Mortal Kombat Ages: Baptism Of Ice

[Babygabrial]

In the years since the death of Shinock, and the prevention of Onaga, peace has washed over many lands. A shakey piece, but one none the less. Kui Liang, the fifth Sub-Zero and Grandmaster of the LinKuei, has ushered a new age for the clan of assassins. Blending in traditional talents, along with new doctrines. It has allowed for much expansion for the Lin Kuei, and such allowed for conflict.

Not one to be derailed from his goals, Sub-Zero has pushed forward his ambitions. To the praise of many, and the ire of just as many. At the same time, Sub-Zero knew he would need to step down as both Grandmaster and pass on the title of Sub-Zero to a sixth barer. This goal is currently in contention by two. Frost, Kui Liang's hot-headed pupil who shows passion and prowess. She has never failed a job, though her methods can be seen as more fitting for the old ways. The other potential heir is Kui Liang's only son Hei Bing.

If Frost is a representative of the old ways, then Hei Bing embodies the new age. Only 14 years old, and he shows some promise. He takes jobs he only feels are justified, and tries to execute them as clean as possible. He tries to study his father's diplomacy skills, and tries to innovate on his techniques though he still has a very long way ahead of him.

Currently he and Frost are having a training bout in front of the younger apprentices, and elders.Frost moves with ferocity and aggression with her daggers of ice. She strikes at Hei Bing with several stabs. He backs away, and looks to dodge, and deflect with his ice katana. "Come on! Fight me little snow flake!" Frost taunts him. Hei Bing responds by trying to move behind her, and laying in a quick strike. It lands but it turned out to be an ice clone. Frost appears behind him, and tosses him out of the ring. "Ha! I win again. This is the heir? Pathetic! You raised an heir as soft as fresh snow, Grandmaster. We both know who the next Sub-Zero should be! We ALL know!"

[Gothicruby]

The bang of the gong signalled the end of the match, stretching out amongst the desolate snowscape. It was an outcome that Grandmaster Kuai Lang had seen coming since the challenge was issued.

And yet, he did not sigh or shake his head. He did not feel his lips tighten, nor his teeth grit. He stood as still and serene as the ice from which he took his mantle.

"You are indeed a proficient fighter, Frost." The Grandmaster calmly conceded "But one day's snowfall does not dictate the severity of the oncoming storm."

The measured gaze panned slowly over to where Hei Bing lay.

"Just as one match cannot guarantee a longstanding victory." Kuai Liang added as his gaze returned to his older, more impetuous student.

He meant what he said; Frost was a talented fighter...but if this match had proven anything to him, it was that she was simply unsuited to the role of Sub-Zero.

"You presume too much too quickly, Frost." Kuai spoke calmly still, moving finally to the edge of the ring "You charge ahead without knowing the area. And perhaps take too many liberties...tell me--"

Kuai stopped just beside the fallen figure of Hei Bing.

"--What would you do with the mantle of Sub-Zero?"

[Babygabrial]

"I'd do what you've done. Lead the Lin Kuei into new territory. Go for bigger jobs, bigger assignments, our legacy could be forever eched in the history of multiple worlds as the greatest assassin clan." She states as if it were the most obvious answer on the world.

Hei Bing looks up at his father from where he sits. The expression on his face shows how much he admires him and his wisdom. A true inspiration to the young apprentice.

To other apprentices as well. They sit in attendance along with elders, some of which would rather remain in the old ways. Ironically they don't approve of Frost either, since women were not allowed in the Lin Kuei traditionally. However, they find Hei Bing a bit too weak for their liking.

[Gothicruby]

"'New territory...'"

Were he a lesser man, Kuai Liang could have laughed at the thought.

"No, Frost..." The grandmaster only hummed "What you envision and what would happen are two very, very different things."

His measured gaze hardened slightly as he spoke...but it was not out of anger. The truth of it was, Frost wasn't so different from another of their clan, one long since passed.

Bi Han.

Kuai's brother.

He'd believed so deeply in the Lin Kuei's old cause that he'd practically run to his death. No matter how twisted and corrupted his brother had become, Kuai refused to let his fate befall another.

"You'd bring ruin, Frost." Sub-Zero spoke firmly "And not just to yourself, but to every soul sat among us."

[Babygabrial]

Frost scoffed and looked down at the boy by her master's side. "And let me guess, that sniveling whimp would do better? He would disgrace your name and lineage." She states as coldly, and with as much venom as possible. If her job was to verbally hurt Hei Bing, well mission accomplished. The boy looks down with doubts in his mind. Was he too weak? Would he besmirch the ground his ancestors layed out for him?

Frost looked at him with disgust and disdain. "If that is the next Grandmaster, then the Lin Kuei are finished, and if that is the next Sub-Zero than the title will have never had meaning to begin with." Frost says before leaving. With the duel finished, and the aftermath leaving many to ponder, others go to leave. The only ones remaining are the father and son.

[Gothicruby]

"You forget your station, Frost...!" Kuai Liang called firmly, but he made no move to stop his protégée from leaving.

Frost was young, impatient...she still had much to learn and time to do it. To go after her now would only push her further into delusion.

Besides, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

With that same, measured gaze, Sub-Zero gazed down at the crumpled form of his son. There was no judgement in the grandmaster's eye, no disapproval...

Only a deep sense of concern and compassion.

"Hei Bing..." He spoke gently as he came to kneel beside the boy "You fought well."

And he meant that, for what it was worth.

"Are you alright, my son?"

[Babygabrial]

"I did not achieve victory. In the eyes of many, anything before that is of mute point." Hei Bing speaks in a soft tone. His features and voice betray any impression of maturity. His actions never gave the impression to begin with. The boy is vulnerable, he values opinions. An open mind instilled in him by his father. It is a great gift when moving forward with time.

Civility is valued in this day I'm age, even the elder gods have relaxed on their barbaricnature's. Though, that being said, there is always a place in the world for the Lin Kuei. One hand must be darted for nine to be clean. That does not mean the blood on that hand should cover it. Just simply the palm. That is something Hei Bing has learned from his father. He has no issue taking a life, but he has issue taking needless lives. The necessary evil must be necessary.

But is that wishful thinking? Is the world ready for that level of restraint? Is any world they venture on ready? Outworld may have a truce with Earth for now, but both worlds still have matters of their own. The Lin Kuei have a duty, and Hei Bing questions if he is fit for such a duty. "Should I strike with the force of a beast with every action? Many within the clan agree with Frost, I hear it behind the walls. Perhaps, it is not my time." He says in a relenting fashion. Tears drip from his eyes in sorrow.

[Gothicruby]

For the longest moment, Kuai Liang said nothing. Yet still, there was no disappointment in his gaze. Far from it.

"Do you think you should?" The grandmaster posed evenly. And there was no judgement here, just to be clear; it was as honest a question as Hei Bing had ever asked him.

"You know, son..." Kuai Liang did go on "There was once a time where I felt much the same as you do now. I was but a tiny voice of dissent against a terrible fate from within these very walls..."

He reached out to gently cup his son's cheek, one hardened thumb smoothing across the boy's tearful cheek.

"Do you think I was foolish in my goals?"

[Babygabrial]

Hie Bing felt comfort in his father's touch. "No sir." He says with widened eyes. He feels offended for his father that the question even needed to be asked. "You've done more for our clan than many grandmasters before you. You've saved us from many outsiders, and stopped many rebellions from the inside." The boy states holding his father on a pedestal. He even adjusts his posture to try and show his father respect. Sitting back on his legs, and letting his father continue to show physical affection.

A humble young man to be sure. The Lin Kuei definitely could use humility. "You are both Grandmaster, and Sub-Zero. My one and only father added on. I do not know how the responsibility does not weigh your heart down. Perhaps that strength is not passed down." He says. While further leaning into his father's hands.

[Gothicruby]

The measured gaze that Kuai Liang held finally began to break as he heard Hie Bing's words. Such unbridled praise...like fire to a snowball.

"Is that so?" Thin lips quirked at the corners.

"And yet..." Kuai Liang went on, reaching forward to tug the boy to sit on his lap "Were you saying that back when I was your age, you'd have been laughed right out of the Lin Kuei."

Well, that or killed, but no need to bog the boy down with semantics.

"Greatness does not just happen, Hei Bing. Just as strength is not always apparent." He explained kindly "Both of these things are like...well. Like the snow atop the mountains we sit on. Such a sheet didn't just appear. The storm took time to blanket this region...just as you need time to grow into your own."