Chapter 15
Ronin appeared on the front step of the Temple of the Elder Gods and entered. The same functionary from Ronin's first visit greeted him at the door and said: "Greetings Lord Raiden. You were not summoned; can I help you?" Ronin said: "Please tell the Elder Gods that I seek an audience. My business won't take long, I assure you." The functionary bowed in acquiescence and walked off towards the main audience chamber. Ronin occupied himself by looking at the various items on display around the foyer room. His first visit had been expected and so Ronin had not gotten a chance to look at anything. But since this visit was sudden, Ronin expected to wait.
He was not disappointed in that it took an hour for the functionary to return and usher him not into the audience chamber from before, with the alcoves and candles, but a modernly appointed sitting room. In it were three people, two men and a woman. All three carried themselves in such a way that even if Ronin had not been a god, he would have given them space in a room and listened intently to all they had to say. As it was, he felt the immense power coming from each of them and knew himself to be in the presence of the Elder Gods.
The voice of the blue alcove though scaled down for the room they were in, sounded little different from the audience chamber as he asked: "What brings you to us Lord Raiden?" Ronin, uncertain of the protocol in this matter, bowed first and clearing his throat, said: "I came with a request and though I am unsure of the protocols in this matter, I knew that only you three would be able to grant it, so I came directly here." The red voice was the woman's as she asked: "What is this that you would ask of us?" Ronin gathered his courage and said: "I humbly ask you to release the soul of the Earth Realm warrior, and mortal kombat champion, Liu Kang to me for one day. As it is measured in the mortal plane, it will be the twelfth of June, three months from now."
The green voice, belonging to the third man in the room said: "What you ask is difficult. Difficult in the extreme, even for the Elder Gods. Why?" Ronin spoke after marshaling his thoughts and said: "No disrespect intended, but even the Elder Gods have to respect the power that in the Earth Realm is called 'true love.' I know of two souls who loved and still love Liu Kang. I believe they should be together but their mutual love and respect for Liu Kang will only stop them from exploring their feelings for one another. I have looked into their souls and have seen two possible futures for their realms. One future is dark and evil, the other is light and good."
"I further believe that in my role as Protector of the Earth Realm, I must act to ensure the better future. Neither of these two souls will progress forward until I can let them speak with Liu Kang one last time. That is my request." Ronin finished.
The blue voice said: "Let us confer in private on this matter and we will render our decision." With that, the Elder Gods vanished in flares of their respective colors, red, blue and green, leaving Ronin alone in the sitting room.
After what felt like eternity but was only about three hours, the Elder Gods reappeared. Ronin got to his feet and bowed again. The red voice, the woman said: "You are correct Lord Raiden in that even we, the Elder Gods must respect the power that you spoke of." The green voice spoke next: "We have looked into the souls you speak of, and we have seen what you have. Difficult to see is the future, always in motion it is. For your insight on the matter, we commend you." The blue voice spoke last: "We will grant your request. On the dawning of the twelfth day, three months from now, as it is measured in the mortal plane, Liu Kang's soul will be released into your care for one day. On that day,until you wish it, he will be unseen and unheard by all but you when you go to the mortal realm."
The Elder Gods vanished again and Ronin knew the audience was ended. Leaving the Temple of the Elder Gods, Ronin returned to his home and trained for the remainder of the day. Three days later, Spark came to him and said: "Lord Raiden, I have found your predecessor. He has become a martial arts instructor in the same dojo that he found you at."
Ronin knew the place well. He had spent so much time there that it had become like a second home to him. Ronin dressed simply that day, in a gi and black belt that matched his old one as he appeared in an alley down the street from his old dojo. Walking in the door felt like coming home after a long absence. The sounds of students training, the scent of tatami and of well earned sweat were in a way sweet to Ronin.
Other than his eyes, Ronin had not changed physically after accepting the office of Raiden. With that in mind he fully expected to be recognized and was not disappointed as his old teachers greeted him with hearty handshakes. "Last I heard, you went on an extended training journey and didn't know if you would ever be back," His teacher said. Ronin smiled and said: "I did go on a training journey. It's a journey that hasn't ended yet, but I found myself in the area so I thought I would pay a visit. In fact, I understand you have a new teacher working here. I met him on my journey and I hoped to talk with him for awhile."
Ronin's old teacher said: "Yes, we do have a new teacher. His name is Ho Sung Pak and he is very skilled, more skilled than I could ever hope to be in fact. He should be finishing his class shortly. For now, join us in a class or two please. I would like to see what your training journey is doing for you."
Ronin took in every class for the rest of the day, beginner and veteran alike and by days' end; it felt as though Ronin had never left. All of his teachers remarked on his unflagging stamina and his self-confidence. Where he had been unsure of himself before, now he was completely certain in his kata. He even showed some of the simpler forms that Bo Rai Cho had taught him. Though the forms he showed were simple to Bo Rai Cho, and by extension, as Bo Rai Cho's student, to him, they were complex to all of his old teachers.
When the last class had ended for the night, Ronin caught up with the former Raiden, Ho Sung Pak, and spoke with him: "I'm glad I was able to find you sir." Ho Sung Pak chuckled and said: "No need for the sir anymore. What can I do for you?" Ronin said: "I thought you'd like to know that your allies Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade were to be marriedon the twelfth of Juneand I was wondering if you'd like to go. I've already spoken with Kung Lao and Kitana; they'll both be there so I thought you might want to go as well."
The former Raiden's eyes widened at the news. Then he laughed long and hard. "I had hoped to see those two get together someday but thought it might be along the lines of the twelfth of never." He said. Ronin said: "Also, if I can pull it off, two more of your former allies may get together but I won't say who. I'd like it to be a surprise." Ho Sung Pak's eyes got wider still as he said: "Oh really. Now that I have to see. Not even in office for a century yet and already playing matchmaker. This should be grand." Ronin chuckled and said: "I'll come back here on the morning of the twelfth of June and get you." Ho Sung Pak nodded understanding and walked out of the dojo as Ronin went to speak with his old teachers one last time.