A/N: Hello, fanfics. I am here with a new chapter that I finished but kept under wraps until now. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I have never owned Killer Instinct, nor Carrie.


The ocean liner wasn't as rocky as Carrie expected it to be. Staring through the window, the sunlight reflected off the railings. Flocks of birds flew in tandem near the fish-filled sea below. She released a breath as she sat on her cot. For three weeks, she had not spoken with the strange elder man.

Carrie was never one for small talk back in Chamberlain. She had enjoyed the quiet solitude, never speaking unless otherwise. Her mouth drooped as she watched the man meditating on his cot.

Though grateful to him, she couldn't interpret his behavior. Aside from the scant few in her hometown, no one had cared about her.

After a slight delay, Carrie cleared her throat. "Um… excuse me? Sir?"

"Hm?" The man kept his eyes closed.

"Do you… do you have a name?"

"Yes, but hard to pronounce, so my friends call me Baki." He opened one eye. "You're still wondering why I helped you, right?"

The young girl rubbed the back of her head. "Well… yes."

"You're a curious one." Baki closed his eye, and his body sagged. "I meant what I said, miss. I couldn't leave you there to die."

Carrie blinked, stumped by his response. She turned her attention to the window, falling silent.

The vessel waded through the water, waves splashing against its hull. After several hours, it reached its destined port. As everyone got off, Baki stretched his arms above his head.

"Ah, land at last. How are you?"

Carrie rubbed her temples to ease a dull ache settling in her head. "Not good. Where are we?"

"We are in Assam, India. As I mentioned before, you're free to go wherever you wish." Baki extracted a small pouch along with a map. "Here's some money. The circled areas will tell you which places you can go. The Xs are the ones to avoid. I must return home to the Himalayas."

When Baki departed from the pier, Carrie remained at her spot. Tremors traveled through her body as she looked around. Sensing something was wrong, he paused in his step, turned back to her, and returned. "What's the matter, child? You are free to go anywhere you want!"

Carrie lowered her eyes. "I don't know… where to go, and I'm scared."

"Oh, you poor child. My apologies. I should've known better." Baki stroked his chin while his wrinkled forehead scrunched together. Then, a mental light bulb popped inside his head. "I might know someone in Tibet who could help you. If you would like, I can take you to him.

"I understand your suspicion towards me and your surroundings. With that said, I offer you this choice. If you wish to leave, you can, as long as you use your money and map wisely. If you want to join me in my journey, you're welcome to come. Whatever you decide, I will support and respect your decision."

The young girl reflected on Baki's offer. What should she do? She was an outsider with no knowledge of the language, culture, or customs. Also, the authorities may have extended their search for her. Were there wanted posters of her? Have they broadcasted her picture over the news? "I… I want to go with you."

Baki nodded to her. "Very well."

As they departed, Carrie trailed behind, praying no one spotted her. With darkness encroaching on the golden sky, they found a hotel to rest. Though no one identified Carrie, she lied low until they got a room.

As she stepped inside the room with Baki, Carrie studied her surroundings. The room was small, but it contained two separate twin-sized beds. A nightstand remained in between, with an alarm clock and a few other items. She closed the door behind her while he set his things away.

"Go ahead, child." Baki gestured to her. "Make yourself comfy."

Finding a nearby couch, Carrie sat down, folding her knees close to her chest.

"If you need anything, wake me up, alright? I'll be sleeping in one of these beds." Baki yawned. "Traveling can tire anyone out, even me. These ancient bones aren't what they used to be."

Carrie nodded as he lumbered towards a bed and climbed onto the mattress. The instant his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep. She shifted herself to a more restful position on the couch. Frightened by her predicament, she tightened her arms around her legs.

Tears flooded her eyes, despite her futile attempt to wipe them away. I miss Mama. She's dead because of me.

"Why do you grieve for that witch? You're better off without her," the voice suggested. "Your 'companion' may act friendly now, but he might sell you off as a sex slave."

Carrie's eyes widened while shifting towards Baki. Her heart thudded in her chest, but she shoved that horrible suggestion aside. No. He took me in and offered me food and shelter. He said he lived somewhere in the Himalayas, didn't he? I remember reading about those mountains at a library back home.

Upon hearing that word, a forlorn longing overwhelmed her.

I used to call Chamberlain home. Carrie closed her eyes and rested her head against her knees, letting the tears fall.

The following day, they ambled through several street bazaars. Carrie remained near to Baki, hiding while he spoke with a merchant. Though mildly crowded, sellers encouraged their clients to buy their goods. Smoke from cooked exotic foods lingered while people conversed in strange tongues.

"Are you ready to go?" Baki had finished his talk with the merchant.

"What-what were you two discussing?" Carrie swallowed as her stomach churned. "Y-You didn't sell me to him, did you?"

The man jerked his head back. "What? No, not at all! I asked the merchant if he could help us. He informed me he'd have someone meet with us on the other side of the river. I swear, dear child."

Though the tension inside her body diminished, Carrie couldn't relax. Despite his assurance, she couldn't trust him yet.

Baki shielded his eyes with his hand, blocking the sun. "We must hurry. The next ferry will leave in ten minutes, and it gets crowded."

After crossing the river, Carrie and Baki arrived at a dock. They strolled through Tezpur and sat on a bench. They waited for a few minutes until a van approached them. The driver's door opened, revealing a woman with light tawny skin. Her shiny, deep-black hair reached the edges of her back. A tiny black dot sat between her arched eyebrows.

As the woman approached them, she placed her palms together and bowed. Baki returned the gesture. "Hello." Her voice possessed a thick accent. "I am Aly. My friend told me you are going to the Himalayas?"

"Yes. It is important for the child's sake," Baki said.

"Fair enough."

Together, they hopped inside the vehicle. At first, Carrie wasn't calm to step inside a stranger's car. However, with gentle coaxing from Baki, she relented. For several hours, they drove until nightfall, where they stopped at a town.

Dawn arrived as light crept into the forest-infested village. After thanking Aly for her help, Carrie and Baki continued their journey. They only stopped to gather supplies in towns or spend the night. Throughout this adventure, Carrie's stomach quivered at Baki. While he proved to be friendly, how far would his kindness take her?

Her mind played every scenario with different endings. One method played where she was so exhausted, Baki would force himself on her. Then, he would leave her corpse for whatever animal lurking to feast. She had considered fleeing, but where would she go?

After days of gruesome trekking on the path, they found themselves in the woods. The nature around Carrie didn't comfort her, even as loud chirps echoed. They served as a reminder of how alone she was.

A few minutes later, they arrived at a clearing. A river split near a hillside, but the water still flowed in one direction.

"Let's stop here for lunch." Baki shrugged off his backpack and dug through it.

Carrie wiped the sweat off her forehead as she sat and massaged her aching feet. Baki extracted two cloths from his pack and offered one to her.

"Thank you." Carrie blinked once she untied the cloth, unveiling chunks of bread stuffed with potato. After the first bite, she devoured her meal, closing her eyes to enjoy the taste. "How far are the Himalayas?"

Baki pointed at a mountain far along the horizon. Its top portion was painted white while its body remained gray.

Carrie widened her eyes. "I didn't think we were close. Do you live there?"

"In a village near its base. There's a temple standing at the top."

"A temple?"

"Yes. A guardian inhabits it. My people tell stories of the guardian protecting our homes."

"Do you… worship this guardian?"

"Only if you're devoted." Baki reached into his bag and handed Carrie a hooded coat with fur and gloves. "You should wrap yourself in warm attire, child. Snow is this land's ruler."

After she finished her meal, Carrie wore the clothes. The temperatures dropped as they resumed their trek, and the air thinned. Carrie found breathing difficult, with her heart and lungs working twice as hard. Despite lagging, she kept going. The descending sun changed the peaks into a dark orange, foreboding night. The winds shifted from a breeze to a howling monster.

Baki checked on Carrie as the snow showered them. "Are you okay?"

"I-I'm f-f-freezing." Carrie shivered. "M-my ears… they're r-ringing s-s-so l-loud f-f-f-from the w-w-wind."

"Stay strong. I sense we're close."

Carrie lowered her head, her teeth chattering. Her eyes grew heavy, but she refused to succumb to the frigid conditions. The young girl kept going until Baki beckoned her to stop. With furrowed brows, she struggled to follow Baki's line of sight. As the snow lessened its battering, it unveiled a shrine on a ridge facing south. Though in a decayed form, it resembled a palace with tiger-headed structures.

"W-W-what's this?" Carrie asked.

Baki outstretched his hand. "This is the Tiger Shrine. Once full of life, it is now a shell of its former self." Marveled at the ruins, Baki called out in his native tongue. Not understanding the language, Carrie rubbed and breathed on her hands. "We should go inside. The guardian isn't present, but he'll greet us."

As he turned away, Carrie placed her hand on his shoulder. "S-sir, what if this g-guardian doesn't want us in his home? I mean, aren't we trespassing?"

He grabbed her hand and patted it. "He is a generous man. Besides, the night is falling fast. It'll soon be dangerous to be outdoors in such cold weather. Please, don't worry; the guardian will understand the reason behind our presence."

Carrie swallowed hard and followed him as they crossed a long rope bridge. A massive bell hovered nearby, hung by supporting ropes. A frozen lake remained below, with low-hanging clouds obscuring the valley. Scared of heights, Carrie turned away, focusing on the doors. Baki pushed them open with both hands, revealing the temple's interiors.

Wooden beams crisscrossed each other where a roof once was. The wall near the entrance was gone, exposing the mountainous terrain. Bells and chimes clanged in a calm rhythm. Fires crackled from smoking pits framed by snow-buried benches.

Bronze and gold tiger statues, carvings, and engravings were everywhere. They snaked around pillars, their faces locked in fearsome snarls. Carrie recoiled underneath their harsh stares as if passing judgment on her.

"Come, child," Baki called, snapping Carrie to her senses. "The freezing night draws closer."

After drawing a deep breath, Carrie followed him to the sleeping quarters. With torches lighting the hallways, they found an area with rows of sliding doors. When Carrie opened one closest to the halls, she found the room intact. A small bed remained in its center, with a table and a dresser drawer. A single window remained as the moonlight shone through the glass.

"I wish you a good night. Sleep well," Baki said.

"Y-You too, sir." After shutting the door, Carrie slogged towards the cot and climbed onto it. She remained awake for a while before sleep took hold.

A dark void surrounded Carrie, robbing her of sight and sound. The urge to scream grew inside her as it squeezed her body. The darkness remained until it parted, unveiling the Prayer Closet. Carrie's breaths shuddered, with chills coursing through her insides. As she stepped backward, she bumped into something.

When she turned around, she faced a dead visage of Margaret. The woman lunged, grabbing and lifting her daughter by the throat with both hands. Neurotic terror hid in her mother's hazel eyes.

"What are you doing in that godless temple?" Margaret said in an accusing tone.

"Mama, you're hurting me!" Carrie struggled to breathe, pulling at her mother's hands.

"Answer me!"

"You're hurting me, Mama! I haven't been bad! This-this temple isn't evil!"

Margaret slapped her daughter across the cheek. Carrie tried not to cry as the affected area throbbed. "You little whore, I should've never given birth to you! It's time I atone for my deadly sin."

Two fiery limbs escaped the Prayer Closet and grasped Carrie, searing her arms. She screamed as they dragged her toward the closet. Inside, the fire changed into the horned form of the Devil.

The beast laughed as it snatched her struggling form and dropped her into its maw. The fire scorched her flesh, reducing her to charred bones.

A scream tore at Carrie's throat as she awoke with sweat seeping from her pores. With frantic looking, Carrie found herself inside the Tiger Shrine.

Thank God, it was only a dream. Carrie placed her hand on her sweaty face while her body tried to relax. Once she steadied her nerves, Carrie headed to the courtyard. The sun peeked behind the mountains; its light reflected the gold tiger statues.

"Morning." Baki waved at her, sitting on a snow-free bench. "You slept okay?"

The young girl shook her head. "Had a nightmare."

"Oh, I see." His smile faltered for a moment before he motioned to her. "Come, come! Breakfast should help ease it away."

Carrie sat beside him as he held out two pieces of circle-shaped bread. He handed one to her. "Thank you."

"My pleasure!"

While eating in silence, the bells' soft clangs drifted from the spire, echoing in the crags. Moments later, the doors creaked open as a man appeared. Carrie paused as the food trembled in her hand.

A plated metal mask concealed the man's face except for his brown eyes. His jet-black hair swept on one side, exposing a bald portion from the back. Ropes fashioned into a belt around his lean, bare, and muscled torso. A curved sword strapped to the ropes rested on his back. Wrapped around his waist was an adorned sash, matching his blue 'pants,' if called that.

Upon closer inspection, the material looked like the draperies on the floor. The fabric wrapped around the man's lower body and legs, bound by red ropes. His feet were clad in sandals. A pair of tiles acted as braces; both coiled around his wrists. On his knees were two broken tiger-mouthed statues, serving as protective 'pads.' Viewed as a whole, he looked like a fearsome warrior.

The warrior surveyed the temple until he spotted his 'guests.' He shifted towards them, showing a lavish striped tattoo on his left arm and chest.

A soft gasp escaped Carrie. Her mother had once told her to avoid those carrying 'marks of the Devil.' Though instinct instructed her to run, she remained in her seat.

*"Kē tapā'ī harā'unu bhayō? (Are you lost)?" the warrior said.

The girl's mind froze. What was that language he spoke?

Baki patted Carrie's shoulder with a smile. Then, he said to the warrior, "Tapā'īṁ jānubha'ēkō bhandā baḍhī harā'ēkō chaina. (No more lost than you've been)."*

Carrie studied the two men while they conversed in that weird language. Then, the warrior shuffled a step back and regarded her. She stared back until Baki arose from the bench. She was about to rise when he raised his hand, motioning her to stay.

"I'm afraid this is where you and I part ways." He offered her a sad smile. "I wish you good fortune in the coming years."

Carrie tilted her head, unable to convey words. Is he leaving me here?

She shifted her attention toward the warrior as he approached her. Carrie didn't take her eyes off the sword on the warrior's back. With one glimpse at his weapon, the warrior grasped the handle. Tremors surrounded Carrie as the muscles inside her stiffened.

The warrior held up his other hand while he extracted the sword. The blade gained most of the length, with the tip comprising two hornlike protrusions. A slice from such a weapon would cut a human in half.

Carrie remained stiff as she waited for the warrior's next move. To her surprise, the warrior set the sword on the ground. Then, he pushed it away, the metal scraping along the stone floor. Although the action lifted some tension, Carrie remained on her guard.

The warrior's harsh stare softened. "Hello, child." His voice was serene. "What is your name?"

Carrie did not answer, blinking at his fluency in English. As he moved closer, she crawled backward toward a wall. She shut her eyes while fighting back the tears, her form trembling.

"Wait, please, it's alright! Please, don't cry," the warrior said. "This place is safe."

The girl opened her eyes, trying to gain some courage. "Who… are you?" Her voice sounded small and child-like.

The warrior pressed his hands together and bowed. "I am Jago. I'm a Tibetan monk, and you are?"

A Tibetan monk? Did monks wear masks? "I-I'm C-Carrie."

Jago raised his head, his eyes scrunching up. "Carrie…." He spoke the name as if testing it. Although Carrie couldn't see his face, the lines around Jago's eyes lightened. "That's a lovely name."

"Is-is this a trick?"

"No, absolutely not."

"It will take more than assuring words to convince her." Baki drew their attention as he turned to the entrance. "She will need your help to move on from her hellish life, Lama Jago. I have faith you'll find the courage in her heart. Live well, child. May you find peace and happiness."

Before he departed, Carrie raised her hand. "Wait."

Baki paused in mid-step. "Yes?"

"Who-who are you?"

He only smiled. "Just a wanderer. No one special."

Baki turned away, leaving Carrie alone with Jago. With the child saved, I have fulfilled my duty. Her terrible fate will not come to pass. The Tiger Warrior will aid her.


A/N: With the past affecting her, will Carrie learn to trust again in new yet strange surroundings? I will let my brain rest, so I'll see you later.

*Translations in Nepali