Bi Han "Sub-Zero" x F!Reader

Thirty-Four

"I created this timeline with perfection in mind. Options for good lives.", Liu Kang did a gesture and the flames formed a face.

"Shang Tsung.", you recognised.

"Indeed. He would have lived a different existence from the one he used to. And I hoped that would be enough. But in the end he was created with someone in mind who already existed.", glowing eyes fell onto you. "For whatever reason that is not the case with you. Your existence is one of uniqueness. Out of my influence."

"Which is why you thought of me as a good opponent for Shang Tsung. I remember.", your eyes traveled down to your fingers.

The (S/C) skin was slightly blemished from the pressure you had used to clench hands into fists. Magic slumbered below the surface, slightly colouring your nails a different shade.

"Indeed.", Liu Kang and Geras exchanged a glance. "However, I also had hoped your freedom would be able to cheat fate for a few more better outcomes."

One of your eyebrows lifted.

"Better outcomes?"

"The grandmaster is a fleeting mind.", Geras voice echoed in the room as if it came from a place far beyond what your eyes would see. "Stability was a component he could have used to strengthen the Lin Kuei towards the right direction."

Something in the back of your mind tingled.

"Bi Han might be a man who is difficult to understand but I'm still confident that his changes will help the clan improve."

"And they already did.", as Liu Kang gestured towards the fire the flames changed and Kuai Liang appeared.

Your heart skipped a beat.

Another figure formed next to him, awfully similar to you. But the way these two interacted with each other felt not pleasant at all.

This wasn't Kuai Kiang, the brother you've never had. This was a man who courted a woman to favour him. At the sight, something inside your chest pulled together. It should have been Bi Han.

It always had been Bi Han for you.

"No.", it wasn't just a simple word but a decision that got carved in stone in this very moment.

The flames flickered and disappeared.

"It is destined.", Geras sounded not all too pleased about this situation either.

"I refuse.", your words trembled.

"We do not know if it will be. Since you are not chained to fate through many existences there might be an option to avoid this.", the glow of Liu Kang's eyes seemed darker than before, more serious. "But if not, the consequences might be fatal."

Goosebumps crawled all over your arms. Within seconds you felt nothing but discomfort. And worry. Worry about ending up with the wrong brother.

"What does this all have to do with me and Shang Tsung?!", you almost couldn't breathe.

The eyes of Geras narrowed.

"The existences of the brothers have always been marked by rivalry. Or envy. Whatever it is you prefer.", he crossed his arms behind his back. "Many timelines have been set ablaze because of a quarry that could have been avoided if one would have kept Sub Zero in his place. But perhaps no force is needed."

"Enough!", screamed echoed in your ears.

You trembled all over. Sweat shimmered on your forehead. It was difficult. So endlessly difficult to keep the magic in your veins at bay.

Destruction was the answer to the plea.

A tense kind of silence spread through the room. It was so thick that one could have cut it with a knife. Only your heavy breathing could be heard.

"Very well.", Liu Kang took a deep breath. "Let's speak about the actual issue at hand."

Relief washed over you. Gathering your strength, you took a deep breath and closed your eyes for a moment before being able to stand up straight again.

"Enlighten me.", you said. "How may I serve?"

A thin smile appeared on his thin lips. But there was also concern visible in the glow of his eyes. Such an unsettling discovery that a simple glow with no pupils or colour could create an emotion like this.

With a gesture, Liu Kang turned to Geras who bowed his head in respect before he started, or rather continued the conversation that the two of them must have had before you had joined.

"Shang Tsung and Quan Chi again conspire against Earthrealm?", a tint of nervousness appeared in Liu Kang. "What Johnny and Kenshi report should not be possible."

With his hands folded in front of him, he walked around the pit of fire. Geras did the same. It was odd how similar these two were, both the same eyes, the same way of expressing themselves and a very faint none human feeling to them.

Almost as if they were counterparts to one another. Made to be one. Or one had been created in the image of the other to do what the other couldn't.

"You witnessed how I rewrote history.", the god of fire gestured towards the other man. "I gave the sorcerers meaningless lives... They should have never gained power, let alone join forces."

At the sound of a new name you tilted your head. Somehow that Quan Chi seemed rather familiar. With your eyebrows knitted together and wrinkles on your forehead you thought for a moment.

Then you remembered.

As a representative of Liu Kang both you and other high ranked Lin Kuei had the honours to visit Outworld frequently. That way you had forged a sort of friendship with the princesses Mileena and Kitana.

Both had spoken about a strange sorcerer who had appeared before their mother with a prophecy that Earthrealm, or rather Liu Kang, was to betray Outworld at some point in time.

The empress was a wise woman, more wary then her late husband but just as intelligent. She hadn't acted on this so called prophecy yet.

But since then the relations between Outworld and Earthrealm had changed. Not necessarily for the better.

"Your work was flawless.", the flames shivered under the might of Geras' voice. "Such would their lives have been, had someone not interfered."