Sub-Zero had left the Warrior Shrine and isolated himself from the others. Standing along the rocky hilltops that tower over the island's shores; he watched, almost aimlessly, towards the violent waves of the Lost Sea, crashing along the jagged stones exposed atop the water's surface. Through his mask, from which his icy breath was continuously expunged, he took in the saltine air that came from the beach. An icy layer formed and crackled along his right forearm as his fist tightened. In a seemingly unprovoked fit of rage, Sub-Zero sent a chilling blast towards the sea, where the deep water meets the shallows; forming a massive sheet of ice that floated aimlessly. The constant push and pull of the currents caused the ice to crack and splinter. Another powerful wave soon came crashing, destroying what was left of the Cryomancer's blast.
Hydro climbed his way to the top; exhausted from the trip, he pressed his hand against his knee and desperately raised himself up. Upon catching his breath, he edged closer to his comrade. Sub-Zero paid no mind, his gaze maintained towards the sea.
"It is unlike you to display such weakness." Hydro said, looking towards the sea.
"Striking a deal is one thing, but I never expected you to consider desertion."
"Retirement." Hydro scoffed.
"No one leaves the Lin Kuei! You are a fool for assuming so!" He exclaimed. Sub-Zero refused to look away from the beach. Displeased, Hydro swiftly turned away. Still, he refused to leave. Sub-Zero sighed and turned towards Hydro.
"The Grandmaster and his lackeys are the least of my concern." Sub-Zero said. This time, Hydro remained silent, refusing to even look back to his friend.
"What has that Thunder God done to you?" Hydro uttered.
"Opened my eyes." Sub-Zero hesitantly answered. Hydro scoffed again, turning towards Sub-Zero; the two finally standing eye to eye with each other.
"That inhuman freak is turning you against us. He's using you to fracture our clan. Retribution for humiliating his pantheon!" Hydro cried out.
"So quick to call him inhuman." Sub-Zero interjected.
"Many would call us freaks of nature. Abominations. The Lin Kuei seeks to only exploit our talents."
"The Lin Kuei gave us a home." Hydro snarled back.
"I had a home! My father took me away from it….from my mother, when I was just a boy. Just as your father did the same! I've spent most of my life killing and stealing, and now my demons have returned to haunt me, retribution is upon me. I can't continue on like this…I need an escape." Sub-Zero said. Hydro slowly shook his head in disbelief.
"The mighty Sub-Zero–felled by his own existential dread." Hydro scoffed. Sub-Zero groaned in frustration, turning away and staring towards one of the temples among the hilltops.
"You fear Scorpion now but I hope you are prepared for when the Grandmaster sends your old comrades upon you."
"My victory over the Elemental gods will serve as a warning to any Lin Kuei that crosses my path!" Sub-Zero exclaimed, motioning towards Hydro, sizing himself up.
"And what of Tundra? Do you honestly think he will go through with your decision?" Hydro asked. Sub-Zero's eyes widened instantaneously at the mere thought of his brother's safety.
"Kuai Liang never asked for this. If I can, I intend to pull him out of that hell." Hydro shook his head.
"You'll only put him in more danger." He uttered.
"I have to try." Sub-Zero answered back.
"Dammit, Bi-Han!" Hydro cried out.
"You wish to save your brother, but you're too blind, too paranoid to see the clear picture! Staying with the Lin Kuei is the safest possible outcome for the two of you!"
"You dolt! What do I have to do to get you to understand?! This is beyond clan rivalries and pathetic thugs! Sorcerers, gods, ghosts, otherworldly threats….my talents have brought this upon the Lin Kuei and I do not intend for my family to suffer for it!" Sub-Zero cried out, Hydro instantly grabbed him by the shoulders and aggressively nudged him forward.
"The Lin Kuei are your family." Hydro said, emitting a sort of snarl as he spoke. Sub-Zero grabbed him by his forearms, instantly coating them in ice.
"I know you don't believe that." Sub-Zero said. Hydro quickly pulled his arms back. Vigorously shaking them, the ice around his arms cracked and broke apart, falling to the ground with every swift motion. Sub-Zero stood motionless and watched, his brows lowered in a sorrowful gaze. Hydro scoffed, turning his back towards his comrade.
"Lêng Hú, old friend…." Sub-Zero uttered, stretching his arm towards his comrade before hesitantly pulling it back. His mannerisms left Hydro dumbfounded, finding it unlike him to show a degree of warmth, even to a close ally.
"You trust my judgment, don't you?" He asked. Hydro turned slightly, giving Sub-Zero a sideways glance.
"Under normal circumstances, perhaps…" Hydro begrudgingly answered and then pondered. Just how soft has he become? He thought to himself, trying to analyze Bi-Han's point of view and rationalize it. It proved challenging, the thought of leaving the Lin Kuei and surviving; his mind harkened back to the infamous traitor, Takeda, who left the clan to Japan in the 1490s, giving rise to the Shirai Ryu. A clan that no longer exists. A question crept through Hydro's mind, one that he felt reluctant to ask.
"Let's say you were to leave the Lin Kuei…and the Grandmaster sent me after you?" He asked. Without a second thought, Sub-Zero quickly and sternly answered: "I will annihilate all those who hunt me down if I must, even if that includes you."
Hydro chuckled, "Not one for sparing your opponents?" He asked.
"Once in my life have I done such a thing." Sub-Zero said.
"But do not mistake my one act of mercy for weakness." He went on.
"I know better than to consider the mighty Sub-Zero weak." Hydro said. That was all the convincing he needed of Bi-Han's commitment to such a brash decision. The man who had slain Scorpion, beaten four gods and escaped Hell itself would not allow himself to be pushed around by even his fellow mercenaries. He was adamant on leaving, and he would leave their temple coated in a layer of crimson ice if he must. However, there was one thing that he knew nor expected Bi-Han to admit. If he could, he'd avoid shedding the blood of a friend. Neither would want their years of comradery to end with one slaying the other. Hopefully, it could be avoided, but with the Grandmaster's arrogance, it may prove difficult to prevent such an outcome.
"Let's focus on killing Shang Tsung for now." Hydro said, shifting his tone into a more comforting one.
"When we get compensated for our job, then we will see where our interests align." He went on.
"No matter where our paths cross. It's been an honor fighting by your side." Sub-Zero said. Hydro nodded in response before the two stepped away from the edge; standing on the flat, rocky center of the hilltop from where the waves crashed and sprayed along the backdrop. Locking eyes with each other, they placed their right forearms, fists clenched, towards their own chests and bowed.
"Be as stealthful as the night." Said Hydro.
"And as deadly as the dawn." Sub-Zero followed up. The two raised their heads and headed down from the hills to reunite with their newfound allies. From the distance, Scorpion watched the two squabble; small flames had engulfed his pure white eyes, gripping tightly to his kunai and heating the metal with his hellish flame. His revenge was near, he could feel it; eagerly awaiting the sensation of his hands around that Lin Kuei's throat.