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Fan Fiction
| Legends of the Lin Kuei |
| Chapter 21: The Temple |
By: Shaun Penney |
Subzero’s trek towards the Temple of Light went somewhat in a smooth pace. He kept out of sight from all those who appeared to be around. At this point, he couldn’t trust anyone he didn’t recognize. Even worse, he didn’t know if he could trust those he did recognize either. But he had to try. Three days had gone by. Each sunset was somewhat less illuminating then the last. The dying of the light felt almost like a great sadness for the cold warrior. Though a Lin Kuei operated most efficiently in the night, there were always moments that Subzero waited for the dawn, just to see the sun and wait again. He knew that things were not going well at this point. And the worst was far from entering the fold.
Subzero approached the Temple with caution. It was midday and there wasn’t a soul out. This perplexed Subzero. The temples surrounding the temple of light were abandoned, every single one of them. The monks were gone. No sign of any earth realm fighters. Something horrible must have happened. But there was no one around to say anything. An upper hand in this war was looking bleek indeed for the coldhearted assassin. He didn’t have a clue what to do at this point. No Kitana, No Liu Kang, no Raiden, nobody.
The wind was blowing a little harder. Subzero then walked towards the center between two specific temples that almost echoed by each foot step Subzero took. He was standing in the same area where Shang Tsung had killed Chan before the tenth tournament took place. He didn’t know it but he definitely felt an odd presence about it that made him step carefully. His eyes took a long view around watching part of a stream leading to a river and more mountains alongside. Everyone was gone. No signs of struggle. None of what Subzero saw made any sense. Even if there was a swarm that killed everyone, there would be something to show for it. So why wasn’t there? Then like a tap on the head coming from a nuclear missle, it hit him.
“Centaurs” said Subzero to himself. The thought almost made him sweat. He wondered if he thought about the idea too soon, or too late? They could still be here, he wondered. He made sharp turns trying to stay more in tune with the sound of the wind and the acuity of what his eyes could show him. He studied the whipping of each burst of wind past each corner of the two temples around him. He squinted his eyes. Then he opened them wide as he tightened his fists. They were still there.
Subzero felt the rumble of the stones all around him. He couldn’t understand why the centaurs could not be detected by him. He didn’t have to time to debate the issue. Subzero almost dove for the ground when he saw four centaurs pop out and hurdle over Subzero. They flew like they didn’t even notice him and passed ontu the end of the second temple. Subzero bounced to his feet as one of the four centaurs reared its massively huge head around and looked dead on at the Lin Kuei warrior. Sub brought up his fists as the centaur turned half circle to face him. His body rivaled that of twice a normal steed. And it had a tail to make an alligator rival in fear. Sub breathed pretty hefty at that point. Surely he was used to fighting two legged humanoids, he had never faced a centaur before. Until he knew about outworld, he had never heard of them, except during greek legends he once studied about. With that point made Subzero prepared himself to face this willing opponent. The centaur bucked it’s hooves and prepared himself to ram Subzero when a dozen more centaurs passed around the two temples shaking the ground even more so then the first time. Subzero kept his balance as another Centaur passed him and stopped in front of the centaur facing Subzero.
“Leave him. He is not our concern” said the leading centaur. The one facing Sub gave an off shot glare, but complied and turned back around following the other centaurs until finally they were all gone. Sub would have followed, but they were so fast, he could only speculate which area they were traveling for next. They had headed east against the sun’s better direction. Sub almost felt annoyed by not getting the chance to face a greater opponent, but then he realized that if the centaurs would not stop for him, then they were following someone’s orders to go somewhere else to destroy. Sub thought for a moment that maybe he should follow the centaurs since their tracks would be easy to follow. Maybe he could even intervene and stop them from destroying whatever place they were going to next.
But the fact still remained…what happened at the temple of light? Sub looked around again. Were people killed, or taken away, or worse? Sub could not decipher the answer, he just didn’t feel like he had the time at the moment. Then as he grazed over another set of smaller temples, he noticed that one of them clearly looked like there were people inside. He must have skipped that section looking earlier. Subzero walked over and saw inside were indeed monks from the temple of light. All of them were hiding in fear. Subzero approached them and bowed his head in respect for them. One of the elder ones came out as he looked to his left and right. Sub rose back up.
“Do not fear, the centaurs have fled, they are gone.” Said Subzero. The elder man bowed his head also in respect. The elder monk could tell that from the outfit Subzero wore, he was Lin Kuei, the Chinese form of ninja.
“They had come to our temple earlier, desecrating our land and towers, they know nothing of peace or value of life, they only seek destruction of our planet.” Said the elder man clearly sad with today’s events. Subzero saw that the rest of them came out equally afraid but at least willing to come into the light.
“Elder, I must know. Is the Princess Kitana here with you, or your white lotus warrior Liu Kang. Have they traveled or have they fallen to outworld?” asked Subzero. The elder almost looked surprised at Subzero for having suggested such an idea.
“Liu Kang and Princess Kitana have not been seen for days. They left the temple in search for fighters to help them. They have not returned yet. Are you joining them?” said the elder. Subzero was reluctant to nod at first, but then did so after realizing that he was there to help save Earth Realm and not just find answers. That was the greater purpose for him at this moment in time.
“Yes I am. I need to know where they might have gone so I can find them” said Subzero. The elder smiled. Clearly he looked like no one in their right mind would face outworlder’s minions.
“Thank you dear friend. Your help will greatly increase our survival here. Liu Kang and Kitana have traveled north, towards the Takishu border, I believe they are trying to recruit fighters there,” said the elder. Subzero bowed again and spoke in a Chinese saying thank you for your help. The elder bowed again and Subzero then vanished away from the temple. It became clear that the centaurs had made short of America, and now it was China’s turn. Subzero wasn’t going to allow that. He began to his path towards Takishu, where he hoped his allies were truly waiting…
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