THE SON OF BLIZZARD

"... so you want to come with me and fight in the coming Tournament ? Show me how ! " - a tall, rather handsome man demands. Hurricane roars in his voice. Hurricane is what he is. Hurricane, wirlwind and twister. He is a God named Fujin. Not my god, I'd like to assure you, a Japanese one. His devastating battles with his own brother Rajin, or how he calls himself now, Rayden, in the days of their youth were cursed through generations of common mortals who actually suffered and died for just living in wrong place where mighty Gods wished to fight. Well, now both of them are nice and kind, Protectors of Earth, they are. At least Rayden did participate in previous tournaments. This God is a novice, and he wishes to test me! I fought in two Mortal Kombats already! On the other hand, I've heard a story from one monk, about the first meeting of Rayden and Liu Kang. Rayden asked our superior champion to "show him", too. Liu got his ass kind of beaten up pretty easily. So I'd try to be polite. Not an easy task, when you are raised as a ninja.

" You are not the one I seek to fight." - I say calmly. White-glowing eyes seem to pierce me with contempt and he jumps straight up, with some battle cry I don't even want to make out. I guess he thought that I was afraid of fighting him. In the highest point of the jump, his flight changes pattern and his foot charges right in the direction of my head. I have to admit, he did it with a speed of attacking snake, but I have already seen this trick being done by Kung Lao. With a fast burst of all Power that I have every last cell of my body releases Ice. I roll back, and leave a blue statue of myself in the place where I was just a tiny moment ago. A masterpiece of art, but with grim destiny ahead. When God's leg connects with it, the statue disappears. My aim is achieved - Fujin hangs in the air, frozen by my Power. I may like to keep his statue instead, but it will turn back to normal in a few seconds. Usually I'd do my best to hurt the enemy while he is defenseless, but this is not the case. I wait, and soon my Power returns to me. Fujin looks very angry. That's bad, I don't want to get to kill him. Of course, he can restore his human form, but time would be lost. Anyway, I don't think that he would give up a second try. I'd rather expect him to try something heavy. He raises his arms and I can feel Power floating in the air. Don't expect me to stand and wait for results though - as soon as I see him moving, I direct my own Power into one of my favorite forms - sliding. I slide forward, knocking Fujin off his feet and my back can feel great disturbance of air behind. As my enemy falls, I glimpse over my shoulder and see a whole local tornado, with rocks floating in debris. I'm glad I'm not there. When I turn back to the fallen God, he is already up. Do we need a third time ?

" All right. You are coming with me." That's much better. He is a strong fighter - like his brother. Their only weakness is the way they fall in rage. My guess is that it has something to do with elemental forces they represent. Have you ever seen a calm storm?
The portal opens, a gateway to the neighbour world. It is beautiful, all in the red colours, but there is no time to observe. It's almost always the same - all work, no joy. My senses start to mix as I follow Fujin into the Portal. I have twice crossed the border of the worlds, and I can't call that expirience a pleasant one. More like turning your soul inside out with all your body mistaking you for a falling star. Or for an insect in the furnace. In other words, you wouldn't like to do it without a VERY serious reason. I have one, and thinking about it keeps me from going mad.

As I fall out of the portal and take a hard breath of hot and dusty Outworld air, my mind starts to clear. I consider shaking my head to make the process go faster, and reject the idea. Through dancing lights in my eyes I make out a figure talking to someone. Now I see - there is a whole company over here. I see a woman standing nearly unconsciously - great legs, by the way. She is dressed in torn yellow outfit and her bra is so much damaged that its sight is very distracting itself - let me concentrate - OK, her deep tan reminds me the one of Jade, so I guess she is from the desert, too. In front of her is a VERY angry dragon. It's furious, as almost every dragon I've ever seen. He looks very familiar - I am practically sure that it's our Chosen One - Liu Kang. And right between the beauty and the beast stands a dark skinned man, and he is the one talking. From his appearance, and two khukri knives on his belt, I'd say he is from Nepal.

" Come on, Liu, I know she is a traitor and an enemy. But you can't kill her, we need all the information we can get. Now you, Tanya - tell us all you know about your master's plans - and keep your life , for now. He " - a man points at Fujin, - "is a God and therefore can see your soul. Don't lie , unless you find the future of being dragon food attractive." - wow, another newcomer, but this one decided not to leave the brain at home. Why so few smart persons join such enterprises, by the way ?

" All right. I'll tell you what I know." - the woman seems sad and scared. " I was to bring you here and lure into a trap. A warrior named Jarek, one of yours, was to join Sonya and Jax and follow them through their artifical portal, then do the same trick with a trap. Right now Arch Sorcerer Quan Chi and his army attacks Queen Sindel's Palace. As far as I know, Princess Kitana is there too.
As I understand, the plan was quite simple - keep all of you busy and far away. Then there is General Reiko and his army to intercept you in case of our failure, and some specter for ninja - I don't know who they are. Master Shinnok himself mentioned some family business. That's all." Tanya pickes up a boomerang - Jade used them too - and wanders away. Fujin turns to Liu, who has already morphed back.

" Liu - you and Kai must help to protect Edenia. If Queen and Princess loose their world, our enemy will become much stronger. I've sent a message to my brother - he and Cage will warn Sonya. I will go and meet Shinnok." I think it is time for me to make my move.

" Wait. My brother told me about the amulet - where is it? " For a few seconds I can't notice any spark of understanding in God's eyes. Maybe he is concentrating on searching for the answer - I know Gods can feel such artefacts, or maybe he just can't remember what I am talking about. But then he smiles.

" Yes. Rayden said that you shall take care of it. It's somewhere there," - he shows the direction - " Follow the wind." He raises his hand and I can feel a faint wind blowing in the direction of the Living Forest. A creepy place, but nothing too dangerous for a careful person. And so I leave, moving with steady run. Travelling through this place reminds me of my last (and only) visit here, of the events of the Second Tournament. How easy it seems to be - there is always some evil God, with some dark magician for arranging affairs and a pack of thugs for fighting the Forces of Light (e.g. us). And it's always going to be the end of the world if Evil is not stopped. Well, a job is a job.

The wind leads me to the round arena, with some strange thing in the centre reminding of a snake's eye. In the distance I notice a scull-shaped structure with a silhuette of a chained man inside. Let us see if I can get some additional information. As I close to him, the man looks up at me and smiles.

" Here he comes, the Son of Blizzard, holding the Sceptre of Ice, a great successor of his great brother, he'll make the shadows step aside ... " - and at that moment I recognize him. I have never seen him before, but I felt his presence when my brother spoke to me. I was dreaming and my brother came and told me of the events of the Fourth Mortal Kombat, and of my role, and of the role of the amulet. He refused to answer questions about himself, though, and forbid me to search for him. The man continues:

" My name is Caine Tsung, I am a Dark Priest. I've seen your brother. Do not try to free me - my father knew his work well." - he followed my gaze. His chains radiate magic. It is not my speciality to break enchanted metal, so I give up.

" Where is my brother? " - I ask the question that troubles me most. He looks at me thoughtfully and then replies:

" He didn't tell you - so he didn't want you to know. I respect my friend's wishes. But I can feel my guard coming back ... " - I can hear loud hissing behind me. A stream of green venom makes its way through the air and lands on my companion's face.

" Yooou will not betrayyy anymorrre" - another familiar voice proclaims. Caine is definitly dying, but he spends his last breath on whispering:

" Where the shadows fall ..." - I'll have to think about it later. I turn around and see what I expect to see - Reptile. Damn. I have always liked this guy. His aims are quite noble - to save his race. But he has always picked the wrong side. Besides, I have always liked the Art of Invisibility. This time Reptile don't even wear any disguise and I can see his unhuman appearance clearly. On his chest hangs the amulet I am looking for. Well, considering his mentioned before Art, it's understandable why he was chosen for it.

" They are using you, Reptile, just like Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung did. Whatever they promised you, they will not spend so much energy to restore your race. Give me the amulet and join us - or I'll have to kill you." - that was much more than I sometimes say for months.

"Lie !!!" - well, he didn't think long to give the answer. He attacks and I notice metal claws mounted on his boots. I don't like them at all - one scar is enough for me. For some time we exchange hits with changing luck, I catch him for freeze ball for a couple of times and get an acid burn on my side, but then I miss a strange crawling move that sends me down. When I jump up, Reptile is nowhere to be seen. I am not as lost as someone else could be - my teacher Smoke mastered the Art of Invisibility, so I have had enough practice. I take full control of my body and close my eyes. They are of no help now. I calm down blood pumping in my ears. I listen. With all my attention, I listen. And when I hear a faint whisper of air, I make an Ice Clone. After rolling back I turn around and see Reptile in striking position with a large battle axe. If I was a little slower, I could have lost my head. Sorry Reptile, but I have to do the same for you. I approach him from his back and land my hand on his back. He unfreezes as I rip his head off, but has no time to change anything. He was a cold-blooded murderer, an asassin, an enemy. He would kill me if he had a chance. He hated all humans. I did a right thing and I am not supposed to feel sorry. Damn, why did he make me do so ?

" Impressive, but pointless." - I hear one more familiar voice. A day of surprises, isn't it today ? I turn to look into the white-glowing eyes of Scorpion. 'A specter for the ninja'. He is holding the amulet in his hand - it must have fallen off Reptile when I decapitated him and he got it with his harpoon.

" I'll kill you later, Lin Kuei scum." and with these words he disappeared. It looks like I failed the mission.

" Where is the amulet? " - this time white glow in the eyes belongs to Fujin.

" Scorpion got it. He has just teleported away." - I try to sound calm.

" He is taking it to Quan Chi for exchange of his life. Do not worry, we'll be there first. I'll take you by the Way of Wind." - Fujin comes up close and gets a hold on my hands. He concentrates for a moment and I start to feel very light. Fujin starts to spin and soon we are in the centre of the small tornado, revolving so fast that outside world becomes a blur. Yeah, another not so pleasant expirience. My body dissolves in the air and soon I AM air. We start mooving and a moment later I am riding the wind crossing the lands of Edenia with the speed of a jet plane. As we fly not so high above the earth, I notice the sight of a great battle going in the Wastelands.

I can make out Jax, crushing enemy sculls to the left and to the right with a huge spiked club - he seems quite happy, and Sonya, attacking the horde of some freaks. I am a bit worried for her - there are not so much women left on Earth. I remember her well - a beauty in slim grin outfit with nipples visible through it when she is all wet and hot during the fight ... And the way she does her leg grab ... Damn, I have to admit: maintaining normal relationships with a girl isn't easy when you are ninja. In fact, this jop applies restrictions that sometimes make it seem too unrewarding. But we choose a Way only once, then our Way chooses everything for us. Ah, forget it.

As we arrive, a group of ninjas in black uniforms attacks us. Their eyes glow blue, so that leads to the conclusion that they are from Netherealm. I am getting tired of meeting persons with glowing eyes. Rayden, Scorpion, Shang Tsung, Goro, Kintaro, Sheeva, Sindel, Shao Kahn, Noob Saibot, Fujin ... I try to make out if someone of our enemies is Noob Saibot. They are not so good at fighting, so I guess that he is not here. Fujin uses a huge crossbow shooting green bolts of energy to make his way through. I wonder where did he hide it before ... In my turn I take out a device I named Freeze Wand. Now I consider calling it the Sceptre of Ice. I constructed it myself and to the addition of its function as a blunt weapon, it can freeze enemy. Funny how my little hobby called science resulted in creation of cyber ninjas who were then sent to kill me myself. No, these guys are definitely no match for us. I don't even have to freeze anyone - a short staff in the hands of a skilled Lin Kuei warrior is more than enough. Regrets for having to leave my clan, regrets for having to kill Reptile and generally bad mood make me treat these folks a bit too hard, but that is a lesson for them - next time they shouldn't expect a dancing party, Mortal Kombat is no place for incompetence. Fujin waits for me to send the last of ninjas to knockout and looks at me with a strange expression. I pretend that I do not notice. In the next room we walk right into Quan Chi.

" Oh, there you are,"- he says,-" Give up or be destroyed, just like all your friends." Fujin looks at him and once again a storming wind roars in his voice:

" Don't try to decieve a God, sorcerer. You disgracefully escaped after Liu Kang defeated you! "

A portal opens - a useful thing, isn't it ? - and Scorpion enters.

" By the sacred rules, I challenge you, Sub-Zero, for Mortal Kombat, and by the memory of my clan I swear - I'll kill you." - he proclaims. Wait! He changed the words! They are 'by the honour of my clan' ! No time to think - we bow each other and the duel begins. As I summon all my Power, my body starts to emit vapours of cold air - the sign of my growing talent. So far I have only seen three men - Gods I don't count - with such a clear seal of magic. My teacher, Smoke, Noob Saibot, covered with shadows, and some guy I saw in the distance during the Second Tournament - he was literally burning. I just hope that I'll be able to control it - I wouldn't like to be that way all the time.

Scorpion attacks. Nasty things these specters are - thay can find you anywhere and keep attacking you with devotion that makes you think of suicide. Scorpion attacks, and it takes all my skill and knowledge to just hold him back. I remember every move I ever learned, every trick I ever seen, but all in vain. He is really a great warrior. For some time he tought me, by the way, to pay the debt of killing my brother, and I accepted his lessons gratefully. I had my reasons to do so. Finally I manage to do a successful sweep and get my moment for a breath. But it doesn't take him long to get up. He points his arm at me and cries: " Get over here! " Immediately I release Ice Clone in hope of damaging his snake harpoon, but with no result. A hard punch from behind proves my worst fear - Scorpion tricked me. He didn't throw anything, just made me retreat and used his damned teleport attack. Not fully recovered from the last blow, I hardly block the next one. My handguards are damaged, and the reason for that is a long straight sword in specter ninja's hands. Opposing clans techniques, Chinese and Japanese styles of martial arts, ice and fire clash, and only one can prevail - and survive. I manage to block the next series of attacks with my Wand only to find myself cornered. I find my Power is back, but any attempt to use it from such a short distance will bring me certain death. Scorpion takes off his mask. Hellfire burns in his eyes. Hellfire that will take my soul. For the first time in my life I realise that in a second I can die. I do the only thing that can save me - activate the Sceptre and drop it on his foot. A scull looks at me with empty sockets through thick blue ice. I can kill him once again now, but all parts of mosaic take their places and I talk instead.

" You are taking your revenge on the wrong person. I was thrown out of Lin Kuei, and than clan itself was destroyed during Kahn's invasion. I didn't kill your clansmen." He unfreezes and turns back to look at Quan Chi.

"You do want your life back, don't you ?" - asks the black sorcerer. Scorpion takes out the amulet nd throws it to him.

" Fool! I destroyed both of your precious clans, as now I will destroy you !" - Quan Chi laughs with absolute happy laugh of a complete madman, evil to the bones. But suddenly the amulet breaks in his hand and disappears. A fake ! Scorpion disappears too, just to reform behind Quan Chi and grab his neck in a deadly lock. Through the portal that opens to take them I can see Hell. I guess the bad are to be punished, and the good are to be rewarded. As a prove of the last statement, I notice the amulet lying on the ground, just where Scorpion stood. I think this is the real one. I see no-one left around, but soon I find large room lit with blue light coming from two giant grotesque faces on the walls. Rayden stands in the centre of the room, confronting a man with green-glowing eyes. Another God or something like that, I think. He has a very strong magic aura. In fact, he has the greatest aura I've ever seen - even greater than Shao Kahn's. Direct confrontation with a being of such energy is the most foolish thing I can imagine.

" Your plan have failed and your champions are defeated ! " - Rayden says and sounds of thunder echo his words.

" Yes, my son. But now I myself call to the Ancient Rules of Elder Gods and enter Mortal Kombat ! " - I have to admit, Shinnok's echo is even louder.

" It means that he accepts temporal mortality and can be killed " - explains the dark-skinned stranger to someone aside of me. Rayden prepares to the fight. I hear distant thunder and air freshens just like during the storm. Shinnok takes off a heavy cloak and throws it away. I don't like the style of his clothes - it's too show-off for me. Rayden starts the fight, throwing lightnings and torpedo attacking, but Shinnok teleportates and laughs from another corner. Well, using his own tricks is surely a surprise to Rayden. He attacks again, but this time Shinnok teleportates and strikes Rayden in the back - a Scorpion's favourite move. Rayden attacks for the third time just to be frozen and crushed with a heavy uppercut. What is this Shinnok - a wonderboy ? If he can perform any magic, then trying to overpower him in a straight attack is just like trying to stop a train with bare hands - but Rayden seems desperate enough to try it. A lightning strikes in his hand and he is holding a large wooden mallet. A symbol of his power and a powerful weapon itself - I mean Powerful, because Power is just boiling inside and sparkling all around it. Rayden attacks - and this is his last deed - the reason for that is a long wide blade of naginata which pierces his chest. Shinnok turns his side of it to make the wound more painful and says with a curved smile of victory:

" Well now, son. Do you see how foolish it was of you to challenge me ?" At that moment Fujin steps forward and his voice is surprisingly calm and low:

" By the sacred rules, I challenge you, father, for Mortal Kombat, and by all that is just I swear I'll defeat you." Fujin walks to the arena and as he passes me he draws his hand towards me and - in a faint moment of hesistation - I put the amulet in his hand.

" What do you want to fight me for ? You have always disliked and fought your brother ! Don't tell me that you have just started to feel brother love ! Why - do you really care about these mortals ? They are nothing more than dust in eternaty ! Join me, son - and let us rule together, and we shall make everyone fall in front of us !" - Shinnok waves his hand and throws Rayden away. Fujin makes a short bow and attacks without saying a word. He is really beautiful at the moment - his moves are accurate, his attacks are well aimed and resultive. Shinnok tries to stop him, but every time he plans to deal a deadly blow, Fujin retreats just far enough to dodge the attack and strike back. I have only once seen a fight that demonstrated so much skill and inspiration - the one between Kintaro and Kung Lao. The monk proved to be a worthy descendant to the famouse ancestor. And now it seems to be Fujin's star hour. His agility is incredible, his style is constantly changing according to the situation, his moves are unpredictable. It looks almost easy the way he does it. Shinnok is nearly falling and fear burns in his eyes. Fujin raises his arm and tornado picks up his father. The spinning goes faster and faster and then Fujin takes out his crossbow. It shoots a large pink-violet bolt of energy that strikes the floating figure. The explosion lits the room for a moment, and then everything is gone. No more roaring wind, no more Shinnok. The voice that seems eternaly old says:

" You fought for the sake of mortals, without any hope to win. Now you are ready to become an Elder God, Rayden. " Rayden bows to the faces on the wall and turns to Fujin.

" You are the new Protector of Earth, brother. Take care of it." - he looks willing to add something, but he just shakes Fujin's hand and disappears in a flash of light.

Fujin did really well. He comes to me and says:

" The wind can be not only furious, but also changing." Does he mean his fighting style that brought him victory ? It nearly repeats my thoughts - what, can he read my mind ?

" Well, what did you think all this 'seeing your soul' stuff means ?" - he asks and smiles. Yeah, really, what did I think ? As we celebrate our victory at Sindel's Palace, I can't stop thinking about one thing: is there a God of Ice somewhere ? Because if there isn't, I'd take the job. Even if this means having glowing eyes.

- the end -