Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Daylight and Darkness.	By : Persephone_x Category: +M through R > Mortal Kombat Views: 2557 -:- Recommendations : 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.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
******
Comely.

“Imperfection is beauty,”
***
Karina sighed and winced as her mother adjusted the gold belt around her white kimono dress tightly on her waist, making the split up the side more visible to the eye. The soft silk fabric sweeping the ground as she turned to face her mother who studied her with a critical eye. She then reached up to fan out her waves and adjusted the gold head chain piece on her head before stepping back. Karina dreaded how much longer this would take, her honey eyes solemn.
She looked up when her mother gave a soft breath, beckoning for her attention. “Are you ready?” she spoke softly, making Karina's heart thunder in her chest.
She really didn't want to go through with this. The Gods only knew what it would be like to be the bride of a God. A blessing and a curse...
Karina chewed on her lip gently until her mother gently swatted at her, wordlessly chastising her for the action. She was barely able to focus as she was guided outside by her mother. Karina's eyebrows knit together when she noticed a tall guard waiting outside of their home. She looked at him confusion before looking around her, seeing more young woman, dressed similarly to her walking to a guard standing outside their homes as well. Their eyes conveyed the same confusion as hushed talk began between parents and their daughter. Karina turned to her own mother, who gave her a small smile.
“It's alright, honey, he has to take you to the palace of Taven,” she explained gently, squeezing her daughter 's hand in encouragement. Karina stared at her for a moment before looking back up towards the guard. His skin had an ethereal glow; his eyes conveyed his patience as their mint green color radiated at her. Karina smiled finally and gave her mother a warm hug, feeling her mother's strong arms wrap around her in a tight embrace.
“I wish you all of the luck, my dear...,” her mother whispered softly before letting her go.
Karina nodded and looked at her mother with softer eyes before taking a deep breath and walking back towards the illuminated guard. He smiled down at her as he offered his hand to her once more. Karina looked at it before slipping her hand into his, marveling at the smooth hotness before his grip tightened on her hand. She suddenly felt weightless, making her close her eyes tightly as she felt a heaviness weigh down on her chest and her head spinning until it all just stopped at once, making her take in a sharp breath. She held a hand to her chest, steadying herself as she tried to calm her hammering heart.
“Are you well, my lady?” the guard quirked, watching her with cautious eyes.
Karina blushed and nodded, standing up straighter despite the sickness that she felt. She took the time to peer around her as the guard slowly guided her towards the majestic palace of the Protector God. She heard many other feminine voices as they let out awed coos and letting yelps of excitement, the heels of their shoes sounding against the clean, almost transparent marble of the palace floors. Karina whipped her head around, hoping not to miss anything as she took in the towering statues and the gilded décor. Every single detail was breathtaking; down to silver light that magically lined the staircase. Karina was knocked out of reverie by the slight shoving of the other Edenian girls crowding around her. Her nose was filled with the scent of Edenian honey and roses from a woman's perfume. Her nose twitched slightly at the scent, taking it in softly. She watched as one of the guards guided them to stand neatly around the staircase. Karina felt nervous as she clasp her hands together in front of her, looking over the girl standing next to her. Her shiny black hair pulled up into a braided bun and her almond eyes stony; as if she were trying to hide everything she was feeling at the moment.
Karina knew that most of the girls that were there were not there for their enjoyment. The desire of status from their families had brought some of them there. Most of them were daughters of diplomats, authority figures, ambassadors to the Edenian royal family, generals or admirals in the Edenian army. They come from families in power or who have favor in Edenia and having union with someone in higher power, someone like Taven, would bring that power even higher. She remained quiet as she listened to the silent murmur among her as they all waited for what was to come next.
She looked up when she heard the sound of footsteps coming down the spiral staircase, a man coming into view and holding a piece of rolled parchment in his grasp. His silver hair was held back in a long braid and his black sloe-eyed gaze looked over the crowd of young women slowly before opening the scrawl in his grasp and reading over it before closing it back up. He cleared his throat gently, the sound echoing slightly off of the vast walls of the palace.
“I am Kouta, a heavenly messenger to the Protector God of Edenia. I have come to advise you all about what will come if His Godliness does not wish to join in union with you,” he started, his voice soulful and booming.
“It's very simple, very simple indeed. If you are not chosen to be his bride, you will simply have to return to your home in Edenia and nothing further,” Kouta explained. “But...bitterness and defiance is to be expected. It has happened before, with many other Gods who decide to pursue a life of matrimony, there will be those who feel forsaken by the denial thus, they go on to blaspheme the name of the God in question and vandalize temples and so forth. I strongly advise against it; any acrimonious retaliation will be met with harsh punishment,” Kouta warned sternly.
“It does not do to dwell on such things and forget that life goes on....,” Kouta finished before giving them a charming smile. “Now...His Godliness will be in his throne room just on the other side of this very room. Proceed with nobility in mind,” Kouta says before bowing silently and leaving to go back up the stairs.
Karina's hazel eyes darted around her as the guards then beckoned them to follow them towards the solid gold double doors across the room. Her ears perked up when she heard the girl next to her begin breath heavier. Karina darted her eyes over to her, watching the young woman try to compose herself and stand straighter, her svelte and regal figure immediately trying to wash away the fear she felt once again. They were all separated into two neat lines. Karina took another breath; feeling her limbs shake slightly from the nerves and heaviness of the tension. She peered, leaning her head to the side slightly to watch the guards uniformly stand next to the double doors, both of them having a hand on either handle of the heavy red velvet doors. She watched as the doors opened and they all headed inside of the vast throne room.
***
Taven slouched on his throne, the light pouring in from the windows reflecting of his golden medallion and his collar. The light danced across the floor and shadowed on the opposite window as he took in the calm and the quiet of the room. He heaved a sigh, closing his eyes before he opened them once more to look at the double doors on the far side of the room. He knew they were all out there, waiting. He could faintly hear the sound of Kouta's voice reading off the proceeding actions to them, actions to take place if they weren't chosen. He silently wondered who all would be among these young women. He had watched everyone in Edenia and would be able to recognize them if he saw them.. Even on the days that he would be bored, he would silently observe the everyday life of Edenians, so absorbed in their tasks, never knowing of his actions. He smirked to himself before he sat up more in his seat, knowing that the time was approaching. Taven had decided on a private ceremony for the choosing of his bride and planned to have a wedding in Edenia for the people to see. He hummed to himself, hearing the voices from down in Edenia filled with curiosity and wonder for who he would have become his wife. Only time will tell...
Taven straightened himself up regally in his seat as the double doors opened to reveal the two lines of young women, filing in neatly into the throne room. He studied the faces intently as the two lines came to stand in front of his throne. The two guards came down the middle and stood in front of each line, a scroll in each guard's grasp. The girls faces were calm and cool; he felt a little proud of their composure. As he expected, he recognized many of the faces there. Both of the guards peeled the seals from the scrolls and unrolled them.
“Our Godliness, son of Argus, we present to you the maidens of Edenia for the choosing of your bride,” the first guard announced before looking back down at the scroll spread out in his hands.
“We declare their titles as they stand...,” the second guard says and Taven nodded in approval.
Taven stood up and walked down to the last stair of leading up to his throne to gently grab the hand of each maiden that curtseyed and greeted him, him bowing slightly as well. He could easily remember every name of each maiden as they came up to greet him from each line. He greeted and gave a soft smile to every young woman that approached him. He hummed softly when he noticed that they nearing the middle of both lines, the guards continuing to announce the names of every young maiden.
“Maiden Aiko of Edenia, daughter of Lady Nanami and Edenian Ambassador Masaru Nori,” the first guard announced and Taven watched as the young woman step forward, the traits of the familial Edenian beauty evident in her appearance. Svelte, tall and graceful; her shiny hair braided into a crown on her head. A smile on her gentle, porcelain features as she curtseyed in front of Taven as he held her hand gently in his own. He began to read her almond eyes quickly, catching the drops of chaotic emotion rolling around in them before he let her turn to walk into the back of the line.
“Maiden Karina of Edenia, daughter of Lady Reina and the late Edenian General Minoru,” the second guard then announced and Taven watched the young maiden step forward to greet him. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he studied her features. He had seen many dark Edenians; Edenians of all colors but there was something perplexing about her. She had bright hazel eyes and skin the color of bronze; her glossy hair were in fanned waves that weren't too customary in Edenia. Most young women in Edenia had straight hair that they either pinned up or let down in a long ponytail. She also differed in her physical appearance as well; her bosom wasn't as full as the normal Edenian woman, small-waisted yet with a pair of curvy, strong hips and legs that were accustom to the Edenian people. Her beauty was different. She did not possess the full regal, porcelain beauty of Edenian girls; it was there elusively, but it was more of a lush, bewitching allure. He watched her closely as he grab her hand in his; watching her curtsy in front of him slowly as her eyes never left his. Taven bowed as well, his hand holding hers tighter as he tried to read her eyes. He studied the common nervousness that he saw in all of the young women but also an uneasiness, a reluctance. Taven frowned slightly before letting her go, watching as she went back to stand at the back of the line so that he could greet the rest of the women.
***
After the introductions, Karina stood quietly by as they all awaited for the next task. She knew that it had something to do with their magic abilities as she watched some of the young women begin to warm up; the colors illuminating the throne room. Karina looked down at her own hand put them close together and she began to move them around in a slow circle to form a golden ball of energy. The warmth of the light went through her skin and the sensation danced across her veins and in her blood, it felt good to use it. She smiled softly at the girl next to her as she played with her powers as well, the magnificent green light illuminating her gorgeous features. They all immediately stopped when Taven came back into the throne room. He stood quietly in front of all of them as they immediately stood straighter and faced him. He smiled politely at all of them as he let his eyes scan over all of their faces. Karina tensed up immediately when his dark eyes stopped on her, making her look down. She nibbled her lip nervously as she could still feel the fire of his stare on her. She felt her heart jitter in her chest as she heard a bite of whispering before hard footsteps approached her, the buckle of a belt clanging slightly against a weapon. She looked up to see one of the guards standing in front of her.
“Step forward,” the guard's voice commanded and Karina immediately did what she was told. She whimpered softly to herself, not knowing what to expect. It made her dread being there even more. She followed the guard, her heart rate picking up as he had guided her to stand in front of Taven. His dark eyes staring more deeply down at her, his face expressionless. Karina almost winced as his expression almost changed to one of boredom as he observed her silently. The entire room was void of sound, it could drive someone mad. She stared back up at him, letting her eyes quickly scan over his features and the faded scar marring across his cheek bones and the smaller one across his upper lip.
“Show me your power,” Taven requested, making Karina's eyes immediately shoot back up to his. She nodded softly before she took a deep breath and put her hands up, moving her fingers slightly as the spark of light ignited on her fingertips before it began to pour and roll into a ball between her palms. She let her eyes flick up to Taven, whose eyes studied the ball of gold light curiously. She widened her palms slowly, feeling more energy pour from her palms and a soft breeze waft from the strength of it. She suddenly cupped her palms and the light energy swirled upwards before shooting back down into her palms and evaporating. Taven looked back up at her before nodding at her to return back to her place in line. Karina felt her cheeks heat up before nodding and quickly getting back in her place in line. Part of her felt a bit happy that he didn't seem impressed with her but the other half wanted him to be, she wanted him to be affected by her.
She watched as he did the same with the rest of the maidens; Karina watched the swirls of pink energy, blue and other powers fill the air. Every other time, a smirk would cross Taven's face and other times, he remained stoic. It made her wonder what it all meant; were they smirks of approval, mockery, amusement? Were the emotionless faces ones of liking, of favor or of disdain? Karina sighed to herself and rubbed a hand across her forehead as she waited for it all to over and done with. She knew that it would be unlikely for her to be chosen and at this point, she didn't really mind at all. She never wanted to participate in the first place. She bit her lip as she tried to rid herself of the negative thoughts as they wrapped up the task with the last girl displaying her magic for him, the neon orange color illuminating the room before going out like a candle.
When the girl returned back into the line, Taven then walked back up to sit on his throne, slouching slightly. Throughout the rest of the evening, the young women engaged in tasks that tested their intelligence, their etiquette and even their strength. All of them succeeding without a sweat. It was nearing twilight when the tasks were finally done. He sighed inwardly once more, not wanting to continue on with this. He surveyed the women with a critical eye before his eyes looked over at Karina once more, he could see her intake a short breath as he shot his eyes over her before let his eyes scan over the rest of the beautiful women before him. They were all their for his choosing, on display like fresh meat at a market. It did not matter at all to him who he would choose at this point. After all, he didn't want to engage in the union to begin with. He licked his chiseled lips, a hand coming up to run over his goatee slowly as he remained silent. He could feel the air become restless as the young women began to shuffle slightly. They were becoming anxious, he thought to himself.
After a long moment, Taven beckoned Kouta over to his side. Kouta immediately came to Taven's side, his silver hair swinging and draping across his back. Taven's eyes squinted slightly before he turned to Kouta.
“I've made my choice...,” Taven said silently to him, the words unable to be picked up by no one else but Kouta and himself.
“Excellent, Your Godliness, whom have have you chosen?” Kouta said and Taven quirked his dark brow as he looked back at the women once more; their beauty striking even in their fatigue and restiveness. His eyes soon landed back on Karina, whose eyes were fixed downward as she studied her hands that were clasped in front of her before they scanned over to the window near the other side of the room.
“The comely one,” Taven murmured, gesturing at Karina before looking back over at Kouta. Kouta looked up at Karina before looking over all of the statuesque women before nodding and standing straighter.
Kouta nodded over at the guards and looked over Karina before proceeding to stand closer to her and at the both ends of the line.
“His Godliness has chosen...,” Kouta says, making all of the women look up as well as Karina, who had occupied herself with watching the shifting moon outside of the palace.
“Remember my words, maidens....,” Kouta said, reminding them of the warning that he bestowed upon them earlier that evening. Kouta cleared his throat before clasping his hands behind his back, the tension between the women arising as they hung on to Kouta's every breath.
“Maiden Karina of Edenia...,” Kouta announced, making Karina freeze up immediately. She looked beside her at the other girls who turned to look at one another, looking for her. “His Godliness, Taven, son of Argus, has affianced you to become his bride,”
There were soft gasps erupted from the Edenian women, making Karina blush and heart accelerate more than it already was. The girl she had been standing by, Aiko, who had been keeping her composure throughout the entire night bursted into tears.
“Come forward...,” Kouta said, beckoning her to come from the impending madness amongst the women. She frowned as she stepped forward to take Kouta's hand, guiding her to stand next to him. Karina glanced over at Taven, who looked warily out at the Edenian maidens. Kouta looked over at Taven and before he could try to calm the women, Taven stood up to his feet and outstretched his hand in the air.
“Peace, maidens,” Taven said, making them quiet down as he stepped from the stairs that led to his throne. “I am sorry if this comes as a dishonor to you all but I have made my choice as difficult as it was. You are all beautiful, fair women and will meet your suitor but it is not I....so please, spare me your scorn,” Taven said peacefully to the women.
“My guards will escort you back to your homes now. It was pleasure to be in your company...,” Taven said before dismissing them. Karina watched with Kouta as the guards guided the girls out of the throne room and out of the palace. Kouta shook his head before sighing.
“That always happens, even with fair warning....ah well,” Kouta says before turning to Karina with a gentle smile. “My highest praise to you, my dear. I wish a well and fruitful marriage. As part of this betrothal, I am your messenger as much as His Godliness so whatever you wish, I will grant...if in my reaches of course,” Kouta says softly before smiling brightly, making Karina's uneasiness diminish.
She looked up when Taven returned to his throne, sitting silently. Kouta looked over at Karina, who stared openly at Taven before getting Taven's attention.
“Your Godliness, shall I escort your betrothed to the chambers?” Kouta inquired and Taven looked up at Karina and then Kouta before nodding, his deep voice ringing out.
“I wish to turn in for the night, it's been a trying evening....,” Taven murmured distantly before Kouta gave a single nod and gently began to guide Karina out of the room. She glanced back at Taven, who was too absorbed in his thought to notice her curious gazes. She sighed inwardly to herself as she let herself be guided out of the throne room, the heavy doors closing behind them as she headed into the unknown of the palace.
******
“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love,”
- 1
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Daylight and Darkness.