Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat or any of its characters. All rights belong to Ed Boon, Nether Realm Studios and Warner Bros.
"You decrepit old fool! 500 years I've waited to claim Earth Realm! 500 years! Now I have to wait 500 more before I can claim Earth Realm!" A large hulking man with a metallic samurai skull helmet, spiked bracers, metal greaves, leather pants and a leather harness strapped around his chest that held a war hammer on his back.
The large hulking and intimidating man shouts his frustrations at a bloodied and bruised Shang Tsung, who was being held down on his knees by Kitana with one of her bladed fans pressed dangerously close against his neck. Shang Tsung helplessly and shakily held up his hands in a surrendering gesture to try and ease the mans rage. "My Emperor Shao Kahn, I know that we have a major set back for your dominance over the realms, but please hear me out." He pleads with the man, sincerely afraid for his life.
"No! I will hear none of it, Shang Tsung! You failed me! And you know what happens when one fails me! Kitana!" He shouts at the old man then turns around to walk up the steps leading to his throne before looking at Kitana with the order to execute the elderly sorcerer.
Kitana then presses her fan blade more closely to cut Shang Tsung's throat open and leave him to choke on his own blood, but the sorcerer had one last card to play. And he hopes it will work. "No, wait, please, my Lord! I have something to tell you!" He shouts with a trembling tone, making the man flick his hand up that instantly stops Kitana and makes her stay her hand.
Shao Kahn turns around as he sits on his throne while gazing at the now fragile looking Shang Tsung, who was breathing heavily from being so close to death. He narrows his blazing red eyes, before looking up at Kitana then with a single motion of his hand, signals her ease her hold and allow the sorcerer to speak.
"Alright, then, Shang Tsung. Out with it. What is it that you wish to tell me that is so important?" The emperor asks the old man curiously as others in the throne room, Jade included, listen closely. Shang Tsung takes a deep breath and sighs with relief before answering.
"You remember hearing of Sindel's second child? The prince of Edenia?" He asks the emperor, trying to refresh his memory as Kitana freezes at the mention of her little, now grown, brother.
Shao Kahn sighs deeply before leaning back against his throne, already losing interest. "Yes, yes. The prince that died during my invasion of Edenia. What does a long deceased individual have to do with your failure?" He asks the old man impatiently.
Shang Tsung grins before answering. "Not deceased, my Lord. Far from it, in fact. Prince Kurai lives." He tells Shao Kahn, causing many in the room to quietly talk amongst themselves at this revelation as the emperor leans forward in his throne with narrowed eyes, which instantly stops the chatting in the room.
"How do you know this, Shang Tsung? What proof do you have?" He asks him skeptically, which causes Kitana to sigh deeply as Shang Tsung just continues to grin.
"Because I've seen him myself before coming back to Outworld, father." She admits, causing the emperor to look up at his adopted daughter with a brief look of shock. He stands up slowly and walks down towards her and Shang Tsung.
"My Lord Shao Kahn?" Jade calls from beside his throne, causing the man to stop and now turn his gaze over to her. She hesitates, but had already thrown herself to the wolves, so she continues. "I've also seen the lost prince myself, my Lord. Just before we returned to Outworld, Shang Tsung revealed Kurai to Kitana and myself before we left Earth Realm." She admits to the emperor, who then snaps his gaze back at the sorcerer with a glare, which causes the sorcerer to feel worried again.
"Tell me, Shang Tsung, how is it that you found out that the young prince was still alive? Hmm?" He asks the old man with an intimidating tone, making Shang Tsung gulp loudly before he answers.
"I found out with the help of Retile, my Lord. I had Retile keep a close eye on the prince, because I had considered him a dangerous threat to Outworlds victory, but this was before Reptile informed me that he was Sindel's lost son." He began, causing Shao Kahn to begin walking around both him and Kitana in a circle.
"Go on." He orders, to which Shang Tsung complied.
"After finding out who he really was, I had confronted him with an offer that I thought he couldn't refuse. Kill the Earth Realm Shaolin monk, Liu Kang and ensure Outworlds victory, in exchange for seeking answers to his questions here in Outworld. Unfortunately, as you can see, my Lord, he refused." Shang Tsung explains while Shao Kahn just intently listens with an curious expression.
Stopping just behind the sorcerer, one thing bothered the emperor from Shang Tsung's explanation. Leaning down near the sorcerer's ear, Shao Kahn asks his question. "What questions, Shang Tsung? Why offer him something so trivial?" He asks the old man, who gasps fearfully when he suddenly hears the emperor's voice so close to him. Kitana was curious about this as well, but remains silent as to not interrupt her father's questioning of Shang Tsung.
Gulping again, Shang Tsung continues with his explanation. "Because, my Lord... I have reason to believe that Prince Kurai has no memory of his past life as royalty. I doubt he even remembers anything from his time in Edenia before it was invaded." He began, causing Shao Kahn to look at him with a confused expression as well Kitana, who had an even more confused expression on her face.
Why wouldn't her little brother remember her, their mother, father and Edenia? Did he somehow forget his own home during his time in Earth Realm? Did he also forget about the times he spent with her, Jade and... Tanya? Why would he forget? Are they memories that are too painful to remember? Or is it something more? Something she need to figure out before jumping to conclusions.
Walking around in front of Shang Tsung again, Shao Kahn leans down close to the sorcerer's face with a heated glare. "Are you certain of this, Shang Tsung?" He asks him sternly, causing the sorcerer to pause for a moment then instantly nods when he quickly remembers all the information that Reptile reported to him after spying on the young prince.
"Yes, yes, my Lord. I'm... I'm certain." He answers with finality. Shao Kahn walks back up to his throne and sits down with a thoughtful expression. After a few moments of silence from the emperor, as well as the others in the throne room, the man looks up at the sorcerer, causing the old man to be uncertain of what to feel as Shao Kahn stands up from the throne.
The Outworld warriors, minus Shang Tsung, stood at attention and waited to hear what the emperor was going to say.
"Even if Sindel's son is still alive, he holds no loyalty to us. Less so now because I have no doubt in my mind that while you had offered the boy answers to his questions, you tried manipulating him in the process. Which I believe we all know at this point, that didn't go in you favor, sorcerer." He says to the old man while looking down at him, as did the others in the room. Shang Tsung nods affirmatively.
"So, even if I wanted to bring him here to Outworld, I will have to wait another 500 years to begin another streak before I can get the chance to meet with him." He informs the old man and walks down to him to get dangerously close to his face. "So, tell me, Shang Tsung, what's stopping me from killing you now instead of sparing your life?" He asks him seriously with his red eyes blazing as Kitana looks down at the sorcerer with a stoic expression.
The warriors in the room all waited, like Shao Kahn, to hear what Shang Tsung's answer will possibly be that miraculously allows him to live just a while longer. Shang Tsung gulps when an idea pops into his head. "My Lord... what if... what if you don't have to wait for 5 centuries to meet the boy? What if... you could meet him through our own tournament here in Outworld?" He offers the emperor, who stands up straight with a thoughtful expression.
Kitana, as well as Jade, had a gut wrenching feeling that they weren't going to like where they believed this was going to go. "Father-" Kitana began, but Shao Kahn's hand shot up to silence her and she did. She wanted to voice her opinion on the matter, but it seems to her and the other Outworld warriors that Shao Kahn was considering Shang Tsung's proposal.
The large hulking emperor sits back down on his throne with an expression that let Jade, Kitana and the other warriors know that he has come to a decision. With a fanged, toothy grin, he made his choice. "What do you have in mind,old man?" He asks the old man, causing him to grin at the fact that he will live a while longer.
Earth Realm, India...
Kurai lies down under a large tree in a field covered in grass and lavender colored flowers, feeling the wind breeze on his skin when he suddenly feels someone's hand crawling up his chest. He opens his eyes to see a young, beautiful Indian woman with long, jet black hair, chocolate brown eyes, tan skin and a bright smile on her face, causing him to smile himself before leaning his head forward to kiss her gently.
After a moment, the young Indian woman moans softly then pulls away from him with a smile. "Oh, Kurai, darling, I wish I could stay here like this with you forever. But sadly, I can't. I have my duties as the princess to attend to." She tells him as she sits up straight with a stretch.
Kurai chuckles and sits up while wrapping his arms around the princess's waist to begin kissing her neck, which causes her to giggle before turning her head to kiss him again. "My love, please. My family adores you, but even my father will be upset with you if I am late for my duties." She tells him while moaning softly while trying to pry herself away from Kurai.
Kurai chuckles then nods his head with understanding. "Alright, Sadira. I'll take you back to the palace." He tells her before they both stand up. They both walk over to two horses, one white with jewel, gem and golden accessories. The other a black horse. A warriors horse. No gold, no gems or jewels. No accessories.
"Kurai, my love, you know that my father and mother will happily help you pick some accessories for Fenrir there. Such a brave and courageous horse that is able to put up with you deserves to be seen and shown off." Princess Sadira says with a humorous laugh before they ride off down the path towards the palace.
Kurai laughs with her before winking. "You think I haven't tried? I know Fenrir's worth, but he absolutely refuses to have anything on him but this saddle. That's the most I can put on him in terms of accessories. He won't accept anything else." He says to the princess as they both ride back together to the palace.
Sadira laughs then back at him as they ride. "Then maybe you two were meant for each other. He's as stubborn as you are, darling." She tells him, causing him to laugh as they see the palace in the distance.
Riding up into the courtyard of the palace, Sadira hops down off her horse and runs over to her mother, the queen, who greets her with open arms and a smile. "Sadira, my darling daughter. You cut it a little close, but you're right on time." She tells the princess before looking around to see one person missing. "Hmm, now, where is that dashing young devil of yours? The one you claimed all for yourself?" The queen asks her daughter, causing the princess to chuckle just as hoof steps can be heard coming into palace courtyard as Fenrir comes in with Kurai in tow.
Sadira smiles and motions her head in his direction. "He's right there, mother." She tells her humorously before kissing her mothers cheek. "I must head inside now mother. See you at dinner?" She asks the queen, who nods with a smile.
"Of course. Head inside. Don't keep your father waiting." The queen tells her daughter who nods quickly then runs inside the palace.
Kurai, walking up with Fenrir to the stables, sees the queen walking up to him, causing him to chuckle and shake his head. "Hello, your Highness. You have a good day?" He asks her, causing the queen to laugh as she walks up to him and helps walk Fenrir into the stables.
"Kurai, my dear, how many times must I tell you to call me Alma. If you are to be my son in law soon, you must start calling me by my name and get used to it." She tells him humorously with a grin, causing him to chuckle and nod his head.
"You're right. I'm sorry, Alma. It's mainly out of respect." He tells Alma, making her nod her head understandably.
"Yes, I know, Kurai and I understand. I do. But you're practically family to us now, especially since Sadira has given herself to you in every way possible." She says to him, causing both her and Kurai to laugh as they place Fenrir inside one of the vacant stables.
Walking back out and towards the palace, Alma intertwines her arm with Kurai's as they both walk through the door leading into the palace to see the king, Irfan, and Sadira, arguing with a young man, who looks to be a prince. One that Kurai and Sadira knew all too well.
"Fahran! I've discussed this enough with you! You and your father! Sadira has made her choice! She's chosen Kurai! Not you! Move on!" King Irfan shouts at the young prince, causing him to stomp his foot, refusing to back down.
"No! She doesn't get a choice! She was promised to me when we were children! We grew up together! We're meant for each other! She deserves to be with someone wealthy, someone who can provide for her! Me! Not some commoner!" Fahran shouts at the king, who frowns as well as Sadira at her old friend who has become arrogant and greedy.
Irfan was about to yell at the young prince and order him out of the palace for his rudeness and disrespect, but Sadira placed a hand on her father's shoulder, stopping him then looks at her childhood friend. "Fahran, my friend. There may have been a time when I had loved you. And I loved you with all my heart. But... in recent years, you've become more arrogant, selfish, greedy and cruel. Especially to the townsfolk. I don't want to marry or love someone that thinks he is better than those that are less fortunate. That's why I love Kurai. He had a good heart, he treats people with kindness. Something you used to do, but stopped. Which is why I don't love you anymore and I refuse to marry someone cruel." Sadira speaks to her old friend as politely and calmly as she can, but Fahran was beginning to steam from being compared to a lowly commoner like Kurai.
Inhaling deeply, he began to speak but stopped when he heard incoming footsteps. He looks to his side to see Queen Alma and the commoner, Kurai. He glares at Kurai and moves to pull out his sword. "Stay that sword, Fahran! I will not have needless violence in my home! Now either you leave willingly, or I shall my guards throw you out!" Irfan shouts at the young prince, whose hands trembled as he so badly wanted to fight and kill Kurai for Sadira's hand in marriage.
Kurai and the prince stare at each other before Fahran speaks again. "Kurai, you filthy, lowly commoner, I challenge you to a duel. A duel for the right to marry Sadira. Which ever one of us is victorious, shall be the one to marry Sadira." Fahran challenges Kurai as he lowers his hands from his sword, hoping that Kurai would step down and decline so he can prove who is more superior. Irfan moves to call for his guards to remove Fahran from the palace, but Kurai had other plans.
"I accept, but I'll fight for Sadira's right to choose. Not for her hand in marriage." He says, shocking the king, queen and princess, as well as the guards. Even Fahran was shocked that Kurai agreed, he was definitely not expecting this.
"You... you accept?" He asks Kurai, now feeling uncertain, but kept up his appearance as a confident prince. Kurai simply nods at the question with a steely gaze. Fahran was now feeling a little less confident under Kurai's gaze, but couldn't back down now. He nods. "Fine. Tomorrow at noon. Be there or be forever labeled a coward like the garbage you are." He says to him and moves to leave the palace, but is stopped by Sadira with a concerned expression.
"My friend, please. Reconsider this." She pleads with him, making him smirk, thinking that she was trying to protect him because he's weak.
"Why? So your precious weak lover can be spared the humiliation? Do you think he's weak? Are you worried for him?" He asks her with a mocking tone, but her answer surprises him.
"No, Fahran. I'm worried for you. Kurai is not the type of person you think he is. He is a true warrior. One of the most strongest I've ever seen. So, please. Reconsider and drop this challenge. Spare yourself the humiliation before it's too late." She says to him pleadingly, which shocks him at what the princess was implying.
Snatching himself out of her grasp, he glares at her angrily with clenched teeth. "Don't you dare say that I am weaker than that street garbage. Don't. You. Dare. Sadira. I will have your hand in mine in marriage and he will die." He seethes at her, frightening her before he glances at Kurai with a glare then stomps out of the palace with the guards escorting him out.
Kurai calmly walks up behind her and places his hands on her shoulder. She looks at him and smiles before looking back at the retreating form of her once good friend. Kurai wasn't all too worried, but Sadira feels differently. She feels that something horrible will happen during the duel tomorrow.
The king and queen hold each other lovingly before King Irfan sighs deeply. "I'm terribly sorry about this, Kurai. You've already asked my blessing for Sadira's hand in marriage, which I happily accepted. You treat my beloved daughter like no other before you ever has, but Fahran continuously insists." The king tells Kurai, who he already sees as his som in law, but Kurai smiles reassuringly and shakes his head.
"Don't worry about it, your Majesty. It's not your fault." He says to the king, who nods before he and the queen leave the room to give Kurai and Sadira their space.
Irfan then looks back at Kurai with a serious look. "Kurai, my young friend, I know that it may be early, but I suggest that you get some for tomorrow. I have the utmost faith in you, my boy, but you'll need it." He informs Kurai with genuine concern.
Kurai looks over at the king and thinks for a moment, then looks back at the king and gratefully nods his head. The king and queen leave the room leaving only Kurai and Sadira.
Sadira rubs her arms softly as Kurai gently nudges her. She looks up at him and halfheartedly smiles, noticing this, Kurai wraps her up in a warm embrace. "Are you alright?" He asks her worriedly, causing her to think for a moment then shrugs.
"I... I don't know, my darling. I don't want either one of you to get hurt. He's still my friend and I still care about him, but I don't want you or him to die. I want you. Forever, for the rest of my life, but I don't want him to die either. I guess... I guess I'm just... worried." She admits to him as she suddenly feels cold.
Kurai leans down and kisses her cheek softly for reassurance. "Don't worry. I'm not going to kill him. I promise." He tells her, making her look up at him and, this time, smile genuinely. She cups his cheeks and kisses him softly before pulling away.
"Thank you." She whispers, making him nod before they both walk away to her room and head to bed early to rest up for tomorrow.
Next day, town village near the palace, noon...
Fahran waits with his sword on his hip as he waits for Kurai to appear and begin their duel. The young prince looks around him to see a public audience was beginning to form, making him smirk arrogantly. "Perfect. A crowd is forming. It's the perfect opportunity to show these commoners who the real warrior is, who Sadira's real soulmate is." He thinks to himself when he suddenly hears cheers coming from the direction of the palace.
Fahran looks in the direction of the cheers to see the king, queen, princess and Kurai arriving on horseback. Kurai hops down off Fenrir with his gaze solely on him as the people pat his back and cheer his name, which only infuriates the Indian prince. "They cheer for him? They cheer for one of their own to marry a princess? What blasphemy! After today, they will cheer for me. Not him. They will cheer for my marriage with Sadira. Not his. Today, Kurai shall die. By my hand." He thinks to himself as Kurai stands ready with his own sword already in hand.
Sadira stands on the sidelines with the king and queen, who remained seated on their horses to watch the duel.
Kurai vs. Fahran...
Fahran quickly unsheathes his sword and dashes towards Kurai to stab him, but Kurai sidesteps him and kicks him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him.
Kurai backs away as Fahran gathers himself and the townsfolk watch with the royal family. Fahran inhales deeply before turning around to glare at Kurai and dsashes towards him again, yelling louldly while swinging wildly.
Kurai dodges and blocks each of Fahran's sword strikes with his own sword, which begins to frustrate the young Indian prince as he swipes again, but Kurai, once again, dodges the attack. He then shifts behind the prince and kicks him hard, sending Fahran flying against the nearby well.
Fahran coughs and looks at Kurai with bewilderment at what he just did to him. But the prince wasn't giving up. He would have Sadira's hand in marriage and Kurai was not going to stop him. Fahran gets up quickly and rushes towards Kurai with a yell to strike the commoner with his sword, but Kurai blocks his attack again then decides to go on the offensive.
Kurai shoves Fahran and his sword away then begins attacking the young prince with fierce and quick sword strike, which Fahran just barely manages to block. The prince, now forced into the defense, continues to barely block Kurai's sword strikes when Kurai cuts his arm, causing him to drop his sword from the sudden pain.
Kurai then cuts Fahran's legs, making the prince drop to his knees as Kurai holds his sword close to the prince's throat. Fahran gulps with fear in his eyes as Kurai gazes at him with a stoic and steely expression. "You're beaten, Fahran. Now, consider this your only warning from me. Stop pursuing Sadira, she's moved on. So should you. I made a promise not kill you and I intend to keep that promise." Kurai says to him as he lowers his sword, sparing the prince.
Kurai wins!
"Go home, Fahran. This will be the only kindness I give you. Go home and stay away from Sadira." Kurai warns Fahran, who only glares at him from the humiliation of being defeated so easily. By a commoner, in his opinion, no less.
Fahran painfully struggles to stand up as he glares menacingly at Kurai, who had turned around to walk away from him. "Kindness? Kindness?! You are nothing compared to me! These people should be cheering my engagement with Sadira, not yours! Your nothing but lowly street trash! I am a prince! Born to be a king! You were born street garbage! And so you shall die as street garbage! HRAAAH" Fahran shouts madly as he picks up his sword and rushes towards Kurai to stab him from behind.
"NO!!!"
SHINK!
Kurai turns around when he heard the sound of metal piercing flesh and is shocked when he sees Sadira in front of Fahran with his sword running straight through her. Everyone was wide eyed, including Kurai, Fahran, the king and the queen when they saw that their daughter had been stabbed to save Kurai.
Kurai angrily backhands Fahran away from Sadira, sending him flying back towards the well as he crashes into it. He takes hold of Sadira and hold her in his arms as her parents rush over to them both and sit beside them. Kurai attempts to pull out the sword from her abdomen, but she stops him. He looks at her tearfully, wondering why she's stopping him. "Sadira, what... why are you-" He tries to ask her, but stops when Sadira shakily places her bloodied hand on his cheek.
He grabs hold of her hand and kisses it, not caring about the blood. She looks up at him with a smile and takes a trembling breath before speaking. "Kurai... my darling... my love... it's... too late. I couldn't... let you die. I made... a decision. If there is... one person... that I couldn't live without... it's you... my love. I can live... without Fahran... but without you? I have nothing." She says to him with tears building up in her eyes as she looks at him tenderly and lovingly.
"Don't... don't let my death... change who you are... my love. Who you are... is a kind... caring... and thoughtful man. One of the best... I've ever met... and known... in my life." She tells him honestly as she begins to lose all feeling in her body. "Keep a memory... of me... my love. Not as a... princess or a... once future queen. But as a woman... who loved you... and her family... so dearly... that she would... give up... her life... for them..." She says to Kurai, her father and mother before taking her last breath as her hand falls from Kurai's grasp.
As her hand drops to the ground, Kurai gently shakes her to wake her up, but no response. Her eyes glass over as he hears the wailing cry of the queen beside him. He gently hands Sadira's now lifeless body to the queen, who holds her deceased daughter close as Kurai stands up and turns his burning gaze towards Fahran, who slowly stood up with a glare on his face.
"If I couldn't have her, then neither could you, commoner. And unlike you, I'll see her again soon." He says as he quickly pulls out a curved dagger to cut his throat, but Kurai had unnaturally stood in front of him and held his arms to keep him from killing himself.
Glaring fiercely at the prince, Kurai squeezed Fahran's wrists to the point of almost breaking as Fahran grimaces in pain and drops the dagged to the ground. Letting go and dropping Fahran to the ground before he turns around to pick up his sword then walks back towards the prince. "The only place you'll be going, Fahran, is hell. Where she's going, you don't belong there. So, I'll do everyone a favor when I get rid of you." He threatens the prince, who backs away fearfully from Kurai until the people in the crowd stop his retreat.
"You... you can't kill me! My father will come after you and make regret it! No one will support you for killing me!" He shouts at the approaching Kurai, who didn't care about Fahran's father.
"You just killed the princess in front of hundreds of witnesses. Who do you honestly think people will support? You? The one who killed her? Or me? The one that loved her." He asks the frightened prince as he raises his sword over his head to impale him through the chest, but stops when Irfan stands in front of him and holds his arms in place.
Kurai shouts angrily at being stopped from killing Fahran. "No, Kurai! Don't! Don't give in to anger rage! Sadira wouldn't want you to go down that path!" Irfan shouts at him pleadingly with tears flowing down his cheeks.
Kurai's own tears stream down his face as he glares at the king. "He! Killed! Her! You would have me spare this royal piece of trash?!" He shouts angrily at Irfan as the king snatches the sword out of his hands.
"Sadira would have me spare you from walking down a path of darkness, my friend. She loved you, Kurai. Don't forget the promise you made to her as well." Irfan says to Kurai, reminding him of his promise he made to Sadira.
Kurai shakily holds out his hand to Irfan, who hesitates when he looks at Kurai's hand. Kurai, still trying to reign in his anger, looks at the king pleadingly. "Irfan... please." He says tenderly to him, causing Irfan to turn his head and look down at Fahran, who still looks frightened at both men.
Irfan looks at Kurai, nods, and hands Kurai back his sword. Irfan walks away back to his crying wife, who was still holding her lifeless daughter close to her.
Kurai glances down at Fahran for a brief moment then raises his sword over his head again, causing Fahran to shield himself with nothing but his arms.
CLANG!
Irfan looks up at Kurai to see him walking away from them and into the crowd before looking over at Fahran to see that Kurai had thrown his sword between the prince's legs. Standing up and walking back over to the prince, he gazes down at the young man, who once was a good man, but now all the king see now is the killer of his daughter.
Sighing deeply, Irfan shakes his head. "Guards!" He shouts as the palace guards rush toward their king. When they reach his side, they await his orders. "Take Prince Fahran into custody and place him in the dungeons beneath the palace." He somberly orders them as they nod and roughly grab the prince and haul him off towards the palace dungeons while he protests that they can't hold him and that his father will have their heads, but no one cared and no one listened.
Irfan walks over to Alma, who had stopped crying and just held Sadira close against her while gently rocked back and forth. Irfan rubs her back gently and looks up to see the crowd had dispersed to leave and grieve for the princess, but couldn't see Kurai in sight anywhere among the crowd.
A tear falls from Irfan's face as he looks down. "Goodbye, Kurai. Allah and peace be with you, my friend." He whispers as he consoles his grieving wife then holds both his wife and deceased daughter close.
Earth Realm, present day...
Kurai gazes tearfully at the sunset while sitting with Drake and the rest of Raiden's group on a modest sized ship returning to the mainland of Earth Realm.
"Damn, Kurai. You've never talked about that before. Actually, you've never really talked about your love life before. Or even what you're life was like outside of the Dark Wu Shi academy." Drake says to his long time friend, who just shakes his head somberly.
Sonya subtly wipes a tear away from her face when she notices Cage with his head turned to the side sniffling. Slightly amused, she grins. "Cage, are you crying?" She asks him.
Cage slightly jumps then turns his head forward and quickly sniffles again before looking at Sonya. "What? No. Are you?" He asks her, causing her to shrug.
"Maybe, but you'll never know." She says with a slight laugh, but deep down, she was trying her best hold it in.
"Damn, kid. You were going to get married, only to have her taken away from you by an spoiled jackass. I'm really sorry that happened to you, Kurai, I really am." Jax tells Kurai, but he doesn't answer. He just remains silent.
Then Jax decides to ask the 9,000 year old prince another question. "Um, hey, Kurai? How... how many wars have you seen or been in during your time here in Earth Realm?" He asks him curiously, causing Kurai to snort.
"Which one would you like to hear about about? I've participated in almost all of them. I'll gladly tell what I know and the things I've seen, Major Jackson Briggs." He tells him with half a laugh.
This causes Jax to quickly change his mind. He's perfectly happy with not knowing EVERYTHING about every war an immortal prince has been in. He puts his hand up in a surrendering manner. "Nevermind, nevermind. I think I'm happy with knowing what I already know from the history books from school. I don't need to know everything else." He says to him.
Sonya had another question in mind. One that Kurai hasn't answered yet willingly. "Kurai, did you... did you attend her funeral?" She asks curiously, wondering if he attended the funeral of his long deceased fiancée, causing Kurai lower his head then nod.
"Yeah, I... I did, but only afterward. I couldn't bear to look Irfan or Alma in the face after what happened and what I almost did. After everyone left, I said my goodbyes to Sadira and left India. I haven't been back for almost a thousand years." He tells them all honestly with a trembling tone.
Raiden stands against the mast of the ship and quietly tilts the tip of his hat forward to hide his own tears as Liu Kang walks up beside Kurai. "My friend, if I may, have you... ever loved anyone again since then?" The Shaolin monk asks Kurai as politely as he could, causing Kurai to sigh deeply with a shake of his head.
"No. Not really. I mean... I have been with more women since Sadira, but... I could never find another true connection. Not like the one I had with her. Not for lack of trying, mind you, but... What I had with her? I'd give anything to feel that again." He says to Liu Kang honestly as the monk and the others all look at him with sympathy.
Kurai slowly shakes his head with tears slowly flowing down his cheek. "But I don't think that I ever will. That's what makes immortality so lonely. People here in Earth Realm often talk about how much they wish they were immortal, but they don't understand the sacrifice and burden of immortality. While one remains, others around them die and rest for eternity." He explains to them as they listen as well as Raiden.
"People from Earth Realm want immortality? I'd happily give my own to those that deserve it if it meant that I could be mortal. To one day pass on and rest for the rest of eternity." He says to them somberly as the group lowers their heads, knowing what he was talking about since most of them, Jax, Sonya and Cage, had often joked about wishing they were immortal in their pre-teen and teenage years.
Liu Kang gently pats Kurai's shoulder and smiles. "Kurai, my friend, I wouldn't speak so soon about not being able to find another connection. You may just find one again before you know it." He tells the Edenian prince, who looks at the monk with uncertainty.
"How can you know that, Liu Kang?" He asks him tenderly, wondering how the monk can possibly know that when he hasn't had much experience with women. Being a Shaolin monk and everything.
Liu Kang laughs heartily. "I don't. But one thing I learned from you during our time together at the tournament is that you should never give up. No matter how hopeless it seems. So, don't be so quick to lose hope just yet, my friend." He says to Kurai as he pats his back gently.
"Indeed, Kurai." Raiden suddenly speaks as he walks towards them and the group with a remorseful expression. "Kurai, I... I would like to-" He began, but is interrupted.
"Don't worry about it, Lord Raiden. All water under the bridge at this point. You were only concerned for the safety of Earth Realm. Just remember that Earth Realm has been my home for 9,000 years. You don't have to apologize." Kurai says to the thunder god sincerely, causing Raiden to nod gratefully.
"Then, I would like to extend an invitation to both you and Drake as well to attend Liu Kang's victory ceremony a month from now at the Wu Shi academy." He tells Kurai, who looks at Drake, who looked back at Kurai with uncertainty.
Noticing this, Raiden gains a concerned expression. "Have I said something wrong? Is... Is that not what you want?" The thunder god asks them with both curiosity and concern, wondering if he offended them in some way.
But Kurai and Drake both shake their heads. Drake then voices his and Kurai's concerns. "No, no, Lord Raiden. It's just... Kurai and I are both from the Dark Wu Shi academy. Are you sure he and I will be welcome there?" He asks him curiously, causing the thunder god to understand their hesitation.
He smiles and gently pats the blonde haired warrior's shoulder. "I'll make sure of it, Drake. You have my word... my friends." He reassures them as he looks at both Drake and Kurai with a sincere and genuine smile. Both Dark Wi Shi academy warriors nod gratefully as Kurai looks over at Liu Kang and smiles. Liu Kang smiles back and nods at his new friend.
The Shaolin monk and the Edenian prince look at the sunset with their new friends and allies as they could see the mainland off in the distance.
Cage walks up beside Kurai and gently nudges him, gaining his attention. "And you know, if you're interested, I can introduce you to some lady friends of mine when we reach the mainland. I'm sure they'd love to take a shot at being with a prince of an entirely different realm." He tells him with a "dashing" smile, earning an unamused and uninterested side glance from from the Edenian prince.