Flames across time
Liu kang x reader ~ mortal kombat 1
Summary: finding the allies he needed to battle Shang Tsung, he met someone he never thought he would ever see again.
Warnings: none - no mention of reader's gender
Liu Kang wished to gather more allies, not wishing to lose yet another life in this battle against Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, a battle that threatened both Outworld and Earthrealm. Which is why he had asked two of his most trusted warriors, Scorpion and Smoke, to get as many people from their clan that were loyal not to Bi-Han's ambitions, but to the principles they once followed.
You were one of the Lin Kuei's most valuable assets, being able to perform sanguimancy and make the difference between right and wrong. Ever since the former grandmaster passed away tragically, a feeling of unease had been buried deep inside your heart, never really believing that Bi-Han was fully innocent. You were sure that he had done something to influence his unexpected promotion. There weren't many allies to be gathered from the clan, either they were blinded by greed or convinced by fear of their grandmaster to stay.
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Making your way to the tomb of the dragon army, where the soul stealers were located, behind the gates, you saw multiple faces, some familiar, some not. Spotting Raiden, Kung Lao and some other friends, you felt someone's gaze fixed on you. When you turned to see who it was, your eyes met Liu Kang's. His stare seemed to recognise something. What was it? You didn't know, and right now you didn't care.
Hiding behind the stone soldiers of the dragon army, as to not be seen by Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, you spotted the two sorcerers plotting once more. Mileena, buying more time, tricked them into thinking that their plan of conquering Outworld had succeeded, making general Shao the new emperor.
Not long after facing them, their benefactor revealed itself. It was none other than Shang Tsung, the same sorcerer that Liu Kang had faced in battle for Kronika's crown and for the timeline. He revealed that there were two outcomes of the same fight, splitting one timeline into two. It was no longer a fight for the two realms, but a fight to keep the whole timeline safe.
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In the final battle, there wasn't much to do except defeat your evil doubles and fight anybody who was a threat. In the end Liu Kang managed to defeat Shang Tsung.
With the Keeper Of Time now gone, the pillar holding Shang Tsung's timeline together was no longer there to keep it all together, everything started to crumble at an alarming pace.
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Back in Earthrealm, Kuai Liang and Tomas left the Lin Kuei, as it no longer served the realm, but its grandmaster's ambition, deciding to build a new clan, one that would serve the realm and protect it from danger. Liking the idea, you decided to join them, helping them build what would be known as the Shirai Ryu.
Training one of the new initiates, Hanzo Hasashi, a young, incredibly talented kid, making the future of the clan look bright, you heard a pair of steps getting closer and closer. Turning around cautiously, it was none other than Tomas, looking quite calm, making you relax.
"Tomas, is something wrong?" you asked him, dismissing the kid early. "No...but Lord Liu Kang asked to see you at the academy," he replied, causing you to raise a brow. "Did he say why?" You asked again, yet he simply shook his head.
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Stepping into the training grounds at Wu Shi Academy, waving to Raiden and Kung Lao, you made your way to see Liu Kang, who was silently meditating in front of his fire that...seemed to be endless.
"You asked to see me?" You asked, breaking the silence. The God nodded, gesturing for you to take a seat in front of him, which you did. Looking at the fire for a second, then back at him, then back at the fire, you began to feel nervous. He was just...sitting there. In silence.
Finally opening his eyes, looking at you kindly, "I've been meaning to talk to you," he said, in such a warm tone. You've heard him speak before, his voice either so calm and gentle it could put someone to sleep, or annoying enough to drive you mad. Yet this time it sounded so much more natural, human even.
"Aeons before" he started "the fate of time rested in my hands. Yet I gave up that power to give everyone a chance at a peaceful life. Even before that, though, I was just like you, Kuai Liang or Raiden. A mortal." He paused to let you digest that information before continuing. "In the past timeline, I was a Shaolin, champion of Earthrealm. People you see today, in this timeline, were there as well. Kuai Liang was the grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, Raiden was a God, and even that kid you're training, Hanzo, was the grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu." That last part surprised you. "The kid? It's not that big of a surprise, to be honest. He's doing amazing" You informed him, to which he gently smiled. "But why tell me all this?" You asked. After a long pause, he replied "Because you were there as well. And even if it will sound weird that I never really designed this timeline to have you in it, it was a surprise when I saw you at the tomb. In the past...we were close, a bond that is hard to create. When I defeated Kronika and became Keeper of Time, I became immortal, while you remained the same. I was...forced to see you grow old and wither. I tried convincing you to find someone else, to start a family, but you refused, insisting that you would find a way back to me in the future. Little did I know, you did."
He paused, the fire's glow painting his face gold.
"After your death, I told myself I would forget about us and let go of the bond..." his gaze drifted down, the memory weighing more than he wanted to admit. "But...I never lost the love I had for you in that life."
The crackle of the flames fills the silence that follows.
"I'm not sure if this version of you carries the same memories, the same feelings," he continues, his voice hesitant, "but if there's even the smallest chance... I would ask you to let me prove myself once more."
"I..." You began, his words making your mind stall for a moment, "Honestly, after the whole 'timelines' thing, there's not much that can surprise me anymore," you said with a scoff, letting the sarcasm mask the sudden rush in your chest, "but this? I have no idea how to respond to that..."
Liu Kang nodded, an understanding, soft smile on his lips, "Of course," he started, "I never expected any of this to happen either. You may take all the time that you find you may need. There is no rush, dear."
'Dear' ? You felt something crawling in your stomach, making you feel...comfortably unfomfortable.
"Uh...." you began, unsure of how to react to that, "...give me a few days...i will return with an answer..."
He nodded. "Thank you. So much." He replied, standing up to escort you to the exit of the Academy. The walk was silent. Awkward. Or maybe that's just how you thought of it to be. Liu Kang, however, seemed more relaxed than ever.
Arriving at the gate, he placed his right hand on your back, making you tense up a bit at the unexpected contact. With his other hand on his chest, he nodded once more, thanking you for hearing him out, wishing you the best of luck.
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Back home, you turned and shifted around in your bed, unable to sleep. Looking at the clock on the wall, you sighed in frustration. It's been hours since you departed from Wu Shi Academy, and here you are, at 2:45 am, still thinking of what Lord Liu Kang said to you.
You knew for sure that you would be returning soon. Not only to find out more about your past self, but also to take on his offer.
