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As always, Geras monitored the Hourglass, preparing himself for the day he would become Fire God Liu Kang's successor. He saw Time Crystals materialize and vanish while people lived their lives to the fullest. Some died before their time came to a proper end. Tireless and meticulous, he monitored the timelines out of duty. It was his highest calling.
When he saw new-old time crystals take shape, he took the chance to study them intently. He noticed one of them as Cassie Cage, the other being Jacqui Briggs. A new generation of fighters was coming. Takahashi Takeda was also present among them. Would Takeda and Jacqui bond as they would in the past? Only Fire God Liu Kang knew for certain. He also noticed Kung Jin's Time Crystals taking on a stronger luster. Kung Jin was growing to become a fine man.
When he saw a particular set of Time Crystals, his eyes went wide with alarm.
"Is that...?" Geras questioned.
He double and triple-checked, but his eyes did not lie. Those Time Crystals belonged to Karen Barrett. They were slightly altered due to reincarnation, but there was no mistake that it was her.
The Immortal golem forced himself to look away. He was reminded of when he attempted to sacrifice himself to the Hourglass. Kronika repaid him by destroying him and reviving him without those feelings of guilt or remorse. At least, she tried to do away with those "troublesome emotions."
Thinking back, those emotions were never troublesome to begin with. They still lingered, even after Fire God Liu Kang located a remnant of him and recreated him from that residue.
Knowing that secrecy almost led to war between Earthrealm and Outworld, he turned away from the Hourglass and faded into a stream of beige sand. The Immortal needed to reveal what happened before Liu Kang became a god. Otherwise, the emotions he bottled up would eat away at his soul.
That stream reappeared in a hallway at the Fire Temple instead of directly where the God of Fire was now. He predicted that his concerns were keeping his powers from working effectively. It wasn't long until a familiar face found him there while walking to his room. His attention turned to the Fire God, with pulsing dragon tattoos on his arms and surprised eyes that shined with divine power.
"Lord Liu Kang," he began.
"It is good to see you again, Geras," Liu Kang greeted. "I'm surprised I found you here. You usually appear where I am now."
Geras looked down out of dismay.
"My emotions played a part in bringing me here," he admitted. "I witnessed new Time Crystals emerge within the Hourglass."
"A new generation of kombatants?" the deity guessed.
"Yes," the Immortal confirmed. "One set of crystals has troubled me since I witnessed them emerge. They belonged to Karen Barrett, although reincarnation has altered them. I...she...I never wanted her to..."
When Geras looked down at the floor, the Titan could see that he was tongue-tied and disconcerted at this news. Something was well and thoroughly unsettling his friend, and he wanted to help him in whatever way he could.
"Come," Liu Kang urged gently. "I wish to know what happened between her and you. If you feel directly responsible for what happened in the past, perhaps talking about it will relieve that burden."
When they arrived in his bedroom, Liu Kang gently steered him to the side of the bed. They both sat down, the God of Fire still displaying a softened expression of concern.
"I recall Kronika gifted Karen Barrett a portion of her power, which only led to misfortune...and her death," he began. "Did you hurt her at all?"
Geras released an uneasy breath.
"I never wished for her to be dispirited," he revealed. "I found Kronika's methods of toying with her life and her endgame goal of reclaiming her power cruel. My distress became so great that I attempted to sacrifice my life to the Hourglass. All so that I would no longer endure those emotions. Kronika stopped me and destroyed me before rebuilding me from the beginning."
That was news to the Fire God. Cetrion had no qualms about emotionally toying with her, but he guessed it was because her mother had her wrapped around her finger.
"Kronika attempted to erase those feelings. She could not dispose of them entirely," he finished. "I fear history will repeat once more with her and I."
Liu Kang placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I intend for her life and emotional state to be different," he assured him. "I gave her a family that would love her no matter the circumstances. Though it surprised me that she is no longer developing psychic abilities, I pray she will use her new powers for good."
There was a flicker of hope in the Immortal's eyes. Lord Liu Kang caught sight of this and smiled.
"You may rest assured knowing that things will not be the same between you and her if you meet," he finished.
Was it just him or did he see a tear forming in the corner of the Immortal's right eye? Regardless, he smiled and gently wiped it away.
That kindness was something Geras loved about Lord Liu Kang and it made him wonderful in his eyes. Geras felt more human with him than with Kronika. Although the Fire God's heart belonged to another, it pleased him that his feelings weren't going unnoticed.