Chapter Twenty Four: Dragon Fire

(Rayden's Home)

With a silent flash Rayden appeared in his darkened house. With a yawn, Rayden was surprise how tired he suddenly felt and walked towards the bedroom. There he found Althea sleeping deeper than she has since she came to this place. Rayden wondered why she had to wait for him to be gone to get the rest she so desperately needed. His concern grew as she mumbled in her sleep as if sensing his musings. Then it dawned on him, the sudden drowsiness wasn't his. Strengthening his mental shields, he noticed that his drowsiness faded and Althea settled back down in her sleep. 'Why didn't she tell me she was still sensing my feelings in spite of the shields?' Rayden thought as he quietly left the room and headed towards his small library. 'Guess it can wait, I have more pressing matters. If one is to bend the rules, one needs to know which rules can be bent.' He thought with sarcasm as he pulled out a thick book and sat at his desk. With a sigh he lit the lamp on that desk and then opened the book.

(Temple of Light)

"So the godslayer hasn't returned yet, "said Drevane to his new 'partner.'

"Lupena hasn't seen her since she left with the thundergod almost a week ago, "replied the shaolin priest, Ryant, "She would be a powerful ally, but she is in need of time to recover from past injuries. If what Lupena has reported, this time with the God of Thunder can only strengthen her and when she does return she might be the only one able to face Jola."

Drevane sighed, once again he almost regretted giving up the red dragon spirit but even if he had full control of it he wouldn't have been a match for this new Jola. Already dead, she no longer had the weakness inherent for all dragon spirit hosts; the possibility of being burned out by constant use of the dragon's flames. "You believe that this woman's chi energy will have the same effect on a dragon spirit as it does on a god?"asked Drevane.

Ryant shook his head and replied, "No, I seriously doubt it but Althea does have some defenses from the dragon's flames."

"If she doesn't drain herself out in the process, "Drevane commented, "What about Kung Lao and the others. They fought Jola before and survived."

Ryant smiled, "Like a true pack, when one is drawn into a fight with an outsider the others will join in."

Drevane snorted at that bit of wisdom as he looked around the priest's private chambers. "You know, I never thought someone like you would end up a priest."

Ryant's eyes glowed red briefly as he replied, "We all have our callings."

(Zhu Zin)

"Where is he?" demanded Jola as she held a struggling Lupena by the throat, "Tell me and I might let you live for a few more days."

Lupena only fought harder, not bothering to change her form since the first time she tried Jola's grip only grew tighter. Lupena only cussed at the black dragon woman as she mentally kicked herself for being caught. She was so caught up with the on-goings at the trading post; she neglected to watch out for other dangers. Like a cub, Lupena was caught by surprise.

"That is not the answer I was looking for, "Jola said as a dark shadow of a dragon began to form around her.

"Put her down, "came the calm, cold voice of an angry Kung Lao.

Jola turned to see that all three of the idiots were standing there, prepared to fight. Smiling she replied, "I thought you said that the business I have with Drevane was none of your concern. Guess you were wrong." With her free hand she sent a wave of smoke filled fire towards the trio.

All three tried to dodge the flames, but the flames followed Kung Lao as if guided. Seeing this, Kung Lao ran straight towards Jola and her prisoner in the hopes of somehow making Jola hit herself with the flames.

Jola saw what he was attempting and placed Lupena between herself and the flames. Kung Lao skidded to a stop and prepared to take the full blast of the flames to protect the hostage. Just when the flames were going to hit an extremely strong blast of wind forced the flames to the side and down into the ground.

"I believe he said to put the woman down, "said an angry Fujin from behind Jola.

"You can't interfere in mortal affairs, "said Jola with an evil smile.

Fujin returned the smile and replied, "In case you haven't noticed, you're not exactly mortal anymore. I will not say it again, put the woman down."

Jola growled has she threw Lupena towards Siro and then walked off into the night.

"Thanks," Kung Lao said as Taja and Siro helped Lupena up.

"No problem...this time, "said Fujin and then he sighed, "You're just lucky I realized that little loophole when I did." The wind god then vanished.

A little later Kung Lao was placing a damp towel gently around Lupena's bruised neck as Taja and Siro made sure the trading post was secured. "Why was Jola questioning you?" asked Kung Lao once the towel was loosely in place.

"No idea, "Lupena rasped holding the towel so it wouldn't fall, "She just kept demanding I tell her where someone named Drevane was."

Taja and Siro returned to the kitchen as Kung Lao said with a sad smile, "We know you have been watching us. For who, we don't know but it's obvious that your no friend of Jola's."

Lupena just looked away and remained silent. "All we want is to be left alone, "said Kung Lao giving his friends a meaningful look, "If whoever you are working for needs to tell us something have them contact us directly."

"We're getting tired of being watched all the time, "Taja added.

(Quan Chi's Domain)

Quan Chi fumed as he searched for the missing dragon medallion. No one but himself could enter his private laboratory unless he called for them. He distinctly remembered placing the blasted thing on the work bench hours ago, but it was now gone.

Searching, a strange puffing sound caught his attention. Quan Chi turned around at the sound of a roar only to be engulfed in flame. He barely had enough time to summon his own green flames to surround and protect him. As soon as the attacking flames died down, he tested his teleportation abilities. As he expected they were not working.

"Well, well, "he said in a haughty voice, "Even while still in spirit form you have regain a small portion of your powers." The sorcerer's eyes started to glow a sickly green as he searched the room for the rogue spirit. "You and I are alike in a way, "he continued, "We both answer to the same…god you could say."

A red mist in the shape of a dragon formed, filling up most of the room. "You have a point, ssssorcerer, "it hissed.

The End…

Next time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest

Jola walked confidently into the throne room following the shadow priest.