Mortal Kombat: Broken Chains

By: Miss-DNL

Chapter 13: Downward Spiral

Smoke and Sub-Zero did their best to keep their breathing even as they continued to run down the mountain path. With the training their former clan had put them through such a task was rather easy for them. Running down the mountain was easier than running up it, and they were used to the thinner mountain air having lived on the mountain for much of their lives. It was the duration that was getting to them. They'd just finished their hike up the mountain before they had been marked as traitors to their clan. No rest had been allowed to them. Not to mention having to fight their former clan mates to escape from the headquarters.

The two newly made rogues couldn't stop yet though. They had to keep going, it was only a matter of time before Sektor's hunting party found them. Sub-Zero already knew they had some sort of tracking system, and being cyborgs he doubted they tired easy. He wondered if they had some sort of power source, even if they did the ice ninja doubted they could out run their supply. The Grandmaster must have been working on this awhile to achieve it, a short lived power supply wouldn't have flown with him.

"So," Smoke turned his eyes to Sub-Zero as he spoke, the blue ninja just behind him, "we just keep running and hope they don't catch up?"

"For now? Yes," Sub-Zero answered doing his best to keep his pace up, "If we see any way of taking a short cut we'll do it, otherwise sticking to the path will be the best option."

"They'll know we're taking it though." Smoke pointed out, he seemed to be faring better in the stamina department, Sub-Zero's companion appeared less worn than he. "We need to lengthen the gap between us and them."

"If you have a suggestion I'm open for them Smoke." Sub-Zero stated as he glanced behind them, no sign of Sektor yet.

"We need to stray from the path," Smoke suggested, moving off the well-worn path onto the rockier ground. He turned back to his friend, "It's more dangerous yeah, but, it's either chance falling to our deaths, or getting turned into the Grandmaster's play things. Besides we're not klutzes, we can manage."

Sub-Zero looked to him then to the rougher more hazardous terrain, "We could work the terrain to our advantage."

Smoke leapt ahead onto a rocky ledge then turned around to help Sub-Zero up, offering his hand, "Come on then!"

Taking his friend's hand the noticeably slimmer warrior heaved pulling Sub-Zero up onto the ledge, grunting, "Geez, you're heavy you know that můj přítel? (1)"

The colder warrior rolled his eyes as his friend popped his back for emphasis. Ignoring him he moved ahead, moving along the rocky ledge, his friend quickly catching up. Allowing him to pass the two went silent again taking every short cut available to them, climbing up, sliding down sloops, jumping chasms, anything they could possibly do to widen the gap and throw off the Cybers. For the time being they couldn't see any sign of their pursuers but they knew they were following them. No way would the hunt for them be called off.

As the sun got lower and lower over the horizon traversing the mountain terrain grew more treacherous. The darker it got the harder it would be to see where one was stepping. The two Lin Kuei rouges relied on their memory to avoid making a fatal step. A strong, cold, mountain breeze began to blow. Both warriors resistant to cold, Sub-Zero finding it pleasant, but hoped it didn't signal a coming storm.

Perched on a rounded boulder Smoke looked across the landscape they had traversed in the last hour or so, "Still no sign of them…" He said with a frown, Smoke had expected to at least hear them by now. Growing tired he wanted to rest but he was too worried about being caught off guard. At the same time they needed to rest or they would be overpowered. Smoke looked down at the blue clad warrior waiting at the base of the boulder, "Think we should keep moving?"

Sub-Zero's nod was immediate, "Yes, the faster we reach Johnny Cage and Kung Lao the better. At least then they'll be able to aid us."

Smoke sighed, "Running all night it is then. Moje nohy se mě zabít zítra... (2)"

Jumping down from the rock Smoke ran ahead of Sub-Zero again before they continued their way down the mountain. They were nearing the half way point and the closer they got to it without running into Sektor and his minions the more unnerved they got. They knew it shouldn't be this easy to escape, and they also knew they weren't that lucky. Something had to be up, both worried Sektor was merely bidding his time. Waiting for when they would be tired enough that capturing them would be simple.

Eventually the pair decided to conserve energy and slowed to a steady pace, both of them were beginning to wear. Even Smoke who had powered through until now was losing his edge. In the past the two had taken a few days to make it down the mountain, now they were forcing themselves to make it down in one go. Their bodies were being strained but they had little choice but to keep moving.

A harsh noise cut through the steady winds alerting the two. Not having time to think of what it was they rushed forward. They only made it a few feet away when a deafening explosion went off behind them. The force of the blast shoving Smoke and Sub-Zero forward making them skid across the rocky ground. Both of them were left in a daze, ears ringing. Knowing it had to have been their pursuers the two managed to get themselves up to their knees. Even with their vision murky, and upturned dirt and dust further clouded their vision, the silhouettes of the Lin Kuei Cybers were clear still. The green and blue eye lights of Cyrax and Sektor could be seen through the clearing airborne dust.

Getting up from his knees Sub-Zero gritted his teeth trying to figure out how they had caused that explosion. No doubt some sort of gadget added to their bodies like Cyrax's green net. Still he'd liked to know what exactly had it been to better prepare himself for it. Vision focusing he saw seven lesser Cybers, meaning they had eight so far made, adding Cyrax and Sektor made ten. Grimly Sub-Zero knew they had more in the making.

[You won't be making it any further than this.] Sektor stated, he looked at the two runners, both looking feebly tired in his optics. He gave a metallic chuckle and motioned his arm to the downward slopping mountain, [You can only make it so far, while we can pursue you tirelessly.]

There was a bitter ting of truth to what the red cyborg said, their enhancements know doubt eliminated stamina in trade for a power supply. Sub-Zero turned his head when he heard Smoke grunt, the Czech warrior was standing now and looking no less determined.

"Even still, you're going to have to beat me down before you make me into a soulless machine." Smoke said firmly getting into his Mi Tzu fighting style stance. Knowing fighting was inevitable Sub-Zero got into his Shotokan fighting stance.

Sektor turned his head from on to the other, Cyrax and the others waiting behind him like life sized metal statues, waiting for a command. Slipping into one of his own fighting style stances, accepting Smoke's challenge, smoothly saying, [That'll be all too simple for us you're both already worn. We just need to break you.]

Without saying anything the other Cyber's eyes flash in sync before they began moving in, four moving to the left three to the right. They were moving to close in on them. That wasn't the main worry for Sub-Zero and Smoke however, Cyrax had vanished in electrical data code leaving the two to guess where he'd appear. Soon after his disappearance Sektor lunged straight for Sub-Zero. Fist held high he tried to slam it down on the cold warrior while he landed. The half Cryomancer moved back, fists encased in ice he tried to hit Sektor in the chin but to his shock the red Cyber caught his hand easily.

Sektor moved to strike with his metal fist and Sub-Zero caught his arm in turn, while doing so he noticed a rising heat encasing his other hand. The ice assassin turned his eyes back to his hand he notice Sektor's was glowing with heat. The ice around his own hand was beginning to melt. Pushing forward with his upper strength Sub-Zero glared at Sektor, "I see the Grandmaster prepared you just in case I disagreed with his initiative."

[The Grandmaster is always prepared and I had always suspected you'd be too cowardly to honor your loyalty to the clan.] Sektor growled ripping his hand free and swinging it towards Sub-Zero's head, when he missed he kicked the ice warrior on the side of the leg. The momentary off balance allowed him to punch Sub-Zero in the gut, sending burning hot pain through the warrior. Releasing the rouge's hand he struck him with a back fist knocking him away.

"Sub-Zero!" Smoke yelled, immediately moving to defend his friend when Cyrax reappeared and landed a strong kick against his back. The blow flung Smoke forward, the warrior allowed himself to fall to more easily roll back onto his feet. Immediately he had to leap backwards as the yellow Cyber attempted to attack him again.

Pulling back Smoke disappeared into a cloud of grey vapor and moved away. Appearing nearer to Sektor he pulled out Kunai and aimed to strike when Cyrax teleported in front of him, startling the silver grey assassin. His former friend quickly took advantage of the surprise landing a fierce uppercut. Smoke yelped as pain exploded in his chin, Cyrax could hit hard before but now with metal he could hit harder than Sub-Zero. Groaning Smoke began working on pulling himself up when he heard a distinct whirring of a saw blade.

Looking up Smoke saw one of Cyrax's hands had been replaced with a saw blade, "Musíš být ze mě srandu… (3)" He muttered to himself, as if he didn't have enough to deal with already. Now his former friend had a saw blade.

Wonderful…Smoke thought to himself dismally.

Sub-Zero covered his arms in ice again, before firing an ice ball at the ground, freezing Sektor's feet to it. The Cyber grunted in frustration as he tried to free himself. Seemed the heating was focused at Sektor's hands, at least for the moment. Not chancing it Sub-Zero charged in hitting hard at the cyborg's stomach and neck. Sektor buckled when he landed the blow to the neck, thankfully that part still had some sensitivity to it. Grabbing the mechanical warrior's arm he rolled him over his shoulder and slammed Sektor into the ground. The feet causing him to pant more, by no means was cyborg Sektor light, but yet not as heavy as he thought he'd be.

"It's not that I fear the process Sektor, I fear the cost of it." Sub-Zero said heavily, breath labored, "We were not meant to be machines, and we were not born to be mechanical. Only a few got to keep their minds, that isn't right!"

Sektor growled in a low mechanical rumbling, compartments on his arms opened up. Seeing this Sub-Zero raised up his guard further. What was in those compartments what had caused the blast? Instead of explosives what looked like a burner emerged, once the flames lit on the ends Sub-Zero bolted out of the way. Soon streams of fire flooded from the burners, chasing after the cold warrior.

Aggravated that the rouge was pulling out of his burner's range Sektor stopped wasting fuel and teleported. Appearing from blue data Sektor dropped down on Sub-Zero, the cold warrior cried in pain as his crushing weight fell down on him. Pulling back one of the Cryomancer's arms in a painful angle Sektor growled, [You would have been one of those few had you gone along with the initiative!]

"Like you are?" Sub-Zero questioned, "And the Grandmaster has control over this? At any moment he can take your free will away Sektor, your ability to think freely. You know he can and will, should you disappoint him."

This actually gave Sektor pause. What the traitor had said was true, his father did have control over which Cybers had free thought. Should it be decided the Grandmaster could give Cyrax's free thinking back. Although this was very unlikely. Even the lesser Cybers could be returned it that would be fruitless, however, their operations making into Cybers had limited their very minds. There was very little chance anything of their former selves remained. The reverse could be said as well, the slaving code that was in his programming could be activated. All his Father had to do was say the command, or by the push of a button.

Anger flared from the thought. He snarled defensively pressing his metal foot down harder on his captive, [Then I'll have to make sure not to disappoint him.]

Through talking with the traitor Sektor positioned the blue ninja's arm, aiming a hand right at his elbow. His aim to break it. Even with metal exterior Sub-Zero's ice still managed to degrade a Cyber to the point of being frail as sheet paper. It'd be best to bring him back in a state where he couldn't use such a troublesome ability. Sektor didn't know exactly how the cold man's powers worked but movement of his arms seemed crucial to a majority of his offensive abilities. He wouldn't completely shatter them but break them enough that it'd make it very difficult for the man to use them. Surely the scientists could work with that.

Sektor pulled his aimed hand back, his systems gauged the force he was going to use but Sektor disregarded them. He knew just what he was going to do, and how much it would hurt. Crudely he enjoyed the thought of getting another cry of pain from Sub-Zero. He was about to strike when his sensors alerted him that something was coming in fast. Sektor just got to register this a moment before Smoke made it to him.

Unexpectedly the second rouge grabbed his head and Sektor immediately knew why that wasn't good. Heat was rapidly funneled into his very skull. His very brain felt like it was being cooked on a frying pan! Sektor couldn't bite back the pained yell that jetted from his throat. The higher Cyber let go of Sub-Zero's arm and began thrashing around like an enraged, metal bull. In the process he knocked Smoke away from him, Sektor didn't even stop to look where he had sent him. Panting the red cyborg clutched his head, his mind was going haywire from the sheer agony he was feeling.

While Sektor himself couldn't process what had just happened to his mind his programming could. An alert that he'd suffered 25% damage to his brain was quickly ignored. Pain had become rage an instant before the alert had appeared.

Sektor snapped his head wildly over to Smoke. The silver assassin was already up, but warily eye the lesser Cybers that were in a ring around them. They hadn't interfered under Sektor's orders, sent non-verbally through their wireless link with each other. That would change in a moment. Sektor realized he'd underestimated Smoke, while the Czech warrior was typically laid back but his power could be cruel. Cooking his victims alive, a painful death indeed. One he'd suffer for attempting to do to Sektor.

Smoke couldn't help but let a smirk tug at his lips. He knew what he did would've pissed Sektor or at least pained him that he'd forget about his friend. Downside was that now he was focusing on him, and was pissed off to the tenth degree. Not only that, but the lesser Cybers and Cyrax were also moving in on him. Smoke closed his eyes for a moment, at least Sub-Zero would escape.

Please Kuai, get the idea and run, Smoke thinks to himself. It had become painfully clear to him once Sektor pinned Sub-Zero so easily, once Cyrax had been able to outmaneuver so easily that both of them weren't going to escape. He had a bleeding gash on his arm generously given to him by Cyrax when he had run past him to save his fellow rouge.

Smoke could get away easier than him true. His vaporous form could be tracked but much harder to capture. One couldn't readily grab vapor or easily contain it, and Smoke doubted they had a container by the looks of it. It would also be easier to make them stay. Smoke knew he was the harder target to catch he also knew Sektor was pissed off enough that, at the moment, he wanted to take him down more.

The Czech warrior, however, didn't know how badly Sektor wanted to do so.

The rouge Lin Kuei paused when Sektor's chest literally opened up. Smoke then darted his eyes to the other Cybers, they were close but there was a suspicious space between him and them. They were close enough that if he moved to quickly they'd get him, but far enough to move out of danger. The next thing Smoke knew was a missile launched itself from Sektor's chest! There was no time to question how said projectile was even housed in the red Cyber.

Eyes wide Smoke reflexively vanishes into vapor. The missile harmlessly passes through the fog and careens down over the slope. There was a blast and a large amount of dirt and rock was tosses up into the air.

Regathering himself Smoke yells, "I thought the Grandmaster wanted us in one piece!"

Mind still overheated Sektor doesn't answer, snarling in rage the Cyber leader attacked again. Smoke dodges the first punch but not another well-aimed punch from Cyrax, or an iron kick to the stomach from a lesser cyborg. While caught up in the hits Sektor grabbed Smoke and rammed his elbow onto the base of his neck. Smoke gasped, the pain was shooting along his spine like an electrical bolt. His vision went hazy. He could still feel the pain, so blurrily Smoke knew he wasn't paralyzed but he might as well be as his body went slack against his will.

Barely conscious Smoke tries to figure out where Sub-Zero was, please, please let him have made the right de-

Smoke's thoughts were cut off when Sektor nailed him square in the chest with a palm strike quickly followed with a punch to the gut. More hits were landed on his torso but he was too pained to register where exactly. Noises are going on around him but the grey clad warrior can hardly process them. Smoke thinks Sektor is likely cussing him out or at least yelling at him but he isn't sure, someone's yelling he knows that much. The Cybers are moving around but they aren't attacking him…there's a swooshing noise of sorts…what could that be?

Then Smoke felt a cold breeze rush right alongside his face. That wasn't the wind. Through the pain Smoke mentally cursed his friend's loyalty, Damn it Sub-Zero!

Sub-Zero must have attack Sektor because Smoke found himself face down on the ground. Muffled yelling was becoming clearer but the pain wracking his body was keeping his mind unfocused. He was certain something had broken as Sektor used him as a punching bag. Groaning Smoke tries to pull himself up to his knees, only to nearly fall back down as a stabbing pain blooms in his chest. A rib had been broken during Sektor's battering assault on him. While Smoke shakes his head trying to vainly dismiss the pain he was hoisted up by another Cyber who easily ignored his yell of protest.

Even though the Lin Kuei Cyber had a literally iron strong grip on him, and his mind too dazed to evaporate his form, Smoke continued to struggle best he could. He needed to help Sub-Zero! He couldn't be turned into an obedient cybernetic dog! Smoke knew the Grandmaster would immediately send him after Sub-Zero. He wouldn't let himself be programmed to obey such an order.

Finally Smoke's vision began to focus, his yellow eyes quickly honed in on a yellow color scheme of the Cyber hauling him away. The rouge Lin Kuei pushed away feelings of apprehension, he couldn't afford that any longer. Smoke gathered heat in his hands, muttering, "I'm sorry about this Cyrax."

Quickly he latched one hand around his former friend's throat sending heat through his metal exterior to the more susceptible flesh beneath. His other hand grabbed onto the arm that was wrapped around him, hoping that searing it enough would make him release.

It only took Cyrax a moment before he let out a metallic cry of pain. His programming wasn't able to force him to keep hold of the target. Once he let go Smoke slipped off his back, wincing as he fell on his side and rolled onto his back. The pain of the impact only added to the pain in his chest. Smoke gasped but it was cut off when Cyrax turned his attention back to his escaped target. The moment he reached for the grey assassin Smoke managed to vanish into a cloud of vapor.

Smoke however wasn't able to hold this form for long soon after he reformed a few feet away, but it was enough to allow him to get to his feet. He only had a moment to glance around at the situation when Cyrax rushed towards him. Apparently the cyborg warrior had learned that his net wasn't very effective against him. Smoke leapt out of the way and bolted, silently he thanked the fact he was still able to out speed the Cyber. Although he was unsure how long he'd manage that with the pain stabbing his chest. It was making it harder to breathe.

As he ran Smoke took in the situation best he could. Seemed Sub-Zero had managed to freeze at least three of the lesser Cybers over. Sektor still seemed to be enraged enough that he wasn't thinking and was having the lesser Cyber's focus on whoever he was attacking. Cyrax either had enough independence to focus on capturing him or Sektor had some coherent thought for a moment. His friend was doing his best to hold off his attackers but the enraged Sektor wasn't making it easy.

With Cyrax chasing after him Smoke formed a ball of pressurized vapor and tossed it at the mob. The smoke bomb hit the ground and managed to know Sektor and a Lesser Cyber away from Sub-Zero. Sektor himself managed to crash into another Cyber minion. Sub-Zero took the opportunity to make a run for it. The last remaining Cyber wasn't going to let him and grabbed the blue rouge by the back of his clothing. Not fighting against it Sub-Zero whipped around as he was pulled back, catching the Cyber off guard, and grabbed him by the neck. Ice quickly encased the mechanical warrior's throat. With a powerful pull back of his arm Sub-Zero tore the lesser Cyber's head right off, some of the spinal cord was left messily dangling from the throat.

What was disturbing wasn't the act of tearing it off, despite the graphic nature of it, it was the wiring and bits of machinery that hung out from the neck. It looked like someone had jammed the insides of a computer tower into the man's neck. It made Smoke narrows his eyes in disgust.

"Smoke duck!" Sub-Zero yelled, seeing the ice energy gathering in his friend's hands Smoke quickly ducked out of the way. Sharp icicles zipped past Smoke's head and jetted towards Cyrax. The ice projectiles managed to dig into some of the yellow Cyber's less armored areas. While others shattered on impact. Seemed both Smoke and Sub-Zero now knew they couldn't really hold back with their former friend. Oil and blood seeped out of the wounds causing Cyrax to halt his chase momentarily.

It was long enough to reach Sub-Zero, who Smoke now noticed was dotted with bruises and wounds but stood steadier than Smoke himself. Breathing pained Smoke stood near his friend and faced off against the Cybers who were closing in again. Cyrax pulled out the icicles like they were annoying toothpicks. What would it take to escape these mechanical abominations?

"You should have ran…while you had the chance Sub-Zero…" Smoke between breaths as he eyed the encroaching enemies, "You said it yourself I can get away easier than you…"

"I know." Sub-Zero said stiffly. The tone confused Smoke, something was off with it. He glanced his eye over to his comrade, as he did so Sub-Zero suddenly grabbed him shoved him over to the rocky slope. Unsteady from the constant stabbing pain in his chest and overall exhaustion Smoke couldn't catch himself as he went tumbling over the cliff.

The cold warrior blocked the Cyber's advance towards the slop, kicking one that got too close in the chest, gut and chest again to knock him away. The Cyber went tumbling back but got up a moment later while the others lead by Sektor continued to move in. Sub-Zero didn't waver and held his ground.

Get away my friend, I'll follow soon as I can…He looked at Sektor, no doubt he was furious behind that metal helmet, Sub-Zero exhaled quietly, steadying himself, If I can.

[So you've let yourself get caught in his stead.] Sektor observed with a growl, his mind still felt like it had been seared, but he felt more in control of his anger. He clenched his fists up into iron balls, [It will make no difference. He'll be caught eventually.]

"I haven't given up Sektor. I won't be caught and neither will he." Sub-Zero said steadily, keeping his voice from showing any uncertainty but his exhaustion wasn't helping. The warrior recoated his arms in ice, ready to hold off the Cybers long enough for Smoke to get down the mountain. He himself wasn't certain how he'd manage. Ice sliding all the way down would still be dangerous. Sub-Zero shook off worry, he'd think of something.

[You truly are a fool.] Sektor scoffed with an unenthusiastic shake of his head, [I don't know why the Grandmaster prizes you and your brother…] He chortled mocking, [Well, while he was alive anyway.] Sub-Zero's eyes widened before they contracted into narrow slits. Sektor knew he angered the ice warrior but it was of no concern to him, [Capture him.]

Smoke yelled in short bursts as he went down the side of the mountain. When he managed the Czech yelled out curse words in his native tongue and a few were directed towards his friend. Luckily Smoke to turn into his vaporous form as he went rolling of the edge of a slope. Bewildered the former Lin Kuei was unsure of where he was heading but he headed downward in hopes of lessening whatever fall he was about to endure. This worked, mostly. When he manifested into his solid state he was falling down into the forest bellow.

Seeing the trees get closer and closer Smoke panicked and vanished into a vapor cloud once again in order to protect himself. Sadly enough he wasn't able to hold it long enough until he reached the ground. No instead he became whole once again just in time to go crashing through a several layers of tree branches. More yells and swears flew from the Czech warrior's mouth until he groaned bluntly upon landing on the forest floor, flat on his back.

"Next time I see Kuai Liang…I'm going to shove my foot so far up his ass…" Smoke muttered to himself while staring up into the destruction he'd wrecked upon the forest canopy. Currently he felt like his very existence hurt. Momentarily he wondered why he was even still alive. Then again he wasn't exactly normal.

Suddenly the feeling of being watched rose up again. Smoke tried to push himself up to his hands but his body refused to move right now. He turned his head to where the sensation seemed to be coming from. He saw nothing but the forest and shadows, no animals that he could pin point. At least no large dangerous ones. Yet he still felt a strong presence staring at him.

"Who's there?" Smoke yelled as he continued to struggle to at least a sitting position. He managed to pull himself up this time, he wasn't sitting but propped up on his hands instead. Smoke knew he didn't look the least intimidating at the moment, but the rouge wasn't about to like on his back like a dead fish and yell into the forest.

He stared as a shadow literally began to emerge from the shadows. First a pair of icy blue eyes appeared and then a black shape of a tall, muscular form. As it got closer the details of the being became more apparent. Whoever it was still looked all black even when it was clear he had solid form. The shadowy figure was clad in assassin's clothing. The uniform style was, however, unlike any Smoke was aware of.

Smoke stiffened, the air this being had about him wasn't a friendly one, the fact he looked like he was ready for bloodshed didn't help. The figure took his warning glare with the passiveness of an apex predator being glared at by a wounded dog.

For a moment the black clad assassin looked at him to the point Smoke felt confused. Was he just here to stare at him? Smoke did suppose a full grown man with silver hair falling from the sky was something worth staring at for a moment. That didn't make him anymore comfortable with it though.

Suddenly the hooded being shook his head almost disappointedly, "Not exactly the reunion I had in mind…"

Reunion? What was this man talking about? Smoke looked at him a little more closely, he did look and sound vaguely familiar. He decided to question the being, "What are you talking about?"

The black clad assassin chortled to himself for a moment before pulling down his hood. Smoke furrowed his brows noticing seemingly charred grey hair appear from under the hood. Against the near completely black uniform it stood out more than it should have. The man removed his hard black face mask, which wasn't much of a change honestly. His face was even darker than his mask, it was pretty hard to see his features in the shadows. Smoke arched a brow, what was this supposed to accomplish? He recognized him about as much as he did before the slight adjustment.

Seeing his confusion the shadow being shook his head, "I'm disappointed Smoke." He announced dully.

Smoke shifted a bit his voice did sound a bit familiar, but the strange ethereal quality was making it hard to pinpoint where he knew it from. Smoke's attention was drawn from his thoughts as the assassin approached him. He stiffened again still unsure whether or not to trust him. The man grinned when he saw Smoke grab onto his remaining Kunai. He appeared amused by the defensive action.

"Come now Smoke. No need for that. You knew me for years, I shared a room with you and my brother." Smoke felt himself go cold. This shadow being couldn't possibly be insinuating what he thought he was. Noticing the look on his face the assassin slipped a grin, "It's been so long since I last saw you, before I died."

"Bi-Han!?"

Translations:

Czech-My friend

Czech-My feet will kill me tomorrow

Czech- You gotta be kidding me

Oh boy. It's been what. Three months? The haitus was partly due to some family issues, but because of that I feel out of my writing swing. Also didn't help that college got in the way, but I won't lie and say it wasn't partly due to laziness. I've also taken up writing an original story for once. So there's that. Overall I'm happy with how this chapter turned out. Mostly one of Smoke's lines. You know the one XD

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