Note: I do not own Mortal Kombat, etc, etc....
Chapter Four: Stormy Thoughts and Musings
Rayden sat at the base of the old monument dedicated to the nameless human he had killed in his rage. He often came here when he was angry as a reminder of what could happen if he let his rage get the better of him. Leaning back on the ancient, weather worn stone he closed his eyes, taking in the sounds of Earth. The sound birds singing, the wind blowing across the grass and through the trees. All of these calmed the fires frustration.
Despite the creation of the rules of Mortal Kombat, Kahn has tried every possible way to get around them and the Elder Gods do nothing. In fact, they even limited what the Sworn Protector of a realm could do even more than before. Rayden couldn't even confront his evil half-brother unless he wished to do so as a mortal. Thinking about Shao Kahn brought up other memories....Shinnok's abuse, his mother's death.....
''Is this place taken? ``came a familiar voice the exact same moment everything else went silent.
Rayden opened his eyes and there she was. The strange woman with the crystal blue eyes and white hair, once again she was wearing clothes similar to his only in black and gray. A dark scarf covered the bottom half of her face, reinforcing her mystery.
''What did I do wrong this time?'' Rayden asked as the woman sat down next to him.
She shrugged and said, ``Aside from getting grass stains on your butt, nothing I'm aware of. You just looked like you needed someone to talk to.''
Rayden laughed slightly as the woman continued, ``Last thing this world needs is an upset thundergod. So why the long face?''
''Who are you?'' asked Rayden without hesitation.
''Oh sheesh, ``said the woman with some exasperation, ``If I told you that, I wouldn't be the mysterious white haired woman anymore.''
Rayden gave her an `oh please' look and she sighed, ``Ok...in a sense I don't even exist, at least not yet. I'm a possibility sent to ensure that certain events happen and lessons learned. By who and why I can't tell you. You're not the only one being held back by rules but in my case I agree with them. Knowing too much about a tomorrow that may never happen is not good.''
''So I'm not the only one you've been helping?'' Rayden mused.
''That's correct, you just seem to need more help than others, ``she said with a smile in her eyes, which quickly disappeared as if a bad memory crossed her thoughts. She quickly shook that off and then said,'' I assume, I'm not the only one causing this gloomy mood of yours. What's wrong?''
''Just....a little lonely I guess, ``Rayden said with some embarrassment, ``Ever since Fujin got appointed as a guardian for the Temple of the Elements, there really isn't anyone to talk to.''
''Let me guess, there is no way, no how are you gonna talk to your other brother...Sorry, ``she said raising her hands at Rayden's angry glare, ``Couldn't resist.''
''You knew of him didn't you?'' accused Rayden.
The woman looked away from the thundergod before answering, ``Does it matter? Telling you would have made no difference in the long run. ``
''No difference!'' exclaimed Rayden with his eyes flashing with lighting.
''What would you have done differently if you've known? Try to change him? How? Shao Kahn was born of a fallen god and a she-demon, created to rule or destroy what can not be ruled, ``she said.
''You had no right...''
''I was given that right when I was given this job! ``she returned, ``How often have you kept something back from your human allies for what you considered the greater good?''
Rayden got up off the ground and started pacing angrily. The woman still sitting on the ground said, ``I'm sorry, but you know what I say is true. Consider this; you yourself stated that Shinnok is no longer your father. Why would you still consider Kahn as your brother? It takes more than blood to create family ties.''
Rayden stopped pacing and looked towards the ground taking in her words.
''You have been spending too much time around humans; you seem to be taking up their bad habit of letting personal matters cloud their actions and thoughts,'' she said with a raised eyebrow, ``You haven't once asked about that big `plan' Kahn mentioned.''
''I assumed that was resolved with the creation of Mortal Kombat, ``said Rayden.
''Perhaps, ``the woman said as she stretched, ``Anyways what about this loneliness you mentioned, surely the other gods are no longer concerned about you being Shinnok's son? ``
Rayden sat back down next to her and sighed, ``Yes and no...the older deities are still a bit iffy about that, but the younger ones seem to think that the `hero' of the war is too far above them. Every time I try to be friendly they get all formal as if I'm a superior rather than a peer.''
''In a sense you are their superior the moment you got that Sworn Protector status, after all that's just one step below Elder God, ``she said, ``I know you're spending time among mortals....''
''And the very fact that they are mortal with such short life spans makes friendship there short-lived at best, ``said Rayden sadly.
''Why stick with just humans, why not any of the longer lived races such as Edenians or those Calornian mages?'' she asked.
Rayden answered, ''Edenians are too `cold' for a better word and their realm has already lost to Outworld. As for Calornian mages....I have a hard time trusting magic users.''
The woman broke down laughing, nearly falling over and having to lean on Rayden for support. The thundergod asked, ``Did I say something funny?''
Getting control of herself and wiping her eyes she said, ``To me, yeah. Let's just say knowing a little about your future companions made that comment of yours about magic users hilarious. Now I can't wait until you meet her.''
''Meet who?'' asked Rayen.
A sudden beeping sound came from the woman's arm. She pulled back her sleeve to look and press the side of a strange bracelet. ``Sorry, Thundergod, gotta go. The boss has this thing about being on time and I'm not allowed to cheat. Laters!'' She vanished and the wind once again began to blow.
''Oh thanks a lot!'' yelled Rayden to the empty air.
The End....
To be continued in Mortal Kombat: Conquest.

Author : Preferred Customer

Creation date: 2005-8-16-9-13

Modification date: 2005-8-16-9-13