Chapter Text
Hanzo’s heart was thrumming with a fragile hope as he pushed open the heavy doors of the Lin Kuei library. Ever since he discovered that the Shirai Ryu - his clan from another timeline - still might be revived in this unfamiliar world, a restless fire had been sparked deep inside him.
The moment he teleported there, the entire universe seemed to shout his loneliness. When he finally caught Kuai’s attention, a spark of joy returned. But discovering that his clan still existed here, even in ruins, and that he might restore it - haunted his every thought.
As he stepped deeper, an old librarian appeared from behind a stack of scrolls. His gaze lingered on Hanzo for a moment before drifting back to his tomes.
“How can I help you?”
Hanzo inhaled the scent of aged parchment and ink, steadying his emotions.
“Do you know anything of the Shirai Ryu? Perhaps it’s mentioned in some of these books?”
The librarian lifted his gaze from the dusty scrolls.
“The Shirai Ryu… a clan drowned by time and betrayal. Once fierce warriors, guardians of forgotten secrets, they vanished after a deadly coup - many say at the hands of their own kin.”
Hanzo leaned closer. His heart was pounding like a restless bird trapped in a cage.
“Does their legacy live on anywhere?”
The old man nodded slowly.
“In whispers and shadows. Some say a few survivors hide in silence, carrying their fiery blood, unseen. If you seek them, listen not with ears, but with your blood.” His milky gaze locked with Hanzo’s.
“How do you know?”
“Your amulet.”
The pyromancer’s fingers twitched toward the amulet resting against his skin. Its weight suddenly felt heavy. The runes etched along its edge pulsed - once, twice - like a slow, deliberate heartbeat. This wasn’t the first time since he learnt about his clan. As if the souls of his ancestors trapped within were straining to break free.
“Then you understand why I want to know more about this.”
“So, you’re aiming to bring your clan back from the ashes?”
The lantern flickered, casting the old man’s shadow like a clawed hand across the dusty books.
“I do. I’ve been thinking about it since I discovered the Shirai Ryu’s existence in this realm.”
“When Lord Liu Kang saved you, bringing you here, he knew the war between the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu could not unfold in this world. Your clan has vanished from this world, its ancestors lost to the rebellion.” His voice rasped like wind through dead branches. “You are strong, Hanzo Hasashi. They would be proud. But it’s time… time to let their spirits rest.”
The old man’s gaze flickered to a shadowed corner of the library.
“They watch still, through cracks between worlds. I hear their souls scream - warning you. You should not breathe life into what is dead. Turn back.” He rasped. “Before the past sinks its teeth into you.”
The silence swallowed the room once more. Clutching the amulet tighter, he braced himself, half-expecting the shadows to stir and reveal their secrets.
“Why warn me?” Hanzo finally asked. “If the Shirai Ryu’s legacy is buried, why hide it? Why not let it live again?”
“Because reviving it could tear apart fragile peace… and consume you with it.”
On his way back from the library, Hanzo couldn’t resist checking on Kuai Liang - he hadn’t seen the boy all morning, and the emptiness was already gnawing at him. But the moment he opened the door, his mood dropped - thick in the air was the faint, unmistakable scent of weed.
“I thought you quit that crap.” Hanzo said coldly.
Kuai Liang groaned, his lips curled into a tired smile.
“Don’t be so boring. I’m trying to manage the stress.”
“Stress? I thought I fucked all your stress away.” Hanzo smirked.
“The Lóng Zú officials are visiting today.” Kuai Liang admitted, sinking back into pillows. “The portal’s already opened. God, I don’t want to see him… Hnnn… I just want to ease my suffering.”
Hanzo laughed, but tension tightened his muscles. He recalled the cold cruelty of that clan’s grandmaster toward Kuai Liang and knew in his bones - if anyone hurt his boy again, it would end in a storm of blood.
“I get it. But this...” Hanzo nodded at the blunt. “I don’t approve of that.”
He moved closer, the mattress dipping beneath him as he sat beside Kuai Liang. His fingers brushed the blunt from the younger man’s grasp, crushing it between thumb and forefinger before tossing it into the wastebasket across the room.
“There are other ways to ease suffering.” Hanzo murmured as he gently cupped Kuai Liang’s jaw, coaxing those hazy eyes to meet his.
The scent of smoke clung faintly to Kuai’s lips, bitter yet sweet, but Hanzo didn’t shy away - instead, he leaned in, breath mingling with breath. Their lips barely touched - not quite a kiss, more a teasing - and his thumb traced the defined line of Kuai Liang’s cheekbone.
“Such a pretty boy.”
The youth exhaled, shaky, still tasting the smoky tang, but his fingers curled into Hanzo’s sleeve, anchoring himself.
“We can’t.” He whispered, moaning sweetly, as the warrior’s stubble brushed his neck. “I should get dressed for the-”
“Of course. But first...” Hanzo’s voice was velvet-dark. “You’ll undress for me.”
“Shit.” Kuai Liang kissed him fiercely, desperate. “Ten minutes.”
Hanzo chuckled and kissed him back.
When the Lóng Zú officials stepped through the portal, Hanzo felt the weight of dread settle deep in his bones.
Kuai Liang stood before him - radiant and untouched in appearance, despite having been claimed in every way just moments before. Hanzo had hoped to leave marks on the boy’s skin, a silent warning to the lecherous bastard looming nearby: this beauty already belonged to someone else. And he did - he spotted the delicate love bite blossoming just beneath Kuai’s collar.
The youth didn’t even flinch when he saw the grandmaster, but Hanzo could see the tension coiling beneath his flawless calm. Sliding closer, he became a silent shield between Kuai Liang and the unwelcome guest.
“Stay close.” Hanzo murmured.
“I will… At least he’ll speak to Bi-Han first.”
The Lóng Zú grandmaster’s dark eyes flicked between them, pausing too long on the faint bruises tracing Kuai Liang’s collar. A cruel smirk curled his lips.
“Long time no see, Scorpion.”
“Such a pleasure to meet you again.”
The grandmaster’s smile deepened; he stepped closer, the ornate embroidery of his robes whispering against the stone floor.
“So formal…” He purred, reaching out to brush a lock of hair from Kuai Liang’s face - a touch too intimate, too possessive.
Kuai just smiled.
Hanzo clenched his fists.
“I see you haven’t lost your manners.” the grandmaster said softly. “A rare jewel - both beautiful and well-behaved.”
The young pyromancer glanced quickly at his lover, then shifted his gaze back to the grandmaster. They both knew no one would take Kuai Liang from Hanzo without a fight.
“Thank you. Shall I escort you to my brother?”
“Yes, please.” He extended his hand toward the youth, and Kuai Liang accepted it. A subtle smile touched the grandmaster’s lips as their arms intertwined.
In that moment, Hanzo felt his anger burn so fiercely, it almost consumed him whole. Of course, the bastard knew exactly what was happening between them. He did it on purpose.
“Your brother and I are good friends now.” The Grandmaster said to Bi-Han, then smiled gently at Kuai Liang.
The youth returned a small, shy smile and bowed his head.
Hanzo stood motionless, but a flicker of possessiveness darkened his eyes before he smoothed his expression back to calm. He longed to yell, “He belongs to me!” Yet silence was his only choice.
“Very well.” Bi-Han replied sharply. “We have much to discuss and little time to waste.”
“Brother, your neck.” Tomas whispered.
“Oh…”
Hanzo’s eyes narrowed as they caught Kuai Liang awkwardly trying to hide the faint love bites on his neck. The youth’s usual elegant grace wavered just enough to reveal the haze he still swam in.
A small, almost amused smile tugged at Hanzo’s lips beneath his stern mask. Even now, under Bi-Han’s piercing watch, Kuai Liang couldn’t quite erase the traces of their time together.
Hanzo held his gaze steady, silent as Kuai Liang fumbled to conceal the marks. They were theirs alone, their quiet rebellion.
The young pyromancer straightened his collar, hiding the marks at last, though the blush on his cheeks stubbornly remained. Fortunately, the two grandmasters kept their focus locked in conversation, barely sparing him a glance.
“Is something wrong, brother?” Tomas asked softly, leaning closer to Kuai Liang.
“Everything is fine.”
Kuai stood between them, trembling slightly. The heat of Hanzo’s lingering touch was still burning on his skin.
“He speaks of friendship, but his eyes linger where they shouldn’t.” The youngest brother said through clenched teeth.
Hanzo swallowed the sting of those words. The thought of another’s gaze roaming over Kuai Liang was not only unwelcome - it set his blood on fire.
“No one takes what’s mine without a fight.”
“You definitely need to kick his ass!” Tomas barked.
Kuai Liang laughed - maybe a little too loudly - drawing all eyes to them, if only for a moment.
“Kuai Liang.” Bi-Han’s voice was cold as ice. “Come here.”
The young pyromancer hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward. His instincts urged Hanzo to reach out and pull him back, but for Kuai’s sake, he remained still.
“All the others - leave.” Bi-Han gestured toward the door. His tone left no room for refusal.
Hanzo was the last to leave. He spun on his heel, forcing himself to walk, even as every fibre screamed to turn back. The door closed behind him with a hollow thud, sealing him in the darkness of the corridor. He pressed his back to the cold wall, barely daring to breathe, straining to catch the muted voices inside.
Bi-Han’s voice, sharp as shattered ice, cut through the quiet. Hanzo edged closer, stone biting into his shoulder blades. A soft murmuring, a quiet rustle of clothes, and then unbearable silence. Then, suddenly, footsteps. The door groaned open. Kuai Liang appeared, looking as if he was on the verge of tears. Behind him, the Lóng Zú grandmaster followed.
“Brother asks for you.” Kuai Liang said quietly.
A thousand impulses begged Hanzo to refuse, to scream, “Don’t leave me,” but he pushed off the wall, smoothing his expression, and stepped back inside.
“Sit.” Bi-Han’s voice was even colder than usual.
The pyromancer obeyed.
“He’s high.” Bi-Han growled. “How could you let this happen? Are you blind?”
Hanzo gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his anger. He didn’t like the young grandmaster, but snapping at him would do no good.
“I’m not his babysitter. I’m his guard.”
Bi-Han sneered.
“So you just approve of this behaviour, then?”
“He’s no child. He makes his own choices.”
The mockery in Bi-Han’s smirk cut deep.
“That’s what you tell yourself when you fuck him?”
Those words struck Hanzo like lightning. His fists clenched, knuckles blanched painfully. He had to hold back - for Kuai Liang’s sake.
But Bi-Han pressed in.
“No denial? Or are you too busy picturing him sprawled out, high as a kite, waiting for you to fuck him? Maybe that’s the only reason he lets you do that.”
Hanzo moved before he could think. One hand seized Bi-Han’s hanfu, slamming him against the wall with a force that rattled nearby weapons.
The Cryomancer didn’t flinch, even as his back thudded against stone. The same cruel smirk glazed his sharp, handsome features.
He tilted his head slightly, daring Hanzo to act.
“Go on…” he whispered. “Show me how guards handle things.”
A muscle twitched along Hanzo’s jaw. The heat of his rage burnt through his veins, desperate to break free.
“Kuai Liang would never forgive me if I took your life. So don’t push me, boy. I never touched your brother inappropriately.”
Bi-Han’s laugh was cold and mocking, like shards of ice scraping the air. The chill radiating from Bi-Han contrasted sharply with the fire roaring beneath Hanzo’s skin.
“I won’t let some scumbag fool me.”
“What are you talking about?” The pyromancer released him, fearful of crossing a line he couldn’t return from.
Bi-Han stood unmoving.
“My brother. You sleep with Kuai Liang, I know.” He raised a hand to silence Hanzo’s protest. “Save your excuses. Kuai Liang’s lovers have caused enough problems before.”
That smirk - predatory and cruel - spread wider as Bi-Han savoured Hanzo’s mounting fury.
“You don’t know anything.” The pyromancer hissed. “If you think I would-“
“Spare me your righteous act! I’ve seen the way you look at him - like a starving dog waiting for scraps. And today… the maids who should’ve dressed him overheard you two. They were too ashamed to enter, but they told me everything.”
Hanzo’s vision blurred red with hatred for this place that ate at his soul.
The Lin Kuei… Forever watching, forever whispering - a nest of vipers gliding through shadows. From the moment he stepped onto their frozen grounds, he despised them - their loyalty was as fragile as ice, their honour nothing but a lie wrapped in tradition. And there was nothing good about them, other than that in every timeline, in every corner of existence, there was only one light - Kuai Liang: beautiful, pure, and warm. He was the only shining star in an otherwise dark sky.
“You think you know it all…” Hanzo snarled. “But you don’t see what’s right in front of you.”
Bi-Han’s smirk never faltered.
“Then enlighten me.”
With a crack, Hanzo’s fist slammed into the wall inches from the young man’s head, splintering wood.
“Your ‘friend’ from the Lóng Zú sees your brother as prey! Letting him here was a mistake! Back when we were at-“
“You’re the one not welcome here.” Bi-Han cut in coolly. His eyes flickered to the shattered wood, then back to Hanzo’s burning gaze. “You’re wasting my time.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re free to stay as a soldier under Tomas’ command. Kuai Liang will leave.”
Hanzo’s heart slammed. Did he hear right?
“What?”
“I’m sending him to the Lóng Zú.”
“No! You can’t just send him away!” The pyromancer yelled.
Bi-Han exhaled slowly; the mist of his breath curled in the air. He was undeniably as furious as Hanzo, yet he made a conscious effort to restrain himself from snapping at him.
“It’s not your place to question me.”
The horror of losing Kuai Liang to another man seeped into Hanzo’s heart. His fists clenched tighter, the scent of smouldering leather rose as his gloves began to burn.
“Don’t you dare! Don’t send him away.”
“It’s for the best. Here, he’s distracted, dragged into the mud of drugs and depravity. He’s my brother - I can’t stand to watch him fall. I promised to send him to teach the Lóng Zú how to fight fire warlocks. They’ve never faced such enemies.”
“What are you saying? Bi-Han, I don’t know what their grandmaster told you, but his intentions aren’t good at all!”
“Without contact, their powers fade. They need guidance-“
“Bullshit!” Hanzo roared, flames licking higher, scorching the cryomancer’s sleeves. “He just wants Kuai Liang!”
Bi-Han didn’t even flinch. A wave of frost surged from his fingertips, snuffing out the fire with a vicious hiss.
“You think I don’t know my own brother? Kuai Liang is not some fragile thing to be coddled. He goes where I send him."
Hanzo snarled, stepping in close until Bi-Han’s cold aura kissed his burning skin.
“A boy like you should never be grandmaster - you make the most foolish decisions a man could make.”
“Say what you will, but I will send him away. It’s decided - no objections will be tolerated.”
Slowly, Hanzo’s fists unclenched, the flames faded, yet his eyes burnt with fury.
“If anyone hurts him... I’ll burn this whole world down to get him back.”
Bi-Han’s icy gaze cut through the air, meeting Hanzo’s fiery storm with confidence.
“We’ll see who survives the fire.”