Chapter 2: The wrong side of bed
Subzero groaned looking at the bed sheets around him. He was in his bedroom lying half undressed on the duvay, he groaned slowly and scratched his head to find a wine bottle in his hand "How did that happen?" he said groggily, he scratched his head and sat up in a daze "At least I didn't dream"
Slowly he stood to his feet. His mask wasn't on and underneath his dry lips were tight with his firm nose above. Sun glimmered in through the windows and he yawned a wreck, unclean he hobbled over to the shower across the wooden floor "Too much drink" he mumbled passing the scrubbing brush over himself.
After he had cleaned himself he dressed and did the usual warm up procedure in the mirror that he did every morning. His style had improved much over the last year. He'd acquired a much greater strength and flexibility over his movements.
Somersaulting through the air he cart-wheeled across the floor turning in mid air and punching, sweeping kicks high and low in his own practice movement that he had invented himself. It was designed to warm up for battle against a variety of foes, not just human but anything else he could come across. That was the trouble with human martial arts, they were all designed to fight other humans. But he'd found out the hard way that when he went to battle humans weren't always the only things he had to fight. It was amazing how little the earth realm knew about demons and the forces that were at work outside. Subzero even with his vast experience in fact considered himself to know very little.
He had started work in his spare time on a new form of martial art. A form that combined his own icy powers much more with his moves. His hands had clearly suffered. Although his powers and control over ice had almost doubled, the effect seemed to show permanently on his pale cold fingers. The very tips of the skin had been tainted white, his hands themselves were much more pale than they had been before. He noticed this as he went through the movements and glanced at them with a slight flicker in the eye. It troubled him yet he had never had the voice to speak up to anyone about it.
The most important thing he had wanted to perfect was using "Cold blows" during his combat. Up until a retrieval of a strange map, Subzero had never really thought of "cold blows" as an actual thing to perfect, more an accessory like using a shuriken in a battle. But as time had passed he had come to learn that they could be used more often.
Subzero you see controlled powers over ice. He had inherited the power from his father who had also been named Subzero the same as his father. The family line stretched away obscurely into Lin Kuei history with little sign of beginning.
The cold blows shone out as his fists leapt with white ice; The air around it freezing and small pieces of icy dew falling towards the wooden floor where they immediately melted into the floor boards. It was a big day and he would have to be on his guard for attempts on his life. He had the vow to give to the grand master. He knew the words off by heart already. He'd given the vow several times before but in the past his words had been genuine. Now every word he said to the Grandmaster was false in trust if not in meaning. He had no respect for the Grandmaster as he had in the old days. Now he understood what a domineering useless old bastard he was.
Holding his hands together he closed his eyes and stood still. He waited for a good few minutes as the sun rose in the sky and the clouds parted outside. With meditation he calmed the mind and found balance. It was more important than many gave it credit for. There are certain muscles in the body that can be tense and a person can often not realize this their entire life.
At peace he opened the door and found breakfast on a plate beside the it on a table. Some chicken, salad more wine potatoes rice noodles with many different herb toppings and dressings. The fresh food looked pretty stale since it had been sitting there for awhile but he took it in and ate it anyway. Serriana must have known he'd become completely drunk the night before. Strangely enough Cyrax not staying for Lunch had set it off. He was fine now in the morning after showering and some food and a warm up. His shoulders weren't in the least bit tense and only his ankle on the left foot held any slight cramp or tension in it at all. He bent it back against the floor as he sat nibbling at the meal he had been given.
Looking out the windows as he ate he could see the distant landscape far away. The huge walls went high up into the air but his house was taller still and himself having the highest room apart from his studio that was one floor up there was a very decent view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In the far distance already in the squares he could see Lin Kuei training "hut, hut, ha!" would be their calls. It echoed across the landscape. Below his own personal guard was patrolling the grounds as usual. They never seemed to do anything else which was good in respect to his own safety. Serriana worked them hard. Subzero wondered briefly whether he had acidently handed the woman too much power? What if she of all people betrayed him to his enemies? No she wouldn't. She was nothing without him. He treated her differently from any other servant. She would not go running off to join another host who would end her secretive lessons and treat her as furnature.
Content he left the plates and bottles where they were and descended refreshed down the steps. Calligraphy was framed up on the walls all mainly lucky charms; he paid hardly a glance as usually. He came to the front doors where below sitting down stood two soldiers in red gazed up at him curiously. One had bright blond hair the other dark black. The black haired soldier looked slightly taller but not much they both stood to attention as he came down the steps. Subzero immediately fell into his "ruthless" mode that he kept for most of the day.
"You, name" he demanded.
"Wurrow" said the blond haired one
"Kanashi" said the black haired one
"I wasn't asking you idiot," he said turning on him suddenly "What are you doing here?"
"We were waiting for you sir" said Wurrow with an apprehensive expression.
Subzero paused and raised his eyebrows, "Ah yes, I asked for an escort didn't I? ... alright then Wurrow and Kanashi come with me, your going to have a very long and boring day if I know anything"
"Thank you sir," smiled Kanashi
"Whatever pleases you," coughed Subzero in a gruff voice, he cleared his throat.
The two opened the doors and Subzero adjusted his mouth piece and hood a little biting his lip as he did so. Satisfied with himself he took a blue cloak off of a hat stand and wrapping it around himself, exited down the path the two soldiers closing the door behind him. He pondered briefly whether he should warn the houes maid. But then he reminded himself that he wanted to put her in place and decided not to. They walked away down the path towards the huge metallic gates where the same guards as the day before waited. The apologetic one seemed as hasty as usual in unlocking the door and the other seemed as relaxed as before. The gates with a clang closed behind them and were immediately locked. The three of them headed down the path, the two soldiers kept behind Subzero, he could hear them whispering now and again.
They followed him wherever he walked, passed the houses, he could even walk in a circle if he wanted and they'd follow him without a question. He held the authority here not them. He still wasn't completely used to using authority on people. Before hand it had always just been Serriana and a couple of other servants. Now it was that more and a whole band of soldiers to keep in line. He'd done it because he knew that people were after him. People wanted him dead and right now he had enough to live for.
Passing the houses and the tree where Cyrax had stood; after a while he came over to rocky edges of the mountains. There him and his two guards entered together walking slowly through a long dimly lit tunnel. It was quite dark and the light bulbs flashed over them as they passed underneath each one illuminating Wurrow's hair. He stopped a moment and spoke "Master, Subzero?"
Subzero turned round slowly and genuinely irritated "What?" he asked glaring through the darkness.
"I've been learning a new form of blocking recently, I was wondering if you could test it out for me"
Subzero chuckled in the darkness, "Have you really been waiting that long to ask me that? Go on then block and show me"
Wurrow did, placing a foot back Kanashi watched with a slightly worried look on his face. His arms crossed and he stood firm.
Subzero slid forward suddenly on icy feet and extending a hand back he brought it forward outstretching the hand and pushed the monk back with a blow that made a surprisingly loud wallop. He fell to the ground.
"You'll have to do better than that if you're going to get anywhere around here," sneered Subzero turning away with contempt, "Now lets get on with this, I expect you not to waste my time again"
Kanashi helped his friend to his feet and they hurried after Subzero, "I told you not to do that!" Subzero could here Kanashi whisper "What did I say? I told you it was a stupid idea!"
"Well I thought it went pretty well," whispered back Wurrow, "Okay he knocked me completely off my feet but next time I can improve it, I expected him to punch me not push me!"
"You'll get us both killed at this rate, now don't do anything else stupid"
"Morons," muttered Subzero turning a corner. He stopped dead in his tracks and his eyes widened, his knuckles tightened.
"Subzero!," called a voice coming towards him in the darkness, "Fancy meeting you here"
An assassin dressed in red and black strolled forward in the darkness. He had gray eyes that seemed so emotionless and empty of anything at all it seemed hard to believe that he had any power of will of his own. Two others were with him, one was dressed completely in black another Arch assassin Subzero knew the name of as Shade, the other was new to the business, very dark skin and a large nose, he was very large and very strong, his name was Uyximizo, brown coulers with ornamented Lin Kuei costume style. His clothes had many of the usual features but they had mostly been extended in some way or other to express his style and tremendous strength, the black silk piece that fell in between the legs was a lot larger and longer than usual, the chest piece had been brought forward and the black tie like line had been widened much. The only reason Subzero remembered the name is because it was the only name he'd ever heard of that had successfully managed to install the three last letters of the alphabet into its midst. He'd met all three before but had never really imagined them having anything to do with each other. He'd never really disliked Uyximizo or Shade on their own, but now realizing that they shared a common bond with Sektor he immediately despised both.
"Sektor isn't it?," returned Subzero pretending he didn't keep the name in his important list, "Have you just had your vow? Then again someone like you wouldn't really need to take a vow in the first place. I'm sure the Grandmaster has complete confidence in your reliability"
"Indeed," chuckled Sektor with a grin, "Vows I'm afraid you may have forgotten don't start for another hour yet. And I as a traditional Lin Kuei member would not dream of going up against the old code of honor. I myself have been talking with my two Lin Kuei brothers here, you may know them already, this is Shade and this here is Uyximizo," he gestured to each in turn, "I was on my way in fact to see you"
"Oh really?," chuckled Subzero, "I never knew we had a strong acquaintance but please do go on"
Sektor coughed before continuing and his face glared briefly before continuing, "I wanted to invite you in on a project that the Lin Kuei are doing. You will be well paid for it I can assure you"
"Anything to keep off the pawn brokers"
"Well of course," remarked Sektor, "Not to insinuate that you the great Subzero could possibly be short on money. But your finance has nothing to do with it. Like the vows it's a matter of honor. I personally would like you to participate in the Lk project. It's a study of the best Lin Kuei warriors there are. Your friends: Cyrax and Smoke have already donated graciously with measurements and various trinkets of their fighting styles and warm up practices. We'd be honored as a whole if you would also do the same"
"Are your friends there in on it as well Sektor?," asked Subzero mildly
Shade spoke, his voice was gruff and dangerous "No, I'm afraid not. At the moment there's only room for the study of four Arch assassins. They want only the best..."
"This I presume," cut in Uyximizo with a very deep precise and firm voice where every syllable rang out clear, "Means that we aren't good enough whereas you and Sektor are"
"Me and Sektor?," chuckled Subzero, "There it goes again. Wherever did this me and Sektor come from?," he turned quickly to the guards behind him, "Wurrow and Kanashi since when have you ever heard me say 'Me and Sektor'?"
Kanashi opened his mouth wide and wiped sweat off his brow gazing at the three glaring assassins in front of him, Wurrow seemed equally flustered.
"I don't think we have," quivered Kanashi running a hand through his black hair, "Forgive me if I am mistaken"
"I don't forgive anybody Kanashi," returned Subzero with a glare, "Everybody from birth has offended me and some people continue to offend me until they are dead, I suppose I can make some exception for the dead, but not very much"
"You have a morbid sense of humor Subzero," chuckled Sektor, his eyes changed suddenly to pitying ones and his mouth dropped a little, "I never realized that there was any tension between us Subzero. I am ashamed to think that you could possibly dislike me"
"I didn't say I disliked you," said Subzero, "I didn't say I hated you either, nor did I say that I couldn't care less whether you lived or died. In your honor Sektor surely you can see that I am not trying to insinuate anything at all of a nasty, morbid or dislikeable nature?"
"Nevertheless," continued Sektor ignoring Subzero's last comment, "Your feelings towards me have nothing to do with it. It is a matter of your honor to join. Your friends thought it was a fantastic idea, I can't see why you could possibly reject it"
"Oh really Sektor? To tell the truth I am insulted by the whole thing. My identity as you seem to believe it is property of yours truly, bound by honor and gift wrapped. I'll have you know Sektor that I consider you of the utmost insignificance. Evidently this project cannot be all that important at all if the only person they can spare to barta with me is you. Some people are scared of you Sektor, I am not. I am above you in rank and I am not going to have anything to do with you. You are a grisly little worm and if you don't get out soon Sektor I'm going to get you out myself. You two can remember that as well, now get out of my way the lot of you. You are wasting my time"
"You're going to regret this Subzero," interjected Sektor, "You're throwing away a great opportunity"
"Get out of my way or I shall hit you"
"You wouldn't dare touch me in front of two other Arch assassins"
Sektor flew across the corridor clutching his stomach before either of the other two had a chance to react. They turned on Subzero quickly from both sides and he ducked aside backing off with both hands he passed Uyximizo's leg across to the wall so that he fell to the ground with a shout. Wurrow and Kanashi stood there for a moment unsure of how to act before they ran forward and attacked Shade both surprised at how swiftly Subzero had started a conflict.
Shade was fast but he wasn't faster than Subzero, nor was he strong enough to beat Subzero on his own or with two allies. Sektor wheezed and stood to his feet for a moment observing the scene. Withdrawing a shuriken from his boot he flung it forward towards Wurrow. Subzero caught it a few centimeters away from his ally's head and flinging it down lodged it into Uyximizo's thigh. He stood limping to his feet and roared before coming forward at Kanashi. Wurrow ducking passed Subzero and shade kicked Uyixmizo hard in the kidneys and the two of them sparred together. As Shade brought a punch to Wurrow's shoulder Subzero descended down to a sweep and brought the black ninja to the floor.
Rolling back suddenly in a ball across the floor Shade stood forward, Subzero advanced on him drawing back his hand he turned too late to take a blow from Uyximizo cringing he staggered blocking Shade's punch he twisted the arm round and aimed a kick to Uyximizo's face. He missed since Uyximizo had already been knocked back by Wurrow. Kanashi punched Shade repeatedly in the face until a steady flow of blood started to poor down his bleached face. Sektor came charging forward and with a flying kick carved his way through the mass of bodies and shouts, everyone fell struggling to the floor.
"Well well well," said a voice in the darkness. They all stopped and eyes turned slowly back down the passageway, "What have we here?" a man with green died hair stood in the passageway holding a mp40 world war two machine gun. There was silence. The black gun glinted under the dim bulbs.
"Subzero Sektor Shade and Uyximizo?"
"Hello Tringle," coughed Shade spitting blood, "what brings you here?"
"Just passing through to take my vow. Curious as well as to what I might find in this particular corridor. I have the right to shoot the lot of you outright and nobody will be able to say a thing, but as I'm kind and generous I won't... I would also expect you to put a bit of work my way. Now as its a nice day, I think we'd all do best to move along and avoid any more arguments like that one"
"Well said," grunted Uyximizo clutching his thigh with a cringe of pain he pulled the shuriken out and blood came freshly down his leg.
"You have no honor," spat Sektor sneering in Subzero's face
"Get a life," returned Subzero with a glare, he cleared his throat and rubbed the side of his ribs.
"That didn't go too well," commented Wurrow massaging his cheek
"Shut up," hissed Kanashi, "Lets just concentrate on staying alive, we're in no position to mess around here"
"Alright mister wise guy," grumbled Wurrow, "Sorry I spoke"
"Subzero I haven't worked with you for a while," said Tringle off hand, he turned suddenly to the three other assassins, "You lot piss off now, I'm not going to escort you lot all the way to the Grandmaster"
"Whatever pleases you Tringle, I'm glad to see you so adapt to western weapons, your origins are very clear"
"Fuck off Sektor," returned Tringle, "Pulling this trigger is easier than you imagine"
Sektor snorted and turned away "Lets go" he sniffed turning to Shade and Uyximizo. They nodded and started away down the corridor glancing once at Subzero. Sektor chuckled as he walked away into the darkness.
"One day Subzero I shall show you the gains of true loyalty"
Tringle waited until the three of them had disappeared far down the corridor, they turned the corner and after a while he heard the sound of an elevator moving. Tringle turned quickly to Subzero, "Why did it start?"
"He wanted me to join his project, I refused and when he wouldn't move out of my way I hit him"
"Heh I suppose you would do something like that"
"What would you have done in my position Tringle?"
"Shot him in the head. Its a cramped corridor, guns work"
Subzero considered it a moment before with a shrug he turned away "Come on you two" he said glaring at both Kanashi and Wurrow "You've got work to do"
"I thought you said we'd be having a boring day master?" sniggered Wurrow
"Shut up or I shall kill you"
"Yes sir"
Tringle walked with Subzero and as usual he spoke very little. Subzero knew him well from previous missions, originally from the western world he'd found out about the Lin Kuei through the underworld and joined. He was a very influential character throughout the hierarchy of the Lin Kuei, he wasn't an arch assassin, because he wasn't good enough at the hand to hand combat. But what he had brought to the Lin Kuei was an increased knowledge of guns and explosives. He'd modernized a lot of things in the Lin Kuei that had stayed un touched for generations. As a co-pilot he earned as much respect and money as a good arch assassin would and often more.
They entered the lift together, the two escorts stayed silent occasionally nudging each other while Subzero and Tringle occasionally exchanged words mainly about some work Subzero had recently been doing for a sorcerer called Quan chi. Both Subzero and Tringle avoided any mentioning of the Shiri Ryu ninja clan. It was a sore spot that neither wanted to touch.
With a whirring noise and a jolt the lift stopped, it opened into a large hallway. Arch assassins were seated around the room to the sides of the walls. Outside you could here the noise of a harsh wind. Many looked up as they entered, glancing across the lines of people Subzero caught his eyes on Sektor who glared back with ferocity. Many other faces he knew were in the room including Cyrax and Smoke. Almost every single Arch assassin was sitting in that huge hallway several hundred at least. Gold decorated the ceiling and rich paintings and vases and mosaics lined the floor and ceiling. The symbol of the dragon was on the ceiling with red staring eyes.
Tringle's hand landed on Subzero and with a sudden jolt he realized that everyone in the room was looking at him. Walking aside he sat down to some whispering. The wind outside howled and eyes glanced at him from different directions. He felt very out place, on either side of him sat his two guards. He wasn't the only person to have guards with him in the room. Many of the ancient assassins did, Eminiza was there, Iminic, Kaldwin, but he noticed with an ache that he was the only young and seemingly to the rest of them active assassin who carried body guards. Perhaps he was the only one who needed them.
After a few minutes their gazes were turned away from him as the wind suddenly howled loudly and the double doors opened. Two members of the Grandmaster's personal guard entered the room with an Arch assassin called Shevion. He walked away towards the lift at the end of the hall. Eyes gazing anxiously forward. He glanced once at Subzero before the lift doors closed.
"Arch assassin Joso," called the guard. A Lin Kuei in red stood to his feet and left his chair. Together with the two guards he walked away into the snow outside that drifted in through the gap. One of the guards stood a moment in the snow gazing in before closing the doors with a loud echoing slam. The snow that had drifted in had already started to melt on the floor. Subzero waited and watched the stone floor in silence, it was going to be a long time before he was called and he had nothing to do. He wasn't aloud by tradition to bring anything to read or distract himself with, it was seen in the code as dishonoring the Grand master. He scratched the palm of his hand and passed it briefly over his pained ribs. They stung from the hard painful blow that Uyximizo had given him. Glancing over at Shade he noticed Uyximizo behind him with large clumsy hands and red tissues trying to clean his bruised face. The big man helped Shade with one hand and with the other pressed against his wounded thigh. They whispered together and every now and again Sektor would turn back to them and glance in Subzero's direction with intent. This wouldn't be the last time he'd hear of those three. It was about time he started to think up his own plans for the removal of Sektor and his two new found freinds. It wouldn't do to go himself, he'd hire someone good to do the job. Maybe smoke; he could come in through the ventilation shafts of Sektor's house and kill him silently while he slept. Smoke was good... maybe too good. It might also be a good idea for Subzero to get rid of Smoke as well come to think of it...
He was never quite sure these days who his friends were and who were not.
Subzero groaned looking at the bed sheets around him. He was in his bedroom lying half undressed on the duvay, he groaned slowly and scratched his head to find a wine bottle in his hand "How did that happen?" he said groggily, he scratched his head and sat up in a daze "At least I didn't dream"
Slowly he stood to his feet. His mask wasn't on and underneath his dry lips were tight with his firm nose above. Sun glimmered in through the windows and he yawned a wreck, unclean he hobbled over to the shower across the wooden floor "Too much drink" he mumbled passing the scrubbing brush over himself.
After he had cleaned himself he dressed and did the usual warm up procedure in the mirror that he did every morning. His style had improved much over the last year. He'd acquired a much greater strength and flexibility over his movements.
Somersaulting through the air he cart-wheeled across the floor turning in mid air and punching, sweeping kicks high and low in his own practice movement that he had invented himself. It was designed to warm up for battle against a variety of foes, not just human but anything else he could come across. That was the trouble with human martial arts, they were all designed to fight other humans. But he'd found out the hard way that when he went to battle humans weren't always the only things he had to fight. It was amazing how little the earth realm knew about demons and the forces that were at work outside. Subzero even with his vast experience in fact considered himself to know very little.
He had started work in his spare time on a new form of martial art. A form that combined his own icy powers much more with his moves. His hands had clearly suffered. Although his powers and control over ice had almost doubled, the effect seemed to show permanently on his pale cold fingers. The very tips of the skin had been tainted white, his hands themselves were much more pale than they had been before. He noticed this as he went through the movements and glanced at them with a slight flicker in the eye. It troubled him yet he had never had the voice to speak up to anyone about it.
The most important thing he had wanted to perfect was using "Cold blows" during his combat. Up until a retrieval of a strange map, Subzero had never really thought of "cold blows" as an actual thing to perfect, more an accessory like using a shuriken in a battle. But as time had passed he had come to learn that they could be used more often.
Subzero you see controlled powers over ice. He had inherited the power from his father who had also been named Subzero the same as his father. The family line stretched away obscurely into Lin Kuei history with little sign of beginning.
The cold blows shone out as his fists leapt with white ice; The air around it freezing and small pieces of icy dew falling towards the wooden floor where they immediately melted into the floor boards. It was a big day and he would have to be on his guard for attempts on his life. He had the vow to give to the grand master. He knew the words off by heart already. He'd given the vow several times before but in the past his words had been genuine. Now every word he said to the Grandmaster was false in trust if not in meaning. He had no respect for the Grandmaster as he had in the old days. Now he understood what a domineering useless old bastard he was.
Holding his hands together he closed his eyes and stood still. He waited for a good few minutes as the sun rose in the sky and the clouds parted outside. With meditation he calmed the mind and found balance. It was more important than many gave it credit for. There are certain muscles in the body that can be tense and a person can often not realize this their entire life.
At peace he opened the door and found breakfast on a plate beside the it on a table. Some chicken, salad more wine potatoes rice noodles with many different herb toppings and dressings. The fresh food looked pretty stale since it had been sitting there for awhile but he took it in and ate it anyway. Serriana must have known he'd become completely drunk the night before. Strangely enough Cyrax not staying for Lunch had set it off. He was fine now in the morning after showering and some food and a warm up. His shoulders weren't in the least bit tense and only his ankle on the left foot held any slight cramp or tension in it at all. He bent it back against the floor as he sat nibbling at the meal he had been given.
Looking out the windows as he ate he could see the distant landscape far away. The huge walls went high up into the air but his house was taller still and himself having the highest room apart from his studio that was one floor up there was a very decent view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In the far distance already in the squares he could see Lin Kuei training "hut, hut, ha!" would be their calls. It echoed across the landscape. Below his own personal guard was patrolling the grounds as usual. They never seemed to do anything else which was good in respect to his own safety. Serriana worked them hard. Subzero wondered briefly whether he had acidently handed the woman too much power? What if she of all people betrayed him to his enemies? No she wouldn't. She was nothing without him. He treated her differently from any other servant. She would not go running off to join another host who would end her secretive lessons and treat her as furnature.
Content he left the plates and bottles where they were and descended refreshed down the steps. Calligraphy was framed up on the walls all mainly lucky charms; he paid hardly a glance as usually. He came to the front doors where below sitting down stood two soldiers in red gazed up at him curiously. One had bright blond hair the other dark black. The black haired soldier looked slightly taller but not much they both stood to attention as he came down the steps. Subzero immediately fell into his "ruthless" mode that he kept for most of the day.
"You, name" he demanded.
"Wurrow" said the blond haired one
"Kanashi" said the black haired one
"I wasn't asking you idiot," he said turning on him suddenly "What are you doing here?"
"We were waiting for you sir" said Wurrow with an apprehensive expression.
Subzero paused and raised his eyebrows, "Ah yes, I asked for an escort didn't I? ... alright then Wurrow and Kanashi come with me, your going to have a very long and boring day if I know anything"
"Thank you sir," smiled Kanashi
"Whatever pleases you," coughed Subzero in a gruff voice, he cleared his throat.
The two opened the doors and Subzero adjusted his mouth piece and hood a little biting his lip as he did so. Satisfied with himself he took a blue cloak off of a hat stand and wrapping it around himself, exited down the path the two soldiers closing the door behind him. He pondered briefly whether he should warn the houes maid. But then he reminded himself that he wanted to put her in place and decided not to. They walked away down the path towards the huge metallic gates where the same guards as the day before waited. The apologetic one seemed as hasty as usual in unlocking the door and the other seemed as relaxed as before. The gates with a clang closed behind them and were immediately locked. The three of them headed down the path, the two soldiers kept behind Subzero, he could hear them whispering now and again.
They followed him wherever he walked, passed the houses, he could even walk in a circle if he wanted and they'd follow him without a question. He held the authority here not them. He still wasn't completely used to using authority on people. Before hand it had always just been Serriana and a couple of other servants. Now it was that more and a whole band of soldiers to keep in line. He'd done it because he knew that people were after him. People wanted him dead and right now he had enough to live for.
Passing the houses and the tree where Cyrax had stood; after a while he came over to rocky edges of the mountains. There him and his two guards entered together walking slowly through a long dimly lit tunnel. It was quite dark and the light bulbs flashed over them as they passed underneath each one illuminating Wurrow's hair. He stopped a moment and spoke "Master, Subzero?"
Subzero turned round slowly and genuinely irritated "What?" he asked glaring through the darkness.
"I've been learning a new form of blocking recently, I was wondering if you could test it out for me"
Subzero chuckled in the darkness, "Have you really been waiting that long to ask me that? Go on then block and show me"
Wurrow did, placing a foot back Kanashi watched with a slightly worried look on his face. His arms crossed and he stood firm.
Subzero slid forward suddenly on icy feet and extending a hand back he brought it forward outstretching the hand and pushed the monk back with a blow that made a surprisingly loud wallop. He fell to the ground.
"You'll have to do better than that if you're going to get anywhere around here," sneered Subzero turning away with contempt, "Now lets get on with this, I expect you not to waste my time again"
Kanashi helped his friend to his feet and they hurried after Subzero, "I told you not to do that!" Subzero could here Kanashi whisper "What did I say? I told you it was a stupid idea!"
"Well I thought it went pretty well," whispered back Wurrow, "Okay he knocked me completely off my feet but next time I can improve it, I expected him to punch me not push me!"
"You'll get us both killed at this rate, now don't do anything else stupid"
"Morons," muttered Subzero turning a corner. He stopped dead in his tracks and his eyes widened, his knuckles tightened.
"Subzero!," called a voice coming towards him in the darkness, "Fancy meeting you here"
An assassin dressed in red and black strolled forward in the darkness. He had gray eyes that seemed so emotionless and empty of anything at all it seemed hard to believe that he had any power of will of his own. Two others were with him, one was dressed completely in black another Arch assassin Subzero knew the name of as Shade, the other was new to the business, very dark skin and a large nose, he was very large and very strong, his name was Uyximizo, brown coulers with ornamented Lin Kuei costume style. His clothes had many of the usual features but they had mostly been extended in some way or other to express his style and tremendous strength, the black silk piece that fell in between the legs was a lot larger and longer than usual, the chest piece had been brought forward and the black tie like line had been widened much. The only reason Subzero remembered the name is because it was the only name he'd ever heard of that had successfully managed to install the three last letters of the alphabet into its midst. He'd met all three before but had never really imagined them having anything to do with each other. He'd never really disliked Uyximizo or Shade on their own, but now realizing that they shared a common bond with Sektor he immediately despised both.
"Sektor isn't it?," returned Subzero pretending he didn't keep the name in his important list, "Have you just had your vow? Then again someone like you wouldn't really need to take a vow in the first place. I'm sure the Grandmaster has complete confidence in your reliability"
"Indeed," chuckled Sektor with a grin, "Vows I'm afraid you may have forgotten don't start for another hour yet. And I as a traditional Lin Kuei member would not dream of going up against the old code of honor. I myself have been talking with my two Lin Kuei brothers here, you may know them already, this is Shade and this here is Uyximizo," he gestured to each in turn, "I was on my way in fact to see you"
"Oh really?," chuckled Subzero, "I never knew we had a strong acquaintance but please do go on"
Sektor coughed before continuing and his face glared briefly before continuing, "I wanted to invite you in on a project that the Lin Kuei are doing. You will be well paid for it I can assure you"
"Anything to keep off the pawn brokers"
"Well of course," remarked Sektor, "Not to insinuate that you the great Subzero could possibly be short on money. But your finance has nothing to do with it. Like the vows it's a matter of honor. I personally would like you to participate in the Lk project. It's a study of the best Lin Kuei warriors there are. Your friends: Cyrax and Smoke have already donated graciously with measurements and various trinkets of their fighting styles and warm up practices. We'd be honored as a whole if you would also do the same"
"Are your friends there in on it as well Sektor?," asked Subzero mildly
Shade spoke, his voice was gruff and dangerous "No, I'm afraid not. At the moment there's only room for the study of four Arch assassins. They want only the best..."
"This I presume," cut in Uyximizo with a very deep precise and firm voice where every syllable rang out clear, "Means that we aren't good enough whereas you and Sektor are"
"Me and Sektor?," chuckled Subzero, "There it goes again. Wherever did this me and Sektor come from?," he turned quickly to the guards behind him, "Wurrow and Kanashi since when have you ever heard me say 'Me and Sektor'?"
Kanashi opened his mouth wide and wiped sweat off his brow gazing at the three glaring assassins in front of him, Wurrow seemed equally flustered.
"I don't think we have," quivered Kanashi running a hand through his black hair, "Forgive me if I am mistaken"
"I don't forgive anybody Kanashi," returned Subzero with a glare, "Everybody from birth has offended me and some people continue to offend me until they are dead, I suppose I can make some exception for the dead, but not very much"
"You have a morbid sense of humor Subzero," chuckled Sektor, his eyes changed suddenly to pitying ones and his mouth dropped a little, "I never realized that there was any tension between us Subzero. I am ashamed to think that you could possibly dislike me"
"I didn't say I disliked you," said Subzero, "I didn't say I hated you either, nor did I say that I couldn't care less whether you lived or died. In your honor Sektor surely you can see that I am not trying to insinuate anything at all of a nasty, morbid or dislikeable nature?"
"Nevertheless," continued Sektor ignoring Subzero's last comment, "Your feelings towards me have nothing to do with it. It is a matter of your honor to join. Your friends thought it was a fantastic idea, I can't see why you could possibly reject it"
"Oh really Sektor? To tell the truth I am insulted by the whole thing. My identity as you seem to believe it is property of yours truly, bound by honor and gift wrapped. I'll have you know Sektor that I consider you of the utmost insignificance. Evidently this project cannot be all that important at all if the only person they can spare to barta with me is you. Some people are scared of you Sektor, I am not. I am above you in rank and I am not going to have anything to do with you. You are a grisly little worm and if you don't get out soon Sektor I'm going to get you out myself. You two can remember that as well, now get out of my way the lot of you. You are wasting my time"
"You're going to regret this Subzero," interjected Sektor, "You're throwing away a great opportunity"
"Get out of my way or I shall hit you"
"You wouldn't dare touch me in front of two other Arch assassins"
Sektor flew across the corridor clutching his stomach before either of the other two had a chance to react. They turned on Subzero quickly from both sides and he ducked aside backing off with both hands he passed Uyximizo's leg across to the wall so that he fell to the ground with a shout. Wurrow and Kanashi stood there for a moment unsure of how to act before they ran forward and attacked Shade both surprised at how swiftly Subzero had started a conflict.
Shade was fast but he wasn't faster than Subzero, nor was he strong enough to beat Subzero on his own or with two allies. Sektor wheezed and stood to his feet for a moment observing the scene. Withdrawing a shuriken from his boot he flung it forward towards Wurrow. Subzero caught it a few centimeters away from his ally's head and flinging it down lodged it into Uyximizo's thigh. He stood limping to his feet and roared before coming forward at Kanashi. Wurrow ducking passed Subzero and shade kicked Uyixmizo hard in the kidneys and the two of them sparred together. As Shade brought a punch to Wurrow's shoulder Subzero descended down to a sweep and brought the black ninja to the floor.
Rolling back suddenly in a ball across the floor Shade stood forward, Subzero advanced on him drawing back his hand he turned too late to take a blow from Uyximizo cringing he staggered blocking Shade's punch he twisted the arm round and aimed a kick to Uyximizo's face. He missed since Uyximizo had already been knocked back by Wurrow. Kanashi punched Shade repeatedly in the face until a steady flow of blood started to poor down his bleached face. Sektor came charging forward and with a flying kick carved his way through the mass of bodies and shouts, everyone fell struggling to the floor.
"Well well well," said a voice in the darkness. They all stopped and eyes turned slowly back down the passageway, "What have we here?" a man with green died hair stood in the passageway holding a mp40 world war two machine gun. There was silence. The black gun glinted under the dim bulbs.
"Subzero Sektor Shade and Uyximizo?"
"Hello Tringle," coughed Shade spitting blood, "what brings you here?"
"Just passing through to take my vow. Curious as well as to what I might find in this particular corridor. I have the right to shoot the lot of you outright and nobody will be able to say a thing, but as I'm kind and generous I won't... I would also expect you to put a bit of work my way. Now as its a nice day, I think we'd all do best to move along and avoid any more arguments like that one"
"Well said," grunted Uyximizo clutching his thigh with a cringe of pain he pulled the shuriken out and blood came freshly down his leg.
"You have no honor," spat Sektor sneering in Subzero's face
"Get a life," returned Subzero with a glare, he cleared his throat and rubbed the side of his ribs.
"That didn't go too well," commented Wurrow massaging his cheek
"Shut up," hissed Kanashi, "Lets just concentrate on staying alive, we're in no position to mess around here"
"Alright mister wise guy," grumbled Wurrow, "Sorry I spoke"
"Subzero I haven't worked with you for a while," said Tringle off hand, he turned suddenly to the three other assassins, "You lot piss off now, I'm not going to escort you lot all the way to the Grandmaster"
"Whatever pleases you Tringle, I'm glad to see you so adapt to western weapons, your origins are very clear"
"Fuck off Sektor," returned Tringle, "Pulling this trigger is easier than you imagine"
Sektor snorted and turned away "Lets go" he sniffed turning to Shade and Uyximizo. They nodded and started away down the corridor glancing once at Subzero. Sektor chuckled as he walked away into the darkness.
"One day Subzero I shall show you the gains of true loyalty"
Tringle waited until the three of them had disappeared far down the corridor, they turned the corner and after a while he heard the sound of an elevator moving. Tringle turned quickly to Subzero, "Why did it start?"
"He wanted me to join his project, I refused and when he wouldn't move out of my way I hit him"
"Heh I suppose you would do something like that"
"What would you have done in my position Tringle?"
"Shot him in the head. Its a cramped corridor, guns work"
Subzero considered it a moment before with a shrug he turned away "Come on you two" he said glaring at both Kanashi and Wurrow "You've got work to do"
"I thought you said we'd be having a boring day master?" sniggered Wurrow
"Shut up or I shall kill you"
"Yes sir"
Tringle walked with Subzero and as usual he spoke very little. Subzero knew him well from previous missions, originally from the western world he'd found out about the Lin Kuei through the underworld and joined. He was a very influential character throughout the hierarchy of the Lin Kuei, he wasn't an arch assassin, because he wasn't good enough at the hand to hand combat. But what he had brought to the Lin Kuei was an increased knowledge of guns and explosives. He'd modernized a lot of things in the Lin Kuei that had stayed un touched for generations. As a co-pilot he earned as much respect and money as a good arch assassin would and often more.
They entered the lift together, the two escorts stayed silent occasionally nudging each other while Subzero and Tringle occasionally exchanged words mainly about some work Subzero had recently been doing for a sorcerer called Quan chi. Both Subzero and Tringle avoided any mentioning of the Shiri Ryu ninja clan. It was a sore spot that neither wanted to touch.
With a whirring noise and a jolt the lift stopped, it opened into a large hallway. Arch assassins were seated around the room to the sides of the walls. Outside you could here the noise of a harsh wind. Many looked up as they entered, glancing across the lines of people Subzero caught his eyes on Sektor who glared back with ferocity. Many other faces he knew were in the room including Cyrax and Smoke. Almost every single Arch assassin was sitting in that huge hallway several hundred at least. Gold decorated the ceiling and rich paintings and vases and mosaics lined the floor and ceiling. The symbol of the dragon was on the ceiling with red staring eyes.
Tringle's hand landed on Subzero and with a sudden jolt he realized that everyone in the room was looking at him. Walking aside he sat down to some whispering. The wind outside howled and eyes glanced at him from different directions. He felt very out place, on either side of him sat his two guards. He wasn't the only person to have guards with him in the room. Many of the ancient assassins did, Eminiza was there, Iminic, Kaldwin, but he noticed with an ache that he was the only young and seemingly to the rest of them active assassin who carried body guards. Perhaps he was the only one who needed them.
After a few minutes their gazes were turned away from him as the wind suddenly howled loudly and the double doors opened. Two members of the Grandmaster's personal guard entered the room with an Arch assassin called Shevion. He walked away towards the lift at the end of the hall. Eyes gazing anxiously forward. He glanced once at Subzero before the lift doors closed.
"Arch assassin Joso," called the guard. A Lin Kuei in red stood to his feet and left his chair. Together with the two guards he walked away into the snow outside that drifted in through the gap. One of the guards stood a moment in the snow gazing in before closing the doors with a loud echoing slam. The snow that had drifted in had already started to melt on the floor. Subzero waited and watched the stone floor in silence, it was going to be a long time before he was called and he had nothing to do. He wasn't aloud by tradition to bring anything to read or distract himself with, it was seen in the code as dishonoring the Grand master. He scratched the palm of his hand and passed it briefly over his pained ribs. They stung from the hard painful blow that Uyximizo had given him. Glancing over at Shade he noticed Uyximizo behind him with large clumsy hands and red tissues trying to clean his bruised face. The big man helped Shade with one hand and with the other pressed against his wounded thigh. They whispered together and every now and again Sektor would turn back to them and glance in Subzero's direction with intent. This wouldn't be the last time he'd hear of those three. It was about time he started to think up his own plans for the removal of Sektor and his two new found freinds. It wouldn't do to go himself, he'd hire someone good to do the job. Maybe smoke; he could come in through the ventilation shafts of Sektor's house and kill him silently while he slept. Smoke was good... maybe too good. It might also be a good idea for Subzero to get rid of Smoke as well come to think of it...
He was never quite sure these days who his friends were and who were not.