The OtherRealms

Part 3

CHAPTER ONE

The Knysna Forest, South Africa. EARTHREALM

The amber-purplish sunset had become a speckled dark blue, one that did not try to pierce the thick foliage overhead. The orange glow of the guide's torch extended a short distance in front. The forest around them had evolved into a different entity. Their hike had fallen silent, the monks now focused on the nocturnal hunters making kills in the trees surrounding them.

When they came before a small stream the guide lifted a closed fist into the air, and the trio slowed to a halt. Their guide surveyed the open area before speaking.

"We can rest here. The entrance to the temple is not far." He stuck his walking staff into the wet earth and fell into a squatted position.

"At long last," Kung Lao sank to his knees and dipped his hands into the stream, splashing his face with the cool water.

Liu Kang sat down beside the guide.

"Not thirsty?" Liu shook his head, no.

"What?" The guide asked. "You stop needing food and water after you win the Tournament?"

"I wish that were the case. The title "Earthrealm's Champion" doesn't grant me free groceries either," Liu joked.

The guide chuckled. "Really? What about an autograph?"

"Nothing of the sort–as a matter of fact, one of the other participants thought I was there to carry his luggage."

"You're joking." Liu shook his head again. "Was he–?"

Liu gives a sly one-cornered grin and says, "He was."

The two share a laugh.

"Perhaps it is better that I wasn't there. Had I been told to carry bags, Shang Tsung would've had to start the Tournament a day earlier," the guide remarked.

"Perhaps so," Liu turned to his companion, "I can tell you've been taking training more seriously in your time here."

"Yeah, it's definitely not Detroit but there's more than enough action in these mountains. Still," the Guide spoke softly, "This place, this part of the stream, is always calm. I discovered it on one of my early hunts. It was unnerving at first, never the smell of blood and death, just the peaceful trickle of water."

Liu could feel the truth in his words. Since they'd come to rest, the chaos in the woods had quieted, and he didn't sense eyes on him anymore. But still Liu couldn't seem to shake the thought…

"And yet, I can see cloudiness in your eyes, Liu Kang," the Guide said, almost in perfect timing. "What troubles you?"

"It seems like I haven't known peace since winning the Tournament" Liu spoke truthfully. "Even in a place like this, I battle with thoughts more fearsome than the former champion himself. I envy you."

"My apologies, Liu Kang." The guide grabbed hold of his staff and used it to support himself as he stretched his legs. "I pray the Elder Gods can calm the turbulence in your soul."

"Thank you," Liu looked towards the calm water again. "Pray for Lord Raiden as well. He has changed since our arrival on the Sorcerer's island."

The guide took a moment to reflect over Liu's remarks. "He seemed more–intense during our communications."

"We were given little time to prepare for this quest."

"You? I was halfway to Botswana when I saw Lord Raiden's signal in the sky. If he's like that all the time, then that's a big change from the Protector I met." The two rose to their feet. "But..here we are." A moment passes. "Do you think you're on the right side of this, Liu Kang?"

Liu sighed. "I'm not sure there's any other side to be taken."

CHAPTER TWO

The Knysna Forest, South Africa. EARTHREALM

Rays of orange light break through the leaves of the tall trees, the birds sing in and out of harmony one after the other, and as the morning begins, the Knysna comes to life. Things slither and scatter through the leaves, they fly in pursuit or panic, they howl and shout overhead, it is all a wonder to see firsthand. But to a young man on a quest, it is of little importance.

The young man ran so quickly it blended the Knysna into trailing streaks of green and brown earth; the animals were stretched out and gone in an instant, their sounds sharing the same fate. All that mattered was what lay before him, a task only the Elder Gods could bestow, and one only he could accomplish.

It was a heavy weight to bear, but the young man had accepted it with courage. It was that same courage, the young man believed, that had lived in his Master's greatest student, Kung Lao of the Shaolin. That same courage now flowed through his beating heart and pushed him ever forward.

A white light, like a moon had stolen the sun's rays, forever pointed him in the direction of his next objective. He followed the light almost-instinctively, tearing through the forest at speeds far greater than any man, his age or better.

The young man quickly ascended a rockwall, remembering the look on Master Cho's face when he showed him the gifts the Elder Gods had blessed him with: Superhuman agility and reflexes, enhanced muscle memory and the thinking to match, the ability to instantly understand and replicate any physical movement. He'd gone from Master Cho's second-worst student to his current best overnight, and became a fifteen-year old prodigy in his village, a local legend.

But that did not compare to Master Cho's greatest student, the young man was crushed to discover. While he had amassed fame in fighting in nearby villages, Kung Lao had won the title of Champion of Earthrealm, through Mortal Kombat long before the young man's time.

And though Master Cho had expressed interest in seeing his students in a friendly spar, the thought never crossed the young man's mind, for there was one in his mind much louder. The light, as if beamed into his skull from heaven above, filled his mind with only one thought: "There is no one greater than the Champion of the Elder Gods."