Chapter 8

No rest for the wicked

Years passed after the death of Tiberius and the encounter with Kronika. Reality had been silent to say the least but the feud between Raiden and Shinnok continued. As of late his enemies had become more colorful.

Taking Shao Kahn's place, there was Mileena and then Kotal Kahn. As much as the thunder god had wanted an alliance for the good of Earth realm it was not meant to be. Regarding allies some of Raiden's champions had children as well.

Cassandra Cage, the daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade.

Jacqui Briggs, the daughter of Jax Briggs.

Kung Jin the cousin of the late Kung Lao.

Finally, Takeda Takahashi the son of Kenshi.

During that time period of about twenty years Raiden had more children and had gained extra support from his brother, Fujin. While his relationships with his family had become more fulfilling the same could not be said for Earth realm.

Some residents had left to live in other neighboring realms such as Outworld, and Edenia; from those realms there had been newcomers that had settled in Earth realm and that made Raiden's job a little more complicated.

While Dante and Savannah had grown up in those years and were now assisting their father in protecting their beloved realm another player had crossed the board.

Lucas, the second-born son of Shinnok and Rashid. He was everything that Tiberius had not been. Since he could start crawling Shinnok had poured all his knowledge and strength into his son. He was taught the dark arts, thrown in numerous traps and situations that could prove his worth, and trained to the point of his skin being scarred and callous. He wasn't as sickly and thin as Tiberius had been however, he was more on the brute side and not much taller than his mother.

Besides the physical standpoint, being 5' 7" grey skinned with glowing eyes and black hair that was always tied up the boy had a distaste for cowardice. He didn't like trickery or manipulation. Usually, he was straightforward and said what he knew; opinions he kept mostly to himself.

SF Base

It had been a long-drawn-out day for the team and by orders of the general the new generation of kombatants were ordered to stay put in the lounge until said otherwise.

"Being held against your will?" Looking up the team saw Savannah and Dante, now full-grown demi-gods with more power in their hands than they knew what to do with.

"Yeah, but by the looks of it you got your work cut out for you." Takeda snickered regarding Dante's torn grey robes.

The demi-god looked down and pulled on the ripped fabric, "Damned tarkatan; ought to get them declawed…"

Savannah put her hands on her hips, "Dante watch your tongue; remember what happened last time when you spoke like that in front the Shokan…"

He frowned, "If they don't want to hear what I have to say they can cover their ears twice."

Kung Jin shook his head, "You can't be earths defender with an attitude like that…"

"Exactly and we can't have peace until some of the species of the realms cooperate." The demi-god sat in a chair and leaned back with his arms crossed behind his head.

Removing her sunglasses Cassie cocked an eyebrow at Savannah who rolled her eyes and sat next to Jacqui with a huff, "Dude you need to get that anger of yours under control; no one likes a tyrant."

Before Dante could answer however Lucas walked into the lounge. There was a tense silence as he stood by their table and the only thing that could be heard was the coffee machine brewing and Colonel Flagg yelling down the hallway.

"Greetings dust mites…" Lucas looked at the group reluctantly until Takeda snorted a laugh that made everyone calm down.

Friendly or not the next generation fighters always had to be on their feet with Lucas. His father was the fallen elder god after all, and the blood of a madman ran through his veins.

"I take it from Dante's tantrum that he's having trouble with the locals again?" The godling snickered at his cousin.

"More than you know; the big dope is insulting the tarkatan race this time…" Kung Jin stood up from his chair and raided the lounge fridge. "He seems hell bent that the universe would be better off without acknowledging his existence."

"Ass…" Dante hissed and was flicked on the back of his head by his sister.

A few more laughs were shared before Johnny Cage walked into the lounge, "Hey champs the general needs you guys' ASAP."

The team nodded before getting up from their seats and heading down the hall, "You two can follow them since I think your service will be needed." Cage acknowledged Raiden's offspring.

"What about me?" Lucas got up hoping to join his friends in the meeting.

"Sorry kid it's strictly SF business…" Lucas frowned and immediately felt his spirits drop.

He nodded though knowing his position and background was the reason for his outcast, "Oh okay… I get it."

He received a pat on the shoulder from the movie star before being left alone in the lounge.

"I get it…"

Lucas walked outside with his hands behind his back; feeling more than discouraged. Damn his bloodline, damn his father's name…

He kicked a rock with his boot and looked up in the sky, "Brother what would you do?"

Not knowing where else to turn he went to the one place he would get any peace of mind.

Lin Kuei Temple

Walking up dozens of stairs was no easy feat, but the fallen demigod had made it and soon stood face to face with the grandmaster Sub Zero himself.

"Grandmaster…" Lucas kneeled before the cryomancer in respect.

He chuckled and stood up from his seat, arms behind his back, "Young Lucas what brings you to my doorstep?"

Why was he here? Discouraged, over-looked, or simply unaware of his position as a fallen gods son?

Lucas sighed, "Forgive me, I know my presence is unexpected; however, I find myself in a rough spot."

They had descended the stairs and made themselves comfortable around a table where the grandmaster prepared tea. "I assume your presence has to do with your father, yes?"

Lucas nodded, "I learned recently that I had a brother and he struggled with my fathers will… I don't have any problem in that area…"

"Would you consider the relationship with your father a decent one?" Subzero ran a hand through his beard and listened with his eyes and ears.

"Yes… at least I think so. My mother said he seems more pleased with me than my late brother."

Sub-Zero hummed in thought, "You seem to bring up your brother often…"

Lucas remained silent but he knew that to be a fact, "I know my father killed him because he wasn't fit for his lineage. But…"

He looked up at the grandmaster, "If I'm doing everything right who's to say Shinnok won't turn on me?"

His question hung thick in the air; the fear that plagued his heart.

"You've carried this burden for a time?" Sub Zero slid a cup of steaming tea to the young necromancer.

Lucas nodded and sipped from the hot cup, "It keeps me up at night…"

It was silent as Sub-Zero contemplated Lucas' concern until he continued speaking once more, "Would it surprise you to know that my brother once held a position on Shinnok's court?"

Lucas' brow furrowed, "Your brother worked for my father… As a Lin Kuei?"

Sub Zero shook his head, "Bi-Han was originally a Lin Kuei until he was killed and turned into an undead assassin for the Brotherhood of Shadow, Noob Saibot was his changed name."

"I remember him… One of my fathers finest… But no offense he's very unpleasant."

Sub Zero chuckled and nodded, "He is far less patient than I am."

Lucas smirked, "Grandmaster may I ask you a question?"

Sub Zero nodded and waited for what he knew was inevitably coming, "Why are you…nice to me… I mean my father is responsible for more destruction and death than I can imagine."

Lucas looked at Sub-Zero hoping he didn't step out of line, "Is that wrong to ask…?"

He considered the boy's question for a moment before answering, it was true Shinnok was an untold terror for mortals and gods alike. The Lin Kuei now fought to protect earth realm alongside the thunder god and his family. However, something held his spirit in line with the demi-gods.

"You never met your brother did you Lucas?"

He shook his head, "He was killed before I was born…"

Sub Zero nodded and re-filled his own cup before continuing, "Tiberius… That was your brother's name."

Lucas blinked several times, "Tiberius?"

"He was your fathers hope to bring the realms in his power; Tiberius was reluctant and refused Shinnok's teachings at first but as time passed his spirit broke and his corruption set in…" Sub Zero sighed, "He is responsible for several of the destroyed villages just west of Wushi Academy. Women were taken advantage of, children murdered, homes burnt to the ground; all for the sake of pleasing your father."

Lucas squirmed in his crossed legged position, hearing his older brother's misdeeds made him more than uncomfortable, "Did any of those things keep my father pleased though?"

The grandmaster shook his head, "Tiberius did all of this and lost whatever heart he had; in Shinnok's name."

"Why are you telling me all this? And why does it seem like Tiberius is a huge chunk of nothing important… He died and he was my fathers first born, my mother loved him, and he turned into a sick f***…"

Lucas swallowed realizing what he'd said, "Apologies Grandmaster I shouldn't have said those things."

He shook his head, "You are justified in your anger and confusion."

Sighing and readjusting his sitting position Lucas looked back up at his mentor, "Why did you tell me all of this?"

Sub Zero took a deep breath, "You fear that Shinnok will lose faith in you, but your true fear isn't that you will fail him…"

Lucas remained silent, but his heart was pounding in his chest.

"You won't bend to him; you have a backbone." Sub-Zero spoke plainly.

Lucas' eyes widened, but he couldn't deny that despite his good service to Shinnok there always was the demon in the room between them.

Lucas didn't see things the way his father did, and he most certainly didn't worship the ground he walked nor was he easily insulted. Lucas usually pushed aside any rude remarks his father said with ease. Unlike his deceased older brother, Lucas knew he didn't want to be part of his father's dark armies; he wanted something more.

"Grandmaster… Why can't my father seem to keep people on his side?" He'd always wondered that; time and time again people seemed hell-bent on betraying Shinnok out of greed or spite.

"There is no rest for the wicked Lucas. Remember that if you ever feel like you want to give in to your fathers demands. Tiberius is dead but his soul still lingers on our tongues."

Lucas nodded before finishing his tea, no rest for the wicked indeed.