Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans

Chapter Two: Reset

(A long way from Texas - COD WWII soundtrack.)
-Bi-Han's POV- "I can tell something is bothering Kuai Liang greatly." Hanzo whispers, glancing at the young man as he continues to look at the stars.
"What do you think is wrong? Besides the whole situation with Kana?"
"It might be something more personal. Perhaps...Kuai is just lonely. Think about it, he's never spoken to me about finding a lover. He would spend more time reading than talking with people. He once even told me that love would just get in the way."

"Get in the way of what, exactly?" Hanzo raises an eyebrow.
"That, I don't know."
"Listen. Kuai probably never told you this, but...he secretly hates the loneliness. That's why he likes the affection from you. Judging by how I saw your father act in the memory, I assume he was not a very...affectionate man."

I sigh and walk over again to Kuai. Kneeling down, I quickly kiss the top of his head. This snaps his out of whatever train of thought he was on. He blushes brightly as he looks at me. "What was that for?"
"To get you to look at me. I'm glad to see it worked."

He smiles, laughing softly. "Do you remember that one time I got angry at your cooking?" I scoff, smiling as well. "Oh, you mean that time I cooked bell peppers and beef, but without the beef?"

"You said you made bell peppers and beef. I got so excited, but you just roasted some bell pepper slices and onions in oil and slapped it on a plate. Do you realize how irritated that made me?" He's laughing genuinely now.
"I did so to tease you, Kuai." I joke.

He punches me lightly in the arm, snickering.
"Okay, both of you stop fighting," Hanzo's tone is playful. "We should let Kuai test the Hourglass out for once, since his mood has improved."
"M-me?" Kuai squeaks out, looking shocked.
"Go ahead. Let's see what you can create."
"I am curious as well," Hanzo admits.

We both watch Kuai get up and walk over to the Hourglass. He looks back at us, looking skeptical. I give him a thumbs up. He shrugs, then faces the ancient device. Kuai sighs deeply, raising a hand and skimming a finger over the glass surface.

Once again, the stars distort and blink out quickly as the setting changes. The area around us shifts to the inside of a temple. Not the Lin Kuei or the White Lotus, but a different one entirely.
We all see a younger version of Kuai run up to a floating dagger glowing in red light.

Right as Kuai is about to grab it, he is tackled by Kano. "And where do you think you're goin' with that dagger, mate?" Kano taunted, tripping Kuai to the floor and grabbing the dagger himself.

"Raiden told me to collect them before they fell into the wrong hands..." Kuai gasped, forcing himself to his feet. "This is the last one I need."
"Really? Seems risky that Raiden wants you to collect 'em all. Once you're marked by one, you'll turn evil."

With a laugh, Kano lunges at Kuai and put him in a headlock. "No!" Kuai chokes out. "Don't!"
I see Kuai close his eyes tightly as I gasp.
Kano had painstakingly dragged the tip of the dagger down from his hairline and down to his cheek.

Hearing the younger version of Kuai scream like that makes my heart break. Kano dropped the dagger and ran off, leaving Kuai to bleed out on the floor. He's curled up on his side, his eye closed tightly to stop blood from getting in.

Kuai is panting, shakily getting to his knees as blood steadily flows down. His blue eye that isn't closed is filled with tears. We see his eye flicker from blue to red. As the evil from he dagger takes over him, he smiles, grabbing said weapon.

The scene changes again, now to a city at night. The entire city is frozen over. Blood is still on Kuai's face, but had dried out. His scarred eye is open now, the sapphire blue now similar to a ruby red color.

Hanzo enters the flashback, their hate for one another prominent by their stance. The fight itself was brutal, with both of them trying to impale one another with icicles and the flaming Kunai. Before I can see who had won, Kuai flicks his wrist, melting the memory away as he looks at us sadly.

"That is how I got my scar, if you were curious."
"Why..." I begin, "didn't you ever tell me?"
Kuai winces, looking down. "I did not want you to worry."
"My job as your older brother is to worry, Kuai Liang." I murmur. He looks away, and I see tears glaze his eyes.
"Kuai—" I hold my hand out.

"No, no. You're right, like always. I'm fine." He looks at us with a forced smile that doesn't meet his eyes.
"Kuai, if this is about Kana..." Hanzo starts.
Kuai lets out a choked wail, covering his ears while shaking his head. "Don't say that name, Hanzo!" He cries.

"Okay! Okay..." Hanzo looks at me, brows furrowed. "We won't say his name. We promise."
Kuai slowly uncovers his ears and blinks away his tears. He glances at us, arms wrapped around himself, and walks back to his usual spot. Frowning, I follow him again.

He kneels down on the floor, back facing me. "Bi-Han..." he whispers.
"Yes?"
".....Come here," his voice is soft, like he is holding back another wave of tears.
I obey, sitting next to him. He grabs my hand in his and squeezes. I glance at him as he sniffs. "Will you..." he trails off, knees curled up against his chest.

He sighs, starting his sentence again. "Will you always love me, Bi-Han?" He asks in that same soft voice, sounding scared. I let out a light laugh, pulling him into a side hug. "Of course I do," I whisper back, kissing his forehead affectionately. "Why do you suddenly doubt my affection?"

"Because I...do not feel like I deserve it." He answers honestly, his grip on my hand tightening. "I feel like I deserve to be alone."
"Don't say that," I argue, cupping his chin with my other hand and forcing him to look at me. "Do not doubt yourself, Kuai. I know I have been a horrible bully to you, and I wish I could take it all back. I really do. But I've changed. You helped me change. Don't talk negatively about yourself ever again, understand?"

I pull him into a hug. "Why...?" He squeaks out. "Why do you still love me? I was a terrible father to my son. Why do you refuse to let me be alone?"
"Because you are too important to be left alone. You're the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, you helped take down Kronika, and you're the only baby brother I have." I explain, feeling tears roll down.

He finally breaks down, half sitting on my lap as he cries into my chest. I rock him slightly, then look at Hanzo, who is watching this sadly.
"Shhh. It's okay. Let it all out. Just cry it out, my baby brother. I'm here. I'll always be here." I croon, kissing his head while he sobs.