Chapter 29: Friendly Reunions
Lilith landed quietly in the wooded area just across the dirt road from the mage's manor. Last night she watched as that fool sorcerer failed in his own blazing way. Lord Kuravan was not pleased to hear her report, but since she had taken the crystal from the godslayer's room he was not overly angered. There will be time to strike again, but for now her orders were to watch.
A large, white almost glowing paw struck the vampire hard between her wings, knocking her to the ground. She quickly rolled to face her attacker as the paw landed heavily on her torso, covering most of it. In her head, Lilith heard, ":You are not welcomed here.:"
(Manor's Kitchen)
Siro came down the stairs with a stretch that caused his shoulder's to pop. The day had been a long one, and didn't look to be ending soon. He eventually made his way to the kitchen where a heavenly smell greeted him.
"Dinner's ready, "Althea said in greeting as she placed two plates on the kitchen table.
Siro sat down and asked, "Where did Misha and Charles?"
Althea answered as she too sat down, "As soon as they were given the ok, they grabbed their stuff and headed for town. Can't blame em."
After a few minutes of quiet eating, Siro had to ask, "Any luck?"
Althea placed her fork down with a sigh, "No. This place was searched from top to bottom by the investigators and me. No crystal. Vatas isn't responding either."
"So we're stranded, "Siro stated bluntly.
"You could say that, "Althea said, "At least until I get hold of Vatas or our friends back on Earth notice we're taking too long. Rayden or Fujin could easily create a portal for us from their end."
"If they don't consider this a 'mortal matter,' for all we know that could be why your Vatas isn't responding, "Siro said.
With a defeated look Althea replied, "You might be right. We'll give it a few more days and if no one shows…there were permanent portals under the Conclave's Tower. Despite it being destroyed, they should still be useable."
"Should be?" Siro asked.
"No promises. Not only must they still be undamaged, we need help to activate them. Only high ranking council members have the keys. Fortunately, the Archmage and Councilmage Moonhawke both owe me big," said Althea and then thought, 'If they are still alive and in power.'
Siro stood up and said, "I need some fresh air." He walked towards the door to the backyard and opened it. What he saw made him slam the door shut, rattling the windows.
"What's wrong?" Althea asked.
"Outside is biggest damn cat I ever seen. That thing looks like it could take down a horse with one swipe,"Siro answered.
"It couldn't be,"Althea said as she pushed Siro out of the way to open the door herself. "Freyon!" she yelled as she ran to hug the huge feline.
":Greetings, old friend,"came a voice in both Althea's and Siro's heads, ":Please accept my apologizes, Siro of Earthrealm. It seems I have forgotten that my appearance has a tendency to…startle those who I have yet to be introduced:""Sorry, "said Althea releasing Freyon from her hug, "Siro this is Freyon. Freyon meet Siro."
Siro stood stunned for a few seconds in the doorway then said, "Ah…I believe you mentioned him…the one that was your…"
":Familiar,"Freyon finished for Siro, ":Yes and it is thanks to my former mistress that I am what I am today.:"
"Wait a minute, "said Siro as Freyon's words sunk in, "You're a god! That means…"
":Yes, I am able to open a portal to Earthrealm:"Freyon answered,":That is why I am here. Calorna is not safe and both of you have to return to Earth.:"
"What's wrong?" Althea asked sensing there was more.
Freyon stood up and started pacing like a tiger in a cage,":Lord Vatas has been summoned before the Council of the Elder Gods. Charges have been placed against him stating that he is not fulfilling his duties as Sworn Protector:"
"Let me guess who made the charges," said Althea, "Kuravan."
":You are correct, "said Freyon, ":It is my belief he planned to trap you here long enough to either destroy or capture you:"
"My money's on destroy, "commented Siro, "That sorcerer wasn't bothering with live prisoners."
Althea asked,"What about Vatas?"
":Do not concern yourself, there is little doubt that the charges will be proven false," Assured Freyon as he stopped pacing, ":He has done more than is required of a Sworn Protector, but the sooner you leave the better:"
"Then lets get the hell out of here, "said Siro.
(Earth, Trading Post)
Rayden stood up from the table when he heard and felt a portal opening nearby. The tiredness and self condemnation he felt just seconds before vanished when he heard two familiar voices coming from the courtyard.
"Careful with that thing!"Althea yelled.
Siro returned angrily, "Next time carry it yourself!"
The thundergod walked to the open door and saw Althea and Siro walk back into the portal, only to return seconds later carrying a large trunk. After placing it next to two smaller ones, they both sat on it tiredly. Siro said, "Please don't tell me we have to carry these upstairs."
"Crap!" Althea yelled as she jumped up and ran back into the closing portal. She returned just before it closed, carrying a clanking sack she said, "Can't forget this, Taja would kill me."
Althea dropped it on the ground next to the trunks and said, "As for your question, no. Most of it will go downstairs and we can lighten the load before moving them."
Rayden remaining in the dark doorway, felt calmness return to his soul seeing that they…no SHE was safe.
"Where…Shouldn't Taja or Kung Lao be on watch?" ask Siro looking around.
Rayden took that as his cue to be the condensing Sworn Protector and answered as he walked out to the courtyard. "Taja is recovering from a soul eating curse and Kung Lao is resting after nearly being killed by her. Did you have a nice trip?"
"Taja!" Siro exclaimed as he jumped up.
"Is fine, she's resting peacefully in the guest room, "Rayden said as Siro ran into the building.
Althea asked, "What happened?"
Rayden shrugged with a nonchalance he didn't feel, "Someone placed a curse on Taja that nearly caused her to kill Kung Lao…I got rid of it."
Althea shook her head and cussed slightly in Calornian before saying, "First the blood sorcerer and now this."
"Blood sorcerer?" said Rayden, "You were attacked by a…Damn it, Thea! I told you it was too dangerous."
"For what…living?" Althea responded calmly but with a tinge of anger in her voice, "No matter what we do, we will always be in danger. What do you want us to do? Dig a hole and bury ourselves until the next tournament? We can't let our enemies dictate how we live our lives."
Rayden sighed and sat down on the trunk, "Could you have at least waited until the doors were fixed or until you were certain that Vatas would be there?" said Rayden.
The woman sat down next to him and tiredly said, "You're right. I was just…I don't take orders well when someone has that 'for your own good' attitude."
Rayden chuckled at that but his mood quickly changed. As did Althea's as she sensed the summons through their now opened link. "Let me guess, "said Althea with a sad smile.
"I…"Rayden started but Althea stopped him with a light kiss on his cheek. "I understand, "she said, "Duty comes first. Just try to stay out of trouble this time."
(Temple of the Elder Gods)
"Rayden, would you mind explaining what happened this evening?" said the Elder God of Shadow with relish. The Elder Gods of Fire and Stone frowned at his enjoyment but said nothing.
Rayden swallowed and from his kneeling position answered, "The human woman, Taja, was affected by a type of curse forbidden centuries ago by this council. While under this curse, she attacked Earthrealm's champion. When finding out about this curse, I removed it."
"Is that all?" Shadow said, "I see you fail to mention you were away from your post when this happened."
"Oh please, "came a female voice as the white haired, masked woman suddenly appeared next to the Elder God of Shadows.
"YOU DARE!" Shadow roared and then noticed that everyone else was frozen in time.
"You know for an Elder God you are extremely…What's that word I'm looking for?"she said as she walked towards Rayden scratching her head, "Oh yeah…Obsessive. Why do you insist on nagging poor Rayden like this, where there is a bigger problem to deal with?"
"It is his abnormal relationship with that…that mortal…"Shadow started.
"Excuse me if I'm repeating myself but…Oh please. Like the Black Dragon clan came out of nowhere and had that unusual affinity with YOUR black dragon, "she said, "Don't tell me you never had some 'fun' with mortals."
"This is different, "Shadow said with clenched teeth.
Oh right…Rayden is staying around for more than one night, "she turned and shook her finger at the kneeling deity, "Baaaaaad thundergod."
"You have no idea…"Shadow said,
"No, you don't, "the woman interrupted, "Kronos, Aether, and Danu have all accepted the soulbond between Rayden and Althea with no qualms. If the three remaining true Elder Gods can accept it why can't you?" The woman then waved her hands in front of her shaking head and said, "Nevermind, that's not why I'm here."
"Then why are you here?" Shadow asked angrily.
"Oh to warn you, "she shrugged and said, "There's a big, bad lizard with wings getting ready to chomp on all your butts. Laters!"
(Dark Shrine-like Chamber)
Quan Chi knelt before a large shard of obsidian that glowed with a reddish light. A voice spoke from the black stone, "Return him to his full strength and then release him upon the temple!"
"Master, "said Quan Chi, "We do not know where the Temple of the …"
A hissing laughter interrupted Quan Chi as the red dragon spirit formed around the dark stone. "You do not know, "the dragon hissed, "But I do."
Thinking quickly, Quan Chi responded, "Very well, but it will take time to find a proper host…"
"No more delays! "roared the voice from the obsidian and the room shook. More calmly the voice continued, "A host will be provided."
(Temple of the Elder Gods)
Rayden and the other two Elder Gods were all shocked by Shadow's sudden departure in mid-sentence. Then another shock came when the same Elder God returned with what could only be called fear on his face. "Wait here, Lord Rayden, "he said almost politely as he and the other two Elder Gods vanished.
"This is bad, "Rayden said out loud.
The End…
Next Time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest….
Elder God of Light speaking "We have need of the godslayer."
