"I'm sorry, Bi Han." Spoke Cyrax as he kneeled next to the charred bones of Sub Zero. Sektor also took in the sight for a brief moment before turning to leave the throne room in defeat. Cyrax, however, required a moment to mourn. He had always been close with the other top members of the Lin Kuei. However, losing Sub Zero meant more than just a lost friend. He had been the best of them. The strongest in the clan for some time now. With Bi Han dead the clan would be significantly weaker.
"You are not the only one disappointed with this outcome." Spoke Raiden from behind. He stood alone with the other earthrealm warriors all gathered together on the other side of the throne room not to intrude.
"Scorpion will pay for this." Stated Cyrax determined.
"Yes, but we've already seen that you will not be the one to defeat him. Scorpions abilities are far greater than I initially anticipated."
"Are you confident one of your warriors will be able to defeat Scorpion?" Cyrax asked.
"I was confident that Bi Han would beat Scorpion, and now….." they turned their attention to the pile of bones. "An unfortunate end for the man who helped defend earthrealm from the armies of the netherrealm."
"His remains should be transported home. I'm sure Kuai Liang will want something to bury." Spoke Cyrax.
"Will they bury his remains or throw them in a machine, I wonder?"
Cyrax scoffs. "You presume too much, Raiden. That's not how the cyber initiative works. The person must be alive, and for the record I'm speaking out against the grandmaster's plan." He defended.
"Did you speak out against the grandmaster when he sent you to the tournament? To fight and kill earthrealm warriors."
"We were invited by Shang Tsung. The grandmaster simply wishes to ensure the Lin Kueis survival." Defended Cyrax again.
"Turning against your own realm. I expect better. Even from an assassin." Finished Raiden before turning away from Cyrax. Raiden's judgment was the last thing Cyrax felt he needed. The young Lin Kuei instead, needed rest. However, he did make a point. Cyrax likely couldn't defeat Scorpion. He'd done his best already with Sektor helping and they were no match. Scorpion was truly on another level.
As he stepped out of the throne room he took in a breath of the cool night air. With a now clear sky, Cyrax would walk to his quarters with thoughts racing through his mind. According to Sektor, Sub Zero had killed Ryker, which was valid at least from Cyrax's point of view. Bi Han was defending himself. Then the duo of Typhoon and Cyclone each fled the island, likely hoping to escape the clan before they were selected for cyberization. Finally Bi Han was killed by Scorpion. That left only Cyrax and Sektor on the island. Cyrax knew he could rely on Sektor here at the tournament, but that was hardly comforting as Lin Kuei had started dropping like flies. Of course even if they survived they would likely be moving to outworld which would mean a new hostile environment.
Then there was the issue of the cyber initiative. The grandmaster planned to turn the entire clan into cyborgs by force if necessary. Cyrax had hoped he would be able to escape the clan after the tournament with Bi Han and others. That plan had just become more difficult without Bi Han to aid him. Smoke, Aqua, Hydro and Tundra had each talked of escape as well, so Cyrax had to hope the five of them would be enough. Sektor of course was left out of the plan. The grandmaster's son could have no knowledge of their plans to escape due to the risk he'd out them as deserters. This secret was especially hard for Cyrax to keep as he and Sektor were practically best friends. The question that continued to eat away at Cyrax 'what if he wants to escape too?' Could Cyrax really leave Sektor in the hands of his deranged father?
It weighed heavily on Cyrax for the weeks that the others discussed their escape. Now Cyrax was worried he'd need to find a way to escape the clan in an entirely new realm. It would be impossible for the Lin Kuei to escape in such conditions. Earthrealm could still win the tournament, but Cyrax couldn't assume anything now. Everything from here on would be uncharted territory.
"Lin Kuei!" Called out a feminine voice from ahead of Cyrax. Tasia, the black dragon stood with her swords drawn. "You were seen speaking with the thunder god." She spoke. Cyrax quickly realized what this was.
"Move aside!" He announced. "I have my assignment." Tasia smirked.
Just then Jerek came rushing from behind Cyrax tackling him to the ground. They both rolled, but Cyrax quickly wrapped Jerek in his net before returning to his feet. Tasia rushed in fast only to take a front kick that completely rocked her. She was flattened with the wind knocked out of her. Meanwhile Jerek cut himself free of the net with his knife before throwing his second knife at Cyrax.
The Lin Kuei warrior simply caught the blade by the handle with ease. "Shang Tsung sent you two to kill me. The black dragon aren't assassins. They're a gang of imbeciles."
"And you're better? The Lin Kuei are just glorified hit men, and soon they'll be tin men." Stated Jerek before rushing. He attacked with his pair of knives. Cyrax was forced to block the slashes with his buzzsaw that was deployable from his equipment. Jerek actually managed to pressure Cyrax to his surprise. The Lin Kuei quickly dropped a grenade at their feet which would have critically damaged them both. However, Cyrax had simultaneously thrown a glass several feet away that allowed him to teleport to a safe distance. The explosive detonated and sent Jerek stumbling towards Cyrax who connected with a kick to the black dragon's head that knocked him out. Cyrax had been somewhat impressed by Jereks durability as any normal man would have been killed by the explosive.
"Be careful Jerek, there's plenty of materials to put you in one of those suits." threatened Cyrax as Jerek sat in defeat. Satisfied with his work Cyrax prepared to go get some rest when a fireball struck him in the back. It did little damage to Cyrax, but Tasia stood proud.
"You're not leaving here alive." The woman threatened.
"Didn't that kid break your arm. How is it you plan to beat me?" He asked. She smirked as she prepared another fireball. Cyrax dodged and rolled towards Tasia, unleashing his net. She cut through it with her swords, but Cyrax fist met the bridge of her nose immediately. Cyrax continued with several blows before smashing one of his bombs over her head. Then Cyrax flipped away letting the explosive detonate right beneath her. Whether or not she survived the blast didn't matter to Cyrax so long as she stayed down.
Cyrax was surely finished with the thugs now. He knew Sektor would be in no danger. Even Shang Tsung wouldn't try to have the grandmaster's son assassinated. Cyrax would find a safe place to sleep, and deal with this problem in the morning.