Taven, the firstborn son of Argus awakened to the sight of a young man in a red garb and another wearing the same with the exception of a blindfold. He was still somewhat weak from his deep sleep and fell over only to have the young man support him.
"I am Takeda," The young man started "the blind guy over there is my father. We are on a mission that you must join us on."
"Where am I? What is this mission? Where is my father and brother?!" The demigod looked around.
"You're in Earthrealm. Daegon created a clan called the Red Dragon that we infiltrated, killed your parents and my mother. We are going to avenge them. Caro is the one who told us to find you." Takeda answered.
"Believe them Taven. Only Caro knew of this location. They would not lie." a familiar voice spoke.
"Orin?", Taven turned to see the golden dragon with all its splendor. "How did all this happen? This is impossible! Father was a god and mother was a sorceress!"
Orin paused to answer. "Your father was going to test the both of you and see who would succeed him. Daegon apparently was awakened early and managed to kill your parents. Not only that, Edenia had fallen to Shao Kahn ages ago. I am so sorry. This quest is a failure."
"There's more to fill you in on after this is all over." Kenshi added. "We'll tell you when this is all over."
Taven followed them through a portal.
Takeda, Kenshi, and Taven were teleported into a Red Dragon base. The half-god was astonished by Takeda's whip blades and Kenshi's telekinetic skills. All three cleaved through the Red Dragon's ranks until they entered a room. One meant for the
Two women appeared, one pale and the other was dark in complexion. "We are Kia and Jataaka. Taven, your brother will reward us for killing you."
Kenshi and Takeda took on Jataaka, and Taven engaged Kia. They all landed fatal blows on their opponents but something was off. Kia kept raising her arms and releasing energy no matter how much Taven pummeled her. He looked to see that Jataaka kept healing as well. Taven realized what he had to tear off her arm.
She cried out as he yanked off her right arm. The demigod raised her recently unattached arm and swung it across her face. "Now they can't heal. Take her down!" Taven called out to his comrades. Both responded with their telepathy in unison, Yes.
Takeda defeated Jataaka with a tornado strike dropkick on Jataaka.
Taven started interrogating Jataaka, "Where is Daegon?"
"All we know is that he had business in another realm."
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Let's go then, Taven." Kenshi said.
"Why?" Takeda and Taven said in unison.
"These two are defeated and the rest are dead. Once Daegon finds out from these two that you are awakened he will hunt you down. But we will be waiting."
"Why not wait for him here?" Taven insisted.
"Because he won't come back here when no one responds. He'll regroup the rest of his clan and try to attack us. Since he is bent on destroying you we should let him come to us and attack us in the open where he can not escape."
"Alright."
They took a portal back to the base of the mountain and then to the lair of the Shirai Ryu. Taven's jaw dropped as he walked out of the portal, "This place is beautiful. It's surprising that a clan of assassin's made this place their home."
"The Shirai Ryu are more than assassins, we are Earthrealm's new protectors and are better trained than anyone in the Special Forces." Takeda chimed in.
An older voice boomed, "Well done. You haven't forgotten your place among the Shirai Ryu. Who is this outsider?"
The demigod stood sharp, "I am Taven, son of Argus. I wish to be under your tutelage so that I can defeat the Red Dragon, Master Hanzo Hasashi."
"You would have to swear allegiance to our clan. Will you dedicate your flesh, your blood and your heart to protecting this realm?"
"I swear to dedicate my flesh, my blood and my heart to protecting Earthrealm from all threats."
"You are now Shirai Ryu, Taven. Now I will test your might and evaluate your level of strength." Flame spouted from the Grandmaster's hands.
Taven bowed and took form. Hanzo disappeared in a puff of smoke and flame, then reappeared behind his opponent. The demigod quickly blocked and punished Hanzo with a combo. The grandmaster shot out his rope dart, yelled "Get Over Here", yanked him over and unleashed a rush of punches and kicks. Knocking his enemy back. Hanzo crouched and charged a fireball, then Taven destroyed the grandmaster's fireball with his own Inner Fire. The grandmaster slid under the half-god's second fireball as he closed the distance and did a takedown.
"That was excellent," Hanzo helped up his new protegee, "Did you have any other formal training?"
"I trained with my parents, brother and the other gods. I had some experience fighting alongside Raiden thousands of years ago. I still have to do some more training as part of my quest."
"Impressive. We will see to your training and show that our flame burns just as bright, if not brighter.."