Bi Han eventually arrived in Shang Tsung's Gardens. Statues of outworlds greatest champions littered the area. Goro being the obvious, but Shang himself, and others who had fought bravely in past outworld tournaments. Baraka had fought bravely and won the previous tournament in his youth earning a place in Shang Tsung's Gardens. Shao Kahn's top general, Reiko, apparently won a tournament before, earning a statue. Kitana and Mileena both had shrines; perhaps they had won tournaments thousands of years ago. Bi Han was entranced by the statues as he continued through the gardens, eventually coming to one that surprised him. The great Kung Lao had a statue among the Strongest of Outworlds warriors. The snake Shang Tsung apparently had enough respect to at least honor the history of the man that defeated him so long ago.
"Enjoying my gardens, Sub Zero?" Asked Shang Tsung as he approached.
"I will admit it's quite peaceful." Replied Sub Zero. "I was actually admiring the stone work on these statues when I came across this one."
"Yes, the great Kung Lao. You're probably surprised to see his statue here. Truthfully I did hate the monk more than you could imagine, but he did win a tournament. Beating me in the final match." explained Shang Tsung.
"Then why honor his victory at all? You're not known for honorable acts, Sorcerer."
"It's true, I will achieve victory by any means necessary, but I do have hobbies as well as a purpose. Second to winning tournaments for Outworld, I have the task of recording the histories of realms and this tournament."
"Some elaboration is required." Stated Sub Zero.
"When Outworld wins a set of tournaments and merges realms, we manage to save a percentage of the population so that they may live on as part of outworld. However, once the process is complete, the history of those realms is completely lost to us. Shao Kahn has tasked me with keeping official records of each realm after merging."
"You're a historian?" laughed Sub Zero. "Is this a joke?"
"Hardly. I pride myself on my ability to understand history and keep up with the events of other realms. One such event being the cyber initiative." Shang Tsung spoke. "A nasty thing. The Lin Kuei are likely earth's greatest fighters and they're being reduced to slaves. Of course Raiden could step in, but instead….."
"Get to the point, Sorcerer." spoke Sub Zero impatiently.
"I could use you in this tournament, Sub Zero. We would be quite powerful allies, and once the tournament is over I would personally ensure the Lin Kuei are transported to Outworld and that you were made grandmaster. The cyber initiative would be no more." offered Shang Tsung.
"A generous offer, Sorcerer. Being made grandmaster, and putting an end to the cyber initiative is very enticing…" Said Sub Zero. "Yet, I have to ask what the point is of escaping the cyber initiative if I will just be a slave to Shao Kahn regardless?"
"I see… I appreciate your time, Sub Zero. May you be blessed in glorious kombat." Spoke Shang Tsung respectfully.
Bi Han was not expecting such a strange interaction. Shang Tsung was known to be a backstabbing, cheating, and deceiving maniac. Yet, he claimed to respect the Lin Kuei, to respect the history of the realms he helped destroy. Or at the least, Shao Kahn respected those things, and Shang Tsung was just a good messenger. Bi Han questioned if maybe he should have accepted the offer?
He pondered this as he looked up at the statue of The Great Kung Lao. Just then Bi Han noticed the uncanny resemblance. Not to his own descendant, Kung Lao. No, The Great Kung Lao's appearance matched Liu Kang almost completely. Sure, The Great Kung Lao was bald, unlike Liu Kang, but their faces were so similar. Not only that, but they wore similar gauntlets and the great Kung Lao even looked to match Liu Kang in height assuming the statue was life sized like the rest. Bi Han couldn't help but question if this was a coincidence or something else?
Just then Bi Hans' senses turned up to eleven. Without a second thought, Sub Zero raised an ice shield protecting his entire body. Four different daggers hit the shield from different directions just as he brought it up. A feminine laugh could be heard, and a familiar one at that. Skarlet approached from the tree line with her short swords drawn. Bi Han dropped the shield and stepped towards her as well.
"I didn't expect Tsung to send Shao Kahn's pet after me." Sub Zero spoke.
Her eyes were locked onto him not registering his words as he insulted her further. Bi Han could see what she was feeling. As a cryomancer, Bi Han's blood would be very potent to someone such as Skarlet. Not only was it strong, but she was hungry, starved even. One could almost see the saliva slipping through her mask as she imagined him bleeding dry. Although, she didn't necessarily need to drink it: She also had the ability to absorb blood through her skin. She could hardly control herself a second longer as she rushed at Bi Han.
Sub Zero was shocked to see she had been so detached from reality, but still so focused on what was happening. She had attacked with precision and finesse. She made no mistakes as her swords struck at Sub Zero over and over again. He blocked the attacks with an ice blade of his own. Eventually Sub Zero tried to push her back. Her hunger consumed her as she amplified her own strength several times and instead forced Sub Zero onto his back. He rolled to his feet quickly.
"I can't believe Shang Tsung would allow me this meal. I will soak in the blood of the man who defeated Shinnok." she said excitedly. Her bloodlust rivaled that of even the nastiest vampires.
Sub Zero knew conversation was pointless. He attacked with an ice slide, but she easily flipped over him as he passed underneath. However, he quickly turned and froze her solid just as she hit the ground. Bi Han formed a large ice hammer before breaking it over the woman's head. The fight should have ended then but she returned to her feet as though she hadn't been hit especially hard. If anything the attack, which would've killed most humans, only served to upset her. She amplified her next rush with a blood trail using her sword to cut Sub Zero's shoulder open. Immediately she went for the killing blow. But Bi Hans fist connected with her face knocking her back.
As Sub Zero held his new shoulder wound closed he saw Skarlet attack the pool of blood on the ground. She fought quickly to get every drop like someone planned on taking it from her. While she was distracted Bi Han used the opportunity to freeze the wound closed. He looked back to see Skarlet had healed the little damage Bi Han managed to do to her with just a small amount of his blood.
"You're delicious." She said in a more calm tone than before. Her abilities genuinely shook Bi Han as he prepared to fight again. If she could use his own blood against him mid fight, then he would need to end it fast. However, she had incredible strength, speed, and skill. This fight may not be as easy as Sub Zero had originally hoped.
"Have you finally joined me back in reality?" she nodded. "You waste such skill and strength in the service of Shang Tsung."
"I serve Shang Tsung at the orders of Shao Kahn." She stated. "I will obey my creator."
Her dedication to Shao Kahn reminded Bi Han of Sarena. She had once been a slave to Quan Chi just as Skarlet was now to Shao Kahn. Sarena even enjoyed her service to the netherrealm for a time, just as Skarlet seemed to be very passionate about Shao Kahn. However, Sub Zero had the upper hand on Sarena when they met. It seems like Skarlet is on another level. Initially this surprised Sub Zero as her abilities seemed so far beyond that of a mortal. That is until she said 'creator'. Skarlet was not some super weapon, she was an abomination made with the soul purpose of killing and feeding. Abominations like Skarlet, like Shinnok, can be very strong. Yet, Sub Zero found a way to survive Shinnok.
No, Sub Zero didn't defeat Shinnok. He never trapped the fallen elder god into his own amulet like he originally planned. He realized Shinnok was already trapped in the netherrealm and he merely needed to get the amulet from Shinnok to ensure he stayed there. In reality Sub Zero was beaten by Shinnok, and saved by Sarena, before running off with the amulet. When he revealed this to Raiden, he suggested they go with the story everyone believes now. That Bi Han defeated him and trapped him in the amulet. Now lunatics looking to revive Shinnok will spend their lives looking for the amulet when in reality Shinnok was still trapped in the netherrealm. The problem with the story is that it invites challenges. People from every realm heard about Bi Han and all wanted to best the man that beat Shinnok. Of course, after winning so much for so long he started to believe it too. Now he's being humbled for it.
"Why?" Asked Bi Han, unable to think of anything else. She raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You risk your life for Shao Kahn's conquests for what? He clearly made you with the need for blood and he starves you." Spoke Bi Han. Clearly Bi Han hit a nerve as her expression changed from confused to pure anger. That wouldn't work, He needed more time. "There's more to life than serving."
"I serve the one who gave me life." Answered Skarlet, ready to continue fighting.
"That doesn't make it right. You're a slave." Stated Bi Han: trying to draw the conversation out a bit longer.
"I've heard enough from you, Cryomancer!" she spat. "You're as much a slave to the Lin Kuei clan as I am to Shao Kahn."
"No longer." Said Bi Han, having bought himself the necessary time. "You should surrender." He stated.
"Why would I….." she began before taking in her surroundings. It was snowing, cold, the ponds of the gardens had frozen over. Bi Han was gathering energy while she was listening to him talk. She turned and prepared to dash at Sub Zero again when he unleashed a beam that froze her solid, lowering her body temperature to a point that would kill most beings. However, Skarlet had very strange abilities. She would surely live, but she would be trapped for hours at least.
"It appears Shao Kahn needs to let his pet out of her cage more often. You're so depraved of social interaction that you let me stall for time without even really trying." Began Sub Zero. She could hear him gloat, even frozen solid as she was. "If not for that you may have stood a chance. Know this, I allow you to live only because you remind me of someone. You got lucky today, freak. Do not expect mercy from me again." Finished Sub Zero as he stepped away from the ice statue he added to the gardens. Skarlets appearance, her attitude, everything about her reminded him of Sarena.
Thoughts of her rushed through Bi Han's mind as he walked towards the throne room. The two of them were so similar when they met. Killers, murderers, loyal to a fault to the masters that they served. Bi Han to the Lin Kuei and Sareena to Quan Chi. Of course Bi Han sparred her when she spoke of freedom. A feeling neither of them would ever truly know. Sareena never did escape the Netherrealm, as in the end she sacrificed herself for the cryomancer. He felt so strongly for her that he vowed to change, to be a free thinker, to be better like she tried to be. Bi Han never did fulfill that vow. He continued to murder in the name of the Lin Kuei for years, never batting an eye, which was something Raiden had reminded him of often. He hoped that finally standing against Lin Kuei here at the tournament meant he'd finally changed, but Bi Han was smart enough to know his soul was dammed regardless of his actions now. He was more worried about how Sareena would view his actions if she were here. Would she approve of his choices? Bi Han couldn't say. He only knew that he needed to win this tournament and to return home to stop the cyber initiative. Then and only then would he be able to dwell further on these thoughts. He looked up to see a storm was gathering over the island just as the sun was starting to set. He'd need to get to the throne room quickly if he was going to beat it.