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There is darkness. Mother, father, the Lin Kuei temple---all of it is gone, swallowed by this cold, black fog. Shadows of things that should not be lurk out of sight, occasionally peering out of the dark with bright blue eyes, inhuman eyes. At the heart of all of this is you, shivering, freezing. You never get cold, that is one of the benefits of the cryomancer blood, but this chills you to the bone. You are cold, helpless, but not alone.

A dark figure stands before you. You know him well: he is your uncle, the former Sub-Zero, now corrupted in death and twisted into the wraith Noob Saibot.

"Are you ready to join me, boy?"

"N-Never," you shudder as you speak. "I'll n-never join you."

"You already destroyed your home. Your father. Your mother. They are gone because of you. You have nothing left, except me. I am your family now."

"No!" you shout as the cold creeps in. "Th-this is a dream, it's j-just a d-dream..."

"Tell yourself that," he mutters, an edge of sick pleasure coating his voice. "Tell yourself this is only a dream, and not the truth that will be made into reality. Tell yourself that you can save them."

The cold grows thicker, and soon you cannot move at all, as a thick layer of ice begins to build up from your feet to your body, leaving only your head. Noob Saibot steps closer, into the last remaining bit of light, his body coated in dark regalia befitting a ruler of darkness.

"Keep assuring yourself it will not happen. It will make you more hopeful, and on the day when the soul of winter takes you, it will be all the more exquisite when that hope is snuffed out."

Noob stares into your very soul with his blue eyes, penetrating you to the very core of your being.

"The war in the Netherrealm is ended. I am the Wraith King now. I'll be coming soon... and you will be by my side."

As he brings up his hand to touch your face, spreading his necromantic wraithdom to you, all you can do is scream as you feel the all-encompassing cold take hold of your soul.

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>>325035

You awaken with a startle in a cold sweat, a familiar occurance. Your breathing is irregular and it takes a moment to calm down and get your racing heart under control. You pant for a few moments more before you cup your face with your hands and softly breathe.

'Get out of my head... Get out of my head...'

After some minutes, you look around you. This setting is unfamiliar, but you know where you are. The temple of the Emperor of Outworld, Kotal Kahn. You spent the night here, along with the rest of the New Defenders and other guests. You remember being sent back to Earthrealm by Onaga through use of the Kamidogu, ending up in Russia of all places. The wilderness was actually quite pleasant until Raiden came and collected you, bringing you back to Outworld only to find the battle ended.

The day after was a day of partying and celebration, for Cao, the thief you met when you first came to the OWEA base, was made into Kotal Kahn's heir and prince. A strange development to be certain, but it was a joyous occasion nonetheless. But now, your nightmares have changed… Something has happened. Before, you always dreamt of your memories of Noob Saibot, your uncle, taking your right eye. This is the first time he has ever directly addressed you in your dreams. It cannot be anything other than a sign that something terrible has happened and changed. The only person you have spoken to about your dreams is your father, who returned to Earthrealm last night after wishing you and your fellow Lin Kuei well on the journey he bid you to go on.

Noob Saibot claimed the war in the Netherrealm had ended. That was the Wraith King. In the face of this new information, what do you do now?

>A) Get up and get dressed
>B) Attempt to contact home through your communicator
>C) Head to the balcony and see what is going on in the city
>D) Plan to continue your journey
>E) Make plans to go home, abandon your quest
>F) Other

>>325039
>A) Get up and get dressed
>B) Attempt to contact home through your communicator
>C) Head to the balcony and see what is going on in the city

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>>325081

Getting up, you find your clothing nearby, neatly laid out as you had done the night before. You quickly dress, donning your blue Lin Kuei warrior garb, the same garb that your father once wore during the near-mythical Mortal Kombat tournaments held twenty years ago. The temple back home is full of legends and rumors about those times, but your father does not often speak of them, apart from his own involvement and his clash with the old Lin Kuei, destroyed through its own Cyber Initiative. You don't put on your mask, as that is something you usually only do when necessary.

After sliding on your gauntlets, you turn your wrist over to activate your communicator. Though the Lin Kuei under your father strictly forbids cybernetic augmentation unless where needed, the clan is far from unwilling to make use of modern technology. As you step out onto the balcony to ensure a clear signal, you look out over the city and see that it is calm and peaceful, a stark contrast to when it was besieged by several armies fighting for the Dragon King.

You set the interrealm frequency and call home. The communicator buzzes, trying to lock in the signal, and at first there is only static. However, after a moment of trying again, an image appears in the watch-like screen, small and hard to make out, but definitely recognizable as your mother, Sareena.

"Son? Is that you?"

"Mom, hey," you say with a smile. "Can you hear me alright?"

"The signal is a little fuzzy," she says, her words slightly distorted. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine, yeah," you say a bit softly. She doesn't know about your dreams, and you've always wanted to avoid making her worry. "Is, uh, is dad there?"

"Not at the moment, he's---" the signal becomes fuzzier for a moment, cutting her off with static. It clears up to catch the end of her sentence. "---until tomorrow."

>A) Tell her about your dream
>B) Ask her to relay a message to your father
>C) Inform her that you'll be leaving soon
>D) Ask if anything strange has happened at the temple
>E) Other (Write-In)

>>325112
>A) Tell her about your dream
>B) Ask her to relay a message to your father

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>>325208

You nod. "Well, if he's not there, I should probably get back to it."

"Is something wrong?" she asks. "Should I relay a message?"

Though wary of making her too concerned, you relent. "I had a bad dream. It was about my uncle."

She is silent for a moment as the screen crackles. "I see." She seems to be deep in thought.

"Tell father that the war in the Netherrealm has ended," you relay the wraith's words. "Or so my dream told me."

"This is grave news, if it ended in his favor," she says, almost too softly to hear.

"Should I return?"

"No, no... But be careful, my son. Watch for---" Again the frequency breaks. "---in the shadows."

Though you did not receive her full message, you nod. "I will, mother. I'll be in contact."

You turn off the communicator and look once more out over the city. Leaning over the railing, you let out a sigh and try to focus, pushing the image of the wraith from your mind.

Whatever this dream means, you're not alone. Mother and father are both strong, capable warriors, and you now have many new allies in the form of the New Defenders. Though your team is now parting ways, the threat ended, you have met many fine warriors among them. Kung Jin, the shaolin archer. Cassie Cage, daughter of Johnny and Sonya. Fireseed, a skilled survivalist and soldier. Takahashi Takeda, son of Kenshi, a telepathic member of the Shirai Ryu. And, of course, your friend Akayama Kaito, the man out of time as it were, and the captain of the team.

You've spoken with him about your journey. He's agreed to take you part of the way, as a man on his crew, Wolf, is part of the tribe that knows of the legends of the cryomancer civilization that you seek. You'll need to meet with him.

But first, you should find your fellow Lin Kuei: Vapor and Frost.

>A) Seek out Vapor
>B) Seek out Frost
>C) Seek out Kaito
>D) Explore the temple and see who you find first
>E) Other

>>325112
>A) Tell her about your dream
>B) Ask her to relay a message to your father
He is back!
Mom, I got bad news

>>325259
>D) Explore the temple and see who you find first
Let's see if the day goes better than it started if we rely on luck

>>325259
>D) Explore the temple and see who you find first

>>325263
Backing

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>>325274
>>325279

After gathering up your things, you leave the room and step out into the hall. This temple-pyramid-palace that Kotal Kahn rules from is fascinating, to say the least. Your study of history from your own realm makes the osh-tekk's connection to the Aztec people all too apparent: the iconography of snakes, jaguars, eagles and the near-constant reliefs of the sun harken back to that ancient civilization. The style of Kotal Kahn's outfit, and that of his soldiers, even references this connection; a motif of bone, wooden and obsidian weapons and armor. The parallels are fascinating to think about, causing you to not look as you round the corner and bump into someone.

"Pardon me," you immediately say, before realizing who it is. Samantha Stryker, a policewoman from the American city of Chicago, and another member of the New Defenders. The light-brunette is surprised and brings a hand up to her mouth.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she says. "I wasn't looking where I was going and I---"

"No, no, neither was I," you reply with a smile. "It's fine. Are you alright?"

She looks up at you and gives a nervous smile. "Oh, fine. Better than fine, even!" She puts her hands behind her back and lightly chews on her lip. "Fancy meeting you here!"

You tilt your head a bit. "Well, this is the guest quarter of the temple."

"Right! Yeah, I knew that. I mean, I wasn't looking for you or anything, I mean, uh..."

Strange. She seems a bit flustered for some reason. Her cheeks are a bit red.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes!" she quickly says with a bright smile. "I just... Well, I'll be leaving soon, you know, heading back to Earth and all. Boring old Earth, haha..."

"I've heard about your city, but I've never been. It sounds like an exciting place. Is it truly boring?"

"Oh, you know, been to one big city been to them all," she waves a hand away. "But, uh, if you'd like you could always visit sometime. I'd love to show you around. See the sights and all."

You nod and smile, which seems to make her a bit more nervous. "That sounds wonderful. Were I not leaving now, I'd like to go there with you."

"Oh, where are you going? Back to Arctika?"

"No, I've been given a task by my father to search for the remnants of my bloodline's ancient civilization in the frozen northern reaches of this realm."

"Oh... That sounds, uh... cold."

"It won't be a problem for me. Cryomancers, even quarter-blooded ones like me, are unaffected by it."

She crosses her arms and tucks a strande of hair behind her ear. "That's really awesome! I wish I had that. I can't stand the cold winters back home." Something crosses her mind and she suddenly feels the need to clarify her words. "Not that I don't like the cold! Or cold things! Really, I don't mind things that are cold, haha..." She resumes nervously chewing on her lip.

>>325344

>A) Say goodbye to her and move on
>B) Ask her if she'd like to help you find your fellow Lin Kuei
>C) Ask her how she liked fighting for the New Defenders
>D) Get to know her a little better
>E) Other

>>325344
>>B) Ask her if she'd like to help you find your fellow Lin Kuei
>>D) Get to know her a little better

>>325344
>A) Say goodbye to her and move on
>Ask her if she've seen our fellow Lin Kuei,
Cryomancers are a clueless lot

>>325366
I thought they were a cowardly and superstitious lot.

>>325359
This. Have we been around women enough to understand flirting? Because she needs some teasing, stat!

>>325389
Seeing as this kid is Sareena's, I'd have to assume he understands flirting.

>>325394
But he is also a kid of Sub-Zero. The guy whom even Serena had trouble breaking trough

>>325387
No, I think those are the tarkatans

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>>325359
>>325389
>>325366

You hold up a hand. "It's fine, but I doubt you're used to the kind of cold that I grew up in."

She shifts onto a foot and lets out a nervous chuckle. "Yeah... Probably not."

"On that note, have you seen any of my fellow Lin Kuei? Frost, or Vapor?"

She's staring into your eyes, a bit distracted. She snaps out of it. "Oh! Um, no, sorry. I was just... Uh, your scar, it's... unique."

Your eyes trail away as memories of your dream, your uncle and that moment ten years ago when you received it. "Yes, it is."

She seems a bit upset. "Oh, I'm sorry, is it a touchy subject? I didn't mean to offend, I---"

"It's alright," you assure her. You change the subject. "Would you like to help me find the others?"

"Yes!" she answers, a bit too quickly. She composes herself. "That is to say, yes, I would. Ahem."

You begin walking down the hall with her as she moves alongside you, her arm just ever-so-slightly brushing against yours. Along the way, you decide to talk to her to keep things from getting awkward.

"Have you lived in Chicago all your life?"

"Yes, but I've vacationed around in a few other places. "Have you ever been to Florida?"

"No, I've never left Arctica."

This astounds her. "Never? Like, never ever?"

"Never ever ever," you say, causing her to giggle.

"I'm sorry, it's just... That's one of the most remote places on the planet. And you've been there your whole life? What about other people?"

"I have my family and my clan. The Lin Kuei recruits from all over the world, but only the best can make it in. I suppose I get a free pass because of my father."

Samantha rolls her eyes. "Yeah, the perks of having a famous dad..."

You don't notice and continue. "The other warriors in the clan often talk about their homes. I've heard of many places because of this. America, Spain, China, Japan, Africa... The Lin Kuei greatly benefits from having so many warriors from so many different places. It helps remind us of the world we fight to protect, and the diverse people within it. My father often speaks about how the old Lin Kuei became too isolated, too restrictive, too inhumane. It began treating its clan members like machines, turning them into cybernetic warriors..."

"I read about that once," she says. "They're all gone now, right?"

"My father eliminated the old Lin Kuei. The only cyborg who remains lives a peaceful life in the Shaolin Temples."

"That's good," she says. "I mean, the last thing we need is an army of robots trying to kill everyone. It would be Terminator Judgment Day, right?" she elbows your arm.

"I'm sorry?"

She pauses for a moment. "Do they, have, uh... movies at your home?"

"No. But we punch each other a lot." You flash her a smile.

She laughs. "Okay, okay, that's a good substitute I suppose..."

>A) Ask her about her job as a cop
>B) Ask her about her father
>C) Let her ask you a few questions
>D) Spend the rest of the walk in silence
>E) Other

>>325434
>A) Ask her about her job as a cop

>>325434
>>A) Ask her about her job as a cop

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>>325437
>>325464

"How do you enjoy your job back home? As a police officer, right?"

She's caught off-guard a bit. "Oh, it's great!" she says after hesitating a moment. "Yeah, it's a lot of, uh... action, you know. Chasing down bad guys and arresting criminals and, uh, busting drug runners and... things like that."

"That sounds dangerous. Do you often have to fight for your life?"

"Oh, sure! All the time, haha. It's, you know, it's crazy on those ol' mean streets of Chicago." She clears her throat and scratches the back of her head. "I mean, nothing quite compares to fighting a bunch of zombie-skeleton-samurais, but hey, that's why I wear the badge, right? Haha, ha..."

You look down at her. She seems strangely nervous about something. Before you can question her further, however, the two of you enter a chamber with exotic flowers, fountains and benches. You look up and see Andela, your childhood friend and the closest thing you have to a sister, but not wearing her combat gear. In fact, she's dressed rather casually, in simple yet stylish robes.

"Vapor," you call her out by her codename to get her attention. She looks over, having been preoccupying herself with the flowers. She walks over. "Why aren't you in your uniform?"

"Well, it's a relaxing morning," she says.

"But we'll be leaving soon."

"I know that," she says, placing her hands on her hips. "I can change a lot faster than you can, you know."

"Well, not all of us can turn into smoke and just drift into our clothing," you counter.

Samantha stands off to one side, grabbing one arm awkwardly. You take notice.

"Oh, sorry... Samantha, you know Vapor."

"We met, yeah," she says, shaking the white-haired girl's hand.

"Andela is fine," the Lin Kuei girl assures her.

"And I prefer Sam," she clarifies. "But Samantha is fine, too. I didn't get to spend much time with you guys last night, I was, uh... busy."

"Well, it was a big party," Vapor nods. She looks over at you and nudges you. "What about you? Where were you last night?"

"Talking with father for most of it," you reply. "Have he and Smoke returned?"

"They've left, yeah," she nods.

>A) Ask her if she has seen Frost anywhere
>B) Tell her to go get dressed and ready to leave
>C) Talk about the conversation you were just having with Sam
>D) Split up and look for Frost
>E) Other

>>325519
>A) Ask her if she has seen Frost anywhere
>C) Talk about the conversation you were just having with Sam
Fucking captcha.

>>325592
Do this

>>325519
>>A) Ask her if she has seen Frost anywhere
>>C) Talk about the conversation you were just having with Sam
Also, can't we just cryoport into our uniform? I remember that being a thing Sub-Zero could do.

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>>325643

Tundra is not quite as powerful or as skilled as his father. Cryoportation is not an ability he has yet.

>>325592
>>325634
>>325643

"What about Frost? Have you seen her anywhere?"

"No," Vapor replies with a shake of her head. "She wasn't at breakfast here in the temple."

"I missed breakfast? How long was I asleep?"

"A while," Vapor says. "You missed some of the others leaving, actually. Sam's still here though."

"We were just talking," Sam says, quickly and almost defensively. "Talking, that's all."

Vapor cocks an eyebrow.

"She was telling me about her job as a police officer in Chicago," you add on. "It sounds like a dangerous place."

Vapor's eyes dart from her to you, discerning something that you can't quite understand. "Right..." she says, a bit amused.

As she does this, you rub your eyes as you think about your dream. 'Now it's affecting my sleep as well...'

Sam rubs her arm. "Maybe she's at the boat? Kaito was going to give us all a ride back to Earthrealm. She could have left a bit earlier, maybe...?"

"It's possible," Vapor nods. She looks back up at you. "How about it, Zian? Frost or Breakfast?"

>A) Split up and look for Frost
>B) Head to the boat at the Kove
>C) Get some breakfast
>D) Search the rest of the palace
>E) Other

>>325681
>C) Get some breakfast
Call my a layabout, but I choose the pleasant one.

>>325681
>>C) Get some breakfast
I thought vapor was supposed to be really shy or something? Where's cao? Banging Skarlet in a closet somewhere?

>>325681
>>C) Get some breakfast

>>325699
Well even the awkward persons get a little less shy when they are talking with someone they've known since practically forever, I guess.

>>325031
>no Kabal

>>325699
>>325710

She is, but Zian is akin to a brother. She doesn't know Sam very well, but his proximity makes things easier to talk to her.

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>>325688
>>325699
>>325704

"I think I'll get some breakfast," you say. You look at the both of them. "Are either of you hungry?"

"I ate," Sam is quick to add. "I probably shouldn't have seconds, hah..."

"I did as well," Vapor says.

"Well, maybe you can go hunt for Frost. I've already lost most of the morning, we shouldn't waste too much more time."

You pat your friend on the shoulder and walk off, following the scent of food up ahead. This leaves Vapor and Sam alone, and they awkwardly stare at each other for a moment before the Lin Kuei girl puffs away in a cloud of smoke, vanishing without so much as a goodbye.

"Oh, uh... bye?" Sam says.

After a moment, she hurries after you, keeping a little bit behind.

As you walk into the dining hall, you hear the sounds of a struggle. "Knock it off, will you?"

"Prince need eat! Grow up strong!" This voice is much higher-pitched and diminutive in nature.

"I don't need to be fed! I can damn well eat my own food, thank you very much!"

You come upon a rather curious sight. Cao is here, and so is Ferra, the small half of the symbiotic duo of Ferra and Torr, the larger half of which sits nearby, growling as he stares. The small girl is standing on the wooden table with a spoon in her hand trying to shove it into Cao's mouth.

"I said knock it off!" he says, grabbing her wrist, but she is not deterred. "I'm your boss now, too! It's an order!"

She seems to be making a game out of it. Cao's elder sister, Sanra, sits nearby with a smile on her face, clearly amused at the proceedings.

"I'm glad at least one of us is having a good breakfast!" he says to his sister. You pause in the doorway as Sam walks up behind you and similarly sees the strange events unfolding on the dining room table.

The table itself still has plenty of meats, fruits and vegetables prepared for the morning feast.

>A) Sit down and eat
>B) Talk to Sanra
>C) Talk to Cao
>D) Talk to Sam
>E) Other

>>325753
>A) Sit down and eat
say hi to everyone first

Sooo, Cao took Sundad's offer?

>>325760

It happened at the end of Thief Quest. It was the very last thing to happen in Thief Quest, technically. Because that was when his life as a thief ended, and his new life as Kahnzedah (prince) began.

>>325753
>>C) Talk to Cao
Having a bit of trouble? Maybe put a little ice puddle underneath Ferra. ( have her land on cao for maximum shenanigans)

>>325753
>>A) Sit down and eat
>C) Talk to Cao

Ha, Ferra is being cute, that's certainly never the case

>>325768
cool

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>>325760
>>325780
>>325782

"Good morning," you say to the room. Sanra lifts up a cup in welcoming you as you take a seat across the table from Cao, who is still fending off the insistant Ferra. "Having a bit of trouble, your highness?" you say with a smile.

"Oh, I don't need this from you too," Cao says. Ferra puts a hand on his face and tries to pry open his mouth; he shoos her away to no effect.

You whistle as you hold out a hand, pretending to reach for some fruit. Your fingers glow blue as small particles of ice and frost, cryonic energy, gather and surge out to Ferra's feet.

This creates a pool of ice below her, and when she steps on it, she slips.

"Woah!" she cries, falling onto Cao's lap. The prince stands up as she clings to his chest. Sanra begins laughing, nearly spitting up her drink as Torr roars in anger, perhaps thinking that Cao is trying to replace him as Ferra's mount. The large man gets up from his position and growls a warning at him.

"What do you want? I didn't do anything!" Cao says to him. He tries to push the small rider off of him and she falls to the ground. This angers Torr even more, and he charges at the thief.

Cao grabs his breakfast and runs out of the room holding the plate with Torr hot on his heels. Ferra gets up and runs after them as fast as her tiny legs will carry her. "Down, Torr! No Torr!" she calls out.

You chuckle as Sanra and Sam join you in your mirth. You reach out and collect some fruit and meat for your breakfast, along with a small cup of cherry-like sweet syrup.

"Thank you for that," Sanra says. "That made my day already and it's not even noon!"

You hold up a cup and smile at her as you drink. The taste of the wine is strong, making you think twice about trying again. Sam sits quietly nearby, just observing you.

You look over at her. "Are you going to eat after all?"

Startling her out of whatever her train of thought was, she shakes her head. "Oh! No, I'm uh... Actually, I should probably get going, huh? I don't want to interrupt your meal.

>A) Eat your meal by yourself
>B) Engage them both in conversation
>C) Ask Sanra what that mess with Ferra and Cao was all about
>D) Ask Sam to talk more about her home life
>E) Other

>>325828
>>B) Engage them both in conversation
>>C) Ask Sanra what that mess with Ferra and Cao was all about
Sam can stick around. Maybe she can tell us about the weirdest thing she's seen while on the job

>>325828
>>B) Engage them both in conversation
>>C) Ask Sanra what that mess with Ferra and Cao was all about

>>325850
At times like this I wonder what happened with Doctor Z.

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>>325867

This dude? I actually mentioned him in Thief Quest part 5.

>"I hear you on that one," Cassie smiles. "This is the second time I've ever had to shoot someone."

>"The second?" Jacqui asks, sticking her head out. "What was the first?"

>"I never really talked about this, but... When I was eleven, this crazy stalker dude for my dad, some freak mental case who thought he was a tarkatan or something, like he grafted metal blades onto his arms and shit, he broke into my house and tried to hurt me. I grabbed mom's gun and put him down."

>"Damn, girl," Jacqui whistles. "Why didn't you ever talk about it?"

>Cassie shakes her head. "I just try to forget about that freak."

He's dead.

>>325879
Well, that's good to know. At least he didn't left behind a whole cult of trans-trakatan nutcases. R-right?

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>>325850
>>325864

"Please, stay, I don't mind the company," you smile, which seems to relieve her greatly. You turn to look over at Sanra. "So, how are you doing this morning? Or should I say, how are you doing this morning, princess?"

She lets out a small laugh. "Please, I'm not used to titles yet. And I only woke up a short while ago. I slept in because I haven't had a bed so comfortable in my entire life!" She brings up a piece of fruit and chomps into it.

"Here's to your new home," you say, bringing up your goblet before drinking. She joins you, eagerly gulping down another helping.

"Say, what was that all about, just now? With the small one, Ferra? And Cao?"

Sanra shrugs. "I think she likes our newly-crowned prince." She giggles a bit at the notion.

Sam fidgits a bit nearby. You look over at her and ask, "You sure you don't want to eat?"

"Maybe a little..." she says, picking up a red fruit. "These were very sweet."

"I'm curious," you say as you cut your meat, "What's the strangest thing you've encountered on your job? Have any extra-dimensional threats ever come across you?"

She pauses. "I mean, no, not until I actually came to Outworld. Uh... Strangest, hmm..."

Her finges tap nervously on the table. It seems to be causing her some duress. Just when you are about to say that she doesn't have to answer, suddenly she lights up and says, "Oh! Once, there was, uh, a bank robbery! Armed gunmen stealing from the vault."

"Did you fight them yourself?" You take a bite of the meat, feeling the sweetness of the fruity syrup adding to the texture of the cooked food.

"Well, uh... n-no... I was part of crowd control. But I got to see a lot of things happen!" She lets out an uncertain smile as she looks around. After getting no response from you or Sanra, she brushes a strand of hair from her forehead and says, "Look, uh, enough about me, I'm sure you are far more interesting."

>A) Downplay yourself
>B) Brag a little
>C) Ask about her father
>D) Talk to Sanra
>E) Other

>>325962
>>A) Downplay yourself
Say something about not being strong enough to consider ourselves a true cryomancer. If we can even teleport how do we expect to face noob saibot

>>325962
>A) Downplay yourself
I personally think Zian has brass balls, but humbleness is a virtue

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>>325992
>>326007

You smile and shake your head, humbly waving the notion away with your hand. "No, I'm not much more special than the average warrior. My powers aren't nearly as good as my father's. I'm only a quarter cryomancer, after all." You pause for a moment, setting your fork down. You stare across your plate as you add, mostly talking to yourself, "And how could a quarter cryomancer defeat Noob Saibot..."

"Who?" Sam asks.

Sanra sets down her cup. "That's just a boogeyman. He doesn't exist."

You look up, a little surprised at that. "What?"

She blinks twice. "The name you said. Noob Saibot. It's like a scary story you tell kids to keep them behaving and get to bed. I used to tease my sister about it. It's an Outworld thing, you know, 'Oh, you better be good! Or else Noob Saibot the shadow monster will snatch you in the night! Woooooo!'" She chuckles and shakes her head. "Silly, really."

You, however, are deadly serious. "What do you mean, snatch you away in the night?"

"Well... I mean, it's just a story. It goes that he takes children from their beds, leaves crying mothers and never brings them back."

"And does he?" you ask, very interested.

"It... It's just a story," Sanra repeats herself, a little estranged by your interest in the subject.

>A) Drop the subject, don't dwell on it
>B) Ask her if she knows anyone who ever lost a child this way
>C) Tell her that Noob Saibot is real
>D) Say that your scar was given to you but your uncle, the very real Noob Saibot
>E) Other

>>326049
>given to you but your uncle

BY your uncle.

>>326049
>>C) Tell her that Noob Saibot is real
>>D) Say that your scar was given to you but your uncle, the very real Noob Saibot

>>326049
>B) Ask her if she knows anyone who ever lost a child this way
Whew, what a relief! That means I lost half my eye to something that doesn't exist! So probably a thunderstorm must have hit the temple when I was a kid and my father must have stumbled and died almost! It definitely wasn't my uncle!

>>326049
>B

>>326049
>>C) Tell her that Noob Saibot is real
>>D) Say that your scar was given to you but your uncle, the very real Noob Saibot

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>>326078
>>326154

You maintain your focus on the subject. "Do you know anyone who ever lost a child this way?"

"Oh, uh... Personally, no?" she offers with an apologetic shrug. "It's a thing you hear about on the streets, every once in a while, but the guards never look into it. You know, it's whispered in taverns and alleys. But it's just a story?"

"Is it?" you ask. "Stories come from something. They always do."

"Well, maybe, but... What would anyone want with children?"

"I don't know." You set down your fork and push your plate away. "If you'll excuse me, your highness."

Before Sanra can protest your use of titles again, you walk off, lost in thought.

Noob Saibot has been taking children from Outworld... Long enough, and frequently enough, for his very name to be spoken of in fear and used as something to frighten children with. What could he be doing with them? Where is he taking them? How many has he taken in all?

So lost in thought, you fail to notice Sam walking up behind you. "Tundra? Are you alright?"

You turn and look at her. "Oh... I'm sorry, I just... Something came up. I needed to think."

"I can leave, if you like," she says, concerned. "I mean, if you don't want to talk about it, I understand..."

She seems like a sweet girl. She has no idea the kind of story you could tell her about Noob Saibot and what he did to you and your family. Perhaps it's best to not dwell on it and move on to other, more pressing matters.

>A) Drop it and go find Vapor and Frost
>B) Tell her about Noob Saibot and your history with him
>C) Assure her that everything is fine
>D) Try to find more clues about what Noob has been up to in Outworld
>E) Other

>>326218
>>B) Tell her about Noob Saibot and your history with him
>>C) Assure her that everything is fine

>>326215

Sorry, off by eight seconds, I missed you.

>>326218
>>B) Tell her about Noob Saibot and your history with him
Apologize for acting cold.

>>326218
>D) Try to find more clues about what Noob has been up to in Outworld
>C) Assure her that everything is fine
What's she gonna do? File a complaint?

>>326223
I blame my phone. There's always a lag when I post from it.

>>326225
This. With the pun.

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>>326220
>>326225
>>326231
>>326269

Facing her fully in the dimly-lit hall, you look down at her as she swallows a nervous lump in her throat. "There is a real Noob Saibot," you tell her. "He is my father's brother---my uncle." At first, she isn't sure what to say, her mouth slightly agape. "He was the holder of the title Sub-Zero before he died, but that's not where his story ended. He came back as something... Twisted. Foul. And he liked it better that way."

You place a hand on the wall and close your eyes. "I met him once, only once. He gave me this," you say as you point to your scar. She gasps softly. "I don't know what you've seen, what you've faced, but those undead warriors for Onaga, his legions of corpses... They're nothing like Noob Saibot. He is darkness, and shadow, and he is made of nothing but hatred for my family."

"My god, I had no idea... I'm so sorry, Tundra."

With your hand, you gently trace the scar. "Every time I close my eyes or sleep, it's like I can see him again, staring at me." You open your eyes and whisper, "I know he's going to come for me someday."

"What are you going to do?" she asks, her hands tightly clasped together.

"When that day comes, he's not going to find a scared, ten-year-old boy. He'll find me instead."

You look over at her, seeing the worry on her face. With a smile, you attempt to calm her down. "It's fine," you assure her. "He has been beaten before. I don't mean to frighten or seem cold."

At your pun, she manages to crack a smile. "I just, I would hate to have something bad happen to you," she says. "I-I mean, not that I'm worried, it's just because we're teammates. I don't want anything bad to happen to a teammate. That's all."

She seems to be trying to convince you as much as she's trying to convince herself. Of what, you wonder?

"Thank you for your consideration," you say, your smile broadening. "I'm glad to have you as an ally."

She seems to perk up immeasurably at your compliment. Her hands wring together as she smiles, standing on one foot.

>A) Head out of the palace and to the Kove where the Dragon Wing is docked
>B) Spend some more time with Sam hanging out here
>C) Part ways with her for now and go find Vapor
>D) See if you can track down Cao
>E) Other

>>326281
>A) Head out of the palace and to the Kove where the Dragon Wing is docked
Adventure!

>>326281
>>A) Head out of the palace and to the Kove where the Dragon Wing is docked

HAHA Time for Kaito, we need to ask him why he has all those cuts on his shoulders and back

>>326306
Unnecessary, everyone can hear the reason at night

>>326281
>>A) Head out of the palace and to the Kove where the Dragon Wing is docked
Lets change the subject and see if Tundra & Sam can locate Frost at the harbor

>>326218
>Noob Saibot has been taking children from Outworld... Long enough, and frequently enough, for his very name to be spoken of in fear and used as something to frighten children with. What could he be doing with them? Where is he taking them? How many has he taken in all?
Oh shit. He's looking for the Blue Magic Baby.
We need to find Ancient Cowboy Man and tell him.

>>326312
This is a descendant of Sub Zero we're talking about. They aren't the brightest when it comes to all things lewd.

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>>326302
>>326306
>>326314

Deciding that you've spent enough time here in the palace, you leave through the main entrance and walk through the city as Sam follows along. You tell her that you are heading towards the Kove, where the Dragon Wing is docked.

"Great! That's my ride home," she says.

As you move through the streets, passing by many of the people who are alive with activity and chatter about the recent events, you come upon a few corpses. They are of Onaga's undead army, having lost all their power when Cao slew the Dragon King. Some of them are being gathered up, while others are being burnt.

"Nobody ever really thinks about the cleanup, huh?" Sam asks.

You chuckle and keep walking. Though there is plenty to distract yourself with along the walk, you can't stop thinking about Noob Saibot, no matter how much you wouldn't like to. The wraith has loomed over your life ever since that fateful day ten years ago, and he is the reason your father kept you at the temple for so long. You'd think that, now that you are free to roam, you could clear your mind and simply take in the sights and enjoy Sam's company, however brief though it may be, but you cannot.

The wraith haunts you still, and he always will until he is destroyed.

Sam taps on your shoulder. "Say, Tundra, I think the way out is this way..."

You realize you had taken a wrong turn. Actually, you recognize this street... You walked down it with Cao, Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs when you first arrived in this city. You recall that tavern where Cao accepted Erron Black's drinking challenge. He almost burnt up from Dragon's Wine but you put a hand on his shoulder and cooled him off.

Actually, that very tavern is just around the corner... you wonder if Sanra's words about 'whisperings' of Noob Saibot are true...

>A) Head to the Kove
>B) Stop by the tavern
>C) See if you can find Erron Black
>D) Explore the markets a bit
>E) Other

>>326397
>>C) See if you can find Erron Black
He spends time at taverns, surely he'd know!

>>326397
>>C) See if you can find Erron Black

>>326409
This is a really sound plan. Seconded.

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>>326409
>>326414
>>326418

"Hang on," you tell her. "I'm going to have a look around at something quickly."

She watches you go and gets a bit flustered. "Woah, hang on, don't leave me alone out here! I don't know this city."

She follows you into the dark and seedy tavern. It's very early, so there aren't many patrons about. Your eyes scan across the room, looking for the man you seek, and to your luck, you find him.

Erron Black, Kotal Kahn's gunslinger, mercenary and top enforcer.

Sam cautiously follows you inside as you approach the bar he sits at with his hat off and rifle slung casually over his shoulder. You put your hand on the table and get his attention.

"Erron Black. My name is---"

"Tundra." He sets down his drink. "I pay attention, you know." His eyes stray up and meet yours; his glare is piercing and hard-edged. "You look like him."

"What?"

"Your old man. Saw him a few times a long time ago. Tried to kill him."

You are still for a moment. "You tried to kill my father?" you ask with a slightly louder tone.

"Nothin' personal. Business. Was hired to." Erron takes another casual drink but doesn't break eye contact. When he swishes it around and sets the glass down, he looks down, reaches into a pouch and takes out a bullet. "Here, have a look for yourself."

The bullet has the words, "Sub-Zero" scratched onto its surface.

"He never mentioned this," you say.

Erron shrugs. "Well, he's still alive, so there you go."

"Do you still have a bounty on him?"

"No."

"Then why keep the bullet?"

Again, he looks back up. "Why get rid of a perfectly good bullet?"

You are still for another moment as the mercenary asks, "You gonna do somethin' about it, junior?" It's then that his eyes stray to your companion and his brow raises slightly. "I gotta say, I like your choice in women. Girl with a gun, always hot."

Sam reacts distastebully.

>A) Ask him about Noob Saibot
>B) Who hired you to kill my father?
>C) Grab the bulllet away
>D) Leave the tavern
>E) Other

>>326466
>>A) Ask him about Noob Saibot
>>E) Other
Don't get distracted. Tell him Sanra told us Uncle Noob was kidnapping kids from outworld and said that usually the rumors spread around Taverns and if he's heard anything or knows why Noob would be kidnapping children.

>>326466
>A) Ask him about Noob Saibot
Daddy is a big boy, can watch out for himself
>Girl with a gun, always hot
I always knew Erron got taste

>>326466
>>A) Ask him about Noob Saibot
You have a more down to earth perspective on what goes on in outworld. Do you know anything about noob saibot?

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>>326480
>>326485
>>326502

You clear your throat. "What do you know about Noob Saibot?"

The name makes him pause. After a moment of silence, he takes another drink. After clearing his throat, he says, "Probably not as much as you do. I'm not related to the guy."

"I heard that he's kidnapping children in Outworld," you say. "You must hear things, hanging out in places like this."

"I hear a lot of things," he says, a bit agitated. He slides the glass down the bar. "Yeah. There's talk about it."

"Well? Why is he doing it?"

"Let me just go and ask him," Erron says, a bit snappy. "Last time I saw him, we didn't part on good terms."

"You fought him?"

"A bit. Fought him off, more like it. Can't shoot a dead man very well, especially one like him."

"What happened? Why were you fighting him?"

"It was a long time ago," Erron says, standing up. He places a few koins on the table and moves to leave, so you grab his arm. He gives you a nasty look. "Careful, junior. Better men than you have tried."

"Just tell me what you know about him," you demand.

Erron flexes his arm and gets you to let go. "Fine. Wanna know more about dear old uncle? He's kidnapping kids because he's looking for someone."

"Who?"

Erron's stare is absolutely unreadable; whatever he is thinking, you have absolutely no clue what it may be. He must be amazing at poker.

"I don't know. Whoever it is, though, he hasn't found them yet."

He places his hat back on his head and makes for the exit. There, he looks back. "And junior? If I were you, I wouldn't dig too deeply. Things get dark when you go too far down the rabbit hole."

He leaves the tavern with you, your thoughts, and Sam.

"What was that about?" she asks.

"Nothing... Nothing."

>A) Head to the Kove
>B) Follow Erron Black
>C) Spend some time in the markets
>D) Tell Sam you will meet her at the Kove; break off and go elsewhere
>E) Other

>>326557
>A) Head to the Kove

>>326557
>>A) Head to the Kove
Oh Erron, you act like we all don't know you have a heart of gold in there.

>>326557
>>A) Head to the Kove
>>326579
He tries

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>>326568
>>326579

Leaving the tavern, and soon enough the city, you head east towards the Kove. There the Dragon Wing is docked, and its crew is hard at work to get it ready for travel and restocked with supplies, along with any damage done to it fixed. As you walk up, you see a few other members of the New Defenders both on on the dock and on board, helping out the crew. Overhead, a harpy swoops and perches alongside a raven-man in the crow's nest, while a chimpanzee-looking fellow hangs from a nearby rope and barks out orders. You've only spent a short time on this ship, but the crew astounds you. It's all headed by none other than Mileena herself, as she's the captain, but of course Kaito has his fair share of command as well.

Looking up ahead as you walk onto the large dock, you can see Frost on the ship talking with someone.

>A) Go and talk with Frost
>B) Find and speak with Kaito
>C) Head up onto the boat with Sam
>D) Start helping them load crates onto the ship
>E) Other

>>326604
>D) Start helping them load crates onto the ship
might as well make yerself useful

>>326604
>>D) Start helping them load crates onto the ship

then

>A) Go and talk with Frost

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>>326631
>>326633

As you walk up, you see some crates nearby that are due to be loaded onto the boat. Figuring you might as well make yourself useful, you walk over and prepare to pick one up when you hear a growling noise.

Looking up on top of the box, you see a small dog, orange, with thick fur and a pudge face. The dog continues to growl.

But it's a small dog, do you don't pay much mind. When you try to pick up the box, he barks however, a surprisingly deep noise for a dog of his size. As you step back, some of the crew of the ship chuckle and continue their work.

>A) Leave the dog be and pick up other boxes
>B) Attempt to find a treat for the dog to lure him away
>C) Just pick up the dog and set him down elsewhere
>D) Pet the doggy
>E) Other

>>326643
>>D) Pet the doggy

>>326643
>>D) Pet the doggy

>>326643
>D
See if we can make friends with pooch.

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>>326656
>>326668
>>326675

You decide to pet the dog. Placing your hand on his head, you scratch his ears. He is immediately reduced to a cuddly mess of fur, his tial wagging and tongue hanging out as he rolls onto his belly.

"Having fun?" Frost calls out from the deck. You look back up and see her leaning over with her hands on the railing.

"I missed you at the palace," you say to her.

"Really? Strange, I didn't miss you at all," she shrugs, then goes back to talking to someone else when she turns around.

"Hah," you deadpan. Sam walks up and picks up the dog.

"Aw, he's so cute! Goodness, he's heavier than he looks..." She continues to scratch his belly as you pick up the crate and bring it onto the ship. You walk behind a large crocodile (or is it alligator?) man carrying two crates, one under each arm. You follow him and place the crate on a spot on the deck that opens up to the cargo hold below, where a tigrar shokan helps put them in place.

"Come on, come on!" the monkey-man from above calls out. "We're behind schedule as it is! Put your backs into it, you lazy bums!"

"Oh, sure Monte," a fiery redheaded lass says as she carries up a box. "But where were you during the battle, hm? Down below deck, if memory serves!"

The crew all laugh as the monkey fumes. "I was ensuring the protection of the cargo! It's important!"

"Number one thing on his list is his hairy ass!" someone else calls out to uproarious laughter.

>A) Approach Frost
>B) Talk to the crew
>C) Look for Vapor
>D) Look for Kaito
>E) Other

Rolled 3 (1d4)

>>326736
>1) Approach Frost
>2) Talk to the crew
>3) Look for Vapor
>4) Look for Kaito

>>326792
>>326736
I thought I was indecisive until I tried to randomize an answer.
now I know I'd rather go with
>D) Look for Kaito

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>>326799

Moving past Frost, you see that she is talking to Kung Ling, the warrior with the spear you haven't had much of a chance to get acquainted with. They appear to be socializing rather well with each other, interestingly enough, given Frost's usual cold shoulder towards everything.

You pause as you reach the stairs and sigh. 'I need to stop making those cold puns...' you think.

You walk up the stairs to the cabin and knock. After a moment, the doors open and Kaito greets you. The Japanese man smiles and gives your hand a firm shake. "Zian, good to see you. Sleep well?"

You hesitate. "Mostly."

"Bad beds in the palace?"

"No, no, the bed was fine." You let go of his hand and look out over the deck. "Will we be leaving soon?"

"When I get the word from the old ball, chain and beartrap," Kaito jokes, nudging you in the ribs, but you don't quite get it. He clears his throat after a moment. "Anyway, I'm taking you up north, right?"

You nod. "You have someone on your crew who comes from that region."

"Right! Wolf! The viking guy. Sometimes I forget where they all come from, so many different regions of Outworld and Edenia..." He joins you on the overlook of the deck. You look over and see some fresh, red scars around the back of his arm. And his neck...

"Say, Kaito, were you hurt in the fighting at all?"

"No, not really, why?" he asks.

"...No reason."

>A) Ask to meet Wolf
>B) See what you do can to get things underway
>C) Ask him if he has seen Vapor
>D) Go and speak with Frost
>E) Other

>>326891
>B) See what you do can to get things underway
Where did everyone go? I'll have to depart soon, and I can't leave like this.

Anyone else?

>>326953
I got you!
>>326891
>>C) Ask him if he has seen Vapor

>>326891
>>A) Ask to meet Wolf
I'd be good to meet our guide
Also as we go too meet him
>C) Ask him if he has seen Vapor

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>>326910
>>326976
>>327009

You look over and ask, "Have you seen Vapor?"

"Yeah, she showed up not too long ago. I think she's below deck, but I can't ever be too sure with her." He turns around, as if checking to make sure she isn't right behind him, including waving his arm through the air. "Yeah, probably below deck."

Deciding to see if he is right, and if there's anything down there that could use a hand, you'd be happy to help them get underway.

You find the stairs and walk down into the cargo hold. Looking around, you see a few members of the crew catching boxes from the hole above. Off to the side, however, you see something else.

Takahashi Takeda is there, leaning on a wooden beam and acting cool, talking to seemingly nothing and no one.

"Look, I'm just saying, I think you're very interesting. I'd like to get to know you more."

There is no response.

He sighs. "Look, I know you're there, I can hear your thoughts. Come on, I just want to talk." He pauses. "Hey, that wasn't very flattering, what you just thought. I'm not being rude! Am I? I mean, I think it's ruder to just be invisible and not talk to someone who's just trying to be friendly..."

>A) Get rid of Takeda
>B) Walk up and talk to him
>C) Motion for Vapor to slip away
>D) Freeze him
>E) Other

>>327026
>>B) Walk up and talk to him
Don't you think your cheating by trying to connect with someone by reading their thoughts? I think it would mean more if you came down to talk to her blindly then probing in someone else's head.

>>327026
>>B) Walk up and talk to him

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>>327036
>>327039

You approach him from behind and tap on his shoulder. "Hm? Oh, what's up big guy?" he asks, facing you with a smile.

Tilting your head and cocking your brow, you ask, "Don't you think it's a bit like cheating when trying to connect with someone by reading their thoughts?"

"Well, normally I wouldn't, but she won't even talk to me in physical form. This is the closest I've gotten to communicating with her!"

"Seems like that's her choice, then," you say in a flat tone.

Takeda pauses for a moment before he lifts up his hands. "Hey, hey, alright man, I get it, it's cool. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to muscle in or anything."

That gives you pause. "What?"

"I mean, I get it, you know. You're Lin Kuei, she's Lin Kuei, I'm Shirai Ryu..." he says, locking his knuckles together. "Blue and Yellow don't always make green, right?"

"...I have no idea what you're talking about."

He bows his head and holds his hands back up. "Hey! Say no more, I'll give you your space brother, you go work it."

He walks off, humming a tune and leaving you very confused. Once he's out of sight, Vapor appears in front of you.

"Thank you," she says. "I don't like that one. He can find me even when I'm trying to hide and can't take a hint."

"It's alright," you reply. "So, I take it you found Frost?"

"She was already here, like we thought. Turns out the only one even more impatient to get this done with instead of you is her."

"Really? How come?"

Vapor shrugs. "I don't know. But she said it to me, a few times."

"Well, maybe we should head up top."

"Uh... you go ahead. I'll be down here with the, uh..." She looks around and spies the large edenian steeds. "The horses! Gotta feed them, heh."

You look over as one of the majestic animals snorts and shakes its head.

"Alright..." you tell her.

>A) Ask about Wolf
>B) Head up and help finish the loading
>C) Head up and talk to Frost
>D) Ask her if Takeda has been a problem
>E) Other

>>327092
>>B) Head up and help finish the loading

>>327092
>>D) Ask her if Takeda has been a problem
She is for all intents and purposes our sister, lets make sure she is alright.

>A) Ask about Wolf
Getting antiquated with our guide can't hurt either

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>>327009
>>327098
>>327181

You look over at her. "Hey, that Takeda, he hasn't been a problem, right?"

"He's been on the boat for a while," she admits. "But no, he's not exactly a 'problem' persay..."

You cross your arms and tap your foot a few times as you wait for her to elaborate.

"He just really can't take a hint, is all."

You nod. "Want me to talk some more with him?"

"Well, Kaito is dropping him and Forest Fox off at Lady Yanake's city, so I don't think it'll be a problem for much longer. Besides, he'll be dropping us off first."

You nod. "Right, right. Say, where's this Wolf guy, anyway? It wouldn't be a bad idea to meet our guide."

"Just look for the viking," she says.

"Well, that can't be too hard."

You walk up the stairs and back onto the deck, looking through the crew until you find him. He must be at least six-and-a-half feet tall, with wide and wild blue eyes and Nordic blonde hair. He hefts a crate up and carries it onto the deck. An iron sword is belted at his hip and he's discarded his shirt for the work in the hot Outworld sun.

When he puts down the crate, you see a series of runic blue tattoos upon his chest. If ever there was a viking lookalike on this crew, it would be him.

Making your way across the deck, you approach him' "Excuse me, I'm---"

He suddenly grabs your hand, hard, and shakes with enough ferocity to tear a doorknob off of its handle. "Ah, you must be the one Vapor spoke about! Haha! Good to meet you!"

When he lets go, your hand is slightly red. He doesn't give you a chance to recover as he slaps your shoulder just as hard, nearly making you stumble. "Tundra, right? Good name! M'name's Wolf, son of Wolf, and he's the son of Wolf too!"

"It's, uh, nice to meet you as well..." you say, shaking your arm a bit.

"Ready to head north and get cold?" he asks with a wide smile.

Nearby, there are only three boxes left off the deck.

>A) Ask him about the cryomancer civilization
>B) Ask him about his people
>C) Ask him about the land he comes from
>D) Help carry up one of the last three boxes
>E) Other

>>327263
>>A) Ask him about the cryomancer civilization
>>B) Ask him about his people
What's the relation between the two

>>327263
>>A) Ask him about the cryomancer civilization
>>B) Ask him about his people
>>C) Ask him about the land he comes from
>>D) Help carry up one of the last three boxes
Lets learn all we can about our destination

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>>327298
>>327360

"Yes, I am," you reply. "I was hoping you could tell me about where we're going."

He motions with his head for you and he to approach the railing on the port side. "What can I tell you?" he asks as you both lean on it.

"What are your people like? How do they know about the cryomancers? Are they connected?"

He scratches his yellow beard. "No, can't rightly say there's much of a connection. My people, we're nomads. Have been for centuries upon centuries. Sailors, when we want to be, but most of the lunar cycle we're on land, hunting and fishing, following the trail of the animals of the nothern reaches."

"And the cryomancers?"

"Aye, we knew them. They lived further north, in lands that were too cold for us. Old legends say that the north goes on forever, that things get warmer in the south but the north only gets colder and colder. Nobody's ever been able to find the end of it, except people like you," he points at your chest. "People with the blood of ice. It runs through your veins, doesn't it?"

"It comes from my father's side of the family."

He nods. "The cryomancers, the cold ones, they never bred with our people. Maybe they didn't like us much, but they was never hostile. The last of them, they vanished... can't say how long ago. But their cities started emptying over time... Their numbers dwindled."

"Do you know why?"

He shakes his head. "Nobody knows. The few that made it out of their homes in the north, escaping whatever took root there, they never spoke of it. Never. Like a slow breath in the wind, they left their lands for places not known to me and my people."

You nod and look out over the restless Outworld sea. "Have you ever seen it? The ancient cities they left behind?"

"No, I've never been. And I can take you to the land there, but I can't go further."

"Why?"

Wolf looks over at you, his blue eyes strangely reflective. "My people think it is cursed. I do, too. I won't stop you from going; you got the ice-blood. So does she," he looks over his shoulder at Frost, across the deck, still talking with Kung Ling, "so I think you two can go and you'll be alright. But Vapor, I worry about the girl."

"Why?"

"She might be one of your own, but she isn't one like you," he says. "Maybe she'll keep from freezing. I hope so."

On the upper deck, Captain Mileena appears. "Alright, that's it! Everything and everyone's on board! Make ready for sail!"

Monte the monkey-man swings around. "You heard the captain, make ready for sail! Come on, then!"

Wolf pats you on the back. "Got duties. Ready yourself, boy, soon it'll be cold, and it'll only get colder, haha!" He moves off to help haul ropes to drop the sails.

You walk over and see Sam walk up onto the ship, still holding the dog. He jumps from her arms and runs up the deck to stand next to Kaito, who is next to Mileena. Soon enough, the boat is unmoored.

>A) Stand near the front of the ship
>B) Stand near Sam
>C) Stand near Frost
>D) Go below deck
>E) Other

>>327456
>>A) Stand near the front of the ship

>>327456
>>E) Other
We should talk to mileena, no one ever talks to mileena except kaito and her crew

>>327456
>>A) Stand near the front of the ship

>>327493
I second this, good to thank the captain for giving us passage to our destination

>>327456
>>A) Stand near the front of the ship

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>>327490
>>327509
>>327542

Moving to the bow of the ship, you near the dragon-like figurehead and look out. The crew are hard at work getting the ship ready for the difficult voyage into frozen waters. A large, grey fog forms in front of the vessel, which it navigates straight into. Frost walks up and stands on your other side as Sam lingers not far behind as the ship becomes entirely encased in the grey fog.

After a few moments of still silence, apart from the crew speaking to each other, you feel a blast of sudden cold air hit you from the side. The change in the ship's location was so sudden and so subtle that you barely even noticed it, but now you feel it all too well.

The hard wind makes everyone brace themselves as the fog blows away. You open your eyes and behold a dark sea of freezing water, with landscapes of ice in the distance. You are sailing through a massive canyon between two gigantic structures of ice, glacial constructs that are as tall as skyscrapers and pointed like mountains. The sight is breathtaking, and not just due to the sudden change in air.

You and Frost are unaffected, but the crew begin to break out lanterns and warm coats. Sam shivers, her breath very visible compared to yours, which isn't at all. You look back and see Kaito put a coat on Mileena's shoulders with a smile.

Some of the crew are not used to cold weather. The harpy perches and has a blanket thrown over her, and the mermaid accompanying the ship is pulled out of the water into a longboat lest she freeze to death.

Wolf takes a deep breath and lets it out with a smile. "Ah... feels like home," he says, puffing out his chest and beating it with his fist.

You look over at Sam, who was clearly unprepared for this. She holds her arms close and rubs her hands together, her teeth chattering nonstop.

>A) Ask Wolf where you are going from here
>B) Go thank Mileena for the passage
>C) Find something warm to put around Sam's shoulders
>D) Make preparations to leave the ship via longboat
>E) Other

>>327860
>>B) Go thank Mileena for the passage
>>C) Find something warm to put around Sam's shoulders
Is teasing an appropriate way to warm someone up?

>>327860
>>B) Go thank Mileena for the passage
>>C) Find something warm to put around Sam's shoulders

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>>327883
>>327944

Noticing this, and how Kaito just put that coat around Mileena, you move away from Frost and across the deck, walking up the stairs to where the captain of the ship and the captain of the New Defenders stand. Mileena turns to consider you first.

"Thank you for this journey, ma'am," you tell her in a polite tone, which seems to amuse her greatly.

"Ma'am," she says, clearly smiling beneath her mask. She gives Kaito a look with a raised brow. "Such a nice young man. Your mother raised you well."

"Uh, yes, hah..." you say, feeling a bit foolish. You notice that Kaito is not covering himself with a coat. "Aren't you cold?"

"Fire powers," he smiles. "Another benefit of helping out some edenian demigods."

"Well, I don't suppose you have a spare, do you?" you ask, looking over at Sam. Kaito follows your eyes.

"Ah, of course. Let me go get it." He walks into the cabin, leaving you and Mileena alone. The mysterious woman looks you you with blazing orange eyes that seem highlighted in this cold weather.

"How do you feel about your journey?" she asks. "Seeking out the ancient cryomancers..."

"I am excited," you reply, clasping your hands. "Honestly, I can't wait to find out more about my roots. I know my father shares my excitement."

"Careful. Don't let excitement cloud judgment, and blind you to danger." She cautions you as she looks out around at the massive ice structures the ship sails past. "This land could be terribly treacherous. Wolf spoke little of it, mentioning only its harsh people and even harsher animals and weather."

"Thank you," you bow your head. "I won't be a fool."

"The only way to not be a fool is to make mistakes and learn from them," she says as Kaito returns. "Trust me on that."

He hands you a large, warm coat. You thank him and walk down the deck towards Sam, surprising her by putting it around her shoulders. "It's not too warm, is it?" you tease her a bit. She gratefully clutches the fabric tightly and smiles up at you with rosy cheeks. "T-Tunda, th-thank you," she says with chattering teeth.

"Please, call me Zian," you say with a smile that seems to warm her on the inside as much as the coat does on the outside. She takes a step closer to you.

"Ahem," a voice says, getting your attention. Frost stands not far away with her arms crossed. She motions for you to walk over and you do. "What are you doing, getting close to her like that?"

"She was cold."

"Maybe she should have thought of that before coming here," she says, looking around your shoulder at the girl as she looks out over the railing at the mountains of ice.

"That's hardly fair. Kaito said he's dropping us and others in Outworld off first before traveling to Earthrealm."

"I meant here in general. I don't think she should've been here in the first place. Outworld."

"She helped during the battle."

"Barely..." Frost mutters, turning around and walking back up to the bow. You watch her go with narrowed eyes.

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>>328059

She's always been like this. Ever since her icy prison was destroyed and your father granted her a second chance, she's been spiteful of most things around her, especially those not in the Lin Kuei. She seemed to be getting along well with Kung Ling, though, so you were happy for her in that regard, but you and she have never truly gotten along too well.

She's always seemed to harbor some strange resentment towards you, perhaps an extension of her attitude towards the grandmaster. Once, she was your father's primary student, until she tried to reach for something she could not control. And it backfired, terribly. Your father, thinking her dead, kept her in a crypt in the Lin Kuei temple until a fateful day saw her unfrozen.

Ever since, though she was humbled slightly by the experience, she remains scornful of others.

>A) Talk to Sam
>B) Talk to Frost
>C) Talk to Wolf
>D) Talk to Kaito
>E) Stand silently and wait for the ship to reach the point where you will continue via longboat
>F) Other

>>328062
>>B) Talk to Frost
Is frost half cryomancer as opposed to our quarter? We should say something about her eventually being the better cryomancer if she trained on her own as hard as subzero works us. Say that most likely the ownly reason he puts so much attention on us is because we don't have the birth advantage she does. If she is a quarter like us then I guess ignore that suggestion, either way let her know that she is our sister and nothing she says can change that. gotta go to bed now

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>>328072

I think Frost has more Cryomancer blood in her than Zian, but isn't nearly as focused as he is. She has a lot more baggage weighing her down.

I'm actually going to bed as well, don't worry. I was on the phone with my fiance for a while, so I'm sorry things slowed down at the end here.

I'll be resuming in the morning.

How are you guys liking this episode of the series so far? How are the interractions and the characters playing out?

>>328077
I like playing as Zian. He feels very vanilla which can be refreshing in a way. My suggestion for the next interaction stems from the fear that a point of contention between the party will happen at some point and I want to be a bit more positive to frost. Don't want to have a certain purple outfitted mayor situation to happen

>>328062
>B) Talk to Frost
Poor girl might be sick.
Has a serious case of bitchitis

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>>328091
>He feels very vanilla

Well, that's because he is, if you think about it.

>>328107
Consider this quest dropped

>>328077
It's cool.
Pun unintended.
Is this the New Defenders saga you've been talking about, or we are still in a "side story"?

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>>328117
>Is this the New Defenders saga you've been talking about, or we are still in a "side story"?

We're not yet in the New Defenders quest. This, along with a few others, is setting up stuff for later. But this is similar to how a New Defenders adventure would play out, controlling a member of the team and going on an adventure.

The official New Defenders quest will have its own blue logo like I used for Kaito arcs 1-3 and Thief Quest. Officially, it will begin when the New Defenders get their own official base and can all reunite at it and be officially sworn in as a team.

There may be a timeskip of two or four years involved.

>>328115

Let's get to the bottom of this.
>pic related

>>328125
>Let's get to the bottom of this.
Don't overdo it.

We had 3 Kaito arcs? Are we counting the Original Saga as one, or two parts divided by the wedding.
Also, have Kaito ever told Cassie abut that time when her mom almost married an Extradimensional Overlord, and he crashed the wedding?

>>328135
I feel like Johnny May of brought it up to mess with Sonya at some point

>>328135
1. first arc with lightning
2. next was otiak
3. then 20 years later

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>>328135
>We had 3 Kaito arcs? Are we counting the Original Saga as one, or two parts divided by the wedding.

As >>328146 said.

Kaito 1 (MK1,2,3)
Otiak
Kaito 3 (After waking up)

That's kind of how I did it. Admittedly Otiak and Kaito 3 were kind of only about as long together as the first one was individually, but that's how I did it in my head. They all had different main logo pictures that were used, see here:

>pic related as follows:
>Kaito 1, Otiak
>Kaito 3, Thief Quest
>New Defenders, Armageddon

>Also, have Kaito ever told Cassie abut that time when her mom almost married an Extradimensional Overlord, and he crashed the wedding?

What >>328144 said, Kaito wasn't the only one there. Cassie knows about it.

Whenever I get around to finishing that Cao pastebin, it's mentioned in there I think, when he talks about Cassie.

>>328148
Ah allright. I'll let you sleep already, see you in your morning.

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>>328155

I'll see you then, and we'll go with talking to Frost at that time.

>>328148
One day I'll get my anal... I mean... I can't wait!

>>328158
Maybe the doctors will find a way to counter the bitchytis by then.
Before it goes terminal

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We'll be resuming shortly.

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>>328736
yayyy

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>>328736
You know I am sorta ashamed now that I only get this reference after 17 minutes

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>>328072
>>328104

But even in the face of this scorn, you know that there is more to her. Approaching from behind, you resume your place at her side, looking out over the water, eventually looking at her. She pretends not to notice, until it grows awkward for her not to do so. She look up with her bright blue eyes.

"What?" she asks, annoyed.

"We need to work together out here," you say to her, causing her to grumble and look away. "You're the only other cryomancer I know. I don't want to do this alone, and I don't know if I can."

"Sub-Zero sent me on this mission because he wanted to be rid of me. Get me out of the temple. I cause him too much headache."

"That's not true. He told me himself that he wants us to experience more than what the temple can offer, what he can teach us only goes so far. You and I both need to see things beyond the lands of Arctika."

"I've seen plenty in my day," she mutters. "You're the one who should be wearing green instead of blue with how little you've actually seen and done. I'll have you know I was actually around during Outworld's invasion, thank you very much."

"I know you were. I also know you don't know anything about your parents." She stops leaning over the railing and faces you fully; this is a touchy subject. You continue, unintimidated, "This place we are going to could give us a chance to learn more about our origins. What we truly are, where we came from, and why."

She hesitates for a moment, lost in thought. You see her brow unfurrow and her eyes drift off to the side. "Perhaps..."

You put a hand on her shoulder. "You might not be happy to be here, but I am, really. You're the better cryomancer between us."

At that, she gives you a look of pleased surprise. "What? You really think so?"

You firmly nod. "You're my sister, if not by blood then by ancient blood. Nothing will change that. If you focused as hard as Sub-Zero pushes me..."

Your voice trails off as she steps back, suddenly growing spiteful again. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to bring him up. Turning away with a 'Hmpf,' she resumes looking out over the frozen water.

'Well, at least I made some progress,' you think to yourself.

>A) Go below deck, speak with Vapor
>B) Go back and talk to Sam
>C) Talk to Wolf about preparing the longboat
>D) Check over the supplies that have been prepared for you
>E) Check in with Kaito and Mileena
>F) Other (Write-In)

>>328807
>>C) Talk to Wolf about preparing the longboat
Since Vikings lived here I'm assuming that crazy ass creatures live here as well

>>328807
>C) Talk to Wolf about preparing the longboat
>D) Check over the supplies that have been prepared for you

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>>328823
>>328834

Approaching Wolf, who stands on the railing while holding a rope for support while breathing in the northern air and taking in the sights, you ask, "You'll be coming with us to shore, right?"

"Aye, that I will be," he nods. "I can take you as far as my people, but no further north."

"You grew up here? What kinds of dangerous creatures dwell in these lands?"

"Old beasts," he says with a fierce glare. "Things that are from before the time men walked the ground. Big beasts. They dwell in the black waters and the white snows, waiting for easy prey... But if they're bold enough, and hungry enough, sometimes they'll attack bigger things, recklessly and fearlessly."

"Do you think anything will attack the ship?"

He looks back. "Well, you never know, something could always---"

Suddenly a red tentacle shoots out of the water and wraps around his foot. Positioned as he is around the railing, he is easily pulled off and into the water, vanishing below the black surface.

"Wolf!" you shout, running to the edge.

Just then there is a burst of water, a veritable explosion of freezing cold droplets raining onto the deck as a massive, bright red squid appears, shooting several tentacles onto the boat. They wrap around the mast, kegs and even another crewmember. Wolf can be seen, coiled up in one tentacle and hanging upside-down by the leg. He shouts in fury as he reaches up to grab it and pull his mouth upwards, whereupon he begins furiously biting the appendage.

"Kraken!" a crewmember calls.

Captain Mileena hops down from the lower leve. "That's no kraken! It's just a nothern squid! Ready for battle and drive it off before more come!"

Crewmen begin grabbing weapons and dodging the flinging tentacles as Wolf continues his attempt at chewing his way to freedom.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>328875
Toss up a weapon to Wolf. If there isn't one nearby make an ice axe for him

>>328875
fire a giant shuriken on the tentacle

>That's no kraken! It's just a nothern squid
is there a difference

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>>328889

You realize that you're going to need to help Wolf, since he's your guide. Looking over to one side, you see an axe used for chopping wood and cutting ropes, but should work just as well on squidflesh. You pick it up and shout out his name, getting his attention. The tentacle holding him swings him about for a moment before he grows steady for a split second, giving you a very narrow window to toss it up to him.

He grabs it and begins hacking away, cutting into the bright red flesh.

Nearby, Kaito faces his palms at two tentacles and shoots torrents of flame upon them, making them retract into the water. Other crewmen continue to hack and chop away at the beast. The large crocodilian opens his mouth and bites down on one tentacle, twisting his head and shredding it off.

From overhead, the harpy swoops down and cuts the squid with her talons, just missing one of its bright eyes. Two crewmen on the deck fire powder pistols at the beast.

A longer tentacle than the others strays dangerously close to you, forcing you to duck under it as it reaches around the deck. You watch Wolf cut through his tentacle before falling back down into the cold water.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>328947
Believe in yourself. Cryoport over to the squid and start hacking at the head.

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>328947
Use some ice blasts on its limbs to make'em slower.

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>>328963

You look over at the beast's head as it surfaces, the large cigar-like shape of its body clear against the black water. As Kaito burns more of its limbs and Takeda uses his pulse blades to hack into them, you close your eyes and focus.

You could get onto that head and start attacking the beast directly, if only you could teleport through the use of your powers, like your father can. You grit your teeth and focus, believing in yourself! You can do it, even though every other time has resulted in failure! You can---

A tentacle hits you in the back of the head and knocks you down. It then wraps around your waist and picks you up before slamming you onto the deck, knocking some of the wind out of your lungs.

>>328967

From your current position, you place your hands on the rubbery tentacle wrapped around your waist and begin to freeze it. This stops the constriction and enables you to smash it and free yourself!

You fall down into the black water. For you, it is surprisingly comfortable. Nearby, you can see Wolf swimming up to the surface, axe in hand, before he swims towards the body of the squid.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>328992
Make a platform for you and wolf to stand on so you have better conditions in which to do combat

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>328992
Freeze the squid's head. Kill the head and the arms will stop attaking as well

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>>329004

You swim up to the surface and manage to get a big gulp of air, refreshing your lungs. You can see the crew on the ship still battling the squid, including Frost and Vapor using their powers to further repel the beast. You think of a way to get you and Wolf out of this situation and attempt to create a platform out of ice. That seems simple and effective enough.

However, wheng Kung Ling uses her magical qiang, extending it and stabbing the squid in the eye, it pulls away from the ship, finally having had enough. It disappears into the water, letting everything and everyone go.

Except you, for it reaches up and wraps an arm around you, pulling you deep, deep, deep down. The light grows dark indeed as you struggle to keep your breath in the water.

>>329073

As you reach the bottom, you close your eyes and focus on the squid, throwing out your arms and blasting him with cryonic power. Here in the water, the ice spreads even more quickly, and you manage to completely encapsulate the beast's entire upper body in ice.

The squid lets go and floats upwards, propelled by the ice, leaving you near the bottom. You look around, seeing shapes and other things but rarely making out what they are. Some are fish, some are not.

You see something else---a ship. The hull is impossible to mistake, and little light shines upon the wreckage. You touch down onto the bottom, your cryomancer blood keeping you from freezing, as you look upon the ship. You look up and think that you are too far down to make it all the way back up there. Already your head feels light from the pressure...

>A) Explore the vessel
>B) Swim back up to the surface
>C) Use your power to create ice to float upwards
>D) Wait for help
>E) Other

>>329094
>>A) Explore the vessel
Might be a pocket of air in there, loot either way

>>329094
>>C) Use your power to create ice to float upwards
Drowning is not on our to-do-list today. If we see Wolf make sure to grab him on our way up

Can I get a tie breaker?

>>329104
Use ice to float both us and the ship up

>>329104
>>329186

Can I get a 1d100+10?

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>329193

>>329200
Rip Tundra, drowned to death 2016

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>329193

>>329200
>>329206

Lol

Rolled 37 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

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>>329200
>>329206
>>329222

Once, your father told you of a journey he made across the Sea of Blood with Liu Kang and Kung Lao. He repaired an old boat with ice and it enabled them to cross the treacherous sea, despite the corpses that attacked them along the way.

Swimming over to the ship, you place your hands upon the hull. You focus your cryomantic powers and begin spreading ice around it. Despite your best efforts, however, you find yourself unable to do this much further than a few yards around you.

You try to concentrate even harder, pushing yourself to succeed. Your muscles tighten, your heart pounds in your chest, but your head feels light. You suddenly find your chest tightening as your power fails you and you let out the last of your air. Desperately, you watch the bubbles float upwards as you feel your lungs begin to burn.

You close your eyes...

Suddenly, there is a rushing of the water around you, a strange sensation followed by the feeling of getting out of water. The water rushes away from you and you find yourself able to breathe!

You open your eyes and see none other than Kaito standing over you. You are still underwater, however... in an air bubble of his creation.

"Tundra, Tundra! Talk to me!" he says, kneeling down.

You cough a bit, taking a deep breath. "I'm---I'm okay," you hack. "I'm alright..."

Kaito helps you sit up and gives you a moment to recover. After a few solid breaths, he smiles and pats you on the back.

"Let's keep in mind that you've got power over ice, not water, next time, huh?"

You are silent for a moment, closing your eyes and looking at the ground. "I thought I did."

"What?"

"I'm not as good as my father. I'm only half the cryomancer he is... literally."

"Hey... Hey, come on, now," he helps you up to your feet. "You know, I had a long shadow to step into once. I thought my father was always going to be better than me. In time, I stopped worrying about that, because putting him on a pedastal only made it seem like I would never surpass him. I had to learn to do my own thing before I could truly grow."

You sigh. "But he's Sub-Zero. He's mastered cryomancy in nearly every imaginable form and I can hardly do anything other than freeze other things." You look around the boat, seeing how little your cryomancy spread. "How could I ever be as good as him when I don't nearly have the same level of power in my blood?"

"Blood isn't everything," he tells you. "I had power from my blood once, just as my father did. I don't now. But I've also learned that power isn't everything. Power alone can take you far... like Shao Kahn. But if you don't use it right, you'll only end up sewing the seeds of your own destruction." He reaches up and places a hand on your shoulder, giving you an encouraging smile. "It doesn't matter what you can or cannot do, what matters is what you do with what you have."

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>>329244

>A) Thank him for his advice
>B) Nod and remain silent, reflect more on this later
>C) Sulk a bit more and feel sorry for yourself
>D) Ask him some more questions
>E) Other

>>329247
E.

Let's explore the ship since we can breathe now

>>329247
>B)
>E) explore the ship!

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>>329266
>>329280

After a moment, you nod but keep silent. You look around at the bubble he is creating around you with his power and ask, "How long can you keep this up?"

"As long as I'm awake," he shrugs.

"Help me look," you say to him, moving towards the deeper section of the ship. You step over the wet planks, feeling how weak and spongy they are. Coral and clams and other growths are avoided as you and he walk and explore the vessel.

You find an opening leading further into the ship and step down into it, with Kaito close behind, pushing back the water in a sphere. Every surface shines wet with water as you move through it, exploring deeper into the bowels of the ancient ship. You come across ancient armors and swords, long rusted into uselessness, but at the heart of the ship you find something else.

A strange blue light catches your eye. Moving closer, you discover a chest. Opening it, there is a blue cloth rotted and wrapped around some kind of glowing stone.

"What is it?" Kaito asks.

"I'm not sure," you say, moving away the cloth and holding up the stone. It is a crystal, brilliant like a diamond and cool to the touch, even for you. You run your hand along its perfectly smooth surfaces. Though it is not in any convention geometric shape, it is not cracked or jagged.

"Is it something special?" Kaito asks.

"Can't say for certain, but it's cold," you whisper. You don't feel any kind of latent power coming off of it, nor does it react when you summon up a bit of cryokinetic energy and run a finger along it, but it continually glows with an unusual luster, brightening the area.

"Why is it here, on this ship?" you wonder aloud.

"Maybe they were taking it to the cryomancers," Kaito offers. "...Or taking it away from them."

>A) Keep it
>B) Leave it here
>C) Attempt to draw power from it
>D) Attempt to put power into it
>E) Other

>>329320
>>A) Keep it
>C) Attempt to draw power from it
>D) Attempt to put power into it
Let's experiment to see what it does

>>329320
>>329391
I like this. Supporting.

>>329391
>>329406

Can I get another 1d100?

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>329454
Hopefully we have better luck this time

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>329454
If it isn't too late I would like to try

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>>329460
>>329496

"I think I'll hang onto it," you say to him. Holding it up and examining it closely, you place both hands on its sides and focus intently, seeing if anything can be done with it. Though it does not seem to freeze when you attempt to put power into it, neither does it relinquish any power when you attempt to syphon energy from it. You aren't sure what to make of it, or even if you're thinking along the correct lines. There must be something more to it... but perhaps you'll only discover it later. It wouldn't do well to spend too much time dwelling on it at the bottom of the ocean. You let out a sigh and slide it away into your pocket, looking back at Kaito.

"I don't think we'll find anything else here."

He nods and the two of you carefully make your way out of the ship and back onto the hull. You step off onto the rocky and sandy bottom and wait for him to lift you both up.

He looks at you. "Well, don't look at me. This is your chance to shine. Go on, make an ice platform, and it'll float us up to the top. I'll keep the bubble up."

You nod and focus. 'Come on, Zian, this is easy. Just a platform of ice.'

Putting your hands on the floor, you create a solid platform of ice, freezing the ground at your feet into a single chunk. When you are done, Kaito compliments you and lifts up the bubble slightly, allowing the cold water to rush to the ice and push you both upwards.

Moments later, the two of you are carried up by the ice, shooting to the surface. You break through near the ship and the crew all cheer upon seeing you. With a rope, you are pulled back to the ship and helped aboard.

Almost immediately, you are tackled by Sam, who hugs you. "Zian! I was worried you had drowned!"

"Hey, careful, I'm still very wet," you reply, though her affection is very much appreciated. As the crew disperses, some of them patting you on the back and glad that you're yet alive, Kaito moves off to talk to Mileena about what you found.

Sam lets go and steps back. "I-I'm sorry, that was weird," she says. "I mean, we just met, I sh-shouldn't be hugging you and all." She nervously smiles as the cold makes her teeth chatter some more.

"It's fine," you assure her.

"I g-gotta say, I'm g-getting tired of Ow-Outworld and its monst-sters," she says, trying to lighten the mood.

Wolf comes over and slaps you on the shoulder, just as hard as before. "Harhar! Good job with that axe, boy! We all saw the squid come up frozen, so I know that was your work too. Fine work! Once we clear this range of ridges, we'll be ready to row in the longboat." He pauses. "Silly of me to have been standing like that. Just got so caught up in home, ahah!"

>A) Show her the crystal you found
>B) Prepare the longboat
>C) Gather up Frost and Vapor
>D) Ask Wolf if any other creatures can be expected
>E) Other

>>329520
>>C) Gather up Frost and Vapor
Let's show Frost the stone. No matter what we treat her as a confidant as a fellow cryomancer. Zian knows this is an important mission and it would do him good to stay on frosts good side

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>>329544

Looking over at Vapor and Frost, standing near each other yet apart, you approach them both while taking out the crystal. It gets Frost's attention as you hold it out to her. "What do you make of this?"

"Where did you get it?" she asks, taking it and looking it over.

"Down there." You watch her turn it around and inspect it as keenly as you did, while Vapor looks on and watches.

"It's cold," Frost says, a bit surprised. "Does it have something to do with us?"

"I can't know for certain," you say, taking it back and looking it over. "I'll hold onto it for now, just in case."

Kaito walks over then. "We've got your supplies ready. Food, water and useful survival gear for weeks, but I'm giving you guys five days."

"Only five?" Tundra asks.

"Well, you take the dragon rowboat out, and in five days we'll come back. If you're not there, we'll come looking for you. Sound good?"

You look at the others, who do not disagree. "Sounds good," you say to him. "We'll be there, don't worry."

"Here's hoping," Kaito says with a smile.

The ship sails out into open waters, past the large cliffs. Beyond, in the vast distance, are lands of snow and mist. "Home," Wolf says, looking upon it. "Too shallow to take the boat much closer. We go from here on the longboat."

>A) Gather your things and get in the boat with the others
>B) Go around and say goodbye to people
>C) Attempt to send a message back home with your communicator
>D) Put on your mask
>E) Other

>>329622
>A) Gather your things and get in the boat with the others
Sheesh, you get drunk once very two month and you pass out during fighting!

>>329622
>>A) Gather your things and get in the boat with the others
>>B) Go around and say goodbye to people
>>D) Put on your mask
Later Sam. Thanks for the advice captain mileena

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>>329653
>>329654

Taking the backpack that Kaito hands you and sliding it around your shoulders, you step towards the longboat. You, Frost, Vapor and Wolf all climb into the dragon-shaped longboat.

A few gather near the railing to see you off. Kaito, Takeda, Mileena, Kung Ling, Sam and a few others all offer waves of encouragement as your ship touches the water. Wolf grabs the oars and shoves off, rowing away towards land.

Sam waves. "Be safe!" she calls out. You return her wave with a smile and one of your own before looking back at Vapor, who stares at you with an odd expression that you can't quite read, but she seems amused by something.

As you row away, Wolf starts singing a song. You don't understand any of the words, but it's rather upbeat and sounds a bit like a worker's song. He continues as he rows, though Frost seems rather annoyed, putting her elbow on the side of the boat and cupping her chin as she stares off over the water.

>A) Wait silently until you reach the shore
>B) Offer to help row
>C) Talk to Vapor
>D) Talk to Frost
>E) Other

>>329700
>As you row away, Wolf starts singing a song.

General feeling of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-J7b9dQZiU

I'm a bit of a sucker for it

>>329700
>B) Offer to help row
humm the refrain with him, it doesn't sound too complicated

>>329709
>I'm a bit of a sucker for it
I can certainly see why.

Okay, where are the others again? Is there some party going on that I don't know about?

>>329700
>>B) Offer to help row
>>329752
I am easily distracted

>>329769
if it's a party you better call me. Especially if they have food!

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>>329719
>>329769

Picking up a second pair of the oars, you begin to row in time with him, humming along to his song. The refrain isn't too complicated, and it's rather catchy in a way.

The wind blows hard, but you and Frost aren't affected by it. Vapor, given her origins, has the ability to exist nearly anywhere---even in space, it has been theorized, though of course never tested. Simply by vibrating her molecules and giving off a bit more heat than usual, she can exist in this cold environment as well as you can, with the only major difference being that she gives off quite a bit of grey fog-like mist.

Your longboat cuts through the shallow waters and reaches the shore. You and Wolf pull it up onto the bank and ready your supplies, taking a moment to erect a blue flag that will be used as a marker for the boat.

Wolf looks around at the vast tundra, a massive landscape of beautiful cold reaches. He swells with pride at returning. "Well, this is where we decide our path," he says, looking at the three of you. "We can search for my people, or I can take you straight north from here. We'll have to stop when things get too dark and cold to make camp, and of course, eventually I can go no further. I don't have the ice in my blood like you do."

"What can your people offer us?" you ask, wanting more information before making a choice.

"Some additional supplies, guidance, shaman-sight and mounts to carry you northwards. My people have long tamed the animals of the wild, ones who can go further than we can, the dire wolves among them."

>A) Let us find your people
>B) Take us straight north
>C) Let's look for your people, but if we cannot find trace of them soon, move north
>D) Ask the others what they think
>E) Other

>>329878
>D) Ask the others what they think

but our personal vote is
>C) Let's look for your people, but if we cannot find trace of them soon, move north
we were given 5 days

>>329878
>>C) Let's look for your people, but if we cannot find trace of them soon, move north

>>329909
I'd agree with this. We are operating on time constraints, however the rest of the group should have a say as well

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>>329909
>>329946
>>329949

You nod at him and say, "Let's see if we can find trace of your people. If we can't soon enough, we'll head north."

Wolf nods and the four of you set off, traversing the snowy and frozen plains. He heads northeast, leading your group with you behind him, Vapor behind you and Frost in the rear. There is little conversation along the way as you trek through the wilderness; the majority of sound comes from the howling wind, drifting snow and mist across the wide expanses. You trudge on and on, making good time. Soon enough, the shore and the longboat are no longer in sight. You take a moment to plant another flag, as they will be useful in finding your way back should you need to.

Wolf takes you over hills and through small gulches, walking over rivers and occasional paths of stone. After a few hours, when you think it might be good to tell him to head straight north, he picks up the pace and moves towards something.

A large rock sticks out of the ground, smooth and egg-shaped, covered in markings. These were carved into it, and the rock itself looks quite old. Wolf runs up to it and inspects it.

"My people move often," he says, running his hands along its surface. "This land has many marker-stones. When a tribe moves through this land, they leave their mark upon it, along with signs of how long ago it was and where they are headed. They use the runes of the moon to do so."

"How long ago?" you ask. "That last one to come here, I mean."

He inspects its surface fully. "Three nights ago," he says, looking up at the purplish-blue sky. "Not my tribe. But not one that is an enemy."

"What about your tribe?" Vapor asks.

"Further, in the opposite direction. It would take longer to reach them," he confirms.

>A) Head straight north from here
>B) Attempt to find the nearer tribe
>C) Seek out Wolf's family tribe further away
>D) Ask him about any alternatives
>E) Other

>>329988
>>C) Seek out Wolf's family tribe further away
Let's let the guy see his family

>>330075
Got no better idea myself

>>329988
>>D) Ask him about any alternatives
Any other tribes that would be friendly to us close by?

If not >C) Seek out Wolf's family tribe further away

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>>330075
>>330088
>>330098

After a moment's thought, you come to your decision. "I think we should find your people," you tell him. "It might be the easiest way to get better supplies if you have a connection with them."

There is no disagreement from the others and Wolf nods. "Alright then. We'll have to head northwest." Checking the skyline, he narrows his eyes in thought, calling upon his knowledge of this land. "There's three ways we can go about it. The longest, and safest, would be to follow the plains. That means going around the mountains. The other way is to go through the mountain range; the terrain there is harsh. Treacherous, dangerous, faster to get where we're going."

"And the last?" Vapor asks.

He points with his arm towards a dark and deeper region of the land. "We go through the untamed, where beasts larger than men prowl. That's the most dangerous route, as we're sure to attract bad attention---but the fastest, it is."

"Have you ever gone through it?" Frost asks.

"It's a right of passage," he replies. "Every boy must before he is a man."

You look back at him. Something rings in your mind about those words... a desire to prove yourself. You look down at your hand and close it into a fist. That path could be taken, the fastest path to his people, and you could defeat anything that dares come at you.

Then again... What if someone is hurt? Or you? What then? Is the risk worth it? But this entire journey is built upon taking risk, is it not? You are far from home, in a foreign land. That is already danger enough---do you risk even harder challenges, or accept the safer route?

>A) Safest, longest route around the mountains
>B) Moderate route through the treacherous mountains
>C) Fastest route through dangerous and darker lands
>D) On second thought, I've changed my mind
>E) Other

>>330167
>>C) Fastest route through dangerous and darker lands
This is a trial in a way, why not prove ourselves in more ways than one.

>>330167
>C) Fastest route through dangerous and darker lands
Only if the others have no objections

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>>330212
>>330224

You look over at the other two, who seem to be content enough to let you decide. Frost stands with her arms crossed, and Vapor is still, continually giving off small wisps of smoke. Following Wolf's gaze, you look at all three possible routes and finally make your decision.

"We go that way," you say, pointing to the most dangerous, yet fastest route. "Whatever may come, we are more than ready for it."

Wolf cracks his neck and readies his sword at his side. "Alright then! So be it. Let's get a move on, shall we?"

He leads the way again. Frost looks over at you as you three follow and she says, "I hope you know what you're doing."

You begin your descent into the lower lands and prepare for whatever may come.

>Give me a 1d10 for the random encounter table!

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>330272
Come on, let's get a Cartoon Dragon of the Sock Drawer or something

>>330280
for a second I thought you were rolling with a d100 and got really scared.

>>330280

Funny you should say that...

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>>330296
That's not ominous at all

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>330272
Meow!

>>330303
well you don't see that every day

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>>330280

As you walk along the wide, expansive lower plains, surrounded on all sides by large ridges and perilous, jagged spires of ice and stone, you keep your eyes open. You feel as though you are being watched, and the further you go, the worse it gets. Wolf moves quickly, axe in hand, and the others are just as mindful.

"I've got a bad feeling about this..." Frost mutters.

"You and me both," Vapor says, scanning the horizon. "But I see nothing..."

"Careful!" Wolf calls out over his shoulder. "Chances are, something has already seen us. We're out in the open, that's the way it always is. Keep your eyes peeled in every direction!"

You do this, hardly blinking at all as you run across the plains. Controlling your breathing, you look and listen as best you can.

You hear something---a cracking noise. Everyone else hears it too and the four of you skid to a stop. You all look around, quickly getting your backs to each other.

"I don't see anything," Frost reports, and all of you share her results.

The cracking grows louder; it seems to come from all around.

"It's getting closer!" Vapor says, her arms up and ready.

You feel a bead of sweat, even in this frozen landscape, drip down you forehead before freezing as it falls. Where could it be? What could it be?

Then, you realize all too late, that all four of you had been looking up and around---but not down.

"GET OUT OF THE---" you begin to shout as something from below crashes in the middle of your huddle. All four of you are flung away from each other as a great beast rises, opening its mouth to let out a terrifying cry. You land on your stomach and slide for a few feet before turning around and beholding an adult white dragon.

The creature's jaws, large enough to snap a man in half, open and a ray of freezing cold air emerges, shot up into the sky as it roars again, a sound that echoes for miles around. You crawl backwards and get up to your feet as you behold the mighty beast---and remember your father mentioning such a creature when he told you of this quest, of the ancient cryomancers who tamed and rode these beasts. While not the primary objective of your journey, seeking the eggs of these dragons would benefit the clan immeasurably.

As it sets its eyes upon you, however, the realization sets in that the first thing you'll have to do is survive THIS dragon!

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>330347
Assert your dominance as a cryomancer! Make it remember why your people controlled them by hitting it with a wave so cold it would make an iceberg flinch.

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>330369
............ Can I get an elder gods mulligan?

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>330347
NAME IT FLUFFLES!

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>330347
Get on it and do a rodeo!

>seeking the eggs of these dragons would benefit the clan immeasurably
Is it because the shaolins already have one, isn't it? Sub-Zero can't stand to stay behind.

>>330390
>Is it because the shaolins already have one, isn't it? Sub-Zero can't stand to stay behind.

He did actually mention that in the pastebin, yeah. Haha

>>330369
>>330384
>>330390
I feel like we aren't favored by Fortuna here. Are you guys wearing your good luck pants?

>>330398
KNEW IT! If we somehow miraculously succeed, Scorpion will have to step up his game as well.

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>>330369
>>330375
>>330384
>>330390

Now up on your feet, you shout as you charge towards the beast, intent on fulfilling your task! You won't let anything get in your way, nothing! It is said that the ancient cryomancers tamed these creatures, and the very same blood flows in your veins, thus you will show no fear, no hesitation, and you will not----

The creature turns, bringing up its massive tail from the hole it emerged from, whipping it at you. The thick appendage slices through the air and cracks into you, robbing you of all forward momentum and all air from your lungs. Your eyes go wide as the world turns white for a moment before you find yourself flying---in the exact opposite direction.

You hit the ice and skid for a good, long distance until you slide up against an outcropping of ice and hit it, hard, crashing into it and causing it to shatter all over you. You are buried by this and you find yourself losing consciousness.

As your eyes close, your mind goes a bit numb, and you see darkness... then, two blue eyes staring at you from the abyss...

Laughter. He is mocking you, your weakness, your failure to live up to the legacy of your father and the one who came before him. You are not worthy of the name Sub-Zero... You are not even worthy of the name Tundra. You're just a foolish boy at the end of the world, fighting to prove the impossible: that you are worthy at all. By the Elder Gods, you don't even have two working eyes.

>"Hahahaha... How could you ever be a worthy warrior?"

Your eyes open as you breathe in deeply, gritting your teeth. Shouting as you stand up, pushing the chunks of ice off, you flex your arms as blood runs down your forehead from some of the ice cutting you. Your arms bare a few fresh cuts as well, and there is a large red mark on your chest under your outfit.

You look and see Frost blasting ice at the dragon while Vapor attempts to cloud its eyes. Wolf uses his sword to hack away at one of the wings, but is unable to cut too deeply.

You break out into a run, determined to return to the battle.

To prove 'him' wrong.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>330445
Maybe your blood is what makes you strong. Freeze the blood from your wound and use the surrounding ice to make a bloody ice sword. Show Noob Saibot what the blood of a demon(kinda) and cryomancer can do when faced with adversity.

>>330474
hot damn

>>330479
I mean err.. COLD damn

>>330482
I thought that maybe we kept reaching from our dads side a bit to much. Darren's used to be one of the best demon assassins, I'm sure she had some latent power to share

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>>330474

As you run, you taste blood in your mouth. You've bled, of course, and fought before, but until coming to Outworld you've never truly had to fight for your life. Always your father or mother was there, to guide, to teach---and to stop, if things became too dangerous.

They are not here, but you are.

As the dragon snaps at Frost, causing her to dodge out of the way, you put your hands together as you run up to the side of the dragon. Blue energy covers your fists as you bring them apart, forming a blade of ice that you grip in your right hand! You grip the newly-formed weapon rightly, a blade wrought of pure cryokinetic power, and you leap towards the dragon and shout as you impale it into the beast's side!

The blade pierces its white scales and the dragon screams, letting out a burst of white frost from its mouth. You bury the blade all the way to the hilt and twist, causing such pain to the creature that you make it fall onto its side. The hilt of your blade snaps and you fall back, landing on your feet as the dragon falls, kicking and thrashing, wounded yet still alive.

You drop the hilt of your weapon and let it smash upon the ground as you watch Wolf charge in to attack its backside. Frost, seeing the success of your weapon, quickly forms two daggers of ice in her hands. You make eye contact with her and she nods at you, a symbol of her growing respect.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>330518
go for the eyes boo go for the eyes rargh!

>>330518
I wanted that to be something Sareena related but ok. Go for the chest no matter what kind of creature it is it'll bleed. Try to find a soft part in the flesh and bleed it out.

>>330542
>I wanted that to be something Sareena related but ok.

Well I kept it kind of neutral, I didn't write it in such a way that he evoked Sub-Zero or anything.

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>330542
Let's try that again

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>>330532

As the dragon turns its head to look at you, you put your hands together and blast its eyes with cold, building up enough to temporarily blind the beast. The dragon shouts and shakes its head as it claws at the ground, trying to righten itself. Meanwhile, Vapor manifests in the air above it and drops onto its neck with a fierce knee slam.

>>330542
>>330559

"Tundra! Catch!" Frost calls out, throwing you a dagger. You leap up and catch it, flipping in the air and rolling when you hit the ground, ending up under the dragon's belly as it gets on all fours. Vapor holds onto its neck as it shakes its head from side to side, trying to get her off. Nearby, Wolf slices into its foreleg, painting the snow red at its feet.

You grip the dagger and stab upwards, jamming it between the scales. The dragon howls again and smashes its head against the ground, creating a tremor that cracks the ice all around the impact point. This gets rid of the ice on its eyes, allowing it to see.

The dragon looks over and sees Frost as its tail whips Wolf away to the ground. The blue-haired girl, already having had bad luck with dragons in the past, isn't up to repeating her prior experience and quickly makes a run for it as the dragon begins to chase. Vapor holds onto its neck as the dragon runs over you, its tail sliding along right next to you and about to get out of reach.

>1d100 and an action!

>>330602
Shout out some giberish and give it a mouthful of ice

>>330628
Damnit!