Backstage Pass to Mortal Kombat

Chapter 21 - Ceremony

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Chapter 21 – Ceremony

2 years later...

The room buzzed with conversation as people leaned over their neighbor to whisper to their friends animatedly, some even placing bets on who would be standing on that stage before them in moments. I listened for a moment before finding it pointless and continued waiting outside the canvas of the tent. The tent was filled with the usual dinner tables, which were surrounded by the entire camp - they even squeezed in a few cushions for the servants, who were allowed to take off their face masks for the night. I barely recognized any of them. On the small platform sat Raiden, of course, along with all of the trainers. Their faces glowed with pride as they awaited their students. Tonight, their finest student - of their choice - would take their place on the platform. The tent was lined with torches, lighting up the whole room.

I looked at everyone standing around me. There were only a few of us who had passed every test; myself, Johnny, Walter (a young man with a very old name, who constantly said he couldn't wait to get his 'fighting name'), Cory (someone I had spoken to once. He is so quiet), and a few other guys I didn't know on a first name basis. We all stood in red kimonos, mine a dress, awaiting our cue. I hadn't worn a dress in years, it felt so...weird. Johnny could tell, and he would occasionally tell me I looked nice. "I feel weird, though." I would reply.

I kept scratching furiously at my face, probably leaving red marks on my cheeks. Part of the traditional costume was a red silk face mask.

Johnny rolled his eyes at me when I ripped it off and fervently scratched at my jaw. "Do I have to get you one of those cones dogs wear around their necks?" He snatched the mask from me and put it back on my face. "You look beautiful; can't you stop complaining?"

"I could," I snapped. I could, but I won't.

He chuckled at me as he tucked a loose strand of black hair behind my ear, the rest neatly placed in a bun on the back of my head, held in place by two blood red chopsticks. "Just calm down," We both stuck our tongues out at each other for a moment (pulling our masks off the. placing them back on...being immature sure takes a lot of effort).

"All right, children," Liu sighed, walking over to us. "Time to graduate,"

Everyone straightened up, falling out of conversation and putting on a serious expression, quickly becoming the trained weapons we'd spent the last two years perfecting. The sloppy line we originally had been in quickly straightened out, with me in the front. Liu looked along the length of our line, pleased to see our reaction, before motioning for us to follow him. As we all walked into the room, everyone quickly hushed and watched in awe while the straight faced warriors entered the isle in the middle of the tables, making their way to the platform. Our fellow students who hadn't made the deadline were slightly frowning, but still looked respectfully at us. Quietly we entered the platform, taking our places in front of our trainers, bowing low. I joined a fist to my flat hand and bowed low at the waist to Raiden, who respectfully bowed his head in response. When I looked up at him, while still in my bow, he winked to me and I returned the favor. He was much cooler than I once thought he was. His training methods are brutal, but they work, and they're worth it.

"I'm very proud of you, Zak." He whispered.

"Thank you, master Raiden." My eyes squinted as I smiled behind my mask.