The Lin Kuei Temple: North China.
Tundra lobs an ice ball towards Smoke, who rolls underneath it, following up with a flying knee to the jaw of his best friend. Kuai Liang stumbles back, he regains his wits enough to step to the side of Smoke's follow up attack and connect a frozen fist to Smoke's temple.
The Grandmaster hums approvingly, while Bi-Han flashes a brief, and genuine smile.
Tomas vaporizes himself looking for another opening and reapears with a flurry of thrusts with his kunai on the left side of Kuai Liang. Tundra dodges the first two, but grabs Smoke's wrist on the third attack. Ice flows through Tundra's finger tips, stiffening his friends hand and making him drop the weapon. Kuai Liang uses his advantage to knock Tomas back with a powerful right cross.
The Grandmaster is impressed by this exchange, stopping his note taking to briefly clap approvingly.
Tundra feels victory is close and presses forward with a flurry of punches and kicks. Smoke rolls under a right hook, receiving a knee to the chest for his efforts. Smoke blocks an incoming right cross, ducking Kuai Liang's jab, he unloads a lead hook to the jaw of his Lin Kuei bretheren. Smoke vaporizes behind Tundra, unsheathing a blade and placing it on Kuai Liang's throat.
"Yi-
Kuai Liang freezes Smoke's forearm, her quickly slams the back of his head into Smoke's nose, giving him enough space to throw him over his shoulder and shoots an ice beam to keep him from escaping.
"Yield"
Kuai Liang says coldly, forming a large ice dagger.
"I yeild"
Tomas responds stoically.
"Very impressive Tundra, your only error was your recklessness once you felt the fight was won. The Grandmaster's gaze shifts to Smoke.
"Today you showed the power, speed and defense any top Lin Kuei warrior should strive to possess."
Tomas attempts to speak, but the Grandmaster interrupts him, this time continuing with noticeable disdain and irritation.
"Yet your killer instinct is still lacking! Even after a decade of training!"
"What good is an assassin who can only muster the intent to kill when he feels like it!?"
A sense of boldness takes over Tundra, he attempts to stick up for his best friend, knowing it would be considered insubordination and he would recieve severe physical punishment.
Tundra attempts to speak, but the Grandmaster continues, "Why does this lack of killer instinct only happen when training and sparring with Tundra, Smoke? Because you know that having any relationship superceding priority over you dedication to the clan is subject to severe and brutal discipline, I have always been clear about that."
"I assure you Grandmaster, as much as I respect my friend, the Lin Kuei are the ones who I prioritize."
Smoke responds, hiding his fear convincingly.
"Then act like it!" Scolds the Grandmaster. His voice clear and booming despite his age.
Bi-Han appears alongside the Grandmaster, behind his emotionless features, Kuai Liang and Tomas Vrbada recognize a slimmer of pity in his expression.
Bi-Han speaks slightly softer than usual, "Grandmaster, while your wisdom is correct, perhaps the performance review can be delivered after they have had their injuries treated."
"Very well."
The Grandmaster replies gruffly, handing Bi-Han the notes he had written down.
"Then you shall be responsible for their performance review, Sub Zero."
The Grandmaster quickly pivots, his scarlet robe twirls behind him as he exits the room, his cane and footsteps create a hypnotic tapping as he walks.
Bi Han looks to Tomas, his voice cold, but far more understanding than the Grandmaster's.
"Your comradery is excellent, and while I may believe it to benefit our clan, I have no authority to change how we are governed." Bi-Han's gaze focuses on Smoke as he continues, his voice much more hushed and serious.
"All I ask is that both of you, especially you Smoke, work on hiding how close you truly are."
Thomas nods.
"I have softened the cruelty of Lin Kuei training as much as my influence allows, but you turn 16 soon, meaning my mentorship of you ends, giving the Grandmaster complete jurisdiction and surveillance over you."
Smoke retorts internally, the voice in his head dripping in irritation.
Maybe for your brother, but you have only stuck your neck out for me when both of us were in trouble, if I had not befriended Kuai Liang at 6 years old, I would be another cog in the Lin Kuei.
Smoke's expression shifts somewhat, and Sub Zero notices. His tone still hushed, now somewhat irritated.
Bi-Han sighs dramatically, "Must I list why this is very important for you Tomas?", Sub Zero questions.
Tundra exchanges a glance of sympathy and another emotion, much murkier and harder to read.
Bi-Han's rants have always been a chore for the duo endure, even if he means well, he often becomes irritable if he perceives that one is not taking his word as gospel.
Smoke shakes his head no, but Bi-Han resumes regardless.
"This performance review is an example of my waning authority over you, this review determines how much your rank within the clan will improve, only the Grandmaster can authorize it, I will be unable to tweak details to make either of you remain in equal ranks, nor can I consult Cyrax to validate them."
Sub Zero looks to both, expecting a response.
"I understand, Sub Zero, I will conduct myself as a Lin Kuei is expected." Smoke responds
Bi-Han shifts his gaze to his little brother.
"You pledge to also conduct yourself more like a Lin Kuei warrior, Tundra?"
"You have my word."
"I hope so."
Bi-Han kneels closer to his apprentices, his voice cold and threatening, even in a whisper.
"You both had better get your act together, because if you don't, my complicity in this will hurt my standing, my reputation, and my ambition to be the Champion of the Lin Kuei, I hope I have made myself clear in how serious I am about this."
He stands up and shifts his attention back to the notes the master had jotted down.
"You two are dismissed, return to your quarters until I have completed and authorized my review."
Bi-Han commands, his voice returns to its usual collected manner.
The two bow to their superior and exit the training room.
-
The two warriors relax in their quarters, waiting for Sub Zero to finish and authorize the assesment. Smoke sharpens his blades next to his nightstand while Tundra stretches at end of his bed.
Smoke stops sharping his knifes and approaches Tundra.
"That look you gave me during Sub Zero's rant, what was it? It wasn't your usual look of understanding."
Tundra responds, continuing to stretch, " I noticed your shift in expression, it seems something my brother said has bothered you."
"He always has to subtly brag when talking about something. This time it was how much he protected us from how cruel the Lin Kuei was."
Tundra pauses his stretch, holding a plank position and responds, "While his bragging is unnecessary, he has protected us from some of the Lin Kuei's cruelty."
Smoke exhales, responding with mild irritation in his voice, "He protected you, Kuai Liang... When I messed up without you involved, I recieved the full brunt of my consequences, had we never met, or perhaps only become friends like he is to Cyrax, rather than becoming close as family, Bi-Han would consider me an obstacle to your growth and seperate us."
Kuai Liang stops his stretches entirely, moving to a kneeled postion with his weight on his curled toes to meet his friend's gaze.
Tundra looks into his friend's eyes with sympathy, "While you are correct about Bi-Han's ego and coldness, you are wrong about us being forced apart, I would permit no-one, not even the Grand Master to take away my best friend."
Tomas smiles warmly, "Thank you brother, I am thankful you understand. But I owe you an apology for how I spoke of your brother, despite his flaws, he is a man of honour.
"You are forgiven, Tomas." Responds Kuai Liang, showing a semblance of emotion his usual monotone voice.
The two begin to bow, but change their minds and exchange a quick hug, quickly returning to what they were doing.
20 minutes later, Sub Zero enters the quarters, receiving a bow from Tundra and Smoke. He unshuffles the paper, silently skimming the parts that are confidential.
Tundra and Smoke stand silently at attention as Sub Zero reads the final part of the Grandmaster's review to them.
"Tundra and Smoke have both earned the right to be Lin Kuei assassins, under the caveat that they must continue the apprenticeship under one of the Lin Kuei's top warriors. They may shadow their veteran assassin on missions but it is up to the Grandmaster's discretion whether they can partake in the mission."
Sub Zero clears his throat, and resumes.
"This new apprenticeship includes additional stipulations."
"Weekly leisure time of 5 hours per week is reduced to 3 hours per week."
"The Grandmaster can summon both apprentices at any time, for any reason deemed fit."
The Grandmaster may change who is giving the apprenticeship at any time, for any reason deemed fit. The Grandmaster may also personally oversee the apprenticeship if deemed fit."
"The training hours of the apprentices will no longer be 45 hours per week, they will be 65 hours per week."
"Apprentices may no longer recieve free meals, they must pay a monthly rate as they are now fully fledged Lin Kuei."
Bi-Han places the paper into his pocket, brings his dominant hand to his chest and speaks firmly, "We are the Lin Kuei, more stealthful than the night.
Tomas and Kuai Liang respond in unison, matching Bi-Han's energy.
"More deadly than the dawn."
Sub Zero stays silent for a few seconds before speaking again,
"Your first day as Lin Kuei assassins will begin tomorrow at 0400 hours."
Bi-Han's voice shifts to a more casual tone.
"And you owe me greatly for covering for you today, Smoke."
Bi-Han turns leaves the room, to report back to the Grandmaster.
"How does it feel finally acheiving what all Lin Kuei strive to be?" Kuai Liang asks Tomas, somewhat tentatively.
Tomas bluntly replies, "As empty and unsatisfying as all the other milestones have been."
Kuai Liang nods solemnly in agreement, "I cannot disagree, brother.
Retroactively adding my input for each chapter.
I'm happy how this one turned out. Especially showing the friendship of Kuai Liang and Tomas Vrbada as well as highlighting some of their different experiences within the clan. Their friendship the only light either of them really have in the darkness of the corrupted Lin Kuei.
I also like my characterization of Bi Han that shows he can do good out of kindness, but will still try and to capitalize off of it and use it to boost his ego.