Disclaimers: Characters and concept of Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat: Conquest belong to their rightful owners (a.k.a., not me ;-)). Original characters and story are mine, however, and cannot be used/printed/posted without permission. Thanks.
Note: So far as I'm concerned, the EarthRealm of MK is a different universe than our own, with a different pantheon of gods, history, etc. I've therefore done a bit of pondering on where and who the Elder Gods are, since Rayden apparently isn't one of them and yet is god of thunder . . . the results are included in this story, while the consequences, so to speak, are in the next ("Justice").
In the Beginning
© 1999, Grace Macy
OverRealm
The Chamber of the Elder Gods
c. 34 BCE
Lord Rayden, God of Thunder, listened with interest as the two old priests made their case. They had traveled from EarthRealm, the other young gods were whispering, to protest Shao Kahn's wish and attempt to overtake their world as he had others. And they said they had a way to do it fairly.
Unfortunately, it didn't seem as if the Elder Gods were interested.
"The essence of EarthRealm is strong," one of the priests was saying. "If Shao Kahn takes it as he has others, he will be powerful even compared to you." There was a rustle among the Elder Gods, but no consensus.
"Surely you cannot wish this to happen!" the other priest implored. "Allow us a fighting chance, to defend ourselves against this menace. Please! You cannot possibly simply sit back and allow it!"
"Why should we interfere?" a voice thundered, unidentifiable except to the other gods, all of whom kept themselves invisible to the supplicants. It was Osin, Elder God of the Water, a deity known for his ambivalence about mortals. "What has this conflict to do with us?"
"We have never sought to stop Shao Kahn before," another voice rang, this one with a sibilance that marked it as belonging to Yastyr, Elder Goddess of the Air. "Why should we do so now?"
Rayden listened with interest. He had always had a fondness for EarthRealm -- especially their liquor and their women, both of which he thought more spirited than those anywhere else. "They're wasting their time," he heard Iocast mutter beside him, the slightly older God of Rain turning away with a visible lack of interest. His bored expression matched his sallow face and limp hair, as well as the predominantly gray clothing.
Rayden scowled. Despite the fact that technically they were supposed to work together, he could barely stand the other immortal. He just seemed so . . . Wishy-washy, Rayden decided, smiling a little at the joke. "The mortals deserve a chance like anyone else," he muttered back.
"They shall have it," a voice at his elbow murmured. Ashai, Goddess of Prophecy, looked up at him with knowing blue eyes. Except for those eyes, her coloring matched Rayden's closely enough for them to be twins, not just first-cousins. Their relationship was closer to that of siblings as well. "Just wait," she told him, smiling.
Rayden smiled as well and turned his attention back to the mortals with renewed interest; when Ashai said something was going to happen, one was well-advised to start preparing. The two priests were still pleading their case, arguing as politely as they could that their method of defense would be honorable and fair, that it was not too much to ask. They couldn't see it, but the eight Elder Gods were already turning away.
Hold.
The voice rang without sound, echoing in the minds of each god, freezing them all in their tracks. It was a woman's voice, rarely heard in the Chamber or outside of it, and in their startlement the gods let their invisibility slip a bit. The mortals took a step back as a crowd of glimmering shadows suddenly appeared to fill the vaulted Chamber. The gazes of all of those shadows were focused above and slightly to the mortals' right, where the gods could see the normally unoccupied ninth throne. The others belonged to the Elder Gods of the four Elements and Seasons, but this was the throne of the Eldest of the Gods.
Eiyasat. Goddess of Justice and Balance, rumored to be the Creator of the Realms, ancient when the Elder Gods themselves were babes. She sat lightly in the throne, seen by the mortals as an ageless young woman with light-bronze skin and flowing black hair that contrasted with the white of her gown. She was surrounded by a nimbus of golden light that kept them from seeing any true detail in her face or form.
Rayden looked at Ashai. Ashai looked back at him and winked before returning her attention to the newly arrived deity.
Continue, the voice said, this time to the priests. The two mortals exchanged a shaken look, then stammered the remainder of the explanation.
"What we propose is a tournament of sorts," the elder of them said. "Our best warriors against those of Shao Khan. If he wins, then the barriers to EarthRealm are weakened against his forces and he may lead an army through. But if we win, then he will be forbidden to do so."
"One battle?" the Elder God of Winter, Akchaha, scoffed. "That hardly seems fair."
"Not one battle, Lord," the younger priest stammered. "A regular tournament, like any other. It is the only way to keep it honorable -- fair."
Rayden exchanged a look with Ashai. "I wonder if he knows who's just appeared," he murmured.
"I wouldn't doubt it," Pestay, God of the Breezes, muttered from behind them. Those mortals are far too clever for my taste." Ashai and Rayden exchanged another look, this time restraining a chuckle.
Their solution is a good one, Eiyasat decided aloud. So it shall be.
"But what of the other Realms!?" Ayaster, Elder Goddess of Spring, protested. "They had no such defense. Are we to free them from Shao Kahn?"
Rayden looked at his mother with raised eyebrows. He knew she hated Shao Kahn and the devastation he brought to every Realm he conquered, but her pacifist ways cried out against any kind of violence, even in defense of those Realms. Her pale skin and locks were a stark contrast to Eiyasat's, but their eyes, despite different colors, seemed almost the same now as they regarded the two mortals.
That would not . . . be fair, Eiyasat said finally. If those of the other Realms should wish such a solution, they will have to come up with it on their own, and bring it to Us as a similar request. They are not to be guided to this decision, she added with a flare of warning light about her body. But the mortals of EarthRealm will have a guide and advisor, one who will know the rules and inform all participants of them.
There was a stirring among the younger gods, each looking at the other in curiosity and apprehension. Rayden felt a strange serenity and certainty; he glanced at Ashai and saw her smile softly.
His words will be heeded by them, although they may not always like it -- or him -- much as they do not always appreciate the attributes of his Power. The young goddesses relaxed visibly, but their male cousins and brothers still looked wary.
Rayden.
A ripple of surprised mutters spread among the gods, young and old, but Rayden ignored it. He stepped forward out of the shadows of the assembled deities, his tall form enhanced by the spotlight-like light that circled the place where the mortals stood. The two priests recognized his name and swallowed nervously, even when he gave them a warm glance. Just to tweak them a bit further, he decided to let them know for certain the identity of their benefactor. "Yes, Eiyasat."
As he had suspected, the priests blanched and seemed to hover between shock and an urge to grovel. Eiyasat's mind-voice was filled with amusement, as were her eyes as he approached her through the circle of light. Child, she said fondly, chuckling, and Rayden knew that was meant for him alone. To the rest, she continued, You will teach these men and their chosen warriors the rules of My decree. You will aid them in their training -- at first. After, you will only watch, advise, and give them your support. From this day forward, your duties are expanded greatly. You are now Protector of EarthRealm.
She rose from her throne and took a step down, extending her hand towards him. As he took her slender fingers in his own, Rayden felt a rush of power and thought sweep through him, showing and telling him what the rules were to be, as well as the name of this desperate game. Mortal Kombat.
Rayden took a steadying breath and looked up at the goddess, daring to look into her eyes. They were as dark as his own, glowing with power, and for a moment he entertained the thought he had once grasped at when he was a child: that she was his mother, not fragile Ayaster. Eiyasat kept hold of his hand and again her words were meant only for him.
Watch over them well, youngling. They are more important than the others guess -- but you know this well, or you will. She paused then continued, her voice thrumming in his mind and soul. Do not fail them, Rayden.
Rayden looked up at her with a smile and nodded, dipping his head to rest his lips and then his forehead against her knuckles. "I swear it, Mistress."
The battle had been joined.
--Finis--
Email the author!
[email protected]
Main MKC Index MKC Fic by Grace MKC Fic by dragon
Back to Main Library Index Back to Main Fanfiction Index
Adventures of Sinbad ~~~ Andromeda ~~~ Angel ~~~ Babylon5 ~~~ BeastMaster: The Series ~~~ Beauty & the Beast
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ~~~ Charmed ~~~
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven ~~~ Crusade ~~~
due South ~~~
Farscape
Gundam Wing ~~~ Highlander: The Series ~~~
Miscellaneous Fiction ~~~ Mortal Kombat ~~~ Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Poltergeist the Legacy ~~~
Raven ~~~
(TSAo) Jules Verne ~~~
The Sentinel ~~~ Stargate SG1 ~~~ Star Trek: Voyager
I can't fix it if I don't know it's broken, so if you see anything wrong, please let me know. Thank you and enjoy your stay!