Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans

Chapter Fifteen: Ghost

(Dancing with your Ghost - No Resolve. Lyrics will be typed in this font.)
-Hanzo's POV- Kuai told us to bring more torches for a reason, but we didn't think it would be this dark. The walk over to Shadow Canyon is rough, with black, jagged rocks jabbing out from the ground.
Even thought the sun is high in the sky, the shadows cast by the canyon are cold.

No wonder Kuai asked for my fire as a light source. We both follow Kuai as he walks through his empire. All of the building are built from dark stone or built into the canyon itself. A majority of his people are dressed in dark blue, purple, or black robes. Some wear hoods, others don't.

The people glance at us and whisper among themselves, but all bow when they see Kuai walking ahead of us. Fires burn from torches all around, but it's still not enough to light the whole city.
"My temple is up ahead," Kuai murmurs, nodding to the large black and purple temple sitting in the darkest part of the canyon.

A large symbol of the moon is painted in the obsidian door, which shines softly in the firelight. The interior smells faintly of lavender and smoke from the torches. Kuai closes the doors and sighs. "You guys can look around as you please. Try to make yourself at home."
Both Bi-Han and I look around.

The main hallway is long with many closed doors. "The layout seems familiar," Bi-Han muses.
"It's designed after the Lin Kuei temple, the layout is, at least." Kuai explains softly. "Home sweet home."

As we walk towards the back, I glance at the art on the walls. Tapestries hang down, showing images of the moon, constellations, and galaxies.
I notice a white door all the way at the end of the hall.
It stands out against everything else.

"What does that door lead to?" I ask.
Kuai looks up, then inhales sharply. "That's...well, let me just show you...." Bi-Han and I glance at one another in a worried way, then reluctantly follow.

He opens the door, and I blink at the sudden brightness of the room. This room has a skylight that shines down the sunlight from above. The room itself is small, with a few candles burning on the floor, and a small pool with cherry blossom petals floating in it.
A small mat is on the ground facing the pool.

"It's...a pool.." Bi-Han states slowly. "Filled with water..."
"It's not water," Kuai's voice wavers, facing away from us. "Those are my tears..."
Bi-Han looks shocked. "...What...?"
I glance at the pool. It's a little deep, maybe reaching a person's ankles if they stepped inside.

"You still miss him too, right?" Kuai sniffs, back facing us.
"What are you implying, Kuai?" Bi-Han asks.
"I still haven't gotten over Kana."

We both wince at that name. "Kuai..." I start, but trail off. "...How long have you been grieving? It's been eons!"
"Since I got this temple built....He should be here, by my side. But he's not, and he never will be." He finally faced us, hood up and weeping.

But they're not regular tears this time, they're black, running down and staining his cheeks like ink.
"Do you even miss him anymore? Or have the both of you moved on?" More cursed looking tears spill down.

"K-Kuai..." Bi-Han walks over and pulls his brother into a hug. "We still miss him. But this isn't healthy."
"It's not healthy for a father to grieve killing his own child?" Kuai snaps, forcing his body away and storming out of the room.
"No, that's not what I meant!" Bi-Han follows, and I'm close behind. "Kuai!" He shouts at the other man walking away.

Bi-Han closes his eyes tightly, knowing aggression isn't the best answer. He sighs, opening his eyes. "Brother....What's going on?" Kuai pauses, turning his head slightly. He's never heard Bi-Han sing prior to this.
"The look in your eyes tells me there is something wrong. Stay with me, help is on the way."
Kuai turns around, facing Bi-Han with wide eyes.

His purple eyes reflecting the torchlight and still crying black tears makes him look inhuman.
Knowing he has Kuai's attention, he keeps singing, his voice echoing slightly. "Just try to breathe. Can you hear my voice? Let it guide you through the noise. Your lips are blue....I would sell my soul for you to pull through."

We both walk forward slowly, not knowing if Kuai might attack us in his distressed state.
"I've been dancing with your ghost. Some might say that we have stole the show. All the memories that are haunting me, I refuse to let you go! I've been dancing with your ghost..."

I stand back and watch, seeing Bi-Han now face to face with Kuai. "What's going on?" Kuai sings softly, reaching up to touch his own face. "I can feel the crowd thinking: 'oh, my God.' Please just move. Can anyone hear me? Let me through. I can see your face...Calling your name, reaching out. I can't feel anything! Forever in love, too. I'm...always yours."
Kuai steps away from his brother, shaking his head and storming down the hall.

Bi-Han rushes after. I follow quickly, just in case Kuai decides to hurt Bi-Han or himself.
"I've been dancing with your ghost," Bi-Han continues, stubbornly refusing to have Kuai shut himself away. "Some might say that we stole the show. All the memories that are haunting me, I refuse to let you go!" He quickly corners Kuai, gripping his cheek firmly as the younger man's back is against the wall.
"I've been dancing with your ghost..." He whispers to Kuai.

"I have been waiting," Kuai submits, gripping Bi-Han's hand on his face, his black tears staining his brother's hand. "I have been waiting..All the memories, they are haunting me."
"I've been dancing with your ghost..." Bi-Han finishes, crying as well. I find myself smiling sadly at this.
"Some might say we stole the show. All the memories that are haunting me, I refuse to let you go. I've been...dancing with your ghost."

Bi-Han finishes the sad song and backs away, smearing black tears on Kuai's cheeks as he lifts his hands away.
****
-Kuai's POV- Later on, after Hanzo retires to bed in a guest room, Bi-Han refuses to leave my side.
My face is now clean of tears, along with Bi-Han's hand.
The master bedroom is large, with a king size bed and fireplace. "You should get to bed, brother. It's getting late." I say. Bi-Han shakes his head, laying beside me in my bed, tangling up my dark purple and blue blankets.

I sigh, accepting his embrace under the covers. "There is no point in fighting you. You're stubborn like that..." I say.
"I said I wouldn't leave your side. I plan on keeping that promise, Kuai." He croons.
"...Okay..." I murmur. "Get to sleep. We'll check out your temple tomorrow."
"Rest well, my dearest brother. I hate to see you this upset." I curl up beside him and nod off, not realizing that he is softly weeping to himself.