What would have happened if you saved the father of the Lin Kuei brothers?
Notes: Sub zero x reader / Scorpion / Smoke
Ice and Redemption ❄️– Chapter 1
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The journey had been long, the constant snowfall, the silence among the trees, the anxiety of carrying an old man who was still not fully healed.
But when you finally glimpsed the dark wooden gates, marked with the Lin Kuei symbol, you knew there was no turning back.
Two hooded guards made way as soon as they recognized the elderly master on your makeshift mount. They looked at you in surprise... until he, still weak, murmured in a firm voice:
"She... saved me. Treat her with respect," said the Grandmaster.
Inside the complex, the halls were silent but alive, warriors training, strict disciplines.
And you, in your damp coat, shivering slightly, unsure if you were out of place.
Until you saw him... Him... Bi-Han.
Dressed in black and blue, tall, imposing, cold as snow beneath your boots.
And seeing you next to his father… his eyes narrowed, hard. As if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
-Father...-" the cryomancer murmured, walking toward you. -"How...?"
-She found me before the ice took me. She looked after me. She protected me- the old man interrupted.
Bi-Han's face showed nothing but contained tension. His fists clenched at his sides.
-I thought you were dead-was all the criomancer said.
But before the moment could turn awkward, two more figures hurried forward.
One of them, dressed in yellow, with his hair tied back, brown eyes, and a firm but fair expression, stopped in front of you.
-Father... is it really you?- It was Scorpion's voice, who without hesitation hugged his father. He thought he was dead. The old man was struggling to hug his son, who was already much taller than him.
Then he gave way to his adoptive brother, who also hugged his beloved adoptive father.
Tomas ascended, giving you a small bow. He was serene, even kind in his silence.
-Thank you- Kuai Liang said. "-We don't know why you did it, or how to thank you, but... you saved his life, and we will cherish that forever.-
-I did nothing but the right thing-you replied, shyly lowering your gaze.
Scorpion looked at you happily. You earned his respect, you returned what was most precious to him.
Bi-Han looked away, as if your presence irritated him, but the father, still leaning on your arm, spoke gently:
-She acted with her heart, without knowing me.And that... is something the clan has forgotten. Perhaps she can remind them of compassion - the Grandmaster said lookin at his elder son.
Thomas smiled sideways, curious. Kuai Liang lowered his head in respect.
Bi-Han... said nothing.But you felt his gaze fixed on you as the others welcomed you.As if the criomancer were trying to kill you... after all, you interfered with his plans.
You were asked to rest in a small guest room. The window overlooked the training courtyard, where warriors moved with precision through the snow.
The Lin Kuei elder asked to see you privately at dusk.
You were surprised by his request, but you accepted; you couldn't deny anything to someone you'd almost lost in your arms.
You entered a warm, quiet tatami room. The old man sat, his face now more colored, with a blanket over his legs and a teapot steaming beside him.
-Thank you for coming, daughter- he said in a husky but clear voice.
You sat down respectfully.
-You don't have to thank me for anything; I just did what anyone would have done -you replied respectfully.
-No. You didn't do it like anyone else. You did it without expecting anything in return...And for that... I want to offer you something that I know may seem unfair... but also, an opportunity,- the old man said.
His eyes, though wise, moistened slightly.
-I don't know how much longer I have. But I do know this: one of my children have forgotten part of what we once were. Bi-Han... has lost his way, blinded by power, by his ambition to control everything,-the Grandmaster said.
You lowered your gaze. You knew it, you felt it in his distant gaze.
-I don't judge him,-he continued. -He suffered too much. I raised him to be strong, but I didn't know how to teach him to love. And I fear that if I die without leaving him anything else... we will lose him completely.-
Then, bluntly, he told you:
-I want you to stay. To live here. And to marry him,-he said finally.
You looked at him, stunned.
-Forgiveness...?-you asked incredulously.
-Not now, not without your consent. But if you accept... I will offer you whatever you need: a home, protection, education, everything in my power. In return, I only ask that you observe him... understand him. That, with your sweetness, your temperance... you teach him what I couldn't,- he said weakly.
A heavy silence fell over you.
-He won't know, at least not for now. I'll say it's a decision of succession, that, by marrying you, he'll take the position of Grandmaster; out of pride, he'll accept it. But only you will know the truth: it's not a reward... it's a hope,-the Grandmaster said.
You put a hand to your chest. Your heart was beating fast.
Be with Bi-Han? With that hard, cold man who had barely exchanged words with you? A loveless marriage...? What would happen to your previous life?
Despite those thoughts... you remembered that you didn't know what to do with your life. You didn't have a boyfriend and still lived with your family, who judged you for never dating anyone.
Besides... something inside you told you he *wasn't completely ice*.
That maybe... he just needed someone who wouldn't fight him, but who would understand him.
-I'm truly honored, but... what if he hates me...?- you whispered.
The old man smiled tenderly.
-I don't think he can. Not when he sees the light you carry with you,- he said tenderly.
You remained silent, though grateful you knew that if you accepted, it would change your life, but also... maybe you would save his.
And thinking that it is the work of destiny, and that the universe sent you this opportunity to give you a purpose, YOU ACCEPTED.
*later*
Bi-Han appeared in the Grandmaster's chamber with his usual firm demeanor, his brow furrowed as always. He hadn't expected to see his father sitting there so serenely... much less upon learning what was coming next.
-Why did you call me so urgently?- he asked impatiently.
His father looked up.
-It's time for you to take your place as Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.- He said.
Bi-Han looked at him seriously, without hiding his pent-up ambition. He had hoped for it since he was young, even believed he should already hold it, but something made him wary.
-Under what conditions?- He asked suspiciously, knowing he was hiding something.
-Only one. You will unite your destiny with someone else. You will marry,-his father said.
The silence turned to pure ice.
-What did you say?-the cryomancer asked indignantly.
-Listen to me,- His father said, without trembling. -It's not a whim. Tradition demands not only strength, but balance, and that union will represent political stability for the Lin Kuei... and for you.
-Who is she?- Bi-Han asked firmly.
His father took a deep breath.
-A woman who saved my life when you decided was no longer worth saving- the Grandmaster said without any fear.
Bi-Han took a step back, almost imperceptibly, as if his own past had slapped him in the face. He knew now that his father had discovered his intentions, but he wasn't willing to apologize.
-I... why she? It's obvious she's weak and doesn't know how to fight. She won't survive long with us - the Cryomancer said indignantly.
-Because I want you to know what it's like to love someone and lose your pride- his father said firmly.
Bi-Han gritted his teeth. To him, it was ridiculous; he thought it was just another dream of his deluded father.
-Is this a punishment?- the cryomancer asked. He knew his father was making him pay penance.
-No. It's a second chance... and I want you to know that if she dies here, or if there's any accident, your brother will take your place- the old man said bluntly.
Bi-Han just froze. To him, this was a trap; he was outraged. His father was cunning and played his cards well. Now... he was chained to you.
**Hours later**
You walked through the temple halls, wearing a light sky-blue robe that had been given to you to present yourself to the clan. Your steps were soft, but your heart was beating so loudly that you felt Bi-Han would hear it before he saw you.
And so it was.
The hallway was long and snowy, and he appeared at the end, like a shadow in the fog. Tall, imposing, his face inscrutable.
When his eyes met yours, he stopped.
He looked you up and down, expressionless, as if trying to understand what you were doing there. You weren't Lin Kuei; just by looking at you, he knew you were weak and would waste his time with you.
-You...?" he murmured.
You nodded respectfully.
-It's an honor, Bi-Han-you said nervously as you approached.
There was a tense silence. He took a step forward, then another.
-It was you... the one who saved him- he said indignantly, as if you had done the worst to him.
-Yes- you said resolutely.
-Why?-he asked, still indignant.
You didn't know how to answer. Because he was angry? It wasn't easy to say thank you like his brothers?
-Because no one deserves to die alone and defenseless,- you finally said.
Bi-Han didn't answer. He just looked at her with a mixture of coldness... and something deeper, hidden behind his icy shield: bewilderment.
Maybe... curiosity.
-I know it's hard for you to marry a stranger, I don't expect you to love me. I just want to be worthy of staying here- You said, trying to remain calm. The way he looked at you... he didn't make it easy for you.
He narrowed his eyes, not moving any closer.
-We'll see if you are.- He said cold
And he left, leaving you with a pang in your chest.
But something in his gaze, even in his silence, told you that this story... was just beginning.
End of Chapter













