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Shifting sands scurried along bandaged hands. The trickle of every piece that made up the mass surrounded the meaningless abyss. The universe, void of meaning, incomplete, controlled by a forgettable substance. It was the universe’s building blocks, their deity. Without it, the universe has no point, no foundation for itself. The sands control time, the pathway for existence, friendship, family.
Many things are dependent on time. Lessons, life, death.
But time itself is independent. It moves on its own volition, uncaring. To many, time is a blessing, a gift to spend. But to some, time is a curse, something to dread, its linear existence leaves little space for mistake.
Shifting sands.
Fickle sands determine the outcome, set in stone by its current. Each grain within, insignificant in size, yet tightly packed with life—complex fate, brittle but fragile.
All at Liu Kang’s hand.
Glowing eyes meet one another in the dull reflection. Silver strands hang low, short, youthful. Tattoos adorned his skin, the dull gleam tried its best to reflect itself. Sand ran along his fingers, faint comfort emitting from the soothing texture.
A small smile formed on the god’s lips. Memories involving the grain flooded his brain, temporary solace within his mind.
Loneliness is a fate he’d never wish upon anybody.
Running along sunkissed sand, warmth spreading along his sole. Specks wedging itself between the child’s toes. Laughing, shouting, the noise was weak, a forgotten part of his memory. Unclear taunts were thrown at one another, but the voice was familiar. His vision focused on the other child. It could only be one other person—yet sadness gripped onto his heart at the realization.
Kung Lao. Youth adorned his face, stress yet to plague the both of them. Before they knew about the Tournament. Kung Lao’s hands cupped around his lips to accentuate his insults. He was on the other side of the sandpit, Liu Kang’s lungs were on fire, and his legs aching. The smile on his face began to hurt his cheeks.
The two chased each other around the field. Kung Lao taunted Liu Kang any chance he got, weaving around Liu Kang’s hand that was desperately attempting to hit him. Kung Lao looked—so happy.
Was that his earliest memory of his best friend?
The sun glowed down onto the class with its intense glare, the top of his head absorbing the heat. Sweat ran down his face, too focused on stillness to wipe it away. Kung Lao on the other hand, was the opposite. He squirmed in his spot, wanting to spar instead.
Kung Lao looked over his shoulder to Liu Kang, students seated in rows listening to the Monks teach. The Shaolin stuck his tongue out, brows furrowed before a Monk snuck behind him and hit him on the head with a stick. Kung Lao jolted, and the Monk sternly told him to pay attention.
Liu Kang’s cheeks puffed, holding back his laughter at his friend getting in trouble. The Monk continued his lesson. A snort slipped out as Kung Lao attempted to mouth something at the other. Liu Kang wished he remembered what.
The sand flowed onto his hands, shaping everything. He wasn’t there. Liu Kang wished he could go back.
With the weight of the universe on his shoulders, eons ahead of him, fatigue plagued his mind
He had to stay focused.
God of Fire and Thunder, Keeper of Time.
—
Long raven hair framed his face, age presenting in other ways. Skin littered with dim tattoos reminding him of his past. Too focused on the present to dwell on it.
His champions were sparring in front of him, evaluating their skill. They were unknown of their fates, so familiar to previous timelines, yet different in their unique ways. Johnny and Kenshi met as enemies, one took what the other needed. Watching them fight, they were destined to become close friends, slowly but surely. His glowing eyes panned over to the two others training.
Kung Lao and Raiden.
The future Shaolin chucked jabs at the other as he weaved through his hits. Raiden grinned stupidly at Kung Lao, his ego was laughable. In a split moment, Raiden found the timing to hit Kung Lao as he taunted him. Kung Lao toppled over, groaning as the calmer man berated him on his high ego.
And Liu Kang watched.
As much as he could shove it down, it all bubbled back up.
He felt a pang in his heart. Two familiar faces, personalities—replicating what he couldn’t have anymore. Childhood best friends, training side by side. It was selfish. He should not be thinking like this anymore.
God of Fire, Protector of Earthrealm.
This was his title now. He wasn’t the champion anymore, that is Raiden’s duty now.
He is supposed to be their role model
He is supposed to be their mentor
How different was a God to man? Immortality compared to mortality. If a God felt the same way as man would they still be viewed as such?
For all the eons he spent creating, preparing.
They sat below a tree, taking comfort in each other's presence. It was a long hike to their spot, eventually proving itself worth it, Liu Kang could see the entire academy from there. Monks scattered around the academy, the perspective seemed as though they were just ants in a colony.
Kung Lao disappeared from the Academy some days, Liu Kang never bothered to ask where, he always just assumed he hid to get away from chores. However, after training, Kung Lao offered to show him to a spot. Liu Kang was skeptical to step away from the Academy but Kung Lao convinced him.
It wasn’t odd for them to sit in silence, Liu Kang enjoyed it.
“Do you ever wonder about the future?” Liu Kang asked, his head tilting to Kung Lao. Light crept between the leaves, spots of light hitting the hatless Shaolin sat next to him.
“The future where I am champion.” Kung Lao grinned, nudging Liu Kang in the arm.
Nothing could have prepared him for the loss of his best friend.