08

It was, perhaps, equal amounts depressing and embarrassing just how much Kuai Liang dreaded the dinner with Raiden's peers. The amount of time he spent agonizing over it must have been driving Tomas up the wall, but his friend bore it all with grace.

"It will be all right," Tomas reassured him as he held out a plain shirt towards him. The man had all but volunteered to dress Kuai Liang "casually" for the night, knowing that if he did not, he would default to wearing his uniform. When he had asked what was wrong with it, Tomas had looked utterly scandalized and said that if showed up to Madam Bo's in a Lin Kuei uniform, he was liable to get stabbed.

Kuai Liang held out the grey shirt in front of him skeptically. At Tomas' encouraging nod, he sighed and started divesting himself of his clothes. He had just managed to remove his gi and his innerwear when he heard what sounded like a gasp. When he looked over his shoulder towards his friend, he found Tomas staring at him in shock.

Or rather, the scars littering his back.

His eyes were moving across his skin, no doubt tracing the deep gouges from the various lashings he'd had to endure under the Old Lin Kuei. He patiently waited for him to finish, and when his gaze met Kuai Liang's, it was full of sorrow.

"What happened?" he asked in a hushed voice.

"Punishment," he replied truthfully. "It was an effective way to ensure that we would excel in our training."

"The Lin Kuei did this to you?"

"I had told you all of us were brought up in the Lin Kuei. I spared you the details because it did not seem relevant." He sighed. "We were not protectors of Earthrealm…we were brought up to be cold-blooded assassins with no mind to think, no will of our own. Our names were barred to us, and we were only ever allowed our clan aliases. I killed my first target at the ripe age of twelve, Smoke at thirteen. All for the glory of the Lin Kuei. Punishments were severe, and we learned quickly that there was no room for kindness or softness anywhere."

Kuai Liang wasn't certain if it was his words or his matter-of-fact tone that upset Tomas.

"That's horrible. I am sorry you had to go through all of that."

He shrugged. "It made me stronger—"

"No." The vehemence in Tomas' voice surprised Kuai Liang, enough that he turned towards him. Tomas placed both his hands on his shoulders and looked him square in the eye.

"No," he repeated more firmly. "They were wrong to do this to you. This…this trespass that was wrought on you did not make you stronger. You became strong in spite of it. They sought to destroy everything that made you you, and yet you persisted, Kuai Liang."

Tomas' words and the fervor with which he said them, left Kuai Liang stunned. The concept wasn't new to him; he'd known when he was rebuilding the Lin Kuei that he had left the Old Ways behind for a reason. But no one had ever told him, had ever reassured or vindicated him. Hearing it said out loud was rather…healing.

Kuai Liang placed one of his hands atop Tomas' and squeezed it in gratitude. "Thank you, Tomas. You always astound me with your insight and kindness, my friend."

Tomas' cheeks pinked at his words, but his gaze remained earnest and resolute. "You deserve better, Kuai Liang."

The warmth of his hand on Kuai Liang's bare shoulder was soothing, and he found himself leaning into the touch. Tomas' eyes dropped down briefly, and he suddenly stilled.

"Tomas?" he asked in confusion.

His eyes snapped back to Kuai Liang's before he squeezed them shut. To Kuai Liang's further puzzlement, his face reddened, and he hastily dropped his hands as he took a step back and turned around.

"Are you all right?"

"I—Sorry I got carried away there—we were—you were putting on a shirt."

Kuai Liang, who had grown up without any idea of modesty among assassins, turned even more bemused. "Tomas…are you uncomfortable about my state of undress?"

"Do not be ridiculous, Kuai Liang!" His tone had an edge of hysteria to it. "I have simply…found that I—I still need to find you some decent pants!" Then with almost robotic movement, he busied himself in front of his closet, not daring to look back.

Kuai Liang couldn't help the low chuckle that emerged from him. "Fret not, Tomas. I shall protect your virtue. There is no need to lay your eyes upon me."

Tomas grumbled and threw a pair of trousers over his shoulder, which Kuai Liang caught deftly.

He and Tomas weren't exactly of the same build, so it wasn't a surprise that his clothes did not fit him perfectly. The pants seemed to be hugging his every muscle, and he worried that one wrong move from him might rip the fabric of the shirt from how tightly it was coiled around him.

"Well? Are you decent?" Tomas asked, still refusing to glance back, and Kuai Liang snorted.

"Yes, your delicate sensibilities are safe today, Tomas," he couldn't help but tease.

When Tomas finally laid eyes on him, an odd look crossed his face. If Kuai Liang didn't know better, he would say he appeared to be in pain.

"Is it that bad?"

"You look…great."

"Perhaps if you could say that without grimacing, I might believe you."

His friend muttered something under his breath and pressed his forefinger and thumb against his eyes. He turned back to his closet and after a few moments, emerged with a dark blue haori.

"Here, I think you need to cover up—it will complete the look." Then he added, under his breath, "For everyone's sanity."

Kuai Liang dutifully put on the haori. "Well," he said, spreading his arms. "Do I pass inspection, Master Vrbada?"

Tomas seemed to sigh in relief. "Yes, much better." Then after a pause he added, in a softer tone. "I know it can seem daunting, but I really do hope you have a good time with them."

Dread pooled in Kuai Liang's gut, but he nodded. "Me too."

It was peaceful in Fengjian. They looked over the rice paddies and the vegetable fields, and Kuai Liang couldn't help but feel at ease at the simplicity of the place. He listened attentively as Raiden chattered about his hometown with his usual zeal. It was obvious that he missed being in Fengjian, his eyes lit up as he pointed out small shops in the area and explained how he and Kung Lao had once been farmers before Liu Kang had trained them.

Madam Bo's Teahouse was at the heart of the village and when the two walked up to the structure, the young man sighed dreamily up at it. He grinned sheepishly when Kuai Liang glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "You'll understand once you taste Madam Bo's cooking."

"I'll hold you to that, Raiden."

As they entered, Kuai Liang trailed behind Raiden in a futile attempt to delay the inevitable. There were many locals already dining and well into their cups despite the early hour. They wove around the wooden tables and chairs and ended up near a terrace with a table set aside farther from the other patrons.

"Raiden!" Came an exuberant voice. There was a flash of Kung Lao's signature hat as he stood from the table and all but jumped towards his friend.

"Lao—AH!" Raiden yelled as he was tackled to the ground with a hug.

Kuai Liang neatly sidestepped to avoid being dominoed and watched as the two laughed and helped each other up.

"I have missed you!" Kung Lao grinned at him, then he turned to Kuai Liang. "And you've brought Tundra too!"

"Stop hogging him, Lao! Let us have a go at our Thunder lad!"

The sound of Jonathan's voice made something in Kuai Liang's heart constrict.

Kung Lao led them to the table, and Raiden beamed at the occupants. Kuai Liang recognized Johnny Cage and Kenshi Takahashi, but the woman was unfamiliar, and he assumed this was Ashrah.

"Aw Raiden, I've missed you, bro!" Johnny bumped his and Raiden's fists together.

"So did the monks at Wushi," he teased back, and Johnny gave him a dramatic sigh. Kuai Liang remembered seeing the time-displaced Johnny Cage, but this man seemed to be slightly older, though not quite the age Jonathan had been.

"Welcome back, Raiden," Kenshi greeted. His blindfold was in place, but even without seeing, his head tilted in their direction. It seemed even in this new timeline, he still unfortunately lost his eyesight.

"Kenshi, Ashrah, it's wonderful to see you."

"And you, Raiden." She smiled back at him. There were traces of what Tomas had mentioned about her being a demon, but her appearance was already close to fully human.

"Where's Syzoth?"

"He couldn't make it, his duties as ambassador have kept him busy." She nodded in the direction of Kuai Liang. "Who is your friend?"

"This is Tundra." He gestured towards Kuai Liang who bowed shallowly at the introduction. "He is from the previous timeline."

There was a beat of silence before Johnny broke the tension.

"Man, I can't believe Big Blue ages like fine wine," he groaned, and Kenshi immediately jabbed him in the stomach with his elbow.

"Big Bl—do you mean Bi-Han?" Kuai Liang asked.

Johnny squinted at him. "Aren't you Bi-Han?"

"I thought you said you were bringing an alternate Sub-Zero, Raiden," Kenshi said as he angled his head towards him.

"I am the Sub-Zero of my timeline," he confirmed. "I took on the title when my brother passed."

There was another moment of silence before Kung Lao gasped loudly. "Kuai Liang!?"

"What!? No way!" Johnny looked utterly shocked and delighted. "Well, that does make more sense—he is the better-looking brother."

"You didn't tell them?" Kuai Liang asked Raiden, who gave him a small, but mischievous grin as they took their seats.

"I wanted to see Kung Lao's reaction."

"Raiden, how could you?" Kung Lao wailed in betrayal. "I'm so sorry for calling you an asshole, Tundra! I didn't know!"

His distress made Kuai Liang chuckle. "It is all right, Kung Lao."

"How did you come to be in our timeline?" Ashrah asked.

"I do not know. Not even Liu Kang was able to explain it."

"That sucks, man. Sorry to hear," Johnny sounded sincere, which was a surprise in and of itself. His younger counterpart hadn't had much empathy, but perhaps events had molded him into a different person.

"Did you know us, in your timeline?" Kenshi asked curiously.

Both Kung Lao and Raiden's eyes snapped to him in concern, likely remembering his past reactions to any discussions about his timeline. But having had the chance to grieve Hanzo and his clan, and spend time with the Shirai Ryu, he was at least able to speak about his without any sort of hysterics.

"I did, all except Ashrah."

"It is unfortunate, but perhaps my counterpart was unable to escape Quan Chi."

Kuai Liang stiffened upon hearing the sorcerer's name. "Quan Chi exists here as well?"

"You know him?"

The surge of anger that even the mere mention of his name evoked had Kuai Liang grinding his teeth. "Unfortunately."

"He as slimy and evil in your world?" Johnny asked.

Kuai Liang looked down at the very hands that caused such destruction under Quan Chi's command. "Perhaps even more so." He looked over at Ashrah and said sincerely, "I am glad you were able to remove yourself from that situation. That takes immense strength and courage, and I commend you for it."

Ashrah looked surprised but pleased at his words. "It has been an arduous task to climb to the light, but it has been my most fulfilling one."

"All right, lay it on me and be honest," Johnny began, making him stiffen. He worried about the myriad of possible questions he would ask.

"What do you wish to know?"

He leaned forward. "Who's hotter, me or your Johnny Cage?"

The relief that spread through his body was palpable. Trust Johnny to be the one to put him at ease, even if his question was once again rife with his narcissism.

"I don't know," he said wryly. "Did you win 'Sexiest Man Alive' ten years in a row?"

"Well—"

"No, he didn't," Kenshi said. "He lost this year to Chris Evans, much to his dismay."

Johnny gasped and clutched at his heart. "Kenshi baby, you do listen to me!"

"You wouldn't shut up about it for a week. I think everyone and their mother already know."

"Even I had heard about it," Ashrah said. "I did not even know such a contest was a phenomenon in Earthrealm. I am sorry for your loss." She sounded so sincere that it made Kung Lao snort.

"All right, laugh it up," Johnny grumbled. "At least I have won something. Unlike you," he poked Kung Lao in the ribs, and they devolved into bickering.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite group of warriors," a warm, elderly voice spoke from behind Kuai Liang.

"Madam Bo!" Raiden greeted enthusiastically. "I've come back to partake of your delicious cooking once again!"

Kuai Liang twisted his head to look, and froze at the sight before him. In the Old Lin Kuei, there were barely any female assassins, but the few that were there were unparalleled experts and specialists in their field. She may have aged far more than he'd remembered, but he could recognize a fellow Lin Kuei when he saw them.

"Master Nightshade?" he asked incredulously.

Madam Bo stiffened and her eyes zeroed in on him with intensity. "And just where did you hear that name, young man?"

Showing the appropriate respect to higher-ranking Masters was paramount in the Lin Kuei, and Kuai Liang had been punished enough times that he would never forget a single one. Nightshade was their Master of Poisons, and she taught and mixed all the deadliest draughts with an almost single-minded focus. There was much grumbling when a woman was elevated to her position, but no one could deny her skill and knowledge. Like all Masters in the Lin Kuei, she had been a terrifying figure to him, and it was difficult to reconcile that memory of her to this woman in front of him carrying a spatula.

Raiden jumped to his defense. "Madam Bo! This is Tundra—he's from the previous timeline."

Her shoulders lowered marginally. "You are from that Lin Kuei, then." Her eyes roamed his face. "You look strangely familiar."

"It's Kuai Liang." Kung Lao added helpfully, and Madam Bo's eyes widened. She gave him a surreptitious onceover. He did not know what he saw, but her gaze softened.

Kuai Liang felt distinctly uncomfortable. "Master—,"

"Address me as Madam Bo, or not at all," she said, not unkindly, and he inwardly cringed at his misstep. It made sense that she would want to be addressed differently once she'd left that life behind, whatever it had been in this timeline.

"My apologies, Madam Bo." He dipped his head in deference. "I did not mean to cause distress. It has been decades since I had seen your counterpart, and it…startled me."

"That is quite all right," she said briskly. "It must be quite an adjustment being here, I hope you're settling in, at least." She narrowed his gaze at him. "Hmmm, I think you look too gaunt for your own good."

Kuai Liang blinked as she patted his cheek and tutted.

"We'll have to fill you up. You can choose anything you want from the menu, and I'll bring it over. Kung Lao already has the bestsellers memorized. In the meantime, I'll all get your usuals. Oh—and I'll brew my special tea, you all look like you need it to relax."

Kuai Liang was nonplussed as she swept away, and his blank gaze caused Kung Lao to laugh.

"Madam Bo can be pretty intense, huh? She just switched from downright murderous to mother hen, just like that." Johnny punctuated his sentence with a snap.

"She is…formidable," Kuai Liang said slowly, his mind still reeling.

Kung Lao brought his hands together and rubbed them gleefully. "You're the best, Tundra! Now she'll ply us with so much food."

"I had not known Madam Bo was a member of the Lin Kuei," Ashrah said. "Though from Kung Lao and Raiden's stories, I had heard she is a force to be reckoned with."

"She mentioned it to us on the day we were tested," Raiden said.

"Tested?" Kuai Liang asked.

Kung Lao brightened. "Oh man! Has nobody told you this story yet?" When he shook his head, Kung Lao eagerly launched into the story of how Liu Kang recruited them.

A snort escaped him as he heard the part Tomas played. "I'm sorry, Tomas? A thug trying to extort someone?"

"Don't tell him we said this, but he had us completely fooled." Raiden shook his head.

"Tomas has the makings of a star, let me tell you. I know talent when I see it," Johnny said breezily. If Tomas could hear those words, he might just combust.

"Kuai Liang was just silently menacing, but Bi-Han was practically in his element, just being an arrogant asshole."

"Ugh, don't remind me of him. He still hasn't paid for the Hichuli vase he broke."

It was Kenshi's turn to chuckle. "He must have hated it when you managed to land that hit on him in the mansion, Johnny."

From there, the story turned to how Johnny and Kenshi were approached by Liu Kang, and there was a general recollection of the tournament Raiden had fought in. He blushed and waved away all the compliments from his fellow warriors.

Eventually, their discussion moved to different topics as food was served. How was Kenshi's fight against the Yakuza? How was Johnny's movie coming along? Was Kung Lao enjoying his time teaching in Wushi?

Kuai Liang was content to be around them, listening to their stories and life updates. When he had first arrived in the timeline, he had thought it too overwhelming to learn anything about it. But now, hearing everyone speak, Kuai Liang couldn't help but drink in every detail. The food was spectacular as well, and every bite sparked a contentment in him that he could not name.

Sometimes, just as he feared, his mind would wander, but someone would pull him back into their periphery with a question or comment. They must have noticed his quiet demeanor, but they never called him out or pushed him to say more than he wished.

He found himself relaxing more as the dinner went on, or perhaps it was the "special tea" that Madam Bo had given them. Either way, he started to feel a bit too warm. He removed the haori and hung it behind his chair. Johnny whistled as he did so, while the others, barring Kenshi, looked over at him appraisingly.

Kuai Liang raised an eyebrow at their behavior.

"You were hiding all that underneath?" Johnny said, drawing down his sunglasses as if he was inspecting fine goods. "That is a crime against humanity."

He wasn't sure if he should be offended or amused. "Tomas insisted on the jacket."

Johnny sighed dramatically. "Smoke's being a protective mama bear, that's adorable."

"He was relatively certain I would be stabbed for coming in my Lin Kuei uniform."

"He's not wrong," Kung Lao laughed. "The Lin Kuei have kept their distance so far, I think Bi-Han is afraid of Madam Bo's knife skills, but if he were to show up, she'd fillet him so fast."

"I do not own a lot of casual clothing," Kuai Liang admitted. "I had to borrow these from Tomas."

"That explains the fit," Johnny said.

"Is it that bad?" he echoed his earlier words to Tomas.

"Bad? You look like a Greek god, my man."

Kuai Liang gave him a confused look. "I have no idea what you mean."

"For the sake of my best friend Kenshi, who's missing quite the show, let me explain: that shirt is clinging onto your very visibly chiseled body. Those pants? Are showing off your every asset. They look like they've been molded to your—,"

"Johnny, please!" A flustered Raiden interrupted.

"You look very good, Tundra," Ashrah said primly.

"Thank you, Ashrah." He was still a bit confused about the clothes, but he let it slide, as long as they said he was still presentable.

"Hey, Tundra, I was just thinking," Kung Lao was already deep into his cups, and was looking a bit tipsy. "Should we still call you Tundra? Or Sub-Zero? Or can we call you Kuai Liang?"

"I'm used to Sub-Zero," he said honestly. "I had only taken on the title when brother died, but it has been mine for decades. Tundra was my old alias."

"Should we not call you Sub-Zero, then?" Ashrah asked.

Kuai Liang felt a small twinge in his heart. Under normal circumstances, he would not have responded so openly, but today, the truth spilled out of him. "Losing my clan, the people I loved in my timeline, it hurt like nothing else. It is easier to be called Tundra, than be called Sub-Zero, and be reminded of everything I had lost."

"Fuck, man. I'm sorry." Johnny frowned.

"I grieve with you," Ashrah said.

"Thank you." He inclined his head, and the world tilted along with it.

"Is there anyone in your timeline that you miss, in particular?" Kenshi asked.

"Being here with the two of you," he gestured to Kenshi and Johnny. "It…has made me think of your counterparts."

"We were bros?" Johnny said in an incredulous tone.

Kuai Liang shrugged and squinted in thought. "I suppose? Jonathan and I worked together a lot. But I was truly closer to your children."

Johnny, who had barely recovered from hearing 'Jonathan', choked once again at the mention of children.

"Kenshi and I had children?" His eyes widened.

"I married Johnny?" Kenshi sounded both horrified and awed.

Kuai Liang chuckled. "No, I meant you had children. Separately. But I was quite close with both of them."

"I'm tempted to ask more," Johnny said, his knee bouncing. "But I think I shouldn't—wouldn't want to accidentally botch my chances if I ever have the same kid again." He pointed at Kuai Liang, "But just know I'm getting you to be their godfather."

"You barely know me."

"Yeah, but you really sound like you loved them, and that's an important godfatherly aspect, you know?"

Kuai Liang's mouth turned dry. It was true, he had cared for Cassandra and Takeda, even if they weren't his children. They were Jonathan and Hanzo's but that had not diminished his fondness for them.

"Very well," he said eventually.

"Uncle Tundra's going to take care of our children, Kenshi!" Johnny wrapped his arm around Kenshi who surprisingly, didn't fight him off, but melted into his hug, and patted him on the back.

"At least they'll be in good hands," Kenshi said solemnly.

"You can call me Kuai," Kuai Liang surprised himself with the offer. Kung Lao and Raiden, who both were already pink-cheeked with drinking, gave him identical pleased smiles.

"Not Kuai Liang?"

"Scorpion had thought it easier to separate us in that manner. So, I am Kuai, and he is Liang."

"You know," Johnny propped his elbow on the table and cradled his cheek against his fist. "You guys don't look all too alike. Not like some of the other timeline counterparts Liu Kang had brought here."

"They're fifteen years apart," Raiden whispered loudly, and slapped both of his hands over his mouth when Kuai Liang raised his eyebrows at him.

"That explains the more distinguished look," Johnny gestured to him.

"You can just call me old; I promise it will not hurt my feelings. Harumi does it all the time," Kuai Liang said wryly.

"Dude, you look so good for your age, I can only hope I age half as well," Johnny complained.

"If you're anything like your counterpart, I can guarantee you will."

"I bet I got that silver fox look going on." He ran a hand through his hair and gave them a smirk, which was immediately wiped off his face as Kenshi shoved him and he almost fell off the bench.

"And what about the rest of us?" Kung Lao brandished a grin in his direction. "Do I also look even more dashing than I do now?"

Kuai Liang grew solemn at the question. "Do you truly wish to know? It is not…a happy tale."

The seriousness of his voice made them all focus their attention on him. Kung Lao, realizing his question would likely have an unpleasant answer, gave a quiet nod.

Kuai Liang steepled his fingers and took a deep breath. "I was not present during this time, but I learned about it through the others. During the tournament, you fought Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, and Kintaro—a shokan. You prevailed." He met Kung Lao's eyes, which were wide and attentive. "But Shao Kahn could not accept this, and while your back was turned, he killed you."

Raiden placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "And then?"

"I heard Liu Kang fought to avenge him and nearly succeeded, but Shao Kahn managed to recover."

"Lord Liu Kang avenged me?"

"You were, as I understand, the best of friends."

Raiden and Kung Lao shared a startled glance.

"And that was the last of me, I guess?" Kung Lao said in a subdued tone.

Kuai Liang grimaced. "Not…exactly." At their expectant glances, he continued. "There was…an invasion of Earthrealm, even though we had won the tournament. I will spare you some of the details. But suffice to say, most of us…perished during this period."

"Most of us?" Kenshi prodded.

"A lot of the Earthrealm warriors, and some from Outworld." With each name, their eyes grew larger. "And then Liu Kang…died." His eyes briefly met Raiden's, which were filled with shame. "And we were all raised as revenants under Quan Chi's control."

"What the fuuuuck." Johnny tilted his head back and scrubbed his eyes.

"But you are no longer a revenant." Ashrah pointed out. "You were able to free yourself?"

Kuai Liang shook his head. "We are uncertain of how it happened, some strange cocktail of magic, but Raiden accidentally resurrected us—me, Scorpion, and Jax."

Kenshi twitched at the mention of Jax, and Johnny placed a hand on his arm for comfort.

"Eventually, Quan Chi was killed, but with his death, it meant everyone else who had become wraiths and revenants could no longer be restored. Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Kitana, and Jade—they eventually proclaimed themselves as the Lords of the Netherrealm."

Silence followed Kuai Liang's summary of events, and he allowed them their time to process while he poured himself another cup of Madam Bo's tea.

"My apologies for—," he began.

Kung Lao waved him away. "I asked, didn't I? I just didn't expect things to be so bad. I'm sorry for dredging up any bad memories, Kuai."

"It is all right." And Kuai Liang was surprised to find that it truly was. Speaking of the world he had unwillingly left behind no longer filled him with unbearable pain, and he found that sharing these experiences with them did help unburden him.

"When I first came to this timeline, I was struck with how…peaceful it is. That is not to say that there haven't been any tragedies; I am not minimizing your individual experiences, or any hardships you may have gone through. But I can see the vision Liu Kang has for this timeline, and I could only approve." A half-smile tugged at his lips. "Meeting and knowing all of you has been a privilege. Thank you for inviting me, Raiden, and thank you all for letting me join."

Raiden blushed at his thanks, and Kung Lao looked misty-eyed. Ashrah and Kenshi gave him nods, and Johnny grinned at him. The conversation turned to lighter topics, and Kuai Liang leaned back as he quietly observed himself and his companions. The knot inside him had disappeared throughout the course of the night, and he was left with a sense of contentment.

He had worried extensively about meeting others and falling into a blackhole of comparison and nostalgia. But these people were not those that he had known, and even with similar faces, Kuai Liang and his subconscious did not lump them together with their counterparts. Instead, his mind fully realized their individuality, and he treated them as he would new acquaintances.

Briefly, he excused himself from the table and washed his hands free of the grease and oil in the food. On his way back, he stopped at the balcony overlooking the quaint, sleepy village. Lit lanterns were glowing against the backdrop of a starry sky, and the view calmed him.

Soft footsteps padded behind him, and Madam Bo joined him at the ledge.

"Are you all right, Kuai Liang?" She peered up at him.

"Yes, thank you for asking."

As he gazed upon Master Nightshade—Madam Bo—Kuai Liang couldn't help but think of how soft this new timeline was, and how relieved he was that it was so.

"Did you enjoy the food?"

"Immensely. Raiden was not exaggerating when he said it was the best food he has ever tasted."

"Oh, that boy." Madam Bo chuckled fondly. "He has such a big heart, him and Kung Lao both."

"His kindness and generosity are a credit to himself."

"When I retired from the Lin Kuei," Madam Bo said. "I had thought I would never train any more warriors. But those two were special."

Retiring was such a novel concept to Kuai Liang that he was briefly taken aback at the very thought. His father had tried to leave, but was ultimately killed for treason, and both he and Bi-Han had paid the price. He wondered for a moment what had become of the Master Nightshade he had known. As far as he knew, she had not been cyberized; it was likely Sektor had cut her down at some point before Kuai Liang had returned to purge the Lin Kuei.

"When you called me by my long-forgotten alias, it surprised me. But more than that, I recognized something in your gaze."

"What would that be?" he asked curiously.

"You hid it well, but I have been in the Lin Kuei for decades." Madam Bo's expression turned into something melancholy. "You feared me. Why is that?"

Kuai Liang was silent for a moment as he thought of what to say, but he eventually settled for the truth. He found himself doing that a lot this evening.

"Before I became Grandmaster," he said quietly. "The Lin Kuei were brutal assassins, and their methods were cruel and often inhumane. Masters were often at the forefront of punishments, and Nightshade was no different."

"I would not claim to know or understand, but your eyes tell me that you have gone through much." Madam Bo gazed at him in sympathy.

"I—," The words became stuck in his throat. First it had been Tomas, now it was Madam Bo. How was it that they managed to strike at the heart of his insecurities with the Lin Kuei?

"I am glad that you are safe now," she said sincerely.

He was, wasn't he? With the Shirai Ryu, with Liang and Harumi, and Tomas… He had been provided a place to quietly heal and share his burdens with friends and family who wanted to help him.

The gratitude and warmth hit him deeply, and he found himself smiling. "So am I."