Chapter Thirty: Warrior Lost
The sounds of wooden swords clanking filled the air as Althea attempted to learn the art of fighting with dual swords. So far, she had been able to avoid being bruised by Siro's heavier wooden blade.
Kung Lao watched, at first, to ensure that Siro didn't take out his frustration on his student and then with amazement at her apparent natural skill. Then his amazement turned to suspicion, which was confirmed when Althea scored a 'kill' on the former bodyguard.
"That's it!" Siro exclaimed almost angrily, "You've fought with two swords before."
Althea shrugged and answered, "Not really. When I was at the Academy, there was this famous battlemage who fought with two short swords. Everyone wanted to be like her. So….since I was already on the battlemage study program, I asked the armsmaster for some extra training. Unfortunately, it got cut short when the war broke out."
"Then why the hell did you chose the staff?" asked Siro.
"Because I was sick of swords, "Althea said bluntly, "Swords, pikes, pole arms, crossbows…all just brought back bad memories. Few people go to war with a plain piece of wood."
Kung Lao then stepped towards them and asked, "And now?"
"Now? "Althea looked up for a second and then looked towards the monk, "The memories are still there, but farther away. If that makes sense?"
Any response from either of the two men was prevented by the arrival of workmen hired to repair the gate and walls.
"Looks like no more all night watches, "said Kung Lao as Siro handed him the wood sword and walked towards the new arrivals.
Althea sighed and then said, "Looks like it, and I guess we can put these things up. No point of even trying to train with them around. They'll either gawk the whole time or accidentally get hurt."
Kung Lao nodded and followed her into the building. A few minutes later, as they left the armory, Althea said, "If anyone needs me, I'll be in the office going through those trunks."
"Need any help? "Kung Lao offered.
"Nah, "she replied, "Just wanting to see what can or should go where. You can if you want, but most of it is scrolls and books in Calornian script."
"Ahhh…I'll see if Taja needs anything, "said the monk.
(Quan Chi's Domain)
Quan Chi tiredly sat on his throne. The dual roars of pain from the dragon and his new host still rang through the halls of his lair. The sorcerer still wondered if this was such a good idea. His…master may no longer have a need for him if the dragon truly regained its true form and succeeds where he had failed.
"My, my, my, "came a female voice, "Aren't we in a bind. Follow your boss's commands, and then get torched. Don't follow his commands, get painfully torched."
Quan Chi stood up angrily; ready to blast the insolent intruder but then he noticed the silence. Looking around he noticed that the room's few torches were no longer flickering and the flames were completely still. He lowered his arm and growled, "Who are you? What do you want?"
A white hair woman walked in from a dark doorway, in clothes almost exactly like his except where his had some color, hers was in shades of gray. A dark scarf covered the bottom half of her face and ice cold, crystal blue eyes stared at him as if reading his soul. "Who I am or what I want is of no concern, "she said, "It's what I offer you should be interested in."
Quan Chi sat back down to consider her words for a few seconds and then asked, "What do you offer?"
She walked to one of his work tables and picked up a glass vial. As she looked through vial and it liquid contents she said, "A way to keep from being torched."
(Temple of the Elder Gods)
Rayden remained kneeling before the now empty altars to the Elder Gods. It had been hours since the Elder Gods of Flame, Stone and Shadow left. The Lord of Shadows' 'request' that he remained there was the only reason he stayed. Something must be seriously wrong to call the Elder Gods away from an audience.
Just when he was considering either to request for permission to leave or for another audience, the Elder Gods of Water, Time and Light appeared at their respective altars.
"Forgive Us for talking so long, Lord Rayden, "Danu, the Elder Goddess of Water spoke.
"Recent rumors of a great danger have just been confirmed, "added Kronos, the Elder God of Time.
"One if allowed to reach its full strength could cause a wave of destruction not seen since the fallen one's imprisonment, "added Aether, the Elder God of Light.
"At all costs, "said Kronos is a strangely sad voice, "this must be prevented."
"What must be done? "Rayden asked, prepared to risk all to prevent such a disaster.
"We are in need of the godslayer," answered Aether.
(Quan Chi's Domain)
Quan Chi hid a cruel smile behind his hand as he watched the dragon become adjusted to his new Centaurian host. The mysterious woman's suggestion was a perfect act of treachery. Just let the safe guards that prevented deities from spying on him down for a few critical moments, blaming it on the strain of merging the dragon spirit to an unwilling host. The Elder Gods got to see the monster and perhaps a glimpse into its plans. Not doubt They will see to the dragon's failure.
(Trading Post's Basement)
Althea was on her knees and elbow deep in loose scrolls when a strong breeze threatened to scatter them across the room. With a few choice words, Althea struggled to hold them all down. "Damn it, Fujin!" she yelled with false anger.
"Sorry about that, "the god of wind said, "Just didn't want to startle you. It could be hazardous to my health."
Althea chuckled and then said seriously, "What's wrong."
"Hum…I…"
"Spit it out, "Althea stood up and closed the trunk, "Rayden was summoned before the Elder Gods last night and now you, not him, shows up. What's wrong?"
"Do you remember Jola?" Fujin asked and seeing that she did, he then went on to explain the situation.
A little later, Althea said, "So basically you're telling me that the red dragon spirit has taken over a new host which happens to be a creature twice my height, have four legs, and two arms."
"Don't forget the tail, "Fujin added.
Althea sat in the chair behind the desk, rubbing her eyes. Not really wanting to ask but had to, "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because…,"Fujin said, "You're quite possibly the only person alive who has a chance to stop that thing."
"Why don't you do something about it?" she asked, "It doesn't sound like a 'mortal matter' to me."
"I am," said Fujin with all seriousness, "It's believed that its first target will be the Temple of the Elements. Myself and three other gods have been charged with its defense for centuries. When it attacks I intent to be on the front lines to fulfill that duty, but like when Jola attacked I don't think I'll do much good. The dragons are the original godslayers. Even their mere presence messes up an immortal's abilities. You have some protection due …"
"Rayden knew about the original godslayers?"Althea asked in a cold tone.
"Ahhhh…."
"Then why did he tell us that no one really knew the reason behind the imprisoned dragon spirits?"
"Well…hmmmm, "Fujin said as he slowly started to back away when Althea stood up, eyes flashing.
"I'm getting sick and tired of the supposedly all knowing gods keeping secrets from the poor stupid mortals and then expecting us to clean up the mess when that same secret blows up in their faces!" Althea yelled.
The door opened and Kung Lao walked in with a concerned look. "What's going on? I can hear you all the way from Taja's room, "he asked and then noticed that Fujin was there, looking uncomfortable.
"You tell him!" Althea demanded as she walked past Kung Lao, "This time give him the full story. I need some fresh air."
Kung Lao turned to face the wind god as Althea left, only to find that he was already gone.
(Outside)
Lupena watched as the blonde stomped out of the trading post. Her flashing eyes, clearing a path as Althea walked down the crowded street. Lupena snorted, figuring that Fujin told her and messed up doing it. The dark haired woman walked hurriedly to catch up to the godslayer. Just as Lupena nearly caught up to her, Althea turned and demanded, "What the hell do you want?"
Not taken back by Althea's anger, Lupena said, "We need to talk…about the dragon."
Althea crossed her arms and said, "There is nothing to talk about."
"Look, "Lupena said as she grabbed Althea's upper arm, "If the dragon wins not only will this temple fall, so will Earth and other realms as well. Let's go to the tavern and talk."
Althea took a deep breath to calm down and then nodded with agreement.
(Tavern)
Drevan played with his mug as he waited for Lupena and hopefully Althea to show. When that damned wind god showed up earlier, telling him he was needed to stop the red dragon spirit...how those idiots could let that happen was his first thought. Then the realization that the fault was his as much as theirs, if not more sunk in. The red dragon was his responsibility, although how much use he would be against the damn thing he no idea.
Looking up he noticed the two women walking in. Lupena headed straight to his table with Althea following with a surprised look on her face. Drevane hid a smile as he took sip from his drink. She doesn't trust either of them, good. At least she doesn't want to kill me for trying to assassinate Rayden. Drevane suddenly had a feeling he was being watched and looked around nervously for a familiar white and blue clad figure. The last person he wanted to see right now was the thunder god. Of all the powerful beings he has dealt with, it was Rayden who unnerved him the most. Drevane didn't know why he sensed that Rayden was the one to be feared, but there was no doubt that the thundergod would not be pleased to know who Althea was meeting with at the moment.
"I should have guessed you would be here, "Althea said as she sat down.
"Ladies, "Drevane said as he poured a colored liquid into two mugs and then sliding them to Althea and Lupena.
"Ok, I give, "Althea said ignoring the mug, "How did Fujin convince you two to do his fighting."
Drevaned smiled and said, "It's my fight too, or have you forgotten."
"I have my own reasons, "Lupena growled, "One of which if the dragon succeeds this world is the same as lost."
(Temple of the Elder Gods)
"What?" Rayden nearly jumped up hearing the Elder God's statement, "Why do You need Althea?"
Aether frowned at Rayden's borderline insolence, but with understanding Kronos answered, "As when Jola attacked, it was Althea who was able to defeat her. Her unique abilities give her some defense from the dragon's flames."
Danu then added, "The swords she now carries are among the few things now in existence that can harm the Red Dragon of Flame, even in it partially mortal form."
Rayden had a distinct feeling they weren't telling him something, then a sudden flare of anger came through his link with Althea. Rayden stood up in full defiance and said in accusation, "You already sent someone to tell her!"
"Knowing of your bond with her, "said Aether, "You left Us with no choice."
"Fujin sees the need and is now fulfilling his duties as required, "said Danu tonelessly.
Raiden was about to teleport out to stop this madness when a sudden flash of pain ripped across his back. Althea was already fighting? How?
Kronos seeing Raiden's pain said, "To prevent your interference, We have isolated this temple from the surrounding time thread. By the time you return, it will already be over."
(Outside the Temple of the Elements)
Devane and the two women stood on a cliff, looking over a deep chasm. In the distance they could see a huge temple. "Well, "said Fujin, "There it is…the Temple of the Elements."
Lupena looked over the edge and couldn't see a bottom. Backing up a little she asked, "Why didn't you just take us over there?"
"Sorry, no teleportation into the temple is possible so long as the…"Fujin said and stopping as if he nearly said too much.
"So long as the what?" asked Lupena.
"Does it matter, "said Drevane, "If whatever is in there calls for four gods to protect it, do you think they would just leave it so anyone can just pop in and take it?"
Althea had an idea of what could be in there and glared at Fujin for a moment. Not bothering to voice her theory, she said, "Let me guess, we need to fight it here so the temple remains safe."
"If possible, "said Fujin, "Of course since the thing has wings I'm not sure how we are going to do that."
"We?" asked Althea as she placed a satchel on the ground and opened it. "I figured these might come in handy, "Althea said as she pulled out a strangely marked stone. She then handed Fujin the satchel still filled with smaller but also strangely marked stones. "Place these around the temple itself and I'll do the rest."
Fujin pulled out one of the stones and asked, "What are these?"
"Shieldstones, "Althea said, "I can use them to focus and magnify that physical shield of mine. With the masterstone here, I can focus on it and create a shield around anything surrounded by those stones. It'll be a drain, but no where as near as one if I had to do it alone. Planned on using them for the trading post and giving some to the Temple of Light, but I figured…" She shrugged.
"Will it stand up to a dragon?" ask Fujin,
"Not sure, but my shield did stand up to Jola when she attacked the trading post, "answered Althea, "If nothing else it will slow the thing down and I have another surprise that might encourage it to come our way."
Fujin nodded and flew off across the chasm with the satchel in hand.
While he was gone, Althea started to warm up for the upcoming battle. The feel of the dual swords on her back was both comforting and unnerving at the same time. Comforting in a way that it wasn't only her chi she was having to depend upon and unnerving because she wasn't yet sure of her skill with the weapons.
Lupena paced like a caged animal, occasionally pausing to sniff the air. "I don't like it, "she growled, "We're too wide open, especially against something that flies."
"Not much choice, "said Drevane calmly, "One can not always choose his battlefield or his weapons. Speaking of weapons…"
"No, you can not borrow one of my swords, "said Althea.
(Open Sky)
The dragon again cursed the form given to him by his master and the sorcerer. True the body of the Centaurian was powerful and on the ground almost unbeatable. In the air, its bulky form was a nuisance. Heavy, more limbs than needed and awkwardly shaped making it almost impossible to fly. As he neared his target, the dragon/centaurian creature saw something he did not expect; a faintly glowing hexagonal like sphere surrounding the temple. He flew nearer to investigate and a large flare of light-blue flame flew out from it. Unable to dodge quickly enough due to his form, it struck hard on his sensitive wing. Roaring more with anger than pain, he backed off. Looking around he saw three human like forms on the other side of the chasm.
(Cliff)
"Nice one,"said Drevane seeing the flare striking the dragon. Althea didn't bother to respond and only drew out her swords. The creature was flying directly, if clumsily straight towards them. 'Guess he can't fly well with that form, 'Althea though.
Lupena began to change into her monstrous werewolf form as Drevane moved away from what he hoped would be the main battle area. His job was to ensure the spirit didn't escape after the two women killed its present body. The only way he was going to do it was to survive.
The red dragon landed with a loud thump and roared. Lupena attacked first in response to the challenge, but the dragon only caught her with it hugged clawed hands in mid-air. Althea then tried to slice into its supposedly vulnerable belly while it was distracted only to be surprise by it agility on land as it turned and got her hard on the back with its tail. The force of the tail threw her a short distance and nearly caused her to drop her swords. Painfully she got up just in time to see Lupena's form coming right at her. Althea was barely able to get out of the werewolf's way as Lupena crashed into the ground. The woman then saw the dragon preparing to send a blast if fire breath and raised her shields.
The dragon released its deadly flame, only to be surprised when it did not reach its target. Hesitation caused by that surprise was just enough for Althea to run and slice into its side, deeply. Rearing up on its hind legs the monster roared in unexpected pain. Backing up it glared at the source of his pain, just noticing who he was fighting. The godslayer woman and she was carrying weapons created by his master eons ago. How the she got hold of them, he had no idea but that didn't matter. No one had the right to carry such weapons expect for those who served the master. How dare she!
Althea sensed the creature was getting angrier by the second. At least she knew it was killable. The thing still bled from the injury on it side. If it bleeds, it can die. The dragon roared and with the speed and strength of a Centaurian it charged. Althea cussed strongly in Calornian as she barely dodged the creature. As it ran past her, she stabbed into its side and letting its own momentum cause the damage. She was barely able to hold onto the sword, but it was sharp enough to literally slice the creature open.
Now the dragon roared in pain and it turned to send another blast of flame towards the woman. Once again her shield protected her, but she was starting to suffer from the drain. Shielding both herself and the temple was starting to cost her, but she didn't dare to bring down either. 'So enough with the defensive stuff, 'she thought, as she once again moved to try to get a more damaging hit on the creature with her swords.
This time the dragon was ready for her and as both swords moved in a deadly arc, he dodged and then grabbed her by the hair, picking her up off the ground. Althea screamed and tried the cut into the arm that was holding her. But the angle prevented her escape.
"You have caused me enough trouble and pain, mortal, "the dragon growled, "I will take personal pleasure in dealing with you and your precious thundergod."
"No!" Althea roared as her chi flames suddenly burst from her body, burn the dragon's clawed hand. As she fell, her hair turned white and eyes crystal blue once again. She landed, falling to her knees but with a speed she did not posses before she jumped up and with her swords got the dragon in the stomach and chest. The thrashing of the dragon, caused her to lose her grip and she lost the swords as they where still stuck in the creature. Roaring madly the dragon mindless struck out and attacked anything in reach, a strong wind pushed Althea out of the way of one blind strike and she saw Fujin busy trying to drag the unconscious Lupena out of the way. "About time he showed up, "she mumbled but she then saw the dragon notice the wind god and prepared to attack. "Oh no you don't!" Althea yelled as she blasted the creature with her own flames, but they were not enough. The dragon was not a god, so her flames where nothing more that that; flames to a creature of fire. They were enough to get its attention and it changed its attack to her. Despite that it was obviously starting to weaken from its injuries, but its chaotic moves were making it even more dangerous.
From a distance Drevane only wondered why the dragon wasn't already dead. Althea got it in the heart and stomach that should have killed anything. Then it dawned on him, in the 'chest' and 'stomach' of the upper torso with the arms, but in the lower torso where the four legs were. He could only hope and wait for the injuries it did have to either kill it or slow it down enough for Althea to reclaim her swords to kill it.
Althea was tiring and she knew it. So was the dragon only not fast enough, something had to be done. A man's voice came to her head, ":Use my power, the power in your blood. You are a mage, yet you have never found all your gifts:"
Something about the voice caused something within her to awaken. A long dormant gift, that due to it being deeply hidden within her protected it when all other of her other elemental gifts were burned away. Suddenly time seemed to stop all around her but where she stood. Breathing deeply she looked around and saw the dragon frozen in place. She walked up to it, trying to determine what to do then the voice spoke again but from behind her. "You have done well, "he said, "But more must be done."
Not bothering to turn she said, "Let me guess, you must be Kronos."
"I see Rayden has told you about me, "the Elder God said, "However time is limited and you strength is not up to holding this time bubble for long."
Althea then turned and said, "Can't you do anything? You're an Elder God!"
Kronos sighed sadly and said, "In a sense, Elder Gods are more limited than gods and even mortals. I am only here to advise you on your next step. This time bubble only gives you a breather and lets you see what is around you. You must decide what your next move will be and to remember that you will be in the exact same spot as when you created the bubble."
Looking around Althea took in what was happening. She noticed that Fujin was preparing to attack the dragon himself, but she knew his powers over wind were almost useless against the monster. As was the crossbow on his back since he did not have the immortal killing metal. His attack would be worthless suicide. She looked at Lupena who was just starting to wake up from unconsciousness. The werewolf was a strong fighter, but obviously not strong enough and her groggy condition would only make her a liability. Drevane, she saw was doing as he was told and keeping his distance. Never the strongest of fighters and unarmed, he too would be a liability. Then Althea took a closer look at the dragon itself. It was then she noticed what Drevane did, that the so-called 'killing injuries' were not as they seemed. Mentally she kicked herself, but knew there was little chance of reclaiming those swords. So her only weapon was herself, her chi and this new untrained timegift. "Can you tell me what I can do with the timegift?" she asked.
Kronos answered, "Without training, not much. Frankly I'm amazed you were able to create this time bubble. Once trained…"he shrugged.
"You're a great help, "Althea said sarcastically. Then she remembered what happened back at the manor on Calorna and she knew she truly had no choice. Sadly she sighed and asks Kronos, "Will you please tell Rayden, I'm sorry?"
(Scene Change)
The dragon roared as it changed its target from Fujin back to Althea. Althea yelled as loud as she could, "Get down!"
Fujin sensing Althea was going to do something desperate, yelled, "Don't!"
The dragon charged again, only this time Althea didn't bother to dodge. With a deep breath, she released all of her power in one concentrated blast. Instead of a blue flame, a burst of bright white light engulfed both her and the dragon. The shaking of the ground was the only sound and then the light was gone. There was only a pile of ash where the dragon and Althea once stood.
(Temple of the Elder
Gods)
At the Temple of the Elder Gods, Rayden collapsed
onto the floor. His bond with Althea shattered and the now emptiness
of his soul was almost too much to bear.
With a shaky voice, Kronos spoke, "It is done."
The End….
Next Time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Lady Tomorrow speaking "Who said she died?"
Note: In regards to Kronos being in two places at once, remember there is one major time bubble at the Temple of the Elder Gods that if you haven't noticed causing it to move slower than time around it. Then Kronos appears again in another time bubble to advise Althea. So in a sense, Kronos didn't even appear in the true timeline of this chapter. Ok, guess that didn't help the confusion any. Just blame it on the weirdness of time travel.
