-Chapter 2: The Paths Before Me

The next day, after shaving his face, Magnus got into contact with Kuai Liang, the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei clan. Better known as Sub-Zero to his allies, the cryomancer ninja had found favor with Raiden after reforming the Lin Kuei and preventing the corrupt former Grandmaster from unleashing his Cyber Initiative and siding with the Outworld forces. Magnus was using one of Raiden's seals, a magical device that could communicate with those who also carried one. Magnus stood alone in the room Raiden had set aside for him, still clad in his white garb.

"It is good to know you've returned, Magnus. After the loss of Liu Kang and Kung Lao, training you helped anchor his soul." The projection of Sub-Zero said.

"And yet it would appear as though I have been gone too long." Magnus glumly replied. "Lord Raiden seems so dark and violent as of late. He is not the wise and collected mentor I once knew... now he is more like a raging fire, looking for something or someone to burn."

"I know of what you mean." Sub-Zero agreed. "In the aftermath of Shinnok's attempted assault, I revealed Kotal Kahn's attempted invasion to him. I could tell his mood soured almost instantly." Magnus sighed as he began to draw another connection.

"It would seem as though the possibility of interrealm war is what has gotten to him the most." He said, giving voice to his thoughts. "He wants peace... but no one else will give it to him."

"It is these differing opinions that result in such friction which ignites the fires of war. Kotal and Raiden both want what's best for their realms, but Kotal Kahn refuses to splinter Outworld back into its former realms, keeping himself a threat." Sub-Zero explained, seemingly agreeing with Magnus.

"I want to help, but I don't know how." The electromancer explained. "I guess that's why I got in contact with you in the first place. I want your advice, I need to know what to do. I want peace, but I want to achieve it without force or interrealm intervention." Sub-Zero fell quiet as he weighed Magnus' request.

"My initial thoughts would be to institute a leader who can bridge the gap and do what Kotal Kahn will not. Someone who will ensure that the realms can be united, but as individual entities." He finally answered.

"Well, good luck finding someone who won't be a puppet." Magnus dryly replied, deeming the possibility of him locating a new leader impossible. Sitting down, Magnus paused to reflect on those who had taken control of the Outworld throne in the past. Shao Kahn, from what he'd heard, was one of the worst...

"What was so bad about Mileena?" He suddenly asked. Sub-Zero looked askance at Magnus.

"She chose to follow in her father's footsteps. But she was even more hellbent on destroying Raiden and conquering Earthrealm that her people began to revolt." He explained, detailing events Magnus had not been present for. "Even still, she was executed by Kotal Kahn."

"Death seems to be an irrelevant factor these days." Magnus noted, recalling how so many individuals who had once been killed had then been resurrected. Some stayed dead, but many had come back to life.

"I warn you, Magnus Shadrix, do not do anything rash." Sub-Zero cautioned him, believing he could see where his thoughts were heading.

"You needn't worry about a thing, Grandmaster. I was just speaking out loud." Magnus reassured him. "I know better than to fool around with delicate matters." Sub-Zero nodded, pleased to hear this.

"Good. I should go, I have matters to attend to. Thank you for your call, Magnus." The Grandmaster thanked him as he signed off. Magnus nodded as the communication came to an end. Setting the seal aside, he laid back on his bed and folded his arms behind his head. Releasing a long exhale, Magnus mulled over his talk with Sub-Zero. The whole situation seemed so immense and beyond him, something he, a lone elemental fighter, couldn't fix on his own. No matter how much he wanted to do something to fix his whole situation in order to ease Raiden's disposition it seemed doubtful he alone could do anything.

Now why had the thought of returning to Mileena to the throne crossed his mind? Had this been some passing, random thought in his quest to learn more about Outworld's Kahns? Or was it a moment of divine inspiration from the Elder Gods, in an effort to illuminate the path he needed to take...?

Nah. The Elder Gods had killed Shao Kahn, surely they would view his successor in the same negative light. And yet...

Magnus momentarily brushed those thoughts aside, his mind returning to dwell on the matters at hand. Perhaps another interrealm war was inevitable. Maybe he should just heed Raiden's words and obtain peace by any means necessary. Maybe this was the one time he needed to react instead of act. Any sensible being would just ride the tide and work their best alongside their allies, regardless of whatever threats came their way.

But Magnus had always been one to act, especially if the betterment of others was on the line.

He recalled one time when Raiden had mentioned the need for a special type of root in order to create an incense for a specific ritual. Only a teenager, Magnus had overheard the conversation and snuck out to do so himself. The journey had been perilous, deep into the heart of a forest. He was beset by many beasts and eventually returned scratched and bloody. The monks had taken him in and Raiden came to investigate as he was getting patched up. It was then that Magnus had handed over the root and said "I was just trying to help." Raiden had smiled, commented on his good and wholesome heart and then used his magic to heal him instantly.

Those were good times, when Raiden had been as much a friend as he was a teacher.

Even now, as an adult man, Magnus was desperate to help the thunder god. Deep in thought, time ticked on as Magnus pondered the solutions before him... and what they would cost him. For there were far greater ramifications for obtaining peace, more than just a few bloody cuts...

The mountain upon which the Sky Temple was built boasted a higher peak upon which an alter to the Elder Gods had been engraved, cut from the stone. It was near this alter that Magnus sat, deep in thought. He believed the higher altitude would help clear his mind and give him some clarity concerning the necessity and direction of his cause. He really wanted to help Raiden, but was completely lost as to how.

However, he wasn't really up here for the fresh air, he just wanted to talk to a certain someone...

As he sat there, looking focused and deep in thought, the sound of rushing winds announced the arrival of the one he'd been hoping to meet.

"Raiden told me you'd returned." A voice announced. Magnus turned and watched as a figure with white hair, pulled into a very long ponytail, and clad in a black and red robe, descended from the sky.

"Lord Fujin," Magnus greeted, rising and bowing, "it is good to see you again."

"Magnus, my friend, we've known each other too long to go by titles." Fujin replied with a smile, offering his hand. Magnus straightened up and shook it. "What brings you up here, to where the winds howl and have their way?" He asked, starting to walk the path leading to the alter.

"I seek answers." Magnus replied. "Answers to a question that has many solutions."

"So you seek to know what is right." The wind god noted. Magnus nodded. "Tell me more of this quandary you face."

"I have noted Lord Raiden's darkened nature and how he has become far more... ruthless in protecting Earthrealm." Magnus explained.

"Those closest to him have also borne witness to his changed state. Yet Raiden himself sees it as a natural progression. A result of the pressure Outworld and the Netherrealm have put on us." Fujin mused. Magnus nodded in agreement.

"I want to help him. I think if I can alleviate this pressure, Raiden will simmer down and stop being so, well... dark." He explained. Fujin smiled.

"Your heart is in the right place, Magnus. It pleases me to see nothing has hampered your helpful spirit." The wind god told him. "As for your quest, the paths are many, as are the outcomes." He warned. "What you do to alleviate Raiden's task may inadvertently bring about other crises to be dealt with."

"Cause and effect," Magnus noted with a nod, "it's what makes the world go 'round." They both paused continuing to walk as Magnus gathered his thoughts. "I spoke with Kuai Liang, and he thought that maybe there should be a ruler who could do what Kotal Kahn cannot."

"But one's abilitiy to overthrow the ruler of a foreign realm severely hampers that plan." Fujin responded, stating the obvious.

"My thoughts exactly." Magnus replied. "So the only other option would be to help Raiden with whatever comes our way."

"Is that the only alternative?" Fujin asked him. Magnus shrugged.

"Those are the only two I've got. Peace isn't cheap. It always comes at a cost." He explained, attempting to reason his way to a solution.

"And what do you say?" Fujin inquired. "How would you like to help Raiden?"

"That's just it; I don't know which is the right path to take." Magnus replied. But Fujin could sense otherwise. Being a god it allowed him to discern the hearts of mortals and the state of their thoughts.

"You appear troubled in mind. Tell me your thoughts." Fujin pried. Magnus sighed, knowing it wa pointless to hide anything from a god.

"I just had a random thought, that's all." He answered vaguely, trying to avoid the reoccurring thought of bringing back Mileena. For some reason it just seemed to be the solution... though he couldn't quite figure out why. "One that Lord Raiden would not be pleased with."

"A solution to your quandary?" Fujin asked. Magnus nodded. "I can sense it is one that has resonated with you."

"Yeah... I guess you could say that." Magnus muttered, starting to feel very uncomfortable. Fujin laid a hand on his shoulder in an act of reassurance.

"Normally I would advise you to pray to the Elder Gods for wisdom and direction. But in this case, I say that you should follow your heart." Fujin advised him. "But be warned, Magnus, where your heart leads may bring consequences along with it." He added.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Magnus quietly replied, the warning enough to shake his very soul.