Cat Bi han

Your soft applause faded, but the smile remained. You squeezed his hand lightly, a small, warm gesture that burned through his glove.

-Truly, Bi-Han. It's incredible what you can do- you insisted, your voice a whisper heavy with admiration.

He looked away, breaking the spell. His expression, which for a second had seemed less icy, settled back into its usual hard lines. He released your hand with a brusqueness that was meant to be casual, but betrayed discomfort.

-It's not 'magic,' it's control, discipline, the physical manifestation of will. There's no room for childlike wonder here it's a weapon of war,- the cryomancer corrected, his tone that of a master instructing a novice, cold and didactic. It was his shield, his way of putting distance between himself and something he didn't know how to categorize.

You didn't flinch. You had learned to read between the lines of his coldness. His refusal to accept the praise was, in itself, an answer.

-It can be both,- you argued gently, without defiance. -It can be your weapon, and it can be beautiful. Just as you can be the Grand Master and... the man who created this for me tonight.

Bi-Han took a deep breath, his breath forming a fleeting cloud in the cold air. Your words struck him directly, hitting the contradiction that gnawed at him from within.

-I didn't create it for you, it was a... demonstration. Nothing more, -He replied, but his voice lacked its usual conviction. It sounded weak, almost automatic.

Yet his actions contradicted his words. Instead of turning and leaving, as he would have done weeks before, he remained there, standing before you.

You took another risk, slowly raising your hand, giving him all the time in the world to reject you, and with your fingertips gently touched the Lin Kuei emblem on his chest, feeling the cold metal and the tension of the body beneath.

-Thank you for the demonstration, then, and for allowing me to see it- You murmured.

He didn't move, remaining like a statue, allowing your touch, his eyes studying your face as if searching for a trap, an ulterior motive in your gentleness. But he found only sincerity... that disconcerted him more than any deception.

-You should go inside, it's cold - He finally said, his voice a little harsher than necessary, breaking the moment. It was his way of regaining control, of reaffirming his role. It was an order, but it sounded almost like clumsy concern.

-And you?- you asked, withdrawing your hand.

-I have to... review some reports- The cryomancer lied, averting his gaze toward the dark corridors that led to his study. It was his refuge, the place where he could immerse himself in the cold logic of duty and banish these sentimental absurdities.

You nodded, understanding, you weren't going to force him. You knew that pressuring him would only make him withdraw further.

-Fine, the tea will be hot on your desk, just in case... just in case you decide to come in -You said, turning to pick up the lamps.

You walked inside, feeling his gaze on your back. You didn't turn around; you knew that if you did, he would immediately look away, embarrassed at being caught in an act of contemplation.

Bi-Han stood alone in the courtyard, the snow beginning to fall softly around him. He watched the snowflake that was already starting to melt on the stone. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Your words echoed in his mind, lingering like a warm ghost.

He clenched his fists. It was a weakness. Allowing those comments to affect him, letting that... warmth seep beneath his armor, was dangerous. Sektor was right: strength was all that mattered. The Lin Kuei wasn't built on kindness and applause.

But another part of him, a part that had lain buried beneath layers of ice and ambition since his mother's death, shuddered.

You weren't afraid of his power,You didn't see him as a monster or a tool, You saw beauty where everyone else saw authority and death.

With a grunt of frustration, he pushed the scrolls aside. He stood and went to the window. For the first time, the silence of his office didn't seem peaceful, but empty; for the first time the idea that someone, in another room of that cold temple, might be thinking of him not with contempt or fear, but with… kindness, felt like a disquieting and necessary crack in the perpetual ice of his heart.

That night, in his study, he couldn't concentrate on the reports. Your words blurred before him, replaced by the image of your eyes shining, filled with a wonder as alien to his world as the sun is to hell.

It was a conflict, a pang of something he couldn't name. And for a man like Subzero, accustomed to absolute control, this lack of control over his own emotions was the most disconcerting battle of all.

*The following days*

The days passed. Your relationship with your husband was going well. It wasn't that he had become affectionate, but you no longer saw his distrustful face; he even truly listened to you. Everything was fine… or so you thought.

The air in Bi-Han and Sektor's cybernetic study was cold and still, as icy as the man who occupied it. He was bent over a strategy map when the door opened unceremoniously.

Sektor entered, a shadow of cruel satisfaction playing in his eyes.

-Grand Master,- The master armorer greeted, with a bow that was more formality than genuine respect.

Bi-Han didn't look up immediately. He finished drawing a line before grunting in acknowledgment.

-Sektor, report-Sub-Zero said without preamble.

-I've come to report an… irregularity, one that I believe requires your direct attention- She began, her voice like the edge of a dagger wrapped in silk.

That made Bi-Han look up. His expression was impassive. “Irregularity” was the term Sektor used for anything he considered a threat to the Lin Kuei order.

-Continue- He said, staring at her.

-I saw Tomas in one of the inner courtyards. He wasn't alone- Sektor said, dropping the name with deliberate disdain.

A heavy silence settled in the room. Bi-Han didn't move, but the temperature dropped noticeably.

-What do you mean?-Sub-Zero's voice was a dangerous whisper.

*Flashback*

You were in the darkest part of the courtyard, trying not to be seen crying. The sight of your husband and Sektor had shattered any hope that your husband could ever love you. You cried, trying not to make a sound, but someone noticed.

-Y/N, are you okay?- Smoke asked.

-Yes... don't worry, I just think I have a bit of an allergy- You said, trying to lie.

But Tomas wasn't stupid.

-Y/N, let me see you- The smoke-headed man said, turning you around and taking hold of your shoulders.

At that moment, you simply broke down... and you put your hands to your face, trying to hide.

He didn't say anything and simply hugged you and let you cry on his chest.

-I'm sorry... I didn't mean for you to see me like this - You managed to say.

-It was Bi-Han, wasn't it?- Tomas asked as he hugged you without looking at you.

You simply didn't say anything, but he already understood everything.

-Promise me you won't tell your father, or Kuai Liang, please - You begged.

-Why?... What did he do to you?" Smoke asked, dreading the answer.

-He... I saw him with Sektor... he was kissing her... Part of me still can't believe it -You finally said.

Tomas's face filled with indignation and suppressed rage.

-What Bi-Han just did to you is unforgivable. He and Sektor deserve to answer for it,- he said firmly, looking at you intently.

-No, Tomas, listen... if we do that, Sektor wins - You told him. The smoking man looked at you incredulously.

-This will outrage Kuai Liang; it will be a great dishonor to him, and it will break your father's heart. It will create a division between your brothers and your father, even a war between them... to assume the role of Grandmaster You explained to Tomas.

Smoke hesitated for a moment, but then he understood your point.

-Alright, but if he crosses the line with you again, I'm going to take action - Tomas said as he hugged you. He had become your confidant, your brother.

*End of flashback*

-Your wife was with him - Sektor paused dramatically, savoring each word. -And it wasn't a casual conversation. She... was crying, he was holding her in his arms, comforting her... The scene was quite intimate, I'd say almost an open secret.

The quill Bi-Han held shattered in his hand, ice instantly coating the wood and metal before it crumbled into pieces. He rose from his seat with a slowness more menacing than any swift movement.

-Are you implying something, Sektor?- Subzero asked, his tone so sharp it could wound.

-I'm only reporting what I see, Grandmaster. I found it... curious that the Grandmaster's wife would seek solace in the arms of another man. And not just any man, but a foster orphan, one who doesn't even carry pure Lin Kuei blood. Don't you think that's disrespectful to your authority? To the honor of your name? - She replied, with a feigned innocence they both knew was a facade. Every word Sektor spoke was meticulously chosen to poison Bi-Han's mind.

Not only did he exploit the situation, but he also delved directly into Bi-Han's deepest prejudice against Tomas: his status as an "adopted" child.

For Bi-Han, loyalty and honor were intrinsically linked to lineage, and Tomas, in his eyes, would always be a borrowed element, an accessory his father had incorporated out of pity.

The cryomancer's face was a mask of pure ice, but his eyes burned with a dark and familiar fury. The image Sektor had painted was seared into his mind: your vulnerability, exposed not to him, but to another. And not just anyone, but Tomas. The revulsion he had always felt for Smoke's origins flared like a fire fueled by Sektor's poison.

-He's not of the blood, he has no right... to approach like that- Subzero muttered, more to himself than to Sektor, as if that single sentence invalidated any attempt at comfort and transformed it into an affront.

-Exactly, it's disrespectful to your position. She is your wife, her loyalty and her... emotional well-being are your responsibility and your property. What does it say about your leadership that she seeks refuge in an outsider? - Sektor whispered, seeing his seed of discord find fertile ground.

Bi-Han turned sharply, walking toward the suits of armor without really seeing them. Rage boiled within him, a toxic mix of jealousy, wounded pride, and tribal contempt.

-Tomas has always overstepped his bounds, my father blinded him with his compassion, he thinks he can move as an equal, but his place will always be uncertain, and now… he dares - Bi-Han said, his voice heavy with ancient resentment.

Sektor gave a small, victorious smile, she had achieved her goal: redirecting Bi-Han’s guilt and anger away from his own negligence and toward Tomas, and, surreptitiously, toward you for “allowing it.”

-What will you do, Grand Master?- she asked, stoking the fire.

The cryomancer remained silent for a long moment.

-Tomas will remember his place. And my wife will understand that there are certain… weaknesses that are not exposed outside these walls. This will not be mentioned to anyone other than Sektor, Kuai Liang, or my father. I will see to it - The cryomancer said, staring at her.

It was both an order and a warning. Sektor nodded, satisfied.

-As you command - The armorer replied.

When Sektor left, Bi-Han stared into space. The image of Tomas holding you haunted him, twisting inside him like a knife.

It wasn’t the pain that enraged him, but the person. To him, it was the ultimate humiliation: that his property would seek solace in someone he considered inferior, a constant reminder of a compassion he despised.

That night, when Tomas passed him in the corridor, Bi-Han didn’t say a word. He simply stopped and looked at him. It wasn't a brother's gaze, nor even that of a superior to a subordinate. It was the gaze of a predator assessing prey that had dared to cross an invisible boundary; cold, laden with silent promises of lethal consequences. And then, he moved on, leaving Tomas with a chill that had nothing to do with the ambient temperature and a deep unease in his heart.

The rift of mistrust and resentment had widened, and Bi-Han, in his wounded pride and deep-seated prejudices, was more determined than ever to reassert his control over everything he considered his, including you, even if it meant working through ice and distance.

*The following days*

Sektor's revelations fell upon the Lin Kuei temple.

Bi-Han became even more distant with you, if that were possible. His gaze, when it fell upon you, now had a new hue: a calculating assessment, a watchful suspicion.

Every gesture you made, every word you spoke, seemed to be examined through the poisoned lens of Sektor's words. If you tried to talk to him, he ignored you and walked away. He was always late, avoiding you. If you were walking down the same corridor, he would leave.

For your part, you didn't know what you had done wrong.

The peace you had felt after that moment in the courtyard evaporated as quickly as snow in the sun.

During training, in joint sessions with Kuai Liang and Tomas, Bi-Han completely ignored Tomas's tactical suggestions.

If Tomas demonstrated a technique, Bi-Han criticized it harshly. "A predictable movement, lacking the instinct of a pure-blooded Lin Kuei," he said once, each word striking like a dagger. The mention of "blood" was intentional, a constant reminder of Tomas's "adopted" status.

At the council table, if Tomas spoke, Bi-Han would look right through him, as if he were a ghost, and then turn to Kuai Liang to continue the conversation, completely negating his presence.

The situation reached a critical point a few days later. Tomas returned from a particularly grueling mission that the cryomancer himself had deliberately sent him on with a tragic outcome. He arrived bruised and his uniform torn. Upon seeing him, you immediately approached him, genuine concern in your eyes.

-Tomas! Are you alright?- You asked, touching his arm with brotherly familiarity.

At that precise moment, before, Bi-Han appeared at the end of the corridor... his gaze fell on your hand resting on Tomas's arm, and the memory of Sektor's words flared in his mind. He advanced, and the temperature dropped several degrees.

-Tomas- The cryomancer said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. -Report, Now.

Smoke, exhausted but loyal, stood up. -Bi-Han, the mission was a success. The deta-.

-And your injuries?- Bi-Han interrupted, his tone icy. -They seem superficial. It's not like a Lin Kuei to show weakness over so little.

-It's not weakness, it's the result of the mission you assigned me- Smoke replied, barely containing his frustration.

Bi-Han moved closer, invading his personal space. His gaze was a challenge.

-You seem used to being coddled for your scratches, Tomas -Bi-Han said, his gaze shifting to you for a fraction of a second, laced with venomous meaning. -Perhaps that's why you seek... comfort where you shouldn't."

Tomas understood the insinuation immediately. His normally serene face hardened.

-Bi-Han, what you're implying is-try to explain Smoke.

-Is it what, Tomas?! Sub-Zero retorted, raising his voice for the first time. The ice crackled beneath his boots. -Is it false? Or do you think your familiarity with my wife gives you the right to forget your place?.

-My place is to be loyal to this clan- Tomas replied firmly, though his voice trembled with suppressed rage. -And my familiarity with her stems from a compassion that others seem to have forgotten. She was broken, Bi-Han. And I only did what any decent person would do.

The word "decent" echoed down the hallway like a blow. Bi-Han took a step forward, his hand closing into a fist, the steam of his breath freezing in the air. For a moment, it seemed as if fury would consume him completely.

But then, he saw you, he saw the horror and sadness in your eyes, looking at him, not Tomas. He saw how his behavior, his irrational anger, was hurting you again, and for a second, he was able to see that he was crossing the line of his hypocrisy.

He said nothing more and left silently, slamming the door so loudly that everyone present noticed but pretended not to.

You couldn't let all your effort go to waste. Not this time. With your heart pounding, you apologized to Tomas and you tended to his wounds, then went straight to his chambers.

The door was ajar. You found him standing by his desk, his back rigid, facing the entrance, radiating a silent fury that chilled the air.

-Bi-Han- You called softly, your voice a mere whisper in the icy room.

He didn't turn.

-This isn't the time- Your husband replied without looking at you.

-I need to know... Did I do something wrong? I thought... I thought we were making progress. The other night, in the courtyard, I thought you finally saw me- You insisted, stepping inside and closing the door behind you. Your courage wavered, but it didn't break.

He turned then, his face a mask of pure ice.

-Moving forward doesn't mean allowing liberties with other members of the clan. Especially with those who don't understand their place- Bi-Han said with a reproachful tone.

The implication was clear, and it stung like a spear. But it also ignited a spark of indignation.

-Freedoms? You mean Tomas? You asked, keeping your voice as steady as possible.

-Bi-Han, he's like a brother to me, nothing more, never, ever, have I had any romantic intentions toward him. I swear on my honor- You clarified.

Bi-Han's expression turned cold.

-They saw you crying in his arms, that's not brotherly behavior -The cryomancer said.

There it was. The source of his anger.

You took a deep breath, knowing this was the moment of truth, the moment to unload the burden you'd been carrying alone.

-And do you know why I was crying, Bi-Han?- you said, your voice beginning to crack despite your effort. -Do you know why I hid in that courtyard, away from everyone, thinking no one would see me?.

His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. A slight, almost imperceptible, hesitation. It surfaced in his eyes.

-That 'day' I cried for you, because I saw you. I saw you kissing Sektor in the training room. And it shattered me - You confessed bravely.

The impact of your words was physical. Bi-Han took an almost imperceptible step back, as if the air had solidified and struck him in the chest. His mask of coldness cracked, revealing in a flash a torrent of emotions: surprise, guilt, and a fierce rage directed at himself.

-Tomas found me like this, broken You continued, trying to be gentle. -And the only thing I asked of him, the only thing I begged him for, was to keep quiet. Do you know why?.

You took a step toward him, defying his coldness.

-It wasn't to protect my pride, it was to protect yours, so that your father wouldn't know about the disrespect you showed your own wife. So that Kuai Liang wouldn't look down on you. So that your position as Grandmaster wouldn't be compromised, would not be tainted by the scandal of yourInfidelity, because despite your coldness, despite your contempt, I didn't want to be the cause of your downfall— Your voice rose for the first time, filled with a pain and a strength he had never heard from you before.

Bi-Han was completely still, paralyzed; your words were like knives turning his own logic inside out. While he raged over a supposed lack of respect, you had been protecting his authority at the cost of your own pain. While he looked down on Tomas, it was that same "outsider" who had comforted you in silence, keeping a secret that could have dethroned him.

-I…- he tried to say but the words wouldn't come. His pride, his sharpest weapon, turned against him.

He couldn't suppress you, he couldn't accuse you, because the truth you had revealed left him completely exposed and indebted.

-So I'm sorry, Bi-Han- You concluded, your voice now calm but sad.- I can't apologize for seeking solace in a brother when my own husband was breaking my heart.

You turned to leave, feeling you couldn't bear to be in the same room with him for another second.

-Wait- Your husband said.

You stopped, but didn't turn around.

There was a long, heavy silence. You could hear his ragged breathing, struggling to regain control.

-Tomas... he'll stay, no action will be taken against him - The cryomancer finally said, the words coming out with difficulty. It wasn't an apology. It was an acknowledgment that his anger had been unjustified.

-Thank you, Bi-Han- You said, knowing it wasn't easy for him either.

It was the most he could offer: an admission that he had misjudged the situation, that he had underestimated your loyalty and overestimated the threat.

-And... about Sektor...- Bi-Han's voice was almost inaudible. -It won't be mentioned again.

You nodded without saying anything else. You had exposed his hypocrisy and presented him with the bill for his lethal silence.

The room was left behind, and Bi-Han was left alone, with the echo of your words and the overwhelming weight of an inescapable truth: that the woman he considered weak had demonstrated a moral strength he lacked, and that her "kindness was not a weakness", but a power that could melt the very foundations of his pride.

*That same night*

The previous confrontation had left the air thick with unspoken truths and a tension that was no longer pure ice, but something more complex and painful.

You couldn't leave it like that. You had gone too far, shown too much of your heart to back down now.

With a cup of hot tea in each hand, you approached the door of his study.

-Bi-Han? May I come in? You called softly.

A silence. Then, a barely audible grunt that you took as a “yes.”

You entered. He was standing by the window, as always, but his posture seemed less regal and more… tired. You placed one of the cups on his desk, in front of him.

-I know you don’t want me to ask for explanations, - You said gently. -But… I’m your wife, and something is eating away at my soul.

He didn’t turn around, but he tilted his head slightly, indicating that he was listening.

You took a deep breath, your voice a sweet and vulnerable whisper.

-Bi-Han… can I ask you about Sektor? -As you spoke the name, you felt his back tense. -Not to reproach you. Just… to understand...What do you feel for her?”

Finally, he turned. His face was in shadow, but the moonlight illuminated the hard line of his jaw.

-That question has no place here - He replied, his voice rough.

-It does for me because I live with you. Because I share your bed. Because every day I choose to be by your side. And I need to know... was it just a slip-up? A moment of... weakness? or is it something more?- You insisted.

He clenched his fists, staring at the teacup. Your tone, gentle and full of genuine curiosity instead of accusation, disarmed him. It was easier to deal with shouting than with this calm questioning.

-Sektor is...- He hesitated, something unusual for him. -she's loyal, she understands the Lin Kuei vision. The vision of my Lin Kuei.

-The vision of power and steel? The one that leaves no room for weakness? Like me?- You asked.

He didn't deny it. His silence was confirmation.

-And that’s why you kissed? Because she embodies everything you think you should desire?- You ventured, your voice even lower.

Bi-Han took a deep breath, a harsh sound in the stillness. It was as if he were being forced to dissect a part of himself he preferred to keep intact and hidden.

-It was… an acknowledgment- He finally said, the words coming out with difficulty. -Of shared ambitions. Of a force understood without words. It wasn’t… planned.

“An acknowledgment.” The word was so cold and calculated that it hurt more than a confession of passion. It wasn’t a burst of feeling, but a tacit transaction between two forces similar.

-And that makes her more worthy of being by your side than I am? Because I don’t offer you power, Bi-Han, I offer you peace, I offer you a home. Is that so insignificant to you?- You asked, and this time a tremor crept into your voice.

He looked at you then, and for the first time, he didn’t see the weak wife or the intruder. He saw someone posing a question that echoed in the void of his own ambition. Was it insignificant?

-No… it’s not insignificant. It’s… complicated- He muttered, almost against his will. It was the closest you would get to admitting anything.

-It is for me too- You whispered, taking another step closer. -Seeing the man I share my life with kissing another woman because she ‘understands his vision’ is heartbreaking. But what hurts the most is not knowing if… if in some corner of that icy heart, there’s room for the vision I offer you.

You stopped in front of him, looking into his eyes, defying the cold with your warmth.

-I’m not asking you to choose now. I’m only asking you to think about it, because I’ve already chose, I chose to forgive your disloyalty, I chose to protect your name, And I chose to stay here, with you, believing that the cold man who creates beautiful snowflakes is worth more than the Grand Master who sees only weapons.”- You finaly said.

With that, you turned to leave. There was nothing more to say.

-t’s late - He said, his voice strangely husky. -You should rest.

It was his way of ending the conversation, of regaining control. But when you left the study, Bi-Han didn’t move. He looked at the still-steaming cup of tea, and then at his own reflection in the windowpane.

“What do you feel for her?” Your question echoed in his head. What did he feel? Respect for her strength. Comfort in their shared ambition. An attraction based on power and utility.

"And why did you kiss?" Because it was easy. Because it required no vulnerability. Because with Sektor, he didn't have to be anything other than the Grand Master.

Your last question, however, resonated the most: "Is there room for the vision I offer you?"

For the first time, Bi-Han didn't have an immediate answer. And the fact that the question lingered there, suspended in the cold air of his study, was itself a terrifying and new answer.

It meant that your "vision," your peace, your home, had begun to matter. And for a man like him, who feared vulnerability more than any enemy, that was both a curse and the only glimmer of possible redemption.

Then he went to the cybernetic study that Sektor had created to think, since your confession about what happened with Tomas had generated distrust in Sub-Zero for the first time toward his right-hand woman.

*Later*

The Lin Kuei's cybernetic facilities hummed with the silent energy of advanced technology. Touchscreens displayed data streams, heat maps, and weapon schematics. It was Sektor's realm, a place where efficiency and cold logic reigned supreme, a sanctuary for the clan's most militaristic vision.

Bi-Han was there, pretending to review reports. His movements were precise, but his mind wasn't fully engaged. The conversation with you echoed in his head, a persistent sound that chilled even the already frigid air of the room.

Sektor approached, her steps firm and confident on the metal floor.

-Bi-Han, the reports from the northern sector have been verified, No unusual activity- She said, her voice as efficient as ever.

Bi-Han didn’t look up immediately. A new habit, a nascent distrust that made him carefully consider his responses.

-Good. Redirect resources to the eastern perimeter.- He said curtly

There was an awkward silence. Sektor didn’t leave. She could sense the tension in him, a crack in his normally impenetrable Grand Master facade.

-You seems distracted -he remarked, with a hint of feigned concern. -Do your… domestic affairs… interfere with your duties?

The word “domestic” was uttered with barely veiled disdain. Bi-Han slowly raised his gaze, his eyes meeting hers. He no longer saw the complicity of before, only the sting of exposed betrayal.

-My priorities are mine to manage, Sektor - He replied, his voice flat.

She remained unmoved. She smiled, a cold and calculating expression.

-Of course, I'm just wondering if that woman is softening him up. I saw her yesterday, talking to the stranger again. They seemed... more closer. It's a distraction we can't afford- Sektor began again.

It was the last straw. The use of "that woman," the venomous mention of Tomas, the insinuation that he was weak.

-Well, it seems you're missing something because I was there when Tomas came back, Y/N. He treats him like a brother - Bi han replied with the last of his patience, giving Sektor a chance to backtrack.

-Well, it's not what it looks like. They were alone in the infirmary, and she was the- she began.

-ENOUGH, SEKTOR!- He interrupted, his voice rising for the first time to Sektor in that place, an outburst of emotion.

A raw outburst echoed in the sterile room.

-It can't be that you, whom I thought were a kindred spirit! The only person in this clan who understood that power and strength are all that matter. Who wasn't blinded by... sentimentality, would make me look like a fool!! - Bi han said anger

He advanced toward her, and Sektor, for the first time, instinctively took a step back. The fury in his eyes wasn't just that of a betrayed leader, but that of a man whose only secure foothold had been revealed as an illusion.

-And yet when my wife, whom I've scorned, whom I've considered a burden, discovers our transgression and her first reaction isn't vengeance or public humiliation, but to protect me... do you know what that makes me see?- He continued, each word a lash of ice.

He stopped right in front of her.

U

-It makes me realize that the only person who has acted with true honor, despite all my contempt, is her. And you, the only one I trusted, are here before me, trying to poison me even further. You made me look like a fool in front of my wife!! - The cryomancer said indignantly.

Sektor regained some of his composure, her expression hardening.

-Bi-Han, you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment, that woman is weak, I offer the Lin Kuei power, i offer you power, whatever existed between us... was a confirmation of that alliance- Sektor said, regaining some of her composure.

-No, it was a mistake. A blind spot. And any... 'worldly feeling' or complicity I thought I shared with you has ceased to exist- His words cut through the air like a knife.

Sektor stared at him, her face now a mask of pain. She had lost him... her influence over him was crumbling, replaced by the lingering shadow of his wife's loyalty.

-So you've grown weak -She spat.

-No, I'm becoming clear. Now, leave me alone. I must... reassess your position- Bi-Han retorted, his voice regaining its glacial gravity, but with a newfound determination.

It was a temporary dismissal, but a deep wound for Sektor. With one last look, charged with indignation and a broken heart, she turned on her heel and left the cyber facility, her footsteps echoing off the metal.

Bi-Han was left alone, the hum of machines filling the void left by his outburst. He took a deep breath. For the first time, he had defended your position not as a matter of honor, but as a matter of courage. And in doing so, he had severed the closest tie he had to his old ideology.

He stared at the door Sektor had left through. For the first time, he had planted a seed of doubt about everything he thought he knew, and now, alone, he would have to face the harvest.

*The next day*

This morning you found a small, perfect ice rose on your nightstand. There was no note, no explanation, but a smile lit up your face and your chest swelled. You knew it was Bi-Han, his way of saying "I'm sorry." When you saw him, you would thank him for his gesture, which you knew was monumental to him.

The encounter with Bi-Han had left your soul calm, but with a lingering unease. You had defended your position, you had planted a seed of doubt in his icy heart, but in the process, you had dragged an innocent person into the line of fire: Tomas.

You found him alone in the library, rearranging some ancient scrolls. His back was to you, but his posture seemed less light than usual, as if the weight of Bi-Han's icy gaze still lingered on his shoulders.

-Tomas- You called softly.

He turned instantly, and a genuine, though slightly weary, smile lit up his face when he saw you.

-Y/N. Everything alright?- He asked, his voice thick with emotion.

You approached him, your hands clasped in front of you, a knot of guilt forming in your stomach.

-That should be my question. Are you... okay?- You hesitated, searching for the words. -After what happened with... Bi-Han. I noticed. The way he looked at you in the hallway.

Tomas's smile faded slightly, transforming into an expression of understanding resignation.

-Oh, that. Don't worry about me.“I’m used to Bi-Han’s… ‘disapproval’s- He said.

-But this time was different… it was my fault. If you hadn’t found me crying, if I hadn’t involved you by asking you to keep it a secret… You insisted, moving closer, your voice heavy with worry.

-Hey- He interrupted gently, raising a hand to calm you. -Y/N, listen to me. It wasn’t your fault. What Bi-Han did to you, what you saw… that’s not right. Anyone would have done the same. Comforting a friend who’s suffering isn’t a crime.

His words were a balm, but you couldn’t help feeling responsible.

-But he’s been so cruel to you because of this. And I… I just wanted to protect him, and in the end, I exposed you to his anger. I’m so sorry, Tomas.- You said worry

Tomas sighed, leaning against a dark wooden bookshelf.

-Bi Han...it's complicated...His world has always been black and white, strength and weakness, pure and impure blood, my presence here has always been one of those gray areas he doesn't know how to handle... What's happening now is just...a new layer in an old conflict - Tomas said calmly.

He looked at you with a tenderness that reminded you why you had trusted him from the very first day.

-Don't regret opening up to me. And don't worry about me. I know how to withstand his coldness. I've been doing it since we were children - He said.

-And doesn't it hurt? That he treats you like this, after all these years as brothers?- You asked, with genuine curiosity.

-It hurts...but I also understand. In his twisted mind, it's not personal. Or at least, not entirely. It's his code, his programming; breaking it...takes time. And it seems that you're the first person who's managing to create cracks in that armor - Tomas said, looking at you affectionately.

-Thank you, Tomas, for being my friend, for being… my brother in this place. I don’t know what I’d do without you and Kuai Liang - You said, taking his hands to comfort him.

He smiled, broad and warm this time.

-We’ll be here for you, Y/N, always. You’re part of this family, whether Bi-Han chooses to accept it or not. - He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial tone. -;And between us, I think he’s having a harder time fighting the idea that he might care about someone than fighting any enemy of the Lin Kuei.

A laugh escaped your lips. His optimism was contagious.

The air in the library, a haven of warmth and understanding, was suddenly cut as if an invisible knife had pierced the peace. A tall, stern figure appeared in the doorway, blocking the exit.

Sektor.

Her cold, calculating eyes swept the scene: you, with eyes of gratitude, and Tomas, standing close to you in a gesture that, to any malicious observer, could appear intimate.

-What a touching scene," her voice said, a venomous whisper that chilled the air. -The Grand Master's wife, seeking solace once again in another's arms. Haven't you learned your lesson?

Tomas stepped forward, subtly positioning himself between you and Sektor.

-Sektor, this isn't what you think. We were talking- Smoke said.

-Silence, Tomas! You have no right to speak to me after your insubordination. -Her gaze locked on you. -And you... your disrespect toward Bi-Han is pathetic, while he bears the weight of the clan, you play the damsel in distress with someone who shouldn't even look at you.

Your heart pounded, not with fear, but with pure indignation. You wouldn't let her poison your friendship with Tomas again.

-It's not what you think, Sektor - You said, your voice firm despite the inner trembling. - Tomas is my friend, my brother. We haven't done anything wrong. And Bi-Han knows it.

-I've seen enough, your only mission is to be silent, obedient, and bear an heir, but you can't even do that. Instead, the moment he leaves, you run to the adopted one- Sektor said with disdain.

The master armorer was leaving, but you weren't going to let her words hurt you or Tomas again in front of Bi-Han.

-Please, understand that there's no...- In an impulsive act, you reached out and gently took her arm.

You didn't finish the sentence.

She reacted as if your touch had burned her. With superhuman speed, his free hand moved like lightning. It wasn't a blow, but a precise and brutal strike.

His fingers, strengthened perhaps by some hidden blade or simply by the lethal power of his training, clawed at your face.

A sharp, burning pain shot across your face, centered on your cheekbone and extending to your eyebrow, just below your left eye.

A strangled cry escaped your lips as you stumbled backward, your hand instinctively flying toward your face. When you pulled it back, your fingers were stained with bright red.

-Don't touch her!- Tomas roared, shoving Sektor back with a force that surprised them both. His usually peaceful expression was contorted with fury.

Sektor didn't even flinch. She wiped his thumb on her clothes, staining them with your blood, with a terrifying calmness.

-Let this be a reminder, little wife, some lines are not to be crossed, your place is not to question, to touch, or to conspire , your place is to obey and be silent and if you can't understand it with words, perhaps a scar will remind you every time you look in the mirror. - She spat out the words.

Tomas put an arm around you, protecting you, while his other hand and his karambit remained raised in guard against Sektor.

-Go. Now!,- Tomas ordered, with an authority you hadn't seen in him before.

Sektor looked at you both with disdain, turned, and left, leaving the air thick with the metallic scent of blood and the promise of a conflict that was now impossible to ignore.

Tomas turned to you, his eyes filled with horror and worry.

-Let me see- He whispered, his voice trembling.

You got down Your hand, fearful. The wound was deep, a bleeding line that crossed your cheekbone and stopped dangerously close to your lower eyelid.

Tears of pain and shock streamed down your face, mingling with the blood.

-Will it...will it leave a scar?- You asked, your voice breaking.

Tomas's expression was all the answer you needed. His silence and the deep sorrow in his eyes confirmed your fears.

In that moment, you understood that the silent war was over. Sektor had opened fire. And that scar on your face wasn't just a wound. It was a declaration of war.

Tomas's face was pale, his breath ragged as he held a clean cloth against your bleeding cheek.

-This can’t be left like this, Y/N,- He murmured, a rare fury in his voice. -This was a cowardly attack. Not just against you !! but against Bi-Han’s authority itself.

-Tomas, no… if Bi-Han finds out, he…- You tried to protest, the fear of making things worse clouding your judgment.

-He must know! And not only him! Sektor crossed every line. Attacking the Grandmaster’s wife is an act of insubordination and treason. Kuai Liang and Father must know. Now.- He interrupted, his firmness brooking no argument.

Without waiting for your reply, he gently but resolutely led you through the corridors, avoiding curious glances until you reached the former Grandmaster’s private quarters. Fortunately for you, both he and Kuai Liang were there, reviewing an ancient text.

Seeing you enter, your face pale and blood soaking the cloth, the old man's expression shifted from surprise to instant concern. Kuai Liang jumped to his feet.

-By the gods? What happened?- The pyromancer demanded, crossing the room in two strides.

Tomas, his fists clenched, wasted no time.

-Sektor- Smoke spat the name out like poison -She attacked her. In the library.

The air thickened. The former Grand Master rose slowly, his cane striking the floor with a dull thud that echoed in the silence.

-Explain yourself, son.- The former Grand master said

Tomas explained everything, from Bi Han's cold treatment to the argument with Sektor.

Kuai Liang approached you, his face a mask of barely contained fury. With extreme gentleness, he removed the cloth to examine the wound and stroked your head, feeling guilty for not protecting you. His eyes darkened at the depth of the cut.

-Sister... this is a wound meant to leave a mark. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment blow. It was a cold execution. A message - Scorpion declared, his voice low but laced with icy rage.

The former Grand Master approached. His gaze, usually filled with peaceful wisdom, now burned with a light unseen for years. He examined the wound and then looked at Tomas.

-Do you swear this is what happened, Tomas? Without any provocation other than a touch on the arm? - Your father-in-law asked, though he already knew the answer.

-I swear it on my life and honor,- Tomas affirmed without hesitation.

The old man closed his eyes for a moment, deep disappointment and fury etched into the wrinkles of his face. When he opened his eyes, his gaze was steely.

-This is unacceptable attacking a member of the Grand Master's family, especially his wife, is a direct challenge to the clan's authority and my legacy. It's not just an act of cruelty; it's an act of political insubordination," he declared, his voice, though calm, carrying the weight of a sentence.

-Father, this cannot go unpunished, if Bi-Han doesn't act...-Kuai Liang began, rising but keeping his hands on your shoulders.

The implication was clear: his brother's authority as Grand Master would be irrevocably tarnished.

-Bi-Han will be informed, but not by you, Tomas. I'll handle it myself, Kuai Liang, take Y/N to the healing chambers,use whatever is necessary to minimize that scar." Then he turned to you, his gaze softening with genuine sorrow. -I'm sorry, daughter. I failed you I allowed this snake to nest too close to my family this ends today.

Kuai Liang nodded and helped you to your feet.

While Kuai Liang, with ointments and sacred herbs, worked with his pyromantic hand, generating controlled heat to sterilize the wound, you watched his focused face. The pain was sharp, but your mind was elsewhere. On him.

-Wait- You said, your voice a whisper, but filled with a determination that stopped them in their tracks.

Everyone looked at you. The former Grand Master bowed his head.

-Say what you need to say, daughter- Your father-in-law said gently.

-I thank you...- You began, your voice cracking slightly with pain, but you remained firm. - I thank you more than words can express. For believing me, for defending my honor, when I myself felt I didn't deserve it. But... please, I ask you a favor

Kuai Liang frowned and then stroked your cheek as he continued healing it.

-You don't need to ask for favors, sister. What was done to you demands justice -Scorpion said resolutely.

-Yes, it does- You agreed - But it must be true justice. If we all appear before Bi-Han as a group, with my father in law at the head, he'll feel cornered....He'll see this not as an act of defense for me, but as a challenge to his authority from his own family, his pride is... his armor and his prison.

Tomas looked at you with admiration and sadness. He understood.

-What do you propose?- The former Grand Master asked, his gaze becoming appraising, impressed by your insight.

-That when I summon him and Sektor...-You said, looking directly at him -you allow me to be present." Not to accuse, but to be there. And please... let Bi-Han decide Sektor's punishment.

Kuai Liang opened his mouth to protest, but you spoke first.

-I know him- You whispered, placing your uninjured hand over your heart. - If you take that decision away from him, if he feels that his father or you, brother, are dictating justice in his clan, he will never forgive. The anger that should be directed at Sektor will be directed at you. And I... I don't want to be the cause of this family being torn apart even further.

Your father-in-law watched the fire in Kuai Liang's bowl, deep in thought.

-It's a huge risk, child. Trusting him to make the right decision- Your father-in-law said.

- I know, but it's a risk I must take, for him, and for all of us, because if he chooses to punish Sektor of his own volition, it will mean that his loyalty to the Lin Kuei and to... to what we are as a married couple, is stronger than his connection to her. It will be a true victory, if it is forced upon him, it will only be a blow to his pride, and resentment will fester in the darkness- You said resolutely.

There was a silence. Your reasoning was impeccable, born of a deep understanding of the man you had married. It wasn't weakness; it was a strategy smarter and more powerful than any direct confrontation.

-Se is right Bi-Han has always responded better to dominance than to coercion -Kuai Liang said, yielding.

The elderly Grandmaster sighed, a sound of resignation and pride mingled with his own.

-Very well , it will be done your way, you will be present, i will inform my son of what has transpired and summon Sektor, but the weight of judgment will fall upon his shoulders. You are wiser than any of us have given you credit for, daughter, this clan is luckier to have you than it deserves - Your father-in-law said, approaching and placing a fatherly hand on your shoulder.

Tomas smiled at you, a smile of relief and deep respect.

-Your strength is different from ours, Y/N. But it is perhaps the most powerful of all - Scorpion declared.

*Later*

The Lin Kuei's Ice Throne Room, normally a place of serene and icy authority, throbbed with a tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. The former Grandmaster sat to one side, not on the throne, but on a raised seat, observing. His presence was a shadow of past authority, a silent reminder.

You sat in a chair near Kuai Liang and Tomas, who were beside you, your face bandaged with clean gauze where your brother-in-law's pyromantic skill had sealed the wound, minimizing the damage, but leaving the promise of a subtle scar. You took a deep breath, maintaining the composure you had asked of the others.

The doors swung open.

Bi-Han entered first, he wore his Grandmaster's cloak, his mask concealing any emotion, but his energy was a contained storm.

He had been summoned urgently by his father, and he knew it was something serious. Right behind him, Sektor entered with his usual arrogant confidence, until his eyes swept the room and met the figure of his father, with Kuai Liang, with Tomas... and with you, with the visible evidence of his deed on your face.

For a moment, there was no one else in the room but you.

-Y/N!!- The cryomancer exclaimed, and for the first time - You could see the concern on his face.

-What happened?- Bi-Han asked, bringing his hand to your cheek and the gauze without touching it.

It was the former Grand Master who spoke.

-My son a grave offense has been committed within these walls.. One that cannot be ignored - Your father-in-law replied, his voice calm but implacable.

Sektor stepped forward, trying to take control of the narrative.

-Grand Master, if this is about a minor altercation with your wife, I can explain… -She tried to explain.

- You haven’t been given the floor!- The old man’s voice boomed with an authority that made the air tremble. Sektor snapped shut, his lips pressed tightly together.

The old man looked at his son.

-Sektor attacked your wife without any provocation, other than a touch on her arm to try and calm her down, she wounded her face with the clear intention of scarring her, of disfiguring he Tomas was a witness Kuai Liang healed the wound, the evidence is on your wife’s face.- He paused, letting the weight of his words settle -The punishment for assaulting a member of the Grand Master’s family is exile or death. The decision, as befits your position, is yours.

All eyes were fixed on Bi-Han, he wasn’t looking at his father, nor at Sektor, his gaze, intense and impenetrable behind the mask, was fixed on you, on the white gauze that stained your face.

Bi-Han said nothing, went to the ice throne, and sat down.

First, he looked at Sektor, who gazed at him with a pleading look, not out of fear of death, but of losing him. Then he looked at you, who demanded nothing, only understanding with your gaze, and with the fear that his decision might betray the trust you had placed in him.

You could feel the cold emanating from him, a cold that went beyond his cryomantic power.

The decision rested with your husband, and his decision would speak of him not only as your husband, but as a Grand Master, a son, and a brother.

End of chapter

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In front of the mirror, you observed the marks that pregnancy and childbirth had left on your body: the sagging skin, the cellulite, and the stretch marks. Your hands uncertainly ran over your skin, and a lump in your throat prevented you from breathing. Hearing firm footsteps approaching, you hurriedly covered yourself with a blanket and turned your body, turning your back to the door.

The door opened and Bi-Han entered, with that imposing presence he always carried with him. He closed the door behind him and remained silent, analyzing the scene: you cowered, almost as if you were trying to disappear under the fabric.

-Why are you hiding?-Sub-Zero asked, his voice deep and sharp.

You tensed, lowering your gaze.

-I don't want you to see me... not like this.- you admitted with difficulty.

Bi-Han's brow furrowed. He walked toward you with slow, measured steps and stopped just behind your shoulder. He extended his hand and, with a firm movement, tried to remove the cloak you were holding tightly.

-Please leave it.- you whispered, not daring to look at him.

-Look at me.- He commanded, in that tone that rarely brooked a reply.

You raised your eyes with difficulty and met his icy gaze, fixed, intense, impossible to ignore. Bi-Han took the cloak with a brusque gesture and removed it from your grasp, revealing what you were trying so hard to hide.

The silence stretched. You trembled, waiting for some cold comment or an expression of disgust. But on Bi-Han's face, there was no rejection, only a deep gravity that hid something else.

-Your body speaks of your strength.-He finally said, his voice deep and measured.

-You have endured more pain and sacrifice than many warriors could. That is not weakness... it is greatness.- The cryomancer began.

You looked at him, lips parted, surprised by his words.

His index finger gently traced the line of a stretch mark across his side.

-This.- he murmured, his voice laden with an intensity that made you shudder.-Is where your skin expanded to make room for his growth. It is the mark of his first victory: claiming his territory.

His hand slid down to the soft curve of your lower abdomen.

-And this... this is the fortress you built for him, the bastion that kept him safe when the outside world was still a threat. It is softer, yes. because it is a mattress, an armor designed to cushion and protect, each of these lines is a reminder of a day you fought for him, fed him with your own body, sustained him against all odds, they are the marks of the most successful campaign ever waged in this temple .- He said finally.

Bi-Han raised his gloved hand and, with a clumsy but determined gesture, caressed your cheek. His eyes remained fixed on yours, conveying an intensity that replaced any obvious tenderness.

-You will not hide from me again. You are my wife, and you are worthy. Even more so now… that you have brought our son into the world.- He said in his husky but sweet voice.

A sob escaped your lips, and you lowered your gaze, overwhelmed. Bi-Han leaned his face and rested his forehead against yours, holding the back of your neck firmly.

-You are mine.- He murmured harshly, though there was something broken in his tone, more intimate than any kind words. -And I won't let you think otherwise.

You closed your eyes, allowing yourself to be enveloped in the security of his embrace. In that instant, you understood that, although his gestures weren't gentle like those of other men, Bi-Han's strength carried with it absolute devotion. He loved you in his own way: with ice, with intensity, with an iron protection that would never break.

Glancing sideways at the crib, where your son slept peacefully, you felt Bi-Han's words weigh even more: you were not just his wife, you were the mother of his heir. And in the Grandmaster's eyes, that had elevated you even higher in his world, in his heart.

Tomas 💭

The room was dim, lit only by the soft light of an oil lamp. The baby slept in his makeshift crib, breathing calmly, while you sat on the edge of the bed, holding the blanket against his chest.

You had avoided looking at yourself in the mirror since birth. Your hands brushed against his still-soft belly, the marks on your skin, the feeling of not fully recognizing yourself. When you heard Tomas's footsteps approaching, you lowered your eyes, afraid he might see it on his face.

-Are you tired?- He asked softly, with that tenderness he seemed to reserve only for you.

You shook your head gently, but couldn't stop the uncertain murmur that escaped your lips:

-I'm not the same anymore... I don't want you to see me like this- You admitted shamefully.

Tomas frowned, surprised. He knelt before you, taking your hands with a gentleness that contrasted with the firmness of his grip on the battlefield.

-Like this?- He repeated, looking straight into your eyes. -I see you as the woman who gave me the most valuable thing in my life.

She looked away, feeling the tears well up.

-But I'm covered in scars... I'm not beautiful anymore- Tou said, averting your gaze. That confession was the hardest for you to make.

Tomas sighed, leaning down to kiss her hands again and again. Then he brought one of them to his own face, pressing it against his cheek as if he wanted to etch it into his skin.

-Your scars are proof of your strength. Of your love.- His voice cracked slightly, sincere. -Every mark you bear, I honor. Because they mean that you brought our son into the world. There's nothing more beautiful than that.

Carefully, he slid the blanket from your shoulders, and instead of looking with curiosity or judgment, he caressed you with reverence. His lips lingered on the indentations on your belly, in a gesture that was more devotion than desire.

-You are my home- He whispered against your skin. -And you always will be, no matter how you change.

You, trembling, felt your insecurity slowly melt away, replaced by the certainty that for Tomas, your beauty lay not in perfection, but in the love you shared and the family you had formed together.

He held you against his chest, not rushing anything, simply protecting you with his warmth, as if in his arms there was no room for doubt, only for calm.

The following days were a whirlwind of emotions. The tiredness, the sleepless nights, the baby's crying... and, amidst all of that, the persistent feeling that her body was no longer the same. Sometimes, when he wasn't looking, you covered yourself with looser clothes or avoided lighting the oil lamp.

But Tomás seemed to notice, even though she tried to hide it. He never asked you directly he knew exposing yourself would only make you feel more vulnerable. Instead, he expressed it with gestures.

Every morning, when you woke up with your hair disheveled and your eyes puffy, he would look at you with a gentle smile and say; "You look more beautiful than ever."

When you tried to hold the baby even though you were exhausted, he gently intervened:

"Let me do it, you need to rest. Our son is lucky to have such a strong mother."

And every time you lowered your eyes, uncertain, he would wrap his arms around you and lean into your ear: "Don't hide from me. Everything you are belongs to me, and I love it."

At first, those words made you cry. But little by little, they began to heal the invisible wound of his insecurities.

One afternoon, as Tomas rocked the baby by the window, you watched him silently. The steadfast warrior, the disciplined former Lin Kuei, seemed like a completely different man when he held his son. He had infinite patience, his large hands were incredibly tender as he arranged the blanket, his voice became an almost musical whisper as he rocked him.

You approached the space, wrapped your arms around Tomas's back, and rested your forehead between his shoulder blades.

-Thank you...- you murmured, your voice thick with emotion. -Thank you for not letting me doubt myself, for loving me even when I couldn't.

Tomás turned his face just enough to touch her cheek with his.

-Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done.- He replied calmly.

You felt like those words were an oath.

Looking at your husband and son together, you understood that you didn't need to go back to "the same as before." Your body, your scars, your tiredness... all of that now had a purpose. Tomas reminded you of that daily, with every gesture, with every glance filled with a love that knew no conditions or demands.

And in that moment, as you squeezed your hand over his, you knew you wanted to thank him always, not just with words, but with every day of the life you would build together.

Kuai Liang🔥

You stood in front of the mirror, wearing a light robe that revealed the fresh marks of her pregnancy. You gently ran your hand over her now-empty belly, along with the scars that remained and the sagging skin she had now. The joy of having a healthy baby was immense, but that night, insecurity weighed on her shoulders.

When you heard footsteps behind you, you quickly tried to cover yourself, but Kuai Liang was already there, silent, watching her with that attentive gaze that always disarmed her.

-You don't have to look at me like that...- you murmured, lowering your gaze. -I know my body isn't the same anymore. Maybe... maybe you don't like it like it used to.

For a moment, there was silence. You thought he wouldn't know how to respond, but then Kuai Liang approached, with that implacable calm that characterized him, and took your hands, removing them from his body.

-Your body.- He said slowly, his tone grave but laden with restrained emotion, -Is the body of the woman I love. It's the body that gave birth to our child; it's the most sacred thing to me.

You looked at him, your eyes glassy. Scorpion didn't usually speak that way, but now he did so with an intensity that left no doubt.

-Never again think you're less than you were- He continued, brushing his fingertips over the scars on her belly. -These marks are proof of your strength, of your dedication. They remind me why I fell in love with you: for your courage, for your kindness... for everything you are.

He leaned his forehead against yours, closing his eyes for a moment.

-You are more beautiful now than you ever were- He whispered -because now you bear within you the imprint of the most sacred thing in our lives: our child.

You burst into tears, but not from sadness. You hugged him tightly, letting Kuai Liang's warmth and firmness erase your doubts.

And he, though serious as ever, held you with reverent care, as if nothing else existed in the world but you and the fruit of your union.

The next day, you were calm at the temple. You tried to fix yourself up in front of the mirror, but your movements were clumsy: the difficult birth had left your body tired, and every time you tried to raise your arms to comb your hair, you felt a nagging pain in your abdomen.

Kuai Liang appeared silently, as always. He watched for a moment, unannounced, until he noticed the look of frustration on your face.

-Let me help you.-e said, in that firm, calm voice that brooked no argument, though it didn't sound authoritarian.

You opened your mouth to refuse, but before you could, he had already taken the brush with a gentleness unexpected in a warrior like him. He stood behind you and began to comb your hair slowly, patiently, careful with each movement so as not to hurt her.

-You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard yet.- He murmured, and for the first time in a long time, his tone sounded almost tender.

You looked at him from the reflection in the mirror, your eyes full of emotion.

-I don't want you to see me as weak,-You admitted, embarrassed.

The pyromancer paused for a moment in the movement of the brush and held your gaze through the mirror.

-You are not weak.-He said seriously.

-You survived something many wouldn't have endured, and you gave birth to our child... there is greater strength than that- He said calmly.

After finishing combing her hair, he took some ointment Harumi had given him to help heal the scars. Carefully, he knelt in front of you and began applying it to your stomach, his hands firm but gentle.

You lowered your gaze, feeling embarrassed at first, but he stopped you with a gesture.

-Don't hide these marks from me. They're part of you, and part of what we share- He said reverently.

His face remained serious, but his actions spoke louder than words. Each caress was a reminder that for Kuai Liang, you hadn't lost your beauty, but had gained something else: respect, admiration, and an eternal place in his heart.

When he finished, he leaned down and kissed her belly with a solemn, almost reverent gesture.

-You'll never feel alone in this again.- He promised her softly. -Not you, nor our child.

When he finished, he watched you for only a few seconds longer. His lips pressed into a hard line, and he turned away without a word. He resumed his writing as if nothing had happened.

*The Next Morning*

When you woke up, the blanket was still covering you. You sat up in confusion, noticing that you were no longer at the desk but on your bed. You hadn't noticed Bi-Han standing in front of the window, arms crossed, looking out at the snowy landscape.

-It was you...- You murmured with a soft smile.-Thank you for not leaving me there.

Bi-Han turned his face slightly, his icy eyes avoiding direct contact.

-You fell asleep in the middle of important documents. I just kept you from being a nuisance- The cryomancer replied seriously.

You looked at him tenderly, not fooled by his words.

-Even if you put it that way... it was still a kind gesture-you said, smiling at him.

There was an awkward silence. Bi-Han frowned, looking outside again.

-Don't confuse convenience with kindness.- Sub-Zero said harshly.

You got up and arranged the blanket, folding it carefully. As you passed him, you whispered,

-Call it what you will, Bi-Han. I'll call it kindness,- you said sweetly, gently stroking his shoulder.

He remained motionless, not turning around, but his jaw tensed slightly. He didn't respond, because doing so would mean admitting something he wasn't yet willing to accept.

And yet, deep down, a part of him wondered why he hadn't woken you up, why he'd felt the need to cover you up.

That thought silently accompanied him for the rest of the day.

What the cryomancer couldn't understand was that because you were so cheerful despite his cold responses, how you continued to do him small favors without asking for anything in return, he found it hard to believe you were too kind. He thought you were doing it to earn his favor. He wondered how long you would reveal your true intentions, "if you had any." He doesn't know how to react to gratuitous kindness, because he's always lived by the logic of "strength and usefulness."

At the beginning of the marriage, he felt humiliated: how could his father "force" a wife on him? However, the status of Grandmaster seduced him, due to his natural ambition for leadership.

The first thing he felt toward you was silent contempt.

For Bi-Han, a wife who can't fight or contribute to the clan in combat seems like a useless "burden." Internally, he thought his father made a mistake by tying him to someone who doesn't even share the life of a warrior.

That's why your gentleness and patience puzzle him.

Sub-Zero is accustomed to tough warriors, to discipline, to blood and steel. A kind, non-combatant woman is almost incomprehensible to him.

This bothered him at first—"weakness has no place in my life," he told himself—but over time, it's also made him question whether that softness is truly weakness... or something he doesn't know how to handle.

He's torn between his ideology, "only the strong deserve a place," and what you show him: that strength can also come from kindness and resilience.

This contradiction has been forcing him to question whether his vision of the Lin Kuei is truly complete or if he's leaving out something essential.

Deep down, he began to feel something similar to what he never allowed himself: being cared for instead of always being the one who cares.

On the other hand, there was Sektor... the military, his ambition, the passion that shares his vision.

His right hand is becoming a ghost from the past, reminding him of what he thinks he should want, while you represent what he truly needs, even if he doesn't understand it.

Sektor embodies power, tough ideology, and ambition.

You embody the kindness, patience, and humanity that Bi-Han represses.

The Grandmaster is trapped between both worlds: the ice of his vision and the warmth of the woman who begins to challenge him without a fight.

"Later."

You were passing by the training grounds, where the warriors were practicing different sword stances. Kuai Liang and Tomas were supervising different groups.

You watched the disciples' movements closely, as if trying to learn something from them.

When they finished, you could hear murmurs, "What is she doing here?" "She doesn't belong here" You understood that they meant you were weak. Hearing that, you pretended to turn a deaf ear, but you hated being seen as a nuisance or a charge.

You were about to retreat until you saw Kuai Liang approaching the two of them.

-Do you have no respect for my sister-in-law?' the pyromancer said, annoyed but with a calm expression.

Before they could say anything else, Kuai Liang stepped forward.

-Retreat. Your presence has been more than enough, and I hope for your sake, the Grandmaster doesn't find out how you speak of his wife,- Scorpion finally declared, showing his toughness by protecting his sister-in-law.

They bowed, before a look of resentment for what had just happened. Even though it wasn't your fault, you didn't like how your presence generated tension in the room.

-Are you okay?- Kuai Liang asked, looking at you gently.

-Yes... thank you very much, Kuai Liang, but I don't want you to have to interfere because of me- you began, but the pyromancer raised a hand signaling for him to speak.

-Don't let others question your place. You saved the former Grandmaster. That's something that those of this clan, no matter how strong and skilled they are, failed in their duty to protect him. You showed another kind of strength by doing so,- Scorpion said peacefully, looking at you with gratitude, but with a voice loud enough for everyone present to hear.

And that's what he achieved. All eyes were on the two of you. You couldn't help but blush and smile at the situation. You could see Tomas looking at you proudly as well.

You thanked Kuai Liang again for his support. After training, you and Tomas walked out into the courtyard.

They treated you like part of their family.

When Kuai Liang first met you, he felt immediate gratitude. For him, his father's life is sacred, and you represent the family bond that still unites him. He sees you as noble, honorable, and brave.

Tomas, for his part, feels a tender admiration for you, a genuine affection, even protectiveness, because you represent the kind of goodness he values ​​and fears losing within the Lin Kuei.

In the first weeks of your stay, he was the first to approach you (before your wedding) and form a bond of trust with you.

While you were talking, you could see Bi Han in the distance, walking through the temple corridors, talking with Sektor. Your father-in-law had told you about her.

You saw him so comfortable. Did he even look smiling? A mixture of insecurity and maybe...jealousy reached you.

Will you ever manage to make him feel as comfortable with you? Why does she make you so insecure?

-Is everything okay, Y/N?- Kuai Liang asked, staring at you, then turning to see where your eyes were pointing.

Scorpion, seeing that image, understood everything... Sektor wasn't to his liking.

-It's not that I want to seem possessive, but... Should I be worried about Sektor?- You asked, looking at your hands, which were playing with some herbs you had gathered.

-Sektor is Bi Han's right-hand woman... she shares his vision for the Lin Kuei, which is why Bi Han keeps her as his confidant- Scorpion said, without answering your question, as if deep down he suspected something he didn't want to confirm about his older brother.

-Don't worry, if he were to be unfaithful to you, Kuai Liang would take over as Grandmaster... right?- Tomas asked, seeking confirmation from his brother.

-Indeed, but don't worry, T/N. Bi Han wouldn't allow himself to take that risk, especially in front of his disciples. If he did, they would question his authority- the pyromancer finally said, reassuring you.

You looked at him, your eyes shining with a mixture of fear and determination.

-And what should I do?- you asked.

Kuai Liang took a deep breath, as if weighing every word.

-Don't compete with Sektor. You won't be able to win on his ground. The only thing you can do... is stand firm, show that you won't back down even if he ignores you. That will be your true power.- The pyromancer left you.

You nodded. While that calmed you, you could feel that this woman could give something to your husband that you couldn't.

*The Next Morning*

The early morning was silent in the Lin Kuei temple. You had woken up feeling uneasy. Bi-Han wasn't in the room, and the absence of his distant warmth, his deep breathing, made you suspect something was wrong.

You walked through the dark corridors, following the faint glow of lit torches in a section that should have been empty at that hour. You stopped in front of the training room. There, amid shadows and stifled gasps, you heard voices.

You barely opened the door and saw him;

Bi-Han, his mask removed, standing too close to Sektor. His strong hands held the woman's face with a familiarity that was impossible to misinterpret. And before he could turn around, she caught sight of them merging into a kiss filled with tension and repressed rage.

Your breath caught in your throat. You took a step back, but the creaking of the wood beneath his feet gave you away. They both turned toward the entrance.

-..You,- Bi-Han whispered, freezing.

Seeing you.

Time seemed to stand still. You looked at him, your face drawn, your eyes brimming with tears, but your voice firm and full of courage.

-Is this what you were hiding?- You asked, your throat tight.

Sektor, with a cold smile, slowly stepped back.

-You should feel honored- Sektor said with venom in his voice. - You're married to a Grandmaster. But the Lin Kuei needs more than a weak woman at its side."

You clenched your fists, ignoring the provocation, and stared only at your husband.

Bi-Han breathed heavily, unable to meet your gaze. His Grandmaster mask seemed to crack for the first time.

-It wasn't... planned, but what you see... doesn't change who you are to me.- the cryomancer managed to say, his tone deep and husky.

You took a step back, as if those words were a blow.

-Of course it changes. I swore to share my life with you, to give you my loyalty... And you condemn me to live like an object, while you share the most intimate things with another -You said, hurt. Although you didn't want to challenge his authority, you couldn't act as if nothing was happening.

The silence became unbearable. The ice on the floor crunched beneath his feet. Bi-Han tried to come closer, but you moved further away, trembling, stopping him.

-Don't ask me for obedience, or silence. It's not fair to me- you said firmly, tears streaming down your cheeks.

The Grandmaster stood still, torn between fury and an invisible wound that pierced him. Sektor watched him out of the corner of his eye, his lips curved in a satisfied smile, as if this discovery were another piece in his plan.

You turned around, your silhouette disappearing into the darkness of the hallway. Bi-Han reached out toward you, but couldn't find the words to stop you.

For the first time in a long time, the Grandmaster felt he had lost something that not all the power of the Lin Kuei could restore, hating the vulnerability he suddenly felt exposed before someone who shouldn't have power over him.

For the next days, Bi-Han shut down completely. He wouldn't look at you, he wouldn't touch you, he wouldn't speak a word beyond what was necessary. The punishment was his silence, as sharp as his coldness. You tried not to break. However, one day you finally broke. You were alone, far from your family, with a husband who was cold to you, and those in the clan still saw you as an outsider... your mind had collapsed.

It was Tomas who found you and held you. When he asked you what was wrong, you told him the truth, but begged him not to tell anyone else.

During that day, Tomas also opened up to you. He told you his story about how his family died and how he had been taken in by the former Grandmaster.

You felt bad for crying; your problems now seemed minimal compared to Smoke's entire story.

But one thing became clear to you: both of you were welcomed by the Lin Kuei, and they would support each other.

In those days, you understood what it meant to have taken Sub-Zero's hand: that he had left behind his feelings for Sektor. He had buried that part of himself under layers of duty, ambition, and ice. And although the betrayal had hurt you, you began to see it differently: perhaps he, too, was a prisoner.

*In the Afternoon*

The tension in the Lin Kuei was felt in every corner, like a taut rope about to snap.

It was Kuai Liang who finally snapped when he saw you crying alone, trying not to be seen in the morning. He intercepted him in the training hall, when Bi-Han had finished training a group of recruits. The younger one, his voice heavy with reproach.

-Brother, do you want to kill your wife out of anguish?- Scorpion said harshly.

Silence fell immediately. Bi-Han turned slowly, and with just that icy stare, dismissed the recruits, who practically ran away. The two stood face to face.

-What does this insolence mean, Kuai Liang?- The older one replied, with that tone that could subdue anyone.

But Kuai Liang didn't back down.

-It means you've become a ghost in your own home. You spend more time with Sektor than with her. Your wife is waiting for you, Bi-Han. And she's not just any woman! She saved our father's life; every day she treats you with love and respect. I see how hard she works. Is this how you repay her? With abandon?- The pyromancer said indignantly.

Bi-Han felt rage boiling in his blood. He took a step forward, invading his brother's space, and glared at him with icy contempt.

-You have no right to question how I conduct my life or my marriage. I am the Grand Master. My priorities are not family dinners or small talk. My duties are to the Lin Kuei- the cryomancer replied.

-Or to Sektor?- Kuai Liang shot back, almost spitting the words at him.

The blow was accurate, straight to the wound. Bi-Han hadn't expected it, and for a moment, his face hardened too quickly, as if he needed to reinforce the mask so his brother wouldn't see what he was hiding. His eyes flashed with icy fury.

-Watch your tongue, Kuai liang if you hint at that again… *that*… I will not respond as a brother, but as a Grandmaster - He warned, his voice deep and laden with threat.

Kuai Liang took a step back, but not out of fear. He looked at him with pity, with the air of someone who sees the man he admires disappear into his own shadows.

-So you no longer speak like Bi-Han, my brother. You speak like someone who has forgotten who he is.- Scorpion finally said. And with that, he left him alone, with a silence that weighed more than any blow.

Bi-Han remained motionless for a long time, breathing heavily. Sektor’s name hovered in his head, like a dagger stuck inside him. And deep down, what tore him apart most was not the accusation, but the certainty that his brother was right. He spent more time with Sektor, sought his company, his advice… even his gaze.

His wife, the woman waiting for him, was the reflection of what he should be: duty, honor, lineage. Sektor, on the other hand, represented what Bi-Han secretly desired: ambition, power, and a bond that never stopped burning, even though he tried to smother it.

That night, when he returned to his chambers, he found his wife asleep, waiting for him as always with a hot infusion on the table. Something inside the cryomancer stirred: a discomfort, a pang of guilt mixed with a resentment he didn't understand. He didn't want to accept that you were trying to enter a heart he believed to be too hardened.

You didn't give up, even though Bi-Han was rarely in his room and seemed more distant with each passing day. You continued to make an effort with small gestures: preparing a hot tea for him on the nights he returned late, discreetly embroidering the Lin Kuei emblem on his clothes, waiting for him for dinner even if you ended up falling asleep at the table. You didn't pressure him with words, but your patience spoke for yourself.

But you knew that wouldn't be enough, so if there was anything you had to do, it was lose your pride, even if he didn't deserve it.

One night when the silence was unbearable, you bravely approached Bi-Han. He was sitting at his desk, jotting down strategy plans. You took a deep breath and approached him.

You gently touched his shoulder, signaling for him to look at you. At one point, he pretended not to see you, but then you knelt beside him, trying to meet his gaze. A gesture he couldn't ignore, and he glanced at you out of the corner of his eye.

-Bi-Han... If because of me you had to bury what you felt for Sektor... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to become your curse- You said sweetly, trying to touch his heart.

Bi-Han didn't move at first. His eyes remained fixed on you, as if your eyes offered him a way out. Inside him, the ice cracked. He hated those words because they were true. He hated even more that you had seen him, that you had understood what he never dared to confess.

He turned slowly, his face a mask, cold, impenetrable. But there was a moment—just a moment—when his gaze wavered. A pause that was too long before he spoke.

-You are my wife, you owe me no apologies, you are doing your duty.- His voice was low and grave.

With that, he looked away, as if seeing you head-on exposed himself too much.

That was the closest thing to an apology.

You watched him silently, and although his words had been harsh, you managed to sense it: that brief hesitation, that second when the ice had broken.

You truly felt like a great weight had been lifted off your shoulders. For some reason, you smiled again, because the tension that had separated you these days was gone.

For the first time, you understood that Bi-Han, under the full weight of the Grandmaster and his duty, was also bleeding inside. And although he would never admit it, in that instant you witnessed the contradiction that consumed him: a man who had sacrificed everything for power and lineage, and who secretly mourned what he had lost.

*The Next Day*

The training yard was filled with warriors practicing in the snow. You had accompanied Bi-Han, watching silently from the sidelines. Although your presence was discreet, some regarded you with a certain distrust: you were not a combatant, nor a Lin Kuei by birth.

One of the young warriors, seeking to show off to his companions, muttered loud enough to be heard:

"What's she doing here? The Grandmaster is distracted by a useless woman..."

The low laughter of a couple of recruits followed him.

Bi-Han, who was in the center supervising the practice, stopped immediately. Silence fell like an icy weight on the courtyard. He advanced slowly until he stood before the insolent young man, who tried unsuccessfully to meet his gaze.

-Useless?- The Grandmaster's voice was an icy edge.

The warrior swallowed, hesitating.

-I-I just said...-He tried to explain.

-You dare question my judgment, and worse, insult someone under my protection- Bi-Han interrupted, his tone icy and utterly silent.

The boy Chlowered his head, immediately kneeling.

-Forgive me, Grandmaster! It won't happen again.- He wanted to explain

-You are exiled. You're lucky my decision wasn't more lethal, and the rest are forbidden to speak to him again, and let that be clear... If I find out you question my wife's presence again, I won't be so merciful.- The cryomancer said, threatening everyone.

Bi-Han watched him for a few more seconds, then, with a wave of his hand, ordered him to leave.

-Does anyone else have an opinion?-He asked, looking at everyone present. No one else in the courtyard dared to even breathe.

He turned to you, his eyes still hard.

-Don't listen to fools. Your presence here is not up for discussion- Bi-Han said as he straightened your cloak.

You looked at him in surprise and gave him a small, grateful smile.

-Thank you, Bi-Han You didn't have to...- You began to say, proud of him.

But he interrupted you coldly.

-Don't mistake this for kindness. An insult to you is an insult to me. I will not allow such dishonor in my clan- Sub-Zero said, trying to downplay his actions.

But although his voice was harsh, you managed to notice something else in his eyes: a spark of genuine anger, not only at the lack of respect for the title, but at the audacity of hurting you.

You bowed your head, a gleam in your eyes.

-I understand. Still... I appreciate it- You said, caressing his hand.

Bi-Han turned back to the warriors, ignoring your thanks. But deep down, something in his chest burned differently: a mixture of pride and protective rage that he couldn't openly acknowledge. Kuai Liang and Tomas looked at him with an admiration they hadn't felt in a long time.

*Hours Later*

Bi-Han entered the temple's central courtyard, seeking a moment of calm. Deep down, he recognized that despite what happened with Sektor, you had never used it against him, nor had you accused his father, when you perfectly could have...but you didn't.

There, to his surprise, was you. You had lit small oil lamps, illuminating the space with a soft warmth that contrasted with the coldness of the surrounding ice.

Seeing him, you stood up with a shy smile.

-I didn't mean to disturb you... I just came to clear my head-You told him, about to leave.

Bi-Han watched you silently. He wasn't angry, but he also didn't know how to address the vulnerability your mere presence generated in him. He didn't know how to apologize for what happened with Sektor; his pride wouldn't allow it.

After a few seconds, he reached out a hand in the air. A flick of his palm caused the surrounding steam to condense, and within seconds, a delicate snowflake crystallized in his palm. Then, he released it, and it floated gently to land in front of you.

Your eyes sparkled with wonder. You took a step forward and, without holding back, clapped softly like a child.

-It's beautiful!- you exclaimed. -It's the first time I've seen real magic.

Bi-Han looked at you in surprise, not at your words, but at the sincerity with which you spoke. No one applauded its power. No one celebrated it. It had always been seen as a weapon, as an instrument. But you... you saw it as something wonderful.

For an instant, a memory flashed through his mind: his mother's face, warm, smiling at him when, as a child, he had accidentally frozen a small fountain in the garden. His mother had laughed and hugged him, telling him that ice could be as beautiful as it was dangerous. That same tenderness was in his wife's eyes now.

His chest tightened. He said nothing, but his eyes softened slightly. He stepped closer and, with a gesture, extended his hand for you to take. This time, it wasn't the Grandmaster who was imposing himself, but the man who, silently, remembered that he had once been a son, and that someone had celebrated what he was.

You took his hand without hesitation, and he allowed it to remain there, sharing a different silence: not cold, but something that threatened to melt the ice from within.

END OF CHAPTER IV

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