Li Mei

Alex had been visiting his Uncle Ryker and Aunt Li Mei just a few days before his wedding day and he couldn't still shake his nervousness or the fact he felt like he wasn't a whole person. Li Mei joined him outside on the deck at the table where he had his nose buried in an Outworld History book. Alex was indeed engrossed in the book, but not as deep as he could get with these kinds of texts. He sighed marking his place in the book and set it down to give his aunt his full attention. The five-foot eleven-inch brown-haired brown-eyed Outworlder female looked at her seven-foot-tall Black haired red eyed nephew just slightly intimidated by him. He really did look like his father. It didn't help that he was trying to be polite and give her his full and undivided attention, yet he was just unsettling. She sighed before giving him a warm and comforting smile and asked

"How are you feeling about your wedding?"

"Honestly Aunt Mei…I am nervous, and I don't quite feel like I am a full person. Cassie has both familial and military traditions that will be fulfilled but me? I am nothing."

Li Mei was perplexed. Alex was far from any confident Outworlder she knew. She also knew this was not what she expected from the son of Shao Kahn. The Kahn knew what he wanted and was known to be ruthless in getting what he wanted. How could this boy be cut from the same cloth as Shao Kahn? She thought though having known Ryker well and meeting his sister Rena, Alex's mother, and Alex was indeed more his mother than his father. She smiled softly at him before she gently reached her hand out to his and took it holding it for a while in silence. She then said

"You are Alexander Valkyrie Darkov. Perhaps that can be something."

Alex looked at her surprised. He then turned away his heart and mind still unsure. Cassie was so sure of herself, and despite his brave face, deep down inside Alex is just a scared boy who knows very little about himself and has very little confidence in himself. Made worse by the fact he didn't and still doesn't have all the facts about himself. She looks at him worried before saying

"Just try to not get lost in the ideals of others. Follow your heart."

"I have vowed not to live a life of crime or evil, I have had to do some morally grey things in my life that I am not proud of."

"that's good to hear. I know I've heard it from Ryker, but your bloodline is of importance and whether you know it or not, strife and struggle are going to be constant. You're only as strong as the endurance of temperament of your will"

Alex smirked slightly before saying

"Don't I know it, Li Mei"

She smiles at him knowing to trust the boy. He has somehow managed to impress two great warriors to receive two warrior's medallions by this point. Alex looked back to her as he said

"The White Lotus, the Shaolin, Special Forces, and several refugees have mentioned Shao Kahn as a tyrant, and a cruel leader. Yet, I am having a hard time reconciling that with what I have heard from his elite guard and from what I just read in the textbook."

He paused before asking

"What is your opinion on him?"

Li Mei screamed on the inside wanting to tell Alex the full truth but knew she couldn't tell him, he had to find out on his own and she could several people already knew and were dying to tell him but they all held strong. She sighed before saying

"He was a good man who lost sight of his more noble goals in favor of conquest."

It was a truthful statement and Alex accepted it. He then sighed feeling bummed before he admitted

"I have tried asking who my father was and no one is giving me a direct answer. It's getting frustrating."

Li Mei looked at him and admitted

"Around the time you were due to be born was turbulent times for Outworld. With Shao Kahn invading Earthrealm and all. Your father swore us all to secrecy to protect you and your sister from him. He loved you both very much he was willing to be a monster in your eyes just to protect you from anyone who would hurt you because you were his son."

Alex froze. That was more info than he had hoped. He still didn't know who his father was but now he kinda had an idea. His father had to be someone high up for that level of protection. It didn't cross his mind that he was possibly even Shao Kahn's son. Though it should have. Alex smiled relaxing feeling much better about himself, that was until Ryker walked in, a letter in hand and misty-eyed.

"Uncle?"

Alex asked in hesitation when his uncle looked at him and said

"Master Bo' Rai Cho died in his sleep a few nights ago. The corner says it was quick and painless, he didn't suffer."

Alex collapsed to his knees in shock and mourning. He was quick to make bonds even with someone he did not know well. He cried for a moment before he got up and said

"I will do my best to live up to what he saw in me. It was really the first time in a while I felt at home and felt normal."

Li Mei smiled as did Ryker who said

"That is what he would have wanted. Also, Alex, you have been left his beachside home."

Alex froze again looking shocked but nodded slowly. He then said

"It will be perfect for Cassie and I."

"I agree with that. Now go and relax. You only have a few days left as a single man."

Alex smirked but thought that he'd rather spend them with Cassie his beloved.

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