The Lin Kuei Temple: Northern China.
Tundra lobs an ice ball towards Smoke, who ducks underneath and connects with a flying knee to jaw of his best friend. Kuai Liang stumbles back but regains his wits enough to sidestep Smoke's follow up strike and counter with an icy fist to the temple.
The Grandmaster hums approvingly, Bi-Han flashes a brief and genuine smile.
Smoke vaporizes himself and whisps around Tundra to disorient him, he reappears on the left side, attacking with a flurry of strikes using his karambit.
Tundra dodges the first two, he tightly grabs Smoke's wrist during the third. Ice flows through Tundra's fingertips, numbing Smoke's hand enough to make him drop the blade, he capitalizes by knocking Smoke back with a right cross.
The Grandmaster gives a louder hum of approval.
Sensing victory, Tundra presses forward with a flurry of strikes. Smoke rolls underneath a right hook, moving directly into a knee to the chest that knocks him backwards.
Smoke blocks a three-strike blitz, he ducks under the last jab and counters with a powerful hook that sends Kuai Liang careening. Smoke vaporizes behind him and unsheathes a dagger, placing it to Tundra's throat.
"Yiel-."
Kuai Liang subdues Smoke's forearm with a blast of ice and smashes the back of his head into Smoke's nose, he uses this space to throw Smoke over his shoulder and subdue him with an ice blast to the torso.
Kuai Liang steps on his Smoke's chest, he thrusts an ice blade to his throat.
"Yield." Kuai Liang commands coldly.
"I yield." Tomas responds stoically.
Kuai Liang steps off Smoke's chest, he kneels and shatters the ice encasing his friend with a gentle touch.
The two sit on their toes and turn to face the Grandmaster for judgement.
"Very impressive Tundra, you show great promise, but became restless once you thought victory was at hand." The Grandmaster shifts his focus to Smoke.
"You Tomas, showed a most valuable asset to the Lin Kuei today, an ability to adapt to an opponent's successes."
Tomas attempts to respond, but is interrupted by the Grandmaster, who continues 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 doing so?"
A sense of boldness overtakes Kuai Liang, knowing that what he was about do was insubordination and would result in severe physical discipline.
Tundra is interrupted before he can speak, the Grandmaster resumes his judgement.
"Why does this lack of killer instinct only occur when sparring with Tundra, Smoke? Because you know any relationship that supersedes your priority to the Lin Kuei is dealt with severely and quickly, I have always been clear on that.
Smoke answers, he does well to hide the fear in his voice.
"I assure you Grandmaster, as much as I respect my friend, the Lin Kuei are my top priority."
"Then act like it!"
Scolds the Grandmaster. His voice clear and booming, despite his age.
Bi-Han appears alongside the Grandmaster, Kuai Liang and Tomas recognize a glimmer of sympathy behind his stoic, emotionless expression.
Speaking slightly softer than usual, Bi-Han speaks up.
"Your wisdom is correct Grandmaster, but perhaps the performance review can be delivered after they had their injuries treated."
Bi-Han gestures to mask of blood from Smoke's nosebleed and the large hematoma on Tundra's forehead.
"Very well." Responds the Grandmaster gruffly.
"Since I am too busy to wait, you shall be responsible for the performance review and paperwork, Sub Zero.
Handing Sub Zero his notes, the Grandmaster pivots, his scarlet robe twirls behind him as he exits the training room.
Bi-Han waits until the Grandmaster shuts the doors, and turns to Tomas, his voice cold, but far more understanding than the Grandmaster.
"Your comradery is excellent, and I believe it can benefit our clan, but I have no authority on how we are governed."
Bi-Han's gaze towards Smoke hardens, his voiced more hushed and serious.
"All I ask is that both of you, especially you Smoke, work on hiding how close you truly are."
Bi-Han continues after a nod of acknowledgement from Tomas.
"I have softened the cruelty of the Lin Kuei's training as much as my influence permits, but you turn 16 soon, ending my mentorship over you and giving full authority and surveillance to the Grandmaster."
Smoke retorts internally, his tone oozing in irritation.
Maybe for your brother, but you have only stuck your neck out for me when both of us were in trouble. Had I not been fortunate enough to befriend Kuai Liang at six, I would be another worthless cog in the Lin Kuei to you.
Sub Zero notices Smoke's shift in expression, and sighs dramatically.
"Must I list why this discussion is so important Tomas?"
Smoke shakes his head no, Kuai Liang gives a look of sympathy alongside a murkier emotion as Bi-Han resumes his lecture.
"My authority over you, my ability to protect you, is fading. This may be the last time I may give you favourable assessments and have Cyrax verify them to ensure you remain at equal ranks."
Sub Zero shifts his focus between the two, expecting a response.
"I understand Sub Zero, I will conduct myself as a Lin Kuei are expected." Smoke responds.
Sub Zero shifts to Tundra, "You also, pledge to conduct yourself like a Lin Kuei?"
"You have my word."
"I hope so." Sub Zero answers, almost interrupting Tundra.
Bi-Han kneels close to his apprentices, his voice intimidating and threatening, even in a whisper.
"You had better clean up your act, because if you don't, my complicity in this will hurt my standing, my reputation, and my ambition to become the Lin Kuei's champion assassin. I hope I have made myself very clear about this."
Sub Zero stands up and shifts his attention to the notes the Grandmaster wrote down.
"You two are dismissed, return to your quarters while I complete and authorize this review."
Commands Bi-Han, his voice returns to it's stoic and collected manner.
Tundra and Smoke bow to him and exit the training room.
-
Tundra and Smoke rest in their quarters, waiting to receive their performance review. Smoke sharpens his knife next to his nightstand, as Tundra stretches on the floor at the end of his bed.
Smoke stops sharpening his knife and approaches Tundra, he kneels next to him.
"What was that look you gave me during Sub Zero's rant? It wasn't your usual look of understanding."
Tundra continues to stretch, and answers. "I noticed the shift in your expression, something he said bothered you greatly."
"He must subtly brag when talking about something. This time it was about how he's protected us from the Lin Kuei."
Tundra switches to a plank position before he answers. "His bragging is unnecessary, but he has protected us from some of the Lin Kuei's crueler practices."
Tomas looks down shamefully, he sighs but is able answer calmly. "He protected you Kuai Liang…. When I messed up without you, I received the full punishment for my actions. Had we not met or not become close as family, Sub Zero would consider me an obstacle to you."
Kuai Liang stops his stretches, he moves to a kneeled position and greets Tomas' gaze with one of sympathy.
"You are correct about my brother's ego and coldness, you are wrong about us being forced apart, I would permit no one, not even the Grandmaster to take away my best friend."
Tomas smiles warmly, "I am thankful you understand, brother… But I owe you an apology for how I spoke of Bi-Han, despite his flaws, he is a man of honour."
"You are forgiven Tomas."
Kuai Liang responds, a semblance of emotion fills his stoic voice.
The two bow to one another, but change their minds, quickly exchanging a hug and returning to what they were doing.
-
20 minutes later; Sub Zero enters the quarters, Tundra and Smoke stand at attention, bowing deeply until motioned by Sub Zero to rise. Sub Zero unshuffles the paper, he skims through the classified portions before beginning his speech.
"Tundra and Smoke have both earned the position of becoming full time Lin Kuei assassins, as full-time assassins they must adhere to these updated policies and stipulations…"
Sub Zero clears his throat and resumes.
"All assassins for the first 3 months are on a probation, only permitted to participate in specific missions under the guidance of a senior assassin, the permitted missions during this probation are scouting and reconnaissance
"Weekly leisure time of three hours is reduced to the standard hour."
"The Grandmaster may summon you at anytime, for any reason."
"Weekly training has been increased to the standardized 65 hours, any training missed for any reason is now to be repaid at double the hours missed, rather than one and a half."
"As a full-time assassin, you no longer are to receive free meals, you must earn them through manual labour, and from the standard 50% cut of payments from missions you complete. As your rank improves, your cut will be slowly increased up to a maximum of 75%, if one is to become the Lin Kuei's Champion, he shall receive a 100% cut.
"You are required to partake in all future and potential Lin Kuei endeavours, such as weapons and medical testing, as well as any project Sektor requires you for. Which are to be performed at the Grandmaster's chamber, the primary training centre, or any location given by the Grandmaster."
Sub Zero places the paper into his pocket, he places his dominant hand to his chest as a closed fist and speaks firmly.
"We are the Lin Kuei, more stealthful than the night."
Smoke and Tundra respond in unison, matching Sub Zero's energy.
"More deadly than the dawn."
Sub Zero maintains silence for a few seconds, and resumes speaking.
"Your first day as Lin Kuei begins tomorrow at 0400 hours, the Grandmaster will give you commands from there."
Bi-Han's voice shifts to less professional tone.
"I hope you take what I said earlier to heart." Sub Zero exits the room and returns to the Grandmaster.
Tundra and Smoke wait a few minutes to ensure Sub Zero is gone.
"How does it feel to achieve what all Lin Kuei strive to be?" Kuai Liang questions 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."
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.