Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans

Chapter Sixteen: Empire Of Winter

-Bi-Han's POV- Before leaving Kuai's temple, we all have breakfast in the dining hall. Despite Kuai being the one in power here, he makes us all breakfast himself, as a way of saying thank you.
After eating and talking about how today will go, I run into Tundra in the library.
"Hello, Bi-Han," he nods as a greeting, organizing books on their shelves.
"Hey," I say, sitting down and watching him. "How has everything been for you?"
"Same old situations. Nothing really new."

"Have...um, you known about that white room Kuai has in the back of the temple?" I ask, twisting my hands. "Oh, yes. Kuai's grieving room for Kana....He tends to keep that area locked at all times. None of his people know about it. I rarely go in there myself, too depressing."
I frown. "How long has he had it? Why does he still grieve? It's been eons..."
Tundra sets the stack of books he's carrying down of the table. "Well," he begins, sitting across from me.

"Kuai views the death of Kana as his fault, even though he didn't know that it was due to Kronika ...Since he was Kana's father, he feels that he himself was solely responsible. When Kronika told him that he killed his own son, it really messed with him. I've...heard him talk to himself in that room, thinking he's speaking to Kana's spirit..." Tundra explains in a low voice, shoulders tense.

"Just...whatever you do, try not to mention Kana by name. He's still in a really dark place mentally. If you do try to be there for him, he will push you away, thinking he deserves to grieve alone. Be stubborn with him, but not aggressive. Since you two swapped powers, he's gotten more snappy and emotional in general."
"I see," is all I say. "I'll keep a close eye on him."
****
Snow crunches under my boots as all three of us walk up the icy mountains towards my temple.
"It is way too bright up here. And c-c-cold!" Kuai shivers, pulling his purple cape around him like a blanket. "I can't wait until we go to your temple, Hanzo." He jokes.

I hear Hanzo laugh as they follow behind me.
"I'll have blankets and hot cocoa in the temple, don't worry." I state. "I'm going to wrap myself in the thickest one you own, brother."
"Oh, so you'll really be a cute little medieval bean," I muse, looking over my shoulder.
Kuai blushes, trying to look offended, but only looks at me shyly. "Zip it, Bi-Han."
At least he looks better today.

The closer we get to my temple and the village, the more we smell fire and food cooking.
"Woah," They both gawk at the scene in front of them. People are walking around the village, visiting shops and their neighbors. Children are laughing while playing in the snow.

"This place is...definitely lively." Kuai admits, looking around with wide eyes. "It's rather active for being in the snowy mountains," Hanzo fills in, smiling.
I watch Kuai's tense shoulders relax and he smiles sadly. A little girl dressed in a thick Eskimo-like coat accidentally bumps into Kuai, dropping her stuffed polar bear.

"Oh! Hey, I'm sorry," Kuai apologizes gently, getting down on one knee. Both Hanzo and I look on in shock. Looks like Kuai has a softer side under all that obsidian armor. He picks up the stuffed animal. "Here." He hands it back to her with a smile.
Despite his somewhat scary appearance, the girl smiles.

She suddenly hugs him quickly, making Kuai tense up, but hug her back, and then lets her go. "Go on and play," he laughs. The girl giggles and runs off with her friends. "Hm," Kuai gets up, dusting snow off of his cape.
"Did I see that right? The Fallen Titan has a soft side." I tease. Kuai jumps, turning to face us.
"Looks like old habits die hard," he admits with a shrug, a pained look in his eyes, but he forces a smile.
****
Once we all make it to the temple, I sit down in my chair near the fireplace. I have just given them both mugs of hot chocolate, which they both drink happily.
"This stuff is pretty good. What's in it?" Hanzo asks.
"I mixed cinnamon into the cocoa powder. Tastes pretty great, huh?" I smile.

Kuai nods, sipping at his mug, his silver claws clinking against the porcelain.
He then sets his mug down on the table, gazing into the fireplace, the light bouncing off of his eyes.
"Everything okay?" Hanzo asks between sips.
"Just thinking about that girl," Kuai murmurs. "How...happy and carefree she looked. She doesn't know about stress or war. Hell, she probably wasn't even born yet after the war ended...I...miss that, in a way. Having fun and not worrying."

I set my mug down as well. "Kuai, Hanzo. There is something I wanted to show the two of you, since you're here." They both look slightly confused, but follow me once I get up.
The hallway before us isn't as dark, but still has shadows here and there.
"Recognize this door?" I ask, hand on the knob in the door.

"Not off the top of my head, no." Kuai shakes his head. I smile. "Then this will make your reaction that more meaningful." I open the door.
Kuai's old room remains untouched, even after all of these years.
He gasps, hand over his mouth as regular tears flood his eyes.

"You kept Kuai's room the same?" Hanzo laughs in amazement. "Of course. Just incase either of you decided to come back here. Hanzo, your guest room is the same as well." I explain, then step aside to let them in.
Kuai enters first, eyes wide as he takes everything in. I've since fixed his dresser mirror. His books are still in place. He laughs when he sees that same polar bear blanket folded on his bed.

"This can't be real," He cries, reaching down to run a finger over the fur. "It's real," I assure him. "Look on your beside table."
"I-is this....?" He can't finish his sentence.
"I had to keep freezing it for it to last this long. But yes, it's the same cherry blossom." He picks up the ancient frozen flower in his claws, then gently sets it back down.

He sits on his old bed. "Thank you, Bi-Han. Really. I mean it." His voice wavers. "Anything for you, little brother." I ruffle his hair affectionately as he drapes his blanket over himself. With a sigh, he lays down on his side, looking at the fireplace with the blanket up to his chin.

"Would it be okay if I remained here alone for a few minutes?" He asks meekly.
I nod. "Yeah. Hanzo, would you like to see your room in the meantime?" I ask. "Sure. Lead the way. We'll be back soon, Kuai." Hanzo smiles.
"Take your time," Kuai snuggles deeper into his bed. "This feels nice."
"I'm sure it does," I whisper, tossing a few more logs to keep the fire going, then walk out with Hanzo, closing the door behind me.