A Cool Night Beneath the Moon 3D Render, Digital Artwork by FatinChibi

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A Cool Night Beneath the Moon

3D Render by FatinChibi

The temple perched atop the snow-dusted hill exuded serenity. Its elegant architecture, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and lotus flowers, stood as a testament to the union of power and grace—much like the couple sitting quietly on the frost-kissed stone veranda.

Fire God Liu Kang, clad in his traditional tunic, with streaks of crimson sash around his waist, gently embraced Kitana, his wife. The faint glow of the two lanterns flanking them illuminated their forms, casting soft hues of amber against the silver-blue of the snow. Beyond them, the moon loomed impossibly large, bathing the landscape in ethereal light. The bamboo stalks on the edge of the courtyard swayed gently in the cool breeze, whispering secrets only the night could hear.

Liu Kang shifted slightly, his breath a visible mist in the cold air. He rested his chin on Kitana's shoulder, drawing warmth from her presence. Despite the snow and chill around them, he emanated a quiet warmth—a testament to his nature as the Fire God. Kitana, wrapped in her elegant blue and silver qipao that shimmered like the stars above, leaned against him, her fingers tracing the edge of his tunic absently. The touch was both reassuring and tender.

"Do you remember the first time we stood here together?" Liu Kang asked softly, his voice a mix of nostalgia and contentment.

Kitana smiled, her sapphire eyes reflecting the brilliance of the moon above.

"How could I forget? It was after the last battle. You insisted on showing me this temple... and the view." Her tone carried a playful lilt. "But you never mentioned how cold it would be."

Liu Kang chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. "And yet you stayed," he murmured, tightening his hold on her. "Through everything, you've always stayed."

Kitana turned her head slightly to look at him. "Of course. A Titan cannot abandon her Fire God, can she?" Her words were teasing, but there was a depth to them that spoke of the trials they'd faced together—the battles, the betrayals, the endless balancing act of their intertwined destinies.

For a moment, they both fell silent, letting the stillness of the night envelop them. The distant sound of a temple bell echoed faintly, carried by the wind. Snowflakes began to fall once more, their descent slow and deliberate, as if the heavens themselves sought to bless this quiet moment.

"It’s peaceful tonight," Kitana said after a while, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liu Kang nodded. "It’s rare, isn’t it? For us to find such calm amidst the chaos." His tone turned reflective. "Sometimes, I wonder if this is the real reward—not the victories, not the power, but these moments. Here, with you."

Kitana tilted her head, her gaze softening. "You’ve always had a poet's soul, Liu Kang. Perhaps that’s why the universe chose you to be its protector."

"And you," he replied, his voice filled with reverence, "are my balance. My anchor."

The wind picked up slightly, carrying with it the scent of the forest below. The lanterns flickered but did not falter. Kitana shifted in Liu Kang’s embrace, turning fully to face him. Her hands cupped his face, fingers warm against his skin. "No matter what storms come, no matter what battles we must fight, I will always be here. Always."

Liu Kang leaned into her touch, his eyes searching hers. "And I will protect you, Kitana. With everything I have, with everything I am."

As they shared a quiet kiss, the world around them seemed to fade away. The moon, the snow, the temple—it all became a backdrop to their love, a love forged in fire and tempered by trials. Together, they were not just gods or rulers; they were each other's refuge.

The snow continued to fall, blanketing the hilltop temple in white. But for Liu Kang and Kitana, the night felt warm, wrapped in the glow of their shared promise beneath the watchful eye of the moon.