Chapter Text
Violent rain manipulated by the wind began to paint the windows and darted amongst the stiff outside walls and roofs of the houses laid out onto the land of the Lin Kuei empire.
Inside of the home of the royal family, the eldest son and newly crowned king, Bi Han lay awake in his chambers. Sat at his desk impatiently as he read through each scroll and contract his father had signed for the better of the kingdom.
His devotion to rule over and aid his people to victory soon turned into a cold obsession that was determined to show those who stood against him his unjust and cruel treatment. He was greedy for power, he knew that.
A certain scroll catches his eye, a small neat yet crinkled paper. Dating back to the first interaction between his empire and Lord Liu Kang. He read through each black inked filled word, studying each word carefully.
He knew of the god since he was barely coming of age. He would witness the god and his father interact, whether physically or through letters, though he never knew of their discussions. Deemed as; ‘too young to understand.’
The scroll was a contract to help aid and protect Earthrealm from those attempting to attack and raid it. It was a tradition for many years, pretty much the only thing the old Lin Kuei generation knew. He was encouraged to train at such an early age for it, he had to enhance his senses while those around his age could be free and peaceful.
He furrowed his eyebrows as he compares himself to others. But now as his peoples king he had more of the reason to train harder, he wasn't gonna stand back like his father and send others to fight his own wars. No, he was gonna fight with his people and lead them to glory.
Now as he thought of it, the Lin Kuei needed something better. Something to further their history of victories. No one has threatened earthrealm in generations and now he sees no point in pushing his clan into an inexistent battle. Instead of following Liu Kang’s orders, he rather have the Lin Kuei lead Earth realm. He grew tiresome of standing aside and not having his clans glory talked amongst millions. He was gonna take matters into his owns hands.
He pulled open a drawer and yanked out a neatly, empty scroll. Grabbing his pen and decorating the paper with black letters, declaring that the alliance is broken off. Once done he rolled the scroll by each end and tied it with a singular thread of ribbon.
While thunder rumbled outside, the cyromancer cleared off his desk of any other contracts beside his newly written one. A wave of exhaustion washed over him and he began to return to his bed. In the morning he will send out a messenger to decree his statement.
——————
As the sun rays through the still grey clouds, Bi Han calls in a messenger to make sure the letter gets to Liu Kang. Before the messenger can leave Bi Han alone in the hallway with his own thoughts, Bi Han makes sure that the man will not tell his brothers about it. Over how they whine too much about the tradition and culture their dad has taught and left for them.
He was doing what he thought was best for all of them. He doesn’t need their opinion to change whatever he wants. He made sure that they will not over hear his conversation with the messenger and now he has to make sure they don’t find out.
He took the time to plan out the future of the Lin Kuei in his study room. Denying his brothers to train with them, easily earning himself two confused looks. He hardly denies them a sparring session, he likes to humble them when they get too co*cky or just in general.
He knew the trip to the Wu Shi Academy will take nearly two days. He also knew of Liu Kang’s new pupils, he wasn’t able to gain enough information on them to know all about them but he knew they were growing in strength.
Two boys from the same village, one possessing a lightning amulet and the other super human strength, another was a former gangster who carried around his ancestral sword to aid him in battle and the last one was a self centered entertainer with the ability to launch out blasts of energy.
While working a guard came into his study claiming that a man had to urgently speak with him. Bi Han stood up and followed the guard into the main hall of the palace, showing him to where the man awaited him outside.
“Emperor Bi Han,” He bowed. “My name is Shang Tsung.” He lifted his body back up to meet the kings gaze waiting for approval to speak further. Bi Han nodded after sending the guard away. “Speak.”
“I know of your plans and I may be of some assistance.”
——————
As the birds chirped through the beautiful mornings sunrise, a letter arrived on the Wu Shi Academy’s grounds. Said to be delivered to Lord Liu Kang in good condition.
Hurriedly walking through the halls to the Fire Lords room, where he sat and meditated, and knocked in a rhythm to bring back the god back from the peaceful relaxation he was in.
“You may enter.” He said eyes still closed but posture slumped a little more than it should.
A monk came in and handed him the letter. “From the Lin Kuei.” He spoke. This peaked Liu Kangs curiosity and he politely took the scroll from the monk before sending him off.
He opened the scroll as he stood up, his eyes scanning over every word in every sentence. His eyes widen in shock and confusion.
He must figure out what provoked the young man to make this sudden change so early in his throne.
