Chapter 2:

The Beginning or Damnification

Chinese War Drums beat together within the halls of the Lin Kuei temple. The temples greatest performers drummed as a backdrop to a warrior walking out to the chalk-lined Kombat arena floor. She was robed in white and blue, with a facial mask over her lower face. Servants peeled her hood back to expose her ice-blue colored hair and piercing cold eyes. Frost – Xue Fang was the Kombatant being presented.

The drums beat faster.

Her opponent was an older male. The Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, Kuai Liang. His robes were removed, leaving him shirtless despite the cold. His toned form had some scars from war, but none more famous than his facial scar.

The drums ceased as Sub-Zero held his hand out toward the performers. "Ring out, forfeit, or knock-out victory. Are you ready, Frost?"

Sub-Zero's pupil stood her ground and drew her hands back to prepare for battle. "One last stepping stone, Sifu."

"Do not step lightly." Kuai Liang warned her as his hand dropped back to his side.

There was a shout from the lead drummer, then a single strike to his war drum. The moments that followed had single strikes delivered to the drums while master and student circled one another. The lead drummer shouted 'fight', and the collective of drummers began their fast-paced almost tribal rhythm.

Frost and Sub-Zero closed in close to one another. Every forearm, every strike was met with one of equal strength and speed. A successful strike led into a rapid counter, and every counter was counter-acted by a fast recovery. Frost was quick on her feet, and as her teacher flipped her over, she landed solidly on her feet with her back to him.

"It isn't too late to forfeit." Frost warned.

"It is not too late for me to put in effort either." Sub-Zero replied with his eyes narrowed.

"Humiliation it is." Frost summoned her Kori energy and engulfed her arms in solid ice, armoring herself up before she returned to combat her teacher. When their strikes met, flesh versus solid cold forearms gave Sub-Zero some pain in retaliation, and a cracked layer of ice for Frost that constantly replenished.

Frost being the younger of the two managed to trip Sub-Zero with a well-practiced sweep, and struck her palm to the ground where he had rolled away.

Sub-Zero's arms froze over in similar fashion. The two collided with more force than prior. Frost's core ached as Sub-Zero countered and punished her with firm strikes to her stomach, that threw her off balance. Her wild strikes in retaliation were weaved around, and to the beat of the war drums, Sub-Zero's strong strikes continued until he kicked her in the chest and threw her off of her feet.

"You are not ready." Sub-Zero frowned.

"I am!" In anger, Frost thrust herself back up with Kori energy blasting out of her back and shoulders to throw her back on her feet.

"Then show me!"

Sub-Zero's reply was met with fast and pointed strikes that would have otherwise incapacitated a lesser skilled opponent. His focus and calmness under the pressure of the moment helped him maneuver around Frost's seemingly kill-strikes with her pointed hands.

Their feet shuffled across the ground, stomping with their strikes to add to the omnipresent percussion. Frost broke free of Sub-Zero. Her foot drove nearly through him to gain even more distance. Kuai Liang recovered only by freezing the area around him into a short ramp to break his momentum, but by that time, Frost was charging his way. The small orbs of ice he flung at her were knocked aside by her frozen forearms.

The small ramp behind Sub-Zero was crushed beneath his heel. The sharpened strike of Frost sailed by his chest as he stepped outside of her reach and redirected her strike into the open air. As she fell forward and landed on her chest and hands, once more she thrust herself up in a rage.

"You lose." Sub-Zero said with his arms lowered.

"Like hell I do!" Frost shouted back, until she looked down over her body. Part of the chalk outlining the battleground was on her, and her hands had impacted the ring-out zone. "Trickery! The seat is to be mine! Have I not passed every test, endured countless years of waiting and training?! I sit at the table, my opinion on strategy is valued!" She shouted, as the war drums ceased. "I have done everything you asked, and still, you deny me. You do this to give your child your position, don't you? The rumors are proven true!"

"Mo Chou is a child. Did you not use trickery to defeat Mileena long ago?" Sub-Zero kept his calm, but there was authority behind his tone. "My daughter is heir only after you have chosen to step down."

"The brat is more deserving than I in your eyes. She does not have to endure a decade of deception!" She lashed out, sharpening her hand into a blade. Her swipes were wild and passionate. The cold tears in her eyes froze over her cheeks as she screamed with every avoided strike.

After the third attempt on his life, Sub-Zero grabbed Frost by her throat and held her in her place. "Yield." He warned her, as she willingly stopped in fear of her life. "You will not speak of my daughter that way again. Your chances to be Grandmaster remain if you can tame your emotions."

Frost melted her blades and returned her hands to normal. She slapped Sub-Zero's hand away from her throat and stepped away. "I apologize for insulting Lady Mileena's child." She stated as she left Sub-Zero in the dead silent battleground, with their Lin Kuei kin witnessing the spat between the two of them.

Later in the evening, Frost was stirred from her solitude by a knock at her door. When allowed entry, Mileena stepped through and sealed the door behind her. She hadn't aged a single day over the last decade, and her body was draped in the finest materials the Lin Kuei could stitch for royalty. Her lower face was concealed by a mask, but her striking yellow eyes pierced the dimness of Frost's room.

"I heard about your final test." Mileena spoke with squinted eyes. "My husband is the one who is not ready to step down. I know you to be better than you believe, Frost."

"He clings to the position, as if he still has work to do. Shinnok is gone. The Shirai Ryu are our allies as much as some may dislike it." Frost spoke bitterly while unwrapping her fists of bloodied wrapping tape from her frustrated training. "He has forged a new path for us, one I will continue. Yet he doubts me and cheats me every step of the way."

"What will you do when enemies of the Lin Kuei doubt and deceive you?" Mileena questioned as she stepped closer to the woman. "Complain?"

"I would strike our enemies down if deserving. We are warriors and assassins. We demand respect." Frost set her icy blue eyes on Mileena and sat down on one of her chairs facing her open balcony. "This era of peace has made him complacent. When was our last assignment? Months ago? There are tyrants in other countries and realms in need of our vigilance. Yet he waits for them to grow out of control before we act."

"Is this anger I am sensing from you about your friend's injury on assignment?"

"If those madmen hadn't amassed so many firearms, Kold would be here consoling me." She angrily ripped the rest of her hand's wrapping off and tossed it aside. "He is a fool, but those I call friend are my fools."

"Romantic." Mileena teased. "There is nothing between the two of you?"

"He is a Cryomancer who knows his past. A rarity." Frost sighed. "I only need his friendship and assistance to find out who I truly am. What I am truly capable of."

Mileena quietly stepped behind Frost as she sat and placed her hands on her shoulders. "Kuai Liang told me what you said about my daughter. I know how you feel. I know you did not mean it. My sister and I were the same as children. Mo Chou sees you as such. She looks up to you as family, even without blood relation."

"She is the reason the Lin Kuei have become so soft." Frost stood and freed herself from Mileena's light grasp. "Everything we do is to ensure her safety. There are other children in this clan. I hope to bring one of my own into this world one day, but I cannot do that if our clan waits for her maturity to once again thrive."

"Everything we do is to protect one another, Frost." Mileena corrected. "The Lin Kuei's history is drenched in blood much like my father's and my own. Not everyone deserves a history wrought with Kombat and death."

"I only know war." Frost tightened her fists. "No one has or will teach me better. Everyone here lives for war, but pretends we have never shed blood or made a mistake! I feel as if I am the only one who embraces our past, yet will do what is right for this world. I can maintain the path even with that."

"We will see when you have your chance," Mileena backed away toward the door. "Sub-Zero and I will remain in the temple even when you take over. We will act as council. I will inform you of your next opportunity to become Grand Master – I look forward to your success."

Shortly after Mileena's exit, she returned to her personal quarters where Sub-Zero was waiting. The Grandmaster sat meditating in the center of the room just a short distance away from the fireplace settled within. Though this was not their primary home, he did make efforts to keep it comfortable for Mileena and others.

Kuai Liang stood when he heard the door shut behind his wife. "What did I tell you about wearing masks before me?" He asked with a narrowed gaze.

"Hm? What is that? I was not listening." Mileena stepped closer, loosening the sash about her waist.

Sub-Zero pulled her in close and tugged her mask down to expose her fanged cheeks and plump lips. "Must I discipline you more?"

A sudden strike to Sub-Zero's chest broke her free from his grasp.

Sub-Zero's retaliated with a series of strikes that were all smacked away until he landed a sudden strike to her stomach. Mileena staggered, but upon her recovery she threw a strike that was caught in mid-flight, and another which met the same fate. Kuai Liang spun her about until her back was to his chest and her arms were loosely draped over her stomach.

"Must you always make this a contest, Mileena?"

"First, I break you, then we break each other."

"I am not so fragile."

Mileena slipped free of her husband's grasp and faced him. "Our warriors grow restless. We need to discuss this first."

"I gave them peace. It takes time to adjust to it. It took time for you to adjust to it, did it not?"

"You cannot neuter a warrior culture so suddenly." She stepped away and crossed her arms. "I think we need to be more active. If not in war efforts then training efforts. Simulated Kombat, drills, perfect our fighting force. They need not to have idle hands until things become dire."

"That does not lead us through an era of change." Kuai sighed. "I dream of a Lin Kuei who are defenders, not assassins. Should foes invade our world, I wish for the Lin Kuei to be a shield, not the killing strike."

"Every shield needs a pointed weapon with it. Your favor as grandmaster falls, you cannot deny this. Let Frost sharpen the blade, and put both of your feet into training them to fortify their shields. We can be a military, not a clan."

"At times I forget you were raised in Outworld war culture." Kuai Liang rubbed the bridge of his nose, but took in her word. "I take it our clan did not approve of my tactics to defeat Frost. Or was it just you who did not approve?"

"It was not definitive. A technicality should not suggest lack of leadership worthiness."

"A mistake and becoming emotional is." Sub-Zero retorted. "If you wish it, her next chance can be void of ring-outs. She may yet succeed in killing me for my position with proper frustration if that is what you want. There is darkness in her heart. I fear it may become a monster."

"Everyone can change and grow." Mileena said quietly.

"Frost, yes. But not everyone. Out services may be called upon soon anyway…" He trailed off as he walked toward their balcony. "I was informed by a scout that Kitana's Sky Temple was raided yesterday. Many people were slaughtered."

"Kitana's child is not among the dead, is he?" She hurried to Sub-Zero's side, breathing anxiously in wait for an answer.

"He is alive, so the scout claims. I expect a visit from Kitana in the coming days with a course of action. It is said the Black Dragon may be behind it."

"To what end do they seek the wrath of Kitana?"

"I do not know."

A rapid knock at the door interrupted the two, and when allowed entry one of the Lin Kuei warriors hastily informed them of a visitor claiming to have words from Bi Han. Sub-Zero spared no moment to storm out of his chambers with Mileena in tow and headed down to the courtyard where his warriors stood on either side of an unarmed woman in red garbs.

"You are the one with word from Bi Han?" Sub-Zero spoke with a strong tone, sparing not even the slightest chance she would not take him seriously.

"I do." Skarlet spoke up with her chin held high. "As Emperor of not only the Netherrealm, but soon to be Outworld, Noob Saibot requests parlay with the Lin Kuei ahead of negotiations with Earthrealm."

"Bi Han is a monster." Sub-Zero snapped back, much to Mileena's displeasure. "I will not fall for such lies. Whatever he has to say can be said here."

"He insists it is personal. From one brother to the next." Skarlet continued with her hands neatly clasped in front of herself. "Something about a cure for your daughter's ailment was involved."

"I seek no council with demonic abominations." Kuai Liang stood firm.

"He is your brother." Mileena interrupted. "He is reaching out to you! I have done the same, I was given a chance to—"

"He is reaching out with a pointed dagger. I will not meet with a monster, Mileena!"

"He can help our child!"

"You will not take this tone with me!"

Mileena snarled and quickly turned to Skarlet. "We will meet with Bi Han!"

"No," Sub-Zero held his hand up toward Skarlet, "we will not. Send him word that whatever he has to say it is too little too late. He is no longer a brother of mine."

"He said you would say this." Skarlet pursed her lips together. "Very well. I shall leave you in peace. It was a pleasure seeing you again, sister."

"It was a pleasure Skarlet We must speak again soon." Though still angry with Sub-Zero, she calmed her tone.

"My journey has been strange, sister. I bid you all a farewell." Skarlet bowed and was guided off the grounds by the Lin Kuei warriors.

Mileena and Sub-Zero stood in silence. The two did not make eye contact all the way back up to their private chambers. They stood in the hall, speaking low and swiftly with frustration dipping over every word.

"You did not budge, even when a cure for our child is available." Mileena yelled quietly. "Edenian blood mingles with your blood. Her body grows sick from it even if it is not often. Had Ermac not told us this sickness could kill her, I would not be frightened at every little cough!"

"She will survive through old age." Kuai Liang replied. "Your Tarkatan blood is balancing it. She does not grow as sick as her cousin. She can endure this."

"No one should endure what can be cured!" Mileena growled. "Everything you say is not law, Kuai Liang. The world is not as simple as to bend to your word!"

"Speaking of it wills it to fruition. She will have a long and prosperous life."

"I am going to see my child. You can sit on your cold hands until I return." Mileena snapped at him and stormed off to the bedroom of her child.

The room was dark. Thunder crackled in the distance as cold air gently blew in through the child's open window. Mo Chou lay with her sheets hugged tightly to her body as she faced the ceiling. Though the dark haired yellow-eyed ten-year-old child faced her mother soon after.

"Night terrors?" Mileena asked as she quietly shut the door.

"There's a monster." Mo Chou whined.

"There is no need to be afraid of monsters." Mileena assured her. "Those children did not pick on you, did they?"

"Mommy, there really is a monster! Not like when I have to play the monster all the time!" She whined, holding the covers up over her slightly fanged mouth.

"And where is this monster, little one?"

"The closet!"

"Then I will deal with it personally."

A cold feeling of death loomed behind Mileena.

Her daughter let out a scream.

A woman clad in black stood behind her like a shadow given life.

"Just an illusion." The female said before she struck Mileena to the ground. Being caught so suddenly by surprise gave her little chance for offense, and the continued screams of her child. The woman in black pinned Mileena down by her throat with her boot and drew a katana from her hip. "Find me in Outworld. Accept what is given, or your fate will be shared with the child."

Mileena struggled as the rapid footsteps of Sub-Zero and others approached. However, even with her struggling, she could not stop the female.

"Mo Chou! Don't look! Run!" She screamed and turned her head toward the fleeing child. Though immediately after, the katana was driven through Mileena's cheeks to pin her to the ground in a tortured and bloodied state.

The door was broken open by Sub-Zero as the assailant grabbed Mo Chou and left behind an after-image as she dove through the window to escape. The after-image faded over time, but looked to be frozen in space until it dissipated.

"Mileena?! Are you alright?!" Sub-Zero slid to her aid and removed the sword. Mileena coughed, choked, and eventually screamed at the window.

Her cheek wounds slowly healed, though her mouth cried blood from the slits and between her now sharpened teeth.

A/N

Thanks to those who left comments/reviews! I deeply appreciate it. I am attempting to have an installment once a week as part of my personal challenge to improve my writing. I re-read a lot of my story to make sure I kept things in-continuity. If you remember back, Frost actually defeated Mileena by getting her disqualified in a tournament. She forced her to lose her temper.

The plot is thickening though, hopefully much faster than before. If there's any character set you'd like to see post Redemption Part 1 let me know, I'm going to start working on the next chapter in 2 days or so. Also, reviewers, do you think I should make this a totally new story file or continue to post updates on this story's thread?

Thanks for reading! Also I'm looking for things to read myself, so any suggestions on stories for me to check out let me know!

-JS