The freedom fighters of Earthrealm, Outworld, the Netherrealm, and Orderrealm emerged from the several portals that Fujin and Sindel had created to evacuate them from the capital city of what mere hours ago had been Kotal Kahn's empire. They arrived in the forests that surrounded the Wu Shi Academy, designated as a wider location that would be more suitable to hold such a massive group of people than the Academy itself.
Fujin placed his own exit portal on the Academy grounds itself, wanting to explain the situation as quickly as possible so that the monks would not assume an attack and would mobilize quickly to aid the new arrivals.
He and the Shaolin masters that had accompanied him to Outworld were taken aback by the carnage that lay before them.
Sacred temples and other buildings on the Wu Shi grounds were partially damaged, fire and smoke still coming off of some of them. Far worse than that, dozens of monks lay dead on the ground, many mere husks with their souls sapped out of them, including the bodies of the masters that had been charged with protecting the Wu Shi in the absence of their fellows.
Those who were still alive were either nursing the injured or injured themselves. Many of the Shaolin looked upon the returnees with resignation in their faces, glad help had arrived, but knowing that the damage had been done and there would be more injured to care for and dead to bury. Not to mention the beaten and weary army that was now amassed outside the temple grounds.
The returning Shaolin quickly began tending to the injured, both from their own group and the sufferers of the attack. Silently mourning the dead, Fujin stepped forward and began using his powers to levitate bodies towards the Shaolin mausoleum for a proper burial.
He kept walking until he could find a monk of relative authority, coming across a Chinese man named Guy Lai, who had been in Liu Kang's class almost 30 years ago, and had since matured into a Junior Master, helping guide the younger generations of monks.
Guy was tending to a few wounded monks, using a chi-based technique as a form of healing magic to help his fellow monks. The chi energy had no effect on their physical bodies, but it strengthened their souls and allowed them to power through while more traditional medical techniques healed their bodies.
Fujin kneeled in front of Guy and used his divine healing magic to provide further aid.
"What happened?" The Wind God asked once he was sure that his patient was recovering.
Lai sighed. "Shang Tsung. He attacked with a group of Shadow Priests and other minions. He came disguised as Raiden, we didn't think to attack at first. He and his lieutenants killed the Masters. After that, our defense crumbled. We.. We tried to stop them! We lost so many… again."
Guy started breaking from the stress, and Fujin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"None of what happened is your fault," he reassured the monk. "Many of us have faced defeat today. I have faced defeat today. Focusing on the defeat will not help us to be victorious the next time. I feel that the best we can do is recover and come back stronger. We rebuilt after the first Outworld attack on the Wu Shi. We will rebuild again."
Guy simply nodded, trying to take in Fujin's words despite his lingering stress.
"We… we managed to protect the Outworld refugees you sent here while you were on your way to the big fight," Guy informed the Wind God. "They're safe. A few wanted to join the battle, but we turned them down."
"I appreciate your desire to preserve life," Fujin complemented. "Though I will admit… I believe we will need all the allies we can muster if we are going to succeed. When the time comes, I am prepared to lead any who wish to fight back to Outworld. The war is far from over… although I fear we may in fact be fighting two wars."
"Do you really think we can win?" Lai questioned.
Fujin took a moment to consider his answer.
"In spite of everything that has happened, and all that we have lost… Yes, I do think that we will succeed in the end. For the good of all that is, I think we have to. It will not be easy, but I believe in every single one of you. We all just need time to recover from what has happened. To pick ourselves back up. Only at our best can we preserve the future."
"I… I hope you're right." Guy said.
Fujin sighed. He wasn't sure himself. He did truly feel that they would be victorious in the end, but the cost of that victory… that much was uncertain, and it troubled him. In addition, he had to move on to other business. This attack had a very worrying possible outcome.
"Do you know why Shang Tsung and his minions came here? Tsung is a wicked soul, but not one without aim. We cannot assume that inflicting harm was the fullness of his intentions."
"Yes," Guy responded firmly. "They were after the artifacts that Raiden asked the White Lotus to safeguard the last time he was here."
Fujin's eyes widened. "Did they succeed in taking them?"
"I fear they would have killed us all until they had," Guy admitted. "Their departure was abrupt. We counted the dead. Everyone who guarded the artifacts… gone. I was unconscious near the end. I can only assume that they-"
"Stay here, help as many people as you can." Fujin said adamantly before teleporting away in a flash of light.
He rematerialized in front of a ruined building deep in the Wu Shi grounds, where the White Lotus had elected to keep the Kamidogu after Fujin and Bo' Rai Cho had accepted Raiden's request.
The structure looked like it had been torn open. There were dead monks strewn about the area despite the best efforts of the survivors to collect the bodies for proper burial.
Fujin privately mourned the losses, wishing he had been there to stop this… but equally uncertain of what would have happened in Outworld had he been absent.
Things had been so much easier when Earthrealm had other gods to call upon. Fujin was still reeling from the knowledge that his brothers were alive, and uncertain of where Raiden had gone. It seemed that the dark energies Lucifer sapped from him had brought about some degree of clarity, but did this mean that the eldest of the Earthrealm gods could be relied upon once more?
Fujin put the question aside. He would have to press forward as has been doing so far: acting as the sole divine ally to the freedom fighters of the realms, and be whatever they needed him to be in order to achieve victory.
The Wind God stepped through the destroyed building, finding more dead as well as lingering dark magical energies, most likely the raw power of Shang Tsung's Shadow Priest minions. A few bodies were clearly Masked Guards, more of the sorcerer's pawns. It seemed the monks had fared better against them than against their sorcery wielding allies. Fujin lamented how often it seemed, ever since the Outworld tournament, that the Shaolin had been forced to break their vow to never kill. He did not want the White Lotus to become as cruel as their enemies… else he lose them like he had Raiden.
Luckily, the contingent of monks he had brought to Outworld had held true to the White Lotus Society's ideals. Fujin was proud of them all, something he wished he could tell them now, but a far more pressing matter called to his attention.
Finally, Fujin found the altar that the Kamidogu had been placed on while in the care of the White Lotus. The door had been blasted open. The powerful weapons of the Elder Gods were gone. Shang Tsung had indeed seized what he came for.
And Fujin's heart sank, as it seemed things had gone from bad to worse.
He had known of Shang Tsung's return from the dead. In the time between Raiden making this information known to the Special Forces and his team's departure to Outworld for the Thunder God's failed assassination attempt against Kotal, Kung Jin had contacted the White Lotus Society and warned them of the sorcerer's resurrection. This was not the first time that Tsung had launched an assault on the Wu Shi Academy, but had been a very long time since that previous attack. Nonetheless, the sorcerer was still a prominent enemy of the Shaolin, and one they were determined to be vigilant for.
Despite that vigilance, Shang Tsung had been able to get behind their defenses and launch this assault. And worst of all, he had escaped with five of the most powerful artifacts in all the realms. If he learned how to tap into their true power, he could unmake the very reality that they knew.
As Fujin contemplated Shang Tsung's motives and how they would deal with him, his answers arrived in the form of Shujinko, emerging from the portal he had summoned to escape his battle with Onaga.
When he saw the ruined state of the Wu Shi Academy, he quickly began trying to offer his aid to those recovering from the battles, even in spite of his own injuries from the very recent battle.
Naturally, some objected to Shujinko straining himself further.
"You look badly hurt, old friend," Apep observed. "Perhaps you should lay down."
"Not when I can help those who need it far more than I," Shujinko responded, using healing magic replicated from Raiden to heal multiple injured monks at once, that skill enhanced by the total sum of magical energy he had observed over the years. "What has happened here?"
Apep sighed. "You were always stubborn once you'd set your mind on something… I've asked around, apparently Shang Tsung attacked."
Shujinko's eyes widened.
"I must see Fujin."
Li Mei, who had also put her attention towards helping the injured, was approaching Shujinko with the intent of convincing him to lie down once she noticed his return, but upon hearing Apep's words, she immediately recognized the gravity of what had occurred.
"Let me help you." she offered as Shujinko rose to full height only to falter somewhat, nearly losing his balance.
Li Mei put one arm under his chest and the other over his shoulder, steadying him as best she could.
"Easy, it'll be ok," she reassured him. "Let's go find Fujin."
With the aid of some of the monks, they were able to make their way to Wind God, who himself was walking back to the larger group to announce the further danger they all now faced.
"Shujinko!" Fujin said with surprise. "I… I was worried that I would never see you again, my friend."
"The Kamidogu. Did Raiden move them here?" Shujinko questioned immediately. "Did Shang Tsung obtain them?"
Fujin looked down. "Yes."
"Then Onaga has them." Shujinko concluded.
The Wind God was again hit with surprise. "What?!"
"Shang Tsung has sworn his fealty to the Dragon King," Li Mei explained. "He was likely sent here under Onaga's orders."
"If Onaga possesses the Kamidogu…" Fujin started.
"I failed at keeping them from his grasp, despite Raiden's aid in subverting his original plan." Shujinko said solemnly.
"Hey, don't talk like that," Li Mei urged. "I know it might seem hopeless right now. I… there's been times where I thought nothing would ever be right again. Things do get better, even if it takes a while. The important thing isn't that we were knocked down, it's that we get up again."
Shujinko nodded slowly. "You… you are right. Onaga will need to discover the means to fuse the Kamidogu into one in order to utilize their full power. It is a secret not even Raiden was privy to."
"No Protector God was told," Fujin added. "Save perhaps Argus… he worked most closely with the Elder Gods."
"That means we have time to decide how we're going to beat him." Li Mei concluded.
"And perhaps more importantly, time to heal." Fujin pointed out.
"You hear that, Shujinko?" Li Mei teased, a broad smile on her face.
"I am not resigning myself to another bed," Shujinko declared stubbornly. "But… I will try to take things slow."
"I think that's a fair compromise." Li Mei relented.
"One more thing," Fujin chimed in. "Shujinko, you perhaps have the most intimate knowledge of the Dragon King of anyone here. Your counsel will be invaluable to devising our strategy, once you have recovered."
Shujinko nodded. "I will offer any and all assistance that I can."
Fujin nodded back. "Thank you."
"We should focus on helping as many people as we can." Li Mei offered.
"Agreed." Shujinko added.
"Indeed," Fujin further agreed. "I will try to appraise all of our allies as I offer aid. As much as I would prefer to simply help others, we will need to understand what degree of forces we have to combat these newly risen evils."
"Ah yes, just like your brother, viewing us all as merely your soldiers, and appointing yourself leader!"
Fujin and his allies looked to see the revenant Liu Kang angrily approaching the Wind God, followed by his fellow revenant, Kung Lao, more cautiously by his still-living younger brother, as well as Kung Jin and his boyfriend Kai, both wanting to help the two remaining revenants.
Li Mei sighed. "We'll get to helping people recover. Good luck with them."
"I may need it." Fujin said simply.
Li Mei and Shujinko departed from the scene, the former helping the latter maintain his footing.
Liu Kang ignored them as he stopped just before the Wind God with a huff.
"Though it is clear you disapprove of the responsibility I choose to accept, I am pleased, at the least, that you consider the whole of us your allies." Fujin said calmly.
"Those who fought with me in life and unlife are my allies," Liu Kang clarified. "And even the strangers I find myself among, I trust far more than you."
Fujin sighed. "I must admit Liu Kang, even in this current form, I expected better from you."
"Save me the sanctimonious-"
Fujin chuckled. "Throughout time that word has been used to diminish what we gods say and do. As if protecting the innocent was an affectation to present ourselves as superior."
"Raiden certainly sees himself above us 'mere mortals'," Liu Kang said bitterly. "So does Lucifer. So did Shao Kahn and Shinnok. All of you. Hubris, arrogance, and a desire to control all you survey. Whether it be through tyranny or false pretenses of benevolence."
"That sweeping generalization of my kind is exactly what I meant when I said that I had expected better from you, Liu Kang," Fujin elaborated.
"Fujin is not like them," Liu Chan added. "I have studied under him for years. He has guided me to better myself. I trust him with my life."
"Well I don't trust him with any lives," Liu Kang responded dismissively. "Follow him and he will only get you all killed!"
"If I wished to bring about your deaths, would it not have been simpler to simply allow Onaga's army to exterminate everyone, rather than facilitating an evacuation?" Fujin questioned. "And then perhaps…" Fujin tried to follow Liu Kang's line of logic before shrugging. "Cackle like some villain?"
"Don't patronize me!" Liu Kang shouted. "To your credit, Wind God, I do not expect you to doom us all intentionally. No, our demise will come from your foolish efforts to 'save' this realm! From your arrogant assumption that you should lead us!"
"And your strategy which will no doubt involve us fighting your battles." Kung Lao chimed, a sneer on his face.
"My intention had been to face the Dragon King alone, I only accepted the aid of willing allies," Fujin explained. "We are far beyond the rules of any tournament being of any import. Rest assured, I will not stand idly by as we face this crisis."
"Raiden at least managed to kill Shao Kahn." Kung Lao taunted.
"Do not worry Lao," Liu Kang assured his cousin. "I will defeat this threat that has emerged in Outworld. After I kill Raiden."
"Kang, you don't know what you're saying," Chan interjected. "We saw Fujin and the others trying to defeat Onaga. He isn't an enemy we can overcome through normal means. Believe me, I wish it was that simple, but I fear-"
"I fear NOTHING, brother!" Liu Kang snapped. "Fujin and his allies were simply incompetent!" He summoned a red flame into his hand. "I will burn that infernal beast to ash so that no amount of sorcery can repair his form!"
"That will not work," Fujin informed him. "Sektor made the attempt with his weapons. Fire does not harm a dragon. They are its first masters within the mortal realms."
"Some mere machine does not compare to what I am-"
"That 'machine' put his life on the line for innocents, mere strangers to him!" Fujin cut him off. "Question my motives, my methods, and my competence, all that you wish, Liu Kang. I have no ego to bruise. But I will not tolerate slander of those who have chosen to fight for a better future we may all share. Rather than for instance… mere petty revenge."
Liu Kang roared in anger and rushed at Fujin with fists aflame. Kung Lao grabbed his hat and prepared to launch it at the Wind God, but stopped when Kung Jin firmly grabbed his arm.
"Please don't do this." Begged Kung Lao's younger cousin.
Fujin remained calm despite the brazen attack, teleporting out of the way as Liu Kang threw his first punch.
He rematerialized nearby, his hands calmly behind his back.
Liu Kang tried to launch into a flying kick, but as soon as he was in the air, Fujin summoned a wind current directly under him which effectively levitated the revenant monk in place.
"Attacking me is senseless and will achieve nothing," Fujin spoke politely but firmly. "Even as a revenant, I believe that you can see that."
"What I will be seeing is your blood on my fists!" Liu Kang threatened. "Until you tell me where Raiden is! You are his brother, you cannot pretend not to know."
"Dude, the whole world's in trouble right now!" Kai finally shouted, having had enough of his brief mentor and friend acting this way. "How can you seriously still be so focused on this?!"
"And whose fault do you think that is?!" Liu Kang countered.
"There are a great many things that have transpired recently that I would readily lay the blame for at the feet of my brother," Fujin admitted. "But the returns of Lucifer and Onaga are the results of their own machinations. We can only take responsibility for our own actions, Liu Kang. In these dire circumstances, fixating on the assigning of blame will do us no good. I ask you this not as an arrogant god carrying myself as though I was your superior, but as your equal. One warrior of this realm to another: Please, put aside your resentment of Raiden and stand with us. Only together do we hope to overcome the odds against us."
"I have had more than enough of your patronizing nonsense!" Liu Kang shouted, still refusing to see reason due to his revenant curse. "Stop PROTECTING him! If you allow me to kill Raiden, I will deal with your enemies for you! I am the Champion of Mortal Kombat! I defeated Shao Kahn! I am the ONLY one needed to deal with them! And I will prove that, by beating you!"
Red flame enveloped Liu Kang's body and seconds later a large fire construct of a dragon sprung forth from his body and came down on Fujin, who teleported away before it could impact. With his departure, the currents of wind holding Liu Kang in place dissipated and he fell a short drop to the ground. Fujin reappeared behind Liu Kang and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Please. Allow me to take you to the Jinsei Chamber," Fujin offered. "It will cleanse your mind of this curse."
"He's right," Kabal suddenly chimed in, having sped over due to the commotion. "It worked on me."
"Why?!" Liu Kang protested. "So you can dilute my focus?! Cause me to betray my own flesh and blood," he gestured to Kung Lao. "As so many of those 'saved' by the likes of you have turned their backs on me?!"
"I didn't realize that not wanting to live in Hell forever was such a problem!" Kabal countered.
"When Shinnok fell, we all swore loyalty to one another," Kung Lao interjected. "One by one, that loyalty was betrayed."
"And for what?! Liu Kang questioned. "To do Raiden's bidding?! To interfere with our goals?! You cry out for renewed life, as if it is not exactly what we have received!"
"No Kang, no," Kabal disagreed, holding back an anger he'd been trying to be better than ever since he met Stryker. "Look, I respect you for trying to make something work in the Netherrealm, even if I disagree with the way you went about it."
"You never complained before." Liu Kang pointed out.
"With that temper of yours and the way I was feeling, wasn't gonna," Kabal admitted. "But you gotta understand… a lot of us didn't much like it down there, we wanted our old lives back."
"I hardly wanted the Netherrealm either!" Liu Kang confessed. "But it was what we had. Those lives ended. Raiden stole them from us. And you joined him to get back what cannot be reclaimed."
"I know damn well nothing's ever gonna be the same, don't patronize me!" Kabal snapped. "But you can't blame us for wantin' something back!"
"There isn't anything to 'take back'!" Liu Kang shouted angrily. "We have nothing left of those lives!"
"Kang, how can you say that?!" Liu Chan spoke up, having been unsure of what to say throughout this entire exchange.
"Yeah, we're your family!" Kung Jin added. "You really saying we aren't worth coming back to? I know a thing or two about family estrangement, but we never did a damn thing to you!"
Liu Kang looked at his younger brother and cousin, and his anger faded into sadness, guilt, and surprise at his own words.
"Chan, I… I always planned to come back to you, I was never going to… to just abandon you! But it was…it was…"
"We had Shinnok's head for a year," Kung Lao pointed out. "I didn't want to cause any disharmony by questioning you, but… why didn't we leave sooner? I would've wished to see Jin again before now."
Kung Jin allowed himself a brief smile at that.
"I would have to," Liu Kang admitted. "I am glad to see you again," he said to Jin and Chan. "But we… we had to…" Liu Kang's voice trailed off. It was starting to not make sense to him. "We had to consolidate our power, prevent insurrection against our rule…" he stated his reasons, but he didn't sound like he much bought into them.
"But we didn't ever really want to do the whole 'rulers of the Netherrealm' thing!" Kabal called out.
"Even when… his nature changed, and his rage consumed him, my brother always found your sudden fixation on rulership of the Netherrealm puzzling," Fujin revealed. "His speculation was that it was some manner of final command implemented by Shinnok, a way to keep you as enemies of your home by compelling you to seek dominance, a trait once entirely alien to you all."
"That thought had never occurred to me…" Kung Lao confessed.
"Why would such nonsense occur to you?!" Liu Kang growled. "We seized the Netherrealm throne to take back control over our lives! To prove that we were no longer shackled by Shinnok, Quan Chi, Raiden, or anyone else who would dare presume to command us!"
"And everything still felt wrong!" Kabal shouted. "We were still in literal Hell, lashing out at anything that pissed us off! What kind of a life is that?"
"A life where we were the masters!" Liu Kang argued.
"And others were made to suffer in our stead."
Liu Kang's expression of disgust changed to one of hurt, betrayal, and resignation as Kitana and Akicita, the former Nightwolf, approached the small crowd. The mere fact that they were alive once more while he remained a revenant made Liu Kang feel… so isolated from them. His once comrades.
The revenant "emperor" focused mainly on his love, who had said those biting words.
Akicita noticed this, and did not intend to remain silent. His arms were crossed and his expression firm.
"We heard shouting, and figured it might be best to try and mediate." Kitana explained.
"I would hope that Eyota is not counted among those you consider 'too weak' to face this current threat. You did not battle the Dragon King. She did, and nearly gave her life in the process. She learned humility perhaps too well," he shook his head, before meeting Liu Kang's eyes. "I will allow her to suffer no disrespect. Is that understood?!"
"While we are on the subject, I would like to express the same sentiments regarding my mother," Kitana added. "She fought valiantly against the Dragon King, and I will not have her efforts diminished. Especially not by you… this isn't who you are, Liu Kang."
"Indeed, Sindel is a great ally in battle, and I look forward to joining our powers again in the future." Fujin complimented.
"You would give commands to me!?" Liu Kang shouted indignantly, focusing his attention on Akicita, ignoring Fujin and seemingly trying to avoid Kitana entirely. He could not bring himself to confront her.
"In our folly, we agreed to seek dominion of the Netherrealm, together," Akicita recounted. "While I will never forgive myself for those actions, I feel I must still point out that our agreement was not to serve you."
"You had no issue with deferring to me before," Liu Kang recounted. "Though I suppose I should expect a change in attitude, since you abandoned us even when you were still a revenant, and now…" he looked Akicita up and down, almost disgusted by his renewed life. "Your betrayal is complete."
"I sought redemption for what I had become," Akicita explained, his face still rigid with disdain for his friend's current state and attitude. "It was a misguided avenue to seek that redemption, and I shall bear the sin of the harm I have caused for the rest of my days. But there were still those willing to help me find my way back. Though I am still dishonored, my soul is now free of that revenant curse. You could have sought the same, at any time, given that Shinnok's head still retained the ability to create portals. You could have returned here, to your people.
You chose to let your hatred of Raiden consume you. You choose to focus on your hatred now. On your bitterness. I have seen men like you before. Scorpion. Ruutuu. Shang Tsung. Shao Kahn. Shinnok. And of course, Raiden. In the end, it is your hatred, your drive to make up for old defeats, that brings destruction to all in your wake, and finally, to yourself."
Unwilling to face the reality of Akicita's words, to self-reflect on what he had become, and instead focusing on the insult of the villains and fools his former comrade had compared him to, Liu Kang surrendered to his overriding anger. His right fist became engulfed in red flame in less than a second, and he pulled back to punch Akicita.
The former Nightwolf could most certainly have defended himself, and the others closed in, but he ended up having no need to. Kitana stepped between the two, both hands raised to about even height with her head. Her face was stern, her intent clear.
In an instant, Liu Kang stopped himself, his fist mere centimeters away from the face of the woman he had professed to love.
He looked at his own hand with shock, disbelieving of what he had almost done. He had come moments from the unthinkable. With a thought, he commanded his flames to vanish into the ether, and lowered his arm.
"I… Kitana, you know that I would never-"
"I do," Kitana said firmly. Not the most reassuring tone, she realized. "That's why I stepped in. I'm sorry. I just couldn't let you hurt him. Hurt anyone."
Liu Kang nodded. Even as a revenant, he understood. "I… I'm sorry. I lost control. Our priority must be to destroy our enemies," Liu Kang looked surprised, as if the words that left his mouth were not the words he had intended to speak. "I meant to say preserve lives. We've always fought to…" he put a hand to his head. "I think I need to sit down."
Kitana nodded. "I think that would be for the best," she looked at the rest of the small crowd. "Chan, is it? Could you look after your brother, please? I have to get back to my own family, and our weary forces," she then turned her head to the Wind God. "Fujin, my sister and I will gladly coordinate our next move with you."
Fujin nodded. "Recover first. I shall host a strategy meeting when we are all in better spirits," he looked towards the revenant Shaolin.
"Liu Kang, Kung Lao. You are welcome to attend that meeting. Your insight may prove invaluable."
"Thank you, Fujin." Kung Lao responded, lightly surprising himself as he noticed that his voice lacked hatred and venom.
Liu Kang was still walking away from the gathering, but stopped and turned back to look the Wind God in the eyes.
"If you get my friends, allies, or family killed, I will come for your head," Liu Kang threatened. "However… you are clearly saner than Raiden. And you will have Kitana's counsel. Heed her. She…"
He looked over at her.
"…Has more sense than me." Liu Kang admitted as he continued to walk away.
Kitana wanted to follow him, but she wasn't sure what she could do with him in this state, and she felt very strongly that she had to get back to her family.
Liu Chan walked up and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to him," he said with a smile uncharacteristic of him these previous days. "That's what family's for. And… this reunion's been a long time coming."
He started in Liu Kang's direction and was soon followed by Kung Lao, who simply gave Kitana a nod before passing on. Kung Jin followed him, as did Kai, wanting to support his boyfriend's efforts to save his relatives and keep him safe. Plus, he too had not seen Liu Kang in a very long time.
"I left Eyota in the hands of some Shaolin who offered medical aid," Akicita explained to Kitana now that the situation had resolved. "The Great Spirit's power hastens her recovery… but I admit I am still worried."
"Of course you are, it's only natural," Kitana reassured him. "Go ahead."
Akicita nodded, then turned to Fujin.
"I would like to be present at our strategy meeting… it has been a long time since I have assisted in the defense of Earthrealm, or any innocent lives…" the former Nightwolf spoke. "And I do not count the vengeance disguised as defense I engaged in with Raiden as attending to my duties. I would just… like to be helpful again."
Fujin nodded. "You are always welcome, Akicita. It is good to have you back."
Akicita gave the Wind God a brief smile, and received one from Kitana, before leaving.
Kabal then approached the Edenian princess.
"Hey, I'm… sorry for getting into it with him," Kabal apologized, tilting his head in Liu Kang's direction. "I know I probably didn't help."
"I heard some of what you said," Kitana admitted. "I think they were things he needed to hear. But I'm not sure what it'll take to break him out of this like we've been fortunate enough to. Perhaps the method Mileena and our father used to help me and my mother…"
"He's definitely not as eager for a dip in the Jinsei as I was," Kabal noted. "Maybe his family can help him out, like yours did for you."
"Family can do a lot…" Kitana mulled over the situation. "I'm fortunate to be reunited with mine."
"Yeah, you guys seem to have a good thing going." Kabal noted.
Kitana spared him a quizzical glance. "Are you not as close with your family?"
"My dad left to get milk, my cousins are all in jail, my uncle's dead, and…" Kabal shook his head. "My mom was not exactly what you would call a role model."
"Well, at least your father cared about keeping you hydrated." Kitana noted, trying to be optimistic.
"That's not what that… remind me to teach you about Earthrealm sayings when this is all over." Kabal responded.
Kitana was slightly confused, but nodded.
"We all have rather urgent responsibilities." She acknowledged.
"Go see your family, I won't keep you." Kabal offered.
Kitana gave her friend a brief smile and then departed for where Mileena's rebels were camped.
"When Shao Kahn invaded Earthrealm, I found myself battling his forces across Japan, many miles from where you and your allies were," Fujin recounted to Kabal. "Though I have long wished I could have been there to prevent the fates that befell you, if I may be allowed to… look on the bright side, I believe the trials of the Netherrealm strengthened the bond between you all. I have always found it valuable to take pride in the friends I have made, regardless of the circumstances. Though given what you have suffered firsthand, I understand if you feel differently."
"I… get what you're trying to say," Kabal acknowledged. "I just don't think it's the conversation I'm ready to have right now. It's all… still too fresh."
Fujin nodded. "I understand. My apologies."
Kabal waved him off. "You were trying to help, at least. I'm gonna go check up on Kurt. Call me when it's go time."
Fujin nodded and watched briefly as Kabal departed with his trademark supernatural speed. The Wind God then returned to his duties of attending to his allies as best he could. There were so many that needed to heal before they could fight again… and when they did, they had to win. Fujin knew that he had to make sure of that.
Fujin elected to move throughout the Wu Shi grounds and beyond in order to heal as many as could, as well as appraise the state of his allies. In his head, he decided that two days would be an adequate amount of time to focus solely on recovery before beginning to strategize. Though of course, much more time would be needed before mounting another campaign into Outworld. Not to mention the situation in the Netherrealm that was now burgeoning with Lucifer's return. Even to a god, the odds seemed stacked against them.
But in spite of that, they had achieved some victories. Fujin decided he had to focus on that. And on his faith in the warriors who fought alongside him.
The mounting odds were also a concern that hung heavy over Kitana, especially given her concern for the cause she had recently joined her sister in. Freedom for Edenia, Outworld, and all the realms within, seemed all the more uncertain, potentially even hopeless, with a power like the Dragon King now in play.
But Kitana refused to surrender to hopelessness. She had allowed it to rule her as a revenant, drive her to depths of despair she had never known. After being freed from that personal hell by her sister and father, she vowed that with new life would come a fresh start. The bitterness, misery, and cynicism were gone. The wounds of those experiences still remained, but Kitana would allow herself to heal. And on top of that, she would give all of herself that she could to a cause actually worth fighting: the liberation of countless peoples from the claws of oppression.
This head first launch into aiding Mileena's cause had been noticed by the rebel leader herself, as well as by Jade, and was a point of some concern for them both. They hoped that Kitana was not ignoring her inevitable process of readjusting to being fully alive once more by throwing herself into this fight so immediately. Given the circumstances of the now-first Battle for Outworld, they recognized that there had been little choice but to join the fight with haste.
But now, in this time for recuperation that was the only positive of their mass retreat, Kitana hadn't taken any time for herself so far. She focused outwardly on the needs of her allies. Mileena and Jade had done much the same, but they had been afforded time to process their own returns to life that they worried Kitana had not, and this rooted a concern for her well-being.
Kitana was, in turn, concerned for theirs as she approached the encampment around the Wu Shi Academy grounds that the Outworld rebels had hastily formed after arriving in Earthrealm. When they'd first begun setting up, surveying the area to see how the multitude of freedom fighters were getting on and providing personal aid to anyone who looked like they needed it, as well as she could. Kitana was no medical expert, but she had picked up skills in basic first aid she had often employed to help fellow soldiers in her time serving Shao Kahn, that she now found applicable to her current situation.
After helping as much as she could, Kitana eventually made it to where her family and their closest allies were gathered, using ledges of Wu Shi architecture for seating and the well-kept grass of the grounds as what passed for cushioning, specifically for Sindel, it having been insisted upon that the Edenian queen lay down after her fight with Onaga.
Emerald stood watchful guard over the group, intent on fulfilling her duties despite the fact that they were in safety.
Meat was knelt next to Sindel and supplied her water as she recovered. Rain was sitting a few feet away. Were the situation less dire, Mileena and Tanya would've teased him for brooding.
Instead, the two lovers were holding on to each other for comfort, Tanya letting the warmth created by her pyromancy soothe Mileena. As they had led their troops in battle and retreat, they'd held back how shaken they were by the sheer carnage of the battle and their efforts at fighting for the freedom of Outworld being rewarded with deaths and defeat as an even greater tyrant than Kotal rose to crush everything they'd worked for.
Mileena and Tanya both tried to hold strong, tried to keep the hope alive that they would be victorious in the end. After all, they had made new allies in a short time, and created a much larger force than they originally commanded.
But would it be enough?
They weren't sure. But they knew they had each other, and plenty of others that loved them. That would have to be enough, for now.
"Your sister's back…" Tanya noticed, struggling to keep her eyes open. The battle had been tiring along with everything else. Knowing her warmth had a tendency to put Mileena to sleep, she wasn't even sure she would get a response.
"I know," Mileena responded simply, having sensed Kitana with the loose psychic connection she had found between them. "She feels… uncertain."
"Are any of us certain of anything, right now?" Tanya questioned.
"I guess not," Mileena conceded, opening her eyes slightly, staying in her lover's arms. "Is your mother ok?"
Tanya nodded. "First thing I made sure of when we were taking a headcount. She's teaching some of the ex-civilians some of her old battle tricks. I haven't seen her like this since before dad died…"
"That must mean we have a chance of winning, right?" Mileena asked. "Even that cynic… Qali, was her name? She's helping people recover."
Tanya mulled over it. "I think it does, yeah. I wish I could be more sure."
"Don't want to inspire hope in people only to turn out to be wrong." Mileena said knowingly.
"I'm guessing you feel the same." Tanya intuited.
Mileena gave a small nod. "Having you and my family around helps, but… I'm still worried. We should've taken the Onaga problem more seriously before it got to this point. I… I shouldn't have let Shang Tsung leave. I talked to some of the Shaolin through my others. It's my fault this place was attacked…"
"You didn't know any of it would happen, Mileena," Tanya tried to reassure her. "Raiden's invasion seemed like the more pressing issue, I don't think it was wrong of us to focus on that. It was just… bad timing."
"We could've sent a squad to try and stop Onaga's plan." Mileena pointed out.
"You saw how powerful he was, we'd be sending people to their deaths." Tanya countered.
"We did that anyway…" Mileena lamented.
Tanya sighed. "We led people to a fight for their freedom, but… it does feel that way. I won't argue there. These people have stood by us, by you regardless. I know my faith isn't misplaced, and I don't think theirs is either. I… I want to focus on what we accomplished, but it is hard… this was a big loss. So many dead, or worse…"
Mileena tried to reach for optimism, trying to ease her girlfriend's pain. "We do have a lot more friends than when we started, there is that. We stand a better chance than we ever did."
"We do. I just hope it'll be enough. And you were able to bring your family back together," Tanya noted, trying to help Mileena feel better in return. "Regardless of anything else, I'd call that a victory."
"You're right," Mileena allowed herself a weak smile. "Things do feel better with them here. I do still wish I'd killed Shang Tsung… I could've at least slowed Onaga's plans."
"For all his evil… he did give you life," Tanya conceded. "I understand your hesitancy."
"It won't happen again." Mileena said determinedly.
"Grateful as I am that you were brought into the world, my love, I'll be there to help you when the time comes." Tanya assured her.
"I know," Mileena responded. "You've stood by me through it all. I love you, Tanya."
"I love you too, Mileena." Tanya reciprocated.
The two shared a brief kiss, before Mileena moved up from her previous position in Tanya's arms when she noticed that Kitana was close enough to conversate.
"The shouting stopped," Mileena noted. "How did it go?"
Kitana sighed.
"I prevented a fight from breaking out," she explained. Her tone clearly showed that it wasn't a victory. Concerned about the situation as well, Jade slowly approached. Kitana acknowledged her with a glance before continuing.
"I doubt Liu could've done any serious harm to Fujin, but it was the last thing either of them needed right now. Liu Kang is… still very bitter. He's having trouble dealing with having been denied the revenge he wanted on Raiden."
"What happened between them?" Mileena questioned. "It seems to run deeper than just the fact that he's a revenant. From what I remember back when… back when I was on the wrong side… Liu Kang was one of Raiden's closest allies."
"He was…" Kitana revealed, her tone of voice dour. "The way Liu Kang explained it after we were reunited as revenants… Raiden killed him. They had a confrontation at the twilight of Shao Kahn's invasion, it came to blows and…"
"Well I can see why he's angry." Tanya said dryly.
"It's not that part I don't understand," Kitana admitted. "It's his lashing out at nearly everyone else, I… I worry about what he might do. The corruption, it's fueling his hatred for Raiden, focusing it into obsession. Not to mention manifesting this delusional arrogance… it's just not him. I want to help him, but he's not ready to listen, and I don't know how to make that happen."
"I'm sorry to bring this up, but you weren't ready to listen for a time either, sister," Mileena pointed out. "I think if you give him time, you'll find your opening to reach out."
"I… I hope you're right," Kitana responded. "I wish I could be more sure. I mean, I know I'll save him eventually… I just don't know when that will be."
"Not to sound callous, but Raiden still being alive isn't helping." Tanya interjected.
"Raiden was once an ally to," Kitana informed her. "I know you never fought alongside him, but I did. The madness that's overtaken him… the darkness that Lucifer used to free himself… I wonder if that can be lifted as well. It would be good to have him back to himself."
"And admittedly he'd be a powerful ally," Tanya reluctantly added. "Still, I don't know how reachable Liu Kang is going to be with Raiden at large. That revenant sorcery certainly isn't helping matters, but he also hasn't had closure."
"My love makes a good point, Kitana," Mileena agreed. "Before we led our army into battle to free Outworld, Tanya and I tracked down D'Vorah, the one who killed me."
"Yes, you'd mention having died before…" Kitana remembered. "I've been meaning to ask you about that."
"I'm better now, sister," Mileena said simply, not wanting to get into it at the moment. "But when we found out where she was, I realized… I'd never gotten closure on what she did to me,"
"And neither did I," Tanya added. "Losing Mileena, even if only for a while… it was…"
She started to tear up, and was soon soothed by Mileena hugging her.
"It's alright my love," Mileena assured her. "I'm here now, and I'm never going to leave again."
"Thank you," Tanya responded. "As… as I was saying. We needed resolution on what we'd been through,"
"So we found her, and we killed her, before leading our people into the battle," Mileena continued. "We decided that if we didn't, it would hang our minds while we attended to what really mattered."
"So we got it over with," Tanya explained.
"Our petty revenge didn't matter in the face of all the lives at risk," Mileena "Once it was done, we could focus."
Kitana sighed once more as she caught on to what her sister and her girlfriend were getting at.
"And Liu Kang's focus is still on Raiden…"
"Sister, he loves you, yes?" Mileena questioned.
Kitana nodded firmly.
"Then I'm sure he'll listen to you, revenant or not," Mileena decided. "It may take time, but it'll be worth it," she smiled at her sister. "Trust me. I would know."
Kitana was able to get herself to smile back.
"Thank you, sister," she replied politely. "I'm sure you're right, it's just-"
"A little hard to be hopeful right now," Tanya said knowingly. "We're trying to work on that too."
Kitana nodded. "If there's anything I can do to help,"
"Maybe try to rest up a little, sister," Mileena suggested. "I was talking with Jade earlier, we worry about you. Don't overtask yourself."
Kitana took a deep breath. "It just feels like there's so much to do."
"Believe me, I know," Mileena admitted. "There's a lot to think about. I've got my others checking up on people all across this place. A lot of worry going around…"
"We will make it through this," Kitana said determinedly. "We have to."
"I'll try my best to stay confident," Mileena assured her. "I won't give up on these people who have put their faith in me. Or on Outworld."
"That's the spirit, sis!" Meat complimented.
"I am… very proud of you both," Sindel said with some difficulty. She had been charging herself with her mystical power to keep going during the battle, and was now weaker without directly calling upon it. "I am certain that you will lead us to victory. I am only uncertain of how that victory will come about."
"Something we'll work on once Fujin calls the strategy meeting together," Kitana informed her. "And thank you, mother."
"Yes, thank you." Mileena added.
Kitana briefly surveyed her family with a smile, before realizing that there was something amiss.
"Wait, where's Skarlet?"
"She is in the forested areas of this place, with Nitara and her people," Mileena explained. "Rain's working on making it safe for them to come out."
"Speaking of which," Tanya remembered. "How's it coming along, friend?"
Rain had been concentrating for the past few minutes, but raised his head and looked back toward his friends.
"I believe I am getting close," he informed Tanya. "My powers are capable of creating cloud cover across a larger area such as this, but it is more difficult than in the past, where my focus was on the position of small Osh-Tekk squadrons, not an entire army."
"Is there a reason we will need it?" Kitana asked.
"While you were busy helping some of our other forces, we discussed the matter with Fujin," Mileena explained. "It made retreating here difficult, but we're lucky the forest is so dense."
"Speaking of the Wind God, this would be easier with his assistance," Rain noted. "I understand his desire to heal and confer with others, but Nitara's people are at great risk in our current condition."
"I should have voiced my concerns before agreeing to his choice of our rendezvous point." Sindel admitted.
"Is it some trait of Earthrealm itself that disturbs the vampires?" Kitana guessed.
"Indeed," Tanya confirmed. "For whatever reason, this realm's sun burns vampires. They can only survive at night, or with cover. Outworld does not affect them the same way, so it never came up before now."
"I'll go check on Skarlet and Nitara then," Kitana decided. "We must absolutely ensure those people are safe," she then turned to her ally. "You're right, Rain. Go talk to Fujin. Nitara and her people should at least be able to walk the Wu Shi grounds freely."
Rain nodded, and teleported off.
"Our sister assured me that they're all safe, for now," Mileena informed Kitana to get her up to date on the situation. "Tanya and I would've stayed with them if we didn't have so much ground to cover."
"Understood," Kitana replied.
"When you're done, try to take some time for yourself." Mileena requested.
"You have been talking to Jade," Kitana teased. "One more thing, where is father? I just realized that he's not here either."
"We left Ermac with an Earthrealm telepath named Kenshi," Tanya explained. "He believes he might be able to help with whatever caused them to freeze up during the battle."
"I do hope he finds a solution," Sindel voiced her concern. "I'm worried about Jerrod, and all those other souls."
"I can check his progress, if you'd like." Kitana offered.
"You've done plenty, Kitana." Mileena tried to tell her.
"I can go, if mom will be alright." Meat offered.
"I am regaining my strength over time," Sindel informed him. "Go on ahead, son."
"I will watch over the queen." Emerald said dutifully, having remained silent so far.
Meat smiled at the quick acceptance he had received from Sindel, still surprised at how quickly he had gone from being alone to a member of this family. He gave a nod of recognition to Emerald and headed off in Ermac's direction.
Feeling that everything was taken care of, Kitana departed the small gathering as well, heading into the forests to meet with Skarlet and the vampires.
As she entered, she found the shade produced by the trees to definitely be dense enough to protect a person from the sun's rays entirely. Good. She didn't want any more lives to be lost needlessly.
When she reached the vampires, she found them huddled into a sizable crowd, trying to keep to the most heavily shaded areas of the forest thru could find. Their faces were fearful and many of them looked to the sky, hoping this scourge to their kind would not kill them.
At the front of the group were Skarlet and Nitara, the former using a blanket to additionally shield the latter. Some vampires used the same tactic, but supplies were overall scarce at the moment.
"Is Rain going to be able to do what we need?" Nitara asked when she saw Kitana approaching. Skarlet had taken her girlfriend in her arms, trying to use her own body to shield her from the deadly sun.
Kitana nodded. "It takes some time for him to cover an area this big, but he is making progress. We asked him to consult Fujin for aid."
"I hope they're able to make some clouds soon," Nitara said. "I won't let any more of my people die, and after everything we've been through, the last thing we need is to be scared for our lives when we're supposed to be in sanctuary."
"I understand," Kitana sympathized. "Our retreat was hasty, and Earthrealm as a rendezvous point was ill-considered. My mother extends her apologies. Fujin is helping others among our allies recover, but I'm sure he would be willing to speak with you and apologize as well."
"I appreciate those sentiments," Nitara acknowledged. "Unfortunately, it doesn't change the danger my people have been placed in. At least not until Rain and Fujin make this area safe for us."
"You're certainly right to feel that way," Kitana affirmed. "I just didn't want you to think we'd forgotten about you."
"I know you haven't," Nitara assured her. "And I know there's a lot to do. But these people are scared for their lives, and it's my responsibility to help them through this. I'm not one for speeches and I've never really thought of myself as a leader, but these people put their faith in me.I won't let them down, and especially now, I've got you and your allies to rely on to make sure I don't."
"I promise you, it will be safe for your people soon," Kitana told her, empathizing due to her own sense of personal responsibility. "We won't let anyone else die."
"I've only really gotten to know Kitana for a short while," Skarlet admitted. "But I know she means every word she says. I hear the same conviction in her voice that Mileena has when she's rallying the troops."
"I trust you and your family, love," Nitara told her girlfriend. "It's just that the situation is dire and I can't afford not to stress the point."
"Believe me," Kitana requested. "You are heard."
His sense of urgency also rather active, Rain teleported to various places on the Wu Shi grounds searching for Fujin, eventually finding him healing a pair of injured warriors. He sighed, having hoped this would be as easy as following where Liu Kang's shouts had come from.
"Wind God, we need to talk." He spoke bluntly, having no time to waste.
Fujin finished the process of his healing magic, then stood and turned to face the Edenian Hydromancer.
"Greetings, Son of Argus," Fujin said politely. "What is it that you wish to discuss?"
"There it is again," Rain noted. "Why do you Earthrealm gods think that I'm— nevermind, it's about the vampires, my comrades in our rebellion. Earthrealm in its entirety is not safe for them. Their lives are in danger every second that we do not act."
Fujin raised an eyebrow at Rain's lack of recognition regarding his heritage. Argus could be secretive at times, but—
That mystery was unimportant as of now. Lives hung in the balance.
"I considered this risk far too late," Fujin acknowledged. "We had to retreat quickly and I succumbed to my first thought of sanctuary given the present circumstances. When I realized this, I chose to place my exit portals in the forest, but those people do not deserve to cower in the woods for as long as they are with us. I assume you wish for me to call upon my power to resolve the matter."
"Originally, I intended to do that myself," Rain explained. "But the spell required to cover an area this large is time consuming for me. You are a god, I imagine it comes easier for you. That is why Kitana suggested I meet with you."
Fujin nodded. "Of course. Join your powers with mine, and we shall correct my wrong, and make this area safe for the vampire people."
Rain nodded and moved his hands toward the sky as he often did when invoking his command over the weather. Fujin repeated the same motion and the two concentrated.
By command of Fujin's godly power, which combined with Rain's sorcery, clouds began to appear in the sky above the tallest temple of the Wu Shi Academy, spreading outwards across miles of land, spreading to the forests and blotting out the sun, creating a far wider safe zone for the vampires.
This was a massive relief for the people of Vaeternus, allowing them to begin to step out from the forest and mingle amongst their fellow freedom fighters, being able to assist in recovery efforts, including sharing blood magic techniques in order to heal injured warriors, greatly aiding the recovery of the freedom fighting army.
Meat smiled as he looked up at the sky, happy to know that his friend Nitara and her people now had much less to fear.
He continued along his path until he reached a relatively isolated area of the Wu Shi grounds where the Earthrealm telepath Kenshi was attempting to establish communication with the motionless and silent Ermac.
After being convinced by Mileena to join the retreat from Outworld, then arriving in Earthrealm, Ermac had returned to a motionless and unresponsive state. The only activity from the soul construct was an odd flickering in their ethereal green eyes, soul energy swirling around in those orbs… with small dots of red occasionally creeping in.
Kenshi stood facing the soul collective, one hand held up to his head to aid in his concentration, the other outstretched towards Ermac. A glowing blue aura surrounded Kenshi's head and concentrated telepathic energy lit up the palm of his hand with the same color.
Kenshi's senses allowed him to clock Meat's presence near-immediately.
"Greetings," Kenshi said politely, his head still facing towards Ermac. "You are one of Mileena's allies, correct?"
The flesh construct nodded. "I Uhh… I go by Meat. It's… all I have."
"I assume you were not given that name in a pleasant environment," Kenshi deduced, sensing Meat shaking his head. "My condolences."
"That's putting it lightly." Meat responded.
"Sorry," Kenshi quickly apologized. "I do not claim to know the extent of what you have been through. I make an active effort to never use my powers to pry into another person's affairs."
"Good rule," Meat complimented. "So… Can you fix them?"
"…'Fix' is a simplistic term, but…" Kenshi paused for a moment. "I am uncertain. The soils that make up Ermac are in turmoil. That much is certain. It is like a panic, a frenzy… yet I sense… some unified purpose to it all. Their minds are so numerous that I cannot pick up any specific information, merely vague impressions. I am attempting to break through in order to establish proper communication, but it is exceedingly difficult. I fear that Ermac will remain in this state until the souls within can find their own way back to harmony. If only I knew what had caused this."
"Do you think Onaga had something to do with it?" Meat questioned.
Kenshi pondered for a moment. "Possible. I was told by Sindel and Mileena that this event coincided somewhat with his arrival, and given the Dragon King's displayed ability to enslave souls and raise the dead… perhaps he tried invoking his power to add the souls of Ermac to his army, and they are resisting him."
"Maybe," Meat responded. "Although… he froze up before the rest of the zombies arrived."
"Onaga could've had thousands of warriors to start with if he seized Ermac," Kenshi pointed out. "His preemptive attack seemed to be in an effort to begin besieging the city before his army could arrive, perhaps draw our focus to him so his forces would better catch us by surprise."
"Could be," Meat acknowledged. "Though with the way things went… I almost wonder why a guy like that needs an army."
"It was ultimately his relentless hordes that forced our retreat," Kenshi reminded him. "Not the Dragon King himself. An indomitable foe with an equally indomitable army. It is deeply troubling."
"Do you think we'll win?" Meat asked.
Kenshi was uncertain for a moment.
"All has seemed lost before," he recounted. "Shao Kahn's invasion, Shinnok's onslaught. And both times we have found ways to win. I realize this is going to sound… unbelievably corny, but I believe that the human spirit has a way of enduring such hardships."
"I've found that people in Outworld are kinda like that too." Meat noted.
"Good, our shared resolve may be what we ultimately need," Kenshi theorized. "Although…"
"What is it?" Meat asked.
"In those previous victories I spoke of," Kenshi explained. "Raiden was crucial to Earthrealm's victory each time. The exception was Shinnok's return the previous year, but… a victory we now know was achieved in part by aid from Lucifer does not sit well with me."
"I've never been on the same side as the guy," Meat admitted. "I don't know him. I've only talked to a few Earthrealm people, and you guys all seem to make it sound like he wasn't always crazy. I haven't seen that. What I have seen is that we can hold our own just fine. That Fujin guy does a great job, with his help I think we'll come out of this. Him and mom were even able to take on that monster."
Kenshi nodded. "I have learned to become far less reliant on Raiden as time has gone on. We all have. Wherever he is now, he is not helping us, though that is not very surprising as of late. It's just… the dynamics of how we fight this war against evil have changed much since I joined the Forces of Light. Everything feels more uncertain now than ever…"
"I understand," Meat sympathized. "We all get scared, we all worry about how things are gonna turn out. It's happened to me a fair few times ever since I started fighting Kotal with my family. Things change. Sometimes they get better, sometimes they get worse, but…. We've pulled through so far. I think that'll continue. I went with my sister because I wanted to be free, and I joined her fight because other people deserve to be free to. I don't know about you, but I am not letting this Onaga guy win."
Kenshi chuckled and spared his new ally a smile. "Very well said, Meat. I appreciate your unique wisdom," Kenshi became visibly strained. "I will do everything in my power to help Ermac recover their equilibrium. I admit that it will be difficult, but with time, I believe I will succeed."
"All I can say there is good luck," Meat responded. "And don't hurt yourself. I know enough about that telepathy stuff to know that it can be a doozy, stuff hitting you when you least expect it. The other day we all got a flashback from Jade in all of our heads. I can't imagine getting that many people in your head." He motioned to Ermac.
"Thank you, my friend," Kenshi said appreciatively. "I am well aware of the potential dangers, but your concern is appreciated nonetheless."
"Just offering what I can." Meat replied humbly, before turning to report back to his family that Kenshi's work was still in progress.
Within the Ermac collective itself, the turmoil that Kenshi sensed was even greater than he had imagined.
It was said that Shao Kahn feared nothing. This has often been said by the former Emperor himself just as much as by his enemies or zealous followers.
This was a lie. Shao Kahn feared one being above all others in the known universe.
Onaga.
As soon as the Dragon King arrived at the first Battle for Outworld, Shao Kahn panicked.
"No… NO! This is IMPOSSIBLE! I killed him! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"
Those were the first words he had spoken upon seeing the Dragon King again. For millennia, the return of Onaga has been utterly unthinkable to Shao Kahn.
He had assassinated him with a poison believed to disrupt sorcery, a poison that had taken tireless work to procure and of which Shao Kahn had then disposed of to ensure that no one under his command could use the same tactic against him.
He had fought a bloody war to secure his throne. Onaga's loyalists were crushed into the dirt, those who survived scattered to the winds. He had ruled for millennia, conquered entire realms, defied the Elder Gods themselves.
All while confidently believing that Onaga was dead.
How?! How could this be happening now?! Shao Kahn had burned Onaga's spellbooks, buried as many of his temples as he could find, executed countless of his sorcerer worshippers.
So HOW was it possible that Onaga could have returned?! Shao Kahn knew only one thing: Onaga must die. If he was ever to regain his throne, Shao Kahn could not allow his oldest nemesis to continue with whatever his plan was.
Until now, Shao Kahn had been content to wait for his moment to seize control of the Ermac collective and return the souls who dared to imprison him to their "proper" place as his slaves. Perhaps after Mileena or Raiden had defeated Kotal for him, or after the Earthrealmers had forced Raiden from Outworld in their attempt at reinforcing their own principles.
Onaga's return left no time for patience. He had to die now. If Onaga regained control of Outworld, it could take Shao Kahn millennia to regain his throne.
In their previous lives, Shao Kahn could not have hoped to defeat Onaga. And the Dragon King's strength did not seem to have diminished even the slightest in all this time.
But with the raw power of Ermac… and Shao Kahn's mastery over soul magic, the same mastery which had allowed him to bind the soul construct in the first place…
Yes. That could be the answer. The key to defeating Onaga. It would be a risky maneuver, but if it paid off, Shao Kahn could at long last regain his throne, and finally defeat his hated enemy in true battle.
He had toiled in this haphazard prison the Elder Gods had banished him to for long enough.
Shao Kahn began to exude his very will across the soul collective, attempting to use the sheer power of his mind and soul to bend them to his whims so that Ermac could be the vessel of his return.
Immediately, the souls that comprised Ermac fought back against this effort, Jerrod leading the charge in the spiritual battle. They pushed their own collective wills against that of Shao Kahn, tried to stamp down his soul, to stop him from reaching the surface and gaining control.
The requirements of this effort froze Ermac. Even as friends, allies, and family asked for their aid, and tried and failed to stop the Dragon King before his reign of terror could even begin.
They, Ermac, could do nothing but watch as they used all their strength to hold back another monster.
And here they were now. Still locked in that pitched battle. A desperate barrage to prevent Shao Kahn from surfacing, and bringing ruin to all they had fought for.
As they gave their all to fight Shao Kahn back, Jerrod and the other souls began to regret their decision not to tell Mileena the truth.
With all of the strife and conflict in Outworld, chiefly the war against Kotal Kahn and later the invasion by Raiden and rise of Onaga, Jerrod had thought it best to prevent his daughter from worrying about his safety, the safety of Ermac as a whole, or Shao Kahn's return. He had convinced the other souls to go along with this approach.
And now the massive threat of the former emperor was right under the nose of Ermac's allies, and if they failed, it would worsen this already bad situation.
So the souls that comprised this being continued to fight against their prisoner. Motionless on the outside, tumultuous on the inside.
Keeping dangerous internal turmoil contained was an all too familiar experience for the final two remaining revenants, Liu Kang and Kung Lao.
The two had separated themselves from the rest of the assembled warriors, allowing only their family to accompany them.
They did not want to be near the rest of the gathery. A chaotic mixture of shame, resentment, distrust of both themselves and others, and an attempt at self control they were not used to exercising in their revenant forms.
But they felt that they had to. For the ones they loved.
Love.
Their status as revenants had greatly clouded that feeling. They had only been able to feel it for each other, as they were family, and Liu Kang's love for Kitana certainly persisted, but they had wallowed in hatred and anger for so long. Even their love had been tainted by it, often serving as nothing more than a kindling of something other than the rage. They were together, and they tried to make that enough… but it wasn't. One bright spot didn't fix a living Hell.
For the likes of Kia and Jataaka, it would be. Their love was undying. And although Liu Kang would like to spend the rest of his days with Kitana, for one who had known a life before the Netherrealm, that nagging for something better was even more potent than it was among many of the realm's natives. The memories of what was. And what was lost. It agonized a being like a revenant at every waking moment.
For Liu Kang, his retreat was the rage. The fixation on killing Raiden, something very intentionally spurred on by his prior masters. Everything came before it. Even his fellow revenants… even Kitana.
Until now, he had felt no shame in this. But now… his neglect of the only people who were suffering this Hell with him was an inescapable truth. One Liu Kang felt very shameful for indeed.
And with the pressing crisis and the insistence of his old allies, it was obvious that as much as he wanted to kill Raiden, that was not to be his primary objective. Not unless he wanted to be excised from this gathering entirely. And he didn't want that. Not when so many people he had cherished and still cherished were assembled here. Not if it meant separating from Kitana and the others again.
Not after being able to return to the Wu Shi Academy in all this time.
Ever since he could remember, this place had been his home. And Kung Lao felt like he'd lived here even longer than he could remember. They knew every brick and stone of this place. Every corner, every route through the temples and houses and dojos. They could remember the smell of the food the monks cooked and the wine Bo' Rai Cho tried to introduce them to when they were old enough. The sounds of children playing, or fellow monks sparring. The lessons, the kinship. The sense of family.
Kung Lao buried his head in his hands while Liu Kang crushed a piece of the ledge he'd been sitting on in his bare hands.
Neither wanted to face the reality that they had returned to the Wu Shi like this. Neither could deal with being here at all. This was a possibility they thought closed off to them. A life they thought was forfeit.
Yet here they were anyway, in this place that had meant so much to their previous lives. Surrounded by old friends that Shinnok would've forced them to hate, to kill. With family they thought they could never be with again.
To their corruption-influenced minds, it was overwhelming.
But they had people who would not give up on them, chiefly their family.
Ever since re-encountering his elder cousin in the twilight of Raiden's siege of Outworld, Kung Jin had refused to separate from him. He vowed years ago that he would do whatever it took to save Lao. He had even contemplated venturing to the Netherrealm itself until his mentors and friends had convinced him of the insurmountable danger.
In what seemed like a small miracle, the course of events over the past weeks had brought Kung Lao out of the Netherrealm and into a position where Jin could finally do what he had planned for years.
He had begun his efforts back in Outworld, a measure to get through to Lao and pull him away from the dangers of battle with Raiden as quickly as possible.
Much as he had done his best to put on a brave face, Jin was scared and worried for the entirety of that encounter.
The warfare destroying everything in sight was one thing. Talking to Lao could have left either of them open to attack by an enemy. Not to mention how close Raiden had been at the time.
Kung Jin had also admittedly been kicking himself during the whole ordeal for making far less of an effort to help Liu Kang free himself from the revenant curse. Liu Kang had supported him in his youth and been a significant influence for him.
It felt selfish to focus squarely on Kung Lao, but Jin was far less confident in his ability to get through to two revenants as opposed to one. He knew Liu Kang could be helped. None among the Shaolin would have allowed Raiden to kill him, Fujin especially. But he felt more comfortable and assured of his success when trying to communicate with his fellow Kung.
And so, Kung Jin has decided to remain along that path, allowing Liu Chan his own time with his brother.
When he saw Lao succumbing to the corruption's despair, Kung Jin was quick to approach him, placing a reassuring hand on his cousin's shoulder.
Kung Lao removed his head from his hands and looked up at him.
"Jin…" he said with solemn recognition. "I… appreciate you looking out for me, but…"
"It's ok Lao, I'm here for you," Jin affirmed. "You can talk to me."
Kung Lao looked into his cousin's eyes, seeing his compassion and determination. Lao's face bore a mix of confusion and sadness, as he tried to process these feelings that were so counter those the revenant curse fed upon.
Finally, his turmoil and the corruption forced a reaction. Lao shook Jin's hand off and stood up sharply, turning his back to his cousin after taking a few quick steps away.
"I am dishonoring my ancestors by being here!" He claimed, making a sweeping motion with his hand. "A soul as stained as mine does not belong on the grounds of the Wu Shi."
"That's not true!" Kung Jin immediately responded. "This is our home, there will always be a place for you here!"
"It is your hospitality that brings us here," Liu Kang interjected. "Not our own desires, nor our deserving."
"And the only home fit for us now is the Netherrealm," Kung Lao added as he looked back towards Jin. "That is the only life left this cruel universe has afforded us."
"If that was true, you wouldn't be here right now!" Kung Jin argued. "You wouldn't be with us, trying to do what you've always done: fight for people who can't fight for themselves! That has to still mean something to you!"
Kung Lao turned around and leaned towards Jin angrily.
"You don't know what I've been through!" He screamed at him. "You don't know what I've been forced to do! The life that I was left with after this life," he pointed at the Wu Shi grounds they stood upon. "Was stolen from me!"
"Maybe I don't know what you're going through, maybe I never will!" Kung Jin acknowledged. "But I know you, Lao. And I know you're too strong to let this win. A Shaolin's will is their greatest weapon. You taught me that."
"And mine is clearly not strong enough, when I have allowed myself to become what Shinnok made me." Kung Lao concluded.
"You didn't allow it!" Kung Jim reassured him. "You were…" he stepped back, looked away, and breathed strongly. "It was done to you. It isn't your fault. And it's not impossible for you to come back from it."
"How do you know?" Liu Kang asked.
"Kang, that's enough." Liu Chan finally said, breaking through his own nervousness and approaching his brother. "Kung Jin is family, you do not have to harass him."
"I… am sorry, Chan," Liu Kang relented, before looking over at Jin. "I simply grow weary of this misplaced faith in us."
Chan put a hand on his shoulder, which caught Liu Kang off guard.
"I promise you, there is no faith misplaced here."
"I would listen to him," Kung Jin urged, before returning his gaze from Kang to Lao. "Both of you."
Kung Lao's expression showed clear indecision. Part of him was trying to really hear his cousin's words.
"C'mon big brother, let's give them some time alone," Liu Chan offered. "Besides, I want to talk to you."
Liu Kang looked over at Lao, then back at Chan. He searched Chan's face for any sign of wavering, and Lao's for approval. He saw Lao nod from the corner of his eye and heard an "It's alright". For such simple words, Liu Kang had not heard them from Lao in a long time.
Liu Kang nodded carefully and got up to walk with Chan, leaving the Kungs to themselves.
"I'm gonna follow them," Kai announced. "I have some things I want to say to Liu Kang."
He started walking, then stopped next to Jin.
"Hey, you gonna be ok?" He asked.
Jin nodded. "I'll be fine, go ahead."
Kai headed off, as Kung Jin returned his attention to Lao.
"I recognize him…" Kung Lao recalled. "Liu Kang had trained him some when he was young. Taught him the basics of harnessing chi into flame. I… I was proud of him, taking his first steps into becoming the great Shaolin master I always thought he was destined to be. And Kai, he showed great promise. Reminded Kang and I of ourselves when we were younger."
"Those were good times, weren't they?" Kung Jin asked him, to which Kung Lao didn't seem to know how to respond. The feedback loop of negativity that kept the revenant corruption going seemed to stall in response to his nostalgia.
"They… Were times I will never have back again." He finally said.
"I don't believe that," Kung Jin said firmly, before deciding to change the subject. "You were right by the way. About Kai. He's pretty great. One of the best fighters I've ever seen. He can get a little cocky sometimes, kinda like you used to. But he's got a good head on his shoulders. He keeps me steady."
"He sounds like a credit to this academy." Kung Lao complimented.
"And he's also… my boyfriend now." Jin revealed.
Kung Lao looked at his cousin with surprise and… happiness?
"You finally found someone?" He took a moment to think. "Huh. That's absolutely wonderful, Jin! I admit, I was always worried," he chuckled. "You were always so nervous about putting yourself out there," he then reflected. "Though I suppose… you had plenty of reason to be. I'm sorry I couldn't be there more often to help you when you were younger, and…" Kung Lao's voice trailed off for a few seconds. "And I'm sorry for all the time we've lost since. I wish I could've seen you become the man you are today. I am… so proud of you, Kung Jin."
Jin smiled. "Thank you, Lao, it means the world to hear you say that. And trust me, I forgive you. I don't blame you for a thing."
"I…" Lao sighed. "It takes a weight off my shoulders to hear that. I was worried that you would resent me, after all that has happened."
"Never," Jin assured him. "We're family, through and through."
Kung Lao was reluctant to accept Jin's words, but soon found himself nodding.
"Thank you," he forced himself to say. For his own good. "I'm not sure what else to say right now…"
"That's ok." Jin said casually.
"I… I'm… happy, for you, Jin," Lao told his cousin. "I didn't think I would be happy about anything ever again."
"Yeah, I know what that can be like…" Jin admitted, looking away from his cousin for a moment. "But you helped me see that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Helped me find ways to be happy, and spaces where I could be myself."
Kung Lao chuckled to himself.
"What's funny?" Jin asked curiously.
"Just that you managed to meet Kai right here at the Wu Shi," Kung Lao explained. "Really showed your parents. They would always insist you didn't belong here, and yet you found the very love they spurned you for here."
"Yeah…" Kung Jin acknowledged. "I guess so."
"He is unworthy."
"But his dishonor does not stain these sacred grounds as much as having a Hell creature like you here."
"The Great Kung Lao would be ashamed to see what his legacy has become."
The cutting remarks could have come from none other than Kung Jin's parents; Kung Xia and Kung Tai.
Kung Lao's bitterness returned quickly, but this time it felt different. He was not angry for himself, nor at Raiden.
"Kung Jin is twice the Shaolin either of you two ever were!" Lao shouted.
"As if a revenant like you has any grasp on what being a Shaolin means!" Xia retorted dismissively.
"I didn't see you two back in Outworld, fighting against the countless enemies that were waging that war! Kung Jin was there," he placed his hand on his cousin's shoulder, albeit aggressively. "He was fighting! And he was holding his own like some of the best fighters I've ever seen! And as someone who has ever left these grounds, I have seen plenty!"
"We were defending these sacred grounds!" Tai attempted to justify. "Were it not for Fujin's sacrilegious allowance of dark creatures like you and those dreadful vampires to be here, we would continue performing that task!"
"Do not even suggest challenging me," Kung Lao threatened."
"Typical Netherrealm barbarism." Xia chastised.
"At least I have actually defeated Shang Tsung before!" Lao countered. "You obviously failed to protect your fellow Shaolin from his attack!"
"We did not choose to leave this temple under-defended to interfere with Raiden's mission to safeguard Earthrealm." Xia argued.
"Dad, I was there," Kung Jin again reminded him. "Raiden was doing anything but safeguarding. It was just a mass gathering of death!"
"Don't talk to your father like that, young man," Tai immediately jumped on him. "This is our home, and you will be respectful to-"
"You kicked me out of your home!" Kung Jin cut her off. "The Wu Shi is home to all who are welcome! That's what Masters Bo' Rai Cho and Shujinko taught me."
"Shujinko," Xia shook his head. "I still can't believe they let someone who's gone to the Netherrealm be a master here."
"The White Lotus isn't what it used to be," Tai agreed. "Back in the good ol' days, we—"
"Oh here we go." Kung Jin rolled his eyes.
"Stop interrupting your mother!" Xia demanded.
Kung Lao stepped between his relatives.
"Disrespect Kung Jin again, and you will have to deal with me."
"Can't even hold a proper conversation…" Tai said disparagingly.
"Because this isn't a conversation, it's you antagonizing us!" Kung Jin fired back. "You're just doing what you've always done, except at least before, it was just directed at me."
"You are the one who decided to dishonor your family by-"
"It's not a fucking choice!" Jin cut his father off. "I've tried to explain this to you multiple times!"
"Who taught you to talk like that?!" Tai questioned.
"People who don't try to take the moral high ground the second I get angry about anything!" Jin countered.
"Ah yes, your time as a sinner and a thief." Xia recalled while crossing his arms."
"A thief is better than anything either of you two have amounted to!" Kung Lao interjected.
"We are Shaolin, descendants of the Great Kung Lao who have never strayed from the righteous path, nor-"
"There is nothing righteous about your homophobia, judgements, and hatred. I…. I would know a thing or two about that last one," Kung Lao admitted at the end of his rant. "It doesn't help anything. It doesn't honor the ones you lost, nor the ones you have. All it does is eat away at you inside… until… until there's nothing left… or…"
Cracks of light began to form in Kung Lao's gray revenant skin, much to the surprise of Jin, and the irrational fear of his parents.
"Until you realize… that the hate doesn't matter," Kung Lao continued. "That it doesn't serve you… it just controls you. Makes you paranoid, angry at the wrong people. And I refuse to succumb to hatred and ignorance. I refuse to succumb… to this."
The light cracking through his body began to intensify in its glow, a light blue shine filling in the cracks formerly showing magma-like veins. His eyes reacted similarly to the change.
The gray skin of Kung Lao's revenant form began to crack and fall away like crumbling stone, a dark ash expelling from his body and fading into the ether.
When the transformation was over, Kung Lao stood with renewed life, and the freedom of his mind.
"It… it's a miracle!" Xia exclaimed.
"Lao…" Kung Jin whispered to himself, before approaching his cousin with arms open, a gesture Kung Lao copied before they both allowed themselves a long-awaited hug.
The excitement of Jin's parents at this restoration faded as they saw the very son they had disavowed embraced by the Shaolin's prodigal son, a harsh condemnation of their attitudes that differed little from the angry words of Lao's former revenant form.
Kung Lao eventually backed from the hug and gave a disparaging look towards Xia and Tai.
"A miracle indeed, and one that would not have happened without Kung Jin," he placed a hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Despite your dismissal of him for the way he loves."
"T-That's not all of it!" Xia claimed.
"You weren't here when he became a deceitful thief!" Tai shouted.
"He wouldn't have needed to if you hadn't pushed him away!" Lao pointed out.
Tai scoffed. "Unlike you, we cannot tolerate the disgrace that he brings upon this family with his devia—"
"That's enough!"
The shout came from Kai, who was approaching the situation with clear and uncharacteristic anger on his face.
"Kai, you don't have to deal with this." Jin tried to tell his boyfriend.
"Yeah? Well you shouldn't have to put up with it!" Kai countered.
"I couldn't agree more." Kung Lao added, Kai being taken aback by his restored state for a moment, but happy to see that Jin had succeeded in his goal, giving Lao a smile and a brief nod of recognition, which was returned.
"And who the hell are you?!" Xia questioned.
"My name is Kai Uddin," the younger monk shot back without skipping a beat, putting his arm around Jin and placing a hand on his chest. "I love this man. The son that you threw away? I love him. I love everything about him that you've tried so hard to tear down. I'm not delusional, I'm not confused, I'm not being led astray. And neither is he. We're in love. And if you can't accept that, I suggest you just leave."
"You can't banish us from this temple!" Xia countered.
"Certainly not for something as trivial as disapproving of your unnatural-"
"Oh so when it keeps you from consequences it's trivial!" Kung Jin shouted. "But when you're free to criticize who I am, then it's a big deal!"
"All we have done is tried to pull you from a path that is certain to lead to the Netherrealm!" Xia claimed.
"Your cousin has just returned from that wretched place," Tai pointed out. "He can tell you what it will be like if you do not-"
"I will not assist in your fear-mongering!" Kung Lao denied them immediately.
"I've heard more than enough," Kung Jin said definitively. "It's obvious that getting you to accept who I am is never going to happen. Neither is getting you to realize how wrong you are. So I'm done. This conversation is over. The fact that I'm gay isn't up for debate. It isn't for you to decide, and isn't for you to change. I'm a Shaolin monk in love with another man. That's me and that's how it's going to be. End of discussion.
I may not be able to tell you to leave this temple. You may still have friends among the elders. But I can tell you to leave me life. Because I'm done with this. The judgements, the condemnation, all of it. I'm done. With you."
Tai scoffed and Xia rolled his eyes. They were about to descend into another ridicule of Jin's choices, claim that the decision was not his to make, when suddenly a red fireball shot down between Jin and his parents like an errant firework, exploding into crimson flames that separated them.
"You heard him!" Liu Kang growled at Tai and Xia as he stomped onto the scene, Chan following worriedly behind him.
"Leave!"
The two hastily retreated, fearful of the revenant.
Now, the only revenant, as Liu Kang quickly realized when he looked at Kung Lao.
His face immediately changed to an expression of melancholy and loss.
"Liu Kang…" Kung Lao said quietly. "I know that freedom from this curse has felt like betrayal in the past, with the others. I felt that too. But now… I think I was wrong. But I know how hard it is to fight those thoughts. I promise you, my Shaolin brother, I will never abandon you."
"I know that you mean that Lao," Liu Kang acknowledged in a surprising moment of clarity. "But I cannot help but feel that I am now truly alone. First Kitana left, and now you…" he turned away. "Now you have a life to return to."
"One you can return to as well," Kung Lao insisted. "I realize now, how to prevent the rage from controlling you. I know that Shinnok's curse can be beaten. Jin, he helped me see the path. I can teach you the way."
"It's too late for me, Lao," Liu Kang claimed. "Kitana and the others realized that, but now she seems to have forgotten again… I don't know why you all bother," he clenched his fists. "I am but a vessel for Raiden's demise. That is the last purpose that I have."
"That can't be true!" King Jin immediately said.
"Liu Kang, there is more to you than the fight, more to you than defeating an enemy," Kung Lao told him with a nervousness and worry, but also certainty and conviction in his voice. "You are not just a warrior. Not just someone who exists to combat whatever great evil you see in front of you and then be without purpose. You are not just your battles, not just your enemies.
I have fought with those ideas, ever since we were children. You helped me to see that I was more than just my obligations and my legacy. That just because my name was Kung Lao I did not have to be everything my parents tried so desperately to mold me into.
I know, even more so now with my renewed clarity, that none of us is put here simply to fight, simply to claim victories. You taught me that, Liu Kang. All those years ago… and in all the years since, I have been with you. And I know that person never truly died. He just became afraid to show himself. You don't have to be afraid anymore."
"A-Afraid?!" Liu Kang questioned. "Of what?! Killing Raiden will avenge all that I have endured, all that we have suffered because of his folly! Continue on this path with me Lao, and you will taste the satisfaction of his end."
"Liu Kang, I…"
Kung Lao paused, uncertain of his next words. The blind rage, the way Liu Kang seemed to use it to avoid acknowledging the content of what Lao had said. He had only been free from the revenant curse for what felt like mere moments, and yet… it all made no sense to him now. It amazed Lao slightly, that in such a short time he had become so far from that person. And yet… they were experiences that would remain forever.
Alas, now wasn't the time to contemplate on it.
"I can't say I forgive Raiden for what happened," Kung Lao acknowledged. "I don't. Especially not for what he did to you. But the fact of the matter is that we have more important things to worry about right now. You were there, you saw what happened. You experienced what Lucifer is capable of first hand, and you fought Onaga's zombies with the rest of us as we retreated.
You know what we're facing. The very same kind of threat that you, that we, would not have stopped for a second thought before combating. Even as a revenant, I knew that this crisis demanded our attention far more than Raiden. Because the one thing that Lucifer and Onaga accomplished in our favor was thwarting Raiden's invasion. But with beings like that, such an act is not heroism. It just shows how dangerous they truly are."
Liu Kang looked away and contemplated his cousin's words. He tried to wrestle the needs of the situation against his rage towards Raiden.
"I…" he clenched his fist. "They will be dealt with. I-I'm sure Kitana and the others will see to that. But me. I can't let Raiden walk free," Liu Kang's brow furrowed as he focused on his anger. "Not after what he did."
"That is not what I am suggesting," Kung Lao quickly corrected. "No one here is saying we ignore what Raiden has done. No one here would even be able to. All but some of the monks saw what he wrought upon Outworld firsthand."
"And we were there longer than either of you." Kai pointed out.
"It was horrible out there," Jin further testified. "Even before Onaga arrived. Death everywhere… Raiden helped me find my calling, but I don't think I can ever forgive what he's done. But I'm not going to obsess over what he did when everything we know is under threat. Dire threat."
"Which is why Raiden can not be allowed to interfere with our efforts to protect the realms properly." Liu Kang attempted to justify. He focused on Lao.
"You say everyone here is in agreement to condemn Raiden for what he has done," Liu Kang noted. "Yet not a single soul here will join me in seeing that he is punished! Not even you!" He pointed accusingly at Lao. "It is maddening!" As if to pantomime his sentiment, Liu Kang placed his hands on either side of his head before moving them out like someone describing a large object.
"Because this obsession is a waste of time and will get you nowhere!" Liu Chan abruptly shouted. "All you're doing is hurting yourself and pushing everyone around you away!"
Liu Kang was taken aback by his brother's sudden outburst. In his memory, Chan had been soft-spoken, quiet. Rarely angry, rather shy really. The masters would rarely even notice him in comparison to the attention they gave Liu Kang and Kung Lao.
Liu Kang recognized that his brother was much older now, having been allowed to truly live these 26 years rather than being trapped as a revenant. But he had not really processed how much his brother had changed, even as they had tried to talk before being disrupted by Kung Jin's parents.
But now, he looked at Chan and for the first time he truly saw the older, wiser man in front of him. A man who was not afraid to speak his mind.
And no hatred spurred on by any magics would cause Liu Kang to lash out at his brother.
"I… I know you are all just trying to… look out for me," Liu Kang quietly admitted. "It's nice to know that there are people in the land of the living who still care."
"You're here too, Kang." Kung Jin pointed out.
"We're not trapped in the Netherrealm anymore." Lao added.
"There's not a realm between you and everybody else," Kai tried to assure his former mentor. "I know it can feel like that sometimes, but I promise you there's not."
Liu Kang nodded, his mind struggling to internalize their words, the corruption still fighting against any notions of being accepted or considering a matter other than his hatred of Raiden.
"Kang," Chan spoke, softer now. "Would you like to sit down again?"
Liu Kang just started following his brother, until they found the bench Chan had decided upon earlier.
"I know this isn't easy," Chan said as he and his brother sat down.
"No," Liu Kang confirmed. "It is not. If the Elder Gods were not useless, I would pray that you never have to go through what I have."
"I too cursed the Elder Gods after I lost you…" Chan admitted. "I was so angry. Almost every day, I thought about exacting revenge upon Raiden for what he did. I had no idea that you had been plagued by the same thoughts…"
Liu Kang placed a firm hand on Chan's shoulder, a smile across his face.
"Together then, brother," he said with pride. He noticed Chan's initial confusion, then disappointment. He tried to course correct.
"After we have saved the realms from Lucifer and Onaga, we can find Raiden, and get what we both want. Justice will finally be done."
"No!" Chan quickly shouted. "That's not what I want! I held onto that anger, that desire for revenge, for years, and do you know what happened?"
Liu Kang simply stayed quiet and left his brother room to speak.
"I became selfish and self-absorbed, I was obsessed," Chan explained. "I ignored the pain and struggle of others, treated my own loss as more important than anyone else's. I was wrong. I allowed hate to guide me, and it poisoned me. And recently, I met someone who made me realize how selfish I had been. I can never go back to being that person again. And I don't want hate to be all there is for you."
Liu Kang looked at the ground, considering his brother's words.
But that nagging voice was so desperate to keep him a revenant…
Liu Kang put out his hand and summoned a portion of his crimson flame.
"Hate is… all that I am, now," he said solemnly. "All that is left for me."
"You have to know that that isn't true," Chan countered. "I don't know what that curse is telling you, but please stop listening to it."
Liu Kang put his hands up to the side of his head and growled in frustration.
"Everyone keeps telling me how I should think!" He shouted. "How I should be feeling right now, what I should be doing! For a group of people so concerned about something 'controlling' me, you're the only ones making me feel controlled."
"You think the way you are now is freedom?" Chan questioned. "Plagued with rage, unable to get your mind off a man you hate, no matter how miserable it makes you? I don't think you realize just how controlled you are. You want my advice? You should've taken Fujin's offer to go to the Jinsei Chamber. It obviously sorted out your friend Kabal. At this rate, I'd take anything that would sort out you."
Chan got up and walked away in frustration, unable to deal with his brother's revenant state anymore.
"Where are you going?" Liu Kang asked. His voice sounded shaky, desperate. Like he was terrified of being abandoned.
"I need a minute to breathe," Liu Chan replied as he kept walking. "And I think you need some time to really think."
Liu Kang was speechless. He desperately wanted anything but yet another separation from his brother. But on some level, he knew Chan really did need that time.
From a few feet away, Kai and the Kungs watched this unfold.
"I'll watch over him," Kung Lao offered, not wanting to leave Liu Kang alone with things as they were now. "You two have dealt with a lot today. I suggest you rest."
"Hold on," Kai responded. "I still need to talk to him."
Kung Lao held back and let Kai approach the former Hero of the Shaolin.
Liu Kang was wrapped up in thought, but found it in himself to look up at Kai, somewhat quizzically. His face also showed a tone of regret.
"Kai." He said simply, in recognition.
"It's been a long time, I don't think you and I have gotten to really talk about that yet." Kai replied.
"What… What would you like to discuss?" Liu Kang asked, attempting a different approach to this conversation.
Kai lifted his hand and orange flame manifested from his palm.
"Do you remember when you taught me this?" He asked.
Liu Kang nodded. "You were very young. It fascinated you, the way I was able to control my chi. What I taught you, you learned to do younger than anyone who had ever studied at the Wu Shi Academy, except perhaps Shujinko. Have you met him? He was… an old favorite student of… of… of Master Bo' Rai Cho…"
Liu Kang dropped his head. Though normally, as a revenant, thoughts of the death of his mentor and second father figure would drive his all-consuming rage, his sorrow was perhaps greater than that anger. Greater than any of the feelings that foul curse would allow him.
"Yeah, I have," Kai confirmed, slowly nodding. "He's a master now. Jin and I trained with him for a while. Learned a lot. He always made Master Bo' Rai Cho proud… you did, to."
"And now, I am no doubt his greatest shame…" Liu Kang told himself, not even really speaking to Kai.
"That isn't true." Kai told him with conviction. "He always held out hope for you, always believed you'd come back, that there was a way."
"And now, he is dead…" Liu Kang mourned. "And I… am still this creature of the Netherrealm."
Kai was surprised. Liu Kang had rarely acknowledged his own status as a revenant until now. He almost seemed to be trying to convince himself that things were perfectly normal.
But that illusion was clearly crumbling.
"You're more than that!" Kai tried to tell him. "More than what Shinnok made you into! You might still be a revenant now, but you still made it back here. Back home, just like Lao and everyone else was trying to tell you. I think Master Bo' Rai Cho would be very happy just for that."
"I… I wish I could be sure." Liu Kang admitted.
Kai nodded. "Yeah… yeah, I get that must be hard right now. Having something tell you that everything's just gotta be wrong."
"You have no idea…" Liu Kang started. "It… it screams at me to reject your compassion. To reject love, and any kindness shown to me. It pushes me towards my anger… towards my revenge…"
He clenched his fist. "Raiden… I can't even be free of the thought of him, perhaps even more so now that I am free of the Netherrealm, and now that I have come so close, faced him in battle, yet failed to claim my victory."
Kai sighed. "I don't know if this is a good question to ask, but I will anyway. Let's say you do it. Let's say you really do kill Raiden. What then?"
Liu Kang stared at the floor, his eyes darting around, as if looking for an answer in front of him.
"I… I will…" his voice trailed off. "I will revel in my victory! And then…" another pause. "And then…. then I will… take the throne of the Netherrealm?"
He said it like a question. Like he wasn't sure. Like it wasn't even what he wanted. And of course it wasn't, it never had been. Revenant or not, what legitimate interest was ruling the Netherrealm to him?
No, that wasn't it.
Kai crossed his arms. "You sure about that?"
"No…" Liu Kang admitted, looking off into the distance somewhat blankly. "No, I am not. Raiden…" his fist tightened again. "The fact that I must kill him, and avenge my own death. That is all I can be sure of now."
"That's why you're so stuck on it." Kai recognized.
"It is the one thing that I know I must do." Liu Kang explained.
Kai sighed. "I can't say I don't entirely get it. Raiden's broken a lot of trust. I guess what I don't understand is… if you know you've gotta do it, why aren't you sure about helping us beat Lucifer and Onaga?"
"I…" Liu Kang looked at Kai, then away again. "Saving the realms from evil is no longer for me. I am too… tainted."
"I know you well enough to know that you're going to try to help anyway." Kung Lao interjected as he and Jin walked closer.
Liu Kang's eyes widened as he realized that truth. For a moment, it felt like sincere control over himself.
"Yes," he confirmed. "I will."
"Then all is not lost," Kung Lao concluded. "No matter how much you may feel that you have to tell yourself that."
Fighting off hopelessness was something they would all have to do, revenant or otherwise. For those who had been involved with this fight for a long time, it felt especially daunting to face these new complications.
