Sending even more gratitude to PinkRedRose2 than usual, because this chapter was a nightmare to edit.
Chapter 9
Swan Song, or
All The Precious Things We Leave Behind
Kang's first thought was that Scorpion had somehow managed to set the whole arena aflame. The second was that a bomb or a grenade had gone off. After a few seconds of seeing nothing but small colorful dots blinking before him, Kang's eyes recovered from the brightness and he saw that it was neither.
It was the effect of a mass teleportation: about a dozen robots of various sizes had surrounded Sub-Zero.
Sub-Zero raised his arms to shoot ice at two of them. They were knocked back a step, but that neither stopped nor slowed them down. One got up behind him, striking him in the back of the head. It thrust its palms to his back, electricity sizzling around its hands. Sub-Zero screamed as the currents flowed through his body. Two more robots joined in, while the others were on their way over to huddle around him. None of them took any notice of Scorpion, who weakly dragged himself into a sitting position before teleporting.
"What are they-"
"Sorry, kiddo – that's my cue."
Smoke vanished from Kang's side like he had done that morning, reappearing behind the robot that caught Sub-Zero. Grabbing it around the waist, Smoke lifted and slammed it into the ground headfirst. Sub-Zero got back to his feet. He kicked away one robot, froze another to the ground. Smoke punched a robot that approached Sub-Zero, then kicked its midsection and head. Sub-Zero pinned one robot's arms to its back, freezing the metals together. Smoke kicked and shoved one robot so it crashed into two others.
Smoke extended his arm to his companion. Sub-Zero stared at the spot where Scorpion had teleported from for a moment before taking Smoke's hand. They vanished in a dark gray cloud. An intense flare soon followed, as the robots teleported to chase after them.
A buzzing murmuring began among the audience as they curiously asked themselves what happened. Kang, who at least possessed some insight to whom and why, also didn't know the exact answer.
On the Emperor's stage, Shang Tsung hoisted his arms up in the air and began speaking of how great and exciting it was to commence the final part of the final tournament of Earthrealm etc. etc. like no robots just showed up in front of him, or nothing out of the ordinary had happened. In the background, it looked like Shao Kahn was berating Jade for something. He dismissed her. She went to the rear of the stage where, similarly to Earthrealm's compartment, Outworld's chosen fighters were being kept.
That reminded Kang. He turned around and walked back to the Coliseum's eastern side. It was time to return to the others.
"Jade."
The Emperor was scowling at her – she could tell even before she moved from her place by Kitana's side to face him. He was having trouble keeping the heat out of his hard-edged voice.
"How is it that Earthrealm warriors brazenly appear before me when one of my most efficient assassins was sent to intercept them?!"
Jade didn't reply. Doing so would improve nothing.
"Be gone! I want you out of my sight!"
"Yes, Emperor."
After bowing her head, Jade walked out of the Emperor's cabin, into the innermost space reserved for the competitors. The first thing she got to see after she parted the drapes and stepped inside was Baraka's ugly grin.
He jerked his head to the arena. "Hey, Jade. Weren't those the men you were sent to apprehend?"
She pulled down the mask from her face as she walked past Sheeva, who was polishing her axe, and Ermac, who was floating as close as he could to the ceiling without bumping into it whilst reading. When passing Baraka, she brought forth her staff and whacked it over his head. His response was to snicker. She ignored him, walking up to a small window that faced the arena. Shang Tsung was still droning on about the glory of Outworld and the tournament, with no mention of the interruption. He had always been talented at acting as if certain incidents never took place. She crossed her arms, staff held in her axilla.
Sheeva looked up from her weapon.
"You were beaten?"
"No," Jade said, and it was true. She defeated him. She was mere seconds away from incapacitating and bringing him before the Emperor. "He escaped."
Baraka snorted.
"The Living Forest beat her…"
Jade's staff extended from beneath her arm and hit the Tarkatan in the diaphragm. He doubled over with a grunt. Delight was just about to boil over in his tiny eyes.
"Itching for a fight, are you?"
"Not now. But when all of this is over, I shall gladly kill you."
"Hah! Not after I've eviscerated you!" He drew his blade and pointed one at her.
At that moment, Goro walked inside. His parents, King Gorbak and Queen Mai, were among the more important spectators, and thus had an entire luxury section to themselves. Although he rarely saw them nowadays, Goro declined to join them due to his injury. His deep red cape covered the fractured arm, but he still refused to be seen until it healed.
He raised a brow at Baraka.
"Making shallow threats yet again, Baraka?"
Baraka snickered some more, whetting his blades together.
"There's nothing shallow about anything I do…" he said, but still sheathed the blades right afterwards. He sat down next to Reptile, who was silently moping on a frail-looking sofa; the seat bent beneath their combined weight. Reptile briefly pulled out of his state of mind to mutter something grouchily. He jumped up to perch on top of the weapon's shelf to continue brooding. Baraka sneered at him.
"Lighten up, will you?"
Reptile sent him a glare. He made a low hissing sound between clenched teeth.
"Leave me alone!"
"Yeah? Well, I'm fed up with your sulking! You've been like this all day!"
Reptile didn't answer. He peeked at Jade. She felt the guilt-ridden stare bore into her head, but didn't bestow him a look in return. Reptile nestled up on the shelf, turning around so he faced the wall.
"What do you think the Kahn will do with the princess?" he asked.
Baraka opened his mouth, and closed it again. He looked aside whilst scratching his neck. Jade's fingernails dug into her flesh. The Kahn would do nothing, not to the princesses. She had been tasked with protecting them, against anyone. She would die before that promise was broken.
Sheeva let her axe down on the floor with a thud.
"She will be reprimanded," she said, picking up her spaulders. "But to what degree, depends on whether we win or not."
Reptile hunched over with a muted whimper. He buried his face in his hands and scraped his claws against his head.
Goro stepped into the middle of the room. He perused them all with an intensive gaze, before fixing it on Sheeva.
"Defeat is not an option. Sheeva, you must take heed with the Champion."
She shrugged. "I think there will be no problem."
"He is formidable."
"So you claim." She motioned to his broken limb. "Nevertheless, that arm is useless now. You should cut it off."
Jade swallowed a weary sigh. Shokan and their warped principles. She turned around and, as expected, saw Goro observing his arm as if he were contemplating to amputate it on the spot.
"The Emperor will not be pleased if you were to mutilate yourself," she said.
Goro narrowed his eyes while he clasped a hand around his wrist. He nodded.
"The Shokan need an abled prince," he said. "Primarily, the Champion needs to be crushed."
"Which he shall," Sheeva said.
"Do not become overconfident, Sheeva. This Earthrealmer fought me, and lived to see the next day."
Outside, Shang Tsung finally reached the point in his speech where he announced the next match ("Kung Lao! Versus… Kintaro!"). Inside, Sheeva smiled as she stood up, weighing her battle-axe in her hands.
"Yes, but you forget, my young prince, that so have I."
"Well. That was random," Johnny said as Kang entered the Earthrealm compartment again. "Did you see it?"
"I saw it."
"Where were you, anyway?"
"Um, you know, down, around…" Kang made some vague hand gestures towards the floor and the arena. "But I did see it!"
He didn't feel comfortable telling the others about Smoke, or Cyrax for that matter. It was partly because, if he did, they'd ask questions he didn't have the answer for, but also because he thought Raiden and Lao would be upset with him for associating with assassins. They had more important things to worry about than his increasing tendencies of putting himself in danger to quench his curiosity.
"It's a bit weird, though," Johnny said. "You don't think an assassin would have a family. They're supposed to be badass loners without consciences and no one to rely on except their weapon of choice."
He made a few dramatic movements where he lay sprawled out on the sofa. Nightwolf looked at him from across the room.
"Like in your movies, you mean," he said dryly.
"You know, I've never actually played an assassin. They don't make very good heroes. But it would be interesting! You think I could pull it off?"
He continued chattering; Kang listened with only half an ear. Johnny had moved on to another of his films – Iron Claw – where he fought an assassin, when Kang left him and Nightwolf alone. The latter wore an expression that asked why he'd entered the conversation to begin with.
Kang walked over to Raiden and Lao, who were standing by the balcony railing.
"It's up to you two now," Raiden said. "I hope you are ready."
"We are," Lao said.
"Good." Raiden looked at them, his face filled with grave lines. "You must know, that I don't speak solely on the behalf of Earthrealm."
Shang Tsung's prattling finally came to an end. He called out Lao's name.
Lao smiled at Raiden.
"We know," he said before he jumped down to the arena.
He was facing the fire breathing Shokan with the striped skin. Raiden had said he belonged to a lower class of Shokan, which was why he looked different from Goro. If you could say that 2.5-meters-tall, four-armed monsters could look different from each other, that is.
"Fight!"
Opening his mouth, Kintaro spewed out a long trail of fire. Lao jumped out of the way and threw his hat. It cut a deep red gash in Kintaro's arm, making the Shokan roar. Lao teleported behind him, punched his head, kicked his arms, caught his hat and slashed Kintaro's back. The Shokan twisted, swiping after Lao's body with his claws. Lao sidestepped, vaulting away when Kintaro smashed his fist into the sand. Lao cut his shoulder whilst hopping over his arms. Kintaro leapt after Lao, punched, missed, and roared in anger. He swept with his hand; it smacked into the back of Lao's neck, and he stumbled. Kintaro punched his head and face, brought his upper fists onto the top of Lao's head, kicked his legs, punched his jaw, struck Lao's legs so he tripped.
Kintaro raised his fist to punch Lao into the ground. Lao teleported, reemerged ten meters away, and threw his hat. It grazed the Shokan's side. With a growl, Kintaro sprung into the air, stomping down and nearly crushing Lao as he landed. Lao scrambled away, but Kintaro still struck him in the back. He tumbled forward, only stopping when he knocked into the arena wall. The Shokan walked up to him with a long stream of fire bursting from his mouth at the ground where Lao lay. Rolling aside, he got to his feet at the last moment. He teleported again, this time to the Shokan's side. He slashed his hat across Kintaro's torso, then jumped up to dive-kick him in the face.
Before he could land on his own, Kintaro snatched hold of his ankle. He hoisted Lao into the air, about to slam him into the sand, when Lao grabbed his hat and cut Kintaro's arm. The Shokan let go with a howl. Lao jumped to his feet, rapidly punched Kintaro's torso, kicked him in the knee, the stomach, the chin. He kicked again, but Kintaro blocked. He seized Lao's waist with his lower arms, then punched him with his upper set. After flinging Lao to the ground, he breathed more fire. Teleporting away, Lao tossed his hat again. Kintaro wrapped all four arms around one of the still standing columns, hoisted it up, and whacked into the ground where Lao stood.
Lao sped to the side to avoid it, catching his hat as he ran. Lifting the entire column, Kintaro threw it. Lao skidded to a halt before flinging himself to the ground. The columns flew over him and crashed into the arena wall. Teleporting, Lao emerged right beneath Kintaro. He jumped up to uppercut the Shokan. He kicked the monster's shin, punched his knee, jump kicked him in the chest. Kintaro retaliated by striking Lao's chest with his lower arms. He then grabbed Lao's face with his upper arms, picked him up, and punched Lao in the stomach before chucking him to the ground.
Lao got to his feet, but wobbled. Kintaro breathed more fire with another roar. Dashing at the Shokan, Lao threw himself to the ground and rolled forward under the fire-trail. When he was back on his feet, he tossed his hat to the ground. Spinning at a high speed, it rolled towards Kintaro's legs, cutting his shins. Lao leapt, punched the Shokan's stomach several times, grasped the hat, and slashed it across his torso. He jumped up to kick Kintaro's head, then swiveled around and climbed onto his back. He wrapped his arm around the beast's neck, and pulled tightly. Kintaro whirled around with a snarl, trying to tear Lao off but unable to reach him. He bashed himself into the columns and stonewall to crush Lao against it. Lao screamed, but didn't let go, instead pressing harder against the Shokan's throat.
Finally, Kintaro sunk to his knees whilst gasping for air. Releasing his grip, Lao vaulted over Kintaro. He kicked the Shokan's face, slashed his hat across his torso, and landed one last kick to the head. Kintaro emitted a weak growl, after which he collapsed in the sand.
Shang Tsung wasn't even attempting to have the Earthrealmers kill their opponents anymore. He simply waved for the guards to drag Kintaro away with an annoyed expression.
Kang jumped down from the balcony, trading places with Lao. His cousin patted his shoulder and whispered a quick "Good luck" before making his way back to the compartment. Kang imagined he would need it, because he would fight yet another Shokan: the female one called Sheeva.
She was a little smaller than Goro (as if that meant anything), yet still towered over every other person present. She was dressed in a similar way: in a loincloth held up by a leather belt and light but sturdy-looking armor. Her eyes were black and her dark hair was styled in a mohawk, small horns lining it, with a long tail in the neck. Something she had that Goro didn't was a weapon: a huge battle-axe suspended on her back. She hadn't used in a previous match, but now she drew it.
Kang supposed he should feel flattered that she thought this match called for it.
"Fight!"
Sheeva swung the axe. Kang dodged by vaulting back, then threw a fireball. Bringing the axe in front of her face, she used the blade to block the fire. She leapt, almost hitting Kang as she landed, then chopped the axe down. He moved to the side and around her, throwing a fireball that singed her shoulder. She rotated, stamping down. The ground shook, just like when Goro did it. Kang stumbled and fell. She loomed over him, raised the axe and drove the wooden pole down, aiming for his chest. He rolled out of the way right as the pole struck the ground. Sheeva reached after him. He dodged and kicked her shin, punched her mid-section, kicked her knee.
She punched, hitting him in the face. She struck his stomach, kicked him in the chest and face. As she swung her axe, he ducked beneath it, upon which she grabbed his head, lifted him above her, and slammed him into the ground. His body shook when he crashed down, the air rushing out of his lungs.
His entire fight with the former Shokan champion flashed before his eyes. With a gasp, he scurried away from her. He couldn't let her catch him like that again, or give her the chance to slap him about like Goro had done. He didn't have several hours to recover this time.
He threw a myriad of small fireballs at her. Sheeva blocked two and avoided one, but she was still burnt on the legs, one lower arm, and on the side of her torso. He threw another at her face that she blocked. He sprinted at her, jumped up and kicked her in the thorax so many times he lost count. As she staggered back, he punched her in the stomach, struck her jaw. Kicking him away, she thrust the tip of the ax handle into his stomach. He doubled over, pressing a hand to his mouth to help swallow back what little he had eaten that morning. She swung the axe again, but he dodged and grasped the wood, hoisting himself up to balance on the handle. Springing off it, he kicked her in the face, then vaulted back to the ground.
He was ready to run when she seized his leg. She was about to hurl him into the sand, when he twisted, grabbed her arm with a fire-covered hand, and threw a flaming sphere at her face with the other. She dropped him with a scream. He tumbled away before scrambling up. She followed as he dashed away from her. She was faster than the males of her species, catching up almost instantly. After sweeping her hand at his legs to trip him, she kicked him away as he hit the ground. She brought the axe down and nearly split him in half. When he tried to rise, she kicked him in the chest and backhanded him. Next, she kicked his legs and stomach, and swung her axe yet again. He ducked, threw himself to the ground, rolled, got up, and ran towards the arena wall. She leapt after him, tramping so forcefully she sent vibrations through the ground, making him nearly lose his balance. She swung her weapon; the dull side of the blade hit his temple. For a moment, his sight abandoned him. Everything spun as he sagged down on all four. She kicked him again, in the stomach. He flew, tumbled, and banged into a rock. Looking up, he saw it was one of Jax's column pieces. Coming at him, she chopped down. He scampered away, causing the axe to get lodged in the stone instead. She pulled it out with a yell.
He threw another fireball, which she blocked with her axe. Reaching the wall, he jumped and used the stone to propel himself at her. He flew through the air to kick her in the face. Upon landing, he kicked her shin, punched her knee, elbowed her stomach, punched her chest, her throat. He grasped her shoulder and climbed her gigantic frame. Getting onto her back, he punched her in the head. She stretched one arm to pull him away, but he clung to her. Setting his hands ablaze, he pressed them to her face. She screamed and trashed about, some of her hair catching fire as well. Letting go, Kang jumped down and kicked her in the back so she stumbled forward. Sinking to her knees, she dug her hands into the sand to throw it at her face, before dunking her whole head into the dirt.
When the fire had been put out, she shoved herself up and slowly turned around. Kang put some more distance between them whilst assuming a shaky fighting stance, although he doubted he needed to. Sheeva stayed on her knees and needed to hold onto her axe for support. There were burn marks on her neck, jaw, and on the right side of her face. A patch on her cheek wasn't just burned – it was charred, black and yellow spots, with what was possibly a hint of bone underneath it. Kang forced himself to stare at her eyes.
"You are formidable…" she said, her voice low and croaky. "I… am beaten."
She lowered her head. Without thinking, Kang bowed back at her. When the guards came to help her she refused, then practically dragged herself back to the entrance for the Outworlders' compartment. Kang returned to his own gate, meeting Lao on the way. He heard Shang Tsung from the other side of the arena.
"It is with much excitement… we now enter the last part of the tournament!"
Lao gave Kang a searching look. "Are you alright? You look pretty tired."
"Well, she packed quite a punch." Kang rolled his shoulders with a grimace. There was a spot between his shoulder blades that especially ached.
Smiling, Lao wrapped his arms around Kang's neck and gave him a quick hug.
"You heard the windbag – we'll be done here soon. And then we won't have to fight ever again."
"Mm."
Kang nodded, a small sigh escaping his lips.
"Kung Lao! Versus… Quan Chi!"
The audience exploded at the Netherrealm sorcerer's name. It seemed he'd really endeared himself to them.
"See you in a bit," Lao said as he began making his way to the sand pit.
"Good luck," Kang called after him, before hurrying up the stairs so he wouldn't miss any part of the match. He reached the balcony and the others just as Shang Tsung commanded Lao and Quan Chi to begin.
"Fight!"
Lao tossed his hat at Quan Chi, who dodged. Lao caught the hat by teleporting behind the sorcerer. He aimed a punch, but Quan Chi blocked and caught his fist. He kicked Lao's shin, hit him in the stomach. Breaking free, Lao chopped his hands at Quan Chi's head and throat. He gripped his hat as it soared over them and slashed the sorcerer's torso. It was Quan Chi's turn to teleport. Appearing behind Lao, he punched his neck, swiveled to kick his stomach, jumped back while kicking his chin. He summoned a green, glowing skull which he smashed into Lao's chest.
Lao began to spin so quickly he resembled a small tornado, and knocked into Quan Chi. The sorcerer reeled; Lao grabbed him by the neck and spun some more, then threw him to the ground. He was about to throw his hat when Quan Chi twisted onto his back and clenched his fist. A circle of bright light flared up from the ground. A few rays hit Lao, who jumped back as if burned. Quan Chi teleported right next to Lao, punched him in the face, the shoulder, kicked his torso. Lao swiveled to punch Quan Chi in the face, chest, head, gut, then teleported and tossed his hat. Quan Chi teleported as well, reappearing in seven different places.
Another illusion!
Lao whirled around with his arms raised, prepared to either strike or block while trying to determine which of the sorcerers was the right one. One of them summoned a skull in his hand, and ran at Lao. He punched its face – it dissolved. Another closed in on him – he slashed his hat across its stomach and the same thing happened. Two more began to move. He took his hat and threw it. It went through both. A fifth came up behind him. Gyrating, he punched it in the chest – it connected!
The real Quan Chi summoned another skull that he bashed over Lao's head, knocking him to the ground. He conjured up something else – his broadswords – and stabbed downwards. Lao rolled out of the way, causing the swords to plunge into the sand. Lao punched Quan Chi's face, kicked his knee, then grabbed one of the sorcerer's legs and lifted it, kicking the other so the pale man fell. Lao dashed to pick up his hat which had landed in the sand and slashed Quan Chi's legs with it. The sorcerer kicked Lao's knee as he scrambled off the ground. Lao jumped up to kick Quan Chi's head. The sorcerer summoned another skull whilst he stumbled back. He threw the skull, which Lao cleaved through with his hat.
Quan Chi created another light circle on the ground. Lao leapt over it, rolled his hat at Quan Chi, and teleported. The hat grazed Quan Chi's calf; he kicked it away. Lao appeared in front of him, grabbed his shoulder, and somersaulted over his head. Lao pulled the sorcerer with him as he landed again, heaving him to the ground. Quan Chi barely got to his feet before Lao punched his face and kicked him in the stomach. He struck the sorcerer's chest, grabbed his hat from the ground, and slashed Quan Chi's shoulder with it. The Netherrealmer staggered. Lao chopped his hand to his throat; Quan Chi doubled over slightly. Lao chopped at his neck, punched his head, kicked his knee. Lastly, he took his hat and stabbed it into Quan Chi's chest, then ripped it out.
Lao inhaled heavily as he watched the sorcerer wobble around. Blood trickled down Quan Chi's torso, staining his white skin. Quan Chi stared at Lao with wide eyes, his teeth bared in a horrible grin.
He lunged, bringing his fists down on Lao's head from above, and punched Lao's throat. Lao chopped his hand at the sorcerer's neck. Quan Chi conjured up a skull which he thrust into Lao's gut. It exploded, sending Lao flying. Quan Chi took hold of his ankle and chucked him to the ground. Lao rolled over and was about to get back on his feet when Quan Chi stuck his broadswords into Lao's stomach.
Someone gasped. Kang thought it was Johnny, but he couldn't be sure. There was a loud buzzing sound filling his ears. His belly turned into a hollow pit, threatening to suck him through. His knees caved, he grabbed the railing for support.
Quan Chi pulled out one sword. Lao screamed. The blood seeped from his wound, into the sand. Quan Chi raised the sword and plunged it into his throat. He twisted the blades and slashed, tearing two huge clefts open in Lao's body.
Kang jumped.
He ran out on the arena while tripping over his own feet, and knelt by Lao's side. He cupped his cheeks in his hands – they were so cold – and turned his head to look into his eyes.
Lao didn't look back.
Someone reached out a hand to close Lao's eyes. Kang didn't know why, he couldn't see anything anyway. The same person lifted him off the ground. Kang looked up and saw Raiden carry Lao away. Lao's blood stained the god's white robes. Lao's blood stained the sand. Kang dug his hands into the liquid. It was still warm. Not like Lao's body.
Echoes in the distance. Maybe laughter, maybe crying. Maybe… someone calling his name? Liu Kang, versus… Liu…
"Liu! Liu!"
Hands turned Kang's head. Johnny crouched beside him, clutching his shoulders, stroking his cheeks. Tears streamed down the actor's face. He sobbed a little.
"Liu, you don't have to do this," he said. "You don't have to fight, you can still pull out."
Fight.
Kang didn't want to fight. He wanted to go home and never fight anyone ever again.
"No, he must fight!" Nightwolf spoke loudly. "Earthrealm will be lost unless-"
"No, he doesn't!" Johnny yelled. "You don't, you don't have to! We'll figure something out, we'll be fine!"
Pull out, not fight… But if he could choose to withdraw, why hadn't Lao? Why did he battle and lose?
What point was it for any of this if they didn't even win in the end?
Kang pushed himself up. Johnny held his arms, helping him to his feet.
"I'll fight…" he mumbled.
"You don't have to-"
"No, I'll fight."
He walked to his spot on the arena, whilst Johnny was dragged back to their compartment by Nightwolf.
Quan Chi held one of the broadswords in his hand. It was still dyed deep red. He pulled a gloved finger along the blade, then rubbed it against his thumb. The sword faded away, but Lao's blood on his fingers didn't.
Kang assumed a fighting stance. Quan Chi squinted up at him with a smile.
"Oh, are you ready now?"
Kang clenched his jaw tightly, and warmed up his hands.
The crowd cheered as Shang Tsung hollered about the glory of Outworld and how the last match was about to begin, but he was wrong. The last match was against the Emperor. This was simply the penultimate one.
Stupid sorcerer to forget something like that.
"Fight!"
Kang threw so many fireballs that they became a stream of flames. Quan Chi teleported out of the way. He punched Kang in the back of the head, in the shoulder, in the neck. He kicked his shin, struck his head from above. Gyrating, Kang punched Quan Chi in the chest, then twice in the face. He spun and thrust his palms at the sorcerer's torso, sending him backwards. Kang vaulted forward, landing on the sorcerer and knocking him down.
Writhing on the ground, Quan Chi bashed a skull into the side of Kang's head. He pushed Kang off before teleporting again. A ring of white-skinned men formed around Kang, smiling smugly at him. Kang pressed his hands together, shooting out another flood of fire. He swiftly rotated so it touched every copy. One of them disappeared before he reached it, and materialized on the other end of the arena, by the Emperor's stage. Kang dashed when the light circle flared beneath his feet.
It didn't burn, but it did hurt. Thousands of small creatures started crawling underneath his skin, scratching and biting. They crept up his nose and into his eyes, pried his mouth open and went into his throat. He gagged, feeling light-headed as the creatures stuffed his airways. He leapt out of the circle, and everything stopped. Crouching in the sand he retched, even though he knew there wasn't – and never had been – anything inside of his body.
He saw something come at him from the corner of his eye. The green skull zoomed past his face as he jumped back. Swiveling, he shot out another stream of fire. Teleporting, Quan Chi reemerged in front of Kang to punch his throat and chest. Kang kicked the sorcerer's shin, punched his jaw. Quan Chi kicked Kang in the stomach, struck a palm to his head, thrust his hands into Kang's torso so he stumbled back. Quan Chi summoned a skull and bashed it down at Kang's head. After rolling to the side, Kang got to his feet, kicked the sorcerer's knee, punched him in the gut, uppercut. He jumped up to kick Quan Chi in the torso, forcing him backwards. Kang punched his knee, spun and kicked high, striking the side of his head.
Quan Chi teleported again, far away, and raised a glowing, clenched fist. Something moved beneath the sand, making its way up. Small, white, knobby things appeared. Kang recoiled. Hands, skeletal hands, digging upwards, followed by forearms and elbows, and then a whole skeleton bursting up. Kang backpedaled as quickly as he could, only halting because another emerged from behind. Within seconds, dozens of them came at him from every side.
Was it a trick? Yet another illusion?
One of them grasped his ankle; he was pulled down by gaunt hands. They yanked his hair, sunk their teeth into his flesh, wrapped crooked fingers around his neck. He jerked one arm loose, rupturing a brachium whilst doing it, and bombarded them with fire. They didn't seem to feel it, didn't retreat or make any noises, but slowly their grips loosened as they cracked and broke down. When the last one let him go, he shot towards Quan Chi.
The sorcerer threw a skull at him. Kang ducked, then kicked him in the head. Quan Chi whirled around, punched Kang in the face, and kicked his leg. Falling back a step, the sorcerer summoned a skull in his hand and thrust it toward Kang's neck where it began to gnaw at him. Screaming, he wrenched the skull's jaws open and threw it far away from him. Seizing him by the shoulders, Quan Chi pushed him down into the sand. He summoned his broadswords. Kang scrambled up, kicked him in the stomach, then planted the heel of his boot in Quan Chi's temple. The sorcerer laughed as he slashed at Kang with his weapons. Kang sidestepped the blades. He stopped, putting his hands together. Quan Chi raised his swords to thrust them at him.
He wanted to be behind Quan Chi. It didn't matter how many meters or at what angle. Behind.
The sorcerer was just about to stab him, when the flames rose around him, covering him completely. He became one with the flames. For a single moment, he was in two places at once.
Two places and no places.
The fire died down. Kang inhaled greedily, before punching the sorcerer in the back. Quan Chi stumbled forward. He looked at Kang with incredulity. Kang punched him in the face, then the stomach, his burning fists leaving black and red spots on Quan Chi's skin. He kicked the sorcerer in the groin, uppercut, and finished by tearing a sword from his hand and forcing it into his abdomen.
Quan Chi gasped whilst sagging to the ground. The sword vanished, leaving the wound gaping and the blood flowing heavier. Kang walked closer to look down at his contorting face. The sorcerer gritted his teeth at him.
"What now? Will you kill me, boy?"
Kang scowled. He raised his foot and stomped at the sorcerer's face. His head lolled to the side, blood spurting out of his broken nose.
Kang looked to the stage, past Shang Tsung's astonished gaping, and met Shao Kahn's gaze. The Emperor sat slouched on his throne, and although Kang couldn't see his eyes behind the mask at this distance, he could feel them.
Shang Tsung twitched back to life, stammering forth his first couple of lines. Kang turned around and walked back to the Earthrealm compartment.
"Jesus Christ!" Johnny exclaimed when he arrived upstairs. "Are you okay?"
Kang frowned at him. Johnny was staring at his neck where the skull had bitten him. He brought a hand to touch the spot, finding it was wet, uneven, and left his fingertips red.
"Oh! Yes, yes I'm fine."
It was true – Kang didn't feel a thing. Judging by the look on Johnny's face, he didn't believe him.
"There are healing spells for that," Raiden said, sounding hoarse. "We will return to the palace, and then we-"
"Where's Lao?"
Raiden instantly quietened. His facial expression stiffened. He crossed his arms.
"After we are done we will-"
"I want to see him now!"
"You need to keep your mind on the target, Liu Kang!"
Kang couldn't remember the last time he heard Raiden shout. He didn't think the god had ever shouted at or been actually angry with him, but now he glowered down at Kang with harsh eyes. Kang tried to glare back, but it was difficult. His eyes stung and his vision blurred. His throat was contracting, making him swallow over and over again.
Raiden's face softened. He reached out to stroke Kang's hair, then pulled him close and held him whilst rubbing his back.
"We will return to the palace for healing and rest," he said. "Then, when we have left this place, we will have time to grieve."
They teleported right into Kang's bedchamber where Raiden sent for healers and servants. Johnny, who couldn't wait, immediately doused several towels to press against Kang's neck. Soon servants arrived with refreshments, and the healers with ointments. Raiden assured them that all of it was safe, but Nightwolf still spent twelve minutes interrogating the healers on what was in the medicine before letting them near Kang. They used two different remedies that were spread onto the dressing before they were fastened against his skin. One was for numbing the pain – which was unnecessary because he still felt nothing – while the other sped up the restoration. By the time he would face the Emperor, Kang's flesh and skin would have grown back anew.
After half an hour of treatment the helpers departed, and they were left to sit by themselves in silence. Someone knocked on the door. All four heads snapped up.
Kitana stood in the door opening. She had her hair pulled into a high ponytail, and her face was bare. Her posture was slightly hunched; she held her arms in front of her, hands pressed to her chest like a shield.
"Hi," Kang rasped.
"Hello," she said, looking to the floor.
Johnny's head darted between them. At last, he patted Kang's leg gently, then stood and walked out of the room. Nightwolf and Raiden followed suit, the Thunder God giving Kitana a brief nod before leaving.
She trod over to him. After hesitating for a second, she gingerly sat down next to him on the bed. She laid her hand on his, lacing their fingers together. It felt so warm compared to his own.
She opened her mouth, but closed it without saying anything.
He cleared his throat, tugging his lips upward.
"I promise to go easy on your dad."
At first she only blinked uncomprehendingly, but then she nodded.
"That's good," she whispered.
Kang nodded too, sniffling some. His eyes were beginning to sting again. The hot tears rose, distorting everything. The sorrow settled like a rock in his throat and denied space for anything else.
He wanted to see Lao, so, so much. But did he really? Because it wouldn't be Lao he'd see. What would lie there wouldn't be him, or even his shell. It'd be nothing. There would be nothing left. Emptiness.
Lao was gone.
Not once in his entire life had Kang longed for something like this. Not for the other monks, or for Raiden, or for his parents. He wanted to see Lao. But Lao was gone.
Lao was gone and would never come back. He'd never be back to spar with him, or remind him to do his chores, or tease him when he did something wrong, or ruffle his hair, or hug him whenever he needed someone to.
Lao was dead.
A single choked noise escaped him. Then the tears surged.
Kitana wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned onto her to hide himself in her hair. His airways felt so thick; he had to struggle for breath. Between the gasps and sobs, tiny wails erupted from him. He wanted to scream, to howl out the raw grief until his voice was gone, but the air, the air wasn't enough, not even to speak with.
Dampness hit his scalp. Kitana had begun shedding tears as well, but she didn't say anything. She merely laid down with him on the bed, embraced him as he clung to her, and allowed him to cry.
The sky was just in the process of shifting from blue to pink; all around the Coliseum torches were lit. The audience was uncharacteristically orderly and quiet. The sand floor was still discolored in some areas.
Standing all geared up in the arena, Shao Kahn somehow seemed to be even bigger than before. He was shirtless, wearing spiked spaulders, had his mask fastened to a metal helmet, and held a great hammer that looked too heavy to lift in his hand. Kang understood why he was feared throughout the realms.
Before she left, Kitana advised him to keep as much of a distance as possibly between himself and the Kahn, and to never stop moving. And whenever the Emperor crouched down on his knees, Kang would need to move out of the way – instantly. He intended to follow her instructions to the letter.
Shao Kahn tilted his massive chin up to look at Kang from down his nose.
"So you are the champion…" he said. "The human worthy of my time."
"Yes."
"You expect to triumph."
"Yes."
"Witless boy…" Shao Kahn elevated one arm and gestured to the sky. "I am Shao the Conqueror! Victory will never be yours to taste! You will die, and your realm will bow to me!"
Kang didn't grant him a response. He changed positions to loosen up his muscles, flexed his fingers, and bent his neck from side to side so it cracked.
He was ready. The finale could begin.
"Fight!"
Shao Kahn hurled his hammer. Kang vaulted backwards. It rocketed forth right where his head had been. His hands heated up; he shot a blast of fire at the Emperor. The Kahn stepped aside, the fire still singing part of his chest, and rushed at Kang. Kang jumped to the side, but Kahn nevertheless rammed his shoulder into Kang's throat, knocking him back. Kahn grabbed the handle of his hammer, pulled it up and swung it at Kang's head. Kang ducked, got close and punched Kahn's chest, on the burnt skin, and hit his jaw. Kahn huffed as he placidly looked down at Kang.
"Do not make me laugh," he said as he raised the hammer above his head. It crashed down with a bang, Kang barely avoiding it. He punched Kahn in the stomach, kicked his knee, then fell back and sprinted away from the Emperor.
Distance, he needed to keep his distance. But, that was easier said than done. The Outworlder wasn't nearly as sluggish as his size would have you believe. Kang saw Kahn close in as he turned around to launch streams of fire at him. One hit his armored shoulder while another his knee and calf. A third almost reached his face, but the Kahn blocked by bringing his forearm in front of him. The Kahn swung his hammer again. Kang sidestepped, casting fire at his feet. Kahn simply thundered through the flames. Bending his knees, he knocked Kang upwards using his shoulder. Kang stumbled. Kahn bashed his fists on his head so he fell completely, and raised the hammer again to slam it onto Kang. He frantically tumbled away. After scrambling to his feet, he punched the Kahn in the stomach and chest, then uppercut.
Kahn didn't even appear to have felt it. He released his hammer for a second to punch Kang in the stomach and jaw, then swept with the hammer at Kang's legs so he tripped. Aiming at Kang's head, he stomped down. Kang dodged by rolling aside, after which he ran once more. He sped around the arena whilst sending blasts of fire at the Emperor. Kahn sliced through an outstandingly big one with his hammer, before kneeling on the ground. A light came to be in his hand, molding into something thin and oblong. Halting, Kang vaulted backwards and was out of the way before the magical spear was halfway towards him.
Kahn growled, then attacked. He tried to ram his shoulder at Kang again, but missed. He hoisted up the hammer, swinging it. Kang twisted to move away, but wasn't fast enough. The hammer hit his arm with a crack. Kang screamed as he clamped his good hand over his shoulder.
"You are nothing!" Shao Kahn yelled. The hammer's handle thrust into Kang's chin; the taste of blood filled his mouth. "A weak, wretched, fool! Pathetic!"
He slammed the hammer into the ground yet again. Kang dodged, punched the Kahn in the stomach, jump kicked his chest, kicked his knee, punched again in the throat, in the chin. He stepped back and propelled himself at the Emperor, kicking him in the head, then dashed as far away as he could. He stopped for a moment to consider his arm. The shoulder hung low, the arm limp and useless.
Dislocated – not broken.
He ran again, away from the approaching Emperor, and skidded in behind a column. He inhaled through clenched teeth. This was okay, it wasn't the first time. They dislocated joints on each other all the time when they were young and inexperienced.
He grabbed his wrist and slowly pulled. His eyes watered as a whine seeped out between his lips. A loud pop was heard when the shoulder slid back into its socket, the pain steadily dissipating.
Kang sighed in sweet relief, beads of sweat trickling down his face. He opened his eyes just in time to see Shao Kahn swing his hammer towards him.
He tore away as the hammer hit the column. Pieces of white stone rained down on the spot he'd been sitting. Kahn threw the hammer again. Kang dodged, swiveled and shot out a blaze at the Emperor's torso. His legs began to feel numb – he was slowing down. Kahn drew nearer and nearer. He swung the hammer in an arch from below; Kang dashed backwards. He swung it from the side; Kang ducked. He kicked Kang in the torso; Kang was sent soaring across the arena and into the stonewall. Light and colors flickered before him, but he got to his feet and ran again.
He turned around to throw a ball of fire – it passed the Kahn by half a meter. He tried once more, only to trip over his own feet and plummet to the ground. As he moved to shove himself up again, he laid his hand upon something that didn't belong there. He looked down. The part that stuck up from the sand gleamed a little bit, and it was hot to the touch after having been out beneath the scorching sun all day. Kang could see his reflection on the dusty surface.
Jade's dagger! It was still there!
Kang grasped the weapon's handle and stuck it in his belt, then advanced rather than retreated.
He kicked Kahn in the chest. Kahn punched after him, but he ducked. Instead the Kahn kicked his legs so he fell. He raised the hammer; Kang rolled away when it smashed down. Kahn grabbed his arm, kicked his head, then hoisted him up. He grinned at Kang.
"Prepare to die, mortal!"
He elevated his other hand. Kang didn't know what he planned, and never got to find out, because before the Emperor could do anything, Kang plunged the dagger into his neck.
Kahn's eyes bulged. He dropped Kang as he staggered backwards. Kang scurried away, readying himself. Kahn yanked the dagger out, causing the blood to gush.
He pressed a hand to the wound, pointed at Kang, and spoke whilst wheezing.
"Is that your best?!"
No. But this is.
Kahn picked up the hammer and threw it, but Kang ducked underneath the projectile. He rushed forth and kicked Kahn in the chest, too many times to count. He punched his knee as well as his stomach, drove his elbow into the Kahn's gut, uppercut, and punched him in the chest, hands blazing, three times, four times, five… Kahn's skin turned red, then black, blistering and searing.
With a yell, he launched the final blow, striking the Emperor so his hand penetrated the flesh and delved into the chest cavity.
Shao Kahn emitted a low gurgling sound. His eyes widened in shock. His hand weakly flew up towards Kang's face, his fingers grasping with spasmodic movements. He fell backwards and landed with a crash. Kang's hand quivered. He forced it steady with his other hand, smearing the blood and the tissue onto his palm. The whole Coliseum was dead silent.
"Citizens!"
Kitana had risen from her chair. She looked over the spectators, halting her eyes when she reached Raiden opposite her on the other end.
"Visitors," she continued. "I, Kitana of Outworld, hereby declare Liu Kang the victor in the last Mortal Kombat in Earthrealm history. Outworld henceforth absconds its claim to Earthrealm." She bowed her head at the Thunder God. "Congratulations."
Cheers, applauds, and shouts of approval exploded from the cages with the hostages, which only increased when they were slowly lowered to the ground. When the doors opened they rinsed out like water from a broken bottle.
Kang staggered over to them, wading through the rejoicing people. It wasn't over yet, not completely.
"Jin!"
The child was still holding Vera's hand, but when he spotted Kang in the mass he let go and ran up to him. His tiny head twisted around with anticipation, searching the sea of humans. He frowned.
"Kang, where is Lao?" he asked.
At first, Kang didn't understand what he meant. Hadn't he seen? Did Vera shield his eyes when it happened?
He crouched by the boy, almost laying the bloodied hand on his shoulder before catching himself.
"Jin," he said, voice so rough he had trouble making the words. "Lao isn't here."
Jin's face scrunched up. He shook his head.
"No, he said he would be back! He would free us! He promised!"
Kang's throat was pulled taut. Dampness welled in his eyes. He quickly wiped it away.
"I know," he said. "I know he said that, but he's not here now. He, he's gone, Jin."
"But he promised!"
"I know he promised!" Kang felt ashamed to shout at a child, but he couldn't stop himself. "I know what he said, but, but-"
"Jin."
Their heads snapped up to Raiden. Jin's mouth dropped open as he stared up at the god in awe. Was that how they looked when they first met Raiden, all those years ago?
"Lao is not with us anymore," Raiden said. "He is in a better place. You will see him again, but not in many years." He bent down to gather Jin in his arms. "Now, let us go home."
Jin docilely clambered into Raiden's arms. He leaned his head into the god's chest, his small fists clamping around the edge of his robe.
A portal opened up behind them. Kang attempted to stand, but his legs had no feeling in them and refused to move. Raiden snared his free arm around his waist and pulled him up, carrying him along as he led the train of humans to the portal.
The moment they walked through it, Kang blacked out.
"It greatly saddens me to do this, specifically now that the Emperor is in such low health," Shang Tsung said as he wandered to and fro in the throne room, in front of a small cluster of guards. "However, I have no choice."
He stopped, fastening his gaze on each of the men.
"Our Princess, Kitana, is a traitor! She has deserted us for Earthrealm. It is her actions that caused our defeat. That caused the Emperor's current condition!" He motioned to the guards, a crease between his eyes and his teeth bared in what was a smile to those who knew him. "I want you to apprehend her, and bring her to me for imprisonment until her trial. Be discreet!"
The guards bowed in acknowledgement, before turning around to walk out in a straight line.
When they were children, they often played hide and seek. Jade always hid in the ceiling, until the sisters got wise of her secret and looked there first, whereupon she needed to find another place.
Shang Tsung had never been very wise, in Jade's opinion.
The sorcerer didn't look at the door and the guards didn't look up. It was easy to slink out when they left. She put a corridor between herself and them before declining to the floor, at which point she dashed away to the fourth level, knowing she must hurry.
The door to Shang Tsung's study was locked. Shang Tsung obviously wasn't in there, but there was a risk Ermac was. She stuck a knife into the chink, cutting through the bolt and wrenching the lock away. She shoved the door open.
The study was empty.
She closed the door as much as was possible after she stepped inside. A satchel hung on a chair; she snatched it up, before turning to Shang Tsung's bookcase. She pulled out a book, read the title, and dropped it to the floor. She kept going, tearing down tomes until she found something useful, which she stuffed into the satchel. In the end, three books were the only ones worth her while. She opened the desk drawer. Nothing. Broke the lock on a chest standing by the wall to search it. Worthless. Did the same to its twin. Empty. Jerked out a case that was concealed in the wall. It was filled with about a dozen small glass spheres. Shimmering, colorful dust fluttered in a curling manner inside of them. She poured all of them into the satchel. On the desk was mostly nonsense, but a thick pouch overflowing with gold as well as a small silver box stood out. After sniffing the contents, she concluded it was healing salve. Pocketing the box along with the pouch, she hurried out and upwards to the fifth level, to Kitana's bedchambers.
She ran into three guards on the way. It appeared they had split up to cover as much ground as possible. She let the satchel fall to the floor as she extended her staff, promptly smashing it into the left guard's temple. He dropped instantly. The other two gyrated. One was about to shout; she kicked him in the mouth. The other was tripped with her staff before having it thrust it into his stomach. She kicked the guard in the chin and punched him, then finished the other one by pushing him into the wall and whacking him over the head with her staff.
Picking up the satchel, she continued to run. The three would either wake up soon, or someone else would find them and sound the alarm. They needed to be gone by then.
She burst into Kitana's room without knocking. Kitana flinched where she sat by the vanity.
"Oh, Jade!" she said with an airy laugh, wiping her wet cheeks. "You startled me! What's the matter?"
Jade didn't answer. She sped over to Kitana's wardrobe and began pulling out clothes. She stuffed them into a second bag, gathered up Kitana's jewelry box, and seized every item of value in the room. Kitana stared at her, baffled.
"Jade…? What is…"
"We are leaving!" Jade said as she pushed a cloak into Kitana's lap. "Put this on."
"Leaving?" Kitana stood but didn't don the cloak. "Where?"
"Anywhere that isn't Outworld."
"But I can't leave! Father is ill! He needs me! And Outworld, it needs someone to-"
"Your aiding of Earthrealm has been discovered." Jade tossed the bag with clothes to Kitana, who silently hung it over her shoulder. "We must leave before you are imprisoned."
"But, it's a misunderstanding! I never conspired against Outworld, I simply-"
"It doesn't matter. You will be tried and found guilty."
"Father would never-"
"Your father can do nothing!" Jade snapped. She grabbed Kitana by the shoulders and was close to shaking her. She opted to drape the cloak around her instead. "The evidence for treason exists and will be difficult to explain away. Disloyalty means the same punishment, no matter who you are. I know of many who would revel in seeing your head on a plate, Kitana."
She dropped another bag by Kitana's feet. The Princess's skin had turned ashen. It shone like sick moonlight when contrasted by her dark hair. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and averted her gaze. Jade forcibly turned her head so their eyes met.
"I will not let you be executed!"
Kitana swallowed hard. She gave a jerky nod. Jade patted her hair, then turned back to the bed to pack the last few things in the third bag.
"What of Mileena?" Kitana asked. "Will we bring her?"
Jade shut the bag and straightened up with it on her back, just happening to glance out the window at the same time.
"We will-"
Her heart stopped. Her blood ceased to flow. A hand snaked around her neck, slowly crushing her windpipe.
Mileena was playing catch with one of the tame lunnes out in the garden, using one of Shang Tsung's old sorcery manuscripts, when she was approached by four guards and two Tarkata. They spoke with her, wishing to escort her back to the palace, surely.
Jade could take them. It would be exacting, but she could take them all. But, if she did leap out the balcony and brought Mileena back up, she would have to leave Kitana alone. That was out of the question. Anyone could come in at any time. She also couldn't bring Kitana down with her – that would be even more dangerous.
Jade's stomach tied itself into a knot. Bile climbed up her throat, burning, biting.
Mileena and the guards disappeared into the palace, away from sight.
"We will not bring her."
"What?!" Kitana's expression turned horrified. "No, we must! We can't leave her! What if something happens? What if someone tries to-"
"It won't! She is not the one accused of treason. She will be safe here!"
It was true. Now, with Kitana gone, the Emperor would need Mileena more than ever. She would be surrounded by guards and people who cared for her. She would remain safe and protected here.
She would be safe.
"She will be safe!"
Kitana was about to protest again, when a bang shook the door. The princess jumped. Jade stepped in front of her.
"Your highness? Please, open the door."
Kitana trembled, her face white. Jade motioned for her to answer.
"A, a minute, please!" she called. "I am not dressed!"
"Your highness, you need to open the door now."
Jade slung the last bag over her shoulder. More banging on the door. Kitana took a step closer to Jade, who started digging through the satchel for one of the glass spheres. The door was starting to bend; the hinges groaned as they struggled to stay in place. Jade's fingers bumped against something smooth and cool. Hooking arms with Kitana, she held up the sphere. There was a crash as the door was kicked open. Kitana clung to Jade. Before the guards reached them, Jade broke the glass in half. The dust swirled into the air, enveloping them.
And then they vanished.
Ah-may-sing! After a large disadvantage due to being introduced late in the game, Quan Chi is now taking the lead of "Who Can Be the Most Despicable?". I can hardly believe it!
Let it be known that I dislike continually resurrecting characters. It's a very cheap thing to do.
I imagine Kahn's kronies view each other like family, which obviously means they hate each other, but in an affectionate kind of way.
Thank you for reading, and please review. Positive or negative, it will be appreciated.
