Mortal Kombat: Sub-Zero's Student

Chapter Forty-Nine: Tick Tock

-Kuai's POV- My bruised and bloody fists bounce off the thick glass of the Hourglass as I try in vain to crack it. "Give Kana back!" I wail, my hands beginning to hurt. Tears of anger and grief flow down to cloud my vision.
"I just remembered who he is! Give me my son! PLEASE!" I know Bi-Han, Hanzo, and Tundra are watching me do this.

"Kuai..." I whirl around at face my older brother.
"Stay out of this!" I snap, causing him to flinch back in fear. I've never sounded this distraught before.
I crumple to the floor on my knees after I face the Hourglass again.
Letting my tears fall, I feel Hanzo place his hand on my shoulder.

"Kuai, listen." He begins. I turn my head slightly, not enough for me to see him, but let him know I'm listening. "I know what you feel right now is terrible. Grief beyond words can even describe. Cry all you need to. Scream it out, sob, whatever. Just know that we will always be here for you. We are here if you need to speak."

Without really thinking, I force myself to my feet and hug Hanzo tightly. He staggers back in shock, but hugs me back as I sob. "Let it out. Grieve. Bi-Han and I will grieve along with you." He says this while I sob, feeling the tears freeze to my skin as I let everything out in a heartbroken wail.
****
I gaze up at the stars as the Hourglass is at the Dawn of Time. Leaning against a large rock, I breathe in the still air. How we are able to breathe in space, I don't understand.

"What happens now?" I ask. "Kronika is gone. Her Hourglass still works. What should we do, Raiden?"
"That is entirely up for you to decide." Raiden stands next to me. "Since all three of you beat Kronika, you all can control the Hourglass and thus, you each gain immortality."
I blink, looking up at the Thunder God. "None of us can die?" I whisper.

Raiden nods. "All three of you are Titans, like Kronika. Since you now hold this title, you can alter your outfit to fit the role. Allow the power of the Hourglass to flow trough you and accept the change."
I get up and follow Raiden. "You may touch it while having a calm state of mind."

I reluctantly hold my hand out and let it rest on the cool and smooth glass. Relaxing, I feel warmth flow through as I close my eyes. In my head, I hear other voices. All different languages that I cannot understand. The voices suddenly stop and I hear ticking, like a clock. Almost like a thumping sound similar to a heartbeat.

Life. All three of us can create life from nothing. I open my eyes as the ticking fades, and see that my black outfit changed completely. I'm now wearing a white Lin Kuei outfit with gold along the edges. The strands of my headband fall over my shoulder with a shimmering gold color.

Both Bi-Han and Hanzo has fallen asleep after fighting more than I did. Tundra had teleported them back to the Lin Kuei temple to rest properly. I look at Raiden and nod. "I'm ready," I murmur.
****
I failed to realize that a few days have passed since Kronika was defeated. It appears that the time itself flowed differently when you are near the Hourglass.
Raiden explained that each ticking represented a day passing quickly. So about a week has passed.

Tundra had reassured them both that I was fine the entire time. Taking a deep breath, I look up at the moon and enter the temple.
I hear them both talking to themselves. Judging by the lack of a third voice, I guess that Tundra is asleep.

I walk over to the dining room and knock on the doorframe. Both Hanzo and Bi-Han jump at the noise. "Little brother!" Bi-Han cries out, getting out of his chair and hugging me.
"You're safe! You've been gone for a week! Where were you and Raiden?"

"I was at the Hourglass." I hug him back. "Come with me. I need to show you all something."
****
I see both of them gawk at the Hourglass. "Look, ever since Raiden told me to touch the glass, I can manipulate time like Kronika did! This power is incredible. C'mon, you two should touch it as well."

"I don't know..." Hanzo trails off.
"It'll be okay. Everything will be fine from now on. We can bend time together! All three of us. And..." My smile and excitement fade away. "I...can bring Kana back..."

"You accepted this power to play God? To bring Kana...back from the dead? Isn't that against the laws of nature?" Bi-Han argues.
"Well, maybe? I don't know. But look," I walk over and flick my wrist. The both jump at the space and stars shifting at my command.

"Woah," Hanzo gasps, watching the area around us shift to different locations. Bi-Han is too shocked to even speak. "Please," I hold my hand out. "I do not want to do this alone."

Hanzo sighs, nodding. "I'm in," He takes my hand with a smile. "Brother?" I hold out my other hand.
"You do realize this will be a big change, right?" Bi-Han asks. "We will be immortal. The world will be ours to control as we see fit. This is a massive responsibility."

I nod. "Since I accepted the power, I can tell we'll change things for the better. Please, brother....I've already lost you once, I will not lose you again."
He holds his hand out, then takes mine.

"Thank you," I smile, guiding them both to the hourglass. "Just put your hand on the glass and try to have a calm mind."
"You make that sound easy," Bi-Han teases, touching the glass. After a moment, he draws his hand back, eyes wide.

"Woah, that feels strange..." he gasps.
Hanzo places his hand on it as well, and his outfit changes, becoming gold, white, and black. "Ooo.." Hanzo removes his hand, scanning himself over. "I like this already."

Both Hanzo and I look at Bi-Han's clothing, which hasn't changed. "What?" He smiles. "You know I never liked wearing light colors."
"Glad to see you haven't changed much, brother." I say, looking back at the Hourglass. I see our reflections in the glass, slightly distorted by the swirling sand.

"I will need your help. Both of you." I murmur, seeing their reflections look at me. "Rebuilding the entire timeline and universe won't be easy, that much I know."
"We will be here to help," Hanzo smiles.
"Both of us," Bi-Han continues, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Let's just relaxing for now. Plan things out."
****
Hey guys! This part of the story is done. But don't worry, I am working on a sequel. It's called Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans. I will put up the first part later tonight. Thank you all for sticking with this story. See you guys in the sequel! 👾