Daylight and Darkness.
folder
+M through R › Mortal Kombat
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
3
Views:
2,718
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
+M through R › Mortal Kombat
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
3
Views:
2,718
Reviews:
0
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Mortal Kombat, its characters nor any of its affiliates. I make no profit nor money from this story and it was created for entertainment purposes only.
barriers.
((Hi! I again want thank everyone who has read and commented on this story so far and I know it's a bit slow right now and I'm sorry but it will pick up soon. I just want to get some character development in here for a while lmao and I'm sorry if this one is shorter too. The word limit on here is a pain! But I want to thank you all again! I am really having a lot of fun writing this story. Everything is just flowing out of my head and I think that's what I enjoy most about it. Here is the next chapter for you all and I hope you all like it! I'll post the next chapter soon!))
*****
III. barriers.
“The sun is your friend too,”
***
Karina let the water run over her hands gently in the basin before cupping her hands and smoothing it over her face. The water tingling against her pores, feeling them open and then shut when she splashed cool water against it. She closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle silence before she glanced over at the pure silk chemise draped over the stool that Kouta had graciously gave her. She was glad at how modest the design was, not revealing anything lewdly. She ran her hands over her face before she began to undo the braid in her hair, removing the chain headpiece from the waves. She slowly ran her hands through her now loose hair, sighing in comfort. Karina stared at herself in the mirror, everything around her feeling surreal at the moment. She gently picked at the sleeves of her gown, removing it from her body. She shivered slightly from the slight chill of the empty air, the quiet embedding into her veins. She gently lowered herself into the hot water of the bath basin, closing her eyes as the water splashed and soothed across her sore breasts. She let out a soft grunt of pain as she pressed around them, trying to work the pain out of them. As she bathed, Karina found herself glancing up at the door every once in a while, thinking that Taven would finally come to keep her company but never came.
She finished bathing and gently rubbed her body with a very thin layer of scented oil, the air becoming permeated with the scent of jasmine petals and sweet honey. Karina hummed as she inhaled the air before she slipped on the chemise, the blue silk soothing against her skin. She walked back into the bed chambers, frowning gently when she saw that Taven hadn't been there at all. She had at least expected for him to had been there at some point, even if brief. She sat down on the bed, feeling her body sinking into the cloud like bed. She sighed heavily as she stared outside to the bright night sky illuminated by the lone moon. The moonlight shining into the room and blending with the soft candles that gave everything a smooth atmosphere. She gazed over at the door every once in a while, waiting for him. She wanted to at least talk to him, speak with him in some way before they retired for the night. She shifted uncomfortably before she decided to rise up from the bed; blowing out the candles and letting the room become shrouded in darkness before carefully navigating herself back to the bed.
Karina slipped underneath the warm silk sheets, the soft pillow cradling her head as she laid alone in the dark room. She curled up more underneath the sheet as she began to feel more lonely in the silent room. She focused more on the fatigue that her body felt and after a while, slowly felt herself falling into a deep sleep. Somewhere in the haze of her slumber, she felt the bed dip from a heavy weight and lay next to her.
The next morning, Karina awakened to the sound the shimmering light of heavenly sun invading her face. She draped an arm over her face, moaning before she turned over to her side and away from the bright window. She let out a sleepy murmur before she opened her eyes, her sleep quickly drained when she noticed that the spot next to her was empty once more. She let out a soft breath of surprise, knowing that she felt someone laying next to her during the night. It was a distance between them but she felt the warmth of another body as she slept. She looked around, trying to predict his movements from when he had got up to when he had left but nothing gave anything away. Karina frowned and looked down at her hands, hoping that what she was thinking wasn't true as she got up and got dressed for the day.
***
Taven's eyes flickered over the imitative opponent in front of him, his hands outstretched in front of him. He could feel the heat and energy begging to be released from his palms. The heat searing through his body made his skin tingle and perspire slightly, his bare chest heaving. His abdomen twitched as he flexed his muscles, gathering a mass of power. His heels dug into the ground, biting his lip hard. He brought his hands back, palming them together before bringing them back. A twine of fire circling as he continued to pull his hands apart, bending his fingers slightly as the channel then turned into a ball. He grunted to himself as he moved his hand in a circle, the fire burning and heating his skin. He flicked his tongue over his lips as his dark eyes looked back up at the life-like doll in front of him. He suddenly shot his hands up before turning, grunting as he swung his strong arm down. The fire cutting through the fabric of the door like a blade before the fire evaporated from his palms. He watched the cloth burn into ashes before stepping back. He had been working on a new move and he was hoping to master it before the month's end yet he had been too distracted by everything else that had been going on around him. His constant surveillance of Edenia and the task of picking out a bride as well as planning the nuptials were time-consuming enough.
He looked over the balcony down at Edenia, everything looking peaceful at the moment but he knew of the outside forces that raged against them. His mind flickered to last night and everything that had happened. He knew that the young women were probably having a rough time with their parents for not being chosen by him, not being good enough for him. Taven shook his head at the thought; to think that some raise their children like cattle and give them away for more notoriety. To him, it didn't seem like it was worth it. It wasn't worth being valued less in the eyes of your offspring. After what happened with him and his brother, he had knew that feeling all too well. He grumbled to himself before turning on his heels and walking back into the palace and towards his chambers. When he walked in, he wasn't surprise to find them empty. He glanced over at the bed as he changed into presentable clothes, a sharp black tunic and matching pants with some silver embroidered boots. He could still see Karina's curled up form on the bed, her curves outlined by the silk of the sheets and her loose obsidian waves waving messily across the pillow and her back. He knew that she felt him get into the bed in the middle of the night, his eyes searching her face when she turned towards him. He remembered the peace of sleep on her face, the fatigue taken over her body.
He also knew that she had waited up for him as well. He could feel it, but he didn't wish to be in her presence. He was unwilling to participate in this union and he would treat it as such. He knew how selfish it was but that was just how he felt about the entire situation. He could feel that she felt the same way, but not with so much disregard that he possessed. Taven continued to stare at the bed, the imprint of her figure still there as if she had been burned there. He sighed deeply before he headed back out and down the spiraling stairs of his palace. The guards immediately bowing at his presence as he passed them. He headed into the dining hall, stopping when he saw Karina sitting at the table. His eyes scanned her as she ate from the fruitful table. Her tongue slowly moved over her full lips as her honey eyes flickered over all of the fruit on the table. Sensing his presence, her bright eyes darted up, making her immediately swallow down all of the food that she had been chewing. Her thick waves fanning over her shoulders as she gave him a wide smile, hoping that he would return it. Her smile faltered when his face remained blank. Taven walked over to the table and picked up a golden apple from the table and took a bite out of it, ignoring her look of curiosity. He was finally here in her presence and she didn't know what to say. She had planned all of this out in her head the night before about what she would like to talk to him about and nothing came to mind. She stared helplessly at him, aching to make some kind of connection so that this wouldn't seem so bad, for her at least.
“Hello,” Karina greeted softly, her voice ringing through Taven's ears. It was the first time he had ever heard her speak. He flicked his eyes over at her, his dark brows raising up slightly and his eyes roamed freely over her beautiful face. Her voice was gentle, slightly honeyed from womanhood and timid. His eyebrows lowered again as her greeting floated into the air, waiting for his response. Taven finally shuffled before taking another bite of his apple, his eyes never leaving hers. He could tell she was shrinking in his silence and she finally looked away, her hazel eyes darting down before she began to speak again.
“I-I was thinking that we sh-,” Karina said softly but was cut off by Taven.
“We have a ceremony we have to attend later in the day, be prepared,” Taven said, his aloofness and distant attitude hitting Karina in the chest. Her eyebrows furrowed gently in hurt before she bowed her head and nodded silently. She listened as his footsteps walked away from her, making her wish she was back at her home. She finally looked up, catching his shadow against the floor as he continued down the hall. Karina swallowed hard before continue to nibble gently at her apple, her hunger suddenly gone. She smiled weakly at Kouta, who had passed by the hall, probably going to Taven. She played gently with her hand harness, her body feeling heavy from the rejection. It only made everything worse for her. She tried to remain optimistic, thinking that he probably had a bad morning. Karina sat up higher in her chair and forced herself to continue to eat, knowing that if she didn't that she would probably be starving later. After she was done, she rose up from the chair, her hand gently caressing her full stomach before she walked into the hall.
She searched for Taven, finally guessing that he was in the throne room. She walked passed the staircase, smiling when she heard Kouta's animated voice at the other end. She smiled wider and gently pulled at the handle of the door, frowning when she saw that it was locked. Karina jumped when she felt the presence of someone behind her, she immediately turned to see a guard standing behind her. He smiled gently down at her before bowing.
“I'm sorry, royal maiden, His Godliness has denied your presence in the throne room for the day,” he says, Karina's face changing into a frown. He gave her another polite apology before walking back to stand where he was guarding once more. Karina stared at the door, frowning deeply before she bowed her head, feeling alienated by Taven's actions. She swallowed hard, focusing her energy invisibly against the door, hoping he could feel her presence. She furrowed her eyebrows in hurt before leaving the door and heading back to the bed chambers.
Taven sat on his throne, listening to Kouta go on about what would happen at the ceremony that would occur that night. Taven shivered slightly in his seat when he suddenly felt Karina's energy feel the room. His eyes looked up at the door, frowning when his eyes focused and he could see the invisible energy seeping through the door. When it finally stopped, the sensation fell flat and made Taven relax back into his throne. He lowered his head, letting a heavy sigh and his mind knew that she would want to come into the throne room, making it a barrier clear to the guards before he went inside. He could tell he was hurt by his denial of conversation but it had to be something more vast than that. She didn't want this as much as he did, he knew that and he reminded himself of that when he shot down her attempt of bonding earlier. Yet she made an effort; an effort not to look at it for what it was to him. He pressed his heels into the marble underneath him. He pushed back the thoughts of her for the moment before focusing back on Kouta, who was oblivious to Taven's thoughts.
“The attendees of the ceremony will vary. There is talk that Edenian royalty will show for the unveiling as well as other Edenia's most prominent,” Kouta finished, Taven immediately thinking of the Princess Kitana and Queen Sindel, whose long, white hair brushed to perfection entering his head. The veiling would be the first official ceremony that would be held for him and Karina as a deitous union. It would consist of Karina having to wear a veil over her face throughout the entire event until the end of the night where he would have to 'reveal' her to the crowd. It was a long and tedious activity that he never wanted to go through. He had been through many before as a child, with Daegon and he knew then that he would never want to sit through one again, even if it was his own. Taven gave an unsteady nod, confirming Kouta's words which made Kouta smile in return. He immediately offered to get Karina's ensemble ready and Taven nodded, waving him away to let him brood in his thoughts. The sound of the heavy door closing sounded throughout the room, leaving him in the silence to think on his own, frowning when his thoughts were plagued by his own conscience.
***
Karina willed herself not to be upset by his acts, knowing that none of it was her fault. She placed her hands against her eyes before letting her hands run through her hair. To her, the message was clear even as lonely and hurtful it might be. She gave herself a chance to see the brighter side of this and she wouldn't stop trying yet she knew it would be hard if this is how it would be. She sat in front of the mirror near their bed, knowing that it was probably placed there for whoever would become his wife, her. She stared at herself, combing her hand through her hair lazily. She swallowed and looked down from the mirror, the feeling of loneliness setting in once more. She felt it even harder than before, but she knew that at this time, it would be her only friend.
***
“Love doesn't hurt, expectations do”
*****
III. barriers.
“The sun is your friend too,”
***
Karina let the water run over her hands gently in the basin before cupping her hands and smoothing it over her face. The water tingling against her pores, feeling them open and then shut when she splashed cool water against it. She closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle silence before she glanced over at the pure silk chemise draped over the stool that Kouta had graciously gave her. She was glad at how modest the design was, not revealing anything lewdly. She ran her hands over her face before she began to undo the braid in her hair, removing the chain headpiece from the waves. She slowly ran her hands through her now loose hair, sighing in comfort. Karina stared at herself in the mirror, everything around her feeling surreal at the moment. She gently picked at the sleeves of her gown, removing it from her body. She shivered slightly from the slight chill of the empty air, the quiet embedding into her veins. She gently lowered herself into the hot water of the bath basin, closing her eyes as the water splashed and soothed across her sore breasts. She let out a soft grunt of pain as she pressed around them, trying to work the pain out of them. As she bathed, Karina found herself glancing up at the door every once in a while, thinking that Taven would finally come to keep her company but never came.
She finished bathing and gently rubbed her body with a very thin layer of scented oil, the air becoming permeated with the scent of jasmine petals and sweet honey. Karina hummed as she inhaled the air before she slipped on the chemise, the blue silk soothing against her skin. She walked back into the bed chambers, frowning gently when she saw that Taven hadn't been there at all. She had at least expected for him to had been there at some point, even if brief. She sat down on the bed, feeling her body sinking into the cloud like bed. She sighed heavily as she stared outside to the bright night sky illuminated by the lone moon. The moonlight shining into the room and blending with the soft candles that gave everything a smooth atmosphere. She gazed over at the door every once in a while, waiting for him. She wanted to at least talk to him, speak with him in some way before they retired for the night. She shifted uncomfortably before she decided to rise up from the bed; blowing out the candles and letting the room become shrouded in darkness before carefully navigating herself back to the bed.
Karina slipped underneath the warm silk sheets, the soft pillow cradling her head as she laid alone in the dark room. She curled up more underneath the sheet as she began to feel more lonely in the silent room. She focused more on the fatigue that her body felt and after a while, slowly felt herself falling into a deep sleep. Somewhere in the haze of her slumber, she felt the bed dip from a heavy weight and lay next to her.
The next morning, Karina awakened to the sound the shimmering light of heavenly sun invading her face. She draped an arm over her face, moaning before she turned over to her side and away from the bright window. She let out a sleepy murmur before she opened her eyes, her sleep quickly drained when she noticed that the spot next to her was empty once more. She let out a soft breath of surprise, knowing that she felt someone laying next to her during the night. It was a distance between them but she felt the warmth of another body as she slept. She looked around, trying to predict his movements from when he had got up to when he had left but nothing gave anything away. Karina frowned and looked down at her hands, hoping that what she was thinking wasn't true as she got up and got dressed for the day.
***
Taven's eyes flickered over the imitative opponent in front of him, his hands outstretched in front of him. He could feel the heat and energy begging to be released from his palms. The heat searing through his body made his skin tingle and perspire slightly, his bare chest heaving. His abdomen twitched as he flexed his muscles, gathering a mass of power. His heels dug into the ground, biting his lip hard. He brought his hands back, palming them together before bringing them back. A twine of fire circling as he continued to pull his hands apart, bending his fingers slightly as the channel then turned into a ball. He grunted to himself as he moved his hand in a circle, the fire burning and heating his skin. He flicked his tongue over his lips as his dark eyes looked back up at the life-like doll in front of him. He suddenly shot his hands up before turning, grunting as he swung his strong arm down. The fire cutting through the fabric of the door like a blade before the fire evaporated from his palms. He watched the cloth burn into ashes before stepping back. He had been working on a new move and he was hoping to master it before the month's end yet he had been too distracted by everything else that had been going on around him. His constant surveillance of Edenia and the task of picking out a bride as well as planning the nuptials were time-consuming enough.
He looked over the balcony down at Edenia, everything looking peaceful at the moment but he knew of the outside forces that raged against them. His mind flickered to last night and everything that had happened. He knew that the young women were probably having a rough time with their parents for not being chosen by him, not being good enough for him. Taven shook his head at the thought; to think that some raise their children like cattle and give them away for more notoriety. To him, it didn't seem like it was worth it. It wasn't worth being valued less in the eyes of your offspring. After what happened with him and his brother, he had knew that feeling all too well. He grumbled to himself before turning on his heels and walking back into the palace and towards his chambers. When he walked in, he wasn't surprise to find them empty. He glanced over at the bed as he changed into presentable clothes, a sharp black tunic and matching pants with some silver embroidered boots. He could still see Karina's curled up form on the bed, her curves outlined by the silk of the sheets and her loose obsidian waves waving messily across the pillow and her back. He knew that she felt him get into the bed in the middle of the night, his eyes searching her face when she turned towards him. He remembered the peace of sleep on her face, the fatigue taken over her body.
He also knew that she had waited up for him as well. He could feel it, but he didn't wish to be in her presence. He was unwilling to participate in this union and he would treat it as such. He knew how selfish it was but that was just how he felt about the entire situation. He could feel that she felt the same way, but not with so much disregard that he possessed. Taven continued to stare at the bed, the imprint of her figure still there as if she had been burned there. He sighed deeply before he headed back out and down the spiraling stairs of his palace. The guards immediately bowing at his presence as he passed them. He headed into the dining hall, stopping when he saw Karina sitting at the table. His eyes scanned her as she ate from the fruitful table. Her tongue slowly moved over her full lips as her honey eyes flickered over all of the fruit on the table. Sensing his presence, her bright eyes darted up, making her immediately swallow down all of the food that she had been chewing. Her thick waves fanning over her shoulders as she gave him a wide smile, hoping that he would return it. Her smile faltered when his face remained blank. Taven walked over to the table and picked up a golden apple from the table and took a bite out of it, ignoring her look of curiosity. He was finally here in her presence and she didn't know what to say. She had planned all of this out in her head the night before about what she would like to talk to him about and nothing came to mind. She stared helplessly at him, aching to make some kind of connection so that this wouldn't seem so bad, for her at least.
“Hello,” Karina greeted softly, her voice ringing through Taven's ears. It was the first time he had ever heard her speak. He flicked his eyes over at her, his dark brows raising up slightly and his eyes roamed freely over her beautiful face. Her voice was gentle, slightly honeyed from womanhood and timid. His eyebrows lowered again as her greeting floated into the air, waiting for his response. Taven finally shuffled before taking another bite of his apple, his eyes never leaving hers. He could tell she was shrinking in his silence and she finally looked away, her hazel eyes darting down before she began to speak again.
“I-I was thinking that we sh-,” Karina said softly but was cut off by Taven.
“We have a ceremony we have to attend later in the day, be prepared,” Taven said, his aloofness and distant attitude hitting Karina in the chest. Her eyebrows furrowed gently in hurt before she bowed her head and nodded silently. She listened as his footsteps walked away from her, making her wish she was back at her home. She finally looked up, catching his shadow against the floor as he continued down the hall. Karina swallowed hard before continue to nibble gently at her apple, her hunger suddenly gone. She smiled weakly at Kouta, who had passed by the hall, probably going to Taven. She played gently with her hand harness, her body feeling heavy from the rejection. It only made everything worse for her. She tried to remain optimistic, thinking that he probably had a bad morning. Karina sat up higher in her chair and forced herself to continue to eat, knowing that if she didn't that she would probably be starving later. After she was done, she rose up from the chair, her hand gently caressing her full stomach before she walked into the hall.
She searched for Taven, finally guessing that he was in the throne room. She walked passed the staircase, smiling when she heard Kouta's animated voice at the other end. She smiled wider and gently pulled at the handle of the door, frowning when she saw that it was locked. Karina jumped when she felt the presence of someone behind her, she immediately turned to see a guard standing behind her. He smiled gently down at her before bowing.
“I'm sorry, royal maiden, His Godliness has denied your presence in the throne room for the day,” he says, Karina's face changing into a frown. He gave her another polite apology before walking back to stand where he was guarding once more. Karina stared at the door, frowning deeply before she bowed her head, feeling alienated by Taven's actions. She swallowed hard, focusing her energy invisibly against the door, hoping he could feel her presence. She furrowed her eyebrows in hurt before leaving the door and heading back to the bed chambers.
Taven sat on his throne, listening to Kouta go on about what would happen at the ceremony that would occur that night. Taven shivered slightly in his seat when he suddenly felt Karina's energy feel the room. His eyes looked up at the door, frowning when his eyes focused and he could see the invisible energy seeping through the door. When it finally stopped, the sensation fell flat and made Taven relax back into his throne. He lowered his head, letting a heavy sigh and his mind knew that she would want to come into the throne room, making it a barrier clear to the guards before he went inside. He could tell he was hurt by his denial of conversation but it had to be something more vast than that. She didn't want this as much as he did, he knew that and he reminded himself of that when he shot down her attempt of bonding earlier. Yet she made an effort; an effort not to look at it for what it was to him. He pressed his heels into the marble underneath him. He pushed back the thoughts of her for the moment before focusing back on Kouta, who was oblivious to Taven's thoughts.
“The attendees of the ceremony will vary. There is talk that Edenian royalty will show for the unveiling as well as other Edenia's most prominent,” Kouta finished, Taven immediately thinking of the Princess Kitana and Queen Sindel, whose long, white hair brushed to perfection entering his head. The veiling would be the first official ceremony that would be held for him and Karina as a deitous union. It would consist of Karina having to wear a veil over her face throughout the entire event until the end of the night where he would have to 'reveal' her to the crowd. It was a long and tedious activity that he never wanted to go through. He had been through many before as a child, with Daegon and he knew then that he would never want to sit through one again, even if it was his own. Taven gave an unsteady nod, confirming Kouta's words which made Kouta smile in return. He immediately offered to get Karina's ensemble ready and Taven nodded, waving him away to let him brood in his thoughts. The sound of the heavy door closing sounded throughout the room, leaving him in the silence to think on his own, frowning when his thoughts were plagued by his own conscience.
***
Karina willed herself not to be upset by his acts, knowing that none of it was her fault. She placed her hands against her eyes before letting her hands run through her hair. To her, the message was clear even as lonely and hurtful it might be. She gave herself a chance to see the brighter side of this and she wouldn't stop trying yet she knew it would be hard if this is how it would be. She sat in front of the mirror near their bed, knowing that it was probably placed there for whoever would become his wife, her. She stared at herself, combing her hand through her hair lazily. She swallowed and looked down from the mirror, the feeling of loneliness setting in once more. She felt it even harder than before, but she knew that at this time, it would be her only friend.
***
“Love doesn't hurt, expectations do”