Bi Han "Sub-Zero" x F!Reader

Thirty-Nine

The day was strangely dark as you walked down the small path to another building. About your heads clouds of grey obscured the sky.

Trees decorated with red leaves rustled as a cold wind caressed their branches. Stones crunched below your every step.

It smelled of iron and ice. Soon it would rain.

Raiden and Kung Lao guided the small group of Lin Kuei towards a side entry. Old wood creaked as the heavy wings of the ancient looking door were pushed open.

The god of fire already awaited you. With his arms crossed in front of his chest he bowed his head in greeting. Before him, on a large table, lay an even larger map.

"A tactical map.", you said and let the tips of your fingers wander along the old, gilded paper.

Inc from long forgotten times stretched across, formed buildings, forstest and roads. Four figures of gold stood ready.

"Shang Tsung is here, the ruins of Ying Fortress.", Liu Kang grabbed one of the golden figures to place it on a particular spot on the map. "His soul stealers are already under construction. You must destroy them, and capture Shang Tsung before either can inflict harm upon Earthrealm."

Kuai Liang and Tomas had taken their places at the opposite side of Liu Kang. His two champions had positioned themselves at the window while Bi Han stood at the head of the table.

You stood opposite to Bi Han, arms crossed in front of your chest and examined the map. While two of the small figures were positioned very close to Outworld's court, the other two were at the Fortress.

Neither you nor any of the Lin Kuei brothers had ever met Shang Tsung but you knew of Outworld's magic and its inhabitants.

In contrast to humans most of them possessed some kind of supernatural ability, either through their born physique or knowledge they had acquired through studies.

While the Lin Kuei had originated from Outworld and had later immigrated to Earthrealm they had made sure to keep their powers by selecting their partners with care.

No one without magic was to be married to someone who had it. The risk of it being lost down the generations had been too big to take it.

That was how your parents had found their match. And Bi Han's as well. In the animal kingdom this was called selective breeding.

It was kind of amusing how the Lin Kuei had justified it by any means. All just to not call it by what it actually was, a breeding process to maintain a lineage of superiority.

How easy it would have been to simply get rid of this problem by remigrating back to Outworld. However, the loyalty and sense of duty towards Liu Kang had been undefeated for many generations.

Leaving was not an option unless it was by death. In the end, the clan was nothing but servants. Exactly what Bi Han seemed to despise so much about it.

Perhaps that had been his reasons for rejection. He hadn't had any desire to be bred only for the sake of a child that was born with magic.

In Earthrealm that was something special. But in Outworld it would just be one of many.

Cost and gain seemed way too close to be worth the hassle. Then again, you wouldn't have married him for those reasons only either.

For you it had been convenient since you were in love with him anyways. Something inside your chest pulled together at the realisation.

Yet in the end it was true. You loved him. Perhaps even more than he hated his father's traditions.

"We will leave immediately.", Bi Han said as his eyes fell onto you.

He must have noticed you lost in thoughts. Black eyebrows drew together as he raised his chin to gain your attention.

You met his gaze, bowed briefly.

"I will prepare a unit immediately, grandmaster.", you said.

Even though you had always called him by his title in the presence of others he seemed wrong in this moment. It was like a shoe that didn't fit quite right.

He was the grandmaster.

But to you he had always been Bi Han before all. Not he was just the man who led the clan of your origins. Again, there was this feeling growing inside your chest.

You hated it from the second it sprouted roots.

"We will join you.", Raiden said.

You stopped in your tracks.

"More skilled men mean more possibilities.", you looked at Tomas and Kuai Liang for approval.

They both nodded but Bi Han narrowed his eyes with scepticism.

"You are not Lin Kuei.", he sounded like he didn't want anyone more on this mission, regardless if Lin Kuei or not. "You would only hinder the effort."

Kung Lao took offence. Visibly upset he approached the grandmaster, a finger raised as if it would be enough to get his point across.

"Raiden and I are more-!", he was cut off by the other brother.

"We're trained differently.", he noted in a calm, reasonable manner. "It takes years to master our ways."

Agreeing, you lowered your head.

"I agree.", you sighed. "Perhaps it would be best to keep this operation as small as possible. Less chances to be discovered."

As your eyes met Bi Han's he gave you a slight nod of thanks. So in the end he still put great trust in your judgment. If you would have sided with the champions he would have respected that.

But he preferred you on his side anyways.

"You and Raiden have my full confidence.", Liu Kang assured Kung Lao. "But you are needed elsewhere. Go to the Wu Shi. The monks must prepare you for war."

At these words you could feel the temperature inside the room drop. Goosebumps crawled over your arms. Almost like a bad omen.

Again, you looked at Tomas and Kuai Liang. Both of them seemed just as concerned, however the grandmaster showed no signs of surprise.

So he had known about Shang Tsung's existence longer than either of you, about the threat he possibly possessed. And for some reason he hadn't shared it with anyone.

Not even you.