Chapter Text
It wasn't easy breaking into the chambers of the Fire Temple, but the Kombat Kids had to locate someone whom Nicole Cage was familiar with.
What was once a sanctuary for Lord Liu Kang was now a mess. It used to be organized with figures and memories of past timelines, but now it stood wrecked from angry outbursts and scorch marks on the walls. Nicole only hoped that someone still paid visits to it to at least clean it up.
"From what I can recall, a former servant of Kronika was remade into Lord Liu Kang's steadfast ally," Nicole began. "I just hope he's still here to give us information."
"He could really use a renovator..." Cassie quipped, noting broken glass and a torch that was on the verge of going out.
"I know Seth would want to take a look at the place," Kung Jin noted. "Lots of history he could've helped Lord Liu Kang with."
"I'm not even sure he'd want help at this point," Jacqui began with concern.
"So, who's this mystery person you're looking for?" Takeda questioned.
"They call him Geras," Nicole explained. "He's the guardian of the Hourglass in case Lord Liu Kang isn't present. I hope he can take time off his duties to talk to us."
"He's the one who requested an audience with you," Cassie noted. "Don't know why he would pick you of all siblings."
Nicole stepped forward and looked around.
"Geras?" she called out. "Geras?"
It took a few seconds but clear white sand began to swirl in part of the area.
"Geras?" Nicole asked again. "Are you here?"
"I am here, Nicole Cage. I have been expecting you and your comrades."
The five of them looked behind them to find the artificial construct fully materializing.
"Oh, wow! You are real," Nicole exclaimed. "It's nice to meet you in person."
"Likewise, Nicole Cage," Geras replied kindly in the hopes of easing tension. "I have watched you with the Hourglass. Your burden of holding Kronika's power is lifted."
Cassie and Takeda looked at one another with confusion.
"I remember history records saying that there was a human who held the power of a Titan," Kung Jin began. "She ultimately died to help reset the timeline. That's you, isn't it?"
"Yes," Nicole admitted. "Geras helped restore pieces of my memory, but a lot of it is still fuzzy to me."
"We predict that she's barred from relieving more traumatic moments of her life," Geras chimed in. "That being said, I wish to lift some of those seals little by little so as not to render her catatonic emotionally."
When the time came for some answers to be revealed, Geras's confirmation of how Liu Kang fell to darkness was not one they expected to hear.
"All that purging and his Revenant self still took over?!" Nicole asked with shock.
"With Kitana missing and promises of happiness with a Titan Kitana unfulfilled, despair began to take hold of him," the construct explained. "I still keep watch over the Hourglass. I suspect it will be a matter of time until he figures out I am still monitoring alternate timelines for threats."
"You can handle yourself, can you?" Nicole questioned with concern. "I don't know that much about you from what I've seen but I've heard you're formidable."
"You need not worry about me," Geras assured her. "I am more concerned about your returning memories."
"As of now, there's only one thing on my mind: survival. I guess that helps when the situation gets overwhelming."