Chapter 1: Right to Serve
In Outworld after the second attempt in Mortal Kombat to merge Earth realm with Outworld, Mileena would be fighting against two tarkatan warriors by herself. It did not take long before Mileena defeated the two tarkatans by herself earning a bored sigh from her mouth. Ever since she was created, she has been able to fight on pare and if anything better than her sister Kitana. Sadly she could not find anyone willing to really challenge her.
"These fights bore me. Is there no one here that can give me a good challenge?" Mileena complained while looking at the downed warriors sighing in disappointment.
Suddenly, the sound of fighting caught her attention within the Outworld forest. Narrowing her eyes, she teleported from tree top to tree top to see what was going on. The closer she got, the more she could smell the blood in the air before coming to a stop to see what the fighting was about. Due to it being late in the afternoon, all she could see were five dead tarkatans laying on the ground with either a hole in their chest from a spear or their body torn in half.
In the shadow of one of the trees, Mileena could easily see a large figure feeding off something. Sadly she could not tell what it was since its back was facing her. Grinning to herself, she walked off the branch and landed a few meters away from the lone figure and swayed her hips side to side.
"What do we have here? A new playmate?" Mileena asked followed by a soft chuckle.
Even with her tarkatan eyes that allowed her to see in the shadows that hide the creature, all she could see was its back and nothing more. Her voice though caught the others attention causing it completely stop what it was doing and slowly stand up and turn around. The figure's height was a towering seven feet tall with its build being that of a true warrior. It was clear to see the lone figure was a man due to his build while not as big as a Shokan nor Centaurian but none still taller than any others she has seen while looking into his glowing white eyes. His attire was primitive seeing as he had only a loincloth to cover his lower region as well as a strange helmet over his head masking his face.
"I do not remember Quan Chi making another servant. Tell me, are you one of Quan Chi's slaves?" Mileena asked leaning forward slightly.
"I serve no one but myself, " He answered while narrowing his eyes.
"Maybe not now but when I am done with you...you will serve my father, " Mileena commented with a grin.
"You speak as if you can beat me with ease, " He said tilting his head slightly.
"And you speak as if you have already won, " Mileena countered. "Let me see if you are worthy of joining my father's army."
"Have you ever fought a foe bigger than you?" He asked narrowing his eyes at her.
"Not yet...but I can start with you, " Mileena answered while getting into her fighting stance.
"Then you are about to learn a very painful lesson little one," He spoke cracking his neck while rolling his shoulders back.
Mileena chuckled before jumping up into the air and teleported from his sight. This caused the man to slowly look around his surroundings unsure where she would pop up. As he turned around, Mileena appeared behind him and delivered a swift side kick to the back of his head causing him to jerk his head forward. A laugh escaped her mouth before she teleported again to appear in front of him to deal another swift kick causing him to stumble backward. Landing on the ground, she stood up straight grinning widely only for the man to slowly straighten up and sigh.
"Is that all?" The man asked in a disappointed expression.
Mileena would grit her teeth and jump up to bring her right fist toward his face in an attempt to force him back. Instead, he stood there and took the punch but unlike before, he did not move an inch. Narrowing her eyes, Mileena quickly used her hands to climb up onto the males back before bringing her hands up and materializing both of her sai's and drive them both deep into his neck.
"Better?" Mileena asked while leaning down to where she thought his ear was.
"A little," The man answered catching Mileena herself off guard before jumping off his shoulders and landing in front of him going back to her fighting stance.
"What sorcery is this?" Mileena demanded with daggers in her eyes.
"Not sorcery...a curse, " He answered while bringing both of his hands up to take hold of both of the sai's and pull them out slowly as if they did absolutely nothing to do any harm to harm.
Mileena let out an annoyed growl before running up to him and jump to deal a quick jump kick to his chest followed by a twisting side kick to the side of his head. What she did not expect was her second kick was blocked by the man who simply pushed her back. This forced Mileena to skid backward while looking up at him.
"Just who are you?" Mileena asked standing back up.
"...Muli Koa...which translates...Last Warrior, " He answered while dusting his chest off where she kicked.
Mileena could not help but release a loud scream of rage before jumping up into the air to teleport once more. Muli sighed before turning around quickly to thrust his right hand outward. A second past before Mileena appeared with her sai's in her hand but what caught her by surprise was Muli's hand already wrapping around her neck and holding her in place.
"If one uses such a tactic too much, it will not be long before their so-called tactics will be their undoing, " Muli lectured while looking deep into her eyes.
"Release me, peasant!" Mileena demanded while trying to break out of Muli's iron grasp.
"...as you wish," Muli spoke before tossing her a few feet away from him allowing her to land on her feet while she dropped her sai's and rub her neck.
She found that his grip was not tight enough to choke her but rather just hold her in place.
"You're not even fighting, are you?" Mileena asked looking at the ground before slowly looking up at Muli.
"I have no need to fight against someone who does not know how to fight fully experienced foes, " Muli answered before sighing heavily. "Leave here girl. You are no match for me."
This alone made Mileena widen her eyes in sheer shock before her rage began to fill her eyes as she watched Muli turn his back on her to walk back to the corpse he was feeding off of before. She quickly jumped up and teleported again to appear over Muli's head welding both of her sai's which she brought down on his helmet easily piercing through it and into his head. Laughter escaped her mouth before she jumped off his shoulders to land in front of him. A soft sigh of satisfaction left her mouth as she turned to look at the now pitch-black shadow where his eyes once were while smirking.
"Who's no match for who now?" Mileena taunted before turning her back on the standing body.
After a few steps, she looked over her shoulder to see the body still standing since she was a few meters away now. She let out one last chuckle before turning to look forward once more to continue walking but felt a sudden chill run up the back of her neck. Sighing, she shook her head as if thinking it was a late reaction before widening her eyes feeling the bloodlust in the air that now loamed over her own small form. Turning around, she came face to chest with the large body that was standing motionless now stood in front of her.
"You are no match for me. If you cannot get that through your thick head than let me show you how I am when I really fight, " Muli spoke before slowly opening his eyes and glared down at her.
Mileena looked to her two sai's that were nowhere to be seen before Muli was covered in pure white energy before he tackled her with his left shoulder into a tree easily smashing through it. As she flew back, Muli brought his left hand forward to take hold of her ankle and pull her back over to him before he drove his right fist into her gut and slamming her into the ground. The air was easily knocked out of Mileena before she looked up to see Muli standing over her breathing heavily as if holding himself back.
"Now do you understand girl?" Muli asked narrowing his eyes,
"I...do. Impressive..." Mileena whispered with a grin on her face before finally passing out making Muli sigh.
"Stupid girl," Muli spoke looking up at the sky seeing it was already getting dark now in which he sighed and looked back at Mileena before kneeling down to pick her up to walk off back to his home.
-Muli's home-
Mileena woke from her deep slumber to find herself in what seemed to be a cave. Her eyes instantly began to scan the cave trying to figure out how she got here. The first thing she saw was a large fire pit with a tarkatan corpse hanging over it. Looking to the far left of the fire pit she could see a pile of bones with five sets being very fresh with some meat still on them.
"Where am I?" Mileena asked sitting up while bringing her hand to the back of her head.
Instead of feeling her head, she felt a cloth which was wrapped around it. She looked down to find her stomach was also wrapped up along with her left leg. Looking at her wrapped limb, she tried to move and only groaned in sheer pain feeling not only was her ankle crushed but her leg was bruised.
"You are in my home, " Muli answered as he walked past her revealing the entrance of his cave.
"Why am I here?" Mileena asked narrowing with narrowed eyes.
"To be treated. I could have taken you to your father but that is something I wish to avoid, " Muli answered with Mileena looking up to see he did not have his helmet on.
"Why? Do you fear my father?" Mileena asked earning a faint laugh from Muli.
"Me? Fear your father? I fear no one, " Muli replied before shaking his head and bringing his hand to the cooked flesh of the tarkatan and tear an arm off before beginning to eat it.
"Then what do you fear?" Mileena asked seductively.
"...for now, nothing. In the future, who knows, " Muli spoke sitting down across from her before taking another bite off the arm.
"How is it a warrior like yourself has not sworn loyalty to my father? The ruler of Outworld?" Mileena asked causing Muli to freeze for a second before sighing.
"Because I have no wish to serve under another, I have no respect for, " Muli answered looking down at the ground before closing his eyes and letting out a faint sigh.
"And why is that?" Mileena asked with curiosity in her eyes now.
"... I have not found anyone worthy of serving under yet, " Muli answered opening his eyes to look at Mileena.
"What of me? Do I seem worthy enough for you to serve under?" Mileena asked in a teasing tone now.
"Not even close, " Muli answered bluntly before he continued to eat the arm. "If you're hungry you can help yourself to cooked tarkatan flesh. It is not the best but it fills my hunger...for now."
"You'd feed me my own?" Mileena asked glaring at Muli.
"I have nothing else for you to eat since this is the last corpse...unless you plan on eating plants, " Muli said with a smirk.
Mileena narrowed her eyes before sighing and nudging her head to the corpse. Muli nodded his head and got up and tear the other arm off to hand over to Mileena. She took the arm and immediately pulled down her veil that covered her mouth to start tearing into the next she was given. Seeing her eat, Muli smiled faintly before sitting back down and continuing to eat his food. Eventually, they finished off the tarkatan body in which Muli tossed the remains to the pile before looking down at Mileena.
"You ate all six tarkatans?" Mileena asked looking over to the pile of bones.
"No. I ate all five. You helped me eat the last one, " Muli corrected while staring out at the night sky.
"You said you are cursed? Why do you think that?" Mileena asked tilting her head slightly to the side?
"...that is something one should not ask. Although I treated you and feed you...this does not make us allies, " Muli spoke looking at Mileena now.
Mileena was about to argue but stopped as she saw the pain in his eyes. Something many would not understand before she turned away gritting her teeth.
"You lost something..." Mileena whispered before looking back at Muli who turned his gaze away from her now.
"...yes. My entire village. I promised to protect the village but failed in doing so. Because of that, I am not welcome to join them in the afterlife, " Muli answered closing his eyes. "I am the last of my people...a dying clan."
"Than that is more of a reason to serve my father. Please him and he will grant you all you desire, " Mileena said with a smile.
"He cannot grant me what I desire. No one can, " Muli said as he stood up and turned away from her.
"What is it you desire so much?" Mileena asked.
The question alone caused Muli to with and look over his shoulders to look back at Mileena.
"To join my people in the afterlife, " Muli answered before facing forward and walk to the back of the cave.
"Death?" Mileena questioned while looking down at the ground.
Once Muli reached the back of the cave, he simply laid on his side before closing his eyes. Mileena looked back at Muli seeing him lying on his side before sighing and lying flat on her back staring at the ceiling. It did not take long before she slowly began to close her own eyes and fall into a deep slumber.
-Next Morning-
Mileena woke in the morning with the sun beaming down on her face. She could not help but raise her hand in an attempt to shield her eyes from suns morning ray.
"Sleep well?" Muli's asked as he entered the cave with two beasts hung over his shoulders.
"Yes, I have. I've slept better but this is not the worst either, " Mileena admitted while slowly sitting up.
She was prepared to feel the stinging pain from her gut but surprisingly felt nothing. In fact, it was as if she was never hurt in the first place. Her eyes slowly looked over to Muli as he began to gut the beasts one after the other.
"You still haven't answered my question. Why did you treat wounds?" Mileena asked tilting her head slightly.
This made Muli stop his task for a split second before sighing.
"Because you reminded me of someone I loved, " Muli answered before continuing his task.
Mileena could not help but smile at her answer before slowly standing up and check her body. Her wrappings were taken off prior time and even so without her noticing. She brought her attention back to Muli and placed his hands by her side.
"Oh? She must have been quite beautiful, " Mileena commented.
"It was not her beauty that captivated me but rather her fighting spirit, " Muli said while finishing in gutting both beasts.
"Her fighting spirit?" Mileena asked slightly confused.
"In the village, there were only two classes...warriors and healers. The warriors were very rare but could easily hold their own in a frontal battle and healers were those loved by the forest as well as went with the teachings of healing as well as living off the land, " Muli explained before chuckling. "She was a healer and I was a warrior. Two classes not meant to be yet had."
"And how was her fighting spirit?" Mileena asked drawn into the story opening before her.
"Although she was a healer, she could hold her own against two warriors by herself, " Muli continued while smiling thinking of his lover which slowly began to fade away.
"What happened?" Mileena asked noticing Muli's happy expression already beginning to fade away.
"...she put up one hell of a fight but eventually the numbers...were far too great and she was killed, " Muli answered while pulling his hand out of the last best holding its heart in his right hand.
Mileena widened her eyes at this news before looking away and gripping her hands into fists.
"Don't worry about it. You were merely caught up in my past, " Muli spoke before tearing off the skin of the beast.
"You are wiser and patient than anyone I know," Mileena admitted while looking back at Muli.
"With time comes patience...even though I wish it was not so, " Muli spoke while laying the beasts on the floor while turning to prepare a fire. "Your wounds should be fully healed by now. When you are finished eating, you may return to your father."
"Why don't you join my father and serve as my bodyguard? " Mileena offered while walking over to Muli slowly.
"That would not be possible," Muli answered as he started up a fire in which he began to blow on it.
"Why would that not be possible? You have proven yourself that you can already hold your own against six tarkatan warriors with ease and even defeated me in a one on one battle, " Mileena continued as she took another step toward Muli.
"I am a loner. One who cannot die nor live in peace, " Muli answered before turning to grab one of the beasts and stab a sturdy branch through the beast to begin to cook it over the fire.
"And why is that?" Mileena asked as she approached Muli from behind with a wide smile on her face before wrapping her arms around his neck while she pushed her breasts against his bare back.
Muli paused for a moment as he felt her breasts press against his back before he focused back on his task.
"My presence would only bring havoc, " Muli replied earning a soft chuckle from Mileena.
"Although my father cannot grant you your desires, why not be satisfied with finding a new purpose rather than live off the land...alone and isolated," Mileena coaxed.
Muli looked at the ground in deep thought now about her persuasion. He had thought about finding a new purpose years ago but found no real purpose. A soft chuckle escaped his lips before a soft sigh followed.
"And what purpose would that be?" Muli asked using his other hand to take hold of a stray stick on the ground to poke at the fire pit in front of him to keep the fire going.
"Rule at my side Muli as the new emperor when my father passes, " Mileena whispered into Muli's ear.
"I have no desire to rule anything...not anymore, " Muli whispered the last part while narrowing his eyes.
"Then help me rule under my father," Mileena continued before licking the edge of his ear.
"What do I gain from helping you Mileena? For all, I know you could easily betray me, " Muli countered earning a soft laugh from Mileena.
"You would gain a new purpose, one that would watch over me as a protector...a guardian. As for backstabbing you, I have learned my lesson not to get on your bad side so trust me when I say this...I have no intentions to turn against the one who will save my life countless times, " Mileena answered while her hands roamed over Muli's chest and neck.
"And what do you offer me as a guardian?" Muli asked closing his eyes waiting on her answer.
"A safe haven. A place you can truly be at peace with yourself with me by your side, " Mileena answered making Muli open his eyes slightly.
"A safe haven? Why would I want such a thing? The entire forest...is my safe haven," Muli replied making Mileena lean forward now.
"Come now, you are not that naive. You have been living in secret for a very long time. Even though it is not immediate, you will be found and when that happens my offer would have been long gone and you would suffer a fate worse than what you are suffering now, " Mileena warned before licking his cheek slightly.
"...how would I gain a safe haven if I am protecting you most of the time?" Muli asked finally turning to face her.
Muli's eyes were serious in which Mileena could not help but seem confused. This entire time she was trying to entice him with her teasing but to no avail did any of it work. Shaking off the thought, Mileena smiled and slowly pulled back to walk in front of Muli and sit beside him.
"Serve under my father and please him and he will give us a piece of land to call our own, " Mileena answered making Muli's right brow raise.
"Our?" Muli repeated making Mileena laugh.
"Do you wish nothing more? A safe haven with a beautiful woman by your side?" Mileena asked sliding her hand from her breasts down to her hips.
"...the safe haven is all I ask...very well. I will serve under your father but under one condition," Muli asked standing up and holding the now cooked beast.
"And what is this condition?" Mileena asked seductively while tilting her head to the side slightly.
"I will not torture women or children. I will end their suffering swiftly no matter what my orders are," Muli spoke in authority which caught Mileena off guard which broke her out of her teasing manner.
"You have many secrets Muli Koa...ones I hope to find out about in the future," Mileena spoke getting back to her feet while looking out of the cave. "How far are we from my father's kingdom?"
"Only a mile out. I never stayed int he same place longer than a day. That is what made it so difficult for anyone to find me...until now, " Muli spoke before taking a big bite from his meal.
"I wish to return home as swiftly as possible. We should make haste, " Mileena replied looking back at Muli.
"...so be it. We will make our way back to your father in haste," Muli replied before he took one more bite of his meal before looking to Mileena. "Before we do eat some food. You will be needing it."
"I will need food for a simple mile journey. Please. I will await your arrival at the gates of my father's palace, " Mileena spoke before jumping up into the air and teleporting.
Muli let out a soft chuckle before beginning to make his journey to Shao Kahn's empire.
-Shao Kahn's throne room-
Muli stood before Shao Kahn while his lieutenants gathered and stood at attention. Mileena stood beside her father looking upon Muli with her hands behind her back. What Kahn sat in his throne looking at Muli as if trying to size him up.
"Mileena has told me a great deal of you...Muli Koa...but something about you seems...familiar, " Shao Kahn started while narrowing his eyes.
"His name is Ali'i Ikaika...a chief of a peaceful village hidden within the Living forest. He and his warriors alone held back hundreds of our own soldiers. If it was not for our flank, we would not have been able to break through, " Baraka pointed out while glaring at Muli.
"I do not go by that name anymore. The moment my people were slaughtered I relinquished my name and took upon one more fitting for a failure such as myself," Muli replied looking over his shoulders at Baraka.
"How many warriors were there Baraka?" Shao Kahn asked swaying his hand forward to have Baraka come forward and kneel.
"Only eleven, " Baraka answered while facing the floor.
"Eleven warriors held off hundreds of my own, " Shao Kahn said before laughing.
"...it was also the day I made sure none of your soldiers returned, " Muli spoke narrowing his eyes.
"You killed many of my soldiers with only a few of yours. What is stopping me from ordering my lieutenants to kill you right here and right now?" Shao Kahn asked leaning forward with his right hand placed on his own knee.
"Not only would you lose half your lieutenants but also a new one willing to serve under your daughter, " Muli bluntly answered causing Shao Kahn to turn his head to look at Mileena.
"And what gives you the right to make such a bold demand? What has she offered you that makes you wish to serve under my daughter?" Shao Kahn asked before turning to look at Muli again.
"I will prove my worth in mortal Kombat against one of your lieutenants," Muli spoke slowly turning to look at his possible opponent.
"Let me fight him, my lord, " Baraka offered as he took a step forward while glaring at Muli.
"You would not last too long against me Tarkatan," Muli spoke looking at Baraka with half opened eyes.
"I'll cut you into pieces!" Baraka shouted while whipping his arm blades out.
"You will fight three of my lieutenants to prove your worth Muli. If you survive then you will serve as my daughter's bodyguard, " Shao Kahn said with a chuckle.
"Than this one is my first opponent?" Muli asked looking over at Shao Kahn.
"Yes," Shao Kahn answered plainly while sitting up straight on his throne.
"So be it," Muli spoke as he turned to look at Baraka.
Baraka let out a low growl from his throat while walking to the center of the throne room where Muli followed. They both stood five meters apart while Muli narrowed his eyes at Baraka.
"Prepare for mortal Kombat fool," Baraka spoke while getting into his fighting stance.
"The only fool is the one who stands before me. I will not hold back, " Muli replied while gripping his hands into fists.
Baraka narrowed his eyes before running forward to bring his blade out in an attempt to impale Muli's chest. Instead of piercing flesh, Muli had brought his left hand to the blade to materialize a one-handed club out of souls in his left hand to quickly deflect his blade. Once his blade was deflected, Muli took this chance to charge forward and tackle Baraka backward. Grinning at the opening he made for himself, Muli ran forward to bring his club down on Baraka's head.
"No!" Baraka shouted before bringing his right hand forward to block the club before being slammed into the ground.
Muli smirked at this before taking this chance to kick Baraka back into a wall watching as he slides along the ground and slam against a wall. Baraka coughed out blood before he looked up to see Muli charging him still. Gritting his teeth, Baraka got to his feet and brought both of his blades to cut off Muli's feet from the ankles and down. While Baraka was looking down, the next thing he felt was a pressure against his head revealing Muli had leaped forward and delivered a powerful forward punch knocking Baraka not only out but into a wall leaving him there.
"Impressive, " Shao Kahn said with an amused chuckle.
"Who is my next opponent?" Muli asked slowly turning away from Baraka and facing Shao Kahn.
"Goro, " Shao Kahn answered.
Goro rolled his shoulders back and walked forward with his hands clenched into fists. His eyes focused on Muli while he prepared himself for battle while Muli sized up his next opponent.
"I will crush you, little warrior, " Goro bellowed while gritting his teeth.
"You will try to crush me, " Muli countered while gripping his hands into fists as well.
The two let out a thundering war cry before running toward one another in which they crashed into each other. Muli had locked arms with Goro's upper arms while his lower quickly punched him in the gut as well as his chest forcing Muli to lose his footing. Goro took this chance to use his weight and raise his opponent over his head and throw him to the ground watching as he crashed into the floor. Even though it would take time to even move, Muli slowly picked himself off the floor and stood up with no sign of any real harm.
"You are stronger then you look little man," Goro complimented while flexing a little.
"...you are also strong...Goro. Strong enough to take this fight seriously, " Muli replied making Goro laugh softly.
"So you were holding back against the tarkatan, " Goro spoke looking toward Baraka before slowly looking back at Muli.
That small instance of distraction granted Muli enough time to quickly close the distance and leap forward with his body engulfed in green energy. Shao Kahn watched carefully as Muli collided with Goro and knocked him off his feet before the last warrior took hold of the Shokan's legs and quickly slugged him overhead and slam him into the ground. As Goro was slowly pushing himself off the ground, Muli jumped up and landed on Goro's back slamming him back into the ground before walking off his form to stand in front of Goro.
"You are much tougher then the Shokan's I faced as well Goro, " Muli complimented watching as Goro pushed himself off the ground to glare up at Muli.
Muli's eyes were wide open and filled with bloodlust before he quickly brought his left hand down to grab the back of Goro's head and pull him off the ground in one action. As Goro was hoisted off the ground, he took this chance to grab Muli's left arm with his two followed by his right. Now on his feet, Goro narrowed his eyes at Muli before beginning to stretch him apart but even though this process was taking place, Muli did not let a single ounce of pain escape his lips.
"Why do you not scream?" Goro asked as he continued to pull Muli's arms apart.
"...this is not the worst pain I have felt. Although I can feel my arms being pulled off, it will not earn you any screams, " Muli answered plainly before looking down at the ground seeing he was not touching it anymore.
Goro smirked at this before beginning to really pull his arms apart with Muli's skin already beginning to tear now. Muli looked at Goro while closing his eyes and letting out a soft sigh. At first, Goro thought he was accepting his fate until his vision suddenly changed from watching Muli to looking up at the ceiling followed by everything going dark as he fell backward onto the ground after releasing Muli. Mileena watched in sheer shock as she saw Muli perform a swift high kick while being held in midair and bringing his feet to hit the bottom of Goro's chin.
Muli landed on his feet while rolling his head back as his skin began to repair itself quickly. Shang Tsung and Quin Chi saw this with astonishing eyes while Shao Kahn himself was feeling more enjoyed at having such a warrior under his banner. Mileena looked at the crowd seeing Sheeva now eyeing Muli with interest causing herself to grit her teeth in jealousy. She was confused about what she felt but she did not like it one bit. her eyes shifted back over to Muli who looked over to Shao Kahn awaiting his final match.
"Well done," Shao Kahn complimented before looking over to Kintaro and Motaro as if giving them a silent order.
Kintaro and Motaro nod their heads before walking forward to lift Goro up and escort him out of the room along with Baraka just to get him away from their emperor's sight. As they leave the room, Muli watched the two take his two opponents away while he began to ease up once more.
"Your final battle will be against Shang Tsun and Quin Chi, " Shao Kahn announced while looking over to his two sorcerers.
"The two sorcerer's of Shao Kahn..." Muli commented causing the two to smirk.
"The last warrior of a dying clan, " Shang Tsung replied with a grin.
"None can defeat this deadly alliance, " Quin Chi spoke while preparing to fight.
"Says the team who lost against an Earth Realmer, " Muli countered causing the two to glare at him.
Shang Tsung narrowed his eyes before firing a single fireball from his palms toward Muli along with Quinchi who shot a green skull from his palms. Muli looked at this and ran toward the duel attacks before slamming into it creating a large explosion that knocked up dust and dirt. The two sorcer's smirked at this before a figure ran out of the smoke revealing Muli completely unharmed as he crashed into Shang Tsung. Quin Chi barely evaded the charge before sinking into the ground to appear over Muli landing on his shoulders.
"What kind of creature are you I wonder?" Quin Chi asked before bringing out his sword and plunging through Muli's helmet. "No matter, you will serve Shao Kahn one way or another."
Shang Tsung got off the ground with a smirk while dusting himself off. Quin Chi looked down at the other smiling until he felt someone grab his ankle. Looking down, he found the one who grabbed his ankle was none other then Muli himself as he pulled Quni Chi off his shoulder and slammed him into the ground. Seeing his partner being slammed into the ground, Shang Tsung narrowed his eyes and swayed his hands toward Muli in an attempt to steal a bit of Muli's soul.
"What?" Muli asked in confusion as he lost his grip on Quin Chi and stumbled backward while watching a piece of his soul be consumed by Shang Tsung.
"Your power...is now mine, " Shang Tsung commented with a loud laugh.
Just when the soul was about to move toward Shang Tsung, it suddenly made a complete three-hundred and sixty degrees turn to enter Muli. Shang Tsung widened his eyes in surprise while Muli glared at Shang Tsung out of pure rage at his action.
"My power is no one's but mine and Mileena's," Muli whispered before making a mad dash toward Shang Tsung.
In a last-ditch effort, Shang Tsung swayed his hands upward creating a wave of fireballs racing toward Muli who took the full brunt of it. Even after the fireballs slammed into Muli, the sorcerer continued to shot fireballs into the smoke not wanting to give Muli a chance to strike back. The plan worked for a time until a spear flew out of the smoke and hit Shang Tsung in the gut as he flew back and was pinned to the wall. Out of the smoke, Muli walked out severly burned before his skin began to heal itself and at a rapid pace now.
"I will enjoy feeding on your flesh sorcerer. Your power...will become mine, " Muli spoke as he walked toward Shang Tsung who was trying to pull the spear out of his gut.
"Enough," Shao Kahn demanded.
Muli stopped in his tracks completely before looking at the ground and sighing with his eyes now closed. Nodding his head, he turned and walked back to Shao Kahn before kneeling before him. This pleased Shao Kahn as he nodded his head and looked over to Shang Tsung as well as turning his head to look at Quin Chi. The spear that kept Shang Tsung pinned faded away allowing him to fall to the ground while he held his gut groaning.
"Quin Chi, wake up you fool, " Shak Kahn commanded.
Quin Chi opened his eyes groaning in pain before slowly pushing himself off the ground. As he got to his feet, he turned his head to look at Muli who was kneeling before Shao Kahn and then toward Shang Tsung who's wounds have closed.
"You're immortal, " Quin Chi spoke as he stood by Shau Kahn.
"is this true?" Shak Kahn asked looking at Quin Chi than back at Muli.
"It is. After my village was slaughtered...I am unable to pass on no matter what happens, " Muli answered without hesitation.
"Even with this power, you still wish to serve under me?" Shao Kahn asked with a raised brow.
"Yes, " Muli answered bluntly.
This caused Shao Kahn to laugh loudly before nodding his head while looking over to Mileena with a grin.
"No wonder why you wished him to be your bodyguard. With him by your side, none would be able to fight you unless you will it. You have good eyes daughter, " Shao Kahn commented causing Mileena to bow her head in thanks. "There is much he needs to learn. Tell him what you can. Quin Chi will fill him in later once I am finished with him."
"As you command father, " Mileena replied while bowing her head in respect.
She then turned to look at Muli and walked toward him with her hands behind her back. A soft chuckle escaped her mouth as she stood by his kneeling form. She could not help but bring her right hand forward and have the tip of her fingers trace along the outline of his muscular back right up to his neck sighing.
"Come now warrior, we have much to catch up on, " Mileena whispered.
Muli stood up while facing Mileena and nodded his head in agreement. As the two left, Sheeva could not help but follow after them with Shao Kahn eyeing Muli with cautious eyes.
"Shall I have my servants keep an eye on him," Quin Chi asked standing beside Shao Kahn.
"Have Noob Saibot watch him. If by chance he either harms Mileena or conspires against me...eliminate him, " Shai Kahn commanded with narrowed eyes.
"As you command my lord, " Quin Chi spoke while bowing his head.
"Now, Shang Tsung...what do you have to say about your failure?" Shao Kahn asked in an angered tone.
"There may just be another way, " Quin Chi said looking over to the side smiling.
-Hallway-
Muli came to a stop feeling eyes locked on him. This caused Mileena to stop and look back at her bodyguard with narrowed eyes. As the two turned, Sheeva would be seen walking behind them and stopping a meter away from Muli.
"What do you want Shokan?" Muli asked turning around to face Sheeva completely
"I am Sheeva. There are questions I wish to have you answered, " Sheeva spoke looking over Muli up and down.
"Than ask, " Muli spoke tilting his head.
"What do you know of our emperor and the events that happened on Outworld?" Sheeva asked while crossing her arms under her breasts.
"That Outworld lost against Earthrealm and cannot merge with that realm anymore, " Muli answered while sighing.
"What of our emperor?" Sheeva asked with a smirk.
"...a ruler who defeated the previous emperor of Outworld, Onaga, the dragon king, " Muli answered while looking away. "He is ambitious and a ruthless emperor. One I do not mind serving provided he allows me to serve under Mileena."
"What is Mileena offering you Muli?" Sheeva asked slowly unfolding her arms and taking a step closer to Muli with her upper right hand rising and touching his chest.
"Safe Haven, " Muli answered bringing his hand up to softly push her own away.
"From what?" Sheeva asked narrowing her eyes.
"...my past, " Muli spoke before turning his back on Sheeva.
"Well, then whenever you want a sparring partner...im always free," Sheeva offered before turning her back on him and walking the opposite way.
"I'll keep that in mind, " Muli replied before looking to Mileena. "Continue guiding me around the palace princess."
"But of course. Follow me, " Mileena said with a chuckle before they continued to walk around the palace.
After the two explored the entire palace, excluding the flesh pits as well as Shao Kahn's chambers, they both stood in Mileena's room. Muli began to scan the room, just like the many others he was shown. As he scanned the room, his eyes looked toward the bed where Mileena laid with her hand wandering around her body giggling.
"That's the end of our little exploration of my father's palace. When he passes on, it will all be mine. Not sure when that will happen but it matters little to me, " Mileena said in a soft voice before tilting her head slightly to the left.
"Where will my sleeping quarters be princess?" Muli asked looking at Mileena unfazed.
"What, do you not wish to live in the same room as I? That hurts, " Mileena pouted before giggling and sitting up.
"If you have questions then ask. If not then tell me where I may rest for the night, " Muli spoke narrowing his own eyes.
"How did your people survive in the living forest? It is possible to go through the forest but I have never heard of a village being able to live within it, " Mileena began before pushing herself off her bed yo stand in front of Muli.
"We live off the land whether it be cursed or not and establish a mutual benefit. Although the land feeds on organic beings, we feed it, traitors or outsiders, " Muli explained while he walked passed Mileena to look out the window.
"Traitors. What rules are there that mark one...a traitor?" Mileena asked following Muli.
"Trying to leave the village without permission. Attempting to overthrow the current chief. Abusing one's power as a warrior. Killing or harming other villagers without reason. Those rules mark one a traitor, " Muli said with a chuckle remembering on how only a few tried to overthrow him.
"How is one made a warrior? Clearly, it must be through special means, " Mileena asked bringing her hands to Muli's back.
"We are born into it. All those who give birth to a warrior, no matter how hard one tries to save their lives, dies. Warriors are born large and feed off our mother's strength until we are born. Even though birthing a warrior is very rare..it still happens, "
"...you kill your mothers to survive..."
"Yes, and any other siblings that are within our mother's womb. Only one may be birthed, "
Mileena looked at Muli before changing her gaze to the floor at the fate of the warriors.
"What happens to the children born as warriors?"
"They are taken away by the chief of the village to be trained as warriors. Once taken, they are put through harsh training and during that time, they are cut off from their family members until they earn their place in the village. That is if they survive..."
"What do you mean if they survive? How many warriors are born a year?"
"At least ten warriors are born a year. As for survival...the training is so harsh that some...do not make it. A least three children die due to how hellish the training was. Others try to run...and are killed by the chief or his warriors, "
"...such a cruel path..."
"Once the remaining children reach adulthood, they are sent into the living forest to hunt, "
"Hunt? Hunt what?"
"Hunt a creature that will earn them a place in the village. The bigger the prey, the more respect they earn, "
"How big would they prey have to be to get a place within the village?"
"...at least bigger than themselves, "
"How many pass this trial?"
"...half of the warriors that survived the training stage, "
"So that is how they earn their place in the village. Now, how does one become a chief?"
"Through inheritance, if the present chief dies an unexpected event or through single combat to the death, "
"And how did you become chief?"
"The moment I returned from my and earned my place in the village I challenged the present chief to single combat...and barely won, "
"You defeated the chief as soon as you came back from your hunt. And here I thought you could not impress me any more than you already have, "
"What other questions do you have princess, "
"...your lover. Who was she?"
"That is something I do not want to talk about. I've told you all you need to know about her, "
"Although she was a healer, she was also a fighter. One who was skilled enough to defeat two warriors, "
"A very skillful fighter, "
"Could she defeat you?"
"If I answer this question. You will no longer ask about her, " Muli spoke narrowing his eyes at Mileena.
"What if I offer you answers about myself? Ones I would not tell anyone else, "
Muli started at her before sighing heavily and nodding his head.
"Two questions and that's it, "
"Fair enough. So then could she best you?"
"No, but she has nearly beaten me countless times, "
"...what was her name?"
"...Hina..." Muli answered before closing his eyes.
"Hina..." Mileena whispered trying to picture Muli's love in her mind.
"Now for my questions. What are you?"
This question broke Mileena's train of thought as she looked up at Muli seeing his eyes locked on her now.
"I am a mix between a tarkatan and edenian," Mileena answered while looking away.
"What is your purpose?"
"To take my sister's place as a true daughter, "
"What is your goal?"
"...to take my sisters place completely. Be both beautiful and deadly, "
"You are already beautiful Mileena. As for deadly, I will train you myself. Although it is different from your methods, you can always change it to fit your style, "
"How do you know it'll help me, warrior?"
"You improvise and learn. All you have to do now is adapt...something that shouldn't take long for you to get a hang of, "
"How do you know I will actually learn from you? Your style is that of a reckless beast who takes hits and comes back from it. I can only take so much before I fall," Mileena spoke while placing her left hand over her heart.
"I only use this style because no one has proven themselves worthy enough for me to fight seriously," Muli answered with a disappointed sigh.
"Worthy enough? You must show me tomorrow, maybe after tomorrows morning meal," Mileena offered with a sigh of her own while laying back on her bed.
"Maybe tomorrow. We can only wait and see princess, " Muli spoke walking over to the side of the bed and sitting down on a chair neck to her bed.
"Oh? What is this? Sleeping within my quarters. And here I thought you would be going to another room?" Mileena teased while reaching her hand out to touch his arm.
"I wish to rest as soon as possible. For some reason, we will need all the rest we can get, " Muli spoke before finally closing his eyes.
Mileena narrowed her eyes and sighed in defeat before nodding her head and laying in her own bed. Her eyes never leaving the sleeping Muli before laying her head down and closing her eyes to enter her own dream world.
-Next day-
Mileena woke from her slumber and turned to where Muli slept to find he was no longer there. Her eyes widened in shock as she sat up quickly to wondering where he went. That was until her door to her room opened revealing Muli walking into her room. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she eased up while slowly making her way to the edge of her bed.
"And here I thought you ran?" Mileena teased while slowly getting to her feet while stretching her arms over her head.
"Says the princess who was worried I left," Muli countered while crossing his arms over his chest.
Mileena's eyes widened with her cheeks becoming a faint red before she looked away and placed her hands on her hips.
"I was not worried. Only curious on where you went," Mileena replied while closing her eyes.
"I went to the courtyard to train," Muli said with a sigh.
"Train? You weren't training with Sheeva were you?" Mileena asked as she quickly turned her head to glare at Muli.
"No. I have my own discipline to train on and keep my mind sharp as well as keep my body in shape, " Muli answered while shaking his head.
"And what are these...disciplines?" Mileena asked narrowing her eyes.
"Running for miles, carrying heavy weights, and hit trees until either your bones break or the tree breaks," Muli answered while looking at his right hand as he slowly gripped it into a fist grinning.
"That is a...interesting discipline," Mileena complimented with a chuckle.
"This discipline is only meant for warrior classes," Muli spoke while walking up to Mileena and stopped mere inches away from their bodies touching. "One I will be teaching you if you so wish."
"What of tradition?" Mileena whispered while bringing her right hand upon his chest.
"No point in tradition if I am the only one left. It is better to use these teachings to better another one," Muli answered before looking down at her hand.
"What of others? Do you plan on teaching them as well?" Mileena asked pushing her breasts against Muli's body.
"No. You wish to get stronger, I am giving you that chance...although it may not be your style, it can help you in the long run," Muli answered before bringing his hands to her shoulders and slowly pushed her back.
"Hmm such an offer, and what do you get in return?" Mileena asked bringing her own hands to her sides grinning.
"Someone who can handle themselves. I may be your bodyguard but that does not mean I can protect you against everything. Although I will try, I know such a time will come," Muli answered while narrowing his eyes.
The sound of knocking echoed behind them which caught both their attention. Muli sighed before turning around and made his way toward the door. Opening it, there stood a tarkatan with his right hand over his chest expecting Mileena. Once he saw it was another, he snarled before Mileena walked past Muli's form with an annoyed look.
"What is it you want tarkatan?" Mileena asked glaring at the tarkatan.
"Shao Kahn demands your presence...both of you...at the dining hall" He spoke before leaving.
"You heard him, my father demands our presence. We mustn't make him wait," Mileena spoke with a soft sigh before looking back at Muli.
"Than some other time, " Muli spoke while looking out the door.
-Dining hall-
As the two entered the large dining room, not only was the table large but a woman sat beside Shao Kahn hand feeding him. Mileena narrowed her eyes at this while walking toward her father and the stranger. The women looked up at Mileena and smiled while putting the food down. Muli was also cautious at this point while he followed Mileena.
"Father, who is this woman?" Mileena demanded as she looked at her father.
"This daughter...is my wife and your mother," Shau Kahn answered as Sindel smiled and bowed her head to Mileena.
"Mother?" Mileena questioned before looking toward Quin Chi who smiled back and bowed his own head.
"And who is this one here husband?" Sindel asked eyeing Muli.
"I am Muli Koa, your daughter's bodyguard," Muli introduced himself.
"A bodyguard? And here I thought Mileena would be stronger than Kitana," Sindel said in a disappointed tone while looking away.
"I am! I will prove it!" Mileena shouted making Sindel look back at her with a smirk along with Shao Kahn.
"Enough. Come, eat with us. Both of you. You have earned that much Muli. Today we feast, tomorrow...we invade Earth Realm!" Shao Kahn shouted raising his cup earning a shout from his other subordinates.
"Thank you father," Mileena spoke while walking over to her father's side to see two chairs.
Muli pulled out a chair for Mileena allowing her to sit before being pushed in. She bowed her head in thanks before Muli returned the gesture as he sat in his own chair to begin to gather food for himself and eat.
"So Muli was it? How did you become my daughter's bodyguard?" Sindel asked with a grin.
"She and I fought one another," Muli answered after swallowing the food already in his mouth.
"Oh? And who won?" Sindel asked narrowing her eyes while looking at the Muli.
"I did," Muli answered honestly before taking a large bite of his chicken drumstick.
"Is that so?" Sindel asked looking at Mileena with a disappointed stare.
"Although I am her bodyguard, I plan on training her in my own ways, " Muli spoke before taking another bite.
"From what I have seen yesterday, it would make things much easier in the future for us when she kills Kitana," Shao Kahn spoke with a grin.
"I will not disappoint Emperor," Muli spoke bowing his head in thanks before looking over to Mileena who blushed faintly.
"Than I look forward to seeing her progress in the future Muli," Shao Kahn spoke before sighing and looking forward.
"I wish to see Muli in combat...myself," Sindel spoke looking at Muli.
"It would provide some entertainment," Shao Kahn spoke looking large space in the dining hall grinning.
"Well, you heard him Muli. Show me what you can do," Sindel spoke making her way toward the opening.
"So be it," Muli spoke standing up and making his way to the space leaving a five-meter gap between him and her.
"Fight!" Shao Kahn shouted while raising his cup up.
Once the command was given, Sindel immediately released a powerful scream from her mouth. Its sound was so loud that it forced most of Shao Kahn's subordinates to cover their ears while Shao Kahn himself, Mileena, and Quin Chi bared the pain with ease. Surprisingly to Sindel, Muli stood there unaffected by her scream causing her to stop after a few seconds with a smirk.
"So you do have promise, " Sindel complimented before walking toward Muli.
Muli said nothing and walked toward Sindel with his hands by his side. As they were a mere inch away, Muli narrowed his eyes and thrust his left hand toward her chin but watched as she redirected his hand away from her form. Once Muli's hand was safely away from hitting her, she brought her own hand forward to strike his throat. Her hand hit his throat causing him to actually stumble back and bring his left hand to hold his throat.
"But not as promising against a real warrior," Sindel spoke before jumping up and shot a ball of purple energy at Muli's face.
The ball of energy crashed into Muli's face causing him to step back and fall to his knee. Sindel only sighed in disappointment before walking to Muli. Just as she got in front of Muli, she watched as he brought his left hand up again in an attempt to grab her leg this time.
"Please, " Sindel spoke jumping forward and bringing her foot to the side of his chin.
This made Muli shift to the side before his hand touched the ground. He stayed still while Sindel chuckled alone only for Muli to laugh as well. This caused her to fall silent while narrowing her eyes.
"What's so funny?" Sindel asked jumping up and kicking Muli in the side of his head.
Muli was knocked to the side but continued to laugh as he looked directly at Sindel.
"A real warrior stands before me. Why wouldn't I laugh? Now I don't have to hold back, " Muli spoke standing up while taking a deep breath before exhaling.
"What are you talking about?" Sindel asked before her eyes widened to see his right first already inches from hitting her face.
In a split second, Sindel ducked under the sudden attack before looking forward, watching as Muli lunged forward. She had a clear opening to his ribs which made her smile and thrust her hand to try and pierce his side with her hand. That was until she felt a heavy pressure fall over her form showing Muli shifting his weight from his punch into a low elbow strike which caused her to fall to the ground. Not giving her time to recover, Muli took hold of the back of her neck with his right hand to raise her up while his entire body began to glow green.
"As I said. No holding back," Muli spoke with a long grin before releasing his hold on her to charge forward and tackle her point blank which launched her back into a wall.
She crashed into the wall letting out a gasp of air as her eyes closed shut. The first thing she saw when her eyes opened was a spear made of green energy flying directly toward her head. At first, she thought that death was mere seconds away until the spear pierced the wall inches from her head. Sindel slumped to the ground while Muli stood up and exhaled while rolling his head back.
"The winner, Muli Koa," Shao Kahn said while laughing.
"You...could have killed me," Sindel spoke while looking at the spear by her head.
"I do not kill women nor children. That I will leave for others," Muli spoke walking back to Mileena's side to side down and continue eating.
"...a weakness?" Sindel asked looking at Muli who stopped briefly.
"No. Just because I will not kill them does not mean I will not beat them down," Muli replied while glaring at Sindel for a brief second before sighing and going back to eating his meal.
"Hmm well none the less Muli, you've caught my eye," She spoke before standing up and making her way back to Shao Kahn while her eyes continued to watch Muli eat.
"Seems my mother has grown fond of you...warrior," Mileena mused with a chuckle.
"From what I have noticed...so have you," Muli replied making Mileena chuckle.
"Why wouldn't I? Your powerful, deadly, and handsome. What woman would not want you for their own?" Mileena asked causing Muli to stop eating.
"...none," Muli answered bluntly before sighing and again continued to eat.
"Your answers always cause me to ask more Muli. What are you hiding? You have already told me of your people as well as your lover. What more have you to hide?" Mileena asked before taking a bite of her food.
"There is so much of me you do not know…and that is how I will keep it for now. In time maybe I will tell you but until then you will have to be patient," Muli spoke after swallowing his food.
"And how long will that be?" Mileena asked with a raised brow.
"Only time will tell Mileena. Patience is one of the few things needed within a fighter as well as technique," Muli commented.
With that, Mileena was left at a loss of words before she continued to eat in silence now. She knew a good amount about Muli yet he continued to cloud his past. What more has he yet to speak about?
/To be continued...
That is the end of chapter one everybody.
Hope you liked it, please leave a review and share this story with your friends or family.
