Trust Belongs To You (Trust Is For Fools)

All Shang Tsung had to do was show off some of his sorcery skills and say how he could use them to benefit the Lin Kuei’s bid for power. The Grandmaster was thoroughly enthralled by Shang Tsung’s display, immediately taking him within the Lin Kuei’s ranks. Then, as he’d shown himself to be an asset to the clan, he rose the ranks, now comfortably within Grandmaster Bi-Han’s innermost circle.

Which made it oh so much easier to feed information back to Shao Kahn.

He walked out into the courtyard, intending to see what training was going on today. There wouldn’t be too much to report from it, but it was always useful to know what kinds of preparations they were making. He was surprised when the only people outside were Grandmaster Bi-Han and his General, Kuai Liang.

General Kuai Liang was a strange man, and Shang Tsung had initially wondered why Bi-Han would have thought so highly about him to promote him to such a title. Then he found out they were brothers. Kuai Liang being the younger of the two. After that, he believed he’d be content to put it down to nepotism. But then he realised something fascinating about the General.

He could yield both ice and fire magic.

Such a thing was practically unheard of. How Kuai Liang had been able to do so, he didn’t know, but he definitely started to take a lot more of an interest in him afterwards. He hadn’t told Shao Kahn about that yet. He knew it would be of interest to him, but Shang Tsung rather liked having it as his little secret for the time being.

Right now, the two brothers were sparring, Bi-Han repeatedly striking at Kuai Liang with a practice pole arm. Kuai Liang had a training sword, desperately trying to block Bi-Han’s attacks. He could barely keep up however, having to summon ice shields in order to protect himself. It was curious he wasn’t using his fire too, but Shang Tsung supposed if this was a friendly fight, then fire ran too much risk of genuine harm.

Still, Bi-Han thrust the Polearm forward, Kuai Liang only just dodged out the way. Unfortunately for him, it seemed this was what Bi-Han had really intended. His foot darted out, catching Kuai Liang’s legs and sweeping. Shang Tsung had to hold back his laughter as Kuai Liang went tumbling backwards onto his ass. Then, Bi-Han’s polearm was at Kuai Liang’s neck, and it was clear the spar was over.

“Do you yield?” Bi-Han asked, grinning ear to ear. Shang Tsung couldn’t help but find the way he seemed to revel in defeating his brother a little sadistic at times. But hey, who was Shang Tsung to judge? He did rather indulge in sadism himself from time to time.

“I yield,” Kuai Liang whispered, sounding so disappointed with himself. Shang Tsung licked his lips. It was that sort of weakness that he could exploit. Maybe sew a bit of discourse between the brothers.

Bi-Han moved the polearm away, holding it by his side as he held out his hand to Kuai Liang. The younger accepted it, letting the elder haul him to his feet. He looked so defeated, head low, refusing to meet Bi-Han’s gaze. Bi-Han put a hand under his chin, tilting it upward.

“Do not beat yourself up General,” Bi-Han softly told him. It was amazing, just how different Bi-Han could be with his younger brother compared to the rest of the clan. There was a gentleness there he never showed to anyone else. “You have improved a lot since last time.”

“I should still be better,” Kuai Liang spat bitterly, his hands clenched at his sides. “I don’t deserve the title of General.”

“Nonsense,” Bi-Han sharply replied. “You are more deserving of the title than anyone else here, and don’t you dare try to claim otherwise.”

Kuai Liang flinched slightly, but replied with a resigned “Yes Grandmaster.”

“Just keep training, you’ll get there eventually.” Bi-Han pulled away and turned to walk off. “You just need to keep trying.”

“Yes Grandmaster,” Kuai muttered, barely audible. Bi-Han took no notice, instead making his way over to Shang Tsung.

“Shang Tsung, is there something you need?” He asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Ah, no, I guess I was just looking to see if there was anything to be done,” Shang Tsung replied, his eyes wandering towards Kuai Liang. His head was downcast, staring sadly at the ground.

“Hm.” Bi-Han noticed where Shang Tsung’s gaze lay. He grabbed Shang Tsung’s arm lightly and lent in, lowering his voice. “It may be a little unorthodox of me to ask this of you, but do you think you could cheer my brother up a little.” He glanced over his shoulder, Kuai Liang wasn’t moving. “He does so take these things badly.”

“Of course, Grandmaster,” Shang Tsung jumped at the opportunity. Sure, it was mostly to try and sew the seeds of doubt into Kuai Liang’s brain, but the Grandmaster didn’t need to know that.

“Good man.” Bi-Han patted his arm a couple of times, before finally walking back into the temple.

Shang Tsung set his sights on Kuai Liang, who still had not moved. He sauntered over, expecting at least some reaction to his approach, but Kuai Liang just continued staring at the floor. He hooked his arm into Kuai Liang’s, who finally looked up to glare at him.

“Care to take a walk with me, General?” Shang Tsung asked, smiling politely at him.

“If I must,” he grumbled, letting Shang Tsung pull on his arm to get him to walk.

“You really shouldn’t let these things get to you, Kuai Liang,” he said in as sympathetic a voice he could manage. “You’re still young, still learning. It is natural that you would be unable to best your Grandmaster.”

“Thank you for your observation,” Kuai Liang sarcastically replied, letting Shang Tsung lead the way.

“You know, I believe that you could be more powerful than him, if he weren’t purposefully keeping you down.” He smirked as he watched Kuai Liang’s brows furrow. “I think he knows you could lead this clan, probably better than he can, and he-”

“Stop,” Kuai Liang hissed, yanking his arm away from Shang Tsung. “You think I don’t see what you’re trying to do?” His eyes narrowed and he bared his teeth. “Who exactly are you Shang Tsung? You came here, told very little of your past, and seem to have just slithered your way into our innermost ranks.” He began to circle Shang Tsung, and it was clear he was trying to be intimidating. To Shang Tsung however it just looked like a kitten hissing at his new owner. “Bi-Han might not find your appearance here suspect, but I do.”

Shang Tsung smirked as he added “and that’s part of why you’d make a better Grandmaster, dear.” He watched as Kuai Liang’s fists clenched. “You would be far more careful in choosing who you trust.”

Shang Tsung was surprised when he suddenly felt himself being pushed backwards. His back hit a tree, and next thing he knew a dagger made of ice was being pressed to his neck.

“Who are you?” Kuai Liang growled, his other hand grabbing Shang Tsung’s clothing, balling it in his fist.

“I am a sorcerer who-”

“No,” Kuai hissed, yanking on his clothes and pressing the dagger a little closer. “I don’t want your bullshit. Tell me who you are.”

“Very well,” he said, trying to maintain a calm smile. He had a backup story that didn’t give away his true purpose here. “I was once the high sorcerer of Outworld under Shao Kahn. However we had a disagreement one day, and he cast me aside. I merely came here seeking sanctuary, Kuai Liang, nothing more.”

“What was the nature of your disagreement?” He asked, pulling on the cloth again.

“He wished to execute someone who did not deserve it, and I stopped him.” A lie, of course, but given Kuai Liang seemed to be a bit of a self righteous little brat, it was one he might fall for.

“Then why the hell wouldn’t you say that?” Kuai Liang squinted at him in a distrustful manner. “Why would you conceal your past?”

“I feared my former connection to Shao Kahn alone would dampen the chances of the Grandmaster accepting me,” he smoothly replied. “I have no bad intentions for your clan, my dear.”

Kuai Liang still looked at him with daggers in his eyes but finally drew back. Shang Tsung found himself able to breathe freely again now that he didn’t have a dagger at his throat. As he rubbed at his neck, Kuai Liang turned away, his gaze returning to the floor. Shang Tsung reached forward, taking his chin in hand and gently tilting his face back towards him.

“I do mean it, Kuai Liang. I think you have the power to become one of history's greatest warriors, but this clan is keeping you down.” His other hand found Kuai Liang’s cheek, gently tracing the scar that laced it. “I have never met someone able to wield both ice and fire. It is usually one or the other. You are unique, yet they never let you use your flames.”

“They don’t-” Kuai Liang stopped, looking like he was in pain for a second. “It isn’t Bi-Han who stops me. I do.”

“Why would you ever do that?” He meant that question genuinely. He could not understand why Kuai Liang would hold himself back.

“Because the last time I used them to their full capability… People… People got hurt.” He managed to get his face free from Shang Tsung’s grasp, walking away and holding his head in his hands. “I lost control and…” Running his hands down his face, he stared blankly at the forest. “The temple caught fire. People got burnt. No one died, but they could of and I-”

Kuai Liang didn’t continue, just stared down at his hands, eyes full of disgust. Clearly, he believed they were covered in blood.

“Oh, darling, that’s not your fault.” He approached Kuai Liang again, slipping his arm around his waist. “Someone should have been helping you, teaching and guiding you how to control yourself.” He tried to stay neutral, because if he didn’t, he’d seem a little too happy about this. Now this? This kind of guilt? The absolute perfect strings to pull and make Kuai Liang his puppet. “I have some mastery of fire myself, you know. I could help you. Teach you how to more effectively wield those powers.”

“You- You could?” Kuai Liang looked at him, eyes wide and pleading. Oh, poor thing, he really thinks he is a monster, doesn’t he?

Poor, poor thing.

“Of course.” He brushed a strand of hair out of Kuai Liang’s face. “It would be my honour.”

Kuai Liang’s eyes softened slightly as he whispered “thank you.”

“Oh, you are most welcome darling.”

He would keep Kuai Liang a secret from Shao Khan a little longer. Long enough to shape him into exactly what he wanted him to be. And once they’d gotten everything they needed from The Lin Kuei?

Well… Shang Tsung doubted he could ever leave Kuai Liang behind.

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