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"I expect you both to join me in the meeting. Bi-Han has been waiting to greet you."
"What?"
Kuai and Tomas are both stunned at his words. They had gotten word to visit Liu Kang at the Shaolin Temple a few days ago, as they were preparing to take on General Shao's army. Apparentally, the general's most prized soldier had a death wish. He was hoping to tame Onaga. If he succeeded, the realms would be at great risk. They needed to stop them before that could happen, and they needed all the help they could get.
But as Liu Kang explains the next meeting that will be held, the two brothers have utter confusion written over their faces. The last time they've ran into Bi-Han, he was cursing their names and threatening death upon their very beings. And now they were being told he was waiting for them. It wasn't making any sense, and Kuai couldn't help but to cut off Liu Kang's words.
"Wait- Excuse me, Liu Kang. Pardon my interruption, but is Bi-Han not currently in the Shaolin prison? Have you allowed him out?" Liu Kang looks momentarily surprised by his question, before he speaks again.
"Allow me to reiterate my words. The Titan Bi-Han, who aided us in defeating Shang Tsung's army, will be joining our meeting. I think the three of you will work well."
There is a long silence that follows after his explanation, one that consists of the brothers trying to process the fact that this was really happening all over again. They didn't have time to think of the details when they went against Shang Tsung, but now they had time to digest reality. The prospect of other timelines existing amongst their own was still a shock.
"Are... you sure that's a good idea?" Tomas asks, because he knows Bi-Han as one person. What if the other was more like him than he lets off? What if they were to be betrayed again?
"Please, excuse our weariness. This is all... very new. It's been a while since we've worked with him." Liu Kang shakes his head at Kuai's apology. He folds his hands together.
"No- your mistrust is to be expected, after what he's done to the both of you. I am truly sorry things have strayed from the original path, I did not foresee such a betrayal from your older brother." The two give him short nods, Liu Kang then offers them a small smile.
"But trust, this Bi-Han is widely respected in his timeline. He has earned the trust of Earthrealm, as well as Outworld. Many look up to and respect him, he is more than befitting of the title of the realm's protector. If you both choose to give him a chance, I'm sure you'll come to see what I mean."
Tomas turns to Kuai, looking for some form of reassurance from his brother. He'd follow Kuai's lead anywhere, no matter how hesitant he was himself. Kuai gives him a nod, and takes a deep breath, giving Liu Kang a small bow.
"We understand, Liu Kang. We will be sure to make ourselves present for the meeting. Thank you for informing us." Tomas next to him gives Liu Kang a bow as well, even though they both know he never cared for such formalities.
"Thank you, I know I can always count on you both. I must excuse myself now, I have to speak with Geras about our next steps." Liu Kang himself gives the two a short bow, before wandering off back into the temple.
Tomas rubs at the back of his neck, feeling a tightness in his muscles. Kuai gathers up the rope holding his blade, latching it onto his belt to keep it out of the way. He then placed his hand over Tomas' shoulder, noticing his brother's inner turmoil.
"It will be ok. You know I won't tolerate any disrespect towards you. If he shows any signs worthy of mistrust, we will immediately go to Liu Kang." Tomas nods, gathering himself as he fixes the gear over his arms.
"I am well aware, brother. Do not worry, his words don't affect me like they used to. And if Liu Kang trusts him... I have reason to believe we could as well." Tomas smiles confidently, and Kuai can only be so proud of how far he's come. He was no longer a young child, he was a man with a strong head on his shoulders. Although, no matter how old they got, Kuai would always feel protective over family.
"You are right, perhaps it is me who is anticipating much too soon. Come, let's go meet back with the clan. We must inform them of what is to come."
"Yes. Looks like this may be Hanzo's first real fight." Tomas laughs, but he is looking forward to watching the young boy grow in the midst of battle. Kuai laughs a bit with him.
"Yes, I have great faith in him. He is excelling rather quickly."
The days leading up to the meeting were too busy to dwell on any thoughts. Tomas and Kuai were running around all over the realms. To Outworld to speak with the Empress and her army. To Syzoth, who would be gathering a few willing Zaterrans who had begun to trust him. Back to Earthrealm to train with Raiden and Kung Lao.
When it was time to meet up with Liu Kang and Bi-Han, the two looked less than presentable. Tomas' hair was scruffed up. His uniform was full of dirt stains, thanks to Raiden's thick boots dancing all over him. They were sparring partners today, Raiden always gave him a good challenge.
Kuai had a messy bun of hair, so he pulled at the tie keeping it together to let his hair fall, strands sticking to the sweat on his face. He had a bandage wrapped around his arm from Kung Lao's bladed hat. It was seriously annoying to deal with, but that was only an advantage for him.
"It's a pretty cool hat." Tomas comments, trying not to laugh at the way Kuai rolls his eyes.
"It can cause trouble very quickly."
"Oh, for sure. Still clever though." They were removing their masks to breathe more clearly, making their way inside the temple after scraping the dirt from their shoes. Tomas followed Kuai to a pair of large twin doors. It was where Liu Kang held most of his meetings with them.
They shared a glance, one that gave the other courage to step through those doors. Kuai holds his head up with the confidence of his title as Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu. He opens the door and leads them inside, the sound of two voices making themselves known.
"I thank you again for coming all this way, I know it was on sudden notice. Hopefully it wasn't too much trouble for you." Bi-Han raises his hand, they can't see him yet, they are facing his back, waiting patiently behind the two. The soft, almost too-quiet voice that comes out of him is an honest shock for the brothers.
"It was no trouble at all, Lord Liu Kang. I understand how dire the situation is." Liu Kang nods, then he takes notice of the two who have joined them and smiles.
"Ah, you've both come right on time." Bi-Han blinks at his words, then he's turning over his shoulder, growing curious.
Tomas' brows raise when Bi-Han pays him a glance. And it is truly surreal. Tomas then realized that he always anticipated seeing the scowl that covers Bi-Han's face when he looks at him. A look close to disgust, mixed with annoyance at his presence. It's the look he's used to being given by his older brother.
This Bi-Han does not look at him this way. His look is full of honest curiosity, and slight surprise at their presence. His eyebrows aren't scrunched together, there's no deep creases in his forehead. His face looks much more full, more round. He doesn't have those sucked in cheeks like his older brother does, he looked much more.... healthier. Like he took care of himself.
They suddenly felt embarrassed for their disheveled appearance.
"Thank you for joining us. Please, let me introduce the Titan, Bi-Han, Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. Bi-Han, I'm sure you recognize such familiar faces?" Bi-Han studies the men before him, the first he gravitates toward is Kuai.
He is familiar, just as big, if not, slightly bigger. His hair is down, but the length is the same. There is something hard in his expression, but it still holds the softness that clings to his brother's face.
"Kuai Liang." Bi-Han confirms, motioning his hand out to the man. "You look almost identical. I would be easily fooled." Kuai is not sure how to answer him, but it looks like he doesn't need to, because Bi-Han is already directing his attention to Tomas.
This one was a bit harder. Such a familiar face, but there's something distinctively different. Tomas breathes deeply out of his nose as he carefully watches Bi-Han's expression. Both he and Kuai are expecting the worst, and Tomas is ready to defend himself respectfully if need be. Bi-Han presses a finger to his temple, before his eyebrows raise when he realizes something.
"You are Tomas Vrbada, correct?"
"Yes." Tomas is holding his breath, it is only when the corners of Bi-Han's lips lift up that he begins to realize just how grim his mind has become to have expected anything else.
"My apologies, I'm not used to seeing you with shorter hair." That gets Tomas' attention.
"Your Tomas kept his long hair?" Bi-Han raises his brow.
"'Kept'?" Kuai looks between them before offering an explanation.
"When Tomas joined the Lin Kuei, his long hair got in the way a lot. Our older brother helped him cut it all off." Bi-Han shows clear confusion for a second, his eyes going back to Tomas to study him again.
"Oh... You are brothers?"
"Huh?" Now Tomas is confused, and Kuai has his guard up.
"Yes. We are, is that a problem?" Bi-Han is turning back over his shoulder to look at Liu Kang, who tilts his head with a gentle smile. He had already informed Bi-Han that the two may have trouble easily accepting his presence, due to the decisions of his counterpart.
Bi-Han does not take it personally. He turns back to the two, folding his hands behind his back as he stands straight and tall.
"Of course, there is no problem. I was shocked, Tomas Vrbada has never been a part of the Lin Kuei in my timeline. He is a great hunter, and good friend of Kuai Liang and I." The sudden revelation has Tomas' mouth parting open. He simply couldn't imagine his life having been without their old clan.
"What? Never? Then-" Tomas has to stop himself from coming off too strong. "Then is my- Is his family... still alive?" It has been a long time since Kuai had heard such a tone in Tomas' voice, the kind he gets when he speaks of his family. The kind of tone that reveals the small child inside of him, asking for where his mother was.
Bi-Han sighs with closed eyes, shaking his head. He hates to be the bearer of bad news, but he could tell Tomas was eager to know. The disappointment that covers Tomas' face is almost hard to watch.
"I wish I had a different answer to give you, but he told me he had lost them in an accident at a young age. As far as I know, he does not have any close relatives by blood."
It's hard to hear. Not even his counterpart had been granted the luxury of being with his mother, his sister. He wonders if he also suffered the loneliness, the night terrors. The flashbacks. He wonders what sort of accident it was to take his family away.
"But-" Bi-Han starts, and Tomas tries to clear his mind of all the sudden questions appearing to listen to him again.
"I know he is doing well. He visits me often. I have always imagined him... as my own brother." He smiles at Tomas again, he couldn't begin to describe to you the way his throat closed up. The way the tightness in his chest slowly stretches out, making it easier to breathe.
"I am relieved to learn that in this timeline, he is. At least... for Kuai Liang. I am deeply upset with the Bi-Han that resides here. I can not apologize enough to you both."
And then his heart shatters all over again.
Because in some twisted way of the universe, it has to be another version of his brother who is apologizing for actions he had not made, despite technically being the same person. There is a world in which Bi-Han wishes he could call him his brother, and it is not this one. It's a cruel joke.
"It's not your apology to make." Tomas says in a soft voice, it is suddenly dawning on him that they had both misjudged the man before them a great deal. This was not Bi-Han. Well- it was. But he was nothing like the one they knew. Bi-Han nods before turning back to Liu Kang.
"Forgive me for getting off track, this is a bizarre occurrence. I let curiosity get the best of me." Liu Kang waved it off, having no trouble providing the three of them some space.
"No, this meeting was specifically for a proper introduction. I hope you three continue to get to know each other, we will be working together moving forward."
"It is an honor." Kuai almost can not stomach the humble air that radiates off his older brother. He hardly remembers the time he's last seen Bi-Han appear so... charismatic. Those were the days he looked up to his brother. He wanted to be just like him. Those memories are flooding back, they are overwhelming.
Kuai Liang misses his brother.
"Allow me to take you to Madam Bo's for some tea. It would surely be much better than being cooped up in the temple. We can stress about upcoming troubles tomorrow. Today, we welcome you." Liu Kang offers.
So now here they were, at Madam Bo's. The old woman quickly took a liking to the Lin Kuei's grandmaster. His table manners rivaled that of Raiden's. Tomas was seated next to him, having easily accepted his presence in his space. Kuai was across from him, a small grin on his face as Bi-Han sips at the tea in his hands.
He grimaces at the heat.
As different as they were, many things were still the same. Bi-Han did not like his tea hot, he had a cat's tongue. Nor did he like it too sweet, preferring bitter tastes with a hint of lemon to make it sour. They were testing him, because they were curious. They offered him the sweetest tea they could find on the menu, asking Madam Bo to make it warm.
"Is it any good?" Kuai asks, his teasing smile revealing how much he already knew the answer to that question. Bi-Han huffs out his nose, setting the cup down and feeling as though his tongue had gone numb.
"Absolutely not. You prefer to drink this?" He asks skeptically, and Tomas laughs with his whole chest. It's a testament to how kind Bi-Han is to let Tomas place a hand on his shoulder as he teases him.
"It's actually the most popular drink on the menu. You may just be picky, Bi-Han."
"Do hot drinks not mix well with your senses?" Kuai has always been meaning to ask his older brother this, but he never found the chance too.
"No, they don't. I have tried many times to enjoy the warm stews my brother cooks in the winter. I regret to say that I can not stomach them." His hands twitch against the tea cup as he looks up at Kuai.
"But you are a good cook, Kuai Liang." He finds it funny that Bi-Han is saying this to him, rather than his own brother from his own timeline. But Kuai thinks to indulge himself just this once, because it has been too long since the two of them were able to just talk.
"I see. I'll have to keep that in mind then, even though I much prefer warm foods." Tomas let's go of him to pick up the menu.
"Forgive us, we just wanted to tease you a bit. Is there anything you'd actually like to try on here?"
"I don't mind it." He responds, taking a look at the menu Tomas is holding out in front of them. And he is surprised when Bi-Han orders a big meal, raising his brow at the man next to him.
"Are you sure you can eat all of that?"
"Yes." Tomas and Kuai smile at each other, Bi-Han looks at them with curiosity.
"Our brother often skips meals. We knew he was picky, but he hardly ever joined us for dinner. We often wondered if he was eating enough." Kuai remembers those days, and his smile turns somewhat sad.
"I cannot speak for your brother, but Kuai Liang and Harumi often send me off with meals to take back to the compound." Kuai's eyes light up at the mention of Harumi.
"Your brother... and Harumi, are they..." Bi-Han smiles when he remembers.
"They have been married for a few years now. Harumi is pregnant with his child." Bi-Han looks down at the small tea cup, admiring the details in the design. "There is no greater honor I could be given than becoming an uncle."
"Oh wow..." Tomas gasps, placing his hand to his mouth. He notices the soft blush on Kuai's face, he hadn't expected that sort of answer. Harumi was still his fiancé in current times.
"I'm... sure, you'll make a great one." Kuai confirms, and Bi-Han looks nearly elated with the way his eyes smile. Because to hear it from Kuai, in any form, made his chest feel warm.
"What about you, Bi-Han? Do you have anyone close to you? Other than your brother?" Tomas is now much more curious, but Bi-Han shakes his head.
"I do not have time for intimate relations with others. The majority of my time is spent leading the Lin Kuei. If I'm not doing that, there is always certain to be something else that calls for my attention."
"That's..." Lonely.
Tomas thinks the universe works in very cruel ways. Today he had learned that not even his counterpart was allowed to grow with his family. And he had learned that wether Bi-Han was hated amongst the realms, ruled a traitor and lowly scum, or was loved and praised for being the realm's protector, he was alone.
"Is this the first meal you've had with others for a while?" Tomas' eyes are gentle, for some reason, Bi-Han seems so much smaller. He's still trying to get used to the fact that this is Bi-Han.
"It is also the first time in years that I have visited Madam Bo's. I thank you both for joining me, I will hold on to this memory for a long time."
Neither of them know what to say. They too would remember this, for a very, very long time. When Madam Bo returns with their meals, their conversation finally dies down. Watching Bi-Han savor the delicious meal before him was a sight they haven't payed witness to yet. He had finished every last bite too.
Bi-Han was a big eater.
It was very easy to integrate him into their schedules. He was the only person they had ever granted location of the Shirai Ryu's base to. That was their biggest sign of trust to him, and he took it with grateful arms. The members of the clan loved him. He was a natural born leader, it was clear as day.
"The Shirai Ryu does not exist in my timeline. I never thought I'd see the day my brother takes the role of Grandmaster of his own clan." Kuai looks at his brother with raised brows. Bi-Han turns to him, placing a hand flat to his back.
"I am proud of you, Kuai Liang. You make a fine Grandmaster." The words Kuai thought he'd never hear from his older brother.
He's speechless. He's star-struck. His chest is aching with both pain, and raw happiness at Bi-Han's words. Is he allowed to feel this way? Even if this was not the Bi-Han he knew? Was he allowed to greedily take those words and let them light a fire in his soul?
"Thank you, brother." Kuai's voice is wavering, he is not a man who is brought to tears easily. But then he feels Bi-Han's hand press the back of his head, forcing him to face down at the ground because he knows. He knows Kuai is about to cry, and it was ok. He was allowed to.
Their current plans had briefly gotten disrupted by members of the Lin Kuei in their timeline. Upon first seeing them, Bi-Han showed true anger for the first time on his face. His own clan, it was driven to madness by a power hungry leader. Instead of protecting the innocent of Earthrealm, they were slaughtering them. All in an effort to free their grandmaster from his prison.
"You were all great protectors. Your duty was to make sure that every breathing, living human in this realm makes it home to their family. To allow them life's simple pleasures without any disruptions from the dangers of the universe." His hands and arms are building up layer upon layer of ice. Cold mist radiates off his body through his rage.
"To see you now, I am disgusted with what you have become. You will pay with your lives for those who have lost theirs." Bi-Han was still cold when he was angry. This clan did not deserve his mercy. Even if this wasn't his home, his timeline, he vowed to protect it. For it held those dear to him.
Tomas was right beside him, keeping a strong watch for his back, even though he knew Bi-Han wouldn't need it. The Lin Kuei were surprised at first glance to be fighting that of who looked exactly as their grandmaster. But none of them ever stood a chance against Bi-Han. And with Smoke by his side, it was a death wish.
They made a good team.
They communicated through quick glances, simple hand gestures. Bi-Han almost got hit in his back, but Tomas reached him just in time, with a few seconds to spare. He slices a couple throats, he listens whenever Bi-Han instructs him to push harder through their defenses. It reminds him of when they used to train together, Bi-Han's deep, demanding voice yelling at him. Not because he was trying to mean, but because he was trying to push out the best in him.
There are pools of blood soaking their shoes when they are finished. It takes a minute for them to catch their breaths. Tomas takes a look at the wreckage they have caused, lifeless bodies surrounding them. It's a harsh reminder to what has become of this timeline, what he is afraid of for its future.
"Do not look more than you need to." Bi-Han instructs, he is turned away from scene before them. He's wiping the blood off his fingers against his uniform. Tomas turns away with him, sheathing his weapon.
"You are very strong Tomas, I have never seen you in action."
"That's a high compliment, coming from you." He smiles under his mask.
"You are deserving of such praise." Tomas lifts his head to meet Bi-Han's eyes. It is rude to look away when others are speaking to you.
"I know that the Grandmaster is in good hands with you at his side. As long as you work together, I'm sure you will both achieve the peace you seek for Earthrealm." Tomas gives him a stiff nod, because he's to busy taking the words in. Letting them sink into his skin.
"Your brother is a fool to have treated you the way he has. Know, Tomas, that I will live on content with the knowledge that in this universe, I am able to consider you my family. And I will be sure to share this knowledge with my brother and closest friend back in my own."
Tomas is not a man easily driven to tears, but his words get him to crack.
It was odd. Having the brother you had always looked up to, turn his back to you and call you his enemy. And then have him come back, and shower you with all of the praise and acknowledgment you had always hoped to receive from him. Tomas and Kuai knew that they would be heartbroken when Bi-Han left. Maybe even more than the first time.
But despite all the lovely words, all of the care that Bi-Han shows in his eyes when he looks at them, it all fails to fill the deep hole in their chests.
That is not their brother.
As much as they wish he was, it was the very truth. As much as Kuai appreciated hearing praise from Bi-Han, he found himself picturing his real brother. As elated as Tomas felt being acknowledged by him, it was not this Bi-Han that he thought of when fighting alongside him. This was not the brother they grew up with. They loved him all the same, but it wasn't the real thing.
Kuai Liang and Tomas miss their brother. No matter how wrong he had done them.
The titan had asked Liu Kang to grant him entry into the Shaolin Prison, to be faced with his own self of this timeline. Permission was granted, Kuai and Tomas were at his side as they followed the monks leading them through to walls of large cells.
They haven't been down here much themselves, never feeling too well when they see their brother behind bars. His wrists are chained together, his ankles are chained to the wall. His face is dark, creating an ugly shadow over his eyes with the dim lighting in the prison. He doesn't even look at them when they are standing right outside his cell. The titan peers through the bars, finding someone he does not recognize on the other side of them.
"Look what you've done to yourself." Bi-Han clenched his teeth at the voice that sounds much too similar to his own. It's mocking him.
"To think that I could have lost myself the way you have, sickens me to my core. You have betrayed your family, your home. Have you no shame for the pain you've caused?"
"You don't know." Bi-Han bites back, angered by his own voice speaking down to him. The titan does not flinch, he is not afraid of himself.
"You haven't lived the grueling hours of training I've been through to get here. The amount of work, the low payoff." Bi-Han is standing now, his hands grip onto the bars of his cell. He shakes them with his anger, glaring into his own eyes that stare back at him.
"Everyday, it was all I was good for. He repeated it over and over." Bi-Han shakes the bars again. "You don't know that kind of hell."
"Yes I do."
Tomas is staring at his brother, and so is Kuai. They knew his troubles ran deep, they never knew the fine details. They didn't know anything, because Bi-Han never told them. They wish he did. They wish he trusted them enough.
"My father was no saint. Neither was my mother, for what little time I've known her." The titan leans closer towards the bars, his face is a blank board as he speak to Bi-Han. His fury lays not a single finger on him.
"I've done my time training for him. I became Grandmaster of my clan. I kept my family by my side. And I am the one on the other side of these bars." He pulls away from the cell, shaking his head at the abomination that shares his name.
"Where did you go wrong, Bi-Han?" A growls breaks out of his throat, one full of frustration, one full of madness. He's seething with rage at himself.
The titan looks at the faces of the two standing beside him. They are sad, that alone is clear to see. He looks back at himself, still having a hard time accepting what he sees. He's thankful to the elder gods that whatever it was that he had done different, he had done right. He has one more thing to say to his counterpart, something he hopes he takes the time to think about. Something he hopes, for the sake of the two standing behind him, changes Bi-Han for the better.
"Your worst mistake, was pushing away your brothers."