Fujin paused for a moment as he contemplated the word, "I have heard the word before Elder. But I heard recently: It is a loathsome, terrible thing."
"It is indeed terrible, but I must ask what do you know of it personally?"
"It has been eons since I have borne witness to such a practice, Elder Raiden… To my reckoning, people sell themselves into service in order to find a place to live; along with them and their families... Am I right in my description?"
"Yes, that was true, once a very long time ago. Much has changed within the human world, especially when you had lived among them. Allow me to fill you in with the details that are happening at this time..." Fujin would see Raiden's face change from an expression of sadness to one of disgust.
"Imagine, you are at home, living in peace and prosperity…" Raiden paused and he looked as if he needed to ponder what he was saying to Fujin. "Now imagine you and your people are ambushed and seized by a rival tribe, race, or culture. They then take you as prisoners to be sold off to the highest bidder. Most are of other races and cultures; mainly aristocrats." He then sighs, "Your own people... selling you off like cattle. Families being ripped apart." Raiden started balling up a fist, his face becoming ever indignant.
"Then the true hell begins. You are then crammed under the decks of this giant ship and ferried across an ocean, thousands of miles away from anyone or anything you once knew. Only to work in a field to pick wheat, corn, or cotton. Many of your people died in the bowels of the ship, but you and those that did survive the lavish cruise are abused and forced to breed and work just like cattle, even your children and your children's children are later auctioned off just as you once were. Shao Kahn is known for such practices."
Fujin sat horrified at what he had been hearing. Eyes widened, he sat in the gravity of everything, remaining silent. After gathering his thoughts he asked in a pained whisper, "Why are we allowing this, Elder Raiden...?"
The Elder God then places his hand on Fujins back, in sympathy.
"Because, Fujin, the more we try to change things, the more it will remain the same, but everything resolves itself with time,"
Fujin grimaced in disbelief and pain for learning of the hardship of this warrior's past.
"Haniyasu and I wanted to spare Abdalla of this fate, so we…" the Elder god looked physically ill as he choked out the next words, "-purchased him."
Fujin stared at Raiden in disbelief, "All lives are sacred, brother," Raiden reasoned. "No matter your race, creed, or culture."
Fujin then looked away from Raiden. He began to mourn for those who had been lost to such tragedies.
Raiden then went on, "Yaotl's tribe is not too much different from Abdalla's except for the fact: Instead of selling them off, they would sacrifice them to their sun god. They worship a 'sun god' who is constantly battling with darkness. And if this darkness wins, the world will end, or so they believe. Thus, they tear out the sacrifice's still-beating heart and raise it to the sky to give their sun god sustenance. Their temples are made entirely of human skulls, and between them, a towering wooden rack displaying thousands of more skulls with bored holes on either side to allow the skulls to slide onto the wooden poles. Large and small human sacrifices continue throughout the year to coincide with special events, dedicate temples, reverse drought, famine, and more. At first, it was for survival… now… it is just intimidation." Raiden sighs heavily. "Not to only bring fear to their enemies, but to keep their own people in check."
Fujin would stare in astonishment again at Raiden. He shook his head as he thought, 'Such bizarre customs.'
Besides the fact, Yaotl was intriguing. He fought with speed mixed with diversionary tactics. Misdirection is his skill. He lacks strength but compensates with knowing weak points in the body. His fighting style is a true sight to behold. Even as Abdalla has weaknesses though, it seems Yaotl often reveles a tad more rather than waiting for the end of the battle. Fujin would look on as Yaotl continued postering and lording momentarily control over the fight. Nightwolf smiled as she watched him, dashing forward. A green glow came over her as she charged with her shoulder knocking him into the air before his body crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust into the open air as his body recoiled… Fujin would show concern.
"Augh! Dirty trick you used, I thought we are training!"
Nightwolf would let out a hardy laugh with a cheeky smile as she said, "You are quite the warrior, but there is no mercy in Mortal Kombat."
"Eurgh, Rematch now!"
The two would stand in their ready stances. Fujin would smile and roll his eyes, 'At least he is persistent…' he thought as he chuckled lightly to himself. 'We have precious little time left as the tournament looms ever closer…'
Unbeknownst to our warriors, a dark presence would begin to walk around the sky temple. An evil almost sadistic smile found its way over his face. He sauntered forward before he later caught sight of Suijin who was alone. He walked over to proceed to talk to the water god.
"Lady Suijin, I am delighted to see you are well," he says as she squeaks, making her jump.
"What are you doing here!?" She shrieked, swiftly turning to him, panting after the initial surprise.
"I only have come to pay a friendly visit, my lady. I see that you have put the spell to good use. I can sense your soul is…" he paused as if trying to find the right word, but instead only teasing her. "fragmented." he says with a wicked smirk.
"Yes Shang Tsung, and let me stop you before you mock me further: I have not forgotten."
"Make sure that you do. For I would hate to have to tell your once beloved Fujin of whom you had learned the spell for."
Making his way to the training grounds, Fujin catches something at the corner of his eye. He turns to see Suijin and-
'Shang Tsung!' he thinks in surprise. "What the hell is he doing here?" He stood flabbergasted, "let alone talking to Suijin!?" He then says angrily as he flounces to them.
"What fables are you telling her sorcerer?" Fujin spats with malice.
"I have come to see your new combatants. I would like to observe their talents." Shang Tsung says as he smirks at Fujin before slightly bowing his head as if to show respect when Fujin knew all too well, there was none.
Instead of sticking around to hear what Fujin had to say, Suijin dissolved into mist, teleporting elsewhere before Fujin returned his attention back to her. The wind god turned around to see where she may have gone. With no sight of her, he concentrated back on Shang Tsung. Despite the displeasure, Fujin then gestured Shang Tsung towards the training grounds. As they reached the area, the Elders turn their heads to see their uninvited guest. They scowl at him as he approaches.
"Greetings Elders, how is the progress of your new combatants? Amusing, I trust?."
"The fact that you have this illusion of which you hold any power here is amusing within itself sorcerer!" Raiden hissed in disdain. The combatants then stand in silence before Elder Liu Kang places his hand on Raiden's chest as if to hold him back.
"Peace my friend…" He looks at Raiden reassuringly. He then gestures to Shang Tsung, permitting him, "I offer you the floor, Shang Tsung."
"You humble me, my lord." Shang Tsung bows half-heartedly. He then stares at the combatants there. His expression twists into a sort of cringe. "Your choices for the tournament seem to be… less than satisfactory. Most of them will die in the first rounds. I beg you, spare them of this fate and forfeit the tournament."
"You can spare us your insults! Our combatants are chosen for a reason." Raiden snaps.
"These are not our only combatants, Shang Tsung. The others are training elsewhere."
Shang Tsung looks around the area. "May I be obliged to seek out the others then?"
"One is indisposed at the moment. A certain incident had befallen him, but he is being cared for. I shall summon the other combatants for you… Please, wait here." Liu Kang told Shang Tsung. He left before seeing Shang Tsung do another one of his shameful bows.
Now Raiden, Fujin, Hani, Heros, Nightwolf, Abdalla, and Yaotl all waited for Liu Kang's return. When he finally did, he had brought Kung Lao and Ame to be presented to Shang Tsung. At first, Shang Tsung looked nervous for the first time they have ever seen him, but then he smiled. He then walked over to Ame before observing her all around. He then frowned at Kung Lao as he observed him more closely, he did not circle him nor take as much time as he did with Ame. He finally looks back upon the Elders as if concerned.
"Only two? You were only able to find two combatants worthy of my time?"
Everyone then scoffed at his comment before Raiden says, "Take your opinions elsewhere! Now, what is your next grievance, you vile piece of excrement?"
Shang Tsung stared at Raiden, unamused. In fact, staring at him with an angry grimace on his face before he says, "The remaining time matters not. You could have trained these splendid specimens for one hundred lifetimes and still, they would not be ready in time for the tournament." Shang Tsung says, gesturing towards the combatants.
"We are well aware of the time left, Shang Tsung. As Elder Raiden said before, albeit unfiltered," Liu Kang says as he looks at Raiden disapprovingly before looking back at Shang Tsung, "Save your opinions if you please."
"If that is all, Shang Tsung, then take your leave!"
Shang Tsung silently gave a gestured bow. Once again having little, to no respect to the convened gods. Finally, he vanishes into a portal and out of the realm. The area's energy filled with a thick tension that could be felt in every portion.
"Ominous, indeed." Elder Liu Kang says before he tells the others to return to their duties.
As life returns to normal around the sky temple, Fujin returns to an earlier thought as he walks aimlessly around the temple grounds.
'In fact, I think I love him!' the echoes rang in his head like a loud church bell as he recalled the memory. Unrelenting, he would have to ask her himself what she meant. But he assumed that she did not even want to speak with him after his deplorable, ignorant display of what he considered at that moment, chivalry. He would not blame her if she did. Thinking of her, led him to find Suijin. Within the contents of Miguel's room, Suijin was encasing him in water, her magic. He could see the strain that was overtaking her to try and heal him, her powers growing weaker and weaker. Slowly, he witnessed Miguel's floating body drift down onto the tatami floor before the water evaporated. She sighed greatly before she leaned on the wall behind her, sitting back panting. She only then saw Fujin enter, looking concerned.
"Are you alright?"
Suijin folds her arms and remains aloof to Fujins's voice.
"Sui, please speak to me."
Ever silent, Suijin responds with a heated glance before turning away sharply.
"Suijin... I know what I did was wrong but please know I did not intend to-"
"Not intend what, Fujin!?" Suijin cuts him off. "Hurt, maim, nearly kill!? Because if so, you did horribly!" Suijin shouts, nearly in tears.
Fujin stood defeated, she was right. He had to admit it was not usually like him to show his rage so outwardly. At that moment, he witnessed Miguel forcing himself onto Suijin. All control of his faculties was lost. He had seen nothing but his target and needed to, to what he assumed, was to defend Sui's honor. At least that is what he tried to tell himself.
Silently, he decided he was going to amend his mistake. He had two options. If the first one failed, he would rely on the only thing he could think of to help heal Miguel. Without much as a word, Fujin dismisses himself and seeks out his brother. Raiden was sitting at the chabudai, near the zen gardens, drinking tea as Fujin rushed over to him.
"Brother, may I speak with you?"
Without moving the cup of tea from his lips, Raiden gestured to Fujin to sit across him. He immediately sat down in anticipation before Raiden finished his tea. Raiden sighed, pleased at the taste of his tea.
"What has you so troubled now, brother?"
"I've come to ask a favor of you. Suijin has been trying nonstop to heal Miguel with no success."
"And now you are seeking my aid to help heal him."
"Yes…"
Raiden looked at Fujin confused. He was displaying the fact that he was curious as to why Fujin felt the need to beg for his assistance. He chuckled which now made Fujin confused.
"There is no need for begging. It will give me great pleasure to lend a hand in this matter." Raiden smiles. Fujin brightly smiles in return.
Raiden and Fujin walk side by side as they head towards Miguel's room. There they find Suijin still resting after her many failed attempts at healing Miguel.
"Very gracious of you to try and heal him, Suijin. I commend you, but now I shall take the reins." Raiden then sits at the right side of Miguel before gathering chi which displayed a white glow within his hands and placing them, motioning them across Miguel's body. Fujin and Suijin look on in hope.
After a valiant display of persistence along with the many hours Raiden was taking, his healing was also insufficient. Raiden stops his magic, slowly placing his hands on his legs before bowing mournfully.
"Apologies... there is nothing else I can do."
Suijin then starts to sob into her hands. Fujin watches her as his heart begins to feel pierced once more. The mere sight of Suijin's sadness was unbearable to Fujin. But now, there was only one alternative left.
'It has to work' he thinks as he opens up his satchel before grabbing out a medallion. He then steps over and sits on the other side of Raiden. Raiden and Suijin then look upon Fujin as he hangs the medallion, from its chains, over Miguel's body. Raiden is startled at the sight.
"Fujin, what are you-"
Fujin started using the magic within the medallion. It began to glow white surrounded in a blue hue. Streams of light began to pour out and drift onto Miguel's body, disappearing as of merging itself with Miguel. After a few minutes, Fujin stopped the flow of magic and waited, looking upon Miguel, allowing for a response. Nothing seemed to be happening.
Suddenly Miguel started coughing and Suijin started sobbing and crawled hurriedly over to him. She then lifted his head up and placed it on her thighs. Stroking at his cheeks as she turned his face so that he could see her.
"Nenúfar?" Miguel exhaustingly spoke.
Sujin sobbing yet smiling, nodding her head. Miguel then smiles.
"It is good to be back…" he and Suijin lightly chuckled.
Fujin could no longer take in what he was seeing. He then, as silently as he could, stood up and started to walk out of the room.
But Suijin did notice and looked up to him, asking with her eyes as well as her face. "Why would you want to help him Fujin? I thought you do not like him."
Fujin stopped in his tracks but did not turn to her. The sight she was in was all too painful for him.
"You said you love him…" Fujin says plainly even though his heart sinks to his stomach.
"So I did whatever I could to help him." He says before exiting the room.
Suijin suddenly moves to place Miguel back down, praying for him to excuse her before she runs off after Fujin.
"Fujin!" she says as she runs to him. She then stops when he stops. "Fujin, look at me..."
Reluctantly, Fujin turns and looks at Suijin. His eyes displayed sadness and hurt. Suijin abruptly stops breathing as she stares at him. Suddenly they hear footsteps from behind Fujin. Suijin and Fujin look over to where the sound is coming from. It was Ame. As she appeared from the corner, she noticed the elemental gods and halted.
"I'm sorry, Fuji-" she shook her head before she corrected, "my lords. Pray, excuse me…"
"Ame, wait. What is wrong?" Suijin asked her.
"Nothing…" Ame lowered her head. She then gestured to an eastern bow. "Forgive me, I need to train."
"I can sense you are troubled, Ame. Tell me, please."
All Ame could do was stand there with her head still bowing.
"Fujin…?"
He turned to look at Suijin.
"Can you explain what is happening?"
"It's not his fault!" Ame suddenly shouted. The two elemental gods stare at her in surprise. She lifted her head to reveal her tears streaming profusely down her cheeks. "No matter what I do or say… he will never love me…"
Fujin scowls and raises an eyebrow in confusion, bewildered at her meaning. Suijin's eyes widen in shock, grimacing, mouth agape. Ame then dashes away to the training grounds, leaving Fujin and Suijin with their expressions. Fujin then turns to Suijin.
"What did she mean by that-" Fujin then noticed her blank face.
"I guess, it was never meant to be..." Suijin says before she runs back to Miguel's room.
Fujin now stood there with the gallic shrug completely discombobulated and exasperated.
"What in the seven hells...?" He says, infuriated.
Notes:
*In case anyone is curious as to the word used*
Nenúfar = water lily