Chapter Twenty Three: Light Musings
(Elder God of Light's Private Chambers)
The Elder God of Light observed the meeting between his fellow Elder God, Kronos, and two gods from Earthrealm. Aether frowned; he had felt that perhaps Kronos was getting too close to those two and too interested in that mortal descendent of his. Now after hearing what Rayden and Fujin had to report to the Elder God of Time, he began to understand. How long has this been going on? Constant breaches of the rules set down by the Elder Gods, a possible re-awaking of one of the dragons, and possibly another rogue deity. Was the Council that far out of touch with reality?
Aether wasn't sure if he should be pleased or concerned with Kronos's reaffirmation that he nor any of the other Elder Gods could do nothing until something actually occurs. Even the Elder God of Light knew that by then it would be most likely too late. He went to his private chambers to think. How had the Council of the Elder Gods lost its power and focus? When Shinnok betrayed the Council? Or was it when over half of the original seven were replaced by younger gods? Aether sat back in his chair with a sad sigh. Only three of the original seven Elder Gods were still on the Council. One other still lived but was stripped of his powers and exiled to the Neatherrealm. The others destroyed by that same traitor. Mortals and lesser immortals ended up in one of the realms of the afterlife when they died, but what of the gods? No trace of the gods' souls killed in that war, have ever been found. Nor of the few that were killed since then.
Aether looked up to look at his own personal reminder of that war; a pair of swords hanging on his wall. He never carried or used them; in fact they were nearly used on him. If it wasn't for the loyalty of a personal servant the Council would have lost another Elder God that day. Few knew he had them or even that they existed. Most if not all other weapons that were made of that same deadly metal were long destroyed in the heart of a distant sun.
"My aren't we thinking a lot today, "came a female voice, "Careful, its been so long since you done anything like that you might strain yourself."
Startled, Aether turned to the source of the voice and saw the one often called Lady Tomorrow leaning against the wall next to him. Despite himself he couldn't help asking, "How did you get in here?"
The white haired woman shrugged and walked across the room. Looking around she said, "You know, I do believe this is the only time I'm ever going to get the chance to see this place." She took one of the swords down off the wall and mumbled aloud, "I always wondered where they came from…"
The Elder God of Light quickly got up and took the sword from the woman's hands. "What do you want?" he demanded as he placed the blade back on the wall.
The woman laughed slightly behind her scarf and said, "I thought you were supposed to be the nice one. Anyways, I'm here to basically do the same thing I always do. Say a few cryptic words in the hopes that the person I'm talking to will get the hint. So far I have a perfect score, although there was that one time Rayden had me worried for a moment."
The Elder God rubbed his forehead, definitely starting to feel a headache. "Fine," he sighed, "Just tell me what you came to say and leave."
"Already have, "the woman answered and vanished.
"What! " Aether exclaimed but then he took another long look at the swords.
(Zhu Zin Tavern)
Kung Lao waited at the tavern for his order. Has much as he knew Taja would complain about spending the money for it, he knew none of them could stomach another meal of their own cooking. The monk sighed and thought, 'Perhaps I should ask Althea for cooking lessons.'
Someone stumbled into the tavern and Kung Lao nearly stood up at the sight. It was Drevane, but this time alone and worse for wear. The Red Dragon leader approached the bar and whispered a few things to the barkeep. The barkeep's face paled at whatever Drevane said and then left for the backroom with Drevane right behind him.
Kung Lao was tempted to follow to see what was going on but he knew they had enough trouble without looking for more. If Drevane kept his end of the bargain, anything he was doing had nothing to do with him or his friends. His food arrived and he was just about to leave when someone he never expected to ever see again walked in.
Jola looked around with cold eyes that flickered slightly when they passed over Kung Lao, but continued on as if looking for someone in particular. During this, the noisy tavern crowd went silent. They knew who she was, Jola of the Black Dragon, and it seemed that she was looking for someone. Cold fear washed over them, they all heard the story that she was dead with the rest of the Black Dragons, killed by the Red Dragon. If she was alive, that means the ruthless Black Dragon was returning as well.
"Where is the one called Drevane?" Jola demanded in a toneless voice.
One hearty soul pointed to the back room where Drevane and the barkeep just when into.
Jola smiled and said, "I recommend you all leave. " She then looked directly at Kung Lao, "Unless you want to play the hero and get in my way."
Kung Lao stood up and said, "What war you have with the Red Dragon is none of my concern unless you make it so. "
With a cold laugh Jola replied, "Oh don't worry I'll get to you and you merry little group soon enough, but for now I have bigger prey."
As the crowd rushed passed him, he lost sight of the woman and was pushed out the door by the number of people trying getting out. Once outside, the monk fought his way out of the crowd. By the time he got clear of the mob, Jola was also walking out of the doors. Even from a distance, Kung Lao could tell she wasn't happy. "Drevane! Where the hell are you! "she roared. A faint outline of the black dragon appeared around her. Kung Lao took this as a hint it was time to warn the others. With the food package miraculously still in hand, the monk headed back to the trading post.
(Trading Post)
"You have got to be joking, "said Taja dishing out the food, "She's dead, there is no way Jola could be back."
"There are ways around that little handicap, "said Fuijin appearing sitting on the fourth chair, "Hey, no plate for me?"
"What do you mean there are ways of getting around being dead?" asked Kung Lao.
"Dead is dead, "added Siro, "Right?"
While Taja prepared a plate for the wind god, Fuijin said, "Where do you think her soul ended up after she died?"
Kung Lao felt like slapping himself as he said, "The Netherrealm…Quan Chi."
"Damn, why does he keep bothering us? I can understand Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn and even Kuravan, but why Quan Chi? "asked Taja with a tired voice as she sat down.
Siro shrugged and said, "What makes you think this has anything to do with us? So far, Jola has only gone after the Red Dragon. I say leave warring dragons be."
Kung Lao turned towards the god of wind and asked, "What do you think?"
Fuijin took a bite of the food set before him as an excuse not to answer. Even though a god, even he didn't know everything.
(Quan Chi's Laboratory)
"Hmmmm, "said Quan Chi as he looked over the medallion one last time before giving it up for the day. The blasted dragon spirit was proving more difficult than expected to control, but he had plenty of time to work on his new toy. The sorcerer placed the medallion on his work bench and then left the room in search of more pleasant diversion. As the candles flickered out from the breeze caused by the closing door, the medallion glowed slightly and then went dark. Then the room briefly lit up in a blinding bright red light and when it grew dark again the medallion was gone.
The End…
Next Time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Quan Chi turned around at the sound of a roar only to be engulfed in flame.
