Lost in thought, you bowed in farewell. The door opened by itself as you stepped towards it and closed again as you stepped back into the corridor. You frowned.

If you were the only one of you in all the timelines, then there would be no one to replace you. Bi Han had versions of himself. Kuai Liang and Tomas existed beyond the boundaries of this universe.

Only you didn't.

What reason could there be for everyone to exist multiple times, but there was no room for you?

If you died trying to stop Shang Tsung, who would ease Bi Han's mind?

Who would Tomas go to when he had questions he didn't dare ask his brothers?

Who would Kuai Liang talk to about his father and the times before his death?

The thought sent a shiver of sadness down your spine. Two steps into the corridor, you were torn from your thoughts.

A huge shadow leaned against one of the pillars. You raised your head. Your fingers curled. As so often in the last few hours, the magic hummed in your veins, demanding to be utilised. It was rare that you made use of your abilities.

So why in a simple training session?

Tiredness and exhaustion raged in your muscles. Bones felt as if they were heavier than stone. You wanted to sleep. Sleeping endlessly until time no longer mattered.

Swaying from one foot to the other, you approached the shadows. Bi Han's brown eyes fell on you. A shimmer was hidden in them.

The blue ribbon tied around his bicep with a silver coin tightened as he stiffened. His gaze rested heavily on your shoulders. You greeted him with a gentle nod.

"We'll have to prepare ourselves better.", you said in a lowered voice, stepping into the shadows towards him.

Warmth and cold enveloped you at the same time. The ice of his magic seemed to struggle with the warmth of his body. He was still looking you up and down. It was as if he was trying to look deep inside you, to find out what was going on inside you.

You tried to calm him with a smile, even though he wasn't angry. Only thoughtfully. Suddenly a twitch coursed through your muscles.

Everything collapsed over you and tiredness wanted to bring you to your knees. Wincing, you tried to hold on to the wall, to keep your eyes open. Sweat dripped down your back.

You were tired. Your eyes hurt. The world became watered down, everything seemed to float.

"Mûdān.", Bi Han's voice seemed to part the sea of exhaustion in which you were about to drown.

Surprisingly caring, his hand grabbed your arm to pull you back to your feet. Magic made your body burn from the inside. Everything was tingling, aching. You wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Laughing hoarsely, you tried to look up at him but your eyes kept closing. Darkness crept into the corners of your mind, making your head as heavy as stone.

"I'll be ready.", you assured him. "I'm just... tired."

With the last of your strength, you tried to hold yourself up against the wall, but your legs gave way under the weight, making you slump down again. A lazy gasp escaped your lips.

Without a word, Bi Han slipped his hands under your legs and lifted you up. He was not only tall, but also so strongly built that it was easy for him to carry you. Tired, you allowed your head to fall against his shoulder.

"Grandmaster...", you whispered, your tongue heavy.

A huff made his chest quiver. The vibration seeped into your head, tickling your brain. You had to smile.

"Bibi...", your fingers lifted to run along the edges of his chin.

Without protest, he allowed you to touch him as he moved to carry your exhausted body back to the Lin Kuei quarters.

"You shouldn't have used your powers.", despite the rasp of his voice, he sounded gentle, caring.

Not worried. Bi Han never worried. But it was special that he was even sure you were all right.

Wind ran through your (H/C) hair as he stepped out of the temples and back into the open. Tiny blossoms danced across the blue of the sky.

The sound of a mountain river immediately threw you deeper into the darkness. Sighing wearily, you finally let your eyes fall shut.

His eyes travelled over your body as it lay limp and exhausted in his arms, your head on his shoulders while your calm breath tickled his neck. Not even three hours before, you had defeated him in a fight. Now you seemed as fragile as a figure made of glass.

"Mûdān.", his voice scratched across the veil of darkness that wrapped itself around you.

Tired, you lifted your head just high enough to look at him. Blurred outlines of his face appeared before your eyes. You smiled.

"Forgive me, Grand Master...", you whispered, half asleep. "I should have..."

He shook his head. His eyebrows drew together. You could feel him walking up some stairs. Tents and small temple buildings appeared.

The weight of fighting filled the air. Metal struck metal. It smelled of sweat and blood. The Lin Kuei camp had been housed in a part of the Wu Shi Temple for as long as you could remember. Most of the training fields were used by the ninja clan. This was also where they would train the new champions.

Small clouds of dust accompanied each of Bi Han's heavy steps. The rustling of cloth dragged you back into the light for a moment. Wood creaked under heavy feet. He paused and looked around.

"Where's the bear?", he asked.

Chuckling tiredly, you tried to open your eyes but couldn't manage. Everything was so difficult. So far removed from reality.

"I...", you frowned, your eyes tightly shut as if they were glued together. "Bao Bao...?"

Silence. Bi Han scoffed.

"Useless animal.", he growled and entered the only other room in the small building, the bedroom.

A soft mattress lay on the floor, surrounded by countless pillows and blankets. With tense patience, he pushed aside the sheer, purple curtains that acted like a dome to allow you to lie down in your sleeping place.

Sighing, you sank into the darkness. But before your mind went completely to sleep, you could feel a hand caressing your cheek.