The Master of Souls and the Gunslinger
Kotal suggested checking the library, as it was the only remaining part of the palace that they did not look in yet. Ermac nodded, and they headed there. Kotal asked the librarian if they saw Erron. The librarian told them that he was in the library since last night, and might still be in there. Kotal thanked the librarian, and he and Ermac searched throughout it.
Finally, they found Erron. He was asleep at a table, his hat on the top of his chair, his head facing his left and resting on top of his folded arms, surrounded by open book after open book.
“Thank the Elder Gods,” Ermac sighed in relief.
“Those are quite a few books he was reading,” Kotal observed. “What was he looking for?”
Kotal and Ermac each picked up a book, skimming the pages that they were opened to. After doing so, they looked through the rest of the books. They all had one thing in common.
“These are all about restoring things to their original state,” Kotal concluded.
Ermac balled his hands into fists.
“We know why he is researching this,” Ermac told the emperor. “He is attempting to find a way to restore us to how We were before Shao Kahn perished.”
“It is a noble cause,” Kotal said. “Why are you upset?”
“We told him to not worry about the state We are in,” the construct replied. “But he did not listen. That is why he is here. Why did he not listen?”
“He cares about you that much,” Kotal said. “Someone who goes against your wishes for your wellbeing is someone you should keep close. Let him rest. He should be awake by lunchtime. He’ll join us then.”
With that, Kotal left the library to return to the throne room. Ermac noticed that Kotal seemed to approve of what happened, as he was slightly smiling. The Master of Souls turned back to the gunslinger, the anger having left him.
“Do you really care about us that much?” Ermac murmured to the sleeping man. Erron didn’t stir, which Ermac took to mean that he was looking through the multitude of books all night long.
Ermac felt his heart beat faster, and his whole being felt lighter. He looked down to make sure that he wasn’t actually floating in midair.
“Erron… thank you,” Ermac whispered, smiling widely.
Ermac slowly and gently adjusted Erron’s serape so that it would keep him warm while he slept, then left the library, smile still in place.
Credits: Ivewashere
