Born to be a Goddess: Part Two
by Renee Langan (vengence)
Special thanks to Tygerlander for letting me use her character Shan Fa.
Rai sits on the bed in her room as Sub - Zero kneels in front of her, cleaning her wound. As he cleans off the blood near the deep cut, he gets a close view of the damage that was done by Shan Fa’s roundhouse kick. By all rights, that kick should have killed Rai, but here she is now, seemingly unaware that any harm had been done to her at all. Perhaps she is already an immortal.
Sub - Zero continues to look at the wound and prepares to bandage it when suddenly the cut heals up and disappears as if it was never there at all. The blood around her face remains but the wound is completely gone.
"It has healed, hasn’t it?" asks Rai, not at all surprised by this. It was probably the shocked look on Sub - Zero’s face that tipped her off.
"Yes, it’s completely gone," he replies, "You knew this would happen?"
"It’s not the first time my injuries have healed quickly. The only thing that remains is a splitting headache," she says, rubbing her head smiling, "I wish it was the pain that would disappeared and not the wound."
"I see. Shan Fa’s kick should have killed you. It would have killed any mortal."
"Should have, but didn’t." Rai shakes her head sadly. "I have told you before that I am not like most."
"No, you’re not but you make it sound so bad to be different. I see nothing wrong with it."
"Maybe there is nothing wrong with it but you didn’t grow up in my father’s household where being different was a crime."
"I’m afraid I don’t understand."
"Nor would you ever want to," Rai sighs, then changes the subject. "I am kind of tired. Shan Fa gave me a good work out. I think I would like to get some sleep." Sub - Zero looks at her for a moment. He wonders what she met by that comment but again now is not the time to press her about it.
"Sleep well." Sub - Zero leaves the room and closes the door behind him. He then also goes to get some rest.
******************
Rayden and Shan Fa continue to sit by the pond. Neither saying anything to the other and both enjoying the calm, peaceful moment. Shan Fa’s thoughts are on the sparing match with Rai. The animal goddess has are hard time figuring out just how the young woman learnt how to fight like that. She has observed Rai in training many times and not once did she ever fight as she did today.
"Flower?" Rayden says, nudging her, "Is something wrong?"
"No, I was just thinking about Rai," she answers, looking up at the night sky.
"What about?"
"How did she learn how to fight like that? I have never seen any evidence of her being able to do the things she did."
"I can’t answer that, Flower. I am as clueless as you are. All I know is shortly after her family was killed, she disappeared and then suddenly reappeared having the fighting abilities you saw today."
"Don’t you think we should ask her about it?" suggests Shan Fa.
"I doubt she’ll give us an answer. You know Rai is very secretive." Shan Fa looks over at her husband and smiles.
"Like you." Rayden laughs slightly. "So what do we do with her from here? Rai obviously doesn’t need any training in combat skills."
"We wait. We wait until she gets her powers, then we can mold her in my image," replies Rayden with a hint of sarcasm at the end.
"I can hardly wait," states Shan Fa with much sarcasm. Rayden reaches over and kisses her. "Are you going to spar with Rai?"
"No way! After what she did to you, I’m afraid of her." Rayden smiles again. "But you did get her good."
"I hope I didn’t hurt her too bad," says Shan Fa getting serious.
"Nah, you couldn’t hurt Rai if you wanted to. Her wounds heal up real quick. As do broken bones, and bruises. The only thing that remains for awhile is the pain."
"I could’ve used that when I fought Khameleon." Rayden went to say something smart but was interrupted before he could begin.
A massive tornado began to form in the middle of the temple just in front of Rayden and Shan Fa. Fujin appeared with in the winds and then the winds disappeared as suddenly as they came. Fujin has a very worried look on his face. Rayden and Shan Fa got to their feet and went over to him.
"Nice of you to pay us a visit," says Rayden.
"I wish it was to visit," replies Fujin, "Shinnok and Shang Tsung have escaped the NeitherRealm and I can’t pinpoint where they went."
"I do not sense any of my realms in danger," comments Rayden, "What about yours, Flower?" Shan Fa shakes her head.
"I sense nothing."
"Where could he have gone?" asks Rayden, "Did you check with the elder gods?"
"I just come from there. The elders are just as worried as I am. They have no idea where those two could have gone," explains Fujin.
"I have an idea," says a female's voice. Everyone turns to see Rai coming out of the temple. She is covered in sweat and shaking almost uncontrollably. Upon seeing her like that, both Shan Fa and Rayden know where Shinnok and Shang Tsung went. Rayden goes over to Rai and lets her lean on him. He helps her walk over to Fujin.
"You need to go to Medeva," Rayden tells Fujin, "It’s a realm outside the rule of our elder gods. That’s why no one knows where Shinnok and the sorcerer went."
"Where?" asks Fujin, confused.
"To Medeva. Don’t worry Rai will be with you to help," explains Rayden. "I would go but I cannot interfere with that realm nor can Shan Fa. You can because it is your job to keep the gates of the NeitherRealm closed and keep Shinnok and all banished there in the realm."
"I understand." Fujin looks at Rai. "She doesn’t look to be in any condition for such a mission." Rai stubbornly stands up on her own whipping the sweat from her face. She looks over at Fujin with determination.
"I can take care of myself. Besides who else do you have to guide you through the realm?" she replies. Shan Fa then moves forward. She cannot let Rai go into such a battle alone.
"Rayden, perhaps I can get away with it," Shan Fa states.
"What do you mean?" he replies.
"Medeva is directly connected to Edenia. With it under attack, isn’t Edenia in danger of being invaded?" Rayden smiles like a kid at Christmas.
"You’re right, Flower. If you put it that way then you can go with them." He pauses for a second. "I’m rubbing off on you."
"A momentary lapse," she says, sarcastically without breaking a smile.
"Ummmmm...guys. Not to be pushy or anything but there is some evil guy attacking my home right now," interrupts Rai, "Don’t you think we should get going?" They all looked at her and Fujin nodded in agreement.
"Very well and good luck," answers Rayden, opening a portal to Medeva. "And Flower, be careful this time. Rai, you don’t have to be careful." She gives him a dirty look and Rayden laughs at her. Then the three of them go through the portal and it closes behind them. Rayden looks up at the sky and says a silent prayer to whatever gods that protect Rai to keep her safe as well as his wife.
*******************
Fujin, Rai, and Shan Fa walk out of the other side of the portal. Rai immediately begins to inspect the area with a very critical eye. Fujin also looks about but only to get a feel for the realm. He also checks to see if he can use his powers here, which he can. Shan Fa watches Rai. The young woman knows more about this realm than any of them. She will know what to do next.
Rai keeps looking at the daytime sky. The clouds are clear. The winds are silent and there are no animals to be seen or heard in miles. Rai somehow feels that her soul has been violated by the intruded she vows to make him pay for what he has done to her home and to her. But first she much know who he is.
"Anyone of you two mind telling me, exactly what we’re up against?" Shan Fa and Fujin look at each other and then back at Rai.
"Shinnok is a fallen elder god. He has tried many times to conquer the Earth Realm," explains Shan Fa.
"And he probably wants to use this realm as a stronghold," interrupts Fujin, "He is very dangerous."
"Perhaps, but he knows nothing about this realm or it’s people. We can use that to our advantage," states Rai, "Who is the other guy?"
"Shang Tsung," replies Shan Fa, "He’s a sorcerer from Mortal Kombat. He can steal the souls of others. Shang Tsung is also very dangerous."
"Any idea how they got out of this NeitherRealm?" asks Rai.
"No," both Shan Fa and Fujin say at the same time. Rai looks up at the clouds, thinking. Suddenly there is a loud explosion and they all look over toward a forest. There is smoke coming up and the screams of children can be heard.
"He’s attacking a village!" states Rai, "What a coward!" Rai looks over at Shan Fa and Fujin. "We have to help them."
"Hold still and I’ll teleport over to the battle," says Fujin, beginning to create a tornado that takes them to the village.
***************
As soon as they make it to the village, Shan Fa hands Rai her bo staff and Fujin blows some of the demons off their feet with winds. Rai quickly follows him into the battle. Shan Fa waits for a moment and then too charges in.
There a demons everywhere and the entire village is in flames. Shan Fa can see Shang Tsung not to far away taking souls. She sees the adult Medevans are holding up rather well against the demons but still they are greatly outnumbered.
It doesn’t take long for Shan Fa to come under attack as well. The first comes from the side, the animal goddess takes out her sais and stabs it in the chest and throws him into the demon leaping at her from the other side. Another one comes from behind and she just kick backwards, hitting it. Shan Fa then throws one of her sais at a demon attacking a child. She hits him in the head.
Not to far away, Fujin is battling. He is using his powers to keep the demons from overwhelming him and he also has his crossbow in his hands. He is using to help some of the villagers that are in trouble. Fujin still manages to keep an eye on Shan Fa, who appears not to be having any trouble with the demons. They are certainly no match for her. He glances over at Rai who is taking out more demons that he can.
Rai is wielding the staff like an old pro. One demon attacks her with a knife. She uses the staff to block and then kicks it in the head. Rai spins the staff around her back, hitting three demons behind her in the process. She brings the staff back in front of her, smacking a demon in the head, instantly breaking his neck. She moves forward as she fights heading toward the leader.
Rai was always taught that if the leader of an army falls that it will create chaos among the ranks of his army. This is no different. She has targeted the one she assumes to be Shang Tsung and he is too busy taking souls to pay any mind to her. Rai figures that error will be his downfall.
To Rai, these demons are child’s play. She doesn’t know why but she enjoys knocking them senseless. Again, she spins the bow this time she keeps spinning it around her body hitting anything within it’s reach. Rai sees three demons in front of her and flips over them easily. Then she delivers a spinning kick, using the staff for balance, knocking out all three of them. Rai now has a clear view of their leader.
Before Shang can make a move, Rai jumps kicks him in the head. He falls to the ground with blood poring down his face. Shang laughs at Rai.
"So a child thinks she can beat the mighty Shang Tsung," he says, "Come then."
Shan Fa finally get a chance to look up and she sees that Shang and Rai are about to lock in battle. There is nothing she can do but she is confident in Rai. If Rai can beat her then she can certainly beat Shang. Shan Fa looks over at Fujin who is making is way over to Rai. Fujin fighting has grown more intense. He is almost hurting the villagers while trying to deal with the demons.
Rai wastes no time bowing or replying to Shang. She just attacks him. One would say that she is going against her training by delivering the first blow but the first blow was given by Shang when he attacked her home.
She first attack is a side kick, she knew he would block it. In fact, she was counting on it. Rai, takes her other foot and ducks to the ground, tripping Shang. Just as Shang tries to get back up she kicks him again. He roles back out of the way but is unable to escape Rai. She flips over him when he stands, turning in the air so that she can face his back. Then she wraps the staff around his neck, puts her foot against his back and pulls her weight backwards, throwing Shang a good twenty feet into a burning village hut.
Fujin is then at her side, patting her on the back. They have no time to say anything as more demons attack them. Fujin and Rai stand almost back to back fighting. Fujin using his wind powers and crossbow. Rai using the staff and her fighting skills.
Shan Fa meantime has time to notice that the children are gone. They are no where to be seen. She knows that they didn’t flee. It’s not in the nature of Medevans to flee a battle no matter what age. She looks over to her left to see that the demons have surrounded the children. There is no why she could save them all.
"FUJIN, THE CHILDREN!!" she screams. Fujin and Rai look over to see the horrible sight. There is a loud clash of thunder, loud enough to shake the ground. The sky turns dark with thunder clouds. At first Shan Fa thinks it to be Rayden but when she looks back over at Rai, the girl is covered with electrical energy. Her eyes sparkling with lightning.
"GET AWAY FROM THEM!!" Rai yells and lightning comes down from the sky striking each one of the demons, killing them all instantly. The sky clears up again but Rai’s appearance has changed slightly. There are now white streaks in the front of her hair. Both Fujin and Shan Fa look at Rai in shock and surprise.
"Well done," comments Fujin. Rai looks over to the hut that she threw Shang into.
"He got away," she says, angry with herself.
"Don’t concern yourself with that," replies Shan Fa, "We have other things to worry about." Shan Fa points to Rai’s clothes, which are torn and ripped.
"Yes, I need a change and we need a plan." One of the villagers come up to Rai. She was dressed in the same kind of outfit Rai was when she first came into Rayden's temple. She bowed to the group and Rai gave everyone an okay sign to let everyone know that the girl was okay
"Hi, my name is Jamara," she explains, "I have a home in the woods not far from here. You can take shelter there if you wish. It is the least I can do for what you have done."
"Of course, I accept your offer," answers Rai, "You wouldn’t happen to have a change of clothes would you."
"I have some cloth you can use to make a new uniform."
"That’ll work."
****************
In Jamara's small home, Shan Fa and Fujin sit and rest while Rai works to make a new uniform. Jamara has gone outdoors to practice her fighting skills. Shan Fa wonders why Sub - Zero hasn't shown up yet. She figures that he's probably resting.
"I had no idea she had it in her," comments Fujin.
"Rayden told me she was going to get her powers soon. I just didn’t think it would be this soon," states Shan Fa.
"I like the way she beat Shang. Impressive."
"You have no idea."
"This Rai is quite a woman. I wish we had her around for Shinnok’s first attack. Would have saved everybody alot of trouble."
"I wish she was around when Shang last invaded Edenia." Shan Fa pauses for a moment. "I am worried if she is going to be able to control her powers during this battle. You saw what she did to those demons. What she if had lost control of that?"
"I'm sure that Rai is not the type of person to loss control," comments Sub - Zero appearing beside Shan Fa, "At least, she never gave me the impression of ever losing control of anything, even her own emotions."
"I was wondering when you where going to show up," says Shan Fa, "Are you aware of what's happening?"
"Yes, fully. But what is this about Rai's powers?"
"Well, let's just say she destroyed an entire army with one blow. It looks like she has the ability to command thunder and lightning."
"That'll make Rayden happy and make it much easier for him to train her." Shan Fa went to say something smart but stopped when she saw Rai emerge from the next room.
She was wearing a traditional martial arts uniform. She had on black pants with blue soft soled shoes which would allow her to pull of amazing feats of agility. She also has on a blue shirt with black buttons down the middle. Instead of a blue sash she now had on a black one. On her shirt was also a symbol that met lightning. She was no longer wearing a blue headband so her hair went back to it’s wild appearance. The white stirpes in her hair made it worse.
"So what do you think?" she asks.
"You look like a goddess," replies Fujin. Just then Jamara enters the room. The girl is also wearing a different uniform. She has on a purple and yellow jumpsuit. Her long blond hair is tired back into a pony tail and she has two sais in a belt around her waist.
"Before you guys go anywhere. I must ask to join you," says Jamara, "After all, don't I have the right to defend my home?"
"Yes, you have every right," replies Rai, "You may come."
"I don't think that's wise," state Fujin, "She liable to get in the way."
"I don't care," says Rai, "but if you are so concerned about it, I will look after her myself. Besides we need all the help we can get."
"I agree with Rai. We will need her." comments Sub - Zero. Fujin goes to say something else but Shan Fa interrupts him.
"Fujin, do you know where the portal is?" she asks.
"Yes, it's not far from here in a big city."
"Jama? The portal's in Jama?" inquires Jamara, "We must go now. Our rulers are in danger."
"If Shinnok manages to take down the capitol, he will very well be able to take the entire realm," explains Rai, "We need to get there as soon a possible.
"We can't just go barging in. He'll be expecting an attack now that Shang has had time to warn him." states Sub - Zero. Jamara turns to them.
"I know a way into the city that only the personal guards of the king and queen know." she explains, "My father is the personal protector of Medeva's rulers. I know all it's secrets."
"Then I guess it's settled," Rai looks out the window into the sky. "We will attack tonight. That leaves us a couple of hours to plan just how we will do it."
To be continued..........