KUAI LIANG | SUB-ZERO
The air hangs still this early Arctikan morning. Silence amplifies the crunch of snow and twigs under my boots.
Not a single flake falls, and no clouds obscure the peppering of stars and a bright white moon against a dark sky. What a pristine night. I feel honored to bear witness.
The Lin Kuei raised me to reject simple pleasures such as this. Does stargazing turn a child into a ruthless killing machine? Does it brainwash them into mindless servitude? If it does neither, it must be a punishable offense.
I vowed to challenge the barbaric traditions of the Old Lin Kuei, but there are moments when the voices of old wrack me with shame every time I go against their teachings.
Then there are moments like these, when I can enjoy the most breathtaking Arctikan sky in ages without ridicule or punishment. It reaffirms my vow that the future Lin Kuei children will never know the barbarism that was the Old Lin Kuei.
It makes me content.
I let a smile brush my face before I continue my journey.
It takes another hour to reach the Lin Kuei base. Shadows of my fellow Lin Kuei move under the gabled roof, and they open the gate.
The Lin Kuei base is stone, steel, and ice. It looks like something the Old Lin Kuei would design. I struggle with distancing myself from the hard, function-centric lifestyle. Still, I have added a few plants and some decorative artifacts as a state.
There is a notable lack of technology as well, particularly where the Special Forces helicopter was when I left.
I reluctantly allowed the Special Forces to build the helicopter pad at Johnathan Cage's request. The man is persistent, in the way that he knows how to annoy someone until they cave in.
I am unsurprised that Cassandra Cage left before I returned. It is a shame I did not get to socialize. My Outworld contact, Nali, requested an urgent audience that I had to take.
We were supposed to meet at a small tavern in the village at the base of the mountain. She never showed.
This is not the first time the Outworld native missed a meeting, but she typically sends a note assuring me of her safety. I hope it was an inability to slip away from her business.
At three in the morning, the fortress is eerily silent. This silence will last for another hour. Everyone must be awake at four. There are exceptions, namely the ill, the injured, and the night sentries who sleep during the day.
Despite spending the last six hours climbing a mountain, sleep will not be an option today. It would set a poor example.
"Welcome home, Grandmaster." a dark-skinned Lin Kuei approaches me. His hood covers most of his face, but I see traces of snow-tipped hair. "I hope your mission was a success."
"Greetings, Zhang," I respond, "have we received word from Outworld? Nali did not arrive for our meeting."
Zhang says, "We have received no messages."
"I was afraid of that," I say.
After the ratification of The Accords, Kotal Kahn became convinced that Raiden and the Revenants were conspiring against him. It worsened two years ago. Outworld began witnessing a period of widespread famine, and the paranoia exploded. Somehow, Raiden is to blame for his misfortune.
Nali is a loyal soul. She refuses to betray her realm or her emperor. Kahn will not believe that. If he thinks she is a spy for Earthrealm, he will execute her with no second thought. There will be no trial or mercy.
"Contact Chuo and inquire about her."
Raiden restricts inter-realm travel to that which he deems "necessary." I must have all the facts before I approach him. To go without his blessing, one must have access to a portal stone—he does not react well to it. I not only owe Raiden for saving my life, but I also owe him for freeing my soul.
My portal stone remains unused for that reason alone.
Zhang nods. "And Commander Cage? She asked me to let her know when you arrive."
"I did not see her vehicle."
"Her team left yesterday. She stayed behind."
"Odd." When I told her she could stay if she needed, I did not expect her to do so. She was eager for her first vacation in half a year. She also mentioned her father's upcoming birthday party. "Has anyone checked her firewood supply? Has she eaten?"
"She declined to join us for our meals. We offered to bring her something, but she declined that. We replenished her firewood last night. Should I check on her?"
"No. I will take care of it. Return to your duties and alert me if Chuo responds."
Cassandra Cage does not answer the first knock. With her extensive traveling between time zones, it is safe to assume she needs rest. I leave the firewood outside her door.
Arctika's weather makes housing a challenge. People know us as Cryomancers, but we have skilled fighters from all over the powered spectrum. We allow anyone with potential, even those who cannot withstand a blizzard, so the communal areas and the barracks are under the same roof.
The dining area is down a small, dim hallway from Cassandra's door. Two dozen square tables fit in the drab room. Dim torches illuminate it.
When I enter the threshold, I stop at a woman's voice. My eyes follow a light to a corner table. Cassandra Cage leans over her phone. She does not react to my approach. The device has the Commander's attention.
"Love you, punkin. Bye." Cage takes a shaky breath and closes her eyes. I approach her with purposely loud footsteps.
"Oh, hey!" She straightens, pulls her shoulders backward, and forces a smile that does not match her demeanor. Her eyes droop and there's enough pink to suggest she did not sleep well.
"Good morning," I say, "I am sorry I left abruptly."
"Oh, no worries. I didn't expect you to entertain me. Letting me stay here was a huge favor."
"I hope your housing was comfortable."
"It was fine. I felt at home—it reminded me of boot camp."
Her attempted reassurance does the absolute opposite. I will still be a gracious host. "Are you hungry? Breakfast is at seven, but I can make you something."
"Nah, it's all good. I haven't had time to eat breakfast in so long."
"Some tea perhaps?"
"You got the good stuff?" she asks. "I don't know where you get it, but it's the only stuff I can stand."
I hear that from many. Even Hanzo Hasashi inquired where I get it. That was his gruff, roundabout version of a compliment.
"I have it. It is a special blend that I make myself," I say, "I will return."
Cage is on her phone when I carry the cups of tea leaves and a pot of hot water to the table. She rubs her temples and speaks in a strained voice.
"No, you are right to be worried…. You would be doing me a favor! You know I barely held it together at the wedding … So what? Hanzo wants to be a sexist asshole and leave you behind? I say he deserves it… Please, Jac, this would be amazing. Raiden won't lay off me until I get him home… I know Takeda's going to be pissed, but it's like you said, his dad is in danger…"
I avert my attention to the tea leaves and watch them bleed into the hot liquid, turning it amber. Cassandra's private business is none of my concern. Steam rises from the cups while I wait for her to end her conversation.
It is an interruption when the Special Forces use our time and resources. I can justify it because Cassandra Cage leaves immediately. The Commander is a constant whirlwind of action anymore. She only becomes stagnant when she has a motive.
The training exercise ended two days ago.
What is the motive?
I am a patient man, but my curiosity must be sated.
By the time she acknowledges me, the tea is ready. "I am glad your phone functions here," I remark. They could not use their phones in Arctika for many decades. It was a bone of contention with Johnny Cage, who begged for a communications tower. That is one favor he failed to charm his way into. The helicopter pad was far enough. "Were you able to contact your father? I am sure he would like to have heard from you on his birthday." I emphasize the last word in hopes she will not hedge the subject.
"Yes—" she says.
"That is good," I reply.
"—But If anyone asks, and by anyone, I mean my dad, there was a sudden blizzard that kept me here."
"But there was no blizzard," I say. My eyes dart to her youthful face. Her mouth tightens. "Why would I state otherwise?"
"You were raised by a brutal clan of assassins." She gingerly fingers her cup. Her brown eyes avoid my gaze. "I'm sure they taught you to lie."
I put my cup to my lips and watch her. Johnathan Cage has an obvious fear of abandonment. He surrounds himself with those who barely tolerate him. He has few genuine friends. Despite common misconceptions, he does notice, and it does bother him.
In fairness to the others, he is insufferable. It takes perseverance to find anything of substance. Few have the time or inclination to break past his narcissism. I did not mean to get to that point. Our work together made me find more than I expected. He has some depth to him. It is hidden very well.
Cassandra values him for the person he is and not what he can provide for her. He needs that connection to someone, and this would hurt him.
One small sip later, she looks at me and huffs. "I know it's a dick move, okay?" her cup hits the table with a clank.
"I said nothing," I respond.
"Fuck, we need to stop working together. You learned to scold me with your silence." She cards her left hand through her light blond hair and manages an impish smile. This playful upturn does not come from Johnathan. She must have inherited it from her mother. I can only assume, since I do not recall what Sonya Blade's smile looked like.
My hand lingers while I force a smile from my lips before my cup joins hers. "I do not scold. I advise."
She snorts a sarcastic disagreement, which makes me smile once more. It is small and polite, but genuine.
I look at my hands and inhale deep into my diaphragm. This friendly back-and-forth, having someone make me smile in genuine amusement, feels like that time young Bi Han and I sneaked away to have a snowball fight. All that drudgery and strict conformity was put aside for a moment of joy and wonder.
We were flogged and publicly rebuked for it, ending our childhoods for good. There is still that memory to hold on to.
I subsequently became content with days of meditation and training and could pass the time in solitude without wallowing in loneliness.
Johnathan Cage planted the seed that altered my contentment. He requested assistance with his first team. They were four warriors from different worlds, bound by the strength of their bloodlines. He insisted the training exercise was a onetime collaboration. He must have known I would continue our partnership, so he used falsehood to ensure my initial cooperation.
Cage's foresight proved impeccable. After helping them ward off Kotal Kahn, those four youths grew on me.
Kung Jin's cocky abrasiveness was a near-impenetrable protective barrier. He showed worrisome amounts of arrogance during the first training exercise which built strife within the team. Fortunately, the other three grew on him, and he eventually softened and built a rewarding comradery with them. Jin was the first to leave. His superiors hit a wall. He did not aspire to be a soldier, and that lack of motivation hindered further growth. He seemed like a leaf ready to break from the stem and get swept away in the breeze. That breeze eventually came, and it left him in the halls of the Wu Shi Academy.
Takahashi Takeda would be next. Perhaps the most underrated team member, his willingness to compromise and keep the peace was unique in a group of warriors. He was the adhesive the others needed. Our objective was to teach him to take control when the squabbling hindered the team. Takeda had the makings of an exceptional leader; he needed to take the reins. I have faith that The Shirai Ryu will elevate his skills. They are his destiny as much as the Shaolin is Jin's. I did not expect the young man to return when Kenshi came to collect him. He never did.
Jacqueline Briggs's visits are becoming less frequent. The young woman intrigued me the most. She was the hardest to know. She had integrity and fierce loyalty to her team. Her true self came through during struggles, but the exterior toughness fell back into place as soon as she caught it. There is so much potential.
Then there is Cassandra. She has made extraordinary progress as a leader, and watching her continued growth is still an honor. She works tirelessly for Raiden, taking on a job that was once forced on her mother's shoulders. Her father's retirement added to the pressure that she carries.
I am not an extrovert. I need a day of solitude to regroup after socializing. Once I am refreshed, however, I crave companionship. Cage brings a fresh team of recruits on a regular basis . While the newer teams always treat me with respect, they have an air of reverence that the Legacies did not. They would never joke with me, even respectfully, nor would they dare make a sarcastic comment within hearing distance.
That is ideal in a professional sense, but it does little to help my isolation.
I encourage my fellow Lin Kuei to take time for themselves, allowing them to leave our fortress for brief trips. Why will I not allow myself the same?
"So, what are you avoiding?" gives a small shrug and awkwardly spins her cup on the table. The only clue I can recall is her statement on the phone about her father's wedding. "I could not attend the ceremony, but I hear your father's new bride is lovely."
Any semblance of humor fades from her face. "Brooke is fine." She lifts her cup again, her eyes avoiding mine.
"Cassandra?"
Conflicting emotions swirl around her. The way her jaw tightens and her teeth grit signals anger. Then she swallows hard, which makes her eyes glimmer for a second. It looks like she is forcing away a wave of grief that aches the throat and stings the eyes.
She drums her fingers and huffs. "I like Brooke," she follows it up quickly, like I won't believe her. "I do! I actually like her. She is fun and sweet, and she and my dad have so much in common. It's insane how much they make sense," she says, "And I know it's been five years now, and I sound like an immature stepchild, but I'm just—I'm not ready to like her yet. I'm not ready for a stepmom."
Oh.
I assumed the wedding statement was about avoiding the woman who would be there. Now it sinks in. This was about the woman who would never be there again.
Everything falls into place.
I do not remember my mother; my dad ripped me from her arms at too young of an age. Bi Han refused to bring up memories. It was better if we forgot about her. My only piece of her is a pressed flower from her grave site. Her tombstone read, Liling Song, loving mother. She never stopped searching for her sons.
We may never know what possesses me at this moment. She looks too downtrodden, and I wish to offer something. My hand moves to grasp her wrist, and her eyes snap to mine like I shocked her. "You do not have to talk about it if you do not want to; just know I am here."
Her brows fall into a neutral position, and everything about her face softens. She looks at me for a few beats before she says, "thank you," as though I just said some magical words that solved everything. I had no advice, which is what I am known for, so her response puzzles me.
"You are always welcome, Cassandra Cage."
Nothing else gets said while we nurse our tea in silence. The silence should be uncomfortable, but we share the space in content understanding until the cups are bone dry.
"Looks like it's back to the salt mines." Cassandra acknowledges. She runs both hands through her hair with distant eyes and a reluctant sigh.
"You are welcome to stay longer, if you like."
"I think two days is the max I can get away with. I'm surprised the world hasn't exploded. It's almost as though they can survive without a Blade descendant on duty 24/7. Who knew?" She is deflecting with humor—putting her walls back up to shield her from raw vulnerability.
"I understand. Please find me when you leave, so I may say farewell.
"Deal." she reaches for our cups.
"You are a guest. Please do not worry about the mess."
"You know I'm in the military, right? That is literally impossible."
"I insist." I give her a stern look.
"Okay! Damn!" she holds up her hands and laughs. "If you want to clean that bad, then by all means."
I balance them in my arms and leave Cassandra standing at the table.
"Subz?"
I stop in the doorway to the kitchen. "Yes?"
Her voice sounds small. "Thank you for that. I know I never told you this, but I appreciate all the support you've given me and my dad before me. Under that ice, you're actually a pretty warm-hearted guy."
The sincerity in her voice does something. I take a shaky breath, flex my hands, and turn back with a neutral-but-polite smile. "I am happy to help."
"If you ever need someone for that sort of thing, someone to bounce ideas off or talk to, the Cages are here. We're not much, just a small, annoying-as-hell family, but we're there for each other… And we're always looking to adopt. Dad always wanted a brother. You could be Uncle Ice Box."
"I appreciate that, Cassandra," I say. Once I hear her leave the dining hall, I let the dishes fall into the sink, grasp the edge of the counter, and bow my head.
Should I have shown more gratitude and emotion, or was the neutral tone a necessary evil, a requirement given my position and reputation? I am supposed to be a wise grandmaster who knows the right words and actions. I have nothing.
How could I honestly have that much of an effect on the Cage family? Surely, she was exaggerating. A few kind words and a listening ear do not go that far… Right?
And comparing me to her dad's brother… Why? I have nothing to offer anyone. My family is in shambles, my bloodline down to a trickle. I am closer to my brother's murderer than to anyone who could be called a relative.
I cannot think like that.
Peace with Scorpion and the Shirai Ryu was a necessary evil, a choice I refuse to take back. Vengeance had to end with me developing compassion for Hanzo Hasashi. He has been through enough.
Hanzo Hasashi deserved forgiveness and redemption.
But Bi-Han deserved… better.
Once the kitchen is in pristine cleanliness, I leave for my quarters. Maybe meditation will bring clarity or a way to distance myself from this attachment. The Lin Kuei are my brothers now. They are all I need, and the only ones who could need me.
How could a man like me be of any use to the Cage family?
I'll find out sooner than later.