Interlude with a God
It is still night when I slip out of my warm bed. Kitana snores lightly next to me but, my sister is too caught up in her own dreams to realize I have left the room. Throwing on a light robe, I make my way up to the chilly deck of the ship. Silently I hope that he'll be there again but chide myself for my treacherous thoughts. Imagine, an assassin to the Emperor falling for one of the Lin Quei. It's unheard of. Kitana would encourage me to express my feelings but the question was, would I?
The sea air is salty and refreshing to my tired soul. For too long I was seen as a cold blooded assassin and deep down I knew that it had become part of me. Bred to follow orders, no questions asked. There were times I wondered if it was worth it. Kitana would never be asked to undergo these revolting missions placed upon her shoulders by Shao Khan while I was nothing more than a scapegoat. A killing machine raised to destroy all those in Shao Khan's way.
I had always wondered why my mother kept quiet. Did she not care for her daughter? Was it possible for a mother to love only one and not the other? Where was her nurturing and love? These questions had been ingrained into my psyche. Was I fated to become nothing more than a mindless pet like Baraka?
I stood still, slim hands gripping the boat. The ship rocked gently across the surprisingly calm waters. I thought earlier there would be a storm later but was wrong. This tournament was my chance to become free from my bondage to be my own woman.
"I hope that I'm not disturbing your reverie" a soft voice whispered from behind her.
"Lord Rayden, of course not". I reply knowing he was there for sometime. I know he has been silently observing me since we first met. Usually I can characterize a person's intentions with me from the beginning but today I found myself wanting on two occasions. Rayden watches me with hidden emotions on his face I'm not sure what his intentions are. But strangely I'm not afraid or angry. There is a calming effect about him. I can see why the Earth Warriors trust him on their perilous journey. I wonder if the same can be said about our leader the mighty Shao Khan.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asks as I nod my head in agreement. "Neither could I." he states flatly. "I think those warriors believe that this tournament would be as easy as the first but I can only shake my head in disbelief that they would make that ridiculous assumption." He says softly.
I detect hints of sorrow in his voice and despite the side I represent, I feel a sense of pain for this deity. I feel compelled to question him about his earlier behaviour.
"I think that the Earth Warriors have a great chance at winning this. The Emperor and Shang Tsung have always underestimated the strength and determination of mortals." I reply knowing I was committing treason against my liege. There was an air of nobility surrounding him and somehow I knew the truth would help cement our truce.
He looked at me with surprise and admiration. I believe he thought he would never hear the assassin of the Emperor utter those words. I lift my head and smile at him.
"You remind me so much of your mother." He says suddenly. "Same indomitable spirit and passion." he finishes.
"Tell me about her." I plead not caring if this betrayed my image. "We were so young when she died. Kitana seems to recall memories of her but I'm not able too. Anything you can tell me Lord Rayden I would appreciate it greatly." I ask humbly.
"My child, I vow that after this tournament you'll discover all the answers to your past and even some of your future." He says mysteriously.
"Rayden please tell me at least something." I reply snapping my head in his direction but he is no longer there.
I stand there contemplating the entire episode with Rayden. I know that I must win this tournament if my desire to be emancipated shall come true.
"No strings attached." A voice whispers. "None at all." I reply coldly and stay there until the sun comes up.
It is still night when I slip out of my warm bed. Kitana snores lightly next to me but, my sister is too caught up in her own dreams to realize I have left the room. Throwing on a light robe, I make my way up to the chilly deck of the ship. Silently I hope that he'll be there again but chide myself for my treacherous thoughts. Imagine, an assassin to the Emperor falling for one of the Lin Quei. It's unheard of. Kitana would encourage me to express my feelings but the question was, would I?
The sea air is salty and refreshing to my tired soul. For too long I was seen as a cold blooded assassin and deep down I knew that it had become part of me. Bred to follow orders, no questions asked. There were times I wondered if it was worth it. Kitana would never be asked to undergo these revolting missions placed upon her shoulders by Shao Khan while I was nothing more than a scapegoat. A killing machine raised to destroy all those in Shao Khan's way.
I had always wondered why my mother kept quiet. Did she not care for her daughter? Was it possible for a mother to love only one and not the other? Where was her nurturing and love? These questions had been ingrained into my psyche. Was I fated to become nothing more than a mindless pet like Baraka?
I stood still, slim hands gripping the boat. The ship rocked gently across the surprisingly calm waters. I thought earlier there would be a storm later but was wrong. This tournament was my chance to become free from my bondage to be my own woman.
"I hope that I'm not disturbing your reverie" a soft voice whispered from behind her.
"Lord Rayden, of course not". I reply knowing he was there for sometime. I know he has been silently observing me since we first met. Usually I can characterize a person's intentions with me from the beginning but today I found myself wanting on two occasions. Rayden watches me with hidden emotions on his face I'm not sure what his intentions are. But strangely I'm not afraid or angry. There is a calming effect about him. I can see why the Earth Warriors trust him on their perilous journey. I wonder if the same can be said about our leader the mighty Shao Khan.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asks as I nod my head in agreement. "Neither could I." he states flatly. "I think those warriors believe that this tournament would be as easy as the first but I can only shake my head in disbelief that they would make that ridiculous assumption." He says softly.
I detect hints of sorrow in his voice and despite the side I represent, I feel a sense of pain for this deity. I feel compelled to question him about his earlier behaviour.
"I think that the Earth Warriors have a great chance at winning this. The Emperor and Shang Tsung have always underestimated the strength and determination of mortals." I reply knowing I was committing treason against my liege. There was an air of nobility surrounding him and somehow I knew the truth would help cement our truce.
He looked at me with surprise and admiration. I believe he thought he would never hear the assassin of the Emperor utter those words. I lift my head and smile at him.
"You remind me so much of your mother." He says suddenly. "Same indomitable spirit and passion." he finishes.
"Tell me about her." I plead not caring if this betrayed my image. "We were so young when she died. Kitana seems to recall memories of her but I'm not able too. Anything you can tell me Lord Rayden I would appreciate it greatly." I ask humbly.
"My child, I vow that after this tournament you'll discover all the answers to your past and even some of your future." He says mysteriously.
"Rayden please tell me at least something." I reply snapping my head in his direction but he is no longer there.
I stand there contemplating the entire episode with Rayden. I know that I must win this tournament if my desire to be emancipated shall come true.
"No strings attached." A voice whispers. "None at all." I reply coldly and stay there until the sun comes up.