We heard a cling or a chime noise that wasn't far from us. It got Sonya's most attention. She went on head to follow the noise, as we followed. We entered what it seems to be a hospital chamber. There were other monks present. They seemed to be attending to someone. Sonya recognized the person right away.
"Jax!" she hurried to his side. He was unconscious, but I was able to check for any sign of life. I leaned to his chest and have my ear listen for his heart. It was still beating, but slowly. He seems to be fighting for his life.
"He's unconscious, but his heart is stable." I told her.
"Oh, God." she than spotted Jax's arms were dismembered. He was able to do what he could to defeat Sub-Zero, but I do know the Lin Kuei warrior was powerful. Luckily, Jax didn't die from bleeding out.
Liu Kang entered the chamber. "It has been my charge to gather all the champions of Earth." He stated. "By the time, I found Jax, I was too late."
"He will live, would he?" Sonya asked him.
"The ice... it cauterized his wounds." Liu Kang answered.
"At least it stopped the bleeding and he didn't die from blood loss." I added.
"True." Liu Kang turned back to Sonya. "We've sourced every realm to find a way to heal him."
Sonya stood straight and was ready to help her high ranking officer. "What can I do?"
"Be patient." Liu Kang instructed her. He than allowed the monks to continue attending to help Jax recover. "Give them time to do their work." From what the monks have gathered, they seemed to be instruments for prosthetics.
"Don't worry Sonya, Jax will recover." I assured her and she took my word with a nod.
"We must go." Liu Kang stated. "He awaits."
"Who awaits?" Cole asked.
"Lord Raiden."
Liu Kang led us out of the hospital chamber, back to the same hall of relics and turned right towards a energy source. Behind it, lies a door ahead of us. Liu Kang once again performed a magic code that was able to open the chamber. When the door opened, a man with a samurai hat was sitting alone.
"The great protector of Earth, Lord Raiden." Liu Kang introduced us to the elder god for Earthrealm... Raiden. The warrior monk bowed before his protector and delivered him the news of our arrival. "My lord, I've gathered the remaining champions of Earth." The five of us entered the chamber for Raiden to see us.
The Thunder god raised his head and looked at us. His eyes were bright, just as the same one as the Raiden I encountered back at Watership Down. However, I do sense something different about him. Not so sure it was. However, I do have some questions, but they're not yet to be presented at this time.
"Is that the same Raiden?" Katie whispered to me.
"No, he's not." I answered my sister's question in a whisper.
"This is what I have to work with?" Raiden questioned. From his tone, I knew something was different about. It caused me to have some opinions about him from his first impression. He walked towards me and Cole and looked at us.
"You both are in no physical or mental shape to fight." The first critique I've ever heard out of his mouth. Cole was a champion, but now a washup fighter participating in random local matches to make ends meet, to provide for his family. My story was that I have horrific experiences back in Afghanistan, at home, and of course during my aide to help Hazel and his fellow rabbits to freedom.
Raiden than approached to Sonya. "You don't even have a marking." It was a basic obvious shun to her, however it never stopped her to get her, especially from her help.
He walked towards Katie, as she was by my side. "You have a marking, but still a child." Katie looked up to me.
"That's one of the reasons why we're Raiden. We've come to ask-"
"You should learn to speak, when spoken directly. Not before." Raiden interrupted me and expected me to learn my manners. Katie hid behind me, as I attempt to comfort her.
He than walked back to where he was sitting and skipping Kano. Kano was about ready to speak. "All right, hang on. What about me, Gandalf, where's my fortune cookie jar-"
Raiden zapped Kano into the air, before falling back to the ground. I almost wanted to laugh from that, but I remained silent. Katie lightly chuckled. "Powerless, arrogant." Raiden spoke to Kano, as The Black Dragon Clan warrior groaned in pain. The Thunder god sat back down. It was that time, we had to give him his attention to speak. "The time has long passed. Our enemies have claimed nine straight victories. One more victory, and Outworld will gain control over Earth forever, and Shang Tsung will enslave the entire human race."
My right hand clinched in fists and I was ready to combat Shang Tsung. I believe I have to challenge him... the only way to save Hazel, Clover, Fiver, Bigwig, Hyzenthlay, and everyone else in our warren. The only fighter I do have a purpose to challenge.
Kano than just got up from the ground and coughed. "Sorry, what did I miss?"
I shook my head for disapproval. While Raiden sighed in disgust of Kano, before he was about to leave. Cole went over to Raiden. "They tried to kill my family!" It stopped Raiden and turned to face him. "They murdered my cousins' family... and their adoptive family, along with everyone in that warren. Help us."
Raiden looked at me, as me and Katie lightly approached and stood next to Cole. He than continued to speak to the three of us. "There's nothing for you here... only death."
"Well, I'm willing to die for my family." Cole made his commitment.
"As would I." I spoke also. "I'm here to stop Shang Tsung and free our adoptive family's souls. He and Shao Kahn have invaded Earth before. I'm willing to stop him, before he does it again."
It seemed to make an somewhat approval for Raiden. However, he still critical about our condition to fight for this battle. "Let's see if you have what it takes." He was about to walk away, but Katie wanted to speak.
"Please, sir." Katie spoke. "I've been trained by Captain Bigwig. However, I cannot be able to fight. I'm not ready. The marking happened to me by accident."
He turned to her. "There are no accidents. Nor mishaps."
I had to step in. "Please, Raiden. She was only protecting Bigwig, before his untimely death. She didn't want to carry this burden. If there's a way you could help her remove the marking. Or maybe transfer it to someone else here, who doesn't have it."
He sighed and breathed. "I'm afraid there's nothing I could do for her or even protect her from death."
Frightening Katie, she was speechless and was close to tearing up.
"Then why are you here?!" I questioned him.
He turned back to me. "I'm here to make sure everyone is trained for the upcoming tournament." He started to walk away.
"And after hearing an outcry from a child, who just told you she's not ready to fight, you're going to allow them to target her?!" my outburst stopped him. "If you seen a child with that marking and is not yet at age to combat others with the marking, what would you do?! Because I'm pretty sure, I would never allow her to compete in a unholy tournament that is life or death."
"She's now a warrior." Liu Kang stood up for Raiden.
"She's mine younger sister!" I exclaimed.
"She has The Dragon's mark."
"She's seven!" I shouted at him.
Raiden began to use his lightening powers to zap me, but I turned to face him. I was expecting to be shocked. Mysteriously... and miraculously. It didn't even phased me at all. The lighting bolts zapped into an invisible wall. As if I was protected. But the question is, by whom or what. The Thunder god walked slowly towards me, as I was about ready to stand my ground for myself and my sister. Sonya quickly pulled Katie away.
"If you dare to speak out of term with me again, you'll face my wrath!" Raiden threatened me. "The next I'm about to use my powers against you, you best wish you have your powers ready and not facing the other way!"
I breathed in and out, as I continued to face Raiden. It lasted for a short period, before he walked away and leaving the six of us alone. I was able to exhale and shook my head for disapproval and lack of respect he has.
Katie came to me and cried. "What I'm going to do? I'm not ready for this. I still have much to learn from Captain Bigwig!"
I hugged her and whispered to her. "Don't worry. You won't have to fight. We have our plan from Nightwolf. It will work. I promise." She nodded and hugged me, as she continues to cry.
After our unfortunate, but very critical greeting, Liu Kang has shown us our living quarters where we will be sleeping. Kano rushed for his bed, while the rest of us made our choice of bed. Luckily, I was able to find one near towards the entrance. I planned to do this, if I was in need to reach out for Holly's guidance in the middle of the night. I took off my scarf and questioned how Raiden's lightening didn't even struck me. Was Holly? The Raiden I know? Nightwolf's protective charms? Or The Black Rabbit of Inle'? The answer I hoped to find out, later this evening. When everyone is fast asleep of course.
