Backstage Pass to Mortal Kombat

Chapter 37 - Number One Fan

Everything would have to go; that much was obvious. The oil paintings of naked women, the weird red velvet curtains that made me feel like Cinderella, and the stupid sculptures of the late king sitting on every surface possible – it all would have to be torn out, broke down, or burned and taken out of here. Personally, I’d like to burn the paintings. For some odd reason, they annoyed me. As my eyes roamed the foyer – only the foyer, and I already wanted to change the entire fortress – I felt a surge of pride shoot through me. Of course, maybe it was pain; I couldn’t very well tell the difference right now.

“First I need a healer,” I announced to my ‘posse’, some would call it. “Then I’d like to eat the entire contents of this building…and then we’ll talk about interior decorating, because this–” I waved my arms around to motion to the various items. “–has to go.”

Keanu, who stood by my side ever since I won the fight, took my hand and laughed. “Whatever you wish, my queen.”

I cringed; I didn’t like being called a queen for some reason. It meant power, yes, but it also meant responsibilities. Plus, I was queen of the worst realm possible. This place was violent, cruel, evil, and had a horrible reputation. I could give it a new, polished reputation, but that would take forever. I don’t want to wash away the damage someone else made. I suppose I could think about this later.

Raiden stepped forward, causing Keanu to let go of my hand and move out of the way. He looked very serious, almost frightened. Now that everything was at a standstill, so to say, we had to get down to business.

“Zak, I need to have a word with you.”

I looked down at my stab wound; it was still bleeding slightly – I had been putting pressure on the gash with my hand – but it still hurt, and if I didn’t get it healed soon I wasn’t sure what would happen. A frown crossed my face when I peered back up at him, “Can’t it–?”

“I’ll go with you to the healer…everything will be fine.” He gave a reassuring smile, but it did nothing to ease my suspicions.

Ignoring my concerned face and Keanu’s objections, he gestured with his arm out to guide me to the healer, which was scurrying off to his quarters. Everyone had been at the fight, including him.

As we followed him Raiden was silent; I wondered what he was thinking…I also wondered what was so important. I was queen now; was he warning me about all the power, all the burdens I’ll have? Was he warning me about the threats I would receive? Surely people would take one look at me and expect me easy to defeat; people would travel from left and right to kill me and take my place. I wasn’t big and strong like Shao Kahn; sending the image that I could win without even trying. There was more I had to learn, I knew that. Would he be training me again?

Thoughts swarmed my head – a million questions with no answers. Finally, the healer led us into his ‘office’ with potions, remedies, and herbs all along the walls in jars and bags. He rushed around the room, looking for the items he needed, as Raiden motioned for me to sit down in the large leather chair. It was nice to be off my feet…

“How are you feeling?” He asked, as if to lighten the mood.

I furrowed my brow, “I’m bleeding from my stomach, a little light-headed, hungry as hell, and exhausted to the brink of fainting, but I guess I’m okay.”

“Good, good!” He smiled happily, confusing me even more.

The healer came over and healed up my stomach quickly with some kind of ointment he mixed in a bowl. It smelled like barbeque sauce to me, but then again I was so hungry I bet anything would smell like a food right now. Once that was over with, he dabbed some onto my bruises and minor cuts, making it look as if the fight never happened. As he finished, the healer – whom I learned his name is Eric – spun on his heel and searched among the shelves for something else. When he turned back around he shoved a bottle of brown liquid into my hands.