Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans

Chapter Thirty: Dark Take Over

(My hand hurts from drawing that monstrosity above. Just figured I'd let you guys know...)

-Bi-Han's POV- I didn't realize I had fallen asleep. Keeping my breathing light, I open one eye slightly to see Kuai still asleep, his arm on my stomach.
I curse to myself internally, knowing this will be more difficult to pull off.

Slowly, I grab his arm and put it aside, keeping my eyes on him. He luckily doesn't wake up. Right as I'm about to get out of bed, Zodith jumps up, blinking at me. Her ears perk up in surprise, then she looks at Kuai. 'No,' I mouth at her, shaking my head.

I know dragons are supposed to be intelligent creatures, but I guess Zodith really wanted to wake Kuai up. She ends up doing the exact opposite of what I try to tell her. With a happy squeak, she scampers over to Kuai and licks his face.

Kuai jerks awake abruptly, amethyst eyes wide open.
"Okay, Zodith!" He laughs, sitting up.
"I'm up. Oh!" He noticed I'm awake. "Morning, brother." He smiles.
"Morning," I echo back.

"You feeling well? You look a little low on energy...." he tilts his head. "I'm just hungry, that's all." I blurt out. That's the best lie I can come up with on the spot.
"Do you want me to make you anything?" He asks.

"Ah, no thank you. I should probably get going to see Hanzo and Raiden soon." I explain, getting out of his bed and smoothing out my cape.
"Oh," he looks a little sad, frowning. "Of course." He mutters, trying not to look mildly hurt.

"I'll be back soon," I assure him gently, trying my best to ignore the black wound on his chest as I kiss his cheek. "Stay safe," he whispers, gripping my hand and squeezing before letting go.
"I will." I say, stepping away and trying not to rush out of his room.
****

Hanzo slams his hands down on the table. "You're joking," he snaps, "Please tell me you are making a crude joke." I sigh, pacing while Hanzo and Raiden stare at me in silence. "I am not," I say calmly. "That prophecy you mentioned....." Raiden murmurs, looking concerned. "You stated that darkness is eating away at his heart."

"Correct," I nod sadly. "I saw the mark myself." "And you left him alone?" Hanzo demands, storming over to me with fear and worry in his brown eyes. "What did you expect me to do?" I snap back in an icy tone. "Have him come while he is unstable?"

"There are still Titans out there," Hanzo sounds scared. "We cannot be sitting back and worrying about Kuai Liang." "Watch your tongue, Hasashi." I grit my teeth, feeling icicles jab out from the back of my gloves. "Kuai isn't doing well mentally, I know you speak the truth." Hanzo's tone softens. "You stated Kuai is still harming himself?" Raiden cuts in, wanting to draw us away from fighting. "Yes," I sigh, feeling the icicles melt away as I relax. "I had to come talk to you. Both of you. He stated all of this rather calmly. Almost....forced."

"We cannot keep tracking Titans down until Kuai gets better." Hanzo states. "I want him to get better. That is my brother you are speaking of, Hanzo." A sudden gasping sob at the temple main doors causes us all to whirl around. Kuai is standing there, his chest still bare but he has the claws and armor on from the waist down. Tears are in his purple eyes as he glares at us.

"Kuai--baby--" I stammer. "You dare have the audacity to spill my secrets? I trusted you, Bi-Han!" He hiccups. "Kuai..." Hanzo flinches as he looks at him. "Stop acting like you care, Hanzo." his voice is low, dark. "Bi-Han only wants to help you, Kuai." Raiden responds. "I do not need your pity." More tears spill down on his pale cheeks. I watch in terror as a few more veins snake out of the wound and spread under his skin. He lets out a strangled gasp, one of his hands clutching the wound while pain flashes in his eyes.

"Let us help!" I cry, taking a few steps forward. Kuai says nothing, simply raising his other hand and forming a ball of shadow. "Get down!" I yell, forming a layer of ice as a shield. I'm suddenly sent flying back by the force of the blow and crash hard into the floor. Coughing and with my ears ringing, I see Kuai run off while Hanzo forces himself to his feet. Raiden helps me to my feet, looking wary. "Go after him. You are the one that can reason with him. I'll aid Hanzo in tracking down the remaining Titans. Go, now. Before he gets far."