smash_stuff | Mortal Kombat

Raiden did not take kindly to intrusions, and had been speeding his way to where his magic had told him Shang Tsung's lackeys had entered the realm. When he arrives at the scene, however, the roiling clouds about him come to an unnatural halt as thunder echoes throughout the space. The place is in shambles and whatever is left of the small, local invasion is either flattened or returned whence it came.

He hovers lower to the ground, wondering who or what could have routed the Outworld forces and left such a mess. He's also looking for any victims which could need aid and he's not left wanting. Seeing a body laying in the grass he quickly jogs towards Bruce, storm clouds slowly gathering over the area, lightning flickering between them but no rain falling just yet.

Raiden kneels beside Bruce, cautiously reaching out to the thin man and wondering how he is still breathing after being somehow involved in whatever flattened the place. He touches Bruce's shoulder, his fingers warm and tingling faintly with electricity.

The man still breathes, amazingly. He makes a small noise at being touched but doesn't seem to have the strength to wake or move just yet. He's been through a lot.....and not one mark on him. Almost like he fell where he stood.

He's weak, and while he seems otherwise uninjured, there's something unnatural about the situation. Mortals did not simply survive an invasion like this without some injury. Still, he can tell he is native to Earth and will do what he can. Reaching out with both hands now he holds them a few inches above Bruce and mumbles in a language of his own, restorative magic flowing toward the weakened man in a soft blue stream of light.

Bruce isn't used to this kind of wake up call. Something holding him, prodding him awake with more energy than he really wanted right now.

"...no..." he mumbles, still half asleep and trying to weakly push away the grass under him. Squinting at the blue light that seemed to filter through his eyelids. Maybe he was hallucinating?

The man is certainly alive, and while his ability to make clear judgement is yet to be determined, that blue glow will slowly dissipate as Raiden stops his magic.

"Can you tell me what happened here?" A low, gentle voice will greet Bruce as Raiden sets his hands to his knees and looks at the man from under the brim of his hat with glowing blue eyes.

Bruce blinks a few times...and sighs in defeat. He couldn't believe his eyes but for now he'd just roll with it. Rubbing his eyes with his fingers to try and massage out the headache behind them.

"Probably not," he says, certain that whatever happened was not going to be easy to explain. "Where is here?" he asks as he tries to get himself to a sitting position.

"Earthrealm." First thing first, though the man was of an Earthen origin, he could still be from Outworld. "We are not far from a Shaolin Temple."

The clouds overhead are still gathering, but not with any sense of speed. A far-off rumble of thunder makes its way to them.

"I can bring you there, they will provide clothing and shelter." Food also, which the man looks like he could use.

Protest dies on his tongue. He couldn't roam around anywhere without shoes or a shirt. Especially if it was going to rain, which it sounded like a storm was about to break over their heads.

"Alright...lead the way, um...?" He really didn't get the guy's name.

"I am Raiden, and this will take but a moment. You may wish to close your eyes." He sets a calm hand on Bruce's shoulder, looking toward the sky. He will glance back to make sure Bruce has heeded his warning before a lighting bolt will strike where they sit. It is harmless, no actual electricity charging through Bruce but it will be loud and bright when they disappear and reappear at the Temple grounds.

At first, confusion works its way across his face. But the warning seems a legit one and Bruce quickly shuts his eyes. Hoping this wasn't going to be something that set off his inner monster, he really wasn't feeling up to a relapse.

Even after they appear, he has both hands covering his face, trying not to lose his sense of calm. The noise had been the worst part. Calm thoughts, don't panic, he kept telling himself.

Raiden keeps a steady hand on Bruce's shoulder, but once the man's hearing recovers he'll notice Raiden is speaking a different language. In Chinese he's conversing with a man in saffron robes who's approached but keeping his distance. Once they've exchanged brief words, Raiden turns back to Bruce.

"You are safe here. You may open your eyes."

Good thing he kept his eyes covered, Raiden may have seen the hint of green behind those irises. But the danger is past and Bruce takes a slow breath as he lets his hands drop. Still having the look of a man who doesn't believe what he sees is real.

"If it's all the same, I can just take a few clothes and be out of your hair." He shouldn't stay in one place for too long.

"We would see that you are warmed and fed before you leave us. What is your name?" Raiden worries about that gaze, wondering if perhaps he had suffered a trauma that wasn't physical. He wanted to know what had happened, but seeing that this man was tended to properly was a higher priority.

Bruce's whole demeanor was one of being as non-threatening as possible. As if he was hiding something. He tucks his hands under his arms, trying not to look un-shirted. "Um...Bruce...Brennamen." That alias shouldn't be too hard to remember, he tells himself.

Standing is another issue, while he felt whole he was still shaky and nearly falls when he tries to go it alone.

Raiden stands with Bruce, and when he nearly falls he reaches out, wrapping a hand about his waist and supporting him with an unnatural ease, as if Bruce's weight was nothing to him. The Shaolin monk nods at Raiden, and his hat bobs in return before the man heads off at a brisk walk.

"You are welcome to stay as long as you need, Bruce. You are not the first stranger the monks here have tended to. You look in need of a good meal, in the least." Raiden won't drag Bruce after the monk, he'll let the man's feet set the pace and provide easy support to help him toward the temple entrance. Beyond that stone gate are a series of tall stone spires, like something he might have seen in India or Southern China.

Bruce really hates to be the fly in the ointment here, especially with the prospect of food. He ignores the loud grumbling of an empty stomach, trying to get a grasp on the situation. "I really can't stay, it would be too much trouble. Honestly I'm better on my own," he says, knowing full well he wouldn't even be standing if it wasn't for the man's help.

"A meal and clothing will not take long, Bruce. Whatever routed Shang Tsung's forces has sent them with their tails between their legs, and my wards around the temple are strong. You are safe here, but afterward I will take you wherever you wish to go." He hopes, however, to see if he can gain some details about what could thrash said forces so thoroughly while Bruce eats.

Bruce has his own cloud hanging over him, only this one is one of guilt. He's not sure who this Shang Tsung is but surely Raiden is referring to damage caused by the Hulk. Ergo something bad that he did.

"If you say so," he finally relents.

That light in Raiden's eyes flickers, uncertain what has Bruce so concerned but he nods as he brings him up the stairs and down a hallway. The place smells of flowers and a calming incense and sound travels well. He would hear the gentle tones of singing bowls and voices softly in the distance, meditations of pious men as Raiden brings Bruce to a room. The space is sparse with a low table and no chairs, but the cot is quite comfy and there's a warm blanket and pillow rolled neatly at an end. On the opposite side of the bed he'll see a spare set of robes in good condition waiting for him.

"Food will be brought shortly. I will be outside if you need anything."

The whole situation is more puzzling than before. Bruce sits heavily on the cot, trying to figure out where in the world he could be. The reality of the situation trying to filter in.

"...you sure I didn't die out there?" he asks Raiden to level with him. He's not the type to end up in a place this...peaceful.

That causes concern to flicker across his face and he nods.

"You are very much alive, Bruce. Whatever interfered earlier you have to thank for that. Shang Tsung has been attempting to invade this realm for thousands of years, and his fighters show no mercy."

"I don't remember..." he starts before thinking better of finishing that sentence. He didn't remember who he was fighting but that was probably for the best.

Besides, this cot was looking really comfy and Bruce couldn't think of anything better than falling back to sleep on it and forgetting about trying to be safe again.

"Do not worry. Change, rest a little. I will wake you when the food arrives." There will also be tea, of which Raiden will actually share but that will come later. Until then, Raiden offers a polite inclination of his head before turning to depart the room and give Bruce some privacy. He will not be going far though, remaining outside the door as a silent sentry to see that he isn't disturbed.

Bruce forgos the changing and goes right for the sleeping. Ending up face first into the pillow and sleeping like a dead man for about four hours. If anyone disturbed his privacy in that time, he knew nothing about it.

Raiden periodically checks on Bruce, making a few departures to tend to other things while they wait patiently for him to wake back up. A monk brings cushions for the floor, leaving one on either side of the table and Raiden's post will be tended to by an unarmed but strong-looking young monk.

When Bruce wakes, his guard will peer around the corner and give a nod. A few minutes later there will be a rumble of thunder from outside and shortly thereafter Raiden's voice will be heard outside again. His tone is unmistakably appreciative, whether Bruce understands Chinese or not.

Raiden will come into the room, tea tray in hand as he moves over to the table and goes about preparing it for two.

"I hope you rested well, Bruce."

Mortal Kombat

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