Chapter 8: Accepting Oneself
Three Snow Daggers are down. Only one left to find. Frost and Cyrax have succeeded in passing the third test together. They are on their way to collect the last one in Eskaleut, Articka, and they are moving as fast as they can. They were rather surprised that they had to work together to defeat Crysteslor and pass. Cyrax feels more pleased with their progress. Not only that, he started to have more confidence and faith in Frost and her abilities. He learned to let go of his hatred for cyborgs, realizing that it will get him nowhere. Frost, while just as pleased as her friend is, secretly cannot help but have this strange feeling. A feeling of doubt.
Cyrax notices this and puts a hand on her shoulder out of concern. "Are you alright? You've been acting quiet since we left."
"Yeah. It's nothing. It's just….. It's just I wish Sub-Zero was still here with us. I miss him." Frost tells him.
"Yeah. I miss him too. He was the one who offered me a place in the Lin Kuei, despite me being one of them at the time in the Old Era. I felt reluctant to do so, and my sacrifice was to ensure their survival." Cyrax said.
"I remember. I shared the same feeling you did, but he welcomed me back anyway after he gave me my real personality back. I wish I was able to help him." Frost said, looking down.
"You will. You'll step up. He always knew that you would. That's why he gave you a second chance. And you've proven yourself. Kuai Liang knew it was only a matter of time before you take his place." Cyrax assures her.
"I understand, Cyrax. I know for a fact that it will not be easy to fill in for him. The only question is how? Where to start?" Frost questions herself.
"You will know in time. For now, we must focus on the getting the last dagger and killing Triborg." Cyrax reminds her. "Where is the last one? We are in Eskaleut."
"We would have to wait. I realized a pattern. Everytime we get closer, a dagger glows and shows a sign. The only thing is what could it be this time?" Frost asked.
As they slowly walked around, trying to find a signal or sign that the last one is nearby, the cold wind started picking up. Frost and Cyrax remain on guard for what they thought was supposed to happen. But no danger came. Instead it was more cold wind in the air. Frost quickly realized that the wind is picking up because of the snow daggers glowing once more.
"The daggers glow, yet we do not see a location. What could this possibly mean?" Cyrax asked.
Frost looks at them. She feels as if they are actually speaking to her. For some reason, they remind her of Kuai Liang. She then starts to get the meaning of the wind. "I know what it means. Stay close to me." Frost tells him. Cyrax slowly walks behind her and Frost begins to walk, but with her eyes closed. Her sensations with her cryomancer abilities have started to pay off. She continues to follow the wind with her eyes closed, following her own instincts. Cyrax wonders what she's up, but not out of suspicion, but out of curiosity. Frost continues to let the cold wind guide her, not feeling afraid. Despite not being a cryomancer, Cyrax started to understand that she's doing this because of her abilities, just like Liang did. The wind flows through Frost, not shivering at all, sounding like music to her ears. She always enjoyed feeling the flow.
After a while, Frost and Cyrax arrive at while appears to be like an old temple that leads to a dungeon. Frost scans the area around for any Cyber Lin Kuei. "No sign of any cyborgs. Our stealth tech has helped us everytime." Frost said.
"But we cannot let our guard down. They might be hiding for all we know." Cyrax said.
"Don't worry. They won't see us while we're in these places. It worked for us everytime." Frost tells him.
"How do we get in? There's no entrance around here." Cyrax said, looking around. The two look around at the temple, looking for a doorway, or a basement door. But they could not find any secret entrances. They searched from top to bottom for one to no avail. Things start to get frustrating when they look for about an hour and yet they found nothing. That was until Cyrax spotted something in front of the temple.
"Frost. I think I found something up front. You want to see this." Cyrax gets her attention.
Frost heads to where he is. They both see three slim rectangular like holes in the wall. On the left side close to the middle. Like it could fit something. "They look like keyholes."
"Yes. But what could they possibly fit. Unless it's not actual keys at all." Cyrax said. He then eyes the three daggers Frost carries around her waist.
Frost sees where he is following and looks down at the daggers. She then looks back at the wall and sees the meaning. "Now I get it. We needed three of these before we could proceed further. Perhaps this may be the toughest challenge yet. That's why. No lethal force has been able to break through."
"If that's the case, then we need to be extra careful. We will never know what lies ahead of us. Only one way to find out. Are you ready to do this, Frost?" Cyrax asked.
"I am ready. We will do it. Whatever it takes. That is a promise." Frost promises. Frost steps forward and takes out one Snow Dagger and it fits into the keyhole. It lights up, so she adds the second one and the third one and they both light up as well. The two survivors step backwards and they see a linear crack in the wall come out of nowhere. The marble doors slowly start pushing themselves open upon reacting to the three daggers fit into it. They look on in amazement of what is happening.
The marble doors slowly stop as they touch the walls inside and there was barely anything to see. Besides some lit up torches, all Frost and Cyrax could see is darkness. The two nod to each other as they slowly start walking in. Frost pulls the three daggers from the marble door and goes to catch up to Cyrax. As they walk further, the door closes behind them.
Frost and Cyrax continue heading downwards, following the lit torches. They remain on guard for what awaits for them. Frost cannot help but wonder what this next trial could be. Unknown to her, it is more personal to her than the others.
The two survivors stumble upon a large room. One larger than all the other ones that held the other three trials. They still can't help but wonder what the last one is about, nor the intentions. As before, crystals start flowing through the air in circles above the two. They slowly descend down and form a Crystalnoid. This one resembles an average built man. The look reminds them of Bi-Han.
"Welcome, Frost. To the final trial. I am known as Crystalhan." The last Crystalnoid introduces himself.
"You remind me of someone I once knew. Before he died at the hands of Scorpion." Cyrax said.
"You refer to Bi-Han. The Sub-Zero that was originally assigned to kill Shang Tsung in the tournament. Killed by Scorpion and the mantle was passed down to Kuai Liang." Crystalhan said. "I am not named after him. You can say that it is coincidental."
"Last time I heard, Bi-Han is dead once more and laid to rest after being Quan Chi's slave." Frost said. She didn't really interact with Bi-Han much during the time war, especially since the latter is one that no ally would get along with, she has heard about his history prior to his death.
"Yes. During the Outworld tournament, after Liang was rescued, he set out and killed his older brother. He was reluctant to do so, but the last words he said to Bi-Han were "we share blood, but we are not brothers." Crystalhan tells them.
This did not surprise either one. Given the fact that Bi-Han was the first to disown his own brother, being manipulated by Quan Chi and disgusted by Liang being converted into a cyborg, not caring about the fact that he was converted against his own will. Kuai Liang, despite being shocked by what transpired, reluctantly agreed that they were no longer brothers after he defeated Bi-Han in the Old Era.
"And you know why we are here. Not to talk about those who disgrace and dishonor the Lin Kuei such as him." Frost said.
"Indeed, Frost. You are here for the final Snow Dagger. This final trial will be your greatest one yet. And this one is very personal." Crystalhan said.
"Personal? What for?" Frost questions him.
"Nothing personal against you, I assure you. But something personal that you have been dealing with since the battle at the Sky Temple." Crystalhan tells her. Frost remains confused by this. She tries to figure out what he meant by that. That was until a giant Crystalnoid steps into the room. It resembles a very bully appearance and appears to be two times bigger than the likes of Crysteslor.
Frost takes a few steps backwards, unsure what to do. "I do not understand."
"The answers will come in time. THe only way to get these answers is to fight my guardian. If you can defeat him, then you gain all what you seek." Crystalhan said. He steps aside and backwards as the guardian steps closer to her.
Cyrax puts a hand on her shoulder. "You can do this, Frost. I believe in you. Only you can carry the Lin Kuei to victory. Our fate is in your hands." Cyrax said. Frost nods with a smirk before Cyrax steps aside and stands with Crystalhan. Frost looks at the two before looking up at the guardian. She wasn't completely sure if she will be able to defeat it, but knows she has no other choice if she wants what she wants. Frost steps back and gets ready to fight.
The giant slams a hand down on her, only for Frost to dodge it easily. She ducks a big arm swing towards her and Frost comes in with a kick strike to the right leg, but it hardly made the crystal giant flinch. It kicks Frost away and she quickly recovers.
"I am sensing doubt. Self doubt." Crystalhan said. He feels like he senses her emotions based on her character, her facial expressions and the tone in her voice.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Frost claims as she avoids a big punch. She lands an uppercut followed by a backflip kick to the head, partially cracking it. Frost narrowly avoids a kick, only to receive a back hand strike to the chest, sending her to the ground. Frost fires an ice beam from her chest to stop his right hand from grabbing her. She rolls out of the way, feeling more injured than before.
"I sense desperation in your heart. Afraid of failure. Afraid of something bigger than that." Crystalhan senses.
Frost, struggling to defeat the crystal giant, listens to every word the Crystalnoid said. "Because I am trying to make up for past mistakes. Doubting Sub-Zero, making wrong choices, preventing more failure. So no one would end up like him, Crystesla or Smoke." Frost tells him. She runs up its arm, but she gets grabbed and thrown down to the ground. Frost manages to get up, only to receive a punch to the chest, cracking it and sent to a wall, damaging her a little more.
"It is not just being afraid of failing everyone, including your friends and clan." Crystalhan tells her.
Frost seemed to be confused at those words. She looks at Cyrax, who seems worried for her, but is also confused by what he said. Frost looks back at the giant gaining the upperhand on her, but that was when Frost had a realization on her face. Frost dodges a fist to the ground, summons an ice axe and throws it at the giant's face, cracking it more. The giant stumbles, allowing Frost to turn the tables. She jumps up, does a strong double kick to the face and makes it slide backwards. Crystals break off of its face and it stares at the ground. Frost steps closer as it was able to regain its footing. The giant looks up, and just as Frost finally began to suspect, it was a face of her.
"Now I get it. I have been my own worst enemy." Frost answered, finally understanding Crystalhan's words.
"Because you've always doubted your abilities. About everything. You wanted to redeem yourself to Kuai Liang, and yet you already are without knowing." Crystalhan said.
"Not just that. It's because I am like them. Part cyborg. I sacrificed myself to ensure my clan's survival. If I had not stepped in, Liang would've suffered the same fate as I did. I was afraid of myself. What everyone would think of me like this. But Sub-Zero convinced me that I was welcome, that I still have a soul." Frost said.
"You have better control over your emotions, but your self-doubt has kept you holding back. Preventing you from moving on. It is not always easy, but letting go will numb the pain that you carry. Only then, can you truly become stronger." Crystalhan said.
Frost looks back at the giant with her own face on it. She has had this feeling for 3 years and no one knew but Sub-Zero. He always tried to help ease her pain like he did with Cyrax. Despite the pain she's been through, she remembers her responsibility. "You're right. The only way to do that is to accept myself as who I am. No matter what, I am Frost. I am a Lin Kuei. Just like Sub-Zero." She declared.
"And with that, you have passed the final trial." Crystalhan said. He brings out the final Snow Dagger from thin air and it hovers its way over to Frost.
"I do not understand. So the trial wasn't defeating your guardian?" Frost asked.
"Correct. It was accepting oneself. Letting go of your past can lead to accepting yourself, no matter what. You still carry the same name, Frost. Still declaring yourself as part of the Lin Kuei. With this final dagger, you may now perform the ancient ritual. To see if you are worthy of becoming the next Sub-Zero." Crystalhan said.
"How does it work?" Frost asked.
"You must believe in yourself, Frost. Have confidence in your abilities. But be warned. If you fail, I am afraid that you will not survive the ritual." Crystalhan tells her. Frost nods in understanding. "Good. Let's begin."
Before they could start however, they started hearing loud rubbing coming from outside. Loud booms, like explosions happening.
"What was that?" Cyrax asked.
Frost brings up her scanners to determine what is the cause of the problems. Her eyes widened before his fists close in anger. "No. No! It's too soon!"
This immediately hit Cyrax. "Triborg. He's here!" He gets into a fighting stance. A small explosion happens and a big hole appears. Crystalhan and the crystal guardian immediately disappears into nothingness. Dozens of cyborgs fly in and confront the two survivors each. Lastly, Triborg was the last one to enter.
"Triborg." Frost glared at him.
"Frost. I am impressed that you both have survived my attempt to kill you. You completed my mission for me." Triborg stated.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Frost asked.
"I realized that you were after the Snow Daggers in hopes of becoming the next Sub-Zero. So basically I allowed you to do the work for me." Triborg explained.
"Because Crystesla saw you as unworthy. You knew that you would have been vastly outnumbered." Frost said.
"Yes. I learned all of this from Smoke. He was too reluctant to cooperate, so I forced the information out of him." Triborg said.
"What have you done with ourn friend?" Cyrax demanded.
"Nothing. As of yet. He currently resting in his cell….. With the head of Kuai Liang." Triborg said before laughing. Frost tightens his fists, making her angry.
"How dare you mock the name of Sub-Zero?! You have been nothing but a disgrace to the Lin Kuei!" Frost said.
"Am I now? If you are so sure, come here and face me." Triborg challenges them.
"Your mistake, Triborg." Cyrax said as he and Frost begin to charge. Before they could both attack, Frost is held back by many cyborgs. They all use their electro nets and tasers to electrocute her, causing her to scream in a lot of pain. Cyrax is left alone to fight Triborg.
Cyrax swings his wrist blades, which Triborg easily avoids in his Cyber Sub-Zero form. They collide with wrist blades and ice seems to be keeping up with his movements, even after copying everyone's fighting abilities. Triborg knows that using the Cyber Cyrax form won't help. But he remains confident in his abilities. Triborg dodges two elbow strikes, but receives a side kick to the chest and knee strike to the head. Triborg sees him throwing microbombs, which the robot master uses his freezing abilities to stop them in place. They fall to the ground like little marble balls. Cyrax attempts to throw a down punch and uppercut to the head, only for Triborg to dodge them easily and elbows Cyrax's left ribcage, knees his stomach, and places a hand on his chest, freezing him, but not completely. Triborg does a swing kick across the chest, sending Cyrax backwards, only for Triborg to pull him in with an electro net and and kicks him in the chin, cracking it and sending him flying. Triborg teleports and lands on his chest, sending him crashing down into the ground, damaging his chest greatly, defeating him.
"I make no mistakes, Cyrax. I am now perfect." Triborg stated, looking down at the unconscious Cyrax. He turns to the other dozen cyborgs looking over a nearly unconscious Frost. She uses as much strength she has left to speak.
"Y-you tricked me." Frost said weakly.
"I knew taunting you both about Sub-Zero would make you angry. Play with your emotions. I could have faced you, but you are the biggest threat. Now what was yours is now rightfully mine." Triborg said. He bends down and takes the three daggers from her waist and the fourth one from her hand.
"No!" Frost yelled.
"Now I will be the next Sub-Zero. With my powers combined with cryomancing, Earthrealm will become frozen and the Cyber Lin Kuei will prevail. All enemies will be extinct. Hail will be glad that I carry his wishes." Triborg gloats in victory. He turns to the other cyborgs standing over her. "Finish her." Triborg orders them. Frost shoots something at the back of his right shoulder, which Triborg failed to notice. He grabs Cyrax by the throat. He tries to punch and kick his way out, but it was no use. Triborg teleports with Cyrax as his next prisoner.
The other cyborgs stay behind with Frost as ordered. Frost tries to fight, but she is knocked down by them. They continue swinging their fists and kicks down at her as Frost becomes more and more damaged and blood comes out of her mouth and nose. She desperately tries to move. Frost loses her remaining strength and falls to the ground. Two cyborgs pick her up and hold her by the wrists. One of them was preparing its fist to strike the fatal blow. Frost closes her eyes, awaiting her fate.
Note: The last lesson was for Frost to accept herself for who she truly is. Not as a cyborg, but a Lin Kuei and potential successor of Kuai Liang. I got the of Frost looking at herself to show that she is actually holding herself back for the past few years. There is more to come. Enjoy!