Note: the quote in this chapter is from a Pink Floyd song called Coming
Back to Life
Disclaimer: You know what goes here.
The Allegiance - Chapter 2
I sat on the cliff that night, later, to collect my thoughts. Would the sorcerers be able to recognize me if I were to attack them head on? Of course, but the question that plagued my mind was why they had let me go in the first place. Had they, in truth, forgotten about me or do they know I'm alive and are plotting their next moves with my very action of allying with the Earth Realm?
"You go to the Temple of the Elder Gods in the morning," I heard behind me. I nodded.
"I must disguise myself," was my only reply.
"And you will... when you accept to sacrifice your immortality for the Earth Realm as I have relinquished my position as Elder God."
Sacrifice my immortality? I knew this wasn't going to be easy.
"And if I die during this?"
Silence. And then...
"Get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow."
Rest? Whatever.
As I lay there in my tent, my hands behind my head, all I could think about was the past and what I had to atone for. I used to wonder if I'd ever felt guilt, and what it felt like. I know now... guilt is like an emptiness that you can never forget and can never get rid of. It chews on your conscience until you go mad with anguish. And then you die and your soul becomes tortured by its eternal restlessness.
"Kuso," was the last thing I remember saying before drifting off into a dreamless slumber.
***
Breakfast. The most important meal of the day in Earth Realm terms. I've never eaten breakfast before. To put it lightly I was... confused by the fact that the most powerful beings... the saviors of this Realm... had hunger pangs first thing when they get up in the morning. Fortunately for me, I was up much sooner than the others and had walked down the path to the lake to watch the sun rise, more for relief from the Earth warriors and their... breakfast. Watching the sunrise...it was something I remembered doing during the fourth tournament, and I had anticipated the morning I could again watch it lift the misty haze from the ground to the heavens.
"Next thing you know, you'll be writing poetry," an amused voice loomed behind me. I stayed silent. "You're up much too early for my liking. Hell, I'M up much too early for my liking."
"I never asked for you to follow me. I don't need a babysitter - or do you not trust me wholly yet?"
"No one does. It's not natural for an enemy to become an ally. I personally think it's because you need my protection... just because I kicked your ass."
I scoffed. "Get over yourself. I never realized how much you mortals could be so egotistical."
"So, you up for a rematch?"
I blinked and turned to face the cocky movie star. "Actually we don't have much time for a rematch, Cage, or do you not remember? We have more important problems at hand, like, stopping the sorcerers from reviving the Dragon King's Army, or have you forgotten?" I waved him away. "Go eat your... breakfast. I have much to think about." And with that said, I turned again, watching the rising mist. Eventually I heard the footsteps as Cage returned to the camp. I'd follow suit.
Later.
Much later. I wanted to keep my immortality as long as I could before I sacrificed it.
***
"We haven't gotten word from Agent Kenshi or Agent Cyrax since... well... We lost contact with Cyrax over two months ago and Kenshi we just lost not too long ago. Jax was the last person to receive information from Kenshi before..." Sonya stopped abruptly when she saw me heading up the hill.
"Have I interrupted anything?"
"..."
"The stone silence is enlightening." I replied sarcastically and leaned against a tree. "Please, continue. I may have interest in what you were saying."
With a slight hesitation, Sonya obliged. "They were both in the vicinities of Outworld. If we could only find them we can stand a better chance at defeating Tsung and Chi."
"If it's any help, Ermac told me that he'd taught a blind swordsman his telekinetic abilities. And I recall a Vampyre named Nitara finding a cybernetic warrior stranded near her station," I replied, not opening my eyes to know that all eyes were upon me.
"Well," the White Lotus warrior, known as Kung Lao, started, "We may have use for him after all."
***
The Temple of the Elder Gods. The last time I saw that structure was during the War of the Gods. The war they thought I'd died in. Nobody was behind me, and nobody was leading me. Rayden had told only myself to go to the Temple, and since I had remembered where it was, I decided to use my teleporting ability to arrive n the cliff that bore the Temple.
The only thing I could think about was how they were going to react to someone who had attacked them so long ago.
So, I shrugged and headed in - pushing aside the fact that sacrificing my immortality could mean something more in the end.
The inside was lit with thousands of candles surrounding an altar in which I stood behind. Kneeling, I faced each of the cavities that the Gods would speak to me from.
"Elder Gods of the Earth Realm," I started, "I have come for your guidance." In a blinding flash of light, the elements in the cavities began to stir. Water, Earth, Fire, Air and Spirit.
"We have watched your movements since you've arrived on the Earth Realm," The Water spoke.
"We have peered inside your thoughts and know your true intentions," The Air spoke.
"Do you truly wish to sacrifice your immortality to assist the ones whom you've tried to destroy?" The Fire asked. I nodded. "I may not be able to change who I am, but I wish to defeat the new threat to this realm," I replied.
"In order to consider yourself a true warrior of virtue, you will undergo tests during your mission," The Earth spoke.
"To wish to be mortal, you will not be able to regain your immortality," the Spirit stated.
Damnit.
"I'm willing to risk my life to get rid of Chi and Tsung," I said bluntly. "I have nothing else to live for. If I die during this endless struggle, I will be happy."
"Very well," the Spirit spoke and waved his hand.
The instant Spirit's hand moved past my body, I felt as if my soul were being ripped from my body. Yet the willingness of becoming mortal made the process less painful. Usually it'd feel like you were engulfed in flames or being electrocuted with as much pure energy as lightning. Not that I'd know, of course, but I have heard stories.
I fell forward, catching myself with my hands, breathing heavily. When I looked up, the Gods had dissipated but the candles still held their spiritual essence. I stood and took in the full effect of my new mortality, gazing into a pool of water on the alter.
~Lost in thought and lost in time
While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted
Outside the rain fell dark and slow
While I pondered on this dangerous but irresistible pastime
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the moment had arrived
For killing the past and coming back to life~
Sonya Blade was the first person I saw since returning from the Temple of the Elder Gods. I was sitting in my spot on the cliff, watching the sun set on the ocean horizon when I heard her footsteps, softly but swiftly, make their way up the rocky hill. Turning my head, I saw as she made her way to her tent, blonde hair flying behind her. I stood up and waited outside her tent.
"Where are the others?" I asked.
"..."
"You can't keep ignoring me, Blade. We're on the same team now."
"..."
"And you can't leave without me, either. Remember, I'm your eyes in Outworld. I know where every secure sport is and perhaps I may be of help in finding your lost comrades." Sonya poked her head out of her tent, about ready to shoot her mouth at me, when she stopped, her mouth open.
"A leather trench coat. What's the occasion?"
"It's my new look." I replied. Sonya thought for a moment.
"You have green eyes."
"Oh? Does this mean things are going to change between us?"
"... You're still a sarcastic, cynical asshole," she replied and headed back into her tent.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
I returned to my spot on the cliff and waited for the simple swoosh of Sonya's tent door. That never came until the rest of Earth's warriors returned, looking somewhat tired and agitated. I watched the defenders of the realm talk amongst themselves. No one seemed to realize that I was looming near - of course, without my neon eyes, nobody would notice.
"You're not planning on heading to Outworld without me, now are you?" I questioned rather loudly, as I was still at the Cliffside. I stood and walked towards the newly roaring open flame and sat on a log near the fire.
"Actually we were discussing who was to retrieve dinner tonight," Kung Lao replied.
"I could use the exercise," I said malevolently. "I'm an excellent fisherman. So." I looked around at the expressionless faces. "Who's up for swordfish?"
Disclaimer: You know what goes here.
The Allegiance - Chapter 2
I sat on the cliff that night, later, to collect my thoughts. Would the sorcerers be able to recognize me if I were to attack them head on? Of course, but the question that plagued my mind was why they had let me go in the first place. Had they, in truth, forgotten about me or do they know I'm alive and are plotting their next moves with my very action of allying with the Earth Realm?
"You go to the Temple of the Elder Gods in the morning," I heard behind me. I nodded.
"I must disguise myself," was my only reply.
"And you will... when you accept to sacrifice your immortality for the Earth Realm as I have relinquished my position as Elder God."
Sacrifice my immortality? I knew this wasn't going to be easy.
"And if I die during this?"
Silence. And then...
"Get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow."
Rest? Whatever.
As I lay there in my tent, my hands behind my head, all I could think about was the past and what I had to atone for. I used to wonder if I'd ever felt guilt, and what it felt like. I know now... guilt is like an emptiness that you can never forget and can never get rid of. It chews on your conscience until you go mad with anguish. And then you die and your soul becomes tortured by its eternal restlessness.
"Kuso," was the last thing I remember saying before drifting off into a dreamless slumber.
***
Breakfast. The most important meal of the day in Earth Realm terms. I've never eaten breakfast before. To put it lightly I was... confused by the fact that the most powerful beings... the saviors of this Realm... had hunger pangs first thing when they get up in the morning. Fortunately for me, I was up much sooner than the others and had walked down the path to the lake to watch the sun rise, more for relief from the Earth warriors and their... breakfast. Watching the sunrise...it was something I remembered doing during the fourth tournament, and I had anticipated the morning I could again watch it lift the misty haze from the ground to the heavens.
"Next thing you know, you'll be writing poetry," an amused voice loomed behind me. I stayed silent. "You're up much too early for my liking. Hell, I'M up much too early for my liking."
"I never asked for you to follow me. I don't need a babysitter - or do you not trust me wholly yet?"
"No one does. It's not natural for an enemy to become an ally. I personally think it's because you need my protection... just because I kicked your ass."
I scoffed. "Get over yourself. I never realized how much you mortals could be so egotistical."
"So, you up for a rematch?"
I blinked and turned to face the cocky movie star. "Actually we don't have much time for a rematch, Cage, or do you not remember? We have more important problems at hand, like, stopping the sorcerers from reviving the Dragon King's Army, or have you forgotten?" I waved him away. "Go eat your... breakfast. I have much to think about." And with that said, I turned again, watching the rising mist. Eventually I heard the footsteps as Cage returned to the camp. I'd follow suit.
Later.
Much later. I wanted to keep my immortality as long as I could before I sacrificed it.
***
"We haven't gotten word from Agent Kenshi or Agent Cyrax since... well... We lost contact with Cyrax over two months ago and Kenshi we just lost not too long ago. Jax was the last person to receive information from Kenshi before..." Sonya stopped abruptly when she saw me heading up the hill.
"Have I interrupted anything?"
"..."
"The stone silence is enlightening." I replied sarcastically and leaned against a tree. "Please, continue. I may have interest in what you were saying."
With a slight hesitation, Sonya obliged. "They were both in the vicinities of Outworld. If we could only find them we can stand a better chance at defeating Tsung and Chi."
"If it's any help, Ermac told me that he'd taught a blind swordsman his telekinetic abilities. And I recall a Vampyre named Nitara finding a cybernetic warrior stranded near her station," I replied, not opening my eyes to know that all eyes were upon me.
"Well," the White Lotus warrior, known as Kung Lao, started, "We may have use for him after all."
***
The Temple of the Elder Gods. The last time I saw that structure was during the War of the Gods. The war they thought I'd died in. Nobody was behind me, and nobody was leading me. Rayden had told only myself to go to the Temple, and since I had remembered where it was, I decided to use my teleporting ability to arrive n the cliff that bore the Temple.
The only thing I could think about was how they were going to react to someone who had attacked them so long ago.
So, I shrugged and headed in - pushing aside the fact that sacrificing my immortality could mean something more in the end.
The inside was lit with thousands of candles surrounding an altar in which I stood behind. Kneeling, I faced each of the cavities that the Gods would speak to me from.
"Elder Gods of the Earth Realm," I started, "I have come for your guidance." In a blinding flash of light, the elements in the cavities began to stir. Water, Earth, Fire, Air and Spirit.
"We have watched your movements since you've arrived on the Earth Realm," The Water spoke.
"We have peered inside your thoughts and know your true intentions," The Air spoke.
"Do you truly wish to sacrifice your immortality to assist the ones whom you've tried to destroy?" The Fire asked. I nodded. "I may not be able to change who I am, but I wish to defeat the new threat to this realm," I replied.
"In order to consider yourself a true warrior of virtue, you will undergo tests during your mission," The Earth spoke.
"To wish to be mortal, you will not be able to regain your immortality," the Spirit stated.
Damnit.
"I'm willing to risk my life to get rid of Chi and Tsung," I said bluntly. "I have nothing else to live for. If I die during this endless struggle, I will be happy."
"Very well," the Spirit spoke and waved his hand.
The instant Spirit's hand moved past my body, I felt as if my soul were being ripped from my body. Yet the willingness of becoming mortal made the process less painful. Usually it'd feel like you were engulfed in flames or being electrocuted with as much pure energy as lightning. Not that I'd know, of course, but I have heard stories.
I fell forward, catching myself with my hands, breathing heavily. When I looked up, the Gods had dissipated but the candles still held their spiritual essence. I stood and took in the full effect of my new mortality, gazing into a pool of water on the alter.
~Lost in thought and lost in time
While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted
Outside the rain fell dark and slow
While I pondered on this dangerous but irresistible pastime
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the moment had arrived
For killing the past and coming back to life~
Sonya Blade was the first person I saw since returning from the Temple of the Elder Gods. I was sitting in my spot on the cliff, watching the sun set on the ocean horizon when I heard her footsteps, softly but swiftly, make their way up the rocky hill. Turning my head, I saw as she made her way to her tent, blonde hair flying behind her. I stood up and waited outside her tent.
"Where are the others?" I asked.
"..."
"You can't keep ignoring me, Blade. We're on the same team now."
"..."
"And you can't leave without me, either. Remember, I'm your eyes in Outworld. I know where every secure sport is and perhaps I may be of help in finding your lost comrades." Sonya poked her head out of her tent, about ready to shoot her mouth at me, when she stopped, her mouth open.
"A leather trench coat. What's the occasion?"
"It's my new look." I replied. Sonya thought for a moment.
"You have green eyes."
"Oh? Does this mean things are going to change between us?"
"... You're still a sarcastic, cynical asshole," she replied and headed back into her tent.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
I returned to my spot on the cliff and waited for the simple swoosh of Sonya's tent door. That never came until the rest of Earth's warriors returned, looking somewhat tired and agitated. I watched the defenders of the realm talk amongst themselves. No one seemed to realize that I was looming near - of course, without my neon eyes, nobody would notice.
"You're not planning on heading to Outworld without me, now are you?" I questioned rather loudly, as I was still at the Cliffside. I stood and walked towards the newly roaring open flame and sat on a log near the fire.
"Actually we were discussing who was to retrieve dinner tonight," Kung Lao replied.
"I could use the exercise," I said malevolently. "I'm an excellent fisherman. So." I looked around at the expressionless faces. "Who's up for swordfish?"