The ship arrives at our destination, stopping on an old, gray stained wooden dock. The warriors finish their sparring; facing the city we are going to travel through with pride, excitement, and or readiness for the challenges ahead. Father advances, leaving the ship as we follow. The pitter-patter of our feet on the dock hits my ears. The stone, gray city and its residents welcome us, bowing before father as we advance. The rest of the warriors and guards follow behind father, Shang Tsung, Rain, Kitana and I.
As our forces step off the ship one by one, the city inhabitants bow, offering small gifts such as food and drink. Some accept their small contributions, and others do not as we march through the city. We pass by little markets selling clothes, fruits, and meats, which most likely weren't fresh. Everything in Outworld is tainted in some way. Even the 'perfect little bitch' I have for a sister.
As we pass through, I happen to attract the attention of a group of men, swords and axes in their hands with sturdy builds. Obviously bandits, for they have the Outworld look in their eye, though they do not dare to pester the emperor. As I brush past, one gives a wolf-whistle loud enough to reach my ears over the racket contributing from our forces. I ignored their little attention stunt, still advancing with the crowd.
We advance, coming to a stop in front of a building that is almost, if not exactly, the same as our palace. It has equivalent height, width, and the same design, with the exception of the different colors. A dragon sits at the very top, and the roof is black and multi-inclined. Everything else on it is mostly made of brick and is a dark shade of crimson.
There are long scrolls on each side that wave in the wind. Both read "トーナメン" meaning tournament. This is where every warrior from both sides must stay until the first part of Mortal Kombat is over with. That is how it is for every tournament. Before father opens the gate, he turns to all of us.
"Onward my forces, victory is at hand," he shouts, getting the exact reaction he wanted from the crowd.
We all cheer simultaneously, though I do not cheer for Outworld, I cheer for my plans to get rid of my 'dear' sister. Father then opens the door and we all storm in.
As soon as we enter, the inside displays to us a blend of violets, silvers, and shades of blue and gray. It shines with pure elegance as we walk through the entrance, which is also a lobby. There were two hallways, one left, one right, that circle around each floor as one. Before anyone ventures off in different directions, Shang Tsung turns to us, raising his arm, showing he was going to speak.
"This is where we will stay, along with the forces of Earthrealm. Since we arrived here first, we get advantages. Pick any room you want, there are approximately three hundred, so pick wisely; they are all expected to be filled with warriors, servants, and guards from both realms. We will be living with the enemy, so be aware of your surroundings. This is all about survival now. Do as you please and expect to hear a tournament siren tomorrow, for fighting begins then," he instructs us.
Shang Tsung practically runs every tournament, for it was he that has to fall in order for anyone to face father in kombat. For the last nine tournaments he's been collecting souls, successfully winning Mortal Kombat for our forces. This is most likely the only reason father even lets him continue breathing.
"Now go," he puts his hand down, and everyone walks east and west through the halls as commotion spreads.
I go east leading a crowd alongside Kitana and Rain. Some take the lower level rooms as we pass them by. My sister continues down the long, wide, ultramarine hall, choosing a room more in the middle of the others. I decide to take the staircase to my left upward, which is blue with a substantial sized silver tiger face sketched in. Rain follows, along with a number of warriors who aren't quite fond of the first floor either.
The first flight of stairs takes us up a floor that holds two halls that also connect, one on each side, both containing rooms and a rather large, circular slide window that stands out in the center of the hall. The imperial stairs split into two that delivers to the next floor above. Rain pats me on the back with a hidden smile as he passes in front of me, settling on the second floor, along with a few other fighters including Reptile. I watch him walk to his chosen room before heading up the next flight.
I venture up the staircase to my right until I reached the third floor. They seem to all have the same shimmering tiger designs elegantly sewed into each fabric on each stair. I make it to the top, turning down the right hall. As I pass by, each door seems to be wooden, outlined in indigo, and each with a different shimmering symbol towards the top. I walk until I reached the end of the hall, making my decision on where I would stay. Candles hang above each room's entrance. Each door has quite a bit of space from the next as well, despite the rooms that are across from each other.
There is a room across from mine, as well as to the left. I turn to see Jade going into a room that is only a few doors to the left from mine. There are ten floors and three hundred rooms, leaving thirty rooms to each floor, doesn't seem like many, but by how big each room is, it makes sense. I twist the gray lustrous nob and enter my room, shutting the door behind me.
It is rather spacious. The first thing I touch is the bed. It is large with soft silk silver sheets and blue covers made of many layers. Across from it is an all gray wardrobe. I unbolt it, revealing a large mirror inside as well as space for clothing. This sure is the peak of elegance for a realm that is so damn corrupt. Hell, this place is much better than our palace.
There is a sliding window towards the head of my bed. Instead of investigating it, I take the time to lie upon the cot and rest my body. I simply lay here, hands straight and folded, staring at the ocean blue ceiling, and for the first time in a long time, relax, eyes closed.
The fight to end all fights was nearing. Powerful warriors scattered throughout each of the realms. I charge toward the other herd of enemies. I'm ready. Roars of war filled the air along with swords, spears and such. The forces of light collided weapons with our forces in the reddish deserted pits, which insured no one would leave or escape their fate this day. An Earth Realmer with rather dark tan skin and red markings on his face swung a green lit axe at me. As I met it with my sais, our metal collided, sending sparks out to other people who did battle. My foot met his stomach to get him off his guard, which worked. I lifted my sai and went to strike as his glowing, green axes crossed, blocking my blow, sending me back a few steps. I gazed upward as he went for another attack. Suddenly a pyramid arose from the ground.
I open my eyes and quickly sit up, immediately unsheathing a sai, and looking around the room with cautious eyes. It was just a dream. I place it back into my sai holster quickly. Suddenly I hear racket storm the halls like when we first arrived, but slightly calmer. I also hear voices from my window, all sounding too far away to make out. I walk towards it and open it. I stick my head out a bit, peering down at the front entrance as I notice warriors are still entering. However, they are not warriors I recognize. The Earthrealm forces must have arrived. I slide the window shut and turn to exit my tournament quarters.
I open the door and walk out, turning and closing the door behind me. I turn back around to spot a ninja leaving the room directly across from mine in an all gray fighting suit with a black mask that hid his identity. His silk light gray hair meets his shoulders, with light brown eyes that made him look sympathetic. He has to be at least five inches taller than me with very toned muscles and a smooth complexion. I have never seen him before in our realm; he is definitely of the Earthrealm forces.
As we both step into the hall, we exchange calm glares. His stunning soft eyes analyzing me, and I do the same. I wonder what abilities he possesses. I snap out of it and realize we have been standing here a little too long when he meets my eyes, and gives me a hidden smile. I look the other direction slowly, and proceed to walk. I reach the staircase and see all their forces going up floors and into rooms, filling the remainder.
I pause as a few warriors carrying luggage pass by with a "Pardon me". Damn Mortals, they're too polite.
"Hey Outworld girl," I hear a soft male voice say.
I turn to my left and spot the gray ninja, waiting for the other fighters to pass along with me. His arms are crossed, and he is facing forward.
"What makes you assume I'm of that origin," I snap without raising my voice.
"Earthrealm women don't dress uh..." he pauses, looking down at my chest momentarily, then back forward.
"In the same attire," he finishes.
"I see..." I pause and turn to him.
"I guess our forces truly are dominant in every way," I attempt to get a spark of anger out of him with this comment, but he just giggles.
"You know, I was a little stunned entering this building, not only does the exterior not match the fancies of the interior," he turns to me.
"But it looks like he stole it directly from Nether Realm as a souvenir," he finishes with a grin under his guise.
I want to rip his mask off, toss him down the stairs, and split his head open with my sais, but there are rules that could get me disqualified if fighting is done anywhere and anytime other than being in a tiered match or on training grounds due to the blasted Elder Gods. So instead I shoot back an insult.
"Yet somehow, we've managed to win this tournament nine continuous times, make that ten after this one," I narrow my eyes, making sure my words come off as threatening.
He turns to me, reaches out and places a loose string of hair behind my ear. I watch slightly annoyed as he does this. He then steps closer, peeking down at my eyes.
"We'll see, Miss Outworld," he says in a low voice that is almost a whisper.
He then proceeds to walk down the stairs to our left, leaving me. I go to the other staircase and venture to the bottom floor. My little encounter with him escalates my urge to kill this gray ninja even more, whether it is the tournament or not. I'll kill him along with Kitana as a bonus.
I travel through the halls to the back of the palace, where training and sparing takes place. I don't want to train with anyone as of now; I just want to train on my own. The resemblance of the training ground here compares to our palace. The only differences are we aren't high above the realm, and there is no particular design or patches of lost land. Just strictly sand, a number of fighting rings, and training dummies, all waiting to be utilized.
I take this to my advantage. I make my way across the field, watching both our forces go at it. Some stand spectating, engaging in conversation. Others go by their lonesome, attacking the training dummies as if they were alive. I decide to do just that. I choose to train in the middle of two fighters. I could instantly tell that one is an Earth Realmer. To my left is a blonde woman with blue eyes, fully concentrating on her target. To my right is Ermac, training with persistence.
I begin by striking the summit with my palms and fists, taking my time. Today is a day to keep your forces close, your foes closer, and keep your mind on the tournament. Though the tournament matters not to me, for this is merely a chance for me to get what I want; a dead sister. After this is all over, I will be sure that she shall never come first or be favored again, and I'll finally be content.
I start my kicks and repeat them continuously. I hear a strange thud when I gaze forward momentarily, still attacking with proficiency. A man with brown hair that was almost blonde lies on the bench stationed a few feet ahead of the training area. He starts breathing heavily for a moment, and then sat up. The fool is wearing shades even though there is not nearly enough sun in this realm. Earth Realmers can be so dense.
I continue with my kicks; striking with persistence, then switch to punches again. As I go for another hit a siren booms through the training grounds. I stop attacking. Everyone stops what they're doing and looks at each other; conversations break out as to what it may mean. I turn to Ermac to ask, but before I get it out, he speaks.
"It's time to feast, we will lead you there," then turns and begins walking.
I follow, though I wasn't very in the mood to eat, unless it was Kitana's flesh. I knew father might expect my presence there as well, so I proceed behind Ermac. The others follow behind us, most likely unaware of where they were going.
We enter the building and travel down the 'too elegant for this realm' corridor, leading us to a rather large door. I look around at the silver that travels through each wall. Some say the Elder God's once resided here, which is why it was so breath taking to most people. But all legends start with a pathetic mortal who has nothing to live for.
"We are here," he announces.
I open the door on my side as he opens the other, and we enter a vast gray dining room. A sapphire diamond chandelier hangs from the very top which holds large gray candles that are engulfed in white flames, most likely lit from sorcery, that brighten the entire room just right. White candles hang on the walls, sending off the white flames as well.
There are three rows of five tables that stretch through the entire room, and each has twenty seats, ten on each side. Warriors fill most of them already. Blue table cloths spread across each one, with white plates that have silver designs and silverware on each side. Servants are dressed in dark gray and swiftly bringing food to every seated fighter.
As I enter, I make my way past the tables as the sounds of warriors from both sides engaging in conversation and consuming rang in my ears. To the very front is father, Kitana at his side, on an escalated throne chair. I step to the other side of the throne, bowing to father before standing, taking in all the commotion. Shang Tsung stands below father's throne; arms crossed, awaiting everyone to be seated. Then a man in white robes with a straw hat approaches the sorcerer.
"Ah master Raiden," he announces.
"Nice of you to grace us with your..presence," Shang Tsung continues with false enthusiasm.
This is my first time seeing the Thunder God for myself, I expected more.
"Shang Tsung. Shao Khan," he replies with sternness in his voice.
"A pleasure it is to be at yet another tournament here in Outworld," Raiden finishes.
"Indeed," father replies.
"Your fighters seem to be well trained," Shang Tsung adds, obviously lying.
Why they even bother with small talk eludes me. We are here to kill everyone and take their home, and it's the only purpose for this entire tournament. It has always been this way.
"As do yours," the Thunder God assures turning to me, then Kitana.
"I'm looking forward to seeing your abilities," he insists before walking away to a table of Earth Realmers.
Most of the fighters are now seated and the commotion lessens a bit. Servants aim around the room serving foods and wines, as guards are posted against the walls. Shang Tsung takes another step forward.
"Welcome warriors," he booms, his voice echoing.
The fighters stop all conversation to listen.
"As you know, you are all here to compete in Mortal Kombat. Your time here will depend on your skill in the art of kombat, as well as your will to survive," he pauses.
"Each of you have your own headquarters, and dinner will be served around this time every day...if you're still alive," he announces with a cold grin on his face.
No one made a sound at this, as there was another pause.
"The fighting begins tomorrow, be ready...it has begun!" Shang Tsung shouts.
A moment passes before the commotion starts up again, as everyone went back to their conversations and meals. I turn to Kitana, who turns back to me. No matter what happens in this tournament, I swear...I will slay her.