this amount of fury on Manerva's face, not since the death of Kuai Liang or when Malcolm was kidnapped by Tanya and Mileena. A sighting like this was rare as the young maiden controlled her emotions quite well.
"I'm in agreement with that," Malcolm said.
"We have finally outgrown her," Jade interjected.
It took a moment before Manerva had finally calmed down. She obtained an insignia of the Lin Kuei, depicting the wearer as a close ally affiliated with Earthrealm's defenses. "I need to visit the Lin Kuei Temple and see Kuai."
Malcolm glanced at his sister with a smile. "They will be coming as well, no?"
She returned the gesture. "Aye, the Special Forces will be there in the coming week for their assessment of the new team."
"If only we could afford to employ one our own as well," her brother replied wistfully.
Said new team would be compiled of one member from each entity, the idea brought forth by Johnny Cage to mold the next generation of protectors.
"Aye. The Special forces, the Shirai Ryu and the Shaolin, have delegated one of their own." Manerva said. "Only us and the Lin Kuei haven't contributed."
"Why did the Lin Kuei not do so?" Jade questioned.
Manerva's head bent upward toward the sky. "Frost."
Immediately, the married couple tensed. From their casual meeting with the Lin Kuei, Malcolm and Jade crossed paths with Sub-Zero's most hot-tempered student. Contrary to her namesake, Frost embodied similar tendencies to that of Tanya, if not in a more aggressive manner. Neither Malcolm or Jade took a liking to her, nor did Manerva as Frost was far too arrogant for her own good.
Because of this, Sub-Zero vetoed his student from joining the newly created Team S-F because of her blatant attempt to ruin the peace treaty between the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu. Malcolm was vehemently opposed to Frost becoming part of the sanctuary's rebellion after she and Jade nearly came to blows, which caused him to thoroughly berate Frost afterward.
"She's not equipped to handle the responsibilities the others will inherit. Plus, her distaste for Cassie proved too venomous to ignore," Manerva went on to say.
Cassandra did convey what had transpired between them before she and Jacqui were kidnapped by the Black Dragon. If there was one thing that could possibly unite the distrust of Sonya and Malcolm, no question it was Frost.
"In the meantime..." Manerva started. "Why not think of a final addition to the team while leading the Sanctuary?"
Malcolm frowned slightly. "I wouldn't know how to pick. If anything, Jade is better than me at finding talented warriors. I merely train them."
A small giggle came from Jade. "What we could do is hold a competition to see who is the most qualified. Whoever meets our expectations can join the group. I'll need a few weeks to prepare everything."
"Splendid. I shall see you both within a week or two." With that, Manerva opened a portal to Artika that would transport her to the Lin Kuei Temple.
That left Malcolm and Jade on their lonesome again. They observed their sleeping baby with pride and happiness, Jemarcus lying still without a care in the world as he slept peacefully. Both his parents couldn't believe their compassionate love created this newborn.
Alas, there should have been two baby boys sharing the crib together.
Jade turned to her husband, who had a pensive expression. "Something wrong?"
Malcolm waited for a moment before looking at his longtime companion. They both have been through a lot together, some instances more pleasant than others. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling of so much time lost mourning after Jade's murder two decades ago. Any other man in his position would've already lost their sanity.
"I... owe you an apology," he finally said, a sigh leaving him. "When I lost you all those years ago, I was beyond devastated and nearly lost hope. It was horrible enough that my parents are no longer living after Shao Kahn had them executed before burning Edenia to the ground. But seeing you die caused me to fall into a rage before depression took over."
As Malcolm spoke what was on his mind, Jade silently listened to his innermost thoughts and secrets he'd kept to himself besides talking to Jax every so often.
"My behavior began to deteriorate, and I did things I normally would never do. I yelled at and berated my sister, threatened our allies, and just became overly bitter. In hindsight, I pretty much turned into that blonde woman, as much as I hate to admit it," Malcolm continued in his self-loathing. "My shortsightedness allowed Tanya to capture me, nearly costing me my life. It was then that Jax approached me to become my mentor. Were it not for him, I probably wouldn't be standing next to you right now."
He breathed deeply, noticing his knuckles had tightened on the crib's bars. A slender hand slid over his fingers, a golden wedding band around the wearer's ring finger. Malcolm released his grip as he felt Jade tenderly squeeze his hand, her emerald irises holding his brown ones.
"Then, by some miracle, you returned from the dead. Though I was the happiest I had been for some time, shame instantly overcame me for what I had done in your absence. Now we're married with a healthy son. I now wish to be the best husband and father I can be to you and Jemarcus." Malcolm held her hands close to his chin. "Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive my transgressions?"
Jade raised her free hand to caress his face. "Malcolm... there's no need for you to apologize to me, though I appreciate you coming forth with honesty. You've done more good than harm in my eyes. You stood by me during our darkest hours and were unwilling to concede that I was lost forever. I have my personal flaws, as you do, but you always try to make up for them. By no means should you feel regret or shame."
She enveloped him in a warm embrace, her hands rubbing his back while leaning into his chest.
"Even though I was under Shinnok's influence, I always thought about you. Good and bad, respectively. Part of me never lost hope that you and the others would find a way to cure my affliction. Like you, I hated what I became, a darker version on myself hell-bent on taking my vengeance out on you," she said.
Jade removed her forehead to look deeply into her lover's eyes. "Through our trials and tribulations, we managed to find each other again. My love for you, our son, and our deceased child will never die, Malcolm. Not as long as I draw breath in this body." She ran a hand through his dark hair before standing on her toes to kiss his cheek. "I love you."
"And I love you, Jade," Malcolm responded.
The married Edenians came together for a kiss laced in love, affection, and a tinge of lust. Malcolm remembered the first time he claimed her lips, a touch that remained hot, passionate, exhilarating, and intoxicating. Jade ran her palms down to his waist before gradually lifting his shirt to expose his muscular torso. Using forward momentum, she forced Malcolm backward, pushing him down on the bed before laying on top of him.
"You know," Jade managed to say between their kiss. "I was hoping there might be a way to bring Antoine back... However, should that not be conceivable..." She gave a sultry smile. "What do you say we give Jemarcus another sibling or two? Conceiving him was the most fulfilling experience I ever had. And I want to experience it again."
Malcolm smirked, moving her dress straps downward to free her ample chest. "Ask, and you shall receive. I always wanted a daughter."
Those were the last few words spoken between them, their bodies, actions, and libidos taking over for the remainder of the night.
Artika Mountain:
China's border was flowing with winter precipitation, gentle snowflakes falling onto the ground to further adorn the beautiful landscape and surrounding mountains.
The portal opened near a sitting statue while fires burned from each of their hands. Out came the priestess wearing her usual fighting attire while clothed in a teal leathered cloak to protect against the bitter cold. Fitting of the cryomancers to choose this location for a temple headquarters for the Lin Kuei.
This race of warriors faced utter extinction thanks to the works of Shao Kahn and Sindel, the latter responsible for their banishment. While the former slaughtered any cryomancer brought to his feet when Outworld merged itself with Edenia. The revelation of Sindel's actions led Manerva to believe the cryomancers were adamant loyalists to King Jerrod's rule. Because of this, she tasked a servant of the house to research any information in ancient Edenian scrolls and scriptures dating back to the previous regime.
After stepping through the portal, Manerva watched it close before viewing the entrance of the temple. On each side stood menacing Lin Kuei Guards, each wearing warm armor on their head cowls and masks, katana swords latched onto their backs with their clan's emblem on their chests.
"Halt! Who goes there?" demanded one guard.
The other tensed as both presumed Manerva was a potential intruder, granted she wore a cowl of her own and couldn't fault them for their guarded caution.
"Relax, gentlemen," her soft voice said with an innocent smile. "It's just poor little me."
Perplexed, both guards loosened their grip on their respective weapons, taking note of the Lin Kuei emblem on the visitor's clothing.
"O-oh, Princess Manerva," one of them offered an apology as both bowed their heads. "Forgive our rudeness."
Manerva is a well-known figure amongst the Lin Kuei and Shirai-Ryu clans, loved by men and women alike... except for Frost, of course. She and Manerva never got along. Sub-Zero's protege thought of her as a spoiled princess who never endured the thrills of assassination, thus not deserving of respect. On the other hand, Manerva thought the female warrior was too rash and irresponsible, doomed to place her brethren in harm's way.
"You're both doing an excellent job guarding your post," Manerva praised them. "I'll ensure that your Grandmaster learns of your diligence."
Both guardsmen nodded in gratitude. "Many thanks, princess. You may proceed."
The walk inside the fortress provided a sense of calm and peace within Manerva, taking in the many characteristics of the dwelling. Various ice carvings, a host of weaponry, and immaculate tapestries hanging from multiple corners. She smiled to herself. Her beloved certainly knew how to decorate.
However, the warm feelings quickly evaporated.
"What were you thinking!?" a voice boomed.
Manerva finally arrived at the throne room but kept herself from being seen as she watched an ugly scene unfold. There sat her beloved in agitation. The warrior-maiden had believed it to be due to the one at the foot of his throne.
"Your actions almost cost us a chance to mend our stained history!" Kuai Liang hissed.
Scratch that. He wasn't agitated but furious.
Kneeling before him was Frost, her frown deepening at her master disapproving words. "We shouldn't ally ourselves with our enemies, the Shirai-Ryu filths! They were responsible for our history of conflict! Scorpion-"
She was caught off as Sub-Zero growled in contempt. "His name is Hanzo Hasashi."
Manerva smirked knowingly, glad he came to mutually respect his former enemy's transformation.
"Master Hasashi..." Frost muttered in disdain. "Was responsible for your brother's death, the greatest assassin in Lin Kuei's history."
"My brother was no doubt a proficient assassin..." Kuai reiterated, his tone remaining unchanged. "But in the end, he betrayed Earthrealm, who we're supposed to protect."
Manerva couldn't fault Kuai for feeling this way. He and Bi-Han fell out over the thousands of deaths in Quan Chi's name before his brother met his demise by perishing in the soulnado.
"Begone from my sight! Think of what you've done in your quarters!" Kuai barked as if reprimanding a child.
With a curt nod, Frost dismissed herself just as Manerva walked toward the throne, each woman trading unkindly gazes
"Mark my word, Princess," Frost seethed. "Your Grandmaster won't last much longer."
The priestess didn't put too much thought into those words and merely shrugged off the disgraced warrior. That was the least of her worries for now. Once Frost was out of earshot, Manerva climbed the stairs to her beloved's side.
"Frost is grumpy today," she said amusedly.
Kuai could only groan in sheer frustration. "She refuses to accept our old ways are now over. Never again will we revert back to our barbaric profession."
Manerva observed him, his facial features making him look older than his age would suggest. Having a student with Frost's temperament can do that no matter how much patience one may have.
"What happened?" Manerva inquired.
He blew out a tired breath. "I tried to make a peace offering to Master Hasashi to end the feud between our clans by making the traditional peace tea set according to Japanese tradition." Kuai's hard glare returned to the door Frost exited out of. "And my apprentice, in her full 'wisdom,' had the bright idea to attack Master Hasashi when I offered him his teacup."
Manerva winced as she followed his stare. "I take it that Hanzo didn't view this in a positive light?"
"Quite the understatement," was Kuai's reply, facepalming out of tiredness. "He attacked me, citing that the Lin Kuei is still without honor and that he will have my head. After Hanzo defeated me, that foolish girl tried to attack him again. I managed to freeze her and prevented further bloodshed."
His eyes then fell upon a severed head on the dais that once belonged to Sektor's mechanized body, active with only an active memory card. "After he calmed down, I revealed to him about what truly happened to his family and clan. As you suspected beforehand, it was Quan Chi who murdered them all in cold blood, all but pretending to be my brother." He forced a smile. "In the end, he understood and harbored regret for killing my brother because of Quan Chi's deception, vowing to go after him one day."
Manerva showed a worried expression. "I only hope Master Hasashi will hold off on attaining vengeance until after the revenants are restored. We need Quan Chi to restore them back to life." She then frowned. "Though one of them reluctantly."
Sub-Zero noticed the change in her demeanor but decided to leave it at that. "At any rate, I finally addressed Frost's foolish misdeeds. She'll be dealt with again should it continue."
"That's my Kuai," Manerva praised him. "In all honesty, I don't like her. She reminds me of Tanya in some aspects."
"Dare I ask?" he replied
Kuai showed an amused smile when Manerva huffed in annoyance. "She is too arrogant for her own good. Honestly, I think she's a lost cause."
Chuckling, Sub-Zero rose from his throne and gave a loving embrace to the princess before leaning down to whisper in her ear. "It's been far too long since we've come together like this, my princess."
Smiling again, Manerva rested her palm on his chiseled chest. "Indeed. Far too long since I'm leading my people. But now that Jade is alive and helping out, I can be with you more often."
Truthfully, Manerva couldn't leave the sanctuary with an unstable Malcolm still grieving over the loss of his one true love. But after Jade shockingly returned and married to him, he had calmed down significantly. Now, Malcolm had tolerated Kuai and the idea that his sister is involved in a relationship with him.
"Of course, but I wouldn't put too much responsibility on your sister-in-law just yet. I believe she has a family to care for while still recovering from apparent trauma," Kuai said.
"Yes, I'm fully aware of that. I am now an aunt to my little nephew, Jemarcus," Manerva remarked.
The two shared a happy kiss together. Manerva felt herself become vulnerable to his advances as he scooped her off her feet. She giggled as he bridal carried her down the stairs before kicking open the doorway to his bed chambers.
Warning: Lemon Alert. Read at your own risk
Everything inside was colored in varying shades of blue, the interior etched in Chinese letters along with hints of Edenian courtesy of Argus Sanctuary and their leaders. The large bed covered in cerulean covers and bedsheets added a certain elegance to the atmosphere.
Kuai Liang gently put Manerva back on her feet. The maiden took her time to study him. He aged nicely though not as young anymore, sporting a beard that complimented his face. His outfit stayed the same, the only difference being the Dragon medallion on his chest, stating him as the leader of the Lin Kuei while enhancing his cryomancer abilities.
No longer the shy maiden back in Shao Kahn's court, Manerva decided to perform more daring actions. She had waited too long after feeling all of Malcolm and Jade's emotions and sought after her prize after years of longing.
She did quick work in removing his garment, a parted tunic exposing his upper body while assisting him in removing his belt. Kuai did the same, discarding her white vest to reveal a bra in the same color. While not as buxom as other women he's seen, Kuai marveled at her physique and how the natural curves complimented her figure nicely. Within moments, he had stripped his beloved down to her underwear.
Manerva blushed as she helped remove his gauntlets, unintentionally holding her breath as Kuai rolled down the long arm sleeves before doing the same to her boots. He then guided her to sit on the bed while removing his pants and boots.
To say Kaui was large was an understatement, his girth far more than what the maiden had anticipated, even for a blushing virgin. Manerva gulped, unsure of what to do when she saw the hardened member. She had never seen a male naked in her long life, not even her brother.
Kuai took the initiative and kissed her slowly to offer her comfort, his hand tenderly grabbing hers to guide down toward his hardened cock. Her distraction allowed him to remove the last of her remaining clothing. Feeling emboldened, Kuai brought his hands forward to massage her breasts, excitement beginning to take hold. Manerva moaned softly at his feathery touch. Though his hands were usually cold, he controlled their temperature to maintain stable heat as not to accidentally hurt her.
Manerva finally began stroking his hardness while his own hand rubbed her moist opening in a circular motion. The action introduced her to more pleasure she didn't know existed. Sub-Zero knew she was his first and that she was a virgin.
There was no turning back.
Slowly but surely, Kuai inserted his hardened cock inside her vagina, causing Manerva to gasp and close her eyes in pain. Her discomfort didn't go unnoticed as he kissed her neck, waiting patiently for his lover to adjust to his size. She never could've imagined the sensations overwhelming her senses to this degree despite Rain coming close to raping her.
After a while, Kuai settled inside of her vice. "Are you feeling okay? I am not hurting you, I hope..."
His concerned voice wasn't misplaced, Manerva managing a smile before shaking her head. "No, my love... Let me take a breather."
Kuai nodded, easing her tension with another kiss while not moving his pelvis despite his innate urges telling him otherwise. Their kisses increased in sensuality, allowing Manerva to adequately adjust to his size and girth.
"May I move further?" Kuai inquired.
Manerva smiled. "Yes, Kuai. I beg of you."
Quick to oblige, he gave a small thrust into her core, making Manerva gasp and blush. The pain went away completely, replaced by the burning pleasure both yearned for.
"By Argus...!" Manerva exclaimed, surprised by the amount of ecstasy in her voice.
Kuai rammed into her in a slow, even pace, wanting to hear her pleas for more and quell the fire burning in his belly. Before long, his speed progressively increased again, both hands holding Manerva by the waist. Her response was to wrap her arms around his neck, holding on for dear life. Their love blossomed into a passionate tryst neither will soon forget.
Manerva closed her eyes, her blush growing brighter each time her lover's member crashed against her cervix. "Oh, Argus! Faster! Please!"
Sub-Zero nodded as he fondled her breasts, no longer being gentle in his approach, causing his maiden to wail and moan his name in carnal pleasure. Manerva was in complete euphoria, lost in a sea of lust. It was then that he felt her walls tightening around his cock, signaling the need for release for both parties.
"Oh, Kuai... I.. I can't hold on!" Manerva moaned in exasperation.
"I as well!" he replied.
"Please!" the maiden cried out. "Inside... please!"
Kuai smiled as he covered her mouth with a frenzied kiss, muffling a shout of euphoria after releasing himself deep into her lady's womb. Manerva failed to stop herself from voicing a sudden scream into his open mouth. Both lovers panted audibly in an attempt to regain their breath.
"B- by Argus..." Manerva murmured with a sincere smile.
"I'm glad I became your first," Kuai said.
"More liked honored," she giggled despite fatigue setting in.
"Not every day that I bedded a princess," he added jokingly.
Manerva groaned in mock annoyance. "I may be a princess by title, but I'm still the same."
Kuai simply kissed her forehead. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
Half-hour later:
Kuai observed the scenery outside the window while still naked, his face betraying a peaceful look. "You're saying that I'm actually half-Edenian?"
Manerva looked at him, a thin sheet covering her lower body for modesty. "Yes, I read Sindel's diary... my supposed aunt."
He remembered his encounter with the crazed empress, recalling how she managed to kill most of his comrades and ended up serving alongside her while a revenant of the Netherrealm. "She murdered her own husband and exiled my people because of their loyalty to King Jerrod..."
"Aye," his lover confirmed. "I was just as shocked when I read that. Hearing what she did to your people, as well as my family... Sindel had lied to us to retain our loyalty."
"Then I suppose you do not intend to revive her," he assumed.
Manerva shook her head. "Even if she is resurrected, I will hold a trial for her for betrayal and high treason against my realm. I highly doubt Sindel is true Edenian anymore."
Kuai nodded before walking over to cup her chin. "Allow me to be present for the proceedings. She has committed terrible crimes against my clan, therefore, to me."
She nodded. "I think my brother would agree to let you execute her if she is sentenced to death."
At that moment, a knock occurred at the door. "Grandmaster, a call from Operative Cage."
