Mortal Kombat: Icy Chains

Chapter Seventeen: Be Still

"And we're back," I sigh, rearranging the branches over the cave entrance. "Thank you, truly," Hanzo smiles, sitting down on the stone floor near the pool.
"My pleasure," I say as I take off my bag. "I packed food as well, in case we get hungry."
"You are too kind, Bi-Han," Hasashi says, motioning me to sit.
I do and start making the fire.

"Would it...be okay if I got to see the scars up close?" He asks. I pause, still holding the two rocks I hit over and over to make a spark.
"I mean, I'm not going to say no to you..." I focus my attention on the sticks I had gathered.
I hear him laugh. "I love seeing you embarrassed."
"Do you, now?" I look up, seeing Hanzo combing his fingers through his matted hair. It had definitely gotten longer.

How long has he even been at the temple? Three months? Four? I lost track.
"Might as well be honest," he says, meeting my gaze.
"Right." I get the fire going. "Do you want to see the scars now?"
He shrugs. "It can be whenever."
I nod and unravel my dark blue robe, exposing my scarred shoulders and stomach.

Hanzo looks at my body, a mixture of sadness and tenderness in his gaze. He reaches a hand out, then stops himself. "It's okay," I say.
Nodding, he slowly touches my shoulder, fingers grazing over my chest.
"Who did this to you?"
"My father," I answer. "He was a harsh man, a drunk. He would harm my mother, and I would usually intervene. Father died years ago, Kuai doesn't even remember him, nor mother. That is probably why he is so fond of you."

"I see..." Hanzo whispers. We both look into the fire for a few moments. "How will you deal with Sektor?" He asks to break the silence besides the fire crackling.
"Same way I always have, confront him and hope we don't get into a fight," I answer.
"Knowing Sektor, that might be a bit of a challenge," Hanzo jokes. I laugh bitterly.
"I'm not expecting it to be easy," I sigh.

"How long should we stay here?"
"Probably until nightfall, maybe sooner than that," I say, taking out some dried beef jerky from my bag and giving it to him.
He takes it with a nod of thanks and begins to eat.
"Gods, this is salty," he coughs.
"It is beef jerky. Have you not had it before?"
"Can't say I have," he takes another bite.

"This is Kuai Liang's favorite travel food. It's easy enough to prepare," I say, stretching.
Hasashi sits next to me, cuddled up against my body.
"He is a sweet child. Bi-Han..." he starts, still looking into the fire.
"Hm?"
"Have you ever been married before?"
His question catches me off guard.
"No, I can't say I have..." I trail off, curious.

"Well," Hanzo's voice sounds anxious, "if given the choice, would you want that?"
"Probably, yes," I answer, then sigh. "But that isn't possible." Hanzo looks worried.
"Why not?"
"The Lin Kuei forbid marriage," I explain simply. "It is against tradition."
"Bi-Han, you're the Grandmaster. You can change whatever you see fit. Do not let some ancient expectations deter you from living your life," he almost pleads.

"I..." I blink, not knowing what to say. Clearing my throat, I start again. "I never thought about it that way."
Hanzo smiles, looking into my eyes.
"Let's say you break tradition, becoming the first Grandmaster ever to marry. What would be your first action?"
"Uh..." I'm completely blindsided by all of this. Hanzo knows I didn't even know what a date was until a few days ago. What's all this talk about marriage?

"Probably hope I have a decent outfit?" I guess.
He laughs, then looks into the fire. "I don't think I ever was married," he sighs. My mind flashes back to his wife. What was her name? Harumi?
I remember seeing how he dusted off her hands while she was gardening, and the fear in her eyes as her and her son froze over.
****
On the walk back, we notice it is almost completely dark. A few stars are already in the sky.
"Sektor?" I call out once we enter the temple.
"Sektor, Bi-Han wants to talk to you," Hanzo states.
No response. In fact, the temple is unusually quiet.
Growing nervous, I go over to Sektor's room. Empty.

"Sektor? Kuai?" I call out, panicking now, rushing down the hall with Hanzo at my heels.
"I'm in here," Kuai calls out from his room. After rushing in, I see Kuai sit up in his bed, groggy from sleep.
Relieved, I walk over and sit on his bed, Hanzo lingering in the doorway.

"Where is Sektor and the others?" I ask.
"Out hunting," he yawns, rubbing his eyes. "I didn't want to go, so they left me behind."
"Alone?" I ask, feeling anger rise in my chest.

"Bi-Han," Hanzo starts, voice tight with tension. I look back at him. "Something doesn't feel right. Why would all of the Lin Kuei go out hunting, and leave a child alone here? It isn't right," he says this in Japanese, keeping his voice low even though Kuai can't understand him.

"I know. Sektor wouldn't just leave, let alone the entire clan..." I say, glancing back at Kuai's worried face.
"We should leave, all of us," Hanzo states firmly, mouth set in a grim line. "Something tells me Sektor would come back and try to harm you or me. Perhaps even Kuai. You said yourself that Sektor hates you being in power, I wouldn't put it past me if he tried to harm you."

Hearing Hanzo say this only worsens my fears. "Okay," I say tensely. "We leave. I heard there is a temple further north, towards the mountains. It's fairly hidden, but will provide shelter."
"That sounds promising. Does anyone live there?" Hasashi asks, walking forward and whispering reassurances to Kuai in Chinese.

"Maybe. I don't know for certain. There is a legend that two gods of lightning and wind live there, but the legend is thousands of years old," I shrug, not knowing where else we can go.
"I see...Do you recall their names?"
My mind reels, trying to recall their ancient names.
"Raijin and Fujin," I say.
Hanzo repeats the names, then his eyes widen.
"Those are Japanese gods. What would they be doing in China?"

"I don't know. But if they're still there, they can offer us help," I pace, debating on what we should bring.
"It's worth a risk. Better we travel than stay here," Hanzo nods.
"Where are we going?" Kuai asks, looking worried.
"Somewhere safe," I answer. "This place isn't safe anymore."