Chapter Four

I returned home a little later than usual that evening, with some very visible bruises. My mother, Sindel, noticed almost immediately. She began questioning my whereabouts. Unfortunately, I am a terrible liar.

"I told you, Mother," trying to explain, "I was at the market earlier and I just took a bad step."

I cringed. It sounded just as unconvincing aloud.

"Kitana, those bruises were not born from clumsiness," she said, inspecting my arms.

My mother was nobody's fool. Ignoring her, I bent down to pick up my bunny, Monte, who hopped excitedly around my feet. He tucked in his feet, making a soft, comfortable loaf across my arm.

"You were practicing with Jade again, weren't you," she accused. I flushed. Immediately going on the defensive.

"Mother, the tournament is coming. And as Princess, I feel I can do more for Edenia than petty politics. I can help protect us. I can help protect our realm."

"But at what cost? Your life?" Sindel said. "Kitana, it's called Mortal Kombat for a reason."

"I'm not afraid to die!"

"But I'm afraid. I'm afraid of losing you, Kitana."

"Mother…" I tried.

"Don't!" Sindel said, cutting me off angrily. "You have your father's stubbornness. That much is true."

I didn't bother challenging her. When she gets this way there's no reasoning with her. She headed towards the door to leave. Hesitating, she turned back to look at me. A sadness touched her face.

"Does your father know?" Sindel asked.

"Not yet," I choked on the words, feeling a pang of guilt.

"He should."

She left. Shutting the door behind her.

My mother's control over me and my father seemed to grow more intense every day. And that temper she had, it seemed to be getting worse lately. Between the both of them, it felt like she relished being the bad guy.

I put Monte down and he hopped away to go find something interesting to chew. I went to my dresser to fetch some garments for dinner. My dreams crushed a bit, I decided not to put much thought into my outfit.

It's not like I'm seeing anyone of importance.

I thought scornfully, as I sat in front of the mirror. As I brushed my long, raven-colored hair, my thoughts began to return to him. The boy I ran into at the marketplace.

I hadn't really lied to Mother. Well, not entirely.

Earlier that day, I was patrolling the marketplace, disguised as a commoner. Jade's idea was to go there to scout for potential warriors we could help recruit for the tournament. In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best place to find your next champion, but we've looked in worse places.

After a long period of wandering the market – and pretending to be interested in the wares people were selling – I ran into him.

He introduced himself as Rain. He had dark, wavy hair and was wearing a purple outfit. The color made him look important. Regal. Definitely not your everyday commoner.

He had overheard me recruiting potential fighters for an upcoming tournament and mentioned his background in martial arts, as well as magical abilities.

I wondered what that meant.

I had often heard tales of champions in the Mortal Kombat tournament that possessed certain abilities. One included a Lin Kuei ninja that could summon ice and use it to freeze opponents. In my travels as Princess of Edenia, I never witnessed anything like that.

I finished brushing my hair and went to change into my dinner clothes. Getting ready, I headed down the majestic halls of our palace for supper.

###

After our meal, Father invited me for a walk outside the palace gardens. It was always my favorite place to come and meditate.

I suspected my Mother had told him about my wanting to participate in the Mortal Kombat tournament.

My suspicions were correct.

"Father…" I began.

"Kitana, look at the palace walls. What do you see?" Jerrod asked me.

I was unsure of where he was going with this. I decided not to respond.

"I see protection," he continued. "Our realm has not seen war in over a millennium. I know you want to protect Edenia, but Sindel and I believe that your abilities lie here with us. Please, let our soldiers worry about defending the realm."

"Father, I've been training with Jade." He didn't look surprised. I continued, "She's one of our best warriors. If she were here with us right now she would agree that my skills in combat are growing." I started getting defensive again. "And I'm not some fragile little girl. I think you know this and it frightens you."

"I know," Jerrod agreed.

His response caught me off-guard.

"You do?"

"I know you are strong, Kitana. That is why I'm worried. You do have great potential," Jerrod gave me a grim look. "Perhaps that is something that I need to understand. You're my only daughter and I don't want to lose you."

"You won't lose me," I said, embracing my father.

That was the last hug we ever had.