Chapter 3: Dragon's gate

Subzero heard the rain all night through closed eyes. He could feel the house as real as anything else he'd ever seen in his life. He could feel the chair and the storm seemed distant, something far away that didn't effect him. He listened to the rain that gradually began to quieten down as the night passed away. He sunk down deeper into the arm chair until he seemed to lay down on the warm floor itself. There was a leak in the roof, he could feel it dripping onto his face. It arrogated him and slowly he came to his wits rejuvinated by soft sleep. He opened his eyes to see blue clear sky. The horse was standing over him licking his face his ears listening to the sound of sandy cool winds.

He groaned slowly and got to his feet, he gazed about him ahwile to see the vast desert stretching out in every direction. He could see the mountains distantly, he was almost there. He smiled to himself vaguely and patted the horse's back. The luggage was still all intact, he could feel the hot sand on his back yet strangely he felt completely recovered after the storm. His body had made an imprint in the sand he examined it a while before he slowly sighed and mounted the horse with a damp cougth. With a white glow of cold blue he handed the horse a small icicle which it took down whole and crunched with its teeth. He patted it on the back slowly.

"I like you horse" he said quietly. It continued to crunch the icicle with little so much as a nod "What should I call you I wonder?" he pondered. He handed another icicle down that it licked slowly and graciously. He looked up at the sun with a chuckle "I suppose it better be something to do with myself, something cold maybe... you're loyal, you came back to me after the storm" the horse snorted and crunched the icicle with both teeth. The silence of the sand was ethereal.

"Shivalry" he lauthed "I'll call you that, what do you think horse?"

The horse noded vaguely under the sweltering sun and crunched down the icicle like biscuit "Lets be off then Shivalry" he said with a grin and with a light kick in the sides they set off again across the sandy horizon the sun burning down from the East.

The desert changed slowly from sand to rock, and he found himself at Dragon's gate inbetween the rocks. It was a huge metal construction built to prevent assault, arrow holes pointed out of the rock walls. The dragon emblem was across the middle in rusty red patterns so that when the door opened it was split in two. Spikes and sharp swords were sticking out on various points of the rocky walls giving a firm insinuated message (go away).

"Who's there!" called a voice "Speak up or we shoot"

He gazed slowly across the wall to find the gap where the sound had come from. A cross bow was being pointed towards him. He filled with anger from his long trek across the desert.

"Don't be so bloody rood!" he roared back "How dare you speak to me like that! Its me Subzero, now open that gate before I close it over your own empty skull!"

"Yes sir! Sorry sir I didn't realise it was you!" faltered the gate keeper and hurriedly turned a handle. The sound of iron chains being rotated came through the walls and slowly the great gate opened with sheets of dust and a loud echoed klank. Subzero lead the horse through quickly on foot and whispered to it quietly to stop if from bolting. The corridoors were made of rock with wooden beams holding up the roof like a mining tunnel. Light bulbs lit the passageway all dull, some had gone out. One had fallen and he lead the horse round it his own boots crunching on the glass. A dark figure came forward in the distance and Subzero took the blue hood down to see it better.

"Welcome back Subzero" smiled a dark skinned man. Black dreadlocks went down the back of his head, his clothes were all gold coulered like gold leaf with a simple black belt round his weist. Intricate red patterns went down his clothes and Subzero grinned as he came forward. The two embraced and looked at each other "How's the fish biting?" asked Subzero with a smile.

"Not too bad if I do say so myself, never of course as good as your own record"

"Don't worry about my record, to tell the truth I'm getting tired of being the favourite arround here, I never get a moments peace. Hey, speaking of which has you or Smoke ever thought about taking my place?"

"Heh" he chuckled "I doubt that very much Subzero, we couldn't fill your shoes, me or Smoke. I don't know about everyone else but I'm content where I am"

"Where is Smoke anyway? And why are you down here at this time of day" asked Subzero his eyebrows raised, he took the mouth silk piece down to reveal his dry lips.

"Me? I'm here for the stroll" grinned the other "I'm doing it every morning now, I like to take a ride through the desert on horse back, meeting you here was complete chance. Now Smoke, I think he's having his measurments taken"

"What for?" asked Subzero surprized "He's not getting new clothing or something is he?"

"Nah he's way traditional not like me" he lauthed

"Yes," replied Subzero hardening his lip "you'd do a lot better Cyrax if you did wear the traditional clothing. The Grandmaster has said to me several times he'd like you alot better if you did... you like yellow it seems why not dress in it?"

"I am!" he chuckled with a wave of his dreadlocks "Gold's cool, anyhow if I did dress up like you guys you'd probably do me in thinking me to be Scorpion"

"Anyway more to the point" waved Subzero "Why is Smoke having his measurments taken?"

Cyrax raised his hands in the air "Some strange new tecknology they're developing, they took mine and that idiot Sektors. They want four sets for something or other, I don't know who the fourth person will be, or what this technology is but they payed me well for it"

Subzero frowned and looked at Cyrax with a meaningful stare "Be carefull" he said softly "I've seen a lot of strange stuff recently, inside and out of our clan. Keep your wits about you Cyrax"

"Will do sir" nodded Cyrax with a mock salute

Subzero lauthed and patted him on the shoulder "Get out of it" he chuckled "If your going to the stables you might as well take this horse with you"

"Yeah alright" groaned Cyrax "I'll do it for you"

The elevator was much more modern looking than the tunnel. It was metalic with sliding doors and a large keypad of buttons and numbers on the side. He pressed the red button for the top floor and the elevator started with a metalic shudder. He waited patiently as people got on and off of the lift. Many recognised him and saluted or bowed in traditional fashion as they entered. A lot of the traditions Subzero noticed had become lax over the years. Not that he cared, most of it was a waste of time. But it did worry him that this unprofessional style could spread into the jobs themselves. They used to get whipped if they didn't bow to an Arch Assassin, now people could get away with it and nobody really cared. It was still in the rule book and in Subzero's power but nobody else did it, except Sektor. He was loyal as a rock to the Lin quei cause. He seemed to have no mind of his own, he was mommas boy always kissing the Grandmaster's behind. Subzero tightened his knuckle thinking of him. He was just the kind of person to irritate anyone and especially Subzero. He'd contemplated several times going out of his way to remove him for good. But he'd never gotten arround to it. Sektor perhaps didn't realise how much Subzero hated him, or maybe he did? Subzero could never really be completely sure, either way Subzero would be very happy if Sektor somehow ended up dead.

The minor trainees and assassins all had simple red silk costumes with belts with different coulers depending on their rank. They were enforced to wear coulers of their rank unlike their superiors. Arch Assassins could wear what they wanted when they wanted. It was argued that they should know better what they should wear due to their extreme experiance, but there was the traditional clothes in red. Most of them changed the coulers arround to suit their preferences and make themselves stand out from the crowd but some did stick to red and routine. People not unlike Sektor, the traditionalists. Subzero wanted some tradition, he was worried the Lin quei was slowly changing in a way he didn't want it to. But Sektor wasn't really a traditionalist, the only reason he used traditional robes was to show his loyalty to the grand master. It was a form of gaining power and control over his peers. Cyrax was a wild card who put on any old thing. The gold silk seemed to be his favourite clothing, he was recognised almost more than Subzero about the fortress for his wacky behaviour and dress sence. Arch Assassins always knew the others by name. It was said that every Arch assassin had links to each other.

The lift stopped with a shudder and Subzero suddenly realised he was the only person left in it. He exited into a cold decorated religeous chambour. The ceiling had the symbol of the dragon on it. He exited all the gold and splendour to the outside with hardly a second thought. As far as Subzero was concerned the gold didn't belong to him and thus wasn't worth his interest.

On top of the mountains the snow was passing through the air even colder than the temple where he had taken the map. He crossed the icy wooden bridge and entered through double doors into the court of the Grandmaster himself. His hands stung again he tightened his knuckles as he came entering into the circular mini throne room.

A robed man all in red sat opposite. He was the head of the Lin quei nicknamed the king of assassins. Subzero entered and bowed on the stone floor.

"Grandmaster in honour of the Lin Kuei I bring you this sacred map of elements" said Subzero in traditional fashion, he bowed on the ground before the master in a fashion that emplored the old crone's forgiveness. He only did it to keep up the Grandmaster's trust, and of course the pay wages. But the Grandmaster was still one of Subzero's enemies, the sooner he died the sooner Subzero could take control and get the Lin quei moving as he envisioned it. Cold ruthless precision, none of this disrespect. He wanted complete military format with the best training and best assassins. When he took over as he often said to himself in his sleep the first person he'd dispose of would be Sektor.

"Once again our most cunning assassin and thief is successful. At ease my Lin Kuei warrior" smiled the Grandmaster gesturing one hand forward, the red and black gave him a demonic look. A mystery man who gave great impression on the weaker subjects. A black shape came out of the shadows who previously Subzero had completely overlooked, he cursed himself silently for not keeping up his concentration.

"Greetings, I see the ninja has been successful in retrieving my map, as I have foreseen"

He was a pale faced man who looked like Death himself. The face was skull like with stretched skin and a once pointed nose that looked like it had been broken several times. He was not ugly but had a hardened air to him. Black armoured padding with spiked shoulder pads and blue leggings with black boots. Subzero had never seen anyone who looked more disagreable in his life. There was no way that this person could possibly be doing anything for the benefit of mankind.

"Let's get something straight" interupted Subzero putting his finger forward "I am not a ninja, I am Lin Kuei. Scorpion was a ninja!" it surprised Subzero that the Grandmaster was not offended by this persons's tone. Subzero was not about to let someone call him a ninja.

"Ah yes, your Japanese counterpart. It's unfortunate that you happened upon him in your battle with the pesky Shaolin monks" said the skull faced man with a mock look of concern. He was obviously paying well or he'd be dead by now.

"Scorpion was tipped off. He knew I was breaking into that temple! And if he weren't there, there wouldn't have been a battle! You are responsible for this, sorceror!" acused Subzero coming threateningly close to him.

"I'll admit, I also retained Scorpion's services in case you failed. I needed some assurance" replied the skull head again with that horrible smile of his.

"Well, your peace of mind almost cost me this mission" roared Subzero, the sooner he saw the better of this person the better, perhaps he should kill them both now?

"Enough! Quan Chi, what about our payment?" said the booming voice of the Grandmaster. Subzero growled inwardly, that was all the Grandmaster cared about wasn't it? Money, and money was all. Still Subzero wouldn't complain as long as he was payed... but he could see the irony in that.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. In this bag are the bones of your arch-nemesis and leader of Scorpion's ninja clan, the Shirai Ryu" smiled Quan chi handing a brown leather bag over to the Grandmaster. The Grandmaster reached his hand into the bag and smiled clutching his hand round an object he brought out a shiny skull. Stepping up from his seat he walked arround the room gazing at it with satisfaction "And this is the skull of the leader of the Shirai Ryu?"

"It most certainly is" beamed Quan chi "I stripped it of its flesh myself"

"Ha!" lauthed the Grandmaster returning to his chair "Our anchient foes have been vanquished in one transaction!"

"I have personally made certain" began Quan chi with deep satisfaction glowing on his face "that every last remenant of their clan has been eliminated... forever"

"You see Subzero" said the Grandmaster turning to the blue assassin "you can trust a sorcerer sometimes" he paced across the room and deposited the skull back in the bag with a soft click of bone "Now you will use the map on your next mission. Quan chi has once again retained your services"

"Fine give me the details" grumbled Subzero "There goes my holiday" he sighed inwardly. Quan chi grinned again and began speeking "This map you stole, it shows the way to a temple which predates man's recorded history on Earth. For thousands of years the Temple of Elements has been hidden in what are now Known as the Himalayan mountains of Nepal. This map is the only evidence of its existence"

"Fine! I get to the Temple and then what? What's inside?" questioned Subzero looking for holes. He didn't want to run into Scorpion again. Ironically what Quan chi had in mind was much much worse little did Subzero know it.

"A small Amulet. Worthless to you, but let's just say it has great sentimental value to me" he said with a mischivous smile.

"If it's so precious, why don't you get it yourself?" spat Subzero walking slowly forward.

"I cannot enter the temple until the four elements within its walls have been defeated. And I am not on the best of terms with the gods of your realm. Especially your god of thunder"

Subzero rolled his eyes "Tell me about these 'elements'"

"They are the four elements which comprise the very existence of your realm. Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire. With your mastery of the element of Cold, you have an advantage that no other human has. The ability to defeat the elements. I have foreseen this"

"You forsee a lot of things don't you" grumbled Subzero "How on earth do you expect me to destroy these elements? I thought the gods were supposed to be imortal"

"Imortal is the wrong word, there are ways of destroying lesser gods permanantly, but lets not go into that right now... The elements can be killed just as any other physical being can be. You can destroy their bodies but their souls will survive and eventually return to new ones"

"How do you suppose then" lauthed Subzero "That I stop them from possessing me when I defeat them?"

"That knoledge has been lost to the gods of your realm for generations, and for some reason they seem to show no interest in regain..."

"Is that all Quan chi?" interupted the grandmaster fingering a bone from the bag, he placed it across his knee with a yawn "I am tired of this conversation"

"That is all Grandmaster" replied Quan chi with a bow "Unless Subzero here has anything to add?"

"I'm fine" grunted Subzero

"Then its settled then" smiled Quan chi "We shall keep your grace no longer"

The two warriors assassin and sorcerer exited through the double doors outside into the icy mountains. They walked slowly across the bridge together without a word Quan chi stopped a moment and looked out at the clouds that covered the distant desert. Subzero turned agrivated "What!?" he asked. Lightning flashed below and Quan chi grinned "I'm impressed Subzero. You beat Scorpion and handled that monk excellantly"

"How do you know about that!" gasped Subzero breathing cold white furious air.

"I was there of course, watching how you both did. You have something that appeals to me Subzero, some ambition that I like and never saw before"

"Forgive me for not being able to retort with a pleasantry" growled Subzero whietening his knuckle "I warn you sorcerer, I don't like people who make me do two jobs in a row... if I don't get payed well I'm coming back for you" he said slowly emphasising the last words with great intent.

Quan chi for a moment shuddered then looked down at the lightning storm below. The wooden bridge swayed and he regained his confidence with a grin "Do you ever get the feeling Subzero that everything we are told is wrong?"

"Heh I get that all the time" grumbled Subzero relaxing a little

"I see these people of the earth realm struggling with their leaders, their pathetic politiciens who want to make the world a better a place. I have come to learn that there can only be order through chaos. It doesn't matter who controls the wheel as long as they do it with an iron hand and one will that is not divided from the rest"

"I guess I can see some light in that" mumbled Subzero tightening his cold fingers round the rope.

"Can you see Subzero where this realm failed? Can you see why they are weak? Where does our true power come from Subzero? When you defeated Scorpion was it in the light of hollyness or in the strength of hate?"

"Heh this is why I never converse with sorcerers" yawned Subzero "You bore me with all this magic talk. If there's any gods then they left long ago"

"Indeed the ones who could change things did" whispered Quan chi omnimously and dangerously.

"Speaking of Scorpion" continued Subzero "I hope your mind is relinquished enough to not send him this time"

Quan chi lauthed out loudly "Oh Subzero you fool. Scorpion won't be doing anything ever again, his clan is extinct and you killed him"

"What are you talking about?" asked Subzero in surprise. Lightning flickered down below and a small Tornado passed underneath the bridge.

"He died of bleeding after you left him there. Your act was merciful of cource... but unfortunately it did no save him or his pathetic clan the Shiri Ryu from oblivion. I felt his pulse myself and can assure you that he is dead, you will never have to worry about him again"

Subzero was silent for a long time he stared out at the storm below a sudden strange fear gripping him "You are certain he is dead?"

"Dead and everything that is asociated with him" grinned Quan chi mischiviously "You did well Subzero, you are an honor to your clan. Yet you are more than that... you know it. You have greater potential, you are going to do the world a great deed Subzero, you are going to release the world from its tyrants. You are better than Scorpion ... I will meet you again soon"

There was a flash of green and when Subzero turned to where the sorcerer had been standing he was gone. Scorpion was dead, yet somehow he felt deprived, this was wrong. Why was Scorpion dead? Fate it seemed had intervened his decision to change things. He had wanted to make a difference from what was expected of him, but now his nemesis was dead anyway "I meant to spare him" he whispered he whitened his knuckles. He was still nothing but a murderer.

Subzero's mansion was lower down the mountains. When the lift opened he found he was this time inside of the storm. He wrapped the blue cape tightly arround him and headed out across the green path to his house. The rain pelted against his hood and mud splashed up across his thighs even at his slow walking pace. He pondered Quan chi's words as he went ignoring the peltering weather that showered over him. It seemed strange that he could be so close to the desert and yet be now walking on grass. He passed the dim lights from other houses, lanterns were hung on doors that glowed dimly onto the paths. The sound of crying children and talk came from within the houses.

He broke off from the muddy path cutting across grass and slowly came upon the large house the stone bricks reaching up into the sky. A wooden porch with beams held up a small roof that held under it the double doors. He hurried up the wooden steps and knocked on the door. The lanterns were not lit on this house. He waited ahwile and then knocked again, it clicked and an old lady stood inside the door.

"Serriana" muttered Subzero entering.

"Subzero!" she replied taking the coat from him "Are you ok? How are things master?"

"Excellant apart from the fact that I have to go away to Himalayan mountains tomorow on a crazy sorcerer quest" spat Subzero "I want an early breakfast tomorow, make sure everything is to my liking"

She nodded hurriedly putting the cloak on a stand. Her hair was grey and she had on a simple brown robe. Metal circular earings were round her ears and her old rinkled face showed small green eyes with dry old lips. As well as being a house servant she was an expert in medicines, she brewed Subzero many a herb and potion to take with him on his jobs. She was essential to his sucess and would be hard to replace if ever anything happened to her.

Subzero irritated by the weather went streight up the steps to his own room at the top most point of the house. He entered closing the door behind him, his bed was made untouched. The room was dark and in a strange way made him think of the temple. Large segmented windows lined the walls of the room and outside he could see the storm pelting down on the world with great flickers of lightning. The thunder god was angry yet he didn't know who had stolen the map. He reached into his robes with a grin and felt for the map. He didn't find it, he panicked a moment before it fell out onto the ground unrolled with something else beside it. He knelt down with a sigh of relief and picked both objects up. The sky outside flickered with lightning and he looked the object over.

A small green crystal bottle, the carpet had saved it from breaking. He took out a match and lit a candle that was fixed to the wall. He held the ornate crystal bottle up to the light and read the label "Dit Doe Formula" it said in flowing green writing that seemed to glow mysteriously in the darkness. He gasped looking at it slowly and then gazed out at the storm. It dawned on him slowly. He may need it she had said.

If Madame Dit doe had not been just a dream then neither were the gods. He walked out slowly across the room and touched the glass. It was cold and he watched the water drip down the pains. Lightning flashed and lit the room in a white glow before it died down and only the candle's dim brightness lit the room leaving deep shadows "Rayden truely is angry" he whispered slowly and knew for certain that soon he would be going up against the gods themselves.