PARSEK'S POV
Just like Markus, I'd been foolish enough to pick up some of the non-Special Forces members of the Forces of Light up as guests at my own house, and while I did have two stories at home, seven guests was almost too many to handle.
As I of course required transport back to the base, I had to bring Atraya along... With us were Sapphire and Glace, Kitana and Jade, Liu Kang, and finally Kai. I gave a silent groan as to how I was going to fit all the kombatants in my house...
Stepping inside, I turned back to make sure that all of them had entered before I opened the fridge and grabbed several packages of instant ramen noodles. "So, who's hungry?" The others seemed to ignore me, but Glace was kind enough to give me a response. "I will gladly try whatever you have."
Placing the ramen noodles in the microwave, I began to heat them up as the pairs began to talk to one another.
"I do not like him, Jade..."
"Kitana, please! He has been courteous enough to offer us a meal with whatever he has available to us."
"I understand. However, that still does not change my opinion of things. I should be living in a palace instead of such a small house as this!"
Ignoring the prissy princess, I tuned in to Liu Kang and Kai's conversation. Both of them were Shaolin monks... perhaps they could teach me some new techniques and styles in regards to martial arts.
"Master, I am most pleased that you allowed me to come with you on this journey."
"It is nothing, Kai... You deserve the chance to be a hero. During Armageddon, we will not fight as master and student, but as equals."
"Indeed... Did you not notice the karategi Parsek was wearing when we met him? He's the first person we have encountered from America during this quest that shows signs of raw ability in the martial arts."
"I noticed it too. While he has good form and strikes hard, he will need to train his way to perfection by the time Armageddon occurs."
I smiled, my head turned away from them. Their compliments were appreciated more than they knew as I removed the ramen noodles from the microwave, dividing the large noodly mass into several smaller portions that I served on simple ceramic tableware. "Food's ready!"
Most of the kombatants simply grabbed the instant noodles and began to eat them, but Kitana merely stared at her plate, not even bothering to glance at the fork sitting next to it. Jade gave her a gentle nudge on the shoulder.
"Come now, Princess... Try it, at least. It's very good."
Liu Kang tossed her a look as well. "Be courteous, Kitana. Your royal upbringing should remind you to show respect to those who take you into your home."
Finally, with a groan, Kitana reached for the fork, twirling some noodles around it as she removed her mask and took a bite. Her eyes immediately lit up at the simple yet flavorful dish, and she sped up her eating of it. "Such a simple flavor... I like it!"
As the kombatants continued to eat, I soon noticed that Sapphire was missing. Turning to Glace, I raised an eyebrow. "Where's Sapphire?"
"She went to the restroom. I'm not sure why, but I believe it may have to do with her bleeding hands."
Nodding, I left to go check on the Earthrealm princess, when I heard crying in the restroom. Peering around the corner, I saw someone that very clearly was not Sapphire.
"What... Who are you?"
SERINA'S POV
I just could not take it anymore... My body felt as though it was about to explode. I rushed to the bathroom, no one fortunately noticing as I sighed, my body changing back to its original form.
Unable to take the stress anymore, I began to cry, tears running down my cheeks as I held my hands to my face. I didn't understand what I was doing, what my purpose was... I never even was told my true reason for existing.
However, I had forgotten to shut the door, a big mistake as Parsek stepped by. Right then, I knew my ruse was busted.
"What... Who are you?"
Still crying, I waved him away with a hand. "Just... Just go away and let me cry!"
Unsure of how to act, Parsek simply stepped over and gave me a tender embrace, as though to say "It's alright, no need to cry." I couldn't help but accept the hug as I slowly began to stop crying.
"I'm sorry... So sorry for everything..."
He looked at me, a strange look on his face. It's okay... Any harm that may have been done is not your fault. Please... What's your name, and where are you from?"
I looked up at the surprisingly friendly martial artist before answering, my red irises on full display. With my reddish-black hair, I looked as though I were Skarlet's twin. "My name, or rather, the name I was given, is Serina. I was sent here by Nitya and Lamia to spy on the Earthrealm warriors. At first, I did whatever she said, but she never told me if what I was doing was right or wrong. Now that I have gotten to know you and the others better, I believe that what I thought was right is really wrong. But now... I have no clue what right truly is. It is very confusing..."
Parsek seemed somewhat touched by my words. I was telling the truth... Having been only recently created, and with no one to guide me, I didn't know what was right and what was wrong. I simply obeyed without question, a dangerous mindset to be in.
"Nice to officially meet you, Serina. I will go and tell the others about this revelation."
And let them take turns torturing me? I knew what their response would be, and as such, I grabbed Parsek's arm and held him down as hard as I could.
"You can't do that! If you do, I will be executed! You know that everyone will want me dead!"
The salty water began to run down my cheeks again as the martial artist gently pulled me up from my seat on the toilet. "Don't worry... Nothing's going to happen to you. Just come with me. If they try anything, I'll protect you. Okay?"
With the tears still flowing, I reluctantly followed him out to the rest of the group, unsure of what was to become of me...
GLACE'S POV
When I first spotted Parsek walking in with someone who was clearly not Sapphire, I immediate got into a fighting stance. "Who in Raiden's name is that?"
The other kombatants followed suit, preparing to fight the unknown girl. She looked like Skarlet, the bodyguard of Mileena, but seemed shorter, more modestly dressed, and oddly enough, a bit shy. I could tell from the glisten of her cheeks that she'd been crying.
"Calm down, guys... This is Serina."
The girl raised a hand and gave a shy glimpse of a smile. "Hi..."
I was not convinced yet that Serina was not a threat. "Where's Sapphire?"
"I... I don't know. The last time I saw her, Lamia and Nitya had her."
Balls of snow began to form around my fists as the temperature dropped. Liu Kang wrapped an arm around Kitana to help keep her warm as I stepped towards Parsek.
"This is your fault! You let them take Sapphire and did nothing to stop them!"
"How could I have known to stop them? I was less than twenty-four hours old at the time! Even now, I still am not old enough to know what truly is right and wrong..."
I stopped before saying anything else. She was right... Though she was intelligent, created to be a nearly perfect spy, she still had the mind of a child, unable to determine what right and wrong were, doing only what she was told to do.
"You're right. I apologize, Serina. I should not have been so harsh with you." As my hands defrosted, I held one out to the former spy in order to apologize with a handshake.
Looking at my hand, Serina had no idea what to do. "You want me to touch your hand and freeze?" A smile former on the corner of her lips...
"Was that a joke?"
Crossing her legs, Serina simply nodded as Parsek turned to look at her again. "Who's ready to hear sleeping arrangements?"
Ignoring them for the moment, I instead focused in Atraya, who had come up to me and caught me unawares. The Elder Goddess gave a slight nod of approval as she spoke.
"You did well, Glace, but nothing would have saved Sapphire from her current state. Relax and enjoy these few months you will spend with your fellow kombatants, and be mindful of Serina. Who she aligns herself with at Armageddon will depend on your actions."
Giving a respectful bow, I watched as Atraya teleported herself away, likely upstairs to whatever room Parsek had prepared for her. I could only wonder what would await us during the next few months...