#kold blooded

Also on Ff.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13322593/12/Thaw

Chapters: 12/13 Fandom: Mortal Kombat (Video Games) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Characters: Sub-Zero, skarlet, Sareena, Cetrion, Kharon Additional Tags: Adventure, Death, unlikely allies, Tense partnership, Sexual Tension, Underworld, Rescue, mission, new timeline, Trauma, Resentment, slowish burn Summary:

Even in a new timeline, viles seeds do germinate.

Sub-Zero embarks on a mission to the Netherrealm to retrieve a soul in possession of great power. But this is not an undertaking he can face alone. Cruel necessity forces him to cooperate with an old foe. Suspicion hounds his every step, as Skarlet surely operates under an agenda of her own.

The voyage into Hell commences in a lonely shore...

Kold Blooded in his black Internet Hippy long sleeve

Thaw - Chapter Three

Preview:

True to Kharon’s estimation, the ship was due to arrive on the afternoon of the following day. The emerald coast of the Sankha Island came into view as a tiny strip of land amidst the Sea of Blood. Even from this distance, the red looked cleanly purged from the island’s shores; this was one of many mysteries which adored Sankha’s reputation. Scholars from both Earthrealm and Outworld debated whether the island’s distinctive phenomena were a consequence of the portal to the Netherrealm concealed in its caves.

Sub-Zero himself had witnessed many such strange occurrences during the mission to secure the portal back in the day. But none of those uncanny sights were in his mind at the moment. He was not thinking wholly of the mission itself either. Despite himself, all he saw were the bags under Skarlet’s eyes. He heard her tossing and turning in the deep of night; the creak of her bed as she got up, and the moan of the floorboards beneath her feet.

The assassin’s attempts to maintain her demeanour were less and less successful as they approached the island. She was anxious, and restless, and it showed during their sparring sessions, which had become a daily activity. Sub-Zero needed to know the reason for it, whether it would compromise the mission, or if it was a cover for a hidden intent. It certainly was unexpected from as capable a fighter as she. But by now, he fully realised coldness would not get anything out of her, other than the games he was now used to expect.

There probably was no way to learn the truth from her – this he was well aware of. The crux of her unease shall likely reveal itself eventually, and he would be ready for it. If necessary, he harboured no doubt or hesitation to cut her down.

Also on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13322593/4/Thaw

Preview:

The ship docked on Sankha’s shores at midday. All that was red in the clouds and sea lay far behind in a lifeless horizon. Warm sand, a sky full of light, and bursting vegetation greeted the visitors like a sight for sore eyes. Even the air felt different, like the island belonged to a different, geographically impossible height. This was the kind of place a frivolous soul would seek for leisure. But Sankha, much like the rich islands of the Pacific Ocean in Earthrealm, concealed its darkest secrets deep in the core.

A paradise that housed a gate to hell.

The irony was lost to nobody.

Old Man Kharon did not seem particularly enthused about stationing his ship anywhere but his own domains. He spoke dryly to the island’s inhabitants who tended the port, as they went about their duty to tie down the ship. Sub-Zero insisted the need for his assistance ended with their arrival to Sankha. But though Kharon could have sailed back home with no consequences, he chose to stay and wait on their return. It would set his mind at ease, the old man said.

But Sub-Zero knew, from past voyages aboard Kharon’s ship, that it was mainly a bad augur to sail away so soon. Regardless, if the mission went smoothly, he may find the ship still docked for the way back. Less certain than that was whether Skarlet would be aboard as well. He certainly viewed her in a different way than before the voyage started, but he still harboured doubts. She was not particularly known for being a manipulator, but underestimating an assassin’s penchant for duplicity was potentially a deadly mistake.

It only made sense that he would continue to closely observe her. But things were somewhat different now. She kept stealing glances, preening herself with teasing smiles. But sometimes her eyes lingered one or two blinks longer, as if faced with a change she could not fully understand. This made him wonder if something had changed in the way he looked at her, albeit without his conscious knowledge. It bothered him that he would pay mind to trifles as these, and it bothered him further that she suddenly looked somewhat innocent and perplexed.