The god of fire looked at you thoughtfully, his hands clasped together. The expression on his face could not have been more neutral. At the same time, the white of his eyes glowed with emotions, thoughts.

Curiosity and vigilance mingled in you. Your loyalty was to the Lin Kuei. And Bi Han. Nevertheless, you were willing to lend Liu Kang your services. If he presented a good enough reason.

You stood patiently on your side of the fire bowl and watched, just as you had been taught since childhood. Silence and observe until you were given an assignment.

A very old way of being Lin Kuei. Like Bi Han, you didn't like it much.

The crackling of the flames made something twitch in your neck. A tingling sensation filled your fingers. There was something in the air, heavy and foreboding.

"I assume the old grandmaster was passing on teachings from a time before him.", Liu Kang's voice echoed in the emptiness, firm, divine.

Every single word crept under your (S/C) skin, ate into your flesh so that you would remember it forever. A slight nod made you tense your muscles. Magic was burning under your fingernails.

Would a human be able to defeat a god?

Very few people are born with magic. At least if they were from Earthrealm. Your abilities were considered a rarity, something special even for the Lin Kuei, although the clan had held magic for generations.

But if Liu Kang was interested, it had to be something on a par with a god. The thought of testing your powers on him arose in the back of your mind.

But you immediately pushed it back into the darkness. It made you tremble that it was even possible to be so arrogant.

Who were you to challenge a god?

"The old grandmaster was a careful teacher.", you tried to concentrate back on the conversation. "I have to admit, many of his teachings sounded more like fairy tales from times long past."

He nodded in agreement.

"I have watched over Earthrealm for a long time. I have known the Lin Kuei for just as long. Many stories were experienced by me and passed down from generation to generation."

"I understand. May I ask what that has to do with me?"

A mild smile grew on his full, round lips. For a moment, the white of his eyes seemed to harbour warmth.

"This world is not the first, not the only one in this universe.", he explained and commanded the fire to form images with one movement.

Planets lined up, little balls of fire. The glow was reflected in the (E/C) of your eyes.

"I am aware of the existence of Outworld and the Netherrealm.", you looked up at him in confusion.

Surprisingly, he shook his head. Black strands fell over his broad shoulders, brushing the white fabric of his traditional Chinese shirt.

"These planets form a universe of many.", his fingers passed through the flames and everything became smaller, more small balls emerged from the fire. "And these universes split into timelines."

You frowned.

"Apologies.", you were aware that there were several parallels, other universes in which the same people had made different choices, lived differently from the one you were in.

"There are instances. Many of the people in this timeline also exist in other timelines."

"There are copies of them.", you followed him with your thoughts.

He nodded.

"I am pleased that you can follow me."

"Of course.", you stared into the flames. "What does that have to do with me?"

This time the fire flickered so strongly that it reached the ceiling, where the beams turned black. Although not a muscle on his face moved, you thought Liu Kang was upset. He would have liked to avoid this conversation.

"Shang Tsung.", he looked up at you. "Does that name sound familiar?"

Something scratched at the back of your mind.

"The stories about him are rarely characterised by honour and kindness.", you said.

Your fingers tingled again. Magic bit into your veins, wanting to awaken and destroy.

"In every timeline, he was always the evil in the balance of the universe. I had hoped this time he would choose better."

You took a deep breath and straightened your back.

"A version of him doesn't seem to exist in our universe.", you thought out loud.

"That is correct. However, that doesn't stop him from entering our timeline."

You frowned.

"Is that possible?"

He shook his head.

"Not without a time keeper."

"You are the guardian of hourglass ."

"That's true."

"And there is only one time keeper."

He hesitated.

"Possibly not. Otherwise Shang Tsung would not be about to return."

A hint of understanding awoke in you. At the same time, there was the aberration.

"What does all this have to do with me?", you asked again, your eyebrows furrowed.

Liu Kang gestured again and the fire listened to his call. A man's face appeared, crowned with a mischievous smirk. So much self-confidence in a man, on a roundish face with long, black hair.

He was attractive. Obviously conceited, but at the same time a man who knew how to win people over. Your curiosity piqued, you leaned forward to get a better look at the flaming image.

"Shang Tsung is a master of deception.", Liu Kang explained. "He steals, lies if it gives him even a single advantage. He is capable of gaining armies for his own cause. He is not to be trusted."

Understandably, you nodded.

"An opponent to be wary of.", you agreed. "I will personally inform the Lin Kuei."

"That is not why I called you here.", he gestured again and the image of Shang Tsung became Bi Han. "He steals faces. Dresses in the bodies of others thanks to his magic. Sometimes he's an old man, sometimes young but always sneaky."

Your eyebrows raise in surprise.

"He could be any one of us."

"That's right. If he gets hold of a person's appearance, their abilities are his also.", glowing white eyes fell on you. "In the course of his life, he has travelled through many timelines and stolen many faces. But not yours. Because you, (Y/N), are the only one of your kind. You only exist in this one timeline, in the form in which you stand before me. Your abilities are the only ones Shang Tsung has not yet acquired. We must use that against him."