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He found the night air rather refreshing as he stood atop what remained of the old Lin Kuei palace. After all the chaos, Titan Havik was chained under an eternal slumber, never to disrupt any timeline again. Cyrax had taken on the role to become the new grandmaster and all of their clan had relocated somewhere new. Kuai Liang and Tomas had flourished with their new clan, the Shirai Ryu. He was left with nothing; everything he worked hard for was stripped away from him and he was left weak and useless from succumbing his body to the Chaosrealmer. Though he couldn’t feel upset at the circumstances, as he had brought all of it on himself. He looked at the bottom of the rubble and wondered how everyone was doing without him. Perhaps he had repented by helping Liu Kang defeat the invaders, but he hadn’t redeemed.
The cool winds blew at the simple, light robe that kept him half decent. The more he stared at the debris below, the more he wanted to take a few steps forward. He didn’t really know what he wanted. Maybe he felt angered that everyone would turn their backs on him, but he’d grown too tired and demoralized to care. If everyone was gone, why would it matter if he was too? Though he didn’t expect anyone to find him, he did write a letter that he kept on his person. Just in case they thought he was murdered or if it was an act of war, he supposed. He was about to lean forward when he heard the flames behind him.
“What are you doing here, Bi-Han?” His soothing voice and gentle nature had always been too good for him. He turned around and saw the fire god walking towards him.
“Stargazing,” he replied, and subtly moved back from the ledge and sat down on the broken tiles. He wasn’t technically lying, the stars really were beautiful tonight. He’d hoped it would be the last thing he’d get to see. He watched as Liu Kang sat next to him. Not too close, but not too far.
“I suggest you return to the temple so that you can recover faster. I was informed you had left your quarters without notifying anyone, so I went searching for you. I simply fear for your safety,” the god spoke. The tiniest bit of guilt rested in him and he wondered what drove him to make the insane decisions he did.
All because he thought Liu Kang was some tyrannical god who wanted him to kneel like some dog when it was the complete opposite. He was kind, caring and compassionate, always patient when it came to Bi-Han no matter what had happened. He can see it now, he should have seen it from the start, but he knew it was too late. He felt the guilt rise for even thinking Liu Kang was similar to Titan Havik. He’d made up his mind and he refused to back down. He is a threat, yet he is worthless, and the god would want him jailed, tortured and dead for everything that happened. He was sure his ex-brothers would love to watch.
Though he humored the fire god about stars by responding with short sentences, he knew the other was more perceptive than he let on.
“I know you aren’t here to stargaze,” he said, and turned to look at Bi-Han properly.
“Were you worried I was going to free Titan Havik?” He asked with utmost confidence, because it’s all who he is now. A traitor who clung onto any source of power like a measly parasite.
“The thought hadn’t crossed my mind with the state you’re in,” he responded, with his irritatingly calm voice. Oh, so if he was healthier then he would’ve assumed so. He understood the logic to that. “Any reason why you chose to come here?”
“I felt nostalgic, I suppose.” He couldn’t even be bothered to keep up a facade of anger and toughness. That persona died when he lost his status. Now he just sounded worn out and empty, which the god unfortunately picked up on.
“You should come back to the temple, lest you catch a cold and make your condition worse,” the god pressed softly. He didn’t understand why he pretended to care so much.
“What’s going to happen once I recover?”
“You have the choice to return to your clan under Cyrax's guidance, or stay with me and retire. Cyrax has assured you to be second in command along Sektor, not only to deem your safety but to share your wisdom. Should you stay at the temple, you may do as you wish so long as it does not disturb the others there, though I may occasionally ask you for a chore here and there. If there is another option you have in mind, you may request it and I will consider it.”
“What?” He was genuinely baffled as he expected a torture sentence, or something worse. Not whatever this was. “Why?”
“Because despite everything, I know who you are, Bi-Han. This cruel exterior you've made for yourself is gone now, so why should I not allow you another chance?” He thought Liu Kang might be less sane than he thought. He had already given him so many chances which he took for granted. So many lives lost, so many people suffered, and yet the god would let him walk free? He bet the millions of souls that wanted him to suffer beg to differ.
“You’re not even going to let me serve a sentence?” He wasn’t ashamed to ask that. He knew Sindel and the rest of her court itched to tear him apart.
“You served your sentence when your cryomancy was destroyed from revitalizing you into your human form. You are still recovering from the rest of it, so I believe it is more than fair.”
Bi-Han definitely didn’t. Punishment was supposed to hurt. All he did was lie in bed, had food and water served to him everyday, in a safe and guarded environment. The most uncomfortable he’d been was when it got a little too cold, due to his resistance vanishing with his power. He nodded and pretended to understand Liu Kang’s perspective. But if the god wasn’t going to punish him, then he’d just have to do it himself. He faked a chuckle and put a hand on the other’s shoulder.
“I suppose so,” he said with a smile, then looked back at the stars. “I will return, but I would like to stargaze a little longer if that is alright.” He felt more guilt as here he was, lying. Betrayal in its simplest form. The god watched him for a moment, then gave a small smile and got up.
“Don’t be out for too long,” Liu Kang said, and as Bi-Han nodded, he disappeared in a puff of fire.
With him gone, he stared back down at the bottom and felt his resolve harden. He had to do this. He needed to prove he wasn’t a coward and that he won’t take Liu Kang’s kindness for granted anymore, even if he didn’t see it. He’s sure that deep down, the god probably wanted to get rid of him but couldn’t simply due to his benevolent nature. He’d be doing him a favor anyway. He got up and stood over the ledge and peered down. The drop didn’t seem so scary after all.
He leaned forward and watched as the world tilted.