Chapter Twenty One: Black Returns
(Rayden's Private Domain)
Through a window, Rayden watched Althea as she went through her morning exercise routine. In just two days, it already seemed as if she belonged in his private domain. At first her returning to her old training regimen worried the thundergod, but then remembered what she said about some of the ways of replenishing chi. He knew of one she only touched on when she mentioned them. The god of thunder smiled at the thought that this other way was considerably more enjoyable than using his lighting, although that might come into play as well eventually.
Finishing up her warm-ups, started her basic fighting motions that Kung Lao had taught her and slowly moved her way up the hand-to-hand lessons, each move becoming more complex and/or difficult than the last but each done flawlessly. Rayden sat back into his chair as he remembered that Kung Lao mentioned something about another weapon for her. Her fighting staff was destroyed and even when she got a replacement, it was a good idea to expand her skills to at least touch upon different weapons. Rayden became uneasy at the idea of Althea fighting despite his admiration of her developing skills. However, he knew no matter what she was truly a warrior and she had enemies. Rayden laughed silently at himself, her warrior spirit was one of the things that first attracted him. Remembering how they first met, she was just learning how to fight using the staff and nearly knocked his head off when he appeared behind her. She was not one bit apologetic about it, and even hinted that it was his fault for sneaking up on her.
"You know, I was starting to wonder about your preference for mortal women, "said Kronos, "Now that I've seen her in 'action,' I think I understand."
This time Rayden was not startled by the Elder God's appearance. Rayden just respectively stood and greeted his superior. Kronos continued watching the woman through the window as he said, "You have a problem. Kuravan is still determined to either control or destroy the girl, in spite of my warnings. Unfortunately, until he actually does anything I can't do anything."
Rayden sighed and said, "I figured as much when Kung Lao mentioned seeing Lilith the other night. The only thing I can think of is keeping her here as long as I can convince her to stay, but I can't…will not keep her as a prisoner. What I don't understand is why Kuravan so fixated on her?"
"Being a godslayer and his granddaughter not withstanding, this obsessive behavior is getting out of line. The other Calornian deities have already mentioned their concerns to the council, "Kronos replied, "The Elder Gods are already looking into the matter. Until this is resolved, just try your best to keep her alive." The Elder God of Time then vanished.
(Tavern)
The meeting with the Red Dragon took place as planned at the tavern. Taja and Siro kept watch as Kung Lao sat at a table waiting. Eventually, Drevane entered the tavern with that same man that was with him on the night of the attack on Rayden. Both approached the table at which Kung Lao sat, but only Drevane sat down.
"Do you have it?" Drevane asked. Kung Lao nodded and pulled out two scrolls from under the table.
"The older one is the original and the other is a translation made at the temple," Kung Lao answered.
"And your price?"
Kung Lao just looked at the leader of the Red Dragon and said, "Leave…us…alone. Do not take anymore 'jobs' that is anyway connected to myself, Taja, Siro, Althea and/or anyone living or staying as a guest with us."
Drevane leaned back and took a deep breath. He knew that the Emperor and others would be extremely upset if he could no longer aid them in their endeavors against Kung Lao and his little group, but the price was more than reasonable. It might cause a dent in future profits and his clan would need to go back to the shadows, but they would recover. In time the Red Dragon will return, and stronger than ever. "Agreed, but only if the scrolls are as promised, "Drevane said and took the scrolls from Kung Lao.
Kung Lao nodded in agreement and said as he stood up to leave, "It was nice doing business with you."
(Across the room)
Lupena watched the entire trade off from a hidden corner in the tavern. Per Quan Chi's orders, she was to watch the scroll and report to him as soon as it was used. When Drevane left, she moved to follow him. As she did so, she couldn't help but wonder if the desires of Kung Lao's group was really that much different from her own pack's wishes; to be left alone and to protect their home. Perhaps the wind god was right; it was time for a change.
(Calorna)
Kuravan took Lilith's report with an apparent calm, but inside he raged. How dare the thundergod interfere with his plans? The godslayer was of his blood and his realm to do with as he wished, not Rayden's. Lilith sensed the anger radiating from her master and wisely left the room as soon as she was dismissed.
Rage overrode rational thought as the deity destroyed his office with mere thoughts. Eventually, the tide of rage passed to be replaced by cold hatred and cunning. Somehow, Rayden has gotten the favor of Kronos. While he, Kronos's own son, lost what little favor he had. Kuravan still remembered the order to leave Earthrealm alone and from what he understood; Shao Khan has also received a warning. Until the next Mortal Kombat tournament, Earthrealm was off limits to the Emperor of Outworld. Perhaps it was time for another meeting with his old 'friend' to discuss possible options.
(Red Dragon Headquarters)
As soon as he returned to his office, Drevan opened the two scrolls. The original was written in that same unreadable script that was on the medallion that he found among his dead mother's belongings. The translation appeared to be a good one with multiple possible meanings of certain phrases and words. He had no doubt that the monk thought that this was the cure. Kung Lao was honorable and soft hearted; someone who was relatively easy to predict and read. But was it truly what Drevane sought?
The whispering voice of the red dragon spoke of traps and false information. It was these whisperings that convinced Drevane of the scrolls' authenticity. Studying the translation carefully, he was amazed at how simple it was. Simple but not easy, a combination of will power and a focus was all he needed. The warnings were also there, to fail was to lose his soul to the dragon but that would happen eventually if the dragon was not contained. Drevane leaned back into his chair and thought about why he summoned the red dragon to begin with. To defeat the Black Dragon, Jola, she who killed her own family for power and imagined insults. Once Drevane, himself was of the Black Dragon but the betrayal of Jola made up his mind that the Black Dragon clan as it stood was not worthy of the term, clan. The only way to kill a dragon was to become a dragon, so he pulled out the half forgotten medallion and summoned his family's legacy of the Red Dragon. He should have known there would have been a price.
Drevane summoned his aid. Handing him a slip of paper Drevane said, "Go to town and acquire this item for me as quickly as possible." The aid bowed and left. 'Soon, 'Drevane thought, 'I will be free.'
(Outside)
Outside of the Red Dragon's hideaway sat a dark she-wolf. Quietly, it watched the coming and goings of the clan's members. Its interest peaked when one particular member returned carrying what seemed to be a small package. The wolf sniffed the air and then slightly growled to itself before leaving.
(Quan Chi's Domain)
At Quan Chi's lair, Lupena reported what she saw. Quan Chi chuckled and seemed very pleased with what he heard. "Marvelous,"he said, "By tonight I will have a power that has not been fully realized in centuries. " He looked at his servant and said, "Rest for now, for tonight you'll lead my newest acquisition. She will see to acquiring what I seek and have a bit of revenge as well."
Lupena's eyes narrowed as she wondered who the sorcerer could be referring to. Quan Chi smiled and said, "Let me introduce you to your newest co-worker…Oh Jola."
From a doorway, in walked the former leader of the Black Dragon with a cruel and bloodthirsty look on her face. Quan Chil smiled at Lupena's surprised expression and he explained, "Recently, Jola found herself in the Neatherrealm, sent there by Drevane and the red dragon." The shadowy image of the black dragon appeared around Jola as the woman's eyes flashed with dragon's fire and Quan Chi continued, "Unlike Drevane and the red dragon, Jola and her black dragon spirit have no qualms working together and both have a score to settle. I just happen to more than happy to give my newest servant a chance to do so."
(Red Dragon Headquarters)
Night came as Drevane rested from his exertions. The spiritual battle with the red dragon was over and he proved victorious. On the desk laid the blood red medallion, looking exactly as he remembered it. Despite being spiritual, he was also physically tired and sore from the fight. False memories of the dragon's claws shredding his flesh and its flames burning…he just didn't have the energy to move. Thanks the gods or whatever, that it was at last over. Come morning the medallion will once again be hidden and hopefully forgotten for all time.
The next thing he knew, he was thrown to the floor by the explosion that blew in his office doors. As the smoke and dust cleared he saw two women enter the room. One he recognized from descriptions as Lupena, Quan Chi's servant. The other was…"No, it's impossible," he thought out loud as Jola with her dragon spirit reached down and picked him up by his neck. Lupena picked up the medallion and said, "We got what we came for, let's go."
Jola smiled evilly and replied, "You can go. I'm still not done."
Lupena shrugged and left. As Jola stared directly into her murderer's face. "Why did you do it Drevane?" she asked, "Between the two of us we could have ruled this region."
Drevaned clawed at Jola's tight grip and rasped out, "Until you decide to do to me as you did your father and brother. How long would it have been until you decided that I was holding back the clan and had to be done away with as well?"
Jola and her dragon both growled as she threw the man across the room. As he landed she said, "You have a point." She raised her hands to prepare to destroy her killer but four men jumped her from behind. With hardly any effort she fought them off and turned them to ash. In just seconds she turned her attention back to Drevane only to find that he was gone. "NO!" she and the black dragon both roared as the building exploded by the power of their rage.
From the woods Drevane watch as his world ceased to exist. He mourned the lost of his clan and loyal men who gave their lives so he had time to escape. Drevane then left to create as much distance between him and Jola. He knew her well, she would not rest until he was dead and all of those she thought as her enemy were destroyed. As he walked, he mused. He was free, but there was a price for that freedom. The sound of the wind in the trees was the only companion as he traveled.
The End…
Next Time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest
"With that in mind, "said Rayden as he picked her Althea up and dumped her into the hot spring.
"You really don't want to do that, "said Drevane to Lupena, "After all we do have a common enemy."
