#Both of those Liu's watched it happen. Which is excellent when you approach those buddy duos with a shipping lense)

[sxvethelastdance]

All the men you've ever loved have died by MY hand with twisted necks and no honor at all. What will you do, Liu Kang--weak Earthrealmer that you are? I spit at your elder gods. Who chose you? No one with any sense. /shao kahn/

The reminders are a lance through his heart, digging deep with the acknowledgement of what he has lost and the pain that’s taken the place of the love housed in his heart. 

 “These men possess more honor than you could ever hope to have. For you Shao Kahn, are stagnant. You do not improve with time, nor do you at least possess the excuse of degeneration to explain the pursuits forgone and the desolate landscapes lands of the realms which you have bled dry before your next conquest. You have not ventured from your comfort zone, challenged yourself as they have, instead you delight in the rivers of blood which comprise your throne of promises unmet, riches in fool’s gold. You ask me what I will do, Emperor?” He is bleeding, but he is not broken, and he is angry, angrier than he's ever been and somehow it is not enough and more than enough all at once. Visions of himself in different times, places and people form and with them the fates of these men. 

Is this what Lord Raiden felt?

No, it is different. I am different.

The flames rise in his palms, but they do not stop there. Fire wraps around his arms, becomes his breath, all that he is but not all that he will be. He is changing, as the universe wills from all things, but this is different, this towers over even the great Shao Kahn. He knows why he was chosen, resents and embraces it across spaces and times. 

"I will avenge them." More than one voice speaks this declaration. Time won’t erase this threat and nor will he, it’s not his place, but this will come to an end. This will be the last time that these men, two sides of a similar coin will fall to the hand of the Emperor, he wills it.

Liu Kang slumbers and the dragon opens its eyes, hungry.

#Halcyonandon #( Animality. Because I'm old.) #LiuLao #Caged Heat #( Context: Shao Kahn broke Kung Lao's neck in the NRS timeline and Johnny Cage's neck in the 95 timeline #Both of those Liu's watched it happen. Which is excellent when you approach those buddy duos with a shipping lense)