Sat upon a throne of ice, a man glared at him as he entered, eyes so icy blue they almost looked pure white. Shang Tsung couldn’t help but smirk as he took in the man’s appearance, all the stories he’d heard were true. This man’s beauty was beyond comparison. Short black hair, a trim beard, clothes a deep royal blue and a crown of ice perched on top of his head. A former wound that had filled with ice on his face added to the ethereal feel. He was not human, at least, not anymore.
Song Kuai Liang, The Blizzard King.
“If you are here to kill me,” Kuai Liang announced, fists clenching on the armrests of his throne, “then I suggest you turn around. Many better men have tried.”
“You misunderstand my intentions in coming before you, Your Majesty.” He bowed with one hand behind his back and one over his chest. “I have no intents to bring about your demise, merely, I wish to assist you.”
“Assist me?” Kuai questioned, and as Shang Tsung returned to stand he could see the way the other man’s teeth were clenched. “In what way exactly?”
“I believe I may be able to concoct a cure for your condition.” Oh, the stories of the Blizzard King had spread far and wide. A man cursed to live his entire life in the cold through no fault of his own. His was a punishment for someone else's sins, someone who had died so long ago. Yet Kuai Liang remained, forever bound to snow and ice, unable to die. It was a pitiful existence, truly.
Kuai laughed sarcastically, “I find that hard to believe, Shang Tsung.”
Shang Tsung had to pause at that. Did I mention my name?He didn’t believe he had.
“I have already been forewarned of both your arrival and deception,” Kuai continued, pushing himself to stand up and slowly amble towards the conman. “You go from town to town, pretending to be a harmless old man peddling your snake oils to unsuspecting fools.” Kuai stopped in front of him, and Shang Tsung was a little surprised by how short he was. He’d looked so large and intimidating on the throne, but like this Shang Tsung could see they were around the same height. “So, tell me, given what I know, why would I everbelieve that you could cure my curse?”
The real question was who the hell told Kuai Liang about him. As far as the stories went, Kuai Liang was an isolated figure. No one dared visit him for fear of facing his wrath. It had to be both someone familiar with Shang Tsung himself and with the king if he was willing to take their word.
“I do not know who told you that, Your Majesty, but I assure you what they tell you is lies,” he tried, actually flinching a little at the growl that came from the back of Kuai’s throat.
“He is not the liar, you are.” Kuai took another step forward and Shang Tsung instinctively began to back away. “Does it bring you pleasure, taking advantage of those without hope? Are you truly satisfied with such a pathetic existence?”
“Are you satisfied with yours?” The second that question escaped his lips he regretted it.
Kuai Liang’s face warped, teeth bared and eyes almost glowing. The air around them dropped several degrees and Shang Tsung wasn’t sure what would kill him first, the cold or Kuai’s own hands.
“I- I apologise that was completely out of line,” he stumbled over his words, still trying to back away as Kuai Liang slowly but intently followed him. A weapon of ice was slowly materialising in his hands and Shang Tsung knew he’d have to really put on the charm offensive if he wanted to get away with his life. “It is unfair, truly it is, what they did to you. I can tell it is an existence of never ending pain. I just want to help you find a way to ease that agony.”
“For what reason? How would that in any way benefit you?” The weapon that Kuai was creating was slowly starting to look more and more like a sword. “Despite the title of the Blizzard King, that is just a name. I have no true title, no power, no money. I have nothing to give you, so with that in mind, what exactly do you expect to get out of me?”
“Nothing,” Shang said as brightly as he could, trying to seem like it really didn’t matter to him. Truth was, it wasn’t so much anything Kuai Liang could give him that he wished for, it was what others could provide. Everyone knew the Blizzard King, and in turn, everyone would know whoever broke the curse. If that person was Shang Tsung, he could get everything he ever wanted. “I just want the chance to prove I am not a snake.”
Kuai actually paused at that, tilting his head slightly. He studied Shang Tsung for what felt like 10 minutes. Slowly, he began to laugh, a dark disbelieving laugh.
“So thatis what this is about?” To Shang Tsungs’s surprise, Kuai broke the sword in his hand. “You wish to use me to repair your reputation, so that you may go on to swindle others.”
“That’s not-“ Shang Tsung cut himself off when he really took in the way Kuai Liang was looking at him. It was a look of pity. Shang had to bite back his anger, he hatedwhen people pitied him. “I am tired of being a laughing stock, Your Majesty. Regardless of my personal motives, this is a win-win situation for the both of us. You would be a fool to dismiss this chance, just because some mystery force told you not to trust me.”
Kuai silently stared at him again, eventually sighing and turning to walk away.
“Do whatever you want,” he called back, sounding both invested and flippant at the same time. “Just do not be surprised when you fail, and your precious reputation drops to the deepest recesses of the Netherrealm.”
“What I want is to find a cure for your condition,” he confidently announced, watching as Kuai took his place back on his throne. Somehow, none of this had done anything to dissuade him. If anything, it spurred him on more. He would cure Kuai Liang, and he wouldbe celebrated as a hero of the people for it. “I will prove your doubts wrong, Your Majesty, just watch me.”
Kuai made a shooing motion with his hand, clearly still not believing Shang Tsung’s words. He’ll come to regret it, Shang thought as he turned to leave, trying to hide the burning humiliation he felt.
When I am the one to break his curse, and the whole world bows to my feet, he will see what I am capable of.
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