With Raiden being human in MK1, it does feel a bit strange writing him being the Thunder God, but it's a familiar route I'm happy to write again. It's going to take time to get used to his new voice, but Richard Epcar will always be my number one Raiden. I lowkey hope that he can obtain his godhood again because it would feel like a reunion after waiting four years for a new game.

Normally I'm used to just writing one-shots but I'm feeling good about this story. It's going to take some time to complete it, but I'm determined. The last thing I want is to just leave this in the dust because of how busy life has been for me. If I can get this story finished before I turn 30, then I'll say that's one hell of an accomplishment, lol! I think at least updating the story twice a month should be good and consistent for me.

Speaking of updates... hope that this wasn't too late! I was actually selected to do the online stress test for Mortal Kombat 1! So far, it's been super fun! It's basically the same build as the one featured in the Summer Games Fest but with the ability to play online as well. I missed playing as Kenshi and Kitana as always is super fun to play as! I hope to play as Raiden whenever the beta version comes out since he also looks a ton of fun too~.

But for now, let's see where things will take place after the prologue! Hope you enjoy~!

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Thunder God Raiden

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A familiar warmth greeted the black-haired woman's presence. A gentle caress against her hair felt so delicate. So familiar, but somehow not. When she opened her eyes, the face she met was that of her mother. Her warm smile gave her peace. She smiled back and closed her eyes again to focus on her mother's loving touch. She remembered her mother's gentle touch fondly and the way her hands would caress her hair as she whispered soothing words of comfort.

Was it a dream? The afterlife? It didn't matter. Her mother was here before her and comforted her as she did when she was a youngling. It was as if they never separated and everything was at peace. That was all she could hope for.

The sound of her speaking and her name made the woman safe and sound as if she was home. The lullabies, the stories about her time many years ago before she was born, sent a wave of nostalgia. Once she opened her eyes again, she saw her mother's face once more, adorned with long, black hair, hazel eyes, and a smile so genuine. She could almost feel the warmth of her mother's hugs as if they were still intertwined in a loving embrace.

After a few moments, her mother's face distorted and then she heard an unfamiliar and sadistic laugh. Her mother disappeared as a shadowy figure took form and walked closer to the scared woman. They reached out their hand to put her in a chokehold. Her gray eyes rose in fear, confused and alone. The air grew thin around her and her vision blurred. Then, she felt nothing but the darkness engulfing her.

The white and black-clothed woman shot up and panted from her night terror. She clutched her heart and breathed slowly. After catching her breath, she realized she was inside an oriental room, lying on a flat surface that made her feel snug and comfortable. She tried to make sense of what in the world happened after she passed out.

She looked around her environment with her gray eyes. The room felt welcoming and somewhat reminded her of her realm.

It was pretty dark for not using her power, but she recalled hearing a young boy's voice calling out to her. Another figure was there too. Were they from here? One had the power to conjure fire, so it made her feel concerned about still being in her home realm.

"Ah, you're awake," a bald man in golden and white robes said. She jumped and turned in the direction of the voice. He walked closer to her and placed a bowl of white rice with two sticks on top close to her proximity.

Ashamed of her stomach rumbling, she reluctantly picked up the bowl and chopsticks. She was not familiar with the cutlery and had a hard time getting the fluffy and white edible grain. Her soft grunts from slight achievements to disappointment started to frustrate her. The bald man chuckled at this and took the chopsticks. He held them, teaching the woman how to handle those peculiar utensils. He then dipped them down into the rice and picked up a portion.

He gave it to her, who nodded and started eating the rice. She mimicked the man's movements and took a few more bites. Despite the lack of flavor, the woman's hunger slowly faded into obscurity.

"T-thank you," she said sheepishly for how childish she acted in front of him. "Where am I?" She waited for the bald man's response as she continued to munch on the rice.

"You are currently at the Sky Temple. Lord Raiden will meet with you soon. Any questions you may have shall be answered." The gray-eyed woman stopped eating and froze in place, giving eye contact to the robed man.

The Thunder God? Serenity thought. The Protector of Earthrealm? She didn't know whether to act relieved or be cautious. She was familiar with the Thunder God from what she learned, with how striking but noble he is to his people. Her brows furrowed with concern.

"You are in safe hands, ma'am. If anything, it is fortunate that you came across here." With a nod, the young woman handed her bowl and chopsticks to the man, signaling to him that she finished eating the rice. With a bow and smile, the robed man took the bowl and eating utensils graciously and left the room.

Collecting her thoughts, the black-haired woman wondered about how she should explain herself to the Protector of Earthrealm. Of course, it wasn't her intention to cause any trouble for Earthrealm. Besides, what else was she supposed to do in a realm that she had no knowledge of? With a deep breath, she pushed those worrying thoughts away. Maybe once she meets with the Thunder God, perhaps there can be a deal. He wasn't here yet, so instead of meandering with the what-ifs, she decided to at least have the decency to get up from her bedding.

The woman looked around the room she was in and studied it. Leaving the futon below her, she stood up and noticed her boots were at the corner near the nightstand. She slipped into them and noticed a covered window.

With a gentle touch, she unveiled the small paper screen and the outside view her eyes witnessed was extraordinary. Her gray orbs gazed upon the gray clouds that hovered in the sky, the fog that covered most sections of the mountains, and an arena that bore a dragon symbol engraved on the pavement. It was only one part, but this section took the young woman by surprise at how mesmerizing the view was from here.

From all that she knew about Earthrealm from her mother, this was only just one place. Despite her circumstances, the idea of seeing the entirety of Earthrealm seemed like a dream that she hoped to make happen. Instead of a so-called perfect, civilized realm filled with restrictions known as Seido, this realm felt welcoming and filled with freedom.

"It seems you have recovered."

The instant that deep voice echoed across the room, the cloaked woman turned around and laid her eyes on the man who was expected to meet her. Once he was in full view, the woman stood still as if time stopped. With an imposing, tall build, adorned in garments that showed off his status, he looked ethereal. A bit intimidating, but tranquil nonetheless. Standing tall and commanding, his eyes sparkle with a mix of ancient wisdom and raw power. The blue aura looked mesmerizing and glowed with radiance. From afar, his gaze would be barely noticeable due to his straw hat covering the upper half of his face.

So this was like being in the presence of a god. The air grew thick in tension, but she was ready to explain her side of the story and do whatever pleased the Thunder God. Finally, the woman spoke up after what felt like a long time after the shock of meeting someone of a higher power who wasn't from her home realm.

"My name is Serenity, Lord Raiden. I'm sure this is quite unexpected for someone like me to arrive near your temple." To emphasize her words, Serenity, placed her hand against her chest and bowed slightly. After showing him respect for his presence, she looked up to see Raiden with his arms crossed, seemingly unnerved, but took note.

"Yes. It's unheard of for a visitor from a different realm to suddenly appear near my temple." Raiden turned his back on Serenity but tilted his head to look at the Seidan. "Come. It's not necessary to stay in this room when there's more to my temple." Serenity nodded and obeyed the Thunder God's order. The two began walking down the hall with Serenity trailing behind to follow Raiden. Once again, the silence grew around them. Seeing the whole place fully awake gave the woman the chance for her gaze to wander at the oriental decorations and a few glances at what it looked like outside. "Do you have any intentions for your presence here?"

Taking heed of his question, Serenity looked at the Earthrealm protector.

"Yes... and no." The Seidan woman stopped her movement. Raiden stopped walking and turned in her direction. He waited to hear what she had to say. Her gray eyes looked below at the ground covered by fog, being reminded of her home where there seemed to be no end in sight gravity-wise. This was completely different. "You are well aware that Seido is a neutral party to every realm, minus Chaosrealm." The Thunder God nodded. "In my realm, except for Abacus's teachings, we have no need for gods. Everything was structured and balanced. At least, until now. There is unrest about whether Seido is to remain fully neutral or ally with Outworld."

"So are you in need of my assistance?" Serenity shook her head and looked at Raiden again.

"Orderrealm is in the midst of conflict. Despite how 'systematic' the realm is, this is nothing new. Your help is far from needed," the Seidan woman answered. "If you were to get involved, it could result in a war with Earthrealm, and we both know that we wouldn't want that. As for how I ended up here, it's all thanks to my mother's sacrifice." After admitting that, her voice shook. "She couldn't go with me and wanted to ensure my safety above all else. My mother is part of the Seidan council, and if her absence were to be noticed, she would be charged with a life sentence or execution if she were to come back."

The thought of her last interaction with her mother came to mind immediately from the fear of being imprisoned for life or execution for deception. She still remembered letting go of her hand and entering the portal. The cruel hands of conflict and the ache of their separation still lingered in her heart. Akin to a storm tearing apart a home, Serenity was definitely not used to being away from her mother, given they are in completely different worlds, but that didn't mean she never learned of independence.

In her heart, she knew her mother was still doing her role as a countess while also carrying the weight of their separation just as she did. Serenity imagined her mother's unwavering strength, her resilience in the face of adversity. She drew inspiration from the memories they had shared, knowing that her mother had instilled in her the courage to persevere. This was far from over. Serenity knew her mother more than anyone in any other realm. Even without a father figure, her mother did everything to prepare her for a world that was assembled to order. It was difficult due to Seido's strict laws, but the effort for hard work would eventually benefit her in the end. With many years of living and experience of how Orderrealm worked, Serenity felt assured knowing that her mother was smart to handle her role.

"May the stars guide you, my love."

Those were the last words the Seidan woman heard her mother speak out before their hands were untangled.

"Leaving behind a loved one with no certainty of a reunion is a heavy burden to bear, Serenity," Raiden commented, a hint of empathy in his voice. The mention of her name brought Serenity back from her reverie of her mother. "I'm sure the love she had for you is what made her sacrifice worth it." The Seidan woman felt touched by the Thunder God's words. Despite the tone of his voice, Serenity remained stoic.

"I am to be reunited with her once she and the council can come to a resolution. It may even take years, but once it's all over, she and I plan to start a new life here in Earthrealm. That was the last of what my mother told me before we got separated." Serenity stopped there. She had no reason to, but with this being her first meeting with the Thunder God, saying too much would just make for mindless ranting. In response, Raiden started walking forward again. Serenity followed.

It was certainly a bit relieving that Raiden presented himself as understanding. Given his role as the Earthrealm protector, he must have witnessed eons of moments of seeing families separated for any reason. And of course, the loss of someone close to them. The idea of him having to see people he's known to die time and time again must have taken a toll on his immortal life. This panged Serenity's heart. Seidans can live for a very long time, as one has lived to be about 100,000 years old, as far as records have been shown. Compared to Serenity's age, she felt like a baby but had the appearance of a woman somewhere around her mid-twenties.

Serenity egged on mentally about whether she should speak up to ask Raiden something. She didn't want to come off as rude for not being curious about him. Nevertheless, she was beyond perplexed about Raiden given how he views humans and the potential they have. Or maybe his view on the other realms?

"How long have you been in Earthrealm?"

More interrogation from him. Serenity couldn't exactly be surprised, though she felt she should ask him something in a bit. Serenity seemed hesitant as she wanted to remain as honest as possible.

"You're awfully curious about my experience, hmm?" Serenity replied. Raiden chuckled. Serenity raised an eyebrow from his reaction. "Although, that is a genuinely good question." She gave a minute to ponder on that one. The exact answer was something Serenity didn't even know. She didn't think he'd be this invested. Serenity continued speaking after doing the math in her head. "I'm sure time works the same as it does here in Earthrealm. So..."

"Hmm?" Raiden hummed, anticipating her to speak her answer.

"I believe it's been... about two weeks?"

"I see. You certainly have resilience if you haven't encountered anyone ever since entering Earthrealm. If you were human and didn't go without food or water, you'd certainly perish." That statement seemed a bit ironic, but he wasn't entirely wrong. After going through the woods, plains, and storms, Serenity was amazed she never encountered any villages or residencies. The thought of not being able to get information about where she was until now made the black-haired woman relieved that she didn't go insane. With just her thoughts and survival instincts, she could only make herself the top priority in surviving and finding refuge.

"I was... definitely lucky, but about three days before I found your temple, I was so famished," Serenity acknowledged. "I just wish I could properly thank those kids who noticed my arrival despite the rain." Raiden silently recognized her circumstances and nodded. Serenity broke the silence from the few minutes of them walking through the temple, feeling her throat parched. "Forgive me for asking this request, Lord Raiden, but is there something to drink?" The Thunder God turned around, his stoic, but gentle face staring down at the Seidan.

"Ah, it is me that you should forgive. I can teleport us to the tea room and make you some tea." With a gentle hand placed on Serenity's shoulder, she stopped her breathing and stared at the seven-foot-tall Thunder God. He raised his hand and electricity surrounded the two. In an instant, they were at a tea house. The fact that Serenity didn't feel anything from the lightning shocked her.

Amazing... so that's what he's capable of?

The atmosphere felt calmer and relaxing compared to the halls she walked in with the Thunder God. Guiding her, he placed his hand in the direction of the thin cushion with a table beside it. Serenity went over there and got herself situated, sitting on her knees. Her gray eyes trailed the Thunder God's figure as he gathered tea leaves, a teapot filled with hot water, and two cups. At least there's one thing Earthrealm and Seido have in common when it comes to refreshments and preparing the tea. Once everything was settled, Raiden sat across from her and began to prepare a beverage for the both of them.

With a gentle pour, fragrant golden liquid cascaded into both of their cups, awakening their senses with its enchanting fragrance. The aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted through the air, filling the room with a comforting aroma. While Serenity was familiar with tea, what Seido had was especially different in taste and means of making it.

Serenity cradled her delicate porcelain cup, feeling the warmth seep into her hands. She watched as the steam danced upwards, giving it a sense of tranquility. Serenity bowed her head towards Raiden once more, thanking him for the tea. With the press of her lips against the cup, her tongue was graced by the warm, relaxing liquid. She found herself impressed at the flavor. The bitter, but relaxing texture felt as if her thirst was immediately quenched. She felt more alert from the caffeine.

From the window beside her, her gray eyes found a courtyard. The scenery captured the winter season with the trees shedding of their leaves and color. The wind slowly shook the branches. She can only imagine how beautiful the courtyard would look during the spring and summer seasons. She found herself smiling at how wonderful the view was, and there was definitely more to look at from other parts of the temple. Raiden gazed at the Seidan and the curiosity that painted her face.

"For the time being, you may reside here." With a halted breath, Serenity stared into Raiden's eyes. This felt so sudden. No further questions? No concern at all? As for her other questions, she should give them time before asking Raiden. "The choice is yours after all."

In the end, Serenity was finally a free woman, unchained from the strict rules that bound her home realm. The urge to know what Earthrealm was like after her mother visited years back, the humans that inhabit it, and its variety of cultures burned in Serenity's mind. The idea of leaving the temple was tempting, but she would throw herself out in the wild again with no knowledge aside from communicating and defending herself with her powers if she were to face danger. While she was appreciative of Raiden's welcoming nature, she still needed to trust her gut above all else.

But the idea of how her mother would feel knowing that she was to reside in the Earthrealm Protector's sky temple invaded her thoughts. She'd be relieved and impressed! In her heart, Serenity knew that staying would be the best choice, that way she could understand how the foreign world works and be guaranteed shelter. Taking one last sip of her tea, she placed the porcelain teacup down and made her decision.

"Lord Raiden, I do not feel worthy of your mercy, but it warms my heart knowing that you have given me refuge for the moment. If there is anything I can do to compensate for this, I will do my utmost." Raiden nodded and replied,

"Allow me some time to think through that. Just know that you will be safe here." He stood up and put away the tea set to have it washed gently and placed it back in the cupboard. "Come, Serenity. Allow me to show you a few more rooms that may be of service for your stay."

As instructed, Serenity got up and walked toward the Thunder God, who once more placed his giant hand against Serenity's shoulder. The two were out of the tea room and immediately appeared in a dimly lit one. As the woman followed the protector of Earthrealm, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The temple was unlike anything she had ever seen before. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and murals of history and the air was filled with the sweet scent of incense.

The Thunder God led her through the main hall from the outside and inside, pointing out the various statues and explaining their significance. She listened intently, hanging on his every word. The one that stood out to her was one that Raiden called the Great Kung Lao. Hearing about his legacy and how it was stopped by a Shokan named Goro lured Serenity into wanting to know more about the Great Kung Lao as a person in general, the tournament he won, and the other where he lost his life. As they made their way deeper into the temple, the Seidan woman couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. The atmosphere was so serene and calming.

The temperature started to get a bit cold and the day slowly turned into dusk, but Serenity's cloak helped keep her warm. From the onsens to the archives of Earthrealm's past, it felt as if time was going by faster than what she was used to. The mysterious air swayed from the stairs the two walked down.

Finally, they reached the inner sanctum of the temple. The Thunder God motioned for her to enter and she stepped inside, her eyes widening in amazement. The room was filled with soft, golden light, and in the center stood a magnificent statue of the deity, being of course Raiden, worshipped in the temple. While far away, it stood in glory and gave an assuring feeling. The woman felt a sense of reverence wash over her as she gazed upon the statue and the men who offered their prayers to it. It was just as imposing as the god she was beside right now but also had a touch of hope. Given that Serenity never worshipped a god as Orderrealm only puts a priority on obedience to the law over one's own beliefs, she could see why Earthrealmers look up to Raiden. To even be in his presence is perhaps the greatest blessing anyone could ever have.

If fate were to allow her, depending on what she would need to do under the Thunder God's watch, she hoped to learn more of Earthrealm's history outside of Raiden's temple. This was just only one location! The idea of seeing another part of Earthrealm made Serenity's heart beat with excitement, but only time will tell whenever she's ready to be independent and travel the world and get used to Earthrealm civilization. It certainly made her feel a bit better that she wasn't the only one to have the ability to have control of elemental power.

All the more reason to see those two boys again and thank them.

"I'm sure you're feeling tired. You should rest for tonight," Raiden said aloud, interrupting Serenity's thoughts. Her eyes landed upon the Thunder God's and noticed the blue light that transpired from his orbs, emphasizing his godhood. The calming, mystical color glowed similarly to the light orbs Serenity conjured during her travels. She gave a small, gentle smile to Raiden and nodded at his suggestion. Serenity didn't feel necessarily tired, but it would do her some good to get some rest just in case she were to have any duties in the morning. As for what that could be, who knows? Yet, she would do her best and give it her all just like her time training in Seido.

In mere seconds, Serenity and Raiden arrived in the room the former was escorted to after fainting from traveling miles from gods knows how far. In front of them, the futon was made, and a few more pieces of furniture were added to make Serenity feel more welcomed. Before the two would depart for the day, Serenity asked,

"Thank you once again, Lord Raiden. But... are you sure you're okay with me staying here?" The self-doubt she faced internally still inched its way in, but once Raiden nodded with absolute certainty, the worries washed away temporarily.

"I will have one of the Shaolin monks greet you in the morning. Good night." Serenity bowed to Raiden before he was up and away after teleporting in an instant. As soon as he left her sight, the Seidan noticed that there was a robe neatly folded. Taking it as a note for that being something she would wear to sleep, she took her time removing her clothing. With only the night sky with clouds covering the bright moon as her companion, Serenity stared at the night sky and drank in the beauty of it all.

If there was another detail that Orderrealm has in common with Earthrealm, that would be the sky and the moon were both similar, if not the exact same. Once she was settled into her white and gold silk robe, she noticed how soothing the texture felt. Embracing her skin, Serenity felt comfortable as if she was back in her room in Orderrealm. Once she settled into the futon's covers, her thoughts were consumed by the conversations she had earlier with Raiden. Now that she was alone, Serenity was able to finally free her emotions, to hide what she kept hidden from him so she didn't seem weak in his eyes.

The stoic air he carried was decorated all over his face. At first, Serenity was a bit frightened. While his glare wasn't rigorous, it meant well due to the unforeseen circumstances that occurred. Having thought that through, Serenity was relieved that his role as the God of Thunder and Earthrealm's Protector didn't mean that he needed to take immediate action whenever something or someone from another realm were to appear. If Serenity were a Tarkatan from Outworld or an Oni from the Netherrealm, then Raiden would have judged her far differently.

Yet, despite his divine nature, Raiden carried himself with grace and approachability. He didn't seem as distant or aloof but rather compassionate and understanding. This was certainly different compared to her time in Orderrealm, given her status. She didn't feel judged for who she was, and aside from her mother and deceased grandmother, this was the first time she wasn't shamed. This was a welcome change that Serenity never wanted to take for granted. It felt too good to be true that she was able to land herself in this position, but it overthrew the idea of staying in Orderrealm any longer.

As her head sank into the comfortable cubed pillow, she sighed and closed her eyes. Then she thought of her mother once again. Serenity felt the tears surge from their prison, ready to be free. What was she doing right now? Was she still arguing with the other council members about an alliance that could affect the relationship between other realms? The anxiety overwhelmed her to where soft sobs escaped her lips.

Serenity opened her eyes as tears glistened, shining in the covered moonlight. She made a silent promise to herself and her mother. For now, she needed to stay safe. Serenity couldn't be more fortunate that she walked for what felt like an ocean's distance, only to find herself at Raiden's Sky Temple. And at that moment, she felt her mother's presence in her heart, a guiding force that would forever be with her, lighting her path forward.

Though the conflict in Seido seemed to be daunting, Serenity refused to let that cloud her mind. While she worried for her only parent, she carried her mother's spirit, a flame that burned bright even in the darkest times. She vowed to keep her mother's promise, to start a life filled with freedom, hope, and a relentless pursuit of peace. Whatever tomorrow brings, it is only a day closer to being with her mother once more.

Mother, soon... we'll be together again. No matter how long it takes, I'll be strong for you as you are for me. May the stars guide you.

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I am taking everything one step at a time. Honestly, it makes me happy whenever I get to write anything involving Raiden. It's so comforting yet mysterious. I will do my best to do him justice in any way I can. I yearn to know more about him in MK1 and wonder if he's an orphan raised by Liu Kang, gets reincarnated for every lifetime, and if there will be any hints or references to his godhood in the interactions. September just couldn't come any sooner.

I also hope that this chapter's length is more satisfying! I hope to make each future chapter around 4-6k words unless something major happens (which is guaranteed!). It's not difficult, but it depends on what goes on, and with my job being a top priority, sometimes I don't get the time to write about something even if I really want to.

Now I'm just going to chill and play some more of the MK1 online stress test! Regardless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll be working hard on the next ones!