Chapter 14

Worth Fighting For

Side-Event: #03
Shell Shocked

Somewhere, in Jade's Desert

A heavy metal boot pressed down on the hot sand and sunk into it lightly. The soft crunch of the terrain caused a nearby lizard to flee for its life from the traveler. Another heavy footfall followed, and the metallic origins of the footsteps became more apparent. The lava-damaged and sparking suit of red and black armor, Sektor, dragged his way through the scorching desert heat with little-to-no use of his sensors.

Cybernetic gibberish left his voicebox as he moved forward, shuffling like the living dead through the heat in search of something or someone.

He paused when his search ended; he saw the torso of Cyrax sticking out of the sand, struggling to get free of one of the sand dunes. Cyrax too had been badly damaged by lava or some material that melted parts of his armor, though his body was sparking vastly less than Sektor's was.

"Help the vampire, huh? She will get us back to Earthrealm, huh? She will get us repaired, huh?!" Sektor kicked sand over the body of Cyrax and, in a twist of events, raised his voice and showed emotion through the metal prison his soul was in. "When we escaped, I gave you a direct order! We were to regroup, rebuild, and find alternative means of power sources! How am I to take back the Lin Kuei in this damaged state?! With no repair in sight, no civilization, and no clan! I will sooner be killed than listened to by even the least faithful Lin Kuei to Kuai Liang! I would rather serve Bi-Han! Bi-Han, of all people, than to spend another waking moment with the inferior, inefficient, and irresponsible likes of you!" Sektor barked out and seethed a moment longer. "You're not a man anymore, Cyrax, you're a machine! You chase a vampire, looking for love?! For pity?! I went along with it for hopes to use that orb she wanted for a power source but you, you imbecile, you handed it over without a second thought!"

"I did what was agreed on." Cyrax defended. "Unlike you, my goal was not to gain power or to get revenge on the Lin Kuei. My goal was never to be trapped in this hell with you. I was hoping to be alone!"

"The power of the soul overrides the machine in time. I should have calculated your stupidity would bleed through endless information and logic." Sektor scoffed and threw his hands in the air in defeat. "I am still your commanding officer, and if you like it or not, I am the only one capable of repairing the both of us. The choice is yours. Stay here and rust, or join me in my quest."

Cyrax glared up at Sektor for several seconds…and eventually held his hand out to be helped out of the dune. After getting free, Cyrax and Sektor sat down on the hot sand together and looked out over the horizon and the sun high in the sky.

"Cyrax," Sektor said after a long silence, "if you could become a man again, what would be the first thing you'd want to do?"

"First, being called by my proper name." Cyrax responded. "Second, perhaps some warm apple pie would be my first meal. I cannot say memory serves the taste justice. I miss the sensation of taste. I miss the sensation of anything, really."

"Well, I do not." Sektor grumbled. "I recall feelings and emotions got in the way. Being rid of them, for the most part, has made me a better me. I am a better warrior now than I was as a man."

"Then why do you ask me such a question, then?"

"It is nothing." Sektor said while turning his head away. "Curiosity as to why you cling so strongly to how feeble you used to be."

"I remember besting you in Kombat."

"Luck!" Sektor shouted.

"I remember besting your time in the relay race."

"I was recovering from leg training!"

"Your daughter kicked her first goal with my coaching."

"You would have her be a boy! She is a young girl who should enjoy things young girls do!" Sektor's annoyance grew with every word.

Curious, Cyrax tilted his head. "Like?"

"I don't know! Painting! Something gentle!"

"Something gentle, or something safe?"

The choice of words made Sektor go silent for several seconds. "That is low, even for you!"

"We have both lost loved ones in service to the Lin Kuei," Cyrax said, "but every situation is different. These suits of armor, I feel were a way to confront fear. To give immortality, in a way, in the face of sickness and danger."

"You know nothing Kijani." Sektor said as he pushed himself to stand. "My daughter must be a fully grown woman by now. A woman thinking her father a traitor. A dead traitor. It was not meant to be this way…, and the lies Kuai Liang is certainly filling her head with, if she still lives…"

"Is that you thinking that inside?" Cyrax asked as he stood next. "Or is that Sektor speaking on behalf of your grudges? If they have not realized we have escaped, then we will be hunted sooner than later. We should return to the Lin Kuei. Surrender ourselves peacefully. Go and be with our families. The war is over, Sektor."

"The war is never over!" Sektor roared back with his malfunctioning mechanical rockets trying to break free of his shoulder compartments. They sparked and blew out smoke before sealing again. "We go back to the Lin Kuei Temple because I command it. Surrender yourself if you wish, but I am challenging Kuai Liang to Mortal Kombat. This time, Kijani, this time, I will finish him."

(Side-Event Complete)

The morning gong sounded off outside of the Lin Kuei's secondary temple, located outside of Artika. Somewhere in mainland China, the temple resided – closer to civilization as well as to various outposts of Earthrealm's greatest warriors. Many new recruits were wide awake and performing their daily tasks or training. Frost was up with the rest, but she occupied herself with the children of the temple and guided them safely to the children's area where they had breakfast waiting for them before their various classes. Mo Chou was among these children, and Frost made sure to treat her equally to the other kids present.

However, while everyone else was busy in the temple, Kuai Liang was getting dressed in a pair of black slacks and a blue button-down shirt as opposed to his usual gi or various robes. His hair was done up in a topknot, and his beard was trimmed down to perfection to frame his face. He observed himself in the mirror in his and Mileena's shared bedroom briefly before he felt ready enough to face the day.

"It has been a rough few days for us all," Kuai said to himself, "I should do something to help put my family at ease. Maybe some time among others outside of the temple will do the trick? I cannot even remember the last time we've done anything outside of the temple." Kuai contemplated on this while he grabbed hold of a framed photo of himself, Mileena, and their daughter that sat upon a dresser. Mileena insisted on keeping her mouth covered for the photo, but everyone seemed so happy and peaceful there together. With Mortal Kombat on the horizon, such peaceful days for the present were likely numbered.

"Did you marry the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, or did you marry a man who happens to have extremely cold hands? This, I ponder at times." Kuai said as he set the photograph down. "Either way, I cannot leave the temple until I know everything is in order. Frost may be next in line…, but I still have my responsibilities. I have to set the example."

Kuai left the bedroom and made his way from the private quarters area and out into the common area of the temple. Many bowed in his presence as he passed and he returned the honor to each one of them. His first stop was with the Lin Kuei's agriculture team on the ground floor, bordering the gates of the temple grounds. The head farmer stood out of the way of the workers tending to the fields, with one young man casting water from his hands to water some of the plants.

"Good morning, Master Kuai Liang!" The head farmer called out. He was an older man in traditional Lin Kuei blue and black garb complete with a large straw hat. "You're just in time! Got a few tomatoes ripe and ready for testing!"

"Be sure to sell to local markets." Kuai said with a light bow of his head. "We will need the extra money to keep things running smoothly. We can maintain off of our usual percentage kept."

"We've got new recruits coming in, Master Kuai Liang," the farmer began, "I was wondering if we were going to expand? As far as the land we work goes. If I had a little more land, we could have more to sell. Also less lost to unforeseen circumstances and all. Dag-on rabbits keep getting to some of our vegetables. Already talked to Frost about it this morning, figured she'd have gotten back to you."

"I have not crossed paths with Frost as of yet. However, it is possible if the land can provide more of a bounty beyond the current parameter." Kuai said as he looked out toward the wall surrounding the temple. "I will speak with the architecture team about expanding the parameters out over the coming seasons. We'll need to budget for a wall expansion."

"Keeping fresh vegetables keeps everyone fit and alive here. I hope we can make this a priority!" The farmer said as he tipped his hat to Kuai Liang. "Oh, you've met Shui, right? We thought him to be a cryomancer, but his temperatures do not drop quite like yours."

Kauai Liang paused and looked over at the young man watering the plants and vegetables with aid of his power. He simply nodded in acknowledgment before speaking. "I have heard word, but no formal introductions as of yet. Is there an issue?"

"Oh no, no." The lead farmer waved his hand dismissively. "He and his brother came to us as orphans. The other is a cryomancer for certain, but both are still very wet behind the ears. I wanted to direct them to you or Frost directly when the time comes for proper training."

"Forbid use of their abilities when sparring." Kauai turned his back to walk away. "When they have shown understanding for fundamentals, then send them to us. I trust you will train them well, old friend."

"Well, it certainly worked on you and Bi-Han didn't it?" The lead farmer laughed quietly.

As Kuai left, he passed a by a group of Lin Kuei warriors who were making their way to the archery range on the temple grounds. They were a vast array of ages; form early teens to mid-40s or so. The community was built on a cycle of learning and opportunity. Everyone passed down the same wisdom to the youth as they would their own children, and the youth shared their ideas to be approved or refined by elders. The Lin Kuei under Kuai Liang was one built on respect, as it was meant to.
Once he crossed the grounds and entered the workshop area where technicians were working on armor and weapon pieces for potential Kombat. The majority were katanas, but some of the work seemed to be parts for expanding various sections of the temple.

"Master Technician Guo?" Kauai Liang asked as he approached an elderly man who was dozing off in his seat next to his workbench. Sub-Zero repeated his name twice until the older man jolted awake. He turned and put his hand over his schematics for a cryomancy tank that could be worn as a backpack.

"Wh-what? Oh! Master Kuai Liang!" The older man chuckled and coughed twice into his fist. "Ah yes, sorry. Lost in thought! Trying to convert the energy needed to rapidly cool stored water into ice, similar to your Cryomancy. I figured a tank like this could help some of our soldiers in the field in a pinch. The issue is the weight and how loud the pack might be."

Curiously, Kuai tilted his head. "Is there a demand of such? Did Frost approve of this?"

"Oh, no, actually." Master Guo waved his hand dismissively. "She was unsure of the idea and had many concerns. She asked me to mock up some designs until I found a way to create it and address her worries.".

"I see, proceed, then. I look forward to what you design. I will withhold my own concerns until I have seen your progress in addressing her's." Kuai bowed his head slightly. "However, that is now what I have come to discuss. I am looking into expanding our borders for more farm land. Can you connect with one of our scouting teams and farmers to plot out a good parameter to expand our gates?"

"Most certainly, Grandmaster Kuai Liang." Master Guo said with a light laugh. "Always glad to be of service. How has the little one been?" Guo's question was interrupted by a clanking and rustling deeper inside the workshop. Some tools fell over as someone was trying to drop in on the conversation.

Kuai Liang folded his arms behind his back and stood with his chin up. "You've been found out. You may step out into the open."

From the back of the workshop stepped two young women. The first was an Asian woman with short black hair and sharp eyebrows. She was dressed in red Lin Kuei garments unlike her friend who wore yellow garbs. The woman with her had her hair braided and was darker skinned. They both were roughly the same age, but only one of them was part of the tech division of the temple.

"Oh!" Master Guo perked up and slowly turned to face them. "Sneaking friends in for projects again? Er, Grandmaster Sub-Zero, you remember Chaelin and Dayo, yes?"

"But of course." Sub-Zero said as he gazed upon Chaelin, the one in red. "One of the brightest minds in our clan, and one of the strongest hearts at her side." He said while looking to the young woman in yellow. "It is good to see you again, Dayo. It is always good to see the Zaki mingling outside of the training grounds."

"I am just taking a break," Dayo said with a bright smile, "I was delivering materials between wings of the temple this morning. I, uh, wanted to see if I could be of use here while I visited–."

"Grandmaster." Chaelin interrupted. "I wish to speak with you about a private matter. Do you have time now?"

"Of course." Kuai nodded. "What is on your mind, young one?"

"Come to the workshop, please." Chaelin said as she gave Dayo a light pat on her shoulder to get her to follow along.

As the three arrived deeper into the workshop, Chaelin brought them to a device covered in cloths. She uncovered it and tossed the old cloth aside to reveal a cube-like chassis that held a black-painted metal boot on a green-colored charging pad.

After a moment of consideration, Sub-Zero broke the silence. "What exactly am I looking at here, Chaelin?"

"A design of mine, Grandmaster." Chaelin said excitedly. "A re-design, really. These boots.-"
"Boot." Dayo corrected.

"This boot," Chaelin continued, "is able to be charged to stick to any surface on command. For stealth ops, it can give even rookie recruits or injured warriors the edge in escape, or advantage in Kombat. Of course, mastering one's own skill is important. I don't want my designs to be a crutch or replacement for skill."

"Technology can never be a replacement for the people wielding it." Sub-Zero said while nodding his head to Chaelin. "Prepare a second, matching boot, and we will see about facilitating tests before further production. You have my approval."

"Thank you, Grandmaster Sub-Zero." Chaelin excitedly looked to Dayo, and then back to Kuai. "I'll get to work as soon as I can! And I know…"

"Ladies." Kuai said while placing his hand on each of their shoulders. "Enjoy your day. Do be sure to make time to do something other than work or training, yes?"

Sub-Zero left the girls and continued to do his routine checks in various areas of the temple until he finally caught up with his wife. Mileena was sitting in on their daughter's morning lesson. While the instructor taught the class, Kuai Liang got Mileena's attention quietly and stepped outside of the classroom with her. Looking as good as he did for no apparent reason, Mileena's gaze gave away her curiosity.

"I'd like to take you out tonight." Sub-Zero's voice was devoid of any worry for their current situation. His eyes were softened and his tone confident that she'd accept. He held her hands in his own with his thumbs gently caressing her skin. "I know a place. I'd love nothing more than to spend the evening there with you. Just the two of us."

"Are you serious?" Mileena narrowed her eyes cautiously at Sub-Zero. "Are you courting me, Sub-Zero?" She teased while looking up at him.

"Perhaps I am." He laughed quietly. "I can pick you up tonight before sundown. I can arrange for a sitter. Can you make it?"

"Have me back at a reasonable hour, and I accept." Mileena leaned up and pressed a light kiss on Kuai's cheek. "I must return to the class. I will have to find something perfect to wear for you."

"The clothing matters little compared to the company." Sub-Zero responded. "You make everything look better."

"Until we meet later then?" Mileena grinned and gently parted ways with Kuai Liang.

Later that evening, at the Big Iceberg Rooftop Bar

If 'dressed to impress' could be expressed in kind words, Kuai Liang would spend the rest of his days giving compliments to Mileena. The flowing silk of her detached sleeve dress was worthy of her regality, and a good cover for the savage Kombatant wearing it. All of her fangs were concealed to give her the most convincing human appearance she could manage, save for her yellow eyes.

Kuai Liang and Mileena sat near the balcony of the rooftop bar and overlooked the city around them. They were several stories up and in the sporadic company of other couples on the red velvety seats scattered about. Candles were lit at each table and along the bar, with sparkling lights and lanterns hanging above the balcony for an almost festive atmosphere. The skies were turning shades of blue and pink, much like the chosen attire of the couple observing it. The mixture of clouds and sparkling city lights almost made the city look like a starry night in contrast to the vast ocean of the colorful sky.

Up until this very moment, nothing of Mortal Kombat had been discussed. Nothing of the recent events either. Everything had been so serious and deadly as of late, Kuai Liang saw it fit to slow things down and return to the way things were prior. Each of them had their drink of choice in shot glasses. It took a considerable amount more for Mileena to feel the effects, but she humored her husband in participating.

"I am absolutely obsessed with that cake that Cage brought us." Mileena said to her husband. "What was it called again? It had a peculiar name."

"The marble cake? With frozen whipped topping?" Kuai asked with a perked brow and knowing grin. "I do not tend to have a sweet tooth these days, but that was rather delicious."

"I could eat seven of them right now." Mileena said while leaning back in her seat. "I can still taste it, literally."

"You're joking." Kuai called her bluff.

"Super secret Tarkatan ability." Mileena chuckled. "Some have photographic memories. We have…total taste recall. Particularly for sweets."

Kuai narrowed his eyes as he took another drink. "After all these years, why am I just now learning this? I sense someone is fibbing."

Mileena rolled her tongue around in her mouth with her lips sealed. She seemed to be contemplating something until her lips parted. "I can still taste the ice cream from weeks ago. Just faintly, though. A little bit of dinner as well. Ah! My hunt! I need to go back on the hunt. I am craving some good live boar."

Kuai went quiet for a moment, but maintained his smile. "Has life with me held back your needs to hunt?"

"Not at all." Mileena scoffed. "When the need even begins to come to Mileena's – to my attention, I just go out and hunt for wild game. Something to sink my teeth into. Devour whole. It keeps me sated and able to enjoy normal food. Cooked food. Do not worry, it is never people."

"Hadn't crossed my mind." Kuai confessed.

"After all of these years, you would think I trust that to be true. I will start this instant." Mileena said playfully as she took a drink for herself. "Has life with me made you miss being a bachelor out on the field?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Do you miss your brother?"

"All of the time." Kuai let his guard down the instant the topic was brought up. Another shot was poured and he took a drink as the atmosphere around them went from playful to slightly sullen. "I wanted to avoid the topics of current events, but I fear you can tell I am running." Kuai looked out over the skyline as he drank again. "What am I doing, Mileena? Am I destined to live in denial? Am I destined to channel my grief into hatred for Bi-Han just to protect myself? My brother, he's…he's dead. He's not coming back. He's an irredeemable demon who is a literal shadow of the honorable man he once was. I am just a pretender, Mileena. I honor his name only because I wish he was still here with me."

Mileena reached across the table and set her hand over Kuai Liang's and squeezed it. "It is perfectly fine to want a relationship with your brother, even if he only seems to wish you harm. It is empathy, Kuai. I imagine it is how Kitana felt about me before everything. We must face him in Mortal Kombat, but perhaps the two of you can talk?"

"What would I even say?" Kuai said with defeat slowly draping over his eyes. "Do I share memories of us as children in hopes to reach him? He knows only killing. He covets only death. I would be speaking into the void if not fighting for my life."

"Maybe you are right." Mileena squeezed his hand again. "But even after everything that has happened…would you be willing to try, if I was at your side for it? One last shot before this tournament? Then, we can fight without any reservations. Kill without questions unanswered."

Kuai gave a long pause and looked over at Mileena. "Would you kill without question if it was Kitana on the opposing side?"

"Yes." Mileena said with absolute certainty. "If we spoke, if I knew she was firm in her opposition to me, I would let my baser instincts free without concern. I know she would do the same."

"I am not sure I can." Kuai raised Mileena's hand and kissed the back of her knuckles. "Returning to Outworld is…certainly a death sentence."

"Then we bring him here." Mileena leaned closer. "As long as Mo Chou is safe…I can focus on what makes you happy. What gives you closure."

"What do you want to do, Mileena?"

"Go to Outworld and murder them all for taking out daughter." She said without pause. "But go alone. Less likely to be caught. I suppose I can kill the lot of them before I am significantly injured."

"Mileena…"

"It is a thought that circles my mind endlessly." She shook her head. "I will not act on it, but it is what I would want."

"Maybe it is the choice of action we should take to end this war of a tournament." Kuai's voice lingered thoughtfully. "But I could never leave our child without us. The thought may stick to the wall for an instance of anger, but it will always fall away."

"It is the difference between us." Mileena took another drink and exhaled after. "I both refuse to leave her without us, and am ready and willing to die for her in a moment's notice. The duality comes without question, even though either outcome is unfavorable."

Kuai ran his hand through his hair and looked out over the skyline again. "Will you be speaking with Kitana soon? Are things between the two of you okay?"

"I will speak with her soon." Mileena now was the one looking down at her drink. "She is a fool at times, but she is still my sister. I waited a long time to be called that. Cannot give it up now. She acts according to her heart before anything else. She is how we got here. How we got all we never should have had. I can never repay her."

"We have to face her daughter as well." Kuai added. "Her daughter from another time, correct?"

"I owe her a stab through the face." Mileena replied with a snarl.

"We will cross that bridge when we get there. For now, let's return to enjoying our evening." Kuai Liang stood and held onto one of Mileena's hands. "Care to dance?"

Mileena accepted the offer with glee. The two moved in sync out to the dancefloor to sway the evening away. Hand in hand, body to body, heart and soul intertwined. It didn't matter the tempo of the song, but the speed of their beating hearts in unison that determined their steps. Through time and back again, the bridge that linked their hearts could not be moved even by the act of an Elder God. Sub-Zero found calm in the feeling of Mileena's head against his shoulder. Mileena found peace in Sub-Zero's hand on her partially exposed lower back.

The contact was longed for after so much recent chaos. Though time marched toward conflict and uncertainty, in this moment, nothing else mattered. Nothing else existed. This was a moment worth fighting for.

—-
A/N

Kept you waiting, huh? I've been going through a lot, but the flame to write has returned. Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think in the comments, please.