Work Text:
"Do we have a deal?"
That was the question that brought Bi-Han to his first mistake. Having ever trusted this vile being to begin with.
He takes a look around himself, making slow steps towards the man clearly trying to get a one up with Bi-Han. His brother is watching him like a hawk, continuing to believe he would never. He was better than this. He turns away from him, lifting his wrists to the sorcerer who gives him a satisfied nod, happy to unlock the cuffs that weigh him down.
Bi-Han was not better than this.
He truly believes he made the best decision. How else would his clan finally rise from the shadows? How else would he be able to gain his spot beside Liu Kang, rather than behind him? He was done being placed on standby, being ignored by the God. There was someone who finally recognized his efforts. Someone who was willing to help him rise to the top, someone who understood his ideals. Bi-Han had already made up his mind the minute he started talking.
His brother had escaped, which was expected. But it was not a complete loss, since he now had the grandmaster on his side, that was what he was truly aiming for. He brought Bi-Han, along with the rest of his loyal followers, back to the large building he considered his hideaway, which carried his laboratory.
Rain took a long look at the grandmaster beside him, his eyes running over the irritated way Bi-Han's lips pressed together. When Bi-Han felt his gaze, his eyes shifted to meet Rain's, his teeth showing with his scowl. Rain's chuckle echoed through the hall of stairs they were climbing up to a higher floor of the laboratory.
"Convincing, isn't he? Couldn't turn away from the promise of wealth and fortune?" He asks, ignoring the way Bi-Han narrowed his eyes at his figure. Bi-Han takes a single step closer to him, leaning over his shoulder to mutter close in Rain's space.
"I have no use for such fleeting victories. I only strive for power." Then he turns back away, finding no use in continuing to converse with this man. He climbs a few more steps to get ahead of him, listening to Shang Tsung explain the complexities of his morbid experiments that take place here.
"Eugh... Another one of those." Rain shakes his head, he tires of of people like Shang Tsung. In all honesty, his faith is wavering.
The stairs were painted over with dried blood, but when they get to the top floor, the rest is wiped clean. This floor is different from the rest, it looks akin to an office. Bi-Han finally lets out a small, deep breath. Quiet enough that neither of the men beside him would notice. He was glad to be out of the lower floors of the lab.
He was no stranger to blood, but he had never witnessed such atrocities.
"This is where you will come to report to me, as well as where we will expand on our next moves. We have already set the war in motion, Liu Kang has his tail between his legs. I will prepare the battalions for you immediately, you may command them as you see fit." He looked a Bi-Han with a grin so enticing it made him sick.
As he spoke, his hand hovered close. It occasionally ran over Bi-Han's shoulder, it pressed against his back as he explained another lab experiment. Each time, Bi-Han's body stiffened. The first time Shang Tsung had touched him so carelessly, a groan ripped out of his throat as he shoved the man's hand off of him. Shang Tsung had pulled away, but not without a chuckle at his reaction.
"Do not touch me." Bi-Han looks as if his skin had just been burnt. He did not favor someone breathing over his shoulder, it made the air stuffy around him.
"My deepest apologies, hun." Shang Tsung isn't sorry at all.
It was enough to set his nerves aflame.
Rain, who continues to watch this whole ordeal, shakes his head. He holds his laugh in, knowing the sorcerer and the tricks he had up his sleeves. It was only a matter of time before someone like Bi-Han were to fall victim to them as well. Bi-Han sends him another look when he notices Rain staring.
"Quan Chi will be back in a moment to show you how manipulate the souls for your warriors." Bi-Han clicks his teeth.
"Are you too incompetent to show me yourself?" Shang Tsung laughs again, he finds Bi-Han's anger so dramatic, but it was an interesting display. The way the rumble in his voice echoed in the space of the room.
"Well- if you would like, you could accompany me back down to the laboratory. I am currently conducting an ongoing experiment on one of my captives." Shang Tsung leans back into Bi-Han's space, his smirk growing with something malicious.
"But considering your earlier discomfort, I suppose you will be refusing, won't you?" Shang Tsung's voice is much deeper, much more devoid of any one emotion when he's aiming to break down your spirits. Bi-Han does not crack, but he feels his composure slipping. He holds his breath the longer Shang Tsung looks at him, because he was right. And he did not want to admit it.
"I didn't think so, Sub-Zero." Shang Tsung turns to Rain, motioning to the gold colored desk against the wall.
"Be a dear and get me my reports. You'll be accompanying me again. Our new member doesn't seem to take well to science." Rain rolls his eyes, glancing at Bi-Han before he goes to retrieve the lab reports. Bi-Han tightens his jaw when Shang Tsung easily brushes off his presence.
"You call that science?"
"What else am I to call it?"
"Manslaughter." Rain replies, in the most neutral of voices. The sounds of prisoners screaming throughout the night no longer effects him. He's been here a while.
Bi-Han knew he was going to get his hands dirty to get what he wanted. He knew he would be taking a few lives to rise on top, to get to some place of authority like Liu Kang had. But to him, he thought it was all for a purpose. He thought he had reasons. Bi-Han didn't kill without intent. These men did.
"And what results has your research brought you?" He asks, keeping his distance every time Shang Tsung's body takes another step towards his own. Shang Tsung let's out a deep sigh, tilting his head.
"Well, for starters, humans seem to be able to take on so much more than I expected. Truly, you'd be fascinated how much the body adapts danger." He steps closer. "But it will take me a while to mold my prisoners into the most devilish of monsters. Even more so than what Tarkat can do." Rain hands him a few papers, Bi-Han glances to the side with a sharp laugh.
"For a war like this, you don't have a 'while.' Your experiments are a waste of time."
"Are they now?" Shang Tsung raises his brow at Bi-Han's confident words.
"Oh really, we don't suppose you have any better ideas. Do you, Sub-Zero?" Bi-Han can't stand when Rain begins speaking to him. His voice makes his temples feel tight with annoyance.
"I do, Rain."
"I doubt it."
"You are not of the same height of intelligence to be speaking of this matter with me." Rain grips his staff, but before he could begin to protest, Shang Tsung holds a hand in front of his face.
"Silence. I'd like to hear his proposal."
Rain is pissed. And Bi-Han enjoys seeing the way he is unable to defy the sorcerer. When Shang Tsung gives him all of his attention, he feels a sense of pride, knowing he can provide much more than Rain ever could.
"A member of my clan, he goes by the name of Sektor. He came to me proposing the idea of using science to build the Lin Kuei a long time ago, the same way you hope to integrate your experiments."
"Really?" Shang Tsung is all ears, he circles Bi-Han as he listens to him further explain.
"Sektor is a genius with machinery. We have already begun the process of bringing our blueprints to life. I have complete faith in his work, he has never given me reason to doubt him before. If you require assistance in your studies, I will put in the word."
Shang Tsung is thinking about it. He takes it into honest consideration, his brows raising with his smile.
"Our new warriors will also provide us more aid in the fight. They would be much more capable and complex than a couple of lifeless soldiers."
"You're building killing machines?" Rain has shock written on his face.
"I am astounded. Your first day here, and already you've settled in so nicely. Finally- someone with ambition." Shang Tsung praises, and Rain watches as Bi-Han sends him a filthy smirk, meant to insult him.
"Once again, you've proven your title as Grandmaster. I expect to see good results from this." As he accepts his aid, his hand finds Bi-Han's back, placing itself far too low once again. Bi-Han doesn't have time to react, because Shang Tsung pulls his hand away just as quickly as he had placed it there, a fleeting touch on his skin.
Bi-Han's body stiffens all over again, he had gotten so lost in the pleasure of the high compliments being thrown at him. Shang Tsung's touch seemed to wake his body back up, returning him to his new reality.
And now, in present times, Bi-Han finds that his body can not get enough of that touch. Before, he did everything in his power to avoid it. Simply walking across the room, swatting his hands away. Now he finds himself riling the sorcerer up. He looks for his praise. He had never allowed himself to look up to another person, but then again, he had never met someone who truly aimed for absolute power.
It was addictive in every possible way.
The person he was beginning to hate the most, was the mage who always seemed to interrupt his efforts. But truly, Rain has no idea why Bi-Han looks at him the way he does. Why he becomes more red in the face with anger when Shang Tsung calls for his help on the simplest of tasks.
"Such an unflattering face, Sub-Zero."
"I promise, yours doesn't do you any favors."
"How cold." Rain grins, wondering why it was so easy for him to set off all of his buttons.
"Enough. I can't hear my own thinking with you both continuing this useless squabble. Liu Kang has tightened his defenses. We have to find a route to make it back into Earthrealm. He has gathered some... interesting information."
"What knowledge has he found now?" Rain asks curiously.
"I don't know, something having to do with a disruption in our universe. An anomaly, if you would. I need more details." Shang Tsung's face is twisted uncomfortably as he tries to come up with a solution.
"Don't you have the ability to shape shift?" Rain questions. This is the first Bi-Han has heard of this despite lingering around him often.
"I am still learning the skill. The Zaterran I had captured found his way out. Pesky little thing hated sitting through my studies. He was the only one of his kind who could shape shift."
Something clicks in Bi-Han's mind. The Lin Kuei has been good on informing him of any news that's travels between both Outworld and Earthrealm. He steps closer to the sorcerer, taking note of the lines on his face that show his irritation.
"You don't need him."
"What?" Shang Tsung gives Bi-Han the attention he craves. Bi-Han has learned well at this point what Shang Tsung likes to hear.
"We've gotten word that the majority of the Zatteran race has the ability to shape shift. They kicked out their own kind to hide this fact. Securing a new prisoner would be easy. I'll send out a few of my own if you so command it."
Shang Tsung's dimples are deep with the grin he wears. Once again, the grandmaster has made his job easier. He often finds that he doesn't need to lift a finger to get his work done. Rain stares at Bi-Han, realizing just how much he's been corrupted after joining their side. Somehow, Rain has become the most sane.
"You never fail to please me. This is certainly good news, they've done a good job at keeping it under wraps." Shang Tsung's hand trails over Bi-Han's waist. This time, he lets it. His body no longer freezes in its spot at his touch, instead, it grows loose.
Shang Tsung rides his fingers over his spine, his touch light against his body. He leans closer at his shoulder, looking up at Bi-Han with naturally seductive eyes, his voice laced with something sweet.
"Take care of that for me dear. Then we can begin the next step immediately. The war is drawing near."
Bi-Han's face does not react, but his eyes don't dare to look anywhere but into Shang Tsung's. He is completely captivated by the amount of power this man holds. Rain watches them both in disgust, Bi-Han does not realize just how much Shang Tsung has managed to get him completely wrapped around his finger. Bi-Han finally looks down when his touch leaves him.
"You will regret allowing yourself to fall under his wicked spells. Are you not your own grandmaster?" Rain mutters under his breath, because he has some humanity. It was a small effort in snapping some sense into him. But Bi-Han is far from listening. He's already labeled Rain as a disturbance.
"You would be wise to keep yourself out of my business. Worry about your own position, Rain." It was no use.
They had managed to secure not only one, but a handful of Zaterrans for the sorcerer to take his pick. In the end, he decided to keep them all. Two bodies was better than one, Bi-Han tried not to think of what he would need them all for. He decided to convince himself they were there for studying purposes.
Bi-Han now sits alone in the room Shang Tsung had prepared for him. He was clearly being pampered, having been so useful up until this point. He sits on the edge of his bed, thinking. Thinking of how he got to this point. How he's gone from being a respected protector of Earthrealm, to hiding in the shadows, ready to strike at the very place he's grown to defend.
He thinks about his brothers. It has now been days since he's last been beside them, his last memories being of Kuai, and the heartbreak in his face. Bi-Han's body always stiffens when he remembers that he was the one who made him make that face. He never thought they were to grow so far apart. He still wishes his brothers stuck beside him. He wishes that they had faith in his vision.
The door to his room clicks open, and his train of thought is interrupted. Shang Tsung finds him looking down at the floor with a stone face, more tired than angry. He walks up to him with a sway in his hips.
"There you are. I had almost thought you left the lab without warning." He laughs, but Bi-Han does not respond. His mind is too occupied to process the humor in his voice.
So Shang Tsung forces his attention. He drags his gaze up with his fingers at his chin, directing Bi-Han to look at him. When he knows he's got it, his fingers go to push back the loose strands of hair in his face.
"Have you finally begun to doubt my efforts, dear? Are we having second thoughts?" Bi-Han's lips quiver, as if he wants to say something. He decides against it, not trusting what words could leave him. Shang Tsung loves the control he has.
"Good. Because we are almost at the finish line. Soon, we will have Liu Kang defeated, begging for mercy on his knees when we have taken Earthrealm into our grasp." His hand moves down to caress Bi-Han's neck, feeling how tense his muscles have become. Shang Tsung reaches his ear.
"You are almost there, Bi-Han." His words managed to send a chill through his cold body, silencing the various thoughts in his head.
"You're one step closer to reaching the authority you've always wished for. The power, to be your own ruler. No longer a lapdog to Liu Kang." His voice, mixed with the way Shang Tsung's hand rubs over his chest, has Bi-Han breathing deeply out of his mouth.
"You'll have proven yourself not only to your clan, but to your brothers. You'd have built a new name for your family, one to be expanded upon for generations. Everyone will bend at your will, you stand above all of them." His lips are pressing against his earlobe.
"And I will be right beside you. Oh how proud, how delighted I would be to stand next to a powerful man such as yourself. To be over your arm like a piece of expensive cloth as you look down on the realms." Like a trophy.
Bi-Han likes the sound of that.
He groans in his throat when he feels Shang Tsung’s hand trail down his chest, getting a feel of the body that is hidden by his layers of clothing. Bi-Han finally turns his head to look at him, the frustration on his face there not because he is annoyed, but because of the way he affects his body.
"Doesn't that sound nice?" Shang Tsung knows exactly what he needs to hear. Bi-Han could listen to him speak this way for hours.
"You have my complete faith, sorcerer." Bi-Han sounds as if he's out of breath, despite nothing happening between them.
"Oh, I know I do." Bi-Han's eyes grow wide after that statement. Because Shang Tsung had pressed his lips onto his, the shortest of kisses being exchanged, it happened so fast he couldn't have reacted to it even if he wanted to. All he could do was sit with a dumbfounded look as Shang Tsung finally pulls away from his body.
"Don't sit and dwell so much sweetheart, it'll never do you any good. You don't get power by doubting yourself. You need just as much faith in your own capabilities as you have in mine." He smirks as he pinches the grandmaster's chin.
"Now lighten up, I don't want to see that face again." What face? Bi-Han never shows many faces to begin with. He almost reaches out for his touch again, but forces himself to stay back when Shang Tsung leaves his room.
He doesn't understand this feeling. Bi-Han has secluded his heart away from everyone around him. He hardly builds connections outside of his own clan, that he's been around since birth. He does not partake in intimate activities, he shuts down anyone who tries to work past his defenses.
So now, he doesn't know what to do, with someone who has managed to find a way around them. With someone he both admires and craves every time he looks at him. He is beyond clueless on how he is supposed to deal with the way his body reacts to Shang Tsung.
He continues to let him guide him. To command him. But it's different from how it was with Liu Kang. Shang Tsung values his input. He redirects his plans to work with Bi-Han's proposals. He has complete faith that he always gets the job done, because he does. Bi-Han is useful to him, much more than Rain has ever been. It is the mage who is now on the sidelines.
"You've forsaken the entirety of Earthrealm." Rain's words do not phase him anymore. He already knows the mage has had other plans for a while now, perhaps a betrayal to Shang Tsung. It is clear he is not on their side anymore. Bi-Han laughs a breath out his nose, turning away from the him.
"They are beneath me, and they can stay there." Every day, he sounds more and more like the sorcerer.
Shang Tsung loves what he has done. He loves seeing the confidence rise in Bi-Han. He knows with the right guidance, Bi-Han would be an unstoppable force. All he needs to do is reward him with praise, with the affections and promises of a bright future. One where he stands besides the gods of the universe.
He is so proud, that he rewards him with the deep kisses he now places on his lips. He's guiding Bi-Han back against the edge of his bed, having complete control over the grandmaster as he shakes under him. Bi-Han groans into his mouth, his deep voice a pleasant sound welcome in his body.
"Someone's enjoying themselves a great deal now, aren't they?" He teases, watching Bi-Han's brows pull together when he's pressed down into his bed. His chest is heaving with the deep breaths he takes.
"Are you hoping for me to continue?"
"Yes."
There is not an ounce of hesitation in his voice. Bi-Han has been forced to sit by and deal with just the sight of Shang Tsung before him. He can no longer deny his body's needs. Shang Tsung burns the image of Bi-Han writhing under him. His hands pin his wrists down at his sides.
"I would consider if you start to beg."
Bi-Han's eyes pop open, his face scrunching up at the man above him. He does not beg. His teeth are grinding together uncomfortably as his body begins to ache more. He's debating with himself, a part of him cursing Shang Tsung for expecting him to stoop to such lows. The other part, wanting to listen to his every word.
"If you're not going to follow my rules, don't expect a touch of my affections." His grip on his wrists tighten, his veins pushing up in his skin.
"You know my rules won't change."
Maybe Bi-Han truly has become a fool. For once, he can see the clear difference in rank. Shang Tsung is far above him. It was never Bi-Han who would be placed above the realms. It was him.
And Bi-Han wants to stand beside him.
"Please..." his voice is has gone hoarse, it takes everything in him to swallow the pride he holds in his entire body to give Shang Tsung what he wants.
"Please, I need you."