Takes You And Leaves You Just Caught In The Grey

The entire Empire was grey.

It was like something had completely sucked the colour from it. The streets, the trees, the sky, the plants, the water, even the people and animals. Everything was grey, rather than its normal colour. He looked to the ground, under his boots the grass was green, alive, but just centimetres in front of him, it began to fade away.

When Lord Raiden had told him of the Empire’s condition, this wasn’t exactly what he was expecting when he was told it was losing its colour. Still, he’d been sent to investigate. It was important they figured out what the cause was, in case the problem began to spread. He hadn’t been thrilled to be asked, given his own empire's bloody past with The Lin Kuei. But this was for the good of Earthrealm as a whole, so he just had to ‘suck it up’ as Johnny Cage would put it.

He took a deep breath, stepping forward across the fresh hold. Looking down at himself, he was relieved to find that even after stepping into the colourless zone, he retained his own. He rolled his shoulders, holding his head high as he began to walk towards the main gates.

As he reached it, two guards suddenly stepped forward, raising their polearms at him. Stopping in his tracks, he held his hands up to show he had no intention of attacking them.

“State your name and intentions,” one of the guard’s hissed at him.

“I am Emperor Hanzo Hasashi of the Shirai Ryu Empire, here on behalf of Lord Raiden and I-“

“Shirai Ryu dog,” the other guard interrupted, spitting at his feet. “You are a fool to come here.”

“I am not here to fight you,” he tried to explain, certain his words were not going to be heeded.

“You expect us to believe that?” The first guard made a stabbing motion with his polearm. Even though it came nowhere near Hanzo, he still instinctively took a step backwards. “Shirai Ryu are all the same, bringing nothing but chaos wherever you go.”

Hanzo held his tongue, wanting to argue that The Lin Kuei were hardly innocent themselves. But before he could, a new voice cut through, demanding “what is going on here?”

The two guards shared a look and stepped aside, revealing a new figure. Hanzo instantly recognised him as none other than Prince Song Kuai Liang, the younger brother of The Lin Kuei’s current emperor. And not even he was immune to the loss of colour, his entire body, skin, eyes and even clothes were different shades of grey.

“Prince Kuai Liang,” Hanzo greeted, holding his hand over his chest and bowing in respect. Kuai Liang was known to be the more reasonable of the brothers. If anyone was willing to listen to Hanzo, it would be him. “I apologise for intruding like this.”

“Emperor Hasashi,” Kuai Liang acknowledged, but crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “If you will forgive me for being so bold, may I ask why you are here?”

“I am here on behalf of Lord Raiden, in the hopes of aiding find a cure for your Empire’s current…” He glanced around, trying to think of the best way to put it. “Affliction.”

Kuai Liang sighed, “Lord Raiden has a cruel sense of humour if he thought sending you here was a good idea.”

“I’m sure he had his reasons.” Likely trying to force some sort of alliance between the two Empires, and bring an end to the centuries of bad blood. “Whatever that may be, maybe we can find a way to aid your people.”

Kuai Liang paused, his mouth twitching as he considered that. Eventually, he signalled at the guards to completely lower their weapons. They seemed reluctant, but still obeyed their Prince's demand.

“Follow me,” Kuai Liang said to him, and Hanzo nodded. He didn’t miss the death glares he received from the guards as he passed.

“So, how long exactly has this been happening?” Hanzo questioned, glancing around the streets as he kept pace with Kuai Liang. It was so surreal, especially when he looked up, and in the distance could see the blue sky.

“About a week,” Kuai told him, hand reaching to rub his wrist. “It started with just a few locations, a tree here, a pond there.” He bit his lip and shook his head. “Then, when we woke up a few days ago, all colour was just… Gone.”

“Did it not concern you when it was just those few locations?” If it were happening to the Shirai Ryu Empire, Hanzo would have sent out for help the second he found the first signs that something was wrong.

“We thought our mages and alchemists could figure it out.” Kuai paused briefly, eyes locked on a little girl and her mother. She was holding a soft toy rabbit, and bawling because she couldn’t understand why her beloved Mr. Bunny was grey now instead of pink. Kuai bitterly spat out, “Or rather, Bi-Han thought our mages and alchemists could figure it out.”

Hanzo placed a hand on Kuai’s shoulder, gaining his attention.

“I’m sorry.” He squeezed his hand in a small attempt at comfort.

“It’s not your fault.” Kuai closed his eyes, starting to walk again. “It is my brother’s stubbornness and refusal to seek outside help that has made this worse. He sees such things as weakness.”

“Given your brother’s stubborn nature,” Hanzo started, knowing that getting Bi-Han to listen was going to be a battle in itself. “How likely is it that Bi-Han will respond well to my presence and actually let me explain why I’m here?”

“Practically non-existent.” Ah. Hanzo was afraid that would be the case. “I suggest we do try initially though, maybe today will be the day he actually surprises me with his actions.”

“And if he doesn’t?” It almost sounded like Kuai Liang had a plan of some sort.

“If he doesn’t, then maybe it is time for me to take matters into my own hands.” Kuai nodded to himself, but looked out across the empire. “I know my brother does care, and I know he does his best, but his pride always clouds his sense of reason when it comes to matters such as this.” He turned back, searching for something. When Hanzo looked for himself, there was that same little girl, still sobbing in her mother’s arms. “It pains me to see our people suffer. If I have to go against my brother’s wishes to save them, then I shall do so.”

Hanzo felt himself smile slightly. If their Empires did not have such a bloody past, he could have seen himself being friends with Kuai Liang. His compassion and love for his people was admirable.

“You have a good heart, Kuai Liang,” Hanzo told him, and the man turned around with a surprised look on his face. Hanzo placed a hand over his heart, and the other back on Kuai’s shoulder. “You will not be alone. Regardless of how our meeting with your brother goes, I swear you will have the Shirai Ryu’s aid by your side.”

Kuai opened his mouth, closing it a few times. Curiously, his cheeks began to go a darker shade of grey. Hanzo could only assume that in another situation, the poor man’s face would be bright red instead.

“Thank you, Emperor Hasashi,” Kuai breathed out, a slight shake to his voice. “I feel I will need all the assistance I am offered.” He turned back towards the palace. “First though. We should try to make my brother see reason.”

“Lead the way, Prince Kuai Liang.”

As they continued towards their destination, Hanzo got filled with a new sense of energy. Even if this particular meeting didn’t end well, maybe he could still aid Kuai Liang in finding a way to save his people.

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