Chapter III: Forgotten memories
The warrior Daniel speaks of his origins, Sindel receives exceptional news , and a visitor surprises Jade
Just before Sindel, Jade and Daniel were about to leave the council meeting to discuss what he wanted to talk about, Jade turned and stopped him.
"As I'm sure that you mean well and appear to be honest, since we do not know you and what your intentions are, we will have to have guards bringing you in cuffs. It's nothing personal, just standard procedures for an unknown guest."
Nodding at her and stuck his arms out in front of him.
"Of course General Jade, I will offer no restraint as I am willing to cooperate with you "
When they reached sindel's chambers, the guards undid Daniel's cuffs and stood at the posts they were assigned to. Now sitting around a small table and Sindel sent away a maiden to fetch some beverages and Jade sat next to her.
"Now then Daniel, what did you wish to speak to me about that required such privacy?
"Thank you your highness, I have been waiting for an opportunity to finally find you. I was bound by shao kahn's magic ever since edenia was taken over. I was aware of him forcing you to marry him."
Jade glared at him as she noticed Sindel recalling the events and shuddering as Daniel spoke.
"What happened to our armies of royalty... It's a memory that haunts me even to this very day... General Jade, do you know the depths of your eclipse powers?"
"Meaning it's origin?" She asked while cocking an eyebrow up with curiousity.
Daniel nodded. "Yes, the origins as to where they come from".
"Well... I don't really know to be honest..." She quietly said. Daniel smiled at her as Jade looked up at him.
"I will tell you when the evening hours arrive General Jade."
"Queen Sindel, I am the last of the eclipsians. Shao Kahn hunted each of us down individually and killed us all."
Sindel could was stunned at what she had heard. "This can't possibly be! An ecplisian!? I thought they were all gone or had vanished... but slaughtered!?" she thought to herself.
"I was still a child at that point, but having my mother and father be killed with no reason or explanation as to why, I couldn't help but feel hatred towards him. When he tried to kill me, I was able to land one hit on him and send him back stumbling before a few of the soldiers pinned me down. He then started to laugh... Not in an evil way, but in a way as if he was impressed or surprised that a mere eclipsian child was able to draw blood from him. So he ordered me to be brought back to the palace, but before any of the soldiers started to beat me up, he then stated I was not to be harmed. One of them made a tiny cut on my arm and he was instantly killed by Kahn for making that mark on me."
All Sindel and Jade could do was stare in awe and near disbelief as to what he was saying and explaining.
"By the time I remember anything, I was old enough to feel and think for myself, but the memory that was plaguing my mind was the reoccurring nightmares of my mother and father being murdered. To Shao Kahn, I was nothing more than experiment to be tested on. So when he died, I was no longer bound to his palace and I was free to roam where ever I wanted to, but my origins and my past told me to come home."
Sindel raised her head after processing everything she had been told.
"So what are you wanting from me exactly Daniel? I still don't see how this has anything to do with me."
Daniel's eyes shift down to the ground, but Jade noticed his attention change. "Why is he all of sudden so nervous? I'll find out later when I am able to speak to him privately" she thought.
Daniel looked up nervously at Sindel who was giving a glare as if she was ready to snap. "Shit she's right.. Well... I still have to show her the parchment and... what if she says no? I won't have anywhere else to go to... Well... Here goes nothing"
"Well your majesty, I have this for you to look over" He said as he was taking off his strap on parchment and opening it for her to read over.
Jade and Daniel sat quietly as she read it over with care, then looked up at Daniel again as he was looking even more nervous than before.
"Based on what this parchment is saying... You were bound to shao kahn's service against your will, but he paid you for any work you did as if he was your employer. Well to me..."
Sindel burned the parchment as Daniel looked in horror.
"That agreement is irrelevant to me, but I will offer you the choice of wanting to stay in light of your heritage. I will let you make this decision if you wish to accept or decline my offer.
Daniel bowed his head "I would be honored to stay here your highness."
Sindel smiled and nodded "Very well then. Jade, where do you think he could stay?"
Jade tilted her head and pondered then looked back at Sindel.
"Well, there is extra space in my chambers right now I can offer for the-"
Before Jade could finish her sentence, Sindel butted in with her remark.
"Ohhh, feeling a little exposed to need a bodyguard dear?"
Sindel smirked at Jade and chuckled and Jade gasped and playfully smacked her shoulder.
"Ugggh, no no not at all! I'm just suggesting that my chambers are large enough for him to temporarily stay in"
All Daniel could do is just sit quietly and watch the two of them bickering at each other and let out a tiny chuckle.
Sindel looked back at Daniel with a smile. "Well then, it is settled then Daniel. You will take your things to Jade's chambers for the time being and tomorrow we will see about restoring your knight nobility, but not before you are given a tour of the palace and see where everything is." Looking over back to Jade who was getting up and playfully poked her pride again. "Okay Jade, show him the ropes of the palace before you go to your chambers. Now then, off you go with your... bodyguard" as she winked and laughed walking away.
Jade mumbled curses under her breath and walked over to Daniel standing and ready to proceed. Walking through the large palace and climbing up a large set of stone stairs slowly, Jade looked over at him with an eye brow raised.
"So Daniel, how much of your belongings are back at where you are right now? Is there a lot that you have to bring here still?"
He stopped and looked away, but then looked back at her.
"Actually... I don't have a home of my own General Jade. I've been on my own since I regained consciousness."
She looked over and shook her head. "Please, just call me Jade. There isn't any need to keep the professionalism all the time. So how come you came here all of a sudden?"
Daniel looked down quietly.
"I felt as if I owe all of edenia my life after being a... tool for his needs and wants. However when I reached the palace last night and was looking around for a suitable place to rest, I saw Kitana resting and there was someone else looking out the window as if he could see me. I shifted around to another spot and he was there looking up at me. So I went up onto the roof mirror and I saw him looking up at me, so I went over to other end of the castle to avoid being seen, but I am pretty sure he thinks I'm a threat."
Jade looked over and saw his worry patted his back "No worries, if Liu Kang tries anything, I'll be around. Besides, you'll be meeting him much sooner than you think. I have been planning to see Kitana after the meeting anyway so why don't you come along and we can sort out the mess between you and Liu?"
Looking over and nodding, He followed Jade off to Kitana's chambers.
Kitana had recently stirred awake to look up and see her consort looking at her. Looking at her and smiling, Liu Kang smiled at her as he brushed away some strands of her hair as he gazed into her light brown eyes and he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Good morning my dear. I trust you slept better this time?"
Kitana couldn't help but feel a large amount of blood rushing to her cheeks as she smiled back at him and laid her head into his chest.
"Yes I did... I feel well rested this morning actually. I don't know why, but I feel as if something has woken up inside me and I feel... Alive, but my injuries still keep me in reality all too much."
She looked away from him and looked sad, but Liu Kang lifted her head up and kissed her cheek.
"Do not worry so much love. Soon you'll be back up on your feet in no time."
Kitana heard a knock as she looked over at her door and she sighed.
"I'm pretty sure that's Yuhanna out there... Enter."
Opening the door quietly, the old healer walked in with a tray of food and several medicine.
"Ah good morning lady Kitana as well as you sir Liu Kang. I trust you both slept well then?"
Liu nodded and looked over to Kitana who had managed to prop herself up.
After half an hour of poking and prodding around the injured princess' body and taking notes and several temperatures, he bowed and closed the door to leave them in peace. Kitana just wanted to scream out in pain from the tests as she was squeezing her consorts hands to control the urge, but Liu had noticed she had started to water up.
"Damn it.. that hurt too much again. Guess that just further shows how weak and helpless I've become I guess..."
Liu looked down at her, with worry and held her closer to him and she let out more tears into his chest and she looked up at him as he lift her chin up.
"Don't talk like that Kitana. You are anything but weak, and you are really amazing and strong to be able to recover from such a wound. You're in good hands now and you're home here with me recovering."
Kitana smiled at him and leaned into him when she heard another knocking on her door.
Kitana looked over at the door with a curious look.
"I wonder who that is at this time." Liu shrugged as to who it was.
"Enter."
As the door opened, Jade poked her head through the little gap and smiled wide and glanced at Kitana who suddenly started to have a really large smile on her face.
"JADE! I'm so happy to see you here!"
Liu held her back as a serious face overcame him.
"Wait a minute Kitana... I feel something similar..."
Liu closed his eyes and looked around and saw that he was correct. He felt a familiar presence in the room and he looked behind Jade and saw what Kitana and Jade could not as he leaped from the bed with his flaming fist heading towards Jade suddenly.
"YOU! You will not come near Kitana!"
All Kitana could do was cry out as Liu was lunging forward rapidly.
"NO! LIU! DON'T DO IT!"
Suddenly Liu felt his fist being caught in mid air and he was shocked at this outcome. When appearing out of thin air, Daniel appeared holding Liu's flaming fist and he looked over at jade calmly
"Gener- I mean.. Jade, I will take this matter outside so you may speak in peace"
Daniel then lowered his arm still holding onto liu kang and with little to no effort, he then kicked liu kang out the balcony window and with unimaginable speed, he vanished after liu kang. Jade looking over at Kitana freaking out and about to climb over and Jade wisked to her side and stopped her from moving.
"Kitana! Kitana it's okay! Just relax! I can-"
Kitana was lashing out trying to get out of Jade's arms
"No! Let me GO Jade! He's in danger!"
Jade held her more firmly and tightly with a more serious face.
"Kitana. You need to stop thrashing around. Look at me and listen to me. He will be okay my dear. It was him that initiated the little brawl in the first place."
Kitana focused at at Jade looking into her serious emerald eyes.
"I...I'm sorry my friend... please forgive me."
Jade rubbed her back slowly and comfortably.
"It's no problem my friend. I will explain everything to you, but for now, let's get the boys back in here eh?" she winked over her.
"DANIEL! COME ON BACK!"
Meanwhile right outside the palace...
Liu kang landed in quite the amount of pain holding his shoulder when he looked up and saw the emerald eyed man standing before him.
"Grrr... Who are you!? Why have you come here!?" Liu barked at him, but all Daniel did was just look at him with piercing eyes. All this did was just anger the champion even more so than before.
"ANSWER ME NOW!"
Liu jumped towards him and started throwing punches at incredible speeds as Daniel had a hard time seeing them and dodging them when one stronger flaming punch connected with his jaw and smiled.
"So, how did that feel intruder? A little sore now?"
Daniel opened his eyes and looked down at the monk who had his eyes wide and speechless.
"No. Although I am surprised with the power you possess champion of earthrealm. Lady Jade was about to tell both you and lady Kitana my purpose here, but seeing as you saw through my cloak like last time I saw you, I had to protect lady Jade from your violent attack. That is why I kicked you out here."
Liu lowered his attack stance and backed off a bit to recollect his thoughts.
"So if your purpose here isn't against edenia and it's people. Then why are you here then?"
"DANIEL! COME ON BACK!"
Looking over towards the palace, Daniel then grabbed liu suddenly making him panic
"Woah! What are you-
Within seconds, Daniel teleported back into Kitana's room and dropped Liu Kang on the ground in front of Kitana and stepped back towards Jade.
"Ah, welcome back Daniel. By the way thanks for the save." Jade said with a smile. "Anyways before I continue..." She helped Liu Kang up and dusted him off. "You alright there Liu? That must have been quite a kick to be able to send someone as powerful as you flying like that"
Liu nodded and Jade smiled over at Kitana
"See? I told you so, and now one last thing before we get started..."
Liu looked over at Jade who seemed to have clenched her fist near him
"What is it Ja-"
SMACK!
Jade had quickly smacked Liu upside the head out of frustration and Kitana couldn't hold in her laugh as she bursted out loud
"The next time you do something as foolish as that in Kitana's presence, I promise you that you will wish you could relieve yourself by the time I'm done with you!"
Liu rubbed his head where she smacked him as Kitana was still laughing at him
"Of course, I apologize Jade."
Jade let out a sigh and sat down in a chair Daniel had pulled up for her as he was doing handstand push ups next to her.
"Alright, I have a lot to show him in regards of our military so i'll give you two the main details. Liu, Kitana, this man here is Daniel. He is one the last remaining Eclipsians and the last royal guard of that era to protect the king and queen of edenia before Shao Kahn took over. After he did so, he hunted down the eclipsians individually one at a time killing them all. That is until he came to the village where Daniel was. He tried to kill Daniel but he was punched by Daniel with enough force to draw blood. This impressed him enough to take him alive to the palace as a test subject for experiments. After Kahn was killed from the armageddon, he was no longer bound by Shao Kahns magic and he found his way here."
Kitana and Liu were both shocked at what they had just heard. Kitana looked over to her friend
"And that's... just the main parts of it?"
Nodding to Kitana, Jade stood up and put the chair back.
"Alright, I still have a lot to cover before tonight comes around, but I'll be back here for dinner this time, I promise. Now you two behave yourselves okay?"
Jade had smirked to Kitana earning her a mock glare and she left Kitana's chambers.
Later that afternoon...
Sindel yawned as she walked out to her balcony and stretched out her stiff muscles and joints with a few cracks and pops that followed as she did so. She couldn't help but wonder that something isn't quite right with her day yet. As she looked out onto the horizon to look at the villages and cities within edenia, she couldn't help but smile at how far they have come since the liberation. After coming back inside to sign a few more documents and read over new intel, Jade wondered in with Daniel as they were laughing and carrying on. Looking over at Jade with a smile,
"Ah welcome back Jade dear. I assume the tour around the palace was no trouble?"
"No problems at all really, just a small run down of what is what and where and how it functions and I also introduced him to Kitana and Liu Kang"
Sindel had noticed Jade looked a little on edge when she mentioned that and Sindel cocked an eyebrow up and leaned forward onto her desk.
"So I take it that's the reason I heard shockwaves coming from outside Kitana's balcony?"
Jade tensed up and froze on the spot not knowing how to respond but Sindel then started to laugh which helped her relax and saw a smile on her face.
"I thought as much dear, but don't worry. I thought that would happen as Liu's instincts would probably be to protect Kitana, but I am going to assume that everyone is playing nice now?"
"Yes yes we are ma'am" Jade said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Excellent! Now I want you to sh-"
Sindel was cut off from the sound of an explosion from one of the villages as she looked over to see where it was from her balcony and looking broken tower it came from, she looked at Jade and had started to laugh as along with Jade, but Daniel failed to see the humor in the situation.
"Umm... Excuse me your highness, but what exactly is so funny in this situation? I'm failing to see any humor right now"
Running into Sindel's chambers suddenly was Liu Kang as he ran up to Sindel and Jade seeing them laughing and he stood next to Daniel.
"So what are they laughing at? I just heard a massive explosion!"
Daniel looked down at him and shrugged and Liu sighed. Once Sindel and Jade had finished laughing, Sindel had a large grin on her face as if she felt completed.
"Ahh... That's what my day was missing. It couldn't be complete without an explosion coming from there."
Glancing over at Liu and Daniel now, "Allow me to explain what was so funny. See, where that explosion came from was the department of sciences and magics. They handle all of our substances needs and any testings that happens with anything foreign and/or dangerous as well as making of any fireworks and pyrotechnics."
Jade looked over at Sindel with a rather sarcastic look on her face.
"Wait a second, isn't it run by that crazy guy who loves to make things explode?"
Pinching her nose bridge, she sighed at Jade's question,
"Yes... that is correct Jade. Dr. Jordan to most people is a crazy mad man who loves explosions of any size. However to those who know his gentler side, Dr. Jordan is one of the most brilliant scientists in Edenian history. He helped design some of the natural generators that help sustain the villages that are farther out from the palace. Not only that, but his invention of the portal station which our allies from earthrealm helped us build so we could open steady and safe portals to different realms. So not only does he provide an entertainment for myself, but he's part of the reason why we have been able to reach where we are since the liberation. In exchange for unlimited reasources for researching solutions, we built a tower that could instantly rebuild itself no matter the size of the explosion and none of the civilians would get hurt too."
Looking up at Liu and Daniel who had been attentively listening to her,
"Now do you understand why we were laughing at this?"
"Yes your highness." both warriors said
Looking back at Jade with a smirk,
"Jade, can you show Daniel to where your chambers are and help him... Settle in" as she winked at Jade earning her a glare as she laughed.
"Oh relax Jade, you know i'm just teasing you" she said while still smiling as she looked over at Liu Kang.
"I'm going to go see my daughter and I'm sure you want to be there to help her stay relaxed too yes?
Liu nodded and followed her out the doors and headed to the right.
Jade swatted Daniel's arm as he looked down at her looking up at him.
"Come on, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping for the time being."
Nodding towards her, Daniel followed Jade out of Sindel's chambers to the left as the doormen closed the doors of her chambers.
After turning a corner before the main hall way, she glanced at Liu kang.
"I would like to know how Kitana is doing."
Liu looked back at Sindel with both his eyebrows raised
"Well, if that's what you want, why not as master healer Yuhanna?"
Pinching the bridge of her nose, she sighed.
"If I asked old man Yuhanna, he'd go on and on and on with all kinds of medical details that would bore me. I'd rather hear it from you in a simple way."
Looking away from her, his shoulders slumped down a bit
"At first, she was... Well... You saw for yourself how bad it was. All I wanted to do was just hold her as tight as I could, but with her injuries it made it almost impossible for me to even hold her at all."
Stopping in front of the hallway before Kitana's chamber, Sindel put her hand on his shoulder.
"I know you're doing everything you are able to at this point Liu, I don't know what kind of state she would be in if it were not for your presence around her so much recently so thank you for that."
"It's no trouble your highness, I'm just going with my instincts and to protect her from as much as I can now that I am alive again. He said while giving a slight bow
Sindel waved him off suddenly. "You don't have to be professional around me all the time Liu. However if you are in front of the royal council, then yes by all means use my title. Other then that, just call me by my name"
Turning around, she looked back at him with a grin on her face. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to head down to that tower to see what the cause of the explosion was."
Later at the Centre of Edenian Science...
Sindel walked up to the building and smiled as the magics were still working as the tower had fully rebuilt itself by the time she got there. She used her powers to fly up to the top floor of the tower to see the "crazy guy" that was also in charge of a project that Sindel has had him working on since the liberation of edenia happened. She then flew in the window of his lab which was surprising small given the size of the tower. Looking for the doctor but wasn't in his main lab. "I wonder if he's in the OTHER lab.." She thought to herself as she pulled a lever that said "do not pull" half way down, then turned it around and flipped it up as she heard a hissing sound coming from behind her as a new set of stairs leading up higher were now able to be seen by anyone. She knew this upset him greatly so she did him a favor by closing it as well by touching the gargoyle next to the bottom step. Reaching the top step at last, she turned and saw that Dr. Jordan was deep into some mixtures for formula so she thought she would scare him for a little fun. Standing behind him she quietly waited for him to turn around and when he did, she was not disappointed with his reaction.
"AHH! OH GOD WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU- Oh... It's you your highness... Sorry for that. You startled me a bit" Hanging his head as she was laughing.
She helped him pick up the rest of the papers he was holding. "I'm sorry as well doctor, but that was too much of an opportunity to pass up. Now to the reason I'm here. Aside from the explosion which was awesome by way, how is your progress on coming along with... that one project?" Looking at him with a more serious face.
He smiled and chuckled at her question. "Well I'm glad you asked madam, I may have hit the jackpot of all findings this time!" Noticing the instant smile on her face, he quickly brought her back to reality.
"However! There is a matter that needs to addressed madam. It's regarding the... ummm..." he looked away from her quickly and noticing himself being very nervous.
Looking at him and sighing as to what he was talking about. A part of her knew what it was. "It's about the remains isn't?" The doctor nodded quietly. "I see... Well we both knew that going anywhere near there would happen at some point... I just wasn't sure when it would happen."
He placed his hand on her shoulder with a smile. "Don't worry madam, I already have all of the preparations all set up and ready for whenever you wish to pursue this plan of yours. I need to warn you though that when we do this, the whole realm will be able to see the magics that shoot out of the tower so it will not be a surprise when we do it. When do you wish to pursue with this plan of yours madam?"
Sindel gave it some thought before answering him. When suddenly an idea hit her and a big smile overcame her face. "I know! We can do it during Kitana's wedding whenever she decides to get married!"
Looking absolutely confused, the doctor tilted his head with an eyebrow raised. "Umm madam. I don't mean to interrupt you, but isn't sir Liu Kang dead?"
She smiled at him "Not anymore." he gasped when she responded and laughed out loud. "Oh argus this is too good to be true! My lifes greatest work of the century will be accomplished! Thank you for this piece of exceptional news madam! I cannot wait to start this!"
Walking towards the window and looking back at him with smile "Thank you for your time doctor. It's always a pleasure."
Nodding back, he bowed slightly as she took off from his window.
Meanwhile in Jade's chambers...
Jade had just stepped out of a relaxing hot shower and she wrapped herself in a towel and proceeded to her room when she saw Daniel entering her chambers and looked at her in her towel and had a bright red blush on his face.
"Woah.. I mean uh... I mean.. umm... hello lady Jade"
Jade couldn't help but laugh at his shyness as his blush turned into a darker shade of red.
"It's quite alright Daniel, I wasn't expecting you to come visit me this late in the evening. Just let me get dressed and I'll come out into the-"
Cutting her off suddenly "Actually lady Jade, I have an idea of where we can go to talk so I can explain your powers peacefully. I do love everything about the palace, but it's not a good place for what I want show you." He piped up before she could finish her sentence.
She looked at him and nodded and as she finished getting dressed and approached him.
"So where are we headed to Daniel?" As she was now looking up at him.
Daniel swept her off her feet like a princess and chuckled. "Hold on tight!" As he used his powers to move at dizzying speeds to the roof tops of the palace and the night time sky was beautiful as there were no clouds to cover the moon and shining stars illuminated the sky as Jade covered her mouth with her hands.
"Oh wow! This is... This... I don't even know what to say right now, I jus-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Daniel placed a finger on he lips to stop her from talking. "No need to say anything lady Jade. Aside from being royalty and noble, we were also taught to be a gentleman above all and do everything with honor and pride."
Feeling a slight blush on her face, Jade looked away from the warrior. "Oh... Well... Then thank you."
Giving a nod gesture, he took his hands and placed them together flat.
"Now then, are you ready witness the potential of your eclipse powers?" Jade nodded silently as Daniel could tell he had her undivided attention and he pulled apart his hands to see a green aura him suddenly.
"This is the basic level of the eclipse powers and I know you are able to do this with little or no effort yes?"
Nodding again and showing him her eclipse power aura shined bright green
"Yes! Very good lady Jade! Now I am aware that you can take it one stage higher but not for very long yes?"
Looking away from him and twirling her thumbs around. She looked at him once more with courage that showed.
"That is correct... As much as I hate telling you... I don't tell anyone that kind of information of myself often..."
Smiling and holding both her hands in his larger hands. "Do not worry lady Jade, I will teach you the ways of the Eclipse paladins. Now then, why don't we go back into your chambers?"
Nodding she blinked and before she knew it, Jade was back inside her room as Daniel gently set her down.
Still blushing at him, Jade looked up at the warrior. "Thank you for that Daniel. I'm certain you'll help me reach new heights."
"Anytime lady Jade. Now where am I sleeping?"
Nearly forgetting, Jade ran to the other end of the room "Oh shit! I'm so sorry! I forgot! Umm.. uh... Hold on a minute okay?"
Jade rushed back and forth from one end of the room to the other as she set up a futon across her room.
"Here you are! If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know okay?" smiling up at him.
Daniel nodded back at her. "I will and I bid you good night lady Jade
He watched her climb into bed and lay down as he laid down on the bed that was provided for him and he fell asleep from exhaustion just like Jade did.
Early in the morning hours, Daniel heard Jade shivering from her bed and he thought of how he could help her sleep better so he took the blanket that was given to him to use on her bed and he smiled as he pulled his cloak to keep himself warm as he held his spear close to his chest