Record of Ragnarok

Twelve: Inner Flames

"OUR NEXT COMBATANTS ARE THOSE THAT HAVE FOUND PEACE WITHIN THEMSELVES BY FIGHTING FOR THEIR CAUSE" Argus announced. "THESE WARRIORS ARE KNOWN FOR BEING WISE, BUT CAN THEY HOLD THEIR OWN WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE?"

The left door began to slide open, as Argus continued. "FOR HUMANITY, WE HAVE THE HONOURABLE SHAOLIN MONK, LIU KANG!" Earthrealm's champion walkd into the arena, a smile crossing his face at the cheers that came from hearing his name. He bowed to the audience in respect.

"AND FOR HEAVEN, WE HAVE THE WISE MENTOR, MASTER OOGWAY!" Argus boomed, as the second door slid open, revealing the titular tortoise. Oogway slowly made his way into the pit, smiling genially, holding his golden staff. He approached his opponent, and bowed respectfully. Liu Kang, confused at first, smiled at the Kung Fu master, and returned the bow.

"I hope this fight shall be educational" he said, looking up.

"As do I, my dear friend" Oogway chuckled. "You seem well-trained, so let's see what you can do".

"ARE THE CHAMPIONS READY?" Argus called.

"Let us begin" Liu Kang called back.

"I wish you luck" Oogway said.

"THEN LET THE MATCH... BEGIN!" Argus called. Oogway spun his staff and swung it at Liu Kang's head. The monk blocked the attack, and jumped back, firing a fireball at the tortoise. Oogway, sidestepped the projectile, giggling.

"Reliant on your inheritance, are you?" he asked, as Liu Kang moved his arms in an arc around him.

"Not always" the monk replied, smiling, as he performed a flying kick at Oogway, kicking him across the pit. Oogway gasped as he landed, then steadied himself again.

"You show great knowledge in martial arts, young man" he commented. "But have you stopped to consider what your life will entail once you have completed your quest?"

"My quest never ends, Master Oogway" Liu Kang expressed, walking towards the mentor. "It is eternal. The mission to keep Earthrealm safe is a commitment, not a hobby".

"You think that your quest has no end, but you have not considered the possibility of your own demise" Oogway sighed, as he spun around, sweeping his legs and arms at Liu Kang's feet, causing him to stumble. "Who will protect Earth once you are dead and gone?".

"I am sure that Lord Raiden will choose a new champion once I am incapable of fighting" the monk replied, just managing to stay on his feet. He then was forced to dogde to the side as Oogway swung his staff at his head again, with the attack only just missing the monk.

"Well then, what of your friends? Will they stay by your side throughout your life, no matter the stakes? Or will they peacefully leave you when the burden grows too great?"
Liu Kang paused here, which allowed Oogway to land a muscle relaxing attack on his arm, paralysing it. Grunting, he jumped into the air, and landed a bicycle kick upon the tortoise, causing Oogway to step back a bit, holding his chest, which had taken the brunt of the attack.

"Whether or not my friends wish to cease their involvement in protecting Earthrealm is their desicion, when that time comes" Liu Kang stated, sounding determined.

"You have that much faith in them?" asked Oogway, sounding surprised.

"I do" Liu Kang replied, looking deliberately into the tortoise's eyes. Oogway stayed silent for a moment, then smiled, and dropped his staff to the ground.

"Then... you have already beaten me" he said, and raised his arms in surrender. Liu Kang stared for a second, then smiled back at Oogway. The two warriors bowed in respect to one another, then turned to Argus.

"I wish to surrender to my opponent" Oogway called up to the Protector of Edenia.

"AS YOU WISH" Argus replied. "WITH OOGWAY'S SURRENDER, LIU KANG CLAIMS THIS VICTORY FOR HUMANITY!" The cheers that filled the arena from the right side of the stands were enough to deafen an entire monastery.

"IF THE CHAMPIONS COULD PLEASE EXIT THE ARENA TO MAKE WAY FOR OUR NEXT COMBATANTS!"