Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans

Chapter Thirty-Five: Burning

-Kuai's POV- Bi-Han, Raiden, and I exit the black hole I opened up to get to the city faster. I gasp, coughing slightly at the smoke.
The entire city had been reduced to ruins and scattered fires. The sky above is blocked by the smoke, covering the city in darkness.

"You should go back," Bi-Han looks worried.
"What, why?" I ask.
"It's too dangerous." He counters.
"I am not a child, Bi-Han." I state firmly.
"It is my role to defend you. Go back to the temple and stay there." He looks to be on the verge of tears.

"You are not my mother." I say calmly, but stand my ground. "Bi-Han, we have more important issues to address." Raiden cuts in.
We see Hanzo walk out from the smoke, then spot us.
He pauses, looking surprised to see me standing there.

"What are you doing here?"
I smirk. "You seem rather shocked at me being here, Hanzo."
He moves his gaze past me, then glares at Bi-Han and Raiden. "How is he alive?"
'Alive?' I wonder, but keep silent, my eyes on his every movement.

"That doesn't matter. We came here to stop you." Bi-Han sounds mad. More angry than I've ever heard him before. Why? "Stop me? So you can banish me to the Netherrealm?"
"So we can free you." I answer before anyone else can.

Now his eyes are back on me. "Blue." He notes. "I thought your eyes were purple."
"Why does the colors of my eyes concern you?" I ask, wanting to ask that question myself.
He doesn't answer, bringing out the Katana.

Both Bi-Han and Raiden get in front of me, looking ready to attack back.
"We do not need to fight." I say, walking in between the two of them and towards Scorpion.
Now he looks shocked, tilting his head.

"Kuai!" Bi-Han scolds me.
I ignore him. "Please, Scorpion. Look around you, look at the destruction. The empire you worked so hard to build, now nothing but ashes and debris."
"When did you become some sort of peacemaker?" He demands. I hold my hands up. "I'm just here to talk, not condone this cycle of violence."

"Enough talk!" He snarls, becoming mad.
I frown. "Very well. You have made your decision. Talking out clearly isn't working." I say.
"Look for any survivors. Get them out of here. My temple has more than enough rooms to aid the injured and sick."

Raiden nods, casting a worried glance at me before vanishing into the smoke.
"Kuai, don't you dare think about fighting him!" Bi-Han yells.
"I am not. I am trying to save him. Look at him, Bi-Han. Can you not feel his pain and grief?"

Scorpion screams, spewing out hellfire from his mouth. I block it with my cape, which easily catches on fire. Lashing the flaming cloth back, I unclip it from the moon medallion, then toss it aside.
"So much anger...so much hate. I feel it radiating off you like heatwaves from the sun. Let me help you!"

I dodge as he slashes at me, arms behind my back to show that I am not a threat.
Bi-Han looks like he is about to have a panic attack.
I grab the Katana, the blade clanging against my armor, staring at Scorpion.

"Let out your anger if you must on me. But know that I am not a threat." I say, the silver claws grinding against the metal and creating sparks.
He growls, shoving me away with a blast of fire.
I grunt, skidding to a stop with the claws scraping on the cement.

I'm winded, but otherwise unharmed. An icy blast sends Scorpion flying back, then crash onto the cement. I look over, seeing an ice ball vanish in Bi-Han's hands.
He walks forward to Scorpion. I coat my hand in dark energy and slam it on the ground. A circle of onyx crystal jabs out from the concrete around my brother, forcing him to stop.

"You would..." Scorpion grunts, getting to his feet.
"rather encase your own sibling for harming me than hurting me yourself? Why?"
"Because we used to be allies," I murmur, walking forward. "and we still are."

He looks surprised as I kneel down, holding my hand out. "I am not here to harm you. I'm just here to help."
"Why do...you care?" His voice shifts back to Hanzo's. "Because fighting doesn't solve anything."
"But," he stares at me, his eyes returning to their normal color. "I hurt you. I...killed you."
"Killed me?" I furrow my brows. "What are you implying?"

"They haven't told you?" He looks up at me, then to my hand. "They must have revived you, then. That would explain your blue eyes returning."
"Revived?" I turn back to look at Bi-Han, who is crying. My eyes widen. That explains why my sibling is so overprotective.

"How did I die?" I ask, looking back at Hanzo.
He looks ashamed, refusing to meet my gaze.
"You died defending me!" Bi-Han yells. "Scorpion ruptured your heart with his Kunai! You got in the way of an attack meant for me! Raiden and I revived you in the Soul Chamber."

I place my hand over my heart on reflex.
"I'm sorry," Hanzo gets up, backing away.
"My anger got the best of me. Again.."
"Hanzo—" I'm cut off.
"You should leave. Let me grieve the massacre alone. Scorpion knows how to hurt me in the worst ways."
"I'm not leaving," I stand my ground. "You have every right to grieve, but not alone. Not anymore."

I keep my hand held out. "Come with us."
"I never wanted to kill you. Neither of you." He looks at me, the fires around is beginning to die down.
He inhales sharply, weighing his options, then really looks at me. "You are acting how you used to before your corruption. Never one to give up on the people you care about."
I nod. "Come help us look for survivors, Hanzo."

"But your heart..."
"What's done is done. I hold no grudge against you. That was Scorpion, not you."
He grabs my hand, then pulls me into a hug.
I blink in surprise, then hug him back.
"Just let us help. I will aid you."
He sighs. "Thank you."