Story of Kuai Liang (Sub-Zero)

Chapter 1: Escape

I don't feel any shame, I won't apologize

When there ain't nowhere you can go.

Running away from pain when you've been victimized

Tales from another broken home.

-Green Day, "Jesus of Suburbia"

            _________________________

Kuai Laing hunched in on himself, scanning the room wildly as he trailed behind the senior Lin Kuei warriors down the dark hallway.

He was walking along to the Grand Hall where the Grandmaster was awaiting them. Kuai hoped that it would be good news, for once, but he knew it was a foolish thought. With the recent plans for the Grandmaster to convert all Lin Kuei warriors into machines, Kuai knew that this meeting would likely discuss his gruesome fate. He longingly stared up at the windows that were at the top of the hallways on either side - a glimpse into freedom, something that Kuai had never known his whole life. It was so far away, only making Kuai feel more hopeless with his current situation.

He was twelve years old, now; the ripe age where he was still childish and innocent yet able to understand the graveness of certain situations. For a moment, Kuai foolishly wish that he was younger, so that he may not understand anything that was transpiring within the clan walls. The sight of the windows above brought him back to fonder memories where he'd spend his short leisurely time with Tomas in his room. He hadn't seen the enenra the entire day, and he was worried for him.

Had the Grandmaster got him, too?

Kuai felt a sharp rap on the back of his lower leg, making him stumble in his steps. He look up with wide, fearful eyes to see a senior guard looming over him, holding onto the shaft of a spear; likely what he had used to hit Kuai with.

"You know," Kuai said, unable to help himself, "that wasn't very nice. Maybe if you were less of an asshole, people would respect you more."

The guard jeered, leaning in close so that Kuai could smell the rotten breath as he spoke,"Well, I'm not getting paid to be nice; I'm getting paid to discipline idiotic children, like you. Move it!"

He pushed the butt end of the spear into Kuai's chest, making him fall back into the crowd of marching people. Kuai walked along with them, feeling like he was a zombie and that he - along with the other mindless Lin Kuei walking with him - were marching towards the Grand Hall to tear the throats out of the cruel Grandmaster.

Kuai eventually stepped into the Grand Hall, taking a seat at the very back of the room. He bowed his head, trying to stay out of sight as the Grandmaster stood up onto his feet. Kuai's stomach churned. The sight of him made his blood boil, as a hand lifted up subconsciously to briefly touch the fresh scar over his right eye that had been put on his face by the Grandmaster's order days before.

The disgusting old man stared out into the crowd, smiling sinisterly. "Welcome, my brothers."he started.

Yeah, right. Kuai scoffed in his mind. Like any one of us here is equal to you.

"I have excellent news regarding the Cyberization Project, as well as an update to give you," he continued to speak. "We have produced our first line of cybers, and the results are a success!"

He paused, letting the applause from the crowd wash over him. Kuai grit his teeth and played along. Each clap felt like his hands were burning.

When the claps died out, Grandmaster continued. "Now, for the update! My most respectable warriors, Sub-Zero and Sektor, have approached me to offer their counsel. I have decided to spare my senior warriors from the Cyberization Process. They have proved themselves time and time again to be great warriors for the Lin Kuei's cause."