Chapter 3
Outworld
There was a spontaneous gathering held in the grand hall of Shao Kahn's fortress. A handful of palace guards, Tarkata, and other loyal subjects peacefully mingled together. The air was rife with murmurs, nervous laughter, and anticipation. An elaborate throne commanded attention in the palatial sized room. Expertly carved in granite and inlaid with precious metals hammered into delicate designs, human skulls, and jewels that formed a mighty coat of arms up the towering back.
The Emperor sat on the royal chair, his expression was one of silent intensity with raging, fiery eyes scowling beneath a furrowed brow. His galvanized stare narrowed on two subjects in particular. One of them being Shang Tsung, the other was one of the most deadly female enforcers Outworld had to offer. A fearless lunatic highly practiced in seduction with a venomous bite. Wearing a rather provocative, tailored magenta leotard trimmed in black that showcased her lean, curvaceous form beautifully. A matching loincloth draped gracefully down to the ankles of her black, thigh-high stiletto boots. And a magenta veil covered the lower portion of her face, hiding a lipless mouth of long gnashing teeth lining her cheeks. The only flaw in this woman's beauty.
"Are you ready to begin?" Shang Tsung asks her.
"I'm always ready." Mileena answered in a sultry voice with seductive, half-hooded eyes and a hand on her hip jutted to one side.
"Very well," Shang Tsung said taking a few steps back. He splayed his arms out to the side in a grand gesture. Chanting an incantation to invoke the dark magics. A blaze of intense green flames formed in his palms; curled from his fingertips and billowed from beneath his heavy blue cloak made of the finest silk. It formed into glowing swirls of mist that funneled around Mileena, enveloping her completely.
He looked on with a dark, whimsical fervor in his eyes while standing amid the dancing green flames. Mileena bellowed and agonized cry when feeling herself shift into something new. Her glossy, raven hair sprouted into cascading, golden locks. The razor sharp fangs lining her face knitted together. Giving way to high cheekbones, full ruby lips, and rich blue eyes that glittered like sapphires. The revealing magenta attire shifted into a black strapless midriff with an asymmetrical skirt, and matching black boots running up the knee.
Once the light faded, Mileena rose from bended knee and looked down at herself. Then stormed to the nearest palace guard gripping an intimidating battle axe fastened to a hardwood pole. Touching her new face reflecting in the crescent blade of polished steel.
Oh, god, I'm one of them. She thought silently in disgust.
Shao Kahn boisterously laughed from the throne. "Another shrew. Isn't she just lovely?"
"It's certainly an improvement." The sorcerer insulted. Both men and a few others shared a brief chuckle at her expense.
Mileena ignored the remark and thought nothing of it while slipping into a scarlet cloak. The very same one belonging to the creature Reiko's lieutenant killed. The sorcerer handed her a satchel filled with potions created to mimic Alexandria's healing abilities. Then delicately helped her put on a glittering diamond necklace with a teardrop ruby pendant, an exact replica of the enchantress'. He then presented a tennis bracelet made of rubies and diamonds.
"This piece carries a great deal of importance to our unwilling guest. She put up a decent struggle when I took it from her." He says fastening it around Mileena's wrist to complete his mystical ruse. "It was given to her just before she was stolen from the garden. From someone very special. It's also been cursed, and will act as a shield to block the all-knowing minds of telepaths she's associated with."
"Oh, by the gods!" Mileena hollered pinching the bridge of her nose. As soon as the bracelet was on, fragmented memories belonging to Alexandria began creeping into her mind. She then covered her mouth when hearing her new voice now lighter and carrying a heavy southern drawl.
"Oh yeah, it does that too." The sorcerer added.
"Is there a problem?" Shao Kahn growled from the royal chair.
Mileena shook her head no and slowly lowered the hand covering her mouth. "This woman you've changed me into is just seething with righteousness and sickening good intentions." She grimaced and fell silent for a moment. Then smiled when realizing something rather interesting. "She's also very close to Earth's newest and most anticipated champion. Kung Lao."
"Good. Use that to your advantage. Remember, should you fail or deviate from your task in any way, I not only promise you death. I promise you a painful end beyond measure." The Emperor vowed. He slowly stood from the throne and held out a grasping hand before him. Summoning a portal that ripped through the air behind the doppelganger.
"I will not fail, Emperor." She promised. With a confident toss of her new lush, golden mane, Mileena turned around. Facing the portal and braced herself for the inevitable queasyness that came with this means of travel. After shutting her eyes tight, she jumped inside the whirling vortex. It winked shut almost immediately, and she was gone.
The Emperor slumped back onto the throne, strumming his fingers over the armrests and grinning maliciously. "Things are going to get rather interesting in the coming weeks." He muttered. Feeling as though the fate of Earthrealm was turning in his direction already. Soon, the pieces of the puzzle will fall together. At long last, his boots will be striding the verdant surface of Earth like a god from the lower depths. A scene of chaos and despair will ensue, they will cry for mercy and it will be music to my ears.
While Shao Kahn was preoccupied with his dark thoughts, the massive double doors to the grand hall slowly opened. A fully recovered General Reiko entered, walking down the long strip of red cloth that led up to the throne. Shang Tsung greeted him in mocking respect with a single bow, only to be rudely shoved aside when not getting out of the General's path fast enough.
With eyes downcast, Reiko taken a knee before his Emperor.
"Ah, General Reiko," the Emperor greeted, "I assume you've come with good news."
"It's informative, my lord." He answered boldly while rising fully upright. "My scouts have detected another rebel stronghold deep within the Living Forest."
"And?"
"And the battalion stands ready."
"So why the delay?" The Emperor scoffed. "You should be crushing their skulls like eggshells, not standing here wasting time."
"It will be done, my lord. I swear it. But I'm here for another reason, a request if you will."
"What is it then?" Shao Kahn asked, his voice becoming more impatient.
"The shaman from Earthrealm, the healer. She is different from her repellent brethren, yes?" Reiko inquired.
"Indeed," Shang Tsung answered as he casually strolled up to the throne, "she is nothing like the creature you encountered. Though the eternal blood runs through her veins and she possesses the ability to summon enchanted sands, and has those… little whispering guides in her head. She was never fully turned by the Red Covenant. Luckily. For her and for you." He said now standing just to the Emperor's right.
"Did I ask that you speak on my behalf?" Shao Kahn spat with a nasty glare narrowed at the sorcerer.
"No, Emperor. I was merely.."
"Then be silent!" He snarled, then focused on his General once more. " The stupid little shrew doesn't possess the ability to conjure deadly sands if that's what you're wondering. Why does this even concern you when there are more important matters? Like the rumblings that are needing to be dealt with."
"I would like to borrow the shaman. I believe her healing methods could be of use, especially if we come across another one of her... half-brethren." The General politely requested.
The Emperor heaved a deep sigh and pondered for a moment. Going through a mental checklist to see if the woman could be of any use to him personally before allowing her to leave the dungeons. "Very well. She and her issue are yours to deal with. Now leave my sight and go do your job." He said with a withering voice, dismissing his General with a frenchman's wave. Knowing good and well that Reiko was more than capable of keeping her leash very short.
Life in the dungeon chambers was a filthy metal bowl of spoiled leftover medley and a small tin cup of brown colored, brackish water that smelled terrible. The food was so rancid Alexandria relied on scurrying insects for sustenance and only sipped from the tin when hydration was an absolute need. The scent of death and open sewage was ever-present, and the air was either suffocatingly still, or pierced with screams from the other prisoners being horribly tortured. This place was a literal hell with no end in sight.
Surrounded by three walls of abrasive stone and a crossed iron barred door, Alexandria laid in a bloody mess on the cold concrete floor of her cell. Mercilessly beaten by the sorcerer who stolen her bracelet, a cherished gift that was the only meaningful thing she had to cling to in this forsaken place.
She writhed while fading in and out of consciousness with eyes that were swollen shut and purpling. Bloody spittle drooled from her mouth, coagulated blood blotched over her cheeks and clothes. With a quivering bottom lip, she croaked an incantation, her injuries faded and the pain was gone. The blood staining her skin and clothes absorbed back into her body as if it were never there.
Once everything came back into focus, Alexandria desperately wished it hadn't. Still lying flat on her back with tired, listless eyes fixed on the ceiling. She looked at her wrist and seen the bracelet Kung Lao had given to her was indeed gone. Her eyes became glassy with tears that dripped steadily every time she slowly blinked.
"God what have I done to deserve this?" She thought outloud.
"Probably nothing," an unexpected, smooth voice of a man answered, "sometimes the fates can just be cruel."
In a startled panic she flinched, rolled over and sat up. Her eyes scanned through the gloomy dusk of her cell and focused on a man standing on the other side of the barred door. His attire was similar to the Emperor's only less elaborate and intimidating. His physique was extremely well built and perfectly chiseled. His face bold, strong, and stoic with black diamond shaped tattoos surrounding eyes that were empty and softly glowing blue. Clearly he was a seasoned warrior. After a moment taking in his features, the enchantress recognized him as the man she was forced to heal.
The Emperor's General. Gulp! God, what does he want? She felt a sickening feeling bloom within, regretting healing herself only to make her flesh new for more torment.
"Well, you're looking much better." She complemented with a voice that was tiny and insignificant.
"Wish I could say the same about you." He said looking down at the enchantress, faintly amused by her disheveled state. She looked like a little mangy stray that needed a home. Her once lush, frolicking golden hair hung in greasy matted strands, framing a dirt-smudged face. Her clothing threadbare and in tattered rags, except for the brilliant red cloak that looked pristine for some reason. Seemingly unfazed by the filth of this terrible place.
"My apologies." She retorted. "The lack of proper facilities prevents me from cleaning up for unexpected guests."
"Hm, perhaps I could change that. How would you like to be let out, enjoy a nice warm shower and a bed to sleep in? And if you're really good, something fresh to eat paired with a full bodied merlot."
Food, that was enticing, the very word made her mouth water. She was bitterly and painfully hungry, her guts constantly twisting, grinding, and making gurgling noises. In a subconscious gesture, her brows raised delightedly. Then skeptically furrowed a second after.
Wait a minute. If you're really good? What exactly did he mean? Good at what? She listed a number of possibilities, all of which were not good in her opinion. Nothing good could ever come from this hell-hole.
"I'm going away on a little trip and would like you to come. I believe your certain... talents could be useful along the way."
"Talents?" She repeated with a nervous pitch then realized what he meant. "Oh! My talents. My healing talents," she raised both hands and fluttered her fingers, "um… sure I would be happy to oblige."
"It's settled then." He says taking a master skeleton key fastened to a large ring. Shoving into the lock and opening the barred door.
Alexandria slowly stood up, looking down while retying the braided sash of the robe to hide her ripped and worn clothing. Suddenly, she felt something smash into her that felt like a truck, knocking the wind out of her lungs. She was now heatedly pinned against the stone wall with such force she could feel the rough surface digging into to her back. Reiko's forearm pressed across her neck, nearly choking her. He had a wild inferno blazing in his eyes, making them glow even brighter. She wriggled and strained against him while clawing at his gauntlet.
"Just so we are absolutely clear, Alexandria," he growled in her face close enough to where their breath mingled, "I'm a man of little to no patience. Should you defy me- should you even commit the slightest misdemeanor, punishment will be cruel and swift! Am I understood?"
"Yes!" She croaked desperately.
"Good." He released her and took a few steps back.
She panted while rubbing her neck, glowering at him. "Look, I get it. I understand how things work around here. It isn't necessary to put your hands on me to get your point across."
"No it isn't, but it's an effective way to get my point across the first time." He then turned around and started to leave, gesturing with his hand for her to follow. "Come on, the calvary awaits. There are enemies we must attend to."
She was hesitant, understandably, and thinking about changing her mind at the last second. Maybe it would be best to stay in this dark, comfortless abode until the end of time.
Reiko looked over his shoulder and seen her cowering in the cell. He rolled his eyes, "I won't put my hands on you again, unless you give me a reason. You want to sit in there confined until you draw your last breath? Or do you want to make yourself useful?"
"Fine." She muttered then shuffled out of the cell to his side. They began walking down the widened, high-ceilinged corridor lined with cells and dimly lit with wall-mounted torches.
Reiko looked down at her then smirked. "I may be a man of little patience. But I promise you will be treated fairly and humanely as long as you honor your end of the bargain."
"I will. And I won't be any trouble." She promised looking up at him doe-eyed and hopeful. Seeing his expression soften just a little. Wanting to ask about this food that was promised, but remained silent, not wanting to push her luck.
The enchantress smiled to herself as they walked side by side in complete silence. The possibility of a carefully orchestrated escape was the first thing to cross her mind. Though being out of confinement, freed from a hollowed out cube with an iron barred door. She was still very much a prisoner, and getting past the new burly gatekeeper will indeed be extraordinarily difficult if not impossible.
GetCaged: I totally agree, they can be fun to write about. Shao Kahn is such an in-your-face kind of evil that is cunning, brutal, and at times humorous when things don't go his way. Then there's Reiko, the mysterious evil that seems more gentlemanly. I've always found his mystique rather interesting and strangely appealing.
Thanks for the review! I will try not to disappoint. :)