Mortal Kombat: Sub-Zero's Student

Chapter Nine: Icy Flu

-Kuai's POV- I hear Hanzo walk off and sigh, looking down at the bloody gauze. I blink in surprise when I feel tears run down my cheeks. Am I ashamed? If so, about what? Scaring Kana? Losing control? I can't tell. I look down at my legs in the water, feeling the warmth flow in my cold body.

I groan, shivering despite the steam. I suddenly sneeze, tiny ice crystals shooting from my nose. "God, I'm getting sick." I shiver. The wound on my side pulses in pain with each heartbeat, causing my eye to twitch. I rub my face, whimpering in pain.
My cold fingers brush the bags under my eyes.

"Bi-Han," I whisper, tears flowing once again.
I haven't seen my older brother in years. Not since Hanzo—no, Scorpion— killed him in a fit of rage because he thought Bi-Han killed his family and clan. I look up at the night sky.
"Dà gēgē," I whimper, speaking in Mandarin Chinese again. "I miss you," I hiccup. "So much."

I gasp and pull my legs out of the water when I realize I had covered it in a thin film of ice. I'm letting my emotions get the better of me...
I glance over at the Shirai Ryu Temple, knowing Hanzo and Kana are waiting. With a groan, I wipe my tears away and walk out from the hot spring.

I stagger over to the temple entrance, still shivering. Hanzo notices me and runs over. "Kuai? Are you okay?"
I cough, a cloud of mist and ice fragments falling to the floor. Hanzo's eyes widen, stepping back.
"Is—is that normal for Cryomancers?"
I wheeze, feeling ice coating my throat and mouth.
"I think so. But I'm not sure. I remember B-Bi-Han getting sick and acting similar." I sneeze, causing more ice crystals to fall.

I shiver violently. "Hanzo," I grip his shoulder.
"Everything's...spinning...."
"Kuai Liang? Kuai!" He grabs me and that's the last thing I recall in my fever-chilled state.