Chapter Five: The Man in Black

It was early in the morning and Smoke and Tundra continued down the mountain without getting much, if any, sleep last night. It was best for them to get as much distance from the temple as possible before anyone realized they were gone. Tomas used his power to teleport once or twice, but he could not go far distances, especially with Kuai. That took up too much of his energy and if the Lin Kuei did show up, they will need all their strength. The two former Lin Kuei also changed into civilian clothes along the way, in case they bumped into anyone.

Fortunately, they were making good progress down the mountain path. At least more than regular humans would if they were making this journey. It was going to take Smoke and Tundra a day or two to get to the bottom if they kept going at this pace.

"Where will we go?"

Tomas turned towards his friend.

"Honestly, I have no idea. I guess anywhere is better than the temple, right?"

"Yes, but we cannot just wander aimlessly. We need a plan."

"Do you have any suggestions?"

The cryomancer stopped and put a hand under his chin in thought. Smoke took a seat on a rock to rest for a moment while Tundra was thinking. As he sat down, a wave of exhaustion washed over Tomas. He had not slept well in days and he had not eaten anything since breakfast yesterday. To make matters worse, the gray ninja could not stop thinking about that stranger from the courtyard. Pyros.

Was he a friend or a foe? Did the man really want to help him or was he just doing this for some sick thrill? A trap, maybe? Smoke just could not get a reading on the guy. He told Pyros that he trusted him, and Tomas does, but someone wearing a hood covering their face and appearing out of nowhere is definitely suspicious. Along with that amazing smell of something cooking...

Cooking? Smoke sniffed the air and sure enough, the smell was there. Even Kuai stopped what he was doing when the aroma hit him.

"Someone is up here."

"Yes... and no one ever comes up here."

Curious, the two ninjas started walking again, focused on finding the person responsible for making the smell. They did not have to walk far for as they turned a corner, the duo were greeted with the sight of someone cooking over a fire. The person hummed as they used a spoon to scoop up some rice porridge from the pot they had settled over the flames and poured the it into a bowl. While Kuai looked on in confusion, Tomas immediately recognized the black gloves and trench coat. He opened his mouth to address the stranger.

But no sound would come out. Smoke literally could not say a word. He placed a hand on his throat and looked at his "friend" with wide eyes.

"Greetings, strangers! Please, join me for some breakfast and rest. You both look absolutely drained."

As Pyros spoke, Tomas felt a sharp pain in his head. This communication was going to take some time to get used to, but at least the pain was not as bad.

"Listen to me, my boy. I would suggest keeping our meeting to ourselves. I do not think you would want to put Tundra in anymore danger than the two of you are in now."

Smoke was about to ask Pyros what he meant, but the pain was gone and that meant the telepath was out of his head for the moment. Fortunately, he had his voice back. Although, it was uncomfortable how Pyros could easily do that to the gray ninja. What secrets was this guy hiding?

"No, thank you, sir. We are actually in a hur... huh?"

Tomas walked over to Pyros and sat next to him. Kuai looked at him as if asking "What are you doing," but the gray ninja just shrugged and motioned for him to come, too. As the cryomancer knew, his comrade did not just trust anyone, so if Smoke was saying it was okay, then it was okay. Slowly, Tundra walked over to his friend and the hooded individual and sat down on the opposite side of the campfire.

"Good, good. Would you two care for some porridge? It is not much, but you may eat as much as you like!"

Why was Pyros sounding so enthusiastic? Anyway, the telepath held out the bowl he filled earlier to Smoke, who took it with a simple "thank you." The same was done for Tundra, but he just nodded in appreciation. Once they were settled, Pyros made a bowl for himself.

"Ah, what a beautiful morning, isn't it? This spot provides amazing view and Zhu Zin looks so tiny from up here. Are you two heading down there?"

"Yes, we are. As I was saying before we are in a bit of a HURRY."

Tundra emphasized the last word while looking at Smoke.

"I see. Well, would you like a ride? I have my... oof!"

That is when the two ninjas noticed Pyros "company." Two oxen, one black and the other brown, were nudging the telepath with their noses. One of them even tried to get a hold on Pyros' bowl of porridge.

"Alright, alright, you impatient behemoths! I will feed you in a moment."

Smoke could not help but smile at the man and his beasts. Even Tundra smirked. The now aggravated Pyros got up and headed over to his wagon, which was full of hay. Either the oxen did not see it, or they just wanted to annoy their master. It would be funny if it was the latter.

"Once these two get fed, I would be happy to give you a ride to town. It really is no trouble."

"That is very kind of you, but we do not even know your nam..."

"We would appreciate that very much, sir."

Now Tundra was getting aggravated. First, they ate the stranger's food and now Smoke was okay with the idea of riding with him. For all they knew, this guy was a spy.

"My friend, may I talk with you privately?"

"About what?"

"You know what."

Kuai then got up from his seat and walked a good distance from Pyros' makeshift campsite. Sighing, Tomas placed his bowl of porridge on the ground and followed the cryomancer. The way Kuai had a stoic expression on his face and his arms crossed reminded Tomas so much of Bi-han.

"Alright, what is going on?"

Tundra even had that tone in his voice that meant business.

"What do you mean, Tundra?"

"You are insisting that we let a complete stranger transport us. We have no idea of that man's true intentions. And doesn't the hood concealing his face seem suspicious?"

Did it ever, but Smoke did not say that out loud.

"Look. We need to get some rest and if he is willing to give us a free ride down the mountain, then we should take it. Besides, if he does try anything funny, we are more than capable of defending ourselves, right?"

"I know, but..."

"Do not worry, alright? Nothing is going to happen."

"How exactly do you know that?"

"I just... I just do."

Unbeknownst to the ninjas, Pyros was listening to their conversation while pretending to be caring for the oxen. He hoped the cryomancer would buy any lie Tomas provided. For both of their sakes. The telepath watched as the gray ninja spoke to Kuai, who was shaking his head and had a deep frown on his face. It seemed like forever, but finally, Tundra uncrossed his arms and nodded in agreement. Pyros could sense there was still some doubt in the blue ninja, but he put it aside for Smoke. Good.

"If you two are ready, we can go now!"

The telepath yelled to get Tomas and Kuai's attention. The duo jogged back to Pyros and his cattle.

"Our apologies for keeping you waiting. We are ready."

"No need for apologies. Let us go."

The three men finished their breakfast and put out the fire. Pyros then sat at the front of the wagon to steer while Smoke sat beside him, and Tundra sat in the back. He used some of the leftover hay from the oxen's feast as a pillow as he laid down. Smoke looked back to face his comrade.

"You can go to sleep if you need to. I know you are tired."

"I am not a child. I will sleep when I want to."

Tomas laughed at that. Even though he was not sure of his age, the gray ninja felt like an older brother to Kuai and sometimes that brotherly instinct would get the better of him. Before he knew it, Tundra eyes started to feel heavy and he felt oddly relaxed. Safe, even. As Smoke looked back again, he arched an eyebrow when he saw the cryomancer fast asleep. He tapped Kuai on his knee a couple of times, but his friend would not wake up.

"Leave Kuai be. He is alright."

Smoke quickly turned to Pyros when he said Tundra's name. It seems that the telepath was finally going to "talk" to Tomas about their current situation.

"So... Pyros?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to explain things to me now or are you just going to disappear again?"

"No, not this time. In fact..."

Pyros suddenly reached for his hood and slowly pulled it off.

"...I think it is only fair that we talk face to face."

The face that was revealed was of a middle-aged man with a goatee. He had short black hair with a bit of gray here and there and his eyes were dark brown.

"Now that that's out of the way, may I ask what you and your friend intend to do now?"

"...I thought you would already know that since you "know many things," Pyros."

"That does not mean I know EVERYTHING. I am no god."

"Then what are you? You can read minds and you can take away someone's voice, which by the way was uncalled for."

"You are right, and I do apologize for that."

"Forget it, just... are you some sort of sorcerer or something?"

"...It is a bit more... complicated than that."

"Then please, simplify it for me, because Kuai was right. We are riding with a complete stranger. A stranger who asked me to trust him but is keeping secrets from me. All I know about you is your name!"

Pyros sighed and turned around to look at Kuai, who was still asleep. The man smiled.

"All you need to know is that I wish to protect you boys, especially you."

"Why? What makes us so special?"

Now the middle-aged man turned to Tomas and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No, my boy. Kuai is an exceptional young man and will grow even stronger than his brother. You, however... You are special."

"...What?"

"You have so much hidden potential within you. So much power, yet deep down, you are afraid of it. Afraid of yourself and what you could become."

Smoke's eyes widen. This man, this stranger that appeared out of nowhere, seemed to know more about Tomas than he knew himself. It was unsettling, but the gray ninja was also curious as to what the telepath knew.

"This power you speak of... are you sure you are talking about me? You make it sound as though I am a threat."

"Well, in a manner of speaking, you are. Or at least you will be once people know of your existence."

"What people? The Lin Kuei did not care much about me and they have seen my power."

"Not your true power, yet Oniro knows about it. He knows you are much stronger than you seem, and he wanted to use your power for his own desires. The Grandmaster had no intention of finding your missing memories. He wanted to make it so your only family was the Lin Kuei and you would have no place to go. No place to run. No one to trust but the Lin Kuei. It is sick how he attempted to brainwash you."

Deep down, Smoke knew he should feel surprised and betrayed, but he somehow knew that what Pyros had said was true. At least about the Grandmaster and the clan. The gray ninja really had no place to go and no connections to anyone outside of the Lin Kuei as far as he knew.

"But if I may offer a suggestion..."

"Your "suggestions" might as well be "orders" the way you insist that I follow through with them."

"And have my "orders" been wrong so far?"

"...No."

"Exactly!"

The two men heard Kuai groan and gazed at him. The cryomancer had shifted due to Pyros' shouting, but he was still unconscious thankfully.

"Oops. Sorry, my boy. I got a bit excited."

The telepath laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. He quickly regained his composure, however, and looked back at Smoke.

"As I was saying, I suggest that you and Tundra go to Outworld. You may find answers about your past... as well as Bi-han's murderer."

That caught Tomas' attention.

"A Mortal Kombat tournament is currently being held in Outworld. Earthrealm warriors, including the champion Liu Kang, will be participating. Shang Tsung will be hosting the tournament once more and it was he, along with a another sorcerer from the Netherrealm, who staged Sub-zero's demise."

The gray ninja clenched his fists in rage. These sorcerers had set up his friend and brother and allowed him to die. If Tundra was awake to hear this...

"How do we get to Outworld?"

"Ah, determined I see. That is good, but I cannot allow you to leave yet. Not until you have proper rest."

"I am fine."

"No, you are not. I know you have not told anyone about your nightmares. Have you?"

Uh-oh. Pyros knew about the nightmares. But, so what? They were only bad dreams, right?

"Everyone has nightmares. There is no need to be concerned about mine."

"There is when you cannot even sleep for an hour before they appear. I do not know what happens in your dreams, but I know it is not good when it keeps YOU up at night. You cannot keep doing this."

Frustrated, Smoke put his head in his hands and sighed.

"Please, stop worrying about me. I can take care of this mys..."

"Why are all you Lin Kuei so stubborn!?"

Before he could retort, Tomas' vision started getting blurry and his eyelids felt like lead. He placed a hand on his head to steady himself.

"What... What did you do?"

"I have not done anything. Tomas, what is wrong?"

"I...I..."

"Woah, slow down. Calm yourself. Everything will be alright."

Smoke could not even comprehend what the telepath was saying to him. He felt noxious and wanted to throw up, but he knew nothing would come out. What was wrong with him? Losing what little strength he had, Tomas slowly fell forward, but luckily, Pyros caught him before he fell.

"Tomas! Tomas, speak to me!"

Pyros was shaking the gray ninja, but Tomas was out cold. The middle-aged man was beginning to panic. Smoke never got sick. Ever. Just as he was about to stop the wagon to check on the warrior, Pyros felt it. A strong power was rising from the man he held in his arms, but he knew it was not Smoke's doing. It was something else. Something evil.

Something... demonic.