Chapter Text
The chill Titan Sub-Zero brought with himself had been all-consuming. Affecting all realms in its need for extermination.
It had compelled even Outworlders to join the battle against the otherworldly threat. Titan Sub-Zero.
A dark, corrupted, imposing silent figure. He stood tall, like a war god. His army of minions following him obediently.
His destruction was aimless, directed at everything and nothing. No purpose, no real target. Only annihilation.
He didn't speak, didn't make any sound. He might as well have been dead.
It sent shivers down Kuai Liang's spine, to see an opponent so purposeless yet so destructive. So unlike any foe he'd faced.
It didn't help the titan was the spitting image of his estranged brother and that filled Kuai Liang with grief and woe.
The same brother who once again bad refused to give them his aid, abandoning Kuai Liang against another titan. It hurt Kuai Liang more than it should have.
The young pyromancer dismissed all thoughts as he channeled his flame to free Princess Kitana from her icy prison. The princess nodded in gratitude and quickly parryed an attack from an icy minion. Kuai Liang turned his attention elsewhere. His fire was the most helpful here, along with Lord Liu Kang's, rendering Sub-Zero's element near ineffective.
The titan must have known for he had turned his attention on Liu Kang immediately early on in the battle.
Most of Sub-Zero's minions were counterparts of many in this timeline. Kuai Liang could see it, as Tomas was entangled with his own counterpart, much like many others in the battlefield. Kuai Liang's opponent was a version of himself but Shang Tsung. The devilish sorcerer had none of his usual mischievous smirk but the same cold face and lifelessness as his lord's. It was so strange for Kuai Liang, seeing the familiar adversary in such a foreign light.
But it mattered little. Kuai Liang showed no mercy as he finally found an opening and cut the sorcerer clean...or he tried to. The body was durable. And Kuai Liang could see, how a blue hue surrounded the wound and began healing it.
"They're...they're unkillable!" It was Syzoth, coming to the same realisation as Kuai as he stood over his counterpart's reforming body, just a few meters away. Spoken in exhaustion, the Zaterran was already looking spent.
Kuai Liang jumped to take his arm and got him out of a Dark Shao's attack just in time before sending a large flame toward the brute's way. "Thank you, Scorpion." Kuai Liang nodded.
He turned his eyes to Sub-Zero, entangled in kombat with Liu Kang miles away. The pyromancer could see, even through the blizzard, the blueish hue that he emitted, the same blue that healed his minions.
This only confirmed Kuai's suspicions
"They're linked to him." Syzoth turned to Kuai Liang, puzzled. "They're linked to Sub-Zero, Syzoth, taking his energy to heal. So long as he lives, we can't win." Syzoth's eyes widened as realisation dawned on him.
"Tell Princess Kitana and Smoke to lead the men to open the way for me and keep Sub-Zero's followers from reaching him. I shall aid Lord Liu Kang in this battle." Syzoth nodded and quickly got to work.
Once Kuai was sure he had a path with no ally in his way, he took a deep breath as he was covered by Outworlders and the Shirai Ryu from behind and sides and summoned the greatest flame he could, directing it forward, toward Sub-Zero and Liu Kang. The flame burned, a glowing beacon in the blizzard, thawing the snow and ice, steam raising all over before hitting Sub-Zero and throwing him back. Bull's eye.
Despite the situation, Kuai Liang grinned to himself as he sprang forward, to join Liu Kang against their mighty foe, acknowledging Liu Kang's thankful nod with a similar gesture.
Sub-Zero got up inelegantly, his armour dented and blackened by the fire. His eyes fell on Kuai Liang and the pyromancer was shaken once more as he was reminded of his elder brother.
The titan's eyes were unnerving white, emotionless, colder than any glacier. They had none of Bi-Han's conviction, anger and pride. They were empty...void of any human quality.
Just a monster to be defeated. The lack of any resemblance to the Bi-Han he knew made that task easier.
Sub-Zero quickly got to action, attacking both fire users at the same time. He was powerful but not against two skilled enemies. All along, Kuai Liang avoided looking at his eyes and only focused on delivering as much damage as he could.
A victorious roar from the battlefield took Kuai's attention. He glanced briefly and it was Baraka, their Baraka, as he stood in triumph over the body of his own counterpart. It was dead.
Kuai Liang smiled to himself. He was right, it was working. Sub-Zero was exerted and now refused to heal his minions. Victory was near.
Or so Kuai Liang thought.
Suddenly, Sub-Zero glowed with blue hue and sent a powerful icy blast toward Liu Kang, throwing him far away. Before Kuai Liang could register it, an ice ball hit his chest, followed by a boot connecting to his jaw in a vicious kick, throwing him to the ground. Kuai Liang grunted in pain and coughed as he inhaled the frosty air. The chill reached his lungs immediately and he wheezed. The kick had thrown his mask off.
Kuai Liang rolled, avoiding an ice spear intending to impale him just in time. He kept his eyes on the dark titan as he sat up, trying to catch his breath. Get up! But he couldn't. His mask was out of reach and his lungs burnt. The hit to his chest had been hard and ribcage hurt. This cold was inhuman and so unnatural, it took his breath away, literally, leaving him dazed and confused.
Only then he realised Sub-Zero is not attacking. He had stood still, staring at Kuai Liang with those disturbing eyes. The pyromancer found himself entranced by them. He saw something, a flicker of an emotion he couldn't name in those terrifying eyes. Fear and curiosity freezing Kuai Liang to the spot.
The blizzard had stopped and the battle commenced around the ice and fire ninja, with forces of light gaining the upper hand as Sub-Zero had deprived his minions of his support but the two paid it no mind, their eyes set on each other.
"Kuai Liang..." It was barely more than a whisper or maybe not as it silenced the battlefield. It was as if time itself had stopped, holding its breath. Other kombatants froze, shocked as the dark titan uttered his first words. The raspy voice echoing throughout the field, and somehow through his minions as well.
Sub-Zero dropped his spear and took a step forward and then another and only then Kuai Liang came to himself. He got up on shaky legs, preparing to defend himself even as his lungs screamed at him to rest.
He almost jumped as a deathly cold hand touched his face. Kuai hadn't realised when Sub-Zero had come so close and now was touching him. Poking Kuai's cheek with his index finger.
Kuai Liang stepped back even as Sub-Zero stepped closer. "Don't touch me." Kuai wheezed and it was stupid, as if this evil titan would listen. What does he want?
Sub-Zero stopped dead when he heard that but only for a moment. Then he growled and gripped Kuai by the neck, squeezing him as he picked up the younger man with ease. His eyes were narrowed in a haunting anger Kuai Liang was all too familiar with. He struggled, directed his fire at the offending appendage, clawed at the gauntlet-covered hand. He burnt the titan but it didn't work, he stood there like an immovable object.
"LET GO OF HIM." Someone shouted and Kuai Liang fell but he could breathe again. He coughed as he looked up at his saviour. Tomas. Of course. He stood in front of Kuai Liang protectively, between Sub-Zero and his prey. He attacked, managing to keep up with the dark lord very well. Despite everything, Kuai Liang felt proud of his beloved brother. I must help him.
A warm hand gripped his arm and helped him up. It was Ashrah. "Are you alright, Kuai Liang?" The pyromancer could only nod as he let her support him. "The tides have turned in our favour. His followers are no more. You were right, Grandmaster." Syzoth must have told her his plans.
Sub-Zero's eyes were still on him even as he battled Tomas, completely ignoring him and Ashrah and Kuai Liang flinched and looked away again, the intensity in those eyes disconcerting him. The simple weakness made Kuai disgusted by himself.
Ashrah moved to join the battle but fast, far too fast, Sub-Zero sent waves of his energy around erratically, colliding with Ashrah and Tomas and throwing them away.
Once more, Kuai Liang was alone with Sub-Zero. Kuai Liang wasted no time and immediately began to run. This was not a fight he could win alone.
He could hear Sub-Zero sprinting after him and unfamiliar pangs of panic overwhelmed Kuai. The titan had spoken his name. What did he want? To kill him? Torture him as he had others?
Kuai Liang ran and and ran. And he eventually fell. Fell to the snow-covered ground as a round of coughing fit took over. He could barely make out the specks of blood dripping down his mouth to the white ground. He could only hope he had bitten his tongue and it wasn't something more serious.
He had to—had to keep going. He had to return to Harumi and Hanzo. They counted on him to return safely. His clan counted on him. He...he...
Kuai Liang turned away and stared Sub-Zero right in the eyes. And didn't look away this time. Kuai Liang would face his end with honour. He wouldn't submit.
"Kuai Liang." That raspy dark voice uttered his name again with familiarity and Kuai Liang glared. It might've looked intimidating if he hadn't coughed more blood in that moment. "You are hurt." Kuai Liang felt as startled as Sub-Zero looked. What?
Sub-Zero laid his cold hand on the side of Kuai Liang's neck, where bruises in the shape of fingers had started to form. His white eyes looked...regretful? Kuai Liang shivered but didn't move away despite his very being screaming at him to do so. How long had it been since Bi-Han had touched him lovingly like a brother would? No. No, this isn't Bi-Han. This creature—
Suddenly green energy surrounded Sub-Zero's limbs and picked him up. King Jerrod stepped into the clearing.
"Sub-Zero. Your allies have been defeated. Desist and see reason." Lord Liu Kang's powerful voice rang as he and a long line of allies stepped into sight.
Sub-Zero struggled but made no sound. Kuai Liang stared and tried to ignore the way his heart ached at the sight. He wouldn't stop. He wasn't going to stop and then Liu Kang would order his execution. Kuai Liang would lose Bi-Han again.
Kuai Liang's eyes blurred as he fell backward. Strong arms caught him and he leaned against a broad chest. "Tomas." Kuai Liang whimpered. "Are you alright?" Tomas didn't look alright. His hair disheveled, his head bleeding from a gash on his forehead. Tomas made a noise that sounded half-sigh, half-laugh. "For once, think of yourself, Brother." His arms tightened around Kuai and the pyromancer winced, his vision darkening again. Tomas quickly uttered an apology and loosened up.
More and more of his friends surrounded him, Kitana sitting on one side and, brushing his hair out of his face, examining his neck with gentle hands, Raiden and Kung Lao sitting on the other side, the former taking his hand to offer comfort. Cage turned up out of nowhere, saying something about an ice man doing a number. Someone wrapped a blanket around him for all the good it did. Kuai appreciated it nonetheless.
But his attention was only on Sub-Zero, even as Liu Kang still tried to reason with him. To no avail. Kuai Liang could pinpoint the moment Liu Kang gave up. Could see the grief in the fire god's eyes as he commanded Jerrod to finish the titan. "No." Kuai Liang tried to say but only more blood left his mouth. He couldn't hear the worried gasps from his friends.
He looked at Sub-Zero's face, how it contorted in pain as his limbs and insides were being abused and pulled from all sided. It reminded Kuai too much of that fateful day in Ying Fortress.
Sub-Zero stared right back at Kuai as he let out a guttural roar that shook the very Earth and freed himself from Jerrod's control.
He formed an ice blade and slashed at Liu Kang and then cut Jerrod in half. He summoned all the ice he could, from the snow, from the very air and froze all his enemies in place as they charged at him. Kuai Liang watched in horror as Sub-Zero summoned more and more of his ice blades, intending to kill every single enemy on spot.
No, no, no! "NO!" Kuai Liang shouted with all the strength he could muster.
"Please! Please just let them be!" It was in vain and Kuai knew it. Sub-Zero was a god. He would kill everyone here, Kuai Liang included. Kuai Liang wanted to cry from the frustration and worry. But he had to try. He had to try to save them. He was on his knees, prepared to beg once more but a cough cut him off. Then another and another, till it was a full coughing fit, each taking more and more blood out of his body. Something was definitely nicked inside.
Two cold hands cradled his face and shook him. Someone was talking. More than one person. Kuai couldn't tell anymore as his vision darkened.
When he came to himself again. He was in a simple room, if it could be called that. Glacier walls and no window. Kuai Liang was lying in corner on the cold floor. Cage's blanket still wrapped around him. His chest hurt, his neck burnt, his throat felt full, his mouth tasted like blood.
Sub-Zero was standing directly in front of him. Unmoving, unblinking, like a statue. He tilted his head and kept observing. Once again the distant inhuman and no subtle signs if caring he had displayed earlier. Or maybe he never had shown those and Kuai imagined them like a pathetic child missing his older brother would.
"You are Kuai Liang. But different." What did that mean?
"Did you kill my friends?" No response. "Please answer me!" He beseeched but it didn't work. Bi-Han only observed.
Kuai Liang wondered for the first time, what made this Bi-Han so different? What happened to his Kuai Liang? Why was he so...alone?
Kuai Liang meant to ask. Meant to reach for Sub-Zero. But his thoughts were interrupted by that raspy voice.
"You are Kuai nonetheless. You have been returned to me." Bi-Han walked forward and stooped low next to Kuai. "I will perfect you. Save you."
He gripped Kuai Liang's face. Tender once more.
"This is the kiss of death." Sub-Zero whispered before pressing his cold, chapped lips to Kuai Liang's forehead in a gentle kiss. Like Father used to, years ago. The effect was instant. Surges of something cold, awful and sinister consumed him, starting from the spot he had been kissed. Stabs of agony going through his brain, ripping every cell apart at the seams, traveling down his spine, piercing and drilling through every nerve.
Kuai Liang began trembling. It was agony. Pure agony and Kuai Liang couldn't even scream. All he managed was a faint whimper. He was vaguely aware of remaining intact physically but something was broken inside. Something was wrong.
As his brain was coming apart, the pain numbed and so did his mind. All thoughts abondoned him. His parents, his values, Tomas. The Shirai Ryu. Harumi and Hanzo. Raiden, Kitana, Liu Kang, Kung Lao. More. Anyone and anything he'd ever cared for suddenly didn't matter anymore.
A distant resilient part of Kuai Liang panicked, still fighting against the trespassing on his very being. Desperately reached for cherished memories but they grow fragile and brittle and eventually faded.
As did all things. Leaving Kuai Liang vacant and desolate. An empty husk.
He felt himself being swooped into this strange man's arms.
"And this," the cold man uttered as he tilted Kuai's face up,"is the kiss of life." He pressed his lips to Kuai Liang's in a chaste peck and breathed into him.
An icy, burning breath.
Things surged into him but this time, they sought to fill the gaps left behind. The icy tendrils reached all over Kuai's soul and body, his nerves, his heart, his mind, securing his very being.
It was over soon and Kuai Liang was let go.
He saw his own reflection in icy ceiling. His skin was pale as snow with tinges of red and pink, like frostbite. There were white strands in his hair. It looked right. Bi-Han had chosen this for him so it must be right.
He got to his feet, agile and powerful. No hurt in his body.
He raised his hand and formed a blue fire on his palm. Never had he imagined fire would feel cold.
He snuffed out the flame and looked to Sub-Zero with a bow.
"Master."
Bi-Han took his hands and shook his head.
"Brother. Call me brother." Sub-Zero—no, Bi-Han asked. His voice was tender. How could Kuai Liang ever think this man heartless?
"Brother." Bi-Han beamed. His white eyes glinting with happiness as hugged his little brother, pleased that he was hugged back. At last Bi-Han was reunited with his family.