Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans

Chapter Ten: The Fallen Titan

(Nightmare - PRISMO)
Bi-Han screaming my name echoes in my skull even after the black hole closes. Once I am far enough away from them, I break down. The grass and flowers below me wilt and die at my touch, but I've grown used to that by now. I cannot stop the tears coming down at a steady rate. "Forgive me," I weep, knowing neither of them can hear me.

I am no longer known as the third Titan. The prince of darkness seems like a more fitting name. Or perhaps the Fallen Titan. The lost Titan. The Titan who became too arrogant, which led to my own downfall! I scream in rage, forming a ball of shadow and flinging it at the nearest tree, causing it to explode into splinters.
My breathing is erratic, heart pounding.

The moon shines high overhead as I continue to sob. I try my best not to recall Bi-Han's warm arms around me as he would kiss my face if I ever felt down. I try not to recall Bi-Han's tears as he and Hanzo launched the attack that took away my Cryomancy,  nor their anguished cries once they realized that attack would be permanent.

This is wrong. All of this is wrong. Maybe I should go back....But then the fighting would continue.
"Oh...Kuai..." I snap my head up, hand out and radiating with dark energy as I point it at the shadow.
"It's okay. No need to attack me." Bi-Han slowly steps out into the moonlight, his blue eyes sad, but he is smiling.

"How..." I sputter, still on my knees. "did you find me so quickly?"
He keeps his distance, staying within the perimeter of the forest. "I know that you always come to this field to grieve, Kuai Liang. This used to be your favorite spot to meditate." He replies calmly.

"I can sense the darkness in your heart receding as the light glows slightly brighter. This area in particular keeps those dark thoughts at bay."
"Spare me your worthless talk!" I spat.
"You know I speak the truth. Even with corruption, you are not completely lost. Put your hand down. I just want to talk."

I reluctantly do so, watching with narrow eyes as he slowly gets closer. The high grass and flowers blow gently in the breeze, the sweet scent somewhat calming me. "I did not come here to do battle. This field is special to me as well. I would hate to see this area destroyed and clogged with smoke. I like the flower scent, and I know you do as well."

I don't move, knowing that Bi-Han would just follow. He gets close enough to sit next to me, then looks down at a flower I had killed from my touch. Frowning, he touches the dead plant with a finger, and it comes back to life. "There, that's better." He smiles gently, looking at me.

My cheeks burn as I blush in embarrassment, looking away. "You should not have come here." I say.
"I wanted to make sure you are safe. We may be immortal, but you will always be my little brother."
I snort, crossing my arms and turning away like a scolded child. "What difference does that make?"

I gasp when he touches my wound that had stopped bleeding. "You're hurt...." He sounds concerned.
"Here, let me fix you up," Before I can argue, he traces the jagged cut gently, his touch like feathers against my skin. I feel the wound close itself back up, not leaving a scar behind. I'm so shocked by his act of kindness that I fall back on the grass, staring up at the starry sky.

He looks down at me, his head glowing with light from the moon behind him, making him look more like a God than ever. "Why heal me? None of us can die."
He looks sad. "Because I deeply care for you, Kuai." He holds his hand out, reaching down to touch my face. I wince, causing his hand to draw back.

"Go ahead," I grunt. "Show me affection. I have nothing left to lose." He lets out a small laugh, cupping my cheek. I find myself leaning into his hand, closing my eyes. "I can tell you've missed this..." He croons, and I feel his lips connect with my scarred cheek. Bi-Han breaks the kiss with a slight smacking sound.

My eyes open to see him smiling down at me with tears in his sapphire eyes. "I love you..." Bi-Han hasn't said that sentence to me in years. "Come back to me." He strokes my cheek. "To us. We can start over, make amends."
Then, he adds quietly, "Please..."
With a defeated sigh, I look into his eyes. "I'll...see what I can do." Is all I say.

His eyes brighten. "You mean it?"
"Ye-yes.." I mutter, reaching a gloved hand up to wipe his tears away. His face breaks into a smile that startles me. "Oh, Kuai! I knew there was still some good in you." He pulls me into a bone-crushing hug, cutting off oxygen to my lungs. Fighting him off would be futile, so I simply let him do his thing.

"You're gonna shatter my ribs if you keep that up!" I choke out, coughing. "Sorry! Sorry..." He lets me go, letting me sit up. He smiles genuinely now, his ripped blue cape draped over his body like a broken waterfall.
"I love you as well, Bi-Han." I admit quietly. He pecks my cheek again. "That's good to hear. You don't know how happy that makes me feel inside."
"What about Hanzo? How will he take this information?"
"I'm sure he'll understand." Bi-Han assures me. "For now, just rest. I will remain by your side. Always."

I lay down again, using my torn black cape as a blanket. Bi-Han lays beside me, his body being in contact with the dead grass causes it to spring back to life. He smiles again, his hand going through my hair. "The war is over. We can relax. The prophecy may be true, but we will not continue fighting. Rest, my dearest brother. Open up your heart to me and let your worries melt away...."
****
-Kuai's POV- I jolt awake on the obsidian floor. The Hourglass hums with power as Bi-Han and Hanzo watch the same events happen that I had just saw. Was that a dream? A vision of the future? Whatever it was, somehow, the Hourglass projected it from my sleep. As they both look on in sadness and relief, I look back at the ancient device. What else can this contraption do?