In the end, the plan had changed so much that even your own Lin Kuei had not been sent on this mission.

Surrounded by snow and ice, you stared into the distance while Liu Kang's words still echoed in your head. He had asked you to stay a little longer.

Bi Han had obviously not been enthusiastic, but the way the God of Fire had looked at you had made it clear that it was important.

"Fate is blurred, fleeting like water.", he had said when there were only two of you. "But the signs are obvious. A big decision will be made in this battle. Whether it concerns Shang Tsung or Esrthrealm is not clear, but I know it will be your decision. Don't let the sorcerer take away our allies."

At that moment, an unpleasant shiver crawled down your spine. It had filled you up as if you were growing a second skin that wanted to swallow you whole.

An icy wind blew through your face. Torn from your thoughts, you blinked. Baobao shook slightly beneath you.

Although he was a lazy animal, he had sensed that you were leaving so he had come to accompany you. Loyalty was something that could not be questioned with him.

Again you thought of Liu Kang's words and hoped that the panda would not fall victim to this uncertain fate. Your fingers buried themselves in the fur on his neck, holding him as if it could prevent his flesh from bleeding and his heart from ever stopping.

Bi Han stood a few steps in front of you on the edge of a slope, binoculars in hand, looking at the large fortress that stretched out of a mountain not far from you.

In the days of an emperor, it must once have been an impressive building, with high walls hewn straight out of the mountain and a whole courtyard full of people. Now there were hardly any ruins left that had been swallowed up by snow.

You could barely see it with the naked eye. A perfect place to remain undiscovered. Or to breed like a snake. It was rare for Liu Kang to use disparaging words, but he seemed to harbour a special kind of dislike for Shang Tsung. You wondered what he needed to distrust someone so much.

Your eyes fell on Bi Han. Even after everything that had happened, there was this spark in your chest that became a flame whenever you looked at him.

Betrayal.

Loyalty.

At the end of the day, he was still the man you were prepared to die by. Even if it hurt.

Kuai Liang and Tomas stood by your side. The wind was howling so loudly that you couldn't even tell if they wanted to have a word or not.

"They patrol the outlines of the fortress.", you said as small figures moved at the horizon.

"The only way in is over the walls.", Tomas agreed, audibly a little nervous.

But he managed to mask it just fine. With a reassuring look in your eyes you raised your chin and smiled at him. Even though half of your face was hidden underneath a mask, he realised and smiled back, visibly relieved.

"We must find a less guarded section before attempting an ascend.", Bi Han lowered the binoculars and gifted the grey haired brother a quick glance. "Finally we face a worthy foe. Victory will bring us glory."

Something inside you flinched. This choice of wording was odd.

Kuai Liang noticed as well. He frowned, exchanged a quick glance with you and then looked at his brother as you shook your head, unable to make sense of this sudden change of heart.

"Glory?", he asked. "We fight for duty."

Bi Han turned to him in a sober yet sarcastic manner, eyebrows raised.

"Does our father's ghost possesses you?", he asked. "All I hear is his voice."

And once again you couldn't help but feel like this was out of character for the grandmaster. Something in him had changed, you knew but the fact that he not wanted to turn from servant to master seemed rather drastic.

You had no interest in sticking with the old traditions. At least not all of them. But even you thought that the Lin Kuei were at their best serving and protecting.

They didn't lead. They followed.

And that was enough for you, Kuai Kiang and Tomas included.

"We must honour his vision, Bi Han.", Kuai Liang insisted.

Bi Han scoffed.

"Vision is what he lacked.", his brown eyes fell onto you for a brief moment as he turned to face his brother. "He was blind to our superiority. We settle for defending Earthrealm when we could help lead it."

Now there was something you could agree with. Liu Kang truly never gave the clan responsibilities that honoured its true potential.

Thus many members were unsatisfied. Both with Liu Kang's influence on the clans ways and the limits he put on them. This was an issue that had already existed before the old grandmaster had passed.

Bi Han had a point. If things wouldn't change at least a little, the Lin Kuei would rise against the god of fire out of frustration.

Maybe Kuai Liang was blind to it or just not informed enough to realise but changes needed to be made. The few that had already happened weren't enough.

Perhaps helping to lead Earthrealm wasn't an entirely bad idea. Though it seemed odd that it came from thin air, so sudden without any preparation or discussions beforehand.

Judging by the tone of his voice Bi Han had already made up his mind. All you could do was slow him down to avoid disaster.

"Our clan doesn't govern. It serves.", Tomas looked at you for help but you were just as clueless as the rest of you.

"That is our past.", Bi Han raised a finger. "It won't be our future."

And with these words the grandmaster casually started to walk down the trail that led to the Ying fortress.

All three of you, including Baobao were left behind, frowning in confusion and unable to make sense of his moods.